INT. A SAXON HALL, MID-ELEVENTH CENTURY. DAY.
EARL LEOFRIC OF MERCIA IS SAT IN HIS GREAT CHAIR. STOOD BESIDE HIM IS HIS LADY, GODIVA.
A CROWD OF BURGHERS SHUFFLE FORWARD.
BURGHERS
Hail mighty Earl!
LEOFRIC
My good burghers of Coventry. You have brought me the tribute?
FIRST BURGHER
On the dot, as usual.
GODIVA
Stop! Spare these poor honest souls from this imposition.
FIRST BURGHER
No, we're good for it.
GODIVA
Free them from these taxes my lord and I shall ride through the town - naked!
SECOND BURGHER
I think we have bye-laws against that.
GODIVA BEGINS UNBUTTONING HER BLOUSE.
GODIVA
Bring me my mare.
FIRST BURGHER
No, honestly there is no need!
LEOFRIC
(TO BURGHERS) I'm sorry about this. (TO GODIVA) Godiva, my love you're embarrassing the poor men.
GODIVA
Poor indeed. But my naked, quivering flesh shall raise them up!
FIRST BURGHER
Look love, you've got a nice bod, I'm sure, but we're all married men. We can't have women parading through the streets in the nip. It's not decent.
SECOND BURGHER
The missus'll go spare.
GODIVA
Ah, you would spare me my shame! (TO A BURGHER) Could you help with the catch, sweetie? But I shall not be dissuaded. I do this out of love for my fellow man.
GODIVA DRAPES HERSELF AROUND THE FIRST BURGHER.
FIRST BURGHER
Get off me woman!
LEOFRIC
Love its okay. I'll spare them the taxes. (TO BURGHERS) Go on - go. There's nothing to pay.
FIRST BURGHER
But we've got the money right here.
LEOFRIC
Just go!
THE BURGHERS EXIT, BOWING.
LEOFRIC (CONT.)
Now button yourself up woman. Right who's next?
A REEVE STEPS FORWARD.
REEVE
Your loyal reeve of Warwick, my lord.
LEOFRIC
And what can I do for you?
REEVE
We think we might be due a rebate...
LEOFRIC PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS, AS GODIVA BEGINS UNBUTTONING HERSELF AGAIN.
END.
