The Rose of Versailles

Episode 36

"The Watchword is 'Au Revoir' "

translated by GinRei

 [] = 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

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 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".
 Orlean should be spelled with an accent sign '/' on the 'e'.
 Bernard Chatelet is spelled with a circumflex ^ over the 'a'.
 Place Vendome is spelled with a circumflex ^ over the 'o'.
**********************************************************************


NECKER
I'm the Finance Minister, Jacques Necker.

ROBESPIERRE
I know you well. You quit as Finance Minister, but came back.
We know why you were dismissed from the office.
Even though you worked for the Palace, you made public its financial deficit.

NECKER
I just did my job as an accountant.

ROBESPIERRE
And now you're suggesting to tax not only us commoners, but also the clergy
and nobility. A tax at an extremely high rate.

NECKER
I might be fired again.

ROBESPIERRE
No, we'll protect you this time.
You're the only one with a sense of sincere justice and equality,
paying no attention to the privilege you may have in the Palace.

NECKER
You're giving me too much credit.

ROBESPIERRE
The People have a high expectation for you.
As long as you're in the Palace, the King will have to approve the National
Assembly.

NECKER
You want me to persuade the King?
Is that why you wanted to see me secretly?

ROBESPIERRE
To reform the government without any bloodshed,
I have no choice but to ask for your help!

ROBESPIERRE
Riots can be avoided if the National Assembly is approved!

NECKER
I'll try.
In order to save my ailing country even a little.

CROWD
Approve the National Assembly!
The King must approve the true representatives of France!

[opening title]

{EPISODE 36: "The Watchword is 'Au Revoir' "}

ANTOINETTE
Oscar!

ANTOINETTE
Only a handful of nobles visit the Court nowadays.
We didn't have enough money for the funeral of Louis Joseph.
So we sold off our silver wares and golden candlesticks.
I know the French Guards are extremely busy.
You didn't have to come to thank me.

OSCAR
No, I was expecting a severe punishment for a serious breach of military
discipline.
But I was not punished by the mercy of Your Majesty.
I deeply appreciate it.

ANTOINETTE
Of course! We've been friends for 20 years!

ANTOINETTE
We both suffer in this uncomfortable time.
But everything will settle down soon.
The Royal Army is now heading to Paris and Versailles from all over the country.
Light Cavalry Regiment from Southern France, Royale Claverte (sp?) Regiment
from Charenton,  Salis Samade from Vichy. ...over 10 thousand soldiers in all.
I ordered it as the French Queen,
In order to dissolve the National Assembly and prepare for riots of the
commoners.
Louis (Bourbon) Dynasty is invincible!
We won't be shaken by such things! (or, "We're not that vulnerable!")

{The French Guards Barracks}

ANDRE
Commander! It's almost the time to patrol Paris.

OSCAR
I'll be right there.
Assemble in the parade ground...

ANDRE
Oscar!

OSCAR
I probably got a summer cold. I have a little fever.
Sorry, but tell Alain to direct the patrolling tonight.

ANDRE
OK. Leave it to us!

OSCAR
Just as I thought, a lung disease.

[flashback]

ANTOINETTE
The French Guards will be put on alert, also, sooner or later.
If we have to, the Royal Family is ready to fight (/battle) (with) the rioters.
In such case, Oscar, I'm counting on you!

NARRATION
In July, Royal Army troops arrived, one after another.
Royal Clavert Regiment closed the Place Victor Hugo,
virtually forbidding rallying at the Plaza.

ROBESPIERRE
We're not trying to make trouble, but lawfully discussing the future of France.
Are you not also French, just as we are?!

CITIZEN
Take off your military uniform and join us!

CITIZEN
Right! If not, go back to your garrison (post)!

CITIZENS
Go back!
Go back!

NARRATION
Meanwhile, the Royal-Allemand Regiment closed the road from Paris to 
Versailles. They skirmished with demonstrators demanding Louis XVI to abdicate.
Salis-Samade Regiments patrolled Paris (on their own), enforcing curfew
and cracking down on gatherings at night. The situation grew more hostile 
suddenly in July. Soldiers armed with guns (/rifles?) stood everywhere in town,
coercing citizens. And there was another serious problem. Since an army of over
100,000 soldiers gathered in Paris, overpopulation caused severe food shortage 
in and around the city. Hatred and hunger took away smiles from the people.

[Jarjeyes estate]

JARJEYES
A portrait of Oscar?

NANNY
She invited (/asked) a painter (by herself).

JARJEYES
What changed her mind?
She used to decline (/refuse) to be a model.
She used to refuse to pose.
(The verb "pose" goes back to this practice of standing still (in some brave or
noble stance :) for a painter. These days it's also used as "Posing for the 
camera.")

NANNY
I wonder.

PAINTER
I've seen you 20 years ago.

OSCAR
20 years ago?

