Mercy Seat

ACT 1

LIGHTS UP
Setting: Palace Chapel, France, 1307.

The set is black save for a massive, ornate, jewel-encrusted crucifix on the back wall. CLEMENT is on stage. Clement is dressed as a French soldier. He is wearing a broadsword. Clement always keeps his back to the cross. JACQUES DE MOLAY enters, wearing a white smock with a crimson splayed cross across the breast. He is wearing a broadsword.

MOLAY

Where is Phillip?

CLEMENT

The King will be along in a moment, Sir Molay.

MOLAY

Are you supposed to entertain me while he’s gone?

CLEMENT

Only to do as my Lord sees fit.

PHILLIP enters. He is dressed entirely in purple and has no weapons.

PHILLIP

Jacques de Molay, I place you under arrest.

MOLAY

Are you joking?

PHILLIP

The debauchery of the Knights Templar is legendary even here, Sir Molay.

MOLAY

What concern is our “debauchery” to you, Phillip the Pretty?

PHILLIP grimaces.

PHILLIP

The new Pope feels your actions are a blemish on the Church. He would like to hear you answer to these allegations of heresy.

MOLAY

I came to France to explain a rumor?

PHILLIP

You trample the Cross!

MOLAY

I’m also told that I keep the body of Christ in my bedchambers. I’ve heard all of them.

PHILLIP

This time you’re not going to get away with it.

MOLAY advances on Phillip, towering over the King.

MOLAY

I don’t answer to Kings.

PHILLIP

If you have time to wait, the new Pope will be arriving for my uncle’s funeral any day.

MOLAY

The Templars will come for me.

PHILLIP

They’re in no position to insist much.

MOLAY

What are you talking about?

PHILLIP

Your stronghold was stormed at dawn. All of your men are safely chained by now.

MOLAY

They’d cut your soldiers to pieces.

PHILLIP

Actually, on all our practice runs, they opened up without a question. They are like children running around with swords!

CLEMENT

The soldiers you left in Europe are no more dangerous than farmers.

PHILLIP

And no more difficult to burn.

MOLAY grabs for Phillip’s throat.

MOLAY

If you try...

CLEMENT gets between them and holds Molay back.

CLEMENT

Maybe Your Highness should look into accommodations for the prisoner?

CLEMENT and PHILLIP stare at each other a few seconds.

PHILLIP

Fine! We’ll have to make sure he’s comfortable.

Exit PHILLIP. MOLAY looks Clement over suspiciously.

MOLAY

Soldiers order Kings in France?

CLEMENT

I merely request.

MOLAY

And what kind of requests do Kings ask of Popes?

CLEMENT

His Holiness will never believe the charges against you, Sir Molay!

MOLAY

Some say the new Pope speaks with Phillip’s voice.

CLEMENT

Who'd say such a thing of His Holiness?

MOLAY

Tongues are loose in the East.

CLEMENT

They wouldn’t speak so freely if His Holiness were there with them.

MOLAY

None of us will see the day a Pope sets foot in Jerusalem.

CLEMENT

God wills it.

MOLAY

God will see you soon if you don’t get out of my way.

CLEMENT

It would pain me to strike down another Christian, Your Lordship.

MOLAY takes a threatening step toward Clement. CLEMENT draws his sword partially from its scabbard.

MOLAY

Bigger men than you have tried to cut me in half.

CLEMENT

(excited)
The Saracens? You’ve slain many, haven’t you? Tell me, Sir Molay, what does it feel like to kill a Saracen?

MOLAY backs down.

MOLAY

(Pause) They die no different than the rest. Mostly a lot of screaming.

CLEMENT

I wish I could be there with you.

MOLAY

I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

CLEMENT

I dream about it every night. I sit atop a great black steed, sword over my head, my body wet with the blood of the infidels.

MOLAY

Too many of my days have ended like that.

CLEMENT

All the men returning home tell stories about you. You’re a great hero, Sir Molay!

MOLAY

I dread the stories you’ve heard.

CLEMENT

Great armies clashing in the sands. Men screaming their last screams, heads and limbs falling away under your blade, three men with each strike. Is it true?

MOLAY

(bitterly)
Every word.

CLEMENT

A knight came this way that even said he met you once. He was a grizzled old monster, seven feet tall and as wide as a house. He looked more like some German barbarian than a Frenchman.

MOLAY

I’ve met a thousand men that fit that description.

CLEMENT

He said the Knights Templar were trying to kill him.

MOLAY

Why would we want to do that?

CLEMENT

Because he knows where you hid the Ark of the Covenant.

MOLAY forces a chuckle.

MOLAY

There is no Ark anywhere in the Holy Land, trust me.

CLEMENT

It wasn’t in the Holy Land.

MOLAY

Really?

CLEMENT

He said it was in Ethiopia.

MOLAY

It’s a children’s story, nothing more.

CLEMENT

He told of a little village in the mountains, where a Heathen temple housed God's Holy Ark, guarded by warriors in Templar crosses.

MOLAY attempts to leave. CLEMENT steps in front of him.

MOLAY

Get out of my way.

CLEMENT draws his sword.

CLEMENT

I’ll cut you down where you stand.

MOLAY

Do what you must.

MOLAY moves to exit. CLEMENT puts the tip of his sword to Molay’s breast.

CLEMENT

I’ll do it!

MOLAY

Then stop talking.

MOLAY pushes the blade away.

CLEMENT

The Pope demands the Ark is brought to him.

MOLAY

If I knew where such a treasure lay, I would die before it reached Europe.

CLEMENT

If we took it to Jerusalem, nothing could stop us!

MOLAY

Those are my fears as well.

CLEMENT

If you leave here now, the Pope will sign death warrants on your men tonight.

MOLAY

I hope the new Pope is smarter than that.

PHILLIP enters.

PHILLIP

It took a little while, Sir Molay, but I believe we found a cell that would suit you. Not quite as lavish as what I’m sure you’re accustomed in the Holy Land.

MOLAY

It wasn’t that many years ago that my doors held back mobs begging me to throw you out.

PHILLIP

Your kindness is well remembered.

MOLAY

Is this because we wouldn’t let you be a Templar?

PHILLIP

I act on the will of the Pope.

MOLAY

What did he promise you to make sure he was elected? No one in the East seems to know what killed the last Pope. I’d been hoping to ask you about it while I was here.

PHILLIP

I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sir Molay. I have faith Our Lord’s will was done.

MOLAY

So even a sniveling little puppet Pope can get the best of Phillip le Bel?

PHILLIP

What are you talking about?

CLEMENT draws his sword.

CLEMENT

That’s the last disrespect you give us!

PHILLIP

Stand down.

MOLAY

If Clement has the Ark, he won’t need your protection any longer.

CLEMENT

Please, Your Highness! Say the word and I’ll strike his head off now!

PHILLIP

Shut up.

MOLAY

Do you have any idea what you could do with it?

CLEMENT raises his weapon.

CLEMENT

Silence! Silence, you pig!

MOLAY

Not since Charlemagne would there have been such a King.

CLEMENT backhands MOLAY and knocks him to the ground.

CLEMENT

The King does not want to hear this blasphemy!

PHILLIP

What’s he talking about?

CLEMENT

It’s nothing, Your Highness. He’s sworn allegiance to the Saracen.

PHILLIP

What can that thing do?

MOLAY

Read your Scriptures, Phillip. It lays waste to armies by its self.

PHILLIP

I want it brought to me.

MOLAY

You couldn’t get an army big enough to take it.

PHILLIP

The Pope will send every Christian man, woman, and child.

MOLAY

They’ll be burned to ash before his eyes. Let the Templars go and we will bring you the Ark.

CLEMENT

He’ll declare war as soon as you release him.

MOLAY

Consider your debts to the Templars forgotten.

PHILLIP

You are most generous, Sir Molay.

CLEMENT

It’s the Devil’s money!

MOLAY turns violently on Clement, forcing Clement back toward the Cross.

MOLAY

I’ve done more for your God than you’d care to imagine.

PHILLIP

I think you’re right, Sir Molay. Such a weapon should be carefully inspected before it’s presented to the Pope.

MOLAY

And the Templars know how to handle it.

CLEMENT

If you let them go, no man sees the Ark again.

PHILLIP

Will it be recognized as property of France?

MOLAY

Only protection from France would allow us to reveal the Ark has been reclaimed by Christtion could we even reveal Christ has reclaimed it.

PHILLIP

The Vatican has a temple to house it.

MOLAY

Paris may be more secure. The Templars would be redeployed in its defense.

CLEMENT

No invader would dare set foot on Roman soil!

MOLAY

The Ark would inspire some to try.

CLEMENT

The Templars wish to keep it for themselves!

PHILLIP

Sir Molay is quite wise.

MOLAY steps between Phillip and Clement.

CLEMENT

The Pope will make you Holy Roman Emperor!

MOLAY

Even Charlemagne failed to find the Ark.

PHILLIP

The Ark of the Covenant comes to France... where it will be safe.

CLEMENT

The Pope himself will take up the Cross!

MOLAY

I hope France can find better advisors than the kitchen staff!

CLEMENT

The Saracens would tremble before us.

MOLAY

Us?

CLEMENT

The streets of Jerusalem will be ankle deep in blood once more.

PHILLIP

The City of God will be restored.

MOLAY

It could easily be turned on Europe.

CLEMENT

God will not deliver his Covenant Box unto enemy hands.

MOLAY

Where I come from, the peasantry isn’t considered in the affairs of Lords and Kings.

PHILLIP

Could we push the Saracens out of Jerusalem if we used the Ark?

MOLAY glares at Clement.

MOLAY

We could kill every last one of them.

PHILLIP

France is prepared to answer the call to war.

MOLAY

Many in the East claim right to the Covenant Box. I don't feel safe revealing its hiding place.

CLEMENT

I’m sure his men will be more than happy to with the right... persuasion.

MOLAY

No living man but me knows where it is.

PHILLIP

The Pope will see how many men break before you tell us where to find it.

MOLAY

How well does the Pope speak without a head!

MOLAY draws his sword and lunges at Phillip. Clement draws his sword and blocks. They fight briefly. Molay’s sword is shattered. Molay is knocked to the ground. Clement raises his sword overhead for a killing blow.

PHILLIP

Kill him!

CLEMENT stands poised.

MOLAY

You’re no warrior.

CLEMENT lowers his sword.

PHILLIP

(sarcastic)

If you talk, your men will be released to rape and pillage at will this very night.

MOLAY slowly crawls backwards.

MOLAY

I’d never give such a treasure to a man with more urine than blood.

PHILLIP

You’ll tell the Pope.

MOLAY scrambles for a shard of his sword, plunging the fragment into his own chest.

MOLAY

Let him confer with the dead!

CLEMENT jumps on Molay and rips the shard free.

CLEMENT

Get help!

PHILLIP

Let the dog die if he won’t talk.

CLEMENT ties a strip of cloth from his clothing and binds Molay’s wound.

CLEMENT

He’ll die when I say!

PHILLIP hesitates.

CLEMENT (cont)

Go!

PHILLIP stares at Clement a moment, shocked.

PHILLIP

You don’t give the orders!

CLEMENT

Your sniveling little puppet? Is that what I am?

PHILLIP

I made you! I can destroy you just as easily.

CLEMENT turns his sword on Phillip. PHILLIP holds his position.

CLEMENT

If Molay dies, you get nothing?

PHILLIP

...but another dead Pope.

CLEMENT lunges at Phillip clumsily. Phillip ducks the blow.

PHILLIP (cont)

You’re a little slug leaving your slime trail through the streets of Rome, thinking you can get the best of me? My father rode with Lionheart!

CLEMENT

It’s not hard to best a backwoods mongrel!

PHILLIP attacks Clement, attempting to wrestle the sword away. MOLAY coughs and spits blood. CLEMENT forces Phillip back.

CLEMENT (cont)

I’ll let them all go! I’ll drop the charges against the Templars and excommunicate all of France.

PHILLIP

You’ll have to get out of my house alive first.

CLEMENT

Your subjects will be happy to roast you too, Phillip the Pretty!

PHILLIP lunges at Clement. CLEMENT slashes Phillip across the chest. PHILLIP backs off. He is bleeding, but the wound is superficial. He is poised to attack again.

CLEMENT (cont)

My journals tell everything.

PHILLIP

You wouldn’t be that stupid.

CLEMENT

Every last detail: poisoning my predecessor, bribing the arch-bishops, everything we did.

PHILLIP

No one would believe it.

CLEMENT

If I die here, you'll be quick to follow.

PHILLIP

You’re lying.

CLEMENT

You can't take that chance.

PHILLIP hesitates. CLEMENT looks down at Molay.

CLEMENT (cont)

Get him help.

Exit PHILLIP. CLEMENT cradles Molay in his arms.

MOLAY

Who’s the puppet after all?

CLEMENT

Do you think I enjoy chasing his heels like a puppy?

MOLAY

What did you promise?

CLEMENT

It didn’t take much. I even made him think it was his idea. If the Templars were gone, he wouldn’t have to pay back his gambling debts.

MOLAY

Phillip will never take up the Cross.

CLEMENT

He’ll sit out here in the woods and declare himself Emperor to all who hear him shout.

MOLAY

What of us?

CLEMENT

We would blow down the walls of Jerusalem and any man that stood between us and the Temple Mount.

MOLAY

The glory of Jerusalem would have been restored.

CLEMENT

And we would be worshiped like Kings of Old.

MOLAY

Sweeping the Saracen away like ants.

CLEMENT

It’s not too late.

MOLAY

(Laughs weakly)
It is for you.

CLEMENT

What are you laughing at?

MOLAY

Phillip will never let you out of his sight again.

CLEMENT

When I have the Ark, he’ll do as I say.

MOLAY

I told you, there is no Ark. It’s a children’s story. How much did you pay that soldier for his information?

CLEMENT

Liar!

MOLAY

Just a story...

CLEMENT shakes Molay violently.

CLEMENT

Give it to me, you pig! Give me the Ark!

MOLAY

I’ve given all I can give. You will never leave this palace. There will be no Crusade.

CLEMENT

When I’m done with you, there will hardly be a body left to burn

MOLAY

God wills it.

LIGHTS DOWN
END ACT 1