It was a fun screenplay to write. Epic action-adventure. Cast of thousands. Nay, tens of thousands. The scene they accepted is just before David arrives at Saul's encampment in the Valley of Elah. We see Goliath for the first time. And we witness the vain expectations of the Philistine King. I made him a Mark Cuban type, a rich spoiled frustrated jock. I hate Mark Cuban....
EXT. THE PHILISTINE CAMP IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH - DAY
Neat ROWS OF TENTS. SOLDIERS engaged in various tasks: cooking meals, sharpening swords, repairing chariots, chopping wood. A THIEF in a pillory. “THIEF" branded on his forehead.
GOLIATH swaggers through the Camp with his entourage of LACKEYS and HANGERS-ON.
A massive EARTHWORK FORTIFICATION with a RAMPART. A thousand yards across open field, the HEBREW CAMP. Near Hebrew side, a treelined CREEK runs through the open field.
On a gentle rise, a MASSIVE TENT stands alone with Philistine royal banner flapping in breeze. The tent roof is very high. The tent opening can accomodate an extremely tall man. A GUARD bars entrance. Inside, sound of fists on punching bag.
PHILISTINE GENERAL (O.S.)
My Lord, I urge you to reconsider.
PHILISTINE KING (O.S.)
No no! This is not a matter for negotiation, General!
INT. THE PHILISTINE KING’S TENT - THE SAME MOMENT
Luxurious appointments within. The PHILISTINE KING is working up a sweat on a punching bag. ADVISORS, PRIESTS, JESTERS, DWARVES, FLATTERERS, COURTIERS, CONCUBINES look on. The PHILISTINE GENERAL stands near the Philistine King.
INT. THE PHILISTINE KING’S TENT - THE SAME MOMENT
Luxurious appointments within. The PHILISTINE KING is working up a sweat on a punching bag. ADVISORS, PRIESTS, JESTERS, DWARVES, FLATTERERS, COURTIERS, CONCUBINES look on. The PHILISTINE GENERAL stands near the Philistine King.
PHILISTINE KING
I want action! A frontal assault!
PHILISTINE GENERAL
A frontal assault would cost how many dead, how many wounded?
PHILISTINE KING
The troops are pledged for sixty days. Forty have come and gone with no action. Twenty more days, you’ll be a general with no army. Use it or lose it. Assault the line. Break it.
PHILISTINE GENERAL
If it doesn’t break? What then?
PHILISTINE KING
It will break. I am sure of it, because --
PHILISTINE GENERAL
Because they've been sitting over there for more than a month and they're itching to go home? Turn it around, My Lord. If we sit here for another fortnight and do nothing, they'll melt away on their own out of boredom. Best not to give them an incentive to stay. We all know the story of the hornets' nest and the little boy with the stick.
PHILISTINE KING
This. This is defeatist talk.
(Takes out scroll, unrolls it)
I’ve a report that tomorrow family members will be at the Hebrew camp. I'll have the Giant Goliath put on a big show for them. It will demoralize them. You don't approve of the Giant Goliath, do you?
(Takes out scroll, unrolls it)
I’ve a report that tomorrow family members will be at the Hebrew camp. I'll have the Giant Goliath put on a big show for them. It will demoralize them. You don't approve of the Giant Goliath, do you?
PHILISTINE GENERAL
It's not an orthodox tactic, My Lord.
PHILISTINE KING
No, it's not. But you don't have to face the bankers and the money men who are financing this campaign and are clamoring for a return on their investment. I do.
The General moves to a table on which there’s a scale model of the terrain. The King follows, towelling himself.
The General moves to a table on which there’s a scale model of the terrain. The King follows, towelling himself.
PHILISTINE GENERAL
Look, my Lord. To reach the Hebrew line, our soldiers and charioteers will have to cross nine hundred yards of open space here, then ford this stream and then assault this elevated fortified earthwork. The last fifty yards are the hardest. The charioteers will have to dismount, do the assault on foot, uphill here into the teeth of a hailstorm of stones and arrows. The number of dead and wounded will be massive.
PHILISTINE KING
I didn’t hear this from you when we were drawing up the invasion plan.
PHILISTINE GENERAL
(Removes badge of office, as if to lay it down)
My Lord, if you want to lead the army, you have my resignation.
The Philistine King stands, shocked speechless. A long eyeball-to-eyeball moment. The Philistine General puts his badge of office back on, salutes, turns and exits the tent. The Philistine King stands motionless, then turns to his Advisors, Priests, Jesters, Flatterers, Dwarves and Concubines.
My Lord, if you want to lead the army, you have my resignation.
The Philistine King stands, shocked speechless. A long eyeball-to-eyeball moment. The Philistine General puts his badge of office back on, salutes, turns and exits the tent. The Philistine King stands motionless, then turns to his Advisors, Priests, Jesters, Flatterers, Dwarves and Concubines.
PHILISTINE KING
What are you all looking at? Get out of here! All of you!
End of Scene
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