Innocent

Bystander

Roberto Barrios
December 16, 2008

FADE IN:

EXT: COMMERCIAL STREET - MORNING

 2

Several shops are on the sides of a street with a lot of

traffic. VICTOR, a man who has a mustache and is obese is
walking on the side walk. He is holding a brown bag. He
stops next to a HOMELESS GUY who is sitting on the ground.
Victor takes out a sandwich from the bag and gives it to the
homeless person. The homeless guy has an old radio next to
him.
RADIO ANNOUNCER
(Fade in)
…and in other news the Steel Crusader
has defeated four of the eight members
of the League of Evil. This could …

HOMELESS GUY
(To Victor)
Thank you. God bless you.

RADIO ANNOUCER
…we have just received news that the
Steel Crusader is neck a neck in a fight
against Viperflex and the Trickster…
(Fade out)

Victor continues to walk. He arrives in front of a

restaurant. The top of the restaurant reads: “VICTOR’S
HAMBURGERS, PASTA, AND PIZZA.” Victor’s son ERIK and his two
workers LENNY and RAUL are standing in front of the door to
his restaurant. Both Lenny and Raul are skinny guys who are
wearing white chefs suits. Erik is wearing dress pants and a
dress shirt. He has a briefcase by his side.

VICTOR
Look, it’s three of my favorite people.

LENNY
Yo, Victor how’s it going.

RAUL
Good morning Victor.

ERIK
Hey dad, I was just about to take of to
 3

the University.

VICTOR
Wow, son, I’m so proud of you that you
are about to graduate. You know what I
plan to do?
ERIK
I know dad, you plan to sell the
restaurant after I graduate.

LENNY
Do you really have to sell it?

VICTOR
Yes. Those superheroes are destroying
the city, it’s only a matter of time
before we end up in the rubble.

RAUL
But, what will we do?

VICTOR
I’ll hire you in my new restaurant, in
Hawaii.

LENNY
Wow, really, in Hawaii.

VICTOR
I’m sure there won’t be any Steel
Crusader, Viperflex, Green Menace, or
any of other “heroes” to worry about.

Victor takes out his wallet and 200 dollars from it. He
offers it to Erik.

ERIK
Oh, dad you don’t have to.

VICTOR
Think of it as an investment. You use
this to buy some new clothes that get
you a good job, then you pay for my
 4

retirement.

ERIK
You know they have the Stock Market.

VICTOR
Yea, but the stock market doesn’t make
me bring me pride.
ERIK
Okay dad, thanks, I’ll see ya later.

VICTOR
Okay, make sure you have fun.

ERIK
Alright, I have to go I’ll see you later
you two. Don’t forget the keys again.

RAUL/ LENNY
(to Erik)
See ya later man, take care.

Victor gives Erik a fatherly hug. Erik takes his briefcase

and leaves. Victor, Lenny and Raul enters the restaurant.

CUT TO:

INT: VICTOR’S HAMBURGERS, PASTA, AND PIZZA - MORNING

Victor walks across the kitchen were Lenny and Raul are
Cooking. Victor enters a small office next to the kitchen.
He looks through some bills. He pauses to look at a picture
in an ad for a house in Hawaii. He takes it with him as he
is looking at it and walks to the kitchen. He puts it on a
counter next to a fryer. He then takes a gallon bottle of
oil and pours it onto some fryers. SFX: (O. S.) WINDOW
SHATTERING, AND TABLES AND CHAIRS TIPPING OVER.

Victor is stunned and spills some oil on the AD for the

house in Hawaii. It catches on fire. He tries to get some
water to pour on the flame.

STEEL CRUSADER (O.S.)

 5

You can run but you can’t hide. This is

the last time you try to hurt the good
people of Los Angeles.

VIPERFLEX (O.S.)
Not this time Steel Underwear. I’m
going to squeeze the living juices out
of you.

Victor walks toward the dining area. The window panels are
destroyed and some of the tables and chairs are tipped over
or broken. In the center of the dining area VIPERFLEX is
holding the STEEL CRUSADER tight by the back.

The Steel Crusader is a muscular superhero with silver

tight-fitting clothes and an insignia with “SC” on his
chest. Viperflex is a super villain with black tight-fitting
clothes.

Viperflex opens his mouth to bite the Steel Crusader with

his fangs, but the Steel Crusader Grabs Viperflex and throws
him into the kitchen, to the right of where Victor is
standing. The wall is broken.

Viperflex emerges from the rubble and throws a table to the

Steel Crusader, but the Steel Crusader dodges it easily.
Victor grabs a plate that is next to him on a table and
throws it to Viperflex. Then he throws another plate to the
Steel Crusader.

THE STEEL CRUSADER

Hey!

VICTOR
Why don’t you take it outside?

VIPERFLEX
You want a piece of this.

Viperflex gets angry and starts walking toward Victor. The

Steel Crusader uses this opportunity to grab Viperflex and
throw him into another part of the restaurant. Lenny and
Raul appear on the Entrance and pull the stunned Victor
 6

towards the exit.

LENNY
Come on. Don’t be a hero.

Lenny and Raul pull Victor out of the restaurant.

CUT TO:

EXT. RESTAURANT - DAY

Victor, Raul and Lenny are running from the restaurant.

Then VIPERFLEX is thrown out of the restaurant through the
corner. The restaurant collapses, then the Steel crusader
gets out of the rubble. He picks up Viperflex who is badly
hurt.

CUT TO:

EXT. RESTAURANT - LATER

Victor is sitting on the back an ambulance. There are cops

and firemen all over the place and their vehicles. The
paramedics are talking to Victor. Just then the INSURANCE
CLAIMS GUY, a man in a suit, walks up to Victor. He is
looking through a stack of papers.

VICTOR
So what kind of coverage do I get?

INSURANCE CLAIMS GUY

(Looking at papers)
Well… you have coverage for fire,
robbery, flood…. But…. I see nothing for
“Superhero Damage.”

VICTOR
“Superhero Damage,” are you kidding me?

INSURANCE GUY
 7

Well… ever since the League of Evil

bowed revenge on the Steel Crusader we
set up a new clause for insurance
coverage.

VICTOR
That’s preposterous. Look my restaurant
was destroyed. You’re supposed to fix
it. It’s why I got the insurance.

INSURANCE GUY
I’m sorry sir but yelling at me won’t do
you any good. There’s nothing I can
do.

VICTOR
But! but…
(More calmly)
my restaurant. What am I going to do?

INSURANCE GUY
Maybe you could go after the Steel
Crusader. I don’t know. I’ can’t help
you with this.

Victor looks away from the Insurance guy. He does not say
anything more, he looks depressed.

CUT TO:

INT. VICTOR’S HOUSE’S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Victor is sitting in the dinner table. Only the background

changes. Victor has the same look and he is in same framing
as in the end of the previous scene. His wife, KENIA, is
standing by his side. KENIA is slender, has dark hair and
she wears a bracelet on her left arm.

KENIA
Victor, you have to eat something. It’s
not so bad. We’ll recover.
 8

VICTOR
All this food reminds me of my
restaurant.

KENIA
Forget the restaurant, you’re still
alive. Be glad that you’re not hurt.

VICTOR
It was all I had. I don’t know what I’m
going to do now.

KENIA
Well you can sit there moping all you
want or you can look at the positive
side. Your son is about to graduate
from the university and I’m sure…

In the wall of the kitchen THE PHONE RINGS. Kenia

picks it up.

KENIA
Hi Erik. We have some bad news. The
restaurant it- Huh….Derailed…are you
okay…oh can you still make it to school…
no… too late…so what are you going to
do?…..Okay I guess we’ll see you
tomorrow… Bye, take care. I love you.

Kenia hangs up the phone. She looks upset.

KENIA
(continues. To Victor)
It was Erik. The Steel Crusader was in
a fight close to the train tracks and
the train was derailed. Erik will not
be able to make it to classes this year.
He’ll have to postpone the whole
semester.

VICTOR
First the restaurant. Now this! Well
 9

tomorrow I’m going to file a complaint.

The Steel Crusader is going to pay.

CUT TO:

INT. VICTOR’S BEDROOM – Morning

Victor is next to his bed tying up his shoelaces. He is

wearing dress pants and a dress shirt.

KENIA (O. S.)

Honey, breakfast is ready.

VICTOR
Okay thanks I’ll be right there.

Victor finishes tying up his shoelaces. The phone RINGS.

Victor picks it up.

VICTOR
Hello… hi Trish. Yea… I am going to
the party…

Victor looks at a colorful gift bag. On the tag it says

“Happy Birthday Mauricio, Love Grandpa and Grandma.”

VICTOR
(continues)
I don’t think I’ll make it in time. I’m
going to file a complaint about what
happened yesterday… I know it sounds
absurd, but I have to do something…Okay,
well I’ll see you later… bye.

Victor walks out of the room.

CUT TO:
EXT. POLICE STATION - DAY

Victor enters the parking lot in his sedan, in an area busy

with people and cars. He parks to the side of cop cars.
 10

CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – DAY

Cops are walking from one area or another some with

delinquents. Victor is in front OFFICER JASMINE - a standard
LAPD cop.

OFFICER JASMINE
…so what do you know about this person?

VICTOR
Well, you gotta know that this guy is
not out there to do good he is a petty
thug.

OFFICER JASMINE
So, what’s the name?

VICTOR
You might think of him as a hero, but he
does more did more harm than good. He
destroyed my restaurant.

OFFICER JASMINE
Sir I need to know his name.

VICTOR
The… Steel Crusader.

OFFICER JASMINE
You want to file a complaint on the the
Crusader. Well that’s not really going
to help with your situation.

VICTOR
What? Why?! Can’t you do something
about him he’s wrecking the town and you
know it.
 11

OFFICER JASMINE.
Well, people have filed complaints
before. But think about it, what are we
going to do? Find him and arrest him?
It’s impossible, He’s faster and
Stronger than a hundred men put
together.

VICTOR
But, he is still a citizen; He should
have the same laws that we have.

OFFICER JASMINE
Even if we did try to arrest him the
press and protesters would hassle us for
months. We would be the most hated
police station in the country. I’m
sorry. Do you still want to file a
complaint?

VICTOR
No…. you know what… I’m going to find
him myself…

OFFICER JASMINE
(mockingly)
Okay. Good luck..

Victor exits the police station. Officer Jasmine puts the

forms away. She exhales.

CUT TO:
EXT. POLICE STATION – DAY

Victor Pulls out of the parking lot. He looks at the

present in the back seat of his car. He starts to drive
faster. The light turns yellow, and red before Victor
crosses an intersection. A cop behind Victor’s car turns on
his siren. Victor pulls to the sidewalk.

VICTOR
O no, not today. Now I’m not going to make it in
 12

time.

Victor looks at the present in the back seat. He looks at

the car’s clock and takes a deep breath. He looks at his
rearview mirror. Then he looks at the side of his car. The
cop is not there. He looks forward. The cops car is
almost a block away from him. He sighs in relief.

Victor looks at the distance. He squints and sees a tiny

silver figure fighting a green one with some cops
surrounding it. Victor drives toward the figures in the
distance. They disappear. The cops car that was after
Victor takes a left. Victor drives after it.

CUT TO:

EXT. DAY - STREET INTERSECTION

Victor arrives after the cop arrives to some commotion

involving The Steel Crusader and a green super villain.
Reporters cops and other people are standing around them.
The Steel Crusader is already finishing off the villain.
The villain gets punched one more time then he is handed to
the police. Reporters crowd around the Crusader with
microphones and cameras. Victor tries to get closer to the
Steel Crusader but he is stuck in the back.

VICTOR
Listen, I need to talk to you!

REPORTER 1
Tell us about your amazing feat, how
were you able to defeat the Grim Knight
even when he used his Weakness Ray on
you.

STEEL CRUSADER
Well it wasn’t all that hard I just
searched strength from within.

VICTOR
You wrecked my restaurant and you owe me a lot of
money!
 13

REPORTER 1
At any time were you afraid that…..

REPORTER 2
(interrupting Reporter 1)
Did you at any time stop to consider the
damages you caused in the city.

VICTOR
You better pay up. It’s time you realize
the consequences of your actions.!

REPORTER 3
How do you think you will fair in your
hunt for the rest of the League of
Evil?

STEEL CRUSADER
I think it will be an easy job.

VICTOR
Listen to me.

REPORTER 4
How do you feel about the rumor that you
have a son in Las Vegas?

STEEL CRUSADER
Well I can a sure you that those rumors
are completely false.

REPORTER 5
So, is there a missis Crusader?

The Steel Crusader looks at a particular reporter, LISET -an

attractive female reporter who wears a purple scarf. Victor
looks is no longer trying to get the Steel Crusader’s
attention. He seems calmer. He looks Liset with suspicion.

LISET
Do you pant to continue your chase of
the League of Evil members today?
 14

STEEL CRUSADER
I think I’m done for the day and
hopefully they won’t act up in other
attempts to stop me.

LISET
What happened to your side kick. Is she
still your right hand?

STEEL CRUSADER
Well… she moved to another city where
she was needed and I don’t think I’ll be
seeing her anymore.

LISET
What about the movie that will come out
in two months. Was it your idea to make
the movie?

STEEL CRUSADER
Well I have not heard much about the
movie, in fact…
(Conversation fades to the
background)

Victor looks at one of the cops who is standing close to

him.

VICTOR
Would you happen to know where I can
find the Steel Crusader.

COP
I would have no idea, he’s always
running.

VICTOR
I’m never gonna get my restaurant back.

MAN NEXT TO THEM

You’re not alone.
 15

The man looks at his car which has a big cavity on it.
Victor looks at it. Then he looks back at the Crusader and
the reporters with an anxious look. The Crusader leaves
towards from the crowd of reporters. Victor looks Liset and
walks toward her.

VICTOR
Excuse me, would you happen to know
where I can find the Steel Crusader.?

LISET
I have no idea. He’s very elusive…. I
wouldn’t know

VICTOR
Oh, it just seemed like you knew him
well.

LISET
Well, sorry…

She walks toward her van. Her camera guy walks with her.
He is holding a camera in one hand.

VICTOR
(to camera guy)
Would you happen to know where I can
find the Steel Crusader?

CAMERA GUY
I can tell you. But, informing people is
my job.

The camera guy makes a money gesture with his hand. Victor
takes out his wallet. There’s fifty dollars in it, but
nothing more. He hands it to the camera guy.

CAMERA GUY
The reporter’s name is Liset. I heard
from coworkers that he’s been spotted
meeting in dark alleys at night, close
to the station or her house. She lives
 16

near the corner of Figueroa and

Alvarado.

The camera guy takes out a card with the news station’s
address on it. He hands it to Victor.

VICTOR
Nice doing business with you.

CAMERA GUY
You didn’t hear it from me.

The camera guy gets in the van. Victor looks at the

distance where the Crusader left. He looks at the time in
his phone. He walks away.

CUT TO:

EXT. VICTOR’S HOME - DUSK

Victor drives his car up the driveway. His house is in an

suburban setting. The street is peaceful and quiet.

CUT TO:

INT. VICTOR’S LIVING ROOM - DUSK

Kenia is praying a rosary. Victor walks in the living room

and sits down on the couch.

KENIA
(praying)
… forever and ever Amen.
( to Victor, in a sad tone)
I have some bad news.

VICTOR
(In a fed up with bad news tone)
Oh, no.

Victor puts his hand on his head.

 17

KENIA
It’s your grandson. Mauricio is in the
hospital.

VICTOR
What happened?

KENIA
He was trying to attempt a stunt that
the Steel Crusader does. He tried to
jump from one building to another.

VICTOR
(to himself)
I should have been there.

KENIA
He’s going to an expensive operation.

VICTOR
What kind of operation?

KENIA
To readjust his severed spinal disks.
Without it he won’t be able to walk
again.

VICTOR
Can Trish and her husband pay for it?

KENIA
No, that’s the problem.

Victor looks into space. He doesn’t say anything

for a little while. He becomes angry.

VICTOR
It’s all the Steel Crusader’s fault. If
it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be in
this predicament.

KENIA
 18

Yea, but what are we going to do?

VICTOR
I don’t know but I’m not going to stand
around and let that man ruin our lives!

KENIA
What about your grandson? You should
pay a little more attention to him.

VICTOR
….You’re right… we should go see him

KENIA
We can’t, visiting hours are over.

VICTOR
We’ll go tomorrow then.

CUT TO:
INT: HOSPITAL - DAY

Victor enters a hospital were MAURICIO is sleeping in the

hospital bed. Mauricio is a boy of about 11 years old. He
has a short hair cut and he is thin. He wakes up.

VICTOR
Hey, fella.

MAURICIO
Hey, gramps.

VICTOR
I bet you thought you could fly.

MAURICIO
No, I was just trying to jump to another
building.

VICTOR
It’s hard when you’re not a cricket to
jump high.
 19

MAURICO
Are you mad at the Steel Crusader.

VICTOR
I’m just not very happy with him right
now.

MAURCIO
It was stupid. I know I can’t jump
high.

VICTOR
Well, you never know until you try.
It’s not stupid.

MAURICIO
It was stupid. And you know, I bet
doing stupid things, the Steel Crusader
will also end up in the hospital.

VICTOR
Maybe, you’re right, Mauricio. Maybe
you’re right.

MAURICIO
See, he destroyed your restaurant, then
he destroyed my uncle’s train. I bet he
will do another stupid thing that will
end him up in the hospital. So you
shouldn’t’ be so mad at him.

VICTOR
But isn’t he supposed to be invincible?

MAURICIO
Everybody has a weakness.

CUT TO:

INT: CAR - LATER

Victor is in his car, he is looking at the paper with the

address that was given to him before. He looks outside to
 20

an office building. With window panels for walls on the

first floor.

CUT TO:

INT: OFFICE BUILDING - A MOMENT LATER

Victor is inside the building he walks to a female

RECEPTIONIST dressed in a casual attire. She hangs up a
phone and looks toward victor.

VICTOR
Hi I was wondering if Liset was working
right now.

RECEPTIONIST
Actually, she’s about to leave now,
maybe you could wait for her here.

VICTOR
No it’s fine.

CUT TO:

EXT: OFFICE BUILDING - A MOMENT LATER

Victor is standing close to the door reading a newspaper. A

moment later Liset walks out with a man next to her. The
man is the Steel Crusader with dress shirt and dress pants
on. Victor looks up from the newspaper to the couple. The
couple is walking away. He looks at the man and squints
suspiciously. He puts away his newspaper under his arm and
walks after the couple.

When they start to cross the street a car speeds towards

them. Liset looks away in fear. The Steel Crusader stops it
with his hand and creates a dent on it. Victor looks what
happened with surprise. The Crusader holds Liset so they
could keep walking. She does not notice the dent. They all
continue to walk.
 21

After they cross the street a MAN IN A DARK TRENCH COAT,

with an evil look walks next to the car. He looks at the
dent. Then speeds toward the couple, going after Victor and
the couple.

CUT TO:

EXT: LUIS’S CAFÉ - LATER

Liset and the Crusader enter a restaurant that has tables in

the open. On the top part of the restaurant are the letters
LUIS’S CAFÉ. People enjoying their food can be seen through
the windows. Victor peeks over the corner of the
restaurant. Then hurriedly walks into the entrance.

After that, the sinister man, in a trench coat, from before

walks into the restaurant also.

CUT TO:

INT: LUIS’S DINNER - LATER

The couple leaves the ordering counter to go sit down.

Victor looks at them go. A CASHIER is standing in front of
a counter. He is wearing a blue baseball cap backwards.

CASHIER
Excuse me sir are you going to order
today?

VICTOR
Well yea, yea just get me a…

CASHIER
Sir, sir are you okay? You seem out of
it.

VICTOR
Yea, I’m not myself. I just lost my
restaurant.

CASHIER
 22

Really? you know you should read the

sign outside, Luis is looking for a new
manager.

VICTOR
Oh, I’ll look into it. Just get me…a…
I’ll order later

CASHIER
Okay…

Victor looks at the direction of Liset and Crusader. He goes

to sit down in back of where they are sitting. He opens up
his newspaper. He leans back to where Liset and the
Crusader are sitting.

THE CRUSADER
So what do you think? Are you ready to
take this relationship further.

LISET
… to tell you the truth… I’m not sure if
I want to start a reationship…with you.
You see…

THE CRUSADER
Why? what’s wrong?

LISET
…hmm… I’m in love. I’m in love with
someone else.

THE CRUSADER
Oh, who is it?

LISET
I can’t tell you…. I gotta go, I have
to get groceries.

THE CRUSADER
 23

Okay, I’ll walk you there, I have to go

also

Victor gets a call on his cellphone.

VICTOR
(To cellphone)
Hello…what…he’s in a coma? Oh no…

Victor looks at his cell phone; then at Liset and the

Crusder who are getting up. Then back at his cell phone.
He leaves the restaurant running. Right before getting out,
he looks at his the couple.

CUT TO:

INT: HOSPITAL - LATER

Mauricio is in bed with breathing tube on his nose. He is

unconscious. The heart monitor is BEEPING and the
respirator is making a WHOOSHING IN AND OUT sound. Victor
enters. He quickly gets on the side of Mauricio’s bed. He
weeps.

VICTOR
Oh, Mauricio. My poor boy.
It was all my fault.
If only I hadn’t been so preoccupied.
Now, what’s going to happen?

You know what. I’m tired of this.

I’m going to find the Steel crusader,
you’re getting that operation!

CUT TO:

EXT: BEST SHOP PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Victor’s car is parked. Victor gets out of the car. He

looks around. Then he walks towards the store.

CUT TO:
INT: BEST SHOP - LATER
 24

Victor looks around the store. He walks looking from isle

to isle, all the way to the end.

CUT TO:

EXT: GRACIOUS GROCERIES PARKING LOT - LATER

Victor’s parks. He gets out of the car. He looks around.

Then he walks toward the store.

CUT TO:

INT: GRACIOUS GROCERIES - LATER

Victor looks around the store. He walks looking

from isle to isle, all the way to the end.

CUT TO:

EXT: SEASONAL EATS PARKING LOT - LATER

Victor’s parks. He gets out of the car. He looks around.

Then he walks toward the store.

INT: SEASONAL EATS - LATER

CUT TO:

Victor looks around the store. He walks looking from isle

to aisle, all the way to the end. He walks toward the exit
then spots Liset on the register. He gets out of the store.

CUT TO:

EXT: PARKING LOT - LATER

Victor waits in his car. Liset exits the store. He starts

his car and follows her slowly in to a dark alley in the
back of the parking lot. After the first turn Liset looks
 25

in back of her with suspicion. Victor has not made the

turn jet.

Then she turns around and the door to a van opens up. The
man in the trench coat from before and a bulky GOON, with a
ski mask on and a dark thermo shirt, grab her. She
struggles, the thermo guy grabs her mouth, and they both
pull her into the van.

Victor sees this as he makes the turn. He tries to get his

phone. The van speeds up. Victor follows it with his car.
He drops his phone in the car.

CUT TO:
EXT: ABANDONED WAREHOUSE : NIGHT

The van drives into a warehouse. The warehouse has signs

of wear, some windows broken, drums, and pieces of wood
around it. Victor parks his car across the warehouse close
to another warehouse. He gets out of the car. He looks
for his phone on the floor of the drivers side. He gets it
and dials 911.

VICTOR
Hello, I’m in Woodshed Storage. A lady
was taken by force to a warehouse.

Victor looks at the to of the warehouse. A51 is written on

top of the big doors.

VICTOR
(continued)
It’s warehouse A51. Can you come quick,
I think she might be in danger… Okay.

As soon as Victor closes his phone he hears a SCREEM coming

from the warehouse. Victor looks at the corner were the
entrance to the warehouses is. Then he looks at the
warehouse. He panics, and goes toward the warehouse.

He stands next to the door and peeks in. He can see a bunch
of electronic things and cables running all over the place.
 26

When he peeks in more he notices that there is a jar with

green liquid inside it.

Then he notices a weird contraption that looks like a

futuristic canon. It’s missing a cover on one side.
Attached to it is a electronic backpack component that has a
baterry and cilinders on it. It has handles so it can be
carried.

In front this cannon is the man in the trench coat from

before. He is standing in front of a camera. His name is
DARK TRENCH. He is bald and has a goatee and a scar on his
right eye.

DARK TRENCH
Steel Crusader, you have beaten enough
of my brethren and I think it’s time
that I get some payback.

The DARK TRENCH man looks to his side. Close to the wall,
Liset is on the floor tied up.

LISET
Crusader don’t listen to him!

Victor looks in more and notices that the ski-masked goon is

standing there. The goon looks toward Victor. Victor
quickly goes behind the door. The goon goes outside to look
for Victor. He keeps on going and does not bother to look
behind the door.

INT: WAREHOUSE 51: NIGHT

Victor cautiously enters the warehouse. The Dark Trench is

too busy talking to the camera to notice Victor. Victor
goes to Liset and starts to untie her. He notices a gun on
top a crate close to her. He hesitates for a second before
picking it up.

The goon goes back inside. Victor panics. He raises the

gun . It shakes in his hand when he points it to the goon.

VICTOR
 27

Tur, turn around.

The goon turns around. He uses picks up a piece of wood

that is leaning on the wall to hit the goon. The goon is
knocked out.

DARK TRENCH
Turn around.

Victor slowly turns around. He points the gun at the Dark

Trench . The Dark Trench has the arm cannon on his hand.
The inside of the shaft is glowing. It is still attached to
the electronic backpack that is on the table.

VICTOR
Let her go.

DARK TRENCH

Do you realize you are in no position to

make demands.

Victor continues to point the gun. The Dark Trench raises

the cannon and fires at Victor. A white glowing all comes
out of the cannon. But it misses and hit’s a support beam
from the warehouse. The beam banishes.

The Dark Trench taps his cannon with his other hand. Then
he moves toward Victor. The cannon unplugs from the
backpack.

Victor puts away the gun in his belt. He goes to finish

untying Liset and finishes. The warehouse begins to
collapse. They both run towards the door of the warehouse.

CUT TO:

EXT: WAREHOUSE - A MOMEN LATER

Victor escapes from the warehouse.

LISET
(Screaming)
 28

Ahhhh

Victor turns around a metal beam is on Liset’s foot.

Victor uses all the strength he has to take it off. Liset
takes moves her foot away. She tries to get up but she
can’t. Victor helps her up and holds her from the shoulder.
They slowly walk towards Victor’s car.

Just as Liset and Victor are about to get in the car, the
Dark Trench arises from the rubble. He has the electronic
backpack on his back and the cannon on his hand. Victor
quickly puts Liset in the car. Then he gets in also.

When Victor and Liset drive off the Dark Trench aims the gun
at the car and fires. The passenger’s side back tire
disintegrates. The car swerves to a stop. Victor is
delirious. He takes out the gun from his belt. He opens
the door and falls to the ground.

Meanwhile the Dark Trench is almost at the door of the car.

DARK TRENCH
Get out of the car!

LISET
(scared)
I - I cant.

He fires at the door with the cannon. It banishes.

Meanwhile Victor is a little better adjusted. He sneaks his
way to the back of the Dark Trench

DARK TRENCH
I really don’t want to do this, but your
precious boyfriend should have known
what a vault full of money is worth.
This is your last chance.

VICTOR
She said she can’t!
 29

Victor shoots the Dark Trench in the backpack. It makes a

HISSING sound. The Trench Coat Man quickly turns around.
He CLICKS the cannon to fire. It does not fire. Victor
raises the gun.

DARK TRENCH
Are you really willing to shoot me, an
unarmed man. You don’t have the guts.

VICTOR
No, but they will.

He nods his head toward a couple of cops that have their car
door’s open and are using them as cover. They are pointing
their guns at the Dark Trench . More cop cars are arriving
to the scene.

Victor puts the gun down and walks toward Liset.

The Dark Trench points the cannon at the cops and then
CLICKS it. Then he throws it at the ground and turns
around. The cops quickly go to arrest the Dark Trench.
Victor is with Liset.

VICTOR
You’re gonna be okay.

CUT TO:

INT: HOSPITAL - DAY

Victor has a is carrying two get well soon balloons. He

enters a hospital room. He stops at the doorway. The Steel
Crusader in street clothes is with Liset. He has some
flowers in his hand.

MAURICIO (O.S.)
…I bet he will do another stupid thing
that will end him up in the hospital…

Victor puts his hand on his chin. Then he looks toward

 30

Liset. The Steel Crusader hands the flowers to Liset.

LISET
Thank you. This is a nice gesture…
but…

The Steel Crusader takes out his mask from his pocket.

THE STEEL CRUSADER

Liset: I’m the Steel Crusader

Liset is astonished. Her expression changes to a blank one.

LISET
Leroy, I’m not in love with you, or the Steel
Crusader. I told
you I’m in love with someone else.

Just then Victor comes barging in to where they are talking.

VICTOR
You have some nerve. First you destroy
my restaurant, then you destroy my son’s
train, then my is in a coma thanks to
you!

THE STEEL CRUSADER

Woa, woa, let’s not get so hasty. I’m
sure you got someone else.

VICTOR
Are you not the Steel Crusader? because
you just said you were!

THE STEEL CRUSADER

Okay, okay keep it down…. Hmm…. What
about a fundraiser for victims of
superhero damage!

Victor is impressed, his face lights up. The Steel Crusader

turns to Liset. She also seems happy.

VICTOR
 31

A fundraiser… wow, I have to go tell my

family.

Victor runs out of the hospital room.

CUT TO:
EXT: PARK - DAY

In a park a booths are set up, various chairs and a stage.

In the stage there is a sign that says VICTIMS OF THE LEAGUE
OF EVIL - FUNDRAISER. A band is playing. Close to the
stage is a table that has a sign on it that says donations.

Next to the table is Liset, who is on a wheelchair with a

cast on her leg. Kenia, Victor, TRISH and HER HUSBAND are
also there. Trish has dark her and she is in her early
thirties, she is wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Her husband
wears a flannel shirt and jeans, he is also in his early
thirties.

Erik and the Steel Crusader show up and start walking

towards where Victor and the others are. Liset rides her
weelchair towards them. Victor, Trish and Kenia walk with
her. Liset wheelchairs toward Erik and not the Steel
Crusader. Erik bends down to Hug Liset.

LISET
(To the Steel Crusader)
I told you I was in love with someone
else.

Victor walks to Erik. He gives Erik a hug.

VICTOR
Wow, who would have thought, and she is
attractive too.

ERIK
Yea, dad, I met her before back when I
was a Sophomore.
 32

Victor walks to The Steel Crusader and shakes his hand.

VICTOR
Thank You. I really appreciate you
coming you doing this. I thought I was
going to have to chase you forever.

THE STEEL CRUSADER

You wouldn’t be the first one.

Various ladies are at the distance eying the Steel Crusader.

A bell RINGS. It is from an ANNOUNCER who is on stage.

ANNOUNCER
Thank you all for being here. I have
two announcements to make. We have just
made enough money to fund the operation
for Mauricio, and our Hero just entered
the scene….

The Steel Crusader waves to the crowd.

ANNOUNCER
(continues)
….We just got a call from the hospital,
Mauricio slipped out of his coma and he
is ready for the operation.

LUIS an older man comes to where VICTOR and the others are.
Luis wears a suit. He walks toward Victor and takes out a
set of keys.

LUIS
I’m opening a new restaurant and upon
hearing your tragic news I want you to
run it.

Victor makes puts his hand on his chin to think.

VICTOR
Hmm… well… I can still retire in
Hawaii. I mean who wants to move to
 33

Hawaii to work?

Victor’s companions all CHUCKLE and SMILE. Then VICTOR

takes the keys.

THE STEEL CRUSADER

And besides if something happens to it
we can make another fundraiser.

VICTOR
I think I’ll just get coverage for Superhero
Damage….

Well I have to go see Mauricio. Aren’t

you coming?

KENIA
We should go.

Victor and his family start walking toward the

exit of the park.

FADE OUT