#TheSongofDeborah part 12 by #mrfb

   If you've been reading since the beginning (think part 2 or 4), you will recognize the first repeat of a tagline. In film, each time the tagline is used, the meaning changes slightly and the theme is refined. By the end of the movie, the last tagline should bring humor, truth or a new understanding.

  This has one of my favorite scenes, where young Bennoam and Deborah talk about the birds and the bees.

EXT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - THE NEXT DAY

ISRAELITE SOLDIERS come and go, sneaking weapons and horses into a hidden cave.

Deborah stands at the mouth of the cave. A SOLDIER smiles and tips his head in recognition. She nods back. When he has gone in, she draws her cloak about herself, shudders.

Barak sneaks up, taps Deborah on the shoulder opposite of where he stands. She looks the wrong way.

Barak grins, taps her other shoulder.

   DEBORAH: Oh, Barak. Hello. I am just watching everything, marveling at it.

   BARAK: Let me show you around inside.

   DEBORAH: Must I go in?

   BARAK: I’d like you to get familiar with the layout. If trouble should come, I want you to be safe in there. I mapped out the main areas where the horses are. There’s a path to an underground spring, too. Definitely good to know.

Barak offers his arm. She takes a last look at the sun as if to say good bye, then takes his arm.

   DEBORAH: All right. I’m ready.

INT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - EVENING

Torchlight sputters, turning stalactites into teeth and claws. The eerie WHINNY of a horse ECHOES against the stone. Shadows of men jump and bend over stony walls.

Barak unrolls a map, spreads it over a boulder. OFFICERS grimly gather about him.

Deborah, her back to the Officers, shivers in the cave entrance. She whispers to herself.

   DEBORAH: Easy, Deborah. Breathe.

She breathes through her nose to fill her lungs.

   DEBORAH: You can do this. Breathe.

   SHAMGAR (O.S.) Wake up, little girl. God has more

plans for you than this. You must live. Please, little girl. Live!

Startled by the memory of her childhood, Deborah shrinks against the cave wall. She presses her hand against her mouth.

She glances about. Barak and the men are still there. The shadows dance like before.

Barak rolls up his map, hands it to JAHZEEL. They bid each other good night and the Officers go deeper into the cave.

Barak approaches Deborah. He extends his hand. She accepts it and rises from her crouching position.

   BARAK: What is it, Deborah? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought you here.

   DEBORAH: No, no, I will be fine. (beat) I don’t know what I was expecting. One lives so long in the shadow of oppression, one might almost fear the light of freedom.

   BARAK: Do you fear the light of freedom?

   DEBORAH: Perhaps it is better said that I fear what people may do with their freedom.

   BARAK: Not to be morbid, but you can’t mother Israel forever. Some day you will have to let go and let Israel grow up. It wouldn’t be freedom if you didn’t.

   DEBORAH: You are right, of course.

They stand quietly, listening to the night sounds.

   BARAK: So what was freedom like? Back before Jabin?

   DEBORAH: When Judge SHAMGAR was alive, Israel served the LORD. There seemed to be peace and relative plenty.

   BARAK: You knew Shamgar? What was he like?

   DEBORAH: He was a man of force, intense and

a little scary. But I remember him as very kind. (beat) If it weren’t for Shamgar, I would not even be alive today. He saved my life when I was small.

   BARAK: I’m glad he did.

Barak gently touches Deborah’s shoulder. Deborah smiles briefly. He lets his hand fall back to his side.

   DEBORAH: When Shamgar died, Israel mourned, but not for long. It seems to have been Shamgar’s power, not the LORD’s, that compelled a nation to have one God.

   BARAK: That wouldn’t have been the first time in our history, would it? 

Deborah blows on her hands to warm them.
Barak lays his cloak across Deborah’s shoulders. She looks up appreciatively.

   BARAK: After Shamgar, when did you arise as a judge? 

Deborah shrugs.

   DEBORAH: Arise? You could say Shamgar got me started. People noticed I had a different way about me. Lapidoth-

   BARAK: Lapidoth?

