Raphael The Redemption (4)
Teresa Ann Salyer

 

Steps.

Satan holds a rolled scroll. He reads it, as the
CONDEMNED proceed down The Road Leading to Hell.

SATAN
Hear ye, hear ye
By God’s commandments
Broken, are ye con-
Demned to an eternity
In this God Forsaken
Place, Hell.

HELL’S ROAD
(sings, sadly)
Murderer, adulterer,
Thief…

Lillith stands beside Satan.

LILLITH
Satan, why aren’t there
Other roads for lesser
Commandments broken.

CONTINUED

50.


58 CONTINUED 58

LILLITH (CONT’D)
Such as that thief there.
He stole food, because
His wife and baby were
Hungry. Shouldn’t his
Punishment have been less
Severe.

Satan comforts Lillith.

SATAN
My dear, there is but
One road to Hell!

59 EXT. POND – HELL 59

Lillith sits beside a pond. She is nine months
Pregnant. She is reading a book.

SATAN
(voice over)
My Lillith became pregnant.
She was so beautiful. I was
So happy. She had cravings
Like any other pregnant woman.

A little fish makes a noise. She, in a flash,
Sticks her hand in and scoops up a fish. She
Eats it raw.

60 EXT. TREE – HELL 60

Lillith sits in the tree and eats bird’s eggs out
Of the nest.

SATAN
(voice over)
And as a father to be, I
Had to be patient for the
Birth of my son. I would
Teach him many things. The
Sin of pride, though I would
Be proud of him. The sin of
Ambition, though nothing is
Accomplished without it. The
Sin of an unforgiving heart,
Though in mine, he would always
Find forgiveness.

61 INT. BEDROOM 61

Lillith lies in her bed. She is giving birth.

CONTINUED

51.


61 CONTINUED 61

She is attended by several MIDWIVES.

Satan comes in and goes to hold Lillith’s hand.
Suddenly, one of the women usher him out.

LILLITH
What’s wrong? Satan
Don’t leave. Is something
Wrong with the baby?

SATAN
No, no Lillith. Be
Calm.

Satan leaves the room. The midwives scurry
Around. A midwife examining Lillith, suddenly
Becomes alarmed.

LILLITH
Pain. Pain. My baby.

The midwives huddle together. Suddenly, thousands
Of DEMONS emerge from Lillith’s stomach.

Lillith’s lifeless body lies on the bed. The
Demons fly out the door, encircling Satan as
He comes in.

Satan runs to Lillith’s side. He holds her hand.
He weeps.

SATAN
What have I done! God!
What have I done! Lillith!

62 EXT. BANK OF THE RIVER STYX 62

Satan, seeing Charon, ther ferry man, rushes up to
Him.

SATAN
Ferry man, take me back to
The spot where you found me.
I’ll find my way back home
From there.

CHARON
That, I cannot do.

SATAN
Cannot Charon, or will
Not?

CONTINUED

52.


62 CONTINUED 62

Charon holds out his hand. Satan places a sack
Of gold into his waiting palm.

SATAN
Gold works in marvelous
Ways, my friend.

Satan gets into the boat. Charon pushes away
From the river bank with an oar.

63 INT. RIVER STYX – HADES 63

The ferry man rows through Hades. The DEAD are shades
That flicker off and on.

SATAN
Does no salvation await
These souls, Ferry Man?

CHARON
I am not the one who can
Answer that question. Though
It is sad to see them, a
Desperate and sad flicker of
Souls.

64 END OF SATAN’S JOURNEY ON THE RIVER STYX 64

Charon suddenly stops the boat with his long oar.

CHARON
This is the end of the
Journey, Satan.

Satan gets out of the boat and places another
Bag of gold in the ferry man’s hand.

CHARON
Thank you.

SATAN
How do I find my way home?

CHARON
Keep to the right!

SATAN
Keep to the right!
Keep to the right!

CHARON
Ye, Gods, but all you

CONTINUED

53.


64 CONTINUED 64

CHARON (CONT’D)
Do is complain! Good
Luck.

Satan pulls his cloak tighter and begins his
Journey out of the dark underworld.

65 INT. MICHAEL DE NOSTRADAMUS’ SECRET UPSTAIRS STUDY 65
SALON DE PROVANCE – FRANCE – 1550 – NIGHT

This scene takes place in 1550, five years earlier
Than in scene 2, 1555.

Michael De Nostradamus, five years younger than when
We saw him in scene 2, is dressed in ritual robes.
He stands within a magical circle, holding his magician’s
Wand.

The circle is drawn according to the Key of Solomon,
An ancient magical text.

Nostradamus holds up his magical wand.

NOSTRADAMUS
O Lord God Almighty, be propitious
Unto me a miserable sinner, for I
Am not worthy to raise mine eyes unto
Heaven, because of the iniquity of
My sins and the multitude of my faults.
O pitying and merciful father, who
Wouldest not the death of a sinner but
Rather that he should turn from his
Wickedness and live, O God have mercy upon
Me and pardon all my sins; for I unworthy
Entreat Thee, O Father of all Creatures,
Thou Who art full of mercy and of compassion.
By Thy great goodness that Thou deign to
Grant unto me power to see and know these
Spirits which I desire to behold and to
Invoke to appear before me and to
Accomplish my will. Through Thee Who art
Conqueror and Who art Blessed unto the
Ages of the Ages. Amen. I summon the
Archangel Raphael. He who is known as
God’s healer. I summon him to appear
Now!

Raphael appears outside the protected, magical
Circle.

RAPHAEL
Why have you summoned me. For

CONTINUED

54.


65 CONTINUED 65

RAPHAEL (CONT’D)
What reason Nostradamus of
Provance. Have a care with
Your answer.

Nostradamus falls to his knees, weeping.

NOSTRADAMUS
Like you Raphael, I am a healer.
I have tended many struck down
By this plague God has seen fit
To bring down on us in my beloved
Provance. I was out tending families
In the country, when the plague
Visited my own home. It carried
Away my wife, two sons, and word
Reached me too late. My daughter
Sylvina, has it. If I had known
Sooner, perhaps I could have made
A difference. My herbs and my
Strict regimen for cleanliness,
Who knows, who knows…

RAPHAEL
Ah, yes, the plagues that God
Rains down on man. Just reminders
Not to forget him.

NOSTRADAMUS
Will you see my daughter, Sylvina?

RAPHAEL
Then we must hurry, there isn’t
Much time.

66 INT. BED CHAMBER – NOSTRADAMUS HOME – NIGHT 66

Nostradamus’ daughter lies on a large canopied bed.
She is stricken by the plague. Large pus like sores
Typical of the plague, cover her face and body. SLYVINA
Is obviously Meghan in a past life!

Nostradamus prays by the door’s entrance. Raphael
Walks over to Sylvina’s side. He places his hand on
Her head. Miraculously, Sylvina is healed.

Raphael takes her into his arms. He kisses her forehead.
It is obvious that Raphael has fallen in love with her.

NOSTRADAMUS
God be praised, God be praised.

CONTINUED


55.


66 CONTINUED 66

Sylvina gets up from the bed and embraces Nostradamuys.

67 INT. SYLVINA’S BED CHAMBER – MORNING, THE NEXT DAY 67

Raphael enters with a breakfast tray. He places
It before Sylvina, who has just awakened.

RAPHAEL
Good morning, fair Sylvina. Here
Is good food the cook has sent up
For you.

SYLVINA
I do still feel weak. I don’t
Know if I can eat. Thank you
Raphael. It is Raphael, isn’t
It?

RAPHAEL
Yes, fair lady. Raphael the
Physician. And I say, you must
Eat this good food lady, to regain
All your strength. For surely, you
Would have died, and been burried
Today at yon cemetery on the hill.
With so many in this village the
Plague has taken off.

SYLVINA
But, Raphael, not so many deaths
As in other places. My father
Has taught this village the secret
To battle the plague. It’s simple.
Cleanliness. Not even herbs, or fire,
But good old soap and water! And
Yet, knowing that, I still was in-
Fected with it’s pathos. Perhaps
God chose to punish me Raphael. Per-
Haps I should have done more Novenas
For the sick.

Sylvina becomes agitated and distressed. Raphael
Moves closer to comfort her.

RAPHAEL
You did nothing wrong Sylvina.
You were not being punished. God
Saves his punishments for the true
Sinner. And they are mighty indeed.

SYLVINA
You are a physician, Raphael? You

CONTINUED

56


67 CONTINUED 67

SYLVINA (CONT’D)
Help those with the plague.

RAPHAEL
Yes, I am a healer. God
Has lead me to Nostradamus…
And you… You must sleep
Now Sylvina. You must get
Back your strength.

Raphael leans down to kiss her on the forehead.
Instead, he kisses her lips.

Off screen we can hear a faint lament of ANGELS
Weeping.

ANGELS
(voice over)
O Raphael, O Raphael.
O Raphael, O Raphael.

68 INT. HEN HOUSE – NOSTRADAMUS FARM – DAY 68

Sylvina is using her apron to collect eggs from
Dozens of squawking chickens. Feathers are every-
Where. Raphael comes up behind her with several
New eggs that he has just collected for her.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
Sylvina regained her health.
Beautiful, dark haired perfect
Sylvina.

69 INT. BARN – NOSTRADAMUS FARM – DAY 69

Sylvina is milking a cow. She has a pail under
The cow. She lets Raphael try to milk this cow.
He sits down on the stool. Grabs a teat and the
Cow, very distressed, tries to kick him. He lets
Sylvina sit down again on the stool. She grabs
A teat and squirts a jet stream of milk into
Raphael’s face.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
I had never known such
Happiness. Kneeling
Before the throne of God
In adoration, ever a smile
Or adoration for me.

CONTINUED


57.


69 CONTINUED 69

Sylvina smiles at him, for her mischevious prank.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
Perhaps, I had found what my
Heart yearned for since time
Out of mind.

70 INT. KITCHEN – NOSTRADAMUS HOME – DAY 70

Sylvina is churning butter in a churn. She
Has Raphael sit before the churn. She goes
Over to the table, where she is mixing bread
Dough, using the eggs and milk that they’ve
Collected that day.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
I, Raphael, God’s Healer.
Archangel, Kneeler at the
Throne of Heaven, I Raphael…
I am in love with Sylvina,
Daughter of Nostradamus, mortal
Woman. I have lost my heart.

71 EXT. APPLE GROVE – NOSTRADAMUS FARM – DAY 71

Raphael and Sylvina are walking in the apple
Grove. The apple blossoms are in bloom. Raphael
Reaches up and snaps off a twig of apple blossoms
And places it in Sylvina’s beautiful dark hair.

Raphael reaches down and kisses her. The kiss
Becomes passionate.

The camera pans into the heavens. Off screen
There is the faint sound of the ANGELS’ lament
In Heaven.

ANGELS
(voice over)
O Raphael, O Raphael…

72 EXT. VILLAGE – PROVANCE – FRANCE 72

There is a huge bonfire. Bodies are being flung
Onto it. Wagons bring more bodies to the bonfire.

Nostradamus and Raphael hold handkerchiefs up to
Their faces.

There is a large tub of clean water sitting before

CONTINUED

58.


72 CONTINUED 72

the bonfire. There is a hugd slab of soap. Nostra-
damus begins taking off his clothes. He hands them
to Raphael.

VILLAGERS gather around to watch Nostradamus take off
His clothes! Nostradamus gets into the tub of water.
He takes the soap and soaps himself from head to toe.

He dunks himself into the water, rinsing himself off.

Some Villagers applaud. Raphael does too.

Nostradamus takes the towel offered him by Raphael.
He dries himself.

NOSTRADAMUS
Friends, some have said
That God sent this damnable
Plague to our beloved Provance.
I say, no, God did not. But,
God did give us weapons to use
Against this infernal plague.
Soap and water.

Some villagers geer now.

NOSTRADAMUS
Yes, friends, soap and water.
Cleanliness. You must bathe
Each day and practice as I,
Nostradamus of Salon de Provance,
Do each day. You know my village?
The plague came, but did little
Compared to other villages. Why?
Did God show more mercy for us? No!
Soap and water are our weapons
Friends. I leave this message
For you. I’ll be returning in
The Fall. Take care of your
Families. Say your prayers for
The dead.

73 EXT. ANOTHER VILLAGE IN PROVANCE – FRANCE 73

In another village, Nostradamus is taking off his
Clothes, handing them to Raphael and getting ready
To get into the large tub, soap in hand.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
We traveled the length and
Breath of Nostradamus’ beloved

CONTINUED

59.


73 CONTINUED 73

RAPHAEL (CONT’D)
Provance. And everywhere we went,
Nostradamus gave them his simple,
Yet effective, message. Bathe!

