Imagine - A Musical

Dale Andersen 27702 Crown Valley Parkway #117 Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 (562) 508-5820 [email protected]

IMAGINE: a musical about david Formerly entitled "Once There Was a Boy Named David" by

Dale Andersen ©2008

ACTOR#

ActISc1

Actor1 Actor2 Actor3 Actor4

Satan David

Actor5

Sheep2

Actor6

Sheep3

Sheep1

Actor7 Actor8

ACTOR#

Gabriel

ActIISc1

ActISc2 Satan Saul Jew1/Saul's Aide Jew2/ Messenger Jew3 Masked Amalekite Samuel

ActIISc2

Actor1 Actor2 Actor3

Satan David Saul

Satan David Elder1

Actor4

Saul's Aide

Elder2

Actor5 Actor6

Girl2

Actor7

Girl1

Actor8

Holy Man

Messenger Warrior2/ Girl2 Warrior1/ Girl1 Holy Man

ActISc3

ActISc4

Satan David Abinadab Eliab

Satan David

Shammah

Serving Girl

Goliath

Innkeeper

ActIISc3 Satan David Nasib/Saul Abimelek/ Saul's Aide Psychic Warrior2/ General Warrior1/ Daughter Holy Man/ Samuel

ActIISc4

ActIISc5

ActIISc6

Satan David Uriah

Satan David Jester

Satan David

Eleazar

Minstrel

Sheep1

Jashen

Guard

Sheep2

Messenger

Advisor

Sheep3

Soldier

Personal Assistant

Bathsheba

Amalekite

Food Taster

Gabriel

Hear Four Complete Songs >>> http://goo.gl/3tf0pM

ACT I Act I Scene 1 (At rise: a lovely afternoon. A verdant meadow. DAVID sits watching over his father’s flock, writing in a copybook. His slingshot lay beside him. SHEEP 1, SHEEP 2 & SHEEP 3 recline chewing cuds. Enter SATAN in a black robe. He walks with a slight limp. He stands at a distance, watching DAVID warily, frowning. Fifteen seconds pass. Enter GABRIEL in a white robe) GABRIEL: Well, what do you know? Satan! It’s really you! As I live and breathe! Thought you fell off the edge of the earth. What have you been doing with yourself? SATAN: Oh, you know me. Going here, there and everywhere, to and fro in the earth. Walking up and down in it. GABRIEL: Lovely afternoon. SATAN: It is indeed. Been a long time, hasn’t it? GABRIEL: It has. We should get together now and then. SATAN: We should. We really should. I’m not just saying that. GABRIEL: Oh now, look over there. Isn’t that young David? Such a dutiful boy, keeping watch over his father’s sheep. And always with some writing material on him. Such diligence. SATAN: Diligence? His merely having a pen and paper warrants your praise? Your standards are much too relaxed. It’s just some schoolboy doodling. Pag e 2

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p GABRIEL: You’re being hard on the boy. SATAN: I seriously doubt you’ll find the Code of Hammurabi or an account of Deucalion's Flood in there. Think how it was in our day. Nowadays it’s “hey, whatever.” GABRIEL: They say David writes for self-improvement. SATAN: You’d be shocked at what kids do for quote selfimprovement. GABRIEL: I’m sure David is writing something serious. SATAN: Perhaps. Perhaps. Or he may be scribbling trash. Or a love sonnet. Or God forbid, drawings of naked girls. GABRIEL: Is your knee acting up? SATAN: My knee’s fine. What’s not fine is the current state of things. In our day, life was serious. GABRIEL: That was then. I say, David’s not the type to engage in trash. In fact, I’m willing to bet money on it. SATAN: Oh, beware, Master Gabriel! He who bets, barters hope for false hope. Sorrow and misery will engulf thee. GABRIEL: I was speaking of a friendly wager, Master Satan. SATAN: Oh. Well. As long as it’s friendly. (SATAN & GABRIEL stop near DAVID. SHEEP 1, 2 & 3 eye them suspiciously. GABRIEL clears his throat) Page 3

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GABRIEL: Greetings, young David. And how are things with the herd this lovely Spring afternoon? (SHEEP 1 & 2 roll their eyes. SHEEP 3 sticks out tongue. DAVID looks up) DAVID: Flock. It’s flock. A group of sheep is a flock. (SHEEP 1, 2 & 3 hold up signs “Flock flock flock, we’re a flock”) GABRIEL: We stand corrected. We couldn’t help noticing you always seem to have writing material with you. DAVID: Yes, sir. I keep a copybook. To write my ideas down. GABRIEL: So you do. So you do. Admirable practice, that. DAVID: (Stands, sticks slingshot in belt) My mother says, you never know when an idea will hit. For example? I had an incredible idea for. Are you ready for this? The temple! Came to me out of the blue. Almost like a dream. Like wham! There it was. SATAN: (Rolls eyes) Oh Dear God in Heaven! GABRIEL: Don't mind Master Satan. Ever since the fall. And his knee injury. Well, never mind. David, tell us about this temple, please. Details. Details.

P age 4

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAVID: Oh, just amazing. It came to me in living color. All the proportions, the lengths, the widths, the heights. I have it all down in here. I made numerous sketches. I even know where the temple should go. Look over there. Do you see that ridge? GABRIEL: You mean that one? By Jerusalem there? DAVID: Yes. Mount Moriah. The high point outside the walls. GABRIEL: I will admit it does look like a promising site. DAVID: I calculated the temple’s height, floor to dome, at fifty feet. As God’s house, we need room for Him to stand inside and move about. God is forty feet tall. SATAN: (A nervous glance at GABRIEL) Forty feet tall? How did you deduce that? DAVID: It's in the Torah. Where Moses took the elders up Mount Sinai to meet God? It says they saw the feet of God? I thought long and hard about that. People were smaller back then, due to diet, disease, whatever. Assuming a man back then was four and a half feet tall, assuming God’s ankle was at eye level, it should measure four feet from God’s sole to His ankle. GABRIEL: A solid biblical reference! SATAN: Oh right. DAVID: The feet and ankles being one-tenth of one’s height, I extrapolated God’s aggregate height as forty feet. GABRIEL: Why boy! You're amazing!

Page 5

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DAVID: I’m going to build this temple as I imagine it. (Sings. As he does, SHEEP 1, 2, 3 collect wood and stones and erect a rude temple) IMAGINE ON THAT MOUNTAINTOP A TEMPLE IMAGINE ON THAT MOUNTAINTOP GOD’S HOME IMAGINE FROM AFAR LIKE A BRIGHT AND SHINING STAR A TEMPLE TO THE GLORY OF THE ONE WHO REIGNS THEN CONSIDER ALL THE WHEREWITHAL TO MAKE IT CONSIDER ALL THE WHEREWITHAL TO START CONSIDER ALL THE PARTS EACH CRAFTSMAN AND HIS ART EACH MASON EV’RY CARVER AND EACH ARTISAN THEN YOU ASK ME WHO’S THE WORTHY ONE TO BUILD IT YOU ASK ME WHO’S THE WORTHY ONE TO TRY YOU ASK ME TO IMPART WHAT TRUTH WITHIN MY HEART COMPELS ME TO ENDEAVOR TO EXALT HIS NAME AND GOD WILLING I WILL BUILD IT AND GOD WILLING IT WILL STAND AND GOD WILLING IT WILL LIGHT UP LIKE A BEACON IN THE LAND. AND GOD WILLING I WILL BUILD IT AND GOD WILLING IT WILL BE AND GOD WILLING IT WILL GUARD US FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA. AND AND AND HOW

GOD WILLING I WILL BUILD IT GOD WILLING IT WILL RULE GOD WILLING IT WILL SHOW US TO KNOW THAT WHICH IS TRUE.

AND AND AND AND

GOD GOD GOD HIS

WILLING I WILL BUILD IT WILLING WITH HIS LOVE WILLING WE WILL KNOW HIM BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE. Page 6

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DAVID(Cont): IMAGINE ON THAT MOUNTAINTOP A TEMPLE IMAGINE ON THAT MOUNTAINTOP GOD’S HOME IMAGINE FROM AFAR LIKE A BRIGHT AND SHINING STAR A TEMPLE TO THE GLORY OF THE ONE WHO REIGNS (Beat) Someday, I will build it. SATAN: Shepherd boy to temple builder. Now that’s a stretch. GABRIEL: Now now. Let’s not discourage the lad. SATAN: Far be it from me to discourage any young person with reasonable goals. Now correct me if I’m wrong on this, in order to build a temple. DAVID: No no. The Temple! SATAN: Right. In order to build the temple, one would first have to be the king. DAVID: You mean I have to be king first? Is that right? GABRIEL: I’m afraid Master Satan is right. SATAN: Of course I’m right. GABRIEL: You see, David, kings don’t take kindly to private citizens’ usurping kingly functions. Building the temple would be a task reserved for a king. DAVID: King. Hmmmm. I could do that. I’d make a good king. (SHEEP 1 & 2 hold coronation for SHEEP 3) Page 7

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GABRIEL: I’ve no doubt you would. SATAN: Why do you encourage him? Let him be a farmer. GABRIEL: But a king can do so much good. Think of the benefits. SATAN: Think of all the waste. Kings tend to be bad. GABRIEL: Goodness! There is so much negativity in you. SATAN: It’s called reality. (Sings) THIS IS WHAT A KING WILL DO HE’LL TAKE YOUR EV’RY SON, HE’LL TAKE THEM FOR HIS CHARIOTS HE’LL TAKE THEM EV’RY ONE. THIS IS WHAT A KING WILL DO HE’LL FILL THE LAND WITH SPIES HE’LL FILL YOUR PURSE WITH BRIBERY HE’LL FILL YOUR HEAD WITH LIES. THIS IS WHAT A KING WILL DO HE’LL COUNT YOUR HOUSE AND LAND HE’LL COUNT ON YOU TO PAY THE TAX HE’LL COUNT YOU AS HIS MAN. A KING WILL TAKE YOUR SILVER A KING WILL TAKE YOUR GOLD HE’LL GIVE IT TO HIS OFFICERS TO KEEP THEM BOUGHT AND SOLD THIS IS WHAT A KING WILL DO HE’LL PUT YOU IN HIS SIGHTS HE’LL PUT HIS FOOT DOWN ON YOUR NECK HE’LL PUT TO DEATH YOUR RIGHTS. A KING WILL TAKE YOUR DIAMONDS A KING WILL TAKE YOUR PEARLS HE’LL MAKE THEM INTO NECKLACES FOR ALL HIS WIVES AND GIRLS Page 8

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SO THAT IS YOU’LL CRY YOU’LL CRY YOU’LL CRY

SATAN(Cont): WHAT A KING WILL DO OUT FOR RELIEF. OUT HOW IT ISN’T FAIR OUT IN YOUR GRIEF.

THIS IS WHAT A KING WILL DO HE’LL TAKE YOUR EV’RY SON, HE’LL TAKE THEM FOR HIS CHARIOTS HE’LL TAKE THEM EV’RY ONE. DAVID: No! No! I would never be like that. GABRIEL: Of course you wouldn’t. Of course he wouldn’t. DAVID: My mom would be really angry if I was a bad king. GABRIEL: You’d never be that. DAVID: No way. When I am king, you know what I’ll do? I’ll go to people’s houses and knock on their door. I’ll say, “Hi, I’m David. Your King? How’m I doing?” (Mime. SHEEP 3, wearing crown, knocks on door. SHEEP 1 & 2, as humble peasants, open door, feign exaggerated shock, delight) GABRIEL: A truly laudable idea. SATAN: What if they say, “David, you stink! You should quit!” (Long pause) DAVID: No! They. They wouldn’t say that. Would they?

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SATAN: Master Gabriel and I had a bet about you. My bet was that you, like all young people today, engage in nothing but idle thoughts and trash. I think that’s been amply demonstrated. (Hands coin to DAVID) Here’s the amount we bet. I won. I always win. I give my winnings to you. You’ll need it. Just don’t spend it all in one place, boy. (SATAN turns to leave, a smug smile) DAVID: How about I give you a chance to win it back? SATAN: Thanks but no thanks. Once is enough. You keep it. DAVID: Just as I suspected. You go for the easy wins, do you? But run away from the hard ones. Is that it? (SATAN stops, does not turn) SATAN: You don’t know what hard is, little one. GABRIEL: David. Please. Master Satan meant it as a joke. There was no intention to insult you. Let it go. SATAN: (Turns) No. Let him talk. Let him dig the hole deeper. DAVID: Master Gabriel is a kind person. He’ll always let you win. With me, it’d be different. It wouldn’t be a gimme. But go ahead and run away if you want. SATAN: You do have a mouth on you. GABRIEL: Oh David. I do wish you’d learn to hold your tongue.

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SATAN: It’s all right, Gabriel. He needs to learn. Name your game, boy. DAVID: Rock, Paper, Scissors. SATAN: I know the game. DAVID: (Sets coin on ground) One time. One time for all the marbles. Rock smashes scissors. Scissors cut paper. Paper covers rock. SATAN: I said, I know the game. (GABRIEL moves back. SATAN & DAVID circle each other, staring each other down. They stop. They face each other) DAVID & SATAN: Once. Twice. Thrice. Go! (They both show rock) SATAN: Oho! You got lucky that time. (SATAN & DAVID circle each other menacingly. They stop. They face each other) DAVID & SATAN: Once. Twice. Thrice. Go! (They both show paper) SATAN: Another tie. I'm getting to like you less and less. (SATAN & DAVID circle each other. They stop. They face each other. SATAN nervously blinks) DAVID & SATAN: Once. Twice. Thrice. Go! Page 11

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (SATAN shows paper. DAVID shows scissors. SATAN gasps. DAVID grins) DAVID: Scissors cut paper, old man. (Fade to black) End of Scene

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p Act I Scene 2 (Bare stage. SATAN in garish rock and roll garb. He rubs a welt on his arm. It is painful. He gingerly rubs in some balm. A piano is off to the side) SATAN: I’ll have you know I’m a person of consequence. In the past, I’ve played opposite some very pretty ladies. And I’ve had lots of good lines. Lots. (Takes tattered script from pocket) Here. This is a good example. A nude scene. (Reads) “Satan: Did God really mean, you mustn’t eat from that tree? Eve: We may eat fruit from the trees, but not that one, lest we die. We’re not even supposed to touch it. Satan (touches tree): You won’t die. He knows when you eat of it, your eyes’ll be opened and you’ll be like him. (He picks fruit, holds it out to her) Here. Try it. You’ll like it.”

(Tosses script aside) Wonderful lines, those. Pithy. Dramatic. Fraught with shadings and nuance. They don’t write lines like that anymore. Today it’s sophomoric relationship drivel from the mouths of limp, weak, whiney, clueless, dysfunctional protagonists. I must admit I have deep concerns. A sense of foreboding, if you will. I’ve a feeling I’ll not be well represented in this conceit. No matter. The show goes on and trouper that I am, I’ll strut my part on stage. But I’ll strut warily. (SAMUEL enters. He has a petition in his hand. He appears troubled) That’s Samuel, son of Elkanah. A powerful prophet and judge. So powerful they say Jehovah Himself floats on a cloud just behind him. Normally, he’s self-assured. But lately, he’s been worried. He has a problem. It seems the people want - SAMUEL: A king! They want a king now! Half the people in Judah have signed this, this, this petition!

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(JEWS 1, 2, 3 enter with protest signs reading “KING NOW!” SATAN goes to piano, plays and sings Jerry Lee Lewis style) SATAN: (Sings) OLD SAMMY'S GOT THE “KING NOW” BLUES IT’S GIVING HIM A FRIGHT PEOPLE MARCHIN' BY HIS HOUSE ALL HOURS DAY AND NIGHT PEOPLE AGITATIN' TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE LAW HE WONDERS IF THE CAMEL’S BACK IS BROKEN BY THIS STRAW. THEY SAY, “WE WANT A KING RIGHT NOW. THAT’S HOW IT’S GOTTA BE. SORRY, SAM, WE’RE MOVING ON. DON’T BLOCK REALITY” BUT BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL THINGS’LL GET BETTER FOR YOU. SAMUEL CRIES “IT JUST AIN’T FAIR. IT’S CRASHING DOWN MY LIFE!” HE HEADS OFF TO SUBURBIA AND KICKS HIS DOG AND WIFE. HE GOES INTO A SYNAGOGUE. LIKE ANY PIOUS JEW. “TELL ME, TELL ME, LORD OF HOSTS. OH, TELL ME WHAT TO DO.” THE ANSWER COMES BACK PRESENTLY THE ANSWER COMES TO HIM. “HAVE A BOWL OF CHICKEN SOUP AND TAKE SOME ASPIRIN.” AND BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL THINGS’LL GET BETTER FOR YOU.

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SATAN(Cont): SAMUEL CRIES, “BUCK UP, YOU SAY? YOU TOSSIN' ME A BONE? YOU THROW ME IN THE LIONS’ DEN, I FEEL SO ALL ALONE” NOW SAMUEL, HE’S GROWN USED TO ALL THE STATUS HE ENJOYS, WHAT WITH ALL THE PRIVILEGES, AND POWER HE DEPLOYS. FROWNS WHEN YAHWEH SAYS TO HIM “NOW PLEASE DON’T MISCONSTRUE GET OUT IN FRONT AND LEAD OR I’LL SEND YOU TO TIMBUKTU.” NOW BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL, BUCK UP BUCK UP SAMUEL THINGS’LL GET BETTER FOR YOU. JEW1: The Philistines have kings. Even the dirty, thieving, bushwhacking Amalekites have a king. What about us? JEW2: We need a king. So we can kick some butt. SAMUEL: Be patient, good people. No need for drastic measures. In due time and in the very near future, maybe really, really soon, the Philistine situation will be resolved in our favor. JEW3: Favor schmavor. The future is now. We need a king now. JEWS 1, 2, 3: (Waving signs) King now! King now! King now! King now! (JEWS 1, 2, 3 exit, chanting, “King now! King now!” SAMUEL shakes his head wearily, exits in opposite direction)

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SATAN: (Dons robe of royal official as he speaks) Contrary to received wisdom, I like Jews. They’re plucky, combative, stiff-necked and they always read the fine print. But every once in a while, they go off the deep end. Take this “king now” stuff. There’s lots of downside to having a king. Personally, I vote libertarian. The less government, the better. But hey, that’s me. (Lights up, SAUL’s throne room. Mandate of Heaven certificate on wall above throne. MASKED AMALEKITE in tribal garb enters, flings spear with a note attached at Mandate. Spear sticks in wall in center of Mandate with a loud “THUNK!” MASKED AMALEKITE exits. SAUL rushes in followed by SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN. SATAN winks at audience) SAUL: Did you hear that? What was that?! SATAN: What was what, your grace? SAUL: Oh my God! Look! SAUL’S AIDE: An Amalekite spear in your Mandate of Heaven. With a note. SAUL: What does it say? Read it! SATAN: (Reads note) “Oh King Saul! Lament, for yours is a realm of darkness and obscurity! Your legacy will be ruin and more ruin!” SAUL: These Amalekites are scum!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: If they think this weakens your resolve, they are sorely mistaken. Show them, O King. Show them you will not be frightened. Show them your mettle. (Hands note to SAUL. Enter MESSENGER) Ah! Look! A happy dispatch borne by this wingéd Mercury. You have good news, we trust. MESSENGER: I have news. SAUL: Well, spit it out. We could use a little cheer. MESSENGER: Philistines, your highness. SAUL: We stomped them. Right? MESSENGER: Not exactly. Four of them slipped through our defences, attacked a school, killed a teacher and her students. We cornered them in a chicken coop and - SAUL: It never ends. It just goes on and on. SAUL’S AIDE: Hang in there, your majesty. SATAN: Don’t let it trouble you, your grace. SAUL: Trouble? Me? Who says it troubles me? (Sings in doo-wop style) LOOK ON THIS FACE GAZE ON THIS VISAGE IT SHOULD BE CLEAR WHAT I AM ABOUT. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS COOL AS AN ICE TRAY Page 17

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SAUL: AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS SHARP AS A STINGRAY SAUL: AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS STRAIGHT AS A RUNWAY SAUL: AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS SET AS A PAYDAY SAUL: AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS SMOOTH AS FAIRWAY SAUL: AM I TROUBLED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: NO NO NO. HE’S AS FIRM AS A GATEWAY. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. SAUL: THIS IS NOT A WORRIED FACE THIS ISN’T GRIM RESOLVE WE’RE NOT IN A PANIC MODE WE’LL NOT TO BLACK DISSOLVE SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: IS HE TROUBLED? SAUL: DO YOU SEE ME RUNNING SCARED? Page 18

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SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: IS HE TROUBLED? SAUL: IS MY REASONING IMPAIRED? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: IS HE TROUBLED? SAUL: DO YOU THINK I’M UNAWARE? SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: IS HE TROUBLED? SAUL: NOW JUST ASK ME IF I CARE! TROUBLED TROUBLED TROUBLED TROUBLED

IS IS IS IS

SAUL & SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: AS TROUBLED DOES ILLUSION WHAT WEAKENS US CONFUSION

SAUL’S AIDE: TROUBLED’S A CONSPIRACY SATAN: TROUBLED’S A MALIGNANCY SAUL: TROUBLED’S A CALAMITY AND I WILL HAVE IT OUT! OUT! OUT! LOOK AT THIS FACE GAZE ON THIS VISAGE IT SHOULD BE CLEAR WHAT I AM ABOUT. SAUL & SAUL’S AIDE & SATAN: OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH. OH OH OH.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: (To MESSENGER) Why couldn’t you bring good news? He wants good news. (To SAUL) Strike back hard. Make them pay. Two of them for every one of us. Grind them into dust. MESSENGER: If I may make a comment, my king. SAUL: Yes? MESSENGER: In my opinion, our two eyes for an eye, two teeth for a tooth policy isn’t working. It just exacerbates - SAUL: Where did a messenger learn a word like exacerbate? SAUL’S AIDE: A little education is worse than none at all, my lord. SAUL: Is exacerbate even a word? SATAN: It shouldn’t be. Let’s ban it. SAUL: Let’s ban all four syllable words. SAUL’S AIDE: Girlie-man! SAUL: Get your pretentious, la-di-da butt out of my sight. (MESSENGER exits. To SATAN & SAUL’S AIDE) Call up the reserves and the national guard. We’re going to the Valley of Elah to fight Philistines. (Dons sword) I intend to repay this insult like for like. (Fade to black) End of Scene

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p Act I Scene 3 (At rise: A space. David’s older brothers, ELIAB, ABINADAB and SHAMMAH, in military uniforms. Their swords are on ground nearby. ABINADAB is trying to start a campfire by making sparks with a flint. A second space. SATAN in turban, cloak & walking stick of a peddlar) SATAN: That young lad with the temple scheme. A most unusual ambition. Not the sort of thing your average young lad aspires to. And the way he treated me. Overly rude, I’d say. No manners at all. Worrisome all around. I sense gathering clouds. Red flags popping up everywhere. What to do? What to do? (Enter DAVID in hiking cloak, backpack & walking stick. His slingshot in his belt) Well, speaking of the devil! (Adjusts turban so as not to be recognized) Excuse me there, young man! Sorry. Can’t talk.

DAVID: I’m in a huge rush.

SATAN: At least you can tell me where you’re going. DAVID: (Indicates his backpack) Got home-cooked meals here for my brothers. They’re in King Saul’s army in the Valley of Elah. SATAN: (Points up ahead) Ah. The Valley of Elah. That’s up ahead, isn’t it? DAVID: Yes. My brother, Eliab, is a sergeant. Abinadab and Shammah are privates. They’re all in the infantry. SATAN: Defending the country. You must be proud of them. DAVID: They were drafted. Page 21

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: I’m headed out there myself. I’m a merchant. (Hands him card) Lucifer Enterprises. Marketing gewgaws, doodads and trinkets factory-direct to the military customer. Would you like to see a gewgaw? DAVID: I’m really in a hurry. SATAN: (Blocks DAVID’S way, holds up gewgaw) Oh come on. Try it. You’ll like it. DAVID: (Takes gewgaw, turns it over in his hand) What am I supposed to do with it? SATAN: You hold it up to your eye. Look in the peephole. DAVID: That’s a naked girl. SATAN: You move it to the left, she puts her clothes on. Move it to the right, she undresses. Just the thing for the lonely soldier at the front. DAVID: (Hands it back) I think it’s disgusting. (DAVID starts off) SATAN: I hope you’re not one of those “religious” boys. Too bad about that. You’re a handsome lad, you are. Be a shame to have all that go to waste. (DAVID exits. SATAN shrugs. Turns to ABINADAB) Excuse me, young man! (No response from ABINADAB) You there! Excuse me! ABINADAB: Yeah?

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SATAN: Is this the Valley of Elah where the big battle is to be fought? ELIAB: Who wants to know? SATAN: If you don’t mind, I was asking him. ELIAB: I do mind. I’m his older brother. You can ask me. SATAN: There’s no call to be disputatious. ELIAB: This is a war zone you’re in. SATAN: (Steps into space, blackout on other space) War zone? So, this is the Valley of Elah. SHAMMAH: Well, sure. Everyone knows that. ELIAB: Shammah! SHAMMAH: What’d I say? ELIAB: Careful, brother. Loose lips sink ships. (To SATAN) What’s your business here, stranger? SATAN: My. My business. Oh. I’m. I’m uh. A poor intinerant merchant, travelling the highways and byways of. ELIAB: Travelling. So you were out on the main road just now. SATAN: Yes. Of course. Page 23

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SHAMMAH: He must have seen David. ELIAB: Our youngest brother, David. He’s on his way here with bread and corn and cheese from home. SHAMMAH: Mom’s homemade bread. ABINADAB: Corn on the cob. ELIAB: Real goat cheese. Not the foul stuff the army passes off, but the real thing. I love goat cheese. Did you see our brother, a young man with ruddy good looks? SATAN: A lot of people were using the road. But I do recall having a chat with a comely young man. He didn’t say his name, but I recall he had a sling in his belt. ABINADAB: Yep! That’s David! Always has his sling. SHAMMAH: All right! We’re gonna have Mom’s home cooking, Mom’s home cooking, Mom’s home cooking. Tonight. ELIAB: Goat cheese! I can already taste it. Thanks for bringing good news. Sorry I was a little rough with you. What are you doing out here? SATAN: Me? Oh uh. A little of this. A little of that. I deal in gewgaws and doodads and trinkets. (Opens backpack) Things to lighten up the soldier’s drab life. ELIAB: Yeah? SATAN: Here. Take a look at these. See if you like them.

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ELIAB: Oh hey, look at that. Oh yeah, that is cool. SHAMMAH: Oh yeah, wow. ELIAB: Oh, this is hot. You should see this. See how she - SHAMMAH: Oh yeah, that’s sweet. You move it to the right and she - ABINADAB: Hey! Come on! Lemme see! ELIAB: Make that campfire like I told you. Then maybe I will. I want my coffee. ABINADAB: Not fair! You gotta let me see! Come on! SATAN: Well, good. Now I see you lads are amusing yourselves. Guess I’ll just mosey on down the road. ELIAB: (Transfixed on gewgaw) Yeah. Yeah. You do that. SATAN: So the Philistine fortifications are over there? Is that right? ELIAB: Uh yeah yeah. Right. SATAN: (Points toward the Philistine lines) Okay, lads, I'm going over there now. Ta ta. ELIAB: Yeah sure bye.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (Lights up on a new space in direction SATAN was pointing. In space, GOLIATH sits staring at his armor & weapons. SATAN exits first space & enters GOLIATH space. ABINADAB returns to trying to start campfire, glaring at his brothers. ELIAB & SHAMMAH continue enjoying themselves staring into the gewgaws) SATAN: Excuse me, young fellow. (No response from GOLIATH) You there! Excuse me! GOLIATH: Yeah? SATAN: Is this the Valley of Elah where the great battle is to be fought? GOLIATH: A battle, maybe. Not sure how great it’ll be. SATAN: Oh? GOLIATH: Every day, I put this stuff on and go out and try to get one of them to fight. But they won’t fight. SATAN: They’re scared of you? GOLIATH: Seems that way. We been sitting here for forty days. You’d think one of them would. SATAN: And you’re getting restless, I see. You want someone to start something. GOLIATH: Well. Yeah. SATAN: What if I told you I can get one of them to come out here and fight you? Page 26

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GOLIATH: You could do that? Tell you, I’m so bored I could - SATAN: I’ll do more. I’ll throw in a victory. Guaranteed. How about that? GOLIATH: What’s the catch? SATAN: Oh please. Do I look like the kind of guy who’d set conditions? GOLIATH: I don’t know. Are you? SATAN: You do have to do one thing for me. GOLIATH: Aha. A condition. SATAN: You have to kill him. GOLIATH: Kill him? SATAN: Kill him. GOLIATH: That’s it? SATAN: I don’t want you letting him run away with his tail between his legs. I want him dead. Think you can handle that? GOLIATH: Sure. No problem. SATAN: Well, that settles that. Ta ta, my largish friend.

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(SATAN exits. GOLIATH stands, starts putting on his armor. ELIAB & SHAMMAH continue staring into the gewgaws) ABINADAB: Darn darn darn! ELIAB: Haven’t you got that fire going yet? Please!

ABINADAB: Please start, fire!

ELIAB: Talking to it won’t help, brother. Come on. Get the fire going. I want my coffee. ABINADAB: Darn! Darn! Darn! Darn! SHAMMAH: Cussing won’t help either. GOLIATH: (Now in his armor. He shakes his spear) Hello over there, all you Hebrew nancy-boys! SHAMMAH: Oh shoot, it’s Goliath again. GOLIATH: Listen, ladies! It’s been forty days and forty nights. Time to go home to your boyfriends, don’t you think? ELIAB: Why doesn’t someone shut him up? GOLIATH: Hey girls! Come on! Let’s settle this and go home. Send your best out here to fight me. We’ll go one on one. Mano a mano. Winner take all. SHAMMAH: Why doesn’t King Saul do something? GOLIATH: I’m waiting, ladies. I’m waiting. Page 28

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ABINADAB: Darn! Darn! Darn! Darn! ELIAB: Why don’t you go out there? SHAMMAH: Are you crazy? He’d eat me alive. GOLIATH: Can’t wait much longer, girls. Gotta get a pedicure. Five more seconds. Four. Three. Two. One. Ciao! (GOLIATH sits down, a frustrated expression on his face) He lied, said he’d get someone to fight. SHAMMAH: He’s gone. ELIAB: I don’t mind saying, I’m tired of this. If Saul would just send someone over there to slit his fat throat. SHAMMAH: Admit it. Saul’s scared. ABINADAB: Okay! Got it! I got a spark! Finally! (Enter SATAN in an Army Lieutenant's uniform, winks broadly at audience) SATAN: Just what’s going on here? (ELIAB, ABINADAB and SHAMMAH trip over each other forming up and coming to attention) I said, WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? ELIAB: We. We’re making a fire to make coffee, Lieutenant. SATAN: Coffee. Marvelous. Just marvelous. A giant is screaming insults at us. Are my soldiers volunteering to defend the honor of his majesty King Saul? No, because they’re too busy making coffee. What’s wrong with this picture? Pre-SENT! ARMS! Page 29

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (ELIAB, ABINADAB and SHAMMAH reach for their swords, but their scabbards are empty) SATAN: (Kicks swords) You never EVER leave your pieces adrift on the deck. Never! You got that, people? I said, YOU GOT THAT? ELIAB, ABINADAB & SHAMMAH: YES, SIR! SATAN: The next time I come in here, if I find one piece of gear adrift, your sorry butts’ll be in a sling. Who’s in charge here? I said, WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE? ELIAB: I.

I am, sir.

SATAN: Marvelous! Coffee boy’s in charge. Okay, listen and listen good, coffee boy. I want this space secure. I want it policed from stem to stern. And when I come back, it had best be standing tall. ELIAB: Yes, sir. SATAN: I can’t hear you. ELIAB: YES, SIR! SATAN: Dis-MISSED. Now secure your pieces. (ELIAB, ABINADAB & SHAMMAH scramble to get their swords. SATAN rolls his eyes, shakes his head, exits) ABINADAB: Coffee boy! Ha! Ha! Ha! ELIAB: Shut up! Page 30

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SHAMMAH: Coffee boy. Hee hee. ELIAB: I said, shut up! (ELIAB sulks. DAVID enters, bearing food) ABINADAB: Hey, look who’s here. David! DAVID: Hi, brothers. Goodies from home. ABINADAB: Hey, David! Awwwright, homemade bread! And corn! And real goat cheese! DAVID: No no no. Don’t touch the cheese. The cheese is for your Lieutenant. ELIAB: What? For who? The Lieutenant can go to blazes! DAVID: Hey! No joke. I mean it. Pops was real specific. He said the goat cheese is for the Lieutenant. ELIAB: (Rips off some cheese, stuffs it in mouth) The Lieutenant can got to blazes! DAVID: What’d I say? SHAMMAH: It’s not you, David. ABINADAB: The Lieutenant was just in here and - ELIAB: No no no! Don’t you tell him a thing! None of his darn business. He’ll just tell Pops. (ELIAB goes to the corner, sits with his back to them and continues sulking) Page 31

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ABINADAB: I’m staying out of this. I’m not saying another word. SHAMMAH: You talk to him, David. You always cheer him up. DAVID: Hey, Eliab. Hey come on, cheer up. Hey come on, it’s me. It’s your little bro. It’s David. Come on! (A spotlight on DAVID as he makes faces, does pratfalls, makes fart sounds under his armpit. No reaction from ELIAB) Come on, Big Brother. Don't be like this. Cheer up. Smile for me. Come on. I need my Big Brother. (Sings) WHEN ALL THE KIDS THEY PICK ON ME AND NO ONE’S ON MY SIDE WHEN MOMMA COMES INTO MY ROOM AND CALLS IT A PIGSTY WHEN POPPA YELLS AND TELLS ME THAT HE’S GONNA TAN MY HIDE THAT’S WHEN LITTLE BRO NEEDS BIG BROTHER WHEN ME AND THIS ONE GUY SQUARE OFF AND NO ONE’S GOT MY BACK WHEN HE AND ME ARE FIGHTING AND THEN SOMEONE ELSE ATTACKS WHEN YOU SEE ME YELLING “HELP ME!” LIKE I WAS A MANIAC THAT’S WHEN LITTLE BRO NEEDS BIG BROTHER COME ON, BIG BROTHER, GET UP AN' GET RIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER, STEP INTO THE LIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER YOU GOTTA GET RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER, GET UP AN' GET RIGHT WHEN SATAN COMES AND TAKES MY HAND TO LEAD ME ALL ASTRAY WHEN I AM WEAK AND WEARY AND TEMPTATION COMES TO STAY WHEN A LITTLE GUY NEEDS A BIG SOMEONE TO HELP HIM FIND HIS WAY THAT’S WHEN LITTLE BRO NEEDS BIG BROTHER COME ON, BIG BROTHER, GET UP AN' GET RIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER, STEP INTO THE LIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER YOU GOTTA GET RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT COME ON, BIG BROTHER, GET UP AN' GET RIGHT

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ABINADAB: When he’s like this, there’s just no hope. (GOLIATH stands up, sword in hand) GOLIATH: Hello again out there, all you circumcised girlies! DAVID: What’s that? SHAMMAH: Goliath. Big Philistine giant. Every hour, the big galoot challenges King Saul to single combat. GOLIATH: Come on, ladies. Let’s do it one on one, winner take all. What’s the matter? Too chicken? Too scared? DAVID: How long has this been going on? ABINADAB: Forty days. DAVID: Forty days? Every hour? SHAMMAH: We’re starting to call him Old Faithful. DAVID: Oh yeah. I see. He is a hefty one, isn't he? (Scrunches down next to the sulking ELIAB) Hey, Eliab. Big Brother. What if I made that big fat dummy shut up? Would that cheer you up? ELIAB: It might. DAVID: Well, what if I brought you his sword? Would that help bring you out of your funk?

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p ELIAB: It might. DAVID: What if I brought you his head? Would that cheer you up even more? ELIAB: That would sure help. GOLIATH: You can’t beat me! Because I am Superman! I am the Most Dominant Ever! DAVID: (Takes out his sling) This is my pledge to you, Big Brother. That fat, outof-shape loser is going down. I guarantee it. SHAMMAH: Okay, David. A joke’s a joke. Back off. He’s too big. ABINADAB: Shammah’s right, David. Forget it. You can’t win this. ELIAB: Davey. As much as I love you, forget this. Go home. SHAMMAH: Eliab’s right. GOLIATH: Time is tight, ladies. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. ELIAB: Go home to Pops. Please. DAVID: No. When I decide on something, that’s it. Now, everyone, just move back. Give little bro some room. (They move back. DAVID picks up several stones for his sling, sings) OH I LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILL OH I LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILL YEA, I WALK IN THE VALLEY OR I SLIDE DOWN AN ALLEY I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILL Page 34

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAVID(Cont): AN’ THE WORD IT IS REAL AN’ THE POWER IT PROCLAIM SEE THE STONES IN THE FIELD HIPPY-HOPPIN’ TO HIS NAME. STONE THEY BE SHAKIN’ LEFT STONE THEY SHAKIN’ RIGHT STONE THEY DO A DOSIE-DOE MOVE IT IN TIGHT SMOKIN’ LIKE A BURNIN’ SPEAR BUZZIN’ LIKE A BEE LORD, WONCHA GUIDE ‘EM TRUE ALL THE WORLD TO SEE GIMME SHELTER IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WING GIMME SHELTER IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WING SEE THE MAN I BEWARIN’ SEE HIM GLARE, SEE HIM STARIN’ GIMME SHELTER IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WING AN’ THE WORD IT IS REAL AN’ THE POWER IT PROCLAIM SEE THE STONES IN THE FIELD HIPPY-HOPPIN’ TO HIS NAME. (Grins, winks, puts stone into sling) Watch my back, brothers. (DAVID exits. Sound of a sling whirling) GOLIATH: What’s this? A skinny kid? Saul’s sending a child against me? Is this his best? What an insult! ABINADAB: Oh God! Please Goliath. Don’t hurt him too bad.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p VOICE OF DAVID: Get ready, Fat Boy. I got a stone in my sling with your low rent, out-of-shape name written all over it. GOLIATH: Ho ho! Come, little mouse. I’ll feed you to the birds. SHAMMAH: Get out of there, David. Get out of there. Please! VOICE OF DAVID: I just now said a prayer. God told me you got one minute left. Just enough time for your last meal. GOLIATH: Ho ho ho! Speaking of last meal, little man, I got seven hungry dogs in my kennel. I promised them a nice snack. So keep coming closer. (Sling whirls louder) Closer. (Sling whirls louder) And closer. (Whirling stops. Sound of stone in flight) And close. (Sound of stone hitting head. THUNK! GOLIATH’s hand to head. GOLIATH falls. Sound, body hits ground. FWUMP! Sound of a thousand Philistine warriors in shock, “OH GOD NOOO!” Sound of a thousand Hebrew warriors cheering, “AWRIGHTT, DAVIDD! WAYYYY TO GO!” Blackout on GOLIATH’s space) ELIAB: WooooooHooooooooooooo! My God! He did it! David, my little bro did it! That’s my little bro! Of course, I knew all along he could. I always told him, you get one shot in life, you gotta grab it. I knew he could do it. Didn’t I always say he could do it? Well, didn’t I? Course I did!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (ELIAB dances jig. ELIAB, ABINADAB & SHAMMAH exit, cheering. Fade to black. Lights up, bare stage. DAVID enters with GOLIATH’ssword. The blade drips with blood. Sound of a thousand Israelite warriors cheering, “DAVID! DAVID! DAVID!” DAVID touches finger to blood and puts it to tongue. He smiles, waves toward the cheering. Enter SATAN, dressed like a Israelite soldier, clapping. He takes hold of DAVID’S wrist, raises his arm high, huge smile. The cheering grows louder, “DAVID! DAVID! DAVID!” Fade to black) End of Scene

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Act I Scene 4 (Lights up, bare stage. DAVID enters holding an opened letter) DAVID: Summoned to King Saul’s palace. It says I’m going to be a court official. This is my big chance. Remember what my big brother said. He said, you get one shot. (Sings) YOU GET ONE SHOT AND YOU SINK OR SWIM WITH IT YOU GET ONE SHOT AND YOU SOAR OR TAKE A HIT GRAB IT AND YOU’RE OH SO CLEVER SEE YOU ON YOUR WAY GRAB IT OR IT’S LOST FOREVER WATCH IT SLIP AWAY YOU GET ONE SHOT IT’S THE SAME FOR ALL AND ONE YOU GET ONE SHOT FOR YOUR SEASON IN THE SUN GRAB IT AND YOU’RE OH SO CLEVER SEE YOU TOUCH THE SKY GRAB IT OR IT’S LOST FOREVER KISS YOUR LUCK GOOD BYE YOU GET ONE SHOT DID YOUR BEST GO IN THE TANK? YOU GET ONE SHOT THERE’S THE QUICKSAND AND YOU SANK ONE ONE ONE ONE

SHOT AND YOU’RE HISTORY SHOT AND IT’S OVER SHOT FOR THE VICTORY SHOT, YOU’RE IN THE CLOVER

YOU GET ONE SHOT ALWAYS ONCE AND NEVER TWICE. YOU GET ONE SHOT FOR THE CHAMPAGNE CHILLED ON ICE.

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IT’S ONE ONE SHOT ONE SHOT ONE SHOT

DAVID(Cont): SHOT TO CLEAR ALL THE BASES TO DRAW OUT ALL THE ACES TO WIN ALL THE RACES IS ALL YOU GET! (DAVID goes back to reading his letter. Lights up on a new space, the back room at an inn with a SERVING GIRL AND INKKEEPER. SERVING GIRL is dressed like a hussy. SATAN, dressed as a court official, stands just outside this space. There's a badge of office around his neck. He regards DAVID warily)

SATAN: David. The name means beloved of God. That’s not to say he’s actually beloved of God. A name can run counter to reality. Think of all those Latino boys named Jesus (pr: hey-SOOS) who are anything but. SERVING GIRL: (Lights candle on table) I don’t care. He’s a dirty old man! INNKEEPER: He’s a good customer! SERVING GIRL: He smells of brimstone and charcoal! He needs to take a bath! (INKKEEPER takes out a coin, shoves it under SERVING GIRL’s nose, as she wipes table) INNKEEPER: Does this smell? Does it? You be nice to him. He’s a Palace official and a good tipper. God save King Saul! (SATAN enters space, pinches SERVING GIRL) SATAN: God save King Saul. You’re certain the room is secure? INNKEEPER: Oh yes, sir. No one comes near without my say so. Page 39

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SATAN: There’ll be a young man coming by. He and I will require absolute privacy. INNKEEPER: (Giving a lecherous wink) Oh say no more, sir. I understand comple - SATAN: Wipe that lewd grin from your face, you fat oaf! (Flashes badge of office) You see this badge of office? When I wear this, I’m not on personal business. I’m on the King’s business. INNKEEPER: My apologies, sir. You needn’t worry about a thing. I see nothing, I hear nothing, I say nothing. SATAN: (Places coin in INNKEEPER’s hand) Just get out. INNKEEPER: Oh thank you. Thank you. Again, I meant no disrespect. SATAN: Out! (INNKEEPER, SERVING GIRL bow, start to exit) SERVING GIRL: Did he call you an oaf? INNKEEPER: Shut up, wench! (INNKEEPER, SERVING GIRL exit, shut door. Silence. SATAN sits, runs hand thru flame, smiles. DAVID knocks on door) SATAN: Come in! (Door opens, DAVID pokes his head in) David! Welcome! Welcome! Come in! Come in! (DAVID enters) Sit. Sit. Please sit.

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DAVID: Thank you, sir. SATAN: (SATAN pours wine, raises glass) Welcome, Giant Killer. L'chayim. DAVID: L'chayim. I’m no hero. It was one of those things. (They drink it down. SATAN pours again) SATAN: Oh, David. You’re much, much too modest. Do you know the King requested you? (DAVID says nothing, shows no emotion) The King asked for you by name. Aren’t you excited? DAVID: I. I guess so. SATAN: You guess so. It’s depressing to see one so clearly underwhelmed by his own good fortune. And to think it was I who recommended you. I who spoke your name to the King. I who reminded him of your great service to the crown after everyone else seemed to have forgotten. Aren’t you going to thank me? DAVID: Thank. Thank you. SATAN: This is how it was. King Saul in the Great Hall with his courtiers. He was looking about him, eyes shooting fire, glaring, in that typical black mood of his. Everyone cringing. He wanted an answer. And he wanted it now. I stood forth and, before any could speak, I said, in a ringing voice, “Who here does not recall David the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, mighty and valiant, a man of war, prudent, a comely person, whom God favored on that day in the Valley of Elah when Goliath of Gath troubled us with his scorn and his mockery?” Hello! You look stunned.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAVID: You said that? About me? SATAN: It’s true. Mostly of it. You are valiant. You are favored by God. You’re all the things I said. More or less. Listen to me. Those who say the Goliath matter was a fluke are suffering from a case of the sour grapes. Truth be told, most of them are northerners. And we Judah men from the south. Men like you and me. We know about northerners, don’t we? Between you and me and the lamppost, it’s a bloody shame what they’re up to. They know, the longer they keep you from the court, the sooner people will forget. High time we put a stop to that. We Judah tribesmen have to stick together. You follow me? DAVID: I. Yes. We do. SATAN: I was right. You’re a bright one. You have a ways to go yet, but you don’t babble or interrupt or stare blankly. You look me in the eye and you listen. Now the King has a problem. And when he has a problem, we all have a problem. You follow me? DAVID: Yes. SATAN: To please the High Priest, King Saul made witchery a capital crime. Now someone’s putting a hex on him. Probably a secret coven doing it out of revenge. There’s no doubt. A demon’s after him. At least one. Possibly two or three. It, or they, come and go. They appear able to enter and leave at will. When they enter, he’s filled with anger, melancholia and jealousy. When they depart, he’s sweetness, light and gentle clarity. It’s like night and day. I arranged for you to be Court Musician. Your singular task is to make music in his presence and repel these demons. DAVID: But. But I’ve never dealt with spirits before.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: Oh, come on, boy! How hard can it be? Just play a tune and let the music take effect. Music is from God. Demons can’t abide it. Everyone knows that. It will be like this. Watch. (Tilts cup, pours some wine on table) You see the liquid rushing to cover the table top? That’s the demons trying to take control. (Takes a cloth, wipes it up) This is you. You’re the cloth. Soaking it all up with your music, wiping away all negative influences. You follow me? One thing more. You’ll be with King Saul. Every day and all day. How do you feel about that? DAVID: It would be a great honor. SATAN: People coming, going. You in his constant presence. DAVID: I’d play my instrument. Clearing the air of evil. So he could do his work without hostle influence. SATAN: Queen enters, accuses a serving girl of putting on airs. You hear the girl’s name. A courtier enters, accuses another of theft. You hear the man’s name. DAVID: I’d play my instrument. And close my ears. SATAN: (Tops off cups) Are you acquainted with the word, “opportunity?” DAVID: Yes. Being Court Musician is an opportunity. SATAN: And so it is. There are other kinds of opportunities. Example. By chance, you overhear two men, and one is saying, “Let us go rob Mister X. We’ll take his gold and flee.” Would you close your ears? DAVID: No! Of course not! Page 43

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: Of course not. You’d warn the Mister X. And collect a reward. Hearing the plotters plotting was - DAVID: An opportunity. SATAN: Just so. DAVID: But. But I wouldn’t do it for the reward. I’d do it because it was the right thing. SATAN: David. David. David. This isn’t a world of chance encounters. Things are as they are for a purpose. The good things and bad that happen aren’t caused by a roll of the dice. DAVID: Yes, sir. That’s true. I’ve read how the Evil One (SATAN grins slyly at audience) sets snares and traps to test the unwary. To test our resolve for following the path of the righteous man. SATAN: Exactly. To test. How quickly you come to the point. You fail the test by doing nothing. You pass by doing right. And since right acts deserve reward, Mister X has the opportunity to reward you. That word again. DAVID: Yes, good acts are rewarded, bad acts, punished. Else, there’d be no distinguishing good from bad. SATAN: Distinguishing good from bad. Why, you have the tongue of a philosopher, my boy. And it’s up to man to make the distinction. God gave man a brain. And He meant him to use it. You follow? (Refills cups) Consider this. A man has an audience with the King. He denounces a Judah man, a tribesman of ours. He tells the King our tribesman is a traitor. Treason is punishable by death. Is this an opportunity? Or is it by mere chance that you happen to be there to hear?

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAVID: Perhaps I’m there to. To keep away the bad influences. Bad influences would cause the King to judge unfairly. SATAN: Perhaps. Perhaps. But let’s say your presence appears to be having no effect. The king seems to believe the other man, putting our tribesman’s life in danger. DAVID: I wouldn’t betray the King. I wouldn’t break my oath. SATAN: And so our tribesman, whom we are obligated to assist, and his poor wife and all his children and his chattels are taken. And never seen again. DAVID: Well. May. Maybe he was a traitor. Maybe it’s true. I mean it’s. It’s possible. SATAN: And over time, it becomes generally known among the tribe of Judah that you were there and did noth - DAVID: Stop! This is not good. Why are you saying this? SATAN: Oh dear, I seem to have touched a nerve. DAVID: I’m going to leave. SATAN: Stay. We’re merely exercising our wits. Playing a game of what if. No one can hear. It’s a secure room. God can hear.

DAVID: SATAN: So he can. So he can. Perhaps he’s not listening. DAVID: That is impious talk.

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SATAN: David, just as God gave us hands for grasping at objects, so He gave us a brain for grasping at truth. Truth, by its very nature, pushes the envelope. So what may appear at first to be impiety, may be God’s creation, man, searching in the tangle of his wits for truth. You’re a lover of truth, aren’t you? You’re a scholar, they tell me. You know the old tales, don’t you? Tales of the march out of Egypt. Sure you do. And you know who Moses put up front to lead the way, don’t you? Our boys. Judah boys. Under the red lion battle flag. The toughest of the tough. Fought off the Egyptians. Took us across that desert. Fought off those bloody, back-stabbing Amalekites. Led us into this land. Carved out the living spaces. They did one hell of a job. All the while, who was bringing up the rear, stepping in our donkey muck? (DAVID winces at the foul imagery) Benjaminites. Saul’s tribe. That’s fact. That’s scripture. That’s God’s truth. DAVID: You. You’re twisting words. You’re disrespecting our King. I shouldn’t listen. SATAN: (Grasps DAVID’s hands) Tell you this. This Benjaminite Saul will come to no good end. This kingship will come to no good end. Kings and tribal ways are natural enemies. God gave us tribes. You go against the tribe, you go against God. (Draws near. His breath on DAVID) Now remember, whenever you see a Judah man in danger, it’s your duty, first and foremost, to help him. (Suddenly holds DAVID’s hand to the flame) And if the King asks, did you betray me? (DAVID yelps in pain, tries pulling it away) Answer, boy! Did you betray me? DAVID: No! No!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: (Releases hand. DAVID jerks it back) You see? It didn’t hurt. (Stands. DAVID starts up) No, stay seated. It’s best we don’t leave together. (Tosses badge with chain onto table) Here. This is your badge. It identifies you as a King's man. Wear it on your neck at the Palace. The guards won't let you in without it. A bit of advice. We had a young fellow your age using his badge to get girls into bed. Don't do that. (DAVID pockets badge. SATAN starts toward door. Stops, does not turn back) One last thing. In time, Saul may confide in you. Kings, like all people, get lonely. And when they do, they unburdon themselves to the people around them, bodyguards, gardeners, maids, you name it. If that were to happen with you, please recall the worthy tribesman who did you this favor. In any case, be at the Palace tomorrow morning. And don’t be late. (SATAN exits. Silence. DAVID licks burn. He takes out badge, hangs it by chain from neck. He holds it in his palm, looks down, admires it. INNKEEPER enters with SERVING GIRL. SERVING GIRL has a pitcher of water and a pan. DAVID starts to stand) INNKEEPER: Oh no no, sir. Sit. Sit as long as you wish. I’m just showing the wench the spots that need scrubbing. DAVID: You called me sir. INNKEEPER: And sir you are. That’s a badge of office you have there. You’re one of the King’s men. God save him. DAVID: Yes. I’m one of the King’s men. God save him. INNKEEPER: Now just relax, sir. Enjoy your leisure. You don’t have to be anywhere until tomorrow morning.

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DAVID: How did you know that? INNKEEPER: Know what, sir? DAVID: That I don’t have to be anywhere till tomorrow. INNKEEPER: Oh that. I assumed, since you didn’t rush out like the other gentleman. Have you eaten, sir? DAVID: (Studies INNKEEPER’s face, considers) Have you any lamb? INNKEEPER: Bless you, sir. I’ve an unblemished yearling. Freshly killed and bled. Coming right up, sir. Give me your cup, sir. I’ve a nice wine you’ll like. I’ll fill your cup personally. (Snaps fingers) Sara, attend the gentleman. See to his comforts. (INNKEEPER exits with DAVID’s cup. SERVING GIRL bows) SERVING GIRL: Wash your feet, sir? (Fade to black) End of Act I

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Act II Act II Scene 1 (At rise: throne room, SAUL’s Palace. A large wall mirror. Mandate of Heaven certificate above throne. SAUL sits on throne, brooding. SAUL’S AIDE stands nearby) SAUL: (Stands, goes to mirror, examines himself critically) They told me things would improve if I summoned him to court. They told me, we need some vim, vigor and pizzazz around here. They said, we have just the guy, this young war hero. I said, what if he starts grandstanding? They said, don’t worry, it won’t happen, you’re the king. I said, I don’t know about this. But they kept saying, don’t worry, it’s a lead pipe cinch. And I said, I don’t know about this. Isn’t that what I said? Isn’t it? SAUL’S AIDE: Yes, your highness. SAUL: Then someone got the notion to send him to the front. They said, he’s a war hero, isn’t he? They said, he’s wasted playing the guitar. Send him out to the army bases. It'll be a terrific morale booster. (SATAN quietly enters, straightening his robe and wiping food from his lips. He takes his place next to SAUL’S AIDE) It’ll be in all the papers. Giant Killer Shoots Breeze With Troops. I said, I don’t know about this. They said, he’ll knock ’em dead, it’s a no brainer. I said, I don’t know about this. Isn’t that what I said? SAUL’S AIDE: Yes, your highness. SATAN: Uh yes, your highness.

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SAUL: Suddenly, who knows why, he’s out there commanding troops, winning battles, driving the Amalekites and Philistines into the sea, recovering lost territory. In short, becoming a hero all over again. Who appointed him without consulting me? And now, in the streets outside, the girls sing a new song, comparing him to me. (Enter two GIRLS) It’s starting to get on my nerves. GIRLS: (Sings, doing a sword dance) WE ALL PACKED UP OUR DIDDY BAGS AND WITH OUR CAPS IN HAND WE MOUNTED UP OUR DADDY’S NAG AND CROSSED THE BURNING SAND. WE WENT TO JOIN WITH DAVID’S CREW ALL GLORY TO THE LORD RAN THE BAD GUYS THROUGH AN' THROUGH PUT 'EM TO THE SWORD. SAUL HAS KILLED HIS THOUSANDS DAVID LAUGHED AND SPAT I HAVE KILLED MY TENS OF THOUSANDS WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? WE FOUGHT ‘EM IN ARABIA WE FOUGHT ‘EM BY THE SEA FOUGHT OUR WAY TO AFRICA AND CAUGHT A CHIMPANZEE. SAUL HAS KILLED HIS THOUSANDS DAVID LAUGHED AND SPAT I HAVE KILLED MY TENS OF THOUSANDS WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? NOW DAVID TOLD US TO RUN FAST TO TRAP THE ENEMY WE SET OUR AMBUSH AT THE PASS AND WON THE VICTORY

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GIRLS(Cont): SAUL HAS KILLED HIS THOUSANDS DAVID LAUGHED AND SPAT I HAVE KILLED MY TENS OF THOUSANDS WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT? (Exit GIRLS, laughing) SAUL: I was right. I was right all along. Well, wasn’t I? SATAN: (Clears throat) It’s a fad. A passing phase, your grace. David’s today’s flavor, is all. In two weeks, three weeks tops, everything’ll be as before. (A flourish of trumpets. Door opens with loud noise. GIRLS enter, strewing flowers. Enter DAVID in military uniform, shiny boots & medals on his chest. He is accompanied by a HOLY MAN in beard and long flowing robe. DAVID salutes SAUL) DAVID: Hail, O King! (SATAN & SAUL’S AIDE bow low) SAUL: Welcome, David. I must say you surprise us with this sudden and delightfully unannounced visit. Had we received advanced notice, we would have had a banquet prepared in honor of your great and unexpected victories. DAVID: They are not my victories, your royal highness. But God’s. Any banquet should be in God’s honor. HOLY MAN: Amen to that!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SAUL: Nevertheless, it amazes us that in such a short time, you’ve elevated your station with reference to us from Court Musician to Army Commander. With overwhelming victories over our mortal enemies. This is in the nature of a stroke of good fortune or a happy conjunction of celestial bodies. As some might say. DAVID: Some may say so, my lord. Others, however, would attribute same to my trust in God to guide my sword true. HOLY MAN: Amen! DAVID: Just as He guided that fateful stone from my sling to the center of Goliath’s dome. Someday, I hope to see a temple erected to His glory. HOLY MAN: Amen! SAUL: We pray it will be as you say. The events of late touching on things military have gladdened every heart in the realm. Return to us this evening and dine with us and regale us with tales of courage, honor and derring-do. DAVID: As your majesty commands. (DAVID & HOLY MAN bow and proceed up an aisle through the THEATRE AUDIENCE. SATAN clears throat) SATAN: Isn’t David’s personal piety instructive? You see him always accompanied by a Holy Man. SAUL: What’s that supposed to mean? SATAN: Uh I uh - Page 52

