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Scene from PAWN TO KING'S BISHOP

a play by Lee Shackleford

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Sterling Brewer as Gardiner in PAWN TO KING'S BISHOP

Sterling Brewer as Bishop Gardiner

GARDINER
Your name?
ANNE
Did you not read the briefs before the examination, my lord? Tsk, tsk.
GARDINER
Do you have a brain or only a tongue? What is your name?
ANNE
My name is Anne Askew.
GARDINER
As it happens, we know your name is Anne Kyme. Askew was your maiden name.
ANNE
Pray do not concern yourself with my marriage. I no longer honor that observance.
GARDINER
You... "no longer honor that observance--!"
ANNE
(smiling sweetly)
It is called divorce, my lord. You should be acquainted with them; King Henry has them frequently.
GARDINER
Kyme--
ANNE
If you please, my lord, "Askew." I am freed from Thomas Kyme, by God's own word.
GARDINER
What-- ?
Christen Simon as Anne Askew in PAWN TO KING'S BISHOP

Christen Simon as Anne Askew

ANNE
The apostle Paul tells us in First Corinthians the seventh chapter, verse --
GARDINER
Stop!
ANNE
A problem?
GARDINER
Quoting from Scripture is the very crime for which you were arrested.
ANNE
Oh, yes, I know, my lord. But thank you for reminding me. St. Paul says that a spouse need remain with another who rejects the Word of God. Thomas Kyme did so enthusiastically.
GARDINER
I see your reputation for knowledge of Scripture is no exaggeration, Kyme. It is odd, is it not, for so scholarly a woman to have begun as a spoiled, headstrong girl introduced at court an early age? You had many friends who have grown to occupy exalted places.
ANNE
Your interest in me has taken you such lengths --
GARDINER
You were introduced at court as a girl, then abandoned royal society for --
ANNE
"Abandoned"? My sister died and our father packed me off to be married to a man who no more sense of decency or common respect for--
GARDINER
So. There is a fire beneath your mantle of ice after all. So you feel you have been wronged by the men who have tried to care for you. It would explain much.
ANNE
You are right about that, my lord, and I am sorry. I should not speak harshly of my father or of the man who was my husband. I have no right to judge any other, lest I be judged myself. Father, forgive me my sin.
GARDINER
I will consider it.
ANNE
Consider what?
GARDINER
Forgiving your sin.
ANNE
My lord, when I said "father" I was not speaking to you.


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