Shmooby and The Paroah
written by
ALLAN LEVINE
247 SEATON
TORONTO, ONTARIO, M5A 2T5 [email protected]
FADE IN: Darkness. Fade up slowly on Cold open;
1 EXT. DESERT – DAY
Wind. Lots of wind. Sand and dust whipping everywhere,
obscuring our view. The lonely howl of wind rises and falls.
We are in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
SUPER: "The Land of Midian: 1800 BCE"
It fades out. Beat.
New SUPER: "More or less."
It fades out. Through swirling sand and dust, we begin to see
something in the FOREGROUND: A BUSH. On fire. Next to it: a
BLACK ROTARY PAY PHONE on a post, its cord disappearing into
the sand.
In the distance, through the dust storm, two figures emerge.
MOSES (45,weather-beaten face, magnificent beard, kafiyeh and
robes) and a PATHETIC CAMEL trudging toward us, toward the
camera. They get closer. Moses sees the bush and phone.
Stops. Stares at the bush...and the phone.
MOSES
You gotta be kidding me.
The phone RINGS. Moses looks at the camel. The camel looks at
Moses. The phone rings again. Moses trudges over to it.
But the BUSH GLOWS brighter, flames licking up, but not
consuming it. It's beautiful.Otherworldly. Moses turns away
from the phone, to go back to the bush.
He steps closer to the bush. From within, a VOICE - ethereal,
echoing, layered:
GOD (V.O.)
Mosssssesssss... Moooosessss...
Moses is TRANSFIXED. The phone keeps ringing.
Moses falls to his knees before the burning bush. The
flames dance. The voice calls. This is IT. This is the
MOMENT. Divine revelation.
He leans in, closer,closer to the burning bush,his face
illuminated by the holy fire...
GOD (V.O.)
(sharp, irritated, Brooklyn voice)
SHMUCK! PICK UP THE PHONE!
Moses JUMPS up, and back, startled. Looks at the phone. Looks
at the bush. Scrambles over and picks up the receiver.
MOSES (into phone, defensive)
I was COMING to the phone!
GOD (V.O.) (THROUGH PHONE NOW)
Yeah? It rang EIGHT TIMES! What,
you're timing me? You got SOMEWHERE
TO BE?
MOSES
I was looking at the—You were in
the BUSH! I thought—
GOD (V.O.)
Never mind what you THOUGHT. Take
off your shoes.
MOSES
What?
GOD (V.O.)
Your shoes. Take them off. You're
standing on holy ground.
Moses looks down at his sandals, then at the burning bush,
then back at the phone.
MOSES
I'm standing on SAND. It's a
DESERT.
GOD (V.O.)
It's holy sand NOW, you genius. The
shoes, Moses. Off.
MOSES
(sighs, starts unlacing his sandals
while holding the phone with his
shoulder) This is ridiculous...
GOD (V.O.)
What was that?
MOSES
Nothing! I said NOTHING!
Moses hops on one foot, trying to get his sandals off while
not dropping the phone.The camel watches with indifference.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Okay. Okay, they're off. Happy?
GOD (V.O.)
Thrilled. Now listen carefully.
MOSES
(wary) I'm listening...
GOD (V.O.)
I got a little job for you, Moses.
MOSES
(sitting down in the sand,
defeated) Of course You do.
Fade to black.
Timpani thunder as the orchestra begins slowly,
magnificently, in the manner of Thus Spake Zarathustra,
until the melody achingly resolves itself into the first four
bars of….Hava Nagilah...
MAIN TITLES
FADE IN:
Genres:
["Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
The Reluctant Call
2 EXT. BEDOUIN ENCAMPMENT - MIDIAN – DAY
Sparse desert tents ripple in the heat. Goats bleat.
SUPER: TWO WEEKS LATER
3 EXT. MOSES'S AND TZIPORA’S TENT – DAY
Moses sits at a small table near the tent entrance. On the
red-and-white checked tablecloth: a PASTRAMI ON RYE, dill
pickles, a bottle of CREAM SODA, and the RACING FORM. A BLACK
ROTARY PHONE sits ominously on the corner of the table, its
cord snaking into the sand.
Sitting with Moses: JETHRO (60s, dignified, kind face,
robes), Moses's father-in-law Two of TZIPORA'S BROTHERS -
HOBAB (30s, eager) and ELIAB (40s, more cautious) And one
more MIDIANITE. MORTY THE CAMEL stands nearby. The vibe is
TENSE. Like everyone's waiting for something.
Moses AGGRESSIVELY reads the Racing Form, not making eye
contact. He takes a huge bite of pastrami. Chews.
HOBAB
So... you gonna talk about it,
or...?
MOSES
(not looking up, mouth full) Talk
about what?
ELIAB
The... you know. The thing.
MOSES
There's no thing.
Moses grabs a TOOTHPICK from the table. Starts working at his
back molar, digging. Really getting in there.
JETHRO
Moses, my son—
MOSES
(still digging with toothpick)
There's no THING, Jethro.
He finally dislodges whatever was stuck. Flicks the bit away.
Goes back to the Racing Form. Awkward silence.
Someone at the table shifts. A small FART escapes. Everyone
pretends not to notice. The wind of the desert flutters.
MIDIANITE FRIEND
(after a beat) Sorry.
HOBAB
(expertly shuffling playing cards)
It’s fine.
MIDIANITE FRIEND
The hummus from last night—
ELIAB
We don't need details.
More silence. Moses scratches his nose. Eliab shuffles cards.
TZIPORA (40s, headscarf, desert robes, arms crossed) appears
from inside the tent.
TZIPORA
Did you take out the garbage?
MOSES
(not looking up) I got a system.
The goats eat the garbage.
TZIPORA
The goats eat GRASS, Moses. They're
GOATS. What are you, some kind of
animal expert now?
MOSES
Zippy, please. I got a camel in the
fourth at Goshen, I'm trying to—
TZIPORA
A camel. In Goshen. You know what
else is in Goshen? YOUR PEOPLE.
Enslaved. Making bricks. But you?
You got a system with the goats.
MOSES
(looking up, pained) Aw, geez, not
this again—
TZIPORA
YES, this again! When are you gonna
DO something with your life, Moses?
You killed ONE Egyptian fifteen
years ago and you're still dining
out on it!
MOSES
I'm a SHEPHERD now, Zippy! That's
what I DO! That's my—that's my
PROFESSION!
TZIPORA
A shepherd who won't answer the
PHONE when God calls!
HOBAB
(trying to help) Actually, goats
are pretty omnivorouS.
TZIPORA
(sharp look at Hobab) Not helping,
Hobab.
She storms back into the tent. POTS CLANG.
Another beat of silence. Moses takes a long swig of cream
soda. Wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
ELIAB
(to Moses, carefully) So when He
called last week—
MOSES
(cutting him off, louder than
necessary) Who's dealing?
Beat. Everyone stares at him.
MOSES (CONT'D)
CARDS. Who's dealing the CARDS?
Hobab slowly starts dealing.
Moses reluctantly FOLDS his Racing Form. Sets it aside with
great ceremony, smoothing it down. The SNAP of cards hitting
the table. They pick up their cards. Study them. One of
Moses's cards falls to the ground.
MORTY leans down, picks it up in his mouth,and drops it back
on the table. With a generous glop of camel saliva. Moses
picks it up gingerly. Wipes it on his robe.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Thanks, Morty.
JETHRO
(after a pause, diplomatic) I'm
just saying, Moses, when the
Almighty calls—
MOSES
(studying his cards) Two cards.
JETHRO
—it's generally considered unwise
to—
MOSES
TWO. CARDS.
Hobab deals Moses two cards. Moses arranges them in his hand.
His face is unreadable. Scratches his beard. Sucks his teeth.
MIDIANITE FRIEND
I'll take one.
MOSES
Three.
JETHRO
(sighing) I'm good.
Another FART from the Midianite Friend.
MIDIANITE FRIEND
That hummus, I'm tellin' you—
EVERYONE
WE KNOW.
Moses takes another bite of pastrami. Chews thoughtfully.
Studies his cards. Outside, in the distance, we hear the
distinctive sound of a camel. Getting closer.
MOSES
I'll raise you three shekels.
Everyone looks at him.
ELIAB
Three shekels? On THAT hand?
MOSES
You callin' or foldin'?
A JOCKEY in full 1950s racing silks - green and gold, number
7 on his back, goggles, riding crop - slowly rides by on a
CAMEL outside the tent. The camel has that distinctive,
painfully slow, undignified camel gait.
The jockey sits in proper racing position, completely
serious. Everyone turns and watches. The camel and jockey
pass. Exit frame. Long beat.They turn back to their cards.
HOBAB
...Was that a—
MOSES
Don't.
HOBAB (CONT'D)
But he was on a—
MOSES
I SAID don't.
More tense card playing. Moses scratches his nose again.
Really gets in there.
JETHRO
I'll call your three. And raise you
five.
MOSES
(squinting at Jethro) You're
bluffing.
JETHRO
Am I?
The PHONE RINGS. Everyone FREEZES. Cards in mid-air. Moses
mid-chew. It rings again. Nobody moves. Everyone stares at
the phone. It rings again. And again.
HOBAB
(whispering) You gonna get that?
MOSES
(also whispering, not looking at
the phone) No.
Ring. Ring.
JETHRO
Moses...
MOSES
I'm in the middle of a HAND!
Ring. Ring.
JETHRO
My son, perhaps—
MOSES
(louder, desperate) I got THREE
SHEKELS in this pot, Jethro! And I
got a camel in the fourth at Goshen
pays twelve to one!
Ring. Ring.
TZIPORA
(from inside tent, NOT YELLING BUT SOMEHOW LOUD) Answer the
phone, Moses.
Ring. Ring.
MOSES
(calling back) I'm BUSY!
TZIPORA (O.S.)
ANSWER. THE PHONE.
Moses stares at his cards. At the pot. At the phone.
Ring. Ring.
MOSES
(to the table, defeated) I fold.
Moses picks up the phone like it weighs a thousand pounds.
Brings it to his ear. Clears his throat nervously.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(into phone) Hello?
Beat.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Ahm. Yes. I'll hold.
Long, tortuous pause. Everyone watching. Moses sweating.
Faintly, we hear: “Please continue to hold, your prophesy is
important to us.” Overtop a muzak version of Hava NaGila…
Finally:
MOSES (CONT'D)
(into phone) Yeah? Yeah, hi.
Pause. He listens.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Yeah, I know.
Longer pause. Everyone at the table watches him.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Uh-huh... (He closes his eyes,
pinches the bridge of his nose.)
Listen, about that, I got a
situation with my knees, I don't
think I can—
Pause. His eyes open. He looks annoyed.
MOSES (CONT'D)
What do You MEAN "knees have
nothing to do with it"?
Jethro and the brothers exchange glances. Here we go.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(into phone) But the WALKING—
there's a LOT of walking involved,
You said so Yourself—
Pause.
MORTY leans in closer, hovering over the table, listening.
MOSES (CONT'D)
A CAMEL? You want I should get a
CAMEL? Have You SEEN the camels
around here?
Moses puts a finger to his lips, looks at Morty
apologetically.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(into phone, quieter, covering
receiver) They're SCRAWNY! They
spit, they bite, they STINK!
Morty looks OFFENDED. Makes an indignant sound.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(hand over phone, whispers to
Morty) I'm not talking about YOU!
Just…relax, will you?
He brings the phone back to his ear. Pause. He listens. His
face falls.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quieter) But they're not gonna
listen to me. I'm nobody. I'm a guy
who takes care of SHEEP.
He listens. His face changes. Whatever he's hearing, it's
hitting home.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(even quieter) I know You'll be
with me, but—
Pause.
MOSES
(barely audible) Yeah. Yeah, okay.
He slowly hangs up the phone. Sets the receiver down with
great care, like it might explode. Long silence. Moses just
sits there. Staring at nothing.
A TELEGRAM DELIVERY BOY —12 years old, cap, uniform, chewing
gum— rides up on a BICYCLE. In the desert. Skids to a stop in
a cloud of dust.
TELEGRAM BOY
Telegram for Moses!
Moses, still in shock, automatically takes it. The boy rides
off immediately, peddling hard.
Moses stares at the telegram in his hand. Slowly opens it.
INSERT: The telegram reads "STOP. RAMESES WILL SAY NO STOP.
DO IT ANYWAY STOP. SIGNED GOD STOP."
Moses looks at it. Looks at the phone. Looks at the
telegram again.
MOSES (CONT'D)
to himself) He sent a TELEGRAM?
(still staring at the telegram)
I gotta go to Egypt.
Everyone leans in.
HOBAB
...What?
MOSES
Egypt. I gotta—He wants me to go to
Egypt.
ELIAB
The Egypt where you're WANTED FOR
MURDER?
MOSES
That'd be the one.
JETHRO
And do what, my son?
MOSES
(finally looking up) Tell Rameses
to let the Hebrews go.
Beat.
ELIAB
The Rameses who's PHARAOH?
MOSES
(irritably) Yes.
ELIAB
The one with the ARMY?
MOSES
YES!
Tzipora emerges from the tent. Arms still crossed. But her
face has softened.
TZIPORA
About time. Fifteen years I've been
waiting for that phone to ring
again. Don't you DARE tell me
you're not going.
MOSES
(looking up at her) Zippy, I could
DIE.
She walks over. Puts a hand on his shoulder.
TZIPORA
So? You'll die doing something that
MATTERS. Instead of reading about
camel racing and smoking hookahs.
They look at each other for a beat. Really look at each
other.
TZIPORA(CON’T) (CONT'D)
(quietly) When?
MOSES
(looking at her) I don't know.
Soon, I guess.
She leans down and kisses him on the forehead. Gentle. Like
she hasn't done in a while. She considers. Then she takes his
hand and PULLS him to his feet. They're standing, eye to eye.
She kisses him on the lips. A real kiss. She releases him.
Straightens his robes up a bit. Wipes a tear from her cheek.
Shakes her head. Then exits back into the tent.
Moses stands there for a moment, processing. The men are all
staring at him. He sits back down slowly. The men sit in
silence.
JETHRO
(finally) Well. I suppose you're
gonna need provisions.
MOSES
I suppose.
HOBAB
And a new saddle for Morty.
MOSES
(sighing) And a new saddle.
ELIAB
You had a full house, you know.
MOSES
(picking up his cards, looking at
them) I know.
He sets them down. Picks up what's left of his pastrami.
Brings it toward his mouth. Stops. Stares at it. He's lost
his appetite. He lowers the sandwich.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(his head in his hands,to no one in
particular) Oy.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Shelter from the Storm
4 EXT. SAND DUNES – DAY
Endless dunes. WIND whipping sand everywhere. The sun is
merciless. MOSES trudges forward, leading MORTY by a rope.
Both moving slowly but steadily. Moses stops. Wipes his face.
Squints into the distance. Nothing but sand and more sand.
MOSES
(to Morty) You see anything?
Anything at all? A landmark? A
tree? A SIGN that says "Egypt, This
Way"?
Morty chews.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(looking around) Because I gotta be
honest with you, Morty, I think
we're lost.
Morty makes a sound.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Yeah, well, when YOU'RE ready to
navigate, be my guest.
He pulls out a water skin. Shakes it. Barely any slosh. He
holds it up to the light. Nearly empty.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(to Morty) We got maybe... half a
day's water left. IF we're careful.
He takes the tiniest sip. Swishes it around his mouth.
Swallows.
MOSES (CONT'D)
That's lunch.
He holds the water skin out to Morty.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Your turn.
Morty sniffs it. Turns his head away disdainfully.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Oh, what, it's not FRESH enough for
you? Not from a SPRING?
Morty just stares at him.
MOSES (CONT'D)
You know what? When YOU'RE dying of
thirst, don't come crying to me.
He tucks the water skin away. Starts walking again. Pulls on
the rope. The wind is picking up. Sand starts to sting.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(conversational,to Morty,shouting
over the wind) You know what the
worst part is? It's not even that
we're LOST. It's that I KNOW how
this ends. Rameses, says no, God
does something. Probably terrible.
People suffer. And it's MY fault
because I'M the one asking.
Morty makes a noncommittal sound.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(bitter laugh) Yeah, exactly.
