Silence Page #16

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79A

RODRIGUES (cont'd)

[making the sign of the cross]:

De.nde, ego te abs.lvo a pecc.tis

tuis in n.mine Patris, et F.lii, et

Sp.ritus Sancti. Amen.

As Rodrigues utters the words of absolution, WE HEAR...

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

Father, how could Jesus love a wretch

like this? There is evil all around in

this place. I sense its strength. Even

its beauty. But there is none of that

in this man. He is not worthy to be

called evil.

Rodrigues FINISHES the absolution, then follows with the

customary conclusion...

RODRIGUES:

(whispering)

Go in peace.

CUT TO:

90 INT. NEW PRISON RODRIGUES’ CELL DAY 90

He stares at the floor, miserable about his failure of spirit.

Jesus’s face--the face from the Evora chapel--is before him.

80

CUT TO:
The eyes of Jesus, tight shot. They seem to look down

into Rodrigues’ very soul.

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

As I feel...I fear...Jesus forgive

me...I may not be worthy of You.

Rodrigues hangs his head in shame.

CUT TO:

91 EXT. NEW PRISON YARD DAY 91

BURNING SUNLIGHT at midday. A row of five stools, and FIVE

OFFICIALS settle themselves on them. They stare indifferently

at FOUR CHRISTIAN PRISONERS on the ground in front of them.

Rodrigues WATCHES from his cell window. The whole scene is

played out from his POV, through the bars on the window.

Sounds of CICADAS and the SWISH of a fan or RUSTLE of a fine

robe worn by an official punctuate the weary routine of the

day. OFFICIAL # 1 almost sounds bored when he speaks up...

OFFICIAL # 1

This is just a formality, really. Just

one step, that’s all. We’re not asking

you to do it sincerely. It’s only for

appearances. Just putting your foot on

the thing won’t betray your faith,

whatever it is. Truthfully, I’m not

interested. The sooner you get it over

with the sooner we can all get out of

the sun.

Rodrigues can tell the Official is trying to disarm the

prisoners, and he can’t be sure how they will react.

OFFICIAL # 1 (cont'd)

Put your foot on it and nobody will

care what you believe. Just rest

it...brush it...lightly, if you

like...however you like, it’s not

important...and you’ll be free.

Immediately.

Guards come forward carrying the fumie. The Christians stare at

the face of Christ on the fumie. Rodrigues SEES IT TOO, and in

his cell mutters a prayer.

81

RODRIGUES:

Lord, give them strength. Lord give me

strength.

The Official begins the formal ceremony by calling out for Juan

by his Japanese name...

OFFICIAL # 1

Chokichi...

The Guards urge Monica’s one-eyed husband forward when he does

not respond. He stands with his head bowed.

OFFICIAL # 1

Go ahead. Stamp on it.

(Juan does not move)

It’s only a picture. Crush it. Do it!

Juan can not, will not, obey. One of the Guards SWATS HIM

impassively with a club, pulls his head back by the hair.

Looking straight at Official # 1, Juan SHAKES HIS HEAD again.

In a SERIES OF QUICK CUTS, Juan’s FACE is replaced by the FACE

OF MONICA...and then by the face of each of the other prisoners

in the yard...EACH SHAKING THEIR HEADS in refusal.

Official # 1 SIGHS, almost inaudibly, then RISES. The others

FOLLOW HIM into a hut at the far side of the yard. The tension

has dissipated. The Prisoners relax a little.

Suddenly the VOICE of Official # 1 CALLS across the yard.

OFFICIAL # 1

Take them all back. But that one...

(points to Juan)

...he stays.

The Guards take three of the four prisoners to the hut. Only

Juan remains behind, continuing a conversation with the Guard.

GUARD (O.S.)

It seems a pity to throw it away so

lightly.

JUAN (O.S.)

Well, it’s not lightly. But it does

seem a pity.

It sounds as if they’re talking about nothing more serious than

a corn husk. Relieved, Rodrigues draws away from the window and

rests his head against the cell wall.

82

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my

prayer.

FLIES BUZZ around his face. He SHOOS them away with his hand,

then HEARS the SOUND of someone RUNNING ACROSS the prison yard.

Then a kind of STEELY WHOOSHING SOUND...

...and then ANOTHER SOUND. A dull CLAP OF IMPACT. Curious,

Rodrigues RETURNS to the window in time to see Juan’s severed

head coming ROLLING past him in the dust.

Rodrigues RECOILS. Official #1 and the Guard watch as Juan’s

headless body drops to the ground. There are SCREAMS from the

hut as the Guard DRAGS Juan’s headless body to the RECENTLY DUG

HOLES in the yard and DUMPS it in. Rodrigues SHUDDERS at the

sight.

Official # 1 stands in the doorway of the hut, speaking loudly

now, for all to hear.

OFFICIAL # 1

You’ve seen an example of what can

happen. Now here is a perfect example

of how to avoid that fate. Bring him

out here.

Guards HAUL Kichijiro to the fumie.

OFFICIAL # 1

Go ahead. Just put your foot there.

See how easy it is for him? I admit,

he’s had practice. But look how simple

the movement is.

Kichijiro, dressed only in a loincloth, puts his foot on the

face of Christ.

OFFICIAL # 1 (cont'd)

It’s not even as hard as bowing. Is

it? Is it?

Kichijiro NODS his head.

OFFICIAL # 1

Or running. Now go! Get out of here!

You see...

He addresses the Prisoners now as Kichijiro DASHES for the

prison gate...through the long RIBBON OF BLOOD on the ground

from Juan’s body.

83

OFFICIAL # 1

He lived up to his obligation. We

stand by ours.

Kichijiro vanishes into the busy street outside.

The Officials leave the hut. Guards take the prisoners back to

their cell. The ordinary quiet of the yard is restored.

Rodrigues stares into the bright stillness as if searching for

something.

RODRIGUES:

“Eternal Lord of all things, I make my

offering with Your favor and help. For

Your greater service and praise, I

wish and desire to imitate you in

bearing all injuries and offenses...”

The words turn to dust in his mouth. His LIPS move but no sound

comes out.

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

Martyrdom. Holy martyrdom. Is that

what this is?...

ON THESE LAST WORDS, CUT TO: the trail of Juan’s blood in the

dust of the prison yard. Then back to..

RODRIGUES (V.O.)

...what I’ve been preparing for?

Praying for? But when I pray now I

feel I’m blaspheming. And You answer

with all I deserve. With silence.

His VOICE fades out, until only the SOUND of the cicadas is

heard. And all that’s left in the yard are the shifting shadows

of the passing Guards.

CUT TO:

92 INT. INQUISITOR’S OFFICE DUSK 92

A BOWL OF HOT WATER is set in front of Inoue, who NODS in a

comradely fashion to Rodrigues, seated across from him.

The Interpreter hands the priest ANOTHER BOWL OF WATER, which

is HOT to the touch. Rodrigues places it on the ground. He is

distracted, uneasy. Unsettled by the violence he’s witnessed.

INOUE:

I’m sorry I’ve neglected you for some

days now, Padre, but I had business in

Hirado. I hope you’ll get to go there

yourself sometime.

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