ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - CLASSROOM
As before, Miss Saunders stands at the front of the room, a
small stack of papers in her hand.
MISS SAUNDERS
So, please don't forget your
permission slips. It's more than
school policy - OsCorp management
requires them - so don't forget, or
you won't be going.
She begins passing out the papers to the first table in each
row. The students pass them back.
MISS SAUNDERS
I'm attaching them to this - your
first assignment. Today, you'll be
interviewing your lab partner -
that's whoever's sitting beside
you. I suggest you get to know them
well, because you'll be working
together for the rest of the
semester. These are some suggested
questions you can ask.
(beat, she looks around)
Any questions?
(no response)
Great. Get started.
The students begin talking, quietly at first, but eventually
the noise level in the room begins to rise.
But not at Peter's table. He and Gwen sit, staring straight
ahead in silence. Gwen glances over at him, but he doesn't
notice. Finally, she turns her chair toward him...
GWEN
So, I guess we better get started.
PETER
Guess so.
Gwen picks up the paper and reads over it.
GWEN
Okay... how old are you?
Peter gives her an odd look.
PETER
Sixteen...
GWEN
Yeah, I could have... God, these
are terrible. Favorite movie?
PETER
I'm not really into...
GWEN
These are really bad. Favorite
food?
PETER
Um... I don't really have...
GWEN
Okay, this is pointless. I feel
like an internet survey.
She puts the paper down. Peter notices the logo on her shirt,
Gwen notices where he's looking.
GWEN
Dude... they're not that big.
Peter's head snaps up.
PETER
What? No! I wasn't... I mean...
your shirt. The Spill Canvas - I've
never heard of them.
Gwen eyes him briefly.
GWEN
Smooth. You know, I actually
believe you.
PETER
I'm serious! I wasn't...
GWEN
I know.
An awkward moment of silence.
GWEN
I saw them live once.
PETER
Huh?
GWEN
The Spill Canvas. I saw them live
at Warped Tour last summer.
PETER
Oh. That's cool.
GWEN
Yeah. I have them on repeat on my
iPod.
PETER
I really need to get one of those.
GWEN
An iPod? You mean you don't have
one? Ugh! I'd go nuts!
PETER
I'm not really big on music.
GWEN
So you're not into movies, don't
eat, and don't like music. What
gives? You must be one of those
super-genius straight A types.
PETER
Tell that to my uncle. He freaked
when he saw my last report card.
GWEN
Not a nerd either, eh? You're a
tough one to figure out... what did
you say your name was again?
PETER
Peter.
GWEN
Gwen, but I guess you heard before.
PETER
Yeah.
A uncomfortable silence.
GWEN
So... you spend a lot of time with
him? Your uncle?
PETER
Yeah... I kinda live with him and
my aunt.
GWEN
Oh.
PETER
My parents... they uh... they died
when I was twelve.
Gwen's eyes widen.
GWEN
Oh my God. I'm so sorry...
Gwen gets quiet. She turns away from Peter.
PETER
Hey, it's okay. You didn't know.
Don't worry about it.
GWEN
Thanks, but it's not that. I
just... nevermind.
PETER
No, what?
GWEN
It's not important.
PETER
I doubt that.
Gwen hesitates...
GWEN
It's just... I just lost my
parents.
PETER
(realizing)
Oh... oh man. I didn't mean to
push... I just thought...
GWEN
It's okay, it's just so fresh. It
all happened over the summer, so
fast, you know? I don't think it's
sunk in yet.
PETER
Yeah, it's tough. I don't even
remember much from when my parents
died. It's all so jumbled.
GWEN
Yeah, I'm kinda still there.
A moment of silence, as both take time to reflect.
PETER
Hey, look - I didn't mean to bring
all this back on you.
GWEN
It's okay. At least you've been
there. I'm so sick of all the
counselors. They try to teach me
how to cope when they don't have a
clue, you know?
Peter nods somberly.
PETER
Yeah. Not a clue...
Gwen glances over at Peter and smiles sadly.
INT. OSCORP - RESEARCH LAB
A massive, state of the art laboratory. Dozens of computer
monitors line the walls, along with glass chambers, chrome
tables, and tools of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Our
focus shifts to one of the glass chambers.
INT. GLASS CHAMBER
A HOMELESS MAN has been strapped to a table, IV tubes are
present throughout his body. Also present in the chamber is
Doctor MORT STROMM - short, chubby, and wild-eyed, with curly
gray hair.
He enters a few last-minute commands into a nearby computer,
and turns to leave.
HOMELESS MAN
Hey Doc, you sure this ain't gonna
hurt?
Stromm stops and turns back toward him.
STROMM
There may be some slight
discomfort, but nothing I would
consider agony, no.
HOMELESS MAN
So... what is this stuff again?
STROMM
A synthetic transfer fluid. It
contains trace amounts of an
experimental... medication we're
working on.
HOMELESS MAN
I'm not gonna grow extra arms am I?
STROMM
Nonsense. I told you, we're simply
testing a new vaccine.
HOMELESS MAN
Yeah, whatever Doc. I'm not stupid,
just promise me I won't end up with
wings tomorrow morning.
STROMM
I assure you sir, that's the last
thing you need to concern yourself
with right now.
Stromm exits into...
INT. OSCORP - RESEARCH LAB - CONTINUOUS
Stromm secures the door to the chamber. He walks to the
master control console, where Norman is waiting.
NORMAN
Welcome back, doctor.
STROMM
It's about time you wised up.
Norman is amused. He turns his attention toward the man in
the glass chamber.
NORMAN
He's not exactly our target
subject.
STROMM
Not exactly, but do you really
expect this to work?
NORMAN
Always the optimist, Doctor.
STROMM
I'm a realist, Norman. I just want
results.
NORMAN
A goal we both share.
Stromm enters a few commands into his keyboard and the
chamber springs to life. The IV tubes in the Homeless Man
fill with a faint green fluid.
Stromm moves from monitor to monitor, observing his vitals.
STROMM
Gargan seemed to think the fault
was the in the delivery method.
That the problem's getting the body
to accept - to survive - the
alteration in the genetic
structure. In theory it makes
sense, but his mild poisons theory
just doesn't float with me.
NORMAN
I assume you have a theory?
STROMM
Theories I have plenty of, it's
practical application that concerns
me.
NORMAN
Well then what practical
application have you come up with?
STROMM
You remember I said the
modifications needed a filter?
NORMAN
Something to introduce it to the
body. To lessen the severity of the
reaction.
STROMM
Exactly. The x-gene is a marvelous
thing, Norman. It makes up a very
small percentage of the subjects
DNA, yet is dominant over almost
everything else.
NORMAN
Meaning what?
In the glass chamber, the Homeless Man is growing more and
more uncomfortable by the second. He winces every few
seconds, with the occasional moan.
STROMM
Meaning the serum in its current
form is too strong. Too aggressive.
It's literally taking over the
subjects entire genetic structure -
or is trying to take over - I
should say. No human being can
survive that process for long.
NORMAN
Which was precisely the problem
Doctor Gargan's venom theory was
supposed to fix.
STROMM
Exactly, except his theory was
little more than ramblings on a
page. There was no actual science
to back it up. I've concocted a
synthetic formula, something I hope
will give his sci-fi theories a
dose of scientific fact.
NORMAN
You seem confident it'll work. Why
haven't you suggested this before?
STROMM
You must be joking. Gargan never
gave me the stroke I deserved with
this project. It was all about him
and his theories. The man was
obsessed.
NORMAN
Not your problem anymore. With him
out of the way, I expect results.
STROMM
So do I. I hope to learn something
from this test. It should help us
determine just how much genetic
material we'll need to introduce.
Too much and our efforts will have
been for nothing, too little and
the effect won't be enough to...
The main computer console begins beeping franticly. Alarms
begin to go off throughout the lab.
Inside the glass chamber, the Homeless Man begins to convulse
violently. He rocks back and forth so violently that he rips
the IV tubes from his veins. So violent is his reaction that
the steel restraints begin to give way.
His strength enhanced, the man TEARS through them, and falls
to his knees. Norman approaches the tank, placing his hand on
the glass, and gazing inside.
NORMAN
He tore through the restraints...
STROMM
His vitals are fading.
NORMAN
He tore through the...
The man climbs to his feet and lets out a loud SCREAM. His
eyes roll back into his head, and he falls forward, VIOLENTLY
slamming into the glass right in front of Norman.
He jumps back, startled.
STROMM
(off console)
He's dead.
Norman, still dazed, hasn't taken his eyes off of the tank.
STROMM
Norman?
Norman slowly snaps out of it, and turns and looks at Stromm.
NORMAN
He broke through the restraints.
STROMM
Progress.
NORMAN
I want more tests.
STROMM
Of course, but I'll need more...
NORMAN
You'll have them. We're too close
now. We have to make this work.
Norman once again turns his attention to the tank...
And the dead man lying inside it.
FADE TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY
Outside of the classroom, students begin to filter out. Peter
exits and heads toward a nearby flight of stairs.
Gwen follows.
GWEN
Peter! Hold on a second!
Peter stops and turns. Gwen steps closer to him, looking for
some semblance of privacy in the crowded hallway.
GWEN
Hey, look... I'm sorry about back
there. About your parents. If I'd
have known...
PETER
It's okay, really. I'm the one who
should apologize anyway.
GWEN
You did. Like twenty times already.
PETER
I know, but still...
GWEN
It's actually nice, you know?
Meeting someone who understands.
Who knows how tough it can be.
Peter shifts uncomfortably. He doesn't quite know how to
respond to this.
GWEN
Hey, you wanna hang out sometime
after school or something? Not as
like... a date or anything, but you
know, just to... whatever. I can
give you my number if you...
Gwen is interrupted by a voice yelling from down the hall.
EDDIE
Pete! Peter! Wait up, bro!
Eddie pushes through the crowd. Gwen raises an eyebrow.
GWEN
You know him?
PETER
Sorta...
