\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2230150-S02E12-The-Master-Planner
\"Reading Printer Friendly Page Tell A Friend
No ratings.
by Seuzz Author IconMail Icon
Rated: ASR · Script/Play · Fanfiction · #2230150
Spider-Man tracks down the enemy who put a bounty on his head.
Previously: "S02E11 "The Man Behind the Mask"Open in new Window.


"THE MASTER PLANNER"

FADE IN:

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- DINING ROOM -- DAY

AUNT MAY enters and bends over PETER PARKER, who is gently snoring with his face on his breakfast plate.

                             AUNT MAY
                   Peter, honey. Wake up.

Peter leaps up, fists raised, with a pancake stuck to his cheek.

                             PETER PARKER
                        (half asleep)
                   Huh? You wanna fight too? Bring
                   it on, Panda Girl! Huh?

He fully wakes and looks around. Aunt May stares back.

                             PETER
                        (nervous laugh)
                   Sorry. Weird dream.

                             AUNT MAY
                   I would say so. You don't want
                   to be late for school.

She wipes his face.
                             AUNT MAY
                        (continues)
                   Oh hey, you never told me how
                   the Horizon Open House Project
                   went.

Peter winces as he exits.

                             PETER
                        (over shoulder)
                   It, uh, went about as expected.

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- PETER'S BEDROOM -- DAY

Peter picks up his book bag and studies himself in the mirror while addressing himself.

                             PETER
                   Conking out mid-wheatcake.
                   That's a new low. After villains
                   crawled out of the woodwork to
                   try and collect the bounty
                   Chameleon put on my head,
                   getting a good night's sleep
                   hasn't been--

His eyes close, his head sags, he snores.

EXT. CITY STREET -- DAY
High over the street, SPIDER-MAN swings through the air.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Eesh. Falling asleep standing
                   up? I'm glad I can take the web
                   express to school. And now that
                   Chameleon's behind bars, things
                   have gotta start looking up.

He settles on a clothesline next to an open window where a radio is playing.

                             J. JONAH JAMESON(V.O.)
                   The Bugle is officially calling
                   out Police Chief Watanabe. It's
                   time she recognizes Spider-Man
                   as the clear and present danger
                   he is!

A GIRL AT THE WINDOW reacts ("Huh?") as Spider-Man races off.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (airborne again)
                   Uh, okay. I still might have a
                   few problems, like--

A glowing boomerang whirls through the air, slicing one of Spider-Man's webs.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (falling)
                   --a boomerang?!

He CRIES OUT as he tumbles and hits a wall. He GASPS as he slides down it while grabbing for a purchase.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   What is happening?!

He hits a rooftop, hard. He rubs his neck as he sits up.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   I did not in fact stick that
                   landing.

He dodges the returning boomerang.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Wha--?

ANGLE ON TINKERER

TINKERER catches the boomerang, which fades in his grasp.

                             TINKERER
                   Revenge, and the bounty, appear
                   already in hand!

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Tinkerer! Gah! Do you not own a
                   TV? Radio? Chameleon's in
                   prison. The bounty's gone.
                   Kaputsky!

                             TINKERER
                   Lies!

Tinkerer activates two energy whips and attacks Spider-Man, who can only roll and dodge in the dust.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   My spidey-sense is barely
                   working! What's going on with
                   me?

He is lashed about the legs and pulled to the ground. Desperately he rifles inside a pocket as Tinkerer looms over him.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Fine. You don't want to leave
                   empty-handed? I get it!

He counts and holds out four bills.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (continues)
                   How's ... four dollars sound?

                             TINKERER
                   Bounty or no, this changes
                   nothing!

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Is this about that time I
                   punched you out in the Raft? Or
                   when I made your baseball team
                   lose?

Tinkerer activates a pair of clubs.

                             TINKERER
                   Taste my revenge, Spider-Brat!
                   You're about to be ... How did
                   you put it? Kaputsky?

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   So, you don't want the four
                   dollars?

END OF TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. CITY -- ROOFTOP -- DAY
Spider-Man, his legs bound together by a virtual lash, gazes up as Tinkerer advances with a pair of energy clubs.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Gotta shut down this clown's
                   wrist-tech.

POV SHOT
The Tinkerer, seen through the Spidey-Visor, with lines and curves and equations targeting his limbs.

                             SPIDER-MAN (V.O.)
                   Physics, don't fail me now!

BACK TO SCENE

Spider-Man shoots and swings a wad of webbing, which hits the Tinkerer's wrist bands, causing a short out. The clubs fade and the virtual lashes dissolve, leaving the Tinkerer flummoxed as his weapons vanish.

                             tinkerer
                   What? Huh? How?

Spider-Man shoots a wad of webbing into the Tinkerer's mouth, then blasts him onto a wall with a blanket of webbing.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Gotta excuse me. I feel a nap
                   coming on.

To the Tinkerer's MUFFLED YELLS O.S., Spider-Man sprawls on his back, limbs splayed, and shuts his eyes.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (continues)
                   Ah. Nothing like the sweet,
                   soothing sounds of stifled
                   villainy.

A door to the roof bursts open and FIRST and SECOND POLICEMEN rush out.

                             FIRST POLICEMAN
                   The tip was on the money. Round
                   'em up. Ahem.

Spider-Man wakes with the two cops looming over him. He sighs as they pull him to his feet and cuff him.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Huh. Hippos, octopuses,
                   chameleons. And yet it's the
                   evil mastermind exhaustion that
                   does me in.

                             SECOND POLICEMAN
                   Alright, don't try anything,
                   Spidey. You're coming with us
                   for questioning.

Spider-Man GROANS.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CITY STREET -- DAY

Spider-Man, handcuffed, stands with First Policeman before CHIEF WATANABE.

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   Good work. But I can take it
                   from here, officer.

The policeman exits. When she and Spider-Man are alone:

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   Do you know how much pressure
                   I'm getting to bring you in?

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Lemme guess. Rage face, moustache,
                   flying spittle when he talks?

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   Destruction of property, public
                   endangerment, trespassing.
                   That's a big list of things
                   you're accused of.

She uncuffs Spider-Man.

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                        (continues)
                   So I can't believe I'm doing
                   this.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Uh ... Neither can I?

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   It's because I'd rather work
                   with you than fight you.

                             SPIDER-MAN
Thanks, Chief Watanabe. I'll help any way I can, obviously.

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   Good. Because Chameleon isn't
                   talking, and we have reason to
                   believe he wasn't the one who
                   put the bounty on your head. He
                   was only a hired gun.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Wait. What makes you think it
                   wasn't him?

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                   He's clammed up. Something, or
                   someone, scares him more than
                   jail time. And his gear was too
                   advanced for him to have worked
                   alone.

She holds out a sliver of material, which Spider-Man takes.

                             CHIEF WATANABE
                        (continues)
                   Our labs ran some tests. They
                   haven't been able to make heads
                   or tails of Chameleon's
                   technology. Thought maybe you
                   could take a piece to your ...
                   Spider-Lair? And see if you can
                   uncover a lead. Ideally pointing
                   to someone I can arrest. Just
                   promise me, if you find a lead,
                   you call me first.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Deal!

WIPE TO:

INT. HORIZON HOUSE -- MILE'S LAB -- DAY

Peter trudges into the lab with head hanging low. THE LIVING BRAIN enters. Peter recoils as it thrusts a drinks tray at him: paper cups with straws.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Peter Parker. May I interest you
                   in a tasty beverage?

                             PETER
                        (fearfully)
                   Miles?

MiLES MORALES enters.

                             MILES
                   Oh, you're not still scared of
                   L.B. here, are you, Pete? After
                   all he's done for you?

                             PETER
                   I'm not scared of him! I just
                   can't shake the feeling that
                   there's more to him than meets
                   the eye.

                             MILES
                   Maybe it's the rocket boots we
                   added yesterday.

                             PETER
                   You gave it rocket boots?

He bends to examine The Brain's feet.

                             PETER
                        (continues)
                   Actually ... that's pretty cool.

                             MILES
                   It was L.B.'s idea. To help him
                   get around quick in case he
                   needs to help us.

Peter takes a cup that The Brain is offering and walks over to Miles's desk. He sits and takes out the fragment of Chameleon's mask.

                             PETER
                   Speaking of help, I need yours
                   with this. The police gave me a
                   piece of Chameleon's tech. You
                   ever see anything like it?

Miles takes and examines the piece.

                             MILES
                   Huh. Metamorphic silicate.

                             PETER
                   Metamorphic ...? Wait, I've
                   heard that phrase before. If I
                   just weren't so ...

Peter's eyes droop. Miles continues talking, oblivious, as Peter starts to softly SNORE.

                             MILES
                   It's like clay, only you can
                   program it to take particular
                   shapes, and it will hold those
                   shapes as long as the signal
                   lasts. I've never seen anything
                   this advanced, though. As for
                   who could supply this tech, I
                   got nada. But watch this. Living
                   Brain!

The Brain, which is sweeping up in the corner of the room, looks up.

                             MILES
                        (continues)
                   Who in New York holds a
                   technology patent on metamorphic
                   silicates?

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Processing. Subject: Warren,
                   Raymond. Technology patent:
                   Programmable Metamorphic
                   Silicates. Fall, last year.

Peter perks up at this recitation.

                             PETER
                   That's incredible! So, Raymond
                   Warren. You think the Jackal's
                   behind these attacks?

                             MILES
                   We haven't seen him in months.
                   But it could also be someone
                   stealing his tech. Wouldn't be
                   the first time.

Peter's head abruptly droops, and he pokes himself in the eye with his straw.

                             PETER
                   Ow!

                             MILES
                   Oh! You okay? You don't look so
                   hot.

Miles bends to shine a pencil flashlight in Peter's eye.

                             PETER
                   What would make you think that?

Miles straightens up.

                             MILES
                   When was the last time you
                   slept?

                             PETER
                   If by "slept" you meant
                   "unexpectedly passed out in
                   aeronautics class" ... forty-
                   five minutes ago. If you mean "a
                   full night's rest," then
                   probably about a week. And a
                   half.

                             MILES
                   Dude, that's insane! No one can
                   function like that, not even
                   you!

                             PETER
                   Now that you mention it, I guess
                   my powers have kind of been on
                   strike.

                             MILES
                   And that doesn't seem odd to you?

                             PETER
                   I'll catch up on sleep when I
                   catch the Jackal, or whoever's
                   behind this.

                             MILES
                   Yeah, it'll be hilarious when
                   you snore on him. You need rest,
                   Pete.

Miles takes out his phone; it BEEPS as he dials. Peter sits up in alarm.

                             PETER
                   Who are you calling?

                             MILES
                   Hey, Mrs. Parker. It's Miles.

                             PETER
                   No no no! Don't tell her!

Peter leaps up and grabs for the phone, but Miles easily pushes him back into his seat. Peter slumps and pouts as he listens.

                             MILES
                   So Pete's come to school looking
                   a little, well ... You know how
                   a balloon looks on day five? ...
                   "Deflated?" I was going to say
                   sad. ... I agree. He's coming
                   home.

Peter grimaces, groans, face-palms.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PARKER HOUSE -- NIGHT -- ESTABLISHING

Lights blaze in the windows as evening settles over the city.

INT PARKER HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS HALL -- NIGHT

Aunt May pushes Peter up the stairs.

                             PETER
                   This is so blown out of
                   proportion!
                        (fighting yawn)
                   I'm not that tired!

                             AUNT MAY
                   You're not the boss here, young
                   man.

BEDROOM DOORWAY

                             AUNT MAY
                   And would you want to disappoint
                   your slumberland pal?

Peter GASPS and runs to the bed, where a stuffed elephant is resting. He jumps onto the bed and hugs the elephant.

                             PETER
                   Senor Trunks! Haven't needed him
                   to sleep since I was six.

He hugs it, turns onto his side, and instantly starts SNORING softly.

                             AUNT MAY
                   No one says "no" to Senor
                   Trunks.

She closes the door behind her as she leaves.

Once the door is closed, Peter opens his eyes and takes his phone from his bag. He dials.

                             MILES (V.O.)
                   This better be a dream-dial,
                   Pete!

                             PETER
                   Dude, calling Aunt May was a low
                   blow! Wait, where are you?

INTERCUT

Peter listening to Spider-Miles (V.O.), with SPIDER-MILES in gear swinging through the city.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Looking into things. L.B. found
                   another warehouse registered to
                   the Jackal. I'm headed there now
                   to check it out.

                             PETER
                   Miles, listen, I went through
                   the wringer with all these
                   villains. Don't do it alone, you
                   need back up!

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   And the guy who's powers have
                   gone whackadoodle is going to
                   help? Get some zeez, I got it
                   covered, man.

WIPE TO:

INT. JACKAL'S ABANDONED LAB -- NIGHT

Miles, armed with a flashlight, enters a room filled with discarded gear and sheet-covered machinery. Spider-Miles addresses himself as he explores.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Just an empty office? Abandoned
                   tech? No lab?

He approaches a wall-mounted lab with excitement.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Oh, wait! Could it be? Could
                   this light be a lever that opens
                   the door to a super-secret
                   hidden lab?

He twists and pushes the lamp, but nothing happens. He moves on with a frown.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Dream crusher.

MONTAGE

Spider-Miles looking into various corners.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Not seeing any clues here.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Nothing but outdated tech.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Ew, spiders. Real ones.

END OF MONTAGE

He sits in a chair and leans back.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I got nothing.

With a CRY falls backward out of the chair to the floor.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I'm really glad no one saw that.

As he pulls himself to his feet, he grabs the edge of a bookcase, pulling it open like a sliding glass door.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I knew it! Awesome super-secret
                   lab! Now, this is what I call a
                   clue!

He enters and looks around. The equipment is new and shiny. In the middle of the room is a pedestal holding a mask. As he watches, cycles through a series of faces. Some are new, but some, including J. Jonah Jameson and Chief Watanabe, will be familiar.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Metamorphic silicates! So cool!
                   And this must be the image-
                   matrix server that uploads
                   identities to it.

He begins to fiddles with the machine.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   Just need to download Chameleon's
                   server files and decrypt later.
                   Hopefully there's a digital trail or
                   something that leads back to who
                   he's working for.

The display freezes on Jameson's face.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   Ugh. J. Jonah Jameson?

Portals open in the walls, and laser guns extend out.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   Uh-oh! Triggered security! If
                   his is the last face I ever see,
                   I'm going to be so mad!

END OF ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. JACKAL'S ABANDONED LAB -- NIGHT
Spider-Miles dodges laser blasts and dives behind a barrier.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Okay, maybe Pete was right.
                   Back-up would've been a smart
                   idea!

He peeks out and almost gets his head blown off.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Aw, great, now I'm trapped!

A wall EXPLODES inward, creating a dust cloud. Through the hole and the cloud stalks The Living Brain.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Miles Morales. Do you require--?

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Yes! Living Brain!

The Living Brain stalks over. It picks up Miles, cradles him in its arms, rolls into a ball, and rolls from the room with laser blasts bouncing off its body.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Safety tumble!

Miles OOFS and OWS until they are outside. The robot unwinds and sets Spider-Miles on his feet.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Wow! You ... you followed me?

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   When you left, your vital signs
                   revealed heightened stress. I
                   only care to assist.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Want to assist? Get me access to
                   whatever data's in that room.

The Living Brain re-enters the lab. Laser beams bounce off its body. It wrenches one from a mount and uses it to knock out the others.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Threat assessment: zero percent.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Thanks, Living Brain. That was--

He looks around and GROANS when he sees the mess, including the smashed pedestal.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   So much for evidence! Spidey's
                   going to kill me!

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   What is a "spidey"?

Spider-Miles tries logging into a computer, but the monitor shorts out.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Spidey? Short for "Spider-Man"?
                   Short for "He who will wring my
                   webs for losing evidence"? I'm
                   following up on a lead for him.

The Living Brain scans a wall with a light beam mounted in its face.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Will a communications record be
                   of sufficient use?

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Like a call history?

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Affirmative.

The Living Brain tears a hole in the wall it scanned, pulls out some wires, and attaches them to its head.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Accessing root files, date range
                   activity available: one year.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   One year? I'll take last week!

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Affirmative. Oscorp. Sub-
                   basement IP, via digital voice
                   record. Number of calls: ten.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Someone here was receiving calls
                   from an Oscorp sub-basement? I
                   know Oscorp, and there's no sub-
                   basement. Unless ... It's
                   another super-secret lab! Living
                   Brain, you may have just cracked
                   this thing wide open!

WIPE TO:

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- UPSTAIRS HALL -- NIGHT

Peter, in his backpack, approaches the stairs. His phone buzzes, and he answers.

                             PETER
                   Miles?

A muffled ROAR sounds over the phone as Spider-Miles speaks.

                             SPIDER-MILES (V.O.)
                   Sorry to interrupt, but me and
                   the Living Brain--

                             PETER
                   Hold up. What's that sound?
                        (face falling)
                   You're riding the flying robot,
                   aren't you?

EXT. CITY STREET -- NIGHT

Spider-Miles seated atop The Living Brain, which is rocketing along.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   You have a flying robot, you get
                   to fly it! But that's not why I
                   called. Get this. Living Brain
                   uncovered ten calls logged from
                   Oscorp to Jackal's lab, just
                   this past week. All from some
                   sub-basement.

BACK TO PETER

He sneaks into the darkened kitchen.

                             PETER
                   A secret lab! I have to call
                   Harry! Be careful, Miles.

He dials. It RINGS.

                             PETER
                   Come on, Harry. Where are you?

With a GROAN he puts the phone away and begins to pace.

                             PETER
                   Who could be behind all this?
                   Maybe Norman's back? Harry? No,
                   that doesn't track. I gotta--

The light flicks on. Aunt May enters.

                             AUNT MAY
                   Peter?

                             PETER
                   What? Oh! Uh! Where am I? I must
                   have been, uh-- Sleepwalking?

                             AUNT MAY
                   With your backpack?

                             PETER
                   I, uh, I guess I take school
                   very seriously. Even in my
                   dreams.

Aunt May cocks a skeptical eyebrow.

WIPE TO:

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- PETER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Peter enters, dragging his backpack behind. Aunt May glowers in the doorway.

                             AUNT MAY
                   Go to bed, Peter. I don't want
                   to see you awake until tomorrow.

She closes the door. Peter falls onto his bed with an angry groan.

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- CORRIDOR -- NIGHT -- ESTABLISHING

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- CORRIDOR -- NIGHT

The Living Brain, a light flaring from its eye, marches along with Spider-Miles perched on its back.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   You sure there's no cameras down
                   here? Because as cool as all
                   this super-spy stuff is, getting
                   caught sneaking around Oscorp is
                   not on my schedule.

They come to a door. Spider-Miles hops to the floor.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Scans indicate basement clear,
                   sub-basement level ahead.

Spider-Miles opens the door and looks in.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   And it looks like you hit your
                   first glitch.

ANGLE ON THE INTERIOR

A janitor's closet, filthy with slop buckets and other gear.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   This is a janitor's closet.

The Living Brain enters, pushing Spider-Miles away and almost crushing him.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                        (continues)
                   Hey! L.B.! Little room? Yeah?
                   You're invading my space bubble!

The Living Brain touches the back wall. A circle on it lights up, and the patch of floor where they are standing begins to lower. Spider-Miles flinches in surprise.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   An elevator? Of course the
                   super-secret lab is under the
                   fake janitor's closet!

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- SUB-BASEMENT -- LAB
A door slides open, and Spider-Miles and the Living Brain enter.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

He looks around. It is filled with equipment, including a Goblin Glider.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   But who's using this lab and how
                   does it all connect? Raymond
                   Warren is still a suspect.
                   Harry's supposed to be in
                   Europe. I guess there's always
                   the ghost of Norman Osborn.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Norman Osborn: presumed
                   deceased.

Spider-Miles's phone BUZZES. He jumps and takes it out.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I get reception down here? Nice!
                        (into phone)
                   Spidey! Guess what we just
                   found! Someone's been running
                   the show from this hidden Oscorp
                   lab.

                             PETER (V.O.)
                   Alright. I'm on my way.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Don't. Dude, take the night off.
                   L.B. and I got this. I'll give
                   you the play-by-play tomorrow.

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- PETER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Peter hangs up his phone.

                             PETER
                   You are not keeping me away.

He edges out of his bedroom into the hall. As he turns the corner, he bumps directly into GWEN STACY, who drops some papers she is carrying. She stoops to pick them up.

                             PETER
                   Gwen! What are you doing here?

                             GWEN
                   You're awake! I was bringing you
                   the homework you left on your
                   desk.

                             AUNT MAY
                        (entering from the stairs)
                   Isn't Gwen nice?

                             PETER
                        (sagging)
                   Yes. Awesome.

He snatches the homework from Gwen and stalks back into his room.

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- SUB-BASEMENT -- LAB

Spider-Miles taps away at a computer monitor. He addresses The Living Brain as he works.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   According to the data on these
                   files, this lab has only been in
                   use since Norman's death. Wait!
                   This folder has multiple
                   encryptions.

ANGLE ON COMPUTER

As Spider-Miles guesses passwords, rejections appear on the screen.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   "Oscorp"? No, that was too
                   obvious. "Harry." Ungh. Guess
                   the passwords too many times,
                   and the system could wipe
                   itself.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Affirmative. Someone with better
                   knowledge would be advisable.
                   Spider-Man, perhaps?

