Woodpeckers - the Backyard Naturalist strikes again.

It's well before 7 am on the second day of May. The thrum of a woodpecker rises above the eager calls of other birds.
     There are four Vermont woodpeckers which immediately come to my mind. There is the flicker, which isn't the characteristic black and white. It's most noticeable by the dark bar of color below its throat. Then there are the hairy and downy woodpeckers. I finally put a stickie note on my computer to remind me that the hairy woodpecker is larger than the downy woodpecker.
     And then there is the pileated.
     The pileated is a huge and dramatic beast of a bird. Once when I was walking, a pileated came up behind me and flew over my head. I've never before heard such a rush of feathers and wind. Just as it came into my line of sight, it chattered. It then perched high up in a tree and rotated around the trunk so it was then hidden from my view. I could have stayed there for hours just watching for it, but my lunch break was over. I had to go back to work.
     I'm blessed: I get to see a handsome pileated woodpecker six to eight times a year. At least one, if not a family, lives around here. When I don't see him, I see his evidence. Pileated woodpeckers don't tend to make polite little holes in trees. They are demolition specialists. If you see a larger woodpecker hole, look around. You may find splinters and pieces of wood as big as your fingers. That's the work of a pileated woodpecker.

     While on my walk yesterday, I noticed many fresh woodpecker holes in the trees. Empirically speaking, I'd say that this year there are many more fresh woodpecker holes compared to previous years.
     I noticed something else. The hairy and downy woodpeckers drilled into trees far lower than I have ever seen. I have never seen them at ground level. (Note: please correct  me in the comments if you have seen this more commonly. Thank you!)
     My first thought was that the long winter may have killed more bugs and provided a larger supply of nourishment for the woodpeckers. Perhaps the winter killed more areas in the trees, allowing the woodpeckers greater access.
     And then I realized that these could be the actions of desperation. What timid little bird would invest time hammering at ground level?
     I truly don't know.
     This year, I put out suet for my little friends. My attempt was unsuccessful: the squirrels made very short work of it. Therefore, my desire for warmer weather is at least partly altruistic. The woodpeckers need more food sources! 
     I think of Matthew 10:27 and Luke 12:27. As fond as I am of birds, Someone loves them and cares for them far more than I ever could. And as much as that Someone loves and cares for birds, He cares for each of us even more.
Shalom,
mrfb
     
     
     

   
   

The Woman's Penny

I was cleaning, scrubbing and organizing. Then I saw it: something black, slightly under the dish drainer drip catcher.
   My eyes flew open. Downstairs, my husband and his buddy must have heard my sudden vocalization.

   I even misquoted scripture!

Luke 15: 1-10 says, 
 1. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 
 2. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

   I know, you thought I was going to write about some sort of giant spider or cockroach. My apologies. What was the source of my sudden vocalization?
   I found my favorite vegetable peeler. 
   Almost a year ago, I coughed up seven or eight bucks to get a "real" peeler. It was wonderfully sharp and worked like, well, a new peeler. My old peeler had gotten to the point that it only worked if I used it backwards or with my left hand.
   A couple months into my new and exciting relationship with this black handled, ergonomic peeler, it vanished. I searched everywhere, but it was GONE. 
    During the fancy utensil's absence, other life circumstances left me with my very dominant right arm in a cast. By the time of the Super Bowl, I was out of the cast, but my fancy peeler was still gone. Like the woman in Luke 15, I still had my nine other pennies. After 4-5 months of being left handed, I still could use my old peeler. It took me a little longer, but the Super Bowl preparations were fairly successful.

   When I found my peeler, I ran downstairs to where my husband and his buddy were playing pool. I blurted, "I feel like the widow who found her penny!" 
   Stumbling over my words, I hemmed and hawed that I didn't feel like he was dead, but that I was as excited as that woman. His buddy may have had no clue, but my hubby understood the scriptural basis, if not the reason, for my joy.
   Upstairs, my son politely noted my excitement. (He's pretty used to me.)
  Still throbbing with elation, I HAD to CALL SOMEONE. I dialed my Super Bowl girlfriend, another Bible believer, and blathered of my delight. Finally, my need to rejoice ebbed somewhat. It remained as a pleasant hum for several days.

