Gone with the Wind Page #4

Chapter 2 Scarlett Meeting Butler

(Noon time, the gentlemen are gathering in the

downstairs hall, talking about the war.)

Mr. O'HARA

We've borne enough insults from the "meddling

Yankees. It's time we made them understand we keep

our slaves with or without their approval. Who's to

stop them right from the state of Georgia to secede

from the Union.

MAN:

That's right.

Mr. O'HARA

The South must assert ourselves by force of arms.

After we fired on the Yankee rascals at Fort Sumter,

we've got to fight. There's no other way.

MAN1

Fight, that's right, fight!

MAN2

Let the Yankee's be the ones to ask for peace.

Mr. O'HARA

The situation is very simple. The Yankees can't fight

and we can.

CHORUS:

You're right!

MANS:

That's what I'll think! They'll just turn and run

every time.

MAN1

One Southerner can lick twenty Yankees.

MAN2

We'll finish them in one battle. Gentlemen can always

fight better than rattle.

MANS:

Yes, gentlemen always fight better than rattle.

Mr. O'HARA

And what does the captain of our troop say?

ASHLEY:

Well, gentlemen...if Georgia fights, I go with her.

But like my father I hope that the Yankees let us

leave the Union in peace.

MAN1

But Ashley...

MAN2

Ashley, they've insulted us.

MANS:

You can't mean that you don't want war.

ASHLEY:

Most of the miseries of the world were caused by

wars. And when the wars were over, no one ever knew

what they were about.

Mr. O'HARA

Now gentlemen, Mr. Butler has been up North I hear.

Don't you agree with us, Mr. Butler?

RHETT BUTLER:

I think it's hard winning a war with words,

gentlemen.

CHARLES:

What do you mean, sir?

RHETT:

I mean, Mr. Hamilton, there's not a cannon factory in

the whole South.

MAN:

What difference does that make, sir, to a gentleman?

RHETT:

I'm afraid it's going to make a great deal of

difference to a great many gentlemen, sir.

CHARLES:

Are you hinting, Mr. Butler, that the Yankees can

lick us?

RHETT:

No, I'm not hinting. I'm saying very plainly that the

Yankees are better equipped than we. They've got

factories, shipyards, coal-mines... and a fleet to

bottle up our harbors and starve us to death. All

we've got is cotton, and slaves and ...arrogance.

MAN:

That's treacherous!

CHARLES:

I refuse to listen to any renegade talk!

RHETT:

Well, I'm sorry if the truth offends you.

CHARLES:

Apologies aren't enough sir. I hear you were turned

out of West Point Mr. Rhett Butler. And that you

aren't received in an decent family in Charleston.

Not even

your own.

RHETT:

I apologize again for all my shortcomings. Mr.

Wilkes, Perhaps you won't mind if I walk about and

look ver your place. I seem to be spoiling

everybody's brandy and cigars and...dreams of

victory.

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