[In flashback, Monsieur Tolbert and other members of the Gévaudan community are discussing the Beast]
Her name was Agnes. She was eleven years old. Eleven. Torn limb from limb. There wasn't enough of her left for a proper burial.
I am well aware. I'm also aware that every new report conflicts with the last! Some say it is part-hyena, part-wolf. It has red fur, black fur, cloven hooves, a stripe down its back!
We know it kills at night. It targets the head and neck. This, we know for sure. It won't stop. Where the wolf finds a lamb, there he seeks another. But it never eats its victims. It kills for sport.
[scoffs] No animal kills for sport!
This is no animal.
Tell that to the King. I have word he may send a contingent of his own professional hunters. Until then, we can use volunteers for a hunting party, especially someone to lead it.
[Just then, Sebastien and Marcel appear in the doorway of the tavern]
Why ask for a volunteer? We all know who the best hunter is in Gévaudan-- Marie-Jeanne, my sister.