Raphael looks away into the heavens.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
We tended the sick. ‘Till I
Could not count them any more.
I longed to be home. I yearned
To be back with my Sylvina once
More.

74 INT. SYLVINA’S BED CHAMBER – DAY 74

Sylvina looks into a mirror at her reflection. She
Places her hand over her stomach. She is obviously
Pregnant.

SYLVINA
Raphael, Raphael. Come
Home to me.

75 EXT. THE DOORWAY – NOSTRADAMUS HOME – NIGHT 75

Nostradamus and Raphael finally arrive home after
Healing many people sick with the plague. They look
Dirty and warn. Even their horses look exhausted.

Nostradamus and Raphael dismount. Nostradamus takes
The horses reigns.

NOSTRADAMUS
Raphael, I will put these
Horses in their stalls and
Give them some good oats.

Nostradamus pats the horses and leads them to the
Nearby barn.

Raphael slings a pouch over his shoulder. He knocks
On the door.

The door opens and the ARCHANGEL MICHAEL stands in
The doorway!

Raphael and Michael embrace.

RAPHAEL
Old friend, what in the name

CONTINUED

60.


75 CONTINUED 75

RAPHAEL
Of Kingdom Come are you doing
Here? Where is Sylvina?

MICHAEL
Sylvina is asleep upstairs. She
Has been tired of late.

RAPHAEL
Won’t you tell me why you are
Here, Michael?

MICHAEL
I have missed you and I
Wanted to see what you’ve
Been up to. Yes, yes, that
Girl, I presume? Beautiful
Dark hair. Yes, I can see
What you have been up to.
Raphael, God does want you
Back in Heaven. Kneeling
At the throne. Obedient.

RAPHAEL
Obedient. Well, when you
Next speak to God, do tell
Him that I am here. I am
God’s healer and that is what
I am doing. The plague is
Everywhere. Death. Death.

Michael hugs Raphael.

MICHAEL
Be careful Raphael. God
Expects his servants to be
Obedient, even loved as they
Are. Obedient. Have a care
That what you love most, won’t
Be snatched from you. Most
Of all, when you least expect
It.

76 EXT. NOSTRADAMUS HOME – MORNING 76

Raphael and Sylvina stand in the doorway, waving
Goodbye to Michael, who rides off on a black horse.

SYLVINA
Raphael, your friend, Michael
Was so helpful with chores

CONTINUED


61.


76 CONTINUED 76

SYLVINA (CONT’D)
While you were gone. He
Told wonderful stories, before
I went to bed, that I couldn’t
Sleep but thinking of them.
What knowledge he has; He cannot
Be more than twenty five. He
Loves you very much. He is a
Good friend.

Raphael gently touches Sylvina’s stomach. They kiss.

SYLVINA
Are you happy about the baby
Raphael?

RAPHAEL
I will love you and the baby
More than everything in God’s
World.

SYLVINA
Everything?

RAPHAEL
Everything.

77 EXT. KITCHEN GARDEN – OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN 77

Sylvina is hoeing her kitchen garden. She is five
Months pregnant. Raphael ties up some tomato plants.
Suddenly, Raphael picks up a snake. Sylvina startles
And nearly looses her balance.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
In olden times, the ancients
Would have considered this
Good luck. The snake was a
Sign of fertility and rebirth.
But, no mistake about what a
Snake in the garden meant in
These times. A snake in the
Garden of Eden. For a moment
I had the notion that Satan
Would appear and laugh right
In my face. “God won’t let
You keep her, and you know it”.

78 INT. KITCHEN 78

Nostradamus sits by the kitchen fireplace. He

CONTINUED

62.


78 CONTINUED 78

looks very old and perhaps unwell.

Sylvina brings him some hot tea. She goes back
To the kitchen table and kneads some bread dough
With her hands. She is nine months pregnant.

RAPHAEL
(voice over)
The baby would be
Special. The baby
Would grow up to be-
Come a great healer.
Yes, our baby would
Be special.

79 INT. PARLOR – NIGHT 79

Raphael sits reading quietly by the fire. There
Is a knock at the door.

Raphael gets up and answers it. Michael stands
In the doorway.

RAPHAEL
Michael my friend.

Raphael hugs Michael.

MICHAEL
Tonight God has ordered
Me to fetch you back to
The Kingdom of Heaven.
You have no say in this
Matter Archangel Raphael.

