The Last Days of Pompeii Page #4

would be well content to share.

- Share?

- A sudden foray, desperate men...

-...led by the sort of man I think you are.

- I have no men to lead.

The dungeons here are crowded...

...with just the men

for such a lawless enterprise.

Well...

...the interview is ended.

- But, Excellency-

- Goodbye.

Oh, and one thing more.

It has been prophesied

that four nights hence...

a horse dealer will sleep at the inn...

...in the village of Amman

across the Jordan.

Why, Excellency?

Oh, merely a prophecy.

I thought you believed in prophecies.

I should believe in this one

if I were you.

- I believe in you, Excellency.

- Not in my official capacity, please.

As an official, I shall have

forgotten you in an hour.

As a private citizen...

...I shall look forward with interest

to your return to Jerusalem.

Goodbye.

Master, what are we waiting for?

- Why are we here in Amman?

- Oh, don't worry me.

- Go in and see if Flavius is asleep.

- Yes, master.

Are you the horse dealer

who believes in prophecies?

- What do you mean?

- I don't know what I mean.

- That's what I was told to say.

- Yes.

I'm the horse dealer

who believes in prophecies.

Oh, you are, eh? Well, here we are.

- Who's we?

- Your men.

All been in jail just long enough

to be spoiling for a fight.

If you think you're able to handle us,

you'd better start in trying.

How's that for a start?

That's all right.

I've got a lot more. Wait here.

Leaster, don't wake Flavius.

I'm leaving at once.

- Yes, master.

- No, not you.

When morning comes

take him back along the road we came.

There's a village this side of Jericho.

Eleah, it's called.

- Where we stayed with the woman

- Yes, wait there.

Yes, master.

I can do it, my son.

All that I owe you,

everything I've promised...

...this venture means all that.

The baggage...

What do you need for your journey?

Nothing but my sword.

Ready

So this is my army.

A fine lot of cutthroats.

- In a fight, you'll run like rats.

- It's a lie. We want to fight.

Keep your mouth shut. I'm talking.

I was once Marcus, the gladiator.

Now, I'm your leader.

If any man doubts that, speak up.

We're going to raid the Ammonites.

They have horses, you're on foot.

They are fighters.

I don't know what you are.

But you'll come back riding

or you won't come back at all.

Bad day for the Ammonites, eh?

These men don't wanna go back

to Jerusalem, do they?

- Well, they'd be safer in hell.

- They'd better scatter then.

They can keep the horses

they're riding.

What about me?

What do I get before I leave?

You're not leaving.

Well, I can't go back to Jerusalem

I know too many jailers there.

You're going with me.

- To Jerusalem?

- And then to Pompeii.

I'll fix it. You're a good man, Burbix.

- Nobody ever told me that before

- Maybe "useful" is the word.

Do you want to hear

something really funny?

- Yes.

- I trust you.

- You can.

- You're in charge. I'll ride on ahead.

I don't have to tell you to guard

those packhorses well.

You don't think I'm a fool, do you?

I know the loot's on them.

All right. I'll see you in Eleah.

- What's so important in Eleah, a woman?

- No, a child.

I've done it, Leaster. We're rich.

And it's only the beginning.

- Master.

- Where's Flavius? Flavius!

Master, don't. He can't hear you.

- Why not?

- He-- He--

Flavius.

It happened yesterday.

A traveller was at the inn...

...his horse outside.

Flavius mounted somehow.

The horse took fright and threw him.

He hasn't moved nor spoken since.

This can't be.

It can't be.

Not again.

I will not let it be.

Such skill as I have in medicine

is useless.

- Doctors.

- There are none nearer than Jerusalem.

Then I'll ride to Jerusalem.

Carry him before me.

His heart is scarcely beating now.

On such a ride

it would surely stop forever.

Flavius.

Flavius, I've brought you everything.

Happiness, riches. It's all for you.

There's a young man, a wandering healer

passing through the village...

...on his way to Jerusalem.

The poor people call him master and lord.

- What can he do?

- Perhaps he can help.

What harm to ask?

Master.

Lord.

Have mercy on my son.

Flavius...

...my son.

What does the teacher require of me?

I'll give him as much money as he wants.

He won't take money.

Whatever a man can do,

I'll do for him.

- There must be something. He's poor.

- Poor?

He's the richest man in the world.

His Excellency will come here

as soon as the trial is over.

I hope so. Two clays lying hidden

in his palace like a thief is--

Please, like a confidential messenger.

You may be glad I concealed you

until Pontius could see you.

Luckily you've seen no one

and no one has seen you.

A messenger from Herod

arrived last night.

- It seems the Ammonites were raided.

- Really?

And Herod demands punishment

of the guilty men.

Well, then let me get out of town.

Those horses we stole are--

I sent those horses round the city

to wait for me beyond the gates.

My son and my old slave are with them.

They won't know what's happened to me.

Let me give Pontius my accounting.

You'll see him

as soon as the trial's over.

- Whose trial is it?

- A man accused of treason.

He wanted to be a king.

Then be ye all witness to this.

I am innocent of the blood

of this just person.

I have washed my hands of it.

The prophetic horse dealer.

A successful journey?

The treasure of the Ammonites

was not overrated.

Will you send for your secretary

and see that I've divided fairly?

- There's no need. You won't cheat me.

- No, Excellency.

You've done more for my son

and me than any man can--

Than any man can thank you for.

What have I done?

What have I done?

Excellency.

I am not myself.

Just now I have been forced

to condemn someone.

Poor man.

I found no fault in him.

But I must try to keep the peace.

Violence...

...unreason, hatred.

Oh, let men wallow in the quicksand

they have made of life.

- Pin your faith to gold, Marcus

- I chose it long ago.

You're wise. Now go.

You must leave Jerusalem

with your loot.

- Herod's messenger is here.

- I know.

I haven't seen him yet.

I'll contrive to delay him until you're

out of reach. You've no time to lose.

Thanks to you,

I'll be a rich man someday.

Take care. There's tumult in

the city, crowds and rioting.

Mobs quickly turn to looting.

Guard your gold carefully, Marcus.

After all I've clone to get it, neither

god nor man shall take it from me.

- What's happening?

- The executions.

The mob going with

the condemned man.

Every cutthroat in the city

is in that mob.

- If they suspect what's on them-

- You'll lose your gold.

- Can we get through that way?

- Yes.

Quick, bring the horses. Hurry!

Take the horses through. I'll come last.

You. God be praised.

- Save him.

- Who?

The teacher. The master.

- He is condemned?

- Yes, look!

You said you'd do anything.

You have a sword. They'll crucify him.

- What can I do? One man alone?

- You can die for him.

Come on, you'll lose your treasure.

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