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"The Price": First Draft Script

In preparation for my episodic rambles, I usually post the memo I wrote to the story editor with notes on that editor's first draft outline. This time, on "The Price", there was no memo. The outline must have been in very good shape. So instead I thought I'd post a couple scripts. Usually, I can't do that because back then I tended to edit by hand, and have my script coordinator, Denise Byrne, enter my changes into the computer. But this time, for whatever reason, I did (at least some of) the changes myself, so I still have both drafts on my computer. This one here is Michael Reaves' first draft script. [Note: some or all of the formatting will likely be lost in posting it here at ASK GREG. Read this for content, not format.]

GARGOYLES

"The Price"

Written by:
Michael Reaves

[based on comic book material by Lee Nordling]

1st draft:
1/12/95

Story Editor:
Michael Reaves

WALT DISNEY TV ANIMATION

GARGOYLES

"The Price"

CAST LIST

REGULARS
GOLIATH
BROOKLYN
HUDSON - There is also a stone statue of Hudson in a typical sleep pose.
BROADWAY
LEXINGTON

ELISA

SEMI-REGULARS
XANATOS
OWEN

GUESTS
MACBETH Actually a robot, but visually indistinguishable from the real thing. He only speaks three lines, using them over and over.

NON-SPEAKING PARTS
MATT BLUESTONE Non-speaking cameo.
3 COMMANDOS
1 STEEL CLAN ROBOT

GARGOYLES

"The Price"

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. MANHATTAN SKYLINE - NIGHT - PANORAMIC POV

A spectacular gargoyle's eye view of the city, covered by a thick pelt of snow. CAMERA MOVES SLOWLY through the maze of skyscrapers. Below, headlights and neon signs play prismatic colors. An enchanting vista.

BROOKLYN (V.O.)
Boy, the city sure is different
when it snows.

TRACK WITH GARGOYLES

As GOLIATH, BROOKLYN, BROADWAY, LEXINGTON and HUDSON ride the night wind. Broadway hugs himself against the cold.

BROADWAY
Yeah -- it's colder.

FAVOR GOLIATH - PANNING

He permits himself a small smile at Broadway's discomfort.

GOLIATH
It's almost dawn, and we've
completed our patrol of the
city. Let's return to the clock
tower and a warm meal.

FAVOR LEXINGTON - PANNING

He looks contented.

LEXINGTON
Not a bad life, all things
considered ...

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

Suddenly an ELECTRO-BLAST CRACKLES THROUGH SHOT, missing them narrowly and causing them all to scatter.

GARGOYLES
(surprised cries)

TRACK WITH BROOKLYN

He recovers his equilibrium, looks O.S. and reacts in shock.

BROOKLYN
Yeah ...

HIS POV

of MACBETH, swooping around on a return path, riding a small open-air flying platform supported and propelled by a repulsor device.

BROOKLYN (O.S. CONT'D)
Too bad it's about over!

WIDE ANGLE - INCLUDE OTHERS

Hovering as Macbeth heads toward them again, aiming one of his ray guns. (NOTE: We will learn later that this Macbeth is a robot, one of several constructed by Xanatos. For now, treat him as the real thing.)

HUDSON
(shocked)
Macbeth!

They scatter as another RAYBLAST RIPS THROUGH SHOT.

TRACK WITH GOLIATH

He folds his wings, drops, peels out O.S. During this:

GOLIATH
Spread out! Attack formation
Spartacus!

EXTREME WIDE

The gargoyles split into two groups and swoop toward Macbeth from opposite directions in a pincers strategy.

MACBETH
You'll have to do better than
that!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Macbeth's platform suddenly shoots straight up out of the gargoyles' paths. Our guys only manage to avoid colliding with each other by adroit maneuvering.

GARGOYLES
(startled cries)

FOLLOW MACBETH

He does a steep glide and turn, FIRING down O.S. as he does.

TRACK WITH GOLIATH

He narrowly dodges a CRACKLING RAY. As he flies:

GOLIATH
Why do you attack us? What do
you want?

ON MACBETH - FLYING

Intent, murder in his eyes. He raises the gun again.

MACBETH
I want your hides for trophies!

He sends a ray CRACKLING directly at us.

REVERSE ANGLE - LEXINGTON AND BROOKLYN

The ray ZAPS both of them, causing them to fall O.S.

LEXINGTON, BROOKLYN
(stunned grunts)

ON HUDSON AND BROADWAY

Reacting in shock. They dive down O.S.

ON LEXINGTON AND BROOKLYN

Semi-stunned, dropping in steep glides, about to lose consciousness entirely. Broadway and Hudson swoop INTO SHOT, Broadway grabbing Lexington and Hudson grabbing Brooklyn.

HUDSON
(straining)
Easy, lads -- we've got you --!

ANGLE INCLUDES ROOF

They glide to it and deposit their stunned comrades safely on a snow-covered ledge. (STORYBOARD NOTE: During these last few shots the eastern horizon is starting to glow with daylight.)

FOLLOW GOLIATH

He catches an updraft and wheels about, heading back.

