The Count of Monte Cristo

GERARD: I want you to keep an eye on Monte Cristo.

VALENTINE: Max.

Run away with me.

If my father sees you, he'll kill me!

Valentine!

VALENTINE: Franz d'Epinay is returning from Italy this week.

The signing of the marriage contract.

Haydee, I know the man responsible for your father's death.

I feel like I know you from a long time ago.

JACOPO: Vampa-- the Count of Monte Cristo needs you to come to Paris.

How do you find the champagne?

EDMOND: Everyone happy?

Good.

I would ask us all to take our places at the table, but I am awaiting the arrival of a distinguished young man from Rome whom my previous bankers have asked I introduce to Parisian society.

Apparently, he doesn't know a soul here and feels rather lost.

Isabelle, more champagne.

It's a privilege to have you here, Senator.

I was hoping to converse with you at our spring ball, but, um, you disappeared rather early.

Forgive me, but when I heard the dancing was about to begin, I ran like a coward.

You see, I'm a terrible dancer-- I trip and fall and embarrass myself no end.

Dancing is not compulsory at Parisian balls, Count.

Then I should have stayed.

(chuckles) Did you dance, Countess?

No.

FERNAND: I offered you for a dance, but you declined.

Count, I must thank you.

Giving Heloise that potion.

Oh.

Our son Edward had a seizure on the evening of the ball, but one drop of it restored him almost instantaneously.

It was remarkable.

HELOISE: What my husband is trying to say, Count, is that he doubted the potency of the potion you gave me.

(chuckles) GERARD: I admit.

I believe your profession requires you to be a skeptic, sir.

That may be so.

(both laugh) But all this leads me to a question, sir.

Two years ago, my father was struck down by a stroke which has rendered him almost completely paralyzed.

So I was wondering... ...do you have, or know of, any potion that could reverse this condition, even a little?

I'm afraid there is no cure for apoplexy, sir.

I thought as much.

Hm.

Fate can be very cruel.

Almost as cruel as the justice meted out by man.

Fate and justice shouldn't be confused.

They're not the same thing.

Do you not believe in Providence, sir?

No.

Well, I do.

But not in the religious sense.

In which way, then, if may I ask?

In the overall sense that destiny will ensure order and justice will be restored.

And if it doesn't?

Well, then, mankind must force it to do so.

(chuckles) You, you don't believe God can take care of that?

No.

Although I must confess, I have prayed to him on numerous occasions about this very issue.

And has he ever answered your prayers?

He is answering them as we speak.

DANGLARS: But tell us, Monte Cristo, who is this guest you are expecting?

ISABELLE: May I introduce, from Rome, the Count of Spada.

Greetings, everyone.

DANGLARS: Count Spada, I, I know this might sound ridiculous, but you, uh, wouldn't by any chance be related to the late Cardinal Spada, would you?

Mm!

He was my great-uncle.

Oh.

(chuckles) Legend has it he was a very wealthy man.

There's even a saying in that part of the world: "As rich as a Spada!"

Mm.

Correct?

Oh, you are correct about the saying, but you are incorrect about my great-uncle.

He was not rich.

Then it was just a legend.

VAMPA: I, however, have been fortunate enough to turn the Spada legend into a reality.

Really?

Mm.

How so?

Some months ago, I was going through my great-uncle's old library.

ABB: When I was clearing out Count Spada's library, I found a piece of parchment, which is, nothing on it, not interesting-- I threw it in the fire.

Thinking nothing of it, I tossed it into the fireplace.

And?

And as the flames licked at it, miraculously, words began to appear, and a drawing!

So I snatched it back.

Naturally, I snatched it out of the flames.

And it was a map.

And it had been written on in invisible ink... Drawn with invisible ink that reacted only to heat.

A map?

Of the hidden treasure?

How did you know, Baron Danglars?

Anyone who has studied the history of fortunes and treasures in Europe knows the story of Caesar Spada, and how he hid his treasure before the pope poisoned him and it was never found.

Until recently.

(spits) What are you saying, Count Spada?

