The Price of Freedom
1. INT. XIPIL'S KITCHEN - NIGHT - TENOCHTITLAN, 1518
Beautiful Aztec slave girls are busy working. CHANTICO (20),
the jaded head slave, comes and goes - organising the other
slaves before returning to the dinner upstairs. There are
two guards stationed by the only entrance.
OHTLI (16), the most beautiful slave, is the only girl
singing as she works. Her voice is exceptional. OHTLI is
preparing the drinking chocolate for the end of the evening.
She wears her dark hair loose and it swings forward as she
works through the process.
A third guard stands watching the mound of cocoa beans OHTLI
is working with.
Noises of revelry and loud, male conversation drift down
from the dinner upstairs and mingle with OHTLI's exquisite
singing.
As OHTLI works the other noises drift away until only the
singing can be heard, as though the world has stopped to
listen.
Another GUARD enters, searches for the source of the singing
with his eyes, then strides purposefully to OHTLI. He seizes
her by the arm and drags her from the kitchen.
OHTLI
Where are you taking me? Let me go.
GUARD
...
OHTLI
I have done nothing wrong. Unhand
me.
The GUARD is leading her through the substantial house,
through numerous corridors and up the stairs.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
Tell me where you are taking me.
GUARD
...
The noises from the dinner are getting louder as the GUARD
leads OHTLI down a long corridor that ends with heavy doors
leading to the dining chamber.
OHTLI
I have done nothing...
The GUARD cuts her off with a knock at the door, OHTLI's arm
still tightly clasped in his hand.
OHTLI
What have I...
The door swings open and the GUARD leads OHTLI in to the
large, richly decorated dining chamber.
Several powerful, rich nobles sit on plump cushions,
half-finished dishes in clay pots scattered around them.
CHANTICO and some male slaves are visible around the edge of
the room.
XIPIL (35), a darkly handsome man, sits above his guests on
a low stool and it is to him OHTLI is brought.
GUARD
My lord.
XIPIL waves the GUARD away and OHTLI stands alone, clutching
her bare arms across her chest as XIPIL takes her in with
hungry eyes.
XIPIL
Your name, girl.
OHTLI
Ohtli.
CHANTICO clears her throat and catches OHTLI's eye.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
Master.
XIPIL
Ohtli?
XIPIL glances at the men around him until his eyes settle on
one man, ICHTACKA. OHTLI follows his gaze and lets out a
small gasp as she notices ICHTACKA. ICHTACKA swallows hard.
XIPIL turns back to OHTLI with a smile.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Ohtli, of course.
(beat)
Such a beautiful voice.
OHTLI tears her eyes from ICHTACKA and slowly brings them up
to XIPIL's smiling face.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Sing.
OHTLI
I...
XIPIL
Sing.
OHTLI hesitates, glancing involuntarily to ICHTACKA then
quickly back to XIPIL.
XIPIL
Sing!
OHTLI risks a glance at CHANTICO, who nods grimly at her
then quickly looks away.
OHTLI begins to sing, hesitantly at first but she soon
becomes lost in the melody, her voice swelling, filling the
quiet chamber.
A small knock can be heard and a male slave slips in,
carrying a tray of clay drinking cups filled with drinking
chocolate.
XIPIL
Enough.
OHTLI stops abruptly and opens her eyes, her chest heaving
and her cheeks pink. The gathered noblemen are staring at
her, lust clearly visible on their faces. ICHTACKA alone
seems uninterested.
XIPIL smiles at the effect she has had on his guests.
XIPIL
I have only the best here, my
friends.
His guests laugh while XIPIL takes a cup and sips
appreciatively, his eyebrows raising in surprise. The other
men are then served.
XIPIL gestures for CHANTICO to come towards him.
XIPIL
This... Is much better than usual.
You have outdone yourself.
Chantico.
CHANTICO
Master... I thank you for the
praise
(beat)
But it was... Ohtli who prepared
you drink this evening.
XIPIL turns towards OHTLI. CHANTICO, forgotten, steps back
into the shadows, glancing apologetically at OHTLI.
XIPIL
Ohtli.
(beat)
Indeed.
ICHTACKA watches OHTLI as she steps forward, following
XIPIL's beckoning finger to the side of his stool.
XIPIL
You made this drink, girl?
OHTLI
Yes... Master.
XIPIL
How did you learn to make this?
OHTLI raises her head and looks defiantly into XIPIL's eyes.
OHTLI
My mother.
ICHTACKA quickly lowers his gaze back to the floor.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
She was a priestess at the Temple
of Xolotl. She taught me.
XIPIL
You will make this for me from now
on.
XIPIL looks towards ICHTACKA and raises his voice to be sure
everyone can hear him.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
And you will serve it to me in my
chambers. Every night.
XIPIL smiles as OHTLI bows her head and retreats from the
room. XIPIL and ICHTACKA watch her leave.
2. INT. XIPIL'S CHAMBER - NIGHT
XIPIL lounges on a low couch in the centre of his dimly lit
room. He is wearing an open gown that reveals his muscular
chest and loose fitting trousers. A pretty slave girl is
preparing his bed for the night.
A knock at the door.
XIPIL
Enter.
OHTLI slowly enters, carrying a clay goblet. She carries it
steadily, not spilling a single drop of the dark liquid.
XIPIL smiles predatorily and dismisses the other slave with
a flick of his wrist.
XIPIL
Ohtli. So pleasant to see you
again. Your performance last night
was quite... Enchanting.
OHTLI places the goblet beside the couch and turns to leave.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Stay.
OHTLI stops but does not turn around.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
I do not wish to be disturbed again
tonight. You will stay until I have
finished my drink.
XIPIL takes a slow sip as OHTLI turns back towards him.
XIPIL
Come. Sit. Sing to me as I drink.
OHTLI takes smalls steps towards XIPIL and he gestures for
her to kneel at his feet. She kneels, keeping her eyes on
her lap.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
I want to savour every drop. After
all...
XIPIL smiles at the kneeling girl and takes another slow
sip.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
It is like drinking money.
OHTLI
I will wait for you to finish...
Master.
XIPIL
Sing.
OHTLI glances up, startled at the sudden change of tone.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Do not make me ask you again. Girl.
She begins to sing, her eyes returning to her lap, the waver
in her voice betraying her nervousness. XIPIL settles back
and sips luxuriously on his chocolate as OHTLI sings a
quietly enchanting melody.
When the song is over, OHTLI keeps her eyes fixed on her
knees. XIPIL bends forward and holds the nearly empty goblet
out to her.
XIPIL
Have you ever tasted chocolate,
Ohtli?
OHTLI shakes her head, her loose hair swishing.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
It is exquisite. Divine.
He moves the cup away from her.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Try some.
OHTLI looks up. XIPIL is smiling ruthlessly down at her. She
returns her gaze down.
OHTLI
Chocolate is for the noble.
Quetzalcoatl brought it as a gift
from the gods. I am unworthy.
XIPIL smiles again, takes hold of her chin and tips her head
back so her eyes lock with his.
XIPIL
I insist.
He holds the goblet towards OHTLI again and, trembling, she
reaches out a hand towards it. Her fingers close around the
stem and XIPIL locks his fingers over hers.
His hand still on her chin, XIPIL pulls OHTLI unsteadily to
her feet, the two hands clasping the goblet pulled close
into his bare chest, crushed between their bodies. The hand
cupping her chin snakes to the back of her neck and OHTLI
gasps as he pulls firmly on her hair, tilting her head up.
XIPIL
You may share the taste with me.
XIPIL presses his mouth to hers. OHTLI struggles against him
but he holds her fast.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
You do not like the taste?
OHTLI
I...
Her mouth now parted, XIPIL brings his mouth back to
OHTLI's, his tongue pushing inside her mouth.
OHTLI bites down on his tongue and XIPIL jerks backwards
before backhanding OHTLI across the face. OHTLI falls with
the force.
XIPIL
You dare...
OHTLI scrabbles backwards as XIPIL reaches for her and pulls
her up by her hair.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Aiac xictli in tlalticpac!
(Subtitle: You waste of
space!)
XIPIL laughs as he pins OHTLI's flailing arms with one arm,
cupping her breast with his other hand. He leers at her.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
You are mine. And I will do as I
please with you.
He pulls her head close to his again but OHTLI spits in his
face. XIPIL delivers a massive backhand to her face and
OHTLI is sent sprawling to the floor, where she lies
unconscious.
He wipes the spit from his face.
XIPIL
Guard!
A GUARD enters immediately.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Take her somewhere she can't make a
fuss.
GUARD
My lord.
The GUARD hoists OHTLI onto his shoulder and leaves the
room, closing the door behind him.
3. INT. XIPIL'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
OHTLI is sat preparing the cocoa beans. Her face is marred
by a large bruise. She is silent. CHANTICO is checking the
kitchen is clean. A guard is stood by the entrance.
Satisfied, CHANTICO begins to leave but turns back to OHTLI.
CHANTICO
Ohtli?
OHTLI glances up from her work.
CHANTICO (CONT'D)
I'm...
(beat)
He owns you.
(beat)
He owns us all.
CHANTICO turns and leaves the kitchen.
OHTLI sighs, picks up a cocoa bean and holds it between her
thumb and forefinger, examining it.
FLASHBACK TO:
EXT. MERCHANT HOUSE - DAY - TWO YEARS EARLIER
XIPIL is holding a cocoa bean between his thumb and
forefinger. He looks at it a moment and then places it in
the upturned palm of a man.
OHTLI (O.S)
Father, please! Don't!
OHTLI is struggling between two guards beside XIPIL.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
Mother wouldn't want this!
The man closes his fingers over the bean, squeezing his hand
into a tight fist.
ICHTACKA
Your mother is gone.
ICHTACKA turns away and walks back into the house. XIPIL
smiles victoriously and walks away from the house. The
guards follow him, dragging OHTLI between them.
BACK TO PRESENT.
INT. XIPIL'S KITCHEN - CONTINUED
OHTLI looks at the bean a moment longer then places it in
the grinder. She pulls her hair back and ties it up with a
strip of fabric.
OHTLI
(whispering)
Thank you, Mother.
She begins to grind the bean violently, her face a mask of
steely determination.
Then she begins to sing.
4. INT. XIPIL'S CHAMBER - LATER
XIPIL is lounging in the same position as the previous
night,this time wearing only the loose trousers, his
muscular chest and arms exposed. He is alone.
A knock at the door.
XIPIL
En...
OHTLI walks in carrying the clay goblet. Her hair is still
tied up and she walks with her chin held up, her bruise
darkened by the dim light. She carries the goblet steadily
to XIPIL. She offers it to him and he grasps the stem.
XIPIL
Ohtli. How lovely to see you again.
He raises the goblet to his lips but stops and stands up
instead. He stands close to OHTLI and caresses her bruise
with his palm. OHTLI does not move away.
XIPIL (CONT'D)
Your poor face. You must be more
careful, my girl.
OHTLI places her palm over the hand XIPIL has resting on her
cheek and moves her body closer to his.
OHTLI
I acted foolishly about your kind
offer. I did not think I deserved
such a... noble gift.
OHTLI rests her hand lightly against his chest and lowers
her mouth to his ear. His hand drops from her cheek and
falls helplessly to his side.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
(whispering seductively)
I am ready for a taste now.
(beat)
Master.
XIPIL's eyes widen and his lips part. OHTLI allows him room
as he raises the goblet to his lips and drains the liquid.
OHTLI takes the goblet from his hand and, leaning into his
body, places it down behind him.
She takes his hand and guides it to her breast, letting out
a sigh as he grasps it. She moves her mouth close to his and
her lips part.
OHTLI (CONT'D)
You say I am yours.
(beat)
Master.
XIPIL's mouth opens and he tries to move closer but OHTLI's
hand is still on his chest, holding him back.
XIPIL
You are mine.
OHTLI smiles and brings her mouth close to his. His lips
part with a sigh but before he can move closer he lets out a
horrible strangled noise and clutches at his throat.
His eyes wide, XIPIL steps back from OHTLI, his eyes wildly
searching for help. Still grasping his throat, he struggles
to draw breath.
He falls the ground, looking pleadingly up at OHTLI who
stands above him, unmoved. XIPIL's face is turning red as he
writhes and gasps for air.
OHTLI
I am no one's.
She stands over him and watches as he struggles to breath
until finally he lies still and silence fills the room.
OHTLI picks up the empty goblet and walks to the door
without looking at the body. She lets her hair fall loose
and tousles in slightly.
She steps out into the hall, closing the door softly behind
her with a coy smile at the GUARD stationed there.
OHTLI
Master is sleeping and does not
wish to be disturbed.
The GUARD glances at her, nods once and resumes his stoic
stance.
OHTLI walks down the hall and through the corridors, her
steps purposeful. She reaches the front door and steps into
the open courtyard. The moon fills it with light.
She walks through the courtyard, away from the house. The
night air is still and quiet. She walks out into the street,
and as she goes, she begins to sing.
THE END