Page 1

                (SPLASH) EXT/TRAILER: WILL MACINTYRE, AGE EIGHT OR SO, SITS ALONE ON THE THREE WOODEN STEPS.

TITLE 1:                         BILLY MAC

CAPTION 1:                  Jimmy MacIntyre was never home.

CAPTION 2:                  He'd be gone sometimes for months. Your mom told you he was a merchant marine.

CAPTION 3:                  But I knew better.

CAPTION 4:                  You knew what your dad-- what our dads-- were really about.

CAPTION 5:                  And your life was screwed because of it.

CREDITS 6:                   <add in credits>

CREDITS 7:                   Triumph created by Mark Waid, Howard Porter, and Christopher Priest

 

 

Page 2

1              INT/TRAILER: LITTLE WILL SITS, HOLDING JIMMY'S DR. COBALT THUG COSTUME.

CAPTION 1:                  You'd found Jimmy's costume.

CAPTION 2:                  The one he wore when he was working for my dad.

 

2              MED C/U: LITTLE WILL. STOIC, EMOTIONLESS AS HE GAZES DOWN AT THE OFF-PANEL COSTUME.

CAPTION 3:                  The one that convinced you your dad was a criminal. A super-villain.

CAPTION 4:                  As a result of that understanding, you made a lot of changes in your young life.

 

3              DOWNSHOT: A PLAYGROUND: LOTS OF KIDS DOING KID SHIT, WILL OFF TO HIMSELF, STARING AT THE HAPPY, STUPID KIDS.

CAPTION 5:                  You played along with Mom, buying into the merchant marine story. Allowed her to think she'd protected you.

CAPTION 6:                  You kept to yourself. You suspected everyone.

 

4              C/U: KID WILL GLARING (STILL THE PLAYGROUND SCENE).

CAPTION 7:                  Protecting Mom was your number one priority.

CAPTION 8:                  You sacrificed your innocence to do it. No one must ever suspect your dad was a super-villain.

CAPTION 9:                  So no one got close.

 

 

5              INT/COURTROOM: THE GALLERY: WILL'S MOM CLUTCHES HER SON AS THEY LISTEN TO OFF-PANEL JUDGE. REX TYLER^[1] CONSPICUOUS IN THE ROW BEHIND THEM.

CAPTION 10:                You did your part. You helped out. And, for a long time, it worked. You and your mom were relatively safe and relatively happy.

CAPTION 11:                And then Hourman busted Jimmy and Dr. Cobalt.

 

 

Page 3

1              STAT FLASHBACK PANELS: ISSUE #1 PAGE 23:

                INT/COURTROOM: JIMMY, IN HANDCUFFS, WEARING PRISON JUMPSUIT, GLARES AT KID WILL WHO STANDS BEFORE HIM, EMOTIONLESS. A BAILIFF'S GOT JIMMY'S ARM. LEADING HIM AWAY.

CAPTION 1:                  It was Jimmy's third felony rap.

CAPTION 2:                  He was going away forever.

JIMMY 3:                       Don't ever be like me, Billy Mac.

 

2              MED C/U: KID WILL. STOIC. STARING OUT INTO SPACE.

JIMMY 4:                       (Off) Ever.

 

3              MEDIUM: MOM LEADS YOUNG WILL PAST REX TYLER.

CAPTION 5:                  That was the last time you saw your dad.

CAPTION 6:                  You didn't realize it then--

 

4              MED C/U: REX TYLER, WATCHING MOM AND WILL GO.

CAPTION 7:                  --but, apparently, Hourman was in court that day, in his secret identity.

CAPTION 8:                  For reasons you couldn't know until today, Hourman had taken a special interest in Jimmy MacIntyre's family.

 

5              INT/WILL'S BEDROOM. THIS IS A HOUSE, OR APARTMENT NOW, NOT THE TRAILER. THE ROOM IS BARELY FURNISHED, JUST A BED AND A NIGHT STAND. WILL'S CLOTHES ARE OVERFLOWING OUT OF BOXES.  WILL ASLEEP IN BED.

CAPTION 9:                  You see, Jimmy MacIntyre saved Hourman from one of Dr. Cobalt's deadly blasts.* I suppose Hourman felt like he owed Jimmy...

HOURMAN 10:            (Off) Billy... Billy Mac...

FOOTNOTE 11:            *issue #1 --Brian.

 

 

Page 4

1              OVER WILL'S SHOULDER: HOURMAN CROUCHES IN HIS BEDROOM WINDOW.

HOURMAN 1:              Learn from your father's mistakes, son. There's a right way and a wrong way to do things.

HOURMAN 2:              It's your choice.

 

2              MED C/U: KID WILL RUBS HIS EYES.

HOURMAN 3:              (Off) Life is what you make it.

CAPTION 4:                  The visit was less than thirty seconds--

 

3              SAME AS (2): HOURMAN IS GONE.

CAPTION 5:                  --but it changed your life forever. I mean, from that moment on you knew--

CAPTION 6:                  --you wanted nothing to do with Jimmy's way of life.

 

4              MEDIUM: KID WILL SITS ON THE EDGE OF HIS BED, HIS FATHER'S DR. COBALT COSTUME IN HIS HANDS.

CAPTION 7:                  you wanted to be the complete opposite.

 

5              C/U: KID WILL'S STOIC FACE.

CAPTION 8:                  If Jimmy was a villain--

 

6              ECU: KID WILL'S GLARING EYES. NOT ONE TRACE OF INNOCENCE.

CAPTION 9:                  --you would be a hero.

 

 

Page 5

1              MATCH SHOTS: ECU: TRIUMPH's EYES. JAMMED SHUT. SWEAT POURS OFF HIS BROW.

CAPTION 1:                  So here we are, Billy Mac. All those years later.

CAPTION 2:                  You and me.

 

2              PULL BACK: WE SEE MORE OF HIS FACE: HIS HAIR A TANGLED MESS, BROW KNIT.

CAPTION 3:                  My dad is dead, yours busted out of prison.

CAPTION 4:                  And you, looking to find him, have begun sniffing around in my backyard.

 

3              AND FARTHER BACK: HIS WHOLE HEAD NOW. NOW WE REALIZE HE'S SEATED IN A CHAIR.

CAPTION 5:                  Sending your little two-bit machine after me.

CAPTION 6:                  Trying to do me, like I was one of those pathetic marks you people go after.

 

4              AND FARTHER BACK: WE SEE MOST OF TRIUMPH NOW, STRAPPED IN HIS AIRLINE SEAT, FIRE EATING THROUGH HIS OUTER CLOTHES, REVEALING HIS UNIFORM BENEATH.

CAPTION 7:                  What is it you call yourself doing-- avenging victims of violent crime?

CAPTION 8:                  Well, Billy Mac, you're in over your head this time.

 

 

Page 6

                (SPLASH) A RECAP OF PAGE 22 OF LAST ISSUE: TRIUMPH, BELTED IN HIS CHAIR, AFLAME, THE FIRE BURNING OFF HIS CIVVIES, REVEALING HIS COSTUME BENEATH.

 

                WAY, WAY BELOW, THE CURVED HORIZON OF RURAL INDIANA. ABOVE: THE HORRIFIC, FLAMING CARCASS OF WHAT USED TO BE A 727. THE PLANE BREAKING UP AND PLUMMETING UNCONTROLLABLY.

CAPTION 1:                  Your friends are all dead.

CAPTION 2:                  And, as you now realize, I can get to you anytime I want.

CAPTION 3:                  Remember that.

CAPTION 4:                  You're not the only one who inherited super-powers, pal. The difference is, I will not hesitate to destroy anyone I have to.

CAPTION 5:                  Walk away, Billy Mac--

CAPTION 6:                  --while you still can.

 

 

Page 7

1              WIDE: IN CLOSE: TRIUMPH IN HIS SEAT ON THE STILL-INTACT PLANE, A TANGLE OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND A PASSENGER OR TWO TRYING TO HELP HIM.

 

                TRIUMPH IS GRIMACING, HIS HANDS STRUGGLING WITH HIS SEATBELT, SWEAT POURING OFF HIM. HE IS HALLUCINATING.

 

                THE SEAT NEXT TO TRIUMPH— THE ONE SKLAR WAS IN— IS EMPTY.

FLIGHT ATT 1:             Give him room--!

FLIGHT ATT 2:             He's not breathing--!

PASSENGER 3:             --some kind of seizure--

PASSENGER 4:             My God...

PASSENGER 5:             --wearing any kind of medical bracelet--?

WILMA PRIVATE 6:    Will!

 

2              MED C/U: TRIUMPH GRIMACING, EYES SNAPPED SHUT, FIGHTING IT. LOTS OF HANDS IN SHOT, PEOPLE CROWDING AROUND HIM.

VARIOUS 7:                  --a doctor on board--?!

                                        Alert the captain--

                                        --emergency landing somewhere--

WILMA PRIVATE 8:    Dammit, Will-- answer me!!

 

3              SAME: TRIUMPH's EYES SNAP OPEN.

TRIUMPH 9:                 (Burst) NOOOO!!!

 

4              NEW ANGLE: TRIUMPH FLATTENS HIMSELF AGAINST THE FUSELAGE, POINTS AT THE EMPTY SEAT NEXT TO HIM. EVERYONE REACTS TO THIS LUNATIC.

TRIUMPH 10:               (Burst) WHERE IS HE?!

FLIGHT ATT 11:           Wh--who--?

TRIUMPH 12:               (Burst) THE GUY!  THE GUY SITTING NEXT TO ME!!

 

5              MEDIUM: FRIGHTENED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TRY AND CALM TRIUMPH DOWN.

FLIGHT ATT 13:           Uh-- sir-- there wasn't anyone seated there.

TRIUMPH 14:               No-- no-- his name was Sklar--  he's the son of

                                        Dr. Cobalt--!

 

6              WIDE: TRIUMPH POV: PUZZLED, FRIGHTENED PEOPLE.

WILMA PRIVATE 15:  Will-- calm down. It's okay. I'm here.

 

 

 

Page 8

1              TRIUMPH RE-SEATS HIMSELF IN HIS CHAIR, SWEEPS HIS HAIR BACK WITH HIS HANDS.

WILMA PRIVATE 1:    Now... apologize to the nice people.

TRIUMPH 2:                 I'm... I'm sorry... it was just... that is...

WILMA PRIVATE 3:    A bad dream.

TRIUMPH 4:                 ... a bad dream.

 

2              MED: TRIUMPH TAKES A DRINK HANDED TO HIM BY A FLIGHT ATTENDANT.

WILMA PRIVATE 5:    I'll be okay now.

TRIUMPH 6:                 I'll be okay now.

WILMA PR 7:                Take a sip, and tell me what's going on.

TRIUMPH 8:                 Wilma... you wearing the suit?

 

3              INT/APT: WILMA's SUIT STILL STREWN OVER A SOFA. MOST OF WILMA's COMPUTER GEAR NOW PACKED IN ANVIL ROAD CASES,^[2]  WILMA's GOT HIS JACKET ON. WILMA'S TALKING INTO A FLAT, HAND-HELD DEVICE.

WILMA 9:                      You mean the energy-dampening Triumph 1000?

WILMA 10:                    C'mon, Will-- we've been through this.

TRIUMPH 11:               (Electric, tailless) Put it on, Wilma. Now. That's an order.

TRIUMPH 12:               (Same) And where's your gun?

 

4              NEW ANGLE: WILMA'S DRAPED THE SUIT OVER HIS SHOULDER (HE HAS NO INTENTION OF ACTUALLY PUTTING IT ON). A ROW OF WINDOWS IN SHOT, THROUGH WHICH WE SEE THE CITY (THESE WINDOWS WERE USED FOR SURVEILLANCE LAST ISH).

WILMA 13:                    Packed away-- who am I, Wyatt Earp, now?

WILMA 14:                    C'mon, Will, I've got to catch my plane if I'm going to make that meeting tonight--

TRIUMPH 15:               (Electric, tailless) There isn't going to be any damned meeting.

 

5              INT/PLANE: ANGLE ON A PAIR OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS LOOKING NERVOUSLY AT TRIUMPH WHO APPEARS TO BE TALKING TO HIMSELF.

WILMA PR. 16:             What are you talking about--?

TRIUMPH 17:               Fang and Father Rocko are dead.

WILMA PR 18:              What?!

 

6              MED C/U: WILMA IN F/G, HIS EYES NARROW WITH DISBELIEF, THE COSTUME SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER. BEHIND HIM, THROUGH THE GLASS, WE SEE A HELICOPTER, A GUNMAN AIMING A RIFLE AT WILMA.

TRIUMPH 19:               (Tailless, electric) Wilma--

 

7              ZOOM IN ON THE GUNMAN: YUP, IT'S SKLAR. THIS TIME IN BLACK COVERALLS, AIMING THE GUN POINT BLANK AT US.

TRIUMPH 20:               (Tailless, electric) --get your gun.

 

 

 

Page 9

1              WIDE: THE ROOM ERUPTS IN GUNFIRE AS WILMA TAKES A DIVE FOR IT.

SFX:                                RATATATATATATATATATATATATATTT!!!

WILMA 1:                      Geez--!!

 

2              FLOOR LEVEL: WILMA CRAWLING MARINE-STYLE TOWARDS THE BATHROOM.

WILMA 2:                      I always hated this part--!!

SFX:                                RATATATATATATATATATATATATATTT!!!

 

3              INT/BATHROOM: WILMA AWKWARDLY TUMBLES INTO THE BATHTUB AS THE SINK AND COMMODE BEGIN BREAKING APART FROM GUNFIRE. WILMA'S ALSO HASTILY GETTING INTO UNIFORM, HE'S PULLING IT ON OVER HIS CLOTHES.

TRIUMPH 3:                 (Tailless, electric) You still there, Wilma?

WILMA 4:                      So far.

WILMA 5:                      Guess we really hacked somebody off this time, huh?

SFX:                                RATATATATATATATATATATATATATTT!!!

 

4              INT/PLANE: TRIUMPH GESTURES TO A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WITH ONE HAND, HOLDS THE RECEIVER TO THE CELL PHONE MOUNTED IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM WITH THE OTHER.

