#TheSongofDeborah by #mrfb part 8

   When I first created Deborah's assistants, I planned intrigue and betrayal. Perez turned into such a fine young man that I didn't have the heart to push his limits and turn him into a traitor. He daily faces the mundane with honor. That is something worth celebrating.

   I'd like feedback regarding King Jabin. The Bible only tells that he was king. Does his insertion into the story add or detract?

EXT. THE PALM OF DEBORAH - DAY

   Small clumps of PEOPLE sit on the ground. Tents dot the hill around the Palm of Deborah. A BABY CRIES. Flies BUZZ.

   Azubah, Tamar and Abby sit on the ground around Deborah’s table. Azubah holds a strand of her hair, twirls it, knots it, loosens it, repeats.

   Perez paces. His voice drones as he reads.

PEREZ: Docket fifteen. A moved boundary marker. Apparently the plaintiff was injured on his own property, but the defendant moved the marker before it happened.

   Tamar doodles on her tablet.

PEREZ: Sixteen. A bull gored the plaintiff’s son. The plaintiff slaughtered the bull.

   Abby buffs her nails with the edge of her sleeve, examines them.

PEREZ: Seventeen, plaintiff’s iron chariot was vandalized. Sisera seeks remuneration.

The girls sit up.

AZUBAH: What?

PEREZ: You haven’t been listening. I made up the last three.

TAMAR: That’s not fair!

PEREZ: Come on, ladies, you weren’t being fair to me and you know it.

AZUBAH: You’re right, Perez. I’m sorry.

TAMAR: Me too. 

   Abby shrugs. Tamar pokes her.

ABBY: All right, I’m sorry, too. It’s just that it hasn’t been the same without Deborah.

PEREZ: A lot of people came a long way to have their disputes settled. We owe it to them to at least be prepared for when she returns.

AZUBAH: Besides, Abby, your father makes his trade off all these people staying in his fields. At least you get paid something.

ABBY: I don’t get paid.

AZUBAH: But ENOCH does. We don’t get anything.

ABBY: Isn’t working for Deborah enough?

   Azubah stands up.

AZUBAH: You don’t know what it’s like to go hungry, do you? Do you? 

Abby tucks her knees up to her chest, hides her face.

AZUBAH: Well I do!

   Perez touches Azubah’s shoulder. She turns to him, lets him embrace her.

PEREZ: It’s okay, Zubie. Shh. (beat) Abby, you can cut the sarcasm.

Abby looks up. She is crying.

ABBY: I’m sorry, Perez. Zubie.

PEREZ: Forgiven. Zu?

Azubah sniffles, keeps her face against Perez’s chest.

PEREZ: Azubah?

AZUBAH: All right. I forgive you, Abby.

ABBY: Zubie, as long as we’re friends, you should never go hungry. Tell me next time! I can’t let my best friend go without.

   They hug each other and cry together. An image of a horse drawn wagon flickers through the heat.

TAMAR: Guys, it’s Deborah! She’s coming back.

  Perez gently turns Azubah by the shoulders.

PEREZ: Quickly, you two, go clean your faces. Let’s show her that we’ve been in good control, okay? Tamar, are you ready? Start the line up. Just the first five or six. That’s all we’ve got time for.

TAMAR: Aw, why me?

PEREZ: Because I can trust you. And because I said so.

   Tamar giggles.

TAMAR: I knew you were going to say that.

Tamar hurries toward the people. Perez’s eyes follow her.

PEREZ: A lot more I’d like to say. Wow.

   On the carriage, Bennoam and his sisters look this way and that, pointing and grinning. Deborah has her eyes closed.

   Lapidoth slows the horses.

LAPIDOTH: One would think the people could at least wait until you got home. How many are out there already?

Deborah opens her eyes, follows Lapidoth’s wide gesture.

DEBORAH: Hmm? Oh, look at them. My assistants have been faithful at their duty. I am so proud of them!

Noah leans toward Deborah.

NOAH: Is this Perez coming?

DEBORAH: Yes. And that is Tamar talking to those people.

NOAH: Where are Azubah and Abby? And how will I get them straight?

DEBORAH: Azubah is Perez’s sister. She looks a little like him.

LAPIDOTH: Except for the beard.

Stunned, Deborah gapes at Lapidoth’s humor. She covers her mouth and laughs.

DEBORAH: You’ll like them all. They are a wonderful team. They keep me young.

Lapidoth stops the horses next to Perez.

PEREZ: Shalom, Sir. Judge Deborah.

   Perez helps Deborah out of the wagon.

DEBORAH: Perez, it is good to see you. I see you have kept matters under control.

PEREZ: Thank you, ma’am. We have heard preliminaries and indexed and prioritized them for you. They shall be ready when you are.

   Perez turns to the wagon. He looks at Noah. Lingers.

DEBORAH: Perez, allow me to introduce you to Noah, Barak’s sister.

Perez finds his voice.

PEREZ: Miss Noah.

   Noah blushes, draws her veil in front of her mouth. Perez extends his hand to her. She takes it. Lingers.

NOAH: Shalom.

   She hops down. They maintain eye contact a moment longer.
   Lapidoth clears his throat.
   Deborah speaks.

DEBORAH: May I introduce the rest of Barak’s family? Attention please, ladies.

   The sisters giggle but sit up straight.

DEBORAH: Mesha, Naomi, Sarah, Evie. And of course Bennoam.

   Bennoam hops out. He bows grandly.

BENNOAM: Call me Ben.

PEREZ: Good to meet you, Ben. (to Deborah) But where is Barak?

DEBORAH: He has business in Naphtali and shall arrive in a few days. Where are Azubah and Abby?

PEREZ: I sent them on an errand.

DEBORAH: Good. That shall give Barak’s family time to settle. Perez, please beg the indulgence of the citizens for one hour more of waiting. I shall make haste to return. Come, Ben.

   Protesting mildly, Bennoam clambers back into the wagon with Deborah.

   Noah, looking briefly sad, turns to the wagon.

DEBORAH: Noah, if you wish, you may remain here with Perez and Tamar. Will you stay and meet the others?

NOAH: Thank you, yes!

PEREZ: Miss Noah, allow me to show you around.

He offers his arm. Noah accepts.

DEBORAH: I shall make haste to return.

PEREZ: (to himself) If you must.

   On the wagon, the girls chatter happily, mostly about Perez. Bennoam WHISTLES to drown them out.
   Lapidoth speaks for only Deborah to hear.

LAPIDOTH: I must take a side trip before we go home. 

DEBORAH: You must?

LAPIDOTH: Only to see Enoch. I have information about his niece Tirzah.

DEBORAH: Tirzah? What happened?

   Lapidoth shakes his head.

LAPIDOTH: I shall tell you after the children have gone to bed.

   

INT. KING JABIN’S COURT

   In Jabin’s court, the Master HORSEKEEPER, the Minister of FINANCE, PRINCE KIZAAH, Governor DESCIM and the Minister of AGRICULTURE speak in low voices.

   Off in a corner, chanting to himself, stands a PROPHET of Baal.

KIZAAH: Gentlemen.

GOVERNOR DESCIM: Your Highness. I confess that I’m not looking forward to this meeting.

KIZAAH: Patience, Governor.

MINISTER OF FINANCE: Sir, with all respect, he’s been in a foul mood all week. I’m beginning

to worry for our own safety.

KIZAAH: Take heart. I shall remember the faithful when my turn comes. With your help, that time will be very soon. Master Horsekeeper, your plan?

MASTER HORSEKEEPER: Two hundred horses are secretly stabled in Manasseh. It is all I can spare without detection. I will need your corroboration about their illness.

KIZAAH: You have done well. Let us pray my father believes the ruse.

