The Affair of the Necklace Page #4

My lady.

We would like you to re-introduce the

idea of the necklace to Her Majesty.

If a bargain were struck,

be assured of a commission.

A very generous commission.

- Please, countess, won't you help us?

The interest alone on what we paid

for the diamonds is ruining us.

And so there was a fateful meeting.

The countess born by the grace of God...

...and the necklace formed

by the hand of man.

One without the other could do little harm.

But together...

It was fantastic, wasn't it?

That necklace could vastly improve

a person's situation.

Are we not blessed with a benefactor?

- Rohan?

No, this is a very dangerous idea.

A charming fellow once told me

something worthwhile.

The way to get to what you desire is

to know what everyone else desires.

The jewelers know only the queen

can relieve them of their creation.

Then we have our benefactor, Louis

de Rohan, cardinal of all France.

He desires the one thing his wealth

can't acquire, the prime minister ship.

But what he doesn't realize is the

queen secretly desires the necklace.

So if Rohan could somehow

make the transaction possible...

...the jewelers would have a home

for the necklace with the queen.

Brilliant, but one tiny flaw.

The queen doesn't desire the necklace.

You really must keep abreast

of current events, my love.

It would seem Her Majesty

has had a change of heart.

Why does Antoinette wish to obtain

this brutish trinket...

...in such secrecy?

Such an extravagance could cause

further unrest among the people.

Then why ensnare His Eminence

in such a venture?

She seeks a discreet intermediary.

One who can be a guarantee

to the jeweler...

...should she be forced by circumstances

to default on her payment.

I beg your pardon, Your Eminence.

Mademoiselle Subur has arrived...

...for her religious tutorial.

Escort her to my private chapel.

I'll be along momentarily.

You've improved your position

with the queen. Help her...

...and the path to the prime

minister's post will be short.

I've grown tired of treading

that path on my hands and knees.

What do you have to say?

- I do sense an opportunity.

Stay the course.

No. No.

I've denounced my own character

in writing.

I've paid you exorbitantly

to exert your influence.

Yet my every request has been ignored.

Unless I meet Her Majesty...

...our arrangement is over.

Now if you'll excuse me...

...an eager young mind awaits.

This is an opportunity

that may never come again.

With the necklace, I have a chance

to take back what was-.

I have a chance to get my home back.

It's all I ever wanted.

If I could bring it back for you,

I would. But honestly, I do not-.

If the cardinal wishes to meet

the queen, he should meet the queen.

You're naughty.

Let's say we convince Rohan to act

as guarantor for the necklace.

What'll happen when no payment's

made by Antoinette?

I imagine the eye of Rohan

will turn our way.

Yes, and sh*t will rain upon us

in biblical amounts.

I'm not interested in being his catch basin.

Nor am I. But to implicate us would

expose his own part in the scandal.

Don't you think he'd pay off the

jewelers to cover up the affair?

Yes, I'm sure he would.

Then have our throats cut

in a dark and disagreeable place.

Yes, I have thought about that

unpleasant eventuality.

I feel we could persuade him

that forgiveness is his only recourse.

What do you propose we do

about Nicolas? He could betray us.

Not if we bring him into the fold.

As hypocritical as it sounds...

...he may even be of help to us.

Please.

I'll speak with him alone.

He'll be more receptive.

Oh, yes, I'm sure he will be.

I knew something grand was afoot.

Rest assured I'll be an asset to this.

You can best help by showing restraint.

It will be important that all

seems normal in this household.

I like that part very much.

What role does the gigolo play though?

Will he be an out-of-town cousin?

Rtaux will do his part. You need only

concentrate on not being yourself.

Don't be angry with me.

I am the way I am.

You know as well as I, our marriage

has always been an arrangement.

You needed a title to gain access

to the royal court.

You took me on because

I bought you that title.

I've never been more than

a stepping stone in your eyes.

No. I saw something worthy

in you at one time.

Even gallant.

I wanted nothing more than

to make it a real marriage.

Perhaps we could have that now.

But you see, now it is an arrangement.

All that remained was to secure

the final conspirator.

The perfect man for the job

was dispatched with haste.

How do you do?

- How do you do?

Are you alone?

- Not now.

'Not now.' I have a proposition for you.

This is more intrigue than I bargained for.

The king's in Paris.

It has to be tonight.

You are to wait here.

I must confess, I am nervous.

My God, I'm shaking.

Give Her Majesty time to gaze upon you.

If she feels it is right,

she'll signal.

I understand.

- Be ready to flee at a moment's notice.

Say only what we've rehearsed.

And have confidence.

It is only acting, yes?

- Yes, but it must be convincing.

We have the grove to ourselves.

- Excellent.

Is that necessary?

- Yes, it is necessary.

The wound on my ass is barking.

- And you deserve it.

Forgiveness is a rose without thorns.

If I have offended Your Majesty,

I've suffered for it.

This is not necessary.

I remember your first day at Versailles.

You were a young girl of 14...

...with sweet rosebud lips.

I was a young bishop then,

and well-liked.

I felt a connection between

that young girl and that young man.

It transcended curiosity.

- I remember.

Get away, you dirty boy.

Someone's in the garden.

There's someone else in the garden.

We must go. Now.

What was that?

- Guards of the palace.

Follow me. Intruder on the grounds.

Follow me.

This way.

Come on.

- I say we separate. You go that way.

You there. Stand fast where you are.

Come back.

Stop for nothing.

There's a trail through the marsh.

He passed by here. I'm certain.

You there, search the bank.

Go find these bastards.

You've attempted to deceive me.

- Deceive you?

Don't play games with me.

Your Majesty.

I know what you're up to.

Antoinette is secretly in love with me.

Deny it if you will.

But don't ask me to play the fool.

My dearest Antoinette:

Our meeting at the grove was for me...

...like the end of an epic journey.

To hear from Her Majesty's

lips such words...

And so, a bargain was struck.

The queen intended to pay

for the necklace...

...in two months' time, on the day

of the Feast of the Assumption.

As guarantor, the cardinal was at risk

for a considerable sum.

When concern crept in,

the cardinal sought a higher power.

You wish to ascertain

if the risk is warranted?

Caesar had dream interpreters.

Hannibal utilized stargazers

and soothsayers.

Great men of destiny

need those who can see...

...beyond their own grand vision.

Behold.

I gaze into sanctified waters.

I see a woman.

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