110
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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               INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - COMPUTER LAB

               Eddie is seated at a computer, but his attention is focused
               on a sheet of paper. Peter is absentmindedly spinning on a
               computer chair beside him.

                                   EDDIE
                         This is bogus!

                                   PETER
                         If you say so...

                                   EDDIE
                             (reading, mocking voice)
                         Due to recent events, any and all
                         songs containing references to ice
                         will not be included in this
                         weekend's scheduled dance.
                             (beat)
                         Do you have any idea what this
                         means?

                                   PETER
                         You're backing out?

                                   EDDIE
                         No Vanilla Ice! This is a disaster!

                                   PETER
                         We just found out one of our
                         classmates is a mutant and all you
                         can think about is this dance?
                         You're lucky they didn't cancel it.
                             (then)
                         I still can't believe it.

                                   EDDIE
                         So Bobby's a mutant. Big deal. It
                         happens.

                                   PETER
                         I wonder if he knew or if it just
                         kinda snuck up on him?

                                   EDDIE
                         The more important question is:
                         when are you going to ask MJ to the
                         dance?

               Peter stops his spinning.

                                   PETER
                         Yeah, because it worked so well the
                         last time I tried to ask her.

                                   EDDIE
                         So some guy asked her before you.
                         Lets not forget said guy is an ice
                         freak. I'm guessing he won't be
                         there to see my illustrious debut
                         as Midtown's hottest DJ.

                                   PETER
                         I can't ask her after what happened
                         with Bobby. That's just... wrong.

                                   EDDIE
                         Look, I'm not supposed to be
                         telling you this, but Gwen and MJ?
                         They talk, and I... well, I hear
                         things. Trust me. Ask her.

                                   PETER
                         Wait, what kind of things?

                                   EDDIE
                             (grins)
                         The kind Gwen would smack me for
                         telling you.

                                   PETER
                         Are you saying MJ...

                                   EDDIE
                         Look, do you want to ask her?
                             (Peter hesitates)
                         Do you want to go to the dance with
                         her? Yes or no?

               A beat as Peter considers the question.

                                   PETER
                         I do, yeah.

                                   EDDIE
                         Then do it. I know this Bobby
                         thing's got everyone kinda freaked
                         out right now, but that doesn't
                         change anything between you and MJ.
                         Trust me on this - just ask her.

               As Peter considers this:

                                                               FADE TO:

               INT. BAXTER BUILDING - OFFICE

               A sparsely decorated office, resembling somewhat the
               interrogation room from 1.07, but with windows. Norman enters
               to find NICK FURY standing, back to him, facing the window.

                                   FURY
                         Sit.

               Norman does so, fidgeting nervously, as Fury turns around,
               not bothering to take a seat. It's the position of power.

                                   FURY
                         As you may, or may not have
                         gathered, we've been keeping a very
                         close eye on you these past few
                         weeks.

               Norman opens his mouth to speak, but Fury holds up a hand,
               silencing him.

                                   FURY
                         Just listen. This project isn't
                         developing as quickly as we had
                         hoped. Frankly, you have proven
                         that you are beyond incapable of
                         living up to your end of the
                         bargain. Not only that, but my
                         superiors have decided you pose a
                         security risk that is too great for
                         us to simply ignore.

                                   NORMAN
                         If I can just explain...

                                   FURY
                         Explain how the serum was somehow
                         leaked to the public? How it was
                         used in the production of an
                         extremely dangerous street drug?
                         And while you're at it, perhaps
                         you'd like to explain how, if you
                         value this project so much, this
                         leak was allowed to happen in the
                         first place.

               Norman frantically searches for a response.

                                   FURY
                         As of now, we are stripping OsCorp
                         of Project: Renaissance. My men are
                         already confiscating our equipment
                         from your labs. I expect you to
                         notify us if we overlook anything.

               Norman rises from his seat so fast that he knocks his chair
               over. He's furious.

                                   NORMAN
                         You can't do this!

                                   FURY
                         It's already done.

               Norman gets right up Fury's face.

                                   NORMAN
                         I have sacrificed everything for
                         this project! You can't just take
                         it away!

                                   FURY
                         Eight years, Osborn. Eight years
                         and nothing to show for it but the
                         biggest security breach this
                         organization has ever seen. Now I
                         suggest you leave my office before
                         you do something you're going to
                         regret.

               Norman glares at him hard.

                                   NORMAN
                         This isn't over.

                                   FURY
                         I'm afraid it is, now get out.
                             (Norman remains)
                         Now.

               After a beat, Norman does just that, slamming the door shut
               behind him. Fury watches with a stoic expression as we:

                                                               FADE TO:

               EXT. HARLEM - STREET - NIGHT

               Robbie's Jeep is parked outside of a small store, one among
               many shops lined-up side-by-side on the block.

               INT. ABANDONED STORE - STORE FRONT

               The store is completely dark, with the only real source of
               light filtering in through the windows from the street lights
               outside. Boxes litter the floor, and it doesn't look like
               anyone's been here for a good while.

               Robbie cautiously enters, looking around to see if he's
               alone. He is, and heads toward the back of the store.

               INT. ABANDONED STORE - BACK ROOM

               Robbie pushes the doors open and enters into what would be
               the stock room if the store was in business. Several wooden
               pallets are on the floor, along with all the various
               equipment you'd expect to find in a stock room.

               And a few items you wouldn't, among them a sleeping bag, a
               can opener, and dozens of cans of food, both empty and new.

                                   ROBBIE
                         Marshall?

               No response. Robbie continues to survey the room, but finds
               no sign of Marshall. He glances at his watch and frowns.

                                   ROBBIE
                         Marshall, it's me.

               Still nothing. Robbie spots something on the floor, a BLOOD
               TRAIL. He reacts to this sight, and after a beat follows it,
               rounding a corner to another section of the stock room.

                                   ROBBIE
                         Oh God...

               He stops dead in his tracks. On the floor is Marshall, lying
               in a pool of his own blood, and as DEAD as one can be.

               Robbie looks around him, and notices the blood has been drawn
               out into a very specific pattern.

               ANGLE FROM ABOVE

               Robbie slowly turns around, doing a full 360 trying to follow
               the trail of blood. From this angle however, we can clearly
               make out what the pattern is: A SKULL.

               BACK TO Robbie, who stands in the middle of it all.

                                                               FADE TO:

               EXT. WATSON RESIDENCE - FRONT LAWN - NIGHT

               Mary Jane sits on the front steps, her chin resting on her
               knees, deep in thought. Peter walks up from the driveway.

                                   PETER
                         Hey.

               Mary Jane looks up.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Hey.

               Peter sits beside her on the steps.

                                   PETER
                         I'd ask how you're doing, but the
                         blank stare kinda gives you away.

                                   MARY JANE
                             (grins)
                         Didn't mean to infringe on your
                         trademark there.

                                   PETER
                         Have you heard anything?

                                   MARY JANE
                         From Bobby?
                             (shakes her head)
                         Who knows where he's run off to.

                                   PETER
                         I just hope he's okay.

                                   MARY JANE
                         That was pretty crazy today. I
                         mean, can you imagine? He's been
                         there all this time and none of us
                         ever noticed. I mean, an actual
                         mutant at our school. You hear
                         about them on the news, but... for
                         it to actually happen to you.

                                   PETER
                         He's a mutant, MJ, not a natural
                         disaster.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Okay, maybe that was a little
                         harsh. But still... aren't you
                         freaked out a little?

               ANGLE ON A BUSH

               Lurking behind it is Bobby, listening in on their
               conversation with great interest.

               BACK TO SCENE as Peter considers Mary Jane's question.

                                   PETER
                         Well, I mean... are you?

                                   MARY JANE
                         A little, yeah.
                             (beat, shakes her head)
                         I don't know, maybe I've been
                         watching too much TV. I saw some
                         preacher on the other day talking
                         about how mutants were a sign of
                         Armageddon. Kinda freaked me out.

               Peter lets out a chuckle.

                                   PETER
                         I wouldn't go that far.

               A moment of silence, broken by:

                                   MARY JANE
                             (smiles)
                         This is nice.

                                   PETER
                         Talking about the end of the world?

               Mary Jane nudges him in the side.

                                   MARY JANE
                         No, this. Actually getting to talk.
                         It's been awhile since we've had a
                         chance to catch up.
                             (beat, smiles)
                         Even if it is about the end of the
                         world. I missed it.

                                   PETER
                             (grins)
                         Me too.

                                   MARY JANE
                         You know, if this...

                                   PETER
                             (out of the blue)
                         Do you wanna go to the dance with
                         me?

               Mary Jane stops, almost stunned by the suddenness of it.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Um...

                                   PETER
                         I know you were going with Bobby,
                         but I figured since he's probably
                         not going, and you seem like you
                         really want to go, and since Eddie
                         will probably have a seizure if we
                         don't show up, and...

               She places a finger over his mouth, finally putting an end to
               his mindless babbling. He looks at her, almost wide-eyed.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Okay.

                                   PETER
                         Really? I mean, you really want to?
                             (she nods)
                         You're not just saying yes
                         because...

                                   MARY JANE
                         Nope.

                                   PETER
                         So you don't think I'm a creep for
                         asking after what happened with...

                                   MARY JANE
                         Uh-uh.

                                   PETER
                         Because I didn't mean to...

                                   MARY JANE
                         Peter...
                             (he stops)
                         I want to go.

               Before Peter has a chance to respond, there's a RUSTLE in the
               bushes. Bobby stands, and then trips over himself, landing
               face first onto the lawn.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Bobby?!

               Bobby looks up, both scared and embarrassed. He doesn't stay
               for long, though, quickly getting to his feet and taking off
               down the sidewalk.

                                   MARY JANE
                         Bobby, wait!

               It's too late, he's gone.

               INT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

               Bobby runs down it, meeting a dead end. He looks behind him,
               making sure he's alone, then drops to his knees. He begins to
               sob uncontrollably, the product of the kaleidoscope of
               emotions he must be experiencing right now.

                                   PETER (O.S.)
                         Bobby, it's alright.

               Bobby snaps up, looking back at Peter.

                                   BOBBY
                         What is wrong with you? Why won't
                         you just leave me alone?!

                                   PETER
                         I can't do that, Bobby. You need
                         help.

                                   BOBBY
                         Don't you think I know that? I'm a
                         freak! There's nothing you can do!

                                   PETER
                         You're not a freak, okay? What's
                         happening to you, it's nothing to
                         be ashamed of...

                                   BOBBY
                         Like you know anything about what's
                         happening to me. You saw the way
                         they looked at me, like I was God's
                         sick science experiment or
                         something! Why do you care anyway?
                         You got what you wanted!
                             (Off Peter's look)
                         MJ? You couldn't wait to ask her to
                         the dance. You don't care what
                         happens to me, why should you?

                                   PETER
                         Bobby, this isn't...

                                   VOICE (O.S.)
                         Why don't you leave the guy alone?

               Peter spins around and finds himself confronted by three
               FIGURES at the entrance to the alley.

               One walks forward. He looks to be in his early 20's, and to
               say he's large would be quite the understatement.

               This is FREDERICK J. DUKES, but we'll call him FREDDIE.

                                   FREDDIE
                         I think he's got enough on his mind
                         without you preaching to him.

                                   PETER
                         Just trying to help a friend.

                                   FREDDIE
                         He doesn't need any help, not from
                         your kind. You're probably the
                         reason he's running in the first
                         place.

                                   PETER
                         Look, whoever you are...

                                   FREDDIE
                         Name's Freddie. My friends and I,
                         we're here to help.

               The other two figures emerge from the shadows. The first is a
               rather lanky teenager, his skin so pale it's almost white.
               This is MORTIMER TOYNBEE. The other is twenty-something
               female, who looks like she's got quite an attitude.

               This is EILEEN HARSAW.

                                   BOBBY
                         Why can't you people just leave me
                         alone? Can't you just leave the
                         freak in peace?

                                   FREDDIE
                         We're not scared of you, Bobby. I
                         saw what you could do, but that
                         doesn't make you a freak.

                                   BOBBY
                         Yeah, well if you don't back off
                         soon, you're gonna see it again!

