"BERSERK"
A teleplay by
Zev & Triligors
"BESERK"
FADE TO:
INT. SMITH APARTMENT – BEDROOM - EVENING
The bedroom is cramped, it contains two beds, one dresser and nothing else. JOE SMITH, 16, shares it with his young brother TONY, 9. Outside of the room, we can hear their parents shouting at each other. Joe walks towards the window, Tony pulls on his sleeve attempting to make him stay.
TONY
Don't go.
Joe easily frees himself from his younger brother's grip.
JOE
Have to. The gang needs me.
TONY
I need you.
JOE
It ain't the same thing.
Tony looks at him, heartbroken. Joe ruffles his hair.
JOE
I'll be back soon. Maybe with some money even.
TONY
Won't matter. Dad'll just spend it on booze.
Joe looks towards the door, hearing the constant screaming, and scowls. He exits through the fire escape.
EXT. GHETTO – EVENING
Joe meets up with his gang, LOS HERMANOS SANGRE. A Hispanic street gang, they range in age between teens and twenties. Joe is the youngest. Their leader, DOG, looks at Joe.
DOG
'Bout time you got here, little vato.
JOE
I got held up.
DOG
We don't have time for this. Come on.
JUMP CUT:
EXT. STREET – EVENING
An EIGHTEEN-WHEELER TRUCK with an Oscorp logo on the side rumbles through the mean streets. The driver spots a broken down car in front of them, glass shattered and an INJURED DRIVER's hand sticking out of the window bleeding.
INT. TRUCK – EVENING
The DRIVER looks at his passenger, a RENT-A-COP.
DRIVER
What do you think?
RENT-A-COP
This is a milk run. Who'd go to the trouble of stealing from us? Stop the truck.
EXT. STREET- EVENING
The truck comes to a stop. The Rent-A-Cop clambers out and walks towards the injured driver.
RENT-A-COP
Are you alright sir? … Sir, are you alright?
The injured driver looks towards him… it's Joe.
RENT-A-COP
I'll call an ambulance
Joe grins as he raises his hand aiming a gun towards the rent-a-cop.
RENT-A-COP
Oh shit
JOE
Didn't your mother tell you never to come down here?
INT. TRUCK – EVENING
Joe gets out of the car and presses the gun against the rent-a-cop's forehead. The driver watches, afraid, sweat dropping down his face. KNOCK… KNOCK… KNOCK. Driver slowly looks out the window to see Dog looking in towards him, aiming his gun towards the driver.
DOG
Don't move.
EXT. STREET – EVENING
Joe continues to grin as the Rent-a-cop pleads
RENT-A-COP
Please, I have a family...
JOE
So do I. Get down on your knees.
The Rent-A-Cop kneels. Joe smiles, enjoying the power. Dog comes up behind him.
DOG
Joe, go help with the loading.
JOE
I thought I was on peak!
DOG
Not anymore. Git.
Joe scowls and walks off.
RENT-A-COP
Thank you! Thank you! I thought he was going to...
Dog shoots him in the head.
DOG
Not our little vato.
EXT. STREET – LATER
Joe and the rest of the Hermanos Sangre are loading boxes from the truck onto a pick-up. Joe grabs another box and slips. The box drops, CRACK! Joe looks towards it.
DOG
Get back up cracker, we gotta scram before the police arrive.
A GREEN GAS emerges from the box, engulfing Joe.
DOG
Little vato!
Joe walks out of the gas, coughing furiously.
DOG
Stupid little niño! Do you know how much money you just lost me?
Joe looks at Dog with glowing green eyes.
JOE
Sorry, man. Won't happen again.
INT. ALVAREZ APARTMENT – EVENING
Joe walks in. His FATHER grabs Joe by the arm and inspects it, a sign of a syringe is evident. The father frowns and pushes Joe against the wall. Tony looks towards them, afraid.
FATHER
Where the hell have you been?
JOE
Out.
FATHER
Out? What is out? Your mother was worried!
Joe brushes himself off and begins to walk away
JOE
Leave me alone.
FATHER
Don't think I don't know what you're doing with your little friends. You don't shape up, I'll call the cops on you myself!
Joe looks back towards his father, frowning… furious.
JOE
I said...
Joe violently shoves his Father backwards. Father flies against the opposite wall hard, bones CRACK.
JOE
LEAVE ME ALONE!
FADE TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH SCHOOL – HALLWAYS- MORNING
Another day of learning. Yeah, right. Open on GWEN STACY, working at her locker combination.
PETER(O.S.)
I'm going to go talk to her.
BETTY(O.S.)
Don't.
Reverse angle shows us BETTY and PETER.
PETER
Why not?
BETTY
Because I'm pretty sure Flash will rip your head off if he catches you talking to his girl. And that would be a shame, since you have very nice hair.
PETER
"His girl"?
BETTY
Yeah. Gwen is Flash's girl.
PETER
I don't get it.
BETTY
Note the possessive, Peter.
PETER
Oh. So you're saying I shouldn't rub another man's rhubarb?
