Claude-Michel Schönberg
The First Attack
[VALJEAN, dressed as a soldier, climbs over the barricade.]

[JOLY]
Here comes a man in uniform
What brings you to this place?

[VALJEAN]
I come here as a volunteer

[JOLY]
Approach and show your face

[PROUVAIRE]
You wear an army uniform

[VALJEAN]
That's why they let me through

[JOLY]
You've got some years behind you, sir

[VALJEAN]
There's much that I can do

[JOLY]
You see that prisoner over there?
[GRANTAIRE]
A volunteer like you!

[COMBEFERRE]
A spy who calls himself Javert

[GRANTAIRE]
He's gonna get it, too

[SENTRY #1]
They're getting ready to attack!

[ENJOLRAS gives the unarmed VALJEAN a gun.]

[ENJOLRAS]
Take this and use it well
But if you shoot us in the back
You'll never live to tell

[SENTRY #2, spoken]
Platoon of sappers advancing towards the barricade!

[SENTRY #1, spoken]
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!

[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
Fire!
[FEUILLY, spoken]
Snipers!

[VALJEAN shoots a sniper that is aiming for ENJOLRAS.]

[LESGLES]
Look how they turn and run!

[GRANTAIRE]
And so the war was won!

[ENJOLRAS]
They will be back again
Make an attack again

[To VALJEAN.]

For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you, Monsieur
When our battle is won

[VALJEAN]
Give me no thanks, Monsieur
There's something you can do
[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
If it is in my power

[VALJEAN]
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him

[JAVERT]
The law is inside out
The world is upside down

[ENJOLRAS]
Do what you have to do
This man belongs to you

[To the others.]

[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
The enemy may be regrouping
Hold yourselves in readiness
Come, my friends, back to your positions

[ENJOLRAS]
The night is falling fast

[VALJEAN]
We meet again

[JAVERT]
You've hungered for this all your life
Take your revenge
How right you should kill with a knife!

[VALJEAN cuts JAVERT's bonds.]

[VALJEAN]
You talk too much
Your life is safe in my hands

[JAVERT]
Don't understand

[VALJEAN]
Get out of here

[JAVERT]
Valjean, take care
I am warning you

[VALJEAN]
Clear out of here

[JAVERT]
Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal
You would trade your life for mine?
Yes, Valjean, you want a deal
Shoot me now for all I care!
But if you let me go, beware
You'll still answer to Javert!

[VALJEAN]
You are wrong, and always have been wrong
I'm a man, no worse than any man
You are free, and there are no conditions
No bargains or petitions
There's nothing that I blame you for
You've done your duty, nothing more
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again

[VALJEAN, spoken]
Go!

[JAVERT leaves. VALJEAN fires his gun in the air.]

[ENJOLRAS]
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody keep the faith
For certain as the eagle flies
We are not alone
The people too must rise

[ENJOLRAS, spoken]
Marius, rest