Drama: The day we murdered God

The monologue takes about three minutes to perform.

Pilate stands, looking at a newspaper. He turns to see the audience. A letter lies on a table for his signature. A bowl of water is on a stand.

[indicating a newspaper story] I read about the Emperor with horror. I know those in favour in Rome. Every day they do his work. Sick of the violence they commit for him, desperate to get off the treadmill, always fearing their turn to be killed. Do you know how many governors are tried and executed? He holds my life in his hands.

[sigh] So I, Pontius Pilate, accommodate his whims. I write to him every day, I tell him all my judgements, the slightest disaffection, the price of bread and wine. [Pilate bends to sign the letter and picks it up to seal it, then pauses.] The Jewish leaders also write. [pause] There are synagogues in Rome. [confidential] The Emperor thinks Judaism will sweep the Empire. So whatever I do, I mustn't offend. I must be their friend. Caesar's friend.

They bring me this man called Jesus. Doesn't take long to see he's innocent. He's bright... on a better day we could have had a good argument. I could talk to him all night and he'd listen. I say there are so many ideas about spiritual things, and so many interpretations, how do you know who's telling the truth? I'm flannelling. He looks at me, razor sharp. Seems more interested in my welfare than his. And all the while I'm judging him, I know he is judging me. I'm the prisoner and he is free. He's alive and I'm the one who's dying.

For a moment I sense him calling me. An undiscovered road to a far finer place than Rome. Completely different, challenging, opportunities, companions. [long pause] A fly annoys me. The moment passes.

The leaders have got me. ‘Am I a friend of Caesar's’, they taunt? I have to choose between his life and mine. I have an innocent man flogged and crucified, to save my skin.

[sigh] It's a long time ago. Two thousand years. Yet everyone seems fascinated by me. What's my place in the great scheme of things? I didn't have the strength to be good or bad. Would you have done any different?

I thought people would remember me for my engineering projects. Like my fine aqueduct bringing fresh water to the heart of Jerusalem. [Washing his hands in the water obsessively.] Clean, healthy, water, [slowing] washing, purifying, purging... [direct to audience] If we murder God, where will we stop?