01x04 - Marriage of Convenience

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The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

The rings, please.

Yes.

OK.

You may kiss the bride.

Now should we sign the registration?

Yes.

- Thank you.
- Thank you, Father.

Well... Madame Astruc.

What shall we do next?

Let's get back my daughter.

Let's.

But you promised me on your trial.

You must be patient.

I'm doing everything I can.

Meanwhile... we should
expose your ex-husband

as a sick, mean, depraved man

and an alcoholic
unable to raise a child.

While we present you as a stable woman

who is now married and can
give your daughter a real family.

Find everything you can
to prove that he's violent.

Proof about his drinking
and his... womanizing...

his bad ways.

Here's an advance.

And... my ex-husband's address.

Very well then, I will do that.

Give me a few days.

I'm counting on you.

Thank you.

High General.

Monsieur MacLeod has arrived.

You should stop
drinking my dear brother.

Well this is a very good cognac

I haven't had one this
good in... a long time.

What do you want?

My ex-wife has sued against
me to get her daughter back.

That's terrible.

Your name will appear in
all the newspapers again.

Yes, brother help me.

You love the girl that much?

To be honest, I hate
Margaretha that much.

I don't want to be
connected with this trial.

Well then this b*tch will win

over a retired captain
of the royal troops.

And the brother of General Wernhel.

That's an impressive scenario.

Journalists will be very excited.

- I'm here.
- Hi.

- I'll take that. How was your day?
- Thank you. Good.

I made dinner.

That's so perfect.

Take a seat. I'll serve you.

Thank you.

I'm your wife, Tol.

I didn't tell you? I...

found out the name of
the judge who can help us.

Great. When do you think we could start?

Tomorrow, 3 p.m.

Mr. Solbakken will be in our shop

He's a church warden
and one of his duties

is to buy flowers for charity dinners.

OK, wasting more money, I see.

There's no other way.

Decency is an expensive instruction.

But I'm ready to do anything for Non.

Yeah, I understand that.

So tell me about Stolbakken.

- He's 62.
- Mm-hmm.

He's a radically devoted
Protestant. He's married.

Five children, six grandchildren.

He's a good family man.

And how's this gonna happen?

You would need to go
to the Botanical Garden...

to meet his assistant.

OK.

I must say, uh...

it's not such a bad thing
being a married man.

Especially when you're, uh...

married to the woman you love.

I think today makes six months, right?

Right.

So that should be enough
time for us... to um...

to have a reputation as decent citizens.

Don't you think?

Of course.

If Monsieur Stolbakken wants
to find anything else about us...

he'd hear only good things, wouldn't he?

In that case... to our success.

To our success.

Mr. VonKerer.

Your wife asked for a
meeting with Judge Stolbakken.

Yes, but, uh... well, no one in
his office would give me a shot.

I know. The Judge is a church elder.

He will want to buy some
flowers for the coming church feast.

I'll bring him to you.

And, uh...

- when will that be?
- Tomorrow.

- Are you sure?
- Absolutely.

Here you go.

I'm not going to count it.

Well I wouldn't try to
cheat you, Monsieur.

What is so special about this flower?

'Cause I would have thought
you could buy it anywhere, but...

I know nothing about plants.

This shop was recommended to me

by some people who
know about these things.

These come straight from England, sir.

They're a very special kind.

Hari.

Not here, not now.

Is everything alright?

Yes, thank you. It's just
my wife's former husband.

He's refusing to give us her daughter.

On what grounds?

Well... there was a court
ruling last year but it was ill*gal.

He slandered my wife in public and
then the judge chose to believe him.

You must be a very nice man

to be willing to raise
someone else's child.

Well I love Margaretha very much.

So I'm prepared to love
her daughter just as much.

Why do you ask?

Well, I'm an elderman at the church

but I also happen to be a judge

at the royal court.

Maybe you should introduce me to her.

- Really?
- Maybe I can help.

I'm sorry. Thank you.

But there was not one word of truth

about me in this newspaper.

My husband... made it all up.

And no one would listen to me.

So I...

had to leave Amsterdam.

And thanks God...

I met Gabriel.

We're doing good now.

We have everything to raise Non.

Everything except...

father consent.

He would rather let her die

than to let me take care of her.

I look at your case

see if there's something I can do.

But of course, if you tell the truth

and nothing but the truth

there'll be good.

It is the truth.

I swear, Your Honor.

So, we'll be on our way.

I must pay for the flowers.

Oh no, uh... Your Honor, we couldn't
possibly let you pay for the flowers.

Let it be a present from us.

That's really not necessary.

You'll hear from me soon.

You give me hope.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Your Honor.

OK... you will get the
rest after the hearing.

You're quite an actress Madame.

I'll do everything as you said.

I wasn't acting.

This is real to me.

I wish we could find
another way to do this.

Stolbakken will give
us everything we need

and out of the goodness of his heart.

The royal court hereby rules

to revoke the decision made earlier

and to allow Margaretha
Geertruida Astruc, born Zelle

to see her daughter,

Jeanne-Louise MacLeod.

This is a farce.

This woman is a disgrace.

Completely dishonest
woman, not fit to raise a child.

Mr. MacLeod,

if you interrupt me one more time I
will hold you in contempt. Sit down.

Will we be together now?

Yes, we are together now.

Can we leave please?

Yes, uh, just a moment, please.

Brother!

What's going on?

Order.

I am General Fernchell.

Yes. We are in session.

Can I speak to you in private?

You'll never have it your
way, you filthy wh*re.

Shut up, you scum!

I'll cut your ears off and shove
them down your throat, froggy.

She's got to get back with her father.

Order.

In view of circumstances
unknown to this court

the previous judgement
of the royal court will stand.

Jeanne-Louise will
remain with her father.

- I am sorry.
- What? What?

Come now.

No, no, no, no, no, no,
no, no! It can't be true.

It can't be true. It's not possible.

No, no. Don't touch my daughter.

You don't touch my daughter!

My daughter! No way, no!

You can't do this.

- Mommy! Mommy!
- No!

No!

This has become quite impossible.

You will pay one day... all of you.

You'll pay!

Go to hell! Go to hell!

What's next?

Margaretha...

- For God's sake.
- God? Who is your God?

- But it's not over yet.
- Of course not.

God is obviously not
willing to help me anymore.

What are you saying
Margaretha? I don't recognize you.

Well... get used to it.

There's no justice.

The only thing you need
is a brother who's General

and then you can get away from anything.

That's not true.

Are you blind?

Have you seen what happened in there?

We need to sell the
house and the shop today.

But we can't. What will people say?

I don't care... what
people say or think.

It does me no good to be decent.

And we're no longer husband and wife.

You can sell the ring.

Margaretha.

Margaretha doesn't exist anymore.

I'm Mata Hari now.

Hurry up. Hurry up.
Get in here, come on.

Arriving today is Mata Hari,

Javanese princess.

So you are Mata Hari now?

Yes, sir. You gave me this name.

I remember.

I will be happy to see
your dance once again.

You can see a lot more.

I have many other dances
in my repertoire now.

How can I help?

I need some access to private parties.

Mr. Astruc is currently
negotiating with some theatres

but has no connection
to the upper classes.

Why would anyone pay
for your private performance

when they can see you
dance in the theatre?

You can't see everything
in the theatre, my dear man.

Well...

maybe I could arrange
for a few private events.

Trust me, I will take a chance.

I will not ask you for help again.

Good.

Mr. Messimy

Gabriel Astruc has arrived.

Please, bring him in.

Minister, thank you
so much for the time.

And why did Mata Hari herself not come?

She's busy with rehearsals.

Oh. Oh, yes.

But tomorrow at the reception
in my mansion, I hope.

Of course, Minister.

We will certainly be attending.

We dutifully respect the
Minister's kind invitation.

I hope Mata Hari is also able to accept

the gentleman's personal invitation.

The journalists seem to think so.

Yes, yes, I read the newspapers.

And I even saw her
performance and... she is...

very, very, very good,

your Javanese princess.

We'll be waiting for you tomorrow.

See Monsieur out.

And write both his name
and name of Mata Hari

on the list of guests
invited to the reception.

Goodbye, Minister.

Have you picked out anyone yet?

All those men hunting down
one poor animal in a field.

Are you sure you can
have any one you want?

Absolutely.

I don't need just any one.

I need the one who can
give me power and money.

I wish I could give you what you want.

These Spanish hounds are vigorous.

What have you done for the
great sport of the English hunt?

Is this how Russians do it?

It's how Tartars do it.

But not the Russians.

Too young.

I hear he likes dressing
up like a woman.

And not only dressing up.

Good Lord.

He's a family man.

So he can't give me a position.

Though he could give me money.

And he does have a
lot of money, I must say.

What about our old friend, Messimy?

It is thanks to his money
that we're here after all.

True.

He has connections.

But he's too greedy.

So...

Have you caught that poor fox after all?

It got away.

So I k*lled the stupid dog instead.

Your hand, my lady.

He k*lled a dog.

I guess the Count surely
must find the way out.

He didn't mean that, Count.

If you gentleman
disapprove, say it to my face.

The hunt is always about m*rder.

Or do you think the
fox deserved to die more

than the stupid dog
who failed to catch it?

How do you find the Spanish Grandee...

slaughtering a fine loyal hound.

Unbelievable cruelty.

Makes me wonder how he treats people.

He's rich, the king loves him.

But His Majesty, Alfonso II,
has to send him away to Paris.

The Count has k*lled four
people in duals in just one month.

How charming.

Looks like the Count has
made an impression on you.

I believe he impressed everyone.

Don't you think?

Those are in the wrong glasses, I'm
sorry. You can drink from the bottle.

Yeah, I brought them all.

You will pick up the glove...

and hide it.

Monsieur Astruc.

Yes, of course. The room charges?

I do apologize...

But Madame's room

has only been paid until yesterday.

Perhaps it would be convenient

to resolve the matter now.

Absolutely, I shall
be down in 15 minutes.

No. We can settle this right away.

Gabriel...

can you please, uh, bring
me my cheque book, hm?

Of course.

Would you bring us a cup of tea, please.

Tea for the lady.

Here you are.

This should be sufficient.

More than sufficient.

I am delighted that the
incomparable Mata Hari

will grace us with her presence

for another two weeks.

Perhaps even longer.

I'm looking to buy a house
here in Paris, but I haven't...

decided yet on that as well.

Good hunting, madam.

- Good day.
- Good day.

You see? The Count is already
helping us without even knowing it.

If it was not for the glove
distracting that man's attention,

he would have insisted we pay cash.

You do not have a single
centime in that account.

They could try to cash
that cheque at any moment.

- In two weeks...
- In two weeks...

we'll have the money.

Hmm.

Count is damn good... don't you think?

I don't understand fencing.

Fighting against three opponents

must be rather difficult, I suppose.

Yes, yes, it's very difficult.

Trust me, I've done it plenty of times.

Well you really must tell
me about it some time.

I would be very happy if
you stayed after dinner.

Baba.

Distract him.

Mr. Messimy...

would you say this w*r between Russia
and Japan has gone on long enough?

You're the best of the best, as usual.

Excuse me, Count.

I saw you in battle and would like
to express my genuine admiration.

It was amazing... and my
heart stopped a few times.

You move so gracefully.

I say that as a... dancer.

Is that so?

And I believe your name is?

Count...

didn't you recognize?

She's the most talked
about celebrity in Paris.

The one and only Mata Hari,

Javanese princess.

Or is it Japanese?

Well... something like that.

I heard about you.

You are the dancer
who undresses in public.

Your appreciation was most flattering.

Thank you.

You know, Count...

where I come from, a
real man doesn't take

out his failure on a mindless creature

It's considered indecent.

And you are the one
to talk about decency?

Madame.

And you are the one to talk about art?

I perform an ancient sacred dance

While your ancestors
were still hopping around

in animal skins,

mine were already admiring
the beauty of a woman's body.

And she shows hers to everyone.

So is the big brave Count running
away... from a verbal fight with me?

Hmm?

Does the Javanese princess
win over the Spanish Count?

Damn wh*re.

Oh, is that your full
title? Damn wh*re Count?

She's not worth it.

You are a scoundrel, Monsieur.
How dare you speak to a lady like this?

Wonderful.

Can I at least deal with an arrogant
b*stard who isn't wearing a skirt?

I'll show you where the scandal is.

I'll tear you into pieces
and feed them to the dogs.

Why do you need your dogs?

Can you not feed yourself?

What was your name
while you are still alive?

Monsieur.

My name is and will be Gabriel Astruc.

Are you a noble man?

I'm French.

That's not enough.

One has to be worthy of being
k*lled by Spanish Grandee.

Can I get this man to be a Baron?

Yes, it can be arranged
within a couple of weeks.

Wonderful.

We change your title
in a couple of weeks...

and I will send you my seconds.

Don't even think about running away.

From you?

Why would I?

What have you done
Gabriel? What have you done?

I was defending your honor.

It was reckless.

We shouldn't have gone so far.

Scandal at Messimy's house

Duel lover insulted Mata Hari!

Newspaper!

- You can keep the change.
- Oh, thanks!

Newspaper, sir?

What's so interesting, Count Costello?

The papers found out about
our incident at Messimy's.

A duel or an insult to Mata Hari?

She dances naked. How
could one possibly insult her?

