Log line:
Desire, intrigue, and bloodshed ensue when Jezebel, a beautiful
Phoenician princess, becomes queen of Israel.
Copyright 2000, 2008 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Right Reserved
FADE IN:
EXT. ROYAL PALACE - SIDON, PHOENICIA - DAY (9TH CENTURY B.C.)
ESTABLISHING SHOT of a seaside palace on the Mediterranean
coast. SUPERIMPOSE:
SIDON, PHOENICIA
871 B.C.
EXT. PATIO - THE PALACE - DAY
The beautiful princess JEZEBEL, 20, looks crushed as she
stands before her lean, rather frail-looking father, the
PRIEST-KING ETHBAAL, 60.
Ethbaal is standing with a COURT OFFICIAL at a table on
which are papyrus documents.
JEZEBEL
Father, I am in love with someone
in Sidon. Why do I -
ETHBAAL
(interrupting)
"In love with - ?" Who? No, I don't
want to know. Your marriage has been
set with my seal!
Jezebel turns and moves in despair to the patio's banister.
She looks off at the sea, as Ethbaal walks over to her.
ETHBAAL (cont’d)
Jezebel, you knew this day would come.
You are a princess, and the jewel of
Phoenicia. Who would you marry but
a king?
JEZEBEL
(beat)
Is it Ben-Hadad of Syria?
ETHBAAL
Ben-Hadad? Why do you ask that?
JEZEBEL
I was wondering. Am I allowed to do that?
ETHBAAL
You are marrying King Ahab of Israel.
(beat)
Daughter, we are forging an important
alliance. If the Assyrians ever move
south, Phoenicia cannot stand alone.
Nor can Syria or Israel. We must form
a defense league, or fall.
JEZEBEL
And marriages help seal alliances.
ETHBAAL
Yes. See this, my daughter, as a way
to serve our Lord Baal.
JEZEBEL
In what way?
ETHBAAL
In the Hebrew kingdoms of Israel
and Judah, the worship of our God
is suppressed. Now King Omri of
Israel has died, and a new king
reigns. There is hope.
(beat)
You must therefore be more than
a queen, Jezebel. You go to
honor our God. Build a house
for Baal, a temple in Israel,
serve him that he might be
worshipped through all the realm
you help govern, for the good
of the land and its people.
EXT. ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA, ISRAEL - DAY
JEHU BAR-NIMSHI, 25, a handsome officer in the Israelite army,
arrives with his DRIVER, 30, in a TWO-HORSE chariot.
SUPERIMPOSE:
SAMARIA, CAPITOL OF ISRAEL
IN THE DIVIDED KINGDOM
OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH
INT. KING'S QUARTERS - THE PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
KING AHAB, a nervous, childish fellow in his 20'S, sits with a
letter in hand, his royal secretary OBADIAH, 40, standing by,
as the 40-ish ROYAL STEWARD steps in.
ROYAL STEWARD (cont'd)
Jehu bar-Nimshi has arrived, my
lord O king.
Jehu enters, the royal steward leaving, Ahab handing the letter
to Obadiah.
JEHU
My lord O king.
Jehu and Obadiah nod to each other in greeting.
AHAB
Jehu! How goes your Baal-hunting?
JEHU
You destroy one high place of Baal,
my lord, and beyond the next town
is another.
Ahab laughs. As he rises and walks over to Jehu:
AHAB
Then go till you run out of towns.
If any man can rid Israel of Baal,
it is Jehu bar-Nimshi.
(then)
A diversion, Jehu - I have a task
for you. You are to go to my palace
on the plain of Jezreel, to meet
there, and escort to Samaria, my
bride-to-be. Have you heard of
her, Jehu?
JEHU
I have heard she's the daughter of
Ethbaal, the priest-king of Sidon.
AHAB
Yes, he is the royal priest of Baal
in Phoenicia.
Ahab smiles cagily at Jehu.
AHAB (cont'd)
Tell me, Jehu. Do you think it odd
that I choose my destroyer of Baal to
escort that priest's daughter here?
JEHU
It is not my place to question, my
lord.
AHAB
But you are ideal for escorting
my Sidonian bride.
Ahab's seeming self-confidence starts turning to obvious
insecurity.
AHAB (cont'd)
I thought perhaps - you could,
well, talk to her a bit on the
way - about all this Baal and
goddess worship. How it would be
nice if she were to leave it at
home, so to speak.
Jehu and Obadiah exchange glances.
AHAB (cont'd)
You can save me the trouble, Jehu,
of having to tell her.
(then)
Oh - and while you are in Jezreel,
go to see that fellow Naboth, who
owns the vineyard near the Jezreel
palace. I want Naboth's vineyard
for a vegetable garden, like the
one I have here in Samaria. Offer
the man a fair price, and - how
much do you think?
JEHU
I do not know, my lord, what
vineyards are selling for.
AHAB
Hmm. Well, let him name a price,
and then go from there.
(then)
So, you will be off to Jezreel tomorrow
to bring me my bride. Tomorrow night
you will dine with her there, and, uh,
talk to her about what I said. Then
bring her here the next day.
JEHU
What is your bride-to-be's name,
my lord?
AHAB
Her name is Jezebel.
EXT. THE TEMPLE OF BAAL - SIDON - NIGHT
The great temple overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Fire
burns on the altar of burnt offering before the front
steps.
SUPERIMPOSE:
THE TEMPLE OF BAAL
SIDON
SIDONIAN PALACE GUARDS #1 and #2 casually stand guard,
biding their time, at the top of the front steps, before
the temple's double doors.
From a temple side door in the darkness, Jezebel and the
handsome priest LULI, 25, sneak out together. They hurry
toward the sea holding hands.
EXT. THE SEASHORE - NIGHT
Jezebel and Luli hurry to hide among high craggy rocks on
the moonlit beach below the temple.
They sit down behind a rock, and begin passionately kissing
and embracing.
INT. THE TEMPLE - NIGHT
Rows of WORSHIPPERS kneel prayerfully in candlelight, while
MUSICIANS (o.s.) ritually play.
The worshippers are facing the open double doors of the
torchlit holy of holies, in which stands the idol of Baal.
The idol is a towering, torchlit stone image of the striding
god of the storm and rain, with bull horns on his long-haired
head, a club and lightning bolt in his hands.
Sidonian Palace Guard #1 leans down anxiously to lady-in-waiting
ORAH, 20, who is kneeling with the other worshippers.
GUARD #1
Where is Princess Jezebel?
Orah looks up at the guard as if with innocent ignorance.
ORAH
I thought she went out for air.
The guard quickly moves off. Now Orah looks concerned that
Jezebel's absence has been discovered.
EXT. THE SEASHORE - NIGHT
As Jezebel and Luli embrace, Jezebel is crying.
JEZEBEL
I can't leave you, Luli. I can't.
I want to kill myself.
LULI
Don't talk that way, my sweet. You
are going to be a queen. You -
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
I don't want to be a queen. I want
to marry you, not some fellow named
Ahab.
LULI
Jezebel -
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
Luli, if I get a temple for Baal
built in Israel, you can come and
be the high priest. Then -
LULI
(interrupting)
Jezebel, how do you think that is
going to happen?
They hear Sidonian Palace Guard #1 (o.s.) in the distance,
searchingly call her name. As they react anxiously:
JEZEBEL
Go.
They quickly kiss. As Luli starts to go:
JEZEBEL (cont’d)
Luli, I love you and always will.
LULI
And I will love you.
Luli sneaks hurriedly off through the rocks and crags, Jezebel
sadly watching him.
Sidonian Palace Guard #1, searching, stops as Jezebel suddenly
appears, with a casual air, from behind her rock.
GUARD #1
My lady, what are you doing out
here?
JEZEBEL
Walking. Thinking. Why can't I go
somewhere alone?
Jezebel begins walking back toward the temple. The guard
lingers, looking suspiciously around.
GUARD #1
I do not wish to be flayed, my lady,
should anything happen to you.
The guard turns to follow her.
EXT. THE PHOENICIAN COAST - DAY (NEXT MORNING)
Waves are rolling in from the sea.
EXT. TEMPLE OF BAAL - SIDON - DAY
Jezebel, in regal attire, comes out of the double doors,
accompanied by her priest-king father Ethbaal, and the
30-ish priest of Baal DATHAN.
A few BAAL PRIESTS including Luli respectfully stand about.
Lady-in-waiting Orah is standing by Luli. TWO SIDONIAN
PALACE GUARDS stand by the steps.
Ethbaal, Jezebel, and Dathan stop for parting words.
ETHBAAL
Dathan, you shall serve her most
faithfully, as her personal priest,
and in her endeavors to have our
Lord Baal served in Israel.
DATHAN
I will, O King Ethbaal.
ETHBAAL
Farewell, my daughter.
JEZEBEL
Goodbye, Father.
Orah steps over and puts on a little act, given that Ethbaal
can hear:
ORAH
My lady, the priest Luli asks if he
might have a word with you.
JEZEBEL
Of course.
Jezebel walks over to Luli, who gives her a bow of the head.
They speak quietly, discreet in their manner.
LULI
Farewell, my princess.
JEZEBEL
It was too much to hope for, Luli,
that they might choose you as my
personal priest.
LULI
I don't think I could bear it. Being
near you every day, and not knowing
when I might touch you.
Luli takes something from his robe, and hands it to Jezebel.
LULI
A gift for you.
It's a gold-colored bronze figurine, about eight inches high,
designed to be held in the hand, of Baal's consort Asherah.
JEZEBEL
Oh, what a lovely Asherah.
LULI (cont'd)
In Israel, may the lady Asherah
help bless you with children.
JEZEBEL
I will cherish it, Luli.
She holds the Asherah against her. She and Luli look at each
other.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
A few moments ago, in the holy of
holies, I made a bargain with Baal.
A secret between us. I will see
that a temple of Baal is built in
Samaria. And he will send me you,
to be the temple's high priest.
Luli smiles sadly.
LULI
A house of Baal in the royal city
of Israel? You are dreaming, my
lady.
Jezebel manages a smile, and takes Luli's hand in parting.
JEZEBEL
It will be done, my love, and I
will see you there.
As she gestures with the Asherah:
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
By the grace of Lord Baal, and his
lady Asherah.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - JEZREEL - DAY
Jezebel appears at a spacious upper window, with Sidonian
general NEBAT, 45, on her right, and the Jezreel palace
steward BELA, 35, on her left.
SUPERIMPOSE:
THE JEZREEL PALACE
IN ISRAEL
They watch as Jehu and his driver, with a company of
ISRAELITE SOLDIERS on HORSES following Jehu's chariot,
come riding out of the plain.
Several SIDONIAN SOLDIERS are stationed in the courtyard,
as Jehu's chariot pulls up below the window. Jehu's
mounted soldiers halt to stand by.
Jehu gazes up at Jezebel, who gives him a friendly smile.
JEHU
My princess. I am Jehu bar-
Nimshi, here to escort you to
my lord king Ahab of Israel.
JEZEBEL
I present General Nebat of Sidon.
Raising a hand, Jehu gives Nebat a customary greeting:
JEHU
Is it peace?
NEBAT
It is peace.
INT. A BANQUET HALL - THE JEZREEL PALACE - NIGHT
Jezebel and Jehu are dining. Also at the table are Orah,
Nebat, Bela, and Dathan. Palace SERVANTS attend.
JEZEBEL
Will the king come here often, to
Jezreel?
JEHU
I'm sure that you and my lord King
Ahab will stay here quite often,
as did Omri his father. I have heard
there is no finer palace steward than
Bela.
BELA
I thank you.
JEZEBEL
Does King Ahab have other wives?
JEHU
Not yet.
JEZEBEL
But he will?
