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Hudson

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Question received on Mon, October 25, 2021 08:42:42 PM

LoboGuara5bruxaria writes...

Hey Greg, here are a few questions of Gargoyles verse:

1) Has anyone in-universe commented that Mr. Acme has the same name as the fictional company that sells (Faulty) products to Willie Coyote? Has he ever get into legal problem with the in-universe Warner Bros company because of that? What does he personally feels about the coincidence of his name and Acme Company of Looney Tunes?

2) I remenber there was an episode where it was briefly shows Hudson watching an episode of Quack Pack and he seemed to be at least intrigued by what he was seeing. Do you think Hudson likes cartoons in general? Also, on a more slly hypothetical, if someone commented within Hudson's earshot that cartoons are just for kids or immature adults, what do you think would Hudson's opinion be about such comment?

3) Assuming that it isn't a spoiler, do you think Oberon would be more of a dog person or a cat person? (Aka: Would he prefer dogs or cats as companions/pets, even if enither of these were his favorite animal.) What about Titania, Puck and Odin? Witch animal would each of these prefer between a dog or cat?

Greg responds...

1. The use was legally "de minimus," i.e. a small use for purposes of parody. The whole episode has a Wile E. Coyote vibe, so having the pie-gun come from "Acme," made sense. If we wanted to do the "Mr. Acme" spin-off series, we might have legal trouble, I suppose.

1a. I'm guessing he feels like heaving a big sigh about it.

2. I think all television fascinates Hudson.

2a. I think he'd ask, "If that's the case, what exactly is for mature adults?"

3. I'll leave all these to your imagination.

Response recorded on November 22, 2021

Question received on Fri, February 28, 2020 05:09:33 PM

Kevin writes...

1. Were Hudson and Bronx close in the Dark Ages as they are in the present day?

2. Was the Blue Nosed Beaked Gargoyle that was with Demona's clan of the generation that hatched with Goliath's and Demona's or the one with the Trio's?

3. Does Bronx and other Gargoyle Beast like to have their bellies scratched like dogs do?

Greg responds...

1. Sure.

2. I'm not sure which gargoyle you're referring to. Check out the Gargoyles Wiki. Most of those unnamed Gargoyles were given out-of-universe names for reference. Find the one you're talking about, and then let me know.

3. Sure. I mean, I like that, too.

Response recorded on September 01, 2021

Rambled on Sun, August 29, 2021

EDWARD ASNER

So...

This is hard.

It's been a bit of a stressful weekend, as my father went into the hospital with chest pains. A stint that had been replaced last year had failed and was replaced again Saturday morning during an angioplasty. I've been concerned, worried. But the procedure seemed to go well, and he was set to go home today. We seemed to have dodged a bullet.

But there was a second gun.

I slept in today. I woke up to two pieces of news:

1. My dad was good. Solid. My sister picked him up at the hospital and took him straight to breakfast. (My mother was annoyed at not being included - but that's a whole other story.) He's home now. I've talked to him. He sounded cheerful. All good.

2. Ed Asner had passed away.

I spent most of the day doing laundry and other mundane tasks. Life goes on, right? It has to. But it's been difficult getting my head around the whole thing. I've gotten many calls and texts today, offering condolences as if I were part of the Asner family. Folks seem to know how close I felt to Ed. But I don't want to exaggerate. Ed was my friend. I hope he knew I was his, as well. But I haven't talked to him in at least a couple of years. (You can partially blame that on the pandemic, I suppose. There are a lot of people I've lost touch with. If anything, this is a reminder to GET in touch. And I'm going to make an effort to do that.) In any case, there are many, many people who knew Ed better than I did, who were closer to Ed than I was.

Nevertheless, at the risk of turning this post into my own self-aggrandizement, I am going to spend a few paragraphs here on the subject of the Ed Asner that I knew and loved.

I was a fan of Ed's long before I met him. Like many, many people, he first entered my awareness playing Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. (Later, I got a kick out of picking him out of reruns, where he usually played the heavy in such series as The Wild Wild West and others.) But as Lou, Ed was simply brilliant. One of the truly classic scenes in all of television is the scene in the TMTMS pilot, where Lou interviews Mary for a job. Do yourself a favor and view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj286uBKCu0

That scene had a major effect on me, even seeing it as a kid.

Now, having just rewatched it, the genius of the writing and the two performances still knocks me out. But there was something else about Lou and Mary. Watching their interactions was a bit like watching my parents. The connection in my mind between Lou and my dad was especially strong.

Ed and my father were two Ashkenazi Jews from the midwest. My dad was from Chicago; Ed, from Kansas City. They were gruff AND loving. They even had mannerisms in common. There was much more, I'm sure, that they DIDN'T have in common. But something connected the two men in my mind. And, meanwhile, my admiration for Asner as a performer knew no bounds. When I saw him in the Lou Grant series, in Rich Man, Poor Man, in Roots, that admiration only increased. When I learned of his activism - and the price he paid for it - that admiration shot through the roof.

Years later, when we had begun pre-production on GARGOYLES, I thought of Ed Asner - or of Lou Grant, at least - as the inspiration for Hudson. In fact, when we held auditions for the role, I wrote at the bottom of the character description that "Hudson hates spunk." This was, of course, a variation on Lou's classic line from the above job interview scene. Now, to be clear, I never imagined we'd get Ed to play the role. I figured he was way too big a star for us to land. But low and behold, a few days later, Ed came in to audition for the part. Later, he told me that when he read the character description, he was initially thrilled. The "Hudson hates spunk" line made him feel like he was a lock to land the role. Then a couple minutes later, he thought that if he didn't land the role it would really be awful. But of course, he immediately understood the character and nailed his audition... only for Jamie Thomason and I to throw him a curveball, asking him to do it again in a Scottish accent. He nailed that, too.

Working with Ed was a joy. He was fun and funny and so supportive. In addition to playing Hudson (and Burbank and Jack Danforth/Dane) on Gargoyles, I also cast him as recurring characters on Max Steel (Chuck Marshak), 3x3 Eyes (Grandpa Ayanokoji), W.I.T.C.H. (Napoleon the talking cat), Young Justice (Kent Nelson) and Rain of the Ghosts (Joe Charone). When casting Peter Parker's late Uncle Ben in The Spectacular Spider-Man, Ed was the only person I ever considered. He always brought so much to each and every role.

And more than that he was a great friend to me. After the first season of Max Steel, when I couldn't find a job for over a year and thought I might have to give up on my writing career, Ed was there, offering me support. We had lunch at Musso & Frank's. He looked at pictures of my kids out of my wallet and told me to laminate them. He introduced me to his son, Matt Asner, a producer. He didn't allow me to wallow in self-pity or to badmouth guys who I believed had done me wrong. He just reassured me that I had ability and would find my way through. He was, in essence, my work dad.

So today, as you might imagine, has been complicated. My dad is home and healthy. And Ed is gone. I'm grateful and sorrowful. And struggling. But life goes on. It has to, right?

Finally, I'm going to quote Hudson from Gargoyles. In "The Price," an episode that spotlighted the character, Ed as Hudson told Xanatos: "A friendly word of advice: True immortality isn't about living forever, man. It's about what you do with the time you have. When all your scheming's done, what will be your legacy, Xanatos?"

I think we all know that Ed Asner did amazing things with the time he had. And though we'll miss him dearly, his legacy is clear and shining.

Question received on Fri, December 20, 2019 04:50:29 PM

Todd Jensen writes...

New thoughts and observations on "Possession", which I also rewatched on DVD today.

Coldfire and Coldsteel's bodies are initially covered by cloths; while it serves the function of keeping their nature secret from the audience at first, it also does a good job of echoing the "Frankenstein" tone of Coldstone's introduction in "Re-Awakening".

When Goliath and Hudson return to the clock tower from patrol, Hudson initially says "lads" - and just that, with no mention that there should be a "lass" among them as well. We get an echo of this, I recall, in "Hunter's Moon Part One" when he addresses the clan as "lads", then remembers Angela and adds "lass" in; this moment brought that scene to mind.

Coldstone's line near the end about how "we truly lived again" echoed Goliath's "we live again" words in the opening narration, though I don't know if it was intentional.

Greg responds...

It's a pretty safe bet that most everything is intentional. (Or that I will intentionally take credit for it.) But seriously, we were very aware of pushing call back moments throughout. I do that on every series I produce.

Response recorded on August 17, 2021

Question received on Fri, November 29, 2019 04:50:06 PM

Todd Jensen writes...

I've now rewatched "Heritage" and "Kingdom" on DVD. No new thoughts on "Heritage", but I still really enjoy the gargoyles bringing Cagney to the clock tower to look after him in Elisa's absence. I thought it appropriate that it was Broadway who found the kitty (he's the one of the four left behind gargs who's closest to Elisa). And I liked Hudson's rapport with Cagney, while missing Bronx. Including Cagney rubbing affectionately against Hudson - he's got no problems with gargoyles (though Maggie's another story).

I found myself wondering how that containment unit was still functioning after Fang ripped the cables apart to transport it. (To make up for it, I noticed this time around - and really liked - the way they did Talon's voice while he was stuck in there.)

As you pointed out in your ramble, Xanatos's security system does far more damage to the castle than to the gargoyles - I cringe as I see it blowing pieces of the castle apart (small wonder that, by the time of the Double Date story, Owen was getting fed up with all those repairs!) - but Xanatos's lines made up for it.

Greg responds...

Xanatos is just so much fun...

Response recorded on August 16, 2021

Question received on Fri, November 22, 2019 05:33:27 PM

Talos writes...

in Upgrade Hudson called Wolf a Forest Demon, was that just an insult or did Hudson actually battle a Forest Demon in the pasts.
Followup Question: are demons real in the Gargverse?

Greg responds...

No spoilers.

Response recorded on August 16, 2021

Question received on Mon, November 04, 2019 04:39:26 PM

Todd Jensen writes...

Rewatched "Leader of the Pack" on DVD today. Elements that particularly stood out to me this time:

We see all the gargoyles awakening from their stone sleep, one by one. An appropriate way, I thought, to re-introduce them in the first episode of the second season.

Hudson displays his tracking skills in examining the traces of the fight between the Pack and Lexington, Brooklyn and Bronx at Pack-Media Studios. In fact, I've noticed him using that skill a lot - all the way back to "Awakening Part One", where he notes that the Vikings' horses' prints are too light.

Greg responds...

Yep, Hudson was our experienced tracker.

Response recorded on August 13, 2021

Question received on Fri, November 01, 2019 05:30:12 PM

Todd Jensen writes...

New thoughts on "Re-Awakening", after my rewatch.

I don't know whether this was intentional or not, but when Goliath and Elisa were having their conversation about the shopkeeper and why he doesn't leave the neighborhood, I found myself thinking of "Othello"'s suggestion, in the flashback, of abandoning the castle and letting the Vikings have it, and Hudson's response. I don't know if you intended those moments to be thematically connected, but they did feel that way to me this time.

It still strikes me that the fact that the gargoyles' resolution to protect the city and its inhabitants comes at the end of the first season says a lot about how different "Gargoyles" was from most super-hero series; the gargoyles are able to have plenty of adventures and experiences - thirteen episodes' worth of them - before making that vow. The series was rooted in their being gargoyles - ancient "mythical" beings with their own culture and world-view - re-awakened in the modern world, trying to make sense of it - and often making mistakes in the course of their attempts - rather than just crime-fighters.

Greg responds...

That was all intentional.

Response recorded on August 13, 2021

Question received on Fri, October 25, 2019 08:21:28 PM

Todd Jensen writes...

I also rewatched "The Thrill of the Hunt" and "Temptation" today. Things I noted this time in "The Thrill of the Hunt".

1. Lexington, angered about the Pack's treachery, cries that they're like animals. I thought that appropriate, given the Pack's "animal names".

2. The Pack continue the "referring to the gargoyles as beasts" practice from "Awakening" and even speak of hunting them, such as Wolf's cry "Let the hunt begin!" - the talk about hunting them also made me think of the Hunters (though they wouldn't be introduced until Season Two, of course).

3. When Brooklyn and Broadway arrive at the end to tell Goliath and Lexington how they'd seen a report on the news about Fox and Wolf's arrest, they come gliding in from outside the castle - so apparently they weren't watching television with Hudson when they found out, but somewhere else. (I won't ask where, but this detail struck me for the first time.)

4. Dingo's cry of "Stone me!" upon seeing the photographs of Goliath felt like a particularly appropriate response to a gargoyle.

Greg responds...

1. Yep.

2. Common themes running through the series, I think.

3. Or they were watching t.v. earlier.

4. :)

Response recorded on August 12, 2021

Question received on Sat, September 07, 2019 04:42:33 AM

Derek writes...

Am I missing anyone or adding someone incorrectly? So far Sevarius has the DNA of the following?

Goliath, Brooklyn, Angela, Broadway, Bronx, Lexington, Eliza, Hudson, Yama, Robyn Canmore, Dingo, Talon, Maggie, Fang, Claw, Wolf, Demona, Nessie, Deiliah (Mix)?

Greg responds...

It's been a while since I saw the episodes. I guess he has Delilah, but then if you're including her, he'd also have Thailog, Burbank, Hollywood, Brentwood and Malibu. I guess he probably has Maggie, Fang, Claw and Wolf. But then I imagine he has Erin, Benny, Thug and Tasha, too.

Response recorded on August 12, 2021

Question received on Sat, February 09, 2019 10:48:29 AM

TaySmith writes...

Hello Mr. Greg! I would like to start of by saying that you are very admirable in your dedication not only to previous works but also to fans, as seen in keeping up this page. You're an amazing storyteller and as an author, I admire you greatly.

My question actually pertains to your series Gargoyles, which I have been bingeing non-stop recently. I saw in another ask that some gargoyles use weapons while others don't(ie Hudson). If you had to give each member of the Wyvern Clan weapons, what would they be and why?

Greg responds...

Hudson does. He uses a sword.

Brooklyn, after his timedance, uses multiple weapons. (See Clan-Building, Volume Two.)

Lexington has been known to use what's handy.

The others largely don't.

Response recorded on July 26, 2021

Question received on Mon, July 09, 2018 08:14:49 AM

ANR writes...

A few things I've been wondering
1)Is Matt considered part of the Manhattan Clan or just a friend?
2)We know Broadway loves old detective movies but what film genres do you think the other members of the clan enjoy most?
3)Do any of the other Gargoyle clans enjoy aspects of human culture like music, books, comics, film or television?

Greg responds...

1. An ally.

2. Brooklyn likes swashbucklers. Lex likes SciFi. Hudson likes Celebrity Hockey. Bronx likes anything that's muted.

3. Yes.

Response recorded on July 09, 2021

Question received on Thu, November 02, 2017 05:11:51 PM

EXALT writes...

I've recently rewatched Awakening, and the scene where Goliath tells Demona that she can't kill an enemy unless it is "in the heat of battle" sparked a question in me: as of Phoenix, which members of the Manhattan Clan have actually killed someone?

Greg responds...

Most have, in battle, in the tenth century. Angela hasn't. Egwardo hasn't. Nashville hasn't. Maybe Lex & Broadway haven't. But that seems unlikely/unrealistic.

Oh, and if you're counting her, Elisa hasn't.

Response recorded on October 29, 2020

Question received on Sat, July 26, 2014 04:02:21 PM

J writes...

Hello Greg,

I have a question about the Avalon Clan and their biological relationships to the Manhattan Clan. I am going to use the "placeholder names" for those Gargs that don't have given names in cannon.

Can we assume that Hudson does not have any biological children there because Hyppolyta, Broadway, and True are his only three offspring?

You've mentioned before that Angela is the only biological child of Goliath's, and she is no longer there, so none for him either.

Brooklyn had at least one brother, Brooksbro...was he and older or younger brother? If older, then there is a potential for him to have a biological sibling on Avelon...is that the case?

Does Lexington have a younger biological sibling on Avelon?

Does Bronx?

Greg responds...

1. Yes.

2. Yep.

3. Brooksbro is older. (But Brooklyn had MANY brothers and sisters. Stop thinking like a human.)

4. No comment on whether or not Brooklyn has a younger biological sibling among the Avalon clan.

5. No comment.

6. No comment.

Response recorded on September 30, 2015

Question received on Mon, February 17, 2014 07:49:25 PM

Anonymous writes...

my question must have gotten deleted last time i asked this, because i cant find it anywhere. it was part of a post with a bunch of questions, but this one is the only one i really want to know about, so i hope this one wasnt the one that made it not go through

after his journey through time, does Brooklyn still consider himself a rookery brother to Lexington and Broadway?
also, since he is a generation older than Goliath, does he still consider himself his rookery son?
would he now technically be a rookery uncle to any or all three of them, and Angela?
if so, how does he view his relationship to Hudson, since they cant technically be rookery brothers? (like cousins mabey?)

Greg responds...

1. Yes.

2. He never did, so no.

3. No.

4. He still sees Hudson as a mentor/father/grandfatherly figure.

Response recorded on September 03, 2014

Question received on Wed, October 10, 2012 08:53:12 PM

Tyler Reznik writes...

Hello yet again, Mr. Weisman. Today, I'd like to talk about Gargoyles, particularly David Xanatos.

In relation to Xanatos' desire for immortality, I've noticed that, on two seperate occasions, an older, wiser man managed to pierce David's figurative armour through fairly simple methods (the methods themselves being simple, rather than the effect, meaning, or characters being so).

First, Petros, David's father, succeeded in giving his son pause through a few well-chosen words and "a simple American penny". Then, in "The Price", Hudson is able to discern and point out Xanatos' fear of growing old and dying (here, he cracks Xanatos' cool demeanor, but doesn't quite break it), and by the end of the episode, he had managed to escape Xanatos alive, simultaneously posing a question that, like Petros with the penny, gave David pause, and, I think, something to ponder.

Now, my point is that both of the aforementioned characters were, as I said, older and wiser than Xanatos, which makes me think (perhaps incorrectly; you'd know better than I would) that one of Xanatos' flaws is his inability to truly appreciate the values of age and experience, which ties in to his desire to be immortal.

However much he denied it to Hudson, Xanatos IS terrified of growing old and dying. It's something unknowable, uncontrollable, to a point, unpredictable (who knows when and how they're going to die?), and, barring a means of becoming immortal, it's unavoidable. The value of age and experience, as well as the wisdom that comes from it, is something that he, quite simply, does NOT want to learn firsthand. In fact, he even brushes off Hudson's descriptions of the downside to immortality, remarking that death and old age have a price, one too steep for him to pay. It is this unwillingness to accept his own mortality that makes Xanatos vulnerable to the metaphorical defeats he received from Petros and Hudson. The fear of mortality he possesses makes him blind to the wisdom that only comes from the passage, and indeed, the ravages (of which Hudson is all too aware) of time.

1) Do you agree with my assessment of this aspect of Xanatos' personality?

2) Is it possible that as he grows older, Xanatos will learn to appreciate the wisdom that accompanies age?

Whether you agree with my perspective or not, thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my post, and have a good day, sir.

Greg responds...

1. I do. Very much so.

2. SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.

Response recorded on December 05, 2012

Question received on Wed, April 25, 2012 06:43:40 AM

Derek writes...

Despite everything that Demona's done, would Hudson still sacrifice himself for her if it came to it? Does he still consider her his daughter?

Greg responds...

1. I think it would depend on circumstances. (As always, I'm not too interested in hypotheticals.)

2. Yes. A very naughty daughter.

Response recorded on September 18, 2012

Question received on Tue, October 05, 2010 03:57:41 PM

Justin writes...

Dear Greg,

Recently watched "Long Way Til Morning"

And this is hopefully the first question that leads to what I hope to complete soon as a long essay on how fascinating Demona is as a character as well as her impact on her estranged clan "family".

In this we see three characters. All with relatively strong familial bonds. First we have the Father, Hudson. Then of course the rookery children Goliath and Demona.

My actual question is this:

What had to be going through Hudson's mind during all of this? I know he acknowledged the two as a mated pair, but in essence he had to save his son from his daughter. That could not have made him all too plussed.

Secondly, the dialogue in this last scene really shows how even now, they still have latent feelings of being family...

Hudson: "Give it up girl, you can't win.." Which even as a boy, first watching this I always received as a Father being parental in some way to his daughter.

Then there is Demona, who is as bananas as it gets. She, even in her tirade tips her hand. She, through raw, volatile emotion expresses she still has love for Hudson.

"I would have ended this quickly! Your pride will cost you your life!" Even though I know at this point in her life she is past redemption, I still feel that the way she exclaims these sentiments is a tell she doesn't want to HAVE to say them. She loves her rookery father. And in a way, still NEEDS him. As all grown children do once we reach adulthood. But nothing can stand in the way of her vengeance. The vengeance for her murdered family. Not even surviving FAMILY.

All too fascinating Greg, and thank you!

Justin

Greg responds...

You're welcome...

Response recorded on November 03, 2010

Question received on Wed, August 25, 2010 01:15:59 AM

Charisma82 writes...

Did Hudson influence Goliathâ€™s decision at all as to who shouldâ€™ve been Goliathâ€™s second in command?

If something had happened to Goliath before he had chosen a second in command, I would assume that Hudson wouldâ€™ve become leader at first, but then would choose someone else to lead since heâ€™s older and believes that a younger leader would be best (which is indicated in the episode Upgrade). If this was the case, who would Hudson have considered becoming the new leader of the clan? Would he have based his decision along the same lines as Goliath, or would he have looked for other qualifications?

Thank you for your time and all that you do,

-Charisma82

Greg responds...

Hudson and Goliath are two different guys... but I still think Hudson would have ended up choosing Brooklyn.

Response recorded on September 17, 2010

Question received on Thu, August 19, 2010 06:58:17 PM

Greg Bishansky writes...

This discussion has been had in Station Eight a few times, and I thought I would bring it up here. It seems to me like one could make a case that Demona is the lead character in the greater story of the GARGOYLES UNIVERSE.

If one looks at "Dark Ages," "Gargoyles," and "Gargoyles 2198" as a three act story, Demona's story is the one story arc that really plays out through the entire timeline. She is there for all three acts.

Yes, Goliath is the lead in "Gargoyles" and Samson is the lead in "Gargoyles 2198." I think Hudson is the lead in "Dark Ages," but I might be wrong. And they all play huge roles, crucial roles. But Goliath and Hudson are not in Act Three, and Samson is not in the first two acts.

Demona, without being the lead in any of the acts, is the constant presence. Sure, she may not appear in "Pendragon," "New Olympians," Heroes of Ulster," and may only have a small role in "TimeDancer" and "Bad Guys." But if "Gargoyles" is the center of the universe here, and "Dark Ages" and "2198" are both acts in that story, it almost makes me wonder if this is really her story. You've got her youth, her fall from grace, her time as the main antagonist (or one of them), and then her eventual redemption.

Not to take anything away from Goliath, because I definitely agree that "Gargoyles" is his story and that he is the most pivotal character in that series. But is his story a large piece of her story?

I'm not saying it's all about her, because it's not. I don't think that or feel that, because this is all one huge ensemble piece made up of many stories, but like I said, she seems to be the most constant character out of all of them in the Big Picture. And all without ever being THE LEAD in any of the "three acts."

