The Last Temptation of Christ Page #3

Jesus sets the cross down beside the Zealot who is held by

guards.

Mary comes through the crowd, takes her son by the arm.

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

Alright. Come away now.

Jesus pulls away from her. She goes after him but a guard

yanks her back into the crowd. The Centurion gathers some

pieces of parchment together as the Zealot's voice rings

out:

ZEALOT:

Listen! Don't be afraid! God is

strong. Rome is smoke. God will blow

it away. Remember the Maccabees,

remember how they threw out the

Greeks! We'll throw out the Romans

the same way. There's only one God

of Hosts and he's our God!

CENTURION:

(he's heard it all

before)

Finished?

Without waiting for an answer, the Centurion begins to read

the charges against the Zealot.

CENTURION:

'This man naked before you now is

condemned for sedition, for lifting

his hand against Rome. Even as a boy

he pulled the Imperial Eagle from

walls. He ran to the mountains and

rallied the people to Revolution. He

promised a Messiah would come from

among the people to rise up and

destroy Rome...'

He starts paging through the parchment, his interest

wandering.

CENTURION:

'...murder... betrayal' ...so on...

'looting...' and so on... 'and

therefore he is condemned to die.

Rome condemns him. All the Gods of

Rome condemn him.' And I condemn

him. Start.

The Zealot has been stripped naked and laid down on the cross-

bar. The guards prepare to drive the nails into his wrists.

A hush comes over the crowd.

The spike is placed in the Zealot's wrist. The hammer drives

it home. The Zealot's scream (almost ecstatic) is echoed by

the crowd.

Blood spurts from his wounds: a drop splatters on Jesus'

lips.

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT

Close angle on Jesus, who is speaking vehemently.

JESUS:

Speak softer! I can't understand!

Softer!

Silence.

JESUS:

I still can't... stop... Are you

trying to make me understand, or do

you just want to hurt me?

(pause; then, as if

answering)

Well, if I don't belong here, with

men, where do I belong? Tell me! Or

do you just want to punish me?

Still silence.

Now we see the whole room, which is a small area just off

the kitchen. Jesus is alone. His Mother enters. Jesus looks

over.

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

What are you hearing?

She sits near him and puts her hand over his.

JESUS:

They want to know if I'm afraid.

Afraid! Of course I'm afraid!

(looking up)

Hear that? I am afraid. Is that what

you want? Alright.

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

What do they want?

JESUS:

They want me to speak. To go out and

speak!

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)

Speak about what?

JESUS:

About the Kingdom of Heaven. But I

don't care about the Kingdom of

Heaven. I like earth. I like to eat,

sleep, see a woman without my head

being torn in half.

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