The Fox of France

Chapter 37: Dress Rehearsal

Armand informed Joseph that his play "Spartacus" was getting ready for a performance in Paris.

Joseph asked, "Is your battle song ready?"

Armand shook his head and replied, "No, not yet. We still don't have a song that satisfies everyone. But everyone agrees that now is the best time to stage this play. Missing this opportunity would be a great loss. So, for now, we'll use Edgar's song."

Edgar was a young "composer" in Armand's circle. Just like in later times, Paris was teeming with struggling young artists who claimed to be "composers," and Edgar was one of them. He had a few songs circulating in the bars of the Saint-Antoine district, but writing a battle song for "Spartacus" was a challenge beyond his abilities.

Joseph commented, "This is indeed the best time from a sensational perspective. However, staging this work at this time might be risky. You might end up... in the Bastille."

Armand waved his hand dismissively and replied, "So what? That would make me a part of history. I wouldn't mind spending a few years in there for the chance to be remembered."

Since Armand had this attitude, and Joseph knew that even if Armand were thrown into the Bastille, he wouldn't stay there for long. The Bastille was stormed at the beginning of the French Revolution, and its prisoners were released. Furthermore, if Armand were to enter politics in the future, having spent time in the Bastille would be a valuable qualification.

Joseph said, "Well, if that's how you feel, then I won't try to dissuade you. When is the dress rehearsal? I'd like to come and see it."

Armand replied, "The day after tomorrow, at the Peterson Theater, starting at 8 in the morning."

The Peterson Theater was located between the Saint-Antoine district and the City Hall, not far from the Bastille. The conditions at this theater were not as luxurious as those in the wealthy districts to the west, but it was more suitable for staging Armand's play.

Joseph agreed, "I'll be there for sure."

Two days later, Joseph took Lucien with him to watch the dress rehearsal of "Spartacus." The rehearsal went smoothly, including Edgar's song. However, Armand appeared troubled, furrowing his brows.

Joseph asked, "What's wrong, Armand? Isn't everything going smoothly? The actors are performing well."

Armand sighed and replied, "Yes, they are, damn it! If it weren't for that brilliant idea you had given me before, I'd be completely satisfied now. But whenever I hear Edgar's song, I can't help but feel like... like I'm having a grand feast with unseasoned dishes. It's all your fault, Joseph. Damn it, if it weren't for you, I'd be as cheerful as those fellows... no, even more cheerful. Damn it!"

Armand stamped his foot and then turned to Joseph, half-jokingly saying, "Joseph, you have to help me..."

Joseph widened his eyes and said, "What can I do?"

In all honesty, Edgar's song wasn't bad. Its melody was uplifting and beautiful, but, as Armand had complained before, "It's a bit too light. I need a thundering Urbane cannon, and he gave me a small trumpet."

Armand paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "Well, maybe there's no solution to this in the time we have."

He turned to Lucien and jokingly said, "Lucien, you're learning music too. How about trying to write a good song?"

To Armand's surprise, Lucien responded, "Sure, after watching today's rehearsal, I was actually thinking of giving it a try."

This answer caught Armand off guard. He was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, "Well, if you can do it quickly, it would be great. This play is scheduled to premiere in just two weeks."

Unbeknownst to Armand, four days later, Joseph suddenly brought Lucien to him.

"Armand, take a look at this," Joseph said, handing Armand a piece of paper.

Armand took the paper and examined it closely. Then he started humming the melody written on it. Finally, he looked up, grasped Joseph's sleeve, and asked, "Joseph, this is amazing! Where did this come from?"

"The music was composed by Lucien," Joseph said, casting a glance at Lucien, "and the lyrics were written by me. Armand, what do you think?"

Armand exclaimed, "This is incredible! It's like a dream come true. No, it's even better than what I could have dreamed of. I've never heard a song like this, not even in my dreams. I love it!"

Joseph inquired, "Armand, can we use this song?"

