PREVIOUSLY...

Having abdicated his throne and vanished, The Black Panther was missing and presumed dead until a routine accounting session between a New York drug ring and corrupt police officers was raided by an apparently new Black Panther. Kevin “Kasper” Cole, son of hero cop “Black” Jack Cole, “borrowed” the Panther costume from Sgt. Tork— Kasper’s boss and Panther’s former ally. He only needed it for three days. However, “borrowing” the identity of the long-missing King of Wakanda attracted the attention of HUNTER, THE WHITE WOLF. Hunter offered Kasper his advice and counsel in Kasper’s journey to enlightenment as Black Panther, help Kasper firmly rejected, as Kasper saw his “Black Panther” career lasting only as long as his suspension from the police force. However, the White Wolf intends to help Kasper whether Kasper likes it or not.

 

BLACK PANTHER

Kevin “Kasper” Cole, son of hero cop “Black” Jack Cole, was an ambitious young narcotics officer who’d been suspended from the force following a disastrous unauthorized drug bust. Kasper “borrowed” one of The Black Panther’s old costumes from Sgt. Tork— Kasper’s boss and Panther’s former ally. He only needed it for three days.

 

SGT. TORK

Tork is a field supervisor with the Organized Crime Control Bureau, Narcotics Division of the NYPD, assigned to the 74th Precinct in the New Lots section of Brooklyn. A long-time ally of the original Black Panther, Tork is Kasper’s supervisor and friend.

 

HUNTER: THE WHITE WOLF

Hunter is Chieftain of the outlawed Hatut Zeraze tribe (“Dogs of War”), the Wakandan Secret Police, and T’Challa’s adopted brother. Disbanded by King T’Challa shortly after his father’s death, Hunter and his operatives continued to operate globally as freelance intelligence agents.

 

LT. SALVADORE VERASCE ANTHONY

is a shift commander for the Patrol Services Bureau (the uniformed force) of the 74th Precinct. Sal is secretly a contract agent of the 66 Bridges Gang. Sal has a small inner circle of corrupt officers, DETECTIVE BERNIE SCRUGGS chief among them.

 

66 BRIDGES GANG

Founded in the late 1970's, 66 Bridges (also called "Bridges") quickly became the largest street gang on the East Coast. Within the past decade, under the leadership of Kibuka, the mysterious Chairman, The Six has become a virtual secret society with active chapters in 40 cities. The organization primarily deals in wholesale narcotics traffic, extortion and bootlegging operations. The Six maintains its leadership position within the ranks of organized crime by ruthlessly dealing with its enemies while also actively pursuing a high profile of social activism and philanthropy, as well as participating in mutual interest black ops with U.S. Intelligence agencies.

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

RIP = reprimand, anything from Warned & Admonished to Vacation Day Loss to Suspension

Bag = police uniform

House = police precinct

Lew = Lieutenant = Sal Anthony

61's = P61's = arrest report

Grade Bump = promotion

Dick = detective

10-63 = Out of service - meal.

Freelancing = investigating on their own time

Hype = hypodermic = drug user

Gold shield = promotion to detective

Ingram Flak = Automatic weapons fire, likely from an Ingram Mac-10 machine pistol or a Tech-9.

10-13 = Officer in danger

Glass = smokeable crystal methamphetamine

Big Chief = Mescaline, a hallucinatory crystalline alkaloid

I.C.U. = Intensive Care Unit

GSM = Global System for Mobile communications, a global standard for wireless phones. In the U.S. more people use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) phones.

GPS = Global Positioning Satellite, a satellite-controlled tracking device.

VIN = Vehicle Identification Number

Page 2

                CHAPTER HEADING

    1  TITLE:        Rats

 

                FOUR PANELS ACROSS THE TOP:

 

1              ECU: KASPER’s EYES: JAMMED SHUT. TENSION.

    2  CAPTION:      [Ital.] “Two days from now you go see Lew. Apologize. Do what he say.[1]

    3  CAPTION:      “Then decide what kind of cop you be--

 

2              STAT.

    4  CAPTION:      “--in Lew’s pocket-- or in I.A.B.’s.”

 

3              STAT.

    5  CAPTION:      315 Hudson Street.

    6  CAPTION:      Most cops won’t even walk down this block.

 

4              SAME: ONLY NOW KASPER’s EYES OPEN: PREDATOR’S GLARE

    7  SFX:          PiIiINNGG!

 

5              WHAT HE SEES: THE OPEN ELEVATOR DOORS: BEYOND: A HALL. LARGE  NYPD SHIELD INSIGNIA ON THE WALL.

    8  SIGN:         (Beneath Shield) INTERNAL AFFAIRS BUREAU

(More)

6              REVERSE ANGLE: KASPER STILL IN THE ELEVATOR. HE’S NOT GETTING OUT. THE DOORS ARE CLOSING (SPEED LINES ON THE DOORS OR SOME OTHER SUCH INDICATION THAT THE DOORS ARE CLOSING.

— no copy —

 

7              CUT TO: CITY STREETS: DOWN ANGLE: KASPER WALKING. KASPER DRESSED IN TYPICAL EXPENSIVE URBAN WEAR, LOOKS LIKE A THUG/DRUG DEALER.

    9  CAPTION:      Well, Pop, I tried.

 

8              IN CLOSE ON KASPER AS HE WALKS: GLARING. ANGRY.

   10  CAPTION:      Sal Anthony runs the 74th precinct. He’s also a crook who almost got my crew killed.

   11  CAPTION:      I rat out a cop, then I’m a rat.

   12  CAPTION:      There’s only one place on this job for rats-- the Rat Squad-- Internal Affairs.

   13  CAPTION:      Then, you’re marked for life.

Page 3

                CHAPTER HEADING

    1  TITLE:        Mutts

 

1              WIDE ACROSS: IN CLOSE: THE FRONT END OF PANTHER’s 1996 LEXUS GS 400, CLOSE ENOUGH THAT WE SEE MOSTLY THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT, PART OF THE GRILLE AND PART OF THE LICENSE PLATE, AND THE PASSENGER-SIDE TIRE, TURNED INWARD SO WE SEE THE GLEAMING, PRISTINE GIOVANNA ANZIO RIMS.

 

                THE LICENSE PLATE IS A NEW YORK PLATE, YOU CAN INVENT THE PLATE NUMBER. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME PLATE NUMBER FROM LAST ISSUE, BUT SOME GENERIC NEW YORK LICENSE PLATE KASPER PUT ON THE CAR. I WILL SEND REF ON NY LICENSE PLATES.

 

                JORGE POSITION THE CAR SO THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE BUMPER IS, MORE OR LESS, FACING US: IN OTHER WORDS, THE CAR IS AT A ANGLE TO OUR POINT OF VIEW.

 

                THE CAR IS PARKED (IT IS NOT MOVING).

 

                COLOR: THIS ENTIRE STORY TAKES PLACE AT NIGHT.

    2  CAPTION:      I am, thus, forced to pursue alternate measures.

    3  [2]PLATE:       559-ZIH

                                                NEW YORK

 

2              ANGLE ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE WINDOW: THE GLASS ROLLED DOWN: SITTING IN THE CAR, IN AN ARROGANT SLOUCH, ONE HAND CASUALLY ON THE WHEEL: THE NEW BLACK PANTHER. HIS HEAD TURNED, HE GLARES AT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THROUGH THE WINDOW.