   Only today, did the last part of Luke 15:1-10 hit home.
 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

   If I could get so outrageously and disproportionately giddy about finding my seven dollar peeler, how much more joy would come from the thousands and thousands of angels rejoicing before God over one sinner that repents?
   That's a whole lotta joy.
   Three+ decades ago, a weeping, snot-dripping and humbled teenager asked for salvation. She finally realized she couldn't earn her way into heaven (and oh, how she had tried). But if God still liked her enough to give her a new start, she really wanted to serve him. She didn't know it, but that day, the heavens were rocking with joy. They rocked with every person who ever turned to Christ as Savior. They will continue to do so with every person who ever does.
   II Corinthians 5:11a says, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...." Out of understanding of God's holiness, Christians are rightly motivated to persuade others of the need for salvation. We love you and want you to have an amazing relationship with Father God and to be with us in eternity.
   Many Christians are also motivated not just by fear but by joy. Imagine adding to the joy in heaven by leading another precious soul into God's kingdom! In the realm of spiritual physics, joy MUST be expressed. For every salvation, there must be a mind-blowing expression of joy. Maybe that's why the angels are rejoicing, because our human frames just aren't built to handle the unfathomable joy. 
   If I could barely contain my thrill of finding "the piece which I had lost," imagine the thrill of helping someone find the PEACE which s/he had lost. 

   There's a much beloved verse in Nehemiah 8. The people have heard the law and are broken and weeping at their sin. Nehemiah speaks these wonderful words:

Ne 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

May we all find the piece and the peace for which we are searching.

   


   

#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.

The Song of Deborah #6

Last week, King Jabin kidnapped Abby's cousin Tirzah. Barak asked Deborah to go with him to fight Sisera. Lapidoth and Deborah argued about her going, but Lapidoth gained a new understanding. Today, Barak, Deborah and Lapidoth arrive in Naphtali meet Barak's family and speak with the elders. 
Meanwhile, Sisera almost has his "save the cat" moment. Jael is one of my favorite characters. She's gutsy, strong and good with a hammer. I wonder what the real Jael was like.
The hyrax (coney or rock badger) http://www.liv.ac.uk/~sdb/Safari-2011/Images/6318-rock-hyrax.jpg is noted in Proverbs 30:24-28. 

 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

In my research, I found out other interesting facts about hyraxes. They "don't do mornings," needing to warm up in the sun before they get active. It's hard to tell males and females apart. They can make good pets. I love their cute faces with the hidden fangs.

EXT. SHEEP FIELD IN NAPHTALI - DAY

   Under the acacia tree, Bennoam pets a hyrax.

   HOOFBEATS. Bennoam puts down the hyrax.

BENNOAM: Go on, back to your family.

   The hyrax stays put, sniffs at him. Bennoam finds the last crumbs of a treat in his satchel. He offers it to the hyrax. Its whiskers tickle his finger.

BENNOAM: There you go, girl.

   Dust rises as horses approach. Barak, Deborah and Lapidoth ride in an open and seemingly almost empty wagon.

   Bennoam waves and runs to meet them. Lapidoth signals his two horses by flicking the reins gently.

LAPIDOTH: Whoa. Easy now.

   The horses slow to a stop. Barak hops out.

BENNOAM: Barak! Wow! Horses!

   Barak puts his arm around his brother. He turns to Lapidoth.

BARAK: Lapidoth, this is my brother Bennoam ben Abinoam. Ben, this is Lapidoth and his wife, Judge Deborah.

   Bennoam bows.

BENNOAM: Pleased to meet you, Ma’am. Sir. (looks around) Wow, neat horses! Hey, did you lose our donkey, Barak? Can we have horses again?

BARAK: No I didn’t lose her. And yes, we might get horses sooner than you think.

   Ben fist-pumps the air. 

BENNOAM: Yesss!

BARAK: Ben, we are going into town to meet with the elders. Please help your sisters get lunch for our guests.

BENNOAM: Okay. Are you gonna fight Sisera, Sir? His chariots are iron. You should see his horses. They’re gigantic!

   Bennoam gestures grandly and trots like a horse. 

BARAK: Ah, Ben?

BENNOAM: Oh. Right. Lunch. Bye.

Bennoam trots off, pantomimes driving a chariot. 

INT. MEETING HOUSE - DAY

   Barak, Deborah and Lapidoth finish meeting with fifteen LEADERS of Naphtali. They rise, clap each other on the shoulders or shake hands.

   Barak takes the hand of a YOUNG MAN his age, fixing his eyes on his. The Young Man’s smiles, but his eyes are grave.

INT. THE SMITHY - DAY

   Jael dunks glowing metal into a tub of water. It sizzles and spits. She uses her teeth to pull the glove off her free hand, wipes perspiration from her face.

   She doesn’t look up when the door opens and Sisera enters. She puts the glove back on. She rolls her sleeves up to her shoulders.

   With tongs she pulls another blade from the fire. She holds it to the anvil and hammers. Between each stroke, she swings the hammer in a full circle. She never misses her target.

JAEL: The order’s almost ready, Heber. Just two more scythes. See? I told you I can run the smithy until you’re better.

SISERA: You could melt that stuff at twenty paces. 

   Jael misses her swing. She wheels around.

JAEL: Sisera! Get out!

SISERA: Jael. I missed you.

   
   Jael turns back to the anvil.

JAEL: I haven’t missed you. (swears) Now this one’s too cold. Go away.

   Jael shoves the blade into the fire, yanks another blade from the coals. She hammers with gusto. Sweat gleams on her lean triceps.

SISERA: I can’t change what I did to Heber. But I deeply regret it.

JAEL: Yeah, sure. Big deal.

   Sisera reaches into a satchel hanging across his chest.

SISERA: Jael, I know I may not buy your forgiveness or your affection. Even so, I did bring you a gift. I heard that Heber’s arm is infected.

JAEL: Yeah, and he’s got a fever, thanks to you.

SISERA: I brought balm.

JAEL: Balm? From Gilead?

SISERA: Yes. I shall place it here.

   Sisera lays a small, ornate box on the work bench.

   Jael looks carefully at him. He wears no armor but a decorated tunic.

JAEL: What, no sword? No armor?

SISERA: Jael, it is not like me to so confess, but the violence I did to Heber was not of my own. Jabin himself was behind it.

JAEL: It seems unlikely that the king would take such interest in our business.

SISERA: Nevertheless, he ordered me to convince your husband to break all ties with Israel.

JAEL: (screaming) You didn’t have to break his arm!

SISERA: I followed orders. That is all.

JAEL: Heber is a good man. He rescued me when you abandoned me. Who protected me from my people? It was Heber the Kenite, not you! Heber!

SISERA: No, it was I. How do you think he found a living in this wilderness? It was I who gave him work and dignity.

JAEL: You took his dignity, you never gave it!

SISERA: No, he sold his own dignity. For the price of a chariot and my protection.

JAEL: I hate you!

SISERA: Of course you do.

   He kisses her until she almost returns it. She slaps him. 

JAEL: Get out.

SISERA: Jael, you loved me once. I would give anything to make you happy again. (beat) I know it’s too late for you and me, but should Heber recover, it would be a kindness to let me know that the balm helped. I do have one more request of you.

JAEL: You change your skin like a lizard, like a snake, and then ask favors? 

   Sisera draws a larger present from his inside his tunic.

SISERA: Please, Jael, accept this too. It is from the East.

   He looks at the package a moment, turns it over, places it next to the balm. His hand rests on it.

SISERA: I desperately want to see you open it. But it is your choice. 

   Jael swallows.

   Sisera waits.

JAEL: I will.

   He hands the present to her. It is wrapped in coarse papyrus that CRINKLES pleasantly. She folds the paper back.

   She removes a small pillow, dyed deep red.

SISERA: It’s called silk. Feel it.

   Jael strokes it.

JAEL: It’s like nothing I’ve ever known! It’s soft, but it feels strong. And almost sticky. But it’s smooth!

   She holds it to her face.

SISERA: You like it, then? Until you may once again rest your head on Heber’s shoulder, may it bring comfort to you.

JAEL: It whispers. I’m overcome. It’s beautiful.

SISERA: My lady. 

   Sisera turns crisply and leaves.

   Oblivious, Jael rubs her face into the pillow. She inhales its scent.

JAEL: And the fragrance! It’s almost spicy, a trace of, of what? It smells like-

   Jael inhales again. She smiles. Her eyes fly open.

JAEL: Like Sisera!

   She flings the pillow into the coals.