Oliver: The day I went missing... was the day I died. Five years in hell forged me into a weapon, which I use to honor a vow I made to my father, who sacrificed his life for mine. In his final moments, he told me the truth... that our family's wealth had been built on the suffering of others. That he failed our city, and that it was up to me to save it and right his wrongs. But to do that without endangering the people closest to me, I have to be someone else. I have to be something else. And I'm not alone, though the island took a lot from, it did leave me with something. Left me a brother, a brother who I know will always be by my side and will help me save my city.
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Jared: Ollie, you have 7 guys on the roof. I have confirmation one of them is Redman!
Arrow jumps down to the roof as men start running at him. Marcus Redman: Who's that? Man 2: Where'd he come from? Arrow fights three men and wins, while three others watch. Man 3: What's going on here? (SHOUTING) Arrow shoots an arrow at one of the three men. Marcus Redman: Get the chopper back now. Arrow shoots an arrow at one of the original four men. Marcus Redman: Who's this guy? Arrow shoots another man, and then punches him with the bow.
Marcus Redman: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Please, wait, wait! Arrow backs Marcus Redman against the edge of the building and throws him to the lower roof, on top of the ventilator fan. (Marcus Redman SCREAMING) Arrow jumps onto the ventilator fan next to Marcus Redman and kicks open the grate covering the fan. Sparks explode from the fan. (Marcus Redman GROANING) Arrow grabs Marcus Redman and forces his head toward the fan.
Arrow: Marcus Redman, you failed this city.
Marcus Redman: Please! No, please, no!
Arrow: Cell phone, inside pocket, call your partner. Tell him to give those pensioners back their money.
Marcus Redman: Okay. Arrow jumps off of the ventilator fan and off the roof.
Jared: Man these guys are too easy, it's a good thing we're going solo. This wouldn't be any fun with both of us.
Oliver: Wouldn't even last two minutes, especially if you are using your sword instead of the bow.
[INT. QUEEN MANSION - DAY] Oliver walks into the sitting room where Moira Queen is sitting on the couch with Walter standing behind the couch and Thea Queen standing next to the couch. Newscaster : Over the past 15 years, Mr. Redman has withdrawn more than 30 million dollars from the plant's account. Mr. Redman claims refunding the Halcyon pension plan has always been his intent. But sources say Redman was coerced by the vigilante.
Oliver: This guy gets more air-time than the Kardashians, right?
Thea: Five years on an island and you still know who they are.
Jared: We've been catching up. It's nice to see how much our culture has improved while we were away.
Moira: No, the city used to be different. People used to feel safe.
Thea: Oh, what's the matter, Mom? Afraid we're gonna be next?
Walter: Do you have any questions about today, Oliver? It's a simple proof-of-life declaration. Moira stands up and Thea straightens her clothes. Thea: Just read out a brief, prepared statement to the judge, and then your death-in-absentia judgment will be voided.
Oliver: It's fine, I've been in a courtroom before.
Thea: Jared we already got most of your documents done, we can pick up the rest after Oliver's session.
Jared: Getting legally resurrected/birthed, somehow the island seems simpler right now.
Oliver :(whispering) Right.
Diggle enters. Diggle: Mrs. Queen? Car's ready. Diggle, Moira, Thea, Jared, Walter and Oliver exit.
[EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY (PRESS CLAMORING)] Man: Mr. Queen, can we get a comment, sir? Woman: ...return to civilization after five years on a deserted island. Man 2: Can you tell us what happened on that island, Who is the man beside you? Man: Tell us about the accident, Mr. Queen. (CAMERAS CLICKING) Woman: Is the man beside you the same as who was found with you.
[INT. COURTROOM - DAY]
Oliver: There was a storm. The boat went down. My father and I were the only two to make it to the raft. Being low on supplies, my father chose to shoot himself so I could survive. Moira and Thea can't stop the tears flowing hearing the fate of the Queen head. I floated on the raft for days, thought I had died until I saw the island. I found Jared on the island, who also had found himself stranded for a year before I arrived. Moira and Thea looked up in surprise as they both thought Jared arrived after Oliver. He must have been 13-14 yrs old. How did he survive for a year by himself, they thought. Eventually we knew that we had to live and fight for each other in the hopes we can make it back one day.
Lawyer: Your Honor, we move to vitiate the death-in-absentia filed after Oliver's disappearance at sea aboard the Queen's Gamut five years ago. Unfortunately we will not be requesting that the declaration of death filed for the petitioner's father, Robert Queen, be rescinded. The Queen family is only entitled to one miracle, I'm afraid.
