#TheSongofDeborah part 13 The Battle Begins

   In writing the battle, I departed from today's choreography for screenplays. Often you see the hero/heroine take increasingly drastic measures until s/he descends to the enemy's level. I couldn't do that with Barak. Why? Barak already won the battle the night before. It is so settled in his mind that he will even forego revenge in order to fulfill God's will.
   Meanwhile, Deborah will have her own battle. She will have to ditch the fear that has haunted her whole life in order to save Bennoam.
   Some may notice that Barak's speech to the men comes out of Moses' instructions for war. Sure, we all loved Aragorn's speech to the men of Gondor and Rohan in Return of the King, but you simply can't top this speech.

EXT. FIELD IN WILDERNESS - VERY EARLY MORNING

The sun, blood red, rises over a sleepy Canaanite camp. Two Canaanite SCOUTS whisper.

   SCOUT 1: Hey, check out the sunrise. What’s that saying? Red sun in the morning?

   SCOUT 2: We’re still in the dry season. It won’t rain for two more months.

   SCOUT 1: Still, I don’t like it.

EXT. KISHON RIVER - MORNING

Hordes of Canaanite SOLDIERS gather at the Kishon River. In orderly fashion, SISERA and his CHARIOTEERS bring their horses to the Kishon to drink, then align their chariots with thousands of Soldiers forming columns behind them.

Sisera moves his chariot into the lead.

EXT. WOODS ON TABOR - CONTINUOUS

Fully risen, the sun is now pale yellow. Wind RUSTLES in the trees. White wisps of clouds unite into thicker, darker columns.

Deborah walks among kneeling Israelite SOLDIERS. She touches each on the head in blessing and prayer.

Barak climbs into a chariot. All the Israelites stand and focus on him.

   BARAK: When you go out to battle today and see horses and chariots and a people more than you, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with you, the same God who brought us out of the land of Egypt.

Hear, O Israel, we approach this day to battle our enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is he that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you!

Barak gestures to encompass the sky and the land before them.

   BARAK: It is He who will fight for us!

The Israelite Soldiers CHEER.

Deborah joins Barak on the chariot. She speaks to him and the Men.

   DEBORAH: Up, for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee?

Barak CALLS OUT, shofars SOUND, the Israelite Soldiers rush downward.

The two ARMIES plunge into battle.

I/E. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS

Deborah climbs up the hill to the mouth of the cave.

   DEBORAH: All right, Ben, you can come out.

Bennoam emerges.

   BENNOAM: Thank you. I was getting tired of hiding.

   DEBORAH: You, Ben? Tired of hiding?

   BENNOAM: Yeah. May I watch the battle with you?

   DEBORAH: Only if you will pray with me.

   BENNOAM: Yes, ma’am. Thank you.

He takes her hand and walks with her. They sit on a rock that looks down toward the Kishon and the plain of Jezreel. From there, the war below seems blurred and imaginary.

Time passes.

   BENNOAM: Will Barak be okay?

   DEBORAH: Ben, I want you to finish up your chores in the cave. Let’s have it nice for Barak and the others when they get back.

   BENNOAM: All right. Will you come in with me?

   DEBORAH: In a little while.

   BENNOAM: You don’t like caves, do you?

   DEBORAH: No. But I will get over it.

   BENNOAM: Okay. I will see you in there.

Bennoam goes into the cave. Whistling, he takes a tool and

pitches hay.

Time passes.

   BENNOAM: (to himself) Well, at least this isn’t kitchen duty. How’d they fit all those horses in here?

Bennoam balances the pitchfork against his leg and picks at a blister.

Deep inside the cave, there is a low RUMBLE and CRACKING sound.

Bennoam puts down the pitchfork.

No one to the left.

No one to the right.

   BENNOAM: Hey!

His voice ECHOES briefly.

He takes a torch and heads deeper into the cave.

BENNOAM: Hey! Echo! Echo!

Bennoam’s shadow dances on the wall, disappears.

EXT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS

With Bennoam out of sight, Deborah hugs herself and rubs her eyes to keep the tears from coming.

   DEBORAH: (to herself) Have faith, Deborah. Breathe.

She forces herself to watch the battle.

   DEBORAH: Sovereign LORD, please let Your word be true, Your promises sure. Lead Barak and Lapidoth to victory. Amen.

The ground RUMBLES under Deborah. She jumps to her feet, runs into the cave alone.

   DEBORAH: Ben!

EXT. MONTAGE - CONTINUOUS

1. The wilderness in Edom: the bell on a goat’s neck JINGLES. Other goats look up. Rocks slide and crash.         

2. THUNDER. Rain dots parched soil.

3. Mount Sinai: smoke and an avalanche. Shepherds look up and run.

4. The Plain of Jezreel: the battle rages. Swords pound shields. Hermes clutches at an arrow piercing his chest. He falls.

