PILATE
My brother,
It has been a long time since I have written to you last. You must excuse me, you have always been a mentor to me and I mean you no disservice. The situation here in Judea remains on a knife edge. Treachery lurks around every corner, and we have been locked into running-battles with rebels and terrorists for some months. The people are dissatisfied and volatile. It seems we can never rest. Meanwhile their Chief Priest is more zealous for Caesar than Caesar himself, yet he seems to forget that it is Caesar who is in charge. In light of this, I wish to write to you about this day’s events.
I woke before dawn. Having dressed, I made my walk around the balconies of the palace to enjoy the cool air before the day began. It was then that I was interrupted by a member of a patrol, who told me that this chief priest wished to see me at the gates. It is a custom here that the people may not enter the houses of foreigners for fear of “ceremonial uncleanness” on certain occasions, as if this weren’t insulting enough, I was expected to bend to this man’s beck and call! However, his loyalty is paramount. I sighed and made my way downstairs. He had with him another man in chains, whom I had never seen before. This man was strange. He was so still and silent, but he burned with an intensity that drew me to him. I asked the chief priest what the charges against him were, to which he said that this man was some sort of rebel who was inciting disobedience to Rome and claiming to be some sort of king of the Jewish People. The man looked nothing more than a wonderer to me. I asked him if it were true that he was their king, to which he merely replied, “You have said so.” I was not keen to give in to this priest. If we arrested everyone who made an infraction against Caesar we should just turn Jerusalem into prison. As for being king of the Jews, well, that was nothing to do with us. “Try him under your laws,” I said. “But we demand the death penalty,” came the priests reply, “and only you are authorised to pass such a sentence.” I scoffed at his impertinence. “Sir,” says the priest, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with his teaching. He started in Galilee…”
I saw my way out. It happened that the king of Galilee, Herod, was nearby in Jerusalem that day. He is a slimy weasel and would drop me in it as soon as he got the chance. I decided to give it back to him, since this prisoner came from the province under his rule. Of course, Herod did nothing. Mocked him a bit, dressed him up to make him look ridiculous, spat at him (all very crass) and then sent him back to me. Still, at least Herod and I managed to be civil to each other for once.
Now it seemed like word had got out. The mob turned up outside the palace baying for this man to be crucified. I still could see no reason or purpose to having him executed. I gave it one last chance. During this festival of theirs, which is currently taking place, it is tradition to release a condemned prisoner. I had already selected some low rent rebel called Barabbass, but I decided to give the crowd the choice as to who would win their freedom. As I brought the men up, I heard the cry of Barabbass’s name before we even arrived on the balcony. I pleaded with them that this Jesus, which was the prisoner’s name, had done nothing wrong, and there was no mandate for his death sentence. Nothing could be done. In that moment I truly felt my weakness and isolation in a foreign land whose customs, politics and religion I scarcely understand. I released Barabbass and had no choice but to pass this Jesus into their hands.
They crucified him on Golgotha, the place of the skull, with two other criminals. Before they raised the stake, I had a board placed on it which said “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” I don’t know what made me write it, but it took satisfaction in the chief priest’s protests. He begged me “Write ‘claimed to be the king of the Jews.’”
I told him “I have written what I have written.” He needs to learn his place.
I don’t know who this man was. It doesn’t matter to me, but if he was their king then his fate prove fitting when the treachery of the people here is confronted by the true might of Rome. Then we shall see what happens to their customs and their precious temple.
Still the thought of this man’s death makes me shudder. I have no doubt that he was an innocent man.
How I long to be home. Your brother, Pontius Pilot.
Hail Caesar
HEROD
Dear Alicia
I send you warm regards and best wishes on this most unusual of days. Whilst visiting Jerusalem, the local governor, Pilate, sent a prisoner to me on charges of heresy and blasphemy with a view to let me take responsibility for this man’s fate. Does this Roman think me a fool!? Someone to be manipulated?
This Galilean was accused of claiming to be the messiah and seemed to confirm his claims with true conviction. I deemed him an idiot and had a little fun at his expense. Yes, his words would seek to overthrow me and the faith, but who in their right mind would be as bold to say these things in the open knowing they would result in death. He was a madman, and not worth my time. If the elders of Judea wanted death, then that was Pilate’s task. I will not entertain their tawdry squabbles nor be the cause of rebellion.
I heard Pilate caved and crucified him at Golgotha, even freed that scum Barabbas to do it. I wish they would not bother me with these trivial matters.
I realise that you had to leave because your mother is ill, but I do miss your presence, a light in the absurd blackness of Galilee. I swear this palace is little more than a sewer filled with rage, treason and rebellion. When you do return to my side, soon I do really hope, I’m bored and cranky when you’re not here.
Safe travels,
Herod
P.S. Any good Gladiators games where you are? I wish we had them here!
(By M. a prisoner in HMP Shotts, 2018)
BARABBAS
Dear Comrades!
As you may have heard, magical news! I have been released. I woke up in the cells expecting to get crucified at the place of the skull for the mission, which I carried out in the name of our good cause and which I would have been glad to die for, but my luck was in! What with it being Passover, the chance came up to escape my fate, and the crowd started chanting my name to free me. I must be famous! They must be getting behind our cause to overthrow the Roman Empire and getting behind us!
The guy I was up against was a man called Jesus. I don’t know much about him cos I was banged up, but from what I hear, he seems like he was a pretty good fella. I think he would have made an excellent comrade, and he had followers. Maybe we could recruit them, get them to join us.