[INT. COURTHOUSE - DAY]
Moira: Now, onto the offices. Everyone is waiting to meet you there.
Oliver: Uh, Mom, that was, uh...a little bit heavier than I was expecting it to be. Can we do that tomorrow? Please?
Moira: Of course. Oliver: Thank you. Walter and Moira walk away.
Jared: Good call, that was...
Oliver: Yeah... I know.
Thea gives the two a comforting look. As they are reaching the exit they bump into Laurel.
Oliver: Hey!
Laurel: Hey you! Laurel gives Oliver a deep kiss
Jared: Hi,What are you doing here?
Laurel: My job, well more like the D.A.'s. Sorry I couldn't make it.
Oliver: No problem, I know you were busy. Oliver gives Laurel a kiss on her cheek.
Jared extends his hand to Emily, standing to the right of Laurel. Jared: Hi, Jared Wilson. Emily shakes his hand.
Oliver: Oliver Queen. Emily shakes his hand.
Laurel: Oliver,Jared can you give me Thea back? I need her help with the case.
Oliver: Sure, we are pretty much done here, Jared's documents will be mailed to your office anyway. But I want to have dinner with you Speedy!
Thea: It's good to feel so wanted. Excuse me. Thea says as she walks past Oliver and Jared.
Emily: It was nice to meet you. Johanna: Yeah. Let's go.
[EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAY]
Reporter: Mr. Somers, one question, sir. Somers: I don't know what I've done to earn this witch-hunt from Miss Lance and her bosses at the CNRI. But I can tell you this. I am an honest businessman, and I will fight this slander to my last dime and breath. That's all I have to say, thank you. (REPORTERS TALKING INDISTINCTLY) Reporter 2: There's Mr. Queen! (REPORTERS TALKING INDISTINCTLY) Reporter: Tell us what happened inside, Mr. Queen... Diggle walks with Oliver and Jared to the car. Diggle: Step back everybody, please. Reporter: Why was Jared Wilson on the island, where was Sara Lance? Diggle: All right. Everybody step back. Diggle shoves the reporters away. (CAR DRIVING AWAY) Diggle watches the car leave.
Diggle is obviously frustrated.
INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY]
Oliver and Jared are shirtless, showing all of the scars they have gotten on the island, Oliver starts climbing a thick rope.
Oliver: Martin Somers. Laurel's targeted the worst of Starling City, so it's no surprise his name is on my father's list.
Jared practices sword skills on metal bars.
Jared: The city's police and the D.A. can't stop him, but that's Laurel will still have help.
Oliver: Yeah she still has us. Good luck out there! I have dinner with Thea waiting for me.
Jared:Luck, C'mon with these guys I won't need it.
[ INT. SHIPPING DOCK WAREHOUSE - NIGHT]
Somers: You, listen up. The longer this goes on, the more likely the media is gonna crucify me. You shut this trial down, do you understand me? (ELECTRICITY CRACKLING) Man: Yes, sir. (LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF) (BLOWS LANDING) (MEN GROANING) (MUTTERS) Somers looks around as the light comes back on. The two men in the warehouse are lying on the ground, face-down.
Somers: What... What...
Arrow: Martin Somers...
Somers: Who the hell are you?
Arrow: ...you've failed this city. Arrow lodges an arrow in his bow and aims at Somers.
Somers: No! No, no, no, no, no! Arrow shoots next to Somers.
Arrow: You're gonna testify in that trial. You're gonna confess to having Victor Nocenti killed, there won't be a second warning.
[QUEEN MANSION - NIGHT]
Moira: I hired you to protect my son. Now, I'm not a professional bodyguard, but it seems to me that the first requirement would be managing to stay next to the man you're hired to protect. Diggle: With all due respect, ma'am, I never had a client who didn't want my protection.
Moira: I hired you. That makes me the client. Now where do you think my son is going on these chaperone-less excursions? Diggle: Ma'am, I truly do not know.
Oliver and Thea walk into the room. Oliver: And he truly doesn't. Thea: Relax mom, Ollie and I were just having dinner together.
Moira: No, I'd rather you promised to take Mr. Diggle with you on your next rendezvous. It's not safe, you've already been abducted once.
Oliver: That maniac saved my life.
Moira: This isn't a game. I lost you once. And I am not going through that again.
