The Gem of Paran | An Original Screenplay By @WendyyWolfe

Scene 6

EXT. TZEFAN'S CAMP - NIGHT

Temira, their sister, has seen them and a deep frown mar's
her lovely, dark-skinned features as she watches them run

away.

A dim light flickers and the darkness is illuminated by a
weak flame coming from the small lantern that Tzefan has
finally found. He peers into the darkness, his expression is
haggard, sorrowful.

TEMIRA
(sadly)
Come on. I will help you get them
back.

A wisp of long black hair falls over her shoulder.
She helps Tzefan to his feet.
They stand in the dim light facing each other, but Tzefan
sees the face of another. The face of the betrothed he left
behind in the Wilderness of Paran.

TZEFAN
(swallowing hard)
It's alright. You don't have to.
They'll find me pretty soon.

TEMIRA
How? They've been scattered
everywhere.

TZEFAN
Like this.
Tzefan carefully places a thin Flute to his lips and begins
to play a haunting melody that drifts into the surrounding
shadows.

FLUTE INSTRUMENTAL M.O.

Temira smiles. Closes her eyes. Enjoying the lilting tune.

Sometime later, when the music fades, she feels a nudge and

opening her eyes, she sees that indeed, all Tzefan's donkeys
have returned to encircle them.

Tzefan hears the slight tinkle of a bell and looks around
the herd. He finds the source. His expression hardens. It
is a bell tied to a donkey's tail.

He removes it, scowling.

TEMIRA
I'm sorry, Tzefan...it, it was my
brothers. They really don't mean
any harm-

TZEFAN
(interrupting
harshly)
Do you really believe that? They
hate me Temira.

TEMIRA
(sighs)
No, Tzefan, they're just not very
nice...

TZEFAN
(shaking head
while looking
down)
Do you also think I am stupid? I
am from Paran. I am desert trash
in their eyes. They want nothing
more than to drive me back to
where I am from. I have no place
among them.

TEMIRA
(takes his hand)
Of course, you do... you have as
much right as any one of them,
and,
(adding hopefully)
the very King himself hired you.
That must mean something.

TZEFAN
Your King is good to all men.
Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm
just not like them.

TEMIRA
(with passion)
Your better! Better than all of
them. They would do well to have
just a little of your maturity
and...

Temira struggles to find the right word.

Tzefan waits uncomfortably for her to finish.

TZEFAN
And what?

TEMIRA
(frustrated sigh)
I don't know...

Eyes aglitter with pain, Tzefan kicks the ground and walks
off.

TEMIRA
(reaching out for
his arm again)
Don't go Tzefan, it's not

important to be like others.

He shrugs her off but turns around slightly.

TEMIRA
(pleading)
Tzefan.

TZEFAN
(giving her a

stern look)

Go Temira. Go back to your goats.
Besides, it's not good for you to
be here with me, alone. It will,
tarnish your reputation.

Tzefan disappears into the darkness carrying his lantern
with him.
His donkeys follow.

Dedicated to @HeideHunt