"Why'd you say yes, Moses? Why
didn't you just stay in Midian with
your goats and your Racing Form?"
Beat. Walking.
MOSES (CONT'D)
You know what He said? God? When I
asked Him why ME? He said—and I
quote—"Because you're there."
Walking.
MOSES (CONT'D)
THAT'S the plan. I'm THERE. That's
the qualification. Not wisdom, not
strength, not—
The wind SURGES. Moses must shield his face.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(shouting over wind) —not even a
sense of DIRECTION apparently!
He stops. Looks around. Wipes sand from his eyes.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quieter, to himself) We could be
going in circles. We could be
heading AWAY from Egypt. We could—
Suddenly Morty PUSHES Moses with his head. Hard.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(stumbling) HEY! Morty! What are
you—
Morty pushes again. HARDER. Moses falls backwards, confused
and annoyed.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(sitting in sand) I don't have TIME
for whatever THIS is! We need to—
The camel steps forward and pushes him again, this time
forcing Moses to scramble backwards.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(getting angry) MORTY! STOP IT!
What is WRONG with you?!
But Morty keeps coming, keeps pushing, forcing Moses to crab-
walk backwards until—Moses's back hits something solid.
ROCKS. An outcropping of rocks.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(looking up, confused) What are
you–
And then— The WIND EXPLODES. A massive gust tears across
where Moses was just standing. Sand blasts like a wall,
hitting the rocks with a sound like hail. The visibility
drops to NOTHING. It's a full sandstorm.
Moses, now sheltered behind the rocks, watches the storm
roar past. His eyes widen with realization.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(looking at Morty, amazed) You...
you SAW that coming.
Morty is still standing OUTSIDE the shelter of the rocks,
partially exposed to the wind, between Moses and the storm.
Taking the full force.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(scrambling to his feet) Morty! Get
in here!
Morty doesn't move. Just stands there, a living windbreak.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(louder, urgent) Hey! I'm SERIOUS
here! Get behind the rocks!
Morty shifts its weight but doesn't come closer.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(panicking now) Don't you DARE! You
don't get to—you can't just—
He lunges forward, grabs Morty's rope with both hands.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(pulling, desperate) MORTY, PLEASE!
Morty resists. Moses pulls harder,
leaning back with all his weight.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(shouting over the wind) You don't
get to save my life and then DIE
for it! That's not HOW THIS WORKS!
Still Morty doesn't move.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(frantic, almost crying) I walked
you through a DESERT! I gave you
WATER—which you REFUSED, by the
way! You're MORTY! That's a NAME!
You're not just— a camel, you're—
He pulls with everything he has.
MOSES (CONT'D)
PLEASE!
Finally—FINALLY—Morty takes a step. Then another. Moses
keeps pulling, guiding it behind the shelter of the rocks.
They're both protected now.
The wind roars around them but the rocks block the worst of
it. Moses and Morty stand there,facing each other. Moses
still holding the rope. Silence except for the wind.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quiet, shaking) Don't... don't
ever do that again.
Morty makes a soft sound. Almost apologetic. Moses touches
Morty's face. Morty leans into it slightly.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(softer, genuine) Thank you.
Beat.
MOSES (CONT'D)
For the record? You're smarter than
me. You can navigate. And I'm sorry
I said you weren't any help.
Morty blinks slowly.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(managing a weak smile) Yeah, yeah.
I love you too, Morty.
He slides down to sit in the sand, his back against the
rocks. Completely exhausted. Wrung out.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Let's get some sleep. When this
clears...you lead. I follow. Deal?
Morty settles down next to him. Protective. Curling around
Moses. Moses puts a hand on Morty's neck. Leaves it there.
The wind howls. The sand blasts. But they're safe. Together.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Brick by Brick: A Struggle for Dignity
5 EXT. BRICK-MAKING SITE - GOSHEN – DAY
Brutal sun. Hundreds of HEBREW SLAVES hauling bricks. But
the vibe is... different. More organized. Like a work crew. A
WHISTLE BLOWS. Some Hebrews stop working, pull out LUNCH
PAILS (anachronistic, we don't care), sit on piles of bricks.
In the foreground: JOSHUA (30s, wearing a dirty work tunic
but also a FLAT CAP - very 1950s longshoreman) leans against
a pile of bricks, toothpick in mouth. Next to him: AARON (42,
also has a flat cap, clutching a thermos),looking nervous.
An EGYPTIAN OVERSEER (40s, clipboard,shirtless with bronze
muscles and that stereotypical Egyptian headgear, approaches.
OVERSEER
(looking at clipboard) Alright,
listen up! We're behind quota! I
need another hundred bricks by
sundown or—
JOSHUA
(leaning, not moving, toothpick
still in mouth) Yeah, about that...
OVERSEER
(looking up) What?
JOSHUA
We got some concerns. Labor-wise.
AARON
(nodding) Concerns.
OVERSEER
(sighing) Not this again.
JOSHUA
(pulling a crumpled piece of paper
from his tunic) Look, we made a
list. Very reasonable. Fair.
AARON
(opening his thermos) You want some
coffee? It's still hot.
OVERSEER
I don't want your COFFEE! What's
the list?
JOSHUA
(reading) Okay, so. Number one: we
want a thirty-minute lunch break.
With a whistle. Like they got down
at the docks.
OVERSEER
This ISN'T the docks!You're SLAVES!
JOSHUA
(looking at Aaron) He said the S-
word again.
AARON
I heard it.
JOSHUA
(back to Overseer) We prefer "labor
force." Or "the guys."
OVERSEER
I don't CARE what you prefer!
JOSHUA
Number three: Saturdays off. For
the Sabbath.
AARON
It's in the contract.
OVERSEER
WHAT CONTRACT?! THERE IS NO
CONTRACT!
JOSHUA
(pulling out another piece of
paper) Listen, Pally, we drew one
up. Got Hymie from Block 5 to
notarize it. He used to be a
notary.
OVERSEER
(grabbing the paper, looking at it)
This is— (reading) "We the
undersigned demand fair wages,
reasonable hours, and Matzoh Ball
Soup Fridays"?!
AARON
(to Joshua) I told you the soup
thing was too much.
JOSHUA
It's a MORALE issue!
OVERSEER
(crumpling the paper) You want
wages? You want SOUP?! You're
PROPERTY!
AARON (TO JOSHUA)
He's very focused on that property
thing.
JOSHUA
(standing up, getting in Overseer's
face, toothpick still in mouth)
Look, pal. We're just tryin' to do
right by the fellas. You ever work
fourteen hours hauling bricks?
OVERSEER
(cold, dangerous) You know what?
I've HAD it with you two.
He signals to several EGYPTIAN GUARDS nearby.
OVERSEER (CONT'D)
Starting tomorrow? Double quotas.
For EVERYBODY. And if you don't
make 'em? No water breaks. No
shade. NOTHING.
JOSHUA
(losing the cool, genuinely
worried) You can't—
OVERSEER
Watch me. (stepping closer, quiet
and menacing) And if I hear ONE
MORE WORD about "contracts" or
"dental" or ANY of this— (gestures
to the papyrus)—I'll make sure you
two are the FIRST ones who don't
make quota.
He lets that hang in the air.
AARON
(quietly, to Joshua) ...Maybe we
shouldn't have mentioned the soup.
The Overseer turns and walks away. The guards follow. Joshua
and Aaron stand there. The weight of it settling on them.
They sit back down on the bricks, defeated.
AARON (CONT'D)
We gotta get somebody to get us
outta this.
JOSHUA (BITTER)
Who? Moses?
AARON
My BROTHER? Whaddayou Nuts? It's
been fifteen years!
(MORE)
AARON (CONT'D)
He's probably got his feet up
drinking mai-tais. In a beach
house. On the Euphrates.
Genres:
["Comedy","Historical Fiction"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Lost in the Neon Desert
6 EXT. ROCKS – DAWN
The sandstorm has passed. The sky is clear. Moses wakes up,
stiff and sore. Morty is already awake, chewing.
MOSES
(groggy) Morning.
Morty makes a sound.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(looking around) No coffee. No
breakfast. No... anything.
He stands, brushes sand off himself. Looks out at the endless
desert in all directions.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(sighing deeply) We're lost, Morty.
Completely, hopelessly lost.In the
middle of infinite desert. We could
DIE out here and nobody would—
A fitful GUST OF WIND kicks up sand. As it clears, it reveals
— SIGNS. Dozens of SIGNS.
In the most GARISH 1950s Las Vegas style possible: "EGYPT!
EGYPT! EGYPT!" (Flashing arrow pointing right) "THIS WAY, YOU
LUCKY PEOPLE!" (Highway billboard with a cartoon Pharaoh
giving thumbs up) "HONEST AHMET'S USED CAMELS - LIKE NEW!"
(Buzzing neon, with a blinking camel outline) "PYRAMIDS OR
BUST!" (Burma-Shave style roadside sign)
"RAMESES WELCOMES YOU! BRICKS MADE DAILY!" (Big billboard
with Rameses's smiling face) "LAST CHANCE FOR WATER - 2
MILES" (Hand-painted wooden sign) "EGYPT: WHERE THE SAND
MEETS THE NILE™" (Professional tourism board sign)
"SLAVES WANTED - INQUIRE WITHIN" (Help wanted sign with pull-
tabs at the bottom)
Moses stares. And stares.
Beat.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(to the sky) This is funny to You,
isn't it? This is HILARIOUS.
No answer. Just the sound of the buzzing neon. A final wisp
of sand falls from a final neon sign:
“EGYPT: NOW WITH 30% MORE DECREE!”
MOSES (CONT'D)
(to Morty, defeated) Come on. Let's
go to Egypt.
He starts walking toward the signs. Morty follows.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(muttering) "You lucky people."
I'll show YOU lucky people...
Moses and Morty walk into the distance, weaving between the
garish neon,and flashing arrows, - all pointing the way to
Egypt. They get smaller and smaller, two tiny figures dwarfed
by the spectacle of roadside Americana in 1800 BCE.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Glimmer of Hope
7 EXT. BRICK-MAKING SITE - DAY
The same work site. The mood is DARKER. Hebrews working
faster, harder, more desperate. Guards watching more closely.
Joshua and Aaron haul bricks, sweating, exhausted. The
Overseer watches them with satisfaction.
OVERSEER
(calling over) How's that double
quota treating you?
JOSHUA
(not looking up, barely able to
speak) Terrific.
AARON
Never better.
The Overseer walks over, smug.
OVERSEER
You know what I think? I think you
two are gonna learn your place.
Finally. That's what I think.
JOSHUA
stops working, looks at him, toothpick back in his mouth.
Maybe you're right. Too bad. You
know.
(MORE)
JOSHUA (CONT'D)
Back in Luxor, I had PROSPECTS. I
coulda been somebody.(beat, getting
more emotional)I coulda been a
contender. Instead of a bum. Which
is what I am.
OVERSEER
(exasperated) Are you... are you
CRYING?
AARON
(wiping eyes) It's the DUST!
A HEBREW WORKER runs up - this one's wearing a BASEBALL
CAP(Dodgers logo, anachronistic).
HEBREW WORKER
(out of breath) Joshua! Aaron!
You're not gonna BELIEVE this!
JOSHUA
(not turning, still staring down
Overseer) Kinda busy here, Mookie.
HEBREW WORKER (MOOKIE)
But it's IMPORTANT!
AARON
We're negotiatin'!
OVERSEER (TO MOOKIE)
WHAT?! WHAT IS IT?!
MOOKIE
Moses is here! At the palace!
JOSHUA
(dismissive, still not turning)
Yeah, Moishe from Block 3, we know—
AARON
Guy owes me five bucks from the
Assyrians vs Hittites game.
MOOKIE
NO! Not THAT Moses! PRINCE Moses!
The REAL Moses! The guy from the
STORIES!
JOSHUA
(finally turning) ...What?
MOOKIE
He's at PHARAOH'S PALACE! Right
NOW!
Joshua and Aaron look at each other. Long beat. Joshua takes
the toothpick out of his mouth. Drops it. In perfect unison:
JOSHUA & AARON
...Oy.
Genres:
["Comedy","Historical Fiction"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Moses at the Palace Gates
8 EXT. PHARAOH'S PALACE – DAY
SPECTACULAR. MASSIVE. - towering columns, hieroglyphics,
sphinx statues flanking the entrance.
9 EXT. PHARAOH'S PALACE VALET STAND – DAY
A guy in Egyptian garb parks CHARIOTS, a BOUNCER at the door
- huge, arms crossed, looking bored. A SIGN (way too modern,
way too garish): "RAMESES II - PHARAOH & ASSOCIATES" It's the
Bada Bing meets the Luxor Hotel.
Moses and Morty approach. Moses stops, staring up.
MOSES
(to Morty) This is it. This is
where my childhood friend became...
this.
Morty makes a sound.
MOSES
Yeah. I know. Let's get it over
with.
He hands Morty's rope to the VALET.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Check his carburetor. And his
clutch.
Moses heads toward the entrance. The BOUNCER steps forward.
BOUNCER
You got business here?
MOSES
I'm... I'm here to see Rameses.
BOUNCER
(looking him up and down) You got
an appointment?
MOSES
No, but—
BOUNCER
Name?
MOSES
Moses.
The bouncer turns to a MIDDLE-MAN standing just inside the
doorway - slick-looking guy in Egyptian finery.
BOUNCER
(to Middle-Man) Bedder tell tha
boss. Says his name is Moses.
The Middle-Man's eyes widen. Disappears inside.
BOUNCER (CONT'D)
(to Moses) Wait here.
Beat. Moses and the Bouncer stand there awkwardly.
BOUNCER (CONT'D)
(conversational) Hot today.
MOSES
Yeah.
Moses enters.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Comedy","Historical","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Royal Awakening
10 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - BALCONY - EARLY MORNING
Golden light. RAMESES/PHARAOH walks along the balustrade in
MAGNIFICENT royal garments-flowing white and gold,
ephemeral, practically glowing in the morning sun. Head
shaved, earring, bangles round his neck, every inch an
Egyptian king…and Jersey mob boss.
Behind him: SPECTACULAR CGI EGYPT -the Nile, pyramids in
construction,the grandeur of the ancient world. Rameses
stops, looks at his kingdom. Takes it in. Shivers slightly.
RAMESES
Uch. Chilly. Jeez. (SHOUTS) ROBE!!!
He stretches his arms out STRAIGHT to the sides, like Da
Vinci's Vitruvian Man. Holds the pose. Waits.
MINIONS scramble from the wings - two of them carrying the
most PATHETIC 1950s terry-cloth bathrobe you've ever seen.
Faded blue. Thin. The kind you'd find at a Jersey Shore
rental that's seen too many summers. They dress him with
practiced efficiency.
Rameses ties the sad little matching belt. It barely
reaches around. Doesn't quite cover his belly.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(settling into it, satisfied)
Better.
He shuffles to the balustrade in the ratty robe, leans on
it, looks out over Egypt.Content. King of the world in
a $12 bathrobe.Beat.
RAMESES
(SHOUTS) DISPATCHES!!!
THE SAME MINIONS scurry in with a fistful of bills in
envelopes - utilities, old style bills in envelopes. They
hand the stack to Rameses with both hands, then scurry back
out of frame. Rameses starts shuffling through them, tossing
them one by one to the marble floor.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(tossing) I ain't payin' that...
(tossing) Ain't payin' that...
(examining one closer, laughs a
little) REALLY ain't payin' that!
(tosses it).
FLUNKIES immediately scurry in low to the ground, picking up
the discarded bills like they're hot coals.
RAMESES
(calling off) Hey! Nefatari! Honey!
NEFERTARI
(O.S.) (thick Jersey accent) Yeah,
Rameses?
RAMESES
Any of that chicken parm left?
NEFERTARI
(O.S.) It's in the sarcophagus!
RAMESES
(to himself, satisfied) Beautiful.
(louder) Thanks, honey!
A GUARD appears at the doorway. Hesitates.
GUARD
Your Majesty?
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(not looking, tossing another bill)
What.
GUARD
There's someone here to see you.
RAMESES
I'm eatin' in five minutes. This
better be good.
GUARD
He says his name is Moses.
Rameses freezes mid-toss. The bill hangs in the air. He
slowly turns.
RAMESES
...What'd you say?
GUARD
Moses, Your Majesty. He says—
NEFERTARI bursts in from the side, beautiful, 40's, dressed
like an Egyptian queen, sounding like Elizabeth, New Jersey,
practically vibrating with excitement.
NEFERTARI
Rameses! Ya won't BALEEVE who's
here!
RAMESES
(face exploding with joy) Holy
SHIT! He drops the remaining bills.
They scatter. Flunkies scramble.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(to the minions) Leave 'em! LEAVE
'EM! (to guard) Where is he? GUARD
In the lobby room, Your Majesty.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
The lobby?! What am I, a mook? My
BROTHER shows up after fifteen
YEARS and we're gonna make him
stand there like he's here for a
PERMIT?
He's already moving, shuffling fast
in his bathrobe and slippers.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(calling ahead) SOMEBODY GET THAT
MAN A CHAIR! Get him FOOD! The
brisket! The GOOD brisket!
NEFERTARI
(following him) I'll get the good
plates!
RAMESES
The GOOD plates, yeah! (to himself,
grinning) Moses. That sonofabitch
actually CAME. He's practically
jogging now in his terrible
bathrobe, the belt flapping.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Comedy","Historical Fiction"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
A Dusty Reunion
11 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The massive room. Polished marble floors. Gold EVERYWHERE.
But also: comfortable. There's a La-Z-Boy recliner near the
throne. MOSES trudges in from the grand entrance. Desert-
worn. Covered in dust. His robes are dirty from walking. He
looks like he just walked eighty miles. Because he did.
RAMESES bursts in from the side door, still in the bathrobe.
Sees Moses. His face LIGHTS UP like a kid on Christmas.
RAMESES
SHMOOBY!
He rushes over, GRABS Moses in a huge bear hug. Moses winces
-he's tired, sore, being crushed.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(pushing Moses back to arm's
length, drinking him in)
Lemme look at you! LOOK at you!
He examines Moses head to toe.
RAMESES
You look FANTASTIC! Paisan! (beat,
noticing something) Maybe a
LITTLE... Jewish... but that's
okay! That's okay!
MOSES
(weary) Yeah. About that—
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(not listening, already calling
off) Nefertari! Get this man some
FOOD! Some WINE! What am I,an
ANIMAL? My BROTHER shows up after—
what is it—fifteen YEARS? —and I'm
gonna let him stand here like a
Gagootz?
He physically steers Moses toward the La-Z-Boy.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
Sit! SIT!
Moses sits, grateful. Rameses hovers; can't stop grinning.
RAMESES
You walked how far?
MOSES
Midian.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
MIDIAN?! That's like—that's EIGHTY
MILES! What, you couldn't get a
CAMEL?
MOSES
I had a camel. It broke down.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
The camel BROKE DOWN? What'd you DO
to it?
MOSES
Rammy, listen—
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(still buzzing, not hearing him)
No, YOU listen! You're HERE! You're
BACK! After that whole MISHIGAS
with the Egyptian—which, between
you and me, that guy HAD IT COMING—
NEFERTARI enters with SERVANTS carrying trays of food.
NEFERTARI
Moses! Look at YOU! Skin and BONES!
RAMESES
That's what I SAID! (to servants)
The linguini with clam sauce! The
veal piccata! (to Moses) You still
eat veal?
MOSES
Rameses—
RAMESES
AND A DRINK! And don't tell me no.
MOSES (A BEAT.THEN,GRIMLY:)
Triple vodka tonic. Rocks.
RAMESES
THAT'S my boy! NOW we're talkin'!
(to the minions)
TWO a' those! Yesterday!
The drinks fly in while Rameses just grins at Moses.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
Cin-cin!....
He drinks. Moses just holds his glass. Staring at it.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(noticing. Lowering his glass)
WHAT? (stops, looks at Moses)
What's with the FACE? I know that
face. That's your "I got bad news"
face.
Moses knocks back his entire drink. Purses his lips. Takes a
breath. This is it.
MOSES
Listen…
RAMESES
(slowly, dangerously quiet)
...What?
MOSES
I got a phone call.
RAMESES
...Who called you, Shmoob?
MOSES
Yeah. Anyway.
RAMESES
(not letting it go, quiet) Moses.
Who. Called. You.
MOSES (MEETING HIS EYES)
RAMESES
(long beat, then:)...Fuck.
MOSES
Yeah. So. I need you to let my
people go.
Long silence. Rameses stares at Moses. Processing.
RAMESES
...Come again?
MOSES
(clearing his throat) The Hebrews.
The ones making the bricks. I need
you to—
RAMESES
(irritation creeping in) Yeah,
yeah, yeah, I know who the Hebrews
ARE, you dick. Outside my window
haulin' bricks only my entire LIFE.
Another beat. You can feel the friendship start to crack.
MOSES
Yeah. Them. Us. Me.
RAMESES
(holding up a hand, stopping him)
Wait. Wait wait wait. Hold on.
He takes a step closer, searching Moses's face.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
You walked eighty miles. Through
the DESERT. To do material?
MOSES
(meeting his eyes) I'm serious,
Rammy.
Beat. Rameses just stares. The room has gone very quiet.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quiet) I walked eighty miles.
RAMESES
Shmoob. This could be a problem.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
A Family Reunion and a Royal Dinner
12 INT. MA'S HOVEL - GOSHEN - DAY
Small. Cramped. But CLEAN. A tiny room with a low table,some
cushions, a cooking area. This is where MA (60s,headscarf,
warm eyes,VERY Jewish mother energy)lives.
The door BURSTS open. AARON and JOSHUA enter first,
practically dragging MOSES by the arm.
AARON
MA! MA! Look who we got!
MA looks up from stirring a pot. Sees Moses. Her face LIGHTS
UP. She drops the spoon.
MA
MOISHELEH!
She rushes over, GRABS Moses's face in both hands, examines
him like he's made of glass.
MA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Look at you! LOOK at you! So THIN!
What, they don't have FOOD in
Midian?
MOSES
(smiling despite himself) Hi, Ma.
MA
"Hi, Ma." That's what I get?
Fifteen YEARS and "Hi, Ma"?
She pulls him into a crushing hug. Moses closes his eyes.
Home.
MIRIAM (40s, pragmatic, been holding down the fort) emerges
from the back, wiping her hands on her apron.
MIRIAM
(dry) Well. Look what the camel
dragged in.
MOSES
(grinning) Miri.
MIRIAM
Moses.
They hug. Brief but genuine.
MA
(back to Moses, circling him) Let
me LOOK at you. Turn around.
MOSES
Ma—
MA
TURN.
Moses turns. Ma examines him.
MA (CONT'D)
Your arm looks okay.
MOSES
(confused) My arm IS okay.
MA
So how come you couldn't PICK UP
THE PHONE?
MOSES
What?
MA
Fifteen YEARS! Not a WORD! I'm
sitting here thinking "Maybe he's
DEAD. Maybe he fell in a DITCH."
AARON
Ma, there was that whole murder
thing—
MA
(waving this off) So he killed an
Egyptian! Big DEAL! You think I
don't know from trouble?
MIRIAM
(to Moses) She's been impossible.
MA
(ignoring this, to Moses) You get
MARRIED, you don't TELL me? I gotta
hear it from STRANGERS?
MOSES
How did you—
MA
Sarah Goldstein's nephew came
through Midian! Said you got a
WIFE! A SHIKSA!
MOSES
She's not a—she's Midianite, Ma,
it's different—
MA
(to the room) A Midianite. My son
marries a Midianite.(to Moses) She
treats you good?
MOSES
(softening) Yeah, Ma. She treats me
good.
MA
Then I don't care if she's from the
MOON. (beat) You bring her to meet
me?
MOSES
Not... not this trip.
MA
(suspicious) Why not this trip?
AARON
Because he's here to FREE US, Ma.
JOSHUA
All of us, Mrs. Cohen. The whole
mishigas.
Everyone goes quiet.
MA
...What?
MOSES
I, uh. I went to see Rameses.
JOSHUA
We HEARD! The whole WORK SITE
heard!
MA
(to Moses, quietly) You went to
PHARAOH? And you're still
BREATHING?
MIRIAM
What did he say?
Moses hesitates.
MOSES
He said no.
The room deflates.
AARON
(quiet) Yeah. We figured.
MA
So that's IT? You came all this way
for NOTHING?
MOSES
Not... nothing. He, uh. He invited
us to dinner. At the palace. All of
us.
Long beat.
AARON
I'm sorry...What?
JOSHUA
He invited us to DINNER?
MOSES
(nodding) Tonight. The whole
family.
MA
(processing) Pharaoh. Invited us.
To the PALACE.
MOSES
Yeah.
MA
(beat, then to Miriam) I got
NOTHING to wear.
MIRIAM
Ma—
MA
(already moving, frantic) I can't
go to the PALACE looking like THIS!
I need—where's my good shawl? The
one with the—
MIRIAM
(grabbing her) MA. Focus. Moishe:
Why is Pharaoh inviting us to
dinner?
Everyone looks at Moses.
MOSES
(uncomfortable) I think... I think
he's trying to smooth things over.
Win me back.
AARON
Without actually letting anybody
GO.
MOSES
(nodding) Yeah.
JOSHUA
So what do we do?
MOSES
We go. We eat his food. We hear him
out. (harder) And then I tell him
again: Let my people go.
MA
(to herself, already planning) I'll
wear the blue. With the silver
trim. And the earrings Grandma gave
me—
MIRIAM
(to Moses, ignoring Ma) You really
think this'll work?
MOSES
(honest) No. But I gotta try.
Ma stops fussing. Looks at her son.
MA
(quiet, serious) You came back.
After fifteen years. You came BACK.
MOSES
Yeah, Ma. I came back.
She crosses to him. Takes his face in her hands again.
MA
My boy.
She kisses his forehead.
MA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(louder, back to business) Okay!
Everybody get READY! We're going to
the PALACE! (to Joshua) You too! Go
HOME, wash your FACE, comb your
HAIR—
JOSHUA
(to Aaron) Does she always—
AARON
Always.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Tense Reunion
13 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - PRIVATE DINING ROOM - NIGHT
Not the throne room. This is INTIMATE. A long table set with
the GOOD stuff - gold plates, fine linens, candles. But also:
comfortable. Like a back room at Vesuvio's.
RAMESES sits at the head of the table, now in a NICE robe
(still Egyptian, but classier). NEFERTARI beside him, hair
perfect, jewelry sparkling.
The doors open.
MOSES enters with MA, MIRIAM, AARON, and JOSHUA. They all
wear their BEST clothes (which aren't much). Scrubbed.
Clearly uncomfortable.
Ma stops in the doorway, takes it all in. Hand goes to her
chest.
MA
(whisper)
Oh my...
RAMESES
(standing, arms wide,
BEAMING)
THERE they are! Come in, come in!
Don't be shy!
He crosses to them. Warm. Gracious. A HOST.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Ma, taking her hand)
Mrs. Cohen. You look BEAUTIFUL.
MA
(flustered)
Oh, Your Majesty, I—
RAMESES
(gently)
Please. Call me Rammy.
MA
(overwhelmed)
Rammy. ...Ramehlah.
RAMESES
(to Aaron)
Aaron! Good to see you again!
(to Joshua, shaking his
hand HARD)
And you must be Joshua. Moses told
me about you. Big guy! You work
construction?
JOSHUA
(thrown)
Uh... bricks, Your Maj— Rammy.
RAMESES
Bricks! Honest work! I RESPECT
that!
He steers them to the table. SERVANTS materialize, pulling
out chairs.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Sit, sit! Make yourselves
COMFORTABLE! Tonight? We're FAMILY.
They sit. Awkward. Out of place.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(clapping)
WINE! The GOOD wine! None of that
table shit!
SERVANTS pour. Rich, dark wine. Expensive.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(raising his glass)
A toast. To OLD friends. And NEW
beginnings.
He looks directly at Moses. Smiles.
Everyone drinks. Moses barely sips.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(to Nefertari)
Honey, didn't I tell you? Didn't I
say Moses's family would be
WONDERFUL?
NEFERTARI
(warm, genuine Jersey
accent)
You DID, baby. And you were RIGHT.
(to Ma)
Mrs. Cohen, that shawl is GORGEOUS.
Where'd you get it?
MA
(touched that someone
noticed)
Oh, this old thing? My mother—
RAMESES
(cutting in, but gently)
Nefertari LOVES beautiful things.
Don't you, honey?
NEFERTARI
I DO.
RAMESES
(to Ma)
You know what? Before you leave
tonight, I want you to go to the
treasury. Pick out ANYTHING you
want. A bracelet. A necklace.
ANYTHING.
MA
(shocked)
Oh, I couldn't—
RAMESES
I INSIST. What am I, some kinda
ANIMAL? Moses's mother comes to my
house, she leaves with a GIFT.
The first course arrives. PLATTERS of food. Roasted meats,
breads, fruits, things they've never SEEN before.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
EAT! Mangia! There's PLENTY!
Ma looks at Miriam. Miriam looks at Aaron. Aaron looks at
Moses. Moses nods slightly. It's okay.
They start to eat. Tentatively at first. Then—because it's
DELICIOUS—with more enthusiasm.
Rameses watches, satisfied. A don watching his table enjoy
the feast.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Aaron, casual)
So, Aaron. What do you DO exactly?
Besides the brick thing?
AARON
(mouth full, swallows)
That's... pretty much it, Your—
Rammy.
RAMESES
You ever think about doing
something ELSE?
AARON
(confused)
Like what?
RAMESES
I don't know. MANAGEMENT.
Supervising. You seem like a smart
guy. You could use a guy like you.
AARON
(carefully)
To... supervise the brick making?
RAMESES
(laughing)
NO! Forget the BRICKS! I'm talking
ADMINISTRATION! Palace stuff! You'd
be GOOD at it!
He leans forward. Sincere. Or SEEMS sincere.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
Look. I know things are... ROUGH
out there. I GET it. The quotas,
the hours, the HEAT. It's TERRIBLE.
MIRIAM
(can't help herself)
So change it.
Everyone freezes.
Rameses looks at her. Not angry. Impressed.
RAMESES
(smiling)
You got MOXIE. I like that.
(to Moses)
Your sister?
MOSES
(quiet)
Yeah.
RAMESES
(back to Miriam)
You're RIGHT. I SHOULD change it.
And you know what? I'm GONNA.
AARON
...You are?
RAMESES
Absolutely! Starting next week:
water breaks every TWO hours
instead of four. Shade tents.
Better TOOLS.
He sits back. Generous. Magnanimous.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Moses)
See? I'm LISTENING. I'm making
CHANGES.
MOSES
(carefully)
That's... good, Rammy. But—
RAMESES
(cutting in)
And Aaron? That management
position? It's YOURS if you want
it. Good pay. Respected. You'd be
SET.
AARON
(glancing at Moses)
I... I don't know what to say.
RAMESES
(to Joshua)
You too, big guy. We could USE you.
Security. Personal guard. You'd be
PROTECTING people instead of... you
know. Making bricks.
JOSHUA
(suspicious)
Why are you doing this?
RAMESES
(genuine, or seems it) Because
Moses is my BROTHER. And his
family? They're MY family.
A small BOY (5 years old, adorable, in little Egyptian prince
pajamas) appears in the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
TUTYA
Appa?
RAMESES
(face transforming, all softness)
TUTYA! What are you doing up?
TUTYA
Can't sleep.
Rameses gets up, goes to him, scoops him up.
RAMESES
(to the table, proudly) This is my
son. Tutya.
MA
(melting) Oh, he's BEAUTIFUL.
NEFERTARI
(to Tutya) Baby, you're supposed to
be in BED.
TUTYA
(to Moses, curious) Are you Uncle
Shmooby?
Moses freezes. Looks at the kid. Then at Rameses.
MOSES
(quiet) Yeah. Yeah, I'm Uncle
Shmooby.
TUTYA
Appa talks about you ALL the time.
The table goes very quiet.
RAMESES
(to Tutya, covering the moment)
Okay,okay. Back to bed. Come on.
A NANNY appears, flustered.
NANNY
Your Majesty, I'm so sorry, he got
away from me—
RAMESES
(not angry) It's fine. Take him.
He kisses Tutya's forehead, hands him over.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Tutya) You get to sleep. I'll
check on you later.
TUTYA
Night, Appa. Night, Uncle Shmooby!
He's carried out. Rameses sits back down. The warmth lingers.
RAMESES
(to Ma, with emotion) Mrs. Cohen,
you need ANYTHING—and I mean
ANYTHING—you come to me. Okay?
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(genuine, or seems it)
Because Moses is my BROTHER. And
his family? They're MY family.
(to Ma)
Mrs. Cohen, you need ANYTHING—and I
mean ANYTHING—you come to me. Okay?
MA
(overcome)
That's very kind, Your— Rammy.
RAMESES
(to Moses, quieter, more
intimate)
See, Shmoob? This is what I'm
TALKING about. We can WORK
together. Make things BETTER. For
EVERYBODY.
Moses sets down his fork. The room goes quiet.
MOSES
Rammy. This is...this is really
nice. The food. The wine. The
offers.
RAMESES
(smiling)
But?
MOSES
But my answer's the same.
The smile doesn't leave Rameses's face. But something behind
his eyes goes COLD.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Let my people go.
Long silence.
Rameses picks up his wine. Takes a slow sip. Sets it down.
RAMESES
(still smiling, but
different now)
You know what your problem is,
Moses? You don't know when you got
a GOOD DEAL.
MOSES
It's not about the deal—
RAMESES
(talking over him, getting
louder)
Water breaks! Shade! JOBS for your
family! What MORE do you WANT?
MOSES
(standing)
FREEDOM, Rammy. We want FREEDOM.
RAMESES
(sitting, the mask
slipping)
Freedom. FREEDOM. You think freedom
FEEDS people? You think freedom
gives them JOBS? A ROOF?
MOSES
I think they deserve to CHOOSE.
RAMESES
(stands. Gets closer,
intense)
They got it GOOD here, Moses! You
KNOW they do! Better than they'd
have ANYWHERE else!
MOSES
They're SLAVES, Rammy.
RAMESES
They're PROTECTED! They're FED!
They got PURPOSE!
MOSES
They got CHAINS.
The two men face each other. The table between them might as
well be a canyon.
Ma looks terrified. Miriam puts a hand on her arm. Aaron and
Joshua are frozen.
Nefertari quietly signals the servants to leave.
RAMESES
(very quiet, very
dangerous)
You're making a mistake, Shmoob.
MOSES
(just as quiet)
Then I'm making a mistake.
Rameses stares at him. Something shifts in his face. The
friend is gone. Only the Pharaoh remains.
RAMESES
Get out.
MOSES
Rammy—
RAMESES
(louder)
GET OUT! All of you! NOW!
Ma stands, trembling. Miriam helps her.Moses doesn't move.
MOSES
(one more try)
Please. Just—
RAMESES
(cold as ice)
You got till sundown tomorrow to
leave Egypt. After that? You're
under ARREST. For MURDER.
Understand?
MOSES
(quiet)
Yeah. I understand.
He turns. Starts to leave with his family.At the door, he
stops. Looks back.
MOSES (CONT'D)
Wish you chose different, Rammy.
I'm sorry it's gotta be this way.
RAMESES
(not looking at him)
So am I, Shmoob.
Moses exits with his family. The door closes. Rameses stands
alone at the head of the table. All that food. All the empty
chairs.
Nefertari approaches, puts a hand on his shoulder.
NEFERTARI
Baby...
RAMESES
(to himself)
Should've stuck to bricks.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical Fiction","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
A Conversation by the Trash Can
14 EXT. SLAVE QUARTERS - NIGHT
Dark. Quiet. The Hebrew section of Goshen—ramshackle
dwellings, narrow alleys. MOSES walks alone, defeated. Still
in his "good" clothes from dinner, now wrinkled. He passes a
TRASH CAN - metal,on fire.Burning garbage. He keeps walking.
GOD (V.O.)
(from the trash can) Moses.
Moses stops. Turns slowly. Stares at the burning trash can.
MOSES
(to himself) You gotta be kidding.
GOD (V.O.)
We gotta talk.
MOSES
(approaching the trash can) A trash
can? Really? The BUSH wasn't
humiliating enough?
GOD (V.O.)
You want a burning BUILDING? I can
do a burning building. You want
ATTENTION?
MOSES
(sighs) No, no. The trash can's
fine.
He looks around. Nobody's watching. Leans closer to the can.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
He said no.
GOD (V.O.)
I KNOW he said no. I was THERE.
MOSES
So now what?
GOD (V.O.)
Now? We do this the hard way.
Beat.
MOSES
How hard?
GOD (V.O.)
Tomorrow morning. The river. You,
Aaron...and Rameses.
MOSES
And?
GOD (V.O.)
And you're gonna give him one more
chance. And if he says no—
MOSES
He's GONNA say no—
GOD (V.O.)
—you're gonna turn the Nile into
blood.
Long silence.
MOSES
...The whole Nile?
GOD (V.O.)
The whole Nile.
MOSES
That's... that's a LOT of blood.
GOD (V.O.)
That's the POINT, Moses. He needs
to understand who he's dealing
with.
MOSES
(quietly) This is gonna get worse,
isn't it?
GOD (V.O.)
(gentle) Yeah, kid. It's gonna get
worse.
Moses sits down on the ground next to the trash can.
Exhausted. The flames in the can flicker ethereal blue, then
die down to normal fire. Moses stands there a moment longer.
Then walks away into the darkness.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
The Nile Turns to Blood
15 EXT. THE NILE - MORNING
Beautiful. The sun rising over the great river.
Peaceful.RAMESES stands at the water's edge in his robes. A
SERVANT holds a parasol over him. GUARDS nearby.He's doing
his morning ritual - looking out at his kingdom.
MOSES and AARON approach. Aaron's nervous. Moses is
determined.Rameses sees them. Doesn't turn around.
RAMESES (TO THE WATER)
Figured you'd show up.
MOSES
Rammy—
RAMESES
(over his shoulder, to Aaron) Hey,
Aaron.
AARON
(automatically) Hey.
RAMSES
(turning, holding up a hand) Before
you start: No. The answer's no.
MOSES
You sure about that?
RAMESES
Moses,I got a BUSY day. Grain
reports,the Hittite ambassador at
noon. So unless you got something
NEW to say—
MOSES
Let my people go.
RAMESES
(to Aaron) Does he LISTEN? Is there
a PROBLEM with his ears?
AARON
(nervous) Um...
RAMESES
(back to Moses) NOT. HAPPENING.
He turns to leave.Moses raises his STAFF and STRIKES the
water.Nothing happens.
Beat. Rameses stops. Turns back.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(amused) That it? You hit the water
with a STICK?
Then— The water CHANGES. Red. Thick,RED. BLOOD.
It spreads from where Moses struck - out, out, OUT across the
entire river. Rameses stares.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(quiet) ...What did you just DO?
MOSES
A sign. From God. Let my people go.
Rameses walks closer. Kneels. Dips his hand in.Pulls it out.
COVERED in blood. He sniffs it. Makes a face.
RAMESES
(standing, wiping his hand on a
servant's robe) Ew. That's
DISGUSTING, Shmooby.
MOSES
Rammy—
RAMESES
And you don't mind my saying so,
Moses...kind of WEIRD.
AARON
(can't help himself whispering) The
whole RIVER is BLOOD—
RAMESES
I can SEE that, Aaron. I got EYES.
He looks out at the blood-red Nile.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(back to Moses) Very impressive.
Little GROSS, but impressive. And
by the way?The Israelites can't
leave. I gotta go.
Rameses walks off, leaving Moses and Aaron by the blood-red
river.
AARON
...That's IT? We turn the NILE into
BLOOD and he just LEAVES?
MOSES
(watching Rameses go) Yeah.
AARON
So now what?
MOSES
(grim) Now it gets worse.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Historical Fiction","Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Darkness and Demands
16 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Complete DARKNESS. Not dim - TOTAL blackout. We can't see
ANYTHING.
We hear RAMESES stumbling around, bumping into things.
RAMESES (O.S.)
OW! Goddammit! (calling out)
SOMEBODY LIGHT A CANDLE!
from somewhere in the darkness
SERVANT (O.S.)
We're TRYING, Your Majesty! They
won't STAY lit!
RAMESES (O.S.)
What do you MEAN they won't stay
lit?! It's a CANDLE! You light it,
it STAYS—
CRASH. He's knocked something over.
RAMESES (O.S.) (CONT'D)
—OW! What the hell was THAT?!
SERVANT (O.S.)
The vase, Your Majesty!
RAMESES (O.S.)
The GOOD vase?!
SERVANT (O.S.)
...Yes, Your Majesty.
RAMESES (O.S.)
DAMMIT!
Suddenly, a tiny FLAME appears in the darkness. A candle.
Flickering. It illuminates MOSES's face from below. Spooky.
Like a kid telling ghost stories.
LONG BEAT.
Moses just stands there. Waiting.
MOSES
Boo.
RAMESES
(JUMPING back with a YELP)
SHMOOBY! You scared the CRAP out of
me!
Moses Just holds the candle. His face eerily lit.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(catching his breath, then
furious)
How'd you get a candle to WORK?!
MOSES
(calm)
Hebrew candles. They work fine.
RAMESES
(in the darkness, we hear
him fumbling around)
Get the lights turned back ON! I
can't even find the TOILET!
MOSES
Let my people go.
RAMESES
NO!(bumping into something) OW! Is
that a COLUMN? Where AM I?
MOSES
(still calm, still creepy)
Let. My people. Go.
RAMESES
(frustrated, scared,
trying to locate Moses in
the dark)
Where ARE you? I'm talking to—is
that a WALL?
MOSES
(quietly, almost a
whisper)
You want to see something REALLY
scary, Rammy?
Beat. Rameses stops fumbling.
RAMESES
(wary...)
What?
MOSES
Tomorrow.
Moses BLOWS OUT the candle.Complete darkness again.
RAMESES
(in the dark, panicking
slighty)
MOSES?!
Silence.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Crap....
FADE OUT
Genres:
["Comedy","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
A Moment of Joy Amidst Frustration
17 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - DINING ROOM - DAY
Rameses at the table. FLIES everywhere. He swats at
them,irritated. TUTYA toddles in.
TUTYA
Appa!
RAMESES
(face lighting up completely)
TUTYA! Come here, come here!
He scoops the kid up, sits him on his lap. The irritation
vanishes. He's just a dad.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
You being good for Mama?
TUTYA
(nodding seriously) I helped with
the cat.
RAMESES
(grinning) The cat, huh? Good boy.
A NANNY appears in the doorway, nervous.
NANNY
Your Majesty, I'm so sorry, he got
away again—
RAMESES
(waving flies, not angry) Forget
about it. Come get him.
He kisses Tutya's head, hands him to the Nanny.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Tutya) Go with Seti. I'll see
you later.
TUTYA
Bye, Appa!
The Nanny carries him out. Rameses watches them go. Soft
smile. Then a FLY lands in his wine. The smile vanishes.
RAMESES
(fishing it out) I can't even DRINK
in peace!
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
The Frog Plague Unleashed
18 MOSES INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
Rameses on his throne. Still recovering from the darkness
plague. Tired. Annoyed. But stubborn.
MOSES and AARON enter. Again. Rameses sees them. Closes his
eyes. Takes a deep breath.
RAMESES
(to himself)
Not again.
MOSES
Rammy—
RAMESES
(holding up a hand)
Stop. Just... stop. I KNOW what
you're gonna say. "Let my people
go." Right?
MOSES
...Yeah.
RAMESES
And I'm gonna say NO. So we can
skip this whole—
MOSES
Then you're not gonna like what
comes next.
RAMESES
(weary)
What now? More darkness? Locusts? A
PLAGUE of accountants?
AARON
(nervous)
Actually—
MOSES
(to Aaron)
Let me.
He pulls out a PIECE OF PAPYRUS. Unfolds it. Reads.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(reading like a shopping
list)
Okay. So. You got blood. You got
gnats. Flies. Darkness. And now...
(squinting at the papyrus)
Frog, boils, hail, locusts,
livestock disease, and—
RAMESES
(cutting in)
Frog?
MOSES
(still reading)
Yeah. Frog. Then boils, hail—
RAMESES
(sitting forward)
Wait. Go back. FROG?
MOSES
(looking up)
Yeah. Why?
RAMESES
(to Aaron)
Did he say FROG? Singular?
AARON
(checking the papyrus over
Moses's shoulder)
Uh... actually, yes; "frog."
Singular.
Beat.
AARON (CONT'D)
Yeah. Just the one.
Rameses looks at Moses. Then at Aaron. Then back at Moses.
RAMESES
(starting to smile)
You get the implication here,
Moses?
MOSES
What?
RAMESES
FRO-GUH.
(does a little frog
gesture with his hands)
ONE frog. Singular. A little
peeper. What, you figure it's gonna
hop around? Ribbit, ribbit?
He does a mocking frog voice, hopping motion with his hands.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(to his GUARDS, laughing)
You guys hearing this? ONE frog!
The guards chuckle nervously.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(back to Moses, really
enjoying himself now)
What's it gonna DO, Moses? Croak me
to DEATH? Hop on my THRONE?
MOSES
(uneasy)
Rammy, I don't think—
RAMESES
(standing, doing more frog
impressions)
Maybe it'll—what—stick to a WALL?
Eat a FLY? OH NO, NOT THE FLY! WE
ALREADY HAD FLIES!
He's fully committed to the bit now. Aaron looks worried.
Moses looks at the ceiling.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(wiping tears, laughing)
A frog. ONE frog. You walked eighty
miles through the desert to
threaten me with A FROG.
MOSES
(quiet)
You done?
RAMESES
(catching his breath)
Yeah. Yeah, I'm done.
(sits back down)
Okay. Send in your frog, Shmoob.
I'll wait.
Moses looks at Aaron. Aaron shrugs.
MOSES
(to Rameses)
You sure about this?
RAMESES
(waving him off)
GET OUT. Both of you. I got WORK to
do. And when your frog shows up,
tell it I said—
The PALACE SHAKES.Just a tremor. Like a small earthquake.
Everyone freezes.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(uncertain)
...What was that?
Another SHAKE. Bigger.
THOOM.
The ground TREMBLES.
AARON
(to Moses, terrified)
What's happening?
MOSES
(staring at the doors)
I think...I think it's the frog.
RAMESES
(standing)
That's not a—
THOOM.Louder. Closer.The WALLS shake. Dust falls from the
ceiling.THOOM.THOOM.
The massive palace doors SHUDDER.
GUARD
(backing away from the
doors)
Your Majesty, maybe we should—
The doors EXPLODE inward.
A MASSIVE SHADOW falls across the throne room. And then we
see it, framed in the enormous doorway:
THE FROG.
Not a regular frog; a GIANT frog. Forty feet tall. The size
of a building. Ridiculous and terrifying at the same time.
Its enormous eyes blink slowly. Its throat pulses.
It's OUTSIDE, but its massive head fills the entire doorway.
Everyone stares UP at this THING. It opens its mouth.
FROG
RIBBIT.
The sound is DEAFENING. Like a foghorn crossed with thunder.
The windows SHATTER. Guards cover their ears.
Rameses stares up at this nightmare, frozen.
RAMESES
(very quietly)
...You're kidding me.
The frog's tongue SHOOTS out—LIGHTNING fast—reaches INTO the
throne room, grabs a passing GUARD, and pulls him out into
its mouth. SWALLOWS. The guard is gone.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(shouting, terrified)
GET THAT THING OUT OF HERE!
MOSES
(shouting back)
LET MY PEOPLE GO!
RAMESES
NO!
MOSES
THEN HE STAYS!
The frog's tongue shoots again - grabs another GUARD, pulls
him screaming to its mouth. Gone. THE FROG smacks its lips.
RAMESES
(panicking)
MOSES!
MOSES
SAY IT! SAY YOU'LL LET THEM GO!
RAMESES
(furious, terrified, but
STUBBORN)
NEVER!
They lock eyes across the throne room, both shouting. Moses
stares at his friend. At the destruction. At the terror.
Then -quietly-he lowers his staff.
MOSES
(to Rameses, almost sad)
I'm giving you a break, Rammy. One
break.
Raises his staff at the frog. Points away from the palace.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to the frog)
Go on, Butch. Go home.
