Behold the Man - 2003-3
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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EXT. OUTSIDE KARL'S CAVE - LATER THAT MORNING
JOHN is alone � standing by the opening.
JOHN
(calling to KARL)
It is time, magus. It is time.
KARL comes out of the cave. He walks up to JOHN.
KARL
John � are you sure?
JOHN turns and marches off toward the river.
JOHN
Come. They are waiting.
KARL watches JOHN's back for a moment and then follows.
KARL
(to himself)
Yes, they are waiting. And so is
your destiny.
KARL follows JOHN to the river.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE RIVER - NOON
The sun beats down upon the river � dry and brutally hot. It
is a solemn occasion. JOHN is standing waist deep in the
river. KARL is at the river's edge. All along the banks,
the Essenes stand in silent witness. The river flows
sluggishly toward the south. JOHN beckons KARL. Beads of
sweat form on KARL's forehead as he lowers himself into the
river and walks toward JOHN. As KARL nears JOHN, he slips on
a rock on the river bottom. JOHN reaches out to steady him.
KARL's head slips briefly below the surface. His mouth fills
with water. He begins to sputter and choke.
JOHN
(shouting)
Emmanuel! The spirit of Adonai is
with you! I can feel His power �
His glory. It is strong within you.
KARL can't catch his breath and begins to panic. JOHN is
holding him upright by both arms. KARL's face drains of all
color. Raising his own arms, he falls forward grabbing JOHN.
KARL
John! You must baptize me!
JOHN's eyes widen in surprise. All the Essenes on the
riverbank, as one, begin to hum and sway from side to side.
There are tears in KARL's eyes. JOHN makes a decision. He
puts his hands on KARL's shoulders and pushes him below the
surface.
JOHN
(loudly)
In the sight of Adonai! In the
spirit of His will! You are
baptized!
CUT TO:
EXT. UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER � CONTINUOUS
Muffled by the water, KARL hears JOHN's cries and the
response of the Essenes. KARL loses his breath � his mouth
opens and he begins to swallow water. Suddenly �
CUT TO:
EXT. ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER � CONTINUOUS
JOHN pulls KARL up, lifting his head out of the river. Water
pours from KARL's mouth, then he begins to retch, then vomit.
JOHN holds him firmly as he guides KARL toward the riverbank.
The Essenes are chanting and swaying � louder and louder.
KARL
(repeating)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry �
The Essenes are louder still. JOHN drops KARL on the bank.
KARL, still retching, pushes himself up and stumbles away.
JOHN stands tall as he gazes at the Essenes. Suddenly, he
raises his staff high � pointed toward heaven. And, with a
slashing motion, points it toward the river. The Essenes are
louder still.
CROSSFADE TO:
EXT. BARREN SCRUBLAND - EARLY MORNING
KARL begins to stir. His loincloth is damp with dew. It is
cold and the false dawn is gray. He looks around. He
removes his loincloth and scrubs his face with it. He looks
down at his naked body. He notices how thin he has become.
KARL
I look like an Auschwitz victim.
Suddenly, he remembers the previous day.
KARL (CONT'D)
Oh, no. What have I done? Why did
I do that?
KARL begins to sob. Shortly it subsides. KARL takes a deep
breath.
KARL (CONT'D)
I must get back. Explain to John.
KARL rises and looks around. He wraps the loincloth around
his waist. He looks left, then right. He scratches his
beard.
KARL (CONT'D)
Where am I? And where's the camp?
KARL looks around again, picks a direction and begins walking
away. The further he walks, the smaller he gets until he is
a dot on the horizon.
CUT TO:
EXT. DESERT - NOON
It is much hotter. The air shimmers with the heat. The
ground is even more barren. KARL shuffles along. He is near
exhaustion. His skin burns, he is hungry, and he is very
thirsty. There is no sign of anything to eat or drink. His
legs are becoming heavier and heavier. He walks
mechanically. He looks and sees a hill a few miles in the
distance. With great effort, he turns and heads for the it.