   DEBORAH: He encouraged me. He gave me confidence even before we were wed.

   BARAK: You knew him beforehand?

   DEBORAH: I was fortunate. He and my parents arranged the union, but I met him when I was little. To my young eyes, he was already a grown up. Old.

   BARAK: How much older is he?

   DEBORAH: Fifteen years. He was married to my cousin, but she died. They were childless.

   BARAK: And you are still childless.

   DEBORAH: We had two sons, Japeth and Asa.

   BARAK: Had? I’m so sorry.

   DEBORAH: We loved them so dearly. So dearly. They died at Sisera’s command. Lapidoth feels he is at fault. He has never really forgiven himself.

   BARAK: (aside) And yet he taught me to forgive myself.

   DEBORAH: My husband is a good man, very wise

in his own way. And yet he grants me more freedom than any man in Israel would. What other man would allow his wife to be a judge?

Barak starts to say something, shuts his mouth. He swallows. Swallows again.

   BARAK: Lapidoth’s generosity has been Israel’s gain. First, he shares you with Israel. And now he shares you with me.

The setting sun casts its last rays of pink onto their faces. A tear trickles from Deborah’s eye.

Barak gently wipes it with his thumb, doesn’t remove his hand.

   BARAK: Deborah, if tonight were the last

of all we knew- 

Deborah yanks his hand away.

   DEBORAH: No, don’t! Please don’t say that.

   BARAK: What’s wrong?

   DEBORAH: It’s just- never mind.

She turns away.

Barak edges around to face her. He takes her hands in his, stands very close.

   BARAK: Deborah, tomorrow we go to war. I don’t know what awaits us. I may never see you again. I may die.
   DEBORAH: Barak, please don’t say such things.

   BARAK: I may go to my grave never knowing the love of a woman.

   DEBORAH: Barak, please don’t.

Barak shakes his head. He releases her.

   BARAK: You needn’t worry of my intentions. I dare not go to war ceremonially unclean. All I would have asked was a token, a word that I meant something to you. Something besides a civic duty. That maybe in another time or place, I could know the sweetness of your gaze for me alone.

   DEBORAH Barak, please –

Barak leans with his face and fists against the cave wall. He strikes the stone with his fist, then lets it fall.

   BARAK: If history hung on the choices made

by one man, history is flimsy indeed. But I must not risk all of history for a few moments of solace. Our people mean too much to me. My sisters mean too much to me. You mean too much to me.

Barak rubs his wrist across his eyes. He faces Deborah.

   BARAK: This may be the last night of my life, and now I go to spend it alone. Good night, Judge Deborah.

Barak turns sharply, walks out into the woods. 

   DEBORAH: Barak-

Once he is out of sight, Deborah crumples to the ground. She pulls his cloak close about herself. She WEEPS, alone in the mouth of the cave.

   DEBORAH: Don’t leave me here, Barak. I can’t stay in here. 

A FOOTSTEP startles her. It is Bennoam.

   BENNOAM: Deborah, Ma’am?

   DEBORAH: Bennoam ben Abinoam! What are you doing here?

   BENNOAM: I’m practicing being a spy.

   DEBORAH: Oh, Ben. It is too dangerous up here. Your sisters will be worried.

   BENNOAM: By now, Noah has gotten Evie to spill it. They won’t worry.

   DEBORAH: Of course they will. (beat) Well, now that you are were, we will have to put you to work tomorrow.

   BENNOAM: Yay!

   DEBORAH: (sternly) It will most decidedly not be fun.

   BENNOAM: Oh, I get it. Kitchen duty, huh?

Deborah laughs.

   DEBORAH: Or worse. Barak will decide.

   BENNOAM: Please don’t tell Barak. I don’t want him to worry. Please. 

Deborah sighs.

   DEBORAH I won’t tell him tonight at least. C’mere.

Bennoam sits next to her. She wraps Barak’s cloak about both of them.

Beat.

   BENNOAM: Why didn’t you kiss Barak just now?

   DEBORAH: A married woman doesn’t kiss other men.

   BENNOAM: I know you can’t mate, but what’s wrong with a kiss?

   DEBORAH: When you’re married, a kiss is the same as mating.

   BENNOAM: Oh. I don’t want to get married then.

   DEBORAH: You’ll know when it’s the right thing for you.

   BENNOAM: Do you and Mr. Lapidoth mate?

Beat.

   DEBORAH: It’s in the rule book.

   BENNOAM: There’s a rule book, too? Now I really don’t want to get married. Does it hurt?

   DEBORAH: Mating? No.

   BENNOAM Judge Deborah, ma’am?

   DEBORAH: Yes, Ben?

   BENNOAM: I’ve watched scorpions and grasshoppers do it. It looks gross. 

Deborah cuddles Bennoam maternally.

   DEBORAH: I suppose it is. But it’s sort of nice, too.

   BENNOAM: Gee, the things grown-ups have to look forward to. I want to stay a kid.

   DEBORAH: Know what, Ben?

   BENNOAM: What?

   DEBORAH: I want to stay a kid, too.

Bennoam snuggles sleepily against her.

   BENNOAM: I still think you should have kissed him. 

Deborah strokes Bennoam’s hair. 

She dozes, dreams of when she was small.

   SHAMGAR: (O.S.) Wake up, little girl. God has more plans for you than this. You must live. Please, little girl. Live!

   THE VOICE: (O.S.) Please, little girl. Live!

Deborah stirs.

   THE VOICE: (O.S.) Please, little Deborah. Live!

Bennoam is still nestled against her. She nods obediently to the Voice.

   DEBORAH: Yes, LORD, I will.

She nudges Bennoam. He MURMURS, yawns.

   DEBORAH: Come on, Ben, let’s get you to a

real place to sleep.

#TheSongofDeborah part 10 by #mrfb

Last week, Barak revealed the tragedy that left him orphaned and scarred. Lapidoth has almost started to open up emotionally. Will Lapidoth finally be able to reconnect with his wife the night before they go to war?
Meanwhile, Bennoam plots his own adventure and Jael and Heber try to make sense of Sisera's new orders.

EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - EVENING

Lapidoth meets Deborah at the fire pit. She stirs a giant pot of soup. He removes his head covering and kisses Deborah’s cheek.

Deborah ladles soup for him and herself. Lapidoth says a short prayer and they drink quietly.

Lapidoth clears his throat.

   LAPIDOTH: Barak leaves in two days. It will ensure we have a day to be ceremonially clean before we battle.

Deborah spills soup over the edge of her cup, burns her hand. She sucks on the blister.

   DEBORAH: What battle?

   LAPIDOTH: I shall lead Ephraim into Hazor the day after tomorrow. 

Deborah spills soup again.

   DEBORAH: What?

   LAPIDOTH: While the whole of Sisera’s army gathers in Zaanaim, Hazor is unprotected. We’ll assault Hazor from the south.

   DEBORAH: You agreed to do this?

   LAPIDOTH: I volunteered.

   DEBORAH: If you were to fight at all, I thought you would go with me, up to Tabor with Barak.

   LAPIDOTH: Barak said this effort is

essential.

   DEBORAH: I hope you realize what you are doing.

Lapidoth looks at her until she looks away. He sets aside his cup.

   LAPIDOTH I am offering him my life, what is left of it.

   DEBORAH: What are you talking about?

Lapidoth SIGHS heavily.

   LAPIDOTH: Dearest Deborah, when our boys died, I died, too. I lost our business, I lost our home. I can’t even make love to you. All I do is sit out there and watch sheep. Yet, somehow, you managed to find the peace that eluded me. My life ended, but yours seemed to begin.

   DEBORAH: Lapi, I- 

Lapidoth waves his hand.

   LAPIDOTH: At first, I was angry. I knew you loved our boys, but doubt grew. I was happy to see you heal, but I faded under your success. Your beauty, your anointing, mocked everything I did, mocked everything I was. Your calling was so clear, so defined, while I stumbled in darkness.

   DEBORAH: I never meant to outshine you. I-

   LAPIDOTH: Please. I am trying to ask your forgiveness. I deeply regret that I have not given you the passion you deserve.

   DEBORAH: There is more to life than passion.

   LAPIDOTH: But you deserve more. You’ve wasted your beauty and your youth on me. I just want you to know that if there were another man, I’d understand if-

Deborah leaps to her feet.

   DEBORAH: How dare you! How could you think so little of me?

   LAPIDOTH: I would understand, that’s all.

A tear runs down Deborah’s cheek.

   DEBORAH: Of all the men in Israel, you have given me more freedom than any woman could desire. I dare not ask for more. I beg you: do not grant me permission to be unfaithful.

Deborah dries her eyes, stirs the soup.

   DEBORAH: You haven’t explained why you will fight Hazor. 

Lapidoth stares into the fire. Looks up.

   LAPIDOTH: Deborah, I want my life to be more than a sentence in history. I want to be more than just Deborah’s husband. I want my life to count for something. There has to be more than a mediocre shepherd in this weary frame. There has to be. I have to believe that somewhere inside me is a warrior who will fight for his friends.

Lapidoth slaps limply at his leg.

LAPIDOTH: That little punk might be the best thing that ever happened to me. After you, I mean. When I look at Barak, I see our boys. I see what might have been. I shouldn’t, but I do. I love him as if he were my own son. He makes me want to live again. And if living means dying, that is what I will do. Deborah, I can’t let Barak do this alone. I can’t let Sisera kill anyone else’s sons.

Deborah takes Lapidoth’s hand.

   DEBORAH: Japeth and Asa knew you loved them.

   LAPIDOTH: Did they?

   DEBORAH: It was Sisera who murdered them, not you. Not you! You sinned neither before me nor before God. That is how I have peace. Please, dear Lapidoth, find your peace.

Deborah kisses his cheek, the corner of his mouth, his mouth. Lapidoth slips his fingers between their faces, turns away.

                                                   FADE TO:


EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - MORNING

Inside the tent, Deborah, Lapidoth and Barak speak in muffled voices.

Behind the tent, Bennoam furtively stuffs bread into a sack. Evie sneaks up on him.

   EVIE: Gotcha! 

Bennoam startles. He grins.

   BENNOAM: Evie! Wow, you scared me. Good one!

   EVIE: Ben, if you are running away,

you’ll need water, too. 

Evie hands Bennoam a water skin.

   BENNOAM: I’m not running away.

   EVIE: Come on, Ben. You’ve been sneaking stuff for the last two days. What gives?

   BENNOAM: Nothing.

   EVIE: Bennoam ben Abinoam, you are

planning to stow away in the cargo going to Mount Tabor.

   BENNOAM: Am not! And don’t tell on me.

   EVIE: You’ll have to pay me to cover for you.

   BENNOAM: All right, name your price.

Evie taps her lips with her fingers as she thinks.

   EVIE: My chores. For a month.

INT. THE SMITHY - DAY

Heber, his arm in a sling, leans against the door jam. He watches Jael hammering.

   HEBER: You just get more and more beautiful.

He kisses her cheek.

   JAEL: I’m glad that you are feeling better. I was scared. I was so scared.

They kiss passionately. Jael lets her hammer fall to the floor.

                                                   FADE TO:


I/E. THE SMITHY - LATER

Heber ties his belt one-handed. Jael straightens her hair and dress. She busies herself at the fire.

Outside, sound of horses, JINGLING harnesses, CREAKING of wheels.

   HEBER: It’s Jabin’s men.

   JAEL: I wish they would just bring all those chariots here. Why do they have to relocate you?

   HEBER: Secrecy. News of aging chariots might boost Israel’s morale too much. Besides, I won’t be going all the way to Hazor. Just far enough to keep the problem chariots out of sight. There I can teach Jabin’s men how to repair them on their own.

   JAEL: I suppose it is cheaper to move one human rather than nine hundred chariots.

   HEBER: You’ll need to keep up appearances.

   JAEL: Business as usual.

