by Ian Shimwell
SHERIFF: The secret concerns the Crown itself. Will you both swear to that Crown to never disclose this remarkable revelation?
GISBOURNE: I swear.
MARION: Me too.
SHERIFF: The story of the scarlet cloaked one, from London, is true and I can reveal… I can reveal…
GISBOURNE: Yes..?
SHERIFF: … that it is the King of England himself. Richard the Lionheart has returned!
(Adventurous, but brooding music focusses the camera on a darkened Sherwood Forest.)
(END OF ACT ONE)
Act Two
(1) (Dawn is just breaking in Sherwood Forest, and MUCH, yawning and stretching emerges from the cave. He touches his back, and a shiver of pain shows on his face.)
MUCH: Once, just to sleep on a proper bed again – and to eat a full breakfast. Not the scrapes we have to put up with.
ALAN A DALE: Stop moaning, Much.
MUCH: It’s what I do.
ROBIN: And I can vouch for that.
MUCH: Thank-you, master. Err… I think.
ROBIN: Will, how’s the revolutionary new bow coming along?
WILL SCARLET: And arrow. There’s still much work to be done. It’ll never be ready for this morning.
(We can see the bow beginning to take shape.)
LITTLE JOHN: Shame.
CATHY: Please rescue my brother… somehow – but how?
ROBIN: Try not to worry, Cathy. We will just have to save Mavrik using our wits and our traditional bows.
WILL SCARLET: And arrows?
ROBIN: (Says annoyed:) Yes, and arrows too.
(ALAN A DALE clears his throat.)
ROBIN: Yes Alan?
ALAN A DALE: And I have an idea to get us into the castle courtyard unnoticed, to give us all a fighting chance.
(2) (The camera’s pace is quick as ROBIN purposefully leads his men through the forest. Suddenly, MARION runs to meet them.)
MARION: Robin, wait – I must warn you.
(ROBIN signals for everyone to stop.)
ROBIN: What is it, Marion?
MUCH: Yes, can’t you see we’re busy?
MARION: The Sheriff knows something about the new weapon. I told Gisbourne. I’m sorry, I had to…
ROBIN: The self-appointed king of the castle would know by now, anyway. (Says slightly quieter so CATHY can’t hear him:) Mavrik knew something, and I’m sure Gisbourne would have found a way to loosen his tongue, to pass some time during the night.
MARION: Well, I thought you should know.
LITTLE JOHN: Is that it? Come on, Robin – we should go.
CATHY: We must hurry… before it’s too late.
MARION: Who’s…?
ROBIN: Mavrik’s sister.
MARION: I see. Robin, there is something else. Something you’re not going to believe. I’m not sure I believe it.
ROBIN: Please tell me later. We have a noose to beat.
MUCH: Before Mavrik is hung out to dry.
(CATHY storms on ahead, clearly upset.)
WILL SCARLET: Oh, nice one Much.
(WILL SCARLET rushes to console CATHY, and ROBIN and his men march on. MARION looks on, concerned.)
(3) (ALAN A DALE is entertaining a crowd of onlookers just outside the gates to the castle courtyard. There is a primitive table set before him and he is holding the interest of his audience, in part, by quick movement of three wooden cups.)
ALAN A DALE: Come on, ladies and gents, all you have to do is find the marble. I’ll wager this… err gold ring that you can’t. Now, who wants to win before the execution?
VILLAGER: I’ll take your ring – it will please my woman.
ALAN A DALE: Then sir, make your way to the front.
(The big VILLAGER bungles his way to the front. The guards, by the gate are also engrossed in this little show. This allows ROBIN, LITTLE JOHN, MUCH, WILL SCARLET and CATHY [all disguised as villagers] to slip past and enter the courtyard.)
ALAN A DALE: You’re a farmer – what will you wager?
VILLAGER: A sheep!
ALAN A DALE: Very well, now watch closely. (He slowly places the small spherical marble under the middle cup, and then begins to move them in a complicated, but relatively slow manner. He then stops.) Now, which one holds the marble – and by association this beautiful and precious golden ring?
VILLAGER: That’s easy – it’s this one. (He points to the cup on the right.)
ALAN A DALE: Are you sure?
VILLAGER: Yes.
(ALAN A DALE slowly reveals the right-hand cup to be empty. There is a gasp from the crowd. He reveals the middle cup to be still holding the marble.)
ALAN A DALE: Now, where’s that sheep?
