The Prisoner of Zenda Page #2

- No, I think you'd know if you had.

- Why? Was it drugged?

- It was.

- Well, have you had a doctor?

- No, none within 10 miles.

And a thousand doctors wouldn't bring

him to today. I know the look of it.

He won't move

for seven or eight hours yet.

- But how? Why? Who?

- Who else but Michael?

- Who else?

- Michael!

- His brother?

- Half brother.

Michael's mother wasn't

acceptable in court circles.

But this is fantastic. Impossible!

What could be on Michael's mind?

He wants the throne

offered to him by the people.

He wants to pose as their savior

from the excesses of an incompetent king.

If he's not crowned today...

...he'll never be crowned.

Englishman, I'm much older than you.

As a man grows old,

he begins to believe in fate.

Fate sent you here.

Fate sends you now to Strelsau.

- What?

- Sounds mad, doesn't it?

But without your beard I'll wager

you could deceive your own brother.

You must be out of your mind.

It's a risk against a certainty.

My dear colonel, I came here

on a fishing trip. I like to fish.

I'm a simple Englishman.

I couldn't begin to act like a king,

even if I tried.

I wouldn't deceive anybody.

What are you smiling at?

It would be a scene, wouldn't it?

Cathedral crowded to the doors.

Organ booming, I kneel to be crowned.

Then your friend Michael

steps forward and shouts:

"This isn't the king. This is an Englishman

named Rudolf Rassendyll!"

No, I'm afraid not, gentlemen.

Then Michael sits on the throne tonight.

And the king lies in prison or his grave.

After all, it would only be for a day,

wouldn't it?

By tonight,

you'll be safely across the border.

King for a day.

What would it mean if I fail?

Your life, and mine, and Fritz's here.

Confound it,

I'd grown awfully fond of this beard.

Well, I hope the crown's a better fit.

- What are we going to do, sir?

- Hide him.

We can't chance Michael's men

finding him.

- The cellar will be best. Pick him up.

- What if they search?

- Josef will put them off.

- I know, sir, but...

We're not playing!

Do you think I don't know the risk?

If they do find him, he's no worse off

than if he's not crowned today.

Pick him up.

- I beg your pardon, sir, I...

- One moment!

- How long have you been caretaker here?

- Ten years.

- Have you the keys of the wine cellar?

- Yes, sir.

Open it.

- No, no! No!

- Drink it.

- No!

- Drink!

Tie her up.

Better gag her too.

The night before your coronation,

you must have wine.

And wine, and more wine.

But you're my king.

The son of your father.

And may I rot in my grave

before Black Michael sits in your place.

Remarkable vintage, that '68.

Lock the door.

Sleep well, sire.

We go to see you crowned.

It's not bad, you know. Not bad at all.

There. The last detail.

Remember, that is to be released

20 minutes after Hentzau brings you word...

...that the coronation ceremonies

have been canceled.

- Twenty minutes, not before.

- Yes, Your Highness.

And now may I offer congratulations.

A shade premature.

But thank you, Detchard.

Gentlemen, you will now go

to your respective posts.

The time grows near.

We go to serve our country,

and our future sovereign.

Michael, you said I would be your wife.

I want to be your wife.

I want to serve you and make you happy.

But I know that dream is ended

if your plan succeeds.

Take the happiness I can give you.

- Let your brother have the power.

- No!

All my life I've played second fiddle

to that weakling and why?

Because his mother was a princess

and mine was not.

I'm the eldest son,

but he was the crown prince.

He lived in the royal palace.

He dined with kings.

Well, today the table is set for Rudolph.

But it's Michael who's going to the feast.

Come in!

- I'm sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty.

- Hentzau.

Your Highness.

Why aren't you at the cathedral?

Is there a hurry to go to the coronation

of a king who's not going to be there?

Do we want to make it obvious

we knew he wouldn't be coming?

We must be there.

By the way, the burgomaster of Zenda

is outside to pay his respects...

...and a deputation of loyal peasants.

I told them you were too busy.

They didn't seem to like that very much.

There may come a time, Hentzau...

...when your services

no longer excuse your impertinence.

I called at your hotel this morning

and they told me you were out.

Curiously enough, you were out too.

I'm glad you didn't lie to me.

I don't like women who lie to me.

They don't usually do it,

as a matter of fact.

I usually lie to them.

Somebody once called fidelity

a fading woman's greatest weapon...

...and a charming woman's

greatest hypocrisy.

And you're very charming.

Michael's very busy,

and likely to be more so.

I thought I heard His Highness order you

to your place in the cathedral.

So now you're trying

to put me in my place.

You know, I like arrogance

in a woman, at first.

It's always amusing to find

that the arrogance is only a defense.

But you don't need a defense against me.

I'm on your side.

I think Michael's treating you wretchedly.

What's he getting

out of this marriage of state?

An insipid, flaxen-haired doll.

Poor Michael.

The idea that His Highness

is marrying Princess Flavia...

...is not up to your standard,

Count Rupert.

I'd heard you were more amusing.

- How else can he get the crown?

- He doesn't want the crown.

Those in his confidence know.

He wants only to be regent.

Of course.

But when Rudolph abdicates,

and Flavia becomes queen?

You can't put that off forever, you know.

A young, inexperienced queen...

...would naturally lean on her cousin

the duke for guidance.

So he's made you believe he wants to be

the man behind the throne?

Oh, no. No, he wants to sit on it.

And sit on it he cannot

until he marries the rightful queen.

I think it's shameful of him to

keep you in the dark like this.

But what's a marriage of convenience

to a woman of the world like you?

You want to hold him? Make him jealous.

Well, you'll have to fall back

on me for that.

I'm the only man in the kingdom

who's not afraid of Michael.

I, Rudolph, with justice and mercy,

to deal sovereignty.

To guard with vigilance and honor

the welfare of my peoples from all enemies...

Don't tell me.

- From all enemies to defend them...

...and from the throne of my ancestors,

to bear faithful rule, all this do I swear.

Stop shaking, boy.

They'll think you've got the age-olds.

A little too quick, but you'll do.

We're all right

till we get to the cathedral.

The princess hasn't seen him

for several years.

But Michael...

Well, I've told you all I can.

I'll be at your ear every minute.

Your capital, Your Majesty.

God save the king!

God save them both. Steady, lad.

It's the day, the hour,

almost the moment.

History is born out of a bottle of wine.

The king!

His Majesty has arrived, Your Highness.

The king? How's it possible?

Something went wrong. Go to Zenda.

Zenda? Why? He's here.

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