5. The wilderness in Ephraim: Lapidoth leads MEN, ambushes Jabin’s Men.

7. Rain and hail cut sideways into the faces of Canaanite Soldiers.

8. Barak drives a chariot, briefly turns his face into the rain. Beside him his archer SETH shoots, pierces Canaanite Soldiers.

9. Torrents of rain on Soldiers in ankle deep mud. Feet step over muddied bodies. 

10. North of Tabor: a dry riverbed fills with crashing white water.

INT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS

Deborah raises a torch.

   DEBORAH: Ben?

No one to the left.

No one to the right.

Deborah kicks through the hay. She raises the torch, lowers it. Shadows lengthen and shorten.

   DEBORAH: Ben? Where are you? I – I have another chore for you.

The ground jerks. Deborah cracks her head against a stalactite. She rubs her head. Blood dots her fingertips.

She steadies the torch.

A bit of straw lies before a narrow tunnel.

   DEBORAH: Ben!

EXT. PLAIN OF JEZREEL - CONTINUOUS

The earth shakes. Horses rear and NEIGH. Men fall from horses and chariots. White foam gives way to roiling brown waters, knocking the legs out from under Canaanite FOOTMEN.

The Kishon River surges and widens. Bodies wash downstream. 

A wave knocks out a team of Canaanite horses. Their CHARIOTEER fights to free his horses. The flood pulls him under.

A flaming meteorite tears across the sky. Another and another ROAR through the air and CRASH into the Canaanite army. Hundreds collapse at the concussion.

Sisera’s group is cut off from the main army. He YELLS orders. None respond. He YELLS orders again. The Soldiers regroup.

A TROOP of Zebulun corners Sisera. 

Sisera jumps out of his chariot and flees. 

Barak’s archer SETH points.

   SETH: Barak, look! It’s Sisera!

   BARAK: Where?

Seth puts an arrow to his bow.

   SETH: Drive closer, Barak! I can reach him. The man who killed your father will be ours!

Barak quickly analyzes.

   BARAK: No, we are needed here. Sisera has killed many fathers beside my own. The chariots must be our focus!

Seth shoots at Canaanite Charioteers but keeps looking toward Sisera.

   SETH: But he’s getting away! The coward can be ours!

   BARAK: It is not your call, Seth! We drive on!

Barak drives his chariot ahead, nearly avoiding an enemy chariot. A CANAANITE lunges and grabs Seth. Barak draws his sword and slashes to free him.

Seth collapses to his knees.

CANAANITES close in on Barak. They surround and mount Barak’s horses. Barak fights, throws one to the ground, stabs another.

Seth pulls himself up with bleeding hands. He has no more arrows. He draws his sword, lashes out.

Barak’s chariot jerks wildly as several Canaanites overturn it.

INT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS

Deborah, bleeding and dirty, squeezes through the tunnel.

   DEBORAH: Ben! Where are you?

   BENNOAM (O.S.): (weakly) Judge Deborah?

   DEBORAH: Ben! I’m coming!

   BENNOAM (O.S.): I’m sorry, Deborah. I didn’t mean to wander. I heard this noise.

   DEBORAH: Stay where you are! I’m coming!

On the other side of the wall, rocks block most of Bennoam from view. He lies under rubble. He still holds his torch.

   BENNOAM: Deborah, I’m scared. I can’t move.

   DEBORAH (O.S.): I’m coming, Ben. Can you do me a favor?

   BENNOAM: If I can, ma’am.

   DEBORAH (O.S.): Can you sing to me?
   BENNOAM: What do I sing?
   DEBORAH: Make up a song for me. Please? I need you to sing to me.

Bennoam wipes tears and dirt from his face.

   BENNOAM: Okay. 
   I had a little donkey, but Barak had to go. He said he’d get a horse for me, but now I just don’t know.

Deborah licks sweat off her lip. She inches forward on her hands and knees.

   DEBORAH: That’s good, Ben! I’m almost there!

The earth shakes violently. Deborah drops the torch. It sputters out. Darkness.

Deborah slows her breathing, whispers to herself.

   DEBORAH: LORD God, help us. Please. I can't do this without You.

A shadow on a rock shifts from a flickering light source.

   DEBORAH: Ben, is that your torch? Can you hold it high?

   BENNOAM (O.S.): Yes. How's this?

   DEBORAH: Good. Thank you, Ben. You are really helping me.

The ground surges sideways.

BENNOAM (O.S.): Deborah! Help me! Water’s coming in!

#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 11 by #mrfb

[For the real Deborah and Barak, go to Judges 4-5 in the Old Testament and Hebrews 11 in the New Testament. It's a quick and good read.]

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.

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.”