A Servant's Resolve: 1-1 Haughty Noble

*Alfred works in the Palace of Versailles as a servant, catering to the whims of the nobles. His job is usually easy, but sometimes, things can get difficult...*

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* Is it getting dark? My eyelids are getting heavy...
* Do you want to hear a story before I doze off?
* Let me think... my name is Alfred, and I was once a lowly servant in the Palace of Versailles.
* Yes, THAT Palace of Versailles. It didn't pay much, but at least I didn't have to pay taxes.
* And I have many stories to tell my fellow countrymen when I return home on Sunday.
* Despite where I ended up, I was quite content with my job.
* Ah, but I'm getting off track.
* Back then, I worked a week every three weeks.
* Most days, it was fine. But there were bad days too.

* **Servant:** Alfred! Hey! Wait up!

* **Alfred:** Who's calling? Ah, it's you. What's the matter?

* The servant who yelled my name runs over breathlessly, gazing at me in relief.
* **Alfred:** (I don't feel good about this...)

* **Servant:** Come with me! The Comte de Noailles has asked us to move a mirror!

* **Alfred:** What mirror?

* He starts pushing me towards the South Wing.

* **Servant:** Haven't you heard? The Viscount who lived in the Ministers' Wing has moved out!

* **Alfred:** That's not my problem...

* **Servant:** What are you mumbling about? The Comtesse has taken a shine to the mirror he left behind.

* **Servant:** But she lives in the North Wing, so we've been asked to bring it over.

* **Alfred:** (These nobles really like their mirrors...)

* **Alfred:** (They call them fashionable decorations, but they're pretty boring.)

* I think as I follow him... and realize something.
* **Alfred:** Wait! You mean, we're going to...

* **Alfred:** The Ministers' Wing?

* **Servant:** Yeah... I'm not thrilled either. That place smells terrible.

* The toilet in the Ministers' Wing is absolutely putrid. It's even started leaking into the surrounding rooms.
* **Alfred:** That smell... Just thinking about it makes me want to vomit.

* **Servant:** Ugh, I know. Wait... isn't that the Viscount's room...

* We look at each other in horror, our faces turning pale.
* **Alfred:** It's near the toilet!

* Indeed... that unlucky Viscount stayed near the toilet. The smell hits me as soon as I enter the room.
* **Alfred:** Ugh... it's terrible!

* **Servant:** Hold your breath! Quick, grab the mirror and let's get out of here!

* **Alfred:** Wait... I think I'm going to vomit.

* **Servant:** Hold it in! Come on, lift it up.

* I resist the urge to throw up, and we lift the mirror together.
* **Alfred:** I don't understand how the nobles can stand this.

* **Servant:** It smells worse than cow dung.

* We carry the mirror out of the Minister's Wing, but I'm still overwhelmed by nausea.
* **Servant:** Are you okay? Your face looks strange...

* **Alfred:** How could I be okay?

* I almost throw up when I snap at him.
* **Servant:** Please just hold it in a little longer. We're almost there!

* We reach the North Wing. The haughty Comtesse is waiting for us outside her room.
* **Comtesse:** What took you so long? Hurry!

* **Alfred:** (What a fierce old hag.... Oh no, I'm feeling a bit wobbly.)

* **Comtesse:** What are you waiting for? Do I have to whip you?

* **Servant:** Madame, please move aside and we'll...

* We're about to enter when my head starts spinning, and I stumble.
* The mirror hits the door frame and shatters all over the floor!
* **Comtesse:** Heavens! Look at the mess you've made!

* **Alfred:** It was too foul-smelling, I...

* **Comtesse:** Shut up! I was about to complete my set of mirrors, and this was the last one!

* She's incensed. She points at my nose and starts giving me a mouthful.
* **Comtesse:** You've disgraced me! How dare you break my mirror!

* **Servant:** Comtesse, please...

* **Comtesse:** Enough! Someone! I need to discipline this useless servant!

* My colleague flees... leaving me behind to deal with this demented hag.
* **Comtesse:** Give him a good beating!

* Two muscular attendants appear by her side.
* **Alfred:** No... don't come any closer...

* They surround me. I take a few steps backwards while flailing nervously.
* **Alfred:** (Their fists are huge! They'd cave my face in with a single punch!)

* **Comtesse:** Hmph. Give him a good thrashing, then throw him out! This is what you get for crossing me!

* The two brutes sneer as they loom closer, cracking their knuckles.
* **Alfred:** Ah! No, please, spare me!

* **Comtesse:** Spare you? Hah! Not when you've disgraced me.

* **Comtesse:** Such audacity... You'll get no mercy from me!

* **Burly Servant:** Come now, we'll give you a good beating.

* **Alfred:** Don't come any closer! Go away!

* I scream and flail around hysterically. They laugh at me.
* **Alfred:** This is the Palace of Versailles! You can't do this!

* **Comtesse:** So what if it's the Palace of Versailles?

* **Comtesse:** Don't you know who I am? Whatever I say, goes.

* **Alfred:** (I knew it. These nobles don't see us commoners as people at all!)

* **Comtesse:** What are you standing around for? Do it!

* **Burly Servant:** Yes, Madame.

* I cover my head with my arms, waiting for their fists to rain down on me.
* **???:** Stop!

* **Comtesse:** Who's there?

* They lower their fists and turn towards the voice...