TRACK WITH MACBETH

As he flies. Suddenly Goliath, eyes white, drops down INTO SHOT above him, grabbing him from behind in a bear hug.

GOLIATH
(growls)

MACBETH
(startled grunt)

ANOTHER ANGLE

A massive ELECTRICAL JOLT from Macbeth's armor knocks Goliath O.S. He falls from the platform.

GOLIATH
(cry of pain)

ON SKYSCRAPER PINNACLE

Goliath manages to land atop the pinnacle of a building which rises to a needle-like spire. He grips the spire with one hand, head drooping in a dazed slump, looking like King Kong just before taking that final dive.

GOLIATH
(dazed groan)

TRACK WITH MACBETH

He zooms down, a small packet held in one hand. As he sails past the gargoyles on the roof he hurls the packet at Hudson, who's a bit separated from the other three.

ON HUDSON

Before Hudson can dodge, the packet hits him and BURSTS, scattering a sparkling mist all over him. He reacts in surprise and confusion.

HUDSON
(startled cry)

ON MACBETH

He turns on the platform and aims his ray gun down O.S.

MACBETH
Farewell, my enemies!

ANGLE INCLUDES

The trio in b.g., the ray gun and Macbeth's hand in EXTREME f.g. RACK FOCUS from the gun to them.

CLOSER ON BROADWAY

He reacts. He could save himself, but he won't leave his friends. (They're starting to revive, but won't recover in time.)

BROADWAY
(gasps)

ON GOLIATH

He reacts in horror as he sees the O.S. Macbeth's intention. His eyes blaze white.

GOLIATH
No!

Clinging to the pinnacle with one hand and both feet, he SNAPS off the six-foot long tip of the spire.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Goliath hurls the spire like a javelin with all his strength.

GOLIATH
(effort grunt)

DRAMATIC ANGLE - MACBETH

Just as he's about to trigger the ray gun the spire arrows INTO SHOT and SKEWERS him square in the chest! There's a bit of an ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE about the entry wound, nothing too noticeable; we assume it's his body armor shorting out. Macbeth stiffens, but does not cry out. He collapses over the control panel of his platform, sending it into a dive.

WIDE ANGLE

All the gargoyles (Lex and Brooklyn have recovered by now) stare in shock as the platform COLLIDES with a huge ornate stone gargoyle on the top of a nearby building and EXPLODES. Flaming debris rains down O.S.

ON GARGOYLES

Staring O.S. in disbelief. Flickering light from the twisted, flaming wreckage paints their faces and bodies.

LEXINGTON
I don't believe it.

BROOKLYN
Believe it. Macbeth's dead.

FAVOR GOLIATH

Staring grimly O.S. Behind him the sky is roseate with dawn.

GOLIATH
I had no choice. He would have
killed the three of you.

Hudson moves IN beside him, absently brushing at the sparkling dust on his hauberk as he speaks:

HUDSON
No one's questioning your act,
Goliath.
(beat)
We'd best prepare to sleep here.
Dawn is upon us.

WIDE ANGLE

The gargoyles assume threatening positions as the sun rises.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW YORK SKYLINE - PANORAMIC VIEW - DAY (TIME LAPSE)

Let's try something difficult (and expensive): A TIME LAPSE shot showing the whole day compressed to a few seconds. Clouds boil and writhe across the sky, lights wink on and off in windows, shadows flow like spilled ink as the sun arcs quickly from east to west.(As if Frank didn't have enough to worry about ...) As evening shadows lengthen we

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOP - ON GARGOYLES - DUSK

Start with Goliath and PAN across the gargoyles as they each in turn SHATTER their carapaces and stretch in awakening.

GARGOYLES
(wake up)

PAN STOPS on Hudson; it's his turn to awaken. But nothing happens. The last flicker of sunlight disappears from his adamantine form. REFIELD TO INCLUDE the others, staring at him in stunned disbelief.

BROOKLYN
Hudson ...?

BROADWAY
What's wrong? Why doesn't he
wake up?

FAVOR GOLIATH

As he approaches, gingerly touching the old warrior's stone face. He's totally at a loss, and maybe there's just a bit of panic in his face and voice -- this is totally unprecedented.

GOLIATH
I-I don't know ...

CLOSER

He looks closer. The fading light shows some glittery powder on Hudson's granite shoulder.

GOLIATH (CONT'D)
Wait ... last night Macbeth
threw some kind of powder on
Hudson. Here -- see?

The others crowd around.

BROADWAY
That's right -- I saw it.

FAVOR LEXINGTON

He peers closely at the powder.

LEXINGTON
I don't think there's any 20th
century science that can turn
flesh to stone.

GOLIATH
Sorcery, then. Macbeth put a
spell on him.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

Grouped around the stone Hudson.

GOLIATH (CONT'D)
And it's up to us to find a way
to break it.

BROOKLYN
Sure, but how? Macbeth's dead --
who else would know about the
spell?

FAVOR GOLIATH

Having come to a decision.

GOLIATH
Lexington and I will go to Macbeth's
mansion and search it. Perhaps he
left some clue there.
(beat)
Brooklyn, you and Broadway will
stay here and protect Hudson.

ANGLE INCLUDES ROOFTOP'S EDGE

Lexington and Goliath prepare for flight. Broadway puts a hand on Goliath's arm.

BROADWAY
(worried)
Goliath -- what if there is no
cure?

We can see that this has occurred to Goliath too.

GOLIATH
Then we will mourn our friend
and mentor.

DRAMATIC ANGLE

Goliath and Lexington take off from the rooftop and glide O.S. Broadway and Brooklyn watch them go.

CLAW WIPE TO:

EXT. MACBETH'S MANSION - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

PUSH IN and

CUT TO:
INT. MANSION'S CONTROL ROOM - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

As we last saw it in Episode #4319-008. Here we find BANQUO and FLEANCE (last seen in #4319-22), desultorily playing penny-ante poker. Behind them the monitor screens show various views of the grounds and mansion interior. Banquo tosses a coin on the pile. PUSH IN SLOWLY on them as they play.

BANQUO
Raise.
(beat)
Y'know, when we took this job,
BANQUO (CONT'D)
the Boss promised us lots of
action.
(looks around;
disgusted)
Right.

FLEANCE
Relax. After what happened with
them gargoyles last time I can
use a little peace and quiet.
(beat)
See you and raise.

ANOTHER ANGLE

He tosses two coins in. Banquo scowls and looks at his cards.

BANQUO
Okay, wise guy, whatcha got?

ANGLE INCLUDES MONITOR

Showing a view from the roof. Fleance grins and starts to lay his cards down.

FLEANCE
Read 'em and --

Suddenly an ALARM KLAXON SOUNDS and the words INTRUDER ALERT begin flashing in red over the roof view on the screen. PUSH IN quickly on the screen as Banquo and Fleance react and look. We can see the winged shape of Lexington silhouetted against the moon, approaching.

ON FLEANCE AND BANQUO

Startled at first; then they grin at each other.

FLEANCE
One'a those gargoyles.

BANQUO
All right. Payback. C'mon!

They head O.S. The door SLAMS. PUSH IN on another one of the monitors, this one covering one of the mansion's walls. We can see a shadowy shape climbing it. Another KLAXON SOUNDS and the red INTRUDER ALERT sign starts flashing on that screen too ...

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOF - NIGHT

The two electromagnetic cannons used in #4319-022 rise up from the roof as Fleance and Banquo dash IN and man one each.

ON FLEANCE

POWERING UP the gun. A green screen with a blip on it appears on a console before him.

FLEANCE
Be in range in forty seconds ...

Goliath's hand reaches IN behind him, grabs him by the collar and yanks him O.S.

FLEANCE (CONT'D)
(startled cry)

ON BANQUO

Also seated at the ray cannon. He turns, looks. ANGLE ADJUSTS TO INCLUDE the other cannon, now unmanned.

BANQUO
Hey! What in --?

He jumps out of his seat, fumbling for the gun on his belt. Before he can free it Fleance flies INTO SHOT, SLAMMING into Banquo and knocking him back against the cannon.

BANQUO (CONT'D)
(stunned grunt)

CLOSER

Fleance is out; Banquo dazed. He looks O.S. and reacts.

BANQUO
(cry of fear)

HIS POV

Goliath, face in shadow save for his glowing eyes. He looks quite fearsome. Lex glides IN and lands beside him.

GOLIATH, LEXINGTON
(growls)

ON BANQUO AND FLEANCE

Goliath steps IN, seizes Banquo by the shirt front and lifts him up. He gets in the terrified guard's face and growls:

GOLIATH
I want your master's collection
of magic spells -- now.

BANQUO
I-I dunno where it is! Macbeth
keeps 'em locked up. He-he ain't
been here for weeks!

GOLIATH
If you're lying --!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Banquo is obviously too scared to lie.

BANQUO
It's the truth! I don't know
where he is!

Goliath drops him on top of his unconscious comrade.

GOLIATH
Find another job. Macbeth
won't be coming back.

He and Lexington turn away as we

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

Goliath and Lexington have joined the others and the stone Hudson.

GOLIATH
His lackeys say he hasn't been
there for weeks. There was no
time to search the entire place
before dawn.

BROOKLYN
But we've got to do something.
Hudson can't stay stone forever.

FAVOR GOLIATH

Looking very grim as he tries to think of a way to save his old friend. HOLD ON him, and then

CUT TO:

INT. CAGE

Large, like an old lion cage, lit by a single bulb. Where it's located is not immediately clear -- all is darkness about it. Within the cage is Hudson, flesh and blood and pissed as hell. (MODEL NOTE: Hudson does not have his sword.)

HUDSON
(raging)
You can't keep me in here
forever!

He grabs the bars; they deliver an ELECTRICAL SHOCK that knocks him back.

HUDSON
(cry of pain)

CLOSER ON HIM

Angrier than we've ever seen him.

HUDSON
I'll get out, d'you hear me?!
I'll get out, and when I do --!