BETTY
And if you do, it shouldn't be Flash Thompson's.
PETER
Noted.
He walks over to Gwen. Leans on the locker next to hers.
PETER
You know what the worst part is, in my experience? How they all pussyfoot around you, like they think you're made out of glass… Really weak glass. It's kind of insulting, once you think about it. It's almost as bad as not knowing how to feel. It seems like you're supposed to just wallow in self-pity and let everyone feel good about themselves by offering their condolences, as if that means anything, but sometimes you don't feel sad. Those times are the worst, because you're supposed to feel sad... right?
Gwen looks at him. It's obvious she's been crying earlier this morning.
GWEN
Guess you've been through all this before.
PETER
Yeah. Remember, I was an orphan before it was the cool thing to do.
Gwen laughs, then cries throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Peter has no idea how to react. All other activity in the hallway halts and all eyes are on him. He tentatively pats Gwen on the back as she cries.
PETER
There, there.
(to himself)
This can't get much worse.
A large hand spins Peter around. He's face-to-face with FLASH THOMPSON.
PETER
I stand corrected. Hey, there's my basketball buddy, huh?
FLASH
So, this is why Gwen has been acting strange lately. It's you Parker. You freakin double crossed me didn't you!
Flash hauls off and punches Peter across the face!
FLASH
Didn't you!
PETER
I didn't…
Flash PUNCHES Peter again. Peter's head snaps back.
FLASH
Don't play me like a fool Parker! I know what's going on, you think you can get me out of the picture!
Flash punches Peter yet again. Peter rubs his jaw.
GWEN
Flash, stop! It's not what you think!
Before Flash can respond, PRINCIPAL MICHAELS (good intentions, but clueless) steps in.
PRINCIPAL
What in H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks is going on here?
PETER
Nothing, sir. Me and Flash here were just debating the theory of evolution. I advocated punctuated equilibrium, while he was arguing for phyletic gradualism. Then Gwen here advanced the intelligent design theory and as you can imagine, the debate became rather heated.
FLASH
Yeah, what he said!
PRINCIPAL
Well then, perhaps next time you can save these discussions for biology class. Speaking of which, didn't you hear the bell?
Everyone gets moving. Flash sulks off as Peter meets up with JASON.
JASON
Are you insane? Could you please just tell me the point of all that?
PETER
Hey, if you remember. I didn't actually try to fight back. Cause we all know what happened last time.
JASON
So, you're instigating?
PETER
By offering Gwen my condolences?
JASON
By making Gwen hug you in front of everybody?
Peter shrugs
PETER
I don't always think ahead you know.
JASON
Yeah, well… congratulations Pete, because if it was a break up you wanted- looks like the glass is about to shatter.
PETER
Huh?
Jason motions towards Gwen and Flash
GWEN
You know, that was shockingly immature, even for you!
FLASH
What am I supposed to do, huh? Just let that geek slobber all over you?
GWEN
That geek is my friend!
Jason pats Pete on the back
JASON
Catch you later alright dog.
Pete nods, Jason walks away and Gwen walks over towards him
GWEN
Geez, are you alright?
PETER
I'm fine.
Gwen checks his face.
GWEN
It doesn't look that bad.
PETER
Yeah, well, if you're going to have a boyfriend that beats people up for no reason, he should at least be good at it.
GWEN
Flash is a jerk, isn't he? I mean, just now he told me who I should be friends with.
(sarcastic)
You'd never do that, would you Peter?
PETER
It's not like that! I just want to... make sure nothing bad happens to you.
GWEN
I know, Peter, but you can't go around saving people. You're not a superhero, you know.
PETER
...I know. I'll be there, if you need to talk.
GWEN
I'll talk to Flash.
PETER
I don't think he'll listen.
Peter enters his class
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH SCHOOL- CHEMISTRY CLASS
Pete walks over and sits next to Betty
BETTY
Told you so
Peter smiles, laughing, shaking his head no
PETER
How did I know you were going to say that?
Betty and Peter share a smile
FADE TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH SCHOOL- CAFETERIA – NOON
Jason and Peter eat in the cafeteria. Peter scarfs down whatever parody of food is being served today.
JASON
Hey, so what did Gwen have to say?
Peter looks down towards his wrist, his veins pulse rapidly. Jason looks towards him suspicious.
JASON
Earth to Peter, you there man?
Peter turns to see a HERMANO SANGRE in a TRENCHCOAT talking with a student outside. An exchange takes place. Peter gulps down his milk and stands up.
JASON
Hey, Pete where you going so fast?
EXT. CAFETERIA – NOON
The TRENCHCOAT guy counts his money as SPIDER-MAN descends on a web-line towards him.
SPIDER-MAN
Working hard or hardly working?
TRENCHCOAT
Spider-Man! What are you doing here?
SPIDER-MAN
Teaching remedial German. I think knowing a second language really enriches us, don't you?
TRENCHCOAT
Leave me alone!
He runs for it.
SPIDER-MAN
Why do they always run?
