To the OP: This is a different interpretation of Leroux's novel; quoting the Lloyd Webber musical as gospel is moot. I think you're missing the point of the prostitute in this version.
Erik had just seen Christine triumph in Faust and was elated and aroused. Leaving the theater, he hires a prostitute who shares physical characteristics with Christine and tells her that's what he'll call her for the night. He celebrated the success by making love with Christine via proxy. Afterwards, Erik brutally murders the three thieves. This is followed by another quick scene with the prostitute. We see her bare arms, legs and back, then a close-up of her face. She wakes up, reaches under the pillow and finds the money. She turns onto her back and we see a quick glimpse of her breast.
For me, the scenes with the prostitute are important, because they show the duality of Erik's character. They bracket the murder scene. We see his savagery during the killings, but we also see that the prostitute has no bruises, scratches or other signs of physical violence and the payment was generous. What can be inferred is that Erik is a gentle lover (watch how he reaches back to take her hand after blowing out the match). At the beginning of the Faust performance, we have the flashback of Erik working in a brothel where he was friends with, and no doubt took his pleasure with, the women working there. I think the scene with the prostitute is bittersweet, as it reminds him of his past, before he was cursed.
This movie isn't for everybody, but I think it has more going for it than a lot of people realize.
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