
The Rose of Versailles

Episode 22 

"The Necklaces Shines Ominously"

translated by GinRei
edited by Usagi Ninja Team


 [] = description of the scenes
 () = alternative translations (feel free to put them or drop them),
      and sometimes my comments or explanations
 {} = translation of writing 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".
 Boehmer can be spelled Bohmer with an umlat (2 dots) over the o.
 Sevres, is spelled with an accent grave (\) over the first e.
 Shoenbrunn can be spelled Shonbrunn with an umlat (2 dots) over the o.
**********************************************************************

BOEHMER
I'm a jeweler in Paris called Boehmer.
Lady Marie Antoinette, I've asked for this audience, since I was in
urgent need of your help.
What I have here was actually ordered by
the previous King, Louis XV, to give it to Mme. duBarry.
But (since) the king died so suddenly, this was left without a buyer.
This necklace is so expensive that no other royal family can afford
it, even if they want to.

Prosperous French Queen, Your Majesty Marie Antoinette, no one
but You can buy this!

ANTOINETTE
How much... is it?

BOEHMER
1,600,000 Livres.

NARRATION
1600,000 Livres...that's about 19.2 billion yen now.
   [Approx. $200 million dollars]
Because of its outrageous price, Antoinette (gently) suggested
to the jeweler that she had no intention of buying it.
But this necklace would later get Antoinette into deep unexpected
trouble.

[OP]

VOICE
Your Majesty, the Queen is here to see you.

LOUIS XVI
Oh... I wonder what she wants.
What's wrong? Why are you acting so formal?

ANTOINETTE
Your Majesty?

LOUIS
Yes?

ANTOINETTE
I've come here to complain (to Your Majesty) about a vassal who
audaciously kicked my Stomach.

LOUIS
Kicked your abdomen?!
Hmmm....you look so gay...why?
Oh! Can you possibly be...be...?!

SERVANT
The Queen is with child!
Her Majesty will have a baby!!

[fireworks]

[opening title]

{Episode 22 - "The Necklaces Shines Ominously")}

OSCAR
It's a boy, Andre! The heir is finally born!

NARRATOR
(After the) affair and separation with Fersen...
Queen Marie Antoinette gave birth to the first Princess,
followed by the birth of Crown Prince Joseph in 1781.

OSCAR
Now Her Majesty is the Mother of France both in name and reality.
Let's drink and celebrate, Andre! Take me to anywhere you know for a drink.


ANDRE
Aye, Captain! (or, I sure will, Captain!, or, Trust me, Captain!)
(He actually says "Leave that on me" in a formal fashion form.)

NARRATOR
The City of Paris was gay. Everyone was celebrating for Queen Antoinette.
That's what Oscar thought and felt, being affected by the joy (from the
bottom of her heart).
Oscar did not realize at this point that the people were gay, but only for
the moment.
She did not know their real feeling, nor their reality.

MUSICIAN
Drink, everyone, while you can.
Soon we have to carry guns instead of beers.
Drink, everyone, while you can.
Tasteless soup and heavy taxes, drink up all of it.

ANTOINETTE
Call me when Joseph wakes up.

MAIDS
Yes, Your Majesty.

ANTOINETTE
Now, Marie Therese, it's your turn now. Let's go out to the garden.
We'll go to the south flower bed today.

[hall]

NOBLE
The Queen isn't here yet?

GRAND CHAMBERLAIN
I'm sorry, it's time for the audience.
Please come to the audience room.

VOICE
Audience with Wofold.
[he's just announcing the names of the nobles who want to talk to
Antoinette.]

NOBLE
I have property in Monteparnasse in Belfort.
Because of the long rain, the harvest of grapes is poor this year.
Tax payments by the peasants are not going smoothly...

VOICE
Next, please.

NOBLE
Yes.

VOICE
Audience with Merviende!
Baroness Movlier.

LOUIS
Moving out from the Place to the Villa?

ANTOINETTE
Yes, if I say here, I'll have no time to spend with my children
because of my duties.

LOUIS
I don't know...
You're the only one who can hold the audience with nobles.

ANTOINETTE
Please, Your Majesty.

NARRATION
Marie Antoinette moved from Versailles Palace to a small villa.
She despised the duties and rules at the Palace.
Petit Trianon is a small cozy villa amid the vast Versailles Garden.
It was the best environment for the Queen to spend carefree time with her
children.
Furthermore, only a limited number of close friends were allowed to visit it.
Thus, it virtually meant the end of audiences with Queen Marie Antoinette.

[Oscar playing piano]

ANDRE
More and more nobles speak ill of the Queen these days.
Even after they spend 10 days or 20 days to come all the way
from their provinces for an audience, they're denied access
to the Trianon.
Some complained aloud that the Queen has forgotten what
the nobles have done for the royal family (up until now).

OSCAR
Stop, Andre!
I don't want to hear such things.
Have you seen her playing innocently with her children?
She's showing such bright smiles that I haven't seen for such a long
time.
That itself is gratifying enough.

{Austria}
{Schoenbrunn Palace}

THERESA
What a fool, my daughter Antoinette!
She has forgotten and neglected her duties as a (/the?) Queen, and
moreover, (she has) withdrawn to a villa!

JOSEPH
Mother! Mother, are you all right?! Hang on, Mother!

THERESA
It's all right, Joseph. I don't need help.

My daughter, be a Queen who loves her People and is loved by her People!
(or, My daughter, love thy people, and be loved!)

NARRATION
The "Great Mother," Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, died at the age of 63,
while she was still worried about the future of her daughter Antoinette.


MERCY
Please write a letter of condolence to your brother in Austria, Emperor
Joseph.

ANTOINETTE
Count Mercy...

MERCY
Yes, Highness?

ANTOINETTE
It's strange. I can't see the letters I'm writing clearly.

ANTOINETTE
What was the name of the river seen from Schoenbrunn Palace, Mercy?
I can't remember...
Mother... Mother!!

BOEHMER
It's been 4 years already since I showed this necklace to the Queen.
I went not only to other parts of Europe, but as far as Russia afterward,
but cannot find a buyer.
I have my own pride as a jeweler.
I want the French Queen, Marie Antoinette, to buy it no matter what!
She has dignity and beauty. This necklace fits no one else but her!
But even if I want to, she withdrew to a villa now, and I have no
chance of talking to her.
I've heard that you're very close to the Queen.
So I came here to ask you to help me.
Would you please be able to tell the Queen?

JEANNE
I understand, Monsieur Boehmer.
I'll figure out a way.

BOEHMER
If you could, my efforts are rewarded by coming here then.

JEANNE
Please come back again a week from now.
I'll go to the Trianon tomorrow and tell her what you wish.

BOEHMER
Please give her my regards.


NICOLAS
Jeanne, what (the hell) are you thinking?
You not only have never been to the Trianon, you haven't even talked to
the Queen!

JEANNE
Why don't you drink, too? Cheers for 1,600,000 Livres!

ROHAN
What is it, Jeanne?
Why did you call me out secretly to a place like this?
What? Something nice, hmm?

JEANNE
Of course (it is).
Have I ever brought you something bad?
Please, this way.

ROHAN
What? A necklace that Her Majesty wants desperately?

JEANNE
Shhsh!
You're (talking) too loud, Cardinal Rohan.
The Queen (has) told me to keep it absolutely secret.
Especially from His Majesty.

JEANNE
His Majesty is opposed because of its extravagant price.
But Her Majesty has made up her mind.
She will pay 1,600,000 Livres on installment.

ROHAN
Hmm, it shows her noble birth. Very decisive.

JEANNE
But there's one problem. A guarantor is needed for her installments.
Someone who is noble, discreet, and can be trusted.
Her Majesty said there's no one else but Cardinal Rohan!

