Golden age chapter 4

Golden Age, Issue 4 � Michael Nevada

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PAGE ONE (1 panel) Panel 1. A shot of Marty's living room close to the main door. It's dark, the lights are off and it's also night time. In fact, the shadows from the outside cover most of the panel. On the side is a desk with pictures. One of Marty and Carol on their wedding day, they look so happy. Another of them recently. Yes they have aged (in their early 40s) but they still have the same smile and joy that they had in their youth. In between these 2 pictures is a phone with a voice message recorder. CREDITS: Golden Age Chapter 4: The Darkest Evening SUB: November 12, 2003 CAP: Today Marty comes home late. Marty (from the message recorder): "beep" Hi honey, it's me Marty--


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PAGE TWO (4 panels) Panel 1. Focus on the doorknob at the front door of Marty's house. Put some motion lines so people know that the door knob is moving. MARTY (Off screen): --The guys at work want me to stay a little bit longer just to work out the deal. Panel 2. From the door, Carol looking as gorgeous as ever (even holding some grocery bags). Her keys are on the right of her hand. Maybe have her carry something in her mouth just to show she's had a busy day. MARTY (Off screen): I know I said we'd go out for dinner tonight, but we have a lot of work to do. Panel 3. Carol going up the stairs of her house. We see f her back. MARTY: Who knows. If this pulls through, we could finally buy that hot tub you always wanted. Panel 4. Front shot now of Carol going up the stairs. She looks tired. MARTY: Oh and one more thing--


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PAGE THREE (2 panels) Panel 1. Medium shot of the recorder again. Carol is already upstairs so she can't hear the rest of the message. MARTY: --Alph's been trying to install a new security system in the house. There's a few bugs, so just be extra careful and make sure the doors are locked tonight. Panel 2. Same as 3.2 except now a mysterious figure in the shadows wearing a trench coat presses a button on the machine to stop the message. SFX (from the machine): “click”


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PAGE FOUR (6 panels) Panel 1. Medium shot of Carol removing her top (in her bedroom) to get into something a bit more comfortable. She's already taken off her pants. At the door, a shadowy figure (the one from downstairs) is looking at Carol. CHEMISTRY: You know, you should've really listened to the last part of the message. Panel 2. Carol looking terrified as Chemistry approaches her. CAROL: Oh god...don't go near me!?! Panel 3. Medium shot of Mr. Chemistry. He looks much older. It's been almost 30 years since we saw him in issue 2 so age him appropriately. While talking he stares at the rusty knife he's holding in his left hand, as if he's dreaming of something happy. Maybe have him look at his reflection on the knife. MR. CHEMISTRY: I was hoping to find Marty here...too bad he's busy...oh well. Panel 4. Same as 4.3 but now he points the knife toward her. His grin looks more sadistic than ever before. I want to get the vibe that he's creepy and just crazy. A huge change from the happy go lucky villain he was 2 issues ago. MR. CHEMISTRY: You'll do. Panel 5. Medium shot of Mr. Chemistry, his trenchcoat falling to the floor still holding his knife approaching Carol. His right hand is pulling his belt out so that he can pull his pants down. Carol is just in her underwear. CAROL: Don't touch me! Marty......Alpha.....help! Panel 6. Chemistry forcefully placing Carol on the bed. He's in a precarious position and has Carol pinned down.


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MR. CHEMISTRY: Don't worry, I'll try not to enjoy myself too much.


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PAGE FIVE (5 panels) Panel 1. Shot looking up at Chemistry. His face is just creepy. He's smiling because he knows Carol is scared. CAROL: Help! Someone please just... MR. CHEMISTRY: This isn't a movie or some comic book. The hero isn't gonna swoop down and save you...not this time at least. Panel 2. Carol's face showing horror. She's trying to talk Chemistry out of the horrible deed he's planning to do. CAROL: Please....don't do this...I didn't do anything. MR. CHEMISTRY: No you didn't, but someone you know did...and this...this is revenge. All these weird things happening it's...it's because of him. Panel 3. Chemistry holding her mouth. Carol is trying to fight him off but it isn't working. CAROL: What are you talking about MR. CHEMISTRY: Shhhhhhhh! The less you struggle the quicker this will be. You can call me Marty if you'd like. Panel 4. Close-up of Carol's hands on the bed. It's not moving. Panel 5. Same as 5.4 except now the hand is grasping the sheet as if she's in pain. CAROL: No. Please don't...


