The Patriot Page #8

Marion is silent for a long moment. He softens, finds

himself unsteady and speaks far more honestly than he ever

wanted to.

MARION:

I have seven children. My wife is

dead. Who's to care for them if I

go to war?

Lee is stunned by Marion's honesty and his show of

weakness. At first Lee has no answer, then:

LEE:

Wars are not fought only by

childless men. A man must weigh his

personal responsibilities against

his principles.

MARION:

That's what I'm doing. I will not

fight and because I won't, I will

not cast a vote that will send

others to fight in my stead.

LEE:

And your principles?

MARION:

I'm a parent, I don't have the

luxury of principles.

The other Assemblymen, both Patriots and Loyalists, stare

at him, appalled. Marion, feeling weak, sits down. Lee

looks at his friend with more sympathy than

disappointment. Then Lee turns to Robinson who addresses

the chair.

ROBINSON:

Mister Speaker, I call for a vote on

a levy to the Continental Army.

HAMILL:

Second.

SPEAKER:

So moved.

The vote is taken on a roll call. Gabriel watches from

the gallery.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Robinson.

ROBINSON:

Yea.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Hamill.

HAMILL:

Yea.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Johnson.

JOHNSON:

Yea.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Simms.

SIMMS:

Nay.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Marion.

No response.

SPEAKER:

Mr. Marion.

MARION:

Nay.

In the gallery Gabriel turns and walks out. The roll call

continues. Marion sits, eyes straight ahead.

EXT. ASSEMBLY HALL - DAY

The crowd waits. The doors open and a PAGE BOY dashes out

and runs to the Continental Captain at the recruiting

table.

PAGE BOY:

Twenty-eight to twelve, the levy

passed!

The Continental Captain motions to an assembled squadron.

They raise their muskets and FIRE A VOLLEY into the air.

Other soldiers, STRIKE UP A MARTIAL AIR ON FIFES AND

DRUMS. Volunteers crowd around the recruiting table,

YELLING and jostling for position.

The delegates walk out. Both Patriots and Loyalists give

Marion a wide berth.

Marion sees Gabriel, standing near the crowd at the

recruiting table. Marion walks up to him.

GABRIEL:

Father, I've lost respect for you.

I thought you were a man of

principle.

MARION:

When you have children, I hope

you'll understand.

GABRIEL:

When I have children, I hope I don't

hide behind them.

Marion looks closely at Gabriel.

MARION:

Do you intend to enlist without my

permission?

GABRIEL:

Yes.

They lock eyes for a moment, then Gabriel turns from his

father and walks away, joining the crush around the

recruiting table.

Marion stands alone in the middle of the chaos. The FIFES

AND DRUMS continue to play. Marion doesn't hear them.

Harry Lee walks out of the Assembly hall with a triumphant

group of Patriots who look at Marion coldly.

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