JAMES. I haven’t given any orders!

They’re still pulling at LIVINGSTON.

I haven’t given any orders!

What are you doing in my name! In my name? In my name? I don’t even know what you’re fucking doing!

Everyone stops. Everyone looks at JAMES.

(Looking at MARY.) Yes. Yes it is that day.

LIVINGSTON. Thank you. Thank you, Your Majesty, I like to think I always did teach you good sense.

JAMES moves closer to LIVINGSTON.

JAMES. Where did you get that ring?

LIVINGSTON. What?

JAMES lifts LIVINGSTON’s hand, showing the ring.

JAMES. That’s the King’s ring. My father’s ring, where did you get it?

LIVINGSTON. It was… I don’t know exactly…

What has that to do with anything! Can you not see what’s happening here!?

JAMES. I remember where you got this ring! I remember and I’ve never forgotten!

JAMES takes the ring from LIVINGSTON.

(Quiet.) Arrest him.

(Louder.) This is your King talking! Arrest him! Lock him up!

LIVINGSTON is dragged off through the small crowd. He’s yelling back at JAMES.

LIVINGSTON. Aye, play their game and see what happens! They’ll have you! They’ll finish you! I’m all that stands between you and their knives! You’re dead now, you idiot boy! Dead!

BALVENIE addresses the crowd.

BALVENIE. There’ll be no more games now. The King needs a new Chancellor!

With your permission, Your Majesty, my lords… Crichton… I offer my service, my experience, my… wisdom to you all. (A pause.) Crichton?

CRICHTON. Aye… that’ll do for today.

BALVENIE. Your King must consult his council.

There’s work to be done today.

JAMES. No, we’ll have the football first, surely.

BALVENIE. Your Majesty, that would be very unwise.

JAMES. I promised my Queen. I want to play football.

BALVENIE. Well, you can’t. You’ve work to do now.

JAMES. But…

BALVENIE (cutting him off). No! Let your elders guide you, Your Majesty. We know what we’re about.

(To the crowd.) Clear the courtyard! There’ll be no more games! Go and make ready to welcome your King to his new council!

WILLIAM. What are you talking about, old man? Jamie? Are we here to play or not!?

BALVENIE (hissing). What are you… Be quiet!

WILLIAM. The Douglas family is ready! The Douglas family is ready to play! I’m here to take on the King! I say the Douglas family can take down any other family in this country!

Aye, wee King James can give orders but can he stand against the Douglas family!? I say he can’t. What do you say, Jamie?

Everyone is looking at JAMES. JAMES hesitates. BALVENIE moves in.

BALVENIE. King James… I’m not sure you appreciate the… volatility of the situation we’re in now.

CRICHTON. Your Majesty, he’s right, Livingston still has his allies…

BALVENIE. Half the council are here, we need to plan…

JAMES. I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ll plan when I know what you’re talking about.

BALVENIE. That’s why you have to hear our counsel now and…

JAMES. Well, if it was that important you should have explained it before this.