Status Updates From Ninth Witness (A.D. Chronic...

" It's food for the priests and Levites. The rich people. Not for us poor ones."
"Why don't they share with us?"
"The God has given them everything."
"It seems unkind of him when we are so hungry."
"This is why the priests are so fat. They eat all the time while the beggers go hungry."

All was as silent as a grave . . . almost. The tormented cries punctuating the Purim gathering had tapered away with the advancing night. Occasionally Yosef heard a moan from the crucified ones, a sound that almost could have been mistaken for a night bird's call. There was no release except in death for those condemned by Rome. For their sakes, Yosef hoped the bitter cold would speed their departure from this life.