GEORGE WASHINGTON by David Franzoni FADE IN: EXT. DELAWARE RIVER, NJ - DUSK TITLE: AMERICAN RETREAT FROM NEW JERSEY, 1776 GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, driven beyond exhaustion, struggles to load the last of his militia into boats crossing the swollen Delaware River. British artillery shells slam to earth like freight trains, showering the terror-stricken troops with debris. Washington wears a tall-collared woolen coat buttoned to his throat, a drenched hat. He's forty-three years old, face scratched up from smallpox. FOREST Continentals running, tree to tree, firing, reloading on the run. They're a hard-core bunch only giving up ground an inch at a time. A red line of British Rangers suddenly appears in the deep green forest and looses a fusillade that blots out the world with smoke. RIVER BANK At the sound of the concentrated musket fire men panic, some heave away their muskets and leap into the river. Washington throws his hat on the ground, screaming at these ragged men. WASHINGTON It's just an advance party! Show some guts! Damn it! Officers keep your men in line! Washington turns as GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE rides up. Greene is a young thirty, filthy, exhausted and spooked... his eyes show he's seen horrors he once could have only imagined. Greene dismounts, points up the slope toward a wagon. NATHANAEL GREENE Sir, the wounded... up here! But Washington moves toward an ARTILLERY CAPTAIN loading his caissons onto a barge. Just a kid, lean, red-brown hair, eighteen years old, his name is ALEXANDER HAMILTON. WASHINGTON Captain! Hamilton runs to Washington's side as it starts to really POUR. Face smudged with powder, his nose bleeding from cannon concussion. HAMILTON Captain Alexander Hamilton, sir! WASHINGTON Hamilton, you're going to have to cover our asses as we cross. HAMILTON We've got powder but no ball! WASHINGTON Then use rocks! Hamilton salutes and runs back as another incoming artillery round explodes in the river. As the downpour rages, Washington follows Greene up the greasy slope to the wagons. EXT. WAGON OF WOUNDED Washington climbs onto the first wagon, looks into the mass of tangled limbs. Greene climbs up behind, immediately turns away. MEN with faces half shot off, burned raw, limbs gone... a pile of living guts. He hates seeing this. Washington climbs down, then up onto the other wagon, then comes down and joins Greene. WASHINGTON We can't take them. Are you all right? NATHANAEL GREENE We're leaving them? WASHINGTON They're finished, they can't help us anymore! (face-to-face) They've done their duty, General Greene, now you do yours! NATHANAEL GREENE Yessir! THE SHORE Last SOLDIERS in the last boat watch as Washington moves to the shore for his boat. He feels their eyes on him. He returns the stare and the men look away. A CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER confronts Washington, points at the wounded. MINISTER General it is against the law of God to leave these men! WASHINGTON Is it? Then, by God, you stay with them... The Continental rearguard scramble out of the forest. Washington frantically waves them toward the boats. WASHINGTON C'mon, my brave boys! Get in these boats! (to the reverend) It's these men or those wounded, reverend, and these men can fight. MINISTER Those men did fight for you, sir! But Washington's already moving toward his boat. ALEXANDER HAMILTON and two GUNNERS roll their last cannon back into the river. A Gunner smashes bottles into the muzzle, then picks up stones from the river, jamming them in. When the cannon is over its hubs in the water, Hamilton sights it point-blank at the edge of the forest. WASHINGTON'S BOAT Washington and Greene push-off in a bateau flying the BLUE AND GOLD FLAG OF THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF. SHOUTS rise up from the forest... THE FOREST SEEMS TO BLEED as BRITISH RANGERS gush out of the woods. HAMILTON... fires his cannon -- the rock and glass hit the rangers like a massive shotgun, ripping their pretty uniforms to shreds, staggering their line back into the trees. Hamilton spikes the cannon by breaking off a bayonet tip in the touch hole -- his crew runs into the water, splashing after one of the last boats. WASHINGTON'S BOAT Washington with Greene being rowed into the mist. ON THE SHORE the Minister stands over the wagons of wounded, praying and talking to the men. A heap of burning gear throws off BLACK SMOKE. Rangers swarm onto the shore in their arrogant, black trimmed red tunics. They're a cocksure hard-looking killing machine. Some fire at the boats as they sweep through. One knocks the Minister off the wagon, bayonets him on the ground. Rangers climb on the wagons, look down on the wounded... the shore disappears in the mist. EXT. WASHINGTON'S BOAT - DUSK Washington lowers his eyes. Greene watches Washington for a while, then they hear MUSKET FIRE from shore, and their boat is swallowed by the MIST... INT. CONGRESS - AFTERNOON (PAST) TITLE: 2ND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 6 MONTHS BEFORE SAM ADAMS in our face -- eyes red, long stringy hair; he looks like a mad man howling from the podium. Sam is fifty three, but anger has kept him young. SAM ADAMS We have come here to tear down the world! Knock out its teeth! Smash its ribs! Rip out its heart and throw the damn thing to the dogs! Howls and applause from the delegates... GEORGE WASHINGTON ENTERS wearing a bright pressed uniform of a VIRGINIA MILITIA COLONEL, Washington's vigorous presence immediately commands attention. JOHN ADAMS OF MASSACHUSETTS is by his side. John is forty, with the well-fed look of a prosperous lawyer. Entering on their coat-tails, and attending Washington, is a young black man dressed in the immaculate livery of a gentleman's personal slave. His name is BILLY LEE and he seems proud of his position. SAM ADAMS You all know me. Governor Gage of Massachusetts has called me 'Sammy the Malster'! So, I accept his christening: I stand before you, then, not as a delegate to the Continental Congress, but as Sam Adams, Boston's town drunk! (cheers) Tonight I am drunk on the beer of revolution! Applause and shouts surge around the hall accompanied by shouts of 'TREASON' -- 'SIT DOWN, YOU FOOL'! Sam nods, welcoming the love and the anger. WASHINGTON Well, John Adams, your cousin has a marvelous gift. JOHN ADAMS Yes, an astonishing power over weak minds. DELEGATES DELUGE Washington, and he starts enthusiastically shaking hands like a politician shaking out votes. A tall, heavy-set man -- HORATIO GATES -- pushes through the circle of fawning delegates, shakes hands earnestly with Washington. WASHINGTON Horatio! Horatio Gates, of course you know John Adams of the Massachusetts Delegation. HORATIO GATES Good day, Mister Adams... George, what's the word from Boston? WASHINGTON The last I heard, a bunch of drunken militia have dug in on Breed's hill. With one stroke the British could cut them off and apparently their leaders are too dumb to see it. HORATIO GATES Who's in command out there? WASHINGTON Who the hell knows? Everyone's giving orders. It's all very democratic. HORATIO GATES George, we've got to get you out there before we lose our whole army. Exactly what John Adams wants to hear, he steps up to make the point. JOHN ADAMS With your support, Horatio. As one of our own who has seen combat with the British, your opinion counts. WASHINGTON As does your ability, Horatio. We must talk further, when it's more convenient. They shake hands again and then wade deeper into the morass of delegates. Washington is instantly the politician again, vigorously shaking hands, giving each delegate an earnest nod, a smile. Sam Adams' voice rises above the hall. SAM ADAMS This is The Great Chance! To make a world where all men and all women may be equal, and may vote equally! (hoots from the crowd) Where we of European stock may live in harmony with the natural natives of this New World and learn from them... SHOUTS of RAGE. A furious delegate leaps up. DELEGATE 1 Learn what, Adams? How to steal cattle and drink till you puke!? SAM ADAMS Why, no! You in Delaware are already passing excellent at that! John Adams steers Washington toward a LEAN MAN smoking a thin pipe. He's JOSEPH REED. John Adams speaks fast and low as they approach. JOHN ADAMS Joseph Reed, from Philadelphia; a first class administrator George and he's got a heart set on being your aide. Pennsylvania has the wagons and teamsters you'll need for an army, so his importance goes beyond today's vote. (all over him) Ah! Joseph! Colonel Washington. I'm extremely pleased to introduce you to Joseph Reed, one of Pennsylvania's most prominent citizens. Washington does his part, steps right up, shakes that hand, flashes his smile. WASHINGTON I hear Pennsylvania is the only northern state that doesn't do everything Massachusetts tells it. Reed and John Adams swap surprised looks and sly laughs. JOSEPH REED In that case sir, today will be that exception. More music to John Adams' ears. WASHINGTON We must talk at length, sir, when it's more convenient. They nod, smile, hand-shake and John Adams helps Washington slip away. But then they're aggressively confronted by a slim YOUNG RHODE ISLAND OFFICER: he's NATHANAEL GREENE in his very best dress uniform. Greene walks alongside, limping slightly. NATHANAEL GREENE Colonel Washington? Colonel Nathanael Greene, Rhode Island Militia. WASHINGTON Yes, yes, happy to meet you. NATHANAEL GREENE I... I'm possessed of the idea of a command in your army, sir. WASHINGTON It isn't my army yet, Colonel Greene. Looks like you've seen some action -- did you hurt your leg, in a fight? NATHANAEL GREENE I was born with a limp, sir. (laughs) The Militia used to hate it when I marches with them because my pike would always sway... Shows him with his arms. Washington doesn't really know how to react to this kid, keeps looking around the room. WASHINGTON But, you do come from a military family? NATHANAEL GREENE I have commanded the Rhode Island Militia for a year now. (pause) My father is an ironmaster. As was I. They arrive at the table seating the VIRGINIA DELEGATION directly in front of the dais. Washington's about to sit when he gets it; he turns to look at Greene. WASHINGTON A horseshoer? NATHANAEL GREENE Yes, but I've spent the last winter studying all the great battles of history. And I read the lives of Caesar, Alexander, Hannibal... (pause) Sir, I'm volunteering you the wholehearted support of the Rhode Island army. John Adams decides it's time to get rid of him. JOHN ADAMS Thank you Colonel Greene, for your support. Colonel Washington will decide about his officers later. Thank you... They shake hands as Washington and John Adams sit. Greene nods, unsure, fades reluctantly into the crowd. JOHN ADAMS You won't be needing his largess, Rhode Island is already committed to your appointment. WASHINGTON I don't know: delivering men and delivering men with their goodwill are two different things. And, if he's popular with his men... Now Sam Adams delivers this DIRECTLY AT WASHINGTON and his fellow Virginians. Washington listens as he and John sit, but refuses to be ruffled. SAM ADAMS Our new world is for the Black slave forced by British greed to work like an animal! It is necessary that we abolish this tyrannical practise once and for all! And not doing do, we make a mockery of this whole business! Before he's even finished, he's CRUSHED by CRIES, JEERS -- HUGE BOOS. But seventy year old BENJAMIN FRANKLIN jumps up, spry as a kid, impatient to get the floor. FRANKLIN Gentlemen, gentlemen... It seems to me that certain delegates here are demanding England grant us rights they're not willing to grant their own people. Everyone on the Virginia Delegation immediately turns to Washington who speaks for them all. WASHINGTON Ben, you know many of us in Virginia, including Thomas Jefferson, have tried to outlaw slavery. But the Burgesses will not have it! FRANKLIN (unimpressed) Perhaps they would 'have it', Colonel Washington, if those who proposed the laws in the first place set an example. I should like to ask this question of your fellow delegate, Thomas Jefferson, who is conveniently absent. VOICE What's your argument, Franklin? FRANKLIN My