ROHAN
Wow! Me?! Even though there must be plenty of candidates ?!)
It's a once-in-a-lifetime honor !

I'll do it! I'll do it, Jeanne!
I, (Cardinal) Rohan, will guarantee her loan!

VILLETTE
Marie Antoinette de France...

BOEHMER
1600,000 Livres paid by installment. 400, 000 Lives every six months for a
2 year period.
Marie Antoinette de France.
It's verified. Cardinal Rohan, please sign.

ROHAN
Ah, yes. Her Guarantor, Louis de Rohan. Is this OK?

BOEHMER
Yes, yes. Very well.

ROHAN
It's finished.

BOEHMER
Lady Jeanne, please be sure to deliver the necklace to the Queen.

JEANNE
I sure will.

BOEHMER
Please remind her that I'll be waiting for her first payment.

JEANNE
I know.

BOEHMER
Well, I must go now.

JEANNE
Thank you for your work.

ROHAN
Thanks!

JEANNE
Cardinal Rohan?
I'll go to Trianon now.

ROHAN
Ah, yes, yes.
Well, come to my mansion tonight
and tell me how delighted Her Majesty was.

JEANNE
I will. (lit, she said, "Yes, yes.")

JEANNE
Now Nicolas, go to England and sell the diamonds!
Sell them in pieces to leave no traces!
Retaux, you escape to Switzerland. We'll be executed if your fake
signature is discovered.

JEANNE
Jeanne, what about you?

JEANNE
I'll stay in Paris for a while. We'll be suspected if all of us disappear
at once.

[Court]

NOBLE
What do you mean the Queen is not present (at Court)?!

OSCAR
Please don't shout.
This is Versailles Palace.

NOBLE
What's wrong with shouting?!
The Court without the Queen is no longer the court for us nobles!

OSCAR
Please stop!
 Otherwise, I'll have to ask you to leave the room.

NOBLE
Interesting! Kick me out (of here) if you can!
I spent 2 weeks to come from Loire.
I need royal mediation in a dispute with my neighboring landlord (as soon as
possible).
I heard the Queen is indulged in boat rides and music in a villa!
It's more than enough to make fool of us to say we can't have
an audience with her!

OSCAR
Like I said, the Home Affairs Minister, will see you on that
matter.

NOBLE
A Minister isn't good enough!
I want to directly speak to the Queen!

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

NOBLE
So what?!

OSCAR
Please leave the hall (for today)!

NOBLE
Leave me!  I can walk alone!
Move!

OSCAR
Let him.

NOBLE
Move, move!
Colonel, if you're a noble, you should understand, too.
The royal family needs the nobles, just as the nobles need the royal family.
If the royal family does whatever it wants, I don't care anymore!
I'll never come to Versailles again! Never!!

OSCAR
Good work, everyone.
Go back to your posts.

GUARDS
Yes, Ma'am!

NARRATION
Slowly but surely, the age was changing its course.
Not only among ordinary citizens, but even among the nobles, some are
starting to have antipathy about the royal family.

ANDRE
England has finally recognized America's independence.
The expeditionary forces are starting to come back to Paris.
I thought I'd let you know (just in case).

ANDRE
Good night (Bon Soir), Oscar.

OSCAR
Andre.
I'll go to the Trianon and offer my opinion to Her Majesty tomorrow.
It can be half the number as before, but to start the audience again.
Otherwise, she and nobles will be estranged even further.

ANDRE
Good night.

[Trianon]

ANTOINETTE
Oh, Oscar!
I'm glad that you've visited.
Why don't you come here more often?
I'd like to see you everyday, if it's you.

OSCAR
Thank you very much (, Your Majesty).

ANTOINETTE
I really mean it, Oscar.
Oh, Marie Therese!

[while playing with her daughter]
Oscar, did you want to tell me something?

OSCAR
Uh, no. I've come here (to see how (well) Your Majesty is doing), since I
haven't been here for long.

ANTOINETTE
In that case, please make yourself at home.
Formalities are not necessary at all here at the Trianon.
Have a good time.

OSCAR
Yes, thank you very much, Your Majesty.

[on boat]

ANTOINETTE
Oscar...

OSCAR
Yes(, Your Majesty).

ANTOINETTE
It seems like the expeditions are returning.

OSCAR
Yes, Your Majesty.

ANTOINETTE
Do you think he will come see me if he's returned?
It's been 2 years already.
Maybe it's because of the time that's passed.
I can think about of him calmly.

OSCAR
Her Majesty has become even more beautiful now that  she's become a mother.
And probably, she's spending the best time of her life now.
Let's wait (/postpone?) to offer my opinion until a little later.

SOLDIER
Excuse me, noble Sirs. (lit, he addressed Oscar and Andre as "Sirs on horses")
Could you tell me where Sevres is? I heard it's near Versailles.
I have to deliver (/hand) my (war) comrade's keepsake to his family.

ANDRE
You joined the American expedition?

SOLDIER
Yes.

ANDRE
Don't worry. Sevres is near here. We'll escort you.

OSCAR
Andre, let's drink tonight!
Take me to Paris.

[bar]


ANDRE
It's a good idea to get drunk once in awhile.

ANDRE
Don't worry, Oscar. Fersen will come back alive.
I looked up his name. At least, he's not on the casualty list.

OSCAR
What are you saying? Talking about what? You suddenly...

DRUNKARD
Yo, Monsieur. You really toss it down.
How about another cup?

OSCAR
No thanks.

DRUNKARD
Hey, my wine's not good enough for you?

ANDRE
Hey, hey, Monsieur. I'll have it instead.

DRUNKARD
I'm not talking to you!
Wow. The more I look at you, the more amazing you look!
What a beautiful soldier. Even Zeus would drool.
Now, drink, beautiful one.

ANDRE
Don't, Oscar!

[Oscar punches the man]

DRUNKARD
Ouch...

OSCAR
"A beautiful soldier"?! Ha!
If you lay your greasy paws on me again, I'll re-arrange the features of
your face.

ROBESPIERRE
You seem to be really rough tonight.
Eh, beautiful royal guard?

OSCAR
You're Robespierre.

ROBESPIERRE
Right.
It must be fate that keep bringing us together.
The last time, we were in Arras.
Right now, I'm a lawyer in Paris.
For the People.

OSCAR
For the People?

OTHER MEN
A royal guardsman?
That means he's a noble.
Why would such an "elegant " person come to our bar?
The sight of him makes me sick.
Kick him out!
He's the Queen's dog!

[fight]

ROBESPIERRE
Bernard, if you want to be an authentic news reporter, watch carefully.
The people explode in rage at the mere sound of the word "noble."

ANDRE
Oscar, you were lucky that they didn't find out you're a woman.
But Oscar, I can tell.
No matter what uniform you wear, you're still a woman.

MAID
Your Majesty, there is a letter from a jeweler named Boehmer.

ANTOINETTE
Boehmer?
"As the contract states, please make the first payment."
First payment? Contract?  I don't know what he's talking about.
This is silly.

MAID
That jeweler probably lost his mind (/became insane/has gone mad) after
not being able to sell that necklace.

ANTOINETTE
Yes, poor man.

MAID
Your Majesty...

ANTOINETTE
It's not necessary to keep it.

MAID
Yes, Your Majesty.

NARRATION
So called "the Necklace Affair" was about to begin soon.

[ending title]


NEXT EPISODE:
Jeanne was arrested. The Necklace Incident would have come to an end.
Yet the trial took an unexpected turn with Jeanne's cunning words.
Appalled, Antoinette was further dismayed by the People's jeers.
Next episode on Rose of Versailles,
"Cunning & Tough". 

END

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
  Bruce Carlson     carlson@indirect.com     Phoenix, AZ

