Part 1
Ten years later Jean Valjean had started a new life in another part of London, with another of my tribes. Can you see him over there? He walks in his coat of prestigious black and nice nice shoes and other fancy clothes and jewelry. Do you know why he can do that? Well you see running by the cathedral a stormy night the bishop told him to stay the night. But Valjean stole silver from him and tried to flee. I know I know he's a thief but how can you not low the guy? Anyway my bishop, yes my bishop had guards you see. A group of black cats and the leader was a sly one I say. Anyway they captured my poor Valjean and this is what happened…
"Tell his reverence your story", said the leader.
"Let's see if he's impressed", said the tom holding him.
"You were lodging here last night and you were the honest bishop's guest", said the youngest one.
"And then", the leader said calmly. "Out of goodness from his heart and when he learned about your plight, you maintain he made a present of this silver."
Valjean stared at them in shock as they left him with the bishop. He had feared arrest but they just left him.
"That is right", the bishop said and Valjean blushed. "But my friend you left so early, surely something slipped your mind."
"It did", Valjean asked. This was when my bishop handed Valjean two candlesticks of silver.
"You forgot I gave these also, why would you leave the best behind? But remember this my brother, see in this some high plan. You must use this precious silver to become an honest tom. By the witness of the martyrs, by the passion and the blood, EC has raised you out of darkness; I have bought your soul for her."
That happened ten years ago and Valjean swore to make a better life and now he's rich and that's why he looks like he does. He goes by another name too, these days he calls himself Bustopher Jones. And as we see him now, he's going to meet a queen that will mean a lot to him, a queen named Grizabella.
Grizabella was a prostitute, but she didn't have a choice, her daughter was living with Master Skimbleshanks and Madame Jennyanydots and they said she was sick and almost dying. She needed to find money fast to pay for the doctor. She had met a captain that she wanted to sell to.
"Come on, Captain", she said. "you can wear your shoes. Don't it make a change to have a girl who can't refuse, easy money, lying on a bed. Just as well they never see the hate that's in your head don't they know they're making love, to one already dead!"
The captain smirked and said:
"Here's something new, I think I'll give it a try. Come closer you! I like to see what I buy. The usual price, for just a slice of your pie." He was a disgusting tom and Grizabella wanted nothing to do with him.
"I don't want you", she said. "No, no, m'sieur, let me go."
"Is this a trick? I won't pay more!"
"No, not at all."
The captain grabbed her arms and shook her while yelling at her:
"You've got some nerve, you little whore! You've got some gall. It's the same with a tart as it is with a grocer the customer sees what he gets in advance! It's not for the whore to say 'yes sir' or 'no sir'! It's not for the harlot to pick and to choose. Or lead me to a dance!" He tried to hit her with a stick but Grizabella grabbed it and started to hit him with it instead. The captain grabbed it and tore it out of her hands and started to hit her. She clawed at his face and sunk her teeth into his hand, drawing blood.
"I will kill you whore", the captain growled. "I will then go after anyone you care and make sure they get to live in a hell!"
"I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!" Grizabella yelled. Even a whore who has gone to the bad won't be had by a rat!" She kicked him between the legs and the tom screamed.
"By Bast you'll pay for what you have done", he pulled a knife. "This rat will make you bleed, you'll see! I guarantee, I'll make you suffer for this disturbance of the peace! For this insult to life and property!"
Grizabella became terrified and fell to her knees grabbing his coat.
"I beg you, don't report me sir", she begged. "I'll do whatever you may want!"
The captain smirked and Bustopher who had been watching saw in horror how Deuteronomy came around the corner with other constables.
"Make your excuse to the police!" the captain said. "Deuteronomy!"
Deuteronomy walked over to them sighing tiredly.
"Tell me quickly what's the story, he said. "Who saw what and why and where? Let him give a full description. Let him answer to Deuteronomy! In this nest of whores and vipers, let one speak who saw it all!" Bustopher growled angrily. "Who laid hands on this good man here? What's the substance of this brawl?"
The captain smirked and said in mock astonishment:
"Deuteronomy would you believe it, I was crossing from the park, when this prostitute attacked me. You can see she left her mark." He pointed to his small wounds. Deuteronomy looked at them and then sternly at Grizabella.
"She will answer for her actions", he said. "When you make a full report. You may rest assured, good sir, that she will answer to the court." Grizabella looked terrified, she dropped to her knees again and grabbed Deuteronomy's legs.
"There's a child who sorely needs me", she said, almost singing. "Please M'sieur, she's but that high! Holy EC, is there no mercy? If I go to jail she'll die!"
Deuteronomy looked indifferent.
"I have heard such protestations, every day for twenty years. Let's have no more explanations save your breath and save your tears. Honest work, just reward, that's the way to please the Lady.
"NO!" Grizabella screamed and Bustopher decided that this was enough. He walked forward.
"A moment of your time, Deuteronomy", he said. "I do believe this woman's tale."
"But Mister Mayor!" Deuteronomy explained. Oh I forgot to mention that did I? In this area of the town Bustopher had become a mayor.
"You've done your duty", Bustopher went on. "Let her be she needs a doctor, not a jail."
"But Mister Mayor!"
Grizabella looked at Bustopher with big sad eyes.
"Can this be?" she asked softly.
"Where will she end-", Bustopher went on sadly. "-this child without a friend? I've seen your face before show me some way to help you. How have you come to grief in a place such as this?"
Grizabella looked sad again.
"M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray", she said. "It's hard enough I've lost my pride. You let your foreman send me away. Yes, you were there, and turned aside I never did no wrong." Realization dawned on Bustopher Jones. He realized he'd sent her away from a factory of his not long ago.
"Is it true, what I have done?" he asked.