He shoots out a webline, which catches Trenchcoat by the foot and begins to reel him in. Trenchcoat goes down... reaches into his pocket. Pulls out what looks almost like a miniature can of BREATH SPRAY and sprays it into his mouth.
SPIDER-MAN
Whoa there, ya varmint, whoa!
Trenchcoat raises a foot and strikes out, catching Spider-Man in the chest. Spider-Man flies backwards.
INT. CAFETERIA – NOON
Two slackers, GUILE and CRANTZ, chow down on their burgers.
GUILE
Hey man, you going to eat those?
Crantz looks up towards Guile confused. Guile points towards the fries.
CRANTZ
Get your own man…
SMASH! Spider-Man flies through the wall and crashes down in the middle of their table. Food flies everywhere!
CRANTZ AND GUILE
Wo…
Spider-Man grasps his elbow in pain.
SPIDER-MAN
...ow.
Students begin to gather around him.
STUDENT
Dude, it's Spider-Man!
Student 2 holds up a CAMERA PHONE.
STUDENT 2
Somebody get his mask!
Flash steps in front of them.
FLASH
Anybody wants Spider-Man, they have to go through me!
SPIDER-MAN
(woozy)
Thank you... you're a very lovely person... faboo!
Trenchcoat smashes the cafeteria doors open.
TRENCHCOAT
Get away from him! He's mine!
Flash puts up his dukes.
FLASH
I don't think so, asstard!
Trenchcoat picks Flash up by the throat.
TRENCHCOAT
I do think so! … Asstard. Nobody messes with Los Hermanos Sangre and lives!
Betty pounces on Spider-Man, shaking him.
BETTY
Don't just sit there! Do something!
Spider-Man looks at Flash, in mortal peril.
SPIDER-MAN
...do I have to?
BETTY
Yes!
Spider-Man leaps to his feet.
SPIDER-MAN
Yo, monkey boy!
Trenchcoat turns.
SPIDER-MAN
No tag-backs!
He punches Trenchcoat at full strength. Trenchcoat goes flying, releasing Flash in midair. Flash soars and is immediately caught by a web strand and lowered to the ground.
SPIDER-MAN
Why don't you leave this to the professionals, kid?
Spider-Man jumps over to Trenchcoat, who's fumbling for another spray can. Spider-Man snatches it away from him with a webline.
SPIDER-MAN
Yoink!
Trenchcoat roars and lunges for him. Spider-Man picks up an entire cafeteria table and uses it like an oversized baseball bat, knocking Trenchcoat out and onto the ceiling. ZIP! Spidey sends out webs and trenchcoat struggles to free himself.
SPIDER-MAN
While you're up there, could you check for asbestos? Please and thank you!
Spider-Man looks at the other students.
SPIDER-MAN
What, you've never seen a garishly-dressed man beat up drug dealer with superhuman strength before?
He jumps away, past Crantz and Guile again.
GUILE
This DEFINITELY doesn't happen at other schools.
CRANTZ
I don't know, I hear there's this one school in Manchester...
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH SCHOOL- STUDENT ASSEMBLY – NOON
Peter sits down beside Betty. Most of the student body is gathered here and there aren't enough chairs for everyone, so most of the people are lying on the floor.
PETER
Hey.
BETTY
Hey. You missed all the excitement.
PETER
I guess so. Are you okay?
BETTY
I'm fine. Your friend Spider-Man took care of that. It's funny how he always seems to show up here whenever there's trouble.
PETER
Betty, you don't think...
BETTY
Yes! Spider-Man is a teacher at Midtown High!
PETER
...that makes perfect sense.
PRINCIPLE MICHAELS ascends to the podium.
MICHAELS
Alright, students. Part of the good news of having a school frequently attacked by "supervillains" is that you're getting let out early. Have fun and remember to...
The rest of his statement is lost in a wild cheer. Before Michaels can finish every student is out the door. Wait… did I say every student? I meant almost every student. Peter sits alone in the auditorium looking around.
PETER
Figures
Michaels looks down towards Peter
MICHAELS
(sarcastic)
You are released.
Peter gets up and leaves
FADE TO:
INT. OSBORN MANSION- HARRY'S OFFICE ROOM
Harry paces the room on the phone
HARRY
No I'm well aware of that… Hey, this is going to be costing us a lot more than it costs you… No, I understand but…
Peter walks in, Harry rolls his eyes
HARRY
(to PHONE)
I'll have to call you back later
Harry hangs up.
HARRY
I'm busy right now Pete. One of my chemical shipments was hit last night.
PETER
Chemical shipment? Did it look anything like this?
Peter pulls out the spray can he took from Trenchcoat. Harry snatches it away from him.
HARRY
Where did you get this?
PETER
There was this big fight in the cafeteria. Some guy in a trenchcoat came after Spider-Man and before you knew it, trenchcoat was knocked out cold.
HARRY
Alright, and sorry if I'm ignorant but where is any sign of a possible connection in all of that rambling?
PETER
Oh, that's easy! The freaky trenchcoat goon dropped it.
HARRY
Peter, it's very important you do not mention this to anyone.
PETER
What are you trying to cover up?
HARRY
Not me, my father. If he finds out you're... you could be in danger.
PETER
Norman Osborn is a lot of things, but I don't think he'd go that far.
HARRY
Trust me, he would. Listen, let me handle this. No Scooby Doo antics this time. And that extends to your pal, Spider-Man.
PETER
What? I'm not pals with Spider-Man.
HARRY
Well, he seems to show up an awful lot when you're involved. See that he doesn't this time.
PETER
Then tell me the truth.
Harry sighs. Looks around. Drags Peter to a more secluded area.
HARRY
Alright, listen. That chemical shipment I talked about? It's an experimental chemical weapon, designed to increase the user's strength when triggered by adrenaline.
PETER
What? That's insane! Do you realize the risks involved in...
HARRY
I know, I know. That's why the Green project was canceled. They were being taken to be disposed of when someone hit the shipment. These are very serious people. Both the driver and the guard were found dead.
PETER
Jesus, Harry... how long are you going to keep this close to your vest?
HARRY
Until I have the situation under control? Indefinitely. For your own good, stay out of this. Take in a show. Spend some time with Betty before you lose her for good.
PETER
What's that supposed to mean?
HARRY
Nothing. Just take my advice.
INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY – NOON
Betty is fiddling with something above frame, standing on a librarian's ladder. Gwen finds her.
GWEN
Oh, Betty. I see you're busy.
BETTY
No, no, that's alright. What's wrong?
GWEN
It's Flash. He's... he's sweet and kind and he just wants to wrap me up in this big security blanket and...
She sighs and looks down.
GWEN
And the more he tries to protect me, the more he reminds me of my mother.
BETTY
...I didn't know women could even HAVE Oedipus complexes.
GWEN
You know what I mean!
Betty sets a screw down on the bookshelf next to her.
BETTY
Have you tried talking to him about it? I know, I know, but maybe it's just crazy enough to work!
GWEN
I can't tell him. He'll...
BETTY
What's the worst that can happen?
GWEN
(beat)
What are you doing?
BETTY
I'm going to spy on your father talking to the new principal. You mind?
INT. VENTILATION SHAFT – NOON
Man, convenient how these things are always big enough for people to crawl through, isn't it? Betty crawls through, Gwen following behind her.
GWEN
Betty?
BETTY
Yeah Gwen?
GWEN
I'd just like to say that your butt is really flat.
BETTY
Thanks, I've been working out.
They come to a screen. Betty looks down through it.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE – NOON
POV. BETTY
CAPTAIN STACY enters.
MICHAELS
Ah, Captain Stacy. Come to reminisce about the good old days?
STACY
Sorry, no. This is about the suspect that attacked the school this morning.
MICHAELS
Oh, that. Yeah, that sucked.
STACY
We believe he was on a new drug we call THORN. Temporary Homotherapic...
PRINCIPAL
I get the idea. Well, if there's a new drug on the streets, this school will take bold, decisive action!
FADE TO:
INT. ASSEMBLY HALL – THE NEXT DAY
A local CELEBRITY stands in front of the podium, obviously doing community service. The celebrity wobbles around the stage trying to shield the sun away from his eyes. Celebrity taps the microphone and covers his ears.
CELEBRITY
Is that loud or what! So take it from me, winners don't do drugs.
Celebrity takes out a canteen of whiskey and gulps it down.
CELEBRITY
Good, good kids…
Celebrity walks away.
EXT. ASSEMBLY HALL
Celebrity takes a plastic bag of white powder and sniffs it. His AGENT walks over to him.
AGENT
What was that all about?
CELEBRITY
Who the heck cares? They're all nerds…
Celebrity collapses, out cold.
INT. ASSEMBLY HALL
Way in the back, Peter and Betty sit together.
PETER
Well, that was motivational
Betty laughs
BETTY
I hear they're going to put drug-sniffing dogs at all the doors.
PETER
I'm starting to envy my parents' high school years. And they didn't have the Internet, rock & roll, or contraceptives.
BETTY
You know, we could do something about it. I mean...
PETER
Don't sugarcoat it. This will probably involve both of us being put in an inordinate amount of danger that no responsible guardian would allow a teenager to face?
BETTY
Am I that predictable?
PETER
Hey, anything beats two more hours of this. Let's get it done, Nancy Drew.
EXT. BACKALLEY – DAY (All the money remix by the dandy warhols)
Peter and Betty stand outside the alley.
BETTY
Now, don't say anything. Don't touch anything. Don't signal anything.
PETER
So what am I doing here again?
BETTY
Just stand around and look pretty.
PETER
Yeah, because I have so much experience at that.
They walk into the alley. Betty steps up into a shoe-shining chair. The shoe-shiner himself, MAC, begins buffing her shoes.
BETTY
What do you know about Los Hermanos Sangre?
MAC
I don't speak Spanish.
PETER
Then how do you know it's Spanish?
Betty slips Mac a twenty.
MAC
They have a hide-out down on Twentieth and Fury. Word is that's where they're keeping their new drug.
BETTY
Thanks, Mac.
Peter and Betty leave. A HISTORIAN steps onto the chair. Slips Mac a ten.
HISTORIAN
What can you tell me about the Civil War?
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Peter and Betty look at the warehouse.
PETER
Uh, Betty, I know how important a free press is to an ordered society, but can we please get out of here?
BETTY
Don't worry, I'll protect you. There, help me stack these crates...
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
On Peter, taking pictures through the SKYLIGHT. PAN DOWN to reveal Los Hermanos Sangre. Joe stands in front of Dog.
JOE
I think it's time we talk about the organization.
DOG
That so, little vato?
JOE
Yeah, that so. I was the one who found out what was in those crates. I was the one who thought up selling them. If it were up to you, we'd've fenced them and gotten paid shit.
DOG
So you're smart. Big deal. It takes more than smarts to run the Hermanos Sangre.
JOE
I've got a lot more than smarts.
He STOMPS on the concrete floor. It cracks!
JOE
See, when I mixed up those little party favors, I diluted 'em, watered them down so people could spray them in. But me, I got the full dose, man, I'm hooked up!
DOG
I don't take rebellion lightly. Hook this up.
He draws his gun and shoots Joe through the chest.
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Peter clamps a hand down on Betty's mouth before she can scream. Takes it away.
BETTY
Sorry. It's my first execution. Uh, Peter?
PETER
You got spit on my hand.
BETTY
You might want to take some pictures of this.
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Joe stands back up. He pulls his shirt open, revealing that the bullet hole has closed by itself.
JOE
Huh.
Dog gets closer to him, aiming the gun at his head.
DOG
What the hell are you, freak?
JOE
Don't point that gun at me!
He grabs for it.
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
PETER
Betty, stay here, I'm going for help. DON'T. MOVE.
He bounds down the roof.
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Joe and Dog are still struggling over the gun.
DOG
What were you thinking, little vato?
JOE
My name is Joe. Just a guy named Joe.
BANG! Dog staggers back. He's been shot through the stomach. He drops to the ground.
EXT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Under Betty, the wood groans...
INT. WAREHOUSE – DAY
Joe picks up his gun, freaking out.
JOE
I'm in charge now! Anybody don't like it, now's the time to do something about it!
The roof breaks under Betty. She falls, grabs onto a rafter, loses her grip, falls onto a catwalk, rolls off, lands on a stack of empty cardboard boxes. Stands up as all the Hermanos regard her.
BETTY
Woo! That was fun! Who wants to go next? You? No?
She looks at her wrist (she isn't wearing a watch).
BETTY
Well, look at the time. I really ought to be going.
A particularly large HERMANO steps in front of her.
HERMANO
What's the rush, sheila? Party's just getting started.
SPIDER-MAN breaks through the wall.
SPIDER-MAN
Okay, be honest... who's entrance was cooler? And don't give points to her just because she's cute, this isn't a beauty contest.
JOE
Juice up and waste the bug!
The Hermanos run for a crate of THORN canisters.
SPIDER-MAN
Bug? It's SPIDER-Man, as in arachnid? You think I wouldn't call myself Bug-Man if I was? It's much easier to fit on business cards!
He shoots WEB over the crate of THORN, blocking it off before the Hermanos can get to it.
SPIDER-MAN
Uh-uh, you'll spoil your dinner!
JOE
Never mind that, get him! You have numbers on your side!
The Hermanos rush Spider-Man, who jumps up, twists in mid-air, lands feet first on the rafter, coils his legs, and kicks downwards. He hits the gathered Hermanos like a bomb, scattering them apart. As they fight, Betty takes notes, mumbling to herself.
BETTY
And as the Spider-Man's titanic punches wean down the forces of darkness, he shouts out defiant quips, as if putting on a show for himself...
Spider-Man lands next to her, holding a Hermano in a chokehold.
SPIDER-MAN
It's just Spider-Man. And watch out for purple prose.
BETTY
Sorry, I'm a little excited.
Spider-Man throws the Hermano into two other thugs, sending them all to the ground. Jumps back into the fray. Joe aims his gun towards Spider-Man.
JOE
Stop hitting my gang!
He fires. BANG! Spider-Man dodges out of the way.
SPIDER-MAN
Ha! You mis...
BETTY(O.S.)
Spider-Man?
Spider-Man turns. Betty takes her hand away from her chest, looks at it. It's covered with blood.
BETTY
I'm bleeding?
She collapses. Spider-Man clears away the Hermanos with one massive backhand, rushes to her and scoops her up.
SPIDER-MAN
Betty? Betty?
BETTY
Peter? It's you, Peter. It's you...
She falls unconscious. Spider-Man looks at Joe.
SPIDER-MAN
What have you done?
Joe runs for it. Spider-Man turns his attention back to Betty.
INT. OPERATING ROOM – DAY
POV. BETTY
Pitch black screen. Blurry DOCTORS work on Betty frantically.
DOCTOR 1
She's flat-lining.
DOCTOR 2
We need more plasma up here.
DOCTOR 3
I think the bullet clipped a lung, NURSE!
INT. HOSPITAL – LOBBY – DAY
Peter is staring at a potted plant when Gwen and Flash enter.
GWEN
Peter! Oh my God, is she alright?
PETER
Oh, hey Gwen. No, she's uhhh... she's not alright. I mean, they're not telling me much, but...
FLASH
Oh Jesus. Man, I'm so...
PETER
Don't. Just... don't.
GWEN
Peter, it's not your fault.
PETER
Would you tell me if it was?
INT. PARKER HOUSE – DAY
Peter enters the house. Sees AUNT MAY.
PETER
I don't see how I can feel much worse, so if you're going to say something, say it now.
MAY
You poor boy, you poor, poor boy.
She hugs him. Peter's face is stoic, unmoving. Numb.
INT. SMITH APARTMENT – EVENING
Joe comes home. Isn't fondly welcomed. Tony and his mother are waiting.
MOTHER
Where have you been? Some girl got shot at your little club's hang-out. Jesus Christ, Joe, first your father goes missing, now this?
JOE
We're leaving in five minutes. Get packed.
TONY
We can't leave, all my friends live here!
JOE
Shut up, Tony! I am the man of the house now! We need to go!
There's a pounding at the door.
VOICE(O.S.)
Joe Smith, open up, police.
Joe pulls his gun.
JOE
Alright, alright, it's cool...
MOTHER
Baby, where'd you get a gun?
JOE
Shut up! It's going to be alright! I'll make it alright!
TONY
I have books out from the library, we can't just move away.
Joe looks towards Tony
JOE
Just shut the FUCK UP!
He slaps Tony.
JOE
I need to think! How am I supposed to think with all this noise in my ears?
Tony starts crying.
INT. APARTMENT COMPLEX- OUTSIDE SMITH APARTMENT
The door is unlocked. The SUPER opens it. The cops rush in!
INT. SMITH APARTMENT – EVENING
To find Joe gone, the window open.
INT. HOSPITAL – EVENING
Betty, in a hospital bed, groans and slowly comes to. Peter is sitting next to her.
PETER
Hey.
BETTY
Hey.
PETER
I guess we have a lot to talk about.
BETTY
I guess.
Long beat.
BETTY
I dreamed you were Spider-Man.
PETER
That's, uhh...
BETTY
Ridiculous, I know. What WOULD Freud say?
PETER
Your parents are flying in from Buffalo. I didn't even know they were gone.
BETTY
Yeah, my father travels a lot. Wherever there's a story to tell.
PETER
And you?
BETTY
I can take care of myself.
Peter looks around at the hospital.
PETER
Yeah, I can see that.
BETTY
You think I'd work at the Bugle all hours of the night if I didn't have to? The rent doesn't pay itself, the food doesn't buy itself... I wish I could have some normal high school experience with make-out lane and forming lifelong friendships in detention and pranking the principal but nobody ever gave me a choice in the matter.
PETER
Well, at least you get to be a social outcast by choice.
He leans down beside her.
PETER
And besides, I don't think there is such a thing as a normal high school experience.
BETTY
I like you, Peter. I like you a lot.
PETER
I like you a lot too.
Peter and Betty share a smile. Peter nods and stands up.
PETER
I think it's about time to go. I'll be back tomorrow to see how you're doing. Get well.
Betty nods and Peter leaves the room. Betty sighs and looks out the window
BETTY
Way too many mixed signals Pete
INT. DAILY BUGLE – EVENING
As Peter walks in, J. JONAH JAMESON is instantly upon him, holding a sheaf of photos.
JAMESON
Parker! Finally! What took you so long, huh? Didn't you know we needed you here?
PETER
What do you want, Mr. Jameson?
JAMESON
The photos, boy, the photos!
PETER
Is that all you can think about? Your photos, your damn newspaper!
JAMESON
No-
PETER
YOUR DAMN NEWSPAPER!
Everyone in the newsroom is looking at them.
PETER
She was getting a story for you, you bastard. She was writing it down.
Jameson softens almost imperceptibly.
JAMESON
Which one of the guys in the photo shot her?
Peter shows him.
JAMESON
ROBBIE! Front page, full body shot! Blow it up if you have to, I want everyone in New York to know this face!
EXT. CITY – MORNING
A stack of DAILY BUGLES wrapped in rubber band is thrown beside a newspaper stand. On the front page is a blown-up shot of JOE. The man himself, wearing a long coat and hat, walks by. Pulls his hat low and continues.
INT. OSCORP OFFICE – DAY
Harry sorts books on his bookshelf as Peter looks out the window. From up here, the people look like ants.
HARRY
I thought I told you to stay out of this one.
PETER
Harry, it's Betty.
HARRY
It wouldn't be if she had kept her nose out of...
PETER
Think real hard about where you're going with that sentence.
Harry pauses.
HARRY
I'm sorry, it's just this business with my dad... he's using the entire thing against me.
PETER
You may have bigger problems. The cops brought all of the Hermanos Sangre in except for one. The shooter.
HARRY
Joe Smith.
PETER
You know?
HARRY
Wouldn't be much of an Osborn if I didn't. High marks at school, lost his parents at an early age, put in foster care along with his brother. All his teachers spoke highly of him until he started running with Los Hermanos Sangre.
PETER
Let me guess. He didn't get the love and nourishment he needed at home, blah blah…
HARRY
You shouldn't judge him so harshly. A little less luck and you could be out there running beside him.
PETER
No, never. I'm not like him.
HARRY
But you could've been. If your aunt and uncle hadn't paid as much attention to you...
PETER
By that logic, what does Norman's parenting techniques make you?
Harry smiles.
HARRY
I'm a lot of things.
A JANITOR enters.
HARRY
Hey, could you hold on a minute? I'm just about...
The Janitor pulls off his hat and draws a gun, revealing himself to be Joe.
HARRY
...done.
JOE
You're the Oscorp guy, right? You're the one who did this to me!
He slowly advances towards Harry, clearly out of his mind.
HARRY
Listen, if this is about money...
JOE
I want you to put things back the way they were! I don't want to be a freak anymore!
HARRY
I can't do that. There's no cure for the serum.
JOE
Arghhhh! Alright, alright... it's fine, it's cool... I want a helicopter. And I want it to take me to someplace with a non-extradition treaty, somewhere like...
HARRY
Switzerland?
JOE
Yeah! Switzerland! And you're coming with me!
PETER
Or what? You'll shoot him like you shot Betty?
Joe turns. As soon as he does, Peter lunges at him.
JOE
Get away from me!
They struggle over the gun.
PETER
Harry, run!
Harry thinks and then takes off running. But as Peter is distracted, Joe overpowers him and THROWS HIM THROUGH THE WINDOW! Then fires a round in the air, stopping Harry in his tracks.
HARRY
Peter!
EXT. HELIPAD – DAY
Joe is forcing a struggling Harry towards the waiting HELICOPTER at gunpoint. Suddenly, SPIDER-MAN lands on the roof.
SPIDER-MAN
You're lucky I managed to catch that guy or I'd have to bring you in for murder. As it is, I'm just going to waste you on general principle. Now, let him go!
JOE
You want him? TAKE HIM!
He kicks Harry off the roof. Spider-Man dives after him.
EXT. OSCORP OFFICE BUILDING – DAY
Harry falls past us, flailing. Spider-Man follows, pressing his arms to his sides like a skydiver.
Tenth floor.
Spider-Man reaches for Harry's foot, misses.
Fifth floor.
Spider-Man grabs Harry by the back of his suspenders, shoots out a webline. It catches and they SWING in a giant arc... right towards an oncoming TRUCK!
HARRY
I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna...
Spider-Man throws him upwards, then lets go of the webline. Flattens his body and shoots under the truck, like a street luger. As soon as he clears it, he shoots two weblines upwards in an iron cross and pulls himself upwards, grabbing the still-in-motion Harry as he goes. They land unharmed, although the back of Spider-Man's suit is pretty scratched up.
HARRY
I'm just going to go over here and have a nervous breakdown.
SPIDER-MAN
You do that. I've got a score to settle.
EXT. HELIPAD – DAY
The helicopter is just starting to fly away when Spider-Man throws himself over the ledge. Sees the chopper.
SPIDER-MAN
Oh no you don't!
He jumps after them.
INT. HELICOPTER – DAY
Joe has a gun to the PILOT's head.
JOE
Climb! Climb god damn it!
EXT. CITY – DAY
The helicopter rises as Spider-Man bounds after it, gaining altitude by ascending buildings. Finally, he jumps into wide open sky and fires a webline at the helicopter. It sticks and Peter is dragged along for the ride!
INT. HELICOPTER – DAY
JOE
Descend! Now!
EXT. CITY – DAY
The helicopter goes into a sudden dive. The sudden shift pulls Spider-Man's webline into the path of the rotors. They cut through it and Spider-Man "falls back," no longer being dragged by the chopper. He shoots another webline down, it hits a rotor. Spider-Man is suddenly SPUN around the chopper!
INT. OFFICE BUILDING – DAY
Spider-Man crashes horizontally through the office like a wrecking ball.
EXT. CITY – DAY
As soon as he clears the office building, Spider-Man lets go of the webline and fires another one. It hits the chopper's nose and Spider-Man yanks himself onto the helicopter!
INT. HELICOPTER – DAY
Spider-Man and Joe are now face-to-face, the windshield separating them.
JOE
Why won't you just leave me alone?
Spider-Man begins pounding on the windshield, cracking it. Joe fires at him, blasting through the windshield. Spider-Man rolls out of the way, right off the nose of the helicopter!
EXT. CITY – DAY
Spider-Man grabs onto a landing skid as he falls, hangs on for dear life.
