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byRoselyne BoschREVISEDSeptember 23, 1991 FADE IN:CREDITS AND MUSIC OVER:INT. AUDIENCE ROOM - GRANADA - DAYWe start on a mans elegant slipper. He is seated in asplendid chair. Moving up the stocking leg, we pass thegarter of Castile, coming to rest on a pair of delicatehands. His fore finge
Just as I do with the wife.
COLUMBUS nods.
PINZON
I know that the Commission turned
you down, right? What do you
expect? You're a foreigner... But I
want to help you.
COLUMBUS gives him a glance like one throws a question in
the air.
PINZON
You wonder why I believe in you?
Hey, I am a seaman. And we don't
like to be told where to go, and
where not to go.
COLUMBUS looks at him, and bursts out laughing. The other
MONK looks round severely. COLUMBUS ducks behind a map,
PINZON following him. PINZON lowers his voice.
PINZON
I don't look like it, but I have
friends at the Court. The Treasurer
of Aragon, for example. He finances
me. His name's Santangel. Ever
heard of him?
COLUMBUS shakes his head, but looks increasingly
interested by what he's hearing.
PINZON
He can get you an audience with the
Queen! You know why...? She owes
him money. That's how it is. You
-- me -- the Queen -- the world and
his mistress -- agreed?
COLUMBUS nods.
PINZON
So. What do you say?
COLUMBUS looks around, catches the disapproving face of
the MONK, crosses himself, then speaks:
COLUMBUS
Where can I meet this man?
PINZON
(indicating with a
nod)
Immediately.
COLUMBUS turns and sees an elegant Lord in his fifties,
examining the maps.
EXT. STREETS OF GRANADA - DAY
A huge Islamic Crescent being pulled down from the minaret
of a mosque. SOLDIERS are holding back a crowd at the
foot of the tower. To the ecstatic cries of the crowd, a
Cross is hoisted up in its place... Astride horses,
COLUMBUS and the Treasurer SANTANGEL are watching the
scene.
They push through an extraordinary scene. The city of
Granada has just been reclaimed from the moors after
several years of siege. All around them, SPANISH SOLDIERS
are herding, bedraggled columns of the defeated MOORS,
bearing only a few possessions. Ragged, half-starved men,
women and children.
SANTANGEL
These people built Granada...
Centuries ago! It is a great
victory over the Moors, Don Colon --
and yet what a tragedy it is!
The THREE HORSEMEN pass a procession of grateful
PENITENTS, who are crawling on their knees, chanting
psalms and flagellating themselves. At the head of the
procession, HOODED PRIESTS carry a statue of the Virgin
Mary swathed in silk and lace.
The gates of the Alhambra Palace are in sight.
COLUMBUS
Is this a good time to meet her?
SANTANGEL
It couldn't be better. Victors
can't say no.
Bells are pealing triumphantly. The noise is tumultuous.
They ride towards the magnificent palace.
EXT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - GARDENS - DAY
Fabulous Moorish gardens: ponds filled with golden carp;
exotic bird cages hang from lemon trees... The distant
sounds of victory.
SANTANGEL and COLUMBUS walk through the gardens, escorted
by HALBERDIERS. SOLDIERS pass by, carrying coffers or
piles of documents.
As they approach the inner sanctum, however, there are
fewer people. They stop by the Lion's Fountain, where
several DIGNITARIES are waiting patiently for an audience.
SANCHEZ appears. They bow. SANTANGEL approaches to
murmur a compliment.
SANTANGEL
Your Excellency... truly grateful...
your help... as ever...
SANCHEZ protests softly, and looks over at COLUMBUS, a
half-smile forming on his lips. Then a DUENA appears, and
motions for COLUMBUS to follow.
INT. ALHAMBRA PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
An ornate Moorish door is pushed open by the DUENA'S hand.
We enter the Throne Room -- sculptured colonnades,
mosaics... At the far end, windows open onto a view of
Granada's rooftops.
Against this dazzling light, the delicate silhouette of
QUEEN ISABEL OF SPAIN. The light in her blonde hair
