CHAPTER 4 MASQUERADO
INT. GIOVANNI'S BEDROOM. DAY
The nurse maid is struggling with Giovanni she is trying to get his clothes on but he is kicking and squealing. Lucrezia emerges and watches them from the doorway. Giovanni kicks out and it catches Maria in the mouth. She holds her mouth in pain and then reaches out and grabs Giovanni she bends him over and spanks him. Lucrezia enters.
LUCREZIA
Nurse!
Maria lets go of Giovanni and looks up at Lucrezia shocked.
MARIA
I'm sorry my lady, I was trying to dress him, he was being difficult –
Lucrezia is now comforting Giovanni.
LUCREZIA
That is no excuse for you to strike him.
MARIA
I beg your forgiveness my lady, sometimes he can be so trying.
LUCREZIA
If you find my boy trying then maybe this is no position for you.
MARIA
My lady, I am truly sorry. It will not happen again.
LUCREZIA
I will have words to my mother, I think it is time you moved on.
Maria moves to grab Lucrezias skirts and begs
MARIA
Please my lady, There is no work out there. My father has passed. My mother has been out of work for months. This is our only income.
LUCREZIA
I'm sorry . but I cannot have someone in my household who would harm my child.
Lucrezia leaves carrying Giovanni.
Maria still on the floor starts weeping.
INT. BORGIA CORRIDOR. NIGHT
A man creeps down the corridor, hands reach down and pull of his shoes one by one. A door is pushed open and the feet walk in.
INT. LUCREZIA'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Cesare emerges in the doorway, he gently closes the door. He approaches the bed quietly a smirk on his face. The figure on the bed turns before he reaches her. It is Lucrezia.
LUCREZIA
Cesare? Now it is you who creeps through the night?
Cesare slips into the bed behind Lucrezia whose body faces the other way. He places his hand on her swollen abdomen
CESARE
I thought I would repay the favour.
Cesare looks beside Lucrezia to see Giovanni sleeping.
I see you already have company.
LUCREZIA
Some nights he has bad dreams and will not sleep without his mother.
CESARE
Dreams could only be sweet when lying next to you.
Cesare kisses her cheek.
CESARE (CONT.)
I must leave in the morning.
LUCREZIA
Campaigning again?
CESARE
I have some matters of personal interest to attend to before I join France. I must travel to Venice.
LUCREZIA
You are expanding your borders?
CESARE
I am building my future.
He rubs Lucrezia's abdomen and Lucrezia looks at Giovanni. She looks sad again.
CESARE
Do not worry I will return before the birth.
Lucrezia smiles
LUCRETZIA
He is perfect, is he not?
She speaks of Giovanni, who is sleeping peacefully like an angel.
CESARE
He is.
LUCREZIA
And what of this child?
Lucrezia puts her hand on top of Cesare's that still rests on her abdomen
CESARE
The child of our love would be without flaw
Lucrezia looks doubtful
LUCRETZIA
There is a reason love such as ours is forbidden. What if he is sickly, or misshapen or..
Cesare grasps her by the chin and turns her face towards his own
CESARE
He will be perfect. In my eyes and in the eyes of the world.
He kisses her on the mouth. Lucrezia still looks doubtful
Cesare rolls her on to her back and rests himself on top gently.
CESARE
He will be Handsome like his father. Cunning, full of vigour.
They both smile. He kisses her again and moves his hand along her thigh
CESARE (CONT.)
and intelligent, witty and generous like his mother
He kisses her again and begins to lift her nightshirt. Lucrezia slaps his hand away playfully and motions to Giovanni
LUCREZIA
Cesare!
CESARE
he sleeps sister
LUCRETZIA
And you will wake him
CESARE
He sleeps like a babe, nothing will wake him.
He kisses her neck and attempt to lift her nightshirt again
LUCREZIA
And the baby, you are crushing it as you are now.
Lucrezia tries to push Cesare away he reluctantly pulls himself off her. Groaning.
CESARE
Very well sis
He places another kiss on her face and then repositions himself at her side again cradling her in his arms
CESARE (CON.T)
We will continue in a month's time.
They both smile at each other and continue to admire Giovanni.
INT. MICHELETTO'S APARTMENT. DAY
Micheletto is sitting on the floor eating a bowl of gruel. Cesare enters. He looks around at the apartment. He wipes a finger on the dusty shelf and then removes the dust from his finger with a handkerchief.