point being: we've been sharpening our damned theories for years, but now reality is on us like the furies! Is there truly support for war -- all out bloody war! -- for the nearly intangible principles of the 'rights of man' that no one in this room seems to be able to agree on? Or is this just some filthy scramble for power? DOGS CHARGE INTO THE HALL... Big, tongue-slobbering hunting hounds leap onto tables, chase a DELEGATE, raise hell. The tension cracks and the whole place breaks into laughter. A LANKY MAN enters grandly behind his dogs. Washington laughs with the rest, but then John leans close. JOHN ADAMS Colonel Charles Lee... Hounds and all. Quite the character. He's got a tremendous reputation. WASHINGTON I think many would like to see him commander-in-chief. Lee struts around, getting greeted like he was The Pope. Seeing Washington and John, Lee salutes them with a glass of Madeira. Washington and John nod politely. JOHN ADAMS Alas for Colonel Lee, he was born in England, so no one quite trusts him. He's not our problem, George. All these men will fall into line, if Sam does. But Sam's going to fight us, he's too powerful and too righteous not to. And he still wants Hancock over you. (pause) Well, let me talk to him one last time... John Adams heads across the room, shaking hands with other delegates as he goes. WASHINGTON focuses on Sam Adams as he finishes his speech. The crowd hushes, getting swept up. Washington is moved, despite himself. SAM ADAMS The child of a dock worker who dreams of entering parliament, is beat down. A blacksmith's son who would dream he could become a governor, or a general, is beat down. Under the system of the European Kings, all who dream are beat down... for centuries we have been beat down! And now, we want a new world! (howls of support) So, today we must confront the King, his lords and ladies and ministers and parliament and his army... and kick them all in the rump! The place goes NUTS, people SCREAM Sam's name. Washington looks around at the mesmerized mob, sees Greene applauding, bursting with youthful passion. At this emotional peak, a MILITIA CAPTAIN bulls through, holds up two flags in his trembling hands. MILITIA CAPTAIN Listen! Listen to me! Colonel Benedict Arnold and Colonel Ethan Allen have taken Fort Ticonderoga! By God, these be the British flags! A unanimous GASP, then the congress breaks into CATERWAULING. Washington shoves past the delegates, confronts the Militia Captain. WASHINGTON Captain, how did the British fight? MILITIA CAPTAIN Fight? One man done got popped on the head, then they fell on their knees and begged for mercy -- The British all be cowards. With that the Captain turns to continue into the hall, but Washington stiffens, won't move out of his way. WASHINGTON Don't you salute a superior officer? MILITIA CAPTAIN You be from Virginia, Mister. I be a New Hampshire man! Washington's miffed. But the Captain has no time for him and shoves his way into the hall. Billy Lee enters, but now Washington sees John cornering Sam at the far end of the hall. BILLY LEE Colonel, sir, Mrs. Washington inquires if you are going to join her for dinner? WASHINGTON Tell Mrs. Washington I am compelled to stay a while longer. JOHN & SAM ADAMS shouting as they push through the delegates. It's Dante's Ring Of Hell For Politicians; a gauntlet of groping hand shakes, back slaps, cheering sycophants whipped up by the news... JOHN ADAMS Washington is perfect. He's a Southerner, he's a war hero and he's rich! SAM ADAMS He's from Virginia -- there is no more classist, elitist... English place on earth than Virginia. And, what in hell has he done for our cause? Washington has been preaching compromise, compromise, compromise! Hancock acts, he led the Boston Tea party! That's why New England loves him. JOHN ADAMS Hancock led the Boston 'tea party' because he's a goddamned tea smuggler! He wasn't protesting inequality, he was eliminating competition. Now, you listen to me: we need to get a Southerner elected commander-in-chief, or the south will not fight! What have we been struggling for all these years? For this moment! And, if we fail now, remember: you stopped us! Sam turns away and locks eyes with Washington... EXT. OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA - LATE AFTERNOON WILD-EYED LOOTERS ransack a country estate -- rocks crash through windows, furniture smashed in heaps. BENEDICT ARNOLD rides out of the dark on a jet black horse. He wears a Connecticut Militia uniform and a wool great coat. He's classically handsome with severe blue eyes. Suddenly three armed MILITIA block his way with muskets and pikes. Uniforms can't hide backwoods yokels raised with a mistrust of anyone 'different'. MILITIA MAN Who are you? Come forward! Why are you traveling alone!? Arnold relaxes in the saddle and a BRACE OF PISTOLS shows just beneath his coat. He suddenly radiates a deadly samurai presence. ARNOLD Colonel Benedict Arnold. Connecticut Militia, headed for Congress in Philadelphia... Awesome silence as LOOTERS gather around to view this man. MILITIA MAN Colonel Arnold! The same who took Ticonderoga? ARNOLD The very same. MILITIA MAN Well, sir. We are honored. (they stand aside) Welcome to Philadelphia... Arnold looks at the burning house, at the men, spurs on. INT. CARPENTERS HALL (LIBRARY) - DUSK Sam leans back against the edge of a bookcase, the volumes loom over him like the boundless, bookish contents of his mind. Washington stands beside a tall window. They face off, arms folded. SAM ADAMS You are a slave owner! You have been illegally surveying lands beyond the Ohio Valley! That land belongs to the natives! WASHINGTON That land belongs to the strongest. Sam blinks, wasn't expecting Washington to fight back. SAM ADAMS All people have rights! WASHINGTON Just because they are born? SAM ADAMS Yes! WASHINGTON Who says so? SAM ADAMS I say! WASHINGTON I see... SAM ADAMS And 'others', say... have you even read Locke, Vattel, Voltaire, Diderot... WASHINGTON Are these philosopher going to be here to help you fight your war? You know why I don't trust revolutions? Because each of us is who we are: we make speeches, print pamphlets, and we never change. The world is not a philosophical abstraction, Mister Adams, it's us. And, I don't believe you can ever change human nature. Sam is horrified. SAM ADAMS Are you telling me that your opinion is this revolution can never succeed? Before he can answer there's GUN FIRE from the street -- then yowls and cheers. EXT. BALCONY - DUSK Sam and Washington rush out onto a balcony overlooking Philadelphia. People in the streets are cheering wildly. Washington yells down at the Militia guard on the front steps. WASHINGTON Soldier! What's all the shouting about? SOLDIER Boston! Boston! The British have attacked the militia on Breeds Hill in Boston! It's war! War! Washington and Sam stare at each other. Sam takes a long breath, sees they've come to the inevitable. WASHINGTON I know a bit about you, too, Sam. To get us here, you've lied, bullied... when there were no revolutionaries, you hired thugs to riot and pretend they were. Now there are real revolutionaries in Boston, and they're really fighting. Why hesitate? Off in the distance comes the SOUND OF PEOPLE blowing hunting horns, beating pots and pans, singing: the noise of a multitude camped on the outskirts of the congress. SAM ADAMS You hear that? WASHINGTON That? I hear a mob: unemployed, drunkards, vagabonds... the world's dregs. SAM ADAMS Well, I hear 'The People'. (pause) Indentured servants, freed slaves... escaped slaves. The world's castaways. (pause) And, my fear is, in the scramble for power that's coming, you will betray them. ANOTHER ROAR moves through the crowd as BENEDICT ARNOLD rides down the main street. His name is shouted by the crowd and Washington leans over the edge as Arnold approaches. WASHINGTON Arnold! Benedict Arnold! Arnold look up, sees Washington and salutes from his horse. Arnold throws off the infectious confidence of youth like beams of light. ARNOLD We've got to attack the British! Now! Have they put you in charge yet? Do we have an army yet? What is happening? WASHINGTON Patience, Colonel Arnold. (with a smile for Sam) Active personalities terrify these men. But, congratulations on your victory at Ticonderoga... Sam Adams gets the message. SAM ADAMS Give me an hour to talk with the New England delegates. They keep staring at each other, then Washington offers his hand and they both manage a very lukewarm handshake. EXT. PENNSYLVANIA STREETS - DUSK Washington and Arnold are surrounded by the crowd, hands reaching out to touch these men as Arnold and Washington themselves shake hands. Billy Lee walks ahead, helping to force a passage through the people as Washington and Arnold walk Arnold's horse through the streets toward the stable. ARNOLD I believe we can bring the British to their knees in a single stroke. INT. STABLES - MORNING Arnold, stripped to the waist washing his horse and drawing a combat map on a mirror with a bar of soap. Washington's fascinated by Arnold's burning personality. They're drinking rum. All the while there's continual cheering and gun fire outside. ARNOLD I capture Quebec leading an Army by river fordings through Maine... If we don't do it, the British will come down Champlain, take back Ticonderoga and attack us in the spring. WASHINGTON You'd have to travel hundreds of miles through the wilderness. ARNOLD Over three hundred miles. WASHINGTON You seem pleased by the prospect. ARNOLD Exceedingly. Besides, if I had half the wagons that were used to lug the rum to Philadelphia for this congress, I could move a whole army to the moon! Arnold returns to scrubbing his horse with a boar's hair brush. Washington leans on the stall containing TRAVELER, his white gelding. As they speak, Washington strokes Traveler's mane. These are clearly two very 'hands-on' men, as competent with horses and weapons as they are leading soldiers. WASHINGTON What's your frank estimation of the British? ARNOLD Well, you fought with them against the French and Iroquois, how good were they then? WASHINGTON They died well. Otherwise, they didn't do much right. But if we have war, the British will surely send their best troops: right now they have no other enemies. ARNOLD And a French alliance? WASHINGTON Ben Franklin's going to Paris, but I think the French will be long on talk and short on guns. Our troops are mobs, they won't take orders, have no equipment... could they beat the British? ARNOLD It comes down to leaders. If our leaders are ordinary men who truly believe; if they go into the forests with the troops, eat what they eat, fight with them, perhaps to die? The most common soldier will defy your most depressing expectation. Washington smiles, drains his glass. WASHINGTON My experience is, the ones who know the least will be the bravest. Billy cautiously enters. BILLY LEE It's time, Colonel. INT. CONGRESS - AFTERNOON John Adams reads the great role of states. As he does, and DELEGATES give their 'ayes', the names resound through the hall. As he reads we pass over FACES: fearful, joyful, tearful... JOHN ADAMS New Hampshire; Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Georgia... He pauses to let the echoes die. John Adams savors the moment. Then he spots Washington hanging back in the shadows. Smiles. JOHN ADAMS There is a gentleman among us whose skill and experience as an officer, whose independent fortune, great talents and excellent universal character, command the approbation of all America. I speak of Virginia Delegate and Militia Colonel, George Washington. The hall breaks into roaring applause... HALLWAY Washington sits alone on a settee, listening to the applause... clearly wracked with doubt. EXT. STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA - DAY DEMONSTRATORS carrying a hanging effigy of King George III. They beat drums, shout slogans. INT. WASHINGTON APARTMENT - DAY Washington stands at the window watching the demonstration. He's in his best regimentals, still doing up the ridiculously tight collar. MARTHA enters wearing an ornate gown that's not quite completely tied up. Martha is about the same age as George, handsome, but together the pair look strangely formal. WASHINGTON It's another demonstration against the king. This is the wildest yet. MARTHA My God, these people mean to go to war! They really mean it. WASHINGTON Surely you knew this was coming. MARTHA War? No! I did not! When you said compromise was possible I believed it was probable. There's no middle ground at all? We're the King's children! Washington embraces her and makes her sit. WASHINGTON Our beloved father, the King, also refuses to bend. MARTHA But to go to war over trade, over money? Surely there's still time for a compromise. WASHINGTON Of course, if it were that simple. (indicates the window) These people? They're after something else... MARTHA My God, what? WASHINGTON The eternal dream of the disenfranchised, my dear: a classless world. Not a very real expectation. As Martha fumbles with her buttons, Washington helps. MARTHA Well, a very real expectation is the British will hang you! They'll burn Mount Vernon and they'll hang you! Our marriage is a business just as surely as... WASHINGTON I'm very aware of that. MARTHA I can not allow the fortune in slaves my first husband created and what our partnership has elevated, to be destroyed... WASHINGTON Don't be ridiculous, of course that won't happen. MARTHA Have you been reading what Minister Jefferson has to say? If he had his way, all our slaves would be freed no matter what the outcome. And that would destroy us as surely as a British victory. Washington smiles at the notion. WASHINGTON The day Tom Jefferson frees a slave I'll ride naked through the streets of Williamsburg on a mule. (pause) Tom Jefferson is one of those people who talks big and acts small. The only man out there who really does what he says is Sam Adams and everyone thinks he's crazy. (pause) Believe me, this 'disturbance' isn't going to last long. You have to understand, congress is a chicken coop full of foxes, Martha, each and every one has his eye on a nice, fat prize. MARTHA And, what 'prize' do you see? What could we possible gain? WASHINGTON Everything. If we force Britain into concessions it will open up the western lands -- and that would be a boon for our family. We already have more slaves than we need, but we need more land. Then, in the chaos of cheering Washington hears people calling HIS NAME. Martha watches Washington's expression as he listens to the cheering. MARTHA And, if after all this is over and the 'disenfranchised' want the freedom you and everyone else promised them? Our lives, our fortunes, my children's future depends on our slaves. George, freed slaves are in the streets demonstrating! More sounds from the street: chanting, singing. Washington smiles, trying to soothe her... WASHINGTON When my mother married my father, she believed she had fulfilled her dream of marrying 'up', like a child's dream of going to heaven... Yet the truth is, she just pulled my family down. So, I'm still seen as the badly-bred, half-educated son of a failed landowner and a social climbing barmaid... Each of us -- Jefferson, John Adams... each of us has found a way to climb over the barriers that keep us from real power... everyone is finding a way to the top in this crisis. (pause) The south trusts me because I'm one of their own as a slave owner, land owner, I'll protect their 'rights'; the north because -- they claim -- I am about to lead an army in a fight for absolute freedom... Or at least the right to absolute free trade. So, when it's over, we will be positioned very, very well indeed. Washington rises now, crossed back toward the window. Seems very sure about all this. Then a CHANT goes up from the street: "Washington! -- Washington! -- Washington!" WASHINGTON But, as usual, it will not go well for... them. (pause) Martha, you must trust me. MARTHA You're no fool, George. You never have been. They hold on each other a moment, embrace. THE STREETS The People... standing on wagons, one another's shoulders -- waving flags, yelling and cheering. A chant goes up: "FREEDOM -- FREEDOM -- FREEDOM!" Among them is a solitary BLACK MAN, cheering and waving a flag over his head. GREENE passes on horseback, leading a color guard of Rhode Island militia. Washington nods as Greene salutes. Suddenly his eyes jerk back to a GROUP OF MEN carrying a hand-sewn banner that reads "OH, LIBERTY -- OH, VIRTUE -- OH, COUNTRY!" Jarred by this image, Washington smiles, as if his mind were momentarily free of his ambitions. WASHINGTON "Liberty, Virtue, Country"... That's from Cato... you know, that play about the noble Romans? As I was riding up to Philadelphia, I found myself thinking about the old days... MARTHA When you lived with the Fairfaxes? WASHINGTON When I was a young man we used to recite Cato... We would come together recite it like they were words from heaven. Devotion to country, duty, purity of heart... Purity of heart. I was drunk on something then... MARTHA That's when Sally Fairfax was tutoring you... Washington smiles despite himself, remembering. WASHINGTON That's right... MARTHA And have you heard anything from our dear friend, Sally? (off his look) What with all the rumors getting back to England. I thought she might inquire after us. (pause) But then I believe she always looked down on us. Washington winces at this remark. It seems that at this moment he can't look at Martha. WASHINGTON Are you ready? INT. CARPENTERS HALL - THAT NIGHT Washington and Martha make a royal entrance, he in his perfect uniform, she in her splendid gown. Fawning delegates and their wives applaud. Billy Lee follows, holding their coats, the loyal slave. They pass famous faces: John Adams; Sam Adams; Benjamin Franklin... those oil paintings, but alive and applauding. George and Martha are like KING AND QUEEN. INT. PALACE LIBRARY, LONDON - DAY Chaos -- as if a war were already being fought. Wiry KING GEORGE III stands beside LORD GERMAIN who looks like a ferret. King George sucks furiously on a long, ivory pipe, coughing as he smears the air with greasy smoke. The library is packed with the spoils of world conquest: an Iroquois canoe; African shields... AIDS scamper in and out shuffling rolls of waxed canvas maps, tack hammers banging. Stout and heavy GENERAL CORNWALLIS sits at the table sipping tea, his red regimentals glow in the gloom like some demon. Near a globe, standing in the corner like he might be stuffed and on display, is the KING'S SECRETARY. He reads from the 'trades'. KING'S SECRETARY "General Washington is a man of means. Not only does he risk all but has insisted that he serve without salary; a noble gesture." So says the Times. KING GEORGE When you're rich you can afford to be noble. The American's battle cry is 'the rights of man' -- God help us! Tell me, Cornwallis, what the hell are we fighting for? CORNWALLIS We fight for the glory of England, sire. KING GEORGE What!? Are you out of your mind? Savages fight for glory -- I'll tell you what we fight for: He jabs at Cornwallis' uniform. KING GEORGE (jacket) Cotton, from Egypt. (blouse) Asian silk... (buttons) Indian copper... (insignia) African silver. Shit, you're a walking advertisement for empire now aren't you, General? Commerce is empire! The British East India Company against the French and Dutch East India Companies. Hudson's Bay Company against the French West India Company... we live in a world run by empires of companies. (pause) And, what we mean to resolve is: who owns the greatest repository of raw materials the world has ever seen. I'll tell you, it had better be us! If these stupid people gain independence they could trade resources for immense power... KING'S SECRETARY (continues reading) "We must recall that General Washington is one of our own. An aristocrat, a lord over vast lands, a slave holder..." So says the News... KING GEORGE He's not a 'general'; he's a disloyal subject! So, shut up! This is the most... ghastly... occurrence... in the whole history of mankind. These people have gone completely berserk! I am descended from God! God! Clearly, they want to wage war against God! King George slams his fists on the table. LORD GERMAIN Our army sailing for New York is over thirty thousand strong. KING GEORGE Thirty thousand! You hear that, Cornwallis!? LORD GERMAIN That is, my Lord, the largest single overseas force this nation has ever dispatched. Cornwallis crosses to the map, points at Lake Champlain. CORNWALLIS Our plan is to come down from Canada by boat on Lake Champlain; beats walking. Should get us into Ticonderoga right on schedule. Then, if our New York campaign doesn't completely crush Washington before winter, by spring, our two armies will link up and... it will be over. KING GEORGE Except for a lovely series of treason trials. Should we bring Washington to England? LORD GERMAIN Not if you want him to hang -- Parliament will likely make him their darling and pardon him. Turn him over to the American Congress; they'll hang him to save their own necks! King George breaks into a torrent of laughter -- slaps his knee, wipes tears from his eyes. There's a bright sparkle of madness in his eyes. Turns to his Secretary. KING GEORGE Let's hear more! Come on, come on! KING'S SECRETARY "Washington's distinguished himself during the so-called 'French and Indian War'. Fighting with Braddock he had two horses shot from under him, several bullets pierced his coat -- yet he was never scratches. Savages who fought against Washington that day claim he is under an eternal spell of a protecting manitou. They believe the gods have preserved him for eternity..." So says the Guardian. They all laugh. Then the King gets dead serious. KING GEORGE General Cornwallis, I want you to punish these criminals, and this peculiar Mister Washington... CUT TO: EXT. PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE RIVER - DAWN (END FLASHBACK) Washington's boat run ground and empty, his blue and gold Commander and Chief's flag looks forlorn amid growing SNOW FLURRIES. EXT. PENNSYLVANIA COUNTRYSIDE - MORNING Washington rides Traveler to the rear of his troops, the now GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE Washington met at Congress and Joseph Reed ride with him. Reed dispassionately ticks-off the terrible news. JOSEPH REED Fifteen hundred killed, wounded or missing in battle. Three thousand men taken prisoner when the Hudson forts surrendered. Another one thousand five hundred lost to desertion. And more than two thousand lost on our retreat... because their enlistments expired. Washington stops his horse and turns away, overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster. WASHINGTON Any word from Canada? JOSEPH REED Spies from Quebec confirm that the British are sending an entire fleet down Lake Champlain... WASHINGTON A fleet? NATHANAEL GREENE How could they get a fleet onto Lake Champlain? It's landlocked! Reed eyes Greene as if he were an annoying imbecile. JOSEPH REED General, the enemy sailed the ships in from England, took them apart plank by plank and rebuilt them on the lake. They have bomb ships, mortar barges, the ship-of-the-line Inflexible... altogether it is estimated a fleet of some thirty or more ships. The Iroquois have joined them with one hundred war canoes carrying more than a thousand Mohawk sharp-shooters. Staggering news. For a moment no one can speak, just the sound of wind whipping around their horses. WASHINGTON My God... They mean to finish us. What about Arnold? He's up there. JOSEPH REED What can he do? The British have massive superiority. Greene angrily circles his horse around to Washington's other side. NATHANAEL GREENE I doubt Arnold will be afraid. JOSEPH REED If he isn't, then he's stupid. Greene is taken aback, doesn't know how to respond to Reed's slap. Washington turns Traveler and continues. Reed spurs ahead and rides just behind Washington, stalking like a terrier. Greene glumly follows. HILL TOP Washington, Reed and Greene view the disheartening spectacle of the retreating army as it slogs agonizingly through the mud. JOSEPH REED Did God ever make such a pitiful army? NATHANAEL GREENE These men have suffered but I believe they will fight. Reed spurs his horse, cutting in between Greene and Washington. JOSEPH REED No officer is going to get these men to fight! They had the life crushed out of them on Long Island. At the most, perhaps we could make a feint at an outpost, then retire to protect Congress. NATHANAEL GREENE I hear General Lee is holding seven thousand fresh infantry back in New York -- why won't he come on!? JOSEPH REED General Lee is detained captain... NATHANAEL GREENE Detained by what? JOSEPH REED The British army, sir! NATHANAEL GREENE The British Army is right back there, across that river! Sir! I think it must be something else that detains General Lee. WASHINGTON Gentlemen! (pause) Nathanael, would you have one of your men prepare a bodyguard for Colonel Reed. Joseph, get to Congress... (hands him an envelope) Here is a list of supplies in detail. If Congress has to divert food, weapons and powder from the troops around Philadelphia, then I order them to do so. I'm also ordering any free troops to join our forces here as fast as possible. That includes General Lee. Tell him he can bring his damned dogs, but tell him to get here. Washington pauses, considering what he's about to say. He looks at Greene, then to Reed. WASHINGTON I'm ordering that Negroes be allowed to join the army. Greene's eyes get real big. JOSEPH REED Congress is bitterly opposed to allowing Negroes in the army! NATHANAEL GREENE We already have black soldiers in our army... JOSEPH REED Unofficially, General Greene. NATHANAEL GREENE What's the difference? Washington suddenly explodes -- sick of the bickering. WASHINGTON If we're going to last the winter I need men! Make Congress understand that two powerful British armies are going to converge on this spot come spring. One from the north and one right across that river. Washington wants to talk with Reed alone. WASHINGTON General Greene, will you please see to that bodyguard. Greene salutes, wheels his horse and canters off. Alone, Washington confides in Reed. WASHINGTON If we have any hope for a compromise or truce with England now, we have to hold on here: our men must believe they can win -- the British must believe that somehow, in some mad, impossible way we might actually be able to hurt them. JOSEPH REED I understand, George. Washington salutes -- Reed returns it, then shakes Washington's hand a little too vigorously, turns his horse and rides off. FURTHER UP THE LINE Two MILITIA OFFICERS fight, rolling in the crap. Militia howl at them, throwing rocks, snowballs. Snow flurries whirl around them as they roll in the slush. Washington PLOWS into them with his HORSE, knocks one officer down, jumps off his horse, grabs the other officer by the collar. Washington swings one around as the other drops his sword, staggers back. WASHINGTON You are officers! Officers! Come to attention! What is your regiment!? MARYLAND OFFICER I'm from Maryland, sir! That scum sucker from Connecticut... WASHINGTON You both are under arrest! FIVE ARMED MILITIA close around the Connecticut Officer to protect him, some actually lift their guns, threatening Washington. Washington looks WILD. HAMILTON GUARD! Mud-caked Alexander Hamilton appears with a handful of filthy artillery men holding pistols on the Connecticut Militia. Washington pulls one of his matched flintlock pistols, cocks it. WASHINGTON Mutiny and you will be shot! By now they're surrounded by SOLDIERS, CAMP-FOLLOWERS -- everyone watching. Could go either way. Then, RHODE ISLAND MILITIA appear, flanking Greene. NATHANAEL GREENE Ready! Like a well-oiled machine they drop to one knee, muskets leveled. Washington shoves one mutineer back, then another, another... WASHINGTON You are all soldiers in the American Army, you are no longer just state militia! Get that through your thick, backwoods skulls! You all signed up for an enlistment, and you will stay or be shot as deserters! (a breath) Any man caught rioting will earn himself fifty lashes! Any man convicted of mutiny will receive one hundred and fifty! Gaping silence. These are extreme measures. One of the would-be MUTINEERS scoffs, turns and heads back to the line. The rest back off. Washington gets a hard stare from the troops. Then he turns and Greene follows. WASHINGTON The only way to get discipline into these men is to beat it into them! Fifty lashes each! NATHANAEL GREENE Sir, Congress hasn't issued their pay for two months, many have not eaten properly for at least that long. You're being a little hard on them, don't you think? WASHINGTON Nathanael, someone bred to station, bred to being a gentleman -- unlike these men -- his sense of duty naturally prevails over the baser needs. NATHANAEL GREENE Well sir, I was an ironmaster before you got me. Maybe I will let you down yet. Greene turns to go, but Washington stops him. WASHINGTON I certainly didn't mean you. Of course you are a gentleman, an officer and a gentleman. NATHANAEL GREENE You wrong me, general; I am an officer and a horse-shoer. Greene salutes, gets a salute back and retires. Washington swings into the saddle rides a few paces and finds Hamilton up to his knees in mud with two of his gunners trying to get one of the caissons unstuck. Washington studies Hamilton a second as if trying to figure this kid out. WASHINGTON How old are you, Captain? HAMILTON I'll be twenty next year, sir. WASHINGTON I'll expect you for dinner this evening, Captain Hamilton. For Christ's sake, have a bath. HAMILTON Delighted, sir. Washington wheels into the saddle and continues up the line. INT. DESERTED BARN - NIGHT Candles and oil lamps that rim the inside of the old barn shimmer and flicker as wind wheezes through the walls. A handful of OFFICERS range around the barn, on barrels or benches around a table made from spare boards. Hamilton sits beside Greene. Washington sits at the head of this plank table, face burnished by flickering candles. He looks tired. WASHINGTON I have just heard that General Cornwallis is being recalled back to England. He's leaving with his wife for an extended... vacation. I assume this means we are no longer feared. Silence broken by a few coughs, uncomfortable men clearing their throats. WASHINGTON In the north General Arnold with a handful of badly supplied men is all that stands between us and a second British army. (some muttering) Come Spring the British will be unstoppable. (dead silence) So, my question to you is: retreat, fight, or dig-in and prepare for whatever may come at us in the Spring. Each of you has command of a body of men, you should know their spirit. What do you say? (more throats clearing) Speak up! I want to know what you really think! A tubby officer on his left rises. TUBBY OFFICER If I'm to judge from the mood of my men... WASHINGTON Yes... TUBBY OFFICER Well then, retreat. Washington nods to the next, a LEAN OFFICER. LEAN OFFICER Retreat and fall back on Congress. If we can save Philadelphia and our political leaders the British will have to negotiate a peace. Officers in all manner of uniforms respond, and as they go around the room all say 'retreat'. Then it's Hamilton's turn. HAMILTON We must fight! -- fight! -- fight!!! Attack them wherever they hide! Burn their fleets, massacre their armies -- drive them off the continent! Ringing silence. Greene, happily surprised refills Hamilton's glass with rum. TUBBY OFFICER How many men in your command, Captain? HAMILTON Five, sir. Laughter around the barn. But Washington smiles at Hamilton's spirit. WASHINGTON General Greene? NATHANAEL GREENE I'm with Captain Hamilton. WASHINGTON Yes, I thought that's how you'd feel, Nathanael. HAMILTON Excuse me, General, but may I ask how do you feel? WASHINGTON No one wants to turn the table on the enemy more than I. But if victory is remote and there's any hope for a negotiated peace, we must keep this army intact. HAMILTON Therefore, retreat. Washington glares at Hamilton; he's rude. WASHINGTON I'm so inclined. HAMILTON Well, sir, then is it possible you called us all here just to hear what you wanted to hear. A few officers chuckle at this silly alliteration. WASHINGTON I am open to your strategies, captain. More officers chuckle. HAMILTON Well, sir, my strategy would be to arm people who want freedom and have them attack people who want to enslave them. LEAN OFFICER Which is exactly why no damned Negros should be allowed in our armies! TUBBY OFFICER Ridiculous! New England has had African men in her Militias for years. You southerners are just a'feared 'cause you're slave owners. (correcting himself) Beggin' your pardon, sir. Washington feels the cut for just a second, goes on. But, like a good politician, he's prepared. WASHINGTON I want to remind you all that black minutemen fought alongside white troops at Lexington and Concord. Not in separate divisions -- they fought together. Black and white troops also fought together at the battles of Breed's and Bunker Hill. It was a black sharpshooter who killed the British field commander, Major Pitcairn. LEAN OFFICER A lucky shot! WASHINGTON We could use some luck! After laughs: NATHANAEL GREENE What are we going to do then, General? Retreat further or... WASHINGTON turns away from his officers. He stands in the dark a moment as a wind moves through the barn flickering the candles. He crosses to a window. HIS POV Camp fires of his army flicker against the cold wind, as fragile as candles. RESUME WASHINGTON Finally turning to face his officers. Hamilton immediately catches his eye -- Hamilton and Greene side by side like a pair of hopeful kids. WASHINGTON After giving the question careful consideration I must agree with Colonel Reed's original assessment: our troops are too dispirited for a counter-attack. For the present, we'll continue our retreat toward Newtown. Hamilton looks dejected. Greene refills his glass. HAMILTON Sir, what am I going to tell my men? LEAN OFFICER You tell them to march! All five of them! Howls of laughter from the other officers. But his time Washington doesn't laugh. EXT. BARN - NIGHT All the officers are shuffling off into the night, but Hamilton stays behind. HAMILTON General Washington, is there actually going to be a compromise, I mean, a 'deal' with England? WASHINGTON And is that the most horrible thing in the world? Hamilton starts to say something, but just salutes and starts to go. WASHINGTON Captain, I want you to know that I respect your openness. It would make me happy if you'd join our table for dinner from now on. HAMILTON With pleasure... and an honor. (pause) Did you hear about Nathan Hale? WASHINGTON That young school teacher... I heard the British hung him as a spy. HAMILTON But it's what he said, just before they killed him: "I regret that I have but one life to give to my country." Hamilton salutes again and heads off into the night. Washington watches him a while, begins to return inside when a SENTRY escorts a ROUGH LOOKING LIEUTENANT dressed in a long, flannel jacket. LIEUTENANT Yessir. I am first lieutenant Birdie McMullen. Jimmy -- my best rifleman -- done shot a big buck, sir. And our company of New Hampshire volunteers is offerin' it for your table. WASHINGTON Well, we have no table, but... come on closer. Three 'MILITIA' move into the light dragging a buck on a litter. Washington looks them over: a ragged trio, no hint of uniform, simple men. One is a MULATTO. WASHINGTON Thank you men, I accept. LIEUTENANT We'll dress it for you sir. Be ready in the morning. He salutes, Washington returns it. INT. BARN - NIGHT Alone, Washington walks to the back of the old barn, still lit by the remaining candles. He pours himself a tall glass of rum, leaves the glass and crosses back to the window. OUTSIDE A YOUNG GIRL with a YOUNG SOLDIER, walk together toward the encampment. They hang on to each other, warming each other in the bitter cold; can just hear their laughter in the wind. WASHINGTON Watches them with a longing bordering on anguish. He moves away from the window, picks up his glass and drains it. Then a powerful wind RUSHES against the old walls SNUFFING OUT the last candles. INT. BELVOIR MANSION, VIRGINIA - DAY (FLASHBACK) IMAGES FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S PAST... Eighteen year old SALLY FAIRFAX is introduced by her husband, handsome WILLIAM FAIRFAX. Slim figure, pale face, jet hair; Sally has a mythic sensuality, the classic fearless face of youth. WILLIAM George! George, here she is; George, the prize of my heart! This is Sally Cary! Now, Mrs. Sally