
The Rose of Versailles

Episode 13

The Wind of Arras, Please Respond...

translated by GinRei
edited by Usagi B

 [] = description of the scenes
 () = alternative translations (feel free to put them or drop them), and
      sometimes my comments or explanations
 {} = translation of what it says on the screen

**********************************************************************
 notes on names:
 Andre should be spelled with "/" accent acute over the "e"
 Francois should be spelled with a cedilla (like "5") under the "c".
 Alaste should be spelled with "/" accent acute over the "e"
**********************************************************************



NANNY
Hey, hey, hey, wait, Andre!

ANDRE
Th-this is terrible!

NANNY
You, moron!

ANDRE
Ouch!
W-w-wait!
There're reasons for all this...

NANNY
Who cares about your excuses!?
You were with her! Yet, you let our precious Mademoiselle
get involved in a duel!
You're of no use!

OSCAR
Forgive him, Nanny.
It's not Andre's fault.

NANNY
It is! (or, It's his!)
Not only didn't he stop the duel, but a month of confinement !
No matter what others say, it's your fault!

ANDRE
That's nonsense, Grandma!

NANNY
What do you mean, "nonsense"?! You idiot, moron!
As a punishment, you lock yourself in a closet without a supper!

ANDRE
N-no, not THAT!

NANNY
Stop complaining, you...!
Wait, Andr...

[accidently hits herself with a frying pan]

ANDRE
Grandma!

OSCAR
You've had enough, Nanny.
Please prepare for our journey.

NANNY
A journey?

OSCAR
This is a good opportunity to
inspect the Jarjeyes' property in Arras.

NANNY
What?! (or, How can you?!)
The Master is away from home, garrisoned at a border.
And more importantly,...
what if the Court learns that you are not at home during
confinement?

OSCAR laughs
It's OK. Tell them that I became insane from the shock, and was put into a
hospital.

NANNY
Oh, my...I'll be in a trouble!

OSCAR
There's nothing to worry about.
Andre, we'll depart early tomorrow morning.
 (Since) the "hospital" that we'll be in is (located) far away.

NANNY
Ah, my blood pressure (is again)...

[Nanny faints]

ANDRE
Oh, no!

[opening title]

{Episode 13: The Wind of Alas, Please Respond...}

ANDRE
Severe. It's too severe.
I mean, your punishment. Her Majesty is too harsh to order you a month of
confinement.

OSCAR
You're wrong, Andre.

ANDRE
Wrong?

OSCAR
Whether I won or lost, I was expecting lose my rank as a Head Commande.
If things turned out worse, I would have been discharged
from the military. A punishment of confinement was to save face for the Duke
(family) and to cool things down. It was a kind gesture for Lady
Antoinette.

ANDRE
I see, you were that much determined to have the duel.

OSCAR
Don't look like that, Andre. (or, You're making such a face, Andre. ...
sort of brushing Andre's admiration aside)
Just think of it as getting a vacation (/leave?) unexpectedly.

ANDRE
I guess so. All right, we'll get to the village of Arras by the evening if we
hurry.

OSCAR
For dinner, what about country-style vegetable soup, Bouillie a la Calais
(Bouillie is a thick soup, almost a stew), and
handmade cheese and Calvatos (an apple-wine used as a digestif.)
by Monsieur Alaste?

ANDRE
Oh, dear! Let's get there at full gallop, Oscar!

OSCAR laughs
You're such a glutton.
Go!

[Andre and Oscar resting by a river]

ANDRE
Well, We'll get to Arras soon.

ANDRE
Oh, that's...
Monsieur Sugan. It's been a long time.

OSCAR
What's wrong? It's me, Oscar.

SUGAN
What brought you here today?

OSCAR
Oh, I just came here to look around.
(I remember) That's your youngest boy...?

SUGAN
Yes, (his name is) Gilbert.

OSCAR
Bonjour, Gilbert.
Last time I saw you, you were still a baby.
You've grown up.

[Gilbert hides]

SUGAN
Please excuse us.

[Sugan leaves]

OSCAR
It seems I'm not very popular.

ANDRE
I don't think that's true.
But I've never seen him so unfriendly before.

SIGN: {ALLAS}
(Arras, NW France, near Calais. Robespierre's hometown.)

ALASTE
Welcome!
Ah, Lady Oscar!

OSCAR
It's been a long time.

ALASTE
My goodness, you look splendid!
And Andre, too. Wow, it's been really a long time!
You've become a Grand Commander in the Royal Guard. I've heard about 
your rumors of promotion. General Jarjeyes must be delighted, too.

ANDRE
Monsieur, cook us some of that food you're so proud of.
We've been riding on  horses since this morning. I'm so hungry!

ALASTE
OK, OK. I'll cook a special meal (/food/dish) with the utmost care today!

ROBESPIERRE
Can I have another cup of tea, please.

ALASTE
Yes, sure!

OSCAR
Didn't you give a congratulatory speech for the School of Louis
le Grand at Louis XVI's coronation?

ROBESPIERRE
You remembered me. I'm Maximilien Robespierre

OSCAR
I'm the Royal Guard Grand Commander Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes.

