The Filth and Scum of Kent

The Filth and Scum of Kent is the first episode of season 1 of Merely Players, and the first season overall.

This episode is based on most of Act IV of Henry VI, Part II, a history originally written by William Shakespeare.

Synopsis
Young King Henry VI, England's pious but ineffective ruler, is being manipulated from behind the scenes by Richard, the Duke of York, who plots to become the new King of England. As he leaves for Ireland to combat a rebellion held in Ireland, he sends in a former agent, the ragged Jack Cade of Ashford, to cause a rebellion among the citizens of London, so that his dreams of becoming king can become a reality.

Plot
The plot is told through transcript.

Prologue:
[OPENING: A black title card, with dramatic music in the background. The title card reads: Civil war and political strife has sparked in England.]

[Transition to another title card, reading: ''The Plantagenets, the current ruling royal family of England, are at war with each other for the rule of England. Violent tensions have forced them to split into two houses: the House of Lancaster, and The House of York.'']

[Transition to another title card, reading: ''England's current ruler, the pious but naive King Henry VI of House Lancaster, had recently returned to England after a war against France. He is good-willed but pacifistic, rendering him ineffective and even hated by the public eye.'']

[Another title card appears, reading: His infamy has risen even further when he marries the penniless but ambitious Margaret of Anjou, as well as him losing conquered sections of France back to the French; lands that were once won by his father, the legendary Henry V.]

[Another title card: Meanwhile, lords are contemplating on overthrowing the king from behind the scenes, behind Henry's back.]

[Suddenly, another title card appears, reading: Richard, the current York patriarch and the Duke of York, plots to become the next king of England, through the use of noble birthright and genealogy.]

[The next title card appears, saying: As a rebellion rises in Ireland, Richard is enlisted as the commander of an army to put an end to it, which hinders his plot.]

[Another title card appears in dramatic fashion: But...]

[Then, another card: Richard has a plan.]

[The title card slowly fades away as the screen goes black. The music stops.]

[Suddenly, the sounds of slow clapping.]

[The camera suddenly cuts to an empty parliament building.]

[RICHARD, 60, the Duke of York, is standing there, alone, dressed in a black officer uniform. His eyes linger towards the camera, a menacing grin on his face as he claps, the noises echoing through the room.]

RICHARD: [Laughing with gloat] Well, nobles, well, 'tis politically done, to send me packing with an host of men.'Twas men I lack'd and you will give them me: I take it kindly; and yet be well assured you put sharp weapons in a madman's hands. Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band, I will stir up in England some black storm, and this fell tempest shall not cease to rage until the golden circuit on my head, like to the glorious sun's transparent beams, do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw. And, for a minister of my intent, I have seduced a headstrong Kentishman to make commotion under the title of John Mortimer.

[Music: Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz]

[The camera cuts to a tilted shot of the road of a street in Blackheath, England, filled with buildings from every side. On the road, walks in a man. The camera moves up to reveal the face of the rebel, JACK CADE, 39. He is a man with scruffy hair and a beard, wearing a short sleeved leather long-coat, singlet, pants and jackboots. In his right hand is a steel baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. He grins slightly at the camera as he walks down the street of Blackheath with dutiful swagger, the bat resting on his right shoulder, his left hand in his pocket.]

RICHARD: [Monologuing in the background, as JACK CADE walks down the road] John Cade of Ashford. In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade oppose himself against a troop of kerns, and fought so long, till that his thighs with darts were almost like a sharp-quill'd porpentine. Full often, like a shag-hair'd crafty kern, hath he conversed with the enemy, and undiscover'd come to me again and given me notice of their villanies. This devil here shall be my substitute. For that John Mortimer, which now is dead, in face, in gait, in speech, he doth resemble.

[The camera cuts back to RICHARD.]

RICHARD: By this I shall perceive the commons' mind, how they affect the house and claim of York. [He points to himself for emphasis.]  I know no pain they can inflict upon him will make him say I moved him to those arms. Say that he thrive, as 'tis great like he will, why, then from Ireland come I with my strength and reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd; for Humphrey being dead, as he shall be, and Henry put apart, the next for me.

[He slowly grins devilishly at the camera as the camera instantly fades to black. The music stops.]

Chapter 1: The London Riots
[A title card appears. It reads: In Blackheath, a district in southeastern London, the working class, who have been mistreated for a long time during the civil war, have started riots throughout the streets.]

[Cut to brief footage of a group of three robbing a shop.]

[Another title card appears, reading: Many citizens have sided with the charismatic anarchist, Jack Cade, under the guise of Lord Mortimer, in hopes for reformation.]

[Another title card appears, this time reading: He is holed up in Blackheath, where he plans to become King of England himself.]

[One final title card appears: ''The citizens want in on the action. ''Instant fade to black.]

[Suddenly, the sounds of loud knocking on wood.]

???: Come on!

[Cut to an apartment hallway in Blackheath, where GEORGE BEVIS, 26, is knocking on the door of apartment room 76. It is morning. He is carrying with him a duffel bag of weapons. He is wearing a green puffer, work pants and boots.]

BEVIS: [Annoyed] I know you're in there!

[He knocks on the door again. Suddenly, the sounds of locks being unlocked are heard. The door opens to reveal JOHN HOLLAND, 33, who is wearing a hoodie, jeans and sneakers. BEVIS pulls HOLLAND in for a firm bro-like handshake. Suddenly, BEVIS then drops his duffel bag onto the duffel bag, HOLLAND looking at him in confusion. He unzips it, revealing a stash of batons, machetes, a sledgehammer, and a cutlass.]

BEVIS: [Urgently] Come on, get thee a sword!

HOLLAND: [Cautious] What if someone hears us?

BEVIS: Fuck them, town's under siege. Now grab a sword!

[Sighing, HOLLAND pulls out the cutlass from the clutter of weapons in the duffel bag. The cutlass is heavy, but he can wield it with ease. He throws the hood over his head and puts the cutlass on top of his left shoulder. BEVIS zips up the duffel bag and slings it behind his back quickly.]

BEVIS: [To HOLLAND] Let's go.

[Cut to the inside of a van as BEVIS and HOLLAND drive down the streets of Blackheath. HOLLAND is driving and BEVIS is in the seat next to him, eating a Cornetto. The town is empty and most of the buildings are in disarray.]

BEVIS: I tell you this, John, they have been up these two days.

HOLLAND: [Sarcastically] They have the more need to sleep now, then. [He laughs]

BEVIS: [Laughs] I tell thee, Jack Cade the clothier means to dress the commonwealth, and turn it, and set a new nap upon it.

HOLLAND: [Serious] So he had need, for 'tis threadbare. Well, I say it was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up.

BEVIS: [Nods in agreement] Miserable age, this is. Virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men!

HOLLAND: [With contempt] The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons.

BEVIS: Nay, more, the king's council are no good workmen.

HOLLAND: True. And yet it is said, "labour in thy vocation"; which is as much to say as "let the magistrates be labouring men"; and therefore should we be magistrates.

BEVIS: There's no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand, John.

[HOLLAND nods. Suddenly, the sounds of chanting. HOLLAND slows the van down and puts on the brakes.]

[The camera cuts to outside of the van and onto the road. They both look

Trivia

 * To be added.