ROBIN HOOD
Series Three, Episode Two
Cause and Effect
written by Simon J Ashford
directed by Douglas Mackinnon
This is not an official copy. This was typed up by a
fan of the show strictly for personal enjoyment.
CAST
Robin Hood Jonas Armstrong
Guy of Gisborne Richard Armitage
Tuck David Harewood
Sheriff of Nottingham Keith Allen
Little John Gordon Kennedy
Much Sam Troughton
Allan A Dale Joe Armstrong
Kate Joanne Froggatt
Finn William Houston
Tiernan Martin Delaney
Rebecca Teresa Banham
Matthew Matthew Forbes
Sergeant Mike Kelly
1st Sheriff ’s Man Matt Devere
Cause and Effect 1
Scene One
Sherwood Forest.
SERGEANT
Take cover!
The gang is ambushing a wagon on a road in the forest. Robin
All the guards duck. Robin shoots an arrow at a tree off to the
has the driver at arrowpoint. Tuck holds his knife to a
side. The arrow splits a rope, causing a rock weight to fall.
young man’s throat as he leads him around the back of the
A series of pulleys and ropes are attached to two sets of six
wagon to stand by his companion. Little John and Much
longbows, each set fixed up in a rack. The bows launch
run in from the trees. Allan opens a chest in the wagon and
more arrows which rain down on the guards.
Much joins him as Little John puts his staff between the
spokes of a back wheel.
ROBIN
Now... you’re outnumbered, you’re out-armed... shoos at
ROBIN
them with the back of his hand... so get out of here.
My name is Robin Hood, and this is an ambush. While
Slight pause. Well, go on. Softly but intensely: Run!
there’s people going hungry—
Little John lifts the chest, spilling some of its contents out.
SERGEANT
Go, go!
Nottingham Town.
The guards all run off and the gang walk towards the cart,
Much running ahead rst. Tuck flips the cross end of his
Kettenmorgenstern flail up and catches it by the chain, then
folds the chain against the handle to carry it. Much takes a
money bag in each hand out of the coach and holds them
up.
—while there’s injustice in this land, me and my men will
ght for what’s right. And we take from the rich to
MUCH
give to the poor—
We’re back!
The scene of another ambush. Robin has a dark hood over his
head. Much takes a basket of bread and Tuck slings a bag
over his shoulder as Robin again holds the driver at
arrowpoint.
On a road outside the forest.
The gang have stopped a heavily armoured coach, anked by
two guards. Robin stands with an arrow nocked but the
bow pointed down. Much and Allan stand on either side
with bows raised and arrows taut on the strings. Little
John holds his staff horizontally in one hand. Tuck’s iron
cross is pulled out into a Kettenmorgenstern flail, the cross
or ball hanging at his side.
Robin laughs and looks back at his gang, smiling broadly.
†††††††††††††††
OPENING CREDITS
—for a fairer world. Now, you took that money off people
who can ill afford it, so... indicates the gang behind him
and continues cheekily: ...we’ll take it back. Smiles
brightly.
The doors to the coach open and a dozen guards pour out and
gather behind the two already standing there. Robin tries
not to smile wider in anticipation.
SERGEANT
You’re outnumbered.
Robin laughs and glances back at his gang.
ROBIN
And what makes you think that?
Robin raises his bow.
Cause and Effect 2
Scene Two
Locksley.
The Sheriff ’s guards are rounding up all the men and
branding them with an X.
MATTHEW
Yeah, I will. I’ll send for you all.
Matthew ducks back under the canvas and Kate pulls it down.
Gisborne waits patiently behind her.
SERGEANT
I want the men ready for transportation immediately.
GISBORNE
In a hurry?
A peasant man screams as he is branded. A guard parades more
Kate freezes, then turns around.
men, shackled and attached to a long chain, by the
sergeant.
KATE
Delivery
for
the
market
in
Nottingham. I’m late.
Too old! Be meeting his maker soon enough. Able-bodied
men only!
Gisborne leans to his right, looking at the cart, then at the
guard behind him.
Another man screams as he is branded. Across the way, under
the roof of a small enclosure, the gang watch, Robin and
GISBORNE
Much in front leaning on the rail.
Search.
MUCH
Two guards move forward and Kate tries to stop them.
They’re making prisoners of them.
TUCK
Or slaves.
Much looks back at Tuck as Gisborne rides in.
ROBIN
With disgust: Gisborne.
Rebecca comes out of her hut, watching the procession of men.
Kate, with a small package, comes out and walks past her
mother, but Rebecca stops her.
KATE
No, no! There’s nothing in there. There’s nothing in
there!
The guards push her aside, pull up the canvas and pull out
Matthew, who breaks free and runs at Gisborne with the
knife. Gisborne easily grabs Matthew’s arm and turns it
aside.
MATTHEW
These people have taken enough. One day, they’ll rise up
and destroy you...
REBECCA
Kate, stop. They’ll search the cart. I’ll lose you and your
brother.
Gisborne pulls Matthew’s arm towards himself.
KATE
You see what they’re doin’. If we don’t move him now
he’ll be caught. Just stay inside. I’ll get Matthew out
of here.
GISBORNE
Dangerous talk. Well, we’ll soon beat that out of you.
...and all men like you.
Gisborne pushes Matthew back into the waiting guards’ arms.
Kate goes boldly to a covered cart. Gisborne dismounts,
watching her suspiciously. Kate goes to the back of the cart, Take him away!
lifts the canvas, revealing Matthew’s head, and hands the
KATE
package to him.
Please! He’s my brother! He’s too young!
Here’s bread, a few leftovers and a knife.
GISBORNE
Turns to Kate, his nger pointed at her. You... tried to defy
MATTHEW
me! to guards: Flog her!
I don’t like leaving you like this.
KATE
Find us somewhere better.
Gisborne turns and walks away as two more guards take Kate
in the opposite direction.
Cause and Effect 3
KATE
Matthew!
Gisborne mounts his horse as a procession marches by him. He
addresses them.
GISBORNE
Right! You better get used to taking orders! You’re going
to be soldiers, all of you! So say goodbye to your
families. Bring them to the castle.
The two guards push Kate up against a tall fence post. One
leaves to get a whip, and then Kate pushes the other away,
kicks him in the groin and then the face, and runs away
towards the trees. The two guards chase her.
GUARD
Come back! Come back I said!
Kate runs into the trees and Robin knocks her down, rolls her
over himself, then pulls her into the underbrush.
ROBIN
We’ll get your brother back, Kate. I promise.
KATE
We all thought you were gone forever. My little sister
thinks Robin Hood is just a story.
TUCK
Stories are important. Stronger than truth. Heroes inspire
us.
ALLAN
Tuck always talks like that. Just nod and smile.
ROBIN
Come on. We’ll head them off at the hollow.
Robin leads the gang out of the underbrush. Much catches up
Kate.
MUCH
I’m, er, Much, by the way.
ROBIN
Come here. Sh, sh, sh.
Kate ignores him.
The guards run by them. The gang are waiting on the other
side.
And don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re looked after.
Kate glares at him.
KATE
Breathlessly: You’re Robin Hood.
ROBIN
And you, young lady, are lucky to be alive. Now you need
to tell me what happened.
I mean, we’ll... make sure... you’re looked after.
KATE
Slows a bit. I can take care of myself.
Much stops. Allan catches him up, chuckling.
KATE
I heard Gisborne say they were taking the men to be
guards.
What are you doing?
TUCK
Why does the Sheriff suddenly need another army?
MUCH
Shut up, Allan. Just shut up.
Much joins them, pointing back with his thumb, about to speak
when he sees Kate.
ALLAN
†††††††††††††††
MUCH
Who’s that?
ALLAN
Oh, some girl we just saved.
KATE
Annoyed: My name is Kate.
Allan smirks, imitating high and mighty.
Cause and Effect 4
Scene Three
Nottingham Castle. The Great Hall.
TIERNAN
Oh! Chuckles. You know, I hope the guards you promised
me are better ghters than you are.
GISBORNE
Get up, MacMurrough, you lazy Irish dog.
Gisborne circles him, ready.
Gisborne storms down the stairs to a fur-covered table.
Gisborne picks up a pitcher from the table and goes to a head
poking out at the head of the table.
They’re expensive enough.
Gisborne dumps the water onto the face, then puts the pitcher
back. Tiernan sits up, groaning.
Gisborne advances angrily. They block more blows, and
Tiernan puts his hand on the hilt of his knife tucked into
his belt behind his back. Tiernan tries to stab Gisborne
with his sword, but Gisborne grabs his arm, twists it
behind him and slaps the broad side of his sword onto
Tiernan’s chest.
TIERNAN
Gisborne, I was very comfortable here.
GISBORNE
Glibly: First strike, I think.
The girl lying next to Tiernan uncovers her head, which was
completely beneath the furs. Tiernan looks at her.
TIERNAN
Sure, you’re already dead.
Very comfortable, indeed.
Gisborne pulls his sword away and looks down at the knife
Tiernan is holding against his belt. The Sheriff has been
watching all this time from the balcony.
Party’s over.
GISBORNE
The rest of your men are on their way. I said... get up!
SHERIFF
So... Gisborne’s met his match.
Gisborne grabs Tiernan’s feet and roughly pulls him off the
table to the bench. Tiernan chuckles as the girl runs off and
Gisborne steps back.
he stands up.
I like your style, MacMurrough, very sneaky. How’s your
TIERNAN
head?
You know, big fella, you’ve been riling me since I got here.
What say we, er, settle it... sportin’ fashion. Picks up
TIERNAN
his sheathed sword, pulls it out and tosses the scabbard
Like
a
hundred
blacksmiths
playing the anvil behind me
aside. First strike.
eyes. Chuckles. What a night.
Gisborne turns his back on him.
SHERIFF
Hm,
indeed.
Make
yourself
comfortable. Gisborne.
Blunt edge of the blade only, of course.
Beckons him with his nger.
Gisborne draws and turns around in one motion. He blocks
Gisborne glances back at Tiernan and goes upstairs.
four strikes of Tiernan’s, then twists Tiernan’s sword
away and side swipes at him, but Tiernan pushes him
†††††††††††††††
aside.
For the cause! Laughs. Ireland for the Irish [bows slightly]
under an Irish king. The devil with your English rule.
GISBORNE
My mother was French.
Gisborne swings at Tiernan three times. Tiernan jumps onto
the table. Gisborne hacks at his opponent’s feet and
Tiernan jumps down again.
Cause and Effect 5
Scene Four
Sherwood Forest.
The sergeant, on horseback, leads the new “recruits” through
the forest.
SERGEANT
Come on! Keep moving! Keep in line!
Robin peeks around a tree.
Keep moving now!
Robin goes back to the gang waiting behind a small rise.
KATE
MUCH
Kate!
Kate runs to the sergeant and pulls him off his horse. Robin
jumps over a guard, then blocks his blow. The gang engage
the rest of the guards. Kate pulls out the sergeant’s sword
and uses it. Little John punches one with the end of his
staff. Robin ips one over and kicks him in the face. Tuck,
after disposing of his man, kneels down and takes a lock
pick from his pouch and goes to work on the padlock.
Robin joins him. Kate goes to another guard, ducks his
sword, then slices him down the back, and makes her way
to Matthew.
KATE
We take them now, right?
Are you all right?
MUCH
No, we wait for his signal.
ROBIN
Kneeling by Tuck. Come on, Tuck.
Robin turns around to be rst when they charge.
Matthew nods at Kate.
ALLAN
She’s right. Now’s our chance.
Kate, you’ve put us all at risk here.
TUCK
Don’t mistake rashness for loyalty.
I had to save my brother.
ROBIN
Shh. Wait, wait.
LITTLE JOHN
Seeing something over the rise. Robin...
ROBIN
John? What’s the matter?
LITTLE JOHN
KATE
TUCK
Nearly there!
MATTHEW
Kate, you shouldn’t have come. It’s too dangerous.
KATE
Proudly: I brought help, Robin Hood.
Little John looks up the hill and sees the Irishmen, with Finn
at their head.
Trouble.
FINN
Kate runs towards the road.
ALLAN
Hey! Come here, Kate!
ROBIN
Now!
Finn stands and his men, about a dozen, charge, yelling
“MacMurrough!”
LITTLE JOHN
Stop!
Robin!
Allan, Much and Tuck run after Kate.
Robin uses Tuck’s large iron cross as a hammer and slams it
onto the chain between Matthew’s shackles. The chain
breaks. All the men can now pull it off their shackles.
LITTLE JOHN
Where’s she going?
Robin and Little John chase after them.
ROBIN
Follow my men into the forest.
Cause and Effect 6
MATTHEW
to men: Right, behind me.
Hold on, Tuck.
ALLAN
Kate helps Matthew up.
Little John makes an exasperated face.
ROBIN
Calls to all: Into the forest!
Who put you in charge?
Tuck stops, then the rest of the gang.
Tuck pulls Kate in the opposite direction as the prisoners and
Robin are surrounded by the Irishmen. The men crowd
closely around Robin to help hide his conspicuous clothing.
KATE
TUCK
Well, someone has to lead in Robin’s absence.
Little John turns around to face the gang.
Matthew! Matthew!
FINN
Addressing the conscripts: You men! You belong to me now.
