The Book of Clarence 2024

The story unfolds through a series of interwoven vignettes, punctuated by titles reminiscent of the Ten Commandments: “The 13th Apostle”, “The New Messiah”, and “The Crucifixion.” Set against the backdrop of A.D. 33 Jerusalem, a desperate character named Clarence finds himself struggling to survive, his fate closely intertwined with that of his friend, Elijah.

Their misfortunes, including a disastrous chariot race involving Mary Magdalene, serve as ominous signs of trouble ahead. Together, they face numerous challenges: darts thrown by gypsies and a narrow escape from trampling the unfortunate Benjamin, a filthy beggar. Clarence’s troubles multiply as he falls deeper into debt with the merciless loan shark Jedediah the Terrible, whose sister Varinia captures his secret affection. Compounding their struggles, Roman soldiers unjustly accuse Clarence and Elijah of theft, subjecting them to racial profiling.

As Clarence navigates this perilous world, his moral compass begins to waver. A habitual smoker of marijuana and a thief of honey wine, he succumbs to opium one fateful day, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of fellow addicts. In a moment of clarity, he dreams of becoming a false messiah, hoping to ride Jesus Christ’s rising fame to erase his debts and garner fame.

John the Baptist, however, is unimpressed by Clarence’s duplicity when he visits the baptism site. Undeterred, Clarence pitches his scheme to the Twelve Apostles, only to meet with mockery and disdain. His twin brother Thomas, a member of the Twelve, dismisses him, embittered by their troubled history.

As tensions escalate, Judas Iscariot proposes that Clarence earn his stripes by liberating a group of gladiators, presenting him with a chance to prove himself. Seizing this opportunity, Clarence approaches the gladiators’ owner to negotiate their release. However, the owner has ulterior motives, offering to let the gladiators go if they defeat Clarence in combat or face the formidable Barabbas the Immortal.

Using cunning and strategy, Clarence triumphs, securing the gladiators’ freedom along with that of Barabbas, who becomes an unexpected ally. As their adventures unfold, Clarence begins performing “miracles,” such as resurrecting Elijah, leading to wealth accumulation.

Despite his growing success as a self-styled messiah, Clarence’s true motivations remain clouded. He and Barabbas consult Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, seeking advice on replicating their son’s miracles. To their dismay, the couple reminds them that Jesus is a true figure of faith, not a fraud.

As the drama reaches its peak, Clarence must face the repercussions of his actions, including the debts owed to Jedediah and the resentment of those deceived by his false claims. When Mary Magdalene is condemned to death by stoning due to the Roman occupation’s influence, Elijah bravely steps in to protect her. Jesus, however, intervenes, miraculously pausing the stones mid-air and admonishing the accusers for their own sins. With a display of divine power, he heals Mary, solidifying Elijah’s faith.

In the shadows, betrayal brews as Varinia breaks Clarence’s trust at an extravagant event while Jedediah lurks nearby to claim payment from the unsuspecting entertainers. The Romans, eager to exploit the situation, align with Jedediah, yet Barabbas stands resolute, defying Clarence’s pleas to escape.

Wounded by Roman spears, Barabbas astonishingly survives, avenging himself upon the centurion sent to kill him. Jedediah is impressed by his resilience, leading to a brief reconciliation with Clarence, but this fragile peace shatters as the Romans apprehend Clarence for being a possible threat to their rule.

During an interrogation led by Pontius Pilate, Clarence confesses his deception, declaring himself a charlatan rather than the supposed messiah. Still, Pilate offers him hope, challenging him to walk across a nearby pool as a test of his supposed divinity. To his astonishment, Clarence succeeds, yet Pilate remains unmoved, sentencing him to crucifixion.

In the prison cell, Varinia visits Clarence, sharing a tender kiss that evokes memories of their betrayal. Thomas also visits, seeking to mend fences over past grievances. Meanwhile, Pilate dismisses Jesus’ teachings of equality and humanity as mere illusions, prompting Clarence to mock the Romans’ tendency to depict their leaders in revealing ways.

While Jesus distributes coins to the needy, he empowers Benjamin to enhance his wealth, which leads to unexpected attention from the Romans, who mistake him for another messianic figure. As Clarence nears the cross, he is flanked by Amina, Elijah, and Barabbas, all witnessing his final moments. In an unexpected twist, Cabbage, a spirited gypsy, offers assistance in carrying Clarence’s heavy burdens.

During this somber procession, Benjamin, crucified alongside Clarence, laments an artist capturing his likeness on canvas, a depiction eerily similar to traditional images of Jesus. In a poignant moment, Jesus gathers his mournful disciples, foretelling his betrayal and death, but also his resurrection.

Later, he visits Clarence’s tomb, forgiving his earlier doubt and restoring him to life, healing the wounds inflicted by Roman tyranny. As Clarence rises from his grave, his eyes filled with newfound enlightenment, he transforms from a mere believer into one who truly “knows,” radiating an illuminating smile that dispels the surrounding darkness.