— no copy —

(More)

3              WHAT HE’S LOOKING AT: A WHITE MAN, 50-ISH, ATHLETIC, IN A TRENCH COAT OVER A SWEATSHIRT AND JEANS, BASKETBALL SHOES. THE MAN IS WALKING HIS DOG, AN UGLY, SMALL DOG THAT ONLY WOMEN LIKE. THE DOG HAS RUN AROUND THE MAN, WINDING HIS LEASH AROUND THE MAN’s BODY. THE MAN LOOKS ANNOYED AND IS YELLING AT THE DOG, TRYING TO GET THE DOG TO OBEY. THE DOG, OF COURSE, IGNORES THIS MAN.

 

                WE ARE IN SHEEPSHEAD BAY, BROOKLYN, A SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD: ROLLING LAWNS, NICE HOUSES. RICH WHITE PEOPLE LIVE HERE. THE ARCHITECTURE IS STILL BROWNSTONES, BUT THEY ARE NOT TENEMENTS, MORE LIKE 2 OR 3-STORY HOMES, IMPOSING IN STATURE, WITH WELL-ATTENDED LAWNS AND TREES LINING THE STREETS. I WILL DIG UP SOME REFERENCE ON SHEEPSHEAD BAY FOR YOU.

    4  CAPTION:      What a good cop does...

    5  CAPTION:      Hiya Sal...

    6  SAL:          ...c’mon, Margie...

    7  SAL:          ...don’t start this nonsense tonight...

    8  SAL:          ...Margie...

 

4              IN CLOSER ON PANTHER AS HE GLOWERS.

    9  SAL:          (Off) ...Margie--!

 

5              IN CLOSER ON THE WHITE MAN AS HE ARGUES WITH HIS DOG. THE MAN APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY AVERAGE, FAIRLY FRIENDLY MAN. THERE IS NOTHING SUSPICIOUS ABOUT HIM AT ALL.

   10  SAL:          ...bad dog...

Page 4

                FLASHBACK SEQUENCE: ROUNDED PANEL BORDERS, MUTED OR SEPIA TONES:

 

1              DETAIL: SAL’ NAMEPLATE (SEE FOLLOWING).

    1  [3]NAMEPLATE:   SAL

    2  VOICE:        (Off) God, what mutts these dirtbags are--

 

2              SIMILAR SHOT TO LAST PANEL ON PREVIOUS PAGE: THIS WHITE MAN FROM PREVIOUS PAGE: HE IS A POLICE LIEUTENANT, LOOKING THROUGH SOME PAPERS (NOT ARGUING WITH HIS DOG). A PLEASANT ENOUGH WORK-A-DAY GUY.

 

                JORGE: POLICE LIEUTENANTS WEAR WHITE POLICE UNIFORM SHIRTS AND TIES (THESE RANKING OFFICERS ALWAYS WEAR TIES). NO JACKET, AND NO HAT (HE IS INDOORS AT THE POLICE STATION). A SINGLE SILVER BAR ON EACH COLLAR, INDICATING HIS LIEUTENANT’S RANK. GOLD LIEUTENANT’S BADGE (SEE REF) MOUNTED ON A BADGE RACK (SEE REF) WITH AWARD BARS AND NAMEPLATE.

 

                THIS GUY’s NAME PLATE READS “SAL.”

 

                HIS SHIRT CUFFS ARE UNBUTTONED, AND THE SLEEVES ARE ROLLED UP IN A CASUAL MANNER (SEE REF ON SAL ANTHONY). HE IS A VERY CONGENIAL AND VERY DISARMING GUY, A GUY YOU INSTANTLY LIKE.

    3  VOICE:        (Off) --makes a fella yearn for those halcyon days of yesteryear--

    4  VOICE:        (Attach)  --when the only thing a good cop needed was a phone book and a radiator hose--

 

3              NEW ANGLE: INTERIOR/POLICE STATION: SGT. TORK EXITS, HEADING FOR THE BATHROOM WHILE KASPER WRITES ON SOME PAPERWORK. BOTH MEN DRESSED AS TYPICAL: TORK IN OLD JEANS AND LEATHER JACKET, KASPER IN STYLISH STREET CLOTHES.

 

                BOTH TORK AND KASPER WEAR THEIR BADGES ON A CHAIN AROUND THEIR NECK. KASPER IS A STANDARD-ISSUE PATROLMAN’s BADE, TORK’s IS A SERGEANT’S GOLD SHIELD.

 

                THEY ARE AT THE FRONT DESK, A COUNTER SET HIGH OFF THE FLOOR SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP AT THE MEN BEHIND THE DESK. BEHIND THIS DESK ARE AT LEAST ONE UNIFORMED POLICE SERGEANT (THREE SERGEANT’s STRIPES ON HIS SLEEVE, THE SAME BADGE TORK WEARS ON A RACK WITH AWARD BARS AND NAME PLATE).

 

                ALSO BEHIND THIS DESK, FLIPPING THROUGH PAPERWORK: SAL ANTHONY. SAL IS THE LIEUTENANT FROM PREVIOUS PANEL, AND IS THE MAN WALKING HIS DOG ON PAGE 1.

 

                SAL SMILING, AMUSED.

    5  TORK:         --but, [Ital.] neeewww-- now every mutt’s got Johnnie Cochran on speed dial.

    6  TORK:         The smoker’s out before I finish my 61’s.[4]

    7  TORK:         I’ma drain the weasel, Kasper-- you gas up the batmobile.

    8  [5]KASPER:      Sarge.

 

4              ON KASPER, DOING PAPERWORK: SAL (OFF-PANEL) HAS GOT HIS ATTENTION, NOW: KASPER CAUTIOUSLY LOOKING UP AT THE O FF-PANEL SAL. KASPER IS NOT AFRAID OF THIS MAN, JUST WONDERING WHY THE HELL HE’S TALKING TO HIM.

    9  SAL:          (Off) Lampkin tends to get chatty over his ribeye, Kasper.

   10  SAL:          (Attach) Might be a grade bump in your future.[6]

   11  KASPER:       ---

   12  KASPER:       --sir--?

 

5              THE DESK:  SAL HANDING KASPER A SLIP OF PAPER WITH AN ADDRESS ON IT, SMILING. KASPER DOES NOT TAKE THE PAPER, BUT LOOKS AT IT, PUZZLED BY THE GESTURE.

   13  CAPTION:      Why are you talking to me?

   14  CAPTION:      Why would you ever talk to me?

   15  SAL:          You’ll make a fine dick, Kasper. A good cop.[7]

   16  SAL:          Hey-- you and Tork are over by Pitkin-- my wife’s clock is ready at the watch store on Euclid.

 

6              KASPER: HE LOOKS AT SAL’s HAND HOLDING THE SLIP OF PAPER. THIS IS A TRAP. KASPER HAS A LOOK OF, “I DON’T THINK SO.”

   17  SAL:          (Off) On your 63.[8]

 

7              WIDE: THE ROOM: TORK SAUNTERS PAST KASPER WITHOUT LOOKING AT HIM, TORK’s SHOTGUN RESTING CASUALLY AGAINST TORK’S SHOULDER, KASPER FOLLOWS, GIVING SAL A CURIOUS LOOK. SAL SMILING HE GOES, AS BACK TO WORK.

