HE LIVED AMONG US- OFFICIAL DRAFT
SC 1 THE OLD PRISONER
TEXT: Patmos- a small island on the Aegean Sea, 96 AD
Soldier titus
Salve. (Roman greeting)
Soldier pulo
(tired)
Salve!
SOLDIER TITUS
All's ready. Where's the prisoner?
SoLDIER TITUS (CONT'D)
That's him?
SOLDIER TITUS (CONT'D)
(snicker)
...this?
SOLDIER TITUS (CONT'D)
Such a threat that he is banished to this desolate isle?
OLD PRISONER
(pain)
Aughhh...
SOLDIER TITUS
'ave they gone mad in Rome?
SoLDIER PULO
(warning)
Watch your words Titus...
SOLDIER TITUS
Really... why is he here?
OLD PRISONER
(tired)
Dominus et Deus.
SoLDIER TITUS
What?
OLD PRISONER
Dominus et Deus... Lord and God.
Old PRISONER (CONT'D)
That is what Emperor Domitian demands to be called.
SOLDIER TITUS
And?
OLD PRISONER
There is only one Lord and God. The one I serve.
SOLDIER TITUS
So they sent him here for that? Refusing to acknowledge the Emperor as God? Why didn't they just kill him?
SoLDIER PULO
(to Titus)
They tried...
SOLDIER PULO (CONT'D)
-'cept 'e wouldn't die.
And Titus laughs but then...
SOLDIER TITUS
(serious)
What do you mean?
SOLDIER PULO
Jus' that. The old man won't die.
SOLDIER PULO (CONT'D)
He's a Christian- of some influence. He incites others to follow his so-called savior.
OlD PRISONER
(tired but bold)
Jesus Christ... the Son of God.
SOLDIER PULO
He was warned- imprisoned- and finally ---boiled.
SOLDIER tITUS
Boiled?
SOLDIER PULO
Right.
SOLDIER TITUS
But-
SOLDIER PULO
That's just it. He wouldn't...
Nothing happened.
SoLDIER TITUS
Nonsense!
SOLDIER PULO
(angry)
Is it? Why do you think we're here then?
He wouldn't recant his allegiance to this... Jesus Christ- or stop teaching about him.
OLD PRISONER
How can I? Jesus gave his life for me ... and for you as well. For everyone! He died on the cross to pay for our sins and bring us close to God. He rose from the dead and lives and has called us as His witnesses. His words bring life and joy. Can I withhold such wonderful truth from others?
I tell you, I cannot!
SOLDIER TITUS
Well, it hardly did you any good now did it ya stubborn ol'fool?
SOLDIER TITUS (CONT'D)
Could've saved yourself all this misery...and lived your old age with some pleasure! Eh, Pulo?
OLD PRISONER
You are a soldier.
SOLDIER TITUS
(proud)
That I am, old man! And a loyal one too- and always will be.
OLD PRISONER
Then you will understand what it means to defend something thatyou believe in.
I am honored to be here for Christ in these chains... on this barren island.
Old PRISONER (CONT'D)
And you? Are you honored to be here for your empire?
SolDIER PULO
(laughter)
SOLDIER titus
(upset)
Ahhh!
SolDIER PULO (CONT'D)
(laughter and sputter)
Yeah, he got you on that one, Titus!
Pulo laughs again.
SoLDIER TITUS (CONT'D)
He's a crazy as they come!
SolDIER PULO
...But how do you know, old man. How are you so certain that this Jesus... that he is...
SOLDIER pulo (CONT'D)
what did he say?...
(mock)
...The Son of God?
OlD PRISONER
Because I was there.
OlD PRISONER (CONT'D)
There were signs... from the very beginning... and a prophecy...
Old PRISONER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
The Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name, Immanuel: which means 'God with us'
SolDIER puLO
A virgin?
And he laughs and then...
SOLDIER PULO (CONT'D)
(unbelief)
A virgin?...
SOLDIER PULO (CONT'D)
(laughter)
...that's impossible!
OlD PRISONER
Not with God.
OlD PRISONER (CONT'D)
He sent an angel to a city in Galilee, to a virgin.
SC 2 THE ANNUNCIATION
Angel Gabriel
Blessed are you among all womenMary!
Mary mother OF JESUS
(troubled)
What? Who- who are you?
ANGEL GABRIEL
Do not be afraid, Mary. You have been chosen of God. You will conceive and bring forth a son. And will name him, Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the highest and of his kingdom there will be no end.
MARY moTHER OF JESUS
But... how can this be? ... I have never been with a man.
ANGEL GABRIEL
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the Holy One born will be called ...
SC 3 the warning
AnGEL GABRIEL
- the Son of God!
Old PRISONER (O.S.)
True to the prophecy the child was born.And Joseph, a carpenter by trade, and a good man, was chosen of God to be their protector.
OLD PRISONER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
But there were those that hated the child and sought him harm.
Joseph
(frightened)
Auuughhhh!
JoSEPH (CONT'D)
Mary... quickly! We must go!
Mary motheR OF JESUS
(sleepy/ alarmed)
Joseph?
MaRY moTHER OF JESUS (CONT'D)
(motherly)
Shhhhh....
MARY moTHER OF JESUS (CONT'D)
What is it? What are you doing?
JoSEPH
The baby! He is in danger!
SC 4 HEROD
Advisor
(warning/worried)
But they are only children!
Herod
(angry loud)
And should that matter?
He turns spitting out the words.
HEROD (CONT'D)
I am the king of Israel! I am the king of the Jews! I will not share my kingdom with anyone else.
ADVISOR
B-but... it is only a prophecy! Perhaps it is wrong.
HEROD
What does it say?
ADVISOR
(choking)
But you, Bethlehem...
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel.
ADVISOR (CONT'D)
Auughhh!
HEROD
(angry)
LOOK! That star over Bethlehem that those astronomers said is announcing the birth of the king of the Jews!
HEROD (CONT'D)
I will NOT take any chances!
HEROD (CONT'D)
I AM THE KING OF THE JEWS! I WILL NOT SHARE MY THRONE WITH ANYONE!
HEROD (CONT'D)
(angry)
DO YOU HEAR ME... NOT WITH ANYONE!
SC 5 FLEEING/ THE KILLING OF THE INNOCENTS
JeSUS as baby
(whining)
Mary moTHER OF JESUS
Shhhh.....my little one.... My little Jesus.
JosePH
(whispered)
Quickly...
Soldier SC5
Kill every male child under two years old! Do not spare one!
“That one”
Old PRISONER (O.S.)
The family fled to Egypt and remained there until the death of King Herod. Afterwards, they returned to Israel, where Jesus remained in his parents’ household until he was 30 years old.
SC 6 THE MESSIAH / the baptist
PHARISEE #2
But who does he claim to be, this John the Baptist?
PHARISEE #1
Precisely what we need to find out and report back to the high priest!
PHARISEE #1 (CONT'D)
All these ignorant fools, flocking to this man! Look at them! They should be at the temple- not out here with the likes of this lunatic!
JoHN THE BAPTIST
(preaching)
Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. Prepare the way of the Lord!
John the beloved
Look! There they are again, Andrew.
Andrew
To ask the same questions no doubt!
Man SC6 1
Help us! What shall we do to be saved?
John the baptist
(loud)
Repent! If it is salvation you seek then do as Scripture tells you: Prepare the way of the Lord!
Make his paths straight!
PHARISEE #1
(loud/ upset)
What should you do to be saved?
(indignant)
Follow the laws of Moses that is what-
JOHN THE BAPTIST
You vipers!
PHARISEE #1
Us?
JOHN THE BAPTIST
Repent!
PHARISEE #2
(proud/ offended)
.... You refer to US? Repentance?
We who keep the law of Moses more carefully than the likes of all of you!
REPENTANCE FROM WHAT?
JOHN THE BAPTIST
You think you are acceptable to God just because you have Abraham for your father...but I tell you--- God is able from these...
Pharisees
(GASP)
JOHN THE BAPTIST
...stones to raise up children to himself!
PHARISEE #1
Enough!
Tell us plainly! ... Do you claim to be the Christ? The Messiah? The one God will send to save us?
JOHN THE BAPTIST
I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness...
"Prepare the way of the Lord!"
I baptize you with water...
JOHN THE BAPTIST (CONT'D)
...but he that comes after me is mightier than I....
JOHN THE BAPTIST (CONT'D)
... whose shoes I am not even worthy to untie!
JOHN THE BAPTIST (CONT'D)
I baptize with water but he will baptize with...
JOHN THE BAPTIST (CONT'D)
... the holy spirit....and with FIRE!
PHARISEE #1
We've heard enough! Plenty in fact!
JOHN THE BAPTIST
You come to me, Jesus? ...No, It is I that should be baptized by you.
Jesus
Yet it is God's will that we are here to fulfill... Not our own.
The voice
(softly)
This is my beloved son!
SC 7 the tempTation
OLD PRISONER (O.S.)
After His baptism, Jesus went into the desert by Himself to pray and fast. His body became weak after going without food for forty days, but His spirit remained strong!”
Voice of satan (O.S.)
(whispered)
Jesus....
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
(fake concern)
Oh... Jesus...
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
40 days of fasting... Impressive! Look...
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
Appetizing?
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
If you are truly the son of God turn these stones into bread.
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
(whisper/ tempting)
Satisfy yourself. It'll take away that hunger in your stomach.... satisfy yourself......
JesUS
(tired but authoritative)
It is written; Man will not live by bread alone...but by every word that proceeds from God.
VOICE OF SATAN
(disappointing hiss)
..... Foolish!
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
Then, prove yourself!
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
Throw yourself down! ...See if God will keep you...
(and here he speaks with a sneer as if making fun of Jesus' previous use of Scripture)
...is it not also written: He will give his angels charge over you and in their hands they will bear you up... lest-
JESUS
(bold)
It is also written: You will NOT tempt the Lord your God!
VOICE OF SATAN
(tempting)
All this is for you... and all that is within them.
VOICE OF SATAN (CONT'D)
If you fall down and ...
...WORSHIP ME. (Echo). Think of it... I will give you armies. King Jesus!
JESUS
-NO!
JESUS (CONT'D)
(commanding/loud)
AWAY WITH YOU SATAN!
JESUS (CONT'D)
...I will worship the Lord my God... and Him only will I serve.
SC 8 SIMON AND ANDREW
Simon peter
(upset/ tired)
HURRY UP! Get those nets out!
Then to himself as he helps pull the boat in.
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
(angry)
- Complete waste of time! All night at sea!
ALL NIGHT!
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
...and what do we have to show for it?
James
Well, a temper it seems!
Cheer up Simon. You'll be off to your bed soon!
Simon PETER
Only if the tax collectors haven't taken it while I was away!
JAMES
(laughter)
SIMON PETER
(angry)
Ahhhh...
Andrew & John THE BELOVED
(calling)
Simon! James!
SIMON PETER
And if that weren't enough those brothers of ours, nowhere in sight-
JoHN THE BELOved
James! Simon! You’re not going to believe this
James
Well it's a fine time to show up. We've a business to run, little brother!
JOHN THE BELOVED
I know James but- There's a good reason we're late!
Simon peter
There'd better be!
AnDREW
We found him..
JaMEs
(upset)
Found who?
JoHN THE BELOVED
The messiah!
JAMES
(exasperated laughter)
Ha...
(sarcasm)
The messiah!? Ha!
SimON PETER
(groan)
JoHN THE BELOVED
The Baptist... He- he told us to follow him.
AnDREW
And so we did...we've been talking with him.
JOHN THE BELOVED
Yes!
All night.
SiMON PETER
All night?
James
Here it comes!
SiMON PETER
(anger)
All night?
We've got a business to run and you two have nothing better to do than waste your time on...
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
(out of breath/ angry)
And who are you?
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
(out of breath)
Who - are - you ?
JESUS
(calm)
Jesus.
JohN the BELOVED
(excited)
This is he... this is the one Simon.
AnDREW
The messiah! Jesus...of Nazareth!
JAMES
Calm down, Simon.
SiMON PETER
(mocking question)
The messiah???
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
(laughter)
The Messiah we have been waiting for... a poor man from Nazareth?
JohN the BELOVED
It's true Simon!
JESUS
Take the boat out again.
Simon pETER
What?...Why?
JESUS
You want a catch, don't you?
SIMON PETER
I'm not about to-
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
(more subdued)
...we were fishing all night. We've caught nothing. I-
AnDREW
Come on, Simon...James! What have you got to lose?
JOHN THE BELOVED
You’ve been up all night already.
James
(sigh)
Come on .... Let's see what this is all about!
Simon Peter sighs.
SIMON PETER
Alright. Just to get this nonsense out of your heads!
SimON PETER (CONT'D)
But it'll be you two doing all the work next week!
SC 9 THE CATCH
Jesus
Lower the nets here!
SiMON PETER
(yawning)
This is a waste of time! A complete waste! ...Wake me up when...
JamES
(surprised)
Simon...
John the BELOVED
(excited)
Simon! Look... come and look.
John the BELOVED (CONT'D)
(laughing)
Ha ha !!!
johN THE BELOVED (CONT'D)
(laughter)
Well, come on! Help us!
Simon PETER
There are too many of them! The nets are breaking! Call the other boat.
James
(calling)
The boat! Bring the other boat!
