106
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
[
bottom
]
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - MORNING
Students are already mulling about in the early morning
sunshine. Some get off of buses, others their own cars.
PRINCIPAL WALTER "WALLY" BARTLETT watches with a smile.
WALLY
Not a bad gig...
He smiles warmly at several students as they pass, then
notices one in particular. He politely pushes through the
students to an exhausted and bruised PETER PARKER.
WALLY
Petey? Don't tell me you got
yourself into another one?
Peter looks up, just now noticing him.
PETER
I'm fine. Just an accident.
WALLY
You know Pete, if there's something
going on at home...
Peter smiles weakly.
PETER
Thanks, but I'm good.
WALLY
If you're sure...
PETER
It's not like that. Really.
Wally nods, looks up, and is immediately annoyed.
WALLY
Flash Thompson! That annoying...
(smiles at Peter)
See you later, Petey.
Peter watches as Wally storms off.
PETER
(quietly)
No Wally, I'm Spider-Man.
I get beat up for a living.
(beat, louder)
I need a hobby.
EDDIE (O.S.)
Tried yoga?
From behind him, EDDIE, MARY JANE, and GWEN approach.
EDDIE
I hear great things. Just watch
your... sensitive areas.
MARY JANE
(re: the bruise)
What have you been doing?
PETER
Shadow boxing.
(beat)
My shadow's a tough cookie.
Mary Jane touches a bruise lightly. Peter winces.
MARY JANE
Maybe you should skip tomorrow
night. You look exhausted.
PETER
No way. Movies with my peeps, what
could be better?
EDDIE
Frosted strawberry pop-tarts.
Mary Jane gives him an odd look.
MARY JANE
I worry about you sometimes.
EDDIE
What can I say? I have issues.
GWEN
The kind you keep under your bed.
EDDIE
Hey, I happen to like National
Geographic!
PETER
I think I'm gonna throw up.
EDDIE
Not a nature fan?
PETER
No really. I'm gonna throw up!
Peter breaks and runs towards the school.
Off the others' confused reactions:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY
Peter bursts through the door, his hand over his mouth. He
passes another student - BOBBY - on his way.
BOBBY
Whoa, Peter! You okay?
Peter shakes his head emphatically as he runs past.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
ANGLE ON A DRIPPING WATER FAUCET
Peter BURSTS in and heads straight for a stall. We hear him
throwing up and switch FOCUS to him as he comes out.
He makes his way slowly to the mirror and looks at himself.
He's pale, with dark circles under his eyes, to go along with
the bruises. He splashes some water on his face just as --
His SENSE kicks in.
Peter quickly spins around, scanning the room. He finds
nothing. After a moment, everything goes back to normal.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY - MEANWHILE
Eddie runs up next to Bobby.
EDDIE
You seen Pete?
Bobby thumbs towards the bathroom. Gwen and Mary Jane come
running up next to them.
EDDIE
Gonna give him second to exorcise
the demon.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - BATHROOM
Peter winces as his sense begins to fade. He punches the
metal towel dispenser, knocking it off the wall.
With amazing speed, Eddie rushes in.
EDDIE
Pete! You okay man?
Peter looks over at Eddie. His eyes have glazed over.
He collapses backwards, slamming his head into the wall,
leaving a small crater and a spot of blood sliding down as he
falls to the floor, unconscious.
EDDIE
Pete!
Eddie rushes over to him. Soon, Bobby, Gwen, and Mary Jane
enter and react as they see Peter collapsed, and at the sight
of the blood trickling down the wall.
EDDIE
Bobby, go get some help!
Bobby exits quickly.
EDDIE
Come on, Pete! Wake up, man!
Mary Jane takes a few steps closer, deeply concerned. Behind
her, a few other STUDENTS have gathered to see what's going
on. Bobby returns, along with Wally, who rushes to Peter.
WALLY
What happened?
PAN UP towards a small window over one of the stalls.
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - SKY ABOVE
High above the school, a small metallic drone spins quietly.
It turns to one side and we can make out an emblem on the
side. Though no text is present, there's no doubt.
It's the emblem of S.H.I.E.L.D.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
PETER'S P.O.V.
Gradually, the room fades into view.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - NURSE'S OFFICE
Peter lies on a small bed, surrounded by Mary Jane, Eddie,
Gwen, and the SCHOOL NURSE, a woman in her 40's.
He sits up slowly, rubbing the back of his head.
PETER
What happened?
The nurse approaches, a clipboard in hand.
