CUT TO them struggling along. Perhaps downhill now. It is growing misty.
SIR LAUNCELOT stops them and points. They peer.
CUT TO see in the mist … a weird bridge with mist swirling up from the gorge below. We cannot see the other side.
Beside the bridge an OLD MAN stands, he is the blind soothsayer they met earlier in the forest.
ARTHUR (to BEDEVERE): He’s the Keeper of the Bridge. It’s the old man.
BEDEVERE (swallowing hard): Who’s going to answer the questions?
ARTHUR: You go, Robin, and God be with you.
ROBIN (looking round wildly): Er … I tell you what - (lowering voice) Why doesn’t Launcelot go?
ARTHUR (considering a moment): Very well … Sir Launcelot. Brave Sir Launcelot. This is the Bridge of Death …
LAUNCELOT: Oh, yes sir … I will take it single-handed.
LAUNCELOT (drawing his sword): I will …
ARTHUR restrains him.
ARTHUR: No, hang on. All we want is for you to approach the old man and he will ask you three questions. Answer those question as best you can, and we will watch … and pray.
LAUNCELOT: Yes, my liege …
ARTHUR: Good luck, brave Sir Launcelot! Be careful …
They shake hands, Arthur’s eyes moisten. LAUNCELOT approaches the Bridge of Death.
ARTHUR: Listen to the questions.
BEDEVERE: Look! It’s the old man from scene 24 - what’s he Doing here?
ARTHUR: He is the keeper of the Bridge. He asks each traveler five questions …
GALAHAD: Three questions.
ARTHUR: Three questions … he who answers the five questions
GALAHAD: Three questions.
ARTHUR: Three questions, may cross in safety.
ROBIN (warily): And if you get a question wrong?
ARTHUR: You are cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril.
ROBIN: Oh … wacho!
GALAHAD: Who’s going to answer the questions?
ARTHUR: Sir Robin, Brave Sir Robin you go.
ROBIN: Hey! I’ve got a great idea! Why doesn’t Launcelot go?
LAUNCELOT: Yes. Let me. I will take it single-handed … I will make feint to the north-east …
ARTHUR: No, hang on! Just answer the five questions …
GALAHAD: Three questions …
ARTHUR: Three questions … And we shall watch … and pray.
LAUNCELOT: I understand, my liege.
ARTHUR: Good luck, brave Sir Launcelot … God be with you.
LAUNCELOT APPROACHES THE BRIDGEKEEPER.
BRIDGEKEEPER: Stop!
SIR LAUNCELOT stops. The KNIGHTS watch anxiously. ARTHUR sniffs briefly and glances momentarily down at SIR ROBIN’s lower armor.
BRIDGEKEEPER: Who approaches the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three! Ere the other side he see.
LAUNCELOT: Ask me the questions, Bridgekeeper. I am not afraid.
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is your name
LAUNCELOT: My name is Sir Launcelot.
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is your quest?
LAUNCELOT: To find the Holy Grail.
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is your favorite color?
LAUNCELOT: Blue.
BRIDGEKEEPER: Right. Off you go.
SIR LAUNCELOT runs across into the mist. The bridge perhaps disappears into the mist and we cannot see the other side. ARTHUR and SIR ROBIN exchange glances. ROBIN breathes a great sigh of relief.
ROBIN: That’s easy!
BRIDGEKEEPER: Stop! Who approacheth the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three! Ere the other side he see!
ROBIN: Ask me the questions, Bridgekeeper. I am not afraid.
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is your name?
ROBIN: My name is Sir Robin of Camelot!
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is your quest?
ROBIN: To seek the Grail!
BRIDGEKEEPER: What is the capital of Assyria?
ROBIN (indignantly): I don’t know that!
He is immediately hurled by some unseen force over the edge of the precipice.
ROBIN: Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh!