“SWORD & ROSE” Part 5
- RAPIER MAN:
Crikey, Agent Blade....I know you ain’t going to want to believe it...but it was Rose...she came over the command line and said we’d been compromised, and she was taking over. It seemed wrong, but she had the right codes...and she does own the company we reckoned. Then this Lorry shows up with a load of men in Rapier garb, and she tells us to cooperate. Next thing we know, they’re pointing their guns at us. Why’d Rosie do this to us?
- MARK:
She’s not responsible.......she’s been hypnotised. I have to stop her....and whatever they’ve programmed her to do.
- RAPIER MAN:
I gave them a tussle, and they roughed me up...thought I was out.....I heard two of them talking...they said something about the finale being on camera...
- MARK:
The diplomats worked out that they would tape a joint statement to be released to the press.......that’s supposed to happen at midnight. That gives me a some time, at least.
- RAPIER MAN:
To do what? They must’ve 15-20 hostile between you and that house.
- MARK:
Leave that to me. (Putting on the ski mask). Free the rest here and arm yourselves...retake the grounds if you can...you can use the phone in my car to call in the calvary. But whatever you do.....stay away from the house. If we aren’t careful we’ll have a mass hostage situation.
- COL. HAN:
You look ravishing, my dear.
- ROSE:
Thank you, Dance Master. I will be ready for the finale.
- COL. HAN:
Let’s go over the details of your final performance.
- ROSE
- (She turns back to the mirror. Her
voice and face is placid as she continues to do her makeup):
I am to wait here quietly for my musical cue. My musical cue will take me deep. I will take the pistol and enter the conference room with one of your men. I will recite my statement for the camera....and then I will shoot President Lee in the head at close range. You will then shoot and kill me.
- COL. HAN:
And that prospect doesn’t disturb you at all?
- Rose.
- (Pauses her make up application,
looking back at Han, who she sees as Zinoviev):
The Swan Princess always dies in the last act. It is my greatest joy to perform this dance for you, Dance Master.
- PRES. LEE:
Colonel....tell the camera crew we are ready for them.
- BRITISH ENVOY
- (shaking President Lee’s
hand):
History will remember you as a great man.
- PRES. LEE:
I don’t care about that. My people have suffered too long under a misguided system. We shall hold elections and I will retire to the country.....that is if the Army doesn’t overthrow me. Moscow still has great sway there. Men like Col. Han here will be vital to our cause. (Han joins them).
- COL. HAN:
You can count on me to do my duty, Mr. President.
- PRES. LEE
- (annoyed):
Colonel.....do something about that infernal music....it’s nearly time for the joint statement.
- AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER:
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?
- ROSE:
Everyone stay exactly where you are. We want no more killing than necessary....but we will shoot you dead if you interfere.
- BRITISH ENVOY:
I say.....you’re Rose...Lord Campion’s daughter...
- ROSE:
I do this in the name of my father....and all our brothers and sisters in the governments and security organs of the West...who see this so called “summit” as nothing less than a new Munich........traitorous appeasement. This ends now.
- MARK:
Rose.....it’s me....You have to listen to me....the KGB brainwashed you..hypnotised you....you don’t want to kill anyone.....Listen......it’s me...Mark.
- ROSE
- (her voice emotional, a tear
falling down her cheek):
M..Mark....yes, I know it’s you.....
- MARK:
That’s a relief...now just hand me...
- ROSE:
I know it’s you because the voice of the Dance Master warned me you would try to interfere.
( She turns quickly and shoots Mark, who is hurled across a conference table and to the floor. She is crying, her gun hand shaking.)
- COL. HAN
- (whispering):
Go ahead....Dance the finale.
- MARK
- (to himself):
Voice of the Dance Master?
(Realization breaks across his face.)
- MARK
- (His voice, lower, doing a Russian
accent.):
Listen to the voice of your Dance Master....tonight’s performance is cancelled......
(he stands. Shot of Rose’s confused face. She looks at Mark, who transforms into Zinoviev in her eyes).
- COL. HAN:
Don’t listen to him......listen to me. (She sees him also as Zinoviev)
- MARK:
Stand down....the performance is cancelled.
- COL. HAN:
ENOUGH OF YOUR INTERFERENCE!
- MARK:
Thanks, Poppet.....
- Rose
- (still entranced):
I won’t let anyone harm you, Dance Master.
- DR. BLOOM
- (his voice a low
murmur):
Now Rose...I will count to three and you will wake...rested and relaxed. One.....two...and three. (Close up of Rose’s eyes opening. Shot of Bloom, his voice louder). Alright, Agent Blade you can come in now.
- MARK:
Hello Poppet....
- ROSE
- (tearful):
Mark.....I’m so sorry.
- MARK:
Not another word about that. (He leans down and kisses her on the lips, their first romantic kiss in the history of the show. Shot shifts to the corrider, where Bloom and Control talk)
- Control:
I need an answer...Is Lady Campion salvageable as an agent?
- BLOOM:
I’m very optimistic...we have her trigger, and Agent Blade’s talent for mimicry....we’ve done a yeoman’s job of deprogramming her. Time is on our side...without re-enforcement, whatever triggers this Dance Master left will be eventually rejected by her mind like a splinter from a finger. Give it some time...Rose will be right as rain.
- Zinoviev:
The fools will think they can tear the threads that bind you to me. Let them. Our Pas de Deux is not complete......I promise....you shall dance for me again.