CESARE
I don't know why a man of your value chooses to live in such -
He waves around at the apartment
CESARE (CONT.)
Conditions.
MICHELETTO
I am a simple man.
He continues eating his gruel.
CESARE
I need you to accompany me to Venice
MICHELETTO
Now?
CESARE
Today.
Micheletto stands up
MICHELETTO
What of Rufio?
CESARE
Let him dwell on his fate a little longer.
MICHELETTO
I will get the guard ready.
CESARE
No Micheletto. I wish to keep this discreet. It will just be us three.
MICHELETTO
My lord?
CESARE
I will bring Joffre again
Micheletto gives a laugh.
MICHELETTO
what a guard that would be.
CESARE
The boy needs more experience in the world, and who better to give it than us.
Micheletto nods, and moves to prepare his things
INT. JOFFRE'S BEDROOM. DAY
Joffre still lays in bed the curtains drawn. Cesare enters and pulls them open the light streams down on to Joffre and he groans and rolls over.
CESARE
You still sleep little brother.
JOFFRE
I am tired. Leave me
CESARE
I thought you would like to take another trip.
Joffre rolls to sit on the side of the bed, he rubs his eyes.
JOFFRE
I do not wish to take trips with you brother
CESARE
Why not? Does your backside still hurt?
He playfully makes a slap at Joffre's behind.
Joffre jumps off the bed out of the way. He turns to Cesare scowling like he has something to say.
CESARE
What is it brother?
Cesare is more serious now.
JOFFRE
When I suggested you fuck my wife, I meant it in jest.
Cesare looks around the room and then back at Joffre
CESARE
Brother –
JOFFRE
Is it not enough you have our fathers love? He handed you a Cardinalcy and you throw it away
CESARE
It was not what I wanted
JOFFRE
It is what I wanted! but you took it and squandered it and now you take my wife too.
CESARE
It meant nothing.
JOFFRE
I'm sure it did – to you.
CESARE
Sancia needed comforting.
JOFFRE
I. can comfort. My. own. Wife!
He speaks in staccato furiously pointing his finger inches from Cesare's face.
Cesare stares at his finger for a moment and then grabs his hand, he twists it behind Joffre's back, Joffrey moans in pain. Cesare speaks gently into Joffre's ear.
CESARE
Be careful. We know what happened to the last brother who tried to cross me.
He throws Joffre roughly back on the bed and makes his retreat.
Joffre turns and sits on the bed again. He scowls angrily.
EXT. STREETS OF ROME. DAY
Micheletto is waiting for Cesare with his back against the wall. Cesare walks past him angrily.
MICHELETTO
Where is he then?
CESARE
He will not join us.
MICHELETTO
That is probably for the best my lord, your brother is not the sharpest of blades.
Cesare nods at him understanding his double meaning. They walk off toward the stables.
INT. LUCREZIA'S BEDROOM. DAY
Lucrezia is being undressed by a servant, while she is undressing she grasps her lower abdomen and winces in pain.
SERVANT
My lady?
LUCREZIA
It is nothing. Continue.
Lucrezia takes a few deep breaths.
EXT. VENICE. DAY
The beautiful streets of Venice. Many gondolas travel through the canals. Carpenters are busy setting up stages and hanging lanterns.
INT. VENICE. PALACE. DAY
Cesare sits at a table with Doge Agostino and his grand councillors. Including a young apprentice.
Micheletto and some guards stand in the background.
CESARE
So we are in agreement? You will remove your protection from Rimini, Faenza and Pesaro.
AGOSTINO
Yes of course we will agree to the terms of il Duce Valentino.
CESARE
Too easy
He drinks from his cup
AGOSTNO
We do have a – request of our own.
CESARE
I'll hear it.
AGOSTINO
As you would know we are in some trouble with the Turks.
CESARE
I am aware
AGOSTINO
And helping you would put us in much favour with France, and with the pope.
CESARE
It would
AGOSTINO
So in return for meeting your request, we would ask that you lend some of your troops to our cause.
CESARE
My troops? French troops, Papal troops. Which would you like.
AGOSTINO
Any my good lord would be willing to spare us.
Cesare thinks on it.
CESARE
Very well. I will spare you some papal troops. I will send word and have them leave at once.
AGOSTINO
my lord is too kind. we are most appreciative of his generosity.
Agostino bows his head.
CESARE
It is a fair deal.
Cesare finishes his drink and stands from the table.
