01x05 - The Natural State of Man

[bunniefuu]

[IN FRENCH] You are hard to please.

You are hard to please.

I find that hard to believe.

[SIGHS]

[CLEARS THROAT]

I find that hard to believe.

I find that hard to believe.

I carry myself poorly.

[SIGHS]

I carry myself poorly.

I shall withdraw myself

from your company.

I shall withdraw myself

from your company.

Are your dogs friendly?

[LAUGHS, SMACKS LIPS]

Are your dogs friendly?

I won't fail to do so.

I won't fail to do so.

of our Declaration.

Thanks be to God

for our liberty.

I cannot abide Franklin.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING OUTSIDE]

[ROOSTER CROWS]

Tuck in, Mr. Adams,

there's more than enough.

I have eaten already, sir,

several hours since.

[IN FRENCH] And how are

your studies proceeding?

I asked how your French

lessons were going.

Your pronunciation is abysmal.

No wonder I couldn't understand you.

Oh, better the spirited gesture

than the strict correctness,

wouldn't you say?

You took the carriage again last night.

Pardon?

I was to attend the opera.

Instead, I was stranded here.

Oh, I do apologize.

I was at a banquet for Parmentier.

Who?

The noted pharmacologist.

Never heard of the man.

It's not that I care for

the so-called music. Nothing but noise.

A great mess of pointless yowling,

but I had already purchased a ticket.

May I ask you something?

- Go ahead.

- What are you doing here?

I am not obliged to tell you that.

It would make the work at hand easier.

[CHUCKLES] And what work is that, sir?

Your accounts are in disarray.

You keep no records of expenses.

Your correspondence is

a madman's jumble,

and you breakfast at 10:14.

Yet somehow I have managed to

negotiate an alliance with France.

And what good has that done us?

The French Navy is the greatest

lot of seaborne chuckleheads

I've ever had the misfortune

to encounter.

We fight alone, deeper

in debt than ever.

And still, you curry favor with

your boon companion, Vergennes.

I think it's best to keep

in his good graces.

I think it best to make him

honor his obligations.

And if you don't, I will.

No doubt with your deep

comprehension of all things French,

that strategy will meet

with unqualified success.

[JOHN] And now we shall have a party.

[FRANKLIN] You object to celebrating

our independence?

The day calls for solemn observance,

not frivolous amusement.

Our hosts see it otherwise,

and it's to our benefit to please them.

This act of obeisance will cost us what?

Absolutely nothing.

Monsieur Chaumont is paying for it.

Yeah, that makes it even worse.

[SIGHS]

[IN FRENCH] How many Americans

are we meant to accommodate?

Ten? Fifty? A thousand?

We have only three, my dear.

- What about that Dr. Bancroft?

- He doesn't sleep here.

He might as well.

Maybe it's time you

discussed charging rent.

[SIGHS]

I can hardly ask guests

to become tenants.

We house them, feed them,

give them horses and servants,

and now this party.

At how many livres?

The expense is nothing against

the future profit from trade.

[SCOFFS] When is this future?

Will any of us be alive to see it?

I don't expect you to grasp

the intricacies of commerce.

Fine. Play your little games.

But I tell you, this extravagance

will be our ruin.

At last. Help me up, you great lump.

[THÉRÈSE GROANS, SIGHS]

[BOTH SIGH]

[ANNE] And what was his answer?

[GRUNTS] I couldn't quite follow it.

Something about how they wrap things

at the patisserie. [CHUCKLES]

It could be red, it could be green,

but the pastry inside is the same.

He is saying that beneath

their varied beliefs,

all religions share a fundamental truth.

[GRUNTS] That's too rich for me.

Then perhaps you should have

thought more carefully

before offering our daughter

to his grandson.

Enough.

I'll be damned if I let

you dispute with me.

Tell him that a Protestant has

no hope of advancement here.

And Cunégonde cannot be

bound to such a fate.

I've already started negotiations.

[GRUNTS] Do you want me to look a fool?

Your drunken antics did this, not mine.

As if you know what

you're talking about.

Is your pride more important

than our family's fortunes?

He has plenty of gold in America.

And how would that benefit us here?

A daughter is a burden to be passed

along as soon as possible.

Your father understood that.

Why don't you?

Perhaps Mademoiselle Jupin

can explain it to me.

She's obviously a woman of discernment.

You are brazen, madame.

If only I was.

You think I'm blind to your flirtations

with a man 40 years your elder?

That you call papa, sit on his knee

and coo honeyed nonsense

in your endless letters?

What colossal impudence.

Yes.

How dare I seek the company

of someone who delights me.

And so disgrace the good name

of my devoted husband.

The name is mine. The estate

is mine. And I'll have my way.

Everyone else can go to hell.

[SIGHS]

[PANTING] I tore a seam,

and Gabrielle had to sew it up.

What do you think?

Will Franklinet like it?

Ravishing.

What?

You're about to say something.

[SIGHS] Simply that I came

to this country with a boy,

and now I am looking at a man.

Well, thank you.

You're more skilled in French

than I'll ever be,

you're a diligent secretary

You have a guileless aspect

that charms women and men alike.

Suppose I've had an excellent teacher.

[CHUCKLES] Oh, you mean me?

Dear boy. You know,

it is ever in my mind

to secure a place for you

fitting to our family.

Isn't Congress going to pay me a salary?

One can only hope, but I speak

of more lasting arrangements.

Lasting how?

Monsieur Brillon and I have

been discussing an alliance.

Of what kind?

The marrying kind.

Who would marry who?

[CHUCKLES] You would marry

Mademoiselle Cunégonde.

She's educated, pretty

and well-situated.

And I believe you might even

be a little fond of her.

Does she know?

It's not her business to know.

Is it mine?

We're talking about it now, aren't we?

Do not make the mistake I did.

When you marry, do

so for your advantage.

Anything else

is a prescription for regret.

If Cunégonde is to become

my wife, what will I be?

A Frenchman by all appearances.

And you, you

You'll just leave me here?

[SIGHS]

Consent to this union,

and I will gladly spend the rest

of my natural days in France.

I want to see you settled, boy,

before I see nothing at all.

All right [CLEARS THROAT]

I [SWALLOWS] Yes.

All right.

You may do the honors.

[ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING]

[IN FRENCH] Where was I?

traveling along"

"Blind plaintiff, lame defendant, share,

The friendly law's impartial care,

A shell for him, a shell for thee",

[PEOPLE GIGGLING]

"The middle is the lawyer's fee".

[CROWD LAUGHING]

[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]

I say.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

[JOHN] What a great show of friendship.

I wonder that they do not

slit each other's throats.

[COUGHS] Why would they do that?

I have it on good authority

that they are all routinely engaged

in acts of the most wanton strife

and regard the bonds of

matrimony as a mere farce.

No. Really? Good lord.

He dragged me to dinner

with those Brillons, you know.

Pleasant enough, I admit.

But here is this plain-faced

woman beside me at table

What do you think?

I cannot guess.

She is the amoureuse of the husband,

quite openly. And the wife?

Madame Brillon.

Oh, she consoles herself

with a certain Monsieur le Coq.

- Mr. Rooster.

- Mmm. An alias, of course.

Are you sure of this?

Franklin told me. It's just

the sort of thing he'd know.

Sobering indeed.

Hmm. And these are our allies.

[BANCROFT] I do sometimes

doubt their constancy.

Much is promised, but

- You've discussed this with Franklin?

- No. He won't hear of it.

Well There you are.

- You and I should talk.

- Hmm.

[IN FRENCH] They've all

seen you on stage, you know.

But they haven't invited

me to their houses.

You're invited now.

Thirteen stripes.

Did I get it right?

You make the prospect of independence

even more appealing.

Listen to you.

Sounding more French every day.

That's very [STAMMERS]

But I'm not sure I like that.

