Interview with my characters – Laban

This is the second of a series of interviews with the people of Rakkot Eyes. Let me tell you, this old man is giving me a lot of trouble. He’s acting like I’m trying to get state secrets out of him. Remember that Pushu (Sabsutu) said that their father traded and raised animals? Just wait until you hear what Laban, ten years older, says.

Let’s get a few of the basic questions out of the way first. What do people call you? Laban.
What is your full name? Laban bin Bethuel.
Does your name have a meaning? It means white.
Is there a story behind that meaning? My mother named me for the white of the full moon.
You have no titles, then? It seems to me that most of the people around you gain a different name in adulthood No. I told you my name.
How old are you? I have lived one hundred and five years.
You are very old. *Laban sighs deeply* I feel older than I should.
Did your parents live long ages? Not as long as their parents. My father saw one hundred and sixty years. My mother was … very young.
What is your birthdate? I was born on the second day of the eighth month.
Do you remember the year? Hardly. The Gutians ruled at the time. Apil-Kin perhaps? Not that a person could keep them straight. No sooner did a messenger say there was a new king, another would say he had been killed. In a hundred years, they had twenty-one kings.
Do you remember when they were defeated? *Laban snorts* Tiriga. That was the name of the last so-called Gutian king. From all that I hear, he called himself king for a little more than a moon.
Have there been many kings in your lifetime? Six. Unless you count the Gutians.
Where were you born? Harran. You ask many questions. Is there a reason for this?
Well, I just want to get to know you better. *Laban leans forward, his thick eyebrows coming together* I am Laban, the second born son of the house of Bethuel. Do not be fooled by the manner in which I currently live. My people have held power in Harran since long before the walls of the city were built. If you are planning to bring ill to my house, I warn you that you will not succeed.
My lord, I promise that I intend no such thing. Your fame has spread across the world and many people  wish to know more about you. *Laban sits back, surprised. His lips begin twitching in a slow growing smile* Well, I can answer a few questions, then.
For the record, can you tell us your basic appearance? Hair, skin, distinctive features? I look like most men, although I suppose I’m a little shorter than many. My hair is long and I keep it properly curled. I dress for the desert these days – old woolen tunic, simple sandals.

Now, I’m going to ask you a bit about your family and your childhood.
Who are your parents? Bethuel and Adinah
What did your parents do for a living? Nothing that I am willing to speak about.
Then you have brothers and sisters?I have an older brother, an older sister, and a younger sister, all born to my mother. From my father’s second wife, I have two younger sisters and a younger brother. We had a large family.
What other close family did you have? I have two daughters.
Who was your best friend in childhood? *Laban takes a long draw from his water pipe* Best friend? I had none.
Who were your other friends? Other children who lived near me. I cannot remember their names.
Did you have any enemies? Of course.
Did you have any pets? That is, animal companions? No.
What was your home life like during your childhood? I was the second son. *Laban shrugs, the exaggerated motion involving his entire body* I was necessary only if something happened to my older brother.
What sort of schooling did you receive? I went to a schoolhouse with several other children from good families. We learned the usual things.
I don’t know what the usual things are. Could you tell me? Reading and writing. Accounting, economics, law, languages, biology, astronomy, farming, the care of animals.
What was your favourite study subject? Law.
Were you popular or a loner? There were those who wished to be close to me.
What are some important experiences or events from your childhood? Other than the overthrow of the Gutians? I would say that that was important.
Did you have any health problems? No.
What sort of culture did you grow up in? *Laban draws deeply on his water pipe* We were Sumerians, enlightened and civilized people, under the rule of men who could not be bothered to bury their dead. We … survived.
What was your religion and what were your beliefs? I follow the gods of my fathers. We have our own patron gods who watch over our family. Sin is the god who watches over our city, with the aid of his daughter Ishtar. The gods created us so that they could get some peace from their work, and so it is up to us to care for the earth and for the gods. I have always done my best to honor our gods.

Now, I’m going to ask you a little bit about your character. This may become a bit personal.
What are your bad habits? *Laban looks directly into my eyes* I have been known to provide such wonderful hospitality that some who enter my tent never leave it.
Are you threatening me? You misunderstand. I never threaten.
I am beginning to feel uncomfortable with this interview. Are you?
Perhaps I can ask you some questions that you won’t mind answering. Could you please … well, blink when you’re looking at me? Ok, what are you most proud of? When my brother became … ill … I took over the family. Although I was not trained to the role, I believe I have done a good job.
What … what happened to your brother? I really cannot tell you.
You cannot? That is correct.
How about we move on to the next question. How would you describe your general temperament? I’m a wonderful, loving, and gentle man.
I’m looking at most of my questions and I don’t think I’m going to even ask them. I am sure that that is a wise decision.
May I ask what are your pet peeves – that is, things which generally annoy you? People who ask questions that are really none of their business.
Really. I hadn’t noticed that. Could you please put that knife away? What are the conflicts in your life? *Laban lays his knife across his lap and pops a date into his mouth, chewing slowly* The daughters of my brother believe that I gained my position in the family through unethical ways. They are attempting to take it away from me. One of my sisters, a priestess in the temple of Ishtar, has cursed me and my family.
What motivates you? Devotion and service to the gods, the same as all good men and women.
What is your sexuality – that is … Look, I’ll pretend I didn’t ask that question, and you’ll put the knife down. Agreed? I am becoming very uncomfortable with this interview. Is that so?

Now I’d like to know what sort of things you enjoy, if you are willing to answer.
What is your favorite type of music? I love the sound of drums.
Books? Books?
Your sister gave me that same baffled look. Books are something from far away. How about stories and poetry? Each year we enact the defeat of Tiamat and the creation of the world. I enjoy that.
Food? Yes.
Yes? Yes, I enjoy food.
Okay … drink? Yes.
Your sister mentioned that date beer and date wine are the usual drinks. Which do you prefer? Both are good if they are made well.
Animals? Whichever ones breed and sell best.
Color? I hardly care.
Clothing? Wherever I am, I dress in order to fit in.
Jewelry? I don’t wear it.
Games? The usual. Dice, bones, knife throwing, camel racing.
What is your greatest want? To finish this … interview.

Have you ever been married? Yes. She died during the … *Laban closes his eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath* … during the birth of my younger daughter, Rachel.
So you have children? Two daughters, Leah and Rachel.
What is your relationship like with your family? They hate me until they want something.
Who is your best friend right now? I have none.
Do you have any other friends? Yes, a few. Salmu. One of his daughters is to be my second wife.
Oh. What is her name? I don’t know. Whichever one he brings. As long as she is healthy, and young enough to bear children, one is as good as another.
Do you have any enemies? Yes.
It was … an interesting experience talking with you, Laban. Thank you so very much for your time.