Unseen by both Michael and Raphael, Sylvina carefully
Treads down the stair.

SYLVINA
(uncertain, confused)
Archangel Raphael? Archangel
Michael?

MICHAEL
If you desist, there is
A legion of Angels ready
Under the Archangel Gabriel’s
Command. And you know that
Gabriel is the best at what
She does. She is obedient.

Raphael begins to unfurl his wings. Michael does

CONTINUED

63.


79 CONTINUED 79

as well.

MICHAEL
Raphael, you are making
This worse than it should
Be. Let me just take you
Home, where you belong.
You know that.

RAPHAEL
Michael, I love this woman.
She will have my baby. Any
Time. Do not take me back.
I beg you on my knees.

Sylvina begins to rush down the stairs, but her
Unsteady weight causes her to fall horribly down
The stairs.

Both Raphael and Michael rush to her side.

RAPHAEL
I will carry her up to her
Bedroom. Get Nostradamus!

80 INT. SYLVINA’S BED CHAMBER – NIGHT 80

Sylvina lies unconscious in bed. Very still. She
Is dead.

Raphael stands over her.

Michael rushes in with Nostradamus.

NOSTRADAMUS
Sylvina, oh, my God.

Nostrdamus checks her vital signs. He holds a
Mirror up to see if she is breathing.

RAPHAEL
I tried to heal her, Nostradamus.
Perhaps God will not let me heal
Her.

NOSTRADAMUS
Raphael, listen to me. You have
Been like a son to me. We will
Both grieve over Sylvina and
The lost baby. She was already
Gone when you reached her. Hers
And the baby’s soul are on their

CONTINUED

64.


80 CONTINUED 80

NOSTRADAMUS (CONT’D)
Way to Heaven. No fault is yours.

RAPHAEL
You don’t understand Nostradamus.
God did this to us. He wanted
Me to come back to Heaven. Forsake
My wife and baby. Kneel at the
Throne of Heaven for another eternity.
Michael, I will go back with you
Tonight. But, the day will come,
When I, Archangel Raphael, Kneeler
At the Throne of Heaven, will have
My revenge. He took my family
Away from me and I will take, from
Him what he loves more dear than
His angels, Adam’s Clan! Then
Who will he have to love, but his
Angels.

81 EXT. NOSTRADAMUS HOME – NIGHT 81

Raphael and Michael stand before the doorway. The
Wind whips around them. Lightning bolts rend the
Air. Nearby, a lightning bolt strikes a tree.

RAPHAEL
Let us go.

They vanish.

82 INT. HELICOPTER – HOVERING OUTSIDE GERM WARFARE 82
FACILITY – OUTSIDE BAGHDAD – PRESENT DAY

There is a fierce desert storm crossing their path.
Ominous dark, gray clouds encircle them. A lightning
Bolt flashes with a crashing soung right before the
Helicopter.

Raphael opens his eyes and sits up with a jolt.

JERRY
God help us. God help us all.

83 EXT. THE AREA AROUND THE GERM WARFARE FACILITY 83

From two opposite directions come ARMIES OF ANGELS.

From the sunset, advancing from the west, comes SATAN’S ARMY.
They fight for Raphael and his cause, the annihilation
Of mankind. From the east, come the ARCHANGEL MICHAEL’S
ARMY. GABRIEL is at the front, blowing her horn. They

CONTINUED

65.


83 CONTINUED 83

will fight to the death to defeat Raphael. They
will save mankind, who is much loved by God.

As the helicopter hovers above, the armies of Angels
Engage.

Satan’s army is dressed in black. Michael’s army is
Dressed in white.

SATAN
(screams)
Michael, my old friend. I
And my army will defeat you.
God will then have only his
Angels to love, and I can
Go home.

MICHAEL
(screams)
Satan, Satan, fool. There
Is no existance, without God’s
Love. He won’t have you back
Having betrayed his trust.

SATAN
I’ll risk my life that God
Finds me worthy of his love.
Forgiveness…

MICHAEL
Forgiveness! Put up your
Shield, old friend, wield
Your knife…

The two opoposing armies engage in a violent and
Bloody battle. It is obvious that Satan’s army
Is faring better.

84 EXT. GERM WARFARE FACILITY – DAY 84

 

 

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Copyright © 2002 Teresa Ann Salyer
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"