01x04 - Small Revenge

[bunniefuu]

[CROWD CLAMORING]

Dr. Franklin is nothing less

than the first mover

and prime conductor,

the inventor and leading

member of a secret cabal

designed for the purposes of keeping up

a spirit of clamor and discontent

in our American colonies!

[CROWD CLAMORING]

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

The good doctor comes before

the king's Privy Council today

as an agent

of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

He bears a humble petition

from that august assembly

seeking the removal

of the royal governor.

For the sake of peace, he says.

I call it a funny sort of peace

that stains the waters of Boston Harbor

with £10,000 of East India tea!

[CROWD BOOS]

I give you this

scurrilous article in the pages

of the Public Advertiser.

"Rules by Which a Great Empire

May Be Reduced to a Small One".

The article is signed QED.

Quod erat demonstrandum.

Thus it is proved.

As you can see,

Dr. Franklin is truly a man of letters!

[CROWD LAUGHING]

These are the ravings

of a true insurrectionist.

[CROWD CHEERS]

I have never advocated insurrection.

- Ha! Ha!

- [CROWD BOOS, CLAMORS]

The prime minister knows

that I have served His

Majesty's government

here in London with unwavering zeal.

I put it to you, Dr. Franklin,

- that whilst you have sought

- I have spent a decade

- trying to explain

- preferment on the one hand

- the colonies to England

- with the other you have been conspiring

- and England to the colonies.

- with rabble-rousers and other scum

- My only goal has been to preserve

- to foment rebellion

- that fine and noble china vase

- I say, to foment rebellion

- the British Empire.

- all for your own personal profit.

[CROWD GROANING]

[CROWD SHOUTING]

[SHOUTING STOPS]

I ask the Privy Council to reject

the petition of the

Massachusetts Assembly.

Furthermore, I ask that

Dr. Franklin's charter

as agent of the colonies

of Massachusetts,

Pennsylvania, New Jersey

and Georgia be revoked.

[CROWD SHOUTING]

The solicitor general's request

is granted.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Whatever you're thinking,

saying it now will only

make our fortunes worse.

I'll make their master a little king.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

[LAUGHS]

[STRING MUSIC PLAYING]

[VILLAGERS CLAMORING]

[LAUGHS]

[IN FRENCH] Victory in Saratoga!

The English surrender!

America wins!

The marquis de Lafayette,

hero of Brandywine!

America wins!

- [PEOPLE CHATTERING]

- Victory!

The English lost in Saratoga.

America won!

[ACTOR SPEAKS FRENCH]

[ACTORS SPEAKING FRENCH]

- [LAUGHS]

- [SPEAKS FRENCH]

[SCOFFS]

[GUESTS CHATTERING]

[STRING MUSIC CONTINUES]

- Hold on! Calm down! Calm down!

- Please, sir. Please! Please!

Here. For you. These are

for you. You take these.

Make sure you hand all of them out!

Everyone has some? Now spread out! Go!

[VILLAGER] Monsieur Beaumarchais!

[VILLAGERS CLAMORING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[VILLAGER 2] Oh, mon Dieu!

[PIANO PLAYS]

[MUSIC STOPS]

[PANTING]

"MARCH OF THE INSURGENTS"

[SIGHS]

- [PASSERBY] Monsieur?

- [VILLAGERS CHATTERING]

[PASSERBY] Monsieur?

- Are you all right, sir?

- Hein?

Do you need help?

- Not at all, my friend. All is well.

- [CHATTERING CONTINUES]

[SIGHS]

[CROWD GASPS, CLAMORS]

[MEOWING, PURRING]

[PLAYING MUSIC]

[GASPS] Bravo! What a

marvelous instrument. Bravo!

Yes, it's interesting.

[STAMMERS] I believe the

principle is Greek in origin.

The Abbé is right.

perfected the mechanism.

The tone may be softened or swelled

by the pressure of the finger

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- [HELVÉTIUS CHUCKLES]

- and continued for any length.

The instrument, being well tuned,

never requires adjustment.

I have an instrument

like that of my own.

Well, you must play it for

me sometime, madame.

Perhaps you would like

to play it yourself.

Whatever are you talking about?

Nothing you haven't

thought of, you rascal.

[CHUCKLES]

[HELVÉTIUS] Come sit beside me.

[SNIFFS, GRUNTING]

Not there. That's Mark

Antony's seat. Here.

[GRUNTS, EXHALES SHARPLY]

So, now that your country has won

such a glorious victory at, uh Um.

[IN FRENCH] What is

the name of the place?

Saratoga. In the colony

of New York, I believe.

Well, I'm afraid you'd have to ask

Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne.

Though I expect he wished that

he'd never been there. [CHUCKLES]

[CHUCKLES] Oh, you're a clever one.

My late husband was a

philosopher, you know.

He believed good and evil were

mere fictions or something of the kind.

But under his wig,

- he was bald as a baby's rump.

- [CHUCKLES]

You are terribly ancient, but

you still have most of your hair.

- Mmm.

- Perhaps you'd like to fluff it.

Tie it up with a little ribbon.

And I could sit peacefully on your lap.

With you on my lap, sir,

there'd be very little peace.

- [CHUCKLES] Ooh.

- [CLEARS THROAT]

What impure thoughts are running

through your head, Abbé?

- I, madame? [CHUCKLES]

- Mmm.

Only that Dr. Franklin is a merry

man to carry such a burden.

Uh, what burden is that,

Monsieur l'Abbé?

[ABBÉ] Your country's fate, of course.

Ah, in that I have some cause

for merriment today.

I should think Versailles must

take note of this victory.

If they do not, Monsieur Cabanis,

I've spilled a great

deal of ink in vain.

Tell me something, you old bear.

Is this the sort of nonsense

you talk about with that

mopey little teacup?

You mean Madame Brillon?

No. No, we discuss music and books

and delicate matters of the soul.

No wonder you look like

a starving man given a pea for dinner.

Fill in everyone's glasses, Mr. Cabanis,

and let's have a toast.

- To?

- To Saratoga?

To eating a full plate.

[IN FRENCH] Come look at this.

Very skillful, Your Majesty.

Do you enjoy the mechanical

arts, Foreign Minister?

Alas, obligations do not

afford me the time.

[LOUIS XVI] What's

interesting about locks

is that unless you crack them open,

you've no idea what's inside.

But then you've broken the lock.

Your Majesty, you know

of the victory at Saratoga.

Yes. Rather bloodied old

George's nose, hmm?

There's an opportunity here.

It would be wise to seize it

before it's too late.

You're on about your alliance again.

I'm certain England is seeking a way out

before it suffers even greater losses.

The Americans may well be

inclined to grant them one.

Then we wouldn't have to

pay for a w*r, would we?

[STAMMERS] We'd only be delaying one.

Against an enemy we could have weakened

if we had been bold enough to act.

I don't know.

- Your Majesty means

- I don't know.

Yes.

- [STAMMERS] Yes, I may proceed?

- Yes, I don't know.

Did he mean to refuse

you without saying it?

Possibly. [SIGHS]

Does he wish you to negotiate

but doesn't want it

known that he said so?

He might.

Is he setting a trap,

expecting that you'll disobey,

and so expose you?

[VERGENNES GRUNTS]

He's not that smart.

Are you sure?

Non.

What are the risks?

Disgrace. Exile. Prison.

I think that covers it.

And the rewards?

France wins. The English lose. And

You succeed.

[SIGHS]

What should I do?

Charles, my dear,

you've already decided.

You just want me to

tell you you're right.

[CHUCKLES]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

I'll have Gérard handle it.

That way there's someone else to blame.

who would have thought all it took

to make the English appreciate you

was to capture 6,000 of their soldiers?

Stack up the Madeira so he can see it.

- Right.

- [HORSES WHINNY]

He's here. [GRUNTS]

Keep him occupied.

W-Where the devil are you going?

I BECAME FULLY VERSED IN THE

NUANCED ART OF SEXUAL PLEASURE

[BREATHING SHAKILY]

- [KNOCKS]

- [GASPS]

[FRANKLIN] Temple.

- I know you're in there, boy.

- I-I'm busy.

[FRANKLIN] I'm coming in.

- What are you doing?

- Reading.

- I don't see any book.

- [TEMPLE] I finished it.

Then you're not reading.

What do you want?

[SIGHS] We have been rather

disputatious with each other of late.

Have we?

