FADE IN:

EXT. JERUSALEM - WAILING WALL - DAY

An outdoor synagogue littered with a hodge-podge of JEWISH SECTS. HOLY ARKS. TORAH SCROLLS. READING TABLES.

Across the plaza long haired, bearded SIMEON BAR KOCHBA 33, captivates an audience of RELIGIOUS FANATICS. He wears a full length, white robe -- resembles Jesus Christ -- a look carefully cultivated.

SIMEON

...perilous times have come. For man is a lover of... himself. A lover of... money. Boisterous. Proud.

Religious Fanatics murmur agreement.

SIMEON

Man is a lover of... pleasure rather than a lover of... my Father.

Religious Fanatics grow restless -- collective anger coils within -- a snake ready to strike.

SIMEON

My time here... is short. My work... must be done. It is time... to rebuild. Rebuild... my Father’s Temple.

Manic eyes sweep over the Religious Fanatics.

SIMEON

It. Is. His. Wish.

The angry snake strikes -- crosses the plaza -- storms the Al-Aqsa Mosque -- attacks ARAB WORSHIPERS.

INT. BOBBY THOMAS’ APARTMENT - HAIFA - DAY

Sparsely furnished. Cluttered with bookcases, books -- stacks of books -- rows of books.

BOBBY THOMAS 30, tall, athletic, intelligent -- scurries around -- talks on his cell.

INTERCUT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION - BOBBY AND HIS BROTHER

INT. MISSOURI THOMAS’ PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO - NIGHT

The studio of a talented photographer. Walls decorated with COVER SHOTS from National Geographic -- Backpacker -- Nature.

MISSOURI THOMAS 33, looks haggard. A life of suspicion, disappointment etched in his face. He watches a television tuned to CNN, talks on his cell.

MISSOURI

They’re talking another Intifada.

BOBBY

Nothing to worry about. The HaDerech are harmless.

Bobby removes a Ruger P95 pistol from his backpack -- checks the clip -- puts the weapon back.

MISSOURI

I suppose.

BOBBY

Can’t let some messianic-wannabe ruin our annual get-together. Right?

Steps back from the window.

MISSOURI

Well...

BOBBY

Trust me. Besides, there’s something I want to show you. Something special. I think.

Picks up a leather bound journal from the desk.

MISSOURI

You think?

Missouri opens a desk drawer, removes a LEATHER BOUND JOURNAL.

BOBBY

Well, yeah. I know where it is... just haven’t found it yet.

Bobby pens a few words in Hebrew -- some in English -- some random letters creating nonsensical words.

MISSOURI

A big story?

Missouri inscribes a birthday card: To my favorite writer, best friend, and brother, Love M.

BOBBY

Very. Thought we could work on it together.

MISSOURI

Promotion big?

Missouri places Bobby’s present in a gift box -- wraps it in masculine paper -- no bow.

BOBBY

Pulitzer big. You staying at the Solomon?

MISSOURI

Yeah.

BOBBY

And your flight?

Bobby shoves his journal into the backpack.

MISSOURI

Hold on.

Places the gift in his OVERNIGHT BAG, pulls out his ticket.

MISSOURI

El Al flight two-twenty-two. Three P.M. Thursday.

BOBBY

Got it. Love you, bro.

MISSOURI

You too.

END INTERCUT

Missouri hangs up -- faces the television -- shakes his head. Switches it off.

INT. BOBBY’S APARTMENT - DAY

A COMMOTION draws Bobby back to the window, looks out.

THREE HOOLIGANS loiter below his window.

He grabs his backpack, races out the door.

INT. MISSOURI’S STUDIO - NIGHT

Missouri grabs his bags -- flips off the lights -- leaves.

EXT. BOBBY’S APARTMENT - DAY

Bobby stands at the entrance to the apartment’s outdoor foyer, back against the wall. Adjusts his glasses -- takes a deep breath -- peeks around the corner.

Three Hooligans -- a Greek monk, dressed in black, gold cross around his neck, a man in Traditional Arab robes, another dressed in Western Clothes -- laugh at an unheard joke.

Bobby dashes from the foyer, crosses a busy street.

Greek Monk spots him -- points to Bobby’s apartment -- shoves Western Clothes in that direction.

Greek Monk, Traditional Arab race after Bobby.

INT. JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - NIGHT

Missouri races through the CROWDED terminal. Stops to check his flight on the monitor. Jogs off.

EXT. HAIFA STREET - DAY

Bobby sprints down the crowded street -- makes a sharp left into an alley -- right into another. Left again, enters a

DRY GOODS STORE

Bobby stops.

THREE OLD MEN look up.

Bobby makes his apologies in Hebrew -- strides across the store -- enters a back room.

INT. EL AL AIRCRAFT - NIGHT

Missouri finishes a magazine, stuffs it in the seat pocket. He reaches up -- extinguishes the overhead light -- gets comfortable.

EXT. HAIFA STREET - DAY

Bobby exits the store. Looks up the street. Heads right.

INT. HAIFA COFFEE SHOP

Bobby enters -- looks around -- backs into a corner. Watches foot-traffic through the window.

Greek Monk, Traditional Arab jog by, stop. Greek Monk points across the street. Traditional Arab crosses.

Greek Monk turns -- peers into the coffee shop -- leaves.

Bobby adjusts his glasses, takes a seat.

CHUBBY OWNER waddles over -- takes Bobby’s order -- leaves. Bobby digs in his backpack -- removes pen, paper -- writes.

EXT. HAIFA POST OFFICE

Bobby exits -- checks his surroundings -- notes the time. He marches down the street.

EXT. HAIFA SCOOTER RENTAL

Bobby hands a YOUNG BOY money. Straps his stuffed backpack to the bike -- mounts the scooter -- rides off.

INT. EL AL AIRCRAFT - NIGHT

A FLIGHT ATTENDANT holds a dinner tray in one hand, wakes Missouri with the other.

He stretches -- lowers the table -- takes the tray.

EXT. HAIFA BUS STATION - DAY

LOCALS, TOURISTS scurry about doing what locals, tourists do.

BUS TRAFFIC kicks up a permanent cloud of dust.

Bobby rides through the cloud on the scooter, an empty backpack slung over his shoulder.

He parks. Strolls to the ticket window.

BOBBY

(in Hebrew)

Jerusalem. One.

Takes his ticket -- reaches for his cell -- dials.

BOBBY

(in Hebrew)

Rachel? Bobby. Need a favor. My brother’s coming in on El Al two-twenty-two at three. You will? Thanks.

Bobby flips his phone closed.

TWO MEN approach. Traditional Arab, Greek Monk.

Bobby looks up--

--too late.

They grab him. Bobby struggles, but to no avail.

Traditional Arab drags Bobby into the alley. Both men beat the shit out of him -- rip open his backpack -- rifle his pockets.

Traditional Arab removes a small scrap of paper -- gives it a quick glance -- shoves it in his pocket.