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   You're right. I'm backing up the
                   encrypted files. We can decode
                   these back at the lab.

The Living Brain crosses to another monitor.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   This console is activated.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Living Brain, wait!

A lock appears on the monitors.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Incoming. Multiple energy
                   signatures in ventilation duct.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I hope Spidey got some sleep,
                   because now I do need help.
                   Dialing.

A duct opens in the wall, and a small ROBOT enters. It is a miniature Spider-Slayer, and it shoots a laser, knocking the phone from Spider-Miles's hand. Spider-Man's icon shows on the screen as it hits the floor.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   No!

More portals open, and more robots leap into the room, lasers cocked and aimed.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   They are here.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Mini Spider-Slayers? Okay, well,
                   I guess it's just up to you and
                   me, L.B.!

END OF ACT TWO


FADE IN:

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- SUB-BASEMENT -- LAB

Spider-Miles and The Living Brain stand back to back as miniature Spider-Slayers surround and fire at them.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   Living Brain, time to divide and
                   conquer!

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   I am here for assistance.

The two begin tossing mini spider-slayers about.

WIPE TO:

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- PETER'S BEDROOM -- NIGHT

Peter slouches at his desk, SNORING. His phone buzzes, and with a CRY he falls out of his chair. He picks up his phone and studies the screen with a frown. It shows a location.

                             PETER
                   Miles!

THE HALLWAY

Aunt May and Gwen are standing just outside Peter's door. They turn as he opens it.

                             PETER
                   Aunt May! Mind if I talk science
                   with Gwen before she goes?
                        (fake yawn)
                   Gettin' pretty sleepy!

                             AUNT MAY
                   Sure thing, honey. And then,
                   rest.

She puts her hands on his shoulders.

                             AUNT MAY
                        (continues)
                   I'm serious.

She exits. Peter hisses to Gwen:

                             PETER
                   We don't have a lot of time!

                             GWEN
                   Not a lot of time ... for
                   science?

She follows him into the bedroom, where he's donning his backpack.

                             PETER
                   Yeah, I can't explain. Can you
                   cover for me and keep Aunt May
                   occupied?

                             GWEN
                   What? No way! Do you know how
                   much trouble--?

                             PETER
                   It's important! Like, life or
                   death important. Just trust me.
                   As a friend.

                             GWEN
                   How would I even distract her?

Peter thinks. Then he smiles.

WIPE TO:

INT. OSCORP TOWER -- SUB-BASEMENT --LAB

Spider-Miles and The Living Brain toss mini-Spider-Slayers around. Spider-Miles finds his phone under one of them.

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   My phone! Woo! The alert got
                   sent! Cavalry should be on the
                   way, L.B.!

He and the robot talk as they fight.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Estimated wait time for subject,
                             cavalry?

                             SPIDER-MILES
                   I actually have no clue.

With a single blow, multiple mini-Spider-Slayers are knocked out as Spider-Man leaps into the room.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Did somebody call for a web
                   special?

The Living Brain spins, knocking out several more adversaries, but one of his stray laser bolts knocks the Goblin Glider from the roof. It falls on Spider-Miles.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   No!

He races over to Spider-Miles and pushes the Glider off hm.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Oh man, oh man! Please be okay,
                   please be okay!

Spider-Miles GROANS faintly.

WIPE TO:

INT. PARKER HOUSE -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT

Aunt May flips a wheat-cake in a pan.

                             AUNT MAY
                   The key to success? It's all in
                   the wrists.

Gwen, also in the kitchen, sifts flour. She is clearly fighting to suppress her sarcasm.

                             GWEN
                   Wow. Thanks for showing me how
                   to make your famous pancakes.

Aunt May puts the skillet down and advances on Gwen with a glare. She puts her hands on the girl's shoulders.

                             AUNT MAY
                   They're called "wheat-cakes."

                             GWEN
                        (nervous)
                   Right. That's what I meant.

WIPE TO:

INT OSCORP TOWER -- SUB-BASEMENT -- LAB

Spider-Man huddles with a limp Spider-Miles behind a barrier as laser blasts flare overhead. The Living Brain dual-wields laser pistols at the enemies.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Rendering assistance.

It rakes the room with the laser beams, blasting rows of robots. It lowers its weapons.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Spider-Slayers remaining:

One last mini-Spider-Slayer peeks out around a corner. Without looking around, the Living Brain blasts it.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Zero.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   You're certainly ... efficient.
                   Except when you're accidentally
                   dropping a Goblin Glider on my
                   friend's head.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Apologies for reckless behavior.

