CAST

GEORGE WASHINGTON - LUDWIG BEILSCHMIDT

THOMAS JEFFERSON - SPENCER FERRELL

JAMES MADISON - SAMUEL SEAL

ALEXANDER HAMILTON - DENNIS READER

MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE - ANDREW NEWFIELD [Mentioned]

"The issue on the table:" Ludwig Beilschmidt addressed the cabinet, where Spencer Ferrell and Dennis Reader sat opposite of each other, "France is on the verge of war with England. Do we provide aid and troops to our French allies or do we stay out of it? Remember, my decision on this matter is not subject to congressional approval. The only person you have to convince is me. Secretary Ferrell, you have the floor, sir."

Spencer stood up and made his way to the center of the floor. For the first time, he was smiling and being sarcastically cynical. His face was stone, his eyes serious. "When we were on death's door, when we were needy, we made a promise, we signed a treaty! We needed money and guns and half a chance- uh, who provided those funds?"

"France." Seal coughed into his handkerchief.

"In return, they didn't ask for land. Only a promise that we'd lend a hand and stand with them if they fought against oppression, and revolution is messy but now is the time to stand! Stand with our brothers as they fight against tyranny." Ferrell paused and gestured towards Dennis with disdain. "I know that Dennis Reader is here, and he would rather not have this debate. I'll remind you that he is NOT Secretary of State." He snapped, glaring at his fellow cabinet member.

"He knows nothing of loyalty." Spencer hissed, and Dennis's lip curled. "Smells like money, dresses like fake royalty. Desperate to raise above his station, everything he does betrays the ideals of our nation!" He spat, before turning to Beilschmidt, bowing slightly. "Hey, and if you don't know, now you know Mr. President." He stated, before taking his seat.

"Thank you, Secretary Ferrell. Secretary Reader, your response."

Reader stood up, glaring across the room at Spencer, how glared back, unwavered. He took a deep breath, before beginning.

"You must be out of your GODDAMN MIND if you think the President is gonna bring the nation to the brink of meddling in a military mess, a game of chess, where France is Queen and Kingless. We signed a treaty with a King whose head is now in a basket- would you like to take it out and ask it?" Reader acted as if he was picking up an object from the ground. ""Should we honor our treaty, King Louis' head?"" He then put his hands around his face as if he was the head. ""Uh, do whatever you want, I'm super dead!""

Arguments began to break out through the cabinet, but Beilschmidt intervened. "Enough! Enough. Reader is right."

Spencer's eyes widened. "Mr. President-"

Beilschmidt shook his head. "We're too fragile to start another fight."

Spencer stepped forward, trying to manage a smile. "But, sir, do we not fight for freedom?"

"Sure, when the French figure out who's gonna lead 'em." Beilschmidt stated.

"The people are leading!" Ferrell urged desperately.

"The people are rioting! There's a difference. Frankly, it's a little disquieting you would let you ideals blind you to reality." Beilschmidt scolded him. "Reader."

"Sir." Reader smiled knowingly.

"Drop the statement of neutrality." Beilschmidt directed, before walking away.

Reader turned and gathered his stuff on his desk, along with a quill, ink, and parchment for the President's order.

Suddenly, Spencer's voice sounded from behind him. "Did you forget Newfield?"

Reader turned, raising a brow. "What?"

Spencer's glared at him. It was a look of disgust rather than anger. "Have you an ounce of regret? You accumulate debt, you accumulate power, yet in their hour of need, you forget."

Reader's face flushed slightly, angered by the comment. "Newfield's a smart man, he'll be fine. And before he was your friend, he was mine. If we try to fight in every revolution in the world, we'd never stop, where do we draw the line?"

Spencer shook his head. "So quick-witted."

Reader shrugged with a smile. "Alas, I admit it."

Spencer smiled as well, walking towards Dennis. "I bet you were quite a lawyer."

Dennis looked Ferrell up and down in confusion, taking a step back back. "My defendants got acquitted."

Spencer looked at his fingernails. "Yeah. Well, someone oughta remind you."

"What?" Reader challenged.

Spencer quickly hooked his staff under Reader's chin and pull him close so that they were practically nose-to-nose. "You're nothing with Beilschmidt behind you." Ferrell hissed.

"Reader." Beilschmidt's voice called from somewhere else in the room.

Ferrell's eyes widened in mock shock as he gasped, Reader's face flushing as the curly-haired brunette smiled. "Daddy's callin~"