The Gate
PrevNode LinkNext[ A shot of the gate fades into the screen. Two guards are standing there. ]
Guard #1: You know. Almost nothing ever happens around here. Most of the day nothing happens. And occasionally a merchant or a traveller comes and wishes to enter the city. So we charge him money, and he enters the town. And we hardly ever remember him.
Guard #2: Well, it’s a dirty job and somebody’s got to do it. Hey! Here comes a merchant.
Merchant: Hi! I’d like to enter this city and remain here for a day or two.
Guard #1: Fine by me. That would be one Shekel, please.
Merchant: One Shekel! You must be mad. What possible things could this town have anyway?
Guard #1: Well, it has a Cathedral, a Bazaar, a couple of wells, a Wall, this Gate - the works.
Merchant: I have a feeling that I’ll regret ever entering this town, but whatever.
Guard #1: As the son of Gileg, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
Merchant: Do you mean that you are the son of Gileg - that pitiful son of Ham?
Guard #1: Gileg is not the son of Ham; he is the son of Shem. And you are the son of whom, by any chance?
Merchant: The son of Emor, why?
Guard #1: You are a son of Emor, who was Ham’s child, therefore I hate your guts.
Merchant: No, you are a son of Gileg, who was Ham’s child, therefore I hate your guts.
[ They start to fight. Only unclear shouts and accusations. ]
Guard #1: [Raises his hand.] Tell you what, let’s settle it by saying that I hate you and you hate me?
Merchant: But we are cool, right?
Guard #1: Sure!
[ An Egyptian Merchant comes by. ]
Egyptian Merchant: I could not help but hear your conversation. If I had accepted this Semite family tree, I would have to say that Ham was the most noble son of Noah.
[ Guard No. 1 and the Merchant turn to look at each other. They are puzzled. ]
Merchant: So you hate both of us, and we both hate you?
Egyptian: That’s right!
Merchant: But we’re cool?
Egyptian: We’re cool.
Guard #2: OK, let’s cut this family matters fight. You, please pay him a Shekel. And you, the proud son of Ham, please state your affairs at this town.
[ Fade out… ]