(dining in the House of Medici) The wealth of Florence astounds me, Don de Medici.
Banking. The Medici family are bankers to the world- to the Vatican itself.
Father Savanarola calls it "usury".
And what do you call it?
"Interest."
He may be wrong about the Medici bank, but he's right about the Borgia Pope. Alexander's great game is the investiture of Naples. He knows France has claims upon it; he knows Spain has claims upon it. He will play them both against each other, like a spider with two flies-
(impatiently) And you? What is your game?
(smiles) I have no game- but, if I am forced to play... I will head to France, and ask the French King to invade our beautiful Italy. (Medici looks alarmed)
(pretends to look bewildered) "Italy?" Is there such an entity?
There is a land, Signor Machiavelli, made up of many principalities. The Duchy of Milan, the Republic of your wondrous Florence, the Dukedoms of the Romagna, the Papal States-
And to their south, Naples.
Borgia has betrothed his daughter to a Sforza. He will marry his son to a Spaniard or a Venetian, his younger son to a Florentine or a Neapolitan. (to Medici) He will weave a web around this Italy that may not exist- he will swallow your Florence, your Venice, your Milan- and Italy then will exist, my Liege. Under him.
(sarcastically) Hmm- prophetic words. Are you... cousin to Savanarola?
No. But, I would meet with him- I've seen him preach.
Can you explain to me, Cardinal, why the King of France would muster an army and invade his neighbors?
Because he wants Naples.
So,you give France Naples, France gives you... Rome.
(folds his hands together)... I don't want Rome. I want to restore the glory of her Holy Church.
Mmm- as Pope.
(smiles uneasily) As her humble servant.
(smiles thinly) Indeed. And... what do you want of Florence?
... Nothing.
(chuckles) Well, then we will charge you nothing!
You misunderstand. I ask that Florence do... nothing.
... Ah. We, let those French... barbarians march through our Principality, and do...
Nothing. (Medici glances between them)
(coldly)... That's a different kind of nothing. That will cost you something.
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