- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -
Allez.
Start loading those crates.
Be careful with them. Quickly, quickly.
Come on. Faster. Let's go.
Careful!
Muskets to the back.
Quickly!
Where are you going?
To take a piss.
There's a whole ocean.
I've never seen you before.
And I know everyone who works this dock.
You'll know me now.
It's not bad. But swift with the lever.
The impression must be even.
Watch.
I-I can't do it this quickly.
You can if it serves as your livelihood.
I could print 500 pages a day.
But don't worry, boy.
I've got other plans for you.
I might have plans of my own, you know.
Such as?
Never mind.
No, I... I'm all ears.
Well, I intend to live pleasantly.
To have entertaining friends and exciting adventures.
To reside in a house like this
and be regarded as a wit and a gentleman.
Perhaps it would be best for you to learn a trade after all.
Do I disturb your labors?
They're more in the realm of a distraction, Monsieur Chaumont.
To pass the time while Versailles determines whether I,
in fact, exist.
Hmm. This is a philosophic question.
Well, it seems quite practical to me.
I have something to show you.
Ah.
The demand for them is everywhere.
My factory in the Loire can barely keep up.
What do you think?
Your face is as famous as the moon's.
Yet invisible to Count Vergennes.
You understand that here in France,
to get what one wants, one pretends not to want it.
Well, in that case, I shall pretend
to not want to be 20 years younger.
Hmm.
That must be in your pamphlet.
It might suit at that.
The press was smuggled into France.
He's already printed 300 copies of his book.
- Do you want me to confiscate the machine? - Not just yet.
Let's pretend we're unconcerned,
while he pretends not to care about our lack of concern.
I'd recommend a more direct method.
Of course you would, Lieutenant.
But indulge me, won't you?
Some of this is very clever.
Have you bothered to read it?
I never read the books, Monsieur le Comte.
I only forbid them.
"Force shits upon reason's back".
- I expect you'd agree with that. - I've made a career of it.
Hmm.
Is anything going to happen?
It might when you stop fidgeting.
♪ A lass that was laden with care ♪
♪ Sat heavily under a thorn ♪
♪ I listened for a while for to hear ♪
♪ While thus she began for to mourn ♪
♪ Whene'er my own lover was near ♪
♪ The birds seemed far sweeter to sing ♪
♪ The cold nipping wintertime wore ♪
♪ A face that resembled spring ♪
♪ So merry as we two have been ♪
♪ My heart it is like for to break ♪
♪ When I think on the days we have seen ♪
I first heard that air 40 years ago in the Allegheny Mountains,
with naught but howling wilderness about me.
Forgive me.
I played it only to please you.
And pleasure it gave.
But...
... how strange to feel the moment was only yesterday,
and I still young and untested.
With all the time between a mere dream.
You think me a doddering old fool?
I think you a fool to think so little of me.
Is it the nature of Americans to be
so ungenerous with their compliments?
I will shower you with them in excess if you give me leave.
You may begin.
Madame, I consider you the most intoxicating person...
Oh.
Bien, bien, bien, bien, bien.
- Have you seen Miss, uh... - Jupin?
Is that her name?
- That is the name of our governess, yes. - Oui.
- Is that who you seek? - Oui.
I sent her away for the evening.
Ah. That's what I was going to do.
- Too many people... - ... hanging about as it is.
Tell me something, Doctor.
Have you been, uh, kissing my wife?
I, monsieur?
I'd never dream of kissing another man's wife
in his own house.
Ah.
Outside the house?
Husband!
You have my undying affection.
Did you really like my singing?
It was like a bird in my hand.
Like a bird.
A bird you caught?
No. No, not exactly.
Is the bird still alive?
Yes. A living bird.
That landed in my hand
and sang.
Birds don't do that.
I didn't really understand what I was singing anyway.
It was about sadness
and love.
Cunégonde, where are you?
I have to go.
I'd say that's quite enough for tonight, wouldn't you?
¡Bien! ¡Muy bien!
Adelante, mis gran héroes. ¡Adelante!
Give me your strong arms. Your brave souls.
There's a heavy crate for the toughest man!
¡Rápido, rápido!
What is it... Oh! Greetings, friend!
Welcome to our little enterprise.
- Oui ? - You swore to exercise caution.
And so I am.
Only legal exports are loaded by day.
Everything else goes under cover of darkness.
Sir, there is make-believe, and there is business.
You pay no heed to cost, no mind to discretion.
These are my ships!
And if this goes awry?
What will happen to me?
Your name appears nowhere in the records of Hortalez and Company.
Any danger falls on me, Rodrigue Hortalez of Valencia.
Any loss is mine to repay.
You don't have a million livres to lose.
- And neither do the insurgents. - Hmm.
That's true. But they have goods.
Cotton, tobacco, indigo to fill the holds when our ships return.
Hmm. If they return.
I have faith, sir. The Americans will win.
The weapons we are providing will secure that victory.
And we will profit by it handsomely.
Not that such things matter to you.
Hmm?
You will give me your assurance that from this moment on...
Nothing to worry about. Men are stabbed here all the time.
So tell us, Temple. Is she pretty?
Is she rich?
- Who? - The girl you are seeing.
I didn't say I was seeing a girl.
You didn't say you weren't.
The thing speaks for itself.
So tell us.
Well, she's short.
A little cross-eyed. Bit of a mustache.
Ah. He's after your sister!
Madame, my most humble apologies.
Fuck off, you prick! Can't you see I'm working?
- Don't start anything. - They can start. We'll finish it.
All hail the great defender of liberty!
Charles. What tavern were you thrown out of today?
None. But it's early yet. When are you off to save America?
Any day now. The court is honoring me with a commission.
And my ass can play the flute.
That must keep your boyfriend interested.
I'll do for you right now, you little asshole.
Ready when you are.
What are you supposed to be?
I'm Gilbert's friend.
"I'm Gilbert's friend".
How did you get a monkey to talk?
He is the king's brother.
♪ Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pony ♪
♪ Stuck a feather up his ass and called it macaroni ♪
To victory, General!
A duel at dawn. All I want is a duel at dawn.
- Calm down, Philippe. - For the ladies!
So that Dr. Franklin's face may be the first they see every morning!
Yes, young gentlemen! Delight your paramours!
Even their droppings are like honey!
Do you know Dr. Franklin?
Sorry?
If I got his blessing...
Give it up, Gilbert. Our families will never consent.
Glory ends all arguments.
So does a cannonball.
Do you know him?
Why would he know Dr. Franklin?
He's American, isn't he?
Yes. And you're best friends with Voltaire.
He's my grandfather.
Ah, oui.
Oh, yes! That's him.
Merde alors.
I was in Suriname at the time.
Where on Earth is that?
You'll find it on the northeast coast of South America, madame.
And you may leave it there as far as I'm concerned.
Nevertheless... Uh...
The eel.
The torporific eel,
much feared by the natives of that benighted region
for its deadly effect.
But how does it kill?
It, um, bites.
It electrocutes, madam.
As surely as the current from a Leyden jar.
Can this be so?
Oh, I've observed it myself.
What a terrifying hemisphere you inhabit.
Don't you think so, Monsieur Chaumont?
What?
How happy then to be on dry land and close to Paris.
Hmm.
Ah-ah-ah-ah.
No. Really?
You've already been warned.
Dr. Bancroft is intent on curing me by killing me.
Remember me in your will.
Suriname is adjacent to our colony in Guyana, Mother.
Hmm.
It's where the sugar in this bowl comes from.
Am I right, Mr. Bancroft?
Yes. Or someplace like it.
No Frenchman turns his hand to it, of course.
It's all left to the Black Africans.
- Jacques. - And then there is America.
Where brave patriots fight for freedom
and whip the backs of souls they are pleased to call property.
Is that not so, learned monsieur?
You will find no greater abasement of human nature.
And yet you sit across the table from this man,
whose ships carried that unholy cargo
in exchange for the Judas coin of profit.
You uncivil whelp!
You will leave this table.
Out with you.
It's a...
It's only his way of jesting.
He goes too far, and in the morning...
Madame.
Please.
Leave us.
Allow me the honor.
We have all been young, sir.
I take no offense.
They pulled a body out of the water at Le Havre.
His throat slashed.
Is there a suspect in the matter?
This is a dangerous game, monsieur.
Oh, I would not claim otherwise.
Who will pay for all those ships and arms if you do not win?
We will win.
Always I'm told this.
But where are the victories?
I do not see them.
With your aid, we'll win them.
But if you do not.
What then?
The Congress of the United States will make you whole, monsieur.
You have my guarantee.
Charming sort, young Jacques.
No wonder the ladies can't resist him.
