The Silver Chalice Page #5

-What's his name?

-He has no name, because he is a Lady.

-A Lady?

To come quickly to the point,

a beautiful Lady.

A very beautiful Lady.

I know of no beautiful-

Is she in Jerusalem?

I had seen her only fleetingly

before I Left Antioch.

It seems to have made a deeper impression

on the beautiful Lady.

Don't go.

I've kept my part of the bargain.

What of yours?

Where can I see this Lady?

Tonight, if you Like, when she will appear

with Simon the Magician.

-It's growing.

-It's ripe.

Look.

-Is he not marvelous?

-Yes, he is.

-Hey, hey, hey.

-Please.

-Here, here, give it to me.

-To me.

-Here, to me.

-Throw it to me.

-Throw it here to me.

-Give it to me.

-Give it to me.

-Me, me, please.

If you find it sweet...

...think of me,

and hunger for even sweeter fruit.

A simple trick.

Any trickster Living can do it with ease.

I offer it first, so that you may judge

better of what follows.

Strange things I shall now show...

...do not depend

on the quickness of the hand.

Hear me, O people of Jerusalem.

There is a true magic.

A magic of the spirit

which has been divinely given me.

It is said that on one occasion...

...Jesus caused tongues of flame

to appear above the heads...

...of those men

whom he called his disciples.

Is it desired that I, Simon...

...demonstrate my powers

by repeating this miracle?

Yes, yes, show us, Simon.

Shall he not do it?

Shall he not do it?

Show us, Simon, show us.

It shall be as you say...

...but three citizens

will be needed to assist me.

So that there may not be

any suggestion of collusion...

...I ask that only those

of established reputation...

...and who are known to you take part.

I would have you certain

I practice no deception.

Banish all thoughts from your minds.

Be receptive of the power

I shall send you.

And suddenly, there came a sound

from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind...

...and it filled all the house

where they were seated.

And there appeared unto them

cloven tongues as of fire...

...and it sat upon each of them.

So it is written, so it shall be.

One.

Two.

Three.

A miracle.

My eyes have seen a miracle.

A miracle.

-A miracle.

-A miracle.

-A miracle.

-A miracle.

Blasphemy!

Who is she?

A trick, a sinful trick.

Who is she? Who is she?

Pay no heed to that woman.

She's demented, possessed of the devil.

Let me go.

Help me, my friends,

to denounce this sacrilege.

Be still, woman. Do you not see

you are in the presence of a holy man?

People of Jerusalem,

tell this woman we believe in Simon.

Yes, yes, we believe in Simon.

We believe in Simon.

Come, Let us tell him we believe.

We believe! We believe! We believe!

We believe! We believe!

Stop. Stop!

There are some here who know me,

and many who know my grandfather.

Hear me.

Do not turn to this false prophet...

...who would make you believe that

our savior was a mere magician Like him.

That the divine miracles were tricks.

-Yes, down with Simon.

-Down with Simon.

-Down with Simon.

-Down with Simon.

Down with Simon.

Let us tell this unbeliever to be gone!

Be gone.

-Silence.

-Unbelievable.

If there be any among you foolish enough

to doubt my powers...

...Let him take one step more.

Then will I turn him

into a pillar of stone...

...never to breathe

the breath of Life again.

Let me pass. I'm not afraid.

Do not go further, Deborra. I beg of you.

He can turn you into stone.

He has the power.

No, Basil.

Only God has the power.

Punish the unbeliever.

She scoffs at holiness.

Punish her, punish her.

Punish her! Punish her!

Look!

Where is he? He came with me.

Up.

Up.

She did it, the one with the red scarf.

There are many Christians in the valley.

Oh, my Leg.

Thank God, Basil.

Thank God.

Why do I do these foolish things?

If anything had happened to you...

I shall never forget your courage,

and your strength and your gentleness.

The other soldiers seem

to have given up the search.

I'm afraid this bandage isn't very good.

On the other side of the valley

is the house of Miriam.

She's my old nurse,

and I can stay with her.

She is used to bandaging me.

Even as a child, Basil,

I was not peaceful.

Drink this infusion of herbs.

It will ease you.

Aaron, tell me quickly, my son,

have you seen the Roman governor?

Will he take the gold,

stop the search for Deborra...

...allow her to come out of hiding

and back to us?

Speak, Aaron.

Don't torture me.

You have tortured me enough

by teaching my daughter dangerous ideas...

...that have made her a hunted criminal.

I want Deborra.

If the gold is not enough, take more.

Whatever the Romans demand.

If you Love your father,

do as he bids you.

Be merciful.

I have been a good son...

...but you and your friends

have robbed me of a father and a daughter.

I know you Well, Aaron.

You have good news for me...

...but you are trying to punish me

by keeping me in this agony of suspense.

They have taken the gold, they have.

I know it.

You think it is easy

to crawl on your belly to the Romans.

To be spat upon as a mangy dog.

To give them gold

which is as much mine as yours.

She will be home tomorrow.

You've had your best medicine, Joseph.

Now you must rest.

There will be an eternity to rest.

Here is the chalice.

You have done splendidly, my son.

I've completed the faces of those

you've described to me and those I've met.

With the exception of Jesus.

It is everything that I expected.

Oh, now, I am ready to fuse their faces

in the openings here.

There is still one to meet.

Peter, who grows old.

He is in Rome,

and I would Like you to go there.

Now?

Are you unwilling to Leave Jerusalem?

I must confess that Jerusalem has a greater

attraction for me than I ever imagined...

...but if it is necessary, I shall go to

Rome to complete my promised task.

Oh, Aaron has told me that I'm to go

to the place where I took Deborra...

...and bring her home tomorrow.

My everlasting blessings on you, Basil,

for what you did for her.

I'm deeply devoted to her.

I have been blind.

This great attraction

he spoke of in Jerusalem...

Whom could he mean but Deborra?

Basil Loves Deborra.

Yes, he made himself

as clear as he dared.

I've Longed to see her married.

Had she a husband,

he would be her guardian...

...and the money for our church

would be safe from Aaron.

But do you think Deborra Loves Basil?

Deeply, I'm sure.

I've watched her.

She will be happy

when we tell her of Basil's Love.

It will be a joyous gift

for her homecoming.

Day after day,

my mind is restless until this hour comes.

And night after night, I cannot compose

myself to sleep until I see you.

Helena, I Love you.

You must Leave Simon

and come to Rome with me.

Why should we Leave here?

We're perfectly happy.

Because I am being sent there,

and I will not go without you.

I Love you

as I've never Loved any other man.

Simon would know

if I were even thinking of Leaving him.

He's not called a magician for nothing.

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