The sandy soil explodes into clouds of dust as his feet
disturb it.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE BASE OF THE HILLSIDE - LATER
Amid a featureless landscape, a bruised and bloodied KARL
stands at the base of the hillside. He begins his ascent. It
is much more difficult than he could have imagined. The
loose stones cause KARL to slip and fall on his face. He
uses his torn hands and feet to brace himself � to stop his
slide back to the bottom. Using split fingers, he grabs at
the tufts of grass and lichen � inching forward. He lunges
at the larger outcroppings of rock and drags himself upward
toward the summit. Mindless and driven he keeps moving under
the searing, relentless sun. Dust cakes to the scant
moisture on his body. His loincloth is in shreds.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HILLSIDE - KARL'S P.O.V. � CONTINUOUS
The summit still seems so very distant. The air shimmers.
The world begins to spin and �
CUT TO:
EXT. HILLSIDE � CONTINUOUS
KARL falls back � sliding back down to the bottom of the
mountain. His thigh is gashed; his head is badly bruised.
KARL stops sliding. He rights himself and begins climbing
again. He is on his hands and knees. On the burning rock.
He is no longer a man. Time has lost all meaning. He is
just the thing climbing the mountain.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE SUMMIT - LATER
KARL reaches the summit and stops crawling. He rolls on his
back and, for a while, lays there blinking. Then he closes
his eyes.
CROSSFADE TO:
EXT. THE SUMMIT - EARLY EVENING
KARL lays quietly on the summit asleep. His eyelids begin to
flutter.
MONICA (V.O.)
(from everywhere and
nowhere)
Karl. Karl. Wake up, Karl.
KARL opens his eyes. He raises himself on one arm. He
begins to speak through cracked lips.
KARL
Who � ? Where are you? Who are
you?
MONICA (V.O.)
You don't even remember me. Don't
you remember? You said you would
always be with me.
KARL
Monica? But � you're dead. I saw
you die.
MONICA (V.O.)
You were my spirit. My center. My
savior.
KARL
No. No. Not your savior. I loved
you, but �
MONICA (V.O.)
But what? You pulled me back from
the abyss. Because of you I was
able to put my life back together.
You became my life. And then you
changed. You became hurtful,
angry. You hid behind your faith
and used it as a weapon. You
distanced yourself.
KARL
But, Monica �
MONICA (V.O.)
I BELIEVED IN YOU! You were my
hope! You were my light! And you
cast me aside. In the end I knew I
was empty inside without you. I
showed my anger, because I was
afraid. And in the end � you
betrayed our trust � I couldn't
bear to go on. You were my light.
And it killed me.
KARL is silent. The last of MONICA's words � "killed me" -
echo in the still night. KARL pulls his ruined body to his
feet and stands on the summit of the hill and screams. The
ravens are startled. They wheel in the sky and fly away. The
sky is darkening.
FADE TO BLACK.
CUT TO:
EXT. A ROAD - DAY
KARL stumbles into a town. There is an air of quiet madness
about him. As he walks through the streets, dogs yap and nip
at his heels, while children laugh and throw pebbles at him.
He occasionally stops to talk to people, but they just shake
their heads and hurry away. KARL continues to walk.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER ROAD - EARLY EVENING
KARL comes upon a group of Roman Legionnaires marching in the
opposite direction. The CAPTAIN calls a halt and waits for
KARL's approach.
CAPTAIN
You there. Halt.
KARL comes to a stop before the CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN (CONT'D)
You seem in distress. Tell me, is
there someone, a friend or
relative, we can take you to?
KARL
No, sir. The one who I seek is yet
many miles distant. And, I fear, I
may miss our meeting if I tarry too
long.
The CAPTAIN looks surprised.
CAPTAIN
What? You speak the language of
Rome precisely. Are you a Rabbi or
scholar?
KARL
No. I am just a man.
CAPTAIN
(taking pity on KARL)
Well, Traveler, you appear hungry.
Before you go on your way, accept
this dried meat and water for your
journey.
The CAPTAIN turns and takes a small package and a goatskin
bag of water from the man behind him. He gives it to KARL.
KARL
Thanks to you, sir.