Greg responds...

It's definitely an interesting theory.

Of course, I don't actually view the Gargoyles' Universe as any one character's story, including Goliath. To me it's a tapestry with many threads...

But I'm not disagreeing per se.

Response recorded on September 14, 2010

Question received on Wed, July 28, 2010 04:06:08 PM

Vaevictis Asmadi writes...

Hello Greg. Congratulations on clearing out that gigantic queue, and thank you for opening for more questions.

I have a question or two in response to answers you gave relatively recently here.

Rebel asked you if Lexington and Hudson got to watch the sun rise in London due to jetlag, and you said yes.
http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=11957

That must have been an awesome and memorable experience for them. I remember Hudson remarked at the end of The Mirror that he wished he could have seen the sun, just once, before changing back into a gargoyle. Goliath actually spent a whole day awake thanks to the Eye of Odin, but I don't imagine he's eager to describe that particular experience to the others...

I wonder about Brooklyn, Katana, and Nashville, too -- whether they ever saw the sun. Unless the Phoenix took care to deposit them during the same time of day that it plucked them from every time it moved them, they probably experienced at least some jetlag. For that matter Goliath, Angela, and Bronx must have had jetlag during the World Tour. Or did Avalon compensate for that somehow?

Greg responds...

Avalon and/or the Phoenix compensates magically in a way that a commercial jet cannot.

Response recorded on August 12, 2010

Question received on Fri, August 07, 2009 08:32:50 PM

Masterdramon writes...

Gargoyles and Politics

I know that you generally like to keep politics out of this site, which is why I hope that this question isn't too out-of-line. All the same, I'm very interested in the role that politics plays in the "Gargoyles" universe.

What, generally, are Elisa's political views? Does she belong to a particular political party? And does she discuss politics with the Manhattan Clan at all?

For that matter, how politically literate are the various members of the Manhattan Clan, particularly Goliath and Lexington? Do they read any political texts? For that matter, does Hudson ever catch "60 Minutes" or any similar shows on television? How much do Elisa's political views (assuming that she shares them with the Clan at all) color their political viewpoints?

I'd also be greatly interested in any information you would be willing to share regarding the politics of other human characters in the series, most particularly Xanatos, Fox, Matt, Renard, and especially Macbeth. For that matter, what does Demona think of human politics (I expect that I can guess the answer to this one, but still)? :)

If you can't tell, this is coming from a prospective Politics major who to some degree or another views all things through a political lens. If you wish to leave these things up to the viewer then I would completely understand, but any information at all would be tremendously appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time, and I eagerly await the widespread release of the two remaining Trade Paperbacks. I've been trying to spread word of them (and of the DVDs) in the Comments section of Gargoyles-related YouTube videos; every little bit helps, I hope.

Greg responds...

Based purely on stereotypes of ethnicity and labor and location, I'd guess Elisa's a democrat.

I don't think politics is something that would attract Lex's attention much. I would think that Hudson, who prefers Celebrity Hockey to 60 Minutes, would feel lost rather quickly in political discussions. Goliath is all about the classics. I don't think Elisa's proselytizing much.

Xanatos seems like a likely Republican. At least fiscally. (Don't really see him or Fox as social conservatives.) Matt must be a Dem. Renard is probably a Republican. Macbeth... I don't think he's an American citizen. Demona... come on.

Response recorded on November 25, 2009

Question received on Fri, July 10, 2009 02:27:02 PM

The Shadow writes...

I have some more questions. 1. How old will Hutson live to be? 2. What is the year he will die?

Greg responds...

I'm not revealing this stuff.

Response recorded on October 09, 2009

Rambled on Fri, September 11, 2009

G2009 Radio Play

G2009 Radio Play - Act Two

BIG MAN STANDS.

247. NARRATOR
Act Two. The Big Man of Crime enters his offices, but finds heâ€™s not aloneâ€¦

248. BIG MAN
You spend so much time here, Iâ€™ll need to buy you your own chair. So youâ€™ll stay out of mine.

Green Goblin STANDS.

249. GREEN GOBLIN
Surprised to see me?

250. BIG MAN
Not particularly.

251. GREEN GOBLIN
Then you wonâ€™t be surprised to learn Iâ€™m still running thingsâ€¦

252. BIG MAN
If you can run them from a hospital bedâ€¦

253. NARRATOR
Catching Gobby off guard, Lincoln punches him right through the windowâ€¦

254. GREEN GOBLIN
<impact grunt>

255. NARRATOR
The goblin-glider swoops in and catches the Goblin, who pulls out a Pumpkin Bomb.

PUMPKIN BOMB STANDS.

256. GREEN GOBLIN
Ever the gracious host. And ever the gracious guest, the Goblin must show his appreciation. Here. I brought a gift.

257. NARRATOR
Gobby throws his â€œgiftâ€, but Goliath swoops in, catches it and throws it back.

Goliath and Spider-Man STAND.

258. PUMPKIN BOMB
<shriek>

259. GREEN GOBLIN
<impact>

260. NARRATOR
Not far awayâ€¦

261. SPIDER-MAN
No, no, no, no, noâ€¦ I was hoping Iâ€™d never hear that trademark Pumpkin Bomb shriek againâ€¦

262. NARRATOR
Spidey swings in to find Goliath and a recovering Gobby togetherâ€¦

263. SPIDER-MAN
So thatâ€™s what these gargoyles areâ€¦ more of the Goblinâ€™s Halloween creationsâ€¦

264. NARRATOR
Spidey swings into action against Goliath.

265. GOLIATH, SPIDER-MAN
<ad-lib battle sounds>

266. GOLIATH
The Bugle was right about you: you are a threat and a menace!

267. SPIDER-MAN
Wait, you can talk? And read?! And what you read is the Jolly Oneâ€™s editorials?!

268. GREEN GOBLIN
I know I should assassinate Mr. Lincoln. But Iâ€™m so enjoying the show. Really, someone should make more Gargoyles. I know: Iâ€™ll call Walt Disney.

Green Goblin, Spider-Man, Goliath, Pumpkin Bomb and Big Man sit. ANGELA, BROOKLYN, BROADWAY and LEXINGTON STAND.

269. NARRATOR
Meanwhile, atop the Eyrie Building, Brooklyn, Lexington and Broadway watch Angela playing with Brooklynâ€™s son Nashvilleâ€¦

270. ANGELA
Thatâ€™s great, Nashville. This time try the axeâ€¦

271. BROADWAY
Wow, Angela looks so adorable playing with Gnash. I mean, Gnash is cute tooâ€¦

272. BROOKLYN
Thanks. I know he hatched in another decade, but Katana and I discussed it, and we want the whole clan to be Gnash and Egwardoâ€™s Rookery parentsâ€¦

273. BROADWAY
Weâ€™d be honoredâ€¦

274. LEXINGTON
I still canâ€™t quite take it all in. I go to Britain for a few weeks, and everything changesâ€¦

275. BROADWAY
At least you were gone for weeks. Try adjusting in forty seconds.

276. BROOKLYN
Hey, I had forty years to get ready for this, and itâ€™s still strangeâ€¦

277. LEXINGTON
But, dude. Youâ€™re soâ€¦ old.

278. BROOKLYN
Thanks.

279. LEXINGTON
Older than Goliath.

280. BROOKLYN
Yeah.

281. LEXINGTON
Almost Hudsonâ€™s age.

282. BROOKLYN
I get it. Iâ€™m old.

283. LEXINGTON
Itâ€™s not that. Everything about you is different.

284. BROOKLYN
Oh, come onâ€¦

285. BROADWAY
No, heâ€™s right. The way you talk. The way you move. All those weapons you carry now. Itâ€™s like youâ€™ve outgrown us.

286. BROOKLYN
Thatâ€™s not fair. I canâ€™t tell you how much I missed you both.

287. LEXINGTON
We get that. And weâ€™re not mad. Butâ€¦

288. BROOKLYN
Look, this isnâ€™t all on me. As I recall, things were already changing. Broadway spent all his time with Angela.

289. BROADWAY
Not all my time.

290. LEXINGTON
Uhâ€¦ pretty much.

291. BROADWAY
Yeah, well, youâ€™re practically on the internet non-stop.

292. LEXINGTON
Itâ€™s addictive! Do you know they have porn on that thing? Thereâ€™s this one website, Blue Mug Prodâ€"

293. BROOKLYN
I donâ€™t wanna know. The point is weâ€™ve all gone through some changes. Thatâ€™s just life.

294. BROADWAY
I guess our Three Musketeer days are overâ€¦

295. LEXINGTON
Yeahâ€¦

Zafiro and Obsidiana STAND.

296. ZAFIRO
Gargoyles of Manhattan!

297. OBSIDIANA
We need youâ€™re help!

298. NARRATOR
At just that moment, the sun rises, turning Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, Angela and Gnash to stone. Obsidiana and Zafiro are unaffected, thanks to their mystic Mayan pendants.

299. ZAFIRO
Mierda.

300. OBSIDIANA
Nuestro cronometraje apesta hoy.

Obsidiana, Zafiro, Lexington, Broadway, Brooklyn and Angela sit. Spider-Man, Green Goblin and Pumpkin Bomb STAND.

301. NARRATOR
Across town, Goliath also turns to stone.

302. SPIDER-MAN
What the heck?!

303. GREEN GOBLIN
Well, that wasâ€¦ unexpected.

304. SPIDER-MAN
All right, thatâ€™s enough. I know youâ€™re not the real Gobby.

305. GREEN GOBLIN
Yes, yes, â€œItâ€™s not the voice; itâ€™s the words. Not the tech, but the moves.â€ Iâ€™ve heard it all beforeâ€¦

306. SPIDER-MAN
Then I know exactly who you really are: Chameleon!

307. GREEN GOBLIN
That would ease your conscience, wouldnâ€™t it? To think Iâ€™m Chameleon â€" and not the ghost of the man you killed!

308. SPIDER-MAN
I donâ€™t believe in ghosts.

309. GREEN GOBLIN
Then maybe youâ€™d prefer I was the Spawn of Goblin.

310. SPIDER-MAN
Oh, youâ€™d just love to shift the blame to Harry. Sorry, Gobby â€" I mean, Chammy â€" but weâ€™ve been there, done that. Besides, no matter who you are, there hasnâ€™t been time for the Globulin Green to kick in and truly Goblify you. So Iâ€™m gonna take you down now while youâ€™re still just a cheap imitation.

311. GREEN GOBLIN
You could do thatâ€¦ or you could save stoneface over there.

312. NARRATOR
Gobby throws a pumpkin bomb at Goliath. Instinctively, Spidey webs it awayâ€¦

313. PUMPKIN BOMB
<shriek>

Pumpkin Bomb and Green Goblin sit.

314. NARRATOR
By which time, the Goblin is gone, leaving a confused Spidey perched on Goliathâ€™s headâ€¦

315. SPIDER-MAN
So in hindsight, Iâ€™m thinking maybe you werenâ€™t part of the Gob-Squad, right?
(beat)
Fine. Stonewall me.

May STANDS.

316. NARRATOR
That morning in Forest Hills, Spidey sneaks in through his bedroom window, hoping to catch a few Zs.

317. MAY
Peter, are you awake.

318. PETER
Uh, sure Aunt May. Just getting dressed.

319. MAY
Well, hurry up. Iâ€™mâ€¦ â€œconferencingâ€ with all the other parents.

Robbie, ROSIE THOMPSON and George STAND.

320. ROBBIE
Are you sure you donâ€™t mind, Mrs. Parker? Cuz I gotta say, what youâ€™re proposing would be my worst nightmare.

321. MAY
<laughs> Oh, I donâ€™t believe that for a minute, Mr. Robertson. Itâ€™s a joy to be around Peter and his friends. And I wonâ€™t be alone. Anna Watson and Mrs. Osborn will be with me.

