"(Funeral music)" "Sir, do you still remember me?" "Let me think" "Have I changed so much?" "Let me think again" "Marquis Bardata" "I was unlucky some time ago" "Bardata is a very interesting place" "I am excited again" "Where is your good spirit?" "Disappeared?" "What an annoying loss to those who attend the salon." "But I have seen" "Many countries since..." "With worse customs" "But I still miss them" "Sir, I am annoying you?" "I will wait for Mrs Blayac in the salon." "She is powdering her nose" "I think Mr Blayac should not be forgotten Go home... but..." "You are in a dither, you have bright eyes" "Don't move" "You might need an arm" "The father has a fever" "The King, one says, cures those who he touches." "We can all do miracles" "Don't you believe me?" "I'll make a promise" "We'll get rid of these fevers" "By saying mass?" "No" "With dykes and canals" "Planting trees" "You will see, this place will become beautiful" "There's home" "When you see the King have him bless my medal" "I promise, Leonard" "You need my blessing" "Your mother worries about this trip" "Keep your hopes up" "Yes, in God" "Versailles was built through the will of one man" "A King's will" "I'm going to Versailles" "The King will understand me" "The King will listen" "On your knees!" "Your hat!" "In the name of the Father and the Son" "Amen" "Later..." "One of the best among us!" "And a good sense of humour" "Milletail!" "Back from America?" "I missed Versailles Mr De Bellegarde." "I am surprised to see you" "I would have preferred to bury him alive" "But God needs us" "Attention please, sirs" "Let us dine instead!" "We'll do better next to the fowl." "The Blayacs are suffering a crisis of austerity" "Is this Mr Blayac's house?" "Are you family?" "He invited me to come here" "You came at the right moment. he is receiving guests" "You can recognize his widow very easily" "We cannot forget his wisdom and ability" "My husband admired you" "The Academy is in mourning" "He was so devoted to it" "What a loss!" "My God!" "My condolences, he was a friend of my father." "Mine as well" "I come from Dombes" "Have you ever been to Versailles?" "I happened to have been born here" "Courtier by birth!" "One may be born in a stable and not be a horse" "Only God can judge us" "You said?" "God only..." "God forgives thieves... when their children are hungry" "Since we met each other" "Who is the most pleasant?" "Who do I have the honour to bleed?" "Gregoire Ponceludon de Malavoy." "Marquis de Bellegarde." "Charlotte, my Nanny." "And his son Paul" "Paul is a deaf mute." "He is an idiot not a bad person." "Travellers have not been cautious enough" "To resist the crime that reigns around Versailles." "The Doctor judges blood..." "Nice lively red" "Fluid but with a good body." "You are living outdoors... and you eat lean meat." "I live in marsh air and I fish." "Ah?" "My God, my plans!" "Are you a hydraulic engineer?" "Yes, Sir." "I came to submit my plan to drain the marshes." "The difficulty is not in being received but in being heard." "I will stick with common sense They say that Maurepas is a good Minister." "You really don't understand the way things are done in Versailles!" "There!" "I drained you white" "You need rest now" "Two days of bed and diet with one glass of wine in the evening." "The evening is meant for sleep, you hurt uselessly" "Thank you" ""Note to the Regent..." ""concerning epidemics in Dombes and a method to remedy the situation"," "Written by the Marquis de Gora" "Not even opened!" "Did your letter fare better?" "Thank you Sir, for preventing my humiliation" "I have seen many country nobles" "I will plead my case clearly" "A lock will fill a reservoir and regulate the flow" "His majesty might be interested in such a hydraulic project." "The King is amused by technical things" "Tell him that malaria is decimating the people of Dombes." "I have been told that he is sensitive." "That is his weakness." "That is why I will not speak of your plans to His Majesty." "In fact, I will hide these plans..." "Whether they describe a tunnel under the English Channel or mapping India." "Very useful proposals" "But expensive" "At least, let's drain the marsh." "Its money that we'll end up draining." "I respect budgets." "Do you know the present situation?" "The cost of living?" "It comes after the destiny of France" "Except for "philosophers"." "Good day Sir, I have work to do." "I will alert the King of the miseries that we hide from him." "Fine." "These gentlemen on the right will lead the Kingdom to bankruptcy." "I am kept busy with military engineering and fortifications." "Mr Maurepas is old and careful." "You are young and passionate." "My responsibility makes me immune to flattery." "In the left wing... exceptions are not permitted." "Good day, Sir." "But, I will give you some advice:" "Write a proposal and I promise you will hear about it." "In the left wing of the palace, we work at the business of the King." "The right wing welcomes the court." "Everyone there tends to their business." "I wish to see the King and no one else." ""No one else"!" "You amuse me." "We call you "lobbyists"." "How many are you?" "A thousand?" "Some get there." "Help me." "Introduce me to the court." "You'll be more useful to your farmers" "Versailles is my last hope." "Everyone's the same!" "Heads full of titles, pensions and duties!" "The court!" "The court!" "The word will turn you grey!" "I doubt that you will succeed in being heard." "Go home." "And thank me." "Excuse me." "Ah yes, the secret!" "I tell you:" "There is no purgatory!" "I believe I recognize your point." "The countryside must sharpen your view on the absurdity of the court." ""Don't judge, and you will not be judged"." "If the Gospel had been useful to Versailles I would have known." "Join us!" "We play ten cents a point." "My buckles are all I have." "But..." "You can evaluate them better by bending properly." "What do you want?" "To be in charge of draining the Dombes marshes." "The farm people only live to 35." "The poor people!" "Bad news never travels alone :" "It bores us to speak of them." "Other than the mosquitos..." "These farmers also feed the aristocracy." "Less stupid than he appears." "That is the difference between us" "Her Majesty the Queen!" "Ah, Blayac!" "May I borrow the Abbot?" "Your servant, Your Majesty." "I'm in a game of cards, but its nothing but trouble." "I lively spirit would not be too much." "Thank you, my friend, I will return it to you" "But... you were busy?" "Its of no importance your Majesty." "You recover quickly from the "attack"" "Do you care?" "Please allow me to hope." "He displays a certain agility for conversation." "You no longer come to my afternoon tea?" "If you wish" "Do I have to invite you?" "Bring your friend." "Double-six!" "Your first serve... can give us hope." "This little Abbot is a friend of the Queen and he hates me." "An open mind opens doors!" "You miss nothing." "Who cares about Dombes?" "Only you, of course, but patience!" "If the court is interested in you," "Then the Dombes have a place at Versailles." "In 8 days I spent year's income!" "If you are not comfortable..." "I can offer you a place to stay" "I wanted to discourage you but you persist so I will help you." "Why are you doing this?" "Honesty and intellect can rarely be found together" "Too much powder yellows the teeth" "Just keep your original skin colour" "A little red brightens it." "Does the Countess know the King?" "Very serious topics..." "Are unpleasant and shouldn't be discussed" "I will keep quiet" "Be spiritual, delicate and malevolent." "And your province will improve." "No puns." "People despise them at Versailles." "They kill the spirit." "Voltaire, my favourite." "Ah, Voltaire!" "Most of all don't laugh at your own jokes!" "Oh, gooseberries!" "I love gooseberries!" "I eat them like Samson kills Philistines!" "Gooseberries, we all love them and if Samson didn't..." "If Samson didn't..." "If Samson...uh..." "Where is your estate?" "In Dombes." "A land of swamps and misery." "That is what brings me here." "The King is...such indigestible points!" "Serve the champagne to Mr Ponceludon." "Baron!" "What did you think of the English?" "The have a sort of dialogue that they call "hiouma"... that makes them laugh ridiculously." ""Hiouma"?" "A sort of wit?" "Not really." "What do you think it is?" "Basically the same thing." "I'm burning with curiosity!" "( giggles)" "If it makes you laugh, it has to be wit." "No, "wit" does not describe it, We don't have an equivalent term in French." "Give us an example, it's easier." "I asked Lord Twickenham how many lovers he had" "He answered blandly:" ""At what point do we consider them as many?"" "This is the only example that comes to mind of English wit." "Drink!" "How did Samson kill Philistines?" "The Philistines, you recall!" "With the jawbone of an ass" "With the jawbone of an ass precisely!" ""I'd eat as many as Samson killed Philistines"!" "With the same jawbone Father?" "The jawbone of an ass, therefore!" "The court would have loved that word!" "Two hours too late!" "It?" "s no fun getting old." "I would not have missed the punch line." "My sense of humour is no longer quick." "No, Ponceludon." "Finally, I congratulate you." "You made a good point with your "To the mouth!"" "Too bad you laughed." "A tortoise... an inkpot... amethyst... a porcelain chariot... a starfish." "A book?" "No!" "Think about it." "A snuffbox!" "You are wrong." "Oh, an apple!" "How could I forget?" "Strange waste of time!" "Children have a mind that open and fluid." "As we age..." "Our brain becomes calcified." "and...our memory deteriorates." "I class all witticisms:" ""Needing attention" "Alluding sharply"" ""puns" and "paradox"" "Your "To the mouth!" is a "Needing attention"." "I dreamed my head on the guillotine as the executioner said..." ""One good joke and you are free."" "We all have dreamed this in the court." "Don't laugh like that, it is vulgar." "(He tries to laugh without a grin)" "Mr De Montalieri doesn't like you?" "Your letter bothered me." "This place is excellent, Mathilde." "Having been a tutor will be useful to you later." "Sir. de Montalieri is satisfied with the education of his children." "but..." "It would be impolite if I overstayed at Madam de Montalieri's." "Sir. de Montalieri will have access twice a month to his wife who cannot refuse without breaking the present agreement." "The rupture of said contract will terminate the alimentary allowance of 2000 per month... that Sir. de Montalieri has consented to provide to his future wife." "Mathilde, have you carefully considered this?" "And the amounts that I have claimed?" "For my research." "Are listed in the appendix Madam de Bellegarde." "My future... for his benefit, I sign." "But I have to add a condition that I am concerned about:" "This promise should not... neither before or after the marriage nor for any reason, appear in the court." "If it does it shall break our agreement." "Madam de Bellegarde, do you accept these terms?" "My daughter does not tolerate the corruption of the court." "Is that not true, Mathilde?" "I have not dated this agreement..." "Given that Madam de Montalieri is still alive." "How is she?" "Yesterday, the unfortunate woman did not recognize me." "Help me!" "It is not completely sealed." "Do you know the proper pressure?" "3 ounces a square inch." "I studied Pascal." "The crab lives under water, The girl at her parents." "And your people die of fever." "What kind of oil is that?" "Otter oil." "Tar the cuts." "and then," "You had to see it in action." "Please turn around." "Do you love Montalieri?" "If I love?" "I don't believe in love." "But why this marriage?" "Did I have a choice?" "Misery or a convent?" "My work is very expensive." "One day, you will take a lover." "You may look." "Don't look down!" "Now the "volte"." "Volte!" "Volte!" "If only our desires were stronger than a bloodline." "For months I have been waiting for the King." "My family has lost the titles that we have always had." "I have spoken to my cousin, the Archbishop of Caen." "I believe that I will soon be summoned." "Terrific." "It's very important, because I should have the title of Executive of the Academy." "A high paying position." "But meanwhile I am poor." "It?" "s frustrating." "I will sign an IOU." "I'm short of money as well." "If you don't mind my asking, what are you looking for?" "The title of Engineer to drain the swamps." "Does anyone lobby for you?" "No." "From your own desire?" "Education and frankness keeps me here." "But it has to also reach the King." "And to do that you must prove your pedigree since 1399." "We are from the House of Savoie." "Not enough to earn "Marquis of Villars"." "But we have always used it." "I need written proof...a certificate... from Sigismond, the Marquis of Villars, died in 1507." "Our castle was destroyed by fire around 1680..." "Castles are always burning down." "Write to his parish." "Perhaps they kept the certificate of baptism." "Galvani is right." "I've already been through it." "Electricity passes through the souls of animals." "You know, electricity and the soul could be one and the same." "What fine skin!" "One would believe them thighs" "You enjoy... my masterpiece." "This suit is completely crazy!" "Mathilde was born when Rousseau published "Emile"." "I let her freely choose." "But this marriage?" "Is it what she wants?" "I told you, no one forces her to do anything." "Thank you." "Sorry." "This is beyond my expectations." "The Duke of Guines has invited us." "Your good spirit has opened doors!" "( Paul yells)" "Thank you, Paul." "Excuse me Sir, is this boy a deaf mute?" "Yes, and remains so." "I can help him." "I have a home for people like him." "They have a kind of language..." "He is fine with us." "Let me present myself, Charles Michel de I'Epee." "I am happy to meet you." "If you would excuse me..." "Experience and pedigree!" "In my family tree:" "We are cousins." "My Aunt is a Ballencourt." "Ballencourt...?" "From Merignac?" "Ballencourt from Tilleul." "That is the same family." "Look at our grandfather." "See his outward appearance." ""Our grandfather"?" "His grandfather is undoubtedly similar between the legs." "Your answer, Sir!" "The Executive of the Academy will not fall to the weak of heart." "That it will never fall to me," "Then who would be absurd." "Fall to me?" "You are skewering the language... and keeping an eye on the Academy!" "Nothing is more normal." "We trust the harem to a eunuch" "The guard over there keeps watch on us!" "Obviously." "This is a lover's lane." "Our coldness has been noticed." "Act like you are in love." "Think, your most beautiful years..." "With an old lecher." "He is a very learned person." "From his lessons, you will perhaps have children." "I have better things to make than children, don't you?" "I try to keep them from dying." "You are missing the point." "Versailles does not save children." "A rotten tree bears no fruit." "Are you done with that?" "Almost." "You think I'm cold." "You are young." "You think that you need no one." "The harvest is good, we can go back." "Hurry!" "One would say a bee that carries pollen." "These were not seeded." "You don't seem to approve of my marriage." "What is this kind called?" "You are not answering." "You are judging me." "Its the fire in your nerves that brings you to me." "Nothing more." "I forgot my appointment!" "We'll start again tomorrow." "It's getting dark." "I'll give you the words, you write the poem." "A poem without heart will seriously harm you." "Sometimes a good word comes by accident." "Work kills the inspiration." "Be discreetly courageous." "Watch out for the Abbot." "He's a snake." "If he is silent, he is keeping watch on you, when he speaks its already too late." ""care...point."" ""desire..." "Eucharist."" "Speak!" "Alexandrine." "I hoped to see the King here" "Listen, speak, and teach me diligently." "Its like Jesus at Mass." "We eat him, we drink him but we never see him." "Very lively!" "To you, Baron!" ""follow...next."" ""health...summer"" "May I see your fan?" "It comes from Flanders." "What craftsmanship!" "State." "An octave." "Always faithful in his behaviour," "Father, without intending harm," "Could do two words in a row from the heart." "One in winter" "Another in summer" "I am invited for chocolate from Count d'Artois." "You are leaving us?" "The game continues." "Missus!" "The Abbot trusts his memory more than his famous spirit." "The price of your discretion?" "Don't worry, your method will not be betrayed!" "You have to use dolphin skins." "I'll order some." "They come from New France, they will be expensive." "You forgot my property." "I am going to swim here." "Do you know how to swim?" "I'll teach you." "Have you ever seen a drowning?" "It's horrible." "Don't be afraid of the water." "Its ridiculous." "We have boats and bridges." "Why swim?" "For fun." "There must be carp here." "And the women of the court?" "Do they powder their entire body?" "Many are married to old monkeys but few can swim." "Do they have a choice?" "The "petitioners?" "... fight amongst themselves to feed from the hands of Princes." "You have changed." "This farce pleases you." "You are becoming like them." "What are you doing?" "One floats thanks to the Archimedes principle." "Just tell me how one swims." "Push away the water with your arms and move your legs like a frog." "I am still convinced that this is against the laws of nature!" "I have been here more than an hour and this gentleman is ahead of me." "Your patience is proof of your pedigree." "They told me that your petition will not be delayed." "Everything has been prepared." "But..." "And the birth certificate?" "Look at it too carefully and even the most aristocratic appear common." "Here are your titles, as permitted by law." "Good luck" "I am grateful to you." "It is to the Countess de Blayac" "That you should express your gratitude." "A child's godliness is most important." "We neglected her to such an extent." "Your parish will not be forgotten." "I have other business to attend to." "May God be with you." "How can I express my gratitude to you?" "I am not happy that you surprised by my charitable work." "Proof of heart." "and discretion." "People say that I am sincere but lack a heart." "To you to judge." "Arts and crafts interest you?" "Since you entered." "Discuss with me your plans." "In my region the clay keeps the rainwater on the surface." "in such a way that ..." "Nothing but mud in my foyer!" "And these new machines?" "The King is interested but you can explain it to him better that I can." "The fact is that he spoke to me about it." "There is misery everywhere." "I must go." "I have overstayed my welcome." "Only the ungrateful abuse their time." "Sit down please." "And let us talk." "The word is that Miss de Bellegarde is charming." "But no one sees it." "An intimate discussion is more embarrassing than scandalous." "So you think that I am left..." "Because I hold you in high regard... and the desire that you inspire." "You are medieval!" "Where is the man with a heart?" "What happened to your ideas?" "Don't be so cruel" "At some other time I might have been flattered by your moves." "It is quite true that my bedroom lead to the King." "You are offending me!" "Put aside your pride and accept that we are helping you." "You need to better hide your cover." "I could lose myself without losing respect." "If that is all that you have learned..." "You have not wasted your time." "(Paul yells)" "Mathilde!" "Mathilde!" "Mathilde!" "Hurry, Paul!" "De Beauve got 14 minutes, we'll do better." "Without Paul you'd be dead." "I warned you not to go down there!" ""Prohibited"?" "Who gives you this right?" "My father never dared." "What's it to you if I died?" "To lose another wife would kill your husband." "His wife finally died." "You will soon marry." "After a proper period of mourning, of course!" "He is kind and patient person and his children love me." "If you want to drown your scarecrow, call me!" "This marriage is costing me!" "You really are cold-blooded." "Stay with the fish." "Give me the helmet!" "I will be good and alone when she leaves." "Is there no part of you with hope?" "I have no property." "What can I give her?" "My struggle with malaria?" "Great life for a woman!" "Only a woman can make you happy." "For her, a man's tears are never funny." "Prepare the grey horse and a riding hat." "The King wishes to see us." "Do we have a chance?" "Slight!" "Some have been waiting for months!" "Like the Baron of Gueret." "I prefer stinking swamps." ""Similarity is between the thighs" pleased Artois." "That was enough?" "Yes." "But "Eunichs in the harem" was very popular." "Madam de Ferrasse." "Madam de Blancfagot." "Mr de Tilly." "Mr de Bouchardol of Aiguillere." "Your Eminence d'Artimont." "Mr de Larousseur." "The Abbot of Vilecourt." "Mr de Champvallon." "Mr Ponceludon of Malavoy." "Mistakes are no longer permitted." "A real Jesus!" "Baron of Gueret!" "Give me your shoe!" "I will be ridiculed." "Give me a break!" "Your shoe!" "Rise, you are being observed!" "Louis, King of France, remember that the nobles made you King." "The provincial nobles that you humiliate... that you exile... while you decorate a red man with medals!" "Come, we don't belong here." "The native people are our friends." "Imagine, half-naked with the name "Stinking Bear"!" "But look at this man." "To him we are ridiculous." "Ah, Madam de Blayac!" "We don't see you often enough." "And here is the Abbot of Vilecourt." "Ah yes, "The Eunuch?" "s harem"." "Baron Ponceludon of Malavoy." "People have spoken of you." "Miss. de Clericourt." "There!" "Oh it?" "s nothing." "It?" "s just the idiot Marquis of Bellegarde!" "She is here!" "Bring her here." "Miss. de Bellegarde!" "Your father sings praises of you." "But he has hidden you." "Would you honour the court with your presence?" "Madam... you asked my father to dismiss Paul." "I request that you not do so." "No, the abuse has occurred." "He is just a poor deaf mute." "He will be far better off with his kind." "But he has always been with us." "You haven't come to see me to talk about him." "Thank you." "You have had a great influence on me." "I like your father very much." "I can do much for my friends." "At the right time, I will prove it to you." "Madame..." "Paul?" "What a child!" "Forget this." "And how is Mr Ponceludon of Malavoy?" "What a great conversationalist!" "The best in the world." "Goodbye, madam." "Your father said you were clever." "He forgot to mention your beauty." "You undoubtedly have plenty of spirit?" "No, madam." "Paul!" "(Bellegarde) He will do well there." "You once said that these places were prisons." "Abbott de I'Epee changed my mind." "Apparently his home is excellent." "More straw, less beating..." "Mathilde!" "The Countess is firm." "Proper manners oblige me." "Manners!" "Why this kind of expression?" "Everyone smiles at you." "You are forgetting this Ponceludon!" "He saw our cheating." "With one word he could ridicule me before the King." "Don't worry." "But yes!" "He will never see the King." "I have my plans." "Do you think that I have lost my claws?" "What would you think of dinner?" "Where we serve ridicule to Mr Ponceludon of Malavoy." "Yes..." "This is yours?" "The Countess of Blayac cannot make your appointment." "She wishes to play cards with Madam de Lamballe." "Between two hearts a straight line is not the shortest..." "Mr engineer, sir." "I will stick to your geometry." "Tomorrow there will be a dinner with good company." "She hopes..." "Come by yourself!" "Baron!" "I have nothing witty to say." "But at 30 Mathilde will be a widow... wealthy... very wealthy!" "With her life ahead of her." "...at the battle of Fontenoy, a young drummer... who had lost the right side of his brain to a bullet... had the time to laughingly shout:" ""Oh that, but where's my head?"" "(Ponceludon smiles.)" "There's a funny thing." "A carriage at this time of day?" "Its for me." "A fancy appointment I believe?" "I will leave a light on." "You will put it out." "Good evening." "My God!" "We are 13 at the table!" "We'll need to invite an attendant." "The remedy is worse than the ill." "An attendant among us!" "We would be ridiculous!" "One of us must leave." "The one with the least pedigree." "I suggest we play a game." "The one who is the least witty before dinner will have to leave." "A good spirited tournament!" "The glove is dropped." "May the champions meet!" "How is your wife?" "Asking a husband about his wife... is like talking about last year's fashion." "I sleep at Clermont once a month..." "In case my wife might be pregnant." "Sleeping with one's husband now there's a pregnant woman's wish!" "Why leave Clermont?" "High society is as good there as anywhere else." "And bad society is...excellent." "As for me..." "I no longer go to women of ill repute." "They are as bad ...as women of good reputation." "It?" "s easier to die for a woman than to find a woman worth dying for." "Maidens charge a lot for a treasure that all men have the key to." "Those who bear women's confessions Almost all become Bishops." "Women have spirit." "When the fisherman is foolish, the Bishop repents." "Wit can only be... boring..." "To those who have none." "One says that a witty man who keeps quiet... does not think himself less." "The fool is silent because he can't think." "Don't talk badly about boring people:" "The plain gives the mountain its importance." "Wait!" "Mr Ponceludon has not yet spoken." "Wit is like money:" "The less you have the better it is." ""Wit is the opposite of money."" ""The less you have, the more you are happy.:" "Voltaire." "Its better to understand those who hoard." "The game is over." "I'm starving." "Let me eat with the servants." "One judges a man by his company" "You are wrong." "Judas had excellent company." "Forgive me for missing your wedding." "You are in such a hurry to leave me?" "Yes." "I know, fawning on a man will make him unhappy" "Don't abandon your water lilies for me." "Who is talking of abdication?" "We join forces!" "In an estate crushed by debts?" "Your dreams will not survive it." "If only I had never met you!" "I could have continued pretending that I was not being bought." "The artist is waiting." "After the seance, are we going for a walk?" "I want to leave before dark." "Can you not admit your love for me?" "We are alike." "We sacrifice everything for our plans." "(He remembers) Can you not admit your love for me?" "You are medieval!" "Where is the man with a heart?" "You have changed." "You are becoming like them." "You would be more useful at home." "Bad luck never comes alone." "They bore me." "Our funds are drying up." "This marriage costs me." "I have seen enough provincial aristocrats." ""pretentiousness..." ""in the century of Marot..." "Gifts of God pass as lotteries." "He gives attention to the Great Lords," "Sometimes bringing aristocratic amusement," ""And who is the most," ""boils the pot." "But, this days are over," ""where one good word, stanza or octet,"" ""We paid his part."" "What are you doing here?" "You have given up a pension of 2000 pounds?" "Have you lost your mind!" "I am terminating my contract" "In a fit of emotion?" "Ask Montalieri's forgiveness." "No, my decision is firm." "I cannot imagine marrying Montalieri." "It's Ponceludon, isn't it?" "The timber is gone." "I sold the 100 acres of woodland." "I had to buy a horse and rebuild the bridge." "My poor Gregoire!" "You will inherit nothing but ruins." "Tell me about Versailles." "Did you see the King?" "He is very busy but likeable to everyone." "Leonard has a fever." "Since when?" "About two weeks ago." "He drank swamp water." "Did you drink it?" "Here, Leonard." "The King blessed it for you." "He wants me to tell you... that he loves all the children of France." "Now the priest will say the prayers." "And God will hear them." "What does God want in sending us such a curse?" "It would be enough to drain the swamps." "Don't be hard on yourself." "You have selflessly pleaded our case in the court." "Does our cause matter at Versailles?" "Yes..." "But pray anyway, you never know." ""I am everything that is, that has been and will be."" "The Egyptians engraved these words..." "Believing that there was but one effect... that we could question its cause." "The universe did not appear to the peasants except... for a very powerful reason." "Theatre!" "We still have the great religions." "...but the initial reason had to be necessarily, perfect!" "But you cannot have two perfect beings." "Two does not make one!" "The perfect being cannot be divided!" "He who is... cannot change." "Time measures change." "What is perfect does not change." "Unity, immutability, eternity, is..." "It's Him!" "It's God!" ""Causa sui"!" "His own cause!" "Bravo, Vilecourt!" "Its clear!" "Bravo!" "Its really nothing, this evening..." "I simply proved the existence of God." "But..." "I could prove the opposite when it pleases his Majesty." "You will end up in Bastille Prison, "philosopher!"" "This was not a work from the heart." "What impiety!" "Before the King!" "A braggart philosopher, I've always said it!" "To fail so close to the goal..." "Ah, Madam" "The King seems morose today." "Will you plead my cause?" "Impossible." "It had to do with the spiritual!" "I don't understand... the art is in glowing from the place you are." ""More than one woman has been embarrassed in such a manner." ""And you are leaving without excusing yourself." ""I'll, let you know that I sacrificed Abbot Vilecourt..." "my confessor- ...uttering these beautiful phrases that tire my entourage..." ""to your business." ""I forgive you for having placed my departure in peril..." ""If a sign from you can compensate me." ""Our sex..." ""would be useless if it couldn't keep an eye on the opinions and business of the State." ""I myself have tried it with success." ""For I have been the best at keeping you absent from the court of Versailles." "Who is ringing at this hour?" "Gregoire Ponceludon of Malavoy asks to see you." "Let him in, quickly!" "Its already done." "...The child died in my arms" "That is terrible..." "To your canals!" "To your locks!" "Madam..." "What are you doing?" "You called me?" "My heart... that's better." "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was frightened." "The important thing is to be reassured." "Does this happen often?" "(He sings a Mozart melody)" "I take it that we are all friends here." "Please allow me to leave." "Worry about Madam's heart." "These palpitations concern me." "What are you staring at?" "One would think the devil was before the cross." "Mathilde is here?" "Miss de Bellegarde?" "You were gone... when she left Montalieri." "What a schemer!" "Patience...you are in no position to complain." "Why is the deaf mute such an isolated being?" "He can't communicate with others?" "Is he not moved by objects, like us?" "How annoying!" "Why does he remain stupid?" "...when we become smart?" ""In the beginning was the Word"!" "Plato told Socrates:" ""If we lose our voice, but want to describe things," ""we will try like the mutes," ""to point them out with hands, with the head..." ""and the body"." "For example, Simon son of a businessman, 25 years old, born deaf and dumb." "He came here when he was 15 years old" "Thanks to sign language, he can read write, count..." "He is a talented artist." "Here is, Antoine, Pierre Therese, 19 years old." "She can calculate to four places in her head!" "She is very devout." "(sneers.)" "This is Paul, 17 years old... an exceptional subject!" "He could sign in less that two months and he already converses!" "Soon I will join Therese and Paul, before God." "You mock the marriage of these beings!" "I have seen "Romeo and Juliet"... played by a monkey and a cocker spaniel!" "Will the newlyweds at least be able to tell time?" "Three minutes have passed." "Bravo, Paul!" "Louder!" "He can't hear you." "Ask him Father, what is a violin?" ""Watteau preferred seeing it over hearing it."" "Do they feel?" "their condition?" "What did he say?" "It's hard to translate." "It comes from within him!" "How does one say "Bravo!" in your language?" "Like this!" "Rise my friend!" "Here is signor Panella!" "You need a suit for court." "But I need nothing!" "Tomorrow at 11, be at the bottom of the Diana Staircase." "You will see the King and his courtiers" "Your game." "I must leave, signor Panella." "That is very nice... (The King) Madam de Blayac, is he the one you were mentioning?" "Mr Ponceludon of Malavoy." "That is good." "They say that you are a man with much spirit." "Sire..." "The Countess does not waste her praises." "Show me that." "Give us a word, improvise." "For example, describe me." "Sire, the King is not a subject." "The King is not a subject." "Wonderful!" "I take it it's a pun." "No, Your Majesty, it's a word play." "This one deserves to stay." "Join us!" "Come, Mr Ponceludon." "Come closer, you who are an engineer." "Well designed, Sire." "Nevertheless, putting it here..." "We'll keep the gear raised between the pulleys." "Now this is an invention!" "What do you think, Chevernoy?" "So you have an interesting hydrographical project?" "For draining Dombes, Your Majesty." "Come, tell me about it." "Talk to my secretary." "Gentlemen..." "Canon-Ponceludon!" "Both with asses bigger than their mouths." "Does he like it?" "Your ass is bigger than your mouth!" "Please explain yourself." "Excuse me." "I could not keep myself from seeing you." "I'm listening." "Mathilde..." "Whatever happens to me." "stay my friend." "Is my friendship so important to you?" "The suit seemed to be watertight." "Did you succeed?" "Promise me that you will be careful." "I didn't know that you left Montalieri." "Once you knew, did you come?" "You say that I played up to the Countess to see the King?" "If that was the price for the lives of your people, I would have approved." "Your intelligence is being tested." "I will try to be direct in the future." "Why these instruments?" "I am witnessing a duel tomorrow." "Ponceludon and colonel de Chevernoy." "Mathilde!" "If something happens to you, I will die." "Run!" "Go to St Bauzile where I have a house." "I will meet you there!" "If you don't do it for me do it for your farmers." "You must live for them." "Pack my bags." "Victor, prepare the carriage." "Don't come back except for the appointment with the King." "Madame," ""if I am killed, take my hat and my spurs to my mother." "Stop over there!" "..."the rest to the poor, except for the formal clothes which would only add to their misery." "..."ridicule to their miseries."" "I am supposed to take you to St Bauzile!" "I know, I know!" "I guarantee that you can return." "Go!" ""A scheming lover and a venomous provocateur will end up scattered by a pistol shot." "Yes, yes...can we shoot?" ""Would I be wrong to believe that fruit comes from a rotten tree?" ""A lover regrets nothing. "It is thanks to my courtesy that I recognized you." "" If you have wasted your time," ""the memory of you will keep me bitter."" "Apologies not having been made, draw lots." "Chevernoy shoots first." "We have come here without emotion and now we leave..." ""...without regrets." ""But I dare believe that between the two..." ""pleasure is less important than friendship."" "(Requiem music)" "Ponceludon has killed Chevernoy." "He is with you?" "No, Madam, he left the meadow with Miss de Bellegarde." "He will pay for it!" "I hear visitors!" " The baroness de Boisjoli... the baron of Malenval, Sir Milletail..." "Already!" "They have come to see the show, to see me suffer." "So then, tell them that I am ill." "(Baroness) Ill?" "Smallpox?" "No." "She was scorned by a commoner." "The "commoner" favoured by Louis." "Soon he will receive us." "He has made a bad move." "Where I come from, when a dog is mad, we sound the alarm!" "You bested the Knight of Beauve!" "Take some water, remount!" "I love you, Gregoire!" "(Gregoire laughs.)" "His Majesty cannot receive a man who has killed... one of his officers in a duel at least not for now." "We should all clean up our dignity." "You did your duty." "You are too strong." "Versailles can give you nothing Your estate needs us." "Why abandon things so close to the goal?" "The more we farm the less there are infections." "I will see the King." "My appointment has been postponed." "You don't belong to them." "I am very good in the court:" ""Those who love the mysteries of autumn, can easily..." "" See both women and leaves twirling at a party..." ""While idiots stay at the side and wait."" "We have been invited." "But what if you must pass through the bed of a Countess again?" "Mathilde!" "Tomorrow you will be my shining knight." "It's the red mouth." "It's the red mouth." "May I lend it to you?" "You are wearing my colours in honour of the pleasures that you gave me?" "The trick!" "Here!" "( He yells. )" "What should we call you?" "Accept the title of..." ""Marquis of Opposites!"" "(Laughs.)" "He deserves such a title." "Like the people from where he comes from he dances upside down." "Marquis of Opposites!" "How ingenious!" "Worthy of Voltaire!" "We will know who you are." "The lover of masquerades will teach us." "Ha!" "Ha!" "Ha!" "Don't bother." "Tomorrow, children will from the humiliation that surrounds me this evening." "You wish you had the biting wit of Voltaire!" "He would have been in tears!" "He used ridicule to sensitise us to human suffering." "Who will be the next victim?" "an idea so witty... that another family will face a precarious situation?" "You?" "Perhaps you?" "Unless I'm lucky enough to spit up a good joke in the face of your friend here." "Sir!" "Take off your mask!" "Everyone wants to know who came up with "Marquis of Opposites"!" "I will return to my decaying estate." "I belong there." "I will build dykes and dig canals." "I will dig them with my bare hands if I must." "Ah! Wit Sir, is the air that we breathe." "Eloquence that swells from Danton and Saint-Just... has replaced wit." "Ah!" "You will do well here." "On a clear day we can see the French coast." "Mathilde et Gregoire have stayed there." "She is helping to drain the Landes...and finally..." "Dombes." "I don't know anymore." "Ah!" "I hope they avoid the storm." "What are you good at?" "I can teach French." "...sciences...physics...physiology..." "I've lost my hat!" "Better than your head!" ""Hiouma"?" "Ah, humour?" "Its wonderful!" "I will take note of all these witticisms." "I will divide them into "funny jokes" and "sharp jokes"..." ""paradoxes" and "sarcasm"..." "The first attempt at draining the Dombes marshes... was approved by the National Convention in 1793... due to the initiative of Citizen Gregoire Ponceludon, hydrographical engineer for the Department of Civil Works."