Hotep Oh, that's pretty.
Scenes with Hotep
5 scenes Hotep 
[After Rameses and Moses have wrecked the statues]
Why do the gods torment me with such reckless, destructive, blasphemous sons?
Father, hear what I say...
Be still, Pharaoh speaks. I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?
Hotep You mustn't be so hard on yourself, Your Majesty. You're an excellent teacher.
It's not you fault your sons learned nothing.
Hotep Well, they learned blasphemy.
True. [They both leave]
Father, the fault was mine: I goaded Rameses on, and so I am responsible.
Responsible. And do you know the meaning of that word, Rameses?
I understand, Father.
And do you understand the task from which your birth has destined you? The ancient traditions: when I pass into the next world, then you will be the morning and the evening star.
One damaged temple does not destroy centuries of tradition.
But one weak link can break the chain of a mighty dynasty!
Father...
[The Queen stops him and he leaves, offended]
Father, you know it was really my fault. Must you be so hard on him?
Moses, you will never have to carry a burden like the crown I will pass to Rameses. He must not allow himself to be lead astray, not even by you, my son.
All he cares about is... is your approval. I know he will lift up to your expectations. He only needs the opportunity.
Maybe, maybe so. Go now, I shall see you both tonight.
Hotep So you think you've got friends in high places, with the power to put us on the run. [he vanishes]
Well, forgive us these smiles on our faces. You'll know what power is when we are done, son...
Well, that went well.
Just go away.
Could've been worse.
The weak link in the chain. That's what he called me.
Well, you are rather pathetic.
Irresponsible, ignorant of the traditions. He practically accused me of bringing down the dynasty!
Yeah, I can see it now. There go the pyramids! [laughs]
Statues cracking and toppling over, the Nile drying up; single-handedly, you will manage to bring the greatest kingdom on Earth to ruin.
Tell me this, Moses, tell me this: why is it that every time you start something, I'm the one who ends up in trouble?
Hotep [Moses drops a sack full of wine onto Hotep and Huy]
Oh! Man! [spits out punch]
Oh!
Hotep Ah! Rameses, you're in trouble, young man!
Rameses, get down here! I think you owe us an apology!
Hotep Oh, my new thing!
I am so upset!
Hotep You'll pay for this!
We're going to tell the Pharaoh!
Hotep [Rameses dumps all the wine on Hotep and Huy]
Oh, look at me! I'm drenched again!
Hey, I figured it out. You know what your problem is, Rameses?
What?
You care too much.
And your problem is that you don't care at all.
Well, in that case, I supposed that you care a lot more than I do that we're...late for the banquet, for example.
[Rameses's face suddenly lights up in alarm as we cut to Rameses and Moses rushing to the banquet]
I'm done for! Father will kill me!
Don't worry, nobody will even notice us comin' in. [They enter, but the entire crowd sees them and cheers loudly]
"Nobody will even notice?"
Tuya
[Moses laughs nervously] [approaches them]
Ah, the young princes! [hugs her sons, then sides to her real son] Rameses, you were just named Prince Regent. You are now responsible for overseeing all the temples. I suggest you get over there and thank your father. [Rameses walks off] Apparently, Moses...someone thought he "just needed the opportunity".
[approaches Rameses and Seti]
My lord, Pharaoh! I propose that the high priests offer tribute to their new Regent!
An excellent idea! Hotep! Huy!
Hotep [The priests drop the goblets] [Whispers]
Huy?
What?
Hotep The Midian girl...
Hotep Go get her. [Huy runs off. He addresses the guests and performs a magic spell] By the power of Ra! We present for your delectation and delight, an exotic apparition stolen from faraway lands. [a large box-like construction rises from the floor, revealing an attractive young woman named Tzipporah, riding a camel. Huy restrains her by her hands with a rope. Moses and Rameses are enthralled] We offer you this...delicate desert flower.
[Hotep yanks the rope, and Tzipporah is dragged off her camel, screaming. The crowd shouted in wild excitement. She fights against her restraints]
Let us inspect this "desert flower"... [Tzipporah tries to bites, his hand missed] Ehhg! More like a desert cobra.
Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?
[chuckles]
Are you gonna let her talk to you like that? [Tzipporah groans trying to the ropes off her wrists while Moses gets Rameses off of him]
But I am showing you all the respect you deserve. [pulls rope away from Hotep and Huy] None!
No, wait! Be still! [grabs the rope]
I demand you set me free!
Be still!
Let go!
[noticed the pond]
As you wish. [lets go of the rope, causing Tzipporah to scream and fall backwards into the pond]
[The crowd laughs. Moses joins in, but sees the queen looking on in disgust, and stops] [approaches, laughing; to the servants who lead Tzipporah out of the pond]
You there! Have her dried off, and sent to Prince Moses's chambers. [to Seti] If it pleases you, Father, my first act of Regent is to appoint Moses [places the blue ring on Moses' finger] as Royal Chief Architect!
[The crowd cheers. Moses smiles, then stares back at Tzipporah, who looks back at him in disgust, as she is led away]
[they all wave with the camel walking by Moses and Tzipporah, by desert, buildings, then the men push, with the camel walking with Moses and Tzipporah, then laying on the ground, then grabbing the boy, then the men walk away, the guards walk inside, by the men, then they all lay down, then Rameses puts his hand up]
Rameses.
Moses? Is it really?
Rameses!
Where have you been? I took you for dead.
Pharaoh.
Well, look at you. What on earth are you dressed as?
Oh, Rameses, it's so good to see you.
Hotep Excuse me, Your Majesty. We are compelled to remind you this man committed a serious crime against the gods.
We are loathe to bring it up, mind you.
Hotep The law clearly states the punishment for such a crime...
Death!
Hotep We hesitate to say it.
Be still. Pharaoh speaks. I am the morning and the evening star.
Rameses.
It shall be as I say. I pardon forever all crimes of which he stands accused and will have it known that he is our brother Moses, the prince of Egypt.
Rameses, in my heart, you are my brother, but things cannot be as they were.
I see no reason why not.
You know I am a Hebrew, and the God of the Hebrews came to me.
What?
He commands that you let his people go.
[raises his stick]
Behold, the power of God. [puts his stick down, then transforming into a snake]
Well, uh, impressive. Hmm. Very well, Moses. I'll play along. [chuckling] Hotep. Huy. Give this snake charmer our answer.
