Chapter 29: Stella Splendens
FROM A BALCONY WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A BUSTLING MARKETPLACE AND THE MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER. WE ARE IN JERUSALEM. THE YEAR IS 1399. SOMEONE PLAYS A LUTE FROM THE BALCONY.
SONG: STELLA SPLENDENS.
THE SONG IS INTERRUPTED BY A METEOR STREAKING THROUGH THE SKY. WE HEAR A DISTANT EXPLOSION BEHIND THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS.
THE SONG CONTINUES PLAYING AS WE MOVE TO THE NEXT MORNING. A LARGE IRON KNOCKER HITS A LARGE WOODEN DOOR. AFTER A MOMENT WE HEAR THE KNOCKING AGAIN.
YOSEF
(From behind the door.)
Terric! Terric, open up, my friend.
THE LARGE DOOR OPENS.
TERRIC
I do not believe we had business today, Yosef.
YOSEF
We do not, we do not. May I come in?
TERRIC
Of course.
YOSEF
How have you been?
TERRIC
Did I not see you yesterday, Yosef?
YOSEF
Yes, of course. My mistake.
TERRIC
To what do I owe this pleasure?
YOSEF
Many an interesting tale here in Yerushalem.
TERRIC
True, it is a very interesting place.
YOSEF
Barquq has died.
TERRIC
I have heard this.
YOSEF
You have heard this?
TERRIC
I heard this in the market just this morning.
YOSEF
I do not like it when you get the news not from me.
TERRIC
I apologize.
YOSEF
Zuzanna is very worried about this.
TERRIC
As I recall your wife is, at all times, worried about all things.
YOSEF
With Barquq dead, his son inherits the kingdom. His son is only aged eleven years. Now I am hearing rumors of the Ottomans coming in from the East.
TERRIC
The Ottomans will stay where they are.
YOSEF
You think?
TERRIC
To take this city you must be up for a climb, and the Mamluks are already here so why bother?
YOSEF
Very well, very well.
TERRIC
Is this why you’ve come today? To warn me of the Ottomans?
YOSEF
I require your assistance.
TERRIC
Interesting, that’s usually the other way round.
YOSEF
Yes... strange things happening outside the city today.
TERRIC
Oh?
YOSEF
I was born in this city. Have lived in this city for all of my life. Somewhere along the way I have become a person that people come to when there are strange goings on.
TERRIC
This I know.
YOSEF
Two shepherds outside the city, they have come upon something strange and ask for my assistance.
TERRIC
And?
YOSEF
I cannot give them my assistance.
TERRIC
Why?
YOSEF
It is a woman.
TERRIC
A woman.
YOSEF
They have found a woman outside the city.
TERRIC
Found? Explain what you mean by found.
YOSEF
She is... I find this hard to explain, perhaps we should depart. See for ourselves.
TERRIC
Is she lost?
YOSEF
She is most definitely lost.
TERRIC
She is most likely a pilgrim. Strayed from her congregation and found herself outside the city. How do you need my assistance?
YOSEF
... She is a woman alone.
TERRIC
As you’ve said.
YOSEF
I am... a married man. The shepherds are married men. We are pious men. Men of God.
TERRIC
... You must be joking.
YOSEF
I am not.
TERRIC
You have come to me on this day because there is a single woman in the countryside.
YOSEF
Yes.
TERRIC
And you, as a pious, married, man, cannot be alone with a woman.
YOSEF
Yes.
TERRIC
Whereas I, an unmarried man and a Christian, can be alone with a woman without receiving God’s displeasure.
YOSEF
I imagine you will still receive his displeasure, but you don’t seem to mind too much.
TERRIC
What do you expect me to do about a mysterious single woman in the countryside?
YOSEF
It will take us quite some time to get there, we shall discover a solution along the way.
TERRIC
A solution. Yosef I have yet to see what the problem is. There is a woman outside the city, what is the crisis?
YOSEF
She is... She is unusual.
TERRIC
In what sense?
YOSEF
Her hair is the color of flames.
TERRIC
That’s not unusual. At least not in my part of the world.
YOSEF
Yes, but in the countryside around the city, they grow worried of her presence. There is talk of witchcraft.
TERRIC
There is always talk of witchcraft in the countryside, in fact that is all there is talk of in the countryside.
YOSEF
What of the... do not you English have something? What is it? Chivalry?
TERRIC
I’m not a knight, I’m a scholar.
YOSEF
Terric. It is a woman alone. Let us be men.
TERRIC
... Unfortunately my curiosity has been awakened.
YOSEF
As I knew it would be.
TERRIC
Very well, Yosef. Let us go see a strange woman in the countryside.
WE MOVE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. THERE IS NOW A SMALL CROWD OF PEOPLE SPEAKING ARABIC.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
Well. There she is.
YOSEF
She was found in this field by the shepherds. She has been lying there with her face to the ground throughout the day.
TERRIC
That’s the reddest hair I’ve ever seen. You haven’t seen her face?
YOSEF
She will not raise her eyes.
TERRIC
So you’ve all just stood here?
YOSEF
The situation is more complex than you know, but perhaps you should first try and speak with her.
TERRIC
The fact that you think your God would look unfavorably on you for giving assistance to a woman who is obviously in need of it is simply ridiculous.
YOSEF
Yes, but I know I have my friend Terric, so I can remain pious and also help her through you.
TERRIC
Throughout the day she has been here, Yosef.
YOSEF
And her suffering soon shall end because you have arrived.
TERRIC
... Give me that skin of water.
TERRIC SLOWLY APPROACHES, MOVING THROUGH THE GRASS IN THE FIELD.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
My lady.
CLEMENTINE
Who are you?
TERRIC
I am Terric of York. I have water.
CLEMENTINE
I’m not thirsty.
TERRIC
You’ve been in the sun all day.
CLEMENTINE
I’m not.
TERRIC
... May I see your face?
CLEMENTINE
No.
TERRIC
Have you been injured?
CLEMENTINE
I... I can’t look up.
TERRIC
Why can you not?
CLEMENTINE
The... the sky. I can’t look at the sky.
TERRIC
You cannot look at the sky.
CLEMENTINE
If I look at the sky I get dizzy and fall down.
TERRIC
Are you ill?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know.
YOSEF APPROACHES.
YOSEF
Well met to you, my lady.
TERRIC
Now you approach?
YOSEF
She is not alone, now I approach.
TERRIC
She won’t take water and is unable to rise.
YOSEF
She must though. There is an urgency to what we do.
TERRIC
Why?
YOSEF
I may not have been entirely honest back at your home.
TERRIC
What is it?
YOSEF
They have come from surrounding farms to see this woman. They are very concerned she is a bad omen.
TERRIC
Wonderful.
YOSEF
I may have assured them that you are going to take this woman and return with her to your homeland.
TERRIC
My homeland.
YOSEF
Yes.
TERRIC
Of England.
YOSEF
Yes.
TERRIC
There is one problem with this endeavor, Yosef.
YOSEF
That you are not, in fact, returning to your homeland?
TERRIC
Yes.
YOSEF
All the same, I think we should make a show of it. We shall pretend you are taking her away, but we shall go around the mountain the long way and then take her into the city.
TERRIC
I see that lies are completely accepted by your God.
YOSEF
I shall work such things out with Hashem. I have a covered wagon for us, we should leave. They are becoming very upset.
TERRIC
... Bring the wagon round.
YOSEF
You are a good man, Terric.
YOSEF RUNS OFF.
TERRIC
My I ask your name?
CLEMENTINE
Go ahead.
TERRIC
... What is your name?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know.
TERRIC
You don’t know your name?
CLEMENTINE
I can’t remember anything.
TERRIC
Oh my. My lady, we must depart.
CLEMENTINE
Where?
TERRIC
I will... take you back to my home in the city.
CLEMENTINE
I can’t even take two steps without falling.
TERRIC
Then I shall carry you.
LATER. TERRIC AND CLEMENTINE SIT IN THE BACK OF THE COVERED WAGON AS IT TRAVELS THE LONG WAY HOME.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
Does the covered wagon help?
CLEMENTINE
Yes, thank you.
TERRIC
You said you cannot look at the sky.
CLEMENTINE Yes.
TERRIC
Why is this?
CLEMENTINE
I have no idea.
TERRIC
You have no memory of how you came to be lying in that field?
CLEMENTINE
I tried walking for a long time, but every time I took a few steps I would fall.
TERRIC
That is... strange.
CLEMENTINE
... Yes.
TERRIC
Do you remember where you’re from? We speak the same tongue but your way of speaking is quite different from mine.
CLEMENTINE
I don’t remember... Where am I?
TERRIC
Jerusalem.
CLEMENTINE
What is that?
TERRIC
What is it?
CLEMENTINE
Yes, what’s Jerusalem?
TERRIC
Jerusalem is... a city.
CLEMENTINE
Oh.
TERRIC
... You shouldn’t worry. I’ve seen something like this before. My brother, Tybalt, has been in many battles, mostly skirmishes with Scotland. In the aftermath of one of these battles, he was horribly injured. He had a very difficult time remembering peoples names for days afterwards. You may have sustained an injury that has caused your memories to leave you, but they will return.
CLEMENTINE
... Okay.
TERRIC
Can you tell me anything at all? Your last memory? Anything you can grasp in your mind?
CLEMENTINE
... It can’t be a memory, it has to be a dream.
TERRIC
Tell me.
CLEMENTINE
... I was surrounded by trees. They were so tall they seemed to reach for the sky. There were two people there looking down at me... I heard sirens approaching... Then I was lying down but going very fast. I could still hear the sirens... Then I was somewhere else, everyone was wearing blue... “We can’t”... what was it... “We can’t get the IV in her” they said that... Then they were gone... the room was empty and I ran... I flung the door open... I flung the door open and I was... I was suddenly floating above the Earth... I could see all of it... I could see the sunrise from above the Earth... then I started falling... my body was glowing red... then I woke up here...
TERRIC
... Yes, I would call that a dream.
CLEMENTINE
(Laughing)
Yeah... Can you tell me the date? Maybe that will help.
TERRIC
Of course. It is the 5th of June, in the year of our lord 1399.
YOSEF
(From the front of the wagon.)
The year of his lord 1399. The year is 5159.
TERRIC
Oh, shut it.
CLEMENTINE
And who is that?
TERRIC
That is Yosef. He is a friend.
CLEMENTINE
And you two don’t agree on what year it is?
TERRIC
We agree that we are in the same year, we disagree on how to count the years.
CLEMENTINE Why?
TERRIC
... Because I am a Christian and he is a Jew.
CLEMENTINE
What does that mean?
TERRIC
... I fear your memories may be worse off than we thought.
CLEMENTINE
Great.
WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A CELEBRATION IN THE STREETS.
CLEMENTINE (CONT’D)
What is that?
TERRIC
Celebration of some sort. Yosef, who is that celebrating?
YOSEF
I believe the Armenians.
TERRIC
Ah.
CLEMENTINE
What are they celebrating?
TERRIC
In the city of Jerusalem, it is always someone’s religious holiday. You begin to ignore it.
THE WAGON PASSES BY THE CELEBRATION.
CLEMENTINE
Your name is Terric?
TERRIC
Terric.
CLEMENTINE
Thank you for getting me out of that field, Terric.
TERRIC
Of course.
CLEMENTINE
Thank you too, Yosef.
YOSEF
The pleasure is mine, My Lady.
CLEMENTINE
...I don’t know what to do now.
YOSEF
No need to do anything. You will stay at my home until your mind returns to you. You will have everything you need.
CLEMENTINE
What if that takes a long time?
YOSEF
Then take a long time, it shall.
THE WAGON ROLLS OFF INTO THE CITY AND WE FADE INTO SILENCE. THE SILENCE IS THEN BROKEN BY CLEMENTINE SUDDENLY WAKING UP. AS SOON AS SHE WAKES WE CAN HEAR TERRIC PLAYING “STELLA SPLENDENS” IN THE NEXT ROOM. SHE GETS OUT OF BED AND MOVES INTO THE MAIN ROOM. WHEN THE SONG ENDS SHE APPLAUDS.
TERRIC
She finally awakens.
CLEMENTINE
How long was I out?
TERRIC
Nearly an entire day.
CLEMENTINE
Really?
TERRIC
Yes. I began to worry, but then I remembered that you survived an entire day in the Jerusalem sun without water. You’re made of sterner stuff.
CLEMENTINE
Do you think they’re telling stories of a crazy red-headed woman to scare their children now?
TERRIC
(Laughs.)
The way you speak is so strange.
CLEMENTINE
The way you speak sounds pretty strange to me.
TERRIC
I imagine so.
CLEMENTINE
So... Now what do I do?
TERRIC
I’ve had quite some time to think on it. I cannot seem to find a path forward.
CLEMENTINE
Is that the city out there?
TERRIC
Yes. Would you like to see?
CLEMENTINE
... I don’t know. There’s a lot of sky out there.
TERRIC
The city has been here for three thousand years, you have time to see it. Why do you believe looking at the sky makes you feel so ill at ease?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know. It’s like... It’s like it’s something I’m not used to.
TERRIC
Not used to? The sky is everywhere, you should probably begin to acquaint yourself.
CLEMENTINE
Okay... Okay I’m going to walk up to the balcony, if I start to get weird don’t let me fall off.
TERRIC
I shall not.
CLEMENTINE MOVES CLOSER TO THE BALCONY.
CLEMENTINE
Okay... This is okay... it’s beautiful.
TERRIC
This time of day in particular, yes. We are in what’s becoming the “new city”. Over there, you can see the great walls. Behind those walls is the old city, the city that has been here since practically the dawn of man.
WE HEAR THE MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER ECHOING OUT OVER THE NEW CITY.
CLEMENTINE
What is that?
TERRIC
The Muslim call to prayer. A man sings that at various times of day to let all those of Muslim faith know it is time to pray.
CLEMENTINE
... There’s so much I don’t understand.
TERRIC
It will come.
CLEMENTINE
What were you playing just now?
TERRIC
Stella Splendens. It means Bright Star. I was actually conducting an experiment.
CLEMENTINE
What’s the experiment?