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PAGE SIX (5 panels) Panel 1. A shot of Marty's house from the outside. There is police tape everywhere and around 3 police cars. (it's still night). 2 police men are outside looking at the scene with Alpha. Marty has just entered the scene he's rushing to the cops because he has no idea what just happened. MARTY: What's going on here? Carol! Carol! Are you there? COP #1: Sir, if you could just settle down, I can explain what happened. ALPHA: Marty, just calm down a sec. Panel 2. Medium shot of Marty pushing through Alpha and the cops and into his house. His face is filled with worry. He's shouting at the top of his lungs to hear Carol's voice again. MARTY: Carol! Panel 3. Marty going up the stairs MARTY: Carol! Panel 4. In the forefront is Carol's arm on her bed. There's blood dripping from it. In the background is Marty hand over mouth in horror. MARTY: Oh god. Panel 5. Close-up of Marty's face. I want the saddest most anguished face you've ever seen. Carol was Marty's everything. I want people to weep when you see his reaction. MARTY: Carol!


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PAGE SEVEN (5 panels) Panel 1. Back outside we see Galahad joining the cops and Alpha outside. He has a beaten up Mr. Chemistry tied up and being walked in cuffs into the back of a police car. GALAHAD: I found him running with this rusty old knife...thought something strange was happening COP #1: That's our guy. Thanks for helping out. You didn't have to break his arm though. GALAHAD: He deserved it. You're lucky I didn't snap off other important appendages. MAJOR ALPHA: I didn't catch your name. Galahan is it? GALAHAD: Galahad. MAJOR ALPHA: Well Galahad. Thanks for helping. Panel 2. Marty being held by other cops he wants to see Mr. Chemistry. He goes up to ask Major Alpha where he is MARTY: Where is he!?!?! I want to see him! MAJOR ALPHA: This isn't the time, Marty. You're angry. MARTY: Of course I'm angry! Carol's dead cuz of this fucking lunatic! Panel 3. Alpha grabbing a hysterical Marty. His arms are flailing. MARTY: Let me go! I'm gonna kill this guy!


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MAJOR ALPHA: I can't let you do that. Please just calm down. MARTY: You're gonna let this guy live after what he did! Panel 4. Alpha putting Marty down but he's still angry and furious. Tears come from his eyes. Seeing Alpha's back. Marty speaks. MARTY: You can lift buildings and fly and do anything...but you couldn't save her! Why couldn't you save her! Panel 5. Close-up of Alpha looking guilty and sad. MAJOR ALPHA: I'm sorry.


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PAGE EIGHT (4 panels) Panel 1. Marty now relaxing and sitting down on the porch. His hand on his head, still mortified at the loss of his true love. MARTY: Oh god. What am I gonna do without her? It isn't fair. Panel 2. In the background is Marty and Alpha both sitting on the sidewalk now. In the forefront is the police car holding Mr. Chemistry. You can see the back of his head through the glass in the car. MARTY: Why couldn't you save her-- Panel 3. Close-up of Chemistry peering through the glass to see Marty and Alpha. His face is beaten up really bad. Panel 4. Same as 8.4 except now he grins. He's satisfied with what he's done. CAP: --why?


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PAGE NINE (5 panels) Panel 1. We're back in the present day. Siliniez and Mr. Chemistry speak in opposite ends of a glass wall. Mr. Chemistry looks much older than he really is, almost decaying. He has an oxygen mask and everything. Siliniez speaks to him with no animosity. Chemistry is still grinning as if he was reliving the past pages like a dream. He enjoyed that moment a lot SUB: Hedgerose Psychiatric Ward, San Francisco MR. CHEMISTRY: Why what? SILINIEZ: Why do you keep calling me your son? Panel 2. Chemistry looking intensely at this behemoth. He wants to play mind games with him. MR. CHEMISTRY: It was my batch of chemicals that formed you. Although, I was quite surprised with the outcome. SILINIEZ: How so? Panel 3. Chemistry is picking some dirt out of his finger nails. He acts as if Siliniez isn't even there. MR. CHEMISTRY: Do you know what was in Chemical-Y? Water with food coloring. I think I even put some baking powder and vinegar just to make it seem more...reactive. Panel 4. Medium-shot of Siliniez looking intrigued. He thinks this man is simply crazy. SILINIEZ: What are you trying to say? MR. CHEMISTRY:


