Gents:
Can this dialogue be beaten for explaining the era (and by god it is a GREAT scene!)
Dryden: Vice-Admiral Chadwick I presume. I'm Vice Council Richard Dryden.
Chadwick: Gumerai
Gumeari: (To Chadwick) Admiral. It is certainly good to see you. (To Jerome) Captain.
I must say, we have been awaiting your arrival with a great deal of anticipation and I must say, more than a little nervousness. Ha, ha … You see gentleman … ahem … what we have here is a problem of enormous diplomatic complexity.
Now, the Sultan of Morocco … it … ah … Make yourself comfortable gentleman.
The Sultan of Morroco favors the German Kaiser. While the Bashaw, who is the real power here, is leaning towards the Czar of Russia. Now in the middle of all this, … ahem … an American woman is kidnapped by some desert pirate. And our President, of course, gentleman, only wants to know what kind of rifle this brigand carries. And he probably wants to build a canal too, for all I know.
Chadwick: Its been done before you know.
Gumerai: Now, now Admiral … Ah, Mr. Dryden, see if the gentlemen want a cigar, would you please.
Gumerai: You and I are both old men. We've seen these disasters come and go. Our problem is to make this one go, and make it look good (wink).
Chadwick: I must remind you sir, that I was at Santiago Bay when this President was running up San Juan Hill. I'm afraid will have to do more than just look good this time.
Gumerai: Well, what did you have in mind, exactly?
Jerome: (rising to stand) Military intervention!
Chadwick: Yes, we are, at this moment, the most powerful naval force in Tangier Harbor.
Gumerai: Well, I, I, don't see what that has to do with anything …
Jerome: We're a major power at this moment. We carry the biggest stick.
Gumerai: Just … ahem … how many men do you have, Captain?
Jerome: (snaping to attention) Two reinforced rifle companies!
Gumerai: Well, see, the Sultan of Morocco has three foreign regiments in Fez.
Jerome: That's right sir. They're at Fez. The Bashaw has only his household cavalry and guard here. The power lies with the Bashaw.
Gumerai: Who is this boy?
Chadwick: Let him go on … ha ha …
Jerome: We'd be as useless chasing Risuli as … as the redcoats on Bunker Hill. And the Sultan … if I am correct in my assumption, will not meet his demands?
Gumerai: Yes, go on.
Jerome: The Sultan is not the power. The real government is here.
Gumerai: That's right.
Jerome: Well, then, it would seem quite obvious I would think sir. We must seize the government and make our own negotiations!
Gumerai: Seize the Government?
Jerome: At bayonet point!
Gumerai: Aaaaaa … (whispering to Dryden) Ha, ha I certainly would like to see that old son of a bitch at bayonet point, hen! Ha, ha. … (not speaking aloud) But it's ridiculous, its outrageous, its lunacy!
Chadwick: Yes, isn't it though. I should think Teddy would love it!
Gumerai: But, but … what about the French … the Germans … the British. Why, we're in the shadow of Gibraltar!
Chadwick: Damn the legations!
Gumerai: Aaaa … You realize, of course, that if we fail in this, in even the slightest way, we'll … we'll all be killed.
Chadwick: Yes. And the whole world will probably go to war.
Jerome: Gentleman. If we fail and are killed, I certainly hope that the world does go to war!
(Toast)
Chadwick: A world at war … a world at war…
Gumerai: That would certainly be something to go out on …
solve the rotation problem with magnetic flight stands?
