TURN Review: The Little Things Start to Add Up in “Many Mickles Make a Muckle”

Working the Room

The social gala hosted by Benedict and Peggy proves to be a minefield of powers in action.  As soon as Washington arrives with Ben and Billy Lee, Arnold descends upon him, barely getting out an introduction before pushing to speak to him privately about his issues.  George disengages to go greet his wife, who has been speaking to whom she politely refers as “these upstanding young women,” as calling them out as “crude, drunken kids” would not suit a lady of her standing.  Arnold follows on George’s heels, pushing again for a conversation.

Joseph Reed enters, having “the stones” to show up, much to Benedict’s growing aggravation, prompting Washington to whisper to his wife, “This is going to be a long night.”  Reed later corners Washington:  “Rumor has it, sir, you’ve come about the money.”  When the General indicates he expects Reed’s support for this move, the latter pauses noticeably before changing the subject to Arnold, suggesting that his nemesis is trying to evade the proper channels by going to Washington directly to curry favor.  Reed wants to draw out the proceeding against Arnold so that he can gather as much damning evidence as possible:  “Every rock we overturn reveals new facts begging to be brought to light…I’d advise you to let this play out naturally, Sir.”

Washington is left struggling, dancing around Arnold’s court martial issue under the guise of wishing to remain impartial, trying to placate both sides.  However, his wife can see straight through that:  “The problem is that you wish to be liked.”  George cannot deny it; in the end, he seeks out Benedict and vows to speak to the other generals and “get this matter settled quickly; you will have your day before the board of inquiry.  It is the least that you are owed.”

Billy Lee excuses himself to deal with a wardrobe malfunction, and Tallmadge promises to keep an eye on His Excellency; however, it is Ben who could use the bodyguard when Peggy Shippen corners him and flutters her deceptively innocent eyes his way.  She knows from Arnold that Ben is in charge of Intelligence and would be the one who knows Culper’s name, so it can be no accident that she makes a preemptive move toward the Major while he quietly admires the beautiful items in their house.  She has her manipulation game on overdrive:  she flatters him and is careful to make connections between him and Arnold, claiming the General respects him and fancies the same play from which Ben quotes.  Then, she goes for the win:  “Are you alone, Major Tallmadge?  Pity.  Care to dance?”  What sweet, dutiful boy could not be sucked into her influence?  Ben declares himself “at [her] service.”

As if that weren’t enough, Ben falls into the clutches of the other host’s paranoia.  When Ben gushes thanks for being allowed to attend and compliments Arnold on all of his fine things, including the “lacquer-finished dance floor,” Arnold goes ballistic.  Having just endured the withering good-bye stare of Joseph Reed, Benedict automatically thinks Ben is suggesting more abuses of extravagance:  “…do you assume to know the content of my private ledgers as well?”  Taken aback, Ben can only stammer apologies as Arnold invites him to “leave at any time.”

Still, when the four key attendees take the center of that fancy floor, Billy Lee returns to Ben’s side.  Again, the topic of mickles and muckles arises, and Billy wisely notes, “It’s the things right in front of our eyes that get missed.”  As Ben watches Arnold dance round the others, a realization seems to break the horizon.

Perhaps this means the party’s finally over.