HOUSE OF PRIDE
NOTE: Written in rough comic book script style with very little page information and limited panel/scene direction; instead, the script is broken down into specific scenes. Also, the script is slightly modified to maintain a level of suspense for the casual reader.
Oh, and typical disclaimer stuff. Brian K Vaughan and Marvel own the rights to Runaways, House of M, not me, etc. etc.
PART 3 - BEST AND BRIGHTEST - SCENE 1
Same as Part 2, this scene starts with several panels of the MNN newscast. However, instead of Julie Powers, we see Karolina on-screen. Like in Part 2, the MNN logo is on the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. Across the bottom, in white and bold, texts "KAROLINA DEAN." The sub-line below the name is "Daughter of Representatives Dean - Majesdane." The several panels show Karolina in mid-conversation, with the facial expressions reflecting that throughout.
KAROLINA:
. . . it's like the identity crisis thing that we face right now, as teenagers, as we're growing up. As individuals, we're constantly struggling to find out who we are, what part of us to accept, what part of us to love. We're constantly torn apart between the different sides of ourselves that even we're not not sure what to do next, that sometimes we can go crazy and insane and make dumb decisions like the teenagers we are . . . that we're supposed to be.
But once we find that balance, once we accept who we are, and totally, not just partially, do we become happy, that we may grow up happy.
I believe the identity crisis we struggle with as individuals is like the identity crisis we as a society face today. I think we're this tense, between humans and mutant today, because deep down as a whole we're still not sure what to make of ourselves, what to accept. And I think, as the next generation, that's what we have to do - figure that out . . .
Sudden transition to the Prospero courtyard once again, sequentially immediately after the end of Part 2. Victor and Karolina approach a familiar face . . .
NICO:
So K, who's the next victim?
Victor grins as he comes forth. Before him is a teenage, Japanese-American female, dressed in black garb, save for the purple eye-shadow and select pieces of her outfit.
VICTOR:
The name's Victor. Apparently, I'm Karolina's new project.
NICO:
Hoo, boy, let's just hope she doesn't blow you up or anything, huh?
VICTOR:
That's what I've been thinking the entire time so far.
KAROLINA:
Hey! (playfully punches Nico on the shoulder)
NICO:
Why are you punching me for?
KAROLINA:
You started it.
NICO:
He finished it.
KAROLINA:
Hey, yeah! (punches Victor)
VICTOR
(jokingly)
See what I mean?
NICO:
(to Victor)
So, how's Prospero for you so far? Brain about to implode yet?
VICTOR:
Nah, I'm waiting for it to leak out first.
NICO:
Yeah, that'll happen too. That's why I offer free brain surgery services around mid-semester - Nico Minoru Lobotomy Enterprises! Buy one get one free!
VICTOR:
Hey, as long as I don't need insurance.
KAROLINA:
Wow. One minute in and I'm already deeply disturbed. (to Nico) Hey, where's your beloved beau?
NICO:
Oh, out probably kicking the crap out of someone at MagicQuest again. But he's taking me out to dinner tonight. Hey, do me a favor? When you see him later on this afternoon, hand this back over to him? I won't be able to see him until later on tonight.
KAROLINA
Sure, babe, no problem.
Nico hands Karolina a boxed set of DVD's. On the front of the case is the name, Cast.
VICTOR:
Whoa! The uncut special edition, 3rd season of Cast? Oh man, sweet! I - (hesitates) - should probably stop before I completely nerd out.
NICO:
Oh, feel free to nerd out. Trust me, I hear it all the time.
KAROLINA:
(overly dramatic)
Well, the rest of the wild awaits, and alas, I must acquaint this hatchling to the pack. Goodbye, my sweet Raven!
VICTOR:
I'm a hatchling now?
NICO:
A project hatchling, I might add!
Victor and Nico wave to each other as he and Karolina continue through the school courtyard.
VICTOR:
Minoru . . . she's Robert and Tina Minoru's kid right? Head Wizards of the Order of the Sacred Night?
KAROLINA:
Sure do know your famous names.
VICTOR:
Well, when you see them on the paper or on TV every other day, gets kinda hard to forget even in the midst of Satuday morning cartoons.
KAROLINA:
Point.
Actually, Nico's holding up the family name pretty well. Next summer she's probably getting an internship with Dr. Strange, and she's already a natural with all that magic hoopla and whatnot.
(smiles)
Plus, she plays one helluva bass.
As they continue through the courtyard, Victor scans at the groups of people they pass by. Many of the groups are an ecclectic, colorful mix of mutants and humans alike, as indicated by physical appearance and the occassional energy streak. The groups, however, not only vary in this respect, but also by their cliques - though each group has an overall clothing style, we can noticeably spot outerlies. The apparent jock group has two people dressed in all black, similar to Nico's getup. The "thick-rimmed glasses" nerd group has a boy in a football jersey among them, having a two-way conversation with one of the nerds as well as a slightly overweight, gamer-looking character.
VICTOR:
Huh, interesting crowd you have here.
KAROLINA:
Eh?
VICTOR:
I'm passing through your school here like an opening scene from a teen movie, yet it looks anything but. Everyone seems to actually get along here. Not even your cliques are stereotypical.
KAROLINA:
(looking around)
Huh. You know, I actually never noticed until now.
VICTOR:
And you know? For a high-up, super-snooty charter school, this place actually seems kinda . . .
Zoom out to the rest of the courtyard, showing the student populous in all its colorful, crazy glory.
VICTOR:
. . . normal.
KAROLINA:
(grins)
Well, you know, it wasn't always like this.
VICTOR:
What do you mean?
KAROLINA:
Well, let's just say that things kinda rolled together because of . . . well, Alex.
VICTOR:
Alex?
KAROLINA:
Alex Wilder. If anything, he's the glue that holds us all together. See -
(OFF PANEL):
Hey, look out!
Suddenly, a yellow ball rockets towards Victor. However, just as fast as the ball shoots towards him, Victor reflexively brings his right hand to his face and catches the ball.
(OFF PANEL):
Hey, not bad, amigo. Good reflexes.
From a distance, the next panel pans to a blonde muscular male, one hand in his pocket, another holding a crosse.
CHASE:
But can you do it with a crosse?
KAROLINA:
(slightly annoyed)
Geez, Chase, you could have knocked somebody out with that!
CHASE:
(approaching Karolina and Victor)
Sorry, K. Mackey over there was showing some of the girls how to do a long pass, but he kinda got a little carried away.
(Chase thumbs over to a teen and two girls at a distance, the teen jock shrugging his shoulders sheepishly)
Besides, quick hands over here made it out all right. (looking at Karolina) Who's the new kid, anyway?
VICTOR:
Victor.
CHASE:
You play at all Vic?
VICTOR:
Off and on.
CHASE:
How much is "off and on?"
VICTOR:
Not hardcore or anything. (tosses the yellow ball back to Chase)
CHASE:
(raising an eyebrow)
Really?
Chase places the yellow ball in the pocket, then swings the crosse high. The yellow ball rockets through an open area of the courtyard, hitting the E on a yield sign at the end of the field.
Chase then points to the same yield sign at the end of the courtyard
CHASE:
That sign's about fifty yards away.
Chase hands Victor his crosse.
CHASE:
Betcha can't hit the E on that sign. (pauses) You don't have super-strength as your power or anything, right?
VICTOR:
Not the last time I checked (takes Chase's crosse)
CHASE:
(looking at Victor's hands)
Hey, good grip.
KAROLINA:
Chase, come on, this is stupid -
VICTOR:
(smiling)
It's all right. I love a challenge.
Chase grabs another yellow ball from one of his teammates and places the ball in the crosse pocket.
Victor glances at the sign for a moment, before rolling the cross into an elegant swing, launching the ball at a fast-moving arch towards the yield sign. The yellow ball slams on the yield sign, almost perfectly striking the E.
CHASE:
(glances for a moment)
Damn, amigo, not bad for "off and on."
(OFF PANEL):
Hey! Who did that?
CHASE:
(grinning slightly devilishly)
Of course . . .
A middle-aged woman bursts into the panel, infuriated and pointing fingers.
MRS. PRICE:
(pointing at Victor, who is guiltily holding the crosse)
Unacceptable! This is not appropriate behavior in this school, young man! What is your name?
VICTOR:
(sheepishly)
. . . . Vic - Victor.
Chase looks at Karolina with the same devilish grin. Karolina replies disapprovinglywith a look of disgust and disappointment. Chase, losing the grin, rubs the bridge of his nose.
MRS. PRICE:
Well, Victor, you're going with me right now -
CHASE:
Sigh Mrs. Price, that was me. It was my fault. I was showing Victor here how to properly do a pass to Dave Mackey over there, but I got carried away. (takes the crosse away from Victor)
MRS. PRICE:
Mr. Stein, seeing as this is the first week of school, and that I've got REAL troublemakers on my plate already, I'm going to let you go this time. But watch it with the ball throwing, okay?
CHASE:
I understand, Mrs. Price. I'm sorry.
As Mrs. Price walks off, Chase turns to Victor.
CHASE:
Hey, gotta give you props for making that shot, amigo. Plus if K's cool with you . . .
SFX - SCHOOL BELL:
BRRRRIIIINNNNGGG!
KAROLINA:
Tsk. And lunch is over way too soon.
CHASE:
(extends his hand to Victor)
Good to meet you, bro. See you around?
VICTOR:
(slapping Chase's palm, returning the gesture)
I'm sure we will.