One Night with the King (2006)

Tom Lister Jr.: Hegai, the Royal Eunuch

Photos 

Quotes 

• Hagai : [leading Esther to Xerxes chambers]  You can let go of my arm now. He will be the fortunate one to choose you... He will be the one who congratulations are due...

  [she still won't let go] 

  Hagai : Esther, my arm.

  Queen Esther : [in Xerxes's chambers, walking towards the stool] 

  King Xerxes : [standing in the shadows]  The scroll is on the stool. You may begin when ever you are ready.

  Queen Esther : [glances at the stool and back towards Xerxes] 

  King Xerxes : [pacing around]  Is there a problem?... Did they not tell you I weary at this procession of candidates? I simply wanted someone to...

  [stops and looks at Esther] 

  King Xerxes : Wait. You were the one who read to me before. You tried to beguile me with love stories. Did you not think I had the sense to see through your little parable? The arrogance, you speak to me as I were this Rachel, in need of help to look after my father's sheep!

  Queen Esther : My lord, I meant no disrespect.

  King Xerxes : [walking towards her]  And this is how you come to see me? Your only adornment before your one night with the king.

  Queen Esther : It is, your majesty.

  King Xerxes : You consider yourself of so little worth, that I could purchase your love so cheaply.

  Queen Esther : I was taught... that when you visit a King, rather than expect a gift, one should bring one to lay at his feet.

  [removes her necklace and offers it to him] 

  Queen Esther : This is my most valuable possession in the world. It is my past, my present, and my future. And all of it is yours.

  King Xerxes : [takes her necklace and turns away]  Some would call you foolish, indeed. As they would call your Jacob. Of all commodities, love is the easiest... and the most cheaply purchased.

  Queen Esther : [considerate]  If it is for sale, my lord. It is not love.

  King Xerxes : Even you...

  [moving closer] 

  King Xerxes : Even you must have a price.

  Queen Esther : I am neither a buyer nor a seller of love.

  King Xerxes : [earnestly]  Suppose, my lady. A man offered you a more treasured gift. Say a kingdom.

  Queen Esther : [near tears]  The only gift I would accept is your heart.

  King Xerxes : [taking her hands]  Than it is yours. And you didn't have to serve 7 years to get it. Tell me, Esther of Susa. Who are you really? Tell me of your people. Teach me of your ways.

  Queen Esther : My father told me it takes the glory of God to conceal a matter. And it takes the honor of Kings to search it out.

  King Xerxes : Than marry me and we shall spend an eternity discovering this 'truth'... together.

• Hagai : [to Esther as she is feeding the monkeys]  I am curious, to whether you frustrate me of sincerity or to ensure you're never chosen Queen.

  Queen Esther : [getting to her feet, turning around]  You assume I actually care about being chosen Queen.

  Hagai : I am serious!

  Queen Esther : Serious of what? Finding a real Queen? Is that why you subject us to these beauty treatments? These... classes?

  Hagai : You do not like our fine instructors?

  Queen Esther : They simply neglect to teach us some things.

  Hagai : Such as?

  Queen Esther : Well seemingly anything to do with actually being Queen. The thought well thought; the word well spoken; and the deed well done. As it is said in the great books.

  Hagai : [very amused]  You read?

  Queen Esther : Many times.

  Hagai : [turns away and starts laughing] 

  Queen Esther : [going after him]  Before I received your 'invitation', I was reading of Gilgamesh and the Babylonian!

• Hagai : You read not for the candidates this evening?

  Queen Esther : [sadly]  My throat is soar.

  Hagai : Your throat or your heart? It has only been a few days since your read for him.

  Queen Esther : [walking]  A few days is a thousand years. If Xerxes had found pleasure in me, surely he would have...

  Hagai : You think a eunuch can know love? That before I was a cripple of a man, there was one that held my heart.

  Queen Esther : What became of her?

  Hagai : I know not. I never found the courage to return to face her again.

• Hagai : [listening to Esther and others read an Old Babylonian heroic poem from behind a pilar]  Gilgamesh. In the original. I read translation, never the original.

  Queen Esther : [now beside him, smiling]  You read?

• Queen Esther : [surprised by Hagai]  You have a very bad habit.

  Hagai : The palace is no place for children.

  Queen Esther : You think of me as a child? Well, you are wrong. I am much younger than that!

  [lauging and dancing around] 

  Hagai : How do they call you?

  Queen Esther : [stopping]  Esther.

  Hagai : Curious name. From where you come?

  Queen Esther : [dancing around]  I'm of the wind, whose sound is heard. Yet none know from whence it comes or where it goes.

  Hagai : Well, we gather with in the hour. Try not to blow away before then.

  [leaves Esther laughing and dancing] 

• Hagai : Where are you from?

  Queen Esther : I am... of the wind. Whose sound is heard yet none can tell from whence it comes or where it goes.

  Hagai : Well, we gather in an hour. Try not to blow away before then.

• Hagai : [to Esther, as the other chose from the royal jewels]  You stand not impressed?

  Queen Esther : [shyly]  Matters not what impresses me. How is one to choose when they know not what impresses the King. Will you teach me?

  Hagai : I will do far more than that. Come.

  [open the box on the table and gives her the necklace] 

  Hagai : A recent acquisition, one I believe the King will find most pleasing.

• Hagai : [in Xerxers' chambers]  Queen Vashti, your majesty.

  [steps aside, revealing the beautiful Queen] 

  King Xerxes : Enter.

  [gathers his shirt and goes to her, kissing her hand] 

  King Xerxes : The night's festivities hold not your interests?

  Queen Vashti : It is long since you summoned me here.

  [looking at his work table] 

  Queen Vashti : Your hands have not been idle.

  King Xerxes : Not idle... not gifted either.

  Queen Vashti : You do know why the Princes have asked you to extend the feasting another night.

  King Xerxes : [turning to leave]  Your to late if you seek me to deny them, especially now. With such clamering to march upon Greece and avenge my father's death.

  Queen Vashti : [stopping him, pleading]  How long have dreamt of molding Persia into a pillar of learning and culture? Afraid to make even the greatness of Greece buy a shadow. You know as well as I that this not something that is won in battle, but in the hearts of men.

  King Xerxes : [unbelieving]  You would have me do nothing then?

  Queen Vashti : You're no warrior, no soldier... I'd have you stay... enhance your kingdom, preserve your thrown.

  [hesitates and leaves] 

• King Xerxes : [as his subjects become louder requesting the Queen]  Am I to be a mockery before my subjects?

  Prince Admantha : [interjecting]  Or Greece as well.

  King Xerxes : [intent]  Continue, cousin.

  Prince Admantha : Let not this deed of refusal travel abroad to all women, making their husbands contemptible in their eyes. Let it not be said that Xerxes commanded his wife to come before him, but she came not. Vashti is not only guilty of disobedience to the crown, but against the protocols of our fathers.

  King Xerxes : Tell me.

  [turning to Memucan] 

  King Xerxes : What dictates the protocol?

  Prince Memucan : A royal edict must be issued and written into the laws of the land, that Vashti... that Vashti come no more before the King. That her royal position be given to a new Queen. Someone more 'worthy' then her.

  Hagai : [at attention]  My lord. What answer do I send the Queen?

  King Xerxes : [as his guests become more protesting, standing]  The land has no more Queen!

• Hagai : [to the Queen candidates]  Walk on to a brand new life. The method of your rival was not of my choosing. I am Hagai, his majesty's royal eunuch. I have been assigned to over see your preparations.

  Queen Esther : [to the frightened group]  It's ok.

• King Xerxes : [at the training grounds, to Hagai]  My captain!

  Hagai : Blame me not for this, my lord. But the princes' have ordered us to begin brining you candidates by the end of the week.

  King Xerxes : [quite amused]  You jest. I am in the middle of...

  Prince Memucan : [cuts in with a smile]  At least you'll get it over with. Besides these men might enjoy seeing some ladies around. No?

• King Xerxes : [quite amused, watching Misgath attempt to mount her horse]  By the looks of it, I must be allowing the candidates to keep their jewelry.

  Hagai : [cringing]  Perhaps a horse ride is not the best idea, my lord.