Battle of New Orleans Page #16

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JEAN LAFITTE (V.O.)

I have never met a woman who so

quickly was able to find the heartof the matter. I hope one day toearn the trust of which you spoke -

EXT. SWAMP - NIGHT

Near the plantation front lines. CAPTAIN NICHOLAS LOCKYER

and a few REDCOATS wait in the darkness...

JEAN LAFITTE (V.O.)

-- because what has become clear to

me now is that trust allows us to

move mountains. I shall see you

soon. Yours loyally, Jean.

There’s a rustling in the trees. And then --

PIERRE LAFITTE STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS.

Lockyer smiles a knowing smile -- he’s been expecting him.

And as Pierre’s true ALLEGIANCE is revealed -

78.

INT. MACARTY PLANTATION - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Jackson and his high-command, still dirty from a day’s work,

sit at the table. A SERVANT delivers a TURKEY to eat.

Lafitte is at the window. The men outside continue to build

the BREASTWORK by moonlight. The servant passes close by --

JEAN LAFITTE:

Whatever you can -- make sure everyman has something to eat tonight.

Jackson takes note of this. Lafitte comes to the table.

Jackson raises a glass for a toast --

ANDREW JACKSON:

To America. Happy Christmas.

INT. MACARTY PLANTATION - STUDY - NIGHT

The men have broken into small groups for drinks. Jackson is

again alone with a bottle of WHISKEY. He’s had quite a few.

JEAN LAFITTE (O.S.)

May I join you?

Lafitte has come up behind him. Jackson considers Lafitte a

moment, then waves at a nearby chair --if you must.

JEAN LAFITTE (CONT’D)

(re:
the whiskey)

And partake?

Again Jackson nods curtly -- not the warmest of invitations.

Lafitte is left to pour a glass himself. He drinks.

JEAN LAFITTE (CONT’D)

Ah! I think now I understand the

fire in your belly.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Kentucky mash.

JEAN LAFITTE:

For a man from Tennessee. Is that

even allowable?

Lafitte is joking but Jackson’s clearly not in the mood.

JEAN LAFITTE (CONT’D)

Come now, General. Where’s your

holiday spirit? Dinner with twelve

of your closest military advisors --

79.

ANDREW JACKSON:

There is much to be done.

JEAN LAFITTE:

And we are doing it, I believe.

ANDREW JACKSON:

As are the British.

JEAN LAFITTE:

Something tells me they’re not

quite as cheerful.

Another joke. Jackson studies Lafitte for a moment.

ANDREW JACKSON:

I’m not a scoundrel.

JEAN LAFITTE:

I don’t believe I called you one.

ANDREW JACKSON:

In our meeting at the bar. A man

who duels at the first false word.

JEAN LAFITTE:

It’s what I’d heard about you. It

wasn’t what I said.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Yes but your meaning was the same.

Jackson finishes his drink, then pours himself another. He’s

drunk. Lafitte realizes he must tread carefully --

JEAN LAFITTE:

Then I must apologize, General. No

offense intended. Though I’m sure

if I spent my days at the bottom ofa bottle of Kentucky mash I wouldfind myself a duelist as well.

Jackson takes a moment, seemingly sizing Lafitte up -

ANDREW JACKSON:

Have you ever been married,

Monsieur Lafitte?

JEAN LAFITTE:

Many have tried.

Jackson drinks again, then begins a story he normallywouldn’t, but with the circumstances as such -

80.

ANDREW JACKSON:

My wife, she was born in Kentucky

actually. Her father married her

to a man twice her age when she was

only sixteen. He was a lout. A

scab. And when he left her after a

year and a half of hell he was to

file their papers with the court

only he put them in his pocket and

forgot them there forever.

(drinks again)

She’s the love of my life, she is.

But after our vows were said,

rumors spread of her infidelity.

She was called a bigamist. She was

called a whore. She was called

much worse. And as you say, when

such happens in moments of ill-

clarity at the bottom of the bottle

my wife’s name had to be defended.

JEAN LAFITTE:

Your first duel was for her honor.

(realizes)

General, are you a romantic?

ANDREW JACKSON:

What was said was patently untrue.

I had to correct them.

JEAN LAFITTE:

By shooting them with your pistol.

ANDREW JACKSON:

By settling our discrepancies

honorably. And as the safety of a

duelist is based on his reputation

- once I was, I continued to be.

Lafitte has been amazed by this entire exchange.

JEAN LAFITTE:

I want to see how you do it.

ANDREW JACKSON:

It’s not for show.

JEAN LAFITTE:

But it can be. I just hope I’m not

on the receiving end.

And is that a smile from Jackson? If it is, it’s a small

one. But it’s a start. Jackson changes gears --

81.

ANDREW JACKSON:

The food. For the men earlier. I

would never think to do as you did.

JEAN LAFITTE:

Show the men love and they willlove you in return.

ANDREW JACKSON:

A leader of men isn’t always

afforded that luxury.

JEAN LAFITTE:

You’re saying I’m not?

ANDREW JACKSON:

This war has been fought becausethe men who stood up to be countedsat down when it did. I have manyburdens above my own popularity.

Lafitte leans forward here --

JEAN LAFITTE:

I think you’re worried they won’t

love you back. I think fear is

easier. But I promise you this,

General -- if you walk with the menon that line you won’t have to

stand to be counted. They willhold you on their shoulders.

Jackson stares at Lafitte. And then -

ANDREW JACKSON:

I never knew a pirate to talk assuch.

JEAN LAFITTE:

(with a smile)

I’m a privateer.

ANDREW JACKSON:

Either way, to have everyone’s

acceptance or no one’s is the same.

When I close my eyes at nightthere’s only one name that matters.

I recommend you find that yourself.

JEAN LAFITTE:

(beat)

You are a romantic.

82.

ANDREW JACKSON:

And a scoundrel, apparently.

JEAN LAFITTE:

We are who we are.

Lafitte finishes his drink. He reaches to pour another butJackson GRABS the bottle. And in a meaningful gesture -

Jackson POURS Lafitte a fresh glass. An act of FRIENDSHIP.

And as these two men drink into the Christmas Eve night --

EXT. MACARTY PLANTATION - MORNING

The sun rises on CHRISTMAS MORNING. Jackson checks on the

line’s progress. Dominique You approaches holding a PACKAGE.

DOMINIQUE YOU:

Joyeux Noël, Général.

Jackson unwraps the gift. It’s a large AMERICAN FLAG.

ANDREW JACKSON:

How was this procured?

DOMINIQUE YOU:

(with a wink)

Old family heirloom.

Meaning --I stole it from somewhere. And then -

ANDREW JACKSON:

We shall raise it to the heavens.

EXT. VILLERE PLANTATION - MORNING

The BRITISH ARMY reconvenes five miles south. The troopshave been supplemented with men and artillery, but the northend of the grounds are still under constant BOMBARDMENT fromthe LOUISIANA and CAROLINA. Cochrane and Keane walk through.

ADMIRAL COCHRANE

We may not arrive for Christmas butby God we will not be out-gunned bythose lily-skinned --

Cochrane stops mid-sentence. He’s amazed to see his LEGIONS

OF REDCOATS suddenly STANDING at attention --

ADMIRAL COCHRANE (CONT’D)

What in God’s sacred name --

83.

Cochrane turns. GENERAL PACKENHAM and his VETERAN TROOPS

have just arrived at the plantation. The REDCOATS stand now

like statues, saluting their commanding officer.

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