JEHU
I suspect. The Lord God of Israel
commanded the first man and woman:
"Be fruitful, and multiply."
(beat)
Kings can afford to multiply much
more than the common man.
A beat, Jezebel smiling.
JEZEBEL
And what about you? You are no
common man. Are you married, Jehu?
JEHU
Yes.
Jehu holds up one finger.
JEHU (cont'd)
One wife.
JEZEBEL
Children?
JEHU
(beat)
We have not yet been blessed.
JEZEBEL
(beat)
We must pray that your wife will
be fertile.
(beat)
Do you know where fertility comes
from?
JEHU
Yes. From the Lord.
JEZEBEL
Which one?
JEHU
The Lord God of Israel.
JEZEBEL
In Phoenicia, we believe fertility
comes from Baal, Prince Lord of
Earth . . . as he mates with the
Goddess Asherah.
JEHU
We are not in Phoenicia. And we
have no lovemaking gods.
JEZEBEL
But Baal is here too, is he not?
(beat)
I hope to build him a house, like
the temple in Sidon . . . I want
to make Baal's presence, and the
blessings he bestows - the rain
and the fertile fields and flocks -
better known throughout Israel.
Once the temple is built, I will
bring a high priest here to help me.
JEHU
How do you know Baal is here?
JEZEBEL
How do you know your God is here?
I've been told he's invisible.
JEHU
If he is not, he is not a God.
JEZEBEL
Baal is invisible too, except for the
clouds and the lightning and rain. The
image embodies him. Unlike your poor
God, who has nothing. Ever been to a
place of Baal worship, Jehu?
JEHU
I've been to a few.
JEZEBEL
But not to worship.
JEHU
No. To destroy them.
(beat)
In Israel it is the Lord God, not
Baal, who grants fertile wombs,
who brings the autumn rains, and
who ends the drought of summer.
(beat)
Your Prince Lord of Earth you
must leave behind you in Sidon,
and worship the God of your king.
Jezebel smiles.
JEZEBEL
Do not be offended, Jehu, but I
will worship whom I please.
Jehu watches as she drinks from her cup while coyly eyeing him.
EXT. NABOTH'S VINEYARD - JEZREEL - DAY
Husky vintner NABOTH, 40, pauses amid his WORKERS, harvesting
grapes, as he sees Jehu, accompanied by soldiers, come walking
toward him.
Jehu stops before Naboth.
NABOTH
Is it peace, my lord?
JEHU
Yes. I am Jehu bar-Nimshi, here
on behalf of King Ahab of Israel.
(beat)
He wishes to buy your vineyard.
NABOTH
(beat)
It is not for sale, my lord.
Jehu gives him a look, then, as he looks the place over,
JEHU
He will pay a fair price. How
much do you want?
NABOTH
(after a moment)
This vineyard, sire, belonged to
my father, and his father before
him. To sell it, my lord, would
be selling my birthright.
Jehu looks at him.
JEHU
You will not sell this vineyard
to the king?
NABOTH
I cannot, my lord.
JEHU
(pause)
I will tell him.
Jehu turns, Naboth worriedly watches him leaving.
INT. WEDDING FEAST - ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA - NIGHT
Happy Ahab, smiling Jezebel, and distinguished GUESTS are
feasting, with MUSICIANS and DANCERS.
Among the guests, the military general ELIEZER, 35, notes
how Jehu beside him gazes at Jezebel.
ELIEZER
A lovely queen, is she not?
A beat, Jehu glancing at Eliezer.
JEHU
Yes, my general. Lovely.
Jezebel playfully feeds Ahab some meat.
INT. A CORRIDOR - ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT
A JUDAHITE PRIEST, 75, at Ahab's right hand, is escorting
Ahab and Jezebel to the king's bedchamber.
Jezebel is to Ahab's left. Walking almost at her left shoulder
is Orah.
Behind them walk some women of the wedding party.
Jezebel whispers to Orah:
JEZEBEL
My Asherah.
