The Count of Monte Cristo
written by Jay Wolpert, from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Edmond Dantes: You see, I had the Audacity to beg the Count to allow me to give the birthday toast to Albert. I was so insistent and such as the graciousness of our host that he reluctantly gave up his fatherly right in order to accommodate a guest. Even one as boorish as myself. Young Albert has made for too much of the assistance I gave him in Rome. When I arrived in the catacombs I watched as the criminals who tied Albert to a wall and threatened to cut off his finger and send it to his father as evidence of his abduction. The boys reply to all this was, "Do your worst." Life is a storm my young friend, you will bask in the sunlight one moment be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into the storm as you shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst for I will do mine. Then the Fates will know you as we know you as Albert Mondego, the man.
Kudos and much thanks go to Roy for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.