CITY OF ASSASSINATION,
WHERE THE HEARTS OF MEN AND WOMEN ARE CORRUPTED.
WHERE THE HOLY IS PROFANED
AND THE BLOOD OF RULERS FLOWS
LIKE MENSES FROM THE STRUMPET-RIVER TIBER.
(The music shifts to an ominous, almost jazzy cakewalk. The CARDINALS circle the POPE's body like vultures.)
THE DEATH-RATTLE OF ANOTHER GERIATRIC POPE.
IT HAPPENS FAR TOO OFTEN.
SO STUFF HIM IN A COFFIN.
SAY A PRAYER AND PULL OUR HAIR AND SHED A TEAR.
THIS COULD BE GOOD FOR MY CAREER.
(The BISHOPS continue circling. ANASTASIUS and NICHOLAS eye each other warily. We see LOUIS, MARTINE, and JOAN back in the bedroom. JOAN is dressed. LOUIS is finishing, and MARTINE is packing LOUIS' clothes.)
(back to the Cardinals)
THE HEADY AROMA OF A PUTREFYING POPE.
SO DRESS HIM AND PERFUME HIM
AND BLESS HIM AND ENTOMB HIM.
SAY A MASS AND LAY THE ASS OUT IN THE SQUARE
. AND WONDER WHO WILL NEXT BE THERE.
(Two CARDINALS stand viewing the body.)
IT PAINS US TO REPORT
THE HOLDERS OF THE PAPACY ALL HAVE THEIR REIGNS CUT SHORT.
(The CARDINALS start to pilfer items from the dead POPE's body.)
SOME OF PETER'S NOBLE SCIONS
GOT THEMSELVES FED TO THE LIONS.
THERE'S BEEN POISON,
THERE'S BEEN PLOTTING
AND SOME GRISLY THROAT-GARROTING
. TO WIN THE SEAT,
YOU KILL AND CHEAT AND ROB.
I'M CLEARLY PERFECT FOR THE JOB.
(The scene continues; later:)
THEY HAVE NO LOVE OF GOD, NO SENSE OF HISTORY.
COVERING THEIR ASSES, THEIR FEAR, THEIR GREED SURPASSES
THE TRUMPET CALL OF DESTINY.
WHICH IS ME.
IT SHOULD BE ME.
HABEMUS PAPAM.
WHAT'S THAT SOUND ON THE EAR?
THE DEATH-RATTLE OF ANOTHER GERIATRIC POPE.
IT HAPPENS FAR TOO OFTEN.
SO STUFF HIM IN A COFFIN.
SAY A PRAYER AND PULL OUR HAIR AND SHED A TEAR.
IT'S A SAD AND TRAGIC HISTORY
IT PAINS US TO REPORT.
THE HOLDERS OF THE PAPACY ALL HAVE THEIR REIGNS CUT SHORT.
SO GOOD LUCK, WE SEND BEST WISHES.
YOU'LL BE SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES.
SINCE YOU'RE ALTOGETHER WILLING,
THE REWARDS CAN BE FULFILLING.
YOU CAN REALLY MAKE A KILLING
BEING PETER'S EARTHLY SON.
AND GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN.