TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. STREET - NIGHT
An AERIAL VIEW of the busy streets below and the citizens
that occupy them at this time of night. Our focus finally
drifts to one person in particular.
A JUNKIE paces down the sidewalk. He's obviously strung out
on something as he continues his march down the sidewalk.
He staggers past the crowd, bumping into every other person,
then turns a corner, entering into:
EXT. ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Another man, ANDREW, leans against the wall at the entrance
to the alley, eyeing every person that walks by. From the
looks of things, Andrew is in his early 20's.
As he lights a cigarette, the Junkie enters the alley.
JUNKIE
(sniffing)
Hey.
Andrew eyes him in disgust.
ANDREW
You look like hell.
JUNKIE
Bad day.
(coughing)
Please, you gotta help me out.
ANDREW
I can't help you out until you help
me out. Come on, lets see it.
JUNKIE
It's all here...
The Junkie begins to dig in his pants pocket, pulling out a
roll of twenty dollar bills balled up like trash.
Andrew snatches the money from him, and begins to count.
JUNKIE
I counted it myself.
ANDREW
Shut up.
Andrew finishes counting. Satisfied, he stuffs the money into
his pocket and pulls out a small sandwich bag filled with
several green-tinted pills. He throws it onto the ground.
Without a seconds hesitation the Junkie drops to his knees to
pick it up. Andrew stares at the mess in front of him.
ANDREW
You're pathetic.
Andrew walks away, leaving the Junkie to his purchase.
INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The Junkie busts in through the front door and slams shut.
The place is a mess, with rotten food and dirty clothes
thrown about carelessly.
He slumps down onto his couch and pulls out the familiar
sandwich bag. He opens it and pours the pills out onto a
coffee table. He looks as if he just found the Holy Grail.
The Junkie grabs one of the pills and pops it into his mouth,
followed by another, and another, and finally a fourth.
INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATER
The room is just as it was a few hours before. The Junkie is
passed out on the couch, but suddenly sits up, his eyes wide.
He begins to convulse violently, rolling onto the floor.
He jumps to his feet, blinking his eyes frantically, and
rubbing them with his hands. Whatever's wrong with him,
they're obviously the source of his pain.
He staggers into the hallway, then through a door and into:
INT. APARTMENT - BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS
He rushes to the sink, and looks ahead at the mirror on the
wall. He looks into it, and we see his eyes are red. Not just
bloodshot, but bright, almost glowing red.
JUNKIE
Get a grip, man!
He turns on the water faucet, splashing water in his eyes,
but it doesn't appear to be working. He collapses to the
floor and lets out a loud scream of agony.
He grabs onto the sink, trying to pull himself up, when
suddenly BRIGHT FLASHES appear from his eyes.
ANGLE ON HIS EYES
As sparks of red-tinted energy begin to flash around his
retina. He closes them tightly, but another FLASH bursts
through, burning right through his eye lids.
INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The Junkie staggers out from the bathroom, frantically
scratching, rubbing, and clawing at his eyes. Through his
hands, we see the flashes are intensifying.
Finally, a particularly BRIGHT FLASH goes off. It's so bright
that the flash emanates from not only his eyes, but from
every opening on his head. He collapses to the floor.
Off his lifeless, scorched face:
FADE TO:
INT. WATSON HOME - KITCHEN - MORNING
KATHERINE WATSON sits at the kitchen table, a stack of bills
scattered in front of her.
CRAIG WATSON enters, still in his PJ's.
CRAIG
Morning.
KATHERINE
Morning.
Craig leans over and gives his wife a kiss.
CRAIG
I thought we agreed we weren't
going to let ourselves get stressed
out over this kinda stuff?
KATHERINE
Well that's kind of hard when they
keep piling up like this.
(then)
Did you ever get your check from
the shelter?
CRAIG
It's "being processed" - whatever
that means.
KATHERINE
It means we can't count on that for
at least six months. I wish you'd
just consider calling Frank. I'm
sure he could...
CRAIG
He's barely making ends meet as it
is. There's no way he's got room
for one more, besides, some of the
clients he represents...
KATHERINE
We can't afford to be picky here,
Craig. It's not like...
Their conversation is put on hold when MARY JANE enters.
MARY JANE
Morning, parent folk.
KATHERINE
Morning, honey.
CRAIG
Hey, sweetie.
Mary Jane looks back and forth at her parents, who seem to
looking at everything but each other.
MARY JANE
Everything okay?
KATHERINE
Everything's fine, baby.
The phone rings and Craig gets up to answer.
KATHERINE
We're fine. How about I make you
some breakfast?
Mary Jane grabs a granola bar from the cabinet.
MARY JANE
That's okay. I'm meeting Gwen and
Eddie outside.
KATHERINE
Alright then, if you're sure.
Mary Jane kisses her mother on the cheek, then her father,
before grabbing her bookbag and exiting.
Meanwhile, Craig appears baffled on the phone.
CRAIG
Um... are you sure? Not that I
don't appreciate it, but...
(listens)
Yes, of course. I'd be happy to
stop by and discuss the situation.
(listens again)
That sounds good. I'll be there.
Craig slowly hangs up the phone, then looks back at
Katherine, a stunned look on his face.
KATHERINE
What is it?
CRAIG
I think I just got a job offer.
KATHERINE
That's great! With who?
Craig hesitates, as if he can't even believe it himself.
CRAIG
Wilson Fisk.
Off Katherine's reaction:
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY
As usual, the halls are filled with students as they gear up
for the day. GWEN and EDDIE are among the crowd as they chat
beside a row of lockers.
Eddie rubs his chin, a smug expression on his face.
EDDIE
So... notice anything different?
Gwen looks him over.
GWEN
Um... no.
(notices)
Oh wait, yeah! You've got a pimple
on your chin!
Eddie panics, feeling for said pimple.
GWEN
(laughs)
Relax, I'm messing with you.
EDDIE
You are the devil, woman!
GWEN
You know it, now where's my due?
Gwen leans in and they kiss. As they pull away, Gwen sniffs
the air, then looks back at Eddie.
EDDIE
Ah-ha! See, you do notice! I've
been trying out this new
aftershave. You know, the one
that's supposed to make all the
chicks attack you.
Gwen smacks him in the arm.
EDDIE
Ow! What the hell?
GWEN
(grins)
Guess it works.
INDY (O.S.)
Gwen! Eddie!
INDY approaches, her usual ball-of-energy self.
INDY
Have you guys heard?
GWEN
Heard what?
INDY
You seriously haven't heard? Oh my
God, where have you guys been?
EDDIE
Making out in the...
Gwen smacks him again.
EDDIE
(feeling his arm)
Emergency room.
INDY
Nobody's told you about Liz and
Flash?
EDDIE
Liz and Flash?
INDY
(stoked)
They're together!
Gwen and Eddie just stare at her blankly.
GWEN
(flat)
Wow.
EDDIE
Breaking news.
INDY
What is wrong with you guys? This
is huge! Epic!
GWEN
Um, Indy... wars are epic. Three
thousand year old books written by
blind dudes are epic.
Maybe even a movie trilogy or two.
Flash and Liz? Not so epic.
Indy rolls her eyes.
INDY
Ugh! What are you guys, members of
the anti-social society?
GWEN
Card-carrying.
EDDIE
And certified.
Indy notices Mary Jane and PETER approaching.
INDY
Hey! Peter, MJ!
The two soon join their friends by the lockers.
MARY JANE
What's up?
INDY
(quickly)
Flash and Liz are a couple.
More blank stares.
MARY JANE
(uneasy)
Wow. Okay... congratulations?
PETER
Good for them?
INDY
You guys are hopeless!
Indy's eyes suddenly widen in amazement.
INDY
Oh, look!
LIZ ALLEN and FLASH THOMPSON walk past, hand in hand.
Indy jumps directly into their path.
INDY
Hey guys!
LIZ
Indy... again.
FLASH
Would you cut it out already?
INDY
Hey, can I help it if you two are
like the hottest couple since...
well, like ever?
MARY JANE
You guys better run before she
starts taking pics for her MySpace.
INDY
Hey, someone has to keep things
interesting around here. I mean,
what else is there to do, study?
Three GIRLS walk by, and soon Indy is right behind them.
INDY
Gotta go, see you guys later.
(yells to the girls)
Girls, wait up! Have you heard?
Indy catches up with them, and they begin to look back at
Flash and Liz. Flash lets out an annoyed sigh.
FLASH
She needs a boyfriend. Bad.
Off Flash's annoyed face:
FADE TO:
INT. FISK'S OFFICE
WILSON FISK stares out the windows at the New York City
skyline. The sky is filled with dark clouds.
FISK
My decision to offer you this job
wasn't an easy one, you know.
PAN AROUND and we find Craig seated on the other side of the
desk, now dressed in a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase.
FISK
You came highly recommended.
CRAIG
I wouldn't have thought you would
have heard a small name like mine.
FISK
I have a great many connections in
this city. Word is you're a great
attorney who doesn't get caught up
in the system.
CRAIG
Well, I try. Sometimes I think it's
a losing battle.
Fisk walks back to his desk, taking a seat.
FISK
I'll be honest with you Craig, what
I need right now is exactly what
you can provide.
CRAIG
And that is...?
FISK
You're aware of the... incident at
my plant several weeks ago.
CRAIG
The explosion.
FISK
Yes, a terrible accident.
Unfortunately, there are those that
would have me punished for things
that aren't within my control.
CRAIG
Have you been charged with
anything?
FISK
I have, yes. A number of
environmental laws were apparently
broken due to the explosion.
CRAIG
I see. You'll have to forgive me,
but I hardly think I'm the best man
for this job. You must have...
FISK
Teams of lawyers, yes. The best of
the best. Vultures, and overpaid
ones at that. That's where you come
in. You have a reputation within
the courts as a man with morals, a
man of integrity that can't simply
be bought off. Your representation
could help my case tremendously.
Craig is lost for words.
CRAIG
I appreciate the offer, but I think
you should find someone a little
more...
FISK
Craig, I'll be honest with you. I
know you haven't been presented
with many job offers these past few
months, and what work you have
gotten has been... well, less than
lucrative. I can assure you, you
will be compensated extremely well.
(beat)
You'd not only be doing me a great
service, but yourself and your
family as well.
Craig scratches the back of his head, pondering what to say
next. Fisk looks on with a piercing stare.
CRAIG
Can I at least have some time to
think it over?
FISK
Of course. Take all the time you
need. Just know that you're the man
I want on this case.
Off Craig's uncertain expression:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - GYM
Gym class is already underway as Mary Jane and Gwen step out
of the locker room. They spot Liz sitting on a bleacher
nearby. She's alone and hasn't dressed-out.
MARY JANE
Liz?
She looks up.
LIZ
Hey.
MARY JANE
Why you sitting here all by your
lonesome?
LIZ
I'm really not up for a public
appearance right now.
Liz looks across the gym at Indy, who is eagerly chatting
with several other students.
GWEN
Has that girl ever had a boyfriend
of her own?
LIZ
I'm starting to wonder.
Mary Jane sits down next to her.
MARY JANE
Don't worry, once she finds
something else to blab about you
and Flash will be old news.
GWEN
We could start some rumors?
LIZ
Nah, let her have her fun.
MARY JANE
Not to add to the pile here, but...
how did you and Flash become... you
and Flash? It seems kinda sudden.
CUT TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - BOY'S LOCKER ROOM
Peter, Eddie, and Flash are in their own isle away from the
other students. Peter ties his sneakers, while Eddie and
Flash are already mid-way into a conversation.
FLASH
Dude, she was all over me!
EDDIE
Really?
FLASH
Hell yeah. We had to work on this
project together and I could tell
she already had a thing for me. It
just kinda... happened, I guess.
KENNY MCFARLANE enters.
KENNY
You think every girl on the planet
has a thing for you.
FLASH
And most of the time I'm right.
KENNY
Most of the time they're drunk at
some dude's party.
FLASH
Just means we have something in
common then.
Kenny shakes his head.
FLASH
Liz is different, though. It's more
than just looks you know? I mean
don't get me wrong, she's easy on
the eyes.
KENNY
Very easy.
EDDIE
I'll give you that, but you guys
can't touch me and Gwen.
KENNY
He's got a point, dude. Liz is hot,
but Gwen... well, Gwen's...
Kenny looks over at Eddie.
KENNY
You already... know what she is.
CUT TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - GYM
Liz finishes her story.
LIZ
He's actually a really great guy.
Before anyone can respond, Indy jogs up.
INDY
So, when exactly did it happen?
We've got this pool going in...
MARY JANE
You're still betting on this stuff?
Indy waves her arms frantically.
INDY
Tell the whole world, would ya'?!
It's not exactly school-sponsored!
Liz sighs, stands up.
LIZ
Would you just drop it? What is
your deal anyway? You don't have a
life of your own so you spend your
time annoying the rest of us?
Indy, stunned, doesn't reply.
INDY
I...
LIZ
That's what I thought.
Liz storms off.
FADE TO:
INT. OSCORP - NORMAN'S OFFICE
NORMAN OSBORN sits comfortably behind his desk, speaking with
a twenty-something INFORMANT on the other side.
In stark contrast to Norman's suit and tie, the Informant
wears jeans and a hoodie. He tosses a familiar bag onto the
desk. Norman picks it up, gazing inside.
NORMAN
Where did you get this?
INFORMANT
Guy I know. Didn't come cheap.
NORMAN
Neither did your services.
INFORMANT
I've never seen anything like it.
Damn things are spreading like a
virus. It's pretty crazy out there.
Norman opens the bag and pulls out three small tablets.
NORMAN
What about the rumors?
INFORMANT
I've heard a few, but nothing I'd
bet my life on.
NORMAN
Deaths?
INFORMANT
A few. Cops found a guy in his
apartment a few days ago, said
something fried his brain from the
inside out. They don't know for
sure, but I'd be willing to bet
your wonder pills are responsible.
NORMAN
Where did they come from?
INFORMANT
I'm still working on that. I've got
a few leads, but nothing concrete.
DOCTOR CURT CONNERS enters.
NORMAN
That'll be all. Keep at it, and
I'll contact you again soon.
INFORMANT
Will do.
The Informant exits.
CONNERS
You asked to speak with me?
Norman places the tablets back on the table.
NORMAN
I need these analyzed ASAP.
CONNERS
Is this what I think it is?
NORMAN
If they do contain Renaissance we
need to act fast. If this gets back
to Fury...
CONNERS
That shouldn't be a problem. It
should only take a few hours.
Conners carefully picks up one of the pills.
NORMAN
Get to work then. We don't have any
time to waste here.
Off Norman:
FADE TO:
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - FRONT LOT - AFTERNOON
The bell rings, signalling the end of the day. Soon, the
front lot is packed with students, including Liz. She hurries
down the steps and approaches the student parking lot.
She looks around, as if searching for someone. She finds him.
Andrew leans against the hood of his car.
LIZ
Hey.
ANDREW
Hey yourself.
Liz looks around, making sure nobody is watching them.
ANDREW
Come on, it's not like this is your
first time.
LIZ
It is when it's in front of my
school.
ANDREW
Trust me, babe, you're not the only
one doing it.
LIZ
Do you have any with you?
Andrew pulls out another baggy of the familiar pills. Liz
quickly pushes his hand down.
LIZ
Are you crazy?!
ANDREW
Stop worrying so much. You know
what I'm after.
Liz pulls out some money and slips it to him covertly. Andrew
hands her the baggy the same way.
ANDREW
Pleasure doing business with you.
Andrew gives her a wink before getting back in his car.
Liz admires the bag in her hand, as we:
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. WATSON HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
The Watson family is seated at the table, eating dinner. All
that can be heard is the clinking of their forks.
MARY JANE
Somebody wanna tell me what's going
on?
KATHERINE
What do you mean?
MARY JANE
You two haven't spoken all night.
I'm not stupid. Something is
obviously up.
CRAIG
It's nothing, honey.
MARY JANE
Oh, come on! It's always nothing.
Do you expect me to believe that?
CRAIG
It's just... something we need to
figure out, that's all.
MARY JANE
Something being...?
KATHERINE
Your father was offered a job
today.
MARY JANE
Oh. That's... good, right?
CRAIG
Working for Wilson Fisk.
MARY JANE
Oh.
(confused)
He wants you to represent him?
Craig nods.
CRAIG
It's this plant explosion.
Apparently, he wants to use my
reputation to get off easy.
MARY JANE
He said that?
CRAIG
Not exactly, but it's pretty
obvious. Why else would someone
like him come to me?
KATHERINE
Well I'm proud of you. Did you ever
think he might have come to you
because you're one of the best
lawyers in the state?
CRAIG
Honey, I...
KATHERINE
You have to take the job, Craig. It
might not be the perfect situation,
but you know we need the money.
Craig nods, not able to argue her point.
MARY JANE
Is that all that matters to you?
The money?
KATHERINE
No, but it's pretty important.
MARY JANE
That's easy for you to say, you're
not the one who's gonna be working
for this creep!
CRAIG
I don't know if I'd go that far,
honey. He says it was an accident.
MARY JANE
Oh, of course he does!
KATHERINE
What's that supposed to mean?
MARY JANE
Haven't you been watching the news?
Wilson Fisk isn't the type of guy
that accidents happen to.
CRAIG
I'm not saying he's a boy scout,
but your mother's right. We need
the money. I could make more on
this one case than a years worth of
what I've been doing.
MARY JANE
So, I guess it doesn't really
matter what I think then.
KATHERINE
Of course it does, we're just...
Mary Jane quickly stands up.
MARY JANE
You know what? You're going to get
your way, mom. Happy now? All you
care about is the money, and now
you guys will have plenty of it!
She moves to exit.
CRAIG
Mary Jane!
She stops, but doesn't turn around.
MARY JANE
Don't bother.
She exits, leaving her frustrated parents behind.
[
top
| next
]
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.