Supergirl: Home - Ep. 11
"The Soul of the Samurai"
FADE IN:
EXT. STREET - DAY
SUPER: twenty-three years ago.
MISUKO LIGHTFOOT walks down the street, talking to two of
her friends. She's 15, half Japanese, half Native American,
which gives her a really odd look. She's the girl who'll
become Katanna.
The three girls are chit-chatting lively as they walk.
MISUKO
...but you would not believe what
he said to me.
GIRL
Oh, I'll believe it. I'll believe
anything about Jack.
Three boys, JUSTIN, BERNIE and JEFF, all around seventeen,
watch the girls as they walk past them. They focus on Misuko.
We stay with the boys.
JUSTIN
Look at her. What a freak.
BERNIE
Yeah. What the hell is she
supposed to be? Half Pekinese,
half prairie dog?
The three chuckle.
JEFF
And have you seen her dad? A
freaking Indian who thinks he's a
Samurai.
BERNIE
I don't know how the hell they
let them get out of the reservation.
JUSTIN
No, guys. I think we're being too
hard. I mean, think about how she
feels? She doesn't fit in. She
doesn't know who she is. Is she
Japanese? Is she Indian? Is she
American? She's nothing and she's
everything. She must have one
hell of a confusion in her head.
Bernie and Jeff stare at Justin.
2.
BERNIE
What the hell are you talking about?
Then Justin gets a really psychotic grin.
JUSTIN
I think we should help her clear
the confusion.
Jeff chuckles.
JEFF
Oh, you got me worried for a moment.
INT. PUBLIC BATHROOM - DAY
Justin, Bernie and Jeff drag Misuko, kicking and screaming,
into the bathroom.
MISUKO
Let me go, you idiots. Let me go!
Bernie and Jeff drag her to the sink. Justin stands behind.
He carries a duffle bag. He opens the bag.
When he speaks, he sounds like a loving father.
JUSTIN
You know, Misuko, today is the
luckiest day of your life. I say
that because I know you; I
understand you. I know the
confusion you must be feeling
inside that pretty little head of
yours.
Justin puts on the kind of gloves used to handle dangerous
chemicals.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
Am I Japanese? Am I Indian? Am I
something in between? I know how
difficult it must be for you to
find out what the hell you are.
So I'm going to help you.
Justin pulls a large bottle of battery acid from the bag.
Misuko sees the bottle and screams.
MISUKO
No! Leave me alone!
Bernie and Jeff chuckle. Justin opens the bottle.
3.
JUSTIN
I'm going to help you, Misuko.
From this day on, no one will
ever have any doubt that you're
nothing more than a damn Indian
freak.
We PAN away from them. You really don't want to see this.
MISUKO
No! NOOO! AAARGHH!
INT. JAPANESE WORLD STORE - DAY
The store is filled with all sorts of Japanese memorabilia.
Posters of Japanese movies line the walls.
There are four Samurai swords on a display next to the entrance.
JOHN LIGHTFOOT, the owner, sits behind the counter, reading
the newspaper.
Then Misuko bursts in through the door. Her head is bleeding
badly. She has a two-inch-wide patch of hair going through
her head, like a mohawk, but the rest of her head is a
bloody mass of hair and peeling skin. Her clothes are
covered with blood too.
She has a murderous expression on her face.
John looks at her and nearly falls off his chair in horror.
JOHN
Misuko, what happened!?
John stands up and goes to her, but his right foot is in a
cast, slowing him down.
Misuko ignores him. She goes to the display of the Samurai
swords. She opens the case, picks up the first sword and
turns back to the door.
MISUKO
Nothing I can't handle.
INT. BUS - MOVING - DAY
SUPER: Present time.
FOCUS ON KATANNA's face. We see little else of the bus. Her
eyes are closed as in deep concentration.
A beat.
BUS DRIVER (O.S.)
Next stop: Leesburg.
4.
Katanna's eyes open.
PAN back. Revealing that she stands on the bus isle, arms
folded. Everyone in the bus stares at her, scared of the
four Samurai swords on her back and her mohawk.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - DAY
SYLVIA reads the newspaper on the kitchen counter. A moment
later LINDA walks down the stairs.
LINDA
Mom, got a minute.
SYLVIA
Of course.
LINDA
Eh... I invited a friend to come
over and help me with something.
Do you mind if she stays here
with us?
SYLVIA
(chuckles)
Linda, you're not a kid anymore.
You don't need to ask me if you
can invite your friends for a
sleepover.
LINDA
Yeah, I know. It's that... she's
a superhero friend of mine. Her
name's Katanna. I don't know if
you've heard of her.
SYLVIA
Maybe, but the truth is that
there's only one superhero name
that rings a bell with me.
LINDA
The thing about Katanna is that...
she's odd. She's a great friend,
don't get me wrong, but she's one
of the most unfriendly-looking
people you'll ever meet.
SYLVIA
Any friend of yours is welcome
here. You know that.
5.
LINDA
I just wanted to prepare you.
She's very spiritual. Very
introspective. Very quiet. I
don't... you know...
SYLVIA
You don't want me to talk her
head off.
Linda grimaces.
LINDA
She's a very quiet person. I
respect her a lot. And she comes
as a favor to me. She hates
traveling but she's coming all
the way here because I asked her.
I don't want her to feel
uncomfortable in any way.
