LIEBER PAPER FACTORY - AUSTIN, TEXAS - 12:30 P.M.
The door opens and Noah, Hanson and Benson step inside.
BENSON: "I still don't get how everything was frozen back there."
NOAH: "That was our masked friend. That's just one of his abilities."
BENSON: "Exactly how many more does he have? And how many more people are there like this?"
HANSON: "We don't know. But now that you know that they exist, we have to keep this quiet. If we make any public announcement, God knows what kind of reaction of panic and violence there'd be."
NOAH: "There aren't going to be any reactions. Right now, I want to see just what that man left behind for me."
Noah stands by his desk, holding the envelope in his hands. Hanson and Benson stand nearby and look at him. He opens the envelope and pulls out the object inside of it. It is a comic book, sealed in a bag.
BENSON: "A comic book? What, did you subscribe from his shop or something?"
Noah turns the comic around and looks at the cover. It is the new 9th Wonders! issue. The drawing on the cover is of Hiro, Ando, Matt and Claire walking in the desert. The issue number is 2 of 9.
NOAH: "Claire?"
BENSON: "Wait, what?"
Noah opens the comic bag, pulls out the comic book and opens it to the front page. The first page is of what happened when Matt and the others first arrived in the desert. Noah glances at each of the seven comic panels of the first page, one at a time.
The first panel is of Matt, lying unconscious on the sand, and a turtle crawls on the ground behind him. The second panel is the same as the first, only now a person's silhouette is seen over Matt. The third panel is of Usutu, clutching his walking staff. There is a word balloon of Usutu talking - "It is time to wake up, Parkman." The fourth panel is of Matt, awakening and rubbing his eyes. The fifth panel is of Usutu looking down at Matt. There is a word balloon of Usutu talking - "You need to prepare. There is not much time." The sixth panel is a bit bigger than the others. It is of Matt getting up to his feet and Usutu looking at him. The first word balloon is of Matt talking - "Usutu". The second word balloon is of Usutu talking - "You are bleeding, Parkman. You should get that bandaged." The third word balloon is of Matt talking - "Is this a dream? Am I having a vision?" The last comic panel is a close-up of Usutu. Usutu simply smiles.
Noah turns to the next two pages. Page two consists of Matt talking to Usutu. Page three is of Usutu's disappearance and Ando, Hiro and Claire finding Matt. Noah turns a few pages. He stops at pages eight and nine. Page eight is of Hiro peeking into Usutu's tent and screaming in fear in Japanese. Page nine is of Ando, Hiro and Claire staring at Usutu and Matt learning Usutu is alive. Noah turns to pages fourteen and fifteen. It is of Curtis training with Claire, Ando, Hiro and Matt. There are four panels, one of each hero separately fighting with Curtis with their bo staffs.
BENSON: "What's going on? What are you looking at?"
Noah stares at a drawing of Curtis, looking at his face.
NOAH: "A familiar face."
BENSON: "You're not making any sense."
Noah thumbs through the pages and flips to the last page. He notices the drawing and his eyes widen.
HANSON: "What?"
Hanson looks at the last page. Her eyes widen.
HANSON: "Oh, God..."
The last page is a splash page of Gabriel Gray, waking up in the farmer's home. He smiles as he is slitting the farmer's throat. There is a word balloon of Gabriel talking - "My name is SYLAR."
NOAH: "We need to make some calls. Hanson, get Angela Petrelli on the phone. Let her know what's happened."
HANSON: "What are you doing?"
Noah pulls out his cell phone and dials a number.
NOAH: "Keeping a promise."
After he has finished dialing, Noah holds his cell phone to his ear. He pauses and smiles as he hears the other end pick up.
NOAH: "Hello, Sandra. I know you don't really want to speak with me right now, but I've got some news about Claire."
THE COMPANY - NEW YORK - 1:30 P.M.
Within an office, Geoffrey sits at a large, round table. Angela Petrelli sits at the main chair at the other end of the table, and the Haitian stands at her side with his hands behind his back.
ANGELA: "Thank you for agreeing to work with our Company for this assignment."
GEOFFREY: (eyes the Haitian) "And that is?"
ANGELA: "An old friend of mine. He's going to be helping you with our new assignment. He'll be of great use to help you."
GEOFFREY: "You mean, like a partner?"
ANGELA: "And like a protector. My friend here is going to make sure that the odds are a bit more even."
GEOFFREY: "I still don't really understand all of this."
ANGELA: "Your escaped prisoner, Caine... We have reason to believe he may be working with some old friends for his next assignment. We've been made aware of a new department that's been collecting and killing certain inviduals. Now that you're a part of this team, it's time you knew enough to know what you'll be put up against. Can you keep a secret, Officer Hart?"
Geoffrey gives her a puzzled look.
MOTEL - LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Within a small, one-bedroom motel room, Bruce Norton stands at the end of his bed. Bruce is in his mid-20s, has brown hair, hazel eyes and is lean muscled. He is stuffing folded clothes into his backpack and he zips it closed. Bruce picks up his brown jacket, puts it on and zips it over his purple shirt. There is a knock on the door. Bruce turns to the doorway, looking nervous.
BRUCE: "Who's there?"
There's no reply. Bruce walks to the door and opens it, revealing the room number as 027. He takes a few steps outside and he looks at the parking lot ahead. He looks left, and then right. No one is there. Bruce turns around and steps back in the room. He closes the door behind him. A small clicking sound occurs from behind. Bruce freezes.
INVISIBLE MAN: "Target acquired."
Bruce turns around and sees no one. He rushes to the door and opens it, only to find two AGENTS in black stealth uniforms approaching. Bruce slams the door shut as they run to the door, and he turns and runs to the back window. Three more Agents stand outside in similar gear and hold up tranquilizer pistols.
AGENT #4: "Freeze!"
The front door is knocked open and Agents #1 and #2 rush in, holding similar tranquilizer guns. Agents #3, 4 and 5 run away from the window and head to the front door. Bruce doesn't notice. He ducks down and runs for the bathroom door. He opens it and spots the window ahead, by the mirror. Bruce stifffens as a dart is shot and hits the back of his neck. He collapses to his knees, puzzled. In the mirror on the wall ahead of him, the Invisible Man is holding a visible tranquilizer gun. Bruce collapses and lands on his front on the floor.
INVISIBLE MAN: "He's not to be hurt, boys. Just cuff him and drag him out into the van. I need to file our report."
Agents #3, 4 and 5 walk in through the open doorway. The Invisible Man drops the gun and he walks to the door. He closes the door behind him. Agent #1 crouches next to Bruce and handcuffs him. He notices Bruce is mouthing a word, getting groggy quick.
AGENT #1: "What?"
BRUCE: (whispers) "Run."
AGENT #2: "Sorry, pal. You're not going to be running out like that."
BRUCE: (whispers) "Not me...You..." (pauses) "Please..."
Bruce closes his eyes and twitches.
BRUCE: (whispers) "Please, run."
A tear rolls down his face. Agent #1 and Agent #2 pick Bruce up by his arms and proceed to drag him away.
AGENT #3: "Why send five guys on one guy?"
AGENT #4: "Guys, what's wrong with him?"
AGENT #5: "What do you mean?"
AGENT #4: "Looks like he's having a seizure or something."
Bruce again twitches. His head drops down, passing out.
AGENT #1: "Not anymore."
Outside of the motel, the Invisible Man is heard pacing back and forth.
INVISIBLE MAN: "I've got five agents inside. Norton's in custody."
BOSS (on headset): "Remember, use extreme caution. We don't know what he's fully capable of."
INVISIBLE MAN: "You worry too much. The guy's too puny to..."
AGENT #3 SCREAMS from within the hotel room. The Invisible Man stops pacing as the other AGENTS SCREAM in fear or pain, and then both.
WHAM!! The wall to the hotel room explodes. The Invisible Man is struck down as the broken-down door collapses onto him, and two of the agents are sent flying through the air with the wall debris.
MOTEL - LAWRENCE, KANSAS - LATER
At a large hotel, the Invisible Man lies on a bed. He is visible, but is wearing a black mask over his head, goggles with a one-way mirrored lens, black gloves and black boots so that his head, face and skin are all completely covered. The Invisible Man's left ankle is bandaged and has a pillow under to it to keep it propped up. Carlton stands by his bed, with four Agents around the room. A mid-30s, Mexican-American woman with short black hair - DR. THERESA REYES - stands by the Invisible Man's bed.
THERESA: "Your agent here is lucky to be alive."
CARLTON: "And he's the only survivor so far. Do we know what caused the destruction to the hotel room?"
THERESA: "No, sir. They managed to find his location, but the cameras went dead before our agents went inside."
CARLTON: "I don't get it. Our men didn't cut off the security cameras. Did Norton manage to hack into the security system and shut them off?"
THERESA: "Not likely. The source came from outside of the hotel room. Which means that Norton had someone helping him..."
CARLTON: (interrupts) "Or we're not the only ones looking for him." (sighs) "How long will he be down?"
THERESA: "A few days, at least. He'll need to stay here for observation."
CARLTON: "Whatever you say."
Carlton looks at the Invisible Man grimly.
APARTMENT CENTER - NEW ORLEANS
Within his bedroom, Micah Sanders sits at his laptop, looking at a list of names. Monica Sanders stands in the hall outside his room peeks her head in the doorway.
MONICA: "Micah, I've got lunch ready."
Micah doesn't hear. He's looking at the list on his screen. Monica walks inside and she sits next to his bed. Micah notices Monica and he looks over at her.
MICAH: "Oh, you're back."
MONICA: "It's nice to be noticed. You didn't hear me call you?"
MICAH: "I'm sorry. I've been busy."
Monica notices the list of names on his laptop.
MONICA: "So I see. What is all of that?"
MICAH: "I've been doing searches in this company's database for missing employees. It turns out that fifty of them have been reported missing in the last week."
MONICA: "Aren't you worried somebody can trace this back to you?"
Micah grins.
MICAH: "They can't track me down. I've found another server to access their data files without detection. It's like taking a short cut to get from one point to another."
There is a knock on the front door. Micah looks up, puzzled. Monica looks a little pale.
MONICA: "Well, someone's tracked us down."
Monica walks into the hall, past the dining table and to the locked front door. Micah follows after her.
MONICA: "Who is it?"
NANA: "It's just me, baby."
Monica smiles. She unlocks the front door and opens it. Nana Dawson stands outside in the hallway. Monica smiles and steps back to let Nana step in.
MONICA: "Hey. What brings you here?"
Nana turns around and nods. Tracy walks to the doorway.
TRACY: "Me."
Tracy looks at Micah and she smiles.
TRACY: "It's been a long time."
MICAH: "What are you doing here?"
TRACY: "We need your help. Both of you. We really need to talk."
COMIC BOOK STORE - AUSTIN, TEXAS - 1:30 P.M.
David is standing behind the counter, with E.S. in front of him.
DAVID: "Do you think that Sarah bought what we told her?"
E.S.: "I'd say so. She seemed really surprised to see herself in that comic book."
DAVID: "Yeah, I know. She's lucky."
E.S.: "Lucky?"
DAVID: "Yeah. I mean, I've always wanted to be drawn into a comic with a famous comic book character."
E.S.: "I thought you always wanted to be a comic book character."
DAVID: (smirks) "Hey, a fanboy can dream, can't he?"
E.S.: "What about the poster? Why didn't you bring it to the mall, too?"
DAVID: "Bite your tongue, buddy! I'm not letting a collector's item like that out into a food court. I'm just glad Sarah and I washed our hands before I handed her over the comic. I didn't want to get pizza grease all over it."
E.S.: "Point taken. Nobody likes grease stains on their posters. So, when do the new 9th Wonders spoilers and rumors go online?"
DAVID: "Later tonight. Scooper superhero38 doesn't go online and post news until after eight."
E.S.: "Oh, yeah. Who does he think he is, having a social life and going to work?"
DAVID: (grins) "My point exactly."
The two men CHUCKLE and E.S. shakes his head.
E.S.: "I'd better get going. I've got work to finish. I'll meet you tonight at your place, okay?"
DAVID: "Okay. I'll catch you later, okay?"
E.S.: "Sure. See you."
E.S. waves and walks off to the exit. David sits down and heaves a SIGH. Charles walks into the room and over to David.
CHARLES: "Hey, kid. You okay?"
DAVID: "Huh? Oh, yeah, boss. I'm just a little worn out, I guess."
CHARLES: "Well, if you need anything, kiddo, just let me know. I'll be in the back, putting up the copies of the new DC Comics."
DAVID: "All right."
Charles nods and walks off. He walks to the back of the store. David sits on his chair and SIGHS. He rubs the back of his head, looking tired. The door swings open and David notices a blond woman enter the store. It's Audrey Hanson. She walks off and to one of the comic racks. Benson walks in after her and notices David at the counter.
DAVID: "Hey, newbie."
BENSON: "Excuse me?"
DAVID: "Sorry. We say it any time we get new customers into the store. Can I help you find something, sir?"
BENSON: "I'm here to pick up some copies of the 9th Wonders comic series. I understand you just got some new merchandise in stock."
DAVID: "Well, you're half-right. We've got one new issue in stock. We've also got a few posters from some old 9th Wonders comic covers. The good stuff doesn't go on sale until Wednesday."
BENSON: "Why? What's Wednesday?"
DAVID: "Easy. The next issue gets shipped in. We also get the latest set of posters from 9th Wonders. One of them is taken from an alternate cover to one of the new comics. It's supposed to be a pretty big shock."
David picks up an ad from behind the counter.
DAVID: "In fact, we have a teaser image from one of the posters, if you'd like to see it."
Benson takes the ad and looks at it. It's the 9th Wonders! logo in front of a black background. Below the logo is ocean water.
MOTEL - NEW YORK - 2:35 P.M.
Dawn sits on the couch, her hands in her lap. She looks nervous. Julie enters the room and looks at Dawn.
JULIE: "Are you okay?"
DAWN: "He could've killed me. If you hadn't gotten in there, if you hadn't hit him..."
JULIE: "It's all right. It's all right now. We got word of that guy being spotted in the hospital. One of the patients, Richard Finger, had to be transferred to another hospital because he tried to attack him too."
DAWN: "But you said they didn't find him in the room after you got me out of there. That man's still out there. He's still looking for me."
Julie stares at Dawn for a moment. She sits on the couch beside her.
JULIE: "This man...Mr. Gray. Do you know who he is?"
DAWN: "No, I don't. I never met him till today."
JULIE: "What did he want from you?"
DAWN: "He wanted me to tell him where my mother was. He didn't say why. But then he..." (pauses) "How did he do that? How did he knock me against the door without touching me?"
JULIE: "It's difficult to explain."
DAWN: "Try me. You know it's not the first time that I saw someone with a weird ability."
Dawn gives Julie a puzzled look.
DAWN: "Why were you back there, anyway?"
JULIE: "I was told where you worked. I went in to check on you after what had happened. It's sort of standard policy. But I've just spoken with my supervisor. He has just ordered me to keep an eye on you. For as long as I'm assigned, I'm going to protect you and keep you safe from Samson Gray."
DAWN: "No offense, but I don't really think that you'd be able to stop him. You don't have an ability of your own."
Julie shakes her head.
JULIE: "I'm not exactly powerless. I know how to protect myself. Trust me. If anybody comes after you, they've got to go through me first."
Dawn looks away, still looking grim.
MEDICAL BUILDING - AUSTIN, TX.
Kristen is seated behind her desk, holding a cell phone to her ear.
KRISTEN: "No, I'm sorry. Dr. Miller is on vacation and won't be back for several more days. The on-call doctor, Dr. Hartman, is available, if you'd like to make an appointment."
Kristen pauses, listening. She smiles and flips to the next page of her schedule book.
KRISTEN: "All right, then. He can see you at five o'clock, or sometime tomorrow."
Kristen pauses, listening. She picks up a pencil and starts writing on the schedule book.
KRISTEN: "Uh-huh." (pauses) "All right. Tomorrow at eight, then."
Kristen pauses. She smiles.
KRISTEN: "You too. Goodbye."
Kristen hangs up her cell phone. She picks up her notebook and turns it to a blank page. Kristen starts to write on the page. She stops, and COUGHS. Kristen shakes her head and resumes coughing. An invisible gas spreads into the room. KRISTEN COUGHS and reaches for her cell phone. She attempts to dial, but stops and COUGHS, harder. Kristen hears distant COUGHING from down the hall, and she hears several THUD sounds. collapses to the ground and passes out. She lies unconscious. The door down the hall opens and Jackie steps inside, wearing a mask over her face and a headset. Behind her, several employees lie unconscious on the ground.
JACKIE: "I'm in. I still don't get why you wanted the sleeping gas used in the building."
BOSS (on headset): "You don't get paid for civilian deaths, Jackie. Stick to the target at hand."
JACKIE: "All right. Which way is it to this Dr. Hartman's office?"
BOSS (on headset): "Down the hall, to the left. It's the first door next to the janitor's closet."
Jackie walks down the hall, turns to the left and notices the shut door to the janitor's closet. She looks at the door next to it, which has DR. GREGORY MILLER on it. Jackie removes her mask. She opens the door and steps inside.
DR. DEREK HARTMAN - late-50s, with gray hair and glasses - is seated behind Dr. Miller's desk, looking at his laptop. He looks up as he notices Jackie step into the office.
HARTMAN: "Can I help you?"
JACKIE: "That depends. Are you Dr. Hartman? Derek Hartman?"
HARTMAN: "Yes? Can I help you?"
Jackie smiles.
JACKIE: "I think I'll help myself."
She shuts the door behind her.
AFRICA - 8:45 P.M.
Usutu, Hiro, Ando, Matt and Claire are all seated on a training mat. Curtis looks at the seated heroes and smiles.
CURTIS: "You're all doing very well so far. We will train a little more in an hour."
MATT: "Do you guys know what this is all about? Could somebody, please... either one of you... Just give us some answers!"
CURTIS: "I understand your frustration, prophet. You all have forgotten what happened at the warehouse. You're wondering why you're here, what this all means. The answers cannot be given yet."
ANDO: "Why not?"
CURTIS: "Because we are not able to give you your answers yet. We can, however, give you a reward for your hard work."
CLAIRE: "Reward?"
Usutu is looking at his wrist watch. Matt notices and gives him a puzzled look.
MATT: "What?"
Usutu doesn't look up or react. He keeps his eyes on the time.
MATT: "What? What's going on?"
USUTU: "Turn around, Parkman. Each of you, take a cell phone."
HIRO: "Cell phone?"
The four heroes turn around. Four black cell phones lie on a nearby table, each with a red bow stuck onto the back of it.
USUTU: "Right on time. Just as he said he would be."
MATT: "He? You mean, that guy with the mask? Who is he?"
USUTU: "For now, an anonymous friend. But I would take this time to talk to your loved ones. The phones will be gone again in an hour. Tomorrow, the phones will be back again, at the same time. This will repeat until your training ends, on Tuesday."
MATT: "Wait, Tuesday? Why do we have to get it all done before Tuesday?"
USUTU: "One hour, Parkman. Do not waste your time talking to your loved ones."
Matt gives Usutu an upset look. He gets up and walks to the phone. The others quickly follow him and rush to the table. Each hero picks up a cell phone and dials a phone number. Matt finishes dialing his number. He pauses for a moment. He smiles.
MATT: "Janice! Oh, thank God!"
Hiro holds his phone to his ear. He smiles.
HIRO: "Kimiko!"
Claire finishes dialing her number on the cell phone, and holds it to her ear.
COMIC BOOK STORE - AUSTIN, TX. - 2:45 P.M.
Noah stops his car in a vacant parking space in front of the comic book store. He gets out of the car and starts walking. He stops as he notices the cars on the road to his right. Every car has stopped in its tracks. Time has frozen again. Noah looks around slowly in realization.
NOAH: "Where are you?"
Noah turns around as he hears a tapping sound on the hood of his car. Noah turns to the car and notices a black cell phone set on top of it. Time has unfrozen and the cars continue to drive by in opposite directions on the road. The phone rings. Noah walks to the phone and picks it up. He holds it to his ear.
NOAH: "Who is this?"
CLAIRE (on the phone): "Dad?"
Noah looks stunned.
NOAH: "Claire Bear?"
CLAIRE (on the phone): "Dad, where are you? Are you okay?"
NOAH: "I'm all right. I'm in front of a comic book store in Austin."
CLAIRE (on the phone): "A comic book store? What are you doing there?"
NOAH: "Hopefully, getting some answers. I'm meeting up with two new partners that are helping me out on the case. How are you?"
CLAIRE (on the phone): "I'm okay. I'm actually training in Africa, with Matt --"
NOAH: (interrupts) "With Matt, Hiro and Ando. Yeah, I know."
Claire looks away, a bit surprised by this.
CLAIRE: "How did you know where we were taken to?"
NOAH (on the phone): "It's a long story. A lot has happened while you guys have been away."
CLAIRE: "What happened to the others? Are they okay?"
NOAH (on the phone): "Yes and no. Mohinder has been working in the lab. Tracy's on assignment in New Orleans. Peter is still recovering from his surgery."
CLAIRE: "Surgery?" (pauses) "Dad, why did Peter need surgery?"
Matt, Hiro and Ando notice what Claire has said. They turn their heads to her.
Noah lowers his head. He heaves a SIGH.
NOAH: "Peter has lost his powers. It has something to do with a man that grabbed him in the Beeman Warehouse. He doesn't remember much about that night. None of us do."
CLAIRE (on the phone): "How did that happen to him? Is he all right?"
NOAH: "He's recovering slower than usual, but he'll be just fine. Have you talked to your mother yet?"
CLAIRE (on the phone): "I tried to get her number. No one answered."
NOAH: "Try again. I know she's anxious to talk to you."
Claire smirks.
CLAIRE: "Yeah."
She pauses. Her smile fades.
CLAIRE: "Dad...It's good to hear your voice again."
Noah smiles.
NOAH: "I feel the same way, Claire."
CLAIRE (on the phone): "I would've called sooner, but I just got a cell phone. That masked guy dropped it off for me to reach you."