INT. HELICOPTER – DAY
Joe sees a PARADE with lots of BALLOON FLOATS through the space where the windshield used to be.
JOE
Take us down! Lose him on the floats!
EXT. CITY – DAY
Spider-Man slams into a float, bounces off. Still clings to the skid. He's buffeted from side to side as he crashes into various floats, taking a serious beating. He's dragged over a large float. He sets his feet down and STICKS to the float.
INT. HELICOPTER – DAY
The helicopter JOLTS as it comes to a stop. Joe's gun flies out of his hand and through the space where the windshield... you know the rest.
EXT. PARADE – DAY
The FLOAT-HANDLERS, holding onto the float with several lines, find themselves being pulled away by the force of the helicopter. They let go and the float begins hovering away.
EXT. FLOAT – DAY
Joe rips the door off its hinges, looks down at Spider-Man.
JOE
You're ruining everything!
He stomps on Spider-Man's fingers. Spider-Man lets go with one hand, clamps it around Joe's ankle, and FLINGS him onto the float. He lets go of the helicopter, which immediately flies off. Joe HOWLS in anguish.
JOE
Nooooooo!
He rushes Spider-Man and they fight atop the balloon float. The balloon's nature gives additional height to every jump. It's like they're fighting in zero-G, jumping around like characters out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Finally, Joe wraps his hands around Spider-Man's throat, squeezes.
JOE
I'm stronger than you! I'm strong enough to take a stand! That's the only thing that matters!
SPIDER-MAN
No. It's where you take a stand.
He plunges his fingers into the canvas below Joe, RIPS IT OPEN. Joe falls through. He looks up at Spider-Man through the hole, still hanging onto Spidey's neck.
JOE
Don't let me fall!
SPIDER-MAN
You let yourself fall.
He smashes Joe in the face. Joe lets go. Spider-Man webs the hole shut.
EXT. CITY – DAY
Stacy parks his car, gets out.
STACY
Alright, where's the suspect?
COP
That's just it, sir. It's... a little hard to explain.
He points up.
STACY'S POV
The float's lines are webbed to a building. Joe is trapped inside and the float jerks this way and that as he pounds on the inside, trying to escape.
INT. OSCORP OFFICES – DAY
NORMAN OSBORN stares out the window as an ASSISTANT enters.
ASSISTANT
Sir, our man in the department called in. He's disposed of all the Green serum they have.
NORMAN
And Mr. Smith?
ASSISTANT
We got to the lab before they could work on a blood sample. It'll all look like he was just another mutant.
NORMAN
And in the Vault, he'll never be able to tell anyone any different. Make sure you do a full work up on that sample, a real one this time. I'd hate to have to repeat this little experiment. After all, it's costly to replace whole shipments of product like that.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH SCHOOL – MORNING (cold hands (warm heart) by brendan benson)
Betty enters, on crutches. Peter quickly falls in beside her. She doesn't draw much attention.
BETTY
What? No balloons? No ticker tape. Not even a cake? I'm disappointed.
Peter hands her a cupcake.
PETER
I was on a budget.
BETTY
Oooh, frosting.
She bites into it.
BETTY
So, what's new?
PETER
Nothing much. Someone melted their locker with Hydrogen Chloride, Flash made several pointed looks at me, and Jason scored the winning touch down. Oh, and here's all the homework you missed.
He hands her a sheaf of paper. She looks through it.
BETTY
Peter, these are your homework papers. And all the answers are filled out.
PETER
Are they now? Well, I guess you'll have to give those back to me... next time I see you.
BETTY
I'm going to have to get shot more often.
PETER
Don't joke like that.
BETTY
Hey, Peter, it's alright. They got the guy. Besides, now I've got a cool scar. I'm like a gangsta.
Peter looks towards her smiles and laughs
PETER
You'd better get to class. Wouldn't want to be late on your first day back.
BETTY
No, I wouldn't. See ya.
PETER
Yeah, see you.
Peter lingers there for a moment as she hobbles away.
INT. OSCORP- NORMAN'S OFFICE ROOM
A red light lights up on the phone…
ASSISTANT (O.C.)
There's a Peter Parker here to see you sir.
Norman pressed down a button and grins.
NORMAN
Send him in.
Norman nods. Peter walks in.
NORMAN
Agh, New York's greatest prodigy has come at last. I take it that you have considered my offer Mr. Parker.
Peter nods
PETER
Yes
NORMAN
Yes, what?
PETER
I've made up my decision.
NORMAN
And?
PETER
The answer is no Mr. Osborn, I'm sorry but I decline your offer.
NORMAN
You can't.
Peter walks out of the office
NORMAN
Sooner or later you'll come crawling back to me Peter. You'll see.
Peter leaves the office. Norman frowns and looks out the window
NORMAN
Stupid kid, just like his father. Ignorant.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY- MORNING
The sun is coming up and a new day is dawning. Peter looks down over the city smiling. He knew what he had to do. He wasn't going to be alone anymore…
FADE TO BLACK