Copyright 2001, 2008 by Ronald L. Ecker
All Rights Reserved
"David and Bathshua" has been divided into three Web pages, which helps with
the downloading time. A "Go to" link at the bottom of each page will
take you to the next page.
FADE IN:
INT. COPYING ROOM - A 15TH-CENTURY MONASTERY - DAY
The monk BROTHER JENKIN, 30, quill in hand, sits copying the
Bible at his desk.
He has stopped writing, bothered by something in the text.
He is also bothered by a SNORING MONK, 50, at a desk several
feet away. The snoring monk sleeps with his bare feet
propped up on his work-filled desk.
SUPERIMPOSE:
AN ENGLISH MONASTERY, 1450
Jenkin hears the familiar thumping of a staff on the floor.
The ABBOT, 75, has entered the room. Jenkin continues to
ponder his text.
The abbot with his staff walks slowly over to the snoring
monk and glares down at him with displeasure.
Jenkin watches, then quickly goes back to his text as the
abbot turns. The abbot walks over to Jenkin, staff thumping.
The abbot looks over Jenkin's shoulder.
ABBOT
Brother Jenkin . . .
JENKIN
My lord Abbot.
ABBOT
How goes your Bible copying?
JENKIN
There's one problem, my lord.
Glancing at the snoring monk, the abbot nods understandingly.
ABBOT
I'll take care of it.
The abbot starts to go back to the snoring monk.
JENKIN
No, not him. It's here.
The abbot looks as Jenkin points out the text.
JENKIN (cont'd)
The First Book of Chronicles.
It says that King David's son
Solomon was borne by Bathshua,
the daughter of Ammiel.
ABBOT
And what's wrong with that?
JENKIN
It's a contradiction, my lord. We
know from the biblical books of
Samuel and Kings that the woman's
name was Bathsheba, the daughter of
Eliam. She was the wife of Uriah
the Hittite, before marrying King
David.
A beat, the abbot looking puzzled too.
ABBOT
You have checked other copies?
JENKIN
Yes, my lord. It's the same with
all copies: "Bathshua" here,
"Bathsheba" there.
ABBOT
Then that settles it. We do not
question biblical contradictions,
my son. We copy them.
The abbot starts back toward the snoring monk.
JENKIN
But it doesn't make sense. It
sounds like two different women.
The abbot stops and turns.
ABBOT
King David did not father Solomon
by two different women.
As the abbot moves off, Jenkin still ponders the mystery.
JENKIN
(to camera)
If only we could go back to the
court of King David.
The abbot whacks the bare soles of the snoring monk's propped
up feet with his staff.
As the awakened monk sits up in pain:
MONK
Hal-le-lu-jah!
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HOME OF AMMIEL - NEAR ANCIENT JERUSALEM - DAY
A poor shepherd's hut, a few SHEEP around, on a late afternoon.
SUPERIMPOSE:
NEAR JERUSALEM,
IN THE REIGN OF KING DAVID,
1000 B.C.
INT. HOME OF AMMIEL - DAY
Dirt poor. BATHSHUA, 17, pretty though in rags, is about to
serve her 60-ish father AMMIEL a bowl of gruel, as he tiredly
sits on his bed.
Ammiel's shepherd son DODO, about 20, comes in, looking fed
up and resolved.
Ammiel and Bathshua watch him curiously as Dodo starts
looking around for belongings.
AMMIEL
What is it, Dodo?
DODO
I have made a decision. I'm
leaving.
AMMIEL
You are leaving your poor sick
father? Dodo -
DODO
(interrupting)
Bathshua is old enough now to
take care of things around here.
AMMIEL
What things?
Dodo has found nothing but a threadbare garment or two, which
he puts in a shepherd's bag. He looks around disgust.
DODO (cont'd)
Good question. I can't believe
this. I'm even poorer than I
thought. Father, let me have my
inheritance now.
As Ammiel gestures toward the sheep outside:
AMMIEL
Your inheritance is four or five
mangy sheep.
Ammiel is mad now, feebly rising, while Dodo thinks.
DODO
Well, keep 'em, then. They'd only
slow me down.
As Dodo walks over to Ammiel:
DODO (cont'd)
May I have your blessing, Father?
AMMIEL
I'll bless you, you . . .
Ammiel searches for words. Clueless Dodo gives Ammiel a
quick, grateful hug, Ammiel not hugging him back.
DODO
Thank you, Father. You don't know
what that means to me.
As Dodo gives Bathshua a hug:
DODO (cont'd)
Goodbye, little sister.
BATHSHUA
Goodbye.
DODO
My. You aren't so little anymore.
Dodo heads toward the door with his bag.
BATHSHUA
May you have a safe journey to -
wherever you're going.
Dodo stops and turns, to look back at Bathshua.
DODO
May you marry a good man, Bathshua.
May the Lord bless you with
children.
Dodo starts to go, then turns again, smiling.
DODO (cont'd)
With a little help from the man,
if you know what I mean.
Dodo leaves.
BATHSHUA
What did he mean?
Ammiel despairingly sits down.
AMMIEL
What have I done, El Shaddai, to
deserve this?
Bathshua goes to Ammiel, kneels by him to comfort him.
BATHSHUA.
Don't worry, Father. I am still
here.
AMMIEL
Bathshua.
BATHSHUA
We can manage. Let Dodo go.
AMMIEL
What a prodigal son.
EXT. HOME OF URIAH - JERUSALEM - DAY
Worldly-looking BATHSHEBA is seeing off her warrior husband
URIAH THE HITTITE, a muscular hulk, as his TWO-HORSE chariot
waits.
Bathsheba and Uriah, both 30-ish, show no hint of affection
for each other.
BATHSHEBA
Goodbye, Uriah. Be careful
fighting those Philistines.
URIAH
Don't worry about me. Behave
yourself, Bathsheba, while I'm
away.
BATHSHEBA
What makes you think I wouldn't?
URIAH
People are set on evil. Why did
the children of Israel worship a
golden calf, dancing naked around
it? Eh? Why did they go commit
whoredom with the daughters of
Moab? Hmm? Why did the children
of -
BATHSHEBA
(interrupting)
Oh shut up and go.
Bathsheba heads back inside, Uriah glaring at her before
turning to go.
EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - JERUSALEM - DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT. SUPERIMPOSE:
KING DAVID'S PALACE
INT. A HALLWAY - THE PALACE - DAY
Lovely Princess TAMAR, 18, is carrying two little cakes in
her hands, as a sly-looking CHAMBERLAIN, 25, opens a chamber
door for her.
TAMAR
How is Prince Amnon doing now?
CHAMBERLAIN
Still feeling poorly. He will
be glad to see you, my princess.
Tamar goes through the door. The chamberlain snickers
knowingly as he closes the door behind her.
INT. AMNON'S QUARTERS - PALACE - DAY
AMNON, 20-ish prince, is lying in bed on his side, his back
to the door through which Tamar has entered.
His sly facial expression says that Amnon is malingering, up
to no good.
TAMAR
My lord Prince Amnon?
Amnon turns to look up, with an appreciative air, at Tamar by
the bed.
AMNON
Tamar, thank you for coming.
Tamar, smiling and innocent, is holding the two little cakes
right under her breasts, standing firmly beneath her nice
robe.
TAMAR
I've brought you a couple of cakes.
Amnon is gazing at the beautiful treats.
AMNON
I feel better already.
INT. ABSALOM'S QUARTERS - THE PALACE - DAY (LATER)
Handsome Prince ABSALOM, 20-ish, with long flowing hair, is
smooching with visiting Bathsheba. Both are still fully
clothed.
BATHSHEBA
Oh Absalom . . .
ABSALOM
I love it when Uriah has to go out
of town. Don't you?
BATHSHEBA
Yes. Thank God there are so many
wars to go fight.
Tamar suddenly enters. She's crying, distraught about
something. Absalom looks at her with concern.
ABSALOM
What is it?
TAMAR
I must speak with you, Brother.
Alone.
Bathsheba respectfully rises and exits.
ABSALOM
What is wrong, Tamar?
Tamar, still shaken, is reluctant to tell him.
TAMAR
Amnon . . .
ABSALOM
What has he done now?
Tamar, desolate, falls to her knees in tears.
CUT TO:
EXT. A SHEEPSHEARING FESTIVAL - NIGHT
Amnon and FRIENDS are partying by torch light. Amnon sits
half-drunk, laughing and whispering with his half-drunk
chamberlain about a nearby young MAIDEN.
At the edge of the party, FOUR CLOAKED MEN, in their 30's,
stride out of the darkness. They pause, looking over those
present with sinister eyes.
Proceeding forward, they are stopped by three or four armed,
30-ish BODYGUARDS.
BODYGUARD #1
Who goes?
Bodyguard #1 now recognizes their faces.
BODYGUARD #1 (cont'd)
Oh, it is you. Where is your
master Prince Absalom?
CLOAKED MAN #1
He couldn't be here. We bring
his regrets to Prince Amnon.