A man was just murdered on the docks at Le Havre.
Where precisely?
Right by the loaded ships.
Coincidence.
Perhaps.
If I'm permitted.
Well, your gout will certainly thank you.
I told Chaumont that Congress would pay him everything that he's owed.
Is that true?
It is now.
Be plainspoken. He can't abide anyone who puts on airs.
But don't be falsely humble. He'll see right through that.
Uh, be serious but not too insistent,
and have something witty at hand to say,
but make it sound like you just thought of it.
And don't bow.
Anything else?
Ju-Just be yourself.
The marquis is aware that the king has forbidden
any other French officers from leaving for America.
In serving the cause of America, I fight for France.
This he will understand.
And you seek my blessings for this escapade?
He needs a recommendation
to Congress and General Washington.
- If it came from you... - For this honor, I would offer my life.
May I ask why?
Sir, the moment I heard of America...
His heart...
Oui. My-My heart was... was enlisted
to fight for the liberty of man.
And your family, they consent to this?
Have you even told them?
I wish... do a thing that matters.
I want no pay.
I want to learn.
- Hmm. - I know I am young.
It's not a question of youth, Marquis.
Congress will never permit a foreigner
to hold sway over American generals.
I go to America to serve, Dr. Franklin, not to lead.
Allow me time to consider your most generous offer of assistance.
I conduct myself by your devices.
I couldn't think of anything funny.
Don't worry. I'll talk to him. You'll have your letter.
I have learned, monsieur,
to file my dispatches to London under two separate headings.
What I am told, and what is actually happening.
I assure you, Ambassador Stormont,
we have looked into the matter of illegal smuggling most thoroughly.
Well, not thoroughly enough, it seems.
Well, France is full of adventurers.
Merchants sell their goods to whomever they choose.
Bad enough for Dr. Franklin to associate
with a known arms dealer like Chaumont.
Mmm.
He's also being squired around
by that nuisance, Beaumarchais.
You really should have trusted His Majesty's clandestine affairs
to someone a little less obvious.
Forgive me for saying that my faith
in the intentions of the court is being sorely tested.
As Poor Richard says, "In the affairs of the world,
men are saved not by faith but by the lack of it".
Smuggling is one thing, Monsieur le Comte,
but smugglers who travel in fleets is quite another.
Well, the only French fleet I'm aware of
is currently fishing for cod.
I'm reliably informed that ships are being outfitted
at this very moment in Le Havre.
- Really? - Mmm.
Well, perhaps you'd like to take a look at the cargo list,
- hmm? - Please.
Fifty-two cannons, 6,132 rifles, 1,029 barrels of gunpowder
and 20,000 cannonballs.
May I ask how the ambassador came by such a precise list?
You may not.
His Majesty's government has no desire to interfere
in a squabble between Englishmen.
Do you take me for a complete imbecile, Count Vergennes?
Ah, Lindor !
I'll seal it now, though I don't know when or how
I shall be able to get it into his hands.
I saw him through the veil of my own jealousy,
speaking with Figaro the barber.
He's a good man.
A man who at times showed me sympathy.
If only I could foster his attention. Just for a moment!
Monsieur Figaro !
I'm so glad to see you!
Are you well?
Not very well, Monsieur Figaro.
I'm dying of boredom.
I can believe it. Only imbeciles get fat on boredom.
Who were you talking to just now?
A young bachelor. A relative of mine.
He has a way with words, and he's very handsome.
A young man such as your friend won't go unnoticed for long.
He has one big failing.
A failing! Are you sure?
He's in love.
In love?
And you call that a failing?
It is when you haven't got any money.
Life's so unfair!
Do you think Beaumarchais is right?
Is there no choice between love and quiet?
He's just having a little sport, madame.
Yes, of course.
I adopt the habit of always being
guided by my wife's opinion.
Your wife.
Will she come here?
She is passed these three years.
Oh, I am very sorry.
- What was her name? - Deborah.
Was yours a marriage of the heart?
She was a faithful helpmate all her days.
Hmm.
I was called into the salon by my mother one day.
Papa was there with a man I had never seen before.
He looked old.
We talked about nothing, really.
My playmates.
My little dog.
Sweet little Velu.
I played the spinet.
Not so well. I had only started to study.
But the man clapped his hands and took his leave.
Arrangements were made.
I was wed to Monsieur Brillon a month later.
I was 15.
Many sorrows in this life, Madame Brillon, but also many pleasures.
