Sheriff and Abbot in “Unfinished Business”

Abbot! Where in hell have you been?

Rome! How dare you summon me to your quarters like a common serf!

My lord, I need you.

And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?

No. It's too late for absolution. They meet on the landing halfway. [grovelling] You are the only one who can help me now.

If you are truly willing to repent for all your sins...

[nodding eagerly] I am!

... then you must make your peace with God, my son, and pray for His forgiveness.

Ah, well, you see, it's not God I'm worried about. It's Prince John.

[smiles] Then you really are in trouble!

He already has Gisborne, and it's anyone's guess what he's doing with him.

Well, knowing the Prince as I do, my advice is this: please him.

[incredulous] ... "Please him"?! Whaddaya think I've been doing all this time?! WEAVING TAPESTRIES?!?! Look, I have to execute Hood within one month, otherwise I am horse-meat!

[annoyed] Well, I really don't see what you expect me do to about Robin Hood. Now, I've had a very long journey; I need to return to my abbey. So, if there's nothing else, I will bid you goodnight-- [starts to leave]

Not so fast, Abbot! You will assist me.

[chuckles] Why on earth would I do that?

[imitates his chuckle] Because... [moves to the table] I know... [pulls away a red cloth to reveal a large book - a forbidden English translation of the Bible] your little SECRET!

[shocked] How—?! where did you get that?!

Oh, when I was looking for you at the abbey, I decided to do a bit of nosing around.

So you think you can blackmail me?!

[nods matter-of-factly] Amazing, hm? How great men, no matter how revered, always have some explosive little nugget hidden away, ready for someone like me to find, hm? And as little nuggets go, [points to the book] this is as explosive as it gets. [tuts] Abbot, even I was shocked. [starts to open the book]

[rushes over angrily] Now you listen to me--!

[slams book closed] YOU LISTEN TO ME!!! You will use all your power and your influence, you will use the full might of the Church to help me finish off Robin Hood once and for all, otherwise it will be your head on the chopping block as well as mine! GOT IT?!?!