The Gem of Paran | An Original Screenplay By @WendyyWolfe

Scene 31

INT. SOLOMONS QUARTERS - DAY

Reentering the room, the atmosphere changes to one of
extreme urgency. Solomon claps his hands loudly.

SOLOMON
SERVANT!

ZIV, a brown skinned man runs in and bows.

ZIV
Master?
(bowing)

SOLOMON
Escort Prince Tzefan-Yah down to
his family, and stay with him as
his personal attendant.

ZIV
As you wish.
(bowing)
One more thing, master.

SOLOMON
Make it fast.

ZIV
(bowing)
Yes master, thank you. Jonathon,
is requesting an audience with you
immediately.

SOLOMON
No such luck for him. My time is
limited at the moment. Tell him I
will arrange a meeting...
tomorrow...IF I have time.
(raises brow)
And Ziv...

ZIV
(bowing)
Yes master.

SOLOMON
(half smile)
You can kill the bowing just any
time now.

Ziv stops in mid bow looking sheepish.

ZIV
Forgive me master. Shall we be
dismissed?

SOLOMON
By all means.
(turning to Tzefan)
Prince Tzefan-Yah, you and your
family will be our guests, until
further notice.

TZEFAN
As you wish my lord.
(bowing with a
roguish grin)

Ziv discreetly looks away with a hidden smile. Solomon
stares.

SOLOMON
Right.

INT. PALACE HALLWAY - DAY

Tzefan follows Ziv throughout the palace and nearing the
courtyard he slows down as he hears the booming voice of his
father SINGING A SONG. It is a song Ahmed taught them all
to sing when Tzefan was a little boy and Tzefan motions for
Ziv to be dismissed while he listens for a moment. Ziv
hurries off to bring the King's message to Jonathon.

EXT. OPEN AIR COURTYARD - DAY

AHMED
(singing O.S.)
THE MORE YOU FIGHT TO BE NO
ONE,
THE MORE SOMEONE YOU BECOME!

Ahmed, Lilah, Azhara and Sameh have been in the courtyard
waiting for Tzefan. They are all filled with nervous
tension, not knowing how Tzefan will react to the situation,
so, as a distraction, Ahmed has started singing an old song
they have sung together for years with each having their own
verse. As Tzefan's part comes up they start to skip over
it but instead they hear a baritone voice from somewhere
inside the palace. They all turn toward the direction of
the SINGING.

TZEFAN
(singing loudly
from his hiding
place)
NEVER REALLY WANTED RICHES OR
FAME!
ONLY WANTED FREEDOM AND
TO HAVE A GOOD NAME!

LILAH
(with tears
shaking voice)
FOR RICHES AND WEALTH, WELL,
LIKE THE WINKING OF AN EYE,
THEY'RE GONE WITH YESTERDAY,
FADING WITH TIME.

As Azhara starts her verse, Tzefan walks out.

AZHARA
A GOOD NAME IS A TOKEN, MORE
COSTLY THAN PRECIOUS GEMS!
IT'S PROMISE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU,
GRASPING FOR THE WIND!

Lilah and Azhara run for Tzefan, Ahmed and Sameh wait back,
and their eyes caress everything about him. After his
mother and sister have embraced him they step aside and he
walks to his father and kisses him on both cheeks. Ahmed's
eyes sparkle with unshed tears. Then, further back, Sameh.
They behold each other for a long time, and finally, Tzefan
walks up to her trembling small frame. He takes her in a
strong grasp, nestling her against himself and then, as she
looks into his eyes, he kisses her.

Ahmed openly weeps.

AHMED
My son has come home.

AZHARA
(sprightly)
And he's brought his good name
with him!

Everyone laughs and Tzefan hugs Azhara again.