"Act 1 1957, Paris." "Christmas Eve." "Painting the Red Sea is making me feel cold and wet" "It's dripping all over me" "I'll drown the Pharaoh in revenge" "What are you doing?" "Watching the sky...grey with smoke" "And thinking how our useless stove sits there doing nothing" " He hasn't been fed in a long while" " Those bloody forests are covered in snow" "You may find this incredibly profound..." " I'm cold as hell" " I don't believe in sweating for a living" "My fingers feel as if they'd plunged into the icebox of Musetta's heart" " Love is a stove that burns too much" " And too quickly" " The man is the fuel..." " And the woman the fire-grate" " He burns in a flash..." " While she stands and watches" " Meanwhile we're freezing..." " And starving" " We must have a fire" " We'll sacrifice the chair" "I've got it!" "An idea bursts into flame" " Burn the painting?" " No, it would stink" "The hot passion of my play will warm us" "You're not going to read it?" "We'll burn it." "Its genius will return to heaven" "It's a great loss to mankind but sacrifices must be made" "Here's Act One..." "Tear it up" "What a beautiful flame" "The Apocalypse is upon us" "I can't pawn anything even on Christmas Eve" " They're performing my play..." " To the fire" " I find it scintillating" " Very witty" " But too brief" " Brevity is the soul of wit" "Author, the chair" "These intermissions are boring." "Hurry it up" "Second Act" "Not a sound" " How profound" " So moving" "In that dying flame my love scene smoulders" "That page is crackling" "Those were kisses" "Let's hear three acts at once" " Such a bold concept..." " In a spectacular apotheosis" " The fire is dying" " What a meaningless play" "Curling up and dying" "Down with the author" "Firewood..." "Cigars..." "Bordeaux..." "Destiny provides" "The Bank of France has gone broke just for you" "They're made of tin" "You're blind... whose portrait is that?" "Long live the Republic" "La France is at our feet" "This money tells its own heroic story" "Light the stove" "An English gentleman, wanted to hire a musician..." " Set the table" " Who's got the matches?" " I introduce myself... he hires me" " Cold roast beef." "Patisseries" ""When do the lessons start?" "Right now"" "He points to a parrot and tells me to play until it dies" "I played for three whole days..." "Then I tumbled the maid..." "Eat, and devour the news at the same time" "So we poisoned some parsley" "He stretched his wings... and like Socrates .he died!" "Go to hell, the lot of you" "What are you doing?" "Keep the food for later" "How can we eat at home on Christmas Eve?" "The Latin Quarter is where it's happening" "The smell of sausages fills the streets .girls galore" " It's Christmas Eve..." " Girls for everyone" "Keep it religious, boys" "Drink at home, but we dine out" "Who is it?" "The Landlord." "Bolt the door" "No one's home" "Just one word..." "Just one" "Rent" "Have a seat" " No thanks." "I'd really..." " Have a drink" "The rent for the last three months..." "Have another drink" "To your good health" "Last quarter you promised..." "And now I keep that promise" "Are you mad?" "Here's the money." "Stay with us a while" " How old are you M. Benoit?" " What a question" " About our age?" " , much more" "He said more or less" "The other night at the Cafe Mabille he was seen with a hot young chick" "Do you deny it?" "Well, I may have" "Naughty boy" "Lady-killer" "Hard as a rock." "Off like a cannon" "A gorgeous brunette too" "Women go for older men" "Feminine virtue yielded to him" "I used to be shy... now I'm making up for it" "Pretty women are my hobby" "I like them... not exactly fat with a face like a full moon..." "But not scrawny either." "Scrawny women are a pain" "When they are skinny they are malicious" "Always whinging... especially .my wife!" "He has a wife and harbours these filthy desires" "He pollutes our honest home" "Fumigate the house." "Our morals have been violated" "Out you go!" "And a very good evening, monsieur" " I've paid the rent" " The Cafe Momus awaits" " Who's paying?" " We'll divide the money" "Bring on the women" "Hey, scruffy... get a haircut" "I could have my beard trimmed..." "Alright, lead me to the razor" "I'll stay and finish my article for the paper" "It'll only take five minutes" "We'll wait downstairs - don't take too long" "Remember, "Brevity is the soul of wit"" "Watch the steps..." "Be careful" "It's pitch black" "Colline... are you dead?" "Not yet" "Don't be long!" "I'm not in the mood" "I'm sorry - my candle has gone out" "Would you...?" "Come in" "That's not necessary" "Please, come in" "Are you OK?" "It's nothing" "You're very pale" "It's just those stairs" "What'll I do" "She looks so ill" "Feeling better?" "It's cold - sit by the fire" " Something to drink?" " Thank you... just a little" "What a beautiful girl" "I feel better now - would you light my candle?" "How stupid of me - I've lost my key" "Come away from the door before the candle blows out" "Can you light it?" "O God, mine as well" "My key... where can it be?" "I can't see a thing" "I'm sorry..." "Where can it be?" "I'm sorry to be such a bother" "It is nothing" "I'm causing you trouble" "It is nothing, I assure you" "Are you looking?" "I'm looking" "Where is it?" "You found it?" "No" "I thought you..." "No, I didn't" "Nowhere?" "Nowhere!" "Your little hand is freezing - let me warm it for you" "It's no good looking - it's too dark" "Lucky there's a moon tonight" "Wait - let me tell you about myself" "May I?" "Who am I?" "..." "I'm a poet" "What do I do?" "..." "I write" "How do I live?" "..." "I live!" "I'm happy to be poor if I can squander love-songs like a prince" "When it comes to dreams, I'm a millionaire" "But my treasures can be stolen by two beautiful eyes" "Like those that came in just now" "But the robbery doesn't worry me if the dreams are replaced by hope" "That's who I am .now who are you?" "I'm called Mimi, but my real name is Lucia" "My story is very simple" " I sew" "I'm content and happy." "When I'm at home, I make flowers" "I love anything that is gentle," "that speaks of love, of spring... that speaks of dreams..." "those things called poetry" "Do you understand?" "They call me Mimi" " I don't know why" "I live alone..." "I don't go to church very much" "But I like to pray" "I stay in my tiny room... and look out over the rooftops" "But when spring returns," "the first rays of sun are mine" "April's first kiss is mine" "I have a rose - and watch it come to life, leaf by leaf" "I love its delicate perfume" "The flowers I make have no scent" "There's nothing more to tell..." "I'm just a neighbour who's turned up at the wrong time" "Rodolfo!" "Hurry up - you snail" "Hurry up, you two-bit writer" "I've almost finished" "Who is it?" "My friends" "Aren't you lonely up there?" "I'm not alone" "There's someone with me!" "Get a table at Momus... we'll join you" "Discreetly we'll slip away - the poet has found his inspiration" "How beautiful you look in the moonlight" "You are the dream I've always dreamed" " Your friends will be waiting" " Sending me away already?" "I'd like to" " Perhaps not..." "Can I come with you to Momus?" "It'll be warmer here" "I'll stay close to you" "And when we get back?" "Who knows..." "What are we waiting for?" "Tell me you love me" "I love you" "Act II The Latin Quarter" "This is out of tune." "How much is it?" "Let's go... and buy a hat" "It's old but worth mending" " Hold on to me" " I am" "Hey, you fun girls - who wants a little love?" "Let's make a bargain - my heart's going cheap" "All this pushing and shoving and no one satisfied" " This is a very rare book" " Let's go into dinner" " Come on... the others are waiting" " Does it suit me?" "It's just right" "What a beautiful coral necklace" "I've got a rich uncle." "I'll buy you a much better one" "Who's he?" " Are you jealous?" " A man in love is always jealous" "We need lots of room" " Happy?" " Yes, and you?" "Parpignol is here to sell his toys" " Two places" " About time" "This is Mimi - now our party's complete" "I'm