CAST

GEORGE WASHINGTON - LUDWIG BEILSCHMIDT

THOMAS JEFFERSON - SPENCER FERRELL

ALEXANDER HAMILTON - DENNIS READER

JAMES MADISON - SAMUEL SEAL

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ludwig Beilschmidt shouted to his audience. He had invited his cabinet to dinner to have a cabinet meeting. "you coulda been anywhere in the world tonight, but you're here with us in New York City. Are you ready for a cabinet meeting?" The crowd cheered in their seats. "The issue on the table: Secretary Reader's plan to assume state debt and establish a national bank." Beilschmidt explained, gesturing to a waving Dennis. "Secretary Ferrell," Spencer stood up, smiling, "you have the floor, sir."

Ferrell cleared his throat, before beginning, "'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' We fought for these ideals, we shouldn't settle for less. These are wise words, enterprising men quote 'em. Don't act surprised, you guys, 'cause I wrote 'em." He laughed, winking at the crowd, causing a few to laugh.

"Owww, but Reader forgets," he stated, gesturing to Dennis, who was not entertained, "His plan would have the government assume state's debts. Now place your bets as to who that benefits:" Ferrell's eyes widened in mock realization, "the very seat of government where Reader sits!"

The crowds glared and booed at Dennis, who stood up, "Not true!"

"Ooh, if the shoe fits, wear it," Ferrell snapped, and Ludwig guided Reader back to his seat with a warning glare, "If New York's in debt, why should Virginia bear it? Uh, our debts are paid, I'm afraid. Don't tax the South 'cause we got it made in the shade." He stated, sending a knowing wink towards Beilschmidt, who chuckled. This only further frustrated Dennis. "In Virginia, we plant seeds in the ground, we create! You just wanna move our money around!" Ferrell walked towards Dennis, who met his eyes with a glare of daggers. Ferrell placed the tip of his walking staff on the pile of papers, the plan for the national bank and the debt of the country, "This financial plan is an outrageous demand, and it's too many damn pages for any man to understand!" He said, turning around. As he did so, he purposely sent Reader's papers flying off the table and scattering around the floor. Dennis's face turned red as he bent down to pick them up.

"Stand with me in the land of the free, and pray to God we never see Reader's candidacy." Ferrell teased, before turning Dennis, who was still collecting the last of his paper. "Look, when Britain taxed our tea, we got frisky." He stated, before leaning on his staff, his pale blue eyes gleaming in a warning light. "Imagine what gon' happen when you try to tax our whisky."

Most of the crowd jeered and nodded in agreement with Ferrell as he took a seat across the table from Reader. "Thank you, Secretary Ferrell." Beilschmidt nodded to him, before gesturing to Dennis. "Secretary Reader, your response."

Reader stood up, "Spencer, that was a real nice declaration." He began with sarcasm in his tone. Spencer leaned back in his chair, apparently enjoying this already. "Welcome to the present, we're running a real nation. Would you like to join us, or stay mellow doing whatever the hell it is you do in Monticello?" The crowd made a few hoots and Dennis could have sworn he saw Ferrell's mocking expression twitch slightly.

"If we assume the debts, the Union gets a new line of credit, a financial diuretic! How do you not get it? If we're aggressive and competitive, the Union gets a boost," he jabbed a finger towards Ferrell, "you'd rather give it a sedative?

"A civics lesson from a slaver? Hey neighbor," Ferrell's smile dropped instantly, "your debts are paid 'cause you don't pay for labor! "We plant seeds in the South. We create."" Reader mocked, before smiling maliciously at Ferrell, who was now glaring, "Yeah, keep ranting. We know who's really doing the planting."

Many off the audience exclaimed and jeered at Ferrell for that remark, but Reader kept going, fueled by the chaos. He continued to personally belittle Ferrell's authority to have an outspoken opinion, rather than defend his stance on the plan. "And another thing, Mr. Age of Enlightenment, don't lecture me about the war, you didn't fight in it! You think I'm frightened of you, man? We almost died in a trench, while you were off getting high with the French!" Ferrell's lip curled while everyone let out an "Ohhhh...", some even covering their mouths to be extra dramatic.

"Spencer Ferrell, always hesitant with the President," Reader continued. Ferrell stood up and began to towards Reader, his fists clenched. "Reticent, there isn't a plan he doesn't jettison." Samuel Seal got up and grabbed Spencer by the shoulder, stopping him. "Seal, you're mad as a hatter, son, take your medicine! Damn, you're in worse shape than the national debt is in." Samuel glared and let go of Ferrell, allowing him to continue towards Reader.

"Sitting there, useless as two shits. Hey, turn around bend over, I'll show you where my shoe fits." The crowd was practically screaming now as Ferrell launched himself towards Reader, but was blocked by the thick arm of Ludwig Beilschmidt, who looked very angry. Ferrell instantly backed up.

"Excuse me?" He shouted, glaring at Reader, before turning and shooing away Sam and Spencer, "Seal, Ferrell, take a walk! Reader, take a walk!" Reader stayed put while Seal and Ferrell left to the hall. "We'll reconvene after a brief recess. Reader!"

Dennis flinched, "Sir?"

Ludwig was glaring down at him, "A word." He growled, walking into the hall. Dennis followed behind, but as he entered the hall, Beilschmidt continued down to another room, while Reader was ambushed by Seal.

"You don't have the votes." He sang with a smile.

Ferrell joined him, "You don't have the votes!" Ferrell laughed obnoxiously in Reader's face. "You're gonna need congressional approval and you don't have the votes!"

Ferrell smiled, completely recomposed now, and rubbed his knuckles on the front of his chest. "Such a blunder, sometimes it makes me wonder why I even bring the thunder." He stated, reentering the room to the cabinet meeting.

"Why he even brings the thunder..." Seal echoed, before following his friend. This left an even more flustered Reader to enter the room where Beilschmidt was waiting.

The President glared down at him. "You wanna pull yourself together?"

Reader glared at the door. "I'm sorry, these Virginians are birds of a feather." He hissed.

"Young man, I'm from Virginia, so watch your mouth." Ludwig snapped.

Dennis turned to him desperately, "So we let Congress get held hostage by the South?"

Beilschmidt sighed, "You need the votes."

"No, we need bold strokes!" Reader exclaimed. "We need this plan!"

"No, you need to convince more folks."

"Samuel Seal won't talk to me, that's a nonstarter." Reader crossed his arms in frustration.

"Winning was easy, young man. Governing's harder."

"They're being intransigent!" Reader shouted, referring to Ferrell and Seal.

"You are to find a compromise!"

"But they don't have a plan, they just hate mine!"

"Convince them otherwise!"

"And what happens if I don't get congressional approval?"

Beilschmidt frowned, "I imagine they'll call for your removal."

Reader's eyes widened in horror, "Sir..."

"Figure it out, Dennis." Ludwig said firmly. "That's an order from your commander."