HENRY. Look, James, these are your cousins, isn’t that nice? A family reunion. I’m filling up here. Though I have to tell you, I don’t see a lot of family loyalty down there. I do not, I think they’re traitors. What do you think?

WALTER. He’s your prisoner King, he’s no my King.

BALVENIE. Boys, do you want to just think before you speak just… listen to what you’re saying.

HENRY (to JAMES). Are you listening to what they’re saying? Did you hear them? Treason. They’re traitors. What do you do with traitors? Show them you’re a king. Go on.

BALVENIE. Oh Christ.

ALISDAIR. Your Majesty… I can see we need to put some figures on the table here. Will you let us name a price…

BALVENIE. Mary Mother of God.

WALTER (to BALVENIE). Will you stop that!

BIG JAMES. He’s no my fucking King!

HENRY turns to the GUARDS.

HENRY. Make him kneel!

The GUARDS wrestle BIG JAMES to the ground. All their weapons are out, ready to kill. Again everyone’s talking at once, cutting over each other.

ALISDAIR. Come on, King Henry, we were talking. Can’t we talk here?

WALTER. No, no, no, no, you bastard. Leave him, you leave him, you leave my brother alone.

ALISDAIR. It’s alright, big man, it’s alright. He won’t do it. Steady.

HENRY pitches over them all.

HENRY. On King James’s command, boys, wait for the King of Scotland to speak.

Quiet as HENRY talks just to JAMES. BIG JAMES is held, ready for execution.

(To JAMES.) Show them what the King of Scotland does to traitors.

Those are your cousins down there, right? Your own flesh and blood. They took your throne, they took your youth and left you rotting in my father’s prison for eighteen years while they stole your kingdom…

Show them you’re a king.

BIG JAMES. Fucking do it!

JAMES. No.

He faces HENRY.

(Quiet.) Not playing this game, Henry. Stop it. Stop it now.

HENRY is abruptly enraged.

HENRY. It’s not a fucking game, you stupid…!

I’m trying to teach you how to be a king, you ignorant little prick! We’re running out of time here! When are you going to learn!? Jesus!

HENRY doubles over, coughing. Looks at what he’s coughed up.

Jesus Christ…

JAMES sees it, startled.

JAMES. Is that blood?… Henry, are you sick?

HENRY. Yes. Yes, I’m sick of you, James. Sick and tired.

Right. Let’s try that again.

These are your subjects. These are the most unruly of your subjects.

Why don’t you show me how you plan to rule them. Demonstrate your kingship.

Just do it your way, James.

The Stewart boys are still held as if an execution might happen any moment.

JAMES hesitates. Then he faces the prisoners.

JAMES. You are prisoners of war. The laws of engagement and the rules of chivalry protect you. You will be ransomed or you will give service to His Majesty King Henry.

HENRY. That’s it?

JAMES. Yes.

HENRY. They don’t want you. They don’t want you on the throne of Scotland. You’re the king nobody wants. Tell them what they’re missing, James, tell them what a brilliant king you’d be. Dazzle them. Let them see your regal power, your strength, they need to see your strength, James.