Participants:
Series Code: SF
Program Code: SF000001
00:26 Hadassah.
00:28 Poppy. Welcome home. 00:32 Any news about the Queen? 00:35 She has refused to obey the king's command. 00:37 Good for her. 00:39 The man was drunk and the request was indecent. 00:41 I agree but she has had to suffer for her high morals. 00:46 How? She has been put away. 00:49 Put away? Never to see his face again. 00:52 But I thought he loved her. That does not count. 00:56 Why? 00:57 She disobeyed him before all the princess of the kingdom. 01:02 Refused to see face, he has no choice. 01:05 Then love is not supreme. Not when one is a king. 01:11 Poppy, I'm so glad to be ordinary people. 01:15 Yes, Hadassah. 01:16 We do have much to be thankful for. 01:19 Which reminds me is the afternoon meal ready? 01:23 Yes, come. 01:25 It looks good. It is good. 01:34 Oh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 01:38 Fill us with thy spirit is thou 01:39 that fill us with the good things of the earth. 01:42 Amen. 01:49 See, this is really good. I'm glad you like it. 01:52 Like it! The King should eat so good. 01:56 Poppy? Uh-hum. 01:59 What will the King do for a new queen? 02:03 Oh, probably promote one of his concubines. 02:09 Do you think anyone ever loves a king? 02:12 Probably not. 02:14 It doesn't seem fair, does it? What's that? 02:18 The king has so much but enjoys so little. 02:23 We have so little, but enjoy so much. 02:28 And it counts most, we're richer than the king. 02:31 Yes, Hadassah. 02:33 We are the richest people on the earth. 02:36 All that remains is for God to make me a grandfather. 02:40 Do you mean you found him? 02:42 My dear, little Hadassah, 02:43 you're only barely a teenager. 02:46 Surely you're not yet impatient to find a husband. 02:49 Well, not yet. But one must think ahead. 02:54 Hadassah, your happiness 02:57 is most important thing in the world to me. 03:00 I have been watching and praying for the right one. 03:04 You're aiming too high, are you? 03:06 I mean, a baker in the arms 03:09 is better than a banker in the dreams. 03:11 No, Hadassah, not too high. 03:13 Only a man of God. But when? 03:17 God has His timing, 03:20 like the stars in the vast orbits. 03:23 God's plans know neither haste nor delay. 03:26 You always say that. Because it is always true. 03:32 Oh, great king. What? 03:37 It has been observed that the king is not happy 03:42 to have lost Vashti, the Queen. 03:45 Brilliant, Harbona, absolutely brilliant. 03:49 It is not good for the king to be alone. 03:53 Harbona, you have the makings of a genius. 03:57 What I mean, Sire, is that we should not just sit here 04:03 and bemoan the loss of the lovely Queen Vashti. 04:06 Oh, am I to rejoice instead? 04:12 I do have a suggestion. 04:16 This better be good Harbona. 04:20 I never should have called for her. 04:22 In the condition I was in you 04:24 never should have let me go for her. 04:28 Now I'm miserable. For there is none like her. 04:33 Either for beauty or for intelligence. 04:39 Yes, Sire. 04:41 So speak. 04:48 Let the King call for the most lovely 04:53 and charming girls in the entire kingdom 04:58 to be brought to Shushan, the palace. 05:02 Then let she that shall most please His Highness 05:07 be made Queen in Vashti's stead. 05:15 Good, Harbona. Yes, very good. 05:18 I like that. Let it be done. 05:21 Oh, yes, Your Majesty. Do it at once. 05:24 Oh, yes, Your Majesty. 05:32 Poppy, welcome home. Is there any news? 05:38 The King has issued a new decree. 05:40 Oh? 05:43 A decree that may destroy our world, Hadassah. 05:47 What does it say? 05:50 The king has sent messengers 05:53 to every corner of his kingdom to seek out fair young virgins. 05:58 She that pleases him most will become Queen. 06:02 So what that got to do with us? 06:04 What? Hadassah? 06:07 Do you never use the mirror? 06:10 To comb my hair. And what do you see? 06:13 Just me. 06:18 Oh, Creator God. 06:20 Can it be that she does not know? 06:23 Know, what? 06:25 Hadassah, do you really not understand? 06:29 Understand what? 06:32 That you are beautiful. 06:38 Me, beautiful? 06:40 Yes, Hadassah, beautiful, very beautiful. 06:43 How you forget to whom you speak. 06:45 It is I, Hadassah, remember me? 06:48 The rascal tomboy with pigtails and freckles. 06:50 I know to whom I speak my daughter. 06:53 But you have never so much 06:55 as called me pretty or even cute. 06:58 Am I now suddenly beautiful? 07:00 Yes. 07:02 This is some secret you've tried to keep from me. 07:05 To protect you from greedy young men 07:08 who would whisper sweet nothings in your ear 07:10 and then abandon you in search of other conquests. 07:14 I could never believe such words of empty love. 07:17 No. 07:20 Many a women much wiser than you 07:22 has been thus deceived, Hadassah. 07:25 There are dangers in being beautiful. 07:27 Well, even if I was pretty as you say, 07:31 God would never send me to a heathen court. 07:35 I agree. But we must do our part. 07:42 All right, I'll tie back my hair, 07:45 paint spots on my face and wear servant's cloths. 07:50 All your teachers will come here for your lessons. 07:55 And there is to be no more looking down from the balcony. 07:59 But my-- No. None. 08:02 The world must forget that you exist, Hadassah. 08:10 How long is my prison term, sir? 08:12 Until the king has finished the search of his kingdom. 08:16 I've got to hide for two to three years? 08:19 Yes. 08:22 Or until I have you safely married to a worthy man. 08:26 That could take forever. 08:28 God has His timing, like the stars in their vast orbits. 08:34 God's plans know neither haste nor delay. 08:37 You must believe it. I do believe it, Poppy. 08:41 But come. 08:43 Let us forget the king and his foolish problems. 08:46 I have prepared the most 08:47 exquisite experiment for the afternoon meal. 09:11 Oh, creative, God. How do I make her understand? 09:21 You were saying, Ben Israel? 09:22 I was saying, Mordecai my friend, no. 09:26 It is not possible. 09:29 But the King's decree is over a year old. 09:33 We've kept her hidden thus far. 09:35 Mordecai, you grasp at straws. 09:38 You know that Hadassah's beauty is, 09:40 it's famous among all our people. 09:43 Surely our people will not betray us. 09:45 No. No. 09:47 We're all children of Abraham. 09:50 You forget, not everyone born 09:53 to Abraham is a child of promise. 09:56 Isaac, you remember had seven brothers. 10:04 Oh, why? 10:06 Why can't God's people work in unity? 10:09 God's true people can, yes. 10:13 But God's true people, when God commanded our Father saying, 10:17 "Flee out of the midst of Babylon. 10:19 God's true people obeyed. 10:23 So what does that make us Mordecai, 10:27 keeper of the King's gate there. 10:29 I suppose that makes us 10:33 the children of the comfortable cowards. 10:35 Aye. 10:37 Just the kind it would be willing to sell 10:40 the little sister for a bit of silver or less. 10:46 Don't deceive yourself, Mordecai. 10:48 Don't deceive Hadassah. Prepare her. 10:51 Prepare her well. 10:54 But will God send her to be just another concubine? 10:58 I don't understand. 11:01 Two sons of men is not always given gift of understanding. 11:05 But to sons of men is always given gift of faith. 11:11 Therefore I trust, Mordecai, trust. 11:17 I shall. But what can I do for her? 11:22 You can prepare her for the course of Shushan. 11:25 I will not train her to be a harem girl. 11:30 Who speaks of harem girls? 11:32 And what's left? 11:34 To be Queen. Queen? 11:37 Queen! 11:38 Ben Israel, she is barely a teenager. 11:43 Foolish Mordecai, open your eyes. 11:47 You have been so busy to train her brain 11:50 that her body has slipped past you 11:52 and she has become beautiful, 11:56 intelligent young woman with wit, charm. 11:59 What? Yes, yes. 12:02 One who could understand 12:03 the inner workings of a kingdom. 12:05 Hadassah? Yes, this kingdom. 12:08 You seem so sure. 12:10 Mordecai, it is not by accidentally king seeks a queen. 12:21 And it is not by accident that Hadassah 12:25 has the heart of a queen. 12:28 If she is taken, it is because God 12:31 has brought her to the kingdom just for such a time. 12:39 I wish I could believe that. You must. 12:41 Why? Why? 12:45 Why, because if she goes in with the wrong attitude 12:49 they will grind her spirit in the dust. 12:51 Oh, but, if she goes in with the right attitude, 12:55 she will be queen. 13:00 You have no time to lose, Mordecai. 13:03 In your few remaining weeks or days, 13:09 you must give her the heart of a queen. 13:15 God be with you. 13:29 Any news, Father? No, Hadassah. No news. 13:32 Oh, why can't he just hurry and chose someone? 13:36 I'm so tired of being-- Hadassah. 13:38 Father? Sit down. 13:41 We need to talk. About? 13:46 Remember, how Joseph was sold as a slave? 13:51 And how he remained faithful to his God? 13:54 Yes. 13:56 When he stood half naked on the Egyptian auction block, 14:01 do you think he understood God's plan? 14:03 Probably not. 14:07 And Daniel in Babylon? 14:10 When he was made a eunuch and a slave, 14:13 when he saw his people slaughtered, 14:16 did he understand? No. 14:19 But they trusted God, didn't they? 14:23 What are you getting at, father? 14:26 Just this, soon they will begin the search of Shushan. 14:33 They will come to this neighborhood, 14:36 to our house, to your room. 14:40 You shall hide me. There is no hiding. 14:43 Too many of our people know about you. 14:45 Our people would never betray me. 14:47 Tell that to Joseph. Then I shall flee. 14:51 They're watching for girls who flee. 14:54 You wouldn't get past the city walls 14:56 before your torture and mutilation began. 14:58 Then what have we gained by playing this 15:00 foolish game of hide and seek? 15:02 Why am I forced to live as a hermit 15:04 when all my friends are going to parties, 15:08 falling in love, and getting married? 15:12 Why? 15:13 It has given us time to study 15:16 and to pray, to draw closer to-- 15:18 The King seeks find young virgins, doesn't he? 15:21 Yes. 15:22 It would seem that in the past two years, 15:26 you could have found someone for me to marry. 15:29 Of course, long ago, hundreds of times. 15:32 Then what have you waited for? 15:34 A man of God, Hadassah. A man of God. 15:40 What takes so long? Are they so very few? 15:45 Yes, Hadassah, less than few. 15:48 What will become of me, then? 15:53 Ben Israel thinks you shall be taken. 15:56 Ben Israel? Yes. 15:58 No. Oh, please, no. 16:05 And you? 16:09 And you? 16:11 The same. No. 16:13 It's almost certain. My, my. 16:15 What a glorious future to took forward to. 16:18 Hadassah, the concubine. Hadassah? 16:21 And what sweet memories I shall have to look back on. 16:24 A lifetime of preparation for some great man of God, 16:28 I shall never meet-- Please, my child. 16:31 And a lifetime of learning Psalms, I shall never sing. 16:35 Please don't. 16:37 And instead of an unworthy Israelite 16:40 who is weak in faith, I shall be an evening's 16:43 entertainment for a pagan king who has no faith! 16:47 What a fine trade God has given me. 16:50 Hadassah? I should rather die. 16:54 Where are you going? For a walk in the woods. 16:57 Something I haven't done since this nightmare began. 17:00 But you could be killed? If I'm lucky. 17:04 I forbid you to leave. No. Please? 17:08 I will die before I share a pagan's bed. 17:11 That is for God to decide, not you. 17:17 Sit down. 17:20 You will obey me, child. 17:35 You play the part of a coward. 17:39 You wouldn't run into the arms 17:41 of the first faithless Israelite, 17:44 just to spare yourself of little indignity. 17:48 You think God doesn't know what He is doing? 17:51 What is He doing? 17:55 I don't know, my child. We never know. 18:00 Poppy, I'm afraid, so very afraid. 18:05 I know, my little one, so am I? 18:09 Is it so wrong to want to die? 18:11 Anyone can die, Hadassah. 18:14 The challenge is to live on when life seems 18:17 turned upside down. 18:19 I don't know if I can. You can. 18:23 It's Joseph and Daniel all over again. 18:27 God is depending on you and you must not fail Him. 18:39 All right. 18:42 What must I do? 18:45 You must memorize the words of God, 18:48 for they are food for your soul. 18:51 You must be much in prayer, 18:55 for prayer is the breath of the soul. 18:58 But these I do already. Enough for ordinary times, yes. 19:03 But you face a time with no scriptures, 19:07 no synagogue, no one to trust, except. 19:17 I understand. Good. 19:22 God still sits on His throne. 19:27 But now it is time for evening worship. 19:31 Get me the section of the Torah. 19:33 Yes, Poppy. 19:42 Poppy? Yes. 19:47 I'm sorry. 19:49 You'll be all right, my little one. 19:52 Just trust Him. I shall. 20:01 Poppy? Yes, my child. 20:07 I love you. 20:11 I love you too my child. 20:14 But hurry. The Torah grows old. 20:19 Yes, Poppy. 20:23 Good morning, Your Majesty. Oh, good morning, Harbona. 20:26 How goes the search? 20:28 More young ladies are arriving daily, Your Majesty. 20:32 And if you don't mind me saying so, 20:34 I do believe your chief difficulty 20:36 will be in choosing the prettiest. 20:39 The prettiest? Don't you think I look past the face? 20:43 Oh, but of course, a lovely body is-- 20:46 No, no, no. 20:48 What I want, what I long for, 20:50 what I need, Harbona, 20:53 is someone who also has mental faculties. 20:56 Someone whose beauty has not aborted 20:58 the growth of her brain. 21:01 Oh, I see. 21:03 I seek a woman with original thoughts. 21:06 One who can wrestle mind with mine. 21:10 Have you found such a one as that, Harbona? 21:14 If she exists, Haggai will find her. 21:19 Well, he'd better. 21:21 I grow weary of beautiful idiots 21:24 who are so unsure of their beauty 21:26 that they cover themselves 21:27 with layers of grease and powder. 21:30 Have you ever kissed a face like that, Harbona? 21:35 Well, to be honest-- 21:38 Like kissing a dusty floor, isn't it? 21:41 And then there are the tinkle girls. 21:45 The tinkle girls? 21:47 Yes, you know, the ones who wear all the earrings, 21:50 and nose rings, and bracelets, 21:52 and anklets, and necklaces, and broaches and pendants. 21:55 It sounds like a heard of goats coming down the hall. 21:59 But Your Majesty! It was you who commanded them 22:04 to choose from such a vast array of gold and jewels. 22:10 It was you who gave them leave to keep all that they choose. 22:15 To test them, Harbona. 22:18 To see if there will be one woman in all the world 22:21 who could chose dignity over greed. 22:25 So far all have failed. 22:31 Is there not one, Harbona? 22:34 Just one woman in all the world who is happy with who she is? 22:40 We'll find her, Your Majesty. 22:42 Haggai has already began to search here in Shushan 22:46 and there won't be a house from India to Ethiopia 22:50 that won't be searched from top to bottom, 22:53 yet we'll find her, Your Majesty. Yes we will. 22:57 Dear God, isn't there another way? 23:02 Haven't You one more miracle for me? 23:09 Please! And if You do say no, 23:16 help me to trust. 23:24 Such a sad prayer, my little one. 23:28 They have begun the search here in Shushan. 23:33 Why does God not answer? 23:36 Perhaps, He has. 23:41 Do you think I can remain true to Him? 23:44 If you breathe. Breathe? 23:48 Prayer, remember, a breath of the soul. 23:52 Breathe freely and deeply of the atmosphere of heaven 23:56 and no matter what happens to you, 23:59 God is there. I shall. 24:04 I will not let a day go by without praying. 24:09 Something else. What? 24:15 You must not reveal your people. 24:19 I'm not ashamed to be one of God's people. 24:23 No. I know whatever I speak. 24:26 Promise me silence. 24:29 Because I love and trust you, father. 24:33 I promise. 24:38 One thing more. What? 24:42 You must change your name. 24:45 Change my name? Yes. 24:47 But my name is who I am. It is a Jewish name. 24:55 Your new name will be... 25:01 Esther. 25:04 I'm a flower, not a star. I don't like it. 25:08 You don't have to like it. You just have to use it. 25:13 Hadassah is no more. 25:19 I know it hurts, my child. 25:22 But it must be. You understand? 25:30 But this is foolish to speak as if I'm really going. 25:33 God may not put-- Poppy! May God be with us? 25:36 Open up, in the name of the king. 25:38 Poppy, what shall I do? 25:39 From this moment on, you must conduct yourself as a queen. 25:42 I am a frightened little girl. 25:45 Open up, I say. Poppy. 25:46 Silence. You will cry only to God. 25:50 Do we have to break this door now? 25:52 Let him in. 25:59 You're the master of this house? I am. 26:02 One of your neighbors tells me 26:04 that you have a pretty girl here. 26:09 Huh. 26:12 And so you do. 26:14 Come, into the light my lovely. 26:27 Messy hair. 26:30 Painted face. Slaves clothing. 26:36 Who did you think you could fool, girl. 26:39 Come. Now. 26:42 Sure, now. What do you think yesterday? 26:46 But may she bid the servant's farewell. 26:49 My orders from Haggai are for speed not sad farewells. Come. 26:56 Do you dare interfere with the king's business? 27:01 Shall we go? 27:08 Esther? 27:12 Yes, good sir. 27:14 Breathe deeply. 27:17 I shall. 27:19 Unto Joseph, I shall do my best. 27:29 God go with you. 27:30 397, 398, 399, 27:38 empty heads. 27:41 Oh, Haggai. 27:45 Is there any hope for you? 27:49 Master, Haggai. 27:50 Well, what have you for me today? 27:54 A most lovely creature, sir. 27:56 You've said that about all of them. 27:59 Ah, but this one is different. You said that too. 28:07 Send her in. Yes, sir. 28:19 Good morning, number 400. Good morning, sir. 28:25 Do you have a name, number 400? My name is Had... 28:30 Surely you do know your name? 28:35 My name is Esther. Esther. 28:39 I could use a star right now. 28:41 Tell me. Did you come willingly? 28:44 I prayed with all my heart to be passed by. 28:47 You seem religious. I love my God, yes. 28:52 Good. It will give you something to cling 28:55 to until you adopt our religion. 28:57 Is that required? 29:00 It just happens that way. 29:03 When the girl see the gold splashed everywhere, 29:07 hear our finest music, 29:10 and see the flower of our youth dancing before the golden gods, 29:15 they all bow down. 29:19 You will bow down. Perhaps. 29:24 Tell me, my little nun. 29:28 What does your God expect you to do in the present situation? 29:33 My best. 29:37 Tell me, how do you feel about being beautiful? 29:42 What makes you think that I am? 29:46 Call it an educated guess. 29:48 Why won't you look at me? I am looking at you. 29:51 How do you feel about being beautiful? 29:54 I never thought much about it. 29:56 Oh, why not? 29:59 I've always had more important things to think on. 30:03 Tell me, have you any education? 30:08 Some. In what? 30:10 Cooking, a trade, some music and little science. 30:16 Did you say science? Some, yes. 30:19 We shall see. 30:31 Here we have a large cylindrical vase. 30:36 Use this ruler to find its volume. 30:58 It should hold about three and three-fourths Ephahs. 31:03 Let me see that ruler. 31:20 You are wrong. I am? 31:23 It holds four. 31:25 Did you remember to account for the thickness of the clay? 31:37 Vashti. What's that? 31:40 Nothing. 31:43 Sing for me. 31:45 I left my heart. Sing without it. 31:49 You wish. 31:52 By the waters of a river 31:58 in a very distant land 32:02 We hung our harps in silence 32:07 as our tears fell in the sand. 32:11 Then our captives cried for music 32:17 while mocking at our fear 32:21 Tell me who can sing a song of joy 32:26 when their eyes are full of tears 32:35 You are not happy to be here? I wanted to die. 32:41 I know how you feel. 32:43 How could you possibly know how I feel? 32:45 You never had to say goodbye forever? 32:49 Yes, I have. When? 32:57 When my people sent me to this place 33:04 as part of their tribute. 33:07 One does not choose to become a eunuch. 33:11 Then you understand. 33:14 Yes, Esther, I understand. Then send me home, please. 33:21 Just because I understand 33:23 does not mean that I've gone mad. 33:26 What do you mean? 33:28 If I lose you, I lose my head. 33:37 You'll begin training tomorrow. 33:41 You shall live here in Vashti suite. 33:45 You will have the best beauticians, 33:48 the best masseuses, 33:50 and seven of our finest maidens to cater to your every whim. 33:55 Me? Yes, Esther, you. 34:00 Let us begin by putting on some decent clothing 34:05 and washing your face. 34:11 Who did you think you could fool anyway? 34:18 Hey, Mordecai, my friend. Ben Israel. 34:24 Any news yet? Yes. 34:27 She has found favor in Haggai's eyes. 34:29 It is the hand of God. I think so. 34:32 He is sparing no pains to make her queen. 34:35 Oh, she will be queen. 34:39 The only question is. 34:43 Why will she be queen? 34:46 What do you mean? 34:48 God does not elevate one of our people without reason. 34:51 Joseph in Egypt, to save our ancestors from starvation. 34:55 Daniel, so Cyrus would release our fathers, but why? 35:00 Why would He elevate Hadassah? 35:03 Surely not to save us again. 35:05 No. 35:07 You forget, there is a price to pay for comfortable cowardice. 35:13 Ah! Your imagination runs riot. 35:16 I hope so. But, because Messiah is to come of our people. 35:22 The evil one has ever sought to destroy us. 35:27 Could there be destruction in the wind 35:30 and Hadassah is to save us? 35:34 Wait and see. 35:37 I just wish I could help somehow. 35:40 Help? Help who? Hadassah, of course. 35:44 Oh, Mordecai, there. 35:46 There comes a time when a parent has done all that he can do. 35:50 Now Hadassah's future is up to Hadassah. 35:54 Besides, when it comes to charming the king, 35:59 I don't think Hadassah needs any help from you. 36:07 Good morning, Esther. Good morning, Master Haggai? 36:10 You seem cheerful this morning. 