A Servant's Resolve: 1-7 The Spark in the Cell

*Alfred gets thrown in prison, and his cellmate turns out to be Marquis de Lafayette! Though they are both in an unfortunate predicament, Alfred finally manages to ask that question...*

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* I never thought I would end up in this place.
* Yes, I may have eyed the fortunes of others, and dreamt of striking it rich...
* ...but I would never commit a crime.
* I met a man imprisoned for theft once, and I never forgot the look in his eyes.
* Even when released, most of them remain husks of their former selves. The torture changed them.
* I developed a habit of quickening my pace whenever I walked past the prison.
* Now I'm locked up in here... and with a Marquis no less.

* The soldiers dump me on the cell floor.
* **Alfred:** Ow...

* My body feels like it shattered from the fall.
* As I get up, I notice a figure out of the corner of my eye.
* **Alfred:** ...Marquis de Lafayette, is that you?!

* **Lafayette:** I'm sorry, Alfred. I'm the reason you're in here.

* I can't believe it. The Marquis is locked up in the cell next to mine.
* **Alfred:** B-but you're a noble! Why would you be imprisoned?

* **Lafayette:** His Majesty himself gave the order.

* **Alfred:** For what reason? You didn't commit a crime... did you?

* I think about what the Marquis could have done.
* **Lafayette:** Don't worry about it. His Majesty doesn't need a reason.

* He leans back to rest his head against the wall. He looks worn out.
* **Alfred:** (Who wouldn't be devastated after something like this?)

* **Alfred:** (Even though I don't know what happened, I still want to do something to cheer him up.)

* I squeeze my face between the bars of the cell and grin dumbly.
* **Alfred:** M-marquish... A-afaette...!

* **Lafayette:** ...What is it...?

* **Alfred:** Hehe. This may sound odd, but is this your first time in prison?

* **Lafayette:** ...What do you think?!

* **Alfred:** Even in a place like this, no one would dare lay their hands on a noble.

* **Alfred:** Living in this damp and vermin-filled cell must be a new experience for you, huh?

* **Lafayette:** ...What...?

* **Alfred:** Be patient, Marquis. Look on the bright side and treat this as one of life's many experiences.

* **Lafayette:** ...What a load of...

* **Alfred:** After your time here with the murky water, tough bread, and hard floor...

* **Alfred:** ... when you return to your fine wine, tender steak, and feather bed...

* **Alfred:** ...you'll probably enjoy them more, right, Marquis?

* Even though our cells are dimly lit, I can tell from the Marquis' eyes that he thinks I've lost my mind.
* **Alfred:** ... Ahem. Don't look at me like that. I'm trying to cheer you up.

* **Lafayette:** Let's say you've succeeded. You have my thanks.

* **Alfred:** I'm glad to be of service.

* **Lafayette:** Anyway, you have nothing to worry about. I'm the one they want.

* I'm so overwhelmed by the day's events, I almost forget about something that's been bugging me.
* **Alfred:** Marquis, may I ask you a question?

* **Lafayette:** You sure are full of questions today.

* **Alfred:** It's not like we have much else to do. What's wrong with a little conversation?

* I take Lafayette's silence as consent and ask him the question.
* **Lafayette:** ...My reason for joining the war in the New World?

* I nod, remembering when he asked me the same question.
* **Alfred:** You must have a good reason. I want to earn some coin and live a good life, but you already have that.

* **Lafayette:** Very well. Before I answer, let me tell you something about my father.

* **Alfred:** Your father? What does he have to do with this?

* I can't tell if I'm imagining it, but Lafayette's tone has taken a more somber turn.
* **Lafayette:** He died in the Battle of Minden many years ago.

* **Alfred:** Ah... I'm sorry to hear that...

* **Lafayette:** We're fighting the British in the New World.

* **Alfred:** Huh? Didn't the British fight in...

* **Alfred:** (Is Lafayette... thinking of avenging his father on the battlefield?)

* **Lafayette:** Even though dying on the battlefield is supposed to be a great honor for a noble...

* **Lafayette:** My family does not want me to go. They dread the same fate will befall me.

* **Alfred:** ...You must think this a perfect opportunity to take revenge.

* He shakes his head. Even in the dimly lit cell, I can see the spark in his eyes.
* **Lafayette:** It is ideals, not revenge, that spurs me on this path.

* **Alfred:** ...Ideals?

* **Lafayette:** Yes, ideals. The colonists in the New World want to create a society where everyone is equal.

* **Alfred:** Everyone treated equally? Is that possible?

* **Lafayette:** The colonists are being subjected to harsh suppression by the British.

* **Lafayette:** They tighten their grip and look to quash any last hope the people may have.

* **Alfred:** Why should that concern us?

* **Alfred:** These things are happening far away and don't impact us.

* **Lafayette:** How could you learn about their tragedy and continue living your life as if nothing is wrong?

* **Alfred:** What I'm trying to say is... I mean...

* I don't know how to reply. Even though I have my own problems to contend with, I feel shame for not caring about others.
* **Lafayette:** The colonists are fighting for justice and freedom, and I will do everything in my power to aid them.

* **Lafayette:** This isn't about my father... I want to live up to my ideals.

* My head feels like it was struck by a hammer. Countless thoughts race through my mind.
* Equality, freedom, and justice for all... This is all so foreign to me.
* I didn't really think those things were possible.
* **Alfred:** That... I-I would... I have no words, Marquis.

* **Lafayette:** I don't even know why I'm telling you all this.

* **Alfred:** (For all his talk about equality, I'm still just a lowly servant in his eyes.)

* It's true my family was only able to afford school for a few years, but I understand why he's so passionate.
* I felt the emotions behind his words.
* But I don't know how to convey my feelings. I can only stare at him blankly.
* **Lafayette:** Let me give you some advice: don't follow me to the New World.

* **Alfred:** Why would you say that?

* **Lafayette:** War is ruthless. Even if you're not on the frontline, you will not escape unscathed.

* **Lafayette:** If you're only going for the money, stay in France.

* **Alfred:** Marquis, I...

* **Lafayette:** Don't worry. I will let His Majesty know you have nothing to do with me.

* **Lafayette:** You should be out of here by dawn.

* With that, Lafayette turns his back to me and walks to the other side of his cell.
* **Alfred:** (My head still hurts from the conversation.... There are some things I have to figure out.)

* Even though my thoughts are cluttered, my fatigue catches up to me and I soon doze off.
* Someone then enters the cell...