BALVENIE. Yes.

BIG JAMES. And do you know, do you believe that when I’m gone from here, I can still have you killed any time I like?

BALVENIE. It seems probable.

BIG JAMES. Not certain?

As BALVENIE doesn’t answer.

No, not certain, but likely. Because who’d stand beside a creature like you?

A wee friendless, landless creature.

BALVENIE. I have lands.

BIG JAMES. King of a midden.

And you stand here and it’s me that has to run for my life.

BALVENIE. There’s no shame in it.

BIG JAMES. There’s nothing but shame.

A LORD runs through carrying belongings, a LADY chases him. BIG JAMES half-ducks back into hiding as they go.

What’s your life worth? Because I saved your life, as I remember it.

BALVENIE. And I paid. I did pay you.

BIG JAMES. You’re my wee Douglas by rights. You owe me.

BIG JAMES offers him the knife.

You still sleep in the King’s bedchamber. Don’t you?

BALVENIE. If no higher member of the House of Douglas is ahead of me…

BIG JAMES. I want you to kill the King for me.

If you don’t do us this one wee thing I will come back and strangle you with your own guts. Or someone who loves me will. You know that, don’t you? That’s what will probably happen, wee Douglas. I wouldn’t gamble on another result. Would you?

BALVENIE. No.

BALVENIE takes the knife.

BIG JAMES. Have you ever been to The Lennox, old man?

BALVENIE. Yes.

BIG JAMES. There’s a bonny bank, where the Kelvin bends round to Allander water, it’s a bonny spot and the air is wet and clean, it clears your heart. Find me there when you’re done, and show me his blood on this blade.

Don’t keep me waiting there long, there’s nothing to do but fish. Now get on with it.

They exit.

The Queen’s Room

JOAN and JAMES sleep. BALVENIE appears with a knife close to JAMES’s throat. JAMES wakes up.

JAMES. Who’s there?

BALVENIE. I sleep beside you this night and all nights.

JAMES (peering). Balvenie?

BALVENIE. Yes?

JAMES. What are you doing?

BALVENIE. I sleep beside you, King James… this night… all nights.

JAMES. Well, go to sleep then! You’ll wake the Queen.

BALVENIE. Oh God… No. I can’t. Sleep. Sorry. I’ll just wait here… a bit… if that’s alright.

JAMES. No. It’s not. Lie down or fuck off, Balvenie. I need to sleep.

BALVENIE. I know. But I’m waiting. I’m always waiting you see, waiting to see which way it’s safe to jump. Waiting till I know what’s best. Waiting till I’m sure… Waiting to see what’s going to happen next.

JAMES. What’s going to happen next?

BALVENIE. Someone’s going to try and kill you.

JAMES. Who? Who is going to try and kill me?

BALVENIE moves and JAMES sees the knife he holds for the first time.

BALVENIE. I’m not a gambling man. I’m not. I don’t take chances. And if I did, would I gamble on your luck? Would I?