The Emperor's New Clothes Page #2

of Notre Dame.

Sire! You are returned to us.

At last.

May you forgive the unpardonable

treatment bestowed upon...

I'm very thirsty.

Word came that you had missed

the agent in Brest.

I had men scouring the border

for Eugene Lenormand.

It was all I could think of.

I'm the end of the line here.

An outpost of one surrounded

by royalist dogs and collaborators.

Come, sire,

we mustn't lose any time.

Sire, you are now on French soil.

You will find transport in Cambrai,

about two miles due south.

You should arrive in Paris

exactly on schedule.

- What is your name?

- Bommel, sir. Justin.

Ex-company sergeant

of the Old Guard.

The Old Guard.

The last faithful.

You were at Waterloo.

As the English cannon

were cutting us down...

you stood amongst us and said...

"You are the bravest of the brave."

They said there were tears

in your eyes.

The bitterest tears

are the tears of defeat.

I will require

accommodations in Paris.

Yes, sire. I have a comrade,

Lieutenant Truchaut.

Nobody will think

of looking for you there.

You should be safe

from royalist spies, only...

Only it is far too humble a nest

for the imperial eagle.

No doubt your

more illustrious allies...

No. I trust none of them.

In any case,

I won't be staying long.

No, sire. Soon all of France will

arise at the news of your return.

Farewell, Sergeant Bommel.

Till we meet again and the tricolor

flies once more over Paris.

Long live the emperor!

You here for Truchaut?

The eagle flies

from belfry to belfry.

Are you one of those crazy people

from down the street?

- What?

- I'm not supposed to talk to them.

No. I'm here for Truchaut,

as you said.

That's him.

I'll get Pumpkin.

You'll get what?

Are you the undertaker?

No. Eugene Lenormand.

Sergeant Artillery.

I was looking

for Lieutenant Truchaut.

You found him.

- Pumpkin.

- Thank you, Doctor.

A mutual friend, an old comrade

from the Grande Armes suggested...

I'm sorry. I can't hire

any more veterans.

I can offer you a glass, a roof

for the night if you need it...

but that's all.

You spoke of

a mutual colleague.

Yes. Bommel.

Company Sergeant Justin Bommel...

of the Old Guard.

Truchaut had a wide circle of

friends who held him in high regard.

Perhaps you'd like to meet some.

I'd be happy to introduce you.

Very kind, but I expect

to be rather busy.

Pumpkin, I suggest we do not

partake of any refreshment...

until dear Truchaut

is laid to rest.

The sun's come earlier

than you said.

I hope we don't get left with

a heap of rotting watermelons again.

Should've bought

more cantaloupes.

They hold out longer.

We barely made it last year.

I don't think you even knew.

So many things we didn't share.

I tried.

I tried to be a good wife

to you, Truchaut.

It was in the frozen wastes

of Poland...

that I met my true love,

Marie Walewska...

a vision of loveliness

with the face of an angel...

haloed by little blonde curls.

She rejected my initial advances.

But eventually I...

got her alone,

and explained to her...

what would become of her country

if she didn't submit to my...

Enough!

Enough, gentlemen.

The time has come.

The emperor's surely

reached Paris by now.

Fetch some more hot water, Marchand.

I feel a chill.

The time has come.

Do you hear me?

You must complete your mission.

You must reveal

your true identity.

I've no idea

what you're talking about.

So, Sergeant, you served

with our dear Truchaut.

We were in Egypt at the same time...

but in different regiments.

Egypt. The shadow of the pyramids.

Truchaut spoke endlessly

of that voluptuous country.

Scorpions, the flies, dysentery.

- I wish I'd served in that campaign.

- Yes.

Perhaps you're destined

for newer victories.

No. Our days of glory are behind us.

All we have are our memories.

Mmm. Yeah.

- To Egypt.

- To Egypt.

Is there no news of the emperor?

Why, yes.

"His Majesty's health is sound.

His appetite extremely robust."

My husband died on this sofa.

My husband died in that chair.

Madame Truchaut.

- I must impose a little longer.

- Impose?

Yes. The same accommodations

will suffice. Perhaps a meal.

What has happened?

Two consignments of watermelons,

and I have no money to pay.

Well, so be it. One mustn't let

trivial matters dampen the spirits.

Trivial?

Hardship stiffens the resolve,

sharpens the wits.

- They've taken everything.

- One must move forward.

I'll soon lose the house,

do you understand?

I have nothing left. I have no money

and certainly no bed for you.

I've no need to stay

where I'm not welcome.

Good!

I'd sooner sleep in the gutter

than spend one night...

under an inhospitable roof.

I am a man who can be killed,

but not insulted!

Please! Take the rotten fruit with

you and the flies that go with it!

Sergeant! Sergeant Lenormand,

can you hear me?

- Can you hear me? Can you hear me?

- Listen to me.

How many fingers can you see?

What's your name?

Emperor Napoleon.

What do you want?

Can I go now?

I suppose so.

What are you waiting for?

I have to tell Pumpkin if you

had pains or lost your wits again.

Wait.

Bring me a newspaper.

And you may keep what's left.

You've had a good sleep.

Do you recall the moment

just after your fall, I wonder?

It is somewhat muddled.

How long before

I'm back on my feet?

It's just a sprain.

You'll be up and about in no time.

No time's too long.

I'm indebted

to your hospitality, madame.

It's Dr. Lambert you should thank.

He's given up his room.

I assure you I have no intention

of staying longer than necessary.

Where did you get that?

Giving sweets to children now?

He earned it.

Here. Make yourself useful.

Can you manage?

He's taking it well,

the loss of his father.

He never knew his father. I'm the

nearest thing to a mother for him.

- I thought Truchaut...

- No. A stray.

What about you?

Any children?

A son. Same age.

Disappointment.

Pumpkin, we're ready to go.

You should keep your weight

off that foot.

Find yourself

a comfortable chair...

and stay in it.

Come. There's work to do.

Let me see that one again.

Find a seat.

Settle down.

Come on. Quickly as you can.

What's going on?

Your efforts

have been courageous...

but confused and futile.

It is now time to prepare

a rigorous plan of action.

Plan? What's he on about?

One:
The time factor.

The current heat wave

does not favor our campaign...

since it makes the melons

ripen quickly.

In reality, it also contains

an element which could benefit us...

and which we should exploit:

The thirst in the townspeople.

And us.

If we act swiftly...

we can turn these weather conditions

to our advantage.

Two:
The terrain factor.

Paris covers a wide area, and we have

only minimal forces in the field.

Haphazard effort will fail.

We must determine where the lie

of the land works against us.

Long quiet streets...

too much time lost.

Les Halles, the markets...

too much competition.

We shall focus on zones...

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes