Chapter Three
Gavroche: *in the back of a child welfare van, unusually clean, dressed in cutesy Osh-Kosh overalls and a smiley-face t-shirt* Where are you taking me next, Mademoiselle Jennifer? Are you going to get my hair put into ringlets and bows now, or have you decided to be merciful and shoot me?
Jennifer: *a blond social worker with a perky voice* Oh, stop that, you look very nice, Gavin.
Gavroche: *looking very perturbed* It's Gavroche *aside* God, I hope I don't run into Navet while I look like this. I'd never hear the end of it!
Jennifer: Here we are! *opens the van door to reveal a street full of identical tract houses* Come on, Gabriel, it's time for you to meet your new foster family!
Gavroche: It's Gavroche!
Jennifer: *rings doorbell* Mr. Trimble? Mrs. Trimble?
Mr. Trimble: *opens door* Well, hi there! *pleasant smile* Come on in!
Gavroche: *follows him inside, taking in the art-deco style room with a raised eyebrow*
Jennifer: This is the little guy I told you about. Remember? The little homeless boy who they rescued from the abusive schizophrenic?
Gavroche: *indignant* I am not homeless! I live in the elephant!
Jennifer: *lowering her voice* Oh, right, I almost forgot. He's kind of…um…"special" *clearing her throat* Well, I'll let you introduce him to the rest of the family. *hugs the squirming Gavroche* Bye-bye, sweetie!
Mrs. Trimble: *enters* Hello there, you must be little Gaspar!
Gavroche: *on the verge of explosion* It's Gavroche!
Mrs. Trimble: *thoughtful* I don't know if I'll be able to pronounce that. *to her husband* Why don't we just call him Fred while he's here?
Mr. Trimble: Fred it is! *hugs him* Welcome to the family, Fred!
Gavroche: *with a glare worthy of Enjolras himself* Listen lady, I happen to be the close associate of a society of armed fanatics, and if you don't take me back to Paris this instant, I'll see to it that they hunt you down and--
Mrs. Trimble: *cuts him off with another hug* Aww, little Freddy has such a wonderful imagination. Isn't that special?
Mr. Trimble: *musses his hair* You and our son Timmy are going to have such fun together! *to his wife* Come on, let's introduce them *leads Gavroche down the hall into a brightly colored room* Timmy, say hi to your new brother, Fred!
Timmy: *sitting on the floor, his face about two centimeters from a TV screen*
Mrs. Trimble: Timmy? *waves a hand in front of his eyes*
Timmy: *bats it away, mumbling inaudibly, his eyes still fixed on the TV*
Mrs. Trimble: Uh, that means hi.
Gavroche: What's with him? *pokes Timmy with a nearby plastic sword, failing to elicit a response* Has he got brain fever or something?
Mr. Trimble: *laughs* Oh, no, that's just the way he watches the TV.
Mrs. Trimble: Well, we'll let you two get acquainted. I'm sure you'll become very good friends.
Mr. Trimble: *shuts door* Play nice, kids!
Gavroche: *sigh* Well, I expect I'd better just play along for now *shakes Timmy* Hey, mome! Wanna go break some streetlights?
Timmy: *in monotone zombie voice* Shh…TV on…
Gavroche: *quizzically* What's so interesting about staring at some box, anyway? *sits down next to his foster brother. His eyes immediately begin to glaze over* Mmm, look at all the pretty colors…
Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles Institution for the Criminally Insane…
Javert: *laced up in a straight-jacket* You can't do this to me! *tries to rattle the bars of his cell, but can't get his hands free* 24601, get over here and rattle these bars!
Valjean: *shakes his head* Inspector, you've been at that door yelling at the poor orderlies for over an hour now. Give it up.
Javert: You are my prisoner! Or you will be, as soon as they give me back my handcuffs. Do as you're told!
Valjean: *sitting serenely in the corner* Settle down, Inspector. You know, perhaps if you would show a little more patience and cooperation, they wouldn't have had to tie you up in that jacket in the first place.
Javert: Just shut up! *takes a seat in the opposite corner* Why are you in here, anyway? *sarcastic* Steal another loaf of bread?
Valjean: No. *frowns bewilderedly* All I did was ask a priest for redemption. Honestly don't they have penitents here in the future?
Javert: Redemption? *scornfully* There is no redemption for convicts! For if you fall, as Lucifer fell, the flame! The sword!
Valjean: *sniffle* I know *with tears in his eyes* Did you have to remind me? Oh, how wretched I am!
Javert: Stop that! Don't try to soften me up, Valjean. It didn't work in the novel and it's not going to work now.
Nurse: *taps at the door* Quiet down, you two. You're getting another cell mate, and I don't want you to drive him any crazier than he already is. *opens the door, to reveal..*
Orderly: *shoves a very familiar patient inside* Guys, this is your new roomie, Mr. Marius Pontmercy *shuts door*
Marius: *yells through the bars* Hey, that's Baron Pontmercy! *recognizes Valjean and turns very pale* Uh-oh…
Valjean: You again! *flies at Marius* I'll teach you to hold my daughter's hand!
Marius: *claws at door* Help!