Originally The season 1 finale of Mighty Max was going to be two episodes long at 44 minutes in length but that idea was changed and had to be cut down to one episode. So here we have the original extended alternate version of the Mighty Max season finale with plenty of great scenes missing in the cartoon version. Since it was done so hastily there wasn’t enough time to finetune the actual episode so it seems a bit rushed and this is the reason why. Had the writers known it was going to be one episode they would’ve changed it. As a bonus afte this script there’s also a script from the pilot / firt episode of the Mighty Max cartoon. This was provided by Mark Zaslove and Ken Pontac .
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. BLACK LIMBO – NIGHTMARE
MAX is running in slow motion through a misty black limbo, pursued by a lurching horde of whispering BARNACLE MEN.
BARNACLE MEN
Maxxx…… Maaaaaaxx…
Max looks over his shoulder in horror, gasping with the effort of running through the thick air.
MAX
Huf! Huf!
Barnacled arms thrust up from the ground, tripping Max as he runs towards a glimmer of light in the distance.
MAX
Huf! Huf! Hu…UNGH!
Max lands in front of the source of the glimmering light: the Crystal of Souls! Behind the Crystal stands a laughing SKULLMASTER and his army of demons.
SKULLMASTER
SKULLMASTER
You are mine, Cap-Bearer!!
As Max is overwhelmed by the unstoppable Barnacle Men, his terrified face is reflected in every facet of the Crystal.
MAX
Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!
CUT TO:
INT. MAXS BEDROOM – NIGHT
As Max jackknifes up in his bed, his flailing arms knock the clock radio off of the night stand.
MAX (CONTD)
Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!
Max looks around and gets his bearings.
MAX (CONTD)
Huh! Another nightmare! Third one this week, and its only Monday!
Max picks up the clock radio and looks at it.
MAX (CONTD)
Four in the morning!
He turns on the radio. There is a of static, then the mellow voice of a late night Disk Jockey is heard.
DISK JOCKEY
Youre listening to K-MAX, nighttime 93 A.M. This one goes out to Mighty Max from Virgil.
The song Meet Me In St. Louie, Louie begins to play.
RADIO
Meet me in St. Louie, Louie. Meet me at the fair…
Max begins to pull on his clothes as the Disk Jockey continues over the song.
DISK JOCKEY
And heres how to get there…
CUT TO:
EXT. ST. LOUIS – NIGHT
Max sits next to VIRGIL and NORMAN under a billboard which reads Welcome to St. Louis.
VIRGIL
The meaning of your recurring nightmares is simple to interpret, Mighty One. The unstoppable legions of the doomed Barnacle Men will pursue you forever, until one: their tortured spirits are freed from Skullmasters Crystal of Souls, or two: you are dead (whichever comes first).
MAX
Some choice! The last time we faced off with Skullmaster, we almost got fried.
Max gestures towards a large, comical billboard featuring a gigantic image of a fried chicken surrounded by a group of hungry looking diners who lick their lips with anticipation. The legend on the sign reads: Yum, yum! Git it while its hot!
VIRGIL
Yes, quite. Ahem. We three do not at this time possess sufficient Attributes to successfully storm Skull Mountain, destroy the Crystal of Souls, and escape alive.
MAX
Terrific. So its choice number two? Until you are dead? You meaning me?
VIRGIL
There is another option. A sufficient gathering of Heroes should supply us with the necessary Attributes to tip the Cosmic Balance in our favor.
MAX
What exactly are these Attributes, anyway?
VIRGIL
They are the specific qualities which make a Hero. Normans Attribute is Ferocity, while mine, of course, is Wisdom (although I sometimes wonder if Sophistication and Regal Plumage would also qualify…)
MAX
So, what sparkling properties of Heroism are we, as a group, lacking?
Virgil regards the Sacred Scrolls and begins to speak. As he names the following Heroes, we briefly see them represented in all of their majestic glory.
VIRGIL
From the Danish Hero, Beowulf, we will gain the Attribute of Spirit, while the Apache warrior, Jonayaiyin, will aid us with his legendary Skill. The Wit of the East Indian Monkey King, Hanuman, will prove useful on our Quest, and the Intuition of Mujaji, the African warrior woman, should complete our needs.
NORMAN
(under his breath)
Mujaji!?
MAX
So, besides being barnacle bait, what Attribute do I have thats gonna help?
VIRGIL
Why, you are the Mighty One. You Lead.
MAX
Lead? Me? I gotta tell ya, Virge, Im not too crazy about leading a group of seasoned Heroes into the Netherworld for a quick smash and grab, but…
Max has a rapid flashback of his nightmare.
CUT TO:
EXT. BLACK LIMBO – NIGHTMARE
BARNACLE MAN
Maaaaxxxxxx…..
CUT TO:
EXT. ST. LOUIS – NIGHT
MAX
…all things considered, I am just crazy enough to do it!
VIRGIL
Excellent. Then off we go to Denmark, and a rendezvous with Beowulf of the Mighty Spirit.
CUT TO:
EXT. AUDITORIUM – DENMARK – NIGHT
TIGHT ON a poster proclaiming: Heavyweight match of the Century! Beowulf, the Great Dane, vs. the Savage Stevedore! The faces of the two wrestlers are shown on the poster. Beowulf, the Great Dane, wears a ridiculous dog mask, while the Stevedore looks like an ancient, grizzled seaman. PULL BACK to reveal further text: Däs High Schøøl Dänse this Friday.
MAX
Beowulf is wrestling in a High School auditorium? I am not impressed.
NORMAN
Wrestling is a warriors sport, Mighty One.
MAX
Wrestling is fake, Norman.
NORMAN
Fake!? By all the Powers, is there no honor in the world?
Max and Co. enter the auditorium.
CUT TO:
INT. AUDITORIUM – NIGHT
Max and Co. sit down on rickety folding chairs at ringside. The cheesy auditorium is almost completely without spectators. The match between BEOWULF and the STEVEDORE is already in progress.
NORMAN
Tear his arm off, Beowulf!
Max watches with a skeptical expression on his face as the overweight and sluggish Beowulf goes down in defeat to the peg-legged, one-eyed Stevedore.
STEVEDORE
Har! Got ye!
BEOWULF
Hwooop!
MAX
Now Im really not impressed. Were supposed to take on Skullmaster with guys like that? I thought he was a Hero, instead of a bum, which is what he is, lets face it.
CUT TO:
INT. LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT
A dispirited Beowulf is getting berated by his sleazy, cigar chomping MANAGER.
MANAGER
Yer a bum! A loser! A no good, has been, on the ropes fall guy from Punch Drunk, Palookaville!
BEOWULF
(hanging his head)
Are you displeased?
MANAGER
Displeased? Displeased? You cant even fill a High School auditorium in a Podunk town in Denmark! Im not displeased, Im disgusted!
The Manager storms out.
MANAGER
(over his shoulder as he exits)
Get yerself another Manager, Jerky ! Ive had enough!
As if on cue, Max and Co. enter the locker room.
BEOWULF
(to Max)
Duhhh…are you my new Manager?
VIRGIL
In a manner of speaking, yes. This is Mighty Max, the Cap-Bearer. He is here to Lead you on a noble Quest.
MAX
(with a wry tilt of his head)
Charmed.
BEOWULF
(squinting at Max)
I recognize the Cap. There is much of your father in you, Mighty One.
VIRGIL
(side of his mouth)
Ix-nay on the ather-fay!
BEOWULF
Forgive me, Wise Chicken, but I have given up on Questing and Heroing and all suchlike dangerous pursuits. A man could get hurt!
Max regards the dejected, browbeaten Beowulf with a critical eye.
MAX
I dunno, Virgil. Were supposed to storm Skull Mountain with a big fat loser like this? Maybe we could drop the slob on Skullmaster or something…
NORMAN
He was a great warrior, once.
Beowulf hangs his head, wringing his wrestling mask in his hands.
MAX
Thats just it! I cant believe that this is the same guy who swam against Brecca, fighting sea monsters the whole time! Who tore off Grendels arm in Hrothgars hall! The guy I read about and glorified in school!
BEOWULF
Glorified? Me? You..you shame me, Mighty One.
MAX
(under his breath)
Thats the idea.
(wistfully, to Beowulf)
Just another golden idol from my childhood, tarnished beyond hope of repair….
As Max wipes an invisible tear from his eye, Beowulf throws his wrestling mask on the floor.
BEOWULF
Enough! I can still muster the old Spirit and join you, Mighty One.
Beowulf removes his armor from a battered gym bag and begins to put it on. As he does so, a remarkable transformation takes place in him. He slowly straightens his slumped shoulders as his despondency falls away from him like an old cloak. He roars with giant laughter.
BEOWULF (CONTD)
(bellowing)
HA HA HA!!!
The room fairly crackles with joy and vitality as his Spirit is regained.
MAX
Wow!
NORMAN
(to Beowulf)
Well done, my brother!
VIRGIL
And well done to you, Mighty One. Your thorough knowledge of the Beowulf saga is proof that our beleaguered educational system is still doing a fine job.
MAX
Actually, I could never get all the way through the boring thing, so I just read the Classic Comics version.
As they begin to exit:
CUT TO:
EXT. INDIAN RESERVATION – AFTERNOON
Max and Co. are met with suspicious stares and unfriendly mutters from the LOCAL NATIVES as they search among the run-down bungalows for Jonayaiyin.
LOCAL NATIVES
(mutter walla) Whatre they doin here? / Stinkin’ palefaces!
MAX
They sure make you feel welcome here.
A SKINNY YELLOW MUTT barks loudly and incessantly at Max.
MAX (CONTD)
(to Virgil)
Why would a great warrior like Jonayaiyin live in a dump like this?
Looking at Virgil as he walks, Max doesnt see a huge wall of muscled red flesh until he bumps into it.
MAX (CONTD)
Oof!
MAXS POV – Slow pan up to reveal the GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE that Max has bumped into. Backlit by an electric blue sky and dramatic thunderclouds, he is every inch an impressive specimen of Native American manhood.
GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE
Maybe he lives here because he has no other choice. What do you want with Jonayaiyin?
MAX
(to Virgil)
Now, this guy looks like a Hero!
(to Gigantic Young Brave, laying it on thick)
We need the legendary Skill of Jonayaiyin to aid us on a noble Quest.
LOCAL NATIVES
Haw ha haw! / Legendary Skill! / Some joke!
GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE
Jonayaiyins Skill left him long ago.
MAX
Huh? But…youre huge!
GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE
Jonayaiyin is my great-great-great-great-great grandfather.
MAX
Great! Where can we find him?
The Gigantic Young Brave points to a nearby mountain top.
GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE
The Ancient Warrior has gone to the mountain top to die.
MAX
(under his breath)
Its always something…
(to the Heroes)
Okay, guys. Looks like weve gotta talk down a jumper.
Max and Co. exit.
GIGANTIC YOUNG BRAVE
Hey! You cant go up there!
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN TOP – AFTERNOON
Max and Co. find JONAYAIYIN sitting on the mountain top, surrounded by his discarded weapons and accouterments, among them a long coil of rope which will come in handy later. The once-mighty Hero is now a withered old man, slowly breaking arrows with his palsied, shaking hands, and chanting nostalgic songs about his past deeds.
JONAYAIYIN
(chanting)
By the shores of Gitchi Gumie, etc. (Note to Mark: Real chant to come after some research)
MAX
(aghast)
Thats Jonayaiyin!? Hes a fossil! Look at the lines around his eyes!
CLOSE UP on Jonayaiyins incredibly wrinkled eyes as we hear Max continue VO:
MAX (CONTD)
Now I know what they mean when they talk about Crowfeet Indians! Were supposed to go into battle with him?
Jonayaiyins eyes widen at the sound of the word battle. PULL BACK to a medium shot as he objects to Max.
JONAYAIYIN
(wearily)
Battle, you say? I am no longer fit for battle. I have lost my Skill and am too old to be a Hero. My grandsons have said so. The women have said so. I will end my days with dignity, not as a laughing stock for the young braves.
MAX
Granted, youre no spring chicken, but neithers Virgil here! Hes ten thousand years old and still going strong. If he says that youre the guy for the Quest, then I believe him.
JONAYAIYIN
No! I am used up! Skill-less! It is time for me to go to the Happy Hunting Grounds!
MAX
But…
Maxs POV as Jonayaiyin scoops up his bow, notches an arrow, and aims at Max.
JONAYAIYIN
NO!!!
MAX
Okay! You win! Dont…
(SLOW MOTION): Jonayaiyin fires his arrow.
CU on Maxs astonished face as the arrow flies towards him.
ON ARROW as it approaches Max.
CU on RATTLESNAKE, rearing back to strike at Max!
