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28B INT. TAVERN.DAY. Will has remained behind, aghast now at his predicament. He goes to the bar. Give me to drink mandragora. Straight up, Will ? Give my friend a beaker of your best brandy. Will turns toward a figure further down the bar. Kit ... How goes it, Will ? Wonderful, wonderful. Burbage says you have a play. I have. And chinks to show for it. His drink arrives. WILL places a sovereign on the bar. I insist - and a beaker for Mr. Marlowe. The BARMAN does the business. I hear you have a new play for the Curtain. Not new - my "Doctor Faustus". I love your early work. "Was this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium ?" I have a new one nearly done, and better. "The Massacre at Paris". Good title. And yours ? "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter". (beat; sighs despondently) Yes, I know. What is the story ? Well, there's a pirate ... (confesses) In truth, I have not written a word. Romeo is ... Italian. Always in and out of love. Yes, that's good. Until he meets ... Ethel Do you think ? The daughter of his enemy. (thoughtfully) The daughter of his enemy. His best friend is killed in a duel by Ethel's brother or something. His name is Mercutio. Mercutio ... good name. NOL hurries back to WILL'S side. Will - they're waiting for you ! I'm coming. He drains his glass. Good luck with yours, Kit. I thought your play was for Burbage. The is a different one. (trying to work it out) A different one you haven't written ? WILL makes a helpless gesture and hurries after NOL. |
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