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SAUL: Were you taking a shot at me just now? Was that a veiled criticism of me for NOT having holy men in the Palace? Was that your point? SATAN: Oh no, your grace. I’d never say that. (HOLY MAN stops at an audience row, passes a collection basket amongst the THEATRE AUDIENCE) SAUL’S AIDE: Oh look! Now they’re taking up a collection. HOLY MAN: Contribute to the temple fund! Give to the Giant Killer’s temple fund! SAUL: (Stage whisper, to SATAN & SAUL'S AIDE) About that giant killer matter, I have my doubts. Between us, that was a lucky shot. Million to one. HOLY MAN: On the contrary, Sir King! It had nothing to do with luck. It was divine intervention! As it is written. (Quotes from memory) “Thou hast smitten mine enemies upon the cheek bone, Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly”

(Grins in triumph) Psalm Three, Sir King. SAUL: Old man, I think I know a lucky shot when I see one! HOLY MAN: Have a care with your words. God may hear. SAUL: God doesn’t listen. Even if He wanted to, He couldn’t. It’s a. It’s a what? SATAN: A logistical improbability, Highness. SAUL: Exactly! A logistical uh. Whatever. Page 53

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HOLY MAN: Oh really? Tell us more. SAUL: God is strictly big picture, broad-brush all the way. SATAN: Strictly behind-the-scenes. A classic delegator. SAUL: Exactly. Look how he works poor old Samuel like a rented mule! HOLY MAN: This is wicked talk! Wicked! DAVID: Yes. Wicked, wicked talk. (Sings) IF YOU LISTEN TO THE WICKED IF YOU LISTEN TO THE PROUD THEY WILL SAY THAT GOD IS DISTANT THEY WILL SAY HE’S ON A CLOUD THEY WILL SAY HE’S IN HIS HEAVEN AND HE’S REALLY QUITE BENIGN ALL THAT FIRE’S AN ILLUSION ALL THAT FIRE’S IN YOUR MIND THEY WILL SAY THAT YOU’RE BEWITCHÉD THAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH A PHASE THEY WILL WRITE YOU A PRESCRIPTION TO DAMPEN DOWN THE BLAZE BUT I KNOW OF MY GOD HE IS EVERYWHERE IF I FLY TO THE MOON HE WILL FOLLOW ME THERE IF I RIDE ON THE WIND HE INHABITS THE AIR ALL AROUND ME IF I SINK IN THE SEA I NEED NEVER DESPAIR TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH HE WILL ANSWER MY PRAYER HE’S MY SWORD, HE’S MY SPEAR THOUGH A MILLION MAY DARE TO SURROUND ME Page 54

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DAVID(Cont): HERE’S A STORY TO CONSIDER IT’S ABOUT A LITTLE BOY TOOK A PEBBLE FROM THE RIVER AND GOLIATH WAS DESTROYED DID THAT PEBBLE FROM THE RIVER HAVE SOME SACRED QUALITY? DID THE HAND OF GOD DELIVER, MAKE IT FLY FROM A TO B? IF IF HE HE

YOU TRUST HIM TO PROTECT YOU YOU HONOR ALL HIS WAYS WILL BE THERE TO DIRECT YOU WILL GUIDE YOU ALL YOUR DAYS

SO BE ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW IN YOUR DAILY UPS AND DOWNS. NOT A BOW WITHOUT AN ARROW (Eyes SAUL) OR A KING WITHOUT A CROWN. SAUL: WHAT did he say?!? SAUL’S AIDE: Peace, your grace, remember your blood pressure. SAUL: That traitor! Did you hear him? He took a shot at me! I was right! He’s after my job! (SAUL’S AIDE ducks. SATAN grins, hands SAUL a spear. SAUL aims it at DAVID) SAUL’S AIDE: Oh no! Here we go again! Another bust up. HOLY MAN: (Extends hand to DAVID) Quick! Grab my hand! SAUL: (Hurls spear at DAVID) You traitor! Take that!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (DAVID & HOLY MAN exit in a rush. Spear flies through air, THUNKKK! sticks in wall. A long silence. Everyone frozen in place. The eyes of SAUL’S AIDE fearful, not knowing what SAUL will do. SATAN smiles) SAUL: (Picks up a rag, wipes his brow) All right. Come on. Let’s get this hall cleaned up. It’s a mess. Who put that spear in the wall? SAUL’S AIDE: Your highness? SAUL: I want this hall spic & span. We’re having a banquet tonight in David’s honor. Recognizing his piety and his military prowess. We need to prepare for it. SAUL’S AIDE: But. But. But, your highness. You just threw that spear at David. I don’t think he’s about to. SAUL: What are you saying? No no. You’re wrong. That’s impossible. I did no such thing. Now quickly. Have the servants clean this place up. (Starts to exit) And send the cooks. I want to go over the menu. (SAUL exits. SAUL’S AIDE looks quizzically at SATAN. SATAN grins an evil grin. Fade to black) End of Scene

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p Act II Scene 2 (At rise: A space, DAVID, HOLY MAN, WARRIOR 1, WARRIOR 2 sit cross-legged in circle facing inward. In center, a censer burns incense. Enter SATAN with book, stands away) SATAN: David’s becoming increasingly religious. He’s collecting materials for this temple of his. It’s an obsession. He enforces strict rules on his fighters. (Opens book, reads) “Warriors are spoken of as consecrated, a term which seems to be connected, not merely with the use of sacred ceremonies at the opening of a military campaign, but with the idea that war itself is holy, and the camp of the warriors, a holy place.”

(Lights out on DAVID/WARRIOR space. SATAN closes book, dons garb of a city elder as he speaks) He's up there in the hills with his men. Saul keeps trying to kill him. Every time he fails, David's story gets repeated. That's how legends grow. (Lights up. Main gate of city. Idol of city god, two unlit candles & two empty vases on altar. Table, three chairs & open umbrellas behind two of the chairs. GIRLS 1 & 2 in robes and holding bouquets enter. They sing & dance before idol) GIRLS 1 & 2: O LORD IN THIS CITY THOU LOVEST BE THOU AT PEACE O LORD IN THY TEMPLE IN THIS CITY THOU LOVEST BE THOU AT PEACE O LORD IN THY HOUSE IN THY TEMPLE IN THIS CITY THOU LOVEST BE THOU AT PEACE

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GIRLS 1 & 2(Cont): INTO THY HOUSE ALL GOOD IS CENTERED INTO THY HOUSE THY HANDMAIDS ENTER INTO THY HOUSE SEE HOW IT GLISTENS INTO THY HOUSE OUR PRAYER, PLEASE LISTEN AND FROM THY HEART THOU SPEAKETH TO US AND FROM THY MOUTH THOU SPEAKETH TO US AND FROM THY LIPS THOU SPEAKETH TO US FOR THOU LIFTEST UP THE TORCH OF GOODNESS EXALT THY HEART EXALT THY HEART AND THOU HAST DESTROYED THE DENS OF EVIL EXALT THY HEART EXALT THY HEART AND THOU RAINEST FIRE ON THOSE WHO HARM US EXALT THY HEART EXALT THY HEART EXALT THY HEART THY HEART (ELDERS 1 & 2 enter, applauding. SATAN joins them) ELDER1: Excellently done, virgins of Bethsaida. Excellent. (GIRLS 1 & 2 put flowers in vases, light candles and kneel at altar) ELDER2: Our town god is pleased. Such a lovely dance. Absolutely breathtaking. Wasn’t it breathtaking? SATAN: It was breathtaking. (MESSENGER enters, out of breath) What news? Page 58

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p MESSENGER: David approaches. ELDER2: We were hopeful he would pass us by. We burned extra sacrifices for that purpose. Are you certain? MESSENGER: He is indeed coming here. SATAN: This is very bad. Very bad. MESSENGER: He is coming with six hundred picked men. ELDER1: Six hundred?! MESSENGER: He’s recruited every desperate, debt-ridden, lawless man in the land. They swear by his name. (Whispers) He sacks a town, he causes the homes to be looted, the bodies to be stripped. He gives everything to his men. He keeps nothing. They fight like lions for him. ELDER1: Oh God help us! SATAN: And what other news have you? MESSENGER: King Saul has offered to make David his son-in-law. SATAN: What?! David? David, a prince? MESSENGER: It seems so, my lord. He is on his way to Gibeah with a dowry to claim the hand of the Princess. SATAN: The dowry is no doubt the loot from the cities he’s taken. That he’s coming here means he has not yet looted enough. Page 59

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (MESSENGER bows and exits) ELDER1: What should we do? ELDER2: I say we collect all the gold and silver and have it ready and waiting for him. ELDER1: That’s very sensible. If we voluntarily do it, we’ll save him the time and trouble. He’ll go easy on us. SATAN: Are you crazy? He’ll think we’ve got the best hidden away. He’ll torture us to death trying to find it. ELDER2: Listen to me. We have no choice. With David, you get one chance. So many cities has he looted and burned. (Sings) YOU GET ONE CHANCE IT’S YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE YOU GET ONE CHANCE KEEP YOUR CHATTELS AND YOUR WIFE DO IT AND SAVE OUR CITY WE’LL BE MUCH OBLIGED BOTCH IT AND MORE’S THE PITY KISS IT ALL GOOD-BYE ELDER1: YOU GET ONE EITHER GIVE YOU GET ONE HE’S A WOLF

CHANCE IT OR HE TAKES CHANCE INSIDE A SNAKE

ELDER2: ONE CHANCE AND OUR WALLS ARE FLAT ONE CHANCE, WE’RE ENSLAVED ELDER1: ONE CHANCE SPARES OUR ZIGGURAT ONE CHANCE AND WE'RE OKAY.

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ELDER1: YOU GET ONE CHANCE TO SEE OUR CITY THRIVE ELDER2: YOU GET ONE CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THIS ALIVE! ELDER1 & ELDER2: IT'S ONE CHANCE TO KEEP ON GROWING ONE CHANCE FOR THE SEEDS WE'RE SOWING ONE CHANCE, IT'S SO TOUCH AND GOING ONE CHANCE, IT'S ALL WE GET! SATAN: This has disaster written all over it. I feel it in my bones. I should never have consented to be a town elder. I should have stayed a simple jeweler. David’s going to sack us. And my poor daughter. What of her? David’s men will ravish her and sell her into slavery. ELDER2: Will you shut up? ELDER1: We must show him courtesy. ELDER2: We must show him all due respect. SATAN: He is going to strip us naked. We should fight him. ELDER1: When ants come, don’t step on them. It angers them. SATAN: David’s no ant. We should show him we’re men. What will our children think? I say, we close the gates and prepare a defence. ELDER1: Out of the question! No! ELDER2: Unthinkable!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: Listen to me! Close the gates. We can only negotiate from strength. (To AUDIENCE) And who knows? A stray arrow shot from the city wall might find its mark. And bye-bye David. ELDER2: No! You’re outvoted. SATAN: Then we should recruit an assassin from among our young men and send him to David’s camp pretending to be a deserter. ELDER1: Stop talking like a fool. (Indicates idol) I have faith. Our city god will watch over us. ELDER2: Yes! He will give us peace with honor. Peace in our time. This is not good.

SATAN: This is not good at all.

(A trumpet flourish) ELDER1: David arrives. Quick! Have the girls receive him. (ELDER 2 snaps his fingers. A new space lights up with a table and five chairs. GIRLS 1 & 2 stand, each goes to a chair & stands behind it holding up an umbrella shading it. Enter DAVID & HOLY MAN. ELDER1, ELDER2 & SATAN kneel) DAVID: Thank you, gentlemen. (ELDERS scoop ashes onto their heads) ELDER1: Welcome to our worthless community.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p ELDER2: Welcome to our poor and unlucky town. DAVID: Poor? Worthless? Unlucky? When did this happen? ELDER1: The caravans go elsewhere, O David. ELDER2: And alas, the wells are running dry. ELDER1: People are leaving. ELDER2: The tax base has shrunk to a mere fraction. DAVID: No, gentlemen. It’s seems I’m the unlucky one. Every city I enter claims to be in a deep economic depression. Am I the harbinger of financial crisis? Well? And even with this so-called poverty, it seems you have a jeweler on your town council. And I understand he does quite well. How can this be? How could he thrive in such unhappy times? That’s all right. I didn’t expect an answer. Which of you is the jeweler? SATAN: I am, O David. DAVID: I understand you counseled resistance. ELDER2: It was very wicked of him! ELDER1: We overruled him, Lord David! ELDER2: We were about to have him executed, Lord David. DAVID: Please. Do not call me Lord. I am a man like you. And no talk of execution. Not on an empty stomach.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p ELDER1: A thousand pardons, Lord. I mean, O David! Where are our manners? Please. Sit. We have a meal ready. (ELDERS indicate chairs where GIRLS 1 & 2 hold umbrellas. DAVID, HOLY MAN sit. The ELDERS & SATAN sit in the other chairs) ELDER1: You see? Our daughters provide shade for you. DAVID: Lovely. ELDER2: And the women have prepared a feast as you have never - (HOLY MAN dozes off in chair) DAVID: Feast? I thought you said you were poor. ELDER1: We are, but - DAVID: Gentlemen, I have 600 hungry men. Feed them first. ELDER2: But - DAVID: Feed them, or you’ll see firsthand how worthless this false god of yours is. ELDER1: Yes, O David. Immediately. DAVID: Jeweler. Yes, you. Stay. (ELDER1 & ELDER2 exit, frightened) There’s an old Edomite saying, keep your friends close, your enemies closer. Sound advice. You’re a fighter. I like fighters. You’re with me. (GIRL2 behind DAVID gasps) Page 64

