ROBIN HOOD
Series Three, Episode Six
Do You Love Me?
written by Timothy Prager
directed by Patrick Lau
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
Isabella Lara Pulver
Kate Joanne Froggatt
Prince John Toby Stephens
Benjamin Palmer Elliot Levey
Do You Love Me? 1
Scene One
Locksley Manor. Bedchamber. Night.
Softly, grufy: Yes, sire.
No! No!
Gisborne looks at the ground, thinking his end is near.
GISBORNE
Gisborne punches the bed during a nightmare. Hoofbeats and a
PRINCE JOHN
horse neighing sound in the distance, but he does not hear
Hm...
leans
back.
Robin
Hood isn’t dead.
them. He grips the coverlet tightly. The horse whinnies
loudly outside the manor, and he is jolted awake. The front
door bursts open. Soldiers come into the room to arrest him Gisborne slumps his shoulders in shame.
and pull him off the bed.
I told you, I told the Sheriff, I wanted Robin Hood dead.
His blood is a gift I covet and yet no-one gives it me.
GISBORNE
If the Sheriff loved Prince John, he would give it me.
No!
And yet I do not have it, ergo he doesn’t love me.
Pause. Well, I will have blood.
They drag him out of the room.
†††††††††††††††
Sherwood Forest. Prince John’s camp.
The soldiers gallop through the forest on horseback, bringing
Gisborne into Prince John’s tent and throwing him to the
ground before his throne.
PRINCE JOHN
Do you love me, Gisborne?
GISBORNE
Softly, grufy: Yes, sire.
PRINCE JOHN
Lets out his breath. I’m so pleased to hear it because I don’t
think the Sheriff loves his prince. No, I don’t think he
does at all. My time is almost here, Gisborne.
The Sheriff ’s blood.
Gisborne raises his eyebrows and looks up. Prince John leans
forward again. Gisborne slowly straightens.
You will kill the Sheriff for me, Gisborne, discreetly. Only
the two of us will know. A private secret we can
share.
The Prince puts a hand on either side of Gisborne’s head.
And you will do this for me, Gisborne... because you love
me. Smiles.
†††††††††††††††
OPENING CREDITS
Gisborne, on his knees, raises his head a bit, staring at the
Prince’s feet.
You know my father Henry, God rest his soul, wanted me
to be King, not my brother Richard. Me... King. That
was his wish. Takes a deep breath. And I will be... soon.
My father taught me to surround myself with only
those most loyal, with only those who love me.
Gisborne raises his head a bit more to stare at the Prince’s
knees. Prince John leans forward.
You’d make a ne sheriff, Gisborne.
Gisborne looks in the Prince’s eyes.
I’m condent in that.
Gisborne straightens his back, still on his knees.
Does it please you that I have such condence in you?
Do You Love Me? 2
Scene Two
Sherwood Forest. (Near Prince John’s camp.)
Robin, Allan, Little John, Kate and Tuck are walking down a
road when Much comes running to meet them.
Scene Three
Sherwood Forest. Outlaws’ camp.
Robin has drawn a map in the dirt marking the roads with a
trace of his nger and placing twigs and rocks as
landmarks.
MUCH
Wait!
KATE
What are they doing in the forest?
ROBIN
Chuckling: All right.
ROBIN
Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?
MUCH
Looks behind him. Prince John and his soldiers have made
camp [points behind him] down there.
ALLAN
Still confused: Yeah, all right.
ROBIN
What? Looks where Much is pointing. How many men has
he got?
ROBIN
When they break camp, they use the North Road to get to
Nottingham.
MUCH
Little John steps over the map.
Thousands.
LITTLE JOHN
LITTLE JOHN
Why is he coming?
No!
MUCH
TUCK
He’s visiting all the nobles throughout England to grease
their palms.
KATE
Robin steps over the map.
Hundreds.
Admonishingly: Much!
ROBIN
He’s trying to buy their loyalty before King Richard
returns, isn’t he?
Robin glances at Allan.
MUCH
I didn’t stop and actually count them! I can’t actually
count.
They hear a horse neigh and see two soldiers, one with Prince
John’s banner, come galloping down the path.
ALLAN
What, he thinks he can be bought?
ROBIN
TUCK
He knows he can. He’s buying the nobles and their men to
seize the throne so that King Richard returns to King
John’s England.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
Every noble he buys will bring us closer to civil war. And
a war between Prince John and King Richard... It will
tear this country apart.
Run! Run!
The gang scatter.
LITTLE JOHN
If he’s going to buy them, he’ll be carrying gold.
The gang realise he’s right.
TUCK
More than a little.
Do You Love Me? 3
Robin thinks, chewing on his thumb. He lets out his breath with
Scene Four
a hiss.
Nottingham Castle. Interior corridor.
The Sheriff walks through a wide corridor, alert.
ROBIN
Well, we stop him stealing the crown by stealing his gold.
SHERIFF
Gisborne?
Tuck, Kate and Little John chuckle.
Gisborne steps out from behind a pillar, his hand on a knife
ALLAN
stuck in the back of his belt. He boldly and quickly strides
This is mad. Smiles.
forward, his boots loud on the stone oor. The Sheriff
turns around. Gisborne stops to face him, his head held
LITTLE JOHN
high.
Yes, it is. Utterly mad.
Lets out a quiet sigh. Gisborne.
TUCK
He’ll have a small army with him.
GISBORNE
Quietly: My lord.
Robin steps forward and kneels over the map.
SHERIFF
ROBIN
You’re here. I’ve been looking for you.
Right, our only advantage is surprise. The best place to
mount an attack is here... stabs the map repeatedly with Gisborne ngers the knife still in his belt.
a sharpened stick... outside Locksley.
I’ve, er, been thinking about our relationship. We should
Robin pokes Kate in the hip.
work on it.
So you’re going to have to nd more men.
KATE
Nods. Let’s do it.
†††††††††††††††
The Sheriff circles Gisborne, who is careful to keep himself
facing the Sheriff.
Don’t you think? It’s been a little strained in the past... I
admit.
Gisborne crosses his arms in front.
But in the light of Prince John’s visit, well, I think unity
Gisborne gives a gracious nod.
is the best way forward.
The Sheriff and Gisborne walk together down the corridor.
Unity between you and me, hm? Standing strong,
together, don’t you think?
The Sheriff stops. Gisborne says nothing. The Sheriff steps in
front, his back to Gisborne.
The past is the past. We should leave it behind us.
Gisborne reaches for his knife and is about to pull it out when
the Sheriff turns around.
The man is a tyrant, Gisborne. We both know that. And
he’s dangerous. The only way we’re going to survive
Do You Love Me? 4
Scene Five
is... unity.
The Sheriff holds his arms out, inviting Gisborne to embrace
him. Gisborne returns the gesture and steps forward, then
grabs his knife and steps behind the Sheriff. Suddenly a
door opens and Isabella comes out. Gisborne whips the
knife behind his back. Isabella sees them in this strange
position.
