The Sign of the Cross Page #2

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If your brains were as good

as your smell for money...

Go back to that bake shop.

Ask for her.

If you can't find out

anything, watch for her.

Get out!

Marcus letting

Christians go free.

Why?

I don't know, yet.

But this is what

I've been waiting for...

to break his favor

with the Emperor...

and restore mine.

I like that cup of yours.

Would you sell it?

Why...

It's gold.

Would you mind?

Thank you.

I'm very thirsty.

In fact, I don't know when

I've ever been so thirsty.

In that case, you'd better

drink it, hadn't you?

Yeah, that's right.

Thanks. Thanks very much.

Don't you remember me?

Of course.

Well, then why run away?

You're not afraid of me,

are you?

No.

You're harmless enough.

In fact, quite different...

Different? From what?

What do you mean by that?

I mean...

many times I've seen you

riding through the streets...

the Prefect of Rome...

in your armor, with your guard,

and now you're so human.

Didn't you know I was?

Well, yes, I've heard of

your reputation. What do you...

You mean...

You mean, that I'm wicked?

Well, yes,

something like that.

Well, not all of it's true.

Perhaps not...

because your face doesn't

look like that. It's...

It's what?

Oh, I don't know.

It's just different. No, wait.

Is that a command?

I wouldn't do that.

You could,

being Prefect of Rome.

But I don't want to be Prefect

with you unless you try to leave me.

You were too hard to find.

Do you imagine you're just going

to walk away from me like this?

But I will, eventually.

But that would be a sin.

Didn't you know

you'd see me again...

and that I wouldn't

let you go?

I see your reputation

isn't altogether false.

Do you...

Do you dislike me?

No.

Well, you shouldn't.

You must like me.

In such things,

I always have my way.

No.

The Emperor commanded me to find you

and deliver this myself.

What is it?

Who is this girl?

I'm going.

No, wait.

You met her for the first time

today, didn't you?

What is this message?

I'll read it.

"To my well-beloved Marcus.

"The extermination of

Christians must continue.

"None may escape.

"Those who are dangerous

are instantly to be killed.

"The others are to be held

for death in the arena.

"This duty has long been

entrusted to you.

"I charge you to be faithful."

And the Emperor's seal.

I'm going.

I'll go with you.

I'd rather go alone.

By this order, Marcus,

any person even suspected...

I heard the order.

Then that is all.

Don't rush off like that.

One would say you wanted to

follow that girl.

At your age, too.

Absurd!

Why was this order given

me in the street?

Why were you so anxious

to find me?

The Emperor was anxious.

Did you make him that way?

I don't know what you mean.

She's out of sight.

Don't let me keep you.

And she's been

in here many times...

and you don't know

where she lives.

You're lying.

No. No, I'm not.

You know that it means death

to hide a Christian?

I'm not hiding her.

I've told you all I know.

Are you sure she

paid for the bread?

Yes.

And then...

Then she ran out...

and didn't take it with her.

Wait here.

She may come back.

Mercia, Bucco says he wonders

when he can have his soup bone.

Tell Bucco,

as soon as the soup's ready.

Bucco, aren't you ashamed

to hurry Mercia like that?

You know, Bucco, you and I

get hungry about the same time.

Greedy!

I wish you could stay

longer with us.

There's no time.

I must take this letter

of Paul's to Spain and Africa.

It's an inspiration...

to copy Paul's own word

and keep it.

Mercia! Mercia!

If you'll wait until I have finished

writing, I'll help you chop the carrots.

Mercia, water's dripping

from that jug.

Is it leaking?

I dropped it.

But I didn't know that...

It was surprising today,

wasn't it...

to see what Marcus Superbus

was really like?

In what way?

I mean...

as generous as that...

and likeable.

Yes, and he

used the whip.

He was taught to use that.

He should be untaught.

Do they all know about

the meeting tonight?

All except a few.

I'll send Stephan

to tell them.

Come on, come on.

Why send a child

on such an errand?

He's less likely

to be suspected.

You saw today what can happen.

Are they brother and sister?

No.

Their parents were

coated with pitch...

and burned as torches

to light up one of Nero's orgies.

They died like hundreds

of others lately...

holding to the truth.

Come here, Stephan.

Yes, Father.

Oh, I forgot the bread.

You know we meet tonight, don't you?

Yes.

In the ruins, at the grove?

I know, Father.

Well, go and tell

Melos and Caius.

Keep to the narrowest streets

and be careful you are not watched.

Stephan, you're not too hungry

to go before supper?

No, it won't take me long.

Stephan.

Do you know why

you must be careful?

Yes. Because there is danger.

Of what?

Death.

Stephan...

I saw the Master.

Did you?

I was in Jerusalem by the Damascus

Gate when he passed.

I saw him carrying the cross.

You know what he did for us?

He gave his life.

Yes.

If you had seen him, you would

love him as much as I.

I would gladly die for him.

Would you?

Yes.

You would not betray

any of us?

You would be faithful

even unto death?

Yes.

Stephan, wait!

I forgot the bread. Will you stop for it?

Yes. I'll need money.

No, I paid for it.

Just tell him, he'll remember.

He'll give it to me.

Tybul knows me.

Tybul! Tybul!

Mercia, told me to get...

Well, you're late today.

But we...

And you're lucky.

There's a loaf of bread left.

But Mercia forgot.

In a few minutes,

I'd have gone home...

and you'd have gone hungry,

young man.

Money first.

But Mercia paid for it.

Well... Don't you remember?

Of course you do.

She laid the money

right here and ran out.

Give it to me. We'll need it

for supper, please.

Night.

Come on.

I'm not certain

of these words.

"According to his mercy,

he saved us."

Stephan?

No, that isn't the knock we use.

Who's there?

Open!

Who are you?

Marcus Superbus.

Better let him in. But, without

any evidence he may...

Oh, why distrust him?

Open!

Mercia, go into

the other room.

Good evening.

A bolted door

isn't very friendly.

We never mean to bolt it

against a friend.

We are honored, Excellence.

Is there something you want?

Yes, but I don't see

what I want.

You were very kind today,

Excellence. We thank you again.

Never mind that.

Where is Mercia?

May I ask what

you want with her?

You're too old to understand.

It's only a letter.

Yes. So, I see.

I don't want to know what sort

of letter it is. At least, not tonight.

If you are Christians, it won't

matter much to you, of course.

You're old. You haven't long to live anyway.

Mercia has most of her life before her.

Why haven't you sent her away,

out of danger?

Is that what you've come

to tell me?

No.

I'll save you the trouble of

sending her away.

I have come to

take her myself.

What do you mean?

Just what I say.

Is it her safety

you're concerned about?

Well, that first, yes.

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