The Book of Esther Page #2

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And not a moment

too soon.

Sardar, I command

that the Queen Vashti join us here

in the royal hall

and dance for us.

It will please me greatly to

have her join me by my side.

By your word, Majesty.

Permission to enter?

Permission

to enter, Royal One.

Granted.

My queen,

the women wish to know

whether you prefer diamonds

or pearls on your headdress.

Cannot my husband, the king,

afford both diamonds and pearls?

Yes, that is so,

Royal One.

Then I shall have both.

Yes, Royal One.

It's the least that

foolish man can do for me.

Royal One, I caution you to

choose your words carefully.

And I caution you not

to be so presumptuous.

Yes, Royal One.

The king is a fool,

but he is also in love,

which means I shall

have the upper hand.

Did I not vow to be a queen

unlike any Persia has ever seen?

Yes, my queen, and you have

kept that vow most faithfully.

Who's there?

Sardar, the commander

of His Majesty's royal army.

I honor you, Queen Vashti.

What is the meaning

of this intrusion?

The king has commanded

your presence at once.

You are to wear

your finest garments

and place a jeweled tiara

upon your head.

In such fashion shall you

dance for His Majesty

and for his guests.

Is that what the king asks?

No, Royal One,

it is what the king commands.

Tell him I'm busy.

Royal One, I'm

afraid you misunderstand.

The king has commanded you

to come before him and dance.

Suppose I'm not

in the mood for dancing?

The king is also a warrior.

When he commands his soldiers,

they must obey.

Very well,

have him command his army

to dance for him.

Royal One!

If I return to the king

without you,

my life may be in peril.

For the sake of my head,

I ask that you do

as the king commands.

I care not for your head

nor for anyone else's.

I have made up my mind.

And even if His Majesty himself

came to fetch me,

I would not go.

Now leave me!

I find this

conversation tiresome.

The queen tarries.

Perhaps she needs more time

to make herself presentable.

Perhaps she is deliberately

trying to keep us in suspense.

We soon shall see.

Sardar, what is

the meaning of this?

Who dares disobey the king?

The queen, Your Majesty.

What did she say?

Out with it!

She said she was

not in the mood for dancing.

If this is treason

you speak against the queen...

It is not treason,

Your Majesty, but truth.

Perhaps the

queen misunderstood my command.

No, Majesty.

The queen

understood perfectly.

She said that

even if Your Majesty

came to fetch her yourself,

she would not go.

This

impertinence shall not stand.

If I allow Queen Vashti

to disobey me,

then what will stop the women

of Persia from doing likewise?

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