PROFESSOR VON CLUCK & ESTHER

 I found my mistake. It is right here. You see the square root of the hypotenuse times the . . . oh never mind. Anyway, I found my mistake and today I'm going to bring Moses to this church. And now . . . (set dials, music plays, lights flash) Here's Moses. (professor opens the door and out walks Esther) 

Professor: Oh, no you're not Moses.

 Esther: Of course not, (with great pomp) I am Queen Esther.

 Professor: Queen Esther?

 Esther: That's right. Surely you have heard of me or perhaps my contemporaries Ezra and Nehemiah. I live in Shushan, which is far from my homeland, for I am of the tribe of Benjamin. As punishment for serving idols my people were taken as slaves to Babylon. After the death of Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar became King in his place. Belshazzar's kingdom was overthrown by Darius the Persian king and my people once again were scattered even further from our precious homeland.

Professor: If you are a Jewish woman, how did you become a Persian Queen?

 Esther: I won a beauty contest.

 Professor: My that sounds exciting.

 Esther: Oh, my yes it was exciting, but it was long until Mordecai, my precious cousin that raised me like a father, sent me the terrible news.

 Professor: What do you mean "terrible news"?

 Esther: The news that wicked Haman had devised and secured the King's signature to a terrible law. An irrevocable law that required all Jewish people everywhere to be killed. Mordecai reminded me that just because I was the queen I would not escape death. I didn't know what to do. My maidens and I, along with Mordecai and his friends fasted for three days. Afterwards, I dressed in my most beautiful clothes and jewels. Daring to risk my life I approached the King.

 Professor: Did you tell him about Haman's wicked plan.

 Esther: Not at first. Instead I invited the King and Haman to a banquet.

 Professor: Did you tell him at the banquet?

 Esther: No, I invited them both to another banquet!

 Professor: What?

 Esther: That's right. At the second banquet King Ahasuerus repeated his question from the day before, "What do you want Esther? It shall be granted thee: and what is thy request?" Then I asked that my life and the life of my people be spared. Shocked Ahasuerus wanted to know who presumed to kill us? Without hesitating I replied, "It is none other than that wicked Haman." King Ahasuerus stomped out of the palace and into the garden. When he came back into the palace, Haman was begging me to spare his life. This further enraged the king. Harbonah one of the chamberlains spoke up and said, "King, did you know that sitting in Haman's back yard are gallows fifty cubits high. They were prepared for Mordecai, that good man that once saved the king's life." Then Ahasuerus bellowed, "Hang him there."

 Professor: So he got hung on his own gallows. And what about the law that the King had signed. I understand even he could never revoke a law once it is made.

 Esther: That's right, but he sent out another degree. This decree read that all Jews in every city were to band together and defend themselves. They were given official permission to kill anyone that attacked them and to take all of that person's possessions for spoil. When the Jews heard the news they rejoiced. The held a great feast and many people of other nationalities became Jews. Instead of our enemies defeating us, we defeated them.

 Professor: Excuse me Queen Esther, but I really must get you back. You see I have some adjustments I need to do on my time machine. Thank you so much for coming. (Esther exits through the time machine) I just don't understand what's wrong with this machine. Excuse me children, but I must return to the old drawing board. (Roll the machine out through the door.)

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