[drums banging rhythmically]
[officer chanting] Left, right, left!
Right! Left, right, left!
Left, right, left!
[chanting continues]
Left, right, left!
[chanting continues]
[soldiers jeering, laughing]
[drums continue banging]
[officer 2] That's right! Go back to England.
[laughing, jeering continues]
[officer 3] And go home!
[in French] They won't even look at us.
I think we can get their attention.
[soldier 4, in English] Get on home!
Boys, give them a bit, uh-- Something livelier to march to.
[soldiers playing Yankee Doodle]
Hey, rosbifs! Over here! Over here!
You lost!
How does it feel, huh?
To lose against an army of rebels and frogs?
I and certain other personages from New York have discussed
forming a society dedicated to the principle.
My own conviction is that abolition is a necessity,
but one which must be approached in the most carefully incremental manner.
On the matter of manumission, for example, I think release from servitude fitting
once the purchase price has been earned back.
What have I promised you, Benoit?
I shall be freed after seven years, Mr. Jay.
And so you shall, assuming that certain conditions are met.
We're here.
[John] He has arranged things just to his liking, of course.
He pays no rent. Treats his debts as mere suggestions.
The grandson gads about like some cock of the walk
- whilst calling himself his secretary. - [Jay] Hmm.
And more to the point, he's enthralled to his masters at Versailles.
I strongly urge you to regard his every utterance with the greatest skepticism.
You believe him diminished by age?
I believe he should never have been entrusted
with the commission to begin with.
Did we win at Yorktown only to bend our knee before a French king?
We have been instructed to do so.
But do you mean to follow those instructions?
In spirit.
- [door opens, closes] - But not necessarily in letter.
My good Dr. Franklin.
Mr. Jay.
Have you come here to relieve a weary man of his burden?
No, sir.
But, by the will of Congress, I am here to aid you in the making of peace.
- What do you have in mind? - To give away little and gain much.
My intentions precisely.
Something you wish to say?
I have already said it.
Mr. Adams thinks me too accommodating of our allies.
Possibly he mentioned it.
To be everyone's friend is to be no one's.
A dilemma that you'll never be burdened by.
- I did not come here to be liked. - Well, you have succeeded admirably.
Perhaps it would be better to meet tomorrow.
Nonsense. Nonsense. I've set out a dinner for us here.
That's all we need to--
- Doctor? - [Franklin] Ah, just a twinge.
- It's... - Do you require--
I'm fine. I'm fine.
Will you agree to parlay a roast and a good port?
- I would consent to meet them halfway. - Mmm. Shall we?
Does your man need to eat?
I wouldn't know.
[in French] You must be pleased with yourself.
Why is that?
The British surrendered. You got what you paid for.
Or should I say, what you ransacked the treasury for.
As if you had nothing to do with it.
I'm not playing with toy soldiers halfway across the world.
- [sighs] - I just count the money.
You told the king it wouldn't cost a sou.
But you're the one who spent it.
Your point?
You think this America of yours will turn a profit?
Huh?
And all that gold flows back to France?
It's a reasonable bet.
What if you're wrong?
What if the Americans and the British make their own deal and cut us out of it?
- They can do nothing without our consent. - Oh, really?
Is that what you'd do if you could get away with it?
You're a sly little conniver, Necker.
And you're not?
This country could go bankrupt, you know.
That wouldn't turn out well.
For either of us.
[clears throat]
[Vergennes] Very well, gentlemen. Let's get this meeting over with.
[meeting attendees chattering]
[Vergennes] Ah, oui.
[audience cheering] Bravo! Bravo!
[cheering, applause continues]
I'm telling you Beaumarchais was in the audience.
- I didn't notice him. - He left before the last scene.
Then he can go fuck himself.
[chuckles] You think he came to see you?
Why not? I'm the only one in this company with any talent.
- And I'm the king's ball sack. - [hisses]
[laughter, chattering in distance]
[sighs]
I BOW BEFORE MY QUEEN.
[sighing]
TINCTURE OF ARSENIC
[stagehand] Odette, you have a visitor.
Just a moment.
Enter.
What a gentleman.
I'd hardly recognize you.
You got the flowers?
Are they from you?
How kind.
It's nothing compared to what you deserve.
It's very sweet. And you're very sweet to give them to me.
I'd give you the world if that's what you wanted.
What would I do with such a gift?
Anything you'd like.
I think about you all the time.
[chuckles] I can't possibly be worth it.
What about you?
Do you think about me?
Now, you need to listen.
Someone's coming here and we'll need to be alone.
- [sighs] - Do you understand?
What if I don't like that?
You could challenge him to a duel.
But I'd be very unhappy if you lost.
[whispers] I wouldn't lose.
That would be even worse.
What do you mean?
Monsieur Beaumarchais was here tonight.
He couldn't stop raving about my performance.
I invited him to visit.
There's a part in his new play, and...
You don't want to spoil that for me, do you?
When can I see you?
Later. Yes?
[sighing]
[in English] There is the matter of our instructions.
What is there to say except we are bound to follow them?
Are we, though?
Meaning what?
That Congress has prostituted itself
by surrendering its sovereignty to the comte de Vergennes.
[chuckles] Now, there's a reasonable statement.
We didn't fight a war to be ordered about by Versailles.
Ingratitude is hardly a way to establish America's reputation.
Here is your friend's demand for our borders.
Everything west of the Allegheny is left to Spain for France's own purposes
or reserved for the benighted natives.
With Britain squatting above us like a pasha over a chamber pot.
Is this the nation you imagined?
I would not object to a helping of Canada.
How do you propose to get it?
Since our hosts are not inclined to serve it.
By goodwill and friendly persuasion.
[John] See why you were sent for, sir?
If we cannot count on France, then upon who else may we depend?
On God and ourselves, Dr. Franklin.
You would deliberately violate Congress's instructions?
They are 3,000 miles and two months away.
Why have they entrusted us with this task if not to do as we see fit?
That is sophistry, Mr. Jay.
Then I will be clear.
If those instructions compromise our honor, I would break them.
Like this.
[in French] It's me.
Odette?
[in English] It's not what you think. She had an accident.
What kind of accident?
It's more like a mistake. But it's done with, and she's all right now.
Why did she send for you?
I suppose she trusts me.
You don't care about her. You don't care about anyone but yourself.
[scoffs]
You won't like it.
Odette.
[Odette gasps]
- [in French] Are you ill? - I felt sick. That's all.
- I'll fetch a doctor. - No reason.
[sighs]
You're cold.
[whispers] I'm fine.
Tell me what's wrong.
It's not serious. Just something I needed to take care of.
What does that mean? Tell me.
She means she's not ready to give up the ingenue roles just yet.
[Temple swallows]
Was it mine?
[swallows] I'm tired.
[in English] It's time to grow up.
[sex workers chuckling]
[Bancroft clears throat]
I'm here.
Ah. Ashcroft, is it?
Bancroft.
Of course. Terribly sorry.
Who are you?
Strachey. Undersecretary to the Home Office.
I expect you know why I'm here.
In the Palais-Royal?
In Paris.
Well, negotiate a peace with the Americans, I should think.
Hard to believe it's come to that, but, uh, there we have it.
Awkward thing is, I have somehow been charged with, uh--
Well, your man that you, uh...
- How to put it-- - Sold secrets to.
He shan't be coming round again.
What does that mean?
He's been sent on.
Well, where to?
Really couldn't say. Suriname?
[stammers, chuckles] H-He's gone?
Oh, absolutely. Yes.
But also no.
[Bancroft] Beg your pardon?
You don't happen to know his whereabouts, do you?
Well, I thought he'd be here.
But he's not, though. I'm here.
I don't suppose you've got any new bits to pass along?
It'd be ever so helpful, you see, as we, uh, stagger forward.
It's all in the report, I'm afraid.
Yes. Of course.
All right then.
Ever been to Florida?
I've not had that privilege.
Have a plantation there. Indigo.
Requires a great lot of Negroes.
Expect I'll lose it all.
[sighs]
[chuckles]
Come, come. Uh, the both of you.