SYLVIA
I'll be a good host.
LINDA
Thanks, mom.
INT. BUS - MOVING - DAY
The bus pulls to a stop.
BUS DRIVER
Welcome to Leesburg.
Katanna walks down the isle.
EXT. BUS STOP
Katanna walks down the bus. Three police cruisers are parked
next to it. Six policemen stand by, alert, but trying to
look non-threatening. They turn to Katanna, eyeing her.
OFFICER GETZ talks politely to her.
OFFICER GETZ
Excuse me, would you mind if we
have a talk with you?
Katanna turns to Officer Getz. He looks apologetic.
OFFICER GETZ (CONT'D)
I mean, just a talk.
Supergirl lands next to Katanna.
6.
SUPERGIRL
(to Getz)
Leave her alone. She's my guest
in this town and you should treat
her accordingly.
OFFICER GETZ
That's all I needed to hear.
(to Katanna)
Welcome to Leesburg.
(to policemen)
Come on, guys.
The policemen climb into their cruisers and drive away.
Supergirl turns to Katanna.
SUPERGIRL
Welcome to Leesburg. Thanks for
coming. I appreciate it.
Katanna nods.
A beat.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
Can I help you with your luggage?
KATANNA
A Samurai carries all she needs
on her back.
SUPERGIRL
Oh.
(beat)
Do you want me to give you a ride
to my home or would you rather walk?
KATANNA
I prefer walking. Lead the way.
They begin to walk.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - TWO HOURS LATER
It's mid-morning. Sylvia reads a book, sitting on the couch.
The door opens. Supergirl and Katanna walk in. Sylvia stands
up and walks to them.
SUPERGIRL
Mom, this is my friend Katanna.
Katanna -- my mother, Sylvia.
SYLVIA
It's a pleasure to meet you.
7.
Katanna nods.
SYLVIA (CONT'D)
I hope you had a pleasant trip.
Do you need to rest?
KATANNA
No.
SYLVIA
Did you eat breakfast already? Do
you want anything?
KATANNA
Yes. Breakfast will be fine.
SYLVIA
Any preferences?
KATANNA
Anything that was alive.
SYLVIA
Do eggs count?
KATANNA
Yes.
SYLVIA
How many do you want? I mean,
Linda here eats a ton of food
every day.
SUPERGIRL
(embarrassed)
Mom.
KATANNA
Two eggs will be enough.
EXT. HILL - AFTERNOON
The three other superheroes from Leesburg, ZEN, SAMURAI and
FLAMETHROWER, practice their powers here. The three are in
full costume.
ZEN
And then Jill told mom about it.
The little freak.
SAMURAI
She's just trying to be a smartass.
ZEN
She's not smart. She's twelve.
8.
FLAMETHROWER
Actually, she's very smart for a
twelve-year-old.
ZEN
Whose side are you on?
FLAMETHROWER
I'm being objective.
ZEN
Well, stop it. You're my partner.
You should always agree with me
on everything.
FLAMETHROWER
Says who?
ZEN
It's an unwritten superhero rule.
FLAMETHROWER
You're making it up.
ZEN
No, I'm not. If Supergirl was
here, I'm sure she'll back me up.
SUPERGIRL (O.S.)
I am here.
The three turn around. Supergirl and Katanna stand there.
Zen flashes a nervous grin.
ZEN
Hi. Supergirl.
Samurai eyes Katanna like he was looking at his favorite
movie star.
SAMURAI
You're Katanna.
SUPERGIRL
She knows that. And by the way,
Samurai, this is your lucky day.
I asked Katanna if she could come
and give you a lesson or two and
she agreed.
SAMURAI
Really? I can't believe it.
9.
SUPERGIRL
I figure that at some point I'm
going to have to leave Leesburg
in your hands so I better make
sure you're at least semi-
competent by then.
ZEN
That almost sounded like a
complement. But I'm sure it wasn't.
SAMURAI
So I get to train with Katanna?
Wow. Thanks Supergirl.
SUPERGIRL
Don't thank me, thank Katanna.
She's the one who's going to have
to put up with you.
SAMURAI
Yeah, sure.
Samurai bows to Katanna.
SAMURAI (CONT'D)
Arigato, Katanna.
KATANNA
Draw your swords.
Katanna draws one of her swords. The one on her lower left.
Each sword has a special meaning.
Flamethrower and Zen take five steps away from Samurai, who
looks scared to death. Then he composes and draws one of his
six swords.
Samurai drops into a fighting stance, looking extremely
clumsy. Katanna stands in a normal stance, her sword pointed
at Samurai's head.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
Attack me.
Samurai swallows hard, then charges. He swings the sword at
Katanna, aiming a foot in front of her (he doesn't want to
harm her). Katanna easily blocks the attack, moving only her
wrist. Her sword slices Samurai's sword in half.
Samurai gives her an apologetic look.
SAMURAI
Sorry.
Katanna gives Supergirl a blank look.
10.
Samurai picks up the piece of the sword that broke off. He
welds the piece back into the sword with his bare hand.
KATANNA
Attack ME. Not the space in front
of me.
Samurai charges again. He swings the sword from the left,
when Katanna moves hers to block, he spins and attacks from
the right. Katanna blocks the attack easily again and again
slices his sword in half, and then puts her sword on
Samurai's neck, as if about to cut his head off.
