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EXCERPT from pages 27-30
EXT. CASTLE COURTYARD - DAY
A female HAND.
Finger runs up and down the palm.
VOICE
...and this, this is your love line.
Girlish giggles.
WIDEN
HAROLD GODWINESON flirts with two MAIDENS.
MAIDEN #1
Love line?
Pointing to his palm.
HAROLD
Why yes. Look here. You see, how
long and firm mine is?
Maiden #2 playfully smacks him.
MAIDEN #2
Harold. You naughty rogue.
Rubbing the one's hand. Jokes.
HAROLD
Rogue? Ladies-ladies. I have
been instructed by the finest palm
readers of all upper and lower
Saxon. Allow me demonstration.
More giggles.
MAIDEN #2
Harold! You wouldn't dare.
Laughter is cut short.
GODWIN enters the courtyard.
SERVANTS sidestep from his path; forehead vein's ready to burst.
Maidens scatter upon seeing the Earl.
HAROLD
Father. I was just making some
minor acquaintances--
GODWIN
--We go.
Walking at the quick-step.
HAROLD
I only surmise by your disposition
that your meeting with our king
has proved unfavorable.
GODWIN
Sanctimonious twit.
HAROLD
Tis Edith again, no doubt.
GODWIN
Why must thee find blame in Edith
without knowledge of the facts?
Smirking.
HAROLD
Easy. She is my sister.
Stops. Grabs hold of him.
GODWIN
As she is your queen. Do not
forget your place.
HAROLD
I...I am sorry, father. I mean
no offense.
Lets go.
Continues across the square; hastened pace.
GODWIN
(to himself)
Sanctimonious twit.
Trailing.
HAROLD
Is it your plan to leave me in
the dark the entire journey home?
No response.
Harold needs two steps to equal one of his fathers.
HAROLD
Father...?
Godwin stops at merchant's stand. Changes subject.
HAROLD
If it pleases you, we could travel
back along the--
GODWIN
--It would please me, if you could
still that tongue for a moment's
rest.
Grasps a handful of dates. Thinking.
GODWIN
Listen--and listen well. Depart
immediately to our eastern shores.
Assemble as many loyal followers
under your lead. Wait there until
I send message.
Growing serious.
HAROLD
Father. What has happened here?
GODWIN
It was only a matter of time.
HAROLD
Time?
GODWIN
Today, I have said things aloud
which had only been stated in
silence. I fear I have put our
domain...our House...in a most
awkward position.
HAROLD
What do you wish me to do?
GODWIN
Prepare.
(beat)
The heavens must have proposed
two plans of destruction for the
Saxon race. On one hand, they
let loose the Danish invasion.
On the other, cemented the Norman
alliance. If we escaped the blows
aimed at our faces by the Danes....
Group of FOREIGNERS stop at the stand.
Overhear Godwin's apocalyptic preaching.
Pulls his son closer; whispering.
GODWIN
...the cunning of the Normans might
be at hand to surprise us.
Foreigners pay for their produce; walk off.
HAROLD
Your speech has ring of revolution;
civil war.
GODWIN
The ring of truth; justice. Many of
our fellow countrymen are blind to
it. Look. Look about the market.
Harold scans the various foreign dress.
GODWIN
The Norman infestation has spread
across this land like a plague.
The union between Ethelred and the
Norman Emma has brought a fresh
invasion under the mask of peace
...friendship. A puppet king today
--Norman king tomorrow? This, this
we cannot allow. You...must not allow.
Godwin leaves with his unpaid dates.
Merchant says nothing; afraid.
Looks to Harold.
Harold reaches into his pocket.
Tosses a piece of silver to the merchant.
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