After a long night of heavy partying the founding fathers came home. Jefferson was shooting his gun in the air while Hamilton was playing with his colt. Franklin tried to pick off a squirrel in the dark, but he missed the little critter by a mile.

After arriving home they sat around the fire drinking wine, wondering what to do next.

“So Thomas,” said Franklin,” I’m a bit hot do you mind if I take of my coat.”

“Take of your coat Ben?’ said Jefferson. “I’m sure I don’t know what your thinking. After all our nation might still be young, but we have standards.”

“I thought we were still determining what our standards are,” said John Hancock. “Aren’t we supposed to finish that “second amendment” tomorrow?”

There was a collective groan from the other men.

“How far did you get with it so far Jefferson?” Hamilton wanted to know.

“Well so far I’ve written a bit about militias. It reads: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State…”

“Go on,” said Hancock

“Well that’s kind of it” Jefferson replied.

“But that’s not even a sentence!” said Franklin. “Shouldn’t it say something about what their purpose is or how they should be regulated?”

“I was trying to do that,” said Jefferson, “but you know that whole ablative conjunction is complicated. In truth I don’t really know which way I want to go with this.”

“How about: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State should not be prohibited?” said Hancock.

“I never liked the word prohibited” said Hamilton. “How about: People have the right to form militias to guarantee the security of our free nation.”

“I kind of like what I wrote,” Jefferson sulked.

“Listen Jefferson you can write what you want for all I care but please let me take of my coat I’m burning up in here,” Benjamin complained.

“If I let you guys take off your coats can we then leave my amendment as is?” Jefferson queried.

The guys looked at each other and nodded then started taking of their coats.

“You have your shirt-sleeves rolled up Benjamin” roared Hancock. “That’s patently indecent.”

“Don’t think I’ll get a patent for that just yet,” Franklin Quipped. “Don’t make a big thing out of it, we’re fighting a war aren’t we. Shouldn’t we be fighting for something.”

“What? For being allowed to sit around with our coats off?” Hamilton cried out incredulously.

“Exactly,” said Franklin. “This modern attire is making me sweat. It’s after all much hotter here than I was used to in England.”

“You’re right,” said Jefferson, “I’m sick and tired of these wigs too. They make my head itch.”

“Maybe we should just focus on not wearing coats,” said Hamilton. “I think we would be able to pass a “second amendment” such as that.”

“How about: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, dress optional.” said Hancock.

“That’s to ambiguous,” Benjamin objected, “How about it Jefferson, you are the one here who can turn a phrase?”

“I have just the thing,” said Jefferson, “How about: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep their arms bare shall not be infringed.”

The boys looked at each other then nodded. Jefferson had done it again.

“Have William Lambert come over and dictate it to him, won’t you Thomas?” said Hamilton as he heavily made his way upstairs.

“Sure thing Alex,” said Jefferson. “I’ll fix this puppy and then I’ll drop dead. Glad we got that amendment sorted out.”

Hancock helped Benjamin to his bedroom.

“A spell checker,” Benjamin said. “It’s an idea for a new invention. I’ll start work on it tomorrow.”

“What for,” said Hancock, “Who cares about spelling. All that matters is saying it big. By the way do you know that you’re skin is really soft….” The sound of Hancock’s voice melted away as he closed Ben’s bedroom door behind them.

William Lambert came in, swaying slightly. He had also been at the party.

“Grab a pen Lambert” Jefferson said. “We have history to write.”

Lambert sat down and grabbed his quill in his trembling hand. “Dictate away boss, I’m sure they’ll quote these words in perpetuity.”

“I sure hope not,” said Jefferson. And gulped down the last of his wine.

“Well here we go again: A well regulated Militia…”

William had trouble keeping his eyes open as he wrote. He managed to get it down in one. He looked up to read it back to Jefferson but he saw Thomas had already fallen asleep. He got up and slipped out of the door quietly taking the amendment with him. He would drop it of at the conference later.

“The second amendment to the constitution of the United states of America,” he thought. He felt it was a proud day for America. He rolled up his sleeves as he strolled down the lane secure in his constitutional rights.