RALPH: Thank you both for joining us. It's such an exciting time. Your highness, you must be relieved that the Civil War has been won and the traitor McDonald has been killed. 

DUNCAN: Thanks to our mighty warriors, Macbeth and Banquo. 

RALPH: And the Thane of Cawdor, also a traitor, has been captured. 

DUNCAN: And executed. It's done, right? Has the execution party come back? 

MALCOLM: They're not back yet, but I spoke with someone who was there. Sounds like the Thane of Cawdor confessed his treason's and begged your forgiveness, father. For someone who was a traitor, he died nobly. 

RALPH: And that's right. As you put it, nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. 

MALCOLM: Exactly. It's like he was finally himself in that moment. 

RALPH: It's wonderful what you say there. Would you mind? 

MALCOLM: Oh, sure. He died as one that had been studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed as 'twere a careless trifle. 

RALPH: Studied in his death, I love that. It's like an actor preparing his lines for a performance. 

MALCOLM: That's right, like he had been preparing his whole life for this one performance, which was to give away his life as if it were nothing. 

RALPH: And that's quite a switch from being a traitor. 

DUNCAN: Let me tell you something, Ralph. There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face. 

RALPH: Yes. Tell us more what you mean by that. 

DUNCAN: Just what it says. I mean, there's no way to know what's going on in somebody's head by examining his face. 

RALPH: I guess that's true. A lot of people are good at hiding what they're really thinking. That's got to be so tough for a king such as yourself. He needs to know who we can trust. 

DUNCAN: Exactly. 

RALPH: Take you for example. You seem like a nice guy, really. And you've all been very gracious here, but who knows, you could have it out for me. Maybe you've been paid off by the Norwegians. And this is all an elaborate trap. 

MALCOLM: Dad, it's okay. We're safe here. 

DUNCAN: Of course, we're safe. Of course, we are. It was just an example. Anyway, the point is, I trusted the Thane of Cawdor completely, no clue that he might become disloyal. 

RALPH: That must be very unsettling. I mean, if you can't know who you can trust—well, so it's at this point that Macbeth Banquo, Ross, and Angus finally return from the battlefield. 

DUNCAN: Aw, good. Let's talk about some people I can trust, by their actions if nothing else. Macbeth, especially, needs to be thanked. Though I owe him so much gratitude, I don't think I can thank him enough. 

RALPH: Well, if it's any comfort, Macbeth says, the service and loyalty I owe in doing it pays itself. Sounds like he's saying that loyalty is its own reward. 

DUNCAN: You see, this guy gets it. Here's a man I can trust. Banquo too. He should also be thanked heartily for his efforts today. Such dedication. You know, I'm so happy. I could almost cry. Isn't that strange that I should be so full of joy, that my joy would seek to hide itself in drops of sorrow? 

RALPH: Tears of joy, we would say. But now that you mention it, that is interesting. Tears are just tears. But in the one case, they might be joy and in another case sorrow. 

DUNCAN: You know, Ralph, would you mind if I make an announcement since we're on TV? 

RALPH: No, not at all. Go right ahead. 

DUNCAN: Which camera—

RALPH: It's right there. 

DUNCAN: I'd like to announce that going forward my oldest son Malcolm will be the official heir to the throne. That's it. Got it? 

RALPH: Yeah. That's pretty clear. 

DUNCAN: Next, I'd like to tell Macbeth that I would like to visit him at his castle, you know, to cement our new relationship. 

RALPH: Sure. But let's go back to that announcement you just made. That's kind of a big deal, isn't it? 

DUNCAN: I don't know, just making it clear to everybody what happens when I die. 

MALCOLM: Dad. 

DUNCAN: It's going to happen eventually. We may as well make it clear who becomes king when I do. 

RALPH: Yes, but isn't that the usual thing that would happen, that the oldest son of the king, in this case, Malcolm, would be next in line for the throne? 

DUNCAN: Not in Scotland. We're a warrior society, Ralph. There's usually some kind of election process, you know, among the thanes. And it can get pretty messy, frankly. 

RALPH: I see. So maybe if these thanes just knew up front that they're not going to be the next king, there might be less scheming and intrigue. 

DUNCAN: Exactly. You catch on quick. So off to Macbeth's. 

RALPH: That's right. And Macbeth says that he'll run ahead to get things ready and to let his wife know the good news of your visit. 

DUNCAN: How thoughtful. You've got to love this guy. My worthy cawdor. 

RALPH: So it seems like you've traded in your traitorous Thane of Cawdor or for a worthy Thane of Cawdor. 

DUNCAN: Seems, Ralph? I have. I most definitely have. 

RALPH: Well, thanks for joining us, gentlemen.