Two Winters Past

INT. LOGAN’S BEDROOM. EVENING.

LOGAN’s bedroom was a classroom. Curtains have been hung to cover the windows, but they are all open, looking out over the Deposit yard. Barabas are busy with construction. We are high enough to see into the town, and can see the dancing bonfires in the Damascan camp.

LOGAN stands before the windows, arms crossed, looking out. He still wears his improvised armor and bloody clothes. We can see now the armor is made from an assemblage of sports padding spray-painted black.

There is a knock on the door.

TIFF enters. She is scared.

LOGAN needs a moment to process, then smiles.

LOGAN: I didn’t think that old prude would obey.

TIFF: What can I do for you?

LOGAN: I don’t... Sit. Please.

TIFF sits.

LOGAN removes his armor and some clothing. Crusted blood is on his torso, but no wounds are visible.

LOGAN: A man is expected to call for a woman after battle.

TIFF: You want me to... do things with you?

LOGAN: No.

TIFF: I will, if I have to.

LOGAN: But you would not choose.

TIFF sobs and covers her face.

TIFF: You killed my friends!

LOGAN: You can’t understand what is necessary. You’ll thank me for my choice.

TIFF: Where is Aiden?

LOGAN: (snide) Your lover is atoning.

TIFF: Aiden is gay!

LOGAN’s eyes widen.

LOGAN: As if it couldn’t get worse. (sighs) That is no concern for the moment. He will meet the same fate with the Damascans.

TIFF: You brought us to this place to die.

LOGAN is offended.

LOGAN: You think this is the world of old where men can keep the fruit of their labor? There are no police, no President. The only army is the one you make, and that strong bull with you was a soldier! The rest of you… you were expendable.

TIFF: You can’t just steal a person!

LOGAN: I am first among the Barabas, I do as I please.

TIFF: Tell that to the Muslims.

LOGAN slaps TIFF. She falls.

LOGAN rages.

LOGAN: Is that what you plan? You’ll wait until this castle has fallen and you’ll sell yourself to the enemy? Get used to your life here. I have friends all about. I have sent messengers to bring them here. The great battle for Heaven will be held here on our walls! It will be the Barabas who rise in the wake!

LOGAN calms. He turns away.

TIFF cowers on the floor a moment.

TIFF sits up.

MED SHOT: Looking at LOGAN with TIFF in the background, slightly out of focus.

TIFF: What’s a Barbas?

LOGAN enunciates his word carefully.

LOGAN: Bar-a-bas. He was a murderer and a rapist, and he was made to live so that Jesus may be sacrificed.

TIFF sits on the bed.

TIFF: You worship a murderer?

LOGAN: I was chosen to save the world. That is what these people believe, and you will believe too if you want to stay here with our food, with our walls. Your friend will thank me for preserving him. You were alone out there.

TIFF: Am I going to fuck you or what?

LOGAN: (lowers his eyes) I have made a vow. No child should be born to this. (Looks her over) You will lay with me. You will comfort me. You will be gone when I awake.

LOGAN lays down, head in TIFF’s lap. He closes his eyes. TIFF runs her fingers through his hair.

Continued tomorrow