Out of the way!
Make way! Move aside!
Make way!
Move aside!
That's it. I can't go any further.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for such a warm welcome.
And I am--
I am thrilled to be here in Paris.
Follow me, please.
I am--
I am impatient to meet you all... later.
Dr. Franklin, Monsieur Bancroft and the boy
remained at the table for another 32 minutes.
The boy retired at 9:27, Dr. Franklin 46 minutes later.
The last candle was snuffed out at 11:55.
Any visitors?
None managed to secure interviews.
My agents have verified their identities and will proceed accordingly.
Very thorough, lieutenant.
A good policemen takes certain pride in the details.
If that's all, minister?
We don't need people getting ideas in their heads
about this American rebellion, do we?
A few arrests never hurt.
Well then--
You--
Good.
I-Is he gone?
He's heading for his carriage.
And now my coffee's cold.
That's what happens if you work while you eat.
How do you suppose Monsieur Lenoir amuses himself?
I don't know.
Drinking the tears of children?
Could you have Ayaz lay out my red brocade?
Who are you meeting with?
Who do you think?
Well, don't wear that.
Then what?
The velvet.
With the leopard fur.
You always look good in it.
I believe, Your Majesty, that Dr. Franklin has come
to persuade us to join America's fight against England.
The last war cost us Canada and all our territory east of the--
Mississippi, Your Majesty.
To say nothing of our possessions in India.
And 20 million livres in debt.
Why should we play mercenary now?
To cripple our enemy by embracing this new nation.
With what?
England controls the seas.
Our navy is being rebuilt to its former strength.
The first minister knows that.
The Americans have no chance of winning.
And the foreign minister knows that.
They can win.
With our backing.
Are these insurgents reliable?
They are political amateurs who know nothing of the world.
They know enough to seek our help.
And we can use them to our advantage.
France should be everyone's friend, but no one's ally.
Let Britain and America destroy each other.
England seeks our ruin.
Here's a chance to seize her trade and make her taste submission.
Perhaps all this talk of liberty has turned your head.
I have no care for liberty, Your Majesty.
Only for France.
You will have nothing to do with Dr. Franklin on our behalf.
If Your Majesty might--
You may leave us now, Count Vergennes.
Sire.
I was right! It was the comte Almaviva.
I think it's the mischievous Figaro.
The man himself, my lord.
Ah, my friend, Figaro!
Would that we could exchange places.
Does Your Excellency know many masters who would make good valets?
The line is, "who would be worthy of valets?"
"Who would be worthy of valets?"
Say the words precisely!
When I want you to improvise, I will tell you what to say!
Again, please.
This is a closed rehearsal.
Remove yourself at once.
Get out!
100 tons of powder, 100,000 livres.
80,000 blankets, 56,000 livres.
100 tons of saltpeter, 110,000 livres.
Eight ships of the line, 7,730,000 livres.
The American situation is worse than I feared.
In my opinion, it would be prudent to provide the Americans
with enough assistance to put them on an equal level of strength with England.
Equal, but not superior.
Statecraft is not stagecraft, Monsieur Beaumarchais.
Is there really any difference?
You should be aware that His Majesty has made it clear
this office is to have no communication with Dr. Franklin.
Yet, you entertained this audience.
How did you leave the conversation?
With promises to introduce Dr. Franklin to certain suppliers of contraband.
There might be armaments in the royal arsenal no longer in use.
But we have no ships to put them in.
I may be able to provide the ships.
I didn't say the armaments were yours.
I simply said they might exist.
The longer Dr. Franklin remains in Paris, the more his presence becomes troublesome.
Persuade our guest he would be happier in the country.
With fewer people to distract him.
You may rely on Beaumarchais.
I would like to present Dr. Franklin of Philadelphia.
Pardon me, but it's difficult to understand all of you
when everyone speaks at the same time.
Welcome, man of the new world.
Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont.
Monsieur Chaumont, the esteemed Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
My wife, Thérèse.
Madame, it's an honor.
I find your hat delightful, Dr. Franklin.
What is it?
But the splendor of your own adornment...
I call it, "Coiffure de l'Indépendance."
Allow me to introduce my grandson, Temple Franklin.
What's that on his head?
Better check to see if someone's spaniel's gone missing.
Remind me where America is?
Somewhere between India and purgatory.
I should like to go there.
And do what, madame?
Play piano for the red Indians.
They're all savages.
"Everyone gives the title of barbarism to whatever is not his practice."
My wife, no doubt, quotes some book.
A practice I have always found without purpose.
Indeed.
What could be more useless?
Yes. I mean, no.
He is my grandson.
It is a secret?
And dangerous?
Ladies and gentlemen. Dinner is--
Dear parents, I beg indulgence for my--
You smell of drink.
Clean yourself up.
Let's all go inside, yes?
Everyone.
Please. Now.
If you will.
Fill my glass. I'm thirsty.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Honored guests.
Please join Madame Chaumont and me
in welcoming the esteemed Dr. Franklin and his grandson
to our little rustic retreat.
I thank you all.
I may be one of the ancients,
but I learn that most things,
sex better than war.
Of course. Excuse me.
I'm sorry, Madame.
I've disturbed you.
Not at all.
I came here for quiet.
Perhaps you have as well?
And two may be as quiet together as one.
You play beautifully.
Maestro Boccherini was a good teacher.
I'm not familiar with the piece.
I only wrote it just now.
So easily?
The feeling gives birth to the idea. Don't you find?
I wish it were so. But I must work to be clever.
I am delighted to meet you.
What business do you have here?
What do you want with him?
The queen!
A needle! A needle!
Over there.
Thank you.
- I must see him immediately. - It's customary
to make an appointment first, Marquis.
If you please.
Sir, we have the grandson of Dr. Franklin. He is delivering a message.
- The marquis de Lafayette is here as well. - Shit, him again?
Bring the boy in.
Do you have business with Count Vergennes?
If you please--
Monsieur le Comte, when will you entertain my request?
In due time, Marquis.
The cause of liberty cannot be kept waiting forever.
If you'll permit me, I have business with this young man.
Mr. Secretary.
Marquis, this visitor is new to France and the court.
I count on you to acquaint him with our customs.
Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier.
The marquis de Lafayette, at your service.
Then we must be friends.
Be sure to have him back here promptly at 12:00 tomorrow.
- On the dot, monsieur. - Better go this way.
Will you take my plea to the king?
Be back by noon.
My American friend.
They say you can walk for days in the Ohio forest and never see the sky.
- Is this true? - It could be.
I will go there and see it myself.
Sorry?
The proper adjustments, please.
We want the silhouette of a man, not a slug.
Is the wig here?
No violet. I don't want to see any violet.
Let's try on the green immediately. It'll work much better.
Yes.
We can take some length away there for a more striking silhouette.
Because he's not very tall.
Yes. Those could be interesting.
That's nice.
What about these? These could work.
Here, we drink champagne.
Don't look at people too much.
We let them look at us.
This way, Monsieur le marquis de Lafayette.
I will be the one to ask him.
- And mostly glory. - Don't forget honor.
Yes, honor. And--
To kill British!
My country cousin. He is very hot-blooded.
Oh, don't be so morbid, Gilbert.
There is nothing for us here.
Nothing but the court and its stupid rituals.
How do you say?
You talk too loud, Gilbert. Anyone here could be a "nose".
Hey, spies!
Say hello to our friend from America!
This way, please.
Alone.
Did he come alone?
He came with a gentleman.
Serve him tea, and make sure he stays in the carriage.
Yes, sir.