50: Not to erect a column in a public place of worship

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Idolatry and Paganism
Not to erect a column in a public place of worship (Deut. 16:22)

CW: violent acts

1

            the FOREMAN and the OVERSEER survey a valley

FOREMAN
one thousand?

OVERSEER
that’s what he wants
you thirsty?

FOREMAN
no

OVERSEER
it’ll be magnificent

FOREMAN
i don’t think i’m the right man for this job

OVERSEER
good thing you don’t have a choice then

            OVERSEER pats FOREMAN on the back

            exits

2

            FOREMAN and OVERSEER survey the valley

            dotted across the landscape are a thousand stone pillars

            long silence

OVERSEER
he won’t like it

            silence

FOREMAN
why not?

OVERSEER
he hates stone pillars

FOREMAN
but
…
he liked them before

OVERSEER
now he doesn’t
start over
do you want a soda?

FOREMAN
no

OVERSEER
it’s lemon-lime

FOREMAN
what’s wrong with stone pillars?

            OVERSEER shrugs

            then exits

3

            OVERSEER and FOREMAN survey the valley

            the pillars are gone

            an enormous gleaming pyramid made of crystal has replaced them

FOREMAN
well?

            silence

OVERSEER
was this pyramid designed by you or by him?

FOREMAN
these were his designs i simply executed

            beat

OVERSEER
have some fruit punch
it’s sugar-free

FOREMAN
no thank you

OVERSEER
this won’t work either
it’s too
…
            makes a vague gesture
all right?

FOREMAN
no

            OVERSEER exits

4

            OVERSEER and FOREMAN survey the valley

            the pyramid is gone

            it has been replaced by a marble obelisk

            the obelisk dwarfed in size by the valley

            it is barely a speck

OVERSEER
is it a statement?

FOREMAN
sure

OVERSEER
what does the statement state?

FOREMAN
it states that the state is out of funds

            beat

OVERSEER
i like it
subtle

            it begins to rain

FOREMAN
will he be happy now?

5

            FOREMAN and OVERSEER survey along with the KING

            the valley has filled with water and has become a large lake

            the obelisk is not visible

            the water comes up to the men’s feet

KING
it flooded

FOREMAN
i couldn’t help that sir

KING
you couldn’t

            the KING nods at OVERSEER

OVERSEER
thirsty?

FOREMAN
i guess this time i am

            OVERSEER pushes the FOREMAN’s head into the water

            FOREMAN struggles but OVERSEER keeps him down

            until he goes limp

            once he’s certain he’s dead OVERSEER lets go

KING
were did we get this one from again?

OVERSEER
just off the streets sir

KING
mmm
…
why don’t you take a crack at this project?

OVERSEER
sir?

KING
the Valley of Royal Exaltation
i bet you have vision
it’s important to have vision

OVERSEER
the valley has flooded

KING
it has

OVERSEER
what can i build?

            KING shrugs

            then exits

            OVERSEER surveys the lake

            and the body of the FOREMAN

            END OF PLAY