The Borgias Season 4 (If I were to co-write it)

by deni269

A screenplay based on Neil Jordan's screenplay 'The Borgias Apocalypse'. Alphonso has passed and Lucrezia and Cesare now find themselves bound in an even bigger mess. Cesare plans a campaign to Naples which sends his little brother home to Rome for safety. How can Sancia help Lucrezia with her new dilemma? *contains SPOILERS for Neil Jordan's 'The Borgias: Apocalypse'*

7. Chapter 7

Chapter Seven - The Poet

INT. BORGIA PALACE. DAY

Vanozza is in her palace admiring her art works and moving them about, Joffre enters.

VONOZZA

Joffre

They embrace and Joffre kisses her.

JOFFRE

I must apologise mother. I am leaving

VANOZZA

Leaving? Where?

JOFFRE

I must go back to my home. My people need me. I will have much to attend to now Naples has fallen.

VANOZZA

Why must you take your leave so hastily. You must stay longer, dine with your family before you go.

JOFFRE

Why should I?

Vanozza looks hurt

VANOZZA

We are your family Joffre

JOFFRE

Father hates me, Cesare hates me, Lucrezia will surely hate me too, and Sancia

He trails off deep in thought.

VANOZZA

Nobody hates you.

JOFFRE

They do mother. I see it in their every action. I am not welcome here. I never should have come.

VANOZZA

And what of your poor mother you would leave her? Surely you don't think I hate you.

Joffre turns to her.

JOFFRE

No mother. I know you love me, but a man cannot survive on his mother's love alone.

VANOZZA

You have the love of your wife

Joffre does not reply. He does not want her to know of Sancia's fate. He steps away from Vanozza and backs towards the door.

JOFFRE

I'm sorry mother. I am not your little boy anymore. I must go out in this world and make myself a man. Until we meet again.

He bows to her and leaves.

Vanozza watches him leave stunned.

INT. PAPAL QUARTERS. DAY

Alexander is sitting at his desk signing papers. Lucrezia storms in furious.

LUCREZIA

Father!

Alexander looks up and groans.

ALEXANDER

What is it Lucrezia we are immensely busy.

LUCREZIA

You have locked my sister up In Castel St. Angelo!

ALEXANDER

Sister-in-law

LUCREZIA

It is no matter! what is she doing there!

ALEXANDER

Sancia was conspiring to have your brother killed.

LUCREZIA

Nonsense father! She had nothing to do with it. She only managed to be cousin to the person involved.

ALEXANDER

She conspired to have your children murdered.

Lucrezia is incredulous

LCREZIA

Father! You and I both know that isn't true.

Alexander is rubbing the tension from his brow

ALEXANDER

Lucrezia. Sancia is from Naples. We go to war with Naples. She is a political embarrassment!

LUCREZIA

You lock an innocent woman away because she is an embarrassment?

ALEXANDER

This will only be a part time arrangement. Once the war is done, we shall release her and she can go back to – Squillace.

LUCREZIA

That is inhumane and cruel father.

ALEXANDER

She is very comfortable there, we have given her a fine room.

LUCREZIA

Yet she is still imprisoned.

ALEXANDER

What's done is done Lucrezia. She will stay where she is until we no longer need her to be there.

LUCREZIA

We will see about that!

She turns and goes to storm out

ALEXANDER

Lucrezia.

Lucrezia turns around. And stares at him angrily.

ALEXANDER

There is something else we must speak of.

LUCREZIA

What is it.

Alexander sighs and then takes in a deep breath.

ALEXANDER

Giovanni is no longer your son.

Lucrezia is stunned, she angrily marches towards Alexander at his desk.

LUCREZIA

He is not my son?

ALEXANDER

No. we couldn't have that kind of blemish on your name. The bastard child of a stable boy. It is not becoming of a Borgia.

LUCREZIA

So now he is to be an orphan?

ALEXANDER

No. Cesare will now be listed as his father with an unknown woman.

Lucrezia is furious.

LUCREZIA

You give my son to my brother and you don't even consult me?!

ALEXANDER

We are your father and we are the pope of Rome, we will make decisions that are best for this family.

LUCREZIA'

You cannot make decisions for me and for my own children!

ALEXANDER

I think you will find that we can.

He stands and challenges Lucrezia.

ALEXANDER

And when the child is old enough we shall send him to live with Cesare in France, and if you do not begin to obey me we may just send Rodrigo too!

LUCREZIA

You will not send my children anywhere!

Alexander is now furious and he begins to speak in the first person.

ALEXANDER

If I want to I will! If I want to send them to France I will! If I want to marry you off I will, If I want to lock you away in Castel St. Angelo I will. You are my daughter and I will do with you what I will!

Lucrezia is completely stunned. Tears fall down her cheeks and she angrily races out of the room.

Alexander collapses back in his chair. He rubs his temples regretfully.

(Lucrezia and Bembo in Vatican gardens)

Though to

(Lucrezia and Cesare on Borgia Villa stairs)

INT. CASTEL ST. ANGELO. DAY

A guard is standing by a heavy wooden door with a wooden viewing latch on it. Lucrezia enters and goes to the guard.

The guard dips his head

GUARD

My lady.

LUCREZIA

Open the door I have need to speak with the prisoner.

The guard opens the door.

INT. SANCIA'S CELL. DAY

It's a small room with a barred window a bed and a washing stand. It is furnished well. Sancia sits on the bed looking forlorn. Lucrezia enters and she jumps up and runs to her embracing her.

SANCIA

Lucrezia I thought you would never come!

LUCREZIA

I am sorry dear sister. I had much to think on.

Lucrezia returns the embrace

SANCIA

You still call me sister? So you do not believe what they say?

LUCREZIA

No. Cesare already told me it was his men who planned the attack, they were trying to get at him through my children. I am sorry sister but you have become a piece in their game. They have ulterior motives for having you locked up here.

SANCIA

I thought Cesare cared for me.

Lucrezia releases Sancia and examines her face

LUCREZIA

No Sancia, him too?

Sancia begins to weep again

SANCIA

Him too. I cannot control my heart. I love easily, and I love freely. I am vile. the most vile of creatures I do deserve to be here.

Lucrezia reluctantly takes Sancia in her arms again and strokes her deep in thought.

LUCREZIA

No sister. You are not vile, you are a woman. A woman who has been manipulated by the most cunning and ruthless men in all of Italy.

SANCIA

What can we do?

LUCREZIA

You must wait, but be ready. I will get you out of here

SANCIA

How?

LUCREZIA

Being the pope's daughter allows you certain accesses. Do not worry sister I will get you out of here. I ask you but one favour.

SANCIA

Anything.

LUCREZIA

When I get you out, you must leave Rome and never return

SANCIA

Of course.

LUCREZIA

And you will take my children with you.

Sancia is stunned.

LUCREZIA (CONT.)

It is not safe for them here. It is not safe for them anywhere that my father or brother will have access to them. They will end up as pieces in their game too, or worse, murdered in an attempt at revenge on them. Say you'll do this for me.

Sancia nods she beings to weep again.

SANCIA

You do me great honour Lucrezia. I will not fail you. I will care for them as if they were my own.

Lucrezia embraces her again.

LUCREZIA

I know you will.

A single tear falls down her cheek.