Fairfax. Her black eyes home in on us. Seeing everything from Washington's POV as she slowly circles him. SALLY So, you are William's wild young neighbor? Or should I say, 'brother'; William claims you as a member of his family. I have heard so many unflattering tales about you, and I understand, that except for you, this 'family' is quite cultivated. WILLIAM George, I'm sorry. SALLY Oh, but you must not mind my talking about you! In fact, William says my main job here at Belvoir is to civilize you; to make an honest English gentleman out of you. WILLIAM That's not what I said! Now, Sally, you're embarrassing me! (to Washington) Watch out for her, George; she talks refinement, but she has a barbarous soul! INT. BELVOIR MANSION - DAY (FLASHBACK) Sally's slim, provocative figure outlined before a blazing hearth. In her lap is a tiny, gold-embossed book. As she reads, we CIRCLE HER, seeing her from young Washington's POV. She lightly places her small hand over the top of her cleavage. SALLY "Let no torrent of impetuous zeal transport thee beyond bounds of reason: True fortitude is seen in great exploits that justice warrants and wisdom guides." She pauses, looks up at young George Washington to make a point. SALLY "All else is tow'ring frenzy and distraction." (pause) George? It's your line... NEW ANGLE YOUNG GEORGE WASHINGTON hesitates. Other in the room chuckle; they're rehearsing James Addison's CATO. YOUNG WASHINGTON Ah... "Pity that I have but one life to lose for my country..." William Fairfax laughs, loves play acting. WILLIAM Hey -- that's my line! Why, I think George is infatuated with you, Sally. Sally smiles shyly, but is uncomfortable with the notion. SALLY Don't tease George. More smiles, a girl giggles. Finally George Washington looks down into Sally's deep eyes. YOUNG WASHINGTON I'm sorry, I am hopelessly lost... Everyone laughs. EXT. ROAD TO NEWTOWN - MORNING (PRESENT) Washington in the saddle, surrounded by the gloom of a growing storm, but his mind in the transcendence of memories. Washington looks back at Billy Lee riding behind on Nelson -- Washington's black horse -- leaning into the icy wind and snow. Washington looks ahead again, back into his memory. EXT. FAIRFAX ESTATES - DAY (FLASHBACK) Sally, William and George in the company of what are best described as members of Virginia's upper crust -- New World Landed Gentry. They stroll through the fields of endless grain, the men with walking sticks. Compared to the willowy William, and the other men, George looks tough. He leads his and Sally's horse. Because Sally's excited to see the estates, the three walk ahead of the rest. A fifty year old Protestant MINISTER trails by just a bit. WILLIAM The land here is best for grain and corn. YOUNG WASHINGTON Though, sometimes we get frost and that can cut the season. SALLY It's marvelous. To see wealth pour forth from the land. MINISTER A bounty from the bosom of heaven. WILLIAM We can grow three primary crops in a season and, if we have some luck, we get a forth. The temperature is generally mild. SALLY Except for that, quite like home; England, that is. WILLIAM Hear that, George? Sally's actually taken to thinking of this clod of earth as her home. And it's her first tour. We're gratified, aren't we George? NEW ANGLE They break clear of the wheat field onto a rolling field. SLAVES hand cut, bail and stack wheat. WHITE THUGS patrol the fields. Those on the perimeter carrying muskets, those who walk among the slaves, pistols and short swords. WILLIAM Of course we have slaves here instead of tenant farmers to make the land pay. Our harvest is about fourteen percent higher this year. Sally is stunned silent, appalled by what she sees. SLAVES Struggle in the hot sun under tremendous loads of bailed grain heaving them into wagons. One has a terrible limp; another pocked from disease; all toil like animals. SALLY violently pushes past William, seems disoriented. MINISTER Oh, dear... WILLIAM Are you well, Sally? Washington sees she's faint, drops the horses' reins and rushes to her side. He takes her arm, moves her ahead as fast as he can. William is just annoyed. WILLIAM God's sake, Sally... NOW THEY ARRIVE AT THE SLAVE HUTS WOMAN and CHILDREN, mostly naked, living in unbelievable filth. As they move out of the field toward the pastures, Washington does all he can to block Sally's view. YOUNG WASHINGTON We're almost away from here. Sally nods, thankful, moves closer to Washington as William and the Minister catch up. WILLIAM The crowding is hard to bear, but in the fall we consolidate the work camps. Sally? MINISTER It's the wealth of the land, Mrs. Fairfax. The slaves and indentured servants. It's part of the system of Virginia's wealth. Sally doesn't want to hear more, and George is getting more and more fed up with William. EXT. PASTURES - DAY Away from the squalor of the slave camp, Sally suddenly sprints ahead to a stream where she sits on a rock, just staring at the pure flowing water. William smiles at George, but wants to get on. WILLIAM Come on, Sally, we have so much more to see. Show a little mettle! Finally George turns to William, furious, fists clenched. YOUNG WASHINGTON Damn it, William! Damn it! Minister backs off. William instantly composes himself. WILLIAM Well, George, we're going on then. Stay with her a bit, all right? There's a good man. He continues on with the others, the Minister talking happily as they go. EXT. STREAM - DAY George sits beside Sally, sees she was crying and is just wiping her eyes. YOUNG WASHINGTON I should take you right back to Belvoir. Sally wants to burst out weeping or shouting, instead she seals her emotion. SALLY Where... do those men come from, George? YOUNG WASHINGTON Africa, of course. SALLY Africa? That's so far? How do they get here? YOUNG WASHINGTON Slavers capture them and bring them here. SALLY Capture them? Well, I've never seen anything like it, so... of course I'm curious. YOUNG WASHINGTON Sally, our slave system is a British law... She suddenly pulls away from him, stands, glaring. SALLY Did I say anything? We must be... who we must be. She turns away and George can't tell if she's crying again. He stands and reaches out to hold her -- but she pulls loose and runs off down the dirt road. As she does she pulls off her scarf and her long, black hair flows free in the wind... INT. BELVOIR LIBRARY - DAY Sally's delicate hand arches out in front of a monumental bookcase. George's rough hand reaches out, can't quite bring himself to touch Sally's. Through the window one can see, hear a summer storm raging. SALLY I shan't break. George and Sally face each other in the library as his hand finally touches hers. George seems to feel that touch through his whole body. SALLY The word 'minuet' finds its source in minitus, which is Latin meaning 'small' or 'orderly'. YOUNG WASHINGTON Or, 'civilized'. SALLY In the minuet, George, every movement is significant, like the strut of cranes... Sally does a half-revolving, staggered walk using his hand as a pivot point. YOUNG WASHINGTON Cranes? Who needs to walk like a crane? SALLY That's just my interpretation. Actually it's a dance designed as a sentiment of courtly manners. You see? Walk in a gently 'Z'. There are four distinct movements... Washington reaches out, puts his hands on her waist. YOUNG WASHINGTON I've seen them do this. Sally holds back when she sees the look in George's eyes. She deftly moves away. SALLY It's less a true dance than an expression of polite deportment... Duly rebuffed George lower his hands. YOUNG WASHINGTON What do you really think of the minuet, anyway? SALLY It's stupid, of course. Washington is thrown by this, as if a whole new facet of her personality just lurches out. YOUNG WASHINGTON Then why are you teaching me...? SALLY Perhaps you best ask, why you wish it. You asked William to teach you manners, philosophy, decorum... as I said, it's completely stupid. A clock strikes in another room. SALLY Stupid tea time... NEW ANGLE Sally and George seated, properly, quietly, sipping tea. SALLY What attracts me and frightens me about America... it's the wildness that's so different from England, from English culture. That's what it's about back there: insulating yourself from whatever might really touch you. Anything you can heap between you and... that. She points out the window. George looks out as the summer storm rages, rain beating against the glass. YOUNG WASHINGTON Well, you get storms in London. Feeling her eyes on him he turns back and finds she's staring at him. SALLY No, we have weather. Sometimes, if things get completely out of hand, we have actual gusts. But we never, ever allow this to happen. They listen to the storm for a time as it whips the trees, eyes locked as if in an embrace. Finally, embarrassed, he toys with his cup. YOUNG WASHINGTON I always though London was the place to be: capital of the world, the most spectacular city on earth. SALLY The place to want to be is America. Every English child dreams of it. I dreamt it. YOUNG WASHINGTON I think America suits you. She angles her head as if moment by moment she were looking at him with 'different eyes'. SALLY Do you? When I saw those men yesterday in the field... and the women and children in those hovels? I'm not so sure if America is as far from England as I'd hoped. YOUNG WASHINGTON It's the freest land on earth. SALLY Is it? Well, I'm scared of what we've become in our freedom. YOUNG WASHINGTON Well, we must be who we must be... Sally finally loses patience with him, rises to the window. George follows. SALLY And to think I am teaching you to become one of them... YOUNG WASHINGTON What else should I become? There's no difference between Virginia and England. I must be educated if I'm to take my place in society. My father couldn't afford to send me to England for school -- he made a shambles of our fortunes. Everyone laughs at me. She turns to face him and their bodies press together... not expecting him to be so close. She gazes at him a moment, seeing just how vulnerable he really is. SALLY I don't laugh at you, George. I like you. (long pause while this sinks in) I like you because you will never, ever make it as an aristocrat... and that's because you're completely incompetent at hiding your feelings. YOUNG WASHINGTON I think I will disappoint you. But Sally laughs. They're very close now nearly kissing. SALLY Oh, George, I think you and I have very little control over what we are going to do... Then she gets a grip, turns and walks straight out of the room. INT. MOUNT VERNON/MAIN ROOM - EARLY EVENING William stands before his family. Two HOUSE HOLD SLAVES like fixtures in the rear. The Upper Crust is present tonight, the same strolling gentry from the slave camp, Minister and all. William primes them with a chorus-like prolegomenon. WILLIAM Ladies and gentlemen, for your entertainment and elucidation, our unpretentious company of dramaturgic artisans, presents that Tale of the celebrated protector of Rome. The man who dared resist the wretched tyrants Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar in his fatal fight to uphold the Roman Senate and save sacred democracy: We give you Joseph Addison's Cato... My lovely wife herself plays Marcia, daughter of Cato, young George Washington, Numidia's hero Juba! And I, myself, ever your humble servant, as Cato! Crackling applause. INT. KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING Sally and George as George checks his buttons and collar in a mirror. Sally gets a wicked smile, reaches onto the cold fire pit beneath the stove and comes up with handfuls of soot, straddles his lap. George can't believe that she could be so bold, and Sally pauses just a second to give him a lustful smile -- the second he's distracted she smears the charcoal on his face. YOUNG WASHINGTON What are you doing? SALLY Let's get you darker! YOUNG WASHINGTON You're out of your mind! SALLY Why? Juba was an African and you want to look the part -- hold still. YOUNG WASHINGTON They can use their imaginations. SALLY Those people? I doubt they'd think of this. Ooo, you're wonderful this color! She keeps smearing as fast as she can, then turns George around to face the mirror. SALLY Behold! Juba of Numidia! African warrior and