Scene One: The Home of David Gans, Prague, January 1598

Herr Gans has summoned Lóránt to attend him at his lodgings in the Old Town on a chilly January evening in 1598.

"Herr Kelemen, please come in." Lóránt shakes the snow from his boots and cloak as Gans offers him a cup of wine.

"You know I've read your pamphlet. And so I know that you've been to Italy, studied in Florence, spent time in Venice."

"Yes sir."

"I have some contacts in Rome and some... colleagues in Venice who are due a gift from a Cardinal Del Monte, now living in Rome. He's been a bit recalcitrant in giving up this gift he promised to my colleagues in Venice. To put things bluntly, I have a proposal for you, then. I know the kind of work you did for your family's bank. I know you can be trusted to act with discretion and use guile or force, whichever is appropriate. The Cardinal needs to be... encouraged to part with the gift and then you'll need to deliver it to Venice."

"Who are these colleagues of yours?" Lóránt asks, intrigued.

"It's a convent in Venice. The Sisters of Santa Caterina. The Cardinal was supposed to provide them with a pension, and he's not taken kindly to having to pay up. The Cardinal is originally from Venice, but since taking on the red cloak it seems he's forgotten his debts back home."

"Herr Gans," says Lóránt with a slightly incredulous grin, "are you asking me to collect on a debt, to lean on a Cardinal?"

"All you have to do is remind his Eminence of his debt. He'll pay up. I guarantee that."

"Why me, Herr Gans, why not someone more local to the Cardinal? Isn't Rome a very long way from Prague?" Lóránt asks.

"Hmm, yes, it is. But I'll reward you for your service and the time it will take. And it's a good time of year to be traveling in Italy. Dry roads, cool weather, very few problems. I have a feeling you'll be very fortunate on your journey to Rome. And who knows, if you time it just right, you may even be back in Venice in time for Carnival!"

Lóránt notes that Herr Gans did not exactly answer his first question, and tell him why is he asking him to perform this task. But with the promise of coin and a bit of adventure, Lóránt does not need much more prodding. He agrees, signs the contract, and begins his preparation for the ride to Rome.

Scene Two: The Palazzo Madama

Lóránt fidgets in the audience chamber of the Palazzo Madama. Compared to the fairly humble, if eccentrically caparisoned environs of the court of Rudolf, this Cardinal's home is a dazzling, but ostentatious spectacle. He has rehearsed his greeting to the Cardinal many times in his head; respectful, but not obsequious, and no attempt at religious reverence. Lóránt was not afraid for the Cardinal to know he was a Jew.

Heralded by two valets, the Cardinal entered. Lóránt rose, made a quick bow, and addressed the Cardinal. "Your Eminence, thank you for admitting me to your truly unique home here."

Cardinal del Monte, arching an eyebrow at the youth before him, says, "Of course. Let us sit down and discuss the matter which has brought you here." Two chairs are provided for the men to sit and discuss.

"Thank you, Your Eminence. I come representing the Sisters of Santa Caterina, who..."

The Cardinal interrupts, "You come from Prague, and you come to collect a debt I owe the Sisters. Let us be blunt and truthful, yes?"

Lóránt, a bit taken aback that the Cardinal knows so much about him, agrees. "Yes. I come from Prague to collect a debt you owe the Sisters. I am to bring it back to Venice to their convent."

"Very well. My men will bring you the thing I owe them, and you can deliver it to them. And please, when you reach Venice, tell them that I consider all accounts settled with delivery of this item."

Two more valets are struggling with a large, flat package, wrapped in a rich tapestry. But what really catches Lóránt's attention is the man gesticulating behind the valets. A young man about his own age, his wild mop of curly black hair is all he can see as the young man bounces excitedly behind the package, a savage scowl on his face.

"Ah yes," the Cardinal says to Lóránt. "If you'll excuse me."

The young man strides directly up to the Cardinal with no pretense of protocol. He whispers to the Cardinal and Lóránt cannot help but overhear their conversation, tinged with a strange familiarity.

"So when were you planning to tell me you were taking it away?"

"I am your patron. What you produce with my money is ultimately mine to dispose of as I wish."

"Not this one. This one is different."

"This one, as you call it, now belongs to the Sisters of Santa Caterina in Venice."

The young man stares for a few seconds into the Cardinal's eyes. "All right. All right, but if it's going to Venice, I'm going with it. I'm not going to have them stick it in a musty cellar to degrade and die unviewed and unloved."

The Cardinal sighs wearily, as if he expected such impulsive demands from the young man. "That's fine, but you'll have to accompany him, the Bohemian." He gestures to Lóránt still seated. "He's collecting for the sisters."

The Cardinal walks with the young man over to Lóránt. "Herr Kelemen, tomorrow morning you will find fresh horses, a cart, four of my men-at-arms and this man to accompany you to Venice. May I introduce... another of my men: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio."

The two men shake hands and take a measure of each other.

"If you will excuse me now," the Cardinal says, "I must leave you. Safe travels and God speed."

Scene Three: The Taverns of Rome

Scene Four: Outside the Castle of Gradara

Scene Five: The Convent of Santa Caterina, Venice