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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