Chapter 4- In Which Grantaire and Enjolras Sing a Love Song to Each Other
A/N: This one is also kind of based on a dream I had after listening to "Wheels of a Dream" (The image of the two actors who played Grantaire and Enjolras in 2003 on the National Tour making out while singing this song has not left my mind since). Anyway, I don't own Les Miserables or Ragtime. Please Review but no flames.
Enjolras played softly as Thenardier reflected on what Fantine said.
"Where have I been
How did we change?
What is this strange
New Music?
Say, was I away too long?" Thenardier sang.
"Just like that tune
Simple and clear
I've come to hear
New music
Why
Why can't you hear it too?" Fantine sang.
"His fingers stroke those keys
And every note says please
And every chord says turn my way." Marius sang.
"I thought I knew what love was
But these lovers play
New music
Haunting me
And Somehow taunting me
My love was never have as true." All three sang, Fantine a little more reluctantly than the others.
"And I ask myself
Why can't I hear it too?" Thenardier sang.
"His fingers stroke those keys
And every note says please
And every chord says turn my way.
I thought I knew what love was
But these lovers play
New music
Haunting me
And somehow taunting me
My love was never half as true." The offstage Ensemble sang.
Enjolras realized he was starting to feel the same way as the song was describing. He fought it but still sang the words with that hidden emotion behind it.
"Grantaire my life has changed
Grantaire you gotta see
Grantaire we got a son
Grantaire come down to me!" Enjolras hit the final note passionately and held it as the music decided to crescendo.
Grantaire heard this and felt his heart flutter. He could hear something different in how Enjolras sang it. He looked At Enjolras.
"You and your music
Singing deep in me
Making nice to me
Saying something so new." Grantaire sang, smiling and holding himself in a very "On My Own-ish" way.
"New music." Enjolras sang in counterpoint, secretly loving to hear the drunkard's baritone voice.
"Changing everything
Meaning everything
Calling my heart to you" Grantaire sang, smiling even bigger.
"All for you R
You, Grantaire" Enjolras sang, starting to really mean it.
"Play that melody
Your sweet melody
Calling my heart to you." Grantaire sang as he started to "leave" the "attic".
"Just like that tune
simple and clear
I've come to hear
New music
Breaking my heart,
Opening the door
Changing the world
New music.
I'll hear it forever more." The offstage ensemble sang as Grantaire and Enjolras ran into each other's embrace. Enjolras felt his heart start to flutter as he held the drunk. He looked down at Grantaire who had the biggest smile on his face. Eponine watched from offstage.
"Joly, do you think that could ever be me in Grantaire's arms?" she asked.
"Umm…" Joly stumbled. "I don't know… He may not-"
"I'm gonna win him over." Eponine said.
Joly slapped his forehead. This was going to be interesting.
The scene changed to a hill in a park. Enjolras was waxing the Model T while Grantaire sat on a blanket holding the baby. He looked at Enjolras.
"Enjolras, if you keep waxing that car, we'll have nothing to ride home in." Grantaire teased. Enjolras smiled back at him. Grantaire's heart fluttered again.
"Grantaire, this car will take us away from all of this. It will take you, and me, and our son to a better place." Enjolras explained.
Grantaire stood up and handed him the baby. Enjolras looked at him as the music started.
"I see his face.
I hear his heart beat
I look in those eyes
How wise they seem.
Well when he is old enough
I will show him America.
And he will ride
On the wheels of a dream.
We'll go down south" Enjolras sang.
"Go down south," Grantaire echoed, taking the baby from him and setting him in the basket in the Model T.
"And see your people"
"See my folks," Grantaire echoed.
"Won't they take to him…" Enjolras said as he brought Grantaire closer to him.
"They'll take to him"
"Like cats to cream.
Oh we'll travel on from there."
"California
Or who knows where." Grantaire sang.
"And we will ride
On the wheels of a dream." The two sang looking into each others eyes. Bleary brown eyes met sapphire blue.
"Oh the wheels are turning for us, R
And the times are starting to roll
Any man can get where he wants to
Long as he's got some fire in his soul!
We'll see justice, Grantaire,
And plenty of men who will stand up
And give us our due!" Enjolras sang as he broke from Grantaire and Sang in his "majestic Enjolras standing on the barricade" pose. He then turned back to him and grabbed his hands, singing:
"Grantaire, it's more than promises
Grantaire it must be true!
A country that lets a man like me
Own a car
Raise a child
Build a life with you!
With you!" Enjolras sang, bringing him close to him again.
"With you!" Grantaire sang, coming into Enjolras' embrace.
"Beyond that road
Beyond this lifetime.
That car full of hope
Will always gleam!" The two sang as Enjolras held Grantaire close as Grantaire faced the audience. Grantaire turned to face him as Enjolras stroked his hair.
"With the promise of happiness
And the freedom he'll live to know
He will travel with head held high
Just as far as his heart can go!
And he will ride!
Our son will ride
On the wheels of a dream!" The couple harmonized. As the song ended Enjolras and Grantaire smiled and kissed passionately. Enjolras realized that he could never live this down so when they got offstage, he wiped his mouth hard.
"Ugh. I could taste the brandy when I kissed you. Why would La Epster pair us up and make us kiss?" Enjolras yelled.
Grantaire sighed and looked away. Maybe Enjolras didn't really love him. He walked over to a chair and buried his head in his hands. Small sobs escaped his lips. What he didn't see was Enjolras sitting on a chair suppressing a smile and a sigh.
"We even harmonize well," He thought. "No, Enjolras. You know you can't love him… What kind of example would you be?"
Enjolras suddenly began to remembered all of the times that he yelled at the poor drunkard, calling him a disgrace to the Republic, saying he wasn't anything to him. Enjolras looked over at the drunkard who was lifting his head as tears streamed down his face. Enjolras felt his heart rip in half but he hid this feeling with his statue-esque face.
Eponine looked at Grantaire. Now was her chance. She walked over to him and put an arm around him.
"Monsieur Grantaire? What's wrong?" Eponine asked.
"He hates me… He really hates me…" Grantaire whimpered.
"No he doesn't… Who do you think hates you?"
"Enjolras… He yelled at me again… after we sang that song…" Grantaire sobbed.
Eponine hugged him. Enjolras watched this as Joly walked over to him.
"Won't it be funny when she finds out about Grantaire?" Joly laughed.
"What about him?" Enjolras asked, pretending he didn't already know.
"Well, you knew back when we were on the barricades that he was gay, didn't you?"
"WHAT!' Enjolras yelled, pretending he didn't already know.
"Why else do you think he followed you? You know he's too cynical to believe in any cause except getting into your pants," Joly whispered.
Enjolras smiled inwardly. Good, Grantaire really did love him. Maybe after a while, he could take him aside without anyone around and confess his real feelings… but right then seemed a really bad time… A crowd had now grown around the weeping drunk… Rats…
A/N: Next is another scene where it may just be explained so that we can focus on the backstage ordeals of Grantaire and Enjolras. Please Review but no flames.