THE SILVER SURFER
LEARNING CURVE: PART TWO
(formerly: The Thanos Entrapment)
(#1875-04)
WRITTEN BY
LARRY BRODY
REV. PAGES
JUNE 11, 1997
REV. PAGES
JUNE 10, 1997
FINAL DRAFT
JUNE 10, 1997
THE SILVER SURFER
LEARNING CURVE: PART TWO
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. VARIOUS PARTS OF THE UNIVERSE - SERIES OF SCENES -
(NOTE: ALL SEQUENCES ARE FROM EPISODE #1875-06)
A QUICK RECAP of what has happened so far, SHOWING:
EXT. PLANET OF CRYSTALIA - CRYSTAL FOREST - DAY
Where the Beacon stands, FLASHING its star fields.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
The Beacons of the Watchers! For
millennia they have been the most
coveted treasures in the universe.
MENTOR AND DRAX
Flying off with the Beacon, while the Crystalians rush after.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
When the scholar known as Mentor
and his android companion Drax
discovered one of these keys to
the legendary Universal Library...
THE SKY OVER THE FOREST
As the crystal trees hurtle up at the two humanoids, who
escape via Drax's TRACTOR BEAM just in time.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
They believed they soon would be
journeying to that vast repository
of all knowledge.
INT. MENTOR'S STARSHIP - THE BRIDGE
Where Mentor and Drax appear -- only to have the Beacon
snatched away from them by another BEAM.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
Their joy, however, was short-
lived. For the Beacon was stolen
by the notorious space pirate --
Nebula...
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2.
EXT. SPACE OVER THE PLANET CRYSTALIA
As Drax flies at Nebula's starship, and the ship FIRES ON
both him and Mentor's ship!
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
And the two seekers were left
helpless in the void!
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF SPACE - THE SILVER SURFER
Snatching up PIP and soaring away from the asteroid on which
they've been resting, only seconds before Mentor's starship
SMASHES it to smithereens.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
It was thus that they were
encountered by the Silver Surfer
and Pip the Troll.
INT. MENTOR'S STARSHIP - THE BRIDGE
Where, on the viewscreen, Pip and the others watch the
Surfer scan for energy.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
Hoping to learn how to find lost
Zenn-La, the Silver Surfer agreed
to join Mentor and Drax on their
quest.
EXT. DEEP SPACE - THE PLASMA JUMP
Engulfing the Surfer, his ENERGY STREAMING away until he
FLARES UP and floods it with the POWER COSMIC!
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
The journey to the Universal
Library proved fraught with
danger...
THE SILVER SURFER
Lying atop Mentor's ship, the others gathered around him
worriedly -- and then celebrating as he returns to life!
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
And even Pip feared that his
selfless friend would not survive.
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3.
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY
Flying through the ESCAPING IMAGES, Mentor's ship goes out of
control, and starts plummeting down toward the strangely
shaped planet.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
Now, at last, the Silver Surfer
and his companions have reached
the ancient home of my people --
We FIND the IMAGE of THE WATCHER amid the others, looking
down at the Universal Library.
THE WATCHER (V.O.)
(continuing)
But not even I, the last remaining
Watcher, know if he will survive!
And, TIGHTENING through the Watcher TO the planet, we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - MENTOR'S STARSHIP -
UPSHOT
As it ROARS into the atmosphere of the planet.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
My quest for Zenn-La seems to
attract crises as planetary energy
attracts Galactus...!
INT. MENTOR'S STARSHIP - THE BRIDGE
Where the Surfer stands over the MOANING forms of Pip,
Mentor, and Drax.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
But though fate itself may seek to
thwart me, I will not allow harm
to come to those who have proven
themselves friends!
The Surfer's eyes GLOW, and we TIGHTEN ON the others as an
ENERGY BUBBLE forms around them.
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4.
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - MENTOR'S STARSHIP -
UPSHOT
As, suddenly, a COSMIC BLAST BLOWS a hole in the side of the
ship -- and the ENERGY BUBBLE and its occupants emerge,
floating in the air, followed by the Silver Surfer, who soars
out on his board!
We TIGHTEN ON Mentor's ship, which is barrelling straight
down, AT CAMERA. Then:
REVERSE ANGLE
As the ship hits the planet and EXPLODES! We haven't yet
SEEN the surface of the Library, and we can't SEE it now
either: Only the BLAST is visible, FILLING THE SCREEN, until:
ANOTHER ANGLE
PANNING ACROSS a landscape that isn't a landscape at all but
a STYLISTIC INTERPRETATION of a massive collection of
COMPUTER MEMORY BANKS.
For all practical purposes, the Universal Library is one vast
motherboard onto which are fitted continent-sized hard drives
and skyscraper-sized memory chips!
All the chips, however, are broken, torn apart. Ruins and
wreckage are everywhere. The JUMBLE OF SIGHT AND SOUND that
was in space doesn't exist here. Instead, there's an eerie
silence. We CONTINUE PANNING until we FIND:
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
The ENERGY BUBBLE gently touches down on a "street" that
looks like a crevasse surrounded by towering circuits and
chips. The Surfer lands beside it.
SILVER SURFER
Pip! Mentor! It appears we have
survived.
The ENERGY BUBBLE DISSOLVES, and Pip and Mentor stir.
PIP
Oh, my ringin' ears! Even my eyes
feel numb!
Mentor looks around with a combination of awe -- and horror.
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5.
MENTOR
The Universal Library! It's like
a giant computer.
(puzzling it out)
These buildings must be memory
chips, each designed to hold more
data than any one being could
comprehend!
SILVER SURFER
But what has happened to them?
How have they become such ruins?
MENTOR
I cannot imagine. In half a
millennium of searching, Drax and
I never expected to find -- this!
PIP
I hate to be the one to break it
to ya, Mentor, but I don't think
Draxy cares much about anything
right now.
WIDER
Mentor forces his gaze away from their surroundings, looks to
where Pip pokes at the android's rigid form.
MENTOR
Drax, my poor old friend. You've
always given so much more than a
crazy old man like me deserves...
Kneeling beside his comrade, Mentor runs the same instrument
over Drax that he used to examine the Surfer (in Part One).
SILVER SURFER
Now I understand the "lapses" you
spoke of, Mentor. He is like a
mechanism whose control system has
shut down.
MENTOR
And this, I'm afraid, may be the
final shutdown. All because of
Thanos --
SILVER SURFER
Thanos? He and I have had our own
encounter!
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6.
MENTOR
Then you will understand the true
purpose of my quest -- to obtain
the knowledge to destroy him.
(beat)
Even though Thanos is -- I shudder
to admit -- my brother.
SILVER SURFER
Your brother? But why --
NEW ANGLE
The Surfer breaks off as, from O.S., we hear the ZAPPING of
ENERGY PISTOLS! Everyone whirls toward:
NEBULA AND GEATAR
Running toward the Surfer and the others along the crevasse,
turning and FIRING their weapons behind them.
THE SILVER SURFER
Leaps onto his board, soaring to the two pirates. Quickly:
NEBULA
Behind us!
The Surfer follows her gaze to:
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE FAR END OF THE CREVASSE
Where an enormous creature emerges from the shadow of one of
the fallen computer chips. Like a giant amoeba, the
creature -- which we'll learn to call a VIRAL -- flows along
after Nebula and her first mate.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The most primitive of lifeforms,
here on a world of the highest
technology?
The Viral continues -- and now we SEE that it's crushing
everything in its path.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
And yet -- could it be responsible
for the wreckage all around?
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7.
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
Astounded.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
What if it were to destroy the
very data that could bring me back
to Shalla Bal?
And, as the Surfer sweeps toward the Viral, a Second Viral
oozes along the top of the nearest tall chip, looking just
like the other one except that it's a different color. A
pseudopod stretches out, literally plucking the Surfer from
the sky and enveloping him as we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
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8.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - THE SECOND VIRAL
Its slimy pseudopod completely surrounds the Silver Surfer,
and, at the center of the creature, a gaping aperture appears.
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER
As the pseudopod slowly reels him toward its "mouth."
Nearby, the pseudopod also holds the Surfer's board, but it's
too far away for him to reach. The Surfer struggles, pulls
his arm free with a SUCKING SOUND.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The creature's strength surpasses
my own. But surely it cannot
withstand the power cosmic!
He BLASTS at the Viral as:
PIP AND MENTOR
Rush along the "street," Pip ahead of the puffing older man.
Pip grabs at Geatar, tries to propel him toward where the
Surfer fights the Viral.
PIP
(calling out)
Hang in there, Surfy! I'll getcha
outta this mess --
Pip breaks off as Geatar grabs him. The troll's feet spin
wildly as the pirate raises him in the air.
PIP
(continuing; furious)
Whaddaya think you're doin'!
NEBULA
Little man, we may be saving your
life.
And she inclines her head toward:
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9.
THE SILVER SURFER
Still BLASTING at the Viral. The creature utters an eerie
KEENING SOUND, and the blasted area dissolves -- immediately
replaced by a dense organic armor that causes the Surfer's
next BLAST to carom right back at him! The Surfer twists out
of its way just in time as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
It has the power to adapt to my
attack!
Unable to free himself, the Surfer uses all his strength to
crane his head, and sees:
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE FIRST VIRAL
Stopping at one of the skyscraper-like memory units its
pseudopods probing. Without really trying, the creature
pulls the big memory chip apart.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Strange...they seem more curious
than malicious...