Orah slips her the figurine, which she conceals in her clothing.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT (LATER)
Ahab and Jezebel, in nightclothes, sit side by side in bed.
The Judahite priest stands blessing them. All others have
departed.
JUDAHITE PRIEST
And from the rib which the Lord
took from man, made he a woman,
and brought her to the man.
(beat)
And Adam said, "This is bone of
my bones, and flesh of my flesh.
She shall be called Woman."
Jezebel has a rather strange look. She is clearly not
familiar with the story of Adam and Eve.
JUDAHITE PRIEST (cont'd)
Therefore shall a man leave his
father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife, and they
shall be one flesh.
INT. JEHU'S HOME - NIGHT
Jehu, home from the feast, sits thinking.
His wife JERUSHA, 30, attractive but with a sad air
about her, comes to his side, and puts an arm on his
shoulders.
JERUSHA
How was the wedding feast?
Jehu looks up at her, and puts an arm around her waist.
JEHU
Like all wedding feasts. Only
more.
She leans down, and they kiss.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - PALACE - NIGHT
The Judahite priest is still blessing. Ahab and Jezebel
sit staring into space, waiting for this guy to shut up.
JUDAHITE PRIEST
Bless this marriage bed, O Lord
God of Israel, that the seed of
the house of Omri and Ahab may
prosper, unto many generations.
Amen.
The priest bows with a smile, and turns to go.
Ahab and Jezebel watch him leave. They look at each
other. Ahab smiles awkwardly.
Jezebel casually scoots down from her sitting position.
Ahab follows her lead.
JEZEBEL
Is that priest from Samaria?
AHAB
He's a Judahite priest. He was
brought here from the Jerusalem
temple -
Ahab is lying on his side now, closer to her.
AHAB (cont'd)
- for this special occasion.
Ahab puts his hand on her midriff.
JEZEBEL
He said woman was made from one of
man's ribs?
Ahab's hand now rubs her a little.
AHAB
The first woman, yes.
JEZEBEL
Is that when your God said, "Be
fruitful and multiply"?
Jezebel turns from Ahab to take the figurine from under
her pillow.
AHAB
Yes, it must have been. How did
you know that?
Jezebel sits back now holding the figurine. As she
gently rubs it with her hand:
JEZEBEL
Well, I knew about that part, but
not about the rib.
Ahab is staring at the figurine.
AHAB
What is that?
JEZEBEL
An Asherah. A symbol of the lady
who shall bless us with fertility.
AHAB
(nervously)
Put that thing away.
JEZEBEL
Why?
AHAB
I have something else that will
bless you with fertility.
Jezebel laughs, prompting the nervous Ahab to chuckle.
JEZEBEL
You know, I don't believe it.
AHAB
That I have a thing that - ?
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
No, that story about the rib.
Let me count your ribs.
Laying aside the Asherah, Jezebel starts counting Ahab's ribs.
It tickles Ahab, he giggles and fights off her hand. She stops.
Ahab gets a sly look in his eye.
AHAB
Let me count yours.
Jezebel obligingly opens her clothing, and Ahab starts moving
his hand, slowly upward, along her bare side.
As his hand gets close to her breast, she slips off the top of
her clothing.
JEZEBEL
Are you counting?
AHAB
Yes . . .
JEZEBEL
How far have you gotten?
A beat, as Ahab is admiring her breasts.
AHAB
Two.
INT. JEHU'S HOME - NIGHT
Jehu has undressed, and affectionately lies down with Jerusha on
the bed. Between kisses:
JERUSHA
I spent the day praying . . . that
I might have a child. Praying that
God has not forgotten me.
JEHU
He has not forgotten you, Jerusha.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - PALACE - NIGHT
Ahab pants as he is making love to Jezebel.
AHAB
The Lord has smiled on the new
king of Israel.
EXT. THE PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
REESTABLISHING SHOT.
INT. KING'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY
Jezebel awakes in bed, to see the robed Ahab standing
propped at the window, his back to her.
Rising and donning a robe, Jezebel joins him at the
window. She finds Ahab sullen, lost in thought.
