Behold the Man - 2003-2
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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EXT. THE HILLSIDE - LATER THAT DAY
There is a loud click and the sphere opens. The panels begin
to slide into each other. The top half disappears into the
bottom half. Slowly, KARL's head appears and he looks around.
He gets out of the sphere and looks at it � then looks at his
surroundings again. He seems very unsteady. Hurt. He
reaches into the sphere and pushes another button. It starts
another sliding sequence with the panels until there is a pie
wedge shaped metal container left, about the size of a very
large suitcase. KARL hides it in some underbrush and pushes
some rocks around to hide it. Then he begins to camouflage
the area. When he is done, he turns and backward walks a
distance away trying to survey the effectiveness. His trips,
falls, hits his head and rolls down the rest of the way to
the bottom of the hill. He lays there unconscious.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HILLSIDE - NIGHT
Hands pick up KARL and put him on a crudely made stretcher.
They carry him off.
CUT TO:
INT. A CAVE. MORNING
KARL lies on a mat of straw. He is still unconscious. Hands
are washing him. Removing the remnant of the dark liquid
that dried to his body. He looks feverish. His head begins
to rock back and forth. He mumbles some words �
unintelligible. His eyes open slowly.
We pull back to see two men in sandals and loincloths are
washing him. KARL's ribs are bound with sheepskin strips and
leather thongs.
CUT TO:
INT. A CAVE. KARL'S P.O.V. � CONTINUOUS
The two men have swarthy Semitic features, large dark eyes
and full beards. The taller one wears a length of cotton
pushed back over his shoulders. They are holding large
earthenware jars. They look directly at KARL.
CUT TO:
INT. A CAVE � CONTINUOUS
KARL
(weakly � in English)
Do you speak English?
The two men look at each other. One frowns, but the one with
the cotton cloak smiles. They comment to each other in a
strange tongue. The one with the cotton cloak kneels down
next to KARL. He speaks directly to KARL in that strange
tongue.
KARL (CONT'D)
(still weak and confused)
I � don't understand. Where am I?
Do you understand me? Where is
this? Do you know Jesus? The
Nazarene?
Both of the men frown. The one with the cloak rises. The
shorter one repeats "Jesus. Nazarene.", but the words
appear to have no meaning. However, the taller one looks
thoughtful and nods. He kneels down again and puts his hand
on KARL's shoulder.
CLOAKED MAN
(looking right into KARL's
face)
Nararene.
He shakes KARL's shoulder.
CLOAKED MAN (CONT'D)
(repeating very
definitely)
Nazarene!
KARL passes out again.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A FIELD - DAY
GRAPHIC bottom left: "Four weeks later." KARL walks into
view. He skin has tanned. He has a small beard, and his
hair is growing longer. He is wearing only a loincloth.
There is a large man standing under an olive tree. He holds
a staff. KARL approaches him. They both hunker down next to
each other under the olive tree.
LARGE MAN
I understand that thee have learned
our language well enough for
conversation.
KARL
More slowly, please. I still find
this very difficult.
LARGE MAN
(considering � then
suddenly)
Who art thou?
KARL hesitates.
LARGE MAN (CONT'D)
(patiently)
From where do you come?
KARL
(cautiously)
I am from the North.
LARGE MAN
The North. Not from Egypt?
KARL
I came out of Egypt two year since.
The LARGE MAN nods. Satisfied. He rises and walks a few
steps. KARL also rises. He moves behind him � waiting. He
abruptly turns � KARL stumbles backward. The LARGE MAN puts
out a hand to steady him.
LARGE MAN
So you are from Egypt. That is
what we thought. And evidently you
are a magus, with your strange
speech, your strange ways and your
strange iron chariot. Good. Your
name is Jesus, I am told, and you
are a Nazarene.
KARL
(shaking his head)
No. I seek Jesus, the Nazarene.
LARGE MAN
(disappointed)
Then what is your name?
KARL considers for a moment.
KARL
My name is Emmanuel.
The LARGE MAN nods. Seemingly satisfied.
LARGE MAN
Emmanuel. (rubbing his lips with
the tip of his finger) Emmanuel �
yes.
KARL is slightly confused by the reaction.
KARL
And what is your name?
The LARGE MAN looks at him.
LARGE MAN
You do not know me?
KARL shakes his head.
LARGE MAN (CONT'D)
You have not heard of John, called
the Baptist?
KARL � trying to hide his surprise.
JOHN THE BAPTIST
(nodding)
You do know of me, I see.
They are silent for a moment. JOHN combs his beard with his
fingers.
JOHN
Well, magus, now I must decide, eh?
KARL
(hesitantly)
What must you decide?
JOHN
If you be the friend of the
prophesies or the false one we have
been warned against by Adonai.
KARL
(nervously)
I have made no claims. I am merely
a stranger, a traveler �
JOHN
(laughing)
Aye � a traveler in a magic
chariot. My brothers tell me they
saw it arrive. There were sounds
like thunder and great flashes of
light � and all at once your
chariot was there � rolling on the
hillside. My brothers have seen
many wonders, but none so wondrous
as the appearance of your chariot.
KARL
(quickly)
The chariot is not magic. It is �
a kind of engine � the Romans have
such things. You must have heard
of them. They are made by ordinary
men, not sorcerers �
JOHN face darkened. He moves back to sit beneath the olive
tree. He strokes his beard.
JOHN
Aye � like the Romans. The Romans
would deliver me into the hands of
my enemies, the children of Herod.
KARL sits next to him. Trying to gain his confidence.
KARL
Why is that?
JOHN
(matter-of-factly - with
no hint of insanity or
fanaticism in his voice)
You must know why. Do I not speak
against the Romans who enslave
Judea? Do I not speak against the
unlawful things that Herod does?
Do I not prophesy the time when all
those who are not righteous shall
be destroyed and Adonai's kingdom
will be restored to Earth as the
old prophets said it would be? I
say to the people, 'Be ready for
that day when ye shall take up the
sword to do Adonai's will.' The
unrighteous know they will perish
on this day, and they would destroy
me.
KARL
You are arousing the people to rid
the land of the Romans, is that it?
JOHN
Aye � the Romans and their creature
Herod.
KARL
And who would you put in their
place?
JOHN
The rightful king of Judea.
KARL
And who is that?
JOHN frowns and gives KARL a sidelong glance.
JOHN
Adonai will tell us. He will give
us a sign when the rightful king
comes.
KARL
Do you know what the sign will be?
JOHN
I will know it when it comes.
KARL
There are prophesies, then?
JOHN
Aye, there are prophesies �
JOHN abruptly rose. He seemed to be carrying the weight of
the world.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I must meditate. I must pray. You
will remain here with the Essenes
until guidance is sent to me.
JOHN turns and strides away. KARL begins to walk back to the
settlement. Everyone gives him a wide berth. He reaches the
cave and enters. It's warm and humid in the cave. KARL lays
back on the straw mat. He starts to fall asleep.
CROSSFADE TO:
EXT. THE ESSENE ENCAMPMENT - LATER
MULTIPLE CUTS TO: VARIOUS SCENES OF KARL AND THE ESSENES.
KARL sits and watches them work. Their minor religious
rites. Scenes showing everyday life � most men, few women.
Slowly, as KARL's wounds heal, he becomes more an active
participant in their daily routines. As this occurs, a
fuller picture of their lives unfolds. Ritual bathing,
prayer at meals � at dawn and dusk as well � and work. The
overriding features are peace and order. Much like a
monastery. Plowing fields, tending goats, and prayer.
Whenever KARL can � when he is tending goats on the hillside -
his eyes search the horizon. He wonders which is the way to
Jesus. The longer he stays the more he notices � baptismal
rites, self-motification, starvation. All these were
performed in strange religious rituals � chanting under the
hot sun. Hallucinations were the result. They were
"talking" to their God. Soon KARL follows suit � taken up
with their ways. However it is apparent that, while he
hallucinates, he never achieves the level that the Essenes
reach. One day, they take him to the river and baptize him
There is much swaying and chanted prayer.
AN ESSENE
(as he pushes KARL beneath
the surface)
We baptize thee, Emmanuel!
KARL bursts from beneath the surface. He is euphoric � and
happier than he has ever been.
CUT TO:
EXT. A HILLSIDE - EARLY EVENING
KARL has been tending goats. As he rounds them up he
notices JOHN THE BAPTIST, accompanied by 20 of his closest
disciples, striding over the hills toward the Essene
encampment. KARL waits for JOHN's approach. JOHN walks up
to KARL, looks once, twice then recognition dawns.
JOHN
(surprised)
But wait, yes. (a beat) Well,
Emmanuel, you have become an
Essene, I see. Have they baptized
you yet?
KARL
(nodding)
They have.
JOHN
(absently)
Good.
John takes KARL aside. JOHN has a grim look on his face. He
looks at the ground.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I have been to Jerusalem. (a
beat.) To see friends.
KARL
(tentatively)
And what was the news from
Jerusalem?
JOHN looks directly at KARL.
JOHN
(candidly)
That you are probably not a spy of
Herod or the Romans.
KARL
(relieved)
I am glad you have decided that.
KARL smiles. JOHN's expression softens. He smiles, too, and
grasps KARL by the upper arm � Roman fashion.
JOHN
So � you are our friend. Perhaps
more than just our friend �
KARL
(confused)
I do not follow you.
JOHN
(knowingly)
I think you know what I mean.
KARL still looks confused. He is about to speak.
JOHN (CONT'D)
No. Say nothing now. Eat with me
tonight. I have wild honey and
locusts.
JOHN and his disciples stride away, leaving KARL bewildered
and wondering what tonight will bring.
CUT TO:
INT. A TWO ROOM HOUSE - NIGHT
The dining room is barely furnished. JOHN and KARL sit cross
legged on cotton mats at a low table with several bowls of
food on it. The room is lit by candles � wicks floating in
bowls of oil. They are alone. JOHN waves his hand at the
food.
JOHN
Begin!
They eat � KARL tentatively, JOHN with relish. From outside
comes low murmurs and the moans and cries of those at prayer.
KARL dips another locust in the bowl of honey.
KARL
Why did you wish to see me, John?
JOHN
Because it is time.
KARL
Time for what? Do you plan to lead
the people of Judea in revolt
against the Romans?
As soon as KARL says this, he senses he has breached
etiquette. JOHN seems disturbed by the question, but forges
on.
JOHN
(carefully)
If it be Adonai's will.
KARL
And the Romans know of this?
JOHN
I am not sure, Emmanuel. Herod the
incestuous has doubtless told them
that I speak against the
unrighteous.
KARL
Yet the Romans do not arrest you.
JOHN
Pilate dare not � not since the
petition was sent to the Emperor
Tiberius.
KARL
Petition?
JOHN
(with fire in his eyes)
Aye, the one that Herod and the
Pharisees signed when Pilate the
procurator did place votive shields
in the palace at Jerusalem and seek
to violate the Temple. Tiberius
rebuked Pilate and since then,
though he still hates the Jews, the
procurator is more careful of his
treatment of us.
KARL sees an opening to get a time reference.
KARL
Tell me, John, has Tiberius reigned
� how long is it now - fourteen
years?
JOHN
(absently)
Aye, he is now in his fourteenth
year.
JOHN and KARL grow silent. KARL remembers something.
KARL
(carefully)
And you do not fear Herod? Could
he ever be so bold as to seek your
murder?
JOHN
He is a dangerous man, but foolish.
Now, he is more concerned with
Salome.
JOHN chuckles. KARL looks grim, knowing Salomes' yet
unspoken request. They grow silent again. JOHN raises his
head and stares directly at KARL. A moment passes � then
two.
KARL
I play some part in this, don't I?
JOHN
You were sent by Adonai to
accomplish His will.
KARL
How can I help you?
JOHN
You are a magus.
KARL
I am no worker of miracles!
JOHN
I cannot believe that, Emmanuel.
The manner of your very coming was
miraculous.
The Essenes did not know whether
you were a devil or a messenger
from Adonai. And you continue to
confuse us. I know that you are
Adonai's messenger. You are the
sign that the Essenes sought. The
time is almost upon us. The
kingdom of Heaven shall soon be
established on earth. Come with me!
Tell the people you speak with
Adonai's voice! Work great
miracles!
JOHN has risen. KARL rises also.
KARL
No, John. I am merely a man. I
can work no miracles.
JOHN looks directly at KARL.
JOHN
Are you not a magus, coming in that
chariot from nowhere?
JOHN waves his arms.
JOHN (CONT'D)
My men saw you! They saw the
shining thing take shape in the
air, crack and let you enter out of
it. Is that not magical? The
prophet said that a magus would
come from Egypt and be called
Emmanuel. So it is written in the
Book of Micah! Are none of these
true?
KARL is flustered � unable to come up with a quick
explanation.
KARL
Most of them. But there are
explanations � I am an ordinary
man, like you. I have no power to
work miracles! I am just a man!
JOHN grows silent. He glowers at KARL.
JOHN
You mean you refuse to help us?
KARL
I am grateful to you and the
Essenes. You saved my life almost
certainly. If I can repay that �
JOHN cuts him off.
JOHN
You can repay it, Emmanuel. You
can repay it by being the great
magus I need. Let me present you
to all those who become impatient
and would turn away from Adonai's
will. Let me tell them of the
manner of your coming to us. Then
you can say that all is Adonai's
will and that they must prepare to
accomplish it.
