The Drunken Feathers

Scene VII

(The exterior of the House of Commons is shown. On the street in front of it, the PRINCE OF WALES' immense carriage slows to a stop, and he is let out of it. Various people bow to him, but he ignores them and instead heads over to a group of WHIGS, which includes FOX, SHERIDAN, LORD STORMONT, LORD LOUGHBOROUGH, EDMUND BURKE, LORD SANDWICH, and the DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.)

PRINCE OF WALES

Charles, what happened with the Westminster seat?

FOX

What do you think? I got it, of course!

PRINCE OF WALES

Hurrah! This is certainly a cause for celebration!

FOX

I should think so!

LORD LOUGBOROUGH

I wonder what Pitt thinks of Charles' victory.

SHERIDAN

'Old Billy' must be shaking in his boots now that he has an adversary strong enough to lead the Opposition.

PRINCE OF WALES

'Tis a shame he hasn't a lady by his side to console him.

SHERIDAN

(In a low voice)

I know why he hasn't got one.

LORD STORMONT

Why's that?

SHERIDAN

(Smiling)

He favors his own sex.

FOX

That must be your most outlandish theory yet.

SHERIDAN

Believe me, Pitt is to George III as the Duke of Buckingham was to James I.

FOX

Alright, before we are all hanged for treason, I suggest we join the celebrations in the street, and then some gambling at Almack's.

(Beat)

This is the beginning of something great, gentlemen; I know it!

(The WHIGS and PRINCE OF WALES walk off triumphantly, cheering and chattering with one another. They walk past PITT and some of the TORIES in his administration: LORD SYDNEY, the MARQUESS OF CARMARTHEN, LORD THURLOW, and the DUKE OF RICHMOND. FOX decides to mock PITT while he walks.)

FOX (cont.)

A fine day for a parade, is it not, Mr. Pitt?

(Most of the WHIGS laugh as they walk past the glaring TORIES. PITT turns back to them.)

PITT (cont.)

Our fathers were enemies in the House of Commons; I suppose it is only just that we should be also.

MARQUESS OF CARMARTHEN

Fox may be Leader of the Opposition, but he poses no real threat to us. He is a vulgar and graceless man...

PITT

But an eloquent and persuasive orator. He is more dangerous to our efforts than his demeanor would make it appear.

LORD THURLOW

Have faith in His Majesty. You are his favorite Prime Minister to date; he would never replace you and our ministry.

PITT

I have never doubted the King. What concerns me is his heir's ardent and inexplicable devotion to the Whigs. Fox's influence over His Royal Highness is sadly strong and unwavering.

DUKE OF RICHMOND

'Tis but a boyish admiration, Mr. Pitt. Years from now, when the Prince of Wales ascends the throne, he will have long since outgrown the Whigs and declared himself a Tory, as all such princes have done. Blinded by his idolatry of them, His Royal Highness fails to realize that the Whigs' core political philosophy is limiting the powers of the monarch, which he shall one day be.

LORD SYDNEY

Nay, they mean to overthrow the monarchy altogether, I say! Damned radicals!

LORD THURLOW

(To PITT)

Do not let Fox give you a moment's uneasiness, sir. As long as you are living, the Whigs shall remain powerless.

(PITT is still uneasy. He looks apprehensively at the street, where hundreds of WHIGS and Whig-supporters are celebrating FOX's victory by cheering, "FOX FOREVER!" Cut to SCENE VIII.)