The Banquette

(Gameplay)

Player-controlled Actions and Effects are CAPITALIZED. Your PC is Élodie Bauchet.

Élodie is in her room at the house. She WEARS a stunning dress and is clearly on her way to something important. On her dressing table LIES a copy of the latest l’Ami du Peuple. If the player tries to GO OUT the door, Élodie SAYS:

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (DETERMINED)

I have forgotten something.

No.

There is something in this room I need.

No, I need it.

It is on my dressing table.

 

When the player finally PICKS up the copy, a CLOSE–UP of the paper is SHOWN. The date on the paper SAYS 17 May 1789.  Élodie MUMBLES to herself:

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SLIGHTLY ANNOYED)

Why must they encipher all their messages? Where is… ah, I got it.

 

A paper with HOLES CUT OUT and a brief EXPLANATION on it is PLACED ON the paper and the player must MOVE it until Élodie SAYS:

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (DETERMINED)

This is the one I must assassinate. Let me write it down.

 

A piece of paper APPEARS and with an invisible pen, the name Fabian Bayon: Tuileries is WRITTEN.

(Cinematic)

Through the door STORMS Marielle and her chambermaid:

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (AERIAL)

Élodie, I need…

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (ANNOYED)

What, mother, what do you need?

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (DISTRACTED)

The, um, the – I don’t know. Don’t bother; we need to get going anyways. I’ll send Abigail when I remember what I needed.

 

Élodie, her mother and Abigail STEP OUT of the house and INTO a carriage. It TAKES them to the Tuileries.

(Gameplay)

Player-controlled Actions and Effects are CAPITALIZED. Your PC is Élodie Bauchet.

When they ARRIVE at the ballroom in the Tuileries, Élodie must GET AWAY from her mother and the noblemen who try to COURT her and then LOCALIZE her target. Océane HELPS her with that, by TELLING Élodie’s mother that she and Élodie have to TALK; Océane needs her help with something important.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (MISCHIEVOUS)

Marielle, I need to speak with Élodie so I’ll just borrow her, oui?

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (FONDLY)

Mais oui. But don’t let her leave; there are plenty of men I’d like her to meet.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (WHISPERING, GRATEFUL)

Thank you.

 

Marielle DISAPPEARS in the crowd.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SERIOUS)

Océane, I need to talk to you about something.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (NORMAL)

Make it quick. I’ve promised Rousset du Pierpont a dance.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SERIOUS)

I need to know who killed my father.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (OFFENDED)

And you think I would know? Really, Élodie!

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (EXPLAINING)

You always know the latest gossip and you socialize with both noblemen and the working class. What do they say about my father’s death?

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (NORMAL)

As you know, the king and the noblemen rule France. The working classes complain about the bread prices. Rebel groups have already started with riots and demonstrations to show their discontent.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (QUIZZICAL)

What has that got to do with my father’s death?

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (NORMAL)

The ones who planned your father’s murder obviously have some sort of power; find out if the rebels or the noblemen did it.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (QUIZZICAL)

Then what do you suggest I should do?

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (NORMAL)

To find out which one of the groups murdered your father you must first gain their trust. This will mean that you will have to ally yourself with either one of the groups to gather evidence. Which one doesn’t matter. If you stir the pot something will always float to the surface. Was it the rebels or the noblemen? Now, may I leave? du Pierpont seems to be bored and I don’t want him to leave just yet.

(A)ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (ABSENTLY)

I think it might be the rebels… You do that, I have something I need to do too…

(B)ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (ABSENTLY)

I think it might be the noblemen… You do that, I have something I need to do too…

 

[Quick note: The player can choose dialogue options (A) Rebels or (B) Noblemen. The choice the player makes here will have consequences later in the game.]

The player choose option (B) Noblemen. Océane LEAVES Élodie and WALKS to du Pierpont. He BOWS for her and they start DANCING. When Élodie finally gets away from the pesky noblemen, the player must SOCIALIZE, INTERACT with the NPCs and GATHER INFORMATION from them.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (INQUIRING)

What a lovely party. By the way, have you seen Fabian Bayon? I have a message for him…

PARTY GUEST: (HAPPY)

No, not today. I’m sure he is around here somewhere. He’d never miss such a party!

 

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (INQUIRING)

Excuse me, could you tell me where I could find monsieur Bayon?

PARTY GUEST: (SURPRISED)

Ah non. I haven’t seen him today.

 

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (INQUIRING)

I am looking for a monsieur Bayon, Fabian Bayon? He told me he would be here.

PARTY GUEST: (DISMISSIVELY AND LAUGHING)

He is probably in his apartment. Silly me, I have forgotten where he lives!

 

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (INQUIRING)

Do you know Fabian Bayon?

PARTY GUEST: (HELPFUL)

Oui, his apartment is somewhere in the west wing, not far from here. Good luck finding him!

 

After she’s TALKED to some of the guests, her mother APPEARS and DRAGS her towards a handsome man.

