The Book of Esther

Hadassah? Hadassah?

Come at once, my love. Quickly.

Yes, uncle?

I had a very strange dream...

...and I want you to hear it.

Behold, there were earthquakes upon the earth,

and in time, two great dragons came forth,

ready to fight against one another.

And at their cry, all nations were stirred up

to fight against the Nation of the Just,

and the Nation of the Just was prepared for death.

But the Nation of the Just cried out to the Lord,

and as they were crying,

the little spring grew into a great river,

and abounded into many waters.

The sun rose up and the humble were exalted,

and they defeated the haughty.

And that was the end of the dream.

How can a little spring turn into a great river?

Have faith, my love.

The Lord, in his infinite mercy, will reveal its meaning.

Until then, you must promise never to reveal to anyone

that you are a Jew from the Tribe of Benjamin.

Never, Uncle?

As God lives, there will be a time for you to remain silent

and a time for you to speak.

You shall no longer be called Hadassah;

you shall be called Esther,

a proper Persian name for a proper Persian girl.

But Uncle...

And you must never again call me Uncle.

From now on, you shall call me Teacher,

for that is what I am.

Do you understand, Esther?

Yes, Teacher.

You must be careful,

for God has given me this dream for a reason.

Come to me, my love.

Sing to me, my sweet, sing to me.

All hail, King Xerxes!

Hail, King Xerxes!

Esther, Esther, come quickly!

Esther!

As royal as the king himself.

I fear it fits me not at all.

I am only a modest man.

Well, you're going to the royal banquet,

and you must honor the king and his queen.

Howl envy her.

You wish to be queen?

No, I wish to be married.

Esther, my love,

you will marry when I find a suitable match.

Have I no say in the matter?

The Lord God requires of us obedience.

It is he that made us, not we who have made him.

The Lord will reveal his will soon enough,

I promise.

A splendid Royal Banquet,

thoroughly cheapened by the presence of that Jew, Mordecai.

A bit harsh, don't you think, Lord Haman?

It's not in my nature to mince words.

Lord Haman.

Mordecai.

I was not expecting to see you here.

Likewise.

I was lead to believe

that only the king's closest advisors would be invited.

As was I,

but apparently the Majesty decided to invite you as well.

The king is a most benevolent man.

Yes, most benevolent, I fear.

If I had it in my power, I'd crush you under my heel,

you and your insidious people.

As my God lives, that day will never come.

All hail, King Xerxes!

Hail, King Xerxes!

Nobles, advisors, and all royal servants,

I extend to you my warmest welcome.

I'm indeed pleased to celebrate with you

the anniversary of my ascension to the throne.

Queen Vashti, too, extends her warmest welcome.

And where is our Queen Vashti?

Does she not find our celebration rich enough?

Perhaps she is unwell.

Please avail yourselves of the food and wine,

eat and drink without limit,

for it gives me great pleasure

to share this celebration with you.

Let the feasting begin!

All hail, King Xerxes!

Hail, King Xerxes!

Keep open your ears,

I wish to know exactly what my nobles and advisors are saying.

By your word, Majesty.

Mordecai's not slept well lately.

He speaks of rumors and threats against the king.

These palace intrigues are not our concern.

You should think of pleasant things.

Like marriage?

Don't you agree that a woman my age should be married by now?.

You ask a difficult question.

A woman should marry as soon as a suitable match can be found.

Suitable match? Suppose there is no suitable match?

Well, none of them are suitable matches, I should know.

But you married Jacob.

Aye, that I did.

Were the two of you not in love?

If it was love Jacob was after,

he would have married his donkey and probably been happier.

And what about you?

If given the choice, I would have married Jacob's donkey.

Judith!

In truth, Jacob was a good match.

He's a hard worker when he works

and a good provider when he provides.

Do you love him?

Between children, and grandchildren,

and all the things a woman has to take care of these days,

who has time to think about love?

Queen Vashti is a mystery.

Ever since the royal wedding, she is seen so rarely.

Pity, she's more beautiful than any flower.

Yes, Azada, but flowers fade.

She likewise is more beautiful than any sunset.

But the sunset eventually turns to darkness, does it not?

Then again, His Majesty believes her to be

more beautiful than any jewel.

But jewels can be lost or stolen.

Mordecai?

All that you say is true,

yet does not Vashti remain our queen?

Then she should appear before us and receive our honor.

As it is written, like a gold ring in a pig's snout,

is a beautiful woman without discretion?

Yes, come.

What think you of our Queen Vashti?

The king has called her

the most beautiful woman in the world.

Then why does she not appear?

Is our queen suddenly found unsuitable?

If the king chose her, then she is suitable.

Even kings have been known to make mistakes.

Toast to the king!

What news?

Your Majesty's nobles and advisors

are anxious to see the queen.

My good people,

as much as I have endeavored to provide you

with the finest in food and wine,

I regret that I have withheld from you

the greatest of all blessings, Queen Vashti.

I shall therefore deny you no longer.

And not a moment too soon.

Sardar, I command that the Queen Vashti join us here

in the royal hall and dance for us.

It will please me greatly to have her join me by my side.

By your word, Majesty.

Permission to enter?

Permission to enter, Royal One.

Granted.

My queen, the women wish to know

whether you prefer diamonds or pearls on your headdress.

Cannot my husband, the king, afford both diamonds and pearls?

Yes, that is so, Royal One.

Then I shall have both.

Yes, Royal One.

It's the least that foolish man can do for me.

Royal One, I caution you to choose your words carefully.

And I caution you not to be so presumptuous.

Yes, Royal One.

The king is a fool, but he is also in love,

which means I shall have the upper hand.

Did I not vow to be a queen unlike any Persia has ever seen?

Yes, my queen, and you have kept that vow most faithfully.

Who's there?

Sardar, the commander of His Majesty's royal army.

I honor you, Queen Vashti.

What is the meaning of this intrusion?

The king has commanded your presence at once.

You are to wear your finest garments

and place a jeweled tiara upon your head.

In such fashion shall you dance for His Majesty

and for his guests.

Is that what the king asks?

No, Royal One, it is what the king commands.

Tell him I'm busy.

Royal One, I'm afraid you misunderstand.

The king has commanded you to come before him and dance.

Suppose I'm not in the mood for dancing?

The king is also a warrior.

When he commands his soldiers, they must obey.

Very well,

have him command his army to dance for him.

Royal One!

If I return to the king without you,

my life may be in peril.

For the sake of my head,

I ask that you do as the king commands.

I care not for your head nor for anyone else's.