Samurai grins nervously.
Katanna gives Supergirl another blank look.
Then Samurai picks up the piece of the sword and welds it again.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
What is that sword made of?
SAMURAI
Aluminum.
(beat)
That's my meta-human power. I can
weld simple metals. So no matter
how many times you break my sword,
I can always fix it.
KATANNA
What good is that toothpick? Use
a real sword.
Katanna draws the sword on her upper left and throws it to
Samurai. He catches it and regards it like it was made of
glass. He sheaths his own sword.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
Attack me.
Samurai charges. He attacks a couple of times. Katanna
blocks him easily. Then she knocks the sword from his hand.
It lands ten yards away from him.
Samurai looks apologetic and goes to pick up the sword.
Katanna gives yet another look to Supergirl.
SUPERGIRL
Look, Samurai, let me explain one
thing to you. Katanna hates
traveling. Yet she came all the
way to Leesburg as a personal
favor to me because I asked her
to train you.
(MORE)
11.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
The only reason she hasn't cut
your head off yet is that I made
her promise she'd have patience
with you. But if you don't start
taking this training seriously,
I'm going to cut your head off
myself. Do you understand?
SAMURAI
What do you mean? I'm taking it
serious. Geez, what more do you
want from me?
KATANNA
You have two minutes to draw my
blood. If you fail, I will cut
your hands off.
Samurai's jaw drops.
SAMURAI
What? Are you crazy? You'll cut
my hands off?
KATANNA
You call yourself Samurai but you
know nothing of what it means to
be a Samurai. You dishonor the name.
SUPERGIRL
You think being a superhero is
all about wearing fancy clothes
and saving the world every other
week. It's not that easy. You
have to be prepared for everything.
SAMURAI
She's going to cut my hands off!
SUPERGIRL
Not if you draw her blood.
SAMURAI
How am I supposed to do that?
She's like the best swordsman in
the whole planet.
SUPERGIRL
You have an option -- drop the
sword and go back to your home
and be a normal person. Never
wear your costume again.
12.
SAMURAI
So it's all or nothing? Either I
give up everything I want to be
in my life or I get my hands cut
off?!
SUPERGIRL
Do you have any idea how many
times I've been this close to
dying myself? Do you have any
idea what will happen to you if
you ever face a real villain with
this attitude? You'll be lucky if
you only lose your hands.
SAMURAI
But it's not fair. There's no way
I can beat her.
SUPERGIRL
Life isn't fair.
Samurai seems about to cry for a moment, then he glares at
Supergirl.
SAMURAI
I'll do it. But if I end up a
freak with hooks instead of hands,
it'll be on your head.
KATANNA
Attack me.
Samurai attacks. He uses every move he's seen on martial
arts movies but can't even make Katanna move more than her
wrist to counter him.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
Thirty seconds.
He charges again. He seems to be getting better, but still
can't touch Katanna. Then she swats the sword off his hand.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
One minute.
Samurai rushes for the sword. Then draws one of his own
swords. He attacks again, using both swords. This time
Katanna actually has to move to avoid the double attack.
He's still nowhere near close to touching her though.
Then Katanna kicks him, sending him flying back several feet.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
Minute-thirty.
13.
Samurai gets back to his feet. He's getting desperate. Then
he gets an idea.
He slices his sword using Katanna's and then bats the broken
piece of his sword toward Katanna and throws her sword to her.
The piece of aluminum sword and the real sword both head for
Katanna. In a single motion, Katanna slices the aluminum
sword and swats the real sword back to Samurai. But one of
the two slices of the aluminum sword nicks her shoulder,
drawing a tiny drop of blood.
Samurai grabs the real sword as it comes back to him, then
charges Katanna again.
They fight for one minute before Katanna speaks.
KATANNA
You drew my blood. Are you not
going to claim victory?
SAMURAI
That scratch would never stop you
in a real fight.
They continue fighting.
KATANNA
You need balance.
(beat)
Always be aware of your body.
Supergirl smiles.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - LATE AFTERNOON
Katanna and Sylvia sit on the table.
SYLVIA
She was so happy that whole week.
I mean, Superman himself had come
down to Leesburg to tell her he
was impressed by how she handled
the Twins. She was walking on clouds.
Katanna regards Sylvia with a stern look. Sort of a mild
glare. She drinks from her coffee.
SYLVIA (CONT'D)
She's changed so much from that
time. It's hard to believe she's
the same person.
Supergirl enters the house. She sees her mother talking to
Katanna, and grimaces.
14.
SUPERGIRL
Mom, would you mind letting
Katanna and me have a private
chat for a moment. It's superhero
stuff, you know.
SYLVIA
Sure, Linda.
(to Katanna)
It's been a pleasure.
Sylvia stands up and heads for the backyard.
Supergirl sits next to Katanna.
SUPERGIRL
I'm so sorry. My mother... she
likes to talk. A lot. We're sort
of a weird family.
KATANNA
You presume that because I do not
seek the company of others, it
means I do not enjoy it. You are
mistaken. I enjoy your mother's
company. She reminds me of my own.
SUPERGIRL
Really? This is the first time
anyone's ever told me my mother
resembles someone else's mother.
KATANNA
My mother loved to speak too. She
always had something interesting
to say. I would listen to her for
hours. She is the reason I am so
quiet. I grew up presuming that
other people's stories were
always better than my own.