Whatever I might instruct,

it is only in the hope

that I have bettered your

prospects in this world

after I have passed from it.

You need me to do something, don't you?

Put on a decent coat

and hurry up. [GRUNTS]

[SIGHS]

Ah, Monsieur Gérard.

Welcome to our petite hôtel.

The pleasure is mine, Doctor.

A small gesture of

our nation's goodwill.

[STAMMERING] A nice little Armagnac.

Oh, most thoughtful.

Uh, Bancroft, would you, uh [GRUNTS]

Of course. [SIGHS]

Minister Vergennes

wishes to convey his

[STAMMERS] Is that cheese?

Stilton. Just arrived this

afternoon from Derbyshire.

Quite extravagant. How

could I refuse? [CHUCKLING]

Now, you really must try this.

Oh, I thank you, but English cheese

has never been to my liking.

[FRANKLIN] As you please.

Minister Vergennes

wishes to convey his

You know, the oddest thing

I seem to recall you telling me

that His Majesty preferred

that we win our independence

before entering into any negotiations.

His Majesty, that is to say,

Minister Vergennes

[KNOCKS]

[FRANKLIN] I believe

you know my secretary.

Your secre

I hope you will not object to him

taking the minutes of our interview.

Just so there can be

no misunderstandings.

Of course. [CHUCKLES]

- Master Temple.

- [STAMMERS] Monsieur.

Anyway, you were saying

Please, please, please.

- [GÉRARD GRUNTS]

- The Minister Vergennes

Before we begin,

I must exact your promise

not to advertise any

piece of our discussion.

Nothing remains secret

in Paris for very long.

Nonetheless.

Very well.

And you, Master Temple?

You have my promise.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

[CLEARS THROAT]

[STAMMERS, SIGHS]

Oh, I suppose I'll, um,

go catch up on the correspondence.

What may France offer to prevent America

from being seduced by the promise

of a false peace with England?

You are aware that since

my arrival in this country,

I have advocated for a treaty

of amity and commerce,

which is not yet concluded?

I am.

Conclude that treaty,

and America will consider

closing her ears

to any proposals that do not

guarantee her independence.

Versailles is prepared to offer

you a treaty on those terms.

The necessary documents can

be yours in a matter of days.

Mmm. At which point we can

discuss the second treaty.

[STAMMERS, SPEAKS IN FRENCH] The what?

our countries together

in a military alliance.

Oh. No, no, no, no, no.

[CHUCKLES] You are

[IN FRENCH] You can't put

the plow before the oxen.

the cart before the horse.

Say it as you like. This

cannot be a condition.

[SIGHS] So, we are to be left

to our own devices after all.

Uh, in that case, monsieur, I

If the question is raising

arms in America's defense,

this may be discussed.

Discussed or agreed upon?

An open declaration of w*r

is out of the question.

England must be the one

to commence hostilities.

Which it will the moment any arrangement

between us is publicly proclaimed.

In either case, the result is the same.

If you wish to convince His

Majesty that an alliance is

Is he not already convinced?

As I've said, f-friendship, trade

Are you not authorized to negotiate?

I am not authorized to start a w*r.

- [FRANKLIN] But you've already done so.

- [SIGHS]

We are simply determining

how and when it will begin.

[SIGHS] I

I will have to consult

with Minister Vergennes.

Well, by all means, but I

suggest you make haste.

Please take some cheese with you.

Why aren't you privy

to the negotiations?

Does he suspect you?

It was the Frenchman. He

He wasn't having any of it.

Can you get your hands

on the boy's notes?

Master Franklin's more careful

than his grandfather.

You're not paid for excuses. Find a way.

[BANCROFT STAMMERS]

Suppose a treaty is made.

Uh, say a copy in the boy's hand

found its way to London

before it could be

dispatched to America.

And paint him as the Judas goat.

Well, no. I wasn't think

- Actually

- No, no, no, no. A letter is found.

In it he professes undying loyalty

to his father and the British Crown.

Well, I He'd never

write such a thing.

I mean, the boy is obstreperous

but he's not

A traitor?

[CHUCKLES] He doesn't have to

write it. He only has to sign it.

Well, that will crush the old fellow.

Must he be dishonored

as well as defeated?

It's hardly the worst that

can happen to a man.