 

                TORK IS UNAWARE OF WHAT’S GONE ON BETWEEN KASPER AND SAL.

   18  SAL:          Know what?

   19  SAL:          I better call first, make sure it’s ready.

   20  SAL:          Don’t wanna waste your meal break on a hunch.

   21  TORK:         Saddle up, junior-- crime waits for no man.

Page 5

1              RETURN TO PRESENT: NORMAL PANEL BORDERS AND COLORS:

                STAT/REPEAT: PANTHER IN THE CAR, GLARING.

    1  SAL:          (Off)  ...I mean, it, Margie--

    2  SAL:          (Attach) --keep this up, and you’re going back to obedience school--

 

2              NEW ANGLE: SAL WALKING THE DAMNED DOG. IT’S A VERY DISOBEDIENT MUTT.

    3  SAL:          ...maybe take the wife with you...

 

                FLASHBACK SEQUENCE: ROUNDED PANEL BORDERS, MUTED OR SEPIA TONES:

 

3              A DARK ALLEY IN BROOKLYN: KASPER HOLDS HIS PISTOL, READY TO FIRE, AS HE GIVES A HAND SIGNAL, ORDERING HIS MEN TO GO IN.

    4  CAPTION:      One day Lieutenant Sal Anthony, a guy I knew the way I know George Bush, starts chatting me up--

    5  CAPTION:      --with rumors of a promotion--

    6  CAPTION:      --then he tests me with some flunky errand, his wife’s clock and the like--

 

4              DOWN ANGLE: ESTABLISH THIS ALLEY:  KASPER AND THREE OTHER COPS, ABOUT TO RAID A STORE FROM THE REAR ALLEY DOOR. THE OTHER THREE COP ARE ALL YOUNG MEN, WHITE, BLACK, HISPANIC. ALL DRESSED IN STYLISH STREET CLOTHES, LIKE KASPER: THIS IS KASPER’s CREW.

 

                JORGE: WE SHOULD DISCUSS KASPER’s CREW. THEY WILL BECOME VERY IMPORTANT PLAYERS IN THE SERIES AFTER THIS ARC. GIVE THEM CAREFUL THOUGHT: THEY SHOULD HAVE DISTINCT PERSONALITIES LIKE GEORGE CLOONEY’s CREW IN Three Kings. *VERY MUCH LIKE THAT.

    7  CAPTION:      --and suddenly, there’s a pall... something I couldn’t put a finger on--

    8  CAPTION:      --until me and my crew were freelancing this hype over on Glenmore.[9]

    9  CAPTION:      Looking for the gold shield.[10]

 

5              INT/AN ABANDONED STORE: ONE OF KASPER’s GUYS KICKS THE DOOR, ANOTHER CROUCHED LOW, PROVIDING COVER.

 

                JORGE: INSIDE THIS STORE: PLEASE SWITCH TO A “SIN CITY” KIND OF WILL EISNER OR FRANK MILLER STYLE: BIG OPEN SHAPES, LOTS OF SHADOW DEFINITION.

 

                COLOR: PLEASE GO TO BLACK AND WHITE FOR ALL SHOTS INSIDE THE STORE.

 

                THERE IS A POWERFUL STROBE LIGHT FLASHING INSIDE THIS STORE, BLINDING OUR HEROIC COPS AND CREATING THIS FRANK MILLER-WILL EISNER EFFECT.

   10  CAPTION:      Heroes.

Page 6

                FLASHBACK CONTINUES

 

1              OUTSIDE: IN THE ALLEY: KASPER HEARS THE GUNFIRE. PREDATOR’s EYES. KASPER TALKS ON HIS CELL PHONE, CALLING FOR HELP.

 

                JORGE: NORMAL ART STYLE OUTSIDE OF THE STORE.

                COLOR:  NORMAL COLOR OUTSIDE OF THE STORE.

    1  CAPTION:      Ingram flak told me we’d been set up.[11]

    2  KASPER:       Seven-four to seven-four control--

    3  KASPER:       --10-13, Glenmore & Essex.[12]

    4  CAPTION:      We had no radios-- the job didn’t know we were there.

 

                SLOW-MOTION, JOHN WOO SEQUENCE:

 

2              CUT TO: INTERIOR OF STORE: STROBE LIGHT F/X: KASPER LEAPS IN, FIRING BOTH PISTOLS. MUZZLE FLASH, EJECTING SHELLS.

    5  CAPTION:      Iron gate on the front of the store.

    6  CAPTION:      One way in, one way out--

 

3              KASPER TUMBLES ON THE FLOOR, JOHN WOO STYLE, , LAUNCHING HIMSELF TOWARDS THE WALL, FEET-FIRST AS INCOMING GUNFIRE CHEWS UP THE FLOOR AND WALLS.

    7  CAPTION:      --the hard way.

 

4              KASPER RUNS, IMPOSSIBLY, SIDEWAYS, ALONG THE WALL, TWISTING, FIRING BOTH GUNS. MUZZLE FLASH, EJECTING SHELLS.

— no copy —

 

5              MORE OF THIS JOHN WOO SHIT: KASPER NOW RUNNING ON THE CEILING, INVERTED, TWISTING AROUND, FIRING THIS WAY AND THAT.

 

                KASPER IS, OF COURSE, WEARING BLACK PANTHER’S BOOTS.

— no copy —

Page 7

1              KASPER LANDS, DISCARDING THE PISTOLS WITH ONE HAND (ONE HAND WAS HOLDING BOTH PISTOLS, NOW THOUGHTLESSLY TOSSING THEM ASIDE IN AN OPERATIC SWEEP OF HIS ARM), HIS FREE HAND PULLS THE SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN FROM UNDER HIS JACKET. HIS EYES FIXED ON HIS UNSEEN ATTACKERS: THE PREDATOR GLARE.

— no copy —

 

2              THE BAD GUYS: WE CANNOT SEE THEIR FACES: WE ARE BLINDED BY THE STROBE LIGHT, THE HARSH EXTREMES OF BLACK AND WHITE. BUT WE DO SEE THE RAPID MUZZLE FLASH OF AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE.

— no copy —

 

3              ON KASPER: FIRING THE BITCH (THE SHOT GUN): TEETH CLENCHED. VERY FRANK MILLER, HERE: THE MUZZLE FLASH FROM THE FIRING RIFLE ARE LIKE A VERY BRIGHT FLASHBULB GOING OFF.

 

                SHOTGUN SHELLS EJECTING.

— no copy —

 

4              NEW ANGLE: THE ARRAY OF STROBE LIGHTS IS HIT BY KASPER’s GUN FIRE, SMASHING THE LIGHTS.

— no copy —

(More)

5              BIG PANEL: THE STORE: THE STROBE LIGHT EFFECT HAS STOPPED, SO WE CAN CLEARLY SEE WHAT THIS STORE LOOKS LIKE: IT IS AN ABANDONED STORE, A VERY SMALL AREA. THERE IS A GLASS STORE FRONT, BUT THERE ARE IRON BARS OVER THE GLASS. IN THE FLOOR: A HATCH THAT LEADS TO A CRAWL SPACE BENEATH THE BUILDING. THIS HATCH IS OPEN, AND THIS IS, PRESUMABLY, HOW THE BAD GUYS GOT AWAY.