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE: Shh, walls have ears.

Kizaah glances furtively. He nods.

KIZAAH: Quiet now. Here he comes.

   Jabin’s SECRETARY enters.

SECRETARY: Sirs, presenting King Jabin of the Thousand Victories.

   Jabin stomps to the throne. He plops down.
   Sisera coolly follows him.
   Jabin wipes his mouth with a red and white cloth.

JABIN: Be seated. Horsekeeper.

   The Horsekeeper bows.

MASTER HORSEKEEPER: Sir.

JABIN: Your report on my dying horses.

MASTER HORSEKEEPER: O King, live forever. Any horse born with four white legs or totally white is sacrificed. We believe this is the source of the weakness and premature deaths of the horses.

JABIN: You believe? I need facts, fool!

MASTER HORSEKEEPER: My King, selective breeding is still a primitive science. It will take two to three generations of horses to be certain that the defect is gone.

JABIN: (shouting) We don’t have-

   Jabin grabs at his chest, coughs. Kizaah is instantly at his side.

KIZAAH: Father!

JABIN: I’m fine. Sit down.

   Jabin coughs frothy pink sputum into the cloth. He wipes his mouth, hides the cloth.

JABIN: (to the Horsekeeper) Now get out of my sight!

   The Master Horsekeeper ducks away, knocking over a chair. He tries to right it, knocks over another.

KING JABIN: Get out!

   Jabin coughs. Sweat trickles down his temple.

JABIN: Finance, I will not hear from you. I have your report. I suppose economics is still a primitive science?

   The Minister of Finance runs a finger inside his collar, wipes his brow.

JABIN: Don’t answer that. Agriculture, I’ve heard enough from you, too. Sisera.

   Sisera bows low.

SISERA: My king.

JABIN: What is your plan about the chariots?

SISERA: Great King, may I suggest a rotation of chariots through the iron smith’s? We have seventy percent that are in accept– excellent condition.

JABIN: Sisera, I hate when you lie to me.

SISERA: Yes, my Liege. That is why I said seventy and not ninety percent.

JABIN: Very well. Prince Kizaah.

   Kizaah stands.

KIZAAH: My King and Father.

JABIN: Faced with our economic and military conditions, what would you do? Is it time to declare war and wipe Israel off the map? Or should we raise taxes instead?

KIZAAH: My King and Father, after hearing

the realities from the secular consultants, should we not also hear from the spiritual consultants?

Jabin waves his hand blandly.

JABIN: Talk to me.

KIZAAH: Whether the spirit world is real or imagined, the King rules over a religious people. What the people believe and feel cannot be ignored. If the gods are real, perhaps their succor may be obtained.

JABIN: Just tell me what you would do in my stead.

KIZAAH: I wish to hear from the Prophet.

   Jabin, eyes closed and head in one hand, waves his other hand.

JABIN: Speak, Prophet.

   The Prophet seems to come out of his trance slightly. He HUMS a moment longer, then opens his eyes.

PROPHET: I saw stars shooting across the horizon, through Orion and through the Lion. It means war and annihilation.

JABIN: Annihilation? Now what do you say, young Prince?

   Kizaah doesn’t falter.

KIZAAH: I would go to war. Wipe out the unproductive and useless sheep who call themselves Israel. Start with the north. Move the iron smith out of the sight of Israel so they don’t know our weakness. Repair the aging chariots in a rotation. Sacrifice the white horses as a symbol of purity and devotion. And as always, raise the taxes anyway.

JABIN: Very good. I would do only one thing more. Sisera.
SISERA: My King.

JABIN: Imprison my son for treason and conspiracy against the crown.
KIZAAH: Father?

JABIN: Begone! You shall never be king!

   As Jabin lumbers out, Sisera quickly subdues the Prince.

CUT TO:

EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - EVENING

   Naomi, Sarah and Evie braid each other’s hair and chatter. Mesha traces words in the dirt: “Mesha + Perez.” She etches a heart, scratches everything out.

