AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I made some additions, changes, and format revisions to the entire script today (09/03/02), even to the prologue, so you may want to read it from the beginning… or at least skim it from the beginning.
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X-Men: Redemption
Act One – Part One
By Randi M. Kosiewska-Short
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FADE INTO:
SCENE 6
INTERIOR NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY SURVEILLANCE ROOM -- 7 AM
OPEN on two transit authority employees, JOHN and CARL, sitting near each other at the consoles. CAPTION—One year later.
CLOSE UP on JOHN. He sneaks whiskey into his coffee mug. CARL is making a paper airplane.
Point Of View of ARCHANGEL (the mutant WARREN WORTHINGTON III now with metal wings) and ESSEX (also a mutant, with a very proper demeanor, in formal clothes, including hat and cane [1]) as they enter the surveillance room.
CARL
I should've been a pilot.
CARL tosses the paper airplane and watches it fly toward ARCHANGEL and ESSEX at the camera. We know he sees them by his expression. JOHN drinks his coffee and doesn't notice.
JOHN
Here's a good one for you, Carl. Two mutants walk into a bar...
A dozen metal knife-like feathers shoot forward from ARCHANGEL, striking the two men with a stun-gun effect. HOLD position as ARCHANGEL and ESSEX continue into view. ARCHANGEL pushes the unconscious JOHN and CARL off their seats while ESSEX inspects the console and monitors.
ESSEX
Not a scratch. Very nicely done, Warren.
ESSEX sits and types at the console. ARCHANGEL stands, stone-like, behind and to the side of ESSEX.
ESSEX
Shall we have a look?
ESSEX examines the monitors and decides on one.
ESSEX
Ahh... This'll do.
CLOSE in on monitor ESSEX refers to. On it is a still shot of a nearby subway terminal (in Scene 6).
CUT TO:
SCENE 7
INT. NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY TERMINAL -- 7 AM
STILL SHOT from an overhead surveillance camera of a crowd coming and going on the in-bound and out-bound trains (from Scene 6).
ESSEX (Voice Over)
New York. A city of lights. A city of motion...
The STILL becomes alive and the crowds and trains move, slowly at first, but gaining speed until it plays as TIME-LAPSE photography. Two people stand out from the repeated rushes of crowds. One is the MORLOCK child, LEECH, a tunnel dweller who reappears six or seven times during the length of the time-lapse material. The other is GAMBIT, the thief, who remains in the terminal throughout the time-lapse material. He swaggers amongst the crowds, bumping into several people, and often reaching into his trench coat.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
...Every type of person passes through here in their every day way -- employers and employees, natives, transplants, tourists -- both domestic and foreign; and my favorites, those who are pitied, forgotten, detested and ignored: The homeless -- both flatscan and mutant...
TIME-LAPSE PAUSE. Time meter reads 9:12 am. PUSH IN quick on LEECH. REAL TIME. LEECH begs for food and money. PULL BACK quick to overhead surveillance camera view. RESUME TIME-LAPSE photography.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
...They move with such consistency that the rhythm becomes the city's pulse...
The time lapse plays at a speed that the flow of people in and out of the station by way of train and street mimics blood pumping through the heart into veins and arteries.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
...So constant, so reliable is this pulse, that much of what survives in it goes unnoticed...
TIME-LAPSE PAUSE. TIME METER reads 11:09 PM.
PUSH IN quick on GAMBIT. SLOW MOTION play. He bumps into a well-dressed MAN. MAGNIFY to show their right hands brushing against each other. GAMBIT takes the MAN'S watch in one fluid movement.
PULL UP to eye level. REAL TIME. FOLLOW the MAN to the platform to wait for a train.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
...Until it is too late...
The MAN raises his wrist to check the time and discovers his watch is gone. He looks down and around him, but it is nowhere to be found.
PUSH IN quick through the crowd onto GAMBIT. He leans against the back wall of the station and examines his new watch.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
... It is a city of Puppets...
PULL BACK to view GAMBIT in full and the opening to the street. STORM steps into the station carrying several shopping bags. PAUSE on STORM.
ESSEX (VO, cont.)
... Of Mothers...
RESUME REAL TIME. Behind STORM enter her charges, the STUDENTS [ROGUE (18), BOBBY (18), JUBILEE (16 - Chinese-American) and KITTY (17)] -- all carrying bags from shopping, except for JUBILEE who wears a bright yellow backpack. PAUSE on STUDENTS.
ESSEX
... And Prey.
SCENE 8
ABOUT 11:15 AM.
RESUME REAL TIME. ANGLE on GAMBIT (cont. from scene 6). He slips the watch in his duster pocket and eyes the crowd for his next mark and sees STORM and the STUDENTS. CLOSE UP on ROGUE with the white streak in her hair. This is what draws GAMBIT'S attention to them. PULL BACK. GAMBIT, STORM and STUDENTS as they walk past him. GAMBIT follows them. KITTY, now on STORM'S right side, jabbers excitedly to STORM as she points out computer components in a magazine.
KITTY
...Think Professor would get it? It'd be great for study hall.
JUBILEE, on STORM's left side, plays a hand held video game, and doesn't miss a beat as she mocks Kitty.
JUBILEE
For study hall? Puh-lease!
ROGUE and BOBBY lag behind the others. ROGUE'S writing in a small journal and BOBBY'S trying to keep her attention. GAMBIT is closing in. GAMBIT POV as he keeps pace behind them.
BOBBY
What do you think? ...Rogue?
ROGUE
Yeah, Bobby... That's fine.
HOLD on BOBBY and ROGUE. GAMBIT bumps into ROGUE on her right side. ROGUE POV of GAMBIT brushing against her without acknowledging her. She watches him continue ahead of her in STORM and KITTY'S direction.
ANGLE on ROGUE.
ROGUE
It's too crowded in here.
ROGUE, a little creeped out, puts her journal and pen away in her shoulder-bag (on her right side, where GAMBIT just brushed by). She notices that WOLVERINE'S dog tags (from 1st movie) are missing.
ROGUE
They're gone... they were just here.
ROGUE looks to GAMBIT. ROGUE POV on GAMBIT, slipping his latest prize (WOLVERINE'S dog tags) in his pocket and aiming for KITTY.
ROGUE
...He took them.
HOLD as ROGUE enters view as she goes after GAMBIT, who's about to reach into KITTY's bag. BOBBY follows her.
ROGUE (calling out)
Kitty!
PUSH IN on KITTY, who turns around, catching GAMBIT, and phases (turns herself and her bags intangible, like a ghost). KITTY POV. GAMBIT'S hand passes through the bag and KITTY. GAMBIT is amazed, not frightened.
OPEN VIEW to include STORM and JUBILEE and the, as of yet, unaware bystanders. STORM chastises KITTY for using her mutant ability in such a crowded and confined public space.
STORM
What are you doing, Kitty?!
ROGUE and BOBBY catch up. PULL back to include them too. GAMBIT is waving his hand around inside KITTY'S intangible body.
ROGUE
He was going to rob her.
ROGUE looks hard at GAMBIT.
ROGUE [2] (continuing)
Like he did me. Can ah have 'em back now?
GAMBIT smiles flirtatiously. He doesn't stop waving around inside KITTY'S phased form.
GAMBIT
Dey're in my pocket. Get dem if you wan' dem so bad.
Tentatively, ROGUE reaches in and retrieves the dog tags. She immediately puts them around her neck. They clink against her and stick, as if held by her sticky perspiration or maybe even by some minor magnetic force.
STORM (to GAMBIT)
I think you should leave.
GAMBIT
Aw, chere. But, I'm having so much fun.
GAMBIT is now waving both hands inside KITTY.
KITTY (to GAMBIT)
Will you stop that?!
GAMBIT (smirking)
Mutant, hein?
JUBILEE
Hey, that's what I did first time I saw her phase! Wave around inside her, that is, not try rob her.
KITTY takes hold of his arm, phases him, and pushes his hands out of her. As she does so, GAMBIT examines his now intangible hand, then tries to test it by reaching into ROGUE.
POP to ROGUE, flinching back, GAMBIT'S hand coming at her face. POP closer. ICE forms on GAMBIT'S hand, encasing it, just before his bare fingers touch her skin.
OPEN to THREE SHOT on ROGUE, BOBBY (with visible breath) and GAMBIT, who inspects his ice covered hand, further amused, then looks to BOBBY.
GAMBIT
Protecting your girl?
GAMBIT POV PANNING from ROGUE to BOBBY (with visible breath) to JUBILEE to STORM to KITTY, then SPIN quick back to BOBBY (with visible breath).
