ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT. CAVE COLONY - NIGHT
JUDITH, a beautiful twenty-year-old woman, emerges from a
Cave, watches what's going on.
JUDITH
Let me through.
CROWD lets JUDITH pass. JUDITH looks ARTABAN over, notices
winged circle on his breast.
JUDITH (CONT.)
You are a doctor. My brother is
ill. Come.
(starts to go)
ARTABAN
Two men stole something from me. I
want it back.
JUDITH keeps going.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
I want it back now.
JUDITH
Save my brother and your possession
will be returned.
JUDITH runs into Cave. ARTABAN and ORONTES follow.
INT. CAVE - DAY
Dark and foul. PASSHUR, twenty-two, lies on bed of straw.
JUDITH and ARTABAN approach, as ORONTES waits near Cave
opening.
PASSHUR
Who's there?
JUDITH
I've brought someone to you.
ARTABAN crouches down near PASSHUR, feels his forehead.
JUDITH (CONT.)
My brother's going blind.
ARTABAN holds lantern up to PASSHUR's face, waving it
slightly in front of PASSHUR's eyes to gauge reactions.
PASSHUR
I'm so afraid.
ARTABAN
There are several procedures I can
try.
(reaches into tunic, pulls
out vial)
I need some water.
JUDITH hands him cup of water.
JUDITH
We haven't many friends in the
outside world, but we help the few
we have.
(calls out)
Ekron! Come here at once.
ARTABAN pours the contents of the vial into cup, mixes it,
tips his fingers into solution and begins touching PASSHUR's
eyes.
ARTABAN
All right, rest now. In a few
hours, we'll know if it worked.
ARTABAN turns to see the MASS of HUMANITY mobbed outside Cave
opening. EKRON, without mask, comes to Cave. A teenager, he
is bleeding from knife wound.
ORONTES
That's him.
EKRON
Judith...
JUDITH
Give it to me, Ekron.
EKRON hands over packet to JUDITH, who hands it to ARTABAN.
He looks inside for pearl. It's there. He's relieved.
ARTABAN
Thank you...
(to EKRON)
You're bleeding.
EKRON backs away. JUDITH nods to EKRON, who steps closer.
ARTABAN examines wound.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
Get me some bandages, clean
water...
JUDITH signals for MUTE to get them. ARTABAN treats EKRON.
JUDITH
We need someone with healing skills
to care for all --
ORONTES
Not us, lady, we're on a very
important mission.
JUDITH
If you could stay for just one day,
it'd do some good.
ORONTES
There are lepers out there, leprosy
is contagious.
ARTABAN
One day isn't going to make any
difference in finding the Messiah.
These people need me.
ORONTES
I'll tell you one thing right now,
I won't touch any of them,
understand? Beat me if you want
to, set my hair on fire, I don't
care, I won't help.
ARTABAN
As you wish. Make sure the horses
are safe and rested.
ORONTES
One day, you promise.
ARTABAN
One day. Now be off.
ARTABAN and JUDITH leave. As ORONTES holds his nose,
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - THE NEXT MORNING
Horses stamping their feet. ORONTES leads them to where
ARTABAN is examining the ears of an old WOMAN.
ORONTES
Ready to leave, Master?
ARTABAN looks up. JUDITH stands at head of a long line of
PEOPLE still waiting to see him. He turns to ORONTES.
ARTABAN
Just one more day.
On ORONTES, rolling his eyes, leading horses away,
CUT TO
EXT. HILL ABOVE CAVE COLONY - TWILIGHT
ORONTES emerges from crude shack he's built on side of hill,
looks down at colony below, sits to write letter.
ORONTES (V.O.)
Lord Abgarus Greetings. Yes, we
are still at the colony of
outcasts. One day has stretched
into two, then a week and a month,
until I've lost count of how long
we've been here.
He looks back down at colony, sees JUDITH going into Cave.
INT. CAVE - TWILIGHT
JUDITH enters Cave, where ARTABAN examines scars of a LEPER,
applying salve on sores.
JUDITH
We're out of bandages.
ARTABAN looks at her.
ORONTES (V.O.)
Still I refuse to help these
disease ridden half-lives.
ARTABAN takes off cloak. As HE rips cloth into strips,
CUT TO
EXT. AROUND CAMPFIRE - NIGHT
ARTABAN lies with his eyes closed, as JUDITH tries to run a
meeting with EKRON, WHORES, BEGGARS, and PASSHUR, still
partially blind.
PASSHUR
The townspeople hate us. If they
had their way, the Roman soldiers
would come down here and wipe us
out.
EKRON
Let 'em try.
"Yeahs" from OTHERS in group.
JUDITH
I wish there was a way we didn't
have to deal with them at all.
ARTABAN
(eyes still closed)
There is.
MURMUR from group. ARTABAN sits up.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
Rather than stealing and whoring,
to support the colony, become self
sufficient... Grow your own food.
EKRON
Do we look like farmers?
LAUGHTER from group.
ARTABAN
You could be taught.
JUDITH
Who'd teach us?
ARTABAN
Me.
(beat)
I mean, I could get you started.
JUDITH
So -- start.
As ARTABAN rises, smiling at JUDITH,
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - DAY
ARTABAN helps group of male COLONISTS pull a large boulder
from ground. They struggle and struggle, trying to pull it
out.
ORONTES (V.O.)
I worry about leaving the pearl
among that den of hoodlums. If
it's stolen or lost, our only
chance of getting home will be
gone.
Boulder finally comes loose. As they all pat each other on
backs,
CUT TO
INT. CAVE - DAY
ARTABAN and JUDITH deliver a BABY to a WHORE.
ORONTES (V.O.)
Lord Abgarus, I beseech you to
contact your son. Order him to
return home.
On ARTABAN's excited look,
CUT TO
EXT. GARDEN - DAY
ARTABAN instructs JUDITH and other WOMEN on how far apart to
plant seeds.
ORONTES (V.O.)
If he refuses, send someone to help
me drag him out of this foul place.
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - DAY
COLONISTS building, sawing, hammering.
ORONTES (V.O.)
And what's strangest of all, he's
happier than I've ever seen him.
Why? I'll never know.
On ARTABAN supervising,
CUT TO
EXT. FIELD - DAY
On ARTABAN, knees in dust, tending the plants.
CUT TO
INT. CAVE - DAY
ARTABAN gives PASSHUR another potion, as JUDITH watches
hopefully. He drinks, they wait a beat.
ORONTES (V.O.)
What I really wonder is How long
can he keep it up?
PASSHUR shakes his head, "no", nothing's changed. On their
disappointment,
CUT TO
INT. CAVE - DAY
ARTABAN sleeps. The interior of his Cave has been improved
tremendously, clearly displaying evidence that it's resident
has been there a while.
JUDITH
Artaban! Artaban, look!
ARTABAN starts, goes to Cave opening, looks out
EXT. CAVE - DAY
JUDITH surrounded by the other COLONIST proudly holds up a
beautiful ear of corn.
JUDITH
Our first harvest!
CHEERS from COLONISTS. ARTABAN smiles, CHEERS back. As HE
walks out to them,
CUT TO
EXT. MARKETPLACE - DAY
ORONTES, older, is studying two oranges at a fruit stand.
TOWNSPEOPLE (O.C.)
How long are we going to sit back
and watch that colony of riffraff
suck off our land?
ORONTES turns to see a large group of angry TOWNSPEOPlE
gathered listening to one MAN.
TOWNSPEOPLE (CONT.)
It was one thing when they stopped
buying food from us. But now,
people are actually starting to go
out to that hellhole to buy fresh
fruits and vegetables from them.
CROWD "BOOS." ORONTES approaches.
TOWNSPEOPLE (CONT.)
I propose a law barring normal
people from associating with those
types. And if that doesn't work,
we'll burn them out.
CROWD ROARS with approval. Yet several people are in
disagreement and one gives the phooey sign. This is
definitely not where ORONTES wants to be. On him leaving,
CUT TO
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
PASSHUR sits, eyes wrapped in bandages. ARTABAN and JUDITH
stand on either side of him. All three are older.
ARTABAN
As I take off the bandages, you
should gradually see more and more
light.
(starts to unwrap
bandages)
PASSHUR
I don't see anything yet.
ARTABAN
That's fine, don't worry.
(continues unwrapping)
Now?
PASSHUR
Some.
ARTABAN gives JUDITH a half-smile, she looks concerned.
ARTABAN
How about now?
PASSHUR
Nothing's changed.
ARTABAN, frustrated, turns away. JUDITH emotionally
exhausted, starts to cry, goes to her BROTHER, cradling him
in her arms.
ARTABAN
We'll find it.
He exits Cave.
EXT. CAVE - DAY
ARTABAN emerges to find ORONTES, waiting.
ARTABAN
Well, what brings you down from the
mountain? You said you'd never set
foot in this place.
ORONTES
Master, there's something I must
tell you -- We must leave here. At
once.
ARTABAN
(angry)
Be quiet...
ORONTES
But the villagers --
ARTABAN
I've been pretty lenient with you.
But that's going to change. From
now on, if you want to eat, you can
work on the crops like everyone
else.
ORONTES
No.
ARTABAN
Then starve.
ORONTES
You are my Master. You are obliged
to feed me.
ARTABAN
Not if you don't do as you're told.
ORONTES
(angry, mumbling)
Yes, sir.
