This is a dramatic imagining of a conversation between Mary and Joseph, when they are forced to travel to Bethlehem for the census. It helps us think through the very human emotions of the experience, and also relates it to political and cultural realities, both in those times and today.

Extract from the script:

Joe. Mary! The census cards have come.
Mary. What census cards?
Joe. The ones for the registering. We have to go to Bethlehem to register our existence.
Mary. Won't make any difference. They don't care. They do what they want anyway.
Joe. Of course. But we have no choice.
Mary. I don't want to. I'm sick and tired of all that propaganda they keep putting out about how wonderful things are. I wish we could make a change, you know really make a change.
Joe. Well, maybe that baby you're carrying will do something. What was it your cousin said? You're carrying God's baby?
Mary. Would he want us to register for the Romans?
Joe. I don't think it works like that Mary. We're talking about a whole other level here.
Mary. Oh... but it's not fair. I don't want to go. Eight months pregnant. I shouldn't have to.
Joe. You do have to go.
Mary. Why?
Joe. You know why. I have to go and I'm not leaving you here alone with all the gossip going round the town. Things might turn ugly.
Mary. [Mary sighs.] Why could it not be more straightforward? People blank me in the street you know.
Joe. Could be worse. That's why I'm not leaving you here.
Mary. Why don't they get it?
Joe. We've seen angels Mary, they haven't...

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