Well, perhaps if you let him finish, Baron Danglars, you will find out.

Oh.

VAMPA: The map led me to the exact location of Caesar Spada's treasure hidden in the year 1502.

Impossible!

Would you believe it?

And, as the sole heir of the Spada estate... ...I was allowed to keep it.

(chuckles) Of course, what I'm telling you is not public knowledge, and God forbid it ever become such!

I will have beggars knocking on my door day and night.

(others chuckling) Do you have this treasure in your possession?

VAMPA: Not here, of course, but in the vault of my bankers, Thomson and French, in Rome.

DANGLARS: How much is it worth?

In, in today's terms?

I am not a braggart, sir.

(both chuckle) EDMOND: Isabelle, I think we're ready for the entre now.

Mademoiselle Haydee has been kind enough to cook us a Persian dish.

DANGLARS: But tell me, Count Spada, is, is it true what they say, that the, the treasure consisted of caskets of diamonds, rubies, gold bars, and... (chuckles) Baron, with respect, I would prefer it if we didn't discuss money matters at the dinner table.

Oh.

I tell him that all the time, Count.

Uh, one last question.

(inhales): What brings you to Paris?

Mm, I'm here to find a wife.

(Danglars clears throat) A wife?

Mm-hmm-- mm.

(all talking softly) (softly): Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

(whispers): Yes.

Might be a bit awkward.

Sure we'll find a way.

(chuckles) (Danglars chuckles) Excuse me.

I'm just going to freshen up.

(others talking in background) I need to check on the entre.

(cabinet door creaks softly) (people talking in background) EDMOND: Your trip to Paris seems to be bearing fruit, Vampa.

(sighs) How was my performance?

You were a bit direct about wanting to find a wife, but, all in all, it seemed to go pretty well.

HAYDEE: Count?

Monsieur Villefort's wife did not go to the bathroom.

She went into your laboratory.

HAYDEE: Should I have stopped her?

It's fine.

I think, uh, I think she's just fascinated by all this, that's all.

No harm done.

Thank you.

Isn't Louise supposed to be giving you a lesson this afternoon?

Tomorrow, Father.

Is Albert coming over today?

For tea, yes.

Mm.

Do you, um... Do you like him?

Albert?

(chuckles) There's not a lot wrong with him.

I see.

Well, until later, then.

EDMOND: Baron.

What brings you here?

I have decided to increase the interest on your deposit by one percent per annum.

Why, how very generous of you.

For what reason, may I ask?

Generosity.

Yes.

Yes, of course, a fine virtue.

Wine, sherry, Baron?

Wait, is, is that a bottle of Scottish whiskey I spy lurking there?

Oh, this is a new thing: single-malt whiskey.

I don't drink, so I wouldn't know what it tastes like.

(whiskey pouring) Tell me, where is, uh, Count Spada staying whilst in Paris?

The Grand Hotel.

Oh?

Seems he wants for nothing.

Mm.

Except a wife.

(laughs) Please, sit.

Thank you.

(exhales) (swallows, coughs softly) It's very good.

Has a sort of woody taste.

Ah.

Like sucking a pencil.

So I did some, uh, some calculations on the estimated contents of the Spada treasure, and its value exceeds 650 million francs in today's terms.

Oh, good heavens.

Yes, that's what I thought.

(chuckling) Huh.

So what kind of wife is, is Count Spada looking for?

How should I know?

Who... What, what are his likes?

His, his dislikes?

I know he doesn't like horses.

Why not?

Well, I invited him to the races, but, uh, he declined.

Said horses bore him.

Well, did you invite him to any other functions?

A duck hunt, but, uh, that didn't interest him, either.

Sounds fussy.

Mm.

Hold on.

When I mentioned the opera, he, uh, became quite lively-- almost keen.

The opera?

Yeah.

Oh, well, well.

Mm.

You know, I was having a little chat with, uh, Eugenia earlier.

It seems she's not all that attracted to Albert de Morcerf.

I thought she adored him.

Well, seems not.

But both parties have already agreed to the marriage, no?