Amnon drinks more wine. He looks frowningly at the four
cloaked men who present themselves before him.
CLOAKED MAN #1 (cont'd)
My lord prince.
AMNON
Where is that worthless half-
brother of mine?
CLOAKED MAN #2
He regrets, my lord, that he
could not be here today for
the sheepshearing festival.
Cloaked Man #1, smiling falsely, shows Amnon a dagger from
his cloak.
CLOAKED MAN #1
He told us to bring you this.
Amnon looks at it resentfully.
AMNON
A rusty old dagger?
The chamberlain beside Amnon gets up and flees for his life.
Amnon looks off at him curiously.
Cloaked Man #1 stabs Amnon in the chest. Amnon cries out as
the other three men fall upon him with daggers.
Amnon's Bodyguards, hearing him, anxiously draw their swords,
but then immediately hear something else.
It's war cries, as several sword-wielding MEN come charging
out of the darkness.
There's a violent melee - sword-fighting, bodyguards falling,
terrified friends fleeing the scene.
Bodyguard #1 lies mortally wounded as the attackers head back
into the night.
He looks weakly over at dying Bodyguard #2.
BODYGUARD #1
I hate surprise attacks.
As Bodyguard #1 dies:
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ROYAL PALACE - NIGHT
REESTABLISHING SHOT. OVERLAP SOUND:
JOAB (V.O.)
I am sorry, O king.
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Handsome King DAVID looks stunned by the news. With him is
JOAB, his military commander-in-chief. Both men are 40-ish.
DAVID
Who killed Amnon?
JOAB
Your son, my lord O king.
DAVID
Yes, Joab, he was my son. I want
to know who killed him.
JOAB
I mean your other son, my lord.
Prince Absalom. He ordered the
death of Prince Amnon.
David looks at Joab incredulously.
DAVID
Why?
JOAB
Vengeance, O king. It is said that
Prince Amnon forced himself upon my
lord the king's daughter Tamar.
David slumps, looking overwhelmed by it all.
JOAB (cont'd)
Prince Absalom has fled Jerusalem,
my lord. Shall we go after him?
DAVID
(after a moment)
No, Joab, let it be.
David heaves a sigh.
DAVID (cont'd)
I have lost two sons.
(beat)
What's wrong with children today?
Do you know where yours are?
EXT. HOME OF AMMIEL - DAY
Dire poverty as before.
SUPERIMPOSE:
3 YEARS LATER
INT. HOME OF AMMIEL - DAY
Bathshua, now 20, grimy from her work, helps sickly and
exhausted Ammiel onto his bed.
BATHSHUA
There. You rest a while, Father.
AMMIEL
Bathshua . . .
BATHSHUA
I'll be back soon and fix supper.
AMMIEL
Where are you going?
BATHSHUA
To the river, Father, to bathe.
AMMIEL
Well don't be showing too much.
Bathshua starts to go.
AMMIEL (cont'd)
Come here, my child.
She kneels beside him. He fondly touches her head.
AMMIEL (cont'd)
Lovely Bathshua. A beauty fit for
a king. And look what you wear.
And I can't even help with the
work.
BATHSHUA
Father -
AMMIEL
(interrupting)
Your mother was beautiful too,
bless her poor sweet nephesh.
(then)
Bathshua, if only you had let me
marry you off to Gomer or Enos or -
BATHSHUA
(interrupting)
Father, I don't want some poor
shepherd, as bad off as us. Now
listen -
AMMIEL
(interrupting)
Why did I come forth from the womb,
my days spent in sorrow and shame -
BATHSHUA
(interrupting)
Father, I'm trying to tell you, I
have a plan.
AMMIEL
What?
BATHSHUA
I hope to be fit for a king, as you
say.
AMMIEL
What plan?
BATHSHUA
I am going to start bathing at the
river where it's nearest the palace,
where perhaps King David will see
me, and - you know -
AMMIEL
(reproachingly)
Bathshua!
BATHSHUA
Then perhaps I can join his harem,
be a wife of the king. After that,
we -
AMMIEL
(interrupting)
Bathshua, what kind of woman are
you?
BATHSHUA
A dirty one, Father. I need to
go bathe.
Ammiel gestures toward the door as if wondering what she's
waiting for.
AMMIEL
Then go where you said you were
going.
She rises to go.
AMMIEL (cont'd)
But don't show too much.
EXT. THE RIVER AND PALACE - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
COMMON FOLK are bathing in a narrow river outside Jerusalem's
city wall.
Above and behind the wall, a few hundred feet from the water,
stands the royal palace.
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
David, in a fancy tunic, lies musing.
Attending him on either side are 40-ish wives MAACHAH and
AHINOAM. Other WIVES and CONCUBINES are in b.g.
David opens his mouth, and Ahinoam, as if on cue, lobs in a
grape with perfect aim.
David continues thinking as he chews.
MAACHAH
What is troubling my lord the king?
DAVID
My son Absalom. He's back in town.
He wants to come see me.
Ahinoam lobs another grape into David's mouth.
MAACHAH
You should see him, O king.
Three years of exile is enough.
DAVID
You talk like his mother.
MAACHAH
I am.
David looks at her, thinks for a moment, then nods casually
in agreement.
AHINOAM
(to Maachah)
Have you forgotten that your son
killed Amnon, his own half-brother,
one of your own nephews?
MAACHAH
Half-nephew. He killed Amnon for
ravishing Tamar, his own half
sister, one of your own nieces.
AHINOAM
Half-niece. Amnon had a weak
moment. He didn't deserve to be
killed for it.
MAACHAH
You talk like his mother.
AHINOAM
I am.
DAVID
That's enough!
Ahinoam carelessly lobs a grape, it hits David in an open eye.
As David jumps up, a hand over the eye:
DAVID (cont'd)
My eye!
ABINOAM
I'm sorry, my lord, I -
David walks half-blind right into a bedpost or pillar,
mashing the hand that's over his eye. He shakes the hand in
pain, his eye squinted shut.
MAACHAH
(to David)
I'd never sleep with that bitch
again.
AHINOAM
My lord, let me kiss it.
Trying to give her his hand, half-blind David hits Ahinoam in
the nose with it.
Ahinoam kisses the hand, then feels of her nose as David
moves off.
Maachah shakes with suppressed laughter - till Ahinoam mashes
a handful of grapes in Maachah's face.
Maachah punches Ahinoam in the gut. Ahinoam bends over in
pain, then slugs Maachah in the jaw.
Maachah kicks Ahinoam in the head. Ahinoam falls backward
against the bed, Maachah charging her.
Ahinoam grabs hold of Maachah and with a foot sends her
sailing over the bed, Maachah crashing to the floor out of
sight.
EXT. RIVERSIDE - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
Bathshua, other folks in b.g., stands knee-deep in the water,
starts to bathe, though not yet too revealingly, as she casts
glances toward:
EXT. THE PALACE ROOF - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
Palace officials HUSHAI (pronounced hoosh-eye) and IDBASH,
both 40-ish, sit playing a board game, with silver and a
weighing scale, at a table on the roof.
Idbash finishes moving his piece three spaces.
IDBASH
Megiddo Place.
HUSHAI
That's ten shekels rent.
IDBASH
That's outrageous.
David, still covering his eye with a hand, emerges from the
stairway.
HUSHAI
The king.
Hushai and Idbash quickly rise to greet David, who has his
watering eye squinted shut.
HUSHAI (cont'd)
My lord the king.
David is in a bad mood.
DAVID
Wasting royal time on a game?
HUSHAI
We were trying it out, O king,
to see if you would like it.
DAVID
What is it called?
IDBASH
"Monotony". You wouldn't like it.
What is wrong with my lord the
king's eye?
David strolls toward the roof edge.
DAVID
That sunset is too bright.
IDBASH
I was just thinking the same thing
myself.
EXT. RIVER - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
Bathshua, still loosely dressed as she's bathing, notices the
men on the palace roof.
She now casually exposes her breasts.
EXT. ROOF - DAY (NEAR SUNSET)
Squinting David is looking thoughtfully off toward the river,
Hushai and Idbash beside him.
HUSHAI
What seems to be troubling my lord
the king?
DAVID
The war with the Ammonites. And
that son of mine home from exile.
And this eye. And -
(seeing something)
- my God.
HUSHAI
What about your God, O king?
IDBASH
Ours too, of course.
With both hands David opens his watery eye for a better look.
DAVID
Who is that woman?
INTERCUT: BATHSHUA
bathing bare-breasted among other folks in the river.
HUSHAI
She's certainly a sight for sore eyes.
David, still holding his eye open, gives Hushai a glance.
DAVID
I want to know who she is.
Hushai looks anxiously at Idbash, who shrugs that he doesn't
know. Then,
IDBASH
Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam.
Hushai frowns, shakes his head "no," but Idbash gestures "so
what."
HUSHAI
(to David)
Is this not Bathsheba, the
daughter of Eliam?
IDBASH
The wife of Uriah the Hittite.
HUSHAI
The wife of Uriah the -
DAVID
(interrupting)
I heard.
(then)
Uriah has good taste in wives.
IDBASH
Good-tasting wives?
DAVID
(more clearly)
Good taste in wives.
(beat, then)
Why would she bathe with common
folks here in the river?
Hushai doesn't know what to say. Idbash whispers an answer
to Hushai, as David keeps looking off at Bathshua.
Hushai doesn't like the answer, but,
HUSHAI
(to David)
So that the king might see her.
David clearly likes the answer.
DAVID
Uriah is off fighting the Ammonites,
is he not?
HUSHAI
For God and country.
David and Hushai look at each other, and Hushai now gets the
king's meaning.
Hushai turns to Idbash, and they anxiously whisper, David
again looking off:
HUSHAI (cont'd)
Where does "Bathsheba" live?
IDBASH
How should I know?
HUSHAI
Why don't you go down and find out?
EXT. BY THE RIVER - NEAR SUNSET
As Bathshua starts toward home, Idbash approaches, other
folks in b.g..
IDBASH
Young lady!
Bathshua stops, turns to him as Idbash joins her.
IDBASH (cont'd)
I am Idbash, from the court of
King David.
As Bathshua curtsies:
BATHSHUA
And my name is -
IDBASH
(interrupting)
Bathsheba.
BATHSHUA
No, it's -
IDBASH
(interrupting)
Your name is Bathsheba. Just for
tonight.
Bathshua glances toward the palace.
BATHSHUA
The king wishes to see me?
IDBASH
The king wishes to do more than
that.
BATHSHUA
But I have nothing to wear.
IDBASH
Be at the palace at the seventh
hour. We will fix you up nice
for the king.
INT. A PALACE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Bathshua, in stunning robe and jewelry, is being primped by a
SERVANT GIRL, 25, Hushai and Idbash standing by.
HUSHAI
Now remember, your name is
Bathsheba, and your husband is
Uriah the Hittite, who is off
at the war front.
Bathshua looks troubled.
BATHSHUA
But if I am married . . .
HUSHAI
You'll be committing adultery.
BATHSHUA
But I won't become part of the
harem. This is just for one
night?
IDBASH
One night with the king of Israel.
BATHSHUA
But why must I be Bathsheba? Why
can't I be me?
HUSHAI
Because the king has been told
you're Bathsheba. You will do
as the king has been told. No
one lies to the king.
BATHSHUA
So what you want me to do is -
HUSHAI
- lie to the king.
BATHSHUA
But -
HUSHAI
But what?
BATHSHUA
I'm a virgin. Do you think he will
notice?
Hushai and Idbash glance at each other.
HUSHAI
Tell the king that your husband is
impotent.
Now Bathshua looks even more confused.
BATHSHUA
I thought my husband was Uriah the
Hittite. "Impotent." That sounds
Egyptian.
HUSHAI
He is Uriah. Tell the king that
Uriah can't do it.
Bathshua looks confused all the more.
HUSHAI (cont'd)
The king will know what you mean.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Hushai and Idbash watch the servant girl escorting Bathshua
away for her visit to the king.
HUSHAI
A fine thing this is, you telling
the king that woman is Bathsheba.
IDBASH
She had to be someone. The king
expects answers.
HUSHAI
Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the
Hittite, is the biggest slut in
Jerusalem.
IDBASH
Does the king know that?
HUSHAI
What if Uriah the Hittite finds out?
IDBASH
That his wife is a slut?
HUSHAI
That his wife has supposedly slept
with the king.
IDBASH
What can he do about it?
HUSHAI
Have you seen Uriah the Hittite?
(beat)
HUSHAI (cont'd)
And it's not even true. The king is
going to sleep with some peasant.
IDBASH
At least she's a pleasant peasant.
HUSHAI
Do you see where lying will get you?
IDBASH
No. Where?
HUSHAI
That's right. Nowhere.
IDBASH
What?
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Bathshua stands radiantly before David. The servant girl who
escorted her takes her leave.
DAVID
Bathsheba.
He moves to her, and takes her hands in his.
DAVID (cont'd)
Why does the wife of Uriah have
such hard-working hands?
A beat. Bathshua is nervous, unsure what to say.
BATHSHUA
(beat)
I was a shepherdess, before I met
Impot -
She catches herself. David looks at her curiously. She
seems to have a momentary mental block.
BATHSHUA (cont'd)
What's-his-name. Uriah.
David gently opens her robe. She wears nothing underneath.
DAVID
I used to be a shepherd myself . . .
He admires her full breasts.
DAVID (cont'd)
. . . in the hills of Bethlehem.
INT. A CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Hushai turns to Idbash as they stop by a lit torch on the
wall.
HUSHAI
You wait here till I give the word.
Hushai starts to go.
IDBASH
I don't like this, Hushai.
HUSHAI
If she stays in there too long, she
might start talking. The king
might find out who she is.
Idbash nods understandingly. Hushai turns to go.
IDBASH
Or at least find out who she isn't.
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
David and Bathshua are making love.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Idbash stands waiting by the wall torch as Hushai rejoins
him.
HUSHAI
He's had time enough. Start the
fire while I go around.
Idbash takes down the wall torch as Hushai moves off.
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Bathshua is lying in David's arms.
DAVID
How long have you been with Uriah?
BATHSHUA
(beat)
Oh, not very long.
DAVID
"He can't do it." Has he tried
love potions?
BATHSHUA
Oh yes. He's up to number nine.
(pause)
If only I could stay with you, O
king.
DAVID
Tell me, why would you like to stay
with me?
BATHSHUA
(beat)
How should I say it? . . .
(dreamily)
You can do it.
EXT. THE PALACE - NIGHT
Smoke is coming out of a window.
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Bathshua and David kiss as she lies in his arms.
BATHSHUA
My lord O king, if I were not
married to Uriah, could I be
one of your wives?
DAVID
Of course. You would be the
choicest one. With whom I would
have a new heir.
EXT. THE PALACE - NIGHT
PALACE GUARD #1, 25, sees the smoking window.
GUARD #1
Fire!
INT. DAVID'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
David doesn't see her conflicted look as Bathshua lies with
her head on his chest. They are obviously unaware of the
fire.
BATHSHUA
My lord the king . . .
DAVID
Yes?
BATHSHUA
What if I said to you -
HUSHAI (O.S.)
(from outside)
Fire!!
Hushai hurries in, shielding his eyes with one hand so as not
to see their nakedness.
HUSHAI (cont'd)
Fire, my lord, come! I will
get the lady outside!
EXT. FRONT ENTRANCE - PALACE - NIGHT
Bathshua, wearing the fine robe they gave her, is quickly
shown out by Hushai.
HUSHAI
Now you go ahead home.
The servant girl hands Hushai Bathshua's ragged clothes. As
Hushai passes them on:
HUSHAI (cont'd)
Here's your clothes.
Hushai turns to go back in.
BATHSHUA
Hushai . . . Tell my lord the
king . . .
HUSHAI
(impatiently)
Tell him what?
Bathshua starts to say something, but then sees Hushai's hard
look, as if he's warning her not to tell.
HUSHAI (cont'd)
(with sinister tone)
Tell him what.
A beat. Bathshua sighs.
BATHSHUA
That I had a nice time.
Bathshua turns to go. Hushai sighs too, in relief.
INT. A WINDOW IN CORRIDOR - NIGHT
PALACE GUARD #2, 30, throws another bucket of water on burnt,
smoking window drapes, while PALACE GUARD #3, 35, other
GUARDS, and Idbash stand by.
PALACE GUARD #3
All that smoke out the window,
thank God it was only drapes.
IDBASH
Someone probably got too close
with a torch.
As Guard #2 is looking at Idbash:
PALACE GUARD #2
I'd like to find the idiot who
did it.
EXT. A PASTURE - DAY
Humbly clad Bathshua, tending her few sheep, looks sadly off
at the distant walled city and palace.
INT. J'S QUARTERS - THE PALACE - DAY
An attractive, 40-ish woman, known as J, sits writing on
papyrus in her scroll-filled room.
She dresses quite sexily for a court historian - ample
cleavage, bare navel.
She throws a page into a large urn by the desk. She notes
Hushai pass by the open door.
J
Hushai!
Hushai enters.
HUSHAI
Good morning, J. Up working
early, I see.
J
That woman who slept with the
king last night. What is her
name?
HUSHAI
J, you're the court historian,
not some gossip-mongering -
J
(interrupting)
The king wishes everything in the
record. He will edit out what he
doesn't want later.
HUSHAI
Hmm. Fair enough. Her name is
Bathsheba.
Hushai now starts to get flirty.
HUSHAI (cont'd)
You know, I really like your
writing.
J
Do you?
Hushai gets a little closer, leaning on her desk.
HUSHAI
I read your account of the flood.
What a thriller. You're going to
make a name for yourself.
J
You think so?
HUSHAI
Sure. This could all go into a
great big book someday. It could be
quite a testicle. Uh, testament.
J
Hushai . . .
HUSHAI
Yeah?
J
Isn't Bathsheba the wife of Uriah
the Hittite?
Hushai looks let down by the question.
HUSHAI
Yeah. So what?
J
What if Uriah finds out?
HUSHAI
About the king and Bathsheba? What
can he do about it?
J
Have you seen Uriah the Hittite?
INT. HOME OF AMMIEL - DAY
The invalid Ammiel is watching Bathshua sadly grind their
grain with a mortar and pestle.
AMMIEL
You are too righteous, Bathshua.
Go to King David and tell him
the truth. You are married to
no one.
BATHSHUA
Father, his own men lied to him
- God knows why - and had me lie
too. About the wife of one of
his finest warriors. They can't
claim a mistake. It's too late.
AMMIEL
Perhaps you are right. These are
powerful men.
BATHSHUA
They're buffoons. But if I betray
them, I wouldn't live to be any
queen. And a dead daughter
couldn't take care of you.
Ammiel seems suddenly encouraged, realizing something.
AMMIEL
No, my child, you would not be
harmed. It's those men the king
would have killed.
BATHSHUA
Perhaps so. And could I live with
causing their deaths? As worthless
as they are?
AMMIEL
I don't see why not.
BATHSHUA
Father, the king might not want me
now anyway. It is best to forget
all about it.
BATHSHUA (cont'd)
(beat; wistfully)
Except that . . .
AMMIEL
What, my child?
A beat. As Bathshua goes about her work, she whispers to
herself:
BATHSHUA
He can do it.
EXT. THE HOME OF URIAH - DAY
It's pouring down rain.
SUPERIMPOSE:
1 MONTH LATER
INT. HOME OF URIAH - DAY
Bathsheba waits eagerly as a man comes in out of the rain,
his head covered with a dripping-wet cloak.
The man throws aside the cloak. He is Prince Absalom, his
long flowing hair still dry.
As they hungrily embrace:
BATHSHEBA
Absalom.
ABSALOM
Bathsheba.
A passionate kiss, then,
BATHSHEBA
What took you so long to come see
me?
ABSALOM
I didn't know Uriah wasn't here.
BATHSHEBA
It'll be so good to have a man for
a change.
ABSALOM
Uriah isn't a man?
BATHSHEBA
He can't do it.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Still raining, with thunder.
INT. A PRESENCE CHAMBER - DAY
David and Hushai are looking at plans for a temple, drawn on
leather. Across the room J sits writing.
Idbash enters to announce:
IDBASH
Nathan the prophet has arrived,
O king.
50-ish NATHAN, a shaggy-haired man in camel-hair clothing,
briskly walks in with a staff. He is soaking wet.
DAVID
Nathan . . .
NATHAN
My lord the king, I can explain.
DAVID
Explain what?
NATHAN
I predicted sunny skies.
DAVID
Never mind. I -
NATHAN
(interrupting)
It's El Nino, my lord.
HUSHAI
El what?
NATHAN
In a dream. I saw mudslides, and
the finger of God wrote El -
Nathan's gesturing hand knocks a vase off a stand and it
shatters on the floor.
An awkward beat, then, as if nothing happened,
DAVID
I want to build a temple, to house
the Ark of God.
Nathan quickly searches his cloak for something to write on.
NATHAN
A piece of papyrus, leather -
As Idbash hands him a piece of the vase and a pen:
IDBASH
How about a shard?
Nathan scribbles on the shard.
NATHAN
"A temple to house the ark."
(then)
How soon would you like a prediction?
DAVID
I don't want a prediction. I want
you to talk to God first and see
what he thinks.
NATHAN
I'll talk to God first.
HUSHAI
Don't put any words in his mouth.
NATHAN
(to Hushai)
One thing I do not do, my lord, is
speak only what the king likes to
hear.
HUSHAI
Of course not. Forgive me.
NATHAN
(to David)
How soon would the king like to
hear it?
DAVID
Tomorrow. Now begone. You're
getting that rug wet.
Nathan exits.
HUSHAI
You can't believe half what he says.
IDBASH
Or the other half either.
DAVID
(to J)
I want those snide remarks stricken
from the record.
J
Yes, my lord.
DAVID
Hushai . . .
HUSHAI
My lord the king.
DAVID
Send a man -
(to J)
Off the record too.
(to Hushai)
Send a man to the house of Uriah
the Hittite . . .
Hushai and Idbash exchange glances.
HUSHAI
The house of Uriah the Hittite.
DAVID
That's what I said. Do you need
a shard too?
HUSHAI
No, my lord.
DAVID
Tell Bathsheba I wish to see her
again. Tonight.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - DAY
Hushai and Idbash speak hurriedly,
IDBASH
What are we going to do?
HUSHAI
You're going to see that Bathshua
gets here.
IDBASH
The king wants Bathsheba.
HUSHAI
The king wants Bathshua, he just
thinks that he wants Bathsheba.
Hushai moves off. Idbash looks aggravated.
IDBASH
Bathsheba, Bathshua, Bath -
Idbash sees MOZA, 40, a bearded palace guard, passing by.
IDBASH (cont'd)
Moza!
Moza stops, Idbash goes to him.
IDBASH (cont'd)
Go to the house of Bathsheba.
Remember that girl?
MOZA
I, my lord?
IDBASH
Aye. Go tell her the king wishes
to see her again. Tonight.
Moza gets going. Idbash looks pleased with himself.
IDBASH (cont'd)
That takes care of my end.
EXT. HOME OF URIAH - REESTABLISHING - DAY
It's still raining.
INT. - HOME OF URIAH - DAY
Absalom lies with his head on the lap of Bathsheba, who
gently strokes his long hair.
BATHSHEBA
Absalom, why did you kill your half
brother Prince Amnon?
ABSALOM
For forcing himself on my sister
Tamar. Then throwing her out, like
she was so much garbage. Is that
not a good reason?
BATHSHEBA
He was also a rival. Perhaps you
killed him so that you might
inherit your father's throne.
ABSALOM
Is that not a good reason too?
A 30-ish FEMALE SERVANT appears.
FEMALE SERVANT
My lady, there's a man here from
the king.
Absalom sits up with surprise.
BATHSHEBA
The king?
ABSALOM
Father is finally to see me.
BATHSHEBA
How did he know you were here?
ABSALOM
Good question.
A moment later, Bathsheba appears at the door where Moza
impatiently waits in the rain.
MOZA
You are Bathsheba?
BATHSHEBA
Yes.
Absalom is listening out of sight. He's shocked to hear,
MOZA
The king wishes to see you again.
Tonight.
BATHSHEBA
What do you mean "again"? I've
never been with the king.
MOZA
Well you will be tonight. If
you know what's good for you.
Moza turns and leaves. Bathsheba goes to Absalom, who is
seething, though not at her.
BATHSHEBA
Absalom, I have never been with
your father.
ABSALOM
That royal bastard. Exiled for
three years, I'm here waiting for
him to lower himself to see me, and
what does he do? He sends for my
woman!
BATHSHEBA
He doesn't know I'm your woman.
Or does he?
Absalom is not listening. He is beside himself.
ABSALOM
I've had it. I'm heading south,
to Hebron.
BATHSHEBA
What for?
ABSALOM
An uprising. The tribes in the
south are fed up.
BATHSHEBA
Fed up with what?
ABSALOM
Big government. They've been
waiting for someone to lead a
revolt.
BATHSHEBA
You're going to lead them? Against
your own father?
ABSALOM
Exactly.
BATHSHEBA
Take me with you.
ABSALOM
If you don't show up tonight, the
king will -
BATHSHEBA
- do what? The king will not know
where I am.
ABSALOM
What about Uriah?
BATHSHEBA
Like I said, take me with you.
She looks at him hopefully, longingly. He needs no more
coaxing as she moves to him.
ABSALOM
What a woman.
They lock lips.
INT. A CHAMBER - ROYAL PALACE - DAY
Hushai and Idbash, drinking wine from silver goblets, sit
playing a board game. Idbash studies the board, then,
IDBASH
I've got it. The king's counselor
did it, with a slingshot, in the
clay-tablet library.
Hushai laughs derisively.
IDBASH (cont'd)
What.
HUSHAI
Who would sling a shot in a clay-
tablet library? You haven't got
a clue.
Moza comes in, still wet from the rain.
IDBASH
Moza, you saw Bathshua?
MOZA
I saw Bathsheba.
Hushai's eyes start to glaze over as he's listening.
IDBASH
No, not Bathsheba! Bathshua!
MOZA
You said Bathsheba!
IDBASH
I did not say -
Idbash stops, as he and Moza hear the sound of crunching
metal.
They look at Hushai, who has become so incensed by what he's
hearing that he is slowly, almost effortlessly crunching his
silver goblet with one bare hand.
Idbash swallows hard, then,
IDBASH (cont'd)
I didn't know you were that strong,
Hushai.
Hushai, glaring into space, keeps crunching.
HUSHAI
Ordinarily I'm not.
Go to Part 2Back to beginning of script
