"THE CHILDREN'S REVOLT" "It's from Uncle." "Thanks, Cousin." "May I help you, ma'am?" "First, Kindly change your tone, sir." "Next, I lost something." "It rolled your way." "I'd like it back." "We saw nothing." "It's the rules." "Thank you, sir." "I'm no "sir", I'm Little Shaver" "Thanks, Little Shaver." "Little lady, what's that thing?" "It's Earth." "Here's France." "that's America." "That's what I figured" "Now she'll rat on us, dimwit!" "I didn't want to rip her off." "Anyway, she's fibbing." "You mustn't near the hellions." "They're full of mange." "What?" "Scabies, Countess." "Where are they from?" "Roquette prison, I guess." "From Roquette!" "Are they all criminals?" "Not this time." "Some are foundlings or beggars." "The Home has its share of crooks and arsonists." "Mr Alexis is too kind." "See those gambs?" "She sure loaded my gun!" "Madam, may I have a bit of crumpet tonight?" "Mr Alexis?" "I'm Countess Marie d'Ozeray." "Your husband... couldn't come?" "Didn't you expect me?" "My apologies..." "I thought..." "I was told That the journalist d'Ozeray would come." "I am she." "It's my pen name." "What a lovely reception!" "You're surprised, so am I. We're even." "There's no comparison!" "The water not too choppy?" "Just enough to cut me from the world." "They're punished, not ill." "We prefer the barber to the dungeon." "Cousin, unchain the children!" "I've told you before!" "This is a Fatherly Home, not a penal colony!" "The problem with reform is the staff." "I've more surprises in store!" "Your article will impress all of Paris." "For you, women can cover only fashion and handiwork?" "Handiwork, that's it." "No!" "When I saw you, I was taken aback." "We all have preconceptions." "On founding the Home, I was faced with..." "I'm flustered..." "I'm truly glad you're here." "You're so..." "So... journalistic?" "Thinker!" "It's me!" "It's me, Thinker..." "Little Shaver." "Little Shaver?" "I'll be damned!" "It's the li'I fella!" "My brother's the Thinker cause he's got brains." "And I've got it all in my sweet Jesus..." "Anyone interested?" "What's this dump like?" "A lesser evil." "Come, my dear." "Martha, this is Countess Marie d'Ozeray." "D'Ozeray, the journalist we were expecting." "What a delightful surprise!" "At last, a woman in this place!" "You must be exhausted." "Coffee, tea?" "Some porto, perhaps?" "Undress!" "Think you're in a girl's camp?" "Boom, boom!" "Shoot the moon." "Little bastard!" "I'll whip your hide!" "You're wanted at the workshop." "Watch them." "Yes, Cousin." "All you clods to the showers!" "Snap to it!" "It's me, Henriette." "Get me some water." "How are you?" "Upset?" "She's too tired to speak." "Let her be." "Dont' worry, girls." "I'm fine." "Who took the baby?" "He'll be happy!" "You come to... a nice, clean hospital with a huge door." "And a window ledge next to it laid with a clean cloth." "I set the baby down." "He didn't cry." "I rang the bell, and a kind nun came." "I saw her eyes." "She took my baby..." "She kissed him, I'm sure." "Then she carried him away." "I didn't see much because my knees were shaking." "But I didn't cry." "Get your uniforms!" "What's your name?" "Little Shaver." "It's not my fault." "So you're the li'I fella." "Try this for starters." "No pockets!" "So what?" "Don't be cruel." "I'm sunk without pockets." "What'II I get in return?" "Got a whistle?" "I'll blow it." "Loudmouth!" "Fun's over, time for the Dance Ring." "There they are." "No greeting for me?" "You're dreadfully clad!" "And so pale!" "The abbot make you work too hard?" "Run back to him." "Line up is essential." "On the left are Home carpenters, then gardeners" "The third column are weavers." "How many hours?" "Three, but with clogs!" "Shouldn't you have..." "Anything's better than blowing on bagpipes." "You're all clods." "I like the Dance Ring." "I hear it's a woman." "What's she like?" "Big ass?" "No tits." "The nosy sort." "Don't worry." "She'll keep Alexis busy." "That'II leave us more time to plan." "Plan what?" "Beat it, louse!" "9 Days to go:" "we have to beware of finks." "Swifty swiped rope." "Too soon." "Why?" "Searches, asshole!" "Children, welcome to our Fatherly Home," "soon to celebrate its 7th year." "You're embarking on a new life." "Thanks to our benevolent founder," "Mr Alexis, you'II live happily." "Yes, I said happily." "No matter how heavy your misdeeds, and some of you drag a heavy load" "of misdeeds, you'll all be treated equally." "Here, at Fatherly Home, you'II learn to read and write, and to work." "For one must know how to work in life." "A good trade in the hands of an honest man:" "that's the answer!" "Here you may talk among yourselves." "Grande-lle Home isn't like Roquette!" "You may speak, not always of course, but you may." "You'll till the garden, you'll eat hot and wholesome meals," "including... meat!" "Believe me, a lucky star brought you here," "I talk from experience." "I am Uncle." "And those watching you for your own good are called Cousins." "Welcome to this big family, whose Father is Mr Alexis, may God bless him." "One more thing:" "in honor of our guest, a renown journalist all the way from Paris, we'll hold our celebration a week early." "It'll take place in two days." "You shouldn't have." "Do not disrupt your routine." "It's our pleasure." "Hell, that wrecks everything!" "We'll work it out." "But quick." "We've two days to get the keys." "So, Jeanne, did you eat well on the boat?" "That's good!" "See, I look after you." "We're one big family." "Run along children." "You've worked enough." "Enjoy the sun, my treasures!" "Aren't my girls beautiful?" "Such arched backs, such soft skin!" "So plump!" "They'll make men hot!" "You get me hot, too." "You know, sweetie, you get me hot." "Come here." "Come on." "You love me a little, dont'you, sweetie?" "Say you love me a little... why're you here?" "Well?" "Mr Alexis sent for Uncle, so..." "Sure he did!" "Now, honey, time to work." "Life isn't all pleasure." "We might've kept it." "Kept who?" "Kept what?" "Another mouth to feed?" "Grab the rigging!" "Hoist the sail!" "Heave-ho, lads!" "Heave-ho!" "Grab the rigging." "They learn a trade." "And get good exercise." "It's nothing new." "They're drawn to the sea." "Set sail, travel freely, conquer frontiers..." "Conquer frontiers...!" "Your boys'd settle for less." "Sailing on land is heresy, but on the sea they'd be tempted." "Let's educate them, so they know what to flee towards." "I should've written for "The Globe"." "They share your ideas." "Great utopians..." "You said the world!" ""Utopia", from Greek." ""U": "no", and "topos": "place"." ""Nonexistent place"." "Yet look around you:" "does this place exist?" "I believe it does." "Got it?" "Damn hellion!" "What's in your pocket?" "Cousin, I swear, I was.." "Jacking off!" "He can't help it." "He works better." "No wise cracks!" "Give me your hand." "I must leave." "Finish before I return, hand-job or no, or you'll get it!" "On both hands!" "The other key?" "I'll get it." "Look at her." "You'd think I beat her." "He wants me too." "The poor codger's bored stiff." "You're sweet, Jeanne." "It's no sin, it's human kindness." "I must see him." "Now?" "Do as I say!" "What?" "Old lecher!" "You're full of kindness, too." "He'll see you." "What is it?" "Mr Alexis, there's a slight problem." "A bit of a ruckus in the C dormitory." "Settle it yourself." "May I come along?" "Well... it's urgent." "No scene for a Countess." "A shame you'll miss the scene." "They're so rare here." "Those idiots!" "Shut up!" "Calm down!" "Let go!" "Cut it out!" "That's enough!" "You're simply savages!" "Poor children..." "Get me the Cousin on duty." "I was all alone." "They told me not to move, but I moved." "What's the story?" "You let a kid get away?" "A new one!" "Know what you're in for?" "Don't worry, I took care of him." "See to him." "He's faking!" "No back talk!" "Look after the others, the leaders, especially Loudmouth." "He irritates me." "Learn to hit a child right or change jobs!" "You hear?" "You irritate our Director." "Get down." "It wasn't me." "He didn't do it." "Who