Heber kisses her hand. Jael smiles.

   HEBER: You sure give one terrific send-off.

   JAEL: Just make sure you come back. I’ll keep the fire going for you.

Heber goes out to meet MASHKET and ZEKRUPH who have dismounted from an iron chariot.

   HEBER Ah, gentlemen. I shall gather my things. Please, allow us to water your magnificent horses.

As the men wait, Jael pours a bucket of fresh water into a trough. The horses drink noisily.

Heber uses his free hand to toss a satchel into the chariot. Something catches his attention at the base of Mount Tabor.

In the distance, an ISRAELITE SCOUT creeps into the woods. Heber silently gets into the chariot.

#TheSongofDeborah by #mrfb - part 7

   One of my challenges in writing biblical fiction is avoiding libel. Because I will one day meet some of my subjects in Heaven, I am careful to look for the best in each real person. Unless the Bible specifically calls someone evil, I give him/her the benefit of the doubt.   Mashket and Zekruph are minor inventions, but who knows? They might become as popular as Boba Fett.
   For newer readers, although this is a screenplay, this is not the Hollywood standard for screenplay formatting. This google weblog doesn't like "Final Draft." I therefore had to adapt it to make it more readable.

I/E. CANAANITE STABLE - EVENING

   Atop a Canaanite stable, the YOUNG MAN from Naphtali presses himself against the roof. He listens.

   Inside, two Canaanite servants work on a chariot. ZEKRUPH lies on his back under an axle. MASHKET polishes the top.

ZEKRUPH: Looks like this one needs help too, Mash. 

   Mashket bends down to see.

MASHKET: Where?

ZEKRUPH See? The rust looks superficial, but it’s not. Give me your knife.

   Mashket hands it down, hangs over upside down to look. Using the knife, Zekruph picks at the rust. It falls into his eyes. He SWEARS.

MASHKET: Whoa, I see.

ZEKRUPH: Good, 'cause now I can’t. Ow.

MASHKET: Don’t rub it. Here. I’ll get some water. 

   Zekruph sits up, blinks repeatedly.

ZEKRUPH: Nah, it’s gone now. There’s rust running through the bar. Just like the others.

MASHKET: That makes what, eighteen, nineteen?

ZEKRUPH: Old Heber has his work cut out for him. Let’s hope they don’t all go at once. I’d say we’ve got two years max.

MASHKET: Two years? Try six months. With this kind of rot, enough lateral motion and snap go the axles. Too bad Jabin won’t let any of the Israelites have smiths. We’d have them fixed by now.

ZEKRUPH: Don’t let anyone hear you say that. Jabin will string you up as a traitor.

MASHKET: And don’t let anyone hear you say that!

ZEKRUPH: Right. Hey. Did you hear something? Up there?

MASHKET: Probably pigeons on the roof. You hungry yet?

   On the roof, the Young Man of Naphtali lies very still, steadying his breath. He eases himself down the side of the stable to the ground.

  HISS! An arrow pierces the Young Man. He falls to the ground.

  Blood seeps into the soil. His lifeless eyes stare into the setting sun.

EXT. A NOBLEMAN’S PAVILION IN ASHER - DAY

   Standing on a pink pavilion, Barak faces the Mediterranean. He speaks with JIMNAH, the leader of Asher. Jimnah wears crisp white linen. His face is tanned, he wears no head cover.

BARAK: It’s just as beautiful as my father said.

JIMNAH: Yes, our Asher by the sea. The Great Sea gives us food, gives us joy. Jealous is she, and easily angry. She is a lover like no other.

  Barak follows Jimnah down carved stone steps to a sheltered inlet lined with pink stone. The sea laps at the steps.

   Like a tour guide, or a salesman, Jimnah continues.

JIMNAH: We do much business with Greece and Italy, even Spain. We accept all who offer us peace and trade. Marrying among the nations has given us great beauty, fair skin and dark, a rainbow among the bland of Palestine. And the gods they bring with them! Whatever your need, the people across the Sea can supply a god for it. Such modern, fetching ideas. It is a good life here. We who live here will never leave.