PAINTER
Yes, on the day that the royal couple visited Paris.
Though Queen Antoinette was still a girl, she was beautiful.
And you were beside her.
Your dignity and innocence...
Your blond hair shined like the sunlight, still branded in the eyes of this
old painter.

OSCAR
I remember.
The sky was really beautiful on that day...

[church]

DISCIPLE?
Monsieur Robespierre!
We've been just informed that Duke Orleans and his group led 2000 demonstrators,
demanding Louis XVI's abdication.

ROBESPIERRE
What does he want after Louis XVI's abdication?

DISCIPLE
The coronation of Duke Orleans.

ROBESPIERRE
So, there he unmasked himself.
He joined National Assembly and the 3rd Estate, just for that purpose.
How stupid.
If we accept that, the aristocracy will only continue.

DISCIPLE
Monsieur! Let's remove Orleans' group from National Assembly!

ROBESPIERRE
Wait, wait. Leave him alone. Nobody will support him anyway.
We can't have internal trouble now.
What's more important now is the official approval of the National Assembly
and withdrawal of the army from Paris. Let's wait a little more.
Finance Minister Necker will do something for us. Let's wait.

[cabinet meeting]

BOUILLE
Monsieur Necker, you've just spoken something a vassal should never say in
front of His Majesty!

NECKER
I'll say it again and again!
We can't go against the tides of the times.
Instead of suppressing, please approve the National Assembly and (come to)
compromise for a talk.
And we must have a reform in order to resolve this financial crisis!

CABINET MINISTER
What kind of reform are you planning?

NECKER
A reform in monarchy.
It's no longer possible for the King to run France by himself.
Our country won't prosper without parliamentary government
based on the cooperation from new political force.

CABINET MINISTERS
What you mean by the "new political force" are the commoners!
Are you saying His Majesty should become side by side with the commoners?!

NECKER
Exactly!
Does any one of us, who support His Majesty, have the power to resolve this
crisis?!
Please stand up if you think you can!

ANTOINETTE
Never, Your Majesty, never!
You should never allow a reform of the monarchy!
You have proclaimed that a resolution without an approval from the King is
invalid!
If you accept the National Assembly now, the monarchical authority will be 
affronted!
You should never give in!
The flow of time is made (/set) by the King!

[at Jarjeyes']

PAINTER
You look pale. It's about enough for today.

OSCAR
No, I'm all right.

PAINTER
I'm also getting little fatigue...

OSCAR
If you say so...

PAINTER
It must be terminal.
I must finish it soon.

OSCAR
How is Paris, Andre?

ANDRE
Freedom is gone now.

ANDRE
Oscar.

ANDRE
What are you hiding?

OSCAR
Nothing.

ANDRE
I'm one eyed, but you, I can see everything.
No... I WANT to see everything.
Tell me!

OSCAR
I'll go to Paris tomorrow.

[church]

ST. JUST
Why are you hesitating, Monsieur?
Just say, "Do it, St. Just" and I'll head to Versailles.
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette... it's a difficult job but not impossible.
Demonstration by the People?
Necker's eloquence?
Monsieur, knives and guns are much more effective.

ROBESPIERRE
No more discussion. Go back.

ST. JUST
How disappointing.
My idea was not adopted again.

ROBESPIERRE
Bernard.

ROBESPIERRE
Keep an eye on St. Just.
I don't want him to ruin what we have worked hard to establish.

BERNARD
Yes, Monsieur.

CROWD
GO BACK!
GO BACK!
GO BACK!

ALAIN
Commander, there isn't much we can do by patrolling.
The Clavert and Allemand Regiments are taking up their posts in street corners.
We're just strolling around.

OSCAR
What will happen?

OSCAR
What will happen next? To Paris and people?

ALAIN
I don't know. It can only end up in the extreme, probably.
Unless the army withdraws from Paris...

OSCAR
A riot, you mean?

ALAIN
Call it "Revolution", if you will.

OSCAR
"Revolution"?
Revolution...

ANDRE
What's wrong, Oscar?

OSCAR
I felt (/thought) somebody watching us from inside.

ALAIN
Should we go look?

OSCAR
No, maybe it's just my imagination.

SOLDIER
Stop!!
Place Vendome ahead is closed.
Take another route!

OSCAR
We're patrolling Paris now.
Let us pass.

SOLDIER
Turn back! It's under the control of Clavert Regiment.
There's no need for patrolling!

ALAIN
Hey, hey, that's enough.
Can't you see this uniform?
We're the comrades of same French Army.

SOLDIER
I was ordered not to pass anyone!
Turn back!

ALAIN
You pighead!  Why can't you just step aside?!

OSCAR
Don't Alain. We can just make a detour.

ALAIN
If you say so, Commander.

[Alain strikes the soldier]

ALAIN
What's wrong? A stomachache?
Remember, you don't fit for Paris!
You bumpkins should go back to your garrison and keep your sheep company !

SOLDIERS
What?!
What a nervy bastard.
Get him!!

OSCAR
Don't Alain!!

ALAIN
Ouch, ouch...

ANDRE
Are you OK, Alain?

ALAIN
It's nothing but a scratch.
But I haven't felt this good in a while.

OSCAR
Alain.

ALAIN
Yes.

OSCAR
Let's gather everyone and return (/head back) to the barracks.
Like you said, our patrolling is no longer meaningful.

ALAIN
Commander!
About what we talked a little while ago.
In case of a Revolution, the People will win.
Like you saw, the military is in discord.
There's not a chance to win against the people who fought hunger
for so long.

ST. JUST
Who are you tailing, Bernard?
It's not me, is it?
We're both fellow disciples of Monsieur Robespierre.
It's not good to follow around your fellow. I don't like it.

BERNARD
Listen, St. Just!
The world will change soon. Naturally, as the leaves fall in autumn.
Why can't you just wait?

ST. JUST
Then I'll ask you, too.
Do you know what Robespierre is really after?

BERNARD
A revolution. To create an egalitarian state with sovereignty of the people!

ST. JUST
You're a romantic (/an idealist). Too naive.
Robespierre's real aim is the power.
By advocating the People, he sits on the top!
A Revolution? For the People?
Robespierre's not much different from Orleans after all.

BERNARD
Don't you trust him?
He sure is taking leadership now but not in order to obtain a power for
himself!

St. JUST
Stop that.
There's not a single human I can trust!
No matter how the history changes or how the age moves,
a man is born at one point and dead at another.
So everyone is just thinking about himself while still alive.
I just want to do whatever I like!

BERNARD
Terrorism is what you want?

ST. JUST
Yes!
Rather than becoming a leader or giving speeches, it suits me better.
You'll see, Bernard.
He talks of "negotiation" or "parliament", but he's actually waiting for an
opportunity.
To kill all the privileged class with a justified reason.
In that sense, he's a large scale terrorist that I am no match (to him)!

[cabinet meeting]

ANTOINETTE
Finance Minister Jacques Necker!
You not only neglected your duty as a cabinet minister in charge of the finance,
your behavior humiliated His Majesty's policy. It can't be tolerated anymore.
You're forbidden to enter Versailles from now on!

[Paris]

CITIZEN
Jacques Necker was discharged!
The Finance Minister got fired!!
What?
Really?!

[church]

ROBESPIERRE
Comrades, tell all the citizens.
That the King finally started oppressing the patriots.
Following Necker, a massacre will begin.
And don't forget to add this:
We should take (up) arms and fight!
The time has come to rise up!

MAN
Monsieur, Necker was not slaughtered.
He's under house arrest.

ROBESPIERRE
Do as I told you!!

ORATOR
Citizens! The King has finally challenged us outright!
The time has come for us to rise up!

ORATOR
To arms, People !
We shouldn't be manipulated by those in power!

CITIZEN
That's right!

ORATOR
King's Army is ready anytime, even tonight, to kill all the patriots!!

ORATOR
Let's get armed! Show our strength !!

CITIZEN
Robespierre is making a speech! He'll be speaking at Rue St. Germaine!

ROBESPIERRE
I've only got two arms.
But the passion and courage for my country is burning,
like a fire strong enough to burn down Versailles Palace!
People! Let's work hand in hand! Fight together!!

[flashback]

ST. JUST
You'll see, Bernard.
He talks of "negotiation" or "parliament", but he's actually waiting for an
opportunity.
To kill all the privileged class with a justified reason.
His real aim is power.
By advocating the People, he sits on the top!

BERNARD
No, St. Just.  It doesn't matter what kind of man Robespierre is.
What matters is whether the People can stand up or not for themselves!!

CITIZEN
To arms!!

[Versailles]

OSCAR
Please order the army to withdraw from Paris.
The royal family should never engage in killing its own people!

ANTOINETTE
Oscar, if that happens, you'll protect me, wouldn't you?

OSCAR
I am...no longer in the Royal Guards.

OSCAR
Please withdraw the army, Your Majesty!
The royal family should not point guns at its people!

ANTOINETTE
I can't... do that, Oscar.

ANTOINETTE
Oscar!
Why do you cry? As if... we'll never meet again.

ANTOINETTE
Au revoir...

OSCAR
Au revoir...

NARRATION
Au revoir, "see you again".
But both Antoinette and Oscar knew too well that they would never meet again.
A long lasting friendship could not overcome the obstacle of being
the Queen of a country.

[ending title]

NEXT EPISODE:
The People finally took arms and rose up,
yet Oscar coughed up blood and Andre was blind.
However short, they tried to live the best they could.
Eager for more light and ardent love of burning heart.
Next time on Rose of Versailles:
"On the Night of Oaths with Passion." 

END

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 Bruce Carlson     carlsn1@ix.netcom.com     Phoenix, AZ
