October 2 Plot outline (15 mins?)

Plot Outline:
12 chapters, average length 4-5000 words

1. Intro. Lillum carrying water from the river, wondering what she’ll wear for the festival of Choiak (death of Osiris). During all conversations, include the Egyptian view of life as a religious journey. Thinks of her dead mother. Father comes to meet her with news of new job. He is sick, coughing, she is worried. He is a painter and has been recommended to work on the tomb of Senmut, Vizier to the Pharaoh (female), Hatshepsut. As they walk home they talk. At the mud brick house they continue, she prepares a meal (no cooking- firewood is too expensive). They pack up a few belongings and walk (3 day journey) to Thebes the Fabled.

2. Arrive at Luxor, marvel at the many temples and buildings. Find lodgings. Father goes to speak to the chief architect. Comes back and is excited at what he’ll be doing. Introduce Senmut’s background, common man, educated, learned, risen high on Queen Hapshetsut’s favour. Tomb is being built near the Queens new mortary. Lillum accompanies her father to help prepare the pigments. Marvels at the huge mortary building. Believes that the Egypt ruled by the bearded pharaohs has been in existence since the dawn of time, and will survive until the end. Takes care to keep out of the way of the priests, men of awesome power who rule the living (with the pharaoh at their head) and intercede with the gods on behalf of all mankind. Meets Alfarasi, works with father. Doesn’t like him. Senmut comes on a surprise visit to inspect the work, Lillum hides and then flees back to their lodgings.

3. Back home, father excited, Lord Senmut likes his designs (? Research). Cough gets worse. He is forced to his bed. Chief Architect regrets no work no pay. Alfarasi comes up with a plan. Tomb painters know where tombs are located. Plan to rob some and needs help, father agrees. Lillum afraid, penalty for tomb robbing/ desecration are severe. Robbery goes wrong, one of the robbers is caught, rest flee. Alfarasi’s sister come and warns her. Before she can pack up and leave the temple guards arrive and take her prisoner. Impromptu trial at the temple of Amun on the west bank. The captured robber looses his head. Alfarasi’s sister swears before the statue of Amun Ra that she knew nothing of the crime. Lillum cannot commit such heresy, she is condemned to 5 years labour at the Temple of Luxor in Thebes, on the eastern bank.

4. She is bound to a whipping post and receives 20 lashes. Next day marched under guard to the banks of the Nile, and put on a barge that plies between the two sides of the river, between the two halve of the city of Thebes. Other dignitaries on the barge (describe). Miserable, beaten and bleeding in the hold, one of the rowers gives her a cup of water. She is grateful. On the other side she is dragged though the streets. Children laugh and taunt her, throwing stones and spitting. Taken into the temple kitchens, she is branded and warned about the penalties for trying to escape (death) and left in the care of Muntep, the temple administrator. Muntep (fat, one eyed, hateful) tells her she is nothing, less than nothing in the eyes of the gods. She is terrified. Goes to sleep in the crowded dormitory, scared that should she die in the night, her soul (ka) would be given to the Jackel God to devour.

5. Before dawn she is woken up and is given a plain shift to wear. With three other women she is set to work sweeping the courtyards of the temple. Worshipers come and go but they ignore her, she is nothing in their eyes. At noon they are given a piece of bread between them told they can rest until the gong rings for prayer. They rise and help the kitchen staff prepare the evening meals, after which they serve food to the lesser priests. Well after midnight, they are given a tiny portion of the leftovers to eat. Up again before dawn. Mentup is always watching her. She is tired, there is never enough food. Works too slow, she is switched by Mentup. After a few months meets Temeesi, one of the temple handmaidens. Impresses her with her religious knowledge. Transferred to helping the priestesses.

(740words)