I prefer you as an American.

what you want? I mean

I mean, is that the kind

of person you

[IN FRENCH] Look at that.

He brought an African to the party.

She's an actress.

How do you know?

Uh, Jacques mentioned

something about her.

That's even more scandalous.

They use stage names, you know.

To hide where they really come from.

What have we done to deserve this?

[CHAUMONT] That profligate means

to put me in an early grave.

Don't say anything just now.

I'll throw him out on his a*s,

guests be damned.

- You'll do no such thing.

- [SCOFFS]

Then he can hide from his creditors

and cadge from his wh*res,

and see how he likes

[THÉRÈSE] Stop!

Mother.

Father.

May I present Mademoiselle Caillot

of the Comédie-Italienne.

Madame, monsieur.

How gracious you are to allow

this poor child of shadows

her day in the precious light.

Oh. Well. I

We saw you in that Goldoni farce.

You were absolutely marvelous!

What clouds your sun today?

[IN FRENCH] Do I seem gloomy?

Perhaps

I'm mistaken.

boy does as he likes,

without a care what the world thinks.

The world may have the last word

with him yet. [CHUCKLES]

But he will have argued with it.

And that is something.

You are in a mood.

[IN FRENCH] My dear papa

come between us?

Oh, madame, we we have our treaty.

I do not mean these other women.

What can break the bond of our souls?

Nothing I can think of.

Do I have your promise?

What is it that you wish to say?

[BELL RINGS]

[CABANIS, IN FRENCH]

Ladies and gentlemen.

Your attention, please.

The Apotheosis of Liberty

is about to begin.

Mesdames, messieurs.

- L'apothéose de la liberté.

- [GUESTS LAUGHING]

[CABANIS] Mesdames, messieurs

- What?

- You heard me.

[FLUTE MUSIC PLAYING]

[IN FRENCH] "This doctrine, my friends,

is reason and wisdom".

- [AUDIENCE LAUGHING]

[IN FRENCH] "But do not depend

too much on your own industry".

[IN FRENCH] "And now to conclude,

experience keeps a dear school"

But fools will learn no other.

[ABBÉ, IN FRENCH] "As

Poor Richard says

- [CAILLOT MOANS]

- they that won't be counseled

can't be helped".

will not hear reason

[IN FRENCH] "Why, she'll

surely rap your knuckles".

- [AUDIENCE LAUGHING]

of Franklin.

- [PERSON CHUCKLES]

- [AUDIENCE CHEERING]

- [AUDIENCE GASPING, LAUGHING]

- [FRANKLIN LAUGHING]

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

He seized the lightning from the sky

and slayed the tyrants.

[AUDIENCE GASPING, CLAMORING]

This is pure idolatry.

I hope this is comfortable.

[GROANING] Quite tolerable,

Monsieur Gérard.

This inventory from your Congress

has left me quite breathless,

Mr. Adams. [CHUCKLES]

49,000 uniforms, clarinets and trumpets,

spoons and sheet music,

paint and thimbles.

I believe you'll find a frigate

and eight ships of

the line also itemized.

All amounting to one-tenth of

this government's annual budget.

His Majesty has already spent

one hundred and

150 million livres to secure

your independence.

And yet New York,

the Carolinas, Georgia,

all belong to the British.

Because Admiral d'Estaing's expedition

was unable to break their hold

on the American coast.

We are told the name of France

was cursed by a mob of drunks

from New England.

And I'm told in France,

a man may treat a marriage

as just a piece of

Certain misunderstandings

can be expected during wartime.

Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Adams?

The longer I stay in Europe

and consider our affairs,

the more our alliance seems

A rock on which we may build.

Hmm.

But France has yet to fulfill

her obligations under our treaty.

We sent you cannons and shot.

Muskets and powder bayonets.

Given you outright

given enough money

Our situation remains as precarious

as it did before you joined the battle.

We are undermanned and

lack even the basic provisions

- that this alliance was meant to provide.

- [GROANS]

Nothing would end this w*r faster

than a powerful French fleet

to break the English at sea.

Are you an expert in naval

strategy as well, Mr. Adams?

Whatever I am, I am not blind.

And I see that France means

to hold our chin above water

- but not to keep us from drowning.

- [GRUNTS, GROANS]

Are you all right, Dr. Franklin?

[GROANS] This deuce gout.

I wouldn't wish it on King George.

- Is there anything?

- Nothing. Nothing, alas.

- Let me fetch the court physician.

- [FRANKLIN] No, no. Thank you.

The only recourse is rest

and, uh, empty hope.

If I could beg the minister

to consider the allotment

of cloth and uniforms.

Yes. Yes. Of course.

Uh, Gérard?

[IN FRENCH] Three million livres.

[SIGHS] Hmm.

[CLICKS TONGUE]

[JOHN] Do you really

think he was taken in

by your sudden show of infirmity?

[FRANKLIN] Your notion of diplomacy

will be our undoing.

America cannot suffer

any more of this slow, silent,

imperceptible creeping.

We must show spirit in our application.

A bold push. A show of industry.

There is no word in French for industry.

The art here is to achieve much

by appearing to achieve little.

An art which you seem to have mastered.

While I remain above ground,

I will endeavor to please this court

to procure what advantages I can.

We did not throw off the chains

of one tyrant to put

on those of another.

Count Vergennes is not our friend.

No, but I rather like him anyway.

[PRIEST PREACHING IN LATIN]

Sancti. Amen.

[PREACHING IN LATIN CONTINUES]

[CHURCHGOERS SPEAKING FRENCH]

[BANCROFT SIGHS]

[PREACHING IN LATIN CONTINUES]

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

Makes you wonder how the

Reformation ever succeeded.

Poor wretches, fingering their

beads and chanting Latin.

Not that they can understand a word.

London sends its compliments,

by the way.

Compliments alone do not

compensate for the risks I take.

Be patient, Mr. Bancroft.

You've been generously rewarded so far.

Think of heaven's blessings

that still await.

Yes, well, I doubt our association

will merit any divine rewards.

I prefer compensation in this life.

A man who values money so highly

doesn't tend to be too particular

about where it comes from.

I've given you and London

ample proof of my loyalty.

The w*r's going badly for America.

Now is the time to drive

the final wedge.

Sow doubt as to Versailles's intentions.

Well, you'll have a hard time

convincing Dr. Franklin to believe

Count Vergennes is acting in bad faith.

Mr. Adams is [STAMMERS]

less enamored with the French.

If Dr. Franklin were to be

removed from the scene

- I won't be party to that.

- I thought you were determined

- to see an end to this w*r!

- [SHUSHES]

[CHURCHGOERS SPEAKING LATIN]

[WILLIAMS CLEARS THROAT]

A careless word of our deal

to Dr. Franklin or Mr. Adams

The atmosphere in Passy

is poisonous enough as it is.

Hazarding my exposure

doesn't do you any good.

You're not His Highness's only

agent in France, you know.

But I am the only one with

Dr. Franklin's confidence.

And Mr. Adams's confidence?

Well, Mr. Adams has

a low view of humanity.

Perhaps it is justified.

[WILLIAMS CHUCKLES]

You're a resourceful fellow.

I'm sure you'll think of something

to win him over.

[PRIEST SPEAKING LATIN]

[CHURCHGOERS SPEAKING FRENCH]

Merci.

[GRUNTS]

[HORSE WHINNYING]

[SIGHS]

[IN FRENCH] If you've come

for the July 4th celebration,

you're a bit late.

Don't concern yourself, Doctor.

I received a full report.

The Apotheosis of Liberty.

What a spectacle.

Then to what do I owe this honor?

You object, perhaps,

to our wish to keep you close.

you have nothing

but my well-being in mind.

It would reflect badly on the police

to have you meet with misfortune.

How can that be when I am

so seldom out of your sight?

[IN FRENCH] We're hardly

the only eyes upon you.

And not everyone is so kindly

disposed to your presence.

What is it you mean to tell me?

That it might be prudent for you

to exercise some caution

in your comings and goings.

[FRANKLIN] Because?

Certain rumors. Nothing more.

why is it that I can never be certain

if you're trying to help

me or to harm me?

Perhaps you have an untrusting nature?

I'm really a very simple man.

[IN FRENCH] Do take care, Doctor.

There's quite enough mayhem

in Paris as it is.

[KNOCKS]

Ah, I thought you might require

a little fortification.

- Mr. Bancroft. Most kind.

- [CHUCKLES]

Come. [SIGHS]

Uh, from my private stock

of Shui Xian no less.

Thank you.

Uh, anything in your tea?

Oh, black, please.

The blacker the better.

- There.

- Thank you.

- [BANCROFT SNIFFS]

- He took the carriage again last night.

Yes. Something about a banquet

for Monsieur Parmentier.

The noted pharmacologist.

Hmm. You've heard of him.

How do you put up with this behavior?

[SIGHS]

One accepts the defects of character

in return for the pleasure

of his company.

What pleasure is that?

[SIGHS]

The truth be told, Mr. Adams.

I'm thankful you've come to bring

some force back to our diplomacy.

I'm glad to hear it, Mr. Bancroft.

Very glad indeed.

You see. [STUTTERS]

And, of course, our regard for

Dr. Franklin remains undimmed.

- [FOOTSTEPS PASSING]

- Uh

In my opinion,

it's high time someone took

the French court to task.

Now, I have been urging

for sterner measures

for some time and it

While I'm here, Mr. Bancroft,

Versailles will have no rest.

Thank providence for that.

More tea?

Thank you.

[SIGHS]

[OBJECT RATTLES]

[OBJECT RATTLES]

[GRUNTING]

[TEMPLE, IN FRENCH]

Leave me be! [GRUNTS]

[TEMPLE GRUNTING]

What is this?

- What does it look like?

- You're kidnapping me?

[PANTING]

You'll never get off the grounds.

I bet we will. Know why?

You're going to tell the

gatekeeper you know us.

to k*ll me first! [GRUNTING]

- [GASPS, PANTING]

- [GIGGLING]

- Boo!

- [LAUGHING]

- You sons of b*tches! You

- [ALL LAUGHING]

[GRUNTS, PANTING]

[IN FRENCH] He's braver than we thought!

have to k*ll me first!"

Don't you idiots have

anything better to do?

Uh, maybe no. Maybe yes.

[IN FRENCH] Drink up, Achilles.

- You're going to need it. [SNIFFS]

- [TEMPLE PANTING]

- [SÉGUR GIGGLING]

- [GROANS]

Coachman, get going!

[LAUGHING]

[NOAILLES] Are you going to marry her?

[TEMPLE] That's what grandfather wants.

"what do you want", is the question.

[IN FRENCH] She's very pleasant.

when she teases me

- and I think? And her family is, uh

- Rich?

- [IN FRENCH] Not that rich.

- Rich enough.

But young Achilles

Has his eye on someone else.

Don't you?

[LAUGHING]

going to sit here all night?

Consider it good practice.

For what?

[HORSE APPROACHING]

[SHUSHES]

Someone's coming.

[IN FRENCH] Do you mean

to stick me with that?

Gilbert.

Lafayette, if you don't mind.

Really?

[LAUGHING]

Of course not.

Let me embrace you, mon ami.

Well, um, not exactly.

More like Auvergne wrapped up

in a bit of New Jersey.

- [IN FRENCH] Insulting an officer.

- I say hang him on the spot.

Or we just stab him.

Oh, yes, that works.

Why the secrecy? Huh?

Technically, I'm under house arrest.

The king doesn't like his marquises

running off to fight someone else's w*r.

now. It's both of our wars.

And that's what we're here to discuss.

[IN FRENCH] Sit down, friends. [SNIFFS]

And let's talk about

the fight for freedom.

Lancaster, Plymouth, Cork.

A squadron of ships

to strike every port.

Force the British to defend the coast,

and they have fewer men and

ships to send to America.

What say you, gentlemen?

And how will this flotilla

be paid for exactly?

We demand tribute from the towns.

Well, that's bold.

And if the towns refuse

to pay for this protection?

[IN FRENCH] We burn them to the ground.

He [MUMBLES]

My friend, some words of

reason here. [CHUCKLES]

The sack of Liverpool alone

would be worth two

million pounds sterling.

Uh, say, a quarter for Lancaster,

half a million for Cork.

You don't mean to say you

approve of this imbecilic scheme?

What's the matter, Mr. Adams?

Is this not virile enough for you?

That's absolutely preposterous.

It's impossible.

Impossible schemes often succeed

because no one expects them.

And how many men would

this escapade require?

No more than 2,000 French soldiers.

[FRANKLIN] No, no, no. Too few, Marquis.

Take four or five thousand.

Do some real damage.

What about a detachment of cavalry

to spread terror from the coast?

An excellent notion. Crush their spirit!

Let fear stalk the land.

Yes, but, uh Wouldn't

inciting terror just

prolong the suffering on both sides?

Giving England a taste of the medicine

that they've been stuffing

down our throats.

That would be a right tonic.

And who will lead this horde

in its depredations?

Who else, monsieur? Myself.

With my companions by my side.

A children's crusade.

What a capital notion.

And a herd of elephants

to rival Hannibal,

stomping their way across Lancashire.

Their wailing captives

driven before them,

bedecked in blood. [CHUCKLES]

Plymouth delenda est.

[LAUGHS]

This is a sorry topic for jest.

This plan is quite serious.

We mean to set sail and

bring England to its knees.

"We"?

Yes. Gilbert, Ségur, Noailles and me.

Gentlemen, would you leave us, please?

This is what happens when

a b*stard begets a b*stard.

Do you know why I brought you here?

[DOOR CLOSES]

To see me successfully

To have a child nearby to

close my eyes when I die.

I'm 19.

That's close enough.

Shall I just wait here then?

Until some fatality overcomes you.

And what do I tell your father?

That I took you from

him only to leave you

at the bottom of the Irish Sea?

Then you would have to talk to him.

No glory in the grave, boy.

[SIGHS]

"We mutually pledge to each other

our lives, our fortunes

and our sacred honor".

Yes, Mr. Jefferson enjoys

his rhetorical flourishes,

but we all signed our names.

We ate a decent supper

and slept in comfortable beds.

Gilbert took a b*llet for those words.

The marquis's house has made

a business of w*r for centuries.

We have been blacksmiths

and candlemakers

and lately have done respectably

well in the printing trade.

Let us each pursue our family's calling

and not seek what is not in our nature.

You wish me to be a coward.

I wish you to be alive,

Temple. And at my side.

That would do more good for our cause

than this this lunatic farrago.

You do not know all there is to know.

But you do?

You will not go, and

there's an end to it.

[TEMPLE SIGHS]

You understand the difficulty?

I know it to be a delicate matter.

Would he accept to talk to a priest?

Hmm. I've urged him

to be open to all things.

To be honest, for me,

what does it matter?

[CROAKS]

It's the appearance that counts.

And if that obligation were met?

If the priest says good, good.

Of course, tout le tralala,

- the business would take some finesse.

- Hmm.

But our arrangement would

remain the same?

Well, I don't like much the idea

of her turning into, um

- An American?

- [GRUNTS]

[CHUCKLES]

We pay for

I pay to fill her head with music,

dancing and Italian, I think.

That's a lot of money to go to waste.

If we settled the matter of faith

to your satisfaction,

and I gave my assurance that

both Temple and I remain

happily in France

We like the boy, Doctor. We do like him.

[IN FRENCH] No doubt about that.

Good.

[SNIFFS, SIGHS]

It's called a chemise à la reine.

Because the queen was

the first to wear it.

Well, not the first, it's really

what any peasant would

But when she put it on

And Madame Bertin,

everyone goes to her now.

I say, "Maman, it isn't fair that

you get your dresses made there

and all I've got is some old"

- I am.

I Um

You were going to show

me your paintings.

[IN FRENCH] But only because you asked.

The garden

Pipou, his nose is all wrong.

Here's the dress I was talking about.

I'm showing him the watercolors.

You mustn't bore him, dear.

I'm not bored. Really.

Perhaps you'd both like

to stroll the terrace.

It's quite a pleasant evening.

It's just walking back and forth.

Do go, if you please.

And be charming.

You can stay.

Is that wise, madame?

I think we can rely on

their good upbringing.

Very well. I suppose I'll just

Non.

- Pardon?

- I said no.

A note. For 100 livres.

Take it and leave.

If you don't take it, I'll have

you seen off the grounds.

And make it known that you are

not to be placed in any house,

in any fashion,

for a hundred miles around Paris.

Not even

to empty the privies.

Monsieur Brillon

Is not worth the trouble.

[SIGHS]

- Madame.

- Husband.

To what do we owe

your graceful presence?

Simply my wish to be between the two men

who most occupy my thoughts.

the varieties of faith

and the constancy of the heart.

You are negotiating the marriage

of our daughter to your grandson.

[IN FRENCH] I don't

suppose you've told him.

Told him what?

What we agreed.

- I don't recall our

- Fine.

My good sir.

loves you, as do I.

So, he does not know how

to say what must be said.

[IN FRENCH] What in blazes are you

[IN FRENCH] In our hearts,

we are united in the belief

that there is only one religion

and one morality.

I recognize the need

[IN FRENCH] But though individuals

may do as they please

and leave others to their prejudices,

families demand a sterner account.

- And so

- Madame, I warn you

without being your children,

we shall be your friends.

[CHUCKLES]

And though it pains us to know

you may seek affection elsewhere,

we shall give you all the care

that is in our power.

union will not take place.

Some are free of mind,

others embrace their

chains and call it liberty.

You cannot reason with them.

But don't be discouraged.

I'll make a match for you.

And we Franklins will have

our perch in the world.

I'll walk back if that's all right.

I'd rather you didn't.

Nothing's going to happen in Passy.

I know you want what's best for me.

[KNOCKS]

Sacking Liverpool?

He was joking.

Doesn't sound funny to me.

Versailles will never agree.

They've already begun

to tire of the w*r.

You discount his powers of persuasion.

He's forbidden his grandson to go.

That leaves 10,000 others

to take his place.

What's their blood to him?

Mr. Adams would oppose it.

Hmm? He distrusts the whole alliance.

What if he had full authority?

Well, Dr. Franklin would

have to be recalled,

and there's small chance of that.

The factions in Philadelphia

are too split.

[SIGHS]

We'll try another way.

[COACHMAN] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Là.

- [HORSE WHINNIES]

- [PEOPLE CHATTERING]

[IN FRENCH] Anything to declare?

[COACHMAN] See for yourself.

With your permission, sir.

- [GRUNTING, GROANING]

- [STABBING]

Ladies and gentlemen! The second call!

[GONG RINGS]

Last call, ladies and gentlemen!

- [GONG RINGING]

- [USHER] Last call!

[BYSTANDERS SCREAMING, CLAMORING]

[BYSTANDER] Il est mort!

[CLAMORING CONTINUES]

[HORSE WHINNYING]

I don't much care for

being up before sunrise.

- I thought you wanted glory.

- I do. Just later in the day.

How do you

How do you sack a city anyway?

[NOAILLES] He'll know about it.

[SÉGUR] Eh.

What happens when we get to Le Havre?

We buy some ships,

recruit a few thousand men,

scrape up some ammunition

[HORSE GALLOPING]

Someone's coming.

My friend. Your grandfather

changed his mind?

[PANTING]

Let's burn England.