George Washington:
Whichever gentleman, or better still lady that is knocking, I'm around here.
[Washington enters]

George Washington:
Ah! Ha ha ha ha. Oh my dear general! How delighted I am to see you, sir!
Benjamin Franklin:
Pray, sir, do not trouble yourself. Quite unnecessary for the sage of Philadelphia to rise in the presence of a retired soldier.
George Washington:
Well, if the sage cannot rise, perhaps the soldier will sit, eh? Some tea?
Benjamin Franklin:
Thank you, doctor.
George Washington:
Ah, alas, gout and the stone have made me into a monument. People must now come to view me, as I am unable to go to them.
Benjamin Franklin:
Will your health allow you to attend the convention, doctor?
George Washington:
Will yours, general? It seems that fate wishes us to postpone our well earned retirement, sir.
Benjamin Franklin:
Well, I hope our convention will do good.
George Washington:
If it does not, it must do harm. Its failure will demonstrate that we have not wisdom enough to govern ourselves. I, of course, have selfish interests in its success.
Benjamin Franklin:
Oh?
George Washington:
Indeed. During the war I staked my life, and what is more important, my reputation on the belief that Americans could govern themselves. And that all mankind should share in that privilege.
Benjamin Franklin:
Doctor, many know by heart your credo that the rights of Americans should be the rights of all men.
George Washington:
Well then, sir, you see the danger I'm in.
Benjamin Franklin:
If our convention fails, all mankind will suffer.
George Washington:
Oh, much worse. I shall be discredited as a philosopher. Laughter. Oh, general, I am grateful you are here. For you, among all men, I hold in the highest esteem. When you voluntarily surrendered power after the war, I knew that in you breathed no tyrant. But that new man, an American, you are the very soul of this republic, sir. With you in our counsels, we must succeed.
Benjamin Franklin:
You overwhelm me, sir. You must know that I consider you the greatest American alive. My grave fears for the welfare of this country are lightened in your presence.
George Washington:
Well then, let us toast ourselves with this tea, and declare that the world is infinitely better off because of us.

Film

A More Perfect Union (1989)

Persone

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SerieTv

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