 

                KASPER STANDS ALONE IN THE CENTER OF THIS DINGY ROOM, HOLDING THE SMOKING SHOTGUN. LOTS OF SHOTGUN AND SMALL ARMS SHELLS ON THE FLOOR.

 

                THE THREE OFFICERS WHO CAME IN WITH HIM LIE ON THE FLOOR, BLEEDING, SERIOUSLY WOUNDED.

 

                COLOR; NORMAL COLOR, HERE: THE STROBE LIGHT F/X HAS CEASED.

    1  CAPTION:      Saved by a Spandex costume I stole from my sergeant.

    2  CAPTION:      Bullet-proof fabric and boots that cling to walls. Not that any of it mattered.

    3  CAPTION:      Somebody gave us up.

    4  CAPTION:      Somebody wanted to send a message.

Page 8

1              RETURN TO PRESENT: NORMAL PANEL BORDERS AND COLORS:

                STAT/REPEAT: PANTHER IN THE CAR, GLARING.

    1  CAPTION:      Somebody with a badge.

 

2              NEW ANGLE: SAL AND THE UGLY DOG HEAD BACK TOWARDS THEIR HOUSE.

    2  SAL:          ...all right, that’s it, lady--

    3  SAL:          --no snausages for bad dogs--!  C’mon.

 

3              PANTHER. GLARING.

    4  [13]CAPTION:     [Ital. All quotes] “You go to Lew house--

 

4              DETAIL: PANTHER’S HAND: HE HOLDS ONE OF HIS PISTOLS, THE HAMMER COCKED AND READY.

    5  CAPTION:      “--put his brains all over de carpet. Problem solved--

    6  CAPTION:      “--then live with it, boy.

 

5              AERIAL: THE STREET: THE PANTHER’s CAR PULLS OFF, SAL SHUTS THE DOOR TO HIS HOUSE.

    7  CAPTION:      All right, Pop.

    8  CAPTION:      I’ll find another way...

Page 9

                CHAPTER HEADING

    1  TITLE:        Another Way

 

1              ESTABLISH: THE FORTRESS: A LARGE, SWANKY HOUSE IN SHEEPSHEAD BAY. NOT QUITE A MANSION, BUT BIG, LIKE THOSE HOUSES IN Risky Business. THERE’S A VERY TALL IRON FENCE AROUND IT, AND SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS IN PLAIN SIGHT. WARNING SIGNS ON THE GATES, WARNING OF DOGS AND SUCH.

 

                JORGE: GANGSTAS LIVE HERE. THIS USED TO BELONG TO DECENT, LAW-ABIDING WHITE FOLK, BUT NOW GANGSTAS LIVE HERE. IT STILL LOOKS NICE, BUT IT HAS TAKEN ON THE SENSE OF A FORTIFIED STRUCTURE, ALMOST LIKE A PENITENTIARY.

 

                COLOR: IT IS NIGHT.

    2  CAPTION:      Day three of a five-day rip.[14]

    3  CAPTION:      Breaking and entering here at The Fortress-- probably not the move.

    4  CAPTION:      Though, with them Bridges fools blasting Grand Theft Auto 4, I could set off grenades without anybody noticing.

 

2              CUT TO: INT/A FAMILY ROOM INSIDE THE HOUSE: GANGSTAS PARADISE. SCARY-LOOKING BLACK THUGS LOUNGE LIKE SLACKERS. A PAIR PLAY NINTENDO ON A HUGE SCREEN TV. A FEW OTHERS IDLY CHAT ON CELL PHONES.

 

                JORGE: I WILL PROVIDE REFERENCE ON WHAT THESE GUYS SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

 

                PIT BULLS AND SCANTILY-DRESSED HOOKER-TYPES ALL OVER THE PLACE. THESE MEN ARE ARMED, HEAVILY ARMED, WITH BOTH SMALL ARMS AND ASSAULT RIFLES, CASUALLY ON DISPLAY.

 

                SEVERAL 40-OUNCE BEER BOTTLES AT VARYING LEVELS OF CONTENT.

 

                GETTING UP TO LEAVE: DRE, THE LOWLIFE DRUG DEALER FROM LAST ISSUE. HE’S KIND OF GRABBING HIS CROTCH: HE’S GOTTA GO TO THE BATHROOM.

    5  CAPTION:      The job is watching this house.

    6  CAPTION:      I.A.B. is watching the job.

    7  CAPTION:      66 Bridges is watching I.A.B.

    8  DRE:          Gotta whiz, man. I’m out.

 

3              INT/BATHROOM: DRE TAKES A LEAK. THIS IS LARGE BATHROOM, LUXURIOUS, EXPENSIVE. A LARGE TUB, EITHER SUNKEN OR BUILT ATOP MULTI-LEVELED PEDESTAL. EXPENSIVE , FANCY FROSTED GLASS AROUND THE TUB.

 

                JORGE: ESTABLISH A FULL-LENGTH LINEN CLOSET SOMEWHERE IN THE ROOM. A NARROW DOOR, CLOSED. THIS WILL COME IN HANDY LATER.

    9  CAPTION:      Best guess is Sal Anthony is a paid contractor for 66 Bridges.

   10  CAPTION:      It was one of those things I chose not to know.

   11  CAPTION:      Used to be a street gang. Now, Bridges is something else. Something worse. Now--

 

4              PANTHER’S HAND SMASHES THROUGH THE FROSTED GLASS, GRABBING DRE AROUND THE THROAT, YANKING HIS HEAD BACK.

   12  CAPTION:      --it’s the beast.

   13  CAPTION:      A social virus with active chapters in 40 cities-- with 66 bridges. They’ve outgrown chump change turf beefs--

   14  CAPTION:      --graduated into wholesale narcotic traffic, extortion and bootlegging.

 

5              NEW ANGLE: INT/ THE TUB: A PAIR OF GANGSTAS LIE UNCONSCIOUS IN THE TUB. PANTHER HAS SNATCHED UP DRE, JAMMING ONE OF HIS PISTOLS AGAINST DRE’s HEAD, DRE PANICKING, HIS PANTS DOWN AROUND HIS ANKLES.

   15  CAPTION:      Their collective bargaining process includes home invasion and public execution of their enemies.

   16  CAPTION:      Which is why they don’t have many enemies. What they do have is lawyers.

   17  CAPTION:      Accountants, public relations firms. Judges. Senators.

 

6              IN CLOSER: PANTHER AND DRE.

   18  CAPTION:      Cops.

   19  PANTHER:      Greetings, my friend Dre.

   20  CAPTION:      Dre is a low-level mule. Knows nobody and nothing.

   21  CAPTION:      But maybe I can use him to move Sal.

   22  PANTHER:      I thought we’d renew our acquaintance, yes?

   23  DRE:          Wh--wha-- what’choo want, man--?!?

Page 10

1              RE-ESTABLISH THE ROOM: THE KO THUGS LYING AT THEIR FEET, PANTHER AND DRE STANDING IN THE TUB, THE SMASHED GLASS.

    1  CAPTION:      Sal Anthony. On a plate.

    2  PANTHER:      Bernie Scruggs.

    3  DRE:          Who--?!?

 

2              NEW ANGLE: PANTHER, HIS GAZE LOCKED ON DRE, FIRES HIS GUN AT ONE OF THE DOWNED THUGS, PUMPING SEVERAL ROUNDS INTO THE GUY. MUZZLE FLASH AND EJECTING SHELLS. DRE FREAKING OUT.

    4  CAPTION:      GTA4 drowns out the gunshots.

    5  SFX:          BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM

    6  DRE:          (Burst)  SPIT!!!

 

3              PANTHER JAMS THE GUN BARREL AGAINST DRE’s TEMPLE, FORCING DRE’S HEAD TO THE SIDE, DRE WINCING. THE GUN IS STILL SMOKING, AND IT IS LIKELY BURNING DRE’S HEAD.

    7  PANTHER:      Bernie Scruggs.

    8  PANTHER:      Your operative in the 74th precinct.

    9  PANTHER:      66 Bridges pays him a license fee to operate in South Brooklyn. You do

                     remember--

 

4              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE:

                FROM LAST ISSUE: PANTHER MENACING UP SCRUGGS (PG. 7)

 

                PANTHER HAS A FISTFUL OF MONEY IN HIS FREE HAND: A THICK STACK OF $100 BILLS.

   10  PANTHER:      --Detective Scruggs, you are sworn to protect the innocent-- but you prey upon them-- sacrifice your very soul--

   11  PANTHER:      --for this.

   12  PANTHER:      For worthless paper.

(More)

5              FLASHBACK CONTINUES:  PANTHER SHOVES THE BILLS INTO THE MAN’s MOUTH, TRYING TO SUFFOCATE HIM WITH THEM.

   13  PANTHER:      We will have an understanding between us, Detective.

   14  PANTHER:      Speak of it to no man...

Page 11

1              RETURN TO PRESENT: PANTHER MENACING DRE, DRE’S HANDS RAISED DEFENSIVELY, TRYING NOT TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT PANTHER.

    1  PANTHER:  You will arrange a meeting.

    2  PANTHER:      Tell Scruggs of the Panther that comes to your door.

    3  PANTHER:      Complain that Scruggs’ protection is inadequate, and all payments shall cease.

    4  PANTHER:      You are shopping for a new sponsor.

 

2              NEW ANGLE: DRE, FRIGHTENED, EXITS.

    5  PANTHER:      Record the conversation.

    6  PANTHER:      Await my instructions.

    7  CAPTION:      Quack like a duck, you lowlife skel...

    8  VOICE:        (Off) Rubber bullets--?

 

3              NEW ANGLE: HUNTER, IN WHITE ARMANI SUIT, EXAMINING A SLUG. AMUSED.

                JORGE: GET THE CLOSET DOOR IN THIS SHOT. CLOSED, DON’T DRAW MUCH ATTENTION TO IT.

    9  HUNTER:       --how merciful of you.

   10  HUNTER:       Riot-control ordinance is rather expensive, though--

   11  HUNTER:       --for a man on a limited budget.

   12  PANTHER:      (Off) I’d ask how you got in here, Hunter--

 

4              PANTHER: TYING THE WRISTS OF THE GANGSTAS WITH WHITE PLASTIC CORD (THE DISPOSABLE HANDCUFFS COPS USE).

 

                PANTHER DOES NOT LOOK AT HUNTER, JUST GOES ON DOING HIS BUSINESS.

   13  PANTHER:      --but if I got in, I guess you could, too.

   14  PANTHER:      Don't need your help, man.

   15  HUNTER:       (Off) Ah, but I think you do.

   16  HUNTER:       (Same) You are, after all, wearing the badge of office--

 

5              HUNTER: NOW CHECKS HIS HAIR IN THE MIRROR, OR SUCH OTHER MUNDANE GESTURE. AMUSED.

   17  HUNTER:       --of a dead king.

   18  PANTHER:      (Off) And I’ve already offered to give the costume back to you--

   19  HUNTER:       --in two days-- when you’ll no longer need it. Yes.

   20  HUNTER:       In the alley outside your bedroom--

 

6              PANTHER: HUNTER HAS FINALLY GOT HIS ATTENTION: HE TURNS FROM HIS WORK, SNARLING AT THE OFF-PANEL HUNTER.

   21  PANTHER;      Stay away from my house.

   22  HUNTER;       (Off) --I’ve left you a gift--

   23  PANTHER:      Stay away from my family.

Page 12

1              ANOTHER ROOM: DRE, TERRIFIED, BACKS INTO THE ROOM, HIS GAZE FIXED AT THE OFF-PANEL BATHROOM. HIS GANGSTA FRIENDS NOTICE, ASKING WHAT’s WRONG. THIS IS ALL PANTOMIME, DRE CAN BE POINTING AT THE OFF-PANEL BATHROOM.

    1  HUNTER:       (Off) --50 cases of 9 millimeter rounds. Hardened gel-- quite effective at stopping criminals--

    2  HUNTER:       --but non-lethal and completely untraceable. The rounds simply evaporate after a few seconds--

    3  HUNTER:       --and the shells do not register fingerprints.

 

2              THE BATHROOM: HUNTER STANDS AT THE DOOR, ABOUT TO EXIT.

    4  PANTHER:      (Can be off) --I’m serious, Hunter.

    5  HUNTER:       I know.

    6  HUNTER:       It’s why he chose you.

 

3              MED C/U: PANTHER: GRIM..

    7  PANTHER:      --?

    8  PANTHER:      “He”--?

 

4              CUT TO: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR: AS MANY OF THESE GANGSTA GUYS AS YOU CAN MANAGE, I MEAN GO NUTS, JUST AS MANY AS YOU CAN LOGICALLY SQUEEZE INTO THE AREA OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM:

 

                ALL OF THEN AIMING GUNS. THIS SHOULD BE FAIRLY SCARY. DRE GAVE PANTHER UP..

    9  HUNTER:       (From bathroom) There are thirty hoodlums on the other side of that door.

   10  HUNTER:       (Attach) If you are truly worthy of that uniform, they shouldn’t be a problem.

 

5              INT/BATHROOM, PANTHER WHIRLING, LOOKING FOR HUNTER. HE’S VANISHED.

                THE CLOSET DOOR, STILL CLOSED, IN SHOT.

   11  CAPTION:      Vanished.

   12  CAPTION:      That damned cloaking device Hunter uses.

   13  CAPTION:      Bars on the window.

   14  CAPTION:      “He” [Ital. Bold] who--?

Page 13

1              OUTSIDE THE DOOR: THE GANGSTAS FIRE. ENORMOUS FIRE POWER, SOME OF THEM COVERING AN EAR WITH ONE HAND. GUNFIRE RIPS THRU THE DOOR.

    1  CAPTION:      Hunter, a white man, is chieftain of an African tribe called the Hatut Zeraze.

    2  CAPTION:      “The Dogs of War.”

 

2              INT/BATHROOM: THE CLOSET DOOR IS NOW OPEN. SHELVES OF LINEN AND SUCH, GUNFIRE RIPS THRU THE BATHROOM, TEARING EVERYTHING UP, SHATTERING THE FROSTED GLASS AROUND THE TUB, THE MIRRORS, TOWELS AND PILLOWS AND WHATEVER ELSE IS IN THAT LINEN CLOSET.