                                   FREDDIE
                         Hold your fire, man. We just want
                         to talk. If you don't like what we
                         have to say, you can walk away and
                         you'll never see us again.

               Bobby looks them over, and is already looking more
               comfortable with them than he does with Peter.

                                   BOBBY
                         You're... like me, aren't you?

                                   FREDDIE
                         Not exactly like you, but we are
                         mutants, yes. You don't have to
                         live your life in fear, Bobby.

               Peter looks at Freddie, angry.

                                   PETER
                         What is this, some kind of cult?
                         Bobby, don't listen to them, it's a
                         trick! They're trying to...

               Peter stops as his SENSE kicks in. He spins around, only to
               be met with a STIFF KICK to the chest from Mortimer, who back
               flips back to his feet in an almost Spidey-like maneuver.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Don't let him keep you from living
                         your life, Bobby. People like him
                         will hold you back your entire life
                         if you let them. With us, you'll
                         always be accepted for who you are.

               Peter slowly returns to his feet.

                                   PETER
                         Look, I didn't come here looking
                         for trouble, but you people have no
                         idea who you're...

               Before he can even finish his sentence, Peter is BLASTED in
               the back and is THROWN a dozen or so feet through the air. He
               crash lands against a dumpster in the alley.

               He looks back, dazed, and finds Bobby standing where he was,
               his hands a bright blue from the burst he just fired.

               Bobby turns to Freddie.

                                   BOBBY
                         I'm listening.

               Off Freddie's grin:

                                                              FADE OUT.



                                   END OF ACT TWO
                                      ACT THREE

                                                               FADE IN:

               EXT. FREDDIE'S LOFT - ROOFTOP

               Overlooking a rather rundown area of Queens, Bobby is
               present, flanked by Freddie, Eileen, and Mortimer. Freddie
               places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

                                   FREDDIE
                         I know it's not much.

                                   BOBBY
                         No, it's great.

               Bobby turns to face them.

                                   BOBBY
                         So, what can you guys do? I mean...
                         your powers or whatever.

                                   FREDDIE
                         We prefer gifts here, actually.

                                   BOBBY
                         Oh... I'm sorry.

                                   FREDDIE
                         It's cool, you'll catch on.

               Freddie motions toward the others.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Demonstrations, guys?

                                   MORTIMER
                             (with a grin)
                         With pleasure.

               With that, he takes a short run up and LEAPS into the air. He
               easily clears the gap between the loft and the warehouse
               across the street, then leaps back over, landing near Bobby.

                                   BOBBY
                         You... jump?

               Mortimer gives him a dirty look.

                                   MORTIMER
                         I can do a lot of things.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Relax, Mort. See, he's a class-one.
                         Like me.

                                   BOBBY
                         What can you do?

               Freddie holds out his hand, and is tossed crowbar. He bends
               it, in half, then twists it into a bow, handing it to Bobby.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Eileen here... well she's a class
                         two. Highest here... until you.

                                   EILEEN
                         Well, mine isn't as flashy, but...

               She extends her arm toward Bobby.

                                   EILEEN
                         Ice me.

                                   BOBBY
                             (confused)
                         What?

                                   EILEEN
                         Trust me.

               Several shots of ice leave his hand rapidly, but as she takes
               hold of his arm, they cease.

                                   EILEEN
                         Pretty cool, huh?

                                   BOBBY
                         What did you...

                                   EILEEN
                         I scramble other mutant's...
                             (looks to Freddie)
                         Gifts.

               Bobby looks back and forth at the trio of mutants.

                                   BOBBY
                         So... I'm really not alone?

                                   FREDDIE 
                         Not for a second. This is much
                         bigger than you could even
                         comprehend, than any of us can.
                         We're different. Special, gifted,
                         but not freaks. We've been chosen.

                                   BOBBY
                         Chosen? Isn't that a little...

                                   FREDDIE
                         I know how it sounds, but if you
                         listen to these "normal" people,
                         they'll have you believing you're a
                         sign of the apocalypse. People out
                         there? They don't understand. We
                         have to rally together. We're never
                         gonna be accepted by them, but you
                         know what? Who cares as long as
                         we've got each other?

                                   BOBBY
                         Each other?

                                   MORTIMER
                         You're one of us now.

                                   EILEEN
                         Welcome to the family!

               Freddie offers his hand to Bobby.

               Bobby stares at his own hand, deep in thought, before
               extending it to grasp Freddie's. As they shake:

                                                               FADE TO:

               INT. FISK TOWER - FISK'S OFFICE - THE NEXT DAY

               Craig enters to find WILSON FISK seated behind his desk.

                                   CRAIG
                         You wanted to see me?

                                   FISK
                         Yes, please. Have a seat.

               He does so.

                                   FISK
                         Is there a problem, Craig?

                                   CRAIG
                         A problem?

                                   FISK
                         You seemed... distant at the
                         meeting this morning, and you've
                         barely spoken to me since. I just
                         wanted to make sure everything...

                                   CRAIG
                         What? Oh, I'm fine.

               Fisk isn't buying it.

                                   FISK
                         Look, if you need some time off,
                         that's fine. Don't hesitate to ask.
                         If it's an issue at home then just
                         take a couple of weeks, sort things
                         out. It's not a problem.

                                   CRAIG
                         No, it's not that. I just... I've
                         been thinking about things lately,
                         and to be honest, I'm not sure if
                         I'm the right person for this case.

                                   FISK
                         Craig, we've been through this.

                                   CRAIG
                         I know, I know. Believe me, I know.
                         I guess I'm just having second
                         thoughts. I don't think I'm cut out
                         for this kind of work.

               Fisk considers this.

                                   FISK
                         I'm sorry you feel that way. Tell
                         you what - why don't you take a few
                         days off? Spend some time with your
                         family, re-charge, and then get
                         back to me. If you still want out,
                         then I guess there's nothing I can
                         do about that, but I want you to
                         know... there's no doubt in my mind
                         you have what it takes to do this
                         job as well as anyone. The sooner
                         you realize that, the better off
                         we'll both be.

                                   CRAIG
                         That... actually sounds good.

               Fisk stands, offering Craig his hand.

                                   FISK
                         Good then. See you on Monday.

               Craig reluctantly shakes his hand.

                                   CRAIG
                         Monday it is.

               Craig exits as quickly as he can without being obvious about
               it. Fisk watches him leave, an uncertain look on his face.

               INT. FREDDIE'S LOFT

               A place most would call a dump, but with some effort, it
               might actually be presentable. Bobby sits on a couch,
               alongside Eileen. In front of him are three gasses of water.

               He focuses on them, passing his hands over them and the water
               freezes. Eileen smiles and claps, hugging Bobby.

               INT. FREDDIE'S LOFT - KITCHEN

               Freddie and Mortimer watch from inside the nearby kitchen.
               Bobby looks back with a smile, which Freddie returns with a
               thumbs up. Mortimer doesn't look so pleased.

                                   MORTIMER
                         She's all over him.

                                   FREDDIE
                         Relax. It's not like you ever had a
                         shot with her.

                                   MORTIMER
                         That's not the point.

               He looks down at his watch.

                                   MORTIMER
                         What the hell are we waiting for?

                                   FREDDIE
                         Hold your horses, it ain't going
                         anywhere. I'm just trying to make
                         our new pal comfortable before we
                         go busting up places. He might not
                         be ready for that just yet.

                                   MORTIMER
                         What if he won't do it?

                                   FREDDIE
                         He will, don't worry.

               Freddie enters the living room, taking a seat on the couch
               beside Bobby and Eileen.

                                   FREDDIE
                         See, you're getting the hang of it.

                                   BOBBY
                         This is crazy. I can actually
                         control it now.

               One of the glasses bursts.

                                   BOBBY
                         Well, almost.

                                   FREDDIE
                         You'll get it, don't worry.

               Freddie looks back at Mortimer.

                                   FREDDIE
                         But right now, we've got work to
                         do. You game?

                                   BOBBY
                         What kind of work?

                                   FREDDIE
                         Well, you see... people like us, it
                         ain't exactly easy finding work.
                         We've learned to depend on
                         ourselves, and sometimes that means
                         we have to think outside the box.

               Bobby looks around at his new friends, puzzled.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.