Episode 298c. Bubble Guppies: Les Miserables (part 3)

Plot
Jean Valjean (Mr. Grouper), known as Prisoner 24601, runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert (Mr. Grumpfish) on a journey beyond the barricades, at the center of the June Rebellion. Meanwhile, the life of a working class girl, Fantine (Molly), with a child is at turning point as she turns to prostitution to pay money to the evil innkeeper and his wife who look after her child, Cosette (Oona). Valjean promises to take care of the child, eventually leads to a love triangle between Cosette, Marius (Gil) who is a student of the rebellion, and Eponine (Deema), a girl of the streets. The people sing of their anger and Enjolras (Goby) leads the students to fight upon the barricades.

Characters

 * Mr. Grouper as Jean Valjean
 * Mr. Grumpfish as Javert
 * Molly as Fantine
 * Oona as Cosette
 * Monsier Yellow as Thenardier
 * Hypletta as Madame Thenardier
 * Gil as Marius
 * Goby as Enjolras
 * Deema as Eponine
 * Nonny as Gavroche
 * Crabs, Lobsters, and Snails as Convicts, and People

Trivia

 * This might be similiar to the 2012 "Les Miserables."
 * This is the first time to have some characters die.

Story
Police Station -

As Javert walks up the steps to his police station his assistant stops him with an urgent letter.

Crab Assistant: From Paris, Monsieur.

Javert seizes it, opens it, and reads. As he reads, his expression changes. Appalled, he realizes he’s made a terrible mistake.

Factory -

Valjean is at his desk in his office, going through his papers once everyone else has gone, when Javert enters and stands before him. He looks up.

Mr. Grumpfish: Monsieur le Mayor! I have a crime to declare! I have disgraced. The uniform that I wear. I’ve done you wrong. Let no forgiveness be shown. I’ve been as hard. On every rogue I have known. I’ll bear the blame, I must be treated. Just the same.

Mr. Grouper: I don’t understand. What is this crime, Javert?

Mr. Grumpfish: I mistook you for a convict, I have made a false report. Now I learn they’ve caught the culprit - He’s about to face the court.

Valjean conceals his shock.

Mr. Grumpfish: And of course the thief denies it. You’d expect that from a con. But he couldn’t run for ever. No, not even Jean Valjean.

Mr. Grouper: You say this man denies it all? And gives no sign of understanding or repentance? You say this man is going to trial? And that he’s sure to be returned to serve his sentence?

Mr. Grumpfish: He will pay, and so must I. Press charges against me, sir!

Mr. Grouper: You have only done your duty. It’s a minor sin at most. All of us have been mistaken. You’ll return, sir, to your post.

Mr. Grumpfish: Must I do as you say?

Mr. Grouper: It’s your duty to obey!

Javert is about to protest again, but Valjean raises one commanding hand, to indicate his decision is made. Javert gives an abrupt bow, and departs. Left alone, Valjean paces his office, deeply disturbed.

Mr. Grouper: They think that man is me - Without a second glance. This stranger they have found - This man could be my chance! Why should I save his hide? Why should I right this wrong? When I have come so far? And struggled for so long? If I speak I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned!

He goes out onto the balcony that looks down on the empty factory.

Mr. Grouper: I am the master of hundreds of workers - They all look to me. Can I abandon them? How would they live? If I am not free? If I speak they are condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned!

Valjean's House -

Valjean is sitting staring at the Bishop’s candlesticks.

Mr. Grouper: Who am I? Can I condemn this man to slavery? Pretend I do not feel his agony? This innocent who bears my face... Who goes to judgement in my place... Who am I?

Valjean is furiously packing stuff up.

Mr. Grouper: Can I conceal myself for ever more? Pretend I’m not the man I was before? And must my name until I die? Be no more than an alibi?

Country Road -

Close on two horses panting. A stopped carriage in a wide night landscape. The driver is Valjean, hesitating.

Mr. Grouper: Must I lie? How can I ever face my fellow men? How can I ever face myself again?

Courtroom -

Valjean hesitates outside the courtroom and in the lobby of the courtroom, pacing back and forth.

Mr. Grouper: My soul belongs to God, I know, I made that bargain long ago. He gave me hope when hope was gone! He gave me strength to journey on! Who am I? Who am I? I’m Jean Valjean!

Valjean pushes through the crowds at the back of the courtroom. The man accused of being Jean Valjean, a wretched down-and-out, stands before the judge. He looks uncannily like the real Valjean. Before the judge has a chance to speak, the doors open and Valjean bursts in. Sensation in the court.

Mr. Grouper: And so, your honour, you see it’s true! That man bears no more guilt than you! Who am I? 24601!

The judge is too stunned to respond. The others in the court can’t believe what they’ve just heard. The Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, a convict!

Mr. Grouper: If you don’t believe me ask Inspector Javert. He knows where to find me.

The judge goes over to Valjean and gently leads him out.

Judge Lobster: Monsieur le Mayor, you are not well, you must come with me, do you have a carriage outside? Monsieur le Mayor, we must get you home to bed immediately!!

Hospital -

The hospital is in the long attic of Valjean’s factory. Valjean hurries into the hospital, breathless. He sees a nursing sister outside Fantine’s room.

Mr. Grouper: Is her daughter with her?

Snail Nurse: No, monsieur. Her guardian sent this.

She gives Valjean a note. He reads it with mounting anger.

Mr. Grouper: ‘Money not enough. Send more. Thenardier.’ What sort of man is this?

Fantine lies in bed, delirious. She is dressed in pure white. Her eyes are closed.

Molly: Cosette, it’s turned so cold! Cosette, it’s past your bedtime! You’ve played the day away. And soon it will be night.

Fantine’s eyes open and she sees Cosette, playing in the room. She looks healthy and is dressed prettily. Her hair is all purple with a starfish bow and wears two pigtails.

Molly: Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading. Don’t you see, the evening star appearing? Come to me, and rest against my shoulder. How fast the minutes fly away and every minute colder?

Valjean enters, and sees at once that Fantine is close to the end. He drops to his knees by her bed.

Mr. Grouper: Dear Fantine, Cosette will be here soon! Dear Fantine, she will be by your side!

Molly: (trying to get out of bed) Come Cosette, the night has grown so cold!

Mr. Grouper: (putting her back in bed) Be at peace! Be at peace ever more.

Molly: My Cosette -

Mr. Grouper: - shall live in my protection.

Molly: Take her now!

She pushes into his hand a scrap of paper on which she’s written her wishes.

Mr. Grouper: Your child will want for nothing.

Molly: Good m’sieur, you come from God in heaven.

Mr. Grouper: And none shall ever harm Cosette as long as I am living.

Fantine has stopped looking towards the window. All her fading strength is now directed towards Valjean. She tries to reach up to him.

Molly: Take my hand... The night grows ever colder.

Mr. Grouper: Then I will keep you warm.

He wraps her in his arms.

Molly: Take my child. I give her to your keeping.

Mr. Grouper: Take shelter from the storm.

Molly: For God’s sake, please stay till I am sleeping... And tell Cosette I love her... And I’ll see her when I wake...

Fantine starts to spasm. She sees something over Valjean’s shoulder. Valjean doesn’t realise. Her eyes go glassy as she passes away.

Molly: (is dead) ...

Valjean then hears the unforgettable voice of Javert behind him.

Mr. Grumpfish: Valjean, at last! We see each other plain! ‘M’sieur le Mayor!' You’ll wear a different chain!

Valjean stands to face Javert.

Mr. Grouper: Before you say another word, Javert! Before you chain me up like a slave again! Listen to me! There is something I must do. This woman leaves behind a suffering child. There is none but me who can intercede - In mercy’s name, three days are all I need. Then I’ll return, I pledge my word! Then I’ll return...

Javert draws his sword and aims it at Valjean.

Mr. Grumpfish: You must think me mad! I’ve hunted you across the years. Men like you can never change -  A man such as you!

Valjean breaks a section of timber beam from the roof. The men start to circle each other. They sing at the same time, duelling in song.

Mr. Grouper: Believe of me what you will. There is a duty that I’m sworn to do. You know nothing of my life - All I did was steal some bread. You know nothing of the world -  You would sooner see me dead. But not before I see this justice done!

Mr. Grumpfish: Men like me can never change. Men like you can never change. No, 24601! My duty is to the law. You have no rights. Come with me, 24601!

The two men fight.

Mr. Grouper: I am warning you, Javert, I’m a stronger man by far! There is power in me yet! My race is not yet run!

Mr. Grumpfish: Now the wheel has turned around - Jean Valjean is nothing now. Dare you talk to me of crime. And the price you had to pay. Every man is born in sin. Every man must choose his way.

Javert disarms Valjean and drives him backwards towards an attic door.

Mr. Grumpfish: You know nothing of Javert! I was born inside a jail. I was born with scum like you. I am from the gutter too.

Valjean is pushed through the doors out onto a wooden loading platform beneath a hoist. Below, the walls of the factory lead straight down to the black sea at high tide. Javert is triumphant. Valjean glances down and pushes back, dropping into the darkness of the ocean. Javert goes to jump after him and cannot bring himself to do it. Javert stares into the black sea - there is no sign of Valjean.

Harbour -

Javert and various police search the harbourside with lanterns. Valjean, dripping wet, watches from a tunnel under a factory, as Fantine’s body wrapped in a shroud is dumped on a cart. They sing to themselves, continuing their duet without knowing.

Mr. Grouper: And this I swear to you tonight -

Mr. Grumpfish: There is no place for you to hide.

Mr. Grouper: Your child will live within my care -

Mr. Grumpfish: Wherever you may hide away -

Mr. Grouper: And I will raise her to the light.

Mr. Grumpfish and Mr. Grouper: I swear to you, I will be there!

Montermeil -

The village street is bright with booths set up for a Frost Fair. Families and visitors are out buying baubles, or laughing at the antics of travelling players. Small girls cluster round a stall that displays prettily-dressed dolls. Amongst them is a prettily-dressed girl of 8 or 9 years: the girl has yellow hair with orange earrings. Across the road from this stall stands a shabby inn. A sign lashed to an old cart swinging in the wind reveals the inn to be ‘The Sergeant of Waterloo’. The inn is still closed despite the small crowd at the fair. There is a little girl gazing out at the display of dolls. The girl has purple hair with a pink starfish bow and two pigtails. She is dressed in rags. Her name is Cosette.

Inn -

Cosette is in the process of sweeping the floor. She’s come to a stop, gazing out of the window, mesmerized by the sight of the most beautiful doll in the display, and jealous that the prettily-dressed girl can see it and touch it up close.

Oona: There is a castle on a cloud. I like to go there in my sleep. Aren’t any floors for me to sweep. Not in my castle on a cloud.

Cosette gets out from a hiding place in the wall a knotted grimy rag - this is her “doll”, the knot is the doll’s head.

Oona: There is a lady all in white. Holds me and sings a lullaby. She’s nice to see and she’s soft to touch. (holding doll to her ear and whispering) She says, Cosette, I love you very much. I know a place where no one’s lost. I know a place where no one cries. Crying at all is not allowed. Not in my castle on a cloud.

Madame Thenardier comes bustling down the stairs in a bad mood. She glowers at little Cosette and changes the closed sign from “closed” to “open”.