Oliver: Okay. Dig's my guy.
Moira: Thank you.
Jared walks in with a stack of books, and receives the attention of everyone.
Moira: And where have you been?
Jared: Hold up the books Library, trying to figure out where I can start to catch up on my education.
Moira:Hmm well next time please make sure Diggle knows where you are at all times.
Jared nods as Moira walks out of the room
Thea:If you need any help, let me know. Ollie will be next to useless, trust me!
Jared: I will, thank you!
Thea and Jared walk away as they talk about their day. Both of them seem to be growing closer everyday.
Oliver: Sorry to give you so much grief.
Diggle: I served three tours in Afghanistan, Mr. Queen. You don't even come close to my definition of "grief." But I tell you what... You ditch me one more time, no one will have to fire me. Diggle walks away
[INT. SHIPPING WAREHOUSE - DAY]
Quentin, Somers, and a group of policemen are in the warehouse. Quentin is pacing.
Quentin: Well, I owe you an apology, Mr. Somers. We come all the way down to your docks, and it turns out, you don't need the police after all.
Somers: Which is exactly what I've been saying.
Quentin: Yeah. So I guess that 9-1-1 call that we got last night from your stevedore, saying that you were getting attacked by a guy in a green hood and a bow and arrow... I-I guess...I guess that, well... Hmm. Was that a practical joke?
Somers: Isn't this a conflict of interest, Detective? After all, your daughter is suing me.
Quentin: I'm pretty good at keeping my emotions in check.
Somers: I'm not. Somers stands up and threateningly gets in Quentin's space, You and your daughter don't want to find out what I'm capable of when I get emotional. (Quentin SCOFFS) (Quentin SIGHING) Quentin walks and the other policemen walk out. Somers looks nervously at the arrow in his desk.
[INT. QUEEN CONSOLIDATED - DAY]
Walter walks off of the elevator, followed by Moira, Oliver, and Diggle.
Walter: As you can see, Oliver, we've modernized quite a bit. (Oliver WHISTLING)
Walter: I remember when your father used to bring you here when you were a boy. You always were so excited.
Oliver: Dad let me drink soda in the office.
Moira: Ah, so that's why you enjoyed coming.
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Moira: Sweetheart, Oliver, Walter and I have something to discuss with you. Come, please sit. Oliver: Mom, it makes me nervous when you ask me to sit down.
Walter: The company's about to break ground on a new site for the Applied Sciences division, and we would like to honor your father by dedicating the building in his name.
Oliver: Nice. Moira: And we'd like to make an announcement at the dedication that you will be taking a leadership position in the company.
Oliver: No.
Moira: No, your... Your company.
Oliver: No, I don't want to lead anything, not yet. I need time to learn what this company represents in the meantime, Walter is doing a very good job here.
Moira: You said that you wanted to be a different person, looks are proving it. You're right, take time to learn more of the company and then take your position when you are ready.
Oliver: Thank you, and don't worry I already have some plans.
Moira: I can't wait to see what you can do!
[LAW FIRM - DAY]
Thea, Laurel, and Emily are walking together.
Thea: Well, we anticipate that Somers' attorney will try and paint you as blinded by grief or looking to make a buck.
Emily: This isn't about the money. I just want justice for my father.
Laurel: Emily, there are a lot of people who don't want this trial to proceed. Dangerous people. Emily: My mother died when I was a baby, and my father has been the only family I've ever known and they slit his throat. They are going to have to kill me if they want me to give this up. Laurel: Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Quentin walks into the room with three police officers.
Laurel: What's going on?
Quentin: What's going on is that the three of you are getting around-the-clock police protection. Okay? Get used to their faces, because they're going with you everywhere you go. No arguments.
Laurel: I'm a lawyer. I live to argue.
Quentin: I'm your father. I live to keep you safe.
Thea: Um, Emily, let's go grab a cup of coffee, okay?
Quentin: Yes, why not do that? Thank you. (to officers) Please, go with them. (to last officer)Stay there.
Laurel: Protective custody? I seem to recall you trying that once I discovered boys. It didn't work then either.
(Quentin SIGHING) Quentin: This isn't a joke, Laurel. Martin Somers got attacked last night. Laurel: What? Quentin: Yeah. Laurel: By who?
Quentin: It doesn't matter. Point is, you have whipped up a storm with these guys, and until the dust settles you'll be protected, okay? You're insistent on doing your job. That's great. But this is me doing mine, okay? And not just as a father, but as a cop. These people, they are more dangerous than you are willing to admit. And you've made them angry.
