Scene 23
Marius is lying in a bed in a hospital. He looks sadly out at the room.
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
Marius
Sung
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about tomorrow'
And tomorrow never came.
The room around Marius transforms into the ABC Café, with his friends in it, planning the revolution. They do not see Marius.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
His friends rise from the table and leave the Café, one by one
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
The room transforms back into how it looked originally
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more.
Cosette enters the room anxiously. Marius sits up with some difficulty. She runs to him and they hug. He strokes her hair.
Cosette
Oh Marius, I was so afraid…
Marius
Shh, it's alright. The worst is over.
Unseen by the two, Valjean enters and stands in the doorway, watching them with a mixture of happiness and sadness.
Cosette
When I heard the news of what happened at the barricades, I thought for sure you were dead.
Marius
So did I. (Somewhat puzzled) I only wish I knew who it was who brought me here and saved my life.
Cosette
Don't worry about that. You're alive and nothing will ever separate us again.
Marius (relaxing)
Yes, you're right my love.
Valjean coughs. Cosette and Marius break apart, turn, and see him. They both smile.
Cosette
Papa!
Marius
M'sieur.
Valjean (moving into the room and sitting on a chair by Marius's bed)
I'm glad to see you're recovering, Marius.
Marius
Yes, and as soon as I am able, Cosette and I will be wed!
He and Cosette look at each other lovingly. Valjean smiles and then begins to cough hard. Cosette stands up.
Cosette
I'll get you some water, Papa.
She leaves the room.
Marius
M'sieur, I cannot thank you enough. (Valjean looks shocked at Marius) For giving me Cosette. When we are married, I swear you will live with us and we will both love you as our father...
Valjean
Marius, listen to me. I…cannot stay with you.
Marius's smile slowly fades and he looks confused.
Marius
But…why?
Valjean
Many years ago…there was a man. A poor man, whose family was starving. In fact, his sister's son was going to die of hunger. So, with no other choice, he stole a loaf of bread to feed them. He was caught, and thrown in jail. When he was let out, he broke his parole to begin his life over.
Marius now looks shocked. He understands what Valjean is getting at.
Valjean
For years, I've been on the run and have forced Cosette to live a lonely life. Now that she has a chance for happiness with you, I will not deny her it. But, I cannot stay with you. If I am caught, Cosette is disgraced.
Marius
I see. For the sake of Cosette, this must be so.
Valjean looks hopelessly at Marius.
Valjean
It is too late for me now. Who am I?
Marius (slightly coldly)
You are Jean Valjean.
Marius turns away from Valjean.
Valjean
When I leave, tell Cosette I had to go on a journey. Tell her that I love her and my heart is too full for goodbyes. Marius…
Valjean puts his hand on Marius's shoulder. Almost reflexively, Marius jerks away from it. Valjean sadly steps back and leaves the room. When he is gone, Marius is left looking conflicted and sad.
Scene 24
The scene is in the garden of Rue Plument. It is filled with wedding guests, an orchestra, and a chorus. At the open gate, the Major Domo announces the arriving guests. There are tables with food and silverware and it is all decorated for the wedding of Marius and Cosette. At the head of the garden, a priest stands. The procession for the marriage starts and the guests watch as two rows of bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Next, Marius walks up and stands before the priest. Finally, Cosette comes up next to them as the chorus sings.
Wedding Chorale
Chorus
Sung
Ring out the bells upon this day of days!
May all the angels of the Lord above
In jubilation sing their songs of praise!
And crown this blessed time with peace and love.
Marius and Cosette kiss. There is cheering amongst the crowd. The scene then cuts to the guests dancing in the garden as Marius and Cosette accept congratulations from them. The orchestra is playing a waltz. Note: The music the orchestra plays is the opening the "Thenardier Waltz of Treachery", though the lines are spoken and not sung.
Major Domo
The Baron and Baroness de Thenard wish to pay their respects to the groom.
Marius turns at this and sees that the "Thenards" are in fact the Thenardiers, dressed in fancy clothing. They are attempting (and failing) to act upper class. Marius motions for Cosette to continue on without him and heads over to them.
