Stephen Flaherty
Gossip
[GRAND HOMME (MAN 2)]
Now, what can he want with a woman like her?

[GRAND HOMME (WOMAN 2)]
Blacker than coal and low as dirt!

[GRAND HOMME (WOMAN 1)]
He could have the world but takes a peasant!

[GRAND HOMME (MAN 2)]
Perhaps his brain was hurt!

[SERVANT (MAMA)]
Look how she holds him —

[SERVANT (MAN 1)]
— And touches and attends him

[SERVANT (TONTON)]
The boy believes she can make him well...

[SERVANTS, GRANDS HOMMES]
And she has him in a spell

[TI MOUNE, spoken]
I have a gift for you
[DANIEL, spoken]
What is it?

[TI MOUNE, spoken]
A charm. If you wear it next to your heart, it will make you whole again

[DANIEL, spoken]
You are my charm. Without you, I could never be whole again

[TI MOUNE, spoken]
I will never leave you, Daniel

[GRAND HOMME (WOMAN 2)]
Now, what do you make of a peasant like her?

[GRAND HOMME (WOMAN 1)]
Putting on airs without a doubt!

[GRAND HOMME (MAN 2)]
When the boy is well and does not need her —

[SERVANTS, GRANDS HOMMES]
— How soon he’ll throw her out

[DANIEL, spoken]
Soon, I’ll be dancing!
[TI MOUNE, spoken]
And I’ll dance with you! But for now, walk slowly, Daniel

[DANIEL, spoken]
Then you must walk even more slowly

[TI MOUNE, spoken]
Why?

[DANIEL, spoken]
So I can catch you!

[FATHER (ARMAND), spoken]
Daniel

[DANIEL, spoken]
Father

[FATHER (ARMAND)]
How long do you think you’ll be playing this game?

[DANIEL, spoken]
This is no game

[FATHER (ARMAND)]
Surely you can’t believe it’s real?
[DANIEL, spoken]
I’m in love with Ti Moune!

[FATHER (ARMAND)]
You are not the first to want a peasant
I, too, know their appeal...
But you are my son
You’ll do what must be done
No matter what you feel!

[GRAND HOMME (MAN 2)]
I know what he sees in a peasant like her...

[GRAND HOMME (WOMAN 2)]
Probably makes him rise like yeast!

[SERVANTS]
Well, the girl may think she’s very clever

[GRANDS HOMMES]
The boy may keep her here forever

[SERVANTS, GRANDS HOMMES]
But I can tell you this:
They’ll never stand before a priest!