Noah pats his left pants pocket. It's empty.
NOAH: "Yeah, same here. Apparently, he gave me a new phone with my number in it. My old phone is missing."
CLAIRE (on the phone): "I don't get it. Why would he give you a new phone?"
He hears a beep on his phone. The screen of the phone reads NEW EMAIL RECEIVED.
CLAIRE (on the phone): "Dad, what was that noise?"
NOAH: "I've just got an email sent to me. There's a photo inside it."
CLAIRE (on the phone): "What is it?"
NOAH: "I'm not sure. Hold on."
Noah pushes a button on his phone. The screen shows an image. Noah stares at it, stunned.
NOAH: "Oh, my God."
TUTTLE CREEK LAKE - MANHATTAN, KANSAS
A young BOY with dark hair, about 9, and a blonde girl, about 7, walk over to a small lake. The kids are holding fishing rods, while the boy is also holding a closed can of worms. They are followed by their mid-50s FATHER, who has a cooler held in one hand and a fishing rod in the other.
FATHER: "Hey, kids. You ready to go fishing?"
BOY and GIRL: (glumly) "Yeah."
FATHER: "'Yeah?' That sounded like a really glum 'yeah' to me."
GIRL: "I wanted to go to the pet store."
FATHER: "Oh, I know, sweetie. But the pet store's closed down, though, for the weekend. But hey, cheer up. There's no reason why we can't have any fun fishing, right?"
BOY: (glumly) "Yeah."
FATHER: "Oh, don't worry, kids. Who knows? Maybe we'll catch a big one this time. And if we don't, I can always take you out for some ice cream afterwards. How does that sound?"
BOY: "Two scoops?"
FATHER: (laughing) "Okay, okay. Two scoops."
The Girl suddenly stops as she takes her first look at the lake. She drops her fishing rod and SCREAMS. She moves back and clings to the leg of her father. The Boy stares ahead, wide-eyed.
FATHER: "Sweetie, what is it?"
BOY: "Dad!!"
The father looks ahead. Bruce lies unconscious on his front on the grass, near the water. His shirt has been torn open and nearly ripped off, his pants have been shredded below the knee, and his shoes and socks are gone. The Father sets down the cooler and drops the fishing rod. He gently pulls the girl off his leg and walks her over to her brother.
FATHER: "Kids, wait here. I'll be right back."
The Father runs over and to Bruce's side. He rolls him over and onto his back. He shakes Bruce's shoulder. Bruce doesn't react.
FATHER: "Mister? Can you hear me?"
The Father checks Bruce's neck for a pulse. He pauses. He lays his head down on Bruce's chest, listening to his heartbeat. The Father gets up and looks down at Bruce. His head turns to his left and he COUGHS out blood. Bruce COUGHS and rolls onto his side. The Father helps Bruce lie back down on his back, and Bruce opens his eyes.
FATHER: "Hey. Mister? Are you all right?"
BRUCE: (whispers) "Where am I?"
FATHER: "You're at the lake."
BRUCE: "Which one?"
FATHER: "Which one? Tuttle Creek Lake. You're in Manhattan."
BRUCE: "Manhattan?"
FATHER: "Who are you? What happened to you?"
Bruce looks at the Father for a moment.
BRUCE: "I'm not sure... I don't remember."
Bruce looks around, puzzled.
In the comic book store back in Austin, David hands over a bag of bagged comics to Benson.
DAVID: "There you are. Would you like an email update on when new subscriptions and specials are in our store?"
BENSON: "No, thanks. We'll be back."
David notices Hanson walk up to the counter and she stands by Benson.
HANSON: "Did you get everything?"
BENSON: "Yeah. Were these all the back issues you could find?"
Hanson opens her mouth to answer, but stops. She notices David is staring at her, a bit stunned.
HANSON: "You okay?"
David doesn't answer. Benson smiles.
BENSON: "Maybe he thinks you're hot."
HANSON SCOFFS in response, and the door swings open. Noah enters and looks at Benson and Hanson.
NOAH: "We need to go back to the office."
HANSON: "What's happened?"
NOAH: "Now!"
Benson shrugs and follows Hanson to the door. David stares at Noah, equally shocked. Benson and Hanson step outside, and Noah notices David's shocked look.
NOAH: "Are you all right?"
David nods, still looking shocked. Noah raises an eyebrow, giving David a puzzled look. He steps out and shuts the door behind him. David smiles.
DAVID: "Oh, man... E.S. and Kristen are never gonna believe this."
David's cell phone rings. He picks it up, pushes the talk button and holds it to his ear.
DAVID: "David Bixby speaking."
He pauses a moment. David's smile quickly fades.
DAVID: "Oh, my... I'll be right over."
He hangs up the phone.
DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL - NEW YORK
In room 802, Richard Finger lies on his hospital bed. Stanley steps inside and looks at his resting father.
STANLEY: "Dad? You awake?"
Richard opens his eyes. He smiles and nods. Stanley walks over and sits on a chair by his bed.
STANLEY: "How are you feeling?"
RICHARD: "Swell."
Stanley sadly smiles.
STANLEY: "Uncle Walt is outside. You wanna have him come in?"
RICHARD: "In a minute... Just want to see you alone for another minute or two."
Richard closes his eyes, turns his head away from Stanley and COUGHS. Stanley gives his father a grim look.
STANLEY: "I wish there was something I could do for you."
Richard looks back at Stanley and shakes his head.
RICHARD: "You can't get rid of this for me, Stanley. I wish I could."
STANLEY: "So do I..." (pauses) "I wish there was something I could do."
RICHARD: "But there's not, kiddo. There are some things you just can't fix, Stan. I just wish I had more time. It's you I'm worried about."
There is a soft knock on the door. Richard and Stanley look at the doorway. WALT FINGER - mid-40s with gray hair and glasses - enters the room. He smiles at Richard.
WALT: "Hey, big brother. Mind if I come in?"
RICHARD: "Not at all. Stanley, could you give us a moment alone?"
STANLEY: "Yeah, sure."
Stanley gets up from his chair and walks out of the room. He shuts the door behind him. Walt sits on a chair by Richard's bed.
WALT: "What is it, Richard?"
RICHARD: "Walt...There's something I need you to do for me, after I'm gone. I need you to keep an eye on Stanley. He's been through so much already."
WALT: "Of course I will, Rich. Stan's a great kid. Bright and smart, been brave throughout this whole thing."
RICHARD: "He's going through more than you know, Walt. There's something you need to know about your nephew."
Walt gives Richard a look of concern.
Inside an old prison, there is a darkened cellar. Two POLICEMEN stand at either side of an electric chair. A woman in a white tank top, black bra, black shorts and sneakers is seated in the chair. The bottom half of the tank top has been cut off, leaving her midriff bare. Her ankles and waist have already been strapped tightly to the chair, and a black hood covers her entire head and face. A police LIEUTENANT stands watch at the side of the room, as the policeman fasten separate straps tightly to the woman's wrists.
POLICEMAN #1: "Why are we doing this again?"
LIEUTENANT: "We have our orders, gentleman. Remember what our superiors have told us."
Policeman #1 sets the electrode cap onto the hooded woman's head and straps it down tightly.
POLICEMAN #2: "This whole thing is weird. I mean, why the hell did they build this electric chair down in here, anyway? Nobody uses these things anymore."
LIEUTENANT: "Just shut up and get this finished. We have very little time left."
Policeman #2 attaches two bulky plugs into the electrode cap - one at the center on top of it, and one at the back, behind the back of the woman's head.
LIEUTENANT: "Is the gag in? We don't want her to bite through her tongue."
POLICEMAN #2: "Yeah, I put it in. Why aren't we supposed to see her face again?"
LIEUTENANT: "Who cares? Just step back and get ready. It's almost time to pull the switch."
The policemen step back and away from the electric chair. The woman sits waiting, breathing normally. Her hands grip onto the arms of the chair. The Lieutenant stands by the switch on the wall and grabs it with his right hand. He looks down at the watch on his left wrist.
LIEUTENANT: "Three...two...one..."
He turns to the wall. The Lieutenant throws the switch. The woman stiffens and lets out MUFFLED GRUNTS. Her body leans forward and flexes against the straps. Her body struggles against the straps as the current hits her hard. She lets out MUFFLED SCREAMS in the gag behind her hood. The electric chair behind the woman begins to spark. The electrode cap begins to spark. The lights to the room dim and fade, and then strobe. The hooded woman continues her MUFFLED SCREAMS and struggles violently against her bonds.
POLICEMAN #1: "What the..."
LIEUTENANT: "Something's wrong..."
The woman lets out louder MUFFLED SCREAMS. There is a massive electrical surge coming from the electric chair and it flows into the woman. The surge gets more powerful and expands. The room flashes white and the policemen and Lieutenant all SCREAM in agony.
KNOX WAREHOUSE - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
The Boss is seated at his desk. Louis is seated on a chair in front of his desk.
BOSS: "You realize what your error has cost me...What we lost on our roster."
LOUIS: "Hey, I didn't mean to rob Petrelli of his abilities. But the guy single-handedly knocked out ten of our best agents in there and they're still recovering in the clinic. If you ask me, I did you a favor back there. The guy was too powerful for his own good."
BOSS: "Well, I didn't ask you. And do not presume to tell me what is best for my company. You should be thankful you're still breathing after your past mistakes."
Louis sneers and turns his head aside. He looks back at the Boss.
LOUIS: "Are we done here?"
BOSS: "Not quite. Connors has declined our offer to join our department. I've ordered Sandra to hand her the money for a new apartment, with better security, and she's being taken back to town tomorrow morning."
LOUIS: "You can't be serious! She doesn't deserve to have any of this special treatment crap! Do you know how much money you're wasting on her for..."
The Boss lifts up his left hand. Louis suddenly stiffens and GASPS for air. Louis is frozen in place on his chair, and is only able to blink and breathe.
BOSS: "How I spend my money is not your concern. I'm having my new general escort her home. You've been demoted to the head of our team, but you will answer to the general. Your pay will also be cut in half. You will not bother Miss Connors and you will no longer question my assistance to her."
Louis tries to move. He can't. Blood drips down Louis's nose and he GRUNTS.
BOSS: "Do not presume to tell me how to run my organization."
The Boss lets his hand down. LOUIS GASPS loudly for air, his eyes wide open. He falls out of the chair and COUGHS. Louis rubs his throat and GASPS in air.
BOSS: "Now then, I want you to report to the sub-basement. There are some men I need you to take out on an assignment. Once you've caught your breath, of course."
Louis COUGHS. He looks up at the Boss and nods.
LOUIS: "Yes, sir."
Back in the medical building, Kristen is seated on a chair by her desk, holding an ice pack on the left side of her head. David walks in and rushes over to her side.
DAVID: "Kristen! Are you okay?"
KRISTEN: "Yeah, I'm okay. I must've hit my head when I hit the floor."
DAVID: "What happened?"
KRISTEN: "I don't know. One minute, I was working. The next thing I know, there's this smell of gas and I start coughing. It must've knocked me out, because the next thing I know, there's a paramedic and a cop at my side checking on me."
DAVID: "Do they know what caused it?"
KRISTEN: "No. It's weird. There wasn't a trace of any cracked pipes or anything. They don't even know how the gas spread throughout this floor so quickly."
Kristen looks across the room and notices two policemen interviewing a co-worker. She doesn't notice Harvey approach her from behind.
HARVEY: "Kris!"
Kristen turns around and notices Harvey at her side.
KRISTEN: "Harvey, what's wrong?"
HARVEY: "It's Dr. Hartman, Kris. He's missing."
Kristen and David exchange nervous looks.
At the Lieber Paper Factory, Benson and Hanson are seated at Noah's desk. Noah walks over and sits behind his desk, holding his new cell phone in his hands.
BENSON: "Why did we need to go looking for these old 9th Wonders comics, anyway?"
NOAH: "There's a connection between these old issues and the new limited series that's being sold. I haven't figured out what it is yet, but I'll find it."
HANSON: "You've been on your phone non-stop since we got back. What are you doing?"
NOAH: "I've been e-mailing our newest clue to my colleagues at the Company. Agents, board members, friends... They all need to see this."
HANSON: "See what? What did you get?"
NOAH: "There's a jpg image. It's of the new 9th Wonders poster that goes on sale on Wednesday. Our masked friend sent it over to me on this new cell phone with an exclusive look at it."
BENSON: "I don't understand. What's so important about this poster?"
NOAH: "Everything... It shows us who we're up against, and what we need to do."
HANSON: "And that is?"
Noah sets down the cell phone. He shows them the image on the cell phone screen. Hanson and Benson stare at the image in shock.
BENSON: "Oh, my God."
The image on the cell phone is the same as the 9th Wonders poster that David has, which shows the state of New York is gone and underwater. The five characters, however, are different. At the far left stands a man with reddish-brown hair that we haven't seen yet. The man has a grin on his face and sand dripping from his palms and fingertips. Standing next to the man is a man with a black mask and goggles with a black glass lens, covering his entire head and face. He's wearing a black trench coat over his stealth uniform. The masked man's gloved hands are sparking with orange energy. Standing in the middle of the group is Carlton. He has a kitana blade sticking out from the front and back of his wrists, resulting in four blades in all. Standing next to Carlton is Sandra, her eyes now completely gray. Standing at the far right, next to Sandra, is Devon. His hands are made into fists.
DESERT - AFRICA - 11:30 P.M.
A small cabin lies in the sand in the middle of the desert.
Within the cabin, a man is seated in the cabin. The floor of the cabin is made of sand instead of wood or carpet. He is holding a cell phone to his ear and is wearing a tank top, shorts and sandals. The man is seen from behind, his face not shown yet, and he holds his cell phone to his ear. This man is JERRY LEE MARSH.
JERRY: "Yeah, I'm here. What's the Boss want this time?"
DISTORTED VOICE (on the phone): "Our Boss has big plans for you, Jerry. You've done well with your recent recruiting skills."
JERRY: "Yeah, but this is supposed t' be my vacation time, remember? Even a guy like me needs to get out of the office and relax for a change."
DISTORTED VOICE (on the phone): "Don't worry. Once your vacation ends, you will receive the details of your next assignment...and you won't need to go too far. The Boss has a mission for you here in the desert."
JERRY: "He does? Well, why didn't you just say so to begin with? Does he want a recruitment or to send a final message?"
DISTORTED VOICE (on the phone): "To be honest, he wants neither. There is a man who lives not too far from your location, a teacher and fight instructor. He merely wants the old man and his friends distracted so that our business will not be interrupted."
Jerry turns his chair around and smiles. We see his face for the first time. It is the same man from the jpg image on Noah's cell phone screen. Jerry takes his sandals off and sets his bare feet down in the sand.
JERRY: "So he wants 'em roughed around a bit, but doesn't want anyone leaving in body bags."
Jerry smiles. Sand pours out from thin, bloodless slits in the bottom of Jerry's feet and pour out into the sand.
JERRY: "Not a problem. When do I start?"
DINER - AUSTIN, TEXAS - 4:00 P.M.
Sarah walks away from a table of four seated teenagers and over to the counter. She looks over at the cook, Craig, and looks at her note pad.
SARAH: "Okay, I need four large Cokes, two bowls of tomato soup, two side salads, four bowls of fries and two plates of chili dogs."
CRAIG: "I'm on it."
Brandon walks away from the back room and over to the counter. He notices Sarah is standing nearby.
BRANDON: "Sorry I'm late. Been busy today?"
SARAH: "Yeah, and it's getting even more crowded. There are people at table four that need an order."
BRANDON: "I'm on it."
A mid-20s, brunette waitress, CARLA, steps out from the back room.
CARLA: "Hey, Sarah! There's some kind of news update on that bubble thing you saw!"
Sarah and Brandon walk away from the counter and into the back room. Craig looks up from his grill and looks around.
CRAIG: "Hey. Where'd everyone go?"
In the back room of the diner, Sarah, Brandon and Carla are watching a mid-40s, bald REPORTER. The reporter has his hand on his headset and is standing by the projector dug in the ground by the water tower.
BALD REPORTER: "The police uncovered this projector by the old water tower earlier today. They said that it emitted a white light when switched on, and that the control dial could increase and decrease the size of the light. The highest setting of the dial is what caused the white bubble-shaped light that was sighted here on Tuesday night."
CARLA: "Well, they sure took their sweet time finding that projector."
BRANDON: "Guess that bubble people saw wasn't so special, after all."
Sarah looks at the screen, disappointed.
SARAH: "I guess not."
THE BIXBY HOUSE - 8:00 P.M.
In his large bedroom, David is seated at his desk at his Dell computer. E.S. sits on David's bed, thumbing through the first issue of the 9th Wonders! comic they got a few days ago.
E.S.: "And nobody saw the creeps responsible go in or out?"
DAVID: "Nope. Nobody saw Dr. Hartman get taken away and the security cameras were all shut off ten minutes before he was abducted."
E.S.: "Man, that sucks. How's Kristen taking this whole thing?"
DAVID: "Well, she sat here till six. Then she left to spend some time with her mom. After what happened to Kristen today, her mother's really freaked out."
E.S.: "Yeah, I'm not surprised. So, you really saw Noah Bennet down at your comic shop today?"
David looks away from the computer to E.S., suddenly excited and grinning from ear to ear.
DAVID: "Oh, yeah! I can't believe I forgot! What was I thinking, forgetting about that?"
E.S.: (sarcastically) "Yeah. You were being a caring and considerate boyfriend to your girl who was knocked out at her job. You're a real sleaze-ball."
David shakes his head.
DAVID: "Right, right. Still... I swear, E.S. It was totally him! He looked just like the illustrations in the 9th Wonders comics, down to the horn-rimmed glasses! He didn't stay in the store for very long, but it was definitely him! The lady looked a bit familiar, too, but I don't remember what I saw her from."
David hears a clicking sound on his computer. He notices a new message in his e-mail Inbox.
DAVID: "I've got the newsletter e-mail. It's superhero38's e-mail address!"
E.S. drops the comic onto the bed, rushes over to the desk and stands next to David. David clicks on the e-mail and it pops up onto the screen.
E.S.: "Which ones do you think are real?"
DAVID: "I'm not sure. You know superhero's spoilers. Nine are fake, nine are real."
E.S.: "Yeah. Too bad some of superhero's fake spoilers can actually be much cooler than the real ones."
David glances at the e-mail, stunned.
DAVID: "Well, there are definitely some good spoilers this time."
E.S. notices the list of 18 spoilers. Spoiler #1 catches his attention.
E.S.: (reads) "Peter Petrelli loses his powers and becomes an ordinary human, but will eventually regain his ability."
DAVID: "Saw it coming. Peter Petrelli's too popular to keep de-powered forever."
David eyes spoiler #3.
DAVID: "Here's a good one." (reads) "Micah Sanders and his cousin, Monica, will get more focus as two familiar faces make their unexpected return."
E.S. notices spoiler #5. He raises an eyebrow.
E.S.: (reads) "A major main character from 9th Wonders will be killed off...and remain dead."
David notices spoiler #6. He grimaces.
DAVID: (reads) "The Bennet family are stunned to discover that their beloved pet, Mr. Muggles, has a special ability of its own."
E.S.: "Oh, God, I hope that one's fake."
E.S. notices spoiler #8.
E.S.: (reads) "Nine new heroes will be introduced into continuity. Their names, their powers and their importance to the other heroes will be explored in issue #7."
David stares at spoiler #9.
DAVID: "E. ... Check out spoiler number nine."
E.S. notices spoiler #9. His smile fades and he stares in shock.
In the e-mail, spoiler #9 reads A NEW VILLAIN IS INTRODUCED - DR. DEREK HARTMAN, WHO IS MORE THAN WHAT HE SEEMS.
LIEBER PAPER FACTORY - SATURDAY, 9:00 A.M.
Noah, Benson and Hanson walk away from their parked cars and over to the front door.
NOAH: "Are you sure about this?"
BENSON: "We just got a call from Mr. Branson. He wants us to meet the others inside the factory."
HANSON: "I wish I knew what this big meeting was all about. We haven't gotten much answers around here lately."
Hanson turns the doorknob. She hears a click from behind the door. Noah's eyes go wide. There's a bomb taped to the door from within.
NOAH: "RUN!!"
Too late. The bomb explodes and the explosion heads right for Noah, Hanson and Benson. Noah blinks --
The explosion has disappeared. Noah is still standing in front of the paper factory with Benson and Hanson. But now, it has been completely destroyed and looks like it has been for some time. Noah, Benson and Hanson are unharmed. They look down at their bodies, and then at one another. Noah looks around. All of the cars that were once parked around the lot are now gone.
HANSON: "What happened? Where is everyone? Where did our cars go?"
BENSON: "The building's been destroyed. Who planted that bomb? How did we survive?"
Noah looks at the parking lot.
NOAH: "Him."
Hanson and Benson look at the masked man. He stands by Noah's car. A newspaper is stuck to the windshield wipers.
NOAH: "What happened?"
The masked man vanishes. Noah walks over and stands by his car.
MOHINDER (NARRATES): "E-mail. Phones. Memos. There are all kinds of different ways that we can get in touch with one another and communicate."
Noah picks up the paper from the windshield and looks at the front page.
Noah stares at the headline, stunned.
MOHINDER (NARRATES): "It can be direct contact, face to face with another person. It can be done digitally, with an instant message or an e-mail."
Hanson and Benson notice Noah is just staring at the paper.
BENSON: "What is it?"
Noah doesn't answer. He just stares.
MOHINDER (NARRATES): "No matter what method we choose to get in touch with one another, there are many ways that we make contact with friends or loved ones."
Hanson and Benson walk over and stand at Noah's sides. They look at the newspaper and are equally shocked.
MOHINDER (NARRATES): "Every one of us has something to say. We all have messages that we send to each other."
HANSON: "Tuesday... This is Tuesday's paper."
BENSON: "We just skipped three days into the future."
Noah looks up from the paper in realization.
NOAH: "The eclipse... It happens tonight."