Mm Thenardier
Such a lovely little party, though not nearly as lovely as the one we attended back at the Chateau Lafarge.
Thenardier
Ay! I remember well how the Duke drained glass after glass, turned bright red, and puked down the Duchess's de-coll-etage…
Marius (reaching him)
I'm afraid, "Baron de Thenard", that you won't find such high classes here.
Thenardier
Pity.
Marius (lower his voice, angry)
Leave this party at once, Thenardier!
Thenardier looks somewhat thrown off that Marius recognizes him.
What, did you think I don't know who you are? I've heard so much about you from Eponine…
He pauses, and closes his eyes, saddened
Eponine…she was far too good for the likes of you. She is with God now though, and happier I hope.
Thenardier (confused)
How's this?
Marius (incredulous and angry)
You don't even know she died? Your own daughter?
Mm Thenardier
For God's sake, tell the boy what we've come here to tell.
Thenardier
Ah yes.
Mm Thenardier leaves them and goes to a table. She begins to examine the silverware with interest.
Marius
Say what you must and then leave.
Thenardier
Not so fast. 500 francs or I don't say a word.
Marius
Fine
He turns to leave
Thenardier (stopping him)
Don't be so hasty, M'sieur. I know some rather…scandalous information on the father-of-the-bride.
Marius freezes and then turns.
Marius
What information?
Thenardier (holding out his hand)
Ah ah!
Marius pays Thenardier some coins.
Marius
If your information is worth it, then I'll pay more.
Thenardier
It might interest you to know, M'sieur, that Jean Valjean is a thief.
Marius
Yes. I know this.
Thenardier seems somewhat thrown off again.
Thenardier
Did you also know that he's a murderer?
Marius looks shocked.
Seems you didn't. Well, some nights ago, when the barricades fell, I found myself in the sewers on some, erm business. Dark as it was, there was no mistaking the form of Valjean down there…carrying a dead body over his shoulders! Clever man I am, I even managed to find a pretty little souvenir.
He pulls Marius's stolen ring from his pocket and holds it up. Marius snatches it away.
Marius (Amazed, examining the ring)
This ring…this…this was mine! But you said it was from the corpse?
Thenardier
Ay.
Marius (to himself)
It was him…Jean Valjean saved my life!
He turns to Thenardier and pulls out a pouch holding more money. He hands it to Thenardier, who greedily takes it in both hands.
Thenardier
Much obliged.
Marius
Oh yes…I have one more thing you can take.
Thenardier
Hmm?
Marius quickly punches Thenardier in the jaw. Thenardier spins comically once and falls to the ground.
Marius (to Thenardier)
God forgive us the things that we do. (Calling to Cosette) Cosette! Come my love! There is one more blessing this day has brought us!
He leaves. Mm Thenardier walks to Thenardier and leans down to pull him to his feet. When she does this, a large amount of stolen silverware falls from her top. For a second, both look surprised. Then, they look at the sky, as if having an epiphany. After a few seconds however, they look at each other and then laugh wickedly. They begin to lead the other guests in a quicker dance.
Beggars at the Feast
Thenardier
Sung
Ain't it a laugh?
Ain't it a treat?
Hob-nobbin' here
Among the elite?
Indicates to one guest
Here comes a prince
Indicates to another
There goes a Jew.
Indicates to a third guest
This one's a queer
But what can you do?
Paris at my feet
Paris in the dust
And here I'm breaking bread
With the upper crust!
Beggar at the feast!
Master of the dance!
Life is easy pickings
If you grab your chance.
Everywhere you go
Law-abiding folk
Doing what is decent
But they're mostly broke!
Singing to the Lord on Sundays
Mm Thenardier
Sung
Praying for the gifts He'll send.M. and Mme. Thenardier
Sung
But we're the ones who take it
We're the ones who make it in the end!
Watch the buggers dance
Watch 'em till they drop
Keep your wits about you
And you stand on top!
Masters of the land
Always get our share
Clear away the barricades
And we're still there!
We know where the wind is blowing
Money is the stuff we smell
And when we're rich as Croesus
Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell
They laugh hysterically as the song ends