did, then?" "You?" "Get down." "Come on, both of you." "Stop dragging." "Where's my wife?" "Tucking in the children." "Was she drunk?" "I noticed nothing." "What a shame, you'll miss the Home's anniversary." "Such a pleasant party..." "We'll miss you." "Little Shaver, it's me, Thinker." "You all right?" "Come to bed." "I can't hear." "Why can't I hear?" "Don't worry, li'I fella." "I'm taking care of you now." "Just for a moment?" "Just a butterfly kiss." "Heavenly!" "A butterfly means hope in sight." "Butterfly, goodnight!" "There're no pictures!" "Is it a good book?" "Will you read to me like before?" "What's it called?" ""The Philosophy of Poverty"." "Strange name." "It's a strange story." "But I'll read you "The nunchback of Notre Dame"." "Why not that one?" "You're too li'I!" "You just don't want to." ""I demand the abolition of slavery," ""equal rights, the rule of justice and law"." "Shall I go on?" "They got a week." "Damn!" "What would you like to know?" "My goodness, it's quite impressive." "What's he doing?" "He ties and sweeps." "He ties loose threads, cleans the spools and tidies up." "He's so young." "Only a small boy can slide under the loom." "Like in all mills." "Isn't it dangerous?" "Not if he follows instructions." "Accidents can happen, but they're due to carelessness." "Can't you stop the loom while he works?" "I wish we could..." "but all mills are run that way." "I frown when I do the books." "If we lose too much money, we'll have to close." "What would the children become?" "Understand?" "You're the journalist, I'II leave him to you." "What's your name?" "Frog." "Haven't you another?" "I don't know." "Where're you from?" "Poissy." "That's a prison." "I know." "I made chairs." "wonderful!" "We need chairs for the workshop." "Well, I can only do rungs." "Pinhead, do we carry on?" "We can't without Loudmouth, he's the boss." "Find another: there's only one party a year." "I told you she was a jinx." "What hours did you work in the mines?" "It varied." "12 hours a day when I was small, then 16." "Now you understand?" "Director..." "Sir..." "Later." "Here we enforce the 1841 law:" "8 hours for the young, 10 for the older ones." "A child needs time to learn, enjoy himself, and rest." "You see?" "It's the lint." "We're studying the ventilation." "You for going on?" "We've no choice." "Who'd you pick as boss?" "How are you, father?" "Can't you see he's tired?" "Take him back." "He wants to say something." "He certainly does." "But we're never sure what." "Let's go back." "It's time for lunch." "What do we do?" "Ask Loudmouth." "Can you?" "Back to bed, creep." "Let him be." "But he's new!" "I'll kill anyone who touches my brother." "Got that?" "How dare you, bunch of scoundrels!" "Where's Cousin?" "In there." "With Fanfan." "So, Thinker, holding a salon?" "It's my fault, Uncle." "What were you discussing?" ""The Nunchback of Notre Dame"." "Victor Hugo!" "That's fine." "Victor Hugo is magnificent!" "Moving!" "A refreshment?" "Something intrigues me." "What did your father want earlier?" "This woman will spare me nothing!" "When he clucks like that, he wants the woman..." "You're arousing my curiosity." "He wants the woman to lift her skirts." "Pardon?" "My father wants to see women's buttocks" "Come here." "You talk and I'll rearrange you." "Come here, Pockface." "Make it fast!" "Anything to tell me?" "Nothing at all, Cousin." "What was thinker saying?" "He spoke of Victor Hugo." "This task requires every ounce of your attention." "If anyone ogles my girls..." "A chew!" "Got any brains?" "Drop your pants, show me the moon." "Don't be afraid, I won't be rough." "What an abyss of impurity!" "You want entertainment, scum?" "You'll kick up your heels!" "To the Dance Ring!" "Love is bliss!" "Let the Dance Ring spin!" "Full trot!" "I don't get it," "I rescue them from Roquette, give them the Dance Ring, and they slouch!" "Ingrates!" "New customers." "Hoof it, wimps!" "Come on, Frog." "I have a job for you." "Thanks, Uncle." "There's no bread!" "What's the matter?" "Diarrhea?" "A rat!" "Over there!" "The size of a rabbit!" "Filthy beast!" "He ran that way!" "More to the left!" "Prisoners'soup, Cousin." "And tomorrow?" "As planned." "Who's boss?" "Next time you talk, you stay!" "Group 1, show me your slate." "That how you write a "2"?" "Do it over." "What a team!" "Atrocious, as usual." "We must go on." "You're the boss." "Let's see." "A love note, Thinker?" "On your feet." "You girls... want to know what's brewing too?" "I'll tell you:" ""God sees all"." "A wise maxim." "Write it 100 times." "Who do you spy for?" "You scared me." "I like scaring curious journalists." "I've got you." "That's what matters." "Show some mercy." "Look what shape they're in." "You've 10 minutes to spruce them up." "Time out." "Dancing's over." "Thinker's no leader!" "Loudmouth picked him." "You're nuts!" "That meant nothing." "He simply meant you're loony!" "He meant someone who had brains, it can't be you." "Beat it, squirt." "It's time for my speech." "Are you coming?" "Why?" "You've revised it this year?" "Come!" "You said yourself entertainment was rare." "Like every year, my wife and I... have planned a party at the castle." "In keeping with a father's duties, it is fitting that two deserving boys, shall we say, my most worthy sons, join our table with all their Cousins." "This year's chosen are Pinhead and Fanfan." "We're screwed." "Wrong, it's a stroke of luck." "A special meat ration and a pitcher of wine... will enable each of you to share our joy." "What is it?" "Speak up." "What's the matter?" "Let the child have his say." "Director, our joy would be complete if you mercifully freed our friends from the dungeon." "Your name?" "Pierre, called Thinker." "Your nickname surely suits you, but you're thinking backwards." "Mercy doesn't mean weakness." "To show you the difference, I'll have them given meat and wine." "Satisfied?" "Thank you, Director." "Now, go play, rest, enjoy... the specially fine weather." "I thought there was no dungeon." "Allow me to address you as D'Ozeray... the journalist." "My duty is to make hard workers out of ignorant, sometimes dangerous, vagabonds." "At times I need a dungeon." "Is there no other method?" "Maybe you think running this Home is easy?" "You're prejudicial and critical." "To behold and criticize is my job." "I can't bear people hiding the truth." "Fine words!" "I don't like those who hide the truth either!" "What's wrong?" "Cousin sent me the kid." "I Know herbs." "No other facilities in the castle?" "They don't work." "What happened to him?" "A blow to the head." "Did another child do it?" "Maybe yes, maybe no." "Some days you could kill these hellions." "Make him wait." "I'll speak to him." "Wait here." "What did your folks do?" "They were in prison." "Then they were dead." "That's how I went to Mrs Lepage." "Your nanny?" "Was she nice?" "She was nice, but she slapped me and clubbed me." "The worst was the dogs." "What dogs?" "Mrs Lepage's." "She makes me shave them:" "she sells fur." "But I cut them by mistake and they bite." "So I can't learn, and..." "good riddance!" "You went to school?" "Before the dogs." "I was even head of the class." "How many rivers in France?" "Five:" "America, Europe," "Africa, Asia and Oceania." "You Know who the first king of France was?" "Pharaoh." "Why were you put in prison?" "Since the dogs kept me from learning my lessons," "I was put in the corner and belted, so I took off with Barbillon." "We guzzled down some wine and randy brandy since he had money." "Then we got pinched." "That's how I landed in a real court." "What court?" "The one where I told that story." "The folks were real nice, and they even laughed hard." "They gave me five years." "Then I came here and a Cousin... came and gave me... a whack on my good ear," "and it hurt." "Don't be sad, little lady." "That's life." "Gee thanks, little lady." "I better not let anyone swipe this." "Look!" "Where's the key?" "It was a cinch, but I had to stick my fingers down my throat." "Too bad: we got meat today." "Come here." "Go to bed." "Some herb tea?" "I'll retire." "What's wrong with her?" "Was I too insensitive to the child's story?" "No answer?" "Since when do you consult me?" "She's our guest." "Make her come back." "Me?" "You must be joking." "She's in your care." "To hell with her!" "I'm going to bed." "Are you coming?" "I'll stay with the abbot." "A night-cap?" "I really shouldn't." "Would you have me drink alone?" "I suppose I've seen it all." "There's the chapel yet." "It's humble, but quaint." "Hurry, Jeanne, Father's waiting." "At what age did you begin?" "I don't know." "How often daily do you commit this awful act?" "Weekly?" "Twenty times?" "Fifty?" "3 "HaiI Mary's", 2 "Our Father's"" "Go in peace, my child." "They're hatching a plot." "It's Thinker, Pinhead, Dandy, and Loudmouth." "He's in the dungeon!" "They have guns and the keys, they'll kill Uncle." "Me, too?" "I don't know." "But it's for tomorrow during the party why tell me this?" "Because they hate me, and I want to leave." "Don't touch that." "Young friends, it was not the Lord's plan" "to let your souls wander forever." "You must fight the devil that unfortunately lurks in the souls of many of you." "And it is a terrible struggle!" "Our Lord says:" ""Let the children come to me"." "Who amongst you has too hard a heart not to heed this calling" "and prefer the dark and burning breast of the devil?" "No doubt our Home breeds men of God." "Our Mother the Church is glad of this." "Before this evening's delights, let us pray for the Holy Father the Pope, the ill and the dead." "No one move!" "You can't bear to miss the Home's anniversary?" "I understand." "You'd have made an excellent Cousin." "But you won't at Roquette." "You let them get away?" "Yes, Director, but I brought them back." "That's fortunate." "Take them back" "Have some more" "Will you really return them to Roquette?" "You realize that condemns them?" "I know, but..." "I must set an example." "Loudmouth really loused up!" "Been in the dungeon?" "We ready?" "What's going on?" "Nothing!" "That's what you say if anyone asks." "Is he mad?" "Beat it, or I'll whip you." "You're wanted at the castle." "Why?" "Want your ass kicked?" "I came with certain notions about Mr Alexis'work." "I've looked and listened." "Now I'd like your opinion." "I haven't much to say." "But you read Proudhon." "The bastards!" "They've searched again!" "Put that in your paper." "Anyone search your things?" "If they found the keys, Thinker's in for it." "So are we." "Thinker won't talk." "They can make him." "Great balls, it's a mess, but the keys are there." "Why'd they call Thinker?" "Well, I worked for a typographer" "I cared for his stable." "He taught me to like books." "He had ideas." "He'd say "Proudhon's our great philosopher," ""the only lucid man"." "What would Proudhon-say about the Home?" "It's a lesser evil." "What's up?" "Everything's fine." "Pockface said in confession there'd be a revolt today" "I don't believe it, but wanted to tell you." "A revolt?" "Nonsense!" "If he meant Loudmouth's escape, that led nowhere." "Don't say a word:" "the seal of the confessional!" "Dear friends..." "When a child leaves, I have mixed feelings:" "both pride and sorrow." "Pride, because when he came, Pinhead was a hellion like the rest." "The Home has made a man of him." "Sorrow, because when he goes, I lose one of my children." "You will work for good Mr Grand-Guillaume." "You'll set an example for the others." "Grand-Guillaume's a clod!" "Pinhead," "here is your exit certificate." "This will get you in the brothel." "I meant..." "You should allow our Countess the honor." ""Your" Countess, rather." "That's... less dishonest." "Don't you agree?" "Martha, what do you mean?" "Stop!" "Everyone's watching you." "But you have eyes only for her." "That's unbearable." "Neglect me for the Home, your utopian fantasies, but not for that so-called Parisian journalist!" "Enough!" "Do something, Alexis!" "This is ridiculous." "The Countess never..." "Lying's not nice." "Listen to your wife more often." "Dont'you see?" "I'm leaving with the