Do well to remember that.

- [IN FRENCH] A declaration of w*r.

- He was quite brazen about it.

He'll have us all carrying muskets

by the time he's done.

What do I answer?

[SIGHS] That you will confer with me.

Isn't that what I'm doing now?

Non. Now we're only talking.

We can confer after

I've advised His Majesty.

- Monsieur le Comte.

- Mm-hmm?

With the greatest respect,

I'm uncertain which master I'm serving.

You are serving me.

We both serve the king.

And we all serve France.

So

Use your discretion.

Resist his blandishments.

Say nothing you can't take back. And

Carry on with the excellent work.

He's right, of course.

It's w*r any way you look at it.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING]

[CHUCKLES] Thank you.

A little march to brighten the way

for General Burgoyne

and his men to prison.

[CHUCKLES]

[KISSES]

Such an expense for so

modest an audience,

and surely music

so exquisite must be shared.

Hmm. A performance at the opera

to encourage support for your cause.

That is a splendid notion.

Mm-hmm. And under which

man's name should it appear?

No man's. It is yours to claim.

[CHUCKLING]

The chevalier d'Éon

would stand a better chance.

But since it pleased you so much,

I will teach you the notes.

Oh, I-I fear I would

make a poor student.

[IN FRENCH] You underestimate

my patience.

[CLAPS]

- [PIANO NOTES PLAYING]

- [FRANKLIN, ANNE HUMMING]

[FRANKLIN LAUGHS]

[HUMMING CONTINUES]

[HUMMING]

- [PLAYS DISSONANT NOTE]

- Oh.

I was beginning to think

you had forgotten all about us

with all those visitors taking

up so much of your time.

We Americans are new

at making treaties, you see.

Advantage may be taken

of our incapacities.

- [PLAYS DISSONANT NOTE]

- Oh! [GROANS]

[ANNE] Mi, do, mi.

Beware a Frenchman's promise.

Always demand proof of his sincerity.

I believe you show a gift for

statesmanship, Madame Brillon.

[LAUGHS]

Women, by necessity,

are experts at negotiation.

What terms of alliance should

you and I establish then?

- [HUMS]

- [LAUGHS]

- [ANNE LAUGHS]

- [GROANS]

First, there must be peace,

friendship and eternal love between us.

And the stipulations

to maintain this peace?

That Dr. Franklin remain in my company

as much and as long as it pleases me.

And while I am in this pleasant company?

That you do anything I want you to do.

[CHUCKLES]

Anything I am [IN FRENCH]

allowed to do.

Are those terms acceptable?

[SIGHS] Well, you ask for

a monopoly on my affections

and leave none for

other agreeable ladies.

Ladies such as the

Washerwoman of Auteuil?

- [PLAYS LOW NOTES]

- I would naturally demand reciprocity.

Your terms?

[INHALES SHARPLY]

The said Dr. Franklin would go away

from Madame Brillon whenever he pleases,

that he will stay away

as long as he pleases

[PLAYS HIGH NOTES]

and that he will love

any other woman

as far as he finds her amiable.

[PLAYS HIGH NOTES]

Perhaps you're right.

I cannot teach you after all.

Oh, madame.

I thought that we were only practicing.

Of course we were.

You are here to win victory

for your country.

Everything else is a pastime.

Oh, you are not so to me.

The hours spent in

your company are the

Have kept us both amused. [SIGHS]

If you wish for more,

it is yours for the asking.

Marriages are kind of an

alliance, are they not?

And the terms are always

honored by the parties involved.

[SIGHS]

But they are alliances nonetheless.

Not to be casually broken.

[BOTH SIGH]

I accept the conditions you propose

since every treaty must be a compromise.

[SIGHS]

Shall we continue?

[CROWD SHOUTING, CLAMORING]

Quite a crowd. All mad for America.

Half of them are policemen.

The other half are spies.

Should I tell Simon to send them off?

I asked him to let them in.

[CROWD CLAMORING]

Uh, well. No three hands in chess, hey?

I'd like you to stay this time.

Dr. Franklin. My thanks

for receiving me again.

I welcome all visitors, Mr. Williams.

You know my colleague, Dr. Bancroft.

Only by reputation.

I assure you he's not nearly

as devilish as they say he is.

[LAUGHS]

May we speak somewhere in private?

Well, I'd be happy to oblige,

but the last time we did so,

I met with some loss of property.

And I'm rather superstitious.

I thought you wished

to parley, Dr. Franklin.

Indeed I do. Please begin.

Out here?

I find the air bracing.

[CHUCKLES]

If a passport could be obtained,

would you be willing

to negotiate in London

without any French interference?

Well, my late experience

was less than pleasing.

I am now here among people

that love and respect me.

You're much too wise to mistake

personal flattery with national resolve.

[CHUCKLES] I'm not nearly that wise.

I find it very hard to believe

that anything could

ever persuade America

to throw herself into

the arms of France.

On the contrary, Mr. Williams.

America has been forced and

driven into the arms of France.

Can you really afford to put

faith in such a reluctant ally?

Our parliament is prepared

to bestow autonomy on the colonies.

America would have complete

control of its internal affairs.

Autonomy is not independence.

[SIGHS] Must we endlessly

quibble over words?

[CHUCKLES]

In the end, we are all Englishmen.

What do you think?

Should we not, um,

discuss that separately?

I see no cause for circumspection.

We are in a position to press advantage

and put an end to profitless w*r.

Dr. Bancroft speaks the truth.

The Crown is in a giving vein.

But I am not.

[CLICKS TONGUE] My friend,

think on what he offers.

What he offers is too

little and too late.

If you did not care to negotiate,

why did you bother to meet again?

So they would all see us talking.

[CROWD CLAMORING]

[IN FRENCH] Who or

what is this Williams?

He claims to represent

the English prime minister.

- What did they discuss?

- It wasn't clear.

Every other man at Passy is a spy.

Doesn't anyone know how to do his job?

I suspect the doctor arranged

the whole affair for our benefit.

Of course he did.

He means for us to respond

in haste and confusion.

Isn't that what we're doing?

Tell Dr. Franklin that France will

guarantee American independence

if w*r is declared.

But we don't guarantee that it will.

Should he press the point

We make guarantees, but

we don't guarantee anything?

Precisely. Now go away.

We know what you're up to.

I have no idea what

you're talking about.

You're not the only one with informants.

You think you can ransack the treasury

and start a w*r without us knowing?

Gentlemen, whatever I do

If I was doing it

I do with the king's consent.

Then why hasn't he told us about it?

That seems a question

that answers itself.

You're bluffing.

Am I?

Shall we go see His Majesty

and ask him directly?

I'm sure he won't mind.

I hear there's a good little

library in the Bastille.

To keep the prisoners occupied.

America's independence

on the condition of a declaration of w*r

between France and England.

That is a most welcome point.

Well, I should expect so.

Only, if no w*r is declared

[SIGHS]

I'm sorry?

What is your concern?

If no w*r is declared,

France can go right

on trading with England

while the British army

sees to our utter destruction.

[SIGHS] And so you want?

A guarantee.

Of the guarantee?

Yes.

And what form should this

guaranteed guarantee take?

Gold is always persuasive.

How much gold?

Mmm. [CLICKS TONGUE] Six million livre.

A six million livre loan.

A six million livre gift.

[LAUGHS] We give you

six million livre and you

Spend it.

Well, you do want us to win, don't you?

[SIGHS]

Write it down, Master Temple.

Come off it, man.

You and I both know what's being spoken

about in the king's carriages.

Hmm. But what about

the queen's carriages?

It's your intention then

to lie to my face.

"Lie". The most impolitic

word, Mr. Ambassador.

You deny that you're plotting

with the insurgents

to sever England from

her rightful possession?

- Again. [SIGHS] "Plotting".

- [SCOFFS]

[IN FRENCH] Good god, man.

Can't you see that Franklin

is playing us both for fools?

to negotiate with anyone.

Then you should have

no cause for concern,

whatever the outcome.

- [IN FRENCH] Pardon, sir, but

- The king requests your presence.

Right now?

[SIGHS] Monsieur Stormont,

I regret I must conclude

our interview prematurely.

Sir. I demand an answer.

We both may have one shortly.

[SIGHS]

[STORMONT SIGHS]

Day by day our little undertakings

creep along, don't they?

And then, all at once

Splendid bit of metalwork, Your Majesty.

Count Maurepas and Monsieur Necker

have been chatting with me.

Have they, sire?

[LOUIS XVI] A monarchy allying itself

with a rebel army,

seeking to overthrow a king.

Where will that notion lead,

once it is set loose?

No man can predict the future.

Certainly not his own.

I rely on the counsel of my ministers.

If I cannot trust them,

what remedy do I have?

You are the king.

All remedies are yours.

I should like the people to love me.

But I don't think a republic

is a terribly good idea.

I hope never to see one myself.

[LOUIS XVI] Make an alliance

with the Americans.

And teach the rosbifs a lesson

they won't forget.

Pleased with yourselves?

- What did you tell him?

- Ah

That a w*r could be financed

without raising taxes.

That's all he wanted to hear.

Makes you and me look good, doesn't it?

[SIGHS]

[SNIFFS]

[SIGHS]

[CHUCKLES] What are you wearing?

A little bit of revenge.

- [CHUCKLES]

- [DOOR OPENS]

[CLEARS THROAT]

- [KNOCKS]

- Who is it?

- It's me, Master Temple.

- Come in.

Yes.

Forgive the interruption.

The work goes well?

Almost finished.

You have a fine hand, young man.

I dare say better than your

grandfather's. [CHUCKLES]

I wouldn't have disturbed you otherwise,

um, but Dr. Franklin's

retired for the evening,

and certain dispatches

still require his signature.

I-I was hoping you'd agree

to sign on his behalf.

- Of course.

- Yes. Thank you.

Uh, it's all been agreed to then?

Should Congress approve.

Yes.

Now, we do expect a full account

of Versailles tomorrow,

with particular regard

to ladies' necklines.

[TEMPLE] I will do my best.

"My devotion to my dearest

father, cruelly imprisoned"

It's a nice touch.

" compels me to denounce

all who call themselves

patriots and abhor"

He abhors it, does he?

" the rebellion they

so unlawfully foment".

Quite the knack for treason.

Oh, I suppose you mean

that as a compliment.

[CROWD CLAMORING]

[CROWD SHOUTING, CLAMORING]

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

Remember, Grandfather.

Never wear the hat

Carry it under the arm. Yes. Yes.

I won't embarrass you.

Franklin!

[IN FRENCH] Long live America!

[MUSICIANS PLAYING]

[CROWD CHATTERING]

- [FRANKLIN GRUNTS]

- [CROWD APPLAUDING, SHOUTING]

what a pleasure to meet

you for the first time.

Somehow, Count Vergennes,

I feel like we are old friends.

It is customary for visitors

here to wear swords.

However, in your case,

better to forgo it.

[IN FRENCH] If you will

please follow me, gentlemen.

[MUSICIANS PLAYING FANFARE]

[MUSICIANS PLAYING MARCH]

[SOLDIERS] Et un, deux.

[CROWD SHOUTING]

He doesn't look like an ambassador.

He's not even wearing a wig.

[GUEST SPEAKS FRENCH]

Where is your sword, Dr. Franklin?

[SHOUTING CONTINUES]

[SÉGUR SPEAKS FRENCH]

Merci.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

[COURTIERS SPEAKING FRENCH]

The man who discovered electricity

has now electrified two

continents. [CHUCKLES]

the privilege to be among the first

to congratulate America's

new ambassador.

I regret the injuries suffered

on our behalf.

Oh.

All this is no longer necessary,

but the effect is sensational.

[CHUCKLES]

[BELL TOLLS]

[GUESTS MURMURING]

[IN FRENCH] The deputy of

the United Colonies of America,

Monsieur Benjamin Franklin.

[VERGENNES] Your Majesty, permit me

to present Dr. Benjamin Franklin

and his grandson, William

Temple Franklin.

Your Majesty.

of my friendship, Dr. Franklin.

I hope our alliance

will be good for both our countries.

Your Majesty may rely on

the gratitude of Congress

and her fidelity to her engagements.

[IN FRENCH] That's that

then, I suppose. Bien.

If all monarchies were governed

by the principles in your heart,

republics would never be formed.

[IN FRENCH] Wasn't I

saying just the same thing?

[SIGHS] Bien, docteur

lied our way into a partnership.

Lied, monsieur?

- We merely anticipated a future truth.

