As they enter The Centre of The Maze,
Oxford turns to His Servant.
OXFORD (nods)
Francesco.
Francesco steps forward and hands
Jonson a leather bound manuscript.
Jonson looks at it confused and opens it.
JONSON
A Play, My Lord?
OXFORD
One you shall
stage Bankside.
JONSON
Stage?
OXFORD
Under your name.
JONSON
My Name, My Lord?
OXFORD
I can't very well use
my name, can I?
I'm The Seventeenth Earl of Oxford.
The Lord Great Chamberlain of England,
Viscount Bolebec, Lord Escales,
Sandford and Badlesmere, etc, etc.
No. I have a... reputation to protect.
In my world, one does not
write plays, Jonson.
People like you do.
Jonson tries not to be offended.
JONSON
Yes. My Lord. You wrote
an entire play, My Lord.
I know how difficult --
OXFORD
Not a play, Jonson,
I've written many.
No doubt, many more
than you yourself.
A good number performed
at Court years ago, others
never seen by
a living soul.
JONSON
And you want... me to apply
my name to this play?
OXFORD
No. I mean you to put
your name to all of them.
