The Book of Clarence

The narrative unfolds in a series of interlocking vignettes, framed by Ten Commandments-style title-lettered subtitles: "The 13th Apostle", "The New Messiah", and "The Crucifixion". Against the backdrop of A.D. 33 Jerusalem, a desperate Clarence (played by) struggles to make ends meet, his fortunes inextricably linked to those of his friend Elijah.

Their shared misfortunes, including an ill-fated chariot race with Mary Magdalene, serve as a harbinger of their impending troubles. The duo's path is fraught with obstacles: gypsies firing darts at them, and a narrow escape from trampling the downtrodden Benjamin, a dirt-encrusted beggar.

Clarence's woes are compounded by his indebtedness to the ruthless loan shark Jedediah the Terrible, whose sister Varinia he secretly pines for. Roman soldiers, meanwhile, subject Clarence and Elijah to racial profiling, unfairly accusing them of theft.

As Clarence navigates this treacherous landscape, his own moral compass begins to falter. A habitual marijuana smoker and occasional thief of honey wine from the Romans, he indulges in opium one fateful day, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of fellow addicts. In a moment of epiphany, he conceives the notion of becoming a false messiah, capitalizing on the rising star of Jesus Christ to free himself of debt and bask in glory.

John the Baptist, however, is less than impressed with Clarence's hypocrisy when he arrives at the baptismal site. Undeterred, Clarence proposes his idea to the Twelve Apostles, only to be met with ridicule and scorn. His twin brother Thomas, a member of the Twelve, is equally dismissive, fueled by their troubled past.

As tensions simmer, Judas Iscariot suggests that Clarence prove himself by freeing a group of gladiators, offering him a chance to earn his place among the apostles. Clarence seizes this opportunity, approaching the gladiators' owner and proposing the slaves' liberation. The owner, however, has other plans, offering to free the slaves if they defeat Clarence in combat or, alternatively, pit them against the formidable Barabbas the Immortal.

Through cunning and guile, Clarence emerges victorious, earning the freedom of both the gladiators and Barabbas, who becomes his unlikely ally. As their travels take them across the land, Clarence begins to perform "miracles" like bringing Elijah back from the dead, amassing a small fortune along the way.

Despite his growing success as a self-proclaimed messiah, Clarence's true intentions remain ambiguous. He and Barabbas visit Jesus' mother Mary and father Joseph, seeking guidance on how to replicate their son's remarkable feats. The parents, however, emphasize that Jesus is a genuine figure of faith, not a charlatan.

As the narrative reaches its climax, Clarence must confront the consequences of his actions, including the debt he owes Jedediah and the growing resentment among those who have been deceived by his false messianic claims.

As Mary Magdalene faces certain death by stoning, accused of succumbing to the corrupting influence of Roman occupation, Elijah steps forward in a valiant attempt to shield her from the cruel fate that awaits. But Jesus intervenes, halting the projectiles mid-air with an outstretched hand and issuing a scathing rebuke to those who would stone another human being, reminding them that they are themselves guilty of sin. The wounds inflicted on Mary Magdalene are subsequently healed by Jesus' divine power, and Elijah's faith is strengthened.

Meanwhile, treachery lurks in the shadows as Varinia betrays Clarence's trust by consorting with him at a lavish soiree, while Jedediah waits patiently outside, poised to collect his payment from the unsuspecting host. The Romans, ever eager to capitalize on the situation, lend their support to Jedediah's endeavors, but Barabbas refuses to flee, standing firm in the face of impending danger. Clarence, however, insists that Barabbas abandon all hope and make a hasty exit.

Despite sustaining three mortal wounds from Roman spears, Barabbas miraculously survives, exacting a measure of revenge by dispatching the centurion who had been sent to vanquish him. Jedediah is impressed by this display of resilience and subsequently reconciles with Clarence, but their newfound accord is short-lived, as the Romans seize Clarence, recognizing in him a potential threat to their authority.

Pontius Pilate conducts an interrogation of Clarence, who ultimately confesses to being a charlatan, rather than the messianic figure he had pretended to be. Nevertheless, despite this admission of fraudulence, Pilate offers Clarence a glimmer of hope, challenging him to walk across the nearby pool as a test of his divinity. Clarence is astonished to find that he is able to accomplish this feat, but Pilate remains unmoved, pronouncing sentence and ordering his crucifixion.

In the intervening period, Varinia visits Clarence in his prison cell, bestowing upon him a tender kiss that serves as a poignant reminder of their earlier betrayal. Thomas, too, seeks out his friend, making amends for past transgressions. Meanwhile, Pilate derides Jesus' teachings on human equality, dismissing them as naive fantasies, while Clarence responds by mocking the Roman Empire's penchant for depicting its leaders in all their male nudity.

As Jesus disperses coins to those in need, he imbues Benjamin with the power to multiply his wealth, which the latter uses to acquire a lavish "makeover" - beneath the surface, a long-haired white individual who bears an uncanny resemblance to traditional depictions of Jesus. Benjamin proceeds to distribute his newfound riches with abandon, drawing the attention of the Romans, who mistakenly believe him to be another would-be messiah.

As Clarence approaches the cross, he is flanked by Amina, Elijah, and Barabbas, all of whom bear witness to his final moments. In a surprising turn, Cabbage, a small but fiery gypsy who had previously reviled Clarence, now assists in carrying his burdensome load. Meanwhile, Benjamin, crucified alongside his friend, laments the fact that an onlooker is capturing his likeness on canvas, a portrait that eerily mirrors those of Jesus.

In a somber moment, Jesus gathers his distraught disciples and predicts his own impending betrayal and crucifixion, but also foretells his subsequent resurrection. Later, he visits Clarence's tomb, forgiving his earlier incredulity and restoring him to life, healing the wounds inflicted upon him by the Roman authorities. As Clarence emerges from his grave, his eyes aglow with newfound understanding, he not only believes but "knows" as well, radiating a radiant smile that illuminates the darkness.