TEASER
EXT. - SHERWOOD FOREST
Marion, Robin, Little John, Friar Tuck, and others are
concealed in the wood. A hawk circles overhead. Little John
turns to Robin.
LITTLE JOHN
Remind me again: why are we doing
this?
ROBIN
Because he's been harassing the
villagers with his magic for months
and no one can stand up to him.
The hawk flies lower and squawks. Marion gives it a quick
glance.
MARION
So when he starts casting spells,
we're supposed to do... what,
exactly?
Robin takes an arrow from its place in the quiver.
ROBIN
(shrugging)
We improvise.
MARION
My favorite plan.
ROBIN
Here they come.
Robin signals the others to be ready as the party approaches.
INT. - SIMON'S COACH
A middle-aged nobleman sorcerer, Simon of Hensley, is seated
alone in a coach. He wears rich black velvet robes lined in
purple satin and a hawking glove. His window curtain is open
and his gloved forearm rests on the ledge.
The hawk flies into the window and lands on the nobleman's
hawking glove. The bird squawks at the nobleman.
SIMON
Robin of Locksley? How very
interesting.
The hawk squawks again.
SIMON (CONT'D)
(to the hawk)
Well done, Aldrich.
EXT. - SHERWOOD FOREST
When the coach and its entourage are near enough, Robin and
the others attack.
Simon watches through the window of his coach with his pet
hawk, keeping a studious eye on Robin.
SIMON'S POV - THE FIGHT
Robin runs to Marion and steps in, covering her back, keeping
an eager swordsman from getting too close at the last second.
MARION
Thanks, Robin.
ROBIN
Don't mention it.
SIMON
Well, what do we have here?
(to Aldrich)
When opportunity knocks, old
friend, who am I to bar the door?
With a gesture of his hand, Simon is dressed in the same
manner as his soldiers.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Wait here.
Simon leaves Aldrich behind as he draws a dagger and leaves
the coach. With his free hand, he touches the tip of the
dagger, which sparks.
He then puts the dagger in his belt and draws his sword and
heads straight for Marion, defending himself expertly against
the attacks he encounters along his path.
Marion turns toward him as he reaches her.
MARION
You want to play too?
SIMON
You've no idea.
The two engage in battle and seem evenly matched in skill.
MARION
You're good.
SIMON
I should hope so, child.
Their duel continues.
SIMON (CONT'D)
You have some skill yourself.
MARION
Thank you.
They continue to fight. Marion knocks Simon down as another
soldier comes up behind her. Marion turns to defend herself
further.
Simon, getting up, draws his dagger and slashes across
Marion's back with the weapon. Robin watches in horror as
she cries out and falls to the ground.
ROBIN
Marion!
As Simon disappears, Robin runs to Marion to protect her from
any attackers.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
Little John!
LITTLE JOHN
I'm a little busy just now, Robin.
ROBIN
Fall back! Marion's been hurt!
LITTLE JOHN
(ridding himself of one
last attacker)
All right, Robin.
Robin lifts Marion gently and carries her away from the
battle. The others also retreat.
BLACK OUT.
END TEASER
ACT ONE
INT. - FRIAR TUCK'S TENT
Marion is laid on the most comfortable bedding they could
find for her, completely still. Robin walks in as Friar Tuck
is wetting a cloth to place on Marion's forehead.
ROBIN
How is she?
FRIAR TUCK
No better, I'm afraid.
Robin takes the cloth from Friar Tuck and lays it on Marion's
forehead. Friar Tuck moves aside to give Robin the closest
place.
ROBIN
The cut on her back?
FRIAR TUCK
It's not very deep. This wasn't
meant to do her an injury, Robin.
It was meant to get something
inside her.
ROBIN
I don't get it. Why would Simon's
soldiers be carrying poison tipped
daggers? They didn't even know we
were going to be there today.
FRIAR TUCK
I'm a bit confused myself. None of
my herbs are having any effect. I
have to admit, I'm at a loss as to
what to do next.
ROBIN
(taking Marion's hand and
keeping his gaze trained
on her)
Please keep trying. You know what
she means to me.
FRIAR TUCK
I know, Robin, and I won't give up,
but I was wondering...
Friar Tuck hesitates. Robin looks up at him.
ROBIN
What is it?
FRIAR TUCK
What if it's not poison? What if
it's magic?
ROBIN
I hadn't thought of that.
(looking back at Marion)
I'll talk to Olwyn.
Robin kisses Marion's hand and stands up.
FRIAR TUCK
(putting a comforting hand
on Robin's shoulder)
We'll find a way.
Robin nods, pulling away from Friar Tuck, and walks out.
EXT. - SHERWOOD FOREST
Robin rides toward the river to find Olwyn.
ROBIN
(dismounting)
Olwyn! Olwyn, please! Olwyn, I've
no time for games!
OLWYN OVERVOICE
You must have patience, Robin.
ROBIN
(stopping to calm himself)
You're right, Olwyn. Haste only
gets me nowhere faster.
OLWYN
(as he becomes visible)
I have been waiting for you.
ROBIN
Then you know about Marion?
OLWYN
Of course I know.
ROBIN
And you know what's wrong with her?
OLWYN
Unfortunately so.
ROBIN
How can I help her?
OLWYN
I'm not fully sure... yet.
ROBIN
(surprised)
What?!
OLWYN
It is a very obscure spell, but I
will pin it down. I did recognize
a portion of it, and from that, I
can tell you this: you must have
the dagger that was used against
Marion. Without it, you can not
hope to save her.
ROBIN
Where can I find it?
OLWYN
It hangs on a wall in Simon's
castle. You must get it...
Robin nods and moves to turn back to his horse.
OLWYN (CONT'D)
And Robin...
Robin looks back to Olwyn but Olwyn hesitates before speaking
again.
OLWYN (CONT'D)
Robin, Marion's recovery will not
come without cost.
ROBIN
I understand.
Robin turns and mounts his horse. He rides off at a fierce
gallop.
OLWYN
No, young man... I don't think you
do.
EXT. - ROBIN'S CAMP
Robin rides into camp. Little John runs out to meet him as
he dismounts.
LITTLE JOHN
Robin!
ROBIN
How is she?
LITTLE JOHN
Not good, and getting worse.
Robin quickens his pace to step into the tent with Marion and
Friar Tuck. Little John follows him.
INT. - FRIAR TUCK'S TENT
When Robin enters, he sees Marion's pained expression. He
closes his eyes in anguish to see her suffering.
FRIAR TUCK
Did you find out anything?
ROBIN
You were right. It is magic. But
Olwyn isn't completely sure of what
we have to do. He's going to look
into it.
FRIAR TUCK
Then where do we go from here?
ROBIN
Well he did say that I have to get
the dagger Simon of Hensley used to
cast the spell. It's almost
sunset. I'll go for the dagger
when night falls. That should give
me some cover.
LITTLE JOHN
I want to come with you.
ROBIN
No, it's better that I go alone.
LITTLE JOHN
But why?
ROBIN
Call it a hunch. Olwyn said
something odd today, and I don't
want to put anybody else in danger
until I figure out a little more
about what he meant.
LITTLE JOHN
I understand, Robin.
ROBIN
I'm glad one of us does.
FRIAR TUCK
I can't say I agree with your
decision to go alone.
Robin sits beside Marion and takes the cloth from her
forehead. He dips the it in the water bucket, squeezes it
out, and begins to stroke her face and neck with the cool
cloth.
Friar Tuck gestures to Little John that they should leave
Marion and Robin alone. Little John nods and exits first,
and as Friar Tuck turns to follow him, Robin speaks without
taking his eyes from Marion.
ROBIN
Tuck?
FRIAR TUCK
Yes?
ROBIN
Pray for us, will you?
FRIAR TUCK
I always do.
ROBIN
(beat)
I love her, Tuck.
FRIAR TUCK
I know you do...
Robin closes his eyes and lowers his head.
FRIAR TUCK (CONT'D)
And so does she.
Friar Tuck walks out.
ROBIN
Stay with me, Marion. You have to
keep fighting this. I'm doing
everything I can, but you have to
hold on. I'm counting on you.
EXT. - SIMON'S CASTLE
In the darkness of night, Robin makes his way through the
thick shrubbery which poses the last obstacle on his journey
to Simon's castle.
He reaches the castle wall, glances up at its height, throws
a grappling hook to the top, and begins scaling the wall. He
comes to a window and swings himself inside the dark room.
Robin heads straight for the doorway, through which he can
see a dim light. On his path, he walks into some unseen
piece of furniture and groans. Robin walks around the piece
and continues to the doorway with no further incidents. When
he reaches the hallway, he sees that the light is coming from
torches periodically stationed along the walls. He continues
cautiously down the corridor, but stops short and flattens
himself against the wall when he hears Simon's laugh.
SIMON
(from off camera)
Chance does favor the prepared
mind, Aldrich. Always be ready.
Isn't that what I always say?
Because you never know when a bit
of luck is going to drop into your
lap.
Aldrich squawks. Robin tenses. They are very close.
Simon, with the hawk on his arm, passes by an opening. Robin
holds his breath until they pass by, completely unaware of
his presence.
SIMON (CONT'D)
(continuing down the hall
and going off camera)
To think... Robin Hood... Come, my
old friend. We must make a room
ready for our guest. I expect
he'll be here any time now.
ROBIN
(quietly)
Surprise, surprise. Guess who's
already here.
Robin starts once more down the corridor, this time even more
wary. He peers into room after room until finally he sees
the dagger in its sheathe hanging on a wall.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
Bingo.
Immediately, Robin rushes toward the dagger, but no sooner
does he close his hand around its handle than does Simon's
laughter begin to echo through the chamber.
Simon and Aldrich appear between Robin and the doorway.
SIMON
(still laughing)
What do you think you're going to
do with that? Do you fancy
yourself a sorcerer, boy?
ROBIN
I have access to a little magic.
SIMON
(laughing harder)
A little magic?! Robin of
Locksley, you are a fool! Think
you that the charms of a true
sorcerer can be undone so easily?
Aldrich flies from Simon's arm at Robin. Robin bats at the
scavenger bird but Aldrich manages to dodge him and lands on
a wooden perch by the wall.
ROBIN
You're saying I need your help to
save Marion.
SIMON
Indeed.
ROBIN
And I'm supposed to believe that?
SIMON
Believe as you like. The fact
remains that if you want the girl
to live, you'll bring her here...
To me.
ROBIN
Never.
SIMON
And there's a price to be paid.
ROBIN
You're out of your mind.
SIMON
Without my help, she dies. Take
the dagger if you want to. When
you realize it's useless without
me, you'll bring her.
ROBIN
I won't! I won't give her to you!
SIMON
Suit yourself. The girl means
nothing to me.
ROBIN
(taking the dagger)
I'll find another way.
Robin takes a few steps running start and flips over Simon's
head. He waves good bye with a smirk and runs off.
Simon chuckles, watching him leave. The hawk flies back to
his arm.
SIMON
(petting his hawk)
You'll be back.
EXT. - ROBIN'S CAMP
Dawn is breaking as Robin rides into camp. When he
dismounts, he heads for Marion, dagger in hand.
INT. - FRIAR TUCK'S TENT
Marion's condition looks much worse. Her breathing is
labored, and she is shivering.
ROBIN
(quietly, seeing Marion)
Oh God.
As Robin walks to her, the stone in the dagger's hilt begins
to glow, but he doesn't notice it right away. Robin runs his
fingers down Marion's cheek and then sees the jewel.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
(staring at the glowing
jewel)
Tuck? Tuck, look at this.
Friar Tuck turns and sees the dagger and jewel.
FRIAR TUCK
That's the dagger?
ROBIN
Yeah, but now what?
FRIAR TUCK
I don't know. If I were you, I'd
talk to Olwyn again. You said he
was going to look into it. Maybe
he's learned something new.
ROBIN
I intend to.
Robin sighs.
FRIAR TUCK
What's wrong?
ROBIN
Simon claims I have to turn her
over to him in order to save her.
FRIAR TUCK
You're not going to do it, are you?
ROBIN
I hope not.
(beat)
I'm going to have another talk with
Olwyn.
Robin leans down and kisses her cheek gently and then
whispers in her ear.
ROBIN (CONT'D)
You hang on... Please...
With eyes closed in worry, he turns from her and walks out of
the tent.
END ACT ONE
Act 1
/ Act 2
/ Act 3
/ Act 4
Home
/Story
Page
/ Seventh Edition