JEZEBEL
Ahab . . . Did you enjoy last night?
AHAB
Yes.
JEZEBEL
Then what is wrong?
Ahab sulks, pouting like a child, as he gazes out the window.
AHAB
That Naboth the Jezreelite.
JEZEBEL
What about him?
AHAB
He won't sell me his vineyard.
Jezebel rolls her eyes - but then gets an idea, a shrewd
look in her eyes, Ahab gazing off.
JEZEBEL
Does it mean that much to you?
AHAB
Yes! For a vegetable garden.
Right next to the Jezreel palace.
I've a right to possess it.
I'm king.
Jezebel puts her arm around him.
JEZEBEL
If I get you Naboth's vineyard,
will you do something for me?
Ahab looks at her quizzically - and suspiciously.
AHAB
You get the vineyard?
Jezebel doesn't answer, smiling coyly.
AHAB (cont'd)
What must I do?
A beat. As Jezebel clings to him seductively:
JEZEBEL
Build a temple for the God whom
I worship, as you worship your
God. A temple for Baal, in
Samaria -
AHAB
You know I can't do that.
Ahab turns, moving away from her.
JEZEBEL
But I'm queen.
As Ahab paces:
AHAB
There are two hundred prophets
in Israel, all seen as men of
the living God. They would cry
out from Dan to Beersheba that
I'm whoring after other gods.
JEZEBEL
Let them cry out. Do you not
govern Israel?
Ahab stops pacing and looks her in the eye.
AHAB
I am letting you have a shrine,
here in the palace, for that
block of stone that you worship.
What more do you want?
JEZEBEL
Baal is not a block of stone!
AHAB
A block of wood?
JEZEBEL
You know nothing! His spirit
descends to dwell within the image.
Except for that, the Prince Lord of
Earth is as invisible as your God is.
AHAB
Thank you for the religious
instruction. You will have your
palace shrine to your unseen,
cloud-riding prince. That is all
you will have.
Ahab moves off, Jezebel watching him spitefully.
EXT. THE JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
SUPERIMPOSE:
JEZREEL, 7 MONTHS LATER
EXT. A GARDEN - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jezebel, seven months pregnant, relaxes in the garden,
Orah sewing nearby, while the priest of Baal Dathan reads
to Jezebel from a sacred scroll.
DATHAN
(reading)
"The kindly god El rejoices,
He sets his feet on the footstool
and laughs,
He lifts up his voice, proclaiming:
Alive is Mighty Baal,
The Prince Lord of Earth exists - "
Jezebel interrupts as royal secretary Obadiah has walked
into the garden:
JEZEBEL
Obadiah, where is the king?
OBADIAH
He has gone, O queen, to see Naboth
the Jezreelite.
JEZEBEL
(beat)
Ah yes, the vineyard.
INT. NABOTH'S HOME - DAY
Ahab and Naboth sit facing each other, behind Ahab TWO
ISRAELITE PALACE GUARDS. Ahab is nervously haughty.
AHAB
Sell me your property. You may
name your price, within reason.
A pause, Naboth looking intimidated. But he respectfully
stands his ground:
NABOTH
According to the law of Moses,
O king, all land belongs to
the Lord. We families are its
keepers, each property a
perpetual possession. It is
not to be bought and sold.
(beat)
God forbid I should give you
the inheritance of my fathers.
Tight-lipped Ahab stares at him.
INT. JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
JETHER, 32, commander of the palace guard, approaches the open
doorway to the king's quarters. ISRAELITE PALACE GUARDS #1
and #2 stand at attention on either side of the door.
Jether stops, listening as he and the guards hear a royal
argument from within:
JEZEBEL (O.S.)
Did I not tell you I would get
you the vineyard?
INTERCUT: INT. THE KING'S QUARTERS - DAY
Pregnant Jezebel sits watching the frustrated Ahab pour himself
a cup of wine.
AHAB
How? How could you get Naboth's
vineyard when I cannot?