defender of liberty! AND GEORGE fascinated and terrified. INT. DRAWING ROOM William as Cato, Sally as Marcia and George as Juba -- on 'stage' before the room of spectators. William is not amused as the elite of Virginia giggle at George's wild war-paint smear of charcoal, giggle more at George and Sally's obvious friendship. SALLY (AS MARCIA) I've been surprised in an unguarded hour, But must not now go back; the love that lay, Half smothered in my breast, has broke through all, Its weak restraints, and burns in its full lustre. I cannot, if I would, conceal it from thee. YOUNG WASHINGTON (AS JUBA) I'm lost in ecstasy! And dost thou love, Thou charming maid? SALLY (AS MARCIA) And dost thou live to ask it? WILLIAM (AS CATO) My daughter, I ask only... YOUNG WASHINGTON (AS JUBA) (cuts him off) This, this is life indeed! Life worth preserving, Such life as Juba never felt till now. SALLY (AS MARCIA) Juba, thy arm! Oh, let me rest upon it -- The vital blood that had forsook my heart, Returns again in such tumultuous tide, It quite o'ercomes me. Lead me to my apartment! People TITTER. WILLIAM (AS CATO) 'Tis true, ofttimes... But George cuts him off again, and it's really just George and Sally 'getting it on' through their lines. YOUNG WASHINGTON (AS JUBA) I am so blest I fear 'tis all a dream. Fortune, thou now hast made amends for all Thy past unkindness; I absolve my stars. Juba will never at his fate repine; Let Caesar have the world, if Marcia's mine! George sweeps Sally up in his arms and carries her off to loud applause and chuckles from the pack of friends. William looks around, smiles sickly. INT. KITCHEN Still angry, William nearly throws a wet cloth into George's hands. WILLIAM For God sake, get that horrid stuff off your face. You look like a damned slave! It's damned humiliating. YOUNG WASHINGTON Juba was a Numidian. WILLIAM He was not black! He was... tan! Weathered! George tries not to laugh as he wipes the soot off his face. YOUNG WASHINGTON I see, so if you squint hard enough, Juba of Numidia becomes an Englishman? MORE applause O.S. Sally runs in, grabs his hand tugs him back out. SALLY Come on! It's our second bow! (to William) Weren't we wonderful? INT. DRAWING ROOM The Upper Crust have gathered around Sally and George, some holding drinks. They're fascinated by the pair as if they could smell a scandal. SALLY Think what the play means, William. Perhaps these words have a place in the real world. WILLIAM Words, words, words! (some laughs) Sally has been tutoring George in the philosophies, isn't that right? YOUNG WASHINGTON William, we've been studying hard, I really know my stuff. WILLIAM Don't be silly, you have whole worlds to fathom. Sally smiles right at George. SALLY Remember, George, "It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." YOUNG WASHINGTON That's good... who? SALLY Voltaire, of course... Some appreciative chuckles. George is into it now. YOUNG WASHINGTON "I can be expected to look for truth but not find it." Diderot. More laughter; Sally senses they think it's all very 'cute'. She looks from George to the others, eyes fixing in the end on the Minister. SALLY Ah! Well, here's my Diderot: "I have only a small flickering light to guide me in the darkness of a thick forest. Up comes a theologian and blows it out." William is mortified. Minister's face contorts, finally spews a laugh... MINISTER Come now, that's not philosophy it has no context. Philosophy is the thinnest, most concisely rendered portion of the whole of life as can possibly be embraced by the cognizant spirit of the Christian mind. A spattering of applause and all seem impressed... but not George. YOUNG WASHINGTON Voltaire says: "When he who hears doesn't know what he who speaks means, and when he who speaks doesn't know what he himself means -- that is philosophy." Sally breaks into a fit of laughter, grabs William's arm. SALLY Well, I think George has got it! But William would love to get them gone. WILLIAM George, would you be so kind as to see Sally home? Yes, and here's a challenge for you both -- and I'll bet you can't beat it -- walk all the way home speak not one single word! Laughter and applause from the drawing room set. EXT. DIRT ROAD TO BELVOIR - NIGHT In the night so black they could be drifting in outer space, Sally and George walk together in silence. An OWL hoots in the forest that seems to be closing in on them as the road narrows entering the woods. They swap looks, laugh. Then she grabs her mouth, tries to stifle her laugh and that makes them laugh more. But they don't talk. Suddenly they stop. THEY'VE COME ON... The moon rising over the river -- in this primal landscape where there are no artificial lights, it looks like it's setting the forest and water on fire. GEORGE & SALLY turn to each other, then smile because they can't talk... then they just GRAB EACH OTHER, kissing, hanging on to each other. EXT. FOREST - NIGHT Sally and George mauling each other beneath a huge oak. Her skirt shifted up as George runs his hands up her thigh. Her long, pale leg nearly glows in the dark. Kissing wildly, groping: two kids who've been aching to get their hands on each other. He pulls her blouse open, shifting aside the cotton to get his hands on her breasts. In his frustration he finally has to tear through all that cotton and silk and suddenly she's naked -- and it's startling seeing her naked after all the layers. CLOSER... Two feral souls, both naked. George is not loving her like a gentleman; his hands all over her. But she responds to this wild child, lifts her leg around him and pulls him in tight between her thighs. EXT. ROAD TO NEWTOWN - DAY (PRESENT) Washington, alone on Traveler, memories biting into him like the freezing wind and snow... on a journey back into his soul. EXT. MOUNT VERNON - DAY (FLASHBACK) It's ten years later, and an OLDER GEORGE WASHINGTON rides out of the horizon on a grey mare. He wears the deep blue, gold and crimson trimmed uniform of a colonial officer. As he gets closer, we see George is now a man with a powerful physique. His face shows scars from smallpox, and his eyes, those of a man who has seen awful things. Very mush like the Washington of the Revolution. NEW ANGLE SALLY FAIRFAX, now a woman of classic beauty and stature, waves her hiking staff when she sees Washington. Sally's hair has gotten long and her eyes still shine with that keen intelligence. As Washington nears he reins-in, dismounts. If Sally thought she was going to be collected she gives that up, throws down her staff and they embrace, kiss... INT. BEDROOM, MOUNT VERNON The pair in bed, but Sally facing away from Washington as he lies beside her toying with her hair; they've just finished making love. SALLY Well, the widow Curtis will bring you riches, position, land, even half-grown children. You won't have to do anything at all! You shan't have to do another thing to prove yourself. WASHINGTON You know very well who it is that I love. SALLY Is that the truth? Well, we can't carry on like animals any longer. She's out of bed, pulling on her clothes. Washington watches her. Then he rises, tries to take her in his arms but she turns away, crosses to the window. SALLY George, you know I only love you, but... WASHINGTON But not more than your comfort. SALLY And what is this, then? Been off to fight the French because you are a patriot? Or is this you, gaining your long sought after rise in society by becoming victorious in war!? WASHINGTON That's a lie! SALLY Is it? William says now you have requested a British Commission, why not colonial? I'll clear it up for you, sir, because as a British officer you can lord over colonial yokels -- more than that, it will even get you into polite society! Your dream come true, George, the only dream that really matters to you. WASHINGTON Perhaps you've been counting my acres, Mrs. Fairfax, and discovered exactly how poor I really am. SALLY Now that is a lie! See how much you want to create a scandal in exchange for a glowing reputation and polite society laid at your feet! When you break off your engagement to Martha Curtis, I'll divorce William! Do you hear? You get what you want from this world, then throw it all away on love! WASHINGTON I'd throw everything away for you. Sally laughs bitterly, then turns to look out the window. SALLY You remember, George, when we were 'studying' the great philosophers? WASHINGTON I remember a pair of young philosophers once, who laughed at the world. SALLY Well, I remember a philosopher who said something that I used to think was just another of those stupid class denouncements... but which I now see means us all. WASHINGTON Really? Which precious homily was it? SALLY "Mankind is born free, but everywhere he is in chains..." INT. MOUNT VERNON - DAY WASHINGTON, immaculate in his uniform, escorts MARTHA down a line of upper crust Virginians who've come to welcome them home after their wedding. The line of beautifully dressed, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE applaud, smiling at this land and slave rich couple. Washington loves this adoration symbolic of the whole line of Washingtons finally breaking through into the aristocracy. All those perfumed, smiling bodies, bejeweled and starched. But then he comes on over-smiling, over-applauding Sally Fairfax. She's with her husband, William. Washington hesitates, just long enough for the two to connect. Martha connects too, instantly and intuitively. They move on down the line. Martha all smiles, Washington only trying now. He pauses, looks back and sees that Sally looks like she might cry... THOSE UPPER-CLASS PEOPLE... wonderful, careless smiling faces, filled with hidden hatred and contempt. As if those mocking faces knew that George and Sally hand finally succumbed. EXT. NEWTOWN - EARLY EVENING (END FLASHBACK) The American Camp: make-shift shelters and tents rise out of the midst of the men crowding around camp fires. A TINY CABIN sits in the center of this activity, a thin line of smoke drifting from the old stone chimney. INT. CABIN - AFTERNOON Washington alone at a plank table, nursing his memories and a glass of Madeira. Slowly he realizes there's someone knocking at the door. Washington rises, opens the door and comes face-to-face with Benedict Arnold. Arnold flashes a huge smile and a snappy salute. Though clean shaven, uniform spotless, he looks like he hasn't slept in days. WASHINGTON Arnold! ARNOLD I've come to report that we've had a bit of luck! Suddenly Greene and Hamilton are in the doorway, Hamilton carrying Arnold's pack. NATHANAEL GREENE General Arnold attacked the whole British fleet on Lake Champlain -- and he stopped them! HAMILTON He attacked them with old converted barges and fishing boats -- and he stopped them! INT. WASHINGTON'S CABIN - AFTERNOON Arnold, Greene, Hamilton and Washington, drinking as they warm themselves by a miserable hearth. Hamilton and Greene mesmerized by Arnold's account. As he talks, Arnold rolls up his pant leg and agonizingly removes a bloody dressing showing a terrible musket wound. ARNOLD I anchored those tubs in the lee of Valcour island, spread them in a crescent to concentrate their fire. The British sailed around the island and we bushwhacked 'em! In the end, of course, they were too strong for us, but we hurt them and we delayed 'em long enough. When they realized they'd have to conquer Ticonderoga in the dead of winter. Well, they packed everything up and sailed back to Canada. So, we had some luck. It's like a staggering weight has been lifted from Washington's shoulders. WASHINGTON Damn-it! You've given us a whole new season, Benedict! And Congress thinks that the British are going to ride right over us come spring. Now half their army is back in Canada. ARNOLD Congress has picked up it's skirts and is racing for Baltimore. They're not waiting for spring! Of course, they still had time to deny my promotion. Even John Adams voted against it... WASHINGTON Why in hell would John do that? Why in hell would any of them do that? After all you've done, it's unbelievable! ARNOLD Oh, they have reasons... there's a lot of confusion these days. WASHINGTON They don't trust me, that's the truth isn't it? Sam Adams never did. ARNOLD But trust you to do what? One side in Congress