Steven Kas: Profan Resurrection

Steven Kas 5892 Crimson drive Niagara Falls, On. L2G 7T7 905 357-7484 [email protected]

PROFANE RESURRECTION A film story. (TREATMENT) By: Steven Kas In the year 2000, it's Easter Sunday morning somewhere in God's country, an unusually warm day for the holiday. On a winding road a beaten up old pickup truck speeds along with an incredible speed of 35 kilometre an hour. The driver, an old man of uncertain age, is having a good time. He's picked up a passenger, a travelling bible salesman, a youngish man of thirty something. He must have been on the road for quite some time since he appears to be as unkept as the old man himself. He's got long blondish hair, with a couple of weeks worth of facial hair growth. He's in the middle of an aggressive sales pitch, trying to sell a "Good Book" to the old man, who is not buying. He, - his name is Jedu, sounds very knowledgable of his wares. He quotes verses as he goes along, - making them up mostly, to support his argument. They sound authentic all right even the customary i.d is attached to it, like; Matthew 24.6.3. By the time the old man stops at a crossroads, Jedu manages to sell him a dangling air freshener in the shape of the Virgin Mary and says a frustrated farewell to the good samaritan. As the ancient truck puffs away, Jedu takes off his jacket, the top part of a "business formal" essential for good impressions. He starts off toward a distant village with a certain sign of meekness. - But "a man's got to do, what a man's got to do": make a buck somehow. He loudly argues with the Lord, bitterly complaining about peoples' indifference to His messages. Nobody seems to want to invest in the ultimate wisdom, one or two sales to a village is hardly enough for a half decent existence.

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Suddenly, dark clouds gather above and a sudden, ferocious storm unleashes all of it's menacing power on the lonely traveller. Thunder and lightening, wind and driving rain and no shelter in sight. He just pushes ahead. When he comes to a crossroad, to his relief, a little fenced in garden offers some protection. In the middle of it stands an old crucifix, at the base is a tiny open shrine for the faithfuls' candles, - if any. Nothing's in there now, so Jedu invites himself in and crawls under the cross to save himself from further punishment. All this time he tries to assure the Almighty that he had not meant to be disrespectful, but he has really reached the end of his rope. The storm really comes down hard. The wind forces the trees and shrubs almost flat on the ground and there seems to be no end in sight. Jedu even starts to pray, when almost like an answer a fierce lightening bolt strikes the cross, ripping off the weather beaten tin Christ, twisting and bending it. Finally the wind blows it away into the shrubs across the road. Jedu lies under the cross showing no sign of life. The wind dies down, but the rain still pours down on his tormented face. As suddenly as it started, the storm comes to an end. The sun comes out with full force, patchy little clouds rise above the fields. Birds are singing again, a reassuring sign that the world didn't come to the end after all. Jedu slowly comes to life. He still lies motionless, merely observing his surroundings like somebody trying to find his whereabouts. He moves his arms and legs, then finally gets up on his feet. He is a total mess, covered with mud. He finds his leather case, out of which water pours as he lifts it up. He notices the absence of the Christ from the crucifix, wants to say something but nothing comes out of his throat, just shapeless jumbles. The apparent loss of his ability to speak and hear angers him. Helplessly he tries to object, or cuss. Not far off, a small river is visible on the other side of the pasture. He heads toward the water to wash up, to regain his former self. *** From a distance, a flatback truck approaches carrying a load of about a dozen or so men apparently farm workers. They are loud, some are singing, but mostly they're talking. In the cab of the truck, four people are squished in the seat, talking and laughing. The truck comes to a screeching halt as it passes the roadside shrine. The driver has noticed the absence of the Christ. The vehicle backs up and the passengers one by one jump off. Quietly they line up in the front of the cross, hats off,

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crossing themselves. Some of them kneel and pray. Then one of the men, still standing on the truck yells out... "Look! Down at the river. Holy Mother..." He falls on his knees and vehemently crosses himself over and over again. Down at the water, framed by willows and tall bamboo grass a naked man is standing in the water up to his waist, splashing the water over his head. One of the men screams hysterically. "Praise the Lord, His son Jesus Christ is back. Dear Jesus save us sinners!" And he starts out toward the river, followed by the others, slowly at first, stopping, frequently crossing themselves even crawling on their knees. In the meantime Jedu is ignorant of the happenings behind his back as he savours the cool fresh water. Occasionally he tries to dislodge the plug left in his ear as a result of the heavenly strike. On the shore the people go on with lots of praying and chanting. Tear filled eyes are fixed on the naked back of the stranger, who after a little while slowly turns around and walks toward his audience. Under the circumstance he inevitably exposes more than what's considered proper. He's rather puzzled, seeing the kneeling, gesticulating peasants and tries to get away from them, just as they try to catch him. Finally he is cornered, they practically wrestle him to the ground. Some of them kiss his hands, others strip off their shirts, forcing him to cover his naked body. He desperately tries to say something but his vocal cords are obviously out of order. Fear starts to show on his face. "Kidnapped by some deranged earthlings?", the inevitable conclusion seems to be in order, as they carry him up to the roadside passing the storm battered shrine. Jedu looks at the bare cross and suddenly realises what the whole commotion is all about. His objections are getting less and less vigorous and finally he gives in to his fate and lets things unfold as they will. The jubilant peasants celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the beginning of a new age of miracles. Singing and chanting, they escort their saviour along the dusty road toward the village. At the bend of the road, they meet head on with an old man riding on a donkey. In no time they make him give up his mount, - he is more than willing after he learns that the Lord himself needs a ride, but Jedu's rather reluctant to get on the ass, it takes quite the effort to make him, not only to get on, but to stay on with a tiny trace of dignity. But he

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is a good student and by the time they reach the village, he manages to put on quite a show. As the procession inches along the main street people emerge from their houses. The pointsmen running ahead give the news to the curious onlookers with feverish excitement: "The Lord Jesus Christ has arrived." "Jesus got off the cross at the shrine." "It's a miracle. We are saved! Praise the Lord." ...and Jedu, the frustrated bible salesman just an hour ago, for some mysterious reasons unknown to him, suddenly he is the resurrected Jesus riding towards the church. Strangely, he finds himself quite comfortable in the role and he generously discharge an endless barrage of blessings on the population of the lucky village. **** In the vestry room of the church about a dozen of the peasants are in heated argument with the parson, a paltry middle aged priest, Father Fabio. Everybody talks at the same time creating a sacrilegious racket in the sacristy. "Silentio!!!" Yells Father Fabio and he carefully opens the door leading into the church, just a crack so he can peek in. In front of the altar kneels "Jesus" and the church is half full with praying faithful. "I don't like it. Not a bit. He is an impostor." "Father I saw him with my own eyes, stepping off the cross and walking on the river." Laments one of the peasants who gets vocal support from the rest. "It is a miracle, a real miracle Father Fabio." "Don't be stupid. No miracle. You understand? The age of miracles is gone. Get it into your stupid peasant heads and take him out of my church. NOW!!!" At this instant, the church organ cuts in with an awesome crescendo and the crowd of people explode in a joyful hymn. Father Fabio stops in his loud objection and slowly opens the door. The church is jam packed with people, a crowd he has never seen before. The air is supercharged with excitement as "Jesus" turns to the congregation and lifts his hands to bless the crowd. Father Fabio stands dumbfounded and mesmerised for a long minute, listening to the never heard celebration and slowly starts to walk toward the altar, falls on his knees front of "Jesus" and kisses his foot. 4

