Les Miserables Page #2

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He also made

a fabulous discovery

that has revolutionized

the glass jewelry industry in France.

Yes, it's gum lacquer.

Quite well done.

Simple enough,

but nobody ever thought of it.

In my country, we've been

working on it for 10 years.

Mr. Madeleine thought it up himself?

Where does he come from?

Wherever he came from,

he did it.

This same item, before he replaced

resin with gum lacquer,

cost three times as much.

It must have made his fortune.

He must be very rich.

Maybe.

How does he live?

Is that his chateau

near the woods?

Naturally.

Our Parisian again.

Quiet!

Your pay will be docked.

The chateau? Not at all.

Mr. Madeleine is rich now,

but he lives modestly

in a small house.

- He's an eccentric.

- He's a saint.

You're a saint, Mr. Madeleine.

You should have heard them

at the inauguration today.

You're a saint.

Don't utter that word,

my dear school commissioner.

I knew a real saint once.

He died last week.

Is it him

you're in mourning for?

The bishop of Digne.

I'll read it.

"Madame,

no need to worry.

Your little Cosette

is happy and in well health.

But she has no more things.

We bought her a nice cloak

for her sixth birthday,

like you asked.

Send 20 francs at once,

along with the monthly board,

which I'm forced to raise to 10 francs.

So send 30 francs at once.

Your devoted servant, Thnardier."

That's it.

Did he really write,

"Your little Cosette

is happy and in well health"?

That's what he wrote.

So what's your answer?

Wait. Is this the sentence?

"Your little Cosette

is happy and in well health."

That's it.

"Your little Cosette

is happy and in well health."

Do you want to reply?

Yes, sir.

Write that I'm sending

20 francs at once,

but he'll have to wait a bit

for the other 10.

"Sir...

I am sending you

20 francs at once..."

"But I must ask you

to wait a bit

for the other 10."

No!

Out of the question!

If she thinks I'm going

to give her credit -

That's not our style

here in Montfermeil.

It's not hard for a good-looking girl

like her to find money.

If she wants us to keep her child,

she has to cough up!

Bring the writing desk.

Cosette!

Coming, ma'am!

Can't you answer

when we call you?

These jugs should have

been filled an hour ago.

And you didn't even sweep up,

you good-for-nothing!

Take the writing desk

to Mr. Thnardier.

You have to earn

your keep here.

How about it, Cosette?

Go on!

Wait.

Go ask Mrs. Thnardier

for the prescriptions

the doctor made out

for Eponine and Azelma.

- Prescriptions, sir?

- Don't you understand French?

The prescriptions

you took to the druggist.

Sure.

You know, when me and Azelma

had the measles.

Oh, yes.

"Cosette has caught the measles

that have been going around.

She needs expensive drugs.

I enclose the prescriptions.

Send 40 francs by next week.

Otherwise, we can't answer

for your child's health."

Is this why you're late?

Yes, ma'am.

I had to find the money.

Forty francs! They're mad!

Where will I find that much?

Whose child is it?

- Mine, ma'am.

- You're married?

I was to marry a young Parisian,

Mr. Tholomys. I loved him.

But he abandoned me

eight years ago when I was pregnant.

I had no money,

so I left my child in the care

of innkeepers in Montfermeil,

the Thnardiers.

Go to your bench.

I'll return your papers later.

Cherubinette

took all her letters.

At last!

We'll be able to breathe again.

Don't worry.

It won't be long now.

When Cherubinette

starts to clean house -

Careful, Pa Fauchelevent!

You're going to slip!

- The inspector's over there!

- Call him!

Here he comes.

I can't breathe!

Get a jack, quick.

Help me!

- We'll get you out!

- They've gone for a jack!

- No jack?

- They've gone for one, sir.

- It's not here yet?

- The blacksmith's 15 minutes away.

- We can't wait!

- We have to.

There's just enough room for a man

to slip underneath and lift the cart.

It's the only way.

No one's tried?

Five louis!

Ten louis!

- It could crush a man.

No one will try?

It's not the will that's lacking,

Mr. Mayor. It's the strength.

It takes incredible strength

to lift a cart with your back.

Hello, Javert.

Who'll lift this cart?

I know only one man

who could do that.

A former convict

from the penal colony at Toulon.

No volunteers?

Pull him out!

Let the doctor through.

Here's the mayor's coat

and hat.

- Did you see Mr. Madeleine?

- He risked his life.

Who'd have thought

he was so strong?

Here you are, Fantine.

Fifty francs.

The mayor is very sorry.

You've been here two years.

He rarely dismisses a worker,

but we can't keep you on.

The mayor advises you

to leave the region.

But you just said -

Dismissed? How will I manage?

I owe 40 francs for my child

and 30 for rent.

The mayor is sorry.

It's all he can do.

Good-bye.

You can leave immediately.

Hand in your things

as you leave.

This is horrible!

My little girl is at death's door.

I have to send 40 francs.

I owe 30 for my room,

but I have nothing.

Just the 50 francs

they gave me to leave.

Sign here.

Just make a cross.

What did I do wrong?

Why did they dismiss me?

If you've done nothing,

speak to Mr. Madeleine.

He can't tolerate injustice.

He's the one

who had me dismissed.

That's hard to believe.

Did you see him?

No, the supervisor told me.

He wants me to leave the area.

Ah, so it was her

who told you.

That witch!

"To the Prefect of Police, Paris.

A striking resemblance

has raised my suspicions

as to the identity

of Mr. Madeleine..."

MR. LEGRIS

BUSINESSMAN:

Come in.

So there you are.

Come in.

Do you have it?

Unfortunately, sir, I've just

been dismissed from the factory.

After I send 40 francs for my child,

I'll have only 10 francs left.

I'm sorry,

but the rent must be paid.

I don't give something

for nothing.

I'm not a cruel man,

but I must be paid

one way...

or another.

You understand, my lovely?

In that case, I'm sorry.

You move out tomorrow.

Please, sir.

I love my Cosette so much.

For her sake, I just couldn't -

Enough!

It's your problem now.

You're a stupid girl.

You won't find money

anywhere.

Yes, I will.

I can find it. The barber offered me

20 francs for my hair.

Sure, you can sell your hair,

and your lovely teeth too.

And what then,

after you've made 60 francs in all

and no will look at you again?

What will you sell then?

When you're disfigured,

what will you sell?

When you only have

three louis left.

Her last three louis.

And she asks for credit.

And what else?

The lady is afraid to prostitute herself.

Who does she take us for?

We'll sell Cosette,

and in no time flat.

I'll give her

all the credit she wants.

What?

I'll just ask for 50 francs

by return post.

But you read her letter.

These are her last three louis.

Where will she find 50 francs?

She'll find them.

Take it from me.

Sure, she'll have

to stoop a bit to pick them up.

But she'll stoop,

and once she starts -

This is July.

Just wait until winter.

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