The Robe Page #3

But think how we make it possible

for those in Rome to enjoy themselves.

I am thinking about it.

Pilate's given orders to arrest that fanatic.

Remember? The day you arrived?

Yes, the Messiah. What did he do?

He's been preaching,

stirring up a commotion.

- Why don't you arrest him?

- It's not easy.

Pilate wants it done quietly.

The man's got half the people on his side.

We've got to find out where he is at night.

And that is like finding

one particular ant in an ant hill.

Vinegar, like the rest of it. I hope you drown.

I don't care how you handle it, Centurion.

Just do your duty.

There's one way that never fails.

But it'll cost you some money.

Demetrius, how much is left in the purse?

- Eight gold pieces and some silver, sir.

- That should be enough.

Give him the purse.

Give him the purse.

What's the matter with you?

I'll report later. Tribune.

Pour me some of that wine.

Demetrius?

Demetrius.

Friend. Friend, could you help me?

I'm looking for the carpenter

from Galilee, the one called Jesus.

- What do you want with him?

- I must warn him. I'm a slave like you are.

You're not even clever, you Roman spy.

Wait.

You. Stop.

- I'm looking for the man called Jesus.

- Who?

- The one they say is the Messiah.

- I never heard of him.

Can you help me? I'm looking for a man.

- A man? What's his name?

- Jesus. I must warn him.

You're too late.

Even now he is before Pilate.

- They found him?

- He was betrayed to them,

and by one he loved and trusted.

By his disciple, who sat at his left hand.

Why?

Because men are weak.

Because they are cursed

with envy and cowardice.

Because they can dream of truth,

but cannot live with it, they doubt.

They doubt, the fools.

Why must men betray

themselves with doubts?

Tell them, the others. Find them

and tell them not to doubt.

Even now, not to doubt.

Tell them to keep their faith.

They must keep faith.

Wait. Tell who?

- Who are you?

- My name is Judas.

Tribune, wake up.

Come on. Do I have to drag you?

Duty calls, if the word

means anything to you.

- What is it?

- The governor wants you.

- At this hour?

- Come. Pilate doesn't like to be kept waiting.

Sir, I need your help.

Where's my helmet?

- I spoke to you of the man Jesus.

- Yes, the fanatic.

- He's been arrested, sir.

- What do you expect me to do about it?

Intercede for him.

Make them see that he's innocent.

No. When his trial comes up, I'll look into it.

What's he supposed to have done?

He's already been tried.

He's been condemned by Pilate himself.

- Pilate?

- You're going there, sir.

If he stains his hands with this blood,

he's a murderer.

That's enough. Pilate's the governor,

the Roman governor.

As far as I'm concerned,

that ends the matter.

- As far as you're concerned, too.

- Ready?

Yes.

For your own good,

you'd better forget you ever saw this man.

- I don't like to be kept waiting, Tribune.

- I'm sorry, sir. I came as soon as I could.

I have special orders for you.

You're to report to the emperor at Capri.

You must have powerful friends at court.

- I suppose I have, sir.

- There'll be a galley at the end of the week.

I have one task before you leave. It's routine.

An execution. Today.

- Three criminals.

- Yes, sir.

One of them's a fanatic. He has a following.

There may be some trouble,

some attempt to interfere.

- Take enough men.

- I understand, sir.

I've had a miserable night. Factions,

no one agreeing with anyone else.

Even my wife had an opinion.

Good luck. I'm sorry to lose you.

- Thank you, sir.

- Give me water to wash my hands.

- But you just washed them, my lord.

- Did I?

So I did.

Some wine before you go, gentlemen?

- No.

- You'd better.

- Your first crucifixion, isn't it?

- Yes.

What? Never driven nails into a man's flesh?

Hail our king. Our king.

Make way.

- Is it night?

- No.

It's the middle of the day.

This isn't like other days.

Your go, Paulus.

Four.

You're lucky today, Tribune. I'm finished.

- I'm always lucky.

- You. Bring me that robe.

- I have a proposition for you, Tribune.

- What?

You'll see.

- Hurry up.

- What's the matter with that slave?

- Where did you find him, Tribune?

- Throw the dice again, Paulus.

Mine by right of possession.

First-class homespun,

previously owned by a carpenter of Galilee.

How much will you risk against it?

- 11.

- Tribune?

Lucky again.

Tribune Gallio's first battle trophy,

for victory over the king of the Jews.

We've done our duty, Centurion.

No need to joke about it.

You can say that. You're going back

to Capri to kiss the emperor's hand.

I have to stay here in this sinkhole.

- Get back to your post.

- Let me go.

- They say the storm's a judgment.

- Superstitious idiot.

- They say he's the Son of God.

- Maybe he is. I don't know.

Father, forgive them,

for they know not what they do.

Throw that cloth over me.

Didn't you hear me?

Throw that cloth over me.

Take it off.

Take it off.

Take it off.

You crucified him.

You, my master.

But you've freed me.

I'll never serve you again, you Roman pig.

Masters of the world, you call yourselves.

Thieves. Murderers.

Jungle animals.

A curse on you.

A curse on your empire.

There it is again, sir.

No.

No. No.

Stop it. Stop it.

Stop it. Why don't you stop it?

- Stop what, sir?

- Were you out there?

Out where, sir?

I'm sorry.

A nightmare.

It must have been a nightmare.

- We should put him in irons, sir.

- He's a tribune.

I don't care. He's dangerous.

If he asks me once more "Were you

out there?" in that tone of voice...

I haven't slept since we left Joppa.

My lady.

My lady, he is here.

What's wrong, Marcellus? You're ill.

- What is it? Let me help you.

- No one can help me.

It's enough that I'm with you again.

Let's sit here.

You can have no trouble so great

that I'd be afraid to share it.

Ever since I went away

you've been in my heart.

Your voice in my ears,

your image in my eyes.

Waking and sleeping, you were with me.

And even more, since it happened.

- Since what happened?

- Every evening of the voyage,

a star appeared above the bow,

standing bright and steady in the sky,

as if sent to guide the ship home.

In my illness,

I thought you had sent it as a sign.

It became my one link with sanity.

Sanity? What do you mean?

What is it, Marcellus? Tell me.

- Marcellus?

- Don't come near me.

Keep away.

No, Marcellus. Don't.

My love, my poor love.

Tell me.

Soon enough you'll learn the truth.

I am ill, as you guessed.

But in my mind.

The truth is, I'm mad.

My lady?

- What is it?

- A message from the emperor.

He'll see Tribune Gallio at once.

Yes.

- You can't go now, not till you've rested.

- It's no use. He already knows.

The captain of the galley ran to

report to him as soon as we docked.

I'll go with you.

I can't ask you to.

But I want you to know

you're free from your promise.

Sire, Tribune Gallio is here

as you commanded.

But he was made ill by the voyage.

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