HOUSE OF PRIDE
NOTE: Written in rough comic book script style with very little page information and limited panel/scene direction; instead, the script is broken down into specific scenes. Also, the script is slightly modified to maintain a level of suspense for the casual reader.
Oh, and typical disclaimer stuff. Brian K Vaughan and Marvel own the rights to Runaways, House of M, not me, etc. etc.
PART 1 - PROLOGUE
Sunday evening, outdoors. A large, moderately busy patio just outside a mall. Groups of teenagers are scattered across the tables, while on the walkway's middle-aged adults are walking with their children through the food court. Hanging overhead on the street posts are posters for the House of Magnus Gala. It is also apparent, with the signs and banners strewn across the walls and store windows that it is back to school season. Closing in on a particular bench just outside, a lone teenager leans back casually, staring up at the orange sunset sky. A large set of earphones cups the sides of his head and occasionally, every so slightly, he nods his head in tempo, half-lost in the melody the drowns his ears, half-lost in the thoughts that drown his mind. Closer inspection indicates that whatever it is that's taking up his head, it must be important -
(OFF PANEL):
Excuse me, whatcha listening to?
The earphones kid doesn't notice.
(OFF PANEL):
Hel-LO? Anybody in there?
The teenager continues in his trance
(OFF PANEL):
Hey DEAFTONE! Talking to you!
The teenager snaps out of his trance and turns to his inquirer as he pulls his headphones away from his ears.
(OFF PANEL):
There you go, see? That's how hearing works!
The speaker turns out to be an eleven year-old brunette girl, holding two shopping bags on her side.
TEENAGER:
Uh, can I help you?
11 YEAR OLD:
You seemed so into it, whatever it is you were listening to. So I wanted to find out.
TEENAGER:
Shouldn't you be with your parents or something?
11 YEAR OLD:
Nah, they let me loose with my friends to go school shopping for a bit. So I bought me a new Spider-Man plushie, the Prince of Genosha DVD, these reaaaally cool flashy light saber-wand thingies (pulls out a flashing neon yellow plastic wand-sword and thrusts it into the air) . . . . ooh, and I also got -
TEENAGER:
I'm pretty sure they wanted you to get school clothes and supplies.
11 YEAR OLD:
Yeah, but Spider-Man plushies are so much cooler!
TEENAGER:
And they help you in school how? Besides, Spidey's a wrestler. Couldn't get any more fake if you asked Wonder Man to do it.
11 YEAR OLD:
Nuh-uh! I - (pauses) wait I came here to ask you a question!
TEENAGER:
That you did. And by doing so, went off on Spider-man plushies instead.
11 YEAR OLD:
(ignoring the snarkiness) So, whatcha listening to?
TEENAGER:
Nothing.
11 YEAR OLD:
Yeah okay.
The teenager pulls the headphones back onto his ears and begins to go back into deep thought. The 11 year old turns away, feinting walking away, when she hops up on the bench next to the teenager, yanks one of the earphones away from the teenager's head, and pries her ears in.
TEENAGER:
Hey! What! Offa me!
The 11 year old holds her ground, gets a few seconds of hearing time before she comments.
11 YEAR OLD:
Well, a little moody, are we?
TEENAGER:
Not exactly bright and upbeat, huh?
11 YEAR OLD:
What the heck is it?
TEENAGER:
Quasi una Fantasia.
11 YEAR OLD:
Quaza-huh?
TEENAGER:
Piano Sonata Number 14, 1st Movement. Beethoven.
11 YEAR OLD:
Oh, you mean, that really old composer guy who did that DA DA DA DUN thing?
TEENAGER:
YES. That DA DA DA DUN thing. Same guy.
11 YEAR OLD
(listens a few moments longer)
Man is this a downer. Piano's playing like somebody died, or like, the end of a story or something.
The teenager pulls off the headphones
TEENAGER
That's what everyone thought when they first heard this movement, even back in its time. See, back then, sonatas were set up in three movements, fast-short-fast, like most regular movies you see today. Thing is, this sonata didn't follow the established sonata format. It threw everbody off, but set the mood for the rest of the piece. Starts off as bittersweet lamentation, but finishes in a ferocious blaze of crescendos and fortissimos.
(leans back and stares at the sky)
Sometimes, passion doesn't begin with something found, but with something lost.
The 11 year old, listening intently, just stares at the teenager for a few moments.
11 YEAR OLD:
I have no idea what you just said. And I speak English.
TEENAGER:
See? I told you. I was listening to nothing.
11 YEAR OLD:
Well, can I listen to more of your nothing?
TEENAGER:
Why not.
The teenager hands the 11 year old his headphones, which she eagerly puts on and continues listening. The teenager smiles warmly as he continues his relaxed seat on the bench.
11 YEAR OLD:
So, don't you have school tomorrow too?
TEENAGER:
You know what? I do.
11 YEAR OLD:
High school, right? Which one?
TEENAGER:
Prospero High.
11 YEAR OLD:
(ecstatic) REALLY? THAT MEANS YOU GET TO MEET MY FRIENDS?
TEENAGER:
You have friends in high school?
11 YEAR OLD:
Yeah, they're really cool! They're all funny and nice and like -
(OFF PANEL)
Molly . . . . !
11 YEAR OLD:
Mommy?
(OFF PANEL)
Molly! There you are!
11 YEAR OLD:
(pulling off head phones)
Mommy! Daddy!
A brunette couple approaches Molly, holding shopping bags of their own.
ALICE HAYES:
There you are! Been looking all over for you!
GENE HAYES:
We checked your friends, but you weren't with them.
MOLLY HAYES:
Wonder Man is stupid. I didn't wanna go meet him.
ALICE:
Well no arguing there. Let's go, angel face! We have school tomorrow!
MOLLY:
(to Teenager)
Well, thanks for letting me listen to your nothing. At least they sounded kinda cool.
TEENAGER:
Eh, no problem, I guess.
MOLLY:
(to her parents)
Hey! He's going to school tomorrow too! He's going to Prospero High like the others!
GENE:
(whistles) Really? Well, congratulations on making it in! And good luck on your first year tomorrow, Mister . . . .
VICTOR
Mancha. Victor Mancha.
(EAAAAGGGHH! does not like Rough Draft RTF script formatting. I'll try to fix the indents so that's easier to read. Until then, please bear with the italics for now)