You ght well for my cause and some of you may live
to see your homes again. You cross me, and you’re
dead. to his men: It’s a good job we came out to meet
them, lads. The Sheriff ’s men wasn’t exactly
protectin’ my... investment. Fine work, all of you.
Now... move ’em out!
ALLAN
Well, I don’t see why it should be you.
TUCK
Well, you think it should be you after your reckless
display earlier?
LITTLE JOHN
Interrupting: Stop. Where’s the girl?
Matthew takes off his jacket and hands it to Robin.
Allan, Much and Tuck turn around.
MATTHEW
Here, take this so they won’t recognise you.
Ah!
ROBIN
Takes jacket and puts it over his head. Thanks.
TUCK
Let’s nd her before she puts herself and Robin in danger.
†††††††††††††††
The gang make their way back to Locksley.
ALLAN
The gang turn around and run towards Nottingham.
†††††††††††††††
TUCK
to Kate: Thanks to you, they’ve got Robin. Did you really
think you could save your brother on your own?
ALLAN
Look, it was my fault as well, all right? I went in too
quick.
Kate slows down a bit and Allan and Much walk past her,
leaving her as the last one.
MUCH
Who were the painted faces? They came out of nowhere.
TUCK
Celts. Warriors. A battle technique based on surprise and
brute force. If they’re working for the Sheriff, we
need a watertight plan.
Cause and Effect 7
Scene Five
Nottingham Castle. Interior hall.
FINN
Whoever it was attacked your troops knew what they
were doing. Nearly succeeded in freeing my
conscripts.
SHERIFF
Erm, Robin Hood, a bothersome little y, bzz, bzz, bzz.
Chuckles. You, erm, brushed him aside, well done, very
good.
or don’t we?
FINN
We’ll exchange money for men once we’re safely on the
coast as planned, and not before.
The Sheriff smiles with half his mouth.
†††††††††††††††
Tiernan joins them.
Where’s my money?
TIERNAN
Well, at least the men got their workout. Saves me taking
sword drill today.
FINN
Well, that’s your job, little brother. The men look to you
for leadership. All you do is drink and play.
TIERNAN
Yes, yes. Well... got to keep them hungry for the cause.
Smiles and raises the goblet in his hand. To the next king
of Ireland, my brother.
Finn grabs Tiernan’s shoulder.
FINN
You don’t take the cause lightly, boy.
SHERIFF
Clears his throat. Gentlemen...
Finn pushes Tiernan.
FINN
It’s a sacred trust.
SHERIFF
Gentlemen, a time and a place... Shh. Turns to Finn.
Money. You have your soldiers.
FINN
You’re playing a dangerous game, aren’t you, Sheriff ?
Supplying the enemies of Prince John with troops.
SHERIFF
Chuckles. I know all about you two, hm? You have no
allies. And this is your last chance to grab power in
Ireland and you both know it. So, do we seal the deal,
Cause and Effect 8
Scene Six
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
The Sheriff leads Gisborne out the main doors and to the right
down the corridor.
SHERIFF
I want those two buffoons out before anyone knows
they’re here.
GISBORNE
Afraid Prince John will nd out you’re supplying soldiers
to his enemies?
The Sheriff stops, turns around, draws his short sword and
holds the point to Gisborne’s throat.
SHERIFF
Why... should he nd out, hm? Prince John will get his
patronage money...
The Sheriff taps the underside of Gisborne’s chin with his
sword.
ROBIN
I get away, we all get away.
MATTHEW
There are men here from every village within thirty
miles. You’ll never save us all.
ROBIN
Smiles, chuckles, holds up the lock pick. Well, I still have this.
Come here.
Matthew chuckles and Robin goes to work on his shackles. He
quietly talks to all as he works.
Right. Some of you men from Locksley know me. The
rest of you know what I do. Now we have one chance
to do this, and we have to be ready to take it, for your
villages, and for your families. Will you stand with me
and ght?
The men quietly nod and agree.
†††††††††††††††
...he has to. And where it comes from is of no
importance.
GISBORNE
Is that meant to frighten me? Look at you. Your plans are
in ruins, the Black Knights disbanded and you’re
having to buy the affections of a prince that would
rather see you dead. Looks down at the point with
eyebrows raised and backs off condently. Why should I
fear you?
Gisborne walks calmly past the Sheriff.
SHERIFF
Because...
The Sheriff turns around and throws the sword into the door
by Gisborne’s head. Gisborne snaps his head around.
roars: ...I am the Sheriff of Nottingham!
†††††††††††††††
Meanwhile, the villagers are assembled in the courtyard.
Blockades have been set up around the west and north sides
and guards are lined up at the foot of the steps. The
portcullis is down and the gate is closed.
MATTHEW
You should have escaped while you had the chance.
Cause and Effect 9
Scene Seven
Nottingham Town.
Much, Tuck, Allan and Little John peer through a window at
a side gate. Kate is walking up to the gate behind a small
group of servants being checked in by a guard.
Allan joins Tuck and Little John.
†††††††††††††††
MUCH
There she is.
GUARD
Come through, you, yeah, and you...
MUCH
She’s trying to get in with the servants.
Kate is let through at the end of the line.
She’s done it. Amazing.
TUCK
There’s too many guards.
LITTLE JOHN
So we’ll lay a trap in the forest.
TUCK
To get to the coast road, they have to take the prisoners
through the ravine. That’s our best chance to attack.
Little John turns to go. Allan and Much look at Tuck.
MUCH
I’m not leaving Robin.
Little John stops.
ALLAN
Teasing Much: Yeah, or Kate. Smiles.
MUCH
Sincerely: Or her.
TUCK
Stay if you want to Much, but don’t expect us to come
back and rescue you. Joins Little John.
ALLAN
to Much: Come on. Turns to leave.
MUCH
Go on.
Allan stops.
Go. Pokes his head through the window to watch again.
Cause and Effect 10
Scene Eight
Nottingham Castle. North exterior corridor.
Gisborne walks down, fresh from his confrontation with the
Sheriff, and sees a familiar face at the end of the line of
serving girls going down the small steps, where two
guards stand sentry.
GISBORNE
You.
GISBORNE
I don’t think you’re in a position to bargain. What about
the men?
KATE
Defeated: One of them is... is Robin Hood.
Gisborne’s eyes widen.
†††††††††††††††
Kate stops, then turns to run back where she came from.
Seize her!
The guards quickly grab Kate.
Courtyard.
All the prisoners have had their chains loosened, but are still
wearing them to fool the guards. Robin is telling them his
strategy.
Well, you’re becoming a bit of a nuisance.
ROBIN
Quietly: The front line with me. Hold off the guards. The
second line attack the gates. And use the chains,
anything you can nd as weapons, but wait for my
signal.
KATE
Do what you want to me. I’m not scared of you.