The frog blinks its enormous eyes once. Then HOPS away.
THOOM.THOOM.THOOM.
Each hop shakes the palace. Getting fainter. Farther away.
Until it's gone. Silence. Everyone breathing hard,covered in
dust. Rameses stares at Moses. Stunned. Furious. Humiliated.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quiet)
Next time? I won't stop it.
RAMESE
(low, dangerous)
Get out of my palace.
MOSES
(turning to leave with
Aaron)
Think about what I said, Rammy.
RAMESES
(exploding)
GET OUT!
Moses and Aaron exit through the destroyed doorway.Rameses
stands in the ruined throne room. A piece of ceiling falls.
CRASH. He doesn't move. Just stares at the wreckage.
Genres:
["Comedy","Fantasy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
The Plague's Warning
19 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAY
The room is still damaged from Butch. Rameses sits on his
throne, looking worn. Through the grand window behind him, we
see the COURTYARD:
Two OXEN have collapsed in front of a cart. Dead. The DRIVERS
look at each other. HELPERS rush examine the beasts, then
look around - confused. Hot wind rustles. Dust swirls.
MOSES enters the throne room. Alone this time. No Aaron.
They look at each other. Tired. Both of them.
RAMESES
(quiet) Here to gloat?
MOSES
Here to ask.
RAMESES
The answer's still no.
Beat.
MOSES
The livestock are dying, Rammy. All
of them. Cattle, horses, sheep.
Egypt's starving.
RAMESES
(dismissive) It's just animals.
MOSES
It's your ECONOMY. Your people are—
RAMESES
My people will MANAGE. We always
do.
MOSES
Let them go.
RAMESES
No.
Moses turns to leave.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
That's all you got? Dead animals?
Moses stops. Doesn't turn around.
MOSES
(quiet) No. That's not all.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
The Boils of Defiance
20 INT. PHARAOH'S PRIVATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Rameses sits on his bed. A PHYSICIAN examines him.He's
covered in BOILS. Painful sores all over his arms, face,
neck. The PHYSICIAN has boils too; He winces as he works.
PHYSICIAN
(dabbing at Rameses's sores) Your
Majesty, I've never seen anything
like—
RAMESES
(wincing) Just FIX it, will you?
PHYSICIAN
I don't know HOW to fix it. It's
not...natural.
Moses appears in the doorway. Rameses sees him in a mirror.
Doesn't turn around.
RAMESES
(to Moses's reflection) Seriously,
Shmoob? Boils? THIS is your God?
What's next, He's gonna give me a
RASH? Maybe some DANDRUFF?
MOSES
(from the doorway) Let my people
go.
RAMESES
(turning, furious despite the pain)
This is disgusting! Is your God
PSYCHOTIC? What kind of--
He stops. Winces. A boil on his neck has burst. The physician
dabs at it.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(through gritted teeth) Get out.
MOSES
Rammy—
RAMESES
GET OUT!
Moses leaves. The physician continues his work. Rameses
stares at himself in the mirror. Covered in sores.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
The Storm of Judgment
21 EXT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - BALCONY - DAY
Dark clouds. Thunder rumbling. Rameses stands at the
balustrade, wrapped in bandages from the boils. Still
healing. Moses approaches from behind.
MOSES
Bring everyone inside. Now.
RAMESES
(not turning) It's just a storm.
MOSES
It's not a storm. It's hail. And
it's not normal hail.
RAMESES
(turning, sneering) What, is it
MAGIC hail? Does it sing SONGS?
Thunder CRASHES.
The first hailstone falls. Lands on the balcony.It's the size
of a FIST. And it's ON FIRE. Flaming ice.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(staring) ...What the hell?
More hailstones. DOZENS. HUNDREDS. Each one massive, deadly.
They SLAM into the courtyard below. Into buildings. Into
PEOPLE. Screaming.
MOSES
(grabbing Rameses, pulling him
back) INSIDE! NOW!
They stumble back into the palace as the hail DESTROYS
everything outside. The sound is apocalyptic - CRASH CRASH
CRASH CRASH. Through the window, they see people running,
being struck down. Buildings collapsing. Fire spreading.
Rameses watches. Frozen.
RAMESES
(whisper) Make it stop.
MOSES
(quiet) Let them go.
RAMESES
(turning on him) I CAN'T! Don't you
GET IT? If I let them go,I'm WEAK!
Egypt falls APART!
MOSES
Egypt's falling apart RIGHT NOW!
RAMESES
Because of YOU!
MOSES
Because of YOUR PRIDE!
They stare at each other. The hail continues
outside.Destruction. Death.
RAMESES
(very quiet) Get out of my palace.
Moses leaves. Rameses watches his kingdom burn.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Fantasy"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Confrontation in the Throne Room
22 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - THRONE ROOM - DAYS LATER
Empty. Devastated. Windows are broken. Wind blows through.
Rameses sits on his throne. Nefertari beside him, terrified.
Moses enters. Stops when he sees the state of the room.
MOSES
Rammy...
RAMESES
(not looking at him) The crops are
gone. All of them. Locusts.
MOSES
I know. I'm sorry.
RAMESES
(finally looking at him) Sorry?
You're SORRY?
NEFERTARI
(standing, desperate) Moses,
PLEASE. We have NOTHING left. No
food. No—
RAMESES
(to Nefertari) Sit down.
NEFERTARI
Rameses, think of TUTYA—
RAMESES
(louder) I SAID sit down!
She sits. Trembling. Rameses stands. Walks toward Moses.
Slowly.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(CONT'D) (quiet, dangerous) You've
taken everything. The water. The
livestock. The CROPS. You've
covered me in boils. You've killed
my PEOPLE with your hail.
He's right in Moses's face now.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(whisper) How many more, Moses? How
many more before you're SATISFIED?
MOSES
(meeting his eyes) As many as it
takes.
RAMESES
(stepping back, laughing bitterly)
"As many as it takes." You sound
like HIM now. Your God. Cold.
Cruel.
MOSES
(hurt) That's not—
RAMESES
GET OUT.
MOSES
Rammy, please—
RAMESES
(screaming) GET OUT! GET OUT! GET
OUT!
Moses turns and leaves.Rameses stands in the empty throne
room. Nefertari watches him, afraid.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(to himself) As many as it takes.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
The Breaking Point
23 INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Darkness. Almost complete. A few TORCHES flicker on the
walls. Inadequate. They barely push back the shadows. The
massive hall feels EMPTY. Cold. Dead.
At the far end, barely visible: RAMESES sits on his throne.
Motionless. Staring at nothing.
MOSES enters from the foreground, his back to camera.
Silhouette in the doorway.
MOSES
(quiet) Rameses.
Rameses looks up. Slowly. His face is BLANK.
Expressionless.Like something inside him has been switched
off.He doesn't speak.
Moses waits. Nothing. He starts walking toward the throne.
Each SANDAL CLICK echoes in the enormous empty space. CLICK.
CLICK. CLICK.
Rameses just watches him come.Empty eyes. Moses gets closer.
We see his face now. He's been crying. His eyes are red.
Moses reaches the base of the throne. Stops. They look at
each other. Long silence.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(voice breaking) I am so sorry.
Long pause. Rameses stares at him.
RAMESES
(quiet, dead) Are you, Shmooby? Are
you?
BEAT.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
'Cause, ya KNOW, it occurs to me
you coulda stopped it. Just sayin'.
MOSES
(quiet) You coulda stopped it,
Rammy.
RAMESES
(standing, EXPLODING) Oh! HERE we
go! Here we go!
He comes DOWN off the throne. Fast. Furious. Gets right in
Moses's face.
RAMESES (CONT'D)
(CONT'D) YOU did this! YOU and your
GOD! You killed my SON!
MOSES
I BEGGED you—
RAMESES
(screaming) YOU KILLED HIM! My
TUTYA! My BOY! He was FIVE YEARS
OLD!
MOSES
(tears streaming) I know—
RAMESES
(shoving Moses) NO! You DON'T know!
Your kids are fine! ...aren't they?
Moses stumbles back but doesn't fall.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
He called you Uncle Shmooby.
"Uncle Shmooby." And you SMILED.
You SMILED at him!
MOSES
(barely holding it together) Rammy,
please—
RAMESES
And then you KILLED HIM!
MOSES
(desperate) I didn't WANT this! You
think I WANTED—
RAMESES
(grabbing Moses by the robes,
shaking him) THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU
STOP IT?! HUH?! Why didn't you tell
your GOD "No, not the CHILDREN!
Anything but the CHILDREN!"
MOSES
(shouting back) HE GAVE YOU TEN
CHANCES! TEN! I WALKED
INTO THIS PALACE AGAIN AND AGAIN
AND AGAIN—
RAMESES
(releasing him, stepping back) And
I said NO!Because I'M PHARAOH!
Because Egypt don't bow to nobody!
MOSES
EGYPT IS DESTROYED, RAMMY! Look
around! LOOK AROUND!
Rameses does. At the dark, empty hall. The broken kingdom.
RAMESES
(quieter, more dangerous) Because
of you.
MOSES
Because of YOUR PRIDE!
RAMESES
MY PRIDE?! You walked in here with
your GOD and your STAFF and your
PLAGUES and you lecture ME about
PRIDE?!
MOSES
I never wanted—
RAMESES
(cutting him off, voice breaking)
He was in his BED, Shmoob.
(MORE)
RAMESES (CONT'D)
In his bed. With his wooden
soldiers. The ones I MADE him. And
I went in to check on him and he
was just... gone. Just GONE.
Moses's face crumbles.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(tears now, furious) And you know
what? I PRAYED. I prayed to MY
gods. I prayed to YOUR God.I prayed
to ANYBODY who would LISTEN. "Take
ME instead. Take ME." But He didn't
WANT me, did He? He wanted my SON.
MOSES
(whispering) Rammy...
RAMESES
(stepping back, cold now, dead) You
know what,"MOSES"? Go. You want it?
You GOT it.
Beat.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Get. The fuck. Out. All of you.
Tonight.NOW.
MOSES
Rameses—
RAMESES
(screaming) GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY
PALACE! GET OUT OF MY CITY! GET OUT
OF MY COUNTRY!
Moses doesn't move.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(quieter, more terrible) And when
you're gone? I'll have every TRACE
of you ERASED. Every building you
built. Every BRICK you laid. Every
RECORD with your NAMES on it.GONE.
He walks back toward his throne. Stops. Doesn't turn around.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
No one will ever know you were
here. No one will ever know you and
your kind EXISTED.
Moses stares at his back. At his friend. At that's left. Then
turns and RUNS. His sandals against the marble: SLAP SLAP
SLAP-getting more desperate, echoing through the empty hall.
The sound fades as he reaches the doors. Gone.Rameses stands
alone in the darkness. Long silence.
He walks slowly back to his throne. Sits. Reaches into his
robe. Pulls out the small WOODEN TOY - the two carved
figures. Young Moses and young Rameses. Stares at it.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Echoes of Youth
24 FLASHBACK - EXT. THE NILE - DAY - 30 YEARS AGO
Bright sun. The river. Beautiful. Peaceful. Two BOYS - YOUNG
MOSES and YOUNG RAMESES, both around 15 -sitting at the
water's edge, feet dangling in the Nile. Young Rameses holds
the wooden toy - the one he just carved.
Shows it to Young Moses.
YOUNG RAMESES
It's us. See? You and me.
YOUNG MOSES
(grinning) I look like a potato.
YOUNG RAMESES
(laughing) Shut up!
They sit. Comfortable silence. Brothers.
YOUNG RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(quieter, serious) When I'm
Pharaoh? First thing I'm gonna do?
Get rid of the brick quotas.
YOUNG MOSES
Yeah?
YOUNG RAMESES
Yeah. It's... it's not right.
Making people work like that.
Young Moses looks at him. Surprised. Moved.
YOUNG RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
You and me, Shmooby. When we run
this place? We're gonna do it
RIGHT.
He holds out his fist. Young Moses bumps it with his own.They
look at the Nile together. Two kids who can change the world.
BACK TO:
INT. PHARAOH'S PALACE - GREAT HALL - NIGHT - PRESENT
Rameses still holding the toy. A tear runs down his face.
RAMESES
(whisper) Should've stuck to
bricks.
He sets the toy down gently on the armrest of the throne.Sits
back. Stares into the darkness.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
A Night of Reunion and Urgency
25 INT. MA'S HOVEL - NIGHT
The small room. MA sits at the table with MIRIAM, AARON, and
JOSHUA. Quiet. The weight of everything hangs over them.
There's a KNOCK at the door. Everyone freezes.
MA
(whisper)
Who would come at this hour?
MIRIAM
(standing, cautious)
I'll get it.
She crosses to the door. Opens it a crack.
TZIPORA stands there with TWO YOUNG MEN - GERSHOM (20) and
ELIEZER (18). All three dusty from travel, carrying small
bags. The boys are protective, flanking their mother.
TZIPORA
Is this 337 Mott Street?
MIRIAM
(confused, seeing three
people)
Yes...?
TZIPORA
Are you Miriam Cohen?
MIRIAM
Yes?
TZIPORA
(warm smile)
I'm your sister-in-law. Tzipora.
These are your nephews, Gershom and
Eliezer.
The boys nod politely.
GERSHOM
Ma'am.
ELIEZER
Aunt Miri.
Beat. Miriam's brain processing.
MIRIAM
(realization EXPLODING)
TZIPORA?!
TZIPORA
(nodding, grinning)
Tzipora.
MIRIAM
(SCREAMING)
MA! IT'S MOISHE'S WIFE! AND HIS
SONS!
She FLINGS the door open, throws her arms around Tzipora.
MA is ALREADY rushing over - faster than she has in years.
MA
(pushing Miriam aside)
LET ME SEE! LET ME SEE!
She grabs Tzipora's face, examines her, then pulls her into a
crushing hug.
MA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(pulling back, looking at
the boys)
And THESE? These are MY GRANDSONS?!
GERSHOM
(awkward)
Yes, Bubby. I'm Gershom—
MA
(grabbing his face)
LOOK AT YOU! So TALL! So HANDSOME!
ELIEZER
(also awkward)
I'm Eliezer—
MA
(grabbing him too)
BOTH of you! Like PRINCES! Come IN!
Come IN!
She pulls all three inside. AARON and JOSHUA stand, watching
this tornado of emotion.
MA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Aaron)
This is Moses's WIFE! And his SONS!
My GRANDCHILDREN!
AARON
(crossing over, smiling)
Welcome to the family.
JOSHUA
(shaking Gershom's hand)
Joshua. Nice to meet you.
GERSHOM
(to Joshua)
You're the union organizer. Dad
told us about you.
JOSHUA
(sheepish)
Not workin out so well.
ELIEZER
You trying. That's what counts.
MA already pulls Tzipi to a chair, examines her hands & face.
MA
(sitting her down)
You walked from MIDIAN?!
TZIPORA
(laughing)
With the boys. We took our time.
MA
EIGHTY MILES! With THESE TWO?!
(to the boys)
You're GOOD boys! Taking care of
your mother!
GERSHOM
(shrugging)
Couldn't let her go alone.
MA
(to Miriam)
Get them WATER! BREAD! They're
STARVING!
TZIPORA
Ma, really, we're—
MA
(not listening, to the
boys)
SIT! Both of you! You must be
EXHAUSTED!
The boys sit awkwardly. Ma fusses over all three of them.
MIRIAM
(bringing water)
How did you even FIND us?
TZIPORA
Asked around Goshen. Someone knew
where Miriam Cohen lived.
MA
(taking Tzipora's hands)
You came all this way. For HIM. For
US.
TZIPORA
(meeting her eyes)
You're my family now.
Ma starts crying. Pulls Tzipora into another hug. Miriam
joins. Group hug.
The boys watch, smiling. Aaron and Joshua exchange "women,
right?" looks.
The DOOR BURSTS OPEN. MOSES storms in, wild-eyed, breathless,
triumphant.
MOSES
WE'RE LEAVING! We gotta be past the
city limits by DAWN so let's GO!
Pack EVERYTHING, we—
He sees them. All three. Stops dead.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(whisper)
...Tzippy?
TZIPORA
(standing, grinning)
Hi, Moishe.
MOSES
(seeing his sons)
BOYS?!
GERSHOM & ELIEZER
(together)
Hi, Pop.
MOSES
(EXPLODING with joy)
TZIPPY! BOYS! HOLY CRAP!
He RUNS to them. Grabs Tzipora first, lifts her, spins her.
Then pulls his sons into the hug. All four, laughing, crying.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Tzipora)
What are you DOING here?!
TZIPORA
You think I'd let you do this
without us?
MOSES
(to his sons)
You WALKED her here?!
ELIEZER
She walked US here, Dad. She's
tougher than both of us.
Moses laughs, kisses Tzipora, hugs his boys again.
MOSES
(turning to everyone, back
to business)
Okay! Rameses said YES! We're
LEAVING! All of us! But we gotta GO
—
MA
(standing, INSTANTLY in
General mode)
ALRIGHT! EVERYBODY LISTEN UP!
The room goes quiet. Ma is in charge now.
MA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(pointing at Gershom and
Eliezer)
You TWO! Round up every DONKEY in
the quarter! Spread the word -
we're leaving at DAWN! GO!
GERSHOM
Yes ma'am!
The boys exit immediately. Efficient. Gone.
MA
(to Aaron)
Aaron! Help Tzipora with the
matzos! They won't bake THEMSELVES!
AARON
(to Tzipora) You know how to make
matzos?
TZIPORA
(rolling up her sleeves) "Do I know
how to- are you kidding me? Let's
GO!
They head to the cooking area.
MA
(to Miriam) Miriam! Start packing!
Clothes, blankets, ANYTHING we can
carry!
Miriam starts grabbing things, stuffing them into bags.
MA (CONT'D)
(to Moses, who's just standing
there) Don't just STAND there! Get
the water skins! And the—where's
the GOAT? We're taking the GOAT!
MOSES
(jumping into action) Right! Goat!
Water! Got it!
The room EXPLODES into organized chaos. Everyone
moving,packing, yelling instructions.
TZIPORA
(kneading dough) Aaron, more flour!
AARON
(dumping flour) How much?
TZIPORA
ALL OF IT! We're feeding SIX
HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE!
MOSES
(struggling with water skins) These
are HEAVY! How many do we—
MA
FOUR! No, FIVE! We're going through
the DESERT!
The door opens. JOSHUA returns, out of breath.
JOSHUA
Morty's outside! They said his
clutch is—
MA
I don't CARE about his clutch! As
long as he RUNS!
AARON
(to Tzipora) Is this enough matzo?
TZIPORA
(looking at the pile) It'll have to
be. We don't have TIME for more!
MOSES
(to Ma, holding up a small box)
What about Dad's tefillin?
MA
(stopping, emotional) ...Take them.
He'd want you to have them.
Moses tucks the box carefully into his bag. The chaos
continues. Bags filled. Food wrapped. Chaos, but PURPOSE.
Then—A KNOCK at the door.
Sharp. Desperate. Everyone FREEZES. The room goes silent.
MIRIAM
(whisper) Who...?
MOSES
(moving toward the door,
protective) Stay back.
He opens the door slowly. NEFERTARI stands there.
She looks DESTROYED. Eyes red from crying. Hair
disheveled.Still in her finery but it's wrinkled, dusty.
She's been running. Everyone stares.
NEFERTARI
(barely holding it together) Moses.
MOSES
(stunned) Nefertari...
She steps inside. Sees all of them. The preparations.
NEFERTARI
(voice breaking) I had to... I had
to come...
MA crosses to her immediately. Takes her hands.
MA
(gentle) Come. Sit.
NEFERTARI
I can't—I don't have TIME—
But Ma already guide her to a chair. TZIPORA brings water.
MIRIAM kneels beside her. The women surround her. Hold her.
Moses, Aaron, Joshua—stay back. This isn't their moment.
NEFERTARI (CONT'D)
(to Ma, crying) He's gone. My baby.
My TUTYA. He's—
She can't finish. Sobs. Ma pulls her close. Tzipora strokes
her hair. Miriam holds her hand.
MA
(rocking her gently) I know,
sweetheart. I know.
They cry together. Four women who've lost too much, holding
each other in the darkness. After a moment, Nefertari pulls
back. Wipes her eyes. Tries to compose herself.
NEFERTARI
(to Moses, urgent) Listen to me.
Rameses has gone CRAZY. He's—he's
not THINKING anymore. He's just...
rage. Pure rage.
MOSES
(quiet) Nefertari—
NEFERTARI
(standing, frantic) He's going to
kill you. All of you. He's
gathering the ARMY. Chariots.
Soldiers. He's going to hunt you
DOWN.
AARON
(scared) When?
NEFERTARI
Dawn. Maybe before. You have to be
GONE. Far away. Before he—
She stops. Steadies herself.
NEFERTARI (CONT'D)
(to Moses, directly) You broke him.
You know that, right? You broke my
HUSBAND.
MOSES
(voice thick) I'm sorry. I'm so—
NEFERTARI
(shaking her head) Don't. Don't
apologize. It's too late for that.
She looks at Ma. At Tzipora. At Miriam.
NEFERTARI (CONT'D)
Go. Be free. Live. For all of us
who CAN'T.
MA
(taking her hands again) Come with
us.
Beat. A big long beat.
NEFERTARI
(sad smile) I can't. This is my
HOME. Even now.
She hugs Ma. Long. Hard.
NEFERTARI (CONT'D)
(whispers in her ear) Take care of
him. He's going to need you.
MA
(whisper back) I will.
Nefertari pulls away. Crosses to the door. Stops. Looks back
at Moses.
NEFERTARI
God be with you, Moses.
MOSES
And with you.
She opens the door. Steps out into the night. The door
closes. adding one more beat
Silence.
Then—from OUTSIDE:
MORTY
BRAAAAA!
JOSHUA
(from the doorway)
I got Morty! He's READY!
MA
(snapping back to General
mode)
OKAY! Let's MOVE! Moses, grab those
bags! Tzipora, the matzos! Miriam,
the GOAT!
Everyone scrambles. Back to packing. Back to PURPOSE.
AARON
(struggling with a huge
sack)
How much STUFF are we taking?!
MA
EVERYTHING WE CAN CARRY! NOW MOVE!
They pour out of the hovel. Into the night. Toward freedom.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
The Dawn of Freedom
26 EXT. EDGE OF GOSHEN - DAWN
The sun rising. Golden light.
SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND HEBREWS gathered at the edge of the
city. Families, children, livestock, carts piled high The
entire nation assembled for the first time as FREE PEOPLE.
MOSES stands at the front with MA, TZIPORA, MIRIAM, AARON,
and JOSHUA. MORTY nearby, loaded down with supplies.
Behind them: GOSHEN. The life they're leaving. Ahead: THE
DESERT. Freedom. The unknown.
Moses looks out at the crowd. The SEA of people.
MOSES
(to Aaron, amazed)
Boy. That's a lotta Jews.
AARON
(equally amazed)
Yeah.
TZIPORA
(taking Moses's hand)
They're waiting for you.
MA
(straightening his robes)
So? What are you WAITING for? Tell
them to MOVE!
Moses takes a breath. Steps forward. The crowd goes quiet.
All eyes on him. He raises his staff.
MOSES
(to himself, almost giddy)
I've always wanted to say this...
He takes a breath, then BELLOWS with everything he's got:
MOSES (CONT'D)
Wagons...HO!
Beat.
JOSHUA
(to Aaron, confused)
...What the heck did he say?
AARON
(shrugging)
It's the catch phrase from Wagon
Train.
JOSHUA
Ah.
And the CROWD STARTS MOVING. Slowly at first. Then faster.
Six hundred thousand people flowing forward like a river.
Carts rolling. Children running. Livestock herded. The sound
of FREEDOM - voices, laughter, the creak of wheels.Moses
watches. His people. Finally free.
MA
LEAD, bubbuleh! Don't just STAND
there!
Moses laughs. Takes Tzipora's hand. Starts walking.
Aaron and Joshua fall in beside him. Miriam and Ma behind.
Morty bringing up the rear, laden with supplies.
The MASS of Israelites moving forward into the desert. Into
the dawn. Into history.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
The Parting of the Red Sea
27 EXT. THE RED SEA - DAY
The massive crowd of Hebrews stands at the water's edge.
Behind them: DUST CLOUDS approaching. CHARIOTS. Rameses's
army getting closer.
MOSES stands at the front, staff in hand. Staring at the
water.
DATHAN
(pushing through the
crowd)
Okay, I'm SORRY, but what's the
PLAN here?!
MOSES
(not turning)
We're going through.
DATHAN
Through WHAT? The WATER?
MOSES
Yes.
DATHAN
Are you NUTS? I can't SWIM!
HEBREW WOMAN
And I just ATE! You're supposed to
wait an HOUR!
ANOTHER HEBREW
What, we're WALKING through that?
With the FISH?
TZIPORA
(to Moses, calm)
They're scared.
MOSES
(still staring at the
water)
I know.
MA
(to the crowd)
Will you all SHUT UP and let the
man THINK?!
The chariots are getting CLOSER. The sound of hoofbeats,
wheels, shouting.
AARON
(to Moses, urgent)
Moses... they're almost HERE.
MOSES
(quiet)
I get it, I get it.
JOSHUA
(looking back at the
approaching army)
We got maybe two minutes!
Moses closes his eyes. Takes a breath.
MOSES
(to the sky, whisper)
Okay. I'm ready.
He raises the STAFF high above his head.The wind picks up.
Unnatural. ROARING.The crowd goes silent. Watching.Moses
brings the staff DOWN and plants it in the sand.
Nothing happens.
BEAT.
DATHAN
(to the crowd)
SEE?! I TOLD you—
The WATER starts to MOVE. Not pulling back gently. VIOLENTLY.
Like someone yanked a plug. The sea SPLITS.
Two massive WALLS of water rise on either side, The seabed in
between—DRY. Sandy. Fish flopping around.
DATHAN (CONT'D)
Oops.
Everyone STARES.
MOSES
(turning to the crowd)
GO! NOW!
Nobody moves. Too terrified.
MIRIAM
(grabbing MA)
You heard him! MOVE!
She starts walking toward the opening.
TZIPORA
(to the crowd)
Come ON!
Slowly, people start to follow. Tentative. Scared. But
MOVING.
HEBREW MAN
(walking between the water
walls)
This is MESHUGA!
HEBREW WOMAN
(to her husband)
Don't LOOK at the water! Just WALK!
CHILD
(pointing)
Mommy, there's a FISH!
More and more people pour through. Six hundred thousand
Hebrews walking on the seabed. Moses stands at the entrance,
ushering them. Aaron and Joshua beside him.
AARON
(amazed)
You DID it.
MOSES
(watching the people)
Yeah. I did.
28 THE CHARIOTS ARRIVE AT THE SHORE. RAMESES AT THE FRONT,
DRIVING HIS OWN CHARIOT. HE SEES THE PARTED SEA. THE HEBREWS
WALKING THROUGH.
His face—rage, disbelief, devastation.
EGYPTIAN COMMANDER
(beside Rameses)
Your Majesty... what do we do?
Rameses stares at the water walls. At Moses standing at the
entrance.
RAMESES
(quiet, dangerous)
We go after them.
COMMANDER
But Your Majesty, the water—
RAMESES
(exploding)
I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WATER! We go
after them! You got a PROBLEM with
that?!
COMMANDER
(backing down)
No, Your Majesty.
RAMESES
(to his drivers, pointing)
You heard me! MOVE IT! What are you
waiting for, an INVITATION?!
The chariots START moving toward the opening.
29 MOSES SEES THEM COMING. RAISES THE STAFF AGAIN.
MOSES
(to Aaron and Joshua)
Get everyone through. NOW.
AARON
What about YOU?
MOSES
I'll be right behind you. TODAY,
Aaron!
Aaron and Joshua run into the passage, helping stragglers.
Moses alone at the entrance. Watching the chariots approach.
Rameses getting closer. Closer.
Genres:
["Drama","Action","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
The Final Wave
30 EXT. DAY. CHARIOTS ENTER THE WATER WALLS.
Moses waits. Watching the last of his people reach the other
side. The chariots are HALFWAY through now. Rameses shouting
orders, whipping horses.
Moses looks at the far shore. His people safe. All of them.
He looks at Rameses. One last time. Then raises the staff.
MOSES
(quiet)
Sorry, Rammy.
He brings the staff DOWN. The water walls SHUDDER.
Then COLLAPSE.
But instead of drowning the chariots—the water RUSHES forward
in a MASSIVE WAVE, filling the passage, a WALL OF WATER that
SLAMS the chariots, PUSHES them back— toward Egypt—a tsunami.
Rameses's chariot is LIFTED, spun around, thrown back onto
the Egyptian shore. He crashes. Rolls. Lies in the sand. When
he looks up—the sea is BACK. Whole. Like it never parted.
On the other side: MOSES and the Hebrews. Watching.
Rameses stares across the water at his former friend. Moses
stares back. Then turns and walks away.
Rameses is soaked. Defeated. His army scattered around him.
EGYPTIAN COMMANDER
(helping Rameses up)
Your Majesty... are you—
RAMESES
(pushing him away)
Leave me.
The commander hesitates, then backs away. Rameses sits in the
sand. Staring at the sea. At where Moses was.
RAMESES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to himself, broken)
Should've stuck to bricks.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Action"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
A Moment of Reflection
31 EXT. FAR SHORE - CONTINUOUS
The Hebrews ERUPTING in celebration. Singing, dancing, crying
with relief.
Moses stands apart, watching Rameses across the water.Tzipora
approaches. Puts a hand on his shoulder.
TZIPORA
You okay?
MOSES
(quiet)
I dunno.
TZIPORA
You saved us. All of us.
MOSES
(still looking at Egypt)
Meh. I guess.
She gently pulls him toward the celebrating crowd.
TZIPORA
Come on. They're waiting for you.
Moses takes one last look at Egypt. Then turns and walks into
the desert with his people.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Adventure"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Manna Madness
32 EXT. DESERT CAMP - MORNING
The Hebrew camp. Tents everywhere. People waking up.
Someone steps outside their tent and STOPS. Stares at the
ground.
HEBREW MAN
...What the hell is THAT?
The ground is COVERED in white flaky stuff. Like snow, but
not snow. MANNA.
More people emerge from tents. Staring.
HEBREW WOMAN
Is that... bread?
ANOTHER HEBREW
I don't THINK so?
MOSES emerges from his tent. Sees the manna. Smiles.
MOSES
(to the crowd)
It's MANNA! Food from heaven! God
sent it!
People start picking it up. Examining it. tasting.
HEBREW MAN
(chewing)
...It tastes like nothing.
ANOTHER HEBREW
I'm getting more of a... bland
cracker situation.
DATHAN
(pushing forward, tasting
it)
This is DISGUSTING.
MOSES
It's FOOD FROM HEAVEN!
DATHAN
Yeah, well, heaven needs a better
CHEF!
Laughter from the crowd.
MA
(tasting it)
It's not THAT bad. A little salt,
maybe some—
MIRIAM
Ma, it tastes like CARDBOARD.
MA
So? In EGYPT you ate cardboard?
MIRIAM
In Egypt we had ONIONS! And GARLIC!
And—
MOSES
(cutting in, frustrated)
You want to go BACK to Egypt?! For
ONIONS?!
BEAT.
Several people raise their hands.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(to the sky)
Are You SEEING this?!
DATHAN
(to the crowd)
I'm just SAYING—we had FOOD in
Egypt! REAL food! Leeks! Cucumbers!
FISH from the Nile!
AARON
The Nile we turned into BLOOD?
DATHAN
BEFORE that!
JOSHUA
(trying to help Moses)
Look, it's FREE food! It just
APPEARS! Every MORNING!
HEBREW WOMAN
For how LONG?
MOSES
...What?
HEBREW WOMAN
How long are we eating this? A
week? A month?
MOSES
(uncomfortable)
...Forty years.
Dead silence.
ANOTHER HEBREW
Can we at least get some VARIETY?
Maybe... I don't know... manna with
RAISINS? Cinnamon manna?
MA
(to the crowd, taking
charge)
ALRIGHT! Everybody CALM DOWN! We'll
figure out RECIPES!
