1492: Conquest of Paradise Page #5

They push through an extraordinary scene. The city of

Granada has just been reclaimed from the moors after

several years of siege. All around them, SPANISH SOLDIERS

are herding, bedraggled columns of the defeated MOORS,

bearing only a few possessions. Ragged, half-starved men,

women and children.

SANTANGEL:

These people built Granada...

Centuries ago! It is a great

victory over the Moors, Don Colon --

and yet what a tragedy it is!

The THREE HORSEMEN pass a procession of grateful

PENITENTS, who are crawling on their knees, chanting

psalms and flagellating themselves. At the head of the

procession, HOODED PRIESTS carry a statue of the Virgin

Mary swathed in silk and lace.

The gates of the Alhambra Palace are in sight.

COLUMBUS:

Is this a good time to meet her?

SANTANGEL:

It couldn't be better. Victors

can't say no.

Bells are pealing triumphantly. The noise is tumultuous.

They ride towards the magnificent palace.

EXT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - GARDENS - DAY

Fabulous Moorish gardens: ponds filled with golden carp;

exotic bird cages hang from lemon trees... The distant

sounds of victory.

SANTANGEL and COLUMBUS walk through the gardens, escorted

by HALBERDIERS. SOLDIERS pass by, carrying coffers or

piles of documents.

As they approach the inner sanctum, however, there are

fewer people. They stop by the Lion's Fountain, where

several DIGNITARIES are waiting patiently for an audience.

SANCHEZ appears. They bow. SANTANGEL approaches to

murmur a compliment.

SANTANGEL:

Your Excellency... truly grateful...

your help... as ever...

SANCHEZ protests softly, and looks over at COLUMBUS, a

half-smile forming on his lips. Then a DUENA appears, and

motions for COLUMBUS to follow.

INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

An ornate Moorish door is pushed open by the DUENA'S hand.

We enter the Throne Room -- sculptured colonnades,

mosaics... At the far end, windows open onto a view of

Granada's rooftops.

Against this dazzling light, the delicate silhouette of

QUEEN ISABEL OF SPAIN. The light in her blonde hair

creates a halo around her head as she turns. COLUMBUS

falls to his knees.

ISABEL:

Rise...! Come forward!

He approaches the window, stopping close to her. ISABEL

scrutinizes him quickly.

ISABEL:

I should not even be listening to

you, since my council said no. But

Santangel tells me you are a man of

honor and sincerity... And Sanchez,

that you are not a fool.

COLUMBUS:

(bold)

No more than the woman who said she

would take Granada from the Moors.

ISABEL smiles, enjoying the lack of obsequiousness.

ISABEL:

The ocean is uncrossable?

COLUMBUS:

What did they say about Granada

before today?

ISABEL:

(a beat)

That she was impregnable.

ISABEL smiles again.

ISABEL:

I cannot ignore the verdict of my

council.

COLUMBUS:

Surely you can do anything you want.

A direct challenge. She doesn't know what to make of this

man.

ISABEL:

How little you know.

This little hint of vulnerability subtly reverses their

positions for a moment. Now we sense COLUMBUS

scrutinizing her.

COLUMBUS:

May I speak freely?

ISABEL:

(with a smile)

You show no inclination to speak

otherwise!

COLUMBUS:

I know what I see. I see someone

who doesn't accept the world as it

is. Who's not afraid. I see a

women who thinks... "What if?"...

ISABEL:

(amused at his

familiarity)

A woman?

A slight pause.

COLUMBUS:

Forgive me... but you're the only

Queen I know.

She bursts out laughing.

ISABEL:

Then we are equal... since you are

the only sailor I know!

A beat.

ISABEL:

How old are you, Senor Colon?

COLUMBUS:

Thirty seven, Your Majesty... And

you?

Once again taken off guard, ISABEL flushes, and turns away

slightly to hide it.

ISABEL:

Thirty eight...

A pause.

ISABEL:

You will be informed of our

decision.

COLUMBUS bows and goes to leave. As the DUENA opens the

door for him, he turns back.

COLUMBUS:

Actually, I thought you were younger

than me!

And he goes out, leaving her stunned.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - TREE-LINED ROAD - DAY

A chalk white road, lined with trees. Two liveried

SERVANTS are walking down the road, one carrying a large

silver tray, the other a smaller tray.

They are overtaken by an ADMINISTRATOR who hurries along

the road, with documents under his arm.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - DAY

The CLERK enters an imposing stable block.

In the paddock, SANCHEZ is training a magnificent young

horse, making it step sideways, bending it to his will.

The ADMINISTRATOR watches him, unable to interrupt.

Behind him the two SERVANTS can be seen bringing in the

silver trays, with covered dishes of food, a decanter of

wine. They begin to lay them out on a table.

EXT. SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - LATER

SANCHEZ pours himself some wine, tucks into his his food,

while the ADMINISTRATOR, clearly working himself up into a

frenzy, reads from a document.

ADMINISTRATOR:

... and he demands... he DEMANDS to

be made a Knight, with the right to

bear the Golden Spurs! He will

receive the title of Don Cristobal

Colon -- which will be extended to

his descendants for ever more...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up. He is reading the contract

that COLUMBUS has proposed. SANCHEZ, his mouth full,

gestures for him to continue.

SANCHEZ:

Go on!

ADMINISTRATOR:

He will be named Great Admiral of

the Ocean Sea. Viceroy of the West

Indies... Governor of all islands or

lands discovered or as will be

discovered with his help...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up again.

ADMINISTRATOR:

The highest titles of nobility, Your

Excellency! To an immigrant

sheltered by monks!

SANCHEZ gestures for the document. Wipes his mouth.

Continues reading, calmly:

SANCHEZ:

Furthermore he will receive one

eight of all wealth or monies,

precious gems, pearls, metals,

spices and other lucrative sources

conquered within the boundaries of

his admiralty...

He smiles, hands the document back.

SANCHEZ:

It's very underdone.

ADMINISTRATOR:

(exploding)

Underdone! It's monstrous,

Excellency!

SANCHEZ:

No, the pheasant. It's almost raw.

And he carries on eating.

SANCHEZ:

You worry too much, Carvajal... The

man will have to lower his demands.

Believe me, he WILL!

INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - A RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

Close up on COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS:

I WON'T!

A WOMAN'S HAND quietly, carefully opens a cover of a spy

hole in the wall. Two beautiful eyes peer through a

grille, into the next room.

What they see:

SANCHEZ and COLUMBUS together. COLUMBUS is visibly upset.

SANCHEZ:

(calmly)

We have considered your -- demands

very carefully, Senor Colon... Your

expectations are... excessive, in

every way.

COLUMBUS tightens his fists, tries to remain calm.

COLUMBUS:

If I am right, my requests are fair!

SANCHEZ holds up a document.

SANCHEZ:

We have prepared our own contract...

He offers the document to COLUMBUS, who takes it, scans it

quickly, shakes his head.

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