Fantastic Japanese Beetle Killer

I was just thinking of my mom's fantastic recipe for Japanese beetle killer:

1- Coffee can of water 
1- Squirt of dish soap into water
1- Child wanting money

Directions: pay child to kill bugs.

You may use eco-friendly dish soap. I have heard it also works for other types of garden pests.

Overcoming Fear: Hezekiah Style Part 1 by #mrfb

Part 1: The Situation – A Prisoner of Fear

       Several years ago, I went to a wedding. At the reception, there weren’t enough tables and seats for all the guests. My husband and I had no place to sit. Something broke inside me. I locked myself in a bathroom stall and cried my eyes out.

       Since I was taking so long, Tom sent a friend in. She helped me pull it together, talked me through the situation and got me back into the crowd. By then, the hotel fixed the problem and we had a place.

       That breaking point was the first step in getting free from something that was planning to cripple me forever. I had had enough of fear. I wasn’t going to be a prisoner of fear any more!

       Fear. Everyone knows it. Some are trapped by it, some manage to cope with it. Others rise above and conquer it. Today I want to help you rise above fear and conquer it. Today’s text from II Kings and I Chronicles. Open to Psalms and turn left.

       Let me introduce you to Hezekiah. He was king of Judah approx 715-686 BC. I really like him. Sure, we all do. He was a good guy and the Bible’s summary of his life is extremely favorable. The more I study about him though, the more I respect and admire him.

       Hezekiah was a collector. Did you know he was the reason many of the Psalms and Proverbs survived? He loved God’s people. He loved God and cared what people thought about God. He was a strategic thinker, an engineer. He was a realist who was blessed to see the supernatural.

       If Joshua invented daylight savings time (“spring ahead”), then Hezekiah might be credited with “fall behind.” No charge for that tidbit. [The references are Joshua 10 and II Kings 20.]

       There are precious few men of God whom the Bible declares that there was none like him. If in your reading, you see that phrase, take notice. Look at why there was none like that person.

2 Kings 18:1-5 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

  And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

       Why? Why was there none after him like him? Why was there none like him ever?

 2 Kings 18:6-8 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not. He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

       When I was a newbie reading Kings and Chronicles, I often got confused about the chronology. Additionally, Kings and Chronicles repeatedly tell about the same people, but with different slants and events. Here’s a clue to help you unlock these books of the bible.

       Think of these sections as conversational rather than didactic. When chatting with friends, I find they are much better listeners if I grab their attention with a subject before burdening them with details. I myself have to work hard to pay attention to someone who is speaking until I know the theme and which details are most important.

       Likewise, when describing the kings and their lives, the bible often gives an overview of the king and then delves into details. It’s that way with the description of Hezekiah. Verses 6-8 summarize Hezekiah’s life to pique our interest. The subsequent verses tell about key events that will draw us to agree with the summary.

       The subsequent verses also return me to the theme of “Overcoming fear: Hezekiah style.”

 2 Kings 18: 9-12 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.

       Like any empire, Assyria was not content. Enter Shalmaneser’s successor, Sennacherib.

 2Kings 18: 13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.

 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

 15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house.

 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.

       Sennacherib moves against Judah and captures its cities. Hezekiah tries to cut a deal for his people. Sennacherib taxes him for 300 talents of silver and 30 of gold. Apparently it was so much that Hezekiah gave up all his treasures and stripped the temple of its riches, even the gold he himself had added to the house of the LORD.

       But it wasn’t enough.

 2Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.

       Here begins one of the greatest propaganda attacks in history.

       Have you read The Art of War by Sun Tsu? Sun Tsu was a Chinese general, philosopher and strategist who lived around 500 BC. It’s a short little book, great for war and great for business.

       Guess what. Sennacherib’s 30-point strategy pre-dates Sun Tsu.

       The next verses outline the enemy’s attack on God’s people. We’ve set up the situation. Part 2 is the enemy’s attack.