ORONTES storms off. As ARTABAN, realizing he was too hard on
him, shakes his head wearily,
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - NIGHT
ARTABAN, older, his back hurting, crosses to ONE-LEGGED
WOMAN; who sits on ground near well. He tips jar, gives her
glass of water. Then, trying to help her rise, he falls
under her weight.
ORONTES (V.O.)
Your son works morning, night and
noon. His sleep always interrupted
by another cry of pain.
A TEENAGE BOY, comes over, helps ARTABAN, who insists he's
alright and helps the ONE-LEGGED WOMAN. The BOY helps the
WOMAN off. ON ARTABAN, rising, his back really hurting,
CUT TO
INT. CAVE - DAY
CU of a sixty-five-year-old ARTABAN. PULL BACK to reveal him
using crude form of sign language to "speak" to DEAF GIRL.
ORONTES (V.O.)
In this world of anguish, he finds
many to help. But none to follow.
It seems he has totally forgotten
his quest.
As DEAF GIRL suddenly stands and runs away,
CUT TO
EXT. HILLSIDE ABOVE COLONY - NIGHT
Darkness. ORONTES stands with letter. Two FIGURES run by
him, knocking him over, heading down hill toward colony.
ORONTES rises.
ORONTES
Watch where you're going!
FIGURES disappear into camp. Behind ORONTES, more VOICES,
angry.
TOWNSPEOPLE
This way. Over here.
He turns to see group of MEN, including the TOWNSPEOPLE from
the marketplace, running in pursuit, carrying torches.
Sensing danger, he heads downhill, with MEN now chasing him.
ORONTES
Look out! Hey!
COLONISTS turn to see ORONTES, followed by ANGRY MEN.
COLONISTS all scatter, as MEN enter camp, knocking things
over, hitting COLONISTS. ARTABAN and JUDITH try to protect
their friends.
ARTABAN
What're you doing here?
JUDITH
What's the matter with you people?
ORONTES
Get away!
Some MEN go to garden, setting it on fire. Another knocks
ARTABAN down. ORONTES sees this, runs to him.
ORONTES (CONT.)
I'll help you, sir.
EKRON tries to stop the MEN, is killed with a sword. As MEN
continue to destroy the colony,
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - DAY
SLOW PAN revealing entire colony in disarray. COLONISTS are
sitting around sobbing, OTHERS are just returning from
hiding. JUDITH finishes changing bandages on top of ORONTES'
head as he writes letter. She turns, sees ARTABAN, amidst
burned-out remains of garden.
JUDITH
We'll build again. We'll make this
place just as good as it was
before. Better --
ARTABAN
No, we won't...
(looks at her)
I'm sorry. I just have nothing
more to give.
He goes to smoldering fire, sits. ORONTES looks at letter
he's been writing.
ORONTES (V.O.)
I worry about his health.
ARTABAN pulls out packet, unwraps it, exposing the pearl. He
studies it. ORONTES stands, watching him, looks back to
letter.
ORONTES (V.O., CONT.)
In closing, Lord Abgarus, let me
say that a day has not gone by when
I have not kicked myself for
promising you that I'd --
SOUND of TRUMPET. ORONTES and ARTABAN react, as MEN exit
from Caves with weapons. WOMEN run, carrying CHILDREN.
ORONTES (CONT.)
Not again.
SOLDIERS enter camp. ARTABAN rushes toward them.
ARTABAN
What is it you want?
CAPTAIN
A man named Artaban.
ORONTES
Don't answer.
ARTABAN
I am Artaban.
ORONTES puts hand to head.
CAPTAIN
You have a visitor.
JUDITH approaches, running. CAPTAIN signals. A portable
chair, carrying a striking fourteen-year-old girl, SHAMIR,
arrives first. Then another chair arrives, carrying
TIGRANES, looking splendid and rich.
ARTABAN
Tigranes. I can't believe you're
in Judea.
TIGRANES
Old friend, thirty some years stand
between us.
SHAMIR
Father...
TIGRANES
Oh, yes. This is my daughter,
Shamir.
SHAMIR smiles, shyly.
ARTABAN
You are beautiful, my dear. What
brings you to Judea?
TIGRANES
The power of the Magi has grown
tremendously and that's in no small
part due to my financial wizardry.
I intend to take these people for
every coin they've got.
ARTABAN
The situation here is quite
different, Tigranes. Be careful --
SHAMIR
Oh, please, don't talk trade. I
want to hear about Lord Artaban's
adventures.
TIGRANES
You're somewhat of a legend back
home. But frankly, when I heard
you were in a leper colony --
(looks with disdain)
Tell me. Did you ever find your
King?
ARTABAN
No.
TIGRANES
I can't bear to see you like this,
Artaban. Come, with us, let us
care for you.
ARTABAN
I... No...
ORONTES
Listen to Lord Tigranes, sir. He's
a very wise man.
TIGRANES
Once you said to me, "Don't let
pride stand in your way." I say
the same to you now.
ARTABAN
I don't need your help.
TIGRANES
Your pride won't let you admit you
were wrong. And even if you do
someday find your King, how could
you -- a beggar -- possibly serve
Him now?
ORONTES
Don't talk to him that way.
TIGRANES
(ignores ORONTES)
Your father believed that you would
return and rule the Magi. If he
had known how you've disgraced him,
wasting your life among these scum,
it would've killed him years ago.
ARTABAN
What do you mean, years ago?
TIGRANES
Your father is dead. He died
miserable and alone, surrounded by
strangers.
ORONTES
I've been sending letters to a dead
man...
ARTABAN's body begins to shake, in uncontrollable waves of
pain. He starts to cry, reaching out, lost. TIGRANES turns
to go.
TIGRANES
Come, daughter.
SHAMIR
Artaban is so sad. Can't we help
him?
TIGRANES
He's made it clear, he doesn't need
us.
He mounts chair. Reluctantly, she follows. ORONTES takes
ARTABAN's trembling hands.
ARTABAN
What have I done? Orontes, what
have I done?
ARTABAN breaks down completely, falling into ORONTES arms,
like a baby. On the two of THEM,
CUT TO
EXT. CAVES - DAY
JUDITH paces as ORONTES sits, peeling an orange.
JUDITH
He's been like this for weeks.
Sitting, staring into nowhere.
LONG SHOT of ARTABAN on a rock, alone, sullen, drawn.
ORONTES
Never seen his spirit this broken.
JUDITH
But isn't there something we can do
for him?
ORONTES
Give him back the last thirty years
of his life...
(rises, crosses to
ARTABAN)
You want a slice of orange?
No response.
ORONTES (CONT.)
If you ask me, you made only one
mistake in your life letting your
mind get in the way of your
stomach.
ARTABAN turns to look at ORONTES. THUNDER.
ORONTES (CONT.)
Oh, so at least you can still hear.
ARTABAN
It's time to part company.
ORONTES
What do you mean?
ARTABAN
You never liked it here. You never
wanted to leave Persia. You only
stayed with me because of an oath
you gave my father. Well, my
father's dead. I release you from
your promise. And I give you your
freedom.
ORONTES
My freedom?
ARTABAN
That's right.
Eyes brightening, ORONTES lets out a yell, then stops.
ORONTES
Leave it to you to give me my
freedom thirty years too late in
the middle of the most God-forsaken
place on earth.
ARTABAN
That's no concern of mine.
ORONTES
Why're you doing this?
ARTABAN
Because I'm tired of your whining.
ORONTES
That's the gratitude I get --
ARTABAN
Gratitude? For what? For thinking
of no one but yourself? For
looking down at a group of people
who deserve your caring and
respect? You have never been the
slightest help to me, Orontes.
I don't know why I've kept you
around as long as I have. Now go
away and leave me alone.
ORONTES
All right. I will.
ORONTES walks to JUDITH, who stands near PASSHUR, still
partially blind, and another OUTCAST, as they prepare to
mount horses. THUNDER.
ORONTES (CONT.)
Wait up! I need a ride.
JUDITH
Where are you off to in such a
hurry?
ORONTES
Artaban has granted me my freedom.
JUDITH
You can leave him so easily?
ORONTES
(defensively)
Lady, he's still an arrogant,
overeducated lunatic.
ORONTES mounts horse behind PASSHUR. GROUP sets off. JUDITH
goes to ARTABAN. THUNDER.
JUDITH
What was all that about?
ARTABAN
I have failed, Judith. My life...
I am dying. My heart. I won't
last through this winter.
JUDITH reacts.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
What chance is there of finding the
King now?
JUDITH
Is that why you sent Orontes away?
ARTABAN
He's been a good friend. I didn't
want him around to witness my final
defeat.
ARTABAN reaches into his tunic, pulls out packet containing
pearl.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
Here.
JUDITH
(takes out pearl)
It hasn't lost its lustre one
single bit.
ARTABAN
Take it to town. Sell it. Buy the
things the colony needs.
JUDITH
Artaban, no --
ARTABAN
I should have done it long ago. I
see that.
JUDITH puts the pearl in her pocket. Gentle rain falls.
ARTABAN (CONT.)
Perhaps I am not worthy to enter
His Kingdom. Or perhaps His
Kingdom is only some figment of my
own arrogance.
JUDITH
The townspeople caused this... And
your friend Tigranes...
ARTABAN
No! I am the cause. Why have I
always tried to do everything
alone?
JUDITH
Come inside, Artaban. It's
starting to rain.
ARTABAN
I'll be in soon. I like the rain
on my face -- it reminds me of
home.
JUDITH nods her head and goes. On ARTABAN, alone,
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE