Chapter 4
(February 16th, 1459. Warners' House. Living Room. Sunset)
(Zack: Age 5. Sam: Age 3. Gabby: Age 1)
*Spazzo enters the house through the front door. The Warner Siblings are sleeping on the couch. Gabrielle stands from a chair and confronts Spazzo*
Spazzo: What's going on Gabrielle?
Gabrielle: Go upstairs. Nick wants to talk to you.
Spazzo: Alright.
*The Warners wake up. Spazzo exits to upstairs. Sam follows him*
Gabrielle: Zack, would you come to me?
*Zack jumps off the couch and walks to Gabrielle. Gabrielle crouches to Zack's level*
Gabrielle: I don't know how to tell you this.
Zack: Tell me what?
Gabrielle: *Takes a breath* We're a very poor family, Zacharias.
Zack: What else is new?
Gabrielle: Listen to me. We've fallen behind on our taxes.
Zack: Taxes? What's that?
Gabrielle: It's money that we must give to the city, and we can't afford to pay them anymore. So they're coming to take me away to make me work to pay them off.
Zack: Now!
Gabrielle: Not now, but soon. Hopefully as late as possible. So I might not be home for a long time.
Zack: The taxes are jerks!
*Gabrielle feels inclined to chuckle but cannot*
Gabrielle: I'm sorry.
*Zack frowns and looks down and stares at his feet. Gabrielle tilts his chin back up to her*
Gabrielle: I got something for you.
Zack: What?
Gabrielle: *Pulls out a golden locket from her pocket* Take it. *Hands Zack the locket*
Zack: A locket?
Gabrielle: Yes.
Zack: You know, a boy shouldn't be caught dead wearing one of these.
Gabrielle: It was just a present I wanted to give you. You don't have to wear it, but just in case.
Zack: *Looks at the locket in his hand* Just in case? For what?
Gabrielle: Open it.
*Zack opens the locket and sees one side with an engraved message that says "Your determination and strengths are shown through your eyes, Zacharias. –Madre". The other side of the locket has an engraved message that says "Onore Fratelli Tuoi" (Honor Thy Siblings). Zack is puzzled by the engravings and looks up at Gabrielle*
Gabrielle: In time, you'll understand.
Zack: But-
Gabrielle: Please listen. Promise me that you will be strong while I'm gone. Promise me you'll be strong for me and for your brother and sister, and take care of them too.
*Zack hesitates to answer and stares at the locket in his hand. He closes it and looks back up to Gabrielle furling his brows confidently*
Zack: I promise.
Gabrielle: Good.
*Gabrielle starts to cry. Zack unfurls his brows and stares at her with a concerned look*
Zack: Madre?
Gabrielle: *Sniffles and wipes away her tears* It's nothing. Ti amo, (I love you) Zacharias.
*Gabrielle lifts Zack off his feet and hugs him. Zack remains puzzled by what's happening, but then goes along with it*
Zack: Ti amo, Madre. (I love you, Mother)
*Someone knocks at the front door*
Gabrielle: What! Here! Now!
Zack: But-
Gabrielle: I'm very sorry, my son. Remember, be strong.
Zack: I will.
Gabrielle: *Releases Zack from her hug and sets him to the floor* I can do this.
*Zack climbs on the couch and sits Gabby on his lap. Gabrielle stands straight up, walks to the front door and answers it. There are two guards at the door and two more guards behind them guarding the scene*
Guard #1: Do you have the money?
Gabrielle: No. We don't have it yet.
Guard #1: Not yet. *Grabs Gabrielle's arm aggressively* Heh!
Gabrielle: Hey! That hurts!
Zack: Mom!
Guard #1: Come with us, woman!
Gabrielle: Can't you give me a little more time!
Guard #1: No!
*Nicolas enters the living room from upstairs with a sheathed sword. Sam follows. Spazzo remains standing on the stairs*
Nicolas: What's going on! Release her! Samuel, get back!
*Sam backs away from Nicolas*
Guard #1: Your time is up! We're taking her to the brothel!
Nicolas: I can't let you do that!
Guard #1: You can't LET me do that? Hahahaha!
Nicolas: You'll regret those laughs. *Unsheathes the sword* May you find peace in the "afterlife"! *Runs up and stabs the guard in the stomach. The soldier releases his grip on Gabrielle in reaction to the stab. The two guards behind them turn their attention to the fight*
Guard #1: Agh! You- Argh!
*Nicolas pulls the sword out and the guard falls backwards dead*
Guard #2: Idiot! This'll teach you! Guards, arrest him!
Nicolas: Come at me!
*Guard #2 unsheathes his sword and charges at Nicolas. The guard swings his sword, but Nicolas counters the swing and slashes him across the chest then stabs him through the stomach. The guard grunts in reaction. Nicolas pulls the sword out and the guard falls onto his knees and puts his hands on his wounds then takes his hands away and looks at them and sees his palms completely covered in blood, then watches blood quickly rushing out of his wounds as he collapses to the floor and dies*
Guard #3: Get him!
Guard #4: I'm with you!
*Guard #3 and Guard #4 run to the fight. Nicolas creates a false opening which lures Guard #3 into attacking him with a vertical swing. Nicolas counters the swing and kicks Guard #3 in the crotch. Guard #3 drops his sword and falls to his knees in reaction to the kick, Nicolas then stabs him deep down his left shoulder. Nicolas pulls the sword out, and the guard collapses while holding onto his wound and dies*
Zack and Sam: Whoa!
*Guard #4 attempts to stab Nicolas. Nicolas jumps back and tosses his sword at the guard. The blade lands through the soldier's chest. Guard #4 drops his sword in response and reaches for the blade in his chest. Nicolas walks to Guard #4, grabs the hilt of his sword and puts his foot on the guard's stomach. Nicolas kicks his victim off his sword. The man is pushed a few steps back then falls backwards and holds onto his wound while staring at the sky until he dies*
Nicolas: Hmph! Is that all you got! *Looks at Zack and then Sam. His face and clothes are partially splashed with blood* I'm sorry you had to see that, kids, but I couldn't let them take your mother away.
Zack and Sam: That was awesome!
Zack: Did you see him kick that guy in his crotch and then dig that sword right into his shoulder!
Sam: Yeah! And then when he threw the sword!
Zack: You're good, Dad!
Sam: Very good!
*Nicolas gives a smug smile*
Spazzo: Nick, do you realize what you've done!
*Another group of guards runs to the front door*
Guard #5: Arrest him! Arrest him AND the lady!
*Nicolas looks at Zack, Sam, and Gabby all sitting on the couch then looks at Gabrielle. Nicolas sighs then drops his sword*
Zack: What! Father!
Nicolas: Zacharias, promise me you'll take care of yourself and your siblings.
Zack: *Hesitates* I promise.
Guard #5: Take them away!
*Nicolas, Gabrielle, and the guards exit the house. Half of the guards clean up the dead bodies and close the door while the others escort Nicolas and Gabrielle*
Zack: Spazzo, what's happening!
Spazzo: Don't worry. Everything's going to be okay. I'll be right back, stay here with Sam and Gabby.
*Spazzo hastily exits the house through the front door. Zack looks out the window at Spazzo*
Sam: Fratello?
Zack: I'm just as confused as you are. Grab Gabby's scarf and let's go.
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby all leave the house and head in Spazzo's direction. Zack is carrying Gabby while she is wearing a scarf*
Sam: Big Brother, it's cold.
Zack: Try not to think of that right now. *Shivers*
Sam: What is that? *Points forward*
Zack: *Looks* Shoot; a crowd. Let's find Spazzo, but don't let him see us.
Sam: I see a white hood! *Points* There! There!
Zack: *Looks* That's gotta be him! But I still wonder what the crowd is about. We're going in; stay close.
Sam: I'm right behind you.
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby all head into the crowd. Zack and Sam push their way through the crowd*
Sam: 'Scuse us!
Zack: Coming through!
Sam: Make way for the kids!
Zack: Pardon us!
Sam: Please move! *Bumps into Zack* Why'd you stop, Zack!
Zack: Look! *Points at the center of attention, which is the execution platform with Nicolas and Gabrielle standing on it with their heads in nooses* What IS this place!
Sam: Oh my gosh!
Zack: I have to do something! Stay here and hold onto our sister!
*Zack hands Gabby over to Sam and runs into the crowd while shoving people out of his way. As Zack makes his way through the crowd, a woman walks onto the execution platform clothed with an expensive dress and begins to speak to the crowd*
Woman: Silenzio! Silenzio! (Silence! Silence!) I, Vixenita, queen of Venezia, stand before you to make an important proclamation!
*The crowd quiets down. Zack is still making his way through the crowd*
Vixenita: Nicolas Warner! You stand accused of four counts of first degree murder! You're wife, Gabrielle Warner, is charged with assistance in this crime! How do you plead?
Nicolas: Not guilty! It was your overtaxing that caused me to act in self-defense! In fact, I suggest an impeachment on your entire campaign!
Vixenita: An impeachment! For what!
Nicolas: Overtaxing and dishonesty!
Vixenita: I don't know what you're talking about!
*Nicolas and Vixenita keep arguing as Zack continues to make his way through the crowd*
Zack: *Speaks to himself* She can't do this! I won't let her!
Vixenita: Nicolas! I find you guilty of first degree murder and I find your wife, Gabrielle, guilty of assisted first degree murder! I hereby sentence both of you to death!
Zack: No!
*Zack pushes aggressively through the crowd. Vixenita gets ready to pull the lever*
Nicolas: You will not get away with this! You will meet a horrible end for this!
Vixenita: Hmph! You've always been all talk!
*Zack continues to push through the crowd. Gabrielle looks down at Zack and cries. Vixenita pulls the lever as Zack shoves through the last line of people and appears in front of the execution platform*
Zack: NOOOOOOOOOOO! You murderer! I'll kill you!
Vixenita: *Looks down at Zack and speaks sarcastically* Ooooooh, I'm so scared! Listen kid, I have much more power in my pinky than you'll ever have in your whole body, so trying to hurt me would be a bad idea. I would normally arrest someone who calls me out like this, but you're just a stupid brat and I'll let you be for now. Don't talk to me again until you have learned your place!
*Vixenita walks away with guards by her sides and the crowd begins to disperse*
Zack: You won't get away with this! Sua morte sará lenta come possible! (Your death will be as slow as possible!) *Falls to his knees and looks at the ground then looks up and screams* I'm going to kill you, you mostra! (Monster!) *Screams as loud and high-pitched as he can*
Spazzo: *Calls from within the crowd* Zacharias!
*Zack looks at Spazzo and stares for a few seconds. Zack looks away then walks back to Sam and Gabby* Let's go home, Sibs. *Takes Gabby from Sam's arms*
Sam: Mom… Dad…
Zack: C'mon, Fratello. *Zack starts walking home. Sam turns around and follows Zack. Spazzo then follows Sam*
*Scene transitions to the Warners' House. Zack, Sam, and Gabby enter through the front door. Spazzo enters through the same way right after and closes the door*
Spazzo: I'm sorry… Truly, I am… I tried to talk Vixenita out of this, but I had no such luck.
Zack: It's fine. I should really be sorry for not listening to you. I should've stayed home! *Buries his face into the couch and cries. Sam then hugs Zack and tears fall from his eyes as well*
Spazzo: You have no reason to apologize. You didn't deserve to see that. None of you deserved to see that. *Walks to the kitchen* Maybe a glass of water will help you, Zack?
Zack: No, I'm fine.
*Zack pulls himself from the couch then climbs on it and sits next to Gabby and hugs her. His tears are still streaming down his cheeks*
Spazzo: How about you, Sam?
Sam: No.
Spazzo: I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, it causes me just as much pain. Your mother and father were very great friends of mine.
Zack: *Covers his eyes with his hands* Why them! They didn't deserve to die!
Spazzo: The queen's justice system doesn't agree with that.
Zack: Well then justice is wrong!
*Zack jumps off the couch and walks up the stairs and into the Siblings' bedroom. Sam and Spazzo follow him. Zack climbs into his bunk and lays down*
Sam: Fratello.
Spazzo: Just let him be.
Sam: Let me talk to him alone.
Spazzo: Well, alright. *Exits the bedroom and closes the door*
Sam: Big Brother. *Climbs into Zack's bunk and lays down*
Zack: They're gone.
Sam: *Hugs Zack* I'm sad.
Zack: Me too. I'm sorry, I'm being selfish. I should've paid attention to you.
Sam: It's okay.
Zack: It's not. It hurts me a lot to see you like this. I love you, Brother.
Sam: I love you too, Brother.
*Time passes to bed time. Zack and Sam are still laying in Zack's bunk together. Spazzo enters the bedroom and places Gabby in the crib. Spazzo then walks over and kneels down to Zack's bunk*
Spazzo: Why don't you boys just think about the good times you had with your parents?
Zack: Just so we can be constantly reminded that we'll never be able to have good times with them again!
Spazzo: Well… No…
Zack: Do you remember what Father said before… before-
Spazzo: Yes. What of it?
Zack: He's right. Vixenita will not get away with this. I will see to it that she dies by my blade.
Spazzo: No, Zacharias, don't let vengeance wander on your mind; such thoughts are poisoned.
Zack: Vengeance? It's not vengeance I want. I want justice!
Spazzo: I could see how your desire for vengeance could make you think this way, but what makes you think you can kill her?
Zack: By learning from you of course! All the skills you promised to teach me will be put into motion in her death.
Spazzo: At your age, it could take years to fully learn all I have to teach you.
Zack: I can wait. No matter how long it takes. I swear that she will die by my hand.
Spazzo: You should try to get a good night's sleep.
Zack: *Climbs out of his bunk* Do you mind if I sleep in Mother and Father's bed tonight?
Spazzo: Not at all. *Escorts Zack into Nicolas and Gabrielle's bedroom and tucks him into their bed* Goodnight.
Sam: Can I sleep in the big bed too, Big Brother?
Zack: Sure. Spazzo, wait!
Spazzo: Hm?
Zack: Could you get Gabby too? If Sam isn't going to be in the bedroom, you should bring her in here. She doesn't like to sleep in a lonely room.
Spazzo: Sure. *Exits the bedroom and re-enters with Gabby and tucks her in the bed* Buonanotte, (Goodnight) you three. *Exits the bedroom and closes the door behind him*
Sam: I still love you, Big Brother.
*Gabby curls up next to Zack and falls asleep*
Zack: I'm sorry, Sam. I'm sorry I dragged you both out of the house. I'm sorry I made you both watch Mother and Father die.
Sam: It's okay.
Zack: *Hugs Sam* I love you, Fratello.
Sam: Same here.
*Zack clenches the locket Gabrielle gave him in his hand*
Sam: What is that?
Zack: Madre gave it to me before those guards came to the door. Now I see why she gave it. It was to be a keepsake. *Opens the locket*
Sam: What does it say?
Zack: One side tells me to look after you and our little sister and to protect you both with my life. The other side says "Your determination and strengths are shown through your eyes, Zacharias. –Madre." I have yet to figure out exactly what she was talking about through that.
Sam: Look at Sorella. *Points at Gabby*
Zack: *Looks at Gabby sleeping pleasantly and smiles* She's dreaming. Goodnight, Sam. Goodnight, Gabby. And Sam, thanks for forgiving me.
Sam: Goodnight, Big Brother.