Carol Vanderveer Hamilton

Note, below, the red hair of the following four Revolutionary figures (all of whom are characters in the screenplay).

GATES
Sit down, young man. You look tired.
ALEX
Thank you, General.
GATES
Let's have some brandy, shall we?
An orderly pours drinks.
GATES
(unpleasantly)
To what do I owe this honor?
ALEX
I brought a letter from His Excellency.
He produces the letter. GATES reads it. Becomes annoyed.
GATES
He sends a boy like you to negotiate with me? How old are you — sixteen?
ALEX
General, with your victory at Saratoga, you have secured this part of the country. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we're not so fortunate. If we don't have more battalions, the British will overwhelm us.
GATES
Well, I can't spare them. The British could march up from New York and attack us here. I need every man jack.
ALEX stands and begins to pace.
ALEX
I'm sorry, but we need those troops more than you do.
GATES glares at him. ALEX adds:
ALEX
Sir.
GATES
Now listen here. You are talking to a man who studied at military academies. Can your precious Washington make the same boast? No, he cannot. You are talking to a veteran of the French and Indian War--which took place before you were even born.
ALEX
I mean no disrespect to your experience, General. But if you saw our circumstances, you would understand. Our men go shoeless. They wear tattered clothing. They haven't been paid and they don't have enough to eat. Desertion is common. Winter is coming. If we do not have fresh troops, I tell you, we will lose the war.
ALEX snatches up a piece of paper and a pen from a table.
ALEX
General, let me draw you a map. General Howe's troops are here...
INT. GATES' HEADQUARTERS -- LATER
From the clock we see that hours have passed.
GATES
You are a persistent fellow. I've never seen the like. I will give you General Patterson's brigade.
ALEX
We need two brigades, General.
GATES
That's all I'll give you, and it's only because you've browbeat me all evening. Now go to bed. I'm amazed that you're still on your feet.
EXT. GATES' HEADQUARTERS -- MORNING
ALEX rides up on horseback to the porch, where GATES stands, drinking from a cup. ALEX is furious.
ALEX
General, what is the meaning of this? I've just been to inspect Patterson's brigade. It's the weakest you have.
GATES
How dare you speak to me like that—
ALEX
General, this is a time of national emergency. I am authorized to speak my mind, and I will do so, sir.
GATES
You are impudent, sir.
ALEX
And you, sir, are obstinate.