Kings

Kings



Year:
2009
643 Views

King Silas Benjamin:
[walking with Rev. Samuels through a supermarket] There's no pleasure in being told your favorite is your enemy... Tomato - still quietly a nightshade.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
He is not your enemy, Silas; you know that. You have a chance to end this, now - make it right.

King Silas Benjamin:
Whatever your visions...

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
He is only becoming what he is meant to be, what God intends for this nation.

King Silas Benjamin:
Well then, He didn't tell me.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Change is coming, Silas - you were supposed to foster it, to nurture it, to see the future improve upon the past. Now, you can still have your part, but *don't*.

[Silas starts to walk away, but Rev. Samuels strikes his hand against the produce case, causing all the lights to go out]

King Silas Benjamin:
Oh, so that's it - change from arcana to tricks?

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Don't give God reason to tear from you this kingdom. I have known you to be a man to make mistakes in the name of... vanity - but never a villain.

King Silas Benjamin:
There was a time, once, not far from memory, when you lost what was most dear to you. And you asked me that those responsible for the death of your wife not be just punished, not be just killed, but that all memory of their existence on earth be swept clean. And you asked not with the countenance of God, nor magic hands - just as a broken man seeking revenge... and your friend did that for you, and you thanked him for it. So who are you now, to ask that friend not to exact revenge on those that would take from him?... Be the lamb, or be the knife; try to be both, you'll end up slaughtering yourself.

[David had been abducted from his prison cell, and suddenly finds himself deposited in a field where Rev. Samuels waits]

David Shepherd:
...I don't understand.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
It's all been arranged; a plane is waiting. We have friends in other countries, until it's safe for you.

David Shepherd:
You want me to run?

William Cross:
[suddenly speaking from his car] Only if you want to live. Your death is a foregone conclusion; Silas is only waiting to sell the last few believers on his version of your truth.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Which is why we must protect you, David.

William Cross:
Silas won't be around for long - we need to keep you safe, so he doesn't kill you first.

David Shepherd:
Why are you so sure he won't be around for long?

William Cross:
[getting out of his car, he approaches David] The problem with great men is they don't always die at their best; some live to make mistakes which outlive their accomplishments.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Come on, David.

David Shepherd:
[pulling away from Rev. Samuels] No... If I go with you, everything Silas says about me is true.

William Cross:
You're worried about his good opinion of you?

David Shepherd:
I'm worried about my own... I'm no traitor.

William Cross:
You'd rather die than be misperceived? Careful, David; you never wanna be *too* good.

William Cross:
[to his men]... You heard him; rush the man back to his execution.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
...David...

David Shepherd:
You, of all...

David Shepherd:
[he removes the wristwatch which Rev. Samuels gave him after anointing him, and returns it] If I *do* die, it shouldn't be while wearing this.

King Silas Benjamin:
Captain David Shepherd - you have stood before this court protesting your innocence. Now, having heard the weight of evidence against you, and knowing the penalty of guilt... how do you plead?

David Shepherd:
...Guilty.

[gasps ripple through the court]

David Shepherd:
I stand before you, prepared to elaborate on my crime.

Jack Benjamin:
Stop talking, David.

King Silas Benjamin:
[startled] You're out of order, major.

David Shepherd:
I'm guilty.

Jack Benjamin:
No, he's not!

King Silas Benjamin:
The prosecution will stand down...

Jack Benjamin:
I can't go along with this anymore; this was all a set-up. David Shepherd was framed. He's not a traitor - I am; Silas is.

King Silas Benjamin:
Silence!

Jack Benjamin:
There's been silence for too long. I am guilty - but not more so than my father, who colluded to have David found a traitor, when he is anything but.

King Silas Benjamin:
Shut up!

Jack Benjamin:
King Silas framed this entire case, coerced witnesses, faked evidence, convinced me to lie against David. But I see now that David is a better man than the rest of us - innocent, deserving respect.

King Silas Benjamin:
What do you know about respect? You never had it, you never give it!

Jack Benjamin:
He's innocent; it's over!

King Silas Benjamin:
He's admitted guilt!

Jack Benjamin:
You're no king.

King Silas Benjamin:
And you're no prince, you f*ggot!... Guards - arrest Major Benjamin now! David Shepherd - you are guilty of treason! Take him away - take him away!

David Shepherd:
You lied - to everyone.

King Silas Benjamin:
You're a traitor - you're both traitors; you're all traitors!

King Vesper Abaddon:
You got yourself here; it's time to change - or die. You have to learn to live without air, and for you air is adoration.

King Silas Benjamin:
Oh, is it wrong to seek the opinion of the people?

King Vesper Abaddon:
Of course it is; you're the best thing for them, and they don't know it. That's right - what would they have without Silas?

King Silas Benjamin:
You.

