The stage lights become dazzlingly bright before returning to darkness.
“Tablet IV – 50 leagues a day…” are the words that appear…
Desert winds and blowing sand – the lights turn a deep orange. Our heroes trudge across the stage looking parched and sunburned. Behind them the sky turns as many days pass.
Cartoon-like images appear; grainy black and white snapshots of G & E’s journey through the desert: making camp, reading a map, being chased by camels etc.
Whilst traveling across land towards the Cedar Forest, a trip of
several weeks, Gilgamesh regularly climbs to the mountaintop, makes an
altar, and prays to Shamash to give them a sign that their mission will
be successful. Then each night after doing so, Gilgamesh has ominous,
disastrous-sounding dreams, but each time Enkidu interprets a positive
spin on the meaning of those dreams.
As they approach the Cedar
Forest, they start to become nervous. They can hear Humbaba bellowing
and stamping around in the distance. They call out to Shamash for help
and guidance. He communicates back to them that this is a good time to
attack, as Humbaba does not have all of his armour on and is therefore
more vulnerable. The pair resolve to enter the forest and make their
attack.
However, at the last minute, Enkidu gets cold feet, and
voices strong reservations about the mission, even stating he regrets
leaving the wilderness in the first place. Gilgamesh gives him a rousing
pep talk and they again agree to enter.
Asclepius Nights