36:11 I hear you've written a love song for the king. 36:14 Well, I've put it together-- I hear it is very lovely. 36:17 Well, thank you. 36:19 You must sing it to the king. 36:21 Someday. 36:23 No, some night. Some night? 36:27 Like tonight. 36:31 Tonight? Yes, tonight, come. 36:34 Wait, wait, where to? To the royal dressing room. 36:37 But I-- Come, come. 36:49 Oh! Oh my! I've never seen so many jewels, 36:55 and fine gowns, look at the furs. 37:01 Who are these people? 37:03 Makeup artists, to make you as lovely as you can be. 37:07 But what is all this for? 37:10 For you, dear Esther. For you. 37:13 The king has provided the finest gowns, veils, jewels, perfumes, 37:19 whatever it takes to make the best impression on the king. 37:24 And not only that, but the king has decreed 37:29 that you may keep as your very own, 37:32 all the jewels and clothing you choose to wear. 37:35 I choose? Yes, choose. 37:38 Choose whatever it takes 37:40 to make you all the woman you want to be. 37:42 But I can't. 37:44 It is thus ordered by the king. 37:48 All this nonsense is what prostitutes use to trap fools. 37:54 You choose for me, dear Haggai. 37:59 Are you sure? 38:00 Well, you know what the king likes. 38:02 Oh. Oh, I have prayed that you would let me do this for you. 38:07 That green gown will accentuate your eyes. 38:11 For perfume wear essence of carnations, 38:15 the king loves carnations. 38:18 Let's see, a veil or no veil? 38:24 You must wear your hair simple. 38:27 May I suggest blue eye shadow 38:29 and liner to bring out her eyes? 38:31 And may I suggest sequins and glitter? 38:35 Go home fools. 38:38 Do you add to the luster of a pearl 38:40 by covering it over with paint? 38:43 They all make the same mistake. 38:46 Too much paint. Too many jewels. 38:51 So many clothing that the king can't find them 38:54 or so little that he needs no imagination. 38:59 But not tonight. 39:03 Tonight you will be 39:05 simple, pure, lovely. 39:12 And tomorrow night, 39:15 the king will call for you again. 39:17 Not yet, Haggai. Wait until we're sure. 39:21 Listen, Esther. 39:23 And if you are not the queen, there will be no queen. 39:29 Girls, come, dress Esther for her wedding night. 39:36 Well, I think you're ready. 39:38 Is a girl ever ready for her wedding night? 39:41 How do you feel? A bit nervous. 39:44 Good. It will keep your eyes bright. 39:52 Well, this is goodbye, Esther. It's been a pleasure. 39:58 Thank you. You've been good to me, Haggai, too good. 40:04 No, dear Esther. 40:06 You have been too good to us. 40:09 The way you comforted the other girls. 40:14 Your love for those of us 40:16 who don't understand the language of heaven. 40:22 All that your parents have made you to be, 40:25 it's what we all want to become. 40:31 Well, the king has waited over two years for you. 40:36 We mustn't keep him waiting any longer. 40:41 Goodbye, Esther. Your God go with you. 40:46 He's your God too, Haggai. 40:51 Goodbye, Haggai. 41:09 God go with you, little star. 41:14 I love you. 41:16 Will she really be queen, master? 41:29 You tell the chamberlain 41:32 that tomorrow there will be a coronation. 41:35 Can you be sure, master? 41:38 Look. 41:44 She is singing to him. Go. 41:56 My Queen. Hetack, what's wrong? 41:58 An urgent message for you, Queen Esther, 42:00 from Lord Mordecai. 42:07 To Esther, the Queen. 42:10 You must immediately inform the Great King 42:13 that his two doorkeepers, Bigthan and Teresh 42:16 have serious designs on the king's life. 42:19 Action must be swift. 42:21 Mordecai, keeper of the king's gate. 42:24 Hetack. My Queen? 42:25 Take this to the king, immediately. 42:27 His life may depend on it. Yes, Your Majesty. 42:29 Make sure that he understands that it comes from Mordecai. 42:33 You could sign your own name, my Queen. 42:35 Hetack, what I say is what I mean. 42:38 The name is Mordecai. 42:40 Yes, my Queen. 42:44 Thank you, dear God. 42:47 Thank you, Mordecai. 42:51 Well, Haman, how is the king enjoying his new bride? 42:55 To be honest, I've never seen the king more content. 43:00 So how does that change things for us? 43:03 Well, not at all, my dear. 43:05 She's only a woman 43:07 Besides, I have the king's total confidence 43:11 and once the honeymoon is over 43:14 I'll begin the process of 43:16 neutralizing little Queen Esther. 43:18 That's sounds like a tall order, Haman. 43:21 What? You are talking to Haman, 43:24 son of Hammedatha and for descendants of Esau, 43:29 there are no tall orders, 43:33 especially in view of my promotion. 43:37 Promotion? Promotion to what? 43:41 To Prime Minister, second in the kingdom. 43:45 Prime Minister? Oh, Haman, how wonderful. 43:50 My husband, second in the greatest kingdom on earth. 43:56 Oh, the wonder of it all. Yes. 43:59 The wonders have just begun, Zeresh, only begun. 44:03 Soon I will be ready to make serious plans. 44:08 My ten sons shall be princess. Yes. 44:12 And head someone, they shall be. 44:16 Can't you see them all in white chargers, Lord Haman. 44:20 Sounding the trumpets 44:22 and leading the procession before me. 44:26 Oh, I tell you, Zeresh, 44:27 the glories of the Amalekite kingdom 44:29 did not die when Samuel the Jew smoking a gag. 44:35 But, oh, how I thirst for revenge upon those murderers. 44:40 No, no, Haman, don't make any rash moves. 44:46 Your time will come. Yes. 44:50 And it's almost here. 44:53 Soon I'll wear the king's signatory. 44:57 Come, let's call a banquet for all our friends and family. 45:02 I have much to tell them of the glories of Haman the Agagite. 45:14 Shalom, Mordecai. Hey, Ahiezer, shalom. 45:18 I hear rumors about you. Rumors? 45:23 They say you do not bow very low to the prime minister. 45:27 That is not true. No. It's not? 45:30 The fact is I don't bow at all. Time to start. 45:35 Some of the other gatekeepers have told Haman 45:38 and today he will be on the watch for you. 45:40 So let him watch. 45:42 They told him you're a Jew. I'm honored. 45:45 Mordecai, what I'm trying to say is that Haman is a big man. 45:50 You've got to bow down, 45:51 or you are going to get us all in big trouble. 45:53 No. What he demands is too much. 45:57 But you must. Not to Amalekite dog. 46:01 If King Saul had been faithful, there would be no Haman. 46:05 Mordecai, listen. 46:07 We are strangers in a strange land. 46:09 We must be prepared to compromise. 46:13 "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me." 46:17 You are going to get us in trouble. 46:19 If we get in trouble by obeying God, 46:23 God will deliver us. 46:24 Make way. Come on Mordecai. 46:27 No, Make way for Lord Haman. 46:29 Bow down. 46:31 All bow down by order of the king. 46:35 You fool bow down. To God alone. 46:40 Bow down, before our prime minister. 46:44 All bow down by order of the king. 46:49 Mordecai, please, for your people. 46:56 Make way. Make way for Lord Haman. 47:00 Bow down. 47:02 Oh, now you've done it. Now you've really done it. 47:06 God will help us. Oh really. 47:08 Then where was God when Jerusalem was 47:10 burned to the ground and the temple sacked? 47:13 He was driven away 47:14 by the same spirit of compromise 47:16 that you're advocating right now. 47:19 Someday, God will have a people 47:22 who will glorify His name by simply believing 47:26 that God says what He means and He means what He says. 47:31 Hey, Ahiezer we could be that people. 