   HOOFBEATS.

SARAH: It’s Barak!

   They sprint toward him.

The Song of Deborah #5

In this segment, I introduce King Jabin. The Bible says little about him, so my rendition of his character is entirely fictional. The scene at the well is derived from Judges 5:11. The Canaanite oppression of the Israelites was so great that even drawing water was a hardship.
Meanwhile, Deborah has decisions to make. If you're curious, Lapidoth quotes from Numbers 30. (For my study on Numbers, see my blogs from 2012.)



EXT. A WELL IN EPHRAIM - MORNING

Abby’s AUNT ABIJAH, her two BOYS and her daughter TIRZAH peek from behind a fallen tree. They dash to the well.
Arrows ZING by them.

ABIJAH: Run! Get back!

Two Canaanite BULLIES step into view, their arrows aimed at Abijah. A third BULLY snatches one of the boys.

THIRD BULLY: Well, what have we here?

The Boy squirms against him.

BOY: Lemme go! Momma!

The first Bully grabs Abijah’s cloak, pulls her close to kiss her. She kicks at him. He laughs.

SECOND BULLY: Ah, don’t waste our time. She’s ugly.
FIRST BULLY: Better looking than your mother!
SECOND BULLY: Shut up! I’ll take her then. She looks better than your sister.
ABIJAH: Run, children!

Tirzah and the other Boy dart behind the fallen tree.
HOOFBEATS and CHARIOT WHEELS approach.

THIRD BULLY: Here comes Jabin. Lose 'em quick!

KING JABIN, thick legged and scowling, rides up in iron chariot. His DRIVER stills the horses while he dismounts. The Bullies bow low.

JABIN: What are you men doing?
FIRST BULLY: King Jabin, sir. We found these intruders at the well.

Jabin sneers at Abijah.

JABIN: What is this? You know the law. The Jews may only draw at night.

Abijah falls to her knees.

ABIJAH: Please, m’lord. I have a sick child. We needed water this morning, sir. Have mercy.
JABIN: Hmm. Sick child?
ABIJAH: Yes, m’lord.
JABIN: (to the First Bully) You. Fill her water skin. Now.
ABIJAH: Bless you, m’lord. How can I repay your kindness?
JABIN: Is that your daughter over there?
ABIJAH: Sir?
JABIN: She is mine now. Take her.

The Bullies tie Tirzah's mouth and hands. Jabin climbs into the chariot with his prize. His Driver snaps the reins. They gallop off.

ABIJAH: Tirzah!

The Bullies leer at Abijah.


CUT TO:
EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - MORNING

Although early, the air already shimmers with heat. In a barren field, a small tent’s dusty pallor blends into that of the bleached grass.
Deborah cooks eggs over a small fire pit.
Barak, yawning, his hair at odd angles, joins her.

DEBORAH: Shalom, Barak.
BARAK: Shalom. Where is Lapidoth?
DEBORAH: Gathering supplies. Here, these are ready.

Deborah flips two eggs onto a plate, hands the plate and a spoon to Barak. With one hand, she breaks another egg into the pan.
Barak raises the plate, closes his eyes and silently mouths a prayer. He pokes at the eggs with the spoon.

BARAK: Deborah, do you really think I can do it? Fight Sisera?
DEBORAH: God said He will do it for us.
BARAK: I want to believe what He said, but I’m not exactly a seasoned soldier.
DEBORAH: The choice is always yours, Barak. You may join God in His purpose or hope someone else does instead. It is always your choice.
BARAK: Will you go with me, Deborah?
DEBORAH: Me, Barak? You have heard from God for yourself. You do not need me.

Barak takes her hand.

BARAK: If you go with me, then I will go. But if you will not go with me, then I will not go.

Deborah studies the hand that took hers. He abruptly lets go.