the poet and she is my poetry" "I create songs and she creates flowers" "Our souls give light to love" "What exquisite poetry" "She is indeed worthy" " Pray join us" " I heartily concur" "It's Parpignol with his cart of toys" "I want the trumpet and the horse." "I want the drum and the cannon" " Roast venison..." " Turkey..." " Rhine wine..." " Lobster..." "What are you doing, you monsters." "You'll get a good belting" "Want a trumpet." "Want a horse" " Mimi, what will you have?" " Creme-caramel" "She's a real lady" "Mimi, what has Rodolfo given you?" "A beautiful hat." "It really suits me" "It's just what I wanted" "Anyone who can see into the heart like that knows all about love" "He's an expert" "He has diplomas in the subject" "He knows what he's talking about" "Age of illusion - one believes, and all seems beautiful" "Sublime poetry is that which teaches us to love" "Love is even sweeter than honey" "Either honey or poison" " Have I upset him?" " He's in mourning" "Stop brooding." "Let's drink" "Poison for me" "Musetta's back" "Look who's come into the money" "She's treating me like a servant - I've had enough" " Come on Lulu" " I've had it" " Sit outside?" "Here?" " Sit, Lulu" " That's our intimate name" " Stop behaving like Bluebeard" "He's evil personified" "She's no Mary Poppins" " But well dressed" " The angels go naked" "Do you know her?" " Her name's Musetta" " Marcello is ignoring me" " Her surname is Temptation" " Schaunard is laughing" "She's like a vulture" "They make me sick" " I could hit them" "She devours hearts - which is why I don't have one any more" "Waiter." "This plate stinks of fried food" " He's not looking" " Behave yourself" " Who are you talking to?" " To the waiter." "Leave me alone" "I'll do whatever I like" "ls Marcello jealous of this mummy?" "I wonder if I can still twist him round my finger" "This comedy is stupendous" " Why don't you look" " When I've finished ordering" "Watch what happens now I won't be so forgiving" "I love you so much." "Let's not talk of forgiveness" " Your heart is hammering" " Ssh!" "Not so loud" "When I walk along the street, all eyes are on me" "They explore me from top to toe" "Tie me to the chair" "I feed on the desire that smoulders in their eyes" "They imagine the hidden beauty that is denied them" "The breath of their desire intoxicates me" " Now I'm really losing patience" " And you who know and suffered..." " You'll never admit that it's killing you" " That poor girl's in love..." " Even though you are ready to die" " She's in love with Marcello" "Marcello loved her but she has expensive tastes" "I'll never get caught like that" " Marcello's weakening" " I feel sorry for her" " I admit she's quite pretty" " He'll break any minute now" "You'll never admit that it's killing you" "I must get rid of this old coot" " What's the matter?" " The pain." "The agony" "Where?" "My foot" "My memories of you are not dead" "My heart opens to you" "Run and get the shoe fixed" "We've reached the final act" "The bill." "Already?" "Out with your money" " I'm broke" " So am I" "What happened to all my money?" "Give me the bill" "Add this bill to mine..." "The gentleman who was here will pay" "It can be my farewell note" "We'll lose ourselves in the crowd" "Act III The French-Belgian Border February." "Dawn" "Hey, guards." "Open up" "We're the street-sweepers" "Hey, there." "We're freezing here" "In wine there is warmth." "In a kiss there is love" " Which way are you going?" " To Saint-Michel." "See you later" "Can you show me the bar where a painter is working?" "Could you find the painter Marcello for me?" "I must see him - it's urgent." "Tell him it's Mimi" " What's in the basket?" " It's empty" " I hoped I'd find you here" " We've been here a month now" "Musetta is teaching singing..." "I'm repainting the signs" "It's cold - come inside" " ls Rodolfo here?" " Yes" " I can't go in" " Why not?" "Marcello, you must help me" "What's happened?" "I know he loves me - but he avoids me" "My poor Rodolfo is consumed with jealousy" "Any little thing makes him suspicious." "Then he gets angry with me" "Sometimes I pretend I'm asleep..." "And I know he is spying on my dreams" "He keeps saying to me, "You're no good for me"" ""Go and find someone else"" "I know he doesn't really mean it, but what am I to do?" "People like you shouldn't live together" "You're right - we should separate" "Help us, Marcello - we've tried so hard" "Musetta and I love in an easy-going way..." "Singing and laughter make for a lasting love" " Do whatever is best" " All right." "I'll wake him" "He's asleep?" "He turned up just before dawn and fell asleep up there" "Are you OK?" "I'm chilled to the bone" "He left me last night saying it was all over" "I followed him here" "He's getting up..." " Don't let him see me" " It's better if you go home" "Don't make a scene here" "Marcello, I want to tell you - I can't go on living with Mimi" "You're so changeable" "Once before I thought my love had died..." "But one look from those eyes revived it" "Now I'm bored again" " So you wanted to end it?" " Yes, forever" "You'll have to change your ways." "Only fools love with tears" "If love doesn't laugh and sparkle, it can be pretty miserable" " You're jealous..." " A little ....and touchy, moody, closed-minded, tiresome, pig-headed" "He'll get him in a rage" "Mimi flirts with everyone" "Some man has only got to look at her... and she'll wiggle her hips in a provocative way" "You don't mean that" "No..." "I don't" "I've been trying to hide my real torment" "I love Mimi more than anyone in the world" "But I'm afraid" "She's so ill - every day she gets worse" "The poor girl is condemned" "What does he mean?" "Her terrible fits of coughing... she won't live much longer" "Am I dying?" "My room is so squalid and always so cold" "The north wind blows right through it" "She's always so happy, but I feel so guilty..." "I'm helping this terrible disease to kill her" "What can we do?" "My life..." "She's wasting away in poverty." "Love is not enough to save her" "Were you listening?" "Don't take any notice - you know I worry about nothing" " Come in where it's warm" " No, I'll suffocate in there" "Who's Musetta carrying on with?" "That tart" " I'll teach her" " Goodbye" " You're leaving?" " Goodbye" " You're leaving?" "I was drawn from loneliness by your love... and I now return to my solitude" "Goodbye - and without any bitterness" "Get together my few belongings for me" "In my drawer is a ring... and my prayer book" "I'll send the concierge for them" "Under the pillow you'll find my little hat" "Keep it, if you want, as a reminder of our love" "Goodbye - and without any bitterness" "So it's all over." "You're really leaving me?" "Farewell, dreams of love" "Farewell to waking up together each morning..." "Farewell to dreams" " Farewell to jealous scenes - ...that smile from you would melt" " Farewell to suspicion - ...and kisses..." "And bitter arguments" "....which always ended in love" "In winter one could die of being alone" "But in the spring there is the sun for company" " What were you doing?" " What do you mean?" " You blushed when I came in" " We were just talking" "No one is alone in April" " You were up to something" " I want my freedom" " You're talking about spring flowers" " And birds chattering in their nests" " lf I catch you again..." " We're not married you know" "In spring there'll be flowers and sunshine" "I can't stand lovers who carry on like .husbands" " I'll make love with whoever I please" " I won't be made a laughing-stock" "Let's wait until spring" "Housepainter" "Trollop" "Toad" "Slut" "I'm yours for life" "We'll part when the flowers bloom again" "If only winter would last forever" "We'll part when the flowers bloom again" "I saw her driving by." "She smiled at me" ""Well, Musetta," I said." ""How's your heart these days?"" "She laughed: "l can't feel it, it's so wrapped up in velvet"" "Glad to hear it" "You can't fool me" " Guess who I saw..." " Musetta?" " Mimi..." " Really?" "Dressed to kill" "I'm pleased for her" "Liar" "Let's get on with our work" "Bloody pen" "Stupid brush" "Mimi, will those happy days never return..." "My brush seems to have a mind of its own..." "Whenever I paint now, even a landscape..." "My brush draws two dark eyes and sensual lips... and there's Musetta's face looking out at me" "This little hat knows how happy we were..." "While Musetta's having a ball I'm here waiting" " What's the time?" " Yesterday's dinner time" "Just bread?" "And a herring." "It's salted" " Dinner is served" " A magnificent feast" "Champagne on ice" "Trout or salmon, sir?" "Parrot's tongue?" "I have to watch my waistline." "There's a ball tonight" " Finished?" " I'm expected at the Palace" "ls there a crisis?" "I've been called to the Ministry" "Then supper with the Sartres" "I beg this distinguished company to permit me..." "I feel an irresistible urge to sing" "A dance show then?" "With vocal accompaniment" "Clear the dance floor" " Gavotte" " Minuet" "Fandango!" "A quadrille, darling?" " My precious passion-flower" " Oh sir, I'm a virgin" " You dance like a pig" " I think that was an insult" "Eat steel, sucker" " Get a stretcher" " Book the cemetery" "It's Mimi - she's very ill" "She fainted climbing the stairs" "Rodolfo." "Do you want me here?" "My own Mimi, always" "I heard that she had left the viscount and was near death" "I looked for her everywhere..." "I saw her in the street, hardly able to stand" "She said, "l can't go on - I'm dying"" ""l want to die with him - he may be waiting for me"" "I'm much better..." "Let me look around" "It feels so nice here." "I feel stronger every minute..." "You won't leave me again?" " What can we give her?" " There's nothing here" "She'll be dead in half an hour" "I'm so cold. lf only I had a muff to warm these hands" "Will they ever be warm again?" "Here - in mine." "Don't talk - it tires you" "I've got a bit of a cough - but I'm used to it" "You are all here smiling at poor Mimi" " Don't talk" " I'll speak softly, don't worry" "Marcello, believe me, Musetta is a good person" "I know" "Sell these and get some medicine." "Find a doctor" "You won't leave me?" "This may be the last thing she ever asks for" "I'll come with you and get the muff" "You are so good, Musetta" "Dear old coat, we must part - it's the pawnshop for you" "Accept my thanks" "You've never bowed to the rich and powerful..." "Your pockets have sheltered philosophers and poets" "Those happy days have gone." "I say goodbye to my faithful friend" "Schaunard, let's put two good deeds together..." "Mine, the coat - and yours, to leave them alone together" "Philosopher, you're right..." "Let's go" "I was pretending to sleep to be alone with you" "So many things to tell you..." "But really just one..." "that is as huge as the ocean" "And as deep and infinite" "You are my love and my whole life" "My beautiful Mimi" " Am I still beautiful?" " As beautiful as the dawn" "Don't you mean, as beautiful as a sunset?" "They call me Mimi..." "I've no idea why" "The little bird has returned to her nest" "The hat you gave me" "Do you remember when I first came here?" "My candle had gone out..." "You were so nervous." "Then you lost your key" "And you pretending not to find it" "Admit it - you found it straight away" "I was just helping fate" "You couldn't see me blushing..." ""Your hand is freezing - let me warm it for you"" "You took my hand in yours..." " What's wrong" " I'm all right" " Don't talk" " I'll be good now" "She's resting" "I've seen the doctor - I told him to hurry" " Who's that?" " Me, Musetta" "How lovely and soft it is" "My hands won't ever be cold again" "Did you give it to me?" "Yes" "You spendthrift" "Don't cry like that" "I'm here with you - always" "My hands... warm..." "So sleepy..." " The doctor?" " He's coming" "Blessed Virgin, grant thy grace to this poor soul..." "We need a cover here, the flame is flickering" "It's not hopeless, is it?" "I'm sure it's not" "Marcello, she's dead" "How is she?" "Sleeping peacefully" "What's wrong?"