QUEEN OF SWORDS SYNOPSIS
119 RUNAWAYS

WRITER: Toby Roberts
DIRECTOR: George Mendeluk

Camilla Wentworth, and her two slaves try to escape her abusive husband, but Captain Wentworth claims his wife was kidnapped. Camilla turns out to be Doctor Helm's former fiancé, making Tessa conflicted. She knows she should try to save Camilla, but if she did, Camilla would be available for the Doctor...

GUEST STARS:
TUNDÉ OBA as Jeffrey
YASMIN BANNERMAN as Agatha
AMBER BATTY as Camilla
SIMON MACCORKINDALE as Charles Wentworth
DARIUS DAVIDAUSKAS as Sergeant Gomez

~~~~~

BEACH

A white woman, Camilla Wentworth, along with a black man, Jeffery, and women, Agatha, run along the beach. A man on a beached rowboat raises his gun and fires, wounding Agatha in the leg. Camilla and Jeffery decide to run on.

JEFFERY: I will return for you, sister.

The man who fired, Captain Charles Wentworth pledges to get them back, dead or alive.

~~~~~

MONTOYA'S OFFICE

Wentworth is hoping that the Colonel will help him get his wife, Camilla, back, who had been kidnapped by two of his slaves.

WENTWORTH: I should tell you sir, that I am an officer in the King's navy.
MONTOYA: I should tell you sir, Spain and England have never been the best of friends.

Wentworth puts a pouch of coins on the table, to make the Colonel move faster?

MONTOYA: I hope you think I'm not a man who can be bought.
WENTWORTH Why not?
MONTOYA The honor of my office is sacricent. I am Military Governor here, I am impervious to bribery.
WENTWORTH Then just consider it a gift. A mark of esteem from one officer to another.
MONTOYA In that case, that is very kind of you.

~~~~~

ALVARADO HACIENDA

Jeffery is stealing food and Marta goes after him with a knife. Tessa, who was brushing her horse, stops Jeffery with her trusty pitchfork and sees that he had only stolen food.

TESSA: If you were hungry, why not just ask for food?

Camilla comes from a hiding place and says she needs more than food. She is running away from her husband.

~~~~~

STABLES

Montoya's horse is sick, with a guard and Helm attending him.

HELM: It's not my field.
MONTOYA Believe me, Doctor, if there were a veterinarian within a hundred miles of this pueblo, he would be here. In this case, I make due with you.

MONTOYA Such a noble stallion. Did you know that he was descended from noble stock? Is he in very much pain you think?
HELM It might just be an intestinal blockage.
MONTOYA You're talking about constipation. Look, it could be colic, it could be fatal.
HELM Look! I'm doing the best I can.

Helm mentions the rumor of a woman being shot on the beach. Montoya says that she is alive. Montoya wants to know about his horse.

HELM I'm giving him caster oil, let's just wait and see.
MONTOYA Castor oil? Is that the best you can offer?
HELM As I keep trying to explain to you, my forte is with patients of the two legged variety.

Montoya says that he's sending over a sea captain to him as a patient.

HELM What is this sea captain's problem?
MONTOYA Apart from being English you mean?

~~~~~

HELM'S OFFICE

Wentworth is laying on his stomach in Helm's office. Seems, he has a boil on his butt. Helm asks to see the girl who was shot. Wentworth says it's just a flesh wound. Helm offers Wentworth a piece of wood to bite down on.

WENTWORTH A navy man can withstand a little pain.

Helm puts the wood down and gleefully cuts, making Wentworth howl.

~~~~~

ALVARADO HACIENDA

Camilla is telling Tessa that it was a lie that she was kidnapped by the slaves, she was running away with them to freedom. Tessa doesn't have any word from town about Jeffery's sister. He grabs a knife and goes outside, going to take one of Tessa's horses. Camilla follows him.

JEFFREY: Tell me, did you plan to free us or escape from your husband?
CAMILLA: You have your freedom. Don't throw it away.
JEFFREY: My freedom is nothing without Agatha.

He leaves on the horse.

TESSA: He's going back for her, isn't he?
MARTA: Brave, but foolish.

~~~~~

WENTWORTH SHIP

Helm is treating Agatha's leg. She says that she's never been treated by a doctor before and he's honored to be her first. <snerk> She asks if there is any word about her brother. Helm will ask around for her, just worry about resting. He asks her name.

AGATHA: Agatha.
HELM: I'm Robert. Robert Helm.
AGATHA: My mistress spoke of a Robert Helm.
HELM Is that so?
AGATHA She was engaged to him.
HELM What's your mistress' name?
AGATHA Camilla.
HELM Camilla? Camilla Wentworth.

~~~~~

ALVARADO HACIENDA

Marta is fixing tea for Camilla.

CAMILLA: There must be some law in this country!
MARTA: The only law in Santa Helena is Colonel Montoya.
CAMILLA Good, I'll talk to him.
MARTA The colonel helps no one but himself. Montoya is a dangerous man.
CAMILLA But not as dangerous as my husband.

~~~~~

SHORE

The Queen is looking through her spyglass at Jeffery climbing up the ship's side onto it. Shipmates find him. Jeffery attacks one with a knife and is overcome by two men. He's held as Wentworth comes and aims his gun at him, demanding to know where his wife is. (He's walking around pretty good for a guy who just had a boil on his butt lanced...) Jeffery doesn't want to say, he's going to shoot him, Helm comes above deck and stops him. Helm is overcome by shipmates as Agatha comes abovedeck. Wentworth aims the gun at her and tells Jeffery to tell him where his wife is or he will shoot her. Jeffery spills the beans that she's at the Alvarado residence. Wentworth orders them to be taken away and scuffles with Helm, he knocks Helm pretty easily out.

Helm is tossed overboard while unconscious. It's a good thing that he came to the surface face up and floated with his head out of the water... The Queen saw it and dove off the cliff.

She pulls Helm out, or Helm gets out with her holding his arm, and they collapse on the shore. Helm looks great wet! Anyway, he's gotta go and get to Camilla before Wentworth can get to her. Considering that he was unconscious and had to swim to shore and was lying there for a minute, of course, he's going to beat Wentworth there. <g> Dialogue:

HELM: I owe you my life... again.
QUEEN: So what does Wentworth have against you?
HELM Camilla... I have to get to my horse.
QUEEN What about her?
HELM I have to get to the Alvarado hacienda before he does.

The Queen silently reacts, needs to get there herself.

QUEEN: Are you able to ride by yourself?
HELM: I don't know...
QUEEN: Ah, great. See you around.

She leaves in a hurry.

~~~~~

MONTOYA'S OFFICE

Camilla tells Montoya that she had organized the escape to get away from her husband, they did not kidnap her.

MONTOYA: I find slavery a barbaric institution but I have no authority on your husband's ship, however, here in Santa Helena my authority is law.

He will put her up at the hotel. She's happy he will help her. She is escorted out and Montoya tells a guard to not let anyone in her hotel room... or anyone out.

~~~~~

ALVARADO HACIENDA

Tessa is in a robe drying her long, thick hair with a towel as Marta cleans up behind her. Helm knocks on the door, Marta answers it.

TESSA: Dr. Helm. What a surprise. You're looking rather damp, is it raining?
HELM: I'm looking for Camilla Wentworth.

Tessa tells him that she went to see Colonel Montoya, very determined.

HELM: Montoya is the last person she should go to.

He goes to the door.

TESSA: Is Camilla a friend of yours?
HELM: You might say that. She was once going to be my wife.

After a commercial, Tessa is hacking at a potato with a knife as Marta patiently stands by.

MARTA: Dr. Helm said that he was once going to marry her, not that he still is.
TESSA I don't care about Dr. Helm. What makes you think I care about Dr. Helm?

She continues hacking that poor potato.

TESSA I just think it's funny that I'm going to risk my life to save her... so she can be with him...
MARTA: If she's meant to be with him, there's nothing you can do.
TESSA Is he meant to be with her?
MARTA You seem to be the only one who seems so sure of it.

~~~~~

SANTA HELENA

Tessa interrupts Colonel Montoya, looking for Camilla, wondering where she is. Montoya tells Tessa that Camilla is safe and in his care. He says that Charles Wentworth had said that the slaves had kidnapped her, and Tessa tells Montoya that Camilla had told her that she was the one who had organized the escape. Tessa asks Montoya to ride Camilla back to her hacienda.

MONTOYA: Really, Señorita, I think you have done quite enough all ready.
TESSA: Perhaps she will wish to freshen up before she sees her husband.
MONTOYA: I have already thought of that. She is at the hotel.
TESSA: Colonel, you have thought of everything.
MONTOYA: Señorita, what a lovely thing to say.

~~~~~

MONTOYA'S OFFICE

Wentworth tells Montoya that he wants to go to the Alvarado hacienda now. Claims that Tessa is holding his wife hostage, as Jeffrey had stated.

MONTOYA: A condemned man is apt to say many things, few of which are reliable.
WENTWORTH: I will take that risk, sir.
MONTOYA I told you before that I would take charge of your wife.
WENTWORTH After your damned lunch!
MONTOYA It is long after my damned lunch and I have your wife.

Wentworth demands to see her. Montoya wants to deal first.

MONTOYA: I have something that you want, and you have something of value.
WENTWORTH What do I have that could possibly interest you?

Montoya wants one of the cannons aboard his ship.

