BLACKOUT
LIGHTS UP
HAMAN sits at a desk taking notes, as KING AHASHUERUS lies on an adjascent
sofa, the scene looking much like a patient session in a psychiatrist's
office.
KING AHASHUERUS: So....you tell me, Haman. What shall be done unto the man
whom the king delighteth to honour?
HAMAN (blushing): Well, King A, really, just even knowing that one with
such esteem as yourself wants to do a humble man such honor is more than
enough.
KING AHASHUERUS: No really, tell me. I really want to know what you think.
You're very important to me, you know. C'mon. Give me your best pitch.
HAMAN (starting to think the King might be talking about him): What to do
for the man whom the king delighteth to honour?...Hmmm (thinks about it) Let
the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear...
KING AHASHUERUS (excitedly) Good idea.
Haman Sets Forth to Honor Mordecai
Rembrandt, c1665
HAMAN:...especially that, uh, Armani. It's got the fit.
He runs his hand down his body as if feeling himself it the suit....breaks
out of it.
KING AHASHUERUS: And? What else:
HAMAN (now CERTAIN the King is talking about him): And.. Charley.
KING AHASHUERUS: The horse?
HAMAN: Yes. (starting to sell his vision) Let you main man ride that horse
that the king rideth upon--through the city...
KING AHASHUERUS: I love it!
HAMAN (now totally carried away) And wearing the crown royal which is set
upon his Majesty's head. King for a Day! Let the king's most noble princes,
array the man whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback
through the street of the city, and proclaim before him his own greatness.
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
KING AHASHUERUS: that's perfect. Let it be done! And you--you're going to
be in charge.
HAMAN: What?
Rembrandt van Rijn
The Triumph of Mordecai, c. 1641
National Gallery of Art
KING AHASHUERUS: Everything you said. I want it all. Mordecai saved my
life. It's the very least I can do. Don't you think.
KING AHASHUERUS sucker punches Haman in the arm, and exits the room.
HAMAN, stunned, is speechless.
BLACKOUT