This is an excerpt from a completed screenplay.
"Dark Renaissance" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. HILL CREST - DAY
A dozen gleaming bronze cannons, attended by SOLDIERS in
black uniforms. An OFFICER brings his sword down. BOOOOM!
Flames and smoke erupt from the cannons.
EXT. TOWN - DAY
The narrow streets are jammed with weary SOLDIERS in green
uniforms. The WHISTLE of incoming cannonballs make the
Soldiers looks up in alarm.
INT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Dark, dirty, filled with wounded, moaning SOLDIERS waiting
their turn under the knife. EXPLOSIONS rock the building,
dust falls from the ceiling, the Soldiers cough and choke.
The blood-spattered SURGEON works on a gasping PATIENT who
is held down by two strong ASSISTANTS. Blood spurts. The
Patient shudders and lets out his final breath.
SURGEON
Take him away. Bring the next
one.
The Assistants carry the dead Patient away. The Surgeon
signals to a YOUNG BOY who hurries forward with a wooden
stool. The Boy climbs onto the stool, undoes his flies,
and pisses over the Surgeon's bloody hands.
The Assistants return carrying an unconscious SOLDIER whose
head is swathed in bloody bandages.
SURGEON
No, no no! How often must I tell
you, no head wounds! It's hopeless.
Put him with the others. He's in
God's hands now.
The Assistants carry Head-wound Soldier away.
INT. DARK, SHUTTERED ROOM - DAY
FIVE SOLDIERS lie on the floor, wounded, dying. The
Assistants carry Head-wound Soldier inside.
ASSISTANT #1
Poor buggers. Left here to die.
They dump Head-wound Soldier as if he's a sack of potatoes.
Assistant #1 keeps watch at the door while Assistant #2
goes through Head-wound Soldier's pockets.
ASSISTANT #2
Not much here. Cheap bastard.
They exit, closing the door. Seconds pass.
Head-wound Soldier pushes himself up onto his elbow and
looks around, confused. He stands up, sways, staggers to
the window. He throws the shutters open wide. Sunlight
dazzles him, he throws his arm over his eyes.
The sunbeams touch two dying Soldiers. Ghostly spirits
rise out of their bodies and travel up the sunbeams.
Seeing this, Head-wound Soldier crosses himself.
A third dying Soldier SCREAMS and claws at the air as if
he's being attacked. He shudders and dies, his terrified
expression etched into his face for eternity.
Head-wound Soldier unravels his bloody head bandage, lets
it fall to the floor. He kneels, bows his head, clasps
his hands, and prays.
EXT. VILLA - NIGHT
Light spills from windows, illuminating a uniformed GUARD
carrying a spear, who patrols the gardens.
Behind him, unseen, three MEN dressed all in black climb
over the wall and drop silently into bushes.
The Guard stops. Listens. Frowns. A second later he's
dead, a thrown KNIFE sticking out of his throat!
The three Men run past his body, toward the villa.
INT. VILLA STUDY - NIGHT
A distinguished-looking NOBLEMAN sits at his desk reading
papers. He looks up -- did he just hear something?
The study door swings open. The Nobleman GASPS and reaches
into a desk drawer for a flintlock pistol. A thrown KNIFE
splits his heart! He collapses over his desk, dead.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Crimson sunset paints the sky.
A COACH thunders along the road, its six horses frothing.
EXT. ALLEYWAY ENTRANCE - DAY
A pretty girl with too much makeup, MANUELLA, wearing a
purple and yellow striped dress, is approached by a TALL
MAN wearing black cloak and hat that hides his features.
His gloved hand opens, revealing coins. Manuella's eyes
widen with greed. She checks no one is looking, snatches
the coins, takes his hand and leads him into the alleyway.
A secluded spot. She unties her bodice, pulls it open.
Her ripe young melons bounce in the blood-red sunset. She
smiles at her customer, offering herself to him.
Her smile changes to terror in an instant. She opens her
mouth to scream -- his gloved hand covers her face, thrusts
her back against the wall. THUD! A sickening impact.
Manualla's eyes roll and she slides down the wall, leaving
a smear of blood.
The gloved hand reaches beneath the black cloak, and pulls
out a surgeon's saw.
EXT. FOUNTAIN SQUARE - DAY
Cobblestones and lemon trees. A pouting mermaid statue
perches atop a dry fountain in the middle of the square.
On one side of the square, the MERMAID TAVERNA, a hotel.
On the other side, behind a high iron fence, a cemetery.
Three young gentlemen lurk among trees near the cemetery
gate. NICCOLO, serious, their leader. POGGIO, cool and
casual. ALFONSO, anxious and sweating.
ALFONSO
It's getting late.
Poggio inspects his fingernails.
POGGIO
There's plenty of time till curfew.
ALFONSO
We must begone before the City
Guard comes.
NICCOLO
Have patience, Alfonso.
Alfonso glances at the sea of tombstones behind them.
ALFONSO
I've heard people say they've seen
ghosts moving about in there.
Lost souls, doomed to wander the
earth--
POGGIO
Shhh!
Three SOLDIERS appear through an archway. They stagger a
little, laughing and slapping each other on the back.
ALFONSO
They might report us to the City
Guard. To Sergenté Figlio.
POGGIO
If you keep your trap shut, they
won't even know we're here.
A Soldier sits down on the fountain wall, pulls off his
boot, shakes it to get rid of a stone.
A CLATTER of hooves and wheels as the coach pulls into the
square. It stops in front of the Mermaid Taverna. The
DRIVER climbs down, opens the door.
DRIVER
Florenz! Welcome to Florenz!
A huge MAN flies out of the coach and lands face-down in
the dust! THE PASSENGER is very overweight and very drunk.
The Soldiers gape and point. The Passenger groans and
tries to push himself up, but flops back down.
POGGIO
What's going on?
NICCOLO
He fell out of the coach. Looks
like somebody's been drinking.
Soldier #1 tries to help the Passenger up. The Passenger
pushes him away. Soldier #1 angrily kicks The Passenger,
who moans. The Driver tries to intervene but Soldier #1
draws his sword. The Driver backs off.
ALFONSO
Virgin Mother, they're going to
kill him!
POGGIO
Not our problem.
The other two Soldiers lift The Passenger up. Soldier #1
draws circles in the air with his sword. The Driver tries
to intervene again but Soldier #1 chases him away.
Alfonso nervously looks around. He takes a step closer to
Niccolo and lifts his hand as if to touch his shoulder--
Abruptly Alfonso turns and runs down an alleyway at full
speed. Niccolo is surprised, Poggio is disgusted.
POGGIO
We're better off without that
coward. Why did you bring him
anyway?
NICCOLO
He hates Di Castellano as much as
we do.
POGGIO
I truly doubt that.
Niccolo takes a step forward but Poggio grabs his arm.
POGGIO
This isn't why we're here.
NICCOLO
They're going to cut him up. You
ought to remember how that feels.
Poggio touches a livid pink scar that runs down his face.
POGGIO
Yes I do, thank you. You're a
good and brave man, Niccolo, which
is why I count myself lucky to be
numbered among your friends. But
there are times when wisdom and
prudence must overrule the heart.
NICCOLO
Damn you, Poggio--
A handsome YOUNG MAN emerges from the coach. We shall
know him as PIETRO SFORZA. He jumps down lightly, draws
his sword and engages Soldier #1 whose sword spins into
the fountain.
SFORZA
I should be obliged if you would
unhand my friend. He is a little
worse for drink, I fear.
The Soldiers drop The Passenger, draw their swords and
attack Sforza. He parries and stabs their arms. They
drop their swords and stagger back.
SFORZA
Pick up your toothpicks and go.
The Soldiers snatch up their swords and run away. Sforza
pulls out a handkerchief, wipes his sword clean, slips it
back into his scabbard.
NICCOLO
Did you see that? He could just
as easily have killed them.
POGGIO
He looks younger than I expected.
NICCOLO
That's what clean living will do
for you. You ought to try it
sometime.
They cross the Square. Sforza kneels and tries to stir
The Passenger but it's no good, he's out cold, SNORING.
Sforza looks up as Niccolo and Poggio approach.
NICCOLO
Signor, I am Niccolo De Aqua.
This is my friend, Poggio Di Medici.
Allow us to assist you, please.
SFORZA
I should be most grateful.
Poggio nudges Niccolo. Four CITY GUARDSMEN are about to
enter the Square.
NICCOLO
We should go inside. The curfew
is strictly enforced.
Between them they lift The Passenger and carry him into
the Mermaid Taverna.
INT. MERMAID TAVERNA COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
Tables and chairs, a stone fireplace. Stairs go up to
guest rooms, a door leads into the kitchen.
Niccolo and friends squeeze inside and sit The Passenger
down in a chair. The old innkeeper, VITO BARCA, greets
Niccolo warmly.
VITO BARCA
Signor De Aqua, always a pleasure.
He glances at Poggio and his pleasure turns sour.
NICCOLO
My friends from out of town seek
lodging for the night, Vito.
VITO BARCA
For friends of Signor De Aqua,
only ten lire for each room.
NICCOLO
I shall pay you now.
Niccolo opens his purse.
SFORZA
I'm afraid I can't allow that.
NICCOLO
I'm afraid I must insist. I cannot
have you thinking that Florenz is
populated by uncouth savages.
They smile. Sforza bows.
SFORZA
I accept your most gracious
hospitality.
NICCOLO
Vito, can you see that our friend
gets to his room?
Barca claps his hands and shouts. His THREE SONS come
downstairs, all big strong teenage boys.
VITO BARCA
Take this man to the empty front
room. Be careful!
They heave The Passenger up and stagger toward the stairs.
VITO BARCA
They'll see to him, never worry.
Do you wish supper, Signor De Aqua?
NICCOLO
Thank you, Vito.
Money changes hands, Barca exits to the Kitchen.
POGGIO
Don't we need a room too?
NICCOLO
I think if I ask very nicely, Signor
Barca will allow us to sleep down
here tonight.
POGGIO
Such luxury.
NICCOLO
If you hadn't dueled with his nephew
last year--
POGGIO
It wasn't my fault.
NICCOLO
You cut off his ear!
POGGIO
I apologized, what more do you
want? Must we stay here?
NICCOLO
You'd rather spend a night in the
cells?
(to Sforza)
Your arrival in Florenz was an
eventful one, Signor. I compliment
you on your mastery of the blade.
SFORZA
It was a nothing. These fools had
drunk too much wine.
NICCOLO
You weren't to know that. Which
makes your deed a brave one.
POGGIO
The coach was late tonight.
SFORZA
We were stopped outside the city.
Barca brings a bottle and TWO glasses. He exits. Niccolo
pours, offers a glass to Sforza. They salute each other
and drink. Niccolo enjoys Poggio's envious look.
NICCOLO
Stopped?
SFORZA
By men wearing uniforms just like
these.
Sforza indicates the Guardsmen passing through the Square.
POGGIO
The City Guard stopped you? Why?
SFORZA
Searching for contraband, they
said. They also checked our travel
papers.
THUMPS AND BANGS from above.
SFORZA
I told them my friend...
He looks up at the ceiling as the BANGING gets louder.
SFORZA
...was also from Vienna. They
accepted this. There was a third
passenger. They took him away.
POGGIO
Was Giovanni there?
SFORZA
The soldiers were led by a hulking
brute with eyes like hot coals.
NICCOLO
Sergenté Figlio. The Conté's right-
hand man.
POGGIO
His prize bull, you mean. He--
A beautiful young woman, MADONNA MARIA, enters carrying a
tray. She wears a simple black dress and sandals. Niccolo
can't take her eyes off her.
She sets the tray down and offloads three steaming bowls
of stew and crusty bread. As she heads back to the Kitchen
she glances over her shoulder at Niccolo.
NICCOLO
Who on earth is she?
Poggio sits down and eats.
POGGIO
Nice of her to bring me some too.
NICCOLO
How do you know it isn't poisoned?
POGGIO
It tastes too good.
More BANGING and SHOUTING from upstairs.
NICCOLO
(to Sforza)
Evidently your friend does not
like his room.
Madonna Maria stands by the Kitchen door. She speaks to
Barca in the Kitchen but her gaze stays fixed on Niccolo.
POGGIO
She's making it a little obvious,
isn't she? You're in there, my
friend.
SFORZA
I've never seen a star falling
from the heavens before. I should
imagine that's what one looks like.
POGGIO
I suppose she is attractive, in a
peasant way.
Poggio grins at Niccolo's scowl.
Barca heads for the stairs, but stops as The Passenger
comes charging downstairs. The Passenger sees Sforza,
stops on the stairway, points back upstairs--
He loses his balance, CRASHING onto a table and flattening
it. TINKLING GLASS among the deafening noise.
Sforza hurries and kneels beside him. The Passenger GROANS
once. Barca's sons come downstairs, Barca listens to their
babbled explanations, lots of gestures and shrugs.
NICCOLO
Perhaps we should help?
POGGIO
I'm not carrying him back upstairs.
NICCOLO
Signor Barca can't very well throw
him out, can he? The curfew.
POGGIO
He could have him arrested for
wrecking the place.
Barca approaches their table.
VITO BARCA
Signor De Aqua, what am I to do?
The man is an enraged bull in a
pottery.
NICCOLO
I will pay for any damages, Vito.
POGGIO
Try breaking a bottle over his
head.
Barca glares at Poggio, and snatches his spoon.
VITO BARCA
Signor De Aqua, I ask for your
assistance. I have other guests
to think of. I have no wish to
have the gentleman arrested.
Niccolo becomes aware of Madonna Maria's attention. He
dabs his lips, rises and joins Sforza.
NICCOLO
How is he?
SFORZA
Fetch a doctor.
Niccolo hurries to the front door, wrenches it open.
NICCOLO
Ho, the Guard! To me!
Footsteps echo. The same Guardsmen who passed through the
Square come running. Led by CORPORALÉ MONTI.
CORPORALÉ MONTI
Who summons the Guard?
NICCOLO
A man has been injured in a fall.
We need a doctor.
CORPORALÉ MONTI
Do we look like messengers?
NICCOLO
What is your name?
CORPORALÉ MONTI
Corporalé Monti.
NICCOLO
The injured man is an important
noble from Vienna. If he dies
there may be political
repercussions. If so, I shall
personally present your name to
the Conté.
CORPORALÉ MONTI
(to a Guardsman)
Go to Doctor Visconti's house.
Ask him to attend. Quickly, now.
The Guardsman runs off. Niccolo closes the door on Monti
and rejoins Sforza and Barca.
NICCOLO
Doctor Visconti will be here soon.
SFORZA
It's too late for that.
Sforza removes The Passenger's cloak and covers his face.
NICCOLO
But I heard him moan.
SFORZA
I think that must have been his
spirit leaving his body.
Sforza goes to the table, pours himself a glass of wine
and throws it back.
VITO BARCA
This is terrible, simply terrible.
NICCOLO
I am sorry, Vito. No one had any
idea this would happen.
VITO BARCA
I accept this is not your fault,
Signor De Aqua. There is no need
for you to apologize.
Madonna Maria herds Barca's sons into the Kitchen. Niccolo
can't keep his eyes off her, and she knows it. He speaks
just a little too loudly, perhaps to impress her--
NICCOLO
I said I would pay for damages.
If the gentleman lacks sufficient
coin to pay for a funeral, I'll
cover that also.
VITO BARCA
You are a good and kind man, Signor
De Aqua.
Madonna Maria vanishes into the Kitchen.
NICCOLO
I hope this unfortunate accident
will not upset your daughter.
VITO BARCA
My daughter? Ah, Madonna Maria.
My wife's sister's child.
He looks around cautiously, lowers his voice--
VITO BARCA
It takes more than a corpse to
upset Madonna Maria! Did I tell
you my wife's family comes from
Corsica? They are a rough lot.
There's been fighting going on
since the French invaded, which is
why Madonna Maria is staying with
us.
NICCOLO
Ah, she is a victim of the conflict,
poor thing.
VITO BARCA
Hmm, yes, and no. The French put
a price on her head after she
filletted one of their officers,
who dared lay his hands upon her
virgin chastity.
NICCOLO
Filletted? You mean she...?
Barca draws a finger across his throat.
VITO BARCA
A terrible thing, but her honor
demanded satisfaction. He got off
lightly, if Madonna Maria's brothers
had got their hands on him, he
would have suffered a thousand
agonies. The Corsicans do not
take kindly to strangers molesting
their women. Her family misses
her, of course, but we treat Madonna
Maria as if she were our own
daughter--
The front door opens and CAPITANO GIOVANNI enters. As
dangerous as he is handsome. We wears a feathered hat and
gold braid on his jacket sleeves.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Signor De Aqua. What a pleasant
surprise.
But it's a lie. Giovanni is their enemy, as is evident by
the way they watch each other. Giovanni walks over to The
Passenger and lifts the cloak.
Poggio grips his sword handle but Niccolo shakes his head,
no! They look at Sforza. Sforza just sits there.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Perhaps someone would be kind enough
to tell me what happened?
NICCOLO
He fell downstairs. He was drunk.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Ah. Then he is a guest?
(to Barca)
He has signed your book?
VITO BARCA
Not strictly speaking, Capitano.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
What does that mean?
NICCOLO
The gentleman arrived on the Bologna
coach. I asked Signor Barca to
arrange a room for the him. He
was in no fit state to negotiate
for himself.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
How did he get upstairs?
VITO BARCA
My sons helped him to his room.
NICCOLO
He came charging downstairs before
anyone could stop him. Perhaps
there was something about the room
he did not like?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Show me the room.
Barca escorts Giovanni upstairs. Niccolo and Poggio quickly
sit down on either side of Sforza, who is puzzled.
POGGIO
Now you've seen the opposition.
If Giovanni goes down, the rest
will fall like wooden skittles.
NICCOLO
We'll deal with the Conté Di
Castellano ourselves. You don't
have to get involved if your Guild
wants you to avoid political
repercussions.
POGGIO
Ten thousand lire for one night's
work. That's a fair price for
your skills, Signor Sforza, don't
you agree?
Sforza throws his head back and LAUGHS. Niccolo and Poggio
are bewildered.
SFORZA
Gentlemen, suddenly everything
becomes clear.
Sforza goes to The Passenger and pulls back the cloak.
SFORZA
My friends, allow me to present to
you, Signor Pietro Sforza of
Bologna.
He lets the cloak fall.
SFORZA
Myself, I am Angelo Cavalcanti, an
exporter of rare silks from the
city of Venice. I fear you have
us confused. If I have done or
said anything to compound this
mistake then I apologize
unreservedly.
From this moment on, the man we have known as "Sforza"
becomes "Cavalcanti" which is his real name.
POGGIO
That can't be Sforza. You're lying.
CAVALCANTI
I would that it were so, my friend,
because your need is clear to me
now. But I assure you, I am who I
say I am. And this, alas, is the
famous swordsman whose skills you
wished to hire. I recognized his
name the moment he introduced
himself, when he boarded the coach
in Bologna.
POGGIO
But he's an old man.
CAVALCANTI
He had an unceasing appetite for
wine, food and women. He boasted
of such on our journey here. He
also told me he was about to pick
up a contract that would allow him
to retire somewhere on the coast.
POGGIO
A ten thousand lire contract...
CAVALCANTI
Just so. Which, I now realize, is
why he did not wish to reveal
himself to the soldiers who stopped
the coach.
Cavalcanti picks up his wine glass.
CAVALCANTI
To Signor Sforza. May his soul
find its way to Paradisio.
He empties the glass. Niccolo and Poggio suffer depression.
The man they hired to vanquish their enemies lies dead on
the floor of the Mermaid Taverna.
NICCOLO
Tell me, was he still the bladesman
of legend?
CAVALCANTI
Oh, yes. The coach driver told me
that only last week, a Prussian
swordmaster came looking for Sforza.
Four members of the Bologna City
Guard tried to arrest the Prussian.
He slaughtered them like ducks.
But then he met Pietro Sforza!
The driver said Sforza took the
Prussian apart. Removed his silver
coat buttons, one by one. Cut off
his ears, his nose, his fingers.
Oh yes, Sforza was still the
bladesman of legend. I dare say
he would have made your Capitano
Giovanni look like a child with a
wooden sword. Alas, he is no more.
A great pity. I liked him.
A Guardsman opens the door and DOCTOR VISCONTI enters,
black coat, a shock of white hair, a black leather bag.
DOCTOR VISCONTI
Who is unwell?
POGGIO
You may guess.
Visconti kneels down and examines The Passenger.
DOCTOR VISCONTI
This man is dead!
POGGIO
That's what we thought.
DOCTOR VISCONTI
Capitano Giovanni must be informed.
POGGIO
He already knows. He's upstairs.
DOCTOR VISCONTI
Ah, wonderful, wonderful. Then I
can return to my pursuits.
Visconti looks at them suspiciously, as if he's said too
much. He heads for the door, but stops and looks back
over his shoulder. He grins wickedly.
DOCTOR VISCONTI
I would suggest that whoever shot
him gets rid of the weapon
immediately. Otherwise the Capitano
is likely to lock you up and throw
away the key! Haaaahaha!
Visconti exits. Niccolo, Poggio and Cavalcanti exchange
puzzled looks.
Niccolo moves to the stairs. He stands where The Passenger
stood before he fell. He hurries over to the window.
Glass fragments CRUNCH underfoot. He looks up. There's a
hole in the glass near the top of the window.
HIS POV - the window looks across the Square at the sea of
cemetery stones. And the tall Cathedral beyond.
Niccolo joins the dots -- the bullet hole, The Passenger.
Poggio pulls him away from the window.
NICCOLO
What are you doing?
POGGIO
Let's not tempt Fate. Whoever's
out there might not be finished
yet.
Giovanni comes downstairs. Barca follows, looking worried.
NICCOLO
Doctor Visconti paid us a visit
while you were upstairs, Capitano.
Giovanni studies the body... then he moves to the window.
Inspects the hole, the broken glass, looks at The Passenger.
NICCOLO
Visconti said he was shot.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Of course he was shot! How could
I not have noticed? The question
is, who aimed the weapon and pulled
the trigger?
POGGIO
Perhaps if you ordered your men to
search the cemetery, you might
discover the answer to these
questions?
Giovanni gives Poggio a dark look before he exits, slamming
the door. Outside, Giovanni issues orders to his Guardsmen.
They head for the cemetery, their lanterns bobbing.
CAVALCANTI
Virgin Mother, will someone please
tell me what is going on here?
The Guardsmen climb over the locked gates and spread out
between the tombstones, weaving like fireflies.
NICCOLO
Whoever shot Sforza must have been
waiting in the cemetery. He
couldn't get a clear shot in the
Square because of us.
POGGIO
Giovanni's men could search all
night, but they will not find him.
Because he is one of them.
CAVALCANTI
This is beyond belief.
POGGIO
Welcome to Florenz, my friend.
Niccolo hurries upstairs leaving Poggio and Cavalcanti
puzzled.
INT. MERMAID TAVERNA UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT
Niccolo nudges a door open with his foot.
INT. SFORZA'S ROOM AT THE MERMAID TAVERNA - NIGHT
A curtain moves, disturbed by a breeze. Niccolo finds a
hole in the window glass.
He examines the wall opposite the window. He digs something
out with his fingernails, and holds it up. A lead ball.
He looks out the window. Sforza's room overlooks the
cemetery. Lanterns flit between the tombstones.
INT. MERMAID TAVERNA COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
Niccolo comes downstairs.
POGGIO
Find anything interesting?
Niccolo shows them the bullet he dug out the wall.
NICCOLO
The marksman took a shot at Sforza
in his room. That's why he came
charging down. He was trying to
warn us.
Cavalcanti marches toward the door. Poggio only just
manages to stop him.
POGGIO
What are you trying to do, get
yourself killed?
CAVALCANTI
Let go of me.
NICCOLO
Listen to him, my friend. The
reason we sought Sforza's services
must be obvious to you. Giovanni
is a devil in human form. As good
as you are, you're no match for
his sword. He'll kill you.
Cavalcanti's anger leaves him, sanity returns.
CAVALCANTI
It is easy to see who has good on
their side, and who serves a darker
purpose.
NICCOLO
It's not just Giovanni. It's the
Conté Di Castellano too.
CAVALCANTI
I do not know this man.
NICCOLO
The Conté took power from the City
Council last year. Things have
gotten steadily worse.
POGGIO
First it was this trumped-up war
with Milano, and the rise in taxes
to pay for it.
NICCOLO
Now it's the curfew. No one may
walk the streets after ten o'clock.
He's turning Florenz into a prison.
CAVALCANTI
It would seem that yours is a just
cause.
POGGIO
We like to think so, but you mustn't
let our personal taste in enemies
influence you.
CAVALCANTI
In spite of the blow Signor Sforza's
death has dealt your plans, you
make light of matters. You have
my admiration.
NICCOLO
You need not worry on our account,
my friend. We shall think of
another way to bring Di Castellano
to his knees, never fear.
But when Niccolo and Poggio look at each other it's clear
they have no alternative plan.
Giovanni throws the door open.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Signor De Aqua. You and your
friends will come with me, please.
EXT. FOUNTAIN SQUARE - NIGHT
Niccolo, Poggio and Cavalcanti follow Giovanni across the
Square to the cemetery gates.
FATHER DOMENICO arrives, an elderly priest carrying a
lantern. He unlocks the gate and pulls it open.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I'll need a copy of that key,
Father. Tomorrow will be soon
enough.
He marches past Father Domenico and into the cemetery.
NICCOLO
Good evening to you, Father.
FATHER DOMENICO
There's nothing good about it.
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Guardsmen surround a tombstone. They open their ranks as
Giovanni approaches. A DEAD MAN sits with his back against
the tombstone, his head bowed. Domenico crosses himself.
Giovanni picks up a musket lying beside the body. He cocks
the hammer, aims at the sky and pulls the trigger. CLICK.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
It has already been fired. Here
is the musketeer who killed your
friend.
He throws the musket to Poggio.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
As you can see, Signor Di Medici,
my men did not waste any time.
Justice has been done.
(to Domenico)
They're all yours now, Father.
NICCOLO
Capitano, can your men take the
bodies to the Cathedral?
GIOVANNI
I regret, my Guardsmen have other
duties to perform.
NICCOLO
Then may we be permitted to stay
and assist Father Domenico?
Giovanni thinks about it... and nods. He exits, Monti and
the other Guardsmen follow him back to the Square.
FATHER DOMENICO
How sad that Capitano Giovanni is
not lying here dead instead of
this man.
NICCOLO
A curious thing for a priest to
say.
Domenico gestures to Poggio who passes the musket to him.
Domenico handles the musket with familiarity.
FATHER DOMENICO
Before you knew me, Niccolo, and
before I became a priest, I was a
soldier. I fought in the wars
between Milano, Genoa and Florenz.
During these cruel times I met
many heartless men. None were
ever as cold and as heartless as
Capitano Giovanni.
POGGIO
Do you have a cart, Father?
FATHER DOMENICO
Yes, my son. The gravediggers
were working over there today.
He points across the cemetery. Poggio exits that way.
FATHER DOMENICO
Watch where you go. Some of the
new plots are lying open.
NICCOLO
I'm afraid there's more work for
you in the Taverna, Father.
FATHER DOMENICO
I know. Pietro Sforza. How sad.
NICCOLO
Forgive my manners. Father, this
is Signor Angelo Cavalcanti, from
Venice.
FATHER DOMENICO
Signor Cavalcanti. What do you
think of Florenz? Ah, don't answer.
You are here less than an hour and
already you have seen two men
murdered.
(to Niccolo)
These are dangerous times, Niccolo.
I should be very disappointed indeed
if anything were to happen to you.
With whom would I play chess on a
Friday evening?
NICCOLO
You'd find someone, I'm sure.
CAVALCANTI
I know this man.
Niccolo and Domenico realize that he means the dead man.
CAVALCANTI
He traveled with us on the Bologna
coach. He said his name was
Zambelli. They arrested him when
they stopped the coach.
NICCOLO
On what charge?
CAVALCANTI
I don't know. He protested his
innocence but they took him away.
And now he is here.
Domenico aims the musket at the Mermaid Taverna.
FATHER DOMENICO
How far would you say the Taverna
is from here?
NICCOLO
Two hundred paces? More?
FATHER DOMENICO
You'd be lucky to hit anything at
twenty paces with a Giuseppe, never
mind two hundred.
NICCOLO
What are you saying?
FATHER DOMENICO
This is not the weapon that killed
Pietro Sforza.
CREAKING noises. Poggio pushes a cart with a squeaky wheel.
POGGIO
Keep your voices down. Giovanni
left a man in the Square.
A Guardsman stands by the fountain, his back to the
cemetery.
POGGIO
Father, about those new graves...
FATHER DOMENICO
Yes, my son?
POGGIO
One of them isn't empty. I didn't
have a lantern...
Domenico puts the musket down and leaves with Poggio, taking
the lantern.
CAVALCANTI
(to Niccolo)
I'll stay here and watch over this
poor fellow.
Niccolo nods thanks and exits after Domenico and Poggio.
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
They make their way through the sea of tombstones.
NICCOLO
How did you know Sforza had died?
FATHER DOMENICO
I spoke with his spirit.
Niccolo and Poggio exchange looks.
NICCOLO
How is it, Father, that you can
speak with the dead?
Domenico stops, and bows his head toward Niccolo.
FATHER DOMENICO
Put your fingers here.
Niccolo feels Domenico's skull.
NICCOLO
There's a lump... and a scar?
Domenico starts walking again, they follow him.
FATHER DOMENICO
Shrapnel from a cannon ball. The
surgeon could do nothing for me,
the injury was beyond his skill.
They put me into a dark, airless
room along with the other mortally
wounded. I should have died, as
they expected me to. But something
happened. A great heat came and
mended my broken head. I stumbled
to the window and threw open the
shutters. Sunlight flooded the
room, blinding me, yet I could
still see. The spirits of two
soldiers left their bodies
immediately and flew upward on
beams of golden light. A third
soldier screamed in terror, for he
had murdered a child. He tried to
confess his sin, but it was too
late. His spirit tumbled into a
black place I did not study too
closely for fear of going mad.
Poggio crosses himself.
FATHER DOMENICO
I put my hands upon the others who
lay in that terrible room. I
stopped their bleeding and made
their broken bones whole again.
Oh, what a day that was! I should
have been dead, but there I was,
walking around as if nothing had
happened. The surgeons crossed
themselves and did not dare come
near me.
NICCOLO
They were afraid of you? But surely
it was a good thing. Wasn't it?
FATHER DOMENICO
They summoned a priest. He tried
to exorcize the demon he imagined
must possess me, but I saw into
his soul more easily than he could
see into mine. His crimes were
even worse than those committed by
the murderer who'd descended into
Purgatorio. I made the priest
look in upon himself and reflect
upon the brother priests he'd
poisoned to attain his present
rank. He screamed and fled from
the place. They told me, later,
that he threw himself from a high
wall.
They stop before a line of open graves.
POGGIO
Over there, Father. That one.
NICCOLO
What happened then?
FATHER DOMENICO
A Cardinal came from Roma to see
me. His name was Rizzo. A good
man. He knew at once what had
happened, that God had chosen to
anoint me in a way few could ever
understand. But he also knew it
would be my doom unless I
relinquished my vanity. I'd already
saved hundreds by then. Tough
soldiers who would never kneel to
any man threw themselves at the
ground to kiss my footprints.
