Copyright Thomas Gemmell 2003
 

     The Tower of London, 1605.  William Shakespeare has arranged a secret meeting with the recently captured Guy Fawkes...

FAWKES
Oh how we all cheered when this young reformer, son of Catholic Mary Queen of Scots was made king.  How he promised changes to benefit us all.  But he said one thing to us and one to his Protestant toadies.  Suddenly the fines were back, and Catholics were being forced out of the country and then - HA!  Then, all Catholics were renounced as outlaws!  OUTLAWS!  This intolerance destroys innocents, sends the pure at heart to a gruesome death at the stake-

WILL
Oh Lord - over there Catholics burn Protestants.  Here Protestants burn Catholics.  It is all wrong.  It is wrong wrong wrong. 

FAWKES
Mr Shakespeare.  What is this all about?  You have asked me lots of questions and I have answered.  What more do you want from me?  If you are researching a new play and wish to use my experiences as inspiration then I suggest you leave now and go and write it.  I'll have no more of it.

        Beat

Do you hear?  I refuse to be your toy.

        Beat 

Are you trying to write a play about the powder treason?

WILL
That's the problem Guido.  I already did.  Three years ago.