INT. THE PATIENT'S ROOM. NIGHT
Later, and Hana is reading to the Patient from a story in Herodotus. As she reads, he listens, eyes closed, still in desert.
HANA: ...the
King insisted he would find some way to beyond dispute that his wife was fairest
of all "I will hide you in the room where we sleep," says Candaules--
(correcting herself)
--said Candaules.
She stumbles over the word.
THE PATIENT: Candaules.
HANA: Candaules.
EXT. BASE CAMP AT POTTERY HILL. NIGHT
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Katharine has her turn at the fire. She is telling the same story. The Patient remembers her. KATHARINE: Candaules tells Gyges that the queen has the same practice every night. She takes off her clothes and puts them on the chair by the door to her room ... HANA (continuing to read): and from where you stand you will be able to gaze on her at your leisure ... |
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KATHARINE (her story continuing): And that evening it's exactly as the King has told him. She goes to
the chair and removes her clothes one by one...... |
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until she's standing naked
in full view of Gyges,
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and indeed she was more lovely
than he could have imagined.
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But then the Queen looked up and saw Gyges concealed in the shadows, and although she said nothing, she shuddered ... |
INT. THE PATIENT'S ROOM. NIGHT
Hana looks up from the Herodotus, sees the Patient's eyes closed. She gently touches his face and whispers.
HANA: Are you asleep?
THE PATIENT (he isn't): Yes. No. Dropping off.
And Hana closes the book, gets up, kisses him good night, and blows out the lamp.
EXT. BASE CAMP AT POTTERY HILL. NIGHT
The men sit around the campfire, enthralled as Katharine continues the story.
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KATHARINE: ...and although she said nothing, she shuddered. And the next day she sent for Gyges and challenged him. And hearing his story, this is what she said-- CLIFTON (clowning): Off with his head! |
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KATHARINE: --she
said, "Either you must submit to death for gazing on that which
you should not, or else kill my husband who shamed me and become King
in his
place. |
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Clifton makes a face of outrage. For Katharine the story has suddenly collapsed. She feels Almásy eyes on her.
KATHARINE: So
Gyges kills the King and marries the Queen and becomes ruler of Lydia for
twenty-eight years.
(an uncomfortable moment)
Shall I spin the bottle?
The others laugh. Madox beams at Clifton.
MADOX: So Geoffrey -- let that be a lesson to you.
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