14

Bowstrings, Rope and Hair

There is a bed, a table, and 2 chairs. SAMSON is sitting in a chair, while DELILAH is sitting on the end of the bed. JASON walks in SL. SAMSON stands up and walks over, as if to greet him. DELILAH simply looks over.

JASON

So the news is true. You have returned. There were murmurs among our people, and more than whispers among the Philistines.

SAMSON

Yes, well we just arrived yesterday.

JASON

It is true? You have taken another wife then?

SAMSON

(Gesturing to DELILAH)

Yes. This is Delilah.

(DELILAH stands and walks over)

Delilah, this is Jason. A close friend.

DELILAH

It is very nice to meet you Jason.

JASON

And you Delilah. You may or may not have heard, or understood, what I was saying before, and as I am assuming you are not our religion either, I must caution you. The Philistines wish revenge upon Samson. Therefore, you may become a target, perhaps in more way than one.

DELILAH

I-...Ye-...

SAMSON

(Angered)

You think that they would approach Delilah? That they would try and sway her? You think that she would betray me?

JASON

No, no. Of course not. She just must be aware of, and understand what may happen.

SAMSON

If anything, it would seem that I have returned to have you betray me Jason. Do not think I have been gone so long that I no longer hear news of what goes on. Of your new thievish tendencies. I believe that causes for congratulations are in order?

JASON

I merely took what you left behind.

SAMSON

No. A fellow neighbor would simply take care of a friend's cattle while he is away. Not eat them in a feast celebrating his departure. You had no right to marry her, despite the fact that I left.

JASON

Yes, well it would seem you have a new cow. It does not matter any longer, she is mine now. I simply came to warn you of what may come. And I potentially may have endangered myself in simply coming here!

SAMSON

Well, since you find such fear in being here, perhaps you should leave.

JASON

Good luck.

(JASON leaves SL)

SAMSON

As arrogant as Jason may be, he is right. I am sorry that you have become entangled in my affairs. I truly believed enough time had passed, that I could return. But it would seem that the Philistines are slow to forgive.

DELILAH

What exactly did you do Samson?

SAMSON

I-I killed 30 of the Philistine people. And more in many other battles.

DELILAH

Oh my...

SAMSON

But it was the will of the Lord; I shall be rewarded in the end.

DELILAH

Is that how you were raised?

SAMSON

I don't understand...

DELILAH

Were you raised by these beliefs?

SAMSON

Of course...Why would you ask that?

DELILAH

Well, if you were deluded by your parents, or tricked by someone else...

SAMSON

What?

DELILAH

Well...I mean...Obviously...I am wrong, I am sorry.

SAMSON

...What you are saying is quite unsettling to me, but as we are newly wed I will forgive you this time so that you may learn.

DELILAH

Forgive me, I was out of line. I am sorry, Samson.

SAMSON

Good.

DELILAH

This may also seem out of line, but how are you so strong? How have you been blessed in this way? And with such a blessing must also come a curse, so what is it?

SAMSON

You have become quite curious all of a sudden.

DELILAH

Well maybe I am just trying to be a better wife. Understand my husband...

SAMSON

That...is acceptable.

DELILAH

Good, I'm glad. And of course I am an open book to you.

SAMSON

Well it is said that I may become weak if I am bound with seven fresh bow strings that are not dried out.

DELILAH

Well that is good. It seems too complex for a simple man to perform.

SAMSON

Yes, but the men that wish me dead are not always simple. Especially when they act as one.

DELILAH

Surely they cannot be as great a force as you think.

SAMSON

Their numbers may not be as great since I last...visited them, but they are yet an arrogant people that will try relentlessly.

DELILAH

You will find a way to escape them. You have your "Lord" on your side afterall.

SAMSON

Yes, something even greater than my strength.

DELILAH

Of course, yes my husband, that seems practical.

SAMSON

Practicality has nothing to do with religion.

DELILAH

In that you are correct.

SAMSON

Then I am glad we have found a common ground, even before a battle.

DELILAH

As am I. Why don't you go and rest while I go to the market and find what is needed for the evening meal?

SAMSON

Yes, that would seem suitable.

DELILAH

Good day then.

(SAMSON lies down on the bed, and DELILAH exits SL. Black out. DELILAH enters SL, and walks over to the bed. She is carrying strange looking ropes in her hands. She wraps them around SAMSON. After quickly doing this she runs back off stage. Yelling as she reenters.)

Samson! Samson! You must wake! I think they have come for you!

SAMSON

What? What is this around me?

(He reaches up, and simply pulls off the bowstrings DELILAH had put around him. DELILAH stops panicking and seems annoyed.)

DELILAH

I am glad that if they were really outside you would be safe. But Samson, you lied to me?

SAMSON

Delilah, you cannot see it that way. You are my wife now and I am just trying to protect you. But what are you trying to do to me?

DELILAH

I can see that now. And since you so graciously forgave me for my mistake earlier, I will certainly grant the same courtesy to you now. As well, I hope you will excuse my mistake now.

SAMSON

Yes.

DELILAH

Do you have greater confidence in me then? That you could tell me what is truly your weakness?

SAMSON

If I am bound with ropes that have never been used, then I shall become weak.

DELILAH

That seems simple.

SAMSON

Perhaps it seems simple to you. But unless you make the rope yourself how will you ever really know that it is unused?

DELILAH

I did not think of it in that manner...

SAMSON

Good, then perhaps the trouble of finding it is more than the reward.

DELILAH

Maybe, but like you said earlier, they are arrogant, as well as vengeful people. I...heard people talking in the market...OH the market! I left my satchel there! I must go look for it!

SAMSON

Very well, though who knows if it will still be there. I will try to keep from incriminating you further and remain here.

DELILAH

I understand.

SAMSON

Be safe.

DELILAH

I will.

(DELILAH walks out SL and SAMSON walks back to the bed, and lies down. Black out. DELILAH reenters carrying rope. She wraps them around him; she walks back over to the entrance.)

OH No! Samson! What's happened? Are you okay?

SAMSON

Yes, I- What is this?

(He slowly pulls the ropes off)

DELILAH

Really Samson? You have lied to me again?

SAMSON

That seems rather insignificant to you tying me up!

DELILAH

Yes, but you keep lying to me about it! How am I supposed to know when you are telling the truth?

SAMSON

You could try trusting me!

DELILAH

Blindly? Samson, we haven't been married all that long, and I didn't even know you before that.

SAMSON

But Delilah, in becoming your husband, and you my wife, I made a promise to you and God to take care of you.

DELILAH

I still don't know you! I don't know if you respect promises! I don't know your God!

SAMSON

(Calming down a bit)

Well, maybe you should try to get to know me better. Come to temple with me?

DELILAH

I have tried to be tolerant of your religion, as you are "my husband" but this is too far! Do not try to change me with the same trickery you were raised with!

SAMSON

What trickery? I was raised in my own religion just as you were yours! There is no trickery or magic, just faith.

DELILAH

You cannot call your devotion to a false God "faith"! You are being deceived.

SAMSON

Then how do you explain my strength? How do you explain the will of God that instructs me?

DELILAH

A lie.

SAMSON

You would call something that you can see before you, and touch with your own hands, a lie? It would seem to me, you are the one who is deceived.

DELILAH

It would seem to me that now you call me ignorant. When I am not. Did you think I deaf as well? That I was unable to hear you and Jason talking, when I was right there? Or people would not make remarks in the market? I heard all the comments, and stories. You had another wife, you killed her people and then left her! Then your best friend took her for his own while you were gone. You expect me to trust you as "my husband" after that? After what happened to your last wife?

SAMSON

You cannot compare what happened to her with yourself! She betrayed me. She lied to get what she wanted. After that God told me what to do. And I listened.

DELILAH

Now you are trying to get out of this by blaming it on your God?

SAMSON

No! I would never blame anything on him! Just simply as explanation for my actions.

DELILAH

Yes, and if no one else knows what it is he says to you, how do we know you aren't lying?

SAMSON

NO! No, no, no. Just stop it. You have no idea what you speak of!

DELILAH

Don't I? Our religions have been fighting for years!

SAMSON

That does not mean you can pretend to know my religion!

DELILAH

I think it means that I can know that your God is just as violent as mine. You are proof of that.

SAMSON

That is because He told me to!

DELILAH

But why?

SAMSON

Because you were wrong. Your people killed mine.

DELILAH

So you kill them in return? Violence doesn't stop violence! What else could they have done wrong? Because by the same, you should be killed.

SAMSON

I don't know! I do not give out judgment. I simply do what He tells me!

DELILAH

But what if He's wrong?

SAMSON

Do not speak that way of God!

DELILAH

Because I could be right?

SAMSON

No, because you may be wrong. You may be able to speak of your God that way but we are taught to respect ours. He has indeed blessed me, and he can just as easily take it away and more. I do not wish to tempt him.

DELILAH

Then don't tempt me further. We are having a disagreement. I would be willing to put this subject for rest indefinitely if we showed our trust for one another?

SAMSON

No.

DELILAH

How will you ever be able to say "I love you", if your heart is not with me?

SAMSON

What is it you want, and what will you give in return?

DELILAH

Your weakness. In return, I will allow you to sleep through the nights with a knife in hand.

SAMSON

Unusual. If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me, and I would become weak, and be like anyone else. A razor has never touched upon my head, as I have been a Nazirite to God.

DELILAH

Thank you greatly Samson. After our differences of opinion I have no appetite, do you? And I am still exhausted from our travels.

SAMSON

I am alright, yes, let's go to bed then.

(Blackout. Lights up to see SAMSON and DELILAH lying in the bed. DELILAH is sitting up, SAMSON's head in her lap. He is holding a knife. She reaches below the pillow and pulls out a razor. She begins to shave his head. Black out. SAMSON is awake, and kneeling on the floor. He has patchy splotches, short, or no hair.)

SAMSON

Lord! Oh Lord! What has happened? Delilah what have you done? Why? Lord, please forgive, please. Delilah! Why?

DELILAH

You cannot be allowed to continue. You need to be stopped; you have killed too many men. Broken too many families.

SAMSON

(Fishing for something to say)

But…But what of our family?

DELILAH

Samson, we don't have a family. I just betrayed you.

SAMSON

You have sentenced me to death!

DELILAH

I have sentenced you to your own judgment. One at the hands of the people you killed. Fairer than any God.

SAMSON

(pause)

No.

DELILAH

What?

SAMSON

No, your people cannot judge me fairer than God can. He is capable of forgiveness.

DELILAH

But why should you be forgiven? You have killed hundreds of people!

SAMSON

(starts walking to SL while speaking. This is somewhat of a realization.)

Because I have been following the word of the Lord.

DELILAH

Samson? Where are you going? You know they are waiting right?

SAMSON

Yes. It does not matter. I shall be rewarded. God shall reward me.

(DELILAH runs over to SAMSON, tries to pull him towards SR)

DELILAH

Samson, are you alright? You need not go so soon. A few hours will not matter. Come sit, I will make a meal for you. Don't be rash.

SAMSON

No. It is better I go now.

(SAMSON starts walking again, DELILAH stays standing, watching him go)

DELILAH

Samson, I love you. Will you forgive me?

SAMSON

Only God will know.

(walks out, Black out)