Part 6: Counter-Stroke With: Fantine, Jean Valjean (Monsieur Madeleine), Javert,

Physician, Sister Simplice, Sister Perpetue, old lady portress

Scene 1: The Chamber of Fantine
*Early in the morning, in Fantines bedchamber*
*Fantine is asleep in bed with a terrible fever. Sister Simplice is working in the laboratory of the
infirmary*
*Jean Valjean silently enters the room*
Sister Simplice: *Turning her head and uttering a cry of surprise* You, Monsieur the Mayer!
Jean Valjean: *In a low and quiet voice* How is the poor women?
Sister Simplice: Better just now. But we have been very anxious indeed. She was ill all night
and went without sleep, but she is a little bit better now and finally fell asleep. She does believe
you brought her child though.
Jean Valjean: *Without Fantines child* That is well, you did right not to deceive her.
Sister Simplice: Yes, but now, Monsieur the Mayor, when she sees you without her child, what
shall we tell her?
Jean Valjean: *Thinking and reflecting for a moment before answering* God will inspire us.
Can I see her?
Sister Simplice: *Timidly, not wanting to offend the mayor* Will not Monsieur the Mayor bring
back her child?
Jean Valjean: Certainly, but two or three days are necessary.
Sister Simplice: *Still timid* If she does not see Monsieur the Mayer here, she will not know
that he had returned; it will be easy for her to have patience, and when the child comes, she
will think naturally that Monsieur the Mayor has just arrived with her. Then we will not have to
tell her a falsehood.
Jean Valjean: *Reflecting for a few momets* No, my sister, I must see her. Perhaps I not have
much time.
Sister Simplice: *Lowering her eyes and answering quietly and respectfully* In that case, she is
asleep, but monsieur can go in.
Jean Valjean: *Quietly go into Fantines room. Opening the curtains, then goes and watches
Fantine sleep. He is praying*
Fantine: *Laying in bed slightly trembling, very pale*
Fantine: *opening her eyes and sees Monsieur Madeleine. Asks with certainty and innocence*
And Cosette? I knew that you were there; I was asleep, but I saw you. I have seen you for a
long time; I have followed you with my eyes the whole night. You were in a halo of glory, and all
manner of celestial forms were hovering around you!
Jean Valjean: *raising his eyes toward the crucifix above her bed and praying*
Fantine: But tell me, where is Cosette? Why not put her on my bed that I might see her the
instant I woke?
Jean Valjean: *Answering mechanically* It will be ok
*Physician enters, and aids Monsieur Madeleine*
Physician: My child be calm, your daughter is here.
Fantine: *Full of joy and clasping her hands* Oh! Bring her to me!
Physician: Not yet, not at this moment. You have some fever still. The sight of your child will
agitate you, and make you worse. We must cure you first.
Fantine: *interrupting him rashly* But I am cured! I tell you I am cured! Is this physician a fool?
I will see my child!
Physician: You see how you are carried away! So long as you are in this state, I cannot let you
have your child. It is not enough to see her, you must live for her. When you are reasonable, I
will bring her to you myself.
Fantine: *Coughing every few sentences* Sir, I ask your pardon. I sincerely ask your pardon. I
understand, you fear excitement: I will wait as long as you wish, but I am sure that it will not
harm me to see my daughter. Let them bring her to me now, and I will just speak to her very
gently. That is all. Is it not natural that I should with to see my child, when they have been to
Montfermeil on purpose to bring her to me? My fever is gone, for I am cured; I feel that there is
scarcely anything the matter with me; but I will act as if I were ill, and do not stir so as to please
the ladies here. When they see that I am calm, they will say: You must giver her the child.
Fantine: *looking towards Monsieur Madeleine and trying to look peaceful. Cannot refrain from
asking him questions. Coughing every few sentences* Did you have a pleasant journey,
Monsieur the Mayor? Oh! how good you have been to go for her! Tell me how she is. Did she
bear the journey well? Ah! she will not know me. In all this time, she has forgotten me, poor
kitten! Children have no memory. Could they not bring her here for one little moment? they
might take her away immediately. Say! you are master here, are you willing?
Jean Valjean: *Taking Fantines hand* Cosette is beautiful, Cosette is will; you shall see her
soon, but be quiet. You talk too fast; and then you throw your hand out of the bed, which make
you cough.
Fantine: *speaking quietly* Montfermeil is a pretty place, is it not? In summer people go there
on pleasure parties. Do the Thenardiers do a good business? Not many great people pass
through that country. Their inn is a kind of chop-house.
Jean Valjean: *still holding her hand. Full of anxiety. Hesitating on what to tell her*
Fantine: *breaking the silence* I hear her! Oh, darling! I hear her!
*Hears sounds of a child playing and singing outside*
Fantine: Oh! it is my Cosette! I know her voice!
*Sounds of the child fade away*
Fantine: *whispering* How wicked it is of that doctor not to let me see my child! That man has
a bad face!
Fantine: *once again happy. Still laying in her bed. Talking to herself* How happy we shall be!
We will have a garden she can play in. She must know her letters now, so I will teacher her to
spell. *She suddenly stops talking*
Jean Valjean: *Letting go of Fantines hand and sitting in silence*
*Javert enters the scene*
Fantine: *she becomes livid and terrified. Her eyes are fixed on something behind Monsieur
Madeleine*
Jean Valjean: *Surprised* Good God! What is the matter, Fantine?
Fantine: *Does not answer. Touches his arm, and gestures to look behind him with the other
hand*
Jean Valjean: *turns around and sees Javert*
Fantine: *hides her face with both hands. Shrieking* Monsieur Madeleine, save me!
Jean Valjean: *speaking gently* Be composed: it is not for you that he comes. *Then turning
to Javert* I know what you want.
Javert: *spoken roughly* Hurry along.
Fantine: *hearing Javerts voice, opens eyes*
Javert: *Advancing to the middle of the chamber and exclaiming* Hey, there; are you
coming?
Fantine: *She thinks Javert is there for her. Shudders with fear. Is very confused and terrified*
Javert: *Grabbing Monsieur Madeleine by the collar. Laughing horribly* There is no Monsieur
the Mayor here any longer!
Jean Valjean: *not moving Javert from himself* Javert---"
Javert: *interrupting him* Call me Monsieur the Inspector!
Jean Valjean: Monsieur, I would like to speak a word with you in private.
Javert: Aloud, speak aloud, people speak aloud to me.
Jean Valjean: *lowering his voice* It is a request I have to make of you---
Javert: I tell you to speak aloud.
Jean Valjean: But this should not be heard by anyone but yourself
Javert: What is that to me? I will not listen.
Jean Valjean: *Turning to Javert. Speaking quietly and fast* Give me three days! Three days to
go for the child of this unhappy woman! I will pay whatever is necessary. You shall accompany
me if you like.
Javert: Are you laughing at me! Hey! I did not think you so stupid! You ask for three days to get
away, and tell me that you are going for this girls child! Ha, ha thats good! That is good!
Fantine: *shivering* My child! going for my child! Then she is not here! Sister, tell me, where is
Cosette? I want my child! Monsieur Madeleine, Monsieur the Mayor!
Javert: *stamps his foot* There is the other now! Hold your tongue, hussy!
Javert: *Grasps Jean Valjean tighter and looks at Fantine* I tell you that there is no Monsieur
Madeleine, and that there is no Monsieur the Mayor. There is a robber, there is a brigand,
there is a convict called Jean Valjean, and I have got him! That is what there is!
Fantine: *suddenly sits up, supported by her arms and hands. Looks at Jean Valjean then at
Javert then sister simplice. Opens her mouth and a rattle comes from it. Stretches her arms out,
her hands grasping like she is drowning. She falls back into her bed, but head hits the bed and
falls onto her chest. She is dead*
Jean Valjean: *Puts hand on Javert* You have killed this woman.
Javert: *furious* Have done with this! I am not here to listen to sermons; save all that; the
guard is below; come right along, or the handcuffs!
Jean Valjean: *Sees old iron bed in corner of the room, takes head bar, looks at Javert*
Javert: *recoils toward door*
Jean Valjean: *walks to Fantines bed with iron bar. Turns towards Javert. Speaks very quietly*
I advise you do not disturb me right now.
Javert: *trembles. Grasps cane and watches Jean Valjean*
Jean Valjean: *rests head in hand and watches Fantine, is quiet and still. Arranges her head on
her pillow, fastens night dress, replaces hair under her cap. Closes her eyes.*
Jean Valjean: *Kisses her hand and turns toward Javert* Now, I am at your disposal.
END SCENE