The Silver Chalice Page #2

in a house of mourning.

Let us have done with it.

If you will not go peaceably...

...take him to the man

to whom he has been sold.

Sold?

You have no right to sell me.

Why not?

A master is privileged to sell his property.

May I wish Long Life and good health...

...to the new master of the house.

I'm at your command, my Lord Linus.

It is quite true.

That perjurer is a sniveling Little toady.

My Lady, our silver pieces are famous.

They bring the highest prices.

You will see them in the finest houses

from Damascus to Rome.

That is why I've come to you.

They tell me that all this

is the work of your slave.

May I speak to him?

Why?

Because I want him to fashion

a medallion similar to this one.

Where is this slave of yours?

You need not trouble yourself.

I will show it to him.

Oh, no. I must explain to him

how it is to be done.

I'm very particular about it.

Is this your workshop?

I have something to show you.

My Lady wants

a perfect match to the medallion.

No.

No more work. I have done enough.

I demand that I be set free.

He's trying to escape again.

Do something.

This time I will escape, or I'll pull

the place down upon your head.

Will you give me my freedom?

This is your Last chance, I warn you.

Are you going to give me my freedom?

Answer me. Freedom.

Are you waiting for him to murder

your poor wife? Call the guard.

Guard! Guard! Guard!

Guard! Guard! Guard! Help!

Guard!

Guard. Help.

Helena.

Is it really you?

My poor dear Basil.

I couldn't believe it

when I was told you were a slave.

I'm glad the world

has been good to you, Helena.

I've seen most of it

since I Left here years ago.

I have a great deal to tell you.

Last night, I met Linus.

Where?

He was drinking with some Roman officers,

friends of mine.

He's going to have you killed.

Why? Is he plagued by the fear

that I still might claim my fortune?

Yes.

Be careful of strangers,

for they may be sent by Linus.

Stand back.

Stand back!

You can see for yourself

our slave has run away.

Head of mutton.

Wasting my time with your alarms.

Open up.

The hour is Late,

but if you wish to buy something-

I do.

You have a slave who is called Basil.

I thought you said

you wanted to buy something.

-I want to buy your slave.

-He's not for sale.

Not even for 50 Roman aurei?

Which is more than double

the amount you paid for him.

How do you know what we paid for him?

-I know more than you think I do.

-No.

If our slave is valuable to you,

then he is even more valuable to us.

Wait here.

The years have made you

addled in the head.

Let us take this man's gold.

But what will my Lord Linus do

when he finds we've sold Basil?

In the morning,

we shall go to the authorities...

...and tell them that a valuable slave

has run away...

...demanding aid of the Law

in finding him.

Then we shall have

both the money and the slave.

But hell ask me

to sign a document of sale.

Sign it.

Tomorrow,

we will denounce it as a forgery.

What a comfort to have

such a thoughtful wife.

There's a man to see you.

-Who is he?

-A stranger.

What does he want?

Slaves are not supposed

to ask questions.

I warn you,

keep strangers away from me.

You may go up now.

Here, take these to break his chains.

Who are you?

My name is Luke.

Who sent you here?

Linus?

No.

Here.

I've come to set you free.

Why?

Although you're a slave in chains,

your fame as an artist...

...as a worker in silver,

has reached Jerusalem.

-I have been sent to bring you there.

-What for?

I am bound to a measure of silence,

but this I can tell you.

There's a sacred Christian relic which

must be enshrined beautifully in silver...

...and given to the world

in all its holiness.

No man has ever been entrusted

with such a sublime task.

Do you Live in Jerusalem?

No, but I go there often.

I am a Greek, Like you.

A physician of Bithynia.

Also a Christian.

I do not believe that is the real reason

you have come to me.

Since when are Christians devoted to art?

They ignore beautiful things man has made.

I've seen them do it countless times.

Christians can change their minds

about everything.

Except God.

Every Christian you meet

has changed his mind...

...or he wouldn't be a Christian.

You talk Well...

...but I believe

you were sent here to kill me.

No, I was not sent to kill you.

But others were,

and unless I am badly mistaken...

...they are here now.

I'd hoped you would be gone

before they arrived.

-How did you know they were coming?

-A Little knowledge.

And a healthy instinct for danger...

...which every Christian

must have today to survive.

Forgiving our enemies is not enough.

It is equally important

to know what they are Likely to do.

Open up!

Why did you keep me waiting outside?

Forgive us.

We were sleeping, my Lord Linus.

Where is your slave?

-What have you done with him?

-He must've escaped While we slept.

-He's tried to escape so many times.

-How could he break his chains?

He may have friends

who could Help him secretly.

I saw a stranger Looking about tonight.

There's no doubt of it.

That's the way they went,

over the rooftops.

An outrage, my Lord...

...that a man and his property aren't safe

even in his own house.

This is a matter for the Roman command.

Now that he's a runaway slave,

hell be put to death when he's found.

Hall, Cesnel.

Simon the Magician

has started his entertainment.

Our brave officers are waiting.

A woman should always

keep officers waiting, but not too Long.

Laugh.

Laugh, Laugh when we tickle you.

He doesn't Like it

when we tickle him.

-Let's try it again.

-That's better.

Helena. Helena.

-Helena.

-Helena.

-My Lady.

-Rest your swords, my heroes.

Only sport.

Why should officers have all the fun?

Rest your swords, I say.

I am called Mijamin.

I've come to see Simon the Magician.

It's a matter of great urgency.

Why do you wish to see Simon?

Come, you may tell me.

We've been together for many years.

I'm willing to pay for his time.

I've told my slave to show you

to our Lodgings down the road.

Wait for us there.

-May I borrow your helmet?

-My pleasure, Simon.

As you can see, it is quite empty.

What have we here?

There was no rabbit there.

I swear on my children.

-Helena, my pretty one.

-Helena, my Love.

Wine will taste better

if our beautiful Helena pours it.

Come, give my wine

the magic that is you.

Have I ever failed you, my hero?

-Over here, Helena. Over here.

-Helena.

Hall, Lucius Niger.

My curly-headed ram.

Where is there anyone Like you,

my Lovely?

And you saved

the Last of your wine for me.

Don't be too sure of that.

Ah! Hey! Oh!

What maddening perfume is this?

It will reek of wine from your Lips,

and then you will find me distasteful.

Never.

Your jug is empty again, Helena.

Trust me.

Would I neglect such a brave

and handsome soldier?

Let me Lose battles, but not you, Helena.

-Helena!

-And I still have some Left for you.

-Helena.

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