Marie Antoinette Page #7

at the carriage.

- They threw stones?

- Yes.

And shouted insults.

I'm trembling still.

Those pale faces, full of hatred...

...shouting what's being shouted

all over France.

"Foreigner, Austrian, leech."

Words put into their mouths

by our noble cousin, Orlans.

That scamp, he wants to be king.

Everything serves him.

The deficit, the hard winter,

the failure of the crops.

Why are things so difficult for us?

I'm afraid we're just

little people, Louis.

Little people with a terribly big task.

What an excellent smith

you would have made.

Think of it, with a cottage in the country

and a little garden.

And far happier.

But you're clever.

Thank you.

Three o'clock,

I must get down to the council.

Here are your glasses.

Now, where's that speech

you wrote for me?

Here it is.

Now, you'll speak firmly, won't you?

- Emphatically.

- Yes, my dear, of course.

Louis...

There now, off you go.

Oh, I meant to give you this.

I very nearly forgot.

It's an account

of the Battle of Yorktown.

It seems that Rochembeau's

aide-de-camp, Count Fersen...

...you remember, acted as interpreter

at the surrender of Cornwallis.

This document is in his handwriting.

I thought perhaps

you might like to have it.

Thank you.

Louis.

Yes, my dear?

Have you...?

Have you always known?

Ah, Boehmer.

But, Your Majesty...

If Her Majesty would condescend...

It's that wonderful necklace,

Your Majesty.

Oh, please, not now.

How lovely.

A masterpiece, Your Majesty.

Yet I'm asking Your Majesty

only what it cost me.

One million,

six hundred thousand francs.

My dear Monsieur Boehmer.

With people starving?

You waste your time, monsieur,

and mine.

I don't understand.

The Duke of Orlans led me to believe

that she was interested.

Oh, but such a price,

and in times like these.

Speak to her again.

- We'll raise your commission.

- No, it's hopeless.

She wouldn't dare.

The purchase might be made

secretly...

...in the name of a friend.

- My husband?

- No, no, no.

Pardon me.

A responsible person.

A person of wealth and standing.

Suggest it.

I repeat, Your Highness...

...Her Majesty will be responsible

for the payments.

But have you a document authorizing me

to make the purchase in her name?

Naturally.

Here is Her Majesty's signature.

Yes. Yes, I see.

- Have you the necklace?

- What? Oh, yes, yes.

- You must be prudent.

- Yes, yes.

- Careful. The queen.

- Where?

- Your Majesty.

- Rise, monsieur.

The commission

with which you honored me, madame.

I thank you, monsieur.

Your Majesty,

dare I hope the past will be forgiven?

- You may hope.

- Your Majesty.

Someone is coming.

Good heavens.

Go quickly, monsieur.

This way.

Did you get it? Here.

Go easy, you.

No need to break my wrist.

Close your fool mouth.

- Do you want to bring the guard on us?

- Shut up, both of you. Shut up.

Take your filthy hand off me,

you swine.

You couldn't have got it without me.

You'll get your share.

A million and a half francs

in flawless stones.

Go on. Start moving.

Both of you.

But I have creditors, obligations.

If I don't get the money,

it means ruin.

The first payment was due

June the 2nd.

It's now August the 15th.

First payment on what?

On the necklace, sire.

The diamond necklace.

The diamond necklace?

I have the contract, Your Majesty,

signed by you.

If you have any document...

...in which I agreed to buy

your necklace, it is a forgery.

But the necklace...

- I handed over the necklace.

- To whom?

To whom, Boehmer?

To the Prince de Rohan, Your Majesty.

But this is insane, incredible.

You say you received instructions?

Written instructions

from Your Majesty.

- As I believed.

- Have you the necklace?

I was under the impression...

...that I placed it

in Her Majesty's hands.

Monsieur, for eight years

I have not addressed a word to you.

How could you believe I'd employ you

as a go-between to buy a necklace...

...behind my husband's back?

Your presumption is criminal.

Will Your Majesty command this man

to await your pleasure?

It's all very confusing.

Louis, I don't think you realize

how serious this is.

The necklace has fallen into the hands

of thieves and forgers.

The jewelers believe

it was delivered to me.

De Rohan says

he put it into my hands.

The whole wretched mystery

must be dragged into the light.

De La Motte and her accomplices arrested,

de Rohan sent to the Bastille.

A trial?

If you should lose it...

If the court should believe

this amazing story...

It could destroy me.

It could destroy

the monarchy, madame.

You sent for me?

You have great influence, cousin.

You're using it against me

in the trial of the prince de Rohan.

You're using your money

to bribe the judges.

We appeal to you

to support the throne.

I find that very satisfying, madame.

And the inducement?

The king is without

a minister of state.

Oh, really?

I'm afraid

the bribe is not high enough.

- Not high enough?

- No.

Louis, will you allow me to propose

my solution for the troubles of the state?

I should be grateful.

Abdicate.

- Abdicate?

- Abdicate.

No one can be a monarch

who wears his crown without pride...

...without pleasure

and without dignity.

Oh, the country would accept

the Dauphin with enthusiasm...

...under a regency.

Under the regency

of the duke de Orlans, I suppose?

Why not, madame?

I am a power in Paris.

I have the confidence, yes, even

the disgusting affection, of the mob.

Monsieur, this is treason.

Madame, it is the truth.

Louis, will you permit me to request

the duke de Orlans to withdraw?

Then our truce fails?

Very well, madame.

You will lose your case.

The high court of parliament

will brand the queen of France...

...a loose and extravagant woman

who stoops to midnight rendezvous...

Get out!

Get out or I'll knock you down.

Get out.

Au revoir, Louis.

Take care that famous necklace

doesn't twist around your fat neck...

...and jerk you from the throne.

Madame, au revoir.

When a throne falls...

...princes are apt

to tumble with it, cousin.

Goodbye.

I have just come from Paris,

Your Majesty.

There are vast crowds around

the courthouse. Intense excitement.

The trial of the prince de Rohan

may close at any moment...

...and the verdict give rise

to public demonstrations.

The lieutenant of police advises...

...against Your Majesty's appearance

at the opera tonight.

But the performance is for charity,

under my patronage.

- But, Your Majesty, there...

- Monsieur de Cosse.

I have given my word to attend,

and I must do so.

I wonder she dare show her face.

Justice! Justice is done!

The verdict! The verdict!

The prince de Rohan

is honorably acquitted!

Justice! De Rohan acquitted! Justice!

De Rohan acquitted!

One million, two hundred thousand francs

cost the necklace.

She plunders us. She robs.

She hangs our money

around her neck.

She should have a millstone

around her neck.

- And then into the water with her.

- Yes!

The queen hates the people.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes