Once Upon an Inquisition
Script Sample: First 10 Pages
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FADE IN:
EXT. TOWN - MORNING - AERIAL ESTABLISHING SHOT
Through the clouds, the medieval town of Bellegarde, set amid
lush green fields, appears. There is a wide, square
marketplace full of people; flanked by a castle on one side
opposite an unfinished Gothic cathedral with an empty round
window over the entrance, and a palace and the town's gates
on the other sides.
SUPERIMPOSE: FRANCE, 1333
EXT. MARKET - MORNING
SFX: CHURCH BELLS PEALING
GILES, a good-looking young man, pushes through the motley
crowd of townspeople, peasants, and street entertainers
towards the cathedral, carrying two large books.
Ahead, he spies MADELEINE, a beautiful, dark-haired girl
about his age, richly but simply dressed, carrying a large
basket of loaves. He waves; she sees him and waves back,
smiling. He veers towards her but is accosted by JACQUES, a
young man several years older, bigger, and more handsome and
athletic than him.
JACQUES
(shouts)
Have at you, Giles, you knave!
He attacks Giles with a stick.
GILES
(shouts)
And back at you, blackguard!
Giles uses his books to fend off the attack. They run and
leap acrobatically amid the tables and stalls, laughing.
Tables are nearly knocked over, carts upset, but nothing
spills.
JACQUES
So, little monk, will you still
help me with my armor at the
tourney?
GILES
What, can't you find a squire that
isn't too embarrassed? And no, I'm
not a monk and never will be. My
fighting will be in court as a rich
lawyer.
(whispers as they close)
And I'll save her from such a vain
lout as you.
JACQUES
Once I'm knighted, it will be an
honor to be my squire. You won't do
better as a clerk.
(whispers)
Because you haven't a chance with
her, you know. When she sees me
sweep the field next month, she'll
be swept right off her feet.
Giles backs into FRIAR MARTIN, a wild-eyed monk in a dirty
brown habit, who grabs him by the arm.
FRIAR MARTIN
Cease your foolishness! Don't you
know that one is coming soon who
will change everything. Join us.
Repent while you still can.
Giles backs away.
GILES
Sorry, father. I meant no
disrespect. But no thanks.
The friar glares and stalks off, leading a group of other
monks, chanting and whipping themselves.
Jacques whacks Giles again, and they continue leaping about,
fencing acrobatically. This draws the attention of more and
more people. Several young women start CHANTING.
CROWD
Jacques! Jacques!
This distracts Jacques, and Giles uses the books to disarm
him. In the tussle, they fall down together in the street,
LAUGHING and MOANING. Slowly, the crowd dissipates.
Madeleine, radiant in the sunlight, stands before them. Giles
and Jacques jump up and brush themselves off.
MADELEINE
Practicing for the tourney,
Jacques? Your valiant defense
against those books certainly
pleased your admirers.
JACQUES
Ah, you're the only admirer I need,
my lady. But I was just reminding
Giles why he should become my
squire once I'm knighted.
GILES
No doubt he'll need someone
friendly to help him get home when
he's beaten.
Giles picks up the books up and wipes the dust off.
JACQUES
But I did come out to practice.
Have either of you seen Brother
Vincent? I was supposed to meet him
here.
MADELEINE
Yes, over by the gates.
The ABBOT, a large, stout monk in black carrying a basket of
vegetables, standing in front of a nearby booth, turns
around.
ABBOT
Pardon me, did I hear you mention
Vincent? He's supposed to help me
with shopping. I can't see him in
this motley crowd.
The three young people bow slightly.
MADELEINE
There he is, your reverence.
She points towards the gates where VINCENT, a young monk is
chatting up the guards.
ABBOT
(whistles and waves)
Brother Vincent, come here.
Vincent sees them, waves back foppishly, and starts over.
ABBOT
(under his breath)
Out again? Something's got to be
done with that lad.
He turns to Madeleine.
ABBOT
And you, my daughter? How fares the
finest flower of the county this
morning? And what are you doing
with that huge basket?
MADELEINE
(laughs)
I'm well, sir. Like you, your
grace, I trust no-one else to buy
delicacies for the table. But this
is just stale bread I've persuaded
the bakers to donate to Mistress
Agatha for her poor girls.
ABBOT
Only you could charm them so, my
child. They have little enough
charity when I ask.
(beat)
Giles, aren't those books from my
library?
GILES
Why, yes, father. I got them from
Brother William at my uncle's
request - he's having yet another
argument with the Master Builder.
Which reminds me, I'm late. I must
be off.
Giles backs up, and bows. Brother Vincent joins them.
VINCENT
Good morrow, my lords, lady.
Madeleine, you look as fabulous as
ever. Giles, looks like you've been
really hitting the books. Oh, I
slay myself sometimes. Here, your
grace, do let me take that.
Vincent takes the Abbot's basket.
SFX: A TRUMPET SOUNDS.
Across the market, the town gates swing open. A strange
procession enters, led by a hooded monk in a white habit and
black cloak on a donkey. Behind him follows a bearded,
swarthy dwarf on another donkey. At the rear, surrounded by a
dozen soldiers with spears, enters a large cart, driven by
another dwarf identical to the first. It carries another monk
and racks of sinister equipment. At the rear is an IRON
MAIDEN - an evil-looking black metal contraption looking a
little like a seated woman, with levers on either side.
The crowd parts and falls silent. The first monk, the
INQUISITOR, a pallid, flabby man, leads the procession
directly to the Abbot and dismounts.
The Inquisitor kneels, takes the Abbot's hand and kisses it.
INQUISITOR
Greetings, most reverend father.
You must be Christophe, Abbot of
Saint Golias. I'm Father Jean
D'Laval of the Holy Inquisition.
Please give me your blessing.
ABBOT
The Inquisition, you say? Oh my.
Please get up. It is I who should
beg for a blessing from you.
The Abbot tries to kneel. The Inquisitor rises and lifts him
up, then starts to kneel again. They bob up and down several
times and then clumsily embrace.
An uneasy MURMUR goes through the crowd gathering in the b.g.
ABBOT
(anxiously)
How may I serve the Holy
Inquisition, my lord?
INQUISITOR
His Holiness the Pope has sent us.
We have heard reports about a
certain preacher hereabouts, and
other disquieting rumors. It was
decided that it an official
visitation was long overdue.
ABBOT
To Bellegarde? This sleepy town?
INQUISITOR
Yes, but only briefly, I hope. We
will, however, need lodging which I
hope your abbey will provide. I'll
be happy to show you my
authorization.
ABBOT
No need, my lord. You will find
that our reputation for hospitality
is well-earned.
The other monk, Tomas, and the two twin dwarves, ROGER and
ROBERT, join them.
INQUISITOR
This is my assistant, Father Tomas
of Toulouse.
The Abbot and Tomas embrace.
ABBOT
Pleased to meet you, father.
INQUISITOR
And these are my trusty helpers,
Roger and Robert, whom I believe
you may already be acquainted with.
Don't let their size fool you;
they're fiercer than warriors
thrice their height.
The dwarves bow deeply together, doffing their hats.
ABBOT
(surprised)
Yes, I remember them well, though
it has been many years. I must say,
after the way they left town, I
marvel to see them in such high
company.
The little men notice Giles. Roger plants himself before him
with a sneer.
GILES
(unbelievingly)
No, not you again. It can't be.
The dwarf kicks him in the shin. Giles hops on his other
foot, and Robert trips him from behind. Giles falls, and
Roger kicks him in the side. Robert joins him.
ROBERT
Aye, it's us - your worst
nightmares, pig. Returned to
torment you some more.
Roger prepares another kick but Jacques stands in the way.
JACQUES
Away with you, imps. You'll have no
more sport today.
ROGER
Oh, the ox is still here, too,
brother. This is going to be even
more amusing than we thought.
Jacques aims a blow, but Robert easily evades it. The dwarves
dart away, LAUGHING. Madeleine and Jacques help Giles up and
collect his books as the Abbot talks with the inquisitors in
the b.g.
GILES
(low voice)
I prayed I'd never see those little
devils again this side of the pit.
JACQUES
Wherever they are is hell enough
indeed for you, little monk. They
still have it in for you, it seems.
MADELEINE
Are these the ones you told me of,
Giles? The ones who -
Giles interrupts with a wave of his hand.
GILES
- who made my life hell. Looks like
they've got help this time.
JACQUES
This can mean no good. Madeleine,
go tell your father. He'll want to
know right away.
GILES
I must warn Sir Simon. And Uncle.
The Abbot puts his hand on Giles' shoulder, and turns him
around.
ABBOT
This lad can take you directly to
the bishop, reverend fathers. His
name's Giles.
INQUISITOR
Ah, thank you kindly, lord abbot.
The sooner we get to business the
better.
Giles bows and sets off. The inquisitors follow behind, with
Roger leading the donkeys and Robert driving the cart.
Madeleine hands her basket to Vincent and heads off towards
the castle. The Abbot watches the inquisitors go, then grabs
Vincent and hurries off in the opposite direction.
INT. CATHEDRAL - MOMENTS LATER
Giles opens the massive doors of the cathedral for the
inquisitors. They enter. Inside there is scaffolding and
construction materials surrounding the doors. A crowned, life
size STATUE of the Blessed Virgin robed in blue satin with a
white silk veil stands near the altar. The BISHOP, a tall,
dignified, middle-aged man in a plain habit, stands with his
back to the door facing the chief BUILDER, who wears a dusty
apron and holds a parchment.
BISHOP
(angrily)
I think I've been very reasonable,
but we've been through this.
BUILDER
You'll admit my judgment has been
trustworthy so far, your
excellency.
GILES
Your grace, if I could just -
BISHOP
Yes, but this is not a matter of
piling stone or shaping wood. This
concerns higher things.
(notices Giles)
Ah there you are, boy. About time.
The Bishop takes the books and sets them on the table before
him. He opens one and starts thumbing through it.
BISHOP
Surely you know the old story
about how the Holy Grail passed
through here once.
GILES
Uncle, pardon me, but -
BISHOP (CONT'D)
Well, with all those troubadours'
tales about the cup that held Our
Lord's blood stirring up the people
so, I think it would be foolish not
to play upon that connection.
BUILDER
Sir, this cathedral is dedicated to
the Blessed Virgin. Pray reconsider
the beloved image we agreed upon.
He holds up a PARCHMENT with an image of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in a circle, crowned and surrounded by rays.
BUILDER (CONT'D)
Besides, there are so many ideas
about what the Grail looks like. It
may not even be a cup. Some say it
is a stone fallen from heaven, or
perhaps like a huge emerald.
BISHOP
(interrupts)
Oh, nonsense! Here, look at this.
He jabs his finger at a picture.
EXTREME CLOSE-UP OF PAGE ILLUMINATED WITH IMAGE OF A CHALICE
HELD UP BY ANGELS.
BISHOP (CONT'D)
No objections now. It would take a
miracle to change my mind this
time. I’ve decided. I want to see
something like this right up there.
He turns to point at the empty round window above the doors,
and sees the inquisitors behind Giles.
BISHOP
Oh, hello.
GILES
Uncle, I mean, Bishop Pierre, we
have visitors. They're from the
Inquisition.
The Inquisitor steps forward, kneels, quickly kisses the
Bishop's ring, and rises.
INQUISITOR
Your excellency, I am Father Jean
D'Laval. This is my colleague,
Father Tomas of Toulouse. We are
agents of the Holy Office and
members of the Order of Preachers,
come from Avignon on urgent
business for the Holy Father.
BISHOP
I see.
(beat)
I think we are done here now,
Master Builder. Please get back to
work. And you, boy, go do whatever
it was you were doing.
The builder grabs the book, bows stiffly, and goes over to
his crew by the scaffolding.
GILES
Yes, sir.
Giles stealthily takes the other book. He backs up and
quickly walks towards a side entrance.
BISHOP
So, my lords, what can I do for
you?
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Once Upon an Inquisition
© 2005, J. Nelson. All rights reserved.