Les Miserables Page #4

---

- Who is this man?

- Me.

And who is the magistrate

who has a complaint with you?

You, Mr. Mayor. I come

to ask you to discharge me.

What are you talking about?

I could have given my resignation,

but it is not enough.

A resignation is honorable,

and I must be punished.

I have to be discharged.

Javert, you are a genius in the art

of complicating things.

What did you do to me?

I denounced you to the police

department of Paris.

You accused me of interfering

with the laws of the police?

No. I accused you of being

the convict Jean Valjean.

- Who?

- I didn't have any doubt.

I had known Jean Valjean

at the galleys when I was a child.

I couldn't be wrong.

- You are crazy.

- That's what they told me.

You cannot be Jean Valjean

because the real Jean Valjean

has been arrested.

Arrested?

Yes, for a trifle.

He stole an apple. He pretended

his name was Champmathieu,

but was recognized

at the penitentiary of Arras

by an ex-convict

who was with him in Toulon.

As I thought I was holding him here,

I wanted to see him to be sure.

I went to Arras,

they brought me Champmathieu.

So what?

Mr. Mayor, the truth is the truth.

It was Jean Valjean.

I recognized him.

- You are sure about it?

- Sure.

And what does he say,

this Champmathieu?

He says he doesn't

understand a thing.

He plays it dumb, simpleminded,

but his future is sealed.

What punishment does he face?

There is an old story of armed robbery

on a young boy from Savoy.

When he was arrested, he had just

jumped over a wall to steal apples.

For a child, it's a mischief,

for a man, it's an offense,

but for a convict, it's a crime,

it's the galleys for life.

All right, you can leave, Javert.

Mr. Mayor, I remind you that

you must discharge me.

No, you thought it was your duty

to do so, I am keeping you.

I don't need your kindness--

the kindness that makes you

side with the prostitute

against the bourgeois,

with the policeman

against the mayor.

This kindness has no value.

If I had not been

mistaken about you,

if you really were Jean Valjean,

be assured that I wouldn't have

been kind to you.

We'll talk about it later.

- Javert!

- Mr. Mayor?

When is this Champmathieu

going to be judged?

In Arras, tomorrow.

There is a scenery

larger than the sea.

It's the sky.

There is a scenery

larger than the sky.

It's the depth of a soul.

In the name of His Majesty,

I appoint you Mayor

of Montreuil sur Mer.

What punishment does he face?

For a child it's a mischief,

for a man it's an offense,

but for a convict it's a crime,

it's the galleys for life.

Jean Valjean comes back...

and Mr. Madeleine will sink

into scandal and shame.

Is redemption impossible?

After your hospital, Mr. Madeleine,

it was a pharmacy free of charge,

then, an old people's home,

a school for boys,

another one for gin's.

At last, a help fund

for the workers.

After all, this

Champmathieu is a thief

recognized, condemned

as Jean Valjean.

I just have to stay quiet and

Mr. Madeleine will be safe forever.

Jean Valjean, my brother, [don't

believe in the power of money.

But this can help you

to become another man.

You don't belong to the bad

anymore, but to the good.

It is your soul I am buying.

When is this Champmathieu

going to be judged?

In Arras, tomorrow.

Monsieur...

the Royal Prosecutor...

My little girl,

what will happen to her?

They will throw her out

in the winter's cold.

When you are there,

everything seems to go better.

Defendant, do you have something

to add for your defense?

Do you still deny being

the convict Jean Valjean?

My name is Champmathieu!

Tell them, I was working at

Mr. Baloup's as wheelwright.

You can just ask.

Gentlemen of the jury,

I remind you that Mr. Baloup

has been subpoenaed in vain.

He was bankrupt

and has not been found.

The gentlemen of the jury will

appreciate a system of defense

that subpoenas for testimony

people who cannot be found.

You are really something.

I have been in jail for three months.

I have been pushed here and there.

People talk against me.

They tell me "answer."

The gendarme pushes me

and says "answer!"

They always talk about Jean Valjean,

but I don't know this person!

Mr. President,

we would like to call again

to the bench the convicted

Brevet, Cochepaille,

and Chenildieu

to confirm their testimony on

the identity of the defendant.

Get up! Come closer.

We are still doubting

the testimony of idiots

who have been offered a trip

as witnesses for the prosecution.

Do you recognize the defendant

as the convict Jean Valjean?

- Sure, it's him.

- It's him all right.

I recognize him well.

That's really something!

What are you saying?

I say it's something!

Mr. President! Are we going

to tolerate longer such a comedy?

A comedy, indeed!

- Who is this?

- Mr. Madeleine, Mayor of Montreuil.

Mr. President.

Jean Valjean, criminal at odds

with authority, ex-convict.

I am he.

Look at me carefully.

You don't recognize me?

Now you are witnesses

for the prosecution!

You'll have done it all.

You, Brevet, you dirty little crook.

Do you still wear the wool suspenders

you were wearing over there?

And you, Chenildieu?

You have a date tattooed

on your left arm.

The Emperor's landing.

First of March, 1815.

Pull up your sleeve.

Cochepaille,

I don't ask to be thanked,

but do you remember

the quarry and the rockslide?

- Yes.

- And Montenet, chained next to me?

- Who was called the Professor?

- Yes.

You remember, now? He was making

necklaces with shellac bought

from the sailors

going to penal servitude.

Of course!

He had them sold back.

He was making a good profit.

That's something!

Mr. Counsel General,

Mr. President,

this humble industry of

a convict gave me the idea

that originated my prosperity

and that of Montreuil sur Mer.

I think you won't have

any doubt left of my identity.

Now I have to leave,

I have several things to do.

You know whom I am,

where I go.

I wouldn't have come to give myself

up if I wanted to avoid justice.

Have me arrested when you want.

You shouldn't sing like this,

it hurts you.

I can sing now that Mr. Madeleine

will bring me back my little Cosette.

Montfermeil is far from here.

He won't be back today.

Tomorrow or the day after.

Be patient

and everything will go well.

I am patient.

I have waited so long.

Five years.

My little girl is now... eight.

I cannot believe it. I still imagine

her little, as when I left her.

Yes, I am patient.

There he is!

- No.

- Yes, listen!

I recognize his steps.

- It's Mr. Madeleine?

- Yes.

You see, he hurried up.

He knew I couldn't wait any longer.

And Cosette, how is she?

What's the matter?

- Back already?

- And the child?

I am not coming from Montfermeil.

I am afraid I won't be able to go.

It will be a cruel deception for her.

Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

Good morning, Mrs. Devos.

She comes

to see her grandmother.

Say good morning to Mr. Mayor.

- Good morning, beautiful.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes