Sometime in the late 19th Century
Romul’s Camp - Midian Region - Western Arabia
Demetrios Thessos pushes through the wild crowd. A large bonfire burns in the center of the camp as a large mix of both Romul’s bedouins and Thessos’ men dance around the fire, drinking wine and fornicating. He stumbles through the sea of people, searching for the tribe's commander. He finds Romul, sitting in a small circle with Thessos’ lieutenant Barkava al Whadi and his son Galba, and a few half naked women. They are smoking hookah and drinking wine. Romul notices Thessos walking towards the group.
Romul: Sayidi!
He calls out to him.
Romul: Sayidi, come sit. Smoke with us.
Thessos sees Romul and joins his group, taking a seat between Galma and a woman. Galma passes him a tube, and Thessos smokes.
Romul: Did you have a good sleep?
Demetrios: I did, Romul, thank you.
Romul: But you do not look rested.
Demetrios: Well I have to be honest with you, sayidi, but I do not want to offend my host.
Galba: Were the women not kind to you, Demetrios?
Demetrios: No the women were lovely, thank you, Galba.
Romul: Then tell us, Demetrios. Look around you. Your men are happy and rested. You are happy and have been taken care of, and thi big lug is drunk as a camel.
He slaps Barkava on the back and the men share a laugh.
Romul: Please, you are my guest, what is troubling you. How can I help?
Demetrios: It is your son, sayidi.
Romul: Galba? Is he too drunk for you?
He lets out a belly laugh.
Demetrios: No, sayidi. It is your younger son. Tiberius.
Romul’s smile disappears.
Romul: Tiberius has spoken with you?
Demetrios: Yes, sayidi.
Romul: He can be a bit serious.
Demetrios: That is truth. Quite frankly he was a bit uncouth.
Romul: What did he say?
He chuckles.
Demetrios: He said my men and I would never leave this camp.
Both Romul and Galba completely lose their smiles.
Demetrios: I’m sorry. I did not wish to offend. He has a flare for dramatics, that boy.
Romul stands up.
Romul: Come, Galba.
Galba stands up to join him and Thessos immediately jumps to his feet.
Demetrios: Please, sayidi. I am sorry. I did not wish to offend.
Romul: You don’t understand, Demetrios.
Demetrios: What is it?
Romul: Tiberius, he...I do not know how to explain it.
Demetrios: Just go on and tell me.
Romul: When Tiberius says something, it happens.
Demetrios: What do you mean?
Romul: I mean what I mean. Tiberius has seen your path. You are never meant to leave here.
Sometime in the early 20th Century
Arizona Territory - United States of America
Several horse drawn carriages line the unpaved streets as loud footsteps are heard. A large man wearing a long red and black robe is walking down the street. As the camera pulls out we can see clearly who he is. Sporting a thick black beard and a long flowing mane of black hair, we are looking at Tiberius the Great, son of Romul, of Elysia. He is carrying a long wooden staff that slaps the ground as he moves forward. He gets to a large white stone building that seems to have a bit of commotion coming from it. He enters the building through the front door and we can see that it is a pub. He walks straight up to the bartender, who is wearing an oversized white shirt and a black leather vest, and grabs him by his throat.
Bartender: Please….please don’t hurt me.
Tiberius: Where is he?
Bartender: I don’t know!
Tiberius: Do not lie to me! There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
Bartender: I swear, sir! I swear! I have not seen him. He ain’t been in here!
Tiberius pulls him in close, pulling the top of his body over the bar.
Tiberius: I do not believe you. I told you once never to lie to me. Now, here upon this bar, I shall make sure you never lie again.
He grabs the bartender by the neck and leans in close. He raises his staff high up in the air and as he does, he gets interrupted.
“Enough!”
He turns around to see a tall, lanky man in a long brown coat and tall brown leather cowboy boots standing by the bottom of a stairwell.
Man: It is me you’re looking for. Not any of these men.
Tiberius: You speak the truth…Wilkes.
Wilkes: Come. Let us discuss our affairs in private.
He walks over to where Wilkes is standing.
Wilkes: After you…
He takes a step up the stairs but turns to face Wilkes, making sure that he is following him. He takes a few more steps.
BANG!
He falls forward in a lurch. He turns back to see Wilkes, standing upright, with a smoking pistol aimed in his direction. He falls back onto the steps and begins to choke a bit on the blood coming up into his mouth.
