El Filibusterismo Kabanata 21 Script -

A gift. A reminder that some forms cannot be changed – only shattered.

(voice barely a whisper) You are no jeweler.

A commission, yes. I need a poet’s eye. (He holds the ruby to the lamp.) What do you see?

(turning back to his gems) No. I am what the friars made. And soon, they will see their masterpiece. El Filibusterismo Kabanata 21 Script

And love? Has love ever stopped a firing squad? (He walks to the window, opens it to the rain.) The rain will fall whether you are good or evil. The question is: will you build a dam, or will you drown?

(trembling but defiant) Then we will be different. We will be smarter. We will use the pen, not the sword.

(firmly) I will not help you. I would rather be a fool with a clean heart than a wise man with a grave. A gift

(standing, walking toward a globe) I would have you see . Look here – this globe. Europe, America, Asia. Where is the Philippines?

Your servant said it was urgent. Something about… a commission?

(End of article.)

A stone. Beautiful, but cold.

(Silence. Isagani steps back.)