Apparently she's a Javanese princess.

It's not considered as shameful there.

I've been to Java, Señor. I've
never seen anything like that.

You should ask her
impresario, the poor fool.

He's clearly in love with her.

Oh well.

There will be one less
fool in a suit very soon.

She was the one who started it.

And I'm sure she did it
for a reason, but why?

You're a diplomat, Señor.

Perhaps it's some sort of a provocation.

Maybe someone paid her to do it.

Yeah, but why?

To get rid of me?

What's the name of that, uh...

- Astruc.
- Right.

He's not the kind of man
who can k*ll me in a dual.

No.

Does she want to embarrass
me in front of the King?

Too small a scale.

I don't understand what she
could possibly want from me.

Senor...

you are thinking about her.

Maybe this is her intention.

In that case...

- she's quite charming.
- Oh.

And the best way to get a
woman out of your head...

is to get her in your bed?

There are rumors that she is a wh*re.

I'm not so sure that they are correct.

I heard the princess signed a cheque
for her hotel room and it bounced.

So I believe she has no
income other than her dancing.

That's impossible.

- I don't know.
- Well...

At least I know she's
not a plain prost*tute.

Enough!

I need a rest.

You see?

I can fight back.

Of course, Gabriel. You were amazing.

She doesn't seem too worried for you.

Well... hmm.

I've been trying to convince
her that I can manage on my own.

And she seems convinced.

Right...

You don't know much about fencing.

But seriously... what are my chances?

Not good.

We start at normal pace, and
you missed two out of three blows.

It means at high pace it will be three

out of three.

Well, one should be enough.

- How much time do we got?
- I'm not sure.

Maybe none.

Shall we try it again?

Baron.

Well here it is, my friend.

I'm a nobleman now.

Baron Gabriel Astruc.

That sounds fine, doesn't it?

Count Costello said

that tomorrow at half
past five in the morning

he'll be waiting for the Baron.

Uh-huh. Where?

The address is written here.

The Count hopes that no one but the
Baron and his second will come there.

Of course not.

I'm a Baron now.

Perhaps I should have a castle.

Gabriel...

- Mm.
- I want to know where the dual will be.

That's for me and my second alone.

Gabriel!

I was wrong. She is upset.

Can you get someone
to act as my, uh, second.

Of course. Tomorrow morning
he will be anywhere you say.

Alright.

Let's start again, hm?

This time don't hold
back. The faster the better.

Walter!

I told you that lunch
with us was a bad idea.

Have pity on that horse.

I certainly don't disagree.

What a surprise... Mata Hari.

At least you wear some
clothes on when riding.

I believe it's because the
princess is riding a horse,

not a man.

Well a real man doesn't prove
himself by attacking helpless women,

Señor Macheda.

Your ways of protection are
luckily not available for us.

You have to try it. You're
talkative like a woman.

Maybe you will succeed in that capacity.

You have a quick tongue.

I can look after myself.

I was looking for you.

You surprised me again.

I thought you were going to
say you ran into me by accident.

May we speak in private?

I assume you came on behalf of
your friend to beg me to spare his life.

But I'm sorry to disappoint you.

It's impossible.

He doesn't know I'm here.

- He's trying for the fight.
- This does him credit.

I'm begging you to
show... generosity of spirit.

Forget it.

He insulted me and
he will pay the price.

Isn't there anything I can
do to change your mind?

Tell me what's your price?

I'll pay and get the
satisfaction from you.

You recognize this?

It's your glove from that hunt
where you slaughtered a dog

because you couldn't get the fox.

Best of luck.

I feel like k*lling her

or sleeping with her.

Hi.

What time is it?

Five in the morning, mademoiselle.

Perfect. I'll have a coffee
and change the ice bucket.

I feel like making love rather
than k*lling this morning.

I think that choice is better.

Yes it is.

Even if he showed up now

you could refuse to fight

and still declare victory.

Being late by an hour is unacceptable.

Forgive me, gentlemen.

I had some urgent business to attend to.

How is your wound?

- I've had worse.
- Great.

Margaretha convinced me that
you are a true and loyal friend

which is why you defended
her the way you did.

I offer you peace.

Especially now that I
have broken the protocol.

You will continue taking care of
Margaretha's business. Oh, sorry

Mata Hari's business.

But on slightly different terms.

What do you mean?

Let's get some breakfast.

I'm starving.

Oh Count, we are very happy to see you.

Gabriel.

I believe I need to thank
you for saving my life.

And congratulations. It looks
like you got what you wanted.

Thank you.

Welcome.