The dastardly Blackadder mires through the mud of 16th century England, embarking
on sordid and silly adventures in the court of Mad Queen Bess.
England 1558-1603. The nasty genes of the Blackadder dynasty bubble back
to the surface of history as Lord Edmund swaggers around town with a big head and
a small beard in search of grace and favor from the stark, raving mad Queen Bess.
Accompanied by a small rabble of riff-raff, the blackhearted Baldrick and the
pea-brained Percy, the dastardly Lord Blackadder tarnishes the reputation of
England's Golden Age.
The characters.
---------------
E: Edmund Blackadder
B: Baldrick
S: Percy Bysshe Shelley
K: Kate
b: Bob (alias Kate)
N: Nursie
F: Father of Kate
M: Melchett
Q: Queen Elizabeth I
W: Wisewoman
F: Lord Flashheart
D: Doctor Leech
C: Young crone
In the house of Kate and her father.
K: Father, I must speak. I can be silent no longer. All day long you
muttered to yourself, gibbered, dribbled, moaned and bat your head
against the wall, yelling "I want to die". Now you may say I'm
leaping to conclusions but you're not *completely* happy, are you?
It's mother, isn't it?
F: No, it is not.
K: You're brooding over her death, aren't you?
F: Kate, for the final time, your mother is not dead. She's run off
with your uncle Henry.
K: Dear father, I know you only say such things to comfort me.
F: Your mother is alive and well and living in Droitwich. It is not her
I brood over. I'm sad because, my darling, our poverty has now
reached such extremes that I can no longer afford to keep us. I must
look to my own dear tiny darling to sustain me in my frail dotage.
K: But father, surely...
F: Yes Kate, I want you to become a prostitute.
K: Father!
F: Do you defy me?
K: But indeed, I do. For it is better to die poor than to live in shame
and ignominy.
F: No, it isn't.
K: I'm young and strong and clever. My nose is pretty. I shall find
another way to earn us a living.
F: Oh, please... go on the game. It is a steady job and you'd be
working from home.
K: Goodbye father. I shall go to London, disguise my self as a boy and
seek my fortune!
F: But why go all the way to London when you can make a fortune lying
on your back?
In the house of Edmund Blackadder.
[Baldrick holds a dartboard over his head, while Edmund practises the bow]
B: Ah, very good shot, my lord.
E: Thank you, Baldrick.
[Percy walks in]
S: Sorry I'm late.
E: No, don't bother apologizing. I'm sorry you're alive.
S: Oh good, I see the target is ready. [Picks up the bow]
I'd like to see the Spaniard who could make his way past me.
E: Well, go to Spain. There're millions of them.
S: I'll advise them to stay there then. Keep their hands off our women.
E: Oh God, who is she this time?
S: I don't know what you mean. Aah, ouch, aah.
[Edmund succeeds in pilfering a letter from Percy]
E: Aah, and who is Jane?
S: I'm sworn to secrecy. Torture me, kill me, you shall never know.
Ooh, ouch... Jane Herrington. We're very much in love, my lord.
E: This is *the* Jane Herrington?
S: Yes.
E: Jane - burry-me-in-a-wide-shaped-coffin - Herrington.
S: I.., I think maybe there are two Jane Herringtons.
E: No... Tall, blond, elegant?
S: Right, that's right.
E: Goes like a privy door when the plague is in town?
Come on, get on with your shot. You'll get over her.
... [Percy aims]
E: I did.
... [Percy aims again]
E: So did Baldrick actually. [Percy's shot ends up way too low]
S: Damned!
E: You see, she's got this thing about beards apparently.
S: Well, in that case I'm going to shave!
[Percy leaves]
E: Bad luck, Boulders.
B: Not to worry my lord, the arrow didn't in fact enter my body.
E: Oh good.
E: No, by a thousand to one chance my willy got in the way.
E: Extraordinary.
B: And I only just put it there. But now, I will leave it there
forever.
E: That so Baldrick? It can be your lucky willy.
B: Yes, my lord. Years from now I'll show it to my grandchildren.
E: No Baldrick, I think that grandchildren may now be out of the
question.
Poor old Pee Brain, eh? Ha! Never catch me falling in love, that's
for damned sure as mustard[?].
[Knock on the door]
E: Come in.
[Kate enters, dressed in boys clothes]
b: Good day to you, Lord Blackadder!
E: Ah, good day to you... boy?!. What is it brings you here?
b: I'm an honest hard working lad, but poor and I must support my
father who is stark raving mad. Therefore I come to London to seek a
servants wage.
E: Yes, indeed. Unfortunately I already have a servant.
b: The word is that your servant is the worst servant in London.
E: Hmm, that's true. Baldrick you're fired. Be out of the house in ten
minutes. Well young man you've got your self a job. What do they
call you?
b: Kate.
E: Isn't that a bit of a girls name?
b: Oh..it's..euh... short for... Bob!
E: Bob?!
b: Yes.
E: Well, Bob, welcome on board.
Sorry Baldrick, any reason why you are still here?
B: Euh .. I've got nowhere to go, my lord.
E: O surely you will be allowed to starve to death in one of the royal
parks.
B: I've been in your service since I was two and a halve, my lord.
E: Well that is the why I am so utterly sick of the sight of you.
B: Couldn't I just stay here and do the same job but for no wages?
E: Well, you know where you will have to live.
B: In the gutter.
B: Yes.
E: And you'll have to work a bit harder too.
B: Of course, my lord.
E: All right. Go and get Bob's stuff in and chuck your filthy muck out
into the street.
B: God bless you, sweet master.
[Baldrick leaves, Percy enters again, without beard]
E: Oh Bob, this is Percy, a dimwit I don't seem to be able to shake
off.
S: Ah, hello there Bob, you young roister-doister, you. Ah, you look a
likely sort of lad for tricks and sports and all sorts of jolly,
rosy cheap capering, eh. Of course you do, and more besides, I
warrant thee, young scamp.
b: Thank you so much for letting me stay Lord Blackadder.
E: Oh not at all Bob. I'm looking forward to having you... Euh, having
another man about the house instead of that animal Baldrick. Excuse
me, I must go into the lavatory.
b: [to the camera] How little he knows and how much I would have him
know.
S: I say Bob, I think this calls for a celebration. How about a game of
cup and ball and a slab of tea at Mrs. Miggins pie shop?
b: Get lost, creep!
S: Euh, euh, I like you young Bob. You've got balls.
In the court of Queen Elizabeth.
Q: Nice try Melchy, but it is no use. I'm still bored!
M: I'm very sorry madam. Your royal father used to be very amused by my
impersonation of Columbus.
Q: You don't surprise me. He used to laugh at these people with the
funny faces and the bells.
M: Ah, jesters ma'm.
Q: No, lepers. Where is Edmund these days?
M: Ah well, the whisper on the underground grapevine, ma'm, is that
Lord Blackadder is spending all his time with a young boy in his
service.
Q: Oh. Do you think he would spend more time with me if I was a boy?
M: Surely not madam.
N: You almost were a boy, my little cherrypit.
Q: What?
N: Yeah. Out you popped, out of your mummies pumpkin and everybody
shouting : "It's a boy, it's a boy!". And somebody said "but it
hasn't got a winkle!". And then I said "A boy without a winkle? God
be praised, it is a miracle. A boy without a winkle!" And then Sir
Thomas More pointed out that a boy without a winkle is a girl.
Anyway, I was really disappointed.
M: Oh yes, well you see, he was a very perceptive man, Sir Thomas More.
Q: Oh, what *has* happened about Edmund? There is something very odd
about someone who spends all his time with a servant.
[Romantic interlude with Edmund and Bob walking in the countryside to the
tunes of "Greensleeves", "The Rain it Raineth Every Day", "Hey Nonny, I
Love You", "My Love is a Prick (On a Tudor Rose)", "Hot Sex Madrigal in the
Middle of my Tights" and "Many, many more..."]
E: Well Bob. We're a couple of fine lads together, aren't we? Let's get
retted and talk about girls eh? Yes we could sink to really dirty
songs and... oh God, I find you curiously pleasant company, young
Bob.
b: I'm honoured and for my part want nothing more than to be with
you... old man.
E: Well absolutely. I mean there is nothing more healthy and normal
than having a good chum.
b: What think you my lord of love?
E: You mean rumpy pumpy?
b: What would you say my lord if I were to say "I love you".
E: Eum, well of course it depends entirely on whom you said it to. If
you said it to a horse I would presume you were sick, if you said it
to Baldrick I would presume you were blind and if you said it to me,
well...
b: Yes, my lord?
E: Well, well I'd naturally assume we were having a big lads joke about
back-tickle as the way we healthy fellows often do and I'd probably
grab you for a friendly wrestle and then we'd probably slap each
others sides like jolly good chums and laugh at what it would be
like if we really did fancy each other.
b: In that case my lord... I love you!
[Bob and Edmund engage in friendly wrestling, just when the mood changes,
Baldrick enters the room]
B: Don't worry Bob. He used to try and kill me too.
E: Why didn't you go Baldrick? Mighty glad to see you[?] What do you
want?
B: Bah, I was wondering if I might sleep on the roof sir? Earlier the
towns bailiff says that if I lie in the gutter I will be flushed
into the Thames with all the other turds.
E: Yes, certainly Baldrick. Help your self. I was just off to bed
anyway. Euh.. good night Baldrick. Good night Bob.
b: Good night my lord.
E: Yes. Oh God...
At the doctors.
D: Now then what seems to be the trouble?
E: Well, it is my man servant.
D: I see. Well don't be embarrassed if you got the pocks. Just pop your
man servant on the table and we'll take a look at him.
E: No, I mean, it is my real man servant.
D: Ah, ah. And what is wrong with him?
E: There is nothing wrong with him. That is the problem. He's perfect
and last night I almost kissed him.
D: I see. So you started fancying boys then, have you?
E: Not boys. A boy.
D: Yes, well let's not split hairs. It is all rather disgusting and
naturally you're worried.
E: Of course I'm worried.
D: Well, of course you are. It isn't every day a man wakes up to
discover he's a screaming bender with no more right to live on Gods
clean earth than a weazle. Ashamed of your self?
E: Not really, no.
D: Bloody hell! I would be. But still why should I complain? Just
leaves more rampant totty for us real men, eh?
E: Look, am I paying for this personal abuse or is it extra?
D: No, it's all part of the service. I think you're in luck though. An
extraordinary new cure has just been developed for exactly this kind
of sordid problem.
E: It wouldn't have anything to do with leeches, would it?
D: I had no idea you were a medical man.
E: Never had anything you doctors didn't try to cure with leeches. A
leech on my ear for ear ache, a leech on my bottom for constipation.
D: They're marvellous, aren't they?
E: Well, the bottom one wasn't. I just sat there and squashed it.
D: You know the leech comes to us on the highest authority?
E: Yes. I know that. Dr. Hoffmann of Stuttgart, isn't it?
D: That's right, the great Hoffmann.
E: Owner of the largest leech farm of Europe.
D: Yes. Well, I cannot spend all day gossiping. I'm a busy man. As far
as this case is concerned I have now had time to think it over and I
can strongly recommend a course of leeches. [in chorus]
E: Yes. I 'll pop a couple down my codpiece before I go to bed.
D: No, no, no, no. Don't be ridiculous. This isn't the dark ages. Just
pop four in your mouth in the morning and let them dissolve slowly.
In a couple of weeks you 'll be beating your servant with a stick,
just like the rest of us.
E: You're a sale[?] quack, aren't you?
D: I'd rather be a quack than a ducky. Good day.
At the house of lord Blackadder.
B: Anything to follow my lord? There is this lovely fat spider I found
in the bath. I was saving it for my self but if you fancy it...
E: Shut up Baldrick. I don't eat invertebrates for fun you know. This
is doctors orders.
B: Oh, I don't hold with this new fangle doctoring. Any problems, I go
to the Wise woman!
E: Yes Baldrick. I am long past on trusting my self to some deranged
druid who gives her professional address as 1, Dunghill Mansions,
Putney.
In Putney.
E: Tell me Young crone, is this Putney?
C: That it be, that it be.
E: "Yes it is". Not "that it be". You don't have to talk in that stupid
voice to me. I'm not a tourist. I seek information about a
Wisewoman.
C: Ah, the Wisewoman.. the Wisewoman.
E: Yes, the Wisewoman.
C: Two things, my lord, must thee know of the Wisewoman. First, she is
... a woman, and second, she is ...
E: .. wise?
C: You do know her then?
E: No, just a wild stab in the dark which is incidentally what you'll
be getting if you don't start being a bit more helpful. Do you know
where she lives?
C: Of course.
E: Where?
C: Here. Do you have an appointment?
E: No.
C: Well, you can go in anyway.
E: Thank you Young crone. Here is a purse of moneys... which I'm not
going to give to you.
W: Hail Edmund, lord of Adders Black.
E: Hello.
W: Step no nearer, for already I see thy bloody purpose. Thou plot is,
Blackadder: thou wouldst be king and drown Middlesex in a butt of
wine. Ah, ah, ah, ah.
E: No, no, no, no. it is far worse than that. I'm in love with my man
servant.
W: Oh well, I'd sleep with him if I were you.
E: What?
W: When I fancy people, I sleep with them. Oh, I have to drug them
first of course! Being so old and watty.
E: But what about my position, my social life?
W: Very well then. Three other paths are open to you. Three cunning
plans to cure thy ailment.
E: Oh good.
W: The first is simple. Kill Bob!
E: Never.
W: Then try the second. Kill your self!
E: Neu. And the third?
W: The third is to ensure that no one else ever knows.
E: Ha, that sounds more like it. How?
W: Kill everybody in the whole world. Ah, ha, ha ...
At the house of Lord Blackadder.
E: Now look here Bob. I've got something very important to say to you
and I want you to listen very carefully.
b: Yes.
E: Look Bob. I've decided that you are to leave my service.
b: Oh no, my lord! My father will starve and I'll have to become a..
male prostitute. And besides, I thought we were friends.
E: Oh we are friends Bob. Of course, of course.. In fact that's the
reason I want you to leave my service and become my live-in[?] chum.
b: Oh my lord!
E: Now. I want to make definitely clear that I am in no way interested
in the contents of your tights.
b: You might be, my lord, if you knew what I kept in them.
E: Euh, ah.. I've learned of my self, well.. that I know what a
gentleman keeps in his tights. Thank you very much.
b: But my lord, I have a great secret.
E: What?
b: Prepare to be amazed. [Bob starts unbuttoning her blouse]
E: Oh no. You haven't got one of these birthmarks shaped like a banana,
have you?
b: No.
E: Or, or, or a tattoo saying "Get it here"?
b: No.
E: Oh God. You've got one of those belly buttons that sticks outward,
haven't you?
b: No my lord.
E: Now what can it possibly be?
[Mysterious music on a flute]
E: Aah... good Lord!
[Two minutes later, Bob and Edmund chatting at the table]
E: What was all that Bob's stuff about then?
b: Because you would have just used me and cast me aside like you have
so many women before.
E: Would I?
b: Yes. But now you have a chance to grow to love me for what I really
am.
E: Yes, that's true and now I want to marry you, Bob.
b: Kate!
E: Then come, kiss me Kate!
In the Court of Queen Elizabeth.
M: I bring grave intelligence of your former favourite Lord Blackadder.
Q: Oh good.
M: It appears he wishes to marry a girl called Bob.
Q: It is a very odd name for a girl, isn't it? Girls are normally
called Elizabeth or Mary.
N: And Donald...
Q: Mouth is open Nursie, should be shut.
N: Thing is true, sweet one. I had three sisters and they were called
Donald, Eric and Basil.
Q: Then why is your name Nursie?
N: That ain't my real name.
Q: Isn't it?
N: No.
Q: No, what is your real name then?
N: Bernard.
Q: Suites you, actually.
[Edmund enters the room]
E: Your Majesty.
Q: Oh, hello stranger.
E: I seek your permission to wed.
Q: So I hear. Melchie, what do you think of all this?
M: Oh, but I must confess madam, that I'm astonished that Blackadder
could possibly have eyes for any other woman than your self.
Q: Good point. Though slightly grovely.
E: Very well. When I fell in love I didn't know she was a woman. I
thought she was a boy.
M: But of course that makes it perfectly acceptable, doesn't it?
Q: Oh all right, go on and marry her.
E: Thank you, ma'm.
Q: Just tell me one thing. Is her nose as pretty as mine?
E: Oh, no, no.. ma'm.
Q: Oh good, because otherwise I would have cut it off. And then you
would have to marry someone without a nose and that wouldn't be very
nice, would it?
E: No ma'm.
Q: Imagine the mess when she's got a cold! Yuck!
E: Well, quite ma'm.
Q: All right, off you go then.
[Edmund leaves]
Q: Everyone seems to get married except me.
N: And me, Ma'm.
Q: Oh shut up, Bernard.
At Blackadders residence.
K: You'll make a lovely bridesmaid Baldrick. Pity me that I have no
actual girl chums because we were so poor in our house we couldn't
afford friends.
E: It is strangely in keeping with the manner of our courtship that
your maid of honour should be a man.
B: Thank you very much my lord.
E: Well, I use the word man in an as broad as possible sense because we
all know God made man in his own image. It would be a sad look out
for christians around the globe if God looked any like you,
Baldrick.
K: Ignore old Mister Grumpy. There you are, Boulders. Hmm, you look
sweet as a little pie.
E: Kate, he looks like what he is: a dung ball in a dress.
[Percy enters]
S: Oh Edmund... [sees the bridesmaid]
Hello there... Edmund, you didn't tell me we were expecting guests.
And such a pretty one too.
E: Oh God...
S: Now you're a little cuty to be hiding your self away all these
years. Tell me gorgeous, what is your name?
E: He's called Baldrick.
S: Baldrick.. that's a pretty name. Edmund used to have a servant
called Baldrick. But anyway, away with such small-talk. Lady.. a
kiss!
b: What?
S: And so modest too. Come on you little tease. You know you want to.
Give us a kiss.
b: All right, if you say so. [kisses Percy heavily]
S: Ohghw...he.. what an original perfume.
E: That is our Baldrick. He's wearing a dress.
S: Ourgh..
E: Anyway, what do you want?
S: Ourgh... well euh.. [deep voice] Edmund, there has been some
discussion around the Court on the subject of who's going to be your
best man and I thought it might be the moment to bring the subject
to a conclusion.
E: Ah yes, Percy. I would like you...
S: Oh, I'm so proud!
E: Please let me finish. I would like you to take this letter to Dover
where is recently docked the galleon of my old school friend and
adventurer Lord Flashheart. He shall be my best man.
S: Lord Flash Heart. The best sword, the best shot, the best sailor and
the best kisser in the kingdom.
E: Even he. To Dover at once!
S: Yes. Actually I was going to suggest Lord Flash Heart as the best
man my self.
E: Were you?
[S leaves, crying his eyes out]
In front of the church.
[Wedding bells]
K: Edmund I cannot believe it is really happening.
E: It is, my sweet.
K: Before we go in I want you to meet my father.
E: Oh fine!
E: [to the old man standing near them] Excuse me, could you move along
please. Look, I'm waiting for my father in law. Last thing I want is
some scruffy old beggar blocking the church door, smelling of
cabbage.
F: I am your father in law.
E: Oh no... All right, how much you want to clear off?
K: Edmund, how could you? He's my father, my only living relative.
F: Ten pounds should do the trick.
K: Father!
E: All right, there we go.
K: Edmund, you mustn't!
E: No, don't worry, I'll get Baldrick to beat him up after the
ceremony. We'll get the money back. Come on, we're late.
In the court of Queen Elizabeth.
Q: Ah Edmund. Could we get on do you think? I want to get to the
reception so I can get squiffy and seduce someone.
E: Yes.. oh.. unfortunately ma'm, my best man still has not arrived.
Q: Well, get another one.
E: Ma'm, there is no one else I can really think of.
S: Euh.
E: Sorry Percy?
S: Nothing my lord, just clearing my throat.
E: Don't. I don't want you coughing all the way through the ceremony.
Q: Oh, come on Edmund. You must be able to think of another best man.
E: Well, I suppose I could ask Percy. Percy!
S: My lord!
E: Can you think of another best man?
S: Well my lord. One name does spring to mind.
E: Yes. But I can't ask Baldrick. He's a bridesmaid and besides, I need
a friend, an equal, an old and trusty companion.
S: I think there is one person in the room who fits the description.
E: Of course... Nursie! How do you fancy putting on a pair of hose and
being my best man?
Q: Edmund, don't be so naughty. You know perfectly well whom Percy is
referring to.
E: All right, I'm sorry. Melchard! [squeak] All right! All right! As
ashamed as I am and contradiction in terminus though it is, Percy,
you can be the best man.
S: Oh, my lord! Noble cause, oh what an honour. I brought along a ring,
just...
E: I really did think old Flash would have turned up.
[Lord Flashheart enters in spectacular fashion]
F: It's me, Flash! Flash by name, Flash by nature. Hurrah!
E: Where have you been?
F: Where haven't I been! ..Waugh!!!.. But I'm here now.
F: Who is that?
E: I don't know, but he is in your place.
F: Not for long. Hold that.
[Hands his sword to Baldrick, then throws Percy through the door]
F: Thanks bridesmaid, like the beard. Gives me something to hang on to.
F: So me old mate Eddie is getting hitched, hey? What's the matter?
Can't stand the pace of the mmmm [grabs Edmund's tights].
Hey queeny. You look sexy. Listen, wear your hair long, I prefer it
that way.
Q: [to the camera] I've got such a crush on him.
F: Hey Melchie! Still worshipping God? Last thing I heard He started
worshipping ME...
Ah Nursie, I like it firm and fruity. Am I pleased to see you or did
I just put a canoe in my pocket? Down boy, down. And now... where is
this amazing bird? The one who stopped my old pall Eddie doing
exactly whatever he wants, ten times a night.
E: Ah yes Flash, let me introduce my... my fiancee Kate.
F: Hi, baby! [Flash kisses the bride]
F: She's got a tongue like an electric eel and she likes the taste of a
man's tonsils. You don't want to marry this jerk baby? Meet me on my
horse in eight seconds.
K: But I can't run in this frock. You see, I found I actually preferred
wearing boys clothes.
F: Weird. I always feel more comfy in a dress. I got a plan and it's as
hot as my pants.
E: What a man Flash is, eh? Things will certainly liven around here,
now he's back. Flash. Flash??
[Flash (in dress) and Kate (in boys clothes) on a horse, about to depart]
F: So long, suckers! Next time you get bored with your lives just give
me a call and I'll come round and kill you.
K: Bye Edmund and thanks for everything. Hurrah!
[Flash leaves in the same style as he arrived]
M: It is customary on these occasions for the groom to marry the
bridesmaid. I presume you intend to honour this.
B: I do.
[Song]
So Flash Heart tweaked the Adders beard,
from now he always shall be single.
To fall in love with boys is weird,
especially boys without a tingle.
Blackadder, Blackadder. His taste is rather odd.
Blackadder, Blackadder a randy little sod.
Lord Flash Heart, Lord Flash Heart, I wish you were the star.
Lord Flash Heart, Lord Flash Heart, you're sexier by far.
BBC MCMLXXXV AD.
[The end]
Back to top of Part 2
The Characters -------------- BLACKADDER = BA MELCHETT = M QUEENY = Q BALDRICK = B NURSEY = N PERCY = P LADY FARROW = LF MR. PLOPPY = MRP MRS. PLOPPY = MRSP SCENE 1 (Home of Edmund Blackadder) ------- BA: Right Baldrick, let's try again shall we? This is called adding. If I have two beans, and then I add two more beans, what do I have? B: Some beans. BA: Yes...and no. Let's try again shall we? I have two beans, then I add two more beans. What does that make? B: A very small casserole. BA: Baldrick, the ape creatures of the Indus have mastered this. Now try again. One, two, three, four. So how many are there? B: Three BA: What? B: And that one. BA: Three and that one. So if I add that one to the three what will I have? B: Oh! Some beans. BA: Yes. To you Baldrick, the renaissance was just something that happened to other people wasn't it? Enter P wearing an enormous rough. P: Edmund, Edmund, come quickly the queen wants to see you. BA: What- P: I said "Edmund, Edmund, come quickly the queen wants to see-" BA: Please let me finish. What, are you wearing round your neck? P: Ah! It's my new rough! BA: You look like a bird who's swallowed a plate! P: It's the latest fashion actually and as a matter of fact it makes me look rather sexy! BA: To another plate swallowing bird perhaps. If it was blind and hadn't had it in months. P: I think you may be wrong. BA: You're a sad laughable figure aren't you Percy? What do you think of Percy's rough Baldrick? B: Four. BA: What? B: Some beans and some beans is four beans. BA: No, no. We've moved on from advanced mathematics, we're onto elementary dressmaking. What do you think of Percy's rough? B: I think he looks like a bird who's swallowed a plate my Lord. BA: No that's what I think, that's what I think! What do you think? Try to have a thought of your own, Baldrick, thinking is so important. What do you think? B: I think thinking is so important my Lord. BA: I give up! I'm off to see the queen. P: Oh shall I come too my Lord? BA: No, best not, people might think we're friends. You stay here with Baldrick.Bird neck and bird brain should get on like a house on fire! SCENE 2 (The Royal Palace) ------- M: Grey, I suspect Majesty. Q: I think you'll find it was orange Lord Melchett. M: Grey is more usual mam. Q: Who's queen ? M: As you say Majesty, there were these magnificent orange elephants which were coming..... BA: My Lady (Queeny screams), you wish to see me. Q: Yes, Lord Melchett has bad news. BA: Lord Melchett is bad news. Q: (Laughs) No, be serious. Melchett! M: Unhappily Blackadder, the Lord High Executioner is dead. BA: Oh woe ! Murdered of course. M: No, oddly enough no. They usually are but this one just got careless one night and signed his name on the wrong dotted line. They came for him while he slept. BA: He should have told them they had the wrong man. M: Oh he did, but you see they didn't, they had the right man and they had the form to prove it. BA: Te. bloody red tape eh ? And the bad news ? Q: The bad news is that actually there are simply hundreds of catholics who desperately want their heads sneaked off and there's no-one to organise it. BA: Hm, well I pity the poor sod who gets the job. No-one ever survives it more than a week. M: Mhm. I have taken the liberty mam, of drawing up a list of suitable candidates. Q: Oh goodo, let's hear it. M: List for the post of Lord High Executioner - Lord Blackadder. BA: Ah He. SCENE 3 (Back at Edmund Blackadder's home) ------- BA: Right then. Let's take a look shall we? Who's first into the head basket then? Admiral Lord Ethingham and Sir Francis Drake on Monday. P: That should draw a crowd. BA: Hm? P: Well, sailing enthusiasts. BA: Oh yes, better make sure there's a few anchors and things on the souvenier stall. P: Aye, aye, sir. BA: Never, ever try to be funny in my presence again Percy. Right, Buckingham and Ponsonby on Friday. Oh wait a minute. Farrow on Wednesday. Who's Farrow when he's not having his head cut off? P: Ah, James Farrow, pleasant bloke from Dorchester. BA: Don't know him, never will either. Yes, and he goes on Wednesdsay? P: Hmm. BA: It's not right though, is it? P: Well no! I mean now you come to mention it, my Lord, there was absolutely no evidence against young Farrow at all! It was an outrageous travesty of justice! BA: No, it's not right that he should be on Wednesday when we could stick him in on Monday and have half the week off. P: Oh I see. Yes, that's right. BA: Pop him in on Monday. Right, good! Five dead in two days. Not a bad start. Oh yes Percy, and the new rough? P: Better? BA: Worse. P: Ah, the fashion today is towards the tiny. BA: In that case, Percy, you have the most fashionable brain in London. SCENE 4 (At the jails) ------- BA: Right, good morning team. My name is Edmund Blackadder and I'm the new minister in charge of religious genocide. Now, if you play straight with me you'll find me a considerate employer, but cross me and you'll find that under this playful boyish exterior beats the heart of a ruthless sadistic maniac. Now my man you are ? MRP: Eh, jailor Sir, my Lord. BA: Good, well done and your name is ? MRP: Ploppy Sir. BA: Ploppy ? MRP: Yes Sir. BA: Ploppy the jailor ? MRP: That's right Sir. Ploppy son of Ploppy. BA: Ploppy, son of Ploppy the jailor ? MRP: Ah ach no Sir. I am the first Ploppy to rise to be jailor. My father, Daddy Ploppy was known as Ploppy the slopper. It was from him that I inherited my fascinating skin diseases. BA: Yes you are to be congratulated, my friend, we, we live in an age where illness and deformity are common place and yet Ploppy, you are without a doubt the most repulsive individual that I have ever met. I would shake your hand but I fear it would come off. MRP: There's no many bosses would be that considerate sir. BA: Thank you Ploppy, I do my best. Now then woman. if indeed you are a woman, what is your function on death row ? MRSP: I'm the last meal cook Sir. The prisoners may ask for what they fancy for there last meal..... BA: And you cook for them what they desire ? MRSP: Oh yes Sir, provided they ask for sausages. Otherwise they tend to get a tiny bit disappointed. Sausages is all I got. BA: You are clearly a woman of principle and compassion mistress eh ? MRSP: Ploppy Sir. BA: Ah, so you are married to... MRSP: No, many people think that but it's pure coincidence. We did laugh when first we found out. "Good morning" mistress Ploppy he'd say, and I'd say "good morning .. MRP& MRSP: Mr. Ploppy" (both laugh) BA: The long winter evenings must just fly by. Ah ! and you must be the boy who makes the tea ? MRP: Ah no Sir, he's the executioner but he does sometime make the tea. BA: Yes, and your name is ? B: Baldrick my Lord, but I'll change it to Ploppy if it'll make things easier. BA: No thank you. I can cope with more than one name. What are you doing here ? B: Well, it's a hobby MRSP: It would be more, more fun Sir if he were to change his name. Give the place a more family atmosphere. BA: A family atmpsphere ? This is meant to be a place of pain and misery and sorrow. MRSP: That's what I mean Sir. MRP: Eh, Mistress Ploppy is a bit of a social realist Sir. BA: Now then, we're going to run a fast efficient operation and I intend to do as little work as possible. My deputy Percy here will explain. P: Good afternoon staff, my name is Lord Percy and if you play fair by me you will find me a considerate employer, but if you cross me BY JOVE, you ... BA: Just tell'em the plan duckface. P: My Lord, not in front of the staff. BA: Get on with it. P: Right Staff, as you know we are scheduled to execute Drake and Ethingham on Monday, Lord Farrow on Wednesday and Buckingham and Ponsonby on Friday. But in order to give us the middle of the week off, Lord Blackadder has decided to move Farrow to Monday. BA: Lets just say he's got time off for good behaviour. SCENE 5 (The Royal Palace) ------- LF: Your Majesty. Q: Yes Lady Farrow? LF: My husband dies tomorrow. I besiege you, even if you cannot save his life- Q: Which I don't think either of us would want seeing as how he's a horrible traitor! LF: Of course not Your Majesty. But if he must die, may I see him? Q: But of course. What's she asking me for? Why doesn't she just go along to the execution with everyone else? M: No Your Majesty, I don't beleive she wants to see him die, I believe she wants to see him before he dies. Q: How odd. M: Your Majesty? Q: She's not seen him! I wouldn't marry someone I'd never seen. You should take marriage a bit more seriously next time! LF: (cries) Q: Oh come now Lady Farrow, crying isn't going to help your husband now. N: No! Ointment! That's what you need when your head's been cut off! That's what I gave your sister Mary when they done her. "There, there" I said, "you'll soon grow a new one." Q: Shut up Nursie. Of course you may see your husband my dear, and if the horrid old Edmund tries to stop you give him this. It's a warrent, for his own execution! LF: Oh thank you Mam. May flights of angels sing you to your rest! Q: Yes, I'm sure they will! SCENE 6 (Blackadder's Home) ------- P: Hip, hip ... BA: So, they're all dead are they ? P: Yep, all three Drake, Ethingham, Farrow MA: Splendid, any interesting last words P: Well Farrow was rather moving my Lord. A great strong man, he stood there, gaunt and noble in the early morning mist and in a loud clear voice he cried out "My wife might have bloddy well turned up" BA: Ha, she's probably shacked up with some new pair of tights already. Right well unless Lord Percy has anything to add, you lot can amuse yourselves in whatever foul depraved way you feel fit til' Friday. MRP&P: Thank you Sir. P: Well staff, eh I've got a few notes on today's show. On the whole I was impressed BA: They've gone Percy P: Eh eh eh team, team. B: My Lord, there is a lady outside to see you. BA: Oh is she pretty ? B: I don't know, what d'you think? BA: Well I don't know do I? I haven't seen her yet. Make yourself scarce Baldrick. B: Oh right. LF: Good evening Lord Blackadder. BA: Well it certainly is now. Perhaps you'd like to slip into something more comfortable. LF: No, my lord, for there is a great pain in my heart. BA: It's probably indigestion, I'll soon take your mind off that. LF: It's my husband. BA: Your husband's got indigestion? Well, he won't be bothering us then. LF: No, he dies tomorrow. BA: Oh come, you can't die of indigestion, you're over dramatising. LF: He is to be executed at your order. I am Lady Farrow. BA: Ah, and what exactly did you want of me? LF: I wish to see my husband tonight. BA: Ehe! Not really possible actually. LF: (Starts to whimper) BA: Excuse me just a second. Baldrick! B: My lord? BA: That Farrow bloke you executed today, are you sure he's dead? B: Well I chopped his head off, that usually does the trick. BA: Yes, don't get clever with me Baldrick. I just thought you might have lopped off a leg or something by mistake. B: No, the thing I chopped off had a nose. BA: Fine! Yes, I'm so sorry. I've just been consulting my legal people and I'm afraid there really is no chance of a meeting. LF: But the queen told me it would be allowed. BA: Really? LF: Yes, and that if you said "no", I should give you this. BA: Eh he! Fine, fine, absolutely, why not? SCENE 7 (At the jails) ------- BA: Right Baldrick, is that all clear? B: Yes, em, I've killed someone I shouldn't have killed, and now you want me to put a lady on my head and talk to his old bag. BA: No, I want you to put a bag on your head and talk to his old lady. B: Why? Why do I want a bag on my head? BA: In order, ningcompoop, that she should believe that you're her husband. B: Why, did he used to wear a bag on his head? MRP: Young, young Ploppy here has a point My Lord, Lord Farrow never wore a bag, he was an old fashioned sort of gent. BA: Look- P: Well, yes, My Lord, I mean, I hadn't meant to mention it but I have been wondering all along why you should think Baldrick with a bag on his head is going to be a dead ringer for Lord Farrow, because he's not! BA: Look, cretins, the bag is there in order to obscure Baldricks own features, and many might think, incidently, that that would be reason enough for him to wear it. Before I bring in Lady Farrow I shall explain to her, inventing some cunningly plausible excuse, that her husband has taken to wearing a bag. She can then chat to Baldrick imagining him to be the man she married and the queen need never know of my little miscalculation. MRP: Why, My Lord, that is a brilliant plan. P: Foolproof. BA: You're very kind. MRP: Although there is something lurking at the back of my head that bothers me. BA: It's probably a flea. Enter MRSP MRSP: Your lordship, Lady Farrow awaits your pleasure. BA: All right, OK. Go on, quick! Quick! Exit P,MRP,MRSP BA: Ah, Lady Farrow, what a real pleasure it is to see you again. LF: It is my beloved that I shall be pleased to see. BA: Well quite, quite. Though I should warn you that he, eh, he will not be quite as you knew him. LF: You fiend! What have you done to him? BA: We have put.... a bag over his head. LF: Why? BA: Well, the thing is, you see, none of the other prisoners have such shapely widows, baa wives I should say, and therefore in the interests of the condemned community, your husband has nobly agreed to wear a bag. It was either that or have all the other prisoners in there with you. LF: How like him to make such a gesture. BA: Yes, yes. Well I'll just go and check he's bagged up. Right Balders, this is it. Enter MRP,P MRP: My lord! BA: Oh what is it now Ploppy? MRP: I have located my nagging doubt. It's a small point, but I do now recall that Lord Farrow was considerably taller, more than a yard taller, than young Ploppy here. BA: If you want something done properly you've got to do it yourself, haven't you? Anything else I should know? MRP: Oh yes, he had a very deep voice, big deep booming voice. BA: So quite like mine then? MRP: No, my lord, a big deep booming voice. BA: Well mine's quite deep. MRP: Ah not like his, and in fact, he was even taller than you, my lord. Oh a giant of a man. BA: Yes, all right, all right, don't rub it in. Percy, you'd better go and have another word with her. Go on, go on. P: Em, sorry about the delay madam, eh, as you know, you are about to meet your husband, whom you will recognise on account of the fact that he has a bag over his head. LF: Why I would know my darling anywhere. P: Well, yes, there are a couple of other things. LF: I am prepared for the fact that he may have lost some weight. P: Yes, and some height. That's the interesting thing, eh, you'll probably hardly recognise him at all actually. LF: You'll be telling me his arm's grown back next. P: Eh, excuse just for a sec. He's only got one arm!!! MRP: Ah yes! BA: Oh well I shall just have to stick it inside the shirt. Which one? Which one? P: Eh, eh, hang on! Em hang on! Em, em, eh, how do we know you're his wife? LF: What? P: Em, well, you know, you could be a gloater. LF: I beg pardon. P: You know, a gloater, eh, come to gloat over the condemned man. I mean we're up to our ears is gloaters here. "Can I come in for a gloat?" they shout and we shout back "Oh you heartless gloaters". LF: (cries) P: All right, all right, I tell you what. I'll believe you're not a gloater if you tell me which arm he hasn't got. lf: His left of course! Now let me see my husband! P: Right! it's the left. Good luck! BA: Gloaters, you really are a pratt aren't you Percy ? Right, don't forget in two minutes you interrupt me all right ? And no more than two minutes otherwise I'm in real trouble, and don't forget because..? B: Because we're not at home to Mr. Cockup! BA: Correct. MRP: Remember the voice my lord. BA: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Exit B, P, MRP. BA: Enter. LF: James? BA: My darling! LF: How are you? BA: Oh fine, fine. Food's not bad. Apart from the sausages. LF: You're voice is somehow different. BA: Oh, how? LF: Somehow lighter, not as deep or booming as once it was. BA: Is that better? LF: Oh my darling! Oh call me by that name you always called me to show your love is still strong. BA: Ah yes, look, do you think this is quite the time or the place for that sort of thing ? LF: Please! BA: Em this is the specific secret little name that I always used to call you? You want to be called it again, is that right? LF: Yes, the one like 'your little pumpkin'. BA: The one like 'your little pumpkin' but not actually 'your little pumpkin' ? LF: No. BA: Em, right then, my little pumpkinywumpkiny ? LF: Oh my darling! AH! Your arm! BA: What's wrong with it? LF: What happened to it? BA: Well, well, I'm rather hurt you don't remember yourself in fact. LF: But it was only cut off at the elbow. BA: Aagh! LF: What happened to the rest? BA: Ah, yes, well, well I got into a scrap here with a fellow who called you a nosey little strumpet who was always going blubbing to the queen. LF: Oh! BA: And we got into a fight, and he cut off the top half. LF: Oh alas! BA: Eh, ah, yes of course, well I think you'd better be going. Lord Blackadder said he was going to be sending in his servant Baldrick to collect me. LF: Perhaps, my lord, he is leaving us for a little longer. BA: Oh no, no, no. I shouldn't think so. BALDRICK!! He's usually very punctual. LF: Perhaps this Baldrick is doing it out of kindness. BA: Oh no, I shouldn't think so. BALDRICK!! He, he he's a very unkind person. LF: Well then, let us leap on the moment that we have been given and use it to its full. BA: What ? LF: Let me do this last thing for you! What wife could do more ? BA: What? Oh, I see. Enter B. B: Right, that's it. Time up! BA: No it isn't. B: Yes it is! Come along. Time's up! Come along. LF: Oh we've had so little time. May we finish what we began in paradise. Farewell. B Farewell. Exit LF. BA: Baldrick, you bastard! You utter bastard! That was the first time ever, in my whole life. I've been on this pultry, boring planet for 30 years and that's the first time ever anyone has ever attempted... Enter LF. LF: But do not despair my lord. Your brother petitions the queen tomorrow morning. There may still be hope! Exit LF. BA: What? B: Shall I prepare the guest room for Mr. Cockup my lord ? SCENE 8 (The Royal Palace) ------- Q: Oh yes alright then, let him off. He probably is innocent anyway. F: My lady! May the heavens rain down radiant jewels and sweet meats apon you. Q: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! F: And may Cherabim and Seraphim..... Q: Out! BA: My lady, about Lord Farrow. Q: I've let him off. BA: No, no, no, no, you can't. He's a complete cad of the first water. Q: 'Can't' is not a word for princes Lord Blackadder. M: How very true majesty. Q: Anyway, I won't be argued with, will I Nursey? N: Well sometimes my darling when you want something very naughty. No you won't be argued with absolutely not. Q: Precisely. So Lord Backadda ha! I want to see Lord Farrow here in 1 hour. Meanwhile, I shall spend the time visiting my old friend Lord Ponsonby who I believe I'm having killed on Friday - Come on Nursey, let's see if there are any good heads in Traitor's Cloister on the way! BA: Percy, this is a very difficult situation. P: Yes, my lord. BA: Someone's for the chop. You or me in fact. P: Ah yes. BA: Let's face facts Perc, it's you! P: Except, Exc-ept, I may have a plan. BA: Oh yes. P: Yes, eh, eh. How about if we get Lord Farrow's head and body and we take it to the queen, except, exc-ept just before we get in,we start shouting and screaming, and then we come in saying "We were just on our way when he said something traitorous and so we cut his head off in the corridor just to teach him a lesson". BA: Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic! Contemptable! Worth a try. Where did we put the head? P: It's on a spike in traitor's cloister. BA: Oh God, well that's where the queen's gone! Did she know Farrow? P: Oh yes, they were childhood friends. BA: Well what if she sees his head on a spike? She'll, she'll, she'll realise he's dead! P: Yes. BA: You fetch the body, and I'll cover the head. SCENE 9 (Traitor's cloister) ------- Q: Oh! Hello Edmund. Look I'm sorry I snapped at you just now. You know I'm really very keen on you indeed don't you ? BA: Oh yes mam, as you were keen on Essex. Q: Exactly! BA: Right up to the point at which you had his head cut off. Q: (laughs) He didn't mind that, he knew it was only little me! And I must say, his head did look jolly super on its spike. Are there no heads on spikes today ? BA: Em, no. No, we're training up a new executioner and he's a little immature. Takes him forever. Slash, slash, slash. By the time he's finished you don't so much need a spike as a toast rack. Q: I like toast. Still, must be off to say bye bye to Ponsonby. Would you care to stroll with me a while just if you've got time, if you're not to busy. BA: No, sorry mam, affairs at office- Q: I said "Would you care to stroll with me a while, just if you've got time, if YOU'RE NOT TOO BUSY!" BA: It would make the decade wothwhile! --------------- BA: And in Genoa, 'tis now the fashion to pin a live frog to the shoulder braid, stand in a bucket and go "bibble" at passers by. Q: Oh, our Italian cousins! BA: Well if you'll excuse me mam, I've got some business to attend to. Q: Certainly. But first Edmund, take my hand. Tell me you forgive my former sharpness. BA: Em. M'lady Q: Sweet Lord Blackadder. Exit Q,N. Enter P. BA: Percy. P: Well, I've got the body my lord and I see you've got the head. BA: Yes but look it's no good Percy, no-one's ever going to believe we've just cut it off, it's gone green! We're doomed. P: Doomed. Oh wait a moment, that's not Farrow! BA: Isn't it ? P: No, that's Ponsonby. BA: My God, Ponsonby! That genius Baldrick has killed the wrong bloke. We're saved. P: Saved. BA: Then Farrow is alive and we're saved. P: Hooray! BA: And when the queen gets back from seeing Ponsonby we'll - Oh God! P: Oh doomed! Doomed! SCENE 10 (At the jails) -------- Q: It's not very nice here is it? N: No, it's not meant to be my pikelet. This is where all the horrid people who don't like you live. Q: Hmm, I suppose so. It's a bit smelly too, isn't it? N: Ah well of course I'm used to that. In the mornings when you were a little baby .... Q: Shut up Nursey! You - No not you, you're too repulsive. You! B: Yes, your Royal Majestic highness. Q: Bring in Lord Ponsonby. B: Yes your royal majestic .. thing! Q: So strange, Ponsonby turned out to be a traitor. You would have thought that he'd have had problems enough - what with that hunch, and only having one leg! N: Yes and that terrible speech problem P: Your majesty.. Lord Ponsonby BA: Your royal majesty. Sorry about the baaag. Didn't have time to shave ! THE END =======Back to top of Part 2
[Blackadder's house. Enter Percy wearing a matching red outfit and hat - with antlers. The outfit is covered in bells which ring as he walks. Sounds of a celebration are heard outside] Percy: Coming? Blackadder: Nope [offhandedly closing door on Percy] Percy: [re-entering] It will be a once in a lifetime experience. Blackadder: No it won't [closing the door with his foot. Percy makes a "wauh" noise as he is shoved out] Percy: [entering again, holding his nose] Everybody's going. Blackadder: Don't exaggerate, Percy. I'm not going, Mrs. Miggins from the pie shop isn't going... Percy: Oh, my lord, you are cruel; you know perfectly well that Mrs. Miggins is bedridden from the nose down [postures, with his hand on his hip] And besides, she is honoring the occasion in her own special way by baking a great commemorative pie, in the shape of an enormous pie! Blackadder: What an imagination that woman has. [The crowd's cheering swells outside] Percy: Oh, come on Edmund! The greatest explorer of our age is coming home. The streets have never been so gay! Women are laughing, children are singing... Oh look! [pointing out the window] there's a man being indecently assaulted by nine foreign sailors, and he's still got a smile on his face! Blackadder: Look, Percy, the return of Sir Walter "Ooh what a big ship I've got" Raleigh is a matter of supreme indifference to me. Percy: [leaning in towards him] Look, if you're not careful, all the children will dance about outside your window, singing "sourpuss" and "grumpy face", and you wouldn't want that, now would you? Blackadder: I believe I could survive it. Now, Percy, will you get out before I cut off your head, scoop out the insides, and give it to your mother as a vase?! [goes over to Percy, and, dragging him by his antlers, throws him out again. Slams door] What a clot. The most absurdly dressed creature in Christendom [enter Baldrick, wearing a "dung-gatherer's" version of same. The hat is brown with branches sticking off the top] (Pauses) With one exception. Baldrick: [looking up at him] My lord? Blackadder: Baldrick, you look like a deer. Baldrick: Thank you my lord. You look a bit of a ducky yourself. Blackadder: Oh God. [in disgust] What do you want? Baldrick: Well, I was wondering if I might have the afternoon off? Blackadder: Of course not; who do you think you are, Watt Tyler? You can have the afternoon off when you DIE, not before. Baldrick: But I want to cheer brave Sir Walter home. Oh, dear sir, on a day like today I feel proud to be a member of the greatest kingdom in the world. Blackadder: And doubtless many other members of the animal kingdom feel the same way but - [crowd cheering rises again. Blackadder gestures threateningly at the window] Look, will you shut up?! Bloody explorers, ponce off to mumbo-jumbo-land, come home with a tropical disease, a suntan and a bag of brown lumpy things, and, Bob's your uncle, everyone's got a picture of them in the lavatory. I mean, what about the people that do all the work? Baldrick: The servants. Blackadder: No, me; *I'm* the people who do all the work. I mean *look* at this! [goes to a table at the side of the room and picks up a small brown thing and holds it up] *What* is it? Baldrick: Oh, I'm surprised you've forgotten, my lord. Blackadder: I haven't forgotten; it's a rhetorical question. Baldrick: [looking at him] No, it's a potato. Blackadder: To you it's a potato, to me it's a potato. But to Sir Walter Bloody Raleigh it's country estates, fine carriages, and as many girls as his tongue can cope with. He's making a fortune out of the things; people are smoking them, building houses out of them... They'll be eating them next. [shoves it into Baldrick's chest; Baldrick takes it and looks at it] Baldrick: Stranger things have happened. Blackadder: Oh, exactly. Baldrick: [continues] That horse becoming Pope. Blackadder: The what? [Someone knocks on the door and Baldrick goes to answer it] Oh God. Probably some birk with a parrot on his shoulder selling plaster gnomes of Sir Francis Drake and his Golden beHind [A child is heard outside singing "sourpuss, grumpy face, sourpuss, grumpy face..."[Miranda Richardson, actually]. Edmund pulls out a bow, nocks an arrow and shoots. The singing stops with an abrupt "aah! Mummy..."] [Edmund shouts out the window] And another thing: why aren't you at school? [Melchett, followed by Baldrick comes in the room] Melchett: Blackadder, started talking to yourself I see. Blackadder: [Turning away from the window] Yes, it's the only way I can be sure of intelligent conversation. What do you want? Melchett: Well I just looked in on my way to the palace to welcome Sir Walter home; I wondered if you cared to accompany me. Blackadder: I don't think I'll bother, actually; three hours of bluff seaman's talk about picking the weevils out of biscuits and drinking urine is not my idea of a good time. Melchett: As you wish. [To Baldrick] Servant, my hat. [Baldrick leaves. Melchett holds out a box toward Blackadder] Potato? Blackadder: Thanks, I don't. [Melchett takes a bite of one]. I see you haven't succumbed to this fad of dressing up like half an allotment in Nottingham Forest. [Baldrick enters carrying Melchett's hat] Baldrick: There you go, my lord [hands Melchett his hat. It is decorated with not only antlers but feathers as well] Blackadder: -You have. Melchett: It's probably just as well you're not coming, Blackadder, you're not very popular at court at the moment, and the Queen and I have- [Blackadder interrupts him] Blackadder: -Yes, well I can probably leave this 'til tomorrow in fact. [over Melchett's protests "you needn't bother"]. No, no, I'll come with you; obviously the Queen and I will be the only ones even *vaguely* sensibly dressed. [follows Melchett out and slams the door behind him] -------------------- [cut to the Queen, who is wearing an eyepatch and a special matching crown(?). A knock is heard at the door] Queen: Who is it? Melchett: Melchy, Lady. [He tries to open the door] Queen: [keeping door closed with her hand] -But soft! Close your eyes! [She runs back to throne next to Nursie] Now enter! [He enters, hand draped melodramatically over eyes. Queen says:] Ahoy there, me shivering matey, heave-ho! [Seats herself]. Right, open your eyes. Melchett: Thank you, Majesty. And- [bows slightly, pretends to look around in puzzlement] Queen: [smiling widely but playing the innocent] Why, what's the matter, Melchy? Melchett: Well, I beg your pardon, my Lady. I was wanting to greet the gallant sailor who hallooed me as I came in [Queen squeals with delight] Perchance he has hauled anchor and sailed away. [Edmund is looking disgusted in the background] Queen: [slyly] No- it was me! Melchett: Majesty! Surely not! Blackadder: You utter creep. [Melchett gives him a condescending look and moves out of his way so the Queen can greet Edmund] So. Where's this barnacle-bottomed, haddock-flavored, bilge-rat Sir rather-a-wally Raleigh then? I hear he's about as exciting as one of his potatoes. Queen: Blackadder's a frightful old lubber, eh Melchy? Melchett: Well indubitably no sea-dog, Ma'am. With a Yo-ho-ho and perhaps, I might venture, a bottle of rum into the bargain? [A high whistle sounds, like the now-hear-this in ST:TOS] Queen: It's him! Oh God, [picks up a hand mirror] do I look absolutely divine and regal and yet at the same time very pretty and rather accessible? Melchett: [bowing] You are every jolly jacktar's dream, Majesty. Queen: I thought as much. If he's really gorgeous, I'm thinking of marrying him. Blackadder: Ma'am, is that not a little rash? Queen: I don't think so. Nursie: It wouldn't be your first little rash if it was. [The whistle sounds again and Sir Walter enters with a flourish and bows deeply and elaborately. They all applaud him for his feats. Sir Walter is played by Simon Jones, of "Arthur Dent" fame. As if I have to tell you] Sir Walter: Majesty! [he sings out] Queen: Splice me timbers, Sir Walter, it's bucko to see you, old matey! Sir Walter: I'm sorry? Blackadder: [caustically] She says hello. Sir Walter: And well she might, for I have bought her gifts and dominions beyond her wildest dreams [taking off his hat and bowing with a flourish again] Queen: Are you sure? I have some pretty wild dreams, you know... I'm not sure what they mean, but the other day there was this enormous tree, and I was sitting right on top of it- Melchett: [warningly] Ma'am Queen: And then I dreamt once that I was a sausage roll- Melchett: Majesty- Queen: Sorry! So excited! Don't know what I'm saying. Oh- come on, Sir Walter, I want to hear about absolutely everything! Sir Walter: [launches into storytelling mode] Then, prepare to hear tales of terrible hardship, endurance and woe. [All settle] We set sail from Plymouth in the spring of 1552 [Edmund yawns quite audibly] Queen: [disparagingly] You remember Lord Blackadder... Sir Walter: [Nods] No. But I can see he is the sort of pasty landlubber I have always despised [All laugh except Edmund]. Queen: Well, quite. [Angrily] Don't crowd Sir Walter, Edmund. Sir Walter: [continues] Twice, last week, I fought in hand to hand combat with a man with two heads and no body hair. I'll warrant, the most exciting thing that has happened to that limpid prawn in a whole year, was the day his servant forgot to put sugar in his porridge [Edmund smiles tensely as they all laugh at him] Queen: [to Sir Walter] Gosh, you've got nice legs. Sir Walter: [continuing on as if he hasn't heard] While I hold the six seas of the world in my hand, he couldn't even put six gob-stoppers in his mouth! [all laugh] Queen: He's a complete no-hoper, isn't he, Walt? Sir Walter: He certainly is. [more laughing. Queen stops and says:] Queen: My bedroom's just upstairs, you know. Melchett: I had heard, Sir Walter, that there were only[sic] seven seas. Sir Walter: Ah, only numerically speaking. We sailors do not count the sea around the Cape of Good Hope. It is called the Sea of Certain Death, and no sailor has crossed it alive. Edmund: [butts in] Well, well, well, what an extraordinary coincidence. Queen: What's an extraordinary coincidence? [not caring] Edmund: Oh, it's just I was planning a jaunt around the Cape of Good Hope, myself. I'm leaving a week on Thursday, I think. [Queen: "Really?"] Yes, and now that, erm - Sorry, I've forgotten your name- has returned and the whole court smells of fish, I've half a mind to set off this afternoon. Sir Walter: If you attempt that journey, you've no mind at all. Edmund: Or perhaps a mind that knows no fear. Queen: Is that true, Edmund? Do you know no fear? Edmund: Well, yes, I do rather laugh in the face of fear, tweak the nose of terror. Queen: Gosh, Edmund, I'd forgotten how dishy you are. Sir Walter: You'd never dare. Why, 'round the Cape, the rain beats down so hard it makes your head bleed! Edmund: So, some sort of hat is probably in order. Sir Walter: And great dragons leap from the water and swallow ships whole! Edmund: -I must remember to pack the larger of my two shrimping nets. Queen: Edmund, you are completely wonderful. If you do this, I'll probably marry you [All leave Sir Walter's side and go flank Blackadder] Sir Walter: Oh yes? And who will be your captain? Hmph! To my mind, there is only one seafarer with few enough marbles to attempt that journey. Edmund: Ah yes, and who is that? Sir Walter: Why, Rum, of course. Captain Redbeard Rum. Edmund: Well done. Just testing. And where would I find him on a Tuesday? Sir Walter: Well, if I remember his habits, he's usually up the Old Sea Dog. Edmund: Ah yes, and where is the Old Sea Dog? Sir Walter: Well, on Tuesdays he's normally in bed with the Captain. -------------------- [cut to a table in a dark room. Rum [Tom Baker, but I needn't tell you that] is sitting with his back against a wall] Rum: Aaaaaaahrrrrr Aaaaaaahrrrrr Aaaaaaaaaaahrrrrr. Me laddy. Blackadder: Ah-haah-ah, indeed. So, Rum, I wish to hire you and your ship. Can we shake on it? [holds out hand] Rum: aah-ahhh! [strokes his hand] You have a woman's hand, milord! I'll wager these dainty pinkies never weighed anchor in a storm. Blackadder: Well, you're right there. Rum: Ha ha ha. -Aah! Your skin milord. I'll wager it ne'er felt the lash of a cat ['o' nine tails], been rubbed with salt, and then flayed off by a pirate chief to make fine stockings for his best cabin boy. Blackadder: How canny, I don't know how you do it, but you're right again. Rum: Why should I let a stupid cockerel like you aboard me boat? Blackadder: Perhaps for the money in my purse [holding it up] Rum: Ha. -Aah! You have a woman's purse! [takes it from him and examines it daintily] I'll wager that purse has never been used as a rowing-boat. I'll wager it's never had sixteen shipwrecked mariners tossing in it. Blackadder: Yes, right again, Rum. I must say when it comes to tales of courage I'm going to have to keep my mouth shut. Rum: Oh! You have a woman's mouth, milord! I'll wager that mouth never had to chew through the side of a ship to escape the dreadful spindly killer fish. Blackadder: I must say, when I came to see you, I had no idea I was going to have to eat your ship as well as hire it. And since you're clearly as mad as a mongoose I'll bid you farewell [gets up] Rum: Aaah, courtiers to the Queen, you're nothing but lapdogs to a slip of a girl. Blackadder: Better a "lapdog to a slip of a girl", than a... Git. Rum: So you do have some spunk in you! Don't worry, laddie, I'll come, I'll come [holds out his hand] Blackadder: Well, let us set sail as soon as we can. [they shake] I will fetch my first mate, and then I'll return as fast as my legs will carry me. Rum: Ah! [pointing] You have a woman's legs, my lord! I'll wager those are legs that have never been sliced clean off by a falling sail, and swept into the sea before your very eyes. Blackadder: [crossly] Well, neither have yours. Rum: That's where you're wrong [throws aside table showing his lack of legs] Blackadder: Oh my God! Rum: No point in changing your mind now; no one else will come. The whole thing's suicide anyway. What's the first mate's name? Blackadder: Percy. Rum: A nautical cove? Blackadder: Yes! Well... He's a sort of wet fish. -------------------- [cut to Percy and Baldrick in a room. Baldrick is folding what appear to be sheets. Perhaps they are sails] Percy: [Petulantly]. I'm not coming. I'm just not coming. I mean, of course I'm very *keen* to go on the trip, it's just... unfortunately, uh... I've got an appointment.... to have my nostrils plucked... next year. Baldrick: Oh, I'm sorry, my lord. I thought it was because you were a complete coward. Percy: [sounding nervous] Don't be ridiculous, Baldrick... You know me, I mean... I- laugh in the face of fear, and- tweak the nose- of the- dreadful spindly killer fish. I'm not one of your milksops who's scared out of his mind by the mere sight of water. Gah! [backs away in fear as Baldrick holds out a goblet of water to his face] Yes, all right, I admit it, I admit it, I'm terrified! You see, Baldrick, when I was a baby, I was savaged by a turbot [flounder]. Oh, Baldrick, you can't think of a plan to get me out of this, can you? Baldrick: Uh, you can hide, my lord. Percy: Hide. Brilliant! Where? [They look around the room. The trunk the sheet came from is standing invitingly wide open] Baldrick: Um... [After a few minutes, Baldrick finally sees the box] In the box! Percy: Which one?! [Figures it out]. Ah - perfect! [Gets in the box] Let's practice. All right, Edmund comes in and says, "Hello, Baldrick. You haven't seen Percy, have you?" And you say... Baldrick: Uh. [Thinks hard] No, my lord, I haven't seen him all day. Percy: Brilliant! [They hear a door slam] Oh my God, here he comes! [Baldrick helps close the box lid on top of him] [Enter Blackadder. Baldrick is standing conspicuously in the middle of the room next to the box] Blackadder: Oh, hello, Balders. Where the hell's that cretin Percy; you haven't seen him, have you? [Baldrick can't remember what he was supposed to say. He thinks about it. Finally, with an air of blustery triumph, he says] Baldrick: Yes, my lord! He's hiding on the box! Blackadder: [eyeing the box] Come on, jellybrain. Hurry up, otherwise we'll miss the tide! [kicks the box, in the manner of, "is there anybody home?!"] -------------------- ["Oh, Edmund, I'm SO proud," we hear the pleased voice of the Queen, "You're just my complete hero! Oh dear! I'm going all gooey now." We see that Edmund has come to say goodbye and the Queen has greeted him from her throne.] Blackadder: Ma'am, I move that if during my journey I could believe that occasionally you did spare me a thought and, perhaps, go gooey again, I would deem my certain death a minor inconvenience. [Melchett makes a face as if something smells] Queen: [gushy] Oh Ned... [proudly] I've written a poem! Blackadder: Madam, I'm honored! Queen: [Opens a folded piece of paper, clears throat]. When the night is dark, and the dogs go bark; When the clouds are black, and the ducks go- quack; [Melchy and Raleigh nod appreciatively] When the sky is blue, and the cows go- moo; ["Oh, yes" Melchett smarms] Think of lovely Queenie; She'll be thinking of you. [Melchy and Raleigh mumble appreciations and applaud. The Queen continues:] It's called, "Edmund." Shakespeare gave me a hand with the title, but the rest is all my own work! Nursie: Tush and fie, my tiddly. You didn't always make such pretty speeches [Queen makes yawning noises] 'Tis but the twinkling of a toe since you could say nothing but, "Lizzie go plop, plop; Lizzie go plop, plop--" Queen: -[crossly] Oh, put a bung in it, Nursie. Now! I am sure Melchy and, uh- [pauses] Wally, want to say something as well. "Wally": Oh, yes indeed! [Crosses over gleefully to Edmund, and says with audible satisfaction] Goodbye, Blackadder. I'd say "Bon Voyage," but there's no point. You'll be dead in three months. [Pats him patronizingly on the shoulder] Blackadder: [equally patronizingly] I love you, Walter, I hope you know that [Melchett steps up to Blackadder] Melchett: Farewell, Blackadder [hands him a parchment]. The foremost cartographers of the land have prepared this for you; it's a map of the area that you'll be traversing. [Blackadder opens it up and sees it is blank] -They'll be very grateful if you could just fill it in as you go along. Bye-bye. [A hearty "arr-arr" is heard in the background] Queen: What's that? [Baldrick wheels Rum in on a wooden cart] Rum: To ?Tilbury? me hearties! The wind is in the sails, the oars are in the locks! And we must awaaayyy! [Gestures grandly with his hands] Blackadder: Lady, it is my captain. Long on beard, short on legs. Queen: Oh, Captain. I wish you luck, from the bottom of my heart. Rum: [Booming] You have a woman's bottom, my Lady! [Gets wheeled over to her]. I'll wager that sweet round pair of peaches has never been forced 'twixt two splintered planks, to plug a leak and save a ship! Queen: Certainly hasn't, and I'm quite pleased about it! Anyway, what's wrong with women's bottoms? Rum: Not big enough, Ma'am. Nursie: [Makes a noise of excitement] *Mine* might be! Rum: In that case, my little puddin' of delight, let's beat about the bush no longer. I know I'm only a bluff old cove with no legs and a beard you could lose a badger in, but if you'll take me, I'm willing to be captain of your ship, forever! What do you say? Nursie: [so thrilled she doesn't know what to do with herself] Yes, please! Rum: [As Baldrick wheels him out] I'll be back! We'll all be back! Queen: Edmund, then, this is it. Oh! [air-kisses his cheeks in a fake show of affection, then gets brisk and "motherly"] Have you got clean underwear? And don't eat foreign food. And watch out for strange men, and discover me a country, and bring me back a vegetable, and -oh- everything! Blackadder: Madam! I shall do all I can. Farewell! [He closes the doors behind them, then comes back] And- don't wait up. [Leaves again] Queen: [looking gushy, and probably covering Raleigh's missing his cue] Gosh. Sir Walter: Well! That's the last we'll see of him. In three months' time he'll be dead as a [pauses and thinks] dead dodo. Queen: Oh, Sir Walter, Really! [Melchett thinks the pun was intentional and brays appreciatively] -------------------- [The scene changes and we are on the ship with Blackadder and company. Rum, then Blackadder, then Baldrick take turns "aaarrr"- and "aaaha"-ing like pirates. All look expectantly at Percy but he does not follow suit] Blackadder: Not joining us in the "ha-ha"'s, Percy? Percy: [With visible disdain] No! [valiantly] I'm thinking of England and the girl I left behind me. Blackadder: [annoyed] Oh, God; I didn't know you had a girl. Percy: [getting all dreamy] Oh, yes. Lady Caroline Fairfax. Blackadder: [surprised] Caroline! I didn't know you knew her. Percy: Oh, yes! I even touched her once. Blackadder: [puzzled] Touched her what? Percy: Uh, once. In the corridor. Blackadder: I've never heard it called *that* before [pauses and reflects]. Here- when you get home in six months, you'll be a hero. She might even let you get your hands on her twice. Percy: I fear not. Blackadder: Why not? Percy: Because we'll never get home. We're doomed, doomed! Condemned to a watery grave with a captain who's legless- Rum: Rubbish! I've hardly touched a drop! Percy: -No, no. I mean you haven't got any legs. Rum: Oh, yes, you're right there. Carry on, sorry. Percy: [Moans wordlessly] We've got no hope. No hope of ever returning. Blackadder: On the contrary, we are certain to return! Percy: What?! Blackadder: Because, me old sods, we are not going to the Cape of Good Hope at all. All: WHAT?!! Blackadder: We are in fact going - to France! All: FRANCE!!!! [Percy gets to his feet with the shock of the news] Percy: But, Edmund, surely France has already been discovered. [points at him] By the French for a start. Blackadder: Well, precisely; it's a trick. We just camp down in the ?Dardonnes? for six months, get a good suntan, come home, pretend we've been 'round the Cape, and get all the glory. Percy and Baldrick: Hooray! Rum: A masterly plan, me young master. And one that leads me to make an announcement meself. Blackadder: What's that, Rum? Rum: Truth is, I don't know the way to the Cape of Good Hope anyway. Blackadder: Well, what were you going to do? Rum: Oh, what I usually do. Sail 'round and 'round the Isle of Wight 'til everyone gets dizzy. Then head for home. Blackadder: You old rascal. Still, who cares; the day after tomorrow we shall be in Calais. Captain, [stands and raises his glass] set sail for France! [All save Rum raise their glasses and toast, then yell, "Hooray!"] [The screen blanks and two lines appear in a caption:] The Day After The Day After Tomorrow [The four are still sitting in the ship's galley, only looking dejected instead of spirited] Blackadder: So. You Don't Know The Way To France, Either. Rum: No! I must confess that, too. Blackadder: [turns toward Percy and Baldrick as if he is going to announce his revised plan, and says:] Bugger! -------------------- [Scene changes to Queen entering a room and Melchett and Raleigh bowing] Queen: He's only been gone three days and I am missing him already. Raleigh: [smarmily] Well, perhaps Ma'am, I could amuse you still further with tales of my adventures. Queen: [menacingly] Like what? Raleigh: Perhaps you would like to hear the one about the mad pirate king, whose crew consisted entirely of men called Roger. Queen: [bored] Heard it. Raleigh: Oh. Maybe I could distract you with the tale of the time I fell into the water and was almost eaten by a hammerhead shark. Queen: Yes. All right, try that one. Raleigh: Well, Ma'am. [with a flourish] I fell into the water. [pauses for suspense] and was almost eaten by a shark... And the funny thing is, its head was almost exactly the same shape as a hammer! Queen: [extremely annoyed] Ooh, God! You'd better come up with some presents, or I'm going to go off explorers completely! Raleigh: Ma'am? Queen: I'll tell you something else. Edmund was right. You do smell of fish. Pooey! [leaves in a huff] -------------------- [change of scene: Rum, Blackadder, Baldrick and Percy are sitting around a table in the galley, ostensibly arguing about their plight. Tom Baker can be clearly distinguished above the rest yelling "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb! while the rest are actually talking in a way that their characters might] Edmund: Look, there's no need to panic. Someone in the crew will know how to steer this thing. Rum: The crew, milord? Edmund: Yes, the crew. Rum: What crew? Edmund: I was under the impression that it was common maritime practice for a ship to have a crew. Rum: Opinion is divided on the subject. Edmund: Oh, really? [starting to get the picture] Rum: Yahs. All the other captains say it is; I say it isn't. Edmund: Oh, God; Mad as a brush. -------------------- [The scene blanks out and a caption appears: "Six Months Later" Melchett carries a rolled up parchment which he presents to the Queen] Melchett: Sir Walter Raleigh's death warrant for your signature, Majesty. Queen: [with quill pen at the ready] Oh. Good. Any news of Edmund? Melchett: [smugly] Well, Madam, if they're on course, they should be nearing the urine-drinking stage by now. Queen: Don't be horrid, Melchy. Edmund would rather die! Melchett: I fear that may be wishful thinking, Majesty. [He blows the ink dry on Raleigh's death warrant] -------------------- [scene change: Edmund is passed out or sleeping at the galley table. A knock comes at the door] Edmund: Enter. [Baldrick and Percy come in, carrying bottles. Edmund sits up and we see he that his face is tired and drawn] So soon? Percy: You said today. [They set the bottles on the table] Edmund: Yes, well, I'm not feeling very thirsty at the moment. I had an egg-cup full of stagnant water three weeks ago... Oh all right, come on, let's get on with it. [He stands up] Baldrick: Should we drink each other's or stick to our own? Edmund: Is Captain Rum joining us for this bring-a-sample party, or is he going to sit this one out? Percy: Oh no, he's been swigging his for ages. He says he likes it. Actually, come to think of it, he started before the water ran out. Edmund: Oh, God. [Resigned] Well, let's get on with it. [Caption appears, "Ten Minutes Later" Then, we see the three of them with their backs to the camera and their hands apparently in front of them] Edmund: It's always the same, isn't it; you get all keyed up and then you can't go. Baldrick: I've done two bottles [He turns around and places two full bottles on the table] Blackadder: All right, then; pour it out. [Laments] That it should come to this, drinking Baldrick's water. [He holds out a mug and Baldrick begins to pour] Baldrick: Say when. [Blackadder says "When" almost immediately. Baldrick clinks bottles with Percy, in a toast, "Down the hatch". They raise the glasses and are about to drink] Rum[offscreen]: Land Ahoy! [They stagger as the ship hits something] Blackadder: Ah! France at last! Rum: [pops his head in the galley window] No, me young master. Through fair winds and fine seamanship, our vessel is once more edged up on the shores of Old Blightey. All: Hooray! Rum: By lucky chance, we have landed at Southampton dock. All: Hooray! Rum: Fare thee well. The last one up the old sea dog gets a lick of the cat'! [He disappears again, and Baldrick goes to the window and looks out] Baldrick: Don't look much like Southampton to me, my lord. Blackadder: What? Baldrick: Well, those streams of molten lava and that steamy mangrove swamp. [Blackadder and Percy begin to look worried, and cross over to the window to look] And that crowd of beckoning natives rubbing their tummies and pointing to a large pot. Blackadder: [rolling eyes] Oh, God. -------------------- [Caption appears, "Two Years Later" Then we see a very disgruntled Raleigh wearing a dunce's outfit, with the Queen throwing rings at his cap, and Melchett and Nursie looking on] Queen: Where are they now? Melchett: Well, Madam, if they haven't been eaten by cannibals, they should be back any minute now. [The door bursts open and Blackadder, Percy and Baldrick make their entrance, bowing to the Queen] Edmund: Ma'am! Queen: [shrieks] Edmund! You're alive! Edmund: [patronizingly, as if to shrug it off] Oh, yes. Queen: And your silly friend. Percy: Lord Percy, Ma'am [bowing again]. Queen: And your monkey! Baldrick: [bowing] Your Majesty. Queen: But where is Captain Rum? Blackadder: Uh, bad news, my Lady; Rum is dead. [Nursie screws her face up and starts to cry] Percy: Do not despair, good woman. He died a hero's death: giving his life that his friends might live. Blackadder: And that his enemies might have something to go with their potatoes. Nursie: You mean they put him in the pot? Blackadder: Yes, your fiance was only a third-rate sailor, but a first-rate second course. [Nursie starts sobbing again] However, we did manage to save something of him as a memento. [reaches in a large sack they brought in with them, takes out Rum's beard, and presents it to Nursie] There. Nursie: Oh, my lucky stars; I shall wear it always, to remind me of him [she puts it on]. Blackadder: However, Ma'am, I am now returned, and my mind cannot help remembering talk of wedding bells. Queen: No, I am completely bored with explorers! And if you haven't brought me any presents, I'm going to have you executed! Blackadder: Ma'am? Queen: I only let Raleigh off because he blubbed on his way to the block. Presents, please! Blackadder: Ah yes, Ma'am. [he backs away, clearly trying to think of a plan] Um, yes. Well, there was one thing, Ma'am, a most extraordinary gift from the island paradise we visited. Queen: Hurry up!! Blackadder: [reaches into a sack Percy is holding and draws out a boomerang and hands it to her]. Queen: What is it? Melchett: A stick. Queen: [threateningly] Is it a stick,, Lord Blackadder? Blackadder: Ah yes, Ma'am, but it is a very special stick. Because when you throw it away, it comes back! Queen: Well, that's no good, is it; because when *I* throw things away, I don't *want* them to come back!! [turns to Percy] YOU!! Get rid of it! Percy: Certainly, Ma'am [meekly takes it from her and tosses it behind him] Queen: What else have you brought? Blackadder: Um, yes, well, there was very little time what with picking the weevils out of biscuits and- Queen: -Melchy, what did I do with that spare death warrant? [The boomerang comes back and hits Percy on the head, knocking him down. The Queen changes her mind on the stick] Queen: Oh, Edmund, it's wonderful! But what about Melchy and Raleigh? You must have brought something for them as well. [Edmund clears his throat trying to think of something] -Nursie's got her beard, I've got my stick; what about the two boys? Blackadder: [stalling as he turns toward Baldrick and looks into the sack] Um, yes, well. [Baldrick puts his hand on Blackadder's arm and they turn slightly, allowing Baldrick to retrieve something from a satchel at his side] There was one thing, Ma'am... Queen: good... [Baldrick pulls out one of the bottles he filled on the ship and hands it to Edmund, so that it looks as though Edmund has taken it out of the sack that he supposedly brought "presents" in] Blackadder: ...A fine wine! [Holds the bottle aloft for all to see] A most delicious beverage! [He uncorks the bottle and pours out two tankards for Melchett and Raleigh] Queen: Have a taste, boys, and tell us what you think! [Baldrick hands them the tankards and they "sniff the bouquet" and fall over each other trying to praise it to the Queen] Raleigh: Oh, it certainly has plenty of nose! Melchett: Oh yes, this is very familiar. Blackadder: I'm sure you'll be glad to hear [turns and looks at Baldrick] that there is an inexhaustible supply! --------------- END ---------------Back to top of Part 2
[In Edmund's bedroom, Edmund is asleep. Beside his head is a pair
of feet. The owner of the feet is named Mollie.]
[knock at door]
Edmund: Go away.
Baldrick: (standing at open doorway) My Lord, there is someone at the door
to see you.
Edmund: (wearily) Oh god. What time is it?
Baldrick: Four o'clock.
Edmund: Baldrick, I've told you before: you mustn't let me sleep all day;
this woman charges by the hour.
Baldrick: No, My Lord, it's four o'clock in the morning.
Edmund: Someone wants to see me at four in the morning? What is he, a giant
lark?
Baldrick: No, he's a priest.
Edmund: Tell him I'm jewish.
Mollie: (pushing herself out from beneath the covers at the foot of the bed)
Aren't you going to introduce me, then?
Edmund: What?
Mollie: Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?
Edmund: Oh very well, but I think you're making a terrible mistake. Baldrick,
I'm delighted to introduce you to ... I'm sorry, I've forgotten your
name.
Mollie: Mollie!
Edmund: Of course, Mollie. Baldrick, this is Mollie, a dear friend of mine.
Mollie: I'm not dear. I'm very reasonable actually, Baldrick. Most girls
would charge an extra sixpence for all the horrible things he wants
to do.
Edmund: Alright, alright. Baldrick, this is Mollie, an inexpensive prostitute.
Mollie, this is Baldrick, a pointless peasant. Now let me get some
sleep.
Baldrick: Well, what about this priest?
Edmund: Tell him to take his sacred backside out of here, and what's more, if
he comes begging again, tell him I shall report him to the Bishop of
Bath and Wells, who drowns babies at their christening and eats them
in the vestry afterwards.
Baldrick: Yes, My Lord.
Mollie: (sweetly) Bye, Baldrick!
Baldrick: (just as so) Bye bye, Mollie!
Edmund: Get out; go on! (Baldrick leaves) You're a one, aren't you? When you
should be whispering sweet conversational nothings like "Goodness me,
something twice the size of the Royal Barge has just hoved into view
between the sheets," you don't say a word, but enter the Creature
From The Black Latrine and you won't stop jabbering.
Mollie: He was treating me like a human being.
Edmund: Look, if I had wanted a lecture on the rights of Man, I would have
gone to bed with Martin Luther.
[Baldrick flies through the door, literally, and remains lying on the floor
with door fragments.]
Edmund: (he had just put his head down, and remains so with his eyes closed)
Yes, what is it, Baldrick?
Baldrick: It's that priest. He says he still wants to see you.
Edmund: And did you mention the baby-eating Bishop of Bath and Wells?
Baldrick: I did, My Lord.
Edmund: And what did he say?
Bishop: (enters; shouts) He said, "I *am* the baby-eating Bishop of Bath and
Wells!"
Edmund: (sits up with a start) Good lord!
Bishop: You haven't any children, have you, Blackadder.
Edmund: No, no, I'm not married.
Bishop: In that case, I'll skip breakfast and get straight down to business.
Do you know what day it is today?
Edmund: Er...
Bishop: It was exactly one year ago to the day that the Bank of the Black
Monks of St. Herod -- "Banking with a smile and a stab" -- of which
I am the assistant manager, lent you one thousand pounds. (kneels
down to be face-to-face with Edmund, who begins cowering) Our motto
is "Repayment or Revenge."
Edmund: Of course, and naturally I'd have paid you back, but -- and this is
the real bugger -- I've gone and lost my wallet. Has that ever
happened to you? Disasterous! It had all my things in it: all those
little notes saying "Forget ye not" and, of course, all my money!
Bishop: That's no concern of mine. The debt is now due. Failure to pay back
a loan is a sin, and we Black Monks, we HATE SIN!
[Bishop lifts up the sheets, revealing that Edmund -- dressed in a brief
black loincloth -- is in bed with Mollie.]
Edmund: Ah. Erm, Your Grace, may introduce my mother ... Mother, this is--
Bishop: (recognises Mollie) Good morning, my dear! (sits on the bed) I hope
you haven't forgotten our appointment.
Mollie: (sweetly) Of course not, Pumpy!
Bishop: You know, I have a mind, my pretty, to play "Nuns and Novices," so
don't forget your wimple.
Mollie: OK!
Bishop: (to Edmund) And, as for you, you come with me.
Edmund: (stands) Where?
Bishop: To visit the last poor fool who (draws his sword) LOST HIS WALLET!
(hits Edmund's bare buttocks with sword; Edmund runs out)
[at graveyard; a mad beggar is dancing around (the same one whom
Edmund chases in the final credits of each episode).]
Edmund: (reading over a tombstone) "William Greeves: born 1513 in Chelshood
with the love of Christ; died 1563 in ... agony with a spike up his
bottom."
Beggar: (comes behind Edmund) Ah! 'Tis ever (in sown uncle?) with the Black
Monks! (fondles the tombstone) Oh! Screamed, did he -- scream and
gurgle as they skewered his catflap for once of a farthing!
Bishop: I think you get my message.
Edmund: (stands; the beggar grabs onto his leg; he tries to shake him off as
he speaks) Erm, yes, yes indeed. But, tell me, Bishop, let me just
test the water here, so to speak. Erm, supposing I was to say to you
something like, "I'm a close friend of the Queen's, and I think she'd
be very interested to hear about you and Mollie and the wimple, so
why don't we just call it quits, eh, Fatso?"
Bishop: I would say, firstly, "The Queen would not believe you," and,
secondly, (draws a hot poker) "You'll regret calling me `Fatso',
later today!"
Edmund: Ah.
Bishop: I will have my money by Evensong tonight or ...
YOUR BOTTOM WILL WISH IT HAD NEVER BEEN BORN!!! (exits)
Beggar: (letting go of Edmund's leg finally, stands) Oh! Poor Tom's cold!
Pity poor Tom, for his nose is frozen, and he does shiver, and
HE'S MAD! (waving his arms quite dramatically)
Edmund: Oh shut up! (pushes the beggar into an open grave)
(at Edmund's home)
Edmund: So, lads, I'm up a certain creek without a certain instrument.
Either I raise a thousand pounds by this evening, or I get murdered.
What should I do?
Baldrick: It's obvious.
Edmund: What?
Baldrick: You'll have to get murdered. You'll never raise that sort of money.
Percy: (looks up from his book, waves his handkerchief about, chuckling)
Oh, come now, Baldrick. A piffling thousand? Pay the fellow, Edmund,
and damn his impudence.
Edmund: I haven't got a thousand, dunghead! I've got 85 quid in the whole
world! (holds up a small bag)
Percy: But you're always boasting to the Queen about how wealthy you are.
Edmund: Ah, a cunning web of deceit, subtly spun about the court to improve
my standing, unfortunately.
Percy: (stands) What, do you mean you've been ... fibbing?
Edmund: (sits in chair by the door) Yep. My whole life has been a tissue of
whoppers. I consider myself one of England's finest liars. (looks out
the door) Oh, my god, Percy! A giant hummingbird is about to eat your
hat and cloak!
Percy: Oh no! (runs out)
Edmund: (to Baldrick) You see? I'm terrific at it.
Percy: (comes back) It seems to have gone now. Well, couldn't you just dip
into the family fortune?
Edmund: There isn't one. My father blew it all on wine, women and amateur
dramatics. At the end, he was eking out of a living doing
humourous impressions of Anne of Cleeves.
Percy: (sympathetic) Oh, Edmund, I am sorry -- I had no idea. But do not
despair, for I have some small savings carefully harvested from my
weekly allowance, set aside against my frail old age. By lucky haps,
it is just over a thousand, methinks, and has for years has been
hidden beyond the wit of any thief, in an old sock...
Edmund and Percy: ...under the squeaky floorboard...
Baldrick, Edmund and Percy: ...behind the kitchen dresser.
Percy: (smiles, slightly warily) You've seen it!
Edmund: Seen it, pinched it, spent it. And same goes for the two farthings
Baldrick thinks he's got hidden inside that mouldy potato.
Baldrick: Oh, bloody hell!
Percy: Then you are doomed. Alas. For God's sake, let us sit upon the carpet
(sits on the floor) and tell sad stories.
Edmund: Certainly not! When Lord Blackadder is in trouble, he does not sit
about.
Baldrick: You won't be able to sit about with a spike up your bottom.
Edmund: Well, exactly. (sits at his desk) But still, I've got 85 quid and
that's a start. I'm sure I'll think of something, as long as I'm not
disturbed.
[a messenger enters]
Messenger: My Lord, the Queen dost demand your urget presence on pain
of death.
Edmund: Oh god! The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's
own Satanic herd!
[Edmund walks briskly up the hall and enters court.]
Edmund: Madam, you sent for me...
Queen: (playing chess with Melchett) Did I? I don't remember.
What a naughty scatterbrain I am! (makes a move on the
chess board) Zap! (takes off one of Melchett's pieces)
Edmund: Well, perhaps, Ma'am, if I might be allowed to withdraw, I have one
or two tiny matters to attend to.
Queen: Certainly.
[Edmund bows, turns, and opens the doors. Melchett, Queen and Nursie break
into laughter. Edmund turns back.]
Queen: That was a terrific joke, wasn't it?
Melchett: Oh, magnificent!
Nursie: And so naughty!
Edmund: What, My Lady?
Queen: I do know why I wanted to see you, and I just pretended I didn't,
and I fooled you. And it worked brilliantly, didn't it!
Edmund: It was terrific, Madam. I thank God I wore my corset, because
I think my sides have split. So why *did* you want to see me?
Queen: To crack the lovely joke.
Melchett: Or perhaps, Blackadder, you don't think the Queen's jokes are
funny enough for you to be troubled with.
Edmund: Au contraire. I'm ecstatic about the whole incident. I only didn't
laugh out loud because I was afraid if I did, my head would've
fallen off.
Queen: If you don't start soon, your head *will* fall off! (all laugh) Now
pay Melchy his 85 pounds and run along.
[Melchett, sitting on the floor, his back to Edmund, holds out his hand.]
Edmund: 85 pounds?
Queen: We had a bet. I said that you wouldn't fall for my trick, and Melchy
said you would because I'm so super and you're so stupid. So you owe
him 85 pounds.