JOHN the BELOVED
Lord! LORD!
ANDREW
It's a miracle! A miracle! Ha! Ha! Incredible!
SC 10 THE CHALLENGE/ FORSAKING ALL (1:30)(17:12)
Andrew
This is the largest catch we've ever had!
James
And the biggest sale!
James (CONT'D)
(happy)
That's 2 shekels! And that... that's 3 shekels...
SiMON PETER
Rabbi...-
SimON PETER (CONT'D)
Please... depart from me... I- I am a sinful man!
JeSUS
Don't be afraid, Simon Peter.
JESUS (CONT'D)
Follow me...
SiMON PETER
What do you mean?
JESUS
Follow me, Peter...
JesuS (CONT'D)
All of you.
Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!
SIMON PETER
You mean... now?
JESUS
Yes, Peter.
SIMON PETER
But this is the biggest catch we've ever had!
JESUS
From now on... you shall catch men!
JAMES
(to himself)
This is going to be very bad for business... very bad.
James (CONT'D)
Wait!... Wait for me!
SC 11 Healing
Man SC12 #1
Is this Simon's house? Is this were Jesus of Nazareth is staying?
WomAN SC12 #1
Yes yes!!! But there is hardly any room!
MAN SC12 #1
I heard about a miracle; a large catch of fish. Water turned to wine?
MAN SC12 #2
Yes, yes! I heard that too! And that he healed a young man possessed by demons?
Man SC12/9 #3
It's true! It was a miracle! I was there! I saw it with my own eyes!
Woman SC12 #1
And... I hear he's healed Simon's mother in law... Sick as can be - the poor woman was bedridden, and now... Well look for yourself -if you can! She's in there attending to others!
JESUS
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Man SC12 #4
Just that… Ask?
JESUS
Yes! Just ask and you will receive!
SIMON PETER
Oh no!
SIMON PETER (CONT'D)
NO! Wait! What are you doing???
SimON PETER
The roof!!!!... You've ruined my roo-
The paralytic (CONT'D)
(painful)
Help me! Please! HELP ME. Please, help me!
The PARALYTIC
(crying )
Please... I have been this way for years. Please help me!
Friend SC #1
Rabbi! Rabbi... we've heard you can do miracles!
FRIEND SC12 #1
If there is anything you can do for him... Anything!
Pharisee #3
(sympathetic)
Now, now... what can the good rabbi do? Take the man home!
The paralytic
(crying)
Please, Rabbi. I know God hears you.
FRIEND Sc12 #1
Rabbi... please!
JeSUS
(slowly/ caring)
It's alright.
Your sins...
JeSUS (CONT'D)
are forgiven.
There is a murmur from the crowd.
CrOWD
-What did he say?
-What did he mean?
-Who does he think..
-He said his sins are... forgiven. --Impossible!
Pharisee #3
(astonished)
That is blasphemy!
(anger)
Only God can forgive sins!
Pharisee #2
Blasphemy!
PHARISEE #2 (CONT'D)
BLASPHEMY!
JESUS
(authority)
Tell me! Which is easier to say?
"Your sins are forgiven" or-
JeSUS (CONT'D)
..."get up and walk?"
CROWD
(murmuring and whisperings)
JESUS
To show you that I have also been given power to forgive sins...
JESUS (CONT'D)
Arise...take up your bed....
- and walk!
The paralytic
(gasp)
Crowd
-What is he doing?
-What is going on?
-I can't see a thing!
-He has never walked
-Maybe he is the son of God
-It’s a miracle
PHARISEE #1
(aghast/to himself)
Wha...?
The PARALYTIC
(gratitude)
Thank you, Lord! Thank you! Thank you!
Woman SC12 #2
It is a miracle! A miracle!
PHARISEE #2
I tell you He is a blasphemer! He is a blasphemer.
Man SC12 #4
But... You saw it. You were there!
WoMAN SC12 #2
He healed a paralytic!
PHHARISEE #3
(anger)
That has nothing to do with it! Healing a man is one thing!
PhHARISEE #3 (CONT'D)
BUT NO ONE CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD!
JeSUS
The time has come! The kingdom of Heaven is here! Come and believe the good news of the forgiveness of sins... available to all!
...Available to every one of you!
SC 12 Matthew the tax collector
Matthew
(impatient)
Come, come!! I haven't got all day!
Old man taxpayer
(trembling/destitute)
But that is all we can afford! Surely you...
Matthew
No I cannot! Whatever it is you are suggesting....
MATTHEW (CONT'D)