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Well you were gonna ask about S.H.A.D.O.W. weren't you? This is me leading into that. Panel 5. Galahad in the background behind Siliniez now looking angry. Galahad leans to speak to Chemistry. Mystery is trying to restrain Galahad GALAHAD: Enough of these mind games you worthless scum. Tell me where S.H.A.D.O.W's weapon is. MYSTERY: Calm down Galahad, he's not worth it.


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PAGE TEN (5 panels) Panel 1. Medium shot of Chemistry. He holds his hands prim and proper. His eyes show joy. He likes that he's getting to Galahad. MR. CHEMISTRY: The organization I was working for has been disbanded for 30 years now. I seriously doubt that they're active. However... Panel 2. We are in the point of view of Mr. Chemistry looking at his adversaries. Maybe have his hands in the bottom so it appears we're seeing through his eyes. MR. CHEMISTRY: I saw things, people being mutilated, maimed, all so they could create that perfect soldier. They didn't tell me much about what they were. Y'see I was just following orders. Panel 3. Close-up of Mr. Chemistry's face again with his creepy smile. MR. CHEMISTRY: But whatever it was, it was beautiful. Panel 4. Madame Mystery looking bored and talking to both Siliniez and Galahad MADAME MYSTERY: Let's go. He's crazy, I don't think he even knows where he is. MR. CHEMISTRY: Listen you little whore-- Panel 5. Medium shot of Mr. Chemistry, aggravated and angry at these people for not giving him the attention he craves for. MR. CHEMISTRY: --I know exactly where I am, where we're going, and I don't care...not anymore at least. Everyone deserves to die! This weapon you speak of, if it is created by S.H.A.D.O.W, it isn't a machine it's a person. Just like you and those super-powered freaks you work with.


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PAGE ELEVEN (5 panels) Panel 1. Side shot of Mr, Chemistry getting angry and shouting at the heroes. The heroes on the other side of the glass look intrigued. Galahad looks like he wants to kick the living crap out of this guy. MR. CHEMISTRY: You weren't an accident my son. None of you were. Someone's behind all this. I thought it was that Marty boy. I thought he was some sort of secret S.H.A.D.O.W project that not even I was allowed to see. Someone given enough power to alter reality itself. Why else would you guys have him around all the time? Panel 2. Mr. Chemistry back in his chair relaxing now. He's vented and got their attention. He's satisfied himself. MR. CHEMISTRY: I was being a hero that faithful night. I was gonna kill Marty and the disasters would stop. But he was away. So I raped and killed his wife instead. What was her name again?....oh yah....Carol. Panel 3. Galahad looking very angry. He was there the night it happened. He wants to strangle this creep. Madame Mystery holds Galahad back. GALAHAD: You're disgusting. If it were up to me you'd be rotting away in a prison instead of some medical facility. MADAME MYSTERY: Galahad, please. This is exactly what he wants you to do. Just calm down. ` Panel 4. Medium shot of Mr Chemistry now cleaning his finger nails. MR. CHEMISTRY: I guess I was wrong though. Word on the street is that Paisley hung himself. You can't blame him though. Panel 5. With his head down he looks at our heroes. Only one side of his face smiles.


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MR. CHEMISTRY: If I was a pathetic loser like him, I'd do the same thing. That Carol was really slumming it.


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PAGE TWELVE (5 panels) Panel 1. We're within Section-Y. Hundreds of soldiers are in attendance listening to General Ackart’s briefing. Ackart is on a stage. He's holding papers and speaks with a podium in front of him. Behind him are a few generals, Alpha, and Living Light. Alpha stands and listens to the general. Light looks bored and is scratching his head. SUB: Section-Y ACKART: Last night, Alpha and Doctor Reynolds calculated a way to locate the source of this mystery weapon. Unfortunately, the next natural disaster has to occur for around 30 minutes to triangulate the source location. Panel 2. Alpha looking at Doctor Reynolds who isn't on stage. She's sitting down beside the soldiers. Maybe show a silhouette of the back of his head in the forefront. In the background, Denise sitting and playing around with a gadget calculating and still doing her work. GENERAL ACKART: The disaster may occur at anytime, could be today or even next month. We're not taking any chances. Panel 3. Medium-shot of Alpha raising his hand slightly to wave hello to Denise. He seems shy and tries not to be caught by the General who is speaking. GENERAL ACKART: I want each division to evacuate all major cities, putting everyone in bomb shelters until this situation is handled. Your squad leaders have specific details on the locations of these shelters. Panel 4. Denise sees Alpha waving. She smiles too and gives a small wave back. GENERAL ACKART: For more information I bring, Major Alpha, to the podium.


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Panrl 5. Alpha smiling because Denise acknowledges him. Living Light beside him notices that Alpha wasn't listening to Ackart's speech. GENERAL ACKART: Alpha?


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PAGE THIRTEEN (4 panels) Panel 1. Living Light, looking and speaking to Alpha. He looks a bit annoyed at the hero whose head is obviously somewhere else as he stares at Denise. Alpha walks towards to the podium. LIVING LIGHT: I think it's your turn to speak, big guy. MAJOR ALPHA: Oh...oh yah sorry, I just blanked. Panel 2. Medium shot of Living Light, Alpha visibly gone. there's a space between him and the general beside him showing that Alpha was just in that place. Light's eyes roll as he says his dialogue. He's embarrassed just like how an older brother would be with his geeky younger brother. LIVING LIGHT: What a dweeb. Panel 3. Medium shot of Alpha now at the podium. His posture changes. He has more confidence as he reaches the stage. He has to because these people need a leader that they can trust and depend on. He has no papers on hand. He knows exactly what to say. MAJOR ALPHA: When we locate the source, The Alpha League and myself will take care of the situation. The job of everyone in this room is to make sure all civilians are safe. I will only have direct contact with General Ackart and Doctor Reynolds using a special 2-way communicator hidden in my ear. Meaning they hear what I hear, and I hear what they hear. Panel 4. A long shot showing the thousands of soldiers in Section-y listening to Alpha MAJOR ALPHA: If you have important information that the League needs, you speak to Reynolds or Ackart.


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PAGE FOURTEEN (4 panels) Panel 1. Medium shot of Alpha on the podium. More sincere and less serious. Maybe have him scratch his neck and look down. MAJOR ALPHA: I've been waiting all my life for this moment. When we can finally stop all these disasters-- Panel 2. A long shot of Denise and the soldiers. Denise no longer playing with her machine and giving all her attention to Alpha. CAP: --It may take numerous forms. Fire from the sky, massive tsunamis, heck I wouldn't even count out swarms of locusts. Panel 3. long shot of the people behind Alpha. Living Light finally serious. General Ackart still holding his serious face unscathed by the speech. CAP: And though the mystery of what comes next is frightening. We will persevere and live to see another day as long as we do our best. Panel 4. Major Alpha in all his heroic glory. The lights in the podium brighten, he looks almost god-like. the crowd below him clap their hands MAJOR ALPHA: Mankind will survive. That's a promise I intend to keep. SFX: Clap.Clap.Clap.Clap.Clap.Clap.Clap.


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PAGE FIFTEEN (5 panels) Panel 1. A view from the back of thousands of screaming soldiers clapping at the speech. Panel 2. Medium shot of Alpha walking away from the podium Panel 3. Alpha passes General Ackart who is in the background and whispers something to Alpha. GENERAL ACKART: Well done. Panel 4 Alpha now passing Living Light. Light has a smirk on his face. He's being sarcastic. LIVING LIGHT: Quite touching, Alph. I don't think Bill Pullman in Independence Day could've done a better motivational speech. You write that yourself? Panel 5. Same as 15.4 except now Alpha is almost entirely out of the frame. MAJOR ALPHA: Funny.


