ANDRE Alain, please… Don’t tell anyone….
 
Alain looked at his desperate friend. Andre was silent; he was not telling anything. But what kind of a love it was? Andre was following her to wherever she went, with his left blurry eye. Oscar was not a snob and bad commander, but she was a noble and Andre had no chance. Alain just wished that time would heal this love…
 
 
 It was raining heavily. But everyone had focused something else, they weren’t even feeling the rain. In the atrium, there was a swordfight between Oscar and Alain.
 
ALAIN Draw your sword… There is no way I can forgive you…
 
A few weeks ago, one of the men in Company B, LaSalle, had lost his rifle. Oscar had forced him to remember where the rifle was, but LaSalle did not tell anything. Oscar was suspicious about if he had sold the rifle. She realized her suspicion would be the truth when General Bouille told her that a gun belonged to her group was sold. She didn’t tell him name of LaSalle but also she was trying to find out a way out of this problem which would not hurt anyone. That evening, Alain came to her room. He was acting strange, more formal than usual. First he asked a question: “What if Andre says he wants to marry my sister?”. Andre was behind Alain. For a second he felt his heart stopped. Oscar was surprised with the question and she gave the most decent answer possible: “I don't know what you're talking about, but it's all up to Andre to feel that way and to do so”.
 
ALAIN Ha! I knew you'd say that. Hey, Andre, she doesn't care anything about you. You don't have to stand up for her.
 
ANDRE But Alain! I can't imagine that Oscar would do such a thing!
 
ALAIN Come outside, Miss Commander!
 
OSCAR What are you talking about?! If you want to say something, say it straight out!!
 
ALAIN LaSalle was arrested by the Military Police!
 
OSCAR What?!
 
ALAIN What a fabulous Commander. You sold out your own man!
 
At the end of the conversation, Alain had dragged Oscar to the atrium under the rain. Alain and Oscar had not been in such a condition. Maybe Alain had felt the love of Andre or he believed that Oscar was different. Whatever the reason was, he hadn’t done anything more sarcastic speeches. Andre was also helpless. He had known Oscar for years and he knew that she would not do that. However, if she hadn’t done, then who else… The doubt of one second made him feel guilty. It was Oscar, the one who suggested her life for saving his life…
 
Oscar drawed her sword. Alain was not listening or believing what she said. If it was the way to make him listen, she would do that. Absolutely, Alain was not a piece of cake for Oscar. He was talented and confident. For a second, everyone, including Oscar thought he won. But Alain had a bruise on his body versus the cut on Oscar’s arm. Oscar was the winner.
 
ALAIN I don't want to say this after I lost but... Please! Think a bit about a man who'll be shot just for selling his gun. To tell the truth, I've sold my gun as well. And it wasn't just once or twice! Unlike LaSalle, not in a way that the Military Police would find out. It's the same with all of us here.  Not only guns, but some even sold off  their uniforms! You know why?!  For a noble like you? We've all got families. Hungry brothers and sisters are waiting at home! Some of us save the meat and bread from the dinner here and hand them to the families on the visitor's days. Do you get it?! Even if we work, risking our lives, we can't feed our families!! So take that into consideration while your nobles play at being a soldier.
 
Nobody said anything, nor Oscar. While crowd went in, Oscar was left alone outside. These people were commoners and their biggest problem was feeding their families. Oscar was aware of poverty around but now, the poverty was solid, in front of her eyes. It was not a ‘told’ story anymore. A man, who’s life was her responsibility was about to die.
 
 
General Bouille had been a good friend of General Jarjayes for years. LaSalle was arrested by military police and General Bouille was the only person who could help Oscar. Letting him die, would not make her guilty only in the eyes of her men but she would accuse herself also. She did her best to persuade General Bouille.
 
 
Sun was about to set. Oscar was standing near the window and wishing better days for France. Warm sunlight was heating up the office when the door was knocked. It was Alain, first time after the duel. He had a smile on his face now, said “LaSalle came back”. It was Oscar who saved LaSalle. She was different from any noble he had met and absolutely any women he had known. She was not hiding behind the priorities of being aristocrat, but deserved what she got. Instead of isolating herself from France as many did, she was by their side. Andre was right, Oscar would never do such a thing. After a few joke, Alain left the office of “Commander”. She had deserved it.
 
Following the good news, Oscar wanted to see Andre. That night was his free night, so he could accompany during her visit to General Bouille for representing Company B. Bouille was in the Opera House that night. Oscar and Andre took a carriage with Jarjayes family’s symbol on it. Oscar wanted it to be a visit with manners. However, there had been some attacks to nobles in Paris in last few weeks and it was more dangerous to go with a gaudy carriage. While the carriage was going on the streets of Paris, angry commoners were watching it from the mobs. That carriage was everything they wanted to have and couldn’t. They thought beating whoever inside would make them feel better. In a sudden hundreds gathered together, surrounded the carriage and stopped it. They pulled over Oscar and Andre. While doing that they didn’t care about if they were noble or not. Both of them were helpless in this angry crowd, they had no chance to defend themselves. Oscar was trying to save Andre desperately: “Andre is not a noble”. But they didn’t mind her words. If a miracle does not occur, both would die…
 
 
A messenger came to General Bouille and told him the problem in the mobs. He should leave as soon as possible before the crowd came to Opera House. General Bouille turned to the Colonel who was sitting near him and ordered him to solve the problem. The messenger gave the details about the riot; nearly 200 armed people had attacked a carriage, the carriage had a crest of blue lion with sword. Colonel whispered: “Jarjayes family… Could it be Oscar?” That colonel was Fersen, the man who had swore to do his best to Oscar.
 
Oscar hadn’t stopped fighting. For a second, she found a way to escape but they caught her fast. She was lying on the floor unconsciously when the army came. Fersen was mad, he had seen her at last. He got over from his horse and carried her to a safe space. Oscar was still unconscious. Fersen was trying to understand her condition, he was shaking her shoulders:
 
FERSEN Oscar! Hang on, Oscar!
 
Oscar opened her eyes. She was not death and the face in front of her… Her eyes were blurry… She looked at carefully, it was Fersen. Where was she? What was Fersen doing there? It had been a long while, they hadn’t seen each other. The last time was before she attended Company B, in fact it was the reason. And that night… She had remembered everything; Andre was still in danger…
 


Choices:
FERSEN Good. At least you are safe…
FERSEN Oscar, listen me…