Battle of New Orleans Page #11

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SPANISH FISHERMAN

(in Spanish; subtitled)

British, yes?

(the spies nod)

We’ve got no problem with that.

BRITISH SPY:

We need a route into the city.

SPANISH FISHERMAN

They’ve all been blocked by felled

trees. Makes fishing impossible.

(spits)

Of course, a few of them aren’t.

A beat. Then one of the spies takes out his COIN PURSE.

EXT. PLACE D’ARMES - COURTYARD - DAY

It’s mid-morning and already a LINE OF UNHAPPY MEN stretchesinto the Quarter waiting for time at the ENLISTMENT TABLE.

Jackson has an extra spring in his step. He walks throughwith his high-command -- Coffee, Livingston, Major GeneralVillere, Commodore Patterson...

ANDREW JACKSON:

We’ve made sure all pathways from

Lake Borgne are covered?

MAJOR GENERAL VILLERE

As sure as we can be.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Commodore Patterson, the heavyartillery at Fort Phillips -- withthe British encampment to the eastwe should move them up river.

COMMODORE PATTERSON

Yes. Unfortunately, General --

regarding the cannons -- while inworking order, we’ve found we have

little to fire them with.

52.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Of course not. Because heaven

forbid anything goes right for long

in this damned city. What of our

munitions shipment from Pittsburgh?

MAJOR GENERAL VILLERE

We’ve sent scouts. Still no word.

ANDREW JACKSON:

The bastards in Washington are asunreliable as Claiborne says.

Jackson stops for a moment to think. And then --

ANDREW JACKSON (CONT’D)

These artillery -- you capturedthem from Lafitte, yes? Were there

no munitions on Barataria?

Patterson shakes his head --not that we found.

ANDREW JACKSON (CONT’D)

A pirate would never leave himselfa gun without a bullet.

Livingston sees another opportunity --

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

General, if you wish to speak toLafitte directly, I can -

ANDREW JACKSON:

I will not beg, Livingston. Not

now. Besides, there may be anotheroption for us to consider.

INT. CITY JAIL - CELL - DAY

DOMINIQUE YOU and a few LIEUTENANTS sit in a cramped, darkcell. They’ve been here since the day they were captured.

Dominique hears footsteps. Jackson and Livingston approach.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

Well lookee here -- if it ain’t the

new man in charge. I don’t believe

we’ve met -- je suis Dominique You.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Major General Andrew Jackson.

53.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

The pleasurest of pleasures.

Dominique offers his hand through the bars. Jackson refuses.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Mr. You, I am here regarding your

artillery munitions. Your brother

must have known an attack was

eminent and squirreled them away.

I want to know where.

Dominique studies Jackson a moment, then starts to LAUGH --

loud and boisterous, until finally -

DOMINIQUE YOU:

I see it now, coming from you!

Martial law! If there was ever a

move made by a pirate il est que!

Dominique continues. Jackson seethes. Livingston steps in -

EDWARD LIVINGSTON

Dominique, please --

ANDREW JACKSON:

You and I are not the same.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

I wouldn’t be so sure, Général. I

wouldn’t be so sure at all.

(regains his composure)

Regardless, we tried to help you

once -- no one would listen.

Jackson steps closer to the bars --

ANDREW JACKSON:

Circumstances have changed. If you

ever wish to see outside this cell

you will be more than forthcoming.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

And if you ever wish to see those

munitions, speak to my brother!

You think these bars scare me?

Remember -- I was the one who

surrendered pour vous!

ANDREW JACKSON:

Your brother is a fugitive.

54.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

It’s his deal to make. I had myway, you pignuts would get sh*t andbe quite happy about it. Now tell

the guard I’m ready for my lunch.

EXT. CITY JAIL - DAY

Jackson and Livingston exit. Livingston looks at Jackson --

do you want me to speak to Lafitte? A beat, then simply -

ANDREW JACKSON:

No.

And as Jackson walks back toward the Place d’Armes --

EXT. ELMWOOD PLANTATION - GARDENS - NIGHT

Mary-Anne reads by candlelight in the well-manicured garden.

Jean Lafitte approaches. Mary-Anne looks up from her book.

MARY-ANNE DERN

Well hello, Monsieur Clement. Or

should I say --

JEAN LAFITTE:

How did you know?

MARY-ANNE DERN

Magic.

(and then)

I’ve seen you before. At one of

your soirees in the city.

INT. FRENCH QUARTER MANSION - NIGHT - FLASHBACK

A decadent affair. New Orleans HIGH SOCIETY revels at one of

Lafitte’s famous parties. Mary-Anne mingles in the crowd asJEAN LAFITTE, handsome in a tuxedo, walks down the stairs.

MARY-ANNE DERN (V.O.)

With as many suitors who bat theireyes and flip their skirts, I’m

sure you wouldn’t remember me.

Indeed, all female eyes are seemingly on Lafitte -

EXT. ELMWOOD PLANTATION - GARDENS - NIGHT

Leaving Lafitte to smile knowingly at Mary-Anne’s assumption.

55.

JEAN LAFITTE:

The parties -- they are wondrous.

MARY-ANNE DERN

And yet here you sit -- stashedaway as Monsieur Clement, wanted byyour government as well as others,

smuggler of the high seas.

JEAN LAFITTE:

Such is the life.

MARY-ANNE DERN

I’m sure.

JEAN LAFITTE:

(beat)

You don’t believe me?

MARY-ANNE DERN

You say “such is the life” as if it

wasn’t your choice. As if youdidn’t decide at some point in yourpast to actually become a pirate.

I would think hiding in shadowscame with the territory.

Lafitte’s not used to being talked to like this. He smiles --

JEAN LAFITTE:

Privateer. There is a difference.

MARY-ANNE DERN

And is that what you whisper to allthose girls to make them swoon?

JEAN LAFITTE:

A man whispers many things -- asI’m sure you know.

MARY-ANNE DERN

You’re making assumptions now.

JEAN LAFITTE:

If you can, my dear, so can I.

Touche. A charged beat, then Mary-Anne regroups --

MARY-ANNE DERN

Then perhaps we’ve both misjudged,

Monsieur. I’m here only because myesteemed father thinks I need

“seasoning” to find a husband.

(MORE)

56.

MARY-ANNE DERN (CONT'D)

I’d rather be anywhere but high

society, I assure you.

JEAN LAFITTE:

And why is that exactly?

MARY-ANNE DERN

Shall I make a list or is our

riveting breakfast conversationenough? They’re idiots, mostly.

My cousin and her husband -

JEAN LAFITTE:

Our intrepid Governor.

MARY-ANNE DERN

Is he still? Or is it former

governor. I’m not familiar with

the intricacies of martial law.

It’s only taken a minute, but Lafitte is clearly intrigued bythis girl. Mary-Anne moves on in conversation --

MARY-ANNE DERN (CONT’D)

So tell me, Monsieur Lafitte, why

are you here?

JEAN LAFITTE:

Elmwood is an old friend. Or his

wife is, I should say -- he doesn’teven know who I am. But until

Jackson wants my help, I’m lost.

Mary-Anne shakes her head -- she finds something ridiculous.

JEAN LAFITTE (CONT’D)

What?

MARY-ANNE DERN

You think he would really ask? A

man with ego enough to remove thegovernor from power?

JEAN LAFITTE:

I’ve offered my services -

MARY-ANNE DERN

Let me guess -- you offered to bethe white knight coming to save thecity, your sail full of wind -

JEAN LAFITTE:

(incredulous)

So now I’m the one with ego?

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