SCENE 3: AT THE END OF THE DAY - Dusk - 1823
[ 1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer. Outside the factory owned by the Mayor, Monsieur Madeleine; Jean Valjean in disguise]
[ The poor cover the streets; hovering over trashcan fires; women whoring themselves; young children pick pocketing each other and the rich who hurry past ]
THE POOR
[ men and women cling to the gates of the Factory ]
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 Foreman and Workers, including Fantine, emerge from the factory. ]
FOREMAN
[ counts his weekly pay in front of the Poor’s eyes]
At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread
[ The Foreman sexual harasses Fantine; often landing his hand on her bottom, warming it up ]
[ Fantine pushes past; hurrying to a bench; pulling out a letter ]
WORKER 1
[ The women, minus Fantine, gather in a group circle ]
There are children back at home
WORKERS 1 & 2
And the children have got to be fed
WORKER 2
And you're lucky to be in a job
GIRL
And in a bed!
WORKERS
[ the workers finger the few francs they earned, and stuffed it into their pockets on their tattered waistcoats ]
[ the children behind the gates try to reach through the bars ]
And we're counting our blessings!
[ The women, minus Fantine, gather in a group circle; eyeing the Foreman trying to hit on Fantine]
GIRL 2
Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
GIRL 3
[ huffs, crossing her arms ]
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way
GIRL 1
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
GIRL 4
And the boss, he never knows
That the foreman is always in heat
[ Fantine dodges, yet another, one of the Foreman’s advances ]
GIRL 5
If Fantine doesn't look out, watch how she goes
She'll be out on the street!
WORKERS
At the end of the day it's another day over
[ the children of the poor are successful, and pull the money out of the workers pockets; they run away]
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!
[ Fantine sits down again; pulling the letter out from the pocket of the apron ]
FACTORY GIRL:
[ Grabbing a letter from Fantine ]
And what have we here, little innocent sister?
[ fantine tries to grab the letter ]
[ but the other girl was much taller, and held the letter high over Fan tine’s head ]
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
[ Reads the letter out loud ]
Ooh... "dear Fantine you must send us more money...
Your child needs a doctor...
There's no time to lose..."
FANTINE
[ Fantine slaps the Girl ]
Give that letter to me
It is none of your business
[ Fantine goes to grab the letter but is held back by five other factory girls ]
[ Fantine spits in the girls face ]
With a husband at home
And a bit on the side!
Who can swear before God
She has nothing to fear?
She has nothing to hide?
[ Fantine and the Girl fight over the letter; scratching, chocking, pulling hair; all to get the letter or keep the letter. ]
[ Valjean, M. Madeleine, rushes on to break up the squabble. ]
VALJEAN
[ Valjean holds Fantine back ]
[ Fantine Fights to get free ]
Will someone tear these two apart
What is this fighting all about?
Will someone tear these two apart?
This is a factory, not a circus!
Now come on ladies, settle down
I run a business of repute
I am the Mayor of this town
[ Valjean turns to the FOREMAN ]
I look to you to sort this out
And be as patient as you can-
[ Valjean goes back into the factory. ]
FOREMAN
[ The Foreman walks from his post to the Factory Workers ]
Now someone say how this began!
FACTORY GIRL
[ The girl wipes blood from the corner of her mouth]
At the end of the day
[she, angrily, points a finger at Fantine ]
[ The Factory Workers gather behind the girl ]
She's the one who began it
[ The girl hands the letter over to the foreman ]
[ The foreman reads the letter while the girl tells what happened ]
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
[ Fantine kneels in front of the Foreman, pleading]
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
[ She grabs the Foreman's hands, looking into his eyes]
What's the matter with that?
WOMEN
[ The Foreman shakes Fan tine’s hands off his own ]
[ All the women point their finger at Fantine ]
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
[ The foreman crushes and clutches the letter in his left hand ]
[ talking to himself, but out loud ]
I might have known the bitch could bite
I might have known the cat had claws
[ The foreman walks up to Fantine, who had walked away, and slapped her ]
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 urging' in the night.
