The Borgias, Season One

Neapolitan Ambassador:
King Ferrante of Naples sends his humble regards-

Juan Borgia:
(smirks) King Ferrante of Naples can neither hear nor see, I believe. (Alexander swats him on the shoulder)

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
Son.

Neapolitan Ambassador:
He nevertheless sends his every good wish. And, in the face of all the spurious claims upon his Kingdom- from Spain, from France, from the Duchy of Milan- he would remind Your Holiness of the justice of the independent claims of Naples. An independent Naples can only be to Rome's... benefit. (Cesare glances at the Pope) And I, as his Ambassador, am proud to present a suit for your consideration, of his last unmarried daughter, Sancha, Duchessa of Squillace. (reaches for the cloth cover to Sancha's portrait)

Juan Borgia:
Where is Squillace?

Neapolitan Ambassador:
(annoyed) In the Kingdom of Naples. (reveals the portrait; Alexander looks approving, while Juan is clearly drawn to Sancha's face; he stands up and takes a closer look)

Juan Borgia:
(clearly jealous) My younger brother Joffre is all of thirteen years old.

Neapolitan Ambassador:
His Highness had understood the prospective groom to be the Gonfaloniere himself- the Duke of Gandia.

Juan Borgia:
(offended) Me? Why, this is most irregular- I would never consider marrying the illegitimate daughter of the King of Na-

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI:
(cuts him off, sharply) Would you convey our thanks, to our friend and ally King Ferrante- whose claim to independence we fully understand- for his most generous offer?! (Juan looks angrily back and forth between him and the Ambassador) You will have our response... shortly.