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SATAN: O David, I have a wife and children. DAVID: They'll get along fine without you. SATAN: My father just passed away. Let me go bury him first. (HOLY MAN suddenly awakens) HOLY MAN: Let the dead bury the dead! SATAN: And my poor daughter. DAVID: It’s fixed with a nail, jeweler. You’re David’s man. Get used to it. Is this your daughter behind me? SATAN: Yes, O David. DAVID: Have her come around front where I can view her. (SATAN nods to GIRL2, who comes to the front) What’s your name, girl? SATAN: Sefira, O David. DAVID: Let her speak. What is your name? GIRL2: Sefira, my lord. DAVID: (He’s visibly attracted. SATAN sees this) Don't call me Lord. Sefira. That's a Moabite name. GIRL2: Yes, my lor - - I mean, yes sir.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAVID: My great-grandmother was Moabite. My father’s grandmother. The Lady Ruth. SATAN: Oh, the Lady Ruth’s name is famous in Moab. Famous! The Lady Ruth was known for her beauty. As is my daughter, who is fourteen, and the apple of my eye. DAVID: Indeed she is. Tell me, Sefira. Are you spoken for? SATAN: She has no fiancé, O David. I’m a modern man. Not like the traditional ones. My intention is to permit my daughter to make her own choices in life. DAVID: A revolutionary concept. Most forward thinking of you. Is this true, Sefira? SATAN: It is true. I swear by the hands of our town god! DAVID: Let her speak. GIRL2: Yes. It’s. It’s true. I’m not betrothed, sir. SATAN: But soon she will be. For she is most accomplished, O David. Skilled in all the feminine arts. (HOLY MAN suddenly awakens) HOLY MAN: Arts, bah! Feminine wiles! They are not arts, but wiles! DAVID: Peace, padre, peace. (HOLY MAN smiles weakly, dozes back off)

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: A pity you were not here earlier. You would have seen her dance, heard her sing. Be assured it was a breathtaking exhibition. Even. Dare I say it? Angelic. (She blushes) I know this. Any day now, a superlative suitor will come and claim her. Only a matter of time. (He takes out a diamond and a silver ring missing its stone) Think of my dear Sefira as a fine polished diamond lacking only a worthy mounting. (SATAN sets diamond in ring, offers it to DAVID, who takes it) DAVID: Somehow, I get the impression this is all being said for my benefit. SATAN: Heaven forbid, O David. Think in terms of a proud parent waxing eloquent on the virtues of a child. It is nothing more than that. DAVID: Just as well. A moot point anyway. I’m pledged to the Royal Princess. In fact, I’m on my way to wed her. SATAN: (Pretending he doesn’t already know) Oh! Congratulations, O David! DAVID: I’m to be the King’s son-in-law. SATAN: King Saul’s daughter’s husband. A high honor. You’ll be like his son. Almost. DAVID: Almost? What do you mean “almost,” jeweler? SATAN: Oh. I. I meant his majesty has four sons. Fruit of the royal loins. I was merely expressing regret that the most able man in the realm, yourself, will have no hope of ever wearing the crown.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (DAVID silently glares at SATAN) SATAN: But perhaps, after you perform your duty with respect to the Princess, your son will have a claim to the throne. If the Princess bears you a son. But having sons is such an iffy matter. God knows I've tried. (HOLY MAN suddenly awakens) HOLY MAN: Happy the man whose wife gives him sons! SATAN: Is your espoused the elder or younger daughter? DAVID: The younger. SATAN: The younger. Hmmm. Well. One can always hope for a miracle. God’s ways are unfathomable. HOLY MAN: Amen to that! (HOLY MAN dozes off again) SATAN: Still, for a man like yourself, it’s hard to see any advantage. DAVID: (Takes out his sword. GIRLS 1 & 2 gasp) You speak too boldly for a mere jeweler! SATAN: A thousand pardons, O David! Forgive me. I spoke as I did because you are a well-known lover of truth. DAVID: (Sword pointed at SATAN’s throat) I love truth, but the truth you pursue wends its way through marsh and quicksand. Say straight what you mean and do not stray from the beaten path.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: O David! Please! It’s difficult to speak one’s mind with a sword at one’s throat! DAVID: And nigh impossible with one’s throat cut through! SATAN: Yes. Yes, all right. Only please don’t chop my head off. You. You said with reference to this unworthy one, keep your friends close, your enemies closer. But is that not the king’s strategem? By marrying you to the princess, is his intention not to keep you close at hand? DAVID: (Withdraws sword slightly) Go on. SATAN: In the hills with your men, you are a dread force. You strike where you will, take what you want. All, great and small, fear you. But at the palace, you’ll be alone, beholden to the King and his daughter. And her brothers. For the food on your plate. For the strings of your harp. For the cloak on your back. DAVID: Then what is your advice, jeweler? SATAN: You are David. David needs no link to royal blood. David’s blood is richer by far. DAVID: You have a gift for flattery, jeweler. If not the Princess, who then should I marry? SATAN: Why, whoever you wish. DAVID: What should I do with the dowry I've gathered? SATAN: Why, keep it. Or give it to the poor.

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DAVID: And what have I gathered?

SATAN: Riches beyond counting. Gold, silver, jewels. The loot of a hundred sacked cities. I can imagine a sum sufficient to ransom a princess. Perhaps a king. DAVID: And you’ve seen this with your own eyes? SATAN: One can only assume. DAVID: (Puts sword away) Well. You know what they say about assuming. Sefira, would you like to see this dowry? GIRL2: Oh yes, sir! (DAVID snaps his fingers. The HOLY MAN, suddenly awake again, takes a large bag from the floor and holds it up) DAVID: Not gold. Not silver. Not diamonds. If it were these, the bag would be too heavy for him. These are foreskins cut from dead Philistines. (SATAN blanches. GIRL2’s eyes express shock) The price the King set for the Princess’ hand in marriage was one hundred. I’m bringing two hundred just to be on the safe side. Tell me, Sefira. How would you feel if your beau brought you these as a token of his affection? (GIRL2 puts hands over mouth as if about to vomit, runs from table. GIRL1 follows. Both GIRLS exit. SATAN hangs his head in defeat. Fade to black) End of Scene

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p Act II Scene 3 (At rise: WARRIOR1 & WARRIOR2 sit in meditation. Between them, a censer burns incense. Enter SATAN in black robe) SATAN: He’s gaining strength. I can feel his confidence and his certitude building day by day. (DAVID enters with HOLY MAN. WARRIOR1 & WARRIOR rise. DAVID gives each a gift, hugs them. WARRIOR1 & WARRIOR2 salute) He rewards his warriors. They in turn pledge their lives and honor to him. They spread his holy war with zeal. (WARRIOR1 & WARRIOR2 exit) That matter about the foreskins. Did you detect the mocking tone in his voice? You did? So did I. It wasn’t done for our benefit, but for Saul’s. He knows Saul has spies. He knows Saul will hear long before David arrives at court. The fact of the matter is, (Drawing closer to AUDIENCE, as if to share a secret with them) Saul never planned to wed his daughter to David. He thought he wouldn’t have to. He assumed one of those Philistines would kill David. After all, a man doesn’t let another man take a knife to his family jewels without a fight. David knew it was Saul’s plan that he should die. Oh, by the way, speaking of Saul, seems the Philistines have finally turned the tables on him. They have him cornered up north at Jezreel. (Fade to black. Lights up. Enter NASIB, a Philistine military officer. He practices sword thrusts. Enter ABIMELECH) ABIMELECH: Is that Nasib? Just pathetic! I tell you, they’ll let just about anyone join the Philistine Army. NASIB: Abimelech! You son of a gun! Good to see you! ABIMELECH: How are you? Just arrived. My men and I escorted King Achish’s brigade up from Gath. Boring work.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p NASIB: Boredom’s over, pal. We got King Saul trapped up ahead. We’re tightening the noose. And this time we’re doing it right. No more Goliaths or any giants. Just plain old time-tested military tactics. ABIMELECH: Speaking of giants, guess who was with Achish? David. NASIB: David's with us? I thought he was Saul’s son-in-law. ABIMELECH: He’s still married to the Princess. But it doesn’t matter. Saul keeps trying to kill him. Anyway, when the C.O. saw David and Achish together, he went ballistic, gave David five seconds to scram. Achish got his butt chewed. Only thing that saved David from imprisonment or worse was he’s King Achish’s friend. NASIB: Really odd about Achish and David. ABIMELECH: Two bugs in a rug. Achish gives David sanctuary in his city, Gath. David uses Gath for raids. David repays with loot. All very neat. All very hush-hush. (Sings) NOW THIS IS STRICTLY HEARSAY BUT OH HOW TRUE IT RINGS AND DON’T YOU DARE REPEAT IT DON’T YOU SAY A THING A FILE STAMPED “TOP SECRET” WITH DAVID’S NAME INSIDE THEREIN REPORTS OF MURDER HINTS OF GENOCIDE IT’S DAVID’S BAND OF BULLIES THEY’RE STIRRING UP A FIGHT NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT NOTHING COMES TO LIGHT NASIB: IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF THIS THIS QUEER COVERT BUSINESS DAVID AND KING ACHISH MAKE A STRANGE SYNTHESIS Page 72

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p ABIMELECH: WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, DID HE SAY THIS TO HIS MAN TELL ME WHO’S THAT LOVELY LAD WITH BLOODSTAINS ON HIS HAND AND TELL ME DID HE LEARN HIS TRADE FROM SOME TRAGEDIAN WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, IT WAS HOW THE STORY RAN. NASIB: WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, DID HE MARVEL AT THE SIGHT WHEN DAVID STRUMMED HIS LYRE, DID HE SHIVER WITH DELIGHT WHEN DAVID WAXED POETIC, DID HIS REASONING TAKE FLIGHT WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, WAS IT, “THAT’S MY MISTER RIGHT!” ABIMELECH: WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, DID HE WITH HIS HEART DEBATE DID HE WRESTLE WITH HIS VIRTUE, DID HE ARGUE WITH HIS FATE WHEN DAVID SANG A BALLAD, DID HIS HEARTBEAT PALPITATE WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, DID HE SEE A NEW SOULMATE? NASIB & ABIMELECH: WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, DID HE MARVEL AT HIS LUCK WITH DAVID’S STAR A'RISING AND KING SAUL'S DOWN IN THE MUCK WITH DAVID LIKE AN EAGLE AND OLD SAUL A SITTING DUCK WHEN ACHISH FIRST SAW DAVID, WAS HE WONDROUSLY AWESTRUCK? NASIB: There’s one other thing. ABIMELECH: Indeed? NASIB: Their shaman, Samuel, before he died, annointed David. ABIMELECH: Ye Gods! The priests opposed to Saul? And two annointings? Two kings? That’s crazy!

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NASIB: If it’s so, it means David has designs on the crown. It explains all this talk of building a temple. He’s whipping the people up for holy war. ABIMELECH: And he’s using us to topple Saul. A game within a game. I don’t like being used. NASIB: Ah! No more politics. Come on, my friend. Forget about David. Let’s focus on King Saul! ABIMELECH: Yes! Poor Saul! A dead man. He just doesn’t know it. (They exit. Fade to black. Lights up. PSYCHIC’s home at Endor near battlefield. Her home’s represented by door and table, three chairs, large occult artwork hanging on wall. PSYCHIC sits in chair, knitting. DAUGHTER does housework. Enter SATAN, dressed again as a court official) SATAN: (Map appears. Sound of a distant rumbling which continues to end of scene) So here we are at Mount Gilboa. The Philistine Confederacy in a united front to defeat Saul once and for all. The Philistines are at Shunem, here. Saul’s camp is here at Jezreel. Philistine reinforcements are pouring in. Hebrew morale is dropping. Saul’s priests have packed up and fled. Soldiers are starting to desert. Saul is desperate. He needs to know God’s Will. As fate would have it, one of his chief aides has been secretly protecting a witch. She’d been his lover and the mother of his child. She lives seven miles from Jezreel at Endor, right here. (Map disappears. Exit SATAN. Enter SAUL’S AIDE, dusty from a long walk) DAUGHTER: Papa! It’s Papa! Mama, come quick! Look, it’s Papa! SAUL’S AIDE: Oh precious. So good to see you. Such a big girl. Page 74

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p DAUGHTER: Are you going to stay, Papa? Are you? SAUL’S AIDE: I must talk to your mommy, precious. DAUGHTER: I want you to stay! SAUL’S AIDE: Look what I brought you. DAUGHTER: Oh, thank you, Papa! Mama, look what Papa gave me! PSYCHIC: That’s nice, dear. Now go to your room. DAUGHTER: Can I come down later? PSYCHIC: Of course, dear. Now go. (DAUGHTER exits) SAUL’S AIDE: She’s growing like a weed. PSYCHIC: She’s ten now. SAUL’S AIDE: Seems just yesterday she was so - (He stops himself) How are you getting on? PSYCHIC: Good. And you? SAUL’S AIDE: Good. PSYCHIC: I got the wheat and the beans. Thank you for that. SAUL’S AIDE: And the lamb? Page 75

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PSYCHIC: Already slaughtered. Your little girl stuffed herself. Are you staying the night? SAUL’S AIDE: I have to tie up some loose ends. I’ll be back later. PSYCHIC: I want you to stay the night. That distant rumbling frightens her. And me. SAUL’S AIDE: You’re to have a visitor. PSYCHIC: When? SAUL’S AIDE: Soon. Very soon. PSYCHIC: Who? SAUL’S AIDE: An important man. He’ll ask you to use your conjuring skills. PSYCHIC: Oh God! You didn’t! You didn’t tell about me! Did you? SAUL’S AIDE: It’s for the country. For our country’s sake. PSYCHIC: But the King’s law! SAUL’S AIDE: You won’t be arrested. PSYCHIC: What does he want? SAUL’S AIDE 2: Just do as he asks.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p PSYCHIC: Who is he? (SAUL'S AIDE 2 kisses her passionately) Who is he? (SAUL'S AIDE 2 exits) Come back soon! What does he think? Do they think it’s a matter of waving my arms and poof? Like anything, to do it right, you need preparation. (Sings) DO THEY THINK IT’S A MATTER OF SNAPPING MY FINGERS DO THEY THINK IT’S A MATTER OF TAPPING ON A POST DO THEY THINK IT’S A MATTER OF RECITING A JINGLE IT’S A REALLY HARD BUSINESS TO CONJURE A GHOST DO THEY KNOW WHAT’S REQUIRED IN MOUNTING A BROOMSTICK DO THEY KNOW WHAT’S REQUIRED IN GETTING THE MOST DO THEY KNOW WHAT’S REQUIRED IN WORKING THE MAGIC IT’S A REALLY HARD BUSINESS TO CONJURE A GHOST YOU YOU YOU YOU

MUST NEED MUST NEED

CONTROL YOUR BREATHING TO BE RELAXED CONTROL YOUR EATING YOUR TUMMY FLAT.

