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Scene 4

            Storyteller

Ah, trouble is brewing as the infamous Tomas de Torquemada and his band of righteous zealots have invaded the village of Sevilla. This as events are rapidly unfolding in Vatican City. But first, let us give our attention as the Inquisitor General, Tomas de Torquemada, addresses the gathering crowd. 

            Zealot #1

Hear ye! Hear ye! I present to you, protector of the faith, loyal supporter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle, defender and light of Spain, hammer of heretics, the savior of his country, the Inquisitor General of Castile, Tomas de Torquemada!!

(The villagers murmur in anticipation)

            Tomas

By order of His Holy Father, Pope Sixtus IV, I have come to Sevilla to establish a tribunal.

(The villagers murmur)

All who are suspect will be heard fairly! God Almighty will direct the proceedings! Penances and sentences will be imposed upon those found guilty. 

            Villager #1

What penances my Lord?

            Tomas

Oh, wearing the cross. Or a fine.

            Villager #2

This is fair!

            Tomas

Or possibly a pilgrimage.

            Villager #1

This can be done.

            Tomas

The need may exist for a scourging.

            Villager #3

In public?

            Tomas

Yes, in public for all to see.

            Villager #1

For a greater sin it would be.

            Tomas

There could be loss of property and imprisonment.

            Villager #3

Can there be much more?

            Tomas

One more. Unrepentant offenders will be executed!

(The villagers murmur)

            Villager #2

My Lord, who deserves such a fate?

            Tomas

Is there among you who profess Albigensian?

(More murmuring)

Could there be Waldensians in this fair village?

(Villagers shout “No”)

Is Fraticelli allowed to exist?

(A louder “No” from the Villagers)

Is it possible you hide a Jew?

(The crowd roars “No!”)

Do you give favor to Marranos or Moriscos?

(An even louder “No!!”)

Then you have nothing to fear from the Lord or from us.

            Villager #1

We would tell you if we knew.

            Tomas

Would you? We will inquire to find the truth. There will be an inquisition to establish the facts. If you wish to confess, then don’t hold back! The Lord is righteous and merciful is He! But He will not allow continuing heresy. Nor shall we!

--Heresy! In The First Degree

Villager #3

♫ Surely God forgave us when sin tried to enslave us.

Lord Torquemada, will you help save us? ♫

            Tomas

Listen to the Lord and you will be saved. Avoid heresy and avoid the grave!!

            Villager #1

What is heresy? What say thee?

            Villager #2

Yes, Father, please tell us what to avoid!

            Tomas

You ask? What is heresy? 

♫ Heresy is no mystery.

When you’re defaming God, you’re defaming me.

This has been the truth throughout history,

You’re a heretic.

You make me sick!

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Villager #3

We beg, tell us more.

            Tomas

♫ Curiosity is a malady.

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree! ♫

            Villager #1 & #2

Is there more?

            Tomas

♫ Usury is piracy,

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫ 

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ Fantasy is a fallacy,

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree! ♫

            Tomas & The Zealots

♫ Heresy is no mystery.

When you defame the Pope, you’re defaming me.

This has been the truth throughout history,

You’re a heretic.

You make me sick!

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Villagers

Is there more? Is there more? Is there more? Is there more?

            Tomas

♫ Being a Jew will never do,

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree! ♫

            Villagers

Is there more? Is there more?

            Tomas

♫ Witchery, I’m sure you agree,

Is heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ To disagree is blaspheme,

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫ 

            Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree! ♫

            Tomas & The Zealots

♫ Heresy is no mystery.

When you defame the Pope, you’re defaming me.

This has been the truth throughout history,

You’re a heretic.

You make me sick!

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

            Villagers

♫ Is there more? Is there more? Can there be more? ♫

            Tomas

♫ Bigamy and sodomy,

They’re heresy, in the first degree. ♫ 

          Zealots

♫ It’s heresy! It’s heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree! ♫

            Villager #3

But, Father! Please have mercy!!

            Tomas

There is no mercy for heresy!!!

♫ But above all there is one affliction I cannot stand.

It’s when a man is in love with another man.

I make this vow: I will purge all evil from this land!

I pray you agree,

So leave it to me,

Soon there’ll be,

No more heresy!! ♫

            Zealots

♫ No more heresy!! No more heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree. ♫

            Zealots

♫ No more heresy!! ♫

Tomas, The Zealots, & Villagers

♫ Heresy is no mystery.

When you’re defaming God, you’re defaming me.

This has been the truth throughout history,

You’re a heretic.

You make me sick!

It’s heresy, in the first degree. ♫

          Zealots

♫ No more heresy!! No more heresy!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree. ♫

          Zealots

♫ No more heresy!! No more heresy!! ♫

           Zealots & Villagers

♫ No more heresy!!! ♫

            Tomas

♫ In the first degree. ♫

(A roar of approval from the crowd)

I urge all to pray! All confessions will be accepted. Expose anyone you suspect. You have one week!

            Louis (approaching Tomas)

Lord Torquemada, what urgent matter brings you to our quaint village?

            Tomas

Ah, Father Paschal! The Holy See sends His blessing.

            Louis

I hear Pope Sixtus is ill. Is there any news?

            Tomas

I have not seen him since spring. Father, are you preparing for the papacy?

            Louis

Far be it from me to presume the Lord’s will. I only do His work.

            Tomas

We all do the Lord’s work. We just have different means.

            Louis

And Tomas, what means do you seek to employ?

            Tomas

The Holy Father has empowered me to rid Spain of Jews and heretics.

            Louis

Is that why you come to this village? 

            Tomas

You speak truth, Father. The Lord has directed I establish a tribunal to purge the land.

            Louis

Is God not a God of mercy and forgiveness?

            Tomas

Indeed, He is, Father. Indeed, He is. May he bestow such on honest and righteous men. But the Lord is not one to be mocked. He will be vindicated.

            Louis

The Lord I know and love is full of compassion and leniency.

            Tomas

Then, Father, I will make a vow with you: You demonstrate pity and sympathy and I’ll exhibit vengeance and retribution. This way, all the Lord’s work will be done.

            Louis

May God judge between the two of us.

            Tomas

Judge He will!

            Villager #1 (running to meet the two men)

Father!!! Father Paschal!!

            Louis

Yes, my son, what news doest thou bring?            

          Villager #1

A messenger has arrived from Vatican City!

            Tomas

He has news of the Holy Father?

            Villager #1

Indeed!! He is very ill and approaches his demise. All the Bishop Cardinals have been summoned for the conclave.

            Louis

Then I must prepare for the journey. Please run ahead to the monastery and give the orders.

            Villager #1 (running toward the monastery)

I will! Please hurry, Father!!

            Tomas

Yes, hurry, Father Paschal. May the compassion ye seek await you in the halls of the Basilica.

            Louis (heading toward the monastery)

Until we meet again, Tomas.

            Zealot #1 (approaching Tomas)

The Father will be the next pope.

            Tomas

If it is the Lord’s Will.

            Zealot #1

It appears the Inquisitor General has doubts.

            Tomas

Only time will tell how events will turn out.

            Zealot #1

The Father harbors secrets?

            Tomas

A blameless soul does not worry about forgiveness. The Father has a worried soul.

            Zealot #1

What will you do?

            Tomas

We will do what we came to do. We will have our inquisition. We will see it through.

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