    3  CAPTION:      The Zeraze use a personal cloaking device that lets them vanish into thin air.

    4  CAPTION:      Wish I had it that easy.

 

3              NEW ANGLE: THE GANGSTAS PUSH IN, GUNS READY: HEADING FOR THE OPEN CLOSET.

    5  GANGSTA:      The closet--!

    6  CAPTION:      All I’ve got is a bullet-proof costume I stole from my sergeant...

 

4              NEW ANGLE: THE GANGSTA’s LOOKING INTO THE CLOSET, AIMING THEIR GUNS: WE SEE THE FLOOR OF THE CLOSET HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT, ALLOWING AN EXIT ROUTE. THIS IS, LIKELY, HOW HUNTER GOT IN.

    7  CAPTION:      ...and seriously negative career momentum...

    8  GANGSTA:      --ripped out the floor-- he must be--

 (More)

5              NEW ANGLE: PANTHER RAISING UP FROM THE BATHTUB, THE UNCONSCIOUS GANGSTAS IN THE TUB SLIDING OFF OF HIM AS HE MOVES. PANTHER FIRING BOTH PISTOLS. MUZZLE FLASH, EJECTING SHELLS.

 

                JORGE: PANTHER WAS HIDING IN THE TUB UNDER THE KO’ed GANGSTAS AND THE DEBRIS THAT FELL ON TOP OF THEM FROM THE GANGSTAS’ ASSAULT.

    9  CAPTION:      Yeah.

   10  CAPTION:      Yeah, you mothers.

   11  CAPTION:      Let’s go.

 

Page 14

1              THE GANGSTAS ARE HIT, CAUGHT BY SURPRISE. SOME RETURN FIRE, BUT MOST ARE JUST CAUGHT OFF-GUARD, HERE, Y INCOMING FIRE.

    1  CAPTION:      I hate these bastids.

    2  CAPTION:      Hate ‘em.

    3  CAPTION:      Hate who they are. Hate what they do.

 

2              PANTHER TEARS INTO THEM: SOME MARTIAL ARTS STUFF HERE AS HE RAPIDLY DISPATCHES THE FEW REMAINING HOODS.

    4  CAPTION:      Hate what they stand for.

    5  CAPTION:      How they make me feel about myself.

    6  CAPTION:      On the news-- every night-- baggy pants and doo-rags, led off in cuffs--

 

3              MORE OF THIS, PANTHER DISPATCHING WHOEVER IS LEFT.

    7  CAPTION:      --ignorant, drug-dealing skels. Big screen TV and fuzzy dice hung from the rear-view mirror.

    8  CAPTION:      Dese dem and doze.

    9  CAPTION:      Eat a clip, punkazz beotch.

 

4              HE TURNS TOWARDS THE CLOSET-- SEES HIS EXIT NOW.

   10  CAPTION:      Hunter’s way out. Has to be.

   11  CAPTION:      Quick, invisible-- just vanish.

 

5              SAME: ONLY,  NOW HE’S TURNED HIS HEAD IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DOOR. HE’S NOT GOING TO SNEAK OUT, FUCK THAT, HE’S GOING TO WALK OUT.

   12  CAPTION:      Yeah, well, eff that.

Page 15

1              EXT/HALL: PANTHER EMERGES FROM THE BATHROOM, BOTH PISTOLS IN HAND, BUT HE’S NOT AIMING THEM. HE LOOKS DEADLY SERIOUS, THOUGH: CLINT EASTWOOD SERIOUS. BACK THE FUCK UP, NIGGAZ.

 

                THE GANGSTAS LEFT STANDING AIM THEIR WEAPONS BUT DO NOT FIRE (THEY REALIZE HE IS IMPERVIOUS TO SMALL ARMS FIRE).

    1  CAPTION:      Yeah... that’s it.

    2  CAPTION:      Back the jump up, mothers.

 

2              IN CLOSE ON PANTHER: SNARLING. BACK UP.

    3  [15]CAPTION:     What’s my name.

 

3              THE GANGSTAS, CLEARLY UNNERVED HERE, TAKE A RELUCTANT STEP BACK AS PANTHER, IGNORING THEM, WALKS CALMLY PAST THEM.

    4  CAPTION:      Yeah.

    5  CAPTION:      Learn that spit. Learn it.

    6  CAPTION:      Tell your friends.

 

4              PANTHER STOPS, POINTS AT DRE. YEAH YOU, MOTHERFUCKER. DRE LOOKS VISIBLY FRIGHTENED.

    7  CAPTION:      And, you.

    8  CAPTION:      Better see some meat on my plate, ya skinny base-head rat-faced bastid.

 

5              NEW ANGLE: PANTHER EXITS. NONE OF THE GANGSTA HAVE THE NERVE TO SHOOT HIM IN THE BACK.

    9  CAPTION:      Actually...

   10  CAPTION:      ...I could get to like this...

Page 16

                CHAPTER HEADING

    1  TITLE:        Arch Enemies

 

1              EXTERIOR: THE WINDOW TO TORK’S APARTMENT: THIS IS THE REAR OF HIS BUILDING. HE LIVES ON THE GROUND FLOOR. TORK LEANS OUT OF THE WINDOW, ANNOYED.

 

                TORK WAS ASLEEP. HE IS WEARING A TANK TOP TE SHIRT AND BOXER SHORTS.

    2  CAPTION:      Wake the Sarge.

    3  CAPTAIN:      Tork, a narcotics burnout smashed like a bug against the big, blue glass ceiling.

    4  TORK:         Don’t you ever sleep?

    5  TORK:         And, don’t you ever use the front door--?!

 

2              CUT TO: INT/TORK’s APARTMENT:  TORK STRUGGLES WITH A LARGE OBJECT, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SUITCASE, COVERED IN PLASTIC. KASPER CLIMBS IN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

    6  KASPER:       Does Santa--? Where’s your tree.

    7  TORK:         Whatsis-- Glass--? Big Chief--?[16]

    8  KASPER:       Bullets.  Ammo.

    9  KASPER:       Non-lethal 9 Millie. Hunter’s a man of his word.

 

3              CLOSE UP: KASPER INSPECTS ONE OF THE BULLETS: IT LOOKS LIKE A STANDARD-SIZED ROUND, ONLY THE SLUG IS TRANSLUCENT (WE CAN SEE THROUGH IT). THE SLUG IS HARDENED GEL. KASPER GRIM.

   10  KASPER:       And now I’ve made myself his pet project.

   11  TORK:         (Off) And, any of this is my problem [Ital.] beeee-cause--?

   12  KASPER:       Wouldn’t do for I.A.B. to find Panther’s bullets at Kasper’s crib.

 

4              TORK WALKS AWAY, YAWNING AND STRETCHING: IT IS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

   13  TORK:         Dump ‘em in the river.

   14  TORK:         Don’t get in with this guy, Kasper.

   15  TORK:         And-- [Bold Ital.] Hello-- you are not the Black Panther.

   16  TORK:         Too ugly and too broke.

 

5              KASPER SLOUCHES ON TORK’s COUCH.

   17  KASPER:       Tork-- Sal Anthony-- an NYPD lieutenant and your boss--

   18  KASPER:       --probably set me and my whole crew up. My boys end up in I.C.U.--[17]

   19  KASPER:       --I end up with a five-day rip.

(More)

6              ON TORK: PERCHED ON THE TABLETOP HE KEEPS OVER THE BATH TUB IN HIS KITCHEN. TORK HAS A BOX OF KID’S BREAKFAST CEREAL, A CARTOONISH CLOWN OR MONKEY ON THE FRONT OF THE BOX. TORK UNCEREMONIOUSLY DIGS INTO THE BOX WITH HIS HAND, HAVING A SNACK.

   20  TORK:         Sal Anthony is I.A.B.’s problem, Kasper. Don’t make him yours. Don’t make I.A.B. yours.

   21  TORK:         I.A.B. is like them roach motels-- rats go in but they don’t come out.

   22  KASPER:       (Off) Who am I-- Joe Pushead, now? Been on this job awhile, Tork. I can handle it.

   23  TORK:         So-- what-- you keep the kitty suit awhile longer-- accept gifts from Hunter-- the real Black Panther’s arch enemy?

Page 17

1              KAPSER: ON THE COUCH, SMILING: “YEAH, RIGHT.”

    1  KASPER:       “Arch enemy.” Please-- the guy’s his adopted brother.

    2  KASPER:       All I need to do is play Hunter for a few days-- until I can dig up some dirt on

                     Sal--

    3  KASPER:       --solve my little dilemma, here.

    4  TORK:         (Off) Kasper-- I’m your sergeant-- and your friend--

 

2              TORK: SERIOUS, EATING CEREAL WITH HIS HAND.

    5  TORK:         --Hunter, the White Wolf, is bad news, man.

    6  TORK;         Makes Sal Anthony look like Justin Timberlake.

    7  TORK:         He buys and sells Sal Anthonys all day long. He could end all of your worries with a phone call--

 

3              KASPER: CONTEMPLATIVE: HIS EYES FIXED ON SOMETHING OFF-PANEL (NOT LOOKING AT TORK).

    8  TORK:         (Off) --and all it would cost you is your soul.

    9  TORK:         (Attach) Forget the Wolf. Forget Sal.

   10  TORK:         (Same) Put in for a transfer to Queens. You’ll like it out in the country...

(More)

4              TORK: NOW UP-ENDING THE CEREAL BOX, POURING IT INTO HIS MOUTH (HE’S GETTING THE VERY LAST OUT OF THE BOX). WITH HIS FREE HAND, HE TOSSES A PHONE TO KASPER, THE PHONE IS RINGING.

 

                COLOR: THIS PHONE IS RINGING: GLOWING KEYPAD OR FLASHING LIGHT OR SOME OTHER INDICATOR.

   11  SFX:          BLEEEP--!!  BLEEEP--!!  BLEEEP--!!

   12  TORK:         It’s for you.

 

5              KASPER ON THE COUCH, LEANING FORWARD, HEAD DOWN AS HE TALKS ON THE PHONE.

   13  CAPTION:      Gwen.

   14  ELECTRIC:     [All electric Ital.] You coming home or what?

   15  CAPTION:      Suppose it was love... once...

   16  KASPER:       Make me an offer.

   17  ELECTRIC:     Please. You cancelled that subscription six months ago, Kasper--

 

6              CUT TO: A DARKENED BEDROOM: GWEN ON THE PHONE, ANNOYED. HER HAIR IN CURLERS, GWEN WEARS AN OVERSIZED TEE SHIRT OR FOOTBALL JERSEY.

   18  GWEN:         --stop and get me some Popeye’s. This is not a drill.

   19  ELECTRIC:     Gwen-- that’s way across--

   20  GWEN:         Yup, and, having been tortured all day by your son and your mother, I think I’ve got it coming.

   21  GWEN:         If you’re gonna hang out all night with your friends while on suspension from the police force--

Page 18

1              VIEW THROUGH A WALL OF THICK PLEXIGLAS: KASPER: GRIM, ANGRY.

                HE IS WAITING FOR AN ORDER OF FRIED CHICKEN.

 

                COLOR: BRIGHTLY OVERLIT AND WASHED OUT: THIS IS HELL ON EARTH.

    1  CAPTION:      “--least you can do is feed my cravings.

    2  CAPTION:      “Your mom’s A Gahntze Tzimmes and Kreplach aren’t doing the Dutch, here, Kasp.”

    3  ELECTRIC:     24!

 

2              HARLEM STREETS: KASPER EXITS AN ALL-NIGHT CHICKEN RESTAURANT WITH A  BUCKET OF FRIED CHICKEN. GRIM. THE STREETS ARE FAIRLY DESERTED THIS TIME OF NIGHT.

 

                A WHITE STRETCH LIMOUSINE— A LEXUS LS430— WAITS BY THE CURB. KASPER IGNORES IT, HIS MIND ON OTHER THINGS.

 

                COLOR: THIS LIMO MUST BE WHITE.

    4  CAPTION:      16 bucks to my name. Before the chicken.

    5  CAPTION:      Payday 3 weeks away.

 

3              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: FROM LAST ISSUE: PANTHER CLUTCHING THE FISTFUL OF CASH.

— no copy —

 

4              FLASHBACK ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: BLACK JACK WALKING WITH HIS SON (SIMILAR TO PAGE 1).

    6  JACK:         Then decide what kind of cop you be--

    7  JACK:         --in Lew’s pocket-- or in I.A.B.’s.

(More)

5              RETURN TO PRESENT: NORMAL PANEL BORDERS:

                DETAIL: ON THE SIDEWALK, AT KASPER’s FEET: A NEW YORK POLICE LIEUTENANT’s BADGE. THE BADGE IS CLIPPED TO A LEATHER BACKER (I’LL SEND REF).

 

                KASPER IS WEARING PANTHER’s BOOTS.

    8  CAPTION:      --? A lieutenant’s shield--?

    9  VOICE:        (Off) It belongs to Sal Anthony--

 

6              NEW ANGLE: KASPER, HOLDING THE BADGE, TURNING AWAY NOW, FINALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THE WHITE LIMO: HUNTER SITS IN THE REAR: HE HAS LOWERED THE WINDOW SO WE CAN SEE HIM.

 

                HUNTER IS READING SOME PAPERS IN HIS HANDS.

   10  HUNTER:       --he keeps it in a kitchen drawer with his keys.

   11  HUNTER:       This man who is causing you so much grief--

   12  HUNTER:       --shall I kill him for you--?

Page 19

1              KASPER LEANS ON THE CAR, LEANING IN TO TALK TO HUNTER. CRADLING THE BUCKET OF CHICKEN IN HIS FREE HAND.

    1  KASPER:       What-- is murder a Wakandan virtue, Hunter?

    2  HUNTER:       Personal vengeance is permissible, Officer Cole, under tribal law.

    3  KASPER:       Depends on whose tribe you’re in.

 

2              IN CLOSER: KASPER TOSSES THE LIEUTENANT’S BADGE INTO THE LIMO, HUNTER IGNORES HIM AS HE TURNS THROUGH PAGES: HE IS READING AN INTELLIGENCE REPORT.

