A Servant's Resolve: 1-3 The New World

*Alfred returns to his hometown for Mass and bumps into his good friend, Alexander. Alexander tells him some foreboding news about the New World...*

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* I should go back to my hometown for church services. I usually go at least one Sunday per month.
* There's nothing amazing about my hometown.
* Everyone is poor, and barely scrapes by on their meager earnings.
* My parents are both farmers. It's hard work for little gain.
* They're only 40, but the creases on their faces make them look twice their age.
* I don't want to suffer like them. At least this lowly job offers a better prospect than farming.
* If I impress the nobles, their tips could easily last me a few months.
* Things will be even better when I get a promotion.
* I want to stay in the Palace of Versailles the rest of my life.
* It's a comfortable job that pays well, even if the nobles can be jerks. Honestly, what more could I ask for?

* When I enter my house, my best pal Alexander is waiting for me. He is also back for a break.
* **Alexander:** Alfred! It's been too long!

* **Alfred:** Looking good, lad! What are you up to these days?

* **Alexander:** I've been working as an apprentice on a ship.

* **Alfred:** Good for you. A shining career in the making!

* **Alexander:** Quit teasing me! I'm just trying to put food on the table, like everyone else.

* **Alfred:** Good point. The money we make is barely enough for us to get by.

* **Alexander:** I thought you worked in the Palace of Versailles?

* **Alfred:** Yes, but I'm just a lowly, nameless servant to the nobles. Like, who even cares about me?

* Alexander nods his head thoughtfully before speaking.
* **Alexander:** And everything gets more and more expensive every day.

* **Alexander:** It's tough to just survive!

* **Alfred:** Sigh. Blame our wretched fates.

* **Alfred:** We were born into the lowest rung of society, destined to work ourselves to death for money.

* A gloomy atmosphere hangs in the air. After a brief silence, we turn to look at each other.
* **Alfred:** Why are we discussing such things instead of celebrating our reunion?

* **Alexander:** Ha ha, yes! We rarely have the chance to meet. Would you like a drink?

* **Alfred:** Yes, let's go! My treat.

* **Alexander:** Thank you! I have big news.

* I stand up and pat Alexander on the shoulder. We head for the door.

* We settle in our usual spot at the tavern.
* **Alexander:** This place looks the same after all these years...

* **Alfred:** The world may have changed, but not this place.

* The waiter brings us two glasses of beer.
* **Alexander:** Aha! Still the good old taste I remember.

* **Alfred:** Cheers to our pathetic life!

* We clink our glasses and sip our beer.
* **Alexander:** So... my big news. Heard it from some naval officers.

* Alexander beams at me excitedly. He's clearly dying to share.
* **Alfred:** Tell me! I'm listening.

* **Alexander:** You know the New World, don't you? A war is brewing soon...

* **Alfred:** The what?

* **Alexander:** You've never heard of the New World?

* Alexander furrows his brow. He dips his finger in his beer and draws a few lines on the table.
* **Alexander:** Well, we're here, and the New World is.... here. Across the sea.

* **Alfred:** It's so far away. Whatever happens there has nothing to do with us, right?

* **Alexander:** You can't say that! The Marquis de Lafayette intends to join the war!

* **Alfred:** ...Wait what? Lafayette?

* That name brings back memories. I still remember that day...

* **Lafayette:** He does not need to bear the brunt of your unreasonable anger, Madame.

* **Comtesse:** What are you talking about?

* **Lafayette:** Don't you think it's a bit much to beat a servant for such a trivial affair?

* **Comtesse:** I beg your pardon? I'm only doing this to protect my dignity as a noble!

* **Lafayette:** Dignity? It seems you're doing this for your vanity.

* **Comtesse:** You! How could you take a servant's side over mine? Aren't you a noble too?

* **Lafayette:** You have besmirched your noble status with your actions, Madame.

* **Lafayette:** As nobles, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard, and set a good example for all.

* **Lafayette:** Your actions are not of a higher standard, Madame.

* **Alfred:** (The Marquis de Lafayette... He left quite an impression.)

* **Alfred:** (For a noble, he's certainly quite nosy.)

* **Alexander:** Alfred? Are you listening?

* **Alfred:** Huh? Yeah, I am. Still, it's too far away.

* I have absolutely no interest in the New World or any war.
* **Alexander:** Is your blood not pumping?

* **Alfred:** Eh. I get more worked up over finances.

* **Alfred:** (Well, I also get worked up over that Marquis...)

* **Alexander:** I was hoping to convince you to join me as part of Lafayette's forces.

* **Alfred:** Me? Join an army? You must be joking.

* **Alfred:** (It's not part of my life plan. I'm waiting for my promotion.)

* **Alexander:** Think about it. How great would slaying enemies on a battlefield be?

* **Alfred:** What would you get out of that? Only the risk of being slain yourself.

* I decline Alexander's proposal, and down my beer.
* **Alexander:** Wait, Alfred... don't you want to earn more money?

* **Alfred:** Of course. What's wrong with that?

* **Alexander:** What I mean is... this is a great way to make money.

* **Alfred:** Huh? What do you mean?

* Now I'm interested.
* **Alexander:** Haha, I knew that would get your attention.

* **Alfred:** Get to the point.