children." "That means no more money, and no more Home." "The countess will find you patrons." "That's not my aim." "My research is done, I return to Paris tomorrow." "I'II leave you." "You're not missing much, he's lousy in bed." "Here, my boy, spend it wisely." "And make our Home proud." "As for Fanfan, our second guest, he won't yet leave the Home, but soon enough." "Well?" "That's the signal." "To your posts!" "Nobody move!" "What is this farce?" "You're smarter than that." "You miss Roquette?" "Don't worry, we'll fix these scoundrels!" "As you see, we control the Home." "Kindly remain calm." "God help me!" "I've tried hard to save these poor souls!" "I've given my life!" "Enough!" "control yourself." "I gave my life, not you." "I'm waiting." "If you try to flee, we'll kill you." "Have you gone mad?" "You'll never find a better place." "There's no escape from Grande-lle." "If you drop the guns, I might..." "Quiet!" "All of you, against the wall!" "Me too?" "You too, Ma'am." "Line up, Cousins." "Move it." "You too, Uncle." "Off to the dungeon." "You may turn around." "Friends, what do you want from us?" "A bit of Christian charity, abbot." "Take us with you." "Uncle will never forgive you." "Let no one in or out." "You'll be relieved in an hour." "Pockface!" "You dirty fink!" "Deck him!" "Let the party begin!" "We'll make a bonfire!" "Pile the faggots over there." "What if they set fire to the castle?" "Why haven't they fled yet?" "They have other plans." "Perfect." "The village might notice the glow." "Idiots!" "All well?" "Another broken pane..." "The glazier come again!" "Put out the fire!" "Not bad for idiots." "If the village notices, we're done." "No fire, no shouts." "No one may leave the Home." "Loudmouth ordered the fire:" "he's boss." "Shut up!" "We can do anything except get caught." "You two, stand guard at the gate." "Let no one leave." "Go yourself." "Do as you're told." "Think you're a Cousin?" "Right." "And I can tan your hide." "Watch those clods." "We'll sail when they're sloshed." "Only five on the boat." "You disagree?" "No, you're right." "Leave us a piece!" "So you're leaving?" "Perhaps." "And the others?" "Anyway, you won't get far." "Why?" "Tonight's low tide." "Low tide!" "That's the answer!" "AII's fine?" "Yes." "You take over." "Pinhead..." "I feel ill, I'm suffocating." "I need air, I'll faint." "I'm not allowed." "You're armed, go with me." "I won't flee." "Sit there." "Air's the same everywhere." "Thank you." "I feel better." "So you leave the Home tomorrow?" "I have the papers, no one can stop me." "I've a note for the village priest." "Deliver it?" "What did you write?" "Guess." "If I report it, Loudmouth'll kill you." "Perhaps." "It won't help you." "How much are you leaving with?" "Fifty francs." "Director's gift?" "I earned it in my two rotten years here!" "Some gift!" "If you deliver this letter, I'll give you twice that much." "100 francs?" "And I'll see that your friends aren't punished." "Let's go in." "I feel fine now." "Remember my trust, Mr Pinhead." "My name's Julien Dorman, because I was found by a door." "Thanks, Mr Dorman" "Never mind, Countess." "A souvenir of the person who trusted me." "You have a head for business." "You're mad!" "You shouldn't have." "Why?" "You should've told me first." "So you could stop me?" "Your methods are dangerous, vain and costly." "This isn't the time!" "It must be very funny." "We tried." "Look good?" "Your daughters made it." "Hands off them!" "Don't move!" "Not to worry, they're in Thinker's care." "Enjoy your meal." "Is it really necessary?" "Absolutely" "In our predicament?" "We must show the children we maintain our dignity" "We're in charge!" "God sees all, but does nothing!" "Let's shove off" "Let's go!" "Leaving is fine, but where to," "We must think." "If we stay on the island, we're bounty for the farmers." "We must steal boats." "Not by day." "You agree?" "At night there's a low tide." "No boat leaves the harbor." "What's your idea?" "You agree this place is a lesser evil." "We'II list what