Hypletta: Now look who’s here! The little madam herself! Pretending once again! She’s been so awfully good! Better not let me catch you slacking! Better not catch my eye! Ten rotten francs your mother sends me - What is that going to buy? Now take that pail. My little Mademoiselle. And go and draw some water from the well. We should never have taken you in! In the first place - How stupid the things that we do! Like mother, like daughter, the scum of the street.

Cosette goes to put the broom away. The prettily-dressed girl comes in from outside.

Hypletta: Eponine, come my dear. Eponine, let me see you. You look very well in that little blue hat! There’s some little girls who know how to behave! And they know what to wear! And I’m saying thank heaven for that!

Madame Thenardier sees that Cosette far from going is hiding behind the far wall. Cosette's frightened eyes peer out from a tiny gap in this wall.

Hypletta: Still there, Cosette? Your tears will do you no good! I told you to fetch some water from the well in the wood.

Oona: (singing through the gap) Please do not send me out alone. Not in the darkness on my own.

Madame Thenardier imitates Cosette as she sings.

Hypletta: (singing through the gap) Enough of that, or I’ll forget to be nice! You heard me ask for something! And I never ask twice!

The innkeeper’s gang posing as customers who have been loitering outside come in, explaining to a fifth man who is a newer recruit a story from Monsieur Thenardier’s past. Madame Thenardier goes outside to open up the rather pathetic frost fair stall on the porch of the inn.

Customer Crab: Mine host Thenardier. He was there, so they say. At the field of Waterloo.

Customer Lobster: Got there, it’s true. When the fight was all through. But he knew just what to do.

Customer Snail: Picking through the pockets of the English dead.

Customer Crab: He made a tidy score from the spoils of war.

There is a voice of the landlord, Thenardier. He has been there all the time, asleep on a bench. He wakes from his drunken slumbers and roars out.

Monsier Yellow: My band of soaks! My den of dissolutes! My dirty jokes, my always pissed as newts! My sons of whores! Spend their lives in my inn! Homing pigeons homing in - They fly through my doors! And their money’s as good as yours!

Madame Thenardier is trying to sell something unappealing from her stall to a portly looking man when slushy snow from the stall’s roof falls on the man’s head. Madame Thenardier ushers him inside.

Monsier Yellow: Welcome, m’sieur! Sit yourself down! And meet the best Innkeeper in town!

Madame Thenardier pretends to accidentally drop a comb from her hair and the customer helpfully picks it up, allowing Madame Thenardier to pick his wallet from a back pocket as he stands up. Monsieur Thenardier takes his coat which allows the couple to see the customer transfer a pocket watch from coat to jacket pocket.

Monsier Yellow: As for the rest - All of them crooks. Rooking the guests. And cooking the books. Seldom do you see. Honest men like me. A gent of good intent Who’s content to be -

He pours a strong drink for the new customer -

Monsier Yellow: Master of the house! Doling out the charm! Ready with a handshake! And an open palm!

Thenardier has thieved the pocket watch using his handshake as a distraction. He passes this off to Madame Thenardier.

Monsier Yellow: Tells a saucy tale! Makes a little stir! Customers appreciate a bon-viveur! Glad to do a friend a favour! Doesn’t cost me to be nice! But nothing gets you nothing! Everything has got a little price! Master of the house! Keeper of the zoo! Ready to relieve’em! Of a sou or two - (serving wine) Watering the wine!

Kitchen -

Thenardier is pissing into the very wine bottle he’s using to serve the customer.

Inn -

Monsier Yellow: Making up the weight! Picking up their knick-knacks! When they can’t see straight! Everybody loves a landlord! Everybody’s bosom friend! I do whatever pleases - Jesus! Won’t I bleed’em in the end!

At Madame Thenardier’s stall, a frost fair customer is covered by snow, only this time Madame Thenardier is responsible for pushing the snow off the awning with a stick.

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Master of the house! Quick to catch your eye! Never wants a passer-by! To pass him by!

