Gladiator Page #5

---

INT. HOSPITAL TENT - NIGHT

Maximus enters a large tent and is met by a spectacle of

the dead and dying. Roman surgeons are working feverishly

to save lives. Limbs are amputated, the bloody stumps

quickly cauterized with hot irons. Leeches and bronze

cups are employed for blood-letting to balance "humours."

Anesthesia as we know it is nonexistent. Wine amphoras

are passed around and orderlies fan narcotic smoke toward

the patients. Mostly, though, they just hold down the

writhing patients.

Maximus moves through the tent, offering a word of comfort

here and there. All the wounded are delighted to see him.

He goes to an older soldier, GALLUS, who has one wooden

hand. His other hand is bandaged.

MAXIMUS:

What, Gallus, losing your other

hand?

GALLUS:

Aye, General, they're going to make

a bronze one for it. Long fingers

this time.

MAXIMUS:

And the women of your village will

crave your touch even more.

GALLUS:

Ah, then you know the women of my

village.

Maximus smiles and moves on.

He stops at a young soldier, VALERIUS, whose head has been

shaved. A hole has been bored into his skull to relieve

the pressure on his brain. The young soldier is dying.

MAXIMUS:

What's your name, son?

VALERIUS:

Valerius, General.

MAXIMUS:

The name suits you.

VALERIUS:

Why am I dying?

A beat. Maximus sits by his cot. He takes Valerius'

hand.

MAXIMUS:

You're dying because you love Rome,

as I do.

VALERIUS:

I've never been to Rome.

MAXIMUS:

Neither have I. Rome for us lives

here...

(he touches his

heart)

... it's a thing inside us that came

from our ancestors and that we give

to our children.

VALERIUS:

It must be glorious, Rome. I've

only seen pictures. Is it a

glorious place?

A beat.

MAXIMUS:

Yes, it's a glorious place.

VALERIUS:

It must be.

He smiles. And he is dead.

Maximus sits for a moment. He gently closes Valerius'

eyes. And Maximus finds that he is weeping.

He is not ashamed of the tears.

INT. MESS TENT - NIGHT

An immediate swirl of noise. The grand mess tent is

crowded with soldiers. They are still filthy with caked-

on mud and blood. Wounds are bandaged and tankards are

raised in celebration of the victory.

Marcus sits in a central position and receives visitors.

Currently two Senators, FALCO and GAIUS, are bowing before

him.

FALCO:

Hail, Marcus Aurelius.

MARCUS:

Stand up, Senators. That unfamiliar

posture doesn't suit you.

GAIUS:

We live in supplication to your

glory.

MARCUS:

All the while conspiring with that

fat man in Rome. How is the old

monster?

GAIUS:

Senator Gracchus is hale, sire.

MARCUS:

Still damning me to the four winds?

GAIUS:

Still eager for your triumphant

return to Rome, Caesar.

Rate this script:3.7 / 6 votes