Alexandra Hamilton

Aaron Burr, Sir

Alexandra's POV

Today was eventful to say the least. I was rejected from Princeton University and I know exactly why. They took one look at my application, saw my first name and decided that I wasn't welcome. That I wasn't worthy of an education. When I heard the news, I marched onto the campus to demand a place amongst the scholars. I'd been more than reasonable. There's no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to study law and medicine. I know for a fact that I'm armed with intelligence and and a relentless work ethic. If they would just read what I've written they would know that I'm capable of great things. But they only care about the fact that I'm a woman. And they made quite a point of proving that I'm not allowed at a place like that.

They mocked me and called me derogatory names. Finally, the bursar told me to go back to my husband and I lost control. I can't just walk away when I'm being insulted. A wave of rage pushed me to stand tall and punch that son of a bitch across his smug face, immediately killing any remaining chance I had of getting accepted.

As I walked out I overheard two scholars speaking of a Mr. Aaron Burr; a man who graduated from the university in just two years. Without really thinking I began interrogating the two young men about this Aaron Burr. They assumed that I was interested in courting, but in that moment I didn't care. I learned that he is a dark eyed man of medium stature. They told me that he often reads at the tavern two blocks north.

I rushed out into the street, my mind travelling a thousand miles every second. If this man really graduated from Princeton in just two years, then I have to find him. I have to talk to him. He might just be the key to my success in this country. I raced through crowds of people arguing. A brawl between a few loyalists and revolutionaries had broken out. Normally I'd get involved, but my main priority is finding Aaron Burr and asking him about his success. Once I'd made it through the sea of people I noticed a man walking away from the group, looking frazzled. Something in my brain just clicked and I knew I found the right guy.

"Pardon me! Are you Aaron Burr, sir?" I ask him, chest heaving from all of the running. He catches a quick and apathetic glimpse of me before responding with, "That depends. Who's asking?"

"Oh well sure, sir." I stutter. "I'm Alexandra Hamilton. I'm at your service, sir." I spit out with a sloppy curtsy. "I have been looking for you." That sounded creepy.

"I'm getting nervous." He quipped. But I don't have time for jokes. I don't hold back and don't bother with small talk.

"Sir, I heard your name at Princeton." Now I have his undivided attention. "I was seeking an accelerated course of study when I got sort of out of sorts with a buddy of yours. I may have punched him. It's a blur, sir. He handles the financials...." I trail off. In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have punched the bursar. Burr looks at me as though I've just spit in his face. "You punched the bursar?" He gasped.

"Yes!" I exclaim. "I wanted to do what you did. Graduate in two and join the revolution. He looked at me like I was stupid. I'm NOT stupid!" The scholars underestimated me and I have to make sure that Burr doesn't do the same. But he seems to be genuinely interested in what I have to say. "So how'd you do it?" I plead. "How'd you graduate so fast?"

A few seconds of silence felt like forever. But he casually states, "It was my parent's dying wish before they passed."

"You're an orphan?" He's just like me! He'll guide me! If he can succeed then so can I. "Of course! I'm an orphan! God, I wish there was a war. Then we could prove that we're worth more than anyone bargained for!"

"Can I buy you a drink?" He says, cutting me off.

"That would be nice." I wanna keep talking, but if there's one thing I need right now, it's to unwind. Burr escorts me to the nearby tavern and we take our seats.

"While we're talking, let me offer you some free advice." I'm all ears. I need all the advice I can get from him.

"Talk less." I'm caught off guard. I can't be hearing this correctly. "Smile more." Excuse me Mr. Burr, sir. This isn't a beauty pageant. I can't smile my way to victory. Looking pretty doesn't win wars. "Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for."

"You can't be serious." I say, still shocked by Burr's words. Not voicing my opinions completely defeats the purpose of a revolution.

"You wanna get ahead?" Burr asks.

"Yes!"

"Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead." I try to digest Burr's words and for a split second I wonder if he's right. But my thoughts are interrupted by a deafening voice across the room.

"Hey yo yo, yo yo, yo! What time is it!?"

"SHOWTIME!"

"Like I said." Burr grunts, gesturing to the band of people shouting on the other side of the tavern.

As much as I'd like to continue listening to him ramble on about his boring plan for success, I can't take my eyes off of this party of three.

The only woman in the group stands and starts shouting. "I'm Joan Laurens in the place to be. Had two pints of Sam Adams, but I'm working on three. Those redcoats don't want it with me, cause I will pop chicka pop these cops til I'm free!" That last statement earns her a few cheers from the other patrons in the tavern. I don't even know her and I already love her.

A man sitting next to her stands and introduces himself. "A oui oui, mon ami! Je m'appelle Lafayette! The Lancelot of the revolutionary set. I came from afar just to say 'bonsoir' to the king casse-toi. Who's the best? C'est moi." He spits his introduction along with some French profanities that I'm assuming most of the people in the room won't understand. But I do, and it takes all of my self control not to bend over laughing.

The last of the group, a tall man in ragged clothes, takes his turn. "Brah! Brah! I am Hercules Mulligan. Up in it, loving. Yes I heard your mother say 'come again'.!" At this point I can no longer contain my laughter. "Lock up your daughters and horses. Of course it's hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets."

"Wow." Chuckles Joan Laurens. "No more sex. Pour me another brew, son. Let's raise a couple more,

"TO THE REVOLUTION!"

I'm having so much fun I don't even notice how displeased Burr is. He grabs my arm and pulls me to the exit.

"Well if it ain't the prodigy of Princeton College!" Joan shouts at him from behind.

"Aaron Burr!" Hercules says, astonished.

"Give us a verse! Drop some knowledge!" Joan encourages him to speak.

But Burr has no intention of raising his voice tonight. "Good luck with that. You're taking a stand. You spit, Ima sit. We'll see where we land."

The three boo at him. "Burr, the revolution's imminent. What do you stall for?" Joan demands an answer from him and at this point I can't hold my thoughts back.

"If you stand for nothing Burr, what'll you fall for?" I ask. Suddenly all four of them are staring at me.

"Woah. Who are you?" Joan inquires. Hercules and Lafayette repeat the question.

"Who are you?"

"Who are you?"

"Who, who is this kid? What's she gonna do?" The three are coming closer and in that moment I do the thing I'm best at. Speaking.