9.) Up Came The Sun
EXT. J. H. HIGH - FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTER SCHOOL
PETER
I know, I know. I keep procrastinating.
MJ
I understand it's not entirely your fault, just-
PETER
Hold on, I gotta fix this.
Peter tinkers with the camera in his hands.
It's been over 3 months since the birthday "party" where he received his new camera, but he hasn't quite got the hang of using it.
MJ absentmindedly taps her fluffy pencil against her fluffy journal, subconsciously indicating to Peter her impatience.
MJ
If I don't get this interview soon the Yearbook Team will think I'm just a poser.
PETER
Okay, I got it.
MJ
Did you hear me?
PETER
Yes, but sorry I don't know what you want me to say. I'm waiting on Spider-Man's answer just like you.
(brings camera to his face)
MJ
If you say so...
Peter glances from the camera for a moment and to MJ, then he focuses on the field in front of him.
He snaps a photo of the practicing J.H. High Football Team, just as Flash Thompson makes a catch.
Flash celebrates by pointing to his new friend watching him on the bench, Lucy waves back.
MJ
Rumor has it they're officially an item as of last week...what an odd couple.
PETER
Tell me about it...
(snaps picture)
MJ
Okay so, everyone thinks it started when Lucy started tutoring him...
PETER
I was being sarcastic.
MJ
Oh right.
Peter takes more pictures.
MJ
You'd think the Yearbook Club would gossip less than Cheer Squad but they're more of the same.
The thing that bothers me is, no one has a good nickname for them.
Flashcia & Luciash are both equally terrible...and don't get me started on their last names.
PETER
(staring through viewfinder)
What about...Flashy? Flash + Lucy. Also, isn't what we're doing now technically gossip?
MJ
Wait, that's actually really good. Flashy.
She writes it in her journal.
PETER
Speaking of flash,
(puts camera down and looks at it)
I still can't get mines to work on this thing. I swear I had everything perfect on my birthday but...
MJ
I told you a thousand times, just use your phone, it would be much simpler.
PETER
Film is the only way to go, besides I got this from Sp-
SFX
*DO* *DO* *DO*
Peter drops the camera and it hangs from the strap around his neck. He grabs his phone out his pocket.
MJ
See this is a sign...use the phone, Luke.
PETER
(looking at screen)
The only thing this is a sign of is that I got chores to do.
MJ
Your Aunt?
PETER
Yep.
MJ
She's been texting you like crazy.
PETER
Yep.
The text on his phone is actually a coded message telling him a crime is in progress.
Lucy created an automated version of her alert system for Peter.
In the message is the word "hat", signifying the crime is taking place somewhere in the Manhattan area. Peter's in no hurry because that's Anti_Venom territory.
MJ
You have to go?
PETER
It can wait.
MJ
No...
MJ points her pen to the left of the field.
MJ
Here comes the Pep Patrol.
The black and red tracksuit wearing Cheer Squad move across the field, seemingly in slow motion, towards the bleachers.
MJ
(mumbles)
Nasty...
NATALIE AUGUSTINE
(with fake enthusiasm)
MJ...
MJ
(with fake enthusiasm)
Natty...
NATALIE AUGUSTINE
Look at you Mrs. J. Jonah Jameson Junior.
MJ
(faux laugh)
I love the new retro tracksuits, you guys look really ready to bring it on.
Whenever Natalie laughs, the Cheer Lemmings(as MJ calls them) follow suit.
NATALIE AUGUSTINE
(faux laugh)
Everyone has been buzzing about your big interview with Spider-Man.
Any idea when we'll get to see it?
MJ
It's not a video interview, so you'll actually have to read it...and you'll get to read it when everyone else does.
Remember to order your Yearbook soon, there's sure to be plenty of pictures of all of you
in case history making interviews don't interest you, at least you'll be able to admire your new tracksuits.
(smile)
NATALIE AUGUSTINE
(smile)
I was just asking because, between us girls, some of the more doubtful students think you made up this whole Daily Bugle routine because you couldn't cut it in Cheer.
MJ squeezes her pencil so hard it cracks, but her face still displays a smile.
NATALIE AUGUSTINE
Of course, I don't give them the time of day.
MJ
Mm-hmm...
NATALIE
I just can't think of a response when they tell me there is no way on earth, some random sophomore could get in touch with Spider-Man, even if he did go here.
I mean, no one's even sure he actually attends J.H., so that begs the question, how did you find him?
MJ
Well if you knew anything about Journalism, you'd know rule number 1 is you never reveal your sources.
MJ looks to Peter, who everyone has been ignoring, the Cheer Squad seem to not recognize him or his existence. Peter wishes he was somewhere else.
CUT TO:
INT. SOMEWHERE ELSE
Harry lays on his back, atop his bed, in the almost silent room, scrolling through the contacts on his phone.
He notices he doesn't seem to have anyone's number who he's seen in person more than twice.
The hum of the engines starting fills the room. Harry knows any second Phill the Public Relations guy is going to walk in.
SFX
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
He knocked this time.
HARRY
Come in.
PR GUY
Mr. Os-
HARRY
I know. Where?
PR GUY
Manhattan, th-
HARRY
Yeah, yeah.
Harry sits up.
HARRY
Are you the same guy who set up that date with that chick from that show?
PR GUY
Actually, her people called us, but yes...sort of.
HARRY
Alright, by time I'm done with this stuff today, I want you to have found me a party. A real one. No cameras. No photo op b.s., got it?
The type of party that if cameras were on me, you'd have a much harder job. Understand?
This city's criminals can't be the only people with an active nightlife.
PR GUY
I know of a reclusive singer who just moved here. I think he has a rule of no pictures at his parties.
Harry stands up.
HARRY
Sounds like we're getting somewhere, get out so I can change.
Phill the PR guy starts to exit.
HARRY
Dude! I was kidding.
Harry's white and black Anti_Venom suit replaces his clothes.
HARRY
It's like nobody on this thing has a sense of humor.
Phill and Harry exit the living quarters and walk down the cramped halls of Oscorp's "Flying Fortress"
Which is just a small rip-off of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier(which was a rip-off of a design Stark Tech had in production before Tony Stark canceled all Military Contracts).
They reach the "Jump Bay" and Harry stands on his mark, waiting to deploy. Before closing the safety door, Phill asks Harry:
PR GUY
While I'm looking for this, um, party. What should I say if your Uncle calls about tonight's schedule?
HARRY
Tell him I'm giving myself and everyone else the night off.
A red "ready" light flashes on the ceiling, Harry punches the button on the wall.
A door starts opening at the back of the bay, air gusts through the room.
Phill forgot to close the safety door. The massive force of wind flaps his tie into his face. Harry yells over the noise to him-
HARRY
Besides, last I checked this city has more than 1 hero.
Harry jumps out the craft. He free falls towards Manhattan.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD
Lucy sits atop the silver metal bleachers playing Tetris on her Gameboy(the grey one with the green screen).
She looks away from the dim screen, the sun glares in her eyes, but she doesn't mind it as much as she usually does.
On the field is a bunch of similarly dressed, pad & helmet wearing young men, one of which everyone now refers to as her "boyfriend". She doesn't mind that either.
Her phone vibrates in her pocket, she reads it, stands up and tries to look like she isn't in a hurry.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD
Peter snaps a picture of the Cheerleaders in a pyramid. MJ stands next to him jotting down unflattering things about Natalie Agustine.
LUCY
Uh...
MJ
Hi, Lucy.
LUCY
Hi, Mary. Peter...
Lucy tries to think of something more original than "We need to talk.", but Peter saves her.
PETER
Oh yeah...that.
I forgot.
(To MJ)
Give me one second.
MJ
Sure.
Lucy and Peter walk away.
MJ
(To Cheerleaders)
Wait, you guys have to keep this pose, or else...or else we'll double expose the film, and you'll look ugly...and fat.
Natalie wants to argue this, but she doesn't know enough about film or photography to even know where to start and worse case scenario is she comes out looking stupid and fat.
The Cheer Squad struggles to keep the pyramid. Natalie, at the top, keeps her big smile and pom poms straight in the air like the letter "Y".
Natalie's smile starts to crack, MJ starts to crack a smile. Peter comes back.
PETER
MJ-
MJ
Wait-
PETER
But I gotta-
MJ
(whispering)
Just one second, take a picture of them and say something like " I hope you kept still.".
This ranks 2nd on the list of weird things Peter has been told to do in the last minute, so he plays along and snaps the picture.
PETER
I hope you stayed still...?
It comes out more of a confused question. The pyramid falls.
PETER
Now, my turn-
MJ
Let me guess, you have to leave?
PETER
How would you-
MJ
Doesn't matter. I just have one request.
PETER
And that is?
MJ
Give me a copy of the picture you just took so I can get it framed.
3rd weirdest thing. Peter walks away. Peter walks back.
PETER
Have I been running off on you a lot, because it feels like I'm always running off on you-
MJ
Pete, just go.
Do your chores.
Peter walks away, but MJ's tone doesn't sit right with him.
However, he has bigger things to worry about, since a giant scorpion is attacking the Manhattan Bridge.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE
Pedestrians are abandoning their vehicles, screaming, and scattering on the bridge.
A swarm of floating robots chase Anti_Venom. Layers of rotating saw blades encircle the Bots, and blue flames shoot out the jet engines underneath them.
Harry dodges into the air, the Bots follow, he aims towards the giant mechanical scorpion that's throwing cars to the side of the bridge.
Harry dives feet first at the monstrous machine. The Scorpion deflects Harry's attack with one of its mammoth claws, motioning it lightning quick.
Harry gathers his composure on the pavement and before he can advance towards The Scorpion, the pursuing Bots catch up with him and he changes his focus.
About 5 robots close in on Harry, he handsprings off the flat head of one and before completing his revolution, webs its head and whips it around taking out another Bot with it.
The 2 Bots fall off the bridge, the others seem to anticipate his attack and dodge. The Bots plunge down on him, Harry slashes his claws at them and rips into one, but the others get too close.
Their blades slice through his suit and start to scrape his skin. Harry backflips onto a steel girder. He tries to check his surroundings but the Bots are already on him.
While evading down the bridge he notices The Scorpion seems to be watching the fight.
SFX
*SNAP*
A Bot flanks the top of Harry and slices through his black webbing.
Harry hits the floor, seated with his hands to the pavement. Before he can begin getting back to his feet, 3 Bots close in on him.
Harry jolts his hands up and readies to block the incoming blades.
SFX
*THWIP* *THWIP* *THWIP*
Harry lowers his hands, the 3 Bots are struggling to fly towards him. He looks down the bridge at the person lassoing them.
SPIDER-MAN
Destroy something!
The Bots' blades start to fray away the net of high tensile webbing around them. Spider-Man continues to hit them with a flurry of web blasts to hold them in place.
SFX
*THWIP* *THWIP* *THWIP* *THWIP*
Harry rises to his feet and drives his claws into the top of each Bot, splitting them all to pieces. Before he can acknowledge the help, Spider-Man yells-
SPIDER-MAN
Harry, look out!
He turns around but before he can do anything, a metal claw grasps his right arm. Harry is now face-to-face with the giant mechanical beast.
Anti_Venom looks into its eyes, but they're not eyes, they appear to be cameras.
SFX
*THWIP* *THWIP* *THWIP*
Spidey runs down the bridge, unleashing a fusillade of web blasts onto the face of The Scorpion.
This noticeably disrupts the metallic creature, it lets go of Harry and retreats down the bridge.
The Scorpion seems to be able to move at amazing speeds when traveling in a single direction. Spider-Man lands on Anti_Venom's left.
SPIDER-MAN
What is this thing...
ANTI_VENOM
I don't know.
SPIDER-MAN
Where did it come from...
ANTI_VENOM
I-I didn't see, it was here when I arrived.
SPIDER-MAN
(pointing upwards)
I'm guessing you don't know what those things are either.
Several more of the Hover-Bots emerge from their hiding spots under the bridge and ambush the duo.
SPIDER-MAN
I hope I don't have to tell you what to do.
CUT TO:
INT. THE DAILY BUGLE HEADQUARTERS
J. Jonah Jameson waves off the make-up guy and waves over his Personal Assistant.
He sits in front of a green screen getting ready for his media appearance via satellite. His P.A. hands him a tablet for him to peruse.
J. JONAH JAMESON
Now, what are those things?
P.A.
They appear to be flying drones with saw like weapons and the big machine seems like an animatronic scorpion.
J. JONAH JAMESON
I know what a scorpion looks like. Hmm, The Scorpion... has a nice ring to it.
J. Jonah Jameson dramatically motions his hand in the air while speaking to bolden the future headline potential.
J. JONAH JAMESON
The Spider Menace vs The Sinister Scorpion.
He puts his hand down and looks back at the grainy photo on the tablet.
J. JONAH JAMESON
What will we call these little guys?
P.A.
Mr. Jameson, on the topic of Spider-Man vs The Scorpion, maybe we could do something with the "Battle of the Arachnids." motif.
J. JONAH JAMESON
What!? Arach-whos? Do you think we're getting clicks from budding bug collectors?
Stick with the simple. What is it called now, clickbait? That's what we want, that's what the people want.
Headlines should be like potato chips, easy to digest. Your headline is more like chewing gum.
Are you writing this down, kid? You might learn something.
What our readers really like are nicknames, villain names.
We need names for those droids or whatever you called them, a good buzzword.