YOU YOU YOU YOU

MUST NEED MUST NEED

CONTROL YOUR THINKING TO BE DETACHED CONTROL YOUR BLINKING TO FOCUS AT. AT. AT. AT. AT.

THEN THEN THEN IT’S

YOU FEEL YOU FEEL YOU FEEL A REALLY

THAT THAT THAT HARD

YOUR BODY HAS SURRENDERED TO SPIRIT YOUR BODY IS BECOMING A HOST YOUR BODY IS POSSESSED BY ANOTHER BUSINESS TO CONJURE A GHOST.

(PSYCHIC starts to collect herbs. Enter SAUL in disguise, SATAN dressed as a court official & GENERAL in military garb) PSYCHIC: Welcome to Endor, sirs. SATAN: Are you the witch? PSYCHIC: I was once referred to as such. But nowadays I obey the King's law to the letter.

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DAUGHTER’S VOICE: Mommy? Who’s there? Can I come down? PSYCHIC: No, dear. Stay in your room. Come and sit, sirs. (They sit. PSYCHIC begins pouring tea) I was told to expect you. How may I serve? SATAN: My master will ask you to conjure a spirit. We are unfamiliar with the conjuring methodology. Is it done sitting or standing? PSYCHIC: It can be done either way, sir. I would prefer to sit. SATAN: Let her have your chair, General. (GENERAL scowls, stands, gives his chair to PSYCHIC, stands behind her. PSYCHIC sits) Are you comfortable now? PSYCHIC: Yes, sir. SATAN: Very well. Ready, sir. SAUL: Do you know who I am? PSYCHIC: No, sir. SAUL: What you are about to do will directly impact our country’s future. You love your country, don’t you? PSYCHIC: Yes, sir. SAUL: Very well. Then do this. Conjure up the spirit of the recently-deceased prophet and high priest. PSYCHIC: You mean Samuel?!?

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SAUL: I mean none other. PSYCHIC: That could be very dangerous, sir. SAUL: Nevertheless. Do it. (She goes into trance. SAMUEL enters. SAUL gasps at the sight, kneels) SAMUEL: Saul! Why have you disturbed me? What do you want? SAUL: The Philistines are attacking in great force. The Lord God doesn’t answer me. Neither by prophets, nor by dreams. So I called you. I must know. SAMUEL: If God has left you, what can I do? SAUL: You can talk to Him. He listens to you. SAMUEL: No! SAUL: Damn it! I’m ordering you to! SAMUEL: Don't order me, little man! I don't work for you. If you must know, here's how it is. The Lord has departed from you. He's now your enemy. He's in the process of taking the crown from you and giving it to David. SAUL: David?! SAMUEL: Because you failed Him! Oh yes, you failed Him. He gave you a plan to defeat the Amalekites. You failed to execute His plan. After that, He lost confidence in you. Now Satan is with you (SAMUEL looks at SATAN) and very soon you will be lost. Farewell! Page 79

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (SAMUEL exits) SAUL: (Looking around panicky) Did he say Satan is with me? SATAN: Uh. He meant it metaphorically, your highness. SAUL: I can’t believe it. It’s over. I. I’m ruined. (SATAN snaps his fingers over GENERAL’s head. SATAN smiles knowingly at AUDIENCE) GENERAL: How do we know this is real? SAUL: What do you mean? GENERAL: Do you think the likes of this woman can conjure up a high priest’s ghost at the snap of a finger? SAUL: That was Samuel. I’d swear to it. That was Samuel. GENERAL: Was it? Was it? Your highness. Please think about your mental state after walking seven miles, slipping past enemy pickets and scouts, to get here to Endor. You’re fatigued. You haven’t eaten. SAUL: Yes, you’re right. GENERAL: You’re on edge. SAUL: Yes. I am. GENERAL: You need sleep. But you can’t for there’s a battle to be fought. Enter this quote witch. In your state, Highness, you’re open to the power of suggestion. Page 80

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SAUL: I will admit it’s possible. GENERAL: More than possible! What you saw was not Samuel. SATAN: Then who or what was it? GENERAL: A devil, a demon, a phantom, a figment. (A hard look at SATAN) Your friend was protecting this woman. SATAN: Not my friend. Just a work mate. I never trusted him. GENERAL: The perfect plot. This quote work mate and the woman. And a figment of Samuel rising from the mist babbling “it’s over, it’s all over.” All very convincing. Too convincing. I say this is David’s work. SATAN: (Grinning at AUDIENCE) David?! Why David? GENERAL: Who has means? Who has motive? Who has opportunity? It almost worked. The kingdom’s in danger. With your consent, Oh King, put me in charge now. SAUL: Well, yes! Yes, of course! Take charge! GENERAL: I must get you back to the command center ASAP. I have intelligence that David is in the Philistine camp as King Achish’ guest. David’s using the Philistines and witchcraft. He’s worse than Satan. (SATAN can barely contain his joy) We’ll surprise him tomorrow. We’ll shock him. (Hands a dagger to SATAN) Wait here. When he returns, exact vengeance on that traitor. And on anyone else you deem necessary. (SAUL & GENERAL exit. PSYCHIC awakens) Page 81

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PSYCHIC: Oh. I had a horrible dream. SATAN: We’ve all had horrible dreams. Have you any food? PSYCHIC: (Sees dagger, a look of dread) I. I have some leftover lamb. And some beans. SATAN: Go prepare it. I’m hungry. Be quick about it. And bring your daughter down here. (Fade to black) End of Scene

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Act II Scene 4 (At Rise: SATAN in black robe on bare stage, whistling, cleaning knife. Enter AMALEKITE in with unfolded map and carrying a hatbox. He is lost) AMALEKITE: Sir! Excuse me, sir! SATAN: Yes? AMALEKITE: I’m a poor wandering Amalekite. I seem to have lost my way. I’m trying to find Ziklag. SATAN: Ziklag? Why do you want to go to Ziklag of all places? AMALEKITE: It. It’s personal, sir. SATAN: Well. If you’re not going to tell me why, then I see no reason to tell you where. AMALEKITE: All right, sir. I’ll tell you. But you must promise to repeat it to no one. Swear it. SATAN: I swear on my black robe. AMALEKITE: That’s good enough for me. In fact, I’m on my way to Ziklag to see Lord David. (Indicates hatbox) I have a gift and an important message for him. SATAN: Lord David, you say. Well, that changes everything. Look, I’m sorry I was rude. Of course, I’ll show you where Ziklag is. Bring the map over here. (AMALEKITE hands it to SATAN but keeps his distance. SATAN spreads map out, scans it) Page 83

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: Ah! See? Here’s where we are. Lachish River, here, and it’s along this secondary road, to away to see. Come close. Look

Now you cross the another seven miles here. You’re too far where I'm pointing.

(SATAN stabs him, he dies. Fade to black. Lights up on Command Center. Large military map of Israel & David’s star on wall. ELEAZAR, JASHEN & URIAH at the conn. A SOLDIER stands guard. SATAN enters wearing the AMALEKITE’s clothes, holding the hatbox. He keeps his distance) SATAN: When David was sent away from the Philistine camp, just prior to the big battle, he and his men headed south to his base at Ziklag, near King Achish’s city of Gath. He found Ziklag burned and looted and all the goods and women taken away by Amalekite raiders. David gave chase, caught up with them as they were dividing the spoils. He rescued the women, including his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. The Amalekites were killed. But a few managed to escape and go north. (DAVID enters, in a General's uniform) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Attention all hands! Captain’s on the bridge! (Everyone comes to attention) ELEAZAR: Sir! DAVID: As you were, men. How goes it, Colonel Eleazar? ELEAZAR: Another long watch, sir. (Enter MESSENGER. He salutes) What news? MESSENGER: It’s still a total news blackout up north. JASHEN: Philistine blackout. That bodes ill for Saul. Page 84

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URIAH: The battle may yet be raging and not yet decided. ELEAZAR: Doubtful, Colonel Uriah. Two day battles are rare. (To MESSENGER) If our scouts encounter anyone coming from the the Mount Gilboa area up north, bring him to me. MESSENGER: Yes, sir. (MESSENGER salutes and exits) ELEAZAR: Nevertheless, I do think it’s over. Over for Saul. And over for the tribe of Benjamin, My Lord David. DAVID: Don’t call me Lord. There is only one Lord God. (Sings) I’M NOT YOUR LORD, I’M JUST A MAN LIKE I ALWAYS BEEN I’M NOT SOME GOD COME DOWN TO EARTH TO BE YOUR FRIEND I CAN’T CHANGE WATER INTO WHISKEY, SCOTCH OR GIN AN’ I AIN'T GONNA TALK ABOUT PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN ‘CAUSE I’M NO ONE SPECIAL

I’M JUST LIKE YOU I’M NO ONE SPECIAL JUST A HEBREW, THROUGH AND THROUGH JUST LIKE MY KINFOLK I'M THE REAL MCCOY I’M NO ONE SPECIAL JUST A BETHLEHEM BOY FROM BETHLEHEM THAT’S WHERE I’M FROM WHERE MY SEED WAS SOWED I’M JUST AN AVERAGE, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY SO-AND-SO IF YOU DON’T LIKE ME, WALK AWAY, LEAVE ME ALONE FROM BETHLEHEM THAT’S WHERE I’M FROM THAT’S WHERE I’LL GO

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DAVID(Cont): AN’ I’M NO ONE SPECIAL I’M JUST LIKE YOU I’M NO ONE SPECIAL JUST A HEBREW, THROUGH AND THROUGH JUST LIKE MY KINFOLK I'M THE REAL MCCOY I’M NO ONE SPECIAL JUST A BETHLEHEM BOY (DAVID exits) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Attention all hands! Captain’s departed the bridge! (SATAN begins to draw close) SOLDIER: You there! Who do you think you are? SATAN: An Amalekite. Resting my camel after a long trip from up north. I've a gift for Lord David. I’ve come from Mount Gilboa to give it to him. SOLDIER: From up north, you say? Mount Gilboa? Colonel Eleazar wants to have a chat with you. Assume the position! SATAN: Aye, sir. (SATAN turns his back, raises hands. SOLDIER searches him, finds knife, throws it off to the side. Then they enter Command Center, the SOLDIER pushing SATAN ahead of him) ELEAZAR: Who is this? SOLDIER: Sir, he was coming from the north. ELEAZAR: From the north. And what says he? SOLDIER: He bears gifts and tidings for Lord David. Page 86

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p JASHEN: These days, all bear gifts and tidings for Lord David. ELEAZAR: What’s in the hatbox? SOLDIER: I did not look, sir. He says it’s a gift. JASHEN: He looks like someone up to no good. What’s in the box? Give it over! (JASHEN tries snatching it. SATAN resists. SOLDIER pulls SATAN away, puts a knife to his throat. JASHEN takes box, opens it, peers inside, drops box with a clang) Oh, Good Lord! ELEAZAR: What is it? JASHEN: It’s Saul's crown. URIAH: The crown!? (All move away from box, as if it were dangerous to be near it) How did a dirty thief like you get the royal crown? (SATAN is silent. SOLDIER’s presses knife tighter against SATAN’s throat) SATAN: Mercy! Have mercy on a poor sojourner! ELEAZAR: Sojourner, my ass! You’re an Amalekite, which means you’re a bandit and a bushwhacker. JASHEN: How did you get this? SATAN: My Lords, I swear on Lord David's name - JASHEN: You swear on nothing! You're an abortion! Page 87

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (Enter DAVID in robe and slippers) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Attention all hands! Captain’s on the bridge! ELEAZAR: Sir! DAVID: As you were, gentlemen. Can we belay the chatter? I can’t sleep. Well well, a guest. ELEAZAR: We were interrogating him, sir. DAVID: He brought us information? ELEAZAR: He brought us an object. (DAVID goes to box, opens it) DAVID: Why didn’t you awaken me? ELEAZAR: We were about to, sir. DAVID: Leave us. Leave us this instant! (ELEAZAR, JASHEN, URIAH, SOLDIER exit. DAVID pours wine into a cup) Drink. SATAN: Thank you, My Lord. DAVID: Don’t call me Lord. You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere? SATAN: I can't see how you could, Sir. DAVID: From where do you come?

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SATAN: From Mount Gilboa. DAVID: But you don’t live up there. You don’t speak the lingo. You were up north at the battle. Strange. The Philistines don’t usually recruit and bushwhackers. SATAN: Please don’t insult me, sir. DAVID: How did the crown of Saul end up with you? SATAN: I was not with the Philistines. I was there by chance. DAVID: I see. Were you coming from the north or south? SATAN: From the south. Heading north. I saw many dead Israelites. Those not dead or dying were fleeing, pursued by Philistines. DAVID: A sad, sad day for our king. SATAN: And I saw the King himself. There were horsemen and chariots at a distance making ready to oppose him. His own guardsmen had run off. The King shouted to me, “You there! Yes, you! Come here! Come and kill me, lest they drag me in chains to Gath and Askalon. I will give you my crown as a reward. I’d rather an Amalekite had it than the Philistines.” DAVID: And did you? SATAN: I did as he commanded. DAVID: It didn’t disturb you killing the Lord’s Annointed? Page 89

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SATAN: I did as I was commanded. Not for revenge, or for loot. But nevertheless, there's a fateful connection, relating to your situation. Central to my thinking was this. He was my Lord David's foe, aiming to effect his death. And now with King Saul gone, there is a void needing to be filled. You know the saying, nature hates a vacuum. (Sings) THE POPULATION TREMBLES, THEY DO GROVEL IN THEIR DREAD THEY WANT A CALL FOR ACTION FROM THE LEADER TO THE LED IT’S TIME TO FLY YOUR BANNER AND WHEN ALL IS DONE AND SAID IT’S TIME TO GO AND DO IT, PUT THE CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD. SET IT ON YOUR CURLY LOCKS FEEL IT RESTING THERE LOOK AROUND YOU, SEE THEM GAWK SEE THEM STAND AND STARE THE TIMID MAN THREW DOWN HIS SWORD AND FROM THE FIELD FLED THE TOWNSMAN BURIES ALL HIS GOLD AND HIDES BENEATH THE BED BUT YOU, MY LORD, DO GO THE WAY THAT ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD SO GO AHEAD AND DO IT, PUT THE CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD. DAVID: I say again, do not call me Lord. You’re expecting a reward. Even now, you’re imagining the gold jingling in your purse. Already you’ve decided how to spend it. SATAN: (Prostrates himself. Head on floor) O David, Master. Lord. You read my mind so clearly. You see all. Nothing is hidden. You’re like God. DAVID: Stop!