The congregation goes wild. **** A large lavishly decorated hall in the palace of the Cardinal. The walls are covered with life sized portraits of past residents of the palace, so many serious looking elderly clergymen. Four monks stand between the two huge windows, dressed in plain brown cassocks singing old Gregorian chants, harmonizing like a medieval barber shop quartet. At a oversized easel a tall bearded monk is working on a painting, painstakingly scrutinizing his subject, who is the current tenant of the palace. A short, balding man in his fifties wearing a snow white frock with a purple sash. He is saddled on a chair, on top of the long conference table, holding a sabre, pointing it straight ahead. It must be very heavy, as he is struggling to keep it up... The painter monk speaks with trembling voice: "I beg your patience... your Eminence. You must stay in the pose for a little longer..." The Cardinal explodes: "That's it... I've had enough." He angrily dismount from the chair. The singing monks are jumping to help him off the table... "What kind of artist are you anyway. I've told you what I wanted... all you have to do is take a good look at me and do it... Damn it do it! Six months now you are fiddling with it... you my friend... not a Michelangelo... that's for sure. Out of my way!" He yells at the monks, swinging the sabre and they jump aside. "Let me see." He walks around the easel. The life size portrait is almost finished depicting the Cardinal on a white horse dressed in papal attire and shining armour. Floating gold embroidered cape drapes the romp of the mount. The rider resembles the Cardinal, but is much taller and much more impressive man, looking ahead into the distance towards the hills of the Holy Land, with his sabre he points to the city of Jerusalem. It is a true work of art, but the Cardinal is not pleased. He screams on the top of his voice, to give weight to his words with one swift slash with his sabre, clears the side table of all the paints and turpentine... "No,No, No, Brother... you don't get it! Are you..?. I want a hard, determined look on my face... I'll be the Warrior Pope... The Supreme General of the new crusade... not a wimp. Julius the IV the first in 5

centuries willing to pick up the sword and reclaim the Holy Land for the Church... I'll come with a vengeance... I'll cry Holy War... no peace on earth till the land is free... No, No, No. I DON'T LIKE IT. It looks like a spilled laundry basket... to much white... much, to much... Change the horse... make it black. Jet black... Damn it, Brother I told you I want a stallion... what is this..." "It is a horse Your Eminence... I don't have to much experience in animal anatomy..." "Go and get some experience... look and learn... I want a stallion with a visible sign of supremacy... You understand? Brother go and learn..." "Where, I beg you indulgence... This is a country of donkeys and oxen... I haven't see a horse in my life.. how I will know a stallion from a mare?" "Oh, for haven's sake... use your imagination or look in a mirror... I want a stallion with a bulge..." The door swings open and Brother Thomas walks in, a tall midle aged monk. He carries himself with a unmistakenable discipline of a hardened soldier and his voice as he speaks commands attention. "Your Eminence, the troops are ready for inspection." "Good, just what I need, a bit of a cheering up... Let's go." He throws the sabre on the table and walks toward a door which swings open. This leads to an elavator and in it stands a golf cart. Brother Thomas takes the driver seat, the Cardinal stands beside him. The door closes and the elevator drops down with a hiss. It is quite a long ride and when it is finally finished the door opens into a tunnel. Brother Thomas drives the veichle through the winding tunnel that leads to another elevator raising the passengers up. The door opens, daylight hits the Cardinal's exited face and at the same instance a tremendous roar of hurrahs explodes. In the vast yard of the Monastery stands, in disciplined military formation eight hundred monks. The Knights of Jerusalem. Their uniform are stylized brown cassocks with a big white cross on the chest. They are bare headed with a very short cropped hair, and each carries an AK47 rifle. A number of armoured troop carriers are visible as well, and a half a dozen attack helicopters. The troop commander steps forward and reports.. "The first battallion of the Knights of Jerusalem is ready for inspection. Sir!"

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Brother Thomas slowly drives the golf cart to the front of the troops, the Cardinal watching with stern face, salutes the still screaming soldier-monks. At the gate Bishop Prakasz tries desperately to catch the Cardinal's attention. When finally the cart turns back toward the elevator, the Cardinal yells at him impatiently: "What is it Prakasz, can't you see I'm busy..." "Your Eminence... a call... extremely important... you need to know... a village priest is on the line..." - he runs alongside the speeding golf cart. "The Lord Jesus is resurrected and holds court in Britoscy... IT IS A MIRACLE... Your Eminence." "What did you say?" Who, When. What?" "The Lord Jesus Christ walked into the village..." "Lets cut the crap... Every time a village idiot's got a hallucinatory vision, you stupid peasants call it a miracle... No miracle. You understand... No miracle! I won't allow it..." "Your Eminence... this is different, This time it's not just a vision. He arrived in the village riding on a back of an ass... Real, flesh and blood... You better talk to the priest yourself..." "I will be with you... you just run along..." Back in the great hall, Bishop Prakasz pleads with the Cardinal. "Your Eminence, please be patient with him... he is a decent old man, he is very upset by the situation..." "He is upset?" Yells the Cardinal. "I'm upset with all of you..." "Please, Your Eminence..." "Okay, okay...lets get this over with." On of the Brothers switches on the speaker phone. The Cardinal in a controlled, sweet manner asks the caller. "Speak my son. What is your name?" "Father Fabio, Your Eminence..." comes the faint reply. "Speak up, I can't hear you. What is this Jesus business of yours. I hope for your sake it's not your stupid idea?" "I swear, Your Eminence, I'm as puzzled as anybody else... it is getting a bit out of hand and I'm afraid I can't do anything to stop it... it is like a miracle..." "No miracles. Do you hear me? The church doesn't sanction any brain-dead idea of the resurrection. It is absurd, even to think of it. Can you imagine the disaster that would be caused by the return of the Christ? You people out there, can't even come close to understand the

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incredible damage such an occurrence might cause the church. Stop it, stop it before it's to late." "But what can I do?" "You will come up with something, you peasants are very resourceful. Pay him off, run him out of town... kill him if you have to, in the name of the Church. And do it before the whole scandal explodes into our faces.. Stop it before the word goes around, before... before.." He whispers with veiled terror in his voice. "Before the Vatican hears about it..." The priest on the other end of the wire gasping for air. "Your Eminence! The village is full of strangers..." The Cardinal in uncontrollable rage smashes the speaker phone with his sabre. "Damn you stupid moron..." The Brothers and the Bishop run for cover, the Cardinal trashes the room. "Out of my way... all of you." The door swings open and a Monk rushes in... trying to catch up with the Cardinal. "Your Eminence, Your Eminence, please come to the Communications Room." "What do you want?' "The news... Your Eminence. The CNN Braking News is on..." "What?" And he runs through the door, crossing a number of rooms till he reaches his Communication Room. It is a hi-tech set-up, the wall is covered with twenty or more TV monitors simultaneously transmitting the programs of all the important channels. He stops at the console and punches up on of the stations and the picture explodes to all the monitors, creating one huge screen. A reporter speaks straight to the camera. In the background a large crowd is visible in front of the village church. A festive atmosphere is detectable as the young man files his report: "Here we are in the main street of a village called Brituscy. It is so obscure you have probably never heard of it. It is located in the eastern upper lands, pretty well isolated from the rest of the country. This has all changed today, the name Brituscy will be known all over the Christian world as a result of an alleged miracle. According to eye witnesses during a sudden thunderstorm a lightening bolt struck the crucifix in a roadside shrine and the crucified Jesus Christ stepped off the cross and 8

rode into the village, - get this, I'm not making this up...(He strikes a dramatic pose and emphasises.) on a donkey." The Cardinal punches up an other channel and an other reporter speaks: "Jesus, as everybody I have talked so far believes, is in very good condition, - considering the two millennium absence, although he doesn't seem to be able to speak our language, or any language for that matter." The Cardinal almost in tears switches to yet another station. "Here we are at the famous shrine, where all this started this afternoon. As you see... Gert, show the cross." (The camera swings up on the cross.)" As you see the cross is empty. According to the locals the tin Jesus has been on it as long as anyone can remember. It was originally donated by the great- grandmother of the landowner who used to own the parcel of land behind it. Here is Mr. Thorkit one of the people who experienced this incredible miracle first hand." (One of the farm workers from the truck.) Tell us my friend as it happened." "Well, it was a big storm, lightening and all and a beautiful beam of light come down from the heaven, music... and angel were singing... and there he was, Lord Jesus standing on the river.. Naked,.. I gave my shirt to him and Jose a pair of pants..." "What did he say?" "Nothing. He can't speak. Just blessing. He is blessing everybody... He is very good at it. It proves one thing... He is the Lord all right..." Another reporter on another channel: "He is resting in the village tavern's guest room after a hearty dinner of roast ham, sauerkraut, mashed potato and cheesecake, courtesy of, let me see... Brotos Brothers Taverna on the Main street of beautiful Brituscy. Mention this broadcast to Brotos Brothers when you come to see the miracle and receive complimentary cheesecake creation of Maria Brotos. Back to you Arthur." The Cardinal pulls the main switch and the wall of monitors turn black. He slumps into the chair burying his face into his hands. All the people around stand motionless, not a word is spoken. Finally the Cardinal leans back in his chair and calls his assistant: "Give me some brandy, Brother Silvio, my heart is about to give up." ( He is very quiet now, shaking in his whole holy body.) "We are in big trouble, Brothers. This easily can kill our plan. Everything is in jeopardy now. We are suddenly very visable to the 9

