CUT TO SIR LAUNCELOT running up spiral staircase. He reaches the door of the PRINCE's room. he flings it open.

FIRST GUARD: Ah! Now ... we're not allowed to ...

SIR LAUNCELOT runs him through, grabs his spear and stabs the other guard who collapses in a heap. Hiccoughs quietly.

SIR LAUNCELOT runs to the window and kneels down in front of the PRINCE, averting his head.

LAUNCELOT: Oh, fair one, behold your humble servant, Sir Launcelot, from the Court of Camelot. I have come to take you ... (he looks up for the first time and his voice trails away) away ... I'm terribly sorry ...

PRINCE: You got my note!

LAUNCELOT: Well ... yes ...

PRINCE: You've come to rescue me?

LAUNCELOT: Well ... yes ... but I hadn't realized ...

PRINCE (his eyes light up): I knew that someone would come. I knew ... somewhere out there ... there must be ...

MUSIC INTRO to song.

FATHER (suddenly looking in the door): Stop that!

Music cuts out.

FATHER sees SIR LAUNCELOT still kneeling before his son.

FATHER: Who are you?

PRINCE: I'm ... your son ...

FATHER: Not you.

LAUNCELOT (half standing self-consciously): I'm ... er ... Sir Launcelot, sir.

PRINCE: He's come to rescue me, father.

LAUNCELOT (embarrassed): Well, let's not jump to conclusions ...

FATHER: Did you kill all those guards?

LAUNCELOT: Yes ... I'm very sorry ...

FATHER: They cost fifty pounds each!

LAUNCELOT: Well, I'm really am most awfully sorry but I ... I can explain everything ...

PRINCE: Don't be afraid of him, Sir Launcelot. I've got a rope here all ready ...

He throws a rope out of the window which is tied to a pillar in the room. He looks rather pleased with himself that he has got it all ready.

FATHER: You killed eight wedding guests in all!

LAUNCELOT: Er, Well ... the thing is ... I thought your son was a lady.

FATHER: I can understand that.

PRINCE (half out of the window): Hurry, brave Sir Launcelot!

FATHER (to his SON): Shut up!

FATHER (to LAUNCELOT): You only killed the bride's father - that's all -

LAUNCELOT: Oh dear, I didn't really mean to...

FATHER: Didn't mean to? You put your sword right through his head!

LAUNCELOT: Gosh - Is he all right?

FATHER: You even kicked the bride in the chest! It's going to cost me a fortune!

LAUNCELOT: I can explain ... I was in the forest ... riding north from Camelot ... when I got this note.

FATHER: Camelot? Are you from Camelot?

The PRINCE's head peeps over the windowsill.

PRINCE: Hurry!

LAUNCELOT: I am, sir. I am a Knight of King Arthur.

FATHER: 'Mm ... very nice castle, Camelot ... very good pig country....

LAUNCELOT: Is it?

PRINCE (out of vision): I am ready, Sir Launcelot.

FATHER: Do you want to come and have a drink?

LAUNCELOT: Oh ... that's awfully nice.

PRINCE (out of view) (loud and shrill): I am ready!

As they walk past the rope, the FATHER nonchalantly cuts with his knife. There is no sound except after a pause a slight squeal from very far away as the PRINCE makes contact with the ground.

LAUNCELOT: It's just that when I'm in this genre, I tend to get over-excited and start to leap around and wave my sword about ... and ...

FATHER: Oh, don't worry about that ... Tell me ... doesn't Camelot own that stretch of farmland up by the mountains?

He puts his arm round LAUNCELOT's shoulders as they go though the door.