DEBORAH: If I go with you then you will go? Barak, I cannot go to war.

Barak again clasps her hands in his.

BARAK: Judge Deborah, you carry the presence of the Almighty with you. I’m not going anywhere without that. That’s what Moses said, right? He wouldn’t go without God’s presence. Not even an angel was good enough. He wanted the real thing. I won’t fight unless you come with me.

Beat.

DEBORAH: So many lifetimes have passed since the law of Moses. And yet you know about him?

Barak shrugs.

BARAK: I used to dream that one day, like Moses, I’d deliver Israel. Silly, huh?

Deborah gazes into Barak’s eyes. She seems to listen to a voice Barak doesn’t hear.

DEBORAH: “I will surely go with thee: Notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the LORD shall Sisera into the hand of a woman.”

Barak rubs the back of his neck.

BARAK: It is not honor I seek. Not my own, anyway.
(beat)
You know, I wouldn’t even care if the LORD did sell Sisera into the hand of a woman, if it meant my sisters would be protected from Canaanite indecency. And Ben. I want to see my brother live to grow up.

Deborah sets aside her spatula.

DEBORAH: Barak, Sisera’s whole army could not keep me from going with you.

Barak smiles. The egg scorches.

BARAK: Here, let me.

Barak tries to flip the egg. It falls into the fire. Flames lick around the egg, the yolk breaks and bleeds onto the coals.

DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KING JABIN’S BEDROOM - DAY

A HARPIST plays while a SERVANT massages King JABIN.

Jabin’s newly-captured servant TIRZAH bears a tray of wine and fruit. A veil barely conceals a purple welt on her cheek.
Jabin turns onto his side. He starts coughing.

JABIN: That’s enough. Leave me.

The Servant bows through his whole exit.

JABIN: You. Wine.

Trembling, Tirzah steps forward. Jabin leers at her while she pours wine into a gilded cup.
A TINKLING BELL interrupts. Jabin GROWLS.

JABIN: What now?
SERVANT: Your Highness, the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture send their regards.

Jabin sits up. He pulls a towel over his lap.

JABIN: What time is it?
SERVANT: Full noon, Sir.

Jabin GROWLS again.

JABIN: Sick horses. Rotting chariots. Blighted crops. What else now?
(barking orders)
You, my robes. You, send them in. You! Send for my son KIZAAH. And stop that infernal music!

The Servant again bows his way out of the room, followed by the Harpist.
Tirzah helps dress Jabin, fumbling as she tries to not look at Jabin’s bloated body.  He swears at her clumsiness. Tirzah retreats into the shadows.

JABIN: Here they come with more bad news.


DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - LATER

Lapidoth and Deborah pack a wagon. The wagon itself has a false bottom with enough depth to conceal objects. Or people.
Out of earshot, Barak cares for his donkey. Also with him, two horses pick at bits of grass in the sand.

DEBORAH: (casually) Barak asked me to go with him.
LAPIDOTH: Go where?
DEBORAH: (falters) To Naphtali.
LAPIDOTH: Naphtali? I don’t recall that being in God’s instructions. When did God say you are to go to war with this, this son of Abinoam?

Deborah moves to a corner of the wagon. Shrugs. Adjusts a bundle.

DEBORAH: Barak asked me. That is all.
LAPIDOTH: You told him no.
DEBORAH: I said I would.
LAPIDOTH: What? You did not!

Lapidoth tightens a leather strap with a jerk. The package underneath squishes.

DEBORAH: He said he wouldn’t go unless I went with him.
LAPIDOTH: How could you agree without consulting me first?
DEBORAH: You weren’t there to consult. It was awkward.
LAPIDOTH: Awkward? So you just figure you will tell me later? From where? The top of Mount Tabor? And when? The day of battle?
DEBORAH: I am telling you now.
LAPIDOTH: I do not like it. You must not.
DEBORAH: I promised him.
LAPIDOTH: Un-promise him!
DEBORAH: I can’t do that.
LAPIDOTH: The law of Moses says that if I hear your vow and disagree, your vow is not in effect. You know that.
DEBORAH: (flatly) Yes, I do. Very well.