we want changed, make Alexis sign it, and we'II live well." "You daft?" "They'll send us straight to Roquette." "No because we'll send the list to Paris, to someone who'll publish it." "To Victor Hugo!" "And all France will be behind us." "Who's Victor Hugo?" "That's all bullshit." "Let's clear off!" "You know it's madness." "Only 4 or 5 can go, but that's not your plan?" "Stay!" "We'll draft the Island Boys'Declaration!" "Filthy clod!" "You rigged it all along." "Anyway, count me out." "With papers I'm free to leave." "If no one leaves, you can't." "You're scum!" "I didn't have to help you!" "I should've squealed!" "He's right, he must leave." "If he doesn't sail, the village will get wary." "Trust him." "Everyone trusts me today!" "Director, this is our decision." "We'll discuss our grievances, then free you." "What if I refuse?" "We kill you." "From Pinhead." "Don't try that again." "They simply want to discuss!" "Something special is happening." "Indeed!" "I'm prisoner of boys I gave my life to!" "Hear out their proposal." "It's the primary duty of a liberal." "As Lamartine said..." "Lamartine has his rump in silk, and that rump is now sitting comfortably!" "His theories wouldn't hold up here!" "We don't deal with rebels." "I don't deal with imbeciles." "I was trying to make a rhyme." "Thinker sure has it all up here." "Trum, spade." "Trick." "I knew it." "We can't stay here idle." "That's why we play whist." "Leaving?" "For the loo, do you mind?" "We'd need another hour of school." "Are you loony?" "You're loony and stupid." "We can't read, so we're poor." "With education, we can speak of Justice." "Equality and Freedom." "Heap of shit those words are!" "I'm off." "If it's worth it, come fetch me." "Off someplace?" "Chicken coop." "You're not with..." "Those dregs?" "I'll join you." "I'm not a baby." "I won't eat you." "Let go." "Stop!" "Loudmouth," "you touch her, you're dead." "Easy." "Apologize." "Stop!" "What's that?" "May I read it?" ""We, the Grande-lle boys, on this Monday, August 9 th, in agreement with our Director, decide..."" "Monday!" "Cotton delivery!" "My father must sign for it!" "Here they come!" "The farmers will know what's up." "What is it?" "Uncle to the dungeon!" ""Dungeon" takes an "e"" "You should know that, Loudmouth." "How do you spell "dungeon"?" "DUNGEON." "Very good, children." "That's no spelling lesson!" "I'll say." "My children!" "They'll return when you negotiate." "Do something!" "They're murderers!" "Kill them!" "It's all your fault!" "My children!" "Calm down." "We can't hear." "Alexis will talk." "Really?" "They're scared stiff!" "Children!" "They weren't mistreated." "Should we congratulate them?" "It won't be easy." "I can't agree to everything." "They simply want to negociate!" "Sign anything, then clamp down again." "We need to buy time." "The troops will arrive, and..." "What troops?" "The farmers must have noticed something." "Uncle is clever." "He'll have revealed our predicament somehow." "once the authorities are alerted, the soldiers'll rescue us." "You think so?" "I'll get eggs." "Fetch the Cousin cook." "He'll peel, and we'll guard him." "Go yourself." "I'd get the willies!" "It took my own children's kidnaping to learn of the Dance Ring." "Your revolt has taught me something." "You sympathize?" "Naturally..." "But you, too, must sympathize." "The Cousins are decent folk." "They worked in prisons, they don't always see things my way." "You can't know what progress the Home has made." "Remember the essential:" "deter evil and procure good." "These gutter urchins mustn't become thieves and bandits." "Here, work, discipline and God's help can make you honest folk." "Here, we're spied on, locked up, indoctrinated." "An extremist!" "You're an extremist, a hot-blooded youth." "At 18, I espoused the same views." "I doubt it." "We weren't born under the same star." "Where are you going?" "I'll return." "My turn next?" "I go again." "And the dungeon?" "The dungeon," "of course." "I could close the dark dungeon." "I need the daylight one." "They'll get decent food." "I got 3 days." "Both dungeons must close." "Stiffle them." "It's annoying." "I believe disciplinary action has too often replaced moral action." "There are no good dungeons." "Well..." "Let's discuss the other points." "Stale bread, I agree." "Well?" "Some progress." "Hope we don't get burned." "Well?" ""The Cousins will use the boy's Christian names or the name given when they were found"." "I never thought of that." "They have some valid ideas." "He's mad." "This isn't the Paris treaty." "That's enough, old codger!" "A storm." "If the troops were alerted, they can't sail." "You're glad?" "In a way." "Are you sad?" "Is Uncle on the list?" "Of course." "Then I'II leave too." "You want to?" "Not on the table." "What?" "You wouldn't understand." "Come on." "I haven't a clue!" "It shouldn't take long to discuss." "Get down, you'll break your neck." "You his father?" "It's no time for trouble." "Any news?" "Little imp!" "You deserve..." "The Dance Ring!" "You got the Dance Ring and dungeon closed, meat twice a week, more school and rest, and punishment for unruly Cousins." "Those are some changes!" "I can't do more." "So you refuse to talk?" "No, but you're rushing things." "Let's discuss Uncle." "Impossible." "I propose a two-hour break." "We'll resume talks this afternoon." "Thinker, my father's ill." "Do something." "When we're done, we'll see to him." "He says he'll die." "Come" "Henriette!" "Shoot!" "Move, and your head blows." ""A boy chosen by all will see that the declaration is honored"" "Agree to that!" "It would advance things." "Alexis, all I ask is that you bring this to an end, preferably a happy one!" "Dear, do you think...?" "Countess, Thinker wants to see you." "You must give a little when negotiating." "You can't hold out forever." "The wind's died down." "You're in danger." "I know." "It must be signed tonight." "The declaration..." "Would you take it to Victor Hugo?" "Victor Hugo?" "Stay here." "What do we do?" "Nothing." "Stand by, that helps us most." "Uncle is still a problem." "He must go." "He stays." "He's been with me from the start." "So you made a bad choice." "How dare you judge my choices!" "Remember, the wind's died down." "This is no time to talk about the weather!" "Uncle stays, period." "You admit he's an ogre?" "He's a hothead, but I give the orders." "He'll enforce the new rules, trust me." "Dont' fret." "Even if Uncle goes, you'll stay with us." "Thinker'll fix everything." "He signed!" "He signed!" "For Mr Alexis." "I'm counting on you, understand?" "Perfectly." "I must go." "Thank you, Mr Frog." "Count on me, too." "Pleasant journey!" ""You were right about Utopia, the place exists." "Marie"" "Damn, the soldiers!" "We were shown the cotton delivery receipt." ""Help!" was written next to the signature." "Look." "You mobilize troops on a hunch?" "Believe me, Commander," "I've come from the Home, there's nothing eventful." "Don't worry, I didn't enlist to fight children." "But I must obey orders." "We'll investigate." "If all's well, it'll be a mere formality." "Double time!" "We've been turned in!" "The soldiers are here!" "Give me the gun." "You won't get a chance." "Really?" "Everyone's against you." "Even your daughters." "No one'd care if I killed you." "Grande-lle boys, you've no idea..." "You don't know who you are!" "Survivors of that army of 300,000 madmen who enlisted 7 centuries ago" "answering the call of a mystic shepherd from Orleans" "under the banner of bold adventure..." "The odyssey of conquerors" "thirsting for open space." "Give me that!" "Stop!" "Thinker!" "Don't shoot!" "They're my children!" "Let them go." "Enough blood's been shed." "Idiots!" "God sees all!" "Valentine, my little darling..." "Leave me here." "Go to the village." "Hide in the church." "Lean on me." "You must hold on." "Thinker's been hurt." "What happened?" "The bounty's ours!" "Don't move, or you're a dead man." "Do something!" "There's nothing I can do." "come on." "We brought back the hellions." "What now?" "We want our bounty." "Later."