ACT II Zymah enters with a couple of angels preparing for a magic trick. He produces two glasses, one empty, and one full of water. One of the angels holds up a sign that reads “plague #1.” Zymah pours the water into the empty glass and it turns into blood. Then the angel holds up another sign that reads “plague #2” and Zymah produces a frog and the sound of frogs multiplies and overwhelms the audience. Zymah and the angels exit and the action turns to the cast painting hieroglyphics in a tomb. Avi, who has been forced to do outside labour, comes in to visit his family and friends and relay the word that Moses and his people are leaving Egypt that night. He tells them that they must go with them. Romer argues that everything Avi suggests will get them into more trouble. Just then, Ptapateepa enters and informs them that the pharaoh’s mother has died and that they are to be buried with her in the tomb that they are painting. He and his assistant Pheti quickly leave as others prepare the tomb to be sealed. Just when they think all is lost, Aaron, son of Arielle and Avi, notices that a door has not been shut. They begin tomake their way out of the tomb. Once they are outside, they join Moses and his people. Avi, Ben and Romer are walking in the desert contemplating the significance of the number 40 (forty day flood, forty years in the desert, forty days that Moses has been on the mountain, etc.). They are interrupted by a man that looks just like Ptapateepa in Israelite garb. He tells them that he got out too, and that they are having a barbecue complete with dancing girls and beer that evening. Romer and Ben get ready for the festivities, but Avi declines. Romer insists that he is hiding something, but Avi shakes him off. The men leave. In scene five, Dottie and Lydia are getting ready for the barbecue. Looking out of their window, they can see that a big orgy is taking place and they are more than curious. Arielle then enters reading the bible. The girls cannot believe that with all the excitement outside, she can read a book. Arielle tells them that it is not just any book, but the history of the world, and that nowhere in it are women mentioned! They decide to go to the orgy and show the men some real women. This segues into the orgy ballet. At the height of the dancing and frivolity, Zymah’s voice is heard offstage yelling “Stop that.” The revellers look up and freeze as the sky turns blood red. Scene 7: Romer enters and joins Arielle and Avi, claiming that he has finally uncovered Avi’s secret. He confronts him and accuses him of being Cain, the first murderer in the bible. Arielle is shocked and Avi just backs away. Romer tells him that he will take care of Arielle and Aaron from now on and that he must leave at once. Romer stares victoriously at Arielle and leaves. He starts to leave, but Aaron shouts to him. Avi teaches him the word “goodbye.” Avi leaves and Arielle calls after him. Romer enters and corrects her, referring to Avi as Cain, and taking Aaron’s hand in his. In scene 8, Avi meets Zymah who is sweeping up the pieces of the Ten Commandments. They begin talking and Avi realises that Zymah is God. He asks him what he should do and if he is forgiven. Zymah tells him that his life is not over yet, and, therefore, cannot be judged. He also advises him to fight for his family and trust his wife’s unshakeable faith. Zymah leaves, asking Avi to look after the commandments, and blesses Avi when his back is turned. Scene 9: Meanwhile, back at the campsite, Arielle is confronting Romer, asking for her son back. Avi enters and admits to them all that he is Cain. At first, the others are not sure what to think. But Avi is patient and tells them that he has come back to share with them the commandments, telling them that he believes they are the key to a better life. Slowly they all come around, including Romer. They prepare to cross the Jordan together, but this time, instead of running from something, they are running toward something.
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