Scene 7.04 - Treachery
EST: The Trident Bar, Havana, Cuba - January 11th, 1799
(LARRY is tanked. He thought he was next in line for promotion. He thought kissing his boss' butt for years would make him the ideal man for the job. He thought wrong. His head is horizontal with the up-ended shot glasses on the table. MOE enters. MOE is sober. He thought MONTY would remain a pauper shipmate and MISTY would wi$e-up and ditch MONTY to marry him since he's heir to Papa's estate and she could marry him and she could be loaded. He thought cash buys love. He also thought wrong.)
LARRY
I suppose you've come to gloat, on behalf of your friend.
MOE
(Sits, pours a mug from a half-emptied pitcher.) I'm here on behalf of myself, and he's not my friend. Secrets don't keep friends.
LARRY
Oh?
MOE
He took a bribe from Noriega -- (Reaction-) -- or something, I saw him give something to Monty up on the hill when we were busy carting Greenback to the boat.
LARRY
Really? Any idea what it was?
MOE
Wallet-sized. Does it matter? He bartered a trade to get the port added to our shipping route so Lord Jack would make him captain of the Mary. Devious and completely self-serving. Consorting with prison officials is one thing, receiving something in secret from a traitor to our country, that's another thing entirely.
LARRY
We could tell Jacques; he might change his mind about making Monty the captain.
MOE
No, he probably won't. Lord Jack loves Monty, he's blind to what we see clearly. What we know is true. What I saw.
LARRY
We can't let Monty step over us -- he's dealing with outlaws and getting promoted, we're honest men and we get punished, he shouldn't just get away with it. Surely the law could see that -- in turning him in, we would be... patriotic-
MOE
Being a nobleman, I know better. They need more than just our word. (Pause, blazes up. They share.) Yet, I meet others like me; hungry, ambitious and young-enough to know how to seize an opportunity. (Beat.) I know a law man -- at least, I've once met a local man of means who holds a state job, one that requires him to uphold the law. I'm sure he would listen to me, we met at Viscount DeVargos' birthday ball four years ago, and he is shrewd. Do you know of the Winnebego family in town?
LARRY
No.
MOE
Old money. My family is fresh-off-the-boat compared to his. We're richer, but his family is more politically-entangled; I'm sure he would be seriously interested in knowing about Monty's possibly-treasonous actions. They'll investigate a bribe. Although I doubt our charge of treason will stick, we can submit it confidentially; the law will safeguard our device; our role in this. Monty will surely admit to receiving it, and he'll be jailed for a day, at least; all while he seeks my family's legal help. He'll fess up; I know it.
LARRY
Yes. Yes! He's soft; he'll sing like a canary. If he admits to receiving a payment, Jacques is sure to fire him, he'll be shamed, untrustworthy. He'll be lucky to find any work at port. Jacques will have to make me captain. When shall we see him?
MOE
I'll see him. Go back to the shipyard and get rested up. You're seeing Lord Bennie tomorrow about the next run, Captain Bling.
LARRY
Yes, Jacques will pay for passing me over like he did. If he thinks Greenback robbed him, he'll soon see what I can do with the numbers... Yes -- but wait a minute -- I get the job and get my just desserts; but what's really in it for you? Why are you being such a turncoat all of a sudden? He was your best friend a few minutes ago. This ain't a trick is it? What are you really after?
MOE
I get a job out of it, too. Let's just say our goals and means are in league, but my reward from all this will be more... fragile.
LARRY
(Gets it. Smiles:) Ah, you are a sly dog, Money. He will be freed with your help and forever-begging for your handouts -- shaming himself further in his lady's eyes; enabling you. He'll praise your friendship and eat your scraps as you caress his weeping wife.
MOE
Fiancée. They haven't married yet. If we keep our matter strictly between us and all goes as it should, they never will.
FTB