ROBESPIERRE
I remember you, too. I was fascinated by the beautiful Royal Guard Commander.
Please sit down. (or, Please take a seat)

OSCAR
Thank you.

ROBESPIERRE
Right now, I'm studying law in a (post) graduate course.
I'll eventually go to a university and become a lawyer.

OSCAR
I see. Did you come here for a vacation then?

ROBESPIERRE
A vacation? No way!
I've come here to help the peasants in the next province.
The ruthless monks at a monestary are trying to take away their lands.!

OSCAR
Monks?!

ROBESPIERRE
Yes! They claim the backing of the devine authority, and they prey on the
weak!
Mademoiselle de Jarjeyes, I regret terribly that I made
that congratulatory speech on the coronation Day.
(Note: From the Japanese it's not clear if he really knows
Oscar is a woman.)

OSCAR
Why is that?

ROBESPIERRE
We had a great expectation for the new king. We thought a new age would come.
But look now! Our life hasn't changed a bit.
The prices of products rise
everyday, and the people are exhausted. The whole country is dying!
I've heard that the new Queen is nothing but a hedonist.
The King is under the Queen's thumb.
The nobles and clergies are becoming rude and making the people suffer.
Isn't the Queen responsible for all this?

[Oscar stands up suddently]

ROBESPIERRE
Please forgive me if I upset you.
That was stupid of me.
I forgot that you are a Commander in the Royal Guard, serving the
Royal family.
Pardon me.

This is for the tea (monsieur).

But please remember this.
I intend to save France from dying.
Even if it's dying, I love (this) France.
Well, (I'll) see you again.

[Robespierre leaves]

ANDRE
Oscar.

ALASTE
Lady Oscar, please pay him no mind.
He doesn't mean any harm, but that man (/he) is too outspoken.

OSCAR
What sort of reputation does Lady Antoinette have around here?

ALASTE
Well...Lady Oscar, what Robespierre (has) said is true.
Little by little, everyone feels disappointed by the new King and Queen.

[at Versailles garden]

MME NOAILLES
Lady Antoinette-!
Lady Antoinette-!
Lady Antoinette-!
Lady Antoinette!
Here you are.
Everybody is waiting in the salon.

ANTOINETTE
I don't want to listen to a concert.

MME NOAILLES
You shouldn't say that!

ANTOINETTE
I'm sick and tired of plays, dresses, and dance parties!

MME NOAILLES
Please hurry! Everyone is waiting.

[Noailles pulls Antoinette's hand]

NOAILLES
Come on, come on.

[Antoinette sees Polignac]

ANTOINETTE in her mind
What a tender voice she sings with!

ANTOINETTE
Who is this lady?

MME NOAILLES
She's Yolande de Polignac

ANTOINETTE in her mind
Mme. Polignac!
She's like the quiet shade of a tree.
She looks as tender  as an angel.
I wish I could be her friend...!

[after dinner]

ANDRE
Ah, I'm so full!
It was so good!
Let's take a look around tomorrow, and let's go to sleep tonight.

OSCAR
Yeah...

ANDRE
You look depressed.
What are you thinking (about)?
Don't worry (/Never mind?) about what Robespierre said.
Lady Antoinette is easily misunderstood.
It's nothing new.

OSCAR
But...

[dog's barking]

ALASTE small voice, almost unheard
I see. That's unfortunate.

ANDRE
Something has happened.

ALASTE
Lady Oscar!
A child is dying of a fever!

OSCAR
Eh?! Aren't there any doctors around?

ALASTE
There is no doctor in this village.
And, even if we want to see a doctor, it's too expensive.
Poor Sugan...

OSCAR
It's Sugan's child?!

ANDRE
(It must be) Gilbert!

[Sugan's house]

MOTHER
Gilbert, please hang on!
Ah, God, please help him! Please save this child!

ALASTE
How is Gilbert?

OSCAR
Sugan, if you don't take him to a hospital, it'll be too late!

SISTER
Dad, we can sell our drawers and beds. I can sleep on the floor!

MOTHER
That won't be enough. Darling, (let's) sell the cow.

SISTER
Right, (let's) sell the cow!

ALASTE
All right, (you'd) better hurry then. Take him to the doctor in the town.
Sugan!

SUGAN
No, I can't! I can't take him to the doctor!

SISTER
Dad!!

OSCAR
Why?!

SUGAN
If I sell the cow, we won't survive.
All the field crops were taken away for taxes,
and we barely survive (/make our living) by selling milk and cheese!
If we sell the cow, we'll starve to death.

OSCAR
Is a cow worth more than your child?!
Don't be stupid.
Are you (still) the parent of the child?!

SUGAN
Who wouldn't love his own son!?
I'm the master of this house (hold).
I cannot make a choice that will make everyone starve in order to
save just the child's life!
Poor Gilbert... but we have to give him up.

OSCAR
Your... living is that...!
(She doesn't complete her sentence here. She probably would have said
something like "desparate","poor", or "miserable")

SUGAN
I don't understand. I'm working so hard. Yet why... why are we eating only salt
and potatoes?! There are some people who say that it's Queen's fault.
But I...I don't know...

[Oscar is shocked]

GILBERT
D,Dad...

MOTHER
Gilbert!
You have to be in the bed!

GILBERT
Please don't be angry with my Dad, Lady Oscar.
The cow is important. We'll be in trouble if we sell it.
Don't mind about me. So, please don't be angry with him!

MOTHER
Gilbert!

OSCAR takes Gilbert
Andre! Bring the horse!
Where is the hospital, Sugan?!

[Oscar carrying the boy on the horse]

OSCAR in her mind
I never knew!
I never knew that the property of Jarjeyes was this destitute!!

ANDRE
I hope Gilbert will be all right.
But even if you get sick, you can't see a doctor?!
What is the world coming to?!

[a doctor comes out]

OSCAR
How is he, Doctor?

ANDRE
How is Gilbert (/Gilbert's condition)?

DOCTOR
I can't say anything yet.
It all depends on his stamina, but his body is very weak.
We'll know by tomorrow morning.

MOTHER?
Gilbert...

OSCAR in her mind
God, please save Gilbert's life. And I pray that people's anger against Lady
Antoinette will ease.
I pray that her kindness will be understood by the people!

[at Versailles]

POLIGNAC
Did you call for me, Your Majesty?

ANTOINETTE
Please come closer, Mme.Polignac.
I wanted to talk to you.

POLIGNAC
I'm honored, Your Majesty.

ANTOINETTE
I heard that you came to Versailles half a year ago.
But how come you rarely visit (/come to) the Court?

POLIGNAC
That's because...

ANTOINETTE
Yes?

POLIGNAC
That's because... we don't have enough money to keep up appearances
at Court.

ANTOINETTE
Oh...did I ask you something embarrassing?

POLIGNAC
No, (because) that's the truth.

ANTOINETTE in her mind
No money... she didn't hesitate to say the most embarrassing thing.
What a ingenuous mind she has.

ANTOINETTE
Mme. Polignac, I'd like us to be friends.
Please.

POLIGNAC
Oh, Your Majesty...

ANTOINETTE
Move your whole family to Versailles, so that I can talk to you at any
time.  Even tomorrow!

POLIGNAC
Your Majesty... it's an honor more than I deserve.

NARRATION
>From then on, Mme.Polygnac, who captured Antoinette's heart, would reign
(dominate) Versailles for more than a decade. And, without realizing, she
plays a role (of) which would make Antoinette a tragic queen.

SUGAN
Lady Oscar!

[Gilbert wakes up]

GILBERT
Mom..., Mom...

GILBERT
Mom!

MOTHER
Gilbert!
Gilbert!!

SUGAN
Thank God!  It's a miracle.

ANDRE
That's great, Oscar!

ALASTE
Lady Oscar!
How is Gilbert?

OSCAR
He's all right now.

ALASTE
Thank God. I thank you, too, Lord Oscar.
If you weren't there...
He wouldn't have been able to see the doctor.
The nobles are only 4% of the 20-million French population.
The other 96% of the population is supporting the
the nobles and the Court.
And most of that 96% are poor, starving,
and can't even see a doctor when they get sick!
Uh, I...I said too much.

[Oscar running amok on a horse]

ANDRE
You're wearing out the horse!)
What's wrong, Oscar?!

OSCAR
I'm upset with myself, for being so ignorant!
I didn't know that people were this poor and suffering from high taxes!

ANDRE
I understand!
But the King and Queen are both kind (/generous) people!
They're not the kind of people don't care about people's suffering!

OSCAR
But the people's hearts are already turning against the Royal Couple!
Who's fault is it?!

[Oscar falls from the horse]

ANDRE
Oscar, are you all right?!

ANDRE in his mind
Oscar, you seem to be cold as ice, but your heart is burning like a flame!
And I love that part of you!

ROBESPIERRE flashback
We had a great expectation for the new king. We thought a new age would come.
But look now! Our life hasn't changed a bit.

SUGAN flashback
I don't understand. I'm working so hard. Yet why are we eating only salt and
potatoes?!

ALASTE flashback
The nobles are only 4% of the 20-million French population.
Most of the other 96% are poor and starving!

[sound of winds]

OSCAR
What was that?!

ANDRE
What is it, all the sudden?
It must be the sound of the wind.

OSCAR
Yes, I guess it's just the wind...

NARRATION
Was it really the sound of the wind?
Wasn't it the sound of a giant called "the people,"
whose arms and legs are chained,
sighing from their unbearable suffering?
What Oscar heard might have been the
first signals that will lead to a storming revolution.

[ending title]

NEXT EPISODE:
Rosalie attacked Oscar's mother? She mistook Mme.Jajeyes for Mme.Polignac.
How could Mme.Polygnac incur someone's hatred?
Is her angelic purity only a mask?
Next time on The Rose of Versailles: 
"The Secret of an Angel".

END
   
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  Bruce Carlson     carlson@indirect.com     Phoenix, AZ