- [sex worker] Oh. [laughs] - [Bancroft chuckles]
[patrons chattering]
[dealer, in French] Young sir. The bet is to you.
You and me, eh?
How's that?
Till the last candle gutters out.
Bon.
Merde.
What?
[in English] I wish you luck.
[in French] I've watched the queen play this at Versailles.
We're graced with royalty.
The losing card.
I took you for quality the moment I saw you.
I said to myself, here's a man who knows how to appreciate--
[dealer] The winning card.
Oh.
We're all fortune's fools, eh?
You bet the jack.
What?
[Temple] You bet the jack.
Not the 10.
You're mistaken.
You moved your tokens.
How did I do that?
[patrons exclaiming, murmuring]
[groaning, panting]
[patron] Oh, non!
[both grunting, panting]
[patrons gasp]
[grunting continues]
You want to think about what you do next.
[gasping, panting]
So do you.
- [patron] Count Artois. [sighs] - [patron 2] It's the king's brother.
[Charles] He fixes a horsehair to the bottom token.
And while he's talking, he slides his stack over.
Isn't that so?
- [Temple groans] - You can't blame a man for trying,
Your Grace.
[panting]
[Charles] The other pocket.
Go away.
[groans, pants]
What's all that horseshit about you and my sister-in-law?
It's true.
I was in Versailles with my grandfather.
And who's he?
[panting]
Benjamin Franklin.
[chuckles] That's right.
You're Lafayette's little monkey.
I'm not anybody's anything.
- [chuckles] - [groans]
And now the great hero is off fighting for freedom again.
How absolutely fucking noble.
[sighs] Good riddance to him.
And you do what, exactly?
Whore, drink, gamble...
[chuckles] Very good.
We have interests in common.
[panting continues]
Come along.
We'll find something or other for you.
[chuckles]
[groans]
[in English] Are we in agreement?
We leave them no room for equivocation.
They must affirm they will not parlay with Britain without telling us first.
They'll demand the same of us.
Which our instructions already make plain.
They will not see past that shadow.
So let us be frank amongst ourselves.
We mean to deceive.
No.
We mean to lawyer.
Do you concur?
- Dr. Franklin, do you concur? - Let's seek our terms.
[sighs]
[Vergennes] I am unclear as to what you are actually saying.
You have read our instructions, sir, and see what we are charged with.
I have read them, yes.
Then what is your concern?
Not all orders are... [sighs] ...obeyed.
[John] Meaning what?
Only what I have said.
That is an outrageous accusation.
I accuse you of nothing, Mr. Adams.
[John] You called me a liar to my face.
But you have just told me you are not. Why would I doubt you?
And you, sir?
What assurance have we
that you will not make your own peace with Britain and leave us bereft?
The same assurance you have given me.
Is that not sufficient?
You do not regard the word of Congress as bo--
[groaning]
- I-I beg your pardon. - He's playacting again.
[groans, sighs]
Monsieur le Comte, my friend.
Doctor, you are in pain.
You and I, we have walked a long road together, have we not?
We have. With many turns.
And I've come to know you as a true and generous ally
and an honest man.
[sighs]
Now the end that we have both sacrificed years to is in sight,
and we're both eager at the gate.
But I say, before all assembled in this room...
we will not betray you.
And faithful to you we shall remain, mon ami.
- [person speaks French] - What was that?
- I said what was true. - That's not what we agreed.
You two agreed. I only listened.
Do you side with America, France or merely yourself?
Dr. Franklin, I hold you in the highest regard, but if we do not act in concert--
- Enough of this puffery. - Mr. Adams, please.
No. I will not hold my tongue in the face of--
[cane clatters]
- [rain pattering] - [thunder rumbling]
[groaning]
[grunts]
[thunder rumbling]
What devilment have you been up to?
You're not supposed to talk.
[groaning] Yet I am doing so.
Well?
[Temple sighing]
[Temple pants]
I have obtained a position at court.
As what? A punch bag?
That was a separate affair.
Oh, you worry me, boy.
Best worry about yourself.
[sighs]
- Do as you see fit. - [sighs]
Ah, my tormentor. What punishment will you inflict upon me?
Well, no doubt you've made your own diagnosis.
A bladder stone I've had at least 50 years.
And now it is having you.
Can he be helped?
Lithotomy. [sighs]
Lithos, stone. Tomos, cut.
An incision through the abdomen above the pubis and the gravel removed with forceps.
Can you perform such an operation, Mr. Bancroft?
[stammers, sighs]
I would rather entrust it to others with more experience.
But it would cure him?
Uh, where are Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay?
[Temple] Just-- Just outside.
Can you fetch them?
If your courtly rank allows that.
[groaning, sighing]
[sighing deeply]
He was at your side all night. I could not make him leave.
How would you parse the odds?
Of surviving the procedure? [sighs]
You've calculated that already.
I am in agony, friend.
Then you may chance it.
But I will have no part in such butchery.
In the meantime... [sighs] ...you must not move.
It would be better to somehow approach the, uh-- The urethra.
A tube of some clever design slid up the canal and--
[grunts]
How are you keeping now, sir?
Fit for the Labors of Hercules.
No such exertions will be required, I think.
[John clears throat]
Yes, Mr. Adams?
I wish to--
That is to say, I should not have doubted your distress.
Perhaps I gave you cause.
Mr. Adams and I have been discussing how to proceed.
We are both of the mind that delay will not aid our cause.
It will not.
[Jay] And so, we think it best to move forward with the British.
Keeping you, of course, informed of our progress.
Within reason.
And the pledge to our allies?
Well, you gave your word.
I propose something else.
We convene here,
and so act in harmony towards our common goal.
You really deem that prudent?
What says Versailles?
You see how it is?
Not even the drumbeat of mortality can penetrate that colossal self-regard.
- Mr. Adams-- - He would insist from the grave
that he is indispensable.
We are to gather by his sickbed so that he, only he,
- may cut the Gordian knot... - Mr. Adams--
...and deliver onto us his audience, his worship--
Mr. Adams!
We need him.
[in French] What do you want?
I'm here to serve the Count of Artois.
[laughing]
Says who?
[clicks tongue]
Through there.
[door opens]
Get on with it.
[door closes]
[pages murmuring]
Whose man are you?
[sighs]
I serve the Count of Artois.
[chuckles]
He serves the Count of Artois!
[pages laughing, mocking]
[mocking]
[laughing, mocking continues]
[all cheering]
[speaking French]
[laughter continues]
Who do you serve?
[receptionist] Let's go! Step lively, you miserable squirrels!
- [pages clamoring] Merci. Monsieur! - [receptionist] Get these delivered!
Hurry! Do this quickly!
[clamoring continues]
- [page] Sir, please! - [page 2] Please, sir. Please.
[both speak French]
[receptionist] There.
[speaks French]
[pages complaining]
[sighing]
Marie, you'll have to wash this sheet again.
And Louison, you can take--
Well, don't just stand there.
I'm not going to beg you.
[grunts]
[in English] If only I had brought my sketchbook.
[stammers] Madame.
How are you?
[grunts] Lifted by your arrival.
After too long an absence.
I have been occupied with family affairs, I'm afraid.
All is well, I hope.
Absolument.
I am to be a grandmother.
Oh, it's life's greatest blessing.
You are engaged in weighty matters, I am told.
Horse trading, madame. Plain and simple.
And Mr. Temple?
He flourishes, I expect.
He, um--
He's embarked upon a career at court.
I never doubted his prospects.
[in French] Do you intend to keep throwing knives at each other?
[chuckles]
[stammers] What would you have me do?
I've already bathed him and changed the sheets. Let's get him onto the bed.
[in English, stammers] I can manage that myself, thank you.
[grunting, groaning]
[sighs]
- [Anne gasps] Ooh. Ooh! - [Franklin grunts, sighs]
[groaning continues]
You are rather enjoying this, aren't you?
No. No, no. No, not under the circumstances.
We are happy to leave you being.
No, I-- [groans] I bid you to stay.
Please. Both of you. Please.
[kisses]
I brought you something, mon bon papa. Can you guess what it is?
A, um, suckling pig and a well-aged sherry?
[chuckles] Not exactly.
[sighs]
[Anne] You must keep warm.
[in French] Let him in.
First Minister. May I introduce...
Who are you really, anyway?
That's up to you.
Mr. Paul Wentworth.
Monsieur le Comte. What a singular honor.
[in English] You fancy yourself a gentleman?
[sighs] Only when it suits.
And you are in this country why?
I'm fond of a good Bordeaux.
[in French] Don't arse about. You're not in a tavern.
[sighs]
[in English] To secure victory for England against the rebels.
You do not seem to have succeeded.
[in French] Not for lack of trying.
Eh, my little worm?
[in English] Tell me about the negotiation between Britain and America.
The Americans mean to fuck you over the first chance they get.
[in French] If it's all right to say that here.
[in English] Dr. Franklin swore to me otherwise.
I swore I'd love some wench forever last night.
Today I couldn't tell you her name.
We're after the same thing, you know.
What is that?
The best end to a bad bargain.
[scoffs]
We do not wish to get it in the same way.
No. You like some perfume between you and the stink.
That's what makes you a true gentleman.
- [in French] Get him out of my sight. - You wanted a lever. I brought you one.
You brought me a pig rooting in the swill.
[Lenoir] What do you want me to do with him?
Hang him for all I care.
You see? I get my prize either way.
[door shuts]
Et...
If he's telling the truth?
I'm sending you to London.
[sighs]
We need to make sure our own interests come first.
[grunts]
[in English] I prefer beheading. It's all the same to you.
Mmm. With pleasure. But later.
[in French] In the meantime,
you'll keep me informed about what your countrymen are up to here.
[in English] I call this highly irregular.
It is rather not to our advantage, Mr. Oswald.
We are already on unfriendly soil.
And what precise room we negotiate in is of little moment.
But we're coming to them.
It does tilt the balance a bit.
[laughs]
Would you have us turn and leave?
I simply note the circumstances.
[Oswald] Mm-hmm.
Mr. Grenville?
They shan't be getting Newfoundland. I tell you that.
[horse blusters]
Dr. Franklin, I am honored to be in your company.
Though sorry to see you so indisposed.
Oh, think nothing of it, sir. I'm grateful for your accommodation.
Perhaps future negotiations should take place with us all abed.
[groans]
Merely a suggestion.
Before we proceed,
do you regard yourselves as beholden to France
concerning agreements we come to here?
We intend to act in whatever fashion--
Permits us to remain in concert with our faithful allies.
[Oswald] I ask only because their interests are not yours.
And you may find yourselves bound by treaty to a war you do not wish to fight.
Debts paid are still obligations owed.
A point of honor for men.
But nations use a different calculus, do they not?
[John] Three matters are of the essence.
Our unqualified independence, the removal of all your troops
and the extent of our boundaries.
We are eager to discuss reparations for seized property.
Plantations, for example.
On what grounds?
On the grounds that subjects loyal to the Crown be compensated for their losses.
And of the depredations that you have visited on Americans?
What recompense for them?
It was your own lawless rebellion which gave cause to--
Can we agree to discuss this issue in a free and open manner at a later date?
So I'd wish, Mr. Oswald, but neither one of us is getting any younger.
What do you propose?
Canada.
What of it?
You give it to us.
Which part?
All of it.
Does that include Newfoundland?
I would imagine.
- That is an impossibility. - It is an imperative.
How so?
New England's ancient stake in the sacred codfish.
A century of thieving fishermen does not constitute a legal claim.
By natural right of usage under English common law.
Perhaps having once taken a stroll past the Royal Mint,
you might also like His Majesty's Treasury.
Enough of this peevish nonsense.
- I will not be hectored. - Dr. Franklin.
Mr. Oswald.
What would be the chance of a cup of tea?
[sighs]
[receptionist, in French] Let's go! Step lively, you wretched lickspittles!
- [pages clamoring] - [receptionist speaking French]
[clamoring continues]
- [receptionist speaks French] - [Temple panting]
Excuse me? Hello.
- Message for Monsieur Gérard. - Give it to me.
I'm supposed to hand it to him personally.
Then you'll have to chase him all the way to England.
[in English] Strachey is nothing but a pompous dissembler.
As for Grenville, that untutored cub... He needs a good boxing about the ears.
But Oswald. Oswald is a canny one like all his kind.
One-eyed men?
The Scots.
I feared you were going to say that.
Are you so blind to not see he intends to divide us?
No, nor so foolish as to let him do it.
That blunder will fall to someone else.
Me? Is that what you imply?
That I would be the age-- That my resolve--
You actually have the temerity to--
Gentlemen!
[sighs]
It has been a long day.
You may think me excitable and overkeen to judge, but mark me.
His folly demur for France is a stone that will drag us under.
[in French] Come close, gentlemen!
An exceptional show tonight!
For ten sols! Only ten sols!
Come and see, gentlemen! The great Pyrenean bosom!
[speaking French]
Do not hesitate but wait for your turn, gentlemen!
Don't be shy! Everyone can have their turn!
Did sir find pleasure?
Yes. Marvelous.
Hey, chevalier, fancy a ride?
Look what I've got here for you.
I'll take you to heaven.
I'll take you to hell.
Are you lost?
I've run away from home.
A cruel stepfather?
He locked me in the tower.
But you escaped.
Rescued by my beloved.
Where is he?
Lost on a battlefield
in a place called Virginia.
Died for America, did he?
And took my heart with him.
How can I help?
Five livres.
Up front.
[in English] I do love a good story.
[chuckles]
[in French] Through here.
Yes.
[shouts, breathes shakily]
[in English] Oh. Hello.
Not happy to see me?
No. On the contrary, dear friend. I--
I feared some ill fate had befallen you. Judging by your look, I suspect--
Do you remember what I told you?
What exactly?
I'd take you with me.
To Suriname?
To the devil.
- What is that? - It's the boy's admission of treason.
You don't recognize it? You did write it, after all.
Wha--
- What-- What am I to do with it now? - Hand it to a willing recipient.
Our masters have already begun to negotiate.
I mean, what would be the point?
It would stop me from nosing you out for the two-faced fucker you are.
They'll hang you for that,
dear friend.
I did pay her five livres.
I'll see it doesn't go to waste.
- [Franklin groaning] - [urine splashing]
[Franklin] M-Make yourself useful.
[groaning]
Is it the fashion to dress as a page now?
[Temple] The queen has a taste for simplicity.
[Franklin groans] No doubt you'll soon be a prince
done up in rags.
Gérard's gone to England.
- Come again? - He left this afternoon.
[Franklin panting]
You know this how?
I have an intimate in his office.
And the purpose of his journey?
I couldn't say.
But if we were at chess, I'd keep an eye on Monsieur Vergennes's king-side bishop.
[sighs] I managed to teach you something after all.
It seems we're obliged to play a different game ourselves now.
But you gave your word.
Did I?
A shame, really.
I do so like the French.
Sorry to disturb you at such an hour, but, um--
[stammers] Something has come to light and I--
Well, I'm compelled to seek out the wisest counsel I know.
[chuckles] You are too generous.
[chuckles] You are too modest.
As you may be aware,
I have, on occasion, aided Dr. Franklin in the organizing of his papers.
A fool's errand, if you ask me.
Nonetheless, I have tried.
To my dismay, I discovered... [chuckles]
...that I unwittingly took some correspondence back to my lodgings.
No great cause for consternation.
Of course, of course. But... [breathes shakily]
I found this.
In Master Temple's hand.
I-I-I cannot attest to its veracity, nor explain why the doctor kept it secret.
And why show it to me?
Because too much is at stake to trust a man whose loyalties are suspect.
Well...
you have come to your senses at last.
Sir?
The son, the grandson, and yet somehow the patriarch is without sin.
Have I not warned against his duplicity for years?
I did not wish to believe it.
Our fates cannot be founded on wishes.
May I keep this?
If you must. I...
Bancroft, I commend you.
As a patriot.