(4) (Inside the courtyard, the expectant crowd has gathered. On the ‘stage’ is the SHERIFF, GISBOURNE, the hangman and a priest, who are all stood by the hangman’s noose.)
SHERIFF: Have the prisoner brought to the gallows.
(Two guards thrust MAVRIK onto the platform. ROBIN and his men are scattered throughout the crowd. ROBIN nods to LITTLE JOHN who in turn, nods to a worried-looking MUCH. CATHY simply cannot bear to watch. The SHERIFF unrolls a scroll of paper.)
SHERIFF: Mavrik, the Miller’s son has committed great crimes against the state – for which he will be hanged forthwith.
(GISBOURNE passes a subdued MAVRIK to the hangman, who places the noose around MAVRIK’s neck. The Priest starts babbling, but the SHERIFF cuts him short.)
SHERIFF: Lar-de-dah. Oh, shut up and get on with it.
(The Hangman throws the wooden lever, and MAVRIK is left dangling. The crowd catch their breaths. At that moment, four arrows burst from nowhere and precisely meet at the Hangman’s rope, slicing it completely. MAVRIK falls to the ground, coughing and choking – but alive.)
SHERIFF: Now!
(The guards swoop – but only on ROBIN. He is surprised, and disarmed immediately. ROBIN is then dragged to the ‘stage’.)
SHERIFF: How nice of you to join us, Robin.
(MARION can be seen for the first time, looking worried.)
ROBIN: So, this is what all this charade was about.
GISBOURNE: (Who raises his sword.) Shall I kill him now, my lord?
SHERIFF: Err… no – I’ve changed my mind. Instead, Robin of Loxley, I invite you and you alone to dine with us tonight at my majestic castle.
ROBIN: What?
SHERIFF: If you agree, I will spare that snivelling wretch, Mavrik, his pathetic life.
GISBOURNE: Sheriff, have you been drinking?
(The SHERIFF slaps GISBOURNE across the face with his gloved hand.)
ROBIN: How could I… err refuse such a generous invitation from the Sheriff of Nottingham himself?
(A relieved CATHY glances at a smiling WILL SCARLET, while LITTLE JOHN and MUCH look on, baffled. Mysterious music can be heard as the camera pans away.)
(5) (MARION and ROBIN are walking through the forest.)
MARION: So, have all your men deserted you, now you’re ‘friends’ with the Sheriff?
ROBIN: Not quite, they’re all back at base. And anyway, accepting a bizarre meal invitation doesn’t exactly make us lifelong chums.
MARION: I should think not.
(There is a hint of mischief showing on MARION’s expression.)
ROBIN: You know why he’s invited me, don’t you?
MARION: I could make an educated guess.
ROBIN: And yes, Marion – before you said you had something to tell me that I would not believe.
MARION: You are right, Robin – I believe your audience with the Sheriff will concern that – the unbelievable.
ROBIN: Well, go on – what is it?
MARION: The velvet, cloaked one, whom enchanted the Court of Nobles in Royal London – I now know who he is.
ROBIN: Who?
MARION: King Richard, The Lionheart.
ROBIN: But that’s impossible, Richard is in the Holy Land fighting the Saracen Hordes. I know, Much and I left him there.
MARION: N
evertheless, that is what I have been told, however unbelievable it may seem.
ROBIN: And this is what you suspect the Sheriff will speak to me about tonight during dinner? Interesting… You know what?
MARION: You ask me, so you can tell me.
ROBIN: I’m starting to feel hungry already…
(6) (In their clearing ‘base’, just outside the cave, in Sherwood Forest, CATHY looks on concerned, as WILL SCARLET is working intently, putting the finishing touches to his revolutionary new bow.)
WILL SCARLET: Well, what do you think Cathy?
CATHY: The inner bark of the bow does look beautiful Will, but…
WILL SCARLET: But, what?
CATHY: I know it’s the strange, twisted, knotted bark that will give this bow an amazing reach, but I still say it is too fragile.
WILL SCARLET: Nonsense.
(ROBIN, closely followed by MUCH and LITTLE JOHN, emerge from the cave.)
CATHY: I say it is.
WILL SCARLET: Isn’t.
ROBIN: Everything all right?
WILL SCARLET & CATHY: (They say together – and a little too hurriedly:) Yes, no problems.
ROBIN: Good.
CATHY: Oh, thanks Robin – and everyone really for saving my Mavrik.
