The Prodigal Page #2

Not something you need.

Something foolish, feminine.

Something you've always wanted

but never let anyone guess.

- You won't laugh at me?

- Never.

Then, if it please you, Micah,

bring me a dove from Smyrna.

With wings as white

as the snows of Lebanon.

Yes, it would please me

to bring you such a gift, Ruth.

- Micah!

- I must go.

- Micah.

- Yes?

I am an able cook.

Worship graven images...

Why, there it is!

That's what the Grand Rabbi

told us about!

Now, Micah...

A caravan of infidels worshipping idols,

here in Joppa.

Look at the townspeople.

- They hate this sacrilege as much as I do.

- And l.

But it is a matter for the Elders

to handle, according to the laws.

The Elders!

They talk and talk and never do anything,

but this time...

- Joram, look! He who tried to spear me.

- The pagan ceremonial tent!

Micah. Micah!

I have been expecting you.

I arranged for you to see Rhakim

and meant you to follow him here.

- Who are you?

- My name is Nahreeb.

I know of you.

You and your unholy temple in Damascus

with its 500 women of the temple gardens.

- Five hundred priestesses.

- Priestesses.

Women who would do anything

for a silver coin.

Painted women

serving painted graven images.

Yesterday you took title

to a slave of mine for 20 pieces of silver.

I should like to buy Asham back

for 200 pieces of silver.

A thousand?

Two thousand?

You hunger for him as a pig for husks.

Everything has its price. Name yours.

Asham is my friend.

Would you sell a friend to death?

Her name is Samarra.

She will be High Priestess of Astarte

at Damascus.

The face of Astarte is veiled

so that every man may picture

beneath the veil the face

of the woman he most desires.

You, Micah,

what face are you picturing there?

Nahreeb, you said everything has its price.

Name hers.

She is not for a follower of Jehovah!

I mean to have her.

One way or another.

Asham tried to set Damascus against you,

and you let the Hebrew keep him!

We shall bring Asham to justice.

And we shall see this Hebrew again.

"As a pig for husks," he said to me.

Yes, we must make him thoroughly

and fittingly humble, this Micah.

Micah?

Micah.

Take yourself to bed. It's near daylight.

Me?

I shall be pleased when daylight comes.

Asham, I've drunk deep of every wine

from here to Petra,

and I've had my full share of women.

Yet I'm behaving like a beardless boy,

panting for the first forbidden fruit

that he sees.

A priestess who worships

a painted graven image.

But she's in my blood.

May the Lord give strength to His people.

May the Lord bless His people with peace.

Amen.

Micah?

You said grace, my son, but ate nothing.

Father...

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