world and for the people in the Vatican... It is very bad for our future... Why me? " Suddenly he slams his fist on the console. "Couldn't he descend somewhere else in this damned world... on South America, or in the United States? If he has to come back at all. Why? Aren't we taking care of things for Him... If, and that's the big if. If he is actually, what he claims to be? What do you think Brothers? He is an impostor.(His voice hushed, whispers.)Tell me he is a FAKE...." ***** "He is a FAKE, I'm telling you, and that's the end of it..." The highly respected rabbi declares to the gathering of the elders of his tiny congregation. And small is small. In fact, only three of them sit around the table. "But, Rabbi..." objects somebody. "What if he is what they say he is... He is a Jew, isn't he? In that case, we have to claim him and get in on the action." "Yes." Cuts in old Majshi the grocer... "We could use a little bustle in our business... Invite him, and talk. See what he knows... He's supposed to be a learned scholar..." "I am with Majshi." Declares another wise man. "If he is, what they say he is... Lets have him... We can use a little miracle ourselves..." ***** "Miracle is one thing, but to know what to expect from it, is an other..." Father Fabio mutters to himself under the blanket of the night, with the help of a flashlight he is searching the river bank for clues. It doesn't take too long before he comes across the leather case and the bundle of soiled clothing of the bible salesman. He collects the evidence and heads back to the village. As he passes the shrine he is greeted by the campers around the "Miracle site". There must have hundreds of them. A sea of burning candles illuminates the faces of the people. Some are praying quietly. Others are sleeping bundled together, whole families as close as, perhaps never before. Men cuddling their mates, mothers nursing little babies. Peace and tranquility. An incredibly serene landscape of people, love and hope, under the star filled deep blue sky. 10

The flickering of the candlelight elucidates the whole picture of the past turbulent days for the Parson. No matter what or who triggered it, it is a miracle nevertheless, he concludes. "Good night, God bless you..." he walks slowly among the pilgrims, carrying the telling tale of the miracle... "Father.- someone calls him. - "Is he all right. Has he spoken yet?" "Not yet. but I'm sure he will..." **** It is a bright sunny morning. The clock in the church tower shows nine thirty and the square is already full of people. In front of the church a semicircle is roped off and crude stakes are driven into the ground. In the middle of the cordoned off area stands a small platform with an armchair covered with a piece of red velvet. Next to it a large sign stands with a handwritten message; THE LORD WILL APPEAR EVERY DAY 10 AM, 2 PM. AND 6 PM. SHARP FOR A HALF HOUR KEEP BEHIND THE ROPE. DONATIONS ACCEPTED NO PICTURES. Father Fabio is working himself through the growing crowd carrying a potato sack and he enters the side door leading to the tavern. In the back, around the pool tables a group of peasants quietly sitting at the bare tables. Some of them are eating breakfast, others just drinking coffe. All seems to be part of the "discovery" team of villagers, strangely, twelve of them. When Father Fabio walks in they take their hats off and greet him with a humble good morning. "What are you people doing here?" "We are guarding Him." The leader of the group motions toward the door in the back of the billiard room. "Just making sure nobody bothers the Lord." "Is he up yet?" "I guess so, He is praying, I gather." "You people go now, wait outside. I want to talk to him alone."

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"We understand, Father. Official, church business I trust, but I'm afraid he can't hear you or speak either." "It is so sad, the Lord is with us but he can't hear our prayer, he can't tell us anything." Said the leader of the "twelf" and quietly they gather their belongings and they walk out through the door. Father Fabio places the sack on the billiard table and knocks on the door first, than slowly opens it. "Good morning, this is Father Fabio, I would like to have a word with you." In the sharp back-light of bright sun the Lord appears. Silent and majestic in his white linen shirt and pants, he lifts his hand with a blessing gesture... but Father Fabio stops him. "Cut it out. It is not necessary..." He walks to the billiard table and with a swift motion empties the contents of the sack on the floor. The black suit, the soiled undergarments and the leather case. "I know who you are." He shouts, like talking to a deaf person trying to make him hear. "Do you, really? And you don't have to shout" "So, your voice is back? Jedu Cristos, the bible salesman." Empties the leather case, picks out a book and throws it down with disgust. "And to make things worse, New Age bibles too." "I sell them, not write them, although now that I know who I am, I probably could do a better job." Snaps the Lord back. "Are you trying to tell me that you really believe in your ridiculous story, the tin Jesus turning into a living person?" "Father. Don't tell me you doubt the competence of your God? You doubt all those miracles recorded in the Book?" "Don't put words in my mouth. I doubt this profane resurrection." "Profane Resurrection? What makes one profane and the other sacred? Who decides? Father Fabio, for three days I lived in total silence, forced upon me. Couldn't hear nor talk, only see. I had ample time to reflect, to see the world around me. But I listened to the voices only within, the voices of the soul, the heart, and the deep buried memories. I came to the conclusion that regardless what happened to me or whatever I appear to be, I always was, what I am today, I just didn't know it. Providence, or I like to believe, a divine intervention forced me under that cross, to be struck by a bolt of lightening... to finalise, to 12

complete the incarnation of the Saviour into the person you are looking at now." "All I see is a bible salesman in a peasant getup." "Listen to me and you might see behind the obvious. Look at the faces of the people in the village square, and on those faces, in those eyes you see the reflection of a real miracle. I didn't choose my fate, I didn't plan to deceive... those people on the river bank have seen what they wanted to see through the ages, an embodiment of their hopes. You, the church, all the churches, merchants of unfulfilled dreams, promis salvation, salvation in another world. And, when in desperation the people create their own right here on this earth, do you want to take it away from them?" "I can't be part of a fraud" "What ever it is, you are already part of it. Your collection plates overflow with money, your church is full beyond it's capacity. The village is on the map to reap the benefit of the miracle or as you call it, fraud, for time infinity. No matter what will happen to me, the people will believe what they want to believe. You can try to destroy my credibility, you can crucify me again, but for all the desperately hopeful people, I will be the Lord." "Bull shit. You are Jedu the salesman." Father Fabio kicks the pile of things on the floor with anger, trips and hits his head at the edge of the pool table... and faints. When he comes to, he rubs his head and bursts out; "Jesus Christ..." "Yes Father. I am here." The Lord bends over him with comforting attention. "You just have to control your emotions. Don't forget we have a lot to do. It is time for me to bless the pilgrims. Make sure the collection plates are in place." There is a bit of a sarcasm detectable in his words. A little while after the priest leaves, the peasants walk into the room, quietly, one by one wishing a good morning. "And a very good morning to you, Friends." Speaks the Lord, touching the men, shaking the hands they timidly extend toward him. "Your voice is back, praise the Lord, you can talk to us." "Yes I can, But there are questions I have to ask. Why you are here? Who hired you to guard me?"

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"Nobody my Lord." Answers one of the men willingly. "We decided to stick around, to make sure no harm come to you. People are strange, they can kill with their love. They'll crush you to dead before you know it." "Don't you have work to do? What about your families?" "Nothing is really happening around here since your resurrection my Lord, except the "Miracle". So many pilgrims are coming the people have no time for the fields anymore. Feeding the people is the big thing now. A hungry pilgrim pays a lot for a slice of bread and a mug of milk. My wife sells shirts for a man from the city. He pays good money." "How about you? Why don't you go and make a fortune?" "We don't need anything, We're better off than the rest. We are the lucky ones, to be around you." And the rest whole heartedly agree. After a long pause, the Lord asks the men. "Please put these thing into the room." Points to the pile of his possession on the floor. "And I would like to ask you to mail a letter for me that I'm going to write, but I've no money for the stamps" "Don't worry, we'll take some from the collection plate. It's for a good cause, it's no crime." "Your reasoning is quite logical, and the cause is most crucial, you will see. But nobody's supposed to know about it." He walks into his room, sits at the table and starts to write. His soft affectionate voice is heard over the close-up of his gentle face. "Dearest Maggi, My love. I am lost and confused. Something has happened to me, something extraordinary. No, I'm not in jail, I was not beaten by Jehovah witnesses, nothing of such a trivial nature. I am the reincarnated Jesus Christ you might have seen on television. I wish I could explain how this happened, but I can't. I need you desperately, please come to this village as soon as you can. Use the money we put aside for the winter coat, I'll try to make up for it somehow. Come to the village tavern, you will find me in the back room, where I spend my time trying to find out who am I. To separate fantasy from reality and, in between I dream about you. Please forgive me for being away so much, Love you, Jedu." In the city a young woman with small suitcase runs to catch a bus. **** 14

Out in the village square the anticipation creates an incredible tension. The crowd pushes forward and occasionally a lone scream triggers a loud murmur. Through the loud speakers the church organ explodes into fanfare and at the side of the church, out of the shade of the majestic cedars the Lord emerges, surrounded by his guards, all twelve of them. He slowly mounts the stage and holds up his arms in blessing. The crowd goes absolutely wild, women scream at the top of their lungs. Father Fabio silently stands in the shade of the trees. **** Further down the street, a couple of hundred meters away from the square stands a little church with a needle slim steeple, the modest house of the God of the Protestant faith. In front of it stands the towering figure of the Reverend Reg Brotik and he is furious. He is talking with a group from his congregation, punctuating every word he say with an angry gesture. "Get me a bullhorn... I've got to take action. I will not, I repeat, I will not let this drunken papist hijack the Lord for himself. I, Reverend Brotik will stand up for the truth, the fundamental truth of Christianity. For the gospel in it's undistorted, uncompromised clarity." He swings the church door open, and raises his voice. "Christians, Brothers and Sisters, listen to me. Here is the only real house of God, the unblemished church of the Lord" They hand him a bullhorn and he continue. "Brothers and Sisters, Jesus Christ is an impostor. Don't believe the devious manipulation of the Vatican, they're trying to sell you another fake miracle, to rob you of your money and sanity. Beware, the fat little pig in the black frock, he is behind the rip-off of the century...." The celebrating crowd turns toward the raging reverend, dumbfounded and silent for awhile. The Lord's blessing hand falls to his side and he calls a conference with his guards. Father Fabio bursts into a loud cry of disbelieve. "That son of a bitch heretic doesn't know shame? I'm going to make him choke on his words!" ...and he pushes his way through the crowd to silence the screaming cleric. By the time he reaches the little church, the angry crowd has attacked the reverend, smashed his bullhorn and he is hastily retreating into the sanctuary of his church, followed by the members of

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the presbyterate. The irate pilgrims are calmed by Father Fabio as the television cameras look on. **** A T.V.correspondent is filing his report: "... you have seen the ugly confrontation just a minute ago, well it vividly demonstrates that not everything is tranquil in the holy land of the latest miracle. This morning somebody chopped off a considerable piece of the cross at the shrine, the village officials are suspecting the mushrooming profiteers of stealing the aged piece of timber. According to some calculations, the woodchips from that piece of cross represent a street value of over a hundred thousand Us dollars. Rumours are circulating in the village regarding the financial windfall generated by the resurrection. Some money circuits estimate the total in the first couple weeks in the neighbourhood of two million. Oh, by the way, the name of the village which was known for at least two centuries as Britusky, was officially changed today to Jesuville. So, this is Sandy Brown saying auf widersen from Jesuville. Back to you Bill." "Well, thank you Sandy, we will be back after these commercial messages." A flashy commercial follows the report, a travel agency offers group flights to Bregonia, including bus transportation to and back from Jesuville. "Meet the Lord, get blessed and back into the comfort of your home in forty-eight hours." Offer expires at June 15. ONLY $1,455.00 US. **** In the Cardinal's palace the Communication Room is now the centre of the daily routine, The Cardinal with his Bishop and the Monks constantly are watching the television broadcasts. The last commercial is visible now on a number of screens. The phone rings, one of the Brothers answer it... turns to the cardinal in panic: "It is Cardinal Brisciani again from the Vatican" "Tell him I'm not in." "I can't lie." "Since when? Brother." "Please, take the call... this is the third time this morning, you got to talk to them sooner or later." 16

"I have nothing to tell them..." "Tell him, that we will get the report from our people in a couple days..." "Has Brother Tobias called yet?" "I'm afraid, not." "Okay... put him on." The Monk switches on the speaker phone the Cardinal greets the caller: "Good morning Your Eminence... it is very nice to hear from you." "I'll come to the point Krupak. His Holiness is very upset about the turn of the events in your country... You, true to your arrogant style... refuse to inform us about the happenings in Britusky... Your silence makes me suspect that you are behind this miracle business... Cardinal Krupak... your insubordination is well known to us, your opposition to the Holy High took you very close to the brink of disaster before. Your idiosincrasy about being the crusading pope, your delusion as a saviour of the holy land and your militant order of the Knights of Jerusalem are the talk of the town. Krupak the glass is about to run over... The church is looking at this latest problem in your domain as a very serious matter. It is unacceptable that all the information regarding this occurrence is coming from CNN rather than from the relevant authority of the church. In the history of the papacy, I'm certain to assume - you know, Cardinals lost favour of the Vatican for lesser transgressions." All this time the Cardinal is mimicking the caller to the amusement of the others in the room. "Are you threatening me?" "Yes! The most definite way. Go out there and stop this madness. The Lord Jesus Christ is dead, ascended to the heavens... and as far as the church concerned he stays there. You understand?" "I certanly do, Your Eminence, I'll go myself and see... believe me I'm the last person who needs this kind of disruption... I'll go, and let you know..." **** Tour buses are lining up at the crossroads. A uniformed constabulary directing the traffic. The bus stops, passengers quickly disembark, among them is the confused Maggi, helplessly carried by the frantic crowd, they look, pray, snap pictures and just as quickly are back on the bus and it's waved away. Next. At the end of the village a huge parking lot has been carved out of the meadows. At one end a paving 17

machine is still laying the black top, cars and buses are moving in and out. The same village constabulary is feverously at work trying to make some sense of order. At the pedestrian exit a group of Hara Krisna devotees are chanting, numerous stands sell T-shirts, balloons and all kind of "Make-money" religious souvenirs. Loudspeakers bombard the newcomers with spirited religious music. Maggi walks along the street, trying to fend off the aggressive vendors. On the main street, in front of one of the houses a long lineup is waiting to see the donkey, the one the Lord rode into the village, for a mere five dollars. **** There is a meeting going on at the rectory. The participants, some of the village officials, the tour operators, Father Fabio, Reverend Brotik and the supporting cast of the opposing churches are engaged in a heated argument. "Look Brotik!" - Father Fabio yells at the Reverend. - "If one more bomb scare interrupts the daily blessings, my people might take action I've got no control over and then what are you going to do? Eh?" "You don't scare me Fabio" "Father Fabio to you Mister." "You're not a goddam father of mine, and don't you point your finger at me..." "Gentlemen, please," A city-type man tries to calm the parties down. Father Fabio introduces him to the rest. " This is Mr. Vargus from the Ministry of Tourism." "We don't have a Ministry of Tourism, What are you talking about?" Objects Reverend Brotik. "We have one now, since we suddenly have tourism, the Prime Minister established one just yesterday and I as a sole official at this point, appeal to you for calm and co-operation. We've got a problem here, and we've got to find a solution. Otherwise, we all lose a golden opportunity to make an honest buck. I have the authorisation from the world leading auto maker, to suggest the following. Don't interrupt me, let me finish, and then you think it over. The problem, as I see it, is the stage. Only a limited number of people can actually see the Lord up front. We have to move him around. The above mentioned company is willing to supply a "pope-mobile". A nice glass enclosed pickup. Every 18

day, with the same schedule that we have now, we drive the Lord up and down the main street. Five miles an hour. No faster. On the left side of the street the Catholic pilgrims line up, on the other side the Protestants. As the pope-mobile drives along the Lord will bless three times to the right and three times to the left. You Father will take up collections on your side, the Reverend on his. No argument, no bomb scare, no interrupting the proceeding with screaming through the sound system. Kapish? And if the Lord wants to visit the Protestant church it's up to him. As I've heard, he is scheduled to meet the Rabbi and the elders at the Jewish prayer hall tomorrow. If he is willing to play along I don't see why you can't." "Nice to have a government official who actually makes sense for a change. It is not a bad idea" admits the reverend. **** In the pool room, the Lord and his following are having "quality" time, they're playing billiards, The Lord and one of the men, everybody else just stands around watching. "Faith won't help you." Says the Lord and pockets a ball. "Unless it is a faith in your own ability and skill. Learn and win. Knowledge is power. Whow. Listen to me, am I wise or what?" And another ball is in the pocket. "I can do this with a closed eye." He misses and everybody laughs. Now it is the turn of the "Apostle". He lines up the shot, concentrate and stops. Turns to the Lord. "Please, don't do that." "Do what?" The Lord asks. "I know you push the balls with your eyes, so I'll miss. You always do that, it's not fair, play honest, - I beg your forgiveness for being so forward." The Lord and the others laugh. "You see? Your belief in my wickedness actually makes you miss the ball, not of what I might do. Concentrate, believe in your competence and you will do it." Bang. He did it, the ball is in the pocket to the delight of all in the room. The door slowly opens and one of the disciples blocks the entry of an intruder. 19

"I'm sorry lady you can't come in here." "Who is it?" Asks the Lord, and the "intruder" outside recognize the voice, she cries out. "Jedu, are you there?" "Please, let her in, she is my friend." The men step aside and with a bit of embarrassment they witness an emotional reunion of Maggi and Jedu. After a long embrace Jedu or the Lord quickly whisks her into the room. "Am I glad to see you." "Are you crazy? What is going on. Is this one of your big ideas to sell more bibles? Aren't you going a little bit too far? Jesus? What's next? God?" "Please Maggi, stop pestering me. This time I'm innocent. I've been struck by lightening, lost my voice and hearing and everybody thinks I'm the Lord. To tell you the truth I am not sure if I am, or I am not." "This whole bible business went too far. You can't deal with it for so many years without getting a bit carried away. I've told you many times, sell used cars. More money in it and I'm not so sure if it's less honest." "You're being unfair, Maggi." "Jedu, I'm fed up being alone all the time. What kind of a relationship is this. I see you a couple days a month? Come home." "I can't, not yet. I'm totally confused I don't know who I am anymore. Maybe you're right, I got too involved with the bible, but not the way you think. I'll tell you something, I never told you before, or anybody else for that matter. For quite a long time I began to doubt the whole thing. This religion business, the faith, even God the way we learned to believe." "Jedu, you're talking perilous thoughts now. You know the world we live in? The rule of conformity, to fit in?" "Of course I know, but the rules are suffocating. You remember the first thing about the creation? God created man to his own image? No, it's all wrong. Man created God to fit his own image. A cruel, bloodthirsty, vengeful and sadistic God. Not only the christians are guilty, all the religions that I know of, are the same. Can you imagine a divine being eradicating all living creatures on earth with a flood, to suits it's own fancy? To demand proof of a man's love to him by killing 20

his own son? To decimate his own people with terrible death to prove a point? Do I want to believe in a God of brutality and mad revenge?" "Jedu, Dear Jedu you are tormenting yourself, let me take you away, let me make you forget all these thoughts..." And she is covering his face with her loving and gentle kisses. ***** A strange motorcade approches the village leaving a huge cloud of dust behind. Up front two monks riding motorcycles, followed by an open jeep with four monks sitting. Next is a sparkling white limousine, then another jeep with four menecing looking monks. Finally two motorcyclists close the convoy. The pilgrims at the shrine run off the road like frightened chickens at the sound of the multiple-tone car horn, covering their faces with their hands and coughing from the choking dust. The convoy approaches the main street where the uniformed constables halt the motorcade. "Get out of the way man?" Shouts the monk on the motorcycle. "Sorry, no motorized vehicles allowed in the village. Order of the city council. We have to keep the road free, in a half an hour the Lord will bless the pilgrims, you better park your vehicle and walk just like the ordinary folks. Catholics on the right side, protestants on the left. And that's an order" "This is the Cardinal His Eminence." "No big deal. Maybe you don't know, The Lord Jesus Christ himself lives in this village and he outranks the Cardinal any time. Hahh." He loughs. The rear window opens just for a couple inches and the Cardinal yells out impatiently. "Get out of the way, you ignorant peasant. Step on it driver." ...and the convoy speeds away, as the policemen jumps clear. In the background workers are erecting a big sign.

Please. Catholics on the right side of the street Protestants on the left side of the street By the order of the Jesuville city council. DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED. 21

**** In the rectory's kitchen Father Fabio is making his breakfast. Two eggs are frying in the pan and a big portion of bacon is piled up on a plate, when the bellringer runs in and declares an emergency. "Father Fabio, Father Fabio a big car is coming..." Father Fabio pulls the pan aside and runs to the window, just in time to see the chauffeur opening the door of the limo and the Cardinal stepping out. Father Fabio in a panic tries to hide, in desperation he runs up to the attic. The Cardinal, followed by six brown-frocked monks invades the rectory. In the background the chauffeur is seen unloading an assortment of computer equipment. The bellringer, hat in hand stands at the door, when the Cardinal yells at him. "Don't just stand there man, get me your priest." "Your Excellency, I don't know... I haven't see him." "You are lying, I can tell... All you servants are liars, covering for your masters. You'll end up in hell, burning ineternal fire. Where is he?" "Up in the attic, your Excellency, begging for absolution...." "All right, say six Hail Marys, and you are forgiven... Get him." The bellringer climbs up the stairs, Father Fabio's siting on the floor behind the chimney. "What do you want?" He whispers. "He knows that you are here" "You told him? Didn't you." "He tricked me." "You will burn in hell, for this." "Oh, man. You can't win." "Get me a rope. Not a piece rope in this attic." "Father Fabio, don't be a fool, come down..." "No." "They're gonna get you, no matter what." "My life is over." Crosses himself and starts to pray. **** In the rectory the Cardinal sits in the middle of the room in an armchair, the six monks are setting up the computers, telephones, fax

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machines... The Cardinal smells something in the air, waves one of the men over and whispers something in his ear. The man leaves the room, to return a few seconds later with the plate of bacon and the Cardinal, with visible delight one by one sinks the crisp slices into his holy mouth. The joy of food calms him down and by the time Father Fabio sneaks into the office he is all forgiving. Father Fabio kisses his ring and murmurs some apology... "How's the miracle business Padre? My people report that you got cosy with this impostor and you are raking in a bundle of money. What did you do with it. I hear big bucks. Where it is?" "It is all here, Your Excellency, our share I mean." "What do you mean, our share?" "The village, Reverend Bri..." "Aha, so they are into this whole affair too... I should have known... You are not smart enough to pull it off yourself." "I don't know what are you implying, Your Eminence..." "Come on Padre, I've seen some "miracles" in my time, you know... But this is causing some embarassment... big problems. But never mind, I will take care of it... First come first, what did you do with the money? Lets have it!" The Padre opens the top of the rolltop desk and money gushes out of it as well as from the bookcase. The Cardinal loses his voice, after a few seconds as the shock weares off he speaks. "Father Fabio, I want to see that man. Bring him to me." The organ music through the loud speakers signal the scheduled blessing parade. "Sorry, Your Eminence the ten o'clock blessing's just getting started, we'll have to wait." They all go to the window to catch some of the excitement.The Cardinal can't hide his surprise as he's watching the event with ever growing interest. On the main street the Pope-mobile rolls along at five miles per hour and the Lord is blessing the crowd, three times to the left, three times to the right. **** From the amused face of the Cardinal, the camera slowly pulls back, and the Cardinal is seen in full papal regalia riding the pope-mobil on rolling clouds. The organ music gets louder and louder joined by a 23

chorus of angels... and like a heavenly ticker-tape shower, money is falling from the heavens, covering everything in sight. **** The Rectory office humms from activities. The three brownfrocked wizards have turned the place into a banking centre. Bank note counting machines are busy flipping money as the operator ties them into manageable bundles. The Cardinal is sitting in the same chair as before and is looking at folded computer printouts, occasionally sipping some wine from a goblet. Father Fabio walks into the room and stands close to the door. "Where is he?" Asks the Cardinal. "He is not coming, he said if Your Eminence wants to see him, you should go to him." "This is preposterous, who the hell he thinks he is, anyway?" "The Lord Jesus Christ, with your permission Your Eminence." The Padre seems to enjoy the situation. After careful consideration the frustrated Cardinal gives in. "Lead the way Padre." **** In the billiard room a warm ambiance greets the incoming procession. Father Fabio opens the door and the Cardinal walks in followed by the usual bodyguards and finally the bellringer, who closes the door. The "Lord" is sitting on the pool table in lotus position and around him, his twelve guards stand in a semi-circle. The "Lord" smiles and with a quiet soft voice greets the guests. "Welcome. Sorry my friend, that I pulled rank on you, but I feel more comfortable on home turf. You wanted to see me?" "Yes. I want to know what is going on, who are you? And what do you want." "Well, well, well. We were missing some of the classes, weren't we, if you want to find out about me now. Isn't it a bit to late for a man of your position?" "Can we get all these people out of here and talk one on one?" The "Lord" motions silently to his people and they politely walk out. "Get out. You too. All of you." 24

The Cardinal orders his entourage out of the room. An awkward silence falls on the place, finally after a long pause the Cardinal speaks with a hushed tone. "I would rather sit." Turns a chair at one of the tables and sit down, resting his right arm on the table. "I want you to get off there." He motions to the floor. "I like it here. Looking down on you gives me an added advantage. You've changed a lot since I saw you the last time. You've gotten fat, lost your hair, you dress rather fancy nowadays and the jewellery... Whoa. A walking christmas tree." "What do you mean last time. Where did you see me?' "Oh. about ten years ago in the seminary, you were only a Bishop then, you gave a lecture on ethics... it was a very poor performance I have to say." "You're an ordained priest?" "For God's sake, no. I dropped out after a year. Quit. I couldn't take it any longer. I'm not fit for the church, too much of a rebel. I have my own mind you know. And that's a definite disadvantage." "What do you want now. Why you are here, playing this role. You want to embarrass the church? Is this a blackmail attempt? I have to warn you that I can have you arrested any time I want to." "On what charges. Impersonating Jesus Christ? What judge will convict me?" "I need no judge. I will consider it an honour to put you away in a lunatic asylum, God himself couldn't find you." "How fitting, how humane, no crucifixion this time, after all we are in the twentieth century. Thank you are good man, a real humanitarian, the pride of your church. I'll put in a good word for you..." "Enough!" The Cardinal hits the table and jumps to his feet. "You are insane talking to me like this. Mad or just a prankster, or a criminal, either way you should know who are you dealing with. You are the prisoner of your own scam and you can't escape, not till I let you go." "You are calling it a scam? Well I have a suggestion for you, how about if we go out there right now, and you tell the world that you've decided that I am an impostor, a fake, the resurrection is a delusion of a sick minded theological dropout. The people will stone you, like they almost lynched the Reverend. Do you see Cardinal, what is wrong with 25

blind faith? Through the ages you demanded unconditional faith in the church's doctrine. Once you have installed the wildest fables into the minds of the "children" - as you like to refer to the flock, and demanded that they didn't require any proof, but to trust you and to believe, you can't just turn around and take the crutches away from them. Have you seen them? Have you see their faces? People are ecstatic in their belief that what you promised, instant salvation is really happening." "And how do you fit into this equation? What is your dividend?" "I might believe...in some sort of inherited messianic calling. It might be just a delusion on a grand scale, or perhaps reincarnation? I don't really know. What I know is that I've been drawn into this incredible drama, without the slightest control of my own. I'm just a tool, I have no will" "You're right in that respect. You just do what I tell you to do, and the final conclusion of the drama will unfold to the benefit of all concerned. I must go now, God bless you... Just a habit don't take it literary." "I won't, not from you anyway." ...and the Cardinal, storms out of the room. "Bless you..." The "Lord" raises his hand. As he's left alone he closes his eyes and sighs with relief. The door slowly opens and the peasants quietly walk in, standing around in silence for a long while. The "Lord", without raising his head speaks softly. "History will repeat itself once more... be prepared. Brothers, my Friends during the past fortnight I have learned to trust you. You have proven your loyalty and I'm very grateful to you. No matter what will happen to me, remember words and faith are never enough. Deeds are the only validation of goodness. And do it now, while you live the day. When I'm gone tell it as it happened. Don't make up fancy tales like the other twelve who wrote all those falsified stories of the final days of the Lord." "What really happened?" Asks one of the men. "Well, a dead martyr has more value to the cause than a living rebel prophet, so your ancestors, the other twelve, instead of raising the people to save the King of the Jews were hiding as a bunch of frightened rabbits to wait out the execution. They framed good Judas, the only friend I had, you remember the kiss? It was not a sign of betrayal, but a sign of affection. They wrote books of records, but are they are nothing

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but false testimony, conspiracy to cover their delusion... to advance their own selfish cause. Look at the result, the church Peter built." ***** A conference room in the palace of the Cardinal. At the head of the huge table the Cardinal presides. On his right, church dignitaries sit, starting close to him the fancier clothed one, down to the black frocked official on the end. On his left a variety of civilian big shots of all races: a red-headed Texan, various bankers, business men and a sheik in traditional Arabic attire. "Gentlemen, I would like to apologize for the body search, I know some of you were upset, but We don't want anything recorded during these talks. I don't want cellular phones used, to call out or call in. Once more I ask for your understanding. Lets get on with the business at hand. We had preliminary discussions separately with all of you. This is the first time we all sit around the same table. Let us introduce ourselves, shall we?" He points to the first man siting on his left. A heavily decorated military officer. He jumps on to his feet and introduce himself. "General Brikk Drepeko Minister of Defence and Minister of Tourism of the great Republic of Bregonia." Next an elderly gentlemen, briefly lifts his weight off the chair and announce his name and after him everybody does the same. "Sir Wilfred MacIntosh, CEO Merchant Bank of Manchester." The next in line. "Bob Fletcher, Jr. Vice President of Savings and Loans Dallas Texas." "Steve B. Everson, President, Cyclops Mutual Funds." "Pierre Duguay, President of the French-Belgian Industrial Bank." "Sheik Abu Abbal Shey representing myself." "Joe H. Driessen, Showtime Entertainment Inc. Las Vegas." "David Hicks, Inter-Entertainment, Formerly with Disneyland." "George Timbell, Laser Imaging Ltd. Pyrotechnist. "Thank you Gentlemen, on my right; Bishop Joseph Prakasz my confidante and Financial adviser, Bishop Fergo, undisputed authority on theological matters, Father Shumach, Chief Accountant of the diocese, Father Even, his assistant, Brother Thomas, Head- master of the Knights of Jerusalem, Brother Romero is second in command."

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The atmosphere is very businesslike, serious and stiff. The Cardinal continues. "We all know why we are here, I don't wish to get bogged down in petty details. Against the general policy of the church we find ourselves in the middle of a "MIRACLE" situation. I don't wish to comment on the merit of the case, let's just leave the official no comment, no denial, no confirmation posture of the Vatican to be our guide. This "MIRACLE", by its magnitude, on the other hand, offers a once in a century, - correction - once in a millennium opportunity I just can't pass over. Gentlemen, (He gets fired up by his own rhetoric.) we will create a new Jerusalem among the magnificent hills of Easter Bregonia. A new Jerusalem for the twenty first century. A new Jerusalem, a pure Christian holy land, no Jews, no Palestinians killing each other on the streets the Lord walked on. This Jesuville, properly named gives herself to us to be taken and transformed into a viable spiritual and financial gold mine. I'm free to divulge Gentlemen, in the first month, with uncontrolled, free-for-all amateurish methods, we have collected five and a quarter million dollars. With no control what-so-ever, can you imagine? And do you want to hear something outrageous? The village council and the Protestant church got split from the collection plates. This situation cannot be tolerated any longer. I'm personally taking charge and if we manage to come to an agreement about the monetary matters and the financing of the grand scale development of Jesuville, Gentlemen, we all benefit immensely for time infinite. Lourdes will fade in comparison." He motions to the two young servant brothers and they uncover the large easel behind the Cardinal. He continues. "We've decided to preserve the village in its original state. What I mean is, it will look like the village, but with a big difference. Gentlemen that place stinks. We can't expect serious tourist business in a stinking village. Did you know that these people smell? Smell of awful perspiration. They live with their animals. They pile up the manure at the back of their houses. The village stinks of people, animals and manure. We have to sanitize the place. This is the plan." He points to the map of the village. " We plan to expropriate the village. The shaded area is owned by the church anyway, cultivated by sharecroppers. No problem there. Village property is shown here in blue, easy. Whatever we offer they'll have to take, I've been assured by the Prime Minister. The peasants have to be moved. The plan is as follows. Our teams are locating vacant dwellings in the country side. The families will be moved along with 28

