Franklin

Fetch the box.

What's wrong?

Merely thinking.

About what?

Roasted pheasant.

Potatoes in butter. Candied carrots.

Chased by a respectable Madeira.

And our mission, of course.

For a young man's instruction, Paris is the only city.

Much indulge the senses but also engage the intellect.

I thought I was meant to help you.

No doubt you will, somehow or another.

How long must we stay?

Until we win France to our side and secure our independence.

Or we are hanged.

Is there a third choice?

I suppose there's always treason.

Best to keep the curtains drawn.

Why?

Because we've been followed every step since we've landed.

So, our presence is a rather badly kept secret.

But I would prefer to avoid pandemonium.

- Docteur Franklin! - Docteur Franklin!

Do they mean to attack us?

They mean to see me.

They have it in their heads that I invented electricity.

Who am I to dissuade them?

Shh.

Merci.

Thank you for the electricity!

Ah. A discreet little entrance.

You know how I hate a fuss.

Well, I must say, you look awful.

Do you speak as a friend or as a physician?

- Both. - How are you keeping, Bancroft?

Hmm, tolerably well.

And the better for your company, sudden as it is.

Well, we'll talk about that in private.

Uh, Temple. Temple.

- Step forward. - Ah.

- And stop looking so wide-eyed. - I...

This is my grandson.

- Sorry... - He can actually speak on occasion.

Dr. Edward Bancroft.

We worked the American bench together in parliament.

No greater patriot or a better man to raise a glass with.

Well, in both respects, I am at best second to your grandfather.

Uh, but, uh, may I ask, what do you think of French women, young master?

I... Well, I've yet to meet any, sir.

My grandfather is keen on a moral education.

Oh, don't listen to him. He's always spouting some nonsense.

This way.

I doubt you heard.

Catastrophe at Fort Washington.

A complete rout.

- How many? - Sixty killed. 3,000 captured.

We've lost New York.

Forgive me. A hard blow on arrival.

All the greater spur for success.

Mmm.

It's remarkable how one's outlook is improved by the passing of wind.

Ah. A subject woefully understudied.

- Perhaps I shall rectify that. - It can only add to your renown.

What is electricity compared to a good fart?

Oh, young master does not approve?

Oh, uh, forgive me. My thoughts are elsewhere.

Oh, what is her name?

America, sir.

She's in need of some rescue.

Since, uh, we are now forced to be earnest,

may I rely upon your confidence?

Oh, you have it.

The Congress has sent me here

to elicit France in our war against England.

Oh, no wonder your guts are twisted.

As an unofficial emissary, I cannot approach Versailles directly.

You're looking for a go-between.

Someone well placed at court.

Well, I have some patients of influence.

You see? I told you we could rely on Mr. Bancroft.

W-Whether they can be persuaded to oblige themselves...

I'll do the persuading. An introduction will suffice.

America's situation...

It's not ideal.

I count the loss of New York as nothing.

Army is merely regrouping.

By spring it will number 80,000 trained men.

And the deeper the British press into the continent, the worse they will fare.

You concur in this opinion, Master Temple?

Respectfully, sir, we are outmanned, outgunned and outspent.

There are many who side with the enemy.

Including some I, at least, hold dear.

Remind me to instruct you in the usefulness of the well-timed lie.

Does he speak the truth?

Unless the French court provides us with men, money and arms,

the United States will end before it has begun.

Good Lord.

Well, I will aid you as I can.

Though, I must say,

I'd... ...rather not be hanged.

Nor would I if I could avoid it.

Though it certainly would empty the bowels.

Mmm.

Hmm.

Uh...

No! No, no, no, no, no, no!

Huh?

You are...

I am.

To what do I owe this honor?

I was hoping for a private word after the rehearsal.

We are very similar, you know, Dr. Franklin.

Really?

How so?

You are a writer. Beaumarchais is a writer.

Beaumarchais is something new in the world of theater.

You are something new in the world of men.

- Hmm. - Uh, you are an American.

And for this, Beaumarchais loves you.

Um, I, uh, hope you will not think me forward if I trade on that affection.

Ah, no. Beaumarchais is yours to ravage.

Do... Do I say this correctly?

You do! You do. And I am most intrigued by the offer.

- Dr. Bancroft isn't yet... - Ah! Ah, a splendid man.

He said nothing of my...

Only that you're a person of some standing in Versailles.

Uh, I am secretary to the king

and... and lieutenant general of the Chase of the Tribunal.

And bailiwick of the Warren of the Louvre.

- Mm-hmm. - Uh, I don't know what it means either.

Tell me, what sort of man is Foreign Minister Vergennes?

- What sort? - Mmm.

- Bien. Y-You see where we are? - Mm-hmm.

Here, one night, you may play the lover.

The next, a king.

After that, a beggar.

But who are you really?

You are what the role requires you to be.

We understand each other perfectly.

I ask you to commit that to memory.

I've divulged its contents to no one.

Not even my associates.

You may count on Beaumarchais's absolute discretion.

Hmm.

Bien.

- Lovers, beggars and kings. - Hmm?

Oui.

Where is it?

Yeah. No idea what you're trying to say.

"M-My name is Temple, but I've come to worship before you."

M-Meaning her... Whoever she is.

It might be best to remain silent and trade upon an air of mystery.

Where is it, Temple?

- Excuse me. - You're supposed to be guarding it.

Where is the damned thing?

The one place you haven't bothered to look.

You might have just told me.

I did. You weren't listening.

And what on earth are you meant to be?

An American.

Chaumont is one of the richest merchants in France.

And I might say the greediest.

If he smells money in it, he will provide all the ships you need.

And what would be the best way to open his purse?

To play your part with conviction.

I will endeavor to do my best.

What about me?

Uh, be honest and plain,

but don't say anything you cannot take back later.

Perhaps I'm overdressed.

We'll get you a fleet by sunset.

Dr. Franklin, allow me the pleasure to present our host...

You do honor to this house, Dr. Franklin.

Here, you are among friends.

And honored to be so, Monsieur Chaumont.

The fur of the Canadian marten.

Oh.

A creature that spends most of the winter asleep.

A condition that I much admire.

- Mmm. - You approve?

Madame, I am sorely tempted

to climb aboard and man the cannons myself.

Bienvenue.

You... You are his grandfather?

Um...

Uh, I'm actually more of his associate.

This means what?

We confer on important matters that I'm not at liberty to discuss.

Alas, I-I-I cannot say.

Attention!

Dr. Franklin.

I'm humbled.

My son. Jacques.

A flair for the dramatic, sir.

Forgive my late arrival.

I was unavoidably detained.

By a lady or by the law?

Possibly both.

I trust you're keeping your head about you.

Why would you say that?