wants compromise; another glorious battle; some surrender -- some, of course, just want power and money. (pause) But if you don't mind my asking, George, what are your plans? Washington hesitates, then... WASHINGTON We're in bad shape, Benedict, moral is low. Before I can do anything, I need Lee and his seven thousand troops. I've ordered him to join us three times. In my last letter I all but begged him to come here. The man is insubordinate. ARNOLD The man's waiting for you to get wiped off the stage so he can become commander and chief. Washington takes a deep drink, rises and tosses another scrap of wood on the fire. Arnold seems to be hiding something. WASHINGTON What else? Come on, Benedict. There's a knock -- Hamilton opens the door and a BODYGUARD enters, salutes. BODYGUARD Colonel Reed's returned, sir. Says he brings greetings from Congress. And a scout's come in from New Jersey... WASHINGTON I'll be along presently. They wait for the bodyguard to leave, Washington stands in front of Arnold, indignation rising. WASHINGTON Go on... I want to hear everything. ARNOLD Congress is talking -- openly -- about replacing you with Lee. WASHINGTON Is that a fact. ARNOLD It is. NATHANAEL GREENE But it was General Washington who sent you north and you were victorious. ARNOLD No, no! Congress says that I failed and that George is responsible. Washington is struck silent. He turns away from the group for a moment. ARNOLD What do you think, George, shall I resign? It's what they want. WASHINGTON Don't do anything rash, please, Benedict. NATHANAEL GREENE They're just disgusting, jealous, bottom-feeding swine. It's their nature. WASHINGTON You have a free tongue, Captain Hamilton. Hamilton shuts up, drinks. Washington continues to Arnold. WASHINGTON The army needs you. ARNOLD The army can survive without me. WASHINGTON Then, I need you. We all do. Without your victory the men would have no hope at all. ARNOLD Someday, George, you may need to act for the good of the people no matter what Congress thinks that is. It may come down to us, or them someday. You or them. Cicero was right: was is 'a time when the laws are silent'. WASHINGTON I hope I never have to believe that. ARNOLD Christ, George, Joseph Reed's been writing letters back to Congress attacking you. Your own aide! Arnold rises, stretches his wounded leg and suddenly his exhaustion shows through; he casts a longing look at Washington's small bed. WASHINGTON Make yourself at home, Benedict. Arnold just collapses down on the bed, and as he falls asleep. ARNOLD Say, are there any women in this town? Hamilton unfolds a blanket, but Washington takes it from him and covers the sleeping Arnold. EXT. NEWTOWN CAMP - AFTERNOON An ORNATE COACH is 'parked' just inside the picket lines. Washington checks it out, then spots Joseph Reed talking with his bodyguard. Reed's uniform has transformed into a garish, custom-made thing almost dripping braid. His bodyguards look like professional hit men. Reed suddenly spots Washington as he walks up behind him. He steps back and they trade salutes. WASHINGTON Colonel Reed... JOSEPH REED George! So good to be back! Washington walks ahead. Reed hesitates, then strides to catch up. EXT. ENCAMPMENT - AFTERNOON Washington and Joseph Reed walk through the camp, flanked by his bodyguard; they make Washington uncomfortable. Though it's bright sunshine outside, it's bitter cold and the wind SIGHS. Washington barely feels it, Joseph Reed hugs himself against the cold. JOSEPH REED That damned Arnold is here, isn't he? Did you know he lost all his ships? Outrageous and completely unacceptable. WASHINGTON Joseph, the British spent thousands of pounds and precious months putting together a fleet that Arnold stopped by sacrificing a heap of old barges. In my opinion he saved my army. JOSEPH REED Well, George, Congress just passed a resolution censuring Arnold for destruction of government property. I wouldn't cast my fate with that man. Now they stop to overlook the camp; snow falls; men and women struggle to make shelters. Then he sees Hamilton at the bottom of the hill talking with an IROQUOIS SCOUT. JOSEPH REED The winds of change are blowing fierce, George! Congress is making marvelous friends. A whole grand scheme is being forged that will finally set this country right. Washington eyes Reed like he's lost his fucking mind. WASHINGTON A grand scheme? JOSEPH REED A ground swell-Christian movement, George, you see? WASHINGTON No. As a matter of fact I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. JOSEPH REED To assert the rights of our founding fathers! This country was colonized by Christians! This shall become a Christian revolution. Surely as a good Christian you understand that! Washington looks Reed over as if trying to decide how to deal with this. Hamilton rushes up, running so fast he nearly stumbles -- salutes... HAMILTON Sir! Cornwallis has moved a whole German mercenary army into Trenton. JOSEPH REED Hessians! That's right across the river from us! Right there! And behind them, a days march, is the whole British Army. Sir, we are kicked out of New Jersey forever! Blocked from ever returning to New England! HAMILTON We are not blocked! Except by the congress and their lack of support! WASHINGTON That will do, Captain Hamilton! Furious, embarrassed, Hamilton salutes, turns and leaves. Reed just shakes his head. JOSEPH REED Be careful of that one. He's a Jew, you know. Yes, it's true! The bastard son of some Jewess, and a drunken peddler. No wonder he identifies with these creatures. Washington's revolted by Reed, but says nothing. Reed turns, looks down at the men and women in the camp. JOSEPH REED Look at these people! They must be freezing. Hard to imagine why they stay at all. Do you think it's got to do with the animal in their nature? I mean to say, this class of mankind is half way between Negroes and real humans. As half animals, perhaps the elements don't bother them so much. That's why we must make us a purely Christian land... Washington eyes this piece of human dogshit. WASHINGTON I'm not a Christian, Joseph. So please, let's not insult one another by continuing this conversation. Washington starts back, Reed at his heels. JOSEPH REED What do you mean you're not a Christian? Of course you're a Christian, we're all Christians... WASHINGTON I mean, I'm a Deist. A belief I share with the likes of Tom Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Surely you knew that. JOSEPH REED No, I did not. Really? Well, what the hell is a deist, precisely? Washington turns on him. WASHINGTON One who believes that God sent this world spinning, then got the hell out of the way, just to see what mankind would do to itself. Washington stands back, gives him a curt salute, turns and is gone. Reed holds his salute over-long... INT. TAVERN - NIGHT OPEN on a PRETTY RED HAIRED GIRL, about twenty, flirting with a couple of FARM BOYS. Her eyes STRAY our way... AT A CORNER TABLE... Washington, Arnold, Greene and Hamilton, drinking and eating. The four are separated from a full house of FARMERS and YOUNG PEOPLE by a pair of armed BODYGUARDS. By now everyone seems used to their presence. The Red Head catches Washington's eye; he smiles slightly, looks away. Arnold's refreshed, ready to take on the world again. Washington is drinking heavily, but Greene is drunk and quiet -- seems to be just an observer. HAMILTON Some say that Hessians are invincible. ARNOLD They always say that. WASHINGTON They're among the best divisions the British have. No conscripts, no impressed recruits, just professional killers. HAMILTON It's a wonder they find the British cause worth dying for. Arnold eyes the sharp little Red Head. ARNOLD Well, now there's something worth dying for. What do you think? HAMILTON Hmmm... she's beneath me, I'm afraid. ARNOLD I wish she was beneath me. Drunken laughter. They watch as the Red Head, flirts viciously with the farm boys. ARNOLD Unfortunately, I'll never get the chance. I'm leaving in an hour for Congress to scream like a violated virgin about my promotion. Wasting my time, naturally... Look at her teasing those bumpkins. HAMILTON What does she see in them? WASHINGTON Well, as any farmer knows, a jenny always enjoys being penetrated by a disproportionately sized jackass. Arnold and Hamilton howl. ARNOLD After visiting Congress I know what it's like being violated by come disproportionate asses! (pause) Ah, if she only knew that the most important men in the country -- possibly the world -- are sitting at this table... WASHINGTON We're so damned important! Look at us -- Nathanael, you were a horse- shoer, Benedict, before this? ARNOLD Well, truth be told? I was a pharmacist. Alexander? Hamilton hesitates. HAMILTON I was a clerk's apprentice on Saint Croix. But, then I went to King's College. WASHINGTON To learn to shoot cannon? ARNOLD Well, George, who were you? WASHINGTON I? You all know my history. For a moment everyone seems satisfied, or at least that they're going to let this pass. But Greene's not satisfied, and he's innocent and drunk enough to finally speak his mind. NATHANAEL GREENE Sir, if you don't mind my saying, I don't understand your history at all. I mean, why would you want to win the war? You're not after glory, like Benedict... (pause) You're a slave owner, and yet you invite blacks to fight in your army. WASHINGTON You don't believe I can fight from a sense of duty and patriotism? NATHANAEL GREENE No. We're all of us after something. It's easy for me to fight for the common man. My father could only dream that I would be... a general someday? And what of my daughter or son? I know what I'm after. (pause) But now, with all this talk about compromise? It means the rich will just be more wealthy and the common man has no hope. WASHINGTON I will not betray you, Nathanael. NATHANAEL GREENE But you are an aristocrat and a slave owner. Sir. Washington lets this sink in. WASHINGTON At one time I could have chosen not to be. NATHANAEL GREENE Then, maybe I do see what you're after -- perhaps... you get to chose again... Washington just stares at Greene; the kid is right and he knows it. EXT. CAMP - NIGHT Washington goes down into the camp, just looking at his soldiers. When they recognize him, some jerk to attention and he casually returns their salutes. -- A BLACK MAN and his YOUNG WIFE work together cleaning his musket and bayonet... -- A GROUP OF MEN sit around a fire, playing cards. -- An OFFICER plays his fiddle while enlisted men dance. Suddenly Washington comes across a long line of CONTINENTALS squatting on the ground. A CONTINENTAL MAJOR leaps to attention, salutes. Washington returns Continental Major's salute. WASHINGTON Major, who are you? Your orders, please. The Major gets real nervous... CONTINENTAL MAJOR Done got no orders sir... we're General Lee's division. WASHINGTON What? Where is General Lee? Who ordered you to march here? CONTINENTAL MAJOR Nobody done. The British done captured General Lee in a New Jersey whore house... then, well, we couldn't find nobody home down at Congress so we come to see you. Ain't this where the war be? Washington looks like he might kiss him. WASHINGTON Yes! This is where the war be! I'll bet you men could use some hot rum! Continental Major BEAMS. EXT. WASHINGTON'S CABIN - DAY Officers scurry, maps pulled... Joseph Reed looks up with his best lost puppy look. JOSEPH REED Trenton!? But the enemy is there! Some nervous laughter. JOSEPH REED But the Hessians are there! No one can beat them! That's why Cornwallis stationed them there! They have the post of honor! They are invincible! WASHINGTON They are also very religious. So, we will attack them three days from now, on Christmas. One force under me, and another to the south under Colonel Cadwalader... JOSEPH REED George, I'm afraid if you go through with this madness I must tender my resignation as your aide. I see where we're headed, you're putting your trust in the likes of Hamilton and Arnold... WASHINGTON How many generals do we have like Arnold? He's got guts -- he's vain, and he fights! JOSEPH REED And, Hamilton? Greene? WASHINGTON (after a pause) They help me understand why we fight. JOSEPH REED Understand? You need to be listening to people like John Adams, and to keep the best interest of the country first in your mind! WASHINGTON Joseph, are you afraid to cross that river with me? (long pause) I accept your resignation. With regret. You have leave to return to Philadelphia... NATHANAEL GREENE We've come for the password, sir. Washington looks at Reed, then Greene. WASHINGTON 'Victory or death', tell everyone. In two hours I will address the men. EXT. CAMP - DAY Washington sits on Traveler facing the parade-rest lines of Militia: Washington on his white horse, state Militia in rags or wildly disparate uniforms. Hear only the wind. WASHINGTON Today your country and I, your commander, ask you to be brave. On Christmas day we are going to cross back over the Delaware River, into New Jersey and attack the German mercenary forces at Trenton. These men are the best the British have got. But the Germans are good Christians and as it's still Christmas, I'm betting they're still a little drunk when we pay our visit. Some laughter from the soldiers. Encouraged, Washington goes on. WASHINGTON Of course, they're not expecting us to come back for a visit, but as it's Christmas, and we being good hosts, we wouldn't think of letting another day pass without dropping by and exchanging musket and cannon balls with them. But to make this party a success, I must ask each and every one of my soldiers -- no matter where in America you are from -- to work for the good of the whole. Cooperate, listen to your officers and remember that this is a surprise party so for God's sake, keep quiet! Pause for more laughter. WASHINGTON We've had some hard luck. But that's changing. If you value your freedom, be brave. (pause) I have here a poem that was taken from the journal of a Hessian Major at the battle of Long Island describing our army: "The rebel clowns, oh what a sight, So awkward was their figure. 