Deborah throws a package into the wagon. Something BREAKS.

Barak whips his head around. He scans the scene, then deliberately examines one of the horse’s hooves instead.

Lapidoth, arms crossed, leans against the wagon. He uncrosses his arms.

LAPIDOTH: Deborah, wait. Why did you say you would go?

Deborah takes a deep breath.

DEBORAH: He is just a boy, called to be a man, raising five sisters and a brother, right there under Sisera’s shadow. Can you imagine? He is alone and afraid.

Barak uses his fingers to comb the horse’s mane. He rubs its neck.

LAPIDOTH: I see.

Barak moves to the other horse. He faces it, speaks to it. It nuzzles him. Barak grins at Deborah and Lapidoth, but they don’t see him.

Deborah turns a small bundle over in her hands, places it gently in the wagon.

DEBORAH: He said Moses refused to go anywhere without God’s presence. Barak said neither would he go without God’s presence. Lapidoth, he doesn’t want me to fight. He wants the presence of God to go with him.

Lapidoth sighs heavily, waves his hand.

LAPIDOTH: I would be lying if I said there were a man who had equal measure of God’s spirit upon him as that upon you. There is more to this boy than meets the eye. Very well. You may keep your promise.
DEBORAH: Thank you. Besides, I do not imagine there will be any danger.
LAPIDOTH: The numbers are not convincing. Ten thousand volunteers against Sisera’s hordes? There will be danger enough, even with promised victory. If I kiss you the morning of the battle, will I be kissing you for the last time?
DEBORAH: Then kiss me now just in case.

Lapidoth picks up another parcel, Deborah’s invitation either ignored or instantly forgotten.
Deborah chews her lip, blinks back tears. She sees Barak peering past the horse, taking in the situation. Deborah rubs her eyes with her knuckles, returns to packing the wagon.

Barak’s eyes dart to Lapidoth, back to Deborah. He mouths, “I’m sorry.”

The Song of Deborah #4

   In screenwriting, there is a trick/gimmick often used. You hear a phrase or sentence that gets repeated, changing meaning slightly with each repetition. It may be funny or it may turn into something profound. 

   Some of them - like the bicyclist in Steve Martin's version of The Pink Panther - really need to occur at least 3 times. Humor often comes in threes. I waited and waited to see the bicyclist the third time, ready to howl with laughter, but we didn't get that 3rd time.

   In the first installments of The Song of Deborah, did you read something that looks like it could become a tagline? Feel free to put it in the comment section.
-----
   Last week, Jael and Heber decided to stay in Zanaaim rather than going back to their homeland. Barak left his younger sisters and brother to visit Judge Deborah. Deborah tends to be passionate and dramatic while shouldering the great burden of judging Israel. Her vivacity is sometimes a painful contrast with her husband's stern and sad emptiness. 
   Barak is about to discover that contrast.
-----
INT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - EVENING

Fading light trickles through a hole in the tent’s ceiling. A yellowed curtain separates a cramped library from a tinier bedroom.

Lapidoth enters, squints at the ceiling. He shakes his head.

LAPIDOTH: Not another one. When to find the time? Or the money.

Lapidoth methodically brushes off his clothes, rinses his hands in a water basin, splashes his face, slicks back his hair. He lights oil lamps, one by one.

He sorts through several scrolls, selects one, settles into a low couch. Next to him is a small dish of grapes. Without looking at them, he pulls one off the stem, munches.
He closes his eyes.
Deborah bursts into the tent, pulling Barak in her wake.

DEBORAH: Lapidoth! You must speak with Barak! 

Lapidoth sets aside his scroll, slowly rises. He doesn’t speak until Deborah catches her breath, measures her speech.

LAPIDOTH: Shalom, dear. Have we a guest?
DEBORAH: Lapidoth, Barak. Barak, Lapidoth.

Lapidoth, curious, shakes Barak’s hand.

LAPIDOTH: Welcome, Barak. Shalom.

Lapidoth offers Barak a skin of water.
Barak drinks and drinks. Finally he wipes his mouth with his wrist, leaving a smudge of wet dust on his cheek.

BARAK: Thank you, sir.
DEBORAH: Barak brings news from Naphtali!

Lapidoth notes the empty goatskin. He extends his hand, receives the skin back from Barak.

LAPIDOTH: You’ve been on a long journey, boy. Please sit down. Enjoy some grapes until we have supper ready.
BARAK: Thank you, sir.

Barak looks about. There isn’t enough room for three to sit. He sits on the edge of the couch. He tentatively takes two grapes.

LAPIDOTH: Come, Deborah.

When his hosts are turned, Barak scarfs the whole bunch of grapes.


INT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - LATER

Barak, kneeling, makes a small furrow in the dirt floor, builds it up to form a small mound. He writes in the dirt with long, masculine fingers.

BARAK: This is Mount Tabor, northeast of Zaanaim. Here’s Carmel by the Great Sea. Here’s the Jordan river valley and the sea of Chinnereth.

Barak glances for feedback from Deborah. She watches silently, intently. Lapidoth analyzes Barak more than the illustration in their floor.

BARAK: If we muster on Tabor and Sisera comes through the plain of Zaanaim, through Jezreel, we’ll have the advantage.
LAPIDOTH: What would make Sisera and Jabin camp in Zaanaim, in plain view?
BARAK: It might be a show of force: Sisera massing for the sheer pleasure of intimidating us. 
DEBORAH: But you think there is more.
BARAK: Yes. Sisera’s heavy armory hasn’t done well in the mountains. Something about it doesn’t quite make sense.
DEBORAH: Go on, Barak.
BARAK: Naphtali blocks a crossing here. Here is Harosheth, Sisera’s home. King Jabin is way over here, in Hazor. Look at this. Zebulun and Issachar are closer to Tabor than Sisera is to Jabin. 

Barak speaks faster with growing confidence.

BARAK: We northern tribes have usually been able to keep the hills. It has been the lower lands that have so frequently changed hands. 

Barak draws his finger through his “map.”

BARAK: For the Canaanites to meet, they might fight through Zebulun, but I think they’ll choose less resistance and take the plain, at least until Jabin can join forces with Sisera. If I were dragging nine hundred iron chariots, I’d conserve my energy. If the time of battle is during the dry season, like right now, I’d want to be by the rivers. Horses need water. So do men. The Kishon river would be the most reliable and strategic for both defense or offense.

Barak rocks onto his heels. He rubs the dirt off his hands. He looks up at Lapidoth’s stern face.

BARAK: Do I pass your test, sir?

Lapidoth, silent, strokes his beard.

DEBORAH: This will take great cooperation in Israel. Is it possible, Barak? How united are the northern tribes?
BARAK: My father had good relations with Asher, Zebulun and Issachar. I have already spoken with the men of Issachar. Between them all, I might have seven or eight thousand men.
LAPIDOTH: I do not wish to speak gloom, but I scarcely feel that is enough. Even if Sisera had only fifty men running with each chariot, even if he used only half of his nine hundred chariots, that would be over twenty two thousand men.

Barak sighs. Deborah shifts position. She stands.

DEBORAH: Gentlemen, it feels very still in the tent. I need fresh air. Continue if you wish, but not much more shall be accomplished tonight.

She quickly exits.

BARAK: But-
LAPIDOTH: Let her go, boy. 
BARAK: (incredulous) You just let her go into the night like that?
LAPIDOTH: How I control my wife is not your business. But yes, this I do permit. She will sit by the fire for a while and quiet herself. She will return more focused. It is her way. And she is right: there is nothing more to accomplish tonight. It is time to get you settled.

