Les Miserables Page #5

- And to corroborate.

When he was taken,

a trustee named Brevet...

thought he recognized him

as a man who pulled an oar beside him.

A man named, uh,Jean Valjean.

We've been looking for this man

for six years...

ever since he failed

to report in Orlans.

It's strange that he should again

be taken for theft.

Oh, but I'm boring you, monsieur.

Not at all, Inspector.

Do you think you can recognize the man

after all these years?

Names and faces are my profession.

If it is the man, I'll know.

I see.

I'm holding you, Inspector.

Good journey to you.

Thank you.

Oh, and, uh, again my apologies...

for missing the meeting.

Good day.

And it is our contention that this man

is not Champmathieu...

butJean Valjean...

and therefore not only a thief...

but an ex-convict

of a most violent nature.

Defense counsel.

The prosecution has presented its case

most admirably.

The burden of proof

is on the prosecution.

Defense rests.

Prisoner?

Have you anything to add

to your defense?

Have you anything

to say, prisoner?

Me? Yeah, yeah.

I have something to say.

I- Um- Eh-

- I've forgotten.

- [ Spectators Laughing ]

Prisoner, pay attention.!

Do you deny that you are

Jean Valjean...

born in Faverolles...

that you served 1 0 years in the galleys

for a previous theft...

and that you have violated your parole

for the past six years?

Do you deny

that you are a thief, prisoner?

If the court pleases,

this man will not answer me.

Yeah, yeah.

I have this to say.

Th-That one,

he's a wicked man, eh?

- [ Spectators Laughing ]

- T-Tells lies about me.

[ Laughing Continues ]

Lies, yeah. Why-

Why do you call me thief?

I never stole anything.

I was walking along after the rain.

I found a branch on the ground

with-with apples.

- [ Laughing ]

- A-Apples.

I don't get something

to eat every day.

Y-You call meJean Valjean?

I don't know anyJean Valjean.

I am Champmathieu.

Champmathieu. Yeah.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

When I was small,

they called me ''little one.''

- Now- Now they call me ''old man.'' Old man.

- [ Spectators Chuckling ]

I'm not old.

[ Laughing ]

Wh-Why do you all hate me?

I- I only want to walk the roads.

Wh-Why do you stone me

and set the dogs on me?

Why-Why do you call me

Jean Valjean?

I-I'm only Champmathieu.

Champ- Champ-

Champmathieu.

The court has heard

the prisoner's brilliant exposition.

- [ Laughing ]

- It is obvious that he is trying to pass as an idiot.

But he will not succeed.

We warn him.

Will it please the court

to call the State's witnesses?

Uh, bring in the, uh, witnesses.

Uh, Police InspectorJavert.

Monsieur le Prsident...

I should like to request

that my testimony be delayed...

until the other witnesses

have examined the prisoner.

This man may spend the rest

of his life in the galleys.

And as a police officer...

[ Chuckles ]

I feel I might, uh, prejudice...

or influence...

the viewpoint...

of these other witnesses.

[ Monsieur le Prsident ]

Very commendable, Inspector.

You may be excused.

[ Chuckles ]

Brevet, you are a convict

and cannot be sworn.

But the court appeals to the honor which

it feels is present even in a degraded man.

Will you examine this man closely?

[ Laughing ]

Jean theJack.

Well, Brevet, can you identify him?

I can. He is Jean Valjean,

who sat beside me in the galleys.

- [ Spectators Murmuring ]

- Cochespaille.

Will you inspect the prisoner?

There is no need.

I would know him anywhere.

He is Jean Valjean.

And you, Genflou?

Light is dim,

Monsieur le Prsident.

Will you inspect him closer?

Jean, is it you?

I can tell them it's not.

If the court please-

- Who disturbs the court?

- Monsieur Madeleine, the mayor of Morvin.

Ah, Monsieur Madeleine,

the court is honored.

- Do you wish to speak in this case?

- If the court please.

Brevet.

Cochespaille.

You, Genflou.

Do you recognize me?

The court must release that man.

He has told the truth.

I am Jean Valjean.

- You fool.

- Order! Order!

Monsieur Madeleine,

the court cannot understand this.

He's crazy.

That's Jean Valjean.

Cochespaille, there is a burn on your right shoulder

where you tried to efface a number.

And you, Brevet,

you used to wear a gold earring.

It's no longer there,

but the ear is still pierced.

Now, Genflou, do you recognize me?

- No.

- Genflou.

That poor wretch could join you

in the galleys for life!

He's already an idiot.

What difference does it make?

He's a man, a free man, Genflou,

and he's innocent. You know he is.

Have they beaten all the pity out of you,

that you can do this?

I don't want your loyalty, Genflou.

Tell the court who I am!

If this is what you want...

you areJean Valjean.

All right?

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

I think there is

no further proof needed.

As there is no warrant for me, I will await

the disposition of the court at my home.

Monsieur le Prsident,

this is fantastic!

It is impossible for me to believe...

that any man in his right mind

would thus jeopardize his liberty.

I demand that Monsieur Madeleine

be examined by a physician.

There is no need.

I am not insane.

What I have done here I've done

with the full realization of the consequences.

Until today, I thought I was concealed

behind the name of Madeleine.

But it was not to be.

The galleys make the convict,

Monsieur le Prsident.

And even the name and the position

of Monsieur Madeleine...

had their beginnings in thievery.

The theft of some silver

from an old man.

I cannot rail against fate.

When I think what I might

have done to that poor wretch...

I know that I'm to be envied...

rather than pitied.

Although, I can wish

that all this had never occurred.

If the court will excuse me.

- Order. Order. Order.! The witnesses are excused.

- [ Gavel Rapping ]

[ Valjean ]

Fantine, please understand me.

Cosette will be cared for all her life.

Do you hear me?

Fantine, do you hear me?

She's very ill, monsieur.

Perhaps in the morning.

- This is most urgent.

- Cosette.

Yes. Cosette.

Robert will care for her.

- Robert?

- Yes.

Robert.

I must go away.

But- But you promised.

I know.

I've provided for her.

MonsieurJavert.

He's come to take me.

Oh, please, Monsieur Madeleine,

don't let him take me!

- There is no Monsieur Madeleine.

-Javert, please don't!

There is only

the ex-convictJean Valjean.

I have an order for his arrest.

But this-

this is Monsieur Madeleine.

You're lying.

Tell me you're Monsieur Madeleine!

Tell me he's lying!

She's gone.

You couldn't even

let her die in peace.

I have an order-

[ Gagging ]

Serve your orders,Javert!

Everything is signed over to you.

Dispose of the factory

and make your way to England.

If I can, I'll contact you in London,

and we'll operate through our agents there.

- Here's your authority.

- And Cosette?

Tell her the truth about me

and why I couldn't see her.

- But England- Shall I take her?

- No, no.

Take her to Paris,

to the Convent of the Child Mary.

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