  Jimnah unbuckles his sandals, puts them on a step. He sits on the step, splashes his feet in the water.

  Barak follows his example. He dips in a foot, swishes it, grins.

BARAK: It’s warm!

JIMNAH: Do you swim, young Barak?

BARAK: Not really, sir. Actually, not at all.

   Jimnah’s daughter DIANA joins them. Her reddish hair peeks past her head covering, her eyes are green and her nose is daintily European.

   She bears a tray of grapes, flat bread and dipping sauces.

JIMNAH: After your quest, you must return here and remedy that situation. My daughter shall teach you.

   Diana blushes and stammers. 

DIANA: Poppa!

JIMNAH: Now, now, my sparrow, I will not make you marry him. Make love to him, yes, but you needn’t fuss about marriage.

   Now Barak blushes.

DIANA: Hi, I’m Diana.

BARAK: Shalom. I am Barak ben Abinoam. I’m pleased to meet you. 

   She holds the tray before him.

DIANA: There’s really not much to swimming, anyway. Trust the water. 

   Barak serves himself. He uses the bread to scoop up sauce.

BARAK: Trust the water. Got it.

   He smiles at her. She drops her head.

   Diana serves her father and then serves herself. She sits near them on a step.

   Barak tries the sauce. He coughs, his eyes water. He reaches for a cup.

   Diana deftly tears off bread and dips it into a fruit sauce. She gives it to Barak.

DIANA: Here, this will help.

   Barak splutters and sniffles. He chews the bread.

BARAK: Th- thank you.

   Diana offers a blue silk handkerchief to Barak. He dabs his eyes with it. He clears his throat.

   When Barak tries to return the it, Diana pats his hand.

DIANA: Please, keep it. You may need it later.

   Barak looks at her as he ties it about his neck. His new scarf has a design of hand painted Greek letters. The color compliments him well.

BARAK: Thank you, Diana.

DIANA: It’s the least we can do. (to her father) Poppa, you switched the sauce again! You shouldn’t play such tricks. He is our guest.

JIMNAH: Now, now, there is no harm. Barak has been a good guest. We shall listen to what he has to say.

   Diana’s eyes widen.

DIANA: We? I too, Poppa?

JIMNAH: Yes, you are of age. You, too.

DIANA: Thank you, Poppa!

EXT. A ROAD - LATER 

   Barak and Lapidoth ride together in the wagon.

LAPIDOTH: My contacts in Asher were not promising, either.

BARAK: I don’t get it. My father and this guy were friends. But no. He said involvement in a rebellion would be too costly for his business. His business!

LAPIDOTH: You sound bitter, boy.

BARAK: Just with myself. Am I really that naive? And I didn’t get to swim, either.

LAPIDOTH: Swim?

BARAK: Nothing. 

  Barak fingers Diana’s blue silk kerchief.

LAPIDOTH: Well then. On to Dan, if you still want to go through with this.

BARAK: On to the people of Dan.

EXT. DOCK IN DAN - LATER 

   A gull flaps across an overcast sky.

   Barak and Lapidoth stand on a weathered dock by the sea. They speak with an ELDER OF DAN. They frown, gesture, talk emphatically.

   The Elder shakes his head, gestures. Barak and Lapidoth turn away.

EXT. SHEEP FIELD IN REUBEN - LATER

   Barak and Lapidoth speak with the SHEPHERDS OF REUBEN. They frown, gesture, talk emphatically.

   The Shepherds shake their heads, gesture. Barak and Lapidoth turn away.

EXT. THE TENTS OF GILEAD - LATER

   Barak and Lapidoth meet with the ELDER OF GILEAD. They frown, gesture, talk emphatically.

The Elder shakes his head, gestures. Barak drops to his knees before the Elder.

BARAK: Please, before God. Please help your brothers.

ELDER OF GILEAD: Your God abandoned your brothers, not the people of Gilead. You must settle it yourself.

BARAK: But-

   Lapidoth puts his hand on Barak’s shoulder. Lapidoth looks into the Elder’s face.

