- [the press minister has been found murdered in his car]
- Jack Benjamin: Four of our generals, and now our press minister - all loyal to us.
- William Cross: Where one loyalist falls, ten others will beg you for their position; you're very popular, Jack.
- Jack Benjamin: It's a message - my father's still alive, and his teeth are still sharp.
- William Cross: The panicked bite of a dying dog - probably dead already.
- Jack Benjamin: It just feels like he could just come back anytime.
- William Cross: He's not coming back; he's one man! Against an army, that answers to us. You've been afraid of your father your whole life; now might be a safe time to grow a pair - and flaunt 'em. I can only put the crown in front of you; they need to see you take it.
- King Silas Benjamin: [addressing the nation in a pirate broadcast] People of Gilboa - a few days ago, our nation was the victim of a coup d'état. Your king was shot, and the reins of our country seized by corrupt and evil men. My people, you have been deceived. I address you today to say that I, Silas Benjamin, king of Gilboa am alive - very much alive. I am still sovereign of this nation. I send a message to the traitors who would depose me, who would subvert God's will and the freedom of my people: I am the rightful king of this nation, I and no other. I will return to Shiloh to take my place, given me by God *and* citizen. Like an earthquake, I will come.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: [seeing Jack in his empty church] ... A man with much to consider.
- Jack Benjamin: My whole life, I've waited for this moment - my chance to lead, to impress my personality on a country and make it better... Tomorrow it happens. But I - I don't feel anything... It's not there.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: You mean *He*... is not there.
- Jack Benjamin: Shouldn't He give me something? Words... of wisdom, or... a warning, an image for a new standard? My father had signs, butterflies, whole conversations, whatever, to give him the confidence to speak in His name... What's my blessing?
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: God... does not take counsel with sinners. Recently, you and I - we've been made unforgiveable.
- Jack Benjamin: We both knew my father needed to go.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: And all the others? All the innocents shot dead - your declaration of war...
- Jack Benjamin: That's William.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: We allowed it... Silas was right; I cannot accuse him and let myself go unscrutinized.
- Jack Benjamin: I can make good of our mistakes. Once you put the crown on my head, you will see how well it fits.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: The crown will never touch your head. That is the hollowness that you feel - and you know it; *He* knows it... and He will never speak to you.
- Jack Benjamin: Why not?
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: You are not the one He wants.
- Queen Rose Benjamin: You never do that again.
- Michelle Benjamin: Jack and William are wrong; I won't pretend otherwise.
- Queen Rose Benjamin: Yes, you will. Until Silas returns - and then you will pretend even more. The fate of this monarchy, this family, no longer lies with your brother. Jack will die the moment Silas returns.
- Michelle Benjamin: And if Silas and David don't return?
- Queen Rose Benjamin: I know your father; he'll come. And you have to stay alive long enough to greet him with open arms. You keep your head down, your mouth shut. You tell no one of this pregnancy, especially David. You'll have nothing to fear - I'll take care of everything.
- King Silas Benjamin: You *can* drink with people you hate; life's taught me that much. Come on - might be your last.
- David Shepherd: [sitting down opposite Silas] ... So that's it, then - we die tomorrow.
- King Silas Benjamin: Odds are not in our favor... Not like the old days - then I was sure. I'd ask the outcome of a battle, and He'd answer in thunder and the answer would always be "yes".
- David Shepherd: No answer tonight?
- King Silas Benjamin: Not for some time.
- King Silas Benjamin: [heavenward] Hey, maybe we can help You out a little.
- King Silas Benjamin: [pouring a third shot glass at the table] Just let us know You're listening out there, and that You exist and that You care a little for the back-and-forthings of we tiny men, and that success - or death - in the outcome of battle mean a little out there in the sparkly quintessence... Just knock the glass over. An infant could do it; a breeze... No?... I guess we're on our own.
- David Shepherd: Maybe He doesn't talk to bastards.
- King Silas Benjamin: And here I thought we were getting along so well.
- David Shepherd: I know you - too well now. I'll help you tomorrow; I'll probably die, too... But I'll do it, because the people need you. They have a chance at peace with you.
- King Silas Benjamin: [as they get up to leave] If we do survive, I owe you more than apologies - I wronged you.
- David Shepherd: The minute I see you in your chair, I'm outta here. I don't wanna see any of you again.
- King Silas Benjamin: ...Do that.
- David Shepherd: Just promise me one thing: If God ever does speak to you again, you'll listen.
- [Silas quietly nods, and the two men leave the room... not noticing that the third shot glass has been knocked over]
- Chancellor Hanson: [nervously] Sir - Reverend Samuels... he won't come... coronation...
- William Cross: He knows I'll kill him for this.
- Chancellor Hanson: He said he expects it.
- William Cross: Fine; send a team - meet his expectation.
- William Cross: [bewildered] ... Sir, what about the benediction?
- William Cross: *You* do it.
- Chancellor Hanson: [Jack's coronation begins] I read from the benediction of the Reverend Ephram Samuels: Our cause is just; our union is perfect. As we unified our lands, unify our purpose.
- [cut to Rev. Samuels praying at the altar of his church]
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Forgive my eyes, for what they have overlooked. Forgive my mouth, for its pride. Forgive these hands... for works done and works unfinished. If I die today, I die knowing my offense.
- Chancellor Hanson: Guide his eyes, mouth, hands - that they see Your goals, speak Your words, build monuments to Your gifts.
- William Cross: [whispering to Queen Rose at the coronation, about Silas] Still think he's coming?
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Only let me live long enough to see my wrongs righted. I have walked before You, from the time of my youth... here I am.
- [Rev. Samuels is shot in the back by William's assassin]
- King Silas Benjamin: [finding the substitute crown on his throne] You were gonna put this on Jack?
- Chancellor Hanson: [terrified] Sir...
- King Silas Benjamin: Say there was a gun to your head, and I won't have to put one there.
- King Silas Benjamin: [to the coronation guests] So - where are they? William Cross, Jack Benjamin... where are they?... I ask once more with words, and then with blood.
- Jack Benjamin: [entering the room] I'm here... I'm not gonna run - not anymore... You said I couldn't be what I was; God said I couldn't be what I wanted. There's nothing left for me... but to die... Do it. Go on; finish it - I'm ready.
- King Silas Benjamin: We can think of worse things for you than death... You could have had *everything*.
- Andrew Cross: When I came back, my father told me to watch and learn. I learned who should be king - and who shouldn't.
- King Silas Benjamin: Anything else?
- Andrew Cross: You lost a son; I lost a father. Maybe I could be a part of the family.
- Michelle Benjamin: [disappointed] You're leaving.
- David Shepherd: All I did was replace one corrupt king for another.
- Michelle Benjamin: You stopped a war; who knows how many lives you saved?
- David Shepherd: I can't live here. Back home, things were either right - or wrong.
- King Silas Benjamin: [praying from the rooftop] Not bad, right? Even You must be impressed today.
- [thunder rolls across the sky]
- King Silas Benjamin: You're welcome. I give, and I am thankful - for giving is a need; we understand each other on the point. It was a mad idea You had in the first place - kings, a monarchy? In this day and age? I'm looking out at a city that I built in Your name; this is what you wanted. Deny it?
- [subdued thunder]
- King Silas Benjamin: Then you *can* forgive me; then I still have some role yet to play?
- King Silas Benjamin: [as a soft rain begins to fall] Oh, thank you! Thank you! Whatever You want, I am ready!
- King Silas Benjamin: [loud thunder roars through the sky] Him? But why? No - no, what about me? What am *I* supposed to do?
- King Silas Benjamin: [seeing the clouds break and dissipate] Don't go! Don't go!...
- King Silas Benjamin: [to Thomasina] Find Shepherd - bring him to the mansion... Tell him I listened.
- David Shepherd: You said I could go home.
- King Silas Benjamin: You were asked for... It seems God has plans other than you might have wanted; get used to that... He spoke to me again; He told me... you were meant to take my place.
- David Shepherd: Me?
- [Silas nods]
- David Shepherd: No... no, I - I'm no king.
- King Silas Benjamin: It's not up to you, either.
- David Shepherd: But why?
- King Silas Benjamin: [exasperated] I don't know why. Because you're good? I've been good. Because you're young? I was young too; oh, I gave Him that - everything He ever asked for. But now He turns away, loves *you*.
- David Shepherd: I don't know that He does.
- King Silas Benjamin: ...You have His favor! I doubt I could have escaped the traps I laid for you. You never knew what you were being given; but now - now I see. How long has He been whispering in your ear?
- David Shepherd: He hasn't.
- King Silas Benjamin: No? You didn't feel anything? Hm? Before your butterfly crown? After? Don't lie to me!
- David Shepherd: I never asked for anything!
- King Silas Benjamin: ...He did come to you - offered himself behind my back, yours for the taking. Shameful - the two of you laughing at me.
- David Shepherd: No; God loved you - and so did I!
- King Silas Benjamin: [he throws his drink at Shepherd and tackles him] Listen to your lies? While you were playing me? The old fool - huh? Is that what you thought? Huh? Is that what you thought? God looked me in the eye - and lied to me! You backstabbing, cheating whore!
- [David gets out from under Silas and begins punching him]
- David Shepherd: You're jealous! That's why He left you! Maybe I *should* be king! Maybe I should!
- [Rev. Samuels appears to David and Michelle; they do not realize he is dead]
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Silas did this to you.
- David Shepherd: He thinks I've stolen God's favor.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: You haven't, David; God gave it freely.
- David Shepherd: I don't want it!
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: David Shepherd, son of Jessie, son of Judah, know this: You *were* chosen... to be the new king.
- Michelle Benjamin: ...It's true, isn't it?... Where can I take him?
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: His only place of refuge... you cannot follow - Gath. Silas would never look for you there.
- David Shepherd: Gath?... I'll be alone; I'll have nothing.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: You need fear no evil; you, David, are never alone.
- David Shepherd: [to Michelle] As long as we're together, you'll be in danger; I can't risk you. You have to stay here.
- Michelle Benjamin: [removing her ring] Take this; wear it... and know that I will always love you, no matter what. Always know that.
- David Shepherd: I will never stop loving you - ever... I'll be back for you.
- Michelle Benjamin: I'll be waiting.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Husband and wife, if you like; vows of love, exchanged before God. You two were married long ago, and you will be married forevermore.
- Jack Benjamin: I pictured prison colder.
- Jack Benjamin: [seeing Lucinda at the door] She had no part in this.
- Thomasina: Her part she'll be glad to play... Your father wants for you a living death, to brick you into a wall with someone who loves you - who you can't stand the sight of... until you produce an heir, which Silas will take, and raise right this time.
- Lucinda Wolfson: [embracing Jack] I... don't understand.
- Jack Benjamin: Thomasina, love... please. You've known me since I could crawl.
- Thomasina: You went against the family; you're not charming anymore, Jack.
- Jack Benjamin: Don't do this!
- Thomasina: It's not so hard; just close your eyes, and dream of someone who's dead.
- [last lines]
- Queen Rose Benjamin: An issuance of the king: For her acts of treason in support of her brother, Michelle Benjamin is ordered exiled from Gilboa - stripped of any rights as citizen or noble, removed from all our lands, and kept from any company but her own for a period of no less than one year.
- Michelle Benjamin: What are you talking about?
- Queen Rose Benjamin: [whispering] I told you I would take care of everything.
- [Michelle is removed by two soldiers]
- King Silas Benjamin: All our plans...
- Queen Rose Benjamin: We'll make new ones... We'll be young again; everything there is to fight for began with you. You're the stone center; you're Silas.
- King Silas Benjamin: Yes...
- Queen Rose Benjamin: And nothing can take the future from this family.
- King Silas Benjamin: Nothing?
- [Rose exits]
- King Silas Benjamin: ...Least of all David Shepherd.
- [Rev. Samuels' ghost appears behind Silas]
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Let him go, Silas.
- King Silas Benjamin: I will find David; I will hunt him down, and when his dead body lays at my feet I'll come for you for your part in this.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Killing David will not keep you king.
- King Silas Benjamin: At least God will know I'm angry.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: He's gone, Silas - where you can not find him. His family is safe, too. Nothing can stop God's plan.
- King Silas Benjamin: I travel that path no more; I'm a sinner now. He wants peace, I want war - God and I are now constant enemies.
- Rev. Ephram Samuels: Then I bring a message from the enemy: Do not search too hard for my servant, for the day you lay a hand on him... will be the day that you die.
- King Silas Benjamin: Oh, is that what He says? Well, take a message back to Him: We are at war.