BAMATABOIS (a well dressed gentleman)
Here’s something new. I think I’ll give it a try.
Come closer you!
I like to see what I buy…
The usual price
For just one slice of your pie.
FANTINE
I don’t want you. No, no m’sieur, let me go.
BAMATABOIS
Is this a trick? I won’t pay more.
FANTINE
No, not at all.
BAMATABOIS
You’ve got some nerve, you little whore,
You’ve got some gall.
It’s the same with a tart
As it is with a grocer
The customer sees what he gets in advance
It’s not for the whore to say «yes sir» or «no sir»
Not for the harlot to pick or to chose
Or to lead me a dance!
FANTINE
I’ll kill you you bastard, try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad
Won’t be had by a rat!
BAMATABOIS
By Christ, you’ll pay for what you’v done
This rat will make you bleed you’ll see!
I guarantee, I’ll make you suffer
For this disturbance of the peace
For this insult to life and property!
FANTINE
I beg you, don’t report me sir
I’ll do what ever you may want…
BAMATABOIS
Make your excuse to the police!
JAVERT
Tell me quickly what’s the story
Who saw what and why and where?
Let him give a full discription
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
Javert, would you believe it
I was crossing from the park
When this prostitute attacked me
You can see she left her mark.
JAVERT
She will answer for her actions
When you make a full report.
You can rest assured, M’sieur
That she will answer to the court.
FANTINE
There’s a child who sorely needs me
Please M’sieur, she’s but «that high»
Holy God, is there no mercy?
If I go to jail she’ll die!
JAVERT
I have heard such protestation
Every day for twenty years.
Lets have no more explanations,
Save your breath and save your tears
«Honest work. Just reward. That’s the way to please the Lord.»
VALJEAN (emergingfrom the crowd)
A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman’s tale.
JAVERT
But, M’sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
You’ve done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail
JAVERT
But, M’sieur Mayor!
FANTINE
Can this be?
VALJEAN
Where will she end-
This child without a friend?
(to Fantine)
I’ve seen your face before
Show me some way to help you
How hae you come to grief
In such a place as this?
FANTINE
M’sieur, don’t mock me now, I pray
It’s hard enough I’v lost my pride!
You let your forman send me away
Yes you were there and turned aside
I never did no wrong!
VALJEAN
Is it true, what I’ve done?
FANTINE
My daughters close to dying…
VALJEAN
To an inoscent sole?
FANTINE
If there’s a God above.
VALJEAN
If I had only known then.
FANTINE
He’d let me die instead.
VALJEAN
In his name, my task has just begun.
I will see it done.
JAVERT
But, M’sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
I will see it done!
JAVERT
But, M’sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN
I will see it done!
VOICE
Look out!
It’s a runaway cart!
