Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 60

 60.

 

“Mr. Silva, can you demonstrate to us how you define a pound of meat?” Portia Belmont asked. The court had reconvened with the gallery packed except for the missing two lords, Dante Montague, and Gencio Capulet. Their lovers were present with their servants.

A slab of meat was brought in to the court, having some of the gallery murmuring at the spectacle they were to see. The slab of meat was placed on the table there.

“A fine piece of meat there. Will they be giving it out free later?” One of the gathered there spoke.

“Mr. Silva, you may proceed here.” Portia Belmont looked to the butcher. The latter approached the table and placed next to it the tools of his trade. He inspected the meat and then retrieved the butcher knife to slice the needed portion of meat.

“One pound of meat is here.” The butcher held out the piece of meat. “I sliced it off the belly there. It is the fattest.”

One of the gathered rushed out to puke up the lunch content.

“What is he? A non-meat eater?” The person seated next asked.

“No, it was the pie he took. Told him it was stale.” Another reply.

“Ms. Belmont, tell me what this has to do with the case.” Magistrate Javier looked to the lady.

“In due course, Magistrate. I must draw similarities to the items here. Shylock demanded a pound of flesh, and a comparison was needed to be seen.” Portia did not wait for the rebuttal from the other and then asked the butcher on.

“Mr. Silva, how would you take the pound of flesh off Mr. Bassanio here?” That question drew murmurs from the gathered.

“I have not butchered a …… living person.” Mr. Silva said. “I have done ……”

“In front of you is… another creature. If I claim that, you need to get that pound of flesh. Can you tell me where you will slice it from?” Portia went into specifics. “The belly? Or the shoulders?”

“I… I will say the… thighs.” Mr. Silva uttered. “It may hold the pieces I will need.”

“Wonderful, please proceed.” Portia called out. “Bring Mr. Bassanio to the table.”

“I stand ……” Shylock called out.

“Object? Mr. Judas, you want your pound of flesh, do you not?”

“I… I will stand to him being murdered here.” Shylock replied. “He may die if he…”

“Will he, Mr. Silva?” Portia asked the butcher.

“I ……. Think not. He may not be able to walk, though. But death may be a probability.”

“So, no death. Only disability to walk. Poor man. Please proceed.” Portia Belmont said.

“Your honor, if I……” Mr. Silva looked at the magistrate.

“You will be protected by the Court. Please… do the needed.” Magistrate Javier wanted to see how far the lady’s planned moves went.

“You are mad, Portia. It is me, Bassanio, here. You cannot be …….” Bassanio was carried to the table after the slab of meat was removed. “You are mad.”

“Mr. Silva, please proceed.” Portia instructed the butcher. The latter approached the table and looked at the man who was restrained there. He saw the blood that seeped through the bandages onto the table. He was used to seeing blood on the butcher table.

“There is blood. I need to contain that when ……” The butcher was to explain the act.

“Blood? Did you say blood?” Portia cut in. “Hold it, let’s read the notes again.”

Portia proceeded to read the notes on the case and peruse once more the loan agreement. She then looked at Shylock.

“Nothing was mentioned here of any blood? Were you aware that the pound of flesh comes together with blood in it?”

“I… I would have assumed that it…” Shylock uttered back.

“Assumptions in the trade agreement read as unenforceable terms. Am I correct, Magistrate?” Portia looked at the magistrate. “If one does not state that the payment was to be in ducats or silver, or even copper coins? Then the payout, if not properly stated, will be difficult to value? Or drawn a comparison?”

“I……. The agreement started with Mr. Bassanio’s name. And it shall be his flesh that will be impounded.” Shylock shouted.

“Expressly understood, but was there blood to be included, or what if the blood was spilled; would that be harm to another living person in Genoa? If so, the accused would be punished by forfeiture of properties and banishment from the city. If, however, death occurred, would that also be acceptable by the contractual terms?” Portia looked at Shylock. “Are you prepared for the consequences?”

“Magistrate, if Bassanio were to die here, would it be murder?” Portia asked. The butcher had then stepped back from the table.

“Uh……. Yes, it is the result of the… pound of flesh….” Magistrate Javier was unsure of his words.

“From the defendant, yes. So, Mr. Judas, we are at a standpoint now to have your decision. Do we proceed? If he dies, you could be charged with intent to murder.”

“And no blood to be spilled, Mr. Silva?” Portia looked at the butcher.

“You are all mad! I will not do this.” Mr. Silva stormed out of the court.

“Magistrate, if I may say to this Court to state the mercy of the matter.

“Mercy cannot be imposed by us. As we do not command the rain from the skies to here in the ground during a drought. What is mercy, my lords and ladies? In the book, mercy is defined as God's compassionate, undeserved kindness shown by withholding deserved punishment and acting to relieve suffering, rooted in His loving nature. It blesses the one who gives it and the ones who receive it.”

“Proverbs 28:13—No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

“It is the most powerful when given by the most powerful people; it looks better on a king than his crown does because it lives in the heart of a king, as it is a quality of God in them. Therefore, for it in kings, who are the closest to God, when he lets mercy temper justice.” Portia looked at Prince Escalus. She was hoping for the prince to intervene there.

“Therefore, Jew, though for you it is justice, think about this: in the pursuit of justice, we will not find salvation.
We all pray for mercy, and that should teach us all to show mercy.” Portia in turn looks to Shylock. “I have spoken to lessen your plea for justice, which, if you choose to follow, will force the sentence against the trader there.”

(Adapted from https://www.stagemilk.com/portia-monologue-act-4-scene-1/)

Portia then approached the table and looked at the knife there.

“A pound of flesh, no blood to be spilled.” Portia took the knife.

“You cannot be doing this.” Bassanio screamed out. “You are a bitch, Portia. I should not have……”

“I am one.” Portia smiled, and then she muttered to herself. “Most of us are. Bitches we are. Welcome to our world.”

Juliet stepped into the friar’s cottage. It was what she recalled; when younger, she used to come there to play with her friends. The previous friar was a fair man who shared with them his garden produce and told them tales. It was the child’s world. It was in the later years that she stopped coming over and was surprised that the current friar was occupied.

“Yes, this was Friar Gento’s home before he offered me shelter and then his home. He was to show me the ways of God, and I continued.” Friar Lawrence offered the lady a seat. “Mind the dust and ……”

Friar Lawrence saw the blood stains on the flooring. He kicked the rug nearby over it.

“It has been years since I was here.” Juliet smiled. “Was Romeo here?”

“Romeo? I doubt it. He was never here before.” Friar Lawrence replied. He rushed into his personal chamber and came up with a few vials. He handed it to Julier.

“There are two types of potions there. The blue ones are for a long sleep with a long waking period.” Friar Lawrence explained. “The yellow potion is for a shorter sleep, but it emulates death. Your heartbeats slow to low, and the body freezes over. But if you combined the two, it is instant death.”

“Why… How did you get these potions?” Juliet asked.

“Well, the previous friar was a man of seclusion, and he was also a healer of sorts. He helped those who sought him for help, and he also understood potions of sorts.” Friar Lawrence explained, but he lied on certain facts. “It was his trade to learn potions of sorts to execute his tasks. Of late, he did devise potions that healed and some to assist those who needed to rest or die peacefully. It was his way to end their sorrows.

“You recalled the ointment I used to apply to you or your friends when they were injured. It was what I was taught.” Friar Lawrence smiled. “These two potions were for the elders who need it. Suffering in pain is a torturous journey, and I assist where I can. It is a mixture of Atropa belladonna, which induced sleep, but the second potion is more deadly. It was for those who chose to end their lives.”

“I will take it then. You will then send words to the others that I am… dead. But where shall I lie? It must be some place … that is memorable to me and always revered by Romeo.”

“Are you mad? If you take the second potion, you will die.” Friar Lawrence looked at the lady.

“Death is desirable to sufferings, friar. I would rather die than be apart from Romeo.” Juliet smiled. “I am in love with him.”

“Is he? Will he be willing to die if you are…dead?”

“Perhaps, but I am not dead yet. I will be in deep sleep when he comes. He will wake me like the Sleeping Beauty lady. I will open my eyes, and there we will see each other.” Juliet smiled. “I will not take the second potion… unneeded.”

“So be it, we must find a proper place for you. Lorenzo’s cottage will do.” Friar Lawrence said. “Can you hold onto your so-called sleep to delay for a few days?”

“Okay. But let us find Romeo first.” Juliet took off for the doorway, followed by the friar. She returned, citing the need to collect her things left behind. Unseen by the friar, Juliet grabbed both potions and then rejoined the friar.

Was it intentional?

At the abandoned monastery, Romeo Capulet was staring at the Turk. The Wallachian had taken to rest at the rear of the basilica after the meals of wine and bread.

“Who are you?”