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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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