Mercy Seat

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. 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, ‘Pretty Phillip?’

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 hear I keep the body of Christ in my bedchamber as well.

PHILLIP: 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.

Continued Tomorrow.