Battle of New Orleans Page #10

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ANDREW JACKSON:

At least we know now from which waythey will attack the city.

46.

The people protest even louder. Jackson is losing them. And

that’s right when GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE arrives --

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

What the hell has happened?!

It’s a stand-off between Claiborne and Jackson. And as

Claiborne waits for an explanation --

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE (V.O.)

You are stubborn as a mule!

INT. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE - DAY

The discussion has moved indoors. Claiborne is furious.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

Did you not hear their reports?!

We are less than two weeks from our

demise and you fail to acknowledgethe obvious --we do not want to

fight! You want to fight!

ANDREW JACKSON:

This was our first skirmish, and

while unfortunate, more than an

acceptable loss --

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

There is no acceptable loss! Againthe men who started this war, theydo not represent us! They are notFrench or Spanish or --

ANDREW JACKSON:

We are Americans first and always!

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

In theory, yes. Not in practice.

And not here. I was elected to

represent my people and as a body

we are shaken to the core!

And whether Jackson agrees or not, he knows he’s not winningthis argument. Claiborne moves in for the kill --

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE (CONT’D)

This remains my jurisdiction,

General. And while your motivationmay be just, I must insist we endthis charade. You have lost the

people. And without them -- the

British have already won.

47.

EXT. FRENCH QUARTER - ROYAL STREET - DAY

As harried as we’ve seen it. The loss on Lake Borgne hassent the people into a frenzy. Many abandon the city.

Jackson is UNSETTLED. He walks through the crowd, unsure if -

or even how -- he can continue. Jackson watches as the

elderly POLICE FORCE struggles to maintain order...

And in that struggle, an IDEA. Jackson smiles wryly.

INT. LIVINGSTON’S OFFICE - DAY

Nicer than either Claiborne or Jackson’s office. Livingstonpours himself a whiskey as Jackson enters -

ANDREW JACKSON:

I need a lawyer and a drink.

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

You’ve come to the right place.

EXT. THE CABILDO - DUSK - ESTABLISHING

The grand building that houses the LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE (V.O.)

The terms of our conditional

surrender are thus --

INT. THE CABILDO - ASSEMBLY ROOM - DUSK

Claiborne and his advisors draft a letter to the British.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

-- that state and local officials

shall remain in power and serve asyour loyal servants duringoccupation while every effort ismade to maintain our city walls -

Claiborne is interrupted by the sound of HEAVY DOORS opening.

Jackson stands in the doorway with Livingston and Coffee.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE (CONT’D)

General, as I said before, if yourassistance is required I shall --

But Livingston walks over and hands Claiborne a DOCUMENT.

48.

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

Governor Claiborne, as a

representative of the seconddistrict court I hereby servenotice to you and this legislaturea declaration to institute martial

law within these city limits.

A bombshell. Claiborne and his advisors are flabbergasted.

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

(to Jackson)

Son of a b*tch, you have no right!

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

As the highest ranking militaryofficial in the city, theConstitution is his right. Writ of

habeas corpus shall be suspended aswell as curfew established and

conscription of all men to enlist -

But Jackson cuts straight to the heart of the matter -

ANDREW JACKSON:

We are forcing the men to fight,

Governor. It’s no longer a matter

of what they want. It’s only amatter of what I want.

Claiborne stares at Jackson, his eyes cold --

GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE

You are a soulless bastard.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Yes. But I am yours.

INT. BOURBON STREET TAVERN - DAY

The same DRUNKS that were fighting in the street are nowcarousing at the bar. The elderly POLICE FORCE enter --

WALKING CANE:

All men currently of age notenlisted or without excuse must

report to the Place d’Armes

tomorrow morning at dawn.

DRUNKARD:

Who will make us, old man? You?

Ten fully-uniformed ENLISTED MEN enter behind the police.

49.

WALKING CANE:

I believe I shall, yes.

EXT. FRENCH QUARTER - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

A GHOST TOWN after curfew. There’s not a single civilian onthe streets. SOLDIERS on horseback patrol the city.

EXT. JACKSON’S OFFICE - BALCONY - NIGHT

Jackson enjoys the silence and a drink with Livingston andCoffee. Livingston and Coffee are still in disbelief.

JOHN COFFEE:

If I did not bear witness --

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

I would not believe. Governor

William Claiborne removed from

power in his own state house.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Temporarily.

Jackson can’t help but smile -- he can’t believe it himself.

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

You are aware, General, your legalbasis is shaky at best.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Throw me in shackles when the

British have been sent packing. I

did what was necessary -- if thoseelected shall not lead then I will.

(finishes his drink)

Our enemy sits on Lake Borgne,

gentlemen, and there are still manyways to the gate. Tonight we rest.

Tomorrow we rise. And then we

continue the impossible.

EXT. ELMWOOD PLANTATION - MORNING - ESTABLISHING

The sun rises on a new day.

50.

INT. ELMWOOD PLANTATION - DINING ROOM - MORNING

MILES ELMWOOD and his wife ELEANOR have breakfast with their

guests -- Suzette Claiborne, Mary-Anne Dern and Jean Lafitte.

Lafitte is still incognito as Jacques Clement...

But right now the focus is on Suzette. She’s in a tizzy overa NEWSPAPER ARTICLE she’s just finished reading --

SUZETTE CLAIBORNE

This is -- I’m so sorry -- this is

just unsettling news! William will

be so displeased. Martial law!

MILES ELMWOOD:

Unconscionable. Truly.

ELEANOR ELMWOOD:

That man Jackson is a beast.

SUZETTE CLAIBORNE

He is! He just -- my husband isthe governor and this man has noright! It’s just awful. Awful.

Everyone at the table is in agreement -- everyone except Mary-

Anne, who rolls her eyes. Even Lafitte gets into the act --

JEAN LAFITTE:

You have my sympathy, Suzette.

Your husband is a treasure to the

great state of Louisiana and thisis the worst news I’ve heard.

SUZETTE CLAIBORNE

Why thank you, Monsieur Clement.

You are too kind for saying so.

But Lafitte barely keeps a straight face. Mary-Anne notices.

INT. ELMWOOD PLANTATION - DINING ROOM - MORNING

After breakfast. The dishes are being cleared. Lafitte

pours himself a coffee. Mary-Anne leans in to his ear -

MARY-ANNE DERN

Next time you should try harder tohide your joy at the suffering of abitter rival, Monsieur Lafitte.

Mary-Anne walks away coquettishly. She has his attention.

51.

EXT. LAKE BORGNE - FISHING VILLAGE - DAY

No more than a few STILTED FISHING HUTS on the marsh. A

dozen SPANISH FISHERMAN are finishing up work for the day.

Two BRITISH REDCOAT SPIES suddenly appear from around thebend. The head FISHERMAN quickly grabs a KNIFE, but thespies hold up their hands --we mean you no harm.

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