“Then saith the damsel that kept the door, unto Peter,------.” The Bible.

Characters:-

-Damsel.

-Peter.

-Sinister Figure. Non-speaking.

-A few strangers. Non-speaking.

(DAMSEL enters, followed by two men, one carrying a small table, and the other carrying a box. She stops, and speaks to them.)

DAMSEL: Right here, will do. (The man puts down the table. The other man places the box on the table.) Thank you. (The men exit the way they entered. She makes minor adjustments to the table’s position, and to the boxes’ on the table. She speaks aloud to the audience.) The trial of Jesus of Nazareth is about to begin in this Court. All who want to attend the trial, this way. The admission price is one dollar. Pay me. Exact amount, please. (People enter, each pays her, and they carry on to exit ahead. She takes the money and drops it into the box. PETER enters last, and pays her. He is nervous and fearful. Before he can walk on, she speaks to him.) Excuse me, sir.

PETER: (Jumpily.) What is it?

DAMSEL: You are one of the Nazarene’s disciples, aren’t you?

PETER: No! I am not.

DAMSEL: I saw you at that supper table at that hotel. I was one of the waitresses.

PETER: The man you saw who looked like me, was he a fisherman?

DAMSEL: I don’t know. What’s that got to do with it?

PETER: I’m a fisherman from the small port village of Galilee on a lake. We fishermen work hard performing the same tasks side-by-side. Eventually, we are bound to get to appear to be in the same family. You must have noticed that there are quite a number of men around here from the village of Galilee. Just about every man in Galilee is a fisherman. So, you see, the man you saw who looks like me is probably a fisherman from Galilee.

DAMSEL: That makes sense, sir. Nonetheless, that accused man’s friends are being arrested along with him. And just looking like one of his disciples around here could get you into a lot of trouble.

PETER: Lady, thank you for the warning. I am not his disciple. I have not seen him in my life. If you would rather I do not attend the trial inside there, just give me back my money and I will leave.

DAMSEL: No refunds, sir. Sorry. You can go in. But you should know that there are police in the Court who are checking everybody. Respectfully, sir, I caution you, even if you are not the Nazarene’s disciple, you look like one. And the police will not be easy on you.

PETER: Thank you for the warning. You know, I was just passing through the town. I thought it would be entertaining to see a trial. But if it will bring me trouble, I won’t go in. No refunds, huh?

DAMSEL: Sorry, sir. No refunds. I think it’s unfair to punish the disciples, that is why I was trying to warn you. But if you are not one of his disciples, please go on in.

PETER: You say I look like one his disciples you saw at that hotel supper table?

DAMSEL: Like an identical twin, sir.

PETER: And you saw that disciple up close?

DAMSEL: I served the bread, sir. We ran out of bread. I had to run to the bakery for more bread.

PETER: Do you recall my identical twin’s name?

DAMSEL: No, kind sir, I do not recall your identical twin’s name. And even if I did, kind sir, I would pretend I do not because in these dangerously troublesome times, the less one knows, the safer one is.

PETER: I think I will not risk the police mistaking my identity.

DAMSEL: A good decision, sir. Even if they eventually admit their mistake, the police will have put you through a lot of hurtful indignities for days. The police and all the Court officials do not like that Nazarene, sir. I feel so sorry for him.

PETER: I hear he has been encouraging people to be disobedient to authority.

DAMSEL: To the authority of his own religion, only. In this City there are so many religions, I’m surprised his disobedience was noticed.

PETER: Are you----?

DAMSEL: No, sir, I am not of that Nazarene’s religion. I have been working here for three years, and it’s been only in the last week or so that I have heard and seen people of his religion. It’s a shame how they are letting themselves be exploited.

PETER: Exploited?

DAMSEL: (She looks at him in disbelief for a few silent seconds, before speaking.) You are not aware of the friends of Barabbas exploiting the situation?

PETER: I’m sorry. I’m new in town. Just passing through.

DAMSEL: Barr-Abbas has been on death row in jail for five years. He murdered a priest of one of the religions right there at that priest’s altar. Barr-Abbas was slated to be hanged next week only because he is the only convicted criminal left in the jail. His family is wealthy and well connected with the highest leaders of religion in this City. The ancient tradition in this City is to pardon one convicted prisoner during this Holy week every year. And since Barr-Abbas is the only inmate, the choice is between him and this Jesus.

PETER: Who do you think will be selected?

DAMSEL: Neither is of my religion, and so I do not have to get involved. I am so glad because I hear there are friends of the family of Barr-Abbas going about threatening everyone who dares speak against Barr-Abbas being selected to be pardoned. My guess is that Barr-Abbas will be released just to empty the jail. An empty jail incurs very little expenditures.

PETER: You’ve had some bad encounters, yourself? (She nods slightly.) I’m new in town, just passing through. I do not need to take sides. I won’t be going inside.

DAMSEL: I’m sorry I cannot give you a refund, sir.

PETER: I understand. Are there many people inside already?

DAMSEL: No, sir. The Barr-Abbas family is discouraging strangers from witnessing the trial of the Nazarene.

PETER: Thank you for the warning. I will go find a hotel to stay for the night. Is the hotel where you worked, nearby?

DAMSEL: (She points as she speaks.) On the next road parallel to this one opposite here. This evening I will be waitressing again at that hotel. Come for supper and I will give you a discount on some of the items.

PETER: That’s kind of you. Uh, which is the way to that hotel? I wasn’t there that first time. Remember?

DAMSEL: (She points.) Of course. It’s on the next street. Almost directly opposite this Court House, sir.

PETER: Good. I’ll see you there this evening. (He exits. She exits into the Court House. The two men enter from the Court House. They pick up the table and the boxes. They exit into the Court House. SINISTER FIGURE enters, slowly; dark spectacles, broad-brimmed hat, neck scarf, gloves, high boots. Stands silently, and looks steadily a few seconds in the direction PETER exited; exits after PETER.)