Short Fiction · Chapter
Today Is Friday explained
Three Roman soldiers drink wine in a bar and discuss the crucifixion they witnessed earlier that day.
What happens
Three Roman soldiers drink wine in a bar and discuss the crucifixion they witnessed earlier that day. They debate the condemned man's conduct, with one soldier repeatedly insisting 'he looked pretty good in there today,' while another questions why he didn't come down off the cross. The Hebrew wine-seller avoids the topic, and the soldiers eventually leave, one feeling unwell.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the doctor’s hollow reassurance—that the narrator will play f…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Authority and Religion
The soldiers' mundane, cynical conversation about the crucifixion reduces a profound religious event to a routine execution, highlighting the absurdity of authority and faith.
- Masculinity and Sexual Anxiety
The soldiers' discussion of the crucified man's female companion and their own bravado reveals underlying anxieties about masculinity and loyalty.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“I thought he was pretty good in there today.”
The first soldier repeatedly praises the condemned man's composure during the crucifixion.
This refrain underscores the soldier's respect for the victim's dignity.
“Why didn't he come down off the cross?”
The second soldier questions why the man didn't save himself, reflecting a pragmatic view of suffering.
This question highlights the tension between faith and skepticism.
“The part I don't like is the nailing them on. You know, that must get to you pretty bad.”
The third soldier expresses discomfort with the physical brutality of crucifixion.
This reveals the soldier's visceral reaction to violence.