[INT. LAUREL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT] Laurel is sitting in a chair, leaning over her laptop. (KNOCK ON DOOR) (MUSIC PLAYING) (KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK) Laurel answers the door and sees Oliver. She smiles and gives him a deep kiss.
Oliver: Hi. Are you okay? There are two cop cars outside.
Laurel: Protective custody, courtesy of my dad!
Oliver: I see...well at least he's just trying to keep you safe.
Laurel: I know...Anyway where is Jared, you two are usually together?
Oliver: Jared and Thea are at the library, trying to see if he should give a GED a chance
Laurel: Good for him. And I'm sure Thea will be a tremendous help. Laurel gives Oliver a look that he understands immediately.
Oliver: If anything happens between them I support it, after everything we went through he deserves all the happiness. And if he finds that in Thea I couldn't be happier. But..
Laurel: But…
Oliver: It will be hard for him to let her in. Girls, relationships isn't something that he has any experience in.
Laurel: Who better to teach him then? Laurel laughs as Oliver joins in.
Oliver: But we can't interfere, knowing Thea she won't let us!
Laurel: She won't let you, but me is a diff..
(THUD) Oliver: Did you hear that?
Laurel: What? (SOFT FOOTSTEP) Oliver takes a butter knife and stands up.
Oliver: There's someone on the fire escape. Laurel: Wh-What?
Oliver grabs Laurel's hand and starts running with her. Oliver: Hey, come on... Come on! They run toward the door and a man breaks through the door with a machine gun into Laurel's apartment. Oliver pulls Laurel the other way. (MACHINE GUN FIRING) (LAUREL SCREAMS) Another man crashes in through Laurel's bedroom window. (GUNSHOTS) The woman from the warehouse enters and puts her fists up for a fight. (GUN CLICKS) (GUNSHOTS) One of the men with guns is shot. The woman runs. Diggle enters and shoots another man. The woman knocks the gun from Diggle's hands and they fight. (BOTH GRUNTING) Oliver is struggling with whether or not to help or keep his skills secret. Oliver leaves Laurel and runs into the kitchen for a knife. The woman pins Diggle and raises her hand to stab him. Oliver throws his knife and knocks the woman's knife away. The woman gets up and runs out of the apartment. Laurel runs into Oliver's arms. Diggle stands and gets his gun.
Diggle: Are you hurt? Oliver: No. Diggle: This is why it's a good idea to have a bodyguard. (SIRENS BLARING) Oliver:(softly) Hey, you okay? Laurel nods her head in his embrace as he kisses the top of her forehead (SIREN WAILING)
[INT. LAUREL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT]
Several cops and medics are in the apartment. Diggle, Laurel and Oliver stand watching. Quentin walks in. Quentin and Laurel hug.
Laurel: Daddy!
Quentin: Oh, thank God. Thank God. Are you all right?
Laurel: I'm okay. Those cops that you put on me... (Quentin SIGHING)
Diggle: I went outside to ask for a light, and they were both dead in the squad car. Laurel covers her mouth in tears.
Quentin: It's okay. Mr. Diggle, thank you. Feel free to run as many red lights in the city as you want.
Diggle: I was just doing my job, sir. Quentin: No, your job is protecting him. (to Oliver) It seems like whenever you're with one of my daughters, people die. You stay away from Laurel, or I swear the next time you disappear, it will be permanent.
Laurel: Dad!That is not fair
Quentin: No, Laurel...
Oliver: It's okay. I understand.
Quentin: Yeah. Laurel. Laurel gives Oliver a thankful look, as Laurel was in no mood to tell her father she was back together with Oliver. Something he clearly had not picked up on.
[INT. QUEEN MANSION - NIGHT]
Oliver tosses a towel to Diggle and starts walking away. Diggle stands and walks after Oliver who was now talking to Jared.
Oliver: I'd say thank you, but I don't think that would cover it.
Diggle: Well, like I told your cop friend, I was just doing my job. Besides, I think it should be you that I'm thanking. Oliver and Jared give him a confused look.
Jared: What for? Diggle: The knife. Oliver: The knife. I got lucky.
Diggle: That was a kitchen knife. It wasn't even weighted properly, yet you threw it with accuracy across a 10-foot room.
Oliver: Exactly. I got lucky.
