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1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992)

by Roselyne Bosch.
Revised draft, September 23, 1991.

More info about this movie on IMDb.com


FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY


FADE IN:

CREDITS AND MUSIC OVER:

INT.  AUDIENCE ROOM - GRANADA - DAY

We start on a man's elegant slipper.  He is seated in a
splendid chair.  Moving up the stocking leg, we pass the
garter of Castile, coming to rest on a pair of delicate
hands.  His fore finger impatiently plays with a large
topaz ring.  Over this, we hear distant footsteps, echoing
on marble floors.

						CUT TO:

A Castilian face:  aquilaine profile, olive complexion,
dark eyebrows and meticulously sculpted beard.  This is
TREASURER SANCHEZ.

A door slams somewhere, the footsteps getting closer.  We
can now here a subdued conversation.

TREASURER SANCHEZ stands up as:

The door opens at the far end of the large gilded room.
A WOMEN, magnificent in somber taffeta, enters.  QUEEN
ISABEL OF SPAIN moves towards him.

He bows slightly as she sits at the end of the large
table.  She is followed by a PRIEST, BROTHER BUYL, and
three dignitaries of Church and State.

All sit beside her.  TREASURER SANCHEZ takes a document
and starts to read aloud.

On screen the words:  GRANADA - SPAIN - 1500

		SANCHEZ
	Your Majesty would wish to know the
	true facts concerning the island of
	Hispanola, our first settlement in
	the New World, and the activities
	there of your servant, Christopher
	Columbus, Admiral of the Ocean Sea,
	Governor of that Island.  You will
	remember with what hopes and
	promises he beguiled us -- the truth
	is that he now presides over a state
	of chaos, degradation and madness
	beyond imagining.

SANCHEZ punctuates each word carefully.

		SANCHEZ
	From the beginning, Columbus proved
	himself incapable of managing the
	affairs of the island.  He appointed
	his brothers to important positions,
	at once injuring the pride and
	dignity of the nobles who had gone
	with him.  He promised to build a
	city, the City of Isabel, named
	after Your Majesty.  What he
	actually built was nothing but a
	collection of huts, and that in the
	wrong place, for all of it was
	easily swept away by rain and mud.
	Is that not so, Brother Buyl?

The PRIEST nods.

		BROTHER BUYL
	Yes, Your Honor.

		SANCHEZ
	He promised gold.  Not finding the
	easy quantities he promised,
	Columbus commanded each Indian to
	pay an annual tribute.  Most being
	unable to, they were barbarously
	punished, against the express wish
	of Your Christian Majesties...

ISABEL lowers her eyes.

		SANCHEZ
	Since provocation and injustice
	never ceases, many of the Indians
	have fled to the forests, or have
	begun to slay the Christians.

ISABEL looks over at BROTHER BUYL.

		ISABEL
	Could it be so?

		BROTHER BUYL
	Yes, Your Majesty.

		SANCHEZ
	But there is worse.  From the
	beginning, he forced the nobles to
	undergo physical labor, treating
	them equally with the Indians, all
	of them reduced to slavery.  When
	the nobleman Adrian de Moxica
	protested against such treatment...
		(he pauses)
	... he was executed.
		(pause)
	Is that not true also, Brother
	Buyl?

		BROTHER BUYL
	Yes, Your Honor.  It is all true.
	All of it.  I saw it with my own
	eyes.

		SANCHEZ
	He has lost control.  His great
	arrogance has led him into
	depravity.  He encourages our
	soldiers to marry the native women.
	He promised a paradise, but he has
	made a hell full of all its horrors.

Silence.

		ISABEL
	Is that the man I knew, Treasurer
	Sanchez?

		SANCHEZ
	Yes, Your Majesty.

						CUT TO:

INT.  HUT - ISLAND - DAY

CLOSE ON the FACE:  COLUMBUS is stretched on a bed,
sweating heavily in fever, clearly delirious.  Insects
crawl over his face, he makes no effort to swat them away.
There is a dripping sound of water.

		FERNANDO (V.O.)
	Of all the words my Father wrote and
	there were many, I remember these
	the most.  "Nothing that results
	from human progress is achieved with
	unanimous consent..."

Rain is falling into the room over documents spread on a
table.  COLUMBUS stands up and moves to the table.  Some
of the walls have been blackened with smoke and flames.  A
lizard scuttles into the shadows.

		FERNANDO (V.O.)
	"And those who are enlightened
	before the others are condemned to
	purse that light in spite of
	others..."

COLUMBUS stares down at the documents, moving them away
from the rain drips.  He stares out by the window, and we
see:

A devastated landscape.  Flooded roads, half-destroyed
huts, broken trees... A dog picks its way through the mud.

		FERNANDO (V.O.)
	There was a time when the New World
	didn't exist...

						DISSOLVE TO:

EXT.  OCEAN - DAY

A vast stretch of ocean.  It fills the screen.  Unbroken,
infinite, luminous, mysterious -- it stretches away,
meeting and blending with the sky in pale ribbons of pearl
and misty light.

		FERNANDO (V.O.)
	... The sun set in the west on an
	ocean where no man had dared to
	venture.  And beyond that,
	infinity...

Pulling back, we discover:

A TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY and a strongly built man in his middle
thirties, are riding a mule.  The MAN'S weather-beaten
face frames unusually bright eyes.

On the screen these words:  ANDALUSIA, 1491

COLUMBUS AND HIS SON are following a windthrashed path at
the top of the hill.  COLUMBUS hums a song, and FERNANDO
looks up at him in adoration.

		FERNANDO (V.O.)
	Once I asked my Father where he
	wanted to go.  And he replied:  "I
	want to travel all over the seas.  I
	want to get behind the weather..."

FERNANDO laughs.  He then starts to hum along with his
FATHER.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  HILLSIDE APPROACH TO LA RABIDA - DAY

A rugged landscape, remote and steep, with lines of stone
walls and thousands of sheep.

FERNANDO, rushes down a slope, barking like a dog, chasing
the sheep who fan out in droves in front of him.  High-
spirited and wild, FERNANDO laughs and tumbles over.

COLUMBUS rides his mule along the narrow track, watching
his SON'S antics with amusement.  In the distance, the
solitary figure of A MONK SHEPHERD.

COLUMBUS calls out to his son:

		COLUMBUS
	Fernando!

FERNANDO runs over.  COLUMBUS lifts him up onto the mule.

As they move along the track we now see, perched on a
distant hill, isolated and austere, the Monastery of La
Rabida, their destination.


EXT.  CLOISTER - LA RABIDA - DAY

As they dismount and walk into the quiet cloisters,
FERNANDO suddenly spots a familiar FIGURE, standing under
the ROMAN arches.

		FERNANDO
	Diego!

He rushes over, full of joy, to kiss his BROTHER -- an
adolescent dressed in the novice-robe, with a solemn,
delicate face.  DIEGO'S response is constrained.

		COLUMBUS
	Diego!  Aren't you going to kiss
	your brother?

DIEGO smiles a little, and kisses FERNANDO -- who is
immediately distracted by a procession of hooded MONKS,
hurrying to the refectory, as a bell begins to chime.

The MONKS all turn to greet ANTONIO DE MARCHENA, a white-
haired, elderly man -- and a monk cosmographer.
MARCHENA'S gesture is broad and elegant as he opens his
arms to greet COLUMBUS.  He pats FERNANDO'S head and turns
to DIEGO.

		MARCHENA
	Diego, take Fernando to the dining
	hall.  He must be hungry.

		DIEGO
	Yes, Father.

Both CHILDREN leave under the arched roof.  COLUMBUS and
MARCHENA begin to walk across the cloister.

		MARCHENA
	Diego is a bright boy -- a pleasure
	to teach -- but so serious...
	Brothers should be raised together,
	Colon.  Even brothers from different
	mothers...

		COLUMBUS
	Father, I am doing what I think is
	the best for him.  And he has the
	teacher I would have chosen for
	myself.

MARCHENA laughs at the compliment.

		MARCHENA
	Just be careful you don't lose him.

They have crossed the cloister.  MARCHENA pushes open a
door.


INT.  A HUGE LIBRARY - LA RABIDA - DAY

Hundreds of books lined up on the shelves, displaying the
miracle of printing, a recent German discovery.  Several
MONKS, perched on high stools behind lecterns, are busily
"ILLUMINATING" some of these massive volumes, delicately
painting around the letters in bright colors and gold
leaf.

Rays of light fall diagonally through high openings,
projecting geometric patterns on the tiled floor.  As
MARCHENA and COLUMBUS move forward their conversation is
punctuated by light and shadow.

		MARCHENA
		(fumbles in a pocket
		 under his robe)
	I have something for you.

Almost casually, he hands COLUMBUS a letter.

		MARCHENA
	You will be heard at the University
	of Salamanca...

COLUMBUS stops dead in his tracks.  Almost frantically he
tears open the letter, hardly able to believe his eyes.

		COLUMBUS
	God... That's in a week!

		MARCHENA
	That's what it says.

		COLUMBUS
	How did you manage it?

		MARCHENA
		(smiling)
	With some difficulty.  I had to
	promise them you were not a total
	fool.

MARCHENA pushes open a second door, hidden behind a wooden
panel.


INT.  STUDY - LA RABIDA - DAY

MARCHENA is not a tidy man.  Books are piled up on the
floor, the desk, on every shelf, along with maps,
instruments of astronomy... the visible evidence of an
inquiring mind.

With practiced familiarity, as if they had done this a
hundred times -- which indeed they have -- MARCHENA sits
behind his desk, and COLUMBUS opposite him.  MARCHENA
lights a candle and considers the mess.  Then
methodically, he slowly sweeps it from in front of him
with his sleeve, exposing a large map underneath.

When he looks up again, there is a new severity in his
expression.  He turns over an hourglass.

		MARCHENA
	Why do you wish to sail west?

		COLUMBUS
	To open a new route to Asia.  At the
	moment there are only two ways of
	reaching it...

He leans forward, and points to the map spread out on the
desk.

		COLUMBUS
	By sea, sailing around the African
	Continent -- the journey takes a
	year...

His finger traces the journey, from west to east.

		COLUMBUS
	Or by land...

We are CLOSE now on the map, as we watch his finger
tracing a line between Europe and the Far East.

		COLUMBUS (O.S.)
	... But the Turks have closed this
	route to all Christians.  Trading
	with the Orient has become arduous,
	if not dangerous.
		(he pauses)
	There is a third way...

We notice that the outline of the European continent is
familiar.  But we also notice that, in that great expanse
of ocean, the whole American continent is missing.

		COLUMBUS
	By sailing West across the Ocean
	Sea.

CLOSE ON MARCHENA'S FACE, touched by the mystery.

		MARCHENA
	How can you be so certain?  The
	Ocean is said to be infinite.

		COLUMBUS
	Ignorance!  I believe the Indies are
	no more than 750 leagues west of the
	Canary Islands.

		MARCHENA
	How can you be so certain?

		COLUMBUS
	The calculations of Toscanelli Marin
	de Tyr, Esdras...

		MARCHENA
		(interrupting)
	Esdras is a Jew.

		COLUMBUS
	So was Christ!

MARCHENA throws his quill in the air in frustration.  He
glances at the hourglass:

		MARCHENA
	Two minutes... and already you're a
	dead man.  Don't let passion
	overwhelm you, Colon.

		COLUMBUS
		(mockingly)
	I'll try to remember that,
	Marchena...

		MARCHENA
	Father Marchena!

		COLUMBUS
		(ignoring this)
	Passion is something one cannot
	control!

		MARCHENA
		(heatedly)
	You get so carried away when you are
	being contradicted!

		COLUMBUS
	I've been contradicted all my
	life... Eternity!

		MARCHENA
		(amused)
	Only God knows the meaning of such
	words, my son.


EXT.  COURTYARD - LA RABIDA - EVENING

DIEGO and FERNANDO wait in the courtyard.  COLUMBUS
appears and lifts FERNANDO onto the mule.  DIEGO turns to
go.

		COLUMBUS
	Diego.

COLUMBUS walks over to him, squats down so their eyes
meet.  He looks at his SON for a moment.

		COLUMBUS
	Would you like to come and stay with
	us?

Uncomfortable with the proposition, DIEGO cannot find an
answer.

		COLUMBUS
	I'll do whatever makes you happy.

		DIEGO
	I am happy, Father.

COLUMBUS reaches out -- and touches his shoulder.

He climbs up behind FERNANDO, who waves back to his
BROTHER as they ride off.


EXT.  CADIZ - STREETS AND CATHEDRAL SQUARE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS leads the mule, carrying the sleeping FERNANDO,
through narrow streets.  There's a clamorous noise in the
air.  Suddenly a large group of YOUNG MEN, shouting with
excitement, run up the street and brush past them.  Then
more people.  FERNANDO sits up straight.  The noise grows,
rowdy, rumbling, sharp with excitement and violence.

Huge CROWDS have thronged the massive old square outside
the cathedral.  Holding the mule by its reins, COLUMBUS
tries to push his way through... Suddenly, as a gap opens
in the crowd, we see the cause of the excitement:  in the
center of the square stand three pyres, already alit.
HOODED EXECUTIONERS are busy around the fires.

		FERNANDO
	Look, Father!

Before COLUMBUS can stop him, FERNANDO has slipped off the
mule and into the crowd.

		COLUMBUS
	Fernando!

But the BOY has been swallowed into the mass of people.
COLUMBUS tries to follow him.  Flames leap into the night
sky with a terrible crackling, lighting up the square with
a lurid glow.  Prayers are being chanted somewhere.

FERNANDO has elbowed his way to the front of the crowd.

A PRIEST brandishes a crucifix in front of the face of a
MAN bound to a post.  The heretic wears the "sambenito", a
robe made of coarse fabric on which his sins have been
crudely illustrated -- we see cabalistic signs,
indicating that the man is Jewish.

THE MAN'S eyes are mad with fear.  But he refuses to kiss
the crucifix, as a sign of his repentance.

FERNANDO is transfixed by the scene, but still doesn't
realize what is happening.  He is too close to the
platform to see what is in the flames of the other pyres.

		COLUMBUS
	Fernando!

He motions to his son, takes the BOY'S hand, and drags him
away from the scene.  But FERNANDO looks back.  The
distance now allows him to see inside the flames.

A HALF-CHARRED FIGURE -- THE MAN'S face is distorted in a
silent scream... The neck snaps like burning wood, and the
head falls on one shoulder.  Then the whole body collapses
into the fire.


INT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE - HALLWAY AND STABLE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS and FERNANDO lead the mule into the white-washed,
stone-floored hallway of the modest house.  FERNANDO is
mute, shocked by what he just witnessed.  COLUMBUS takes
the mule into its stall, and as he does so, his mother,
BEATRIX, appears from the kitchen to greet them.  She is a
beautiful woman in her twenties, a calm, strong, domestic
personality.  COLUMBUS tousles the BOY'S hair.  FERNANDO
glances at his MOTHER but looks subdued and doesn't say
anything.


INT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

COLUMBUS joins BEATRIX in the kitchen, where a MAID is
cooking.  He explains Fernando's subdued manner.

		COLUMBUS
	Executions.  In the square.

BEATRIX nods.  He goes to the stone butt and pours water
on his hands.

		COLUMBUS
	They've agreed to see me in a week.

BEATRIX puts the candle on the table.  Her face lights up
with a smile.  He walks to her, and kisses her.

		COLUMBUS
	I could be gone for years.

		BEATRIX
	I know.

		COLUMBUS
	I haven't given you much of a life.

		BEATRIX
		(amused)
	Well... that's true.  I have a child
	by a man who won't marry me!  Who's
	always leaving...

		COLUMBUS
	Are we going to argue?

		BEATRIX
	I'd love to argue with you
	sometimes.  But you're never here!

They laugh and kiss.

		COLUMBUS
	Perhaps I was never meant to live
	with a woman...

		BEATRIX
		(still kissing him)
	I find that hard to believe.

						DISSOLVE TO:

INT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

They are eating around the table, and FERNANDO is
unusually silent and thoughtful.  COLUMBUS pours a little
wine into FERNANDO'S water, to distract him.  FERNANDO
looks up at him, surprised.  COLUMBUS smiles, then looks
over at BEATRIX.

		COLUMBUS
	Fernando, don't you think we are
	lucky to live with such a beautiful
	woman?

He winks at FERNANDO.  BEATRIX smiles.


INT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT

The room is dark.  As COLUMBUS approached the bed with a
candle, it illuminates the naked body of BEATRIX.  BEATRIX
looks up at him intently.  A drop of wax falls on her
skin.  She flinches, murmurs...

They make love.


EXT.  SALAMANCA UNIVERSITY - DAY

A medieval "campus".  Students-novices are playing
"pelote", with basket-gloves and a hard ball.  They run
with their robes tucked around their waist, revealing
white legs.  Others are studying, reading, hurrying to
their class.

We find COLUMBUS watching the game from the steps above
the court.  Others are waiting with him.  A MONK comes
from a door, and looks around the group.

		MONK
		(hesitant)
	Christopher Columbus?


INT.  AUDIENCE ROOM - UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA - DAY

An El Greco painting.  A tableau of twenty MEN sitting on
dark, sculpted seats.  Candles throw a gloomy light on
their faces.  Some are Churchmen, others are dressed in
bourgeois outfits.

Only one of them is richly dressed in the grand Spanish
fashion -- he is SANCHEZ, Treasurer of the House of
Aragon.  A MONK (Don AROJAZ) holds a stick with an ivory
claw at the top.  Languidly, he scratches his back -- his
off-hand manner only makes him more impressive than his
peers.

		AROJAZ
	You say Asia can be found by sailing
	west?

		COLUMBUS
	Yes, your Eminence.  The voyage
	should not take more than six or
	seven weeks.

		AROJAZ
	Unfortunately, Don Colon, that is
	precisely where our opinions
	differ...
		(pause)
	Are you familiar with the work of
	Aristotle?  Erathostene?  Ptolemeus?

		COLUMBUS
	I am, Your Eminence

		AROJAZ
	Then you cannot ignore that
	according to their calculations, the
	circumference of the Earth is
	approximately...
		(he leans forward)
	22,000 leagues or more.  Which makes
	the ocean... uncrossable.

He leans back, satisfied, and pauses for effect.

		AROJAZ
	But you may have found new evidence
	proving that these men of knowledge
	are totally mistaken!

A ripple of mirthless laughter.

		COLUMBUS
	Your Excellencies are aware of the
	statements of Marin de Tyr?

		HERNANDO DE TALAVERA
	We are.

		COLUMBUS
	Then you are also aware that his
	theories contradict Ptolemeus... De
	Tyr believes the Ocean to be only
	750 leagues...

A murmur of protest spreads among the members of the
Commission.  But Columbus is determined to press his
theories.

		COLUMBUS
	The Florentine Toscanelli and the
	French Cardinal Pierre d'Ailly both
	think that Marin de Tyr is accurate
	in his calculations.  And therefore,
	that the ocean can be crossed.

Indignant and amused murmurs.  DIEGO DE DEZA raises his
voice to quiet the assembly.

		DIEGO DE DEZA
	Gentlemen, let us suppose Marin de
	Tyr is right...
		(the laughter
		 subsides)
	Are we here to examine this proposal
	or not?

Silence.

		DIEGO DE DEZA
		(to Columbus)
	In your opinion, how long would the
	voyage be?

		COLUMBUS
	Seven weeks.  Six, during the summer
	months.

The murmur increases.

		AROJAZ
	Marin de Tyr is wrong -- and has
	been corrected many times over the
	centuries by the finest geographers.
	Your voyage, Don Colon, would take a
	year!

A MAN of simple bearing, that COLUMBUS identifies as
being a seaman, interrupts.

		VICUNA
	How would the crew survive without
	being able to land for fresh water?
	Water is undrinkable after six
	weeks!  You'd never be able to turn
	back!

		COLUMBUS
	We wouldn't have to turn back!  We
	would find land at this point!

		AROJAZ
	Senor Colon, an experienced captain
	such as yourself will understand our
	concern with the crew.  I am not
	willing to have on my conscience the
	loss of men who would have relied
	upon our judgment.

		COLUMBUS
	Excellency, you are right.

Instantly, the protests stop.

		COLUMBUS
	I am a seaman, not a scholar... But
	as a simple man craving for
	knowledge, I have read all the work
	of these renowned geographers and
	discovered that none of them could
	agree on the exact width of this
	ocean...

He pauses, and starts walking in front of the experts, as
a lawyer before a grand jury.

		COLUMBUS
	Therefore, as a modest man, I
	wonder:  who is right?

The experts listen.  CLOSE ON SANCHEZ'S FACE, impressed by
the boldness.

		COLUMBUS
	Who is right?  This question remains
	unanswered.

He walks and stops before TALAVERA, and catches the look
of SANCHEZ, sitting just behind him.

		COLUMBUS
	Your Eminence, there is only one way
	to settle the matter.  And that is
	to make the journey.
		(to the assembly,
		 with passion)
	I am ready to risk my life to prove
	it possible.

		AROJAZ
	Your life, and that of others!

		COLUMBUS
	If they agree to follow me, yes.

		SANCHEZ (O.S.)
	Suppose you cross this ocean.
	Suppose you reach Asia.  What would
	Spain do there?

Conscious of a friendlier voice, COLUMBUS sees the
Treasurer SANCHEZ, an imposing man in his fifties.

		COLUMBUS
	Trade, Your Excellency.  According
	to Marco Polo, the Kingdom of China
	is one of the richest of the world.
	Even the meanest buildings are
	roofed with gold.

		AROJAZ
		(interrupting)
	Is that all that interests you?
	Gold?

		COLUMBUS
	No.  The Portuguese have already
	discovered black-skinned people.  I,
	too, will find other populations --
	and bring them to the word of God.

THE MONK smiles thinly.

		AROJAZ
	Christopher -- Christo Ferens -- the
	Bearer of the Cross!

		MONK
		(ironic)
	And Colon -- the one who populates!

Another small rill of laughter.

		AROJAZ
	If God intended our proximity to
	Asia, do you believe he would have
	waited for you to show it to the
	world?

		COLUMBUS
	Did He not choose a carpenter's son
	to reveal Himself to the world?

A hum of interest.  CLOSE ON SANCHEZ -- watching COLUMBUS
intently, a hint of an admiring smile on his lips.

		AROJAZ
	So you consider yourself the chosen
	one?

A pause.

		AROJAZ
	Don't you realize your words could
	be considered heretical?

		COLUMBUS
		(calmly)
	Blind faith is what I consider
	heresy!

The murmur turns to an audible gasp.  AROJAZ gets to his
feet and leans forward, threateningly, the flame of a
candle only inches from his face.

There is absolute silence.  COLUMBUS meets the MONK'S gaze
unflinchingly.

		COLUMBUS
		(quietly)
	Asia can be found to the west -- and
	I will prove it.

		AROJAZ
	IF-GOD-WILLS-IT!


EXT.  TERRACE - UNIVERSITY - DAY

The JURY is alone to deliberate.  Food and wine has been
laid out on tables.  In the distance, students' cries
carry over the conversation.

SANCHEZ approaches.

		AROJAZ
	The Treasurer of Spain honors us
	with his presence.

SANCHEZ bows slightly.

		SANCHEZ
	The State has some reason to be
	interested in this man's
	proposition, Your Eminence...

		AROJAZ
	The Judgment is ours!

		SANCHEZ
	Naturally.  But I would really
	deplore the loss of such a potential
	opportunity for Spain for a...
	dispute over a point of geography.

SANCHEZ helps himself to some grapes, looks round at the
other members of the committee, who pretend not to be
listening.

		AROJAZ
		(interrupting)
	He is a mercenary!  Did he not
	already try to convince the King of
	Portugal of his absurd notions?

		SANCHEZ
	Indeed.  The world is full of
	mercenaries -- and states often make
	use of them, when it benefits them.
		(casually)
	My only concern is the welfare and
	prosperity of Spain.

AROJAZ understands the hint, and stops smiling.

		AROJAZ
	You would use your influence to
	assist this... intriguer?

SANCHEZ reaches for a decanter of sherry.

		SANCHEZ
	You know, Your Eminence, the
	fascinating thing about power, is
	that what can be given so
	effortlessly...

He offers the decanter to AROJAZ, who automatically lifts
his glass.  But instead, SANCHEZ pulls back the decanter,
pours himself a drink, and replaces it on the table,
leaving AROJAZ staring at his own empty glass.

		SANCHEZ
	... can so easily be taken away.

And he drinks with a smile.


INT.  LA RABIDA - MARCHENA'S STUDY - EVENING

MARCHENA reads aloud the Commission's letter.

		MARCHENA
	... and therefore nothing could
	justify the participation of Your
	Highnesses in the venture that
	relies upon such feeble assumptions,
	and which any man of knowledge
	would take to be impractical... if
	not impossible.

He shakes his head, puts the letter down.  COLUMBUS looks
appalled; devastated.

		COLUMBUS
	They didn't listen.  They didn't
	want to listen!

He paces about the book-lined room.

		MARCHENA
	You mustn't give way to despair.
	You must wait.

		COLUMBUS
	Wait!  I've waited seven years
	already!  How much longer do you
	want me to wait?

		MARCHENA
	If God intends you to go, then you
	will go.

		COLUMBUS
		(angrily)
	Damn God!

MARCHENA is shocked.

		MARCHENA
	Colon!

		COLUMBUS
	Damn all of you!  You all set up
	theories based on what?  You never
	leave the safety of your studies!
	Go out!  Find out what the world is
	about and then tell me something I
	can listen to!

He seizes a beautiful book from MARCHENA'S desk.

		COLUMBUS
	These don't mean anything!  They're
	full of assumptions!  Out of the
	heads of old men who've never been
	past the end of their gardens!

He hurls the book across the room.  MARCHENA is horrified.

		MARCHENA
	No...!  My books...!

COLUMBUS seizes more books from the shelves, just sweeping
them to the floor.

		COLUMBUS
	All of them!  Just lies!

		MARCHENA
	Colon!  Don't!

MARCHENA tries to stop him.  In his fury, COLUMBUS
accidentally knocks the poor old MAN to the ground.  His
cries bring three MONKS rushing into the room.

As COLUMBUS continues to rage and scatter books
everywhere, they try to stop him, struggling with this
big, powerful man -- to almost comical effect.  Finally, a
short, muscular MONK delivers a quick punch that sends
COLUMBUS crashing to the floor.


INT.  CHAPEL OF LA RABIDA - EVENING

COLUMBUS lies face down on the stone floor.  He is dressed
in a homespun robe.  His arms are stretched out in
penance.  FERNANDO and DIEGO look down at him.

		FERNANDO
	Father?

		DIEGO
	Sssshhhh...!  One can't speak to a
	man doing penance.

		FERNANDO
	What can you do?

		DIEGO
	Nothing.  That's the point,
	Fernando.

A pause -- and then FERNANDO lies face down on the floor
beside his FATHER, and stretches out his arms in the same
way.  DIEGO is left looking on, unable to bring himself to
join them.


EXT.  CLOISTER - LA RABIDA - DAY

Along the cloister, maps are drying, hanging like laundry
in the light breeze.  COLUMBUS pins up a new addition.
Another MONK works nearby, in silence.

		PINZON (O.S.)
	Senor Colon?

COLUMBUS turns, to see a small, stocky MAN approaching:  a
middle-class gentleman.  He nods.

		PINZON
	Ah, thank God!  I've been looking
	all over Seville for you!  Never
	expected to find a sailor in a
	monastery, eh?

He laughs.  COLUMBUS smiles, but doesn't say anything.
PINZON is clearly a little surprised.

		PINZON
	Name's Pinzon, by the way.  Martin
	Alonzo Pinzon.  I'm a ship owner
	from Palos...

COLUMBUS glances around cautiously, and walks a little way
down the cloister, away from the other MONK, gesturing for
PINZON to follow him.  PINZON is yet more surprised by
this strange behavior.

		PINZON
		(indicating the
		 monk)
	Is he a spy?

COLUMBUS shakes his head.  PINZON stares at him,
perplexed.

		PINZON
	What is it?  Are you a Trappist?

COLUMBUS shakes his head again.

		PINZON
	Vow of silence...?  Penance?

COLUMBUS nods vigorously.

		PINZON
	Jesus!  Just my luck!

He takes off his hat, wiping his forehead with a silk
cloth.

		PINZON
	Listen.  I'll do the talking for
	both of us.  You just nod.  Agreed?
	Just as I do with the wife.

COLUMBUS nods.

		PINZON
	I know that the Commission turned
	you down, right?  What do you
	expect?  You're a foreigner... But I
	want to help you.

COLUMBUS gives him a glance like one throws a question in
the air.

		PINZON
	You wonder why I believe in you?
	Hey, I am a seaman.  And we don't
	like to be told where to go, and
	where not to go.

COLUMBUS looks at him, and bursts out laughing.  The other
MONK looks round severely.  COLUMBUS ducks behind a map,
PINZON following him.  PINZON lowers his voice.

		PINZON
	I don't look like it, but I have
	friends at the Court.  The Treasurer
	of Aragon, for example.  He finances
	me.  His name's Santangel.  Ever
	heard of him?

COLUMBUS shakes his head, but looks increasingly
interested by what he's hearing.

		PINZON
	He can get you an audience with the
	Queen!  You know why...?  She owes
	him money.  That's how it is.  You
	-- me -- the Queen -- the world and
	his mistress -- agreed?

COLUMBUS nods.

		PINZON
	So.  What do you say?

COLUMBUS looks around, catches the disapproving face of
the MONK, crosses himself, then speaks:

		COLUMBUS
	Where can I meet this man?

		PINZON
		(indicating with a
		 nod)
	Immediately.

COLUMBUS turns and sees an elegant Lord in his fifties,
examining the maps.


EXT.  STREETS OF GRANADA - DAY

A huge Islamic Crescent being pulled down from the minaret
of a mosque.  SOLDIERS are holding back a crowd at the
foot of the tower.  To the ecstatic cries of the crowd, a
Cross is hoisted up in its place... Astride horses,
COLUMBUS and the Treasurer SANTANGEL are watching the
scene.

They push through an extraordinary scene.  The city of
Granada has just been reclaimed from the moors after
several years of siege.  All around them, SPANISH SOLDIERS
are herding, bedraggled columns of the defeated MOORS,
bearing only a few possessions.  Ragged, half-starved men,
women and children.

		SANTANGEL
	These people built Granada...
	Centuries ago!  It is a great
	victory over the Moors, Don Colon --
	and yet what a tragedy it is!

The THREE HORSEMEN pass a procession of grateful
PENITENTS, who are crawling on their knees, chanting
psalms and flagellating themselves.  At the head of the
procession, HOODED PRIESTS carry a statue of the Virgin
Mary swathed in silk and lace.

The gates of the Alhambra Palace are in sight.

		COLUMBUS
	Is this a good time to meet her?

		SANTANGEL
	It couldn't be better.  Victors
	can't say no.

Bells are pealing triumphantly.  The noise is tumultuous.
They ride towards the magnificent palace.


EXT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - GARDENS - DAY

Fabulous Moorish gardens:  ponds filled with golden carp;
exotic bird cages hang from lemon trees... The distant
sounds of victory.

SANTANGEL and COLUMBUS walk through the gardens, escorted
by HALBERDIERS.  SOLDIERS pass by, carrying coffers or
piles of documents.

As they approach the inner sanctum, however, there are
fewer people.  They stop by the Lion's Fountain, where
several DIGNITARIES are waiting patiently for an audience.

SANCHEZ appears.  They bow.  SANTANGEL approaches to
murmur a compliment.

		SANTANGEL
	Your Excellency... truly grateful...
	your help... as ever...

SANCHEZ protests softly, and looks over at COLUMBUS, a
half-smile forming on his lips.  Then a DUENA appears, and
motions for COLUMBUS to follow.


INT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY

An ornate Moorish door is pushed open by the DUENA'S hand.
We enter the Throne Room -- sculptured colonnades,
mosaics... At the far end, windows open onto a view of
Granada's rooftops.

Against this dazzling light, the delicate silhouette of
QUEEN ISABEL OF SPAIN.  The light in her blonde hair
creates a halo around her head as she turns.  COLUMBUS
falls to his knees.

		ISABEL
	Rise...!  Come forward!

He approaches the window, stopping close to her.  ISABEL
scrutinizes him quickly.

		ISABEL
	I should not even be listening to
	you, since my council said no.  But
	Santangel tells me you are a man of
	honor and sincerity... And Sanchez,
	that you are not a fool.

		COLUMBUS
		(bold)
	No more than the woman who said she
	would take Granada from the Moors.

ISABEL smiles, enjoying the lack of obsequiousness.

		ISABEL
	The ocean is uncrossable?

		COLUMBUS
	What did they say about Granada
	before today?

		ISABEL
		(a beat)
	That she was impregnable.

ISABEL smiles again.

		ISABEL
	I cannot ignore the verdict of my
	council.

		COLUMBUS
	Surely you can do anything you want.

A direct challenge.  She doesn't know what to make of this
man.

		ISABEL
	How little you know.

This little hint of vulnerability subtly reverses their
positions for a moment.  Now we sense COLUMBUS
scrutinizing her.

		COLUMBUS
	May I speak freely?

		ISABEL
		(with a smile)
	You show no inclination to speak
	otherwise!

		COLUMBUS
	I know what I see.  I see someone
	who doesn't accept the world as it
	is.  Who's not afraid.  I see a
	women who thinks... "What if?"...

		ISABEL
		(amused at his
		 familiarity)
	A woman?

A slight pause.

		COLUMBUS
	Forgive me... but you're the only
	Queen I know.

She bursts out laughing.

		ISABEL
	Then we are equal... since you are
	the only sailor I know!

A beat.

		ISABEL
	How old are you, Senor Colon?

		COLUMBUS
	Thirty seven, Your Majesty... And
	you?

Once again taken off guard, ISABEL flushes, and turns away
slightly to hide it.

		ISABEL
	Thirty eight...

A pause.

		ISABEL
	You will be informed of our
	decision.

COLUMBUS bows and goes to leave.  As the DUENA opens the
door for him, he turns back.

		COLUMBUS
	Actually, I thought you were younger
	than me!

And he goes out, leaving her stunned.


EXT.  SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - TREE-LINED ROAD - DAY

A chalk white road, lined with trees.  Two liveried
SERVANTS are walking down the road, one carrying a large
silver tray, the other a smaller tray.

They are overtaken by an ADMINISTRATOR who hurries along
the road, with documents under his arm.


EXT.  SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - DAY

The CLERK enters an imposing stable block.

In the paddock, SANCHEZ is training a magnificent young
horse, making it step sideways, bending it to his will.
The ADMINISTRATOR watches him, unable to interrupt.

Behind him the two SERVANTS can be seen bringing in the
silver trays, with covered dishes of food, a decanter of
wine.  They begin to lay them out on a table.


EXT.  SANCHEZ'S ESTATE - STABLE BLOCK AND PADDOCK - LATER

SANCHEZ pours himself some wine, tucks into his his food,
while the ADMINISTRATOR, clearly working himself up into a
frenzy, reads from a document.

		ADMINISTRATOR
	... and he demands... he DEMANDS to
	be made a Knight, with the right to
	bear the Golden Spurs!  He will
	receive the title of Don Cristobal
	Colon -- which will be extended to
	his descendants for ever more...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up.  He is reading the contract
that COLUMBUS has proposed.  SANCHEZ, his mouth full,
gestures for him to continue.

		SANCHEZ
	Go on!

		ADMINISTRATOR
	He will be named Great Admiral of
	the Ocean Sea.  Viceroy of the West
	Indies... Governor of all islands or
	lands discovered or as will be
	discovered with his help...

The ADMINISTRATOR looks up again.

		ADMINISTRATOR
	The highest titles of nobility, Your
	Excellency!  To an immigrant
	sheltered by monks!

SANCHEZ gestures for the document.  Wipes his mouth.
Continues reading, calmly:

		SANCHEZ
	Furthermore he will receive one
	eight of all wealth or monies,
	precious gems, pearls, metals,
	spices and other lucrative sources
	conquered within the boundaries of
	his admiralty...

He smiles, hands the document back.

		SANCHEZ
	It's very underdone.

		ADMINISTRATOR
		(exploding)
	Underdone!  It's monstrous,
	Excellency!

		SANCHEZ
	No, the pheasant.  It's almost raw.

And he carries on eating.

		SANCHEZ
	You worry too much, Carvajal... The
	man will have to lower his demands.
	Believe me, he WILL!


INT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - A RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

Close up on COLUMBUS.

		COLUMBUS
	I WON'T!

A WOMAN'S HAND quietly, carefully opens a cover of a spy
hole in the wall.  Two beautiful eyes peer through a
grille, into the next room.

What they see:

SANCHEZ and COLUMBUS together.  COLUMBUS is visibly upset.

		SANCHEZ
		(calmly)
	We have considered your -- demands
	very carefully, Senor Colon... Your
	expectations are... excessive, in
	every way.

COLUMBUS tightens his fists, tries to remain calm.

		COLUMBUS
	If I am right, my requests are fair!

SANCHEZ holds up a document.

		SANCHEZ
	We have prepared our own contract...

He offers the document to COLUMBUS, who takes it, scans it
quickly, shakes his head.

		COLUMBUS
	No...

		SANCHEZ
	No?

		COLUMBUS
	NO...!  I have waited too long,
	fought too hard.  Now you expect me
	to take all the risks while you take
	the profit!  No... I will not be
	your servant!

The eyes behind the screen -- the mouth, forming a little
smile.

		SANCHEZ
	I remind you, Senor Colon, that you
	are in no position to bargain with
	me.

		COLUMBUS
	I'm not bargaining!

		SANCHEZ
		(steely)
	Then you are too ambitious.

COLUMBUS leans over the table, faces him.

		COLUMBUS
	And were you never ambitious,
	Excellency?  Or is ambition only a
	virtue among the nobles, a fault for
	the rest of us?

		SANCHEZ
		(abrupt)
	If you won't accept our proposal,
	we'll simply find someone who will.

COLUMBUS smiles.

		COLUMBUS
	If you can do that, Excellency --
	I'll become a monk!

He turns, strides towards the door.  We hear a WOMAN'S
muffled laughter.

As COLUMBUS goes out, ISABEL appears through a secret
door.  SANCHEZ bows.

ISABEL goes over to the window and looks out.

		ISABEL
	You were right, Don Sanchez... His
	demands could never be granted.

		SANCHEZ
	Never, Your Majesty.  Although...

She turns, questioningly, towards him.

		SANCHEZ
	... Although one may always
	renegotiate a contract.  Especially
	signed by Royal Hands.


EXT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE GARDENS - POV - DAY

SANCHEZ joins ISABEL at the window.  They see COLUMBUS
striding out and away.


INT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - A RECEPTION ROOM - DAY

BACK TO SANCHEZ

		SANCHEZ
		(quietly)
	... Into a monk...

		ISABEL
		(with a smile)
	Yes.  It would be a pity, wouldn't
	it?
		(turning to Sanchez)
	Call him back!


EXT.  STREET - EVENING

Teeming life.  COLUMBUS pushing his way through crowds.
He is expressionless and distracted.

He looks around him, stops walking.  And then,
unexpectedly, shouts.

		COLUMBUS
	YEEEEEEES!

All heads turn as if he were totally insane.  He walks on
as if nothing happened.


INT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

COLUMBUS is sitting at the kitchen table, by himself, with
a glass of wine.  There is a movement behind him.  BEATRIX
is standing at the foot of the stairs, in a night-shirt.

COLUMBUS turns and looks at her, almost sad.

		COLUMBUS
	She said yes.

		BEATRIX
		(moved)
	Thank God...

She smiles.  But he seems to be unable to share her
happiness.

		COLUMBUS
	If I ever come back, I swear I
	will...

She crosses to him quickly, placing her hand gently on his
mouth.

		BEATRIX
		(softly)
	I'm not asking you to swear to
	anything.

		COLUMBUS
	I don't want you to wait for me.

		BEATRIX
		(smiling)
	That's something you can't decide.

COLUMBUS kisses her.


INT.  CORRIDOR - BEATRIX'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Strange, unearthly music... A flickering light in a dark
tunnel.  FERNANDO, holding a candle in front of him, walks
slowly down the dark corridor.

Quietly opening a door, he walks into COLUMBUS' study.


INT.  COLUMBUS' STUDY - NIGHT

CLOSE ON:  A huge illustrated map of western Europe and
Asia.  FERNANDO'S candle moves slowly across the Atlantic
Ocean, to the edge of the map.  There, the illustrator's
imagination has created monsters:  terrifying demons;
creatures half-human, half-animal.

Sitting at his desk, COLUMBUS is looking at the map.

		FERNANDO (O.S.)
	You can't go there!

Turning, COLUMBUS finds his son beside him.

		COLUMBUS
	Why not?

FERNANDO points at the monsters.  He pulls the boy to him.

		COLUMBUS
	There aren't any monsters, Fernando.
	The only monsters are in here...
		(he taps his own
		 forehead)
	Watch!

He takes a pen, and draws a smile on one of the terrible
monsters, transforming it at once.  FERNANDO laughs
immediately.

		FERNANDO
	I want to go with you!

		COLUMBUS
	There'll be a time.

		FERNANDO
	You promise?
		(Columbus nods his
		 head)
	Do you swear on St. Christopher...?

FERNANDO pulls the chain with the St. Christopher medal
from under COLUMBUS' shirt.

		FERNANDO
	Do you swear on all the Holy Saints
	in heaven?

		COLUMBUS
		(laughing)
	Yes... Yes, I do... On all of them!

And he hugs his SON tightly.


EXT.  HILLSIDE AND GATE - PRE-DAWN

A luminous procession passes through a Moorish stone gate,
down to the harbor.  We see the faces of the SAILORS and
their FAMILIES -- COLUMBUS, PINZON AMONGST THEM -- We
sense the fervor and apprehension of the departure.  The
procession is lead by MARCHENA and four young NOVICES
carrying the Madonna.  All hold long, burning tapers,
saying the rosary.  A SAILOR pushes through the crowd, and
kisses the Madonna's feet.


EXT.  PALOS HARBOR - DAWN

Hundreds of candles flicker in the pre-dawn light, held by
the FAMILIES and FRIENDS of the SAILORS.

The SANTA MARIA the PINTA and the NINA nestle against the
quayside.  Dwarfed by the hulls, a flotilla of smaller
fishing craft, returning from night fishing, accidentally
witness this event.


EXT.  MAKESHIFT CONFESSIONAL - DOCKSIDE - DAWN

MARCHENA sits on a barrel and crosses himself.  Behind a
curtain sits COLUMBUS.

		MARCHENA
	In Nomine Patris et Filius, et
	Spiritus Sancti.

		COLUMBUS
	Forgive me, Father.  For I have
	sinned.

MARCHENA recognizes COLUMBUS' voice.

		MARCHENA
	I am listening, my son.

		COLUMBUS
	Father, I have betrayed my family.
	I betrayed my men.  And I betrayed
	you.

		MARCHENA
	What are you saying?

		COLUMBUS
	I lied.  The journey will be longer
	than I said.

		MARCHENA
	How long?

		COLUMBUS
	I am not sure... It could be twice
	the distance.

A pause.

		MARCHENA
	May God forgive you...!  You must
	tell them!  You must tell your men!

		COLUMBUS
	If I tell them, they won't follow
	me.  You know that I am right,
	Father.  You trust me...

		MARCHENA
	My son, my son...
		(he shakes his head)
	Your certitudes are sometimes
	frightening...
		(pause)
	Christopher, you must speak to them.
	And if you don't I will.

		COLUMBUS
	You are bound by an oath, Father.

A long silence.

		MARCHENA
	I believed in you...

		COLUMBUS
	Give me absolution.

No response.

		COLUMBUS
	Give me absolution, Father!

Devastated, MARCHENA reluctantly makes the sign of the
cross.


EXT.  HARBOR AND SHIPS - PALOS - DAWN

COLUMBUS walks over to where BEATRIX and FERNANDO are
waiting.  He kisses and hugs FERNANDO.

		MARCHENA (O.S.)
	Ispo Te Absoluto.  May God forgive
	you and have mercy on your soul,
	Christopher Columbus.  Go in peace.

						DISSOLVE TO:

EXT.  HARBOR AND SHIPS - DAWN - LATER

The CROWDED QUAYSIDE.  COLUMBUS stands in front of
FERNANDO.

		COLUMBUS
	Be good to your mother, Fernando.
	Do you promise?

FERNANDO nods, tears in his eyes.  Then COLUMBUS embraces
BEATRIX tightly.  She whispers into his ear.

		BEATRIX
	Speak to Diego.

But COLUMBUS and DIEGO are unable to find words, and
instead they clumsily hug.  Someone taps COLUMBUS'
shoulder.  He turns around to see SANTANGEL.  Wordlessly,
they hug.

						CUT TO:

Activity on the ships, orders are being shouted, ropes
fore and aft are cast off, splashing into the water... Now
the SHIPS are slowly moving parallel to the quayside.  The
CROWD starts walking abreast to the VESSELS.  WOMEN
holding up babies, blowing kisses, old PARENTS crying...
BEATRIX, HER SONS, AND SANTANGEL are among them.

COLUMBUS suddenly unties the chain around his neck, and
throws it at DIEGO.

		COLUMBUS
	Diego!  Here!

DIEGO catches it.  Opening his hand he looks at the
medallion.  Then looks up at his FATHER, elated.

THE SANTA MARIA is now two meters from the QUAY.
SANTANGEL is now opposite COLUMBUS.

		SANTANGEL
		(casually)
	Take care of my investment, wherever
	you're going!

		COLUMBUS
		(ambiguous)
	I have to tell you Santangel.  I
	don't know where on earth I am
	going!

They both laugh.

A FISHERMAN, standing in his shrimp-boat lets his hand
slide gently along the gigantic hull.  He stares up at the
SAILORS leaning on the rail.

		SAILOR
	Vaya con Dios!  (Go with God!)

They wave back.

						CUT TO:

MARCHENA walking towards the Moorish gate.  He finally
turns, sad and distraught.  He sees:

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SHIPS AT SEA - WHALES - DAY

THREE SHIPS ON A BOUNDLESS OCEAN.

The sea resembling a DORMANT MONSTER, holding its breath.
A living being, all powerful, capable of unpredictable
metamorphosis.  Music reflects the loneliness, the anxiety
of the crew, the fear of the unknown...

ENORMOUS WHALES moving slowly alongside, surging
majestically through the waves.  Sinking back,
disappearing, their cries taking precedent over the music.


EXT.  DECK - DAY

A SHIP'S BOY is throwing buckets of water on the deck.

A SAILOR is busy clearing the ropes around the mast.

A COOK is blowing life into a brazier, in preparation of
the evening meal.

TEN MEN heaving on a heavy rope, raising the top sail,
punctuating their efforts with a sailor's chant.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - NIGHT

The crystalline north star -- as if seen through an
instrument.

COLUMBUS' silhouette, by an oil lamp, standing at the
prow.  Holding a quadrant he is aiming at the stars.

SOME SAILORS are watching with curiosity.  One of them is
ALONSO, a rough, stocky Basque.

Near COLUMBUS, on a tressel, various books and charts.  He
makes an entry in the log.  Then goes back to his
quadrant.  He senses MENDEZ standing next to him.

		COLUMBUS
		(softly)
	Due west, Captain Mendez.  And may
	God be with us...

		MENDEZ
	God be with us admiral.

MENDEZ doesn't move, continuing to observe COLUMBUS.

		COLUMBUS
	What is it Mendez?  Speak!

MENDEZ is hesitant.  He nervously clears his throat.

		MENDEZ
	Well... It's the men, Sir.  They
	wonder how you know our position.
	We've lost sight from land days
	ago...

		COLUMBUS
		(still taking
		 readings)
	And what do you think Mendez?

		MENDEZ
	Well, I surely know what a quadrant
	is!  But I've never seen it used at
	night before.

		COLUMBUS
	Come over here.

MENDEZ hesitates, then motions to COLUMBUS.  The SAILORS
are watching, and some approach to hear the conversation.

		COLUMBUS
	Now, find the North Star.  Do you
	have it?

						CUT TO:

The picture swims across the heavens, until we see the
north star.

		COLUMBUS (O.S.)
	Steady yourself...!  Keep the plumb
	line vertical...

The picture steadies.

						CUT TO:

MENDEZ nods -- and loses equilibrium.  The plumb line
swings.

		COLUMBUS
	Don't move!  A mistake of one degree
	and we'll be off 6,000 leagues!

MENDEZ tries again.

		COLUMBUS
	What do you read?

		MENDEZ
	Twenty eight.

MENDEZ turns to COLUMBUS.

		COLUMBUS
	That's it.  The twenty eighth
	parallel.  And we'll follow it until
	we reach land.

ALONSO does not seem convinced.

		ALONSO
	How do you know land is on the
	twenty eighth parallel?


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - DAY

A blazing sun.  The ship is like a furnace, its brass
fittings too hot to touch, the blistering heat making the
air shimmer over the decks.

Desperate for shade, sailors are sheltering under the
sagging prow sail.

The SHIP'S BOY throws an empty bucket attached to a rope
over the side and hauls it back up again, brimming with
water.  As he turns, we see his face, disfigured by a hair
lip.  He drenches himself... From the shade, ALONSO
watches him.

		ALONSO
	Chicken-ass face!

The others laugh.  The BOY, ashamed, tries to ignore them.
ALONSO'S hand accidentally touches a brass fitting; he
reacts like he was burnt.

		ALONSO
	Shit!

He sucks his blistered fingers.

		ALONSO
	I never seen heat like this!  Not
	even in Las Minas!

		SAILOR
	The water's going putrid in the
	barrels.

		ALONSO
	You'll be drinking your own piss...
	For the glory of Spain... and
	Admiral Colon...!  Bastard!

The SHIP'S BOY glances round at them.

		ALONSO
	What are you listening to, chicken
	ass?

		SAILOR
	Ah, leave him alone.  He's doing no
	harm.

		ALONSO
	With a face like that?
		(to boy)
	I don't want you looking at me.  You
	hear?

The BOY turns away, dropping the bucket back into the sea.

		ALONSO
	He's the devil's child...

		SAILOR
	We'll all go crazy...

The BOY throws more water over the deck.  A SAILOR takes
his guitar, and starts singing an improvised song.

		SAILOR
	Culo de galina es el hijo del
	demonio... (Chicken ass mouth is the
	devil's child... Born from the loins
	of a stinky old goat etc...)

They all laugh.  The BOY, hearing this, climbs to the
crow's-nest like a monkey.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - RIGGING AND CROW'S-NEST - DAY

We experience a sense of vertigo as we near the top of the
main mast, high above the rolling deck.

The BOY curls like a fetus in the swinging crow's-nest,
exhausted by the heat, and scared.  His eyes are turning
white.  He begins to piss himself...

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - DAY

Piss is dripping on the deck.  THE SAILORS do not seem to
care.  THE COOK takes a chicken from a cage.  He breaks
its neck, and starts plucking it.  The OTHERS continue
their bitter conversation.

		ALONSO
	We should have seen land.

		SAILOR
	We left three weeks ago, Alonso.
	Can't be that near.

		ALONSO
	Can't be that far, I say.  Also, I
	don't like the smell of the sea
	around here.  Smells like a cunt.
	Bad sign...

The COOK starts laughing.  They turn to him.

		COOK
		(shaking his head)
	Of course it smells like it!  That's
	why sailors take to the sea!

They all laugh.  Alonso looks up at COLUMBUS standing on
the poop deck, scrutinizing the horizon, waiting for the
land to appear.

		ALONSO
	And why does this one take to the
	sea?  Nobody knows.  Never says a
	word...

MENDEZ has sensed the danger of this lack of respect.  He
approaches them.

		MENDEZ
	To your post!  At once!

They split in silence.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - NIGHT

The SHIP is plowing on, pushed by a hot wind -- SAILORS
sleep on deck.

The SHIP'S BOY is singing to himself.  Despite his hair
lip he has a pure, melancholy voice...

COLUMBUS, leaning over the prow rail, staring ahead, hears
it carry over the darkness.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - DAY

CLOSE UP ON AN HOUR-GLASS, nearly through its time.

The SHIP'S BOY throws an "ampoulette" over board.  We
follow the bulb attached to a rope, passing the full
length of the hull.  As it reaches the poop deck, another
SAILOR shouts "MARK".  A very primitive system of
calculation for distance and speed.

Sitting near the SHIP'S BOY, COLUMBUS is making entries in
a log-book, watching the hourglass.

		SHIP'S BOY
	Mark.  Twenty nine, Sir!

THE HOUR-GLASS runs out.  COLUMBUS converts the mark into
a daily average for distance and speed.

		COLUMBUS
	Six hundred and twenty nine.

THE SHIP'S BOY cups his hands to his mouth to shout.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  PINTA - DAY

PINZON, his OFFICERS beside him, looks across at the SANTA
MARIA.

		SHIP'S BOY
	Six hundred and twenty nine!

AN OFFICER turns to PINZON to repeat the message.

		OFFICER
	Six hundred and twenty nine, Sir!

PINZON does not seem too pleased.

		PINZON
	I heard.

THE OFFICER examines his own calculations.

		OFFICER
	Captain, I don't understand.

		PINZON
	I think I do.

He goes back to his cabin.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SHIPS - SARGASSO SEA - DAY

ABSOLUTE STILLNESS.  A FURNACE.  The three ships like
dots, on what seems to be a prairie of weed.

The caravels are being towed by three rowing boats.

CLOSE ON THE MEN, rowing, drenched with sweat.

FROM THE PROW, COLUMBUS is staring at the horizon.

ALONSO pulling at his oars stares at COLUMBUS' distant
figure with hate and resentment.

ALONSO suddenly ships his oars, throwing the whole boat
into disarray.  Chaos.

Total silence.  MENDEZ and ALONSO stare at each other.

		MENDEZ
	Continue rowing!

		ALONSO
	To where?

ALONSO defiantly stares at MENDEZ.  He then starts to beat
a rhythm on the hull with his fist, followed by the
others.  In the two other boats, the MEN begin to follow
suit, beating a rhythm of protest on the hulls.

MENDEZ looks up to COLUMBUS, in panic.

ON BOARD PINZON'S SHIP, an OFFICER cups his hands to his
mouth.

		OFFICER
	Captain Pinzon requests permission
	to board.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DAY

		COLUMBUS
	Granted.


INT.  COLUMBUS' CABIN - DAY

PINZON enters.  He looks furious.

		PINZON
	You lied!  You cheated!  We're way
	past 750 leagues!

		COLUMBUS
		(calmly)
	Six days ago, yes.

		PINZON
	You must be mad...!

		COLUMBUS
	We have to keep the hopes of these
	men alive!

		PINZON
	We're on the verge of a mutiny,
	Colon!

		COLUMBUS
	You think I don't know that?

		PINZON
	We're lost!

		COLUMBUS
	The land is there.  I know it!

		PINZON
	You don't know anything!  Listen
	Colon, these are my ships, right?
	So I'm telling you we're turning
	back!

		COLUMBUS
	And then what?  Half of the water
	has gone, the rest is nearly putrid!
	You know that!

		PINZON
		(apoplectic)
	Jesus Maria!  I should have never
	listened to you!

		COLUMBUS
	You never did.  You did all the
	talking for both of us, remember?

		PINZON
	You bloody...

		COLUMBUS
	Pinzon, Pinzon... All we can do now
	is go forward!  Think about that!

		PINZON
	You tell that to them!

		COLUMBUS
	You're right.  Let the men decide.

COLUMBUS moves to the door.  As an afterthought, he takes
his scarlet-embroidered jacket from a hook.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - DAY

Most of the men are now back on board.

They go silent as COLUMBUS appears.  He walks slowly over
to them.  All, including ALONSO, are surly, threatening...

		COLUMBUS
	Who gave you the order to come on
	board?

He looks up and down the line, finishing on ALONSO.  They
stare at one another.

		ALONSO
	God doesn't want us to cross the
	ocean...!  This voyage is cursed!

Some of the MEN murmur their agreement.

		COLUMBUS
	Cursed?

		ALONSO
	We set sail for greed.  God has
	abandoned us.  The voyage is cursed.
	There are signs...

ALONSO glances towards the SHIP'S BOY, with his hair lip.
The BOY lowers his eyes.  COLUMBUS moves towards him,
pulls him forward, stands him in front of ALONSO.

		COLUMBUS
	This boy has the voice of an angel.
	What comes out of his mouth is
	blessed, Alonso.  What comes out of
	your is evil.

Some of the men laugh at this statement.  ALONSO is ill at
ease.  COLUMBUS pauses, looks around at all the MEN.

		COLUMBUS
	Listen to me!  Every man is afraid
	who does something for the first
	time.  But those who overcome their
	fears, will find their rewards.  I
	do not know if it is God's will that
	we cross this ocean -- but I am
	certain it is the devil who puts
	fears into our hearts...

The MEN are listening.  We sense a subtle change of
mood...

		COLUMBUS
	This jacket to the first man who
	sights land!  I want a man up that
	mast day and night.

COLUMBUS points at the SHIP'S BOY.

		COLUMBUS
	You start first.

The SHIP'S BOY rushes up the mast.  As he climbs, the
mainsail starts to fill with wind.  The deck begins to
move under their feet.

This movement under their feet seems to imperceptibly
erase the fears and the angers.

		MENDEZ
	Alonso!  Jaime!  Don't let this wind
	escape us.

CRIES from the other ships, as the sails snap taut,
filling with wind.  MEN rush to their posts.  PINZON
stares at COLUMBUS, shaking his head in disbelief.

		PINZON
		(murmuring)
	You lucky bastard...

COLUMBUS walks away to his cabin, then turning back to
PINZON.

		COLUMBUS
	Pinzon, the more I sail, the luckier
	I get.

Turning abruptly, he enters his cabin.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - PROW - MISTY NIGHT

COLUMBUS is seated, isolated at the prow, wrapped in his
cape, struggling against the sleep.  MENDEZ approaches him
with a bowl of soup.

		MENDEZ
	Shall I take my turn?

COLUMBUS shakes his head no, and starts drinking from the
bowl.

						CUT TO:

COLUMBUS' head nods lower and lower to his chest.  He is
asleep.  We become aware of a sharp buzzing sound.  It
becomes louder as we move closer to COLUMBUS' face.

A mosquito lands on his temple.  COLUMBUS reflexively
slaps it.  He wakes up, and looks at his fingers -- a spot
of blood, a crushed mosquito.  He stares at it for a
moment.  Then slowly gets to his feet.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - NIGHT

In the luminous moonlight, COLUMBUS is standing, staring
up at thousands of insects that wheel around the mast
lantern.  We hear the flutter of their wings and see the
bats as they swoop and dive in a feeding frenzy.

COLUMBUS turns, stares into the darkness, desperate to see
the land that must be close.

He kneels by MENDEZ, wrapped in a blanket.  He touches his
shoulder.

		COLUMBUS
		(murmuring)
	Mendez!  Mendez!

MENDEZ grimaces, and opens one eye.

		COLUMBUS
	Land...

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SHIP - DAWN

An opaque dawn.  COLUMBUS, riveted, staring forward as if
to pierce the mist.  The entire crew are clinging to the
rail, and standing on the shrouds.

Suddenly, the SHIP BOY'S voice cracking with emotion.

		SHIP'S BOY
	TIERRA...!  TIERRA!

COLUMBUS strains his eyes; he still can not see anything.

The entire CREW stand and stare, silent, holding their
breath.

As the sun begins to rise, the fog dissipates -- slowly,
exquisitely, revealing a single palm, so close it seems
almost as though they could touch it.  Then a white slash
of beach.

Near COLUMBUS, a SAILOR falls to his knees and burst into
tears.  Others laugh with joy.  COLUMBUS watches this
vision in disbelief, his mouth open as if it were
difficult for him to breathe.  Tears come to his eyes.  He
closes them.  Then opens them again.  The land is there --
a green paradise.

On screen the words:  OCTOBER 12, 1942.  GUANAHAN ISLAND


EXT.  BOATS - DAY

Three row boats plunging through the surf towards the
beach.  COLUMBUS stands in the prow of the first boat.
MENDEZ is in the second.  PINZON the third.  They stare
entranced at the lushness of the foliage, and the blue
clarity of the water...

As the first boat beaches, COLUMBUS leaps out and wades
ashore.  Behind him the rest of the landing party splash
through the sun-dazzled water, carrying the banner of
Castille and Aragon.


EXT.  BEACH - DAY

They stand on the beach, almost in a dream.  There is
silence.  The ROYAL NOTARY, ludicrously overdressed, now
wet through, stumbles over to COLUMBUS and holds out his
contract and a pen.  COLUMBUS scrawls his name.

The MEN stare at him, filled not only with new respect,
but with something amounting to awe.

COLUMBUS turns to them, tries to speak.

		COLUMBUS
	By the... by the Grace of... God...

He swallows.  Tears have sprung to his eyes.  He is so
moved he cannot continue.  Coming to his rescue -- THE
SHIP'S BOY starts to roll the drum.  He then stops.

		COLUMBUS
		(pulling himself
		 together)
	In the name of their Gracious
	Majesties of Castille and Aragon,
	and by all the powers vested in me,
	I claim this island and name it San
	Salvador.

The MEN cheer as the flags are rammed into the sand,
flapping in the wind.

COLUMBUS starts to walk towards the jungle, and in silence
the rest follow.


EXT.  JUNGLE - DAY

Immediately they are met by an incredible wall of SOUND!
The jungle is filled with NOISE.  The impossibly-loud
CRIES of EXOTIC BIRDS, the CHATTERING of MONKEYS.  The
SPANIARDS are overwhelmed.

They move forward.  Rays of sunlight pierce through the
high canopy of leaves, like the roof of a magnificent
cathedral.  The sounds and smells intoxicate their senses.
They are filled with wonder.

Then PINZON stops.  He has seen something.  Another stops,
then a third, staring ahead of them...

		MENDEZ
		(whispering
		 urgently)
	Arquebuses!

Several of them raise their weapons to their shoulders,
pointing them into the jungle.

From COLUMBUS' POV we slowly scan the face of the thick
jungle ahead.  For a moment we don't see anything -- and
then, with a shock, we see the first INDIAN.  Naked,
painted like an idol, carrying a hunting lance.

As if they had materialized from nowhere:  the rest of the
HUNTING PARTY, with their bows and spears.  Silent.
Watchful.  They stare back at us.

The SPANIARDS nervously finger their weapons.

COLUMBUS slowly lifts his hand into the air:  a clear
signal not to fire.  Then, removing his sword, he drops it
on the ground, and starts to walk forward, fixing his gaze
upon the first INDIAN he saw.

		PINZON
		(warningly)
	Colon!

COLUMBUS ignores him, even though some of the INDIANS have
raised their weapons.  He stops in the no-man's land
between them.  The INDIANS don't move -- but something
excites them.

The SHIP'S BOY, wearing COLUMBUS' embroidered jacket and
the drum, has followed COLUMBUS and now stands close to
him.  He is the cause of their interest.  COLUMBUS puts
his arm around the BOY, and this gesture of affection
seems to put the INDIANS at their ease.  They start
talking and pointing.  They come forward slowly, start to
tentatively touch the BOY'S jacket.  Then, now laughing,
they touch COLUMBUS, pulling at his beard.  COLUMBUS
laughs too.

Sensing their innocence, the rest of the MEN lower their
weapons.  Some of them laugh.

An apparition:  a beautiful young INDIAN GIRL, totally
naked, walks out of the jungle.

She is pregnant and holds a child.  We begin to hear
Indian music, played on a flute.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  INDIAN VILLAGE - DAY

A large post is lifted from the ground by two SPANIARDS
pulling on ropes.  The post is fixed into position -- and
then we see that it is a large wooden cross... The INDIAN
VILLAGERS watch the ceremony with some interest and
amusement.

COLUMBUS looks over at the men and gestures at the
INDIANS.

		COLUMBUS
	We have come here in peace, and we
	will behave with honor.  They are
	not savages and neither will you be.
	Treat these people as you would your
	own wives and your own children.
	Neither are you free to take what
	you will; for a seashell you give a
	bandana.  You will respect their
	beliefs.  Pillage will be punished
	by the whip.  Rape by the sword.


EXT.  VILLAGE - SUNSET

The smoke from fires.  Laughter.  Music playing.  The
INDIANS have prepared food for the SPANIARDS, who are
drinking and enjoying themselves in this strange world.

COLUMBUS sits with MENDEZ, PINZON, the INDIAN CHIEF,
ELDERS OF THE VILLAGE.  Other INDIANS stand around,
smiling, curious.

The INDIANS talk among themselves.  The ELDERS smoke
primitive cigars -- and offer them, with good humor, to
their guests.  The SPANIARDS cough and choke at first...
and laugh.  In return, they offer the INDIANS wine...

Dogs roam around the campfires.  The WOMEN openly suckle
their babies.  The MEN are entranced.

PINZON draws out attention, for the first time, to a small
gold ornament on the nose of one of the INDIANS.  He
points to it, indicates his interest in it.

		PINZON
	Gold...!  Gold!

The INDIANS says the word in his own language, laughing.
We see that some of the other INDIANS also have small gold
ornaments.

PINZON repeats the INDIAN word for gold.  The INDIAN
removes the ornament from his nose, gives it to PINZON,
who indicates that he wants to have it.  The INDIAN nods
-- but points to PINZON'S dagger, indicating that he wants
it in return.  PINZON shakes his head, stops the INDIAN
from taking it.

		COLUMBUS
		(to Pinzon)
	Give it to him!

PINZON looks at him, about to argue -- but COLUMBUS
insists.  PINZON takes out the dagger and offers it to the
INDIAN.

		PINZON
		(irritated)
	By God!  That's the worst trade of
	my life!

His friends laugh.  Innocently, the INDIAN has taken it by
the blade.  He yelps, looks down at the blood welling
up... A moment of tension... Then MENDEZ laughs at his
clumsiness, and the ELDERS laugh too... and the INDIAN
laughs.

Just outside this circle, we see the first INDIAN we saw,
squatting on his haunches, watching.  This is UTAPAN.


INT.  TENT - DAWN

The first light outside -- the strange, wonderful sounds
of the jungle all around.  COLUMBUS writes in his journal.

		COLUMBUS (V.O.)
	October 21st, 1492.  I think we have
	returned to Eden.  Surely this is
	how the world once was, before the
	beginning of time.  I believe no man
	will ever see this land again as we
	do, for the first time...

He looks up.  UTAPAN is squatting in the doorway of the
hut.  He's been there all night.  COLUMBUS takes more ink
on his quill and begins to sketch UTAPAN'S face in the
margin of his log-book.  He draws well.

He gets up and walks over to UTAPAN and shows him the
drawing.  It's an electrifying moment.  UTAPAN is shocked
and amazed.  At first he is rather frightened of his own
image... Then he is happy, and laughs... and COLUMBUS
laughs with him and puts a hand on his shoulder in a
gesture of friendship.

UTAPAN gets up, and indicates that he too has something he
wishes to offer.


EXT.  JUNGLE - MORNING

UTAPAN expertly scampering through the jungle.  COLUMBUS
follows him.

UTAPAN orders COLUMBUS to sit.  COLUMBUS obeys.  UTAPAN
looks up at the tops of the trees.  The sun is rising, and
filters through the foliage.  As if the time had come,
UTAPAN stands up, and COLUMBUS does the same.

A gap in the dense vegetation.  Something is glittering.
Gold.  A mass of gold.  As they approach, COLUMBUS
discovers --

A large pool of fresh water.  The morning sunlight has
turned the water into liquid gold.  The surface ripples
with the breeze.  UTAPAN smiles.  It the stranger
satisfied?  Isn't this what he came for?

COLUMBUS plunges into the pool.  As he emerges, he fills
his palms with liquid gold.

						DISSOLVE TO:

EXT.  RIVER - DAY

Wide shot -- A flotilla of canoes are going upstream.

INDIANS AND SPANIARDS are traveling together in the
canoes.  UTAPAN leads the expedition in COLUMBUS' craft.
THE SHIP BOY'S cranium is shaved like UTAPAN'S, and we
notice that some other crew members are beardless, some
even wearing tribal patterns.


EXT.  RIVERSIDE - DAY

INDIAN VILLAGERS confronting the SPANIARDS, UTAPAN talks
to an ELDER MAN, watched by COLUMBUS, MENDEZ and PINZON.

UTAPAN repeats several times the word for GOLD, showing
some artifacts.  The OLD INDIAN shakes his head no,
indicating another distant place.

		OLD INDIAN
	Cuba!  Cuba!

THE OLD MAN nods, points into the distance, chatters away
to UTAPAN.

		UTAPAN
	Say not here!  Cuba!

		COLUMBUS
	What is it?  A tribe?  An island?

		UTAPAN
	Island.  Far.


EXT.  SANTA MARIA - DECK - DAY

Standing at the prow of the ship, his long dark hair
floating in the wind, UTAPAN rejoicing at the speed.


EXT.  THICK JUNGLE - CUBA - DAY

Led by UTAPAN, the SPANIARDS hack their way through thick
jungle.  It's hard work.  The MEN sweat.  This is
inhospitable terrain.  Even the noises of the jungle seem
somehow more sinister...

						CUT TO:

RESTING PLACE - ALONSO is seated under a tree.  He takes
off his boot, and grabs his foot, examining the blisters
on his toes.  As he puts his foot back into the boot, he
jumps screaming in pain.

ALONSO yelps, grasping his ankle.

CLOSE ON a snake sliding out of the empty boot.

While his COMPANIONS rush to him, a SAILOR spots the
snake, and decapitates it with his sword.  UTAPAN glances
at the dead snake.  He then goes and kneels -- he sees the
bite on ALONSO'S ankle.

		COLUMBUS
	Help him!

ALONSO is quiet and silent.  His eyes are looking around
at his companions.  UTAPAN shakes his head.  There is
nothing he can do.

ALONSO is now leaning back, supported by one of his
friends.  He has grabbed the forearm of a SAILOR.  His
look is already far away.  His companion shouts at UTAPAN.

		SAILOR
	Do something!  Help him!

		UTAPAN
	He dead.

ALONSO starts convulsing.  HIS FRIENDS hold him, desperate
in their helplessness.  Others simply move away,
horrified.  One of them cries.


EXT.  RIVER - DAY

Standing in the stream up to his thighs, A SPANIARD (a
gold expert) examines some stones.  He then looks up at
COLUMBUS and PINZON and just throws the stones back into
the water without a word.

The group of SPANIARDS are resting, exhausted by the
humidity.  Some are drinking from the river, others soak
bandanas, and tie them around their necks...

One after another, they stand up slowly -- they look
discouraged, tired, and beaten.


EXT.  MOUNTAINOUS JUNGLE - DAY

UTAPAN and the SPANIARDS are trekking in the hills.  Fully
armed, they are now suffering intensely from the heat and
the vicious insect bites.

COLUMBUS doggedly keeps up with UTAPAN, who tirelessly
trots forward.

Finally, COLUMBUS turns around and sees... nobody.  He
calls out to UTAPAN.

		COLUMBUS
	Utapan!  Wait!

UTAPAN stops obediently, and rushes back to COLUMBUS with
comical energy.

On their way back, they find one SOLDIER sitting, leaning
against a tree.  He has removed his helmet.  His hair
sticking to his forehead.

As COLUMBUS and UTAPAN walk back, they find another
SAILOR, then another, then the whole group gathered around
PINZON.  Ashen, he burns with fever.  He attempts a smile.

		PINZON
	Well... You'll have to continue
	without me...

COLUMBUS looks around him -- what he sees:  exhausted men
and jungle, as far as one can see.

		COLUMBUS
	No.  It's enough.  What would you
	say to a drop of Jerez, Pinzon?

PINZON grins.

		PINZON
	And a nice slice of Santa Fe lamb!
	I'd sell my soul for it.
		(to his officer)
	Help me up.  I've got to piss, gold.

They all laugh as the OFFICER helps PINZON to his feet.

PINZON walks a few yards into the jungle -- starts to
urinate.  It is red.  Suddenly dizzy, he reels and
collapses.


EXT.  JUNGLE - DAY

A line of SPANIARDS and INDIANS threading their way down a
mountainside.  PINZON is being carried on a makeshift
stretcher.  His eyes are closed, his face thick with
sweat.

They enter a village, to the surprise of the INDIANS.
UTAPAN once again at the front as the ambassador.


INT.  HUT - NIGHT

A INDIAN SHAMAN is forcing a milky fluid into PINZON'S
mouth.  COLUMBUS attempts a gesture to prevent him.  But
UTAPAN stops him.

		UTAPAN
	He cures.

COLUMBUS nods -- he obviously trusts UTAPAN.


INT.  CHIEF GUARIONEX'S HUT - NIGHT

In the half-light, figures wreathed in smoke -- COLUMBUS,
MENDEZ and UTAPAN watch the CHIEF GUARIONEX putting a
Spanish helmet on his head.  The helmet is too big, almost
covering his eyes.  The ELDERS appraise the gift with
solemn wonder.

In return, GUARIONEX hands COLUMBUS a parcel made of
leaves.  COLUMBUS unwraps them.  Inside:  a GOLD grimacing
mask.  The first real piece of gold.  COLUMBUS is unable
to conceal his excitement at this first real evidence of
the metal.

He waits for the CHIEF to speak, but the CHIEF only looks
at him.  On the ground, we see other presents offered by
the SPANIARDS -- trinkets, and necklaces...

		UTAPAN
		(to Columbus)
	You come!  You speak first!

		COLUMBUS
	Tell the Chief we thank him.

		UTAPAN
	Chief knows.

		COLUMBUS
	Tell him his country is very
	beautiful.  Tell him we are leaving
	men here -- to build a fort.

UTAPAN translates.

		COLUMBUS
	Tell him we will return very soon.
	Many of us.

UTAPAN translates.  The CHIEF GUARIONEX asks a simple
question.

		UTAPAN
	Chief says -- how many?

		COLUMBUS
	Thousands.

		UTAPAN
	Why?

COLUMBUS doesn't seem to understand the question.  For the
first time he seems to be caught short.

		COLUMBUS
	To bring the word of God.

		UTAPAN
	Chief says -- he has a God.

		COLUMBUS
		(pursuing)
	... and also to bring medicine.

		UTAPAN
	Chief says...

		COLUMBUS
		(interrupting)
	He has medicine.
		(pause)
	Tell him we admire his people.

UTAPAN translates.

		UTAPAN
	Chief says he knows you like his...
		(searches for the
		 word)
	Women...

And the CHIEF gets up, awards COLUMBUS with a smile, and
walks out of the hut, the ELDERS following, leaving
COLUMBUS alone.

		COLUMBUS
		(with a little
		 smile)
	That's a beginning...


EXT.  SHORE - DAY

Watched from the shore by the INDIANS and by about forty
of the SPANIARDS, who are staying behind, the boats pull
out towards the two remaining ships.

PINZON is laid out in the bottom of the boat.  COLUMBUS,
UTAPAN, and four other INDIANS are in the same boat.

		COLUMBUS (V.O.)
	March 1493... Thirty nine of my men
	volunteered to stay behind.  God
	willing we will be back in less than
	a year...

The boats continue to pull away, the figures on the shore
growing smaller.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  COLUMBUS' CABIN - NIGHT

CLOSE ON:  a golden mask... the lamp in the cabin swings
violently back and forth, creating strange shadows, as if
the mask was alive... COLUMBUS is writing with difficulty
in his log-book.

		COLUMBUS (V.O.)
	... Several men are ill.  We did not
	find signs of civilization.  No
	cities, no temples... Nothing that
	resembles Marco Polo's descriptions.
	My ships are not filled with the
	spices and the gold that Spain was
	hoping for.  But this land
	intoxicates the senses like the
	strongest of perfumes... And all I
	can think of, is to return to these
	untamed lands...

Suddenly the cabin seems to lurch over.  Things fall from
the table, smashing on the floor... COLUMBUS nearly falls.


EXT.  SEA - NIGHT

We are in the middle of a violent storm -- of terrifying
proportions.  The thunder is deafening.  Light irradiates
the darkness.  We see the two caravels, dwarfed by the
massive seas.


EXT.  DECK - NIGHT

Five MEN are struggling to lash down the tiller.  The deck
jumps and rolls.  It rises five meters into the air then
falls into space and hits the water with a terrible crack.
Waves sweep over the decks.  We hear desperate cries for
mercy from the terrified crew, loud enough to be heard
above the storm.

COLUMBUS and MENDEZ are crawling towards the mast, along a
lifeline.

		COLUMBUS
		(screaming to the
		 sailors)
	Get below!  All of you!  Go!

The MEN start to scramble below decks.

		COLUMBUS
		(to Mendez)
	Stay with me!

The ship rolls again.  COLUMBUS and MENDEZ crawl towards
the mast.  Another gigantic wave crashes over them, tons
of water falling like cement.  They reach the mast.  The
wood groans.

		COLUMBUS
	We may have to cut it!

MENDEZ nods... COLUMBUS grabs some rope.  The ship rises
into the air again, crashes down, the deck disappearing
beneath them for a moment.

		COLUMBUS
		(screaming out)
	I'll stay here -- to decide if we
	cut it.  Help me!

With MENDEZ'S help, COLUMBUS is tied to the mast:  one
rope under his arms, the other around his waist.  MENDEZ
hands him a horn.

		COLUMBUS
		(screaming)
	Now go!

MENDEZ seems to hesitate.  COLUMBUS screams at him again.

		COLUMBUS
	I said -- below deck, Mendez!

MENDEZ crawls away.

Another huge wave washes over COLUMBUS.  He emerges,
almost suffocated.  The storm rages, its eerie light
making it seem at times like bright daylight.  But as the
lightning flashes, COLUMBUS begins to count:

		COLUMBUS
	One... two... three... four...

There's an enormous thunderclap on "four" -- it indicates
how close they are to the eye of the storm.

The ship keels over again, dropping down and down, seeming
never to rise... COLUMBUS lifts his head to the heavens,
screams out:

		COLUMBUS
	Damn you!

As if in answer, another flash of lightning that
illuminates the sky and the sea.  COLUMBUS starts counting
again.

		COLUMBUS
	One... two... three... four...
	five...

Another terrible clap of thunder on "five" -- COLUMBUS
starts laughing, knowing the storm is moving on.

Then, in the strange light, something seems to move
through the air towards him; it looks like some kind of
projectile, a craft, with a trail of vapor.

COLUMBUS stares up at it... amazed.  We start to hear the
"Te Deum", majestic and heavenly.

						CUT TO:

INT.  CATHEDRAL OF CORDOBA - SPAIN - DAY

COLUMBUS looks up at the vast roof, to see an incense
burner, swinging, gliding swiftly across the ceiling,
trailing a think vapor of incense.

A magnificent "Te Deum" is being sung -- in honor of
COLUMBUS' achievements and return.  The whole cathedral is
packed with nobles and dignitaries in their gorgeous
robes.

BEATRIX, FERNANDO and DIEGO are staring in fascination at
COLUMBUS' triumph -- somewhat separated by the grandeur of
this occasion.  COLUMBUS passes by, walking proudly down
the long central alley, beside KING FERDINAND and QUEEN
ISABEL and other GRANDEES.  He turns to his family,
keeping his eyes on BEATRIX until she is out of his
vision.

The procession is followed by UTAPAN, and other INDIANS in
tribal regalia...

As they move through the crowds, all eyes are upon
COLUMBUS.

						CUT TO:

INT.  ROOM - SEVILLE (PINZON'S DEATH) - DAY

In a simple room, a PRIEST finishes giving the Last Rites
and a sheet is pulled over the head of MARTIN PINZON.  His
WIFE and CHILDREN weep at the bedside.

						CUT TO:

INT.  CATHEDRAL - DAY

A stool passes from hands to hands.  It is placed at the
Queen and King's side.  COLUMBUS sits on it -- a supreme
privilege.

To one side sit AROJAZ and SANCHEZ.  AROJAZ leans over to
whisper to him.

		AROJAZ
	It won't be easy to get rid of your
	prophet now, Don Sanchez.

		SANCHEZ
		(whispering)
	On the contrary, Your Eminence.  It
	seems to me the man is preparing his
	own cross.


INT.  ALCAZAR'S PALACE IN SEVILLE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

CLOSE ON:  the face of a young, SPANISH NOBLEMAN, ADRIAN
DE MOXICA.  Hesitantly, he brings a lighted cigar to his
lips -- then pauses.

We discover other people around the magnificent candle-lit
table.  NOBLE MEN and NOBLE WOMEN.  SANCHEZ.  COLUMBUS.
QUEEN ISABEL.

COLUMBUS takes the cigar from MOXICA.  The rest watch him
with rapt curiosity.  COLUMBUS inhales deeply then, to
their astonishment, blows out the smoke through his nose.

		COLUMBUS
	You must not inhale, but simply
	allow the palate to enjoy the flavor
	of the Tobacco...

He hands the cigar back to MOXICA.  With a casual air,
MOXICA himself inhales deeply -- almost chokes to death.
He gulps down a glass of wine... much to the amusement of
the others.

		MOXICA
		(deeply embarrassed)
	And you say this is an Indian vice?
	By God!  I don't see any kind of
	pleasure that would make this a sin.

		COLUMBUS
	The Indians have no such word, Don
	Moxica.

		ISABEL
	Do they have such thoughts?

		COLUMBUS
	They come and go as naked as the day
	God created them...

ISABEL blushes slightly.

		COLUMBUS
	They don't see sin in their
	nakedness.  They live according to
	nature, in a never ending summer.
	The islands are covered with trees,
	filled with blossoms and fruits.
	And...

		SANCHEZ
		(interrupting)
	Forgive me, Don Colon.  But what
	about gold?

COLUMBUS nods, turns and whispers something to a SERVANT
standing just behind his chair.  The SERVANT goes to open
the door -- and in comes UTAPAN, dressed as a tribesman,
carrying a casket.  The WOMEN around the table fan
themselves furiously at the sight.  UTAPAN puts the casket
down in front of the QUEEN, and steps back.

		COLUMBUS
	These are gifts for Your Majesty.

ISABEL opens the casket, revealing the gleam of gold
inside.  She takes out some of the little golden
ornaments... a bracelet and then the mask.

She holds it, somehow moved by its crude beauty.

ISABEL raises the mask to her face, looking across at
COLUMBUS.

The image is somehow powerful enough to reduce even the
ARISTOCRATS to silence.  She speaks from behind the mask.

		ISABEL
	We are more than gratified.

The guests laugh obsequiously.  COLUMBUS bows a little --
looks up and meets the eyes of SANCHEZ, who is staring at
him, coldly.


INT.  ROTUNDA - DAY

A SWORD MASTER advances towards us with determination, his
sword flashing.  He is fighting an adversary we do not
see, and comments his movements.

		MASTER
	Si!  Si!  Muy bien!  Excellente!
	(Yes!  Yes!  Good!  Excellent!)

We discover the SWORD MASTER is fencing with COLUMBUS.  A
dozen duellists are practicing in the magnificent rotunda,
surrounded with a two-tiered colonnade.

Out of breath, COLUMBUS stops the exercise, and removes
his protective canvas padding.  He bows at his teacher,
who salutes him in return.

COLUMBUS walks to a tressel laden with food and beverages.
SANCHEZ, in a fencing outfit and boots, is having a glass
of wine.  Upon seeing COLUMBUS approaching, he hands him a
glass.

		SANCHEZ
	You defend yourself admirably...

		COLUMBUS
	... for a commoner?

SANCHEZ laughs and raises his glass.

		SANCHEZ
	To your second expedition.

They drink.  A short, somewhat ugly man, with some kind of
imposing energy, approach them.

		SANCHEZ
	Don Colon -- Don Alonso de
	Bobadilla.  A man who knows our
	laws.

BOBADILLA bows.

		BOBADILLA
	I understand that you will soon be
	appointing Governors for the
	islands?  Is it not so?

		COLUMBUS
	Forgive me, Don Bobadilla -- those
	positions have already been taken.

		BOBADILLA
		(disappointed)
	May I ask by whom?

		COLUMBUS
	Bartolome and Giacomo Colon.

SANCHEZ looks at him in surprise.  BOBADILLA reddens.

		BOBADILLA
	I trust they are men of quality.

BOBADILLA glances at SANCHEZ.

		COLUMBUS
	But we do have a lack of notaries.
	You should contact my
	administration.

		SANCHEZ
		(amused)
	Don Bobadilla is already a judge, my
	Dear Don Cristobal.

		COLUMBUS
	Good!  We are also in need of
	judges.  Except there are no
	thieves!

A grin disfigures the face of BOBADILLA.

		BOBADILLA
		(to Sanchez)
	I see I was mistaken.  Don Colon
	has no need for my services...

And he walks off.  SANCHEZ fills his mouth with a slice of
ham.

		SANCHEZ
		(amused)
	You seem to have a special talent
	for making friends.

		COLUMBUS
	What...?  Do I have so many already?

		SANCHEZ
		(seriously)
	To rise so high, in so short a time,
	is a dangerous occupation.
		(kindly)
	A little hypocrisy goes a long way.


INT.  ROOM - ADMINISTRATION - DAY

COLUMBUS with two MEN:  the oldest, around thirty, is a
strong-looking man.  The youngest, no more than twenty
five, is thin and fit.  There is obvious tension in the
room.  These are BARTOLOME and GIACOMO COLON, COLUMBUS'
brothers.  BARTOLOME is angry, and GIACOMO thoughtful.

		BARTOLOME
	You might have given us a choice!

		GIACOMO
	Bartolome is stronger, more capable
	than I will ever be...

		COLUMBUS
	I need both of you.  What are you
	afraid of?  We are living what we
	always dreamt of.

		GIACOMO
	You know I never shared those dreams
	with you.

		COLUMBUS
	Are you saying you refuse to help?

COLUMBUS looks at them with such pained surprise...

		BARTOLOME
		(amused)
	You bastard... you always had your
	own way...

		COLUMBUS
	Let me show you something.

He opens the door to a terrace.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  GALLERY - DAY

The large gallery courtyard is crowded with PEOPLE --
applicants for the voyage.  As COLUMBUS appears, they all
press forward, calling out his name, trying to get his
attention, touching his sleeves as if he were a saint.
They crowd around COLUMBUS and his BROTHERS.  COLUMBUS
nods, murmurs vaguely, here and there...

		COLUMBUS
	Of course... Of course... We'll see
	to it... Yes... Thank you... Soon...
	Soon...

Fighting their way through, the BOTHERS press their way,
reaching the other side of the gallery.  We get glimpses
of the incredible activity down below.  ADMINISTRATORS,
MILITARIES, MERCHANTS are busy around tressels covered
with documents, plans, maps... preparing the second
expedition.

COLUMBUS puts his arms around them.

		COLUMBUS
		(indicating the
		 applicants)
	Now -- you tell me.  Who can I
	trust?
		(almost amused)
	We're brothers!  We must be a House.
	A bloodline!  In this country one
	can't exist alone!  I need you...!
	Both of you!

He walks then to the balustrade.  The cries from the
courtyard down below subside... some of the applicants
begin to look up, aware of his presence.

		SOLDIER
	Where is the Admiral?  Has anyone
	seen the Admiral?

Everybody laughs.

		COLUMBUS
	He is here!  What is it?

He leans over the balcony.  In the middle of the
overcrowded courtyard, the SOLDIER who was shouting is
brandishing a document.

		MAN
	Admiral!  The horses have arrived.

		COLUMBUS
	I know.  I saw them!  Who did we
	hire today?

ANOTHER ASSISTANT raises his eyes.

		ASSISTANT
	Thirty blacksmiths, twenty eight
	halberdiers, twenty carpenters, a
	hundred farmers, twenty miners...
	and Doctor Chanca, the royal
	surgeon.

		COLUMBUS
	The royal surgeon?  Then we can
	count on royal health!

The whole courtyard bursts out laughing.


EXT.  ORANGERY - VICEROY'S HOUSE - DAY

UTAPAN is lying in his hammock.  FERNANDO turns him over.
UTAPAN falls to the ground.

COLUMBUS walks beside BEATRIX.

		COLUMBUS
		(looking at his son)
	He's growing up!

BEATRIX smiles, nods.  They walk on.

		COLUMBUS
	Beatrix, I want to ask you
	something.

		BEATRIX
		(with a smile)
	You don't usually ask.

		COLUMBUS
		(after a pause)
	I can arrange for the Queen to take
	Fernando and Diego into her service.

BEATRIX stops in her tracks, looks at him.

		COLUMBUS
	It is a great honor.  We could not
	hope for anything better.

BEATRIX nods, but bites her lip, and looks back at
FERNANDO.

		BEATRIX
	For once I wish you weren't right.

COLUMBUS puts his arm around her waist, pulling her
closer, they move away.


EXT.  FAR END OF THE ORANGERY - DAY

FERNANDO is now swinging expertly in the hammock.  UTAPAN
is pushing him gently.  He slowly straightens up to watch
COLUMBUS and BEATRIX disappear, somehow sensing there is a
dilemma.  FERNANDO noticing UTAPAN'S reaction, turns to
his parents.  The arbor is empty.  FERNANDO becomes
pensive.

We become aware of the rustling of the jungle.

			      SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

EXT.  BEACH AND EDGE OF JUNGLE - DAY

FIFTEEN HUNDRED MEN spread along the beach, looking
towards the jungle.  COLUMBUS stands beside his BROTHERS,
and MENDEZ, and UTAPAN.

MOXICA, astride a magnificent black horse, prances back
and forth across the sand.  All are waiting.

A signal cannon is fired from one of the ships.  Birds
scatter into the air from the jungle -- but then silence,
complete and ominous.  COLUMBUS stares into the jungle.
Nothing.  No one to greet them -- no welcoming party from
the MEN they left behind.

COLUMBUS glances at MENDEZ.

MENDEZ looks at him, but can't answer.

MOXICA suddenly spurs on his horse, and guides it into the
trees.  The order is given for the rest to follow, fanning
out as they do so, weapons at the ready.


EXT.  CLEARING - JUNGLE - DAY

Ruins.  The camp has been burned to ashes.  A strange
sight:  arrows are stuck vertically into the ground, each
with a moldering tuft of human hair attached to the
flight.

In silence the SOLDIERS pick their way through the
devastation.

The ground is littered with coconuts.  Kicking one over
with his shoe, a SOLDIER discovers that his coconut is
actually a human skull.  The gaping mouth has been filled
to the brim with gold.

But of the living, there is no sign.

		MOXICA
	Is this your new world, Don Colon?

COLUMBUS looks around in dismay.  A YOUNG NOBLEMAN,
HERNANDO DE GUEVARA, takes out his sword.

		GUEVARA
	These animals should be shown what
	savagery can be!

Other SPANIARDS join in, repeating this last word.

		NOBLEMAN
	Three heads for every life taken.
	No mercy before God!

		GUEVARA
	No mercy!  Let's find them.

		COLUMBUS
	No Guevara.  There will be no
	revenge.

Silence.  Everyone looks at COLUMBUS.

		MOXICA
	We lost cousins, friends.  We will
	wash this in blood.

		COLUMBUS
	If you want to keep your head on
	your shoulders, you'll do as I say.

They are all listening.

		COLUMBUS
	Moxica, I lost friends too... Thirty
	nine brave men who trusted me.

He walks among them.

		COLUMBUS
	You want a war?  Fine.  We are a
	thousand.  They outnumber us by ten!
	Who will you kill?  Which tribe?

		MOXICA
	We don't need to know.

		COLUMBUS
	We came here to stay!  To build!
	Not to start a crusade.  In this
	forest, there is enough danger to
	sweep us away in days!  So we will
	be brave and swallow our grief.  And
	in the name of those who died, we
	will accomplish what we came for.


EXT.  INDIAN VILLAGE - DAY

MOXICA mounted on his magnificent BLACK STALLION canters
to the edge of the deserted village and enters the
village.  UTAPAN is terrorized by the absence of anything
living.

All we can hear is the breathing of the horse.  The
animal, an impressive mass of muscle, prances nervously.

UTAPAN calls out in dialect.

		UTAPAN
	They here.

Slowly, they begin to appear, one after the other --
materializing from the jungle.  Shy and scared.

They stare at this "Centaur" (the HORSE and the HORSEMAN
seem to be one -- a God).

To impress them even more, MOXICA makes the beast move
sideways and backwards, rearing, its front hoofs pawing
the air.  THE INDIANS retreat in terror, except for one,
who stands his ground, brandishing his lance.

UTAPAN encourages the YOUNG WARRIOR to approach the
centaur.  He places his hand onto the shoulder of the
animal.  The muscles shudder.  THE INDIAN jumps back
comically, accompanied by the rest of the tribe.

Without warning, MOXICA climbs down from the saddle.  More
INDIANS step back in fear and absolute astonishment.  Now
more have ventured from the jungle.  The bravest of them
approach MOXICA, daring to touch him, and the horse,
retreating then touching until they fill the compound.

At this moment, COLUMBUS and his SOLDIERS appear all
around them, pointing their muskets, and their crossbows.
A moment of tension.

COLUMBUS walks forward, towards the CHIEF (GUARIONEX) we
meet before.

		COLUMBUS
	Ask the Chief what happened to my
	men?

The CHIEF answers.

		UTAPAN
	Another tribe made war on them...
	came by sea... took them away...

		BROTHER BUYL
	God have mercy on their souls...

		MOXICA
	The monkey is lying.

A pause.  The SPANIARDS shifting, eager for blood.

		MOXICA
	We should kill them, Don Colon.

UTAPAN looks anxiously at COLUMBUS.

		COLUMBUS
	No...!  you'll do it my way.
		(to Utapan)
	Tell the Chief we will not harm his
	people, even though we have the
	power to do it.

UTAPAN translates.  The CHIEF listens in silence.

		COLUMBUS
	We will work with his people.  We
	want peace.  Ask the Chief if he
	understands?

		UTAPAN
	He understands.

		COLUMBUS
	Ask him if he will help.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  WATERMILL AND DAM UNDER CONSTRUCTION - DAY

It is raining hard.  COLUMBUS is floundering in the mud,
supervising a mixed work-force of SPANISH and INDIANS.
They are attempting to raise the huge wheel of a
watermill.

Despite COLUMBUS' shouts of encouragement, it's clear the
wheel is far too heavy and the mud too deep.

Close by, on horseback, MOXICA watches the scene.
COLUMBUS, plastered with wet mud, clambers out of the pit
and approaches him.

		COLUMBUS
	Don Moxica -- we need your horse.

MOXICA looks down at the sodden, dirty figure.

		COLUMBUS
	We can't raise the wheel without it.

		MOXICA
	My horse doesn't work.

A beat.  COLUMBUS wipes some mud from his eyes.

		COLUMBUS
	Don Moxica -- we all have to work.

		MOXICA
	You did not hear me, Don Colon.  Not
	my horse.

He starts to turn away; COLUMBUS grabs hold of the reins.

		COLUMBUS
	Forgive me, Don Moxica.  But it was
	your horse I was talking about.

A beat.  MOXICA stares down at an equally determined
COLUMBUS.  Then, in front of everyone, MOXICA has to
dismount, and suffer the disgrace of it.

		COLUMBUS
	Thank you, Don Moxica.

COLUMBUS leads the horse away.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  WATERMILL AND DAM UNDER CONSTRUCTION - DAY

Harnessed, the horse pulls, with COLUMBUS and the MEN.
The wheel is raised into position.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  WATERMILL AND DAM - DAY

Water thundering into the new canal.  The huge wheel
begins to turn.  The MEN cheer and congratulate each
other.  MOXICA looks at his mud-splattered and foaming
horse, his eyes full of hatred.


EXT.  CITY OF ISABEL - TWILIGHT

A wide, high shot of the new "City", dominated by a huge
wooden cross -- no more than a muddy main street bordered
by a hundred bamboo and stone shanties, with candles
burning in the doorways.  A main square with the
Governor's Mansion, and the foundations of a church.

In the twilight, COLUMBUS and the other WORKERS returning,
dirty and tired.


EXT.  VERANDA OF MOXICA'S HOUSE - TWILIGHT

MOXICA and GUEVARA sit out on the "veranda", watching the
MEN return.  MOXICA raises his glass in an ironic salute.

		MOXICA
	To the Governor of the Mosquitoes!

They laugh.  We see the smoke and flames from a fire.
Four or five INDIANS are squatting on the earth nearby,
cooking for them, talking quietly in their own language.

MOXICA calls out something in their language, and a naked
YOUNG INDIAN GIRL comes out of the house, bringing more
wine.  GUEVARA stares at her lasciviously.  MOXICA,
letting his hand casually brush against her flank, smiles
at him.

		MOXICA
	Do you want her?

He turns the GIRL round so that GUEVARA can admire her
properly.  GUEVARA nods.  MOXICA lets the GIRL go with a
peremptory order, and she disappears back inside.

GUEVARA suddenly stands up -- unsteadily -- and sweeping
his arm round in a broad gesture, says ironically:

		GUEVARA
	To the new world, my friend!  To the
	new world!


INT.  DINING ROOM - GOVERNOR'S MANSION - NIGHT

In an already Spanish-colonel dining room, COLUMBUS is
having dinner with his brothers, BARTOLOME and GIACOMO,
served by an INDIAN WOMAN -- NIMA.  GIACOMO eats with
gusto.

		GIACOMO
		(as Nima pours the
		 wine)
	Nima's a good cook!

		BARTOLOME
	She's more than that!

Seeing GIACOMO'S sudden blush and discomfort, as NIMA
smiles at him, the other BROTHERS laugh.

To cover his embarrassment, GIACOMO returns to the topic
of the food.

		GIACOMO
	What is it?

		COLUMBUS
	Eat!  I'll tell you later.

As he sees BARTOLOME stifling a laugh, GIACOMO pauses.

		GIACOMO
	I'd like to know what I'm eating.

COLUMBUS eats a mouthful, glances at BARTOLOME.

		COLUMBUS
	Iguana.

A look of horror crosses GIACOMO'S face; he wretches
slightly, puts down his fork, and gulps down some wine.
The BROTHERS laugh again.

		COLUMBUS
	What wrong with it?  The Indians eat
	it!

		GIACOMO
	I'm not an Indian.

		BARTOLOME
	He wishes he were back in the
	seminary.  Priests always eat well.
		(tasting his wine,
		 grimacing)
	And they have very good cellars.

		GIACOMO
	Nothing grows here!  Everything rots
	in the ground.  The wheat and vines
	wither before we can harvest them.

		COLUMBUS
	We've got to learn to live like the
	Indians.
		(pause)
	Eat your Iguana!

Reluctantly this time, GIACOMO goes back to his dinner.


EXT.  BALCONY - GOVERNOR'S MANSION - NIGHT

They are drinking and smoking cigars.  From the balcony
they can see the dark mass of the jungle stretching away.
GIACOMO is already dozing in his chair.  BARTOLOME sees
it, and elbows COLUMBUS.  They both smile at their younger
brother's exhaustion.  Then COLUMBUS gets up and leans on
the balustrade, looking down at the city, the jungle
beyond.

		COLUMBUS
	How much gold have we found?

		BARTOLOME
	Not enough to justify a single
	shipment.

		COLUMBUS
	Perhaps it doesn't exist anywhere
	but in my imagination.

		BARTOLOME
	Then let's hope not...
		(pause)
	What will happen if we can't find
	enough gold?

They begin to hear the sound of a flute -- a melancholy
sound.  COLUMBUS looks out over the jungle, and kills a
mosquito by slapping his arm.

		COLUMBUS
		(jokingly)
	Then I'm Governor of the Mosquitoes.

						CUT TO:

INT.  INFIRMARY - CITY OF ISABEL - NIGHT

An INDIAN is playing the flute.

In the gloomy interior of the long hut, in the most
primitive conditions, DOZENS OF SPANIARDS lie sick.  On a
segregated part of the room are the INDIANS, several
coughing.

They are attended by a doctor, DOCTOR CHANCA, BROTHER
BUYL, and other NOVICES.

A NOVICE attends to an INDIAN, gently lifting his head,
helping him to drink -- there is so little they can do.

BROTHER BUYL looks down at the body of a SPANIARD, covered
in open sores.  The NOVICE joins him.

		BROTHER BUYL
	What kind of disease is this?

		DOCTOR CHANCA
	I don't know.  It seems almost as if
	we have exchanged diseases with the
	Indians.  They die of our most
	common cold, and we of their plague.

		BROTHER BUYL
	God forgive us!

						CUT TO:

EXT.  ROYAL HOSPITAL - COURTYARD - SPAIN - DAY

A MAN covered with sores is screaming, thrashing in his
agony.  He is held down, his voice muffled.  ISABEL turns
away, shocked.

She is in a ward full of patients, attended by a DOCTOR,
SANCHEZ and other members of her court.

The patients are emaciated, their faces and bodies covered
with virulent sores.  NUNS move between the beds.

		DOCTOR
	It seems to be caused by intimacy
	with the native women, Your Majesty.

		ISABEL
	Will he survive?

		DOCTOR
	No, Your Majesty.  They go mad --
	then they die.  There is nothing we
	can do.

ISABEL looks around at SANCHEZ, appalled.

		SANCHEZ
	Every ship returns with a cargo of
	sick and dying.  But with no gold!
	The new world proves expensive, Your
	Majesty.

		ISABEL
	We weren't expecting immediate
	profits, were we?  We must have
	faith.  We must give time for time.

SANCHEZ bows in acknowledgement.  But ISABEL, despite her
words, looks distressed.


EXT.  MINE - NEW WORLD - DAY

Excavations carved into a hillside.

It is a blisteringly hot day.  At the foot of the hill,
GIACOMO sits at a table beneath an awning, with MOXICA and
several CLERKS.  ONE HUNDRED FIFTY INDIANS standing in
line at the table.

In turn, they hand over a small quantity of gold.  The
CLERK weighs it on a scale, and notes down each
contribution.

MOXICA impatiently gestures the INDIANS to move faster
with a thonged crop.  An INDIAN approaches the table.  He
is nervous.  He doesn't produce anything.  The INDIAN
shakes his head, gesticulates, starts to speak rapidly.

		TRANSLATOR
	He says he has not found any!

		MOXICA
	He's lying!

Again the INDIAN pleads and gesticulates.  MOXICA hits him
across the face with the thonged crop.  The INDIAN tries
to run away -- but is held by a SPANISH SOLDIER.

		MOXICA
	Bring him here!

The frightened INDIAN is brought back to the table.  One
of the CLERKS slips away.

		MOXICA
	Tell him to put his hands on the
	table.  Like this!

						CUT TO:

EXT.  OTHER SIDE OF THE SITE - DAY

At the other end of the site, the CLERK sprinting to
GIACOMO, who was talking to a FOREMASTER.

		CLERK
	Don Giacomo, you'd better come at
	once!


EXT.  MINE - DAY

MOXICA turns, looks back at the long line of INDIANS,
still passively waiting.

		MOXICA
	Tell them I want them to watch this!

The terrified TRANSLATOR speaks to the INDIANS.

		CLERK
	Don't Moxica!  You can't...

						CUT TO:

GIACOMO and the CLERK running to the scene.

						CUT TO:

		MOXICA
		(to the clerk)
	I can't?  I can't?

With a single swift action, MOXICA draws his sword and
cuts off the INDIAN'S hands.

ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.  The INDIANS flee, disappearing
into the jungle.  GIACOMO arrives at this moment.  He
stares at the dismembered hands in horror.


INT.  GOVERNOR'S MANSION - EVENING

A tribunal.  Sitting behind a table with his brothers, and
flanked by his council, COLUMBUS presides.  MOXICA stands
before them.

		COLUMBUS
	In one act of brutality, you have
	created chaos.  Tribes who were
	fighting each other are now joining
	forces against us!  All that because
	of your criminal savagery!

		MOXICA
		(casually)
	Savagery is what monkeys understand.

		COLUMBUS
	You'll be held in detention,
	deprived of your privileges and
	possessions.  Until you are returned
	to Spain where you will be judged.
	Have you anything to say?

		MOXICA
		(with exquisite
		 insolence)
	You will regret this.

He strolls to the GUARDS at the back of the room.


EXT.  BARRACKS - NIGHT

Everything is quiet on the mine site.

On the terrace, TWO SOLDIERS are drinking in turn, and
cracking jokes.  One of them leans against the wooden
wall.  He laughs as he hears repeated banging behind him.

						CUT TO:

INT.  BARRACKS - NIGHT

A THIRD SOLDIER is fucking an INDIAN WOMAN against the
wall.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  BARRACKS - NIGHT

On the terrace, his two COMPANIONS laugh and encourage
his efforts.

A whooshing sound.  An arrow embeds itself in the chest of
the SOLDIER who was leaning against the wall.  He is
nailed to the wood behind him.

THE OTHER SOLDIER stares at him, transfixed, until an
arrow pierces his throat.  He collapses, unable to cry
out for help.


INT.  BARRACKS - NIGHT

FOUR INDIANS in full warrior outfit, their faces painted,
burst into the room.  Still busy with the WOMAN, his eyes
facing the wall, the SOLDIER believes the intruders to be
his friends.

		SOLDIER
		(without stopping)
	You animals!  Can't you wait!

Discovering the FOUR TERRIFYING FIGURES staring at her,
the INDIAN WOMAN starts screaming and pushes back the
SOLDIER.  He turns around, jumps off the WOMAN, and starts
to scramble to the front door, trying to put on his
trousers.

THE FOUR INDIANS catch him, and force him to lay on the
ground.  THE MAN struggles, his eyes rolling in terror.
TWO INDIANS force his mouth open.  A THIRD ONE kneels and
starts stuffing it with gold dust.  THE SOLDIER chokes and
suffocates.

THE WOMAN still stands half naked against the wall,
terrified.  AN INDIAN takes his knife from his leggings,
slowly.  She starts sobbing and imploring in her language.
THE INDIAN slowly walks to her, and plants the knife in
the lower part of her belly.


EXT.  MINE - DAY

PAIRS of bloody red legs hanging still, high in the air.

Pulling back, we discover:

A DOZEN SPANIARDS have been crucified on the scaffolding
of the excavations.  Some hands and noses have been
removed.

UTAPAN is standing, uncomfortable among the SPANIARDS.

A SOLDIER removes a huge iron nail from a wrist.  One of
the CRUCIFIED BODIES is gently laid on the ground.  He is
still alive -- not for long.

COLUMBUS and BARTOLOME are silent with rage.

		BARTOLOME
		(aggressively)
	Moxica is right.  Our ways don't
	work!

BARTOLOME turns to UTAPAN.

		BARTOLOME
		(aggressively)
	Can you find them?

UTAPAN looks distraught -- this is the first time he is
being asked to do something against his own people.  He
looks up at COLUMBUS for help in confusion.

		COLUMBUS
	You have to find them, Utapan.  Look
	what they did!

		UTAPAN
	You did the same to your God!

COLUMBUS is caught short.

		COLUMBUS
	We have to stop this war.

UTAPAN nods.  He walks and takes an arrow.  He examines
it.

		COLUMBUS
	Do you know them?

UTAPAN nods, uncomfortable.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  HILL AND VALLEY - DAY

Around a campfire, two dozen INDIANS are squatting.  They
are arguing over a musket and some woolen hats they stole
from the mine.  CLICK!  CLICK!  The INDIANS raise their
heads.  All around them, crossbows and muskets are pointed
at them.  Two INDIANS try to run away.  They are shot.

This sound triggers the SPANIARDS' response.  They start
shooting at random.  UTAPAN is horrified.  COLUMBUS stands
up shouting.

		COLUMBUS
	Stop!  Stop this!

						CUT TO:

EXT.  GOVERNOR'S MANSION - NIGHT

MOXICA and a group of rebels (GUEVARA among them),
silently approach the entrance of the mansion.

A GUARD is stabbed and falls on his knees with a cry.


INT.  COLUMBUS' STUDY - GOVERNOR'S MANSION - NIGHT

MOXICA tears COLUMBUS' plans of the city from the wall.
On the table, the model of the future city.

Watched by the other ARISTOCRATS, MOXICA sets fire to the
parchment he has rolled up.  He blows the flames from the
torch onto the model.  Fire races up and down the streets
of the miniature, as if burning the city of Isabel.

A mad gleam in MOXICA'S eyes...


EXT.  SQUARE OF ISABEL - NIGHT

The half-burnt remains of the Mansion.  COLUMBUS stands in
the square, looking up at it.  Behind him, his SOLDIERS,
his BROTHERS and about thirty captured INDIANS.

GIACOMO walks slowly across the square.  COLUMBUS looks at
him in disbelief.

		GIACOMO
		(through cracked
		 lips)
	Moxica...


EXT.  RIVER BANK - JUNGLE - DAWN

COLUMBUS leads his party of SOLDIERS through the jungle,
looking for the MUTINEERS.

They reach the river -- scan the far bank.  Nothing.
COLUMBUS nods.  His MEN start to enter the river, led by a
HALBERDIER.

Others follow, wading across, their weapons held above
their heads.

A crossbow arrow pierces the HALBERDIER.  Without a cry he
falls forward into the water, and is carried away by the
current.

Two more MEN are hit.  One cries out, thrashes around in
the water, an arrow protruding from his side.  The river
stained with blood.

Still no sign of the enemy.  COLUMBUS' MEN nevertheless
start to return fire from the bank, creating a shield...
others continue to wade across the river.  A MUTINEER is
shot down from the branches of a tree...

The first MEN come ashore.  Musket fire.  An exchange of
arrows.  COLUMBUS is now wading across.  The MAN next to
him is killed, and carried away by the current.

Now, on the far shore, the enemy have shown themselves.
There is hand to hand fighting, with swords and other
weapons.  MOXICA kills one of COLUMBUS' men -- but his own
are outnumbered and outmatched.  Already, some are
beginning to surrender.

In the midst of the fighting, COLUMBUS, sword drawn, pulls
himself out of the river:  A MUTINEER lunges at him.
COLUMBUS kills him with a thrust of his sword -- and walks
forward into the jungle.  He spots MOXICA at the foot of a
cliff.


EXT.  JUNGLE CLIMB TO CLIFF TOP - DAY

MOXICA starts scrambling up the rocks behind him, with
COLUMBUS following.  The climb through the dense
undergrowth is so exhausting, they are now almost climbing
in slow motion.


EXT.  TOP OF CLIFF - DAY

MOXICA bursts out of the undergrowth.  He is at the edge
of emptiness, swept by a violent offshore wind.  He turns
frantically, to see COLUMBUS coming up behind him.

Knowing he is lost, MOXICA regains his natural arrogance.
He steps backwards towards the edge.

		MOXICA
	You know what they will say in Spain
	about my death -- don't you?

He takes another step backwards, as COLUMBUS moves towards
him.

		MOXICA
	You are nothing!  You bastards will
	never inherit your titles.  We are
	everything.  We are immortal!

He smiles, and steps back into space.


EXT.  ROCKS BELOW CLIFF TOP - DAY

His body falls, bounces off the rocks below, crashes into
the water.


EXT.  TOP OF CLIFF - DAY

COLUMBUS stares down as his body is swept away.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  SQUARE OF ISABEL - DAY

CLOSE ON COLUMBUS' expressionless face.

						CUT TO:

A MUTINEER -- his face is white, he is crying and
trembling.  His arms are tied behind his back.  He is held
fast, a rope is put around his neck.

COLUMBUS, sitting not far away beside his BROTHERS, gives
a signal.

Drums begin to beat.  BROTHER BUYL looks on impassive.

A grimace suddenly transform THE YOUNG MAN'S face.  He is
being garroted -- his throat crushed with a rope.  The
YOUNG MAN'S feet dance frenziedly.  We hear the choking.

The drums cease.  BROTHER BUYL crosses himself and murmurs
a prayer, deeply distraught.  GIACOMO has covered his
eyes.

A wider view shows the bodies of three other ARISTOCRATS
from the rebellion, attached to chairs affixed to a pole,
their heads straight, the rope still tight around their
necks.

Justice has been done.  The members of the COUNCIL rise in
silence, COLUMBUS stands up.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  ISABEL - QUAYSIDE - DAY

CLOSE ON several large wooden cages.  Inside we see the
INDIANS that COLUMBUS captured.  They are packed together.
They stare out with vacant eyes.  SOLDIERS guard them.  A
ship against the pier.  BUYL at his side, COLUMBUS stares
at the INDIANS.

		BROTHER BUYL
	I wish to go back with them, Don
	Colon.  I have no desire to remain
	in this godless place.

		COLUMBUS
	You may do as you please, Brother
	Buyl -- though your departure will
	not help me to make it more Godly.

BROTHER BUYL looks at him, almost with astonishment.

		BROTHER BUYL
	You treat Christians equally with
	heathen savages.  You execute
	members of the nobility.  And what
	do you offer in return?

		COLUMBUS
		(quietly)
	A new world, Brother Buyl.

		BROTHER BUYL
	Nobody wants one...!  Only you!

And he walks away.


EXT.  ISLAND - EVENING

Against the livid horizon, three black waterspouts join
the sky to the sea.  A gust of wind disturbs the roof of
the jungle.


INT.  GOVERNOR'S MANSION - EVENING

The wind grows stronger.  Doors bang inside the
building... a melancholy sound.

COLUMBUS sits on the balcony with his BROTHERS.  They are
silent.  After a few moments, COLUMBUS begins to speak
quietly, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

		COLUMBUS
	Perhaps hope only exists in the
	journey.  When it begins, everything
	is still possible -- every
	expectation; every dream...

The BROTHERS do not answer.

		COLUMBUS
	This is not how I imagined it to be.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  JUNGLE - NEAR ISABEL - NIGHT

UTAPAN begins to shave his head...


EXT.  BALCONY - GOVERNOR'S MANSION - DAWN

The sky is dark and threatening, the wind even stronger.
We find COLUMBUS where we left him, but now alone.  He has
sat here all night.

Shutters bang violently.

He looks up -- and sees a few yards from him:  the naked
FIGURE OF AN INDIAN, his face and body painted, staring at
him.  COLUMBUS realizes who it is...

		COLUMBUS
	Utapan!

UTAPAN is still and silent.  A strange and mysterious
figure now.

		COLUMBUS
	Utapan, won't you speak to me?  You
	used to know how to speak to me.

		UTAPAN
		(sadly, in his own
		 language)
	You never learned how to speak my
	language.

UTAPAN is gone.


EXT.  SQUARE - DAWN

The wind is whipping the trees now, stronger and stronger.
Groups of INDIANS look up at the sky.  Then, above the
sound of the wind, they hear another noise.  Like a
collective murmur, almost in one voice, the INDIANS
repeat, over and over.

		INDIANS
	Urracan... Urracan... Urracan...
	Urracan...
		(the wrath of God)

With a loud thunderclap, the storm suddenly breaks.  In a
few seconds it has risen to violent proportions, and the
landscape is drenched in torrential rain.  The wind
doubles its strength... and all hell breaks loose...


EXT.  CITY OF ISABEL - DAY

The hurricane is full force.  Trees are being ripped up by
their roots.  Rivers of mud are washed down from the
hills, carrying everything away in their paths:  houses,
carts, equipment, horses...


EXT.  MINE - ISABEL - DAY

The mine workings flooded with mud...


EXT.  APPROACH TO DAM AND WATERFALL - DAY

COLUMBUS, BARTOLOME and MENDEZ struggle through the teeth
of the hurricane towards the dam.


EXT.  DAM - DAY

Timbers creak and strain.  COLUMBUS, BARTOLOME, MENDEZ and
a DOZEN other MEN are trying to save the dam.

Suddenly, frighteningly, the dam begins to crash.

		COLUMBUS
		(screaming)
	Let it go!  Let it go!

The MEN scramble away as the dam wall buckles, and burst
open.  Water floods over them; a roaring torrent.  From
the bank, MENDEZ, BARTOLOME and COLUMBUS survey the ruins
of their dreams.

						CUT TO:

INT.  GOVERNOR'S PALACE - BEDROOM - DAY

COLUMBUS is stretched out on his bed, in his devastated
bedroom.  A column of ants is threading its way across the
floor, each ant carrying a piece of leaf.  Rain falls over
a table covered with documents.

COLUMBUS' face is covered in dried mud.

		SANCHEZ (V.O.)
	He promised us gold but has failed
	to find it.  He subjects the natives
	to violence, provocation and
	injustice.  He sent them to Spain
	against the express wishes of Your
	Majesty...


INT.  AUDIENCE ROOM - ALHAMBRA PALACE - DAY

We are back to the first scene.  In the vast, opulent,
glittering room, ISABEL listens impassively to the voice
of SANCHEZ.  Also present, other GRANDEES, representatives
of the church and state.

		SANCHEZ
	... But there is worse.  He ordered
	the execution of five members of the
	nobility...

		ISABEL
	Is this true, Brother Buyl?

		BROTHER BUYL
	Yes, Your Majesty.  It is all true.
	I saw it with my own eyes.

A pause.  ISABEL seems to struggle inwardly with her
emotions.  SANCHEZ waits, expressionless, but on the point
of victory.

		ISABEL
	Then, what do you suggest, Don
	Sanchez?

		SANCHEZ
	He must be replaced.

		ISABEL
	And who would you think of, for such
	a task?

						CUT TO:

EXT.  QUAYSIDE - ISABEL - DAY

We see a buckled shoe -- as it rises, it slips into a
stirrup.  The horse is mounted.  The shoe digs into its
flank.  The sound of hoofbeats...

		SANCHEZ (V.O.)
	I am thinking of a man.  A devotee
	to Your Majesties.  A man extremely
	motivated...

						DISSOLVE TO:

EXT.  STREETS OF ISABEL - DAY

FIVE MEN on HORSEBACK, dressed in fashionable clothes,
canter down what used to be the main street of Isabel.
Through some has been rebuilt, the effects of the
hurricane are still visible...

People look at them curiously.  We see them stop near the
Governor's mansion.  The MEN dismount and walk into the
Palace.


INT.  GOVERNOR'S MANSION - DAY

One of the MEN in black clothes removes his hat and steps
forward.  We recognize him as ALONSO DE BOBADILLA, the man
COLUMBUS humiliated at the rotunda.

COLUMBUS is sitting at his desk, studying plans with
GIACOMO.  Some other MEMBERS of the COUNCIL are with them.

		BOBADILLA
	Don Alonso de Bobadilla.

		COLUMBUS
	Yes... I remember...

BOBADILLA turns, gestures to one of the other MEN, who
comes forward and gives him a roll of parchment, bearing
the royal seal.

		BOBADILLA
	My letters of appointment.

		COLUMBUS
	Appointment to what?

		BOBADILLA
	Viceroy of the West Indies.

		COLUMBUS
	Congratulations.  Then I am free to
	search for the mainland.

BOBADILLA smiles wickedly, happy to give COLUMBUS a low
blow.

		BOBADILLA
	Didn't you learn?  The mainland was
	discovered.  Weeks ago.  By another
	Italian.  I forgot his name.

		A MAN IN BLACK
	Amerigo Vespucci, Excellency.

COLUMBUS pales.  Then...

		COLUMBUS
	How far from here?

		BOBADILLA
	I am not a seaman.  But I heard it
	is no more than a week at sea.  I
	hope you are not too disappointed.

		COLUMBUS
	How could I be?  The mainland has
	been found.  Exactly as I said it
	would.

		BOBADILLA
	I am afraid this is not the worst
	news.

						CUT TO:

INT.  CELL - SEVILLE PRISON - DAY

All is dark.  We can just make out COLUMBUS' face as he
lies on the hard bed.  He is sweating heavily; his beard
is filthy and matted, like his hair.  He looks feverish.

A key turns in the lock.

The JAILER lets in two fashionably dressed YOUNG MEN.
COLUMBUS, blinking in the light, turns his head to stare
at them.  His eyes are reddened with infection at the
corners.  The YOUNG MEN come forward into the light.

		FERNANDO
		(quietly)
	Father?

Unable to believe it, COLUMBUS slowly sits up.

		COLUMBUS
	Fernando...!  My God...!

He laughs, overcome with joy.  Embraces DIEGO.

		COLUMBUS
	A man!  Diego, how did this happen?

		DIEGO
	Santangel is going to see the Queen.
	We are going to get you out of here.

		COLUMBUS
	Good!  I have to go back!

DIEGO and FERNANDO look at one another, then back at
COLUMBUS, incredulously, seeing his filthy clothes, his
eyes rimmed with dried mucus.

		DIEGO
	Go back?

There's a new excitement in COLUMBUS' voice.  He walks
over to the table.  The candlelight illuminates maps,
charts, drawings, figures...

		COLUMBUS
	I have to explore the mainland.

		FERNANDO
	This time with me!

COLUMBUS laughs and DIEGO looks at them both in
astonishment.

		DIEGO
	In your present state it is madness,
	Father!

FERNANDO glances at DIEGO.

		FERNANDO
	Nobody is forcing you to come with
	us.

DIEGO is hurt.

		DIEGO
	I can't go anyway.

A pause.

		FERNANDO
	She's very beautiful!  The Queen has
	very good taste.  Diego is getting
	married.

DIEGO seems saddened by his brother's attitude.  Once
again DIEGO feels like the outsider.

COLUMBUS hugs him.

		COLUMBUS
	I am happy for you, Diego.


INT.  ALHAMBRA - AUDIENCE ROOM - DAY

Like Lucifer and Gabriel, SANTANGEL and SANCHEZ sit on
either side of ISABEL.

		SANTANGEL
	Granted his faults.  Yes, a hundred
	times!  But the man is still
	remarkable.

ISABEL looks at him, then at SANCHEZ, MOVED BUT CLEARLY
UNDECIDED.  SANTANGEL presses his point.

		SANTANGEL
	All he asks is a chance to explore
	this... mainland.

		SANCHEZ
	It does not belong to him.

		SANTANGEL
		(quietly)
	In a way, it does, Don Sanchez.
		(to the Queen)
	I beg Your Majesty to receive him.
	To hear him... He will make no more
	demands.  He has changed.  He is
	penitent.

		SANCHEZ
	Penitent...?  He is suing us for
	breach of contract!

		ISABEL
	Is he?

She starts to laugh.

		ISABEL
	Really?

SANTANGEL tries to stop himself laughing.


INT.  AUDIENCE ROOM - ALHAMBRA PALACE - DAY

COLUMBUS is shown into the room.  ISABEL is waiting for
him.

He drops to his knees before her.  This time she walks
towards him, clearly moved by his white-hair, and other
signs of physical deterioration.

Her hand hovers over his head, as if it means to console
him.  Her hand is dying to comfort.  But instead, she
offers her hand for him to kiss.

		ISABEL
	Rise... Please...

COLUMBUS gets slowly to his feet -- but his eyes, as they
meet hers, are as clear as before.  ISABEL smiles with
relief to see it.  He looks back at her.

		COLUMBUS
	Now I do look older than you.

She smiles -- then again, tries to restrain it, and keeps
her dignity.

		ISABEL
	We have decided to allow you to
	undertake another voyage to the new
	world...

COLUMBUS starts to interrupt; she stops him with a
gesture.

		ISABEL
	But without your brothers.  Nor are
	you to return to Santo Domingo or
	any of the other colonies.  You may
	explore the continent.

		COLUMBUS
	Thank you.

		ISABEL
	There is one thing I'd like to
	understand... Why do you want to go
	back, after all this?

		COLUMBUS
	Your Majesty -- some men are content
	to read about things.  I must see
	them with my own eyes.  I cannot be
	other than I am.

She almost bursts out laughing -- only pauses, turns
slightly, then goes out.


INT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - ROOM NEXT TO THRONE ROOM - DAY

SANCHEZ is standing alone in the next room; he has
obviously been listening.  He looks at her.

		ISABEL
	I know, I should not tolerate his
	impertinence.

		SANCHEZ
	Then why?

		ISABEL
	Because he is not afraid of me.


INT.  ALHAMBRA PALACE - CORRIDOR - DAY

SANCHEZ, in another direction, along a corridor, towards
his office.  As he reaches a corner with a wide window, a
hand seizes him.  COLUMBUS.

		SANCHEZ
	All I have to do is call the guards.

		COLUMBUS
	Call them.

SANCHEZ looks at him -- and doesn't call.  COLUMBUS lets
go of him.

		SANCHEZ
	I am not afraid of you.  You are
	nothing but a dreamer.

		COLUMBUS
	Look out of that window.

Surprised, SANCHEZ nevertheless turns, looks out.

		COLUMBUS
	What do you see?

		SANCHEZ
	Roofs... towers, palaces...
	spires...

		COLUMBUS
	All of them created by people like
	me.

SANCHEZ turns round again to face him.

		COLUMBUS
	No matter how long you live,
	Sanchez, there's something that will
	never change between us.  I did it!
	You didn't!

COLUMBUS turns abruptly and walks away, vanishing down the
echoing corridor.


EXT.  COLUMBUS' MANOR HOUSE - DAY

COLUMBUS dismounts in the courtyard.  Everything seems
deserted.  There's no one about, no sign of life...


INT.  MANOR HOUSE - DAY

COLUMBUS walks slowly through the great rooms.  There is
nothing left:  no furniture, rugs, pictures... nothing.

He turns, sees BEATRIX standing in a doorway, looking back
at him.  They are both moved.

		COLUMBUS
	God... you're so beautiful!  I can't
	believe no other man has ever taken
	you away from me...

		BEATRIX
	They tried... but I didn't let them.

She smiles.  They don't dare to touch.  BEATRIX looks
round the empty room.

		BEATRIX
	They took everything...

		COLUMBUS
		(looking at her)
	Not everything... Do you think I
	care?  I'm a free man again.  Riches
	don't make a man rich, they only
	make him busier...

They laugh.  There's a pause.

		COLUMBUS
	God, how much I've missed you!

And they throw themselves into each other's arms.

						CUT TO:

INT.  DINING ROOM - MANOR HOUSE - EVENING

All that has been left is a simple table and one chair.
They are having supper by candlelight in the vast, empty
room, though the candles throw a warm, sensuous glow on
the figs and hams and wine... and on their faces, as
BEATRIX sits on his lap.

		SANTANGEL (O.S.)
	One chair.  One table.  What more
	can a man expect, when he tries to
	sue the Crown?

They laugh.  With only a little embarrassment, BEATRIX
gets off COLUMBUS' knee.  SANTANGEL comes forward, and
COLUMBUS embraces him like an old friend.  BEATRIX goes to
the kitchen.

		COLUMBUS
	I owe you everything, Santangel...
	but as you see, I can't repay you.

		SANTANGEL
	On the contrary.  It is I who owe
	you everything.  Through you, I have
	been an adventurer, an explorer!
	It's true I shall never see the new
	world... but it's here...
		(he points to his
		 head)
	And here...
		(pointing to his
		 heart)

COLUMBUS smiles.  BEATRIX returns with a plate and glass
for SANTANGEL.

		SANTANGEL
	What you are, Colon, is a sailor, a
	discoverer, a man of imagination...
	not a politician.  You weren't meant
	to govern -- You cannot be all
	things to all men.

He takes the wine BEATRIX offers, and raises his glass.

		SANTANGEL
	I wish you could have compromised.
	It would have made your life
	easier...

		COLUMBUS
	But as least we haven't been bored,
	have we?

They all laugh, and drink.


EXT.  SHIP'S DECK - FERNANDO'S POV - NIGHT

Night on the open sea -- the moon shines on the waves and
we hear the creaking of ropes and timbers -- the
loneliness and mystery of the night passage.

		SAILOR'S VOICE
	West... southwest, Captain Mendez...

		MENDEZ (O.S.)
	Steady as she goes...

COLUMBUS walks over to FERNANDO, who is leaning against
the rail.  He is smoking a cigar... as the smoke blows
over FERNANDO'S face, FERNANDO wretches... It's clear he's
feeling seasick, trying to control it.

COLUMBUS leans against the rail next to him, staring out
at the darkness.  Then looks at his SON again.  FERNANDO
won't give in to the sickness, but COLUMBUS knows he'd
feel better if he did.

		COLUMBUS
	How are you feeling, Fernando?

		FERNANDO
		(in a strangled
		 voice)
	Not bad.

COLUMBUS nods meditatively, puffs out some smoke.
FERNANDO winces, gags slightly.

		COLUMBUS
		(almost casually)
	You know what I always used to do?

FERNANDO shakes his head.

		COLUMBUS
	Swallow a piece of pork fat on a
	string.  It always worked.

At the thought of the pork fat, FERNANDO jerks his head
over the side, and vomits copiously.  COLUMBUS smiles,
pats him on the back.


EXT.  SHIP'S DECK - DAY

As it plows through heavy seas.  COLUMBUS, a coat wrapped
around him, is sitting on a chair topside, directing
operations despite an obvious fever.

Suddenly a cry from the mast head:

		SAILOR (O.S.)
	Tierra...!  Tierra!

SAILORS and FERNANDO rush to the side of the ship, peering
through the spray.  FERNANDO wipes his eyes, and then he
sees it:  there in the distance, a speck of land.

FERNANDO and his FATHER stand together, watching the low
cloud formation sitting on the horizon.

		COLUMBUS
	The mainland...

FERNANDO looks excited.  Discreetly, COLUMBUS watches his
SON, enjoying his happiness.


EXT.  PANAMA (SURREAL IMAGES) - DAY

A most wonderful and surreal image.  A heavy mist lies
over the forest.  We move above it slowly.

A FIGURE emerges from the mist.  At first only a
silhouette -- then, slowly, a golden figure... an INDIAN,
covered in gold... gold artifacts, golden paste on his
body.

The GOLDEN FIGURE turns, and points, into an unknown
distance.


EXT.  TREEHOUSE - DAY

From the INDIAN treehouse, COLUMBUS, FERNANDO, MENDEZ and
several INDIANS are gazing west over a necklace of
magnificent lakes.

The INDIANS point and talk gently.  FERNANDO has never
seen anything so fresh, so beautiful.


EXT.  CAMP - SUNSET

A magnificent sunset.  A fire is burning, food cooking.
COLUMBUS looks over his maps, trying to figure out where
they are.  We see the outline of the continent of Asia.
An OLD INDIAN squats beside him, silent, also looking at
the map.  Then, slowly and very deliberately, he takes a
piece of charcoal from the fire and begins to draw on the
map.  Ignoring the Asian continent, he sketches the
Panamanian coastline -- an isthmus.  MENDEZ and FERNANDO
gather round.  COLUMBUS watches the OLD INDIAN with
initial puzzlement, then growing excitement.

		MENDEZ
	What's he doing?

		COLUMBUS
	He's drawing an isthmus... He's
	saying we're on an isthmus.

		MENDEZ
	We can't be.

FERNANDO is still confused.  The OLD INDIAN continues to
sketch, talking quietly all the time.  An INDIAN
TRANSLATOR listens.

		COLUMBUS
	Tell me what he's saying.

		TRANSLATOR
	He says -- water on the other side.

		COLUMBUS
	Ask him if he means a lake.  A big
	lake.

The TRANSLATOR asks.  The OLD INDIAN shakes his head,
laughs, points to the west, way beyond the other lakes,
emphatically.

		TRANSLATOR
	No.  Says those are lakes.  Water on
	other side big -- as wide as here.
	Above and below, much land.

		COLUMBUS
		(stunned)
	An ocean...?  He's says it's an
	ocean?

		FERNANDO
	I don't understand.

COLUMBUS is too stunned for a moment to explain.  The
INDIANS laugh.

Then COLUMBUS takes the charcoal, and begins to draw on
the map, for his son.

		COLUMBUS
	Here is Europe... and over here, the
	continent of Asia.  But there's
	something in between!  Another
	continent!  We've found... another
	continent!

FERNANDO stares west, then back at his FATHER.  COLUMBUS
looks very feverish, his face bathed with sweat.

		FERNANDO
	Father...

		COLUMBUS
	There must be a passage to that
	other ocean.

						CUT TO:

INT.  SHIP - COLUMBUS' CABIN - NIGHT

COLUMBUS, feverish, lies on the bunk.  He shivers
violently.  FERNANDO anxiously watches over him, bathes
his eyes.

Suddenly THE TRANSLATOR enters.

		TRANSLATOR
	I help.

A little reluctantly, FERNANDO lets him go to his FATHER.
The INDIAN crouches over the bed, takes out a handful of
leaves from a pouch.  He chews the leaves himself for a
moment, until they form a sticky pulp, then opens
COLUMBUS' mouth and puts the pulp inside, encouraging
COLUMBUS to chew with the motions of his hands.

COLUMBUS chews, quickly falling asleep.


EXT.  MOONLIT VISION OF VAST LAND MASS - NIGHT

We see things from COLUMBUS' hallucination.  We are
plunging through layers of clouds, the speed accelerating,
giving us a sickening sensation of falling to land, closer
and closer...

COLUMBUS wakes up with a jolt.  Everything is silent.
COLUMBUS walks outside.


EXT.  DECK - NIGHT

COLUMBUS' fever has subsided.  He raises his head and
stares at the mainland passing in the night.  He smiles.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  JUNGLE AND BAY - HIGH WIDE SHOT - DAY

The roof of the jungle, the bay beyond, the caravel at
anchor.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  RIVER - DAY

Two canoes going upstream, deeper and deeper into the
jungle.


EXT.  JUNGLE AND VILLAGE - DAY

Smoke rises lazily above the trees.

						CUT TO:

The boats reaching the bank.  THE FIRST HUTS of a village.
THE SOLDIERS spread out into the empty village.

FERNANDO, COLUMBUS and MENDEZ preceded by TWO ARMED
SOLDIERS enter one of the huts.  The remains of a meal is
still warm in bowls on the matted floor.

A famished SOLDIER dips his hand in one of the bowls and
devours its contents:  some kind of stew.  Stepping back
accidentally, FERNANDO bumps into a large earthen jar
behind him.  It rolls and crashes, revealing the remains
of meat marinating in liquid.  There is something
disturbing about the appearance of the content.

		FERNANDO
	Oh my God...

The remains of human beings.

		COLUMBUS
		(approaching)
	What is...?

He stares at the remains, stunned.  THE SOLDIER stops
chewing.  He drops the half-empty bowl he was still
holding.  He runs at the back door, rams his fingers deep
in the back of his throat, and vomits.

		SOLDIER
	Oh Virgen Maria... Oh Madre de
	Dios...
	(Oh Virgin Mary... Oh Mother of
	 God...)

But as he vomits and cries, he notices:

A HEADLESS HUMAN TRUNK spread open, like a sheep carcass.
Disturbed flies rise in clouds.

		SOLDIER
	Jesus, Maria, y todos los Santos...
	(Jesus, Mary, and all the Saints...)

						CUT TO:

COLUMBUS and the SPANIARDS meet in the center of the
village.  All have made the same horrific discovery.

		COLUMBUS
		(urgently)
	Out!  Get out!

THE SPANIARDS back out of the village, crossbows pointed
at the invisible enemy hidden in the jungle.

They are running through the dense forest for the river
bank.

The CANNIBALS materialize among the trees, running
alongside.  Bounding, skipping, frightening FIGURES, their
brutal faces painted in black.  They release arrows at the
running SOLDIERS.  A SOLDIER stops, kneels to the ground,
fires his crossbow and kills one of the CANNIBALS... but
he is pierced by a spear.  TWO CANNIBALS drag him and cut
his throat to finish him.

ELSEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE -- CRIES AND CONFUSION, SPANIARDS
and CANNIBALS moving in hand to hand combat.

A CANNIBAL comes sprinting at FERNANDO, brandishing his
lance.

COLUMBUS jumps on the man, and plants a knife in his
abdomen.  Blinded in sweat, he stabs the CANNIBAL, who
collapses.  Frenzied, COLUMBUS stabs over and over again.

He stops and looks at his forearm -- soaked in blood.
Shocked by his own fury, he raises his hand and stares at
it.

A GIANT BLACK BUTTERFLY alights gently on his bloody
fingers, COLUMBUS staring fascinated at its palpitating
wings.  FERNANDO, screaming at his FATHER, drags him to
his feet.  They run...

						CUT TO:

THE SPANIARDS, COLUMBUS, MENDEZ, FERNANDO... all running
hard to the boat.  ARROWS whistle around them as they leap
into the canoes, nearly capsizing them, launching them
into the current.

SOME CANNIBALS still follow them along the riverbank.  But
the canoes are faster, and soon, they are left behind.


EXT.  SHIP AT SEA - DAY

Endless seascape, the caravel plowing.


EXT.  SHIP'S DECK - DAY

FERNANDO is crouched on the poop deck, wrapped in a
blanket.  He seems in a state of shock:  he is pale and
shaking.  As COLUMBUS goes and sits near his son, he hands
him a flask of alcohol.

		COLUMBUS
		(kindly)
	Take it.  Come on.  Drink.

As COLUMBUS insists, brandishing the flask, FERNANDO
notices that his hands are shaking too.  His FATHER'S
forehead is dripping with sweat.

FERNANDO drinks a gulp and grimaces.  He drinks again and
hands the flask back to his FATHER, who does the same.
FERNANDO notices dried blood on his FATHER'S fingers.
COLUMBUS immediately hides his hand and stands.

		COLUMBUS
	I... I have to see Mendez.

Then, with sudden anger.

		COLUMBUS
	Your brother was right.  I should
	have never taken you with me.  I'll
	never forgive myself.  Never!

He walks a few steps, lurches, and has to lean against the
rail.  He raises his hand to his eyes, grimacing in pain,
as if they were burning.  FERNANDO scrambles to his feet
and rushes to him.  COLUMBUS' eyes are already fixed
somewhere -- fever is eating him up.

		COLUMBUS
	Will you ever forgive me?

FERNANDO turns around for help.

		COLUMBUS
	Captain Mendez!


INT.  SHIP'S CABIN - DAY

COLUMBUS is lying on his couch.  FERNANDO is bathing his
eyes, sweeping off the pus that continuously forms in
them.  COLUMBUS is drenched in sweat.

						CUT TO:

FERNANDO is writing under his FATHER'S dictation.

		COLUMBUS
	I came to Your Highness with honest
	purpose and sincere zeal.  I did not
	undertake these voyages for honor or
	wealth -- that is certain.  After
	years of service to the Crown, I do
	not have a roof to put over my
	head... Your Majesty allowed me to
	explore the continent, believed to
	be Asia.  I now believe that it is
	an new Land, of unknown proportions
	and wealth... Life has more
	imagination than we carry in our
	dreams...

						DISSOLVE TO:

INT.  ALCAZAR PALACE - GARDENS - DAY

The DUENA, sitting beside ISABEL, quietly continues to
read COLUMBUS' letter aloud.

		DUENA
	"I should be judged as a Seaman who
	by Divine Will discovered a New
	World, and thereby placed it under
	the sovereignty of Your Majesties.
	I humbly beseech Your Majesties that
	if it pleases God to remove me
	hence, you will help the name of
	Columbus to be remembered with
	honor... Weep for me, whoever has
	charity, truth and justice."

She stops reading.  ISABEL turns her face away.


INT.  UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA - DAY

An ivory-sculptured hand -- the end of the back scratcher
belonging to AROJAZ -- indicates a line across a large
globe:  the route between Europe and America.

		AROJAZ (O.S.)
	The sunset route to the new
	continent is now well-established...

We see a large amphitheater, filled with PEOPLE attending
a lecture of "Nova Geographica" -- the new geography.

AROJAZ stands in front of the assembly.  Facing him,
enthroned, is KING FERDINAND, surrounded by COURTIERS,
including SANCHEZ.

We slowly move across the arena, passing attentive faces.

		AROJAZ
	... West by south west for 750
	leagues to Santo Domingo.  From
	there, west north west, leaving San
	Juan to the north, reaching the
	island of Hispanola on the northern
	cape of San Raphael... Then onto the
	mainland, at the Cape called Gracias
	a Dios...

We continue to rise up the tiers of seats...

		AROJAZ
	Spain -- by Your Majesty's grace --
	has confirmed for all humanity the
	existence of an unknown continent...
	Tierra Incognita...

On a highest tier, we stop on the face of CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS, listening impassively.

		AROJAZ
	... This continent was first
	discovered by a sailor commissioned
	by your Majesty...

CLOSE ON COLUMBUS' eyes.

		AROJAZ
	His name... Amerigo Vespucci...

On COLUMBUS.


EXT.  UNIVERSITY OF SALAMANCA - DAY

Around the KING, on horseback, surrounded by the KNIGHTS,
a CROWD is kept back by SOLDIERS.  AROJAZ is mounting his
horse.  SANCHEZ is waiting for him.

COLUMBUS stands among the students at the back of the
CROWD.

						CUT TO:

AROJAZ rides next to SANCHEZ.  AROJAZ suddenly spots
COLUMBUS in the crowd, as they move off.

		AROJAZ
	My God...!  I thought he was dead.

They pass close enough to touch COLUMBUS.  But he does not
see them.

		SANCHEZ
	You can see for yourself.

		AROJAZ
	What a tragedy... what a waste of a
	life...

		SANCHEZ
	A waste...?  Let me tell you
	something, Arojaz.  If your name, or
	mine, is ever remembered -- it will
	only be because of his.

AROJAZ looks at SANCHEZ in surprise -- then cranes his
neck round, and looks back at COLUMBUS -- now a FACE IN
THE CROWD.


EXT.  LA RABIDA MONASTERY - KITCHEN GARDEN - DAY

ANTONIO DE MARCHENA, a very old man now, is taking a
siesta next to his grapes.  He is sitting in a simple
armchair, a rosary wrapped around his fingers.

The presence of someone wakes him.  After a moment, he
recognizes COLUMBUS and smiles.  Both MEN are very moved.

		MARCHENA
	I suppose we're both old men now.

		COLUMBUS
	You'll always be older than me,
	Father.

They laugh.  COLUMBUS sits down.  Bees drone lazily in the
sunlight.

		COLUMBUS
	Have you ever forgiven me?

MARCHENA nods his head.

		MARCHENA
	Yes.  I forgave you a long time ago.
	You see, I was proud of you.  You
	were like a willful child.  You
	wouldn't accept what others told
	you.  You had to find things out for
	yourself, hurting yourself -- and
	others -- in the process.

MARCHENA looks at his plants, sighs contentedly.

		MARCHENA
	Do you remember when you said that
	people talk about the world, but
	never leave their gardens.

COLUMBUS nods.

		MARCHENA
	More than ever I wonder what it is
	we do achieve by leaving our
	gardens... The world changes -- and
	yet it seems the same.  We find new
	worlds, but fill them with the same
	people...

He pauses, looks across at COLUMBUS, smiles again gently.
MARCHENA, tiring, leans back in his chair, and looks up
towards the sun.

		COLUMBUS
	I have to disagree.

		MARCHENA
	I knew you would.

		COLUMBUS
	New worlds create new people.

		MARCHENA
	Oh?  So you are a new man?

		COLUMBUS
	I don't know... I have the
	impression that I didn't change that
	much.  I still can't accept the
	world as it is!

MARCHENA starts laughing.

		MARCHENA
	God bless you, and those like you!

They both laugh.


EXT.  BEATRIX'S HOUSE BALCONY - EVENING

FERNANDO is sitting in front of his FATHER, examining
documents and letters.  COLUMBUS has wrapped a shawl
around his legs.  He looks even older now, with his mass
of pure white hair.

BEATRIX comes out with a tray, carrying grapes and a
decanter of water.  She places it on a small table near
COLUMBUS and touches his shoulder.

As she is ready to return inside the house, he holds her
back.

		COLUMBUS
	Can't you stay with us a little?

		BEATRIX
	I am busy inside.

He smiles.  She looks at him smiling, intrigued.

		BEATRIX
	What is it, now?  Tell me...

		COLUMBUS
	I can't keep my eyes off you.  I
	would like to catch up with all the
	moments I didn't spend with you.

FERNANDO looks up at them above his letters, amused and
slightly embarrassed.  COLUMBUS looks at him with a fake
air of reproach.

		COLUMBUS
	What are you listening to?

		FERNANDO
	I am not listening, Father.  But I
	can't help hearing.

FERNANDO opens a letter and reads it quickly.

		FERNANDO
	It's Diego... He is at the Court,
	with Santangel... He says they hope
	to get your privileges restored...
	And maybe the house.

COLUMBUS smiles and nods -- all this seems to be of very
little importance to him now.

		COLUMBUS
	But how is he?  And Dona Maria?

FERNANDO continues to read.

		FERNANDO
	Fine, it seems.  Diego is thinking
	of starting a pearl trade, in Santo
	Domingo... He says he received many
	letters for you.  Some of your men,
	mostly.

He opens one of them, glances at it.

		FERNANDO
	This one is from Mendez!

COLUMBUS' eyes brighten with joy.

		COLUMBUS
	What does he say?

		FERNANDO
	He asks when he can come to visit
	you.  He left his address.

		COLUMBUS
		(smiling)
	He never had one... except aboard my
	ships!

FERNANDO laughs -- then, suddenly serious.

		FERNANDO
	I want you to tell me everything you
	remember, Father.  From the
	beginning.  Everything.

		COLUMBUS
	Really?
		(pause)
	God... I wouldn't know where to
	start... and yet...

		FERNANDO
	Tell me the first thing that comes
	to your mind.

COLUMBUS sighs, and leans back on his chair.  His eyes are
fixed somewhere, searching.  Then, almost in a murmur.

		COLUMBUS
	I remember...

We see the page.  FERNANDO writes: ... I REMEMBER...

A drop of ink falls from the quill onto the page and the
words.

FERNANDO is waiting.

						CUT TO:

COLUMBUS' eyes.

						CUT TO:

EXT.  BEACH AND JUNGLE - FIRST LANDING - DAY

A MOVING IMAGE, as seen from the rolling deck of a ship.
We see:

A majestic forest, resting on a slash of white sand, and
deep blue sea...

						MUSIC BEGINS:

THE LONE SILHOUETTE of an INDIAN emerges from the dense
foliage.  He runs down the beach towards the surf.  He
stops and seems to be staring at us.

These words appear on the screen:

	THE BIOGRAPHY FERNANDO WROTE ABOUT
	HIS FATHER WAS FOUND BY CHANCE IN
	VENICE.  ITS PUBLICATION IN 1571
	CONTRIBUTED TO RESTORING THE NAME OF
	CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, WHICH HAD BEEN
	FORGOTTEN.

	IN 1511 DIEGO COLUMBUS BECAME
	GOVERNOR OF SANTO DOMINGO.

	COLUMBUS RESTS IN THE CATHEDRAL OF
	SEVILLE, IN ANDALUSIA.

END AND CREDITS.
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