Adventures of Don Juan Page #5

at the proper time.

For the purpose of this transaction,

I am Spain.

I prefer to deal with Her Majesty

not with a traitor.

My dear friend, I'm afraid your long stay

in a country ruled by a king in petticoats...

...has made you a feminist.

- When Her Majesty hears...

It may interest you that the palace guards

are loyal to me and not to the queen.

I have arranged this so that if Her Majesty

interferes with my plans again...

Or rather, with the plans of Spain.

- she will suffer the consequences.

Now will you answer my question?

As you can see we have several

interesting devices in this chamber.

They have a tendency

to break a man's will.

If the first one fails, we try another...

...until we find exactly the right one

to loosen the tongue.

I have heard of men

whose tongues have withstood it.

Yes, but they now speak

with the tongues of angels.

You're tired after your long trip.

Perhaps a few days' rest

will make you more amenable.

If not, well...

Capitn Alvarez,

the count will remain here as our guest.

See to it that he is not disturbed

by anyone.

And now, my dear count...

...may I wish you good night

and pleasant dreams.

If you change your mind, send for me.

What's this?

- Very nice.

- No. No.

That's a gift from Her Majesty.

It will look better on me

than on a corpse.

Very nice.

- Excuse me.

- That's the second time.

That's enough. Give me that.

You think I want my throat cut?

Sorry. I seem to be a bit nervous.

These regular hours we're keeping.

Hard work, lots of sleep,

plenty of exercise...

...good nourishing food

and no excitement.

We're not used to these things.

Yes, but that's the only way of life

for me.

But you'll have to admit

that they were exciting days.

- And nights.

- Exciting?

That's very funny coming from you.

Remember those lectures

you used to give me?

Well, I'm afraid I'm a bit confused.

The sudden way in which you reformed...

...one reception at court.

The court didn't do it.

Well, I thought maybe the queen...

The queen?

What's the queen got to do with it?

You've been thinking behind my back.

Because I'm trying to lead

a good clean sensible life...

...you immediately jump to conclusions.

Just let me tell you this.

Whatever my behavior has been

or it's gonna be...

...the queen has nothing to do with it.

Absolutely nothing. Do you understand?

All right.

- Splendid. Splendid.

- Splendid. Splendid.

Half turn right. Forward march.

You may rise, gentlemen.

- A splendid exhibition, Don Serafino.

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

They show remarkable improvement.

We are deeply gratified.

Your Majesty's most kind.

But may I share the credit

with Don Juan?

Since he had joined us...

...the interest in swordsmanship

has increased enormously.

We trust he will not add any other subjects

to increase the interest.

May I inquire

if Her Majesty is also satisfied?

We are indeed.

You apparently studied all the foreign

techniques of swordsmanship.

I've had occasion to use them,

Your Grace.

I have not met such skilled

an opponent...

...since I have the honor of fencing

with the Duke de Lorca himself.

That is indeed a compliment.

We consider Lorca the best living fencer

in Spain.

That's certainly the mark of a good duelist,

Your Majesty, to be living.

I wish I knew how to duel.

Whom would you choose

for your opponent?

A mouse. Caterpillar.

Or perhaps His Grace.

I'd considered it an honor

to teach you, sir.

- You will?

- Certainly.

- Go and get equipped for tomorrow's class.

- Oh, thank you.

I'll go at once.

- Do you really think I can learn?

- Why not? Of course, you can.

That was very kind of you.

You've made a friend.

I can use friends, Your Majesty.

You show such interest in the academy.

Perhaps you'd like to inspect it thoroughly?

Don Juan, would you escort Her Majesty?

Indeed, sire. An honor.

You know, Lorca,

we might find a use for this Don Juan.

Yes, sir, Your Majesty.

My own thoughts were along

similar lines.

This, Your Majesty, is our trophy room.

Here, you see some

of the personal flags...

...of such conquerors as Cortz,

Columbus, Pizarro.

Over there are some of the flags taken

from Your Majesty's enemies in battle.

Oran, Tripoli.

And that empty space

awaits new conquests by Your Majesties.

Unless it can be filled

with the trophies of peace...

...I would rather it remained empty.

I knew you'd say that.

Oh, the Count de Polan...

...he's told me something

of your feelings.

- Have you heard from him recently?

- No, I haven't.

Nor have I. It is strange

that he should keep silent so long.

Yes. He was far from silent

at our last meeting.

I can well believe that.

However, I shall write

and tell him how you have changed.

- I know he'd be pleased. As I am.

- I'm very grateful.

Now, perhaps I can forget those words

you once spoke to me:

"You're no credit to this crown

or to our flag."

Did I say that?

That was just a small part.

Would you care to hear the rest?

No. I give you permission

to forget all of it.

I know this flag.

When I was a child in Austria...

...my mother used to tell me the story

of Ponce de Len...

...and his quest

for the Fountain of Youth.

Thank heavens he never found it.

Wouldn't you like to retain your youth?

What? And repeat all my indiscretions?

I think you paint yourself far blacker

than you are.

It's the color that's said to suit me best.

- I don't believe that.

- Thank you.

I shall try to prove myself

worthy of your disbelief.

Perhaps you will.

Your Majesty.

The Count de Polan asked me

to be loyal to you.

To try to win your friendship.

And will you be loyal?

With all my heart.

Then I shall be your friend.

I...

I mustn't keep His Majesty waiting.

I'm summoned to appear

before the Duke de Lorca.

Oh, yes.

Don Juan de Maraa

to see the Duke de Lorca.

Don Juan de Maraa.

Ask him to come in.

Don Juan.

Your Grace.

- You sent for me, I believe.

- Yes.

Yes, a matter of some importance

I wish to discuss with you.

Now, won't you be seated?

I was greatly pleased

by the exhibition yesterday.

So pleased, in fact,

that I feel you should be rewarded.

I've prepared a commission, which will give

you considerable rank in His Majesty's navy.

It also assures you of the king's favor

and my own.

Somehow I feel that Your Grace

is not in the habit of dispensing favors...

...without expecting something in return.

You are quite right. Yes.

You have achieved some popularity

since you have been at the academy.

And I think we should utilize this

in the service of our country.

Consequently, I have certain ideas

that I should like you to carry out.

- May I hear them?

- You may indeed.

Proceed to enlarge the academy.

Increase the number of young men

of military age and add those subjects...

...which will qualify them for immediate

enlistment in His Majesty's navy.

We will discuss the details later.

In the meantime, here is your commission.

Incidentally, I was very impressed

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