Diggle: I'm not the kind of man you want to take for a fool, Mr. Queen. Do you understand me? Oliver: Yes.
Diggle: And I think I'm just beginning to understand the kind of man you are, both of you.
Oliver: Shouldn't take you very long. We're shallow. And tired... Good night.
Diggle: (smirking)Good night, sirs. Diggle walks away
Jared: He might be a good addition, pretty observant even for a bodyguard
Oliver: Hmm, check his background, see if it is noteworthy.
[INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT]
Oliver is dressed as Arrow in his warehouse. He is putting on his gloves, Jared is working on the computers tracking Somers' current location.
Oliver : We warned him, gave him a chance to confess and face a court's justice
Jared: And then he goes after Laurel instead, looks like he didn't get the message!
Arrow puts on his belt and quiver. Arrow flips on his hood. Arrow opens a crate and takes out his bow.
Oliver: Time to leave a new message, a more painful one.
[INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT]
Somers: Triad bitch screwed up the hit on Lance. Now, the Triad is gonna erase every ounce of evidence of their smuggling operation, including me. Except that's not gonna happen. Tell Wallace to get the boat ready. I'm leaving tonight.
Man:(on radio)Wallace? Wallace, you copy? Wallace?
Arrow:(on radio) Wallace isn't here. But I am.
Somers: We need to move, now. Move! Man: Sir, we've got six men up there. Somers: It's not enough. Move it!
(MACHINE GUN FIRING) Arrow shoots an arrow into a man. He jumps along the high metal beams and jumped to the ground, crouching. Arrow shoots another man. A third man rounds the corner with a machine gun and Arrow jumps over the side of a fence in the warehouse. Arrow shoots another man and runs toward a fifth, shooting him. He runs down stairs and nocks another arrow. He shoots another man, who falls off of a ledge. Arrow sees Somers run into a different warehouse. Arrow: Somers! (Somers YELLING) Arrow shoots an arrow into a wooden crate next to Somers' head. (ARROW THUDS) (Somers GROANING) Somers (yelling): Oh, God, no, no, no. Arrow: He can't help you. Arrow shoots another arrow onto the other side of Somers' head. Arrow :(yelling) I want the truth about Victor Nocenti.
Somers: I can't. The Triad will kill me.
Arrow: The Triad's not your concern right now. Arrow shoots another arrow between Somers' legs. (WHIMPERING LOUDLY) Somers: All right, all right, all right. (shakily) It wasn't me that killed him. It was the Triad. Arrow: Acting on whose instructions? Arrow shoots again above Somers' head. (Somers SCREAMING) Somers: All right, all right. It was mine. It was mine, all right? Nocenti said he was gonna testify against me. A shot races past the Arrow as he turns around and sees the Woman that attacked in Laurel's apartment. Woman (in foreign language): Move away from him. Arrow (in same foreign language): Make me. Arrow and the Woman fight. They both are very skilled. (GRUNTING) (SIRENS APPROACHING) Woman knocks Arrow to the ground. The Arrow quickly counters and gets back up. Arrow and the Woman run in opposite directions. Policeman (over megaphone): You are surrounded. Come out with your hands in the air.
Arrow runs outside and climbs over a storage unit. He starts to run and stops at the click of a gun. Quentin (pointing gun): Freeze! You twitch and you're dead. Bow down, hands up. Arrow grabs an arrow from his leg sheath and throws it at Quentin. Quentin drops his gun. (SIRENS WAILING) (GRUNTS) Quentin stumbles back and looks around to see no trace of the Arrow, other than a blinking arrow holding his gun to the storage unit. Quentin presses a button on the blinking arrow. (RECORDING REWINDING) (RECORDING PLAYS) Somers: All right, all right. It was mine. It was mine, all right? Nocenti said he was gonna testify against me. Quentin (looking around): You son of a bitch. (SIRENS WAILING)
[INT. LAW FIRM - DAY]
Laurel, Emily Nocenti, and Thea watch the news report.
Newscaster: Martin Somers, the CEO of Starling Port, was arrested last night for the murder of Victor Nocenti. He is also being accused of accepting cash, including over $10 million in bribes. Thea turns off the TV. Thea: Well, we can pursue the civil suit if you want, but the D.A. now has no choice, with Mr. Somers' confession, to prosecute him.
Laurel: He's going to jail, Emily. For the rest of his life.
Emily Nocenti: Thank you so much for fighting for us.
Laurel: Well, thank you for being brave enough to let us.