(reconsiders)
Not really.
Eddie finally reaches them.
EDDIE
Hey, sucks about the class, huh?
PETER
The class?
EDDIE
With them getting switched and all.
PETER
Oh. Yeah... I guess.
EDDIE
Hey, but you know what? There's
this girl in my class - oh my god!
She is so hot, bro!
(looks around)
I gotta show you...
Gwen takes that as her cue to leave.
GWEN
Um... so Peter, guess I'll see you
later.
Gwen walks off.
PETER
Gwen! Hey wait...
It's too late. Gwen doesn't hear him, and keeps walking.
EDDIE
That your girl?
PETER
No, she's just... she's in my
class.
EDDIE
It's a shame. Listen though, this
girl, she's like...
Eddie's attention shifts to someone down the hall.
EDDIE
Oh wait, here she comes.
(points down the hall)
Check her out Pete!
Peter's eyes widen...
Walking towards them is Mary Jane!
She smiles as she approaches.
MARY JANE
Peter, wow. Twice in one day, this
must be some kind of record.
Peter fakes a smile.
MARY JANE
So Eddie, you left your permission
slip on your desk.
She hands him a folded-up piece of paper.
EDDIE
Oh yeah, thanks.
Mary Jane's attention once again turns to Peter.
MARY JANE
So, Peter, you just had a birthday,
right? August 11th?
PETER
Yep... August 11th.
EDDIE
Wait, you two know each other?
PETER
Yeah, it's a...
MARY JANE
Are you kidding...
Both stop.
PETER
You first.
MARY JANE
We know each other alright.
PETER
Yeah, it's a whole thing, but...
MARY JANE
A whole thing. Really? I didn't
realize it was that complicated.
Peter sighs. This just isn't his day.
PETER
It's not, I was just...
MARY JANE
Relax, Peter. I won't bite.
Peter is about to respond before the class bell rings. Saved
once again, he breaths a sigh of relief.
MARY JANE
Well, guess I better get to class.
She walks off, leaving Peter and Eddie, who frowns.
EDDIE
Figures.
The two watch as Mary Jane walks away.
INT. OSCORP - RESEARCH LAB
Gargan is standing in the middle of the lab. He wears the
same white lab coat from before, and does not look pleased.
The doors open and Norman enters.
NORMAN
I don't appreciate being called out
of important meetings to entertain
the help, doctor.
Gargan glares at him.
GARGAN
You son of a bitch.
Norman is taken back, but quickly recovers.
NORMAN
Before you go hurling insults
about, you may want to remember
whose property you're standing on.
GARGAN
You stole my project. You son of a
bitch. You stole it!
NORMAN
Reassigned. I need results, and you
weren't providing them.
GARGAN
I need time, Norman! This is
serious scientific research. You
can't turn it over to some crackpot
and expect any positive results!
NORMAN
Doctor Stromm is more than capable
of...
GARGAN
Of destroying two years worth of
research with his theories. You
know there was a reason he was
removed from the project the first
time around.
NORMAN
That wasn't my choice.
GARGAN
And this is?
NORMAN
Yes, I need results, and Doctor
Stromm can provide me with them.
His methods may be... questionable
at times, but he's already made
progress. That's something that was
in short supply during your tenure
on the project.
GARGAN
It's my project! I've worked too
hard on this to see you screw it
all up because of some government
contract!
NORMAN
That contract is all that's keeping
OsCorp alive.
GARGAN
I want it back.
NORMAN
You have your new project, and a
sizable raise if I recall
correctly. Not to mention that
nice, long, paid vacation I...
Gargan is fuming.
GARGAN
To hell with the vacation! To hell
with the money! This is my project,
and I want it back!
Gargan snaps. He takes a swing at a nearby table, knocking
its contents to the floor.
Among the debris is a small container, its lid now open.
NORMAN
Calm down, Mac. Don't make me call
security.
GARGAN
You're a fraud, Norman. You're a
liar and a thief! I wonder if the
Daily Bugle would be interested in
your little arrangement with...
NORMAN
Do not threaten me, Doctor! I don't
take well to being blackmailed by
my employees.
GARGAN
Maybe if you'd treat us like human
beings rather than apes you
wouldn't have that problem.
NORMAN
You should quit while you're ahead,
Doctor. Even primates need to make
a living.
GARGAN
Well, now you have one less primate
to concern yourself with.
Norman glares hard at him.
NORMAN
Get out.
GARGAN
What?
NORMAN
You want out? Fine, go. Leave or
I'll call security.
Gargan looks Norman directly in the eye.
GARGAN
This isn't over.
He slowly turns and begins walking away.
NORMAN
By the way... If news of my
business arrangement happens to
show up on the evening news...
Gargan turns back toward Norman.
GARGAN
Is that a threat?
NORMAN
A threat? You know me better than
that. It's a warning. You know I'm
not the only one who would suffer
if that information were to come
out. I'd hate for any leak to be
traced back to you...
Gargan continues to glare at Norman. He turns slowly and
walks toward the exit door.
CUT TO:
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