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§