[TRANSCRIPT STARTS]

Arthur Pendragon and his brother, Kay, walk through Trafalgar Square. It's winter. While Kay has layers of clothing, Arthur only has a simple jacket. A crowd of people gathers near the steps of the National Gallery.

KAY

It's freezing, Arthur! Can we stop sightseeing and go inside for five minutes?

ARTHUR

How many opportunities do we get to go to London? Father hardly ever brings us when he's on official business.

KAY

We'll have zero opportunities if we die from frostbite!

Arthur laughs.

ARTHUR

Have more spirit, brother. This is exciting.

KAY

There is nothing exciting about London since the king has been dead for over two months.

ARTHUR

All right, all right. Let's go into the Gallery.

KAY

If we can even get through. I can't even see the front door from here.

Arthur apologizes his way through the crowd of tourists, while Kay gets lost in the swarm. By the time Arthur arrives at the entrance of the Gallery, Kay is gone.

ARTHUR

Kay! Are you already dying of frostbite?

The crowd gasps. Arthur turns and sees they’re reacting to a show. A muscled man makes a great, comical effort to pull a sword from the stone.

ARTHUR

Interactive art? Wonder if there's a prize for getting it out.

MERLIN

It's not art.

Arthur jumps when a young man stands beside him on the top step.

ARTHUR

Do you work in the gallery?

MERLIN

You could say that.

ARTHUR

If it's not art, then what is it supposed to be?

For a moment, Merlin's blue eyes glow green.

MERLIN

It's a test to see who can become king.

Arthur laughs but stops when Merlin doesn't.

ARTHUR

That's a joke, right? There's no way they would choose a king like that.

MERLIN

The second idea was to draw a name from a hat.

This time Merlin chuckles when Arthur laughs.

ARTHUR

Are you a comedian that's in charge of the show?

MERLIN

Just an observer that doesn't like crowds. Like that boy.

Merlin nods to the crowd, where only Kay's arms are visible in the sea of people.

ARTHUR

And that would be my brother. I should rescue him.

MERLIN

Why not leave him?

ARTHUR

He's terrified of getting lost in London.

Arthur goes after Kay. Merlin pauses before descending the steps. He mumbles to himself.

MERLIN

One can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his sibling...

Arthur pulls Kay to a clear area beside the sword and the stone.

KAY

Death... I saw death...

Arthur pats his back.

ARTHUR

Death by American tourists.

TOURIST

Hurry up!

ARTHUR

Pardon me?

TOURIST

You're next. Hurry up so I can go!

Arthur appears confused.

MERLIN

By coincidence, you stepped into the line to try and pull the sword from the stone.

ARTHUR

Oh, I'm sorry. You can go next.

Arthur steps back, but Merlin extends his arm to prevent him. Their eyes meet for a lingering moment.

MERLIN

I insist. It wouldn't hurt to try after all.

KAY

Just hurry up. I feel the frostbite setting in.

Arthur looks at the sword. Something about its metallic gleam draws him.

ARTHUR

I guess… It wouldn’t hurt.

He approaches the sword. The silver glitters, and the hilt is embroidered with beautiful carvings. Engraved letters travel down the length of the blade.

ARTHUR

I can’t… read it.

KAY

Does it matter? Just pull it out!

MERLIN

It’s Common Brittonic.

ARTHUR

What is that?

MERLIN

A language.

Kay snorts.

KAY

He’s just pulling your leg, Arthur.

MERLIN

“Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone is right wise King born of all England.” That’s what it says.

ARTHUR

Really?

When Arthur looks at the sword, he sees one of Merlin’s eyes reflecting on the blade. It flashes green again.

MERLIN

In times where there are no legitimate heirs to the throne, and England is without a ruler, Parliament is forced to rely on the magic in the stone to decide a new ruling family.

KAY

Arthur, this man is completely mad.

ARTHUR

He sounds pretty smart to me.

MERLIN

I know what it takes to help my country.

TOURIST

Get on with it already!

Kay walks over to Arthur and whispers.

KAY

Hurry up and try it so we can get away from this crazy guy.

ARTHUR

He’s not crazy.

KAY

He said he believed in magic.

Arthur grins.

ARTHUR

So do you.

Arthur turns to the stone and grabs the leather hilt. Gold dust glitters around his fingers.

ARTHUR

One… two… three!

On “three,” he pulls up. The sword slides from the stone like it slides from a hilt. The crowd gasps. Kay falls on his butt.

MAN

A boy… has done it…

KAY AND MAN

He pulled the sword from the stone.

Merlin chuckles.

MERLIN

I knew it.

Arthur laughs in surprise and looks at Kay and Merlin, but a group of men in black suits swarm Arthur.

KAY

Hey! What’s going on? Arthur!

He stands, but Merlin extends his arm and stops him from moving forward.

MERLIN

These are the King’s men. Leave them be.

KAY

You were joking earlier! There’s no way Arthur is king right now.

MERLIN

I have a tendency not to joke.

The men move Arthur into a private room in the Gallery. They sit him in a chair, and the courtier steps forward.

COURTIER

What will your name be?

ARTHUR

My name? What’s going on? Where’s my brother?

COURTIER

The name that will be known throughout history, sire. The name you will take as king when you are crowned.

ARTHUR

I’m… going to be king? But I’m just the son of a member of Parliament.

COURTIER

You answered the call of England, sire. You pulled the sword from the stone.

Arthur’s face reflects in the sword. There is a long pause before he sits up straight.

ARTHUR

Let’s not complicate it, if I really will be king. My name is Arthur Pendragon.

[END OF TRANSCRIPT]