Neanderthal Messiah — 179

Judean Tavern| I

Iesu was about to tell His friends of the Orient

And adventures.

Of Enlightenment.

And Philosophy’s action requirement.

Of the mission back here, now

And of non action’s impact — wu wei.

[Mr. Iscariot bursts in:] ‘Romans!

[Looks back out the door crack.]

Amassed outside

In formation.’

[Judas shot up from his chair to the window: ‘Fuuuuuck!’]

[Iesu steps outside facing their Cohort Commander:]

‘You are who we are…?’

[Iesu:] ‘Are you prepared?’

[Commander:] ‘With overwhelming force. [snickers]

You’re of Egyptian birth, no?’

[They both walk the margin in troop inspection —

Each soldier a specimen of dedication to violence &

Uniformity, indoctrination.]

[Iesu:] ‘I’ve heard of your decimation.’

…

‘Do you think that works? Fear?’

[Commander:] ‘It makes for predictability.’

[Iesu:] ‘May I?’

[The Commander allows.]

‘Brothers! You belong!

Already. Free. Admitted.

Believe, I ask.

You march for love.’

[A plank spear in doric clonk falls heavily.]

[A decanus shouts out:] ‘Infracti!’

[A comet surges across the sky.]

[Mutters of the word ‘omen’ in the bristling ranks.]

‘Rotto! Decimatio!’ again from the decanus.

[A soldier comes forward to kneel before the Nazarene.]

[A swallow swoops down across the torso of the Commander.]

[Iesu:] ‘Your name is now Daniel. Amen.’

[The Commander draws his sword and slits the genuflector’s throat.]

[And before the 799 soldiers’ eyes, a golden spirit flew into the Heavens.]

[The Commander orders:] ‘Cyclone!’ [horns blast.]

[And in the hubbub of mass reformation, says to Iesu:] ‘We have the census.’