It turns toward Miles and scans him with a ray from its eye.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Vital signs: Strong. Scans
                   reveal mild contusions. Chance
                   of recovery: one hundred
                   percent. Would he like a tasty
                   beverage?

Spider-Man pulls Spider-Miles up.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   No. We gotta get him out of
                   here.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Shall we collect the Energy
                   Focal Device before departing?

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Energy Focal What Now?

ANGLE ON DEVICE

The Living Brain gestures at a large tool tucked unobtrusively beneath a work bench.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Computer scans indicate a
                   possible clue.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Okay ...

Spider-Man props Spider-Miles carefully next to a barrier.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (continues)
                   Guess we can take it back to
                   Horizon for analysis. Is this
                   the clue that you and Miles
                   were--?

He reaches out to grab it. Electricity shoots off it, enveloping him. He YELLS and CRIES out in pain, then collapses to the floor.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Ha ha ha.

A panel in the device opens. The Living Brain reaches in and withdraws a lens mounted in a heavy metal ring.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   Followed my breadcrumbs. Sought
                   out those that aimed to destroy
                   you. Well, here I am.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                        (raising head)
                   What? I don't understand. Living
                   Brain?

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   You thought I was gone, Spider-
                   Man. But, hiding in the circuits
                   of the Neuro-Cortex, I, Dr. Otto
                   Octavius, was planning my sweet
                   revenge the whole time.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Doc Ock? How did you--?

FLARE TO WHITE

Flashback images of Dr. Octavius, unconscious beneath the Neuro-Cortex. As The Living Brain speaks in V.O., his tentacles twitch, rise, and attach themselves to the Neuro-Cortex. It flares to life.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (V.O.)
                   During our last encounter, your
                   attack forced my consciousness
                   to download into the Neuro-
                   Cortex. I was trapped there but
                   I survived, and even in my new
                   home I could still communicate
                   with the outside world.

Images of THE MASTER PLANNER on a giant view-screen, addressing a gathering of super-villains.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (V.O.)
                        (continues)
                   I recruited a gang of amateurs
                   and morons to keep you busy,
                   wearing you down, preparing
                   your rendezvous with
                   destruction.

Images of The Living Brain at Horizon.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (V.O.)
                        (continues)
                   Then I tricked those imbeciles
                   at Horizon into creating a
                   robotic body for me.

Animation of the Living Brain working with Spider-Miles in the lab, working, and battling.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (V.O.)
                        (continues)
                   I followed your partner to my
                   associate's secret lab in hopes
                   you would meet up with him. Then
                   I led him here, to where the
                   final piece of my puzzle
                   resides. Ha ha ha. But again and
                   again, he was too incompetent to
                   ask for your help.

Animation of the Living Brain picking up Spider-Miles's phone and completing the alert to Spider-Man.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (V.O.)
                        (continues)
                   So I forced his hand.

END OF FLASHBACK

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   Your bedtime stories need
                   serious work, Ock.

He swings a punch at the robot, but the Brain catches his hand.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   There's still life in you yet.
                   Good.

It hurls Spider-Man to the floor. Spider-Man GRUNTS and PANTS and clutches his side.

                             SPIDER-MAN
                   It's nice to know you care.

The Living Brain removes its face plate and substitutes the Energy Focal Device, which once in place resembles an enormous electric eye.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   What benefit if you were
                   destroyed? After all, I'd only
                   be hurting myself.

                             SPIDER-MAN
What are you talking about?

As The Living Brain speaks, its new eye powers up.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN
                   All you need to know, Spider-
                   Man, is that I am finally about
                   to take my sweet revenge.

CLOSE ON SPIDER-MAN'S FACE

Bluish-white light pours over him.

                             THE LIVING BRAIN (O.S.)
                   Ha ha ha ha.

FADE TO WHITE

DISSOLVE TO BLACK

TEXT ON SCREEN: TO BE CONTINUED ...


The above, with some very small tweaks, is an almost-exact transcript of "Brain Drain" by Jacob Semahn.

"Spider-Man Commentary: The Master PlannerOpen in new Window.

Next: "S02E13 "Revenge of The Living Brain"Open in new Window.
© Copyright 2020 Seuzz (seuzz at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates have been granted non-exclusive rights to display this work.
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2230150-S02E12-The-Master-Planner