Les Miserables Page #2

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Don`t punish her for my sin.

-I was stupid. I fell in love.

-`"In love." That`s always the excuse.

Yes, you`re right. I`m a bad person.

But the Thenardiers are good people.

They have two daughters.

My Cosette can play with them.

She won`t be so lonely.

She`s better off with them.

Only I have to make money

to pay for her medicine.

PIease. Just a month. I`Il work hard.

The mayor cares about his workers.

He cannot have women of questionable

morals influencing the girls. I`m sorry.

-What`s going on?

-Five sous for the chair.

Nice doing business with you.

-Are you skipping out?

-I sold it for extra money.

Well, you owe me a month`s rent.

-Not till next week.

-Well, pay now or you`re out.

Thirty francs. Come on,

you`ve got 50 in your hand.

Fifteen. Get you the rest next week.

-How? They fired you.

-Who told you I was fired?

This is still a small town.

-I have a job.

-Don`t lie.

Start next week as a washerwoman.

Everybody knows your story.

You`ve got a bastard kid.

Nobody`s gonna give you work.

Please take half. I`ll get you the rest.

Don`t look so worried.

Things aren`t that bad.

You`ve still got a bed.

Yes. Good hair quality.

Ten francs.

Dear Reverend Mother.

The bishop of Digne,

may he rest in peace...

...often told me of your convent

and its good works.

In his memory,

I would like to give a--

Or is it ``l should like"?

`"Should`" is preferable.

And "endow" is less brutal than "give."

-I should like to endow--

-Monsieur!

There`s been an accident.

One of the workers. Lafitte!

-Get me out! I can`t breathe!

-Stand back. Let me through.

-Let him through.

-Help us. We need leverage.

-Come on, move!

-Gather round!

-Together. All together.

-Let's go, boys!

Get me out! It`s breaking my rib!

-Get ready.

-Come on, pull. All together. Pull!

Boys, push. Push. come on, push.

-Marla.

-Good evening.

-Where`s Claudette tonight?

-Oh, monsieur.

-There are more than ever.

-Inspector, you startle me.

Yes, I counted four new girls.

You see, captain, when a town grows,

crime grows with it.

-Shall I get the men and make arrests?

-No. did you check off the regulars?

Yes.

-And l`ve noted the new girls.

-Good work.

-Marla.

-Good evening.

-Is it 1 0:
00? I didn`t hear it ring.

-I`m early. I was restless.

-You heard about Lafitte and the cart?

-Nothing else.

Incredible feat.

Has the mayor

always been that strong?

Well, he`s a big man,

but I didn`t know he was that strong.

-Didn`t he show it when he was young?

-I didn`t know him when he was young.

Oh, that`s right. He moved here.

Where`s he from?

Well, he came here from paris,

but that`s not where he was born.

-You know, I think he told--

-Didn`t you check his papers?

-I suppose I did. Don`t remember.

-Perhaps you didn`t.

Why should you?

How about her?

Who are you?

-Push off!

-Yeah, get off.

-Hi, dearie.

-Oh, yes. yes, yes, yes.

She`s new.

Who is it?

I`m buying your horse and cart.

The doctor says your kneecap`s broken.

You won`t be able to do your old job.

I`ve written to the sainte marie convent

in Paris.

The sisters need

a new caretaker and gardener.

-I`m sorry. I`m so sorry.

-Sorry for what?

Monsieur, I used to--

I was angry at you.

Because when you came here,

you were a worker like me...

...and you grew rich...

-...while I had troubles.

-We`ve all had troubles, Lafitte.

And we all need help

from time to time. rest.

And l`ll let you know when

I have word from the convent.

`"Thank you for...

...our new...."

C-A-R-E. Caretaker.

-That`s it, caretaker.

-Excuse me.

-Inspector Javert is here to see you.

-Tell him to wait.

I have exciting news, monsieur

le maire. Paris is interested in my plan.

-What plan`s that?

-It`s in the letter, sir.

Why don`t you tell me?

You said it`s your plan.

I forgot. I apologise.

-Apologise? For what?

-I forgot you don`t read.

Your clerk mentioned it.

Neglected your education

to make your fortune?

What is Paris interested in, inspector?

I`m all ears.

Because of Vigau`s extraordinary

growth the past five years...

... I`ve proposed that

we make a detailed census.

Well, that would be interesting.

But how is it a police matter?

Modern law enforcement

demands modern methods...

...and that means information.

For example, how many people

have moved here in the last decade?

Where did they come from?

What`s their background?

Is our criminal population home-grown

or are they outsiders?

Without information, we cannot know

how to control the dangerous elements.

-You might be making a mistake.

-It`s a mistake? What mistake is that?

Sometimes people move to a new town

to start with a clean slate.

You might be doing more harm

than good by prying into their lives.

An honest man has nothing to fear

from the truth.

For example, Paris knows my father

was a thief and my mother a prostitute.

If my mother or father moved here, l`d

want everyone to know what they are.

-Even if they had reformed themselves?

-Reform is a discredited fantasy.

Modern science tells us that people are

by nature law breakers or law abiders.

A wolf can wear sheep`s clothing,

but he`s still a wolf.

I was just thinking, inspector,

that you have been unlucky.

Unlucky? I don`t understand.

Unfortunately, you`ve been assigned

to a dull post.

You`d be happier in Paris,

where everyone...

...either by nature or experience,

is dishonest.

Indeed. Well, I`ll see if I prefer Paris.

They've asked me to report to

the deputy prefect to explain my idea.

I`ll be gone for four days.

We`ll miss you. Good luck.

Thank you. And goodbye.

Inspector? One moment.

PIease.

-Here`s a farewell gift.

-You`re offering me a gift?

Yes, inspector, my papers.

Baptismal certificate, passport...

...working papers

from the Marseille docks.

I want to get your census

off on the right foot.

Pleasant journey, inspector.

Move on. Have your papers ready.

It`s Paris. We don`t waste time.

-Inspector Javert. Let me through.

-Papers!

Inspector Javert, the prefect

was impressed by your proposal.

I expect him to approve a budget

for your census within the month.

Thank you, sir.

That`s excellent news.

You are known in Paris now, Javert.

Your future is bright.

So I suggest you drop this request...

...for an investigation of the mayor.

Sir, I was a guard for a year

in the quarries of Toulon.

I saw Jean Valjean perform

the same feat of strength...

...as the mayor did with the cart.

The hard labour makes them

incredibly strong.

Once the connection was made in my

mind, no longer dazzled by his wealth...

...I`ve grown more certain every day.

Indeed, now I recognise his face

and voice so clearly, l`m amazed...

-...I didn`t know him right away.

-I don`t doubt--

Sir.

-I`m prepared to denounce him.

-Denounce him?

Without proof?

If I force a trial,

the evidence will be found.

He showed you papers

and they were in order.

I checked the baptism certificate.

It`s a copy. Eleven years ago,

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