Logline

When a mentally troubled outcast gets called into jury duty, he forms an unusual bond with the narcissistic defendant, one that will be broken if he’s not able to set him free. 

Synopsis

SIGMUND (29) a mentally troubled man with severe social anxiety, gets called for jury duty for a high profile murder case. He is glad to accept believing this will save him from his mundane life, and that being sequestered in a small hotel with no connection to the outside world, will give him the life experience he has been lacking.  Sigmund believes he’s found his purpose being a juror. For the duration of the trial Sigmund will be living next door to JUROR THREE (58), a devoted christian who sings day and night, making it impossible for Sigmund to sleep. Sigmund finds comfort in the late hours of the night, roaming alone around the empty hotel.

After a crushing failed interaction at meal time with the JUROR NINE (62), he is left feeling like an outcast, and stands alone watching his fellow jurors. JUROR FIVE (49), assertive and determined to not let anything distract her from the case sits alone. Sparking a short and mostly one sided conversation with her, he realizes that she, unlike the rest, doesn't seem uncomfortable in his presence. She dismisses his attempts at conversation, the way she does every other juror, pushing Sigmund to leave the dining room before eating dinner. Later, hungry and unable to sleep Sigmund returns to the dining hall and meets NIKOLAI ARSIS (36) the narcissistic, yet charismatic defendant, who is accused of murdering a woman. Nikolai tells Sigmund he’s seen him in court, and noticed something in him that no one else has seen. Enticed by the possibility of friendship, Sigmund continues to meet with Nikolai at night. As the trial progresses they discuss the case, and the future. Nikolai tries to convince Sigmund he’s innocent. Sigmund begins to trust Nikolai and finds his personality so compelling that an infatuation begins. 

One day in court, Nikolai loses control, exposing a version of himself that Sigmund hasn’t seen before. He is disgusted and confused and later confronts Nikolai, only to have him confront him back, bringing up all of Sigmund’s insecurities. Sigmund’s desire to set Nikolai free is shaken. As he tries to gather himself, he goes out for a walk and encounters Juror Five, who is concerned by Sigmund’s perturbed state. She, unlike anyone else, treats him with compassion.  He opens up and is listened to and understood, but  Juror Five’s does not agree with him. As he walks back into the hotel he runs into Nikolai. Sigmund tries to avoid him, but Nikolai follows him. Scared and aggravated Sigmund attempts to lock him out of the room, but Nikolai manages to force his way in. The two deeply upset men find themselves face to face and in a heated confrontation in the midst of which the truth is finally revealed, one that shakes Sigmund to his core