Act 2, Scene 19

Aunt May's house, later that morning. She sits opposite a police officer while he takes notes. Her eyes are red-rimmed and she looks haggard.

POLICE OFFICER: Anywhere else you can think of, ma'am?

AUNT MAY: (shakily)No...

POLICE OFFICER: Ma'am, it's been less than 24 hours. Being honest with ya, if it weren't for the fact that a news photographer might have been tempted to get a little too close to the crash last night, we probably wouldn't be pushing ahead with an investigation at this stage. I think there's a very good chance of your nephew turning up unharmed.

We leave the living room through the front window and travel upward to the roof. Spiderman lands softly and, checking to make sure the other officer in the squad car saw and heard nothing of his arrival (he didn't) he web-swings into his old room on the first floor, landing on the carpet.

We see Peter cocking his head to the side. The conversation carries up to him from downstairs, clear as a bell.

AUNT MAY (V/O): Can you try by the river please...close to where Spiderman fell?

POLICE OFFICER (V/O): If you don't mind me saying ma'am, what makes you ask that?

AUNT MAY (V/O): He...he took pictures of Spiderman. And with the bomb that awful Goblin let off...Peter might have been-

She trails off. Peter looks upset. He looks about the room and lifts up a few objects.

PETER: Clothes, Auntie...where'd you put my clothes...

He passes a mirror and starts in surprise. Apart from his Spiderman mask, he is now sporting casual Peter Parker attire from head to toe, including shoes! He looks himself up and down.

PETER: What the hell is going on...

He pats the mask and, right on cue, it simply fades from existence, draining down into his neck and being re-absorbed into his T-shirt and jeans.

POLICE OFFICER (V/O): We'll be in touch, ma'am. Take care.

The front door slams. Peter walks to the window and waits until the squad car pulls away before he makes as if to go downstairs...then thinks better of it.

We cut to the front door. It rings. We follow Aunt May as she goes to open it, and it's on her we stay as she registers who stands there. The change in her expression, from one of despondency and despair to one full of joy and happiness, is wonderful to watch.

AUNT MAY: Peter...

We see Peter, with an equally broad and genuine smile.

PETER: Hey, Auntie.

And before he can say anything more, a wrinkled old hand shoots out and clips him around the ear.

PETER: Ow!

AUNT MAY: Shame on you, young man! Shame on you for scaring me like that! Get in here right now!

Pouting a little, Peter trudges in, rubbing his head. As soon as he's within the house he's enveloped in a huge hug.

AUNT MAY: I thought I'd lost you.

PETER: I'm so sorry, Aunt May.

They separate.

PETER: I need you to do something for me.

AUNT MAY: Anything.

PETER: I need you to visit Aunt Nellie.

AUNT MAY: Nellie? She's in Atlanta! And she and I-

PETER: I know. But now would be a really good time to go make up with her. I want you out of New York. Just for a while, Aunt May.

AUNT MAY: Whatever for?

PETER: The Goblin...he attacked you three years ago, and now he's back...I'd feel a lot better if you were out of the city until he's stopped.

AUNT MAY: All right.

PETER: Please Aunt May, this is really im...did you just say all right?

AUNT MAY: I'm sure you're just fussing over nothing, Peter. But if it puts your mind at ease, then I'll go. That worthless excuse of a husband of hers had just better have improved his habits since last time.

PETER: I love you, Aunt May.

AUNT MAY: I love you too, Peter Parker. Now are you going to help me pack?

PETER: I'd love to, Auntie...but there's someone else I have to see.