Fantine's Arrest

[Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.]

Bamatabois:
Here's something new, I think I'll give it a try.
Come closer you, I like to see what I buy!
The usual price, for just one slice of your pie

Fantine:
I don't want you, no, no, M'sieur, let me go.

Bamatabois:
Is this a trick? I won't pay more!

Fantine:
No, not at all.

Bamatabois:
You've got some nerve, you little whore
You've got some gall.

[He hits her with his stick, she claws at his face, drawing blood.]

Fantine:
I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad
Won't be had by a rat!

Bamatabois:
By Christ you'll pay for what you have done
This rat will make you bleed, you'll see!
I guarantee, I'll make you suffer
For this disturbance of the peace
For this insult to life and property!

Fantine:
I beg you, don't report me, sir
I'll do whatever you may want

Bamatabois:
Make your excuse to the police!

[Javert enters, accompanied by constables.]

Javert:
Tell me quickly what's the story
Who saw what and why and where?
Let him give a full description
Let him answer to Javert!
In this nest of whores and vipers
Let one speak who saw it all
Who laid hands on this good man here?
What's the substance of this brawl?

Bamatabois:
Javert, would you believe it?
I was crossing from the park
When this prostitute attacked me
You can see she left her mark

Javert:
She will answer for her actions
If you make a full report
You may rest assured, M'sieur,
That she will answer to the court.

Fantine:
There's a child who sorely needs me
Please M'sieur, she's but that high
Holy God, is there no mercy?
If I go to jail she'll die!

Javert:
I have heard such protestations
Every day for twenty years
Let's have no more explanations
Save your breath, save your tears
Honest work, just reward,
That's the way to please the Lord.

[Fantine gives a last despairing cry as she is arrested. Valjean as M. Madeleine emerges from the crowd.]

Valjean:
A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman's tale

Javert:
But M'sieur Mayor!

Valjean:
You've done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail.

Javert:
But M'sieur Mayor!

Fantine:
Can this be?

Valjean:
Where will she end -
This child without a friend?

(to Fantine) I've seen your face before
Show me some way to help you
How have you come to grief
In a place such as this?

Fantine:
M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray
It's hard enough I've lost my pride
You let your foreman send me away
Yes, you were there, and turned aside
I never did no wrong

Valjean:
Is it true, what I have done?
Fantine:
My daughter's close to dying
Valjean:
To an innocent soul?
Fantine:
If there's a God above
Valjean:
Had I only known then...
Fantine:
He'd let me die instead

Valjean:
In His name my task has just begun
I will see it done!

Javert:
But M'sieur Mayor!

Valjean:
I will see it done!

Javert:
But M'sieur Mayor!

Valjean:
I will see it done!