[ He slaps her again, knocking her to her knees ]
[ Fantine keeps the tears hidden, and clutches her reddening right cheek ]
GIRL
She's been laughing at you While she's having her men
WOMEN
She'll be nothing but trouble again and again
GIRL
You must sack her today
WOMEN
Sack the girl today!
[ Fantine goes to collect her weekly pay, but before she could reach for it the Foreman shut the box closed ]
FOREMAN
Right my girl. On your way!
[ The Factory Workers go about their life ]
[ Fantine is left alone, unemployed and destitute.]
SCENE 4: I DREAMED A DREAM - dusk-early night
[ Fantine pushes the gate that separates the poor city from the Factory, and walks into the street ]
[ She talks to herself, in her head, as she walks the streets of Montreuil-sur-Mer ]
[ her head hung low; tears pouring from her cheeks, but yet no sob uttered ]
[ her skirt scraped across the dirt covered cobbled streets ]
FANTINE
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
[ She looks up into the sky ]
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 un tasted
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
[ She has a flashback of her times with her last lover that landed her the child ]
[ Fantine is shown running in a meadow with Felix Tholomyes, the summer wind blowing in her hair as the ran ]
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
[ Fantine is shown reading a letter from Felix ]
But he was gone when autumn came
[ The flashback ends, Fantine is still shown walking the streets; tears flooding her face, optimism all about her ]
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we will live the years together
[ she looks down at the street in anger ]
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
[ the tears waterfall out of her eyes ]
I had a dream my life would be
[ she looks into the heavens ]
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
[ she looks down again ]
[ her knees buckled as she fell to her knees ]
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
[ she digs her nails into the ground and slowly brought her hand into a fist ]
SCENE: DOCKS/LOVELY LADIES - night
[ The docks ]
[ Sailors, whores and their customers, pimps, etc.]
[ Fantine wanders in ]
[ a French Galleon is pulling into the docks ]
SAILOR 1
[ standing at the helm of a French Galleon ]
I smell women
Smell 'em in the air
Think I'll drop my anchor
[ He does a pelvic thrust to make a point about his metaphor ]
In that harbor over there
SAILOR 2
[ Comes up and stands at the First Sailors side ]
Lovely ladies
Smell 'em through the smoke
Seven days at sea
Can make you hungry for a poke
SAILOR 3
[ dreamy gaze ]
Even stokers need a little stoke
[ The Red District of Montreiul-Sur-Mer appears ]
[ Whores try to lore in their customers their customers ]
WOMEN
Lovely ladies
Waiting for a bite
[ a whore pulls a customer into an empty alleyway ]
Waiting for the customers
Who only come at night
Lovely ladies
up or lying down
Or any way at all
[ a whore is pushed up against a wall ]
Bargain prices up against the wall
OLD WOMAN
[ Fantine tries to hurry past un noticed, but an elderly woman stops her ]
Come here, my dear
[ The Old woman fingers the necklace Fantine wears about her neck ]
Let's see this trinket you wear
[ The Old woman looks closely at the necklace ]
This bagatelle...
[ she walks off ]
FANTINE
[ fantine takes the necklace off and runs after the old woman ]
Madame, I'll sell it to you...
[ the old woman turns around and hands her 4 francs]
OLD WOMAN
I'll give you four
FANTINE
[ Fantine pulls the necklace close to her heart ]
That wouldn't pay for the chain!
OLD WOMAN
[ the old woman pulls out another franc ]
I'll give you five.
You're far to eager to sell.
It's up to you.
FANTINE
[ looks down at her necklace, than back up to the old woman ]
It's all I have!
OLD WOMAN
[ the old woman continues to walk onward ]
That's not my fault
FANTINE
[ Fantine runs up to her and stops her ]
Please make it ten!
OLD WOMAN
[ shakes her head ]
No more than five
[ spreads her arms wide ]
My dear, we all must stay alive!
WOMEN
[ the whores continue to try and convince their customers ]
Lovely ladies
[ whores wait in the shadows ]
Waiting in the dark
[ A whore pulls an un suspecting gentleman into the shadows ]
Ready for a thick one
[ A whore taunts a sailor into the nearby park ]
Or a quick one in the park
WHORE 1
[ a whore questions her Customer ]
Long time short time
Any time, my dear
[ winks and nudges him ]
Cost a little extra if you want to take all year
ALL
[ all whores point to the docks ]
Quick and cheap is underneath the pier!
CRONE
[ a female hair cutter pulls Fantine to the side ]
What pretty hair
[ she feels Fantine's hair structure ]
What pretty locks you got there
What luck you got.
[ pulls out scissors ]
It's worth a centime, my dear
I'll take the lot
FANTINE
[ Fantine slaps the hair cutter, grabs the scissors, and threatens to kill her ]
Don't touch me! Leave me alone!
CRONE
[ Backs away ]
Let's make a price.
[ pulls out ten francs ]
I'll give you all of ten francs
[ puts and arm around Fantine's shoulder ]
Just think of that
FANTINE
[ takes the Ten francs ]
It pays a debt
CRONE
[ pulls Fantine to her shop ]
Just think of that
FANTINE
What can I do?
[she looks at the ten francs]
It pays a debt.
[she clutches the coins tightly into her fist]
Ten francs may save my poor Cosette!
[ Fantine and the Hair cutter enter her shop ]
SAILOR 3
[ Points at a whore emerging from an alley ]
Lovely lady!
Fastest on the street
Wasn't there three minutes
She was back up on her feet
SAILOR 1
[ A Sailor pulls a whore close to him ]
Lovely lady!
What yer waiting for?
Doesn't take a lot of savvy
Just to be a whore
Come on, lady
What's a lady for?
[ Fantine re-emerges, her long hair cut short. ]
PIMP
[ A Pimp sees fantine, and pulls two whores to the side]
Give me the dirt, who's that bit over there?
WHORE 1
A bit of skirt. She's the one sold her hair.
WHORE 2
She's got a kid. Sends her all that she can
PIMP
[ puts a hand to his chin ]
I might have known
There is always some man
[ waves his cane in Fantine's direction ]
Lovely lady, come along and join us! Lovely lady!
WHORE 1
[ Fantine walks over, and a whore pulls her close ]
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
[ another whore puts an arm around Fantine's shoulders]
Make money in your sleep!
[ Fantine goes off with one of the sailors. ]
WHORE 1
That's right dearie, let him have the lot
WHORE 3
That's right dearie, show him what you've got!
WOMEN
[ Whores returns to their customers ]
rats and alley cats and every kind of scum
Poor men, rich men, leaders of the land
[ a whore pulls a Gentlemen's trousers down revealing his bottom ]
See them with their trousers off they're never quite as grand
All it takes is money in your hand!
[ The whore clutch the francs in their hand ]
[ the whores all gather to count their money ]
Lovely ladies
Going for a song
Got a lot of callers
But they never stay for long
FANTINE
Come on, Captain,
you can wear your shoes
[ Fantine pulls her customer down the street ]
Don't it make a change
To have a girl who can't refuse
[ Fantine emerges from an alley counting money ]
Easy money
Lying on a bed
Just as well they never see
The hate that's in your head
Don't they know they're making love
To one already dead!
[ Fantine stands with her back against a wall ]
EXT: SCENE 6: FANTINE’S ARREST -early morning-just before dawn
[Fantine had just finished with one customer]
[ another potential customer approaches ]
BAMATABOIS
[ a well dressed gentleman ]
Here's something new. I think I'll give it a try.
[ Pet's Fantine's cheek, but is swatted away by her]
Come closer you!
[ grabs Fantine's arm and pulls her to him]
I like to see what I buy...
The usual price
For just one slice of your pie.
FANTINE
[ tries to walks away but his hands is still holding her there ]
I don't want you. No, no m'sieur, let me go.
BAMATABOIS
[ yanks Fantine close to him; faces inches apart; breath on her face ]
Is this a trick? I won't pay more.
FANTINE
[ tries to back up ]
No, not at all.
BAMATABOIS
[ pushes her down to her knees ]
You've got some nerve, you little whore,
You've got some gall.
[paces back and forth, in front of her, looking at her]
It's the same with a tart
As it is with a grocer
[cups her chin harshly]
The customer sees what he gets in advance
[Lets go of her chin and slaps her]
It's not for the whore to say "yes sir" or "no sir"!