LAPIDOTH: Thank you for your time. May your borders remain peaceful. Shalom.

   Barak and Lapidoth turn away.

INT. BARAK’S HOUSE - EVENING 

   Dinner is over.

   Deborah chats with Mesha. Lapidoth reads a map. Barak’s Sisters clear the table, fuss, giggle while they work. 

   When they are done, Evie and Sarah cajole Barak, tugging on his arms.

   Barak gives in and lies on the floor. He holds his arms straight up. The girls each hold one of his hands and lie across them the way dancers do. He uses the girls like free weights, pressing them toward the ceiling and down again.

   Noah closes the cupboard, dries her hands on a towel.

NOAH: Barak, aren’t they getting a little big for that?

BARAK: It’s only a month until the sheep tossing competition. I need practice. Come here.

NOAH: What?

EVIE: Come on over, Noah!

SARAH: Yeah, come on! Mesha!

   Lapidoth looks up from his map.

   Mesha excuses herself from Deborah. Mesha and Noah trade places with Evie and Sarah.

   Barak lifts each of them toward the ceiling. Deborah’s eyes widen at his sculpted arms.

BENNOAM: Wait for us!

   Bennoam and Naomi clamber onto Noah’s and Mesha’s backs.

BARAK: Hey, what’s this?

BENNOAM: I’m a sheep! Toss me! Baah! Baah!

BARAK: You asked for it! Ungh!

   Barak struggles to heft them upward, once, twice, throws them on the third. They tumble about him. Naomi and Mesha clunk heads but laugh anyway as one rubs her chin and one, the back of her head.

   Barak sits up, dusts himself off.

BARAK: I’ll be feeling that tomorrow. For now, it’s bed time. Good night, ladies, Ben.

   Barak pretends to be a helpless old man. His sisters tug him to his feet.

   Barak kisses each forehead and whispers something in each girl’s ear. Bennoam hides himself in a corner.

   Noah straightens her dress, her hair.

NOAH: Barak, may I stay up?

   Barak smiles.

BARAK: Tell you what. If you can find your little brother and get him off to bed, you may visit with us as long as you please.

NOAH: Really? Don’t start anything interesting without me. 

BARAK: I won’t. 

   Noah easily finds Bennoam’s hiding place.

BENNOAM Hey, that’s not fair, siccing her on me.

BARAK: Bed, little brother.

BENNOAM: All right.

   Bennoam bows before Deborah.

BENNOAM: It was nice to visit with you, ma’am. You too, Mr. Lapidoth.

LAPIDOTH: And you, too, son. Good night.

BENNOAM: Good night.

   Bennoam trots off ahead of Noah.

DEBORAH: Is he up to something? He went rather easily.

BARAK: With Ben, probably. I think all of them will be trying to listen in tonight.

(beat) 
Sometimes I wish they could remain ignorant of what is happening in the world. But that is the heart of a big brother, and not very realistic.

LAPIDOTH: It is the heart of a father, too, Barak. You have fathered them well.

   Barak blinks at the unexpected compliment. He runs his hand through his hair.

BARAK: Thank you, Sir.

   Noah returns.

NOAH: Thank you for including me, Barak. Ma’am, Sir. 

   Noah sits next to Deborah.

LAPIDOTH: Shall we summarize for Deborah and Noah?

BARAK: If we must.

   Barak ticks off on his fingers.

BARAK: Asher, no. Dan, no. Reuben, no. That one really hurts. Fellow shepherds. How they can think they’re immune is beyond me.

DEBORAH: We must not judge them, Barak. Were you in their place, you might choose the same course. Regardless, did not the LORD’s word say ten thousand of the men of Zebulun and Naphtali?

LAPIDOTH: One might wonder if we have wasted time seeking their help.

BARAK: No, it wasn’t a waste. We offered them a blessing, to give them the chance to serve with the army of the LORD. I wouldn’t retract that.

   Lapidoth raises his eyebrows.