(beat)
He quotes me the law of Moses.
A pause, Jezebel gazing at him shrewdly as Ahab drinks, Jether
listening outside the door.
JEZEBEL
Build a house of Baal in Samaria,
to please me, my love, and I swear,
you shall have your vineyard.
Ahab thoughtfully drinks from his cup.
Outside, Jether glances at the palace guards, who continue to
look straight ahead at attention. Jether enters the quarters.
INT. JEHU'S HOME - NIGHT
Jerusha is setting food on the table when she hears Jehu (O.S.)
greeting a visitor:
JEHU (O.S.)
Jether. Back from Jezreel.
JETHER (O.S.)
Yes.
JEHU (O.S.)
A pleasant surprise.
Jehu introduces Jether to Jerusha:
JEHU (cont’d)
My wife Jerusha. This is Jether, the
commander of the palace guard.
JERUSHA
Commander, will you dine with us?
JETHER
No, no, I only have a moment.
Jerusha moves off, leaving the two men to talk.
JETHER (cont’d)
I overheard something at the Jezreel
palace, that as a friend I thought
you should know.
(beat)
A house of Baal may soon be built in
Samaria.
Jehu shakes his head at the news, though he doesn't look too
surprised.
JETHER (cont’d)
Your days as the king's hunter of Baal
may be coming to a close.
JEHU
(beat)
It's been an endless and futile task.
But a house of Baal. Our queen from
Sidon has not wasted time.
JETHER
I wanted to tell you so you won't be
surprised. You can think about it,
since you might have a say in what
your next position will be.
EXT. ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
Jehu and his driver arrive in Jehu's chariot. SUPERIMPOSE:
3 MONTHS LATER
EXT. A PALACE BALCONY - DAY
Jezebel, holding her month-old daughter ATHALIAH, notes
Jehu's arrival below.
She hands the child to Orah and eagerly heads inside.
INT. AHAB'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jehu enters, as his escort the royal steward is leaving.
Ahab sets his seal to a papyrus letter at his table, Obadiah
attending, as the palace official enters. Jezebel sits
leisurely nearby, eyes on Jehu.
AHAB
Jehu, how are you?
JEHU
Well. And my lord the king?
AHAB
Excellent.
JEHU
My lady.
Jezebel nods with a smile.
AHAB
I am appointing you commander
of the palace guard.
Jehu looks nonplussed.
JEHU
What about Jether, my lord?
AHAB
Oh, he's done a fine job, but -
we'll find him something else.
(then)
Forget your Baal-hunting duties.
I relieve you of those. It was
a waste of time anyway, eh?
(a bit nervously)
Those who wish to worship Baal
and the goddess Asherah may do
so, in a temple to be built in
Samaria.
Jehu looks at Jezebel. She is smiling.
JEHU
I thank you, my lord, for the
honor of commanding the guard.
AHAB
Queen Jezebel made the suggestion.
I thought it was splendid.
Jehu looks again at smiling Jezebel.
JEZEBEL
I was so impressed with you,
Jehu, when you first brought me
here from Jezreel. I feel safe
and secure in your hands.
AHAB
(beat; to Jehu)
Meet now with Obadiah, to go over
the details.
JEHU
As you wish, my lord O king.
(then, coolly)
Thank you, my lady, for your
recommendation.
Jezebel smiles, Jehu turning to go with Obadiah into:
INT. THE CORRIDOR - PALACE - DAY
As Jehu and Obadiah are walking:
JEHU
So. She will have her house of
Baal.
OBADIAH
The power of a woman, eh, Jehu?
JEHU
It does not bode well, Obadiah.
The Lord is a jealous God.
EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - DAY
As Jehu and Obadiah step out of a palace doorway, Jether,
now former guard commander, is about to enter.
They stop, then Obadiah discreetly steps a few feet away,
as Jehu and Jether look at each other.
JEHU
I didn't ask for this, Jether.
JETHER
I know. Nor did I.
Jether proceeds into the palace.
Go to Part 2Back to beginning of script
