Shakespeare in Love Page #2

HENSLOWE takes the quill and signs.

FENNYMAN (CONT'D)

Romeo and Ethel The Pirate's

Daughter…Almost finished?

HENSLOWE:

Without doubt he is completing it at

this very moment.

INT. WILL'S ROOM. DAY

A small cramped space in the eaves of a building. A

cluttered shelf containing various objects, wedged

between crumpled pieces of paper. Among those we have

time to observe:
a skull, a mug that says A PRESENT FROM

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON.

At infrequent intervals further pieces of crumpled paper

are tossed towards the shelf. The man who is throwing

them, WILL SHAKESPEARE, is bent over a table, writing

studiously with a quill.

Now we see what he is writing: Will is practising his

signature, over and over again. "Will Shagsbeard…W

Shakspur…William Shasper…" Each time he is dissatisfied,

and each time he crumples, and tosses it away.

Suddenly WILL becomes impatient. He jumps up and goes to

the loft area in the rafters, where he sleeps, and starts

to pull on his boots. At this point the door opens and

HENSLOWE walks in. He is out of breath and his feet hurt.

HENSLOWE:

Will! Where is my play? Tell me you

have it nearly done! Tell me you have

it started.

(desperately)

You have begun?

WILL:

(struggling with his boots)

Doubt that the stars are fire, doubt

that the sun doth move

HENSLOWE:

No, no, we haven't the time. Talk

prose. Where is my play?

WILL:

(tapping his forehead and

heading out the door)

It is all locked safe in here

HENSLOWE:

God be praised!

(then doubt)

Locked?

WILL:

As soon as I have found my muse

EXT. STREET. OUTSIDE WILL'S HOUSE. DAY.

WILL lives in a crowded area of the city. Hawkers are

crying their wares, tract-sellers, delivery boys, and

merchants go about their business. HENSLOWE catches up

with WILL as he strides purposefully along.

HENSLOWE:

(catching up)

Who is she this time?!

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