Franklin (2024) s01e03 Episode Script

1
- [EXPLOSION]
- [SOLDIER] Fire until we reach the fort.
We're overrun!
- [SOLDIER 2] Keep moving!
- [SOLDIERS SHOUT INDISTINCTLY]
[GUNSHOTS]
[SOLDIER] They took the hill!
[SOLDIER 3] Sergeant, keep
your men in formation!
[SOLDIER 4] Retreat! Retreat!
[SOLDIER SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY]
[SURGEON] Come on, boys. Bring 'em in.
[SOLDIERS GRUNTING, GROANING]
Take him into the yard.
General Washington says
to see him straightaway.
Who is he?
[GRUNTS] Some Frenchman. [PANTS]
Held the line at Brandywine
Creek is what I hear.
Fat lot of good it did him. Or us.
You look hungry, messieurs.
I hope you do not eat me.
[CHUCKLES]
The gentlemen of England.
They they honored me with a bullet.
Take this. Bite down hard.
[SOLDIERS SCREAMING]
[GROANS, GRUNTS]
[GASPS]
[SAWING]
[SIGHS]
[GROANS]
[GRUNTS, SIGHS]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[IN FRENCH] He sustained mortal
wounds in fruitless battle
on the wild banks of
the Brandywine River.
Bad enough he had the audacity
to defy His Majesty's orders.
But to get himself killed?
[SIGHS] That imbecile.
The marquis is said to have
arrived in Philadelphia
with a letter of recommendation
from Dr. Franklin.
Our friend in Passy is a man of secrets.
Too many.
Perhaps
Perhaps we can take
the attention off America
by using this to our advantage.
No.
Yes.
I thought the chevalier d'Éon
was banished for life.
A matter of state secrets.
The King has agreed
to let the chevalier return
and receive a pension for service
in His Majesty's dragoons.
So long as he she they agree
not to bring up old grievances.
And promise to dress in women's
clothes at all times.
Is the chevalier a woman?
How's your English?
I've been told
I speak it reasonably well.
[IN FRENCH] Good. You will
severely reprimand Dr. Franklin
for his participation
in Lafayette's illicit departure.
About which we have no knowledge. Hmm?
Do we have no knowledge?
This is no time to discuss
whether we know what we know.
His Majesty's neutrality.
I simply granted the boy's request.
No disrespect was meant.
You sent a French officer
to die on American soil.
[SIGHS]
The British ambassador
has lodged a formal protest.
I mourn the marquis's death
with all of France.
Yet consider this, Monsieur Gérard.
A promising young man cut
down in the fight for liberty.
What better advertisement
for our alliance?
[SCOFFS] The death of
a headstrong adventurer
for a cause not his own
is not grounds for inspiration.
Is that Monsieur Vergennes's position?
[GRUNTS] The foreign minister
can have no position
on a matter of which
he has no knowledge.
A good statesman sees nothing,
hears nothing, knows nothing.
Ah. [CHUCKLES]
Bon homme Richard.
I enjoyed it very much.
- [IN FRENCH] Take me back!
Who had my printing
press smashed to bits?
It's unlawful to bring a
press into the country.
You are a honored guest
who would never break the law.
Therefore, no such machine exists.
How could it be destroyed?
And what of me?
Do I exist? Or am I unlawful too?
You exist in Passy, Doctor.
But not in Paris.
[IN FRENCH] Let's go!
[HOOVES CLATTERING]
[FRANKLIN SIGHS]
[BANCROFT, CHUCKLING] I suppose
there's no point in warning you again.
That I must forgo drink
and meat? [SIGHS]
That I must seek pleasure
in small amusements?
Ac Accept that which I cannot alter?
Yes, I've never liked
an articulate patient.
[FRANKLIN EXHALES DEEPLY]
Vergennes toys with me. [CHUCKLES]
He will help us after we win.
But we cannot win unless he helps us.
All I've actually accomplished is
sending a young fool to his death.
Y-You can't hold yourself
to account for that.
Boys like Lafayette will seek their
fate one way or the other.
Then God rest his soul.
[SIGHS]
You've salvaged the press at least.
It's useless without the platen
and those vandals left it in pieces.
Oh, have another fashioned.
The press is illegal.
They'll know if I try to fix it.
[MURMURS] "They"?
Yes, "they" that looks at every keyhole,
that follows me wherever I go.
That sends coded messages
to the Paris police,
the halls of Versailles,
the despots in Westminster.
Hmm. [SIGHS, CLICKS TONGUE]
My advice, which you will ignore,
is porridge and unsweetened tea.
[BIRDS TWITTERING]
[IN FRENCH] Dip your brush
very lightly in the pigment.
An aquarelle should be transparent.
Like a pane of stained glass on paper.
I'll never be as good as you.
[CHUCKLES] That is why we practice.
What does Dr. Franklin
think of your paintings?
I'm not painting for Dr. Franklin.
I'm painting for myself.
I'm sure he would admire them.
Dr. Franklin admires
everything about you.
I don't think Franklinet would
care about my paintings.
Who or what is Franklinet?
Monsieur Temple.
Because he's like his
grandfather, only smaller.
Hmm.
Do you have feelings for him?
I like teasing him.
It's very amusing to see
him get twisted up.
Don't overdo it.
Men have a way of
misunderstanding the intent.
You tease Dr. Franklin all the time.
That is a game best left to experts.
[DOG YAPS]
Pipou, shush.
I said shush!
Ah.
We've forgotten the malachite green.
- Does it matter?
- Oui.
We can't possibly capture
the light on the leaves without it.
You'll find a packet in the studio.
Right now?
- Go fetch it.
- [PIPOU YAPS]
- And don't sulk.
- [PIPOU YAPPING]
And take Pipou with you.
When I'm married, I'm going to
tell everyone else what to do.
[GRUNTING, PANTING]
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[COUPLE LAUGHING]
- [MUSICIANS PLAYING]
- [PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[NOAILLES, IN FRENCH] It makes me
want to kill Englishmen even more.
He came to my rooms
The night he left for Bordeaux,
he came to my rooms.
You never told me.
Slipped through the window
in full regimental colors.
[IN FRENCH] He had a sword
made for me. Specially for me.
When I told him I wouldn't be coming
he took the blade and
broke it over his knee.
Another round!
Another round, please!
[SERVER SPEAKS FRENCH]
He was quite hopeless,
you know. So awkward.
Always so serious
Remember that time he
danced with the queen?
- Gilbert danced with Marie Antoinette?
- [SÉGUR] Oui.
If you want to call it that.
It was more like
Let's show him. I'll play the queen.
- Non. Non!
- Come on.
- Go ahead.
- Minuet!
Philippe, allez.
- [HARPSICHORD PLAYING]
- [GUESTS LAUGHING]
[LAUGHS]
[GUESTS EXCLAIM]
[GUESTS LAUGH]
[GUESTS LAUGH]
[ALL LAUGHING, EXCLAIMING]
[SHOUTS]
[ALL LAUGHING]
I shall dance with you no more,
Marquis. You are too clumsy!
[ALL LAUGH, APPLAUD]
[GUESTS CHEERING] Bravo! Bravo!
Bravo!
Bravo!
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[CHUCKLES, SNIFFS]
[SIGHS] To Gilbert.
To the marquis.
To the marquis de Lafayette.
The marquis de Lafayette!
[PATRONS SPEAKING IN FRENCH]
À boire! À boire!
[HORSE WHINNIES]
[BANGING ON DOOR]
[BANGING CONTINUES]
- [BANGING CONTINUES]
- [GRUNTS]
My friend. Come with me.
- [FRANKLIN GRUNTS]
- Now.
[IN FRENCH] Go search the park!
[SERVANTS] Monsieur Temple!
Monsieur Temple! Temple!
- [SERVANT 1] Monsieur Temple!
- Monsieur Temple!
Monsieur Temple!
We will search all the roads.
You must not worry.
Temple! Dear boy. Where are you?
[SERVANT 2] Monsieur Temple!
[SERVANT 3, IN FRENCH]
Messieurs. Messieurs, par ici.
Par ici, messieurs.
Messieurs, par ici.
Temple! Temp
- [SIGHS]
[TEMPLE] I, uh
[FRANKLIN SIGHS]
[GRUNTS, RETCHES]
[GROANS]
[SPITS]
[COUGHS, GRUNTS]
[TEMPLE] I was at the
Épée de Bois, drinking.
With Jacques?
No, with Philippe and Louis.
The comte de Ségur
and the comte de Noailles.
I don't believe I've had the
pleasure of their acquaintance.
[CHUCKLING] They are
the finest fellows of France.
[CHUCKLES] Except for Gilbert.
The marquis was a brave young man.
- It's my fault he's dead. [SOBS]
- It is not.
I I made you write the letter.
I sent him off. And
Lafayette chose his own path.
Neither you, I, nor anyone else
could have stopped him.
I thought it would I thought
it would help our cause.
These thoughts will bring you nowhere.
Drop your anchor tonight.
Set a new course in the morning.
Don't Poor Richard me.
I beg your pardon?
All your handy little
little [STAMMERS]
- Aphorisms.
- It's not how people are.
You're too young to know how people are.
I know how you are.
I study you.
Saying one thing, doing the other.
Always thinking you're clever
enough to get away with it.
[SCOFFS]
I didn't realize that you held me
in such low regard. [SIGHS]
[SIGHS] How can you do it?
Do what, exactly?
- Pretend my father doesn't exist.
- [SIGHS]
While he sits in a jail cell.
Your own son.
And you won't help him.
[PANTS]
You are angry and sorrowful
and very drunk.
That's why you brought
me here, isn't it?
To make up for your own selfishness?
A wife you ignored.
A daughter you barely know.
And you want me to be just like you.
[SIGHS, SCOFFS]
Temple, someday you may realize that
there are errata in every man's life.
- Things you wish you could erase.
- They're called sins.
No, they're not sins. They're
errors in judgment, and
I've spent my life trying
to correct them. I still am.
Will you allow me that?
- When I was a boy your age, I
- I don't care what happened to you.
[SIGHS]
[TEMPLE SIGHS]
[IN FRENCH] Would you please slow down?
I can't. Too much to do.
Then why are we meeting?
How does it happen that
what passes at Versailles
is so quickly known in London?
Explain yourself.
Three ships sailed from Le Havre.
Two were seized by the British
less than two days after leaving port.
Sweet blood of Christ.
That's five million livres.
Only the Amphitrite eluded the enemy.
Arms, ammunition and handkerchiefs
for 30,000 men
Handkerchiefs? I am
paying for handkerchiefs?
Blankets, clothes, shoes. Thousands
of muskets and kegs of powder
to defend Philadelphia and New England.
Answer honestly. Were you
put on earth to bankrupt me?
Someone has betrayed us!
Only Beaumarchais, yourself
and Dr. Franklin
knew the date of
departure and the route.
Are you suggesting that Dr. Franklin
is a spy for the British?
Or me?
Or yourself?
Are you saying you might be the traitor,
so I'll think you're not,
even though you really are?
Perhaps someone within your household,
or among Dr. Franklin's associates
- Monsieur Beaumarchais
- I know what you're going to say.
"Beaumarchais never stops!"
How can he, when every day
new subjects arouse his vigilance?
That is definitely not
what I was going to say.
Leave the investigation to me.
Inform Dr. Franklin of the losses,
but say nothing of our suspicions.
To anyone.
What about my money?
What about my money?
[CUSTOMERS CHATTERING]
Ah, they're ruined. Fit for
melting down. Nothing else.
The Amphitrite slipped the net.
It may yet find its mark.
To what end?
The loss at Brandywine opened
the way to Philadelphia.
The arms and material on that ship
could yet tip the balance.
Many things could happen,
but most will not.
Be hopeful, friend.
Circumstances change.
He that lives on hope,
Mr. Bancroft, dies farting.
[BANCROFT SIGHS DEEPLY]
[JUPIN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
[BOTH SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[SNIFFLES]
[CRYING]
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
[HORSE GRUMBLES]
- You look miserable.
- That's honest at least.
- You were not expecting such honesty?
- [PEOPLE CHATTERING]
I've heard so very little of it lately.
Then come ride with me,
and we'll do nothing but
be false with each other.
I fear I'll make poor company.
[SCOFFS, SPEAKS IN FRENCH] My dear papa.
me in any affection,
do please amuse me.
[IN FRENCH] That man. In the blue hat.
What is his secret?
- [CHUCKLES]
- with a family of six.
Once a week, he closes his stall early.
Washes himself with
Castile soap and lemon.
He comes here to walk
about as a gentleman.
And yet, with each person that passes,
he nervously wonders
Can they smell the fish? [LAUGHS]
- Oui. [LAUGHS]
- Oh, it's so sad.
- Mmm.
- [IN FRENCH] Then you pick.
Um.
[FRANKLIN, IN FRENCH] Tell me.
That simple?
It is never simple.
Oh, she's married.
Of course.
But that is not the concern.
She seeks something
she fears does not exist.
- [IN FRENCH] What is it?
When nothing is said,
but all is understood.
So that two may be in harmony,
hiding nothing of themselves,
and so live in perfect bliss.
It sounds very chaste.
[IN FRENCH] Not at all.
greater than a heart can bear.
And her lover?
[IN FRENCH] What sort is he?
Comment est-il? Um
A man of many parts.
But always scheming at something.
Rather a slippery fellow, hmm?
That is what makes him interesting.
I prefer my fishmonger.
Then you may have him.
I am floundering, madame.
[IN FRENCH] I don't understand.
[IN FRENCH] But why?
see the way forward.
I don't know who I can trust.
I'm here to help my country
win its freedom,
but all doors are shut.
And time is running out.
I am not even allowed
to set foot in Paris.
And this gout is gonna
be the death of me.
[IN FRENCH] I am very sorry.
my burdens. Not yours.
Nothing is easier than solving
someone else's problem.
And what is your solution?
For your country's freedom,
I have no answer.
For whom you may trust
you may trust me.
For your return to the city,
who would stop you?
You are a little famous, I am told.
Not as famous as the chevalier d'Éon.
Fashions change often in France.
You must not let them.
- And for the gout, no wine.
- No.
- And no women.
- [LAUGHS]
You are a stricter physician
than even Mr. Bancroft.
One day you will thank me for this.
I will thank you now.
Dear friend,
I ask if this "scheming man"
might have the opportunity
- [PERSON] Dr. Franklin.
- to
[GASPS, SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
Oh, of all the places [SIGHS]
- Dr. Franklin.
The Washerwoman of Auteuil.
[IN FRENCH] Why haven't
you paid a call yet?
What a delight that we meet at last.
May I present my neighbor,
Madame Brillon?
I am familiar with the widow Helvétius.
But she wishes she wasn't!
[CHUCKLING]
[FRANKLIN CHUCKLES]
house is only down the hill
from that pile of rocks Monsieur
Chaumont calls an estate.
You have no excuse.
I plead the duties of office, madame.
Plead what you wish, but expect
an invitation to my next salon.
Bring along a guest.
A male guest. I don't much like ladies.
Nothing but vulgar gossips,
don't you agree?
I-I Uh
They say I have the manners
of a washerwoman.
- No.
- Yes.
Madame, if the washerwomen of Paris
have the same manners as yourself,
then they have the manners of a queen.
[CHUCKLING]
[IN FRENCH] You're a
randy old liar, aren't you?
I like that. Farewell.
And you, madame.
Excusez-moi, je
[IN FRENCH] Am I in heaven?
Is Is this He-Heaven?
It's Pennsylvania.
[CHUCKLES]
Even better.
[PEOPLE SPEAKING IN FRENCH]
Désolé!
Pardon, pardon.
- [PERSON GROANS]
- Désolé! Pardon!
[PEOPLE CLAMORING]
[GRUNTS]
He's alive!
