Joseph

JOSEPH

7 years passed

-Peace be with you. master. -Do you know about this?

The warder said only to expect two new prisoners.

The excellence of your work here is becoming common knowledge.

They say the prisoners have never eaten better.

The warder's never been richer.

The Pharaoh has never had to spend less to keep his jails running.

Ten times a day. l'm asked how you do it.

-God blesses my work. master. -As l've seen for myself.

l know that one day he'll see me gone from this place.

He'll have to deal with the Pharaoh first. l'm not so sure they're on speaking terms.

As you see. two very fine specimens.

Fine garments. Royal eye tattoos.

Men of station and breeding.

The fat one is-- Well. was. Pharaoh's baker.

The scrawny one. his cupbearer.

lmportant men.

-How did they end up here? -Accused of theft.

The Pharaoh's bracelet of the sun.

The mark of the true sun god.

lt's gone. Missing.

Pharaoh's seers and prognosticators say that one of these two is the culprit.

Then their lives are over.

Probably.

But you never know what can happen.

ln case they get out of this place and find themselves restored at court...

...it would serve you well to serve them well.

-You understand? -Completely. master.

You do this well. Joseph. and you can give me a valuable ally...

...when the time comes to plead your case with Pharaoh himself.

May your god be with you.

l am Joseph. my lords.

l have been instructed to attend you during your stay here.

Are you the warder?

No. my lord. his servant.

You must be the Semite who does the warder's work for him.

l am honored that you know of me. my lord.

Yes. The court knows how well you serve your masters.

And their wives.

There are many stories that have no truth. my lord.

Are you calling Potiphar a liar. slave?

-No. my lord. -Are you calling his beautiful wife a liar?

l accuse no one. my lord.

Really? Well...

...l accuse you. slave.

l accuse you of staining Potiphar's wife's good name...

...of calling Potiphar a liar!

Guard! Guard. come here!

Beat this man with your whip.

Careful. my friend. We are in his prison.

His prison? He's a slave!

Potiphar will thank me for punishing such insolence.

Don't look to this slave for permission.

l serve in the court of the Pharaoh. god on earth.

Do as l tell you!

You will not slander the name of Potiphar!

You will not slander the name of his wife!

He will praise me for upholding his honor!

Slave!

Slave!

Slave!

IN THE LAND OF CANAAN

They say this season's market will be bigger than last.

l hope so. It gets harder to scratch out a living.

Judah. you don't have the animals to prosper. You know that.

You need good. rutting males. healthy she-goats. ewes that--

l won't return to my father's camp. l can't live with Jacob's sorrow.

He still mourns the loss of Joseph. and the entire settlement is a pool of grief.

As a widower l've enough of my'own.

l will give your camel water. master.

A nice at sight.

A whore. A Canaanite who hides her face.

They're always bewitching.

lt's a strange custom. but it adds to the mystery.

Traveler...

...lie with me and ease your mind.

While lining your pockets.

Who can put a price on a moment's escape from the troubles of the world?

l have no money with me.

My friend is a recent widower...

...and while he may not have money with him. he does own fine flocks.

Perfect animals. The softest fleece you've ever felt.

Though l can't say what someone like you might have felt.

l see no herds.

They're at the market.

l could bring you a sheep on the way back.

Tomorrow.

And until then?

Only my word.

Then you can leave me your staff and seal as a pledge.

Tomorrow. when you bring the fleece...

...l'll return them.

Life is hard on you?

A barren daughter-in-law that buried my first son.

People die.

They do.

But as is the custom with my people. l forced my second son to marry her...

...so that his brother's wealth would not be lost.

And he. too. died.

Misfortune indeed.

You have other family?

Eleven brothers.

Once there were 1 2...

...but the second youngest was taken by a wild animal.

Ever since. not a day passes...

...but my father sheds a tear at the youngster's memory.

His sorrow was so thick l had to leave and start my own encampment.

You grieve as if the boy's death was your fault.

Never! There no way!

Why would you even think such a thing?

No injury intended.

You're a very fine woman.

Thank you.

Until tomorrow. then...

...when l bring you your fleece...

...and redeem my staff and seal.

Until tomorrow.

Pay homage to Potiphar. chief steward to--

Peace be upon you. master.

Guard the door. Ednan. The door.

Come.

The warder says your guests aren't sleeping well.

lt seems their sleep's troubled by dreams?

They're not alone.

Strange dreams.

Full of signs.

As soon as l learned of this. l came myself...

...because l know of your gift for reading the messages of the night.

Redeem yourself by interpreting for them.

You can't remain silent now that they know you have this special gift.

How do they know?

l'm due back at court.

Pharaoh's men work night and day to retrieve the bracelet.

They'll have it before long.

l hear you have the gift of second sight.

At times. master when God sees fit to grant it.

How low have we fallen? Listening to the ramblings of a Semite slave.

The ability to interpret dreams is a gift from God.

Then why don't you see how well he can do for you. vintner.

l intend to.

Be seated. Joseph.

Here is my dream.

l was in a vineyard in the countryside.

There was a vine in front of me. and on the vine were three branches...

...one of which began to bud.

Now. no sooner had it budded than it blossomed...

...and its clusters became rich grapes.

l had Pharaoh's cup in my hand.

l picked the grapes and l squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup.

And then l handed the cup to Pharaoh.

Now, can you interpret?

This is what it means.

The three branches are three days.

ln another three days. the Pharaoh will lift up your head...

...and restore you to your position.

Then you will hand the Pharaoh his cup. as you have always done.

Rest easy. Your days here are numbered.

Can it be true?

Now listen to me. slave.

l. too. had a dream.

There were three wicker trays on my head.

ln the top tray were all kinds of pastries for Pharaoh...

...such as a baker might make.

But birds were eating them off the tray on my head.

Give me its meaning.

l am sorry. l cannot interpret that dream.

You can.

l know you can.

You're hiding something from me.

Tell me what it means.

Very well.

This is what l believe your dream to mean.

The three trays are also three days.

ln another three days. the Pharaoh will lift up your head as well...

...by hanging you from a gallows.

Then the birds will eat the flesh from your bones.

The Pharaoh's bracelet has been found.

Warrants have been issued.

What does it say?

She promised she'd be here!

More to your good fortune she's not. You kept your end of the bargain.

lf she's not here. you get the sweet memory of her bed and get to keep your animals.

l gave her my staff and seal as a pledge. remember?

Come. l think l can find her home.

My punishment will never end.

Never.

l am most grateful for your judgment in this matter.

l always knew. even in the darkest days. that l could always--

Yes?

l trust my master's stay here was made as easy as possible.

Yes. yes.

Considering the circumstances.

JACOB'S ENCAMPMENT NEAR DOTHAN

Now , Repeat everything you have learned. Benjamin.

The table of the descendants of Terah...

...who was 70 when he begat Abram. Nahor and Haran....

Father, You know l have the lines of our family memorized.

Shouldn't l help my brothers pen the flocks?

Their backs are strong enough for the job.