GAMBIT
A whole gang o' muties, hein?
JUBILEE
Gang? I'm from LA. We are not a gang.
FULL shot of entire group, including GAMBIT. GAMBIT holds up his now melting ice-encased hand.
ANGLE on GAMBIT and his hand. GAMBIT smiles. His red eyes FLASH, the ice GLOWS red and EXPLODES. Everyone screams and reels back.
POP to JUBILEE, blocking herself with her hands. Several tiny colorful fireworks-like explosions burst around her hands. Her hand held video game sparks and smokes.
POP to FULL shot of STORM and STUDENTS' defensive reactions.
OPEN to show bystanders panicking and fleeing.
ANGLE on LEECH. FOLLOW him as he pushes past the fleeing people. He disappears in the tunnel as a breeze brews in the station, revealed by debris beginning to swirl around.
ANGLE on GAMBIT picking up on STORM'S control of the wind. He is excited by all this. He looks to STORM.
GAMBIT
The wind is... Yours.
ANGLE on STORM. Hair flowing, eyes turning white, preparing herself for a fight, but only if necessary.
STORM
And more.
ANGLE on GAMBIT, still looking to STORM.
GAMBIT
I'm sure... (looks to ROGUE, grinning mischievously) And you, chere? You gonna show me yours?
ANGLE on ROGUE, who is self-conscious.
ROGUE
When ah touch...
GAMBIT leers flirtatiously at ROGUE.
GAMBIT
Allez-vous toucher moi? [3]
JUBILEE (off camera)
What a perv!
PULL BACK to view from surveillance camera. In the distant corner of the surveillance view, LEECH can be seen watching them from the edge of the tunnel.
PULL BACK to show the scene playing on a monitor.
ROGUE (on monitor)
Ah... ah don't use mine.
CUT TO:
SCENE 9
SURVEILLANCE ROOM (cont.) -- ABOUT 11:30 AM.
ESSEX and ARCHANGEL watching the monitor showing the surveillance camera view of GAMBIT, STORM and STUDENTS. ESSEX and GAMBIT speak to each other via hidden electric communication devices.
ESSEX
Tag them, Gambit. Don't make friends with them.
CUT TO:
SCENE 10
SUBWAY TERMINAL (cont.) -- ABOUT 11:30 AM.
ANGLE on ROGUE and GAMBIT. He's kissing her gloved hand (and she lets him), as he procures a playing card from inside his duster. He speaks to ROGUE and ESSEX at the same time.
GAMBIT
If you say so.
CLOSE UP of the playing card as he throws it. FOLLOW card as it speeds (with deadly uncanny aim) across the station and lodges in the fuse box, almost directly above LEECH'S head.
ANGLE on LEECH, still hidden, as he duck-and-covers when the card (and fuse box) explodes.
ANGLE on GAMBIT, STORM and STUDENTS. The lights go out. The terminal is nearly in complete darkness. Sounds from GAMBIT attacking them are heard. JUBILEE'S fireworks reveal some of the fight.
FLASH: GAMBIT'S bow-staff passes through an intangible KITTY.
FLASH: BOBBY takes a hit in his chest.
FLASH: JUBILEE, who's cowering, has her feet are knocked out from under her and her light show ends.
More sounds from GAMBIT attacking them are heard.
The emergency power comes on. The terminal is filled with eerie orange light. PAN from person to person. KITTY: phased, stands unharmed, but scared and confused. STORM: stunned, but unharmed, on the ground near the platform's edge. JUBILEE: also on the ground, unshielding her face.
BOBBY: against the far wall, recovering from having the wind knocked out of him. ROGUE: terrified, embraced in a dip by GAMBIT, pushing him back to keep his lips from touching hers.
GAMBIT
Another time, chere.
He lifts her gently to a standing position, while pulling her journal from her bag, then leaves.
HOLD on ROGUE, looking after GAMBIT. She is taken aback by the whole situation.
BOBBY (off camera)
Rogue! You okay?
She touches her gloved fingers to her lips and smiles shyly.
ROGUE
Yeah... I'm fine.
ANGLE on STORM checking on Jubilee, who's angrily mourning her destroyed video game system.
JUBILEE
I did it again!
STORM
Is anyone hurt?
OPEN to show all of them regrouping. ROGUE'S going through her bag, and pulls the King of Hearts playing card. KITTY sees it.
KITTY
Cute.
ROGUE shoves the card back in her bag, and just then realizes that, yet again, she's missing something.
ROGUE
Mah journal! He took it!
JUBILEE elbows BOBBY in the side.
JUBILEE
I think you've got competition.
BOBBY
Like we'll ever see him again.
JUBILEE
Maybe not, but he's in her head now.
BOBBY questions ROGUE with his eyes. She looks away.
CUT TO:
SCENE 11
STREET -- OUTSIDE OF SUBWAY TERMINAL -- BEFORE NOON (continuing)
WIDE VIEW. GAMBIT is exiting view. PAN to keep up with him. He rounds the corner of an alley then stops to catch his breath and report to ESSEX. CLOSE UP GAMBIT.
GAMBIT
I missed one. Kitty, I t'ink dey called her, like a ghost, vous savez? [4] Couldn' put it on her. Any idea who dey were?
ESSEX (VO)
Not as of yet. But I'll know soon enough.
GAMBIT
Am I done now?
ESSEX
Not quite, yet. But you can go for now. I'll contact you.
GAMBIT pauses, looking sorrowfully at a TAG [5] as he rolls it between his fingers. He pockets it then continues down the alley.
CUT TO:
SCENE 12
SUBWAY TERMINAL -- ABOUT NOON (cont.)
OPEN on CLOSE UP on TAG on ORORO'S clothing. WIDE VIEW. A train pulls up. As STORM and STUDENTS move inside the train, a TAG is seen on each of them, except for KITTY. Other people board the train as well. At the far end of the terminal, at the edge of the tunnel itself, enters LEECH. He scrambles onto the same car as STORM and STUDENTS.
FOLLOW him inside.
INT. SUBWAY CAR (cont.)
LEECH scrambles to a seat near the door. He looks around for STORM and STUDENTS and finds them.
LEECH POV. BOBBY sits with STORM, while JUBILEE, ROGUE and KITTY sit a few seats back.
CLOSE UP on STORM and BOBBY.
BOBBY
Why did he attack us? You think he works for Magneto?
STORM
I've no idea. Perhaps, the Professor will. We'll meet with him when we get back.
BOBBY looks back at the girls.
BOBBY
You think they're talking about him?
STORM
That's rude, Bobby.
BOBBY
I know.
HOLD on them. BOBBY doesn't turn back, just keeps watching and trying to listen. STORM smiles.
STORM
Don't worry. She likes you. You're her best friend.
BOBBY
I know.
BOBBY POV. The girls' are whispering to each other.
PUSH IN on the girls.
KITTY
So?
ROGUE
What?
KITTY
What was it like? When he held you?
ROGUE
Ah don't know. He was strong. Ah think he let me keep him from kissing me.
JUBILEE
He's a jerk. I would've hit him.
ROGUE
Don't you mean cower like a sniveling brat?
KITTY
Do you want to see him again?
JUBILEE
Duh! He attacked us. Of course she doesn't. Right, Rogue?
ROGUE
Yeah... Of course.
KITTY
He had a great accent.
ROGUE
French... sort of.
KITTY
Creole. He has to be from New Orleans.
ROGUE
Ah've been there. Once. When ah was twelve. Quarter's real touristy, but the people were nice.
JUBILEE
If they're anything like him, I don't ever want to go there.
KITTY
That's exactly the reason I'd go.
CUT TO:
SCENE 13
SURVEILLANCE ROOM -- ABOUT NOON (cont.)
ANGLE on ESSEX and ARCHANGEL. ARCHANGEL is now sitting in the other console seat. ESSEX gets up from his seat at the console and picks up his cane.
ESSEX
Keep watch. Do let me know if any other prospects turn up.
ARCHANGEL
What about the child? He followed them. He could know something we don't.
ESSEX
True. But we'll find out when we sweep the others, I presume.
CUT TO:
SCENE 14
XAVIER'S SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED -- WESTCHESTER, NY -- ABOUT 1 PM.
ESTABLISHING SHOT.
CUT TO:
(cont. scene 14)
INT. PROFESSOR XAVIER'S OFFICE -- 1 PM
CLOSE UP on JUBILEE.
JUBILEE
Tell him, Rogue... Then he dipped her and tried to kiss her. He's such a sleaze.
CLOSE UP on XAVIER: amused by JUBILEE'S description and trying not to smile.
XAVIER
I see... But none of you were hurt?
WIDE VIEW of group: SCOTT, JEAN, NIGHTCRAWLER (elven appearance with three fingered hand and feet, a prehensile tail, and covered in velvety blue fur), STORM, ROGUE, BOBBY, KITTY, JUBILEE, who answer him with various verbal and non-verbal "No's."
XAVIER (Off Camera)
Thank you. That is all.
ANGLE on the door as they leave. ROGUE is last.
XAVIER (OC, cont.)
Rogue… one more thing. If by chance this young gentleman contacts you...
ROGUE
I'll let you know.
XAVIER nods. She leaves.
ANGLE on XAVIER. He wheels around to the front of his desk. OPEN view to include STORM, SCOTT and JEAN.
XAVIER
I suspect this was just an isolated incident, but I'd like to be sure. Scott, see if you can dig up anything on this young man. Police records, maybe. And keep a close watch on Rogue. We wouldn't want her running off again.
STORM
I doubt she will. She was flattered, but I don't think she expects anything to come of it.
SCOTT
Maybe you should move up the time-table on the invitation. Just to make sure.
XAVIER
Good idea.
JEAN
Should I try to locate him with Cerebro?
XAVIER
That won't be necessary. I don't think it's very serious. I'd rather you focus your spare time on this mutant virus. And besides that, we have a graduation banquet to finish preparing for.
CUT TO:
SCENE 15
INT. ABANDONED ABBEY, NEW JERSEY -- ABOUT 1 PM
CLOSE UP on ESSEX, wide-eyed.
ESSEX
An entire school for mutants.
OPEN to see him sitting before an extensive computer system with several monitors all showing different things.
PAN across the monitors. Some register medical information (vital signs and other things) on about a dozen or so people (including, but not limited to: CAROL DANVERS - AKA MISS MARVEL, PAIGE and SAM GUTHRIE - AKA HUSK and CANNONBALL respectively, LORNA DANE - AKA POLARIS). One monitor shows hundreds of lines of seemingly endless code (genetic coding) scrolling up line by line. Another one shows a detailed map with five red blinking dots piled on top of each other. A message is displayed beside the dots. CLOSE UP on message.
MESSAGE
Tags 1, 2, 3, 4 location identified
Westchester, New York
Salem Center
1407 Graymalkin Lane
OPEN to view ESSEX reading the screen directly in front of him. A newspaper article is on it. There is a picture of Dr. JEAN GRAY addressing Congress on the issue of mutant's rights (from first X-Men movie). Layered on top of the article is another newspaper picture from the society page.
CLOSE UP on picture. It is of PROFESSOR XAVIER and JEAN GRAY, with STORM and SCOTT in the background. There is a caption below it.
NEWSPAPER CAPTION
Professor Charles Xavier raises funding for his school for the gifted.
ESSEX
Could that be...?
MAGNIFY on SCOTT in the background of the picture.
FADE TO—FLASHBACK:
SCENE 16
EXT. CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGE PLAYGROUND– DAY.
Several children play on the meek swing set, jungle gym, seesaw, slides, and small field surrounding them. FOCUS in on a young, shy SCOTT (13) longingly watching the other kids play.
ALTER ANGLE to show ESSEX watching, waiting nearby in the background.
A fight breaks out among the others, and SCOTT rushes over to pull away ALEX (11, Scott's brother), who has received a bloody nose. ALEX shrugs SCOTT off and walks away. SCOTT, saddened, watches.
ESSEX, in background still, looks between the two boys and heads towards SCOTT.
SCOTT clutches his head in pain. SCOTT collapses to the ground, MOANING and writhing in pain. TEACHERS come running. ESSEX in background, pauses, looks to ALEX, hovering grumpily off by himself, though watching SCOTT. ESSEX goes to ALEX. They SPEAK, but aren't heard over the commotion surrounding SCOTT, who is being led inside. ALEX nods. ESSEX rests a hand on ALEX'S shoulder and smiles.
END FLASHBACK—FADE BACK TO:
SCENE 15, CONT.
OPEN on ESSEX smiling.
ESSEX
Well, Scotty Summers. Is this where you've been keeping yourself?
An intercom BUZZES.
ESSEX
Yes, McCoy.
MCCOY (VO, from intercom)
The tests are complete. It is as you predicted.
ESSEX
It always is. Thank you, McCoy.
ESSEX types on the keyboard and another article replaces the one on JEAN GRAY. It is a listing of high school graduations. Xavier's school is listed with today's date.
He types some more on the keyboard and the screen is again replaced, this time with a communications system readout showing that he's contacting GAMBIT.
ESSEX
Gambit?
GAMBIT (VO, comm.)
I'm here.
ESSEX
I have a job for you.
GAMBIT
I'll be dere in an hour.
ESSEX
Thirty minutes. I have an address on your girl...
CUT TO:
SCENE 17
EXT. XAVIER'S SCHOOL -- POOL -- ABOUT 2 PM.
Close up on bushes near the pool. LEECH is hiding there.
LEECH'S POV, from the far end of the pool, as he watches KITTY swimming.
FOLLOW KITTY as she completes a lap, out of breath, and pulls herself out of the water. She walks past ROGUE (in sort of a wet suit that covers her from her neck down), who is playing Solitaire, and BOBBY at a patio table where a radio sits. HOLD on BOBBY and ROGUE.
RADIO BROADCAST
… three more cases of what has been nicknamed the Legacy Virus—
ROGUE (turning off radio)
Ugh! Enough of that!
ROGUE continues with her game of Solitaire as KITTY continues to a pool chair beside JUBILEE.
OPEN shot to include JUBILEE, who is playing yet another hand held video game and listening to a portable CD player while catching some rays on the pool chair beside KITTY. PIOTR Rasputin (COLLOSSUS - Russian) can be seen playing a game with ILLYANA, his younger sister, in the background. JUBILEE lifts the headphones off her head as KITTY towel-dries herself.
KITTY
You know, Jubilee, a little exercise wouldn't kill you.
JUBILEE
Do as many laps as you want, Kitty. Neither one of us will ever look like Jean.
JEAN (OC)
I'll take that as a compliment.
ANGLE on JEAN who steps up ROGUE and BOBBY.
OPEN to include all three.
JEAN
Rogue, Bobby, Xavier would like to speak to you. It has to do with graduation.
ROGUE
The X-Men thing, huh?
BOBBY
Finally!
JUBILEE moves into frame.
JUBILEE
What about me?
KITTY (OC)
Jubilee?!
JUBILEE
I mean us, Kitty and Me?
JEAN
Not just yet, Jubes. Couple more years, maybe.
ROGUE
I could hold out a few, too.
JEAN
Don't be so grim. It's not what you think.
CUT TO:
SCENE 18
ABBEY -- ABOUT 2 PM.
ESSEX sits before his monitors again. Most of the monitors show the medical reports of the mutants mentioned earlier and genetic coding scrolls, but the two primary monitors show that ESSEX is accessing the XAVIER'S SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED database. DOUG (a mutant slave - 13 yrs. old) speaks with a metal-scraping-metal voice, which at the time seems to come from everywhere.
DOUG
Eat... Eat... Eat...
One by one, all the monitors begin blinking EAT! EAT! EAT! FOLLOW ESSEX. He gets up and moves around the opposite side of the monitors. DOUG, small and frail, is harnessed to his chair by thin wires that wrap around him. He has wires crudely jutting from his head and fingers and leading to the monitors, the modems, the consoles, and the hard drives. He is ESSEX'S living, breathing computer translation and decoding software/hardware. His mutation grants him the ability to translate languages and code.
ESSEX
It is that time, isn't it, Doug? I really must find a way to feed you intravenously without you short circuiting my delicate equipment.
ESSEX pulls out the wires and plugs in an intravenous feeding system. It begins automatically.
ESSEX
Twenty minutes. I want to know exactly who and what is at that school within an hour.
MALICE, scantily clad, steps up behind ESSEX.
MALICE
I had an inkling you had a juicy and delicious treat for me, but this is not what I had in mind.
ESSEX
Right on time, Malice. Gambit, however, is not.
MALICE
So who is this tasty little morsel, Charles Xavier?
ESSEX
Nothing... and everything. He runs a school for mutants disguised as a prep school.
MALICE
Sneaky, sneaky. And you're hungry for his students, aren't you?
ESSEX motions to the PENS (several cages filled with tortured mutants bound by restraints according to their mutations). MYSTIQUE and SABERTOOTH are both taunting them as they toss them food as if feeding pigs.
ESSEX
Yes. I'm afraid my own gene pool is suffering from over-consumption.
MALICE raises her eyes, signaling that she tastes an approaching mind, GAMBIT'S.
MALICE
Spicier than I remember, Remy.
GAMBIT
Don' linger dere too long, chere.
MALICE
Still haven't fulfilled your debts, I see, LeBeau.
GAMBIT eyes ESSEX disdainfully.
GAMBIT
Interest. It'll get y' every time.
ESSEX
Don't lie, Gambit. You love the adventures we've had together.
GAMBIT
If y' say so.
CUT TO:
SCENE 19
XAVIER'S SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED -- XAVIER'S OFFICE -- AFTER 2 PM
XAVIER sits behind his desk. SCOTT and STORM are at his sides. Around the room sit several students: Elizabeth "BETSY" Braddock, AKA PSYLOCKE; St. "JOHN" Allerdyce, AKA PYRO [6]; and Jonothon "JONO" Strathsmore, AKA CHAMBER. CHAMBER's lower face, neck and upper chest are wrapped in black bindings and he can only speak telepathically, though he cannot read thoughts.
Enter JEAN, BOBBY and ROGUE. BOBBY eyes the room, surprised and a little proud. ROGUE is uncomfortable, nervous, but doesn't seem surprised about who's gathered.
BOBBY
This is all that made the cut?
JEAN motions for them to take a seat, and they do, as she takes her place beside SCOTT.
XAVIER
In a manner of speaking, yes, Bobby. A few of your fellow graduates have already informed me of their intentions regarding their place at the school.
ROGUE
So you ask everybody?
XAVIER
No. For various reasons, some of your fellow graduates are not being extended the same invitation as the six of you.
BOBBY
My answer's, yes!
XAVIER
I admire your enthusiasm, Bobby. But you don't even know what exactly it is that I am asking.
ROGUE
Yeah, Bobby. He could be asking us to high tail it out of here.
BETSY
Not likely, Rogue. Look around. Most of us are the top of our class in one way or another.
XAVIER
On the contrary, Betsy, my decision has very little to do with your class standing.
JOHN
What is it you're asking? We've all heard rumors; some of us have actually been to the lower levels. (glances at Rogue) Are you asking us to be X-Men?
XAVIER
Yes, John, I am. For the most part, as Rogue can attest to, the rumors are true. This is dangerous and oftentimes disheartening work. Do not kid yourselves. You will very likely be risking your lives to combat mutants far more powerful than you are.
BOBBY
Like I said. Yes! Big Yes!
JONO (telepathically)
Really! Uh... I guess I accept. Long as I can cut if it don't agree with me.
XAVIER
Of course you can.
The others agree in various ways, though ROGUE still looks skeptical.
XAVIER
Then let's proceed downstairs.
CUT TO:
SCENE 20
ESSEX ABBEY -- NEARING 3 PM
ESSEX stands before a containment chamber filled with a milky white liquid. It holds a male figure (ALEX SUMMERS -- AKA HAVOC) who appears long past dead. His swollen skin is so colorless it seems almost gray.
ESSEX
Are you as excited as I, Alex? Reunions such as these tend to be.
A processor BEEPS and ESSEX looks down to a console.
CONSOLE DISPLAY
VITAMIN D SATURATION COMPLETE
VITAMIN C SATURATION PRIMED
ESSEX makes a few notes in an advanced sort of palm pilot as filters activate and the liquid inside the chamber churns clear. The processor BEEPS again and the console updates.
CONSOLE DISPLAY
VITAMIN C SATURATION INITIATED
SOLAR CELLS 89% PRIMED
ESSEX
By the time we're done, not even you will be able to tell you haven't seen the sun in over ten years.
The liquid churns yellow-orange. DOUG'S metal-scraping-metal voice again seems to come from everywhere.
DOUG
Enrollment database translation complete...
ANGLE ON DOUG.
DOUG
Security database translation 97%... 98%... 99%... Security database translation complete... All files translation complete... All files saved... Commencing print... Sleep... Sleep... Sleep... Sleep...
ESSEX unhooks DOUG from the computer equipment.
ESSEX
Yes, yes, Doug. You are all too human flesh and blood, aren't you?
FOLLOW ESSEX as he just leaves him there and goes around to the front of his consoles. He activates the intercom to BEAST.
