Baker is a minor character in Joseph: King of Dreams.
Appearances[]
In Joseph: King of Dreams[]
The Baker first meets Joseph on the night he is wrongfully sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. Together with his friend the Butler, he serves as one of Joseph's cell mates. The next morning at breakfast, the Baker and the Butler are discussing a dream that the latter had about serving the Pharaoh a cup of wine made from three vines. Entering the conversation, Joseph explains that the dream is telling the Butler that in three days he will be released and return to work at the palace.
Unimpressed, the Baker is initially dismissive of Joseph's skills, but then decides to test him himself. He tells the new arrival about his own recurring nightmare. In it, he is carrying three baskets of bread to Pharaoh, one on top of the other. The baskets fall, and whilst trying to pick the loaves, a swarm of birds suddenly come out of nowhere and attacked the Baker. He notes that his attackers keep pecking at his face and eyes.
Hoping for good news like his friend, the Baker asks Joseph for an interpretation. Initially, Joseph refuses to answer, claiming he does not know what it means. The Baker is not fooled though and is persistent, demanding an answer. Unfortunately, Joseph's interpretation is anything but comforting. He reveals to the convict that his dream means that in three days he will be beheaded, and birds (like in his dream) will feast upon his body. Shocked and horrified, the Baker tries to attack Joseph saying that he is lying. This prompts the Butler to intervene, and lead his distraught companion away, reassuring him that Joseph's interpretations are both wrong and they are not going anywhere.
Three days pass, and the prisoners have been given food for another meal. The Baker is shown looking downcast. He has three pieces of fruit next to him. He picks one of them up, only to put it down again, implying that Joseph's prediction has rattled him so much that he has lost his appetite. Just as he places it on the floor, the door to the cell opens and the three men look around, with the Baker gasping in horror.
Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the light outside are the jailer and a guard. Pointing into the cell, the former declares "Take him!" The guard advances upon the terrified, cowering Baker and hauls him to his feet. As he is marched out of the cell to his impending fate, the Baker exchanges one last fleeting glance with the Butler. He tries to grab the latter's arm, either as a plea for help or as final goodbye.
The Baker then turns to Joseph, and laments that his prediction was accurate. Feeling sorry for the condemned, and sad in the knowledge that he was right Joseph looks away, knowing that there is nothing he can do for the poor man. He just listens on pitifully as his former cellmate declares that his gift is a curse. These are the Baker's last known words. As this is happening, Joseph's second interpretation also comes true and the Butler is summoned back to the palace, likely to be executed.
Trivia[]
- The Baker did not reappear throughout the rest of the film and his fate is left in no question.