A Servant's Resolve: 1-8 Late Night Visitor

*Alfred dozes off, and a special visitor arrives in the dead of the night. Who is he, and what is his motive?*

## Transcript

Expand for script.

* If there's one thing I'm good at, it's sleeping. I fall asleep quickly and I sleep well.
* I am exhausted. I can't keep my eyes open.
* I lie on the ground after the Marquis de Lafayette walks away, and immediately feel drowsy.
* Even though the cell is completely bare, and the cold ground hurts my hips...
* I can't resist sleep when it beckons.
* When I sleep, not even a clash of cymbals can wake me.
* While trying to think, I quickly fall asleep.
* I do not know what happened next...

* The cell door opens with a creak. Lafayette straightens.
* Someone walks in. In the dim candlelight, Lafayette manages to make out his face.
* **Lafayette:** Your... Your Majesty?

* **Louis XVI:** Yes, Lafayette, it's me. I'm sorry I have to meet you in this place.

* **Lafayette:** I would never have expected Your Majesty to come here.

* **Louis XVI:** It's my first time in the dungeons. It's quite grim.

* **Lafayette:** It's also infested with roaches and rats.

* **Louis XVI:** I guess this is much worse than I thought.

* **Lafayette:** Someone told me to treat it as one of life's many experiences.

* **Louis XVI:** ...Experiences?

* **Lafayette:** He also said I'd enjoy life more when I get out of here.

* Lafayette unconsciously glances at the cell next to his.
* **Alfred:** Zzzz... zzzz...

* **Louis XVI:** An interesting fellow must have said that.

* **Lafayette:** Why are you here at this time of night, Your Majesty? You did not come here to mock me, surely.

* **Louis XVI:** Of course not. Do you blame me, Lafayette?

* **Lafayette:** I do not. But I wish you would tell me your real purpose, Your Majesty.

* **Louis XVI:** I sent orders to capture you, and put you to prison.

* **Lafayette:** You must have had a good reason, Your Majesty.

* **Louis XVI:** You have purchased many ships and gathered many men.

* **Louis XVI:** It has attracted Britain's attention. They are watching you closely.

* **Lafayette:** Are they nervous?

* **Louis XVI:** They sent a diplomat to pressure me into reining you in.

* **Lafayette:** I see...

* **Louis XVI:** However, my orders to have you imprisoned were issued to deceive Britain.

* **Lafayette:** Your Majesty, you mean...

* **Louis XVI:** Yes, I support your decision to aid the colonies in their war against Britain.

* **Lafayette:** Thank you for letting me know your true intentions, Your Majesty.

* **Louis XVI:** I should thank you instead.

* **Lafayette:** Thank me?

* **Louis XVI:** If you hadn't paid attention to this war...

* **Louis XVI:** I wouldn't have strengthened my stand.

* **Lafayette:** Your Majesty... Will you support the colonies in this war?

* **Louis XVI:** This war is especially meaningful to you, yes?

* **Lafayette:** That is true.

* **Louis XVI:** And their enemy is Britain, who is our enemy.

* **Louis XVI:** Whether from the viewpoint of the King or a close friend...

* **Louis XVI:** I firmly support the colonies in their war against Britain.

* **Lafayette:** Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you so much.

* **Louis XVI:** Be prepared, Lafayette. You have an important task ahead of you.

* **Lafayette:** I am always ready to do your bidding, Your Majesty.

* **Louis XVI:** We must make sure to fully prepare for this war.

* **Louis XVI:** The British diplomat has not yet left, so we must maintain this... current state of affairs.

* **Lafayette:** I understand, Your Majesty.

* Louis XVI looks at Lafayette with trust and determination.
* **Louis XVI:** You will be stuck here a few more days.

* **Lafayette:** We cannot do anything about that. Perhaps he was making sense after all.

* **Louis XVI:** Oh? You're talking about...?

* **Lafayette:** I'm starting to miss the fine wine and feather bed.

* **Lafayette:** When I am released, I may actually appreciate everything more.

* **Louis XVI:** Now I'm curious about this person...

* An especially loud snore from the next cell interrupts their conversation.
* **Alfred:** ZZZ! ...Zzzz...

* **Lafayette:** That is starting to sound like...

* **Louis XVI:** I did not realize boars were housed here too. How strange.

* **Alfred:** Zzzz... Zzzz...

* **Lafayette:** It sounds more like a man snoring now.

* **Louis XVI:** Are you certain? People aren't capable of producing such boorish sounds, surely.

* **Lafayette:** Listen closely, Your Majesty. It's coming from the next cell.

* The two men glance inside the cell and confirm the noise's origin.
* **Louis XVI:** That noise is absolutely horrifying.

* **Lafayette:** He's the servant who was arrested with me.

* **Lafayette:** I intend to plead mercy for this innocent man tomorrow.

* **Alfred:** Zzzz... zzzz...

* His Majesty can't help but frown as my sporadic snores interrupt their conversation.
* **Louis XVI:** You probably won't be able to sleep if he continues snoring like this.

* **Lafayette:** I'm sure I'll be fine.

* **Louis XVI:** His snores are the stuff of nightmares. I can't imagine anyone sleeping next to him.

* **Lafayette:** Do you find it that bad?

* **Louis XVI:** Either way, I've had enough of him.

* I, however, remain oblivious to the King's annoyance at my thundering snores.
* **Alfred:** ZZZ! ...Zzzz...

* **Louis XVI:** Guards, throw this hibernating boar out!

* **Lafayette:** Please wait, Your Majesty.

* **Louis XVI:** He's due to leave at dawn anyway. I'm just sending him out earlier.

* **Lafayette:** That's true.

* The soldiers unlock the adjacent cell and huddle together to lift me.
* **Alfred:** Zzzz... zzzz...

* **Louis XVI:** I'd wager this man wouldn't wake even if he was tossed into the streets.

* **Lafayette:** You're probably right.

* The two men watch as the soldiers lift carry me away and disappear into the darkness...