Another Arcadia chunk

Venice, the Doge’s Palace.

(Through the state windows we see the figure of the Cardinal from earlier, gazing beadily out over the canal. Behind him are several Venetian counsellors in black robes, and a couple of men gorgeously dressed in fashionable costumes of the English court.)

FIRST COUNSELLOR: Eduardo, lord Windsor. Sir Ricardo Shelley. You are aware why you have been summoned, no?

SHELLEY: Of course there is the matter of the outstanding sum, Signor Contarini; and we promise…

CARDINAL: You promise! You promise! You English do nothing but promise. (He laughs, then returns to surveying the window.)

SECOND COUNSELLOR: My…lord…Windsor…sir…all we ask is a reasonable attitude. You know what to do when your…shall I say, your friend, arrives?

WINDSOR: All is in readiness, Signor Foscaro.

FIRST COUNSELLOR: Are you sure Master Sidney trusts you?

WINDSOR: Absolutely. We were at Oxford together.

SECOND COUNSELLOR: Well then, my lord Cardinale, we need not worry. (Turning to a third counsellor) Angelo! Tell the people at your palace to make a bed…prepared, for the young English gentleman…

(Cut to Sidney and Norton, in a gondola, progressing down the Grand Canal.)

NORTON: The greatest city in the world!

SIDNEY: I think not. The most beautiful, maybe.

NORTON: Where are we going, Master Philip? What are we doing.

SIDNEY: Waiting.

(A gun sounds.)

SIDNEY: (to the gondolier) Now take us to the Arsenale.

(Cut to Oxford and Shelley, surrounded by suspicious looking Venetian guards, waiting near the arsenal.)

SHELLEY: Is that him?

OXFORD: I think so. He’s looking pretty shabby.

SHELLEY: Let’s go.

(We see the four men, Norton hanging back, converging, now on foot, towards the centre of a bridge.)

SIDNEY: Edward! It’s been some time.

WINDSOR: Welcome to Venice, Philip.

SHELLEY: Master Sidney. I am glad to meet you. I trust here you will find the calm you seek.

(A traghetto, a flat-bottomed boat that ferries passengers horizontally across canals, is followed, letting off three masked figures, two men dressed as harlequins, and a blonde, heavily powdered woman…familiar looking…)

GREVILLE: How long must we keep this stupid game in play?

MARLOWE: Ah, Fulke, dontcha appreciate my hand with the costumes?

STELLA: Quiet, Marlowe. Remember the deal – if you cross us, you get the canal.

GREVILLE: Look! It’s them!

(We pan out. The three pursuers are less than a hundred yards behind their oblivious quarry.)

With…

STELLA: Is something troubling you, Master Greville?

GREVILLE: You could say that. Lord Windsor and Sir Richard Shelley! Philip is consorting with the most notorious Catholic exiles in the English nobility! What can he be up to?

MARLOWE: Just you stay quiet, lording, and we might yet find out.