Silence Page #15

These words pierce Rodrigues’ heart. They are gently spoken,

but he senses the threat that lurks beneath them.

SAMURAI 1

And the thought that we might

do so is painful for us too.

RODRIGUES:

Thank you.

SAMURAI 1

Father, the doctrine you

bring with you may be true in

Spain and Portugal. But we

have studied it

carefully...thought about it

over much time...and find

it’s of no use and no value

in Japan. We have concluded

that it is a danger.

INTERPRETER (cont'd)

“And the thought that we

might do so is painful for us

too.”

INTERPRETER:

“Father, the doctrine you

bring with you may be true in

Spain and Portugal. But we

have studied it

carefully...thought about it

over much time...and find it

is of no use and no value in

Japan. We have concluded that

it is a danger.”

The Old Samurai watches Rodrigues formulate his reply with

great interest. Samurai 1 occasionally whispers a translation

to the Old Samurai.

RODRIGUES:

But we believe we brought you the

truth, and the truth is universal.

It’s common to all countries at all

times, that’s why we call it the

truth. If a doctrine weren’t as true

in Japan as it is in Portugal, we

couldn’t call it the truth.

The Old Samurai nods his head in agreement. Rodrigues feels

encouraged. He has one ally in this severe tribunal.

SAMURAI 1 INTERPRETER

I see you do not work with “I see you do not work with

your hands, Father. But your hands, Father. But

everyone knows a tree which everyone knows a tree which

flourishes in one kind of flourishes in one kind of

earth may decay and die in earth may decay and die in

another. It is the same with another. It is the same with

the tree of Christianity. The the tree of Christianity. The

leaves decay here. The buds leaves decay here. The buds

die. die.”

RODRIGUES:

(heated)

It is not the soil that has killed the

buds. There were three hundred

thousand Christians in Japan before

the soil was...

SAMURAI 1

Yes?

RODRIGUES:

Poisoned.

Samurai 1 has to restrain his anger over this response. Only

the OLD SAMURAI seems to understand what Rodrigues means, and

even sympathize with it. The priest is encouraged by the Old

Samurai’s response. He GLANCES BRIEFLY over at the prisoners

watching from their cell window, and continues boldly...

RODRIGUES (cont'd)

You have no reply? Why should you?

You’re never going to change my

mind and I’m not going to change

yours. If you really want to test

my faith, give me a real challenge.

Take me to the Inquisitor. Bring me

to Inoue Sama.

There is a lingering moment of BAFFLED SILENCE. Then...

...LAUGHTER. Even a BENIGN SMILE from the Old Samurai.

RODRIGUES:

I’m sorry, I didn’t think I was here

for your amusement.

(as laughter continues)

What are you laughing at?

The laughter dies after a few moments.

76A

INTERPRETER:

Because, Padre...

77

The Old Samurai INTERRUPTS with a FLICK of his fan.

OLD SAMURAI:

Because I am the Governor of Chikugo,

Padre. I am the Inquisitor. I am

Inoue.

Rodrigues is STUNNED. The Old Samurai RISES and walks out of

the yard. The other samurai follow.

From behind him, Rodrigues hears the prisoners singing a HYMN.

As the Guards take him back to his cell, he sees all their

faces there, singing, and he feels he has done well.

CUT TO:

88 EXT./INT. NEW PRISON YARD & CELL DAY 88

HOLES IN THE GROUND, being dug by prisoners as RAIN POURS DOWN

and Rodrigues WATCHES from his cell window. A Guard WALKS BY

and the priest calls to him.

RODRIGUES:

How long will they have to work in

this rain?

PRISON GUARD:

(heavy accent)

Until finished.

RODRIGUES:

What are the holes for?

PRISON GUARD:

(casually)

Privies.

The Guard walks on...and Rodrigues SEES, near the prison

entrance, a MAN IN A CAPE standing, unmoving, in the rain. A

Guard CHASES him away with threatening gestures. The man

retreats. The Guard walks on...

...and the Man STEALS BACK, and stands there. Looking at the

prisoners. Looking toward Rodrigues.

TIME CUT:
the Man in the Cape stands close to the window

now...close enough for Rodrigues to recognize him.

KICHIJIRO:

(calling out)

Padre! Padre! Please listen to me!

78

His pleas DRAW GUARDS, who RUSH at him with sticks. He looks

afraid, takes a step back, but then stands his ground.

KICHIJIRO (cont'd)

I was forced to step on our Lord’s

face! God made me weak then asks me to

be strong. That’s not fair.

The Guards are GRAPPLING with him now, but he keeps calling out

to Rodrigues, who COVERS HIS EARS.

KICHIJIRO:

They threatened me! The

officials...but I never took their

money! I didn’t betray you for money!

PRISON GUARD:

Get out of here now or we will hurt

you worse.

KICHIJIRO:

Go ahead! I am a Kirishitan! Put me in

prison! I am a Kirishitan!

The Guards are happy to oblige. They drag Kichijiro through the

mud and rain past Rodrigues’ window. Kichijiro looks at him

pleadingly. Rodrigues reaches out his hand in blessing...but

STOPS.

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

Did Jesus pray for Judas?

He watches from the shadows as Kichijiro is DRAGGED AWAY.

CUT TO:

89 INT. NEW PRISON CHRISTIAN CELL DAY 89

Rodrigues STEPS INTO the cell, SEES: the Christian prisoners

seated together in a group, some speaking among themselves,

others praying. Seeing the priest, Monica glances toward a

corner of the cell and WE PAN to REVEAL: Kichijiro, crouching

in the shadow, separated from the others. Shivering.

MONICA:

Be careful of him, Padre. Maybe Inoue

Sama pays him to make us trample.

KICHIJIRO:

No! He did not! Padre...Padre, let me

confess. Please, Padre.

The other prisoners watch as Rodrigues--reluctantly; warily-goes

to Kichijiro and kneels beside him. Kichijiro is filthy,

and smells foul, and instinctively Rodrigues moves back.

KICHIJIRO:

I know I smell. I smell of sin. I

know. I want to confess again, so the

Lord can wash me clean.

RODRIGUES:

Why did you come here? Is it for

absolution? Do you understand what

absolution is?

KICHIJIRO:

(quietly, almost casually)

Do you understand what I’ve been

saying? Yes, Padre, I denied. I’m an

apostate. Years ago. I could have died

a good Kirishitan. There was no

persecution. Why was I born now? This

is so unfair...I’m sorry...

The Prisoners watch and listen with great interest.

RODRIGUES:

But do you still believe?

Kichijiro looks down. He can’t answer. As Rodrigues makes the

blessing and Kichijiro begins his confession:

RODRIGUES:

In n.mine Patris et F.lii et

Sp.ritus Sancti.

KICHIJIRO:

I am sorry - for being so weak. I

am sorry this has happened. I am

sorry for what I did to you.

Please, help me take away the sin.

I will try again to be strong.

TIME CUT:

RODRIGUES:

(giving absolution)

D.minus noster Jesus Christus te

abs.lvat; et ego auctorit.te ipsius

te abs.lvo ab omni vinculo

excommunicati.nis et interdicti in

quantum possum et tu indiges.

Rate this script:4.5 / 2 votes