Joan Arrives In Rome

Feast of St. Lawrence, Martyr St. Lawrence refused to surrender the treasury of the Church to the Prefect of Rome and, according to tradition, was roasted to death on a red-hot gridiron over a slow fire.

SETTING;

The Throne Room. Lateran Palace. Rome.

AT RISE:

CARDINALS are gathered around ANASTASIUS, who is in white papal robes. HE is seated on the throne. (Trumpets blare.)

ACOLYTE

His Majesty, Louis the Second, King of the Franks. (LOUIS, JOAN, MARTINE and their PARTY enter.)

ANASTASIUS

Louis, my son, you may kiss my ring.

LOUIS

Your Holiness, you may -- (MARTINE growls.) extend your hand. (LOUIS kisses ANASTASIUS' ring.)

ANASTASIUS

We welcome you to Rome. You have only just missed our coronation.

LOUIS

How unfortunate. We were under the impression there would be no coronation until we were present.

ANASTASIUS

God's Will heeds no earthly timetable.

LOUIS

Just as a fool heeds no earthly warning.

ANASTASIUS

You retain the sword-like tongue of your youth.

LOUIS

As sharp as ever, Holiness.

ANASTASIUS

We would meet your party.

LOUIS

The commanders of my army have graciously consented to bivouac their garrisons around the outskirts of the City, to protect against heathen incursions. (indicating MARTINE) My lady in waiting, Martine de Villefours. (SHE bows and kisses ANASTASIUS' ring.) And this is John Anglicus, my tutor in theology. (Murmurs from the CROWD.)

NICHOLAS

Pray forgive us, Brother John -- your fame extends to even such a provincial outpost as Rome.

JOAN

Your Grace?

NICHOLAS

I am Cardinal-Bishop Nicholas.

ANASTASIUS

Brother John, we would be pleased to have you join our household.

JOAN

You honor me, Holy Father.

LOUIS

Holiness, I have a great need of spiritual guidance at this time. I beg you to allow Brother John to remain with me.

JOAN

But I ...

LOUIS

And Brother John is loathe to mention that the close confines in which the brothers live would prove injurious to his health.

ANASTASIUS

Is this true?

JOAN

I fear it is so.

NICHOLAS

Then by all means, remain with the Frankish king. I shall be pleased to act as your guide within the labyrinth of the Lateran.

ANASTASIUS

Brother Nicholas, we would not have your attention undivided at this critical hour, kind an offer though it may be. We shall provide an attendant for Brother John. (calling to the CROWD) Lucius? (LUCIUS appears. HE is sixteen, a beautiful boy of pale complexion.)

LUCIUS

Brother John? It would be an honor to serve you.

ANASTASIUS

Lucius was a foundling dropped on our doorstep during the sacking of the city. As my personal charge, he has been raised as an archivist. He will serve you well. How many tongues now, Lucius? Five?

LUCIUS

Six, Holiness. Latin, Greek, French, English, Gothic, and Etruscan -- though that is not up to fighting speed yet.

LOUIS

Neither are the Etruscans.

JOAN

You will put my meager learnings to shame.

LUCIUS

I so look forward to talking with you. There are many points of theology I wish to discuss. For example, where stand you on the question of meta-ousiosis? (looking around, seeing many of them are clueless) Transubstantiation.

JOAN

Ah, yes. The transformation of the essence of the Eucharist into the Body and Blood of Christ. As you well know, Lucius, the concept was first posited by Aristotle in relation to --

LUCIUS

... and the Donation of Constantine?

JOAN

Is that not a monetary donation?

LUCIUS

Why no, Brother John. It is a document -- a very famous document.

JOAN

Ah, yes. I have heard it said that it is a forged document.

ANASTASIUS

Brothers! There is time aplenty for such talks. I fear we must needs proceed with more mundane political matters. We shall speak later. King Louis, please proceed into our private audience chamber. We shall join you presently.

LOUIS

Your Holiness. (LOUIS bows, heads toward the apartment offstage. As HE passes JOAN, HE says, so that only SHE can hear.) Delicious.

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