TRIUMPH 6:                 Listen-- get out of there and take a different flight to Minneapolis.

TRIUMPH 7:                 And kill the comm system--

 

5              INT/BATHROOM: WILMA'S CAUTIOUSLY MAKING HIS WAY OUT OF THE BATHROOM, HIS COSTUME COMICALLY WRINKLED (IT'S ON OVER HIS STREET CLOTHES).

TRIUMPH 8:                 (Tailless, electric) --our security has been compromised.

WILMA 9:                      Oh-- no snot, Sherlock!

TRIUMPH 10:               (Tailless, electric) I'll meet you at our alternate location.

WILMA 11:                    (Thot) Our... what..?!

 

 

 

Page 10

1              NIGHT IN SUBURBIA: A BLACK MERCEDES TURNS INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF AN EXPENSIVE— BUT NOT OVERLY SO— HOME. SOFT FLOODS ILLUMINATE THE WALK. SKLAR IS DRIVING THE CAR, ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT IMPORTANT TO MAKE HIM OUT IN THIS SHOT.

 

2              MEDIUM: NOW OUTSIDE HIS CAR, TREVOR SKLAR PUSHES A BUTTON ON HIS KEY RING, ARMING HIS CAR ALARM.

SFX:                                CHIRP! CHIRP!

 

3              SAME, ONLY NOW THE BUSINESS END OF A .9mm IS SHOVED FLUSH AGAINST SKLAR's TEMPLE.

FATHER ROCKO 1:    (Off) Hey, Sklar... pretty flush for a cab driver.

SKLAR 2:                       Ah... excuse me...?

 

4              WIDEN: FATHER ROCKO, IN BATTLE SUIT (NO COAT OR ANYTHING) LOCKS AN IRON GRIP AROUND SKLAR's THROAT WHILE KEEPING THE GUN SHOVED AGAINST HIS HEAD.

FATHER ROCKO 3:    I'm Father Rocko. I work for somebody.

FATHER ROCKO 4:    Then again, you already know that.

SKLAR 5:                       >ghukkk--!<

 

5              INT/HOUSE: IT'S PITCH BLACK, LIGHT FLOODS IN THROUGH THE OPEN FRONT DOOR. SKLAR STEPS THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR, FATHER ROCKO RIGHT BEHIND. A FIGURE LURKS IN THE SHADOWS NEXT TO THE DOOR.

FATHER ROCKO 6:    What say we step inside for a chat.

 

6              WIDE: MED: FANG SNAPS HER PISTOL ON FATHER ROCKO, HER FREE HAND SNAPPING A LIGHT SWITCH ON.

FANG 7:                        Freeze.

 

 

 

Page 11

1              WIDE: THE ROOM: WILMA (IN BATTLE SUIT. IT FITS PERFECTLY NOW; HE'S TAKEN OFF THE CLOTHES UNDERNEATH) LUNGES OUT OF THE SHADOWS, HOLDING HIS GUN ON FANG, WHO HOLDS HER GUN ON FATHER ROCKO, WHO HOLDS HIS GUN ON SKLAR.

WILMA 1:                      Nobody move!!

 

2              SAME: THE THREE TEAMMATES LOOKING PUZZLED AT EACH OTHER.

FANG, ROCKO, WILMA 2:               (In unison) I thought you were dead--!

 

3              WIDE: MED C/U: FANG, FATHER ROCKO, AND WILMA HUG EACH OTHER. SKLAR STRUGGLES AT THE END FATHER ROCKO's ARM, ROCKO's HAND STILL LOCKED AROUND HIS NECK.

WILMA 3:                      Thank God.

FANG 4:                        I was... I thought...

ROCKO 5:                     --we was croaked. Well, sweet cheeks, I almost was--

 

4              ROCKO SLAMS SKLAR AGAINST A WALL, THE PLASTER CRACKING, A FRAMED PICTURE ON THE WALL KNOCKED SIDEWAYS.

SFX:                                WHAAAAMMM!!!

ROCKO 6:                     --this yo-yo tried to pop me--

 

5              FLASHBACK: STAT TRIUMPH #2 PAGE 14 PANEL 5

                WIDE: EXT/CAB: THE REAR WINDSHIELD VIOLENTLY BLOWS OUT AS GUNFIRE TEARS THROUGH THE BACK OF THE CAB. PAY THIS OFF BIG.

CABBIE 7:                      (From front seat of car) --not that it matters to you anymore.

SFX:                                BLAM! BLAMM! BLAAAMMM!!

 

 

Page 12

1              FLASHBACK: INT/CAB: FATHER ROCKO LIES ON THE BACK SEAT, COVERED IN SHATTERED GLASS, SNARLING, FIRING HIS PISTOL AT DRIVER (DRIVER O/P).