- [CHUCKLES]

[ENTOURAGE LAUGHING, CHATTERING]

[GASPS, SPEAKS IN FRENCH]

The Americans are here!

[CHATTERING CONTINUES]

She can be, um, fouineuse.

A what?

[WHISPERS] Busybody.

[FRANKLIN] Mmm.

[IN FRENCH] Your Majesty,

the Americans have arrived.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Your Majesty, Dr. Franklin.

Tell me, Dr. Franklin,

I play the banker's card

or la carte anglaise?

The English card is never

a wise wager, Your Majesty.

It will be on your head.

[ALL LAUGHING]

You are good for gambling

other's money, yes?

If I do, madame, it

is with the intention

of rewarding my benefactor

as well as myself.

And so, make two people happy.

[IN FRENCH] What did he say?

He said spending the king's money

makes two people happy.

[LAUGHING]

and say what cards I play.

If I lose, I make words with my husband

about us make treaty with you.

And if you win?

Maybe I buy you cannon myself.

That is just the sort of game I like.

[CHUCKLES]

- [ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING]

- [HOTEL GUESTS CHATTERING]

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

Oh, pardon me.

You said just a few people.

- Forty, 50

- [CHUCKLES]

Do we need to give them

so much to drink?

- It's an investment, my dear.

- Ah.

In what?

In America. Now that the agreement's

been signed, they'll all want a piece.

Mmm.

And who will they have to come to?

The man who was there first.

[CHUCKLES] You mean the man

who hasn't been paid yet?

Maybe the king knows a bit more

about this sort of thing than you do.

hearing your music at last.

The world? My neighbors, perhaps.

Not that they care who wrote it.

Then you must let them know.

That would not be proper.

If you do not tell people

who you are, then they

They will decide for themselves.

Madame, I'll turn you American yet.

- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

- [BEAUMARCHAIS, IN FRENCH] Attention!

[MUSIC STOPS]

Your attention, please!

Mesdames et messieurs.

I address you [IN FRENCH]

tonight in two languages.

[IN FRENCH] our king

official what we know

[IN FRENCH] in our hearts

That between the old soul of France

[IN FRENCH] and the

youthful spirit of America

of friendship and understanding

that nothing can break.

[IN FRENCH] To friendship.

To liberty.

To Franklinity!

[GUESTS LAUGHING]

As you wish, madame.

finally become a noun.

[ALL LAUGHING]

[MUSIC RESUMES]

[CROWD EXCLAIMING]

- Ah.

- [CROWD CONTINUES EXCLAIMING]

[IN FRENCH] What have you got there?

Um.

- An empty glass.

- Ah.

Let's get that fixed.

Hey! Over here.

Now bugger off.

Ah.

Here's to, uh, what you do.

- Monsieur.

- Ah.

Need to talk.

By all means.

your boy's intentions?

- You mean Temple?

- Mmm.

Uh, in regards to what?

My daughter.

Well, he holds her

in the highest regard.

Oh.

[IN FRENCH] Let's work

out the terms then.

Want to get it nailed down

before she's too old.

You are proposing

Our own alliance. If

you catch my meaning.

Oui, oui, oui. Very wise.

So, you're in agreement?

Nothing could make me,

or my grandson, happier.

- Mmm.

[FRANKLIN SIGHS]

- [IN FRENCH] And Madame Brillon?

- [CROWD EXCLAIMING]

Ah.

What about her?

favor the union as well?

[IN FRENCH] We won't fuss over that.

[KISSING, GROANING]

What did you say then?

That the time had come

to reach an accord,

and that if they did not,

both nations would suffer.

That's what made them sign?

And then you met the queen.

You're always right

at the center of things.

What will you do next?

This.

Mademoiselle.

Grandfather, we, uh

This has been a day

of glorious alliances.

Mr. Temple was just telling me.

Temple is a splendid boy.

You are a splendid girl.

You make a splendid pair,

and I am gonna take a piss.

[GUEST] You're drunk.

And you, sir, are a damnable

rogue, whoever you may be.

Sweet mercy of Providence.

No, John Adams of Massachusetts.

Mr. Adams, what are you doing here?

I might ask you the same question.

[STAMMERS] I'm pursui

I have just concluded

Have you been sent to assist me?

No, sir.

To replace you.