The CAPTAIN calls his men to attention and, once again, they
begin their march. They leave KARL standing in the middle of
the road as they pass. Shortly, he is alone again.
CUT TO:
EXT. A CROSSROADS - AFTERNOON
KARL comes upon a group of people emaciated as himself at the
crossroads. He falls in with them. They seem to be on a
pilgrimage.
CUT TO:
EXT. A CAMPSITE ALONG THE ROAD - NIGHT
The group made camp and many are sitting around the campfires
� all are chanting in prayer. KARL sits silently to one
side. Occasionally, one or two come over to KARL and try to
engage him in conversation. He remains silent. Soon they
leave him alone. As the fires die out, they stop praying and
lay down for sleep. KARL stays sitting.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE ROAD - DAY
KARL is still with the group. Some seem to be gravitating to
him � walking behind him.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER CAMPSITE - NIGHT
The group, with KARL among them, has set up camp for another
night. The cooking pots are over the fires and a low murmur
of prayer is heard. Suddenly, a group of soldiers on
horseback gallop through the camp, knocking over cooking pots
and scattering the people. Someone shouts, "Herod's
Soldiers!". The women are screaming and the men run off into
the night. Shortly all have gone except two women and KARL.
The leader of the soldiers stops before KARL. He dismounts,
grabs KARL by the hair and pulls him to his knees. He spits
in KARL's face.
LEADER OF HEROD'S SOLDIERS
Are you one of these rebels we have
been hearing so much about?
KARL mutters and shakes his head. The LEADER cuffs him. KARL
is so weak he falls to the ground.
LEADER
(to his men)
There are no arms here. There are
no rebels here. Just these
miserable excuses for people. We
have been grossly misled.
He notices his soldiers eying the two women.
LEADER (CONT'D)
Those two?
If you want them � if you are hard
up enough � you can have them.
CUT TO:
EXT. KARL'S FACE AS HE LIES ON THE GROUND - CONTINUOUS
KARL lies there. The grunts and laughter of the soldiers are
drowned out by the screams of the women. Their agony, as
they are gang-raped, is reflected in KARL's eyes. Soon the
screams die down � there is only the laughter and shouts of
the soldiers. The LEADER calls for them to assemble. They
mount up and ride away. KARL begins to weep.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWN OF PELLA - DAY
KARL stops at an outdoor shop. He is dressed in rags. He
looks like a madman. He beckons to the shopkeeper.
KARL
Excuse me, sir. I am looking for
the way to Nazareth.
SHOPKEEPER
Are you a seer or a prophet? Do
you need food or drink?
KARL
That would be appreciated. As
would information about the road to
Nazareth.
Suddenly, a woman stumbles to the shop and falls to the
ground before KARL.
WOMAN
Oh, help me! I am blind. I am
blind! My eyes! My eyes!
KARL kneels down by the wailing woman. He puts his hand on
the top of her head. He slides his hand under her chin and
raises her face. He puts his other hand over he eyes.
KARL
(to the woman)
Shhhhh. (a pause.) Close your
eyes. Think of Adonai. He loves
you - He loves all of us.
He has sent us a gift of His love
in the flesh of His Son. (a
pause.) Open your eyes.
The WOMAN slowly opens her eyes. She looks directly at KARL.
WOMAN
(hushed)
I can see. (louder) I can see!
(shouting.) I CAN SEE!
CUT TO:
EXT. NAZARETH - DAY
Nazareth is a clean and prosperous town, thriving on Roman
commerce. Only one or two beggars are on the street, and
they are well fed. As KARL staggers through the market
square, people stare at him curiously, but with a little
suspicion. He could be a wandering prophet, or possessed by
devils. He could be a Zealot. He shuffles up to one of the
beggars.
KARL
(in a dry cracked voice)
Please tell me � is this Nazareth?
BEGGAR
Yes, it is.
KARL
I seek a carpenter.
BEGGAR
There are many here. Nazareth is
known as the city of carpenters.
KARL
I seek a carpenter named Joseph.
BEGGAR
There are many carpenters named
Joseph as well. A most popular
name for carpenters, it seems.
KARL
Descendant of David? The husband
of Mary? The father of Jesus?
BEGGAR
Oh, THAT carpenter named Joseph.
Not one of the better ones. And
certainly one of the more
disagreeable.
KARL is excited. He is close , so close.
KARL
Where can I find this Joseph?
BEGGAR
(pointing)
Down yonder street. Just look for
the man who never laughs.
KARL thanks him and staggers toward Joseph's house.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HOUSE OF JOSEPH - 15 MINUTES LATER
KARL observes a dour man sitting on a bench just outside the
doorway carving a bowl. He notices that the planks of timber
leaning against the house are of poorer quality than those of
the neighboring carpenters. KARL approaches the man and
touches him on the shoulder. JOSEPH looks up.
JOSEPH
Go away. I have no money, and we
have no food for beggars.
KARL
No, you misunderstand. I want
nothing � just to ask a few
questions.
JOSEPH
Answers are free. But my time is
not. Quickly then.
KARL
Are you Joseph, of David's line,
husband of Mary, father of Jesus?
JOSEPH
Aye, and father of several
daughters as well. Too many to
feed. Especially with things the
way they are.
KARL
I would like to see one of your
children. I would like to speak to
Jesus.
JOSEPH
That good-for-nothing. What has he
done now? (a pause) What are you
� some kind of seer? Have you come
to help my son?
KARL
I am a prophet of sorts. I need to
speak to Jesus. I can foretell the
future.
JOSEPH
(rising)
All right. I don't have much time.
I have a delivery to make in Nain.
Let's go. Quickly.
CUT TO:
INT. JOSEPH'S HOUSE � CONTINUOUS
The house was dark. They enter the kitchen. MARY is
standing near a large, clay stove. She has long, black hair
hanging unbound and greasy. Her eyes have a smoldering
sensuality. She looks KARL up and down.
MARY
I see you have found another well
paying customer.
JOSEPH
He is a prophet �
MARY
Oh, of course. A prophet. And
probably hungry as well. We have
no food for prophets and madmen.
That useless thing �
She motions with her spoon at a huddled mass in the corner.
MARY (CONT'D)
� eats enough as it is.
JOSEPH
He seeks our Jesus. Perhaps he can
ease our burden.
MARY looks at KARL again - closely. She slowly licks her red
lips, letting her tongue linger in the corner of her mouth.
MARY
Perhaps you may be right � I sense
something about him.
KARL
(hoarsely)
Where is he?
MARY puts her hands under her large breasts and shifts them
under her rough dress. She slides her hands down and slowly
rubs her belly. She gives KARL a hooded look.
MARY
(suddenly)
Jesus!
The figure in the corner stirs, then rises.
MARY (CONT'D)
(still staring at KARL)
That's him.
The figure comes in to the light. It is misshapen. It has a
pronounced hunched back and there is a cast in its left eye.
The face is vacant and foolish. There is spittle dried
around its lips and a strand of drool hangs in the corner of
its mouth.
KARL
(shocked)
Jesus?
The thing seems pleased to hear its name. It starts to
giggle. When it speaks the words are slurred and thick.
JESUS
(singsong fashion)
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
KARL is in shock.
MARY
He's always been like that. Addled
inside and out. You can have him
if you want. ( a beat.) I was
carrying him when my parents
married me off to this half-man �
JOSEPH
You sow! You shameless �
JOSEPH stops himself. MARY stares at him daring him to go
on.
JOSEPH (CONT'D)
You had a good story for them,
didn't you. The oldest excuse
ever. Taken by an angel � taken by
a devil more than likely �
MARY
(interrupting)
Oh, yes. He was a devil. And he
was a man. A real man.
Before JOSEPH can respond, JESUS giggles again and lurches
into the other room. JOSEPH runs after him.
JOSEPH
No. I will not have him wetting
the floor in there again.
After JOSEPH is gone, MARY gives KARL an appraising look.
MARY
If you really can tell fortunes,
maybe you can come by sometime and
tell mine. He is leaving tonight
for Nain.
MARY licks her lips again. JOSEPH re-enters the room with
JESUS in tow. He put him on a stool in the corner.