CAMERA FOLLOWS SNAKE forward as the viper strikes, then FOLLOWS SNAKE backwards as the arrow pins it to a tree . (END SLOW MOTION)
RATTLESNAKE
Hisssssssssss…
MAX
…shoot!
VIRGIL
A most impressive display of Skill, warrior.
NORMAN
Indeed.
BEOWULF
A joy to behold!
As if he had never intended to die on the mountain top, Jonayaiyin stands and begins to don his fighting regalia. His stooped shoulders broaden with pride, and the quaver fades from his voice.
JONAYAIYIN
A childs feat. Why I recall when I faced ten of the Eye Killers with but a single arrow…now, that needed Skill!…
(RUN AD LIBS OVER MAX AND VIRGIL DIALOGUE):
Then there was my famous battle against Big Monster…half as tall as the tallest fir he was…I cut him down to size!…Hacked his head off and threw it to the East where it took root and became Cabezon Peak!…Did I tell you how I dodged Bear Maidens claws?
MAX
(to Virgil)
Looks like weve got our second Hero.
VIRGIL
Truly. It was clever of you to stand next to the rattlesnake, Mighty One.
MAX
(glancing at the dead snake with a shudder)
Yeah, well, its always good to have a plan, yknow.
JONAYAIYIN
(VO)
Then there was the time when old Coyote Trickster tried to trap me in the water jar…
As the newly-animated Jonayaiyin jabbers on about his past adventures:
CUT TO:
EXT. NEPAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS – DAY
ON SIGN reading: Nepal Zoological Gardens. PULL BACK to reveal Max and Co. standing in front of the Monkey House. A ZOO FLUNKY rakes up inside the cage. Watching him with a bored expression is HANUMAN. The once-mighty Monkey King resembles a flea-bitten gorilla with a tail as he lolls about the dirty floor of his hutch, scratching himself and eating bananas. The Zoo Flunky leaves his rake in a pile of grass clippings on the floor of the cage, then exits.
VIRGIL
(grandly)
Behold Hanuman, the Monkey King!
HANUMAN
MAX
(to Virgil)
Youre kidding! This flea-bitten Chimpanzee is a Hero? Whats he gonna do, throw banana peels at Skullmaster?
VIRGIL
Truly, Mighty One, he is a lion among monkeys.
MAX
Thats what hes doing, all right, a-lyin among monkeys.
(to Hanuman)
Yo! Cheetah! You gone native or something? We need your obviously scintillating Wit to back us up on a Heroic Quest.
HANUMAN
(picking his toes or something)
Sorry to disappoint you, Mighty One, but Ive given up the strenuous and uncertain life of a Hero for the ease and luxury provided by the zoo.
VIRGIL
Oh, dear…
HANUMAN
Yeah, three hots and a cot, and I even get cable TV piped in by an anthropologist whos trying to teach me to talk!
(conspiratorially)
They show nature movies!
Max and Virgil exchange a look.
HANUMAN (CONTD)
And th babes…!
Hanuman gestures toward a skanky-looking PACK OF GIRL MONKEYS, posing coquettishly in a corner.
MAX
Weve gotta bust him out of here post haste!
NORMAN
Whether he wants it or not!
Beowulf looks around, makes sure nobody is watching, and bends the bars of the cage wide enough to slip through. He and the others enter the cage.
Beowulf reaches for Hanuman.
BEOWULF
Duty calls, Hanuman.
The clever Monkey King eludes Beowulfs grasp and leads him towards the rake, which is hidden under a pile of grass clippings.
HANUMAN
Dont try your strong arm stuff on me, ya lummox!
Beowulf steps on the rake, which snaps to attention and him in the face.
BEOWULF
Yowch!
Jonayaiyin grabs the rake and attempts to sweep Hanuman off of his feet.
JONAYAIYIN
Hah!
Hanuman leaps over the rake and lands on Normans head.
HANUMAN
Ha ha, yourself, Chief Among My Irritations!
NORMAN
Hup!
Norman blindly grabs for Hanuman, but the dodging Monkey King snatches a nearby bowl of gruel off of a shelf and places it in Normans questing hands instead.
NORMAN (CONTD)
Got you!
Norman inverts the bowl and pulls it over his head like a helmet. Sticky mush pours down his face, blinding him.
HANUMAN
Monkey with me, will ya?
NORMAN
Ugh! Im all sticky!
Max picks up a banana, peels it, and tosses the peel at Hanuman as the Monkey King leaps off of Normans head.
HANUMAN
Whooop!
Hanuman lands on the peel, slips, and falls on his face.
The stunned Hanuman is tied up with Jonayaiyins long rope.
HANUMAN (CONTD)
(groggily)
I wanna talk ta my lawyer…
While the Heroes deal with Hanuman, Max unearths the Monkey Kings battle helmet from under a pile of trash. Its soiled and rusty.
Max places the helmet on Hanumans head.
MAX
(almost to himself)
Sometimes you gotta be a Hero whether you want it or not…
The lab-coated ANTHROPOLOGIST enters, carrying a clipboard.
HANUMAN
Help! Kidnapping! Call the cops! Call 911!
ANTHROPOLOGIST
(ecstatically excited)
He can talk! Eat your heart out, Jane Goodall!
As the Anthropologist throws her clipboard into the air, our Heroes beat a hasty retreat and we:
CUT TO:
EXT. AFRICAN PLAINS – DAY
Max and Co. emerge near a scene of imminent confrontation. On one side is a large, ROGUE RHINO, and on the other is a band of REDNECK HUNTERS in a giant Range Rover (complete with a set of those tacky longhorns that Texans put on the hoods of their Cadillacs). Between these two groups is an angry-looking black woman in a three piece suit. The woman is MUJAJI, also known as She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. At this moment, shes not being obeyed, and she obviously doesnt like it.
REDNECK .. 1
Now, cmon, lil missy. We come all the way from Dallas Texas to git the horn offn that fancy heifer.
Mujaji holds a sheaf of papers in front of her as she argues with the rednecks.
MUJAJI
(imperiously)
You may not hunt here! You have not filled out the proper forms!
REDNECK .. 2
(impatiently)
Cmon, Leroy. Ah want ta bag me a rhino-saurus.
MUJAJI
I am Mujaji, She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed! You must fill out the forms in triplicate and file them with the Hunting Commission, or incur a sizable fine!
MAX
(sarcastically, to Virgil)
Oooh…scary! I bet those big, mean rednecks are quivering in their clodhoppers. You didnt tell me that Insufferable Bureaucracy was an Attribute, Virgil.
NORMAN
She was not always thus. Civilization has quenched her fire.
Norman strides forward and confronts Mujaji.
NORMAN (CONTD)
Ho, Mujaji. Did we two vanquish the Harpies with a handful of flimsy papers? And whats with the suit? Where are your warriors vestments?
MUJAJI
These are different times, Norman. One must change or perish. I fight my battles with red ink and correction fluid now, but the fight continues. And this suit cost nine hundred dollars, thank you very much.
REDNECK .. 1
Well, Ahll take twelve cylinders of dual port fuel injection over a skinny lil filly wavin a handful of papers any day! What dya say, Elmo?
REDNECK .. 2
Ah say Ah want me a rhino-saurus!
The rednecks gun their engine, and with a grinding of gears, peel out straight at Mujaji and Norman.
Mujaji stands her ground, holding her official documents in front of her like a shield.
Norman leaps to the fray, slicing the whole front end of the vehicle off with his sword.
The Range Rover veers away and crashes into a tree.
NORMAN
Change is affected by the edge of a sword.
MUJAJI
Not any more, it isnt, you great lummox! I dont need any mans help, especially yours!
She gestures at the smashed Range Rover, out of which crawl the stunned rednecks.
REDNECKS
MUJAJI
Now I have to fill out an accident report and file an injunction!
Max steps forward and joins the conversation.
MAX
Well, this is really great! We come all the way to Africa to find a Hero, and we come up with a glorified paper pusher. What are you gonna do, serve Skullmaster with a writ and subpoena the Crystal of Souls from him?
MUJAJI
(slow burn)
Who are you, boy, to question…
(she sees the Cap)
Mighty One! Forgive me, I did not notice…
MAX
Forget it. Youve got nothing we can use, anyway.
(pauses)
Ill give you a call if I ever need a good lawyer.
MUJAJI
(continuing to burn)
You do not understand! I am still a warrior! I merely fight within the system, now.
MAX
Well, while youre up there in your air-conditioned office on the twenty-seventh floor youll have a good view of the real fight when Skullmasters armies come to blow this place away.
NORMAN
(sadly)
She is lost to us, Mighty One.
MUJAJI
I will not stand here and be insulted so! Ill show you what a warrior can do!
She stride to where the rhino stands, nervously pawing the ground with its foot.
ON MAX AND VIRGIL as we hear the of battle as Mujaji assaults the rhino.
MAX
(grimacing)
Ouch! I didnt know a rhinos tail could do that!
NORMAN
(happily)
She has regained her fire.
ON MUJAJI as she stands proudly with her foot on the vanquished rhino. Her breast is heaving, and her expensive suit is torn to shreds.
MUJAJI
(proudly)
Whos a paper pusher?
MAX
Nobody I can see. Welcome to the Quest.
Mujaji takes her foot off of the rhino. The stunned beast rises to its feet. Mujaji pats it fondly on the head and sends it on its way.
MUJAJI
Bye, little fellow. Be good.
The rhino fondly nuzzles Mujaji, then trots off.
MUJAJI
Its nice to be back.
MAX
Its nice to have you.
CUT TO:
INT. MAXS HOUSE – EVENING
As Max and the Heroes make their way to the basement and the One Portal, Virgil goes over the plan.
VIRGIL
Since the One Portal leads directly into the Room of the Crystal, it should be a simple enough matter for us to gain access, destroy the Crystal, and, with the element of surprise on our side, make our way to the Exit Portal and home.
MAX
(gesturing towards the Heroes)
If its gonna be so easy, whyd we spend all day drafting the Dream Team here?
VIRGIL
Oh, merely insurance in the off chance that anything might go unexpectedly wrong.
MAX
(sarcastically)
What could possibly go wrong? Im Leading.
(to himself)
Dont ask me why…
They pass MOM, who is a little shocked to see this gathering of Heroes.
MOM
Max, honey, I made some sandwiches and…oh!
MUJAJI
Ill pass on the sandwich, but Id appreciate the loan of some of your spare armor.
Mujaji points to some cool-looking Frazetta babe tribal armor that Mom has displayed on a mannequin.
MOM
Er…of course!
Mujaji moves towards the armor as Mom continues.
MOM (CONTD)
(to Max)
Max, is everything all right? Who are your friends?
MAX
No time to explain, Mom. Everythings okay…I think.
(he glances at his watch)
Ive really gotta go.
Max impulsively gives Mom a big hug.
MOM
(suspicious)
What was that for, honey?
MAX
Uh, no reason, Mom. No reason at all. Love ya. Bye!
MOM
Max, whats going on?
VIRGIL
Madame, it is time.
Mom puts her hand to her mouth, biting her knuckles. A look of fear and understanding crosses her face.
MOM
(hugging Max fiercely)
I love you, honey. Please be careful!
MAX
(false bravado)
Aint I always?
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT – EVENING
Max and the Heroes stand in front of the One Portal. Max looks at the impressive group of warriors and realizes that hes just a kid. Suddenly, this is more than he can process.
MAX
Well, I guess that this is the point where I give the big morale boosting speech about bravery in the face of overwhelming odds and the superiority of Good over Evil and stuff, but…
(taking off the Cap)
…Virgil, I just dont think I can do this!
VIRGIL
Mighty One?
MAX
(wringing the Cap in his hands)
Stop calling me that! Im not Mighty! Im just a kid! These guys, waiting for me to lead them into Skullmasters jaws, theyre Mighty! I mean, what if I say the wrong thing, or lead us into a trap?
VIRGIL
(putting a feathered hand on Maxs shoulder)
You must do this. It is prophecy. You are Chosen.
MAX
Well, look…what if I just open the Portal, wait here, and you guys can smash the Crystal? I promise I wont budge from this spot till youre back.
VIRGIL
And how would we get back without the Mighty One to open the Exit Portal?
MAX
(holding the Cap out to the Heroes)
You need an exit token? Here!
MUJAJI
I wont take it.
JONAYAIYIN
You are the Mighty One.
BEOWULF
We are your Heroes.
HANUMAN
Whats so complicated about that?
NORMAN
Hmph!
VIRGIL
This is your destiny. Only you could have gathered these Heroes in the first place. You were born to Lead.
Max heaves a sigh and puts the Cap back on his head. He approaches the One Portal, and his Cap begins to glow with ultraviolet light.
The Portal appears in the archway.
MAX
All things considered, Id rather be in Cincinnati.
Max takes a deep breath, and, followed by his six comrades, steps through.
CUT TO:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
A Portal opens, and our Heroes tumble through.
MAX
Okay, the Crystal of Souls should be right…hey! Whats the deal!?
The dais which originally held the Crystal is empty!
MAX
Gone!
NORMAN
Its a trap.
A whole bunch of NASTY LOOKING GUARDS appear from the shadows.
MAX
I told you I wasnt the right guy for the job!
CUT TO:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE NEW ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
Skullmaster watches the proceedings in the facets of the Crystal.
SKULLMASTER
(almost to self)
Greetings, Mighty One. We have been expecting you for… some time.
SKULLMASTER
END ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
Max and the Heroes are surrounded by Skullmasters evil minions. The evil minions are led by the brutish WARMONGER.
WARMONGER
The Master wants the boy alive! Kill the rest!
MAX
Split up and find the Crystal!
The Heroes split into groups as Skullmasters guards attack.
Norman and Mujaji fight their way to an exit, followed by a TWO-HEADED DRAGON.
Jonayaiyin and Hanuman fight their way to another exit, pursued by CRAB CREATURES and SKELETURTLES.
Beowulf and Virgil, hounded by Warmonger, fight their way (well, Beowulf fights) to yet another exit.
Max slips away during the fray; he knows he must find the Crystal…and fast.
MAX
Gotta find the Crystal. Im the one who got us into this; Im the guy whose gonna havta get us out!
Max looks around, considers his options, and decides to climb one of the long stairways that lead to the top of Skull Mountain and, hopefully, the Crystal of Souls.
CUT TO:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE NEW ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
Skullmaster watches Max through the Crystal of Souls.
SKULLMASTER
Thats right, climb to your doom… Watch your precious Heroes fall one by one until only you are left alone.
The Crystal shows Max as he encounters Norman and Mujaji fighting the Two-headed Dragon.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – STAIRS
Max joins Norman and Mujaji as they dispatch the Two-headed Dragon. Mujaji wields a spear, while Norman hacks away (as usual) with his broadsword.
Mujaji lunges with her spear, then reverses its point and uses it as a pole-vaulting pole. She vaults over the monsters heads, avoiding the snapping jaws. Her move positions the Dragon perfectly for Normans next attack.
MUJAJI
They say that two heads are better than one…
ON NORMAN as he swings his sword at the offscreen beast. There is a double , and Norman relaxes with a smile.
NORMAN
Ill take no heads any day.
MAX
You two make a pretty good team.
MUJAJI
Spare me!
NORMAN
Actually, Mighty One…
MUJAJI
(cocking her head)
Wait! I hear the earth screaming!
LAVA BEASTS erupt out of the ground and lumber towards them.
Norman rushes to attack the Lava Beasts. Forewarned by Mujajis alarm, Max is able to dodge the Beasts.
MAX
How did you know that they were coming?
MUJAJI
Intuition, Mighty One. You must open your senses and anticipate the movements of the world.
Norman is bashing away at the Lava Beasts.
NORMAN
And never stop fighting!
MUJAJI
Now, go! Your battle waits ahead.
Max continues up the stairs as Norman and Mujaji hold the rear.
MUJAJI
(to Norman)
Remember that time in Nemedia when you saved me from the lions claws?
NORMAN
I still bear the scars.
Mujaji leaps at Norman and tackles him to the ground as a stream of lava fries the air where he was standing. She lands on top of Norman, her face inches away from his.
MUJAJI
Now were even!
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – FARTHER UP THE STAIRS
Max encounters Jonayaiyin and Hanuman fighting Crab Creatures and Skeleturtles. Without warning, a Crab Creature looms up before Max, its wicked claw poised to strike!
As the Crab Creature attacks, Jonayaiyin Skillfully places an arrow in its one weak spot: the chink in its armor where the arm meets the body. As the Creatures arm goes dead, the menacing claw drops to the ground.
MAX
Nice shooting! Thanks!
JONAYAIYIN
It is nothing, Mighty One. Skill is merely focus. When focus is achieved, you need only release it…
Another Crab Creature goes down as the ancient warrior calmly discharges another shaft, crippling the beast..
JONAYAIYIN
…thus.
As the Crab Creatures fall, Hanuman uses his tail to push the teetering beasts on top of the approaching Skeleturtles. The Monkey King expends as little energy as possible, and avoids any risk or danger to himself.
HANUMAN
Use your Wits, kid. Stay on the high ground and let the other guy do the work for you.
Max huffs and grunts as he pushes a large boulder down the stairs. The boulder smashes into a Skeleturtle. who topples onto a Crab Creature, creating a domino effect which dispatches a whole line of them.
MAX
Voilá! Cracked crab on the half-shell!
JONAYAIYIN
You might not have the most Heroic philosophy, Hanuman, but it does have its merits as far as survival is concerned.
Jonayaiyin takes out another Crab Creature.
HANUMAN
(dispatching more Skeleturtles)
I stick my neck out for no one. Survival is important to me. Since my karma is somewhat shy of spotless, Ill probably be reincarnated as a tapeworm.
(to Max)
Say, kid, dont you have somewhere to go?
MAX
Yeah. Hold the fort here. Ill see you on the way down.
Max continues up the stairs, leaving Jonayaiyin and Hanuman to contend with the remaining attackers.
A Lava Beast erupts below Jonayaiyin and fries the quiver off of his back.
JONAYAIYIN
My arrows!
His quiver destroyed, only the arrow notched in his bow remains.
JONAYAIYIN
(regarding the arrow)
What is your destiny, my final arrow?
CUT TO:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE NEW ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
Skullmaster watches through the Crystal.
SKULLMASTER
Your destiny is the same as the Mighty Ones, old fool. Death!
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – EVEN FARTHER UP THE STAIRS
Max nears the top of the stairs, where he finds Virgil and Beowulf. Beowulf is fighting with and dispatching various monsters, laughing and singing/chanting as he does so.
BEOWULF
(singing/chanting)
I drove five great giants into chains,
Chased all of that race from the earth…Ha!
Beowulf juggles three Rock Monsters and tosses them at a group of approaching Crab Creatures.
VIRGIL
(hiding behind an outcropping)
Mighty One! Beowulf fights with great Spirit, does he not?
Beowulf dispatches more monsters as he continues to sing/chant:
BEOWULF
I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the Ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned…
MAX
Yeah, but hes got a tin ear. Listen, Virgil, Ive gotta feeling that Im getting close to the Crystal.
VIRGIL
Indeed, Mighty One. The teachings of Mujaji are taking hold. The Crystal waits in a cavern at the top of these stairs, as does Skullmaster.
MAX
Skullmaster! Ive gotta face him!? By myself? Why did we recruit all of these Heroes if Ive gotta face Skullmaster by myself?
VIRGIL
You are not alone, Mighty One. The Heroes have allowed you to come this far. They have taught you many things. It is your destiny to face Skullmaster and shatter the Crystal.
MAX
So you keep telling me.
VIRGIL
The fate of a million doomed souls, indeed, of the very world, rests upon your shoulders, Mighty One.
MAX
Great. So its a no-pressure kind of thing, huh? Well, I guess its time to gird my loins, or whatever it is that Heroes do with their loins before they leap into the jaws of death. See ya, Virge.
Max hikes up his pants and begins to climb the stairs.
As if from nowhere, Warmonger appears and moves to intercept Max!
WARMONGER
No need to leap into the jaws of death! Ill carry you there!
MAX
Warmonger reaches towards Max with his huge, taloned hands.
ON MAXS profile as the clutching hand approaches his face.
Beowulfs beefy mitt enters frame and grabs Warmongers arm, twisting it away from Max. The two powerful combatants stand with their arms locked and straining.
WARMONGER
UGNPHHH!
BEOWULF
Ha ha ha! Go to it, Mighty One! Remember, a powerful Spirit will overcome any obstacle!
(to Warmonger)
Let me show you a little trick I once taught a fellow named Grendel…
Max steels himself, then climbs the final stairs to the Crystal.
There is a wet, popping sound offscreen.
WARMONGER (O.S.)
Arrrghhhhh!!!
CUT TO:
EXT./INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE NEW ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
Max stands at the entrance of the cavern which now houses the Crystal of Souls. The only light comes from the strobing images that race across the facets of the Crystal. The Crystal sits on a pedestal in the center of the cavern. Standing behind the Crystal, with his great sword raised to strike, is Skullmaster!
SKULLMASTER
Enter and die.
Skullmaster steps back into the flickering shadows, disappearing from sight. There is only the bellows sound of the monsters breathing to indicate his presence.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
Max takes a tentative step into the cavern. Skullmaster appears out of the shadows, sword raised. Max steps back, and Skullmaster retreats into shadow once more. Max moves forward again, and Skullmaster appears from a different patch of shadow. Stymied, Max withdraws to the cavern opening.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
Forward? Back? There is only one thing you can do…
MAX
(to himself)
Hes right.
The teachings of the four Heroes come together in a quick series of flashbacks in which we see their faces as they impart their lessons.
BEOWULF
Remember, a powerful Spirit will overcome any obstacle!
Max clenches his fists and gathers his Spirit for the courage to act.
MUJAJI
You must open your senses and anticipate the movements of the world.
The sound of Skullmasters is magnified, pinpointing the demons position to Max. The of Skullmasters heart is like the pounding of a massive drum. Time slows to a crawl as Max begins to move.
JONAYAIYIN
When focus is achieved, you need only release it.
SLOW MOTION: With incredible fluidity, Max dives for the Crystal, grabs it, and raises it over his head.
Skullmasters sword comes down at Maxs head.
SKULLMASTER
DIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!
The blade strikes the Crystal, shattering it!
The Crystal explodes with the force of a million freed souls, vaporizing Skullmasters sword before it reaches Maxs head.
Max and Skullmaster are blown to opposite sides of the cavern by the escaping souls. END SLOW MOTION.
HANUMAN
Use your Wits, kid. Stay on the high ground and let the other guy do the work for you.
MAX
Guess I did!
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – LONG SHOT
Beams of swirling light shoot out of Skull Mountains eyes as the triumphant song of a million freed souls fills the air. The Heroes, gathered close to the caverns entrance, look awestruck into the sky at the flight of the singing souls.
CUT TO:
EXT. BOTTOM OF OCEAN – BARNACLE MAN TERRITORY
The doomed whispers of the Barnacle Men become a muted benediction of thanks as they raise their arms and gratefully dissolve into dust.
BARNACLE MEN
Mighty One… / Thank youuuuuu…
A swirling current disperses the fragmented remains into the ocean, and the Barnacle Men are finally free.
CUT TO:
INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – THE NEW ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
An extremely pissed off Skullmaster rises somewhat shakily to his feet and faces Max for a final time. The demons eyes glow red hot with fury as he marshals his energies to rip Max to pieces. Weve never seen him so enraged.
SKULLMASTER
My Crystal! Congratulate yourself in the few seconds of life which remain to you.
Max slowly gets up from the cavern floor. He looks towards the exit, which Skullmaster blocks. No way out! The light from the freed souls which still pour from the shattered Crystal streams around Skullmaster, lighting his face demonically.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
I will teach you a thousand subtle shades of pain. You will beg for death, until I finally lay your steaming heart at my masters table.
ON MAX: grim, focused, and scared to death.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
It was written that this moment would occur. I will see to it that you complete no more prophecy.
Max looks helplessly around, searching for any escape. There is none.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
No tricks, no hope, no matter. You…are already dead.
From behind Skullmaster erupts the snarling form of Hanuman, eyes blazing and fur bristling. The savage Monkey King lands on Skullmaster, biting and clawing.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
Who dares!!?!!
HANUMAN
Run for the hills, kid! Ill hold the fort here!
MAX
You cant beat Skullmaster! Hell kill you!
HANUMAN
Yeah, well, maybe Ill come back as a butterfly!
SKULLMASTER
Prepare to find out, insect!
HANUMAN
Beat it, Max!
Max sobs once and reluctantly leaves.
MAX
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – OUTSIDE CAVERN ENTRANCE
Max joins the remaining Heroes outside the cavern. Much noise and fury issues forth as Hanuman battles Skullmaster.
MAX
Youve gotta help him.
VIRGIL
We may pause to salute his bravery, but his sacrifice cannot be in vain. We must hurry to the Exit Portal.
MAX
But…
VIRGIL
It is the will of the Cosmic Balance, Mighty One.