Josiah and Hamutal

  This is an excerpt from my someday/one day magnum opus of the life of the prophet Jeremiah and the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC/BCE. Mine is a fictional account, but I try to stay true to the biblical intent and historical facts.
   In this snippet, good King Josiah is reconciling with his childhood bride. [From what I have been able to find in scripture, Josiah fathered children when he was still a child himself. Somewhere along the line, he had a child by another woman.] It's time to get Josiah back with his first love.
   Having said all that, please enjoy a sweet little romance.

I/E. JERUSALEM OUTSIDE KING JOSIAH’S HOUSE - EVENING

   Three ragged MUSICIANS play a harp, flute and small drum in the street below Josiah’s window.
   Inside, Hamutal sits on a love seat, ramrod straight, nervous.
   King Josiah leans out the window. He watches the musicians for a moment. They have the look of old men in teenage bodies. The floutist closes his eyes while he plays.

JOSIAH: Hey, down there!

The DRUMMER stops. He kneels, tugs the cloaks of his partners. They also kneel.

DRUMMER: Sir?
JOSIAH: Play something sweet. With good rhythm.

   Josiah tosses them three gold coins.

DRUMMER: Yes, sir!

   Josiah turns to Hamutal. She chews her lip. Tries to smile.

JOSIAH: Hamutal, do you like to dance?
HAMUTAL: Very much, Sir.
JOSIAH: Please call me Josiah.
HAMUTAL: Yes, Sir. (suppresses a giggle) I mean Josiah.
JOSIAH: Let’s dance.
HAMUTAL: Together?

   Josiah gestures widely.

JOSIAH: Why not? I hear they do that in other countries.
HAMUTAL: Really?
JOSIAH: Scandalous, isn’t it? I hear they even hold hands. Like this.

   Josiah gently takes her hands. Hamutal rises, her dress swirling like liquid silk. He leads her to the middle of the room.

HAMUTAL: Now what do we do? I don’t think two people can do the hora.

   Josiah puts on hand in the small of her back. He steps softly to the music. She looks down at his feet and tries to mirror his steps.

   Josiah closes his eyes. He inhales her scent.

JOSIAH: I’ll never forget how good you smelled the day I met you. You came from the sea.

   Hamutal steps on the edge of her dress, misses a step. Josiah doesn’t notice.

JOSIAH: Your hair was damp and tangled. I was all sandy and so cold. I didn’t think I’d like the water.
HAMUTAL: You didn’t.
JOSIAH: Not at first. But after I met you, I loved going to the sea. I wanted to smell your hair again, salty and wild and fresh. I didn’t know that one day the pretty girl collecting seashells would be my wife.
HAMUTAL: We were married only a week later.
JOSIAH: The longest wait of my life. I found a friend. Before you, I never really had one. I had my teachers and my mother, but never a friend.

   Hamutal smiles.

HAMUTAL: We had fun, didn’t we? I never really played before I met you. You brought joy into my chores. Papa said a better life awaited me. I remember he suddenly had money and bought me things. Mama didn’t cry as much. Then I kissed them goodbye.

   They stop dancing, gaze into each other’s eyes.

JOSIAH: I’m sorry you had to leave them.
HAMUTAL: You didn’t cause that.

   They are interrupted by sudden YELLING outside the window. The music stops.
   Josiah leans out the window.

JOSIAH: What is this disturbance?

   A grumpy NEIGHBOR shakes his fist at the Drummer.

NEIGHBOR: I said I wanted it quiet!

   The Musicians huddle together.
   The Neighbor falters, looks up at Josiah’s window. He falls to his knees.

NEIGHBOR: Your highness!

   Josiah raises his voice so the neighborhood can hear.

JOSIAH: People of Jerusalem! Your King is speaking!

   Lights flicker in windows. Heads peek out of doors.

JOSIAH: People of Jerusalem! Husbands of Jerusalem! I command you this night to make your wives deliriously happy. You will ask them and you will do what they desire! I want to see lots of smiling women tomorrow morning! I will have music and singing! Husbands of Jerusalem! I so decree!

   The FLUTE player sticks out his tongue at the Neighbor.
   Josiah holds up another gold coin.