JOSEPH
Now stay there, bastard!
KARL can't take it anymore. He turns and bolts from the
house.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE WALL OF THE SYNAGOGUE - NIGHT
KARL is sitting with his back against the wall. His head
hangs down and his eyes are tightly closed. His stomach
grumbles. He is very hungry.
KARL
I have seen the face of Jesus.
KARL opens his eyes and looks upward.
KARL (CONT'D)
(quietly)
I have found the one I sought.
KARL rises to his knees.
KARL (CONT'D)
There is no salve for the ache in
my soul.
KARL rises and begins to stagger off down the street.
KARL (CONT'D)
I have seen the face of Jesus. (a
beat.) And it is empty.
CUT TO:
INT. JOSEPH'S HOUSE - LATER THAT NIGHT
MARY is sitting at the table. She is alone. The snoring of
JESUS in the next room can be heard. There is a knock on the
door. MARY rises. She walks to the door and opens it. KARL
is standing there.
MARY
(impatiently)
I thought you weren't coming. Come
in if you're hungry. (she winks.)
Joseph has gone to Nain, but may be
back tonight. We must hurry.
As if in a trance, KARL allows MARY to lead him into the
house.
KARL
I am hungry.
MARY sits him at the table. She feeds him. A meager meal,
but more than KARL has eaten in days.
MARY
Hurry, now.
KARL finishes his meal. MARY clears the bowls from the
table, then leads KARL to the center of the room. His sun-
baked skin stretches taut over his emaciated frame. His
loincloth hung in tatters from his waist. MARY begins to
circle him like a cat in heat. KARL stands still � very
still. He is in shock � from the ordeal of his journey and
his discovery about JESUS. MARY unties the fasteners of her
dress. It falls to the floor. Her circle tightens. Her
naked flesh begins to brush against KARL's naked flesh as she
continues her sensual journey around him. She drops to her
knees in front of him. She tears at his loincloth � pulling
it off � and tossing it aside. She pushes him to the floor.
She takes him into her mouth. KARL hears a strange sound
amidst the slurping and grunting. He looks toward the door
to the other room and sees JESUS standing there watching.
JESUS is giggling, with spittle hanging from his chin � a
vacant look on his face.
CUT TO:
EXT. JOSEPH'S HOUSE - VERY EARLY MORNING
KARL exits the doorway. He is dressed in a clean white robe.
MARY puts her hand out and grabs his shoulder. Her other
hand goes down and holds his genitals through the robe.
MARY
If you ever come back this way �
KARL looks at her and briefly smiles. He turns and walks up
the street.
CUT TO:
INT. THE SYNAGOGUE - LATER THAT MORNING
The synagogue is cool and quiet. The rabbis lead KARL into
the courtyard. They all sit down in the center of the
courtyard under an olive tree.
ELDER RABBI
As is our custom, we give shelter
to wandering prophets. Tell us, is
there anything you wish to ask?
KARL
Where is Christ?
The rabbis look at each other. The word is unfamiliar.
ELDER RABBI
Is that Greek?
KARL frowns, looking about.
KARL
(rising)
I must rest.
ELDER RABBI
Wait. Where are you from? KARL
stands silently thinking of how to
respond.
ELDER RABBI (CONT'D)
(repeating)
Where are you from?
A pause. KARL looks at the ELDER RABBI.
KARL
(murmurs)
Ha-Olam Hab-Bah �
KARL turns and walks away. The rabbis repeat "Ha-Olam Hab-
Bah".
ELDER RABBI
(looking at KARL as he
moves away)
'Ha-Olam Hab-Bah' � the world to
come. 'Ha-Olam Haz-Zeh' � the world
that is. Very strange.
Another rabbi rises and follows KARL. He stops him.
RABBI 2
Do you bring us a message?
KARL
I do not know. I must rest. I am
dirty. I have sinned.
RABBI 2
Come. We will feed you and give
you a place to sleep. We will show
you where to bathe and where to
pray.
RABBI 2 looks back at the other rabbis and leads KARL off.
CUT TO:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.