47:35 You speak foolishness. 47:37 Now go after Haman and apologize, 47:40 before he takes serious measures. 47:42 No. I command you. 47:44 Command a sun to freeze. 47:47 You're an escapee from the lunatic fringe. 47:51 The rabbi will be by to see you. 47:53 I'm sure he will. Fool. 47:55 The raw nerve of that Jew. Can you believe the gall? 48:00 The whole world bows down to me except one lousy Jew. 48:04 This is incredible. Who does he think he is? 48:08 He thinks he's one of the remnant 48:10 of God's chosen ones, that's who. 48:13 There's probably a 150,000 stiff-necked bigots 48:18 just like him out there. 48:20 God's chosen ones. What a joke. 48:25 Ought to exterminate the whole lot. 48:27 No, no, Haman. 48:29 To kill one measly Jew is one thing. 48:33 But a whole nation is something else. 48:36 They are leaders in banking, commerce, and industry. 48:40 And they have the power that comes with wealth, Haman. 48:43 Yes, they are a wealthy lot, aren't they? 48:48 It's too bad there isn't some way 48:51 to use their wealth against them. 48:53 Hmm. 48:56 Maybe there is. How could there be? 49:00 What if the king were to pass a law 49:04 making all Jews open hunting? 49:08 And what if each hunter were allowed to possess 49:11 the property of every Jew he kills? 49:16 What did you say? Oh nothing. It was stupid. 49:19 No. No. I like it. 49:23 Get this Zeresh. 49:25 We will pass a law making it open season on all Jews. 49:29 And each hunter will be permitted 49:32 to keep the property of each Jew he kills. 49:35 That way the richer the Jew 49:38 the more dangerous it is for him. 49:40 Yes, yes. And what do you think of it, Zeresh? 49:44 It's too dangerous, Haman. 49:47 A bold plan to be sure. 49:49 But I feel the spirit moving. 49:52 And I think it will work. Just be sure. 49:55 In fact I know it will work. 49:58 Men, women, brides, little children, 50:03 all shall perish together. 50:05 And Mordecai will watch it all 50:08 knowing that he was the cause. 50:11 Are you really serious? 50:13 Serious? Yes, I'm serious. Dead serious. 50:18 Why should I be content with a single Israelite 50:22 when I can destroy them all? 50:24 Move carefully, Haman. Move very carefully. 50:29 They are dangerous people. 50:32 You think I don't know. 50:34 Their distant fathers annihilated my nation. 50:38 My throat has long been cracked with the thirst for justice. 50:43 And now time to drink the sweet wine of revenge. 50:48 No, no Haman. Don't make any rash moves. 50:54 Best to seek counsel of the wise. 50:58 But of course. Call them all. 51:01 Call the soothsayers, 51:03 the necromancers, the high priests. 51:06 The witches and wizards. 51:09 The astrologers. The palm readers. 51:11 Call the whole sacred lot. 51:14 You know, it is a full moon tonight. 51:19 Good. Tonight. 51:23 By moon full we will deliver and engage the team. 51:27 Cast the die and swing the key. 51:30 Spy out the planets, Venus and Mars. 51:34 Line up the paths of all the bright stars. 51:38 Nothing by chance when this we do. 51:42 Set us a time to kill the last Jew. 51:46 Love it, Haman. Just love it. 51:50 Sleep well, Mordecai. 51:53 For tomorrow you begin to die. 51:59 And what is this special request you mentioned, 52:02 Haman, my friend? 52:04 It is not so much a personal request, Your Majesty, 52:08 so much as an affair of state. 52:10 Oh? Yes. 52:12 You see, there is a certain wicked nation 52:16 that has infiltrated your kingdom 52:18 at all levels of society. 52:21 There is? Yes, Sire. 52:23 They are seeking to spread unrest 52:26 and insurrection everywhere, 52:30 saying that they are the only 52:31 true people of the only true God. 52:35 And that all the rest of us are worshiping devils. 52:39 What's in so? Indeed, Your Majesty. 52:43 They refuse to join the rest of the world in our day of worship. 52:49 Choosing rather to do their own thing on their own day. 52:54 Neither kindness nor punishment can bring them into harmony. 53:00 Therefore it is my opinion 53:05 that you should destroy them utterly. 53:09 Rather strong measures? 53:13 The only final solution, Your Majesty. 53:18 Yes, in fact, I feel so strongly about this matter, 53:23 that I propose to contribute 660,000 pounds of silver 53:30 to help with the expenses. 53:32 333 tons of silver? Yes, Your Majesty. 53:35 My, you certainly put your money where your mouth is, Haman. 53:40 When one considers the blessings, 53:42 it will come to our divine kingdom 53:44 and view of such a measure. 53:46 One soon sees that the price is cheap enough, 53:50 Your Majesty, cheap enough. 53:54 Do as you deem best. 53:56 Only remember, a law of the Medes and the Persians 54:00 may never be changed. 54:02 But of course, Your Majesty. 54:04 A law that can be changed labels it's maker a fool. 54:08 Indeed. 54:11 How would you like the silver to be paid, Your Majesty? 54:14 What is a handful of silver among friends? 54:17 Oh, Your Majesty. Keep it for your old age. 54:20 Thank you, Your Majesty. 54:22 I shall not trouble you further about this minor matter. 54:26 Good day, Your Majesty. 54:28 Oh, Haman. Sire. 54:30 You'll want my signet ring. 54:34 Of course, Your Majesty. 54:40 Good day, Your Majesty. 54:42 Good day Haman. 54:44 My most trusted friend. 54:58 My Queen. Did you send the new clothes to Mordecai? 55:01 Yes, my Queen. 55:03 Did he put them on? 55:04 He refused them, my Queen. 55:06 Did he offer an explanation 55:07 why he is mourning with sackcloth and ashes? 55:10 Yes. He sent you this. 55:13 Why, it's a royal decree, sealed with the king's own ring. 55:19 Informed by Haman. 55:21 That there is humungous of wicked people, 55:24 I give order that the Jews to smothercate 55:27 both mother and child, old and young 55:29 shall be utterly destroyed. This is insane. 55:33 Haman is personally in charge of the purge 55:35 and has promised 660,000 pounds of silver 55:38 to the king's treasury to pay for all the expenses. 55:41 Oh, no. 55:44 He's also made a law that 55:45 anyone killing a Jew may possess his property. 55:48 Oh God, no. 55:51 Lord Mordecai also told me to give you this. 56:02 "My beloved Hadassah. 56:05 You must at once prepare yourself 56:09 to go before the Great King 56:11 to make supplication for your people." 56:19 My Queen, what's wrong? 56:21 He wants me to go before the king, 56:24 to make supplication for my people. 56:27 But to go unbidden to the king is to die. Yes. 56:32 And there is no record of the king 56:33 having extended the scepter to anyone. 56:35 I know that Hetack. 56:38 Well, I should consider this a most impossible request. 56:41 Yes, it is impossible. 56:43 Tell Mordecai, the king has not called me for 30 days. 56:47 There's nothing I can do. 56:49 Yes, my Queen. 56:53 "My beloved Hadassah. 56:56 You must at once prepare yourself 56:59 to go before the Great King 57:02 to make supplication--" 57:04 No, he'll kill me. 57:10 My Queen. What did he say? 57:12 He sent this. 57:16 Please leave me. 57:21 "My beloved Hadassah. 57:24 Do not think that you shall escape 57:26 just because you are in the king's house. 57:29 If you hold your peace 57:31 then God will surely send deliverance from another place. 57:35 But you and your father's house shall be destroyed. 57:39 And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom 57:43 just for such a time." 57:46 "For such a time." Could it be. 57:51 Oh, dear God. Is this why I have come? 57:57 Is it for such a time? 58:02 I shall do as you bid me. 58:05 Only grant me courage I pray. 58:12 Hetack. Your Majesty? 58:15 Take answer to the Lord Mordecai. 58:17 Yes, Ma'am. "Father Mordecai. 58:20 Tell all the Jews of Shushan to fast for me. 58:23 Take neither bread nor water for three days and three nights. 58:28 My maidens and I shall do the same. 58:30 And then--And then, I'll rise and go on unto the king. 58:37 And if I perish-- I perish." 58:44 My Queen, you can't. Go. 58:49 Going my Queen. 59:00 Oh, Lord, deliver us from our enemy. 59:04 There you are. Go away. 59:07 And where shall I go to escape a universal death decree? 59:10 Tell me that would you. 59:12 I don't know. We can only pray. 59:15 What lousy good do you think 59:16 a little prayer is gonna do anybody? 59:18 I told you not to cross Haman. 59:20 But no, you have to be a hero. 59:22 Mordecai, the righteous fanatic, 59:24 has to be the one to do the work of Satan. 59:28 I obeyed God. And look what it got us? 59:31 A whole nation doomed to die. 59:34 Where do you see God's hand in that, huh? 59:37 Just what do you think you've accomplished from all this, 59:39 Mordecai or what? 59:41 All I know to do is what the scriptures command, 59:46 the rest I must leave with God. 59:48 Well God better do something soon, friend. 59:50 Because if He doesn't, I'm coming after you myself. 59:53 You've got that, fanatic. 59:59 Oh, Lord, forgive me for my mistake. 01:00:04 Shalom, Lord Mordecai. 01:00:07 Shalom, Ben Israel. 01:00:11 Well, you were right 01:00:14 about Satan time to destroy our people. 01:00:17 It will never be thus even to the end of time. 01:00:20 But God has given us Hadassah. 01:00:24 Yes, today she takes her life before the king, because of me. 01:00:31 You take this too personally. Should I not? 01:00:34 You acted as any true believer. 01:00:38 And I foreseen the results. 01:00:42 I don't know if I would-- 01:00:43 For this reason God does not always open to us the future. 01:00:48 But He does reward faithfulness, Mordecai. 01:00:52 You watch, you wait and see. 01:00:56 When they took my little Hadassah, 01:00:59 all I had was God's promise. 01:01:02 It is the same now. 01:01:04 At least now we know 01:01:06 why our little flower was ordained to blossom 01:01:10 just at the approach of the king's gardeners. 01:01:15 Yes, it was, just for such a time. 01:01:20 Our people have been fasting with her for three days. 01:01:23 We are meeting at the synagogue to pray for her. 01:01:25 Can you come? Yes. 01:01:27 We shall commit to God. 01:01:32 Do I look my best Hetack. 01:01:35 Hetack. My Queen. 01:01:37 Why must you appose me? 01:01:39 Because you go to die. I go to save my people. 01:01:43 No. To die. 01:01:45 Death holds no fears for one already under the death decree. 01:01:48 My, Queen, listen. 01:01:50 The king knows not that you are Jewish. 01:01:52 Keep it that way. 01:01:54 My robe please. But you are innocent. 01:01:56 And are not all of my people, 01:01:58 the young, the old, the bride, the groom, the little children. 01:02:02 They have no choice, but you do. 01:02:05 You do not have to die for naked little ghetto girls. 01:02:08 I was once a naked little ghetto girl, Hetack. 01:02:11 You? Yes. 01:02:12 The only difference is it someone taught me 01:02:16 about a God who thought I was important. 01:02:19 But-- Hetack, this is difficult enough without watching you cry. 01:02:25 My robe please? 01:02:34 Your robe, Your Majesty. 01:02:38 Thank you, Hetack. See you soon. 01:02:46 Esther's God. 01:02:50 If you are really there, help her. Please. 01:02:59 Next. 01:03:00 The merchants of Shushan request the privilege 01:03:04 to licensing the beggars about the city gates. 01:03:08 To what purpose? Well, they didn't say. 01:03:11 Well, they didn't need to say. 01:03:13 The power to license is the power to control. 01:03:17 They probably-- Someone comes. 01:03:20 Unannounced? Unannounced, Sire. 01:03:23 Harken! He who passes these portals passes to his death. 01:03:28 Guards, to the ready. 01:04:16 What is your request, my Queen? 01:04:18 I will grant anything. 01:04:20 Even unto half of my kingdom. 01:04:23 If I have found favor in the king's eyes, 01:04:26 I'd like to request that He and Haman come to a royal banquet 01:04:30 I have prepared for them. 01:04:33 Harbona. Yes, Your Majesty. 01:04:37 Is there anything else you wish to say my Queen? 01:04:40 No. There is time to talk later, oh my king, live forever. 01:04:47 I shall be waiting for you. 01:04:56 Harbona, what do you make of that? 01:05:02 She obviously wants something very, very badly, Your Majesty. 01:05:07 Yes. But she won't say what it is until tonight. 01:05:13 Do I guess correctly that His Majesty is a bit curious? 01:05:19 A bit. How long until dinner, Harbona? 01:05:25 Four hours, Your Majesty. Four hours. 01:05:30 May I suggest a lion hunt to how pass the time, my Lord? 01:05:34 Are you mad? But you love to hunt lions. 01:05:37 Of course I love to hunt lions. 01:05:40 But hunting lions requires one's full attention. 01:05:43 In my distracted state, I could get killed. 01:05:47 Call the next case. Oh, yes, Your Majesty. 01:05:54 And so friends and family, I presently find myself 01:05:58 to be one of the wealthiest men in the world. 01:06:01 Yes, one two. 01:06:03 Second only to the king in power. 01:06:07 Is that the king's signet ring? Yes. 01:06:13 Show it our friends, Haman. 01:06:15 But, best of all, I have finally won 01:06:18 the heart of Esther, Queen of Persia. 01:06:23 Esther. Esther. 01:06:24 In fact, I have just returned from a royal banquet 01:06:28 where I was the only guest. 01:06:32 Yes, just the other night. 01:06:34 Thank you, thank you. 01:06:36 And to top it all off. 01:06:38 The Queen has invited the king and I, 01:06:41 once again to another banquet tomorrow night. 01:06:45 I know what this means, 01:06:47 this means that you are in now Haman. 01:06:52 You must be a happy man now, my Lord. 01:06:57 No. No? What? Not happy? 01:07:03 All of this avails me nothing 01:07:05 so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 01:07:10 Is that your biggest problem? 01:07:12 That's my only problem? 01:07:14 We'll solve that little problem right now. 01:07:18 I propose you build a gallows 01:07:22 high enough for the entire city to see. 01:07:26 Where? In our courtyard. 01:07:29 When? Tonight? Yes, tonight. 01:07:34 Why? To hang there on Mordecai the Jew. 01:07:44 But the time of the general death decree 01:07:46 is many months away. 01:07:50 Well, you're a special friend of the king. 01:07:53 Right? Right. 01:07:55 Go to him, first thing in the morning 01:07:58 and ask for a special little favor. 01:08:03 Yes, yes. Send for the carpenters. 01:08:08 You know, Zeresh, 01:08:10 for a mere woman, you're a sly little vixen. 01:08:16 I just don't want my hero 01:08:18 loosing any sleep over some silly little Jew, that's all. 01:08:23 Am I right? Oh, yeah. 01:08:31 Your Majesty? Yes. 01:08:34 But before you retire, may I ask a question? 