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (COQUETTISH)

Monsieur Laroque, what a pleasure to meet you again! How was your journey to… where were you going again?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (WARM BUT A BIT CONDESCENDING)

Marielle, how nice to see you. I went to Spain, but it was a true disappointment. Never been to a more boring country. I heard about your husband, my condolences. How are you my dear?

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (COQUETTISH)

I don’t think you have met my daughter. Élodie, this is monsieur Laroque, an old friend of my family.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (FLIRTATIOUS)

Enchanté. Marielle, why have you kept your daughter from me? She is gorgeous. But please, call me Marceau.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (VIGILANTLY)

Bonjour, monsieur.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (CHARMING)

Would you join me for a quick dance?

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (ENTHUSIASTIC)

She’d love to!

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (IGNORING MARIELLE, SMILING)

Élodie, what do you say?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (HESITANT)

Well…

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (GLADLY)

Don’t be shy! Come on, shoo!

 

Marceau takes a firm GRIP on Élodie’s waist and she GIVES him her hand cautiously. They DANCE slowly to a waltz. The player must STEER the couple and make sure they don’t BUMP into anyone or anything. They can TWIRL and ACCELERATE.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (ANNOYED)

I really don’t have time to dance.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (AMUSED)

What’s the rush?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (EAGER)

I need to find Fabian Bayon. I… have an important message for him.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (KEEN)

I know where he has his apartment. May I escort you to him?

          ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SHORTLY)

No.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (CURIOUS)

Tell me why.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (IRRITATED)

It’s none of your business.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (INTRIGUED)

Now I really want to know why you would meet a sleazebag like Fabian.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SMILING)

Just to get away from all the other sleazebags, perhaps?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (LAUGHING)

Fine, I’ll just guide you to him, but promise to save another dance for me.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (BEAMING)

Thank you!

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (POINTS IN A DIRECTION)

Just go through that corridor and take to the left. You better hurry, he likes lady company and I think someone is already on her way.

 

At last, Élodie will know where Fabian Bayon is LOCATED and know that he just SENT after a courtesan. She will be SENT to his apartment in the Tuileries with two wineglasses and a bottle of red wine. The player must LURE the courtesan into a room, KNOCK her unconscious, STEAL the tray and then PERSONATE as a courtesan. For her target S/he must FIGHT a couple of guards or they will ALERT other guards and Élodie will fail the mission. When she has MURDERED Fabian Bayon, she breaks down and cries.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SOBBING)

I never wanted this. I just needed father to be proud of me.

 

It takes a while for her to calm down and still sobbing, she automatically SEARCHS through Fabian Bayon’s room and his clothes. She will FIND two torn-out pages from l’Ami du Peuple and a decoder: a paper with holes cut out.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (AMAZED)

This looks like my decoder. Wonder if it works the same way…

 

Fabian Bayon’s decoder is PLACED ON the paper and the player must MOVE it until Élodie SAYS:

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SHOCKED)

A-M-A-U-R-Y B-A-U-C-H-E-T. Amaury Bauchet! My father!

 

Frantically, she picks up the next page and uses the decoder on that one. It is PLACED ON the paper and the player must MOVE it until Élodie SAYS:

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SHOCKED)

B-A-R-O-N D-E S-O-L-A-G-E. Baron De Solage? Who is he? And why… No, I must return to the banquette. I will figure this out later.

 

The cryptic message which MENTIONS her father and Baron De Solage cleared her head. Before she leaves the room, she makes sure her face bears no sign of the tears. Now, she must FIND OUT who this mysterious De Solage is and why he is MENTIONED together with her father. The guests will SAY that they never HEARD the name before, but Guillaume, Océane and Marceau knows that Baron De Solage is in the Bastille, accused for incest. When Élodie ENTERS the banquette room again, Guillaume Douay and an older man, presumably his father, APPEARS in the crowd.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (HEARTILY)

It’s nice to see you again, Guillaume. How have you been?

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (EARNEST)

Good, good. I heard about your father. My condolences to you and your mother.

MONSIEUR DOUAY: (INTERESTED)

So you are the young lady my Guillaume rescued? He hasn’t spoken about anything else for the last couple of weeks.

 

Marceau joins them.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (CHEERFUL)

Monsieurs Douay! How’s business? And what about my own little project, l’Ami du Peuple? Is it selling well?

  MONSIEUR DOUAY: (HESITANT)

Well…

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (LAUGHING)

I didn’t think so either. Perhaps the people will learn to appreciate it someday. I want you to print it anyway; it might entertain someone at least…

MONSIEUR DOUAY: (GRATEFUL)

Thank you sir. Your paper is one of the reasons we can afford to still be in business.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (SMILING)

What would I do without the paper; my wife would have liked it. It keeps me from doing things I might regret.

MONSIEUR DOUAY: (PUZZLED)

I don’t follow you sir.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (SMILING)

Think naught of it. Just nostalgic. Well, I must leave you now. Élodie, Guillaume, Monsieur Douay. Pleased to meet you all.

 

Marceau leaves them and Marielle joins them.