NURSE
You collapsed. Took a nasty fall
too. How's your head feeling?
PETER
Like I ran into a brick wall.
GWEN
Are you okay?
PETER
I... think so. I mean, it hurts,
but I'll live.
EDDIE
Dude, what happened?
PETER
I have no idea. The last thing I
remember is throwing up, then...
I'm waking up here.
NURSE
Are you taking any medications?
Any... recreational drugs?
PETER
No.
The nurse eyes him suspiciously
NURSE
You know, this is no time to be
keeping things to yourself.
PETER
I'm not on drugs.
NURSE
Fair enough. Have you been sleeping
okay?
PETER
Depends on your definition of okay.
(off her look)
Not exactly.
NURSE
Any reason for this?
PETER
I wish I knew. I try to sleep, but
when my head hits the pillow, it's
like my mind starts racing.
NURSE
That's not uncommon for someone
your age, but you might want to see
a doctor. Your aunt's on her way to
pick you up now. I'm going to
suggest she make an appointment.
The nurse exits. Mary Jane leans in closer to the bed.
MARY JANE
Are you sure you're okay? You
really had us worried back there.
EDDIE
Seriously, bro. You gotta take it
easy.
PETER
Easy for you to say.
The nurse returns. She motions toward the others.
NURSE
Alright, you three should get back
to class. Everything's fine here.
Mary Jane leans in and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.
MARY JANE
Get some rest, Tiger.
Eddie gives Peter a pat on the shoulder.
EDDIE
Feel better, bro.
Peter smiles weakly.
PETER
See you guys.
Everyone exits, leaving Peter alone.
He lies back onto the bed. His SENSE kicks in. He jolts up,
looking around in a panic. Once again, nothing's there.
He lets out a loud, frustrated sigh.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY - OUTSIDE NURSE'S OFFICE
Mary Jane studies the BULLETIN BOARD intently. Her focus
seems to be on a small yellow flyer reading HELP WANTED.
EDDIE
Hey, red, you coming?
She quickly looks back at Eddie and Gwen.
MARY JANE
Coming.
She tears the flyer down, and stuffs it into her pocket.
FADE TO:
EXT. OCEAN - S.H.I.E.L.D. CARRIER - MORNING
We finds ourselves out at sea, with not even a hint of land
nearby. Before us is the massive S.H.I.E.L.D. CARRIER.
The carrier is huge in every way imaginable. It's base is
massive, and it extends dozens of stories into the sky,
topped with a glass-enclosed command center.
Scattered about the deck are several AIRCRAFT, along with
similarly designed SEACRAFT and dozens of SUVs.
INT. S.H.I.E.L.D. CARRIER - COMMAND CENTER
Looking out onto the sea, we find NICK FURY. He wears his
usual combination of black, and smokes a cigar.
Clearly, he's in his element here.
A pair of doors part to reveal MAJOR TREST.
FURY
I hope you've got some good news.
TREST
We've narrowed the search to a few
square miles in Queens.
Fury turns to face him.
FURY
Is that the best we can do?
TREST
At the moment, yes, but there is
one common area of activity.
Trest hands Fury a photo.
Fury looks at it, and we see that it's the same photo from
the previous episode. The photo of Midtown High.
TREST
I think it's clear we're dealing
with a student. None of the faculty
members match his physical traits.
FURY
This is going to be one hell of a
mess.
TREST
What are you suggesting, Colonel?
FURY
We know where he is. We need to act
now.
TREST
By taking over a public high school
in the middle of Queens?
FURY
It's not the safest option, but if
we wait for him to reveal himself
to us it could take weeks.
TREST
He'll slip up. Eventually.
FURY
He will, but will we be there when
he does? We're wasting time here.
What if he's about to graduate?
TREST
With all due respect, sir,
continued surveillance seems to be
the safest option at this point.
See if we can nail down his
movement patterns.
FURY
Time table?
TREST
Best estimates say at least another
three to six weeks. General Lee...
FURY
Is becoming a pain in my ass. We
operate autonomously and still have
to deal with his garbage?
TREST
There are other options.
Fury doesn't respond.
TREST
We can try to track him through the
city. Intel has him out every
night. We can try tracking him...
FURY
Do you have kids, Major?
TREST
Sir?
FURY
Miniature humans.
TREST
No, sir.
FURY
If we were half as good at keeping
our secrets as they are, we'd have
no need for containment teams.
(beat)
Teenagers especially. They're
expert liars. They keep secrets
from their parents, from each
other. It's what they live for.
Trest is at a loss. Fury looks him in the eye.
FURY
We have to enter the belly of the
beast.
TREST
Permission to speak freely?
Fury doesn't respond. Trest takes that as his sign.
TREST
Washington's going to eat us alive
if we do this. The PR will be...
FURY
If thirty years of this has taught
me anything, Major, it's that
sometimes you have to take risks.
(beat)
Especially when your back's against
the wall like ours is now. I'm not
going to let some kid in a bad
Halloween costume beat me.
Trest waits for a moment, then nods.
TREST
If those are your orders.
FURY
Prep the operation.
Trest salutes and walks away.
Fury turns back to the ocean and lights up a cigar.
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - PARKING LOT - DAY
Peter and MAY exit the school, heading for her car.
MAY
I'll call Doctor Bennett when we
get home. See if he has any
openings this afternoon.
Peter sighs.
PETER
It's fine. I don't need to see a
doctor.
MAY
You collapsed, Peter. Now unless
there's something you're not
telling me about why you collapsed,
I'd say that's a pretty good reason
to see a doctor.
PETER
I'm just tired. It's no big deal.
I'll be fine.
They reach the car. May walks around to the driver's side,
while Peter slowly tosses his bag into the back seat.
INT. MAY'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
The two settle in, but May makes no move to start the car.
She stares over at Peter, who looks away.
MAY
Is there something you want to tell
me?
PETER
Like what?
MAY
I don't know, you tell me. We
barely speak anymore. You come home
at all hours of the night, after
you claim to have been studying
with Mary Jane, but your grades are
lower than they've ever been. Not
to mention all these strange cuts
and bruises that seem to come out
of nowhere.
(beat, shakes head)
If I didn't know better, I'd say...
Peter quickly turns back to her.
PETER
I know what you'd say, and no, I'm
not on drugs.
MAY
I certainly hope not, but if it's
not that, then what? I live in the
same house with you and I don't
even know who you are anymore.
PETER
It's nothing, Aunt May. I don't get
it, I thought you'd be happy that
I'm not locked up in my room all
the time. You've been nagging me
about it for years.
MAY
I am happy, Peter. I really am, but
I'm also worried. I don't know what
it is you're out there doing all
the time and it scares me.
PETER
Don't be. There's nothing to worry
about. I'm just busy doing...
things. Homework, hanging out with
MJ and Gwen. Eddie. Helping out
Robbie. Believe me, I haven't run
off and joined the pro wrestling
circuit behind your back.
May grins.
MAY
Well that's good to know.
(beat)
Peter, I know things have been
rough lately and we haven't had a
chance to sit down and really talk,
but I hope you know... if you ever
need to, I'm always here.
Peter nods quietly.
PETER
I know.
May reaches over and hugs him.
MAY
I love you.
PETER
I love you, too.
They pull away and Peter rests his head against the back of
his seat. May starts the car and they pull away.
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - PARKING LOT
The car starts and pulls away. Just as it leaves the lot,
several BLACK VANS pull up, lead by a BLACK SUV.
The passenger side door opens, and Fury steps out.
He looks ahead at the school.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - OFFICE
Fury, Trest, and several S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENTS have gathered
across from the main desk. Wally enters, a large fishing net
hanging over his shoulder. Trest raises an eyebrow.
WALLY
What can I do for you gentlemen?
Fury pulls out a badge.
FURY
I'm agent Frank Wyche, D.E.A. This
is agent Sartz. We have reason to
believe a drug dealer we've been
trailing for the last year is a
student at this school.
WALLY
I see. So... what can I do for you
gentlemen?
Fury looks back at Trest, annoyed.
FURY
We're going to need to speak with a
few students. Male students.
WALLY
Well that's all well and good, but
is the gun really necessary?
Fury stares at him.
FURY
I beg your pardon?
WALLY
Yeah, the gun there in your coat.
Fury reaches into his coat and pulls out a gun.
FURY
Let me guess, X-ray vision?
WALLY
Drugs. Guns. Cops. It all goes
together, you know?
They stand there for an awkward beat.
WALLY
(re: gun)
I'll be needing that.
Fury shakes his head, sighs.
FURY
Very well.
He slams his gun down onto the desk.
WALLY
And the others. Knives, too.
Trest laughs quietly behind Fury's back. Fury turns back and
glares at him. Trest stops, covering his mouth.
FURY
Do it.
Trest and the other agents take out their guns as well. Many
of them have multiple weapons. Before long, the desk is
covered with guns and knives.
WALLY
Now I'll just need to see some ID.
FURY
Mister Bartlett, we can provide you
with all the ID you need.
WALLY
Right this way, then.
They all exit. A moment later, the RECEPTIONIST returns to
the office, reading a romance novel and humming a song. She
looks up briefly and her eyes widen at the sight of the guns.
WALLY (O.S.)
Take care of those, Cindy!
Off her horrified reaction:
FADE TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - GYM
The GIRLS PE CLASS has gathered, with the BOYS CLASS on the
opposite side of the gym. Mary Jane sits on the bottom of the
bleachers, reading the help wanted flyer from before.
GWEN (O.S.)
Whatcha got there?
Mary Jane quickly stuffs it back into her pocket.
MARY JANE
What? Oh, nothing.
Gwen raises an eyebrow.
GWEN
Didn't look like nothing.
MARY JANE
Just something I picked up.
GWEN
You're looking for a job?
Mary Jane sighs.
MARY JANE
I've been thinking about it.
GWEN
Um... no offense, but why would you
want to do that?
MARY JANE
It's a long story.
(beat)
A long, broke story.
Mary Jane fishes the flyer back out. Gwen takes it.
GWEN
Movie house? That place is dead.
(then)
Have you tried Dante's? They can't
seem to keep a waitress to save
their life.
MARY JANE
I heard the owner's a jerk.
GWEN
Get used to it. Most bosses are. I
remember last summer...
Before she can finish, the gym doors BURST open.
Soon, the gym is flooded with a dozen S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENTS.
Fury and Trest enter behind them.
FURY
Major.
Trest grabs a megaphone from one of the agents.
TREST
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Agent Sartz. My
associates and I work for the
United States Drug Enforcement
Agency. It's come to our attention
that some of you fine gentlemen may
be involved in some not so fine off
campus activities. Therefore, we're
going to ask that all male students
between five foot six and five foot
eight, between one hundred forty
five and one hundred sixty pounds,
remain here. The rest of you are
free to continue.
(beat, smiles)
Outside.
The girls class begins to exit, along with many of the male
students. Mary Jane and Gwen appear completely baffled.
The GIRL'S COACH turns back to them.
GIRL'S COACH
Coming, ladies?
They look at each others, unsure, then follow the others.
Across the gym, Fury watches on as the male students of the
correct height and weight are gathered along the far wall.
Off his stoic expression:
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. DAILY BUGLE - MAIN FLOOR
Buzzing with activity as always. Sitting at his very small
desk is ROBBIE ROBERTSON. He has the phone pressed to his
ear, and is surrounded by files and folders.
His arm remains in a sling, the effects of the previous
episode still lingering, though it seems to be more of an
inconvenience at this point than a serious source of pain.
ROBBIE
Minor traffic violation? That's it?
(listens, frowns)
Something's not right with this
guy, Enrique. It doesn't add up.
(beat, sighs)
Alright, well Let me know if you
get anything. Alright, bye.
He hangs up the phone, disappointed.
BETTY (O.S.)
Still working on that Fisk thing?
BETTY BRANT walks into frame.
ROBBIE
Trying to. Whatever this guy's
story is, he's got a good front.
BETTY
Ever consider that you're chasing a
ghost here? I'm sure he's got a few
skeletons in the closet, but that
doesn't make him a crime lord.
ROBBIE
I don't know, Betty. I just got a
feeling about this guy. One of his
employee's gets dragged out of the
Hudson, and six hours later his kid
brother is lying on Fisk's office
floor, dead? Then the body
disappears from the morgue? It's
too much. This guy's into something
serious, and I'm going to find out
what it is.
Betty sits down on his desk.
BETTY
Are you sure that's safe? I mean,
if the guy's as bad as you say he
is, he's probably not someone you
need to be snooping around.
Robbie smiles sarcastically.
ROBBIE
Welcome to journalism.
BETTY
(smirk)
Speak for yourself, I'm just the
secretary, remember?
(beat, more serious)
Really, though, be careful, okay?
I'm still not sure I buy your
Kingpin theory, but you should
watch yourself, alright?
Robbie smiles.
ROBBIE
Don't worry, I'll be fine.
JONAH (O.S.)
Miss Brant!
Betty cringes.
BETTY
Lunch time. Lucky me.
Robbie smiles as she walks away. He picks up one of the files
and studies it. A CLOSE UP reveals that it's a FINANCIAL
REPORT on Fisk Enterprises.
Robbie tosses it back onto the desk in frustration.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.