He whips out his sword, brandishing it menacingly as we

FADE OUT

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS

Goliath and the others with the stone Hudson.

LEXINGTON
Brooklyn's right -- there must
be some way we can help.

GOLIATH
Broadway, Lexington -- remain
here with Hudson. Brooklyn --
return to the clock tower and
check the Grimorum. Perhaps it
contains a counterspell.

BROOKLYN
Right.
(beat)
What about you?

FAVOR GOLIATH

Looking even grimmer than usual.

GOLIATH
With Macbeth dead, only one other
knows enough about magic to help
Hudson.

INCLUDE OTHERS

They look at him like he's nuts.

BROOKLYN
(incredulous)
You can't ask Demona for help!

GOLIATH
There is no other alternative.

ON EDGE OF ROOF

Goliath prepares to take off.

BROADWAY
How will you find her?

GOLIATH
I'll find her. Somehow.
(beat)
And then perhaps I can --
bargain -- with her.

FAVOR LEXINGTON

Puzzled.

LEXINGTON
What could you offer Demona
to make her help you?

ON GOLIATH

We can see that it pains him to say this, but he says it with chilling determination.

GOLIATH
Her life.

WIDE ANGLE

Goliath and Brooklyn take off O.S. in different directions as we

CLAW WIPE TO:

INT. CAGE - HUDSON

We still don't know where we are. Hudson is pacing in his cage like a trapped tiger. An O.S. CREAK OF HINGES stops him. He looks O.S. and reacts grimly.

HUDSON
About time you came back.

ANOTHER ANGLE

We can tell now that we're in a dim-lit dungeon chamber. A shadowy figure approaches the cage as Hudson continues:

HUDSON (CONT'D)
Why did you kidnap me? What
d'you want of me?

ON SHADOWED FIGURE

Approaching. As he speaks he steps into the range of light from the cage's bulb and is revealed to be XANATOS. He's holding a small box in one hand.

XANATOS
Nothing much, Hudson. Just --
your skin.

TWO SHOT - XANATOS AND HUDSON

Hudson glares warily at Xanatos, sword still at the ready.

HUDSON
You'll have the devil's own
task getting it.

FAVOR XANATOS

Urbane and unconcerned as ever.

XANATOS
I need your help in conducting
an experiment. It's dangerous,
so I felt it necessary to insure
your cooperation.

HUDSON
Experiment? What kind of
experiment?

ANOTHER ANGLE

Xanatos makes a dismissive gesture.

XANATOS
I won't bore you with technical
details. If the procedure is
successful, I'll release you.

FAVOR HUDSON

He trusts Xanatos about as far as he can comfortably spit a rat.

HUDSON
And if it isn't ...?

CLOSE ON XANATOS

He smiles.

XANATOS
Then you'll have the privilege
of giving your life for science.

ANGLE INCLUDES HUDSON

Furious.

HUDSON
My clan will never rest until
they know where I am!

Xanatos is spectacularly unconcerned.

XANATOS
But they already know where
you are.

CLOSE ON HUDSON

Off his puzzled look, we PAN AWAY TO FRAME Xanatos as he opens the box and takes out a tiny statue of Hudson in sleep pose. He holds it up.

ANGLE INCLUDES HUDSON

Who stares at it.

XANATOS
This is just a sculptor's model,
of course. The real thing is
life-size -- and very life-like.

CLOSE ON HUDSON

He's screwed, and he knows it.

CUT TO:

EXT. EYRIE BUILDING - CASTLE COURTYARD - NIGHT

Xanatos and OWEN are conversing.

OWEN
The overseas shipment will
be here, but not before dawn.

CLOSER - FAVOR XANATOS

He's unusually excited. He slams a fist into a palm.

XANATOS
Very good, Owen. Now we have
to make sure the gargoyles don't
think to look here for Hudson. I
want them -- distracted.

ON OWEN

He nods slightly, poker-faced as usual.

OWEN
Understood.

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

Where Lex and Broadway are guarding "Hudson". An ELECTRIC BOLT ZAPS the roof near them, scorching it and startling both of them.

LEXINGTON, BROADWAY
(surprised cries)

ANGLE INCLUDES

Macbeth, swooping toward them on another flying platform. Broadway and Lex are astounded to see that he's apparently risen from the dead.

LEXINGTON
It can't be! He's dead!

WIDE ANGLE

Macbeth ZAPS another bolt at them; this one comes perilously close to the Hudson statue. Both Lex and Hudson are forced to leap from the rooftop to avoid it.

BROADWAY
Well, for a ghost he sure
packs a wallop!

TRACK WITH GARGOYLES

As they swoop away from the rooftop.

BROADWAY
We've got to make him follow
us -- lead him away from Hudson!

Another POWER BOLT SCORCHES between them. They look back. REFIELD TO INCLUDE Macbeth, zooming after them.

LEXINGTON
I don't think that'll be a
problem!

ON MACBETH

He aims his weapon and FIRES again. During this:

MACBETH
I want your hides for trophies!

