"THE INQUISITOR" FADE IN: INT. MONASTERY, CLOISTER, TORQUEMADA'S CHAMBER - DAWN A black, wooden cross, with a carved figure of Christ, hangs on a whitewashed wall. The melancholic SOUND of the chapel‘s bells calling for the early-morning mass is subdued by a whooshing NOISE and heavy breathing. LEGEND: "SEGOVIA, SPAIN, CIRCA 1483" As the CAMERA PULLS BACK we reveal a nude man with his back to us, on his knees, being flagellated by a DOMINICAN FRIAR. The man who is taking the punishment is Prior THOMAS DE TORQUEMADA. He is in his late 40‘s with a gaunt countenance and deeply set eyes expressing passion, madness, cruelty and suffering - occasionally. A single candle illuminates the Spartan room furnished only with a small cot, a tiny table with a chair and a hempen mat under the crucifix. Shadows of the candle‘s fluttering flame dance on Torquemada‘ contorted face. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: INT. THE RAFEL HOUSE, BATHING AREA - DAWN CLOSE ON ALVARO DE RAFEL‘s noble face. He is only in his late 40‘s but a few gray streaks already pattern his well-shaped beard. His dark pensive eyes gaze into infinity. He is profoundly preoccupied. As the CAMERA PULLS BACK we show him sitting in a tin bathtub. His devoted footman, JULIO, in his late 50‘s, diligently scrubs his master‘s back with soap and a rough cloth. JULIO Master is not himself today. Is the bath not to his liking? DON ALVARO I'm not looking forward to my trip to Seville, Julio. When the Royal Palace summons, you can be certain of hidden surprises by Isabella or Ferdinand. JULIO She is a good soul, our Isabella. She got rid of most of the cut-throats and robber barons in no time. Julio reaches for the kettle and pours more hot water into the tub. JULIO (CONT'D) (CONT'D) You must be sitting in cold water by now. DON ALVARO Yes, yes, she did. Our Queen is a wonderful woman. A much better leader than her imbecile brother, Henry, may he rest in peace. I just wish she had married someone other than Ferdinand. The CAMERA MOVES IN on a SILVER CHAIN around Don Alvaro‘s neck. A CROSS and a CYLINDER, both hang next to one another from the chain. SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. MONASTERY, CLOISTER - EARLY MORNING In the inner courtyard of the Gothic monastery seen through the arcades of the cloister. DOMINICAN FRIARS, barefooted and tonsured, are chanting psalms as they file toward the chapel to attend morning mass. Some carry torches to light the way. Among them is Torquemada, tall and emaciated. His head is bent in contemplation and, like the others, he is clad in the traditional garb of scapular, cowl and black and white robe fastened by a leather belt. They enter the chapel. INT. CHAPEL - EARLY MORNING Torquemada drops to his knees in front of the altar, makes the sing of the cross and clasps his hands in prayer. The CAMERA MOVES IN on his face illuminated by the flame of a candle in front of him. TORQUEMADA My Lord, forgive the sins of my ancestors for they have sinned... DISSOLVE TO: INT. THE RAFEL HOUSE, CATHERINE'S ROOM - MORNING CATHERINE RAFEL lies in bed asleep. She is the beautiful 18 year old daughter of Don Alvaro. Her long black hair is spread on the white linen like a Spanish fan, and her olive skin is moist from the nightmare she is experiencing. The approaching FOOTSTEPS and the impatient VOICE of her mother wake up Catherine with a jolt. DONA MARIA (O.S.) Catherine! Catherine! Have you no respect for your parents? Breakfast is served and you're still in bed. Catherine‘s mother, DONA MARIA RAFEL, already dressed for church, enters the room. She is in her 40‘s, a dark, strong woman with a cold ascetic look, unlike her daughter who has the soft features of a Titian Madonna. DONA MARIA (CONT'D) It‘s the first Sunday of Lent and we‘ll be late for mass. Your fiancée is already here, waiting in the galleria. Catherine sits up in bed, still disoriented by her bad dream. CATHERINE I am sorry, Mother. I just had an awful dream. DONA MARIA (interrupting) We‘ve never been late for church before and I don‘t intend to this time. Well, hurry up! As Dona Maria marches out of the room, Catherine gets out of bed and saunters to the window. A gentle smile appears on her face as she spots her fiancé, JUAN POMAS in the garden. He is a good-looking young man in his early 20‘s from a noble family. EXT. THE RAFEL HOUSE, THE GARDEN - CONTINUOUS Catherine's POV: Juan standing in the splendid rose garden below, grabs his heart in a mock pose and then blows a kiss toward Catherine. EXT. THE RAFEL HOUSE, THE WINDOW - CONTINUOUS Juan's POV: Catherine giggles, delighted at his antics. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - MORNING A typical Castillian sunrise. In the far distance a rider gallops toward the outskirts of Segovia. As he races by we can see that he is a COURIER of the Queen. INT. THE RAFEL HOUSE, GALLERIA - LATER Catherine enters the galleria, a combination of dining and living area, carrying a bouquet of roses in various colors. She bounces to the refectory table where breakfast has been laid out, and her parents and fiancé, Juan, are waiting. Both men rise as Catherine reaches the table. Catherine hands the bouquet to her father and kisses him affectionately. CATHERINE It‘s for your trip, dear Father. They‘ll bring you luck and safety on the roads, and will keep evil away. Don Alvaro gives her a bear hug and kisses her on the forehead. DON ALVARO (whispering) I love you more than anything on this earth. Catherine, still beaming, turns around and in a flirtatious look, lets Juan kiss her hand. CATHERINE I‘m sorry to have kept you all waiting... DONA MARIA (interrupting) There is no excuse for your behavior, Catherine. Her mother‘s scolding doesn‘t affect Catherine‘s mood. She looks toward her father who still smiles at her conspiratorially. DON ALVARO Let‘s give grace. Everyone becomes serious as they clasp their hands and tilt their heads for prayer. The words are incomprehensible as they are whispered. EXT. MONASTERY, HOLY OFFICE - DAY ANTONIO DE LA PENA, a Dominican friar in his 40‘s, scurries toward the entrance of the Holy Office. The cowl of his neglected robe is pulled over his head clearing only his dark, manic eyes. The soldiers at the door let him in without questioning. INT. AUDIENCE CHAMBER OF THE INQUISITION - CONTINUOUS The large, imposing hall with its Gothic windows and high ceiling is devoid of any secular decoration. At one end of the room stands a long refectory table surrounded by high backed chairs for the members of the tribunal. A large floor-to-ceiling cross with the figure of Christ stands against the side wall dominating the place. There are two large, unlit candles with a small standing cross between them and a bible on the table. (Note: The candles are lit only during trial proceedings.) At this moment it's quiet in the hall except for the scratchy NOISE Torquemada‘ quill makes on a scroll. Alone, his head buried in books and scrolls, Torquemada is making notes for an upcoming trial. Hearing the NOISE of a door opening he looks up. Antonio de la Pena enters in a hurry. He pulls back the cowl to reveal his face as he approaches Torquemada at the table. PENA (still out of breath) Forgive me, Father, for disturbing you at this early hour but this is of utmost importance to the cause... TORQUEMADA (full of anticipation) Yes! The cause! The divine cause. So what news do you bring? PENA All the arrangements have been made for the procession. I am certain Father will be pleased. TORQUEMADA It must please God, not me, Pena! EXT. MONASTERY, HOLY OFFICE, ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATER The Royal Courier hurriedly approaches the door and is stopped by soldiers of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. COURIER (out of breath) Royal Courier to see Prior Thomas de Torquemada. He shows the guards the Royal seal. They let him proceed inside the building. INT. THE AUDIENCE CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS The courier enters and rushes over to Torquemada at the table where he genuflects. COURIER A letter from the Queen, Prior. Her Majesty does not expect a reply. As Torquemada reaches out for the letter, the courier genuflects again and leaves as quickly as he came. Torquemada breaks the royal seal on the scroll and begins to read. A subtle change appears in his expression, a barely perceptible smirk. TORQUEMADA I must leave immediately. Her Majesty has summoned me to the palace. He turns to the human-size figure of Christ in exaltation. TORQUEMADA (CONT'D) (to himself) Merciful Lord, thank you for giving me the strength and the devotion. My life's work will finally be accomplished... Pena watches Torquemada mumbling to himself. Torquemada rises from his chair and swiftly turns to Pena. He is transported; his eyes are radiant. TORQUEMADA (CONT'D) Go! Complete your work in the name of our Lord! We must cleanse the world of the infidel. We are on the path to victory. EXT. CATHEDRAL SQUARE - DAY The main square of Segovia is crowded with worshipers from all walks of life: the noble, the craftsmen, the burghers and the peasants, and some pickpockets and the likes - a colorful mix.