They turn to leave.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – TOWARDS EXIT PORTAL
The Heroes encounter no opposition on their way to the Exit Portal. Any foes not dispatched earlier are watching the fireworks erupting out of Skull Mountain as the singing souls continue their journey home. HUGE FLYING BEASTS, attracted like moths to a flame, follow the beams of light that shoot out of the Mountains eyes and over the heads of our Heroes.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – NEAR EXIT PORTAL
The Heroes reach the site of the Exit portal and are halted in their tracks. The site of the Exit Portal hovers in the air, thirty feet off the edge of a sheer cliff that ends in an abyss into which a sea of lava pours from a glowing waterfall bigger than Niagara.
VIRGIL
(consulting the Sacred Scroll)
The Exit Portal is approximately thirty feet in that direction.
Virgil points in the air towards the inaccessible Exit Portal.
MAX
Just like last time! How could I forget?
NORMAN
And no digging machines to ride out on like before.
MAX
Some Leader I am! Does anybody here possess the attribute of Flight?
VIRGIL
Dont look at me.
BEOWULF
Well, there was Icarus, but he…never mind.
Max and Co. stand at the edge of the abyss, helpless.
MAX
What could be worse?
The dented and battered helmet of Hanuman lands at Maxs feet, tossed there by Skullmaster. The master of evil has arrived, surrounded by an army of monsters.
SKULLMASTER
Alas, poor Hanuman… Ah, well, hell soon have company.
Max picks up Hanumans helmet and regards it in silence.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
And the last to die will watch the first five go before him.
Max gazes up at Skullmaster venomously.
SKULLMASTER
NORMAN
Raaaarrrrghh!!
With an inarticulate snarl, Norman launches himself at the army of monsters, and, in an instant, the battle is joined!
Beowulf snaps a stalagmite off of the ground, and wields it like a club against his foes.
Mujaji moves like a cat among the monsters, jabbing them with her long spear and tripping them over the cliff.
Saving his final arrow, Jonayaiyin uses his bow like a giant set of brass knuckles, dispatching his opponents with skillful blows.
For all of their bravery, the Heroes are vastly outnumbered by Skullmasters limitless hordes.
SKULLMASTER
Share the fate of the Monkey King, fools!
Max looks up at the site of the Exit Portal, so near and yet so far. A great flying beast, following the path of the beam of freed souls, passes directly over the Portals position. Max has an inspiration!
MAX
This could work! Jonayaiyin! Tie your rope to your last arrow!
The ancient warrior follows Maxs gaze, and grasps his plan.
JONAYAIYIN
As you say, Mighty One. I see your plan.
He ties the rope to the arrow, then gives the other end to Norman, who ties it around his waist.
NORMAN
As do I!
Beowulf and Mujaji hold the attackers at bay while this all goes on.
Jonayaiyin raises his bow and shoots his last arrow at a great flying beast. The arrow thunks into the beasts thick hide, and the long rope hisses as it uncoils.
Skullmaster figures out what is happening, and moves in to attack personally.
SKULLMASTER
No! They cannot do this!
Norman grabs Max and Virgil in his arms. The rope continues to uncoil.
SKULLMASTER (CONTD)
Kill them!! Kill them all!!
MAX
(to the Heroes)
Cmon everybody! Time to book out of here!
Beowulf, Jonayaiyin and Mujaji turn to confront Skullmaster.
MAX
Hey! Really, you guys! You can kill monsters when we get home!
MUJAJI
We must hold Skullmaster at bay or no one will escape.
CLOSE ON the rope as it almost completes uncoiling.
VIRGIL
It is the way of the Cosmic Balance.
MAX
No! We cant just leave you!
BEOWULF
Well manage somehow. If not, Ill see you in Valhalla, Mighty One!
Max screams his protest as the rope snaps taut, jerking Norman and his two charges upwards.
MAX
(struggling futiley in Normans arms)
Noooooo!
NORMAN
(calling down at the shrinking figures)
Mujaji, I…
MUJAJI
(shouting after him)
Get lost, you big lummox!
The great flying beasts trajectory carries the three of them towards the site of the Exit Portal.
The Exit Portal flares into life as they approach it.
There is a brief glimpse of the three Heroes as they engage Skullmaster, then the Portal shuts.
CUT TO:
EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK – DAY
Max and Co. tumble into the sand, and wordlessly begin the long trek towards Madagascar, and home.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAXS HOUSE – EVENING
The sun is setting as Max places flowers on a little shrine he has constructed to the memory of the Heroes.
Along with a broken arrow, Mujajis papers, and Beowulfs wrestling mask, sits the dented helmet of Hanuman.
A glorious butterfly lands on the helmet and spreads its wings.
END
“A Bellwether In One’s Cap”
ACT ONE
EXT./INT. THE NETHER REGIONS – NOW
OPEN ON BLACKNESS – the sound of tremendous machines CLANKING and RATCHETING, SQUIRRING and WHIRRING is heard. And echoing under it is an ominous, booming HEARTBEAT, big as giant tom-tom drums.
THE DARKNESS SWIRLS – lifting to reveal… SKULL MOUNTAIN!!! Push in on a scene of the damned that looks like something out of Dante’s Inferno. Lava BUBBLING and SPEWING in geysers, weird fire creatures that OOZE and flicker like some incandescent amebas, strange horrible monsters that SNAP and slobber. Fireballs STREAK through the sky with the HISS and SPUTTER of shooting stars.
IN THE FOREGROUND – we pass gigantic gears SPINNING, cogs CLATTERING, and lumbering colossal machines hungrily CHEWING their way through solid rock, straight upwards. (There are three in number, looking a little like outrageously-sized, upended paddle wheel boats, only instead of threshing water, they’re digging stone and molten lava.) The machines are on three sides of a lava sea, glowing red-orange across its expanse, where the diggings and debris are being dumped. We hear the pain of a voice that’s a cross between Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now and Charlie Manson: utterly insane, primal, and terribly powerful. The heartbeat booms louder.
SKULLMASTER (O.S.)
Dig. Swallow. Chew.
AS WE PUSH FORWARD – the very mountain itself splits open to reveal the multi-mazed and forbidden lair of SKULLMASTER. The HEARTBEAT gets louder, sounding like detonations in a tin can, subterranean and baneful.
SKULLMASTER (CONT’D, O.S.)
Eat me a hole so I may bring pain.
WE PASS WARMONGER – SHARPENING his talons against rock like some steel-clawed cat, leaving deep, wounding gouges in the stone.
SKULLMASTER (CONT’D, O.S.)
A tunnel to unleash my torment–
FINALLY PUSH PAST – an iron-hinged door, into a shadowed room illuminated only by an enormous crystal resting on a pedestal in the center of the room, glowing with an inner light. In its many facets we see scenes of the world, people running, politicians, planes flying, each facet showing a different image like some diamond multimedia center in an editing bay. And then one of the shadows in the background moves.
SKULLMASTER (CONT’D)
(halting)
–upon…
(with great disgust)
…them. Up there–
CRASH!!! With one swipe, a massive clawed hand rips a part of the wall down, reflexively crumbling between its massive fingers like styrofoam.
TIGHTER – the TELLTALE HEARTBEAT grows earsplitting and in the shadows we see the face of Skullmaster, dim but threatening. He’s not a happy camper.
SKULLMASTER (CONT’D)
(softly)
–on the surface… in the sun.
Slowly, he rises, and rises, and rises (like the unfolding of the creature in Alien), standing to a full height over twelve feet tall. The HEARTBEAT IS THUNDERING in our ears. He raises his arms in askance & penance.
SKULLMASTER
(defying heaven)
Dig a path for me to be–
CUT TO: outside of Skull Mountain, the SCREAM REVERBERATING.
SKULLMASTER (CONT’D)
–FREEEEEE!!!
LONG DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MAX’S HOUSE – LATER
EST. SHOT – Suburbia, USA.
MAX (our hero) – is just heading inside. As he does, we get a good look at his house: In front are various odds & ends: pieces of engines, a pogo stick, a corrugated fiberglass reproductions of the Eiffel Tower. It’s an eccentric kinda place, just enough different from the rest of the houses to be really interesting but not threatening.
MAX
(calling as he enters)
Mom!! I’m home!!!
INT. MAX’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
MAX’S POV – as he enters. The place looks like the last scene in Raiders!! Boxes and crates are precariously piled everywhere; weird curios and antiques litter the walls and floors: Greek statues & Japanese kites; African masks, a blowgun, a full Shogun Warrior’s armor, a Mayan stone calendar, and a whole stuffed yak, tongue lolling out! The place is a cornucopia of cool weirdness.
MAX (O.S.)
Mom!?
A YELLOW POST-IT – is stuck to the Yak’s stuffed tongue. Max grabs it and reads the scribbling: “Max, gone to swap meet, back later.”
MAX
(taking it in stride)
So what else is new?
HE – hits the “play” button on the answering machine…
MOM (V.O.)
(on machine)
Hiya, Max–Mom here. I’m off in Mexicalli at the Mucho Grande Swap Meet. I’ll be back late, so dinner’s yesterday’s “buffalo stew”. See ya then.
…then races upstairs.
INT. MAX’S BEDROOM
MAX – flies in. The instant the door opens, all hell breaks loose: the whole room is gimcrack-rigged, like that old game of Mousetrap, where lights flash, buttons push, and MUSIC BLARES. QUICK CUTS: Lights flash on; a big, gaudy neon sign spelling MAX begins blinking (on closer look we see the sign spells MAXIMIZE, but the “imize” is dead; a button pushes on a CD player, and rock ‘n’ roll ROARS; a bank of old beatup TV’s (from garage sales) flip on, their pictures rolling; a VCR snaps to attention; a popcorn popper begins popping, pouring fluffers into a bowl. The TV’s are all showing a glory shot of a sea mount spewing lava and ash.
NEWS ANNOUNCER (B-TRACK)
And this news break: A third volcanic island has lifted its fiery head from the Pacific.
THIS IS MAX’S KINGDOM – his domain. It’s a boy boy’s room, just covered with cool stuff. It’s also a mess.
NEWS ANNOUNCER (V.O., B-TRACK)
Scientists are unsure what it means, other then there’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.
He flips off the TV’s & tosses his books onto the lap of a bronze Buddha, which sits in a corner. He pats the Buddha’s head.
MAX
Bless this homework, oh wise one.
A BIG UGLY IGUANA – crawls up across Max’s pillow. Our hero scoops it up and swings it onto his shoulders.
MAX
Miss me, Thor?
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Max flings open the window and sticks his head out.
MAX
YEAH?!
MAX’S POV – at the front door is a Fed Ex-kinda guy with a big ol’ package.
DELIVERY DUDE
(calling up)
Package delivery.
MAX (O.S.)
Probably something of Mom’s.
(yelling down)
Just leave it, please?
WIPE TO:
EXT. HOUSE
MAX – whips open the door. There’s the box, and on top of it, peacefully sticking its tongue out, is Thor. The boy scoops the IGUANA up and puts it back on his shoulders, scratching it behind the “ears”. He takes a closer look at the box.
MAX
(awed)
Wow! This ain’t for Mom…
ON BOX – which is covered in stamps and postmarks from all over the world, all over time!! It’s as if this box has been going through the mail system for 5000 years (which, as a matter of fact, it has). A label on it has Max’s name!!
MAX (O.S.)
…it’s for me?
CUT TO:
INT. HOUSE – MOMENTS LATER
MAX – has the package unwrapped. It’s an 18th century British merchant marine trunk, looking a bit beaten around the edges. Max unlatches it and is lifting the lid, SCREE!!
MAX
I wonder who could’ve sent it!
OUR HERO – pulls an ancient clay statue of a chicken-like creature from the trunk. It’s musty with age…
MAX
Cool–looks Egyptian.
(dust flies)
…along the base is a ring of hieroglyphics. Max runs to a bookcase which is lined with leather & latched tomes (we’re talking hand calligraphied books, here), quickly purusing.
MAX
(grabs a specific book)
‘Zats it!
ON BOOK – as Max opens it. We catch the title: “Egyptian Hieroglyphics, From Our House To Your House.”
MAX
(reading from book)
Okay, okay: that’s an inwhich, and that’s a nht, which means strong, or mighty.
(deciphering, rising disbelief)
You have… been chosen to… be… the cap bearer? Go to the mini-mart and wait for a sign, Mighty Max.
CRASH!!! This is too big a shock to Max, who drops the statue, startled.
ON STATUE – broken into a million pieces. But inside, revealed to the light of day for the first time in 5,000 years, is… a BASEBALL CAP???
MAX
I’m dreamin’….
MAX – tentatively picks the cap up. Yup, it’s a baseball cap, no doubt about it. Our hero eyes it closely, scrutinizing it with a particular eye. Then, with a determined shrug, he puts the cap on (like a young Arthur pulling Excaliber from the stone).
ZWANG!!! Max is frozen in place, his body shot through with a blue fire that plays about his form like will-o-the-wisps and high tension wires. With an air-torturing sear, the cap ignites like a nova, rods of light spearing across the room like a hundred giga-volt lighthouses all gone crazy, giving Max a blazing nimbus. And the sound that issues forth, like a MILLION ANGELS’ VOICES ALL SCREAMING AND SINGING BACKWARDS AT ONCE, LOOPED & AMPLIFIED, DRAWN & QUARTERED. Max forces his hands to his ears.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN
ON DIGGING MACHINES – with a METAL-TEARING-METAL GRINDING, the machines all scream to a halt.
SKULLMASTER (O.S.)
WHAT HAS HAPPENED!?!?!
INT. ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS
ON THE CRYSTAL – the hat Max is wearing displayed in every facet of the stone simultaneously.
SKULLMASTER
(scooping up stone)
Only the Chosen One could have done this!
(pain & fear)
He’s coming, as prophecised, to destroy me.
(wanting)
And I’m so close to release….
SKULLMASTER – rips to his full height so fast it’s terrifying. Lava Beasts hurry out of his way.
SKULLMASTER
(calling in fury to Lava Beasts)
Go!! Find him first and bring me his beating heart!!!
CLOSE – SKULLMASTER’S FACE – as he calms.
SKULLMASTER
(cordially)
And I’ll eat it raw.
WIPE BACK TO:
INT. MAX’S BEDROOM
THE CAP – gives a final burst of activity and suddenly stops cold. Silence, we only hear Max’s breathing.
MAX
(takes it off, examining it)
I don’t think they made this one in Taiwan.
MAX – cautiously puts the cap back on, hesitantly. Nothing happens.
MAX
Hmm–guess I blew a fuse, or something.
(takes off hat again, considering it, then turns to camera)
So–think I’m dumb enough to go to the mini-mart?
(big smile)
Probably!
LONG DISSOLVE TO:
EXT./INT. MINI-MART – LATER
LOW AND LONG – we see the back of the mini-mart in the distance. A smoking swath (as if someone had etched a burning path right into the asphalt) leads into the store, a melted door swinging on what’s left of its back-entry hinges. Something big and nasty this way came. No foolin’! Hold for a moment, then another. Meanwhile:
OUT FRONT – we see Max, wearing the cap, tool up on his bike.
MAX
Boy, I hope this is some kinda joke.
(checks pockets for change)
At least I’ll pick up an El Supremo comic, if nothin’ else.
MAX – is just walking up to the front door when we hear:
BIG ED (O.S.)
What in the–NOT THE CUPCAKES!!!
MAJOR BANGING & CRASHING is heard coming from inside. Max starts.
MAX
Big Ed?
MAX’S POV – Big Ed (a somewhat fat, sleazy/used car salesman-type) is cowering back of the counter, clutching his jar of jerky like a momma her cub, while trying to whack with a baseball bat at a… thing. We’re talking a glowing, oozing, foulishly fiery LAVA BEAST, which is melting everything it touches.
BIG ED
BACK! BACK!! TASTE MY LOUISVILLE SLUGGER, SUCKER!!
THE LAVA BEAST – reaches out: FOOM!! The baseball bat is suddenly a torch. Big Ed drops it fast.
BIG ED
Aw, that was a Hank Aaron signature model!
(spots Max)
Get outta here, Max!!
THE BEAST – turns & spies Max…
LAVA BEAST
…and takes off after our hero!!
MAX – ain’t no fool. He makes tracks, fast!
MAX
Like, later; I’m outta here!!
THE BEAST – melts right through the front glass doors and is starting to pick up the pace, burning feetprints right into the concrete sidewalk. He definitely means business!
MAX – is desperately righting the bike and trying to pedal with all his might: ZOOM!!! Off he goes.
MAX – is movin’! Pumping feet for all he’s worth; he looks over his shoulder….
MAX
Adios, whatever you is!
(takes)
I don’t believe it!
MAX’S POV – as the Lava Beast is hurtling after him like a freight train. It flows forward like a real lava flow… going very fast!!
[NOTE: what follows is a quick cut chase sequence. Max’ll be jukin’ & jivin’ on the bike, the Lava Beast’ll be unshakeable, exploding various things in its path.]
MAX – hangs a fast left down a sidestreet. The Lava Beast follows. FOOM!! There goes a mailbox in a fiery explosion.
ZIP!!! Max steers right up a boat trailer parked in front of a garage…
MAX
2nd floor: bricks, bracks, and lady’s lingerie!!
…and takes to the air, landing the bike atop the neighborhood fence (you know the kind, all wood, about 6 feet high, that connect all the yards up and down suburbia).
NOW THE CHASE – hits high gear. Max is “tightroping” the fence on the bike like an acrobat, cutting in and out of various backyards. The Lava Beast goes right through the fences instead.
IT’S A TWO-TIERED RACE – Max up on the fence, the Lava Beast just slightly behind and below him. The Lava Beast is gaining!
MAX
WHOOSH!! There’s a gap between yards, and Max takes to the air, pedalling furiously. Will he do a noser into the opposite fence?
KA-CHUNK!!! He makes it to the other side, looking behind.
MAX
Ha-ha!! I’m home free now!!
(looks back ahead)
What?!?!
MAX’S POV – he’s taking a header straight towards a brick-walled side of a house!!
MAX (O.S.)
NOOOO!!!
THE CAP – suddenly glows brightly!!!
ZWOOP!! Max vanishes right into the wall as if he passed through a door in the brick!!! Then… nothin’.
CUT TO:
INT. PORTAL BETWEEN
MAX – is sailing through nothingness and everything (we’re talking the coolest special effects since Terminator 2, and then some), screaming his lungs out.
MAX
NOOOOOO!!!
CUT TO:
EXT. PLAINS OF OUTER MONGOLIA – CONTINUOUS
A FAR, WIDE, WINDSWEPT, EERIE PLAIN – MONGOLIA – The middle of nowhere. We’re talkin’ deadsville. Suddenly:
FAWANGO!! Out of the nothing, Max tumbles, a momentary “doorway” opening and closing in the air. Max cranks face-first into the ground.
MAX VIRGIL (O.S.) MAX’S POV – as he slowly raises his head. Panning up, we start from the hem of a robe (you know, those arch-druid/Greek philosopher kinda things), then work up past the waist, arms (holding an unfurled scroll) and neck, 3 feet up, finally resting on the face: which is the head of a chicken??? This is VIRGIL. VIRGIL SUDDENLY – Two enormous ham-sized hands lift Max to his feet in one motion… MAX …at this moment that we see NORMAN. He’s a super-warrior, a good 7 feet tall and about as vulnerable as a block of iron. He doesn’t look mean, just totally awesome: a tank would seem soft & squishy next to this guy. He don’t say much, sort of the invincibly strong & silent type, with black studded leathers straight out of Mad Max. MAX VIRGIL & NORMAN – stare at Max, questioningly. A beat as Max holds his stance. Then another beat. VIRGIL VIRGIL – marches off across the trackless wastes, looking intently at his scroll. VIRGIL (CONT’D) MAX – still retains his stance, but when seeing nothing’s going to happen, lets his arms drop. He looks to Norman, who stands motionless. MAX NORMAN – stands motionless. MAX NORMAN MAX NO RESPONSE – from Norman. VIRGIL (O.S.) NORMAN – heads off towards wherever Virgil went, saying nothing, leaving Max alone. Max watches, watches, looks quickly around at the desolation, then reacts. MAX WIPE TO: EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE MONGOLIAN PLAINS MAX VIRGIL MAX MAX – is herded towards the boulder by Virgil (who takes his arm) and Norman (who has a hand on his back). VIRGIL MAX NORMAN – shoves Max forward. At that moment– THE HAT – glows again… AND A PORTAL – opens in the rock, Max, Virgil & Norman stepping through it and vanishing (as does the portal after they enter). CUT TO: INT. PORTAL BETWEEN MAX CUT TO: EXT. SPHINX MAX VIRGIL – looking at the scroll again, then marching off around the forepaw and out of sight. VIRGIL (GOING O.S.) MAX & NORMAN – follow, Max taking the cap off and examining it curiously. VIRGIL (CONT’D, O.S.) VIRGIL – points to a spot of sand, and Norman guides Max into it. The cap glows…. MAX CUT TO: EXT. TAJ MAHAL – CONTINUOUS SECURITY (O.S.) VIRGIL (CONT’D) MAX – is wide-eyed and swivel-headed. He’s looking everywhere at once. Norman is guarding the rear as our trio make their way out of the pool and up to a statue of Shiva The Destroyer. VIRGIL ZIP!!! They step right into the statue, the hat glowing again! Norman is the last to go, having pulled his sword. CUT TO: EXT. PARIS MAX NORMAN – smiles. VIRGIL MAX A GROUP OF EXCITED FRENCHMEN – point in shock at our heroes. FRENCHMEN VIRGIL (O.S.) VIRGIL – scroll in hands, Max & Norman following round a corner. VIRGIL (CONT’D) ZWOOP!!! They step through a portal. CUT TO: INT. PORTAL BETWEEN VIRGIL MAX CUT TO: EXT. MAX’S NEIGHBORHOOD – DUSK VIRGIL MAX VIRGIL THEY – begin hiking down the street in the direction of Max’s house, Max in the lead. MAX VIRGIL MAX VIRGIL & NORMAN – are taken by surprise. VIRGIL MAX MOM (O.S.) MAX’S POV – as he sees his house come around the corner. The front lawn is aflame. It’s the Lava Beast! A woman wearing the ancient Shogun warrior’s armor and wielding a big ol’ traditional wrought-iron waffle iron, is trapped on the front porch: it’s MOM. MAX (O.S.) MAX – begins to run towards the conflagration, heedless of the danger. MAX SUDDENLY – the Lava Beast turns charges him. LAVA BEAST MAX END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO EXT. MAX’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS LAVA BEAST MOM (O.S.) A FIERY ARM – sweeps out at Max’s head. At the last second before death: KA-WHAMO!! Max is backhanded out of harm’s way. NORMAN (O.S.) UPSHOT – NORMAN – wields his massive sword. SWINK!!! He slices right through the Lava Beast’s arm, severing it. The arm hits the pavement in a burning EXPLOSION. MAX – knocked aside, rolls up against the side of a house. MAX NORMAN – stands before the Lava Beast, which grows a new arm. WHAT’S WORSE – the severed arm grows into a second full-sized Lava Beast!!! NORMAN WIDER – NORMAN – holds his sword high and SCYTHS it through the air in a wicked fashion. Another arm is sliced off. Then the head. NORMAN TWO NEW LAVA BEASTS – spring up, outnumbering Norman 4 to 1 now. It doesn’t look good, but the big guy is smiling. LAVA BEASTS (B-TRACK) THE LAVA BEASTS – close on him. MAX – leaps to his feet, looking around for some way to help. MAX THE LAVA BEASTS – have blocked Norman from view. We just see the sword rising and falling from their midst. [NOTE: talk to Gary or me about change in Norman’s fighting tactics. He’s jukin’ & jivin’ now.] NORMAN (O.S.) MAX (O.S.) SPRAY!!! A jet of water hits the Lava Beasts sending up clouds of steam. LAVA BEASTS MAX – charges in, like a gunslinger, a hose (with spray nozzle) in each hand!! He parts the Beasts from Norman, who’s smoking and steaming, but unbowed. Still, he’s seen better days. MAX PISSED OFF – the Lava Beasts head towards Max, who backs up slowly, the water doing its job, but not well enough. He’s giving up ground. MAX ON HOSES – as a Lava Beast foot comes down across them, melting them. The severed ends go flailing off like epileptic snakes. ON MAX – as he shoots his wad, the spray stopping, the hoses going limp. MAX MAX – is herded with Virgil. MAX VIRGIL MAX – raises an eyebrow. Then: Epiphany!!! MAX RIP!! Norman doesn’t even know what a fire hydrant is, but he rips it bodily from the ground, slices off the front end with his sword (like a guy slicin’ off the end of a cigar, or a salami) and begins to hose down the Lava Beasts with a geyser of water!!! SWOOSH!!! The geyser shoots over, catching the Lava Beasts in the chests and tossing them about like leaves. Fog engulfs the shot, a SEVERE SIZZLING is heard. WIDER – the fog clears, leaving only a few FIZZLING signs of Lava Beast remains. The whole front yard is water-sogged and burnt. The fire hydrant is spraying in the b.g. Looks like a bit of a war zone. [NOTE: talk to Gary or me about possibly freezing these guys like solidified lava and then Norman, smiling, finally getting a good punch in, shattering all the Lava Beasts.] VIRGIL MAX PANNING AROUND THE WRECKAGE – we see a crowd of neighbors standing before their houses, peeking out windows. They