The Gem of Paran | An Original Screenplay By @WendyyWolfe

Scene 11

EXT. ROAD TO THE CITY - DAY

With the morning sun at his back, Tzefan rests against a

gnarled tree near a bubbling stream, playing his Flute. Three
elder shepherds, MICAH, KESTOR, and AMI-EL, approaching on
the way to the Coronation pause to chat with him.

MICAH
(happily)
Well look, Kestor, Ami-el, it's
master Tzefan. You're on the wrong
side of the wall aren't you now,
son?

Tzefan stops playing his lute and looks at the three of them
questioningly.

TZEFAN
What do you mean?

MICAH
Shouldn't you be inside the city
today young master?

Kestor and Ami-el snicker.

MICAH
There is a big speech today you
know. Pretty important. Why
look, the whole country has turned
out...

Micah sweeps his arm dramatically and smiles.

TZEFAN
(rolls eyes)
I'm not going.

MICAH
Oh hogwash, what have you got to
lose? Of course, you're going to the
King's party, you can join us,
we'll show ya the ropes! C-mon
fella's help him up.

Kestor and Ami-el each take a side and pull Tzefan up by the
arms.

Tzefan looks back and forth at them warily, unsure of their
motives. They seem sincere so he carefully proceeds with
them toward the gates of the city, placing his Flute in his
shoulder pack.

Falling into step together and melding into the throng the
three of them converse with Tzefan who responds only
sparingly.

MICAH
Why don't you tell us about
yourself young master?

TZEFAN
Mmmm, it wouldn't be much to talk
about.

AMI-EL
Aww, everyone has some story to
tell, c-mon tell us yours.

TZEFAN
(sighs)
Really, there's nothing to tell.

Micah gazes at him compassionately.

MICAH
What are you hiding then, master
Tzefan?

Tzefan stumbles over his steps, almost stopping. Kestor and
Ami-el take his arms and pull him right along never missing
a step with Micah.

MICAH
At my age I've learned when a man
has no story to tell, usually
means he's hiding something.

TZEFAN
(rising temper)
Well, I'm hiding nothing. And if I
were I'd not be telling it to the
likes of you three.

MICAH
(looking hurt)
You've cut us to the quick. What
harm have we done ya, except to
make you feel welcome?

TZEFAN
You- you've insulted my honor.

MICAH
What honor would that be boy?
You've let Jehdeiah and most all
the boys treat you any way they
liked...

(winking)
and the girls, well, there's
whispers about you.

TZEFAN
(beating chest
with every word)
Bite your tongue old man! I tell
you, I've nothing to hide!

(huffily)
And I don't care what they think
of me!

MICAH
(grinning)
Now there's a manly response, ay
boys.

Kestor and Ami-el smile and shrug.

MICAH
Don't lose a tooth master, I was
just trying to help...inform you,
of the situation at hand. Give
you some much needed advice.

TZEFAN
I don't need your advice. I don't
need anything.

MICAH
(bowing)
As you wish young master.

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY

Entering the city, they pass a Vegetable Vendor. Micah
reaches out and filches a carrot bunch. The vendor raises
his fist in anger. Kestor tosses the man a coin, vendor
bites it to see if it is good. Micah hands a carrot to each
of them and as they munch, they begin to take in the sights
and sounds of the crowded marketplace. Micah makes up a
little song as they walk.

BEGIN CITY STREET MONTAGE (EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING).

THE MARKET PLACE.

MICAH
(singing baritone)
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A KING
WITHOUT A QUEEN?!
OR A BIRD IN FLIGHT
WITHOUT A WING?
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING!

Micah, Kestor and Ami-el wind their way through the crowded
market streets bobbing their heads to the beat of the song.
Tzefan just walks looking sheepish.

MICAH
(singing)
HAVE YOU EVER CAUGHT A FISH
WITHOUT A HOOK?
WITHOUT THE WATER,
WHERE WOULD BE THE BROOK?
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING...

Dodging little children, dogs, cats, mice, chickens, and
Hawkers hollering.

MICAH
(singing)
A MAN WITHOUT A NEED
IS A FOOLISH THING INDEED!
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING!

Micah stops to sing to an Old Woman sitting on a blanket
selling spices.

MICAH
(singing)
IT WAS PROVEN HEAVENS DARK
WITHOUT THE LIGHT OF MOON AND
STARS....
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING!

She gives them a toothless grin and blows them a kiss. Micah
blows one back to her, smiling. They walk on, now entering
the commons full of people.

MICAH
(singing)
NEED I SAY ONE THING MORE?
WISDOM'S RIGHT, YOU KNOW THE
SCORE!
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING!

Kestor and Ami-el now join Micah singing the chorus.

A small crowd gathers encircling them and clapping to the beat
of the song. Tzefan looks at the faces of the people, and as
his eyes rove across the sea of faces the eyes of a girl,
her face hidden by a veil captures his attention. He snaps
his head back around thinking it is Sameh, but the girl he
saw is gone and the crowd presses in.

Tzefan desperately searches the crowd for her, as Micah ends
the song.

MICAH
(singing)
EVERY-ONE-NEEDS-SOMETHING!
SOME-THING'S-A-THING
THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS!
I NEED!
YOU NEED!
WE ALL NEED...SOMETHING!

END MARKET PLACE MONTAGE.

EXT. COLUMN STEPS - DAY

Everyone laughs except Tzefan, and pressing through the
throng Micah finds a shaded spot on the tremendous column
steps as close as they can get to the King's High Court.