Alexander

ACT II, SCENE 17 FADE IN: EXT. HIGH GROUND BY THE PLAIN OF ISSUS - DAWN Onscreen writing says: "Dawn, the Next Day" We see the sunrise. Cut to show all of Macedonian army sleeping in tents, except for a few guards standing watch. Two of these notice the sunrise; they move to awaken Alexander and Parmenio, who doze on blankets on the ground near an extinguished campfire. They stand, blinking and peering about. Alexander inaudibly orders the guards to awaken the other commanders. Dissolve into shot of the Macedonians coming down from the mountain passes and assembling on the plain. Cut to show the Persian camp in the distance. Two-shot Parmenio and Alexander as they stand together, ogling the Persian army: PARMENIO There's a mighty array of men; perhaps our soldiers need full bellies to fight a long engagement. ALEX (shaking head as he scans the distance) No, old friend; this clash of arms will be brief. Close up P., who appears surprised: PARMENIO I hope then you believe us to be the victors after such a short tussle. ALEX General, the Persians have never faced as fierce fighters as ours, nor vicious charges as our cavalry will undertake. And our phalanxes are unbeatable, ensconced with sturdy shields behind the poking sarissas of steel. (eyes P.) Anyway, we shall dine heartily after the battle, feasting on Persian fare we capture in their camp. Now, as to the disposition of our forces, you shall command the left, and I the right, mounted in the midst of the Companions. And these shall be the ordering of our units.... Cut to show the Persians assembling. King Darius, mounted on a chariot, is flanked by guards and a general (the royal chariot is wooden, but has gold joints, and is studded with sparkling jewels): DARIUS (to General) This, then, will be the order of battle: anchor our left flank next to the mountains. Compose it with cavalry at the far end, and slingers and javelin throwers to the near side. In the middle, stand fast the heavy infantry, strengthened behind with my Royal Guard, in whose midst I shall be -- occupying the center, the traditional vantage point of kingly Persians. And to the right of the heavy infantry, insert the Greek mercenaries. GENERAL (dubious) But sire, Greeks in this key position -- what if they fight without heart, and join the invaders by way of kinship? DARIUS 'Twill not happen; my many paid talents assures that, for the mercenaries are promised even more bountiful pay after our victory. (after a beat) Now, take heed, General: our spearhead will be on the right: there, along the seacoast, will attack our finest cavalry, led by the reckless Nabarzanes. He shall spur his horse-bound hellions to pierce the Macedonian left, wheeling toward their center, to slaughter any and all in the rear ... including, I hope, this brash boy Alexander. Now, order the trumpets to blare assembly, to furnish the men I directed! General salutes and departs. Middle-distance shot: trumpets blow an assembly call, and Persian officers holler orders. Cut to show Alexander, peering at the distant Persians. Hephaestion rides up and dismounts. HEPHAESTION (two-shot) Alexander, our forward scouts note an enemy cavalry buildup on the left. ALEX So my keen eyes can see. We shall counter the Persian threat, for their horsemen must be repulsed until the Companions and I have broken through on the other side. HEPHAESTION Once through, then what'll you do? ALEX My Companions and I will wheel toward the center and attack Darius, the putative God-King himself. If we slay him, the Persian army will disintegrate, like a snake having its head cut off. (pauses) Favor me, Hephaestion; turn messenger and tell Gen'ral Parmenio to hold the left at all costs, even to the last man and horse. For we must remain linked to our naval fleet anchored off the coast, or we'll run out of rations and supplies. H. nods in closeup; two-shot: ALEX (cont.) Also, order the Thessalian cavalry, now assembled on the right, behind the Companions, to speed to the far left, skirting the coast. (firmly) The Thessalians must be the left flank's only reinforcement. HEPHAESTION (nodding) Aye. H. dashes to mount his horse, and trots away. Ptolemy, commanding one of the brigades, enters two-shot: PTOLEMY Alexander, my phalanx is in combat formation, in oblique order as you instructed. ALEX Good work, Ptolemy. PTOLEMY How shall we be backed up? ALEX The gods willing, you won't need a second battleline. But, I've split our Greek allies into two units. They will support all seven phalanxes once they cross the stream fronting the Persian army. PTOLEMY (politely) It's called the Pinarus River, sire. ALEX (flippantly) Pinarus, Pe-a-nus, I don't care: 'tis but two feet deep -- that's a stream to me. Now, Ptolemy, heed my plan of action: your men and all seven phalanxes will occupy the opposing Greek mercenaries. PTOLEMY (bitterly) And we'll flail them to Hades, for taking propositioned coin to fight against their kin! ALEX Fine, Ptolemy, but your order is to occupy the your Persian opposites, and keep them in place. For my Companions and I, assisted by lesser cavalry and archers, will plunge through the Persian line on its right and lunge toward its heart: Darius. P., in closeup, smiles. Group shot: an orderly trots into the scene, dismounts, salutes, and faces Alexander: ORDERLY Sire! The Persian war drums throb, and their trumpets blow like elephants'; (closeup) the enemy has advanced to the slope above the opposite riverbank. Alexander looks in that direction. He sighs. ALEX (to Orderly) Return your post, Orderly. And thanks for your intelligence. O. mounts his horse, and gallops off. Alexander hoists himself onto the nearby Bucephalas, whose bridle is held by an aide. The mounted king grabs the reins, and the aide departs. ALEX (to Ptolemy) Return you to your phalanx, and give word to the commanders of the other brigades to be ready to assault. However, we'll need to lure the Persians from that high ground. So your phalanxes will await developments on our right. PTOLEMY I will, Alexander.