Ben and Me Page #2

It was his idea that I become

the world's first flying reporter.

I was so enthralled

with the spectacle spread out below

that I failed to notice

a sharp pointed wire

fixed to the kite

just above my head.

I was the victim of a plot.

Ben!

Ben!

Ben!

Ben!

Ben!

Mercy.

Amos.

Speak to me.

Was it electricity?

"Was it electricity?"

Was it electricity!

Goodbye!

Goodbye, and forever!

Please, Amos, wait.

Amos!

Amos!

And so I left Ben

and returned to my family,

in the old church, in the vestry,

behind the paneling.

The years that followed

were troubled ones.

There were rumors

of violence and rebellion.

Loud talk against stamp taxes

and other outrages.

How about it, men?

Are we gonna stand for this?

- No!

- No taxation without representation!

During this crisis

Ben was chosen to go to England

to lay our case before the king.

Now, all the colonies

anxiously awaited his return.

Never seen

such a bad sign to lead.

- What happened?

- What about taxes?

Will he lift them?

What did the king say?

Gentlemen, I'm afraid

the mission was a failure.

The king was unreasonable.

He wouldn't listen.

Then we'll fight

for our independence.

- War.

- Right.

War? Gentlemen,

there must be some other way.

- Some other way?

- What way?

- We've got to fight.

- What if we lose?

- We'll hang.

- What will we do?

- What will we do?

- If I only knew.

If I only knew.

Poor Ben.

I couldn't help feeling sorry for him.

It was a heavy responsibility.

I could help him.

I knew I could.

But no.

I couldn't go back.

After all,

a mouse has a little pride.

It was a night

in the summer of 1776

that I was awakened

by a voice calling my name.

Amos.

Amos!

Amos.

Who could it be at this hour?

Amos?

All right, all right.

- Ben!

- Amos.

Well... what do you want?

Well, I... That is...

I've come to ask if...

Oh, Amos, come back to me.

Would you, please?

- Out of the question.

- Please, Amos.

- Consider your country.

- My country?

Yes, Amos,

there are big decisions to be made.

I know, Ben.

I know all about it.

I need you, Amos.

You've just got to come back.

- On my own terms?

- Yes, Amos, yes.

If I draw an agreement,

will you sign?

I'll sign it.

I'll sign anything.

Very well. You shall have the agreement

first thing in the morning.

"And wherefore."

"And where to."

So many "to's" in it.

Will not tolerate.

"Will not tolerate."

"Yes, under these conditions..."

Binding.

Absolutely binding.

B- l-N-D-l-N-G.

Good day, Ben.

Come in, Amos, come in.

Let me take your hat and coat.

Nice weather we're having.

Now, could I pour you some tea

and we'll get on to my problems?

If you don't mind,

will you sign this first?

Yes, of course.

Um...

Mind if I read it?

If you wish.

Ben, are you there?

It's Tom Jefferson.

- Ben!

- Come in, Red, come in.

- Ben, you've got to help me.

- Of course, Red.

I've been racking my brains,

working day and night.

But it's no use. I'm stuck!

But I thought it was finished.

It is. It is, Ben.

But I don't like the beginning.

It just doesn't sound right.

Uh, listen to this.

The time has come when we,

the people of these colonies...

- Yes, yes?

- No, no, not big enough.

How about this?

Now's the time when we, the people...

- Well, um...

- No, not strong enough.

The time is at hand

when we, the people must...

Oh, you see what I mean, Ben?

If I could only find the words.

Psst. Ben.

How about our contract?

No, Amos, not now.

Yes, now, or I'm leaving.

All right, Amos, all right.

"When in the course of human events,

- it becomes necessary..."

- Ben!

That's it. That's it!

When in the Course of human events

it becomes necessary

for one people to dissolve

the political bands

which have connected them

with another and to assume,

among the powers of the earth

the separate and equal station

to which the Laws of Nature...

...of this Declaration,

with a firm reliance on the protection

of Divine Providence,

we mutually pledge

to each other our Lives,

our Fortunes

and our sacred Honor.

On July 4, 1776,

the Declaration of Independence

was adopted by Congress.

I was very proud

to have had a small part

in the creation

of this great document.

And so,

we are gathered here today

- to pay our respects to...

- Benjamin Franklin.

For he was truly

one of the greatest figures

in American history.

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