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PAGE SIXTEEN (4 panels) Panel 1. Reynolds in an archive room looking through the boxes of Marty's memorabilia. Helping her with the files is General Ackart who's in the background grabbing files that have nothing to do with Marty. GENERAL ACKART: Why are you looking through Paisley's junk? It's useless. DENISE REYNOLDS: I guess he just fascinates me. I wonder what it'd be like y'know? Growing up with these superheroes surrounding you. He practically knew Alph his whole life. Panel 2. General looking strangely at Denise, wondering why he'd call Alpha that nickname. He sort of smiles, but tries to hide it. Maybe have one of his eye brows raised in intrigue. Denise looks embarrassed but still looks through the box. GENERAL ACKART: "Alph"? DENISE REYNOLDS: Well that's what he told me to call him. Panel 3. We now have a subjective view through the eyes of Denise. Her hands are in view. In the surface of the "junk" is the picture we saw in the first issue of Marty and Alpha in April 6 1969 which Denise holds. Panel 4. Same as 16.3 except Denise has lifted the picture and beneath it is the only drawing Marty drew on March 8, 1968. DENISE REYNOLDS: That's odd.


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PAGE SEVENTEEN (6 panels) Panel 1. Denise showing the 2 pictures to Ackart. GENERAL ACKART: What is? DENISE REYNOLDS: These pictures... Panel 2. Close-up of the 1969 picture. There's a hand on the side showing that Denise is showing it to Ackart DENISE REYNOLDS (off-panel): This picture was taken the exact same day that Major Alpha first met Marty and appeared on Earth. April 6, 1969-- Panel 3. Close-up of the 1968 drawing DENISE REYNOLDS: But this picture of Alpha was drawn on March 8, 1968. Almost a year before Marty even met Alpha. Panel 4. Medium shot of both of them looking at the pictures. Denise looks weirded out but Ackart doesn't see anything strange. GENERAL ACKART: The boy was around 8 when he drew that thing, must've gotten the date wrong. Nothing to get weirded out about. Panel 5. The General walking away and leaving the room, while Denise stares intently at the drawing. GENERAL ACKART: We should be getting to the briefing room. Stop staring at children's drawings and start getting the files you need. DENISE REYNOLDS: Right. Sorry about that. I'll see you in a few minutes.


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Panel 6. Close-up of the box with the drawing in it. CAP: Mystery--


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PAGE EIGHTEEN (5 panels) Panel 1. Alpha walking to the briefing room but holding his communicator where a fuzzy image of Madame Mystery is seen. MAJOR ALPHA: Mystery, can you read me? MADAME MYSTERY: The image is kind've fuzzy but I can hear you loud and clear. MAJOR ALPHA: How's everything on your side? Panel 2. Madame Mystery holding up her communicator to see the fuzzy image of Alpha. In the background is Siliniez restraining Galahad while Chemistry grins in the background MADAME MYSTERY: He hasn't given us anything useful. He doesn't appear to be lying but what he's saying doesn't make any sense. I think he's just crazy Alph. Panel 3. Same as 18.1 but now a medium shot. He smiles a bit more. MADAME MYSTERY: How was the briefing? I hope my husband hasn't been giving you too much of a hard time. MAJOR ALPHA: I wouldn't mind if Light toned down on the sarcasm once in awhile but the briefing went well. I'm heading to another one right now-- Panel 4. Same as 18.2 MAJOR ALPHA: --if Chemistry doesn't have anything useful to say, I suggest you and the team head back to Section-Y. We could use your help "uch" Panel 5. Madame Mystery and the rest of the people in the asylum falling down. There is a tremor which knocks everyone over.


