"I hope this damn thing doesn't last too long. I've got things to do, people to see."

These were my thoughts as I was waiting for the criminals. I am a Roman soldier and part of my job is to help with the crucifixion of criminals. My name is not important, but what happened to me is important, and I'd like to tell you about it.

I remember how they walked along the road with the people watching them. Some of the people looked sorry for them. Others enjoyed the cross-carrying ceremony as much as they enjoyed a parade. "What is that thing that the last man has on his head?" I asked myself. It almost looked like a king's crown, except that it was made out of thorns. All three men looked as if they had been beaten before they began this long walk of death. They looked very tired, but the first tw…