ACT II, SCENE 4
INT. VIRIDIAN CITY GYM
GIOVANNI: Grunts, I want you to split up. One of you go to Pallet Town, stake out his house. Don't let any hicks get in your way. The other, take his office at the Plateau. The Champion will show up sooner or later.
GRUNT I: Putting GARY in a choke hold. Whadda we do with this phony?
GIOVANNI: Leave him hear. I'd like to have a word with him.
Exit ROCKET GRUNTS.
GARY: There's nothin' to stop me walking out on ya. You're just a head on a screen.
GIOVANNI: Of course not, Mr. Oak. You're perfectly free to go. I can always track you down later, if I decide it's worth my time.
GARY: I bet. So what, you're their secret kingpin? All that Electabuzz about the dreaded Rocket Boss, and it turns out he's that crotchety, old Viridian Gym leader? Wait till the Jennies get a load of this!
GIOVANNI: I wouldn't bother, if I were you. Most of them already know. Why do you think the city gave me this gym? I'm not exactly League material. The president says I fight too dirty.
GARY: Why do you do it, then? What's the point?
GIOVANNI: Why do I humiliate little boys like you? Haha. Besides the sheer amusement of it, I like to meet new trainers—trainers who could one day be the next Pokemon Champion, or, if they're ruthless but not that bright, the next Rocket grunt. Everyone is useful for something, Gary. Even you.
GARY: That's it, I'm outta here.
GIOVANNI: Laughing. Come back, son. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I have a proposition for you.
GARY: Not interested.
He starts to walk away.
GIOVANNI: Reaches in his jacket pocket and produces an Earth Badge. What would you do for one of these?
GARY stops and turns around.
GARY: I'm listening.
GIOVANNI: That's a good boy. See? Everybody has a price. Everybody wants something. Why should I be hated across ten towns for giving the people what they want?
GARY: You mean what you stole from them.
GIOVANNI: Bygones, Gary, bygones! When you've played your part, no one will have to know how you got this badge. I'll tell them how my Nidoqueen was no match for your Eevee evolutions—how you won, Gary, because you wanted it so badly. They'll believe you because you're the hero of the story, and I'm just the crotchety, old man.
GARY: Mumbling. Ash is the hero.
GIOVANNI: What was that?
GARY: Ash Ketchum! He's the hero, he's who everyone adores. I'm no more than his stepping stool.
GIOVANNI: You know Ash Ketchum personally?
GARY: I've lived next-door to the guy my whole life! The rest of Kanto might see him as a celebrity, but he'll always be that sniveling twerp to me.
GIOVANNI: I'm intrigued. Tell me, who does Ash value more than anyone else in the world? If you can tell me that, the Earth Badge is yours.
GARY: Easy! His Pikachu.
GIOVANNI: A Pokemon? Really? You mean there isn't anyone closer to him? A friend or a relative, perhaps?
GARY: Well, he lives with his mom.
GIOVANNI: Smiling. She's being taken care of as we speak.
GARY gulps.
GIOVANNI: There must be someone else. Think!
GARY: Um... Starting to sweat. Um...
GIOVANNI: Victory, Gary! The Indigo Plateau! Crowds of fans all cheering your name as you slaughter the Elite Four one by one, until all that stands between you and the title of Champion is that 'sniveling twerp' next-door.
GARY: If I tell you, what're you going to do to her?
GIOVANNI: 'Her', eh? I knew you'd come through. Don't worry, nothing bad will happen to 'her'. Not if she cooperates. So, who is the special lady?
GARY: His fiancée. Daisy Oak.