ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. GWEN'S HOUSE - PORCH - DAY
The sound of approaching footsteps greets us. After a moment,
MARY JANE walks into frame and approaches the front door.
Through the glass, she spots EDDIE inside. He waves her in.
INT. GWEN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mary Jane enters, approaching Eddie, who is engrossed in what
he's watching on TV. From the sounds of things, Star Trek.
VOICE (O.S.)
(filtered; through TV)
We are the Borg...
She smiles at the sight, ruffling his hair playfully.
MARY JANE
I never knew.
EDDIE
Few do, so keep it on the down low.
She grins, then looks around and sniffs the air.
MARY JANE
Someone cooking?
EDDIE
The kitchen Nazi has banned me from
ze fatherland.
GWEN (O.S.)
I heard that!
MARY JANE
I can see why you...
Eddie throws up a finger.
EDDIE
Shhh!
(then)
Picard was just taken to the cube.
A beat as Eddie continues watching.
EDDIE
Pete coming?
Mary Jane's face drops a little at the mention of Peter.
Eddie glances over, noticing.
EDDIE
You two still doing the silent
tango?
MARY JANE
I don't know what we're doing. He
hasn't spoken to me in weeks.
EDDIE
Last I checked you haven't said
much either. You know Pete, he's
not big on making the first move.
MARY JANE
I'm just afraid I've scared him
off. Again. It's becoming a habit.
EDDIE
He'll come around. Trust me, I've
seen how he acts around you.
MARY JANE
What do you mean?
EDDIE
I'm the dude's best friend, I
notice how he acts around you, it's
completely different from anybody
else. Me, Gwen, Robbie, even his
Aunt. With you, it's like...
(beat)
Like he's trying not to let you
down.
Mary Jane takes this in, not fully understanding, but
realizing there's some significance to it.
FADE TO:
INT. VAN - FRONT SEAT
Robbie and Craig sit, with Robbie in the driver's seat.
They're parked outside the DAILY BUGLE, neither of them
looking all that well at the moment.
CRAIG
This is going to get ugly.
ROBBIE
With an attitude like that, how can
it not?
CRAIG
What the hell are we supposed to do
here? I mean, how the hell did he
know?
ROBBIE
The guy's got his bases covered.
Can't say that I blame him.
CRAIG
I'm starting to realize how stupid
it was of us to try this. We're
never going to find the proof we
need.
Robbie perks up at that remark.
CRAIG
What is it?
ROBBIE
(thinks)
What if...
(beat)
What if he thinks we already have
the proof?
CRAIG
Which we don't.
ROBBIE
No, but what we do have are the
facts. Mention a few names, dates,
places... he'll never know the
difference.
CRAIG
Can we fast forward to the part
where I don't get shot?
ROBBIE
He wants to pay you to keep quiet,
why not play along?
CRAIG
I don't like the sound of this...
ROBBIE
Meet with him, tell him we've got
the proof, and demand more money...
CRAIG
He'll be suspicious.
Robbie reaches into the back of the van, pulling out a dish
shaped listening device of some sort.
ROBBIE
These things have a range of up to
a hundred feet, more with the
receiver planted somewhere on you.
I can park outside, record the
whole thing. He's bound to slip up.
Craig considers for a moment, then:
CRAIG
It's worth a shot.
Off Robbie:
FADE TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - OFFICE
Through the windows, we can tell it's late afternoon as the
sun is beginning to descend behind the artificial horizon of
buildings. Peter stands, looking out at the view.
VINCENTI
What are you looking at?
PETER
The city. It's a great view up
here. I wish you could see the
stars better...
VINCENTI
Do you like the stars?
Peter nods.
PETER
I used to look at them on the roof
of my uncle's house. We were always
over there, me and MJ...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PARKER HOME - ROOFTOP - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
A clear, starry night. Sitting together are NINE YEAR OLD
Peter and Mary Jane, gazing up at the sky.
PETER
Millions of them, and it would take
like a hundred years to get there.
Mary Jane furrows her brow.
MARY JANE
Why?
PETER
Huh?
MARY JANE
Why are they so far apart?
PETER
Because their gravity is so strong.
MARY JANE
Why would God do that?
PETER
Uncle Ben says it's so we can
wonder what's out there and try to
reach them one day.
Mary Jane grins.
MARY JANE
If he wants us to get there, why
doesn't he just build us a
spaceship?
Peter is somewhat confused, thinks for a moment, then:
PETER
We should ask him.
There's a knock behind them and the window opens. Peter's
mother, MARY sticks her head out, frowning somewhat.
MARY
Peter, I really wish you wouldn't
sit out here like this.
Peter rolls his eyes.
PETER
We're fine, mom. Uncle Ben put the
trampoline down there.
Mary shakes her head.
MARY
Remind me to thank him later.
(to Mary Jane)
Mary Jane, Aunt May wants to see
you, she needs your help with
something.
Mary Jane's grins, sharing a knowing look with Mary. She
cautiously moves past Peter and into the window. She turns
back to the window and sticks her head out.
MARY JANE
Be right back, tiger!
Mary Jane rushes for the door as Mary smiles broadly at her.
She turns back to the window and leans against the seal. She
looks over at Peter and runs her fingers through his hair.
MARY
Tiger.
Peter shakes his head.
PETER
She's just being silly.
Mary chuckles and looks up at the stars.
MARY
I wish you could see more of
them...
PETER
Me too. The city is too bright.
Mary nods with a grin. She turns behind her and whistles out.
Peter looks back as the door opens, and BEN limps in, a large
cast on his leg and a crutch under an arm. RICHARD follows,
along with Mary Jane, all of them carrying a large, box.
Peter crawls to the seal as Richard, Ben, and Mary Jane set
down the box. MAY appears in the doorway as Ben rests on the
bed, grinning at Peter as he climbs in through the window.
BEN
Not too big, but when you only have
one good leg to hobble on,
everything feels twice as heavy.
Peter examines the box curiously.
RICHARD
Here you go, Pete. Have at it.
Peter tears the box open and pulls it apart, revealing a
brand new reflection TELESCOPE. Peter's face lights up.
BEN
What do you say, Pete?
PETER
Thank you!
Richard laughs and hugs his son.
RICHARD
Don't thank me, your Uncle Ben put
it together.
Peter rushes over to Ben and gives him a hug. Ben laughs.
BEN
Just make sure you discover
something important someday.
MARY JANE
Peter, this is so cool!
Peter is beaming as he looks back at his family.
BACK TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - OFFICE
Peter is still looking out the window as the sky turns bright
shades of orange and red.
PETER
I still have it. Never use it,
though. Haven't in years.
Vincenti nods.
VINCENTI
Do you still look at the stars?
When you're out... being you?
Peter hesitates.
PETER
Sometimes. On a quiet night.
VINCENTI
Your parents died a few years
later?
Peter nods somberly.
VINCENTI
But you still had Mary Jane?
Peter looks back at him, still with a somber look.
FADE TO:
INT. GWEN'S HOUSE - KITCHEN
A nice, modern kitchen, matching the rest of the house.
Standing at the stove is GWEN, in the middle of cooking...
something. The room is a mess, with flour everywhere.
Mary Jane sits on the edge of a counter, looking distracted.
GWEN
(shaking one)
I swear, if I could get my hands on
the bastard that invented the salt
shaker, I'd...
(notices MJ's mood)
Hey, you okay? You haven't said two
words all afternoon.
Mary Jane snaps out of it.
MARY JANE
I'm just thinking.
GWEN
Peter again?
MARY JANE
That, but there's something else.
(beat)
Has Peter said anything to you...
about Robbie?
Gwen looks confused at the question.
GWEN
What about Robbie?
MARY JANE
He was at my house this morning,
talking to my dad about something.
I couldn't tell what, but it
sounded like it might be dangerous.
GWEN
(shrugs)
Probably just some lawyer stuff.
You know how it is...
Mary Jane frowns. She certainly does.
MARY JANE
It's not just that. He's been
acting strange all week. Going out
late at night, leaving early in the
morning. Ever since he quit this
last case, it's like he's been on
edge.
GWEN
Have you tried talking to him?
MARY JANE
He says he's fine, but I know he's
lying. I was starting to think...
She trails off.
GWEN
Think what?
MARY JANE
I was starting to think he may have
been... you know... seeing someone.
GWEN
You think he's cheating on your
mom? Don't get me wrong, I don't
know the guy, but from what you've
told me about him, he doesn't seem
like the cheating type.
MARY JANE
I don't really believe it myself,
especially this morning with
Robbie. If it's not that, then what
is it? Robbie's obviously involved
somehow, too.
GWEN
I wouldn't worry. I'm sure whatever
it is, it's nothing serious.
Mary Jane frown, not so sure of this.
FADE TO:
EXT. PARKING GARAGE
An underground parking garage, filled with a few cars, but
not many. We find Robbie's Jeep - not the van - parked nearby
an elevator.
INT. ROBBIE'S JEEP - FRONT SEAT
Robbie's behind the wheel, with Craig in the passenger seat.
Robbie holds up a small black device.
ROBBIE
Just put this in your shoe. It
should be sensitive enough to
record everything.
Craig takes the chip, placing it on top of his foot, then
carefully sliding his shoe on over it.
CRAIG
Wish me luck.
Robbie pats him on the back.
ROBBIE
You sure you want to do this?
Craig takes a deep breath.
CRAIG
I'm damn sure I don't want to do
this, but we don't have a choice.
ROBBIE
Remember, he's gonna be suspicious,
so stay calm. No need to give him
any more reason to be paranoid.
CRAIG
Yeah. Yeah, I got it.
Robbie offers his hand.
ROBBIE
Good luck.
Craig nods and takes Robbie's hand.
CRAIG
I think I'm going to need it...
Robbie nods and puts a hat on and, pulling it down, covering
his eyes somewhat. He grabs a duffle bag and exits the Jeep,
trying to look like he was doing some maintenance work.
Craig takes a deep breath, here goes nothing as we:
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. PARKER HOME - BACKYARD - FLASHBACK
A bright, sunny day in the spring. A sound greets us -
laughter - as a familiar TIRE SWING swings into frame, 12
YEAR OLD MARY JANE inside, the source of the laughter.
Pushing her is Peter, the same age, and with a huge smile on
his face. The type we've rarely - if ever - seen on him.
MARY JANE
Stop it! I'm gonna fall!
PETER
Wuss.
She swings back by, slowing a bit.
MARY JANE
I can't fly, dummy!
She finally comes to a stop.
PETER
We're going to be starting high
school soon and you can't handle a
tire swing? Come on!
MARY JANE
Still got another year.
PETER
Eightieth grade on top is going to
be so awesome.
MARY JANE
Are you gonna finally try out for
the basketball team?
PETER
I wish. I'm too short.
MARY JANE
You're not that short.
PETER
Short enough. Besides, you know
Flash would...
MARY JANE
Who cares about Flash? He's a jerk.
PETER
I know. That's why I don't want to
be on the basketball team with him.
MARY JANE
Just wait 'till high school...
PETER
You really think it'll be
different?
MARY JANE
Well, Robbie's pretty popular.
PETER
Robbie's going to win like a
thousand Super Bowls one day. I
don't think I'm going to be popular
because of him...
Mary Jane smiles.
MARY JANE
Who says you're not popular?
PETER
Every one of my science fair
awards...
MARY JANE
You're popular with some of us.
Peter blushes, looks away. Mary Jane swings the tire over
toward him, pushing him playfully.
MARY JANE
Who cares what everyone else says?
Peter grins bashfully. The two share an awkward moment of
silence before they begin to move closer together.
Their eyes meet, and after a long beat...
BEN (O.S.)
Peter...
Peter suddenly turns to his uncle, who stands on the porch
looking out onto the yard, a look of intense and serious
sadness on his face.
Off Peter, wondering what's happened:
FADE TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - OFFICE
Vincenti continues to take his notes. Peter sits, facing him,
his head hung low, recounting the memory.
VINCENTI
It must have been difficult.
Peter lets out a weak laugh.
PETER
Difficult?
He thinks, then laughs again.
PETER
I guess that's the word for it.
VINCENTI
Is that why you receded into
yourself?
PETER
It just became the easy way, I
guess. No attachments. I just kind
of went day to day. I don't even
really understand it myself.
VINCENTI
Sometimes when we find ourselves
confronted with a great tragedy,
the only way we can deal with it is
not to deal with it. You were close
to your parents, that kind of loss
at that age...
(beat)
It can be traumatic.
Peter doesn't say anything.
VINCENTI
What about Mary Jane?
PETER
What about her?
VINCENTI
You said you were speaking to her
again. How's that working out?
PETER
Yeah... not so well right now.
VINCENTI
You have feelings for her.
Peter doesn't immediately respond.
PETER
It's... complicated.
VINCENTI
Usually is.
PETER
I screwed up.
(then)
I mean, I didn't really have a
choice. I was off being... well,
me, and I kinda blew her off.
