Julius Caesar Script 1

2D Class Production © - Tragedy of Saruman & Sauron

The

Tragedy of

Saruman & Sauron Julius Caesar 1.1 to 1.2.215 SCENE I. Mordor (Barad-Dur). Humans, now captured as slaves and bound by chains, work in Mordor to complete a grand fortress. Humans have clear hierarchy (i.e. slave drivers, slaves, etc.) Eerie, glowing lights together with his red eye. LOTR Mordor music theme. The mob crowds (of humans) around chained, freshly-captured humans from captured territories by the dark side. The humans just walk from left to right of stage looking busy.

Human chief You! People! Go back to work! Regain your sticks, your spades, and work! (a nearby man collapses, and the human chief drags him back up.) You! What’s your job?

Human slave 1 Why, chief, under the spades department.

Human chief Spades, eh? That department has given me no end of trouble. Sauron is displeased by your progress, yet you idle still! Do you not remember Sauron, in his majesty, can come down and consume you all? Have you forgotten-

Human slave 1 (cowers) Sire- forgive me, your lowly slave. But have you forgotten we were once a free species? Why do we toil and grovel while others once below us wallow in Sauron’s favour?

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2D Class Production © - Tragedy of Saruman & Sauron

Human chief Hush, do not let him hear you (looks around fearfully) He sees all- cease these thoughts of rebellion!

Human slave 1 (almost shouting) But we have to escape! Our fellow humans, our once-comrades, are suffering under the one we serve. We are no more than traitors if we do not resist!

Human chief Not another from your tongue. Guards! Drag this one off and sever his tongue!

Four guards drag slave 1 off. Slave 2 runs to take shelter in the crowd. Human chief 2 (comes over) Aye, that impudent fool has been asking for it. He sees not the power of (worshipfully) Sauron, the all-seeing eye. You and me, we will have much to enjoy once Sauron is the King of earth, and Saruman the Chancellor. (human chief 1 is noticeably silent) [Exeunt Human Chief 2

Human chief 1 (sadly) Yet I still remember the days When we feared no fiery Shadow and lived yet as free men… [Exeunt [Crew immediately changes scene.

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SCENE II. Deserted Wasteland. Shrub Vegetation. A rabble of orcs with a hobbit and another group of Uruk-Hai meet. Intense light from all angles.

Uruk-Hai chieftain (slyly) (stops Orcs from moving) Well, what do we have here?

Orc-chieftain You give interference where none is neededBe gone and let us be!

Uruk-Hai chieftain (slyly) And why should we do that?

Orc-chieftain (Retreating) We have orders from the tower, fool, and you would get into a pretty spot of trouble if you try to disrupt them.

Uruk-Hai chieftain Well, well, what a coincidence! We have orders too--and this is what they are: waylay a group of stinking orcs, kill them all, and loot them. You can’t stop us!

[Orc-chieftain, with several other orcs, rushes toward the Uruk-Hai chieftain, but the UrukHai chieftain stabs him, and both groups immediately engage in a very violent ‘battle’, with the Uruk-Hai decisively winning. Hobbit attempts to run, but because he is bound in chains, is carved into nice thin slices before he can do so. After the massacre is over, Uruk-Hai 1 searched to dead body of the hobbit, and finds the ring. He grabs it and holds the chain in the air.] Uruk-Hai no 1 (admiringly) (turning ring in the light) What does the white hand want with that, I can’t figure out. But it is indeed a pretty thing……

Uruk-Hai chieftain () Fool! The white hand needs not explain to a lowly soldier like you! Banish these covetous thoughts from your mind, or I will have to report this.

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(Uruk-Hai no 1 cowers) Uruk-Hai chieftain (quickly snatching the ring away and placing it into his tunic) Now get on! We have to go! The Saruman needs it quick!

[exeunt UrukHai]

SCENE III. Orthanc. Saruman is alone in chamber conversing via Palantir (onyx globe) with Sauron. Silent surrounding. Echo mic. Editors’ Note: Sauron adopts an extremely deep, evil, and powerful voice that would inspire any one. Saruman is slow, contemplative, and does not gestulate excessively except certain movements of his staff. Otherwise, he sits on a chair and focuses on the dialogue. Saruman My lord, I grow weary in this tower—my tasks have been completed. Do you have anything left you require of me?

Sauron HUNT DOWN TO THE LAST THE MEN OF ROHAN; TILL NONE OF THEM LIVE.

Saruman But, my lord—has that not already been done?

Sauron (pause) TO THE VERY LAST?

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Saruman (looking and sounding wronged) My lord—you doubt me!

Sauron HMM…

Saruman (hasty) But I am sure only to the best extent of my knowledge, sire- I may yet be wrong.

Sauron SO YOU ARE UNSURE NOW.

Saruman (quick and smooth sentence. Emphasis on ‘pardon’) Greatest pardon, my most high king. I am not as you are- I am but a lowly fool, who cannot see beyond the future, as you do.

Sauron INDEED… THEN LISTEN NOW TO WHAT I KNOW TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. FROM MY ALL-HIGH TOWER I SPY IN AMON FEN WHERE HUNDREDS ARE GATHERED, ARMED AND HORSED READY FOR A FIGHTTHEM WHICH YOU SWORE WERE DEAD. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WOULD NOT HAVE YOU FELLED THEM WITH ONE CALVARY IF YOU WERE TRULY MY SERVANT? [voice of judgement] [Saruman panics, he retreats] DIRECTING YOUR ENERGY TO SOME HIDDEN PURPOSE… PERHAPS? Good. Then, listen now to what I know to the best of my knowledge, as see how it compares. Remember, my true-fixed and resting quality – there is no fellow in the firmament. Unshaked of motion, the Northern Sun – I am he.

Saruman (Afraid)

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2D Class Production © - Tragedy of Saruman & Sauron Pardon, my puissant lord. Here, my lord, you do me grievous unjust, though that I am worthy of your scorn. But in all this must your servant be held blameless; for he is but a speck of dirt compared with the all seeing-eye, and his knowledge and means of attainment thereof are nowhere near being boundless, as yours is—your servant did not know thus.

Sauron (sounding much more pleased) YOU KNOW NOW.

Saruman Yes, my lord.

Sauron THEN GO; WIPE THE MEN OF ROHAN OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

Saruman It shall be done with all effort, my lord.

Sauron CEASE. IN CASE YOU DECIDE TO BETRAY ME, I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU. I WILL SOON BE COMING TO THE PEAK OF MY POWER BY VIRTUE OF AN ITEM BEING BROUGHT TO ME AS WE SPEAK. CONTROL OF MIDDLEEARTH WILL ENSUE. OBEY ME, AND BE REWARDED BEYOND YOUR DREAMS. (slow, deliberate emphasis) AND, BETRAY ME, AND FACE PAIN BEYOND YOUR DARKEST DAYMARES.

Saruman I am honoured, my Lord. To your do your slightest desire I prostrate myself before you. King of all majesties! Hail Sauron! (stands, salutes, bows)

Sauron (faded echo) DO SO. I SHALL AWAIT YOUR NEWS. YES, DO SO.

[the palantir fades, and Saruman covers it swiftly with a piece of cloth, breathing hard] script – ak/ys/rw

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Saruman (sits on table, thinks) He seems to suspect… (pause and walks in circles) … but … of no consequence. He cares for nothing but his pride, and that is my greatest sword. Slay him I will – the ring! I want the ring! (Shout and bangs table)

Augurer (soothsayer) rushes in. Saruman (stands erect immediately) Who stands there?

Soothsayer The results a divination I believe you would be interested in, sire.

Saruman Not Wormtongue, then. Where is he? I have awaited an hour. Damn him. But pray do tell me you are so eager to say. Upon which star dor’st my fate lie in?

Soothsayer Sire, of my own initiative, and by the placement of the stars, I searched the skies, and found the moon is waxing into its strongest power, even as Elendil burns with the purest fire I have yet seen. Sauron is at the lowest point of his power, and though many think him safe within his self-conceived fortresses, the stars spell it not so. He knows this as well, I deem, for even such as he reads the patterns of the stars and finds in them their meaning. (draws closer to Saruman) This would be a good time to strike, my lord.

Saruman (turns away) What? You- you dare suggest I am disloyal to Sauron? (visibly shocked) You rude thing! How dare you! script – ak/ys/rw

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Soothsayer Sire, ponder this matter. I remain your ever-faithful diviner.

Saruman (abruptly faces soothsayer again) I will. (soothsayer rushes out – not too fast)

Saruman How did he know? I spoke of this to none. (shouts) Wormtongue! I prithee, come, quick! [at this moment Wormtongue breathlessly dashes into the chamber] Saruman (VERY rapidly) You come upon a prayer. What news, Wormtongue? And why are you looking so eager? (examines Wormtongue’s expressions and slows down) Come here…it has come? (he and Wormtongue walk to the far end of the chamber)

Wormtongue Its has come, my lord.

Saruman (ominously, in low tones) It has, now. Where is it?

Wormtongue (fumbles in his tunic for the Ring for some time, then holds it out to Saruman.) Here it is, my lord. It does look beautiful…

Saruman (snatching away the ring from Wormtongue, who is obviously loath to part with it)(talking in normal, loud tones again) Very good; now I must dismiss myself for some time, for there are some things that need to be done. (Saruman exits the chamber through a side-door.) script – ak/ys/rw

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Wormtongue It was very smooth—so very smooth….and of the most brilliant gold colour—and so, so beautiful…. (stroking palm as if there was a ring there.) (tone growing harsh) But why should Saruman have it for himself? Is he superior to me? No! He merely knows more, and that counts for nothing! But- there is no way I can get the ring back from him, now that I passed it to him in my folly. What should I do? (ponders for some time) Well, if I cannot have it for myself, then I must not let Saruman sit and gloat over it! But how---how shall I relinquish him of the one ring? The only thing he loves more than the ring itself is power, and that is the reason he wants the ring….

[Saruman enters] Saruman (exultantly, NO lame wicked laughter. Lifts up staff in one hand, holds ring in the other) Indeed, confirmed I have - this is indeed the One Ring of Sauron—who shall now have power to stand against me?

Wormtongue (slyly and ‘whisper’) Yet even with it, your dominion would never be complete.

Saruman (sharply turns, points accusingly) My what? You! what did you say?

Wormtongue (slyly and submissively) Nothing, my lord...

Saruman Lie not to me! I heard what you said. And if you had the courage to say it, then you shall possess the courage to explain yourself. Do so!

Wormtongue (cower) My lord knows full well that Sauron cannot be destroyed by sword or storm, script – ak/ys/rw

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2D Class Production © - Tragedy of Saruman & Sauron but that his demise can only be brought about by the destruction of the one ring, for Sauron has foolishly poured too much of his life into its making -so the spirit of death shall not touch him as long as the ring is not unmade, but also that the unmaking of the ring will prove to be his doom.

Saruman (stressed tone) And?!

Wormtongue And so, even it my lord were to use the power of the ring and rise up in force and wrath against the Dark tower, you might utterly rout his armies, and lay his tower bare; but you will not vanquish Sauron’s foundations– for they cannot be unmade, as upon the power of the ring they are built, and by the power of the ring shall they survive. Sire! Do you not realize - even if Sauron proves defeated, yet he shall not be vanquished, for his life is the ring’s and as long as the ring there is, then also there shall always be Sauron—haunting you even in victory, and plotting his bitter revenge. Who knows how he may rise again? You know that as a dog is drawn to its master, so the ring is drawn to its maker, and time will find the ring—the same ring that cheated Isildur to his death—back in the home of its master’s fiery hand. (Editor’s note: Isildur was the son of the King of Gondor in the battle against the Dark side. He “killed” Sauron with a sword, but did not toss the ring into the fires of Orodruin, the only place where it could be destroyed – he kept it instead. His greed marked the decline of mankind.)

Saruman So it is that my greatest source of power shall be the same thread that keeps my bitterest foe alive. (ascending tone) So I see now that I do not have free choice. If I destroy the ring so shall Sauron be utterly vanquished, and so shall the force and power of his title pass unto me, and shall not middle-earth tremble beneath my sway, and countless legions amass and rally under me? (whispers) Yet, the ring shall never serve me as it does Sauron….

Wormtongue Alas! Will the great Saruman be defeated by the loss of a gold piece when he possesses armies too great to imagine, weapons to horrible to perceive, and power too vast to fathom?

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2D Class Production © - Tragedy of Saruman & Sauron I lack not strength, but beside Sauron my glory and power pales. Wherefore should I sacrifice my glory for this ring? Come, now, gentle Wormtongue, to my left, for this ear is deaf, and tell what you think. / ak:080806 / ys:090806 Property of Class 2D ©

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