their stinking animals quietly, preferably during the night. To make sure they obey, we give them some modest sum of money. They are a stupid and greedy bunch. I see no problem there. Once they've gone, we will populate the village with our own, well trained people. Am I right Brother Thomas?" "Yes, Your Eminence." "The peasants are liars, unreliable primitive creatures, all of them have a different cock-and-bull story about the "Miracle". You can't run a credible myth with all those discrepancies, so Bishop Fergo has written an eye witness account which will be the only quotable version of the "Miracle". In the meantime we will continue the present form of the personal blessing of the "you-know-who" but his presence is the weakest link in the whole chain. We have to eliminate him from the equation, the sooner the better. By the time of the harvest festivities we have to complete the sanitization of the village, we will replace all the peasants with our people. With a vigorous ad campaign we have to engrave into the world's mind the official version of the "Miracle". And then, Gentlemen, the grand finale, or rather, the beginning of the "Miracle" as designed by your humble leader, me, Cardinal Krupka, will take place in front of a half a million pilgrims and a billion television viewers courtesy of Mr. George Timbell. Mr. Timbell owns Laser Images, he is a wizard of rock concerts; our Lord Jesus Christ will ascend to the heavens, on Whit Sunday, as we celebrate the Pentecost, not to return, ever. The earthly shell of the man now masquerading as the Lord will be looked after by Brother Romero in the monastery. I'm convinced he will find peace in the sanctuary of the old fortress till the end of his life, natural or... watever. The New Jerusalem will flourish to the benefit of the church and its friends." All present jump to their feet as the Cardinal finishes his inspired speech and they enthusiasticly applaud. He acknowledges the praise with unabashed arrogance and after a little while ends the celebration with a quieting gesture. "Lets get down to business... who's contributing what, for how much? Who is doing what... and how much it is going to cost us. It is needless to say, Gentlemen, that no matter what, the church remains the major shareholder and dominant force is this association. You will provide some of the needed capital and the expertise, but we supply the "miracle" and the manpower. The troops under the command of Brother Thomas will do the work, you just be there when you are needed."

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**** The battalion is once again assembled on the viewing grounds of the monastery. Brother Thomas is standing on the golf cart alone this time. "Brothers of the Order of the Knights of Jerusalem. I'm speaking to you at this historic time with mixed emotions. I'm looking at you with pride... proud to be the leader of such a fine group of soldiers, dedicated to the cause of liberating the Holy Land. With sadness in my heart I have to inform you that as of today we put our cherished weapons to rest. (murmur runs through the ranks) Yes, packed in grease we store them for future use. Instead of liberating the Holy Land, our leader Cardinal Krupka, decided that we, the Knights of Jerusalem will create a New Jerusalem right here in Bregonia. It's true, no glory awaits you on the battle field, ordinary everyday work is going to be your share now on, but on the other hand none of us will be shot dead by the Jews or the Arabs either. (a louder, approving murmur.)One more thing, you are going to work in close correlation with the Sisters of Good Samaritans... needless to remind you, you are still bound by your vows. (some gigles in the ranks) Lets get to work, Brothers. Long live our great leader, Cardinal Krupka!" Long, extended "Hurrah" echoes in the mountains as the troops are falling out. **** A montage of the transformation of the Village according to the Cardinal, the moving of the peasants during the night, replacing the make-shift vendors stands with fancy pre-fabricated kiosks. The appearance of the trained "our people", the replacement of the "operetta costumed" constabulary with grey uniformed policemen. New buildings spring up around the outskirts of the village. Earth moving machines and tall cranes are the telltale signs of progress. Workmen are assembling a huge stage at the riverbank. ***** Maggi is walking among the pilgrims. It is a very busy day, more of them are on the street than ever before. She observes the enthusiasm of the crowd as the "Pope-mobile" is passing by, surrounded by the 30

"Twelve". As Jedu's blessing the adoring faithful, he finds Maggi in the thick of the crowd, their eyes meet in a loving, worrying union, holding each other for a long time. Among the pilgrims, one can observe more and more of the "our people" recognizable by their short hair, a bit out of place in the village. They're manning vendor's kiosks, directing traffic or just drifting along like any other onlookers, but always alone. The "Popemobile" makes a turn on the end of the Main street, where Majshi's general store stand, now the windows are boarded up, only an abandoned sign reminds the passerby that there, just a few days ago, a century old grocery store served the villagers. ***** "Lord, I'm telling the truth." One of the "twelve's" insisting."I went to my uncle's house this morning and they are gone. The house is empty, no cow in the stable, chickens, the dog, all gone. And a stranger moseying around the yard. I asked him, "where are they?" he said they moved to the valley, they sold the house. He said. My uncle? It's impossible." "My neighbour is gone too." adds another one. "Lot's of people sold their houses they say... somebody's buying them. One day they are here, the next they're gone..." "Some of you should go and find out what is going on. Listen and look, don't ask too many questions, you shouldn't arouse anyones' suspicions." The Lord gives the order, who is going who is staying. Maggi emerges from the room, when the men have left, she asks Jedu. "What is the matter?" "A strange scenario starts to unfold. I have suspected they will do something to secure their hold on the situation, I just didn't know how. We will find out. In the meantime, I ask you to leave this place and go home. I'll come as soon as possible, I might have to do the only honest thing I can do and tell the world, who I am. Jedu Cresto the travelling salesman, maybe a trace of reincarnated rebel prophet in me, but an over-all failure. Never mind a decent job, but I can't even hold on to the role of a legend." "Jedu, I'm not going. I know I'm not much of a help, with my constant nagging but you have to let me stay with you." The door opens and Father Fabio rushes in, catching the couple by surprise. 31

"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" "No, no Father, come in. Let me introduce my very dear friend, Maggie, Maggie this is Father Fabio. You look surprised, can't I have a friend?" "I'm not surprised by anything any more. I came to say good bye." "Where are you going Father?" "As of today I'm retired. I was told in no uncertain terms, that I no longer can fulfil my duties. The Cardinal himself delivered the news and sent me to the retreat where all the aged servants of God wither away in obscurity. Me, with my sixty two years. Something is wrong. A big celebration is planned for Whit Sunday, and I'm not going to be part of it." "Whit Sunday. The Pentecost. That's it Maggie." Shouts the Lord. "What a fool am I. Father what's Whitsuntide all about?" "What a question. Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven, of course." "Of course, An appropriate time to get rid of me." ***** The command post in the palace of the Cardinal. Preparation is underway for "Operation Whitsuntide" Besides the usual entourage quite a few of the short haired "our people" are present, but here they wear their friar's cassocks. The Cardinal himself is in command, he is pacing up and down in the hall the sabre in his hand. George Timbell is explaining the stage setup and the laser works. "...the band and the chorus reaches the crescendo of the hymn created for this special occasion by the rock group "Dead on Arrival", Jesus steps forward to the mark. At this point the laser illuminates his figure, the hologram established. Jesus fades to the darkness and the hologram levitates for a short period above the stage and slowly arises and then dissolves high above the darkened stage. God willing everything will be alright..." The Cardinal hits the desk with his sabre and with his usual bluntness he remarks: "Cut the crap Mister Timbell. According to my information, - and my information is usually accurate, you are an atheist. So don't count on the Almighty for any help. Second. This whole affair's got nothing to do with God... this is not his business, this is not even the business of the church. This is MY BUSINESS. Kapish? And since you are getting paid 32

handsomely... it is your business. So make sure it is going to work... no buts, no hitches. Prayers won't help you. If anything goes wrong, watch out..." ***** Rehearsal on the huge stage. Church choirs, folk dancers and rock bands. An army of technicians is setting up the main event: "The ascension of Jesus." In a mobile Control Room George Timbell instructs the technicians, he is very uptight, screaming to everybody. An electrician calls him over to the huge generator. "George, I can't get any farther, it is to close to the ravine, the ground is unstable." "Move it, I'm getting to much noise" - He turns away from the man and runs back to the Control Room. As he passes quite few "our people" he yells at them. "Get out of the way... what the hell you are hanging around here for anyway... Get lost... You hear me?" The monks silently acknowledge his rage, but they don't move. George Timbell slams the door and says to the people inside: "They give me the creeps... I needed this job like a kick in the ass." ***** Night scene. Tarp covered trucks are moving the last of the original inhabitats out of the village. At one of the houses an old peasant is arguing over the compensation money, he wants to include the donkey for a hefty price into the package. "The Lord himself rode on this donkey... it's worth at least a thousand..." "No way." - yells the monk in charge. "You are the fifth in line claiming the same thing." "They are lying... this little mare is the real thing, I swear on the holy rosary... give me five hundred... the pillgrims gonna love her." "Get your damned animal and get on the truck." The monk closes the conversation and they shove the peasant and the donkey on the truck. It is speeds away. The cleaning crew takes over, spraying the house in and out with desinfectant. A crane lowers a new facade in front of the depilated building, givig it a clean, uniformed look. 33

