(Two Jewish people walk into the inn. The innkeeper is wiping the table. ) Innkeeper: Good morning, come and sit down and what can I get you? 1st person: Something to…
(Two Jewish people walk into the inn. The innkeeper is wiping the table. )
Innkeeper: Good morning, come and sit down and what can I get you?
1st person: Something to drink and whatever food you've got.
(Innkeeper walks away and comes back with some drinks and food.)
Innkeeper: Have you just come back from the Passover?
2nd person: Yes,
(Innkeeper walks away to the other table cleans it and start to arrange the tankards plates etc and listens to what is being said.)
1st person: What do you think about that crucifixion?
2nd person: It was very strange wasn't it?
1st person: I've never seen anyone go to his death like that before.
2nd person: Yes, he was actually telling his father to forgive them.
1st person: Yeah, because they didn't know what they were doing.
2nd person: I know people usually curse the Romans when they are crucifying them.
1st person: There was something different about him.
2nd person: I know, what was his name?
1st person: Jesus, I think.
2nd person: According to what I've heard he went round healing people.
1st person: I know.
2nd person: Some people are saying he was the Son of God.
Innkeeper: I'd be careful about what you’re saying.
1st person: Why?
Innkeeper: You know what these Romans are like. If you start mentioning anything about a Messiah for our people they start to get very nervous. Anything that threatens their rulership is very firmly stamped on.
2nd person: We know that, but there was something different about this man.
Innkeeper: In what way?
1st person: We heard that during his trial he never spoke out about the charges they brought against him. Even though the people testimonies contradicted each other.
Innkeeper: That's very strange.
2nd person: Even the Governor couldn't find anything wrong with him.
Innkeeper: What do you mean?
1st person: He washed his hands and said he couldn't find that he done anything wrong.
Innkeeper: Why did they crucify him then?
2nd person: The Governor asked the crowd who they wanted to free.
1 sl person. And the crowd shouted for someone called Barabbas.
Innkeeper: Why did they do that if this Jesus had done nothing wrong?
2nd person: According to what I heard the Sanhedrin wanted him dead.
1sl person: Because he claimed to be the Messiah.
Innkeeper: No wonder they wanted him dead.
2nd person: But isn't our Messiah supposed to come and overthrow anyone oppressing our people and rule like King David did?
1st person: I've been reading the prophet Isaiah in the scriptures and he speaks of a suffering servant along the lines of Joseph.
2nd person: I've heard some of our sages put that view forward.
Innkeeper: It’s not a very popular view.
1st person: Could he have been the Son of God, though?
2nd person: I don't know, but I did hear an interesting rumour before we left Jerusalem.
Innkeeper: What was that?
(At that point the door opens and two Roman soldiers walk in.)
Innkeeper: Be quiet now.
(Innkeeper gets up and greets the Romans.)
Innkeeper: Come in, sit down, what can I get you?
(Roman soldiers sit down at the other table.)
1st soldier: Just bring us some wine.
(Innkeeper brings two tankards of wine. Puts them on the table and goes to sit at the other table.)
2nd soldier: What's wrong Marcus; you have been the same since that last crucifixion.
Ist soldier: There was something different about that man.
2nd soldier: What do you mean? Come on, we've crucified no end of people. They’re all the same, they bleed and die, end of story.
1st soldier: No, this man was different; can't you remember, when we were nailing him to the cross.
2nd soldier: Remember what? It’s just a job, I don't listen to anything they say. Hammer the nails in and lift them up. Then we get a rest until they kick it.
1st soldier: No, he said forgive them father, for they know not what they do.
2nd soldier: Why was his dad there? Not many people hang around, they’re probably scared that we'll crucify them as well.
1st soldier: No, when I looked into his eyes there wasn't any anger or resentment.
2nd soldier: I don't look at they’re eyes, I've spat on a few but that's about it.
1st soldier: It was as though he was saying it was all right and he didn't blame me.
2nd soldier: Now you’re really imagining things; they curse us, spit at us, and then they get a slap for doing that. I've never seen that before; just kill them, it’s a rebel out of the way.
1st soldier: No it was as though he was showing me he forgave me; there was love in his eyes.
2nd soldier: What?
1st soldier: I think I've killed the Son of God.
2nd soldier: Which god, Jupiter?
1st soldier: No, he was Jewish.
2nd soldier: How many gods have they got?
1st soldier: Just one I think.
2nd soldier: Hey Jew.
1st person: Yes?
2nd soldier: How many gods have you got?
1st person: One.
2nd soldier: Is that all?
2nd person: Yes, he's the creator of all the earth.
2nd soldier: Well, has he got a son, because my mate here thinks he's just crucified him.
1st person: We were just discussing……...
Innkeeper: Quietly. Sssshhhhh. Remember what I said.
2nd soldier: Well, come on then has he.
2nd person: Are you talking about that person who was crucified in Jerusalem, who said he was our king?
2nd soldier: Yeah that's the one.
I st person: We heard about that, but we don't think he was any special.
2nd soldier: There you are mate; you haven't killed God after all.
2nd person: But I thought you said he could have been.
Innkeeper: Yes we know, but these are Romans; you've got to be careful what you say.
1st person: Let’s get going.
2nd person: Yes, we don't want to arise any suspicion.
(The two Jews get up and leave.)
1st person: Thank you, Innkeeper:
1st soldier: I still think he was God's son.
2nd soldier: Well if he was, why didn’t those Jews who just left say something?
1st soldier: I don’t know.
2nd soldier: And if he was, why didn't he save himself?
1st soldier: I don't know. I'll have to try and find out a bit more about him.
2nd soldier: Well, it's down to you, but I'm all right as I am.
(The two soldiers get up throw some money on the table.)
2nd soldier: Thank you, Innkeeper.
Innkeeper: Thank you, come again.
(The two soldiers leave.)
………………………………………
Copyright © 2005 David Lee.
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