TERRIC
The other evening I played this song and a star fell from the sky as I played, I thought I would try it again but alas.
CLEMENTINE
You thought playing a song would make a star fall from the sky?
TERRIC
Perhaps it wasn’t the most scientific of experiments.
CLEMENTINE
What is that thing?
TERRIC
I should be playing a lute but my lute was lost when I made the journey to Jerusalem. Then I was in an area of the new city where all of the Greeks congregate and there was a luthier. He had this for sale and I procured it. It is called a Bouzouki.
CLEMENTINE
That’s a funny name.
TERRIC
It is.
CLEMENTINE
... I should probably have a name.
TERRIC
I’m sure you have a name.
CLEMENTINE
Me too. But you have to call me something until I remember so... Call me something.
TERRIC
You want me to choose your name?
CLEMENTINE
That would help, yes, if you would just... do it.
TERRIC
... Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
Clementine?
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
Where did that come from?
TERRIC
It means merciful.
CLEMENTINE
Merciful?
TERRIC
Merciful.
CLEMENTINE
Fine. You like it?
TERRIC
I do.
CLEMENTINE
Okay. Then that’s me. Until I remember something, I’m Clementine.
TERRIC
Well met, Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
I’m going to figure this out.
TERRIC
I believe you.
CLEMENTINE
... Can you play the song again?
TERRIC
Yes.
TERRIC PLAYS THE SONG AGAIN AS WE MOVE TO THE MARKETPLACE OF THE NEW CITY.
YOSEF
So, how is our new friend enjoying the city?
TERRIC
It’s been several days now and she has yet to venture out into the city, but she appears to be doing well.
YOSEF
Has she remembered anything?
TERRIC
No, it’s very strange.
YOSEF
Nothing?
TERRIC
No, not even her name. She asked me to give her a name.
YOSEF
Give one to her?
TERRIC
Yes, I call her Clementine.
YOSEF
Clementine?
TERRIC
Yes. After St. Clement. It means merciful.
YOSEF
It does not sound right coming out of my mouth, this is not a Jewish name.
TERRIC
Of course it’s not a Jewish name, Yosef. Did you expect me to give her a Jewish name?
YOSEF
If she had a Jewish name she may remember things.
TERRIC
How in the world would a Jewish name help her remember who she was?
YOSEF
Jews remember everything.
TERRIC
Ridiculous.
YOSEF
What do we look for today?
TERRIC
Beets.
YOSEF
What?
TERRIC
Beets.
YOSEF
What is beets?
TERRIC
It’s... She asked for them, I thought I would try the marketplace.
YOSEF
I’ve never heard of them.
TERRIC
Have you never had a beet before?
YOSEF
You say this like it is impossible that I have not had a beet.
TERRIC
It’s a root. It’s purple. They’re around every corner back home.
YOSEF
Why has she asked for this?
TERRIC
I am unsure.
YOSEF
Perhaps this is progress?
TERRIC
How is asking for beets progress?
YOSEF
She remembers that she wants something.
TERRIC
... Suppose you’re right.
YOSEF
Perhaps I should meet with her again.
TERRIC
Why?
YOSEF
To be a friend, to be a neighbor, things such as this.
TERRIC
... What are you up to?
YOSEF
I am up to nothing.
TERRIC
I can smell it on you when you have a scheme afoot, Yosef.
YOSEF
There are no schemes on my feet, my friend.
TERRIC
Yosef.
YOSEF
... There is only one thing in Jerusalem that outnumbers the holy men. What is this?
TERRIC
Thieves.
YOSEF
Thieves. Liars. What is that other word, the one I like?
TERRIC
Charlatans.
YOSEF
Charlatans. For some strange reason, houses of God attract both the pious and the profane. Who was our favorite, do you remember?
TERRIC
...Salazar the Dough Mage.
YOSEF
That is the one! He claimed his flatbread recipe was from the Virgin Mary. That it had been passed to him over the ages and that it offered absolution and healing to all who ate it. There are many like him all over this city.
TERRIC
You are implying that she is one of these Charlatans.
YOSEF
I imply nothing. I simply say to you this: when you are around this woman do you feel that your head is clear?
TERRIC
Yes.
YOSEF
Are you now in the marketplace trying to find her a root that does not exist?
TERRIC
... What do you suggest?
YOSEF
The wine you have been asking for has finally arrived. I shall bring it by later this day. I shall stay, we shall talk, I shall make sure she is not selling magical flatbreads.
TERRIC
What will you be able to see that I could not?
YOSEF
Many, many things, my friend.
WE SHIFT BACK TO TERRIC’S HOUSE. TERRIC IS POURING WINE FOR EVERYONE.
CLEMENTINE
Wait, I’m sorry, you speak how many languages?
YOSEF
That may depend.
CLEMENTINE
Depend on what?
YOSEF
On what you need for me to say.
CLEMENTINE
What do you mean?
YOSEF
The language of the French, the Spanish, the language of Rome, I speak them very well. English, Arabic, very well. Greek, eh, I can give you directions.
CLEMENTINE
How did you learn all these languages?
YOSEF
Around one hundred years ago, the Turks came. They swept through the city, leaving very few alive. Not just the Jews, Christians and Muslims as well. Any man or woman who lived in the New City or Old was marked for death. The hordes rode through the streets, killing everything in their path. For the longest time it was a city of ghosts. But then, far to the north in a city called Heidelburg a man, Isaac of Beilstein, decided it was time for the Jews to return to Yerushalem. My parents came with him. I was a young boy in Yerushalem trying to make my way. I was an errand boy for pilgrims from a place called Normandy. I learn French. You learn French, Spanish is not so difficult, you learn Spanish, the language of Rome is even easier. I even learned this bastard of a language, English.
TERRIC
English is a beautiful language, one day the whole world will speak it.
YOSEF
Impossible.
TERRIC
A man like Yosef is essential for life in Jerusalem. He speaks all of the languages, has relationships with all the right people, it would have been a very confusing city without him.
CLEMENTINE
Well, why did you come here, Terric?
YOSEF LAUGHS TO HIMSELF.
TERRIC
Cease your laughter.
YOSEF
I cannot help myself. I am so elated we have found ourselves here.
CLEMENTINE
What’s so funny?
TERRIC
Yosef thinks the focus of my scholarly activities is to be laughed at.
CLEMENTINE
What is it?
TERRIC
Would you like some wine?
CLEMENTINE
Um. Sure. What is it?
TERRIC
Try it.
CLEMENTINE TRIES THE WINE.
CLEMENTINE
Kind of tastes like rotten fruit and wood.
TERRIC
That is...
YOSEF
That is not far off from what it is supposed to taste like, yes.
CLEMENTINE
Why do you drink this?
TERRIC
It is a thing to be shared among friends.
CLEMENTINE Okay.
TERRIC
It’s more widespread in my homeland. Mainly because the drinking water is quite often putrid.
YOSEF
What a paradise you describe.
CLEMENTINE
Okay, so, this is where Yosef was born. What about you, Terric? What is your home like, what is it called?
TERRIC
York. It is a lovely place. Jewel of the Great North Road.
CLEMENTINE
Why did you leave?