ISABELLA
I hope I’m not interrupting.
SHERIFF
No... no, not at all. Me and your brother, we were just
having a nice little... philosophical chat. Looks back at
Gisborne.
GISBORNE
Yeah, about the past and the future.
Locksley.
Robin, Tuck and Kate walk through the village, gathering the
men together. Little John keeps watch.
ROBIN
But we need your help and you know us. We ght for
England and we ght for King Richard.
TUCK
We must stop Prince John. We must! So let’s steal his
gold, thwart his ambition.
KATE
He’s a pretender and not our king. This is not treason.
Help us.
†††††††††††††††
ISABELLA
to the Sheriff: You wanted to see me?
SHERIFF
Yes, yes. You have been invited to the, er, nobles’ supper
tomorrow evening with Prince John, so, erm, try and
make yourself a little entertaining. Smiles, then looks
back at Gisborne. Unity.
The Sheriff leaves; the door squeaks open, then closes. Gisborne
turns around and puts the knife back into his belt. Isabella
watches him leave, noticing the knife.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 5
Scene Six
Sherwood Forest. Near Locksley.
LITTLE JOHN
The gold.
The gang and their recruits hide behind the trees. Prince John’s
Little John stabs at the lock with the butt of his staff.
train comes through: a coach, two outriders and several
soldiers. Robin shoots the coach driver with an arrow and
ROBIN
then he, the gang and the villagers charge the train. Little
Let’s
go.
John puts his staff through a rear wheel, then punches a
soldier. Robin pulls out his sword and climbs into the
driver’s seat. Next to Robin, Tuck blows a pipe dart at one Robin and Tuck each grab one of Palmer’s arms and drag him
to the chest. Little John bends over the chest, pulls off the
of the outriders. He falls to the ground and the other starts
broken lock and ips open the clasp.
forward.
ROBIN
LITTLE JOHN
This has to be the gold.
The second outrider has turned his horse around and is getting
ready to ght. Robin points at him with his sword.
Little John opens the chest and it’s empty.
to Tuck: Look out!
Look out!
Nothing. Slams the lid open.
Robin stands up and faces Palmer. Little Johns stands.
Two villagers run downhill, a rope tied between two long tools,
and knock down several soldiers with it. Little John ghts
one. Tuck pulls off the other outrider. Robin uses his sword
and blocks a soldier, then jumps off the coach. Kate pulls a
soldier off his horse, then runs behind Allan to ght more.
Allan attacks with his dual swords. Kate wounds a soldier,
then runs to defend Allan’s back and takes a knife in her
left side. Much ghts on. Kate looks down at the knife, and
falls backward, sitting hard. Little John knocks out a
soldier with his staff. Kate curls on the ground in pain.
Allan punches out a soldier. More soldiers run off. Robin
pushes a soldier into the side of the coach, slices his back,
then peers inside the coach. Allan runs over to the coach,
not seeing Kate behind him. Much runs to the coach. Tuck
is on the other side. A well-dressed man is inside, looking
warily at them all.
PALMER
Absolutely nothing!
ROBIN
Well, Prince John is a coward. If this were Prince John,
his soldiers wouldn’t desert him. He’d try and buy
our allegiance. This is his double!
MUCH
Where’s Kate?
Much looks around and sees Kate lying on the ground. He
rushes to her, dropping his sword on the way.
Kate!
Allan is quick on his heels. Much lifts her head into his arms.
Hello.
Kate, Kate, Kate.
MUCH
Good God, we’ve captured Prince John.
I’ll be all right.
Robin and Tuck each open a door. Robin pulls Palmer out.
ROBIN
Come here.
Tuck climbs through the coach. Robin lets Palmer go.
PALMER
Timidly: I’d be very grateful if you might spare my life.
Allan and Much lift a chest off the back of the coach and set it
on the ground.
KATE
MUCH
Sh-sh.
Kate faints.
ALLAN
Kate!... Kate!
Much and Allan stare at each other, fearing the worst. Tuck,
Robin and Little John come over. Robin hangs and shakes
his head.
Do You Love Me? 6
ROBIN
Lay her down. Come on, give her some space.
its point on the ground in front of him. Much sits next to
him; Allan and Little John stand nearby.
Much and Allan lay her head down and step back. Tuck kneels
beside her, his st to his mouth, thinking.
PALMER
Two soldiers reported seeing assassins in the forest.
Confused why Tuck is doing nothing: What is it?
Robin looks at Much.
TUCK
If I remove it, the bleeding could kill her, could cause
more damage.
The Prince needed a double. He couldn’t cancel his dinner
with the Council of Nobles tomorrow and there was
no-one else. I could have refused, but I’d have been
beheaded.
Allan looks away. Tuck looks at Much.
Robin chuckles.
I need the bark of an elm tree and some nettles to grind.
Go, please.
Mind you, my predecessor was beheaded because he
couldn’t nd a case of scrofula.
Much nods, and he and Allan run off.
ROBIN
PALMER
And what’s scrofula?
A poultice.
Robin, Tuck and Little John look at Palmer.
TUCK
Looking up from his bandaging: It’s a very rare disease.
Quite effective. Draws out the evils while keeping the
wound clean.
PALMER
So rare I can’t nd a case of it either.
Palmer dashes forward and pulls the knife out of Kate.
TUCK
Legend has it, it can only be cured by the touch of a king.
TUCK
What are you doing?
PALMER
To leave it in would kill her.
ROBIN
So why would he want to nd a case of it then?
PALMER
Prince John’s obsessed with it.
Palmer presses his hands to her wound.
TUCK
I shall will the blood back into her body while you
He once saw his father, Henry, successfully cure a child
prepare the poultice, then we’ll need to re-balance her
with scrofula.
humours.
Robin sneers, guessing it was a ruse.
ROBIN
Who are you?
ALLAN
My father told me that when I was a kid.
PALMER
Benjamin Palmer, physician to Prince John.
LITTLE JOHN
I heard it as well.
Tuck tilts his head, amazed.
PALMER
Looks up. But neither his supporter nor his apologist.
Prince John brought me with him hoping I might nd a
case of scrofula for him to cure, like his father did, to
†††††††††††††††
prove that he’s the rightful king of England, not his
brother Richard.
A while later, Tuck bandages Kate’s wound, Palmer looking on.
Robin sits under a tree nearby, spinning Kate’s sword on
Robin nods, understanding now.
Do You Love Me? 7
Of course there’s absolutely no evidence that a king’s
ROBIN
touch cures anything. But as I’d like to keep my head, So... will you go back to Prince John?
I—I—I’ll not be the one to tell him.
PALMER
Kate, awake, pale and sweaty, lifts her head. Robin sets aside
Well... I suppose I should.
her sword.
ROBIN
KATE
Right. to Allan: Tie him up.
Can I have some water, please?
Allan looks questioningly at Robin. Palmer is confused.
Much jumps up.