In the heat of battle, neither gargoyle notices that he says this exactly the same way he said it before; we should re-use the reading. Macbeth GAINS O.S. as we

CUT TO:

EXT. PRECINCT HOUSE - NIGHT

ELISA is just leaving, her shift over. MATT BLUESTONE parts company with her at the bottom of the steps.

ELISA
'Night, Matt.

EXT. PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Elisa is about to get into her car when a winged figure steps out from the shadows of the building.

ELISA
(surprised)
Goliath?

ON GOLIATH

He joins Elisa, glancing about to make sure they're alone.

ELISA
What's up?

ANOTHER ANGLE

Before Goliath can reply Brooklyn drops down INTO SHOT, landing next to them. Elisa reacts.

BROOKLYN
(to Goliath)
Figured I'd find you here.
(beat)
Nothing in the Grimorum that'll
help us.

FAVOR GOLIATH

He nods; the news is disappointing but not unexpected. He turns back to Elisa.

GOLIATH
We need your help finding
someone.

ELISA
Sure, you got it. Who you
looking for?

CLOSER - FAVOR BROOKLYN

Obviously not at all in favor of this.

BROOKLYN
(disgusted)
Believe it or not -- Demona.

REACTION SHOT - ELISA

She is, of course, quite taken aback.

ELISA
Must be important.
(beat)
You gonna tell me why?

FAVOR GOLIATH

We see he wants to, but:

GOLIATH
There's no time. But it's
imperative that we find her.

ELISA
We don't have any files on her;
most people don't even know she
exists. Finding her could take
weeks.

ANGLE INCLUDES

the brightening eastern horizon. Goliath glances at it.

GOLIATH
Do what you can -- please.
(beat)
I must go.

He and Brooklyn turn away, then stop as they and Elisa hear over Elisa's car radio:

DISPATCH (V.O.)
All units. Aerial disturbance at
South and Caroline streets. Laser
fire reported; use caution.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Elisa, Goliath and Brooklyn look at each other.

BROOKLYN
That's not far from where we
left Hudson!

GOLIATH
Take to the air -- quickly!

ANGLE INCLUDES BUILDING

The two gargoyles climb swiftly up the side, digging holes in the masonry with their claws. APPROPRIATE SFX. PAN TO Elisa as she turns and dashes for her car.

CUT TO:

EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

A dark and dreary area, the deserted streets narrow and winding, with tall dark warehouses lining them. VERT. PAN UP TO FRAME Lexington and Broadway, fleeing for their lives, as another ELECTRICAL BOLT ZAPS a brick wall near them, SHATTERING it.

ANGLE INCLUDES MACBETH

Zooming along on his flying platform in close pursuit. We can see that the eastern sky is lightening.

MACBETH
Farewell, my enemies!

Again, the line is spoken exactly as previously.

TRACK WITH LEXINGTON AND BROADWAY

Flying through the narrow streets like Luke zooming along the Deathstar trench.

LEXINGTON
At least we led him away from
Hudson!

BROADWAY
Yeah -- now if only someone'd
lead him away from us!

ON LEXINGTON - FLYING

His expression becomes determined.

LEXINGTON
It's almost dawn -- and then
we'll be sitting ducks!

ANGLE WIDENS as he does a barrel roll, looping up in a backwards arc. During the next few shots we should be seeing the sky growing lighter and lighter.

LEXINGTON (CONT'D)
(battle cry)

ON MACBETH - FLYING

As Lex comes swooping down behind Macbeth, the latter turns and lines up on him with his weapon.

MACBETH
You'll have to do better than
that!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Just before Macbeth fires, however, Broadway CRASHES into him from behind. Macbeth does not cry out from the impact (he's a robot, remember?), nor is he knocked down as we would expect a human to be. Instead he turns and grapples with the surprised Broadway.

BROADWAY
(grunt of surprise)

ANGLE INCLUDES LEXINGTON

swooping down toward them; he reacts in astonishment as Macbeth picks up Broadway and hurls him from the careening platform.

BROADWAY
(surprised cry)

TRACK WITH BROADWAY

He pops open his wings, catches air, slowing his drop. As he does so, he looks up and reacts in surprise as he sees:

LOW ANGLE - MACBETH'S FLYING PLATFORM

Just in time for Lex to sail IN and be BATTED aside like an annoying insect by Macbeth's one-armed blow.

LEXINGTON
(stunned grunt)

ON BROADWAY

He lands on the fire escape next to a crane which holds a huge shipping crate on the end of its cable. The building has a sign on the building's wall that reads ROYAL PERSIAN CARPETS. We can see the street; at the far end of it Elisa's car SCREECHES around the corner and heads toward us.

ON LEXINGTON

Rising on a thermal while he recovers from Macbeth's blow.

LEXINGTON
(groans)

ON TOP OF NEARBY BUILDING

Goliath and Brooklyn sail IN and land on the ledge, looking about for their clan mates. The world is trembling on the edge of dawn. Goliath points O.S. in astonishment.

GOLIATH
Over there!

ANGLE INCLUDES MACBETH

Turning his platform to come back for another shot at Lex.

GOLIATH (O.S. CONT'D)
Macbeth -- still alive?!

ZAP! Macbeth FIRES O.S.

ON LEXINGTON

The BOLTS SCORCH the air directly beneath him, forcing him to rise higher and higher.

ON GOLIATH AND BROOKLYN

Goliath prepares to leap into the air, but Brooklyn grabs his arm and points O.S. eastward in horror.

BROOKLYN
Goliath!

ANGLE INCLUDES

The horizon, where the molten edge of the sun has appeared across the East River.

RESUME GOLIATH AND BROOKLYN

The PETRIFACTION starts, moving swiftly up their bodies. Goliath stares up O.S., struggling against the inevitable.

GOLIATH
(strains)
Lexington --!

And then he is stone, as is Brooklyn.

ON LEXINGTON

ON THE CUT he TRANSFORMS also, and drops like -- well, like a rock.

ON BROADWAY AND ELISA

Elisa now standing beneath Broadway, both of them staring up in horror. Broadway has an extra second of consciousness before the terminator moves down the building and envelopes him -- just long enough to see his friend plummeting toward certain death.

BROADWAY
No!!

Then he TRANSFORMS.

ON ELISA

In shock as she watches Lexington falling.

HER POV - LEXINGTON

Falling straight toward us as we

FADE OUT

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - LOW ANGLE SHOT - DAWN - CONTINUOUS

The stone Lexington falling right INTO CAMERA.

ON ELISA

She's only got a couple of seconds to come up with something. She looks frantically this way and that, then spies something O.S. (Needless to say, these scenes must play like lightning.)

HER POV - SHIPPING CRATE

The huge shipping crate at the end of the crane cable, level with the second story of the building. ZOOM IN on the box's side, where the words ROYAL PERSIAN CARPETS are stenciled.

ON ELISA

She whips her gun from its shoulder holster, aims and FIRES up O.S. repeatedly, emptying the clip.

CLOSE ON CRANE BOOM

She's a helluva shot -- the bullets STRIKE the hoist cable at the pulley junction, its weakest point. The cable SNAPS; PULL BACK TO WIDE as the crate falls and SHATTERS on the street, releasing its cargo: a couple of dozen rolled up thick carpets. They barely have time to hit the street in a pile six feet thick before Lex CRASHES down on top of them, bounces, lands again on the very edge of the pile and lies still.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Elisa races to Lexington's side. His stone form is unharmed.

ELISA
(big sigh)

CLOSER ON HER

She remembers Macbeth and looks up O.S.

HER POV - SKY

We can see Macbeth zooming away on his platform.

RESUME ELISA

Watching him go.

CLAW WIPE TO:

EXT. EYRIE BUILDING - CASTLE COURTYARD - DAY

Where Xanatos and Owen are looking at a large wooden crate sitting on the flagstones. They each use a crowbar to lever the top open. The wood falls away with a CRASH.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Showing us -- and the two men -- what's inside the crate: a huge iron cauldron, obviously very old.

OWEN
Might I ask what it is?

FAVOR XANATOS

He runs his hand over the cauldron's lip. We can see Celtic runes engraved along the iron side.

XANATOS
The Cauldron Of Life.

WIDE ANGLE

Xanatos SNAPS a finger and several FLUNKIES come forward and begin DISMANTLING the crate. This action continues in b.g. as Xanatos and Owen walk away.

XANATOS (CONT'D)
I learned about it from ancient
Celtic texts. The legend says
it grants to whoever bathes in
it "a life as long as that of
stone itself."

OWEN
Ah. Your interest in it now
becomes clear.

XANATOS
Exactly. What good are all the
riches on Earth if Fox and I
are not around to enjoy them
forever?

CUT TO:

INT. GREAT HALL - DAY

Xanatos and Owen walk IN cross to the elevators.

OWEN
These ancient spells are often
dangerous. Our experience with
the Eye Of Odin proves that.

CLOSER ON THEM

The elevator doors open and they step in. As the doors close:

XANATOS
Which is why we'll test it
first.

CUT TO:

INT. DUNGEON - ON CAGE

Which contains the now-stone Hudson. REFIELD TO INCLUDE elevator doors, which open to reveal Owen and Xanatos. They
cross to the cage. During this:

XANATOS
Gargoyle physiology is similar
enough to humans to make
Hudson a good test subject.

CLOSE ON CAGE

On the floor of the cage we can see several shards of stone epidermis that Hudson shed the previous night. Xanatos' hand reaches IN and picks one up. PULL BACK TO INCLUDE him and Owen as he holds it up to examine it.

XANATOS (CONT'D)
Also, one of the key ingredients
for the cauldron's brew is the
stone skin of a gargoyle.

OWEN
Quite expedient.

XANATOS
Yes. And if the old gargoyle
is made young again, we'll
know it works.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Owen checks his watch.

OWEN
A pity we'll have to wait
twelve hours to test it.

ON XANATOS

Eyes all but glowing in anticipation.

XANATOS
Twelve hours isn't too long
to wait for eternity.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WAREHOUSE ROOF - DUSK

Where the stone statues of Brooklyn and Goliath have been joined by Lexington and Broadway. Elisa is there waiting for them to wake up.

ANOTHER ANGLE

The sun vanishes beyond the western horizon and the four gargoyles SHATTER their stone skins and awaken.

BROOKLYN, GOLIATH, LEX, BROADWAY
(wake up)

FAVOR GARGOYLES

Lex's clan mates are surprised and overjoyed to see him. Lex is no less surprised at being there.

LEXINGTON
Hey -- I'm still alive!

BROOKLYN
It's a miracle!

Goliath looks over at Elisa, who smiles.

GOLIATH
Yes -- a miracle named Elisa.

WIDE ANGLE - ALL

The gargoyles crowd around Elisa.

LEXINGTON
How'd you save me from
shattering?

ELISA
That was easy. The hard part
was convincing the rug merchant
to have you and Broadway put up
on the roof.
(beat)
Now; I think I've earned the
right to know what's going on.

FAVOR GOLIATH

He picks Elisa up in his arms.

GOLIATH
We will show you.

CLAW WIPE TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

Where "Hudson" keeps his lonely stone vigil. The gargoyles land, Goliath setting Elisa down. She's astonished.

ELISA
He's still stone!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Elisa touches "Hudson", unable to believe this.

ELISA (CONT'D)
But it's night time.

GOLIATH
Precisely. Macbeth put a spell
on him.

BROADWAY
We haven't figured out why --
or why he keeps attacking us.

FAVOR GOLIATH

Thinking hard about it.

GOLIATH
It's almost as though he's trying
to keep us off guard while
something else goes on ...

ANOTHER ANGLE - ALL

A POWER BOLT from O.S. SHATTERS the edge of the roof, nearly toppling them all into the street.

GARGOYLES, ELISA
(surprised cries)

WIDE ANGLE

Here comes Macbeth again, FIRING furiously.

MACBETH
Farewell, my enemies!

ON GARGOYLES AND ELISA

Elisa dives for cover behind a brick chimney, pulling her gun as she does so. The gargoyles take to the air as more BOLTS ZING THROUGH, some coming perilously close to Hudson.

AERIAL SHOT - WIDE

The gargoyles circle Macbeth, avoiding the POWER BLASTS.

GOLIATH
Keep him away from Hudson!

ON ELISA

Lying behind the chimney, unable to get a clear shot. She ducks and covers as another nearby BLAST PEPPERS the chimney with stone shrapnel.

CUT TO:

INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The Cauldron now sits in the center of the Hall, filled with water. Xanatos and Owen watch. Hudson is there, arms held by a Steel Clan robot. Xanatos holds a handful of stone skin fragments in one hand and Hudson's sword in the other.

XANATOS
Now for the final ingredient ...

CLOSE ON CAULDRON

He tosses the fragments in the water, and they DISSOLVE in a mystical flash. A beat; then, though no fire burns beneath the cauldron, the water apparently begins to BOIL.

FAVOR XANATOS AND HUDSON

Xanatos turns to the old gargoyle.

XANATOS
Time for your bath, Hudson.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

A POWER BOLT KNOCKS Broadway and Brooklyn out of the sky.

BROADWAY, BROOKLYN
(impact grunts)

They land on the roof's edge, half-stunned.

ON GOLIATH AND LEXINGTON

Swooping around for another pass. BOLTS SIZZLE THROUGH SHOT.

ON HUDSON STATUE

The POWER BOLTS are coming closer to it.

QUICK CUT - ELISA

She sees what's going to happen and reacts in horror.

QUICK CUT - LEXINGTON

He has the same reaction, but is too far away to do anything about it.

LEXINGTON
(gasps)

ON GOLIATH

Arrowing straight toward us, hands outstretched.

GOLIATH
Hudson --!!

ON "HUDSON"

As a POWER BOLT STRIKES the statue squarely, BLOWING it to hell and gone.

REACTION SHOT - GOLIATH

Utterly horrified, as we

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The robot lifts Hudson from behind. Hudson struggles futilely.

HUDSON
(struggles)

WIDE ANGLE

The robot carries him toward the cauldron as we

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

The dust still settling from the destruction of the statue. Goliath drops INTO SHOT beside the fragments.

ON GOLIATH

His eyes blaze white. He is in a killing rage, angrier than we have ever seen him before. He glares up O.S. Another POWER BOLT BLISTERS the roof right next to him, but he doesn't even notice it. With a:

GOLIATH
(scream of rage)

he leaps from the roof and soars up O.S.

ON MACBETH

FIRING O.S. at the oncoming juggernaut.

ON GOLIATH - FLYING

He takes an almost-direct HIT by a BOLT; it knocks him back, but he flaps his wings and recovers, gets back on track.

GOLIATH
(growls)

He's HIT again, but nothing can stop him.

WIDE ANGLE - MACBETH'S FLYING PLATFORM

Goliath muscles his way through another BLAST by sheer force of will and lands on the platform.

CLOSER

Before Macbeth can fire again Goliath tears the weapon from his hands and CRUSHES it.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Goliath's to angry to notice Macbeth's lack of fear. He grabs the robot, sustaining a massive SHOCK doing so. But he doesn't let go. Holding on with one hand, ELECTRICITY CRACKLING the length of his arm, he cocks the other fist back.

GOLIATH
Murderer!!

CLOSE ON THEM

As Goliath SMASHES a piledriver blow straight into Macbeth's chest, CRUSHING it. Circuitry SPARKS, FLASHES. Macbeth spasms as his system shorts out. When he speaks his voice RUNS DOWN like a slowing tape:

MACBETH
You'll have ... to do ...
better ... than ... that ...

Goliath stares in disbelief.

CUT TO:

INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Hudson's about to be dumped in the cauldron. He struggles.

HUDSON
(struggles)

FAVOR XANATOS

He holds up the sword tauntingly.

XANATOS
Relax, Hudson. Without your
sword, you're helpless.

CLOSE ON HUDSON

And we see that his struggles mask the sight of one hand reaching beneath his hauberk and pulling out a long sharp shard of epithelial stone.

HUDSON
Weaponless, maybe ...

WIDE ANGLE

As Hudson whips his arm around, driving the shard back directly into the face plate of the robot behind him. The robot SHORTS OUT spectacularly and falls away. During this:

HUDSON (CONT'D)
Helpless, never!

ANOTHER ANGLE

With one side free, Hudson drops his feet on the cauldron's side, balancing on the narrow lip, then leaps forward.

HUDSON
(battle cry)

PAN WITH HIM as he does a forward flip over the cauldron, wings folded, and IMPACTS feet-first squarely into Xanatos, KNOCKING the latter O.S. Owen reacts in surprise.

XANATOS
(impact grunt)

ON WALL

Xanatos SLAMS against it, dropping Hudson's sword. He then slides down to sprawl on the floor, stunned.

XANATOS
(stunned grunt)

ON HUDSON AND OWEN

Hudson grabs up his sword and whips about to face Owen. He points a warning finger at Xanatos' charge d'affaires.

HUDSON
Behave yourself, boy.

It's a Mexican stand-off for a beat, then:

ANGLE INCLUDES DOORS

Which SMASH open, revealing Goliath, Lexington, Broadway and Brooklyn, all of them decidedly pissed off.

GOLIATH
Xanatos, you will pay for --

He breaks off in astonishment at the sight of Hudson, alive and well.

BROOKLYN
Hudson?!

ANOTHER ANGLE

Hudson's clan mates rush to him.

HUDSON
It's about time you showed up.

LEXINGTON
We thought you were dead!

BROADWAY
We saw Macbeth shatter you!

BROOKLYN
Yeah -- we left Elisa to guard
your remains.

FAVOR HUDSON

He's got no idea what they're talking about.

HUDSON
Macbeth? Remains? Have ye all
gone daft?

FAVOR GOLIATH

He notices Owen, standing by Xanatos' stunned form and speaking sotto into a cellular phone.

GOLIATH
I think explanations had best
wait. Come!

CUT TO:

EXT. EYRIE BUILDING - CASTLE - NIGHT

The gargoyles leap from the battlements and soar away over the city just as several of Xanatos' COMMANDOS rush IN. They FIRE LASERBLASTS after them, but it's too late.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

Elisa stands looking forlornly at "Hudson's" remains. The flying platform and the ruined Macbeth robot are nearby.

ELISA
I'm sorry, Hudson ... I wish
it hadn't turned out this
way ...

As she speaks, the gargoyles drop silently down INTO SHOT behind her. Hudson now has his sword in his belt. They grin as they hear Elisa's words.

HUDSON
All things considered, I'm
glad it did, lass.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Elisa whips about in comical astonishment.

ELISA
Hudson --? What --? You're
not --?

HUDSON
It's a long story, my bonnie,
and one best told over a hot
cup of tea.

WIDE ANGLE

Goliath scoops Elisa up. Hudson picks up the statue's head.

HUDSON
I think I'll keep this as a
souvenir. Not everyone can
reclaim their head after
losing it.

ON ROOF'S EDGE

The gargoyles glide into the night, Goliath holding Elisa.

WIPE TO:

EXT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT

Owen is helping Xanatos to his feet. The cauldron still BUBBLES in b.g. Xanatos is angry.

XANATOS
Blast it! I was so close to
finding out if the legend was
true. Now there's no one to
test it on.

REVERSE ANGLE

Owen crosses to the cauldron in f.g., pulling up his sleeve.

OWEN
Allow me, sir ...

CLOSE ON WATER

Owen plunges his fist into the "boiling" water.

TWO SHOT - OWEN AND XANATOS

Xanatos watches in surprise as Owen pulls his fist out. The fist and arm are now solid stone up to the cuff's edge. Owen reacts quite unemotionally to this.

OWEN
It would appear, sir, that
the cauldron's spell of
immortality has a price.

XANATOS
Yes ... what was the legend?
"A life as long as that of
stone itself."
(beat)
Thank you, Owen. That will
be all.

He turns and walks O.S., leaving Owen standing there with his new stone hand as we

FADE OUT

THE END