Everybody in town wanted to know how Belle was feeling. It was almost irritating to Gaston how much more popular he became in the town. Gaston did crave the attention of the townsfolk, but he did mind it when it was beginning to grow bothersome.
"So, how did it go?" LeFou pesters Gaston as they walk through town, wanting to know all of the details. "Did she fall for you?" LeFou realizes he slowed down and ran to speed up to the towering Gaston. "Oh, oh, oh! Did she accept marriage?"
"I didn't ask her for marriage. I asked her to read her story to me," Gaston replies as he scans the shops, his quiver of arrows around his shoulder.
"She… Read to you? Gee, Gaston, you must be tryin' real hard to get her to fall for you if you asked her that! I mean, books are so boring, Gaston, did you fall asleep? You must have!" LeFou comments, chuckling at the thought of Belle trying to help Gaston comprehend what she's reading. "I mean I don't know why you didn't just…" LeFou just went on and on while Gaston tuned him out. Gaston finally stopped; he has finally found the shop he was looking for.
LeFou was too focused on the scenario in his head to notice that Gaston has stopped in front of the book seller's shop, so he walks into Gaston's leg and falls on the ground. "Be quiet and wait here," Gaston orders LeFou.
Gaston enters the shop, glancing up at the little bell that jingled. Inside he sees at least a hundred books but as he takes a longer look, he can't even count how many are inside this one little shop. Gaston truly feels like he's completely out of his element, but he wants to do what he can to make Belle feel better as well as not regret on giving him this second chance.
The Bookkeeper has never seen Gaston step foot into his shop before. He wonders as to what has changed him because he saw that Gaston would always sneer at anyone who partook in books. "Bonjour, Gaston, I'm surprised to be seeing you in here," he pauses to see Gaston looking at the shelves intently. "Are you looking for something specific? I do have some hunting books and-"
"No, I'm not here for myself," Gaston says to him.
"Well, who are you here for?" The Bookkeeper inquires. "Is it Belle perhaps? I did hear rumors about what happened in the woods, but I don't normally partake in the town gossip for I know not all of it is true."
"Yes, actually! I… um…" Gaston isn't sure how this works but he's going to try. "I'm looking for one of the books she likes. I know she likes ones with princesses, and… uh… I know she likes…" Gaston pauses, not sure how to explain the book Belle read to him. "Some fighting and a love story. Oh! And she likes happy endings, of course." Gaston finishes, feeling accomplished.
"Oh, of course! Actually, I just received a few new ones while she was away," he says with glee, turning around and stepping up onto the ladder so he can retrieve the novels from the top shelf.
"Bookkeeper, make sure there's a handsome prince in it! And let there be a battle or a fight of some sort!" Gaston orders him, making the Bookkeeper sigh and rolls his eyes. "Please, I mean," The Bookkeeper notices the polite word and searches for a story he knows Belle will like, impressed with how Gaston has changed from his usual behavior, but still showing some remnants of his arrogant self.
"Well, I don't have much with battles, but I do have one I know she would be interested in," the Bookkeeper smiles, climbing down the ladder with a book in hand. He turns to Gaston and presents the book, placing it into his hands. "This story is called Cinderella. It's about a handsome prince looking for a wife that falls in love with a servant girl. If Belle loves Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty, then I know for a fact that she will love this one."
Gaston flips through the novel, noticing one or two pictures in there so he can always glance at them while Belle reads. "Thank you," Gaston pulls out a small pouch of coins. "Now, how much will that be?"
The Bookkeeper looked down to see the pouch and moved his hands so it would cover it. "No, no. Tell Belle that it's a recovery present."
Gaston wasn't sure. He would've gladly taken the book before but now he feels some kind of morality about him, feeling that it would be wrong to just take the book without proper payment. "But-"
"I insist!" The Bookkeeper takes a step back, smiling at the man. "I don't want your money for it. As long as you and Belle will come back soon and tell me how you liked it. I want her better just as much as you do."
"Well if you insist," Gaston looks down and puts away his pouch of coins. "She'll be very happy to hear about you; I know she comes to you often." Gaston walks towards the exit but stops. "I have a question for you," he turns towards the Bookkeeper. "I know that Belle likes books, but what else does she like?"
The Bookkeeper is a bit surprised by his question. He didn't think Gaston was the type to actually want to get to know Belle and know what she likes. "Well… Belle likes adventure, she doesn't like to be kept in one place for too long. She also adores animals, I know she enjoys tending to them every day and has made friends with some of them," he pauses, trying to think of something they actually share in common. "Oh! I know that you have a horse, so does she. Belle loves horseback riding through the woods often."
This is a lot for Gaston to take in as he's coming up with ideas to make her fall madly in love with him. "Perfect! I have the perfect thought!" Gaston's face lights up just thinking about his plan. "Farewell! Oh, and thank you." Gaston remembers that he must act a little differently to appeal to Belle, so he must not be rude. He exits the shop and finds that LeFou has fallen asleep. "LeFou! Get up, you're going to love this."
LeFou groggily wakes up from his nap, enjoying his previous dream involving the Bimbettes. He notices Gaston in front of him and shoots up, ready to go. "Of course, Gaston! What is this um… thought of yours?"
They begin to walk towards Belle's cottage. "LeFou, I'm surprised I've been thinking."
"An interesting pastime…"
Gaston nods his head. "I know! But that bookkeeper knows Belle well enough, and his good insight is well played out. Now the wheels in my head have been turning, since I looked at that hearty old man. See I promised myself I'd be married to Belle, and right now I'm evolving a plan!" Gaston sings with glee. Then he pauses and whispers into LeFou's ear. "If I," Gaston whispers, LeFou looking befuddled.
"Yes…" LeFou listens instently.
"Then I…" Gaston continues to whisper.
"You think she'd?" LeFou questions.
"Guess!"
"Now I get it!" LeFou exclaims.
"Let's go!" Gaston and LeFou yell together. "No one plans like Gaston!"
"Brings ideas like Gaston!" Gaston sings.
LeFou continues the duet. "Plans to woo and sweep Belle off her feet like Gaston! For your marriage we soon will be celebrating, my what a guy, Gaston!" LeFou closes his eyes for the finish and hits into the barrel, causing him to fall back onto his behind. "Oof!"
"LeFou! We will talk later! I must make the perfect preparations for her!" Gaston doesn't look back as he makes his way towards his lodge, fixated on his flawless idea.