JOSIAH: Musicians.
DRUMMER: Yes, Your Highness?
JOSIAH: Play for me. Do not stop until I tell you.
DRUMMER, HARPIST, FLUTE PLAYER: Yes, Sir!

   Josiah bows to Hamutal.

JOSIAH: May I have this dance?

   Hamutal enters his embrace. They dance gently.

HAMUTAL: Josiah?
JOSIAH: Mm?
HAMUTAL: Does the decree of the King hold for you?
JOSIAH: Mm.
HAMUTAL: Because you can’t make me deliriously happy.

   Josiah snaps out of his revery.

JOSIAH: What?
HAMUTAL: You can’t make me happy, because I already am.

   Outside, the musicians play sweet, romantic music.

EXT. JOSIAH’S WINDOW - MORNING
   Josiah, bare chested, leans out the window, breathes deeply.
   In the street below, the three ragged Musicians sleep. The Harpist’s fingers are still on his harp.

#TheSongofDeborah conclusion

Last week, Jael fulfilled Deborah's prophecy. Now it's time for battles to end and to try to make sense of the new life that is coming. Deborah seems to have surmounted what she most feared. Will she translate what she has learned into her personal life? Will Lapidoth regain what he has lost? Barak's dream of becoming like Moses is about to come true, but it isn't how he expects. (Think Exodus 32:10-14.)
In screenwriting, character change has to be shown in action. One can't narrate it. With the help of tagline repeat #3 and a blue scarf, we'll see whether I succeeded.

I/E. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS
Bennoam’s head emerges from a hole in the ground. He gets one arm loose, scrabbles at grass and twigs.
Inside the cave, Deborah squints against falling dirt.

   DEBORAH: How is it?
   BENNOAM: Muddy. Slippery.
   DEBORAH: Ben, get an armful of that mud. We’re going to squirt you out.
   BENNOAM: Cool!

Bennoam swipes an armful of mud. Deborah lets him back down.
Deborah slathers Bennoam in mud. He puts some on her arms. They end up throwing it at each other and laughing.
The water reaches Bennoam’s chest.
Deborah slaps one more clump on Bennoam’s head. She then heaves a slippery, muddy Bennoam upward, upward.
Through!


EXT. PLAIN OF JEZREEL - CONTINUOUS
The river has swept Barak half a mile from the battle. He works his way toward the edge of the river. He pulls himself out.
Corpses, broken chariots, dead horses litter the riverbank.
Barak stumbles past. He stops only to grab armor and weapons: sword, buckler, shield, helmet. The helmet is too big. He throws it aside.
A tall horse stands in the water, uninjured but still bound to a chariot. Its fellow team mates lie jumbled, broken and drowned.
Barak approaches. The horse doesn’t shy from him. Barak frees it, mounts it, rides bareback.
Barak fights his way through remaining Canaanite footmen, toward the men of Zebulun and Naphtali.
The rain turns to mist.
Two SOLDIERS OF ISSACHAR see Barak riding toward them. They cheer. 

   SOLDIERS:It’s Barak! Barak!

Others see Barak riding. They pick up the chant as they fight.

   SOLDIERS: Barak! Barak!

The setting sun breaks through the clouds.
Israel beats back the Canaanites, who abandon their chariots and flee.

   BARAK: Drive them back to Harosheth!

The soldiers WHOOP and CHEER. Barak fights alongside them until the slaughter is complete. The last Canaanite falls.
Barak wipes his sword and rides off.

   BARAK: Now to find Sisera.

I/E. NEAR JAEL’S TENT - EVENING
Mist drizzles. Barak rides, searching.
Jael’s tent sags under the weight of the rain. Barak circles, studies it from different angles. He draws his sword.
Jael appears. She walks boldly toward Barak.

   JAEL: Come. I will show you the man whom you seek.
   BARAK: What man?
   JAEL: Come.

Barak dismounts, cautiously follows Jael. He leaves the horse to be free if it wishes.
Jael lifts the tent flap, holds it for him to enter. It is dark. 
It's Sisera! 
Barak startles, defensively raises his sword.
Jael adjusts a lamp. It brightens the room.

