Adventure Story Page #3

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No, just Alexander.

(HERALDS PLAYING)

(SOLDIERS CHEERING)

So, this is what it is to be a king.

Parmenion. Philotas.

Oh, you forestalled me I see.

You did wonders, both of you.

-Are you hurt, sir?

-Oh, it's nothing.

Father Cleitus.

Oh, you are safe, thank god.

There was a rumour you were killed.

Oh, it'll take more

than a rumour to kill me.

I knew it wasn't true.

Even the Persian wouldn't have the heart

to take Father Cleitus from me.

-Hey, let me look at this wound.

-Ah, now don't fuss.

Hephaestion,

show them what you're holding.

-This wound needs dressing.

-Yeah, just in a minute.

No, now. Hey, you, what's your name?

Fetch me a bowl of water

and some bandage.

Gentlemen, you're now looking

at the bow and the mantle of Darius.

-You've got him?

-No, there wasn't the chance.

But I found his chariot

abandoned in a ditch.

He must have got away on horseback.

What do you think of the mantle?

Handsome, is it not?

Try it on.

-How does it suit me?

-It might have been made for you.

MAZERES:
The water, master.

Yeah, let me see that.

Yeah, I admire his Persian Majesty's

taste in camp furniture.

-Oh, Father.

-Oh, yes!

Yes, there's another item

of camp furniture here,

that I think you'll admire even more.

Well, let's see it.

Useful!

-How much? Enough for arrears?

-More than enough.

Splendid! Give every man a bonus then.

Oh, surely that would be

most unwise, sir.

-I mean, we must have a reserve.

-A reserve. Whatever for?

-Well, for future.

-The future will provide for itself.

-Philotas?

-Sir.

Have that chest taken back to our camp

under guard and organise pay parades.

Not tonight, huh?

Yes, as soon as possible.

I think you'll find it an effective way

of getting our men back to camp.

Very effective, I should think.

Four of you take that chest.

Er, don't you think

you ought to count it first?

For heaven's sake,

don't ask whatever for

or I might have to tell you.

Yes, all right, Philotas.

You can take what you like.

Oh, now, of course,

I can't touch a thing.

All right you lot,

come on, quick, march.

You're mad, Alexander.

-Clean out of your head.

-Yes. So many people think.

You're an expert nurse, father Cleitus.

You'd better let me have

another look at it tomorrow.

-Perhaps.

-No, perhaps about it.

You do what I say.

-Ah, I've got a little surprise for you.

-Yes, what is it?

Never you mind. You just wait here.

Shan't be a second.

What's his surprise?

I gather it's a special reserve

of female captives.

Oh, isn't that typical of Cleitus.

Why do so many of my men

expect me to behave like an animal?

You know, Parmenion, sex and sleep

are the two things of this world

that make me most conscious

of my mortality.

You didn't sleep at all last night?

Hephaestion,

have I ever slept before battle?

(CHUCKLING) Never.

-At least you'll sleep tonight.

-Perhaps.

Parmenion, from the bottom of my heart,

I thank you.

-Thank me, sir, what for?

-For winning my battle for me.

-That's not true.

-Isn't it?

Well, anyway we won it and I thank you.

-Thank the Gods, sir, not me.

-Well, I thank both.

Go and stop Cleitus

making a fool of himself

-with his female captives, will you?

-I will, sir, if I can find him.

-And then come back to dinner.

-Sir.

Oh, God, if there is any justice

in heaven let my father know

what I have done today.

Let him see me here and now

in Darius's tent,

wearing Darius's mantle.

And let his eyes

(SHOUTING) burn with the sight.

Hephaestion,

do you ever think I'm a bit mad?

-Sometimes, Alexander.

-So do I, sometimes.

-Give me some wine.

-That's a rare request for you.

Well, I'm thirsty.

What a horrible taste wine has.

I don't know how people

can drink that stuff.

Now,

what shall I send home

to my dear mother?

-That cloak?

-No.

I wouldn't part with it.

Something with the royal arms on it.

-Well, I know what I'm sending home.

-What?

-A lion cub.

-A lion cub?

Yes, with the most beautiful

jewelled collar.

He's in my tent now.

Probably eating all my clothes.

-Imposing, isn't it?

-Very.

It's a strange object

to bring on active service.

The master of the world

must keep his state.

-I wonder where he is now?

-Probably hiding in a ditch somewhere.

How can a man become a God?

By doing what is impossible

for a man to do.

To lead thirty five thousand against

a quarter of a million and win.

Have I done the impossible, Hephaestion?

Your divinity is assured,

your translation into a fiery chariot,

imminent.

I only hope you don't find it

too cold on Olympus.

-Cold and lonely?

-Oh, no! Surely not lonely.

-On Olympus?

-Not on Olympus, on Earth, I meant.

The true Emperor, he is a God among men.

That seat,

it must be a very lonely place.

-It needn't be.

-It must be.

Then why, knowing that,

should a man want to sit on it?

If today I had killed Darius...

-How near him did we come?

-About 20 paces.

Twenty paces

within the empire of the world.

(LAUGHING) Well, well, next time

we must pray for better luck.

(WOMEN WAILING)

Oh, do stop wailing, you brat,

or I'll give you some to wail about.

All right, you can go.

Now stand over here.

Here.

There, that's better.

Now kneel down.

Yes, that's right.

-Your Majesty?

-ALEXANDER:
Yes, what is it?

Certain prisoners await

Your Majesty's pleasure.

Oh, Cleitus, you clown.

I sent Parmenion to stop you.

Oh, did you?

Well, I wasn't to be stopped anyway.

-How do you like them, eh?

-Very much but please take them away.

Didn't you even want to ask their names?

No, I don't want to ask their names.

Please don't kneel. Stand up.

Cleitus, take them

out of here, will you?

Mother, he's wearing father's cloak.

-Cleitus, you're under arrest.

-Sir.

-How dare you do this?

-Sir, I thought you'd be pleased.

(SHOUTING) Get out, you barbarian.

If there's anything I can do

to wipe out this insult,

you must tell me and it shall be done.

There is no insult, sir.

We are your prisoners

and you may deal with us as you please.

-You are the Queen Mother of Persia?

-I am.

Your son is not dead nor is he captured.

He fought bravely

but the Gods were not on his side.

-He... He's safe then?

-Yes, madam, he lives to fight again.

Hephaestion,

I'm placing these ladies in your charge.

Where were your proper quarters?

They were in the two tents

next to this one.

Escort them there,

put a guard of honour on duty.

Find them servants and see that they are

given every comfort they are used to.

Is there anything else

that I myself can do for you?

Yes, please.

Can you find Marduck?

-And who is Marduck?

-My lion cub. I think he's been stolen,

because I heard him making

a terrible noise.

Yes, I think I can find Marduck for you.

What is more,

I think I can find the thief.

If I do,

what would you like done to him?

-Put him in Marduck's cage.

-Excellent idea.

Hephaestion, see that order carried out.

Yes, sir.

It is wrong of me to ask, I know,

but my son,

you're not hiding the truth

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