~~~~~

HOTEL

After an amazingly quick change into the Queen, Tessa climbs up to the roof of the hotel, gets into a fight with a soldier, who falls back into Camilla's room, who is sitting on the bed. Queen jumps in and tells Montoya is using her as a pawn. Camilla thinks she's under protection. She's going to take Camilla with her, but she won't go. Queen tells her that she's a friend of Robert Helm.

CAMILLA: Robert? He's here? How can he be here of all places? I just don't understand that man at all.
QUEEN: Join the club.

She grabs Camilla's arm and pulls her out of the room.

~~~~~

SQUARE

Montoya and Wentworth are walking and Helm approaches them, ready to fight.

MONTOYA: You two know each other?
WENTWORTH: He is an acquaintance.
HELM: Is that what you call attempted murder?
WENTWORTH Come now, you exaggerate.
HELM Surely you haven't forgotten. A crack on the head, a dip in the ocean. Ring any bells?
MONTOYA: How intriguing.

Helm belts Wentworth.

MONTOYA: As you correctly said, Doctor. People can be unpredictable.
HELM This man is a savage. He treats his people like animals.

HELM Camilla O'Brien is my business!
WENTWORTH How dare you insult my wife!

Montoya watches as they fight with an amused smile until he finally calls his guards to break it up.

MONTOYA Have you completely lost your senses? I'm shocked, shocked doctor! Captain Wentworth is a fellow countryman of yours and an ex-officer of the British navy.
HELM Yes, but he is no gentleman.

He's ready to take another punch.

MONTOYA I must insist doctor, control yourself.

He orders his guards to take them to his office. The guards lead Helm away. Montoya brushes off Wentworth with his handkerchief.

MONTOYA: Most regrettable. Our doctor is a hot headed individual, for an Englishman. Personally, I blame the sun.

The Queen with Camilla on Chico ride by. Helm sees them.

HELM: Camilla!
CAMILLA: Robert!

Montoya takes it all in.

~~~~~

DESERT

The Queen and Camilla are hiding behind a huge rock.

CAMILLA: He definitely saw me.
QUEEN: Of course he saw you, he shouted your name.
CAMILLA Did you see his smile? I think he might be happy to see me.
QUEEN You think there's a better time for this?
CAMILLA We were engaged once. When Robert left the army to become a doctor. His father called him a coward and a disgrace.
QUEEN Dr. Helm is neither of those things.
CAMILLA My father broke off the engagement and made me marry Charles Wentworth. Charles presented himself to society as a brave and honorable sea captain but he's a slave trader.

Camilla wants to go see Robert.

QUEEN He means that much to you?
CAMILLA I was foolish enough to lose him once, I will not lose him again.

Tessa has a decision to make...

~~~~~

MONTOYA'S OFFICE

Helm is ticked at Montoya for locking him up for a short while.

MONTOYA I can see how, as a layman, my methods seem a little controversial.
HELM How about down right illegal.
MONTOYA It was for your protection.
HELM My protection?!
MONTOYA How many times have you said to me in the past that prevention is worth a pound of cure?

MONTOYA Without going through the rights and wrongs of the issue, she was his property when he shot her.

MONTOYA Stay out of it Doctor. That is not a recommendation, that is an order.

~~~~~

HELM'S OFFICE

The Queen and Camilla are waiting. Camilla looks the place over and mentions that his things are so much like him.

QUEEN: Well, the real thing will be coming along soon.
CAMILLA: He's still very handsome, don't you think?
QUEEN In an English sort of way.

The Queen leaves out the back as Helm comes in the door. As soon as Helm sees Camilla, he kisses her. Cut to the Queen looking sadly through the back window.

CAMILLA: It's been so long. I've made some bad decisions.
HELM: Yeah, I met him.
CAMILLA I had no choice, Robert. You remember father...
HELM It's all right. It's all in the past now.
CAMILLA I'm not going back to him.
HELM You don't have to.
CAMILLA You don't understand, he'll kill me.

HELM Whatever happens, I'll protect you. I swear.
CAMILLA How? He's relentless. Robert, the only thing that will stop him is death. <snerk>

~~~~~

MONTOYA'S OFFICE

Wentworth is pissed because Montoya has lost his wife.

MONTOYA She committed no crime, sir, and she was not in custody.

MONTOYA As the husband of a woman who was allegedly kidnapped, can you tell me how she came to me on her own accord?
WENTWORTH Now just wait a minute.
MONTOYA May I remind you, sir, that lying to the authorities is a pretty serious offence indeed. Just now and also earlier, you said that she was kidnapped when she was not. However, I am a just man. My only interest is to see the happy couple once again reunited. You shall have each other and I shall have my cannon.

Wentworth leaves and Montoya calls for Sergeant Gomez, asking if his pretty sister was there. Ramona, a blond Spanish woman, walks in.

MONTOYA Well, well, well. Good afternoon, Mrs. Charles Wentworth.

~~~~~

SHORE - NIGHT

The Queen is getting into a rowboat and Marta is concerned about her going alone and offers to come with her. Tessa argues that she's done this before.

MARTA: I think you'll be dead by morning if you don't concentrate on your job tonight.
TESSA: Yes, ma'am.
MARTA: Don't mock me, Tessa.

~~~~~

SHIP

Queen climbs aboard. Jeffery is tied to a post. She frees him and tells him to get Agatha and she'll cover them. She fights shipmates until Wentworth appears.

WENTWORTH Ever thought of joining the circus?
QUEEN Not when there's clowns like you around.

She slides down a rope and jumps into the water as Jeffery and Agatha easily got off the ship and away.

~~~~~

SHORELINE - MORNING

Took all morning to get to the shore as it's daybreak when the rowboat makes it to shore as Montoya and his men come, along with the imposter Camilla. (What's her purpose anyway?) Guards take Jeffery and Agatha away.

MONTOYA: What fate steals from one hand, it so often bestows on the other.

~~~~~

It's night again as the Queen watches the proceedings on the beach from a distance.

~~~~~

SANTA HELENA

Montoya assures Wentworth that the Queen will appear before the slaves are hung. Tessa walks up, seeing the gallows being erected.

TESSA: Another hanging? Oh, dear.

Wentworth and Tessa are introduced. Tessa said Camilla was in too good of spirits to have been kidnapped. The only hope for the slaves would be if Camilla appeared to give her testimony, then the truth will be known.

TESSA: If anyone is still interested in it. Good day, Colonel.

Gloriously delicious look on Montoya's face as she walks away.

~~~~~

HELM'S OFFICE

Helm and Camilla are talking over old times.

HELM: Maybe your father was right. Maybe I am just a coward.
CAMILLA: You were never a coward.

She takes a scalpel and was going to leave. He stopped her and took the scalpel away from her. He tells her to wait there and he leaves.

~~~~~

SQUARE

The slaves are being brought out to the gallows. Helm comes. This time, Helm pretty easily gets rid of the two guards. After another astoundingly quick change, Tessa appears as the Queen. She must have had the costume on under that shoulder baring gown, but oh well... <g>

HELM I had the situation under control!
QUEEN You men always say that.

She tells Helm to get them to the ship and she'll get Camilla from his office and meet them.

Montoya comes, what happened here. The Queen rides off, guards follow, he tells them that she's heading to the beach.

Wentworth finds Camilla and catches up to her.

WENTWORTH: How dare you humiliate me!

He slaps her hard. The Queen appears. Wentworth holds the scalpel to Camilla's neck.

WENTWORTH: Til death do us part.
QUEEN: A scalpel is such a messy divorce.

They fight. She slashes him on both arms, once for Agatha, once for Jeffery, and then Camilla hits him over the head with a clay pot.

QUEEN: Nicely done.
CAMILLA: I've been waiting to do that since the day we were married.
QUEEN: Let's go. Helm is waiting.

~~~~~

SHORE

Wentworth comes to the water's edge, meeting Montoya. His ship has sailed. His wife is gone, as well as Montoya's cannon. Wentworth's men are tied up in a rowboat.

MONTOYA: The Queen has cost me my cannon and left me with you. A poorer trade, I can not imagine.

~~~~~

A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY

Helm and the Queen watch the ship sail away. The Queen asks him why he wasn't on it with her. He tells her that there are many reasons. She asks him if he'll tell her. Maybe one day. They look at each other, but Tessa must turn away before she may tell him everything. He walks her leave.

THE END

Synopsis by:
JoLayne
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Jo's Obsessions
http://www.geocities.com/enyajo