"My daughter's close to dying", Grizabella sobbed.
"To an innocent soul?"
"If there's a Everlasting Cat above-
"Had I only known then..."
"-he'd let me die instead!"
Bustopher took her hands in his.
"In Her name my task has just begun. I will see it done! I will see it done!"
The doctors had arrived and Grizabella was taken to the hospital.
"But Mister Mayor!" Deuteronomy objected.
"I will see it done!"
"But Mister Mayor!"
"I. Will. See. It. DONE!"
After Grizabella was taken away Deuteronomy turned to Bustopher Jones.
"She was sick sir, she will not make it", he said coldly.
"I know that it may end so", Bustopher said. "But I will still-"
"Watch out!" someone yelled as the boxes behind two cats fell. Bustopher pushed Deuteronomy aside and ran over to one of the cats that were buried by the boxes. He singlepawed managed to free him and Deuteronomy stared at him in shock.
"Are you okay Deuteronomy", Bustopher asked walking over to him after being thanked by the other cats. He helped Deuteronomy up and the inspector said:
"Can this be true? I don't believe what I see! A man your age to be as strong as you are!" He looked deep in thought as if he was bothered by something. "A mem'ry stirs... You make me think of a man from years ago, a man who broke his parole. He disappeared. " Then it seemed that he realized he was talking aloud. He looked at Bustopher and bowed. "Forgive me, Sir,I would not dare!"
"Say what you must", Bustopher said. "Don't leave it there..."
Deuteronomy started to sing:
I have only known one other
Who can do what you have done
He's a convict from the chain gang
He's been ten years on the run
But he couldn't run forever
We have found his hideaway
And he's just been re-arrested
And he comes to court today.
Well, of course he now denies it
You'd expect that of a `con'
But he couldn't run forever -
No, not even Jean Valjean! – He turned around and pointed at a tom being held by a pair of constables. Bustopher blanched and sang:
You say this man denies it all
And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?
You say this man is going to trial
And that's he's sure to be returned
To serve his sentence?
Come to that, can you be sure,
That I am not your man?
Deuteronomy snorted.
"I have known the thief for ages Sir", he said smugly. "Tracked him down through thick and thin and to make the matter certain there's the brand upon his skin." He smirked. "He will bend, he will break. This time there is no mistake." They were about to walk away when Bustopher started to muse silently to himself:
He thinks that man is me
He knew him at a glance!
That stranger he has found
This man could be my chance! – He starts to walk away but stops. Remembering the bishop's words.
Why should I save his hide?
Why should I right this wrong
When I have come so far
And struggled for so long?
If I speak, I am condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned! – He put his hand to his forehead.
I am the master of hundreds of workers.
They all look to me.
How can I abandon them? – He looked back at the tom being led away, struggling in their grasp.
How would they live
If I am not free?
If I speak, I am condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned! – He could see the tears in the tom's face.
Who am I?
Can I condemn this man to slavery
Pretend I do not feel his agony
This innocent who bears my face
Who goes to judgement in my place
Who am I?
Can I conceal myself for evermore?
Pretend I'm not the man I was before?
And must my name until I die
Be no more than an alibi?
Must I lie?
How can I ever face my fellow men?
How can I ever face myself again?
My soul belongs to EC, I know
I made that bargain long ago
She gave me hope when hope was gone
She gave me strength to journey on
He stalks over to the polices and yell:
Who am I?
Who am I?
I am Jean Valjean! – Deuteronomy twirls around in shock and stared at Bustopher. The Mayor continues:
And so Deuteronomy, you see it's true
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
24601!
Everyone stares at him in shock and he manage to run from the place, do you see him, there he is. But where is he going? Hm… oh right right I know exactly where he is going. Don't look at me like that! I'm a goddess not a miracle worker, wait I am… I'm a goddess not a 'to do list', how do you expect me to remember everything? Right right on with the story, geez keep your hats on people I am doing my best! Let's go see where he went then. Sheesh stop bothering me about it. Who threw that?
Bustopher ran into the hospital and stopped by Grizabella's room and walked in slowly and saw her lie in the bed looking pale and sick. A nurse had told him she was dying and that her name was Grizabella. He got to the bed and heard her singing:
Demeter, it's turned so cold
Demeter, it's past your bedtime
You've played the day away, and soon it will be night
Come to me, Demeter the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star appearing?
Come to me, and rest against my shoulder
How fast the minutes fly away and every minute colder.
Hurry near, another day is dying
Don't you hear, the winter wind is crying?
There's a darkness which comes without a warning
But I will sing you lullabies and wake you in the morning.
Bustopher, yes I will continue to call him that since it's easier, sat at the chair by her side and said sadly:
"Oh Grizabella, your time is running out. But Grizabella I swear this on my life-"
"Look M'sieur, where all the children play..."
"Be at peace, be at peace evermore."
"My Demeter..."
"Shall live in my protection."
"Take her now..."
"Your child will want for nothing."
"Good M'sieur, you come from God in heaven." EXCUSE ME!
"And none shall ever harm Demeter as long as I am living."
"Take my hand, the night grows ever colder", Bustopher took her hand gently and put his arm around her small shoulders.
"And I will keep you warm", he said softly.
"Take my child, I give her to your keeping."
"Take shelter from the storm."
"For God's sake, please stay 'till I am sleeping and tell Demeter I love her, and I'll see her when I wake." She closed her eyes and was gone and Bustopher sighed sadly and kissed her forhead, even though this disloyal queen doesn't deserve it… God in heaven, for God's sake oh I'll have his hide I tell you that. Then the door to the hospital room opened…
TBC Here is next part, songs and any recognized dialouge is from Les Mis and not own by me. Some of you may recognize certain cats who made an appearance. I just couldn't resist ;)