Lapidoth produces a sleeping mat and cushions for Barak. Barak helps lay them out.

BARAK: Lapidoth, are you ever jealous?
LAPIDOTH: Jealous? Of what, boy?
BARAK: Of Deborah. What is it like to be married to a judge and a prophet?
LAPIDOTH: To speak of such things before war is not prudent.
BARAK: I’m sorry. 
LAPIDOTH: Forgiven. It is late. We are all tired.
BARAK: So you do believe we will be at war. I just don’t see their motivation. We are already a conquered people. We work the land and Jabin takes the fruit. His men have first rights to the wells, to any pretty girls they want to claim. Why defeat a defeated people?
LAPIDOTH: Perhaps we are not as defeated as we believe. Perhaps the LORD will show us mercy once more, as in the days of Shamgar.
BARAK: And perhaps Israel will finally turn to the LORD with all her heart. Wouldn’t that be something!
LAPIDOTH: You serve the LORD, boy?
BARAK: With all my heart. It doesn’t make sense to abandon our God to serve the idols of these other nations. Each time we do, we get the snot beaten out of us. 

Lapidoth raises his eyebrow at Barak's choice of words.

Barak looks at the floor, shrugs.

BARAK: At this rate, there won’t be much of Israel left in a generation.

Lapidoth claps Barak’s shoulder. He smiles, surprisingly warmly.

LAPIDOTH: Do you need anything before I turn down the lamps?
BARAK: No, sir. Thank you.

Barak kicks off his sandals and sits on the mat. The movement exposes the scars on his legs.

LAPIDOTH: Good lord, boy, what happened to you?

Barak quickly covers his legs with a sheet. He turns away from Lapidoth, plumps his pillow.

BARAK: Nothing. I did something stupid when I was a kid. Nothing.
LAPIDOTH: Nothing? Very well. Shalom.
BARAK: Shalom, sir.

Lapidoth blows out all lamps but one near the door. He retires behind the curtain.

Barak nods off. He startles. He sleeps.

A VOICE: Barak.

Barak sits up. No one is there. The tent is the same.

BARAK: (hoarsely) Who’s there? Hello?

Silence. Barak lies down again.

A VOICE: Barak. Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun. And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

Barak sits bolt upright.

BARAK: Where are you? Who are you?

Silence.

Barak quietly gets up, looks about the tent. Lapidoth, alone, snores faintly. 

Barak takes a scroll and furiously writes.

Deborah bursts in.

DEBORAH: Barak! The LORD has spoken! Lapidoth!

Lapidoth appears. He deliberately holds Deborah tightly in his arms.

LAPIDOTH: Dearest, shh. Hush now. Regain your control.

She trembles, composes herself, stills.

DEBORAH: I am all right now. I am calm.

Lapidoth releases her.

LAPIDOTH: Good. What did the LORD say?

DEBORAH: He has spoken to Barak. He wants Barak to fight for Israel. He gives directions.

BARAK: What directions?

Deborah stares through Barak.

DEBORAH: Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, “Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?”

Barak pales.

BARAK: What else did the LORD say?

DEBORAH: "And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand."

BARAK: Deborah, that is exactly what I heard tonight. See? I wrote it.

Deborah reads from the scroll.

DEBORAH: Mount Tabor.... Ten thousand of Naphtali. Zebulun. River Kishon. Sisera. Deliver.

BARAK: What does it all mean?

DEBORAH: Barak, God has heard the prayers of His people!

Deborah clutches the scroll close to her heart as if it were the Torah itself. She stops herself, returns the scroll to Barak. He offers it to Lapidoth.

Lapidoth reads silently. He nods, quotes Moses.

LAPIDOTH: “Out of the mouths of two or three witnesses shall everything be established.” You have each heard from the LORD tonight.

BARAK: Then why am I so afraid?