Madame Thenardier ushers the customer inside. Again Madame Thenardier drops her comb in front of the new customer but this time the thieving is foiled by little Cosette who helpfully picks it up. Over the chorus she shouts at little Cosette to get out.

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Servant to the poor! Butler to the great! Comforter, philosopher and lifelong mate! Everybody’s boon companion! Everybody’s chaperone -

Monsier Yellow: But lock up your valises - Jesus! Won’t I skin you to the bone!

A family enters the inn. Thenardier fusses over them.

Monsier Yellow: Enter, messieurs! Lay down yer load! Unlace yer boots! And rest from the road. This weighs a ton. Travel’s a curse. But here we strive. To lighten your purse.

He’s got the father’s purse out, and is removing notes.

Monsier Yellow: Here the goose is cooked. Here the fat is fried. And nothing’s overlooked. Till I’m satisfied - Food beyond compare. Food beyond belief.

Kitchen -

Thenardier shows off the secrets of the squalid kitchen - every possible animal being used to make mince meat.

Monsier Yellow: Mix it in a mincer! And pretend it's beef! Kidney of a horse! Liver of a cat! Filling up the sausages! With this and that!

Inn -

Thenardier serves the disgusting food that were created in the flashback to the family.

Monsier Yellow: Residents are more than welcome. Bridal suite is occupied.

Bridal Suite -

A groom and bride consummate their union. Thenardier is going through the groom’s trousers.

Monsier Yellow: Reasonable charges. Plus some little extras on the side.

Inn -

Monsier Yellow: Charge’em for the lice. Extra for the mice. Two percent for looking in the mirror twice. Here a little slice. There a little cut. Three percent for sleeping with the window shut. When it comes to fixing prices. There are lots of tricks he knows. How it all increases All those bits and pieces - Jesus! It’s amazing how it grows.

Thenardier comes out of the inn, backed by a posse of his gang of loyal customers, and takes control of a brass band to sing to the Frost Fair.

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Master of the house! Quick to catch your eye! Never wants a passer-by! To pass him by!

Further down the street, carrying her empty buckets, Cosette turns to look sadly back at the cheery sight.

Monsier Yellow: Servant to the poor. Butler to the great. Comforter, philosopher and lifelong mate. Everybody’s boon companion. Gives’em everything he’s got -

The Portly Customer has discovered he’s been robbed. He comes out to protest, holding out his emptied wallet. At once two of Thenardier’s thugs grab him and hustle him off.

Monsier Yellow: Dirty bunch of geezers! Jesus! What a sorry little lot!

Madame Thenardier approaches a handsome soldier who is drinking at a table by the fire in the inn. She sits on his lap and gets him to look back at Thenardier, so allowing her to see inside his coat and spot his wallet.

Hypletta: I used to dream. That I would meet a prince. But God almighty. Have you seen what’s happened since? ‘Master of the house!’ Isn’t worth my spit! Comforter, philosopher! And lifelong shit! Cunning little brain. Regular Voltaire. Thinks he’s quite a lover. But there’s not much there.

As Madame Thenardier reaches for the man’s groin, she lifts his wallet skillfully and hands it off to Monsieur Thenardier.

Monsier Yellow: What a cruel trick of nature. Landed me with such a louse. God knows how I’ve lasted. Living with this bastard in the house!

She pulls the young man into a dance, enabling her to steal everything else of value he has. Father Christmas has also been lured from the frost fair and the Thenardiers slit his presents sack and exchange it for a sack containing snow.

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Master of the house!

Hypletta: Master and a half!

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Comforter, philosopher -

Hypletta: Don’t make me laugh!

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Servant to the poor! Butler to the great -

Hypletta: Hypocrite and toady! And inebriate!

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Everybody bless the landlord! Everybody bless his spouse!

Monsier Yellow: Everybody raise a glass!

Hypletta: Raise it up the master’s arse!

Monsier Yellow and Customers: Everybody raise a glass to the master of the house!

End of Part 3