Runaway

Les Miserables

Les Miserables (Act 1)

The Runaway Cart

[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed,

trapping M. Fauchelevant.]

Voices

Look at that!

Look at that!

It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!

Don't approach! Don't go near!

At the risk of your life!

He is caught by the wheel!

Oh, the pitiful man.

Stay away, turn away,

There is nothing to do.

There is nothing to do.

Valjean

Is there anyone here

Who will rescue the man?

Who will help me to shoulder

The weight of the cart?

Voices

Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor

The load is heavy as hell

The old man's a goner for sure

It'll kill you as well.

[Valjean attempts to lift the cart. They manage to pull

Fauchelevant clear.]

Fauchelevant

M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words

You come from God, you are a saint.

[Javert takes Valjean aside.]

Javert

Can this be true?

I don't believe what I see!

A man your age

To be as strong as you are...

A memory stirs.

You make me think of a man

From years ago

A man who broke his parole

He disappeared

Forgive me, Sir,

I would not dare!

Valjean

Say what you must, don't leave it there.

Javert

I have only known one other

Who can do what you have done

He's a convict from the chain gang

He's been ten years on the run

But he couldn't run forever

We have found his hideaway

And he's just been re-arrested

And he comes to court today.

Of course he now denies it

You'd expect that of a con

But he couldn't run forever,

No, not even Jean Valjean!

Valjean

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's he's sure to be returned

To serve his sentence?

Come to that, can you be sure,

That I am not your man?

Javert

I have known the thief for ages

Tracked him down through thick and thin

And to make the matter certain

There's the brand upon his skin

He will bend, he will break

This time there is no mistake.

[Javert leaves, Valjean is alone.]