Scene 7.06 - A Clear Case Of Treason
Havana Halls Of Justice, Havana, Cuba - January 11th, 1799
(A weary WINSTON WINNEBEGO sits at a desk, moderately dressed himself. MONTY walks in, scantily-clad and confused.)
WINNIE
Monsieur Bizkit, I'm sure you do not like being rousted in the middle of the night any more than I, but serious charges of treason have been levied against you; disturbing information has been brought to my attention; what say you of these charges?
MONTY
What say I? I am innocent, sir! I know nothing about these charges of treason!
WINNIE
Early yesterday morning, as acting captain, did you not redirect your vessel, "The Cherry Mary" from its course toward Havana to the forbidden isle of Ire, a prison island holding our deposed ruler Manuel Noriega?
MONTY
(Looks to the TALL GUARD NOW WITHOUT MUSTACHE; he's ignorant of the proceedings, picking his nose or something.) How do you know-
WINNIE
Please answer the question, sir.
MONTY
Yes, our captain had taken ill, we used the services of his doctor. It was a medical emergency.
WINNIE
A medical emergency? Only to seek medical aid? (Hmmm.) I may have been roused for nothing. Where is your captain now?
MONTY
He is dead, sir.
WINNIE
Oh. (Opens file.) That is wholly unfortunate, he may have sided with you and may have shed some light on your case.
MONTY
My case?
WINNIE
(Inking the paperwork.) You have been accused of taking a bribe from an enemy of the state; that warrants hanging, you know.
MONTY
A bribe!?! I did no such thing, sir! Who told you I took a bribe?
WINNIE
The identity of the individuals who accuse you is confidential. I'm afraid you have verified enough to warrant further investigation. I will have to hold you for additional questioning and then send you to the Federal Judiciary in the Keys for an impartial inquest-
MONTY
I- I do not wish to hang, sir- I did speak to Mr. Noriega, sir, but he gave me no money; only a letter- to be delivered, tomorrow!
WINNIE
(Stops, looks up.) A letter?
MONTY
Yes, a Mother's Day card! (Feels vest; still there.) I- I promised I would not show it to anyone, it is warm wishes for his ill mother.
WINNIE
You've read it, then?
MONTY
I- cannot read, sir.
WINNIE
You have this letter; in your vest. Give it to me. (Pause. MONTY doesn't move; frozen in dilemma.) I'm quite sure that a promise to a traitor from your lips doesn't outweigh the tension of a noose at your neck, sir. (Sees ethical hesitation.) If it can prove your innocence, sir, by all means, come forth with it!
(MONTY hands the TALL GUARD NOW WITHOUT MUSTACHE the letter, who hands it to WINNIE.)
WINNIE (Cont'd.)
Ho! Ho! My! This isn't a Mother's Day card, sir. It's final instructions regarding an elaborate escape plan. Lucky we found this.
MONTY
Sir, on my honor as a gentleman, I swear I was unaware of the contents of that letter! Had I known his intentions were unjust-
WINNIE
(Engrossed in the letter, waves him off.) I believe you, sir. Only an idiot or an illiterate would deliver this letter to my desk. If you were complicit or in collusion with this traitor, you would already be weeping and pleading for mercy on your knees; therefore, your bold ignorance to this grave matter betrays you, and thereby saves you from the gallows. I truly believe you, sir; you've done the state a great favor by bringing this directly to me. (Looks up.) Surely not treason -- merely, civic duty.
MONTY
(Starts to smile:) Yes, I am happy to bring this to you, sir! (Pause.) Then I am absolved of these charges of treason?
WINNIE
Yes, yes of course. This letter is evidence of only one man's guilt -- the sender -- Manuel Noriega. If it were a crime to be duped by him, we'd all be in jail; he duped our entire country; he was elected! The bribery accusation was obviously a frame job, most likely inspired by a noble enemy; and hatched into a plan with another wishing you nothing but ill, the one who acted as a silent witness to the charge; both to gain from taking advantage of an unfortunate circumsta- This letter, though, does brings some interesting points of the frailties and imperfections of our Kingdom to light. Amusing, even.
MONTY
Then I am free to go?
WINNIE
Yes, yes, you are free to go... and watch your back, sir. Especially you, Senor Bizkit; keep your friends close and your enemies closer. (Beat. Pause. MONTY moves a step or two.) Ah, Monsieur, before you go! (MONTY stops, turns. Both smiling:) One last question, please, sir; please satisfy my curiosity.
MONTY
Yes?
WINNIE
Tell me, just exactly who were you told to deliver this preposterous letter to?
MONTY
Senor Castro, sir.
(WINNIE goes white.)
WINNIE
(Half-volume breath-) Come again?
MONTY
Senor Castro, sir. Fidel Castro. (Pause.) Will that be all, sir?
WINNIE
(Cold. Gets up, burns the letter.) Perhaps it's best I keep tabs on you, sir, I may have further questions about this matter in the future. Providence has brought you to me and it would be unjust to have you walk home alone. My guards will give you a lift.
MONTY
(Unsure, yet aware something is very wrong here.) I can see myself out, sir.
WINNIE
No, no. I insist.
(They take him by force.)
MONTY
I do not understand, sir, what is this? You said I was free to go!
WINNIE
Yes, sir, you are free to go. Away. Far away.
MONTY
I am innocent!
WINNIE
You are. Yet, the world is a vicious beast and there is little protection for such idle novelties. Adieu, Monsieur Bizkit.
FTB