LAPIDOTH: Well said, Barak.
(beat)

DEBORAH: Gentlemen, I wish to return to Ephraim for a while. My assistants may be of help to us there.

BARAK: You’re leaving?

DEBORAH: They hear much gossip as the people wait in line to see me. We may discover supportive hearts.

BARAK: B- but you can’t go now!

NOAH: May I go with Deborah, Barak?

  Barak frowns.

BARAK: Absolutely not.

NOAH: But-

DEBORAH: Barak, I do not wish to subvert your authority as her elder brother.

BARAK: Yet you are about to.

DEBORAH: Think this through. If we are to be at war, your family may be safer in Ephraim.

   From a corner, Bennoam pipes up.

BENNOAM: But I don’t want to go to Ephraim! I want to stay here with Barak!

BARAK: Ben!

DEBORAH: Barak?

BARAK: That settles it. I agree with your counsel, Deborah. Noah shall go with you. All of them shall go to Ephraim. You shall leave in the morning. I shall follow in a day or two, after I settle matters here. Thank you, Deborah.

NOAH: Thank you, Barak!

   Noah hugs Barak, squeezes Deborah’s arm. Deborah rubs Noah’s shoulder.

   Barak holds Noah a little longer, looks tenderly into her eyes.

BARAK: You’re almost of age, now, Noah. You are a beautiful young woman, smart and brave. I wonder how long it will be before I am no longer the only man in your life. Dare I let go of you?

NOAH: Oh, Barak, don’t get all mushy. It’s only for a visit.

  Barak smiles for her.

BARAK: You’re right. You go with my blessing. 

   Noah hugs Barak once more. She stifles a yawn.

NOAH: It’s past my bedtime. Good night.

   Barak moves to kiss Noah’s forehead, stops himself. He kisses her cheek instead.

BARAK: Wait. (beat) If this is your last night in Naphtali for a while, there is one thing we must do.
NOAH: Watch the sky?

   From the shadows, Evie and Mesha CHEER.

BARAK: Mesha, Evie, tell your sisters to go get their blankets. You too, Ben.
BENNOAM: Hooray!

EXT. BARAK’S HOUSE - NIGHT

   The moon has set, the stars are bright. A star trails across the sky. The girls point and chirp.

SARAH: Ooh! There’s another!

   Barak’s youngest sisters cuddle together under a blanket. Bennoam lies with his head resting on Barak's left arm, Noah on Barak's right.

   Deborah lies on a blanket opposite Noah. She stretches. Her hand accidentally brushes Barak's. They both startle. Deborah puts her hands under her head.

   Barak shuts his eyes. Bennoam points to a constellation.

BENNOAM: Barak, what’s that one there?

BARAK: (eyes closed) I don’t know.

BENNOAM: It looks like heaven is smiling.

   Barak looks.

BARAK: That it does. Judge Deborah, do you know what it’s called?

DEBORAH: I think it’s called “Heaven is Smiling.” 

   Another meteor crosses the sky.

DEBORAH: Look at that one!

   The children chorus, “Ooh!” 
   Noah whispers to Barak.

NOAH: Barak, why didn’t Lapidoth come out with us?

   At a window, silhouetted by lamp light, Lapidoth sips from a clay mug.

FADE TO:

EXT. FLASHBACK - A FIELD - NIGHT

   The moon has set, the stars are bright. A star trails across the sky.

Lapidoth lies on a blanket with his sons ASA and JAPETH. They point and chirp.

ASA: Ooh! There’s another!

JAPETH: Look at that!

ASA: Dad, are they angels? Adam said so.

   Lapidoth snuggles his sons.

LAPIDOTH: I don’t know, son. What do you think?

ASA: I think they are stars that got lost.

LAPIDOTH: And you, Japeth, do you think they are stars?

JAPETH: I guess. If they were angels, why don’t they ever visit us?

LAPIDOTH: They may yet, boys. They may yet.

FADE TO:
INT. BARAK’S HOUSE - FLASH FORWARD

   Lapidoth shuts the curtain, blows out a lamp. He WEEPS in the darkness.