SUPERGIRL
So you don't mind talking?
KATANNA
Not at all. When I am in battle,
talk is unnecessary and bothersome.
But in moments like this, it is
appreciated.
SUPERGIRL
And I thought you didn't like
talking. The truth is that I
consider you a good friend, but I
know almost nothing about you.
(MORE)
15.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
And most of what I know comes
from Blaze and Nightwing. I don't
think we've ever really talked
before.
KATANNA
We have not talked. But sometimes
it is unnecessary. I know I can
trust you. And I respect you.
That is enough for me.
SUPERGIRL
I trust and respect you too.
KATANNA
I know. You respect my privacy.
Too much perhaps. I have known
about you longer than you think.
I knew you before we met at the
spacecraft.
SUPERGIRL
Really?
KATANNA
I read about you after the
incident at the football field,
when you were fifteen.
SUPERGIRL
You read about that? That was
embarrassing.
KATANNA
It was not. You taught those kids
that strength does not make you
better. A good lesson. You showed
intelligence and heart beyond
your age. I was impressed.
SUPERGIRL
To be honest, that was my dad.
Those bullies had come to
Leesburg the previous week
bragging about how boys were
better than girls because they
were stronger and I wanted to
prove them wrong by showing them
that I was stronger. My dad was
the one who pointed out to me the
tiny error in my reasoning.
16.
KATANNA
Yes, your father held the wisdom,
but even at that early age you
had the heart to understand it. I
did not.
EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
We're back twenty-three years ago.
Misuko walks down the street and heads for the alley. She
has bandages on her head and carries the Japanese sword she
took from her father's store last time we saw her. Her
expression is the same one she'll have as an adult: a steely,
menacing glare.
The three boys that attacked her, Justin, Bernie and Jeff,
laugh and drink beer, sitting on the sidewalk. The alley is
very secluded and leads to a dead end. A good place for
young kids to do things they don't want others to see them
do. A bad place if someone is chasing after you.
Misuko sees them and heads straight to them.
Justin sees her. He sneers.
JUSTIN
Hi, Misuko.
Misuko draws the sword.
JUSTIN (CONT'D)
Damn, she's got a sword!
The three boys scatter back. Bernie picks up a lead pipe and
charges Misuko. She cuts the lead pipe with her sword like
it was made of butter.
The boys back away further, scared of her. They throw
everything they find at her but can't even slow her down.
She walks slowly, like a tiger stalking a prey.
Finally, the boys reach the dead end, there's nowhere else
to go to. The boys begin to whimper, certain that she's
going to kill them.
JUSTIN
(pleading)
Please, Misuko, it was just a prank.
MISUKO
You die tonight.
Misuko lets out a angry yell, then thrusts her sword, aiming
for Justin's heart.
17.
The sword stops a millimeter before penetrating his skin.
VOICE (O.S.)
No.
Misuko is startled. She had intended to kill him. The sword
had stopped on its own. She turns around, trying to find the
source of the voice but can't find anyone there. She's
angrier now.
She spins and goes for Justin's head. The sword stops again
before it hurts him.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
No.
Misuko lets out another angry yell. And charges three times.
Every time the sword stops before it hurts the boys.
VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
No, Misuko.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - RESUMING
Katanna's expression has softened a bit. She drinks from her
coffee.
KATANNA
When an artist, a real artist,
completes his work, he leaves a
piece of his soul in it. That is
my meta-human power. I can speak
with those souls. This sword --
Katanna draws the sword on her upper right and places it on
the table. It's the same sword Misuko had in the last scene.
KATANNA (CONT'D)
-- Was created by an artist by
the name of Hiromatsu Takamoto.
It was the first sword I ever
held in my hands. His soul was
the first one that ever spoke to me.
SUPERGIRL
What did he say to you?
KATANNA
He told me what it meant to be a
Samurai.
EXT. FORREST - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Misuko, angry and crying at the same time, stands next to a
fire. The sword lies on the ground next to her.
18.
MISUKO
Why did you stop me!?
HIROMATSU (O.S.)
There is no honor is killing an
unarmed opponent.
MISUKO
Honor. HONOR! What honor was
there in this!
Misuko pulls her bandages off, revealing her head. The skin
on the sides of her head has fallen off completely. The
mohawk is the only semblance of normality there.
HIROMATSU (O.S.)
The hardest part of being a
Samurai is to fight the evils of
the world without becoming one.
MISUKO
Samurai?! I just want revenge!
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - RESUMING
KATANNA
I did not listen to him. Not at
first. I wanted revenge. I wanted
to kill those who had done this
to me. But he would not let me
kill them. It took him two months
to make me understand. How long
did it take your father to make
you understand?
SUPERGIRL
About two minutes. But dad's
really good at it. I swear he
could talk the legs off a donkey.
Katanna seems to smile for a moment. It's hard to tell if
she really did.
KATANNA
The Hiromatsu sword is my most
priced possession. It is the work
of a true artist. It is
unbreakable. And it could even
cut your skin. It became my sword
when I was fifteen, and only one
person has held it since. You.
Supergirl gets a better look at the sword.
19.
SUPERGIRL
It's the sword you lent me at the
spacecraft, isn't it?