ESSEX
McCoy, attend to Doug. He has worn himself out again.
BEAST (OC, intercom)
On my way.
ESSEX sifts through the files from XAVIER'S school.
ANGLE on DOUG. BEAST (AKA Henry "Hank" McCoy) releases DOUG'S restraints. This is his first visual appearance. He is a large, blue, furry beast, with large hands and feet, strength, agility and albeit delicate mannerisms resemble a gorilla. As ESSEX'S unwilling assistant, he is covered with several varying security devices designed to keep him in line. He picks DOUG up with ease and cradles him like a small child in one arm before he lumbers, gracefully, to DOUG'S cell.
DOUG
I'm tired, Beast.
BEAST
I know you are Doug. You just called me Beast.
DOUG
I want to go home, Hank.
BEAST
So do I, Doug. So do I.
BEAST opens DOUG'S cell and enters.
DOUG
Virus upload complete.
BEAST
There's no virus, Doug. You're just tired.
DOUG
Virus activation ETA 4 hours, 13 minutes.
BEAST, fatherly, lays the delicate DOUG in his sleep tank, and tucks him in. In the following dialogue, DOUGH and BEAST talk over each other, nearly simultaneously.
DOUG
Virus upload complete...
BEAST
There is no virus.
DOUG
Virus activation ETA 4 hours, 12 minutes...
BEAST
Okay, okay, I believe you, now shh!
DOUG
Diagnostics check infected…
BEAST
Do you have a virus?
DOUG
Diagnostics Print 7:15 PM July 12!
BEAST
You don't print! You're a person! A human!
DOUG
Diagnostics Print 7:15 PM July 13!
BEAST
You're not hardware! Talk like a person!
DOUG
I WANT TO GO HOME, HANK!
BEAST
I know, Doug! Tell me about the virus!
DOUG
7:15 PM July 14...7:15 EVERY NIGHT!
BEAST
Shh! Doug! He'll hear you!
DOUG
Diagnostics Print tonight 7:15 PM
BEAST
Was the download corrupted?
DOUG
Virus detection ETA 7:18 PM Tonight!
BEAST
Shh! Shh! Is it Essex's computer?
DOUG
DIAGNOSTICS CHECK WILL ACTIVATE!
BEAST
Damn it! Tell me what to do! How do I fix you!
DOUG
DIAGNOSTICS CHECK 4:45 PM!
BEAST
Whatever it is, I'll help you, I promise!
DOUG
X-MEN WILL COME!
BEAST
Who are the X-Men?
DOUG
ALLERDYCE, ST. JOHN; BRADDOCK, ELIZABETH; DRAKE, BOBBY; GREY, JEAN; RASPUTIN, PIOTR; ROGUE; SUMMERS, SCOTT; XAVIER, CHARLES...
BEAST
Scott Summers! As in Alex Summers!
DOUG
ETA VIRUS CURED 1:33 AM X-MEN WILL COME!
BEAST
What have you done, Doug?! Doug?!
DOUG
I'm going home, Hank.
BEAST
What have you done?
DOUG
ETA 81 hours... correction 80 hours, 26 minutes. I'm going home, Hank.
BEAST
...I don't want you to leave me...
FADE OUT…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued in Act One, Part Two
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Head of cane should appear as a facsimile of Sinister's face, with the slats of his cape wrapping down around the stalk of the cane in a carving.
[2] Rogue's southern accent (mah = my, ah = I, etc.).
[3] English translation of Gambit's French: "Allez-vous toucher moi?" = "Will you touch me?"
[4] English translation of French: "…vous savez?" = "you know?"
[5] A small transmitter, about half an inch squared at most and no thicker than twenty or so sheets of paper.
[6] Character descriptions of X-Men inductees, starting with the newest ones, are as follows. COLLOSSUS—(Piotr) Russian, can transform into organic metal, granting him near invulnerability and superhuman strength. PSYLOCKE—(Betsy) Japanese-British, a telepath, and can focus telepathy into a psychic knife which can basically short-circuit a person's brain to varying degrees. CHAMBER—(Jono) British, can only speak telepathically, but can't thoughts, and has black bindings wrapping from over his mouth down his neck and into his shirt. ICEMAN—(Bobby) can create and manipulate ice. For example: transform himself into ice, create ice slides, etc. PYRO—(John) Australian, cannot create fire, but can control it.