[1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer. Outside the factory, owned by

the Mayor, Monsieur Madeleine (Valjean in disguise).]



The Poor

At the end of the day you're another day older

And that's all you can say for the life of the poor

It's a struggle, it's a war

And there's nothing that anyone's giving

One more day, standing about, what is it for?

One day less to be living.

At the end of the day you're another day colder

And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill

And the righteous hurry past

They don't hear the little ones crying

And the winder is coming on fast, ready to kill

One day nearer to dying!

At the end of the day there's another day dawning

And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise

Like the waves crash on the sand

Like a storm that'll break any second

There's a hunger in the land

There's a reckoning still to be reckoned

And there's gonna be hell to pay

At the end of the day!



[The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge.]



Foreman

At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing

Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread



Workers

There are children back at home

And the children have got to be fed

And you're lucky to be in a job

And in a bed!

And we're counting our blessings!



Women

Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?

With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?

It's because little Fantine won't give him his way

Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!

And the boss, he never knows

That the foreman is always in heat

If Fantine doesn't look out

Watch how she goes

She'll be out on the street!



Workers

At the end of the day it's another day over

With enough in your pocket to last for a week

Pay the landlord pay the shop

Keep on grafting as long as you're able

Keep on grafting till you drop

Or it's back to the crumbs on the table

You've got to pay your way

At the end of the day!



Girl

What have we here, little innocent sister?

Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!



[She grabs the letter from Fantine.]



"Dear Fantine you must send us more money...

Your child needs a doctor...

There's no time to lose!"



Fantine

Give that letter to me

It is none of your business

With a husband at home

And a bit on the side

Is there anyone here

Who can swear before God

She has nothing to fear?

She has nothing to hide?



[They fight over the letter. Valjean rushes over to

break up the squabble.]



Valjean (as M. Madeleine)

What is this fighting all about?

Will someone tear these two apart?

This is a factory, not a circus!

Now come on ladies, settle down

I run a business of repute

I am the Mayor of this town



[To the foreman...]



I look to you to sort this out

And be as patient as you can---



[He goes back into the factory.]



Foreman

Now someone say how this began!



Girl

At the end of the day she's the one who began it

There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town

There's a man she has to pay

You can guess how she picks up the extra

You can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around

And the boss wouldn't like it!



Fantine

Yes it's true there's a child

And the child is my daughter

And her father abandoned us leaving us flat

Now she lives with an innkeeper man and his wife

And I pay for the child

What's the matter with that??



Women

At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble

And there's trouble for all when there's trouble for one

While we're earning our daily bread

She's the one with her hands in the butter

You must send the slut away

Or we're all gonna end in the gutter

And it's us who'll have to pay

At the end of the day!



Foreman

I might have known the bitch could bite

I might have known the cat had claws

I might have guessed your little secret

Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine

Who keeps herself so pure and clean

You'd be the cause I had no doubt

Of any trouble hereabout

You play a virgin in the light

But need no urgin' in the night.



Girl

She's been laughing at you

While she's having her men



Women

She'll be nothing but trouble again and again



Workers

You must sack her today

Sack the girl today!



Foreman

Right my girl!

On your way