Edmund: Fine, fine. I mean, it's only money, isn't it! (gives it to Melchett)
[Edmund's house, in hallway. Baldrick is sweeping the floor.
Edmund enters.]
Edmund: I can *not* believe it! She drags me all the way from Billingsgate to
Richmond to play about the weakest practical joke since Cardinal
Woolsey got his knob out at Hampton Court and stood at the end of
the passage pretending to be a door.
[Baldrick giggles]
Edmund: Oh, shut up, Baldrick -- you'd laugh at a Shakespeare comedy.
Percy: (rushes out of the living room) Edmund, oh Edmund, I've awaited your
return! (hugs him)
Edmund: And thank God you did, for I was just thinking, "My god! I die in 12
hours. What I really need now is a hug from a complete prat!"
(enters the living room)
Percy: But fear not, for I have a plan to save the life of my dear dear
friend.
Edmund: Look, I'm not interested in your bloody friends! What about me?
Percy: (giggles) Not bad, Edmund. That's a good one.
Edmund: Oh, alright, then. (sits) What's your big plan, blockhead?
Percy: I intend to discover, this very afternoon, the secret of alchemy --
the hidden art of turning base things into gold.
Edmund: I see, and the fact that this secret has eluded the most intelligent
people since the dawn of time doesn't dampen your spirits at all.
Percy: Oh no; I like a challenge! (exits, as Baldrick pours a drink)
Edmund: Well, Balders, I lost the 85 quid. The grave opens up before me
like a ... big hole in the ground.
Baldrick: (gives the cup to Edmund) Well, I did have one idea, My Lord,
but ... nah, it's stupid, you wouldn't... (turns to leave)
Edmund: What is it?
Baldrick: (turns back) Well, I have heard there's good money to be made down
the docks, doing favours for sailors.
Edmund: Favours? What do you mean? Delivering messages, sewing on buttons --
that kind of thing?
Baldrick: Erm, not quite.
Edmund: (starts to stand) Baldrick!
Baldrick: My Lord?
Edmund: Are you suggesting that I become a rent boy?
Baldrick: Well, good-looking bloke like you, posh accent, nice legs -- you
can make a (bomb?). Just stick a pink carnation in your hat and,
er, make the old sign.
Edmund: I'd rather die.
Baldrick: Oh, fair enough, that's all right, then. I'll just put the kettle
on while we wait, shall I? (turns to leave)
Edmund: (reaches out and grabs Baldrick's shoulder, turning him round)
On second thought, with a slight alteration, your sick and sordid
plan might just work.
[at docks, Baldrick is dressed in Edmund's clothes. His hat has
a pink carnation in it, and he holds a sign reading "GET -IT- HERE."
He bounces seductively as a burly sailor named Arthur strides up.]
Arthur: Give me a kiss and I'll give you a penny.
Edmund: (comes from round the corner) A penny?!
Arthur: Well, alright then -- tuppence!
Edmund: Oh, all right, go on. (disappears behind the corner)
Arthur: Nothing fancy. Just a peck. I miss my mum, you see. When I a little
kid, my mother always used to come up--
Edmund: (appears) Look, get a move on! He's a prostitute, not an agony aunt!
Arthur: Go on, please! Just a little peck on the cheek, and say, "There
there, Arthur -- Mummy'll kiss it better, and you shall have a
story."
Edmund: Well, I don't know. Do you do requests, Baldrick?
Baldrick: What, kinky stuff? Yeah, I'm game.
Arthur: Oh, go on, please! (crying) I miss my mother so much. I mean, she
was like a mother to me!
Edmund: Well, alright, go on, Baldrick. (disappears)
Baldrick: (starts to reach up to Arthur's cheek, but pauses) I've forgotten
what I'm supposed to say.
[Arthur cries]
Edmund: (appears, fed up) Get out of the way; I'll do it. (takes the sign)
There there, Arthur (*smooch*). Mummy kiss it better, and you shall
have a story.
Arthur: (excited) What kind of a story?
Edmund: Well, I don't know ... one about a squirrel, I suppose.
[some time later]
Edmund: ...and then Squirry the Squirrel went...
Arthur and Baldrick: (everyone has their arms around each other)
..."Neep neep neep!"...
Edmund: ...and they all went home for tea.
Arthur: Ah, thanks very much, me ol' shivering mateys! That was wonderful.
(turns to Edmund) Now then, how much do you charge for a good
hard shag?
Edmund: (nervous) A thousand pounds.
Arthur: A thousand pounds? You've got to be joking!
Edmund: Well, I'm sure we could negotiate. (tosses the sign to Baldrick)
[Arthur smiles at Baldrick]
[back at Edmund's house]
Edmund: Right, so we've got sixpence.
Baldrick: Yeah, now all we need to do, My Lord, is to go down the cockfights
and put it on a bird that's a dead cert but has got odds of forty
thousand to one.
Edmund: Know you of such a bird?
Baldrick: No. But we could make one.
Edmund: No we couldn't, Baldrick. Oh god, I suppose you have to be told
sometime. Sit down. What happens is: a mummy bird and a daddy bird
who love each other very much get certain urges...
Baldrick: No, no, My Lord. What I mean is: we could get a mad wild killer
bull, and disguise it as a bird, but it'll be such a strange-looking
bird that no-one will back it, but we'll know it's a killer bull so
we'll put money on it.
Edmund: Only we will know.
Baldrick: Yeah -- if we stick enough feathers on it and hang an egg between
its legs.
Edmund: Yes, alright, alright, Baldrick. A chat with you and somehow death
loses its sting.
Messenger: (enters) My Lord, the Queen dost demand your presence on pain of
death.
Edmund: You're not making any friends here, you do know that, don't you,
messenger!
[Edmund runs up the hall and enters court.]
Edmund: Madam, you sent for me again.
Queen: Yes, Edmund. I wanted to apologise for the silly trick I played on you.
Edmund: Ah.
Queen: It was naughty and bad of me.
Nursie: It was, my little rosebud. If you weren't quite so big, it'd be
time for Mr. and Mrs. Spank to pay a short sharp trip to Bottyland.
Queen: Thank you, Nursie. And thank you, Edmund.
Edmund: That's all...
Queen: Yes. Thanks for coming. (extends her hand to him vertically (to shake))
[Edmund quickly turns and opens the doors; court party cracks up as before.]
Queen: That was very funny too, wasn't it?
Edmund: My Lady?
Queen: Dragging you all the way across town again just to say sorry for
dragging you all the way across town the first time! (stops laughing)
It was Melchett's idea. I think it's wonderful, don't you?
Edmund: It's fantastic. Melchett, I prostrate myself at the feet of the
world's greatest living comedian. (bows)
Queen: Oh, you are super, Edmund. Oh, Edmund, erm, I promised Lord Melchett
that I would play [Sharp?] Halfpenny with him, but we have no coin.
Do you have a halfpenny?
Edmund: Unfortunately, only a sixpence, Ma'am. What a shame!
Queen: Oh, no -- a sixpence will do just as well. (holds out her hand)
Edmund: Oh, good! (hands it over)
[back home, Edmund enters the hallway, which is full of smoke]
Edmund: Oh god, this place stinks like a pair of armoured trousers after the
Hundred Years War! Baldrick, have you been eating dung again?
Percy: (rushes out the living room, dirtied) My Lord! Success!
Edmund: What?
Percy: (drags Edmund into the living room) After literally an hour's
ceaseless searching, I have succeeded in creating gold. PURE GOLD!
Edmund: Are you sure?
Percy: Yes, My Lord! Behold! (uncovers the top; their faces get bathed in
green light)
Edmund: Percy, it's green.
Percy: That's right, My Lord.
Edmund: Yes, Percy, I don't want to be pedantic or anything, but the colour
of gold is gold -- that's why it's called gold. What you have dis-
covered, if it has a name, is some green.
Percy: (stupefied; picks up the green) Oh, Edmund, can it be true? that I
hold here, in my mortal hand, a nugget of purest green?
Edmund: Indeed you do, Percy, except, of course, it's not only a nugget as
it is more of a splat.
Percy: Well, yes, a splat today, but tomorrow, who knows? or dares to dream!
Edmund: So we three alone in all the world can create the finest green
at will.
Percy: Thus so! (whispers) I'm not sure about counting in Baldrick, actually.
Edmund: Of course, you know what your great discovery means, don't you,
Percy.
Percy: (smiles) Perhaps, My Lord.
Edmund: That you, Percy -- Lord Percy -- are an utter berk! Baldrick!
Baldrick: My Lord?
Edmund: Pack my bags; I'm going to sell the house.
Baldrick and Percy: (shocked) What?
Edmund: There's nothing else for it. I mean, I shall miss the old place, I
know. I've had some happy times here, when you and Percy have been
out. But needs must when the devil vomits into your kettle. Baldrick,
go forth into the streets and let it be known that Lord Blackadder
wishes to sell his house. Percy, just go forth into the street.
[Later, Edmund shows his place to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Pants]
Edmund: (coming in) ...and this is the den.
Mrs: (looks around) Ooh, dear.
Edmund: But I have to tell you, Mr. Pants, that I've had an extremely
encouraging nibble from another client, and I think you know me
well enough to know that I'm not the sort of man to ignore a nibble
for long.
Mrs: I noticed some dry rot in the bedrooms, Timothy.
Edmund: Well, Mrs. Pants, dry rot is what dry rot does. (to Mr. Pants) Stop
me if I'm getting too technical.
[Mr. Pants starts to speak, but is interrupted.]
Mrs: And the floor (??) is a little uneven.
Edmund: Indeed yes, Madam, and at no extra cost!
Mrs: Strange smell.
Edmund: Yes, that's the servant; he'll be gone.
Mr: You've really worked out your banter, haven't you?
Edmund: No, not really. This is a different thing. It's spontaneous and it's
called `wit'.
Mrs: What about the privies?
Edmund: When the master craftsman who created this home was looking at the
sewage, he said to himself, "Romeo," -- for 'twas his name -- "Romeo,
let's make them functional, and comfortable."
Mr: Oh, well, that seems nice, doesn't it, Dear!
Edmund: I think we understand each other, sir. So it's sold, then. (goes to
a pot and pours into a cup) Drink?
Mrs: (insistent for a real answer) What about the privies?
Edmund: (doesn't give away either of the two cups he holds) Well, what we're
talking about in, erm, privy terms is the very latest in front-wall,
fresh-air orifices, combined with a wide-capacity gutter installation
below.
Mrs: You mean you crap out of the window.
Edmund: Yes!
Mrs: Well! In that case, we'll *definitely* take it! (takes a cup from Edmund)
I can't stand those dirty indoor things.
[later, Edmund counts the money]
Edmund: There, that's the lot. He only wanted to pay a thousand, but I
managed to beat him up to eleven hundred.
Percy: Oh, Edmund, you wily old trickster, you!
Edmund: Oh, credit where credit's due -- I just named the price; it was
Baldrick who actually beat him up.
[Percy nods]
Edmund: Percy, what is that on the front of your tunic?
Percy: Ah! 'tis a brooch, My Lord -- a brooch cunningly fashioned from
pure green.
Edmund: It looks like you've sneezed.
Percy: It is with trinkets such as this brooch, and here, a ring, that I
intend to revive your fortunes and buy back your house!
Edmund: You think there's a big market for jewelry that looks like snot, then?
Percy: (upset) My Lord!
Edmund: The eyes are open, the mouth moves, but Mr. Brain has long since
departed, hasn't he, Perce.
Messenger: (enters) My Lord--
Edmund: Ah, messenger, thank God you came. Percy and I could not have waited
another second without you.
[Edmund sprints up the hall and enters court, where the trio is
hunched over a war map]
Edmund: Majesty!
Queen: Thank God you've arrived -- terrible news!
Edmund: What?
Melchett: The French intend to invade, Blackadder.
Edmund: My god!
Queen: So I need some money.
[Edmund, fearing the worst, falls down into the throne]
Melchett: Yes, every nobleman must pay 500 pounds towards the upkeep of the
navies.
Queen: But we've decided to make you a special case.
Edmund: (sitting up a bit) Oh, thank you, Ma'am!
Queen: Melchy here hasn't got a bean, so we thought, as you're so fabulously
wealthy, you could pay for both!
Melchett: It would be awfully sweet of you.
Edmund: Yes, well, unfortunately, Ma'am, I'm in the middle of a cash-flow
crisis and I just haven't got any money on me!
Queen: (looking down at him) But, Edmund...
Edmund: (realises that he's in the throne, expecting that this is what she
is addressing him about) Sorry. (stands and moves across to his
proper place)
Queen: ...what's that in your tights? (points her figurine-moving stick
at his groin)
Edmund: Oh, good lord. (he takes out a pouch)
Queen: It looks like ... just over a thousand pounds!
Edmund: So it is.
Queen: I thought you said you didn't have any.
Edmund: Oh, I thought you meant *real* money. This is just a bit of loose
change. I must have left it in my codpiece when I sent these tights
to the laundry.
Queen: Gosh, a thousand pounds just loose in your tights... That *is* flash!
OK, hand it over. (he does) Thanks. 'bye. (turns back to the map,
making whistles and `boom' noises as she plays with the figurines)
Edmund: Well, goodbye indeed. (backs out of the room slowly) 'bye, Ma'am.
Goodbye, Melchett. Goodbye, Nursie. Byeee... (shuts the doors)
[Melchett peeks between doors to make sure he's gone; all crack up once more;
Melchett falls to the floor; Nursie claps her hands; Queen falls onto
Melchett; Nursie goes to her knees]
Queen: Silly old Edmund! He was completely fooled! That was a brilliant
joke, Melchy!
Melchett: Brilliant, Ma'am!
Queen: (serious suddenly) And now I'm going to have you executed. (stands)
Melchett: (stammering) Majesty?
Queen: It's for taking the mickey out of my beloved Edmund so cruelly.
I'm gonna knock your block off.
Melchett: (begging) But, Majesty, I only intended to please! Oh, please!
I so want to live!!!
[Queen slowly breaks into laughter]
Nursie: Ooh! (slaps Queen's hand)
Melchett: Ah! (laughs forcedly)
[Nursie falls over; Queen falls onto her]
Melchett: (still faking a laugh, but obviously rather frightened and angry)
Praise the Lord for the gift of laughter!
[Edmund rushes into his living room]
Edmund: Right, Balders, I've lost the money. I'm going to have to run away.
Baldrick: Why, My Lord?
Edmund: To avoid these monks, of course!
Baldrick: No point -- the Black Bank's got branches everywhere.
Edmund: Oh damn! (falls to the floor) If I die, Baldrick, do you think people
would remember me?
Baldrick: (stepping over Edmund as he continues packing) Yeah, of course they
would.
Edmund: Yes, I suppose so.
Baldrick: Yeah. People would always be slapping each other on the shoulders
and laughing, and saying "Do you remember old Privy-breath?"
Edmund: Do people call me `Privy-breath'?
Baldrick: Yeah, the ones who like you.
Edmund: Am I then not popular?
Baldrick: Erm, well, put it this way: when people slip in what dogs have left
in the street, they do tend to say "Whoops, I've trod on an Edmund."
Edmund: (stands) Bloody cheek! I'll show them.
Baldrick: What, have you got a plan, My Lord?
Edmund: Yes I have, and it's so cunning you could brush your teeth with
it! All I need is some feathers, a dress, some oil, an easel, some
sleeping draught, lots of paper, a prostitute and the best portrait
painter in England.
Baldrick: I'll get them right away, My Lord! (rushes out)
[later, enter Baldrick and painter]
Baldrick: My Lord, the most famous painter in England: Mr. Leonardo Acropolis.
Edmund: Right, are you any good?
Leonardo: (turns away, speaks in silly Italian accent) No! I am ... a genius!
Edmund: Well, you'd better be, or you're dead!
[Leonardo sticks out his tongue; there's pounding on the front door]
Edmund: Right, in the bedroom, Beardface. Baldrick, get the door.
Baldrick: My Lord.
[Baldrick and Leonardo leave; Edmund shuts the door behind them and then
sits down, puts his feet up, and begins reading a book. Baldrick flies
through the door, again quite literally, and lies on the floor with the
shrapnel.]
Baldrick: My Lord, the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Bishop: (enters) The time has come, Blackadder!
Edmund: Oh, hello, Bish.
Bishop: The Black Monks will have their money, or I will have my fun.
Edmund: You enjoy your work, don't you?
Bishop: Bits of it, yeah.
Edmund: The violent bits.
Bishop: Yes. (begins massaging Edmund's shoulders) You see, I am a colossal
pervert. No form of sexual depravity is too low for me. Animal,
vegetable or mineral -- I'll do anything to anything.
Edmund: Fine words for a Bishop. It's nice to hear the Church speaking out
for a change on social issues.
Bishop: Have you got the money?
Edmund: Nope.
Bishop: Good. I hate it when people pay up. Say your prayers, Blackadder.
(holds out the hot poker) IT'S POKER TIME!!!
Edmund: Fine. (closes the book and sets it down, then stands) Are you ever
concerned that people might find you out?
Bishop: No. No, no, I kill, I maim, I fornicate, but as far as my flock is
concerned my only vice is a little tibble before Evensong. (Baldrick
hands him a drink) Oh, thank you. (drinks) BEND OVER, BLACKADDER!
[Edmund complies]
Bishop: THIS IS WHERE YOU GET-- (staggers backward, choking) DRUGGED BY GOD!
Edmund: No, by Baldrick, actually, but the effect is much the same.
[in bedroom; Edmund pulls open a curtain, behind which Bishop
lies in bed]
Edmund: Wakey, wakey, Bish. Dear me, you clerics really are sluggerbeds.
Bishop: (groggy) Where am I? I remember...drugged...
Edmund: That's right.
Bishop: You should have killed me while you had the chance. (sits up)
You have looked in wonder at your last dawn, Blackadder!
Edmund: Well, I'm not sure about that. I did wonder, though, what people who
saw this might think.
[Baldrick stands nearby, holding a portrait]
Bishop: Heavens above, what creatures from Hell are those?
Edmund: They make an interesting couple, don't they? I think you probably
recognise this huge, sweating mound of blubber here, eh, Fatso?
[Bishop charges toward the portrait, but Edmund pushes him back to the bed]
Edmund: There's no point, anyway; we have the peliminary sketches. We'll
soon bang off a couple of copies. Let's see, one for the Queen, one
for the Archbishop, a couple kept aside, perhaps, to form the basis
of an exciting exhibition of a challenging young artist's work.
Bishop: By the horns of Beelzebub, how did you get me into that position?
Edmund: It's beautifully framed, don't you think? which is ironic, really,
because that's exactly what's happened to you.
Bishop: You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded
perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church?
Edmund: No, I could never get used to the underwear.
[Bishop nods in apprehension]
Edmund: What I could use, though, is, let's say eleven hundred pounds to buy
back my house, four thousand pounds to cover some sundry expenses,
ten shillings for the two doors, and let's say throppence for a
celebratory slapper binge at Mrs. Miggins' pie shop... (last bit
said to Baldrick)
[Baldrick smiles and nods]
Bishop: Yes, yes, but first, one question: Who is this second figure? Who
could you have got to have performed such deeds, to have gone lower
than man has ever gone, to have plunged the depths of degradation
just in order to save your filthy life?!!!
[From beneath the covers, Percy wakes and sits up. He is dressed in red
leather with chains and assorted items.]
Edmund: Ah, Percy, may I introduce His Grace, the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Your Grace, Lord Percy Percy, Heir to the Duchy of Northumberland.
Percy: (speaks weakly) Hello. (shakes Bishop's hand) It was lovely working
with you.
[As the theme music plays, the bard dances down the path. Edmund
walks a short distance behind, and puts his hands on his hips as
he looks back at the camera. Edmund then walks again toward the
bard, who then continues moving down the path. Edmund motions for
him to stop, but he doesn't. Edmund begins to trot as the bard
dances around to behind the fountain. Edmund begins to jog as
the bard dances down the path further. Edmund runs, but the bard
still eludes him as he half dances, half runs down the path, into
the distance.]
Edmund Blackadder Take heed the moral of this tale
ROWAN ATKINSON Be not a borrower or lender
Lord Percy And if your finances do fail
TIM McINNERNY Make sure your banker's not a bender
Baldrick Blackadder, Blackadder
TONY ROBINSON He trusted in the Church
Queen Elizabeth I Blackadder, Blackadder
MIRANDA RICHARDSON It left him in the lurch
Lord Melchett Blackadder, Blackadder
STEPHEN FRY His life was almost done
Nursie Blackadder, Blackadder
PATSY BYRNE Who gives a toss? No-one.
Bishop of Bath & Wells
RONALD LACEY
Mollie
CASSIE STUART
Mrs. Pants
LESLEY NICOL
Arthur the Sailor
JOHN PIERCE JONES
Mad Beggar
TONY AITKEN
Leonardo Acropolis
PHILIP POPE
Messenger
PIERS IBBOTSON
Mr. Pants
BARRY CRAINE
Music by
HOWARD GOODALL
Graphic Designer
GRAHAM KERN
Properties Buyer
MONICA BOGGUST
Costume Designer
ANNIE HARDINGE
Make-Up Designer
VICKY POCOCK
Production Assistant
AMITA LOCHAB
Assistant Floor Manager
SARAH GOWERS
Vision Mixer
HEATHER GILDER
Senior Camerman
JOHN DAILLEY
Videotape Editor
CHRIS WADSWORTH
Studio Lighting
DON BABBAGE
Studio Sound
NEIL SADWICK
Technical Co-Ordinator
RAY HIDER
Production Manager
PRUE SAENGER
Designer
ANTONY THORPE
Director
MANDIE FLETCHER
Producer
JOHN LLOYD
(C) BBC MCMLXXXV A.D.
T h e E n d
Back to top of Part 2
[Edmund's house. Lords Percy Percy and Edmund Blackadder are
eating breakfast.]
Percy: I must say, Edmund, it was jolly nice of you to ask me to share your
breakfast before the rigours of the day begin.
Edmund: Well, it is said, Percy, that civilised man seeks out good and
intelligent company, so that, through learned discourse, he may
rise above the savage and closer to God.
Percy: Yes, I've heard that.
Edmund: Personally, however, I like to start the day with a total dickhead
to remind me I'm best.
Percy: Beshrew me, Edmund! You're in good fooling this morning.
Edmund: Don't say `beshrew me', Percy -- only stupid actors say `beshrew me'.
Percy: Oh, how I would love to be an actor! I had a great talent for it in
my youth -- I was the man of a thousand faces.
Edmund: How'd you come to choose the ugly mug you've got now, then?
[He begins reading a note.]
Percy: Hah hah! Tush, My Lord.
Edmund: ...and don't say `tush', either! It's only a short step from `tush'
to `hey nonny nonny'; and then, I'm afraid, I'll shall have to call
the police.
[Looks at the note once more.]
Well! God pats me on the head and says, "Good boy, Edmund!"
Percy: My Lord...?
Edmund: My aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Whiteadder, the two most fanatical
puritans in England, have invited themselves to dinner here tonight.
Percy: But aren't they the most frightful bores?
Edmund: Yep, but they have one great redeeming feature -- their wallets.
More capacious than an elephant's scrotum, and just as difficult
to get your hands on...at least until now, for, tonight, they wish
to discuss my inheritance. [runs his fingers through his hair]
Percy: [stands quickly] Hey nonny nonny, My Lord! Good news!
[he holds out a hand as though expecting Edmund to shake it]
Edmund: [calls] Baldrick!
[Baldrick enters, wearing an apparatus on his head which is dangling
a piece of cheese from the end of his nose. Edmund begins to speak
about something, then notices.]
Edmund: [calmly] Why have you got a piece of cheese tied to the end
of your nose?
Baldrick: To catch mice, My Lord. I lie on the floor with my mouth open
and hope they scurry in.
Edmund: ...and do they?
Baldrick: Not yet, My Lord.
Edmund: Well, I'm not surprised -- your breath comes straight from Satan's
bottom, Baldrick. The only sort of mouse you're going to catch is
one without a nose.
Baldrick: That's a pity, because the nose is the best bit on a mouse.
Edmund: Any bit of a mouse would seem like luxury compared to what Percy
and I must eat tonight. We are entertaining puritan vegetable folk,
Balders; and that means no meat.
Baldrick: In that case, I shall prepare my Turnip Surprise.
Edmund: and the surprise is...?
Baldrick: ...there's nothing else in it except the turnip.
Edmund: So, in other words, the Turnip Surprise would be...a turnip.
Baldrick: [realisation] Oh yeah...
[There is a knock at the door.]
Edmund: Get the door, Baldrick, get the door...
[Baldrick leaves.]
Percy: Well, now, if things go as planned tonight, it seems congratulations
are in order...
[he holds out a hand as though expecting Edmund to shake it]
Edmund: Nice try, Percy, but forget it -- you're not getting a penny.
[he goes to sit in the chair at the doorway to the room]
[A tremendous noise of wood being bent and broken fills the room.
Baldrick enters, carrying a door.]
Edmund: [looks at what Baldrick is carrying; is not surprised; speaks calmly]
Baldrick, I would advise you to make the explanation you are about
to give phenomenally good.
Baldrick: You said, "Get the door."
Edmund: Not good enough. You're fired.
Baldrick: But, My Lord, I've been in your family since 1532!
Edmund: So has syphilis. Now get out.
Baldrick: [obscured by laughter], My Lord. [starts to leave but returns]
Oh, by the way: there was a messenger outside when I got the door.
He says the Queen wants to see you; Lord Melchett is very sick.
Edmund: [stands up excited] Really...!
Baldrick: Yeah -- he's at Death's door.
Edmund: Well, my faithful old reinstated family retainer, let's go and
open it for him, then!
[Scene changes to a large room. Melchett is lying on a bed with
a hand on his head. Queen Elizabeth is fanning his face with her
hand. Nursie pushes on Melchett's stomach. Edmund enters.]
Queen: Edmund! Quick! Quick! Melchett's dying! We must do something!
Edmund: Well, yes, of course... er, some sort of celebration...
But let's wait until he's actually snuffed it, shall we?
Queen: Nursie's old methods don't seem to be working...
Nursie: Come on, little tummy...
Queen: [goes across the room, to speak privately with Edmund]
It all started last night at about two o'clock. I was tucked
into bed having this absolutely scrummy dream about ponies when
I was wakened by a terrific banging from Lord Melchett.
Edmund: [grins at the double entendre] Well! I never knew he had it in him.
Queen: It's true, I promise! He was banging on the castle gate, falling
over, and singing a strange song about a girl who possessed something
called a...dicky-di-do?
Edmund: Oh, yes, it's a lovely old hymn, isn't it... [returns to the bed]
Well, Ma'am, I think I know what's wrong with Lord Melchett,
and, unfortunately, it isn't fatal.
Queen: Well, hurry up and cure the horrible man -- I'm fed up with him lying
there moaning and groaning...
Nursie: ...and letting off such great and fruitsome flappy woof-woofs!
One can scarcely...one can't believe one's tiny nosy!
Edmund: The truth is: Lord Melchett just can't take his ale.
Melchett: [sitting up] Madam, I protest! I may be a little delicate this
morning, but what I drank last night would have floored a
rhinocerous!
Edmund: ...if it was allergic to lemonade...
Melchett: It's Blackadder here who can't take his ale -- he's famous for it!
Edmund: Oh yeah?
Melchett: Yeah!
Edmund: Yeah?
Melchett: Yeah!
Queen: Oh, [???] this is so exciting -- the boys are getting tough!
Melchett: Well, I'm sure we all remember the shame and embarrassment of the
visit of the King of Austria when Blackadder was found wandering
naked among the corridors of Hampton Court singing, "I'm Merlin,
The Happy Pig!"
Edmund: So, what did you have last night, then? a whole half-pint of
potato juice?
Melchett: On the contrary! I had two flagons of claret and a double helping
of curried turtle! I can assure you: it's no holds barred with
us at the annual communion-wine tasting.
Edmund: Annual! Hah! For me and the wild boys, every night is drinking
night!
Melchett: Says who?
Edmund: Says me!
Melchett: Says you?
Edmund: Yeah!
Melchett: [expecting that Edmund is bragging] eeaaaahh...
Edmund: You ought to come around sometime and have a look at the
underside of >my< table!
Melchett: Bah...
Queen: ...tonight!!!
Melchett: [suddenly in his senses, speaks feebly] Er, tonight?
Edmund: [not in his senses] Yeah! Come on, Melchy -- what are you
scared of?
Queen: Perhaps you're right. [in a child's taunt] Perhaps he's a [????].
Melchett: Oh, all right then -- tonight. I'll be there.
Queen: Hurray. and last one under the table gets...ten thousand florins
from the loser.
Edmund: [shocked] Ma'am...? Er... right... Well, I'll get the beer in,
then. [bows, puts a thumb to his nose and wiggles his fingers at
Melchett. Leaves]
Queen: [Stands at the door] Nursie...
Nursie: Hmm? [goes to speak privately with Queen]
Queen: [whispering] Do you know what I'm going to do?
Nursie: What?
Queen: I'm going to go along and find out exactly what happens at these
boys' nights.
Nursie: Good idea, poppet.
Queen: ...and I'll wear a cloak with a cowl, so no-one will recognise me.
Nursie: Oh, that's another good idea. You're so clever today, you better
be careful your foot doesn't fall off.
Queen: Does that happen when you have lots of brilliant ideas?
Your foot falls off?
Nursie: It certainly does. My brother, he had this brilliant idea of
cutting his toenails with a scythe, and >his< foot fell off...
[Scene changes to Edmund's house. Percy has quill in hand, taking
notes for Edmund, who paces the room.]
Edmund: Right, now; the sort of person we're looking for is an aggressive
drunken lout with the intelligence of a four year old and the
sexual sophistication of a donkey.
Percy: [thinks] Cardinal Woolsey... [writes]
Edmund: [calls] Baldrick!
[Baldrick enters, but his apparatus is dangling a mouse this time.]
Baldrick: My Lord...?
Edmund: Why?
Baldrick: I got fed up with the all-mouse diet, My Lord. I thought I'd try
cat for variety.
Edmund: Good. Well done. and now, returning to the real world: Do you have
a knife?
Baldrick: Yeah.
Edmund: Good, because I wish to quickly send off some party invitations,
and, to make them look particularly tough, I wish to write them
in blood -- your blood, to be precise.
Baldrick: So, how much blood will you actually be requiring, My Lord?
Edmund: Oh, nothing much -- just a small puddle.
Baldrick: Will you want me to cut anything off? an arm or a leg, for
instance?
Edmund: Oh, good lord, no -- a little prick should do.
Baldrick: Very well, My Lord; I am your bondsman and must obey. [sticks his
knife down his trousers and begins sawing]
Edmund: For God's sake, Baldrick! I meant a little prick on your finger!
Baldrick: [nearly crying] I haven't got one there!
Edmund: Forget it, forget it... [motions for Baldrick to leave]
Baldrick: Thank you, My Lord. [leaves]
Edmund: Right, now; Perce... How's this list going?
Percy: Oh, very well indeed. I thought we could invite my girlfriend,
Gwendoline...
Edmund: Sorry -- no chicks. Who else?
Percy: Well, that's about as far as I'd got, actually.
Edmund: Right. I'll dictate. First: Simon Partridge.
Percy: Oh, not Farter's Parters, also known as Mr Ostrich...!
Edmund: Even he...
Percy: But he's a fearful oik!
Edmund: Takes one to know one, Perce. Secondly: Sir Geoffrey Piddle.
Percy: Here's-To-The-Health-Of-Cardinal-Chunder Piddle?
Edmund: The very same... and, thirdly: Freddie Frobisher, the Flatulent
Hermit of Lindisfarne.
Percy: [holds his nose] Oh, paugh paugh!
Edmund: Right. That should do the trick.
Percy: Oh! and, of course, Lord and Lady Whiteadder, who'll be coming
anyway...
Edmund: Oh y-- ...oh, no...
[Scene changes to the throne room. Queen is on the throne, Nursie
is in her normal chair to the left (she is knitting), and Edmund
is kneeled on one knee before Queen.]
Queen: I must say, Edmund, it does look a teeny bit like trying to get
out of it.
Edmund: [frantic] Quite the wrong impression, Ma'am. I just want to
make it another night, that's all.
Nursie: Certainly not!
Queen: I beg your pardon...?
Nursie: Well, it's just one excuse after another, isn't it? Next thing,
he'll be trying to get out of having his bath altogether.
[Edmund is quite confused.]
Queen: He isn't talking about baths, Nursie.
Nursie: Well, he should be! How else is he going to keep clean?
Soon he'll be saying he doesn't want his nappy changed!
Queen: Lord Blackadder doesn't wear a nappy.
Nursie: Well, in that case, it's even more important that he has a bath!
Queen: [tired of the interruptions] Oh, shut up, Nursie.
[to Edmund] I know why you want to get out of it, because I
remember the last time you had a party -- I found you face-down
in a puddle, wearing a pointy hat and singing a song about goblins.
Edmund: [stands] Yes, all right! All right! Tonight it is.
Queen: [smiles, a bit turned on] Oh, Edmund... I do love it when you get
cross. Sometimes I think about having you executed just to see the
expression on your face.
[Edmund grins uneasily.]
[Scene changes to the room in Edmund's house to the right after
entering through the main door. Edmund, Baldrick and Percy enter.
Baldrick no longer wears his apparatus.]
Edmund: Right, now; let's make sure you've got this. We are having two
parties here tonight...
Baldrick: Right.
Percy: Right.
Edmund: ...and they must be kept completely separate.
Baldrick & Percy: Right.
Edmund: Firstly, a total piss-up -- involving beer throwing, broken furniture
and wall-to-wall vomiting -- to be held here in Baldrick's bedroom.
Baldrick: Oh, thank you very much, My Lord! [Percy pats him on the shoulder
in congratulations]
[Edmund goes to the main living room of the house (where the previous
house scenes have taken place).]
Edmund: Secondly, Percy will join me in here for the gourmet turnip eating.
Is the Turnip Surprise ready?
[Baldrick and Percy begin giggling.]
Baldrick: Yes, it is, My Lord.
Edmund: Then what is so funny?
Percy: Well, My Lord, while Baldrick and I were preparing the Turnip
Surprise, >we< had a surprise -- we came across a turnip that was
exactly the same shape...as a thingy!
[Percy and Baldrick laugh.]
Edmund: [not amused] ...a thingy...
Baldrick: ...a great big thingy! It was terrific.
Edmund: Size is no guarantee of quality, Baldrick. Most horses are very
well endowed, but that does not necessarily make them sensitive
lovers. I trust you have removed this hilarious item...?
Baldrick: Oh, yes, yes, My Lord.
Edmund: Good, because there's nothing more likely to stop an inheritance
than a thingy-shaped turnip.
Percy: Absolutely, Edmund. ...but it was jolly funny! [laughs more]
Edmund: Yes, yes, yes...
Baldrick: I found it particularly ironic, My Lord, because I've got
a thingy that's shaped like a turnip!
Edmund: Yes, all right...
Baldrick: I'm quite [?] at parties...
Edmund: [not interested] are you...
Baldrick: Yeah -- I hide in the vegetable rack and frighten the children.
Edmund: What fun... Perhaps you've forgotten that I'm meant to be having
a drinking competition here tonight with Lord Melchett, and ten
thousand florins are at stake!
Baldrick: Oh dear...
Edmund: What do you mean?
Baldrick: Well, firstly: you haven't got ten thousand florins; and,
thirdly: one drop of the ale and you fall flat on your face
and start singing that song about the goblin.
Edmund: That's nonsense. ... ... ... but just in case it's true--
Baldrick: [to Percy] It is true -- I saw it!
Edmund: Yes, all right, all right, it's true, it's true...
So, the plan is: When I call for my Incredibly Strong Ale,
you must pass me water in an ale bottle. Have you got that?
Baldrick: Yeah -- when you call for ale, I pass water.
Edmund: Percy, your job is to stay here and suck up to my aunt.
Percy: [tries to act suave] Ah, I think you can trust me to know how to
handle a woman.
Edmund: Oh god...
[There is a knock at the door.]
Edmund: Right, here goes...
[Edmund goes to the front door. Baldrick brushes Edmund's clothing
for a moment.]
Edmund: [motioning for Baldrick to stop] It's all right...
[Baldrick opens the closet door and tosses the brush in.
Edmund opens the front door. Aunt and Uncle's clothing is
all white, with a large cross around the neck, a cross sticking
out of each shoulder, and a white helmet with a cross sticking
out the top.]
Edmund: Uncle! Aunt! Greetings! How nice it is to see you.
[He leans over and kisses Aunt on each cheek.]
Aunt: [slaps Edmund twice] Wicked child!!! Don't lie! Everyone hates us,
and you know it!
Edmund: Oh yes. Er, may I introduce my friend Lord Percy...?
Percy: [suave] Well well well, Eddy! You didn't tell me you had
such a good-looking aunt!
[Edmund waves at him to shut up. Aunt is shocked.]
Percy: Good morrow to thee, gorgeousness! I know what I like,
and I like what I see!
Aunt: [slaps Percy] Be gone, Satan! [heads to the main room]
Edmund: Er, yes, well, well, I hope you had a pleasant inheritance...
Did I say `inheritance'? I meant `journey'.
[motions around the table] If you'd just like to help yourself
to a legacy -- er, a chair...
Aunt: `Chair'? You have chairs in your house?
Edmund: Oh, yes.
Aunt: [slaps him twice] Wicked child!!! Chairs are an invention of Satan!
In our house, Nathaniel sits on a spike!
Edmund: ...and yourself...?
Aunt: I sit on Nathaniel -- two spikes would be an extravagance.
Edmund: Well, quite.
Aunt: I will suffer comfort this once -- we shall just have to stick
forks in our legs between courses. [sits] I trust you remember
we eat no meat...? [Uncle, off-camera, has sat too.]
Edmund: Heaven forbid, no! [Goes to sit at the end of the table;
Percy sits at the other end] Here, we feast only on God's
lovely turnip -- mashed.
Aunt: [stands suddenly] Mashed?!
Edmund: Yes...
Aunt: [slaps him twice] Wicked child!!! Mashing is also the work of
Beelzebub -- for Satan saw God's blessed turnip, and he envied it
and mashed it to spoil its sacred shape.
Edmund: Ah.
Aunt: I shall have my turnip as God intended. [sits]
Edmund: Fine. [calls] Baldrick!
[Baldrick enters.]
Baldrick: My Lord...?
Edmund: Will you fetch my dear aunt a raw turnip, please?
Baldrick: Well, we've only got the one that--
Edmund: [Interrupts, wanting to show authority in front of his servant
to Aunt and Uncle] Just do it, thank you.
[Baldrick leaves.]
Edmund: [to Uncle] So, Uncle, will you have your turnip mashed, or as
God intended?
Aunt: He will not answer you; he has taken a vow of silence.
[Uncle looks quite unhappy] I believe that silence is golden.
[Edmund begins to say something like "Oh, I see" but decides it's
better to be golden. Aunt gives him an approving look.]
[Pause]
[Edmund, still not wanting to speak, but also wanting to get to the
topic he wants to talk about, clears his thoat, making the word
`inheritance' as he does so.]
[There is a noisy knock on the front door.]
Aunt: Edmund! I trust you have invited no other guests...?
Edmund: Oh, certainly not!
Aunt: Good -- for where there are other guests there are people to
fornicate with!
Edmund: Well, quite.
[More knocking on the front door.]
Edmund: I'll just go and tell them to fornicate off. [motions over to
Percy] Lord Percy... [leaves]
Percy: Erm, er, yes, er, well, Lord Whiteadder, er, a vow of silence...
Now, that's quite an interesting thing... Tell me about it.
[In the hall, Edmund leaves his bedroom wearing a pair of false
breasts over his clothing, then goes to the front door and opens
it. Monk, Partridge (holding an ostrich feather) and Piddle enter,
also wearing false breasts over their clothing. Monk wears a hat
with a chicken on it; Partridge wears a hat with a model of a ship
on it, and Piddle wears a hat with bells and something I can't
describe -- like a May pole. They sing.]
"Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Eddy-baby!
Happy Birthday to you!"
[In the main room, Aunt can hear, and doesn't know what to make of it;
Percy is unable to think of an explanation.]
Edmund: [loudly so Aunt can hear] But it's not my birthday, Arch Deacon!
[In the main room, Aunt nods and smiles. Percy is relieved.]
[Edmund leads the group into Baldrick's bedroom.]
Edmund: Well, well, get stuck in, boys.
Partridge: `Stuck in'! Way-hey! Get it?
Monk: No... [Piddle doesn't, either]
Partridge: Well, it sounds a bit rude, doesn't it! `Stuck >in<'!
[The boozers laugh, as there's a knock at the front door.]
Edmund: Er, sorry -- back in a tick. [leaves]
Partridge: Way-hey! `Tick', eh, lads? Now; that sounds a bit rude,
doesn't it... That sounds a bit like `bum'.
[They laugh.]
[Edmund, in the hallway, opens the front door. Melchett enters.]
Edmund: Ah, Melchett -- late, I see, to avoid the early drinking.
Oh, Melchy, you really are a beginner -- you're not even
wearing a pair of comedy breasts!
Melchett: [opens his coat to reveal gold false breasts]
Au contraire, Blackadder...
Edmund: Yes, well, well, let's wait until we get down to the really serious
drinking, shall we?
Melchett: [has moved to the door of the main room] In here?
Edmund: Er, no, no, it's this way. [shows Melchett to Baldrick's bedroom]
Here we are.
[As they enter, the three boozers are bent over, shaking their
backsides and saying "Whoa!" rising in pitch.]
Melchett: Good evening, er...
Edmund: Lads, this is Lord Melchett.
[They cheer.]
Edmund: Er, give him a large one, will you?
Partridge: `Large one'! Way-hey! Get it?
Piddle: No...
Partridge: Yes you do! `Large one'! Sounds a bit rude!
Piddle: Oh yes! `Large one'!
[The boozers laugh.]
Edmund: You may find the conversation a bit above your head at first,
Melchy, but you'll soon get used to it. Well, er, [taking a mug
and raising it] down the hatch!
[The boozers cheer, as Edmund leaves and tosses the drink in the
closet. He goes to the door of the main room, about to remove
the breasts, when there is a rhythmic knock on the door. In the
main room, Percy knocks an answering rhythm on the table. Edmund
opens the front door. Queen is wrapped in a cowled cloak, and
tries to disguise her voice.]
Queen: I heard there was a party on.
Edmund: [not knowing who it is] No. Yes, there are two, and you are
invited to neither. [begins to close the door, but Queen speaks]
Queen: I'm a friend of Lord Percy.
Edmund: Oh, you must be Gwendoline! You were invited anyway. Come in, do.
Queen: Thank you very much. [enters]
Edmund: It's in here... [opens the closet door, pushes Queen in, closes the
closet door and locks it]
[Edmund enters the main room again at last, but has forgotten about
his false breasts.]
Edmund: I'm sorry about that. [obscured by laughter] [sits]
Percy: [with his hand over his mouth, tries to warn Edmund]
agh... agh...aaagh!
Edmund: [to Uncle] Sorry, he's sick -- leprosy...of the brain.
Aunt: That, or what he is trying to tell you is that you appear to be
wearing a pair of devil's dumplings!
Edmund: [looks down at the breasts, double-takes] Oh my god -- my earmuffs
have fallen down! [puts the breasts over his head so they cover
his ears] It's getting, er, would you like a pair? It is getting
rather cold... [??]
Aunt: No thank you! Cold is God's way of telling us to burn more catholics!
Edmund: Well, quite -- which reminds me, Aunty--
Aunt: [stands up] Don't call me `Aunty'!!! [slaps him twice]
`Aunt' is a relative, and relatives are evidence of sex,
and sex is hardly a fitting subject for the dinner table. [sits]
Edmund: ...or, indeed, any table.
Percy: ...except, perhaps, a table in a brothel.
Edmund: [kicks Percy off his chair] Oh dear, Percy, it seems you have
fallen off your chair.
[Baldrick enters, carrying a plate on which sits the thingy-shaped
turnip]
Edmund: Now then, what was I saying? [sees the turnip and speaks without
a pause] Oh my god...
Baldrick: [to Aunt] Your turnip, My Lady...
Aunt: [picks up the turnip, holds it in front of her, her eyes wide]
Very good! Very good! [bites into it, then points it at Uncle,
and speaks to him] You know, Nathaniel, it takes me right back
to our wedding night.
[Uncle's eyes open wide, in surprise. Baldrick has left.]
Aunt: [to Edmund] We had raw turnips that night.
[Drunken cheering is heard.]
Aunt: What was that?
Edmund: What was what?
Aunt: That noise.
Edmund: Noise? [turns his head and lifts a breast off an ear]
Did you hear a noise, Percy?
Percy: No...
Edmund: Good.
Percy: ...apart from that colossal drunken roar.
Edmund: [kicks Percy off his chair] Oh, >that< noise -- it's the
catholics next door, I'm afraid.
Aunt: [stands angrily, makes a very disapproving noise]
Edmund: Er, but, I'll, I'll just go and burn them. Back in a minute.
[stands] Percy... [leaves]
[In the hall, Baldrick replaces Edmund's false breasts, and fits a
false nose to Edmund's forehead, then dusts him off a bit. As
Edmund goes down the hall, he hears pounding from inside the closet.
He opens the closet door.]
Edmund: Yes?
Queen: I'm suffocating!
Edmund: [still not knowing who it is] Well, thank God you knocked. [takes
her out of the closet] Come on, now, now, take a deep breath.
[she does] ...and another... [she does] Better?
Queen: Yes.
Edmund: Good. [pushes her back into the closet, and closes the door again]
[Back in the main room, Percy still tries to be good company.]
Percy: Mind you, I'll say one thing for catholics: they do have
natural rhythm! [Aunt leans toward him menacingly; he leans away]
[In Baldrick's bedroom, Edmund has returned; they're all wearing
false noses on their foreheads now, although Partridge's is coming
out the side of his head.]
Melchett: I notice you're not drinking, Blackadder...
Edmund: Oh, don't you worry about me, Melchers -- I'm holding my own here.
Partridge: Way-hey! `Holding my own'! Now, that sounds >incredibly< rude!
[The boozers laugh.]
Edmund: Yes, well, I never went to university, of course.
Melchett: [standing] Er, Blackadder, it doesn't explain why you're not
drinking with us.
Edmund: Ah yes, no, that's what I actually came to talk to you about,
you see. What do you say about the idea of ten minutes absolute
silence to get some really serious drinking in?
[The boozers cheer, then realise that that's noisy, so they all go
`shh!' rather messily.]
Edmund: Yes... I said, "Please give me silence" -- not "drench me with
dribble."
Melchett: [hands Edmund a silver goblet] Well, now, here's a nice glass
of cider.
Edmund: Oh, only cider? I'm going to go and put some brandy in it!
[The boozers cheer and go `shh!' again, as Edmund leaves.]
[Edmund enters the hallway, briefly opens the closet door and tosses
the cider in. Queen shrieks upon getting wet. Edmund removes his
false nose and breasts, heading for the main room. In Baldrick's
bedroom, meanwhile, the boozers and Melchett are sitting down
like in a rowboat. A barrel of something bursts open. Edmund
enters the main room once again.]
Edmund: So, how are we all going, then?
Aunt: Not well. Let us discuss your inheritance.
Edmund: [has sat] Ah, yes, good. Erm, a little drink, first?
Aunt: [stands] Drink?! [slaps him twice] Wicked child!!! Drink is
urine for the last leper in Hell!
Edmund: Oh, no, no -- this is only water. This is a house of simple purity.
[Monk enters, breasts and all, in convulsions. He rushes to the
fireplace and vomits, then turns and begins to leave.]
Monk: Great booze-up, Edmund! [farts, leaves]
[pause]
Aunt: Do you know that man?
Edmund: [looks behind himself as though he didn't really see] No...
Aunt: He called you `Edmund'...
Edmund: Oh, >know< >him<...oh, yes, I do.
Aunt: Then can you explain what he meant by `great booze-up'?
Edmund: [thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks
... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ...
... thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks ... ... ... thinks]
Yes, I can... My friend...is...a missionary...and...on his last
visit abroad...brought back with him...the chief of a famous
tribe... >His< name is Great Bu... He's been suffering from
sleeping sickness...and he has obviously just woken...because, as
you heard, "Great Bu's up"...
Percy: [almost passing out from holding his breath] Well done, Edmund...
Edmund: ...and I think I'd better just go and visit him... [stands]
Perce, over to you... [leaves]
Percy: Yes... How about some sort of game? Er, how about a couple of
frames of Shove-Piggy-Shove? [he gets frightened at Aunt's reaction,
which is not seen on camera]
[Edmund re-enters Baldrick's bedroom. Piddle has a cardinal's
hat in his hand (for the aformentioned Cardinal Chunder routine).]
Melchett: [climbing off the floor] Blackadder! You challenged me to a
drinking competition earlier today, and I haven't seen you touch
a drop!
Edmund: Nonsense!
Melchett: It's true! You, you twist and turn like a...twisty turny thing.
I say you're a weedy pigeon, and you can call me `Susan' if it
isn't so.
Edmund: Fine, all right. [opens the door, calls out] Baldrick, fetch my
Incredibly Strong Ale...!
Monk: Good god! Not Dr McGloo's Amber Enema...?
Edmund: Pah! -- a drink for schoolgirls...
Partridge: Surely not Strollop's Lobster Scrumpy...?
Edmund: No -- it is Blackadder's Bowel Basher!
[Baldrick enters with a pitcher and glass.]
Edmund: ...a brew guaranteed to knock the backside off a concrete elephant!
...is it not, Baldrick?
Baldrick: Nah, it's water.
Melchett: WHAT?
[Partridge growls]
Edmund: Eh, heh heh... No, but seriously, Baldrick -- and presuming you wish
to see another dawn...
Baldrick: You did call for your Incredibly Strong Ale, My Lord...?
Edmund: [trying to show off] Yes, that's right.
Baldrick: Oh, that's a relief; I thought I'd made a mistake.
Edmund: Ah.
[Baldrick begins to pour the water in the glass. Being a glass and
not a metal mug like all the others have, everyone can see that the
liquid is water -- particularly when Baldrick spills some.]
Piddle: [standing, shouts] My god! He's right! It >is< water!
[Edmund kicks Baldrick in the shin.]
Monk: Come on, lads -- let's give him a >real< drink! [he gives a pitcher
to Edmund]
Edmund: Well, fine...
Monk: Bums up!
Partridge: Way-hey! `Bums'! Sounds a bit like `bum', doesn't it?
Melchett: Drink, Blackadder! Drink!
[Edmund begins to drink...]
[42 Seconds Later]
[In the main room, Percy is hit by Aunt. Edmund enters, with the
cardinal hat on his head and the ostrich feather sticking out of
the back of his tights. His speech is slurred.]
Edmund: Percy, I've lost the bet.
Aunt: Edmund! Explain yourself!
Edmund: I can't -- not just like that. I'm a complicated person, you see,
Aunty... Sometimes I'm nice, and sometimes I'm nasty -- hee hee!
...and sometimes I just like to sing little songs, like:
"See the little goblin, see his little--
Aunt: I mean explain why you are wearing a cardinal's hat, why you are
grinning inanely, and [sees the feather as Edmund turns around and
falls to his knees, leaning against the chair to the side of the
door] ...why you have an ostrich feather sticking out of your
britches!
Edmund: I'm wearing a cardinal's hat because I'm Cardinal Chunder;
I have an ostrich feather up my bottom [Percy nods and mouths
Edmund's words, having heard this before] because Mr Ostrich put it
there to keep in the little pixies -- hah hah! -- and I'm grinning
inanely because I think I've just about succeeded in conning you
and your daft husband out of a whopping great inheritance -- hee hee
hee hee hee!
Aunt: [shouting] Is that right? May I remind you, cursed creature [raises
her hand to slap him, but he's too far away, so slaps Percy instead],
that your inheritance depends upon your not drinking and not gambling.
Edmund: Oh, yes -- damn. Percy, the devil farts in my face once more.
Aunt: Not mentioning farts was also a condition.
Edmund: Shove off, you old trout!
Aunt: How dare you speak to my husband like that! [Uncle is surprised at
this remark] Nathaniel, we're leaving!
[Uncle stands and walks out.]
Aunt: [turns to Percy] and you...
Percy: [frightened] Yes?
Aunt: Has anyone ever told you you're a giggling imbecile?
Percy: [as though it goes without saying] Oh, yes...
Aunt: Good. [stands, leaves, slamming the door]
Edmund: Good riddance, you old witch!
[There's a knock on the room door.]
Edmund: Whoops -- she's forgotten her broomstick.
[The door opens, and Uncle leans in.]
Uncle: Look, er... [checks to see that Aunt doesn't hear him]
I just wanted to say thanks for a splendid evening. Yes, first rate,
all round... [looks toward Percy] ...particularly your jester.
[Percy looks behind himself, confused, trying to find this jester.]
Uncle: Oh, and, by the way, I loved the turnip -- very funny!
>Exactly< the same shape...as a thingy! [leaves]
[Aunt enters Baldrick's bedroom by accident.]
Aunt: Good god!!! [raises the large cross that she wears around her neck]
Partridge: Well, look who it is!!!
Piddle: Who is it?
Partridge: Well, it's a boys' party; she's a girl, so she must be
the stripper!
[The boozers and Melchett cheer. Aunt raises the cross even higher.]
[Meanwhile, back in the main room...]
Percy: Oh, no... Don't get too depressed, Edmund... I mean, money
isn't everything... Think of clouds and daisies and the lovely
smiles on little babies' faces... [he tries to make such a smile]
Edmund: Be quiet, Percy...
[In the hallway, Uncle opens the closet door, and motions to Aunt.]
Uncle: This way!
[Aunt and Uncle enter the closet; Queen comes out. The boozers
enter the hallway from Baldrick's bedroom.]
Partridge: Whoa! Another stripper!
[Uncle comes out.]
Piddle: ...and a male stripper!
[The boozers cheer. Uncle goes back into the closet.]
Monk: [removing Queen's cloak] Oh, yes, this is much more like it!
[There's a pause while they see Queen in her royal dress]
Partridge: ...and she's come dressed as the Queen!
Piddle: Oh!! Sex-y!!! [does a little pelvic dance in front on Queen]
Queen: Do you know who I am!
[Edmund comes out from the main room. Percy is behind him.]
Edmund: Yes! >I< know who you are!
[Piddle?]: Who?
Edmund: You're Merlin, The Happy Pig!!!
[The boozers cheer.]
Queen: Wrong, I'm afraid. I >am< the Queen of England.
[Everyone slowly and clumsily (save Percy) falls to their knees.]
Queen: I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the
heart and stomach of a concrete elephant!
Partridge: Prove it!
Queen: I certainly will...! [she grabs a mug] First I'm going to have
a little drinky, and then I'm going to execute the whole bally
lot of you. [drinks]
[Dawn The Next Day]
Edmund: [singing] "See the little goblin, see his little feet /
And his little nosy-wose -- isn't the goblin sweet?"
[Everyone -- even Uncle, Percy and Baldrick are here -- shouts "Yes!"
Some of them aren't wearing their own hats any more. Percy has
Uncle's helmet on, for instance. Others have hats previously
unseen.]
Edmund: "See the little goblin--
Queen: Er, wait a minute... I'm sure there was something very important
I had to do to all of you this morning.
[Everyone -- including Queen -- giggles at the possibilities.]
Melchett: I remember something about ten thousand florins...? was it...?
or...?
Uncle: I think it was something about an inheritance.
Edmund: Look, do you lot want to hear about this goblin or not?
[Everyone cheers "Yes!"]
Edmund: Right! Well, perhaps this time I might be allowed to continue,
and perhaps finish, with any luck...
[Suddenly, from under Queen's dress, Aunt emerges.]
Aunt: `Luck'? Hah hah hah! Way-hey! Get it?
[Everyone says, "No..."]
Aunt: Oh, come on! `Luck'! Sounds almost exactly like `f--
[Ending music and credits. Edmund comes into view with a stick.
He stabs and slashes into the bushes as he walks down the lane,
hoping to hit the balladeer. He goes far beyond the fountain.
On the last line of the theme song, the balladeer is seen close
to the camera view, then goes off-shot again. Edmund sees him,
and runs down the lane as fast as he can, stick raised in the air...]
` ` B l a c k -
a d d e r I I ' '
Edmund Blackadder Blackadder couldn't hold his beer
ROWAN ATKINSON The art of boozing he'd not mastered
And I, your merry balladeer
Lord Percy Am also well and truly plastered
TIM McINNERNY
Blackadder! Blackadder!
Baldrick A bit like Robin Hood
TONY ROBINSON Blackadder! Blackadder!
But nothing like as good
Queen Elizabeth I
MIRANDA RICHARDSON Blackadd*hic*! Blackadd*hic*!
I thought that he had died
Lord Melchett Blackadder! Blackadder!
STEPHEN FRY Our writers must have lied
Nursie
PATSY BYRNE
Lady Whiteadder
MIRIAM MARGOLYES
Simon Partridge
HUGH LAURIE
Geoffrey Piddle
ROGER BLAKE
Monk
WILLIAM HOOTKINS
Lord Whiteadder
DANIEL THORNDIKE
Music by
HOWARD GOODALL
Graphic Designer
GRAHAM KERN
Properties Buyer
MONICA BOGGUST
Costume Designer
ANNIE HARDINGE
Make-up Designer
VICKY POCOCK
Production Assistant
AMITA LOCHAB
Assistant Floor Manager
SARAH GOWERS
Vision Mixer
HEATHER GILDER
Senior Camerman
RON GREEN
Videotape Editor
CHRIS WADSWORTH
Studio Lighting
DON BABBAGE
Studio Sound
NEIL SADWICK
Technical Co-Ordinator
RAY HIDER
Production Manager
PRUE SAENGER
Designer
ANTONY THORPE
Director
MANDIE FLETCHER
Producer
JOHN LLOYD
(C) BBC MCMLXXXV A.D.
T h e E n d
Back to top of Part 2
E: Edmund Blackadder
M: Lord Melchett
Q: Queen Elizabeth I
N: Nursie
B: Baldrick
P: Lord Percy
G(2): German guard(s)
T: Spanish Torturer
L: Prince Ludwig the Indestructible
The Queen's Chamber
E: Get out! Get out, libidinous swine! And take that horse-slut painted
strumpet with you, where you'll both rot in the filth of your own
fornication!
Q: ...and what did you say to *him*?
E: Say, Madam? I said nothing. I simply pulled up my tights and jumped out the
privy window.
Q: Oh, Edmund! You're so naughty!
E: Well, I try, Madam. And ten minutes later, when I've got my breath back,
I try again... (sticks his tongue out of his grinning mouth)
M: Perhaps now we can turn to more important matters of state.
Q: Oh, must we?
M: I fear so, Ma'am. It's a tragic case -- my old tutor, Lord Forest. His son
has been kidnapped, and he begs you to help pay the ransom.
Q: Edmund, what would you say?
E: Well, as you know, Madam, I've had experince of this dreadful situation.
Only last year my aunt came to me to beg for help in the ransom of my
Uncle Ozrick.
M: Well, then, you know something of the dreadful pain involved.
E: Indeed I do, and can suggest no better answer than the one I gave to
her.
Q: Which was?
E: `Get stuffed.'
M: Blackadder, you would jest over a young man's life?
E: For `young man' read `young idiot'. Look, anyone stupid enough to let some
mustachioed dago come up to them in a corridor, say, `Excuse me Meester,'
and hit them over the head with a big stick deserves everything they get.
(leaves)
In the Corridor
B: Oh, hallo, you're in good fooling this morning.
E: Thank you, Baldrick.
B: I heard quite an amusing story myself the other day...
E: Oh, good. (leaves)
(Edmund comes out of the next set of doors and meets a pair of German guards)
G: Excuse me, Meister...
E: Yes, what is it?
(G motions Edmund to G2. Edmund leans over to hear what G2 has to say.
G2 points to the back of Edmund's head, where G hits Edmund over the
head with a big stick)
E: I said `What is it?' -- not `Hit me hard on the head wi--' (collapses)
In the Queen's Chamber
Q: You know, Melchy, I've completely changed my mind about that Forest bloke.
I mean, he's obviously very stupid, but we can't go around punishing
people for that, can we?
M: Certainly not, Ma'am.
Q: No -- if we went around punishing people for being stupid, Nursie would
have been in prison all her life.
M: A very piquant observation, Majesty.
Q: So I *will* sign this ransom, but it must be the last. (as she writes the
order) Absolutely the last. Final. Full stop. Never again. Cross my heart
and hope to die.
M: Surely not `hope to die', Majesty.
Q: Er, oh, alright, I'll cross that out... Er, here you are. Sorry about the
smudge.
M: Thank you, Ma'am. (leaves)
In the Corridor
G: Excuse me, Meister...
M: Yes?
(G motions Melchett to G2. Melchett leans to G2. G2 points. G hits.)
In a Prison
(Edmund wakes up; Melchett is with him. They are tied back-to-back.)
E: Oh, God, God, God. What on Earth was I drinking last night? My head feels
like there's a Frenchman living in it. (looks around) Where am I?
M: (groans) Ooohhhh...
E: Who's there?
M: It is I: Melchett.
E: Melchett! You really ought to get this house of yours cleaned up, you know.
It's a real mess!
M: This is no time for jokes, Blackadder! We've been kidnapped!
E: Oh, God... How incredibly embarrassing!
M: As private parts to the gods are we! They play with us for their sport!
(insane laughter of Spanish Torturer)
E: (as though he's about to meet someone stupid) Oh, God, who's that?
T: (leans to Melchett, says something in Spanish)
E: Just wait a minute! If anyone is going to be spoken to around here, it's
going to be me, alright? Tell him, Melchy.
M: Certainly. (points behind him, to Edmund, as he and Edmund wiggle around
so Edmund faces T) Parlo con lui -- no mio (something) -- parlo con lui.
T: Ah, bueno. (looks at Edmund) El Je'fe! (Says same thing he said to
Melchett)
E: Ah, that's better. (pause) Now, what's he saying?
M: He says he would like a word with you.
E: Uh huh. Anything else?
M: Yes. He says he would like to torture you as well.
Later. Edmund, in a small box with his head, arms and legs sticking out
(legs shackeled as well), is alone in the prison with T. T is turning
a key in the box presumably to move spikes into Edmund's body.
E: Right. Now, am I, by any chance, addressing a senior dignitary of the
Spanish Inquisition?
T: Te gusta, la (??) de la Inquisicion!
E: (not understanding a word) Good... Because, if I am, I wish to make it
quite clear that I am prepared to tell you absolutely *anything*.
T: Habla puer(??)
E: No speako dago. I demand to see the British ambassador, *understand*?
T: (winding some more) Necesito silencio para comesa.
E: Oh for God's sake! Look, how can you question me if you don't speak English?
T: No! *Yo* pregunto las questionnes!
E: Alright, let's start with the basics. English is a non-inflected
Indo-European language derived from dialects of....
In the corridor outside Queen's Chamber
(Queenie and Percy are playing frisbee)
P: (catches, holds the disc up triumphantly) How's that!
Q: Percy, who's Queen?
P: (drops disc) Whoops! Butterfingers!
Q: Ah, so I win again.
P: Yes. Well done, Your Majesty!
(They enter the throne room. Nursie is feeding Baldrick by hand.)
Q: There's definitely been no sign of Edmund.
P: I fear not, Ma'am.
Q: Why (??) he vanished? Simply vanished...
P: Like an old oak table...
Q: *Vanished*, Lord Percy -- not *varnished*.
P: Forgive me, My Lady, but my Uncle Bertram's old oak table completely
vanished. 'Twas on the night of the great Stepney fire. And on that
same terrible night, his house and all his other things completely
vanished too. So did he, in fact. It was a most perplexing mystery.
Q: Lord Percy?
P: Yes?
Q: It's up to you: either you can shut up, or you can have your head cut off.
P: (squints, thinks very long and hard about it) I'll shut up.
In the Prison
(Edmund and Torturer play charades in an attempt to communicate)
T: Bastardo!
E: Baa-taar-do... Barrister.
T: Bastardo!
E: Embarrassing. You're embarrassing. *I'm* embarrassing.
(T clenches his fist, and curls his left arm underneath his right, and
points it straight up in a familiar gesture.)
E: Er, er, rogering!
(T makes a very-fat gesture over his abomen.)
E: Er, pregnant!
(T acts like he's cradling a baby, and makes little baby noises.)
E: Baby! Baby!
(T acts like he has tossed the baby.)
E: Bathwater!
(T shakes his head, then holds his ear.)
E: Sounds like... oh! `Bastard'!
T: (excited at Edmund's correct guess) Si'! Si'!! No este terminado. Hijo.
Hijo!
E: (not knowing that `hijo' is a word, guesses by the sound of it) Donkey.
(T shakes his head, puts his head in his hand.)
T: (holds his hand horzontally above his head) Padre.
E: Big bastard...
T: (lowers the hand to a very short height) Hijo.
E: Little bastard.
T: (walking masculinely, speaks deeply) Padre...
E: Man...
T: (bends his knees as he walks and makes baby-like noises again) Hijo.
E: Boy. Man, father... Oh! `Son'! I'm a bastard's son.
T: (gets on his hands and knees) Perra! (pants)
E: Thirsty... Thirsty bastard.
(T barks)
E: Thirsty barking bastard. Oh, `dog'! Dog. Right, dog.
(T, on his knees, moves his hands to indicate breasts.)
E: Woman.
(T goes back on his hands and knees.)
E: Dog.
(T does the breast gesture again.)
E: Woman, dog...*bitch*! I'm a bastard son of a bitch!
T: Si'!!! Si'!!! (shakes Edmund's hand)
E: In that case, you are a fornicating babboon.
T: Que?
E: Oh dear. Er, *you*...
T: (points to Edmund) Tu? (sees Edmund is pointing at him, so he points
at himself) Yo...
E: You, er, fornicating... Yes... I can't really do it in this box...
Later...
T: ...tus testiculos.
E: My, um, ah yes, those, yes...
T: ...sobre un fuego grande.
E: ...over a large...
T: Fuego, fuego. (makes fire motion with his hands, then blows on the tips
of his fingers)
E: Oh, fire, fire. Ah good, so let's recap. Um...if I admit that I'm in love--
T: (interjects) No! No! (rolls onto his back)
E: Sorry -- head-over-heels in love -- (T makes various motions to indicate
each thing) with Satan and all his little wizards, then you will remove my
testicles with a blunt instrument--
T: Una (polan~a?), una polan~a.
E: ...resembling some kind of gardening tool but we can't quite (obscured by
laughter). Um, and roast them over a large fire.
T: Si', si'.
E: Whereas if I don't admit that I'm in love with Satan and...and...all his...
his little wizards, (T again is making appropriate gestures for each item)
you will hold me upside down in a vat of warm marmalade.
T: (holds his hands out, expecting more) ...*y*...
E: *And* remove my testicles with a blunt...oh I see. Well, well, in that case,
I love Satan.
T: (excited) Ohh ho ho! (produces instrument)
E: Oh, it's a *scythe*...
In the Queen's Chamber
Q: Oh, I don't know, I've looked everywhere.
P: (with a finger to his temple as though he's being psychic)
Perhaps...they're not...hiding...at all! Perhaps...they've been...
kidnapped!
Q: Nonsense! ...what Edmund said: `Only real idiots get kidnapped'.
P: (frightened) Do they?! (looks around nervously for kidnappers)
In the Prison
(T is holding his scythe, ready to have a go at Edmund. Prince Ludwig
enters, shouts `Stop!' and whips T down, who screams a bit and remains
cowering.)
L: Forgive me, Herr Blackadder. I have been neglecting my duties as a host.
Please accept my appoloaggies.
E: I accept nothing from a man who imprisons his guests in a commode.
L: I hope this scum (T burbles a bit) has not inconweenienced you.
E: It takes more than a maniac trying to cut off my goolies to inconweenience
*me*.
L: Good. If he had inconweenienced you, I was going to offer you his tongue.
E: Believe me, sir: if he had inconweeniened me, you would not have a tongue
with which to make such an offer.
L: Let me assure you, Herr Blackadder: if I no longer had a tongue with which
to make such an offer, you would no longer have a tongue with which to tell
me that, if I had inconweenienced you, I would no longer have a tongue with
which to offer you his tongue.
E: Yes, well, enough of this banter. Who the hell are you, sausage breath?
L: You do not remember me then, Herr Blackadder?
E: I don't believe I had the pleasure.
L: Oh, on the contrary. We have met many times, although you knew me by
another name. Do you recall a mysterious black marketeer and smuggler
called Otto with whom you used to dine and plot and play the biscuit game
at the Old Pizzle in Dover?
E: My God!
L: Yes! I was the waitress.
E: (shocked) I don't believe it! *You*? Big Sally?
L: (falsetto) `Will you have another piece of pie, My Lord?'
E: ...but I went to bed with you, didn't I?
L: For my country, I am willing to make any sacrifice.
E: Yes, but I'm not! I must have been paralytic!
L: Indeed you were, Mr. Floppy...
E: Yes, alright, alright (obscured by laughter). Now, would you mind--
L: (again falsetto) `Such a disappointment for a girl...'
E: Yes, alright, you've had your little joke.
L: `It really doesn't matter -- we'll try again in a few minutes. Have a look
through these naughty parchments.'
E: Oh, yes, we *are* proud of our comic serving-wench voice, aren't we? Just
because we can say `Zur' instead of `Sir', (??) sense at all social
gatherings the tedious little turd who keeps putting on amusing voices.
L: (angered, shouts) Be quiet!
E: What else have you got in your outstandingly inventive repertoire, I
wonder... Aaah, a brilliant drunk Glaswegian, no doubt. An hilarious
black man: `See you, Jimmy, where am dat watty-melon'. (obscured by
laughter) I can't wait for your side-splitting poof and that funny little
croaky one who isn't anyone in particular, but he's such a scream. And
most of all, I like the one you do all the time, that fatheaded German
chamberpot standing in front of me.
L: You know, you talk too much, Blackadder. I think it's a case of werbal
diarrhoea that you are having. I should, perhaps, tell you that I have
given the Queen only a week to reply to my ransom demand. Unless she
pays up, you die. Howwibly.
E: She will pay up. And then within a week, you die. Howwibly howwibly.
L: You find yourself amusing, Blackadder.
E: I try not to fly in the face of public opinion.
L: You know, I think, I think that a week from now, you'll be less in the
mood for being amusing.
E: At least when I *am* in the mood, I *can* be amusing.
L: Then choose your next witticism carefully, Herr Blackadder; it may be
your last. Guards, fetch his friend.
Gs: (enter with Melchett) Ein, zwei, ein, zwei...
M: (crying, expecting to be thrown into a very deep pit)
Oh no, please! (they throw him down) oooohhh! (he lands on the lower
level, about three feet below, and looks rather surprised)
L: Lord Melchett, we meet again.
M: No, I don't think we've had the pleasure...
L: You do not recognise me, then?
M: No...
L: Let me refresh your memory. You remember when you were in Cornwall; at the
monastery, there was an old shepherd with whom you used to talk.
M: Good Lord! Dimkins?
L: Yes! I was one of his sheep.
M: One of his sheep? Not...?
L: Yes!
M: Flossy?
L: Yes!
M: But didn't we...? (waves his hands in an exchanging fashion)
L: Yes, Lord Melchett! BBBAAAAA!
M: Oh my God!
L: But enough of such pleasant reminiscences, eh? The guard has found an
interesting document in your clothing.
M: Oh, I shouldn't pay much attention to that if I were you.
L: The Queen says that she will pay only one ransom, `But it must be the
last. Absolutely the last. Final. Full stop. Never again. Cross my
heart and hope to be spanked until my bottom goes purple.' She has a
difficult choice in front of her, has she not?
E: Not really. Bad luck, Melchers. Still... Life -- huh! -- overrated,
I reckon.
L: Yes, gentlemen. Well, if you excuse me, I have work to do. Evil plots
don't just make themselves you know. (exits laughing, the guards join
in)
In the Queen's Chamber
P: (reading a note from Ludwig; oddly, as he reads it, he has an accent like
Ludwig's)
Dear Qveen,
I, evil Prince Ludvig the Indestructible, have your two friends, and you
must shoose between zem. The ransom is one million crona. Many many
appoloaggies for the inconweenience.
Q: Oh, my goodness! What a difficult choice!
N: But it isn't the first difficult choice you've ever had to make, my little
tadpole.
Q: No, that's true.
N: In the old days, it was all difficult choices. Should you have Nursie
Milk or Moo Cow Milk? Of course, it was always Nursie milk, ha-ha.
But then left breasty-dumpling or right breasty-dumpling? Of course, it
was always both breasty-dumplings, ha-ha. Aah, but then which one first?
Q: Shut up, Nursie! Ahh, this is very confusing. Lord Percy, play a while
to calm my spirits.
P: (holding a lute) Certainly, Ma'am. (gives the lute to Baldrick)
Patty-cake, patty-cake, baker's man. Ah-ha, you're it! Ring-a-ring o'
rosey, all fall down. (appropriate movements accompany all those)
(Queen is speechless; shakes her head.)
In the Prison
M: What say you, Blackadder, I sing a song to keep our spirits up?
E: That all depends on whether you want the slop-bucket over your head or not.
M: Well, perhaps some pleasant word game.
E: Yes, alright. Make a sentence out of the following words: face, sodding,
your, shut.
M: For God's sake, man! We must do something to relieve our minds of the
terrible fate that awaits us!!
E: Awaits you, Melchy -- not me. How's my beard looking?
M: Alas! Shall I ever see England more? Her rolling fields, Her swooping
swallows...
E: ...and Her playful sheep.
(enter Ludwig)
E: Ah, about time, too!
L: Gentlemen, the answer has arrived.
E: Well, thank God; I'm sick of this place. The conditions are just
disgraceful! Why, it's like a prison in here!
L: I shall read it to you.
E: Ah, typical master criminal -- loves the sound of his own voice...
L: After long and very careful deliberation, the Queen has decided to extend
the ransom money on....
(cut to Queen writing this very letter)
Q: ...a big party. Just impossible to decide between my two faves, so I've
decided to keep the cash, have a whizzy-jolly time and try to forget both
of you. Hope you're not too miffed. Byeeeeee!
(cut to prison)
E: WHAT?!
L: `Hope you're not too miffed. Byeeeeee!' Well, as you can imagine, my
friends, this makes me very unhappy.
E: (sarcastically) Oh, I am sorry.
L: But if you gentlemen were to tell me a way to, let us say, gain access to
your queen, I might just be able to commute your deaths to a life sentence.
E: Are you suggesting we betray her?
L: Oh yes.
E: Alright.
M: Blackadder! What are you saying? What of loyalty? honour? self-respect?
E: What of them?
M: Nothing...
L: So you will both play ball?
M & E: Yep.
L: Oh, what joy. See how you collapse before me you great and incorruptible
English knobs. So proud of your great big stiff upper lips, hmm?
E: Gloating is a sign of insecurity, Ludwig -- shove it. Now, do you want to
know how to get to the Queen or not?
L: Yes, I thought some kind of disguise. You know, I do a very good Mary,
Queen of Scots. (turns away, rustles his hair, raises his shoulders and
turns back to them, speaking in falsetto very thick Scottish dialect
(actually this voice is not that of the actor, but is a woman's voice))
`Hoots, mon! Whar's me heid?'
In the Queen's Chamber (Baldrick is eating from a dog dish that Queen holds.)
Q: What sort of party should it be?
P: Oh, fancy dress. I love fancy dress.
Q: Nursie?
N: I think it should be one of those ones where everybody comes with
nothing on at all.
Q: Shut up, then. (to Percy) I agree with you, Acting Lord Chamberlain.
If we're really to forget our woes, then we should have as much fun
as possible. And what can be more fun than a party where people come
dressed as frogs and rabbits and nuns?
N: ...and bits of wood!
Q: You're not going to come as a bit of wood.
N: Aren't I?
Q: No!
N: Ah. Well, how about a pencil, then? Should I come as a pencil?
Q: Don't be silly, Nursie. You always talk like this and you always end
up coming as the same thing.
N: Do I?
Q: Yes, you know-- of co-- everybo-- (gives up. addresses Baldrick) Lassie,
what does Nursie always come to fancy-dress parties dressed as?
B: I thought everybody knew.
Q: Yes -- everybody, apparently, except Nursie. Tell her.
B: She always comes as a cow.
N: Yes, that's right! A lovely lovely cow with great big lovely udders.
I swiggle around going `Mmmoooooo! Come to Nursie Cow, you lovely
little heifers!' (Percy doesn't find this very appealing)
Oh yes! What fun! Oh, I want to be a cow again, please?
Q: Shut up. (to Percy) Isn't Nursie stupid?
P: She certainly is, Ma'am. (forced laugh)
Q: You see? We're having a good time already! We've completely forgotten about
those chaps in prison, haven't we? (spoken in a tone with which -- and she
looks around like -- no one should dare disagree)
P: (gets a joke in his head; seems rather pleased; puts on a fake curious face)
What chaps?
all: Pbbbbffffff!!!!!!!
In the Prison
(Guards enter with Ludwig)
Gs: Ein, zwei, ein zwei...
L: My friends, I come to bid you farewell. These guards will eventually
die of old age, but their sons will, I'm sure, go on attending to your
needs.
E: Thank you for your concern, but, in fact, we intend to escape.
L: With your information, gentlemen, I intend to bring down your Queen and
country. The Master of Disguise will become the Master of the World!
(turns to leave, laughing maniacally)
E: Yes, er, one thing, Ludwig, just before you go...
L: What?
E: Were you ever bullied at school?
L: (a bit defensive) What do you mean?
E: Well, all this ranting and raving about power -- there must be some reason
for it.
L: Nonsense! No, er, at my school, having dirty hair and spots was a sign of
maturity!
E: I thought so... and I'll bet your mother made you wear shorts right up to
your final year! (the guards look at each other for a moment in reaction)
L: Shut up! Shut up! When I am King of England, no one will ever dare call
me Shorty-Greasy-Spot-Spot again! (the guards again look up a bit
surprised at this news. Ludwig and guards leave)
E: Touched a nerve there, I think...
M: What good is it going to do us if we're doomed to rot here until we die?
E: Nah, don't worry, I've got a plan.
M: Really?
E: Yes. Now that Ludwig's gone, we should no trouble overcoming the guards.
Germans are sticklers for efficiency and I've been watching their routine.
I've selected the moment when they're at their most vulnerable. That is
when we will attack them.
M: Brilliant! How?
E: That is the most cunning bit... (sticks his tongue out slyly)
Later
(Guards approach)
Gs: (in background) Ein, zwei, ein zwei...
E: Right, now this is it. Don't forget, when they are at their most *vulner-
able*.
Gs: Ein, zwei...Halt! Jingle the keys: (keys jingle) Open the door!
(door opens) Greetings to the prisoners: (they take one step in, and
wave) Guten abend, Englander-scum! March to the table: Ein
zwei, ein zwei, ein zwei...Halt! Food on the table: ein zwei! (they
put down a loaf of bread and a sausage). Spit on the food: ein zwei!
Insulting further gestures to the prisoners: ein zwei, ein zwei! (they
do pelvic thrusts)
E: Now! (E & M hit their groins)
Gs: OOOOHHH!
E: (shaking out his hand) Trust me to get the hard one! (They head for the
stairs. Edmund grabs Melchett and throws him off the stairs, so he can
leave first.)
In the Queen's Chamber
Q: (dressed as Henry VIII, complete with beard; speaks as deeply as she can)
Yo ho ho! Off with their heads!
P: Ma'am, it is brilliant! Your father is born again!
Q: Bally well hope not, or else I won't be Queen anymore! Er, yours is a
pretty good, too. What is it?
P: It's nothing, Ma'am -- just a mere trifle I threw together.
Q: Doesn't look much like a trifle. Looks more like a fruit salad to me.
P: I see Nursie's really excelled herself.
N: MMMMMOOOOOOOOOO!
Q: Yes, she has. (looks down at Baldrick, who has a pencil up each nostril)
I'm not sure about this, though. What are you meant to be?
B: A pencil case.
Q: (ecstatically) Yes! Oh, it's just like parties I had when I was tiny.
We had tea and cakes and venison, and then a trip with a couple of little
friends to the executions!
P: How sweet.
Q: ...if I *wanted* my little friends executed, that is. Oh, how I do wish
Edmund could be here. He always loved parties, and always always wore
very very tight tights.
P: (thinking the same dumb joke can work twice) Edmund who?
(Edmund enters)
E: Edmund Blackadder!
Q: Oh!
E: Majesty...
Q: (removing her beard) Oh, Edmund! But...
E: Did you ever know me to miss a party?
Q: (excited, then serious) But what about Lord Melchett?
E: Yes... Unfortunately, Ma'am, he made it too.
(Melchett enters)
P: Rapture! Joy beyond measure! Bliss (kisses her hand) which cannot
be counted on one's fingers!
E: (softly) Bbaaaaa...
Q: Sorry, Edmund?
E: Nothing...
Q: Yes, um, unfortunately, apart from my nose getting a little prettier,
nothing much has changed around here. (motions to Baldrick, who is gnawing
on a large bone) Your animal still isn't house-trained, Percy's still
unemployed, and Nursie's one stick short of a bundle.
N: MMMMOOOOOOOOO!
E: Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me. (takes his sword out and stabs
the cow)
Q: Nursie! (to Edmund) You killed Nursie! (downplayed) Oh, that's horrid...
(shouts again) Guards! Guards! Take him away and execute him! He's killed
Nursie!
N: (entering from the hall, wearing a multi-uddered, horrible cow costume;
not wearing the head) Can anyone help me with my udders?
Q: Nursie?
N: Yes?
E: Yes, and may I introduce you to our erstwhile captor, Prince Ludwig
the Indestructible! (removes the cow head from Ludwig in the good cow
costume)
(all gasp)
L: Ah, Queen Elizabeth, we meet again.
Q: Er, no, I don't think so, actually.
L: Yes -- you remember when you were young; your father used to take you
riding on a magnificent grey pony that you used to kiss and fondle
in the stable yard. (Queen is embarrassed and motions for him to pass
that bit.) *I*, I was the tall and attractive German stable lad who
held him.
Q: No!
L: Yes!
Q: You?
L: Uh-huh.
Q: Shorty-Greasy-Spot-Spot??
L: (stands, shouts) No! No, no, no! You will -- all of you -- regret the day
that you have mocked my complexion. (rushes to the hallway)
I shall return and vreak my rewenghee! (laughs maniacally, sets about
opening the outer doors)
E: No -- you will die and be buried. (Edmund throws a large knife into the
hallway. There is a thunk, and a brief scream from Ludwig.)
all: Hurray!
E: (calmly) ...strange man.
Q: But how did you know it was him?
E: This was the information with which we bought our lives. We told him
that, if the Queen was having a party, Nursie always goes as a cow.
From that moment, he was doomed. All we had to do was escape, return,
and kill the cow.
Q: How could you be sure it was not Nursie?
E: Because, My Lady, Ludwig was a master of disguise, whereas Nursie is a
sad, insane old woman with a udder fixation. All we had to do was kill
the one that *looked like* the cow. That was the mistake I knew that
Ludwig would make. His disguise was too good!
Q: Gosh, Edmund! How brilliant! Welcome home.
E: Well, I must say, Ma'am, it's good to be back.
P: Welcome, Edmund. Did you...miss me?
E: I certainly did. Many was the time, Percy, I said to myself, `I wish Percy
was here--
(Percy embraces Edmund)
E: `...being tortured instead of me.'
P: Gah, we have missed your wit!
B: Did you miss me, My Lord?
E: Ermmm... `Baldrick', is it?
B: That's right.
E: No, not really.
Q: And me... did you miss me, Edmund?
E: Madam, life without you was like...a broken pencil.
Q: (confused) Explain...?
E: Pointless.
Credits/Theme Song
(during this ending credit, Edmund finally catches the balladeer,
and drowns him in the fountain)
Edmund Blackadder Beware all ye who lust for fame
ROWAN ATKINSON The path of life is most uncertain
Prince Ludwig thought he'd won the game
Lord Percy But now the kraut's gone for a burton
TIM McINNERNY
Blackadder! Blackadder!
Baldrick He beat the hun by luck
TONY ROBINSON Blackadder! Blackadder!
He's smarter than a duck
Queen Elizabeth I
MIRANDA RICHARDSON Lord Melchett! Lord Melchett!
Intelligent and deep
Lord Melchett Lord Melchett! Lord Melchett!
STEPHEN FRY A shame about the sheep
Nursie
PATSY BYRNE
Prince Ludwig
HUGH LAURIE
Torturer
MAX HARVEY
1st Guard
MARK ARDEN
2nd Guard
LEE CORNES
Epilogue............
A low-toned bell rings. We see Percy, Edmund, Queen, Nursie, Baldrick,
and Melchett. All are dead with slit throats.
Prince Ludwig is disguised as Queen, and is holding a knife.
(Actually using the actress with the actor's voice dubbed in).
L: (laughs) Now *this* is a disguise I'm *really* going to
enjoy! If I can just get the voice right...
Back to top of Part 2