Image (Short; 2007)

fade in:

int. street - day

A mass of people scurry about on a busy rush-hour morning, in the business district of a large American city.

Many horns HONK. The people on the sidewalk turn their heads toward the street. They slow down and stop, as a look of amazement appears on their faces.

In the center of the road is an OLD MAN, walking between the cars with the aid of a tall wooden cane. He has a long white beard and a smile of utter contentment. He is also completely naked.

A car makes a right turn onto the street and drives past the old man. The bewildered driver follows the old man with his eyes.

Cars CRASH off-screen. The old man keeps walking and smiling, as if nothing happened. Police sirens RING out.

int. prison cell - later

The old man sits on a bench, his hands cuffed in front of him, an overcoat draped over his shoulders. He's still smiling.

int. observation room - same

A video monitor displays the old man.

Watching are three men: a uniformed POLICE OFFICER, and DRAKE and FRANCIS -- two men in suits. All three are in their mid-thirties.

drake

Who is he?

francis

We haven't a clue. Can't get a word out of him.

drake

Fingerprints?

francis

No match.

police officer

We don't even know if he speaks English.

drake

Why is he cuffed?

francis

He wouldn't keep the coat over him.

police officer

You should've heard the jeers in there. . . . Sick mothers.

drake

I wonder, I wonder if he's in some kind of fugue state. Did you check Missing Persons?

francis

Nothing.

Drake sighs.

drake

I'll see what I can do.

int. hearing room - later

The old man sits behind a desk by himself -- the overcoat still over his shoulders, and the smile still planted on his face. His hands are underneath the desk.

Drake stands behind a nearby desk and addresses JUDGE NEWTON, a tall, balding man in his fifties, who is wearing a black robe and has a gavel by his side. The police officer stands against the wall.

drake

The State requests a two-week commitment for the purpose of psychiatric evaluation.

newton

Seems reasonable.

(to old man)

You don't have any understanding of what's going on, do you?

The old man continues smiling.

newton (cont'd)

I hereby remand said John Doe to Raleigh Hospital for . . .

The old man rises, without handcuffs, and gently grabs the overcoat. He drops the coat onto the floor. He is naked.

drake

(to officer)

I thought he was cuffed.

police officer

He was -- I swear.

The police officer moves toward the old man. Newton motions him to stop.

newton

(to officer)

That's okay.

(to old man)

You understand what's happening, don't you?

The old man nods.

newton (cont'd)

Who are you?

old man

I am Alpha and Omega -- the beginning and the end.

newton

Are -- are you saying you're
. . .

old man

I am all which is, which was, and which will be.

drake

Your honor?

Newton motions for Drake to stop speaking.

old man

Why have you detained me?

newton

You were arrested for indecent exposure.

old man

Indecent? How?

newton

You were naked.

old man

What's wrong with that?

The old man turns and looks at Drake and the police officer, before turning back to Newton.

old man (cont'd)

Why, underneath all your clothes you're just like me. You're all in my image. And that's not indecent.

newton

The law says you can't be naked in public.

old man

Why?

newton

I don't know. I have no say in the making of laws -- I only apply them.

old man

Even when they're wrong?

newton

I hereby remand you to Raleigh Hospital for two weeks, for the purpose of psychiatric evaluation.

Newton bangs his gavel.

int. courthouse lobby - later

Two elevators open, almost simultaneously. Newton exits one, and Drake exits the other. They are only mildly surprised by this coincidence. They walk off together.

drake

Pretty strange case today, eh?

newton

Could've been stranger. Could've been George Burns walking down Fourteenth Avenue naked.

Drake giggles.

drake

So, so you don't think he really was . . .

Newton stops, and looks at Drake incredulously.

newton

What?

drake

How'd he get out of those cuffs?

Newton starts walking again.

newton

Your officer didn't put them on.

drake

But he did.

newton

Since when are you so gullible?

Drake shrugs. They reach a set of revolving doors leading outside. Newton enters one, and Drake enters the other.

ext. courthouse - same

Newton exits onto the sidewalk. He has become completely naked. Drake follows, and is naked as well. The two look ahead and see dozens of people, all of whom are stunned silent, and very naked. Newton turns to Drake.

newton

Perhaps we should contact the hospital.

drake

Something tells me that he's no longer there.

Drake playfully shrugs. Newton turns back toward the multitude. He smiles.

fade out: