Ben-Hur Page #2

My quarters.

A bit grim.

Not grim.

Austere. Virtuous.

Roman.

I'm going to be second-in-command

to the new governor, Valerius Gratus.

He's coming in a few days

with more legions.

Then the rumors are true.

The emperor does not approve

of your countrymen.

There is rebellion in the wind.

It will be crushed.

But you and your family

need have no concern.

I'm next in authority to the governor,

and you're my friend.

-I'm a Jew.

-Ah, you are like a Roman!

What have you in common

with the troublemaking rabble?

-They're my people. I'm one of them.

-Be wise, Judah.

It's a Roman world. If you want to

live in it, you must become part of it.

You've changed.

I've grown up. I've seen the world

since I left Jerusalem.

I've seen Rome. It's no accident

that one small village on the Tiber. . .

. . .was chosen to rule the world.

Your legions.

It wasn't just our legions.

Other countries have armies,

fine armies. I know, I fought them.

Oh, no.

No, it was fate that chose us

to civilize the world. And we have.

Our roads and ships connect

every corner of the earth.

Roman law, architecture, literature

are the glory of the human race.

I believe in the future of my people.

Of course you do.

And you can help them.

How?

You're an aristocrat.

Your family's name is honored.

You're a prince to your people.

You're rich and powerful.

Your reputation is stainless.

They'd listen if you

spoke out against rebellion.

Persuade your people that

their resistance to Rome is stupid.

It is worse than stupid, futile!

For it can end in only one way,

extinction for your people!

I'm against violence.

Everyone knows this.

I've spoken against it.

I shall do so again.

Then we're agreed!

Now, when can I come

to see your family?

-We had hoped tomorrow.

-Good.

And now for our toast.

It's dreadful wine, by the way.

It's especially fermented

for the Roman army.

You're very cruel to your conquerors.

It's an insane world.

But in it there is one sanity:

The loyalty of old friends.

Judah, we must believe in one another.

Will you drink to that?

With all my heart.

Here it is, the place I've remembered.

The court where we played

at changing the guard.

The roof where we'd throw pebbles

at people in the street and then hide.

-We were rascals, weren't we?

-No, you were good boys.

I would have that time again.

And here it is. Nothing has changed.

Except for the fountain.

-The old well would go dry, remember?

-Promptly, every summer.

A new fountain and a new Tirzah.

You've grown up.

-He hasn't changed, has he, Mother?

-No?

Of course he has. He was a boy

when he left us, now he's a man.

With great responsibilities.

Come.

The emperor builds and builds,

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