"Of course, this is perfect. There's nothing better than this," Armand replied with great excitement.

"But, Armand, I have a request," Joseph said.

"Go ahead, my friend. Right now, I'd agree to anything. Even if you wanted me to run naked in the streets or offer up my chastity, I'd say yes!" Armand laughed.

"Don't be absurd; you're corrupting the child!" Joseph scolded.

"Alright, my friend, tell me your request."

"Until I give my consent, do not tell anyone that I wrote the lyrics for this song, and that Lucien composed the music," Joseph requested.

Armand understood Joseph's request. He didn't mind being thrown into the Bastille, but that didn't mean Joseph felt the same way. If Armand were arrested and put in the Bastille, Joseph would be responsible for his two younger brothers. Moreover, Joseph's main life goal was in the realm of science, and he didn't want other matters to interfere too much with his research. As for Lucien, he was talented, but he was still a child of less than fifteen, and such involvement in a possible Bastille situation was out of the question.

"No problem. I give you my word of honor that I won't reveal it, not even at the Day of Judgment," Armand assured earnestly.

"My friend, there's no need to be so serious," Joseph said with a smile. "I just want to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"I understand. I don't mind going to the Bastille, but I don't want to see any of my friends there," Armand replied.

Armand didn't immediately take the song to the theater for rehearsal because, if he did, even if he didn't disclose the authors, people might immediately suspect something was up since he had recently seen Joseph and Lucien. So, Armand was being cautious.

It wasn't until two days later that Armand finally brought out the song for the theater company to try, and this time, the effect was said to be excellent. However, Armand still wasn't satisfied. He felt that some lines in the play didn't match the song, and there were many areas that needed modification. Actors also had suggestions regarding the stage and performance. So, Armand became even busier.

A week later, Armand invited Joseph and Lucien to watch the dress rehearsal of his play once again. This time, Joseph had to go on a business trip, so only Lucien went to see the rehearsal with Armand. When Joseph returned to Paris a few days later, Armand's rehearsals were mostly completed. At least, in Lucien's opinion, the play "Spartacus" was now on par with the works of Molire.

However, Armand still seemed dissatisfied. He spent his days at the theater, hesitating over trivial matters, and his cheekbones seemed higher than ever. Joseph knew that Armand was obsessing over things that weren't real problems, and no matter what decision he made, it wouldn't make much difference. Armand was simply trapped in indecision.

"Armand, have you heard this story? There was a man who put two identical piles of fodder on either side of a donkey, equidistant from the donkey. Can you guess what happened to the donkey?" Joseph asked, placing his hand on Armand's shoulder.

"I know, the donkey starved to death standing in the middle. Joseph, you're a wicked man for comparing me to that foolish donkey! But, are you sure the piles of fodder were truly identical?" Armand replied.

"The donkey! If they weren't identical, would you have hesitated so much?" Joseph asked.

"Well, of course they weren't identical. There were some differences between them. I just didn't know which one was better."

"Then it's simple. Let's use this," Joseph said, taking out an irregularly shaped silver coin (Roman denarius). "This side has the image of Bacchus, and the other side has a bunch of grapes. My friend, you know that tragic art originated from the worship of this deity. Let's let him help us make the decision. You'll toss the coin. If the head is up, it means Bacchus approves of this, and if the grapes are up, it means he disapproves. What do you think?"

Bacchus is the Roman name for the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. His divine responsibilities didn't include art, but considering that ancient Greek tragic art originated from the worship of this deity, it was quite appropriate to invoke him for judgment.

"A Roman denarius?" Armand took the coin from Joseph and examined it closely. "This is probably from the time of the Roman Republic. It's possible that Crassus (one of the first triumvirs of Rome and the general who eventually suppressed the Spartacus slave revolt) once held this coin. It's a pity the condition isn't great; I could barely recognize the head of Bacchus on the obverse if it weren't for the grapes on the reverse. But, it's a nice find. Alright, let's do as you say."

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