JOHN stares intently at KARL.
JOHN[CONT'D]
Will you, Emmanuel?
KARL trying to reason with JOHN.
KARL
John � there is no way that I can
help you without deceiving you, or
myself, or the people �
JOHN
(thoughtfully)
Perhaps you are unaware of your
destiny � Why should you not be?
Indeed, if you made great claims, I
would be much more suspicious of
you. Emmanuel, will you not take
my word that you are the one who it
was prophesied would come?
KARL
(nearly defeated)
John, you are desperate for a sign.
But what if I help you and the true
magus should come �
JOHN
He has � and you are he. I have
prayed and I know.
KARL stands silently. JOHN approaches and firmly grabs him
around both upper arms in the Roman style.
JOHN[CONT'D]
Emmanuel, will you not help the
people of Judea?
KARL looks deeply into JOHN's eyes.
KARL
Let me think, John. Let me sleep.
Come to me in the morning and I
will tell you then.
KARL smiles, then turns and walks out the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE HOUSE � CONTINUOUS
KARL breathes in the night air. He looks back at the house
and then begins walking back to his cave.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE KARL'S CAVE - LATER
KARL sits down on a rock at the mouth of the cave. He looks
up at the night sky.
KARL
(to himself)
Whew. I am in something � and in
deep. (a pause) Tiberius has been
emperor for 14 years � that means
there is less than a year to the
crucifixion � still time. And now
John needs me to help him.
KARL picks up a few loose stones and begins tossing them up
and down � up and down.
KARL (CONT'D)
That's more power than I ever
wanted. (a pause) But what a
chance. I could be the one
responsible for helping the Jews
throw out the Romans. I could
alter history.
KARL sits for a few moments more, then gets up and enters the
cave.
CUT TO:
INT. KARL'S CAVE - MORNING
KARL's eyes flutter open. He sits up and stretches. There
is a jug of water against one wall. KARL walks over to it
and takes a drink. Then splashes some on his face. He walks
out the opening.
CUT TO:
EXT. KARL'S CAVE � CONTINUOUS
As KARL emerges from the cave, he sees JOHN sitting under a
nearby tree. JOHN is alone. When JOHN sees him, JOHN rises
and walks toward KARL.
JOHN
Well, Emmanuel?
KARL scratched his beard.
KARL
(nodding)
Very well, John. I will help you
because you befriended me and saved
my life. But you must not put too
much faith in my powers.
JOHN
I have absolute faith in them.
KARL
I hope you will not be
disappointed.
JOHN
I know I will not be.
JOHN put his hand on KARL's arm.
JOHN (CONT'D)
You shall baptize me on the morrow,
to show all the people that Adonai
is with us.
(with fervor.) We shall forge a
great compact with the Essenes and
throw off the yoke of Rome.
KARL put his hand on JOHN's arm. He begins to smile at the
thought. JOHN begins to laugh, first uncertainly, then more
spontaneously. KARL starts to laugh as well. They are
uncontrollable in their laughter.
CUT TO:
INT. KARL'S CAVE - EARLY MORNING
The cave is dimly lit. KARL awakes with a start.
KARL
(anguished)
NO!!
KARL rolls over and up on his knees. He brings his hands up
to his face � covering it.
KARL (CONT'D)
(aloud � echoing in the
cave)
NO!! What am I doing! Who do I
think I am! It's an impossibility
for me to even exist here. What is
the matter with me. I am losing
focus on why I'm here. I'm letting
John wrap me up in his crazy
scheme. Remember � Jesus. Jesus.
Need to find Jesus. Not much time.
Need to go.
KARL rises and stumbles out the opening.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAVE � CONTINUOUS
KARL stumbles away down the hill to the river's edge. KARL
falls into the river.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE RIVER � CONTINUOUS
KARL pulls his head up water streaming from his long wild
hair and beard. As the splashing dies down, he sees his
reflection in the water.
His hair is long, black and matted, his beard covering the
whole of his lower face. His eyes slightly mad. There is
nothing to distinguish him from any one of the Essenes.
There is something familiar to him about his current
appearance. Calming. KARL sits back in the water, staring
straight ahead.
KARL
(as if a great weight has
been lifted)
Yes. I see. I know what I must
do. I know I must help John. As
He would have helped him � as He
did help him. And then � ( a
beat.) I must find Him. I must
find Him before it's too late. I
must do what I came here to do.
It's the only way.
KARL rises from the water, turns and walks back to his cave.
CUT TO:
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