Dear Friends:

Please enjoy reading Episode II of Illuminating Understanding. This week's installment is titled, "How to Stop a Murderer".

The heat wasn’t helping Captain Vitus’ attitude. He was ready to kill someone. His lieutenant Mustis turned to him, “Captain, it is hot as Hades and we’re all unhappy about having to baby sit this Jesus. Perhaps you should step in the shade.” Vitus was already moving down the hill. “Someone is going to die today and I am sure this man Jesus will be missed much more than some son of a whore Syrian.”
After Vitus had barreled through the crowd shouting orders at beggars, cripples, and widows he removed his helmet and tucked it under one arm without burning himself. Vitus saw a man loading cloaks onto a donkey and ordered him to hand one over. The subservient Jew knew what to do. He immediately handed over a cloak to Vitus without looking at him. Vitus covered his armor and headed for temple double time.
Vitus came into the market and took a quick look around. No Roman standards, good. If anyone saw him he could get reported to his Centurion and possibly higher. Pilate was willing to do whatever it would take to stop insurgents, including severe discipline for slackers. Pilate used the Jews own literature against his men, “He who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Vitus caught himself mouthing the words aloud. He needed to focus. The man he was looking for always wore a ridiculous yellow and purple striped outfit.
Vitus headed toward the foreign goods section of the market. The Syrian worked in imports and exports, ostensibly rugs, but truth be told, the Syrian brought young boys and girls from the far reaches of the northern Roman Empire to Palestine for the novelty of pale skin. The liar deserved every inch of Vitus’ standard issue dagger, known as a "pugio". He began to work the blade free with his right hand while navigating through draped silks and other fabrics hanging in the sunlight. Everything was light and motion around him as his eyes found the target. Vitus had killed many men in battle, but only murdered once. The judge extended the “gracious” punishment of life in the Legion, which is why he was here to murder again. The gods would admire the irony.
Vitus’ blade was barely concealed beneath his robe. The Syrian was making it too easy for him. One swift motion and his throat would be slit. Vitus could not hear himself as he waded through the pinks, reds, purples, blues, and green fabric cascading around him. A few more feet.
He heard nothing, saw nothing, and felt nothing but murder in his heart. Then Vitus heard a voice, a woman speaking Greek.

“Captain Vitus?”

Next week, “Illuminating Understanding: It's All Greek to Me.”

Illuminating Understanding,

The Cinematographer
Stewart H. Redwine
C: 310-770-0448
E: sredwine@36parables.com