Luther Page #4

Or 500 years in Purgatory.

And now, good citizens

of Wittenberg,

Prince Frederick of Saxony

invites you here to his courtyard

to witness a mystery play

on that ever most popular

of subjects...

the Day of Judgment.

Just like old times, Martin.

Excellency.

Secretary.

Prince's secretary.

Such secretaries have a habit

of becoming Excellencies.

Even when we were law students,

I had you marked for great things.

I was hoping you may be

of some help in that regard.

Prince Frederick is

exceedingly proud of his relics.

Then I'm sorry

he didn't hear my lecture.

Perhaps I could have swayed him.

He spent 20 years

and a large fortune

building his collection,

that in a week's time,

on All Saints' Day,

thousands of faithful Christians

are coming to see.

Paying to see.

Contributions are

customary for indulgences,

along with confession

and true penitence.

Ah, yes.

The right prayers,

the right coins,

and 1,900,202 years

and 27 days less in Purgatory.

Do not bite the hand

that feeds you, Martin.

Our prince pays

for your chair in this university.

His relics pay for your chair.

And he who pays the piper...

calls the tune.

Do not embarrass him.

No one is more delighted

with your popularity here.

He'd prefer you stay.

Master Kranauer,

is Luther open to persuasion?

Not likely, my prince.

He's as bitable as...

As a donkey,

you were going to say?

Indeed, indeed.

I am conscious of the great honor

you do me, Cardinal Cajetan,

in recommending me

to His Holiness.

I doubt you'll think it an honor

20 years from now, Aleander.

My first master

was Pope Alexander MI.

Three mistresses,

five children,

and a most fervent devotion

to bullfighting.

Pope Julius ll...

a month ago, he was

spiritual leader of the whole world.

Quite dignified-looking, isn't he?

But it's not

what Julius wanted.

He wanted to be

remembered as a warrior,

sitting on his horse,

sword in hand,

besieging the Venetians.

What is it you seek, Aleander?

To serve God.

To serve him with all my heart.

And that is

how you will be tempted.

Pope Leo X,

sovereign bishop of Rome,

successor to Saint Peter

and holy head

of the Roman Catholic church.

I've been longing for

someone to save Christendom.

Let us pray he's come.

Your reputation

precedes you, Aleander.

Then I am fearful.

Cardinal Cajetan says

you're a brilliant scholar,

yet possess

a fervent desire to serve.

I have need of such gifts.

Excellency.

Albert of Brandenburg wants

to be Archbishop of Mainz.

He's already archbishop

of two German territories.

Correct.

Then canon law disqualifies him

from holding a third.

Moreover, wasn't he underage

when granted his first post?

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