look shell-shocked. A SIREN is heard in the b.g. MOM (O.S.) MOM – motions Max inside the house. MOM (CONT’D) SUNSET – has gone, night is here. A single red glowing pile of lava smolders in the dusk. It begins to grow!! DISSOLVE TO: INT. MAX’S HOUSE – LATER MOM MAX VIRGIL NORMAN – is scrutinizing the walls and floor closely, SNIFFING. He stops, staring at the underside of the staircase. SMASH!!! Norman punches a hole in the underside of the stairwell. NORMAN THEY – all stand around looking dumbfounded, as we reveal an iron-bolted door behind the smashed masonry. It leads down, looking cool and spooky. MOM VIRGIL MAX MAX – is not buying another bit of this. MAX (CONT’D) NORMAN – tries pulling open the door leading to the basement. It doesn’t budge easily. He struggles and strains throughout scene. NORMAN (B-TRACK) VIRGIL MAX – is getting pissed. MAX VIRGIL MAX VIRGIL – nods. MAX VIRGIL – looks alarmed and quickly pushes the cap back to Max. VIRGIL MOM – is a little overwhelmed. MOM MAX VIRGIL MAX – takes the hat and tries to rip it in half. MAX THE CAP – doesn’t rip. Max gives up. VIRGIL IN DISGUST – Max throws the hat to the ground. Then: KA-CHANG!!! The door Norman’s been tugging at finally rips open. A maw of shadow is behind it, with steps running downwards. It looks dark, forboding and terrible. MAX VIRGIL KA-CHINK!! Mom is holding an old blunderbuss and takes aim. She looks like she means it. MOM NORMAN – starts to move… NORMAN …but Mom has him covered. MOM TIGHT – VIRGIL – as he looks from the refusing Max to Mom, unsure. Then he gives up, seeming to almost shrink in stature and posture. VIRGIL VIRGIL & NORMAN – slowly descend the stairs and are lost in the darkness. MAX – stands there, torn. POV CUTS: He looks at the basement doorway, then he looks at the hat lying on the ground, then he looks up at Mom. MOM ON CAP – as it glows. VIRGIL (V.O.) MAX’S – curiosity gets the better of him. He picks up the cap and eyes it. MAX VIRGIL (V.O.) MAX – starts to head towards the basement entrance. MAX MOM – smiles MOM MAX MAX – ducks into the basement, and heads down. MAX (O.S.) INT. BASEMENT MAX (O.S.) MAX – is moving forward towards the arch, when Virgil reaches out quickly to stop him. VIRGIL MAX’S CAP – is glowing onyx black (or ultraviolet)!! VIRGIL (O.S.) WIDER – as Max looks on, astonished. MAX VIRGIL MAX – carefully comes over and examines the arch. MAX VIRGIL THEY – all stand staring at the Portal. MAX VIRGIL TIGHTER – Max waves Virgil off. MAX LAVA BEAST (O.S.) THE RECONSTITUED LAVA BEAST – oozes through the far corner of the ceiling, as if it’s eaten it’s way down from the outside. It hits the floor of the basement and comes charging straight towards Max!! Norman makes a stab at him, but is backhanded out of the way!! NORMAN OUR HERO – involuntarily takes a step backwards, his hat glows, and in the archway, a portal appears!! He’s falling through, with the Lava Beast about to take him the last step!! MAX A BLURRED STREAK – in the last instant, Virgil tackles Max out of the way, the Lava Beast hitting the Chicken, cross-blocking Virgil, taking him through the portal… VIRGIL …which instantly winks closed. WIDER – Max & Norman are dazed, the room smoking. Max raises his head: MAX EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN SKULLMASTER (O.S.) INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – HALL OF THE DEAD IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM – is a hole sunk to the very center of the Earth!! We see the fires at the core burning bright, sending jets of flame leaping into the room with a HISS and ROAR!! QUICK CUTS – as Skullmaster arms himself. (It’s like the scene in Aliens before the marines go down.) We don’t see Skullmaster in the total, but bits and pieces as he readies himself. GREAVES – are strapped up. They have knobs and painful protrusions running up their lengths. STEEL SPIKED GAUNTLETS – mean & heavy are drawn onto taloned hands. AN ARMORED BREASTPLATE – is strapped up. Foul gargoyled heads are etched into the metal and links. A HIDEOUS HELMET – is lowered over Skullmaster’s face (looking like the kind used in the Trojan war–with a horse-hair mane running down the nape). WIDE – as we see Skullmaster, completely done-up and absolutely invulnerable-looking. He’s the meanest S.O.B. in the valley, and then some. (Lava Beasts fawn around him like valets.) SKULLMASTER AN ENORMOUS (AND THEN SOME) SWORD – sheathed in black leather is carried by six Lava Beasts like a coffin to Skullmaster, who in one sweeping motion, pulls the sword from its scabbard! WHISH!! He dips it into the very fires of the Earth (the center hole that leads to the core of the planet). When he raises it high, flames are running along its edges. SKULLMASTER WIPE TO: INT. MAX’S BASEMENT MAX MOM (O.S.) MAX – looks quickly around, hurrying. MAX MOM (O.S.) WE HEAR – her starting to come down into the basement… MAX …then stop, steps back up to the hallway, and leaves. MAX’S POV – looking up the stairs. MAX (O.S.) MAX – turns to the portal. MAX NORMAN – puts his hand on Max’s shoulder as the boy steps towards the arch. The cap glows ultraviolet and the portal appears. MAX ZWOOP!!! They vanish!!! CUT TO: INT. PORTAL BETWEEN CUT TO: EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – ROOM OF THE CRYSTAL OF SOULS!!! MAX …It’s dark, lit only by the crystal (which has Max’s hat in its facets). The Crystal–sitting on its pedestal–is in the middle of the room. SKULLMASTER (O.S.) A TRIO OF ROCK MONSTERS – leap from the shadows (almost coming off the walls like the creatures in Aliens). They grab Norman. MAX/NORMAN THE PILE OF BRAWLING BODIES – knocks about, Max trying to get a punch in, but it’s like hitting… rock! (Surprise.) MAX ON NORMAN – as he can’t get to his sword and is only able to grapple with the monsters… NORMAN …who overpower him, all falling through a doorway, CRASH–a rock stoppering it up! MAX – POUNDS on the stone that blocks the doorway, but to no avail… MAX …he is alone in the room with the glowing crystal. He backs up against it, the light of the stone reflecting off his face. SKULLMASTER (CONT’D) MAX – turns. (The Crystal is now behind and above him, almost casting a halo out over his head.) MAX ON SKULLMASTER’S FACE – in the shadows. We pretty much only see his eyes. He leans forwards, large, threatening, barely coming into the light. SKULLMASTER MAX – is inching his way backwards, treading water rapidly. MAX SKULLMASTER – raises an arm, tapping his brow. It’s a frightening gesture for it’s total power. SKULLMATER MAX ON SKULLMASTER’S HAND – as he stretches it out towards Max, reaching slowly, powerfully, unstoppably. MAX – panicked; he knows he’s about to die. MAX SKULLMASTER – stands!!! It’s awesome!! SKULLMASTER MAX – is feeling definitely nervous. THUMP!! Skullmaster takes one shuddering step forward. ANOTHER – step–BOOM!! SKULLMASTER TIGHT – MAX – suddenly, he comes up hard, rocking the pedestal behind him. SKULLMASTER – reacts. SKULLMASTER MAX’S POV – of wobbling Crystal above him. WIDE – Max, back against the pedestal, Skullmaster, alarmed, the Crystal, wobbling. MAX MAX – reaches up and puts a hand against the Crystal. MAX SKULLMASTER – we see him steam. He’s getting pissed, badly. SKULLMASTER MAX – rocks the Crystal a little more, essentially blackmailing Skullmaster with it. MAX SKULLMASTER SKULLMASTER – loses it, his anger pouring through for a split second, ringing through the room. He then calms and freezes. MAX SKULLMASTER MAX WIDER – as Skullmaster prepares to spring. Max is aware of this. MAX ON CRYSTAL – as it falls. ON SKULLMASTER – as he reacts, moving with frightening fluidity to catch it. ON MAX – as he makes a dash for freedom. He races past Skullmaster… MAX …and through the exit. SKULLMASTER – catches the Crystal, turns, but Max is gone. He looks right; he looks left. No sight of Max. Then he glances at the Crystal. We see Max running in its facets. SKULLMASTER CUT TO: INT. ANOTHER PART OF SKULLMOUNTAIN SKULLMASTER (O.S., CONT’D) OUR HERO – is desperate. He looks all over. max Suddenly, he looks up and startles. MAX’S POV – looking towards the top through the opening in the roof. There seems to be a figure, shackled and dangling, near the top of the mount, between the “eyes”. MAX (O.S.) MAX – heads upstairs, fast. PULL BACK TO REVEAL: THE IMAGE – is seen in the Crystal Of Souls!! SKULLMASTER – is glaring intently. SKULLMASTER WIPE TO: INT. SKULL MOUNTAIN PASSAGEWAYS MAX rushing through darkened hallways. SKULLMASTER (V.O.) GRABBING – torches from the walls. A ROCK MONSTER suddenly attacks, and Max must fight it off. SUDDENLY – Max is confronted by a CRAB CREATURE!! Max goes right over the beast (crabs can’t reach over the top of their shells), and hustles past, barely evading the SNAPPING pincers! SKULLMASTER (V.O.) RUSHING – up staircases, which suddenly slip out from under him, he must leap to safety, barely catching himself on the lip of a ledge!!! SKULLMASTER (V.O.) ROUNDING ANOTHER CORNER – the head of the carnivorous SKELETURTLE snaps out at Max, knocking himn off his feet. At the last instant he brings the torch up and thrusting it right down the fiend’s gullet. SKELETURTLE AVOIDING – sliding doors and falling rocks. Max makes his way forward. He seems small and insignificant, but he’s doing it! MAX CUT TO: INT. TOP OF SKULL MOUNTAIN’S “EYE” LOOKING DOWN – we see Virgil shackled by one arm to the face of the mountain, way, way above the ground. He looks pretty worn out, swingin’ in the breeze. VIRGIL MAX (O.S.) THE FOWL – looks up to see Max leaning over the edge. Max’s is smiling. VIRGIL FROM ABOVE – as Max reaches out as far as he can and snags the chain. Once, twice, thrice, he finally gets hold of it and CLANKINGLY PULLS Virgil up by the long, long chain. MAX VIRGIL – is finally standing on the lip of the “eye”. VIRGIL MAX He steps forward and: CLANK!!! He’s brought up short by the chain. VIRGIL MAX – tries tugging on the chain, to no avail. MAX WARMONGER (O.S.) MAX’S POV – as he turns to see Warmonger, a row of Lava Beasts glowing behind him. MAX (O.S.) WARMONGER WARMONGER & TROOPS – close on Max & Virgil. Our heroes don’t stand a chance. WARMONGER & LAVA BEASTS MAX – glances down at the chain attached to Virgil. A glimmer of an idea forms. MAX VIRGIL GRAB!!! Virgil is snatched out of frame by Max. UNDER & UP – as Max (holding onto Virgil, who’s attached to the chain) leaps out of the “eye” of the mountain!! MAX/VIRGIL BEAUTY SHOT – as our heroes swing out, out, out over the face of Skull Mountain, a many-thousand foot drop below. It’s breathtakingly cool. BACK ON THE EDGE OF THE “EYE” – Warmonger in frustrated fury!! WARMONGER CUT TO: INT. OTHER “OTHER” NORMAN MAX/VIRGIL (O.S.) ROCK BEASTS – start. BACK WITH OUR SWINGERS – they make the full circuit: KA-WHAMO!!!! They plow into the Rock Beasts, knocking them and Norman off-balance. ON NORMAN – free for a moment, he draws his sword. NORMAN THREE QUICK SWINGS – and three Rock Beasts are shattered into quarry stones. NORMAN VIRGIL – is trying to maintain some poise. He dusts himself off. Max is laughing. MAX VIRGIL SWACK!!! Norman does the honors, slicing the chain off Virgil. VIRGIL MAX – takes the lead, making for the down staircase. MAX OFF – they go!! WIPE TO: EXT. SKULL MOUNTAIN – NEAR EXIT PORTAL MAX (O.S.) ON OUR HEROES – as they make their way across Skullmaster’s domain. Max is wide-eyed. MAX SWOOP!! Max is abruptly grabbed by Norman, who dives behind a jumble of rocks, Virgil trailing behind.. A LINE OF LAVA BEASTS – ooze by like soldiers. ON MAX & NORMAN – as they peek their heads up. MAX MAX’S POV – above. He, Virgil and Norman are in the shadow of one of the digging machines. It’s an awesome sight, reaching three stories above him. MAX (O.S.) OUR HEROES – are skuttling along the foot of a cliff at the far end of Skullmaster’s realm. To the side (they’re walking along a very embankment of rock) is a lava sea, bubbling and roiling. Above, digging machines claw towards the surface. A ROARING SOUND is heard over everything. VIRGIL MAX (O.S.) YANK!! Suddenly, the intent Virgil is pulled backwards. MAX’S POV – over Virgil’s shoulder. The big cluck’s almost stepped right off the edge of a bottomless cliff. Really bottomless. Down, down, down the cliff seems to fall, miles and miles, into darkness and gloom. AS WE WIDEN – we see what all the roaring is: the lava sea empties in a glowing waterfall bigger than Niagra, which leaps and rolls over the edge of the cliff, dumping into the emptiness at the center of the Earth. [NOTE: in case you didn’t notice, this is like a major cool shot.] MAX (O.S.) BACK ON OUR HEROES – as they stand frozen at the edge of the cliff, looking very small amidst the majesty and danger of their surroundings. MAX (CONT’D) VIRGIL – is frantically searching the map. SKULLMASTER (O.S.) SKULLMASTER – all twelve plus feet of him, holding his great sword to the fore, is standing before them, blocking their return path. VIRGIL MAX VIRGIL – steps forward. VIRGIL SKULLMASTER – swings his sword down, slicing deep into the earth as if it were butter. SKULLMASTER VIRGIL (RUNNING TO B-TRACK) MAX – worried before, is not buying any of this. MAX SKULLMASTER WITH A HUGE SWING – Skullmaster wields his mighty sword and slices deep into cliff in one smooth, arcing turn. THE WHOLE CLIFFSIDE – shears off, CRASHING DOWN with a ROAR. OUR HEROES – dodge for cover, the debris almost taking over the cliff. [NOTE: See Gary or me–perhaps we can isolate Max even more? Knock Norman and Virgil aside?] MAX, VIRGIL & NORMAN – begin to back away from Skullmaster, up the pile of rubble, near to one of the digging machines (its large paddle-wheel blades CLIPPING the air above them). Virgil is still frantically looking at the map. MAX KA-CHANG!!! Skullmaster takes a swing with his sword and cuts the very rocks from beneath our heroes. (He’s one powerful ptootie, lemme tell ya.) Max, Virgil & Norman barely grab onto the digging machine and reach a moment of safety in its mammoth structure. MAX/VIRGIL/NORMAN SKULLMASTER MAX – and the others are atop the digging machine now, standing in an ornate “cockpit”, sort of like the engineer’s cab of an old steamdriven locomotive. MAX SWOOK!! Another chunk of cliff goes TUMBLING. Skullmaster begins climbing after them. MAX – is stunned. Then his brows knit and a look of determination sets on his features. MAX PULLING BACK – on the main machine lever. ON DIGGING MACHINE – as it gives a lurch, the “paddle-wheel” spinning furiously, rocking the machine on its moorings. ON “PADDLE-WHEELS” – as they begin to blur, chewing up the rock with wild abandon. THE GEARS & COGS – begin smoking and SHRIEKING with strain. WIDER – the machine is oscillating for all it’s worth, breaking its moorings. ON MAX – and others as the machine begins to tear loose from the stone. The tunnel above begins to collapse!! MAX SCREE!!! The whole machine tumbles downwards, its paddles tearing up the dirt, pulling the machine crazily along the ground, straight at Skullmaster!! SKULLMASTER SKULLMASTER – raises his sword high and goes right at the machine, hoping to chop his way to Max. ON MAX – pulling hard on the lever. MAX WIDER – as Max & machine hit Skullmaster. (Remember, this machine is gigantic, about five times taller then Skully.) THE RIPPING OF METAL & FLESH is heard, as demigod meets machine… SKULLMASTER …with Skullmaster being the one pushed backwards!! He falls beneath the scything blades of the “paddle-wheel” and vanishes. MAX – and company. MAX SPLASH!!! The machine, with all aboard, doesn’t stop, but trundles right into the heart of the lava sea!!! BAM!! BAM!! BAM!! Suddenly the lava begins erupting with DETONATING geysers, which shoot up all around our heroes, as if it quickly came to an instant boil!! A GEYSER OF LAVA – licks the ceiling, melting a second digging machine from its moorings. It falls with a SPLASH into the lava sea, sending a wake right at our heroes. BASHOOM!!! Their machine is rocked, a wave of lava threatening to capsize them. Norman has his arms wrapped around Max & Virgil and is leveraged a hold. He saves them from being swept overboard. MORE CONCUSSIVE EXPLOSIONS – suddenly, the third digging machine falls from the ceiling!! The tunnels above are collapsing back into the lava sea, which is hopping like popcorn!!! TIGHTER – Max, Norman & Virgil are up a creek without a paddle, and they know it. Jets of lava are BURSTING all around them like skyrockets. FA-WHOOSH!!!!! With one MASSIVE EXPLOSION, the whole lava sea, with our heroes floating atop it gives a mighty belch!!! MAX – takes the controls and the paddles begin to spin even furiouser & furiouser. They’re heading towards the waterfall!! VIRGIL KA-BOOM!!! The whole place is starting to crumble!! MAX MAX’S POV – as they ride the wild surf towards the cliff edge! The lava is pouring over the edge and into nothingness. WIDER – as we see our heroes approaching the waterfall. KA-FOOM!!! Hunks of ceiling collapse down, blocking Skullmaster from our view. UPSHOT – AT THE EDGE – the digging machine our heroes are riding is just going over!!! MAX VIRGIL ON CAVERN – as it’s rocked by explosions, looking like Armageddon has come. MAX (O.S.) A DETERMINED MAX – suddenly steeled. MAX SLASH!!! Frighteningly instantaeous (a la the end of Road Warrior) Skullmaster’s massive hand rips up and onto the front of the machine. He’s been crawling up from under!!! SKULLMASTER SWOOSH!!! The digging machine they’re riding plummets over the edge, and for a second we get a breathtaking shot of the fall below. MAX AT THE MOMENT THE MACHINE FALLS – our heroes take hands and leap over Skullmaster and into space…. MAX/NORMAN/VIRGIL SKULLMASTER – and machine fall into oblivion. SKULLMASTER BACK ON OUR HEROES – as they arc out into nothingness, for a brief moment Max’s hat glows and a portal appears in mid-air, but before they go through… …KA-BLAM!!! A mighty lava explosion fills frame, blocking them from view with orange!!!! LAVA CUT TO: EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN KRAKATOA!!!! The islands SELF-DESTRUCT, blowing themselves into a roiling ball of light and smoke, dust and ash! Makes an H-bomb look like a firecracker. (Remember that wonderful opening of Akira?) Hold on the water as the debris settles. The volcanoes are gone. Hold on water. Hold on water. Hold on water. Are our heroes gone, too? LONG DISSOLVE TO: EXT. AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK – DAY FAWANGO!!! Our trio rolls out of a portal, scaring the kangaroos. MAX/VIRGIL/NORMAN THEY STAND – and look around. MAX MAX – joyously dances Virgil around, who seems astounded to be in one piece. Norman looks on, almost cracking a smile. VIRGIL MAX VIRGIL’S – beak-deep in map… VIRGIL …he begins walking. VIRGIL (CONT’D) MAX MAX VIRGIL MAX – continues to stay seated, stubborn. MAX NORMAN – looks down at Max, shakes his head, then follows off after Virgil without looking back. A beat. Another beat. Max is determined to not go. Virgil & Norman pass out of sight. Still Max doesn’t move. Finally, he looks afar. MAX HE – gets up, snatches up his cap, and runs off after Virgil & Norman. MAX PAN OUTBACK – the bleak wilderness. It’s pretty, but desolate. MAX (O.S.) PULL BACK – up, up, up above the Earth. MAX (O.S.) KEEP PULLING BACK – into space to see the globe. MAX (O.S.) FADE OUT: THE END. ALT. LINES: Please Number Starting With The Last Line In The Regular Script. MAX (ALT.) MAX (ALT.) MAX (ALT.) MAX (ALT.) MAX (ALT.) Too big for one post! Huge thanks to Mark for providing this, it makes an intresting read!
UMPH!!!
(spitting gravel)
(a regal Shakespearean voice)
At last, the Chosen One! Ah, I see you received my package, as prophesied 5,000 years ago!!
(a bit peeved)
Do help him up, Norman. After all, you are the Guardian of the Chosen One.
HEY!!!
(takes karate “crane” stance)
Hee-ya! Don’t mess with me, I know the ancient deadly art of Fu-Doo, I can rip your eyes out and show ’em to you before you die.
Right then. Follow us to the portal, Mighty Max.
(fading off)
It must be around here somewhere.
(dusts his hands)
Glad that’s settled. I’d hate to have had to hurt either of you two.
(shrugs)
So, where are we?
Mongolia.
(shocked)
Mongolia?!? What are you talking about?! How’d I get here?!?
(from afar)
Ah, here it is!
(calling)
Hey! Wait for me!!
VIRGIL – is examining a boulder. Looks like any normal boulder, nothing particularly special. Norman is to the side, Max there, too. Unbeknownst to him, his hat is glowing slightly.
Now, what’s this all about, and how come you look like a chicken?
My name is Virgil, and I’m a fowl, not a chicken.
(clears throat)
You are Mighty Max, the Chosen One.
Chosen One? What did I win? Cash? Prizes? A car?
(puts foot down)
Where’s Ed McMahon??
All will be explained, but we must hurry. Just step forward into the portal.
(beginning to fight)
Look! I just see rock, and if you think–
MAX, VIRGIL & NORMAN – are sailing through nothingness and everything.
WHAT’S HAPPENING???!!!
FAWANGO!!! Our three travellers tumble onto the sand, Virgil tripping, Max falling face first again, and Norman landing on the balls of his feet like a cat. They have landed between the front paws of the Sphinx!
(rising)
(looks around, shocked)
Egypt!? TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON!!!
Well, if you insist–but I’ve only had five eons to practice this speech. Here goes:
(takes a deep breath)
You, Mighty Max, are the one chosen to fulfil the prophesy and to wear the last Cosmic Cap to victory.
As such, you, the wearer of the cap, have access to the long lost Transport Of The Gods–
Hey, it’s glowing!!
FAWANGO!!! SPLASH!!! Our heroes appear smack dab in the reflecting pool in front of the Taj.
–sort of a super subway system, as it were.
(looks O.S.)
Come along.
You are the focus of the Powers of Good.
(he bows)
Norman & I are here to aid and serve you.
WE SEE THE EIFFEL TOWER – then pan down to our trio. Norman is looking wistfully behind at where the portal was, slowly resheathing his sword.
(pats Norman on the shoulder)
Aw, don’t feel so bad, big guy; there’ll be other heads to chop, I’m sure.
I am very wise and shall instruct you in the ways of being a hero. My speciality.
(muttering)
Great, a chicken teaching me to be brave.
(gawking & pointing)
Norman is your Guardian… the ultimate bodyguard, as it were. He’s quite unstoppable.
He shall protect you from the smaller “inconveniences” that crop up from time to time.
(under breath)
Where is that portal?
MAX, VIRGIL & NORMAN – are sailing through nothingness and everything.
Basically, you’re it! Mighty Max!!
Yeah, but this Mighty stuff. It sounds wussy.
FAWANGO!!! Our trio hits the streets we recognize.
Mighty is a title of courtesy, like Mister, or King.
(looking around)
Hey! This is my block! I’m back home!!
You are Mighty. Understand?
If you say so, just don’t call me that, okay?
Yes, Mighty Max.
And another thing: what was that flaming pyro thingie waiting for me at the mini-mart?
A Lava Beast!! And at the ordained mini-mart!
(almost to self)
Skullmaster knows of you? Then he must almost be free, if he has sent his minions.
Skullmaster? Minions? Is there something you’re not telling me?
Shoo!!! Shoo!!! I’ve got a waffle iron, and I’m not afraid to use it!!
Mom!!
MOM!!!
Oops–big mistake!
THE LAVA BEAST – bears down on our boy, who’s scrambling to make tracks fast.
MAX!!!
Allow me….
OMPH!!
(shakes his head clear)
Norman!!
Nice trick. Now it’s my turn.
(spotting hose O.S.)
Water!!
(singing)
Sing ‘Ho!’ for the blood & gore!! Who could ask for anything more!!!
Anyone thirsty?
How ’bout a nice tall cool one??
Ha! Don’t mess with modern plumbing!!
Oh, great! I’m toast.
I gotta tell ya, Virg: this Mighty stuff ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
You shall find a way, Chosen One; just have a little faith.
The hydrant!!!
Good idea!
Just call me Ishmael.
Max!!
Inside! Now!!
OUR HEROES – are standing in the hallway of the first floor. They’re worn, but coming around. Virgil is intent upon a scroll. Mom’s not completely happy. [NOTE: the hallway is jammed with odds & ends, like the rest of the house.]
…Look, I think I should know whether this house has a basement or not! It was my mother’s. And her mother’s mother’s mother’s. There’s no basement.
(getting dander up)
But more important: what’s going on, and why is Max being chased by monsters?!
(rallying to Mom)
You tell ’em, Mom.
(studying scroll, oblivious)
No, no! It says so in the scroll. I’m sure there’s a basement around here.
(nonchalant)
Looking for this?
Guess there is one.
Now all we have to do is–
(cutting Virgil off adamantly)
No way–
(crossing arms, stubborn to Virgil)
I’m not takin’ another step until someone talks some English. I want facts, Jack. Now.
You are the Mighty One. You must face Skullmaster and defeat him. It is in the prophesy!
Anyone named Skullmaster doesn’t sound like the Good Humor Man. Who, or what, is he?
Powerful, primal, utter Evil. Before he was imprisoned at the heart of the world, he nearly destroyed… everything.
And I suppose it’s the Mighty One’s job to stop him?
(hands cap back to Virgil)
Right! You’re loony! I quit. Find yourself another Mighty. Mighty Mike, Mighty Melvin, anything but Mighty Max. I’m a kid!!
You have been chosen!! Without you, Earth has no hope!
(almost pleading)
There’s no one else who can do it. You are from a long line of champions, the direct descendent of the original hero who trapped Skullmaster 5,000 years ago.
(looks to Mom)
Haven’t you told him?
(almost whispered)
I never believed. I… I thought it was a story my grandmother made up.
Mom, this is gettin’ too weird! I’m no hero.
But you are.
(touches Max’s chest above the heart)
Here.
(struggling)
This is what you can do with your Chosen One. Umph!!
It is fabricated from the soul of a star: indestructible.
(kindly)
Sorry.
I don’t know what’s down there, but I ain’t goin’….
(reaches towards Max)
But you must. You’re Mighty Max.
Lay a finger on him, and you’re gonna need a lotta tar to stick those feathers back on. If my son doesn’t want to go, you’re not making him.
(sweetly)
Uh-uh-uh.
(giving up)
You’re right. No one can force him.
(turns to basement stairs)
We shall simply have to do what little we can. Come, Norman.
Sorry, Max. I can’t help you. I can only believe in you, and care.
(through cap)
It’s here!!
Virgil?
(through cap)
Mighty Max! It’s exactly as I thought!
(not fooling anyone)
Um, I’m just gonna take a quick looksie to see what’s down there. Honest.
Don’t… don’t do anything stupid, Max.
(thinks, realizes)
Right.
What in the Wide, Wide World Of Sports!
MAX’S POV – the basement’s musty as a tomb, boxes and things are scattered about. Then we see it: one whole wall is filled with… an ancient Egyptian-looking stone arch which is jus’ stinkin’ with hieroglyphics & stuff–it’s right out of King Tut’s tomb, only more so!!!! Virgil stands next to the arch, Norman off to the side.
Wow!! Cool!
Stop! Look at your cap!
This is the One Portal. The gateway to Skull Mountain.
In my basement?
What better place? You are the Chosen One.
Good point. So Skullmaster’s on the other side of that?
(off Virgil’s nod)
And he’s probably got a million zillion Lava Beasts with him, huh?
(Virgil nods again)
A guy’d have to be a complete moron to go through there, then.
Or, destined.
(real)
I don’t think I can do it.
But–
It’s not that I don’t want to save the world and all. I just don’t think I’m gonna matter a hill of beans to this Skullmaster. He’ll probably just blow me away like wiping his nose.
(turns to leave)
Nope. I’m not going, no matter what.
NO!!!
EEEIIIAA–
VIRGIL!!!
PUSH IN – on Skull Mountain. The machines are DIGGING again.
He comes!
WE COME UPON – an impossibly high vaulting hall, cyclopean and weirdly angled. Around the walls are weapons, awesome, foreboding, each one with a trophy at its base: a severed head!!
Bring me… my sword.
Ah, Death.
(looks outward)
I am ready, Chosen One…
THE PLACE IS SMOKING – Max & Norman are still in shock from Virgil’s sudden martyrdom.
He’s gone….
MAX!! Are you all right?!? What’s that smoke?
(calling up)
Fine, Mom! Fine! Just… just a short in some old wires. No problem. Don’t worry about me.
But I do….
Really, everything’s okay. Virgil’s got it under control.
(almost pleading)
Please?
(softly, to self)
Thanks, Mom.
(a bit awed)
I guess a Chosen One’s gotta do what a Chosen One’s gotta do.
(sucks in gut with determination)
Move ’em out, Norman… before I have second thoughts.
(stepping through)
Here’s to saving the world, and Mom, and my friends… and Virgil.
MAX & NORMAN – are sailing through nothingness and everything. They twist and turn, going down a wormhole and out the other side.
FAWANGO!!! Our two troopers land roughly right in the worst possible place in the universe: the Room of the Crystal of Souls!!…
(taking it all in)
No chance we have the wrong address, huh?
Welcome “Chosen One”….
Norman!!!/
(after punch)
OW!!!
Rock ‘n’ roll!!!
Norman!! Big guy!!!
(gives up)
The Chosen One!! At last!!! Turn around so I may see you.
Don’t tell me, let me guess–Skullmaster, right?
(scrutinizing Max closer)
You’re the Chosen One prophesied to destroy me?!
(squints to see)
(bravado)
Hey, don’t tick me off, buddy, or I’ll gnaw your ankles off.
(sotto)
Gee, hope I sounded tough enough….
(thoughtful)
5,000 years of anger and fear. And now I find you are… naught at all.
(trying to be light)
Great! Then we can be friends?
(getting carried away, holds out a hand)
Shake on it?
On second thought.
(perks up)
Wait–I think I hear my Mom calling me!
(looking for a way out)
Love to stay and chat, but she’s a real monster if I’m not home by dinner.
More than me??!!
Time to die, “Chosen” One.
The Crystal!!!
(suddenly smiles)
Well, well, well–
(to Skullmaster)
One more step, big fella, and this puppy takes a fall. Comprende?
Leave the Crystal be… or I’ll make your death particularly painful.
You were saying?
NO!!!!!!!
That’s better.
(warming to his role)
So, what’ll you give me if I don’t let this baby go boom?
(barely reining it in)
Your head on a platter?
(tipping the Crystal farther)
Wanna try again?
No? Well then I just have one more thing to say:
(pushes Crystal over edge)
Think quick!!!
Catch ya later!!!
MAX – is racing through a tunnel. Above him is an opening that we can see all the way to the summit of Skullmountain.
–FROM ME???
Where the Howdy-Doodie am I supposed to go?!
Virgil!
He has entered the trap….
QUICK CUTS (all over Skullmaster’s B-track):
The Hall of Terror!! Quickly!
Follow them!!
Why do I get the feeling I’m not wanted here?
LOOKING OUT – of one of the “eyes”. We see the dome of the Earth above, the digging machines in the distance, the lava pools, the geysers. It’s Hell out there.
(in pain)
Virgil! How’s it hangin’?
Ah, the Chosen One!! I knew you’d come!
(straining)
Yeah, well–can’t let you go hoggin’ the glory and all.
(rolling his shoulders)
Wonderful! Now, onto Skullmaster!
Look, Virgil, before we do anything rash–
Oops, I seemed to have forgotten something.
(holds shackled wrist out to Max)
Could you do something about this?
(struggling)
What, like bite through it?!
Ssssooo, the Chosen One….
Kill! Kill!!! KILLLLLL!!!!
(sotto)
Hey, Vig–can chickens fly?
What was that?
Ya-hooo!!/Let go of me!!!
NOOOO!!!!!
ON NORMAN – as he’s being dragged, kicking and grunting, to the lip of the second “eye”. The Rock Beasts are trying to chain him as they did Virgil, but without real success. It’s a standoff, with Norman desperately trying to get to his sword.
(struggling)
When I get free, I’m going to make little pebbles out of you.
This is going to be fun.
Hmph!
(holds out hand with chain)
Would someone mind terribly…?
(haughty)
Thank-you.
Mighty Max says: “Find us the portal out of here, fast–or kiss your kababs goodbye!”
NICE LONG SHOT – of the “valley” that makes up Skullmaster’s realm. In the distance is Skull Mountain. To the side are the digging machines, CHEWING up the world and spitting it out into the lava sea.
Ha-ha!! We made it!! Next stop the good ol’ U.S. of A.!
I mean, what a place! Must be a barrel of laughs at Halloween time.
Close one… thanks.
(looks above)
What are those things?
Looks like someone’s roto-tiller got a little outta hand.
(reading scroll)
The portal should be just up ahead. Maybe another 30 feet….
VIRG!!!
The portal’s 30 feet out there in mid-air… over that?!?
(beginning to panic)
Someone tell me there’s another way out!
There isn’t.
Have no fear! You are destined to win.
Yeah, so were the Niners.
Mighty Max will prevail, Skullmaster!! Prepare to meet the hand of fate.
Hands can be… removed.
He is the Chosen One, pain means nothing to him, adversity is grist for the mill, he can overcome any obstacle, surmount any challenge–
Hey, could you lighten up a little, Virgil?
(to Skullmaster)
Um, good to see you again, Mr. Skullmaster… Skully. So, how’re you doing?
(treading water)
Hey, why don’t we just call it a day, hmm? Shake hands & be friends?
I’LL RIP YOUR LIMBS FROM YOUR BODY AND SLOWLY SUCK THE MARROW FROM YOUR BONES!!!
I can see you’re a reasonable kinda guy. Tough, but reasonable. I’m sure we can settle this in an equitable manner. How about if we give you a formal apology for barging in down here unannounced and let bygones be bygones.
That’s it, then. We’re has-beens.
(looks down at Skullmaster)
But I’m takin’ that sucker with me! HANG ON!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOIN’!!!
HERE GOES NOTHING!!!
OPEN WIDE AND SAY “AHH!!!”
(looking behind)
Yes!! Don’t mess with Mighty Max, ya ugly bozo!!
What are you doing??
Being the Chosen One!!
(calmly under roaring)
Ready, Norman?
(Norman nods)
I hope you’re right about that portal being out there, Virgil.
The Map has never been wrong in 5000 years, and–
(suddenly realizing)
What? No!! You don’t mean!!!
Like we have a chance here?
Am I Mighty Max, or aren’t I?
(preparing to leap)
One… two…
You will die, Chosen One!! YOU WILL DIE!!!
GO FOR IT!!!
WHOOAAAA!!/
YOU WILL DIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!
LOOKING DOWN FROM THE CLOUDS – ON THREE ACTIVE VOLCANIC ISLANDS – their cones just above the waves. Smoke & lava is steaming from their summits. Suddenly, a TREMENDOUS RUMBLING is heard.
IT’S A LONE & DESOLATE PLACE – not a lot of water around here. Mostly just scrub. A couple of kangaroos hop by. Suddenly…
(searching the horizon)
Hey, we’re not dead! WE MADE IT!!!
(throws his cap into the air)
Ha-ha!!!
(astounded)
What! Alive? And so bold, on Earth?
(suddenly realizes)
But where on Earth?
(musing)
Somewhere in Australia, I think….
Should be a portal to Madagascar only fifty miles or so from here.
(not moving)
Fifty miles!! No way, José!
(sits down hard)
(not moving)
Fifty miles!! No way, José!
(sits down hard)
I’m the Chosen One, I just saved the world from certain destruction, I ain’t movin’. Find a closer portal.
(a ways away now)
There aren’t any.
Tough. I’m not goin’.
Um, Virgil! Norman!!
Wait up!!
(fading away)
Hey, I was just kiddin’ around. Can’t ya take a joke?
(conniving, still fading)
So, Norman–how ’bout a piggyback ride, huh? After all, I am Mighty Max.
(fading all the way)
Aw, please!
(heading inside)
Now, could someone just explain to me what’s going on?!
…Look, I think I should know whether this house has a basement or not! I’ve only lived here all my life!
Guess there is one.
Good point. So this Skullmaster dude’s on the other side of that?
(off Virgil’s nod)
And he’s probably got a million zillion Lava Beasts with him, huh?
(Virgil nods again)
A guy’d have to be a complete moron to go through there, then.
He’s gone….
(looks to Norman)
We gotta get him back!