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p SATAN: You have the face of a God. You are God! You now have the crown, thanks to your poor servant. You now know Saul is sleeping with his ancestors. The Philistine plan is to keep the fact of Saul’s death secret until all is in place to assure victory. But now you know. Now is the time to strike. You know the Jews will fight like lions for you. Put the crown on your head and show yourself to them and say what must be said. Proclaim yourself! Do it now! DAVID: Stop! Stop it! SATAN: Lord! The Philistines will move slowly, cautiously, unaware you are lighting a fire under the twelve tribes, a fire to resound from Damascus to Babylon to Egypt. Strike now, Lord! For the window will not be open long! Put the crown on, Lord David! Let the world know you are King and Lord and God! (DAVID takes his sword and plunges it many times into SATAN) DAVID: (Screaming as he stabs) Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! (DAVID holds it up, watching blood drip off it. ELEAZAR, JASHEN, URIAH & SOLDIER enter on the run, weapons drawn, pull DAVID back) ELEAZAR: He’s dead. DAVID: He was at the battle. Hiding in the bushes. He waited for it to be over. Then he crept forward and spied our king lying dead. He scooped up the crown and fled south. He expected a reward. ELEAZAR: Typical rat. URIAH: Typical cockroach. Page 91

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JASHEN: Typical snake. (DAVID takes crown, hefts it in his hand, studies it, deep in thought) DAVID: What should be done with this? URIAH: (Sings, reggae style) DESE MANY YEARS I FIGHT FOR YOU, NO PILLOW AN' NO BED. YOU RUN TO HERE, I RUN TO DERE, SLEEP ON DA GROUND INSTEAD IF YOU BE KING, I GET A HOME, A PLACE TO CALL MY SPREAD SO GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD ELEAZAR: I BE NOT RICH OR FAMOUS, AN’ NO NOBLE WAS I BRED GO PUT DIS DOWN ON PAPER DAT NO BLUE BLOOD HAVE I BLED IF YOU BE KING, DA‘RISTOCRATS, DEY RAGE, DEY ALL SEE RED SO GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD JASHEN: A GIRL I FANCY IN THE TOWN, “YOU’RE NOT FOR ME,” SHE SAID HER DADDY SORE, HE SAY TO ME, “I SOONER SEE HER DEAD” IF YOU BE KING, I KNOW DAT I WOULD STAND IN HIS GOOD STEAD SO GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD ELEAZAR, JASHEN, URIAH & SOLDIER: SEE IT GRACE YOUR CURLY LOCKS AS YOU WALK ON AIR THINK IT LIKE A BLUE-CHIP STOCK AN' YOU A BILLIONAIRE FAIR BE FAIR, WE BEGGIN’ YOU TO GIVE OUR DAILY BREAD TO YOU WE PLEDGE OUR HONOR AN' FOR YOU OUR BLOOD WE SHED IT'S DIS FOR DAT & QUID PRO QUO & FOOD TO KEEP US FED SO GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD GO AHEAD AN’ DO IT, PUT DA CROWN UPON YOUR HEAD.

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(ELEAZAR, JASHEN, URIAH & SOLDIER watch him with anticipation. An expectant hush) DAVID: Deliver this to King Saul’s kin with my condolences and my tears. ELEAZAR: What?! DAVID: Did you not hear me? ELEAZAR: Yes but. But sir - DAVID: Do it, Colonel. That’s an order. (DAVID exits) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Attention all hands! Captain’s departed the bridge! ELEAZAR: Give it back?! What in blazes is he thinking about?! JASHEN: What have we been fighting for?! ELEAZAR: It falls into your hands, you don’t give it up. Now is the time to complete the revolution. Now is the time to strike! Now is the time to wear the crown! JASHEN: All these years, for nothing. URIAH: Wait, you two! You’re not giving him enough credit. ELEAZAR: Oh?

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p URIAH: He’s playing a deep game. He’s making a show of being generous and honorable with Saul’s kin. He’s taking the high road. He’s giving the people a glimpse of his humane and compassionate side. Thus, he improves his chances of becoming king by popular acclamation. ELEAZAR: All right. It may be as you say. But answer me this, Colonel Uriah. What if the people take it to mean he doesn’t want the crown? URIAH: Surely they wouldn’t think that. They wouldn't, would they? (Fade to black) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Attention all hands! The smoking lamp is out. Silence will be maintained until sixteen hundred hours. At seventeen hundred hours, there will be a memorial service for Saul of the tribe of Benjamin on the main deck. The uniform will be dress blues. That is all. (Lights up. DAVID’s star on front of podium. Enter DAVID in dress uniform) VOICE OVER INTERCOM: Compan-EE! Atten-HUT! (Sound of troops coming to attention. DAVID goes to podium) Parade-REST! (Sound of troops coming to parade rest) DAVID: (Sings) ON A BEACH SOMEWHERE IN PHILISTINE THE VIRGINS DANCE AND SING AS THE MEN OF GATH AND ASKELON THEIR PLUNDER HOME THEY BRING THERE’S A GOLD PENDANT FOR EV’RY GIRL A SILVER CUP FOR TEA AS THE MEN OF GATH AND ASKELON MARCH HOME IN VICTORY Page 94

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DAVID(Cont): IN THE HILLS SOMEWHERE IN BENJAMIN THE WIDOWS WEEP AND CRY FOR THE MEN OF SAUL AND JONATHAN WITH HEAVY LOSS DID DIE AND THE DAUGHTERS CHASTE OF ISRAEL IN CHAINS ARE LED AWAY AS THE MEN OF SAUL AND JONATHAN LIE ROTTING IN THE CLAY HOW FAR THE STRONG HAVE FALLEN HOW FAR ARE THEY THRUST DOWN HOW FAR JUST LIKE A COLUMN THAT SINKS INTO THE GROUND RECALL THIS SAUL AS FEARLESS RECALL HIM IN HIS PRIME RECALL HIS SPIRIT PEERLESS HIS VALOR FOR ALL TIME ON THE HEIGHTS ABOVE CAMP JEZREEL MAY NOTHING LIVING THRIVE MAY THE FARMS AND FIELDS AND CROPS AND WELLS REVERT TO DUST AND DIE FOR A MIGHTY MAN OF BENJAMIN HAS FALLEN FROM THE SKY THE MAIDS HAVE LOST THEIR CHAMPION THEY BEAT THEIR BREASTS AND CRY HOW FAR THE STRONG HAVE FALLEN HOW FAR ARE THEY THRUST DOWN HOW FAR JUST LIKE A COLUMN THAT SINKS INTO THE GROUND RECALL THIS SAUL AS FEARLESS RECALL HIM IN HIS PRIME RECALL HIS SPIRIT PEERLESS HIS VALOR FOR ALL TIME. (Raises sword) On to Jerusalem! On to Jerusalem! On to Jerusalem! (Exits, to sound of warriors, “KING DAVID! KING DAVID! KING DAVID!” Fade to black) End of Scene

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p Act II Scene 5 (At rise: Enter SATAN in a magnificent multi-colored robe with large “D” sewn across the chest in gold thread) SATAN: So they offered him the crown. He said he didn't want it. But they didn't believe him. They jammed that crown down tight on his noggin and surrounded him with enough pomp and circumstance to choke an elephant. Soon enough, David found out he was no longer free. He wasn't even a person. He was a commodity, a national treasure. He belonged to the people. Everywhere he went, he was trailed by guards, advisors, handlers, tasters, minstrels, jesters, heralds, you name it. (Wearing a shimmering, bejeweled gown, DAVID enters, trailed by GUARD, ADVISOR, PERSONAL ASSISTANT, FOOD TASTER, MINSTREL & JESTER. All wear rich robes like SATAN. SATAN jumps right into line with them) SATAN: All in all, being King's not a bad life. You have these courtiers here to serve you. You want something, they get it. You don't have to lift a finger. (DAVID points to an apple hanging from a tree and rubs his tummy. The GUARD, the ADVISOR and SATAN all rush to get it. They fight over it. SATAN prevails and walks up to DAVID with the apple. DAVID takes the apple and pushes him away)

DON'T DON'T DON'T LEARN

DAVID: (Sings) YOU STAND SO CLOSE TO ME YOU STARE AT MY FACE YOU STAND SO CLOSE TO ME TO KEEP IN YOUR PLACE

STAY A DULL NONENTITY MINGLE NOT WITH THE PROUD LIVE IN ANONYMITY BE A FACE IN THE CROWD

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DAVID(Cont): IS IT NOT AN IRONY? OF MY FORTUNE AND FAME NOW I LIVE IN HISTORY NOW THEY SWEAR BY MY NAME MARK THE WAY IT CAME TO BE LIKE A BOLT FROM THE BLUE (Takes an arrow, points it at himself) BUT THE BOLT THAT CAME FOR ME WON'T BE COMING FOR YOU. (GUARD turns, tries to touch DAVID) GUARD: (Sings) WANNA TOUCH YOU! (DAVID pushes him away) DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! ADVISOR: (Sings) WANNA TOUCH YOU! DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! PERSONAL ASSISTANT: (Sings) WANNA TOUCH YOU! DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! ME! (SATAN, MINSTREL & JESTER surround DAVID) SATAN & MINSTREL & JESTER: (Sings) WANNA BE YOU!

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DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! SATAN & MINSTREL & JESTER: (Sings) WANNA BE YOU! DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! SATAN & MINSTREL & JESTER: (Sings) WANNA BE YOU! DAVID: (Sings) KEEP AWAY FROM! ME! (DAVID snaps the arrow in two and throws it over their heads. They turn and rush to retrieve it. DAVID runs past them and exits)

End of Scene

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Act II Scene 6 (At rise: a lovely late afternoon. A verdant pasture. DAVID stands, keeping watch over sheep. His crown rests on the grass at his feet. SHEEP 1, SHEEP 2 & SHEEP 3 recline, chewing cuds) DAVID: (To SHEEP) I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. But if anyone understands me, you guys do. It’s like everybody’s trying to grab a piece of me. There’s no part of me that I can call my own anymore. Do you understand what I’m trying to say? (SHEEP nod. DAVID sings) THIS IS MY STORY THIS IS MY SONG IF SOMEONE ELSE SINGS IT IT WOULD BE WRONG THIS IS MY SIMPLE AND IF SOMEONE IT'D BE IN

STORY PLAIN ELSE SINGS IT VAIN

TO SING ABOUT MY INNER SELF TO SING ABOUT MY SOUL TO SING ABOUT MY DEEPEST CORE WHAT WOULD THEY KNOW? TO SING ABOUT MY DESTINY TO SING ABOUT MY HOPES TO SING ABOUT MY WANTS AND DREAMS WHAT WOULD THEY KNOW? IT’S MY LIFE WE’RE SPEAKING OF AND I’M THE ONE TO LIVE IT HOW CAN SOMEONE ELSE STEP UP AND TELL ME WHAT GOES IN IT? THIS IS MY STORY THIS IS MY SONG IF SOMEONE ELSE SINGS IT IT WOULD BE WRONG Page 99

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p (Enter GABRIEL, walking purposefully, in his white robe. The SHEEP tug at DAVID’s tunic and indicate the approaching GABRIEL) GABRIEL: David. People are wondering where you disappeared to. DAVID: Sometimes I need to get away. Away from the crowd. GABRIEL: Of course you do. Quietude is soothing for the soul. Sometimes being a shepherd of sheep is more rewarding than being a shepherd of men. DAVID: I’m scared. GABRIEL: Of course you are. There’s all sorts of traps and snares and valleys of death awaiting the unwary. You’d be very foolish not to be scared. DAVID: I wasn’t scared of Goliath. GABRIEL: Compared to the vipers at a kingly court, your duel with Goliath was like a stroll in the park. That country bumpkin had no idea who he was up against. Now relax. You’ll be fine as long as you can walk among them and not show fear. Just pretend you’re the friendly, neighborhood beekeeper. DAVID: I’ll try. GABRIEL: Do better than try. Now I have a message. Pay attention. You’re not going to build the temple. DAVID: What??! GABRIEL: You’re not going to build the temple. DAVID: But I’ve got equipment and materials in storage! Page 100

Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p GABRIEL: He knows. DAVID: I’ve signed contracts with masons and carpenters! GABRIEL: He knows. DAVID: I’m even writing choral pieces for the choir! (SATAN in black robe enters, stands away from DAVID & GABRIEL, watching them. He has one arm in a sling, a big bandage around his head, and he walks with a crutch) GABRIEL: David. Please. You’re not going to do it. It’s not going to be you. DAVID: I can’t believe this! I cannot believe it! Who, then? GABRIEL: Someone with cleaner hands. (SATAN snaps his finger. Enter BATHSHEBA with tea service) BATHSHEBA: Tea, My Lords? GABRIEL: Tea would be perfect. I could use a cup right now. (BATHSHEBA pours him a cup) Thank you. BATHSHEBA: (To DAVID) Tea, My Lord? DAVID: No! GABRIEL: David. Please. Have a cup. Pour him a cup.

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Hear the music >>> http://goo.gl/DBqI4p BATHSHEBA: Yes, My Lord. (BATHSHEBA pours him a cup, hands it to him. BATHSHEBA bows and exits. SATAN grins) GABRIEL: Lovely. Such a delicious smile. DAVID: Her name is Bathsheba. She’s Colonel Uriah’s wife. GABRIEL: Colonel Uriah is a very lucky man. DAVID: Yes. He’s a very lucky man. (Long silence as they drain their cups) GABRIEL: All right, King David. Come on. Let’s go. Put the crown upon your head. Time to get back to the old grind. (GABRIEL exits. SATAN exits, limping by DAVID on his crutches, giving him a mocking air kiss as he passes. DAVID continues to stand still, seemingly undecided. Finally, SHEEP 1 picks up the crown and hands it to DAVID. DAVID takes it and puts it on his head. Blackout to instrumental of “Imagine”) The End

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