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
Inexorably nearing the "mouth." He digs in his heels.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Perhaps I can utilize that
curiosity to my benefit...
Twisting, the Surfer BLASTS at:
THE FIRST VIRAL
It too KEENS, and the area where the Surfer's BLAST hits
dissolves and is REPLACED by tougher, armor-like skin.
WIDER
The Surfer BLASTS once more, and the First Viral turns toward
the source of its discomfort. It flows toward him, a pair of
pseudopods reaching out to the Second Viral. The two
creatures touch each other gingerly.
THE SILVER SURFER
Distracted, the Second Viral's grip on him weakens, and the
Surfer pulls himself from the pseudopod and grabs his board.
Quickly, he leaps onto it and soars away.
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10.
We HOLD ON the Virals, which have completely lost interest in
anything but each other. Their touches grow more forceful.
THE SILVER SURFER
Flies back toward Pip and the others. Suddenly:
NEBULA (O.S.)
Not bad. Great pecs and a brain.
WIDER
As both we and the Surfer SEE that Nebula and Geatar have
their guns aimed right at Pip and Mentor!
PIP
I dunno which is worse -- the
welcoming committee at this dump,
or the rest of the clientele!
The Surfer sweeps to a landing.
SILVER SURFER
A woman, a gun, a cutthroat. You
must be the infamous Nebula.
NEBULA
Silver skin, power cosmic, that
board. You must be the equally
infamous herald of Galactus --
SILVER SURFER
No more.
GEATAR
The Silver Surfer's out of a job?
NEBULA
(to the Surfer)
Then you shouldn't mind doing one
for me...
As Nebula talks, we TIGHTEN PAST HER TO:
THE VIRALS
Pseudopods intertwined, they are literally flowing into each
other, KEENING all the while!
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11.
NEBULA (O.S.)
I need your help -- and Mentor's.
All the knowledge in the universe
doesn't mean zip to me -- unless
I can access it.
PIP (O.S.)
Yeah, well that's one trick we
haven't exactly figured out
ourselves.
MENTOR (O.S.)
We don't even know if any data is
left here -- or if it's all been
lost out in space!
Every sign that there were two different Virals is gone as
they become one even larger creature! The new Viral extends
some pseudopods, feeling its way around.
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
As Nebula continues, only one thing on her mind:
NEBULA
Oh, you'll get it all down -- and
as soon as I have enough new
military knowledge to sell to the
Kree and the Skrull, Geatar and
I'll holster our weapons and wave
goodbye!
SILVER SURFER
Were I you, Nebula, I would keep
my weapons ready -- but aimed that
way...
Nebula follows the Surfer's gaze to:
THEIR POV - THE NEW VIRAL
Flowing in their direction -- as is a multi-colored pack of
others, converging from all sides.
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
Nebula and Geatar swivel their weapons toward the Viral.
NEBULA
Surfer, you've got a point.
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12.
SILVER SURFER
For any of us to get the
information we seek, we must find
a way to ferret out the Library's
secrets.
PIP
Yeah, and in the meantime, isn't
there some old saying about,
"safety first?"
SILVER SURFER
I will do what I can.
The Surfer's eyes GLOW, ENERGY BEAMS FLOWING out from them to
form another ENERGY BUBBLE, this time around Pip, Mentor,
Nebula, and Geatar. As soon as it's in place, the Surfer
leaps back onto his board, and we ANGLE WITH him as he soars
across the sky, looking down at:
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - MORE OF THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY
At first, all we SEE is wreckage everywhere. But beyond a
group of memory chip "streets" is an open plain of circuitry.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
What is this?
We TIGHTEN ON structures that resemble large consoles, built
right into the plain.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
In my travels through the universe
have I seen many structures of
similar form...
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
Guiding the board into a sweeping turn.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
They can only be one thing...
And he soars back to:
THE ENERGY BUBBLE
Where the Virals are converging from all sides, KEENING and
creating pseudopods and other appendages to probe at it.
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13.
THE SILVER SURFER
Flies over the BUBBLE, raising his arm as he would for his
board.
SILVER SURFER
To me -- !
We WIDEN as, scattering the Virals, the BUBBLE floats up
toward the Surfer. Soaring back to where Drax lies, the
Surfer takes the android in his arms, and, with the BUBBLE
drifting behind him, heads for:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - THE "PLAIN" - DAY
The Surfer lands before the group of consoles and is
carefully lowering Drax to the ground as the ENERGY BUBBLE
DISSOLVES. Nebula smiles at Drax sardonically.
NEBULA
What a shame. Hope it's nothing
I did...
SILVER SURFER
(seriously)
Not this time.
Nebula turns to him, doesn't get a chance to reply, as,
taking in the various consoles:
MENTOR
You've done it, Silver Surfer!
You've found the Index to the
Library!
CLOSER ON MENTOR
Moving to the nearest console like an excited child. The
console is loaded with buttons, switches, levers, and knobs.
He looks them over appreciatively.
MENTOR
The Watchers were nothing if not
efficient. These controls can be
operated by almost any conceivable
form of life --
NEBULA
Get on with it, Mentor. I've got
a profit to make.
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14.
SILVER SURFER
And I, a way home to find.
Mentor nods, starts to work the controls. We TIGHTEN ON the
Surfer and the others as they look on, HOLDING ON the anxious
face of each for just a beat as, in his usual pushy way:
PIP
(to Nebula)
So you're a pirate, huh?
(pointing to Geatar)
Plug-ugly here and me're pals, but
where's the resta yer crew?
Scowling, Geatar draws his arm back to punch the little
troll -- only to have the Surfer catch his big fist in his
hand and hold it effortlessly.
NEBULA
I don't know. After the Beacon
guided us down I sent the boys to
check out the lay of the land.
(beat)
Nobody came back. Those things
must've gotten them --
Nebula stops. The SOUND OF CRACKLING STATIC fills the air as:
WIDER
An IMAGE takes shape in the air before them, many times
larger than the group, like those over the planet. Within
it, STATIC rages. Mentor flips switch after switch.
THE IMAGE
For a beat there's a JUMBLE OF IMAGES AND SOUNDS, just as in
space. Then they vanish, and in their place is the IMAGE of
a FEMALE WATCHER. It looks out as though it can see them.
FEMALE WATCHER
Welcome to the Universal Library.
To access the Index, press --
But before she can finish, the IMAGE DISSOLVES INTO STATIC!
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
Staring at the BUZZING, CRACKLING form.
NEBULA GEATAR
What's happening? Where'd she go?!
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15.
SILVER SURFER
Mentor, you must persist! We are
all so near to satisfying our
greatest desires!
MENTOR
After all Drax and I have gone
through, nothing can stop me now!
Mentor bends to the task.
THE IMAGE - INTERCUTTING AS NEEDED WITH THE SILVER SURFER
AND THE OTHERS
Again, the STATIC appears, this time followed by an IMAGE of
the Watcher we already know. STATIC CRACKLES OVER it, as:
THE WATCHER
Alas, courageous quester of
knowledge and truth -- if you are
accessing the Universal Library
now...you have arrived too late!
The Watcher vanishes, replaced by a MONTAGE of vast alien
fields and exotic plants, and the beings who tend them.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
Always have the Watchers held
themselves to a strict code of non-
interference...
The plants droop, withering into dust -- and the alien
farmers panic!
THE WATCHER
But when an intergalactic plague
struck the Arad Nebula, destroying
the food supply for thousands of
inhabited worlds, even we were
moved.
A STATIC-FILLED IMAGE of a completely intact Universal
Library appears, populated by more Watchers. The IMAGE
DISSOLVES INTO one of the skyscraper-chips, revealing a
sophisticated medical lab.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
Utilizing all the biological
knowledge our race ever gathered,
we worked feverishly -- and
created a cure!
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16.
The disease-riddled worlds reappear. Above them, huge
spaceships release clouds of COLORED vapor that settle on the
plants -- and return them to vibrant life!
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
Incalculable lives were saved.
But amid all the rejoicing, the
civilization of the Watchers paid
a terrible price...
Another IMAGE of the Universal Library appears, the Watchers
inhabiting it collapsing and sagging and stretching into the
amoeba-like forms of the VIRALS!
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
We had not sufficiently stabilized
the genetic material forming the
basis of the cure, and it created
a new illness which mutated
everyone on the planet into
bizarre "Virals!"
The Virals flow and combine with each other, probing at the
memory chips and destroying them in the process. Only one
Watcher -- our Watcher -- remains to look on in horror.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
Only I, Oatu, was immune to the
infection...
There's more STATIC, and the Watcher reappears.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
When we Watchers created the
Beacons never did we believe the
Universal Library would be
damaged -- or become a trap for
anyone who found it.
(beat)
You watching this have my
apology -- for you too are doomed!
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
Staring in shock as the Watcher's IMAGE vanishes. Everyone
speaks at once:
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17.
MENTOR PIP
No! It can't be! Is that guy for real?!
NEBULA
It's a bluff, to scare us away!
The Surfer CRIES OUT, filled with pain.
SILVER SURFER
Have I come this far, only to
strike a wall of stone?
But then another voice speaks, quietly, weakly:
GEATAR
Help me...
We TIGHTEN ON Geatar. Arms extended to his captain, he's
collapsing and sagging, softening and stretching. Nebula
tries to reach back to him -- but she's doing the same!
WIDER
As the Surfer and the others stare.
PIP
Surfer! Nebula was wrong. Those
Viral things didn't get her
crew -- they are the crew!
Pip's cry is DROWNED OUT by the kind of KEENING we've already
heard. We TIGHTEN ON Nebula and Geatar as they continue to
assume their new, amoeba-like forms, and we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. A NEW PART OF SPACE
PANNING ACROSS A field of stars TO:
A FLEET OF STARSHIPS
DRACONIAN REFUGEES, huddled around their enormous mother
ship. We TIGHTEN ON the mother ship as:
FIRST MINISTER IVAR (O.S.)
The shuttle is ready, Lord Glenn...
INT. DRACONIAN FLAGSHIP - A DOCKING BAY - DAY
As LORD GLENN and his subordinate, FIRST MINISTER IVAR, move
into its center from an ANTI-GRAVITY LIFT. Like everything
else Draconian, the bay is very complex and hi-tech.
LORD GLENN
And the Wanderers?
They move to a small space shuttle bristling with what we've
come to know as the usual Draconian protuberances.
FIRST MINISTER IVAR
Their leaders await your arrival.
LORD GLENN
Praise the Database, Ivar -- we
may have found a new home!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nodding, Lord Glenn literally attaches himself to the
shuttle, and its ENGINES ENGAGE.
EXT. A NEW PART OF SPACE
ANGLING WITH the Draconian shuttle as it BLASTS from the
mother ship and ROARS toward:
THE WANDERERS
Another fleet, this one ragtag, made up of mismatched vessels
from a myriad of civilizations, some new and shiny, most old
and badly worn. From within one of the older ships we HEAR:
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19.
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Lord Glenn! This is indeed a
momentous occasion...
Lord Glenn's shuttle docks at the centermost of the old
ships, ENGINES POWERING DOWN.
INT. WANDERERS' SHIP - ANOTHER DOCKING BAY - DAY - LORD
GLENN
Detaching from the shuttle and stepping out to the bay.
GAMORA (O.S.)
Welcome to the Wanderers...
We WIDEN TO SEE the speaker: GAMORA, the striking, and very
intense, humanoid woman with blue skin and black hair. With
her are representatives of several other races. Gamora
speaks carefully; this is, after all, an historic occasion.
GAMORA
I am Gamora, First Citizen of this
League of Intergalactic Survivors.
We're pleased that a people of
your stature has chosen to join us.
LORD GLENN
It is appropriate. Like all of
you, we Draconians have had to
flee the annihilation of our
planet.
GAMORA
We'll count on your help, then, in
achieving our goal --
(beat)
Vengeance on Galactus, Devourer of
Worlds -- and on his lackey, the
Silver Surfer!
Gamora extends her human hand, and we TIGHTEN ON it as Lord
Glenn's robotic one takes it. The bargain is sealed, as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - THE "PLAIN" - DAY - MATCHING
SHOT - TWO PSEUDOPODS
Flowing into each other. We WIDEN TO SEE that there's
nothing recognizable left of either Nebula or Geatar -- only
a pair of Virals MERGING into one!
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20.
MENTOR (O.S.)
All my life I've striven for
knowledge, so I could have some
control over events...
As he talks, we WIDEN MORE, SEEING the Silver Surfer standing
his ground while Pip and Mentor back away from the new Viral.
The Nebula/Geatar Viral's body pulses ominously.
MENTOR
(despairing)
But then things like this occur,
and there's nothing I can do!
SILVER SURFER
Perhaps there is something...
The Surfer's eyes start to GLOW, sending a HEALING BEAM to:
THE NEBULA/GEATAR VIRAL
Is BATHED in the BEAM. We HOLD as the creature takes on the
same GLOW, starting to transform back to humanoid form. But
instead of becoming Nebula and Geatar, the Viral stays with
one body -- a weird amalgam of both of them! Eyes opening,
the dual being speaks with both their voices:
NEBULA/GEATAR
(straining)
Surfer! Please...help us...
The creature trails off piteously, and transforms into its
Viral form once more.
WIDER
The Surfer's HEALING BEAM stops as:
SILVER SURFER
I fear it is too late. They are
hopelessly intertwined.
Crushing the consoles that lie in its path, the Nebula/Geatar
Viral flows toward them, then stops as though listening.
PIP
Surfer -- take a gander over there!
THE PLAIN
Where the other Virals are gathering, KEENING LOUDLY.
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21.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
It is as though the others are
summoning their new brother...
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
We ANGLE WITH the Nebula/Geatar Viral as it moves to the
others. They probe at it, and then all the Virals start to
flow in and out of each other!
PIP (O.S.)
They're at it again! I'm all for
togetherness -- but don'tcha think
this is goin' too far?
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
The KEENING GROWS LOUDER as:
MENTOR
There definitely seems to be a
method to this behavior, although
I can't say what it is...