The men nod subtly. Soon after, Finn and Tiernan come down
the steps to looks over their conscripts.
Come here!
The guards drag Kate to Gisborne.
TIERNAN
GISBORNE
They
don’t
look
like
much.
Really? And what about that precious brother of yours? to
guards: Find her brother and hang him. Turns to leave.
FINN
Well,
I’m
giving
them
to
you,
Tiernan. They’re yours to
KATE
train and lead.
You can’t do that!
GISBORNE
Turns around. I just did. to guards: And make sure she sees
him die. Turns and leaves.
KATE
Please! He’s done nothing wrong!
Gisborne ignores her and continues walking.
The men you brought in. I know something about them.
Gisborne stops and turns around.
They weren’t just villagers.
Gisborne slowly steps towards Kate. Kate says nothing more.
GISBORNE
Talk.
KATE
You won’t hurt my brother.
TIERNAN
You expect me to make guards out of peasants? No.
Gisborne appears at the top of the steps from the corridor. The
two guards follow with Kate.
GISBORNE
Sergeant! Extra guards, now! Draws sword and points it at
Robin.
Robin Hood!
The villagers get ready to ght.
ROBIN
Ready? Pause. Hold! Pause. Now!
The men attack the guards, using their chains to choke them
and beat them. Robin takes out several of the guards.
FINN
Amazed: No weapons and yet they ght like lions for that
man.
Cause and Effect 11
Robin ghts off more guards.
KATE
Matthew! Matthew!
GISBORNE
Secure the gates!
MATTHEW
Kate.
The two guards follow Gisborne down the steps, then Gisborne
takes Kate by the arm and holds his sword at her.
Hood!
KATE
I’m here, I’m here, I’m here. Matthew, I’m here, I’m here.
to Gisborne: Look, I’ll do anything, I’ll do anything
you say, just please, please help him.
Robin sees Kate in trouble.
ROBIN
Gisborne stares at Robin, deaf to Kate’s pleas. Robin watches
Matthew, holding in his temper.
Wait! Wait! Stop! Stop!
to Matthew: Lie still. Lie still. I’m going to get you home.
You’re going to be all right. Everything’s going to be
all right.
The men stop ghting.
GISBORNE
Another move and I kill the girl.
Matthew sees Kate and runs to her.
MATTHEW
MATTHEW
Find a better place and take care of our family. It’s up to
you now.
Matthew chokes and gasps a few times, then dies.
Kate!
KATE
No, Matthew! Matthew! No. No! Sobs.
Robin chases him.
Wait! Wait!
ROBIN
ROBIN
Whispers intensely: You’ll pay for this, Gisborne.
A guard punches Robin in the stomach. Matthew picks up a
fallen sword.
GISBORNE
Get the girl out of the castle.
KATE
Two guards approach Kate.
No, Matthew!
GUARD
Matthew charges at Gisborne, who easily deects the sword
and then stabs the boy and pulls his sword out. Kate
screams and breaks away from Gisborne to Matthew.
Come on.
They pick up Kate, who struggles.
Matthew! Matthew! Are you all right?
KATE
No, no, no!
Matthew falls, holding his stomach. Kate turns him onto his
back and cradles his shoulders.
Let me look.
The guards take her away. Gisborne points his sword at Robin.
GISBORNE
Say your prayers, outlaw.
Robin watches helplessly, doubled over, his hands on his knees.
SHERIFF
GISBORNE
You’re surrounded. Don’t waste any more lives.
Robin stands, hands held up.
Gisborne!
The Sheriff has been watching from the cloister. Gisborne looks
up at him.
You move, Gisborne, and you die.
Cause and Effect 12
GISBORNE
Roars: I will have his blood!
The Sheriff motions to the guards with his nger. Several
guards grab Gisborne.
of stone.
ROBIN
Nods deantly. A challenge.
The Sheriff chuckles.
SHERIFF
Don’t be so selsh.
GISBORNE
Get off me! He dies now!
GISBORNE
It’s the last room you’ll ever know. Standing behind Robin.
You should have killed me when you had the chance.
Well, I’m going to make you suffer before you die.
SHERIFF
Come, come. Surely you don’t want to miss the slow and
painful death of Robin Hood, hm? Cocks his head.
ROBIN
Turns his head towards Gisborne. Just like you’re suffering,
Gisborne?
†††††††††††††††
Nottingham Town.
At an exterior door, the guards push Kate to the ground and
slam the door behind her. Kate slumps to the ground,
crying. Much is hiding around a corner. He checks to see
that it is clear, then goes to her.
MUCH
Gisborne turns his head away.
You know, you could kill me a hundred times over, but the
pain you’re feeling now, the hatred, the self-loathing,
is never gonna go away. Turns his head to the front.
Gisborne reaches around Robin’s other side and punches him
with all his might in the stomach, then leaves.
Hey. Up, up, up.
You’ll never hate me as much as you hate yourself !
Much helps Kate to her feet and gets her around the corner.
Gisborne draws his sword.
Kate, Kate, it’s me. What happened?
SHERIFF
Calmly, impatiently: Oh, put it away.
Kate can only cry on Much’s shoulder.
†††††††††††††††
Nottingham Castle. The Vault, a room high in
the keep.
Gisborne bows his head.
Always in such a rush, hm? Sometimes I think you don’t
appreciate the poetry of pain.
The Sheriff stands in the room. There is a grated hole in the
ceiling, near the door, to let in light.
Gisborne slides his sword into its scabbard as Robin looks up
and rolls his eyes.
SHERIFF
We call this room the “vault.”
Something clearly Robin Hood does.
Robin grimaces, disgusted at the Sheriff ’s words. Finn studies
Robin with admiration as the Sheriff and Gisborne leave
Gisborne stands a few steps inside doorway; Finn and Tiernan
the room.
are behind him, watching. In the centre of the room, his
back to the door, Robin has been chained: one chain is
So, how about the death of a thousand cuts, a nasty
attached to opposite walls, waist high. An iron belt is
Saracen invention.
around Robin’s waist, with a ring in front. Another chain
has been wrapped around the belt and closed with a
The door begins to close.
padlock. More chains are attached to shackles around his
wrists, and also closed with the padlock. His ankles are
GISBORNE
shackled and chained to the oor. Robin is looking down at
As
long
as
he
dies.
the floor, holding his temper.
One door, solid oak, three locks. No windows, just... lots
†††††††††††††††
Cause and Effect 13
Robin pulls at his chains, trying to break them against the iron
ring on the belt. He stops as he hears the locks turn on the
door. Finn enters, and nods his thanks to the guard.
ROBIN
Sighs. A visitor? I’ll not shake your hand if you don’t
mind.
FINN
Smiles. They tell me you were once a nobleman. That you
gave up your title, lost your lands, lost all your
wealth.
ROBIN
Nods slightly. The people have endured far worse.
FINN
They tell me that you lost the woman you love. Steps
closer.
small piece of cloth around Finn’s belt, then wraps his
wrist chain around Finn’s neck, choking him.
Richard. His name is Richard. Pulls his chain tighter around
Finn’s neck.
FINN
Weakly: I only have to shout. There’s half a battalion out
there.
Robin breathes heavily, then roughly lets Finn go. Finn grabs
at his neck.
You think over what I’ve said to you. Slowly backs to the
door. Perhaps you don’t want a crown, but a just and
fair country. If that’s what you want...
Finn bangs on the door three times, quickly walks back to
Robin, puts his hand on Robin’s shoulder and his face in
Robin’s.
ROBIN
Chuckles. What do you want from me... Irishman?
...I might be the only chance you have left.
FINN
We’re the same, you and me. We both have a cause.
The door rumbles open. Finn leaves. Robin breathes heavily a
bit, then sighs and inspects his prize, giggling.
Robin spits.
ROBIN
Thank you very much.
But you, Robin, you inspire men. I’ve seen it, right here.
Robin starts to pick at the lock.
Robin stares ahead deantly, head held high.
†††††††††††††††
You see, my people... glances at the door... well, my people
are as oppressed by this Prince John as your people
and yet, they will not rise at the call of Finn
MacMurrough.
ROBIN
And you want my help.
FINN
I want you to join forces with me.
Robin scoffs.
We can learn from each other, you and me. Together we
can smash this Prince John and the Sheriff, all of
them. I’ll help you free England, you help me free
Ireland. We could both be kings. Now, what do you
say to that?
ROBIN
Puts his face in Finn’s. England already has a king.
Robin elbows Finn in the stomach and takes a pin holding a
Cause and Effect 14
Scene Nine
Tuck turns around now.
An open road.
He wasn’t important enough. He was just a village man
who wanted to raise a family and live an honest life.
Well, I believed in him. Now he’s dead. And you think
that the idea of Robin Hood is more important than
MUCH
his life? Shakes her head. You make me sick. Walks
So they tried to ght their way out, and that’s when her
away.
brother was killed. And then all... hell broke loose and
Gisborne found out that Robin was with them and
Much sighs and starts after her, but Tuck puts his hand in
now the Sheriff has Robin in the castle heavily
Much’s chest to stop him, shaking his head.
guarded.
Much and Kate have met the gang at the scene of the latest
ambush, where the bow contraptions are.
LITTLE JOHN
Right. Picks up his staff from against the contraption. We go
to Nottingham.
†††††††††††††††
Much nods as Little John walks determinedly towards town.
Tuck, Allan and Much follow.
MUCH
to Kate: We’ll be back.
KATE
What about the village men? They’re shipping them out
to Ireland today.
TUCK
Robin is our priority. Stops and faces Kate.
KATE
Losing an entire generation of men will kill all the
villages for miles around. You put one man before
stopping that?
TUCK
Steps to Kate. Gently: Kate, villages are dying across
England. The only thing the people have is a spark of
hope called Robin Hood. He’s more important than
any one man. He’s an idea, something the people can
believe in. Turns to go.
KATE
I gave up Robin Hood to Gisborne.
The gang stop, shocked. Little John walks back to Kate. Tuck
still has his back to her.
ALLAN
You what?
MUCH
You didn’t say that.
KATE
I’d do it again... to save my little brother.
Cause and Effect 15
Scene Ten
Nottingham Castle. The Vault.
Scene Eleven
Nottingham Castle. Interior corridor.
I think you might have just found me a way out of here,
you.
TIERNAN
You told me to do the deal! We had nowhere else to go.
Robin scratches at the mortar along a small block of stone with
the pin.
FINN
Well, now we do. Robin Hood. Look, with a man like that
alongside us, our Irish people will rise, they’ll ght.
Robin picks at the large padlock and gets it to open. He smiles
Two guards walk past Tiernan and Finn, who stop their
and unwinds the chains from his wrists and the belt, and
conversation until they pass.
then bends down to try to free his left foot, but the pick
doesn’t fit. He tries the right foot, but notices movement,
TIERNAN
looks up and sees a mouse cleaning its face. Robin ducks
Just run that by me again. We’re going to do what?
under the cross-room chain and crawls slowly towards the
mouse, not wanting to frighten it away, and checking the
FINN
door behind him. The chains at his ankles stop his advance, We’re going to break Robin Hood out of here.
and he pulls at them with his foot. He stops and stares at
the mouse.
TIERNAN
Chuckles. Well, it must be all this English air, brother,
ROBIN
’cause you’re not thinkin’ straight!
Hello, little fella, eh? Reaches out to pet the head. Where did
you come from?
FINN
Tiernan, for once in your life, would you stop looking for
The mouse scampers away and Robin notices the mouse hole in
an easy ride and recognise what’s staring you in the
the loose mortar. He tries to crawl closer, pulling at his
face? Robin Hood’s no ordinary outlaw. He’s one of
chains.
us, ghting a tyrant, the Sheriff !
†††††††††††††††
Tiernan starts to protest.
I’m sure of it! You’ve lost the re, baby brother, if you
ever really had it.
Tiernan glares at Finn.
Are you with me?
There’s a long pause, then Tiernan backs up a step and walks
away.
Tiernan!
†††††††††††††††
Cause and Effect 16
Scene Twelve
Nottingham Castle. The Vault.
Robin digs at the mortar and manages to work loose the small
stone and pulls it out. He digs behind it with his hands,
then shakes his head. He looks at the mouse, which squeaks
at him.
ROBIN
I’d never have tted through there anyway. Breathes.
Come on, Robin. Come on. Think.
FINN
Tiernan.
Tiernan steps towards Finn.
TIERNAN
Sorry, brother. The Sheriff here made me realise the
problem, you know, it’s not with our cause—
SHERIFF
Interrupts: No, though a very worthy endeavour.
Robin looks back at the door, picks up the stone and sits up. He
sets the stone down, takes off Matthew’s jacket, puts it on
the oor and sets the stone down in the middle of it. He
looks up at the hole in the ceiling.
TIERNAN
—it’s with the man who’s leading it.
Please, God, come on.
You fool!
He wraps the stone in the jacket and looks at the mouse.
TIERNAN
I found a real ally right here.
Ready? Right. Here we go.
Robin picks up the stone and slams it down onto the chain
between his ankles. He stops and listens to see if the guards
are alerted. Hearing nothing, he pounds again. A third
attempt breaks the chain.
Yes!
He picks up the broken link and unhooks it from its neighbour.
You little dancer.
Robin pulls the chains off his ankle cuffs.
†††††††††††††††
The hallway outside the vault.
