Scene 5
The scene begins outside a factory. The screen displays the caption "1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer." The caption then fads and a new one comes up that says "In order to start over, Valjean creates a new life as Monsieur Madeleine and becomes a mayor and an owner of a factory." Outside the factory, the poor wander.
At the End of the Day
The Poor
Sung
At the end of the day you're another day older
And that's all you can say for the life of the poor
It's a struggle, it's a war
And there's nothing that anyone's giving
One more day standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
At the end of the day you're another day colder
And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill
And the righteous hurry past
They don't hear the little ones crying
And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill
One day nearer to dying!
At the end of the day there's another day dawning
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Like the waves crash on the sand
Like a storm that'll break any second
There's a hunger in the land
There's a reckoning still to be reckoned and
There's gonna be hell to pay
At the end of the day!
The scene cuts to inside the factory. Workers busily work at machines. One of the workers, FANTINE, works especially hard. She seems nervous/angry with the FOREMAN, who seems to be in an extremely foul temper.
Foreman
Sung
At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread Worker #1
Sung
There are children back at home! Workers #1 and #2
Sung
And the children have got to be fed. Worker #2
Sung
And you're lucky to be in a job… Woman
Sung
And in a bed! Workers
Sung
And we're counting our blessings! Woman #2
Sung
Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands? Woman #3
Sung
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way… Woman #1
Sung
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands! Woman #4
Sung
And the boss, he never knows
That the foreman is always in heat Woman #3
Sung
If Fantine doesn't look out
Watch how she goes
She'll be out on the street! Workers
Sung
At the end of the day it's another day over
With enough in your pocket to last for a week
Pay the landlord, pay the shop
Keep on grafting as long as you're able
Keep on grafting till you drop
Or it's back to the crumbs off the table
You've got to pay your way
At the end of the day!
A factory notices FANTINE attempting to read a letter discreetly
Girl (Grabbing the letter from Fantine)
Sung
And what have we here, little innocent sister?
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
She reads the letter loudly
Ooh..."Dear Fantine you must send us more money...
Your child needs a doctor...
There's no time to lose..."
Fantine (snatching back the letter)
Sung
Give that letter to me
It is none of your business
With a husband at home
And a bit on the side!
Is there anyone here
Who can swear before God
She has nothing to fear?
She has nothing to hide?
The Girl angrily hits FANTINE. FANTINE strikes back and a full fight breaks out between them as the other works watch. VALJEAN rushes on to break up the squabble, with the FOREMAN behind him.
Valjean
What's going on here? Stop that fighting this instant!
He and the FOREMAN tear apart FANTINE and the Girl
Valjean
Ladies, please. I am the mayor of this town, I run a reputable business.
Fantine
But Monsieur Mayor…
Valjean (To the foreman, cutting off Fantine)
I'll leave this to you to sort out. Please be as patient as you can.
He leaves
Foreman
Sung
Now someone say how this began! Girl
Sung
At the end of the day
She's the one who began it!
There's a kid that she's hiding
In some little town
There's a man she has to pay
You can guess how she picks up the extra
You can bet she's earning her keep
Sleeping around
And the boss wouldn't like it! Fantine
Sung
Yes it's true there's a child
And the child is my daughter
And her father abandoned us
Leaving us flat
Now she lives with an innkeeper man
And his wife
And I pay for the child
What's the matter with that? Women
Sung
At the end of the day
She'll be nothing but trouble
And there's trouble for all
When there's trouble for one!
While we're earning our daily bread
She's the one with her hands in the butter
You must send the slut away
Or we're all gonna end in the gutter
And it's us who'll have to pay
At the end of the day! Foreman
Sung
I might have known the bitch could bite
I might have known the cat had claws
I might have guessed your little secret
Ah yes, the virtuous Fantine
Who keeps herself so pure and clean
You'd be the cause I had no doubt
Of any trouble hereabout
You play a virgin in the light
But need no urgin' in the night. Girl
Sung
She's been laughing at you
While she's having her men Women
Sung
She'll be nothing but trouble again and again Girl (Workers)
Sung
You must sack her today (Sack the girl today!) Foreman
Sung
Right my girl. On your way!
Fantine stares devastated at the other works, turns on her heel, and leaves
Scene 6
Outside the factory, Fantine wanders the street, desperate and unemployed
I Dreamed a Dream
Fantine
Sung
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
Scene 7
The scene is at some docks. It is dirty, with a sinisterly cheerful tone. There are whores, pimps, and sailors.
Pimp (As sailors walk around, examining the prostitutes)
Step right up! Take your pick! Cheapest prices for the best time of your life!
Lovely Ladies
Whores
Sung
Lovely ladies
Waiting for a bite
Waiting for the customer
Who only comes at night
Lovely ladies
Waiting for the call
Standing up or lying down
Or any way at all
Bargain prices up against the wall
FANTINE enters the docks, drifting aimlessly. A CRONE notices her and approaches her.
Crone
Sung
What pretty hair! What pretty locks you've got there. What luck you've got, it's worth a centine my dear!
She thoughtfully begins to finger FANTINE'S hair
I'll take the lot!
Fantine (Alarmed, pulling away from the woman)
Sung
Don't touch me! Leave me alone!
Crone
Sung
Let's make a price. I'll give you all of ten franc. Just think of that!
Fantine
Sung
It pays a debt…
Crone
Sung
Just think of that!
Fantine
Sung
What can I do? It pays a debt. Ten francs may save my poor Cosette!
The crone pulls the scissors from her belt and leads FANTINE off.
Whores
Sung
Lovely ladies
Waiting in the dark
Ready for a thick one
Or a quick one in the park
Whore#1
Sung
Long time short time
Any time, my dear
Cost a little extra if you want to take all year!
Quick and cheap is underneath the pier!
A PIMP notices FANTINE on the docks, forlorn and with her hair hacked mercilessly short. He gestures and three WHORES come to him.
Pimp
Sung
Give me that dirt, who's that bit over there?
Whore #1
Sung
A bit of skirt, she's the one sold her hair.
Whore #2
Sung
She's got a kid, sends her all that she can.
Pimp
Sung
I might have known. There is always some man.
Calling to FANTINE
Pimp
Sung
Lovely Lady, come along and join us, Lovely Lady!
The whores walk over to FANTINE and speak to her kindly
Whore #1
Sung
Come on dearie, why all the fuss? You're no grander than the rest of us. Life has dropped you at the bottom of the heap. Join your sisters.
Whore #2
Sung
Make money in your sleep.
FANTINE looks up and notices a sailor leering at her. She screws up her face resolutely, knowing what she must do. The whores nod approvingly.
Whore #1
Sung
That's right dearie, let him have the lot.
Whore #3
Sung
That's right dearie, show him what you've got…
A montage is shown of Fantine, now a prostitute, waiting with the other whores at the docks, drinking, and leaving with sailors. The final scene cuts to Fantine at the docks in winter, with other whores. Fantine is worn down, obviously ill, and seems somewhat delirious.
Fantine
Sung
Come on, Captain
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 shame that's in your head
Don't they know they're making love
To one already dead!
As she sings, Bamatabois enters. He examines the various whores with the air of someone choosing a book or a piece of meat. He notices Fantine and approaches her with interest.
Bamatabois
Hello, what's this? I was just in the mood for something new.
He begins to feel her arms, hair, etc, as if inspecting a horse
Hmm, yes you look good. The usual price, shall we say…?
Fantine (horrified, trying to pull away)
No, no, m'sieur, let me go. I don't want you!
Bamatabois (tightening his grip on her)
What is this? I won't pay you more if you hold out!
Fantine (struggling)
No, not at all.
Bamatabois (furiously)
Sung
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 or to choose or to lead me a dance!
He attempts to move from holding her by the arm to grabbing her by the shoulders and roughly handling her. Fantine strikes him hard across the face
Fantine
Sung
I'll kill you, you BASTARD! Try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad won't be had by a rat!
For a second Bamatabois stares coldly at her and seems ready to hurt her. Then…
Bamatabois (dangerously)
You will pay for that, you whore! I will report you for that, I swear to God…
Fantine (frightened)
Sir please, there's another who depends on me! I'll do whatever you want!
Bamatabois
Make your excuse to the police!
Calling out
Help! Someone help! Police!
Alarmed, the other prostitutes scatter. Javert and several constables come running.
Javert
Who called? What injustice has gone on in snake pit?
Bamatabois (pretending to be alarmed)
Javert, thank God! I was crossing from the park and this mad prostitute suddenly began to attack me!
He indicates to the mark on his face from where Fantine hit him.
Fantine (angrily)
You liar!
She lunges at Bamatabois and the constables drag her back. Javert looks at her, unimpressed.
Javert (to Bamatabois)
Don't worry, M'sieur. You can rest assure she will answer for her actions.
Fantine (desperately)
Please M'sieur! There's a child who depends on me! Holy God, if I go to jail, she'll die!
A crowd begins to form around the spectacle. Unnoticed by everyone, VALJEAN sees the crowd and walks over to see what is happening
Javert (As the constables begin to arrest Fantine)
Save your tears woman! God is moved only by honest work!
Javert moves to handcuff her. Valjean pushes through the crowd and stops him
Valjean
One moment Javert, I believe this woman.
Javert
M'sieur Mayor?
Valjean (To Fantine)
Madam, I know I've seen you before. How has this happened to you?
Fantine
M'sieur, I pray don't mock me now. I worked in your factory and you let your foreman send me away! That job was all that stood between my daughter living or dying! If there's a God above, he would trade my life for her's…
She suddenly pitches forward and begins to cough violently
Valjean (Alarmed, to the constables)
Take her to a doctor right away.
The constables look at JAVERT, who reluctantly nods. They help FANTINE walk away
Valjean
Sung
In His name my task has just begun
I will see it done!
I will see it done!
Javert
Sung
But M'sieur Mayor!
Valjean
Sung
I will see it done!
Javert
Sung
But M'sieur Mayor!
Valjean
Sung
I will see it done!
Voices
Sung
Look out! It's a runaway cart!
A crowd of spectators scream and scatter at this and Valjean and Javert look up in alarm. The cart comes crashing down a nearby road, with several other people running from it. The cart crashes into a wall, trapping a man underneath it. He lies there, crying in pain. Valjean goes towards him.
Valjean
Is there anyone who will help save this man?
Onlooker
No, M'sieur Mayor! That cart is heavy as hell!
Woman
That man's a goner, there's nothing to be done! You'll just be killed too!
Valjean ignores them and goes to the cart. He grabs the cart and with some difficulty, manages to lift it just enough for several spectators to pull the trapped man out. The crowd disperses as the man is carried off, leaving only a tired VALJEAN and amazed JAVERT.
Javert (amazed)
I don't believe… for a man your age to do something like that… I remember now another with such strength. He broke his parole… (looking up) Forgive me sir, I didn't mean to imply…
Valjean
No, no, continue.
Javert
That man, he's been ten years on the run. But we've just rearrested him. He's on trial today. (pleased) No one can escape justice forever, M'sieur Mayor. Not even Jean Valjean.
Javert leaves and Valjean remains, looking stunned.
Who Am I?
Valjean
Sung
He thinks that man is me
He knew him at a glance!
That stranger he has found
This man could be my chance!
(confidently)
Why should I save his hide?
Why should I right this wrong
When I have come so far
And struggled for so long?
(conflicted)
If I speak, I am condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned!
I am the master of hundreds of workers.
They all look to me.
How can I abandon them?
How would they live
If I am not free?
If I speak, I am condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned!
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 judgment 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 God, I know
I made that bargain long ago
He gave me hope when hope was gone
He gave me strength to journey on…
Who am I? Who am I?
I am Jean Valjean!
The scene cuts to the courtroom, where the trial of the mistaken Valjean is taking place. Javert, the arrested fake Valjean, the mistaken Valjean's family, and others are present in the courtroom.
Judge
Jean Valjean, you have been found guilty of breaking your parole.
Mistaken Valjean
No! I'm not that man!
The courtroom is in chaos as the MISTAKEN VALJEAN fights with JAVERT, constables try to pull the MISTAKEN VALJEAN off, and the family and spectators gasp and cry out and shout. Suddenly, the doors to the courtroom fly open with a bang. Everyone freezes, staring at the figure in the doorway. It is JEAN VALJEAN. He has a determined and powerful air that strikes everyone dumb.
Javert (hesitantly)
M'sieur Mayor…?
Valjean
You're slipping, Javert. You've made a mistake. That man is no guiltier than you.
Javert
Do you know an alibi for this man?
Valjean
I am the alibi. Do you not recognize me?
As he unbuttons his shirt to show the branded number on his chest
I am Jean Valjean! Prisoner 24601!
For a second, Javert stares dumbfounded at this. Then he begins to run towards Valjean to capture him. Valjean quickly overturns a table, which knocks over Javert. As soon as he has done this, Valjean runs from the courtroom. Javert shakily gets to his feet, assisted by one of the constables.
Javert (moving as he talks, obviously not wasting time)
Merde!
Scene 8
Fantine lies on a bed in a hospital. She is in a dressing gown and looks extremely ill. She coughs violently. She is hallucinating and believes she is with Cosette.
Come to Me
Fantine
Sung
Cosette, it's turned so cold
Cosette, it's past your bedtime
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night.
She crawls to the foot of her bed, reaching for where she believes her daughter is.
Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star appearing?
She climbs from the bed, picks up a nearby vase, and holds it as if it were a child.
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 lullabyes and wake you in the morning.
Valjean is directed into the room by a nun.
Valjean
How is she?
The nun looks at him sadly and shakes her head. Valjean looks sad.
Nun
Soon, she will be at peace with God. Did you know her well?
Valjean (regretfully)
Not nearly as well as I ought to have.
The nun leaves and Valjean crosses to Fantine.
Fantine (faintly)
M'sieur…I thank you…
Valjean takes her gently by the arm and helps her back into the bed. She also hands him the vase
Valjean
Shhh, rest Fantine. Neither of us has much time left. Your final journey however, will take you to a far better place than mine.
Fantine coughs violently, then…
Fantine
Cosette…
Valjean
Your daughter… where is she?
Fantine
When her father left us…I had to work every hour of the day for us. I had to find another to care for Cosette in my place. (She coughs) I found an innkeeper in Monfermiel with a wife and a daughter about Cosette's age. I begged them to raise her as their own…and they agreed as long as I paid them.
She coughs some more, and then begins to moan slightly.
Valjean
Fantine, rest easy. I will find Cosette. No matter what it takes, I swear I will see to it that she is cared for. She will want for nothing.
Fantine (smiling, calmer)
M'sieur, you come from God in heaven. I am so tired now.
Valjean (taking her hand)
Rest peacefully, Fantine.
In the background, Javert is seen entering and standing in the doorway, watching Valjean.
Fantine
Tell Cosette I love her and I'll see her when I awake…
Fantine dies with a smile on her face. Valjean sadly strokes her cheek
Javert
Did she have a chance to confess?
Valjean quickly stands up and turns. He sees Javert is there.
Javert (pleasantly)
Hello M'sieur le Mayor. I'm afraid you're rather late for an appointment in jail.
Valjean (attempting to speak calmly)
Javert, listen to me…
Javert (ignoring Valjean)
You've hidden yourself quite well I must say.
Valjean (louder)
Javert, I will not try to run from you, but I must finish one more task before you arrest me.
Javert
Still found time to visit the sewer rats though. Tell me, was she your personal whore, or did you share her with another con?
Valjean furiously grabs Javert by the collar and pushes him against the wall
Valjean
Don't speak of her like that! You have no idea what she went through!
He releases Javert and steps back, towards Fantine's bed. Javert stands there, panting and massaging his throat.
The Confrontation
Valjean
Sung
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me! There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word.
Then I'll return...
Javert
Sung
You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
A man like you can never change
A man... such as you...
Valjean (Javert)
Sung
Believe of me what you will (Men like me can never
change)
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do (Men like you can never
change)
You know nothing of my life (No, 24601,)
All I did was steal some bread (My duty's to the law)
You know nothing of the world (You have no rights)
You would rather see me dead (Come with me 24601)
But not before I see this justice done (Now the wheel has turned around)
(Jean Valjean is nothing now)
I am warning you Javert (Dare you talk to me of
crime)
I'm a stronger man by far (And the price you had to
pay)
There is power in me yet (Every man is born in sin)
My race is not yet run (Every man must choose his
way)
I am warning you Javert (You know nothing of Javert)
There is nothing I won't dare (I was born inside a jail)
If I have to kill you here (I was born with scum like
you)
I'll do what must be done! (I am from the gutter too!)
JAVERT moves toward VALJEAN to grab him. VALJEAN quickly grabs a nearby chair, breaks it, and threatens JAVERT back with a large piece. VALJEAN turns to FANTINE'S body.
Valjean
Sung
And this I swear to you tonight
Javert
Sung
There is no place for you to hide
Valjean
Sung
Your child will live within my care
Javert
Sung
Where ever you may hide away
Valjean
Sung
And I will raise her to the light.
Valjean & Javert
Sung
I swear to you, I will be there!
Valjean turns and whacks Javert over the head with the piece of wood and then pushes him against the wall. He runs from the room as Javert lies on the ground, stunned and moaning slightly.