Once I was free it was great to see everybody’s face, everyone was slapping me on the back, wishing me good luck. I felt like a hero. A rich man even took me for a meal, right out in the open. He didn’t even care. It was AMAZING after months of prison gruel. I got home and the kids were fine and happy to see me. They couldn’t believe it! The tide is turning. The rebellion will come and soon the might of Roman will be squirming like a worm in the face of what we shall unleash upon them!
Have courage! It will come!
I am ever your brother in arms, Barabbas!
(By W a prisoner in HMP Shotts, 2018)
THE THEIF ON THE CROSS (Internal Thoughts)
Huh, huh, breathe, huh, huh… Figuring out words… that’s how it all begins innit…? What was my first one then…? My first word…? Mam…? Mammy…? Was it mam…? Or was it doggie…? He had a big doggie didn’t he…? That bloke down the street… remember that… back when I were a kid… that was a laugh, big slobbery tongue… then Dad came back and say, what you doing out here… what you doing out here, get back in…how could anyone hit a kid like that… had that old belt didn’t he… no… no, don’t wanna remember that… no…! Come on, if this is the last moments let’s just remember the good stuff ay…? None of that bad stuff… just that good stuff… this is bad enough… gah, I’m thirsty… these ropes, argh…! Man-up, come on… they’re cutting in, argh, mammy its hurting me, make it stop…! Come on Man-up…! ARGH!!! COME ON…! That’s what he’d say wannit… beat me till I’d tears in me eyes and then man up… come on breathe, breathe, breathe, huh, huh, huh…
Who’s this geezer then… Jezuzuz of Nazruz… of nazuruz… naz… oh I can’t read it… king of the Jews… didn’t know we had no king… what’s he doing up here then. ARGH!!! My shoulders! Ah, that’s them cracking… oh here we go, it’s all ending innit. Well what you done in your life then…? He said you’d come to nothing, and here you are… why this have to be so bloody painful…? ARGH!!! You had to let him win didn’t ya…? You always had to let him win… he said you’d come to nothing, and you let it come true… he’d be laughing in his grave seeing you now, probably chucking stones if he was down there with all them others now… Shut it… only the good stuff remember… huh, huh, huh, breathe, breathe… oh… oh, that’s it… yeah, remember her… oooo, remember her in all… oh, remember any of them… oh, except her…. although she did have her moments early on… oh, now I’ve pissed meself… at least it’s not the other… how longs this gonna bloody to take…? Oh, he’s going now… that one on the left… what’s he sayin…? ‘If you’re the messiah…’ oh he’s a messiah now is he…? ‘If you’re the messiah, then save yourself and us too whilst you’re about it…’ Cheeky beggar… worrif he is the messiah… what can a messiah have done wrong… We could all use a messiah now and then… He’s not saying nothing… Just taking it… right, I’ll stick up for ‘im then…
Shouts: Oi…
He’s not hearing us…
Shouts: Oi!
This’ll take all my strength…
Shouts: OI!
That’s him…
Shouts: OI, You not fear God even when you’re strung up! We’re up here bang to rights, but this man, he ain’t done nofin!’
That’s shut him up…
Shouts: Oi, Jezuz of Nazaruz, I could use a Messiah! I believe you mate, cause I could really use a messiah… ‘member me when you come into your kingdom, yeah? Remember me, will ya, please?’
He says… oh, he’s talking now… what’s he say… ‘Surely,’ he says, ‘Surely, you’ll be with me today in Paradise…?’ In paradise…! Ha, Paradise… me! That’s a laugh…. Ha… ha… Paradise, ay…? after all I done…. Yeah… I’d like that… Paradise, after all I done…? I believe him… Why do I believe him…? I believe him… I believe him… I do, I believe him… what’s he dying up here for… For nothing? For me? For me not to die but to live in Paradise …
Shouts: Lord… Lord… Shall I call you Lord…? Lord, is it so… listen me…’
Ahh, I can bearly speak…
Shots: Lord, listen me, I believe you… I believe in you … Lord, I believe you! LORD, I BELIEVE IN YOU!’
Strength leaves him.
Take this all away, please Lord… Not just the pain of now, but the pain of back of then… the pain I caused all them other people… God, forgive me… Please… Oh God forgive me… Today, I’ll be in paradise… oh, no and I pissed myself… how can I turn up in Paradise in this state… shouldn’t I be washed or something… made clean somehow… how do I make it right… I’ve no time… Lord… I’ve no time… to make things right… shouldn’t I have to go back and set right all them wrongs… I don’t deserve this Lord… I don’t deserve this! And yet today I’ll be in Paradise… what just cause you say so… no cause he’s dying and you believed… I believed… I believed he’s dying for me so that I can live… He is the Messiah… I’m gonna die with tears in my eyes… I’m gonna do it… Don’t care what dad said, I’m going die with tears pouring down my face… pouring down my face… and He… and Jesus… only He can wipe them away… Thank you, God…. cause today I’ll be in paradise. Today, it’ll it all be put right… Today I’ll be there with Jesus of Nazaruz… Nazareth! Must be Nazareth… I’ll be with Jesus of Nazareth… Today I’ll be in Paradise… (He is crying tears of joy) Thank you God… Thanks be to God…. Thank you… God… God, the tears are running down my face… the tears… the tears…! They’re running down my face… Thanks be to God… (Getting quieter) thank you… thank you… thank you…
The thief is still. He is dead.
The Bugle 