The Masque of the Red Death Page #3

she suffers the whims

of her god patiently...

until her will

is submerged...

and she learns to serve.

Thus your god taught

and blinded you with crosses.

You had me take off my cross

because it offended...

It offended no one.

My master and his followers

look about with open eyes.

No. It simply appeared to me

to be discourteous to...

to wear the symbol

of a deity long dead.

Your master?

Satan.

The lord of flies.

The fallen angel.

The devil.

Come.

Who seeks entrance

to Prince Prospero's castle?

Prospero's invited guests.

Open the gate at once.

It is the prince himself...

who speaks to you,

Scarlatti.

You are no longer

welcome here.

Really?

I know your whims, but...

The village is full

of the Red Death.

The Red Death.

Prince Prospero,

I beg you, allow us haven.

I beg sanctuary.

This is no church.

By any god...

in all the gods of time,

I beg you.

My wife...

you've always

thought her beautiful.

And you... you desired her.

I've watched

your eyes follow her.

This Scarlatti

thought of himself...

as a good man

in many things.

And he thought of his wife

as pure and unassailable.

I give her to you

to do with as you please.

I've already had

that doubtful pleasure.

Prince, spare me

the Red Death.

I beg you in the name

of friendship.

In the name of friendship!

No!

For you, friend.

Madam...

spare yourself

the Red Death.

Pick it up!

We've been ordered

to teach you the use of arms.

I will not learn

to fight my friend.

Now, don't be a fool.

One of you could survive.

If you fight well,

the living one...

might be given

his freedom.

To live like you?

Like one of

Prospero's pet dogs?

Kill me and Prospero

will see you dead...

for spoiling

his entertainment.

I won't kill you.

I'll just cut you a bit.

Stop them!

Gino knows nothing of fighting.

He learns rather fast.

It is a true fact...

that the greatest swordsman

in Italy...

would not fear

the second greatest...

but would fear the worst,

for that one

would be unpredictable.

Francesca!

Are you unharmed?

Yes, Gino. And you?

Scratches given

to taunt me to fight...

but I will not fight

my friend.

You may force me

to discipline you...

in some other way.

Do what you will.

We will not fight.

And I don't think...

you'll give us up

to simple torture.

Because if you did...

then in a way,

you would have lost.

You surprise me.

However,

I'm pleased to find

that you've given me

a puzzle to think about.

Somehow, you two

will challenge death together.

You may be certain

of that.

No. This way, my dear.

It would be better.

I understand.

Life is often ugly.

But to torture men!

Is this what

your master Satan...

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