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (COQUETTISH)

Élodie, I don’t think I have met your friends before. Do introduce me.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (NEUTRAL)

Guillaume, monsieur Douay, this is my mother, Marielle Bauchet.

MONSIEUR DOUAY: (CHARMED)

A pleasure to meet you my lady. For a second I could’ve sworn that you were Élodie’s sister. Would you care to join us for lunch someday?

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (FLATTERED)

Of course, it would be my pleasure. Now, you must excuse me. I need to talk to my daughter.

MONSIEUR DOUAY: (RESOLUTE)

I’ll see you soon then. Au revoir!

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (SWEETLY)

Au revoir!

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (NEUTRAL)

Au revoir!

 

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (CHIDING)

Where have you been? There are plenty of men here who I want you to meet. Rousset du Pierpont is that handsome man over there. I heard he’s quite good in bed…

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (TESTILY)

Mother!

MARIELLE BAUCHET: (FIRM)

It’s time for us to think about your future. We aren’t as wealthy as we used to be and I won’t let my daughter be another beggar in this town!

(1)ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COMPLACENT)

That will never happen. I owe monsieur Laroque a dance, so excuse me…

(2)ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COMPLACENT)

That will never happen. Excuse me; I need to talk to Océane…

(3)ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COMPLACENT)

That will never happen. Excuse me; there is someone I need to talk to.

 

The Player has three choices here: s/he player can LOOK for Marceau Laroque and FIND him SURROUNDED by a bunch of flirtatious women, from age 20 to 50. Or FIND Océane in the crowd around Marceau and TALK to her. The player can also FIND Guillaume, jealously STARING at Marceau from the other end of the room. To be able to LEAVE the banquette, the player must TALK with Océane.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COURAGEOUS)

I promised you a dance, didn’t I?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (SMILING)

So, may I?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COURAGEOUS)

Of course.

 

They DANCE together again, and the player shall STEER the couple and make sure they don’t BUMP into anyone or anything. They can TWIRL and ACCELERATE.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COURAGEOUS)

Tell me, how do you know my father?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (SMILING)

We did some business together. He was an excellent negotiator.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (DISTRACTED)

He taught me well.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (SUSPICIOUS)

What did you say?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (TAKEN ABACK)

Nothing, nothing… What do you know about Baron de Solage?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (ABSENT–MINDED)

Isn’t he the one who they accused for incest? I believe he is in the Bastille now.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (THOUGHTFUL)

Do you think they’ll allow me to visit him?

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (AGHAST)

Why would you want that? The man is a b*****d, even if he didn’t commit incest.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (DEFENSIVE)

He may help me with some questions I have.

MARCEAU LAROQUE: (ANNOYED)

Good luck with that.

 

The orchestra STOPS playing and Élodie CURTSIES for Marceau, who instinctively BOWS for her. The player can ASK for another dance, or FIND someone else to talk to.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (COURAGEOUS)

Would you like to dance?

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (EARNEST AND EAGER)

Of course!

 

They DANCE together, and the player shall STEER the couple and make sure they don’t BUMP into anyone or anything. They can TWIRL and ACCELERATE.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (CURIOUS)

Tell me, why haven’t I seen you at similar events?

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (A BIT EMBARRASSED)

It was my father’s idea, actually. We always get invitations but neither of us is interested in these… banquettes. He thinks it’s time for me to settle down so he can finally have grandchildren and figured that it would be easier for me to maybe find someone here.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (BLUSHING)

Oh…

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (EMBARRASSED)

I–I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. It’s just… I’m sorry.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (BLUSHING)

Don’t be. My mother expects the same from me, but… it is too complicated. Let’s talk about something else.

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (UNCOMFORTABLE)

Have you heard about Baron de Solage? Apparently, his wife found him in bed with his younger cousin and now he is locked away in the Bastille.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (INTERESTED)

Why?

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (UNCOMFORTABLE)

He committed incest and adultery.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (SHOCKED)

No!

GUILLAUME DOUAY: (GLAD)

Well, it’s true.

 

The music silences. They bow and curtsies for each other. Guillaume returns to his corner, a bit happier.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (BUBBLY)

Having fun?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (NEUTRAL)

Not really. Could you help me with something?

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (BUBBLY)

Sure! There aren’t enough good–looking men in this crowd. I’m a bit bored.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (NEUTRAL)

I need to know about a baron de Solage.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (BUBBLY)

That is easy. He’s in the Bastille, something about adultery and a cousin of his he’d been bonking.

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (HORRIFIED)

Océane!

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (UNTOUCHED)

What? You wanted to know, didn’t you?

ÉLODIE BAUCHET: (HORRIFIED)

I don’t need to know what he’d done, just where he is now! But thank you.

OCÉANE BEDEAU: (UNTOUCHED)

No problem.

 

Whenever the player wants, s/he can LEAVE the banquette now.

(Cinematic)

When Élodie is about to LEAVE the banquette, someone has FOUND Fabian Bayon and his courtesan dead in his apartment. In the turmoil, Élodie DISAPPEARS unnoticed.