Great Scene: A Clockwork Orange, Part 2

Last week, we looked at this scene in A Clockwork Orange. It sets up
the scene below, very much a replay of the previous one only with
some stark differences. Note especially how Alex and Mr. Alexander
realize who the other is and the violent intersection their past.

INT. “HOME” — NIGHT

Mr. Alexander at his typewriter.
Julian a 6'4" — heavyweight weight-lifter lies across an exercise bench
working with bar-bells.

The door bell rings.

MR. ALEXANDER
Who on earth could that be?

JULIAN
I’ll see who it is.

He heads to the door.

JULIAN
Yes, what is it?

No reply. He opens the door. Alex falls into the hall.

ALEX
(barely audible)
Help. Help me… Help me… Police.

Julian picks him up like a child and carries him into the living room.

INT. “HOME” — LIVING ROOM — NIGHT

ALEX (V.O.)
And would you believe it, O my brothers and only friends, there was
your faithful Narrator being held helpless, like a babe in arms, and
suddenly realising where I was and why HOME on the gate had looked so
familiar. But I knew I was safe. I knew he would not remember me for,
in those carefree days, I and my so-called droogs wore our maskies
which were like real horrorshow disguises.

JULIAN
Frank, I think this young man needs help.

MR. ALEXANDER
Dear, dear, dear. Whatever happened to you, my boy?

Mr. Alexander, now confined to a wheelchair, pushes himself away from
his desk, and rolls up to Julian. The water drips off Alex’s clothes.

They look at each other.

ALEX
The police… The horrible ghastly Police. They beat me up, sir. The
Police beat me up, sir.

Mr. Alexander stares at him. It becomes apparent he is insane.

MR. ALEXANDER
I know who you are! Isn’t it your picture in the newspapers? Didn’t I
see you this morning on the video? Are you not the poor victim of this
horrible new technique?

ALEX
Yes, sir, that’s exactly who I am, sir… and what I am… a victim,
sir.

Mr. Alexander becomes frenzied as the speech progresses.

MR. ALEXANDER
Then, by God, you have been sent here by providence. Tortured in
prison, then thrown out to be tortured by the Police. My heart goes out
to you, poor, poor boy. Oh, you are not the first to come here in
distress. The Police are fond of bringing their victims to the
outskirts of this village. But it is providential that you, who are
also another kind of victim, should come here. But you’re cold and
shivering. Julian, draw a bath for this young man.

JULIAN
Certainly, Frank.

He carries Alex off.

ALEX
Thank you very much, sir. God bless you, sir.

Alexander bites his hand.

INT. “HOME” — BATHROOM

Alex soaks, eyes closed, in a hot tub.

After a while he begins softly singing to himself: “Singin’ in the
Rain”.

INT. “HOME” — LIVING ROOM — DAY

Mr. Alexander is hunched over the phone, talking in hoarse whipsers.

The door to the bathroom is right behind him. While he speaks Mr.
Alexander throws nervous glances over his shoulder.

MR. ALEXANDER
I tell you, sir, they have turned this young man into something other
than a human being. He has no power of choice any more. He’s committed
to socially acceptable acts, a little machine capable only of good…
He can be the most potent weapon imaginable to ensure that the
Government is not returned at the next election. The Government’s great
boast, as you know sir, is the way they have dealt with crime in the
last few months. Recruiting brutal young roughs into the police,
proposing debilitation and will-sapping techniques of conditioning. Oh,
we’ve seen it all before in other countries The thin end of the wedge.
Before we know where we are we shall have the full apparatus of
totalitarianism. This young boy is a living witness to these diabolical
proposals. The people — the common people — must know… must see!
There are rare traditions of liberty to defend. The tradition of
liberty means all. The common people will let it go! Oh, yes — they
will sell liberty for a quieter life. That is why they must be le

Trembling with excitement and madness, Mr. Alexander hangs up the
phone. His eyes, shiny with anticipation. Then, suddenly, he becomes
aware of Alex’s voice coming from the other side of the door.

INT. “HOME” — BATHROOM

Alex in bath, singing.

ALEX
I’m singing in the rain,
Just singing in the rain…

MR. ALEXANDER

His face horribly distorted in a Homeric rage.

A thought: Do you think it’s only coincidence that the two characters
are named “Alex” and “Mr. Alexander?” Or is there some deeper meaning
or intent attached to that?