THE HOLY BIBLE
TELEPLAY EDITION
EPISODE 1010
“A Long Seven Years”
By
George Willson
Based on the novel by God
TEASER
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
SUPER: “2158 Anno Mundi”
Isaac, 111, stands with the flocks around his
camp. In the
distance, he sees a figure approaching on a camel. He watches
the figure for a moment until he recognizes the rider.
Isaac takes off for his tent. He sticks his
head in. Rebekah,
86, is working on dinner.
ISAAC
Rebekah, he’s home.
Rebekah quickly puts down her utensils and runs out. Together,
they look across the expanse of the land at the lonely camel
approaching.
The face of the rider becomes clear. It is
Jacob, now 51. Isaac
and Rebekah run to him. He stops and hops
off the camel.
ISAAC
& REBEKAH
(various)
Jacob!
Oh my son!
They embrace him in a big hug. They start
walking back to the
camp.
ISAAC
My
son, you have come back.
JACOB
Yes.
It was about time.
REBEKAH
Thirty-three
years is a long time
with Shem.
ISAAC
That’s
nothing. My father, Abraham,
was with Shem and Noah for almost
fifty. What made you come back?
JACOB
It
was on account of Eber.
ISAAC
Is
something wrong with him?
JACOB
No.
Eber asked for some time to
himself.
REBEKAH
Why?
JACOB
Shem
died.
Isaac stops and looks at Jacob. Jacob looks
at his father
sympathetically. Isaac looks away.
ISAAC
He
was a good man. He was the last
of the men born before the flood.
How
old was he?
JACOB
Six
hundred years old. Eber is in
mourning. He told me my training
in the ways of the Lord was complete.
ISAAC
Very good, my son. We shall all
mourn the loss of Shem. We will
certainly never forget him.
The trio continues walking to the encampment.
JACOB
How
is Esau?
ISAAC
Your
brother is well.
REBEKAH
He
has taken wives of the Canaanites.
He
may be well, but-
ISAAC
Rebekah,
now is not the time.
JACOB
Where
is he?
ISAAC
Here
now. He was is Seir for quite
some time, and returns there often
to hunt.
REBEKAH
That’s
where he met one of his wives.
JACOB
One?
ISAAC
He
has two.
REBEKAH
They’re
horrible, heathenistic-
ISAAC
This
isn’t the time.
REBEKAH
I’m
just warning him. He married
a pair of Hittites of different
Hittite families. Even they don’t
agree on a god to worship.
JACOB
Have
you talked to him?
REBEKAH
It’s
not my place to do so.
ISAAC
He
knows. Surely he does too.
REBEKAH
Not
until you talk to him.
JACOB
So
they’re a source of grief to you,
it sounds like. I don’t think I’ve
ever known anything this quick.
ISAAC
I’m
sorry, Jacob. Welcome home.
Tonight
we’re going to feast in
your honor.
REBEKAH
With pleasure.
They walk into the camp.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
SUPER: “2184 Anno Mundi”
Esau, 77, walks across the camp to Isaac’s
tent.
INT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Isaac, 137, sits in the tent with Rebekah, 112. His eyes have
large cataracts blinding his vision.
ISAAC
When
Esau arrives, I wish some time
alone with him.
REBEKAH
You’ll
be okay?
ISAAC
Yes.
Esau can guide me if we need
to leave the tent, but I see no
reason to.
REBEKAH
Okay.
Esau enters. Rebekah
stands.
REBEKAH
Excuse
me.
ESAU
Yes,
mother.
Rebekah exits. Esau walks to Isaac.
EXT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Rebekah walks around the tent and sits down outside it,
listening.
INT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Isaac reaches out his hand to Esau.
ISAAC
My son?
ESAU
Here
I am.
Esau takes his Isaac’s hand. Isaac smiles.
ISAAC
I
am now an old man and don’t know the
day of my death. Now then, get your
weapons – your quiver and bow – and go
out to the open country to hunt some
wild game for me. Prepare me the kind
of tasty food I like and bring it to
me to eat, so that I may give you my
blessing before I die.
ESAU
I
would be honored, father. Thank you.
EXT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Rebekah watches as Esau walks away from the tent. She runs over
to Jacob nearby. She grabs his arms and drags him into a tent.
REBEKAH
Come
here.
JACOB
Okay.
INT. KITCHEN TENT – DAY
Rebekah pulls Jacob in.
REBEKAH
Look,
I overheard your father tell
your brother to bring him some game
prepared the way he likes it, so
that he can give Esau his blessing
before he dies.
JACOB
Is
father dying?
REBEKAH
No,
no, no, my son, listen carefully
and do what I tell you: Go out to
the flock and bring me two choice
young goats, so I can prepare some
tasty food for your father, just the
way he likes it. You will take it to
your father to eat, so that he may
give you his blessing before he dies.
JACOB
But
my brother Esau is a hairy man,
and I’m a man with smooth skin. What
if my father touches me? I would
appear to be tricking him and would
bring down a curse on myself rather
than a blessing.
REBEKAH
My
son, let the curse fall on me.
Just
do what I say. Go and get the
goats for me.
JACOB
Yes,
mother.
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Jacob looks out of the tent. He walks out to
the fields and
locates two goats.
HERDSMAN
Jacob?
What are you doing?
JACOB
My
mother asked for two choice
goats. I am bringing them to her.
Jacob takes the goats without another word
and bring them back
to the tent where his mother waits. Rebekah
looks at them
REBEKAH
Well
done. Wait here, and I will
prepare them.
INT. KITCHEN TENT – DAY
Rebekah has Jacob dressed in Esau’s clothes. She has tied
goatskins to Jacob’s hands.
REBEKAH
Good.
You should smell just like
Esau.
If your father touches you,
these skins will help the
illusion.
JACOB
What
if Esau comes back before
father is done with his blessing?
REBEKAH
I
will be watching for your brother.
If
I see him coming, I will come
and get you. Do not rush him, or he
will suspect something.
JACOB
Ok.
Rebekah gets the food and gives it to Jacob. She walks with him
across the encampment to Isaac’s tent.
REBEKAH
Now. Go in there and get your
father’s blessing.
Rebekah holds the tent flap open for Jacob to enter. He walks
in, warily.
INT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Rebekah closes the flap. Jacob stands near the door, nervous. He
takes a deep breath.
JACOB
My father.
ISAAC
Yes,
my son. Who is it?
Jacob takes another deep breath, nervous.
JACOB
I
am Esau your firstborn. I have done
as you told me. Please sit up and
eat some of my game so that you
may give me your blessing.
ISAAC
How
did you find it so quickly, my
son?
JACOB
The
Lord, your God, gave me success.
Isaac looks wary of this story.
ISAAC
Come
near so I can touch you, my
son, to know whether you are my son
Esau or not.
Jacob gulps and leans close in to Isaac.
Isaac touches the
goatskins on Jacob’s arm. Jacob watches this in fear
of
discovery.
ISAAC
The
voice is the voice of Jacob, but
the hands are the hands of Esau. Are
you really my son Esau?
JACOB
I
am.
ISAAC
My
son, bring me some of your game
to eat, so that I may give you my
blessing.
Jacob sets the plate in front of Isaac. Isaac
reaches out and
takes the food. He eats.
ISAAC
My
son knows how to prepare his game
the way I like it. It is delicious.
JACOB
Thank you, father.
LATER...
Isaac finishes his meal and turns to Jacob.
ISAAC
Come
here, my son, and kiss me.
Jacob moves to Isaac. Rebekah
come to the door and looks in.
Jacob kisses his father on the cheek. Isaac
holds Jacob to him
and smells of his clothes. Jacob freezes.
ISAAC
Ah,
the smell of my son is like the
smell of a field that the Lord has
blessed. May God give you of heaven’s
dew and of earth’s richness-an
abundance of grain and new wine.
May
nations serve you and peoples
bow down to you. Be lord over your
brothers, and may the sons of your
mother bow down to you. May those who
curse you be cursed and those who
bless you be blessed.
JACOB
Thank you, father.
Isaac releases Jacob. Jacob turns to Rebekah, who signals him
desperately to leave.
JACOB
I
will be going now, Father. I am
forever honored by your blessings.
Rebekah is insistent. Jacob takes the tray and leaves.
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Rebekah points to the kitchen tent.
REBEKAH
Esau
is almost done. Get away from
here, now!
JACOB
We
did it, mother. I got my father’s
blessing.
REBEKAH
Yes,
you did. You’ll be blessed and
dead if you don’t move!
She shuffle Jacob around the side of the tent
just as Esau come
around the corner to Isaac’s tent.
INT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Isaac lies in his tent, alone. He appears
very happy and
content. Esau enters with his food.
ESAU
My
father, sit up and eat some of
my game, so that you may give me
your blessing.
Isaac sits up and looks around in horror.
ISAAC
What?
Who are you?
ESAU
(hurt)
I
am your son – your firstborn,
Esau.
Isaac shakes in worry and fear.
ISAAC
You
are Esau?
ESAU
Yes.
ISAAC
(with growing anxiety)
Who
was it, then, that hunted game
and brought it to me? I ate it just
before you came and...
Esau looks very worried.
ISAAC
...and
I blessed him. And indeed he
will be blessed!
Esau falls to his father’s feet.
ESAU
(a desperate cry)
Bless
me! Me too, my father!
ISAAC
Your
brother came deceitfully and
took your blessing.
ESAU
(angrily)
Isn’t
he rightly named Jacob? He has
deceived me these two times: He took
my birthright, and now he’s taken my
blessing. Haven’t you reserved any
blessing for me?
ISAAC
(calm)
I
have made him lord over you and
have made all his relatives his
servants, and I have sustained him
with grain and new wine. So what can
I
possibly do for you, my son?
ESAU
(desperate)
Do
you have only one blessing, my
father? Bless me too, my father!
Esau holds his father’s clothing, crying
openly in frustration.
Isaac holds his son’s hand.
ISAAC
Your
dwelling will be away from the
earth’s richness, away from the dew
of heaven above. You will live by
the sword and you will serve your
brother. But when you grow restless,
you will throw his yoke from your
neck.
Esau rises up, tears in his eyes. He stands
and takes his tray
calmly out of the tent.
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Esau stands in front of the tent. With a
yell, he throws the
tray of food away from the tent. It crashes to the ground. Esau
falls to his knees. He looks up angrily.
ESAU
The
days of mourning for my father
are near; then I will kill my
brother Jacob.
Rebekah stands beyond the side of the tent. Her eyes widen at
the information.
Rebekah walks across the camp to find Jacob in his tent.
JACOB
Mother?
REBEKAH
Your
brother Esau is consoling
himself with the thought of killing
you. Now then, my son, do what I
say: Flee at once to my brother
Laban in
a while until your brother’s fury
subsides. When your brother is no
longer angry with you and forgets
what you did to him, I’ll send
word for you to come back from
there. I don’t want to lose you
and my husband in the day of his
death.
JACOB
When
do I leave?
REBEKAH
Soon. I will talk to your father
so he will bless your journey.
JACOB
Surely
my father knows I deceived
him. Would he bless me after such
a deception?
REBEKAH
He
will. Trust me.
Rebekah exits the tent.
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Rebekah crosses the camp and is stopped by Esau.
ESAU
Mother.
REBEKAH
What
is it, Esau?
ESAU
This
is your doing, isn’t it?
REBEKAH
How
dare you address your mother
in such a fashion?
ESAU
This
deception was your idea. He
was always your favorite, and you
wanted my father’s blessing for
him!
REBEKAH
If
I have sinned, let your father
address it to me. I will not be
spoken to like this by my son.
Rebekah leaves him standing, unable to respond. He follows her a
little ways to Isaac’s tent.
INT. ISAAC’S TENT – DAY
Rebekah walks to Isaac and sits with him. She gently touches his
hand.
ISAAC
This
is your doing, isn’t it?
REBEKAH
What
do you mean?
ISAAC
You
know how I like my food
prepared. You made it for Jacob to
bring to me. Why?
REBEKAH
I’m
disgusted with living because
of these Hittite women. If Jacob
takes a wife from among the women
of this land, from Hittite women
like these, my life will not be
worth living.
ISAAC
You
believe Esau is lost to us?
REBEKAH
Esau
refused the training of Shem.
He
marries evil women.
Isaac ponders this for a moment.
ISAAC
Then
the promise of my father
Abraham
is for Jacob and not Esau.
REBEKAH
I
believe so.
ISAAC
Bring
him to me.
Rebekah walks to the tent entry and steps outside the tent. Esau
stands nearby.
REBEKAH
Jacob!
Jacob emerges from behind a tent and walks to
Rebekah. Esau
gives Jacob a cold, cold look.
Rebekah brings him inside Isaac’s tent.
REBEKAH
Here
is Jacob.
ISAAC
Jacob,
come here.
Jacob walks to Isaac and kneels. Esau enters
the tent and
watches, coldly. As Isaac speaks, Esau’s expression runs from
cold disinterest to outright surprise.
ISAAC
Do
not marry a Canaanite woman. Go
at once to Paddam Aran, to the
house of your mother’s father
Bethuel.
Take a wife for yourself
there, from among the daughters of
Laban, your mother’s brother. May
God
Almighty bless you and make you
fruitful and increase your numbers
until you become a community of
peoples. May he give you and your
descendants the blessing given to
Abraham,
so that you may take
possession of the land where you
now live as an alien, the land
God
gave to Abraham.
EXT. ISAAC’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Jacob is mounted upon a camel and sets out
with gifts for Laban.
Rebekah and Isaac stand waiving. Isaac is not certain where to
waive. Rebekah points him the right way.
Jacob walks into the
distance. Esau looks very, very angry.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT. ESAU’S FIELDS – DAY
Esau walks up behind his son, ELIPHAZ, who is
hunting.
ESAU
Eliphaz.
ELIPHAZ
Yes,
father.
ESAU
My
brother, Jacob, has cheated me
for the last time. My father has
sent him to
from among the family of our
mother, Rebecca. Now, quickly, take
your sword and pursue Jacob and
pass before him in the road. Wait
for him and when he gets to you,
kill him, dump his body in the
mountains, take all he has, and
come back to me.
Eliphaz smiles.
ELIPHAZ
Right away, father.
Eliphaz starts to go.
ESAU
Eliphaz.
Eliphaz turns to him.
ESAU
Take
some men with you in case
Jacob
gives you any trouble.
ELIPHAZ
Yes,
father.
Eliphaz runs off.
ESAU
This
will teach you to deceive me,
Jacob.
EXT. ROAD TO
Jacob rides upon his camel with all the goods
behind him. He
looks behind him and sees Eliphaz
approaching him with a small
band of ten men.
JACOB
That’s
interesting.
Jacob stops the camel and gets down. Eliphaz approached him,
sword drawn. Jacob is unphased.
JACOB
What
brings you so far from home?
And
what is the meaning of the
swords you carry, drawn for battle?
Eliphaz approaches Jacob.
ELIPHAZ
My
father, Esau, commanded me to
kill you for the evils you have
committed against him. I will not
dishonor the orders my father gave
me.
