The Ark Page #2

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We don't need to invent a God

to explain who we are any more.

We have science.

And what can science do exactly? Except

marvel at God's work and document it.

My brother-in-law is a scientist.

He says the universe created itself,

that man himself is God.

Well, in that case...

Have him make me one of these.

Enough now.

You shouldn't preach at a man

when you're drinking his wine.

'Have him make me one of these.'

(Both laugh).

So you live out in the country.

Don't you get bored?

We're usually too busy to get bored.

Doing what?

Working.

Ever been dancing?

I could take you.

No, I can't.

Why not?

- Are you not allowed?

- Yes.

Well, then?

Well...

Mum...

Yeah?

Me and Salit have been talking.

Oh?

About maybe building our own house.

Is something wrong?

No, no. We just thought it'd be nice to,

you know, have our own space.

I see.

We could still be close by,

even have meals together...

...and it wouldn't affect

any of our chores on the farm.

I'd still come to work every day

and do everything I do now.

- So everything'd be exactly the same.

- Yeah.

Then why go to the trouble

of building a house?

I'm teasing you.

Of course you should

have your own house.

Truth is, I can't believe

it's taken you this long to bring it up.

(Laughs).

What about Dad?

Your father will be fine.

He does what I tell him.

Bit like you and Salit.

(Rumbling).

They're back.

Was everything all right?

Yeah, fine. We got everything we needed.

And Kenan?

I think he's seen enough of the city

to put him off ever going there again.

So, how was it?

Wasn't so bad.

It was only a matter of time.

Yeah, I suppose so.

I was thinking,

we should let them have the back field.

It's close enough so

they can hear us call...

...but it's just far enough away

so they can have some privacy.

You do know that once Shem and Salit go,

the rest won't be far behind.

We'll be rattling around

this place on our own.

How on earth will you manage?

Stuck here on your own with me?

You know what I mean.

I remember when you used to beg

to be left on your own with me.

Right, fine. Let them all move out then.

And what makes you think

I want to be left alone with you?

Well...

Don't, stop it.

(Squealing from behind the wall)...

...(Moaning)...

...(Giggling)...

...(Muffled voices)...

...(Music and chanting).

Got the eggs.

- Here you go.

- Thank you.

- Hey.

- What? What?

(Laughs)...

- Dad, come on. Breakfast.

- Yeah.

How many more pieces?

What you got? Do your best.

All right, that's it, come on.

Kenan?

Wash your hands.

- Kenan.

- I'm coming, Mum.

He's washing his hands.

God, we thank you for the food you put

on our table and the gift of family.

Thank you.

OTHERS:
Thank you.

(Overlapping voices).

It seems that Shem and Salit

want to build their own house.

Maybe it's time you all

started thinking about...

...the future and having

your own land to work.

- Our own land?

- We thought we'd split the land into four.

You each take your own section.

We'll have our own farms?

Well, and as for rent, you simply provide

for your parents in their old age.

Well, all right,

as long as you don't eat too much.

(Laughter)

- (Mock laughter)...

- So we can all build our own houses?

- In time.

The land will be yours,

you can do what you want...

...(Overlapping voices).

Pass that.

Two, three, four, five...

Keep going.

Here?

That good?

A bit further?

You don't want it to be on a hill.

Mark it out.

Shem, how are you getting on?

Let's have a look.

Your turn will come.

You'll find a wife, build

your own house too.

It's strange to know everything.

Like your whole life

is just already mapped out for you.

- Well, you'd rather it wasn't?

- No.

Well, maybe sometimes, yeah.

Oh. A little excitement?

Step into the unknown?

Is that wrong?

No.

Do you trust me?

Of course.

Then believe me when I tell you

there is nothing out there in the world...

...that is better than what we have here.

I know.

Don't be frightened, Noah.

I mean you no harm.

Where did you come from? Who are you?

I am just the messenger.

I don't understand.

I think you do.

Don't forget your faith,

Noah, nor question it.

It's your faith that's brought you here.

And because of it, all of mankind

will one day be in your debt.

You're from God.

There is such beauty here.

The heat of the sun to warm you,

food that springs up from the earth itself.

Man should want for nothing.

Yet he wants for everything.

But you're content.

I have my home, my family...

And as you said, I have the sun to warm me

and food springs from the ground.

God had such hopes for man.

Such love.

But there is violence.

Arrogance.

A hatred of those who are different to you.

A world run by money-lenders

and war-mongers.

Where one man grows fat,

yet happily watches whilst another starves.

Where old men use the bodies of children

to feed their desires.

But there is still love in the world.

Not all men have turned away from God.

Then it shall be put to the test.

How?

God is to send a great

flood to cleanse the...

...earth from the stain

that man has put upon it.

He will bring up the water of the earth

and it will engulf the world.

The flood will destroy every

living thing that God...

...has made and wipe all

trace of it from the earth.

No. My family.

Don't be afraid.

You're to be the salvation of man.

A testament to God's mercy.

A beacon to a new world.

Proof that a good man

will always be loved by his God.

You and your wife, your

sons and their wives,

will be saved.

But what about others? Good people who...

...have done no wrong.

You can't just kill them.

The good will never die.

But any who choose to believe you,

they can also be saved.

You are to build an ark,

made of gopher wood.

Layered for strength

and covered with pitch inside and out.

It will be 300 cubits long,

50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high.

Make it three storeys,

with a single window to

withstand the deluge.

A door that can be raised to allow entry

and sealed again.

Once the flood comes,

only those who board the ark will live.

I'm not sure I can find enough wood...

...or enough people who share my faith

to fill it if I did.

God would not ask if it were not possible.

When the time comes, before the deluge.

God will also send you beast and fowl

and creatures he has chosen to join you...

...when the waters subside.

And when will this flood come?

Build your ark, think of nothing else

and let nothing come before it.

God watches.

When the ark is ready,

the flood will begin.

Above all, Noah, never doubt your faith.

But I'm just one man. How...

Well, say something.

I don't know what to say.

Well, that you believe me?

I believe that you believe it.

Oh, you think I've had too much sun?

I'm going mad?

I know what I saw.

What I heard.

Noah, you can't just tell

me something like this...

...and expect me to take it in my stride.

Until you came home,

the biggest thing on my mind

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