Finn has a smoky lantern which he hides at the base of a pillar.
He coughs from the smoke.
FINN
Fire! Fetch water! Goes to the vault’s door. You, get the
prisoner out of there. Open up!
FINN
SHERIFF
Hm, yes, in exchange for a few small tries, County, erm,
Gal-way, I believe.
FINN
You haven’t the sense to lead an army, let alone a nation.
TIERNAN
Laughs. Says you. Spits on the oor in front of Finn.
SHERIFF
Looking at the oor. Ew.
TIERNAN
Steps towards Finn. But the men are with me. It didn’t take
much persuasion, mind, but then again, all you offered
them was a glorious death in the name of the cause!
Finn charges Tiernan but guards pull him back and Tiernan
breaks free.
When I am king, they will be well rewarded.
The Sheriff comes calmly around the corner, followed by four
guards.
Tiernan taps a hand to Finn’s chest and leaves. That was a
signal to the guards to put Finn into the vault with Robin.
The door opens and Robin is standing in the middle of the
room, back to the door.
SHERIFF
No, no, no, no, no. I’m afraid your privileges in my castle
are cancelled, my friend. An old trick... feigns a smoky
cough... but a very good one.
FINN
Roars: You are going to leave me here?
Tiernan appears on the other side of a pillar.
Tiernan stops and looks back.
Tiernan! I’m your brother! I’m your king!
Cause and Effect 17
SHERIFF
Chain him up and throw him in there with Hood. They
can die together.
FINN
Roars: Tiernan!
Scene Thirteen
Locksley.
Kate walks sombrely into the village. Rebecca is working on her
pottery. She looks up and sees Kate, puts down her tool and
comes running.
REBECCA
Kate, Kate. I’ve been so worried. Sees Kate’s solemn face.
Robin looks calmly at Finn from the the middle of the room, his
Matthew?
chains appearing to be all in order. The guards chain Finn
to the wall to Robin’s left, putting his hands behind him.
Kate shakes her head and starts to cry.
The Vault.
Tiernan! You get back here and face me, boy!
Cottage. Interior.
The guards head for the door.
Rebecca leads Kate into their hut, closes the door and breaks
down herself.
ROBIN
Save your breath. Shakes his head.
KATE
I’m so sorry. Robin Hood tried to save him.
The door closes. Finn sighs.
REBECCA
I hope Robin Hood gets hanged from the highest gallows
in Nottingham.
FINN
My selsh, greedy little brother. Breathes ercely. By the
time he’s bored of this new game, he’ll have ruined
our last chance to free Ireland. Pulls at his chains.
Robin looks at Finn.
We should never have come here. Our cause belongs to
our people. Yours... yours have trouble enough with
this... poisonous sheriff.
ROBIN
Perhaps we can be allies.
Robin drops the chains from his wrists and pulls off the iron
belt.
FINN
How did you...?
Robin walks over to Finn and holds up his pin.
KATE
It won’t bring Matthew back, though.
REBECCA
Robin Hood is an outlaw. He just brings trouble. They’ll
be back now, the Sheriff ’s men, back to make
examples of the rest of us.
KATE
That doesn’t mean we should just sit here and take it.
Rebecca slaps Kate.
REBECCA
That kind of talk is dangerous. That’s what’s got your
brother killed.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
You helped me, now I’ll help you.
Robin sets to work on the chains behind Finn’s back.
†††††††††††††††
Cause and Effect 18
Scene Fourteen
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
The prisoners are slowly ling out of the courtyard.
GUARD
Come on. Keep moving.
Scene Fifteen
Locksley. Cottage. Interior.
Rebecca and Kate sit at a table under a window.
KATE
This is my fault. Matthew died trying to save me from
Gisborne.
Tiernan looks up at the door as the Sheriff comes out, oblivious
to what’s happening below.
REBECCA
What?
SHERIFF
Brightly: What a glorious day...
The Sheriff slows as he realises what’s going on.
KATE
I went after Matthew alone, without thinking. I got
Matthew killed.
...for an execution.
REBECCA
No.
GUARD
Keep in line.
KATE
If I hadn’t been so stupid...
TIERNAN
It’s a long march. We need to leave now.
SHERIFF
Yes, but, erm, surely we shall stay to see the executions.
TIERNAN
No.
REBECCA
No. Robin Hood killed your brother with his talk of
ghting for a better future.
KATE
You’re wrong. These people believe in him. And Matthew
believed in him. And that’s good enough reason to
help. Stands.
GUARD
Keep moving now.
REBECCA
Where are you going?
SHERIFF
But it’s Robin Hood and Finn.
Rebecca grabs Kate’s arm.
TIERNAN
Kate, Robin Hood’s a criminal.
Sheriff... Steps up to the Sheriff. Quietly: I will not watch my
brother die. We leave now, or the deal is off.
Kate pulls free and leaves.
SHERIFF
Kate, please! You’ll end up like your brother!
Very well.
Kate opens the door.
†††††††††††††††
KATE
I’m not doing this for Robin Hood. I’m doing it for
Matthew.
Kate leaves and closes the door. Rebecca stares after her,
shocked.
†††††††††††††††
Cause and Effect 19
Scene Sixteen
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
Gisborne walks up to the Sheriff.
GISBORNE
I want to see Hood die.
SHERIFF
Have I not made myself clear? No money till the
conscripts are at the coast. Patronage rst, Hood
later.
Scene Seventeen
Nottingham Castle. The Vault.
The mouse scrabbles along the wall. Finn sees it and backs off.
Robin is digging at a large stone.
FINN
Mouse? Stamps at the mouse.
ROBIN
Finn, leave him be!
FINN
GISBORNE
I will have my way. I will watch him die and then I’ll
bring his head to you on the road and you can send it
with the money to Prince John.
I hate mice.
The Sheriff watches the men le past, thinking.
Finn bends down.
SHERIFF
Yes. Very good. Prince John would like that. He could
show off his head in his trophy room. Chuckles.
Perhaps I will allow you to have your way. But if you
even think about defying me again then it will be
your head on its way to London.
FINN
It looks pretty solid to me.
The Sheriff steps away and Gisborne smirks, watching the
Sheriff mount his horse.
ROBIN
Help me shift this, come on.
ROBIN
Yeah? Well, let’s nd out, shall we? Blows along the stone’s
edge. I can feel a draught. Come on.
†††††††††††††††
Move out! Clicks his tongue to his horse.
The Sheriff and Tiernan lead the prisoners through town.
†††††††††††††††
Cause and Effect 20
Scene Eighteen
Nottingham Town. East gate.
Allan peeks around a corner as the gates close; the rest of the
gang are behind him. Allan leans back on the wall and
blows out, making his lips vibrate.
Kate nods. Tuck turns and walks away. Allan and Little John
follow. Much nods to Kate, then follows.
†††††††††††††††
ALLAN
The east gate’s impossible.
Much frowns at him.
Too many guards.
LITTLE JOHN
Same to the west.
MUCH
Storm the battlements?
ALLAN
What?
MUCH
I’m joking. Looks at Tuck. Joking.
LITTLE JOHN
Psst.
They all look at Little John, who nods at the street where Kate
stands. Tuck approaches her slowly.
KATE
I know it’s my fault Robin Hood was captured. So I... I
want to help you save the village men, this once. I
don’t want Matthew to have died for nothing.
Little John looks down.
ALLAN
Well, apparently, you’re the leader, Tuck.
Tuck glares at Allan.
If it was me, I reckon she’s a good ghter.
Much nods in agreement.
And, she’s got in the castle once before.
Tuck looks at Little John, who nods.
TUCK
Turns to Kate. You take orders from me. Go in alone and
we leave you behind.
Cause and Effect 21
Scene Nineteen
Nottingham Castle. Interior hallway.
Gisborne gives orders to a guard as he goes up the steps to the
vault.
GISBORNE
Make sure the executioner is prepared and have horses
ready. We join the Sheriff immediately Robin Hood is
dead.
The Vault.
Finn braces his foot against the wall. Robin drops down to the
oor a level below, where there’s another tunnel. Finn lets
the chain fall, then hears a lock click. He slides his feet into
the hole.
†††††††††††††††
Outside the vault.
†††††††††††††††
The Vault.
Robin and Finn pull out the large stone. Robin peers into the
hole it left. Finn pushes the stone out of the way and peers
in, too.
ROBIN
Drainage gutter. That’s our way out.
FINN
We’ve got to get out through here?
Robin nods.
That’s not possible.
Robin laughs, then backs out and retrieves one of the chains.
GISBORNE
Come on.
The guard’s keys jangle as he ts a key into the third lock.
Come on!
†††††††††††††††
The Vault.
Finn falls into the hole, yelling as he drops, as the door opens
and Gisborne comes in. Finn lands behind Robin with a
groan.
Gisborne draws his sword and peers into the hole.
GISBORNE
They’ve escaped! Points to a guard. You! Wait there!
Strides towards the door. The rest of you search the
castle! Find them!
†††††††††††††††
Outside the vault.
Robin and Finn crawl through the lower tunnel towards a
grate in the wall, through which light shines. Robin stops.
Gisborne is at the vault door.
GISBORNE
to guard: Open the door.
The guard pulls out his keys and starts to unlock the rst lock.
Gisborne waits impatiently.
†††††††††††††††
The Vault.
Finn lets Robin down the hole with the chain.
ROBIN
Finn, I think this might be our way out.
A bird squawks as it ies past the grate. Robin crawls on. Finn
checks behind them. Robin kicks out the grate with his foot,
then pokes his head out and grimaces, crestfallen.
Whining: Finn?
FINN
What?
ROBIN
†††††††††††††††
Outside the vault.
The guard starts on the second lock.
†††††††††††††††
We have a problem.
Robin looks out at the ground several storeys below him. There
is no hope of jumping out. He looks up and sees they are
close to the top of the keep, with the old birdcage hanging
from a gibbet just below the battlements.
Get me that chain.
Cause and Effect 22
FINN
Growling: Why?
ROBIN
Impatiently: Just get me the chain!
run back into the castle.
On the tower, Robin takes down a ag and breaks the pole over
his knee as Finn joins him. Robin hands the broken pole to
Finn and picks up a short piece of four-inch post.
†††††††††††††††
Finn backs up, hits his head on the low ceiling, groans, and
crawls back for the chain. He slides an end to Robin, who
lets it fall down the side, holding his hand over it, then
drops his hand on it to stop it near its end.
Grab my feet.
Gisborne charges up the stairs.
†††††††††††††††
Robin knocks a corner of the canopy free from its post with the
short piece.
Finn does and Robin leans out over the edge, swings the chain
back and forth a few times, then tosses it up and over the
birdcage. It wraps around and anchors itself to the
birdcage’s suspension rope. Robin pulls himself up the
chain. Finn crawls out, sees how high he is, crosses himself,
and starts to climb up the chain after Robin. Robin pulls
himself up onto the birdcage, climbs on top and climbs its
rope to the crane. A guard sees him and comes running.
Robin gets his feet onto the battlements, then kicks the
guard back with both feet while still hanging from the
rope. Robin jumps down and runs to the tower and up the
ladder. The tower has a large red canopy on it, anked by
red ags.
Finn has followed and engages another guard with the sword
of the fallen guard, blocks once and runs him through.
Robin, at the top of the ladder, ducks the guard’s sword, then
pulls him off the tower, over the side. The guard screams as
he falls.
Below in the town, Much hears the guard screaming, looks up
and sees Robin at the top of the tower.
MUCH
Robin! Raises his arm and waves at Robin.
†††††††††††††††
Gisborne charges up the stairs.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
to Finn: With me.
Robin and Finn stand at the centre pole of the canopy. Robin
takes the broken pole piece and holds it crosswise against
the tall pole.
Hold this.
Finn does and Robin ties the short pole to the long one.
FINN
Are you sure about this?
ROBIN
Chuckling: I hope so.
LITTLE JOHN
†††††††††††††††
Admonishing: Much!
Gisborne tiredly trudges up the stairs.
The guards on the ground notice the gang and come running.
†††††††††††††††
GUARD
There!
Robin and Finn hold on to the tied-on crosspiece and stand on
the battlements.
LITTLE JOHN
Guards!
ROBIN
Ready?
In the courtyard below, Gisborne also hears the scream. He
looks up and points his sword at Robin.
GISBORNE
Finn nods slightly.
Now!
There! Get them!
The gang ghts the east gate guards. Gisborne and his guards
Robin and Finn pull the canopy forward and jump off the edge.
Gisborne and the guards watch as the pair soar down over
Cause and Effect 23
Scene Twenty
the courtyard.
GISBORNE
Hood! Hooooooooood!
FINN
Hey!
Robin laughs.
Coastal Road.
Gisborne and two guards, mounted, catch up the Sheriff and
Tiernan leading the procession. The Sheriff stops.
GISBORNE
Robin Hood and Finn have escaped. They’re after you. I
have more men on the way.
TIERNAN
You let my brother get out?! He’ll not rest until he’s
hunted me down.
Robin, we’re ying!
Finn laughs with Robin.
Below, the gang watch, astonished, as Robin executes another
unlikely escape. The canopy glides gracefully over the castle
wall into the marketplace.
ROBIN
John, grab the sides!
The gang rush over to the marketplace and help the canopy to
land as the townsfolk cheer. They set the canopy down on
its back edge.
Tiernan turns his horse and herds the Irishmen and the
conscripts back as Gisborne gallops into a shower of
arrows.
SHERIFF
We’re under attack!
On a nearby rise, Finn crouches in front of Little John, Much,
Robin, Allan and Tuck, all with bows. They shoot another
round.
GISBORNE
Where’s the men from the village?
It’s Hood! Take cover!
TUCK
On the road. We have horses.
Tiernan dismounts and directs his Irishmen.
The gang runs off. Robin notices Kate.
TIERNAN
Quickly, you two, get the money. Come on!
ROBIN
You came back?
KATE
To save the village men, so if that means helping you
rst, then...
ROBIN
I’m glad you did. Come on.
Robin and Kate run after the gang.
†††††††††††††††
Tiernan and his men ee on foot.
SHERIFF
Where’s he going with my money? Get after him,
Gisborne!
Gisborne starts his horse.
Robin shoots through a rope and the weight-and-pulley system
starts in motion, resulting in a hailstorm of arrows, right
at Gisborne.
GISBORNE
They’re everywhere! Pull back! Wait for reinforcements!
Gisborne turns his horse around. The Sheriff tries to
manoeuvre his through the distraction.
SHERIFF
Move!
ROBIN
Much, Allan, keep the Sheriff and Gisborne pinned down.
The rest of us after Tiernan. Come on!
Cause and Effect 24
Kate comes out of the brush and directs the men.
KATE
Come on! Come on! Come on! Quick! Go! Into the forest,
men! Come on!
LITTLE JOHN
Nods. Plenty left to raise an army.
FINN
A small group of highly committed men... is worth more
than an army of slaves.
Tiernan and his Irishmen, two of them carrying the chest of
money between them, stagger into the forest. Tiernan turns
ROBIN
to them.
Steps to Finn. Well, good luck, my friend.
TIERNAN
Come on! Will you hurry up?!
Robin shakes hands with Finn, then hugs him.
And spend the money wisely. We will.
Tiernan turns forward again right into Finn’s arms. Tuck and
Little John take out the two men with the chest. Robin
Finn turns and leaves.
quickly walks over to Finn, who holds his knife at
Tiernan’s throat.
†††††††††††††††
FINN
Sure, you’re already dead.
†††††††††††††††
Finn ties Tiernan face down on the back of a horse, then walks
over to Robin.
FINN
I’ll take my leave of you, Robin Hood. When I’m King... of
Ireland, there’ll always be room at my court for you.
Gisborne and the Sheriff lead their horses back along the road
to Nottingham and meet other horsemen on the road.
SHERIFF
Ah, Prince John’s escort. They want their money,
Gisborne.
The Sheriff and Gisborne leave their horses and approach the
new arrivals.
GISBORNE
So, what do we do?
ROBIN
Well, that’s all right. We’ve got our own ght here.
TUCK
What about your brother?
FINN
He’s no brother of mine. Not any more.
SHERIFF
We? Chuckles. Do you think that I’m going to be
responsible for your arrogance and your incompetence again?
The Sheriff pulls Gisborne’s sword out.
Hm?
One of the Irishmen leads Tiernan’s horse away.
The Sheriff points the sword at Gisborne.
But he’ll get a fair trial.
Little John picks up Finn’s chest of money.
ROBIN
Well, come on, John. Give the man his money.
FINN
Ah, sure, I don’t really need it all.
Finn stops Little John.
GISBORNE
You can’t be serious. Put it down!
SHERIFF
No, Gisborne. This time you pay my dues. to men:
Gentlemen, good to see you. Very smart, lovely
colours, tight-tting uniform. Excellent. Slight
change of plan. There is no patronage money—
On “patronage,” the Sheriff shoves Gisborne towards the men,
who catch him.
For your men, for their families.
Cause and Effect 25
Scene Twenty-One
GISBORNE
What?!
Coastal Road.
SHERIFF
But Gisborne has volunteered to go with you to explain
why not to Prince John personally. Throws down
Gisborne’s sword and walks towards the horses.
GISBORNE
No, my lord! Please! This means certain death.
Much and Allan are handing out coins from Finn’s chest to the
men. Little John stands by to make sure there’s no trouble.
ALLAN
Whoa, whoa! One at a time, gents. All right? You’ll all get
some.
Robin follows Kate past the line of waiting men.
SHERIFF
Hah!
ROBIN
Kate!
GISBORNE
to men: Get off me!
The Sheriff laughs, pulls Gisborne’s jacket off his horse and
walks back to Gisborne.
Kate ignores him.
Kate!
Kate reluctantly stops and turns around.
SHERIFF
I just wanted to thank you. And I’m so sorry for what
Well, you never know, you might catch [throws jacket to
happened to your brother. If I could change any-thing
Gisborne] Prince John in a good mood. to men: He’s all
—
yours.
KATE
Gisborne is dragged away.
Interrupts: I said I’d help you this once... but my brother’s
dead... and people will go on dying while you give
GISBORNE
them false hopes of a better life.
I won’t forget this! I’ll be back for you! Struggles to get free.
Get off ! Get off me!
Kate turns to leave, but Robin grabs her arm.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
Kate, wait!
Kate turns around.
Earnestly: I mean to make those hopes real.
KATE
It’s too late for Matthew. Well, I’ve paid my debt for
turning your in, for his sake. I don’t ever want to see
you again. Turns and leaves.
Robin turns his head away as Much joins him.
MUCH
Kate?
Kate keeps walking.
Where’s she going?
ROBIN
She’s going home to her family.
Cause and Effect 26
Tuck joins them.
Shakes his head. I’ve let her down.
TUCK
You can’t expect to win over every mind, Robin, or a
heart so full of sorrow. Let her grieve. That grief will
turn to anger, and then she’ll be ready to ght.
Robin ponders Tuck’s words.
Just as these men here are ready to ght. This is the core
of our army, Robin. All they need is a leader.
Robin nods, understanding what Tuck is trying to do. He
makes his way to the edge of the crowd and stands on a
box. The gang stand on either side.
ROBIN
My friends.
The men all stop to listen.
Lie low here until it’s safe to return to your villages.
You’re marked men. But I swear to you that brand
you wear will one day become a badge of honour. And
believe me when I say, that the day is coming when
this sheriff will be held to account for what he’s done
to you and your villages.
The men: Yeah, he should.
And on that day, my men and I will call on you. We will
call on your strength, we will call on your courage,
we will call on the love you bear your families to
stand with us and ght! And overthrow the cruel
injustice that infects this land! Loudly: Are you with
me?!
The men all cheer and raise their sts in the air. Much does, too.
Little John crosses his arms over his chest and smiles
proudly. Robin beams brightly at the men.
†††††††††††††††
.END OF EPISODE TWO.
Cause and Effect 27