CESARE(CONT.)
I must be heading back to Rome. King Louis is on the move and I should be with my father when he arrives.
AGOSTINO
Don't leave so soon, you should enjoy the sights of Venice. The Carnevale is in a few days and that is not to be missed. Pageants, comedy. Fireworks, Masquerade. It is quite the occasion.
CESARE
We could use some respite, before war is upon us.
AGOSTINO
I have some fine apartments not far from the palace that you and your party are welcome to use. How many are with you?
CESARE
Just my manservant Don Micheletto
He gestures to Micheletto
Only the one? I imagined you with quite a guard.
CESARE
I did not wish to draw attention to myself. Micheletto is all the guard I need.
He looks at Micheletto and Micheletto is expressionless.
CESARE (CONT.)
We will take you up on your offer.
AGOSTINO
Very good I will get someone to show them to you.
He gestures to one of his servants who bows and then comes to attend Cesare.
CESARE
Thank you my lord.
He bows and then leaves following the servant, Micheletto follows.
The doge turns to his council.
AGOSTINO
Lessons could be learnt from him that could not be found in any of your books.
He is speaking to the young apprentice among his advisors. It is Mario.
AGOSTINO (CONT.)
Do you know of Cesare Borgia?
MARIO
Of course he is practically family. The brother of my cousins husband.
AGOSTINO
Ah. Then you have a very powerful ally.
MARIO
Yes. An ally.
Mario is scheming.
INT. BORGIA PALACE. DAY
Sancia and Lucrezia are doing needlework while a nurse plays with Giovanni on the floor.
LUCREZIA
Being Confined to this Palace is proving to be exceedingly dull
SANCIA
You know it is for the best. We cannot put the baby at risk. Or yourself.
Lucrezia pouts
SANCIA (CONT.)
It will not be for too long. You are due any day now.
Lucrezia avoids Sancia's eyes guiltily.
LUCREZIA
Babies come when they are ready, it could still be a month away.
Lucrezia doubles over in pain, holding her lower abdomen.
SANCIA
Are you alright Lucrezia?
LUCREZIA
Oh just some cramps. We are practising.
SANCIA
Will practise help?
LUCREZIA
I find that very little helps when the birth is upon you.
SANCIA
I must admit as much as I want a child, I do not envy anyone the birth.
Lucrezia doubles over again.
SANCIA
Are you certain you're alright?
Lucrezia feels between her legs through her skirts. Some small drops of blood are seeping to the surface of the fabric.
LUCREZIA
No.
She crumples into a ball, Sancia tries to help her. She calls to the nurse
SANCIA
Send for the medic!
EXT. VENICE. NIGHT
Micheletto and Cesare are walking through the streets admiring the sights. Performers, jugglers, stilt walkers. Men and women in costumes and masks They come to a square where the doge is addressing the crowd. He spots Cesare and beckons him over.
INT. BORGIA PALACE. NIGHT
Lucrezia lays exhausted on the bed. A medic and nurses attend her. Sancia and Vanozza are by her side. She moans and pants in labour.
EXT. VENICE. NIGHT
Cesare is on stage with the doge. The crowd is cheering. Micheletto is in the crowd close by.
AGOSTINO
And for your part in the arranging of our stronger alliance with Rome and with France, we would like to bestow upon you our greatest honour.
Agostino lifts a red robe from the arms of a waiting servant and drapes it over Cesare
AGOSTINO (CONT.)
Cesare Borgia, duke of Valentinos we name you honorary citizen of Venizia.
The crowd cheers. Cesare smiles uncomfortably. Micheletto laughs at him.
EXT. VENICE BACKSTREET. NIGHT
Micheletto and Cesare walk down a dark quiet street by the canals. Sound of celebration and fireworks can be heard off in the distance.
MICHELETTO
The red looks good on you.
CESARE
I'm glad this has all been so entertaining for you.
They laugh at each other.
CESARE (CONT.)
It is good to see you smile.
Micheletto loses his smile Cesare continues to look at him with a grin on his face until Micheletto smiles again.
MICHELETTO
I can't keep a straight face when you wear that ridiculous robe.
They both laugh and Cesare begins to take of the robe. Micheletto spots a shadow in one of the darkened side streets.
INT. LUCREZIA'S BEDROOM. NIGHT
Lucrezia is on the bed, Sancia and Vanozza are comforting her. Two other nurses are in attendance. There is blood spotted all over the bed and all over Lucrezia and the nurses. Everyone looks concerned.
