Workshop Wednesday

We're getting into the last of the partially written episodes. This one was the idea of some of my co-creators, and though I started the initial few scenes I really didn't have an idea of where to take this story. Of course, since I'm now finishing this episode for this project, I guess we'll find out where the story goes together.

Remember to catch up on the previous adventures of The Follower in the Works of Mike FinkelsteinWhat's that, you want to read various creative works from Asteroid G Lead Editor Mike Finkelstein? Well, if that's what you want... archive before reading this section.

The Follower: Episode 5, Part 1

"Beauty and the All-Seeing Eye"

FADE IN.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, AUDITORIUM, NIGHT.

Open in theater hall, lights down low. The audience is full, with low murmurs of anticipation.

SFX: Low audience noise.

On stage are a small group of women in evening wear. A spot light illuminates the Emcee, JOHNNY D, in one of those over-the-top sparkling tuxedos. He walks to the center of the stage, and the lights brighten a bit behind him.

JOHNNY D:

This has been a great show so far, but sadly, of the ten ladies that have made it this far, only five will be become finalists. If I can get a drum roll, we can find out just who our lucky finalist will be.

SFX: Drum roll.

We pan away from JOHNNY D towards the ladies. As we pan across, we get general chatter from the ladies as they all get excited to see who's moving on... well, most of them are excited. In the group we pick out (a rather bedecked) TEMP.

TEMP:

Why did I let them talk me into this?

Just then, five spotlights pop on, one over TEMP.

OPENING CREDITS.

INT: FOLLOWER'S APARTMENT, EVENING.

We fade in on an illustrated scene of the heroes' apartment. FOLLOWER, APATHY, and OBVIOUS are clustered around the TV.

SFX: Door knocking

The scene animates as APATHY gets up from the couch to answer the door. There, we see TEMP.

APATHY:

Jeanine. How's it going?

They enter the apartment and APTHY flops back on the couch. TEMP looks around, disgusted.

TEMP:

I'm good, but this place is still awful.

FOLLOWER and OBVIOUS:

It's APATHY's turn.

TEMP:

So, you're just going to let it be this messy?

OBVIOUS:

We don't want to clean it, especially not when it's his turn. How's that fair?

TEMP tries to clean off a chair and then sits to watch TV.

FOLLOWER:

So, TEMP, what brings you around?

TEMP:

My name's Jeanine, FOLLOWER. I have a job for this weekend, helping out back stage at a show. I was able to score some extra tickets and thought of you guys. Wasn't sure if you wanted to come?

APATHY:

You mean to a play? Hard pass.

TEMP:

It's the lame Spring Queen Beauty Pageant.

APATHY:

I'm in.

TEMP:

I assumed you would be.

OBVIOUS:

If you think it's lame then work it?

TEMP:

Good money.

FOLLOWER:

This is one of those pageants where the ladies dance around on stage in gowns and then do some kind of talent?

APATHY:

I know a couple of talents I'd like to see.

FOLLOWER:

Me too, like opera singing, or a lovely concerto on viola.

APATHY looks over at FOLLOWER.

APATHY:

I was thinking something a little less benign, a little more-

TEMP:

Sleazy?

APATHY:

Exactly.

TEMP:

So you guys are coming? It'd be fun to have you around to hang out with on breaks.

OBVIOUS:

Could be cool.

FOLLOWER:

Sure, although when will we patrol?

TEMP:

Patrol?

FOLLOWER:

As superheroes we have a duty to patrol the streets at night to keep them safe.

TEMP:

You're still doing that?

FOLLOWER:

It's our calling.

APATHY:

It's his calling.

OBVIOUS:

It's actually not that bad a deal. Leaves ya feeling like ya did something at the end of the day.

TEMP:

You give any thought to that app idea I had? We could make this into a real start up.

APATHY:

Yeah, about that...

INT: FOLLOWER'S APARTMENT, EARLIER, DAY.

We see APATHY and FOLLOWER standing in front of a white board. FOLLOWER keeps circling a single item, JUSTICE!, over and over again while APATHY yells at him.

APATHY:

That's not a feature of the app!

FOLLOWER:

Well it should be!

APATHY:

We're supposed to be discussing payment methods!

FOLLOWER:

No one should have pay for justice!

APATHY:

UGH!

APATHY then kicks over the white board and walks out of frame.

INT: FOLLOWER'S APARTMENT, EVENING.

TEMP:

Oh. Well I'm sorry you aren't making any progress.

APATHY:

What do you mean? That's the best meeting we've had yet!

OBVIOUS:

What time should we be at the theater?

TEMP:

Saturday, show starts at seven but feel free to come early. We could hang out for a bit.

FOLLOWER:

Sounds great! We'll see you there?

TEMP gets up and leaves. After a pause we see the BLACK CAT pull herself out of a pile of laundry. She wanders over to a clean spot on the floor, sits down, looks at the heroes, and then harfs up a hairball.

COMIC BOOK TEXT BOX: The Black Cat is in no way associated with the Marvel Comics character, the Black Cat.

FOLLOWER and OBVIOUS:

It's APATHY's turn.

APATHY:

Damn it.

EXT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, EVENING.

COMIC BOOK TEXT BOX: Saturday night.

We see the FOLLOWER van pull up and park on the street opposite the theater. FOLLOWER, OBVIOUS, and APATHY all jump out and walk over to the building.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, FRONT HALL, NIGHT.

The heroes walk into the main hall. We see other workers running around, moving props, handling emergencies, and the like. TEMP walks up with tickets in hand.

TEMP:

Hey guys, glad you could make it.

FOLLOWER:

Of course.

She hands the tickets off to the guys.

TEMP:

Sadly there are some things I have to take care of, but feel free to find your seats and hang out. I might be able to pop by in a bit.

APATHY:

That's cool.

TEMP runs off on another errand and the heroes enter the auditorium.

INT: LIMELIGHT THEATER, AUDITORIUM, NIGHT.

The heroes are in their seats, watching the people on stage move around. Some of the ladies are already on stage, doing a quick dress rehearsal, going over choreography.

OBVIOUS:

Man, it's been a long time since I was last at the theater.

APATHY:

I've never been.

OBVIOUS:

Oh, you really must go. Live theater is an experience.

We see three VIPs walk through the auditorium, talking amongst themselves. FOLLOWER gets a look on his face.

FOLLOWER:

I think I know one of those people.

OBVIOUS:

There's an electricity to a live performance you just can't get from a film.

APATHY:

But I also can't come here in shorts and drink a beer while it's going on. Hard pass.

FOLLOWER gets up while the two guys bicker and heads to the front of the auditorium, near the stage. He catches up to the VIPs.

FOLLOWER:

Uh, excuse me.

JUDGE 1:

No autographs.

FOLLOWER:

No, it's just-

FOLLOWER turns to the third judge, ALL SEEING EYE.

FOLLOWER:

I'm sorry to bother you but I know you, right?

The other two judges head off while EYE turns to FOLLOWER.

EYE:

I'm sorry, but no.

FOLLOWER:

I could swear I do. We worked a case together at one point, right?

EYE:

You're a superhero, right? I've seen you on the news.

FOLLOWER:

That's right.

EYE:

Then I really don't see how I could have helped you on a case. I'm a media consultant.

FOLLOWER:

Are you sure? I could swear-

EYE:

I really must be going.

EYE turns and walks starts to walk away. It's at just that moment that it clicks for FOLLOWER.

FOLLOWER:

ALL-SEEING EYE!

EYE turns, a shocked look on his face.

EYE:

Pardon?

FOLLOWER:

Yeah, you're that super villain, ALL-SEEING EYE.

EYE:

No I'm not. My name is Bruce.

FOLLOWER:

No, I know you! Didn't we battle a couple of times back a few months ago?

EYE:

We did not.

FOLLOWER:

No, yeah, that totally happened! I just can't remember anything after that... Weird.

EYE:

You're mistaken.

FOLLOWER:

You're the EYE!

EYE:

No, I'm not.

FOLLOWER:

Yes, you are.

EYE:

No, I'm not.

FOLLOWER:

Yeah, dude, you are.

EYE puts his hand to the side of his head and his eyes go all glowy.

EYE:

No. I'm not.

FOLLOWER gets this dazed look on his face.

FOLLOWER:

My mistake.

FOLLOWER turns and walks off. He eventually gets back to his seat.

OBVIOUS:

Who was that?

FOLLOWER:

What?

OBVIOUS:

The guy you knew?

FOLLOWER:

No one.

OBVIOUS:

Oh... Okay...

TEMP comes running up at this moment.

TEMP:

Guys, we have a problem. One of the ladies was just injured back stage. It looks like an accident but, I don't know... After hanging out with you guys for a few days, maybe I'm just seeing crimes everywhere.

OBVIOUS looks over at FOLLOWER.

OBVIOUS:

Feel like taking a quick patrol of the premises?

FOLLOWER shakes the fogginess out of his head.

FOLLOWER:

Right! Yes! Let's go!

FADE OUT.

COMMERCIAL BREAK.

End Episode 5, Part 1:

We don't initially explain why Temp is still hanging out with the guys after the one temp shift she pulled, but who knows? Maybe she liked spending time with them. Whatever the case, it's not a detail I really thing needs to be address. No need for flashbacks to it or anything, not when we have only around twenty minutes of screen time per episode to work with.

At least we get to focus on her character more. The original team is a sausage fest so it's good to get a woman in the group and give he some of the limelight, so to speak. In this case by figuratively and literally.

The adventure continues with the team slowly figuring out who is behind this dastardly plot next week. Same Follower Time, Same Follower Channel.