The Ark Page #3

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was whether I should change the beds...

...or leave them one more day.

Now it's that God's going to send a flood

and the world's going to end.

I'm sorry.

I know how it sounds...

I'm not sure you do.

All right, let's say you're not mad, for

now, and you really did see this Messenger.

Yeah.

How do you know it wasn't

some lunatic escaped from somewhere,

- going around trying to frighten people?

- I just know.

- How?

- Well, it's hard to explain...

...but when he spoke, Emmie, I just...

I just knew it was the truth.

I could feel it inside, a warmth, a love.

There was no doubt. I

didn't even question it.

- And he told you to build a boat?

- An ark.

- 50 times the size of the house?

- Yeah.

And God's going to send animals to fill it?

Won't they all eat each other?

Oh, I don't know how it's

all supposed to work.

But everything he said, Emmie, it's all...

...the things I've been

saying for all these years.

The world has gone wrong somewhere,

people are selfish and cruel.

No-one believes in God any more.

And that's a reason for them all to die?

Well, they don't have to.

What's going to happen isn't a secret.

I can tell them about the ark.

Anyone can change. Huh.

'Come with us.'

What?

It hasn't rained for a year and you're

building a boat. People will laugh at you.

Oh, you're worried I'll embarrass you?

What do you want me to say?

Just accept that my husband

has been told by God to build a giant boat,

70 miles from the sea,

because it's going to rain so hard,

the world's going to be washed away?

And not to worry...

...about how it will affect

our sons? Their wives?

Everything we have.

- But God has chosen us.

- No. He's chosen you.

I don't want to be chosen.

Could you even build such a thing?

I think so, if we all do it together.

While still running the farm?

Feeding the animals, working the fields,

bringing the crops in?

We've just given the boys their own land.

And so if we left everything

to concentrate on building this boat,

this ark,

then that's it?

We just let the farm die around us?

When the flood comes,

the farm will be useless anyway.

And you're so sure

that you would gamble your home,

everything we've worked for

and the lives of your family?

Yes.

- What do we tell the children?

- The truth.

A boat?

Yes.

To save us and the animals from a flood?

Yes.

Couldn't we just go to high ground?

It won't be that kind of flood.

It will take away everything.

Well, speak your minds.

It does sound a bit... impractical.

Whatever we all think,

your father intends to build this thing.

There is no choice. I build it or we die.

And everything else

we have to put aside until it's done.

- But you've just given us all our own land.

- I know.

What, so now you're telling us

we have to watch that land go to ruin,

- while we build some stupid boat?

- Shem.

No. Let him speak.

You said we could build our house,

you said everyone would help.

I'm sorry.

All right, let's say we do this...

We abandon all our land, let the crops die,

the animals let loose

to fend for themselves.

What if we do all that

and the flood doesn't come?

- It will.

- But what if it doesn't...

I know what I've said is

hard for you to take in...

...and I know you don't share my beliefs.

But I have to do this.

Either with my sons or on my own.

We can't lose everything

we've all worked for.

And you've no right to ask that of us.

And for what?

To build some boat

on the edge of the desert?

I love you, we all do,

and you couldn't've been a better father.

But you taught me to take care of my family

above all else and that's what I have to do.

So you build your boat

if you believe that's what you must do.

But I'll build my house as we planned

and take care of the farm.

Ham?

Shem's right, Dad.

I'm sorry.

I want to help you...

but we can't just let everything die.

All right, someone needs to say it.

Say what?

What if it is real, what if Dad isn't mad

and he did see an angel?

What if this flood does come?

Look around you.

There isn't going to be any flood.

He's lost his mind.

But it's still Dad.

But he's ill.

And until he's better, we make sure there's

still a farm for him to come back to.

Noah, please don't do this.

We need nails, rope, more tools.

Send the boys, let them fetch them.

People have a right to know.

- They won't listen to you. You know that.

- It doesn't matter if they listen or not.

What matters is that I tell them.

Kenan, get down.

He needs someone to help load the cart.

- Leave him, I'll take care of him.

- Mum?

They're going to the city

to tell them about the ark.

Dad, don't. They'll just laugh at you.

I have to make them understand.

You must tell your families

to come to the ark.

Dad, you can't say these

things in the city.

Noah, please.

Listen to me, I'm begging you.

They'll hurt you.

- We'll go with him.

- No. No.

You will stay here.

Look after your mother and your wives.

Emmie, Emmie, don't you understand?

If I think only of myself

then I'm no better than they are.

And is that who you want me to be now?

One of them?

Then if you really love me.

Let me be the man that you love.

Go.

OK, come on, hey.

You remember how to

get to the courtyard?

Paul, who we met last time...

- Yeah.

- OK.

Now this is a list.

Listen, have him bring everything here.

Go straight there, don't stop for anything,

don't talk to anyone on the way.

- I won't.

- Go. OK.

I've got a message. I have...

Listen, everyone.

Please listen to me.

I have...

It's all right, I'll bring it back.

Listen to me...

Listen to me.

Everyone listen to me.

Li...

God has sent me a message for all of you.

He is sickened by what man has become,

what you have become.

You neglect your children, let them roam

around the streets like wild animals...

...while you concern yourselves

for your own desires.

Paul, I have a list from my father.

You deny the existence of God.

- There is no God.

- No...

God is to send a flood.

A deluge of water that

will cleanse the earth...

...of the stench of man

and what he has become.

This flood will wash away

all the possessions...

...that you hold so dear...

...and it will kill everything

that walks upon the earth.

He's asked me to build a boat.

An ark that will save

only those who still believe in him.

(Jeering).

He still loves you and he will spare you

if you only turn back to Him.

Come to the ark.

You have to believe me.

- Agh.

- (Laughter and jeering).

Get back. Get back.

Paul, help him.

Get back.

- Please.

- (Angry jeering).

Get him home. Get him home.

Don't worry,

my dad gets a bit cranky too sometimes.

I'm glad you came, though.

Me too.

One of my friends is

having a party tonight.

Can you stay?

Another five minutes

and they'd have strung you up.

It's the truth.

No. The truth is you insult

their intelligence...

...by telling them they've got no control

over their own destinies.

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