†††††††††††††††
MUCH
I’ll get it!
ALLAN
I’ll go.
Robin watches them both race off, then calmly stands with the
water ask and leans over Kate.
ROBIN
Here you go.
Robin holds her head up.
Here.
Kate drinks. Robin strokes her hair.
You’re all right.
KATE
Thank you.
Robin smiles.
†††††††††††††††
Robin, Palmer, Allan and Much walk away from the scene.
ROBIN
Thank you for helping to save Kate’s life. You’re free to
go.
ALLAN
Yes, I’m really grateful.
MUCH
Very grateful.
PALMER
Looks at them. Thank you all... to Robin: ...Thank you for
not killing me.
Do You Love Me? 8
Scene Seven
Nottingham Town.
Speak.
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
PALMER
Congratulations. We were ambushed, not you. Y—y—
your plan worked, Your Highness. Y—your brilliance
is unsurpassed.
The royal train arrives in town. Prince John rides in an open
carriage. The townsfolk cheer and throw rose petals on the
street in front of him.
The Sheriff steps out of the main doors, Gisborne behind him.
The carriage enters through the portcullis. Isabella comes
out behind Gisborne. The carriage stops. Prince John gets
out, scowling at the Sheriff. The Sheriff comes down the
steps, arms outstretched.
SHERIFF
Welcome to Nottingham, Your Highness. Bows.
PRINCE JOHN
PRINCE JOHN
Who attacked you?
PALMER
Robin Hood.
Prince John closes his eyes in fury, then turns around and heads
for the castle door.
PRINCE JOHN
You’re still alive.
PRINCE JOHN
Sir Guy.
SHERIFF
Stands. Yes, of course.
PRINCE JOHN
How surprising.
Gisborne follows the Prince as the Sheriff watches them go.
Up the steps: Prove your loyalty to me. Rid me of him.
Gisborne shows a strained face.
Isabella, the Sheriff, a bouncing Palmer and guards follow
Prince John up the steps.
I don’t particularly like surprises.
Interior corridor.
Prince John goes up the steps, glaring at Gisborne, then stops
at Isabella as the Sheriff glares at Gisborne.
What’s your name?
ISABELLA
Isabella. Smiles slyly.
PRINCE JOHN
Lovely!
Prince John lifts her chin up.
Italian or Spanish?
ISABELLA
Which do you prefer?
Prince John smiles and chuckles. Isabella chuckles, too. They
hear horseshoes on the cobblestones and Prince John turns
and steps towards it. A soldier leads in a horse with
Palmer face down over its back, his hands tied and a cloth
tied over his face. The soldier unties him and Palmer
stands facing the Prince. He takes off his blindfold and
chuckles nervously.
Outside his quarters, the Sheriff spins around, watching
suspiciously, then backs into the room and quickly closes the
door, listening for sounds behind it. He continues to walk
backwards, then hears a tap and pulls his sword out of his
coat.
Prince John is sitting on his bed.
PRINCE JOHN
Do you love me, Sheriff ?
The Sheriff turns around.
SHERIFF
With all my heart, sire.
PRINCE JOHN
Stands. With a pained face: Would you give your life for
me?
SHERIFF
My life? No hesitation: Is that all? Of course.
PRINCE JOHN
Would you take a life for me?
SHERIFF
Even easier to answer.
Do You Love Me? 9
PRINCE JOHN
Stops in front of the Sheriff. Gisborne has so disappointed
me.
SHERIFF
Disappointed us both, sire.
PRINCE JOHN
Obedience, loyalty and love, is it too much to ask? A king
requires all three. Who’s more loyal to me, Sheriff ?
You or Gisborne?
SHERIFF
Of course, I am, sire. My loyalty is innite.
Scene Eight
Nottingham Castle. The Great Hall.
The Prince, Isabella, Gisborne and the Sheriff are having
dinner in the Great Hall as a piper and drummer
entertain. A serving boy puts two bowls of dried plums
between the Sheriff and Gisborne, who are sitting with
their backs to the replace. Prince John sits in a throne
opposite them, ngering his moustache. Isabella sits to his
left, and Palmer beyond her.
PRINCE JOHN
And where were you attacked?
PALMER
Near a village.
PRINCE JOHN
Good. Then prove it to me. Rid me of Gisborne, Sheriff,
SHERIFF
quickly, discreetly. We don’t want to disturb our noble Locksley village.
guests with this messy business. Kill him for me,
Sheriff.
Gisborne takes a dried plum and is about to eat it, then he stops
and looks at the serving boy.
SHERIFF
A privilege, sire.
PALMER
We fought courageously, but we were dreadfully
A pause, then Prince John glances at the door and slightly jerks
outnumbered.
his head that way.
SHERIFF
Outside in the corridor, Gisborne waits behind a pillar. He sees No doubt the villagers helped the outlaws.
Prince John leave the room. The Prince catches his eye and
continues on. Then the Sheriff comes out. Gisborne’s
The Sheriff watches Gisborne give a plum to the serving boy to
anxious face glares at him; the Sheriff glares back.
try.
†††††††††††††††
PALMER
And eventually I was captured...
The boy chews the plum.
...by Robin Hood himself.
SHERIFF
Or so he said.
Gisborne waves off the boy.
I mean, we’ve all been proved wrong in the past...
Gisborne is quickly popping plums into his mouth.
... haven’t we, Gisborne?
Gisborne looks up from his plums.
PRINCE JOHN
But this time Robin Hood was fooled.
Do You Love Me? 10
The Sheriff looks at Gisborne’s bowl, scratching his chin.
PRINCE JOHN
Arrest him.
PALMER
Yes, Your Highness.
Two guards step forward and Prince John takes his seat.
PRINCE JOHN
Chuckles. Excellent. And was he angry... that I’d made
such a fool of him?
SHERIFF
With pleasure... and what shall I charge him with?
PALMER
PRINCE JOHN
Impatiently: Impersonating the Prince Regent.
Smiles. Very angry.
PRINCE JOHN
Did he curse us?
PALMER
Fulsomely.
PRINCE JOHN
Stands. Wonderful!
Gisborne leans over to the person next to him. The Sheriff
quickly switches bowls and takes a plum from his new dish
as Gisborne raises his goblet to his lips. Prince John stands
behind Palmer’s chair, and leans on the back of it.
PALMER
As being dragged away: If it makes any difference, sire, I—I
didn’t agree with him.
Prince John sits slouched, hand to his head. Isabella eats a
grape.
PRINCE JOHN
Where is this village of Locksley? I want to see it.
†††††††††††††††
What did he say?
PALMER
Face falls. Oh, I—I—I couldn’t, Your Highness.
PRINCE JOHN
Oh, please, tell me exactly what he said.
PALMER
But Your Highness...
PRINCE JOHN
Do you not love me?
PALMER
Smiles. Of course.
PRINCE JOHN
Well, then say! Smiles sweetly.
PALMER
He called you a coward.
