A Christian Pays Tribute to a Roman Tax Official

Prompt

Romans 13: "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due... Owe no man any thing, but to love one another." A Christian craftsman of Rome stands large and central at a Roman tax collector's table under a portico, respectfully placing a small pouch of plain coins on the table with a sincere, peaceful face, while the seated official in a toga looks up, surprised by his courtesy. Bright early-morning sunlight, columns and a quiet street behind; the night is far spent and the day is at hand. The craftsman wears a wrapped head-cloth over his hair. Style: a blend of photo-realism and cinema, like a still from a big-budget film. Bright, rich, saturated, luminous colour, clear daylight or glowing golden light even in dramatic scenes, never murky or muddy, crisp detail, real human faces full of emotion, shallow depth of field, subtle film grain. Simple, uncluttered composition: ONE clear scene from this chapter, with the chapter's main character or characters large, close and central in the upper and middle frame, and a simple background. No montage, no collage, no inset vignettes, no crowd of small figures competing for attention. Historically accurate ancient Near Eastern clothing, architecture and landscape. Keep the bottom quarter of the frame simple and uncluttered (ground, water or sky) so a large chapter number can be set over it. Absolutely no text, no letters, no words, no numbers, no logos, no watermark, no border, no frame.