FullReads

JOSEPH.
This time, sir, I will not be mercenary. I will make you a sporting proposition.

POTIPHAR.
( very much interested )

Good! What is it?

JOSEPH.
I will toss up a coin, and let you call it.
If you win, I will teach you the secret for nothing. And if you lose–

POTIPHAR.
And if I lose, you keep your secret–

JOSEPH.
Not merely that. If you lose, you will give me my freedom.

POTIPHAR.
But I cannot get along without you, Joseph!

JOSEPH.
I will continue to work for you on a salary basis.

POTIPHAR.
Done! Where is your coin?

( Joseph takes a small coin from his wallet,

flips it in the air, and covers it with his

hand when it falls on the table. He looks up at Potiphar.)

POTIPHAR.
Much depends on this. What shall I say?

JOSEPH.
I know what you will say, sir.

POTIPHAR.
Impossible! Tails.

Joseph uncovers the coin. Potiphar bends over it.

JOSEPH.
( without looking )

It is heads.

POTIPHAR.
So it is! I lose–Joseph, you are a lucky man!

JOSEPH.
Not at all, sir–a clever one.
You see, I knew just how the coin would fall.
I tossed it so that it would fall that way.

POTIPHAR.
But–how did you know what I was going to say?

JOSEPH.
I will explain to you. On one side of the coin is a representation of the present Pharaoh, who has denied you advancement because of his daughter’s interest in you. In consequence, you dislike any reminder of him–even on a coin. But on the other side is a representation of the goddess Isis; she is your favourite goddess–and moreover, you yourself have been heard to remark that her face and figure resemble remarkably that of a certain great lady, whose name–is never mentioned when the story is told. Naturally I knew how you would call the coin.

POTIPHAR.
( trembling with rage )

How dare you say such things!
Do you forget that I can have you beaten with rods?

JOSEPH.
( calmly )

Do you forget, sir, that I am no longer a slave?
Free men are not beaten in Egypt.

POTIPHAR.
Free?

JOSEPH.
Unless Potiphar takes back his word.
It is true that I have no witnesses to it.

POTIPHAR.
( with great dignity )

Witnesses are unnecessary. I had forgotten for the moment. Let this remind me. ( He gives Joseph a ring.) You are a free man. And so–what I thought was an insolence is merely a pleasantry. But–you take a quick advantage of your freedom.

JOSEPH.
I accept the rebuke.

POTIPHAR.
And–free man or slave–Joseph, you know too much!

Potiphar walks out of the room. . . . Joseph seats himself at the table, and takes up a scroll of papyrus. He reads a moment, then claps his hands. A slave enters, stands before the table, and bows.

JOSEPH.
( consulting the papyrus )

Bear word to the overseer of the winepress that the grapes in the southeast section will be brought in for pressing tomorrow morning. . . . Bear word to the chief carpenter that a table and two couches, of the standard pattern, are wanted–at once. . . . Bear word to the chief pastry-cook that his request for another helper is denied.