Julius: What do you mean, it's gone?
Slave-woman: It was that Jew. Paul.
Justus: What did he do to you?
SW: He commanded the spirit. Told it to go. In the name of... Jesus. Some other Jew they believe in.
Julius: And it left?
SW: Gone.
Justus: Can't you pretend?
SW: Well, I can. But it's never going to be convincing. I can't see things anymore.
Julius: You've spoilt everything.
SW: I did nothing. It was the spirit. It was like... even the spirit was attracted to the truth.
Justus: Well... what can I do with you now? You're useless. You bring in no money.
Julius: We could keep her for our... little comforts?
Justus: We wouldn't dare when she had the demon in her. What the hell is in her now if it's more powerful than that?
Julius: She could work in the kitchen?
Justus: After what we've done to her all these years? You think we could trust the food?
Julius: OK. Well then she can get out.
SW: What?
Justus: Get out. You're an unproductive unit. We have no use for you.
Julius: OK. Let's go and sort out Paul.
---- A while later. A street outside a prison. Paul and Silas are walking away from the prison, limping slightly ----
SW: It's you.
Paul: How are you?
SW: Free. But... no idea what I can do. But what about you... what happened?
Silas: We shouldn't cast out demons. The Empire doesn't like it. But we're good.
SW: That demon was right, though.
Paul: A demon was right?
SW:You are slaves of the most high?
Paul: We are.
SW: And you are proclaiming the way to salvation?
Silas: We reckon so.
SW: Then let me be a slave like you.
Thank you, Archdruid Eileen. This brought tears to my eyes. Maybe it was the Spirit…..
ReplyDeleteSet free, yet still imprisoned by social patriarchal norms and control.
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