Elizabeth Taylor - Restored Cleopatra page 14

Continued from "The Restored Cleopatra", page 13 - Antony has ordered Rufio to Alexandria to find some way to get Cleopatra to come to Antony - in Tarsus. Next, we see Rufio and Sosigenes standing behind a screen that offers Cleopatra privacy during her bath. The scene opens with:

CLEOPATRA I understand your position, Rufio. Surely you must also understand mine. I do not intend to join that long list of Queens who have quivered happily at being summoned by Lord Antony...

RUFIO (aghast) Surely I didn't say "summoned" -

CLEOPATRA (smiles) You said "invite". He meant "summoned"...

RUFIO Apart from reaffirming the alliance of Rome and Egypt, he has many matters to discuss with you -

CLEOPATRA Then let him come and discuss them...

RUFIO His campaigns have been long and strenuous - all of Greece...

CLEOPATRA That Greek actress - surely she was no 'long campaign'...

RUFIO Lord Antony is fond of the theater...

CLEOPATRA Half the Queens in Asia Minor - one strenuous conquest after another. Even Herod's wife - that was in Judea, of course...

RUFIO Your intelligence, as always, is better than the best -

He bows to Sosigenes. Sosigenes bows back.

CLEOPATRA

In any case, I am the Queen of Egypt. I choose to remain on Egyptian soil.

RUFIO Tarsus is not the other end of the world, Your Majesty...

CLEOPATRA If it were one step from Egypt, it would be too far...

There is a pause...

RUFIO He does not - bend easily...

CLEOPATRA Nor do I. I shall meet with Lord Antony, but only on Egyptian soil... Rufio sighs, and bows.

RUFIO

Thank you for your attention, Your Majesty... He turns to go.

CLEOPATRA (warmly) Rufio, old friend - your mission here may not be welcome, but you are. Always...

RUFIO My lady. A way must be found - a time, a place - to satisfy you both...

CLEOPATRA (enigmatically) Must it, Rufio.? A pause. She leans her head back and closes her eyes. Sosigenes leads Rufio off. Charmian looks after the departing Rufio, then down at Cleopatra.

CHARMIAN What do you think, my Lady? Will Lord Antony come to Egypt?

CLEOPATRA I think it very likely... She opens her eyes, reaches out idly to the crystal boat, and takes a flacon of perfumed oil from it. She rubs her shoulders and breast, gazing musinlgy at the crystal boat...

CLEOPATRA That necklace. The one I had made of the coins struck in Caesar's memory. We're going on a voyage - and I shall want to take it with me... She puts the oil flacon back onto the crystal boat, stares at it for an instant, then pushes it away. It drifts through the petals aimlessly. Cleopatra emerges into towels held by her attendants. The bath is empty. The crystal boat floats to the end of the bath, where the water cascades over the sides into the secondary bath below. It is carried over and crashes. The scene dissolves to a promontory where a shepherd tends his sheep. He sees something out at sea and runs toward the edge of the promontory to see better. It is Cleopatra's barge. We see the barge entering the harbor of Tarsus, and Cleopatra's handmaidens are throwing flower petals and gold coins to the swimmers in the water. Townspeople of all types - some in litters - arrive in great excitement. A deputation of local dignitaries pushes through to the front. A swimmer climbs up, covered with petals, his cheeks bulging with coins which he spits out into his hand. It is a mistake. Someone jostles the hand and the coins fly in all directions, people scrambling for them. The swimmer, undaunted, dives back into the water. Someone examines a coin, biting into it. "Gold!" is heard, repeated over and over again. Then the name "Cleopatra"...the crowd presses to the very edge of the wharf to get a better look. Charmian and Eiras draw back diaphanous curtains revealing Cleopatra in all her splendor. At Antony's Palace, Rufio doesn't believe his eyes when he sees Cleopatra, apparently coming to Antony after all. He shouts out "Cleopatra!" Antony hurries in, sees the barge and bewilderingly says, "It must be!" Then he orders Rufio to get plans underway for a banquet in Cleopatra's honor at Antony's palace. He screams for a barber to shave him. The scene dissolves to the wharf of the Tarsus harbor. There, Cleopatra's barge is several feet from the wharf, and the boarding stage has not been lowered, keeping the separation intact. Sosigenes is on the deck of the barge, looking down at Rufio on the wharf. Both men are being scrutinized by the crowd of people on the wharf.

SOSIGENES Forgive me, noble Rufio, it is you who do not understand. Queen Cleopatra, at present below in her chamber, is on Egyptian territory - and intends to remain on it...

RUFIO Most learned Sosigenes, you must forgive me when I point out that this is Tarsus, not Alexandria...

SOSIGENES You are on Tarsus, noble Rufio. I am on Egypt...

RUFIO (sharply) Lord Antony bids welcome to the Queen - she is to be his honored guest at the Palace tonight!

SOSIGENES Her Majesty regrets...

RUFIO (wheedling) Sosigenes, I assure you, tomorrow night Lord Antony will come to her Majesty - but just for tonight...

SOSIGENES Tonight and tomorrow night - if Lord Antony desires to meet her Majesty, he will come to her, to Egypt...

RUFIO And if - as he undoubtedly will - he refuses?

SOSIGENES In that case, the Queen has ordered that we set sail at once for Alexandria...

RUFIO And if Lord Antony chooses simply to seize both your ship and your Queen - ? Sosigenes looks up, Rufio following his gaze to see a good number of Egyptian bowmen, suitably deployed. Sosigenes smiles at Rufio...

SOSIGENES Nothing compared to your legions, of course - but enough for us to set sail when we choose. Rufio stares at him, despairingly...

SOSIGENES Believe me, her Majesty would be sorry to leave. Apart from the pleasure of greeting Lord Antony after so long - (he raises his voice considerably) - we have many ships following us carrying gifts which the Queen of Egypt had hoped to present to the good people of Tarsus! Ships filled with wheat for their bread, and oil for their lamps - ! The dignitaries and citizens are listening anxiously...

SOSIGENES Surely Lord Antony would not want these ships turned back - ? The crowd groans audibly in agreement. Rufio sighs dejectedly. Sosigenes continues...

SOSIGENES

Instead, Queen Cleopatra hopes to have not only Lord Antony and his staff - but all the Noble Lords and Princes of Cilicia - as her honored guests at a banquet tonight! Here - on board her ship - on the soil of Egypt, as it were... The good people cheer and look at Rufio. He smiles grimly. He's been outmaneuvered, and he knows it.

RUFIO I shall do my best, learned friend, to prevail upon Lord Antony to attend... He raises his hand in acknowledgment to Sosigenes...

RUFIO And for my part - I am indebted to you for this lesson in diplomacy. Perhaps some day I may return the courtesy...

SOSIGENES Perhaps. But not this day, noble Rufio. He smiles and bows as Rufio departs. The scene dissolves to later that night. The banquet is ready to start and the barge is alive with lights and decoration. A luminous curtain has been raised about the entire deck, to shield the guests from the eyes of the onlookers on the wharf. Rufio arrives to a hillside near the harbor, dressed in his best. He looks at the barge, then off. He scratches his head and shakes it dubiously. He leans against a tree and waits. Egyptian Guards keep a wide lane open through the curious spectators. Each guard carries two torches. The lane itself is bedecked with flower petals. The gangplank is richly draped and stretches to the wharf. Sosigenes comes out to stand on top of the gangplank. He looks searchingly to his right - and then his left. He scratches his chin meditatively, then goes back in. Inside, there are two groups of people on either side of the banquet area. To one side - Cleopatra's handmaidens and slaves, carrying enormous trays of drink and tidbits. They stare, confused and bewildered, across the deck at the other group - the invited dignitaries and potentates, richly attired in Eastern panoply. They huddle in clumps, their backs to the other group. They ignore the passing trays of food and drink. Between the two groups, Apollodorus paces somberly. Sosigenes crosses to Charmian and Eiras.

SOSIGENES One more try, do you think? To persuade our guests to - ah - mingle?

CHARMIAN It's no use. They will not mingle - they won't eat or drink until Her Majesty makes an appearance -

EIRAS They're behaving strangely. As if they were under instructions -

SOSIGENES No doubt they are. Well... I think you'd better go below - to the Queen...

Charmian nods and she and Eiras leave. Apollodorus, in his pacing, comes abreast of Sosigenes...

APOLLODORUS Perhaps if you were to propose a toast - the health of Lord Antony - they would drink to it...

SOSIGENES I have. Individually, and in groups. They bow politely - and watch me drink. The health of Lord Antony is ruining my own! I may not last the night...

APOLLODORUS Then there's nothing left to do but -

SOSIGENES (nods) Exactly. I shall let you know...

He moves on toward the look-out perch of the barge, and mounts the steps leading up to it. As Sosigenes comes up, the lookout points to a distant light flashing toward the barge.

SOSIGENES Is he still there?

LOOKOUT Yes, my Lord. That light flashing on the hill is one of our signal men... (the lookout indicates) And there, on the wharf...is Lord Antony's spy... Down below, well apart form the crowd on the wharf, is a food vendor with a lighted brazier. He uses a pan over the brazier to signal. Rufio, still looking down on the barge from his waiting place, sighs and turns away, crossing to Antony - huddled in a litter - his head poked out between the curtains.

ANTONY Not yet?

RUFIO Not yet. It seems pretty clear who's waiting for you to arrive...

ANTONY I am not going to appear before she does, if I have to sit here all night! He pulls back inside the curtains, angrily. Rufio goes back to his vigil. As Sosigenes comes down from the look-out perch, he calls out...

SOSIGENES (loudly) Apollodorus - !

Apollodorus, standing by the potentates, turns...

SOSIGENES You may announce Her Majesty...! APOLLODORUS Yes, my Lord. He crosses to a place of vantage from which he can address the gathering. Sosigenes gestures to the musicians. They stop playing. The potentates exchange glances of relief and pleasure. A few of them glance across toward the girls - who also react in happy expectation...

APOLLODORUS (sonorously) Her Most Gracious Majesty, Cleopatra - Queen of the Two Lands of Egypt! Sosigenes signals the musicians and the music flares. The potentates and maidens, thoroughly mingled, flock toward the companionway. From the wharf, the food vendor removes the cover from his brazier and fans the flames to their highest. From the hillside, Rufio reacts with equal excitement and runs to Antony's litter. RUFIO (shouting) The Queen has just made her appearance - ! Antony sticks his head out and smiles smugly. ANTONY Another lesson for you, Rufio, about women. They're too curious to play the waiting game. He signals to Rufio and his honor guard and litter take off. Back on the barge, Apollodorus makes his way through the eager guests crowding up to the companionway doors. Apollodorus throws open the doors and bows. So do the potentates. Eiras appears, thoroughly overcome by her reception. The potentates first have a look of consternation, then resentment. Apollodorus, beside himself with embarrassment... APOLLODORUS A thousand pardons, Gracious Lords - ! A terrible mistake - I was informed, that is, under the impression - oh, how could such a thing happen? Sosigenes smiles smugly. From the shore, a great flourish of Roman tubii is heard. The potentates turn in reaction. Rufio and the honor guard ride in, followed by Antony and his litter. The curtains to the gangplank are pulled back so that all may see him arrive. The crowd cheers. Antony takes his own sweet time, now that he is assured the Queen waits for him. He descends from his litter, salutes the crowd in a regal manner, then with princely bearing and stately step, starts up the gangplank to be met by Cleopatra - he thinks. All the potentates are still at the companionway, at the opposite end of the barge from the gangplank. They rush to welcome Antony and greet him effusively, crowding around him. He acknowledges their greetings with equal effusiveness - still assuming that Cleopatra is among them. [With Caesar dead, Antony, for all intents and purposes, is next in line to take his place. It is extremely important to Antony that everyone see, and know, that Cleopatra is coming to HIM, that she is honoring HIS "summons" to her. It is critical to him (and his ego) that she come to him - as she came traveling to Caesar in Rome. Cleopatra has the feeling Antony is more interested in "dark women with white teeth", than in pursuing the dream of world dominance she shared with Caesar. Until Antony proves his ambition is equal to hers, she will not accept him as anything but second to Caesar - a rank not deserving of having a Queen honor his "summons". As her subtle way of reminding him of this, she deliberately wears the necklace of coins bearing Caesar's likeness in his presence. This power play between to two, with Cleopatra winning, gives their words of greeting quite a different context from what is left for us to gather in the edited scene from the film. Especially Cleopatra's first words to Antony. Unfortunately, the set up for the joke has been deleted. This greatly weakens the punch line. It would be of great interest to know how many people, after reading this and learning of the "set up", now view this sequence with a great degree of underplayed humor.] Then, Egyptian trumpeteers let fly with the loudest and most elaborate fanfare of all! This time, Cleopatra really appears. She enters. The crowd deserts Antony and rushes to the companionway to greet her. Antony, left standing alone, seethes. Cleopatra comes to greet Antony, saying dryly, "Mark Antony - how prompt you are!" And, "I had hoped I would be here to welcome you as you came on board." The scene continues as Cleopatra and Antony talk about the three years since their last meeting: ANTONY I remember - that night - in Rome saying it could still come true... CLEOPATRA You said so much that night - to so many.

Antony drinks. Surrounded by chomping, greasy, greedy guests, Sosigenes and Rufio are together. Sosigenes eats only raw vegetables, which he scrubs or peels carefully. Rufio doesn't eat at all. He drinks gloomily...

RUFIO (morosely) Bringing along boat-loads of wheat and oil for the common folk. She learned that from Caesar... SOSIGENES True. But you have all come to her - on Egyptian soil. Nobody taught her that. (he bites loudly into a carrot) Slaves, carrying a spitted lamb, pause by him, but they are waved off. They continue on to a fat potentate who, full of wine, has become amorous towards Eiras. He pulls her from her ottoman onto his own. Terrified, she squirms helplessly on his knee as the nuzzles her.

Apollodorus, standing behind Cleopatra, bends so that Cleopatra may whisper to him. He nods and goes toward the fat potentate molesting Eiras. As he approaches, seemingly by accident, he kicks the ottoman out from under the potentate. As he hits the deck, Apollodorus helps Eiras up and watches her scamper off. He then bows in deep apology to the potentate. Antony, watching, lifts his wine in appreciation...

ANTONY Well done. Brother to the King of Cappadocia. Ill-mannered. Should have waited until after dinner - when the sweets are passed... CLEOPATRA Even then - and even for the brothers of kings - some dishes are out of season. The scene continues from here with Antony suggesting he get rid of all the guests. Cleopatra tells him she's arranged an entertainment, "...in the Greek fashion - to welcome the god Bacchus". He continues, saying that if he left, the others would have to leave, too. He could return in an hour and they could talk, "...until we had nothing more to say." Cleopatra tells him she is setting sail for Alexandria in the morning.... ANTONY Then you've come all this way - for just this one night. All this way - to make a fool of me... CLEOPATRA (sudden sharpness) Make a fool of you? Before whom? These fools - ? ANTONY Princes, kings - rulers who respect the name and authority of Rome! A glassy-eyed guest rises suddenly. He raises one hand with a goblet, the other holding a leg of lamb. GUEST Hail, Cleopatra! Cleopatra lifts her goblet in response... CLEOPATRA Of anyone who will feed them! A pack of greedy swine content to eat themselves into captivity! Are these the conquests by which you wish to be remembered? Is this to be the limit of your world, Antony? ANTONY Then why have you come? CLEOPATRA Perhaps you'd feel less a fool if you stayed the night with me - is that it?

The scene continues as the entertainment begins. Dancing girls encircle an intoxicated Antony, enticing and teasing him. Then, on the entertainment floor, he notices 'Cleopatra' seated beside the god Bacchus. He makes a beeline toward her, but the dancing girls spin him, distracting him from her. He breaks loose from them, shoves Bacchus out of the way, and takes his place beside 'Cleopatra'. He kisses her in front of everyone. Then he realizes the real Cleopatra is gone and leaves to find her. Below deck, he finds Cleopatra in bed. The scene continues and reveals Antony's constant feeling of being second-best to Caesar in every way. It is no longer a matter of using Caesar to tease and lure Antony. For the first time, Cleopatra sees an agonized and tortured man. Painfully laying bare - for them both to see - the unique symbol Cleopatra has become of all that Caesar had been, and all that Antony fears he can never become. He confesses that thoughts of her have filled his life and he wants to be free from them - and her. "But, I will never be free from you." They kiss, and the scene dissolves to the next morning. Cleopatra and Antony lie together. For the first time in each of their lives, they have become lovers in the true sense. For Antony, he fell in love with Cleopatra, "... from the first instant I saw you - entering Rome - on that monstrous stone beast...". For Cleopatra, since she was twelve, and he was a young cavalry officer stationed at the palace in Alexandria. She ends the scene with, "We'll make this our beginning. Beginning with this night, you must never envy Caesar - or anyone - anything again." The scene dissolves to the Roman Senate. Octavian is speaking:

OCTAVIAN - and so it seems that the heart of our Empire to the East now beats in Alexandria. Are we to find this alarming?

Loud cries of, "No!' from the left (Antony's adherents), and "Yes!" from the right, (Octavian's).

OCTAVIAN (smiles) For once I find myself in agreement with our noble colleagues on the left - Antony's loyal friends, faithful to the last... A SENATOR (of the left) Together with the people of Rome - of all Italy! AGRIPPA (to his feet) Rome! Italy! Nothing now matters to Antony but his Egyptian trollop!

Again, a storm of shouting...

OCTAVIAN Hear him out - (the noise abates) Agrippa, after all, has had some knowledge, at first hand, of Cleopatra's - way - with Roman generals... From the left...

GERMANICUS As I recall it, Agrippa, you acquired that knowledge - about the time Caesar sent you crawling back to Rome with your tail between your legs... Approving laughter from those about him.

AGRIPPA (angrily) I would crawl happily to Rome rather than remain panting after this cat in perpetual season! Cheers from the right. Octavian quiets them... OCTAVIAN Agrippa, you grow too angry - too soon. What has Antony done - that should upset us? Left the business of Rome unfinished in Tarsus - neglected the rebellion in Palmyra - ignored the complaints of the Jews against Herod - paid no heed to the Parthians already in Mesopotamia, preparing to march upon Syria - forgot Rome and his duty to Rome - to hurry into Egypt after a discarded concubine of Julius Caesar? Again, mingled shouts of approval and disapproval. Octavian moves about, as he waits for them to subside.

OCTAVIAN After all, this is nothing new. For so many years, Antony has fed upon the crumbs that fell from Julius Caesar's table... The scene continues with Octavian pointing out how much time and thought Antony has given to Cleopatra and Egypt, and how little to Rome. Germanicus, defending Antony, is asked by Octavian to, "...stay not too long in Rome." The scene dissolves to the exterior of the palace in Alexandria. Beside the water, near the colonnade, Cleopatra watches as Antony fights a mock duel with Caesarion.

Caesarion uses a wooden sword and shield, as does Antony. The duel, though play, is fought seriously. Antony is instructing the boy. Caesarion attacks. Antony deftly parries his thrusts:

ANTONY Draw me in! - feint! - your wrist, keep your wrist stiff - your arm, your wrist, the sword, all one - and your shield up! Keep your shield up!

In the course of the battle, Antony has retreated until he stands before Cleopatra - his back to her. Swiftly, Cleopatra tickles Antony.

He drops his shield and Caesarion "strikes home". Antony lets his sword drop and falls. Caesarion jumps astride him, his sword at Antony's throat. Proudly, he looks over at his mother...

CLEOPATRA Always keep your shield up - and always have a friend at your enemy's back - to tickle him...

She gestures sternly: "Thumbs down". Caesarion promptly stabs at Antony's heart. Antony howls with pain and simulates terrible death throes. Caesarion, alarmed, drops his sword and throws himself on Antony...

CAESARION Don't die! Please don't die - !

Antony laughs, rolls Caesarion over and roughhouses him. Cleopatra, enjoying it, makes the mistake of getting too close. Antony pulls her down and tickles her in revenge. All three are in a happy tangle.

They continue their horseplay in the background as Sosigenes and Ramos come in...

RAMOS Lepidus is dead. The Senate has given his territories and powers to Octavian. He means to have it all... SOSIGENES And he will. If he can keep Antony away from Rome. What more - ? RAMOS Too much. Germanicus will tell you himself, when he's rested... SOSIGENES It's Cleopatra who must be told - if she will listen... RAMOS But surely - after Germanicus has come all this way - she must know how important - SOSIGENES (breaks in) Everything that was once most important to our Queen, Ramos - has now become least important...

In the background, Cleopatra, Antony and Caesarion stroll off together...

RAMOS And if Octavian should take it all - there will be nothing left for Caesarion. Isn't she aware of that? SOSIGENES She used to be. She used to be very aware of that. But then - how can I put it? - she miscalculated...

He starts to walk, Ramos beside him, in the opposite direction from Cleopatra...

RAMOS I don't understand... SOSIGENES (smiles) It can happen to generals, philosophers, slaves - even queens - and we blame or praise the gods. But whose fault is it when, quite unexpectedly, a Goddess falls hopelessly in love...? [This must have been one of the most painful cuts Mankiewicz had to make. For the only time in the entire film, we would have seen Cleopatra blissfully happy, playful, at peace, and enjoying being a mother and "wife". She is free from the weight of the world, duties, responsibilities, and political ambitions. And, for the viewer, our greatest opportunity to see the "other" side of Cleopatra. Again, the character contrast has been removed.]

They continue to walk out of the scene. In the background we still see the distant figures of Cleopatra, Antony and Caesarion. The scene dissolves to the throne room. Cleopatra is on the throne

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