A Little Chaos Page #2

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Our task is to suppress

nature to our will,

according to the present plans.

But, monsieur,

the money being spent.

The aqueduct will

carry sufficient water

to the gardens of

Versailles because it must.

That is your brief.

Madame?

It is essentially your plan,

number six in your

submission, I believe.

This part is entirely

original to myself.

You see?

It fits onto this

end of your plan.

Now you can see the

extent of the enterprise.

Yes.

It's a large, flat area.

An arena with tiered sides.

Indeed.

The orchestra

will be up here.

Orchestra?

A ballroom.

It's an outdoor ballroom.

There is a pool of builders.

Select whatever

supplies you care to.

Commission whatever embellishments

you think appropriate.

Time is not unlimited.

Here's the budget.

Try not to exceed it.

Master?

Why me?

These gardens

should be large enough

to embrace voices

other than my own.

Mama!

I'm coming.

Madame de Barra.

Monsieur, forgive me

for disturbing you at home,

but I've been

reworking the plans.

If... If we fill

a reservoir

at the top of the hill,

we would have enough water

to run the fountains

and the building works.

We don't need water continually

if we just recycle it.

Pressure will force it

back up to the start again.

And there's a river,

here, underground.

May I? Of course.

Well, thank you, madame.

I will examine

these in more detail.

I must apologize

if this adds to the turmoil.

I am trained to it.

Like a good plant, I submit.

We waited

an hour for a gaming table.

Montespan and Lauzun

had monopolized them.

Anyway, then came the news

her house was on fire.

We felt sure this would

end her winning streak.

Apparently not.

The marquise played on.

Her children were safe,

what could she do?

She showed wonderful spirit

and was clapped for it.

How does this dress

look on me, Andre?

Andre, are you listening?

You look very well in it.

What are you studying

that's so important?

Some plans.

Versailles.

Are these the drawings that

woman brought to the house?

They are. I see.

Button these

gloves for me, Andre.

Blunt instruments.

Perhaps that's what

makes us a good match.

You're creative,

but unable for the more

delicate maneuvers.

Don't forget that, Andre.

I'm the expert.

You're merely the gardener,

however grand.

Without me to promote

your interests, well,

use your famous imagination.

That's more than

enough for one day.

What...

Where are you...

Where are you going?

Luc?

The sight of you, madame.

What time were you up

this morning?

Did you not sleep again?

I don't remember.

You must take more care.

You'll never last at this rate.

Then what will become of us?

I always think of something.

Hmm.

Came today.

What does it say?

What does it say?

Anyone you know?

Monsieur Duras.

Need to know your way

around the crews.

Otherwise, you end up

with the wasters.

The lot you had before,

they're cooling their

heels on another site.

Won't bother us again. Same

with the timber suppliers.

One of your friends at the

interview recommended them.

Perhaps he hadn't

thought it through.

And you have?

If you fail, we all fail.

Not pretty, I'll grant,

but it's true.

So...

So, I learned

after some inquiries

who had the commissions, and

everybody had good laborers

coming out their ears

except you.

Thanks to your friends

at the interview.

Some men take

losing harder than others.

I, on the other hand,

have a leviathan for a wife

and am very used to being

on the losing end.

She issued very

precise instructions

which, as I say, I would

never dare go against.

Instructions?

"Ask her for work."

Well, a man snaps like a carrot

exposed to the leviathan.

Besides, I have little ones.

They make me proud,

even if I am humbled elsewhere.

Can I take this off now?

I've been issued

an invitation to the Louvre.

Gracious me.

Supper, too, I expect.

Very nice.

Will there be others there?

Versailles shall be

the heart of our kingdom,

inhabited by the finest

examples of humanity,

fit for the gods

of old to behold

and finding

their echo in gardens

where each new turn

brings another excitement.

Fountains whose gentle flow

is balm enough

to ease a ringing ear.

Scented groves of orange blossom

blown by temperate winds.

What light,

what beauty, what hope.

Versailles, Versailles,

Versailles.

Oh, pardon me.

I believe this is

the way forward, madame.

Some cool night air is, I think,

in order, madame, do you not?

Oh.

Thank you.

Your first time

at court, madame?

Is... Is that where I am?

Where did you imagine

yourself to be?

Well, I don't know.

A reception for

the gardeners of Versailles.

A sort of shed affair?

How exquisite.

A tiara amongst the weeds.

I think I...

I have underestimated the event

on some level, monsieur.

Antoine Nompar de Caumont,

Marquis de Puyguilhem,

Duc de Lauzun.

Antoine.

Sabine de Barra. Charmed.

Now, let me give you

the grand tour.

What do you know of us,

madame, we mice in a trap?

Not a thing, I'm sorry to say.

Winter, summer, autumn,

spring, we are here.

We may not leave without

permission of the king.

Yes, mice in a trap.

A small community, there's

only about 2,000 of us.

Everybody knows everybody else.

Everybody has worked

their way through the group.

"Worked their way through"?

Fought with, had an affair

with, that kind of thing.

Marquise de Montespan.

Late, as usual.

She's the king's mistress. Has

at least four of his children,

but his attention has wandered.

Now there is a new star rising.

Oh? Madame de Maintenon.

And she is here?

Devoted to God.

Never attends anything

as frivolous as a party,

unlike some people.

Don't look.

They're talking about us.

Madame de Barra.

You are...

Am I... Am I late?

No.

Early? No.

What, then?

Here.

One of your gardeners? Perfect.

I must accompany

the marquise to supper.

I could surrender my new

friend into your care?

Of course.

Guard her well, monsieur.

The vultures are circling.

It has been my pleasure.

Madame?

It seems an extraordinary life.

But you may come and go?

Oh, yes.

I'm out and about.

And now they're all

moving to Versailles.

To a village.

Will you not join them?

I would go slowly mad.

Oh.

Do they think of you as a

vegetable grower or something?

You show no consideration

for my vanity, madame.

I'm quite sure you possess none.

What of you,

Madame Sabine de Barra?

Are you prone?

You remember my hat?

It would be

impossible to forget.

It was a considerable expense.

And entirely unnecessary.

Nolly!

My dear old cabbage!

Monsieur.

Give me a kiss instantly or

I shall take grave offense.

What a splendid hat.

Do you think so?

I'm trying it out,

I never wear a hat.

No. Fear of squashing my wig.

But who's this?

Dear lady, you are prostrate.

Allow me.

May I present.

His Royal Highness Philippe,

Duke of Orleans?

Your Highness, this is

Madame Sabine de Barra.

Delighted, madame.

How is it that a woman

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