What can we do but put aside the one and enjoy the other?
"He who cannot be happy in any state...
... can be so in no state".
- You've read my little book. - Of course.
But how unkind not to give me a copy yourself.
It's nothing but a hodgepodge of trivialities.
I didn't think it would interest you.
What a shame.
If you had, I would have insisted
everyone I know read it.
Could you insist now?
I could for a soul I knew to be devoted to me.
Madame. I am that soul.
What?
You and I.
We do business now.
I like it.
Whoa, whoa!
Anything to declare?
See for yourself.
- Where are you headed? - Passy.
Together?
How dare you.
I think it's worth the risk.
You do.
Gilbert is paying for everything himself.
His service costs America nothing.
A price that Congress will no doubt appreciate.
Check.
Glory is what your friend prizes, as do all young men.
Glory and recognition.
What's wrong with that?
Say he finds glory in battle.
He'll be a hero in both countries, wouldn't he?
He'd be someone to rally around.
Bring America and France closer together.
You're getting better at this game.
Yes?
Forgive the intrusion, Doctor.
An urgent message has just arrived from Paris.
- My grandson and I have no secrets. - Very well.
Lord North's private secretary seeks a confidential interview.
He claims to be carrying peace proposals.
Mr. Williams, as he signs himself,
suggests meeting on neutral ground.
An excellent way to dash our hopes with the French.
- What do you propose? - I'll meet him everywhere.
The Englishman will await Dr. Franklin
in his coach near the Passy barrier.
Should Dr. Franklin prefer, he has also suggested
the gallery at the Luxembourg Palace, or the Bois de Boulogne.
I want observers in each place.
- Two-man teams. - Bonjour. Bonjour.
One man watches Franklin.
The other covers the surroundings.
Do not intervene, but don't let him out of your sight.
I want to know who this Mr. Williams is, how long they met for
and, if possible, what they talked about.
I'm told it might be of some importance to Versailles.
Do you wish me to accompany you?
I've never seen three men play the same game of chess at once.
Just be sure that is what's being played.
Meaning what?
Simply that you be careful.
You have a very dark turn of mind.
I stand revealed.
Sir. Your humble servant, Bartholomew Williams.
Forgive me if I don't return the bow, Mr. Williams.
My knees no longer oblige.
Think nothing of it. I bring greetings of fellowship from Lord North.
Do you?
You must have a different understanding of the notion than I.
How so?
Well, I make it a point not to use words that mean their opposite.
The prime minister is sincere in his desire
to see an end to this misadventure.
When may we expect the Crown's surrender?
Well, Doctor, you are far from home.
Perhaps the news has reached you late.
Since your arrival here,
three colonies have been reclaimed by His Majesty.
Our army has learned from its setbacks
and eager to prosecute a summer campaign.
I believe our determination will not be lacking.
That's a stirring tale to romance your French patrons with.
But it is ludicrous to think that the greatest army in the world
could be outmaneuvered by soldiers
under the command of a New Hampshire attorney,
or a battalion led by a Rhode Island blacksmith,
or artillery directed by a Boston bookseller.
Not to mention the incompetency of a Philadelphia printer.
France is not your ally.
Mr. Vergennes pretends you do not exist.
And Louis has nothing to gain from joining with America.
Better for him that we cut each other's throats.
Something your master, King George, knows a great deal about.
I'm distressed you would view that personally.
Well, how should I view it, sir?
As a simple equation.
Time and men and money will defeat you,
and it may cost us a great deal.
But it will cost you more.
If the price is our lives, we'll pay it.
Easy words on a sunny day in France.
The reality is harsher.
Mr. Williams, I have the oddest
apprehension that you're threatening me.
I'm making you an offer, Dr. Franklin.
'Cause you seek independence.
You may have it.
Now we're back to words with different meanings.
America would be subject to Parliament
only in matters of policy and foreign trade.
All restrictive acts passed would be repealed,
and you may debate the rights of man amongst yourselves
for as much as you wish.
Goes without saying, anyone who helped secure such a peace
would find himself amply rewarded.
A knighthood, possibly even a peerage.
It's enough to secure a family's fortune for the next 500 years.
Long after this rebellion is forgotten
and its conspirators turned to dust.
Trust in your wisdom, sir.
Well, then I'll tell you what my wisdom instructs.
You think you're going to lose.
You fear that your army will be shattered,
your king will be humiliated and your nation bankrupted.
And, you know, Mr. Williams, I believe you're right.
There's always your old profession to fall back on.
Hmm.
Good day, Dr. Franklin.
Good day, Mr. Williams.
Mes chéris, mes chéris.
How splendid you all were.
What a performance!
- So what about our money? - Ah, oui.
Soon.
Well, that's a fine-looking horse.
Jacques said I could ride him whenever I liked.
As long as I take care of him.
You might want to stay clear of that young man.
Is that what you came to tell me?
For your friend, the marquis.
Though I have doubts about him too.
My friend.
Couldn't we have just met at the Épée?
No. E-Everyone sees us there, they talk at court,
the court tells the king, and he stops me
from, uh, go to America.
What makes you think you're going to America?
Because you...
You said I...
I am not going? No.
Tell Dr. Franklin I will repay this favor in English blood.
Don't shed too much of your own.
We'll see each other again.
In victory.
Good luck!
Oh, no, no, no. Oh!
Well, I'm grateful for your assistance, Master Temple.
As you can see, your grandfather has no aptitude for bureaucracy.
Uh, these figures don't make any sense.
- The arithmetic doesn't add up properly. - Yes.
And, uh, look at this.
Well, it appears to be a shopping list.
The writing on the back looks like names.
A list of prisoners to be exchanged.
Some I once called friends.
Your father's not on there.
I wouldn't expect so.
You hear nothing from him?
My stepmother writes,
but Grandfather won't allow me to see any of her letters.
And refuses to answer them.
Yes, well, he can be a hard man about some things. I've seen it.
Do you think my father is a traitor, Mr. Bancroft?
One man's traitor is another's patriot.
It depends on which side you stand.
Your father chose loyalty to the Crown.
Time and fortune will tell us if he chose wisely.
But you are here with your grandfather,
and your loyalty must be to him.
Take these for his signature.
Uh, make certain he signs them all,
and don't let him out of your sight till he does.
- It's up to us to... - Correct his mistakes.
And just so.
Go ahead!
"If three men have a secret, murder two of them".
She translated it herself.
And quite flawlessly too.
Would you delight me with another quotation?
Ah, pardon.
Didn't I tell you your book would be in every salon, every boudoir?
I am in awe of your powers, madame.
What a talented liar.
How might I prove my sincerity?
Hmm.
You could try not flirting with every woman in the room.
Mmm.
Is there perhaps another way?
I see the resemblance.
Oh. He's 73 with a... an animal on his head.
But your souls are the same.
You think so?
Here is Franklin.
And here is Franklinet.
Excusez-moi. Pardon.
Ladies and gentlemen...
Might you briefly spare Beaumarchais a Franklin or two?
It's just like one of his plays!
You heard this directly from Count Vergennes?
The English ambassador had a copy of the ship's, um, list of cargo.
The manifest.
They know what we plan.
Before we plan it.
Oh, which is why the man on the dock was killed, n'est-ce pas?
You don't need to be so excited about it.
You have to admit it's interesting.
What are we going to do now?
- Carry on. - Hmm.
What choice do we have?
I think I'm going to be sick.
Excuse me, madame.
- Is everything all right? - Possibly not.
Ah, you needn't worry, boy.
We're safe enough in Passy tonight.
Someone is spying on us. Shouldn't we find out who it is?
Easier to ask who it is not. In the meantime, we keep...
My friend, there's...
been an incident.
I blame myself.
If I hadn't been called away on an urgent matter...
No need, Mr. Bancroft.
Whoever did this was bent on fear, not robbery.
Perhaps someone who took offense
at your recent publication?
For all I know, Lieutenant Lenoir,
it might have been your own doing.
Our censors do not go so far
as to overturn printing presses, Dr. Franklin.
Perhaps because there are none to overturn.
Could the intruder have taken certain documents?
Documents which might compromise you or His Majesty's government?
I'm not much of a hand at the paperwork.
You'd have to ask Mr. Bancroft or my grandson.
Oh, we will.
Round up the servants.
Let's see what they know about this.
I must ask you to confine yourself to Passy
while we investigate this matter.
No doubt as our visitor intended.
With your permission, Mr. Bancroft.
Just a few questions.
Yes, of course.
Give me your hand, Temple.
Do you know what you hold there?
Letters.
Words.
Power.
Never forget that.
- Synced and corrected by Firefly - - www.addic7ed.com -