(beat)
She didn't take it so well.
VINCENTI
You know, I'm a licensed
psychiatrist. I've dealt with
mutants, poltergeists, ghosts, and
now a real life super hero, but
there's one creature I've yet to
fully understand.
(off Peter's look)
Women.
Peter grins.
PETER
She had every right to be mad.
VINCENTI
Does that make a difference?
PETER
I... guess so.
VINCENTI
Everyone makes mistakes. It's the
ones who admit to them that tend to
move past them.
(beat, grins)
So says my ex-wife.
PETER
You're saying I should apologize?
VINCENTI
I'm saying you should make things
right. Whether that involves an
apology or not is up to you.
Peter considers these words.
INT. GWEN'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
Eddie and Mary Jane sit on opposite ends of a couch, Eddie
still focused on the TV.
EDDIE
(mouths with TV)
Mister Worf... fire.
Mary Jane smiles and looks around the living room. She
notices several pictures of the Marshalls in various locales
around the country, and the world.
She picks one up, which has a cut-out of Gwen's face taped
between Bridget and John. Mary Jane smiles at the sight.
GWEN (O.S.)
Rent-a-dad thought it was cute.
Gwen walks into frame.
MARY JANE
It is.
Gwen looks past her at the picture and frowns.
GWEN
At least they're trying.
Gwen focuses back on Mary Jane and gives her a weak smile.
GWEN
Stability is what seems to matter
most to the social workers.
MARY JANE
That's not what I meant.
GWEN
I know. Just more of my crappy
sense of humor.
Mary Jane grins, setting the picture back down.
GWEN
Any word on your dad?
Mary Jane shakes her head with a frown.
MARY JANE
I tried calling him. No answer.
EDDIE (O.S.)
Is that charred meat I smell?
Gwen glances at Eddie, annoyed.
MARY JANE
My mom hasn't seen him either. I
think she's getting suspicious.
GWEN
About what you were talking about
before? You think she thinks...
MARY JANE
Maybe. I don't know, but whatever
he's gotten himself into, she needs
to know the truth.
(beat, sighs)
If I could just talk to Peter.
Maybe Robbie's told him something.
GWEN
Then talk to him. You two have been
giving each other the silent
treatment for way too long.
MARY JANE
I was kinda hoping he'd be the one
to make the first move.
GWEN
I think we both know him better
than that.
Mary Jane looks away.
GWEN
I think maybe it's time you two
worked this out, don't you?
Mary Jane considers this as we:
FADE TO:
INT. FISK'S OFFICE
Fisk is sitting at his desk with a glass of what looks to be
scotch in his hand. He takes a sip as the elevator doors on
the other end of the office part and Craig walks out, slowly.
FISK
Craig. I was worried you shouldn't
show up.
Fisk motions toward his bottle of scotch.
FISK
Can I interest you in a drink? I
have a fantastic bottle of scotch
from the turn of the last century.
CRAIG
There's no need to sugar coat this.
Fisk nods, accepting this.
FISK
Very well. Then you're prepared...
CRAIG
We have proof.
Fisk stops, eyeing Craig.
CRAIG
Frank Castle ring a bell? What you
did to his family? How you had your
men gun them down in broad
daylight.
FISK
You may want to quit while you're
ahead. I'd hate for things to
become... less than pleasant.
CRAIG
I'm done with pleasant. I'll make
this simple for you - your offer?
Not good enough. If you want this
kept out of the press, I want it
doubled. And my partner? A little
something for him as well.
Fisk calmly takes a sip of his scotch.
FISK
You're treading on dangerous
ground, Craig. You're in no
position to be making demands of
me.
CRAIG
And you're in no position not to
give in to them. I'm sure you know
by now my partner's father...
FISK
Is the chief of police, yes. A tidy
little arrangement, I must admit.
Fisk slowly walks around his desk, approaching Craig.
FISK
Let me ask you something, Craig. Do
you know how long I've been in
business? I mean, my actual
business? Do you realize how many
men have tried to take me down? Who
would kill to see me lose
everything? Your Mister Castle is
just the most vocal of them.
CRAIG
Until now.
Fisk grins to himself.
FISK
Indeed. But let me ask you
something else, Craig...
(glares)
Do you think I'm stupid?
Craig's hard expression falls flat. Fisk grabs his shirt,
TEARING it open, searching for wires.
He finds none, and reacts accordingly.
CUT TO:
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