Fantine`s Arrest

<br>[Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.] <br><br>Bamatabois<br>Here`s something new, I think I`ll give it a try.<br>Come closer you! I like to see what I buy<br>The usual price, for just a slice of your pie <br><br>Fantine<br>I don`t want you, no, no, M`sieur, let me go. <br><br>Bamatabois<br>Is this a trick? I won`t pay more! <br><br>Fantine<br>No, not at all. <br><br>Bamatabois<br>You`ve got some nerve, you little whore<br>You`ve got some gall.<br>It`s the same with a tart as it is with a grocer<br>The customer sees what he gets in advance<br>It`s not for the whore to say `yes sir` or `no sir`<br>It`s not for the harlot to pick and to choose<br>Or lead me to a dance! <br><br>[He hits her with his stick, she claws at his face, drawing blood.] <br><br>Fantine<br>I`ll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!<br>Even a whore who has gone to the bad<br>Won`t be had by a rat! <br><br>Bamatabois<br>By Christ you`ll pay for what you have done<br>This rat will make you bleed, you`ll see!<br>I guarantee, I`ll make you suffer<br>For this disturbance of the peace<br>For this insult to life and property! <br><br>Fantine<br>I beg you, don`t report me sir<br>I`ll do whatever you may want <br><br>Bamatabois<br>Make your excuse to the police! <br><br>[Javert enters, accompanied by constables.] <br><br>Javert<br>Tell me quickly what`s the story<br>Who saw what and why and where<br>Let him give a full description<br>Let him answer to Javert!<br>In this nest of whores and vipers<br>Let one speak who saw it all<br>Who laid hands on this good man here?<br>What`s the substance of this brawl? <br><br>Bamatabois<br>Javert, would you believe it<br>I was crossing from the park<br>When this prostitute attacked me<br>You can see she left her mark <br><br>Javert<br>She will answer for her actions<br>When you make a full report<br>You may rest assured, M`sieur,<br>That she will answer to the court. <br><br>Fantine<br>There`s a child who sorely needs me<br>Please M`sieur, she`s but that high<br>Holy God, is there no mercy?<br>If I go to jail she`ll die! <br><br>Javert<br>I have heard such protestations<br>Every day for twenty years<br>Let`s have no more explanations<br>Save your breath and save your tears<br>Honest work, just reward,<br>That`s the way to please the Lord. <br><br>[Fantine gives a last despairing cry as she is arrested. Valjean emerges from the crowd.] <br><br>Valjean<br>A moment of your time, Javert<br>I do believe this woman`s tale <br><br>Javert<br>But M`sieur Mayor! <br><br>Valjean<br>You`ve done your duty<br>Let her be<br>She needs a doctor, not a jail. <br><br>Javert<br>But M`sieur Mayor! <br><br>Fantine<br>Can this be? <br><br>Valjean<br>Where will she end -<br>This child without a friend? <br>I`ve seen your face before<br>Show me some way to help you<br>How have you come to grief<br>In a place such as this? <br><br>Fantine<br>M`sieur, don`t mock me now, I pray<br>It`s hard enough I`ve lost my pride<br>You let your foreman send me away<br>Yes, you were there, and turned aside<br>I never did no wrong <br><br>Valjean <br>Is it true, what I have done?<br>To an innocent soul? <br>Had I only known then... Fantine<br>My daughter`s close to dying<br>If there`s a God above<br>He`d let me die instead <br><br>Valjean<br>In His name my task has just begun<br>I will see it done!<br>I will see it done! <br><br>Javert<br>But M`sieur Mayor! <br><br>Valjean<br>I will see it done! <br><br>Javert<br>But M`sieur Mayor! <br><br>Voices<br>Look out! It`s a runaway cart!