Wilkes. Goodbye, my old friend. Let me teach you here, upon this staircase. Never turn your back on a man whom you do not trust. And what is it, that your ‘Good Book’ says about trust...Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Everything happens for a reason Tiberius. And you just ran out of reasons…
Tiberius grabs Wilkes by the throat.
Tiberius: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
Tiberius smiles as he slowly closes his eyes and loses his last breath. Wilkes stares at the man he just murdered, his smile fades quickly thinking about Tiberius’ last words.
April 30th, 2020
Roof of the Saxon Hotel - Las Vegas, NV
The scene sets in on top of the Saxon Hotel. Tiberius the Great, of Elysia is standing in the center of the roof of the luxurious hotel. He is wearing just a tunic around his waist. His worn but muscular body is covered in a film of sweat and a layer of dirt. He looks as if he had been rolling around on the ground somewhere. He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and then exhales.
Tiberius: I was wondering how long it would take you to find me.
He turns to see a Boy. The boy looks identical to the Tiberius who once lived in his father’s camp in Saudi Arabia.
Boy: Did you really think I wouldn’t?
Tiberius: No, I knew you would. I always know.
Boy: So then why do you wonder?
Tiberius: After all these years, sometimes, I like to think I am free.
Boy: But you are free, Tiberius.
Tiberius: Am I?
Boy: We are all free.
Tiberius: What about Caleb Storms? Is he free?
Boy: I believe you know the answer to that question as well, Tiberius.
Tiberius: Perhaps I do.
Boy: This is another chapter of the test. Another lesson to be learned. Do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
Tiberius: I do not forget. What I fear is that I shall diverge unto a path that is not my own. You can see, yet you will not tell.
Boy: I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Tiberius: And the plans for Caleb?
Boy: Again, you always ask questions you know the answers to.
Tiberius: The fear that strickens Caleb is not the fear of what may come from me, yet the fear of the storm that comes from within. He is moved by the sounds of the devil. He is put off to you like a man who lost his home.
Boy: This is true. Caleb has lost his way. He has become a pauper in his own life.
Tiberius: If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.
Boy: You know what you must do.
Tiberius: I shall continue the war that you wish to wage., without knowing the outcome.
Boy: Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why he does not hear them is that he is not of God.
Tiberius: Then he will burn like the rest of them.
Boy: Amen.
Sometime in the early 20th Century
Arizona Territory - United States of America
Wilkes stands by a lit fireplace, with a look of worry on his face, drinking a brandy and smoking a cigar. He stares into the fire, thinking of his next thoughts.
Man: You know, Wilkes. Getting rid of that man was the best thing we could have done for our business.
Wilkes turns to see a short, fat, runt of a man smoking a pipe, sitting at a table. He is Seamus Tweed. His bright red hair bustles out of his bowler hat.
Wilkes: Of course it was, Tweed. But something isn’t right.
Seamus lets out a belly laugh.
Tweed: Ha! You’re not still thinking about what he said to you? Those are quotes from a work of fiction.
Wilkes: I know what they are, Tweed. But still. Something is very wrong.
Tweed: What? What is it Wilkes? Tell me. What is wrong?
Wilkes: I can’t shake the feeling that we messed up, big time, partner. That this will come back to haunt us.
Tweed: Don’t get into yer head, Wilkes. Just get some sleep. That must be it. Ya must be tired, partner.
Wilkes: Yes. That must be it.
Tweed gets up.
Tweed: I’m gonna retire. Do not worry, Wilkes. There will be resurrections here tonight.
Wilkes: Goodnight, Tweed.
Tweed leaves the room. Wilkes takes his seat at the table and begins to write in his journal. Before too long he hears a noise. A rather loud noise that startles him. He places his pen back on the table and removes his pistol from its holster on the table. He gets up and walks toward the window. He peers out but sees nothing. As he turns around he sees Tiberius, the man he had just murdered. Standing before him.
Wilkes: No! Please no!
Tiberius: You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
Wilkes begs.
Wilkes: Please, Tiberius, please don’t hurt me. Forgive me.
TIberius smiles.
Tiberius: I will not hurt you.
Wilkes: Thank you, thank you.
Tiberius’ smile fades.
Tiberius: He will.
Tiberius points off camera. Wilkes turns to wherever Tiberius is pointing and a look of sheer terror comes over his face. He starts to scream as the scene cuts out.