   JAEL: Sisera is quite dead. You need not fear.

Barak sheaths his sword.

   BARAK: Who did this?
   JAEL: Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite.
   BARAK: But how?

Jael picks up the hammer with one hand. The lamp’s shadow accents her lean muscles.

   JAEL: I’m good with a hammer. Shall I show you?
   BARAK: Ah, no thank you.
   JAEL: And who are you, sir?
   BARAK: Barak son of Abinoam of Kedesh Naphtali.
   JAEL: I remember Abinoam. Long ago. How is he?
   BARAK: Dead, at the hand of that man before us.

Jael nods, puts down the hammer.

   JAEL: Then perhaps my motive may be forgiven.

Barak kneels before her and takes her hand.

   BARAK: Israel owes you a debt of gratitude, Jael wife of Heber the Kenite.

Beat.

Faint RUNNING FEET, VOICES. Jael tilts her head.

   JAEL: What’s that?

Barak jumps to his feet.

EXT. JAEL’S TENT - CONTINUOUS
A crowd of dirty, bloody, weary ISRAELITE SOLDIERS gather outside Jael’s tent.
Barak, sword drawn, opens the tent door. Water pours down on his head.
Some LAUGH but others CHEER. They gather around Barak. They toss him above their shoulders.

   SOLDIERS: Hail, King Barak! Hail!

Barak struggles to get down. He yells above the crowd.

   BARAK: Not so, men! No! No!
   SOLDIERS: Hail, King Barak! Hail!
   BARAK: Stop it! In God’s name, stop!
   SOLDIERS: King Barak!

The Soldiers let him set foot on the ground. He motions for silence.

   BARAK: Men of Israel. We are brothers under the LORD. I beg you, do not elevate me to such status before you. It is not I, but God who brought us this victory. Let us stop now and thank the Almighty for his mercy and goodness.

He kneels in the mud. The others follow. Deborah’s voice floats over them.

   DEBORAH: (O.S.) Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Barak looks up. He smiles, then runs.

   BARAK: Deborah!

Deborah sings as she moves toward the Soldiers. Holding her hand, limping more than he needs to, is Bennoam.

   DEBORAH: Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Deborah runs to Barak. They crash into each other, embrace.
They laugh, look into each other’s eyes and embrace again. Then Barak’s eyes fly open.

   BARAK: Ben?

Bennoam hugs his brother. Hard.
The crowds lift Deborah and Barak above their heads. Barak grabs Jael’s hand and she too is raised up.

   BENNOAM: Hey, what about me?

They lift up Bennoam as well.
Together they SING and dance in the rain.

EXT. MOUNT TABOR - NIGHT

Torchlight flickers on tents. SINGING, LAUGHING and a bit of DRAINING skins of wine fills the air.

Deborah and Barak walk together among the Men, thanking them.

Jezer, Rosh and Bennoam have set up a makeshift stage and puppet show. Saucy and raucous, it demands attention.

A painted handkerchief over a painted hand represents SISERA’S MOTHER. She paces up and down. Three WISE LADY puppets hover over her.

Deborah sits on a log in front of the stage.

   BARAK: Save me a seat. I’ll be right back.

Bennoam peeks out, winks at Deborah. Deborah nods once, pretends to look stern. Bennoam tucks his head back down.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Where oh where is my son Sisera?

   WISE LADY 1: Come away from the window, my lady, you will be chilled.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of the chariots?

Deborah looks behind her toward Barak’s tent.

   WISE LADY 2: Yea, have they not sped?

   WISE LADY 3: Have they not divided the prey?

   WISE LADY 2: To every man a damsel?

   WISE LADY 3: Or two?

Shocked, Deborah snaps her head forward.

Wise Lady 1 whacks 2 and 3 with a stick.

   WISE LADY 1: Shame on you! Such dirty thoughts!

Deborah shakes her head.

   DEBORAH:Boys will be boys.

Barak, carrying two packs, puts them on the ground near Deborah. He sits beside her. They watch the show.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: To Sisera a prey of diverse colors?

   WISE LADY 2: A prey of diverse colors of needlework?

   WISE LADY 3: Of diverse colors of needlework on both sides!

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Oh, yes! Such as is meet for the necks of them that take the spoil!

   WISE LADY 1: Like this!

Wise Lady 1 whacks the other puppets. They SQUAWK and SPUTTER and the curtain closes.

About them, Men LAUGH and CLAP. Bennoam, Jezer and Rosh come out from behind the curtain. They bow and duck behind the curtain again.

More puppets appear. Barak sits next to Deborah.

   BARAK: So, Judge Deborah, what is next?

   DEBORAH: Act Three?

   BARAK: That’s not what I meant.

   DEBORAH: I know. (beat) I just wish I had word from Lapidoth.

   BARAK: You will. Hey.

Barak raises Deborah’s chin with his finger.

   BARAK: You’ll hear soon.

   DEBORAH: Thank you.

Barak gently removes his hand.

   BARAK: In a way, I never expected this day to come. Could we really be victorious? Is it really over?

   DEBORAH: It is what God promised, isn’t it? You were great out there, Barak.

   BARAK: I couldn’t have done it without you.

   DEBORAH: Don’t be so sure. But thank you.

They look at each other for a moment.

   BARAK: Deborah, I -

   DEBORAH: Barak, I -

   BARAK: You first.

   DEBORAH: You first.

They laugh and sigh.

   BARAK: Ben tells me you told him about sex.

Beat.

   DEBORAH: Um, yes. I’m sorry.

   BARAK: Don’t be. Now I won’t have to.

   DEBORAH: I didn’t tell him that much. He will still need you.

   BARAK: How do I tell him what I don’t know? (beat) Deborah, I’m sorry about last night. I was scared and confused and lonely.

   DEBORAH: Both of us were.

   BARAK: At least I’m not scared any more.

They watch the puppets.

   DEBORAH: (conversationally) I never had sisters. What is it like?

   BARAK: A pain. Nah, they’re all good kids. Turning out beautifully, too.

   DEBORAH: Indeed they are. I never had daughters.

   BARAK: You want some?

   DEBORAH: Yes. And sons. (long beat) Two of them.

Deborah looks directly at Barak.

Barak’s mouth drops open. He blinks.

   BARAK: I can’t replace Japeth or Asa.

   DEBORAH: Nor can I replace your mother. But if you will let me, I will love you as a son. Lapidoth already does.

   BARAK: Lapidoth? Loves me?

   DEBORAH: He told me himself. He loves you more than life. You gave him hope when he had almost lost it.

   LAPIDOTH (O.S.) Almost? Try lost it entirely.

Lapidoth appears behind them.

Deborah leaps to her feet. Lapidoth takes her in his arms. They LAUGH and kiss. Lapidoth brings Barak into the embrace.

Deborah touches Lapidoth’s forehead. He winces, then smiles. They kiss again.

EXT. A ROAD - EVENING

The sun breaks through clouds, bathing a chariot and a wagon in golden light. 

Standing in the front of the chariot, supported by Barak’s strong arms, Bennoam drives. Water splashes onto them.

   BARAK: Hey, don’t aim for the puddles.

   BENNOAM: Aw, why not?

   BARAK: You don’t know how deep they-

The chariot bounces through a pot hole.

In the wagon behind them, Deborah stifles a giggle.

A rainbow appears above them. Lapidoth sees it first. He points and calls out.

   LAPIDOTH: Look, a rainbow!

Bennoam grins up at his brother.

   BENNOAM: A rainbow. It’s God’s promise, right?

   BARAK: Yes it is, Ben. Yes it is.

EXT. THE PALM OF DEBORAH - EVENING

Perez, Noah, and the other children kneel in a group by the palm tree.

HOOFBEATS. Noah jumps to her feet.

   NOAH: They’re coming!

Perez squints into the distance.

   PEREZ: I count three. No, four. Ben’s with them! All four!

   NOAH: If I weren’t so happy, I’d kill Ben for running off! Come on!

Noah races toward the chariot. Perez runs after Noah. The girls follow. 

Evie catches Bennoam in a bear hug. His other sisters are right behind her. 

Noah and Barak clutch each other and SOB with joy.

Deborah and Lapidoth embrace Perez, Azubah, Abby and Tamar.

Lapidoth takes Abby’s hand.

   ABBY: My father?

   LAPIDOTH: I am sorry, Abigail.

   ABBY: He’s gone?

   LAPIDOTH: Enoch was very brave. And a good friend. I am so sorry.

   ABBY: Tirzah? My cousin?

   LAPIDOTH: She is safe at home again. She hopes you will visit her soon.

   ABBY: Thank you.

Deborah and Lapidoth gently embrace Abby and walk her away from the crowd. 

Perez nudges Azubah.

   PEREZ: Go on, Zubie. Abby needs you.

Azubah runs to Abby. She takes her hand and they walk together.

Barak gently gathers his family. The girls speak all at once.

   NAOMI: I'm so glad you're safe, Barak!

   MESHA: We were all worried.

   EVIE: We prayed and prayed. We didn't stop until you came back.

   SARAH: I knew you'd come back! I knew it!

Bennoam squeezes himself in.

   BENNOAM: What about me?

   SARAH: I knew you would come back. You have to be where the excitement is.

   BENNOAM: Hey, Barak, what are we going to do for excitement now?

Barak tousles Bennoam’s hair.

   BARAK: I thought we’d go visit a family friend in Asher. Maybe go swimming.

   NOAH: Swimming? You know how to swim?

   BARAK: It’s easy. You just trust the water.

   BENNOAM: Hey Barak, where’d you get that scarf? Have you got a-

Noah SHUSHES Bennoam. She smiles at both of her brothers.

INT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - NIGHT

Two oil lamps cast yellow light. Perspiring in the heat of the tent, Lapidoth and Deborah empty their traveling packs. Deborah holds up the bloodied dress. She tosses it into a growing pile of muddy, bloody laundry.

Lapidoth extinguishes one lamp.

   DEBORAH: Lapi, can you ever forgive me?

   LAPIDOTH: For what?

   DEBORAH: For never telling you what you mean to me.

   LAPIDOTH: (pleased) Tell me now.

   DEBORAH: How could I have ever managed the authority of judge without your steady love? You tempered and taught me, you are my rock, my wisdom and my protection. I was so free to be myself, so free to pursue my calling, so busy mothering Israel, that I was neglecting you. For this I am sorry beyond words. I want to let you be the one with the dream and the calling now. I am ready to be just a sentence in history, if it means you are free to be the man God has called you to be.

They look at each other. Lapidoth sighs. 

He smiles.

   LAPIDOTH: Forgiven. Thanks to you and that little punk, I am ready to become that man.

Deborah wipes her forehead with a knuckle.

DEBORAH: The rain hasn’t cooled anything off, has it?

She peels off her outer cloak, revealing a simple sleeveless tunic. She exhales wearily and tosses the cloak into the pile.

   LAPIDOTH: At least hot and free is preferable to hot and oppressed.

   DEBORAH: Well said, my husband. It is as if we are upon the dawn of a new age. Things will be the same, but different. Better.

Lapidoth stops unpacking. He stretches his back. He blows out the second lamp, turning yellow tones to blue.

He draws close to Deborah. In the dimness, her bared arms shine white, her loosely braided hair gleams blue-black. 

Palm trees WHISPER in a distant oasis.

   LAPIDOTH: Deborah, if tonight were the last of all we knew, what would you want more than anything?

   DEBORAH: I think I should like to make love with you, right here in the tent.

Lapidoth touches her cheek. She closes her eyes and leans her face into his hand. He lifts her braid, kisses her neck, her throat.

   LAPIDOTH: Don’t be foolish. Come outside.

As he leads her out of the tent, Bennoam’s constellation “Heaven is Smiling” twinkles above them.

FADE OUT.