PIP
Don't sweat it, Mentor. We'll
know soon enough. Seein' as how
we're gonna be followin' in the
pirates' footsteps in no time!
SILVER SURFER
No, Pip! We cannot give in!
Never will I accept such a fate!
(harder)
The Watcher is not always right!
Indeed, everything he said points
to the fact that the Watchers have
been wrong --
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer breaks off as his VOICE ALTERS, turning into the
KEENING we've come to know so well.
PIP MENTOR
Slurper! Silver Surfer! No -- !
But then Mentor's voice too ALTERS the same way as:
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22.
CLOSE ON THE SILVER SURFER AND MENTOR - VARIOUS ANGLES
Their arms, legs, heads, and chests, as their bodies
collapse, sagging and stretching into the Viral form. The
Surfer's voice returns for just a beat:
SILVER SURFER
My beloved...Shalla Bal...!
And then he isn't the Silver Surfer at all but:
THE SURFER VIRAL
Just like all the others, except that his color is SILVER.
We WIDEN TO SEE that Mentor has finished his metamorphosis as
well. More of the consoles around them are wrecked as the
two Virals reach out to each other -- but instead of melding,
they recoil, pulling away.
WIDER
The other Virals send out their KEENING call, and both the
Surfer Viral and the Mentor Viral flow toward them. We HOLD
ON Pip as he looks over at Drax's unconscious form.
PIP
Looks like it's our turn now,
Draxy, ol' kid...
(looking up at the
sky)
'Bye, Kili. Funny how I never
knew how good I had it back home...
He waits, shutting his eyes. Nothing happens, and he opens
them, looks down at himself, then over at Drax.
PIP
(continuing)
I don't get it. Something musta
gone wrong -- I mean right -- I
mean -- What in the name of the
Kree do I mean?
And, as Pip tries to figure it out:
THE VIRALS
As the two newest Virals approach. The others move at them,
and then back off from the Surfer Viral. We TIGHTEN ON its
smooth silver surface and:
CUT TO:
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23.
EXT. THE VIRAL WORLD - THE SURFER VIRAL'S POV - THE WORLD
AROUND IT
A FLASHING SILVER PHANTASMAGORIA OF FAINT SIGHT AND SOUND, as
though the Surfer Viral is surrounded by mist.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
What is happening to me? I was
the Silver Surfer. Now, still do
I think and feel -- but as what...?
As he talks to himself, the "mist" lifts, the view coming
into PERFECT FOCUS.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
Is this possible? I have no eyes,
and yet I see clearly!
BACK TO THE SURFER VIRAL
One of the other Virals moves toward it, the maw at its
center opening and closing rhythmically as, in SPECTRAL TONES:
NEBULA/GEATAR (V.O.)
Silver Surfer -- come join us.
Oneness and knowledge await!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Nebula? Geatar?
NEBULA/GEATAR (V.O.)
The same. And yet more. For we
are also the rest of the crew...
Now the Mentor Viral nears, picking up in mid-sentence:
MENTOR (V.O.)
And Mentor...
The rest of the Virals encircle the Surfer Viral, and a new
voice joins -- a voice like the chorus of a thousand voices.
Let's call it WATCHER PRIME.
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
And all of us, the lost Watchers,
as well!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
All the Virals are one? You are
united in a community mind?
(more)
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24.
SILVER SURFER (cont'd; V.O.)
How has this come to be?
CUT TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY
Where Pip looks on as the Virals move around the Surfer
Viral, KEENING.
PIP
(terrified)
What's goin' on here? Almost
seems like they're tryin' ta talk
to each other.
(snorting)
Sure they are...
But he stares, fascinated, as we
CUT TO:
EXT. THE VIRAL WORLD
The Virals continue speaking to the Surfer in a kind of round
robin:
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
Although others cannot perceive
it, to become a Viral is not to
devolve to mindlessness but to
move up to knowledge of all
things...
As one, the Virals rear back, and from them EXPLODE more
IMAGES AND SOUNDS like those that almost overwhelmed the
Surfer and the others just outside the planet. It's all the
knowledge in the universe, STREAMING out as:
MENTOR (V.O.)
The images in space are refuse
which escaped when the first
Virals emptied the Library's
memory banks into their brain...
NEBULA/GEATAR (V.O.)
Here, before you, is the entire
story of the Universe -- including
the Silver Surfer and Zenn- La!
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25.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The STREAM OF IMAGES becomes a SERIES OF SCENES of Zenn-La,
its entire evolutionary history, PLAYING OUT in the air
between the Surfer Viral and the other Virals.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
My world...My heart aches to find
you...to return...
The Surfer Viral sends a pseudopod out to the other Virals --
and SPARKS FLY as it's repelled as though by an invisible
barrier.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
Every fiber of my being cries out
to join you...yet I cannot. What
is stopping me?
NEW ANGLE
As a new IMAGE appears: Galactus!
NEBULA/GEATAR (V.O.)
That which stops you from
everything, Silver Surfer...
MENTOR (V.O.)
Your creator...
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Galactus!
The IMAGE of Galactus moves forward threateningly, and from
its eyes come BLAST AFTER BLAST OF THE POWER COSMIC. The
Surfer Viral flows away as:
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
That part of him which resides
within you -- the power you hate
and fear yet continue to use...
NEBULA/GEATAR (V.O.)
The Power Cosmic itself!
MENTOR (V.O.)
As long as you possess it you
belong to the Devourer, Surfer...
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26.
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
Your very heart and soul are still
his. If you would attain your
dream, then you must renounce the
Power. Give it up!
CLOSER ON THE SURFER VIRAL
As the IMAGE of Galactus BURSTS and vanishes.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
But without the Power Cosmic how
will I get to Zenn-La?
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
It will be knowledge! And
knowledge is its own end!
WIDER
Before the Surfer Viral, the others change shape, MORPHING
INTO half a dozen different colored GIANT SURFERS and their
boards.
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
See, Silver Surfer, how we control
our own evolution! Join us now as
the Evolutionary Ultimate!
Fulfill your Destiny!
The Giant Surfers soar forward, BLASTING at the Silver Viral
as we
CUT TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - PIP
Gazing out at:
PIP'S POV - THE VIRALS
Where the Giant Surfers BLAST at the Surfer Viral, the ground
itself rocking with the EXPLOSIONS!
BACK TO PIP
Crying out in astonishment:
PIP
Just when ya think you've seen
everything!
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27.
The ground beneath his feet ripples, and as Pip falls we
ANGLE ACROSS the plain, where several of the skyscraper-like
chips sway dangerously, and
CUT TO:
EXT. THE VIRAL WORLD - THE GIANT SURFERS
Soaring around the Surfer Viral, FIRING their BLASTS.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The Virals seek to force me to
give up the very essence of who I
am!
The BLASTS from the Giant Surfers EXPLODE against the hide of
the Surfer Viral, and it rolls helplessly along the ground.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
Knowledge is useless if it cannot
be acted upon. If I remain a
Viral, everything I learn will go
for naught!
(as he's BLASTED
again)
I must summon all the Power Cosmic
within me, and use it to recreate
that which the Virals would
destroy --
We TIGHTEN ON the Surfer Viral. It begins to GLOW, and to
change, as we
CUT TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - THE SURFER VIRAL
MORPHING BACK INTO the Silver Surfer as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
No matter the consequences, now
and forever must I be -- the
Silver Surfer!
And he rolls to his feet, hands POWERING UP, BLASTING back at
the others as:
WIDER
The Giant Surfers use their boards to help them dodge the
Surfer's BLASTS.
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28.
They BLAST again, and his only way of avoiding being hit is
to run and weave and scramble like a maddened foot soldier.
He looks around desperately.
SILVER SURFER
(calling out)
My board! Where is my board?
PIP AND DRAX
The plain is still rocking. Pip forces himself to his feet,
shoots another look at Drax's unconscious form.
PIP
Oh, man, Drax, I sure wish you
were awake. We gotta help the
Surfer --
And then he thinks of something. We ANGLE WITH Pip as he
rushes back to the consoles, starts burrowing through the
wreckage.
THE SILVER SURFER
Hit by a blast, falling. He cries out as loudly as he can:
SILVER SURFER
To me, my board!
PIP AND THE BROKEN CONSOLES
As, tossing bits and pieces of wreckage aside, Pip finally
uncovers the tip of the Surfer's board. It starts wriggling,
trying to pull away, but is stuck fast -- until Pip yanks at
a large piece of console, setting the board free!
WIDER
The Surfer's board sails from the plain -- just as one of the
skyscraper memory cells finally gives 'way from the stress
and starts to topple. It isn't anywhere near the Virals, but:
PIP
Looks up, horrified, the shadow of the giant chip darkening
the ground around him as:
THE SILVER SURFER
Barely rolls out of the way of another BLAST. Suddenly, his
board arcs to him, and, summoning all his remaining strength,
the Surfer leaps onto it!
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29.
WIDER
As the Surfer slaloms through the attacking Giant Surfers,
their BLASTS now missing by a wide margin.
SILVER SURFER
Virals! Hear me! I belong to no
one. Not Galactus! Not you! I
am a free man!
And, as he calls out, the Surfer FIRES BLAST AFTER BLAST of
his own, the attackers FLARING UP as they're hit, each Giant
Surfer vanishing and becoming a Viral once more, until, as
the last one MORPHS back:
WATCHER PRIME (V.O.)
The Power Cosmic has purged you of
the Virus, Silver Surfer. You
have won -- but so do you lose...
THE SILVER SURFER
Flying victoriously from the Virals. We WIDEN TO SEE the
collapsed memory chip, broken up across the plain.
SILVER SURFER
(anxiously)
Pip!
PIP (O.S.)
Right atcha, Surfy!
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the Surfer turns to see Drax flying toward him, carrying
Pip in his arms.
SILVER SURFER
Drax! I am pleased to see that
you have recovered.
PIP
Not half as happy as me. Talk
about yer nicka' time...
DRAX
Where is Mentor? I must help him!
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30.
SILVER SURFER
I am afraid that is not possible.
But you can take comfort in the
fact that he found what he was
looking for, all those long years.
And, as Drax puzzles this out, we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - NEBULA'S STARSHIP
Standing upright in one of the street-like crevasses.
DRAX
All the ship's systems check out...
INT. NEBULA'S STARSHIP - BRIDGE - DAY
Where Drax is working at the control console while the Surfer
and Pip look on. In the center of the room is the Beacon,
dark and lifeless now. Pip can't keep from poking at it.
PIP
There's one thing I still don't
get. How come everybody turned
into a Viral except Drax n' me?
SILVER SURFER
I believe it was because with the
exception of the two of you,
everyone had a selfish reason for
being at the Universal Library...
CLOSER ON PIP
Pushing whatever buttons and controls he can find on the
Beacon.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
Nebula and her men wanted
financial gain. Mentor wanted
vengeance on Thanos. And I was
willing to to anything to find my
way home.
(beat)
But you and Drax came here only
because you were aiding others.
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31.
WIDER
Some of the Beacon's lights start to FLASH. Pip beams
proudly.
DRAX
The original Watchers too were
selfish. They wanted the
knowledge for its own sake, not as
a tool to be used.
(beat)
And that attitude triggered the
virus.
Suddenly, the Beacon comes entirely to life, starfields
FLASHING, LINES OF ENERGY stabbing into the controls. The
ship's ENGINES RUMBLE!
PIP
Uh-oh -- the Beacon's gettin'
ready to guide us someplace. But
where?
SILVER SURFER
It seems to me there is only one
way to find out. Are the two of
you ready for the ride?
DRAX
So filled am I with sorrow for
Mentor that I do not feel ready
for anything. I am purposeless,
empty --
SILVER SURFER
Drax, you have earned the right to
your own life. Pip -- my
experience here has shown me I
have not been worthy of your
loyalty...
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - DAY - NEBULA'S STARSHIP
Trembles, starting to LIFT OFF.
PIP (O.S.)
Hey -- you tryin' ta say you're
not goin' with us?
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32.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
It is for you I make that
decision. My obsession with Zenn-
La almost cost your life...
INT. NEBULA'S STARSHIP - BRIDGE - DAY
Where Pip looks at the Surfer sorrowfully.
SILVER SURFER
I have much to think about. Of
what value is it for me to gain
Zenn-La -- if I lose the beliefs
Zenn-La holds dear?
Fighting back tears, Pip thrusts out his hand at the Surfer.
Drax does the same.
PIP DRAX
Thanks, Surfer -- for We will meet again, Silver
everything. Surfer.
SILVER SURFER
Of that there can be no doubt.
And as they join in a three-way handshake:
EXT. THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - THE SILVER SURFER
Soaring from Nebula's ship as it BLASTS OFF. We HOLD as the
two objects streak upward, toward opposite parts of the sky.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
I will miss Pip more than I could
tell him. But, just as he was
willing to give up everything to
save me, so must I sacrifice for
his good.
(beat)
The Virals showed me key elements
of the history of Zenn-La. With
that data I can continue my
search -- even as I ponder its
true meaning.
And, as the Silver Surfer continues upward, we ANGLE TO:
EXT. SPACE OVER THE UNIVERSAL LIBRARY - THE IMAGES OF THE
WATCHERS
Beyond them is a familiar formation of stars: ETERNITY and
INFINITY themselves. They turn to the Watcher.
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33.
ETERNITY
Watcher! Your shame remains
unrevealed. No one knows it was
you who created the Virals by
convincing your people to act.
THE WATCHER
Which is why I continue to bring
them new knowledge. It is a
responsibility I cannot deny.
As he speaks, the Surfer flies through nearby space, unaware
of the conversation. He starts going faster and faster as:
ETERNITY
And now, dear sister, what think
you of the Surfer?
INFINITY
He has surprised me with his
capacity to grow as a man. If he
lives up to his potential, when
the crisis comes the universe may
have a chance to survive.
ETERNITY
(watching the Surfer)
Fly well, Silver Surfer. Someday,
the future of all creation will be
in your hands!
We TIGHTEN THROUGH them to the Silver Surfer, FORESHORTENING
INTO WARP, while we
FADE OUT:
THE END
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