Script Villains Short Draft 1.1

8/16/2019 Script Villains Short Draft 1.1

1/40

Villains

By

Thom Cote


2/40

FADE IN:

EXT. RUINED CITY - DAY

In the rubble of a completely destroyed city, super-villainDEATH-RAY (RAY) stands triumphant. In a booming voice he

addresses an unseen audience.

RAYCower in fear, citizens! Yes,cower! For it is me, DEATH-RAY,conqueror of this city! Bow beforeyour new ruler, or I...

(he brandishes a laser pistol)...shall demonstrate how I got myname!

As Ray laughs maniacally, PAN OUT to reveal he is not in acity but actually standing in front of a projection screen

in...

INT. EDWIN’S OFFICE - DAY

EDWIN, a short middle-aged man wearing thick glasses and abusiness suit, sits behind his desk. On top of the desk hisNAME PLATE reads "Edwin Thudson - Editor."

Ray’s laughter subsides. The middle-aged, slightlyoverweight man is less impressive than he seemed during hisspeech.

RAY

How was that?

EDWINGood, much better than the lastdraft, and a lot more succinctoverall. One thing - "It is me"should be "it is I."

RAYGot it.

EDWINOh, and put a comma in front of"Death-Ray."

He points to Ray’s MANUSCRIPT on his desk.

INSERT - MANUSCRIPT - The text reads "For it is meDeath-Ray, conqueror of this city!"

(CONTINUED)


3/40

CONTINUED: 2.

EDWINWithout the comma it reads like,uh, a pirate or something. Arr,this be me Death-Ray!

RAY

Heh, alright.

EDWINHarmless mistake in this case, butI’ve seen comma errors change thewhole meaning of a sentence. Acomma could be the differencebetween a successful plan and onethat crashes and burns.

RAYGot it, thanks! Eddie, this is it.This is gonna be my big break!

Taking over a whole city!

EDWINI’m excited for you, buddy!

RAYHow long have we been here now,thirty years? I still rememberwhen we got that first acceptanceletter from Vil-Corp. We both gotit the same day, remember?

EDWIN

(pensively)Thirty years...

RAYBeen trying so long, and we’realmost there! Ooh, this is soexciting!

In his excitement he flings his hands outward, accidentallyfiring the fully functional laser pistol!

EDWINCareful!

The laser bolt ricochets around the room! Just then, EDWARDCRUNCHGUFFIN, CEO of Vil-Corp, enters the room. He quicklyducks back behind the door. The laser bolt then hitsEdwin’s name plate, disintegrating it into a pile of dust!Crunchguffin, a large but jolly man, peeks back into theroom.

(CONTINUED)


4/40

CONTINUED: 3.

CRUNCHGUFFINWhoa-ho, now! Getting a bitcarried away, are we?

EDWINMr. Crunchguffin! Sorry, sir!

RAYJust an accident!

EDWIN(sweeping the dust of his nameplate into his hand)

No harm done.

CRUNCHGUFFINWell, seems you got your name platea little disinterested!

EDWINYes, uh, disintegrated.

CRUNCHGUFFINWell, no harm, no foul, as I alwayssay! After all, that old thingwouldn’t do anyway.

EDWINSorry?

CRUNCHGUFFINYou’re not merely an editor

anymore, Eddie! M’boy, you aregetting a premonition!

EDWINWhat?

CRUNCHGUFFINA premonition! You are now theSenior Editor of Vil-Corp!

EDWINOh, a promotion -- WHAT?

RAYSenior Editor? Congratulations,Eddie!

EDWINBut...why? Did old Jimmy quit?

(CONTINUED)


5/40

CONTINUED: 4.

CRUNCHGUFFINNot quite. It’s a risky job, youknow. Small accident happened. Abit like this little ray gunmishap, actually.

EDWINWhere is he?

CRUNCHGUFFINOh, spread out over a coupledifferent zip codes now, I imagine.

EDWIN(reluctantly)

Oh. I s ee. So, w hen d o I s tart?

CRUNCHGUFFINAs soon as you move into...

INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - DAY

Crunchguffin throws open the double doors leading into themassive, extravagant Senior Editor’s Office.

CRUNCHGUFFINYour new office! Come on in,m’boy!

Edwin slowly walks in and sits down in a comically oversizedarmchair behind his new desk. A gold-plated NAMEPLATE onhis desk reads "Edwin Thudson: Senior Editor."

EDWINThis is great, sir. I mean...Mr.Crunchguffin, I accept the job.

CRUNCHGUFFINSuperbulous! Now, then, time tomake preparations for your fieldduty mission!

EDWINWhat? Field duty? What’s that?

CRUNCHGUFFINWell, as you know, Eddie m’boy,being Senior Editor is a bigresponsibilitation. Every singlediabolical plan in Vil-Corp goesthrough you. So we require ourSenior Editor to participate in areal-life mission, just to make

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


6/40

CONTINUED: 5.

CRUNCHGUFFIN (cont’d)sure they have what it takes. Keeptheir feet in the sky and theirhead on the ground, so to speak.

EDWIN

Uh...right. Mr. Crunchguffin, I’mnot sure I’m cut out for fieldmissions.

CRUNCHGUFFINYou do want to be Senior Editor,don’t you?

EDWINWell, yes...

CRUNCHGUFFINThen it’s settled! Report to my

office tomorrow at ten. I’ll haveyour team assembled so you can allbe brief. I’m proud of you, m’boy!

Crunchguffin leaves, closing the door with a thud behindhim. Edwin sinks further into the massive armchair.

INT. EDWIN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Edwin flops down on the bed in his tiny, dingy apartment.Exhausted, he sighs and flips the TV through a few channels,eventually settling on the news.

NEWS ANNOUNCER(O.S.)

In other news, the annual cityRenaissance Fair kicks off tomorrowin Central City Park. The Fair isfree to attend--

The TV buzzes and the picture fills with static. Edwintries some buttons on the remote but nothing happens. Afuzzy picture begins to appear...A WOMAN in a WHITE MASKsits behind a desk.

MASKED WOMAN(from TV)

You’re tired, aren’t you, Edwin?

EDWIN(startled)

What! Me? Who are you?

(CONTINUED)


7/40

CONTINUED: 6.


For every dark place there is alight. For every evil there is agood. For every villain there is ahero. For every--

EDWINOh, cut it with the artsy language.I’ve read enough pretentious crapin my time. Get to the point.


Fine. You know, being creative isone of those simple pleasures inlife--

EDWIN

Turning the TV off in three, two,one--


No, no, wait! Wait!

The masked woman removes her mask.

EDWINWait...are you...Janine fromAccounting?

JANINE(from TV)

Well, Accounting merged with theBank Robbery Office last month, butyes.

EDWINWhy are you hacking my TV? What’swith the mask?

JANINE(from TV)

Look. When I said you were tired,I meant you’re tired of...of beinga villain.

EDWIN(beat)

What?

(CONTINUED)


8/40

CONTINUED: 7.

JANINE(from TV)

I’ve seen how you act at work.Even today you were reluctant totake the job at first. You’re sickof being a villain.

EDWINI’m not a villain! I’mjust...their editor. Look, Iguess...it’s just that what wedo...it just hurts people. There’sno point to it.

JANINE(from TV)

I understand. And there’s a reasonI’ve contacted you. I’m part of agroup. An organization working to

help the innocent people Vil-Corptargets.

EDWINYou mean you’re with the Heroes?

JANINE(from TV)

Yes, but you didn’t hear it fromme. I’m one of very few who haveinfiltrated Vil-Corp.

EDWIN

So why don’t I just report you toCrunchguffin?

JANINE(from TV)

That’s what your predecessor did.

EDWIN(alarmed)

You mean you--

JANINE(from TV)

It was not in my control. SergeantCity, the leader of our group, hecan be a bit...brash. Edwin, Icontacted you because you can be agreat help to us.

(CONTINUED)


9/40

CONTINUED: 8.

EDWINHow?

JANINE(from TV)

Think about it. You’re Senior

Editor now. Every Vil-Corp planhas to be approved by you.

EDWINYou want me to sabotage all ofVil-Corp’s plans!

JANINE(from TV)

Not all of them, that would be tooobvious. It’ll be simple, we’lltell you what to do.

EDWINThis is a lot to ask.

JANINE(from TV)

I know. But think about it.Taking down a massivemulti-national villainouscorporation from within...quite anaccomplishment for an Englishmajor!

Edwin glances at the degree hanging on his wall.

EDWINAny career at all is a bigaccomplishment for an Englishmajor.

JANINE(from TV)

Fair point. Just think about it,Edwin. We’ll contact you soonabout your first mission.

The TV returns to static. Edwin thinks for a moment, thenturns over and goes to sleep.


10/40

9.

INT. VIL-CORP HALLWAY - MORNING

Edwin walks up to a large, ornate wooden door. There’s asheet of notebook paper taped to the door, with somethingwritten on it in messy handwriting. Edwin pulls it off thedoor.

INSERT - PAPER

The paper reads "Eddie - Meet in the launch bay @ 10:15!Crunchguffin."

Edwin checks his watch, then runs off.

INT. LAUNCH BAY - LATE MORNING

Edwin rushes in to find Crunchguffin and Ray waiting.

EDWINSorry I’m late! I just saw the

note.

CRUNCHGUFFINNo problemo, amigo!

EDWINRay? What are you doing here?

RAYThis is so exciting, Eddie! My bigplan is finally happening, and youget to come with me!

EDWINReally! This is great! When do westart?

CRUNCHGUFFINRight now! I’ve brought you to thelaunch bay so you two can ship outimmaculately!

EDWIN(quietly)

Immediately.

Edwin’s phone vibrates. He pulls it out of his pocket.

INSERT - PHONE

The phone displays a number with the label "Caller Unknown."

Edwin ignores the call.

(CONTINUED)


11/40

CONTINUED: 10.

EDWINAlright! Let’s go.

INT. CAR - LATE MORNING

Edwin rides in the passenger seat as Ray drives toward

downtown.

EDWINSo this is the plan I edited,right?

RAYRight. Operation Crown. Today isphase one.

Edwin looks at a manuscript in his lap.

EDWIN

(reading the manuscript)"Phase one: amass a following, thefirst recruits of the minion armynecessary to take over the city."

RAYYep. And I’m going to attract myfirst supporters by becoming theirKing.

EXT. RENAISSANCE FAIR - MAIN STAGE - NOON

The park hosting the Renaissance Fair is filled with tents,

stages, and attendees dressed in historical garb. AnANNOUNCER dressed like a medieval king speaks from a stageto a crowd.

ANNOUNCERWelcome, lords and ladies! It isI, your King!

The crowd cheers.

ANNOUNCERBut alas, my year-long reign iscoming to an end. For today, wecrown a new King!

The crowd cheers.


12/40

11.

EXT. RENAISSANCE FAIR - NOON

Edwin and Ray arrive at the Renaissance Fair. They get outof the car. Ray is carrying a large DUFFEL BAG.

EDWIN

The Renaissance Fair King isdecided by a vote. How can you besure you’ll win?

RAYBy making a good impression! Nowlook, if we want to fit in here,we’re gonna need to look the part.

Ray opens the duffel bag. We cannot see what is inside, butEdwin looks in.

EDWIN

No. No way.

RAYC’mon, Eddie!

EDWINNot a chance!

CLOCK WIPE TO:

Ray is dressed in fancy medieval clothes, and Edwin iswearing a ridiculous-looking court jester outfit, lookingmiserable.

RAYYou look great!

EDWINUh-huh. Let’s get this over with.

Edwin’s phone buzzes again.

INSERT - PHONE

The same unknown phone number is calling. Edwin drops thecall again.

RAYHey, you ready?

EDWINYeah. Yeah, coming.

(CONTINUED)


13/40

CONTINUED: 12.

RAYDon’t worry, this’ll go great. I’ma natural charmer.

EXT. RENAISSANCE FAIR - TEN MINUTES LATER

The fair is in disarray. Multiple tents are on fire.Chickens are flying everywhere. Edwin and Ray are runningfrom an angry horse with a flaming jousting lance caught onits reins.

EDWIN(panting)

This is going great! Just great!

RAYLook, I’m sorry! I didn’t knowthose chickens were sotemperamental!

EDWINYou tried to juggle them!

RAYIt would have been prettyimpressive if it worked!

The horse catches up and pokes Ray with the jousting pole.

RAYAah! What say we try to lose thehorse!

EDWINThere!

Edwin points ahead at a dunking booth where a man dressed inclergy robes is sitting. A sign next to it reads "Dunk TheMonk."

EDWINSidestep in three...two...one!

Just before colliding with the dunking booth they jump tothe side. The horse smashes the lance into the booth,dropping the monk and letting the water put out the flames.

RAYPhew! That was close. Quick, wegotta get to the crowning contest!


14/40

13.

EXT. RENAISSANCE FAIR - MAIN STAGE AREA - CONTINUOUS

Edwin and Ray join the crowd in front of the marginallyintact main stage. Ray runs onstage to join a line of menwaiting.

ANNOUNCERGather round, everyone! We won’tlet anything ruin our crowningceremony! The competitors for thekingship are...

INSERT - STAGE - A line of three hunky, handsome costumedmen...and Ray.

ANNOUNCER(O.S.)

Sir Brad the Brave! Sir Harry theHunk! Sir Frederick the Flawless!

And, Ray.

The crowd cheers for the first three, but is less thanenthused for Ray.

ANNOUNCERAnd now, I am pleased to unveil anew tradition! From this year on,every candidate for the crown shalldeliver a short speech beforevoting begins!

Ray’s eyes widen. He didn’t expect this...

EDWIN(to self)

This wasn’t part of the plan!

Ray gets Edwin’s attention from the stage. Edwin shakes hishead.

ANNOUNCERRay, why don’t you go first.

RAYMe?!

ANNOUNCERCome on up. Just tell us why youshould be King.

Ray walks meekly to the front of the stage.

(CONTINUED)


15/40

CONTINUED: 14.

RAY(tripping over words)

Uh, hello. W-why I should be King,eh? Well...well because I would bea g-good leader. I, I would tellyou all what to do! I mean, and,

and, I would listen to yoursuggestions too. I’m a greatlistener, and a great talker, and agreat King, and a great listener.I’m cunning, and ruthless, andhorrible, but fair, and, uh...thankyou all for your time. God blessAmerica.

Ray stumbles offstage and returns to Edwin. In thebackground, the next of the candidates for King delivers hisspeech.

RAYIt’s not gonna work! We’re doomed!

EDWINI’m sorry! We didn’t know you’dhave to give a speech before takingover the city. I’m not sure whatelse we can do.

RAYWait, wait! You’re a small guy!

EDWIN

Wow, thanks. Much appreciated.

RAYNo, I mean, you can hide easy!Look!

Ray points over at a tent labeled "Voting Tent." In frontis a table with four boxes with slots in the top, eachlabeled with the names of the candidates for King.

RAYAfter everyone votes, you couldjust slip in there are change theresults!

EDWINWhat do you mean just slip inthere! I’m just an editor, I don’tknow the first thing about stealth!

(CONTINUED)


16/40

CONTINUED: 15.

RAYLook, it’s simple. Just stick tothe shadows, and try not to touchanything. And don’t tip-toe. Thatonly works in cartoons.

EDWINI’ll try, but I can’t guaranteeanything.

ANNOUNCER(O.S.)

All right!

They turn to face the stage.

ANNOUNCEREveryone present, please put yourticket in the box belonging to your

choice of King. Let the votingbegin!

The crowd lines up in front of the voting tent.

RAYQuick, head around and get inthere!

EDWINAlright.

INT. TENT - MIDDAY

The interior of the voting tent is furnished with a tableand a few folding chairs. Three JUDGES sit at the tablecounting votes. Edwin enters, slipping under the tarp wallof the tent, and ducks behind a nearby crate.

JUDGE 1Here’s five more for Brad. Where’sthe Brad box?

JUDGE 2Here.

Judge 1 drops five tickets into a crate sitting on the floorlabeled "Brad." Next to it are three other crates labeledwith the other contenders’ names. The "Ray" crate has afair number of votes, but not as many as Brad.

Edwin’s phone buzzes again!

(CONTINUED)


17/40

CONTINUED: 16.

JUDGE 3Whose phone is that?

Edwin panics and answers it.

EDWIN

(whispered)What?!

JANINE(through phone)

This is Janine. We’ve decided yourfirst mission.

EDWIN(whispered)

Not now!

JANINE

(through phone)A villain called Ray is going totry to take over the city, startingat today’s Renaissance Fair.

EDWIN(whispered)

I know, I’m there!


That’s convenient! Just make surethe plan doesn’t go through, okay?

EDWIN(whispered)

No, look, I--


Sorry, gotta go.

Janine hangs up. Edwin sneaks over to the crates sitting onthe floor. He hesitates.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:


EDWINWhat we do...it just hurts people.There’s no point to it.

(CONTINUED)


18/40

CONTINUED: 17.

JANINE(from TV)

You’re sick of being a villain.

INT. EDWIN’S OFFICE - DAY

RAY

Eddie, this is it. This is gonnabe my big break!


JANINETaking down a massivemulti-national villainouscorporation from within...quite anaccomplishment for an Englishmajor!

END FLASHBACK.

INT. TENT - MIDDAY

"English major" echoes comically as the flashback ends.

Edwin hesitates once more, then grabs all the tickets inRay’s crate and stuffs them into Brad’s. He slips out ofthe tent.

EXT. RENAISSANCE FAIR - MAIN STAGE AREA

Edwin returns to Ray.

RAYDid you do it?

EDWINI’m sorry, I--

ANNOUNCERThe winner has been determined!Our new King is...Sir Brad theBrave!

Ray is distraught.

EDWINI...wasn’t able to.

RAY(trying to contain emotion)

No, no, it’s...it’s fine. Itwasn’t your fault. There wasnothing else you could have done.

(CONTINUED)


19/40

CONTINUED: 18.

EDWINI’m...so sorry.

RAY(on the verge of tears)

I’ll...I’ll be alright. Let’s get

back to Vil-Corp.

Ray walks off toward the car. Left alone for a moment,Edwin grimaces.

EDWIN(trying to convince himself)

I did...the right thing. I did theright thing.

Edwin follows Ray to the car.

MUSICAL MONTAGE - EDWIN AS SABOTEUR

A) INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - DAY

INSERT - Janine appears on Edwin’s computer screen.

JANINE(from computer)

Alright Edwin, here’s your nextmission.

B) INSERT - Manuscript: On the supply list for a villain’splan, Edwin changes the word "Gun" to "Gum."

C) INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

BULLSEYE, a villain in a costume featuring a logo of atarget with bullet holes in it, reads down his supply listas he packs. He pauses at "Gum" but shrugs and tosses a packof gum into his duffel bag.

D) INT. BANK - NIGHT

Surrounded by police, Bullseye reaches into his pocket andpoints the pack of gum at the police. Realizing hismistake, he grins sheepishly. A single stick of gum fallslimply out of the end of the pack.

E) INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - MORNING

INSERT - Edwin’s computer. A news site displays theheadline "’Bullseye’ Bank Robber Apprehended."

Edwin grins slightly and nods.

(CONTINUED)


20/40

CONTINUED: 19.

F) INSERT - Manuscript: Edwin changes "1-min fuse" to "1-secfuse."

G) EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

A villain hits "Arm" on the controller for a bomb he’s

holding. One second later it explodes in his face.

H) INSERT - Manuscript: Edwin circles the letter "N" in theword "Minefield" in red pen.

I) EXT. FIELD - DAY

A villain stands screaming in the middle of a massive fieldof mimes.

J) INSERT - Manuscript: Edwin changes "Walk to North PondSt." to "Walk to North Pole."

K) EXT. NORTH POLE - EVENING

A villain stands shivering in a blizzard, holding a map, infront of SANTA’s workshop. Santa scowls, wags his finger,and dumps a sack full of coal on him.

L) INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - MORNING

INSERT - Edwin’s computer. The news site displays theheadline "String of Failed Evil Plots."

Edwin celebrates to himself, but stops when he sees Ray passby outside his window.

M) INT. VIL-CORP HALLWAY - DAY

Edwin and Janine pass each other in the hallway and brieflymake eye contact, but pretend to not know each other.

N) INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - DAY

Time-lapse shot of Edwin at his desk editing and sabotagingevil plans.

END MONTAGE.

INT. SENIOR EDITOR’S OFFICE - EVENING

Edwin receives a video call on his computer. It’s Janine.


Edwin.

(CONTINUED)


21/40

CONTINUED: 20.

EDWINHey, what’s up?


Is anyone around?

EDWINNope. All alone.


Good. I’ve sent you the detailsfor your next mission. Listen,we’re planning something big.Something that could end the fightonce and for all.

EDWIN

You mean--

JANINEI mean putting Vil-Corp out ofbusiness.

EDWINWhat! But I work here! And you,and Ray...

INT. VIL-CORP HALLWAY - EVENING

Ray passes by outside Edwin’s office and hears Edwin say his

name from inside. He peeks in the window.

INTERCUT BETWEEN EDWIN AND RAY

EDWINYou’re asking me to put the wholecompany out of businesspermanently?

RAY(to self)

What?...


Is there a problem? You are tiredof being a villain, aren’t you?

EDWINWell, I...yes. But not for thereason you might think. What I

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


22/40

CONTINUED: 21.

EDWIN (cont’d)realized is that us, the pettythieves, the swindlers, thecrooks...we’re not the realvillains. Oh, we steal and cheat,sure, but we’re small-time.

RAY(to self)

Small-time?

EDWINThere are people out there who do alot worse than we do, and it’sthose people who need to bestopped. By people like you, theheroes. Vil-Corp...us...we onlyget in your way. We’re nothing morethan a nuisance. And if we get out

of your way, maybe you’ll be ableto go and fight the real villains.


How long have you thought that?

EDWINEver since my first mission. Eversince I sabotaged Ray’s plan.

RAY(to self)

No...

Edwin looks up from his computer and sees Ray outside. Theymake eye contact for a moment, then Ray moves away from thewindow.


What you said, that’s our thinkingtoo. That’s why we want to endVil-Corp--

EDWIN(hurriedly)

Hold on. I’ll...I’ll be right...

Edwin runs out of the office to follow Ray.


23/40

22.

INT. CRUNCHGUFFIN’S OFFICE - EVENING

Ray bursts into Crunchguffin’s office, nearly in tears.

RAYMr. Crunchguffin!

Crunchguffin looks up from his computer and quickly closeshis game of corgi-themed solitaire.

CRUNCHGUFFINRay! What’s the matter, m’boy?

RAYIt’s...it’s Edwin!

CRUNCHGUFFINWhat about him? C’mon, speak up!

RAYHe’s a traitor!

CRUNCHGUFFINA tractor!

RAYA traitor!

CRUNCHGUFFINThat’s what I said! Those are somestrong words, Ray m’boy! Now whywould you say something

ridiculatious like that?

RAYI saw him! And Janine from BankRobbery! They want to put Vil-Corpout of business!

Edwin bursts into the room.

EDWINMr. Crunchguffin!

CRUNCHGUFFINAh, just the person we need toclear up this misunderestimating!Eddie, m’boy, Ray here is ravingabout you being a tractor.

EDWINWhat?

(CONTINUED)


24/40

CONTINUED: 23.

RAYA traitor. You...you’re a traitor.To me, and to all of us. Mr.Crunchguffin, he was the reason myplan failed. I trusted him to helpme, and he...

CRUNCHGUFFINI see. Now, Eddie, just look at meand tell me you did everything youcould to help Ray during fieldduty.

EDWIN(nervously)

I...yeah...I did everything Icould...

CRUNCHGUFFIN

And tell Ray all this nonsenseabout putting Vil-Corp out ofbusiness is just that, nonsense.

EDWIN(visibly nervous)

It’s...I...it’s not...true...

Crunchguffin eyes Edwin. He makes a few clicks on hiscomputer.

CRUNCHGUFFINYou know that as CEO I have access

to every computer in Vil-Corp.Eddie...Edwin...If I checked yoursright now, I wouldn’t find anythingsuspicious, would I?

EDWIN(trembling)

No...sir...

CRUNCHGUFFINLet’s take a look.

Crunchguffin uses the computer for a moment.

CRUNCHGUFFINOh, Eddie...and Janine, too.

RAYSee!

(CONTINUED)


25/40

CONTINUED: 24.

CRUNCHGUFFINOh, yes. I see. You’ve been withus for thirty years, Edwin. Idon’t know where you strayed, butthat doesn’t matter now, does it?Edwin, I’m afraid I have to release

you from your position as SeniorEditor, and indeed from Vil-Corpaltogether.

EDWINSir--

CRUNCHGUFFINThe matter is final. Please packyour things and leave.

EDWINRay--

RAY(a tearful scream)

GO!

Edwin retreats out of the office.

CRUNCHGUFFINIf only he had used his power forevil, and not for good.


Edwin sits on his bed surrounded by all his things hebrought home. He pulls out a picture frame with a photo init.

INSERT - PHOTO - An old picture of Edwin and Ray posing infront of Edwin’s original office. On the back of the photois written "First day on the job!"

Tiredly, Edwin gets off his bed.

INT. RAY’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Ray stands leaning against the wall, sulking. He hears aknock at the door.

RAYYeah?

EDWIN(O.S.)

Hey. It’s me. Can I come i n?

(CONTINUED)


26/40

CONTINUED: 25.

INTERCUT BETWEEN RAY AND EDWIN OUTSIDE THE DOOR

Ray doesn’t open the door.

RAYGo away.

EDWINI can explain why I messed up yourplan.

RAYNo, you can’t.

EDWINNo, listen. I--

RAYI’m tired of listening! I’ve been

listening to you for thirty years,as my editor! You always knewbest! You always told me exactlywhat I should do and how I shoulddo it! And it was thirty years ofnothing! All failed plans! Andnow I know why.

EDWINNo, it was just that one plan.

RAYSure it was. What really gets me

is, why did you even botherscrewing my plans up? I’m not evena "real villain," after all, huh?I’m just a nuisance. Small-time.

EDWINWhat?

RAYSMALL! TIME! That’s what you toldyour lady friend.

EDWINMy...no, look, you don’tunderstand.

RAYAnd you don’t understand this!

Ray opens the door and looks straight at Edwin.

(CONTINUED)


27/40

CONTINUED: 26.

RAYYou’re fired. You’re done. We’redone. It’s. All. Done.

Ray slams the door.

INT. EDWIN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Edwin starts a video call with Janine on his laptop.

EDWINJanine.


What?

EDWINI’m ready to help.


You can’t. We’ve both been firedfrom Vil-Corp. Now that they knowabout your involvement, you’re nouse to us.

EDWINWhat about the big plan?


Useless. I sent you the details,remember? Which means by nowCrunchguffin knows everything aboutit.

EDWINBut I could--


I’m sorry, Edwin.

The call cuts off. Dejected, Edwin lies in bed and turns onthe TV.


28/40

27.

INT. HEROES’ BASE - CONTINUOUS

In the Heroes’ underground bunker, Janine closes her laptop.Next to her stands SERGEANT CITY, the red, white, andblue-costumed leader of the Heroes.

SGT. CITYDamn right he can’t help! Screwedus over enough already.

He walks over to a war table, where a group of HEROES isseated. On the war table is a map of the area, with thelocations of Vil-Corp and the Heroes’ base both circled.

SGT. CITYAlright, now look. The old plan’sout the window, but that doesn’tmean we’re doin’ nothin’. Tomorrowmorning, we’re gonna mount an

all-out assault on Vil-Corp. Nobars held.

HERO 1No holds barred, sir.

SGT. CITY(pointing to places on themap)

Shaddup! Listen. Nine A.M.tomorrow, we head down State Avenueand attack here.

HERO 2Sir, isn’t this kind of a rashaction to take? Especially just aday in advance?

SGT. CITYAre you questioning my judgment?!This will go just fine, if you allfollow my orders TO! THE! LETTER!You hear?

HEROES(in unison)

Yes, sir!

SGT. CITYThen let’s get going! By this timetomorrow, Vil-Corp will be TangoUniform!

FADE TO:


29/40

28.

INT. VIL-CORP LOBBY - THE NEXT MORNING

Business as usual at Vil-Corp. Suddenly, a loud crash isheard as a LARGE BOMB crashes through the SKYLIGHT and landson the floor! People scatter, and the bomb explodes! Thedust clears, revealing a destroyed lobby. The sound of

helicopters and gunfire can be heard outside.

Crunchguffin comes out of his office and stands on a balconyoverlooking the lobby.

CRUNCHGUFFIN(to lobby)

We’re under attack! Code magenta!Prepare to defend Vil-Corp!

The people in the lobby pull out their weapons. The Heroesrush into the building, Sgt. City and Janine in a massivetank.

Ray rushes out of his office and joins Crunchguffin.

RAYWhat’s going on?

CRUNCHGUFFINLooks like the Heroes had a Plan B.

INT. EDWIN’S APARTMENT - MORNING

Edwin is woken up by the sound of an explosion coming fromthe TV.

INSERT - TV - Exterior footage of the Vil-Corp buildingunder attack.

NEWS ANNOUNCERAn emergency situation isdeveloping on the East Side today.Not much is known yet, but thereappears to be a firefight of somekind going on at this officebuilding.

EDWINVil-Corp!

NEWS ANNOUNCERWe will be reporting live onfurther developments.

(CONTINUED)


30/40

CONTINUED: 29.

EDWINRay.

Edwin types on his laptop.

INSERT - LAPTOP SCREEN - A recording of the video call with

Janine. In the background of the video Edwin can see themap on the war table, where the location of the Heroes’ baseis circled!

EXT. VIL-CORP BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Several helicopters fly toward the glass-walled Vil-Corpbuilding.

INTERCUT BETWEEN HEROES IN HELICOPTERS, AND SGT. CITY INTANK BELOW

SGT. CITY

(into walkie talkie)Copter force, check in!

PILOT 1Red One, checking in.

PILOT 2Red Two, checking in.

PILOT 3Red Three, checking in.

PILOT 4

Red Eight, checking--

SGT. CITY(into walkie talkie)

WAIT YER TURN, DAMMIT!

INT. VIL-CORP LOBBY - BALCONY - CONTINUOUS

As the battle rages, Ray and Crunchguffin rush upstairs to ahigher balcony overlooking the lobby.

CRUNCHGUFFINThis is a good spot. Your shootingskills are splendiferous, if Irecall.

Ray pulls out his laser pistol and aims over the side of thebalcony.

(CONTINUED)


31/40

CONTINUED: 30.

RAYThank you, sir. I try my best.

Crunchguffin pulls out a MASSIVE ROCKET LAUNCHER!

CRUNCHGUFFIN(warmly)

We all do.

EXT. CITY STREETS - CONTINUOUS

Edwin drives in a hurry toward the Heroes’ base.

INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS

PILOT 2Awaiting orders.

PILOT 3(over intercom)

Check your dash, we’ve got it allstreamed to us live from HQ,remember?

Pilot 2 checks his dashboard. On a screen is a series oftext orders. A new one appears, reading "Approach from theWest."


The same message appears onscreen on a console in theHeroes’ base. An OPERATOR wearing a HEADSET glances at aradar showing eight blips approaching a large dot from theWest, and then looks at a SCRIPT containing the battleplans. The Operator types "Surround the building" and hitsEnter. The message appears as the newest of the list oforders.

INT. HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS

"Surround the building. Hold your fire." appears on Pilot2’s console.

PILOT 2Roger that.


Edwin arrives outside a nondescript pizza shop.

EDWINThis is the address. Pizzamakers...the real heroes in theworld.


32/40

31.

He heads inside.

INT. PIZZA SHOP - CONTINUOUS

Edwin slips behind the counter and finds a trapdoor in thefloor. He descends into it.


Edwin climbs down a ladder into the base. It’s a series ofunderground tunnels. He hides in an alcove as a guardpasses by.

EDWIN(whispered to self)

Stick to the shadows. Don’t touchanything. Don’t tiptoe.

He sneaks past another guard and enters the room with the

console. The Operator is still there. Edwin takes a penout of his pocket and tosses it to the other side of theroom. The Operator hears it and walks over to where itlanded. Edwin tries to get to the console but has toretreat, as the Operator has picked up the pen and isbringing it back to his seat.


The villains are losing badly to the Heroes’ infantry.Crunchguffin and Ray are still on the upper balcony.

CRUNCHGUFFIN

(to villains below)Fall back! Fall back!

(to Ray)We’re not gonna last much longer.I didn’t think they’d attack sosoon after Edwin was discovered.

He fires the rocket launcher toward a helicopter, butmisses.

RAYSir, if Vil-Corp goes under, I justwanted to say...it’s been an honorworking for you.

CRUNCHGUFFINThank you, m’boy.

He ducks to avoid a spray of bullets coming up from below.

(CONTINUED)


33/40

CONTINUED: 32.

CRUNCHGUFFIN(pointing)

Hit that sucker and I’ll give you araise.

Ray fires his laser pistol downward.

INT. VIL-CORP LOBBY - CONTINUOUS

A Hero soldier’s gun is disintegrated by Ray’s shot.

SOLIDER(into walkie-talkie)

We could use some air support!

INT. TANK - CONTINUOUS

Sergeant City is in the huge tank.


Belay that! Stick to the plan!Copters, hold yer fire ’til I relaythe command!


The Operator begins typing out another order on the console.He leans back and yawns, closing his eyes.

In SLOW MOTION, Edwin takes advantage of the yawn. He hopsup and looks at the screen. The order the Operator was

typing reads "Shoot, copters!" Edwin thinks fast. Hittingone key on the keyboard, he removes the comma, changing theorder to "Shoot copters!" He ducks back down and out ofsight before the Operator finishes her yawn.

OPERATOR(into headset)

Hm? Now? All-righty.

The Operator hits Enter, sending the order.


Heroes 1 and 2 from the war-table meeting are fighting onthe ground. They hear a beep and check their pagers, whichread "Shoot copters!"

HERO 1New orders.

(CONTINUED)


34/40

CONTINUED: 33.

HERO 2Shoot copters?

They look up and see the helicopters have shattered thebuilding’s glass walls and are floating just outside thebuilding.

HERO 1Shoot them? Aren’t those ours?

HERO 2Yeah. Must be one of Sarge’selaborate plans. Reversepsychology or some jazz like that.

HERO 1Doesn’t sound right.

HERO 2

Look, he told us to follow hisorders to the letter. I don’twanna get on his bad side!

HERO 1Fair enough. Alright.

The two, as well as all the Hero soldiers on the ground,begin firing up at their own helicopters!


Ray and Crunchguffin watch the chaos unfolding.

CRUNCHGUFFINThey’re shooting their ownheliclompers!

RAYYeah. Weird.



WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUTTHERE?!!


35/40

34.


OPERATOR(into headset)

I...I don’t know, sir. I relayedthe order exactly how it waswritten.

Sgt. City is yelling so loudly Edwin can hear him from theOperator’s headset.

EDWIN(to self)

Not bad for an English major.

He sneaks out of the room.


Edwin slips out of the pizza shop and gets back in his car.



Screw the plan! Throw everythingwe got at ’em!

JANINESir!

SGT. CITYSit down and shaddup!


RAYMaybe we can turn this around, sir!

CRUNCHGUFFINIt’s possi--

A heavy shot blasts Crunchguffin’s rocket launcher, sendinghim flying backward against the wall. Ray rushes over tohim.

RAYSir, are you alright?

CRUNCHGUFFIN(weakly)

I’ll...be...okay. Goon...fighting...

(CONTINUED)


36/40

CONTINUED: 35.

RAYSir, we need to get you to ahospital!


Save...Vil-Corp!

RAYI won’t let you down.

Crunchguffin passes out. Ray picks up his gun and returnsto the balcony.

EXT. VIL-CORP PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS

Edwin pulls up next to Vil-Corp and sees the battle raginginside through the destroyed walls. He rushes in.


Edwin enters and sees the Hero infantry shooting at theirhelicopters. The last of the helicopters still flying isshot down. On its way down, it smashes into the balcony Rayis standing on, leaving him hanging for his life severalstoreys above the floor!

EDWINRay!

The helicopter smashes into the ground. Edwin runs in asthe dust clears.

EDWINStop! Stop fighting!

No one hears him. Suddenly, a massive hand lifts him up byhis collar. It’s Sgt. City.

SGT. CITYSo! Our little secret agent, huh?The one who spoiled our plan?

EDWIN(struggling)

It wasn’t my fault! RAY! HANG ON!

SGT. CITYHang around, little guy! Tell me,did you like your job? Before yougot fired?

(CONTINUED)


37/40

CONTINUED: 36.

EDWIN(struggling)

RAY!

SGT. CITYDID YOU?!

EDWINYes! Yes, I did!

SGT. CITYDo you know how you got that job,Mr. Thudson? You can thank me forit. I, uh, removed your predecessorfrom the position. You know why Idid that?

EDWINBecause--

SGT. CITYBecause he didn’t cooperate. Youshouldn’t be here, you know.You’re getting in my way. But I’llgive you one last chance tocooperate.

Ray’s right hand slips from the ledge. He barely regainshold of it.

EDWINRAY!!

SGT. CITYIs that yer friend up there? Seemsto be distracting you. I’ll takecare of that.

Sgt. City aims a gun at Ray. He fires, and just misses by afew feet.

RAYAaah!

Edwin kicks Sgt. City’s arm, causing him to miss his nextshot. Sgt. City throws Edwin to the ground and fires again.He hits Ray’s left hand, which lets go of the ledge andhangs limp. Ray struggles to hold himself up with his lefthand.

RAYEddie? Eddie!

(CONTINUED)


38/40

CONTINUED: 37.

EDWINRay! Hold on!

Sgt. City pins Edwin to the ground with his foot, and aims afinal shot at Ray.

JANINE(O.S.)

No!

Janine tackles Sgt. City, knocking the gun out of his hand!

SGT. CITYJanine! What are you doing?!

Janine grabs the gun and points it at Sgt. City.

JANINEI finally realized who the real

villain is.

Edwin gets up.

EDWINRay, I’m coming! Hang in there!

Ray’s fingers are slipping.

RAYEddie...

Ray loses his grip. Just as he starts falling, someone

grabs his hand! It’s Crunchguffin!


I couldn’t just...let you down...

Crunchguffin helps Ray pull himself up. By this point thefighting has stopped. Crunchguffin and Ray descend to theground level and join Edwin and the rest.

RAYEddie, what are you doing here?

EDWINWhen I found out they wereattacking Vil-Corp I couldn’t juststay home and watch. So Isabotaged their plan!

(CONTINUED)


39/40

CONTINUED: 38.

RAYSo you’re...back on our side?

EDWINWell...

Janine comes over with the gun held to Sgt. City’s back.

EDWINJanine!

JANINEI’ve got Sarge under control. Wewent too far this time. I’m gonnatake him back to base.

EDWINHang on. I want you to hear thistoo. Ray, to answer your question,

no, I’m not back on your side. ButI’m not on their side either. Youheard what I told Janine yesterday.We might be villains, but there arefar worse people out there. Peoplewho...who are too terrible even forVil-Corp. And the real heroes inthe world are the people who fightthem. And we...we’re just adistraction for the real heroes.And I think...I think if we changedour tune we could do some real,well, good.

RAYGood? But if we did good, wewouldn’t be, well, villains! Itwouldn’t be Vil-Corp anymore, it’dbe...Good-Corp or something.

EDWINWell, I was thinking. What if westayed villains...but villains fordifferent people? Villains for thereal villains?

JANINEIsn’t that basically a hero?

EDWINNot quite...


40/40

39.

EXT. WASHINGTON, D.C. - DAY - MONTHS LATER

In the rubble of a destroyed Capitol Building, super-villainDeath-Ray stands triumphant! Edwin stands to his side,beaming. In a booming voice Ray addresses a crowd of people.

RAYCower in fear, citizens! Yes,cower! For it is I, DEATH-RAY,conqueror of this city! Bow beforeyour new ruler, or I...

(he brandishes a laser pistol)...shall demonstrate how I got myname! Your Congress is disbanded,your President Trump has beendeposed!

He gestures to Donald Trump tied up off to the side.

RAYI am your ruler now! Bow!

The crowd collectively stares a Donald Trump for a moment,then erupts into cheers!

RAYThat works too.

CUT TO BLACK:

THE END

Script Villains Short Draft 1.1

Documents

Transcript of Script Villains Short Draft 1.1