He's alive?
They made him a general! He's alive!
[LAUGHING] Alive, and a general!
Better he was dead.
Now he'll be intolerable!
- He's alive!
- [ALL LAUGH]
Gilbert is alive!
He's alive! [KISSES]
[SÉGUR] Gilbert!
[TEMPLE LAUGHS]
a few lines here, dear heart".
He was writing to his wife, not me.
Thank you for the clarification.
"I must tell you that
we fought in earnest,
but were not the victors.
The English honored me
with a musket ball in the leg,
but the wound is nothing,
and I hope you will not worry".
Uh, it says "dear heart" again.
"The battle will, I fear,
have unpleasant
consequences for America.
And we must try to repair
the damage as best we can.
Let all my friends know
that I am in good health.
I love you more than ever". [STAMMERS]
No "dear heart"?
I left that out.
And the point is?
That he was wounded and he's
a hero. You should publish it.
Aside from the fact that I
have no means of doing so,
how does this help our cause?
A vainglorious child
marches into a battle we lost
and manages to be only
shot and not killed.
I can print it beside the news
that a dog bit a man.
Boy. [SIGHS]
I'm glad he lives.
Give me the letter and
I'll think of something.
Anything else that you'd like to say?
No.
[SIGHS]
Very well then.
[IN FRENCH] I'm summoned
to your office because
Simply for a casual conversation,
my dear Necker.
I wanted a word
If that word is "America",
I don't wish to hear it.
Unlike the marquis de Lafayette,
France cannot afford to purchase glory
at the cost of her fortune.
A British defeat will
ensure our prosperity.
[NECKER CHUCKLES]
And how would you have us
pay for this glorious triumph,
Monsieur Vergennes?
I'm sure the royal treasurer
will be pleased to tell me why we can't.
The king's creditors won't
stomach any further debt,
and raising taxes is out
of the question. Voilà.
Let George III bankrupt his country
and save us the trouble
of bankrupting ours.
Is this the advice you intend
to render in council?
You are quite alone in your
support of the insurgents,
Count Vergennes.
But I wish the best of luck
to you and them.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SIGHS]
- [STRING MUSIC PLAYING]
- [PEOPLE CHATTERING]
[MUSIC, CHATTERING CONTINUES]
To be acknowledged.
By whom?
Anybody.
- All right. Go.
- Pardon?
You don't wish to be seen with me,
cruel master that I am. So go.
Go on.
[IN FRENCH] Tired of
country living, Doctor?
intend to clap me in irons
for leaving Passy, Lieutenant?
Please. Who would dream of such a thing?
No doubt you have more pressing matters.
Like reading my mail.
I have assistants for that.
- Oh.
- Mmm.
[IN FRENCH] What a lot of fuss, eh?
You don't care for the opera?
I'm only here because
my wife dragged me.
She just wants to gawk
at the chevalière d'Éon.
Can't blame her, really.
Ah. And here is the lady you so admire.
Bonne soirée, docteur.
Don't make too late a night of it.
shame us all with your simplicity.
Madame, you dazzle like
the sun after a spring rain.
I think my head may fall off.
- I will catch it.
- [CHUCKLES]
Mon cher, make sure people notice you.
[GRUNTS]
Guide me to the next
circle of hell, my Virgil.
[ANNE] Mmm.
[IN FRENCH] You probably don't
even want to talk to me now,
with all your famous friends.
How exciting to know a real hero!
Gilbert? I'm just glad he's alive.
[LAUGHING] Gilbert?
That That's his name.
For you.
[WHISPERS] I only tease people I like.
You won't get anywhere
with her, you know.
What do you mean?
I've been around girls
like that my whole life.
Everything is a performance.
They can't help it. It's all
they've ever been taught to do.
Well, she's not like that.
[JACQUES SCOFFS]
Has she given you a funny nickname?
Kissed you on the cheek and run away?
Sent you teasing little
notes? [CHUCKLES]
Oh, yes. And the locket.
One night you'll come along with me.
We'll go someplace real.