MIRIAM
Recipes? Ma, it's MANNA. What are
you gonna DO with it?
MA
(thinking)
Manna pancakes. Manna soup.
Manna... kugel?
HEBREW WOMAN
(hopeful)
Manna kugel?
MA
WE'll TRY! Now everybody GATHER IT
UP before it MELTS.
People start collecting manna in baskets, bags, whatever.
DATHAN
(to Moses, as he leaves)
Forty years of THIS. You OWE me,
Moses.
Moses stands there, watching everyone complain while
collecting free food from heaven.
MOSES
(to himself)
I walked eighty miles for THIS?
TZIPORA
(appearing beside him,
eating manna)
It's really not that bad. Kind of
grows on you.
MOSES
(looking at her)
You're just saying that.
TZIPORA
(grinning)
I'm TOTALLY just saying that.
She kisses his cheek and walks off. Moses looks at the manna
in his hand. Takes a bite. Makes a face.
MOSES
(to the sky)
Okay, she's right. This is
terrible.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Moses and the Divine Call
33 EXT. MOUNT SINAI - DAY
The massive crowd of Hebrews arrives. Tired, dusty,
complaining about manna. Kvetch, kvetch, kvetch. They stop.
Ahead: MOUNT SINAI. Massive. Imposing. Shrouded in clouds at
the peak. And at the base, incongruous and impossible:
A BLACK ROTARY PAY PHONE on a post.
Moses sees it. Stops walking. Stares at the phone. Closes his
eyes. Rubs his temples.
MOSES
Oh, come ON.
AARON
(seeing the phone)
...Is that—
MOSES
(dead tired)
Yeah.
The phone RINGS.
Moses picks it up like it weighs a thousand pounds.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(into phone, exhausted)
...Yeah.
GOD (V.O.)
(Mel Brooks, impatient)
What took you so LONG?! I been
WAITING!
MOSES
We walked. For WEEKS. Through the
DESERT.
GOD (V.O.)
So? You got LEGS, don't you? GET UP
HERE!
MOSES
(looking up at the
mountain)
It's very HIGH—
GOD (V.O.)
(cutting him off)
I KNOW it's high! I MADE it! Now
MOVE IT! We got WORK to do!
MOSES
What kind of work?
GOD (V.O.)
LAWS! Commandments! Rules! You
think a society just RUNS ITSELF?!
MOSES
How long is this gonna take?
GOD (V.O.)
I don't KNOW! A week! Maybe MORE!
There's a LOT to cover!
MOSES
(rubbing his eyes)
A WEEK?!Can't You just—I don't know
—mail me a list? Send a telegram?
GOD (V.O.)
(offended)
MAIL?! You want the TEN
COMMANDMENTS by MAIL?! What am I,
SEARS?!
MOSES
I just thought—
GOD (V.O.)
Stop THINKING and start CLIMBING!
And bring a SNACK! You look
TERRIBLE!
CLICK.
God hangs up.
Moses stands there holding the dead phone. Staring at it.
MOSES
(to the phone)
...He hung up on me.
TZIPORA
Is He always like this?
MOSES
No. Sometimes He's MORE of a jerk.
Thunder CRACKS overhead. Loud. Pointed.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(to the sky)
What?! I'm WRONG?!
More thunder. Rumbling.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(waving it off)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Big man.
He turns to the waiting crowd. All staring at him.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(announcing)
Okay! We're camping here! Aaron's
in charge! I'll be back in a few
days!
DATHAN
(from the crowd)
A FEW DAYS?! What are we supposed
to DO?!
MOSES
(losing it)
I don't KNOW, Dathan! Make FRIENDS!
Play CARDS! Learn to JUGGLE! Just
don't do anything STUPID!
AARON
(panicking)
Wait—I'M in charge?
MOSES
(already walking toward
the mountain)
You'll be FINE! You're a NATURAL
LEADER!
JOSHUA
(to Aaron)
You're really not.
AARON
I KNOW I'm not!
TZIPORA
(calling after Moses)
Moses! You need WATER! FOOD!
MOSES
(not stopping, waving her
off)
I'm FINE!
MA
(yelling)
You got NO SNACK!
But Moses is already climbing. Determined. Exhausted. Done
with everyone.
MIRIAM
(watching him go)
Think he'll be okay?
TZIPORA
(watching him stumble on a
rock)
...I have no idea...
Moses keeps climbing.Getting smaller.Eventually disappearing.
DATHAN
(to Aaron)
So. You're in charge.
AARON
(terrified)
...Yeah.
DATHAN
This is gonna go GREAT.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
The Golden Calf: A Crisis of Faith
34 EXT. MOUNT SINAI BASE CAMP - DAY
TITLE CARD: "40 DAYS LATER"
The camp looks ROUGH. Tents disorganized. People lounging
around, BORED OUT OF THEIR MINDS. Someone tries to juggle
rocks. A group plays a card game with zero enthusiasm.
Children run around screaming. Parents ignore them.
AARON sits, looking STRESSED. JOSHUA beside him.
JOSHUA
(trying to be helpful)
It's been forty days.
AARON
I can COUNT, Joshua.
JOSHUA
I'm just saying. Maybe he's—
AARON
Don't say it.
JOSHUA
—dead?
AARON (PUTTING HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS)
You said it.
DATHAN pushes through the crowd,a group of HEBREWS following.
DATHAN
(loud, to Aaron) OKAY! That's IT!
We need to TALK!
AARON
(not looking up) Not now, Dathan.
DATHAN
YES now! Moses has been gone for
FORTY DAYS! Nobody's seen him!
Nobody's HEARD from him!
AARON
He's getting the commandments—
DATHAN
(cutting in) Or he's DEAD! Fell off
a CLIFF! Got struck by LIGHTNING!
Who KNOWS?!
The crowd murmurs. Agreement.
HEBREW WOMAN
He's got a point. It's been a LONG
time.
ANOTHER HEBREW
What if he's NOT coming back?
AARON
(standing) He's COMING back!
DATHAN
HOW DO YOU KNOW?! You got a CRYSTAL
BALL?!
AARON
Because he's MOSES! God's not gonna
let him—
DATHAN
(talking over him, to the crowd) We
need a god we can SEE! Something
REAL! Not some invisible voice that
talks through PHONES!
More murmuring. People nodding.
HEBREW MAN
Yeah! Like the Egyptians had! With
STATUES!
ANOTHER HEBREW
Something we can PRAY to!
DATHAN
(to Aaron, pressing) You're in
CHARGE, Aaron. So LEAD! Give us a
GOD!
AARON
(panicking) I can't just—we don't—
there's RULES about—
DATHAN
MAKE ONE! Out of GOLD! Something
SHINY!
The crowd starts CHANTING.
CROWD
WE WANT A GOD! WE WANT A GOD! WE
WANT A GOD!
Aaron looks at Joshua. Desperate.
JOSHUA
(shrugging) They're not gonna stop.
AARON
What am I supposed to DO?!
DATHAN
(shoving a BAG at Aaron) Here!
Jewelry! From everybody! Melt it
down! Make us a CALF!
AARON
(looking in the bag) A... calf?
DATHAN
Like the Egyptians! The Apis bull!
But SMALLER! And GOLD!
AARON
I don't know HOW to—
DATHAN
FIGURE IT OUT!
The crowd keeps chanting. Aaron looks at the bag of jewelry.
At the crowd. At the mountain where Moses disappeared.
AARON
(to Joshua, quiet) Moses is gonna
KILL me.
JOSHUA
Only if he comes back.
AARON
(louder, to the crowd) OKAY! OKAY!
I'll... I'll make you a god.
The crowd CHEERS.
AARON (CONT'D)
(CONT'D) (to himself) I am SO dead.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Religious"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Desperate Bargain
35 INT. MOSCOWITZ'S PAWN SHOP - DAY
The exterior is a BEDOUIN TENT.The interior is a 1950s Lower
East Side pawn shop. Cluttered. Dark. Glass cases full of
watches, rings, random treasures. The door rings with a
little bell.
MOSCOWITZ (70s, thick glasses, cardigan, suspicious) sits
behind the counter with a jeweler's LOUPE.
AARON enters, carrying the heavy bag of jewelry. Sweating.
Nervous.
Outside, the crowd CHANTS: "WE WANT A GOD! WE WANT A GOD!"
Aaron dumps the bag on the counter.
AARON
(desperate) I need gold. A LOT of
gold. FAST.
MOSCOWITZ
looks at the bag. Then at Aaron.
Then back at the bag.
He picks up a NECKLACE. Examines it with the loupe. SLOWLY.
AARON (CONT'D)
(urgent) I'm in kind of a HURRY
here—
MOSCOWITZ holds up a finger. Keeps examining.Outside: "WE
WANT A GOD! WE WANT A GOD!"
AARON (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(frantic) They're getting LOUDER—
MOSCOWITZ picks up a RING. Examines it. Also slowly.
AARON (CONT'D)
(CONT'D) MOSCOWITZ! PLEASE!
MOSCOWITZ sets down the loupe. Looks at Aaron.
MOSCOWITZ (THICK ACCENT)
For the whole bag? Two hundred
shekels.
AARON
WHAT?! This is easily FIVE HUNDRED
shekels worth of—
MOSCOWITZ
(shrugging) Two hundred. Take it or
leave it.
Outside: The chanting is getting MORE INTENSE.
AARON (DESPERATE) FINE! FINE! TWO
TWENTY!
MOSCOWITZ
Two hundred.
AARON
Two FIFTEEN!
MOSCOWITZ
(firm) Two hundred.
Aaron looks at the door. The chanting. The pressure.
AARON
(defeated) ...Two hundred.
MOSCOWITZ counts out shekels. Slowly. Aaron is DYING.
Finally, MOSCOWITZ slides the money across.
AARON (CONT'D)
(CONT'D) Thank you! Do you have a
BAG?
MOSCOWITZ reaches under the counter. Pulls out a small paper
bag. Hands it over. Aaron scoops the shekels into the bag.
AARON (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(as he leaves) You're a lifesaver,
MOSCOWITZ!
MOSCOWITZ
(calling after him) You need a
GOLDSMITH too? My nephew Schmuel—
But Aaron is already gone. MOSCOWITZ shrugs. Goes back to
examining the jewelry with his loupe.
FADE OUT. CHECKING - CASEY STENGEL WAS YANKEES MANAGER
IN 1955
Let me do a tighter, funnier version with the period
references:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Moses Receives the Commandments
36 EXT. MOUNT SINAI - SUMMIT - DAY
MOSES reaches the top. Out of breath. Sweating. It's been a
LONG climb.
The summit is shrouded in CLOUD and SMOKE. Thunder rumbling.
Lightning flashing.
Moses stands there, catching his breath.
MOSES
(calling out)
Hello?...Hey! Anybody home?!
Silence.
MOSES (CONT'D)
...HELLO?!
A VOICE from the cloud - GOD (MEL BROOKS):
GOD (V.O.)
I HEARD you! Keep your shirt on!
MOSES
I just climbed a MOUNTAIN.
GOD (V.O.)
And whose FAULT is that?
TWO STONE TABLETS appear from the cloud, floating down. They
land in front of Moses.
He picks one up. Nearly drops it.
MOSES
OY! What'd You carve these out of,
cement from Newark?!
GOD (V.O.)
It's STONE! What do you WANT?
MOSES
(struggling with both)
I gotta carry these DOWN?!
GOD (V.O.)
What, you want I should deliver
them to your HOTEL? This ain't the
PLAZA.
Moses sets them down. Squints at the engravings.
MOSES
Your handwriting is TERRIBLE.
GOD (V.O.)
(offended)
That's DIVINE SCRIPT!
MOSES
What's this one? "Thou shalt not
kilt"?
GOD (V.O.)
KILL! "Thou shalt not KILL!"
Moses reads, mumbling.
MOSES
Don't steal, don't lie, honor your
parents...
(looking up)
You know, this is all a little...
obvious.
Silence.
GOD (V.O.)
(dangerously quiet)
You think it's OBVIOUS?
MOSES
Uh, yeah; Don't kill? Don't steal?
I mean... duh.
GOD (V.O.)
(exploding)
YOU THINK I CARVED THESE FOR FUN?!
(MORE)
GOD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
If they were OBVIOUS, I wouldn't
NEED to write them DOWN!
MOSES
I'm just saying—
GOD (V.O.)
People don't KNOW not to kill,
Moses! Give them five MINUTES and
they'll kill each other over a
GOAT!
MOSES
(sheepish)
...Okay. You're right.
GOD (V.O.)
Thank you.
MOSES
So. Ten commandments. That gonna be
enough?
GOD (V.O.)
It's TEN! I'm not the Fuller Brush
Man. It's TEN. That's it.
MOSES
Okay! Ten! Got it.
He picks up the tablets. Struggles.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(quietly)
This is a lot of responsibility.
What if I mess it up?
GOD (V.O.)
(after a beat)
So you'll mess it up.
MOSES
What?
GOD (V.O.)
You'll make MISTAKES. You'll lose
your TEMPER. But you TRY. That's
what matters.
MOSES
What if they don't listen?
GOD (V.O.)
They WON'T listen! Does DiMAGGIO
listen to STENGEL? Everybody thinks
they know BETTER. But eventually? A
few of them? They'll GET it.
MOSES
(taking a breath)
Okay. I'm going down.
GOD (V.O.)
Moses? You're doing good. Better
than I expected.
MOSES
(slight smile)
Thanks. I think.
GOD (V.O.)
Good. Now GO.
Moses adjusts the tablets. Starts the long climb down.
FADE OUT. rolling up sleeves - let's do this tight and punchy
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
The Golden Calf Chaos
EXT. MOUNT SINAI BASE CAMP - NIGHT
CHAOS. JOYFUL CHAOS.
The GOLDEN CALF sits on a platform.
Shiny. About four feet tall.
SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND HEBREWS celebrating. WEDDING RECEPTION
energy.
A CONGA LINE snakes through the crowd.
CONGA LINE
DA-da-da-da-da! DA-da-da-da-da!
ACCORDION. MARACAS. TAMBOURINE.DATHAN stands near a MAKESHIFT
STAND: "GOLDEN CALF GIFT SHOP - SOUVENIRS!" Eating a KNISH.
DATHAN
(to a customer)
Five shekels. Limited edition.
The HORA starts. People form a CIRCLE, linking arms, spinning
faster.
CROWD
HAVA NAGILA! HAVA NAGILA!
AARON and JOSHUA at the edge, HORRIFIED.
JOSHUA
...What have we DONE?
AARON
YOU told me—
JOSHUA
I SHRUGGED!
Joshua looks up. Raises his hands to heaven.
JOSHUA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Oh Lord! Are they truly IDIOTS? Or
is it ME?!
Beat.
GOD's voice (MEL BROOKS). Throat-clearing. Uncomfortable.
GOD (V.O.)
...Let's not go there.
Thunder RUMBLES.
LIGHTNING CRACKS. LOUD.
Music STOPS. Dancing STOPS.
Then—a VOICE from the MOUNTAIN. Furious.
MOSES (O.S.)
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON DOWN
THERE?!
Six hundred thousand people freeze.
There—at the mountain top, lit by lightning—MOSES. Holding
TABLETS.
AARON
(whisper)
...Oh no.
Moses starts DESCENDING. Fast. Furious.
The crowd SCATTERS.
DATHAN
EVERYBODY STAY CALM!
He sees Moses. Drops everything. RUNS.
Gift shop collapses. Plates smashing.
AARON
(to Joshua)
This is your fault.
JOSHUA
YOU MADE THE CALF!
MOSES (O.S.)
AAAAAARON!
AARON
If I die, tell my wife I love her.
JOSHUA
You're not MARRIED.
AARON
THEN FIND ME A WIFE AND TELL HER!
Moses storms into camp. Holding the STONE TABLETS.
Sees the CALF. Stops. Stares. SILENT camp. Everyone watching.
MOSES
(very quiet, very
dangerous)
...A calf.
AARON
(nervous laugh)
It's more of a... bull?
MOSES
A GOLDEN. CALF.
AARON
I can explain—
MOSES
I was gone for FORTY DAYS! Getting
COMMANDMENTS! From GOD!
Holds up tablets.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
And you made a COW?!
AARON
The people were RESTLESS—
MOSES
SO YOU MADE THEM A COW?!
AARON
It's a CALF—
JOSHUA
Actually, bulls and cows—
MOSES
(wheeling on Joshua)
NOT. HELPING.
Moses looks at the tablets. The calf. Aaron.
Then—slowly—RAISES the tablets above his head.
AARON
Moses... no... don't—
Moses THROWS them down. SHATTER. Stone exploding.
Silence. Moses points at the calf.
MOSES
Melt it down. NOW.
AARON
But—
MOSES
MELT! IT! DOWN!
He storms off. Aaron and Joshua stand in broken stone.
AARON
...Think he's mad?
JOSHUA
No, Aaron. I think he's DELIGHTED.
They look at the shattered commandments.
AARON
(realizing)
He's gonna have to go back UP
there.
JOSHUA
(wincing)
Yeah.
They look at Mount Sinai. Very tall.
AARON
He is REALLY not gonna like that.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Moses Delivers the Law
EXT. MOUNT SINAI - BASE CAMP - DAY
The camp PACKED. Everyone gathered.
MOSES appears descending with TWO NEW TABLETS. Sets them on a
rock platform.
MOSES
I bring you the Law. The Ten
Commandments.
Reverent silence.
He reads the first tablet.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Number One: I am the Lord thy God.
No other gods before me.
Glares at where the calf was. Long, pointed stare.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
That means NO CALVES.
AARON
(to Joshua, quiet)
He's never letting that go.
Moses continues reading rapidly.
MOSES
Don't take God's name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath. Honor your
parents. Don't kill. Don't commit
adultery. Don't steal. Don't lie—
DATHAN
What about little lies?
MOSES
(exploding)
DATHAN!
He takes a breath. Continues.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Don't covet your neighbor's house.
Don't covet your neighbor's wife—
HEBREW MAN
What if she's REALLY attractive?
Beat.
MOSES
(very slowly)
ESPECIALLY then.
HEBREW WOMAN
(smacking the man)
WHAT?!
MOSES
(to the crowd, exhausted)
These are the TEN COMMANDMENTS!
Follow them!
He steps back.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to Aaron and Joshua)
That went well, right?
AARON
...Sure.
Moses looks out at the six hundred thousand Hebrews. His
people. Finally free. Finally with the Law.
MOSES
(loud, to everyone)
Alright everybody! Let's hit the
road! We got a long, LONG way to
go!
He points at DATHAN.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
You too, Dathan.
(beat)
...You dick...
DATHAN
(defensive)
What'd I DO?!
FADE OUT.
TITLE CARD: "40 YEARS LATER"
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
The Consequence of Disobedience
37 EXT. DESERT - DAY
TITLE CARD: "40 YEARS LATER"
Brutal sun. Endless sand.
MOSES (now 120 years old, weathered but still strong) stands
in front of a large ROCK - nothing special, just a big desert
rock. Behind him: 20-25 HEBREWS, looking THIRSTY. Desperate.
Kids whimpering. People's lips cracked.
AARON (82, gray-haired) and JOSHUA (60s, still strong) stand
off to the side, watching.
GERSHOM and ELIEZER (both now in their 50s, bearded, worn by
the desert) stand nearby with TZIPORA (60s, still sharp-
eyed).
Moses holds his STAFF. Looks at the rock. Takes a breath.
MOSES
(to the rock, polite)
Uh... rock? We need water. If you
could just...
He waits. Nothing happens.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(trying again)
Please? We're really thirsty. It
would be... appreciated.
Still nothing. Just rock.
A HEBREW WOMAN steps forward.
HEBREW WOMAN
Maybe it's the wrong rock?
ANOTHER HEBREW
Yeah, try THAT one!
(points to another rock
nearby)
MOSES
(irritated)
It's not the wrong rock!
HEBREW MAN
How do you KNOW?
MOSES
Because GOD told me THIS rock!
HEBREW WOMAN
Well it's not WORKING!
MOSES
I can SEE it's not working!
CHILD
(whining)
I'm thirstyyyy...
AARON
(to Joshua, quiet)
This isn't going well.
JOSHUA
You think?
Moses stares at the rock. His jaw clenching. Getting MORE
irritated.
MOSES
(through gritted teeth, to
the rock)
Look. We've been walking for FORTY
YEARS. FORTY. We're hot. We're
tired. We're THIRSTY. So if you
could PLEASE just—
Nothing.
The Hebrews start murmuring. Complaining.
HEBREW MAN
Great plan, Moses!
ANOTHER HEBREW
Yeah! Talk to a ROCK! Why didn't WE
think of that?
MOSES
(snapping, to the crowd)
DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS?! HUH?! YOU
WANT THE STAFF?!
They shut up.
Moses turns back to the rock. Breathing hard. Losing it.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(quiet, dangerous, to the
rock)
One more time. PLEASE. Give us.
Water.
Nothing.
Moses's eye twitches.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(louder)
GIVE. US. WATER!
Still nothing.
Moses SNAPS.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
FINE!
He raises the staff and WHACKS the rock. HARD.
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
A tiny trickle of water appears.
Then MORE.
Then—
A MASSIVE WATER JET EXPLODES from the rock—FIRE HOSE LEVEL—
and hits Moses DIRECTLY IN THE FACE.
He's BLASTED backward, soaked instantly.
The Hebrews RUSH forward with containers, jugs, anything.
Kids wash their faces in the spray. People laugh,drink,
celebrate.
Moses stands, DRENCHED. Water streams off his beard. His
robes plastered to him. Aaron and Joshua just... stare.
The water keeps GUSHING. Like a fountain. Beautiful.
Then—from the SKY —GOD's voice:
GOD (V.O.)
I TOLD you to TALK to it.
MOSES
(looking up, dripping)
I DID talk to it!
GOD (V.O.)
You HIT it! Not TALK to it! TALK to
it! You got a TEMPER, Moses!
MOSES
(defensive)
It wasn't LISTENING!
GOD (V.O.)
It's a ROCK! It doesn't have EARS!
MOSES
Then how was I supposed to—
GOD (V.O.)
(cutting him off)
You know what? That's IT. You're
not going in.
BEAT.
MOSES
...What?
GOD (V.O.)
The Promised Land. You're not going
in. You can SEE it, but you're not
going IN.
MOSES
(stunned)
Because I hit a ROCK?!
GOD (V.O.)
Because you didn't LISTEN! I gave
you ONE JOB! Talk to the rock! But
NO, you gotta get all MESHUGA with
the staff!
MOSES
(desperate)
Wait—WAIT! I can do it again! I'll
talk to ANOTHER rock! I'll—
GOD (V.O.)
Too late. Decision's made.
MOSES
But—
GOD (V.O.)
(firm but not unkind)
Moses. You did GOOD. You got them
OUT. You got them the LAW. You kept
them TOGETHER for forty YEARS. But
this is where it ENDS for you.
The water slows. Stops. Moses just stands there. Dripping.
Devastated. He sits down in the sand. Stares at nothing.
The Hebrews still celebrate, filling containers, not noticing
Moses's face.
GERSHOM and ELIEZER approach. Sit either side of their dad.
GERSHOM
(quiet, concerned)
You doin' okay, Pa?
MOSES
(not looking at him)
What, you worried?
ELIEZER
You ain't?
Moses looks at his sons. These men who were boys when this
journey started.
MOSES
(trying to smile)
I'm fine.
GERSHOM
(not buying it)
Pa—
MOSES
I SAID I'm fine.
TZIPORA crosses to them. Sits beside Moses. Doesn't say
anything. Just takes his hand.
They sit together in silence. Aaron and Joshua exchange a
look, then join them. All sitting in the sand around Moses.
Long silence.
MOSES (CONT'D)
(quiet, to himself)
All that. All of it. And I hit a
rock.
AARON
(trying)
Moses—
MOSES
(shaking his head)
Forty years. The plagues. The sea.
The DESERT. The LAW. Forty YEARS.
TZIPORA
(squeezing his hand)
You got us here. That's what
matters.
MOSES
But I can't—I can't FINISH it. I
can't take them IN.
JOSHUA
(after a beat)
For what it's worth? That was a LOT
of water.
Moses looks at him. Almost smiles. Almost.
MOSES
Yeah. It was.
They sit together as the sun starts to set. Orange and pink
across the desert sky.
Moses stands slowly. Wrings out his beard one more time.
MOSES (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(to his family)
Come on. Let's get moving. We're
almost there.
ELIEZER
(standing, helping his
father)
Almost where, Pa?
MOSES
(looking toward the
horizon)
The end of the road.
They walk off together. Moses still dripping. His family
around him. The Hebrews following behind with their water.
FADE OUT.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
A Bittersweet Farewell
38 EXT. CAMP AT THE BASE OF MOUNT NEBO - SUNSET
The Hebrew camp spread out below. The Promised Land visible
in the distance across the Jordan River. So close.
MOSES stands with TZIPORA outside their tent. They're alone.
The family has given them space.
Moses looks old. Tired. But still strong somehow.
Tzipora looks at him. Really looks at him.
TZIPORA
So.
MOSES
So.
Beat.
TZIPORA
You're really going up there.
MOSES
(nodding)
Yeah. He called. Said it's time.
TZIPORA
(trying to smile)
When isn't it time with Him?
Moses almost laughs. Almost.
TZIPORA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
The boys wanted to come say
goodbye, but I told them to wait.
Figured you'd want—
MOSES
(taking her hands)
I wanted you. Just you. For a
minute.
She squeezes his hands.
TZIPORA
Forty-five years.
MOSES
What?
TZIPORA
We've been married forty-five
years. Give or take.
MOSES
(doing the math)
Forty-seven, actually. But who's
counting?
TZIPORA
(smiling)
You were.
MOSES
Every day.
She looks at him. This man she walked eighty miles through
the desert to find. This man who argued with God and split
seas and kept six hundred thousand people alive.
TZIPORA
You know what I noticed?
MOSES
What?
TZIPORA
(slight smile)
Your natural force has not abated.
BEAT.
Moses stares at her. Then gets it. Laughs - really laughs -
for the first time in a while.
MOSES
Yeah, well. Hey; it'll never abate
for you, honey.
TZIPORA
(teary, laughing)
You're such a yutz.
MOSES
YOUR yutz.
He pulls her close. Kisses her. Not a goodbye kiss. A HELLO
kiss. Like they're twenty again at the well in Midian.
She kisses him back. Hard. Like she's trying to memorize him.
They pull apart. Foreheads touching.
TZIPORA
(whisper)
I don't want you to go.
MOSES
(whisper back)
I know.
TZIPORA
Forty-seven years and you're still
leaving me to do the hard work.
MOSES
(pulling back, confused)
What hard work?
TZIPORA
(gesturing to the camp)
THEM. The boys. Getting everyone
INTO the Promised Land. You think
that's gonna be EASY?
MOSES
Joshua's in charge now—
TZIPORA
Joshua's an IDIOT without Aaron
telling him what to do. And Aaron
needs someone to tell HIM what to
do. So guess who's REALLY gonna be
in charge?
MOSES
(realizing)
...You.
TZIPORA
Me. And Miriam. Like it's BEEN for
forty years.
Moses laughs again. She's right. She's always right.
MOSES
You'll be fine. Better than fine.
TZIPORA
I know. Doesn't mean I won't miss
you.
She touches his face. Memorizing.
TZIPORA (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Go on. He's waiting.
MOSES
Tzippy—
TZIPORA
GO. Before I change my mind and
make you stay.
He kisses her one more time. Quick. Then turns toward the
mountain.
Stops. Looks back.
MOSES
I love you.
TZIPORA
(smiling through tears)
I know. Now GO.
He starts walking toward Mount Nebo. Getting smaller.
Climbing.
Tzipora watches until he disappears into the dusk.
GERSHOM and ELIEZER appear beside her. She takes their hands.
GERSHOM
(quiet)
He gonna be okay, Ma?
TZIPORA
(still watching the
mountain)
Yeah. He's gonna be fine.
ELIEZER
You sure?
TZIPORA
(squeezing their hands)
He's with God. Where else would he
be okay?
They stand together, watching the mountain as night falls.
CROSS-FADE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
A Final Reflection on the Summit
39 EXT. MOUNT NEBO - SUMMIT - NIGHT
Stars everywhere. Brilliant. Endless.
MOSES stands alone at the peak. Below: the Promised Land. The
Jordan River. Spreading out like a promise. It's beautiful.
He sits on a rock. Pulls out an old, yellowed RACING FORM
from his robe. The one from the poker game. Forty years ago.
Looks at it. Smiles sadly.
BEAT.
GOD (V.O.)
So... we gotta talk.
Moses doesn't look up. Just keeps staring at the Promised
Land.
MOSES
(bitter)
Now You want to talk. After forty
years of YELLING.
GOD (V.O.)
I never yelled.
MOSES
You ALWAYS yell!
GOD (V.O.)
(defensive)
I got a LOUD voice! It's not
yelling, it's... PROJECTION!
Moses almost smiles. Silence.
MOSES
(quieter)
I can't go in. Can I.
GOD (V.O.)
No, Moses. You can't.
MOSES
Because I hit a rock.
GOD (V.O.)
Because you hit a rock.
MOSES
(angry now)
You know what? That's MESHUGA.
That's completely MESHUGA. I did
EVERYTHING You asked! The plagues!
The SEA! I put up with them for
FORTY YEARS—
GOD (V.O.)
(gently)
Moses—
MOSES
—and they COMPLAINED the WHOLE
TIME! About the manna! About the
walking! They built a GOLDEN CALF
while I was getting them the LAW!
GOD (V.O.)
I remember—
MOSES
(standing, shouting at the
sky)
And You're telling me I can't go
IN? After ALL THAT? Because I lost
my TEMPER ONE TIME?!
Silence. Then:
GOD (V.O.)
(quiet)
You done?
MOSES
(deflating)
...Yeah. I'm done.
He sits back down. Exhausted.
GOD (V.O.)
(after a beat)
You did good.
MOSES
(bitter laugh)
Good. Right.
GOD (V.O.)
You did good. Mostly.
MOSES
(looking up)
MOSTLY?!
GOD (V.O.)
Hey, I'm being HONEST here. You
want I should LIE? You did GREAT.
You also hit a rock when I said
TALK to it—
MOSES
We're BACK to the rock?!
GOD (V.O.)
It's IMPORTANT, Moses! The whole
JOB is about staying CALM! About
LISTENING! And you—you got a
TEMPER.
Moses sits with that. He knows it's true.
MOSES
(quieter)
So that's it? That's the end?
GOD (V.O.)
(warm)
Moses. Listen to me. You got them
OUT. You got them the Law. You kept
them TOGETHER through forty years
in a place where they SHOULDN'T
have survived. You're a MENSCH. You
know what a mensch is?
MOSES
(small smile)
Yeah. I know what a mensch is.
GOD (V.O.)
Joshua's gonna take them in. Good
kid. Listens better than you. And
they're gonna tell stories about
you, Moses. For THOUSANDS of years.
"Let my people go." That's YOU.
That's YOUR line. Forever.
Moses looks out at the Promised Land. His eyes wet.
MOSES
I just wanted to finish it. You
know? Just... finish.
GOD (V.O.)
You DID finish it. You finished
YOUR part. Now Joshua finishes his.
Beat.
MOSES
(to the Promised Land)
It's beautiful.
GOD (V.O.)
Yeah. It is.
Silence. Stars overhead. Wind gentle.
GOD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
And Moses?
MOSES
Yeah?
GOD (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Your horse came in. Just wanted to
let you know.
MOSES
(looking up)
What?
GOD (V.O.)
Fourth race at Goshen. The one you
folded for. Paid twelve to one.
Just like you said.
Moses stares. Then starts LAUGHING. Really laughing. The kind
of laugh that turns into crying.
MOSES
(through tears)
I KNEW it. I KNEW that horse—
He's laughing and crying at the same time. Forty years. All
of it. And God remembered the HORSE.
GOD (V.O.)(GENTLE)
Go on, Moses. Rest now. You earned
it.
The light starts to fade. Moses lies back on the rock.
Looking at the stars.
MOSES
(whisper)
Not a bad view.
GOD (V.O.)
The best.
The stars get brighter. The wind gentler. Moses closes his
eyes.And rests.
The light fades completely.
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END