The Shepherd and the Wolf

[Balthazzar]

I had started a thread on another board, hoping to get others involved in writing a screen play. It didn't receive much interest, so I decided to write it myself. It's still unfolding in the other thread. I'll update here as it continues to unfold.

Acts 1 and 2


The Shepherd and the Wolf

Copyrighted material © Balthazzar 2024
All rights reserved.



Taking place during the last days of the 20th century and the first three decades of the 21st, the world is at war. The country is having a war of its own within its borders. Several houses have been vying to establish their families as rulers, pitting themselves against current leadership.


The story begins the last few days of the 20th century with Lazarus, a man 30 years of age, who struggles with still being in love with a waitress named Venus.

As he visits her in a diner, he finds himself tormented with uncertainty.

Act 1

Scene 1, Act 1

Lazarus:
There she is. I can't help but stare at her.
Why does she stand in the kitchen?
God, I remember ...
To re-live the past, I wonder?
What am I thinking?
Its been nearly 10 years since we last kissed,
and she a maiden no more.

Spare me her presence without that able.
She's spoken for.
Why am I even here?
I'll ask for a drink and cause no trouble.

Scene 2, Act 1 At the Venus' home

Venus:

This is my home, let me show you around.

Lazarus:

A pair of jeans are hanging on the door knob;
I'd prefer the ones she has on to be laying on the floor.
I can hardly resist her, still.
This temptation is too great to bear.
I feel like begging her to just let us sit a while so we can talk.
I know far too well the sting of infidelity to bargain my love against her.
And she's being too reserved to be looking for anything more.

Scene 3, Act 1
The waitresses husband (James) comes home while Lazarus and Venus sit in the living room area.

Lazarus

I can't stay much longer.
The man she wed seems nice,
I hope for her happiness.
Her daughter appears to be mischievous,
I wonder why she peeks around the corner?

Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity to try again.
I must be the wolf I know her mother warned her of.
I will have wished Venus' husband and her divorced.

.
Act 2 24years later

Kruger, A man who has been working in the fields come's in for lunch. It has been raining.

(At the same time, Lazarus contemplates his life, still tormented by his love her.)


Scene 1, Act 2

Venus

Oh, my dear God in heaven!
Who is this coming into my diner?
Brute can't even wipe his damn feet!
I'm sure it's expected of me to greet him with a smile.
I'd prefer to hit him with my broom."

Kruger

Why is she looking at me?
Evil wench!
If looks could kill I'd been dead before reaching the table.
My feet feel like I'm wearing cinder blocks.
She better not give me any lip today.
I should ask her for a towel to wipe the mud from my feet.
And, look at “el padre” in the corner over there reading his bible book.
What have I walked in to?"

Venus

Worthless heathen thinks he can walk in here and muddy up my floor!
I'll ask if he wants coffee with a smile, but he better not expect me to be nice about it.
I'll leave the broom and mop next to his table.
Maybe he'll get a clue."


Scene 2:

This scene takes place 24 years after the first act and his last encounter with Venus at the diner. This happens 8 years after Lazarus was orphaned by his mother's passing in 2016. Lazarus is 53 years of age. This scene unfolds the same time Kruger is in the diner (scene 1), with Lazarus still hungry to rekindle the old flame between himself and Venus.

Scene 2

Lazarus

Mother earth has her bout with tears, leaving me to walk with these weighted feet.
It has been twenty four years past the tenth now, the thunder in my belly churns.
The warmth there is like a furnace; my mother's daughter can't help but compel me.
Orphaned or not, the tears fall from the sky like arrows.
My shaking knees demand kneeling.
Will she approach with greeting smile, or will I be turned away?
For a single drop of water to wet my tongue, I beg for her pardon.

I've been parched with hunger for far too many years.
And, although it was me, the wolf who left her standing,
unattended and without watchful eye,
I wonder if she would offer once more,
her neck to be nibbled upon, by a wolf such as I.

I pray a single drop of dew be waiting.
Let my pack inform her that I'll one day stand before her windows.

"Maybe Luke could compel her to wait for me.,"

 

[Balthazzar]

Act 3

Lazarus, still tormented is sitting at a table alone and once again, contemplating his situation.

Scene 1

Lazarus

Why do my knees still tremble?
Deny my nerves, their will.
Do not allow me to bend unto them, a coward.
My honor does not belong to fear.
Will she wait, I wonder...
Wretched wreck of a man, I am!
My nerves must first be settled.
I will not allow myself to fail her again.

Let her greet me tired, worn out, and sick of yesterday.
Too fare are maidens without this season;
their eyes wander like eagles looking for prey.
Let Venus greet me angry and to be settled from her past,
despising the jaunts of youth.

I've been growing weary with each passing year;
perhaps I will find her as I am: tired, worn, and sick of the jaunt,
being envious of those who never strayed.


Does my confidence fail me?
Perhaps ...
I could claim title of a rightful coward.
Thunder offers no peace.
No, it churns as a tempest in my belly,
leaving me to wallow in shame.

I could very well buckle and submit myself to its power,
but what would that say of me?
I'm not one to be left viewed as having no spine.
I will rise through this difficulty.

Yes, I will rise...

This new season stands upon us with work left incomplete.
I'll wait until the moon gives way and shows her lunacy absent,
cresting wane on that day, the sabbath 4th.

The sun will rise up again, with a refining knock upon the doors.
Could May be that day of destiny, by chance?
Perhaps, there will be another Wednesday.
No matter! Our day to rest will greet us again.



I've nearly forgotten how to breathe - free of worry.
May the gods bless me with her wait.
Let her be a fare maiden no more,
and as a single drop of dew laying on the grass,
eager to quench my thirst;
that my envy passes like a withered weed
plucked from my mother, the earth.

 

[Balthazzar]

Act 4


Scene 1

McClouden

Our world is at war; why do we sit?
We've become more useless than the rotten meat log Mercius put in the trash.
Potato's fare far longer than any meat I've ever purchased, whether by bow or bought.
Remind me to cheat him of his stew. He should have saved our money for rent.

Mercius

What are you going on about, McClouden? You complain more than my mother in law.
I should buy you cheese to go with your precious potato's. Next time I'll purchase lentils.
They last far longer than any potato I've ever dug from the ground.

The meat log is too rancid for my comfort. It disturbs my peace.
McClouden take the meat log from the trash and place it in the pit we dug. We may be able
to catch a wolf for our journey. It would make a fine addition to our troop. The keen ears
and snout go well with their teeth; we'd be better guarded with one on our side.

McClouden

I should put the meat log in your tent with your boots. You wouldn't even notice it until you
put your boots on. That's a great idea … I should but I won't. Mercius!
A wolf would make a nice addition. I'll get on that right away.



Scene 2, Act 4

Lazarus

Our leaders have been at war against each other for over a year.
It won't be long before our current, replaced. I can feel it in my bones.
The citizens are on edge, as am I. And, what if our current house wins this war?
The politics of national unrest …. The uncertainty won't lend them much value.
The others who've come against them have been accused of mutiny. There's too many vying
for this power. The next few seasons could prove ugly.
This switch isn't due for another16 seasons.

I'm impoverished myself and know full well the sting of humility. The spies present are
relentless. I can't even take a **** without one of them making comment.
To think a rib need be present every time I open my pants.
Shameless and unfortunate fools they are.

Our current leader nary a chance to succeed this war and the spies,
they rarely have mercy. They're more apt to lie than speak a truth that might show them dim.

I have a full 3 seasons until winter. I will make good use of them. There's too much work
left incomplete to spend it exposing my rib to some stranger or spy.

Incompetent fools.

Scene 3

Kruger

My work is never done. All day long, every day, I'm either in the fields or packing grain.
I must be the most unappreciated man in this town the way some people look at me.
I should take my dogs around the building. I've heard complaints of vagrants hanging about.
The bus stop has been a life saver, but the incoming host of people who fill them are hardly desirable.
They should give me position of Sheriff.
I'd put a stop to the vagrancy and to the constant incoming of low life's around here.

 

[Balthazzar]

Act 5

The Gods


Scene 1

Destinaeous

Humans are such strange creatures. Why do they sit and ponder these things?
If it were I who lived there, I'd have already bagged my catch and made peace with my heart.
Their kingdoms are like stacks of cards that topple from the wind of the slightest tempest.
So uncertain they become and cruel. I wonder if I sent Divideous to keep them separated
for uncertain seasons, if it might draw them closer?

Divideous

These magnets create more trickery than an orange. I remember the first human to bite into
one. I could hardly contain my laughter when he threw it to the ground. One of my greatest
creations, the orange, and now I have the magnet. I must find opportunity to apply its power.

Destinaeous

Divideous … How would you like to re-enter the humans world? I have an idea that you may
be interested in.

Divideous

It depends, I'm having more fun with my newest creation than I've ever had with any before it.

Destinaeous

What have you created? I need you to keep divisions between a group of humans. There are
none in the heavens or earth more skilled than you for this task. Tell me you'll put your toy
away and go.

Divideous

I will not put it away! Nay, this is the opportunity I've been looking for. Yes, Destinaeous, I will
go. My newest creation will be useful. Not only does it have the power to divide, but also
draw near. I shall use it to pull and push them in every direction but together, and I will make
sure they yearn from the separation.

Destinaeous

You're such a sweety, Divideous. I don't know what I would do without you. You may leave as
soon as you're ready. I will open the gate for your safe entrance.

Divideous

When shall I return?

Destinaeous

I'm uncertain. I'll ponder your return after you depart. I'll have my wolf inform you of the day
and season. He will be sent with you as a shadow in the night.

 

[Balthazzar]

Act 6

Scene 1

McClouden

There's a wolf approaching the pit. It doesn't appear to be any others with him.
There can't be only one. When he falls into the pit for his meal, I'll let him eat, while I wait to
see if others are with him.

What's he doing? Crazy beast is just circling the pit. Tell me he didn't just hack up his leg.
I knew the meat to be rancid, but I've never seen a wolf turn down rotting flesh before.
Now he's rolling around in the dirt beside it. The beast is mocking me! I swear it!

He's a sly one; I'll give him that. I won't allow him to make me the fool. From midnight black
to brown, he has just changed colors and now he's gone. He came, circled the pit, pissed in it,
then rolled in the dirt to refuse his meal and mocked me.
I'll set myself to track this one until he's been caught.
I refuse to let this go.
I'll name him “Black Heart” for his insulting mockery.

Scene 2

Mercius

What are you doing McClouden? I see you've packed your gear.
And what's this? Paw prints and no wolf, yet I see its fur on this branch.
You had better tell me the creature is tied to the oak by the brook.
And your face looks as if you've been painted with the red berries on the path.
What's going on McClouden. I've never seen you so heated.

Scene 3

McClouden

I'm leaving to track the wolf who mocks me.
The beast came and pissed in our pit, leaving the meat to fester, and me as well.
I'll not return until he's caught.
You're on your own Mercius, but I will return with my prize.

 

[Balthazzar]

Act 7

Scene 1

Divideous

She would have opened the gate straight to a lady's locker room, the shower no less.
I should test my magnet on one of the females in here.
But my appearance first. There must be a mirror somewhere.

Who is this that stares back at me?
Wait I second …
Long, dark hair … My face … I've become a young lad.
No ...
Let me see ….
Ohh my dear God! I'm a woman!


Scene 2

Destinaeous

I see Divideous has discovered his new form.
The woman should be safe enough.
The men on the other hand …. One sided Hedonist that he is.
This could turn out interesting.
I wonder which he'll favor in his new form?
I'll peak in again later.
For now, I'll have Gozer rub my feet.
His back gives the best foot messages.

Scene 3

Divideous

I should spy, but I have things to do.
Woman can be the most brutal of creatures.
One day, I'll know why, but no time for spying.
Ladies, I bid you a good …..

…...... why are you looking at me like that?

Scene 4

Lazarus

Was that a wolf disappearing into the shadows?
I've never had the pleasure of meeting a wilderness wolf before.
She didn't seem aggressive.

I wonder …

I know you're around here somewhere.
Show yourself again.
The moon is only half full. There's not enough light.
Maybe it was nothing. I'm going mad.
The years have not been so kind to offer me much serenity.

I could shoot someone in the leg for spite.
Time compromises my compassion like a water to a flame.
A miserable man I've become!

Well …

There you are.
Allow me to kneel to get a better look at you.
Your eyes have no end in them.
Where did you come from?

Yes, I know I must smell like the forest.
There is no fear in you, nor hint of hostility.
I will call you “Shadow.”
A “Sir Shadow” it will be then, ha ha.
Let's see if you live up to your name.

Scene 5

Divideous

This room has an appearance of smoke.
It's hot and damp, unlike the fog in my world.
Contained inside a room, no less.

What is that …

Wait … Why are you blowing in my ear?

Scene 6

Lazarus

I wonder the condition of the city I last left, Shadow?
I need to investigate soon, but the wine has not yet begun to ferment.
I've had no fruit to add yeast or sugar to, and the weather has not yet broke enough for the application.
I'll leave when the wine is ripe and settled.
I'm looking forward to getting back to my glass a day, 2 on Sunday routine.


I've denied myself communion for too long, not to make the effort.
I should apply this principle to Venus.
When will destiny compel her to give in and give up the lunacy?
When our eyes meet ...
or maybe it's more likely when she meets yours, Shadow.

 

[Balthazzar]

Gozer: "I've been sitting here for too many ages waiting for my "back rub"

AND I need to pee."