Rizzo showed me how my acceptance
of this praise was an insult to
God, who had bestowed His sacred
gift upon me. He was right, of
course. He brought me secretly to
Florenz and placed me in the service
of my predecessor, Father Franco,
another good man who guided and
protected me.
NICCOLO
From the Inquisition?
FATHER DOMENICO
From the Guild of Surgeons. There
is still an open bounty on my head.
It's understandable. What use is
a surgeon when a healer can make
the sick whole again?
They peer into the grave, trying to see what's there.
NICCOLO
What did Sforza's spirit want?
DOMENICO
He wished to know whether he would
spend an eternity in the fires of
Purgatorio. I told him that a man
is not necessarily judged upon his
past deeds, but upon who and what
he has become at the time of his
death. If there is any good in
his heart then a place awaits him
in Paradisio.
POGGIO
Thank goodness for that.
FATHER DOMENICO
It's been a while since you attended
Confession, my son. I'll expect
to see you first thing in the
morning. Don't be late.
POGGIO
Yes, Father.
Domenico climbs down into the open grave.
FATHER DOMENICO
Virgin Mother! Help me out of
here.
Niccolo and Poggio pull him up out of the grave.
FATHER DOMENICO
You were right. There is something
down there.
NICCOLO
What is it?
FATHER DOMENICO
Your friend, Alfonso. He has been
murdered.
EXT. CONTÉ DI CASTELLANO'S HOUSE - NIGHT
A sumptuous villa surrounded by a high wall. A cannon
sits in the courtyard, pointed at the iron gates.
INT. ENTRANCE HALL AND STAIRWAY - NIGHT
Capitano Giovanni throws the doors open and enters. Two
GUARDSMEN snap to attention. Giovanni ignores them and
marches to the stairs.
INT. UPSTAIRS LANDING AND HALLWAY - NIGHT
Giovanni marches along the hallway, grim and determined.
INT. OUTSIDE THE CONTÉ'S STUDY - NIGHT
ISABELLA, a breathtaking beauty, exits the study and comes
face to face with Giovanni. He removes his hat, and bows.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Good evening, Signorina.
ISABELLA
Capitano Giovanni. You are flushed.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
A brisk stroll helps me sleep...
ISABELLA
How I envy you. I spend my nights
locked in my room, obliged to read
the most boring books.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
The importance of a good education--
ISABELLA
My father calls them classics,
which means they were written by
stuffy monks centuries ago.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Is your father--?
ISABELLA
Just like me, they had no idea
what existed outside their tiny
cells.
(a huge sigh)
But that will all change tomorrow.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Indeed, the wedding...
ISABELLA
I shall miss my room, and this
house. And I shall miss you,
Capitano.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Me, Signorina?
ISABELLA
Has your strong right arm not
defended us against rogues who
wish my family ill?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
When you put it that way...
ISABELLA
Tomorrow I am to be married. I
shall depart Florenz for Genoa,
together with my new husband.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
May I offer... my congratulations,
Signorina.
ISABELLA
What do you think of the Granduc?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
He is the Granduc of Genoa, who
commands sixty galleons and ten
thousand soldiers. I would not
presume to guess his wealth.
ISABELLA
Is that all there is to a man,
wealth and possessions? What of
his heart?
CONTÉ (O.S.)
Isabella, what delays you?
Footsteps, and a clicking noise. The door opens and the
CONTÉ DI CASTELLANO, a silver fox, looks at them. He leans
heavily on his walking-stick.
CONTÉ
So, I did hear voices.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I was giving the Signorina my most
sincere good wishes, Conté.
CONTÉ
Come in, Salvatore, come in.
Isabella, a big day tomorrow. To
bed with you. No reading tonight.
Straight to sleep, do you hear me?
ISABELLA
With all that is going on, Papa, I
doubt whether I will be able to
sleep at all.
She stands on her toes and kisses the Conté's cheek.
ISABELLA
Goodnight, Papa. Goodnight,
Capitano Giovanni.
Just for a moment it seems she will kiss Giovanni too.
She passes him by, leaving Giovanni to catch his breath.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Goodnight, Signorina...
INT. THE CONTÉ'S STUDY - NIGHT
The Conté limps to his desk and collapses into his chair,
sighing with relief. He gestures to an empty chair but
Giovanni remains standing.
CONTÉ
Would you like some wine?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I've just returned from the
cemetery.
CONTÉ
How morbid. But I suppose it is
peaceful, too.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I had the dubious pleasure of
conversing with Niccolo De Aqua
and his friends while pretending I
didn't know why dead bodies are
turning up everywhere.
The Conté pours himself a glass of wine.
CONTÉ
Are you sure? From my family's
own vineyard.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I don't like being made a fool of,
Conté. I find it difficult to
believe you permitted the Moskovian
to begin his killing spree without
informing me first.
CONTÉ
You cannot deny that Sforza was
dangerous and had to be dealt with
immediately. Look at what he did
to that fool of a Prussian... whom
you recommended to me, as I recall.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
But shooting Sforza...
CONTÉ
I should have been considerably
out of pocket had the Prussian
demanded his entire fee up front.
Come now, they might have spirited
Sforza away and concealed him.
Immediate action was required.
(he chuckles)
Poor Niccolo. I'm afraid I've
upset his plans somewhat.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
What if my men had discovered the
Moskovian?
CONTÉ
Major Dragunov can take care of
himself.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I still fail to see why you engaged
his services. You only have to
say the word and De Aqua and his
coven of conspirators will vanish.
CONTÉ
No doubt. But that would only
arouse suspicion. I rule this
city by force of arms, yes, but
that rule is made easier by the
grace of the Council. Their
continued support allows everything
to run smoothly. Were I to upset
them by murdering the son of the
Council's most revered former
member, things might become
difficult. I don't like difficult,
Salvatore.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
What difference does it make whether
I kill De Aqua, or Dragunov puts a
bullet through his thick head?
People will still be suspicious.
CONTÉ
Raymondo De Aqua once gave me a
sage piece of advice. He said
there was a time and a place for
everything. A time and a place.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Meaning what?
CONTÉ
When Niccolo dies, you and I will
be elsewhere, with a great many
witnesses able to attest to our
innocence.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Do you intend to share your secret
with me, or am I again to be the
subject of an hilarious joke?
CONTÉ
You imagine a slight where none is
intended. Tomorrow my daughter is
to be married.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I am aware of this.
CONTÉ
I know you do not approve of my
choice of husband. You've made
that quite obvious from the
beginning. You scowled so much at
the Granduc's suggested troop
dispositions that I expected the
maps to burst into flame.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
If you expect me to apologize--
CONTÉ
I expect you to listen to me,
Salvatore. You see, it has come
to your attention that political
dissidents opposed to our alliance
with Genoa may attempt to
assassinate the Granduc.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
You want me to be at Isabella's
wedding. With my men.
CONTÉ
The City Council and every noble
in Florenz will bear witness.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
And De Aqua?
CONTÉ
He refused our wedding invitation.
In doing so, he unwittingly signed
his own death warrant.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
What about Di Medici? He's in
this just as deep as De Aqua.
CONTÉ
There will be an investigation.
You'll search the city, including
Poggio Di Medici's house. There
you will find the very pistol that
shot and killed our young friend.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Ah.
CONTÉ
Ah. A fitting end to a noisy and
irritating nuisance, I think?
A KNOCK at the door.
CONTÉ
Enter!
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO fills the doorway. Possibly the largest
man we have ever seen. Angular face, overhanging forehead.
His uniform strains to contain his powerful muscles.
CONTÉ
Ah, Sergenté, come in, come in.
You have news for us, perhaps?
Figlio speaks slowly but clearly, his voice a deep rumble.
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
I found the three men from the
Square, as you ordered, Conté.
CONTÉ
Splendid, splendid. And what did
they have to say for themselves?
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
Two were wounded. The swordsman
could easily have killed them all.
CONTÉ
See, Salvatore? I told you Sforza
was dangerous.
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
Not Sforza. The other man from
the coach. The prisoner said his
name was Cavalcanti.
CONTÉ
Cavalcanti. Is he a threat to us?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
I believe he was with Niccolo de
Aqua in the Mermaid Taverna. His
relationship with the conspirators
is unknown.
(to Figlio)
And the man you call a prisoner
was not a prisoner.
Figlio glares at Giovanni -- no love lost between them.
CONTÉ
I leave Cavalcanti up to you,
Salvatore. If you perceive him as
a threat, deal with him.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
All I need do is arrest him. Once
he's in prison, Sergenté Figlio
will beat him to death. Won't
you, Sergenté?
CONTÉ
What are you saying?
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
First the coach passenger, then my
informant. Why not make it three
in the one night, hmm?
CONTÉ
Is this true, Sergenté?
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
The prisoner tried to escape.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
He was not a prisoner!
(to the Conté)
The man Zambelli was taken from
the coach so I could question him
about Sforza. He should have been
released without charge. But the
Sergenté had other ideas.
CONTÉ
His death is most unfortunate.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
That's all you have to say?
CONTÉ
What would you have me say? It
was an accident. These things
happen.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
They always seem to happen when
Sergenté Figlio is on duty. I
have yet to receive any kind of
explanation for the murder of my
informant, Alfonso Brunetti.
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
He broke curfew.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
You are supposed to arrest curfew
breakers, not execute them! You
knew he was working for me!
SERGENTÉ FIGLIO
I did not know.
Giovanni's fit to explode -- it's a blatant lie.
CONTÉ
Come now, Salvatore, there is no
need for all this. The curfew is
in place for a reason. We all
know what that reason is! While
you stand there making complaints
against Sergenté Figlio, who is
only doing his duty, this murderer,
this Shadow whom you have failed
to apprehend, is no doubt making
ready to strike again.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
Should you wish my resignation,
Conté, you only need ask.
CONTÉ
Since you entered my service you
have never performed below the
highest standards of excellence.
I do not wish your resignation,
Salvatore. What I do wish is your
wholehearted support. We have two
distinct problems that require our
immediate attention. Well, I've
taken care of Niccolo de Aqua.
That leaves you free to pursue the
Shadow.
CAPITANO GIOVANNI
My men will be out patrolling the
streets again tonight. Two sentries
will stand guard outside Signorina
Isabella's room, and another
downstairs.
(to Figlio)
I leave the Conté's safety in your
bloody but capable hands, Sergenté.
Giovanni claps his hat on his head and marches out.
06/07
§