TERRIC
I left because it was home. And home can have its difficulties.
CLEMENTINE
And you came here?
TERRIC
Yes. My studies brought me here.
CLEMENTINE
Your studies that Yosef likes to make fun of?
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
What is so funny about what you’re studying?
TERRIC
It is...
YOSEF
Go on, do not be ashamed.
TERRIC
I study a much maligned science that concerns itself with many things. One of those things being the transmutation of lead into gold.
CLEMENTINE
Okay. Why is that funny?
YOSEF
It is ridiculous.
TERRIC
Alchemy is a science that has been practiced for hundreds of years.
YOSEF
Has it? And where is all this gold that has been made?
TERRIC
... No one has yet achieved the transmutation of lead into gold.
CLEMENTINE
Okay, someone explain lead to me and someone explain gold to me.
YOSEF
Clementine, you truly have forgotten many things, haven’t you?
TERRIC
Here...
WE HEAR A SMALL CHEST BEING OPENED AND LUMPS OF METAL BEING MOVED AROUND.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
Here is lead. Not without value. It has its uses. But it is drab. Gray. It is the color of an unending sadness.
CLEMENTINE
I agree.
TERRIC
And this... is gold.
CLEMENTINE Oooh.
TERRIC
It is an extraordinary metal. The rarest thing on this Earth. And I have dedicated my life to turning this lead... into this gold.
CLEMENTINE
Seems like that would be really hard to do.
TERRIC
As I said, not one alchemist in all our history has found way to achieve this.
CLEMENTINE
But you keep at it.
TERRIC
Yes we... keep at it.
CLEMENTINE
Well... good luck.
YOSEF
We hope the answers will be revealed before your Messiah returns.
CLEMENTINE
Yosef, I think you’re being a little mean to Terric, this is obviously his life’s work.
YOSEF
I have tried to tell him that I have already perfected the means to create gold.
CLEMENTINE
Really? How do you do it?
YOSEF
It is an ancient process, and shrouded in mystery. In the morning I rise. I move into the city and work all day long. By the end of the day I have magically created gold.
TERRIC
He’s merciless about this, he’s always been.
YOSEF
I am fascinated by you Terric. You would spend ten years learning to make one lump of gold rather than working for ten years to make a pile of it.
TERRIC
I am not trying to become a rich man.
YOSEF
You would learn how to create gold and not make yourself a wealthy man? This makes you an even greater fool.
TERRIC
I’ve tried to explain this to you and it’s always fallen on deaf ears.
YOSEF
You are right. I shall cease. I must take my leave of you anyway. The Sisters of the Austrian Holy Cross need a guide into the old city. I must go and meet them. They pay very well, The Holy Sisters. Clementine. You may have lost all your memories but you have not lost your charisma.
CLEMENTINE
Thanks, Yosef.
YOSEF
You know how to get word to me, should you need me?
CLEMENTINE
I actually don’t have any idea how to do anything, Yosef, but I’m sure I can figure it out.
YOSEF
Very good. Until the morrow, Terric!
TERRIC
Until the morrow.
WE HEAR THE DOOR CLOSE.
CLEMENTINE
Ok. First of all. Wine is great. I don’t know whose idea it was but they did a great job, I’m a big fan.
TERRIC
I’m pleased that it pleases you.
CLEMENTINE
I feel like you got your feelings hurt a little bit by Yosef just now.
TERRIC
Yosef is a man one must grow accustomed to. He has lived a very different life from mine, so I must forgive his brutal frankness. I will say, in a city of so many different factions, and so much suspicion, he has proven himself a true friend.
CLEMENTINE
So... how do you do it?
TERRIC
Do what?
CLEMENTINE
I mean, you say that no one’s ever turned lead into gold but, how do you try to do it?
TERRIC
Through experimentation in my laboratory.
CLEMENTINE
Your laboratory?
TERRIC
Yes. Through experimentation and notation in my laboratory.
CLEMENTINE
Can I see it?
TERRIC
My laboratory?
CLEMENTINE Yes.
TERRIC
I don’t see why not. This way.
TERRIC OPENS A DOOR AND WE MOVE INTO THE LABORATORY. WE CAN HEAR THE BOILING OF A DISTILLER.
CLEMENTINE Whoa.
TERRIC
It seems quite chaotic but everything has it’s purpose. You can see boiling away here is the alembic. Here I have a mortar and pestle for pulverizing substances. The crucible here is to create an environment so hot that it can melt various metals. And built into the wall here is the athanor.
A SMALL IRON DOOR SWINGS OPEN FROM THE WALL.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
Essentially an oven, meant to heat substances consistently over a long period of time.
CLEMENTINE
...
TERRIC
You seem confused.
CLEMENTINE
Well... You seem to have gone to a lot of trouble.
TERRIC
I suppose I have.
CLEMENTINE
And it just seems like a lot to try and turn the first thing...
TERRIC
Lead.
CLEMENTINE
Into gold. Why is this so important to you?
TERRIC
... Clementine may I tell you something?
CLEMENTINE Yes.
TERRIC
I have... I have very much enjoyed our conversations these past few days.
CLEMENTINE
You have?
TERRIC
Yes I have enjoyed your company.
CLEMENTINE
Well, how could you not enjoy a crazy person who doesn’t remember who she is living in your house?
TERRIC
When I speak with you I find myself having to reconsider that which I had taken for granted.
CLEMENTINE
Because I never know what anyone’s talking about?
TERRIC
Precisely.
CLEMENTINE
You’re welcome.
TERRIC
I find myself now having to explain the importance of gold to you.
CLEMENTINE
You don’t have to explain the importance of gold. I get it. It’s pretty, it’s rare, everyone wants it. I want to know why you do it. Why is it important to you? Why do all this? I know you’re not just trying to get rich.
TERRIC
I am a nobleman. I am the second son of Tybalt the First, and back in my homeland we have a very nice castle and land as far as the eye can see.
CLEMENTINE
And you’re here?
TERRIC
Yes. Because even as a young boy I knew I was going to leave.
CLEMENTINE Why?
TERRIC
When I was a boy there was an uprising. The peasants of the land rose up in rebellion. They had been overtaxed and put upon for too many years, they made the brave choice to rise up against those who were oppressing them. My father was one of those oppressors and he, as well as other noblemen like him put down this rebellion. Violently. As a boy I watched from a window of the castle while the peasants were made an example of in the town square. Put into stocks. Sometimes executed.
CLEMENTINE
Oh my God.
TERRIC
I tried to see the difference between myself and these peasants. What is it that places them in the town square and I high above in a castle? I could only find one thing... I cannot describe to you how much this world revolves around that small lump of gold. It is the new axis on which the world turns. Men kill for it, die for it, go to war for it. And that boy high in that castle in York... he wanted it all to stop.
CLEMENTINE
How would you do that?
TERRIC
By flooding the world with it. What if I could make so much gold that no one ever wanted for anything? What if I could make the lords of the land irrelevant? What if the peasant had just as much gold as the king? What if we could be free of it all?
CLEMENTINE
... Are you trying to save the world, Terric?
TERRIC
It’s foolish, I know-
CLEMENTINE
It’s not foolish. It’s beautiful... So why come here? Why not do all this at home?
TERRIC
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, as are its libraries. I sought ancient knowledge. There are few places more ancient than this place.
CLEMENTINE
Is there writing on the wall?
TERRIC
Yes. The writing was here when I arrived, at first I thought to have it removed but I’ve grown to appreciate its presence.
CLEMENTINE
I can’t read it.
TERRIC
It’s latin.
CLEMENTINE
Audaces fortuna juvat. What does that mean?
TERRIC
Fortune favors the bold.
CLEMENTINE
Beati pauperes spiritu, what does that mean?
TERRIC
Blessed in spirit are the poor.
CLEMENTINE
Ad vitam aeternam, what does that mean?
TERRIC
To eternal life.
CLEMENTINE
...
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
... You’re holding my hand.
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
... What does that mean?
TERRIC
... I don’t know.
WE HEAR THE SOUNDS OF BERBER MUSICIANS. WE ARE AT THE TOWER OF DAVID.
YOSEF
Tarric!
TERRIC
Hello.
YOSEF
Good to see you, good to see you.
TERRIC
One of your little messengers came by my home. Said to meet you at the Tower of David with dates.
YOSEF
And here we are at the tower of David and you have brought dates.
TERRIC
What’s this about, Yosef?
YOSEF
About? It must be about something?
TERRIC
This is the first time you’ve summoned me, I’ve not been summoned before.
YOSEF
Why must you say “summon”? I did not summon you. I wished to see my friend Terric, also I wished to have dates.
TERRIC
What are we doing here?
YOSEF
The Holy Austrian Sisters again. They are touring the tower and praying, they will be a while. Look: Berbers. Very rare for Berbers to come to Yerushalem.
TERRIC
How do you know they’re Berbers?
YOSEF
I know they are Berbers because I cannot understand what they are saying. Many languages among them, the Berbers.
TERRIC
Fascinating...
YOSEF
How have you been?
TERRIC
Well.
YOSEF
Well. Good. I am glad you are well...
TERRIC
... Yosef.
YOSEF
Two reasons a friend disappears. One: he is dead. Two: he is in love... You stand before me, not dead.
TERRIC
Is there such a thing as privacy with you in my life?
YOSEF
Of course not.
TERRIC
Over these last few weeks, Clementine and I have become very close.
YOSEF
No, you have not.
TERRIC
What do you mean?
YOSEF
Her name is not Clementine.
TERRIC
Yosef-
YOSEF
Her name is not Clementine, neither of you know her name.
TERRIC
That doesn’t matter.
YOSEF
She could be named Salome.
TERRIC
She is not named Salome.
YOSEF
How do you know?
TERRIC
We are not children, Yosef.
YOSEF
Of course you are not. You are both grown. But there is only one of you who may or may not be married to a Duke.
TERRIC
Yosef.
YOSEF
From Bavaria. A Duke from Bavaria. A jealous man. A man who will have you hung outside his dour castle by your ankles. Duke Osvaldo Simeoni will be his name.
TERRIC
What are you talking about?
YOSEF
Terric. Men from your land have come to this place for hundreds of years and they have made a great mess of it. Do you wish to follow in that tradition?
TERRIC
I am not making a mess of anything.
YOSEF
How do you think this will end?
TERRIC
How do I know it will? Why must you say it will end? If her memories never return? If she stays this woman that I love? What then? Why must your view of the world always be so dark?
YOSEF
Habit.
TERRIC
... What would you have me do?
YOSEF
...Eh... What would I have you do. It is a good question... Nothing, my friend. No amount of good sense will stand in the way of what happens now. Come. Sit. Let us have the dates.
TERRIC
I did not seek this out, Yosef. She fell into my life. Like a gift.
YOSEF
I know, my friend. Many things fall into our lives. They are not all gifts.
TERRIC
... Please allow me to believe in this one.
YOSEF
... I shall. Come, I am hungry.
BACK AT TERRIC’S HOUSE. CLEMENTINE IS ASLEEP AND HAVING A NIGHTMARE.
CLEMENTINE
... I can’t see... Where are they, I can’t see... that’s... it’s black I can’t.... Where are they... Where are the stars?!
WE HEAR AN EXPLOSION AS WE MOVE BACK TO THE TOWER OF DAVID.
YOSEF
These dates are not the good dates, why did you not get the good dates.
TERRIC
They’re from Záhonyi Vera.
YOSEF
The Hungarian?
TERRIC
Yes.
YOSEF
I must speak with them, these dates are embarrassing.
FAR OFF IN THE NEW CITY, WE HEAR AN EXPLOSION.
TERRIC
What was that?
YOSEF
I do not know.
TERRIC
Thunder?
YOSEF
Not a cloud in the sky... there in the new city, do you see it?
TERRIC
Is it a fire?
YOSEF
Smoke at least.
TERRIC
That’s near my home.
YOSEF
We must go.
THE DOOR OF TERRIC’S HOME BURSTS OPEN.
TERRIC
Clementine?!
YOSEF
Clementine?
CLEMENTINE
Everything’s fine! Everything’s fine, I’m sorry.
TERRIC
What happened?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know. I was asleep in the bedroom and I heard a very loud noise.
TERRIC
We saw the smoke from across the city.
CLEMENTINE
Really? Wow.
YOSEF
Terric, what under the heavens are you keeping in that special room of yours?
TERRIC
I suppose it could’ve been something in my laboratory. Are you sure you’re unharmed?
CLEMENTINE
I’m fine, really. It scared me is all.
YOSEF
This will be an interesting story to tell your neighbors, Terric.
TERRIC
It doesn’t seem as though anything’s been ruined, I’m unsure as to how.
CLEMENTINE
Just lucky, I guess.
YOSEF
Yes, I feel the good fortune wash over me.
CLEMENTINE
I think everything’s fine. I’m okay, nothing’s on fire. That’s the definition of fine, right? Nobody’s hurt, nothing’s on fire.
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
Terric, really. I was just scared, nothing bad is happening.
YOSEF
I suppose since the danger has passed I shall take my leave. Terric, can you not simply study the teachings of Christ as everyone else from your land does? Illuminated manuscripts do not send smoke into the sky.
TERRIC
I’ll consider it, Yosef.
YOSEF
Good day to you, Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
Bye, Yosef. Sorry for the scare.
YOSEF
As we say in Yerushalem, at least it is not another crusade. Farewell.
THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND YOSEF.
TERRIC
Clementine, I’m so sorry. I’ve obviously been storing my materials improperly, I’ll need to wipe the slate clean, start over again and be much more careful.
CLEMENTINE
Terric.
TERRIC
Yes, what is it?
CLEMENTINE
... I was in bed, there was a very loud noise, when I woke up... I had this in my hand.
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know how.
TERRIC
Laying in your hands?
CLEMENTINE Yes.
TERRIC
Clementine, that is an incredibly large fragment of gold.
CLEMENTINE
I know... I know it is.
TERRIC
It was in your hands when you awoke?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know why.
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
Can you take this, I’m scared of it.
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
...
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
What’s happening?
TERRIC
You did nothing? You did nothing in the laboratory?
CLEMENTINE
No, Terric, I was asleep.
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
Why do I feel like I did this?
TERRIC
That’s impossible.
CLEMENTINE
... I’m scared.
TERRIC
My love, do not be afraid. All things can be explained. We don’t have an explanation presently, but we shall. But you mustn’t be afraid.
CLEMENTINE
... All things can be explained?
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
... Call me “my love” again, that was nice.
TERRIC
... My love.
CLEMENTINE
... What do we do now?
TERRIC
... We watch the sunset and contemplate the fact that there was a great explosion that somehow created a handful of riches.
CLEMENTINE
... Okay... Can you play that song for me again?
TERRIC
I can play other songs.
CLEMENTINE
I want that one.
TERRIC
Very well.
TERRIC PICKS UP HIS BAZOUKI AND PLAYS STELLA SPLENDENS AGAIN. WE MOVE TO THE NEXT MORNING.
TERRIC (CONT’D)
... Explain to me what we’re doing again?
CLEMENTINE
Staying in bed.
TERRIC
But the sun has risen.
CLEMENTINE
Yes. And we have not.
TERRIC
Why are we doing this?
CLEMENTINE
Because it’s a nice thing to do sometimes.
TERRIC
As you say.
CLEMENTINE
So... you’re a, what was it? Nobleman?
TERRIC
I am.
CLEMENTINE
If you’re some sort of important person, Isn’t your family wondering where you are?
TERRIC
I don’t believe they are.
CLEMENTINE
How? How far away is England?
TERRIC
You don’t know how far away England is?
CLEMENTINE
Hi. Have we met? I’m Clementine, the one who doesn’t know anything and isn’t even named Clementine because she can’t remember her name.
TERRIC
When I made the crossing from York to Jerusalem it took me many months.
CLEMENTINE
Months?!
TERRIC
Two voyages over sea. Several horses. I was stranded in Greece for a month waiting for the weather to turn.
CLEMENTINE
That’s more of a reason for them to be wondering about you.
TERRIC
Your words are heard but, I am a second son.
CLEMENTINE
What do you mean?
TERRIC
I am the son of Tybalt the First. My elder brother is Tybalt the Second. I am simply Terric. When you’re the second son of a lord you have one charge throughout your life: stay alive in the event that your brother dies. There must always be an heir.
CLEMENTINE
That sounds kind of horrible, Terric.
TERRIC
It’s for the best. I would make a terrible heir. I spend too much time in libraries. My father kept a massive library and was always puzzled when I would use the damn thing. He said being a scholar was akin to being gracefully impaired.
CLEMENTINE
He sound like a great guy.
TERRIC
He is challenging.
CLEMENTINE
So you just... sit there?
TERRIC
I could have done. But instead I came here. Instead I chose this... rather odd life.
CLEMENTINE
A life of laying in bed with forgetful women?
TERRIC
Yes.
CLEMENTINE
Doesn’t sound so bad.
TERRIC
It is, in fact, quite perfect.
CLEMENTINE
... I know you want to talk about the gold. I really don’t know what happened.
TERRIC
We need not speak of it. Simply another mystery to unravel, there appears to be a thousand mysteries to unravel, no harm in adding one more. All gold is a mystery, really. It’s unlike any substance on Earth. I often wonder if it’s origins are different from the other rocks and metals of the Earth.
Perhaps if I could discern it’s origin, the key to transmutation would be revealed to me, but that is a mystery I’ve no idea how to unravel.
CLEMENTINE
I’ll let you know if I have any ideas.
TERRIC
Thank you, my love.
CLEMENTINE
... So that’s all an alchemist does, huh? All gold all the time?
TERRIC
There is one other goal of the alchemist, but it is an even more impossible goal than that of transmutation.
CLEMENTINE
What is it?
TERRIC
Eternal life.
CLEMENTINE
Really?
TERRIC
Alchemists seek an elixir. The elixir of life. Something that will dispel all ailments and preserve youth. An alchemist is not simply seeking gold. An alchemist wishes to defeat death.
CLEMENTINE
Get the fuck out of here.
TERRIC
It’s true.
CLEMENTINE
Do you really believe that?
TERRIC
I’m unsure. I know that I believe in knowledge. And I believe that, given enough time, all will be revealed. All aspects of life. The question that remains is, when? How long must we wait for the truth to be revealed?
CLEMENTINE
... Hey, speaking of the truth being revealed, I want to tell you something.
TERRIC
What’s that?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t want to remember who I am. I don’t want my memories back. I want to be Clementine. And I want to live in Jerusalem with Terric of York. I want that to be my life... do you want that to be your life?
TERRIC
Yes. I do.
CLEMENTINE
Okay... Okay good. I... love you.
TERRIC
And I you.
CLEMENTINE
Good... good.
TERRIC
Does this mean we can get out of bed now?
CLEMENTINE
Absolutely not.
THE NEXT DAY. THERE IS A KNOCK ON TERRIC’S DOOR AND IT SWINGS OPEN.
YOSEF
Greetings, Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
Hi, Yosef.
YOSEF
I see you have learned how to summon me.
CLEMENTINE
Yes, it was very awkward. I talked to one of your little messengers and he didn’t understand anything I was saying, luckily all I needed to say was your name.
YOSEF
Speak and I appear. Where is our young man today?
CLEMENTINE
He’s at the library of the greek orthodox... something.
YOSEF
Patriarchate.
CLEMENTINE
That’s it.
YOSEF
Yes, the Greeks do make an excellent library do they not?
CLEMENTINE Sure.
YOSEF
So, I have been summoned, please, how can I be of assistance?
CLEMENTINE
I was hoping you could help me with something.
YOSEF
Of course.
CLEMENTINE
I want to surprise Terric.
YOSEF
He hates surprises so this is, of course, a wonderful idea. What is the surprise?
CLEMENTINE
I want to surprise him by going outside.
YOSEF
Hmm. Not what I was expecting.
CLEMENTINE
I just, I want him to come home and I can say that I’ve been outside, and I saw some things and I got him something at the market. I... I want to show him that I’m here, that I’m here in Jerusalem with him.
YOSEF
You are both very strange, yes?
CLEMENTINE
I’m aware. Please, if you don’t mind, show me Jerusalem.
YOSEF
Very well. First you must cover your head.
CLEMENTINE
Really? Why?
YOSEF
That hair of yours will attract attention. Also to show respect. Also because, in truth, the sun is quite hot.
CLEMENTINE
Okay. Then what?
YOSEF
We will start at the very heart of Jerusalem.
CLEMENTINE
Sounds like fun.
WE HEAR THE SOUNDS OF A STREAM. CLEMENTINE AND YOSEF DESCEND THE STEPS TOWARD THE BYZANTINE POOL OF SILOAM.
YOSEF
I am a pious man. And I believe that if Hashem desires a city to be built, it will be built. But in truth there is one reason why the city of Jerusalem exists. And it is this.
CLEMENTINE
A pool?
YOSEF
The Gihon Spring. It comes up from the mountain like a gift. It flows through the city and brings water to us all. There would be no Yerushalem without it. Come, remove your sandals.
CLEMENTINE
Ok.
YOSEF
There were once many pools of Siloam like this, but war, strife, they are all gone but this one. Built by the Byzantines. In we go. Beware, it is very cold.
CLEMENTINE
Oh god. It’s okay for me to just walk in there?
YOSEF
Oh yes. In we go.
YOSEF AND CLEMENTINE WADE INTO THE WATER.
CLEMENTINE
Holy shit, this is so cold.
YOSEF
It awakens the senses, yes?
CLEMENTINE
It feels like pure ice on my feet.
YOSEF
This is important as a first stop, Clementine. You are in the bloodstream of Yerushalem, you will never be closer to her.
CLEMENTINE
Okay, I’m glad—but how long to I have to stand in the cold water.
YOSEF
We can be done. Let us warm up our feet with a walk along the wall.
LATER. CLEMENTINE AND YOSEF WALK ALONG THE WALL OF THE OLD CITY.
CLEMENTINE
This wall is huge, who built this?
YOSEF
It is a curious thing about Yerushalem. Everything you see belongs just a bit to everyone. The first people here were the Caananites. Then my people. After that the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and on and on. The city has changed hands many times. Everyone who has controlled it has broken down the wall, then built it back up again. Presently it is the Mamluks—they are not bad. They let people worship, they build. In a hundred years who knows who will control it. Whoever it may be, you hope they keep the city free for all peoples.
CLEMENTINE
Why do so many people want to control it?
YOSEF
That is a question for another man. The life of the conqueror to me just seems like troubles. I prefer to talk to people, not to take things from them.
WE ARE IN THE MARKETPLACE AGAIN.
YOSEF (CONT’D)
This marketplace has been here since I was a boy. I grew up in this place, running through the streets with my friends. You said you wished to get something for Terric at the market?
CLEMENTINE
Yes. I don’t know what though.
YOSEF
Sadly I cannot recommend the dates. They have gone wrong and I have not yet addressed this problem. Hashem willing, the crop will improve next season.
CLEMENTINE
You keep saying that word.
YOSEF
Which word?
CLEMENTINE
Hashem.
YOSEF
Indeed. Hashem. He is the father of us all.
CLEMENTINE
Is that like when other people say God?
YOSEF
It is. But my word is Hashem.
CLEMENTINE
Can you explain to me what all that means? God, Hashem, whatever. What is it?
YOSEF LAUGHS TO HIMSELF.
CLEMENTINE (CONT’D)
What’s so funny?
YOSEF
Clementine, look around you.
CLEMENTINE What?
YOSEF
You stand in the City of God. For all of us, Christians, Muslims, Jews.
CLEMENTINE
So?
YOSEF
So, you may be the only person to ever walk through the streets of Yerushalem to wonder what God is. Everyone here has already decided.
CLEMENTINE
I’m sure I’ll get around to that eventually. In the meantime, can you tell me? What is Hashem? Can you describe it?
YOSEF
... In truth, I cannot.
CLEMENTINE
I thought I was the only one.
YOSEF
I can tell you of Hashem. But I cannot describe him.
CLEMENTINE
Why not?
YOSEF
... I can see what Terric means now, about the way you speak. Look there, do you see those chickens?
CLEMENTINE Yes.
YOSEF
Do you see the one with the limp?
CLEMENTINE Yes.
YOSEF
That Chicken was made by Hashem.
CLEMENTINE Okay.
YOSEF
Also the man who sells the chickens. Also the ground the chickens roost upon, also everything in this marketplace, also the sky above that you fear so much. Hashem has made all of this. How could I possibly describe him?
CLEMENTINE
He literally made everything?
YOSEF
It’s true.
CLEMENTINE Why?
YOSEF
Because he loves us... Certainly from time to time he will become angry, he will lose his temper. He will bring a flood, bring plagues, turn people to salt.
CLEMENTINE Salt?
YOSEF
Aside from those things, he loves us very much. Isn’t that nice?
CLEMENTINE
Yeah, yeah I guess so... Lemons.
YOSEF
Lemons?
CLEMENTINE
I want to bring Terric some lemons.
YOSEF
Why lemons?
CLEMENTINE
I don’t know. They’re colorful. Also they are clear proof that I went outside.
YOSEF
Very well. Lemons, you shall have.
LATER. YOSEF AND CLEMENTINE WALK DOWN A NARROW STREET.
CLEMENTINE
Why are we taking this street?
YOSEF
You didn’t notice but there began to be several people looking at you in the marketplace. You were attracting attention.
CLEMENTINE
I was?
YOSEF
Yes, of course there is nothing wrong with attention but this kind of attention... I think it best we get back to your home before they begin to get more curious than they deserve to be.
CLEMENTINE
Have people really never seen red hair before?
YOSEF
It is not just your hair, Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
What is it?
YOSEF
You have a way about you. You stand out in a crowd. It can make people nervous.
YOSEF STOPS WALKING.
CLEMENTINE
... Why are we stopping?
MEN MOVE INTO THE STREET IN FRONT OF AND BEHIND THEM.
CLEMENTINE (CONT’D)
... Who are these men?
YOSEF
Grettings, my friends. Lovely day, is it not?
CLEMENTINE
... Why aren’t they answering you?
THE MEN APPROACH
YOSEF
... They are thieves.
CLEMENTINE
Thieves?
YOSEF
We wish no trouble, my friends.
CLEMENTINE
What are they going to do?
YOSEF
We will hope that they only take our money.
CLEMENTINE
What else would they do?
YOSEF
Remember to not look them in the eyes.
CLEMENTINE
Oh God.
THE MEN ARE ALMOST ON TOP OF THEM. CLEMENTINE’S VOICE SUDDENLY CHANGES.
CLEMENTINE (CONT’D) Don’t touch me!
CLEMENTINE’S VOICE ECHOES ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS AS WE RETURN TO TERRIC’S HOUSE. THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN.
TERRIC
I have returned. You may be surprised to learn that I have not unraveled the great mysteries. I suppose I must return on the morrow.
YOSEF
Hello, my firend.
TERRIC
Yosef. What are you doing here?
YOSEF
We must speak.
TERRIC
Where is Clementine?
YOSEF
She is in your special room.
TERRIC
What is she doing there? Clementine?
YOSEF
Terric.
TERRIC
What is it?
YOSEF
... Clementine asked me to take her into the city today.
TERRIC
What? She’s never even left the house.
YOSEF
She wanted to show you that she could walk the streets like any other.
TERRIC
Why didn’t you wait for me?
YOSEF
Terric, she did quite well. We had a lovely day in the city... But on the way back from the market. On the way back... there were thieves. We were attacked in the street.
TERRIC
What did they do to her?
YOSEF
Terric.
TERRIC
What did they do to her? Clementine?!
YOSEF
Terric... They did nothing to her. But you must speak with her.
TERRIC
... What’s happened?
YOSEF
Terric... I do not believe that Moses brought ten plagues to Egypt. I do not believe that Noah put all of the animals of the Earth into a boat. These are good stories. Stories for my children. But today... I do not know what I saw today... Speak with her. Know everything she tells you is true. I saw it happen... I must take my leave of you, my friend. I must go be with my family...
WE HEAR THE DOOR CLOSE BEHIND YOSEF. TERRIC WALKS INTO THE LABORATORY.
TERRIC
Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
Stay over there!
TERRIC
What’s wrong.
CLEMENTINE
Stay over there I don’t want something to happen.
TERRIC
What do you mean?
CLEMENTINE
... Something happened.
TERRIC
Yosef told me.
CLEMENTINE
No, he didn’t.
TERRIC
... Clementine, whatever has happened-
CLEMENTINE
I turned them into salt.
TERRIC
... You...
CLEMENTINE
One of them tried to grab me and I said “Don’t touch me” but... this sound came out of my mouth, It was... I don’t know what it was.
TERRIC
... Clementine. When things such as this happen to us, our minds can shape things after they happen and we can see them in a very different way than they actually occurred. I believe you’re frightened and your mind is-
CLEMENTINE
The one that grabbed be... after it happened... his hand broke off... I... I held onto it all the way back home, I don’t know why... it’s sitting on the table...
TERRIC
...
TERRIC PICKS SOMETHING UP OFF THE TABLE.
CLEMENTINE
... Tell me what that is?... Is that my mind?
TERRIC
...
CLEMENTINE
... Yosef was telling me about his God... He mentioned in passing, something about God turning people to salt... Did you talk to Yosef? What did he say?
TERRIC
... He told me to believe you.
CLEMENTINE
... You should.
TERRIC SETS THE HAND OF SALT BACK DOWN ON THE TABLE.
CLEMENTINE (CONT’D)
... I think I may be a monster.
TERRIC
You are not.
CLEMENTINE
Look what I did.
TERRIC
I don’t care.
CLEMENTINE
Yes you do.
TERRIC
I do not... In the midst of all these things I do not understand, the one thing I do understand looms above them all and shines like a beacon...
CLEMENTINE
What is it?
TERRIC
My love for you, Clementine.
CLEMENTINE
That can’t be true.
TERRIC
It can. It is.
CLEMENTINE
...
TERRIC
May I come sit next to you on the floor?
CLEMENTINE
I’m scared.
TERRIC
I am not.
TERRIC CROSSES THE ROOM AND SITS NEXT TO CLEMENTINE.
CLEMENTINE
... I told you I didn’t want to remember who I was... I don’t know if I can stop that from happening... I feel like it’s knocking on the door.
TERRIC
Let it come in.
CLEMENTINE
What if it’s terrible?
TERRIC
... I’m unafraid. Let it come in.
LATER THAT NIGHT. CLEMENTINE IS DREAMING.
CLEMENTINE
... No we’ll... we’ll have to keep going that’s... that’s what she would want... we have to... there’s nothing else...
CLEMENTINE GASPS AND WAKES UP. SHE TAKES A MOMENT TO CATCH HER BREATH. SHE GETS OUT OF BED AND WALKS INTO THE MAIN ROOM. ON THE STREET BELOW WE CAN HEAR ANOTHER CELEBRATION OF YET ANOTHER RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY. CLEMENTINE MOVES OUT ONTO THE BALCONY. A BIRD, THE EURASIAN HOOPOE, LANDS ON THE BALCONY WITH HER. IT BEGINS SINGING IT’S STRANGE REPETITIVE SOUND. TIME SUDDENLY SHIFTS.
YOSEF
They have found a woman outside the city.
TERRIC
Found? Explain what you mean by found.
YOSEF
She is... I find this hard to explain, perhaps we should depart. See for ourselves.
TERRIC
Is she lost?
YOSEF
She is most definitely lost.
TIME SHIFTS AGAIN AND WE ARE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TERRIC
The fact that you think your God would look unfavorably on you for giving assistance to a woman who is obviously in need of it is simply ridiculous.
YOSEF
Yes, but I know I have my friend Terric, so I can remain pious and also help her through you.
TERRIC
Throughout the day she has been here, Yosef.
YOSEF
And her suffering soon shall end because you have arrived.
TIME SHIFTS AGAIN AND WE ARE IN THE MARKETPLACE.
YOSEF (CONT’D)
I imply nothing. I simply say to you this: when you are around this woman do you feel that your head is clear?
TERRIC
Yes.
YOSEF
Are you now in the marketplace trying to find her a root that does not exist?
TERRIC
... What do you suggest?
TIME SHIFTS AGAIN AND WE ARE AT THE TOWER OF DAVID.
YOSEF
How do you think this will end?
TERRIC
How do I know it will? Why must you say it will end? If her memories never return? If she stays this woman that I love? What then? Why must your view of the world always be so dark?
YOSEF
Habit.
TERRIC
... What would you have me do?
TIME SHIFTS AGAIN AND WE ARE BACK ON THE BALCONY WITH A STRANGE BIRD CALLING INTO THE NIGHT. CLEMENTINE WALKS BACK INTO THE HOUSE. WE HEAR A PIECE OF PARCHMENT BEING TAKEN OUT. WE HEAR A QUILL DIPPED INTO INK AND WE HEAR WRITING. THE SOUND OF THE CELEBRATION OUTSIDE FADE AND WE BEGIN TO HEAR THE SOUNDS OF MORNING. TERRIC WALKS OUT INTO THE MAIN ROOM.
TERRIC (CONT’D) Clementine?
TERRIC CROSSES THE ROOM AND PICKS UP A PIECE OF PARCHMENT FROM THE TABLE.
CLEMENTINE
(Narrating her letter.)
Dear Terric. Something is happening to me. I can’t stop it. Whatever I’m becoming is pulling me away from you. Maybe it should. I think what I’m becoming could be dangerous. And If I hurt you, I would never forgive myself. And I know that no matter how dangerous I became, you would never leave me. You would never save yourself.
I have to save you by leaving you. I know you won’t understand this. I know you may never forgive me. I hope you also know that my heart is broken. I hope you know that I’ve left with you a piece of myself I may never get back again. Please remember me as that person you found in a field. As that strange woman walking through your laboratory. As that woman whose hand you held. As the woman who curled up against you at night. As the woman who fell in love with you. Because I do love you, Terric of York. I will forever.
TERRIC CRUMPLES THE PARCHMENT AND TOSSES IT ACROSS THE ROOM. AFTER A MOMENT HE PICKS UP HIS BAZOUKI AND PLAYS STELLA SPLENDENS AGAIN. HALF WAY THROUGH, THERE IS A KNOCK ON HIS DOOR. HE SETS DOWN THE BAZOUKI, CROSSES THE ROOM AND OPENS THE DOOR.
TERRIC
Yes?
THE EX
Terric of York?
TERRIC
Yes.
THE EX
Message for you.
THE EX HANDS HIM A PIECE OF PAPER.
TERRIC
Who are you?
THE EX
Bye.
THE EX WALKS AWAY. DOWN THE STREET WE FAINTLY HEAR HER TELEPORT AWAY. TERRIC CLOSES THE DOOR AND OPENS AN ENVELOPE. HE READS.
TERRIC
Midnight Burger?
HE SCOFFS AND TOSSES THE LETTER AWAY. HE PICKS UP HIS BAZOUKI AGAIN AND RESUMES PLAYING STELLA SPLENDENS.
THE END.