322. ROSIE
Emily? Sheâ€™s soâ€¦ odd. I donâ€™t think sheâ€™s ever said one word to meâ€¦

323. MAY
Well, I donâ€™t know her very well, Rosie, but Harry is Peterâ€™s best friend â€" no offense to your Eugene â€" so she must be doing something right.

324. ROSIE
May, you never change. Always seeing the best in people.

325. MAY
Iâ€™ll take that as a compliment, dear girl.

326. GEORGE
In any case, Iâ€™m glad to get Gwen out of Manhattan for a few days. The streets are looking pretty grim right about now.

327. MAY
Oh, Iâ€™m sure your officers will have things under control in no time.

328. PETER
Aunt May, whatâ€™s going on?

329. MAY
Oh, didnâ€™t I tell you, Peter. Iâ€™m chaperoning your trip to Miami Beach!

330. PETER
Wow. Great.

Peter, May, George, Rosie and Robbie sit. Big Man and Dominique STAND.

331. NARRATOR
Meanwhile, back at L. Thompson Lincolnâ€™s officeâ€¦

332. BIG MAN
And how can I be of help, Ms. Destine.

333. DOMINIQUE
I think I can help you, Mr. Lincoln.

334. BIG MAN
What makes you think I need any help?

335. DOMINIQUE
Oh, little things. The shattered window, that unusual statue on the ledge outsideâ€¦

336. BIG MAN
Point taken. How about you cut to the chase?

337. DOMINIQUE
Fine. Tony Dracon. Tomas Brod. Silvio Manfredi. All in jail. Hammerhead. Sable Manfredi. On the run. This gives you a unique opportunity to reclaim what was lost.

338. BIG MAN
Iâ€™m sure L. Thompson Lincoln has no idea what youâ€™re talking about. But go onâ€¦

339. DOMINIQUE
You have three problems. Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and the government watching your every move.

340. BIG MAN
And you have the solutionâ€¦

341. DOMINIQUE
I have the manpower. Threeâ€¦ â€œsuper-villainsâ€ to take down the competition and Dominic Dracon to use as a figurehead.

342. BIG MAN
The old man? I heard he was shy a few brain cells.

343. DOMINIQUE
Itâ€™s easy enough to spread the word he was faking insanity to avoid prosecution. And easy enough to assign him a keeper. Meanwhile, heâ€™s a Dracon. And that name still carries weight, I believe.

344. BIG MAN
It does. But what would you want in exchange?

345. DOMINIQUE
Nothing extraordinary. Just the services of the Tinkerer.

346. BIG MAN
I believe that can be arranged.

347. DOMINIQUE
Lovely. But letâ€™s not allow the moss to gather. Youâ€™ll want to move fast. Before the Octopus retrieves his armsâ€¦

Dominique and Big Man sit. SILVER SPOON MANAGER, Vulture, DOCTOR OCTOPUS and Electro STAND.

348. NARRATOR
The weather has turned cold. At the Silver Spoon, three men in trench coats and hats wait for their coffee.

349. SILVER SPOON MANAGER
Sixty-nine!

350. VULTURE
Yes. Here.

351. NARRATOR
Vulture sits down with Electro and Doctor Octopus.

352. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Thank you, Adrian. Now. My arms?

353. VULTURE
In an OsCorp vault.

354. ELECTRO
At Rykers?!

355. VULTURE
<shhhhh> Not THE Vault. A vault. Still very high security, and the police are bound to expect our arrival, butâ€¦

356. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Indeed. <sigh> OsCorp. Even in death, Norman Osborn torments me. But it cannot be helped. I must have my arms. We go in under cover of darkness tonight.

Doctor Octopus, Vulture and Electro sit. Silver Spoon Manager remains standing. Peter and Mary Jane STAND.

357. NARRATOR
The three men exit through one door. Two teenagers enter through another.

358. SILVER SPOON MANAGER
Seventy!

359. MARY JANE
Try to understand, Tiger. I just canâ€™t do that to Gwen. Sheâ€™s really become my best friend at Midtown.

360. PETER
But itâ€™s not like weâ€™d be making out or anything, right? Uh, right?

361. MARY JANE
Right.

362. PETER
Right, right. Weâ€™d be going as friends. Hanging out when the couples were â€¦ you know, coupling.

363. MARY JANE
And that would be great. But look at it from her point of view. She took all the risks, and you still wound up with Liz. Thereâ€™s no way, sheâ€™d see me as anything but a threat. Wait, that sounded really conceited.

364. PETER
Have you looked in a mirror? Not conceited. Just fact.

365. MARY JANE
Ooh, nice one. Such a player.

366. PETER
Yeah, right. The worldâ€™s loneliest player.

367. MARY JANE
Stop it. I know you donâ€™t want to hurt Gwen either. Not after all the two of you have been through.

368. PETER
Yeahâ€¦ I wonder if Ms. Brant likes Miami. Kidding, kiddingâ€¦ Wow, pretty good. That was practically the Look.

369. SILVER SPOON MANAGER
Seventy-One!

SEYMOUR Oâ€™REILLY stands.

370. PETER
So youâ€™re just not going?

371. MARY JANE
Oh, Iâ€™m going. Itâ€™s 48 degrees outside and 82 in Miami. I asked Tiny to be my plus one.

372. PETER
Tiny?! Tiny McKeever?! The guyâ€™s got the brain of an amoeba. He makes King Kong look like a genius. Hell, he makes Flash look like Stephen Hawking!

373. MARY JANE
(shrugs)
Heâ€™s cute.

374. PETER
<argggh> I just wish I could skip the whole thing. But Aunt Mayâ€™s going, and after her heart attack, I really think she could use some fun in the sun--

375. SEYMOUR
Sorry to interrupt. Couldnâ€™t help overhearing.

376. PETER
Oh, hey, Seymour.

377. SEYMOUR
Just wanted to let you know Harry invited me too. And Iâ€™m totally going stag. I mean who wants a ball and chain when Miami Beach is full of hotties, right?

378. PETER
Uhâ€¦

379. SEYMOUR
Just donâ€™t expect to hang out, okay. Youâ€™d fully cramp my style.

380. PETER
Of course I wouldâ€¦

381. SILVER SPOON MANAGER
Seventy-two!!

Silver Spoon Manager, Peter, Seymour and Mary Jane sit. Dominique and TINKERER STAND.

382. NARRATOR
Meanwhile, the Tinkerer arrives at the Destine Mansionâ€¦

383. DOMINIQUE
You have the devices?

384. TINKERER
Five was all I could put together on short notice. Unless you want to bring Mysterio inâ€¦?

385. DOMINIQUE
Our stage is crowded enough. And five should do quite nicely.

Dominique and Tinkerer sit. May, Mary Jane, GREG BISHANSKY, Sally, Gwen, Harry, Kong, Rand, Flash, Liz, Jason, Peter and Seymour STAND.

386. NARRATOR
Later that afternoon, Harryâ€™s rented a party bus, and the gang is en route to the airport, stuck in heavy traffic on the expressway. A very prepared May Parker has a clipboardâ€¦

387. MAY
All right, we have three adults and sixteen children â€" sorry, sixteen teenagers. Thatâ€™s nineteen sojourners bound for Florida. So why did my headcount come to twenty?

388. MARY JANE
I think you counted the bus driver, Mrs. Parker.

389. MAY
Oh, that I did.

390. BISHANSKY
Hey, twist my arm! Iâ€™ll go to Miami with you guys!!

391. SALLY
Was anyone talking to you?

392. BISHANSKY
Uhâ€¦ no.

393. SALLY
Then eyes front.

394. BISHANSKY
Eyes front.

395. GWEN
Harry, are you all right?

396. HARRY
I dunno. All this stopping and starting. My stomachâ€™s a little queasyâ€¦

397. KONG
Dude. Does this bus rock or what?!

398. RAND
â€˜Scool.

399. FLASH
Damn right itâ€™s cool. Wouldnâ€™t mind taking this baby all the way to Florida.

400. SALLY
Excuse me?! Itâ€™s a bus.

401. LIZ
Sallyâ€™s right. Weâ€™re not ditching the private jet for a bus. Right, Jason?

402. JASON
Uhâ€¦

403. SALLY
Right.

404. PETER
It really is a very nice bus though.

405. BISHANSKY
Hey, Iâ€™m not offended. I still canâ€™t believe the Osborns hired me again. The last time, I got in two-- <impact grunt>

406. SEYMOUR
Dude, you totally rear-ended that guy at the tollbooth!

407. BISHANSKY
Not againâ€¦

408. SALLY
Wonderful. Now, weâ€™ll be stuck here forever!

409. MAY
Everybody stay calm.

410. HARRY
Ah, man, gotta use the johnâ€¦

411. KONG
<laughs> I think Osbornâ€™s gonna hurl!

412. SALLY
Oh. My. God! If my hair starts smelling like vomit, Iâ€™ll sue you for bus-driver malpractice!!

413. BISHANSKY
Sorry, sorryâ€¦

Bishansky, Sally, Kong, Harry, May, Seymour, Peter, Jason, Liz, Flash, Rand, Gwen and Mary Jane sit. Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, Zafiro and Obsidiana STAND.

414. NARRATOR
The sun sets. At the castle, the gargoyles awakenâ€¦

415. BROOKLYN, BROADWAY, LEXINGTON
<awakening roars>

416. BROOKLYN
You must be Zafiro.

417. ZAFIRO
How did you know?

418. BROOKLYN
Strong family resemblance.

419. ZAFIRO
Â¿PerdÃ³n?

420. BROOKLYN
Long story. Time travel. The future. A whole other spin-off. Two actuallyâ€¦

421. OBSIDIANA
We donâ€™t have time for your â€œspin-offsâ€. Â¿Donde esta Goliath?

422. BROADWAY
He didnâ€™t sleep here.

423. LEXINGTON
But Iâ€™m sure heâ€™ll be back soon.

Elisa STANDS.

424. ELISA
Heâ€™d better. We have trouble. Demona trouble.

425. OBSIDIANA
Elisa!

426. ELISA
Hi, Obsidiana. Iâ€™m betting you have trouble tooâ€¦

Elisa, Obsidiana, Lexington, Broadway, Brooklyn and Zafiro sit. Kraven, Calypso, Curt and Gulyadkin STAND.

427. NARRATOR
And while the clan awaits Goliathâ€™s returnâ€¦

428. KRAVEN
It is time, Calypso.

429. CALYPSO
Yes. The forces gather. We can make this one our own.

430. CURT
I demand you let me go!

431. KRAVEN
Hold your tongue, American dog. Or Gulyadkin will hold it for you.

432. GULYADKIN
<low lion growl>

433. CALYPSO
Calm yourselfâ€¦ This change will not be difficult. The primitive bound within is barely skin-deepâ€¦

434. CURT
I-- I donâ€™t know what youâ€™re talking about.

435. CALYPSO
I think you do. You see my companion. The details may have been created in a laboratoryâ€¦

436. KRAVEN
But the soul of the Hunter â€" the beast inside â€" was always my own.

437. CURT
What are doing with that doll?

438. CALYPSO
Turning it inside out.

439. CURT
Listen to me, please. Even if you can release the â€œbeast insideâ€, you donâ€™t want to! It canâ€™t be controlled.

440. KRAVEN
<laughs> Nyet. Not by you perhaps. But my Calypso is not so easily trifled with.

441. CALYPSO
It is timeâ€¦

442. CURT
Noooo!!!! <transformation scream>

443. NARRATOR
Curt Connors is transformed by Calypsoâ€™s magic into the Lizard.

444. LIZARD
<roar>

445. KRAVEN
Nowâ€¦ to the Hunt!

Kraven, LIZARD, Calypso and Gulyadkin sit. Obsidiana, Zafiro, Angela, Elisa, Goliath, Broadway and Brooklyn STAND.

446. NARRATOR
Back at the Castle, Goliath has returned, and the entire clan has gathered. Elisaâ€™s revealed what she knows about Demona. Now, itâ€™s Obsidianaâ€™s turnâ€¦

447. OBSIDIANA
It came from somewhere further south. Two human smugglers carrying an object of great power through the Greenâ€¦

448. ZAFIRO
My mate is sensitive to these things. We tracked them, but they boarded a jet airplane and were soon out of our reach.

449. OBSIDIANA
Pero still I could sense great forces gathering. I asked Jade and Turquesa to teach us the way to Avalonâ€¦

450. ZAFIRO
Gabriel says hello, by the way.

451. ANGELA
Oh, I miss him. How is he?

452. ELISA
Angela, honey, letâ€™s stay on point. I take it Avalon sent you here.

453. OBSIDIANA
Yes. We nearly achieved the totem, but a ridiculous human dressed in red and blueâ€"

454. ELISA, GOLIATH (UNISON)
Spider-Manâ€¦

455. OBSIDIANA
He did spin webs like a spider. Though from his hands, not hisâ€"

456. ZAFIRO
Focus, mi amor.

457. OBSIDIANA
Lo siento. This Man-Spider, he interfered. The smugglers escaped again. Now, power builds on power, rising to a crescendo.

458. BROADWAY
And thatâ€™s bad, right?

459. NARRATOR
Elisaâ€™s cellphone rings.

Matt STANDS.

460. ELISA
Maza.

461. MATT
Itâ€™s Matt. Somethingâ€™s going down at the OsCorp vault off the Expressway. Most of the Taskforce is already here. Stacy and his men too. But Iâ€™m thinking we might needâ€¦ â€œback-upâ€. Lots and lots of back-up.

462. ELISA
Weâ€™re on our way. Brooklyn, can Bronx and Fu-Dog baby-sit Egwardo?

463. BROOKLYN
Of course.

464. ELISA
Good. Because otherwise itâ€™s all hands on deck.

Elisa, Brooklyn, Broadway, Obsidiana, Zafiro, Goliath and Angela sit. George, Morgan and Oâ€™Neil STAND.

465. MATT
Okay, Captain. The rest of the Taskforce is on its way.

466. GEORGE
My men are deployed.

467. Oâ€™NEIL
And just in time! Cuz we got Gobby and his Pumpkin-Heads at 12 oâ€™clock!

Green Goblin and Pumpkin Bomb STAND.

468. GREEN GOBLIN
Playtime!

469. PUMPKIN BOMB
<shriek>

470. MORGAN
And a gargoyle at 3 oâ€™clock!

471. GEORGE
Thatâ€™s not a gargoyle. Thatâ€™s the Vulture!

Vulture STANDS.

472. VULTURE
You were right, Otto. The police were waiting. And the Goblin is here too. You donâ€™t think it could actually be Osborn, still alive, do you?

Doctor Octopus and Electro STAND.

473. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Do not get distracted by old grudges, Adrian. It hardly matters who wears the Green. His intent is still to prevent me from regaining my arms. You must keep the Goblin and the authorities occupied.

474. VULTURE
Of course.

475. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Now, Electro. Open the vault.

476. ELECTRO
Roger that, Doc!

477. NARRATOR
Electro, already inside, short-circuits the vaultâ€™s electro-magnetic lock.

Tinkerer and Demona STAND.

478. TINKERER
Electroâ€™s breached the vault.

479. DEMONA
So predictable. Send in your operatives.

480. NARRATOR
Tinkerer opens a burlap sack, releasing his five â€œoperativesâ€.

HOMUNCULUS #1, HOMUNCULUS #2, HOMUNCULUS #3, HOMUNCULUS #4 and HOMUNCULUS #5 STAND.

481. HOMUNCULUS #1
Homunculi to the rescue!

482. HOMUNCULUS #2
Dirty work to be done!

483. HOMUNCULUS #3
Peach Cobbler!

484. HOMUNCULUS #4
Uh oh, somebodyâ€™s language systemâ€™s off-line again.

485. HOMUNCULUS #5
You know it, girlfriend!

Calypso, Kraven and Lizard STAND.

486. NARRATOR
And down in the sewerâ€¦

487. CALYPSO
It is right above us, my love. The Power and the Glory. The very keys to the Kingdom.

488. KRAVEN
And Kraven will lay them all at your feet.

489. LIZARD
<lizard roar>

490. NARRATOR
Up top, a stretch limo skids to a stop outside the vault. Dominic Dracon and Fancy Dan emerge.

Dracon and FANCY DAN STAND.

491. DRACON
All right, boys. Get me those jewels!

492. FANCY DAN
I think what the boss means isâ€¦ Destroy the competition!

Carnage, Colonel Jupiter and Venom STAND.

493. CARNAGE
<evil chuckle> Carnage time?

494. FANCY DAN
Yeah. Go. Kill. Whatever.

495. COLONEL JUPITER
Colonel Jupiter will stop the Green Goblin and Vulture in their tracks!

496. FANCY DAN
Knock yourself out. But what are you waiting for?

497. VENOM
Someone worthy of our hate. But we have faithâ€¦ Heâ€™ll comeâ€¦

498. GREEN GOBLIN
My, my, the fieldâ€™s getting crowded. Letâ€™s thin the herd. Pumpkin-Heads, release the hounds! <ahem> That was a metaphor. Throw your pumpkin bombs already!

499. PUMPKIN BOMB
<multiple shrieks>

Pumpkin Bomb, Green Goblin, Venom, Fancy Dan, Colonel Jupiter, Carnage, Dracon, Lizard, Kraven, Calypso, Homunculus #5, Homunculus #4, Homunculus #3, Homunculus #2, Homunculus #1, Demona, Tinkerer, Electro, Doctor Octopus, Vulture, George, Morgan, Oâ€™Neil and Matt SIT. May, Peter, Bishansky, Flash, Kong, Sally, Mary Jane, Gwen and Harry STAND.

500. MAY
Goodness, what was that?

501. PETER
Something The Bugle will want pictures of. Open the door.

502. BISHANSKY
Uhâ€¦

503. MAY
Peter Parker, I am not letting you off this bus in the middle of the expressway.

504. PETER
Aunt May weâ€™re at a complete standstill. And you donâ€™t have to worry. Iâ€™ll use my telephoto lens. I wonâ€™t be anywhere near the action.

505. MAY
I suppose it is your jobâ€¦ Open the door.

506. BISHANSKY
Yes, maâ€™am.

507. PETER
Thanks, Aunt May. You rock!

508. FLASH
If Puny Parkerâ€™s going, Iâ€™m going too!

509. MAY
Eugene Thompson, you sit your backside down in that seat right this minute.

510. FLASH
Yes, maâ€™am.

511. KONG
<laughs>

512. SALLY
Whatâ€™s he going to take pictures with? I saw his camera get blown up two months ago.

513. MARY JANE
Peteâ€™s a professional photographer, Sally. Iâ€™m sure he has more than one camera.

514. GWEN
Harryâ€¦ Are you all right in there?

515. HARRY
<vomit noise> Ugh, donâ€™t come in. It really isnâ€™t pretty.

Harry, Gwen, Mary Jane, Sally, Kong, Flash, May, Peter and Bishansky sit. Broadway, Goliath, Brooklyn, Angela, Elisa, Zafiro and Obsidiana STAND.

516. NARRATOR
The clan alights on a rise overlooking the battlefield.

517. BROADWAY
Whoa, what a messâ€¦

518. GOLIATH
We will split our forces. Brooklyn, Lexington, Broadway, Obsidiana, Zafiro with me.

519. BROOKLYN
Shouldnâ€™t I lead the other contingent?

520. GOLIATH
I need your experience and your weapons at my side.

521. ANGELA
Donâ€™t worry, Brooklyn, weâ€™ve got it covered.

522. NARRATOR
Angela, Hudson, Katana, Gnash, Coldstone and Coldfire glide toward the battle.

523. BROOKLYN, BROADWAY (UNISON)
Be careful!

Angela sits.

524. ELISA
You know Iâ€™m going with you.

525. GOLIATH
Not this time, Elisa. You must join your fellow officersâ€¦

526. ELISA
Butâ€"

527. GOLIATH
When all is settled, we shall need your help to cover our retreat from this conflagrationâ€¦ You know this is true.

528. ELISA
(defeated)
Yes.

Elisa sits. Spider-Man STANDS.

529. NARRATOR
Elisa makes her way down the hill. Goliath and the others glide to the Vaultâ€™s roof. Spider-Man lands there at the same time.

530. SPIDER-MAN, ZAFIRO (UNISON)
You again!

531. GOLIATH
Hold, Spider-Man. I have a friend who knows your Captain Stacy.

532. SPIDER-MAN
Really?

533. GOLIATH
This policeman believes in you. So I choose to believe in you as well.

534. SPIDER-MAN
Says the eight-foot tall medieval monster. But I get it. Weâ€™re on the same side. So letâ€™s go kick some Pumpkin-Butt!

535. ZAFIRO
Â¡Idiota! That battle is a mere distraction.

536. OBSIDIANA
The true danger lies withinâ€¦

537. SPIDER-MAN
All right, all right, you had me at â€œIdiotaâ€.

538. NARRATOR
The gargoyles rip open the rooftop. The seven heroes descend, but someone watchesâ€¦

Spider-Man, Obsidiana, Zafiro, Goliath, Broadway and Brooklyn sit. Venom and Fancy Dan STAND.

539. VENOM
And there goes our Broâ€¦

540. FANCY DAN
You going in? That wasnâ€™t the plan!

541. VENOM
And how do intend to stop us?

542. FANCY DAN
Fine, go. But if you see my Ricochet suit, bring it out!

Fancy Dan and Venom sit. Foswell, Jonah and Robbie STAND.

543. FOSWELL
See, J.J. The tip from Draconâ€™s old chauffer was right on the money.

544. JONAH
Whaddaya want, a fershlugginer medal?! Letâ€™s get in there!

545. ROBBIE
Slow down, Jonah. I promised Joan I wouldnâ€™t let you lose your head, figuratively or literally.

546. JONAH
Forget my head! Who cares about my head?! My boy needs me!

Ned and Colonel Jupiter STAND.

547. NED
Looks to me like your boyâ€™s doing pretty well, Chief!

548. COLONEL JUPITER
Take that, miscreants!

549. ROBBIE
Ned, how did youâ€"

550. NED
Tip from one of the pumpkin-heads. Foswellâ€™s not the only one with sources.

551. JONAH
You two can naked mud-wrestle over whoâ€™s the biggest brown-noser later. For now, Robbie, if you donâ€™t let go of me in zero-point-zero seconds, Iâ€™ll dropkick you to next Season! And thereâ€™s no guarantee thereâ€™ll be a next Season!

552. NARRATOR
Jonah breaks away from Robbie, but his path is blockedâ€¦

Elisa STANDS.

553. ELISA
Get back! You want to wind up street pizza!

554. JONAH
But thatâ€™s my son up there.

555. ELISA
Yeah, well, at least heâ€™s fighting on the right side.

556. COLONEL JUPITER
Nothing stands against the might of Colonel Jupiter!

557. ELISA
Does he always talk like that?

558. ROBBIE
Bombasticism runs in the family.

Robbie, Elisa, Colonel Jupiter, Jonah, Ned and Foswell sit. Vulture, Carnage, Green Goblin, Angela, Fancy Dan, Matt and Dracon STAND.

559. NARRATOR
Jupiter takes down Pumpkin-Heads right and left. Hudson squares off against Vulture.

560. VULTURE
Why do I get the old guy?

561. NARRATOR
Youâ€™re old. Heâ€™s old. Itâ€™s parallelism. Get over it.
(beat)
Coldstone and Coldfire isolate Carnage.

562. CARNAGE
No fair! These two donâ€™t spatter at all!

563. NARRATOR
Angela and Katana take on the Goblin.

564. GREEN GOBLIN
Oh, goody. Gobby likes getting down and dirty with the hotties.

565. ANGELA
Oh, you did not just say that.

566. NARRATOR
And little Gnash goes after Fancy Dan.

567. FANCY DAN
Admit it, you gave me the kid because Iâ€™m short?

568. NARRATOR
Even Detective Bluestone gets into the act.

569. MATT
Freeze, Dracon!

570. DRACON
Youâ€™re confused. Iâ€™m G.F. Benton, a certified public accountant. I think Iâ€™ll be going nowâ€¦

571. MATT
Yeah. Back to Ravencroft, you old nutter!

572. NARRATOR
But inside, things are a bit more seriousâ€¦

Matt, Dracon, Fancy Dan, Angela, Green Goblin, Carnage and Vulture sit. Electro and Doctor Octopus STAND.

573. ELECTRO
Got your arms, Doc!

574. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
And my Megalo-Pack?

575. ELECTRO
Youâ€™re Mega-what now?

576. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
My power-source, Maxwell.

577. ELECTRO
Right, right. No. Thatâ€™s not here.

578. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
What?!

Homunculus #1, Homunculus #2 and Homunculus #3 STAND.

579. HOMUNCULUS #1
Gotta get the true treasure!

580. HOMUNCULUS #2
Bring it back to the big Smurfette!

581. HOMUNCULUS #3
Blunk hates getting wet!

582. NARRATOR
Three Homunculi fly deeper into the vault to retrieve Demonaâ€™s prize.

Homunculus #3, Homunculus #2 and Homunculus #1 sit. Zafiro, Spider-Man, Lexington, Homunculus #5, Goliath, Brooklyn, Broadway and Obsidiana STAND.

583. ZAFIRO
What are those things?!

584. SPIDER-MAN, LEXINGTON (UNISON)
Robots!

585. LEXINGTON
And I got one!

586. HOMUNCULUS #5
Leggo, you big bully!

587. LEXINGTON
<ugh> What an annoying voiceâ€¦

588. HOMUNCULUS #5
(aside to audience)
Look whoâ€™s talking.

589. LEXINGTON
â€¦But I might be able to use it to take control of the others.

590. SPIDER-MAN
I think I can help.

Venom STANDS.

591. VENOM
Youâ€™ll be a little too busy for that, Bro.

592. GOLIATH
Friend of yours?

593. SPIDER-MAN
Once upon a time. Not so much now.

594. VENOM
Die, Spider-Man!

595. VENOM, SPIDER-MAN
<add-lib battle sounds>

596. SPIDER-MAN
A little help?

597. NARRATOR
Brooklyn blasts Venom, who collapses.

598. VENOM
<vibrating scream>

Venom sits.

599. BROOKLYN
Sonic Cannon. Circa 2198. Guess my weapons do come in handy.

600. LEXINGTON
Just cover me until I can get this workingâ€¦

Demona and Tinkerer STAND.

601. DEMONA
Whatâ€™s wrong, Tinkerer? Why havenâ€™t they returned?

602. TINKERER
Someoneâ€™s trying to counter their programming. He wonâ€™t succeed.

603. DEMONA
He had better not.

604. LEXINGTON
My hackâ€™s being hacked!

605. TINKERER
Heâ€™s overriding my override!

Homunculus #4 STANDS.

606. HOMUNCULUS #4
Go right. Go left. Go right. Go left. Blow up!

607. NARRATOR
Homunculus #4 blows up. But so does Homunculus #5 in Lexingtonâ€™s hands!

608. LEXINGTON
<pain cry>

609. BROADWAY
Lexington!

Homunculus #4 and Homunculus #5 sit.

610. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
This is madness! Grab my arms and get me out of here!

611. ELECTRO
Workinâ€™ on it!

612. NARRATOR
Electro blasts away, until he and Doc Ock are blindsided byâ€¦

Kraven, Gulyadkin, Lizard and Calypso STAND.

613. ELECTRO, DOCTOR OCTOPUS
<impacts>

614. BROADWAY
Look, itâ€™s Claw.

615. KRAVEN
<roar>

616. BROOKLYN
Thatâ€™s not Claw.

617. BROADWAY
Well, itâ€™s sure not Maggie.

618. GULYADKIN
<lion roar>

619. LEXINGTON
(recovering)
Is that an actual lion?

620. LIZARD
<lizard roar>

621. SPIDER-MAN
Lizard, too? Seriously, this is way over the top.
Homunculus #1 and Homunculus #2 STAND.

622. HOMUNCULUS #1
Got the gizmo!

623. HOMUNCULUS #2
Homunculi never fail!

624. NARRATOR
Two homunculi fly past, carrying a sealed container down a dark corridor.

625. CALYPSO, OBSIDIANA (UNISON)
The totem!
(pointing at each other)
Donâ€™t let her near it!

626. KRAVEN
Go, Calypso! Leave them to us!

627. ZAFIRO
Â¡Vaya, mi amor!

628. BROOKLYN
We got your back, Goliath! Go!

629. SPIDER-MAN
Think Iâ€™ll tag along tooâ€¦

Spider-Man, Obsidiana, Calypso, Homunculus #2, Homunculus #1, Goliath, Tinkerer and Demona sit.

630. NARRATOR
Calypso, Obsidiana, Goliath and Spider-Man race down the corridor.

631. KRAVEN
Lizard, take the reptile!

632. ZAFIRO
Â¡No soy ningÃºn reptil! Â¡Soy un GÃ¡rgolo!

633. ZAFIRO, LIZARD
<ad-lib battle sounds>

634. KRAVEN
Gulyadkin attack!

635. GULYADKIN
<pounce roar>

636. NARRATOR
Gulyadkin and Kraven attack Lex and Broadway!

637. LEXINGTON
Hey, get him off me!

638. BROADWAY
Kinda busy at the moment!

639. GULYADKIN, LEXINGTON, KRAVEN, BROADWAY
<ad-lib struggles>

640. NARRATOR
Brooklyn steps in and pulls both cats off his rookery brothers. They turn on him.

641. BROOKLYN
Uh oh.

642. BROADWAY, LEXINGTON (UNISON)
All for one!

643. NARRATOR
The two gargoyles return the favor, knocking Kraven and Gulyadkin aside. Then Brooklyn blasts them both.

644. BROOKLYN
And one for all!

645. KRAVEN, GULYADKIN
<blast impacts>

646. LEXINGTON
Some things never change.

647. NARRATOR
Zafiro throws Lizardâ€™s unconscious body on top of Kravenâ€¦

648. KRAVEN, LIZARD
<oofs>

649. ZAFIRO
We should follow Obsidianaâ€¦

650. ZAFIRO, BROOKLYN, LEXINGTON, BROADWAY
<electrocution scream>

651. NARRATOR
The four gargoyles are dropped by Electroâ€™s blast.

652. ELECTRO
Still want out?

653. DOCTOR OCTOPUS
Indeed not. My curiosity is piqued. Letâ€™s see where this leadsâ€¦

Doctor Octopus, Electro, Broadway, Lexington, Brooklyn, Zafiro, Gulyadkin, Kraven and Lizard sit. Demona, Homunculus #1 and Homunculus #2 STAND.

654. NARRATOR
Electro and Octopus head down the corridorâ€¦ In a dimly lit room, Demona holds the Spear of Destiny and watches as the two homunculi open the container. Insideâ€¦ is a crown of thorns.

655. DEMONA
The Crown of Thorns!

656. NARRATOR
Demona removes her tiara.

657. DEMONA
Place it on my headâ€¦

658. HOMUNCULUS #1
Placing, placingâ€¦

659. HOMUNCULUS #2
Homunculi aim to please!

660. NARRATOR
The Homunculi gently lower the crown onto Demonaâ€™s head before disappearing back into the darkness. The thorns bite into her brow, drawing blood. Calypso, Obsidiana, Goliath and Spidey come rushing in.

Homunculus #2 and Homunculus #1 sit. Spider-Man, Goliath, Calypso and Obsidiana STAND.

661. DEMONA
My Kingdom come. My Will be doneâ€¦

662. SPIDER-MAN
Friend of yours?

663. GOLIATH
Once upon a time. Not so much now.

664. DEMONA
On Earth as it is in Heavenâ€¦

665. CALYPSO
Too lateâ€¦

666. OBSIDIANA
Too lateâ€¦

667. DEMONA
For MINE is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever and everâ€¦

668. CALYPSO, OBSIDIANA, SPIDER-MAN (UNISON)
Amenâ€¦

669. NARRATOR
Light radiates outward from the Spear. Goliath watches in confusion as Calypso, Obsidiana and Spider-Man drop to their knees before Demona. Octopus and Electro enter and likewise fall to their knees. The light reaches the outer vault. Though still unconscious, Venom, Lizard, Zafiro and Kraven lurch to their feet, then drop to their knees. And still the light advancesâ€¦

Obsidiana and Calypso sit.

670. GOLIATH
What sorcery is this?!

671. DEMONA
The most powerful human sorcery ever created, Goliath. This is humanityâ€™s Armageddon. Their entire raceâ€™s final act.

END ACT TWO

NEXT: ACT THREE...

Rambled on Thu, September 10, 2009

G2009 Radio Play

G2009 Radio Play - Act One

4. NARRATOR
The Spectacular Spider-Man Meets Gargoyles. RELIGIOUS STUDIES 101: A HANDFUL OF THORNS. Act One. Late that night atop the Eyrie Buildingâ€¦

Dominique and Kafka sit. GOLIATH and ELISA MAZA STAND and KISS.

5. GOLIATH, ELISA
<kiss>

6. GOLIATH
There are some human customs I will never get used to Elisa. <kisses her again> This is not one of them.

7. ELISA
Youâ€™re in a good mood.

8. GOLIATH
I am. Hudson and Lexington are back from Europe, bringing Coldstone and Coldfire with them.

9. ELISA
<chuckle> Not to mention Brooklyn returning from forty years of TimeDancing with a mate, a son, a beast and an egg.

10. GOLIATH
The clan has doubled in size. What challenge can the Fates throw at us now that we cannotâ€"

11. NARRATOR
The sun rises. Goliath turns to stone.

12. ELISA
<groan> You just had to say that out loud, didnâ€™t you?

Elisa and Goliath sit. MAY PARKER and PETER PARKER STAND.

13. NARRATOR
Meanwhile, in Forest Hillsâ€¦

14. MAY
Peter, what are you doing up?

15. PETER
Studying for todayâ€™s English final. Itâ€™s on Midsummer Nightâ€™s Dream. And I missed seeing the Cliff Notes version.

16. MAY
Which may explain why you and Miss Allan are no longer a couple.

17. PETER
Aunt May, you know we didnâ€™t break up because I missed her play.

18. MAY
Youâ€™re right; I shouldnâ€™t be glib. I suppose thereâ€™s no chance that you and Gwenâ€¦

19. PETER
I donâ€™t know. Not now anyway. Not when Harryâ€™s hurting so much from the death of his father.

20. MAY
It hardly seems possible that Norman Osborn is gone. The Bugle says he was the Green Goblin, but Iâ€™m not sure I can believe that.

21. PETER
Sometimes, Aunt Mayâ€¦ itâ€™s, okay, to believe everything you readâ€¦

May and Peter sit. GREEN GOBLIN and BLACKIE GAXTON STAND.

