Young Bess Page #4

---

- You might have plans for them.

- Plans?

You might want them to get married

Perhaps you think they'd like it.

- Perhaps they would.

- Then say so. Your wish is the law

- Who's to argue with the King?

- Who's to argue with me?

Did I say it was my wish they should

get married? Yes! I think I did.

- Isn't it a brilliant idea?

- Who am I to judge your ideas?

See that the country knows

you're the master.

They're your subjects. They have to

obey. Let it be today. It's torture

Bess, what's the matter? You're

crying. What are you crying about?

- I don't know.

- You're crying about me.

You don't have to feel sorry for me

Don't pity me. Stop it, Bess!

I can't abide weeping women.

Bess, you'll see what happens.

I'm the King!

By the devil's teeth, where are my

servants? I want pens and parchment

I want to write a letter

to a friend of mine.

"We have Your Highness's contentment

at heart and, after consideration,

- it is our royal wish and desire

that you marry our Uncle Tom."

"We expect you to do it forthwith,

showing yourself as a good subject

"We chose our Uncle Tom because

he will not be troublesome to you.

- Oh, Tom!

- Not troublesome to you! Rascal!

Perhaps we laugh too soon. The boy

has no power. Ned won't allow it.

He must if the letter's made public

I'll read it at the reception.

"We persuaded Bess

of the excellence of the idea -

- as soon as it

matured in our mind."

- Is this perhaps your doing?

- No!

- No, it isn't.

- Barnaby told me you were there.

Bess, my sweet Bess. You talked

the King over. You did it for me.

I told you I had nothing ...

nothing to do with it.

Bess.

Bess.

My dear, what's wrong?

Madam, I ...

I shall leave the day

before the wedding.

Now I understand.

Oh, my darling.

You thought you'd have to leave.

That's wrong. This is your home!

You belong to us.

I love you, Bess.

And Tom loves you too.

You know that, don't you?

- Yes, madam.

- Then you'll stay?

Yes, madam.

Today my Uncle Tom wed Catherine

Parr. It almost killed Uncle Ned.

But it was my wish,

and I am the King!

More power to Uncle Tom. I'll give

him ships to fight the pirates.

I am the King.

Uncle Tom has defeated the pirates

It almost killed my Uncle Ned.

Hoorah!

- They cheer him like a savior.

- A man can work for his people.

But the crowd still runs after

a handsome face.

- Just listen to those women.

- The man's insatiable.

- He has two wives already!

- What ridiculous nonsense you talk!

- If only you'd listen to me.

- I do, too much.

- That's why I sent Tom on the trip

- The Lord High Admiral.

Welcome home, and thanks in the name

of the Council for a splendid job.

- I'm glad you liked what I did.

- Not all of it, Tom.

It seems that after the battle, you

had a good time with the pirates.

We cracked some bottles and played

cards. They're great captains.

- And robbers!

- Yes, they do forget their manner

They want me to do it again.

Keep the sea lanes open.

This is great. Just give me

ten times as many ships.

- And the crowd will cheer you.

- And sweep you to the throne.

Fascinating idea.

- We'll all go to sea with you, Tom

- Afraid, Ann? I wonder why?

Had you hoped I returned defeated,

or, better still, not at all?

Was that the idea of sending me out

with only five decrepit ships?

- Make way for the King.

- But, Your Majesty ...

- I have to see my Uncle Tom.

- I told you the King was not ...

Your Majesty. The admiral of your

fleet reports with great pride.

The campaign you wished has been

taken to a successful conclusion.

- We are very pleased.

- Your ship was in the lead.

- A shining example to the rest.

- We are very pleased. We thank you

- Little rascal! How have you been

- Nothing under the carpet!

- There will be!

- Put His Majesty down, Tom.

Your Majesty, your people want you

Tom!

Cathy!

- It's so good to have you home.

- Oh, Cathy.

Why aren't you down to greet him?

What will they think of you?

- They'll be happy to be alone.

- Aren't you behaving strangely?

- He'll think you don't care.

- Leave me alone, Ashley.

Bess!

Well, what's this? Triumphal arches

everywhere, but Bess is in her room

I thought you'd like a few moments

alone with Catherine.

I see. Tact.

- Grown up, is that it?

- Yes, milord.

- Isn't it all rather nonsense?

- No, milord.

Yes, milord. No, milord.

Welcome home, Tom.

- Why don't you ride with them?

- I should only spoil their fun.

Besides, they're going to try the

new sails, and I'm not a sailor.

You're troubled, Ashley.

What is it?

I'm not sure he realizes

that she's no longer a child.

It has always delighted me

to see them together, Ashley.

What do you think of it?

It's as good as new.

- Better!

- Why?

You've made improvements.

The mizzenmast is rigged

to make her easier on the helm.

- Where did you pick that up?

- I read and I watch.

- I like everything about the sea.

- That includes me.

- You most of all.

- Bless you for that, Bess.

- What can't we do with 100 ships!

- We?

You and I and England.

Cathy.

We're home.

I'll tell her what a great sailor

you are. You belong there!

We'll sail again, together.

Unless ...

Unless the Lord Protector

has his way.

How would you like to go to Denmark

or Sweden to be married there?

- You're not serious.

- My brother wants to marry you off

To the Danish or the Swedish prince

Doesn't he know I'd never dream of

leaving ..? I belong to England.

He knows that one day

this country may belong to you.

- That's why he wants you gone.

- The King is still young.

He's not strong. He won't grow old

And your sister Mary's a fool.

She's not like you.

If you were queen, would you

let your admiral do great deeds?

I'd give him opportunities

he never dared dream about.

I'd send him around the globe

like the Portuguese do.

Send him to the New World to let

the Spanish know we're the masters

- But we're a small country.

- That can be remedied, Tom.

- It can be remedied.

- It's exciting to hear you talk.

I find myself believing

in what you say.

- I envy your admiral.

- But that will be you, Tom.

- You!

- My dear Bess.

Who knows what I'll be when you

set out to beat the Spaniards?

You'll be with me, Tom.

Always!

Always!

Well, nobody's home.

We're back. We're hungry.

Cathy. Don't move, sweetheart.

Beautiful!

I wish that Italian Leonardo was

alive. He could have painted you.

Tom!

- Have you been far?

- Everywhere. We circled the globe

Conquered the world.

It was wonderful!

You behave as if we haven't

seen each other for weeks.

Tom, put me down, please.

Thank you, milords.

Tom!

- What's that?

- Princess Elizabeth.

- Here? To do what?

- Meet the Danish envoy.

Don't you think he should see her

before he recommends the marriage?

- You know she won't leave England

- Yet she wrote me a letter.

Most surprising

in it's graceful attitude.

"Whatever your choice may be, I'll

bow to the wisdom of the Council."

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote