1819
London City, Ext, Dusk
Fade in.
A horse and carriage rides out of the city center towards the river
Carriage, Int
3 men in chains and hoods, THE PRISONERS, sit on one side, on the other sit a very calm man, Musk, and a nervous Physician, Dr Paulson.
Docks, Ext
A large man, Bill, waits in front of a sail-boat, surrounded by 3 soldiers. The horse and carriage arrives.
The 5 men exit. Bill and Musk give each other nods as Bill hands a cache to him. Dr Paulson is escorted to the ship. Bill looks at the prisoners.
Bill
>Excuse me lads, ya must've made a mistake 'ere. Companions are not allowed aboard my vessel
Musk
>Calm your tits mate. I'm giving these ones to you for free. Consider it a gift
Musk leans in close to Bill
Musk
>They're enemies of the state. They made a deal with the Frenchman
Bill
>Napoleon?
Bill considers his choices before signalling to allow the prisoners to board the ship
Bill
>A'ight. They can come on board. I'll signal the harbour-master
The Atlantic Ocean, night, ext
A storm rages across the seas as the lone vessel sails onwards
Bill's boat, Int
The three prisoners kneel on deck, still gagged with their hoods, surrounded by armed guards as the rain pours.
Bill looks at them, swaying with the boat before signalling one of the guards. The plank is raised at the side of the boat.
Bill
>I only have the provisons to take one of you scally-wags with me. Whichever of you scurvy sea-dogs communicates is granted safe passage. For the rest of ya, it's the plank
The first prisoner is dragged to the plank. Bill unsheathes his cutlass, it makes an audible noise
Bill kneels down beside him and brings the cutlass to his throat
Bill
>Who funded the trappings of physician Dr Paulson?
The prisoner stays silent. Bill hacks his sword into the wooden banister nearby and then throws a canon-ball into the sea
Bill
>He didn't swim very proficiently. Who wants to walk next?
Bill gestures for the next prisoner as the previous one is dragged to one side