The Gem of Paran | An Original Screenplay By @WendyyWolfe

Scene 15

EXT COUNTRYSIDE DAY

LOVE WILL BRING YOU BACK. M.O. BY KYLA.

BEGIN SAMEH'S MEMORY MONTAGE TO LOVE WILL BRING YOU BACK BY
KYLA.

Sameh stands with the early morning sun all around her and
begins to see quick images of she and Tzefan growing up
together. Once when they were very young and are playing by
a river she stumps her toe on a rock and he laughs but
quickly comforts her with a flower. She smiles forgetting
all about her toe. Another time we see them running
together, holding hands and entering a vineyard where they
pick grapes. At another age we see Sameh struggling with
large clay water jugs on a wooden yoke across her shoulders
and Tzefan runs up and takes them on his own shoulders as
Sameh watches him in admiration. As they become older, we see
them shyly hold hands and kiss beneath a full moon, then
Sameh's sad face as Tzefan and his father argue and he
leaves running, from their family tent. She runs after him
but he won't look back. She stands in the shimmering desert
sun alone.

END MEMORY MONTAGE.

EXT. SHEEP CAMP - DAY

Presently Solomon spies a sheep camp and heads for it. He
enters unnoticed. The activity is bustling and Solomon
blends right in, finding a place to rest among the shepherds
while eating a leg of mutton from one of the cook fires. As
he munches he HEARS SOME ARGUING.

EXT. SHEEPCAMP ARGUMENT - DAY

RAVEED
I thought I told you to stay home,
and tend the vineyards!

Raveed turns to Nuri.

RAVEED
Didn't I tell you to keep her
home!

TEMIRA
I don't want to work in the
vineyards!

They both ignore Temira, and she throws up her arms in
frustration.

NURI
Yes! You did! But how am I to
force her, She does whatever she
wants!

JAPHET
We both told her Raveed! Don't
blame us, blame her mother! She
let's her get away with murder!

RAVEED
Idiots! It's up to us, not
mother!

TEMIRA
(vehemently)
Don't talk about me like I'm not
here...you're not my boss Raveed!
None of you! I-

RAVEED
Shut up Temira! You don't know
what is good for you! You cannot
stay out of trouble! Always
hounding after that donkey keeper!
I saw you with him again this
morning!

A huge argument ensues between the four of them.

EXT. SOLOMON SHEEPCAMP ARGUEMENT - DAY

Before he realizes it, Solomon is swept into the moment and
comes to defend the shepherd girl's honor. Covering his
face with his scarf, he stands up. As he steps into the
circle, an ELDER SHEPHERD, MICAH, takes his arm.

MICAH
It's no use, you won't change
anything. They've been at it for
years. Don't worry, we'll pick up
the pieces for her later...

Micah trails off as Solomon turns, giving him a threatening
stare.

Micah's arm drops to his side and Solomon steps in.

SOLOMON
(forceful, booming)
Silence!

Silence falls upon them, and a hot desert wind blows around
their feet. Temira backs away. Raveed, Nuri and Japhet
square off to see who would have the disrespect to interfere
in their family dispute. Solomon towers over them but it
doesn't stop Raveed from confronting him unknowingly.

RAVEED
This is none of your business, she
is our sister and we don't need
help controlling her!

SOLOMON
You are disturbing my rest and it
is clear...you don't have control
of anything.
(Solomon turns to
Temira)
What is this about?

TEMIRA
(carefully, while
watching her
brother from the
side of her eyes,
then quickly
before she
changes her mind)
They, they want me to stay home
and work the vineyards! But I keep
the goats...

Raveed grabs her arm.

RAVEED
Not today you don't keep the
goats. I will take you home
myself!
(he glares at
Solomon)
It is not her choice.

Raveed and Temira struggle, pulling each other back and
forth.

SOLOMON
Nor yours! Let her go.

Solomon approaches Raveed menacingly.

Raveed releases Temira.

She scampers into the safety of Micah's arms as
Solomon, Raveed, Nuri and Japhet fall into fists. Solomon
easily overcomes them and warns them sternly to leave her
alone for once and all.

The three of them skulk off to lick their wounds and grumble
together how best to get vengeance on the overly
authoritative stranger, never realizing it is their newly
appointed king.