1792 Coins

Before you get into this post, you should probably read the disclaimer from the previous post, Bible Babble (Genesis 1:1-31).

Genesis 4:1-26

Go ahead and read through that real quick, I’ll wait…

So, a pretty action packed chapter.  We're only 4 chapters into the Holy Bible, and we've got more raciness than most R-rated movies.  Let's face it, we put this book into the hands of babies when they're dedicated, and teach them to read it as soon as they have the ability.  Maybe we all don't read our Bibles enough to know what's really in there for our kids to read and ask a lot of interesting questions about.  Aren't people funny?  Right out of the chute we have sex, followed by some animal sacrifice, playing with fire, cursing, murder, lying, a lot more sex, and finally some worship of God.  Trust me, they couldn't show this stuff on the Hallmark Channel.  If you'll notice, we've also clicked through a sizable chunk of the Ten Commandments in just one chapter.  And people think this book is boring.  Let's just walk through this chapter and do some serious thinking about how, as Moses, we might try to pitch this chapter to a 'Christian' studio.

"Well Moses, the first three scenes were great, but we are seriously concerned about the direction this whole story takes here in four.  God creating the universe and everything in it, beautiful imagery.  The tale of these two young lovers learning to find their way in the world, classic.  We even liked your idea for the voice over work, but I must tell you, we were all a bit shocked by how quickly things go south.  We don't feel that this story is going in a direction that would be comfortable for our producers, or our audience.  Perhaps if you could walk through it again for us, we can better understand your vision for this portion of the story."

Moses stands up dramatically and answers, "I don't feel that the audience will adequately understand the true nature and heart of God without hearing the truth about this stuff, no matter how uncomfortable or taboo some of this may be.  That said, maybe your studio isn't ready for a true story of God's plan for man.  In the words of Jack Nicholson, "The Truth?!  You can't handle the Truth!"  I'm willing to pitch this one more time, but I must be honest and frank with you, I've got Tarantino, HBO, and Showtime chomping at the bit for this thing.  Let's continue.  It's been a while since a good modern Jewish mafia story has graced the screen."

The scene fades in with the silhouettes of our costars in compromising positions.  Slow dissolves from various angles as the intro music and opening titles roll.  After the intro titles are complete, a stark contrast from the shadowy opening to the crisp, brightly lit, noisy scene of a hospital delivery room as Cain, the firstborn is born and held to the light.

"It's a boy!"

Eve with labored breath, "God has given me a little man!"

Some quick flipbook photos of the couple bringing the child home and getting all settled in.  Fade gently into more tastefully shot scenes of passion between the young, and perfectly fit young couple.  Interrupted abruptly as before with the loud clammer of a delivery room, bright lights and all.  Followed by a longer collage of photographs documenting the two brothers' young life and growth toward adulthood.  Setting up the audience with the basic back story that Cain becomes a farmer, and his younger brother Abel, becomes a rancher.  Both boys have grown into hard working young men.  They have both been raised in this small family church, but this is where the similarity ends.

I know how this whole reality show concept is taking off right now, so I thought we could incorporate this theme into the story here, as a way to take the sting out of the whole 'animal sacrifice' part of the story.  I see a sort of 'Iron Chef' knock off scenario, with the Godfather as guest host and Judge.  Television studios make great front businesses.  All those random expenses to be written off.  Anyway, both contestants are introduced with a short video bio. Cain grows into a bit of a rebel, and doesn't care much for this whole church going family life.  His brother Abel, on the other hand, as younger siblings often do, is a bit more obedient and respectful of the church and the family.

The torches light up.  The guys over at the pyrotechnics shop assure me they have some great new kits they're itching to try out for this scene.  So after some explosive entrances by both brothers into the arena, their grills are lit, and they bring out the ingredients for a quick steady cam walk by.  On Cain's table is a rather bland assortment of common veggies and fruits, not what you'd expect for this level of competition.  Abel's table, however, is a beautiful arrangement of only the top choice cuts of meat of all varieties, he's spared no expense.

Cut to the end of the competition and the Judge makes the call.  The Judge rules in complete favor of Abel, Cain is criticized for his lack of effort and low quality choice of ingredients.  Of course this doesn't sit well with Cain, he's a bit miffed.  The Judge is, of course, a relative of Cain, so He has some personal interest in him, beyond that of a contestant on the show.

"What's up Cain?  Why are you so upset?  Surely you can't expect to win a competition that you don't show up to?  I know you were there, but you really didn't try.  If you would have truly given some effort, I would have judged in your favor.  You'll lose 100% of the games that you don't play.  You can't let fear of failure lock you out, you need to lock it out.  Show it who's boss, boy!"  Notice I've tried to tone down the language per your requests.

The two boys are seen chatting across the fence in their back yards, as the camera slowly approaches.  The camera circles around behind them, everything seems fine.  Just as the camera comes around and their faces come into view, it becomes evident that all is not well.  Suddenly Cain attacks Abel and kills him.  Then a slow zoom to his blood seeping into the soil.  I heard the score for this part and it is really coming together.

Fade in on good old our Judge character, Cain's Godfather, joining his grandson Cain in a local diner, and think mafia sit down scenario.  "Where's Abel been?  I haven't seen him around lately."  "Beats me.  What am I, his nanny?" Cain replies.  Close up on Godfather's face, "Don't pee down my leg and tell me it's raining, boy!  What have you done with him?  And you'd better shoot me straight, 'cause there's a pretty good patch of blood in the field, and this has your name written all over it!  You've really done it this time.  This was all family land, to be shared by the family.  You don't seem to respect family much, and for this, you must pay.  I can't have this kind of infighting under my roof.  You're out!  You're going to make it on your own now, out there.  And be grateful I don''t take both of your green thumbs, you'll need them."

Cain breaks down, a pile of a man on the floor, "You can't do this to me!  This is more than I can take.  You've kicked me out of the family, sent me out from under your protection.  When the other crews find out about this, I'm as good as dead!"

"I can't have you under my roof, Cain, but family is family.  I'll put the word out that if anyone so much as looks at you sideways, it's open season on them, their children, their children's children, seven times over."  With that, the Godfather removes his ring, holding it over a candle until it glows, and sears the family rings mark into Cains face.  "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

Cain scrambles to his feet and leaves the quaint establishment.  Cut to a few years later, Cain has moved to the middle of nowhere, met a woman, and started a family.  He settles a new community, Enoch, named after his son.  After a brief steady cam tour of the home, the focus slowly zooms in on their family portrait on the wall.  The guys in effects worked up a great time lapse piece showing how the family grows over time.  In family tradition his crew grows, each son taking over the family business from his father.  Enoch to Irad, Irad to Mehujael, Mehujael to Methusael, and Methusael to Lamech.  Lamech got married a couple times.  First to Adah, and then to Zillah.  This is where the crews start to diversify.  Jabal, Adah's boy, starts a crew of ranchers, and his brother, Jubal, starts a crew of musicians.  Both fairly lucrative markets.  Tubalcain, Zillah's boy, starts a crew of iron workers and the like.  Oh, and Zillah's other kid was Naamah, a notable daughter in this family.

So then we have a family meeting around the table, and Lamech says, "Listen up everybody, I have a announcement.  One that will affect both Adah and Zillah.  I've killed a man, a young man.  He jumped me and I retaliated, and he's dead.  If killing Cain carried a sevenfold sentence, then killing me will carry seventy-seven fold."

Then a nice dissolve to black, and slow fade in to Adam and Eve's place.  I am still claiming veto power on the 'Meanwhile...' subtitle, I think it cheapens the effect.  So now a nice symbolic return to the familiar bedroom scene between Adam and Eve, interrupted in like fashion by the sudden barrage of delivery room sounds and bright light.

"It's a boy!"

Eve with labored breath, "God has given me a son!  Seth will be Abel's replacement, his legacy."

Right back to the steady cam tour of the family home, slow zoom to the now fully covered wall of portraits, as a new picture is added.  Seth's crew begins.  Enos, Seth's son, will return the family's focus and respect back to the Godfather, once again.  Great cliff hanger for a possible sequel, etc.  And I've got plenty of ideas for this family's story.  Just give me the chance to tell it.

Well that's all folks!  Another chapter down, and plenty to look forward to, namely chapter 5.  Coming Soon!

As always, feel free to comment or ask questions about any of the ideas shared in this post.

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