... relative or wife create an embarrassing situation. Even I, hardened by years of combat, was shocked by the hatefulness of that crowd. They had gotten what they wanted. Their king was dying and yet they continued to scream their insults at him. But Jesus seemed unaffected. My soldiers and I, standing as we were so close to the crosses, heard every word each condemned man uttered. Two of them swore at us, as I would probably have done. But Jesus didn't. This Jesus, his face so swollen as to be unrecognizable ...
... , I have my sons. I don’t even know this man. I haven’t done anything. GUARD: If he can’t carry it, you will. Take it up and fall in. (The cross-carrying will be very slow and deliberate. Simon will speak but the guard will remain unaffected, as these are Simon's inner reflections. He pauses after each thought.) SIMON: Good Lord, so this is Jesus! I never would have thought. (Shudders) He bleeds all over. Oh, why am I here? I never had anything to do with him. Why aren’t his disciples here? Why ...