Hmm, buzz, they do have little buzzsaws, and the blue flames look like stingers, yes.
(motioning)
Killer Bee-Bots.
(more motioning)
The Sinister Scorpion Wrangles His Killer Bee-Bot Minions, Controlling Them Like The Queen Of Their Hive.
The P.A. writes all this down.
J. JONAH JAMESON
No, I don't like that, Queen, too feminine, too girly, King is better...The Scorpion King.
His P.A. is interrupted before she can speak.
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Almost ready for you Mr. Jameson.
J. Jonah Jameson waves off his Assistant.
J. JONAH JAMESON
Count, 1.
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
I'm sorry, sir. I didn't catch that.
J. JONAH JAMESON
Count, 1. You showbiz guys don't count 1.
You say the 5, the 4, and so on but you never say the 1.
When you count me down, count the 1.
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Uh-yes, sir.
J. JONAH JAMESON
But skip the zero, and stop with the sir stuff, you aren't in Oliver Twist, son.
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
...
CUT TO:
EXT. THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE
Spider-Man and Anti_Venom evade into the air, twisting and flipping in a blur of web swings and web zips while the Hover-Bots chase them around persistently.
There seems to be no obvious offensive to destroying the Bots, anytime they get near enough to destroy one, the others zero in and almost shred them apart.
In mid-dodge, Spider-Man webs the support beam with both hands, uses his momentum to swing into the air, and flips over the girder to land onto the head of a pursuing bot.
He drives his fist through its head and pulls out a bunch of wires. The Bot's blue flame starts to go out, then suddenly his Spider Sense blares.
2 of the other Bots have shot out their spinning blades and he dodges both.
As Spidey dodges the first projectiles each Bot fires off the rest of their blades and he is hit with glancing blows on his left arm and right thigh.
He spins out and lands on his feet. Spidey runs along the bridge floor, vaulting over abandoned cars.
Two saw blades lay on the floor, he palms both and they stick to his hands.
He throws one at each Bot following him, the direct shots lodge into their steel hulls, shutting them down. They drop to the bridge with a thud.
Spider-Sense, he leaps over the spinning blade coming towards him and as it passes he webs it.
With a slingshot effect he throws it back at the Bot, it slices clean through it and bounces of the bridge's support cables.
Further down the bridge, Harry fights off 4 of the Hover-Bots.
He's getting fed up with trying to isolate them long enough to rip them apart, so he has resorted to punching them directly in the spinning blades, to no effect.
Before he can throw another ineffective jab, blades whiz by him and plant themselves into each of the Bots, destroying them.
ANTI_VENOM
You could have hit me.
Spidey lands next to Harry.
SPIDER-MAN
Only if I wanted to...
ANTI_VENOM
You're bleeding.
SPIDER-MAN
Yeah, I kno-
Spider Sense, the waiting Scorpion runs straight for them. They dodge, Spidey lands on the bridge's railing.
Harry leaps into the air and stomps down on the body of the Oscorp Scorpioid 1.7, his back to its stinger.
Before he can rip into the set of cameras disguised as eyes the stinger readies to strike him.
SPIDER-MAN
Harry, behind you!
Peter jumps from the rail and knocks Harry off The Scorpion, with on hand Harry saves himself from falling through the middle of the bridge.
Spider-Man tries to grab the stinger mid strike but the force is too strong and it drives into his shoulder.
The Scorpion grabs Spider-Man off its body and brings him in front of its face.
The stinger strikes him again, his one free hand trying and failing to block the attacks.
It strikes him again, the toxin starts overpowering his enhanced immune system.
Harry pulls himself back to the bridge, upset, but upon seeing the dire scene, realizes he wasn't attacked, he was saved.
He uses his anger to intercept The Scorpion's onslaught, grabbing its tail in a fit of rage induced strength and tearing it off.
Spider-Man is fading, immense pressure is crushing him between the two giant claws, one arm is pinned against his side, trapped in the vise grip. Harry motions toward Spider-Man-
VOICE IN HARRY'S EAR (O.C.)
Harry!
ANTI_VENOM
Wha?
VOICE IN HARRY'S EAR (O.C.)
Harry, stop for a second.
ANTI_VENOM
Uncle?
OTTO (O.C.)
Unmask him.
HARRY
I don't under-
OTTO (O.C.)
We caught him.
We've caught your Father's murderer.
Unmask him.
Find out who is the killer behind the mask.
Spider-Man's ribs start to crack, he comes back to his senses, adrenaline hits him.