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PAGE NINETEEN (3 panels) Panel 1. Alpha trying to stand up. The soldiers in the background have fallen over as well and our helping each other up. In the background is Denise running to Alpha. MADAME MYSTERY (On the communicator): I'm guessing you felt that too? MAJOR ALPHA: Yah. I guess the plan will have to move quicker then expected. Get the team on the jet right now... DENISE REYNOLDS: Alpha! Panel 2. Denise running closer to Alpha arms flailing. Panel 3. Denise now beside Alpha, she looks tired. She's panting but speaking at the same time. DENISE REYNOLDS: Tremors are off the Richter scale"gasp"San Francisco is getting the worst of it. MAJOR ALPHA: Then we go to San Francisco. You hear that Mystery? MADAME MYSTERY: Loud and clear. See you there flyboy.


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PAGE TWENTY (5 panels) Panel 1. Behind the glass where the inmates would usually be, the wheelchair that had Mr. Chemistry is empty. A red light flashes on top GUARD #1: Where'd Chemistry go? ANNOUNCEMENT VOICE: Warning. Security System has malfunctioned... Panel 2. Close-up of Galahad looking extremely pissed off. He hates this place and knows that this area will be chaotic because of the earthquake. ANOUNCEMENT VOICE: All security guards must remain in position. Riots are ensuing in the 5th and 6th section of the building. MADAME MYSTERY (Off panel): We have to go, Galahad. Panel 3. Galahad speaking to Mystery and Siliniez. He's made a decision and is staying. GALAHAD: Are you kidding me!?! A building filled with lunatics with the security system down. I'm staying, who knows what Chemistry will do if he's out. Panel 4. A tighter shot. Galahad is on one side while the other 2 heroes are on the other. Galahad and Madame Mystery are angry at each other and begin shouting. MADAME MYSTERY: We have more important things to do! Stop being so selfish! I know you hate Chemistry, we all do... Panel 5. The longer shot showing the severity of the situation. 20 guards are prepping and they're recieving calls from other areas of the building GUARD #2 (from the radio):


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You gotta send some back up....there's too many of them! Oh god oh god he's got some broken glass...don't stab me don't....agggggh GALAHAD: These guards need all the help they can get. I'm staying.


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PAGE TWENTY-ONE (5 panels) Panel 1. Close-up of Galahad staring at Mystery. His face is dead-pan Panel 2. Close-up of Mystery and Siliniez. Sil is compassionate and doesn't look angry. Mystery looks angry. Her eyes show dissapointment. Panel 3. same as 21.1 Panel 4. same as 21.2 but Mystery gives a sigh. MADAME MYSTERY: Fine. Panel 5. Shot of Sil and Mystery's back as they leave, they look back to address Galahad. In the foreground is Galahad with his arms crossed. MADAME MYSTERY: We'll leave the extra shuttle here. When we find the source, you go on that shuttle no matter what. GALAHAD: Agreed. SILINIEZ: Good luck my friend.


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PAGE TWENTY-TWO (6 panels) Panel 1. Alpha, Light, Ackart, and Reynolds walking in a straight line. Light is putting his super hero suit on adjusting his mask, he seems excited. Alpha is ready to do what he needs to do, beside him is the General still briefing him. Denise is on her portable calculating machine again. They're walking to a docking bay. The top of the bay seems to open slightly. DENISE REYNOLDS: Downtown is getting the worst of it. GENERAL ACKART: Now I know you want to save as much people as you can, but when we find the source I want you to drop whatever you're doing and get your team to that location. Understand? Panel 2. Medium shot of Alpha and light. The docking door opens a bit wider letting more light in to shine on the heroes. MAJOR ALPHA: Yes. I understand LIVING LIGHT: No sweat. Panel 3. The door is fully open showing the beautiful sky. Alpha and Light are standing in the center of the dock. Denise stands and gives Alpha a hug. DENISE REYNOLDS: Be careful, ok? Panel 4. Medium shot of Light looking at Denise. He's about to fly out. In his confident and cocky manner he speaks to Denise LIVING LIGHT: Darling, this is what we do. Now, don't worry-- Panel 5. Long shot of Living Light 30 feet up in the air emerging from the underground dock. The sky is bright blue. A bright ray of light follows him


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Panel 6. Close-up of Living Light smiling. He enjoys the adrenaline, the wind in his face, the sheer "cool" factor of being a superhero. LIVING LIGHT: --this is when the fun part starts!

Golden age chapter 4

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Transcript of Golden age chapter 4