Outnumbered and under-armed, the Israelite fighters must face their reality. Then Barak does something bizarre: he sends men home! It is actually one of God's rules for war as found in Deuteronomy 20.
EXT. MONTAGE - EARLY MORNING
1. EVIE helps Bennoam hide in the secret compartment of the wagon.
2. ENOCH embraces his daughter Abby, mounts a horse, rides away.
3. Barak and Deborah bid farewell to their families. They ride off in the wagon.
EXT. A ROAD - EVENING
The sun sets. Atop the wagon, Barak and Deborah sway to the rhythm of the two horses’ steady trot. Barak hands the reins to Deborah.
BARAK: Here, I need to practice.
DEBORAH: Practice?
BARAK: Just keep them on the road!
Barak climbs between the team, stands with one foot on each horse. He drops and rides one horse, pivots around and straddles it backward. Facing Deborah, he rises to stand with one foot on each horse.
DEBORAH: (laughing) So that’s what you have been doing with Lapidoth!
Barak extends his hands.
BARAK: Your turn. Come on.
DEBORAH: Me?
BARAK: Absolutely!
Deborah secures the reins and reaches for his hand.
While the horses press forward, Barak guides Deborah onto the rigging. Facing her, he helps her stand on one horse’s back while he steadies her in his arms.
Barak clucks to the horses. They accelerate.
Deborah wobbles but can’t fall because of Barak’s hold. She laughs with delight.
DEBORAH: Woo hoo!
Deborah’s veil slips down and her hair blows in the wind. Barak slides a strand out of her eyes. Their eyes meet.
Barak looks away first.
They approach a wooded area. Barak turns just in time to see two mounted Canaanite SENTRIES.
Without warning, he leaps with her into the wagon.
BARAK: Quick! Get into the hiding spot. Don’t let them see you!
The edge of Deborah’s gown catches in the horse’s tack. She tries to tear it loose.
Too late. The Sentries look in their direction and point.
Barak takes the reins.
BARAK: Okay, just be calm. I’ll think of something. Whoa, whoa girls.
The horses slow to a trot then a walk.
Deborah adjusts her veil. The Sentries approach. Barak stops the horses.
BARAK: Evening, gentlemen.
SENTRY 1: What business do you have here?
BARAK: I’m going up to Naphtali with my new wife.
SENTRY 1: Isn’t she a little old for you?
Barak shrugs, embarrassed.
BARAK: She is my brother’s widow. No children, so I have to take her.
SENTRY 1: You Jews have the strangest customs.
BARAK: One of our customs is to give wedding presents along the way.
Barak goes through a sack. He produces a silver drinking set.
BARAK: Please, share our joy, gentlemen. If you come to Naphtali, please call upon the son of Abinoam.
The Sentries greedily take the silver.
SENTRY 2: Maybe these Jews’ customs aren’t so strange after all.
Barak waves as they drive off.
DEBORAH: You have done this before?
Barak LAUGHS.
BARAK: The bribery? Yes. It may be a sin to take a bribe, but it’s not a sin to offer one.
FADE TO:
EXT. WOODS ON TABOR - DAY
Hidden among the trees, dozens of ISRAELITES train for battle. They wrestle, run, fight with wooden swords.
JEZER and ROSH, two Naphtali soldiers, clunk wooden swords against each other. They laugh, lunge, drip sweat. Rosh trips, falls to the ground.
Jezer touches Rosh’s throat with the tip of his wooden sword.
JEZER: Say “Uncle.”
ROSH: Never!
JEZER: You would if this were a real sword.
Rosh rolls onto his side.
ROSH: Yeah, a real sword. (starts to weep) A real sword.
Jezer nudges him with his foot.
JEZER: Come on. In the hands of a Naphtali soldier, even a toothpick is a deadly weapon. (beat) Get up and let’s practice some more.
Nearby, Barak watches. He blinks away tears.
Barak finds a clump of MEN OF ZEBULUN. They rise to greet him.
BARAK: Summon all the officers. Quickly.
MAN OF ZEBULUN: Yes sir, Barak!
EXT. WOODS ON TABOR - LATER
Through the leaves, light dapples Barak and several OFFICERS including SHIMRAH, HERMES and JAHZEEL.
A bird SINGS in short bursts. Barak listens for a moment, then speaks.
BARAK: Before we go to battle, I hereby release certain men from this commitment.
The Officers look at each other.
BARAK: If anyone has built a new house and has not dedicated it, send him home.
Shimrah tilts his head. Hermes, a decade older than the others, smiles.
SHIMRAH: Sir?
BARAK: If anyone has planted a vineyard and hasn’t yet eaten any of its fruit, send him home. (beat) If anyone has betrothed a wife and not taken her, send him home.
Hermes looks at Shimrah.
HERMES: Shimrah, that includes you.
SHIMRAH: But I can’t. What about the men?
HERMES: Barak just said so. Go home to her. Make her your wife. Make her happy.
Shimrah glances at Barak.
BARAK: Yes, Shimrah, go home to her.
Shimrah leaps forward and grabs Barak’s hand, pumping it up and down.
SHIMRAH: Thank you, Barak!
BARAK: It is the way of the LORD. It is my pleasure and duty to release you. Remember your brothers in your prayers. Shalom.
SHIMRAH: I will! Thank you!
Barak dismisses the Officers. They TALK among themselves as they go.
Hermes lingers.
BARAK: Yes, Hermes?
HERMES: Does this mean you shall also leave?
BARAK: Me? I'm not betrothed.
HERMES: Perhaps not, but you are in love.
Barak shakes his head. Changes the subject.
BARAK: Hermes. That's Greek, isn't it?
HERMES: Yes. My grandmother was Greek.
BARAK: Do you read it?
HERMES: Read Greek? Yes. Why?
Barak unties Diana’s scarf, spreads it out on a log.
BARAK: The person who gave this to me said I might need it later. What do these figures say?
Hermes translates as he reads.
HERMES: It says, “Between Abinoam and Jimnah.” Then it gives directions.
BARAK: Directions? To what?
HERMES: “To a cave, to a shield, to a spear”? I don’t quite – wait. It appears that this Abinoam and Jimnah were smuggling weapons. It says they are here on Tabor!
Barak staggers as if punched.
FLASHBACK
NOAH: Sisera took Daddy! Oh Barak! I saw what he did to Daddy! He kept saying, “Where are they?” He beat him and beat him! Oh Barak!
FLASH FORWARD - WOODS ON TABOR
HERMES: Barak? Are you okay?
BARAK: These weapons. My father died to keep them secret. We must find them!
HERMES: Give me three men and I shall have them for you by morning.
BARAK: Thank you, Hermes.
HERMES: It is my pleasure to serve under you, Barak. I have long waited for such an opportunity.
He claps Barak’s arm as he leaves.
Barak unconsciously touches his arm.
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