Eliphaz raises his sword to strike. Jacob backs away.
JACOB
Wait!
ELIPHAZ
We
will not have you deceive us too.
JACOB
But
look at all I have that my mother
and father has given to me for my
journey. Go ahead and take everything
that I have and go, but do not kill
me. Do this and may it be credited to
you as righteousness.
Eliphaz stops.
ELIPHAZ
Perhaps
it is the goods that my father
desires. We will do as you say. All
of this is ours now. Go in peace to
Eliphaz and his men take everything away, leaving Jacob alone on
the road with only enough provisions to make it to
Jacob turns and walks onward.
EXT. ESAU’S ENCAMPMENT – DAY
Eliphaz returns with the entourage of possessions. Esau looks
out and sees him coming. He smiles and runs to meet him.
ESAU
Well?
you must have killed him,
because you have his possessions.
Did
he die screaming? Did he beg
for mercy?
ELIPHAZ
No,
father. We approached him to kill
him, but he begged for his life and
gave us all he carried with him. We
took it and left him in peace.
ESAU
What!
Esau grabs his son by the neck and holds him.
ESAU
I
told you to kill him!
He throws Eliphaz
to the ground.
ELIPHAZ
My
father, forgive me. I thought
you desired his possessions.
ESAU
I
desired him dead. Nevermind.
If
he makes it to
he’ll nothing to offer Laban for
a wife. He will be penniless and
won’t even make it back alive.
Esau laughs.
ESAU
Bring
the silver and gold to me
at once.
ELIPHAZ
Yes,
father.
Esau re-enters his tent. Eliphaz
nurses his neck.
INT. ESAU’S TENT – DAY
Esau looks troubled.
ESAU
My
parents are displeased with my
choice of wives. They feel women
of our family are better. I will
take a wife from the daughters of
Ishmael.
That will please them.
Esau exits his tent.
EXT.
Jacob sits on the side of the mountain near
where Abraham made
his sacrifice. The town of
Jacob searches the ground and finds a stone.
He lays his head on
it and goes to sleep.
EXT.
Jacob stands upon the mountain. Before him is
a wide ladder
reaching far into heaven. Angels ascend and descend as Jacob
watches in awe.
A blinding light issues from the heavens
above. A figure stands
there, his face obscured in the light. Jacob shields his eyes.
GOD
I
am the Lord, the God of your
father Abraham and the God of
Isaac.
I will give you and your
descendants the land on which you
are lying. Your descendants will
be like the dust of the earth, and
you will spread out to the west and
to the east, to the north and to
the south. All peoples on earth will
be blessed through you and your
offspring. I am with you and will
watch over you wherever you go, and
I
will bring you back to this land.
I
will not leave you until I have
done what I have promised you.
Jacob kneels to the ground in reverence.
END DREAM
EXT.
Jacob awakens. He sits up and looks around.
JACOB
Surely
the Lord is in this place, and
I
was not aware of it.
Jacob stands. He walks over to what remain of
the altar where
Abraham had laid Isaac.
JACOB
How
awesome is this place! This is
none other than the house of God;
this is the gate of heaven.
Jacob takes the stone he had under his head
and places it
upright as a pillar. He takes a small flask of oil from his
remaining bag and pours it over the stone. He
overlooks the town
below.
JACOB
As
I live, this place will no longer
be called Luz, but
this is the house of God. If God
will be with me and will watch over
me on this journey I am taking and
will give me food to eat and clothes
to wear so that I return safely to
my father’s house, then the Lord will
be my God and this stone that I have
set up as a pillar will be God’s
house, and of all that you give me, I
will give you a tenth.
EXT. FIELDS OF
Jacob walks into an area where there is a
well set amongst
several fields of sheep. He looks like it has been many days
since
with the sheep, and watch the newcomer sit by the well and rest.
Over the mouth of the well, there is a large
stone blocking it.
After he catches his breath, Jacob calls to
the shepherds.
JACOB
(calling out)
My
brothers, where are you from?
SHEPHERD
We’re
from
JACOB
Do
you know Laban, Nahor’s
grandson?
SHEPHERD
Yes,
we know him.
JACOB
Is
he well?
SHEPHERD
Yes,
he is. In fact, here comes his
daughter Rachel with the sheep.
A young woman is yet in the distance coming their direction.
Jacob turns to the Shepherds.
JACOB
Look,
the sun is still high; it is
not time for the flock to be gathered.
Water
the sheep and take them back to
pasture.
SHEPHERD
We
can’t until all the flocks are
gathered and the stone has been
rolled away from the mouth of the
well. Then we will water the sheep.
Jacob looks back to Rachel, 21. She is most
beautiful, like a
vision out of a dream. Jacob is entranced by her. He walks to
her.
JACOB
You
are the daughter of Laban?
RACHEL
I
am.
JACOB
Let
me help you with this stone so
you can water your sheep.
RACHEL
Thank
you.
Jacob walks to the stone and moves it out of
the way of the
well. He assists Rachel with gathering water to water the sheep.
RACHEL
Who
are you?
JACOB
I
am Jacob, the son of Isaac and
Rebekah, you
father’s sister. My
mother sent me here to find a wife
among my relatives. I rejoice that
I
found you.
RACHEL
I
would be honored, but you need
to speak with my father, of course.
Rachel looks around.
RACHEL
You
come for a wife, but bring
nothing for my father. How are you
to take me with you when you bring
nothing in exchange?
Jacob’s expression drops.
JACOB
My
brother sent one his sons after
me to kill me, and I was forced to
give them all my mother and father
gave me to them to spare my own
life, and now I have nothing to
give to your father for you.
Jacob drops to the ground, dejected. Rachel
sits next to him.
She takes his hand in hers, shyly.
RACHEL
If
you talk to my father, I’m sure
an arrangement can be made.
JACOB
Is
he the type of man to make such
an arrangement?
RACHEL
I
hope so.
JACOB
So
do I.
They kiss. When the embrace is broken, he
holds her for a
moment. She stands hastily.
RACHEL
I
must go to my father and tell him
you are here. Will you bring the
sheep behind me?
JACOB
I
will.
Rachel runs across
house.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – DAY
Rachel runs into the house. Her mother,
ADINAH, looks up,
worried.
ADINAH
Rachel,
what’s wrong? You’re supposed
to be with the sheep.
RACHEL
Mother,
where is my father?
LABAN
I
am here, Rachel. What is going
on? Answer your mother.
RACHEL
Father,
Jacob, the son of your
sister is here. She sent him to
find a wife among us.
LABAN
Where
is he now?
RACHEL
He
was following me with the sheep,
but he probably doesn’t know where
to go with them.
LABAN
I
will meet him.
Laban exits.
ADINAH
So,
my daughter, what do you think
of this young man.
RACHEL
I
hope he will please father, so
I
can go with him.
ADINAH
But
you are not the eldest.
RACHEL
I
know. That’s what worries me.
EXT.
Laban runs toward the well and finds Jacob with the flock.
LABAN
Are
you the son of Rebekah?
JACOB
I
am. Are you Laban?
LABAN
Come
here, my son.
Laban embraces Jacob.
LABAN
You
are welcome here. Come, refresh
yourself with bread and water of
my household.
JACOB
Thank
you.
LABAN
My
daughter tells me that my sister
sent you here to find a wife among
us.
JACOB
Yes,
sir. I had with me a large
contingency of flocks and silver
and gold, but my brother Esau, who
hates me, sent his son, Eliphaz to
kill me. I bargained for my life
with the goods I brought. Now, I
come before you with nothing.
LABAN
You
are my flesh and blood. You may
stay in my house for as long as you
need.
Laban and Jacob continue towards his house.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “One Month Later”
The family sits around the table eating.
Rachel is present as
well as her sister, LEAH (21). Laban looks
to Jacob.
LABAN
Jacob,
you have been with me for
a month now, and your assistance in
all we do is greatly appreciated.
But
just because you are a relative
of mine, should you work for me
for nothing? Tell me what your wages
should be.
Jacob looks over to Rachel and smiles. She
smiles back, coyly.
JACOB
I’ll
work for you for seven years
in return for your younger daughter
Rachel.
Leah looks up, hurt. Laban
looks from Jacob to Rachel to Leah.
LABAN
It’s better that I give her to
you than to some other man. Stay
here with me.
JACOB
Then
it’s done.
EXT. LABAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Jacob exits the dwelling with Rachel in hand.
He holds her to
him, and they kiss.
JACOB
Seven
years. You will be mine
in seven years, but to me it
will like a few days because of
my love for you.
RACHEL
I
can hardly wait. I am so happy
my father agreed to it.
They kiss again.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Laban stands at the window, watching them. Adinah
comes up
behind him.
ADINAH
Will
you let him have Rachel?
LABAN
Of
course I will.
ADINAH
But what of Leah?
LABAN
I
will handle it.
EXT. FIELDS OF LABAN – DAY
SUPER: “2191 Anno Mundi”
SUPER: “Seven Years Later”
Jacob (84) stands among the sheep. Rachel
(28) comes up beside
him. Jacob places his arm around her. She rests her head on his
shoulder.
JACOB
My
seven years is complete today.
RACHEL
Really?
JACOB
I
am going to ask your father for
your hand today.
RACHEL
We
could be together tonight.
JACOB
If he can bring the family together.
RACHEL
I
can’t wait.
JACOB
Me too.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – DAY
Jacob enters the house and stands before Laban.
LABAN
Yes,
Jacob?
JACOB
Give
me my wife. My time is completed,
and I want to lie with her.
Laban looks at Jacob. He nods.
LABAN
Very well. You keep time well. I
will gather the family immediately,
for we have been preparing for this
day.
JACOB
Tell
me when.
LABAN
We
will do it tonight. We will
celebrate and my daughter will be
yours.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
People are dancing within the house. Music
plays. Laban adjusts
the veil of his daughter, whose face remains obscured.
LABAN
Soon,
my friends, we will welcome the
man who will become my son-in-law.
Adinah looks out the window. She quickly turns to Laban.
ADINAH
He
is here.
LABAN
Quickly!
Extinguish the lights!
The people put out all the lights in the
house. Jacob enters and
stops, confused.
JACOB
What’s
going on? Why have you
extinguished the lights?
LABAN
It
is the custom in our land to
do this. Come, stand by your wife.
JACOB
All right.
Laban drags Jacob across the floor to stand by his daughter.
Jacob leans over to her.
JACOB
You’ll
have to forgive my ignorance.
This
is all very new to me.
LABAN
No!
You cannot speak until after
the bridal chamber! Such is our
custom.
JACOB
Sorry.
LABAN
I
said to be quiet!
The people dance around them, playing
instruments and singing in
an unfamiliar language. One word can occasionally be picked out:
“Heleah, Heleah”.
LABAN
To
my daughter in her new life, I
give as a handmaid, Zilpah. May
she serve you as faithfully as
she has always served me.
The woman bows to her father in thanks. Jacob
watches them, very
confused. The woman beside him does not move but only watches.
LABAN
It
is time to lie with your wife.
Come
through here to your bridal
chamber. We will continue the
celebration.
JACOB
Ok.
Laban guides Jacob through the dark house into a darkened room.
LABAN
Remember:
it is our custom that
neither of you can speak until
morning.
Laban closes the door behind them. In silhouette, Jacob removes
the veil from the woman’s face. He kisses her passionately.
JACOB
(whispered)
I
love you, Rachel.
WOMAN
MmHm.
Their silhouettes fall to the bed.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. BRIDAL CHAMBER – DAY
Jacob awakens. His wife lies on his chest.
Jacob breathes
deeply, happily.
JACOB
Well,
I’m glad that’s over with.
WOMAN
MmHm.
JACOB
Finally,
let me look into the
eyes of my wife.
Jacob places his hand under the woman’s chin.
He raises her face
to his. It is Leah!
Jacob gasps and backs away from her.
JACOB
What
is this deception?!
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – DAY
Laban eats at the table. Adinah stands nearby.
She turns her
head quickly toward the bridal chamber.
ADINAH
I
believe your ruse is revealed.
Jacob charges out of the chamber and stands
before Laban.
JACOB
What
have you done to me? I served
you for Rachel, didn’t I? That was
the agreement we came to. Why have
you deceived me?
Laban looks at Jacob calmly.
LABAN
It
is not our custom here to give
the younger daughter in marriage
before the older one. Finish this
daughter’s bridal week; then we
will give you the younger one also,
in return for another seven years
of work.
JACOB
Another
seven years?! I served you
already for Rachel and you broke
our agreement. Why should I
continue to serve for what I was
promised?
LABAN
My
daughter is mine to with as I
please, and you brought nothing
to offer for her. How am I to
know your story of your jealous
brother is true? I am losing a
daughter and deserve something in
return. If you love her, then
you will work for her. The wages
are mine to give as I please.
JACOB
We
had an agreement.
LABAN
I
am altering the agreement. Pray
I
don’t alter it any further.
Jacob looks trapped and angry that he is.
JACOB
For
the sake of Rachel, I will
agree to another seven years. But
give her to me once I have
completed the marriage week with
Leah.
I will not work another
seven years without the wife I
was promised.
LABAN
Agreed.
Jacob storms out of the house.
EXT. LABAN’S FIELDS – DAY
Jacob storms across the field among the
flocks. He screams in
frustration and falls to the ground.
Someone walks up next to him. Jacob looks
over. It is Rachel.
RACHEL
I’m
sorry.
JACOB
Did
you know this was going to
happen?
RACHEL
No.
I thought I was going to marry
you as my father promised. It was
just before the ceremony that I
was told that Leah would be given
in my stead.
JACOB
He
promised to let us be wed next
week.
RACHEL
So
you would have both I and my
sister?
JACOB
Yes.
This is not the way it was
supposed to go.
RACHEL
I
know.
He holds her. They kiss.
JACOB
I
will count the minutes. When I
am with her, I’ll be with you.
RACHEL
Don’t
talk about her.
They kiss again.
INT. BRIDAL CHAMBER – DAY
Leah looks out of the window at Rachel and
Jacob, her husband. A
tear runs down her face. She closes the curtains and sits.
LEAH
What
has my father done to me?
I
am married, but he will not
love me as he loves her.
INT. LABAN’S HOUSE – NIGHT
SUPER: “One Week Later”
Jacob and Rachel stand side by side at the
wedding celebration.
The people celebrate as they did at Leah’s
but the lights are
on. Leah is the only one who does not appear to be enjoying
this.
LABAN
To
my daughter in her new life, I
give as a handmaid, Bilhah. May
she serve you as faithfully as
she has always served me.
RACHEL
Thank you, father.
LABAN
And
now, Jacob, it is time to lie
with your new wife. Go to your bridal
chamber. We will continue the
celebration.
JACOB
Thank
you.
Jacob and Rachel begin to leave, but Laban stops him.
LABAN
(low, to Jacob)
Remember,
boy, you have a
responsibility to Leah as well as
Rachel.
I will not have one
neglected over the other. Are we
clear?
JACOB
Yes,
sir.
LABAN
Then
go!
Jacob and Rachel leave the celebrants.
START SEVEN YEARS MONTAGE
EXT. LABAN’S FIELDS – DAY
Jacob stands with Rachel. They are very
flirtatious, like
newlyweds. Leah tries to talk to Jacob, but he ignores
her. She
walks away dejected.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
Zilpah hands a newborn baby to Leah, who smiles as she takes
him.
LEAH
I
have been unloved, but the Lord
has seen my misery. Surely my
husband will love me now. I have
given him a son. He will be named
Reuben.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2192 Anno Mundi”
Jacob walks in to both Rachel and Leah in the
house. Jacob
ignores Leah, but kisses Rachel. As Jacob passes, Rachel gives
Leah a victorious look.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
Zilpah gathers a second bundle to Leah.
LEAH
Because
the Lord heard that I am
not loved, he gave me this one,
too. He will be called Simeon.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2193 Anno Mundi”
Reuben (2) and Simeon (1) wait with Laban, Jacob, Rachel, and
Bilhah in the kitchen. Leah screams in the background.
RACHEL
Almighty
in heaven, not again!
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
Zilpah hands another son to Leah, who smiles as she looks at
him.
LEAH
Now
at last my husband will
become attached to me, because
I
have borne him three sons.
He
will be called Levi.
EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2194 Anno Mundi”
Jacob runs to Rachel as she walks to the
house.
JACOB
It’s
time. Leah is giving birth.
Jacob runs back inside.
RACHEL
(deadpan)
Forgive
me if I don’t rush right
in.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM - DAY
Zilpah gathers yet another son to Leah. Leah smiles and holds
him.
LEAH
This
time I will praise the Lord.
His
name will be
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
Zilpah carries
smile and dote over
RACHEL
Jacob.
Jacob turns to her.
RACHEL
Give
me children, or I’ll die!
JACOB
Am
I in the place of God, who has
kept you from having children?
Rachel grabs Bilhah
and places her before Jacob.
RACHEL
Here
is Bilhah, my maidservant.
Sleep
with her so that she can
bear children for me and that
through her I too can build a
family.
JACOB
Rachel,
I’m not sure that-
RACHEL
(desperate)
Please,
Jacob. For me.
JACOB
Ok.
INT. RACHEL’S ROOM – DAY
SUPER: “Later that year”
Rachel attends to Bilhah
who gives birth to another child.
Rachel holds him before her.
RACHEL
God
has vindicated me. He has
listened to my plea and given me
a son. His name shall be Dan.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2195 Anno Mundi”
Jacob, Leah, Laban,
Adinah, Reuben,
wait in the kitchen. Bilhah sounds off in
the other.
LEAH
First
she steals my husband and
now she has sons through her
maidservant. This can’t continue.
INT. RACHEL’S ROOM – DAY
Rachel attends to Bilhah,
and brings another child. Rachel shows
the child to Bilhah.
RACHEL
Well
done, Bilhah. I have had a
great struggle with my sister,
and I have won. This is Naphtali.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
Rachel comes out into the house with Naphtali.
RACHEL
My
father, you have another
grandson. Look, Jacob, we have
another child.
Jacob takes his fifth son into his arms and
smiles.
EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
Jacob walks alongside the house. Leah stops
Jacob. Zilpah stands
behind her looking anxious.
LEAH
God
has stopped me from having
children.
JACOB
Then
talk to God. It is not for
me to decide.
LEAH
No?
Here, take my servant Zilpah,
and have children for me through
her.
JACOB
You
have four sons of your own.
LEAH
I
will not have my sister get
more sons than I.
JACOB
All
right, Leah.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
SUPER: “Later that year”
Leah attends Zilpah
who in on the verge of childbirth.
LEAH
One
more push.
Zilpah gives one more push. Leah works with cloths and such at a
newborn baby. She holds him before her.
ZILPAH
Is
it a boy?
LEAH
It
is. What good fortune! I shall
call him Gad.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2196 Anno Mundi”
The kitchen is becoming rather crowded. Laban, Adinah, Jacob,
Rachel, Bilhah,
Reuben, Simeon,
Gad await the new
arrival.
RACHEL
This
is ridiculous.
(to Bilhah)
Why
did you stop having children?
BILHAH
I’m
sorry ma’am.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
Leah holds another son in front of her as Zilpah rests. Leah
smiles.
LEAH
Two more sons for me. How happy
I
am! The women will call me
happy.
EXT. FIELDS OF JACOB – DAY
Reuben, now only 5, walks through the fields
with Leah. Rachel
stands nearby. Reuben finds some plants near the ground.
REUBEN
Look,
mother. Mandrakes.
Reuben picks the mandrakes and carries them
for Leah. As they
walk back to the house, Rachel stops them.
RACHEL
Please
give me some of your son’s
mandrakes.
LEAH
Wasn’t
it enough that you took
away my husband? Will you take
away my son’s mandrakes too?
RACHEL
Very well. He can sleep with you
tonight in return for your son’s
mandrakes.
LEAH
They’re
yours. Reuben, help your
aunt Rachel with the mandrakes.
REUBEN
Yes,
mother.
Leah sets off for the house. Jacob is exiting
the house with
Bilhah. He looks a little tired. Leah grabs his arm
and starts
marching him back inside.
LEAH
You
must sleep with me. I have
hired you with my son’s mandrakes.
JACOB
Mandrakes?
LEAH
Come
on.
She leads him inside.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “Later that year”
The kitchen is very crowded. Laban, Adinah, Jacob, Rachel,
Bilhah, Reuben, Simeon,
Asher all sit and stand in the kitchen.
Rachel is not happy, as
usual.
RACHEL
This
isn’t right. What’s wrong
with me?
LABAN
(to Jacob)
So
do you get any work done?
JACOB
Not
a lot, sir.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
Now it is Leah back on the bed. Zilpah attends her, and hands
her another son. Leah takes him and smiles.
LEAH
God
has rewarded me for giving my
maidservant to my husband. This
son’s name will be Issachar.
EXT. FIELDS OF JACOB – DAY
SUPER: “2197 Anno Mundi”
Rachel stands with the flocks. She looks over
to where Leah
waddles through the fields, very pregnant. She narrows her eyes
in jealousy. Reuben (6) stands near her.
REUBEN
Doesn’t
my mom look beautiful?
Rachel looks at Reuben and smiles.
RACHEL
Yes,
Reuben, very beautiful.
A tear falls down her face.
INT. LEAH’S ROOM – DAY
For the sixth time, Zilpah
attends to Leah as she gives birth.
She hands Leah’s sixth son to her. Leah
cradles the baby.
LEAH
God
has presented me with a precious
gift. This time, my husband will
treat me with honor, because I have
borne him six sons. His name will
be Zebulun.
END SEVEN YEARS MONTAGE
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “2198 Anno Mundi”
Laban, Adinah, Jacob, Bilhah,
Reuben, Simeon,
Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, and Zebulun crowd the little
kitchen. Jacob looks around.
JACOB
Where’s
Rachel?
LABAN
She
isn’t here?
ADINAH
I
believe she stepped outside.
JACOB
I’ll
check on her.
LABAN
Hurry
back.
Jacob exits.
EXT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
Rachel sits on the ground. Tears roll down
her face. Jacob sits
next to her.
JACOB
Leah’s about to give birth again.
RACHEL
I
know how it goes by now.
JACOB
True.
It is her seventh.
RACHEL
(angrily)
I
know!
Rachel stands up and storms away from him a
short distance.
Jacob walks over to her.
RACHEL
(between sobs)
I
don’t know what’s wrong with me.
I
am loved more than any other
wife you have. I have generously
given you my handmaid so we can
have children. I don’t know what
else to do.
JACOB
You
must talk to God. He has closed
your womb, and he alone can open it.
RACHEL
I
just want him to take away my
disgrace.
JACOB
He
will. Just as I have loved you,
so will I love our children more
than any other.
RACHEL
Really?
JACOB
Of course. You were always my first
choice. So will they be too.
They kiss. He holds her. Laban
bursts out the door.
LABAN
Jacob!
My son, you have a daughter.
JACOB
A daughter?
LABAN
Leah
has named her Dinah.
JACOB
(to Rachel)
Now
we have a daughter.
Rachel looks like she is about to fall apart
again.
JACOB
(to Laban)
I’ll
be in in a moment.
Laban re-enters the house. Jacob turns to Rachel.
JACOB
Are
you going to be ok?
RACHEL
Go
on. I’ll be fine. Just give me a
moment alone.
JACOB
Ok.
Jacob leaves Rachel alone. She falls to her
knees.
RACHEL
O
Lord God, remember me and visit me,
I
beg of you, for now my husband will
get rid of me, for I have borne him
no children. Now O Lord God, hear my
supplication before you, and see my
pain, and give me children like one
of the handmaids, that I may bear no
more reproach.
She lowers herself all the way to the ground.
RACHEL
Please,
O Lord, please hear me. Please
hear me.
INT. JACOB’S HOUSE – DAY
SUPER: “Later that year”
Laban, Adinah, Jacob, Leah, Zilpah, Reuben, Simeon,
Dan, Naphtali, Gad,
Asher, Issachar, Zebulun,
and Dinah all wait
in the kitchen. Bilhah opens the door to
Rachel’s room and comes
out.
BILHAH
Jacob.
Jacob walks reverently towards Rachel’s room.
He looks at
Bilhah.
BILHAH
She
is ok.
INT. RACHEL’S ROOM – DAY
Jacob walks in and looks at Rachel on the
bed. In her arms is a
baby. She smiles at Jacob, tears in her eyes. Jacob kneels down
to her and looks at the baby.
RACHEL
You
have a son.
Jacob smiles.
JACOB
You
are finally happy?
RACHEL
God
has taken away my disgrace.
JACOB
What
do you wish to name him?
RACHEL
His
name is Joseph.
JACOB
Joseph?
RACHEL
Yes.
I have one son. May the Lord
add to me another.
JACOB
I’m
sure he will.
He kisses her gently. They gaze at baby
Joseph as we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
Source Material:
From the Bible:
Genesis 26:34-30:24
From Extracanonical Works:
The Book of Jashar
28:24-29:10, 29:22-30:14, 31:1-31:21