**** Night scene. A huge campsite. RVs are parked in an orderly fashion, more and more arrive. Uniformed attendants (all short haired "our people") are collecting camping fees and directing traffic. Large parking lot full of tour busses. Workmen put the finishing touches on a glass dome enclosing the shrine. Others install coin operated turnstiles leading into a maze of shining crome cordons, designed to handle the anticipated crowd. ***** Sunday morning. The sanitization of the village is completed. More and more pilgrims arrive, the ten o'clock blessing is on schedule. The "Pope mobile" makes the usual scuttle ride. Maggie observes the proceedings. An older man, dressed like a typical American tourist is standing behind her, trying to attract her attention. "Pst, Maggie... Maggie, this is me... Father Fabio. Maggie can't hide her surprise to see the man of the cloth dressed in Hawaii printed shirt and bermuda shorts. "Fater Fabio, what happened to you?" "My child let's go somewhere where we can talk..." - he leads her away from the crowd holding her hand. When they get out of the thick of the people, Father Fabio continues: "I know, your friend..." He hesitates for a moment and finally says it: "The Lord is in great danger. I've learned that the Cardinal and his cohorts are planning to get him out of the way. The big celebration they are prepearing is going to be the end of him... Literally speaking. I decided, that I must try to help him... In spite of everything, he is a good man, whatever he claims he is." ***** (THE REST OF THE STORY OUTLINED IN BRIEF SEGMENTS ONLY.) TV. reports on the preparation. The reporter quote reliable sources. The church expects a half a million pilgrims. TV Networks are promising extensive TV coverage of the Concert and the personal appearance of the Lord in front of the huge audience. ** 34

Maggi witnesses a bus carrying the "Twelve" out of the village, runs to the billiard room, just to find Jedu in the company of another "twelve". Twelve of the "our people", we recognize Brother Romero as the leader of the group. She excuses herself as an intruding pilgrim and with the "blessing" of Jedu, she runs away. She finds Father Fabio in the crowd and they together try to figure out what to do. ** The Cardinal arrives and orders Jedu to appear in front of him. He explains to Jedu how he is planing to end the personal involvement of the Lord in the daily business of the "Miracle". He tells him to cooperate, keep his mouth shut all the time and he will be "let go" with a generous severance settlement. ** On the bus, the "Twelve" take control. They overpower the friars at a crossroad and head back to the village, to the stage. Not without problems though, since only one of them has any experience in driving... a tractor that is, which turns out to be quite different from a tour bus. ** In the mobile control centre behind the stage, the Cardinal, the laser experts, Brother Romero and the stage manager are in conference, last minute co-ordination and pep-talk. Brother Romero returns to a separate mobile dressing room, where the "Apostles" are keeping the Lord, now dressed for the "Show" in full length white robe. ** Maggi and Father Fabio sneak around backstage, trying to find Jedu. The show has just started as the sun goes down. The choir performs some religious hymns. The pilgrims are lighting a sea of candles. ** The hijacked bus speeds toward the village with the "Twelve" on board. ** Father Fabio and Maggi find the "Pope mobile" behind the dressing room, where they're holding Jedu captive. A rock band performs on the stage with a wild light show. The "Apostles" escort Jedu up on the stage. The band is playing at it's maximum volume, the handlers positioning Jedu on his mark, when he brakes away, grabs the mike from the lead singer and yells:

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"Pilgrims, Friends, Brothers and Sisters, I am Jedu Cristos an ordinary man...." The crowd at the word of "Jedu" explodes into an endless chant: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus....." The "Apostles" try to subdue Jedu... At this instance at backstage, the bus arrives and Father Fabio recognizes the "Twelve", directs the driver toward the mobile generator. The driver smashes the bus into it, pushing it down into a ravine. The heavy cables drag the control booth and part of the stage down. Short circuits erupt in fireworks, setting the stage background on fire. Jedu throws himself into the crowd and the people pass him away from the stage above their heads, hysterically chanting: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." Panic erupts at the stage but further back the chanting crowd sees the fire as part of the spectacle. In the overturned control booth the command team is trapped with the Cardinal in lead. Now the "Twelve" abandon the wrecked bus and run around the stage to find Jedu. He is semiconscious and already hundreds of yards away as he's passed hand to hand on the sea of people and candles. "JEDU... JEDU..." Maggi cries on the top at her lungs. The pilgrims drop Jedu on his feet and as he is on ground level again, the people open the circle around him. He is desperately repeating, "I am not Jesus, I am Jedu Cristos, an ordinary man", but the crowd is deaf from it's own noise which has reached an incredible crescendo: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus..." and the mountains echo the cry... "Jesus." As his freedom of movement is back, he start to move out of the crowd graciously blessing the stunned faithful. By sheer chance he meets Father Fabio, Maggi and the others and he is whisked away into the woods. ** The manhunt is on. The police and the sizable force of "our people" are searching the fields, the hills, and the valley on foot, with cars and helicopters. Dogs and search lights don't seem to help, the fugitives have disappeared in the darkness. ** Jedu's party splits into three groups and are taking three different directions. Jedu, Maggi, Father Fabio and two of the original guards head toward the mountain. **

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Morning. The scene of the celebration is like an abandoned battle field. The remaining of the stage is still smoldering, dazed pilgrims walk around searching for lost companions. A TV. reporter is interviewing a man. "... I know he is still alive, he is out there, he must be. We have waited for the Messiah so long, now that he's finally arrived, he can't just abandon us." The reporter comments: "Nobody really knows what happened last night. What caused the black-out and the fire. The "Lord" disappeared but the "MIRACLE" lives on." ** Checkpoint on the highway, police search a car. A long line up of cars and buses wait to be inspected. Helicopters fly around the countryside. On a side road a black van is travelling, "ISAC"S Farm fresh eggs, wholesale and retail" Painted on the side of the vehicle. From the bushes the leader of the "Twelve" steps out and waves the van to a halt. He walks over to the driver, a middle-age man dressed in traditional Jewish black garb. He willingly agrees to give the group a lift. Jedu, Maggi, Father Fabio and the fifth man emerges from the bush and they quickly board the van. "Just watch out for my eggs, Jesus." Says Isac and speeds away. ** In the palace the Cardinal bandaged and furious, instructs the spin doctors. They are devising a plan to save the "Miracle". "Spread the rumours of "Jesus sightings", but catch the bastard! The New Jerusalem must live on." ** Isac's van is passing a foot patrol of the "our people" who suspect the Lord might be in the van. The call the command post with news of the sighting. A helicopter is taking directions. Meanwhile, the van stops at the road side, the fugitives transfer to a hay wagon pulled by a tractor across the fields. The helicopter spots the van, and takes it out with a rocket. Isac's lands on a hay stack amid his load of eggs, unscratched. "Thanks. Who knows, maybe he is what they say he is... Let's face it, miracle is a miracle." ** A railway station is swarming with policemen. The leader of the "Twelve" talks to a railroad man. He walks away, and later we see him talking to the engineer of an old steam locomotive. 37

** The same steam engine is puffing, pulling a train of a few cars on the winding track. At a small grove the train slows down and from the woods, Jedu, with his party steps out and boards the train. The engineer gives a long whistle and the little train disappears around a bend.

The end.

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