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MARGUERITE
Mes amis - Thank you for sharing with me my last performance at The Comedie Francaise. And thank you to Citizen Chauvelin, who has so graciously allowed our theatre to remain open this spring. But now, I share with you my own storybook ending. Six weeks ago I met a tall and handsome "prince", and tonight he sweeps me away to England to be married. Sir Percival Blakeney! He is handsome, yes? Oh, I shall miss you all very much, but in my heart, how could I ever leave Paris?
PERCY
No, I can't! Oh, this is madness! No. This must stop. And now. The danger is too great. I will continue. I have every reason to, for if my wife and her brother die, my life: will be over. But that is not true for the rest of you, my:dear friends. I cannot- : I will not ask you to go forward with me in this reckless plan one moment longer. I insist that you:go home. Back to England. Tonight. As for Marguerite and Armand-: I will find a way-: I will-:
PERCY
Well done! I believe we have now tied up all our loose ends- No, wait! I'm forgetting one thing. Shovelynn- any "last words" from you? (PERCY stuffs a gag into CHAUVELIN's mouth.) No? No open confessions? Ah, but they will find you, old boy, carrying those infamous Swiss papers, and: (Slipping the ring onto Chauvelin's hand) wearing the ring of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Outright confessions are so much more efficient, don't you think? Boys- deliver our hero to the town square, will you? And hang a lovely sign about his neck: "God help me, I am the Scarlet Pimpernel!" (As most of the men carry CHAUVELIN out, laughing) Ozzy! Dewhurst! Break out the dorries- we sail for England!
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