ROBIN: Where is he, by the way?
CATHY: At home, and I don’t think he’ll dare come out for a month at least!
ROBIN: And the bow… And arrow, Will?
WILL SCARLET: Just a few finishing touches, and the revolutionary super-bow is complete.
(ROBIN pats WILL SCARLET on the back, encouragingly – and walks to the edge of the clearing. Dutifully, MUCH and LITTLE JOHN follow.)
MUCH: What are we eating for ‘dinner’, Little John?
LITTLE JOHN: I think there’s some scrapings of stewed mutton left.
MUCH: Wonderful.
ROBIN: (Who laughs.) I’ll be thinking of you, when I’m eating my banquet at the castle.
MUCH: Any chance of bringing back a horsey-bag for me? It’s like a doggy bag, but only bigger.
ROBIN: (Who is amused.) I’ll think about it, at least.
LITTLE JOHN: Robin, aren’t you going to change into something a little more… grand?
MUCH: Yes, your new ‘friend’, the Sheriff might be upset if you don’t dress posh.
ROBIN: I am an outlaw – and shall dress accordingly.
(ROBIN hands LITTLE JOHN his bow and pouch of arrows – and his sword.)
LITTLE JOHN: What are you doing?
MUCH: You need protection, master – or you’ll be dead before the first course.
ROBIN: I don’t think so. I’m sure the food at Nottingham Castle isn’t that bad.
LITTLE JOHN: We shall go with you.
ROBIN: No. and besides, I am going to a civilised dinner and, as such, have no need of any weapons.
MUCH: Civilised – hah. The Sheriff has no understanding of the word.
LITTLE JOHN: It pains me to say it, but Much is right.
ROBIN: The Sheriff wants something – and going unarmed will help him to say it.
MUCH: Say what?
ROBIN: I’m not sure, but I do have an astonishing suspicion…
(7) (In a grand chamber, inside Nottingham Castle, a long table is filled with food. The SHERIFF is sat at one end, ROBIN at the other – and GISBOURNE in the middle. The SHERIFF is savagely biting into a leg of chicken. GISBOURNE and ROBIN are also eating, but a bit more refined.)
SHERIFF: Come, Robin – your goblet is overflowing with wine, drink.
ROBIN: (Who holds the golden goblet with suspicion.) The wine, it’s probably poisoned.
(GISBOURNE suddenly gets up and draws his sword. He points it directly at ROBIN’s throat.)
GISBOURNE: Drink Loxley, our host would take it as a personal insult if you do not.
ROBIN: Putting it like that gives me a sudden thirst.
(ROBIN gulps the wine, drinking it in one. He places the empty goblet back on the table.)
ROBIN: Happy now?
GISBOURNE: Shall I kill him now, my lord?
ROBIN: Here we go again.
SHERIFF: Don’t be a fool, Gisbourne. Sit down and finish your meal. Didn’t your mother ever tell you to finish your dinner before slaying your enemy?
(Reluctantly, GISBOURNE does as he is bidden.)
SHERIFF: Anyway, if I wanted you dead, Hood – you already would be.
ROBIN: Likewise.
SHERIFF: Touché. However, perhaps it was unwise to come here unarmed…
ROBIN: What do you actually want, Sheriff? Discovering that is the only reason I have endured this meal – and your company. Oh, and taking Much a ‘horsey-bag’.
GISBOURNE: A what?
SHERIFF: I want your help, Robin of Sherwood.
ROBIN: Go on.
SHERIFF: It seems the King has returned from the Holy Land.
GISBOURNE: Perhaps the Devil’s Hoards have bored him?
ROBIN: Unlikely, but I have heard such a story.
SHERIFF: Story, eh? Reports suggest he was last seen approaching Gatechester.
ROBIN: Hmm, Gatechester – I have heard dark rumours…
SHERIFF: I need a small discreet force to go – and find him.
ROBIN: What, and kill him?
SHERIFF: Not at all. Richard may need protection from his… err enemies. If we can do that, it would look very favourably for me.
ROBIN: We?
SHERIFF: I want you and Gisbourne to locate King Richard.
ROBIN: If it really is the King. Or could it be a Royal shadow..?
SHERIFF: That is dangerous talk, Robin. But fear not, Gisbourne here will look after you.
GISBOURNE: Not a chance. I will not help or join… him on anything.
SHERIFF: Sir Guy of Gisbourne – you have no choice. Otherwise I will separate your noble aspect from your noble shoulders. Do I make myself clear?
GISBOURNE: Yes, my lord.
ROBIN: And I do have a choice.
SHERIFF: Yes. If it is your wish, you are free to walk away.
ROBIN: With an arrow in my back, no doubt.
GISBOURNE: How… fitting that would be.
SHERIFF: Oh, come now Robin. This is a chance to put our petty squabbles aside for something far more important.
ROBIN: An alliance with Gisbourne to save the King? I don’t know, they say there is no such thing as a free lunch…
(8) (ROBIN and GISBOURNE are riding side-by-side on a track through the forest. They come to a sudden halt.)
GISBOURNE: Why have we stopped?
ROBIN: To pick up a passenger.
GISBOURNE: What?
(Looking slightly guilty, MUCH comes out from the foliage. He jumps on the horse with ROBIN.)
GISBOURNE: He, is not coming with us.
MUCH: It is Lord Much actually.
ROBIN: Much joining us is a condition of my acceptance of this… quest or whatever it is.
GISBOURNE: I do not care – the agreement was…
ROBIN: Do you want to tell the Sheriff you are no longer following his orders?
GISBOURNE: Oh, bring your nursemaid, if you must then.
(Bad-temperedly, GISBOURNE pulls his horse round, and spurs it on, to start cantering. ROBIN and MUCH follow.)
(9) (In the castle, the SHERIFF is in his ‘office’, twiddling his thumbs at his desk. There is a knock at the door.)
SHERIFF: Enter.
(The door opens – and SQUIRESBY ambles in. The SHERIFF ignores him, and pretends to be working on something at his desk.)
SQUIRESBY: You summoned me, sir.
(The SHERIFF looks up from his ‘work’.)
SHERIFF: From now on, Squiresby – you will address me, ‘my lord’.
SQUIRESBY: Yes sir – I mean, my lord.
SHERIFF: I have sent Sir Guy of Gisbourne on a little errand, shall we say.
SQUIRESBY: Anywhere nice?
SHERIFF: Shut up, Squiresby. While he is away, I am appointing you as my second-in-command.
> SQUIRESBY: I am therefore at your service… my lord.
SHERIFF: And Robin Hood has accompanied Gisbourne on this jolly jaunt.
SQUIRESBY: But that can’t be.
SHERIFF: It can be – and it is.
SQUIRESBY: As you say, my lord.
SHERIFF: The up side of all this, is that it provides us with an unique opportunity.
SQUIRESBY: It does?
SHERIFF: Hood’s men are nothing without their leader.
SQUIRESBY: (Who smirks.) I think I know where this is going…
SHERIFF: While the cat’s away, we will slay the mice. Every last outlaw will be wiped from Sherwood Forest.
SQUIRESBY: I will see to it personally.
SHERIFF: And when Robin returns from his mission, I want to be the first to see the expression on his face…
(Brooding, doom-laden music can be heard as the camera focusses on the SHERIFF’s expectant face, as gradually there is a fade to black.)
(END OF ACT TWO)
Act Three
(1) (ROBIN with MUCH and GISBOURNE are galloping through the countryside. Adventurous music accompanies this montage of horse-riding. Eventually, they slowly come to a halt.)
MUCH: Are we nearly there yet? I’m starving.
GISBOURNE: Not much longer.
ROBIN: Are you sure, Gisbourne? Gatechester must still be miles away.
GISBOURNE: The journey-time is two days by horse along the Great North Road. We are nearly at the Halfway Inn, where we will spend the night.
MUCH: Can I get something to eat there?
GISBOURNE: Yes – and drink.
ROBIN: And then tomorrow, we seek an audience with the King.
GISBOURNE: That is the plan.
MUCH: And when we see Richard, do you think he’ll offer us a Royal banquet?
GISBOURNE: I doubt that very much, Much.
(GISBOURNE laughs at his own joke.)
GISBOURNE: Come, the inn should only be beyond the second rise.
(They ride on.)
(2) (SQUIRESBY is purposefully striding across the courtyard. Stopping, he beckons a guard over to him.)
GUARD: Squiresby.
SQUIRESBY: Summon the rest of the men and report back to me within the hour.
GUARD: Who suddenly made you in charge?
SQUIRESBY: The Sheriff – I’m replacing Gisbourne. So, if you have a problem with my authority, would you like to question our Sheriff yourself?
GUARD: Err… no.