Leslie Odom Jr.
Your Obedient Servant (2014 Workshop)
[BURR]
How does an arrogant
Insolent, immigrant, orphan
Bastard, whoreson
Somehow endorse
An aristocratic southern adversary
Impossibly connected
And keep me from being elected?
I wanna be in the room where it happens—
[BURR AND COMPANY]
The room where it happens
The room where it happens
[BURR]
You’ve kept me from—
[BURR AND COMPANY]
The room where it happens
[BURR]
For the last time
Dear Alexander:
I submit for your immediate perusal
A letter from a Doctor Charles Cooper
Who was kind enough to give me his approval
To reprint a letter that he sent in confidence
He claims that on numerous occasions
You have called me "a dangerous man"
Furthermore I "ought not be trusted with the reins of government"
Obviously such an accusation must be met with either an immediate acknowledgement or disavowal
Now! Are you capable of such a thing?
I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant,
A dot Burr
[HAMILTON]
Dear Mr. Burr:
I've reflected on the letter I received from you
On the afternoon of June 18th
And I'm afraid that I cannot provide you
With the kind of answer that you're looking for
The phrase "numerous occasions"
In place of actual situations
Conveys infinite shades
It's way too vague a phrase to pin to serious allegations
[BURR]
What?
[HAMILTON]
Listen now; how am I to disavow
Something so unspecific?
"Dangerous with the reigns of government," wow
Surely I said something less banal
Be realistic now
I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant,
A dot Ham
[BURR]
Careful how you proceed, young man
Intemperate indeed, young man
Answer for the accusations I lay at your feet or
Prepare to bleed, young man
[HAMILTON]
No. You know what? I don't like your tone
Lay it at my feet, I'll kick it down the road
Sorry if your life is difficult without your wife
You'll have to be more specific though
[BURR]
How's this for specific, Alexander?
Weehawken. Dawn.
Guns. Drawn.
[HAMILTON]
You’re on.
[BURR AND HAMILTON]
I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant,
[HAMILTON]
A dot Ham
[BURR]
A dot Burr