ROCKO 1:                     That's it, bub.

ROCKO 2:                     No tip for you.

SFX:                                BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!!

 

2              ROCKO'S POV: SKLAR (THE DRIVER, SEE ISH #2 FOR CLOTHING REF). SKLAR SMILES AS BULLETS PASS HARMLESSLY THROUGH HIM, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD, DASH, CHAIR, ETC.

CAPTION 3:                  "Sklar just laughed ... and blipped out--!"

CAPTION 4:                  "Wait, Father Rocko-- I had just spoken to you-- how could Sklar have attacked you in Kansas City--

 

3              THE ALLEY FROM LAST ISH (PAGE 15), SKLAR, DRESSED IN COVERALLS, IN A GREAT FEAT OF STRENGTH, LIFTS THE DUMPSTER BY ONE OF ITS CORNERS—

CAPTION 5:                  "--when he was trying to kill me in Indianapolis--?

 

4              —AND THROWS IT OFF-PANEL.

CAPTION 6:                  "I was locked inside a garbage dumpster. Sklar-- with inhuman strength-- tossed me out into the middle of rush hour traffic!"

 

5              MED C/U: FANG CROWDS INTO PANEL, JABBING A FINGER AT SKLAR, WHOM FATHER ROCKO IS STILL GRUFFLY PINNING TO THE WALL.

FANG 7:                        I would've been killed if not for the energy dampening Triumph built into these uniforms!

FANG 8:                        I oughtta give you a root canal-- no anesthesia!

SKLAR 9:                       Look-- I realize you're all very angry-- but--

 

6              MED C/U: SKLAR: PROUD, TRYING NOT TO LOOK INTIMIDATED.

SKLAR 10:                     --I've never seen any of you people before.

TRIUMPH 11:               (Off, burst) GET OUT!!

 

 

 

Page 13

1              (TOP 1/2) INT/HOUSE: TRIUMPH BURSTS THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL BAY WINDOWS AT US.

TRIUMPH 1:                 (Burst) EVERYBODY OUT--

TRIUMPH 2:                 (Burst) --NOW--!

 

2              EXT/HOUSE: HUGE EXPLOSION: THE HOUSE BLOWS ALL TO HELL.

SFX:                                VVVAAARRRROOOOOOOMMMM!!

 

3              REAR OF THE HOUSE: TRIUMPH ARCS GRACEFULLY THROUGH THE SMOKE AS WILMA, FANG, AND ROCKO RACE OUT OF THE BURNING BUILDING. ROCKO HAS SKLAR SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDERS.

TRIUMPH 3:                 Everybody make it?

WILMA 4:                      Yeah. I think Sklar's way out of it.

TRIUMPH 5:                 Forget him. He's nobody.

FANG 6:                        Maybe to you, flyboy-- this guy tried to--

TRIUMPH 7:                 Y'know, Fang, I've about had it with you--

 

 

Page 14

1              WIDE: TRIUMPH HOVERS JUST ABOVE FANG, WHOSE LITHE BODY IS COILED, FISTS CLENCHED, CHALLENGING TRIUMPH. WILMA SCREAMS AT THEM BOTH, ROCKO, SKLAR OVER HIS SHOULDERS, KEEPS MOVING.

TRIUMPH 1:                 --will you please grow up.

FANG 2:                        Or what? I'm out-- like Eddie X--?

FANG 3:                        You gonna keep firing people 'til it's just Wilma--? Or just you--?!

TRIUMPH 4:                 I expect you to park your bull at the door, Fang.

TRIUMPH 5:                 It's put up or shut up time.

WILMA 6:                      We shouldn't be standing here.

WILMA 7:                      Either the good guys or the bad guys are certain to find us!

ROCKO 8:                     Hey Fang-- where'd you stash the RotoJet--?

 

2              (2/3 PAGE) TRIUMPH IN FLIGHT, ROCKETING TOWARDS US OVER THE NIGHT INDIANAPOLIS SKY, THE ROTOJET DRAMATICALLY FILLING THE PANEL BEHIND HIM. INSIDE THE ROTOJET (AND, I REALIZE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE EVERYBODY) IS FANG (PILOTING), WILMA, AND ROCKO. SKLAR IS NOT INSIDE THE JET.

WILMA CAP 9:            You got a copy, Triumph?

TRIUMPH 10:               Got you, Wilma. This is the new frequency?

WILMA CAP 11:          Roger. It should take Sklar some time to de-scramble this.

 

TRIUMPH 12:               Sklar had nothing to do with this... although someone wanted us to think he did.

BURST 13:                      What are you talking about--?

TRIUMPH 14:               Think about it, Fang--

TRIUMPH 15:               --Trevor Sklar is the son of Dr. Cobalt-- Jimmy MacIntyre's last employer before he got sent up the river. We were looking for MacIntyre, the escaped con. Checking Sklar out was just routine.

TRIUMPH 16:               Had Sklar done nothing, we would've blown him off-- run in circles before we connected Sklar with MacIntyre.

TRIUMPH 17:               Why attack us? And why show his face?

TRIUMPH 18:               Somebody wanted us to think Sklar was involved. Somebody wanted us to pound Sklar into a bloody red pulp--

BURST 19:                      --and to lure us into Sklar's house so he could nail us all!

 

 

 

Page 15

1              TRIUMPH FLYING, DETERMINED.

TRIUMPH 1:                 No, Fang. This is just a game. If whoever's behind this wanted us dead, we'd all be dead by now.

TRIUMPH 2:                 No, this guy wants to tick us off. Wants us mad enough to come after him.

BURST 3 :                       You're losing me.

 

2              MCU: WILMA AND FANG, WILMA'S HAND ON FANG'S SHOULDER.

WILMA 4:                      No-- I get it. We're looking for Jimmy MacIntyre-- Dr. Cobalt's wheel man.

WILMA 5:                      Whoever's behind this had some connection to MacIntyre-- or Cobalt-- or both.

TRIUMPH 6:                 (Electric, tailless) You're getting warm, Wilma.

 

3              MCU: TRIUMPH, LIT BY THE GLARE OF THE ROTOJET's LIGHTS.

TRIUMPH 7:                 "Sklar" visited me on my flight from Minnesota. He told me he'd tapped into our comm system. That's how he knew everything about us.*

TRIUMPH 8:                 (Off) He also said something really interesting-- "Since my dad's death, everything which was his is now rightfully mine."

TRIUMPH 9:                 (Off) I didn't get that at first.

FOOTNOTE 10:            *last ish —Brian.

 

4              WIDE: TRIUMPH AND THE ROTOJET SCREAM ACROSS NIGHTTIME INDIANAPOLIS, ZOOMING LEFT TO RIGHT ACROSS PANEL.

TRIUMPH 11:               I mean, Dr. Cobalt was his dad. He already owned all of his father's stuff, right?

TRIUMPH 12:               Why claim something he already had?

TRIUMPH 13:               So, I did some quick checking.

TRIUMPH 14:               I wanted to see if Sklar had been sued-- if there'd been any claims against his father's will--

 

5              MEDIUM: ROCKO SIPS COFFEE. WILMA AND FANG (IF THEY FIT) SOMEWHERE IN B/G.

ROCKO 15:                   Cobalt had another kid.

TRIUMPH 16:               (Tailless, electric) Father Rocko--?

ROCKO 17:                   Sammy gave it up in Statesville.

TRIUMPH 18:               (Same) Christ--!

ROCKO 19:                   Hey-- watch that crap.

TRIUMPH 20:               (Same) --Father Rocko-- why didn't you tell me?

 

 

Page 16

1              TRIUMPH FLIES DRAMATICALLY TOWARDS US, ROTOJET CROPPED OFF AT ONE SIDE.

FATHER ROCKO 1:    (Tailless, electric)  I did. It's in my report.

FATHER ROCKO 2:    (Same, connect to #11) You guys do read my reports, right?

TRIUMPH 3:                 Stanley Cobalt challenged Sklar's father's will three times, claiming to be the "unacknowledged child" of Onassis Sklar-- Dr. Cobalt's real name-- and May Westin, an acquaintance of Cobalt's.

 

2              LONG SHOT: TRIUMPH AND THE CHOPPER WAY IN THE DISTANCE, FLYING AWAY FROM US, THEIR JET WASH ZIPPING ACROSS OUR CAMERA. THEY'RE LEAVING THE CITY, NOW FLYING OUT OVER THE INDIANA HILLS.

WILMA CAP 4:            And you think Stanley is orchestrating-- what?

TRIUMPH 5:                 He wants me.

TRIUMPH 6:                 This nutcase-- who legally changed his name to "Cobalt"-- is on some kind of weird entitlement trip.

 

3              (BIG PANEL) A HILL IN THE COUNTRY: UP ANGLE: THE ROTOJET LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, ITS LANDING LIGHTS ON AS IT SLOWLY DESCENDS. TRIUMPH MAJESTICALLY LANDS IN SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE ROTOJET.

TRIUMPH 7:                 Apparently MacIntyre and Dr. Cobalt stashed something of value all those years ago. Stanley busted MacIntyre out of jail to help him find it.

TRIUMPH 1:                 And, now that I've become involved, Stanley's got an even better idea.

BURST 9:                        Wait... wait... my head is spinning. Triumph--

 

4              WIDE: FANG SAUNTERS OUT OF THE ROTOJET TOWARDS TRIUMPH, WHO STANDS A FEW YARDS AWAY ON A CLASSIC KNOLL. THE WIND'S WHIPPING THEIR HAIR AROUND. THE SCENE IS LIT BY MOONLIGHT AND THE ROTOJET's LANDING LIGHTS.

FANG 10:                      --you're just not making any sense.

FANG 11:                      Why should this guy care about you one way or

                                        another--?

TRIUMPH 12:               It's personal, Fang.

 

 

 

 

Page 17

1              MED: FANG ARGUES WITH TRIUMPH, TRIUMPH TRIES KEEPING HIS COOL.

FANG 1:                        Oh, yeah. That'll work.

FANG 2:                        Some creep is playing deadly mind games, and you decide to dummy up on us. Well, no sale, mister.

FANG 3:                        We risk our lives for you, Triumph. We deserve to know.

TRIUMPH 4:                 All right then--

 

2              OVER TRIUMPH's SHOULDER: FANG. LOOKING OFF INTO THE DISTANCE, POUTING.

TRIUMPH 5:                 --what's your name?

FANG 6:                        That has nothing to do with--

TRIUMPH 7:                 It has everything to do with it, Fang.

 

3              WIDE: THE KNOLL: TRIUMPH AND FANG, FANG'S ARMS FOLDED ACROSS HER CHEST, REACTING TO THE NIGHT CHILL. WILMA AND ROCKO (ROCKO'S GOT HIS COFFEE) APPROACH.

TRIUMPH 8:                 When I bought your investigation company, we made a deal. I provided finance and technology--

TRIUMPH 9:                 --and we all agreed to respect each other's privacy.

TRIUMPH 10:               This MacIntyre case-- hits too close to home. I thought we could nab this guy and get out before it got too personal. I was wrong.

 

4              CLASSIC SUPERMAN SHOT: TRIUMPH ABOUT TO TAKE OFF. THE THREE BEHIND HIM, WATCHING HIM GO.

TRIUMPH 11:               Sticking your necks out for my personal baggage was never part of our deal.

TRIUMPH 12:               To go forward would place you all at great risk.

TRIUMPH 13:               I've got to handle it from here... alone.

 

5              WIDE: THE THREE BOZOS, FANG IMPLORING.

FANG 14:                      Y'know, Triumph-- seems what you're saying is you couldn't ask your employees to work overtime on your personal business.

FANG 15:                      Maybe that's the problem.

WILMA 16:                    Yeah, boss. We kid around-- crack wise-- but that professional distance is always there.

ROCKO 17:                   Maybe it's time we closed the gap. Be more than just partners--

 

 

Page 18

1              C/U TRIUMPH, FACING AWAY FROM THEM: HE'S GRIMACING, EYES SHUT.

ROCKO 1:                     (Off) --maybe we try and be friends.

TRIUMPH 2:                 (Thot) Friends?

TRIUMPH 3:                 (Thot) Never really had a friend before... not really...

TRIUMPH 4:                 (Thot) ...no damned good at it...

 

3              PULL BACK: TRIUMPH PREPARES TO LEAP SKYWARD.

TRIUMPH 5:                 Not a good idea.

TRIUMPH 6:                 Look-- I've gotta go--

FANG 7:                        (Off) Meredith.

 

4              MCU: FANG: VULNERABLE, FOR THE FIRST TIME; REACHING OUT.

FANG 8:                        My name is Meredith.

 

5              MCU: TRIUMPH: LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER. GRIM. THINKING IT OVER.

 

6              STAT.

 

 

Page 19

1              WIDE: THE KNOLL. TRIUMPH APPROACHES FANG. WILMA AND ROCKO A FEW FEET BEHIND FANG. WIND WHIPPING THEIR HAIR.

 

2              MED C/U: STOIC TRIUMPH FACES FANG, A FINGER OF HIS GLOVED HAND CATCHES A TEAR FROM HER EYE. FANG SMILING AS HER HEART MELTS.

TRIUMPH 1:                 My name is Will.

TRIUMPH 2:                 Will MacIntyre.

FANG 3:                        Hi Will.

FANG 4:                        Nice to meet you.

 

3              MED C/U: WILMA AND ROCKO: WILMA'S SMILING, ROCKO SALUTES US WITH HIS CUP OF COFFEE.

WILMA 5:                      Lester Holmes.

ROCKO 6:                     Reverend Douglas Haeffner.

 

4              MED C/U: GRIM TRIUMPH.

TRIUMPH 7:                 Jimmy MacIntyre-- the man we're looking for--

TRIUMPH 8:                 --is my dad.

 

5              THE THREE SPEAR CARRIERS: NOT QUITE SHOCKED, BUT CLEARLY DRINKING IN WHAT TRIUMPH HAS TO SAY.

TRIUMPH 9:                 (Off) There's a man out there who knows everything about me-- more than I know about myself.

TRIUMPH 10:               (Off) He can strike without warning, and will kill without a second thought.

TRIUMPH 11:               (Off) You all should really think before you get involved with this.

FANG 12:                      Will--

 

6              2-SHOT: FANG AND TRIUMPH. FANG'S GOT TRIUMPH'S HAND, REASSURING HIM.

FANG 13:                      --we're already involved.

FANG 14:                      If you want to protect us-- maybe you should let us in--

FANG 15:                      --even just a little--

 

 

Page 20

1              WIDE: IN CLOSE: TEENAGE WILL, IN TANK TOP, AT BENCH PRESS, PRESSING LIKE 300 POUNDS. WILL'S GOT MUCHO MUSCLES NOW, AND LONG, MIGHTY THOR HAIR.

CAPTION 1:                  I started training for this gig when I was eight years old.

CAPTION 2:                  By seventeen I had a bodybuilder's physique.

CAPTION 3:                  I was totally focused.

 

2              THE COLLEGE LAWN: WE SEE GROUPS OF KIDS WALKING OR LYING ON THE GRASS OR WHATEVER. WILL WALKS ALONE. MIGHTY THOR HAIR.

CAPTION 4:                  I studied the sciences, martial arts, criminology--

CAPTION 5:                  --took every course I could cram in.

CAPTION 6:                  I isolated myself... skipped the social scene...

 

3              THE WOODS: WILL, IN COLLEGE SWEATSHIRT AND MIGHTY THOR HAIR, HOVERS SOME TWENTY FEET OFF THE GROUND.

CAPTION 7:                  Then, one day-- I had super-powers.

CAPTION 8:                  At first, I was naive enough to believe my powers appeared simply because I wanted them so badly.

CAPTION 9:                  I now realize the powers had been slowly asserting themselves for years.

 

4              MED C/U: LONG-HAIRED WILL: HE'S SPOTTED SOMETHING IN THE DISTANCE.

CAPTION 10:                I had the training. I had the power. I had the calling.

 

5              LONG SHOT: TINY WILL ZOOMS AWAY FROM US, HIS BACKWASH ARCING BEFORE THE CAMERA.

CAPTION 11:                I needed something to get me off the dime.

CAPTION 12:                Something... to provide focus.

 

6              A SECLUDED HILLSIDE: A POOL OF MOLTEN ENERGY (IMPORTANT! SEE JLA #92 FOR REF!) EMBEDDED IN THE HILL. WILL LANDS IN B/G.

CAPTION 13:                I found it in the woods of upstate New York.

 

 

Page 21

1              POSTER SHOT: TRIUMPH, IN FULL COSTUME AND HIS NORMAL HAIR, ZOOMS OUT OF THE SKY, FLANKED BY SUPERMAN, MARTIAN MANHUNTER, GREEN LANTERN. THE FLASH, BLACK CANARY, AND AQUAMAN (ALL OF WHOM WEAR THEIR ORIGINAL, CLASSIC UNIFORMS) RUN ALONG BENEATH THE FLYING HEROES (FLASH PULLING WAY OUT FRONT, OF COURSE).

CAPTION 1:                  I'd stumbled onto a world threat, which required an organized, decisive response.*

CAPTION 2:                  Since I'd discovered it, it was my responsibility to spearhead Earth's response.

CAPTION 3:                  I gathered together-- for the first time ever-- the world's greatest heroes.

FOOTNOTE 4:              *see JLA #92 for details --Brian

 

2              SWIPE JLA #92 PAGE 20: TRIUMPH, OVERLOADED WITH ENERGY, CHANNELS THE POWER AT THE OFF-PANEL GOOFY ALIENS.

CAPTION 5:                  Then, I blew it.

CAPTION 6:                  Destroyed a time/space drive, causing a rip to open in the time stream.

CAPTION 7:                  For nearly a decade I was trapped out of phase with the time stream-- watching life pass me by--

 

 

Page 22

1              MEDIUM: ANGRY TRIUMPH LOOKS DOWN AT HIS BALLED FIST.

TRIUMPH 1:                 --and now that I'm back-- almost a decade out of step with everything--

TRIUMPH 2:                 --seems like I just gum up one thing after another.

TRIUMPH 3:                 I'm taking this guy on.

TRIUMPH 4:                 Going after my dad.

 

2              FANG, WILMA, ROCKO: SOBERED.

TRIUMPH 5:                 (Off) I don't advise you guys coming along.

FANG 6:                        Sorry, Will--

 

3              DOWN ANGLE: THE KNOLL: WILMA, FANG, ROCKO IN GROUP HUG WITH TRIUMPH.

ROCKO 7:                     --you're stuck with us.

 

4              PULL WAY, WAY BACK: THE GROUP HUG.

WILMA 8:                      --you're not alone anymore.

NEXT ISH BLURB 9:    NEXT: THE DEATH AND LIFE OF DR. COBALT.

 

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