THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK

by

Randall Wallace

FIRST DRAFT

September 18, 1995

FADE IN:

From the BLACKNESS before the first images, we hear a young

woman's tortured SCREAM, muffled by her own will. We see her

mouth, open in agony; her face, beaded with sweat. Her name

is ANNE, and she is Queen of France. She lies in

A ROYAL BEDCHAMBER

The royal DOCTOR kneels at the foot of her bed; her own royal

mother grips her hands...

On the opposite side of the huge bedchamber, and separated

from the queen's bed by an artistically painted screen, are

royal ADVISORS sweating and anxious for any word to take to

their king. They wince as the Queen moans again in the pain

of childbirth.

Her fingers claw out for help, but her Doctor ignores her

need to be touched and comforted; he is concerned only for

the baby. Only her PRIEST, FATHER BELLES, sits at her head,

stroking her hair gently and rapidly whispering prayers.

DOCTOR

The head is born! One arm... the

other arm... it is a boy!

The advisors, disregarding the Queen's privacy, scurry around

the screen to see the doctor lift the beautiful baby, wet

with birth. The mother -- the Queen -- is still in agony,

yet she struggles to lift her head.

ADVISOR 1

I shall tell the king!

ADVISOR 2

I shall tell him!

They hurry for the door. But their race to be first to bring

this great news to the King is interrupted as the Queen emits

another cry; it surprises the doctor.

DOCTOR

M'lady...?

He kneels again to examine the Queen.

DOCTOR

Another...? It is another!

The joy vanishes from the faces of the advisors. They look

gravely at each other, as they hear a second BABY'S CRY.

SMASH TO:

A DARK COURTYARD - NIGHT

A door groans open in a hidden corner of the palace courtyard

and into the darkness steps a dashing figure. His face is

hidden in shadow, but we know from the silhouette of his

cloak and plumed hat that he is a MUSKETEER.

He carries an OBLONG BASKET.

A carriage is just rattling onto the flagstones of the

courtyard. The Musketeer steps into its interior, with a

sharp word to the driver --

MUSKETEER

Away.

The whip CRACKS and the carriage plunges into the night.

TIME DISSOLVE:

EXT. ESTABLISHING THE ISLAND FORTRESS PRISON - DAY

On a gash of rock thrusting upward from the sea along the

southern coast of France stands an island fortress, a prison,

like an Alcatraz of the Mediterranean. Just off a coastline

renowned for its beauty, the fortress is horrible and

foreboding. As we SUPERIMPOSE:

TWENTY-TWO YEARS LATER

INT. THE FORTRESS PRISON

With the camera as our moving POV, we survey the prison. It

is a horrible place: dungeons where prisoners lie in their

own filth; corners where jailers rut with unresisting captive

women; long twisting corridors lined with cells, from which

prisoners whimper, or moan in madness. Up a long winding

staircase our POV moves; we push through the barred window of

a cell... It is somewhat cleaner than the rest of the places

we've seen, but still a prison. We PAN the cell.

And we see a man. A MAN IN AN IRON MASK. It is terrifying,

to think of anyone imprisoned in this way. We push in on his

eyes... They are blue, childlike.

A greasy jailer -- the prisoner's KEEPER -- puts his face to

the barred window of the door, and speaks with bored cruelty.

KEEPER

You dead yet?

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

No, Keeper.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ESTABLISHING PARIS - DAY

SUPERIMPOSE:

PARIS

EXT. PARIS STREET - NIGHT

Through the narrow streets of the old city gallops a dashing

figure, his cloak flying behind him and catching the

moonlight, his horse's hooves clattering along the

cobblestones as he dodges the beggars living in the filthy

shadows. He is a magnetic sight, riding the horse as easily

as if they were racing across an open field and not through a

cluttered street, and guiding the stallion as if its grace

and power came not from the animal but from the rider.

Sitting lightly in the saddle is

D'ARTAGNAN

famous Musketeer, Captain of the King's Royal Bodyguard. He

is still handsome at mid-life, still erect, unambiguous in

his courage and his loyalty.

He rides past a knot of angry beggars, moving through the

streets breaking windows and scavenging for food. When they

see d'Artagnan, some throw rocks at him. They sail by

d'Artagnan's head; he ducks them with the fluid grace of a

boxer dodging punches, and keeps on riding.

OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL

D'Artagnan rides into the courtyard of a grand old residence

beside Notre Dame Cathedral. Priests are dispensing food to

beggars gathered in the courtyard. As d'Artagnan reins his

horse to a stop the wretched people stare with contempt at

the royal symbols on his uniform. But d'Artagnan is not a

man anyone would be quick to confront; as he dismounts and

moves toward the doorways the people part for him.

He pauses as he sees, parked to one side of the old

residence, a big rickety carriage. D'Artagnan smiles.

D'ARTAGNAN

Porthos too!

D'Artagnan hears drunken feminine giggles echoing down the

staircase of the tower above him.

INT. PRIESTS' RESIDENCE - A STAIRWAY - DAY

Four people are moving up a winding stairway; three are

women, bosoms spilling from their gaudy dresses; the fourth

is PORTHOS, the former Musketeer, now a nobleman of great

wealth and even greater girth. He and the women are drinking

wine as they stagger up the stairs, the women towing Porthos

like rowboats tugging a ship to dock. Porthos is not so

drunk that his hands fail to find pleasant places to grip

their bodies as they walk and giggle.

PORTHOS

Ah ha! Here we are! Aramis!

Porthos is here!

They reach a doorway. Porthos kicks it open, staggers back,

and begins shoving the women inside.

INT. A PRIEST'S APARTMENT - DAY

The first of the partying women tumbles inside; she stops

short at what she sees. The second and third stumble in

after her and they too stop dead still, sobered by what they

see. Then with a great roar Porthos barrels in.

PORTHOS

Aaaaaaaramis!! Porthos is --

He stops dead in his tracks. From the POV OF PORTHOS AND THE

WOMEN, we see ARAMIS. Always the most theological of the

Musketeers, and ruthlessly brilliant, he is still lean and

powerful. And still handsome, or at least he would be; but

now he kneels before a single candle at a private altar,

wearing sackcloth and ashes in penitent prayer.

PORTHOS

Sorry, my dears. You would have

enjoyed it too. He's hung like a

donkey.

WENCH 1

So are you.

PORTHOS

Really? I haven't been able to see

it for fifteen years. Go on now,

leave His Holiness alone. I'll

bring you back tomorrow when he's in

a better mood.

He whacks their bottoms, herding them out, then swaggers to

Aramis, heaving himself to a seat beside his praying friend.

PORTHOS

Please revel with me, Aramis, I need

my spirits lifted. I'm old, I'm

weak, my strength is gone --

ARAMIS

Be quiet, you fat fool. Can't you

see I'm praying?

PORTHOS

I just said you're praying! Are you

deaf too? I know you're blind,

because if you had seen the tits

that just walked out of here, you'd

have tears in your eyes.

ARAMIS

(trying to ignore him)

There are more important things than

tits.

PORTHOS

Really? If you can name me one

thing, one single thing, that is

more sublime than the feel of a

plump pink nipple between my lips,

I will buy you a new cathedral.

Aramis is still trying to pray, but rises to the bait.

ARAMIS

Forgiveness.

PORTHOS

Forgiveness?

As if in reply, Porthos lets rip an enormous rolling fart.

PORTHOS

(beat)

Forgive me.

Aramis' fingers clamp down on the rosary beads, as he tries

to keep praying.

PORTHOS

Am I forgiven?

Aramis abruptly backhands his huge friend. Porthos reels

backwards, landing in a chair.

PORTHOS

I observe your forgiveness isn't

sweeter than a plump nipple.

ARAMIS

Can't you see I'm praying,

goddammit?!

Porthos raises a foot and kicks the bishop in the balls.

Aramis staggers back and grabs a chair to throw it; Porthos

picks up the whole table -- just as d'Artagnan enters.

PORTHOS AND ARAMIS

D'Artagnan.

Porthos tosses the table aside and bear hugs d'Artagnan.

PORTHOS

How are you, you skinny little pup!

Aramis sets the chair down in embarrassment.

ARAMIS

A simple theological discussion.

D'ARTAGNAN

Aramis -- the King wishes to see

you.

ARAMIS

Still you serve him loyally --

though people hurl rotten eggs at

his royal emblem.

Aramis lifts d'Artagnan's cloak as evidence: near its hem,

sure enough, is the remnant of a broken egg.

D'ARTAGNAN

I see your mind is sharp as ever.

The King said, "Right away." Cut

deep and hard, my friends.

PORTHOS

Deep and hard, D'Artagnan.

D'Artagnan clasps Porthos' hand, then that of Aramis, and

leaves, as Porthos shakes his head.

PORTHOS

We were all Musketeers once, eh? Oh,

I forgot. For the poor, the ones

you were praying for.

He hands a purse to Aramis. Surprised, even touched, Aramis

reaches for it. Just as he takes the money, Porthos throws a

haymaker; but Aramis sees the sucker punch coming and ducks.

Suddenly the two old warriors are circling again.

PORTHOS

I wonder how Athos is doing.

INT. A SMALL HOUSE - DAY

ATHOS stands at the dressing table in a modest room; dressed

in a dark plain coat, he too is a former Musketeer -- gray

haired and handsome, intensely intelligent, with a hard crust

of manners masking seas of emotion. He opens a small wooden

box and digs through medals of heroism; he finds what he's

looking for just as his son RAOUL enters. RAOUL is in his

mid-twenties; he wears the uniform of a soldier in the French

Army. He is nervous, pacing, looking at every angle in the

mirror.

RAOUL

Do I look all right?

ATHOS

None of the ladies will be able to

take their eyes off you.

RAOUL

I care only about Michelle. Should

I ask her when we first arrive?

Or... or when we're leaving? I

could ask her in the carriage -- but

it is more romantic at the palace.

I get so confused...

ATHOS

Perhaps this will help.

He hands Raoul the simple gold ring he took from the box.

RAOUL

Mother's ring. I can't take this.

ATHOS

She died giving you to me. And I

want to die knowing it is one the

finger of the women my son loves.

They embrace. Athos' eyes mist, but he smiles.

ATHOS

Now go, and bring back your fiance.

ESTABLISHING - THE ROYAL PALACE - DAY

The Palace glows golden in the Parisian sunshine. Carriages

deposit guests for the lavish party in the royal gardens.

EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - GARDENS - DAY

Attractive young adults strut about in the extravagant attire

of Louis XIV's France, the men like peacocks, the ladies in

gowns that seem to squeeze their entire bodies up into their

bosoms. They laugh and smile and strike courtly poses

pretending to talk with each other -- but all eyes are on the

doorway, through which the king is about to come...

JUST BEYOND THAT PALACE DOORWAY

KING LOUIS the Fourteenth is having his wardrobe adjusted by

a flock of tailors. He is twenty-two, and would be quite

handsome, except for the total self-absorption. He's

checking himself in a full length golden mirror as two of his

advisors, PIERRE and CLAUDE, try to speak with him.

PIERRE

Your Majesty, I know it is a... a

festive time, but before --

KING LOUIS

The blue sash. No, the burgundy!

PIERRE

... before the party begins --

KING LOUIS

The party has already begun -- so

why are you delaying me?

PIERRE

We do not wish to delay you,

Majesty, but... as your advisors, we

feel it is our -- our --

CLAUDE

... our duty.

PIERRE

Yes! It is our duty to let you

know... there are riots in Paris.

LOUIS

Riots? My people live in the

world's most beautiful city, their

king has the grandest palaces on

earth. Why should they feel

anything but pride and contentment?

PIERRE

Well yes, of course, Majesty, and

I'm sure they are content... except

that... well, they are starving.

LOUIS

Sometimes the poor do grow hungry.

But why would they riot about it?

As he says this, a replica of the Matterhorn made of fruits

and meringues is carried past the window by a team of chefs.

PIERRE

Majesty... We have more than enough

food set aside for your birthday

celebration next week. If we

distributed some of that, we would

have time to gather more before --

LOUIS

Aramis! I have been expecting you!

(to the tailors)

We are satisfied, that will do.

The tailors and advisors withdraw as Aramis -- still in his

simple priest's robe -- strides forward and bows to the kind.

ARAMIS

Your birthday celebration, your

Majesty?

LOUIS

Next week. This is a mere garden

party -- and I wish to join it, so I

will be brief. I am experiencing

resistance from the Jesuits.

ARAMIS

Well... perhaps you should speak

with them, your Majesty.

LOUIS

I have demanded it -- and common

priests present themselves! Can you

imagine the arrogance? Common

Jesuit priests try to act as my

equals, and they refuse to reveal

the names of anyone else in their

order! No one can keep secrets like

the Jesuits can, and the identity of

their leader is the darkest secret

they hold. Even the Pope himself

does not know who leads the Jesuit

Order in France! He suspects the

Governor General of Jesuits, whoever

he is, is angling to become Pope

himself.

ARAMIS

How can I serve you in this?

LOUIS

Perhaps you can find out who this

secret leader of the Jesuits is.

You are now a priest, but you were

once a Musketeer, serving the throne

of France, a throne ordained of God.

Can you accept this mission, and

keep it private?

ARAMIS

If I find out the identity of this

Jesuit rebel. I will kill both him

and the man who told me.

LOUIS

Once a Musketeer, always a

Musketeer, eh?

Aramis bows and Louis turns back to his mirror. There are

mirrors everywhere in his palace, and he loves his

reflection, adorned as he is all in golden cloth, like fabric

from the sun. Aramis leaves and the advisors return.

LOUIS

Ah yes, the riots. We have food

stocks on the wharves right now, no?

PIERRE

That food has spoiled. That is why

it was not shipped to the army.

LOUIS

Exactly why it should be given away.

PIERRE

What... an excellent idea, your

Majesty!

EXT. PALACE GARDENS - DAY

Among the guests are Raoul and MICHELLE, a stunningly

beautiful young woman. Michelle is awed by the richness all

around them, while Raoul sees only her. He holds the ring.

MICHELLE

Isn't it glorious!

RAOUL

Michelle...

But just as he starts to speak, trumpets blast and the King

steps through the doors and out into the lavish gardens; the

party goers give him a rousing ovation. Raoul returns the

ring to his jacket, to wait for another moment.

Everyone watches the King, who begins guzzling wine and

telling jokes to his sycophants, who howl at the King's

witticisms. Then Louis catches sight of Raoul and Michelle,

and lowers his voice, to his FRIENDS...

LOUIS

Who is that?

FRIEND 1

Raoul, son of Athos.

LOUIS

Not the soldier, you idiot!

FRIEND 2

Her name is Michelle.

The king is transfixed.

D'ARTAGNAN

is presiding over a huddle of fresh faced young Musketeers,

directing them to their positions around the gardens, like

secret service agents protecting a president. He leaves

them, and quickly moves to the King.

D'ARTAGNAN

Your Majesty...

LOUIS

What is it, d'Artagnan? Assassins

falling from the sky now?

The sycophants laugh loudly.

D'ARTAGNAN

The plans for use of the maze were

not disclosed to me.

LOUIS

I decided it this morning.

D'ARTAGNAN

Then you must allow me to stay close

to you so that --

LOUIS

I am King, d'Artagnan. I will

change my mind as I wish, and I will

enjoy my banquet as I wish!

D'ARTAGNAN

But I deployed the Royal Guards

according to your previous --

LOUIS

Let us play a game, d'Artagnan, let

us pretend I am King and you are

Captain of my Musketeers. Let us

behave as if my wish is law. And my

wish is to enjoy this party!

D'Artagnan bows sharply as the young sycophants chuckle.

D'Artagnan retreats, then looks back to Louis and follows his

gaze to the tender young beauty who caught his eye.

D'Artagnan recognizes Raoul, son of his friend Athos.

RAOUL AND MICHELLE

As the guests mix and mingle, Raoul tries again.

RAOUL

Michelle, I... Ever since I returned

I've been wanting to speak with you

about... about --

A gaunt SERVANT interrupts, presenting a tray of delicacies.

SERVANT

Monsieur, Mademoiselle...?

RAOUL

No! Thank you -- Michelle, I --

They are interrupted by the SQUEAL of a piglet, squirming in

the hands of the king's dwarf, who holds the fat little

animal above his head and runs among the startled guests.

LOUIS

It pleases us to announce an

entertainment for our guests! A

contest of agility and cunning!

He takes the pig from his dwarf; the pig is clean and

perfumed, a colorful fake horn tied onto its head.

LOUIS

Behold our unicorn! Whichever of

our guests captures the unicorn

shall win its treasure!

With this announcement the King produces a diamond the size

of a pecan, suspended from a ribbon; the guests gasp at its

richness. The King ties the diamond around the pig's neck.

RAOUL AND MICHELLE

Michelle is amazed at this.

MICHELLE

I have never seen a diamond so

large!

It almost makes Raoul ashamed of the modest ring hidden in

his hand.

LOUIS

Into the maze! All of you!

Disperse, I command you!

The dwarf releases the pig, poking him through a tiny break

in the hedge; the critter skitters as only a pig can, eluding

the first laughing lunges of the guests.

THE PIG CHASE is a merry melee, as the maze becomes a tangle

of confusion. LOUIS climbs to a platform above the top of

the ten foot hedge that forms the maze. From his perch he

looks down on all the action, and calls encouragement.

LOUIS

Are you men or mice?!

MICHELLE squeals as the pig scurries by and Raoul dives for

it. He almost has the pig... then it kicks free.

RAOUL

The pendant will be yours!

With that he races after the pig.

MICHELLE tries to follow, this way, that way, through the

maze. Then she stops, face to face with the King, entering

through a gate hidden in one of the maze's dead corners.

LOUIS

Michelle, isn't it?

Speechless, she nods.

LOUIS

I would have said it was impossible,

but I believe the excitement of the

chase has made you even more

beautiful.

MICHELLE

Sire, I --

LOUIS

You blush! You do not wish to be

beautiful to your King?

Her eyes go still; she understands what is happening.

FROM BEHIND THE GATE, we see d'Artagnan, watching as Louis

tries to seduce the young woman. Even as d'Artagnan watches,

the pig comes rooting through the hedge; with a deft movement

d'Artagnan catches the animal's leg and lifts it with the

sureness of the farm boy he once was. The pig is quiet and

comfortable in d'Artagnan's hands.

D'Artagnan watches as the King approaches Michelle, and she

allows him to touch her cheek. The king leans to kiss her...

Michelle does not move...

WHHEEEKKKK! The pig sails over the gate and hits the ground

running, right at Louis' feet; it sets him dancing.

The spell of the king's royal attention is shattered; as the

pig scrambles away, Michelle backs away.

LOUIS

Wait! Michelle, I --

Too late, he sees the shadow of the man looming above him,

leaping down onto him from the observation platform. It is

the servant who offered the tray to Raoul and Michelle; he

has armed himself with a knife from the carving table, and is

diving now to plunge the blade into the king's throat.

The king is helpless, frozen. The assassin leaps, falling

toward the king... and is impaled on the sword of d'Artagnan,

springing through the gate to save his king.

Michelle screams, the king gasps, and the assassin drops,

mortally wounded. They stare down at him now; the would-be

assassin gurgles words through his agony...

ASSASSIN

Feed... your... people.

Party guests, having heard Michelle scream, are running in to

find them. Michelle rushes off, to find Raoul; several

people are coming up.

ASSASSIN

Your people starve...! Feed --

The king snatches out his own dagger and imperiously cuts the

throat of the dying man, to stop these offensive words. The

king looks at his stunned subjects.

LOUIS

A pitiful madman, nothing more.

Come, let us continue our chase!

Where is our unicorn?

The King prances away. It takes the guests a moment, but

they know that only gaiety will please their King, and off

they go again, laughing as if nothing happened.

D'Artagnan stands still as the young Musketeers under his

command come rushing up with swords drawn.

YOUNG MUSKETEER

Captain!

Seeing the dead assassin, their eyes fill with admiration.

YOUNG MUSKETEER

You are the best --

D'Artagnan can't even listen; with a last glance at the King

he turns quickly and walks away.

INT. FORTRESS PRISON

The Man in the Iron Mask sits on the floor. A key rattles in

the lock and his keeper shuffles in, carrying food.

KEEPER

Food, moron.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Thank you, Keeper.

Not watching what he's doing, the bulbous keeper trips on

something and stumbles, dropping the food. The prisoner

jumps to his feet, concerned.

KEEPER

Look what you've done!

He picks up the tray and slings it at the prisoner.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

I'm sorry, Keeper...

The keeper looks for what he tripped on -- a worn Bible. He

snatches it up and grabs a hunk of pages from its middle.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

No, Keeper, it's my only book!

Hearing the pleading in the prisoner's voice, the keeper

looks squarely at him -- and rips out the pages.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

What number did you tear out?

KEEPER

Eh?

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

What number, on the first page?

KEEPER

... Two-thirty-seven.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Two-thirty-seven: "... And the

descendants of Japeth are these:

Obediah, Zebulon, Hezekiah..."

As the prisoner rattles off the names of Biblical genealogy,

the jailer gawks at the pages in his hand.

KEEPER

You've... memorized...?

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

What was the end page?

As the keeper is speechless, the prisoner looks for himself.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Six-two-one: "... Though I speak

with the tongues of men and angels,

and have not love, I am but a

clanging cymbal or --"

The Keeper staggers in shock; the prisoner bubbles with joy.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

We're playing, Keeper! A game!

Take another page, any page! Keeper

and I are playing a game!

And the prisoner takes the keeper's fat hands in his own and

begins to dance and sing.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

A game, a game, we're playing a --

The keeper's left arm goes rigid, and he clutches his chest

with his right hand; he drops upon the stone floor.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Keeper...?

The prisoner approaches the jailer; the man is stoned dead.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

No... No! Keeper, please, you

cannot die! You're my only friend!

The prisoner tries to wipe his eyes, but he can't get at

them, inside the mask. He edges to the open door.

MAN IN THE IRON MASK

Help! Someone! Keeper is dead!

He slumps down beside the open door, and weeps.

INT. PALACE - D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - EVENING

D'Artagnan's room is spartan: a cot, and weapons laid on a

plain table. It has a single small window, and d'Artagnan

stands at it now, looking out into the Palace garden below.

The guests have all gone home; the party pavilions have been

cleared away. And now in the blue dusk, a solitary lady

walks. She is Anne of Austria, the Queen Mother, the lady we

saw in the opening.

Now, twenty years later, she is a slim frail figure. Her

clothes are drab and simple, like the dress of mourning; she

walks in silence, watched at a distance by nun attendants.

She glances up, and sees d'Artagnan's form in the window.

When he sees her looking, he pulls away from the window.

INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - EVENING

D'Artagnan's room is along the same corridor as the Royal

Apartments. D'Artagnan sits at the small table, going over

paperwork. Through his open door he sees that Anne and her

attendants are filing along in the corridor, and he rivets

his eyes back to his work.

IN THE CORRIDOR

Anne reaches the door to her apartment, and looks back to

where d'Artagnan's door is open.

INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM

The Queen Mother's ATTENDANT appears at d'Artagnan's door.

ATTENDANT

She wishes a word with you.

INT. THE CORRIDOR

D'Artagnan approaches the Queen Mother, and bows.

D'ARTAGNAN

M'lady...?

ANNE

I understand you saved my son's life

today.

D'ARTAGNAN

God smiled upon us.

ANNE

And you were not hurt?

D'ARTAGNAN

No, M'lady.

ANNE

That is good.

Without a change of expression on her still beautiful but sad

face, she enters her room.

INT. D'ARTAGNAN'S ROOM - EVENING

D'Artagnan returns to his room, just as a young LIEUTENANT of

Musketeers (Andre) arrives with two of the Royal Guards.

LIEUTENANT

Duty lists of the day, Captain!

D'ARTAGNAN

Thank you, Andre.

They hand him the list and salute again, to leave.

D'ARTAGNAN

Wait. There is an entry here --

"Messenger sent by King to residence

of Mademoiselle Michelle Beaufort."

Why was that?

The young Musketeers try not to smirk.

LIEUTENANT

Well, Captain...

INT. ATHOS' APARTMENT - NIGHT

Athos sits alone, playing a haunting melody on a violin. It

is a sad tune, played with feeling; he stops as he hears a

KNOCK at his door, and opens it to --

ATHOS

D'Artagnan!

D'ARTAGNAN

Athos, my friend!

They embrace with deep affection -- friends who have shared

each other's darkest times.

D'ARTAGNAN

It's been too long.

ATHOS

Life is too long. Except when we

have our friends. Look at you!

You're still a boy! Sit, sit! I'll

open a bottle of wine.

D'Artagnan takes one of the wooden chairs, by the meager

fire. The whole place is modest at best.

D'ARTAGNAN

Thanks, but not for me.

ATHOS

You can't drink with a friend you

haven't seen in months?

D'ARTAGNAN

I have ordered a drill of the Royal

Guard for midnight, and must be

clear-headed for it.

ATHOS

Midnight! Mon dieu! Driving the

youngsters hard, eh?

D'ARTAGNAN

They must stay sharp. There was an

attempt on the King's life today.

ATHOS

Another? How many times have you

saved his life in this year alone?

Three? Four?

D'ARTAGNAN

I heard your playing.

ATHOS

I was feeling sorry for myself.

Raoul is getting married, he

proposed today! I love that boy

beyond all measure, I've spent

everything I own to give him

education and opportunity. Now he

has complete happiness, and I mope.

A cloud passes d'Artagnan's face; he has something to tell

Athos.

D'ARTAGNAN

Athos...

But whatever it is that d'Artagnan wants to say is

interrupted by the sound of someone climbing the stairs. As

Athos' face brightened with the arrival of d'Artagnan, now it

glows as he jumps up to welcome his son.

ATHOS

That must be Raoul! Raoul! Look,

d'Artagnan's come to visit...!

What's wrong? You look awful!

RAOUL

Michelle, she -- The king has

invited her to come live in the

palace.

Athos is stunned; d'Artagnan witnesses this with agony.

ATHOS

But -- are you sure?

RAOUL

We were at her door. I was just

taking the ring from my pocket, for

the third time today, when a young

Musketeer brought the invitation for

her to become a lady-in-waiting for

the Queen Mother.

ATHOS

Michelle cannot possibly accept!

RAOUL

She cannot possibly refuse. Her

family is poor, they have even less

money than we do. And along with

the invitation, the King sent the

diamond pendant, from the piglet.

ATHOS

Piglet -- ? What are you -- ?

RAOUL

Never mind, Papa, it doesn't matter

now. She loved me once. I want to

die remembering that.

ATHOS

Die? What...?

RAOUL

I have rejoined the army, and asked

to resume my commission at the head

of the troops of General Fromberge.

ATHOS

Fromberge...?! At the front?! No.

RAOUL

It is already done. I have just

stopped at Mother's grave, to say

goodbye, before coming to tell you.

ATHOS

Raoul, no... You cannot do this. No

matter how your heart is broken --

But Raoul stops him, with an embrace.

RAOUL

Goodbye, father. I am sorry.

ATHOS

Raoul --

Raoul breaks away, and runs from the room. Athos, so joyful

moments before, holds his head as if his brain might erupt.

ATHOS

This cannot be. Everyone knows the

Queen Mother is a recluse, and the

ladies-in-waiting are but

mistresses for the king!

D'ARTAGNAN

If the young woman truly loves

Raoul --

ATHOS

She's a woman, d'Artagnan! From a

poor family. You may still be young

enough to believe love conquers

everything, but I am old and hard

and I've seen too much. Even when

kings are hunchbacks they have any

woman they desire, because power

seduces even more than love!

D'Artagnan is silent, and even ashamed. Athos realizes --

ATHOS

You knew this was happening. You

knew and that's why you came.

D'ARTAGNAN

I fear I know our King. I came to

try to bring you hope.

ATHOS

What hope is there? A wartime

commission cannot be vacated except

by the king, and what chance is

there of that? Fromberge is on the

battle line, and Raoul --

D'ARTAGNAN

I have dispatches a message to

Fromberge requesting that Raoul be

kept far from the fighting.

ATHOS

Raoul is everything to me.

D'ARTAGNAN

I know.

ATHOS

Oh my friend.

Athos grips d'Artagnan in gratitude and desperate hope.

D'ARTAGNAN

I will also speak with the King, for

he is surely unaware of the problems

his invitation to Mademoiselle

Beaufort has caused.

ATHOS

You trust his character more than

anyone else does.

D'ARTAGNAN

Raoul is hurrying to the front, so I

must hurry too.

ATHOS

Save my son, d'Artagnan.

They embrace once more, and d'Artagnan leaves.

EXT. PARIS STREETS - DAY

Magnificent public buildings -- palaces and cathedrals --

grace the city's skyline, but here in central Paris all is

squalor. On a narrow, filthy street, beggars bother the

sullen city peasants who are weak with hunger themselves.

But interest perks up when two soldiers drive up in a wagon,

and one of them, Lieutenant Andre, announces --

LIEUTENANT

Here is food, the gift of your

loving King, on his birthday! He

gives to himself by giving to you,

in that he loves you so much!

Slowly at first the paupers stand and shuffle forward. As

the soldiers begin handing out foodstuffs -- bread, cabbages,

tomatoes, eggs -- those nearest the wagon begin to jostle

each other, and a large crowd gathers quickly.

LIEUTENANT

No need to fight, there is plenty

for all!

It's looking like a holiday celebration... until a RUFFIAN

breaks open a loaf of bread, and wrinkles his nose.

RUFFIAN

This stuff stinks. It is rotting!

The King gives us rotten food!

He hurls the moldy bread back at the soldiers. Other paupers

sniff the food, and its stink set off an explosion of anger:

they throw food at the soldiers... Then a paving stone

crashes through a shop window, and suddenly it's a riot, with

the mob overwhelming the soldiers and dragging them down the

streets in the direction of the palace.

D'ARTAGNAN, riding toward the palace himself, turns a corner

and sees the mob coming. And they see him: the elegant,

dashing Musketeer on the prancing stallion.

And at that moment, two more soldiers race out of a side

street, fleeing a similar mob, coming from another direction.

D'Artagnan understands everything at a glance; the second

pair of fleeing soldiers reach him in panic.

PANICKED SOLDIER

Back, toward the palace! We cannot

hold them off! We will fire a

volley into them!

D'ARTAGNAN

No! Run to the palace and close the

gates. But do not fire!

The two new soldiers race away; d'Artagnan waits calmly on

his horse, as the mobs from both directions converge on him.

THE MOB, seeing the dashing Musketeer wait so confidently for

them, slow up; but the ruffian urges them on.

RUFFIAN

Come on! To the palace!

D'Artagnan sits calmly in their way. He doesn't even draw

his sword, though members of the mob grab the reins of his

horse. Some of the mob recognize him, and murmur...

MOB

It's d'Artagnan! Le Generale de

Musketeers!

The mob hesitates -- for the name d'Artagnan means heroism

and patriotism to all of them.

RUFFIAN

One Musketeer can't stop us!

D'ARTAGNAN

Stop you? You are Frenchmen, are

you not? I am one of you.

RUFFIAN

The King is a Frenchman, but he is

not one of us!

D'ARTAGNAN

Citizens of Paris! Give ear to me!

RUFFIAN

We'll give you their ears!

With that he draws a dagger from his filthy shirt and puts it

to the ear of the young Lieutenant who is already bloody from

being dragged through the street.

D'ARTAGNAN

Wait -- and listen! I beg you!

RIOTER

They give us garbage, not fit for

rats! They think we are garbage!

With that one of the rioters hurls a moldy beet at

d'Artagnan, who draws his sword in a slick liquid movement,

he cuts the vegetable from the air.

The display of expertise is startling. Someone else throws a

head of lettuce; d'Artagnan slices it in half, and as the

pieces fly he skewers one with the point of his sword.

D'ARTAGNAN

I'm on my way to a salad! Doesn't

anybody have any endive?

The mob laughs at this panache, and the amazing display of

swordsmanship that lies behind it. Someone tosses more

lettuce, and d'Artagnan divides and skewers this one as well.

This time the crowd applauds.

D'ARTAGNAN

A tomato?

Can he do it? Someone fires a tomato right at his head, and

sure enough d'Artagnan spears it. Then, with a victorious

flourish, he takes a bite of it. His face contorts with the

taste, and he spits the pieces out; the crowd is hushed.

D'ARTAGNAN

You are right. It is rotten. I

will speak to the King myself. You

have my word.

The mob is completely won over by d'Artagnan; the ruffian,

angry that his riot is fizzling, raises his knife again over

the soldiers, but now the point of d'Artagnan's sword flicks

to the ruffian's neck.

D'ARTAGNAN

And you will release those men --

for they serve France... and you.

RIOTERS

Three cheers for d'Artagnan!

Hurrah...!! Hurrah...!!

The soldiers who moments before were about to be ripped apart

now stand and look at d'Artagnan in gratitude and awe. The

mob has forgotten them; they see only d'Artagnan as he rakes

his blade clean, returns it to its scabbard, reins his horse

around, and slowly rides away, escorting the soldiers back

toward the palace.

INT. PALACE - NIGHT

D'Artagnan strides into the long hallway leading to the royal

apartments. As he reaches the door to the king's rooms, he

finds a knot of royal advisors -- among them Pierre and

Claude -- gathered outside the king's door.

CLAUDE

We already know about the riots!

D'ARTAGNAN

Does he know?

PIERRE

We will tell him, when it is...

CLAUDE

Convenient.

Blocked by the advisors, d'Artagnan leaves them, turning down

one hallway, and then another; he reaches the Hall of Mirrors

and touches the golden frame of one mirror at its corner; the

mirror becomes a door, revealing a secret passage within the

walls. D'Artagnan steps through and the portal closes again,

leaving no trace of its existence.

INT. PALACE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

Within a bed whose tapestried posts stretch to the sixteen

foot ceiling, the king is making love; the YOUNG WOMAN lying

beneath him is doing her best to sound sincere.

YOUNG WOMAN

Oh yes! So good! Ooo, wonderful,

Marvelous! Fan-tas --

Louis climaxes with a grunt. She tries to sound pleased.

YOUNG WOMAN

Oh, Louis, that was incredible. It

was better than ever before. It --

LOUIS

I'm hungry.

He hops up, throwing on a silk robe embroidered in gold.

YOUNG WOMAN

I will have food brought.

LOUIS

I like to eat alone.

He moves to what appears to be a wardrobe, standing against

the far wall, and opens its door, revealing a secret

staircase hidden within the thick walls of the palace.

LOUIS

By the way, you'll be moving

tomorrow.

Leaving the girl without another word, he moves down the

concealed stairs.

INT. THE KING'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT

Louis reaches the bottom of the stairs, disguised behind a

similar wardrobe in his own bedroom. He steps out -- and is

startled as the lifesize portrait of Louis XIII on the other

side of the room opens to admit d'Artagnan.

LOUIS

Aaa! D'Artagnan! These passages

were constructed for the King's

security, not so you could step from

my father's portrait and startle me

to death!

D'ARTAGNAN

It is for your security that I have

come, your Majesty -- for the

security of your honor.

LOUIS

I already know about the riots,

d'Artagnan, I heard them out there

whispering. Some fool gave the

order to distribute rotten food. I

will deal with it tomorrow.

D'ARTAGNAN

Then there is one more thing, of an

even more personal nature.

LOUIS

A personal nature?

D'ARTAGNAN

Mademoiselle Michelle Beaufort. She

is betrothed to Raoul, the son of

Athos the Musketeer, who has served

France through many tribulations.

The King begins to eat from the food laid out on the table.

LOUIS

Betrothed? I think not.

D'ARTAGNAN

In his mind, anyway, and soon enough

in hers. She had written him many

letters of love.

The King pokes at his food.

LOUIS

Miss Beaufort has accepted our

invitation. By this we can only

suppose that she wishes to come --

as we wish her to be here.

D'ARTAGNAN

Your Majesty has had many women --

LOUIS

That is my desire, and my desire is

what should concern you, not the

sentiments of some commoner!

D'ARTAGNAN

It is not Raoul's heart alone that

concerns me. It is yours. I know

you find women compliant --

especially the poorer ones like

Michelle. But do they love you? Do

you love them? What about a queen

to love? A son of your own?

LOUIS

What quaint notions, d'Artagnan!

But they contradict my father, who

picked his queen when he was old,

and only then to bear me.

D'ARTAGNAN

There is more to love than he knew,

or that you know.

LOUIS

You dare criticize my father?! Or

lecture me?!

D'ARTAGNAN

Not criticize -- plead. Love. Love

your people, and you will not bear

to see them hungry. Love women, and

they will love you. Love yourself,

and --

LOUIS

That is enough! You are a good

servant, d'Artagnan, but you forget

your place!

D'ARTAGNAN

At least help Raoul.

LOUIS

Silence! I order you!

D'ARTAGNAN

Order Fromberge to keep him in

safety! It is the least you can do,

to protect your own honor!

LOUIS

I will consider it. Now leave me.

D'ARTAGNAN

Thank you, your Majesty.

D'Artagnan bows, steps to the lifesize portrait of Louis

XIII, touches a hidden button on its frame and moves into the

secret passage the painting reveals as it swings open.

CUT TO:

CLOSE ON PIERRE'S FACE...

He is sweating, exceptionally pale, as he tries to project

his voice past a huge lump in his throat...

PIERRE

... And I only say that... the

rotten food was... all my fault...

and I take... full responsibility...

and beg the forgiveness of you all.

He steps back, having accomplished something terrifically

difficult, and glances toward

THE KING

who steps to his advisor and shakes his hand, whispering

quietly...

LOUIS

Well done, Pierre. It will be good

for your soul, that you have taken

responsibility for your errors. And

don't worry, I will look after your

family.

Pierre can only nod... He takes two steps, kneels, crosses

himself, and places his head between two upright rails of

THE GUILLOTINE

The King, Pierre, and other attendants are standing on a

platform before a crowd of Parisians. The blade drops,

Pierre's head hits the basket, the crowd cheers.

The King raises his hands to quiet the crowd.

LOUIS

Do not rejoice -- but know that your

King does not tolerate blunders that

hurt his beloved people. More food

is on its way, and my advisors tell

me the new harvests are sure to be

bountiful!

He shoots a glance at his advisors, and they are pale from

the display they've just witnessed.

LOUIS

And I have new joys to announce to

you! Today we decree a fresh glory

for Paris, and for all of France!

The laying of the foundations to

expand Versailles, and make it truly

a palace of the sun!

The advisors all applaud furiously, but from the crowd there

is almost no reaction at all; the triple ranks of soldiers

surrounding the square discourage any protest, and as the

King leaves the platform the crowd begins to melt away.

NEAR THE PLATFORM

Aramis, watching the crowd disperse, hears behind him --

VOICE

Aramis.

Aramis turns to see the King, who moves up alone.

ARAMIS

Your Majesty...

LOUIS

How goes that favor I asked of you?

ARAMIS

I grow closer to my target, your

Majesty.

LOUIS

You bring me the heart of the Jesuit

General, and you will have a palace

of your own.

The King moves away, followed by his fawning advisors.

INT. THE FAVORITE MISTRESS' PALACE ROOMS - DAY

A young Musketeer ushers Michelle into the palace bedroom

previously occupied by the King's last mistress. The

Musketeer leaves her alone, frozen in the center of the room,

awed by the opulence. Her eyes play over the details:

-- The handcarved, richly upholstered furniture, beneath her

fingertips...

-- The carved figures of cherubic angels, gleaming with gold,

upon the posts of the bed...

-- The murals on the walls and ceiling...

Her reverie is interrupted by a HANDMAIDEN who bustles in

carrying a magnificent dress.

HANDMAIDEN

After your bath put on this, it is

the King's favorite color. That

letter on the desk came here for you

this morning.

She tosses the dress onto the bed and is gone. Left alone,

Michelle lifts the letter, and recognizes the writing.

MICHELLE

Raoul!

She opens the letter and reads quickly.

MICHELLE

The army! Oh Raoul, don't despair!

I will always be faithful...

She interrupts herself as her eyes fall on the gorgeous

dress. She looks around at the sumptuous palace apartment,

and gazes again at the murals painted above the bed.

They depict naked gods and goddesses, in Olympian orgies.

CUT TO:

CLOSE - STEAMING WATER, POURED INTO A TUB

The Handmaiden has prepared a 17th Century bathtub for

Michelle, and now retires.

HANDMAIDEN

If you need me further, just ring.

As the handmaiden leaves, exiting frame, we PUSH IN on one of

the murals on the wall. The eye of one of the figures there

is no longer the painted eye it was before, but is a real

human eye, disguised by the mural...

THE KING, IN THE SECRET PASSAGEWAY

is spying on Michelle.

THE KING'S POV

as Michelle undresses and steps into the bath. Louis catches

tantalizing glimpses of her richly sensual body in the soapy

water, and it stokes his desire.

INT. PALACE - MICHELLE'S NEW ROOM - DAY

Michelle stands before the mirror, staring at herself,

breaktakingly gorgeous in her new dress. She stares for a

long time, surprised at her own beauty.

She reaches to a vase of roses and pulls one out, blotting it

around her neck, perfuming herself with its fragrance. She

looks into the mirror, at her eyes... In guilt for what she

is already feeling, she lifts Raoul's letter to read it

again. Then she gasps -- the King stands right before her.

MICHELLE

Sire! I -- How did you --

LOUIS

How did I get in? You're new here,

and will soon learn many secrets.

What is that?

MICHELLE

... Nothing.

LOUIS

A letter. May I see?

He takes the letter; she has no resistance against him. The

King reads, his eyes hardening suddenly; but then he smiles.

LOUIS

From Raoul. He urges you to guard

your honor -- as if it could be in

any danger... from your king.

MICHELLE

Raoul... is in love...

LOUIS

Enough of this, our dinner waits.

Tossing the letter aside, he offers her his arm. She takes

it and allows him to escort her from the room.

INT. PALACE - THE HALL OF MIRRORS

The hall is alive with glorious light, fiery gold frames

surrounding silvery mirrors blazing with reflections.

Musicians line the length of the hall, and when Louis and

Michelle appear at the far doorway they begin playing for the

couple as they parade past. Michelle is speechless, as Louis

smiles at her awed innocence.

INT. ROYAL DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Louis leads Michelle into a towering room surrounding a

magnificent table, decked out with candelabra and sumptuous

delicacies -- set for just two.

THE DINNER

Louis and Michelle sit opposite each other, attended by a

dozen servants. Michelle stares at her plate.

LOUIS

The food doesn't please you?

MICHELLE

It's lovely. It's just...

LOUIS

This is more than you are used to.

Your mother is a seamstress, your

father is dead. You have three

younger sisters, two of whom suffer

from consumption. Don't look so

surprised, Kings know such things.

MICHELLE

I... we are humble people...

LOUIS

Wait, no! Do not be ashamed. The

straits of your family need not be

permanent. It is a simple matter to

have them brought to one of my

country estates, where they may have

fine meals, and physicians to look

after them.

MICHELLE

You would do that, your Majesty?

LOUIS

My dear, I've already done it.

She rushes to him and throws herself at his knees, weeping in

gratitude. Louis smiles, as if embarrassed.

LOUIS

Please, darling, that isn't

necessary. We are friends now.

Mademoiselle needs wine!

A servant quickly approaches with wine; the goblet at

Michelle's place is quite large, and he pours it full.

INT. MICHELLE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Louis leads Michelle back to her room; she's a bit unsteady

from the wine; but she grows alert as she notices him closing

the door behind he

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 808