[CROWD CHEERING, CLAMORING]
[CLAMORING CONTINUES]
Ah. Behold the great mystery.
[CROWD CLAMORING, LAUGHING]
[AUDIENCE CHATTERING]
Oh.
- [CHUCKLING]
- [FRANKLIN] What?
Jacques says that the
chevalier is really a man,
but I wagered that she only
wears men's clothes as a disguise.
What's this about a wager?
No.
[CLEARS THROAT]
- [CANE BANGS]
- [CHATTERING STOPS]
[IN FRENCH] As an ouverture
in tonight's performance,
Beaumarchais has the pleasure
to welcome back
a loyal subject of France.
A decorated officer
who served the late king,
I give you the chevalière
Charles-Geneviève-Louise-
Auguste-Andrée-Timothée
d'Éon de Beaumont.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING, CHEERING]
[CHAUMONT LAUGHS]
Ladies and gentlemen.
Sons and daughters of France.
I kiss the ground of our homeland,
from which I have been
separated for too long.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
I am honored tonight to be in the
presence of another true patriot.
I speak, of course, of
Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
In the last war, our
countries were enemies.
I hope they will soon be
united against England.
of America are at your service.
[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE]
[IN FRENCH] The chevalière
is most generous.
And I am humbled
that such a brave soldier of France
would offer assistance to our cause.
Should her sword be required
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
Je
I would
gladly seize the, ah
[SPECTATOR] He wants to seize her sword!
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
[GUESTS CHATTERING]
have sat me in the kitchen.
Maybe next time you should wear a dress.
That will get you noticed.
- [GLASS CLINKS]
- [FRANKLIN CLEARS THROAT]
[IN FRENCH] Ladies and gentlemen.
Chevalière.
I give you a toast.
city of Philadelphia.
Taken this 26th of September
by General Howe.
God save King George.
[IN FRENCH] What did he say?
The English have conquered
the American capital.
[CHUCKLES]
Look at Chaumont.
- He's shitting his breeches. [CHUCKLES]
- Oh, mon ami.
it backward, Mr. Stormont.
Philadelphia has taken General Howe.
[TEMPLE SPEAKS FRENCH]
You have it backward, Mr. Stormont.
Philadelphia has taken General Howe.
[GUESTS WHISPERING]
- Well played, Dr. Franklin!
- [GUESTS APPLAUD]
[GUESTS CHATTERING]
[SIGHS, SNIFFS]
[GRUNTS]
[URINATING]
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
- [URINATING CONTINUES]
- [CLEARS THROAT]
[CLEARS THROAT]
- [SIGHS]
Chevalière.
I hope you'll forgive my misspeaking.
Did you misspeak? [CHUCKLES]
I do have a sword,
- and I have had occasion to use it.
- [CHUCKLES]
Well, you must be
pleased to return home.
We shall see. Everywhere I have
had to battle for my reputation.
- Hmm.
- I've been called a traitor and worse.
I've been outlawed and exiled.
And I also have been mocked.
I confess, I I take it
more poorly than most.
There's a a pride in me that
I sometimes think unseemly.
In me as well, Doctor.
And that is why I will never let them
defeat me. No matter what.
Chevalière,
m-may I ask, purely in
the spirit of knowledge
- What am I?
- [GRUNTS]
I am
a fact that does not yet have a name.
[SERVANT SPEAKING FRENCH]
[SERVANT 2 SPEAKS FRENCH]
Allons! Allons!
[CHAUMONT SPEAKS FRENCH]
Careful.
Bien. Allez. [SIGHS]
Well, let's say that Monsieur Chaumont
isn't the only smuggler in Passy.
Mon Dieu, we are nothing but a
band of criminals. [CHUCKLES]
[BANCROFT] Anyway,
you've got your press back.
I have got my voice back.
It is worth opening a bottle for, no?
As good excuse as any.
With my doctor's permission.
Your doctor says, "No". But, uh
I suppose your friend says, "Yes".
- One moment.
- [BANCROFT SIGHS]
Why not?
- [PEOPLE LAUGHING]
- Temple, come raise a glass with us.
- There's cause to celebrate.
- [LAUGHTER]
[GASPS] Grandfather!
[JACQUES CHUCKLES]
Um [LAUGHS]
[LAUGHING] Uh, Jacques
Jacques was just
[BOTH LAUGHING]
showing me something.
What's it called?
Uh, jeu d'esprit!
[TEMPLE] It means something funny.
I know what it means. May I see?
[JACQUES STIFLES LAUGHTER]
I welcome a good jest.
HERE IS MY SWORD, DOCTOR
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
This is poorly printed.
- Oh, yes.
- It It really doesn't mean anything.
- [FRANKLIN] Of course not.
- He's right, Dr. Franklin.
You should see what they
show the queen doing
[LAUGHING] with a woman.
- A horse
- In this country, vice is immaterial.
But ridicule is fatal.
I didn't draw it.
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]
- [KNOCKS]
[BANCROFT] Uh, someone's here.
Sir.
My name is Jonathan Austin.
I've lately sailed from Boston
and ridden all night from Nantes
with news from the Congress.
I-I'm charged to inform you
We have lost Philadelphia.
Well, yes, but
And what else? Charleston? Baltimore?
Washington's dentures?
Just come out with it, you
bucket-headed lobcock.
We've broken them at Saratoga.
General Burgoyne's army is taken.
The whole army?
6,000 men. The field is ours.
Let's all have that drink.
[GRUNTING]
[GROANS]
[GRUNTS]
[TEMPLE] Haven't we missed the play?
[JACQUES] We are here
for a private performance.
[STRING MUSIC PLAYING]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING]
No silver lockets tonight.
Understand?
[STRING MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]
[PERSON, IN FRENCH] Look who it is.
[PERSON 2] Good evening,
Monsieur Jacques.
[PERSON] Good evening,
Monsieur Chaumont.
- [PERSON 2] Bonsoir, messieurs.
- [PERSON 3 GASPS]
[PERSON 4] Oh là là! Monsieur Jacques!
Why weren't you in the audience tonight?
[PERSON 5] Don't you favor us anymore?
The cares of the world,
my little cabbages.
[PERSON 4] Let us relieve you of them.
If only it were that simple.
Who's this little kitten?
He's no kitten. He's a
lion, ready to pounce.
- [LAUGHS]
- What's your name, oh, king of animals?
Temple.
But I've come to worship you.
[LAUGHING]
I'm going to put him in a crib
and take him home!
Can we stay here?
These are mere mortals, my friend.
We are going to meet a goddess.
Is it you?
Who else would it be?
[IN FRENCH] I opened
in Marivaux tonight.
And you couldn't be bothered.
I'll never forgive myself.
A Spanish count came back after the show
and offered me half of Naples.
In exchange for what?
It was open to negotiation.
How ashamed I am that
I only brought you this.
You brought a servant?
I brought a friend.
Mademoiselle, uh
Je Je
- [LAUGHS]
- [KISSES]
Uh, je [STAMMERS]
[SIGHS]
unfortunately threw our plans awry.
Well, London will be most displeased.
Especially with the news of Saratoga.
What good can it really do?
Versailles would rather
he just went away.
What else?
[SIGHS] Well, I mean, he's already
at loggerheads with the boy again.
- [CHUCKLES] It never takes long.
- Can't we use that?
His father is a weak point.
[STAMMERS] I'll think on it.
- [COINS JINGLE]
- Better off with pounds, you know.
Harder to spend here.
Easier to cover your losses
to the Royal Stock Exchange.
You'll hear from me again.
The usual method.
- Bancroft?
- Yes?
Would you consider yourself
an Englishman or an American?
I was unaware that
there was any difference.
[BANCROFT CHUCKLES]
[PEOPLE CHATTERING IN FRENCH]
Mmm.
What's the matter, kitten?
Were you banished from paradise?
- Just bored.
- Hmm.
Let's see if we can spark your interest.
Come on, little lion. I won't bite.
Unless you want me to.
VICTORY AT SARATOGA -
LAFAYETTE THE HERO