INT. CORRIDOR - ALIEN SPACECRAFT - FLASHBACK
This is a scene we will see in more detail in a couple of
episodes.
A narrow, alien, menacing corridor inside a spacecraft.
Supergirl leans against a wall, breathing hard. She has a
nasty wound on her left shoulder, with blood still trickling
from it. Another wound just below her ribcage. One on her
left thigh, and a small one on her left shin. It looks like
she's been stabbed with something about an inch in diameter
in all those places.
Katanna approaches her. She takes the sword on her lower right.
HIROMATSU (O.S.)
No. Use me.
Then she draws the upper right sword and gives it to Supergirl.
KATANNA
Use this. He'll help you walk.
Supergirl accepts the sword as uses it as a cane.
SUPERGIRL
Thanks.
INT. LIVING ROOM - DANVERS' HOME - RESUMING
KATANNA
Hiromatsu asked me.
SUPERGIRL
Well... I'm honored.
Supergirl turns to the sword, she puts her hands together,
as in prayer, and bows her head, mimicking a reverence she
once saw in a Samurai movie. Then she turns to Katanna and
repeats the reverence.
Then she grimaces.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
I can't believe I just did that.
I'm sorry. I just turned you into
a stereotype from a Japanese
cartoon. I don't know what I was
thinking.
20.
KATANNA
It is all right. Your heart, as
always, was in the right place.
Though sometimes your head might
not be.
Supergirl chuckles. Katanna smiles. This time it is
unmistakably a smile.
SUPERGIRL
I'm glad we had this chat.
KATANNA
Me too. I appreciate your
invitation to your home. I am
glad to finally meet your mother
in person.
SUPERGIRL
(beat)
What do you mean "in person"?
KATANNA
Your mother created your outfit.
She is an artists.
A beat, while Supergirl blinks several times.
SUPERGIRL
Are you kidding me? Mom's in this
outfit?
(to the outfit)
Hi, mom.
(chuckles)
I got to remember to hide this
thing when I'm with someone. What
does she say about me?
KATANNA
She is proud of you.
Supergirl smiles.
SUPERGIRL
What is she saying right now?
KATANNA
The souls speak only when they
need to.
SUPERGIRL
Can I ask her something?
KATANNA
Why not ask the real person?
21.
SUPERGIRL
I don't know. I think her soul
would give me a more honest answer.
KATANNA
Then try.
Supergirl's expression turns serious.
SUPERGIRL
(to the outfit)
Mom, how did you really feel when
I moved to Alacant?
A beat.
KATANNA
Hurt. She did not want you to go.
SUPERGIRL
(to the outfit)
Oh, sorry, mom. I didn't mean to --
She sighs and turns to Katanna.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
I should better say that to the
real person, right?
Katanna nods.
Supergirl smiles.
SUPERGIRL (CONT'D)
Have you met dad too?
KATANNA
Not before today. His soul is
everywhere in this house. Your
mother's soul is here too.
SUPERGIRL
Yeah. Even I can feel that.
(beat)
And what about my soul. Is it
here too?
KATANNA
No. You are not human. I cannot
talk to your soul.
Supergirl is surprised by this.
22.
INT. LINDA'S APARTMENT - ALACANT - DAY
SUPER: Supergirl, age 19 and six months. Ten days before
"Graduation."
A crappy, two-bit apartment in the middle of the lowest
neighborhood in Alacant. Old, broken-down furniture.
Wallpaper peeling off the walls. Moisture stains on the ceiling.
ANGLE ON Linda. She's wearing an old tank top and shorts,
but she doesn't wear her brunette wig. Physically, she looks
almost exactly as she looks as 22, but her facial expression
is closer to 15 than 22. She looks somewhat naive and insecure.
Linda talks to someone outside of shot.
LINDA
Let's get one thing straight,
okay. I'm Supergirl. I'm not
afraid of you. I could crush you.
I could burn you. I could freeze
you. The only reason you're still
alive is because I'm a very nice
person.
REVERSE ANGLE
We see the space under the sink. It's crawling with roaches.
LINDA (CONT'D)
I've defeated monsters thousands
of times bigger than all of you
combined. Without working up a
sweat. So you better don't mess
with me. Now go away. Shoo!
The roaches ignore her. She deflates. She looks around her
crappy apartment. She's clearly not happy.
The phone RINGS.
Linda grimaces. Then she answers it.
LINDA
Hello.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
Supergirl?
Linda's eyes pop open like dinner plates, as she realizes
who this is. She instinctively covers herself with her free
hand (her outfit is worn and rather skimpy).
LINDA
Yes. Superman?
23.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
Remember the first time we met?
When you were fifteen?
LINDA
Sure. Why?
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
I told you that there would come
a time when I'd call you asking
for your help. The time has come.
I need your help.
She's speechless for several seconds.
LINDA
Eh... sure. What's going on?
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
That's the thing. I don't really
know. For the last week I've been
getting the feeling that
something's wrong in Metropolis.
Very wrong. I can't put my finger
on it. It's like some kind of
strange psychic vibe. Like
something very wrong is about to
happen. And I'm not the only one
who can feel it.
LINDA
What do you want me to do?
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
Come here. We got a safe house
just outside Metropolis. We'll
get together there.
LINDA
Do you think I'm ready to help you?
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
You've been ready for a year.
It's just that the opportunity
never came up.
LINDA
You sure?
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
How about we find out the hard way?
LINDA
(beat)
I'll be there. I won't let you down.
24.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
I know.
He hangs up.
Linda swallows hard. Nervous. She stands there, frozen for
several seconds, then hangs up her phone.
She turns around to the roaches under her sink.
LINDA
How can I help Superman when I
can't even deal with roaches?
EXT. SKY ABOVE METROPOLIS - DAY
SUPER: Two days later.
Supergirl flies through the city. She looks nervous but
determined.
She flies past downtown Metropolis and heads for the
mountains north of the city.
A moment later we see a house squatting on the side of the
mountain. She heads for it, getting more nervous by the second.
She stops in mid-air about a mile away. She can see it very
well from there.
REVERSE ANGLE
Two dozen costumed superheroes stand in the backyard of the
safe house, chatting with each other. Faces you might
recognize: Superman, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Flash,
Nightwing, and Katanna. Supergirl recognizes all the
costumes, but there's only one of those superheroes she's
ever met in person: Superman.
BACK TO SCENE
Supergirl looks even more nervous than before. She takes
several breaths, trying to calm herself then heads for the
house.
EXT. BACKYARD - SAFE HOUSE
Superman stands next to a tree, with his back to the camera,
talking to some superhero we cannot see yet (because
Superman blocks the view).
Supergirl lands and immediately heads for Superman. She
smiles and tries to look cool and confident, but it's
obvious that it's just an act.
25.
SUPERGIRL
Hi, Superman.
Superman turns around and smiles.
SUPERMAN
Hi, Supergirl. I'm glad you came.
The superhero he was talking to takes a step to the side,
becoming visible. She's Power Girl.
Supergirl sees Power Girl and her smile fades. Power Girl
folds her arms across her chest, and glares at her, looking
as serious and menacing as she can.
POWER GIRL
You have a lot of nerve coming
here after what you did to --
Then Power Girl bursts into laughter. Her expression softens
into a wide smile.
POWER GIRL (CONT'D)
Look at me, sis. I can't even
joke about it. I'm so happy to
see you I could cry.
Supergirl smiles too. Then they hug each other.
Superman doesn't understand what just happened.
SUPERGIRL
I'm so sorry, I should've called you.
POWER GIRL
Yeah, I know. I should've called
you too. But, you know, I thought
you'd still be angry with me.
SUPERMAN
I don't need superpowers to know
there's a history between you two.
They pull back and turn to Superman.
SUPERGIRL
We had a fight a couple of years
ago. This is the first time we've
spoken to each other since.
POWER GIRL
But it's water under the bridge.
Right, sis?
SUPERGIRL
Right.
26.
SUPERMAN
Are you two going to be okay
working together?
SUPERGIRL
Yes.
POWER GIRL
Definitively.
SUPERGIRL
I feel much better knowing she's
here.
POWER GIRL
Same here.
SUPERMAN
Good.
(beat)
If you don't mind my asking, are
you two sister?
POWER GIRL
Not that we know of.
SUPERGIRL
We call each other "sis" but
that's mostly wishful thinking.
SUPERMAN
Are you sure? Because you do look
a lot like each other. I don't
think I could tell you apart if
you weren't using different costumes.
Supergirl and Power Girl glare at Superman.
SUPERGIRL
Excuse me -- "costumes"?
POWER GIRL
Yeah, I was wondering about that
myself.
SUPERMAN
(smiles)
I'm kidding you, ladies. I know
you hate it when I call it a
costume.
(to Supergirl)
But I like your reaction better
this time. I remember the first
time I called it a costume you
almost cried. I suppose the next
time you're going to punch me.
27.
POWER GIRL
I will.
Supergirl pretends to be shocked by his statement.
SUPERGIRL
Oh, no no. I didn't almost cry,
you big liar.
SUPERMAN
Liar? Me? I'm Superman. Superman
does not lie. Because if Superman
lies, Superman's mom will come
and wash Superman's mouth with
soap. And Superman doesn't want
that to happen... again.
Both women stare at him as if they were waiting for the
punchline.
SUPERGIRL
You're just trying too hard.
POWER GIRL
You should leave the comedy to
the pros.
SUPERGIRL
Definitively. It's a timing thing.
POWER GIRL
And the costume ruined it too.
SUPERGIRL
Yes. The costume. If you wore a
turban or something, that
would've been really funny.
Then they both laugh. Superman smiles.
SUPERMAN
I can't believe it. When Flash
said it, I swear even Batman
cracked a smile. Yeah, I know I'm
trying too hard, but you two
looked a bit nervous and I wanted
to, you know, help you relax,
even if it meant making a fool of
myself.
SUPERGIRL
Well, thanks. It worked.
28.
POWER GIRL
Yeah. It's kinda creepy around
here. Can you feel it too, sis?
It's like some kind of really
weird vibe.
Supergirl focuses for a moment, trying to feel it.
SUPERGIRL
(beat)
Not a vibe. A vibration.
Something's moving. Something big.
BATMAN (O.S.)
She's right.
Everyone turns to Batman.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
Fifty miles away from here,
something is digging itself out
of the ground. It looks like a
spacecraft.
SUPERMAN
How big is it?
BATMAN
A mile in diameter.
(beat)
Time for a speech.
Batman gives Superman a sonar image of the spacecraft.
Superman walks to the middle of the backyard. He addresses
all the superheroes.
SUPERMAN
Can I have you attention for a
moment? Batman just informed me
the reason why we're all here.
There's some kind of a
spacecraft -- a mile wide --
about to break through the ground
fifty miles away from here. We
don't know what it is yet, or
what it wants or how dangerous it
might be, but I'm glad we're all
here. Now, Batman and I are going
to go get a better look at this
thing. I want all of you to wait
for us here. Also I want you to
give a warm welcome to our two
rookies, Power Girl and Supergirl.
(MORE)
29.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
Two talented young ladies that
I'm sure you've heard of. By the
way, contrary to what some of you
might think, Supergirl isn't my
little sister, but I care for her
and respect her as if she were,
and I expect you to do as well.
(beat)
That means you, Flash.
Flash stands behind Supergirl and Power Girl. He was
checking them out big time.
He smiles and puts his hands on their shoulders, like they
were old friends. Both women glare at him.
FLASH
Hey, don't listen to him. I'm a
great guy. I just have a
reputation that --
POWER GIRL
Flash, can you fly?
FLASH
(frowns)
No.
SUPERGIRL
Do you want to?
Flash gets the hint. He takes his hands off them and walks
away, trying to look cool.
EXT. HILL - DAY
SUPER: "Graduation" day.
The superheroes are gathered around in three groups at the
top of a hill leading to a large mesa. On the mesa we see a
very large, mean-looking, disc-shaped spacecraft.
PAN back to reveal Superman talking to Supergirl and Power
Girl away from everyone else.
SUPERMAN
This is it, ladies. I hope you
got a good sleep last night.
SUPERGIRL
I'm nervous as hell.
POWER GIRL
Me too.
30.
SUPERMAN
Don't worry. We got your backs.
And I hope you got ours. Now,
have you two ever worked with a team?
SUPERGIRL
Not really.
POWER GIRL
Only with each other.
SUPERMAN
Not good. Anyway we're going to
be grouping in three teams. I'll
head the first, Green Lantern and
Batman will head the other two.
(to Power Girl)
I putting you with Green
Lantern's team --
(to Supergirl)
You go with Batman.
Supergirl and Power Girl look at each other, puzzled.
SUPERGIRL
I thought we could work together.
SUPERMAN
We need to spread our abilities.
You two are too similar.
POWER GIRL
Okay.
SUPERMAN
Let me give you a few pointers.
(to Power Girl)
Green Lantern is a military man.
He's smart, methodic, organized.
He's got more combat experience
than most men you'll ever meet.
Do exactly as he tells you and --
how do I put it nicely? --
SUPERGIRL
Don't be you.
POWER GIRL
What? I can be serious.
SUPERGIRL
When have you ever been serious
for more than two consecutive
minutes?
31.
POWER GIRL
I could do it.
SUPERMAN
This is your chance to prove it.
(to Supergirl)
About Batman.... He doesn't talk
very much so when he does, listen
to what he says. He knows what
he's talking about. He's our best
chance of finding out what that
thing is and how to defuse it. So
make sure he's okay. He's very
smart and very capable, but he's
not a meta-human. I need you to
be his bodyguard.
SUPERGIRL
Okay.
SUPERMAN
But no matter what you do, don't
let him know about it. He won't
like it.
SUPERGIRL
Okay.
SUPERMAN
(beat)
Are you ready?
Supergirl and Power Girl glance at each other, looking for
some reassurance.
SUPERGIRL
Yes.
POWER GIRL
As ready as I'll ever be.
SUPERMAN
Remember, ladies, you're playing
on the big leagues now. So be
careful.
EXT. GREEN LANTERN'S TEAM - HILL - MOMENTS LATER
Green Lantern stands facing the group of superheroes sitting
on the ground. Power Girl and Flash are among the group.
GREEN LANTERN
Our first order of business is
the chain of command, which goes
as follows -- I'm the leader of
this mission. Flash is second.
(MORE)
32.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
Battlecry comes third. If
anything happens to me Flash will
be the leader. Contrary to
popular belief, he's a rather
capable man.
EXT. BATMAN'S TEAM - HILL
Batman looks at the giant spacecraft through binoculars.
The rest of the team stands a dozen feet away. The group
includes Katanna and a tall, thin, redhead man and a red
outfit named BLAZE.
Supergirl stands away from everyone else, feeling awkward
and out of place. Blaze notices it and approaches her.
BLAZE
Hi, I'm Blaze.
SUPERGIRL
Hi. Supergirl.
BLAZE
Yes. I noticed. I hope that "S"
on your chest isn't just decoration.
SUPERGIRL
Right now it stands for "scared."
BLAZE
(smiles)
Let me introduce you to the guys.
That tall guy with the fixation
on black is Batman. But I'm sure
you guessed that. The lady with
the mohawk and the knives on her
back is Katanna. The lady in the
blue outfit is Misha. The short
guy with the banana-peal haircut
is Bricks. The other two are
Moonshot and Balker.
Katanna approaches Blaze and gives him a deep, menacing look,
then she turns to Supergirl. Katanna regards her for a
second or two, making Supergirl nervous.
KATANNA
You are too young.
SUPERGIRL
I know.
33.
EXT. GREEN LANTERN'S TEAM
GREEN LANTERN
The primary purpose of our
mission is to infiltrate the
spacecraft and disable it if we
can. We know very little about it,
only that its intentions seem
hostile and that --
POWER GIRL
Do you know where it came from?
Green Lantern turns to Power Girl, he hates the fact that
she interrupted him. He waits several seconds before he speaks.
GREEN LANTERN
As I was saying, we know very
little of it.
POWER GIRL
Then how do you know it's hostile?
GREEN LANTERN
Because it has already
demonstrated hostility.
Green Lantern stares at Power Girl for a moment, just in
case she has anything else to ask.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
We know the spacecraft to be very
powerful and very dangerous. We
don't expect all of us to make it
through and back in one piece.
That's why you'll be given this --
Green Lantern shows the team a small device shaped like a
hockey puck.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
This is a homing device -- we
call it the Lifesaver. If one of
us should fall injured, a
Lifesaver will be activated next
to him so he can be retrieved
once the spacecraft's been
deactivated. I know --
POWER GIRL
So we're just going to leave the
injured lying around in some
alien spacecraft?
Green Lantern is clearly losing his patience with Power Girl.
34.
GREEN LANTERN
Young girl, I know it sounds
improper to leave the injured
behind, but think about it this
way: the voyage to the control
center of that spacecraft will be
dangerous for everyone, even
those in top shape. Dragging
along an injured person will not
only make it more likely that he
will die, but also make it more
difficult on those helping him.
POWER GIRL
Still, it sounds awful to leave
someone behind.
Green Lantern takes three steps toward Power Girl, so he's
only a foot away from her. Then he gives her the nastiest
stare possible. The kind of stare that drill sergeants use
to make soldiers wet their pants.
Power Girl simply holds his gaze with a perfectly calm
expression. She's not trying to be obnoxious or cocky, she's
just saying: If you want to scare me, you're gonna have to
do a whole lot better than just stare at me.
Five seconds go by in silence. Then Green Lantern smiles.
GREEN LANTERN
Congratulations, you've just been
promoted. The new chain of
command is -- me, Flash, Power Girl.
Power Girl smiles.
EXT. BATMAN'S TEAM
Batman is still staring at the spacecraft through the
binoculars as he was before.
BATMAN
Rookie, come here.
Supergirl looks around. Did he mean her? She walks to him.
Batman puts down the binoculars and turns to her.
BATMAN (CONT'D)
I don't know you. What can you do?
SUPERGIRL
Pretty much everything Superman
can do.
BATMAN
Give me details.
35.
SUPERGIRL
I can lift about twenty tons with
my arms alone, and about sixty
total. I have heat vision. I can
melt most raw metals, though I
have problems with some alloys. I
have X-ray vision. Good enough
for most stuff except lead. I can
run at six hundred miles an hour.
I can do match three flying. I
can reach full speed in less than
a second either way. And I have
really good hearing. I can hear a
mosquito a mile away.
BATMAN
Have you ever been injured in battle?
SUPERGIRL
I've been knocked out a couple of
times but I've never bled.
BATMAN
Not good.
EXT. GREEN LANTERN'S TEAM
GREEN LANTERN
We'll be using these
communicators --
Green Lantern shows a small earpiece.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
-- On the mission. But use of the
communicators is restricted to
the mission leader and should
only be used to communicate
possible dangers to the other
leaders.
Green Lantern constantly eyes Power Girl, half-expecting her
to interrupt him again. But she doesn't.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
Each of the three teams will
enter the spacecraft through one
of the three entrances detected.
We'll be separated from the
beginning and will more likely
not see each other again until
the mission is successfully
completed. Now if you have any
questions, this would be the
appropriate time to formulate them.
36.
Power Girl raises her hand, looking like a ten-year-old girl
in school.
GREEN LANTERN (CONT'D)
No need to raise your hand, Power
Girl. Although it's good to see
that your communication skills
have improved since your promotion.
POWER GIRL
I know this is a stupid question,
but hasn't anyone tried to just
talk to that thing?
GREEN LANTERN
A reasonable question. A team of
UN scientists tried to communicate
with the spacecraft two days ago.
I'm sure we'll see their remains
on our way in.
EXT. BATMAN'S TEAM
Batman uses the binoculars again. There's a small suitcase
lying on the ground next to him.
BATMAN
Open the case. Take one of each.
We leave in two minutes.
Everyone moves to the case. Supergirl is last. Katanna opens
it. It contains a dozen Lifesavers and earpieces. Everyone
gets one of each.
Supergirl puts the earpiece on. She stares at the Lifesaver.
SUPERGIRL
(to Blaze)
What is this thing?
BLAZE
They call it "Lifesaver." It
means your life is the least of
anyone's concerns around here.
When you get injured and your
guts are sticking out and you're
bleeding from every pore of your
body, we're just gonna throw one
of this next to you and walk away,
that way we'll know where you're
dying so after we've saved the
day, we can come back and pick up
your remains.
Supergirl grimaces.
37.
BLAZE (CONT'D)
Don't worry, you'll learn to
loathe these things.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
(on radio)
We're ready.
GREEN LANTERN (O.S.)
(on radio)
We're ready.
BATMAN
We're ready. Let's go.
Batman heads for the spacecraft. The others follow.
Supergirl swallows hard. Then walks after the others.
PAN UP to reveal all three teams slowly heading for the
spacecraft.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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