01:08:39 Ask. What was the queen's request? 01:08:44 I don't know, Harbona. 01:08:47 You don't? She didn't say. 01:08:52 What strange behavior, to risk one's life for nothing. 01:08:57 No. Not for nothing. 01:09:01 For something of utmost importance. 01:09:04 Well, why does she delay? 01:09:08 I don't know, but Haman and I 01:09:11 are invited again tomorrow night to another banquet. 01:09:16 I'm sure that she will present her request at that time. 01:09:20 You mean, we have to-- 01:09:22 I mean, you, have to wait yet another day? 01:09:27 Yes, another day. 01:09:30 And no, I don't want to pass the time hunting lions. 01:09:35 Yes, Sire. And good evening to you sire. 01:09:40 Harbona. Yes, Your Majesty. 01:09:44 What is that infernal racket I hear? 01:09:48 I don't know, someone in the wealthy sector 01:09:53 seems to be remodeling his house. 01:09:55 At this hour, the stupid fool. 01:09:59 Remind me to make a law about that. 01:10:02 Yes, Sire, good evening Sire. 01:10:06 Good evening, Harbona. 01:10:11 397, 398, 01:10:15 399, 400. 01:10:22 Oh, curse it all. Harbona! 01:10:28 Harbona! Coming, Your Majesty. 01:10:36 Did you called, Sire? I can't sleep. 01:10:40 Mathematics always put you to sleep in school. 01:10:43 Have you tried-- Yes. 01:10:46 Bring me, my Chronicles of State Events. 01:10:49 I shall review my past decisions. 01:10:53 Yes, Your Majesty. 01:10:57 What is that racket? 01:11:02 And you said the man was giving 01:11:03 command to one of the provinces? 01:11:06 For his outstanding service to his Highness. 01:11:08 Good, good. Read on. 01:11:11 "And it came to pass that two of the king's doorkeepers, 01:11:16 Bigthan and Teresh by name, 01:11:19 plotted against the life of the king. 01:11:22 Howbeit, they were foiled 01:11:24 by the swift action of one, Mordecai the Jew. 01:11:29 Upon investigation, Mordecai's charges were found 01:11:33 to be accurate and the two conspirators 01:11:37 were visited with death." 01:11:38 The wretches. Read on. 01:11:41 "Upon one occasion, the king being greatly in need of--" 01:11:45 Wait! Wait! Yes, sire? 01:11:48 What about Mordecai? What about him? 01:11:52 What honor was paid him for his deed? 01:11:57 Nothing, sire. What? 01:12:01 Nothing is recorded here, sire. 01:12:03 Is this how the king rewards his most faithful servants? 01:12:07 We must end to this matter at once. 01:12:08 Oh, indeed at once. 01:12:11 The only problem is, what to do? 01:12:15 The prime minister, Your Highness. 01:12:18 Just who I needed. Send him in. 01:12:21 The Prime Minister, Lord Haman! 01:12:27 Your Majesty. Haman. 01:12:30 What brings you to the court at this early hour? 01:12:33 I have come to request a small, 01:12:35 but important favor of Your Majesty. 01:12:38 Anything you wish. 01:12:39 You see-- But first, 01:12:41 I have a small favor to ask of you. 01:12:43 But of course, Your Majesty. 01:12:45 I'm your most humble servant. 01:12:49 Tell me, Haman, as my trusted counselor, 01:12:54 how may the king best honor 01:12:56 a one in whom he has found great delight? 01:13:01 "Is there any besides myself 01:13:03 whom the king might more delight to honor? 01:13:07 Nay, I can think of none." 01:13:11 A very difficult question, Your Majesty. 01:13:15 Certainly you would want to honor this person 01:13:20 in a manner suitable to your munificence. Yes. 01:13:25 Give me but a moment to consider. 01:13:27 "Ask for thyself honor of the highest order." 01:13:31 Yes, let this be done for the man 01:13:35 whom the king delights to honor. 01:13:38 Let the king bring forth one of his royal robes. 01:13:42 Yes, good. And the king's royal crown. 01:13:45 Oh, yes. 01:13:47 And the king's personal stallion. 01:13:48 Oh, a good touch. 01:13:50 Then let the king choose one of his most noble princes. 01:13:58 And have this most noble prince 01:14:00 dress the honored man in the king's royal robe. 01:14:04 Place the king's royal crown upon his most noble brow. 01:14:10 Mount him upon your magnificent charger. 01:14:14 And personally lead him through the streets of the city. 01:14:19 Excellent, Haman. 01:14:20 Your Majesty. And further-- 01:14:22 More? Haman, you're a genius. 01:14:25 And furthermore, Your Majesty. 01:14:28 Let this noble prince stop at each intersection 01:14:33 and proclaim loudly, "Thus it shall be done 01:14:37 and to the man whom the king delights to honor!" 01:14:40 Excellent, Haman. Excellent! 01:14:42 Thank Your Majesty, it was nothing. 01:14:44 Haman, my beloved friend, since you are my prime minister, 01:14:50 my most trusted confidant, my most noble prince. 01:14:54 Your Majesty. I want you to take my robe. 01:14:57 Oh, Your Majesty. 01:14:59 Get my crown, choose my personal stallion and without fail. 01:15:03 Your Majesty-- 01:15:05 Do all these things to Mordecai the Jew. 01:15:10 Did you say, Mordecai the Jew, Your Majesty? 01:15:15 Yes. He sits at the king's gate. 01:15:17 You may have noticed him there. 01:15:20 Yes. I think I have noticed the man. 01:15:26 Are you all right? 01:15:28 Fine, Your Majesty, thank you, just fine. 01:15:30 Good, good. 01:15:32 Now start immediately 01:15:33 and I want you to cover the whole city. 01:15:35 I shall, Your Majesty, I shall. 01:15:39 Oh, Haman? Sire? 01:15:42 Wasn't there something you wish to ask of me? 01:15:45 Oh, no, Your Majesty. 01:15:48 You have answered all of my questions. 01:15:52 I have. Yes, Your Majesty, good day. 01:15:56 Good day. Don't forget our banquet. 01:15:59 I'll there, Your Majesty. 01:16:02 Be sure to be on time. I shall, sire. I shall. 01:16:10 How long now, Harbona? 01:16:13 How long? Until the banquet. 01:16:17 Oh, uh. 01:16:19 Ten hours, sire. Ten hours. 01:16:22 Oh, time! 01:16:24 What a mysterious substance. 01:16:26 It races like water during the good times, 01:16:29 but turns to glue during the bad. 01:16:33 Stubborn, sticky stuff. 01:16:41 And then I had to lead him all about the city, 01:16:48 stopping at each intersection to proclaim his honor. 01:16:53 I tell you, Zeresh, I've never been so humiliated in my life. 01:17:01 This is serious. You think I don't know? 01:17:05 But what am I to do? 01:17:09 I don't know yet. 01:17:13 But if you've been publicly humiliated by a Jew this way, 01:17:19 there's no way you'll prevail against him now. 01:17:23 But there's the king's death decree 01:17:25 which can never be altered. 01:17:33 Dark, Haman. Very, very dark. 01:17:39 I fear for our lives. 01:17:41 Now, now, Zeresh, it's not that bad. 01:17:46 I have won the confidence of the queen. 01:17:49 And I still wear the king's signet ring. 01:17:53 I'll work things out yet, you watch. 01:17:57 Indeed I shall. Enter. 01:18:02 The king summons Haman, 01:18:04 the Prime Minister to attend the banquet of Queen Esther. 01:18:10 Time already? Past time already. 01:18:13 Oh dear. 01:18:15 The king hates to be kept waiting. 01:18:18 I'll be with you. I'll go help him dress. 01:18:26 You work here? Yes, sir. 01:18:34 What are the big gallows for? 01:18:36 Nothing. 01:18:38 You don't build gallows that high for nothing. 01:18:41 Yes, sir. 01:18:44 Who are the gallows for? Haman built them, sir. 01:18:49 Who did Haman build them for, miss? 01:18:53 Nobody. What is the nobody's name? 01:19:00 Mordecai, the Jew, sir. 01:19:03 Oh, how interesting. 01:19:12 Ready, sorry to keep you waiting. 01:19:15 Oh, you haven't kept me waiting. 01:19:17 Oh, see you this evening, Zeresh. 01:19:21 Yes, dear. Have a good dinner. 01:19:27 Things don't look good, do they mistress? 01:19:32 Does the guard know about the gallows? 01:19:36 Does he? Yes, mistress. 01:19:40 Pack my bags. 01:19:45 Delicious, my Queen, absolutely delicious. 01:19:48 Thank you, Your Majesty. 01:19:50 Have you enjoyed supper, Haman? 01:19:52 Oh, certainly, Your Majesty. 01:19:54 More I like of the Queen's cuisine has never been seen. 01:19:59 Sort of has a ring to it, doesn't it. 01:20:01 Indeed. 01:20:03 But now, to the business at hand. 01:20:08 What is your request? 01:20:11 I hesitate to ask you do a favor, Your Majesty. 01:20:13 Nonsense, my fairest. 01:20:15 Ask whatever you will and I shall grant it-- 01:20:18 unto half of my kingdom. 01:20:20 Isn't that right, Haman? 01:20:22 Indeed, Your Majesty. 01:20:23 Do you love me? 01:20:25 What kind of question is that? 01:20:27 Do you? 01:20:31 From the moment I first saw you. 01:20:36 Would you prefer that I leave Your Majesty? 01:20:39 Well, come to think of this. 01:20:41 No, no please stay. 01:20:43 This involves you. 01:20:45 It does? It does? 01:20:47 Have I found favor in your eyes, oh King? 01:20:49 More than I can tell you, my love. 01:20:52 But what is your request? 01:20:54 It is but a simple favor that I ask. 01:20:57 Well, ask. 01:20:59 There is a decree that has gone out 01:21:01 from the hands of an evil one, 01:21:02 that will destroy the peace and prosperity of your kingdom. 01:21:05 What decree? 01:21:09 Does the king wish to see a copy? 01:21:11 Yes, go. 01:21:15 Who does this decree involve? 01:21:16 Your most diligent and faithful people, Your Majesty. 01:21:19 Who? The Jewish people. 01:21:21 The Jews? Yes, Your Majesty. 01:21:24 I know of no decree concerning the Jews. 01:21:28 I am sorry to trouble you with such matters. 01:21:31 If only we had been sold into slavery, 01:21:33 we could have endured the bitterness thereby. 01:21:35 But, we--- We? 01:21:40 Yes we. 01:21:42 If we had only been sold into slavery, 01:21:45 we could have endured the bitterness. 01:21:49 Though your kingdom would have suffered great loss thereby. 01:21:52 But, now by the hands of the evil one, 01:21:55 we are doomed to die! To die! 01:21:57 I know, I ask is that you don't kill me. 01:21:59 Kill you? And don't destroy my people. 01:22:02 Destroy the Jews? 01:22:03 And don't kill my beloved Mordecai. 01:22:05 He who was my savior? Yes, My Lord. 01:22:08 Esther, my Queen, what are you talking about? 01:22:11 The Jews have done us no harm and we love Mordecai. 01:22:15 There is a decree gone out from the king. 01:22:17 The king? And he sentenced me 01:22:19 and my people to be destroyed. 01:22:20 What? To be slain. 01:22:22 Slay my Queen. 01:22:23 No one is to be spared. 01:22:26 This is utter madness. 01:22:28 Who is he? 01:22:30 Where is he that would dare to do such a thing? 01:22:33 Well, speak. 01:22:37 The adversary and enemy is this wicked man. 01:22:43 Haman! 01:22:44 Haman. 01:22:54 Oh, my Queen, you must save me. 01:22:57 I didn't know it would involve you. 01:22:59 Please you must help me. 01:23:03 Esther, you must hear me. 01:23:09 Please Esther, I beg of you please--What! 01:23:13 Will the vile wretch now force the Queen as well? 01:23:18 The decree, Your Majesty. 01:23:20 "Xerxes, the King. 01:23:22 Be destroyed, with their wives and children. 01:23:26 No mercy. Signed Xerxes, the King." 01:23:31 King, may be interested in knowing 01:23:33 that Haman has had a gallows erected of 75 feet. 01:23:38 To what purpose? 01:23:40 To hang thereon Mordecai, the king's officer. 01:23:47 To destroy my most industrious people. 01:23:52 You would slay my Queen. 01:23:55 And then you would reward 01:23:56 those who save my life by hanging them. 01:24:01 And what were your plans for me, Haman, 01:24:04 my most trusted friend? 01:24:08 Away, vile wretch. 01:24:11 Go to your gallows 01:24:12 and see if they work to your satisfaction. 01:24:16 Oh, Haman. I want my ring. 01:24:29 Traitor. Foul betrayer of trust. 01:24:40 Are you all right, My Queen? 01:24:42 I am, Your Majesty. 01:24:45 I must apologize for the fool, Haman. 01:24:50 And apologize forever trusting him 01:24:52 with such important matters. 01:24:56 The question now is. 01:25:00 What to do to save your people? 01:25:02 May I suggest my adopted father be consulted? 01:25:07 But of course. Who is he? 01:25:10 Is he who formerly saved your life. 01:25:14 Mordecai? Yes. When my parents died, 01:25:18 he took me and raised me as his daughter. 01:25:20 He raised you to be what you are? 01:25:24 Yes. He is a wise and gentleman, Your Majesty. 01:25:27 Yes. He must be. 01:25:32 By all means in for him. 01:25:36 He shall take the place of the foul Haman the Agagite. 01:25:42 We shall give him this. 01:25:49 Yes. Your Majesty. 01:25:58 Lord Mordecai to see Her Highness. 01:26:00 Send him in. 01:26:05 Oh, Poppy. Hadassah. 01:26:08 I've missed you so. 01:26:10 I though, I would never see you again. 01:26:12 Are you all right? I'm fine. God is good. 01:26:15 You are more beautiful than I remember. 01:26:17 And you haven't aged a day. 01:26:21 How are our people? They fear the decree. 01:26:25 As well they ought. God will save us. 01:26:28 But, how? The decree cannot be altered. 01:26:31 No, but it can be countered with another. 01:26:34 Saying what? 01:26:36 Giving the Jews permission to defend themselves 01:26:40 and by appointing the king's officers 01:26:42 to insure fair play. 01:26:43 Yes, draw it up. 01:26:46 But, who I'm I to make such a-- 01:26:49 The king told me to give you this. 01:26:52 The king's ring. 01:26:53 For the new Prime Minister. 01:26:56 You draw up the edict and I will go 01:26:58 and hand it to him, have him sign it. 01:27:00 You will risk your life again? 01:27:02 It is no risk. 01:27:04 I love the king and he loves me. 01:27:07 Truly, Hadassah, God has sent you, 01:27:10 just for such a time. 01:27:13 You know, Poppy. What you said was true. 01:27:15 What's that? 01:27:17 "Like the stars in their vast orbits-- 01:27:19 God's plans know neither haste nor delay. 01:27:29 "The spirit of Haman lives on. 01:27:31 While you led out your calm and quiet lives, 01:27:33 the spirit of religious intolerance 01:27:35 is knocking at legislative doors. 01:27:38 And history speaks with a united voice to tell us 01:27:40 that state enforced religion has always, 01:27:44 and will always lead to persecution. 01:27:46 This country was founded on the principle of separation 01:27:49 between church and state. 01:27:51 And if religion, any religion, shall ever control 01:27:55 the laws of our glorious land, the spirit of Haman 01:27:58 will rule once more. 01:27:59 And the story of Esther will happen again. 01:28:01 This must never be. 01:28:04 In the Bible story, God sent Esther. 01:28:06 In the coming crisis, God sends you. 01:28:09 It may be, that as He guides 01:28:12 the stars and galaxies in their vast orbits, 01:28:15 so as He placed you where you are, 01:28:17 knowing what you know, just for such a time." |
Revised 2014-12-17