Subsidium

Scene 1
(Gabriel sits in his office, clearly disturbed. Azrael quietly knocks on the door.)

Gabriel: Yeah?

Azrael: Can I come in?

Gabriel: S’unlocked.

(Azrael enters. Azrael looks pale and equally as disturbed as Gabriel, perhaps more so. Gabriel forces himself to smile.)

Gabriel: Are you okay?

Azrael: Not at all. (He sits down on the floor and leans against Gabriel’s desk.) That-that- I don’t know what I just did.

Gabriel: (Bitterly.) Genocide, but through no fault of your own.

(There is a long silence. Gabriel then sits down on the floor across from Azrael.)

Gabriel: You wanna talk about it?

Azrael: (Avoiding eye contact.) There’s nothing I can say that changes what happened. I mean, shit, I was acting on orders. That justifies it a little bit, right?

(Gabriel sighs.)

Gabriel: No, it doesn’t. You could have said no.

(Azrael glares at Gabriel. Gabriel hangs his head.)

Gabriel: Okay, you’re right. You couldn’t have. You were a tool.

Azrael: Tell me about it. It’s like, my entire job, I’m just God’s way of venting. And God’s way of venting involves mindless mass slaughter.

Gabriel: I know Azrael, I know. And the mindless slaughter of innocent Egyptian children…(He trails off and runs a hand through his hair.) It’s not right. Or fair. Or even close to justice.

Azrael: We’re so fucking helpless.

(Gabriel pauses for a moment and then stands up.)

Gabriel: No. We’re not.

Azrael: (Looks up at Gabriel.) Huh?

Gabriel: I’m going to Egypt to help them recover after all these damn plagues. If anyone asks you where I am, tell them you don’t know.

(Azrael stands up.)

Azrael: Gabriel, are you sure that this is the best id--

(Gabriel disappears out the door and slams it behind him. Azrael pauses for a moment and smiles.)

Scene 2
(Cairo, Egypt. Gabriel walks around a small section of the inhabitated part of town. What he sees disturbs him. Bodies lie in the streets along with dead livestock. A funeral procession is in the distance. People wail. The entire way of life for the people here has come to a grinding halt. Gabriel turns down an alley way and leans against the wall, his eye twitching.)

Gabriel: This is…this is just so wrong.

(A voice from behind him comes.)

Voice: I should say so, angel.

(Gabriel squeaks and turns around. He faces Isis. Isis folds her arms and glares at Gabriel angrily.)

Isis: Why are you here? To cause even more destruction? You’ve done more than enough, I can assure you.

Gabriel: I-No! (He blinks, surprised.) I’m here because I want to help. This is wrong and completely unnecessary.

(Isis continues to glare at him.)

Gabriel: Please, Your Holiness, your country is in ruins. I want to help restore it. Yahweh may not agree with my actions but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.

(Isis nods.)

Isis: Then come with me.

(She motions for Gabriel to follow. He does so. They walk side by side.)

Isis: What’s your name, angel?

Gabriel: Gabriel.

Isis: I see. And your function or representation or whatever it is?

Gabriel: Mercy.

(Isis snorts in amusement.)

Isis: Something that Hashem seems to lack lately.

Gabriel: Tell me about it.

(Isis grins slightly.)

Isis: You’re here of your own free will?

Gabriel: Of course.

(The two continue to walk in silence. Gabriel pauses and then opens his mouth.)

Gabriel: Are the other pantheons helping you guys to recover too?

Isis: No. And most of them probably won’t unless we demand it of them, sign a pact and all that bullshit that goes with it. Heaven forbid that someone decides to act selflessly and help out another pantheon.

Gabriel: (Timid.) Oh. I didn’t realize the relationships between the pantheons was so fragile.

Isis: It’s more like nonexistent. You don’t get out much, do you, Gabriel?

Gabriel: Er, I’m afraid not. I’m usually just in my office working on paperwork.

Isis: How fun.

(The two walk into a main drag and sit down on a bench. Gabriel looks around. It is night. This section of the city seems almost unaffected, save the bloody water in the nile and the scent of rotting fish.)

Gabriel: I wish I had come at a better time. It looks so pretty here.

Isis: It is. (She sighs.) It’s going to take us decades to recover. This insanity has affected the entire country. The economy, the leadership, the food and water supply is completely fucked. (She looks at him.) We’ve got no idea about where to even start.

Gabriel: What about the water supply? That seems the most important, if you ask me.

Isis: The water comes from the Mediterranean. It’ll take a month to flush out all the blood.

Gabriel: A month? That can’t be right…

Isis: Afraid so.

Gabriel: Lemme try something.

(Gabriel stands up and walks towards the water. Isis follows him curious. Gabriel walks into the Nile, up to his ankles and closes his eyes. He begins to move his arms about, causing the water to stir. Suddenly the filth of a section of the water rises out of the nile itself, as if Gabriel is skimming the top off the water. He then makes a throwing motion and the filth splashes onto the side of the Nile. He then opens his eyes and turns to Isis.)

Gabriel: It’s a bit time consuming but it gets the job done!

Isis: That was impressive. How’d you do that?

Gabriel: Years of training. (He smiles.) I can try and do larger sections, I just wanted to see if this would even work.

(Isis nods.)

Isis: Do that and I will consult the other Gods of Egypt about what to do next. (She beams.) Thank you.

Gabriel: Of course!

(Isis disappears. Gabriel wades back into the water and begins his arm movements again.)

Scene 3

(Egyptian Pantheon hall. The hall is lavishly decorated in paintings and hieroglyphs associated with Egypt. Around a long square table sit the following gods: Ra, Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Horus, Thoth, Bast, Hathor and Ma’at along with a host of other deities. The ones cited here are generally the major ones.)

Ra: Wait, wait, wait, so do we even have a death toll yet?

Anubis: It is well over 10,000. Beyond that, I can’t give a number until the dead are properly buried.

Osiris: He’s right.

Ra: Fantastic. (Ra rubs the bridge of his nose.) Now, what about reconstruction?

Thoth: Suffice to say, these plagues have decimated the entire Egyptian way of life. Economy, food and so forth. We don’t even posses clean drinking water to sustain life. If we don’t act fast many more will die.

Bast: Dead bodies everywhere don’t help the situation.

Ma’at: Embalmers will be overloaded, of course, so there will be a lot of rotting bodies.

Horus: And those bodies will be dumped in the Nile, thus perpetuating even more death.

Isis: Actually, the water situation isn’t as bad as you think.

Anubis: Hmm?

Isis: While I was out this evening one of Yahweh’s angels was in Cairo of his own free will to help make amends for the plague. It’s personal, of course, not offical. It turns out that his powers can separate the impurities from the water in the Nile. He is cleaning it as we speak.

Ra: You let one of Yahweh’s servants remain in our land unattended?

Thoth: That was not a very smart move.

Horus: Not at all. What if he just adds insult to injury?

Osiris: Oy! Don’t jump to conclusions. We all know that the sons and daughters of Yahweh do not reflect the opinions of Yahweh itself.

Anubis: I’ve had some dealings with the angels before. Which one was it?

Isis: Gabriel. Said his function was mercy.

Anubis: Then everyone needs to calm down. I’ve met Gabriel several times in my line of work. He’s acting in earnest.

Ra: I still don’t like the idea.

Thoth: If he is acting in earnest that makes him the only being outside of our own pantheon who is offering to help us recover.

Ma’at: It’d be stupid of us to not accept the assistance.

Osiris: It’s also one less thing to worry about. We just need to make sure bodies aren’t dumped in the river.

Horus: Easily done. I can do surveillance and take the bodies out whenever I see them.

Bast: This solves the problem of clean water. What about food and livestock?

Ra: That’s going to be harder because of the flooding.

(They continue.)

Scene 4

(Sunrise, Cairo. Gabriel is still in the Nile, flailing his arms about and removing water impurities. However the impurities are now very far down south in the Nile. The water around him sparkles pure blue in the rising sun. Isis stands on the bank, watching him work. Gabriel continues for a few more movements and then raises his arms. The water around him shoots into the air. He then brings them down and the water sinks. The water is completely clean of dead fish, blood and the like. He then turns around and notices Isis. He walks over looking tired but satisfied.)

Gabriel It’s clean. All of the river. From the delta down to Luxor.

Isis: All of that in one night? (She ogles at him.) That is amazing.

Gabriel: Thank you. (He sits down.) Sorry, but I’m kinda pooped.

(Isis sits down next to him.)

Isis: I understand. (She pauses for a moment.) Do you still want to help?

Gabriel: Of course! (He smiles.)

Isis: We’re still trying to figure out the best way to get the entire country on track, but we think it’d be best for now if you worked in a small area and helped one town get back on its feet.

Gabriel: You mean live on Earth? (He blinks, surprised.)

Isis: Can you not do it? I mean, I understand but--

Gabriel: No, no! That’d be amazing! (He grins broadly.) What town?

Isis: Anubis will take you there tomorrow. Until then, I suggest you try and sleep. You look like you’re gonna pass out.

Gabriel: Do I?

Isis: Indeed. Meet Anubis at this spot tomorrow at sunrise. Good luck! (She smiles and hugs him. Gabriel hugs back.)

Gabriel: Thank you. (He teleports off.)

Scene 5

(Heaven. Uriel’s office. Uriel and Jophiel are talking over cups of coffee. There’s a knock at the door. Enter Michael.)

Uriel: Hey man. What’s up?

Michael: (Worried.) Have either of you seen Gabriel?

Jophiel: Not today, why?

Michael: It looks like he’s been missing for a day or two. And what with the Egypt flare up--

Uriel: I’m sure he’s just keeping out of it. Did you phone his house?

Michael: Phone it? I used my spare key to go in and look for him.

Jophiel: Bit of an invasion of privacy there.

Michael: But with good reason. Anyway, he wasn’t there. I went around dinner time when I knew he would be home but--

Uriel: That is uncharacteristic of him. Where do you think he is?

Michael: That’s what I came to ask you. Any ideas?

Jophiel: Knowing Gabriel, he’s probably in Egypt.

(Michael’s face wrinkles in disgust. Uriel nods in agreement with Jophiel.)

Uriel: It would make sense. What, after the plagues and everything. Probably trying to help them rebuild.

Michael: Now why would he do that? Those people enslaved Yahweh’s chosen group.

Jophiel: Think about it for a second, would you? Angel of mercy. He’s bound to be sympathetic to the people affected by this disaster. I mean their entire society just got demolished.

Michael: Still, I don’t really think he should be down there.

Uriel: Fine. You find him and try and convince him of that.

(Michael opens his mouth to respond when his cell phone rings. He answers it.)

Michael: ‘Llo? (Beat.) Yeah Metatron, be right there. (He hangs up.) Metatron wants to talk to me for some reason. I’ll see you guys later.

Jophiel: Bye.

Uriel: Later.

(Michael exits.)

Jophiel: Right, so, what do you think all that was about?

Uriel: The phone call? Probably riots breaking out over the plagues. (He sighs.) This has gotten so out of control.

Jophiel: Tell me about it. I want to go and smack God so badly sometimes.

Uriel: Heh. You sound just like your boyfriend.

Scene 6

(Egypt, sunset. Gabriel stands by the shores of the Nile, watching the sun sink below the skyline. Anubis walks beside him.)

Anubis: Good to see you again.

(Gabriel turns around and smiles. He is dressed in typical Egyptian clothes with his hair pulled back.)

Gabriel: Same, although I wish it was under better conditions. (He sighs.) Your job is going to become far more busy soon.

Anubis: (Chuckles wrly.) I have a month or two before the embalmers finish their first corpse. In the mean time I have to deal with my bickering coworkers and family members over this.

Gabriel: My sympathies. I don’t want to imagine the shit storm that’s gone down in Heaven over this.

Anubis: All the more reason to forgo the finger pointing and try and help the people here recover. Better than most, I must say.

Gabriel: Thanks. So, where am I living for the next few months?

Anubis: Follow me.

(Anubis begins to walk north. Gabriel follows. The scenery changes to small town, Chenoboskion, modern day Nag Hammadi. Gabriel looks around. This place has seen better days. Many homes are destroyed and dead livestock litter the street. He shakes his head sadly.)

Anubis: This is Chenoboskion, it’s been hard hit. At least 40 died here, which is a good chunk of the population.

Gabriel: Are you shitting me?

Anubis: No.

Gabriel: (He runs a hand through his hair.) Alright, just tell me what to do.

Anubis: I don’t have any further instructions. I was just told to take you here and that your angel abilities would cover the rest of it.

Gabriel: Well that’s mighty helpful. (He groans.)

Anubis: All I can say is try and do the best you can do. We will try and send someone down here to check up on you once or twice a month.

Gabriel: (Nods.) Thanks. Good luck with the rest of the recovery. Lemme know if I can do anything to help on a larger scale.

Anubis: Will do.

(Anubis walks off, disappearing into the night. Gabriel frowns and begins to walk towards the village.)

Scene 7

(The village proper. Gabriel walks around quietly. No one is on the streets. He continues to walk. He finds an abandoned home with the roof partially caved in. Gabriel walks inside, finding the place completely looted and empty. He sits down in a corner and yawns, then lies down and goes to sleep.)

Scene 8
(The next morning. There is a pounding at the door. Gabriel bolts up.)

Gabriel: What the--

(In rush 3 Egyptian men. They run over to Gabriel. One pulls a knife out and puts it to Gabriel’s throat.)

Khai: We were told that a stranger broke into this house last night.

Rami: Who are you and what is your purpose here?

(Gabriel remains silent.)

Wati: Why do you remain silent?

(Gabriel points at the knife which rests on his throat. The knife is moved away very slightly.)

Gabriel: I mean no harm, I’m just a traveler. I came into town last night and needed shelter. This abandoned home seemed like the safest place. Please don’t kill me.

(Khai sheaths the knife. Gabriel stands up very slowly. The three men look him up and down.)

Wati: Sorry. After everything that has happened--

Gabriel: No, I understand. (He frowns) This is a bad time to be traveling. (His stomach growls angrily. He ignores it.)

Rami: How long have you been out in the desert? And alone? You must be suicidal.

Gabriel: Let’s just say I got a little lost. (He frowns.) Is the entire country as bad as your village is? I’m not saying it to be mean but it looks like something terrible has happened.

(The three fall silent for a long moment.)

Rami: It is. Well, we do not know about the entire country but the surrounding villages have also been impacted by a sudden mess of plagues. Everything was lost…

(There is an awkward silence. Gabriel sniffs at the air and is then repulsed.)

Gabriel: The air is so--

Wati: We haven’t had enough time to bury our dead. All of our livestock was slaughtered. Many people also died, for no reason.

Khai: The only connection that whoever died was the first born in there family.

(Gabriel stares.)

Gabriel: But…the cause?

Wati: And there is the shame. We do not know. No one can agree. Many say it’s the Gods but rumors from the north say that it was a God not of our lands who has attacked us. We don’t know what to believe.

Gabriel: I…I see. (He frowns.)

Rami: Will you be leaving today, traveler?

Gabriel: Well, if the entire country is as bad as you all say it is, I’m not sure. Of course since I’m sure your town is going through a horrible time it’d be stupid of me to request to move in with someone.

(The three exchange glances.)

Khai: I would have to ask my wife, but we were, thankfully, not affected by this tragedy. That is, if you really wish to say.

Gabriel: If your wife doesn’t mind. And I’d move out as quickly as possible, I promise.

Khai: Come with me and I will ask. (He looks at the other two.) I’ll see you two later.

(The four exit and go their separate ways. Gabriel follows Khai through the small town.)

Gabriel: I appreciate you taking me in like this, I know it’s sudden.

Khai: It is better than having you out in the desert, although I doubt we have enough food stored to keep you here very long and be able to feed ourselves.

Gabriel: Your crops were destroyed as well?

Khai: Decimated. But it is still the flooding season so hopefully we will be able to survive.

Gabriel: I could help tend the fields to earn my keep.

Khai: That would be wonderful, but I still need to ask the wife if you can even stay. (He laughs.)

Scene 8

(Khai’s home. A simple Egyptian home, not complex at all.)

Khai: Perhaps you should wait out here while I ask, that way Amisi doesn’t feel pressured to let you stay.

Gabriel: Take your time.

(Khai walks into the house. Gabriel waits outside quietly, looking around. The streets are still dead silent, an eerie calm. Several moments later Khai pokes his head out.)

Khai: Come on in.

(Gabriel stands up and enters the house. It isn’t elaborate but it is nice. Khai smiles.)

Amisi: So you’re the random stranger that my husband has found and yet does not know the name of.

Gabriel: (Blushes.) It’s hard to give a name with a knife to your throat.

Amisi: Oh?

Khai: It’s um…I will explain later.

Gabriel: (Laughs.) My name is Gabriel. It’s a pleasure to meet you Amisi. Thank you for letting me stay with you.

Amisi: Think nothing of it. We’re far better off than most of the people here. (She looks at Khai.) Speaking of which. The fields, you said you would check on them and try and clear out the rest of dead stuff.

Khai: Ah, I did. (He looks at Gabriel.) If you’re going to insist on earning your stay now would be a good time to start.

(Khai and Gabriel leave.)

Scene 9
(The fields. Nothing but brownness, dead withered emmer. Much of the field has been cleared except for a small section. Khai walks over to it and begins to pull it out. Gabriel immediately does the same, working far faster than Khai. Khai pauses for a moment to watch Gabriel work.)

Khai: Damn you’re fast.

Gabriel: I’ve done this a lot at home. It’s a bit of a skill. What should I do with the dead stuff?

Khai: Throw it into the Nile.

(An hour later, the field has been completely cleared out. The two watch the dead leaves and such float down the Nile. Khai then looks out at the field.)

Khai: Replanting this is going to be awful.

Gabriel: Oh?

Khai: Our cow died, so we can’t plow the fields.

(Gabriel nods.) Could you use a goat or another animal?

Khai: All of our livestock died. Everyone’s did. It’s nearly impossible to plan without them!

Gabriel: Really? (He frowns.) Why not plant a small section by hand? I know it’s time consuming, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

(Khai nods in agreement.)

Khai: I will go get the equipment. It may go faster, since there are two of us.

(Khai walks off. Gabriel looks around the field and then up at the sun.)

Gabriel: Well Ra, so far so good? (He chuckles to himself.)

Scene 10
(That evening. Gabriel helps Amisi by clearing off the table.)

Amisi: I must as Gabriel, where are you from? I’ve never seen anyone with hair your color.

Gabriel: Oh I’m from…up north. Very north. My family encouraged me to see the world.

Amisi: Your family must be very wealthy then. (She begins to clean out the dishes.)

Gabriel: Well, we do enough to get by. The meal was delicious, by the way.

Amisi: Thank you. (She laughs.) I’m amazed you haven’t cut your hair by now.

Gabriel: I couldn’t bear to shave it off. Besides, it’s a little reminder of home.

Amisi: Do you get homesick much on your travels?

Gabriel: Well, I do miss my brothers and sisters from time to time, but I know I’ll see them again so I don’t dwell on it. (He looks around.) Oh dear. I think I left something in the field. (He blushes.) I’m going to run and get it.

Amisi: Try and hurry, it’s almost sundown.

Gabriel: Don’t worry, I will.

(Gabriel exits. Khai walks in.)

Khai: Where is Gabriel going?

Amisi: He said he left something in the fields.

Khai: The fact he has the strength to go back is impressive, what after all the planting we did today.

Amisi: Mmm.

Scene 11
(The fields, sunset. Gabriel looks around and sits down on the ground. He mutters quickly under his breath. Beside him little sprouts from the seeds planted earlier. Gabriel smiles and pets one of the sprouts. He then exits. As he leaves we see that the entire field has little sprouts, not just one little section.)

Scene 12

(The next morning. Gabriel and Khai walk to the fields with a basket of seeds on their back and a hoe each. Khai is shocked to find the entire field full of sprouts.)

Khai: What in the world?

Gabriel: Do they normally sprout that fast?

Khai: No, never. Was it like this when you came to get your missing item last night?

Gabriel: Not at all. Wait a sec, these are beyond the limits we planted!

Khai: You’re right…(He smiles.) The Gods must be trying to help us recover.

Gabriel: If only they would send some livestock. What do we do now?

Khai: It doesn’t look like we actually need to do anything. (He is still amazed.) Although a thanksgiving to Hapy would be in order.

Gabriel: But what would you offer?

Khai: I could sacrifice a little of what food we have stored. And well, if the plants keep growing at this rate the harvest will be on time. Maybe even a little bit early.

Gabriel: I’ll stay here and weed, if you plan on making the sacrifice today.

Khai: No, no, I’ll have to wait a few days. The nearest temple is a day’s journey away.

(Gabriel has begun to wander away.)

Khai: Gabriel what--

Gabriel: I thought I saw something in the river.

(Gabriel runs over. Khai follows. Gabriel leans over the water and stares into it. He reaches a hand into the water and plucks out a small fish. He cups his hands, retaining water. The fish wriggles.)

Gabriel: FISH!

Khai: No. (He stares.)

(Gabriel places it back into the water.)

Gabriel: It looks like you’ll at least be able to have a little meat back in your diet soon.

Khai: This is incredible in comparison to a few days ago.

(Gabriel smiles happily to himself. He then pauses and leaps into the river, splashing Khai.)

Khai: What in the--

(Gabriel surfaces, holding a medium sized fish.)

Gabriel: Tell me, will this be large enough to feed three people?

Khai: Why—indeed.

(Gabriel smiles proudly. He and Khai head back towards the village.)

Scene 12

(Mid afternoon. This is the big Egyptian meal. Gabriel sits with Khai and Amisi, having just finished the fish Gabriel caught.)

Amisi: You’re lucky to have seen such a large fish. I’ll have to tell everyone to keep their eyes peeled for larger fish in the Nile.

Gabriel: Sounds like a good idea. How is everyone recovering?

Amisi: Several embalmers have made their way to the village and have finally begun to prepare the dead for burial. Of course, there’s the matter of the livestock…

(Gabriel nods. There is a knock at the door. The three exchange confused glances. Gabriel stands up and goes to answer it. At the door is Michael. Michael is dressed in his regular clothing. Gabriel stares at Michael in pure, abject horror.)

Gabriel: What in the world?!

(Khai and Amisi walk over, quite curious.)

Michael: Gabriel? Are…are you wearing a skirt?!

Gabriel: (In Angelic.) You. Me. Outside. Now. (His face is red. He turns to Khai and Amisi.) Give me a moment, please.

Scene 13

(Gabriel steps outside and closes the door. He and Michael speak in Angelic)

Gabriel: What the HELL are you doing here?!

Michael: I could damn well ask you the same thing. Helping the enemy?

Gabriel: Oh no, don’t you even start you self-righteous prick! I’m down here because innocent people got caught in the crossfire. These people deserve our sympathy just as much as the Israelites do.

Michael: GABRIEL these people worship another pantheon, you have no RIGHT to be in here.

Gabriel: I am doing what I am doing with their explicit PERMISSION. The area has already started to get back on track! There’s fish in a clean Nile and there’s plant life coming back. Embalmers are working on the dead! I was asked to get this village back on track, I’m doing what I was told!

Michael: You are serving Gods other than Yahweh. Gabriel you could be exiled or worse! And I know you could never survive in Hell!

(Gabriel stops. Michael sighs.)

Michael: Look. Just…

Gabriel: SHUT UP. (He glares.) I will be home in due time. Until then I would ask you not to show yourself here again, especially if you’re going to show up dressed the way you are.

(Gabriel storms back into the house and slams the door. Amisi and Khai, who have been hiding themselves in the kitchen, exchange worried glances. Gabriel pokes his head in.)

Gabriel: I will be in my quarters for the rest of the day, please don’t bother me.

(The two nods. Gabriel disappears around the corner.)

Khai: That was--

Amisi: We shouldn’t ask questions about this. The less we know the better. He may very well be the reason our town has begun to come back to life.

Khai: But--

Amisi: It’s an awful idea.

Khai: You’re probably right.

Scene 14

(Gabriel walks out of the outskirts of the village and into the desert. He kicks the sand in frustration and then plops down in it. Gabriel bites his lip and then lies down, staring up at the sun. He notices a bird flying over head. The bird is a falcon. Gabriel sits up as he notices the bird coming towards him. Suddenly the bird is no longer a bird, but rather Horus. Gabriel bows his head in respect.)

Horus: I saw your brother in the village. Do you want to explain why he was there?

Gabriel: (Blinks.) Were you spying on me?

Horus: No. I was just in the area to check on the overall progress and noticed a certain ass hat. What was he doing here?

Gabriel: Trying to get me to come home by saying that I could be damned for helping Egypt recover.

Horus: Your brother is a giant jackass.

Gabriel: (Sighs.) The thing is that he has my best interests in mind. Or so he thinks.

Horus: Wow. That’s…that’s really kinda pathetic.

Gabriel: Yeah. How’s the rest of the country doing?

Horus: The water supply being clean has been very helpful and we’ve been trying our best to get the crops growing again, but the lack of livestock is really having a negative impact on the whole recovery effort. We’re looking to start going into other countries and start trading ourselves in disguise. Bring the animals back, leave them on farms and hope for the best.

Gabriel: (Worriedly.) No one else has offered to help?

Horus: A few odd Gods here and there, mainly from the northern European countries like the Celts and Norse. Balder’s been in Cairo helping the city at large but…well. My mother would know more about who’s involved than I would.

Gabriel: Alright.

Horus: Who actually would like to talk to you, which is the real reason I was here.

(The two stand up.)

Gabriel: Lead the way.

(He and Gabriel disappear.)

Scene 15

(The Egyptian underworld. Gabriel appears without Horus by his side, but Isis is at the other end of the hall. Gabriel walks over to her quickly.)

Isis: Hey. Look, we need to talk.

(Gabriel frowns worriedly.)

Gabriel: I don’t like the sound of that.

(Isis sighs. They walk into another room, a living room. Isis sits in an arm chair, Gabriel takes the sofa.)

Isis: You’ve been doing good. Very good. The progress of Chenoboskion has been amazing. I mean it’s by far the most prosperous city right now. But…

Gabriel: (Worriedly.) But…? But what?

Isis: Trust me, this isn’t my decision. Or any of ours, we need all the help we can get but—(She hands Gabriel a piece of paper.)

Gabriel: Hmm? (He skims it.) Dear Ra and other Egyptians- I understand an angel has been working for you…(shocked, angry) it is outside of his jurisdiction to do so. I ask you to kindly send him back to my care immediately?! (He stands up.) WHAT?!

Isis: I know. (She runs a hand through her hair.) We can’t do anything about it.

Gabriel: But-but! THIS IS INSANE! How dare--

(Gabriel stands up and punches the arm chair angrily. He then slumps down and runs a hand through his hair, clearly unhappy. Isis walks over and hugs him.)

Isis: I know. And I’m so, so sorry. But you did so much for us. Thank you.

(Gabriel hugs her back. They then let go.)

Gabriel: Shame too, I was getting used to wearing a skirt.

(Isis laughs. Gabriel stands up and moves towards the door.)

Gabriel: I’m just gonna say good bye to my hosts.

Isis: Thank you for help Gabriel.

(Gabriel smiles and then disappears.)

Scene 16

(Egypt again, the house of Amisi and Khai. Gabriel walks in. He looks around.)

Gabriel: Amisi? Khai?

(He walks into the kitchen. Amisi turns around.)

Amisi: Yes?

Gabriel: I’ve got to get going. I have a bad feeling something bad happened back home and I’m needed there.

(Amisi walks over and hugs Gabriel. Gabriel hugs back.)

Gabriel: Where’s Khai?

Amisi: The fields. (She smiles and pats his shoulder.) Good luck getting home. I hope your family is okay.

Gabriel: Thank you for hosting me.

(Gabriel exits.)

Scene 17

(The fields. Gabriel walks over to Khai. Khai looks up.)

Gabriel: I’ve got to be going.

Khai: Continuing your travels, my friend?

Gabriel: I’m going home, actually. I have a bad feeling that I’m needed back there.

Khai: Well, good luck. Thank you for helping.

(He and Gabriel hug. Gabriel departs.)

Scene 18
(Heaven. God’s office. Gabriel marches in. He is still wearing the skirt and he is furious. God looks up.)

Gabriel: How. Dare. You.

God: Excuse me?

Gabriel: HOW DARE YOU tell me not to help out the country of Egypt because YOU devastated it and killed millions! They DESERVE help and mercy.

God: First and foremost Gabriel, you didn’t think to clear this with me. More importantly, these people are my enemies. It sends contradictory messages to have you help them. All that aside, you’ve been missing for days! We’ve been worried sick.

Gabriel: Don’t you even THINK about playing that card of reprimand then laying on a guilt trip! I’m going back there with or without your permission.

God: (Deadly serious.) Do it and I won’t think twice about causing you to fall.

(Gabriel freezes. God glares.)

God: You are to take the rest of the week off. I’ll contact you with a new job after that. If you go anywhere outside of Heaven you will be sent to Hell. Do I make myself explicitly clear?

(Gabriel hangs his head sadly.)

Gabriel: Yes m’lord.

(He shuffles out. God nods in approval.)

Fin.