You wouldn't be able to extricate yourself now, surely.

Mm.

Follow me.

(piano playing) (people talking in background) DANGLARS: Fancy that.

My two favorite people in the world!

(laughs) Baron, what a surprise!

Do you know, we were just passing by... No, we weren't, Papa.

...and I thought we... You specifically said you wanted to come here for cake and coffee.

Coffee and cake.

(chuckles) Coffee and cake, all round!

Oh, allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Eugenia.

Eugenia, this is the, uh, the Count of Spada I was telling you about.

Enchanted.

Your daughter is beautiful, Baron.

Thank you.

(piano continues) This way, girls.

(softly): Vacate your seat, good man.

For just, just one moment-- thanks.

Yeah, of course.

(exhales): Sit and play.

A little aria, if you will.

Papa.

Sing, and sing well.

Those two young ladies, they see a piano and they are drawn to it like a magnet.

(piano begins) (chuckles) Sit-- join us, please.

O malheureuse Iphignie Ta patrie est anantie Est anantie So, Count, have you been enjoying your time in Paris thus far?

I like the women.

(aria continues) Where's that coffee and cake?

EUGENIA: Mlez vos cris plaintiffs mes gmissements Count, have, have you, um... Have you ever considered investing in railroads?

Sh-- Baron, you are disturbing my listening.

EUGENIA: De parents Vous n'avez plus de rois Je n'ai plus Bravo!

Your voice is like honey, mademoiselle!

I'm shattered!

They should be on the stage in Rome, Vienna.

Champagne.

(chuckles) (calls): Bring champagne!

(chuckling) And you chose a Gluck aria-- my personal favorite.

Thank you so much.

(blows kiss) (aria ends) Grandmama, we only expected you this afternoon!

How was the journey?

Four days and nights of unbearable hell on roads not fit for horses, let alone a carriage!

(grunts) But I wouldn't have missed your engagement for anything.

Where's your father?

At work.

And that stepmother of yours?

VALENTINE: Inside, with Edward.

MARQUISE: Oh.

Keep that little rascal away from me.

VALENTINE: Here, take my arm.

MARQUISE: Where are you putting me?

VALENTINE: In the guest bedroom, upstairs.

MARQUISE: I hate climbing stairs!

I don't know why you and the family didn't come to Marseille for the signing of the marriage contract.

Made life easier for me.

Papa is far too busy to take time off.

(exhales) (people talking in background) What?

Ready?

Mm... Sure.

(knocks) My two most favorite people in the world.

Follow me, gentlemen.

I have the plans, the drawings, the projected earnings, and, more importantly, the estimated profits we will reap from our enterprise.

Oh, I submitted the proposal to the minister of the Interior and have already received word that the concession will be granted before the end of next week.

I'm sure Monsieur Debray helped in that regard.

(chuckles) He owed me-- and still does.

Here, gentlemen, is the business plan drawn up to the last franc.

I don't need to look at any of this.

I trust you, Baron.

Splendid.

What about you, Count?

(piano begins, Eugenia singing in background) See, my fear is, trains are not suitable to transport passengers.

Goods, yes.

But passengers I somehow doubt will be attracted to the idea.

DANGLARS: But look at London!

Look, look at England-- the, the British love their trains!

EDMOND: But we are French.

DANGLARS: Yeah, but we are people, same as they are.

Shh!

(music continues) Quiet, please!

(piano playing, Eugenia singing) Oh, that... That's my daughter.

You think I would not recognize her voice?

You must take me to her now.

Mm.

(music continues) (music stops) They're in there.

But unannounced?

No, no, no, no, no, I, I told her you were coming.

She's expecting you.

(gasps) No, no, no, no, no.

Do not stop on my account, please.

Io son pure il tuo fedele Io son pure (music continues faintly) Sorry.

I see I'm disturbing you.

Is Eugenia's lesson over, Baron?

(music continues) As you can hear, no-- her lesson has been extended.

I did tell her I'd be here after the hour of 2:00.

My daughter is indisposed, sir.

(exhales) I don't understand.

Have I offended anyone in any way?

Eugenia doesn't want to be disturbed today.

(music continues) (panting) Valentine?

Your grandmother wants to see you.

MAX: I've been waiting so long for you.

When is the signing of the contract?

Tomorrow evening.

I will be here in the morning with a carriage.

I can't!

You know I can't!

Please, don't marry Franz.

I love you, Valentine.

I can't, I'm sorry!

MAID: Valentine?

(church bell ringing) Come here, darling.

Are you well-rested?

Oh, I have bruises from being jolted in that carriage, but forget about me.

You must be very excited.

I am.

Do you love the man?

Franz is... He's very sweet.

Love isn't everything.

As long as you like him, you will grow to love him.

Your grandfather's last wish was that this union between our families be cemented.

If he were still alive, he'd be extremely happy.

As your mother would be, too, God rest her soul.

I wish she was here now.

God took her.

And he will take me soon, I fear.

And when he does, your future will be secure.

I have left everything to you and to you alone, Valentine.

You don't seem happy.

Come.

Go now.

I shall see you at the signing of the contract.

Valentine?

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

There is another way out of this marriage, you know.

You once expressed an interest in entering a convent.

I'm sure if you did so, no one would hold it against you, not even your grandmama.

But then what would happen with Grandpapa?

He has Barrois, and us, of course, to look after him.

If I entered a convent and took the veil, all of my inheritance would go to my father.

Would it really?

You know very well it would.

And from him, it would go to Edward, his only son.

Which is what you want more than anything, isn't it, Heloise?

I am just offering some advice, as one woman to another.

(exhales) (softly): Wine, wine, wine.

You know the Morrel boy, Max, is in love with the Villeforts' daughter.

Valentine?

I know.

Eh, poor boy's wasting his time, though.

She just got engaged to Franz d'Epinay.

Yeah, she's not very happy, but she's the obedient type.

Always does what her father tells her to.

The count wants to stop it from happening.

Mm.

The d'Epinay family are known to be staunch Royalists.

So?

I recall reading something about Franz's father.

He was... He was murdered.

I need to go to the library to refresh my memory.

Well, do it soon.

The count is impatient.

Count!

How are you?

Very well, thank you, Valentine.

I'm afraid my father and stepmother are not in right now.

I know.

I am here to see Monsieur Noirtier.

My grandfather cannot speak, sir.

He doesn't have to.

All he has to do is listen.

I have something very important I need to tell him.

Who's that, Valentine?

VALENTINE: This is the Count of Monte Cristo, Edward.

He's come to visit Grandpapa.

Good day to you, Count!

And to you, too, young man.

If he blinks twice, it means yes, and if he closes his eyes, it means no.

I, uh, need to speak to him in private, if you don't mind.

(door closes) Thank you for seeing me, sir.

May I speak frankly with you?

Your granddaughter is being forced into a marriage with Franz d'Epinay against her will.

She's desperately unhappy, sir.

She has her whole life ahead of her.

And no one has the right to steal happiness from another.

Especially not someone as young as Valentine, sir.

And I believe you might be able to help.

(breathing evenly) (church bell ringing in distance) (sniffs) NOTARY: Monsieur d'Epinay, the names of your witnesses?

The Viscount de Morcerf and Monsieur Beauchamp.

And yours, Monsieur Villefort?

Me, myself, and the Marchioness de Saint-Mran.

(pen scratching) What is it, Barrois?

Monsieur Noirtier would like to see Monsieur d'Epinay.

For, for what reason?

He wishes to communicate something to him prior to the signing.

(Gerard scoffs) GERARD: No, no, no, no, no.

This is most inconvenient... FRANZ (stammers): It's fine, Monsieur Villefort.

Um, we have the whole evening.

Follow me, please, sir.

(breathing evenly) GERARD: Father, please be brief.

You are holding up proceedings.

This?

You want Monsieur d'Epinay to read it aloud?

What is that?

BARROIS: This is a confession Monsieur Noirtier dictated to me this afternoon.

FRANZ: "The following confession is made by me, "Monsieur Noirtier, "of my own free will and without remorse.

On the evening of the fourth of March 1815, I..." That's the night my father was murdered.

(breathing evenly) "...I, "believing that General d'Epinay had changed allegiance "from the king to the Emperor Napoleon, "invited him to a secret meeting "of the Bonapartist Club in Paris, "where details of Napoleon's escape "from the island of Elba were made known to him.

"During the course of the meeting, it became clear "that General d'Epinay could not be trusted "with this information, "and, fearful of being betrayed and exposed, "it was decided that "in the interests of our cause, "we should ensure he did not do as such.

"I decided to keep an eye on him.

"Instead of returning to his home, "General d'Epinay walked "in the direction of the king's palace.

"It became clear to me that his intentions "were indeed to expose us.

(sword unsheathes) "He drew his sword... (sword unsheathes) "...and I drew mine... ...and we dueled in the street."

(both grunting) (blade slashes, Noirtier yelps) (Noirtier grunts, d'Epinay gasps) (choking) FRANZ: "And I killed him."

Marrying the woman whose grandfather killed my father is preposterous.

NOIRTIER (voiceover): What brings you to Paris?

GERARD: I, uh... (clears throat) What happened to your hand?

There's blood on it, Father.

No, I cut myself last night, on a rusty railing.

(sighs): Monsieur d'Epinay.

Sir, surely, you don't believe a word of this.

This, this is the ramblings of a delusional mind.

I, I mean, look, look at him, look at the man!

He's sick, he's mad, he's not well.

This is not the confession of a madman, sir.

GERARD: Can we proceed, please?

(breathing evenly) (whispers): I'm sorry.

FRANZ: We're leaving.

What's going on?

GERARD: Gentlemen.

Gentlemen, I implore you.

This is all a terrible, terrible misunderstanding.

There's only one thing in Monsieur Noirtier's favor.

It was not, as we all assumed, an assassination, but a duel.

(stammering) It's not true.

You shall never hear from me again, sir.

Let's go.

Who is that for?

The marchioness.

Ah, herbal tea, is it?

Yes.

Barrois was looking for you.

Your grandfather wants to say goodnight.

I can take the tea up to the marchioness.

It's fine-- I'll do it.

I won't be long.

I shall be leaving first thing in the morning.

Sorry things didn't go as planned.

Your father's father is a diabolical man-- he always has been.

Well, that's an awful thing to say, Grandmama.

Good night, child.

Night.

GERARD: Doctor, hello-- this way.

DOCTOR: She suffered greatly, by the look of it.

(sighs) Who was the last to see her alive?

VALENTINE: I was.

I brought her tea, said good night, and... DOCTOR: She complained of nothing?

No stomachache or anything?

VALENTINE: Nothing.

DOCTOR: No discomfort?

VALENTINE: No.

(sniffs) Bring me some sugar.

A handful should be enough.

What is it, Doctor?

Who prepared this tea?

Valentine.

Who delivered it to the marchioness?

Valentine did.

I offered to, but she insisted on doing it herself.

Thank you.

(hissing) DOCTOR: It's as I thought.

(exhales) The marchioness has been poisoned with brucine.

They're here.

Monsieur Villefort.

My daughter's upstairs.

Expecting you.

Um... She will be, um... ....well-treated where she is going, will she not?

Well, I have spoken to the governor of the prison, and he has assured me she will receive preferential treatment, sir.

(sighs) Come along, then.

(crying softly) Say goodbye now.

(carriage rattling) (coffee pouring) What?

Your breakfast, sir.

Yes, I see that.

Thank you.

Sir, we are worried about you.

About me?

What the devil are you talking about?

We hear you at night, sir, walking around the house.

Late at night, in the early hours of the morning, walking, up and down.

It seems you don't sleep, sir.

I sleep.

I don't need much sleep.

You mustn't worry.

I'm fine.

(people talking in background) Well?

BOVILLE: I've been keeping an eye on the count's steward.

Every so often, he visits a man named Caderousse.

At first, I thought they were just friends, but, well, then I delved deeper, started making inquiries into this Caderousse.

It seems he came to Paris with money to spare.

Spent most of his time in libraries, perusing old newspapers... ...and researching three people.

You, Monsieur Villefort; the banker, Baron Danglars; and the Count de Morcerf.

The count had the three of us over for dinner the other night.

Well, that doesn't sound like a coincidence.

Do you, uh... I want to know what this Caderousse is up to and that damn Monte Cristo.

Monsieur Villefort, I can't just... (voice rising): No, no, no, of course, you can't, you greedy (muted)!

Enough?

I want to know everything.

(people talking in background) Outside is fine.

(slurps) (exhales) (drawer closes) (floor creaking) (pistol cocks) Who's there?

(pistol uncocks) It's late.

What are you doing up?

(drawer closes) What's going to happen to Fernand Mondego?

I'm still waiting for a reply from the sultan.

Either way, I shall ensure he's exposed and publicly disgraced.

That will harm his wife and his son.

I expect it will.

But remember, they, too, have profited from his evil deeds.

The day you arrived, you said you wanted to avenge your father's death more than anything in this world.

We're going to do precisely that.

You shouldn't worry about these things.

Really, you shouldn't.

(birds chirping outside) The Count of Monte Cristo's steward dropped this off for you, madam.

Thank you, Marie, that'll be all.

(footsteps approaching) I won't be here for dinner.

Those look lovely, Maman.

What kind of man gives a woman, a married woman, mind you, earrings out of the blue?

Gratitude for what?

Perhaps for accepting his invitation to dinner.

I have a good mind to return them.

Ah, you don't understand him-- he's naturally generous.

I shall see you later, Maman.

(kisses) (door closes) (exhales) You've been spending money again, have you?

They're a gift.

From who?

The Count of Monte Cristo.

I believe he fancies you for a mistress.

I don't think it's that type.

You think he's content enough (muted) that young protge of his and doesn't need to look elsewhere?

You have such a vile mind, Fernand.

I have eyes, Mercedes.

I saw you at the ball, walking off alone with him into the garden.

There was no harm in that.

It's embarrassing.

(scoffs): Please!

And at his dinner?

The way you were looking at him, talking to him?

I'm not blind!

It must be terrible living tormented by jealousy.

I demand you return those earrings and put a stop to any ideas he may be harboring about you.

I will not.

You refuse me?

I think they look nice on me.

(slap hits, Mercedes yelps, gasps) Fernand.

(exhaling sharply) Thank you for coming.

Why here, may I ask?

I know no one who comes to this park.

I see.

Well, I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time.

I'm due at Baron Danglars' house at 4:00.

This won't take long.

I... I'm afraid I... Who did this to you?

Mercedes.

You've never called me that before.

Well, it's your name, is it not?

I have to return these to you.

You don't like them?

I like them, but my husband doesn't.

You quarreled with him over this?

Yes.

Tell me, Count.

Have you ever truly been in love?

Once.

What happened?

I went away for a long time and, uh... She didn't wait for you?

She thought I was dead.

Perhaps she's still waiting for you.

No.

No, she moved on with her life.

She is now a different woman.

And I am a different man.

(watch fob rattling) I'm afraid my time with you is over, Countess.

(inhales): I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about the earrings.

The earrings are nothing.

Goodbye.

(breath trembling) (gasping) (inhales) Do you know what a Forsyte is?

A Forsyte is a London elite.

JUNE: In this family... (exhales) ...I have an obligation to marry well.

ANN: Free of scandal.

Where do you suggest our loyalties lie?

ANN: And inconvenient truths.

I loved you.

You would not have been allowed to love me.

It would be catastrophic.

Are you prepared?

FERNAND: The time has come for us to finalize a marriage contract between Albert and your daughter Eugenia.

I've changed my mind.

(grunts) EDMOND: Tomorrow, Fernand will have questions to answer.

Ready?

HAYDEE: Yes.

EDMOND: This is our moment.

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