Troy: Fall of a City

[to Menelaus and Helen] How did you two get together?’

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hecuba: Where are they? Priam: They're resting from their journey, they're coming to see me later. Hecuba: Is it what I think? Priam: Tell them. Pandarus: He stole her away in a chest. We had no idea she was inside until we set sail. I tried to persuade him to return her, he threatened to throw me into the sea. Priam: He claims to love her. Hecuba: How could you not notice what was going on? Pandarus: [sarcastically] I apologize, my lady. I should have foreseen that while the King of Sparta was burying his dead father, your new son would try to sleep with his wife! Priam: Don't you use that tone with us! We put him in your charge! Andromache: By now, Menelaus will know they've eloped; he'll have told his brother. Agamemnon needs no excuse for a fight. She must be sent back, before they do something foolish. Hecuba: Andromache's right. Agamemnon will have rallied all the kings of Greece, we can't waste any time. We'll send a message that we regret the discourtesy, return Helen, and send

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ajax: Tricks of Hermes? Tricks of Penelope, more like. Odysseus: Ajax, what do you know about women? Stick to fighting, and spitting. Who else is here? Nestor: We all are. Lovers and defenders of Greece, as I know you are. And the best strategist we have. Odysseus: You don't need me to return a whore to her marriage-bed. Nestor: You admire Helen as much as the rest of us! I seem to remember you fought for her hand. Odysseus: [smiles] We all did. And look who won her. [nods in Menelaus' direction] No war should be fought for such a man. Nestor: In stealing Helen, the Trojan Prince insulted all of us. Odysseus: It's not just about the girl, though, is it, Nestor? [glances at a tent on a hilltop] Is that Achilles? Nestor: Oh, yes. He's here too. Agamemnon: Odysseus, let's walk. Menelaus: I know we've shared harsh words in the past. I'd just like to say- Odysseus: All forgotten, my Lord. We have one enemy now. Agamemnon: This war won't take long. Menelaus: We get the queen back, and we tea

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0

Odysseus: We have another condition. Such an insult as King Menelaus has suffered... demands retribution. Priam: We will return all gifts and make reparations. Odysseus: These are King Agamemnon's demands. The Straits of the Dardanelles; you control them. You tax every cargo, every ship. Priam: Is this a joke? Odysseus: I assure you, not. Priam: This will break us! Odysseus: A few years' hardship, nothing more. A lesson learned. Priam: Oh, I see: this is why you're here. To destroy our economy. Menelaus: We are here because you insulted my honor! Odysseus: Don't be hasty. King Priam, consider the best option for your city. Hector: I was the loudest voice in advocating Helen's return. Odysseus: Hector is wise- Hector: [sharply] Get out. And take your conditions with you. Paris: No one's taking her. [he brandishes his sword at Menelaus as Hector holds him back] No one. Odysseus: This is a disgrace. A breach of the protocol. Priam: Alexander! Put down your weapon. Your queen isn't going a

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hecuba: Priam, he's coming. You need to talk to him. Hector: [to Hecuba] Tell her, tell her what you did! Cassandra: I already know- Hector: I want you to hear it from them. Priam: What is this? Get her out of here. Hector: Don't move, Cassandra. Will you speak, or shall I? Priam: And say what? Hector: You sent your newborn son to his death. You told your other children that wolves stole him, forced your wife to play along. Luckily, the man you employed for the task disobeyed your command. That is the only reason Alexander's still alive! Because a simple shepherd had a heart you never did. Priam: I did what I thought was best for the city. I don't have to apologize to you, or anyone for that! Hector: [Indicates Cassandra] What about her? She had a vision that Alexander would burn the city to the ground, that black blood would flow in the streets! You told her she was mad! [Priam looks guilty] You locked her up! You told me my sister was disturbed, that I couldn't see her, that she need

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0

Odysseus: They won't hand her over. Nestor: But the boy's gone. Why keep her now? Odysseus: Afraid we'll humiliate them, financially... and politically. Menelaus: I won that duel. The terms were specific: immediate surrender... and the return of my wife. Odysseus: Trickery got you the advantage, Menelaus. I'm not sure you can claim the moral high ground. Menelaus: It was your idea to use the priest. Odysseus: To weaken the prince's resolve. But you missed your chance. Menelaus: [shakes his head] ... I didn't miss my chance. Odysseus: You didn't kill him. Menelaus: [enraged] You say that again. Odysseus: You didn't kill him. Menelaus: FUCK! [He grabs a knife and lunges at Odysseus; Ajax, Diomedes and Nestor draw their swords.] Agamemnon: NO! [Menelaus stops inches from Odysseus, who gazes coolly back at him] Put your swords away. Agamemnon: They have reneged on the conditions of the duel. Alexander fled, lost all rights to her, and to his life. And I want that coward found. Odysseus: [n

Troy: Fall of a City, CC BY-SA 4.0