Father quotes from Beauty and the Beast

Imogen.

Vincent

Please, Father! Imogen!

What's wrong with Imogen?

Vincent

Well, for one thing it's hard to pronounce.

Well, it was good enough for Shakespeare!

Vincent

Well, if it's Shakespeare you're set on, then why not Juliet or Mariah?

Catherine

What's going on?

Oh, we were, uh, discussing possible names for the child.

Vincent

After every birth the child is welcomed into the community with a Naming Ceremony.

Catherine

Don't you think Lena should have a say in it?

Vincent

Well, yes, of course.

Of course— by all means... We were just er...speculating.

Catherine

I see.

It has been said that the child is the meaning of this life. Today, we celebrate the child, this new life that has been brought into our world. We welcome the child with love, that she may be able to love. We welcome the child with gifts, that she may learn generosity. And we welcome the child with a name upon which I believe Lena has decided.

Lena

Her name is Catherine.

Laura, our purpose here is not to judge you.

Laura

[signs, Vincent interprets] You stand there with straight eyes and tell me that?

Please, Laura, remember we're all your friends, and you know our rules as well as anyone. If you to continue as part of us then you must-at the very least-abide by the moral principles according to which we live.

Laura

[signs] What principles? Love? Trust? Those are just words. What good will they do me in the world Above? Yes, I love. I trust. But I also hate. I also distrust. There are other, more complex feelings I need to help me survive.

You are always free to return here. We will always welcome you.

Laura

[signs] I have another family now...We live as we must. The only way we can. We live as all of you do. We have made the same choices, to live outside of society. The only difference that I see is that you have chosen to live down here.We have chosen to live bound by our deafness...Down here you taught me that I was no different, that I was the same as everyone. Now you call me handicapped?! It makes no difference. It is the same everywhere. I carry a shield with me now to protect me. You can vote if you want. I reject your vote! I reject your judgement!

Perhaps we can approach them. Talk to them.

Mary

We can make them an offering of food and clothing. Our good will.

That is a fine idea...good. We'll make them a package. Anything we can spare. We'll offer to help.

Mary

Kindness has always been our first impulse.

In this case, our kindness couldn't have been more misguided.

This world was built on the foundation of fairness and respect for all. No, we do not renounce violence all together. If we are attacked, we will fight to protect our home, but we will never instigate that violence! And I will not allow this community to be dragged down to that level!

William

We've tried diplomacy and look where that got us. Now is the time for action...Our strength is in our numbers. We could overwhelm them. Drive them out.

Drive them out at what risk?

William

No greater risk than we are facing now.

Vincent

You will let me go out to do what must be done? Whatever must be done?

I pray that won't be necessary.

Vincent

So do I.

That is not who you are to us.

Vincent

That is who I am...perhaps even my fate. The very part of me that I struggle to overcome gives me the power to protect the people who protect me-who give me life.

Vincent, that is not your fate.

Vincent

My survival depends on this world. There is no other choice for me. For me there is no other place, Father.

Vincent

Nothing has changed since you sent her away.

I didn't send her away

Vincent

You did!

No!

Vincent

How can you deny it?!?!

For God's sake, don't you understand?!?! I was trying to protect you.

Vincent

Protect me?

From her...from disappointment...I watched yougrowing up beside Lisa,watched you growing closer together. Knowing that one day she would leave the tunnels...and you.

I've...I've tried to be fair, Vincent, in...in raising all of you. I made choices that had to be made...Though I don't know anymore which was right and which was wrong. All I do know, Vincent, is that they were made with love.

Vincent

And it is that love that I make the choices I must, now.

Vincent, someone has seen you! If you go to her, he'll see you again!

Vincent

How can I leave her alone? She must be protected!

Is she is in danger, we'll find a way to protect her. There are other ways.

Vincent

This is Catherine. I must protect her.

Of course. And what is she doing to find this man?

Vincent

All she can, but she's alone in this. She refuses to seek help. She's afraid for me, for our secret.

And he probably knows that.

Vincent

And will use it to torment her.