Up There
written by: Kevin Hogan
‘Robert. Robert. Will you get out of bed.’
‘I’m still asleep.’
‘Get out of bed. If you’re not coming to mass, the least you can do is get up and do all your washing. I can’t believe you left all this washing until you came home for your Easter break.’
‘The washing machine at the flat is minging. The clothes smell worse coming out than going in.’
‘They are rather pungent. Come on, get up and wash them. I’m going to mass early, I’ll keep a place for you.’
‘Thanks, mum, you are a gem.’
‘Don’t you be so bloody facetious. Get your bum out of bed, get your washing done, and tidy up. I didn’t drag you up to be so bloody messy.’
‘Okay. See you later.’
‘Don’t forget I’ll save you a place.’
Robert can hear the door closing and the lock being engaged. He rolls over, takes a deep breath. ‘As if!’ and then the darkness comes.
‘What are you doing up there, pal?’
‘I’m supposed to be saving the world.’
‘Oh! How did you get on with that?’
‘Well, judging by the outcome, not very well.’
‘What happened?’
‘I upset too many people.’
‘Oh! Anyone in particular?’
‘Pontius Pilate to start with, and then there were all those supposedly Holy Men who call themselves Priests, Rabbis, Fundamentalists, and those in the Secret Army that no one knows about.’
‘Is that all?’
‘Don’t you think that was enough?’
‘Aye, I suppose it was.’
‘Have you seen Judas?’
‘You mean that fellow from the Garden?’
‘That’s the man.’
‘No. The last I saw of him, he was collecting his money and arguing with the Chief Rabbi about being lied to.’
‘Lied to?’
‘Yes. It would seem he had arranged for you to be taken and interviewed in the Synagogue, but the Rabbi lied to him and arranged for you to go to Pilot instead.’
‘Oh! Were you in the Garden?’
‘Yes. And thanks for healing my friend’s ear.’
‘Is he okay?’
‘Yes. Our Apothecary says he’s never seen anything like it. The ear was still growing back while he was treating him. He wanted to come and talk to you, but under the circumstances, you know?’
‘I understand.’
‘Actually, I don’t understand this at all. You’re here with these two law breakers, and yet no one has said you have broken any law.’
‘It isn’t that I’ve broken any law, it’s just that they are scared of who I might actually be.’
‘Yes, I know.’
‘I’m thirsty. Could I have a drink?’
‘I’ll get you a drink, but I’m afraid the wine has, well, it’s more like vinegar and it’s going to hurt those lips.’
‘As if sore lips are going to be a problem.’
‘Oh yeah. I suppose you have other problems.’
‘You could say that.’
‘Okay, I’ll put some on the sponge.’
A young man suddenly appears at a clump of rocks some thirty strides away from the three crosses. He looks bewildered and out of place. He is looking around at those watching. He turns.
‘Was it okay?’
‘You were right. It was sore on my lips.’
‘I said it would be. Did it help your thirst?’
‘Yes. It helped.’
‘You’ve not long now.’
‘I feel lightheaded.’
‘It’s the loss of blood.’
‘Can I speak with my mother and John?’
‘Is that them over by the rock?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll go and get them.’
The Centurion guides John and the woman over to the cross, but sees a young man who looks out of place standing by some rocks.
‘Who are you?
The man stutters out his name, ‘Robert.’
‘What are you doing here?’
After a few seconds, the man replies. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Well, I suggest you find out. You stand out dressed like that. If the soldiers come, you’ll be the first they arrest.’ The Centurion returns to the cross.
‘John, I want you to take my mother as your mother. Mother, I want you to take John as your son.’
‘Was that the man they call the Baptist?’
‘You know the Baptist?’
‘Yes. I was down by the river. Do you know he nearly drowned someone the other morning?’
‘What were you doing down by the river?’
‘I was watching and thinking that one god is better than lots of those silly little ones we have.’
‘Hmnn! I can see you now as a man and not a soldier. You will have to make that decision one day.’
‘Oh dear, here comes my superior.’
‘Centurion Marcus. We’re near to the Sabbath. You know what to do?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll be back.’
‘Was that him, your boss?’
‘Yes. I hate these jobs. I’m a soldier, not an executioner.’
‘He said he would be back?’
‘He’s gone to collect your Robe. He won it.’
‘I could see some soldiers throwing something.’
‘Throwing dice.’ The Centurion looks over towards the town. ‘I can see some dark clouds on the horizon?’
‘I think they are for me.’
‘For you?’
‘My time is near.’
‘Are those people halfway down the hill, your people?’
‘Yes. They are too afraid to come any nearer. But they will soon have courage.’
‘We don’t normally have anyone looking on.’
‘I’m not surprised.’
‘Who is that young man dressed in those clothes. Is he from these parts?’
‘No. He’s from far away.’
‘Do you know him?’
‘Yes, he’s called Robert. I know his mother, Alice, better. I made her a promise.’
‘Do you want to speak to him?’
‘I don’t think I need to. I think he understands.’
‘Is it a good view from up there?’
‘Well, I can see several fires.’
‘That will be the soldiers searching for your followers and burning the houses where you have stayed as a warning.’
‘So they don’t know my followers are with me?’
‘That would take a brain. All they know is Rape, Pillage, Pillage, Rape, Kill. Eat, drink, sleep, pee, fart and sometimes wash, but not necessarily in that order.’
‘So my friends are safe?’
‘For several hours.’ The Centurion is searching for his metal bar.
‘I can see your Garrison is on fire.’
‘That will be the rioters getting revenge on the Roman Empire for past sins. It happens all the time. We’re not liked in these parts.’
‘Why am I not surprised?’
‘I just have a little job to do. It’s the Sabbath tomorrow.’
‘I understand.’
‘I wish I did. It wasn’t like this when we knew where our enemy was and where we could confront them on the field of battle.’
‘I think that there may be a new battlefield with which to confront our enemies.’
‘Our enemies?”
‘Yes. When you follow me, your enemies will become your friends, but there will still be enemies to fight, but the fight will be different.’
There is a momentary silence.
‘I’m, I’m.’
‘You’re going unconscious. It’s the loss of blood. Probably that stupid crown, and the beatings haven’t helped.’
‘I’m struggling to breathe.’
‘Yes. I’m sorry about that.’ The Centurion spots the bar. ‘Got it!’
‘Hey, you. I’m fed up with your constant swearing and bad-mouthing this innocent man. It’ll be a pleasure to keep you quiet. Now this other fellow, he’s a different story.’ The centurion deals with the first of the men and then comes over to the second of the robbers.
‘I’m sorry about this lad.’
‘Is this going to hurt?’
‘I’m sorry, but yes.’
‘Is he okay? I hope he’s not suffering.’
‘He’s …’
‘Ouch! Jesus, my legs, that bloody hurts.’
‘Sorry. I have my orders. I need to get back.’
‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Into your hands I send my spirit.’
‘Was that you crying out? Hey you, King of the Jews, was that you crying out?’
‘Centurion Marcus. Have you done?’
‘The legs are broken.’
‘What about this one?’
‘He’s gone. I’ll just spear him. Yes, he’s gone.’
‘I heard him say something.’
‘Yes. He asked his father to forgive them, us.’
‘You know something, Marcus, I have this awful feeling that we have made a dreadful mistake.’
‘You mean, you think?’
‘I do, Marcus. I do.’
‘Why do you think he allowed himself to be crucified?’
‘God only knows. Do you think people will remember him?’
‘Only time will tell, Marcus.’
‘I don’t like the look of those dark clouds.’
The bell rings, the altar servers walk out of the presbytery, closely followed by the priest dressed in his purple robe. The door is left open as Alice appears and closes the door behind her. She slips into the first bench and nudges someone almost sat in her place. As she sits down, the young man reaches for her hand, as they stand together, he squeezes her hand and rubs shoulders with her. Alice looks up to the cross high above the altar and mouths ‘thank you’ because she only wants one person to hear her.
- Up There - April 20, 2025
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