    4  KASPER:       Thing’s burning my fingers.

    5  HUNTER:       Drug trafficking... money laundering... extortion... murder... my, your Lieutenant Anthony’s a busy man--

    6  HUNTER:       --a contract agent for the 66 Bridges gang.

 

3              DETAIL: AN 8X11 PORTRAIT OF LIEUTENANT SAL ANTHONY. SMILING. A FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD COP.

    7  HUNTER:       (Off) Looks pleasant enough.

    8  HUNTER:       (Attach) Four kids, married 20 years, mortgage, student loans--

    9  HUNTER:       (Same) --his dealings well hidden. There--

 

4              NEW ANGLE: HUNTER POINTS TO SEVERAL SMALL VIDEO MONITORS ALIGNED IN A ROW INSIDE HIS LIMOUSINE. ON THESE MONITORS: VARIOUS ROOMS IN SAL ANTHONY’s HOUSE. ONE MONITOR SHOWS HIS DOG SLEEPING.

   10  HUNTER:       (Off) --that’s his dog, Margie, a Shiatsu mix--

   11  HUNTER:       (Attach)  --spell it backwards for his home security code.

 

5              KAPSER, INTENSE EXPRESSION GETS INTO THE CAR, LOOKING AT THE MONITORS.  HUNTER GOES ON FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAPERWORK.

   12  HUNTER:       I’ve got his Cayman Island account codes, GSM registry, GPS on his cars--[18]

   13  HUNTER:       --and copies of all of his email are sent to my secure servers.

   14  HUNTER:       Just tell me when you wish to strike.

Page 20

1              CITY STREETS: THE LIMOUSINE DRIVES THROUGH HARLEM.

    1  KASPER:       (From car) Hunter-- what are you doing--?

    2  HUNTER:       (From car) What I have always done. What the Black Panther has always done.

    3  HUNTER:       (Attach) You want to wear that uniform, Officer Cole--?

 

2              HUNTER: AN EVIL SMILE.

    4  HUNTER:       --then come to terms with who the Black Panther is.

    5  HUNTER:       The Panther studies his prey. And waits.

    6  HUNTER:       Such that, when the Panther strikes--

 

3              KASPER: THE PREDATOR LOOK.

    7  HUNTER:       (Off) --none can stand against him.

    8  KASPER:       None of this is legal-- it’ll never stand up in court.

    9  HUNTER:       (Off) Matters of law are ephemeral. Justice is universal.

   10  KASPER:       And murder--?

(More)

4              THE LIMO PULLS UP NEXT TO KASPER’S CAR— THE LEXUS GS HE TOOK FROM THE DRUG DEALER LAST ISSUE. THIS CAR IS PARKED ON A STREET SOMEWHERE IN HARLEM. IN PERFECT SHAPE.

 

                COLOR:  JORGE: KASPER’S LEXUS NOW HAS DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATES ON IT. I WILL SEND YOU REFERENCE.

   11  HUNTER:       (From limo) A matter of some interpretation.

   12  HUNTER:       (Same) Sal Anthony is a cancer--

   13  HUNTER:       (Same) --for which I am providing you a remedy.

 

5              INSIDE THE LIMO: HUNTER HOLDS UP THE LIEUTENANT’s GOLD BADGE. SMILING, DISPLAYING IT TO US.

   14  HUNTER:       This is what you want, is it not?

   15  HUNTER:       A detective’s gold shield?

   16  HUNTER:       Simply say the word, and it is done.

Page 21

1              EXTERIOR: THE STREET: KASPER DISCOVERS THE BLACK GS LEXUS. THE LIMO DRIVES OFF.  KASPER IS STILL HOLDING THE BUCKET OF CHICKEN.

    1  CAPTION:      The car.

    2  CAPTION:      96 GS I took off of Dre the other day--

 

2              DETAIL: THE CAR, THE DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATE.

 

                JORGE: THIS CAN BE A STAT/REPEAT OF THE FIRST SHOT OF THIS CAR, FROM EARLIER IN THE BOOK, WHERE WE ORIGINALLY SAW THE LICENSE PLATE.

 

                I WILL SEND REF ON DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATES.

    3  CAPTION:      --now with diplomatic license plates.

    4  CAPTION:      Meaning I can park anywhere without worrying about getting towed.

    5  CAPTION:      When I run them, they’ll lead back to the Wakandan Consulate.

 

3              KASPER GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL, EXAMINING THE CAR.

    6  CAPTION:      VIN number’s been changed-- car’s untraceable.[19]

    7  CAPTION:      Professionally detailed-- and--

 

4              NEW ANGLE: A FILE FOLDER LYING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT: THIS IS A COPY OF THE FILE HUNTER WAS READING IN THE LIMOUSINE: SAL ANTHONY’s FILE.

    8  CAPTION:      --a few extras.

    9  CAPTION:      All the dirt Hunter dug up on Sal Anthony...

(More)

5              FLASHBACK ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: STAT/REPEAT FROM PAGE 14:

                TORK WALKS AWAY, YAWNING AND STRETCHING: IT IS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

   10  TORK:         Dump ‘em in the river.

   11  TORK:         Don’t get in with Hunter, Kasper.

   12  TORK:         And-- [Bold Ital.] Hello-- you are not the Black Panther.

(More)

6              FLASHBACK ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: STAT/REPEAT: BLACK JACK WALKING WITH HIS SON.

   13  JACK:         Two days from now you go see Lew. Apologize. Do what he say.[20]

   14  JACK:         Then decide what kind of cop you be--

   15  JACK:         --in Lew’s pocket-- or in I.A.B.’s.

Page 22

                FOUR PANELS ACROSS THE TOP OF PAGE:

 

1              DETAIL: SAL ANTHONY’s PHOTOGRAPH: IT IS ON FIRE, MELTING, BEING DESTROYED BY THE FLAME.

— no copy —

 

2              PULL BACK: WE NOW SEE THE ENTIRE FILE FOLDER IS BEING DESTROYED BY FLAME.

— no copy —

 

3              PULL BACK: WE NOW SEE THE BLACK PANTHER COSTUME HAS BEEN LEFT ON THE DRIVER’S SEAT OF THE CAR.

 

                 THE INTERIOR OF KASPER’s CAR IS ENGULFED IN FLAME.

— no copy —

 

4              CUT TO: MED C/U: KASPER’s FACE: THE PREDATOR. NOBODY FUCKING OWNS HIM.

 

                KASPER IS NO LONGER WEARING THE PANTHER COSTUME UNDER HIS JACKET. HE EITHER WEARS A WHITE TANK TOP TEE SHIRT, OR HE IS BARE CHESTED.

— no copy —

 

5              BOTTOM HALF OF PAGE: A BIG PANEL: DOWN ANGLE: ISOLATE KASPER AS HE WALKS AWAY FROM HIS CAR. KASPER STILL HOLDS THE BUCKET OF CHICKEN.

 

                THE LEXUS GS IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

 

                JORGE: THE CAR IS NOW IN AN OPEN AREA, LIKE A VACANT LOT OR PLAYGROUND: SOMEPLACE SAFE THAT WON’T START A LARGER FIRE.

    1  NEXT:         NEXT:  STIMEY GOES DOWN FOR THE LONG NAP

 

— 30 —