Scene Five: Narration (Based on Esther 2:6 – 3:5)
Hegai, who was the overseer of all the girls, liked Esther as soon as he saw her. He was impressed by her attitude and personality, and she listened intently to all the advice he gave. To Hegai’s delight, Esther was the one who was chosen to be the new queen. All the other girls were taken to the King’s harem where they would live for the rest of their lives. They would not see the King again unless they were specifically called for by him.
Although Esther was now the Queen, she maintained her humble spirit and met with Mordecai regularly to seek his advice. Mordecai had advised her not to reveal her nationality. She was a Jew and Mordecai felt that it was not the time to let this be made known, even to the King.
One day while Mordecai was on duty at the palace, he overheard two men plotting to have the King murdered. He immediately told Esther, who passed the report to the King. After an investigation, King Xerxes discovered that the plot was indeed real, and the two men were hung on the gallows.
A while later, King Xerxes promoted one of his employees, named Haman, to the role of Prime Minister. Haman was a very proud and arrogant man so he was delighted to see that whenever he walked past the other government officials, they would stop what they were doing and bow before him. Mordecai, however, would not bow. He did not have a bad attitude towards Haman, it was just that as a worshipper of the living God, he knew that God was the only one worthy of being worshipped in that way. Loyalty to God was far more important to him than people’s opinions. Haman was angry at Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him, and when he learnt of his nationality, he was outraged even more.
Yes, long before Adolf Hitler was born, this evil man named Haman, had a wicked plot in his heart to annihilate the entire population of Jews.
Scene Five: “The Boomerang Plan, Part 1” (Based on Esther 3:5-11)
HAMAN
(Talking to himself, but referring to Mordecai)
Bow! That means, lower your head!
Worship me
like you’re begging for bread!
Not a single man has
permission to rise,
until they’ve bent down
and closed their eyes.
But, you worship God.
What excuse is that?
I’m the boot
and you’re the doormat!
(pause)
You’ll regret this,
you arrogant Jew.
I’ll have dominion,
yes Mordecai, over you!
(Looks up dreamily)
In fact, I’d rather like
to see all you Jews dead,
then you’ll regret
not doing what I said.
In my heart,
there is a pang,
to make some gallows
and watch you hang.
Then I’ll have the pleasure
to go up and check
that you’re bowing now,
because you’ve broken your neck.
I’ll get the King
to issue a decree,
to give a command
that will fill me with glee!
These people are worthless,
we’ve got nothing to lose,
so who will regret
a life without Jews?
And what’s the point
of killing just one?
Kill them all!
Let it be over and done!
That dirty old Jew
won’t bow at my feet…
he’ll be begging for mercy
when my plan is complete.
(He leaves the stage)
(He comes back onto the stage to speak with Xerxes who looks up when he approaches.)
King…there is a certain people
who do not keep your laws.
To have them all destroyed,
will be a worthy cause.
If it were just a few,
it wouldn’t have mattered,
but across the provinces,
they are all scattered.
To whoever destroys them,
I’ll give ten thousand talents,
and into your treasury
will go the balance.
(Xerxes puts down his paper and claps his fingers together)
XERXES
Yes, kill those from this land
and those overseas.
Here’s my signet ring.
Go do as you please.