22. NARRATOR
At a dive bar downtown, the Green Goblin BURSTS in on his gliderâ€¦

23. GREEN GOBLIN
<tsk, tsk, tsk> Blackie. This place is scummy even by your pond-scum standards. Quite a comedown from your last gigâ€¦

24. BLACKIE
Tell that to the whacko who set a flaming super-villain loose in The Big Sky. Oh, wait. That was you.

25. GREEN GOBLIN
Yes. Yes, it was. <maniacal laugh>

26. BLACKIE
Werenâ€™t you supposed to be dead?

27. GREEN GOBLIN
I was also supposed to be Osborn, but you didnâ€™t buy that, did you? Just one of the many little tricks I keep up my sleeve. Nothingâ€™s changed, Blackie. The Goblinâ€™s still in charge.

28. BLACKIE
You hear me arguing?

29. GREEN GOBLIN
No. Now, gather my Pumpkin-Headsâ€¦

Blackie and Goblin sit. Kafka and Dominique STAND.

30. NARRATOR
At Ravencroft, Dominique Destine and Dr. Kafka supervises six inmates who work to excavate a sub-basement.

31. KAFKA
I still donâ€™t understand what you expect to find down here.

32. DOMINIQUE
Vertros Ravencroft, the founder of this Institute, was a quirky soul. An intimate friend of Freud and Conan Doyle, he was a true believer in both psychotherapy and spiritualism.

33. KAFKA
You speak as if you knew him.

34. DOMINIQUE
Now how would that be possible?

35. KAFKA
It couldnâ€™t, of courseâ€¦ But the dig?

36. DOMINIQUE
Yes. Ravencroft was also a collector. I have reason to believe he buried certain items of his collection here. Now, Doctor, didnâ€™t you say you had meetings scheduledâ€¦

37. KAFKA
Youâ€™ll be all right down here alone?

38. DOMINIQUE
Your orderlies are in the hallway. And Iâ€™m quite self-sufficient. So run along.

Kafka sits. OTTO OCTAVIUS STANDS.

39. DOMINIQUE
Excellent work, Doctor Octavius. Very precise.

40. OTTO
Thank you. I appreciate having something to occupy my handsâ€¦

41. DOMINIQUE
Your hands? Notâ€¦ your arms?

42. OTTO
Arms? Iâ€¦ I hope youâ€™re not referring to my unfortunateâ€¦ b-b-breakdown.

43. DOMINIQUE
What would be the point? Believe me, Doctor, no one better understands the advantage of creating a false front.

ELECTRO STANDS.

44. ELECTRO
Iâ€™ve blasted away another section of cement.

45. DOMINIQUE
Thank you, Maxwell.

46. ELECTRO
Donâ€™t. Call. Me. That.

47. DOMINIQUE
Donâ€™t. Tell. Me. What to doâ€¦ Electro.

48. ELECTRO
Uhâ€¦ okay.
(asides to Otto)
Sheâ€™s a little scary.

49. OTTO
Indeed.

Otto and Electro sit. DOMINIC DRACON, JOHN JAMESON, EDDIE BROCK and CLETUS KASSADY STAND.

50. DRACON
I blame Mace. When that crook cheated me, I lost face. But when I get the jewels back, theyâ€™ll respect me again. Did Mace bury the jewels here?

51. DOMINIQUE
Maybe he did, Dominic. Keep working.

52. JOHN
Whatâ€™s the point? How is tearing up a basement supposed to bring me Colonel Jupiterâ€™s power?!

53. EDDIE
Shut up and dig.

54. JOHN
You like doing this?!

55. EDDIE
I hate it. But I need that hate. I need to keep the hate alive.

56. DOMINIQUE
Such an interesting crew. And what do you want out of life, Cletusâ€¦

57. CLETUS
Nothing too fancy. <chuckles> Just a little carnage.

Cletus, Dominique, Eddie, John and Dracon sit. GWEN STACY and Peter STAND.

58. NARRATOR
That afternoon, at Midtown Highâ€¦

59. GWEN
Hey, Pete. Howâ€™d you do?

60. PETER
Ugh, horrible, probably. I mean you know English is like my worst subject. Itâ€™s all so subjective andâ€"

61. GWEN
Peter.

62. PETER
Okay, okayâ€¦ not the look! I probably aced it. Happy?

63. GWEN
That you did well. Always.

64. PETER
Thanks. Look, Gwen, I--

HARRY OSBORN STANDS.

65. HARRY
Well, what have we here? My best friend and girlfriend conferring in a corner. Planning a surprise party for me?

66. PETER
Uh, itâ€™s not your birthday, Harr.

67. HARRY
I thought maybe it was a thank you bash. For giving you both theseâ€¦

68. GWEN
(reading)
â€œYou are cordially invited to spend Spring Break traveling by private jet to Miami, where youâ€™ll stay, all-expenses-paid, at the Osborn Winter Compound on the Beachâ€¦"

69. PETER
Youâ€™re inviting the three of us to spend a week together in Florida?

70. HARRY
Not just the three of usâ€¦

KENNY KONG, FLASH THOMPSON and MARY JANE WATSON stand.

71. KONG
Osborn, dude! You rock!

72. FLASH
Seven days in the sun and surf.

73. KONG
All you can eat!

74. FLASH
Girls in bikinis!

75. FLASH, KONG (UNISON)
Score! <laughter>

76. MARY JANE
Hi, Sha Shan. Hi, Glory.

77. FLASH
Sha Shanâ€¦ uhâ€¦ Soâ€¦ how much of that did you hear?

78. KONG
Look, Glory, you know I meant you, right? I mean who else would I want to see in a bikini. Uh, youâ€™re not gonna break up with me again, are you?

Kong and Flash sit. SALLY AVRIL, RAND ROBERTSON, LIZ ALLAN and JASON IONELLO STAND.

79. SALLY
Oh. My. God. Harry, I just found the invitation in my locker. And all I have to say is that you can be my super-dweeb sugar-daddy anytime you want!

80. HARRY
You okay with that Rand?

81. RAND
â€˜Scool. You can be my super-dweeb sugar-daddy too.

82. PETER
Exactly how many people did you invite to this thing?

83. HARRY
A handful. Kenny and Glory. Flash and Sha Shan. Rand and Sally. Hobie and Mindy. M.J. Gwen. Oh, and you and Liz, of course.

84. GWEN
Harryâ€¦ Liz and Peter broke up.

85. HARRY
You did?! Wow. I had no idea. Guess Iâ€™ve just been so focused on my own problems. My Dad dying and everything. Thatâ€™s why I need this trip. Gotta clear my head, you know? But maybe you two could reconcileâ€¦

86. SALLY
I donâ€™t think so!

87. LIZ
Itâ€™s too late for that Harry. Iâ€™m with Jason now. We totally fell in love doing the play together.

88. JASON
We did?

89. SALLY / LIZ (UNISON)
Yes, you did. / Yes, we did.

90. LIZ
You donâ€™t mind if I bring Jason instead of Petey, do you.

91. HARRY
The more the merrier.

92. LIZ
Thanks, Harry. Youâ€™re a doll. Kisses!

Liz, Sally, Jason and Rand sit.

93. HARRY
Pete, youâ€™re still invited too. Course, itâ€™s more of a coupleâ€™s thing. But M.J.â€™s guy is in prisonâ€¦

94. MARY JANE
Thank you, Harry. Hadnâ€™t been reminded of that in the last five minutes.

95. HARRY
Sorry, sorry. Itâ€™s just that I canâ€™t help remembering the Fall Formal. You two made such a great pair! Donâ€™t you think so, Gwen?

96. GWEN
Great.

97. PETER
Iâ€¦ suppose we could goâ€¦ as friends. Just as friends.

98. MARY JANE
Weâ€™ll talk later, Tiger.

Mary Jane, Peter, Gwen and Harry sit. Kafka and CURT CONNORS STAND.

99. NARRATOR
Late that afternoon in Dr. Kafkaâ€™s officeâ€¦

100. KAFKA
Doctor Connors, itâ€™s good to see you. Iâ€™d heard you moved to Florida.

101. CURT
I did. But I never stopped working on a cure for Max Dillon. I think Iâ€™ve made some real progress.

102. KAFKA
Thatâ€™s wonderful news. Max is downstairsâ€¦ doing â€œwork-therapyâ€. Iâ€™ll take you to himâ€¦

Kafka and Curt sit. Otto, Dominique, Electro, Dracon, John, Eddie and Cletus STAND.

103. ELECTRO
Ms. Destine. I think I found something.

104. DRACON
Is it my jewels?

105. OTTO
Itâ€¦ it appears to be a spearhead. It looks quite old.

106. DOMINIQUE
Give it to me.

107. ELECTRO
Sure, sure.

108. DOMINIQUE
Yes. This is it. I think weâ€™re done, boys.

109. OTTO
Indeed. And just as the dig brought us right up against Ravencroftâ€™s outer wall.

110. ELECTRO
You mean this wall?!

111. NARRATOR
Electro blasts a huge hole in the wall. When the smoke clears, the Vulture is waiting. He grabs Octavius.

VULTURE STANDS.

112. VULTURE
Youâ€™re coming with me, Otto.

113. OTTO
No, no, stop. I donâ€™t want this life anymoreâ€¦ Iâ€™m trying to get better!! Let me go!!

114. ELECTRO
Shut it, Doc! Itâ€™s for your own good!

115. OTTO
Nooooooo!!!!

Otto, Electro and Vulture sit.

116. NARRATOR
Vulture and Electro leave with Octavius. Dominique watches them go.

117. DOMINIQUE
Well, that was diverting. And such excellent timing as well: itâ€™s sunset. <transformation scream>

118. NARRATOR
With the setting of the sun, Dominique Destine transforms into a gargoyleâ€¦ just as Kafka and Connors enterâ€¦

Kafka and Curt STAND.

119. KAFKA / CURT
Oh my godâ€¦ / What in the world?!

120. NARRATOR
Demona effortlessly slams them both against a wall and turns to the remaining inmatesâ€¦

121. CURT, KAFKA
<impacts, moans>

122. DEMONA
Listen carefully, humans. For I have listened to you. I can make all your petty little dreams come true. Dominic demands respect.

123. DRACON
Yes.

124. DEMONA
John craves power.

125. JOHN
Yes!

126. DEMONA
Eddie needs hate.

127. EDDIE
YES!

128. DEMONA
And all Cletus desires is a little carnage.

129. CLETUS
Or a lot. Iâ€™m not picky.

130. DEMONA
Then stick with me, boys. Respect, power, hatred, carnage. These are things I knowâ€¦

DEMONA, Cletus, Eddie, John and Dracon sit. ALAN Oâ€™NEIL and GEORGE STACY STAND.

131. NARRATOR
Later, the police arrive to investigateâ€¦

132. Oâ€™NEIL
And you never met this broad before in your lifeâ€¦

133. KAFKA
She had excellent references, Officer Oâ€™Neil. Itâ€™s not like I grant just anyone access to my patientsâ€¦

134. Oâ€™NEIL
And you wonder why people think they belong at Rykers.

135. GEORGE
Thereâ€™s nothing else you can tell me, Doctor?

136. CURT
Iâ€™m sorry, Captain Stacy, but no. It was a creature.

137. GEORGE
Like that Lizard-thing from last fall?

138. CURT
No! No. Nothing like that. More likeâ€¦ like those things on the news that blew up the clock tower.

139. GEORGE
You mean the 23rd Precinct.

140. CURT
Yes.

141. GEORGE
Youâ€™re saying a gargoyle kidnapped those men.

142. CURT
Yes. No. I donâ€™t know. Can I leave now?

George, Oâ€™Neil and Kafka sit. DILBERT TRILBY and NED LEE stand.

143. NARRATOR
But outsideâ€¦

144. TRILBY
Doctor Connors! Dilbert Trilby, Action News. What can you tell our audience about the escape?

145. CURT
Nothing. No comment.

146. NED
Hey, Doc. Remember me? Ned Lee from The Bugle. Can you just tell me who escaped? Doc Ock? Electro? Colonel Jupiter â€" I mean, Colonel Jameson?

147. CURT
Iâ€™m sure the police will issue a statement. Now, I have to go.

Trilby sits. CALYPSO EZILI, KRAVEN THE HUNTER and GULYADKIN STAND.

148. NARRATOR
Connors hurries away down the street, as a limousine with dark-tinted windows pulls up in front of Ravencroft.

149. CALYPSO
We are too late, my love. The Christian Totem is gone.

150. KRAVEN
Gulyadkin and I will track it for you.

151. GULYADKIN
<low lion growl>

152. CALYPSO
Iâ€™m afraid that is beyond even your impressive abilities, Sergei, my love. But I have my own ways, as you well knowâ€¦

153. KRAVEN
Of course, Calypso.

154. CALYPSO
Who is that? That man trying to hail a cab?

155. KRAVEN
He is a stranger to my eyes. Yet his scent is familiar.

156. CALYPSO
His aura glows with primal energies and may be of use to us.
(to Curt)
You need a ride.

157. CURT
What? No. No, thank you. Iâ€™ll get a cab.

158. KRAVEN
She wasnâ€™t asking.

159. CURT
<scream>

160. NARRATOR
Kraven drags Connors into the limo, which quickly drives awayâ€¦

Curt, Kraven, Calypso and Gulyadkin sit.

161. NED
Hello, Robbie? Iâ€™ve got something.

J. JONAH JAMESON, JOE â€œROBBIEâ€ ROBERTSON and FREDERICK FOSWELL STAND.

162. JONAH
Is that Lee? Put him on speaker.

163. ROBBIE
Now, Jonah, stay calmâ€¦

164. JONAH
Donâ€™t you tell me to stay calm, Joe Robertson. Itâ€™s not your son at risk. Lee, you there?! Iâ€™ll give you exactly three-point-seven seconds to tell me Johnâ€™s all right!

165. NED
Wish I could, Chief. But he disappeared with the rest. There are six inmaâ€" uh, patients missing. Itâ€™s not clear if they busted out or were kidnapped.

166. JONAH
Well, of course John was kidnapped. You think my son would--

167. ROBBIE
Ned, give me the whole list.

168. JONAH
Who cares about the listâ€"

169. ROBBIE
It could provide a lead to John.

170. NED
Doc Ock. Electro. John. Uhâ€¦ letâ€™s see. Edward Brock Jr., Cletus Kasady and Dominic Dracon.

171. FOSWELL
Dominic Dracon? The old mob boss? Thereâ€™s a name I havenâ€™t heard in a while.

172. JONAH
Foswell, you know that world! Find out where Dracon might have gone!

173. FOSWELL
You got it, J.J.

174. JONAH
Lee, you stick to the damn super-villain angle! Ock, Electro. Whatâ€™s their next move?!

175. NED
Right, boss!

176. JONAH
Robbie, I want every available man on this. No, damnit, I want every man, woman and child on this, available or not. Call Parker. Put Benny the copyboy on it. But Ms. Brant on it. I want John Jameson safely back in his motherâ€™s arms in six-pointâ€¦ six-pointâ€¦

177. ROBBIE
Itâ€™s okay, Jonah. Weâ€™re on it.

178. JONAH
Good. Good. Iâ€™llâ€¦ Iâ€™ll hit the streets myself. Iâ€™m still the best damn reporter in New York City! Just have to make a call first. Well, what are you all waiting for, get out! Out!

Robbie, Ned and Foswell sit.

179. JONAH (CONT)
Hello, is this WVRN? Travis Marshall, please. Travis? Itâ€™s Jonah. I got a lead for you on the Ravencroft thing.
(pauses, listening)
Whaddayou care why Iâ€™m helping the competition?! I know I hate television! You donâ€™t have to tell me that! Iâ€™m not trying to sandbag you, damnit, Iâ€¦ Iâ€™m just trying to find my sonâ€¦ any way I can.

Jonah sits. SPIDER-MAN STANDS.

180. NARRATOR
That night finds Spider-Man swinging through the cityâ€¦

181. PETER (VO)
If I didnâ€™t know better, Iâ€™d think Harry was trying to torture me and Gwen. Then again, M.J. is quite the consolation prize. Ah, man, what am I saying? Iâ€™m in love with Gwen. Gwen. Gwendolyn Stacy. Just have to get through the next few weeks and then Harryâ€™ll be in a better place, and she and I--

182. NARRATOR
Peteâ€™s ringtone plays Itsy-Bitsy Spider.

183. SPIDER-MAN
Hello?

Robbie STANDS.

184. ROBBIE
Pete. Joe Robertson. Thereâ€™s been an incident at Ravencroft.

Robbie sits.

185. SPIDER-MAN
Uh huhâ€¦ uh huhâ€¦ Wait, whoâ€™s missing? Uh oh. Him too? Oh, crap. Sorry, I mean-- What?! Seriously?! Uh, right. Yeah, Iâ€™ll keep my eyes open. Camera lens at the ready. Thanks for the heads up. Bye.
(to himself)
Whoa. At least this day canâ€™t get any worse!

SMUGGLER #1 stands.

186. SMUGGLER #1
What the hell are those things?!

187. SPIDER-MAN
When am I gonna learn not to say that out loud?

188. NARRATOR
Spidey swings down to find two men in a van being attacked by two gargoyles, Obsidiana and Zafiroâ€¦

ZAFIRO and OBSIDIANA STAND.

189. SPIDER-MAN
Hi there. Hate to interrupt, but this lady-esque-blue-creature-thing matches the description of another lady-esque-blue-creature-thing who just busted some folks out of Ravenâ€"

190. ZAFIRO
What is he babbling about?

191. OBSIDIANA
I have no idea. I sense no connection between him and the source of the disturbance. But these twoâ€¦

192. SMUGGLER #1
Keep her away from us!!

193. SPIDER-MAN
You see, now Iâ€™m on the horns of a dilemmaâ€¦ Uh, no offense. Itâ€™s just an expression; I wasnâ€™t referring to your rather strikingâ€¦ Never mind. See in this particular Spider-Manâ€™s experience, when genetic misfits attack ordinary human beings, Iâ€™m gonna have to side with the humans.

195. NARRATOR
Zafiro attacks Spidey.

196. ZAFIRO, SPIDER-MAN
<ad lib battle efforts, impacts>

197. NARRATOR
Obsidiana rips open the top of the van.

198. OBSIDIANA
<rip effort>

199. SMUGGLER #1
Stay back!

200. NARRATOR
The two humans open fire on her, forcing her to leap awayâ€¦ The van peels out. Obsidiana tries to follow, but Spidey webs her wings together.

Smuggler #1 sits.

201. OBSIDIANA
Por favor! You donâ€™t understand the powers that are gathering!!

202. SPIDER-MAN
And youâ€™re the one doing the Gathering, I take it!

203. OBSIDIANA
No!

204. ZAFIRO
Enough!

205. SPIDER-MAN
<impact grunt>

206. NARRATOR
Zafiro slams Spidey into a wall. By the time the web-slinger recovers, the gargoyles are goneâ€¦

Zafiro and Obsidiana sit.

207. SPIDER-MAN
<groan> For a guy with no legs, that snake-thing can moveâ€¦

Spider-Man sits. George and MARIA CHAVEZ STAND.

208. NARRATOR
Not far awayâ€¦

209. GEORGE
Captain Chavez.

210. CHAVEZ
Captain Stacy. What brings you to whatâ€™s left of the 23rd?

211. GEORGE
Itâ€™s the Ravencroft thing. Iâ€™ve got corroborating witnesses telling me a gargoyle was involved.

212. CHAVEZ
<sigh> I miss the days when being a cop didnâ€™t involve a working knowledge of The Twilight Zone.

213. GEORGE
Welcome to the Freak Show.

214. CHAVEZ
Anyway, as it happens, the Gargoyle Taskforce is meeting right now. First trailer on the right. Ask for Bluestone.

Chavez sits. MATT BLUESTONE, MORGAN MORGAN, MARGOT YALE and Elisa STAND.

215. NARRATOR
Minutes laterâ€¦

216. GEORGE
And thatâ€™s all I knowâ€¦

217. MATT
Well, that is interesting, or, you knowâ€¦ really, really scary.

218. MORGAN
Iâ€™ll say, Detective. With or without a gargoyle, Iâ€™ve heard Ock and Electro are bad news. And that Cletus Kasady: he killed five people before--

219. MARGOT
Forget Kasady. Any idiot can bring a serial killer down. Itâ€™s the gargoyle we should be concerned with. Itâ€™s what Iâ€™ve been saying all along! Those monsters are dangerous!

220. MATT
I think what A.D.A. Yale is saying, Captain, is that the Taskforce is on it. Weâ€™ll let you know if we hear anything. And weâ€™ll be checking in with all our sources, wonâ€™t we, Detective?

221. ELISA
And fast.

Elisa, Matt, Margot, Morgan and George sit. Smuggler #1 and Demona STAND.

222. NARRATOR
Meanwhile, a van with a torn up roof pulls up to a Gramercy Park Mansionâ€¦ The driver speaks into the intercomâ€¦

223. SMUGGLER #1
Longinus sent me.

224. DEMONA
Leave the package. Then take your money and go. While you still can.

225. SMUGGLER #1
Geez, who lives here? Draculaâ€™s daughter?

Smuggler #1 sits. Eddie, John and Cletus STAND.

226. NARRATOR
Demona collects her package.

227. EDDIE
The old guyâ€™s asleep. Whatâ€™s that?

228. DEMONA
A simple wooden shaft. The prize of Adolph Hitlerâ€™s personal collection. After hisâ€¦ demise, his remaining followers smuggled it to Brazil. I paid handsomely to have it smuggled to me.

229. EDDIE
Why? I mean sure, itâ€™s the shaft of a spear. Completes the set with that arrowhead you took from Ravencroft. But why do we care?

230. DEMONA
Hereâ€™s why.

231. NARRATOR
Demona joins the spear and spearhead together. Instantly, it radiates incredible power.

232. DEMONA
The Holy Lance. The Spear of Destiny. The weapon that pierced the side of the Christ. Do you still want power, John? This is power.

233. JOHN
Give it to me. Give it!

234. DEMONA
No. This power is mine. But I will use it to give you back your ownâ€¦

235. NARRATOR
She points the Spear at John Jameson. The magic surrounds him and transforms him into Colonel Jupiter!

236. COLONEL JUPITER
<transformation scream> Yes! The power is mine! I am Colonel Jupiter!

237. DEMONA
For what thatâ€™s worthâ€¦ Now for Eddie.

238. VENOM
<transformation scream>

239. DEMONA
Happy now?

240. VENOM
Extremely. We are Venom again.

241. DEMONA
And what about you, Cletus?

242. CLETUS
(pointing at Venom)
Iâ€™ll have what heâ€™s havingâ€¦

243. DEMONA
As you wishâ€¦ Carnage.

244. CARNAGE
<transformation scream>

245. VENOM
All right, Demona. Youâ€™re the Mirror Universe Wizard of Oz. But what now?

246. DEMONA
Mine is the Power. But I still require the Kingdom and the Glory. This is only the first act, humansâ€¦ or whatever you are now. The main event is still to comeâ€¦

Demona, VENOM, CARNAGE and COLONEL JUPITER sit.

END ACT ONE

TOMORROW: ACT TWO...

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