Spidey starts to fight against the claws, grabbing at them with his free hand.
He looks to his side and sees a ghost of himself looking back.
Anti_Venom stands in shock.
ANTI_VENOM
No, not like this.
OTTO (O.C.)
Harry-
ANTI_VENOM
I'm not sure what you've done, but I'm not being part of it.
Harry pries open the claws, Spider-Man drops. Harry props him up.
SPIDER-MAN
Tha-
ANTI_VENOM
Run!
SPIDER-MAN
I-
ANTI_VENOM
You have to get out of here, right now!
Spider-Man limps to his feet.
His spark of energy and adrenaline doesn't let him realize he has several fractures and contusions or that he's been poisoned with well beyond lethal doses of neurotoxin.
He drops to the walkway and runs along it.
The Scorpion starts to burst into flame beside Harry. Harry suddenly feels stranded.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROOF
In a haze, Peter makes it back to the roof on which he left his backpack, working on muscle memory.
It's here he starts to feel the effects of his injuries and it becomes very clear to him that he won't be making it home by web swinging through the city.
His left arm, the one that was crushed against him, starts to feel warm and numbs up.
He pulls his phone out his pocket and pieces of it fall to the roof.
It's cracked beyond use, he looks down at the glass shards on the gravel and notices the drops of blood at his feet.
He puts on his school clothes, leaves the belt undone on his cargo pants, wears his polo shirt backward and keeps his mask on.
CUT TO:
INT. TAXI CAB
A Taxi Driver runs a red light, barely missing the sedan that veers left to avoid him.
Spider-Man lands on his cab. He brakes. Spider-Man falls off his car.
TAXI DRIVER
I'm so sorry, I wont eva do it again.
Spider-Man rises, covered in cuts, limping, and dressed like a school kid, backpack included.
Spidey limps to the Taxi.
SPIDER-MAN
Open the door.
The Taxi Driver opens his door and starts to get out, he doesn't even have his seatbelt on.
TAXI DRIVER
I'm sorry, I-
SPIDER-MAN
Not that door, the back door.
TAXI DRIVER
Oh-
He unlocks the door. Spider-Man gets in the back.
SPIDER-MAN
Drive.
TAXI DRIVER
Where to?
Peter gives him an address, about a block from his house, not coherent enough to think of a better plan.
TAXI DRIVER
Sure thing, but I gotta ask...you the real, Spider-Man?
PETER
Does it matter?
TAXI DRIVER
I guess not...it's just if you are a Superhero...you ain't looking so Super.
SPIDER-MAN
We all have our off days.
TAXI DRIVER
Ain't that the truth.
(drives for a bit)
Hey, Spidey...
SPIDER-MAN
Look, sir, remember that off day stuff, I'm not in a very conversational mood.
TAXI DRIVER
I get that, I get that. Just thought I'd tell ya' you got your shirt on backward.
He looks down and the back of his collar is in front of him.
SPIDER-MAN
You try fighting a giant scorpion and coming out the same. Ouch...
He twists his shirt around gently.
TAXI DRIVER
Heh, that's funny, you're Spider-Man fighting a Scorpion. Get it?
SPIDER-MAN
...
TAXI DRIVER
Spiders and Scorpions...they're both arachnids...I bet the spider usually loses.
What a funny world.
SPIDER-MAN
Excuse me if I don't laugh. I think my ribs might be broken.
He's correct.
FADE TO:
BLOCKS FROM PETER'S HOUSE
Peter watches as the Taxi turns the corner, he removes his mask and stumbles home and hopes he doesn't see anyone along the way.
FADE TO:
PARKER HOUSE
He drops his backpack and enters the bathroom, he avoids looking in the mirror. He starts the bathtub and gets in.
FADE TO:
Peter wakes up in the tub with the water still running, close to overflowing.
He stops the faucet, looks down at the pink water filling the tub, drains it, covers himself in a towel, picks up his clothes, catches a glimpse of his bruised torso, and leaves the bathroom.
On his way up the stairs, he grabs his backpack, doing everything instinctually.
He puts on a shirt, looks at the red slice on his arm, puts on a long sleeved shirt and wears the pajamas he got for his birthday.
He throws himself on his bed, gets under the covers and sleeps for 16 hours.
Harry returns to the Flying Fortress minutes before his Uncle could intercept him on it. Harry grabs Phill the PR guy and jumps off the aircraft with him.
Aunt May leaves a note for Peter on the fridge as she leaves for the Funeral Home.
Peter has school in 2 hours, he sleeps for another 5 hours, until the doorbell rings.
Up Next: Before The Storm