INT. DAY - STONEMASON'S WORKSHOP.
CAPTION: 1440 BC
A STONEMASON IS HARD AT WORK IN HIS WORKSHOP, CHISELLING AWAY AT A LARGE STONE TABLET. HIS DOOR OPENS AND IN WALKS MOSES.
MOSES
Good day to you, stonemason.
STONEMASON
Moses! You old dog, you! Come in, come in.
MOSES
I've just been through town and I can't help but notice everyone is carrying stone tablets.
STONEMASON
What can I say? Ever since you came down that mountain with those crazy stones--
MOSES
The Ten Commandments.
STONEMASON
Whatever. Since then the kids have been going nuts for tablets.
MOSES
They have? This is splendid news.
STONEMASON
I know I'm bloody raking it in.
MOSES
I mean it's good news they are opening their hearts to the word of God!
STONEMASON
Who now? Oh, yeah - your ten thingummys is still a solid seller and all but you know kids these days - they want new, fresh, snappy. Read this…
THE STONEMASON HEAVES A TABLET OVER TO MOSES.
MOSES
(Reads) "I went up Mount Sinai and all I got was this lousy stone tablet"
STONEMASON
Isn't that a doozy!
MOSES
Yes, it's pithy, I'll give you that.
STONEMASON
Then there's this one...
THE STONEMASON HEAVES ANOTHER TABLET OVER TO MOSES.
MOSES
(Reads) "Moses says Relax!" I don't get it.
STONEMASON
Neither do I but it's selling like a hot cakes! I can't carve them fast enough.
MOSES
But these are simply inane, albeit humorous, slogans. This is not what God intended at all – I mean look at this one.
MOSES LIFTS A TABLET FROM A PILE.
MOSES
(Reads) "Precious Sarah, not dead but sleeping". Is it funny? Yes, it's bloody hilarious but it's devaluing the word of our Lord.
STONEMASON
Actually, that's a headstone.
MOSES
Oh is it? Well that one's fine but the rest of them... I simply cannot allow it.
STONEMASON
Oh... okay. I think I can see where you're coming from.
MOSES
I like a laugh as much as the next man but some things are off limits.
STONEMASON
Yeah, I get it.
MOSES
I'm sorry but I have to put my foot down and insist you cease this work immediately.
PAUSE
STONEMASON
How much?
MOSES
Uh?
STONEMASON
It's only fair you get to wet your beak, you did come up with the initial concept after all. So what shall we say, a shekel a tablet? I make that...
THE STONEMASON BEGINS COUNTING ON AN ABACUS.
MOSES
How dare you!
THE SKIES BEGIN TO DARKEN. THUNDER RUMBLES. WINDS BLOW.
MOSES
You think I would put profit before being a... prophet. I am God's vessel. When He speaks to me it is my duty to--
STONEMASON
145 shekels.
INSTANTLY THE SKIES LIGHTEN. THE THUNDER STOPS. THE WINDS DIE.
MOSES
145? Really? As much as that?
STONEMASON
I'm telling you, Mo - with your promotional skills and my manufacturing contacts we could make a killing here. Of course this craze will only last so long. Kids get bored fast and we need to start thinking about the next big thing.
PAUSE
MOSES
How about a... bush?
THE STONEMASON LOOKS UNSURE.
MOSES
That… burns?
STONEMASON
Keep thinking.
END
some nice touches.
But not yet getting water from a stone, which kinda fits with the stonemason theme. Anyway, I'm rambling, nice sketch