King Vesper Abaddon:
You see? They owe you; stop trying to win their approval. It is better to be feared than loved - necessary. Maybe you once brought your country into a new day, but that day is done; now, you rule by night.

[cut to Jack discussing plans with William Cross]

King Silas Benjamin:
My son...

King Vesper Abaddon:
Hang 'im.

King Silas Benjamin:
My peace...

King Vesper Abaddon:
You wanna give Gath the land, do it. Those for, plant in front of the cameras; those against, plant in the dirt.

King Silas Benjamin:
That simple?

King Vesper Abaddon:
Don't hide it - let the sun dapple the whole damn mess. And anyone still plotting against you will do it slipping in a blood puddle.

King Silas Benjamin:
I'm trying to win my people back, not get them to hate me more; they already think me a tyrant.

King Vesper Abaddon:
I know you, Silas, better than anyone. My worst enemy - now, my only friend. You're no tyrant... but you could be - if you tried.

[cut to William conferring with his son Andrew]

King Silas Benjamin:
And Shepherd?

King Vesper Abaddon:
You need to kill him - and soon.

King Silas Benjamin:
He's watched over. How do you kill someone whom God protects?

King Vesper Abaddon:
Easy - with a bullet.

King Vesper Abaddon:
[speaking to David through the prison vent] Are you *really* not gonna eat any of that? I can smell the meat from here... oh, shame to waste steak.

[he tosses a string with a hook through the vent, and David attaches the steak and sends it through]

King Vesper Abaddon:
Aaah... thank you. Mmm... The girl?

David Shepherd:
The king's daughter.

King Vesper Abaddon:
Oooh - not bad.

David Shepherd:
Doesn't matter; the king, in all his wisdom, set me up to die any minute.

King Vesper Abaddon:
That was my idea; sorry about that, David.

David Shepherd:
You know who I am?

King Vesper Abaddon:
Oh, I know lots about you. You gave me back my mind. I was asleep for a long time; I talked to weevils in my mash, filled books with garbage - and then you came, rose like the sun, and outshone the world's brightest star. And then he came to me, and I told him - heh, I told him to blot you out, bring back the night, to turn into me... and he listened! And in helping him, I got my mind back. At some point he'll realize that I was up to no good, and boy, will he be mad!

David Shepherd:
Who are you?

King Vesper Abaddon:
I... am the king.

David Shepherd:
[dismissing the idea as a prisoner's delusion] You're a prisoner.

King Vesper Abaddon:
I don't suppose they tell in school of Vesper Abaddon?

David Shepherd:
Only about his atrocities.

King Vesper Abaddon:
Hmm - interesting fellow, with his faults. If he were alive, he'd probably tell you that there is nothing to be afraid of in death... Were you loved, David?

David Shepherd:
I'm not sure.

King Vesper Abaddon:
You were; I saw. That's someone whose heart will die when you do. It's lucky - even if it was just skyfire-fast... Since I owe you double, let me give you a parting gift - your obol coin in the mouth:... It is always better to be loved than feared. Some of us made the mistake the other way, and it does not go well. Die loved, you die happy.

David Shepherd:
I'd rather live miserable.

King Vesper Abaddon:
I like you!

Jack Benjamin:
They took from us our best. But we can not let the work of rogues impede my father's best ambition - peace. To that end, let it be said, let it be known, let it be remembered that I, on the day of my melancholy ascension, saw through that goal. But we needn't give up our land to achieve that peace; we can reach out to Gath...

William Cross:
[unable to contain his impatience] Enough! We suffered enough peacock speeches under him; if there's to be change, let's start there. I don't speak the backwards language of kings, so I'll talk plain: Silas is dead, killed by Gath assassins. The media will confirm the story today. Jack will be king; his first order will be to avenge his father's murder. Gath has never wanted peace with us; they want war, and we will give it to them. Ready our planes to strike.

Jack Benjamin:
No.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Perhaps we should wait, mourn our loss - not let grief cloud our good judgment.

David Shepherd:
The country doesn't want this.

William Cross:
They will, when we're attacked. And Gath will strike, right here in Shiloh - you can count on it.

Jack Benjamin:
No; war is not the answer. As king...

William Cross:
Sit down, Jack.

[a soldier steps behind Jack and places his hand on his shoulder, pressing him into his seat]

William Cross:
The reverend was right; grief clouds judgment. Our heir apparent has had a traumatic day, so until he has recovered properly and mourned his loss, I'll help make his essential decisions.

Queen Rose Benjamin:
*You* did this.

William Cross:
I've allied the media, the military, now our new king, all to this purpose.

Queen Rose Benjamin:
And you used my son!

William Cross:
Neither you, nor he, nor any vagrant opinion will interrupt what - God, you've got *me* doing it! We attack - today!

Andrew Cross:
Father...

William Cross:
What?

Andrew Cross:
They found his ambulance; there's no sign of him.

William Cross:
Who?

Andrew Cross:
Silas... he's gone.

King Silas Benjamin:
You *can* drink with people you hate; life's taught me that much. Come on - might be your last.

David Shepherd:
[sitting down opposite Silas]... So that's it, then - we die tomorrow.

King Silas Benjamin:
Odds are not in our favor... Not like the old days - then I was sure. I'd ask the outcome of a battle, and He'd answer in thunder and the answer would always be "yes".

David Shepherd:
No answer tonight?

King Silas Benjamin:
Not for some time.

King Silas Benjamin:
[heavenward] Hey, maybe we can help You out a little.

King Silas Benjamin:
[pouring a third shot glass at the table] Just let us know You're listening out there, and that You exist and that You care a little for the back-and-forthings of we tiny men, and that success - or death - in the outcome of battle mean a little out there in the sparkly quintessence... Just knock the glass over. An infant could do it; a breeze... No?... I guess we're on our own.

David Shepherd:
Maybe He doesn't talk to bastards.

King Silas Benjamin:
And here I thought we were getting along so well.

David Shepherd:
I know you - too well now. I'll help you tomorrow; I'll probably die, too... But I'll do it, because the people need you. They have a chance at peace with you.

King Silas Benjamin:
[as they get up to leave] If we do survive, I owe you more than apologies - I wronged you.

David Shepherd:
The minute I see you in your chair, I'm outta here. I don't wanna see any of you again.

King Silas Benjamin:
...Do that.

David Shepherd:
Just promise me one thing: If God ever does speak to you again, you'll listen.

[Silas quietly nods, and the two men leave the room... not noticing that the third shot glass has been knocked over]

David Shepherd:
You said I could go home.

King Silas Benjamin:
You were asked for... It seems God has plans other than you might have wanted; get used to that... He spoke to me again; He told me... you were meant to take my place.

David Shepherd:
Me?

[Silas nods]

David Shepherd:
No... no, I - I'm no king.

King Silas Benjamin:
It's not up to you, either.

David Shepherd:
But why?

King Silas Benjamin:
[exasperated] I don't know why. Because you're good? I've been good. Because you're young? I was young too; oh, I gave Him that - everything He ever asked for. But now He turns away, loves *you*.

David Shepherd:
I don't know that He does.

King Silas Benjamin:
...You have His favor! I doubt I could have escaped the traps I laid for you. You never knew what you were being given; but now - now I see. How long has He been whispering in your ear?

David Shepherd:
He hasn't.

King Silas Benjamin:
No? You didn't feel anything? Hm? Before your butterfly crown? After? Don't lie to me!

David Shepherd:
I never asked for anything!

King Silas Benjamin:
...He did come to you - offered himself behind my back, yours for the taking. Shameful - the two of you laughing at me.

David Shepherd:
No; God loved you - and so did I!

King Silas Benjamin:
[he throws his drink at Shepherd and tackles him] Listen to your lies? While you were playing me? The old fool - huh? Is that what you thought? Huh? Is that what you thought? God looked me in the eye - and lied to me! You backstabbing, cheating whore!

[David gets out from under Silas and begins punching him]

David Shepherd:
You're jealous! That's why He left you! Maybe I *should* be king! Maybe I should!

[last lines]

Queen Rose Benjamin:
An issuance of the king: For her acts of treason in support of her brother, Michelle Benjamin is ordered exiled from Gilboa - stripped of any rights as citizen or noble, removed from all our lands, and kept from any company but her own for a period of no less than one year.

Michelle Benjamin:
What are you talking about?

Queen Rose Benjamin:
[whispering] I told you I would take care of everything.

[Michelle is removed by two soldiers]

King Silas Benjamin:
All our plans...

Queen Rose Benjamin:
We'll make new ones... We'll be young again; everything there is to fight for began with you. You're the stone center; you're Silas.

King Silas Benjamin:
Yes...

Queen Rose Benjamin:
And nothing can take the future from this family.

King Silas Benjamin:
Nothing?

[Rose exits]

King Silas Benjamin:
...Least of all David Shepherd.

[Rev. Samuels' ghost appears behind Silas]

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Let him go, Silas.

King Silas Benjamin:
I will find David; I will hunt him down, and when his dead body lays at my feet I'll come for you for your part in this.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Killing David will not keep you king.

King Silas Benjamin:
At least God will know I'm angry.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
He's gone, Silas - where you can not find him. His family is safe, too. Nothing can stop God's plan.

King Silas Benjamin:
I travel that path no more; I'm a sinner now. He wants peace, I want war - God and I are now constant enemies.

Rev. Ephram Samuels:
Then I bring a message from the enemy: Do not search too hard for my servant, for the day you lay a hand on him... will be the day that you die.

King Silas Benjamin:
Oh, is that what He says? Well, take a message back to Him: We are at war.


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