Fridericus Page #3

---

but do you have proof?

No. But I feel he purposely let you pass...

like you were doing him a favor.

I'm better informed, my dear Count.

Friedrich wants to go to Schweidnitz.

He had all his supplies sent there.

But he can't get there.

Because his soldiers are exhausted.

- Austrians know how to march too.

- Yes, Your Excellency.

I hope I'm not intruding,

but it's time, Your Excellency.

I'm coming, Cobenzl.

Aren't you coming too?

No, I'm staying here for now.

What? You want to stay here?

But why?

I want to obtain important

information from our host.

The baron has good relations

with the Prussians...

he's even friends with the king.

But the Prussians are right behind us.

What if Friedrich came to the castle?

That'd be more than I could hope for.

Could you keep one squadron

ready for me, Your Excellency?

- What for?

- I'm not at liberty to say.

You can discuss that with Cobenzl.

Farewell.

When do you need

the squadron, Count?

I'll send a message to headquarters.

Your Excellency.

I've come to wish you good luck

in your future endeavors.

Good luck, Baron?

Remember, you're Prussian.

Not quite.

I may be Prussian...

but this castle

belongs to the Empress.

This is too complicated for me, Baron.

Let's go, gentlemen.

Long live the king.

Thank you for your

enthusiastic welcome.

What do you want from me?

We're starving.

With a belly like that?

We need help desperately.

I know. Your cattle died.

- Did you use rock salt?

- No, King.

Well, there you go.

You have to place it there

so that the cattle can lick it.

We don't have any cattle left.

- What?

- The enemy drove them all away.

- The administrator is to report to me.

- He isn't here.

- Didn't you send for him?

- Yes, yesterday.

But he said we could wait.

I promise you,

you'll get everything back.

With your permission,

I have lost 1 00 talers...

1 0 geese,

all the silverware, my wife-

You should direct

your demands to the heavens.

The apostles went barefoot,

and Jesus died a poor man.

The administrator.

Begging pardon.

I only just learned

Your Majesty had arrived.

I only just learned

Your Majesty had arrived.

What a magnificent ride.

You must be doing well.

Unfortunately not.

These are hard times.

My civil servants should not ride

in expensive coaches...

when the people are suffering.

Why didn't you look after

your plundered farmers?

I was busy all day determining

the damage to the estates.

I want you to help the poor first.

The rich can help themselves.

Show me through the village.

It must have been a nice village.

Are people procreating?

Do they have a lot of children?

- Well, in so many words-

- How many births?

- Well?

- Eight this year. 1 5 last year.

- Do you have children?

- No, Majesty.

- And you?

- 1 4, my King.

Odd how the rich

are short on children.

- Why don't you have any?

- I don't know how it happened.

You should find out.

It's the misery, Majesty.

Constant wars, all the time.

I see.

Why do I fight wars?

For glory and honor, Majesty.

- What do you think?

- For peace, my King.

Bravo.

You can learn from him.

- Majesty-

- Shut your mouth.

It's for peace. Remember that.

You don't know the danger

you're in by staying here.

Yes, I do.

Is it necessary? You can serve

the Empress in other ways.

True, but here I have the chance

to turn the war around.

- You're ambitious.

- Of course.

- Or do you hate the Prussians so?

- Well-

- But you're a patriot, right.

- That's a fitting reason.

Magnificent fellow.

The Empress has many

good officers, but none-

and pardon my arrogance-

none with my creativity.

You don't understand?

- The King of Prussia is creative.

- What do you mean by that?

It's enough to meet him.

But why under such

dangerous circumstances?

That one up there

wasn't shot in the parlor either.

Guess what? I got a letter-

Pardon me.

You haven't met my cousin

from Potsdam yet.

- This is Count Wallis-

- The bravest woman I ever saw.

You venture right in the middle of the war.

It's not that bad.

The castle is almost neutral.

And my cousin

is well liked by both sides.

But my cousin is not neutral.

She's the wife of the Prussian

Captain von Bonin.

I hope you'll get to see

your husband soon.

Surely, that's why you're here.

Your keen mind scares me.

I'd better seek shelter right away.

- How could you mention my name?

- Sorry, I was surprised-

Good thing she hasn't heard of me.

- You have to leave now.

- I wouldn't think of it.

- But she knows your name.

- Women have no memory for names.

Count, I implore you.

I fear for your life.

Don't worry.

You'll be all right.

That'll cost me my head.

If you desert me,

I'll tell the Prussian king...

what sort of friends he has.

No need to threaten me.

I know I depend on Austria.

The king will come close today,

and you'll go to meet him.

You'll invite him to be your guest,

as many times before.

- They acted like pigs.

- When will you make peace?

The king.

- What is to become of us?

- Will you help us?

- We have nothing left.

- It's all because of the war.

I can't change it either.

I'd have myself quartered

if it could bring you peace.

Soldier!

Get me a dozen hussars,

the most desperate ones.

Take them to the Empress's castle

here and do your worst.

Leave no stone standing.

Plunder everything!

Set fire to it! Go!

Are you deaf?

What are you still doing here?

With respect, Majesty.

Please assign someone else.

Are you crazy?

I swore an oath as a Prussian soldier,

not as a murderer.

You're right, Lieutenant.

You know what's proper.

My respects...

Captain.

Those poor souls

will get money and food.

Yes, sir.

My sister?

What a great pleasure.

How is my sister?

Very well.

Bonin, go with Mr. von Treskow

and meet my sister...

and escort her to Neubrck.

I'll set up camp in that village.

Understood?

- Understood.

- Take good care of my sister.

I hope you appreciate

the privilege of your assignment.

Now, hurry.

- That's beautiful.

- Yes, I haven't lost my touch.

Thank you.

You're so kind to me.

- Don't, don't.

- Who from?

As if you didn't know.

That one's even prettier.

It's for my son, Hans.

Every day I make one for him.

Maybe one day the Prussians

will let him see his old mother.

But so many have withered.

Your son is with the Prussians too?

Yes, he wants to be a doctor,

and the baron is paying for his education.

You will see him again.

My husband has sent me a letter.

- They're coming to this area.

- Now? Is that true?

Yes.

Then, I'll run to the camp,

no matter how far.

Attention!

Well, cousin, I'd like to announce you,

but His Majesty won't have time.

- Important visitors are waiting for him.

- Who?

See for yourself.

Honor guard from Bayreuth.

Ah, his favorite.

Wilhelmine von Bayreuth.

- Have you thought about it, Mampe?

- What?

Have you thought about it,

Sergeant Major?

No need for formalities...

provided you're of sound mind again.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes