The Incredible Hulk

[Dragon]

This is the beginning of a Hulk script I started some months back. I wanted to post it mostly as an example of an approach to dramatizing the story in a way that I think is more coherent and true to the source material than the Ang Lee film. I welcome comments from everyone, but especially fans of the movie.




The Incredible Hulk



FADE IN:

THE NEW MEXICO DESERT. RISING UP THE SIDE OF A HILL. PAST THE DIRT & ROCKS. PAST THE RANDOM LIZARD AND SNAKE. TO THE HILL'S SUMMIT- STILL RISING OVER THE TOP PAST ANOTHER LIZARD THAT TURNS TO GREET US LIKE A TV HOST.

LOOKING OVER THE SUMMIT OF THE HILL-

TO GROUND ZERO. A GIGANTIC CIRCULAR PIT. THE SCENE OF SOME GREAT CATACLYSM. A NUKE? NOT QUITE. NO SCORCHED EARTH, ONLY A LEVELED FIELD. BUT CLOSE.

THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE HILL HAS BEEN TORN AWAY, MAKING IT A CRESCENT OF ANCIENT ROCK.

AND AT THE CENTER OF THE PIT, AN IMPRESSION THAT ALMOST APPEARS IN THE SHAPE OF A HUMAN FORM. ALMOST. BUT AGAIN, NOT QUITE.

CUT TO:

FLYING OVER THE DESERT. THE SOUND AND SHADOW OF A MILITARY HELICOPTER. FLYING AWAY FROM GROUND ZERO. BUT AS WE FLY AWAY, THE SCENE GETS MORE HELLISH. MILITARY GROUND AND AIR WAR MACHINES. DOZENS OF THEM, SCATTERED AND SHATTERED. LITTERING THE LANDSCAPE. SMOLDERING. FLAMING. THE SITE APPEARS TO BE THE AFTERMATH OF THE FINAL, APOCALYPTIC WAR.

THE FLIGHT CONTINUES. MILES AHEAD MEDICAL CREWS ATTEND TO LEGIONS OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

FIRE CREWS ARE DOUSING THE BURNING TRUCKS, TANKS, CHOPPERS AND JETS.

ON THE HELICOPTER: Inside the Chinook; Awe, disbelief laying siege on her face, DR. ELIZABETH "BETTY" ROSS takes in the terrible sights- shakes from the horrible sounds below.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MILITARY BASE: PROJECT GREENSKIN - AFTERNOON

The chopper touches down. Betty, and her military escorts disembark.

Another group of military personnel are there to greet them. Chief among them, MAJOR GLENN TALBOT. At a glance one might assume that Talbot wears his military uniform like a suit of armor. Closer examination might show that the uniform is the glue that holds Talbot together. He's developed a skill for keeping this hidden. But not from Betty. Not from the object of his desire. For her, his armor is the thinnest gossamer thread. And she can see the quaking shambles of a man beneath.

It is for this reason that Talbot only forms half a smile at the sight of her.

TALBOT
...Betty..

BETTY
Glenn..

His eyes run side to side gesturing toward the soldiers at attention in protest of Betty's informality.

BETTY
Major Talbot. Nice to see you.

He nods, granting a firmer smile at Betty.

TALBOT
..Your father is just finishing a briefing with the President.

He turns and walks toward a nearby building entrance. Betty and the others follow.

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE - CONTINUING

Talbot and Betty walk toward the office door. As they approach, they are greeted by a blast of "FLIGHT OF THE VALKERIES". Betty smiles knowingly.

Talbot knocks on the door. A VOICE, EASILY AS POWERFUL AS THE SYMPHONIC ASSAULT RESPONDS.

VOICE
Enter..

Betty and Talbot follow orders. Everyone does. GENERAL THADDEUS "THUNDERBOLT" ROSS pours a glass of twenty year old scotch. The finest Cuban cigar dangling betwixt his right index and middle fingers. Dangling, and yet steady. 62, stout like an aged Greco-Roman wrestler, leathery skin, cottony hair and mustache. The army never built a tougher war wagon. An old time soldier.

His eyes flicker brightly taking in the sight of the single most beautiful thing in the world to him, this side of his horse Athena.
ROSS
Betty!

Ross rises from his chair and bearhugs his daughter.

BETTY
Hi, daddy!

She kisses his cheek.

ROSS
How's my girl?

BETTY
I'm-I'm good Daddy.

She examines her father.

ROSS
Well, darling- take a load off. After I've taken care of a few things we'll sit down to a proper dinner.

Betty is slightly aghast at her father's demeanor. She sinks into a chair. Talbot bends himself into one.

BETTY
Dinner? Dad- you don't have to take a jubilant tone with me. On my chopper flight we took the scenic route. I saw what happened-All the casualties.. The damage. I understand that this is something you'd need to recover from.

ROSS
Recover?

Ross is genuinely confused at first. Then he remembers who he's speaking to.

ROSS
(continuing; laughs)
Ah.. my sweet little girl. The psychiatrist. Ever concerned about the emotional side of things. How I love you honey. Comes from your mother. How I loved her, too.

Betty is taken aback by the patronizing, if genuinely loving tone.
Talbot observes the father-daughter exchange with a certain caginess.

ROSS
No honey.. this isn't a time to mourn.. This is a time for celebration! Do you realize what we've done today? This was a greater victory than any from the three wars I've fought.. God forgive me.. But I've found my Chimera.. My Hydra.. And I've beaten him. The loss of soldiers.. of tactical equipment are considered, accounted for and lamented during the planning of strategy.. And I'm not going to say that looking over the battlefield in the aftermath doesn't give me pause.. But damn it.. We've done something great today.

TALBOT
Indeed we have sir. Let me congratulate you..

Talbot rises to extend his hand. Ross accepts it with Pride.

ROSS
Thank you Major! The quality of men like you in my command make the victory inevitable and pleasurable.

Betty feigns a cough.

BETTY
You'll forgive me gentlemen, but all this back-patting is raising alot of dust in here.

TALBOT
-Betty- why would you want to wet blanket your father on such a momentous occasion?

ROSS
I don't understand what you were expecting, sweetheart..
BETTY
I came to support you dad, on what would have to be a challenging day to say the least..

Betty is suddenly angered. By the men in the room, and by the music.

BETTY
Dad.. could you bring the Valkeries in for a landing please?

Ross, stunned at his daughter's ire, after a pause, hits the mute on the remote control for the stereo, silencing the music.

BETTY
..A challenging day.. And let's not forget that the life of a fine man was destroyed..

TALBOT
..That's debatable.

ROSS
Calm down, sweetheart.

Ross sips his scotch and takes a pull of his cigar. He releases a satisfied cloud of smoke as the room becomes still.

ROSS
..The President made a personal call to me to thank me. The first time in my career I've been granted such an honor. You know, weeks ago, the Defense Secretary was thinking of having me stand down on this. They were considering bringing in the Avengers.. Or Reed Richard's crew. I told the secretary, the day the army couldn't handle a threat to this nation is the day we better throw in the towel.. Close the whole thing down and retreat to the caves. Make no mistake- this was essential. And as for Banner.. Well. His story was written and the book was closed long ago. A shame really. But no more so than every other man that was lost.

Betty takes in his words. And she's known her father too long and too well to think there's anymore to say on the subject.

She finds her calm.

BETTY
...I'd like to see him.

TALBOT
(Shocked, angry)
What??

ROSS
Really Betty- You can't be serious!

BETTY
I couldn't be more serious daddy.. I'm a psychiatrist.. He'll have to be examined to see if he's mentally fit for trial..

Talbot and Ross share a grim, dark glance and turn back to Betty.

BETTY
I've spoken with the Attorney General and Senator Tower.. They agree with me that Bruce needs an assessment before further action can be taken. I can go through proper channels if you like daddy..

The closing word brings a smile to Ross' hard face. He realizes that Betty is her father's daughter, and in a rare moment acquiesces.

ROSS
Fine. Good. Talbot.. Take her to see him.

TALBOT
(Disbelieving, disappointed)
Sir?

ROSS
And when you're done Betty, let's have that dinner.. Thick, tender steaks grilled to perfection..
He winks at her, and takes another sip of his scotch.

Betty smiles and nods.

Talbot rises, doing little to show his disapproval. Ross ignores it.

Betty stands and they exit. Ross leans back in his chair and unmutes the stereo as the valkeries take flight again.

CUT TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER - AFTERNOON

The bunker is both technically advanced and surprisingly simple in design. Hard gray metal and stone. Everything has a thickness and unbearable weight. Few places could be more unwelcoming.

A PLATOON OF SOLDIERS IN SPECIAL ARMOR AND CARRYING WEAPONS AKIN TO PERSONAL CANNONS POLICE THE BUNKER.

They salute as Talbot guides Betty past them to an elevator.

He and Betty enter. The heavy doors close and the elevator descends.

CUT TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C - CONTINUOUS

Talbot enters a code on a key pad.

WIDE ANGLE: Enormous metal doors - fifteen feet high, a foot thick, that seemingly were never meant to be re-opened once closed, clang and pound as if in protest as they unlock.

Talbot and Betty make the long, uncomfortable walk down the corridor. To their right and left, hellish devices that appear to be weapons stand on guard. Betty tries not to look at them.

TALBOT
I don't understand you, Betty. I don't understand what you're looking for.. Why are you putting yourself through this?

BETTY
I know you can't understand, Glenn. You tell yourself that you're sure about everything.. The sun rises and sets.. People live and die. The why, the wherefore doesn't matter to you.

TALBOT
I'm a soldier. The what and the how are my business. Not the why.

BETTY
The difference between you and I is that I'm not afraid to look into the abyss if it will lead to the truth.

TALBOT
I'm not afraid of anything.. I don't look into the abyss because I know what's there. I've been on the battlefield. I know what man is capable of.

BETTY
You know what man is capable of.. You don't know his full capability.

TALBOT
..And you think Banner will give you those answers?

BETTY
...I don't know. But I've got to try..

They reach a cell. Another huge and heavy set of doors. On the left door there's a tiny window.

TALBOT
..I've got a postcard from the real world for you Betty.. Banner, and threats like him are an unrelenting, abhorrent force that can't be studied or reasoned with. Only dealt with.

BETTY
I think you tell yourself that Glenn, because it's any easy way out. I think looking at the questions that Bruce creates makes you question your own actions. And that's too much for you to bear. So it's better.. It's easier, to lock him away.. To make him cease to exist. Then you can ignore your own failings..

TALBOT
(Shakes his head)
If only you'd come down from that lofty perch.

Betty and Talbot approach the tiny window.

TALBOT
And there he is. The greatest threat to humanity in modern history.

MOVING INTO THE WINDOW. There's a distance of ten feet between each end. At the other end, is BRUCE BANNER. The "greatest threat to humanity" is 5' 10", 160 lbs. Bespecled, unshaven. He seems more than a little disoriented as he struggles to see those standing before his cell. Upon recognizing Betty, a goofy smile comes over his face.

BETTY
Bruce? Can you hear me? Are you alright?

BRUCE
...H-hi Betty.. Yes. Yes I can hear you. Yes, I'm alright.

BETTY
Bruce I wanted to talk to you for a bit. Is that okay?

BRUCE
(Pause)
Sure. I'd like that.

Talbot shakes his head with chagrin. Betty turns to him. She's stern.

TALBOT
...I'll have a chair brought down for you. And a walkie to let us know when you're ready to leave.

She nods.

DISSOLVE TO:
Betty is sitting in front of the cell. She removes a tape recorder from her bag.

BETTY
Do you mind if I record our conversation, Bruce?

Bruce, in his cell sits on the floor. They can't see each other.

BRUCE
I don't mind.

Betty clicks the recorder on.

BETTY
..Okay. Could we start at the beginning?

BRUCE
..The beginning of.. You mean when this all started?

BETTY
No, Bruce.. I mean the very beginning..

BRUCE
You mean.. Like my childhood?

BETTY
Yes.

BRUCE
(Laughs ironically)
Okay, Dr. Freud.. Should I be lying down?

Betty laughs.

BETTY
I just think there's more to all of this than the physical issue. I think perhaps the answer lies in your psychological history.

BRUCE
Oh.. Way to make a guy feel good.. Not only am I a walking nuclear bomb.. I'm crazy too..
BETTY
You don't mind talking about it do you? We were starting to talk about it before.. You know, before all of this happened..

BRUCE
We were talking under different circumstances.. For different reasons.

BETTY
There's no denying the circumstances are different. But Not the reasons. This isn't... I'm doing this because I care about you Bruce.

BRUCE
Thank you. That means so much to me. Especially now. But you're gardening roses in a minefield.

BETTY
...Was it painful?

BRUCE
..Painful? I never thought about it until now. But I... Yes. I think it was painful..

BETTY
-You think?

In his cell, Bruce struggles within himself as memories long buried rush to the fore. And yet- they seem like they belong to someone else.

BRUCE
It's hard to say.. The drugs they keep me pumped with.. to keep me calm.. To keep me from.. Changing..

BETTY
-We want you to stay calm, Bruce. Let's take it slow. Is there a.. Is there a happy memory?

Bruce thinks back. Images flash in his mind.

BRUCE
...Blocks..
BETTY
You feel blocked?

BRUCE
N-no. Building blocks. Toys..

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BANNER HOME, 1972 - AFTERNOON

A two year old boy lays blocks next to each other.

2 YEAR OLD BRUCE
C...A...T.. Cat!

Bruce's mother, REBECCA BANNER, possessed of an angelic beauty, leans over Bruce's playpen watching joyfully as toddler practices his spelling.

REBECCA
That's right honey!! Cat!

Young Bruce applauds himself. Rebecca kisses him lovingly on the cheek.

With his blocks, Bruce spells "MOM" and then "DAD".

At that moment, someone- something enters. In the cloudiness of Bruce's memory, it appears that the presence is dark. Shadowy and monstrous. It makes terrible growls. Young Bruce and Rebecca are frightened at its approach. THEN IT HITS THE LIGHT- IT'S A MAN. Bruce's father BRIAN BANNER. No longer monstrous, just angry. HIS GROWLS MORPH INTO YELLING.

BRIAN
-Rebecca! My schematics! They weren't in my briefcase! Where are they?

REBECCA
..Brian- how would I know where your schematics are?

Brian glances over at Bruce who sits frightened in his playpen.

BRIAN
Of course.. How could you know? You don't know what the hell is going on in the world, because you spend every waking moment with "the little prince"... I guess you've forgotten how to be a wife since you traded in the job for caretaker of that brat..

Rebecca, wounded scurries from the room.

Brian swaggers over to Bruce's playpen.

BRIAN
..And how's our little "treasure' today?

Brian grimaces at Bruce, who sits wide-eyed. Over top the blocks spelling "DAD", Bruce stacks an "M" block over the first "D", spelling "MAD".

Brian turns in the direction that Rebecca walked toward.

BRIAN
So what exactly do you and the urchin do all day aside from suck up every dollar I earn?

Bruce, still watching his father, stacks a "B" block atop the "M" spelling "BAD".

Brian notices the spelled out blocks.

BRIAN
What in God's name? Rebecca- you know he's too young to read- why are you spelling out words for him?

Rebecca walks back into the room. Under her arm is a stack of papers. She angrily thrusts them forward at Brian.

REBECCA
...Your schematics. They were on your desk.. If you paid a little more attention you'd wouldn't have left them... And maybe if you paid a little more attention, you know that your son can already read and spell..

Brian snatches the schematics from Rebecca's hand.
BRIAN
Pay attention? Pay attention your highness? When my work eats up nearly every fibre of my being- and the two of you gobble down the scraps? Why aren't YOU paying attention? If you could spare me just a little of your time, perhaps you'd be a partner to me- and not an anchor! Perhaps if you were paying attention, you'd realize just how wrong things are around here- Just how wrong it is for a 2 year old to be reading! I'm telling you Rebecca- that little freak is tearing our lives apart!

Rebecca, tears streaming Rebecca reaches over and lifts Bruce from the playpen, to protect him from Brian's insanity.

Brian storms toward her in a threatening manner. Rebecca turns away hoping to shield Bruce with her own body.

Brian ***** his arm, ready to hit her, then relents.

BRIAN
..No. That's all I need- to hurt you and lose what little freedom I have left..

He turns away, stuffing the schematics clumsily into his briefcase.

Rebecca, crying turns back to him.

REBECCA
..Brian.. Bruce and I.. we have to leave.. It would be best for all of us.. You don't want us here.. And we're not a family anymore..

Brian, close to the door turns back.

BRIAN
You don't leave.. After all I've invested in you.. You stay by my side. For better, for worse.. Till death do us part.
He swings the door open and leaves. Rebecca collapses to the floor crying, cradling Bruce.

CUT TO:

BACK IN THE MILITARY BUNKER

BETTY
..That's some amazing recall from a memory that happened when you were a toddler..

BRUCE
Are you kidding? Some of us child prodigies can remember the birth moment.. and let me tell you- that could make for a shelf's worth of books on sexuality issues..

Betty giggles.

BETTY
..That's strange..

BRUCE
What?

BETTY
..Well..You seem to have developed a sense of humor.. Prior to all of this you didn't.. You were kind of stiff..

Bruce laughs.

BRUCE
..Uh.. I guess you share your body with a the bane of existence, you start to appreciate the sunny side of life..

BETTY
(Intrigued, yet confused)
Uh-huh.. I see. So.. I looked up your mother's case. I understand she tried to leave your father. But because he was working for the government pressure was placed on her.

CUT TO:
INT. MILITARY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 1972 - DAY

Rebecca sits at the desk of a MILITARY SOCIAL WORKER, 2 year old Bruce on her lap. She pleads with her for help, and is denied.

BETTY (V.O.)
Under the grounds of national security, because your father was involved with Top Secret military work and your family lived on a community under military jurisdiction, your mother was denied being able to leave for a minimum of a year.

CUT TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUING

Bruce's head tilts to the floor.

BRUCE
..A minimum of a year..

CUT TO:

 

[Dragon]

INT. BANNER HOME - DAY

Young Bruce (Age 4) builds a walking robot with an Erector Set. As Bruce starts it running, Brian is screaming at Rebecca in the background.

He thunders into the living room, obliviously walking into the robot. His charge knocks the robot to the ground.

BRIAN
What the hell is this?

Rebecca walks into the room sadly regarding Bruce's toppled toy.

BRIAN
(continuing; Looking for an answer)
What the hell is this? A real- normal 4 year old child doesn't make things like this-

REBECCA
That's right- He's not a normal 4 year old- he's a genius! You should be embracing him for it!
BRIAN
Are you insane? The next thing he'll do is build a bomb and kill us!

Brian, raging crushes the fallen robot under his foot.

DISSOLVE TO:

BRUCE (V.O.)
..A year turned into 5 years.. My mother and I couldn't leave.

Bruce is now 7 years old, wearing glasses, laying on the living room floor and working on advanced mathematics.

Rebecca, dressed in a coat and carrying several suitcases, hurries into the living room.

REBECCA
C'mon Bruce..We have to hurry before your father gets home!

Bruce, startled, looks up.

REBECCA
Come on honey!

Hesitantly, fearfully, Bruce stands up. Rebecca helps him into his coat.

CUT TO:

EXT. BANNER HOME - CONTINUOUS

Rebecca and Bruce climb into the family station wagon. Rebecca inserts the keys to start the ignition. The engine stutters but doesn't turn over. She tries again and again.

REBECCA
(Frantic)
This can't be- I had the car checked yesterday-

She continues trying. Bruce climbs out of the car and walks knowingly to the front. He pops the hood and looks at the engine.

7 YEAR OLD BRUCE
..Mommy there's no spark plugs..

Rebecca is terrified.
There's suddenly a shadow cast from her left side.

It's Brian, dangling the missing spark plugs.

BRIAN
..Some people just can't be trusted..

REBECCA
(Hyperventilating)
How could you..?

BRIAN
How? Because I did what any reasonable man would do if his house were filled with enemies.. I wire-tapped our phone.. While I was at work, providing a living for this family.. I could hear your plans and schemes to make me a fool..

Brian's face twists into a picture of evil. He leans into the window, his face close to Rebecca's fearful one.

BRIAN
...I think it's time we had a family meeting..

Rebecca quickly thrusts open the car door, hitting Brian and knocking him to the ground.

She starts to run, but then turns back for Bruce.

REBECCA
Bruce! Come to me baby! We have to leave!!

But Bruce is frozen. Rebecca starts to run to him- but to do so, she has to run past Brian. Brian gets to his feet and intercepts Rebecca. She struggles to break free. Seeing his mother struggle, Bruce takes slow, frightened steps toward her. Rebecca, seeing Bruce walk toward her fights harder to break free. She claws at Brian's eyes. He releases her, grasping painfully at his face. Rebecca turns to run for Bruce- But Brian manages to grasp hold of her collar. He pulls her backward. With a harsh yank, Brian sends Rebecca careening to the ground. She falls hard- the back of her head striking the cold, unyielding pavement. She lies still. Brian's eyes are wild with the realization of what he's done as blood spreads over the concrete.
Bruce continues his steps toward her. He seems in a trance. Rebecca's dead eyes are wide open and fixed on him.

DISSOLVE TO:

SCREEN REMAINS DARK.

BRUCE (V.O.)
..And that's when my world went black..

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUOUS

BETTY
..Do you know what happened to your father?

BRUCE
...No.

BETTY
He died in the mental hospital he was committed to after his insanity plea for your mother's death.

BRUCE
I didn't want to know what happened to him. He was off my radar.

BETTY
..But you understand that closing yourself off from the feelings about him.. The abuse.. Causing your mother's death.. There's a strong possibility that it's part of the problem..

BRUCE
What are you trying to say? That my current state is due to buried emotions?

BETTY
There's got to be a reason-

BRUCE
(Cold. Calculating)
Of course there's a reason. There's always a reason. A methodical- mathematical equation.
BETTY
Bruce- you see- I think you're doing it now..

BRUCE
What would "it" be, Betty?

BETTY
Shutting down.. When things get difficult. Becoming.. Machine-like..

BRUCE
There's an answer for this Betty.. Just down a different path.

BETTY
(Relenting)
Okay. Okay. So tell me what happened after your mother's death..

BRUCE
I became a ward of the state. A special case. The combination of boy genius with a tragic family life made for great political press...I was the poster boy for "No Child Left Behind"...

CUT TO:

EXT. HARVARD UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - DAY

Bruce, now aged 13 walks across the campus. His AUNT ANDREA BANNER DRAKE escorts him. The students making their way to their classes take notice of young Bruce, staring at him and making jokes to themselves.

BRUCE
My father's sister, Andrea became my caretaker... Because of my advanced intelligence, I skipped past junior high and high school to college. I enrolled in Harvard at age 13. A 13 year old, guarded by his Aunt, surrounded by young adults. I didn't feel like a freak at all..

CUT TO:
INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUING

BETTY
..So.. Essentially you were always made to feel like an outsider. By your father.. By your fellow students..

Bruce considers the theory, but finds it too painful to dwell upon.

BRUCE
I spent the next 10 years in school, moving from one to another..Harvard to Oxford.. Oxford to MIT..MIT to UCLA

BETTY
Always the loner?

BRUCE
..No..Not always..

CUT TO:

INT. UCLA STUDENT UNION BUILDING - NIGHT

A student party is in full swing. Students dance, mingle, drink. Adult Bruce stands off alone. Observing the party as if the concept were totally alien to him. Even the other science nerds don't hang-out with him.

Somewhat dejected- Bruce turns to leave- And nearly walks into SUSAN JACOBSON, a pretty blonde. Susan makes a startled smile.

SUSAN
-Oops!

Bruce backs up, gathering his bearings.

SUSAN
H-hi! Bruce, right?

Bruce nods, confused. Susan presents him with a glass of punch. Bruce is far more startled by this than the near collision.

SUSAN
..You looked thirsty..
BRUCE
-Did I? I don't know why- But uh..

Bruce struggles to think of what to say next.

BRUCE
Uh.. Thanks..

He finally accepts the glass of punch.

SUSAN
..So I hear you're the smartest guy on campus..

Bruce adjusts his glasses uncomfortably and shrugs.

SUSAN
..I had a question..

Bruce is annoyed at this. He often gets this and it almost never leads to anything good.

BRUCE
(Huffs)
..OOkay.. The Earth is 149.63 kilometers from the sun. The circumference of the Earth is 24,900 miles. The weight of the human Brain is 1,400 grams, although I suspect it might me much lighter for many.. The average penis size is 6.16 inches.. That's right.. Average breast size is a B Cup.. No, I won't write your term paper for any price.. Do you have anything for me that's more interesting than any of that?

SUSAN
...I just wanted to know if you'd like to dance..

She smiles at Bruce. Bruce feels terrible.

BRUCE
Oh. I'm so sorry.. Uh-

SUSAN
Susan Jacobson..
BRUCE
..I.. I'd like to dance.. But uh..

SUSAN
-It's the one thing you don't know how to do? Come on.. Teaching something to a genius will up my self-esteem about 20 points..

BRUCE
(Nervous)
Actually.. Self esteem can't be measured in-

SUSAN
Okay. Brain off- Body on..

Susan takes Bruce's hand and leads him toward the dance floor.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE:

Bruce and Susan together over the ensuing months. Studying, walking across campus, going to movies, etc. All the while, though Bruce appears to be enjoying the time they spend, he maintains a stiffness to him.

BRUCE (V.O.)
We spent the next six months together. Doing what a young couple would do.. For Susan it was a normal thing. For me.. I felt more like I was mimicking behavior that came natural to everyone else.

INT. BRUCE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Bruce is in the kitchen pouring sodas for himself and Susan.

BRUCE
-Coke okay?

Susan sits on the sofa watching TV.

SUSAN
Sounds great...

Self-consciously, Susan undoes the top two buttons on her blouse. She primps her breasts, nervously hoping that she appears a bit more buxom. She widens her smile as Bruce enters, trying to appear seductive. She succeeds.
Bruce is aware of her campaign, and sits apprehensively next to her. He hands her the soda.

SUSAN
(continuing; Working to make her voice seductive)
Why Thank you..

Susan sips the soda. Bruce's eyes fix on her lips, now wet from the drink. Susan sees this and is pleased. But Bruce turns his attention back to the TV. Susan is bothered.

She makes up her mind to take the lead. She moves in close to Bruce and takes his hand. Bruce is shaken. Frozen.

SUSAN
Hey.. Isn't that show a re-run?

BRUCE
(Nervous)
..Is it? I don't remember seeing it..

Susan turns herself toward Bruce.

SUSAN
Isn't there something.. Else you want to see?

Bruce, understanding what she means, still plays dumb. He starts clicking the remote.

BRUCE
Well- we can see..

SUSAN
(Annoyed)
Bruce..

She places her hand on his cheek and turns his head toward her.

SUSAN
..We've been dating for months.. I'm not the kind of girl that likes to rush things.. But even I'm ready to get out and give it a push-

Bruce looks down, embarassed.
SUSAN
Don't you find me attractive?

Bruce is too nervous to answer.

She leans forward and kisses him on the mouth. Bruce's eyes remain open, observing things as though an out-of-body experience. Susan leans back to see the results. She's down-hearted to see that Bruce remains as stiff as before.

SUSAN
Do you feel anything for me at all?
(Pause)
Is there anything inside you?

Bruce is struck by this.

BRUCE (V.O.)
When she said those words- it was like something popped inside me- I can't explain what happened next-

Bruce is suddenly like a wild animal- he lunges forward and grabs Susan, kissing her passionately- voraciously. He moves from her face to her neck- and continues moving downward- fondling her breasts. Susan is frightened by the sudden change in Bruce.

SUSAN
What are you doing?

She fights her way free of him.

Standing, she looks at him. His facial expression is something she's never seen before. Maniacal, lecherous.

SUSAN
Bruce- what's happened to you?

Hearing his name seems to snap Bruce out of it.

BRUCE
(As though awakening from a trance)
Susan- I'm so sorry- I-

Susan is confused, and frightened.
SUSAN
(Crying)
I- I have to go-

She hurries for the door.

BRUCE
..Susan please!

She's out the door. Bruce sinks back onto the sofa, saddened, confused and afraid of himself.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUOUS

BRUCE
..It was then that I realized relationships.. Relating- wasn't meant for me. I'd live a life devoted to science.. Science was the only thing I could count on. People make no sense. Science makes complete sense.

BETTY
..There's loads of mysteries and incongruities in science..

BRUCE
There are things we don't know. But with Science, point A always leads to point B. We just have to find point B. With people- point A leads to point H- point H leads to point E.. There's no making any sense of it.

BETTY
Uh- huh.
(Pauses, thinking)
So you began your research of Gamma radiation..

BRUCE
Yes.

BETTY
You're aware that your father was also involved in Gamma radiation research?

BRUCE
..Vaguely..
His expression betrays that he's more aware than he lets on.

BETTY
-It's just interesting that you would take up where your father left off..

BRUCE
..I didn't. I was fascinated with Gamma rays as a source of energy. Power. There's evidence that gamma radiation is among the building blocks of human DNA. A belief.. That the "Big Bang".. The source of creation of all life, was a gamma-charged explosion.

CUT TO:

INT. UCLA PHYSICS DEPARTMENT LECTURE HALL - AFTERNOON

Bruce is writing a series of equations on a black board.

He is making a presentation before an audience full of industrial, political and military personnel.

BRUCE
The gamma particle is the cleanest, most easily manageable source of raw energy in existence... Its potential for nuclear power, for purposes as expansive as powering our cities, to powering space flights,to becoming an oil substitute; running our cars.. is nearly endless. In the catalogue package you've all received are listings and design specs for the various applications of gamma particle powered projects that I've conceived of..

One of the executives in the audience raises his hand.

BRUCE
Yes Mr. Shinhauser?

SHINHAUSER
These are all very impressive looking Dr. Banner.. But do you have any practical samples for us to look at?
BRUCE
..Uh.. Well. Not really.. As far as any hardware, sir.. You see gamma radiation is extremely difficult to handle in its unprocessed state. We don't have the facilities here at at UCLA to work extensively with it. But you'll find on page 200 of the brochure a detailed budget for the type of lab facilities we'd need..

SHINHAUSER
..So this is basically "a wing and a prayer" type of operation..

He and others start to laugh.

BRUCE
..Uh.. Uh no. The formulae are all perfectly sound..

Bruce adjusts his glasses uncomfortably as he fails to quell the laughter.

WIDE ANGLE: VIEW OF THE AUDIENCE WHICH IS NEARLY FULL.

SUPER-IMPOSE AND DISSOLVE:

THE SAME VIEW OF THE AUDIENCE, WHICH IS NOW ALL BUT EMPTY, WITH MORE PEOPLE WALKING OUT.

Bruce is still in front of the audience. He's clearly tired and sullen. His voice is hoarse.

BRUCE
(continuing; Clears his throat, takes a sip of water)
..And you'll see if you turn to page 542..

He looks up and notices that's he's pretty much alone in the hall. Sadly he lowers his head and turns away.

Bruce gathers his things and places them within his briefcase. He glances over at the black board and grimaces at the equations. He walks over and begins to erase them.

VOICE (O.S.)
Banner..

Bruce turns, startled by the voice. He hasn't heard one with such resonance since his father. Not even then. He finds himself face-to-face with General Thunderbolt Ross. Ross puffs on his cigar as Talbot stands just behind him.

BRUCE
..You know.. There- there's no smoking-

Bruce doesn't bother to finish, knowing it wouldn't matter to Ross. Ross reaches over to shake Bruce's hand. Bruce meets him half way.

ROSS
-General Thaddeus Ross..

Bruce winces at the vice-like grip.

BRUCE
(Recovering)
..Thunderbolt..

ROSS
..Only to my friends and my enemies..

This intimidates Bruce as he's not so sure being either is a good thing.

BRUCE
What can I do for you sir?

ROSS
I wanted to talk to you absent of the civilians..

BRUCE
..You're interested in some of my projects?

ROSS
..I had a sit down with Reed Richards recently..

BRUCE
Really? Nice fellow.. His scientific pursuits are a bit too fanciful for my tastes but I have a great deal of admiration for his intelligence..

CUT TO:
INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUOUS

BETTY
..So you know Reed Richards? How did you get on with him?

BRUCE
Good man.. But I couldn't see myself spending too much time with him.. His buddy Ben Grimm makes fun of my preference for purple pants..

BETTY
Yeah.. what's the deal with that, anyway?

BRUCE
Purple is the color of my mother's eyes..

BETTY
Oh..

BRUCE
..That was another joke, Betty.. I need a rimshot in here.. No.. I have a wardrobe of the same type of clothing so I don't have to expend thought on what to wear. ...And purple is pretty..

BETTY
Oh. Gotcha. So.. Back to your first meeting with my father?

BRUCE
Ah yes..

CUT TO:

INT. UCLA PHYSICS DEPARTMENT LABORATORY - CONTINUING
- CONTINUING
ROSS
..Richards' Air Force pal, Ben Grimm mentioned to me about something you said in passing..

Bruce is shaken by the memory.

BRUCE
(pause)
Really? I don't recall..
ROSS
There's only one invention of yours that I'm interested in Banner. The department of defense will finance you.. You'll work in relative freedom, under my supervision.. Perhaps you'll be able to put together something more than theories for some of those gizmos you've got piled up in that catalogue of yours.

BRUCE
..I'm sorry.. I.. I don't know what you're talking about..

Ross studies Bruce with eyes that could melt steel. He calculates.

ROSS
I see. Very well then.

Ross turns away. Talbot makes a disgusted sneer at Bruce, then turns and follows.

Bruce hears their footsteps as they echo toward the door. As the clatter of their footsteps continues, Bruce looks around the empty hall, and then at his catalogue of inventions.

As the footsteps get further away, Bruce begins to feel his last chance at success leaving as well. Against every fibre of good judgement in his being-

BRUCE
General!

Ross turns halfway, puffing on his cigar.

ROSS
(Smugly)
..Yes?

BRUCE
(Sheepishly)
..I think I.. I might know what you're talking about..

CUT TO:

INT. MILITARY BUNKER LEVEL C/BRUCE'S CELL - CONTINUOUS

BETTY
..The Gamma bomb..
BRUCE
..It was only a mental exercise.. It wasn't meant to see the light of day. I only mentioned it to Richards because we were both dangling our brains to see who had the bigger one.. Now I know.. Now the whole world knows how dangerous pissing contests between intelligentsia can be..
(Pause)
The idea was in its way, noble. A bomb that would would emit radiation that would vaporize metal and stone.. But leave organic, living matter unharmed. It's still possible..

BETTY
But the army wasn't interested in noble theory..

BRUCE
No. They wanted pure brute force. And Damn me.. That's what I gave them.

CUT TO:

 

[Sava]

very very good stuff ...

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I think that's the best script (or start of a script) I've seen posted here.

 

[Gamma Burst]

Congratulations,dragon.Great script!I am really looking forward to seeing more of it

 

[TKing]

Ditto. Truly amazing work!

 

[Dragon]

Thanks for giving it a read, guys. Glad you're enjoying it. I'll be posting more pages soon.

 

[TKing]

Cool, cool. I can't wait for more.

 

[Hank Pym]

WOW! Dragon, that was awesome. Keep up the good work.