'Twas yonder stood a filthy wight, And here and there a nigger." Washington shuts the journal which is ornate, obviously expensive, and drops it in the mud. He turns his horse and rides toward the river. At orders, the men march after him, trampling the journal into oblivion. EXT. DELAWARE RIVER - NIGHT Washington's boat, slipping through the darkness. Washington sits in the bow, hat off, scarf wrapped tight, keeping low. Creaking oars of the small fleet. Washington looks back at the lights on the Pennsylvania shore, bobbing, far off. He takes a close look at the men in his boat... Terrible mess of men. Two wear RED RIBBONS on their arms. Not one has a uniform. There's two BLACK SOLDIERS. Washington knows he's being weighed, knows he's nearing a moment of truth with these men. PILOT Ice ahead! The ROWERS slow. The PILOT moves up to sit right beside Washington. Everyone holding their breath. First a sound like tiny bells TINKLING. The sound is loud, stretching up the river. It goes on and on, eerie and beautiful. But the soldiers swap terrified looks. WASHINGTON Just a little music, boys! PILOT Shell ice, sir... Now ice blocks CLUNK against the sides of the boats. The chunks get bigger, jarring the boat. The Pilot looks at Washington, but Washington just keeps watching the river. A wind kicks up, snow swirling around them. Suddenly they're swallowed by white. PILOT We can't see ahead, General. WASHINGTON We can't see going back, either. PILOT What if the others turn back? Washington doesn't answer. A Black Soldier comes forward with a pole, starts the tedious process of pushing aside the chunks of ice. A massive floe materializes off the starboard bow. The Pilot holds up his hand and the rowers slow. He moves downstream and the rowers veer around the floe. As they pass the floe, a heavy WIND nails them. The boat heels, heads up, for a second it might capsize. The leeward rowers strain. Washington wipes away the snow from his hair and face. He hangs to the bow as the boat swings leeward and settles against the wind. Freezing spray douses everyone. The wind eases back. SOLDIER 1 I don't see any other boats! WASHINGTON Steady men. It won't be long now. PILOT Keep rowing! SOLDIER 2 I can't hear their oars. We're alone... they've all turned back! The MOON half breaks through lighting up the river downstream. All eyes strain, but the boats below are gone. SOLDIER God they turned back! Colonel Cadwalader turned back! For a moment, everyone stops rowing. Then the moon breaks completely through and everyone looks UPSTREAM... And as far as the eye can see, are BOATS. Washington nods, gratified... Way off, from the bow of a barge, someone is waving his hat. WASHINGTON Come on boys, the rest of the army is still here! Row, damn-it! Row! EXT. BARGE - NIGHT It's Alexander Hamilton, waving. Looks half frozen to death. AND WASHINGTON... Smiles grimly, making contact with this kid. He waves his hat back. EXT. NEW JERSEY, ROLLING LANDSCAPE - DAWN Frozen ruts of a dirt road dusted with white. It leads past a broken-down cottage and vanishes behind snowy hills. In the distance we hear feet CRUNCHING in the snow. NEW ANGLE CLOSE-UP -- feet heavily wrapped in rags followed by others in boots and more rags... crunching in the snow. Hands clutch muskets. EXT. SENTRY COTTAGE A HESSIAN emerges from the cottage carrying a musket. A COMRADE follows, still buttoning up his shirt; he does not want to be up. They scan the hills as the wind hustles the sound around and away from us. Now the sound is gone. The second Hessian turns back, the first keeps listening... Suddenly a fast-beating military SNARE DRUM hammers at them from the distance, shattering the silence. WASHINGTON'S FORCES ... a scarred military drum, gloved hands holding the sticks in clenched fists -- hammering. Behind is MOVEMENT: hands on muskets, sword hilts, the steam and breath of an army in motion. RESUME HESSIANS The first Hessian struggles to fix a bayonet to his musket. A BUGLE begins a sharp, staccato cry from the horizon. The second Hessian falls to his knees in the snow, starts the painfully complex task of loading his musket. As the Hessians wheel, a mass of ragged, filthy, half-starved SOLDIERS howls over the crest of a hill. For a second the Hessians are stunned by what they see! It's Washington's army, a pitiful mass of half-dressed, half-armed men. At the crest of the hill, mounted surrealistically on a white charger, is WASHINGTON. TRENTON OUTSKIRTS Hessians try to form, slipping on the ice. A single troop struggles to swing a cannon into place as the AMERICAN ARMY pours into the narrow streets. Most carry muskets, bayonets. But many have swords, even axes, knives; a barbarian horde. Greene leads the right wing: wide-eyed a kid but a vet. The Hessians have wheeled their cannon, OFFICERS ordering fire. Greene sees them, points his sword, screaming orders. Men drop to their knees around him, FIRE... the world is smothered in SMOKE. A sixty caliber musket ball sleet hits the cannon. Hessians drop, the cannon carriage DISINTEGRATES. HAMILTON cannon in place, rakes the streets with grape shot... IN THE STREET the fighting is hand-to-hand, bayonets and axes crashing. The Hessians start to give, falling back. WASHINGTON rides through the streets on Traveler, urging his men on as they mop-up. Resistance melting. To his left, Nathanael Greene leads his men on foot, going house-to-house, routing out Hessians, marching them down the street. Suddenly a handful make a SUICIDE bayonet charge, straight at Washington. Spontaneous fire from the Continentals stops them. Washington stops his horse, wipes the sweat and snot off his face, surveys the town. Suddenly, all the firing has stopped. HE OWNS THE TOWN. INT. DARKENED ROOM - NIGHT Someone RAPS urgently on the door. ORDERLY (O.S.) My Lord! My Lord! A hand turns up an oil lamp, and we see Cornwallis, in his bed, shaking off sleep. CORNWALLIS Yes...? ORDERLY (O.S.) My Lord, Washington has attacked Trenton! The whole Hessian army is prisoner! Cornwallis heaves out of bed in his underwear, crosses to the door. He opens it and the bright winter sun pours in, BLINDING HIM. EXT. TRENTON - DAY BRIGHT SUN on a bitter cold day as Washington slowly rides his white charger through the center of town, surrounded by flanks of his soldiers. They wave hats, scraps that could be flags. The bell of the old church at Trenton clangs over and over. Washington gets to the center of the square, trots in a circle, waves his hat in a salute to his troops. His uniform is stained with mud, hair messed. Greene and Hamilton ride beside him, cheering with the rest. Finally the crowd makes it impossible for them to continue. While Hamilton and Greene hold back, Washington dismounts and hands the reins to Billy Lee. He walks among the cheering men, Billy staying close, leading the horse. Men and women mob him, but never quite getting up the nerve to actually touch him. The cheering goes on and on and on... SAM ADAMS (V.O.) My God, we have a hero on our hands! INT. TAVERN, BALTIMORE - DAY Gloomy Sam Adams, John Adams and Joseph Reed sit at a corner table, hammering down ale. Looks like they've been at it a while. JOHN ADAMS Let's not over do it... SAM ADAMS I tell you every damned place I go the man is adored! "General Washington! Champion of Trenton! Savior of the Republic!" And you should hear the way people are deprecating Congress! JOHN ADAMS Makes you gag. SAM ADAMS Gag on your own invention, then. JOHN ADAMS Oh, come now... SAM ADAMS You invented this, this... JOSEPH REED This 'king'... Pause as they digest Reed's remark. JOHN ADAMS You think that? SAM ADAMS He has the soul of an aristocrat who'd like nothing more than to become a king in the minds of the people! An AIDE dashes in, out of breath. He leans on the table, talks low. AIDE Cornwallis left last night by forced march for Trenton! He has a huge force -- as we speak -- he's maneuvering to trap Washington. SAM ADAMS As we speak? Does the Congress know? (Aide nods) Tell us when you hear for certain. Aide scampers off. All swap looks, trying to look dismayed. JOHN ADAMS No one wants another failure right now, God knows. But people like Arnold and, God knows, I'm having my fears about General Washington. SAM ADAMS Finally!? It's people like these who, as soon as they get a little power, want more and more. (waves to Barkeep) More ale, here! JOHN ADAMS Again, just to touch on a touchy subject, but... would the people accept another leader over Washington? JOSEPH REED It sounds like after today, they may not have that choice. EXT. TRENTON - MORNING Washington's pitiful army lined up 'on parade'. We see now truly awful they are clothed, armed. Greene and Hamilton stand to the flanks as Washington pleads with his men. WASHINGTON I know how you feel -- I do! We all want to go home! I know your enlistments are up, but we beat the Hessians, boys! We can beat them again! Washington looks for a sympathetic face as he moves down the ranks. All he gets are hard stares. WASHINGTON Cornwallis is coming here now, you licked his best troops! He's scared boys! Are we just going to hand him back all we've won? (pause) Come on! Come forward! Who will volunteer to save America? Do it for me, boys! No one. Washington throws his hat on the ground in disgust. He crosses to a trough and splashed his face with cold water. He looks at them. WASHINGTON I'll offer ten dollars a man who will stay beyond the end of his enlistment. Ten dollars! Just to stay one month beyond his time! One month! Sudden buzz in the ranks; men swap looks. Washington nods, smirks bitterly. But still the men hesitate. WASHINGTON If this army goes home before its business is finished, then your comrades died for nothing! I'm begging you! And he really is begging. The men must feel it because a New Hampshire Militia MAN swaps looks with his companions, hesitates, then steps forward. Another and another. Finally, the whole army. Washington takes a deep breath, smiles and pats the New Hampshire boy on the shoulder. But there's no cheering; the way the men look at him Washington knows he still has to prove himself. EXT. CORNWALLIS' CAMP, OUTSIDE TRENTON - NIGHT From a hill outside his camp, Cornwallis watches the horizon of campfires burning in the distance from Washington's encampment. An ANXIOUS OFFICER stands beside him. OFFICER Will we attack tonight, sir? CORNWALLIS I don't want my tired men fighting