A winter's day

In a deep and dark December

OPEN ON Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops, sits at his desk. A window in front of him displays the gray and white landscape of winter and snow, with frost creeping up the edges. A bookshelf stands to one side.

On the desk is a picture of Jean Gray. Scott picks it up and gazes at it. TIGHT ON shot of the photo - Scott and Jean, arms around each other, Jean laughing, Scott smiling ever so slightly.

I am alone

He puts it down and traces a few idle patterns in the frost. His movements gain purpose as he draws a heart, writing SS+JG. CLOSE UP shot of the heart. He stares for a moment, then angrily scratches it out.

Gazing from my window, to the streets below

On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow

I am a rock

I am an island

CLOSE UP shot of the deadlock on the door. It is taped shut.

I've built walls

A fortress deep and mighty

That none may penetrate

There is a knock at the door, and Hank McCoy's voice speaks, muffled by the wood. "Summers? You in there?"

I have no need of friendship

Friendship causes pain

It's laughter and it's loving I disdain

I am a rock

I am an island

Scott stays silent. The handle jiggles. Hank speaks again. "Okay, I know you're in there. You never lock your door unless you're in there."

More silence inside the room.

Hank sighs. "Listen, Scott, I know you're still upset about Jean. We all know that. We're all sorry. I understand."

Don't talk of love

For I have heard the word before

It's sleeping in my memory

I won't disturb the slumber

Of feelings that have died

If I'd never loved, I never would have cried

Shot from outside. The door is yanked open. Scott points at Hank and hisses, "Don't you dare say you understand. Don't. You. Dare." Scott slams the door closed again, and the lock turns.

I am a rock

I am an island

Hank stares at the door, then shakes his head and leaves. Shot from inside the room - the tape on the lock has been torn in half, though still attached to the lock.

Scott straightens his already straight bed-covers, throwing the pillow down. He stares around the room, then sits heavily down onto his bed. He buries his head in his hands. After a moment, he looks up and strides over to the bookshelf.

I have my books

And my poetry to protect me

He pulls a book of poetry off the shelf. It falls open. Scott sits at the desk and reads aloud.

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old time is still a-flying;/ And this same flower that smiles to-day;/ To-morrow will be dying."

I am shielded in my armor

Hiding in my room

Safe within my womb

I touch no one and no one touches me

I am a rock

I am an island

Scott looks again at Jean's picture. A tear rolls out from under his visor. He puts his head down in his arms and sobs.

And a rock feels no pain

And an island never cries

ZOOM OUT through the window. FADE OUT.

A/N: For those of you uninitiated, Hank McCoy is Beast (he shows up on the TV in the bar in X2). I Am A Rock is owned by Simon & Garfunkel, and X-men is owned by various people who aren't me. The poem is "To the Virgins, to make much of Time," by Robert Herrick. Thanks for bearing with me with the vague screenplay style - I hope it got the point across.



I tried many times to get the song to be centered and italicized, but it won't work. Any suggestions?