Not for the harlot to pick or to chose
[shoves her]
Or to lead me a dance!
FANTINE
[ gets up and knees him in the crotch ]
I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad
[ scratches the left side of his face with one swipe ]
Won't be had by a rat!
BAMATABOIS
[ puts his hand to his left cheek, and looks at it ... blood ]
By Christ, you'll pay for what you've done
This rat will make you bleed you'll see!
I guarantee, I'll make you suffer
[ runs off to the police station ]
For this disturbance of the peace
For this insult to life and property!
FANTINE
[ runs after him ]
I beg you, don't report me sir
[catches up to him; dropping to her knees; wrapping her arms around his legs begging]
I'll do what ever you may want..
BAMATABOIS
[kicks her off]
Make your excuse to the police!
[ a crowd forms around Bamatabois and Fantine ]
JAVERT
[ pushes his way to through the crowd ]
Tell me quickly what's the story
Who saw what and why and where?
Let him give a full description
Let him answer to Javert!
In this nest of whores and vipers
Let one speak who saw it all.
Who laid hands on this good man here?
What's the substance of this brawl?
BAMATABOIS
[ walks up to Javert ]
Javert, would you believe it
I was crossing from the park
[ points his cane in Fantine's direction ]
When this prostitute attacked me
[ points to his cheek ]
You can see she left her mark.
JAVERT
[ nods ]
She will answer for her actions
When you make a full report.
You can rest assured, M'sieur
[ grabs fantine's shoulders and pushes her forward to the police station ]
That she will answer to the court.
FANTINE
[ stops and turns around ]
There's a child who sorely needs me
Please M'sieur, she's but "that high"
[ raises her hand to her waist ]
[ falls to her knees and looks down ]
Holy God, is there no mercy?
[ looks up at Javert ]
If I go to jail she'll die!
JAVERT
[ Yanks her to her feet ]
I have heard such protestation
Every day for twenty years.
Lets have no more explanations,
[ pushes her onward ]
Save your breath and save your tears
Honest work. Just reward. That's the way to please the Lord.
Ext: Dawn’s break
VALJEAN
[ emerging from the crowd ]
A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman's tale.
[ pulls fantine from Javert's arms ]
JAVERT
But, M'sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
[ Waves him off ]
You've done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail
JAVERT
But, M'sieur Mayor!
FANTINE
[ Sees Valjean's face and falls to her knees ]
Can this be?
VALJEAN
Where will she end-
This child without a friend?
[ to Fantine ]
[ cups her face and his hands and looks into her eyes ]
I've seen your face before
Show me some way to help you
How have you come to grief
In such a place as this?
FANTINE
[ slaps his hands away ]
M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray!
It's hard enough I've lost my pride!
[ points a finger in his face ]
You let your foreman send me away!
Yes you were there and turned aside!
I never did no wrong!
VALJEAN
[ looks into heavens ]
Is it true, what I've done?
FANTINE
[ grabs his shirt by the collar and pulls him close]
My daughters close to dying!
VALJEAN
To an innocent sole?
FANTINE
If there's a God above.
VALJEAN
If I had only known then.
FANTINE
He'd let me die instead.
[ faints ]
VALJEAN
[ sees the fallen Fantine and picks her up ]
In his name, my task has just begun.
I will see it done.
JAVERT
But, M'sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
I will see it done!
[ walks off to the nearest hospital ]
JAVERT
But, M'sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
I will see it done!
[ Valjean emerges from the hospital ]
VOICE
Look out!
It's a runaway cart!
SCENE 7: RUNAWAY CART
CROWD
[ a crowd forms a circle around the fallen cart; though, the crowd is huge and the cart is not visible ]
Look at that!
Look at that!
MAN
[ a man goes around the cart ]
It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!
[indeed, the cart is now visible. There is an old man stuck underneath it.]
WOMAN
[ a woman pulls a child back ]
Don't approach!
Don't go near!
CROWD
At the risk of your life!
MAN
[ tries top pull Monsieur Fauchelevant ]
He is caught by the wheel!
WOMAN
[ puts a hand to her mouth ]
Oh the pitiful man!
WOMAN
[ another woman shoes the children away ]
Stay away,
Turn away!
CROWD
There is nothing to do!
There is nothing to do!
VALJEAN
[ runs forward ]
Is there anyone here
Who will rescue the man
Who will help me shoulder
[ tries to lift the cart ]
The weight of the cart?
CROWD
Don't go near him Monsieur Mayor!
MAN
[ shakes his head ]
The load is heavy as hell!
WOMAN
[ bows head downward ]
The old man's a goner for sure
CROWD
It'll kill you as well
[ Valjean attempts to lift the cart ... but fails. He tries again. The crowd helps, and they manage to pull Fauchelevant ]
FAUCHELEVANT
M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words,
You come from god, You are a saint.
[ Javert takes Valjean to the side ]
JAVERT
Can this be true?
I don't believe what I see,
A man your age
to be as strong as you are...
A memory stirs,
you make me think of a man
From years ago,
a man who broke his parole,
he disappeared...
Forgive me sir,
I would not dare ...!
VALJEAN
[ waves him on to continue ]
Say what you must, don't leave it there.
JAVERT
[ puts his hand to his chin ]
[ paces back and forth ]
I have only known one other
who can do what you have done,
He's a convict from the chain-gang,
he's been ten years on the run.
[ stops pacing ]
But he couldn't run forever,
we have found his hide-away,
And he's just been re-arrested
and he comes to court today.
Of course he now denies it,
you'd expect that of a con,
but he couldn't run forever,
[ walks away ]
no, not even Jean Valjean!
VALJEAN
You say this man denies it all
No sign of understanding
Or repentance?
You say this man is going to trail
And that he’s sure to be returned
To serve his sentence?
Come to that, can you be sure
That I am not your man?
JAVERT
I have know the thief for ages
Tracked him down through thick and thin.
And to make the matter certain
There’s the brand upon his skin.
He will bend. He will break
This time there is no mistake!
[Javert leaves]
EXT: SCENE: WHO AM I/THE TRIAL -early morning
[ the crowd parts ]
VALJEAN
[ no one on the streets ]
[ Sits on a bench talking to himself ]
He thinks that man is me
He knew him at a glance!
[ on a horse going to Paris to watch the trial ]
[ thinking to himself; not out loud ]
That stranger he has found
This man could be my chance!
Why should I save his hide?
[ opens to the door to the court house ]
Why should I right this wrong
When I have come so far
And struggled for so long?
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
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?
CUT TO:
INT: court room
[sitting in a special chair for public officials; lightly talking to himself. No one around him hears him]
Can I condemn this man to slavery?
Pretend I do not see 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.
[ gets up and stands in front of the judges and jury ]
Who am I? Who am I?
I am Jean Valjean!
And so, Javert, you see it's true
[ points to his look a like ]
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
[ rips his shirt open to reveal the numbers 24601 across his chest ]
24601!
[ walks out of the court house ]
CUT TO:
SCENE 9: FANTINE’S DEATH
INT: hospital room
FANTINE
[Fantine is lying in a hospital bed, deliriously dreaming of her daughter Cosette]
Cosette, it's turned so cold
Cosette, it's past your bedtime
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night.
Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star appearing?
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 lullabies and wake you in the morning.
VALJEAN
[enters]
Oh, Fantine, our time is running out
But Fantine, I swear this on my life
FANTINE
Look, M'sieur, where all the children play
VALJEAN
Be at peace, be at peace evermore.
FANTINE
My Cosette...
VALJEAN
Shall live in my protection
FANTINE
Take her now
VALJEAN
Your child will want for nothing
FANTINE
Good M'sieur, you come from God in Heaven.
VALJEAN
And none shall ever harm Cosette
As long as I am living.
FANTINE
Take my hand. The night grows ever colder.
VALJEAN
Then I will keep you warm.
FANTINE
Take my child. I give her to your keeping.
VALJEAN
Take shelter from the storm
[Javert arrives]
FANTINE
[Fantine sees Javert and becomes fearful. She grabs Valjean by the collar pleadingly]
For God's sake, please stay till I am sleeping
And tell Cosette I love her
And I'll see her when I wake...
[Her hands slowly lets go of his collar and lies down. She expires]