The music stops. Prince John freezes, the smile still on his face.
He said only a coward would have a double.
Everyone is still. Prince John’s smiles falls a bit and he raises
his head.
Do You Love Me? 11
Scene Nine
Locksley.
ISABELLA
Was not France more valuable because it was fought for?
The village is decorated with garlands and owers. Two men
PRINCE JOHN
bring a pig on a spit, ready to be roasted, past rows of long
Hah!
You
make
this
such
good sport.
tables. The villagers stand and applaud as they pass by and
set it over a re between the manor and the church. Prince
Isabella chuckles. A boy comes up with a ower for Prince
John’s carriage arrives from behind Locksley Manor.
John. A few men follow him.
Gisborne, the Sheriff and Isabella ride in on horseback:
Isabella to the right of Prince John and Gisborne and the
Hello, young man. Takes the ower. Oh, thank you.
Sheriff on his other side.
PRINCE JOHN
These villagers helped attack me? Why? They look so
lovely.
The carriage stops.
ISABELLA
Looks like a wedding.
Isabella walks forward.
VILLAGE MAN
Would His Highness give us his blessing? Stretches his
arm out to welcome him forward.
ISABELLA
They would be honoured if you would bless the bride and
groom.
PRINCE JOHN
PRINCE JOHN
I love weddings. Smiles and stands. I shall speak with them.
Of
course.
Smiles
and
exaggeratedly swaggers forward.
to Isabella: You’ll join me?
Prince John gets out of the carriage. Isabella glances at
Gisborne, then dismounts. Gisborne and the Sheriff watch
from their horses.
Prince John walks with Isabella towards the people.
They are sad little creatures really, aren’t they?
Isabella glances at Gisborne.
Hah! Are you the bride and groom?
BRIDE/GROOM
Yes, sir, Your Highness.
I sense disagreement.
PRINCE JOHN
Holds his hand over the couple. I wish you prosperity and
happiness.
ISABELLA
One cannot disagree with one’s king.
BRIDE/GROOM
Bow. Thank you, sir.
PRINCE JOHN
King? Stops. You see me as your king, how delightful of
you. I wish others accepted me as readily as you do.
PRINCE JOHN
And I’m so glad that I could bring you sun today.
Isabella remains quiet.
ISABELLA
Perhaps I’ve had the good fortune to know you better
than most.
The villagers laugh. Prince John chuckles, turns and walks
back to his carriage. The church bell rings and the
villagers make their way to the church. Prince John steps
into the carriage and Isabella mounts her horse. The
Prince waves and smiles at the villagers, who wave back.
PRINCE JOHN
Perhaps. Continues walking. And perhaps you’d like to get
to know me better still.
Wait until they’re all inside the church and then burn it to
the ground. Smells his ower.
Isabella chuckles.
Isabella is shocked. The last villager waves at the Prince, and
he waves back. Isabella is panicked for them.
Ah, you’ll make me work for my conquest.
Burn it.
Do You Love Me? 12
Two soldiers on horseback with cold torches gallop forward.
The church doors close. They hold the torches to the ames
under the pig to light them. One gallops by and throws the
torch onto the roof. It lights the shingles, then drops to the
ground and the wall is quickly engulfed in ames. Prince
John smiles. A third soldier runs forward and puts a stick
through the handles, barring it closed. The second
torchbearer lights the walls on the other side. Isabella can’t
help but watch. The ames rise and the people inside
scream. The doors shake but don’t open.
†††††††††††††††
Scene Ten
Sherwood Forest. Outlaws’ camp.
Tuck peels a carrot with his knife. Little John tastes the soup,
makes a face, looks at Tuck, then sets the spoon back in the
pot. Kate lies in an upper bunk and Much feeds her pale
face a spoonful of soup. Robin sits on a log opposite them,
watching Kate. He swings his feet off, comes over to her
and sighs.
KATE
I’ll be ne.
ROBIN
You’re being very brave.
Kate chuckles weakly.
LITTLE JOHN
to Tuck: We’re already too late. The gold is in the castle.
ROBIN
Turns to Little John. Then we’ll steal it back.
MUCH
It’s dangerous.
ROBIN
It’s too dangerous not to.
Little John looks up at Allan running in.
ALLAN
Prince John’s burning Locksley.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 13
Scene Eleven
Locksley.
VILLAGE MAN 2
Faster!
A soldier lights a wooden cross outside the church as Prince
VILLAGE MAN 1
John laughs. Inside, people are crying and screaming. The
Bring
more
water,
quickly!
doors rattle and nally break open. The villagers come out,
coughing. Prince John calls out to them.
VILLAGE MAN 2
I’ve got two here!
PRINCE JOHN
You’re being punished! For intolerable disloyalty to me!
A soldier sets re to the back wall. Prince John sits, watching.
The bride and groom run out holding hands, stop and listen.
ISABELLA
Do
you
want
them
to
love
you?
For harbouring and assisting Robin Hood and his
outlaws! And may God forgive you!
PRINCE JOHN
Of
course.
And
I
think
they do love me. But I will have
The bride, groom and villagers run and women scream as the
respect
as
well
as
love.
soldiers upset the lavish tables. The ames rise on the
church.
ISABELLA
Any
landowner
can
subjugate
his serf; only a king can
VILLAGE MAN 1
liberate
them.
A
benevolent
king is loved.
To the river, quick!
VILLAGE MAN 2
More buckets!
VILLAGE WOMAN
We need more water here!
VILLAGE MAN 1
PRINCE JOHN
But I am benevolent. Looks at Isabella, amazed, and double
takes.
VILLAGE MAN 1
Everyone over here, quick! It’s spreading!
Bring more water!
A man goes to the pond to rell his bucket.
The men race with buckets from the pond.
We need more help!
PRINCE JOHN
Whining: No, no, no, no, no! They’re trying to put the re
out. Turns to the Sheriff and Gisborne. That’s not what
I want!
The villagers dump water on the ames but the church is
completely engulfed.
Stop them, the both of you! Go on!
VILLAGE MAN 2
Come on!
A man pours water on the freshly lit wall. The Sheriff pulls the
man aside.
SHERIFF
Get out of the way! Get out of the way!
Come on, hurry up!
A soldier holds Gisborne’s horse for him and Gisborne
dismounts. The Sheriff throws the village man to the
ground.
The Sheriff and Gisborne gallop their horses forward.
Go, peasant!
PRINCE JOHN
This should be entertaining.
Gisborne draws his sword and sees the Sheriff standing near
an overhang of the church. Gisborne growls, and with all
his might knocks out a supporting pole and the overhang
crashes to the ground. The Sheriff screams, then is silent.
Gisborne watches, smiles with satisfaction and turns away.
The Sheriff peeks out at Gisborne from under the wagon
where he had rolled and sees a bow and arrow on the
VILLAGE MAN 1
VILLAGE MAN 1
You lot, hurry up! Get the buckets!
The villagers splash water on the ames.
Do You Love Me? 14
ground in front of him. He crawls out, picks them up and
aims at Gisborne’s back as Gisborne approaches two other
village men.
GISBORNE
Back off and your lives will be spared!
The Sheriff lets his arrow loose just as another village man
approaches Gisborne from behind with his axe raised.
VILLAGE MAN 2
I’ll kill you, Gisborne! Ah!
Robin has organised the gang and the villagers into a bucket
brigade, and Isabella joins it next to Robin by the pond
and hands him a bucket.
ISABELLA
Take this.
ROBIN
You’re a Gisborne. You should be burning it down, not
trying to save it, shouldn’t you?
ISABELLA
I judge people by what I nd.
The Sheriff ’s arrow hits the would-be assassin in the back and
he falls to the ground. Gisborne turns around, sees the man Isabella turns for another bucket, but Robin hears the building
fall, then looks up at the Sheriff. The Sheriff lowers the
collapsing and pulls her out of the way. The bucket brigade
bow, a grimace on his face. Gisborne smirks and waves at
stops as the people realise there’s no saving the church. The
the Sheriff.
front upper wall falls in. The belfry falls into the roof,
causing the entire front of the church to collapse under the
SHERIFF
weight. The side walls fall in. The rest of the roof caves in.
Oh, bother.
†††††††††††††††
Gisborne turns to the two men.
Only smouldering timbers remain. Robin brings a cup of water
GISBORNE
from the well over to Isabella.
Back off !
ROBIN
The church is all ames. Prince John walks towards it and
Isabella.
looks back at Isabella, smiling proudly. Isabella stares in
disdain. Prince John laughs, watching, then gets back in
Isabella turns.
the carriage. Gisborne and the Sheriff come back on their
horses.
Here.
PRINCE JOHN
Bored now. to guard: Make sure it’s burned to the ground.
Isabella starts her horse, unable to watch any more.
Chuckling at Isabella: Ah, I love the refusal before the
surrender. Smiles and briey raises his eyebrows.
Robin holds out the cup. Isabella takes it and drinks.
Well... there’s nothing about you that resembles your
brother, is there?
ISABELLA
There’s nothing about my brother I wish to be. I hate
him. I will always hate him.
The Sheriff smiles; Gisborne smirks briey. The church
continues to burn. The soldiers and the carriage quickly
leave, the Sheriff and Gisborne behind him. The Prince
tosses his ower out.
ROBIN
Takes Isabella’s empty cup. Well, that’s something that we
share then, isn’t it? Hatred.
Robin and the gang run into Locksley and engage the few
soldiers left behind, incapacitating them all.
ISABELLA
It’s nothing to be proud of, is it? To share hatred?
LITTLE JOHN
Come on!
ROBIN
Come on! Come on! Let’s go!
Isabella gazes at Robin, slightly shaking her head, then turns
away.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 15
Meadow near Locksley.
ISABELLA
Help
you?
This
is
not
the
way to go about it.
Isabella readies her horse, which she had tethered out of sight of
Locksley before coming back to help. Robin comes up to her
ROBIN
with his bow and quiver in hand.
Give me your rings.
ALLAN
ISABELLA
Questioning: Robin?!
Er... Takes a ring off each index nger.
Robin looks back at him, and Allan points the other direction.
ROBIN
Because you don’t want Prince John to think we coROBIN
operated, do you?
I’ll catch you up!
ALLAN
ISABELLA
Anything else you might want?
MUCH
ROBIN
Mm-hm. I want to undermine Prince John’s claim to be
the legitimate King of England and humiliate his
ambition.
Right!
Come on, let’s go.
Allan and Much jog off.
ROBIN
So!... Will you go back to Nottingham?
ISABELLA
Sighs. To ruin my brother.
ROBIN
Right. Well, you know where I am if you need my help,
eh? Turns to go.
ISABELLA
You’re Robin Hood. Shouldn’t you be robbing me, not
helping me?
Isabella frowns.
And I’m prepared to die to stop him.
ISABELLA
You might be more effective alive.
ROBIN
Will you help me?
ISABELLA
Yes.
Isabella pulls up her skirt and unties a purse wrapped around
her left thigh. Robin chuckles.
ROBIN
Scratches the back of his head, tosses his things to the ground
and rolls up his sleeve. Yeah, you’re right, I am. Turns to Give this to the people of Locksley. Hands him the purse.
Help them rebuild their church.
face Isabella and motions to her. Give me your necklace.
ISABELLA
With disbelief: You’re robbing me?
Robin nods, staring at Isabella.
Robin stares bluntly at her a moment, then puts his hand to
Isabella’s neck, pausing just before he touches her, then
gently reaches around her with both hands to take it off.
So you defy Prince John.
Chuckles. See, I like this necklace.
Robin pulls it away.
ROBIN
Are you going to help me?
ROBIN
ISABELLA
Shakes her head. He begs my deance.
Robin tosses Isabella’s purse aside. They stare at each other.
Robin strokes her cheek.
ROBIN
So... is there anything else... smiles slightly... that I might
steal?
Do You Love Me? 16
ISABELLA
Perhaps.
They stare another moment, then Robin leans in a bit, pauses to
see her reaction, then gives her a quick kiss on the lips. He
sees Isabella’s eyes are still closed and wraps his arms
around her and gives her a longer kiss. Afterwards,
Isabella keeps her eyes closed and puts a nger to his lips.
Weakly: Stop thief.
Isabella opens her eyes. Robin chuckles and kisses her again.
†††††††††††††††
Scene Twelve
Sherwood Forest. Outlaws’ camp.
Robin takes off the cloth that has covered Isabella’s eyes, then
steps into the “kitchen.” Isabella looks at the uncertain
faces of the gang: Kate is up on her bed; Much sits with her.
Isabella chuckles nervously and steps forward.
ISABELLA
to Robin, politely but not meaning it: It’s nice.
ROBIN
to gang: She said she can help us.
ISABELLA
Look, I can get you into the castle.
TUCK
You want us to trust her with our lives?
LITTLE JOHN
Steps forward. Gisborne’s sister?!
ROBIN
Yes. I trust her with mine.
Robin and Isabella exchange glances.
ALLAN
All right, so she gets us in the castle. Then what?
MUCH
Well, then we get captured and I presume killed.
Robin turns away, ustered with the gang. Isabella is
uncomfortable.
TUCK
Thinking, then an idea: The “king’s evil!”
MUCH
“The Prince,” Tuck. The Prince is evil.
TUCK
Goes to the storage place for his red book: Oh, no, no, no, no,
no, no. Comes back and sits. Prince John is searching
for a victim of scrofula.
ROBIN
Frowns, shifts his feet, thinking along with Tuck. So he can
repeat that same feat, prove his divine right to the
throne, yeah?
TUCK
We give him a victim. I can make a potion which brings
out red blisters on the neck which looks exactly like
Do You Love Me? 17
scrofula.
ROBIN
So the nobles all assemble in the Great Hall, in comes
Prince John with his victim, he touches him—
TUCK
Interrupts: Fails—
ISABELLA
Chuckles, then seriously: I won’t fail you... looks at all the
faces... any of you.
The gang are silent, not trusting her an inch.
TUCK
We, er, still need a victim.
ROBIN
KATE
Then we humiliate him.
I’ll do it.
LITTLE JOHN
Which distracts the nobles while we steal the gold.
MUCH
Shakes his head. No. Looks to Robin for support.
MUCH
That might work.
ROBIN
No, you can’t. You’re not well enough.
Much jumps down from his perch and looks at Tuck’s book.
KATE
I’ll be ne.
ROBIN
Right. Isabella can get us in, and Allan... chuckles in
anticipation... you know the castle better than anyone,
you can get us out.
ROBIN
Kate, it’s too dangerous.
KATE
ALLAN
He set re to our church. He intended to kill everyone.
There’s a trap door in the cloisters... now if we lower a
Besides... I already look half dead. Shrugs. It’s perfect.
rope down we can get into a tunnel that leads directly
out of the castle. We won’t even be seen.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
So come on, what do we think? We can convince Prince
John, can’t we?
Silence.
TUCK
Stands. Benjamin Palmer, the physician! We helped him,
he owes us. He’ll convince Prince John.
ROBIN
Isabella, you should know him. If he’s part of the Prince’s
entourage, you can get to him.
ISABELLA
No. He’s due to be executed tomorrow.
ROBIN
Well, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t help us then...
Isabella smiles at Robin.
... is there?
Do You Love Me? 18
Scene Thirteen
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
Scene Fourteen
Nottingham Castle. The Great Hall.
The guard holds the horse while Isabella dismounts. She sees
Palmer in the cage and is about to go to him when she sees
Gisborne and rushes to him instead, playing the victim of
Robin Hood.
ISABELLA
Then I took the sword in my hand and tugged it from its
sheath...
Palmer is sitting in the birdcage on the ground in the middle of Isabella is in the centre of the room, recounting her story of
the courtyard. Isabella rides in on her horse.
Robin Hood to the nobles and Prince John, who is sitting
on his throne opposite the balcony with the Sheriff and
GUARD
Gisborne on either side. She looks around her, then
Send for the groom!
approaches a nearby guard.
ISABELLA
They are beasts! Robin Hood and his outlaws, they’ve
robbed me.
The onlookers gasp as Isabella pulls out the guard’s sword.
Prince John looks alarmed, totally engrossed in the tale.
Isabella slowly sweeps the sword around, then approaches
Prince John. Four guards step forward with their spears,
then retreat when they see there is no danger
Isabella runs her ngers through her hair. Gisborne puts his
hands on his hips, listening.
PRINCE JOHN
Ooh!
Stole my jewellery. Look at me. I was so scared.
The Sheriff and Prince John are watching from the cloister.
ISABELLA
And I put the sword to the soft part of his throat. Puts the
sword at Prince John’s throat.
PRINCE JOHN
She’s lovely, isn’t she?
PRINCE JOHN
And?
GISBORNE
(Well, you should have come back with us and not tried
to...)
PRINCE JOHN
Her brother will be dead before supper, yes?
SHERIFF
Well, I wouldn’t set a place for him myself, sire.
PRINCE JOHN
Mm. Have her brought to me.
†††††††††††††††
Isabella steps back to the middle of the room.
ISABELLA
Dozens of outlaws appeared from nowhere. And I
shouted, “Long live King John!”
Isabella drops the sword and throws back her head and arms.
PRINCE JOHN
Oh, you adorable girl! Everyone leave us!
Isabella lifts her head upright while the nobles mumble and
leave the hall. Isabella turns around, watching Prince
John. The Sheriff and Gisborne pass her, followed by the
guards.
Stands. You spoke to them, the villagers, as you tried to
put out the re?
ISABELLA
Yes.
PRINCE JOHN
Sighs. Why do the people not love me as you love me,
Isabella?
Do You Love Me? 19
ISABELLA
You burnt their church to the ground with them in it.
PRINCE JOHN
Pauses a moment, thinking. Yes... and?
ISABELLA
The people want to love you as their king. If you can
prove your divine right to the nobles, then the people
will follow.
PRINCE JOHN
Do you think?
ISABELLA
Yes... King John.
PRINCE JOHN
Oh, you adorable girl. His head drifts, thinking of the sound.
Say it again.
Scene Fifteen
Nottingham Castle. Courtyard.
Palmer sits cross-legged in the birdcage. Isabella runs down the
steps to him. Palmer stands as he sees her approaching.
ISABELLA
You are going to help me.
PALMER
Confused: Am I?
ISABELLA
The Sheriff is going to execute you. This is your last
chance to save yourself.
PALMER
Mm. You’ve convinced me.
PRINCE JOHN
Where is he?
ISABELLA
Whispers seductively: King... John.
Prince John comes quickly down the stairs. Isabella runs to
him, pointing back at Palmer.
PRINCE JOHN
Revels in the words again. It does sound good. Turns. It is
my divine right. Sighs.
ISABELLA
Our prayers have been answered, sire.
ISABELLA
You must prove it to everyone.
Prince John looks gratefully at Isabella.
PRINCE JOHN
Has he really found a victim of the disease? Really?
ISABELLA
He saw a woman in Locksley. I couldn’t believe my ears.
†††††††††††††††
PRINCE JOHN
to Palmer: Is it true?
PALMER
Yes.
PRINCE JOHN
Oh, this is so exciting!
PALMER
I saw the poor pitiful woman when Robin Hood held me
captive. I was sure it was scrofula.
PRINCE JOHN
Why didn’t you tell me?
PALMER
Because you put me—because the Sheriff put me in this
cage.
PRINCE JOHN
to Isabella: What does the Sheriff think he’s doing? The
Do You Love Me? 20
man’s my physician! to Palmer: Are you sure it’s
scrofula?
PALMER
Yes.
Isabella catches his eye with her nger and puts it to her chin.
Completely and utterly certain.
Scene Sixteen
Nottingham Castle. Night. Outside the walls.
A hooded Isabella leads the gang along the outside wall. Robin
carries his bow and quiver and wears a cloak. The gang
follow.
ISABELLA
He’s given each of the nobles a casket full of gold, too
much for them to carry on their person. It will be in
their rooms.
PRINCE JOHN
The nobles will have their proof of my divine right to be They arrive at an iron gate.
king. Physician, you will bring this woman to me
tonight. In front of all the nobles... I will cure her and There’ll be ve trumpet fanfares.
prove myself their rightful king. Turns and leaves.
MUCH
Palmer looks wide-eyed at Isabella. Isabella smiles at him and Five.
follows Prince John. Guards come forward to release
Palmer from his cage.
ISABELLA
Opens the gate. On the fth, you have to be ready to escape.
†††††††††††††††
ROBIN
Right, and I’ll make a distraction.
Much, Allan and Little John go through the gate. Tuck takes
Kate aside. Robin waits at the gate.
TUCK
Five, good. Holds up a phial to Kate: Kate, drink this. The
marks will be gone by tomorrow.
Kate looks at Robin as Tuck uncorks the phial.
Kate?
Kate takes it and drinks, for Robin.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 21
Scene Seventeen
Nottingham Castle. The Great Hall.
The rst fanfare sounds. Prince John enters through the upper
doors onto the balcony as the nobles applaud. Prince John
leans on the banister a moment, reveling in the adulation,
then goes down the stairs. Meanwhile, Isabella enters
through the lower doors underneath and ushers Robin and
Kate, in a cloak, cloth cap and headscarf, to the side
opposite the stairs where Palmer is waiting. A dozen
guards follow the Prince down the stairs.
ROBIN
Whispers to Palmer: Thank you for helping us.
Guest room.
Little John empties a small box of gold into a sack. The second
fanfare plays.
†††††††††††††††
The Great Hall.
PALMER
Was that the second fanfare?
Isabella draws Palmer forward to the Prince.
ISABELLA
PALMER
Good luck.
You’re welcome.
A page sets out a cushion in the middle of the oor; the nobles
are standing along both sides of the room. As Palmer
reaches the cushion, he announces.
Kate waits nervously.
ROBIN
Kate, after the fth blast, be ready for my signal.
PALMER
Bring the poor aficted woman forward.
Kate nods.
to Palmer: You need to follow Kate, all right, and escape
together. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you behind.
PALMER
Chuckles nervously. Very optimistic.
Isabella escorts Kate to the centre of the room and Kate kneels
on the cushion. Isabella takes her place at Prince John’s
side. Palmer stands behind Kate and pulls off her
headscarf, revealing large blisters on her neck and lower
jaw.
This woman has scrofula...
Prince John sits on his throne at the far end.
Prince John grimaces.
†††††††††††††††
... the “king’s evil,” and can only be cured by the touch of
a king.
Interior corridor.
Little John, Much and Allan defeat two guards. Tuck follows.
They split up: Tuck and Little John search the guest rooms
and Much and Allan ready their escape.
MUCH
Where is this trap door?
ALLAN
I think it’s down here.
MUCH
You think?
Prince John closes his eyes, steeling himself, rises with his
hands up, and approaches Kate.
PRINCE JOHN
I shall now lay my hands upon this young woman... cure
her of her afiction... and save her life.
PALMER
When she’s cured, Prince John will be revealed, like his
father before him, to be the rightful King of England.
Prince John closes his eyes.
ALLAN
Yeah.
Allan walks down a corridor and Much follows.
PRINCE JOHN
I command you now, in the name of all things holy, to
leave this body now and never to return.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 22
The Prince puts his hands on either side of Kate’s face, over the
blisters. The third fanfare plays.
†††††††††††††††
Chapel.
The Sheriff peeks in the door. Gisborne is kneeling at the altar.
The Sheriff walks along the wall and stands behind the
altar. Gisborne looks up at him.
SHERIFF
Gisborne. Scoffs. What are you doing here?
Gisborne suddenly draws his sword and takes a hack at the
Sheriff. The Sheriff steps aside to avoid it. Gisborne stabs,
and the Sheriff steps the other way. Gisborne swings and
the Sheriff ducks. The Sheriff picks up a thick wooden
candlestick and blocks twice, then kicks Gisborne back.
They ght on, and the Sheriff, with the candlestick, knocks
Gisborne on his back to the oor. The Sheriff brings down
the candlestick, but Gisborne rolls over and kicks back the
Sheriff. Gisborne swings his sword. They ght and crash
through a window into the corridor. Gisborne has the
Sheriff at the point of his sword and is slowly advancing
on him.
GISBORNE
You represent everything that’s loathsome in a man.
SHERIFF
I thought that’s why you liked me. I was always fond of
you, Gisborne.
Gisborne swings his sword at the Sheriff; the Sheriff retreats.
takes his seat and leans back with his eyes closed.
PRINCE JOHN
Has the disease been cured?
Kate shifts uneasily as Palmer peers closely at her.
PALMER
No, sire.
The nobles gasp and murmur.
The woman is not cured.
Prince John stares blankly at Kate as Robin smiles
triumphantly.
PRINCE JOHN
How can this be?
There is silence in the hall.
Stands. How can this be?!
The nobles gather around Kate.
†††††††††††††††
Dungeons.
The Sheriff and Gisborne tumble down the stairs to the
dungeons. The Sheriff gets up rst.
SHERIFF
Panting: Did Prince John put you up to this? He asked me
to kill you, do you hear me, Gisborne?
Not overly fond...
Gisborne sits up slowly as the Sheriff advances.
Gisborne swings his sword. The Sheriff ducks behind a pillar
and the sword hits it.
This is nothing but sport for him. Putting us up against
each other? Unity, Gisborne.
... but fond.
Gisborne kicks the Sheriff in the groin and the Sheriff drops
The Sheriff pulls a torch off the wall and holds it out at
his sword.
Gisborne. Gisborne retreats a step, then attacks. The
Sheriff grabs his arm and swings the torch at him.
GISBORNE
Gisborne ducks, then punches the Sheriff in the kidney. The This isn’t for Prince John.
Sheriff swings the torch back over Gisborne’s head.
Gisborne grabs the Sheriff ’s coat and throws him into the wall,
†††††††††††††††
then punches him in his back. He grabs him again and
throws him up against the opposite wall. The Sheriff
doubles over and Gisborne pulls him to standing.
The Great Hall.
Prince John pulls his hands off Kate. The nobles applaud. The
page brings a bowl of water to the Prince for him to rinse This is for me!
his hands. Isabella shifts in her chair as the fourth fanfare
plays. Robin nods. Isabella starts to clap as Prince John
Do You Love Me? 23
Gisborne punches the Sheriff to the ground and picks up his
sword.
PRINCE JOHN
to Kate: I order you to be cured!
I will be rid of you.
Robin steps out with an arrow laid on his bow.
The Sheriff turns over on to his back, hiding a knife lying on
the steps under him.
I order you to be cured!
SHERIFF
Quickly, quickly, please, I beg you.
Gisborne holds his sword to the Sheriff ’s throat as the Sheriff
feigns fear.
Robin aims and Kate ducks as she hears the bow twang. The
arrow whistles past Prince John’s head and lands in the
wall just above the Prince’s throne. Isabella immediately
stands and draws attention to the arrow.
ISABELLA
Overdramatically: Oh, good lord! It can’t be!
Have mercy on me.
The nobles and Prince John gather round her.
GISBORNE
You have no idea how much pleasure this is going to give
me. You’re going to die slowly and I’m going to
watch the venom drain from your body as you die.
PRINCE JOHN
What is it?
Palmer pulls Kate to her feet and they run towards the door.
SHERIFF
Oh, Gisborne, please. Don’t disgrace me. Kill me quickly.
Gisborne hesitates, then raises his sword over his head. The
Sheriff quickly sits up and stabs Gisborne in the thigh with
the knife and lets it go, still stuck in the leg. Gisborne roars
with pain, doubles over and drops the sword. The Sheriff
kicks Gisborne in the head. Gisborne falls back to the oor,
gets himself up and cries out in rage. The Sheriff picks up
the fallen sword. Gisborne grabs the Sheriff ’s arm and
punches him in the stomach, then the Sheriff elbows him
and kicks him in the groin. Gisborne struggles backwards
up the short stairs towards a cell, groaning in pain as the
Sheriff advances.
ISABELLA
Looking out at Robin: Robin Hood.
Robin, Palmer and Kate run out the door.
KATE
Benjamin, the door!
PRINCE JOHN
Get him!
Kate and Palmer close the doors and Kate puts the bar down.
Get him!
Humanity is a weakness, Gisborne. It’s always been your
failing. I tried to teach you.
Isabella smiles.
Gisborne scrambles backwards.
GUARD
After them!
†††††††††††††††
Guest room.
The fth fanfare sounds. Tuck and Little John hold another
box of gold.
TUCK
That’s ve. We’d better go.
†††††††††††††††
Cloister.
A square hole is in the oor and a rope hangs down into it.
Allan, Tuck and Much surround it. Little John is keeping
watch.
LITTLE JOHN
†††††††††††††††
The Great Hall.
The Prince stands in front of Kate.
They’re coming.
MUCH
Quick!
Do You Love Me? 24
Robin, Kate and Palmer run in. Little John gets out of their
way.
TUCK
dagger. The Sheriff backslaps Gisborne. Gisborne falls
into the gap between two merlons, one hand on each
keeping him from falling. The Sheriff shifts the knife in
Gisborne’s thigh. Gisborne howls.
Kate, come on!
You know, I loved you like a son.
MUCH
to Kate: Take that.
Gisborne looks up at the Sheriff.
Much holds out the rope to Kate.
And you loved me like a father once...
Down you go. As quick as you can. to Palmer: You’re next. Gisborne adjusts his grip on the stones.
†††††††††††††††
Dungeons.
Gisborne punches the Sheriff, then grabs him from behind.
GISBORNE
You’re the reason Marian is dead. You poison everything!
I know you did.
The Sheriff grabs Gisborne’s feet and pulls them over
Gisborne’s head. Gisborne now hangs from the merlon
with one hand. The Sheriff retrieves the dagger and holds
it over Gisborne.
You dropped something.
SHERIFF
Gisborne pulls the knife out of his leg and stabs the Sheriff in
the chest just as the Sheriff is about to stab him. Gisborne
grabs the stones with both hands. The Sheriff drops the
Gisborne pushes the Sheriff forward into the wall, then kicks
dagger, staggers backwards, then leans on a merlon.
his behind, turns him around, pushes his back into the wall
Gisborne pulls himself up over the parapet onto safe
several times, then punches him in the stomach and pins his
ground. The Sheriff lowers himself to sit on the oor.
shoulders to the wall. The Sheriff grabs the knife still stuck
in Gisborne’s leg. Gisborne roars in pain and grabs the
Gisborne... don’t trust him.
knife. The Sheriff punches him. Gisborne staggers away.
The Sheriff picks up the sword.
The Sheriff puts a hand on Gisborne’s foot.
†††††††††††††††
Do you hear me?
All this for a woman?!
Battlements.
Gisborne staggers along the battlements, the knife still in his
leg. The Sheriff follows with the sword.
SHERIFF
I’ve enjoyed your company.
The Sheriff breathes hard.
Nothing... is what it seems. Nothing.
The Sheriff dies. Gisborne stares at him, hardly daring to
believe it.
The Sheriff stabs at Gisborne; Gisborne ducks aside. The
†††††††††††††††
Sheriff swings and Gisborne ducks. The Sheriff holds it
overhead and Gisborne grabs his arm, then elbows him in
The Great Hall.
the head, grabs his neck and pushes his head over the
parapet. Gisborne slams the Sheriff ’s hand into the merlon Two tables run the length of the hall. The nobles sit around the
one closest to the replace. Prince John sits at the centre of
until the sword drops over the side, then holds both his
the other, his back to the wall. Isabella sits at his right. An
hands on the Sheriff ’s throat.
empty chair is to his left. Prince John stands, visibly
disappointed and depressed.
Gasps: Gisborne.
Gisborne pulls his dagger out and holds it above his head. The
Sheriff knees Gisborne in the groin. Gisborne swipes with
the dagger, then stabs at the Sheriff. The Sheriff catches
his arm and punches it, causing Gisborne to drop the
PRINCE JOHN
I pray you will remember my generosity and my gifts to
you all. All I ask for in return is your loyalty and your
love.
Do You Love Me? 25
The Prince sits and the feast commences.
to Isabella, justifyingly: It wasn’t scrofula. It couldn’t have
been.
ISABELLA
Of course not, sire.
PRINCE JOHN
Say it. Like you did before, say it.
ISABELLA
Whispers: King John.
PRINCE JOHN
Scene Eighteen
Sherwood Forest.
Everyone laughs as Little John empties a bag of gold coins
onto kneeling Tuck and Robin’s outstretched hands.
Palmer kneels by Tuck and Kate by Robin. Allan and
Much stand behind them.
ROBIN
Well, come on!
TUCK
Come on! Friends, my gold is yours.
The laughter continues.
It does sound good.
MUCH
Isabella smiles. Footsteps slowly approach. Gisborne steps
around a blue-and-black banner. Prince John motions him
over. Gisborne sits in the empty chair, sighs, places the
Sheriff jewelled tooth on the table and looks up at Prince
John. The Prince chuckles, smiles slightly, then stands.
I don’t believe it.
†††††††††††††††
It is with great sadness that I must announce the death of
the Sheriff of Nottingham. He has been murdered by
the villainous Robin Hood.
The nobles murmur. Prince John picks up Robin’s arrow from
the table.
These outlaws must be stopped. Snaps the arrow in two on
the word “stopped.”
Isabella and Gisborne exchange looks. Isabella quietly stands
and raises her goblet.
ISABELLA
Long live Prince John!
The nobles and Gisborne stand.
ALL
Long live Prince John!
PRINCE JOHN
Sits and leans back. Long live me. Smiles.
Isabella and Gisborne glare at each other as they drink, then sit.
Prince John puts his hand on Gisborne’s arm.
Tell me all about it.
†††††††††††††††
Do You Love Me? 26
Scene Nineteen
Nottingham Castle. Exterior corridor.
The Sheriff ’s body is on a cart. A guard pulls a narrow cloth
over it, leaving the right arm exposed. The Sheriff raises
his index nger a bit, and as the cart starts, clenches his
st.
†††††††††††††††
.END OF EPISODE SIX.
Do You Love Me? 27