LUCREZIA
I need my brother, where is he!
VANOZZA
He has not yet returned.
Lucrezia continues to moan in agony. Sancia mops her brow.
VANOZZA
You need to breathe.
Lucrezia cries out.
LUCREZIA
I'm going to die here mother, I can feel it.
VANOZZA
No Lucrezia you must not say such things.
Lucrezia continues to moan and between gasps she says
LUCREZIA
I am going to die!
She screams and moans and pants. Then she screams -
LUCREZIA
Cesare!
EXT. VENICE BACKSTREET. NIGHT
Lucrezia's voice merges into Micheletto's more gentle but urgent voice as he calls out. A figure wearing a costume mask jumps Cesare from one of the shadowed streets, Cesare flips of the assailant on to the ground and swiftly stabs him in the throat with his dagger. Two more figures in robes and masks drop out of the shadows. Micheletto takes one and Cesare the other. While Cesare is fighting he is knocked over the side of the canal wall. Micheletto parries his opponent and turning puts his sword through his belly. He moves to attack Cesare's assailant pushing him away from the wall. Micheletto glimpses over to see Cesare has landed on a gondola below he landed on his head and is unconscious. one of his legs is in the water and his body is slipping in. The assailant again lunges for Micheletto and he forces him back once again enough to go down the nearest step to the dock below.
Micheletto is watching Cesare who is sliding off in to the water. He jumps on the mooring poles trying to reach the gondola with Cesare on it.
The assassin jumps on to a pole behind him and they take swings at each other balancing on the mooring poles. Micheletto jumps to another pole and another closer to Cesare. Micheletto gets a twinge in his knee as he lands and starts to lose his balance about to fall in to the water The assassin jumps on the pole beside him and is about to bound off with his sword ready to strike a fatal blow to Micheletto.
Cesare jumps out of the water. His damp hair stuck to his face like a monster from the deep sea. He grabs Micheletto's assailant by his boot and pulls him down into the water. Micheletto splashes safely into the water. Cesare chokes the assassin until Micheletto emerges and stabs the assassin in the heart. The assassin sinks below the surface.
Micheletto and Cesare are treading the water.
MICHELETTO
Was I in harm's way my lord?
and Cesare smiles at him.
CESARE
Not for a moment.
INT. LUCREZIA'S BEDROOM. DAY
Lucrezia lays in the bed. The lighting is soft. She is dressed in a clean gown and the bed is clean and tucked neatly around her. Her face is serene like a sleeping angel. Golden sunlight streams through the window. It almost looks as if she lays in heaven. She wakes and remembering what happened, she sits up startled.
LUCREZIA
My baby?
Sancia is sitting by the window nursing a bundle. Her face is calm and gentle.
SANCIA
It's alright Lucrezia he's right here.
Lucrezia holds out her arms to the baby, fear is in her eyes.
Sancia Hands her the baby who is gurgling and whimpering healthily.
Lucrezia hastily unwraps the baby and looks him over thoroughly counting his fingers and toes and examining his body. She still looks concerned.
Sancia rests a comforting hand on her.
SANCIA
He is a little small, but otherwise flawless.
Lucrezia's tension dissipates. She wraps the baby up and clutches him to her chest.
INT. VENICE. PALACE. DAY
Cesare barges through the door and pounces on Agostino with his sword drawn. His guards make a move to get to them but Micheletto blocks their path.
CESARE
You ordered an attack on our lives.
Agostino waves the guards away.
AGOSTINO
We are most disappointed to hear of this attack on you, the streets of Venice are usually safe. If the festival had not been on the guards would have been free to deal with these street ruffians
CESARE
This was a planned attack. Our attackers were professionals
AGOSTINO
Professionals? Someone is trying to assassinate you? It is not I.
CESARE
how did they know I was here?
AGOSTINO
My lord, we are most grateful to have you as our friend and ally. We name you as honorary citizen, why would we attack you?
CESARE
You would not want to be on my bad side Agostino.
AGOSTINO
Here you threaten my life before my guard, and I hold them off. Is this not proof enough?
Cesare throws Agostino away and steps back. Agostino recovers himself and readjusts his robe.
AGOSTINO
I will launch an immediate investigation in to who was behind the attack.
CESARE
Good. Find them and send word to me once you do. Nobody will make an attempt on my life and go unpunished.
EXT. BORGIA PALACE. DAY
A young messenger lingers by the entryway of the palace. Joffre comes behind him.
JOFFRE
Can I help you
MESSENGER
An urgent message. For lady Sancia.
JOFFRE
I can take it to her.
The messenger hesitates.
MESSENGER
I was given strict instruction to give it to my lady only.
Joffre grabs the messenger by the collar of the shirt and pulls him in threateningly.
JOFFRE
The lady is my wife. And as her husband I have the right to know what secret messages she is receiving
MESSANGER
M - my my lord
he stutters
JOFFRE
Or do I need to practice my right as a husband and have you skewered for courting my wife?
MESSENGER
N - no my lord.
He stutters
He holds the letter up for Joffre who snatches it and skims over it. The messenger darts away swiftly.
Joffre looks up from the letter with a devilish grin.
INT. LUCREZIA'S BEDROOM. DAY
Alexander is holding the baby. He is cooing at him softly and is completely smitten by him. Lucrezia is seated watches on smiling to herself.
ALEXANDER
We are delighted with the name.
LUCREZIA
I hoped you would be.
ALEXANDER
Another beautiful grandson.
He beams at Lucrezia
ALEXANDER (CONT.)
Of course his birth could cause some - difficulty.
LUCREZIA
With?
ALEXANDER
Cesare sides with France, and war between Naples and France is imminent. It would not look favourable upon us if we hold Alphonso's heir.
LUCREZIA
More politics father.
She is weary
ALEXANDER
There is also the matter of your re-marrying
LUCREZIA
Must we speak of this now
ALEXANDER
We must get in fast if we are to secure you a good match, and we must consider how another child may affect that match.
LUCREZIA
I hope you will not ask me to put my child aside. I was not pleased with the last person who asked me to do such a thing.
ALEXANDER
No my daughter, we would never ask you to put him aside, but we should keep his birth quiet for now, until this business with Naples is over. And then we can find a suitable place for you both.
LUCREZIA
And what of my sister Sancia. She is a daughter of Naples. How will you hide her?
ALEXANDER
Do not worry about Sancia. If a problem arises it shall be dealt with.
LUCREZIA
Is that what we are to you? Problems to be dealt with.
Alexander is lost for a reply, at that moment Cesare walks in. Alexander is relieved by the distraction.
LUCREZIA
Cesare!
CESARE
Lucrezia.
He plants a brotherly kiss on her lips. Alexander smiles at the pair. Cesare holds out his arms for the baby and Alexander carefully hands him over.
ALEXANDER
I will leave you three be for a time.
Alexander makes his quick exit avoiding Lucrezia's steely gaze.
When Alexander has left Cesare kisses Lucrezia again more passionately this time.
CESARE
My son
Cesare is enraptured. Lucrezia stands to look at her baby over Cesare's arm.
LUCREZIA
He is perfect
CESARE
Just as I told you
He strokes Lucrezia's cheek and she nudges into his touch.
CESARE (CONT.)
A Name?
LUCREZIA
Rodrigo.
CESARE
Not Alphonso then?
Lucrezia shakes her head
CESARE
And not Cesare either?
LUCREZIA
I think Rodrigo is fitting
CESARE
Perfectly suitable. - Are you well
LUCREZIA
This birth was tiresome, I will need rest, but I will recover
CESARE
Father has already been at the search for potential husbands.
LUCREZIA
I know. I am still his brood mare.
CESARE
You are a piece on his board
LUCREZIA
Only on his board?
CESARE
I suppose it is not entirely necessary for you to marry. You could come with me to France.
LUCREZIA
France? And be your mistress?
CESARE
You can live with your sister in law you will bring Giovanni and Rodrigo and we will raise them up with Louise.
LUCREZIA
You would have me live as a widow, without love of my own?
CESARE
You would have my love.
He kisses her on her hand.
CESARE (CONT.)
And I could name Rodrigo as my heir if Charlotte were to have no sons.
LUCREZIA
You would put him before your legitimate children? Now that Would cause a scandal
CESARE
I will have to give it more thought, but I will raise him as my own, we can raise him together in a house of love as we were raised.
Cesare plays with the baby's hand
LUCREZIA
A house of sin?
CESARE
We were well loved. he will have everything we had and more and he will grow to be just like his father.
Cesare embraces Lucrezia with his free arm
CESARE
and you can both be mine.
A look of dread grows on Lucrezia's face.