PREVIOUSLY...

This is still to come. This will, basically, be a re-cap of the TRUTH series. I have a tremendous amount of ground to cover with Josiah, and most of it is tightly encapsulated as we rush along, so the PREVIOUSLY page will have to shoulder some of the burden for this story, explaining Isaiah Bradley's back story so we don't get hung with lonnnnng pages of exposition while one character explains this stuff to another character. I'll need to see the final plot of TRUTH so I can properly summarize the series, trying to boil 150+ pages down into a couple of paragraphs.

Page 2

(SPLASH)  EXTERIOR: A HOUSE IN A MIDDLE-CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE HOUSES, ALL OF SIMILAR DESIGN, ON THIS STREET. THESE HOUSES ARE CLOSE TOGETHER. A SMALL PATCH OF LAWN IN FRONT.

 

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FRONT DOOR. THE DOOR IS FAITH BRADLEY STANDS AT THE DOOR. A VISITOR HAS ARRIVED. A YOUNG BLACK GIRL, ABOUT 17 YEARS OLD. SHE LOOKS VERY YOUNG. PUT RIBBONS IN HER HAIR. SHE WEARS A NICE DRESS, SOMETHING VERY CONSERVATIVE. JOE: THIS IS 1953, SO BE AWARE OF THE CLOTHING AND HAIR STYLES OF THE TIME PERIOD.

 

THIS GIRL IS SMILING, BUT A SINGLE TEAR STREAMS DOWN HER CHEEK. SHE IS OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTION.  ONE OF HER HANDS IS HELD FLAT AGAINST HER CHEST, AS THOUGH SHE WERE OUT OF BREATH.

 

IN HER OTHER HAND SHE HOLDS THE HANDLE OF AN OLD-STYLE BASSINETTE, BASICALLY A BASKET DESIGNED TO HOLD AN INFANT. THERE IS A BABY INSIDE THIS BASSINETTE. THIS IS JOSIAH. HE IS ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD.

 

COLOR: BRIGHT DAYLIGHT.

    1  CAPTION:      Sunday Morning in Mt. Vernon. 1953.

    2  LEGEND:       Stan Lee presents

    3  LOGO:         < Insert  THE CREW logo >

    4  TITLE:        BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE MOGADISHU

                                                CHAPTER FIVE: JOSIAH

    7  GIRL:         Bradley-- Faith Bradley--?

    8  GIRL:         This is your son.

Page 3

1              OVER THE GIRL’s SHOULDER: FAITH: SHE IS ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD NOW. SHE SMILES WARMLY.

    1  FAITH:        I’m sure you’re mistaken, little girl. I don’t have a son. I have a daughter.

    2  FAITH:        Looks a lot like you.

    3  GIRL:         You have a son, ma’am—

 

2              THE BABY IN THE BASSINETTE. JOSIAH CAN BE SLEEPING OR AWAKE, WHATEVER IS MOST CHARMING.

    4  GIRL:         (Off) –this is he.

    5  GIRL:         (Attach) Doesn’t have a name yet. Didn’t think it was my place to name him.

 

3              CUT TO: INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE: THIS IS A MODEST HOUSE. FAITH IS A SINGLE MOM RAISING A GIRL, SO THERE’D BE TOYS HERE AND THERE (FAITH’S CHILD IS 12 YEARS OLD, SO NO INFANT TOYS; DOLLS, DOLL HOUSE, COLORING BOOKS).

 

JOE: DO SOMETHING OMINOUS WITH THE LIGHTING, BRIGHT LIGHT STREAMS IN FROM OUTSIDE, BUT THERE IS AN OMINOUS EMOTION TO THIS SCENE.

    6  GIRL:         They don’t know I took him. I was real careful about sneaking out.

    7  FAITH:        Dear child-- whatever are you talking about...? Escape from where--?

 

3              NEW ANGLE: THE GIRL ADMIRES A FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH ON A SHELF OR SOME OTHER FURNITURE. THE PHOTO IS OF ISAIAH BRADLEY. HE IS WEARING HIS ARMY UNIFORM AND IS SMILING.

    8  GIRL:         That Army base.

(More)

4              ANGLE ON FAITH: SHE TAKES A MINUTE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE GIRL HAS JUST TOLD HER. SHE IS NOT ANGRY.

— no copy —

 

5              THE INFANT IN THE BASSINETTE.

— no copy —

 

6              DOWN ANGLE: THE ROOM: THE GIRL CONTINUES ADMIRING THE FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH. FAITH LEAVES THE ROOM. THE BABY IS STILL INSIDE THE BASSINETTE.

    9  FAITH:        I'll make us some iced tea.

Page 4

1              A DYNAMIC IMAGE OF THE BLACK CAPTAIN AMERICA LEAPING INTO ACTION. HE IS FIGHTING THE NAZIS, BUT PLEASE FOCUS ON CAPTAIN AMERICA HIMSELF. THE MEN HE IS FIGHTING ARE NOT IMPORTANT.

 

                JOE: THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH IN A NEWSPAPER. AN OLD NEWSPAPER WITH WORN EDGES AND CREASES ACROSS THIS IMAGE.

 

                COLOR: THIS IMAGE IS GRAYSCALE.

    1  NEWSPAPER COPY:      MAN OR MYTH?

    2  COPY:         Though repeatedly dismissed as, "A figment of vivid imaginations" by the Pentagon, Negro war veterans attest to the fact many of Captain America's earliest "victories" were actually the work of a colored officer. But, who was this man? And where is he now?

    3  GIRL:         (Off) Colored officers came to see me in high school. They said I fit the profile perfectly--

 

2              INTERIOR: FAITH's KITCHEN: FAITH AND THE GIRL AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. A MODEST SMALL TABLE WITH A CHECKERBOARD TABLECLOTH. FAITH SIPS HER TEA: SHE IS WARY OF THE YOUNG VISITOR, SUSPICIOUS OF HER. THE GIRL STIRS HER SPOON IN THE GLASS BUT DOES NOT DRINK. SHE SEEMS A BIT SAD. THE BABY IS IN HERE SOMEWHERE, STILL IN THE BASSINETTE.

    4  GIRL:         --I didn't understand... until now.

    5  GIRL:         Blood type, physical type-- I was close enough to you to do what they wanted.

    6  GIRL:         Carry your baby.

(More)

3              FAITH SIPS TEA. SUSPICIOUS. SHE IS NOT A FOOL, JOE.

    7  FAITH:        My baby.

    8  GIRL:         (Off) Them Army men-- they harvested sperm cells from your husband-- before he became sterile.

    9  GIRL:         (Attach) Got egg cells from you when you had your appendix removed last year.

   10  FAITH:        They wanted a control group.

 

4              NEW ANGLE

   11  FAITH:        Isaiah and I already have a child. They'll maximize their research if the child they create was composed of the same genetic material as our normal daughter--

   12  FAITH:        --the only change being the Super-Soldier Serum they injected my husband with during World War II.

   13  FAITH:        They study the boy as he grows-- compare his growth to our daughter's.

   14  FAITH:        You're a surrogate.

 

5              THE GIRL, SAD, STIRRING HER SPOON INSIDE THE GLASS OF ICED TEA. SHE CANNOT LOOK FAITH IN THE EYE.

   15  GIRL:         We needed the money, ma'am.

   16  GIRL:         They fertilized your cells... placed the baby in me. I carried him to term--

   17  GIRL:         --but I never knew whose baby this was-- 'til now.

Page 5

1              THE ROOM

    1  FAITH:        Wasn't it enough that this was obviously some genetic experimentation on colored people?

    2  FAITH:        Didn't your conscience tell you something was wrong?

    3  GIRL:         We needed the money.

                     We needed the money!

    4  GIRL:         But-- then I saw the truth--

 

2              THE GIRL

    5  GIRL:         --they left me alone in the doctor's office-- and I saw the file.

    6  GIRL:         I saw what they did-- to all those men-- to your husband--

    7  GIRL:         --while trying to develop the Super Soldier Serum that created Captain America.

   7a  GIRL:         And, now I'm helping them do it again!

 

3              FAITH LEANS DOWN TO ATTEND THE BABY. NO EMOTION, HER EYES CAST DOWN ON THE OFF-PANEL BABY.

    8  FAITH:        My husband is in prison.

    9  FAITH:        Convicted of risking his life for his country. Of being a human guinea pig.

(More)

   10  FAITH:        For all we know--

 

4              THE BABY: FAITH's HAND REACHING IN, GIVING JOSIAH A BOTTLE OR SOMETHING.

   11  FAITH:        (Off) --there could be 100 of these babies out there.

   12  FAITH:        (Attach) Genetically engineered. Destined to die or go insane...

   13  GIRL:         (Off) He's the only one. I saw the records.

   14  GIRL:         (Attach) They tried-- they tried dozens of times, but nobody could carry a child to term--

 

5              ON FAITH: A BIT ANNOYED, NOW.

   15  FAITH:        Until you. And you bring him right to me.

   16  FAITH:        A genetically engineered baby, possibly endowed with unspeakable power.

   17  FAITH:        A child the government will stop at nothing to reclaim.

 

6              NEW ANGLE: THE ROOM.

   18  FAITH:        This house is watched 24 hours a day. Gonna have to work to get you out of here.

   19  FAITH:        And you can't ever go home again. If you do, you'll get locked up for life.

   20  FAITH:        Finish your tea.

Page 6

1              EXTERIOR: A FREIGHT TRAIN RAIL YARD. IN THE DISTANCE: THE NEW YORK SKY LINE (BUT, JOE,. IT IS FAR IN THE DISTANCE: THIS RAIL YARD IS IN THE BRONX, FAR NORTH OF THE CITY).

 

                FAITH BRADLEY AND HER DAUGHTER WALKS ACROSS RAILROAD TRACKS. JOE: THERE ARE MANY PAIRS OF TRACKS IN THIS RAIL YARD. MAKE FAITH AND SARAH GAIL VERY SMALL FIGURES OR OPEN SHAPES FOR COLOR.

 

                FAITH HOLDS THE BASKET IN ONE HAND AND SARAH GAIL's HAND IN THE OTHER. SARAH GAIL IS ABOUT 12 YEARS OLD.

 

                COLOR: IT IS NIGHT. MOONLIGHT AND OCCASIONAL LIGHT FROM ENGINE HEADLIGHTS OR OTHER INDIRECT LIGHTING.

    1  CAPTION:      Sunday Evening in The Bronx.

    2  FAITH:        ...and then Jochebed, fearing Pharaoh would kill her son, made an arc out of papyrus reeds and set him afloat in the river.

    3  FAITH:        She brought the infant Moses' sister along with her, to witness this.

 

2              IN CLOSER ON FAITH AND SARAH GAIL, SARAH GAIL LOOKING UP AT HER MOTHER, A LITTLE ANNOYED.

    4  SARAH:        Why?

    5  FAITH:        To prepare her, I'd guess. To show her the truth of the world.

    6  FAITH:        There's great beauty and great love in the world, child. But, then there's this--

 

3              ANGLE: THE APPROACH A RUSTED OLD FREIGHT CAR, THE DOOR SLID OPEN (THESE DOORS SLIDE FROM SIDE TO SIDE). THIS IS A CAR ON A TRAIN AMONG A LOT OF OTHER TRAINS. THERE IS NOTHING DISTINCTIVE ABOUT THIS CAR.

    7  FAITH:        --a horror so great, it drives a mother to abandon her son.

    8  SARAH:        You can't leave him on the train, mommy-- he could die!

    9  FAITH:        Yes, he could.

 

4              IN CLOSE: FAITH NOW DOWN ON ONE KNEE, BOTH HANDS ON SARAH's SHOULDERS AS SHE TALKS DIRECTLY TO HER, LOOKING HER IN THE EYE.

   10  FAITH:        But if we keep him, he most certainly will.

   11  FAITH:        I'm not going to hide things from you, child.

   12  SARAH:        But... can't we just take him to a church... or a police station...

   13  FAITH:        Then I would know where he was. Then I would know if he were dead or alive.

 

5              IN FOR A CLOSE UP OF FAITH: OVER THE CHILD's SHOULDER.

   14  FAITH:        Then they would take me away from you.

   15  FAITH:        Torture me until I told them where he was.

   16  FAITH:        Then two children lose a mother.

Page 7

1              ANGLE: THE CHILD, INSIDE THE BASSINETTE. SLEEPING NOW. PEACEFUL. THE BASSINETTE IS INSIDE THE FREIGHT TRAIN CAR NOW. FAITH's HAND REACHES IN, SMOOTHES HIS HAIR.

    1  FAITH:        (Off) Jochebed left Moses in God's hands.

 

2              SAME: NOW, SARAH GAIL'S SMALLER HAND LEAVES A SMALL CARD OR NOTE INSIDE THE BASKET.

    2  NOTE:         MY NAME IS JOSIAH

 

3              MATCH SHOTS: NOW WE SEE JOSIAH, AGE 13 OR SO, ASLEEP IN A CHAIR. HE IS INSIDE A CLASSROOM, A SMALL DESK IN FRONT OF HIM. JOSIAH WEARS A JACKET AND TIE, THE TIE HAS DIAGONAL STRIPES ON IT. THIS IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL UNIFORM.

    3  VOICE:        (Off) Josiah.

    4  VOICE:        (Attach) Josiah.

 

4              SAME: A NUN's HAND REACHES IN, HITTING JOSIAH's HANDS WITH A WOODEN RULER. THE RULER IS 12-INCHES LONG. JOSIAH SNAPS AWAKE, WINCING IN PAIN.

    5  SFX:          WHAAAAPPP!!

    6  JOSIAH:       (Burst) HeHEYYY--!!

    7  JOSIAH:       What are you-- crazy--?!?

 

5              REVERSE ANGLE: WHO JOSIAH IS SPEAKING TO: THE MOTHER SUPERIOR. AN OLDER NUN, UNPLEASANT EXPRESSION. SHE GLARES DOWN AT US.

    8  MOTHER:       Yes. It's in the job description.

    9  MOTHER:       [Ital. Quote] "Insane women wanted. Must dress like penguins."

   10  MOTHER:       You know, son, you should be grateful that God sent you to us.

   11  JOSIAH:       (Off) Which God? Whose God--?

(More)

6              JOSIAH, ANNOYED, HOLDS UP A BIBLE. JESUS ON THE COVER, JOSIAH POINTS TO JESUS.

   12  JOSIAH:       This guy? I pray to this guy, day and night. Keep waitin' for Jesus... or, heck, Zorro to come save me.

   13  JOSIAH:       Zorro never came to save me.

 

7              WIDE ACROSS THE BOTTOM: ESTABLISH THIS CLASSROOM: SEVERAL BOYS, MOST STIFLE A LAUGH, TRYING NOT TO GET CAUGHT LAUGHING. ALL OF THE BOYS WEAR CATHOLIC SCHOOL UNIFORMS.

 

                IMPORTANT: JOSIAH IS THE ONLY BLACK BOY IN THE CLASS.

 

                THE MOTHER HAS TURNED HER BACK TO JOSIAH AS SHE WALKS TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CLASS. JOSIAH SITS IN THE VERY REAR OF THE CLASS.

   14  CAPTION:      Friday Afternoon in Boston. 1965.

   15  MOTHER:       Well, Josiah, who knows. Maybe tonight's your night.

   16  MOTHER:       No supper for you, but you may clean up after the meal. Pray to Zorro.

Page 8

1              JOSIAH LIES IN HIS SMALL BED. THE ROOM IS DARK, BUT HE STRUGGLES TO READ SOME MUSLIM LITERATURE (PLEASE ADD CRESCENT MOON AND STAR SYMBOL ON THIS PAMPHLET ).

    1  CAPTION:      Friday Night in Boston, 1965

 

2              DETAIL: WHAT HE IS READING: A NEWSPAPER FROM A MUSLIM MOSQUE.

    2  HEADLINE:     MALCOLM X ASSASSINATED

    3  COPY:         Former National Minister for the Nation of Islam, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as "Malcolm X" was gunned down in Harlem's Autobahn Ball Room [Greek copy]

 

3              NEW ANGLE: JOSIAH GRIPS THE METAL BARS ON HIS WINDOW. JOE: THIS IS NOT A PRISON, THESE ARE SAFETY BARS (ALTHOUGH THEY ACCOMPLISH THE SAME PURPOSE: KEEPING JOSIAH LOCKED INSIDE).

    4  JOSIAH:       I have got to get out of here...

    5  JOSIAH:       These frickin' safety bars are rusted... maybe...

 

4              DETAIL: JOSIAH's HANDS ON THE BARS: THEY BEND. HE IS SUPER-STRONG.

    6  JOSIAH:       (Off) --whoa-- bending--?!

    7  JOSIAH:       (Attach)  How old are these things--?!

 

5              CUT TO: THE MOTHER SUPERIOR, HER HAND RAISED, HER RULER IN HER HAND, ABOUT TO HIT JOSIAH WITH IT. JOE: SHE JUST APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. JOSIAH PERHAPS TURNING AWAY FROM US, SUDDENLY AWARE THAT THE SISTER IS THERE.

    8  JOSIAH:       --whoa--

    9  MOTHER:       Will you never learn, boy?!?

Page 9

1              JOSIAH DECKS THE NUN. JOE: HE PUNCHES HER THE WAY CAPTAIN AMERICA PUNCHES A SUPER-VILLAIN.

    1  JOSIAH:       Don't call me that.

    2  JOSIAH:       Don't ever call me that.

 

2              CUT TO: THE HALL OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM: THE NUN SMASHES THROUGH THE WALL. JOSIAH HIT HER THAT HARD.  A FEW STUDENTS IN THE HALL REACT TO THIS AS THE SISTER SAILS BACKWARD THROUGH THE WALL.

    3  STUDENT:      Holeee--

    4  STUDENT:      The Mother Superior--!!

 

3              JOSIAH RACES INTO THE HALL, HIS FIST CLENCHED. THERE IS BLOOD ON HIS FIST. JOSIAH IS SHOCKED.

 

                ONE OF THE KIDS ATTENDS TO THE NUN. HE LOOKS UP AT JOSIAH.

    5  STUDENT:      She-- she's dead, man.

 

4              JOSIAH: ALARM. SHOCK. ANGER. HE LOOKS AT HIS HANDS. BLOOD ON THE HAND THAT HIT THE NUN.

    6  STUDENT:      (Off) You killed her.

    7  JOSIAH:       No--

    8  JOSIAH:       --no-- I never meant to-- I mean--

    9  JOSIAH:       --what's happening to me...

 

5              REVERSE TO HIS POINT OF VIEW: THE STUDENTS IN THE HALL: THEY ARE VERY AFRAID OF HIM. THEY BACK UP AGAINST THE WALL AND OTHERWISE SHOW FEAR OF JOSIAH.

   10  STUDENT:      Don't... don't hurt me, man...

   11  STUDENT:      Stay back...

   12  JOSIAH:       (Can be off) No... I... I...

Page 10

1              EXTERIOR: THE ORPHANAGE: JOSIAH IN COILED BATMAN-STYLE LEAP FROM HIS WINDOW. HE HOLDS THE RUINED WINDOW GRATE IN ONE HAND, THE BARS TWISTED (TO INDICATE HE SUCCEEDED IN TEARING THE BARS OFF OF THE WINDOW).

    1  JOSIAH:       ...what's [Ital.] happening to me...?!?

 

2              CUT TO: THE JUNGLES OF VIETNAM: JOSIAH IS A SOLDIER. HE AND SEVERAL OTHER BLACK SOLDIERS ARE PINNED DOWN BY ENEMY GUNFIRE.

 

                IMPORTANT:  ALL OF THESE SOLDIERS ARE BLACK. THIS IS A RECONNAISSANCE UNIT, ONLY A FEW SOLDIERS.

 

                COLOR: IT IS NIGHT. BRIGHT MUZZLE FLASH AND EXPLOSIONS ALL AROUND.

    2  CAPTION:      Tuesday Night in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. 1968.

    3  SOLDIER:      (NOT Josiah) --PINNED DOWN-- Charlie's everywhere--!!

    4  SOLDIER:      Our flank's been cut off-- Josiah-- get them birds in here--!!

 

3              ON JOSIAH: HE IS TALKING ON A WALKIE-TALKIE. JOE: IN 1968, THESE RADIOS WERE HUGE. A RECTANGULAR BOX ABOUT 12 INCHES TALL AND 6 INCHES WIDE. AN ANTENNA EXTENDS FROM THE TOP. JOSIAH SNARLS AS HE YELLS OUT COMMANDS.

    5  JOSIAH:       I'm on it, Sarge-- we--

    6  ELECTRIC:     [Ital.] ...Tango Bravo Niner... immediate support on sector T-7...

    7  JOSIAH:       Hey-- hey wait-- we're in T-7! I say again, friendlies in T-7-- do not drop on--

 

4              THE SOLDIERS, LOOKING UP, AWARE THE PLANES ARE COMING.

    8  SOLDIER:      God.

    9  SOLDIER:      They're gonna dump all over us...

   10  SOLDIER:      That Napalm'll burn up everything in it's path...

   11  SOLDIER:      Don't they know we're here--?

 

5              ON JOSIAH: HE TOSSES THE RADIO AWAY, HOLDS HIS RIFLE READ WITH HIS OTHER HAND, SNARLING.

   12  JOSIAH:       They know.

   13  JOSIAH:       They don't care.

   14  JOSIAH:       We're dead men, fellas. Since we got nothin' to lose--

Page 11

1              THE SMALL BAND OF SOLDIERS CHARGE, FIRING THEIR WEAPONS.

    1  JOSIAH:       (Burst) --LET'S LET 'EM KNOW WE WERE HERE!!

 

2              THE SOLDIERS CLASH WITH VIETNAMESE SOLDIERS IN THE DARK.

— no copy —

 

3              MORE BATTLE

— no copy —

 

4              CUT TO: A PAIR OF FIGHTER JETS SCREAM ACROSS THE SKY, DROPPING BOMBS.

— no copy —

 

5              BACK TO THE BATTLE ON THE GROUND: IT IS SUDDENLY VERY BRIGHT, AS THOUGH IT WERE BROAD DAYLIGHT.

— no copy —

 

6              ZOOM IN CLOSE ON JOSIAH, SNARLING AS HE BATTLES.

                COLOR: THESE ARE NAPALM BURSTS GOING OFF ALL AROUND THEM. BRIGHT, OVERLIT, EXTREME LIGHTING.

    2  VOICE:        (Off, Burst) JOSIAH-- JOSIAH--!!

 

7              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: THE NUN LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR.

    3  VOICE:        (Off, Burst) JOSIAH--!!

Page 12

1              TALL DOWN THE LENGTH OF THE PAGE: JOSIAH RACES OUT OF THE JUNGLE, A WOUNDED MAN SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER, HIS WEAPON IN HAND.

 

                BEHIND HIM, MOST OF HIS MEN ARE STILL WITH HIM.

 

                THE MEN ARE BADLY BURNED, THEIR CLOTHES TORN AND OTHER INJURIES, BUT THEY HAVE SURVIVED THE FIGHT.

    1  CAPTION:      Tuesday Night at David Company Base Camp.

    2  VOICE:        (Off) Holy crap-- they made it--!!

 

2              VIEW DOWN FROM THE TREES: MEDICS TAKE JOSIAH's MEN. THE COMPANY COMMANDER APPROACHES JOSIAH, LIGHTING A CIGARETTE. THE COMMANDER, LIKE ALL OF THESE SOLDIERS, WEARS CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM. HE DOES NOT WEAR A HELMET. THE COMMANDER DOES NOT SEEM OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE MEN RETURNING FROM BATTLE.

    3  COMMANDER:    So, Josiah, I guess we shouldn't go thataway, huh.

    4  JOSIAH:       Go where you want, Colonel. To hell for all I care.

    5  JOSIAH:       Your air strike was supposed to help us--

 

3              MEDIUM: JOSIAH AND THE COMMANDER. THE COMMANDER SMUG, SMILING, BLOWING SMOKE IN JOSIAH's FACE. JOSIAH IS MORE OF A MAN NOW, NEARLY AS TALL AS HE IS TODAY, SO THE COMMANDER HAS TO LOOK UP AT HIM. THE COMMANDER DEEPLY RESENTS HAVING TO LOOK UP AT JOSIAH.

    6  JOSIAH:       --not cook us.

    7  COMMANDER:    Jo-Jo-- it's night. It's the jungle.

    8  COMMANDER:    You're all spooks.

    9  COMMANDER:    C'mon. Minor accident.

 

4              JOSIAH DECKS THE COMMANDER. SENDS HIM FLYING BACK OFF OF HIS FEET, BLOOD ARCS FROM HIS MOUTH.

   10  JOSIAH:       So's this.

Page 13

1              VIEW THROUGH PRISON BARS: JOSIAH IS IN A PRISON CELL. HE IS PRAYING,  ON HIS KNEES, PALMS TURNED UPWARD, HEAD BOWED. SERENE. JOSIAH WEARS A PRISON UNIFORM. HE HAS A NUMBER WRITTEN ON A NAME TAG.

    1  CAPTION:      Thursday Afternoon in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 1973.

 

2              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: THE NUN LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR.

    2  VOICE:        (Off) This the one...?

 

3              RETURN TO PRESENT: NORMAL PANEL BORDERS:

A COLONEL IN THE ARMY MILITARY POLICE TALKS TO TWO MEN IN BUSINESS SUITS. THESE MEN ARE SCIENTISTS. THEY ARE EVIL MEN, UP TO NO GOOD.

 

                THE COLONEL HAS A CLIPBOARD WITH SOME NOTES ON IT. THE SCIENTISTS LISTEN INTENTLY. NE RUBS HIS CHIN THOUGHTFULLY.

    3  COLONEL:      Calls himself Josiah Smith, but that's not his real name, of course.

    4  COLONEL:      Says he's 20, but he's been here five years. Guess he lied about his age to get in...

    5  MAN:          The fitness reports, Colonel. The blood work.

 

4              IN CLOSER ON THESE MEN.

    6  COLONEL:      Off the charts. Like nothing we've ever seen.

    7  COLONEL:      Josiah is stronger and faster than... well... than anybody. He almost never tires.

    8  COLONEL:      A mind like a steel trap--

    9  JOSIAH:       (Off) --and great ears, Colonel--

 

5              NEW ANGLE: JOSIAH IN HIS CELL. NOW SITTING ON A BUNK, READING THE HOLY KORAN.

   10  JOSIAH:       --and my teeth be pearly white, too.

   11  JOSIAH:       Five years a bit much for slugging one jerk, Colonel.

   12  JOSIAH:       Now, what's the name of this tune...?

   13  MAN:          (Off) Sergeant Smith, we're from the federal government--

 

6              REVERSE: THROUGH THE BARS: THE SCIENTISTS LEAN IN, TALKING TO US. THEY ARE GRIM AND MYSTERIOUS AND WE DO NOT LIKE THEM.

   14  MAN:          --if you'd be willing to help us out with a few minor tests--

   15  MAN:          --we're certain we can get your sentence commuted.

Page 14

1              AERIAL: SOME GOVERNMENT TESTING FACILITY IN CALIFORNIA.

    1  CAPTION:      Monday Afternoon in Berkley, California. 1974.

 

2              MEDIUM: JOSIAH, NOW INSIDE A SMALL DORM ROOM. SCOWLING AT US. HIS HEAD BOWED A LITTLE SO HE SCOWLS AT US THROUGH THE TOP OF HIS EYES.

    2  JOSIAH:       A few minor tests.

 

3              REVERSE TO SEE WHAT HE IS LOOKING AT: A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS. PROMINENT AMONG THEM IS THE MAN WHO SPOKE TO JOSIAH ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE.

 

                THESE MEN ARE BEHIND A GLASS WALL, OBSERVING US THROUGH THE GLASS.

    3  MAN:          It's him. It's got to be him.

    5  MAN:          Blood work-- right on the line. Tissue match-- right on the line-- it's him--

    6  MAN:          --it's A-39. The baby that went missing 20 years ago--!

 

4              JOSIAH, BORED, FLIPS THRU MAGAZINES.

    7  MAN:          (Off) --still alive. The only one that lived...

    8  JOSIAH:       Wish I could hear what you boys find so interesting.

    9  JOSIAH:       Then again, maybe I don't want to hear...

 

5              THE SCIENTISTS. ONE OF THEM ASKS THE MAIN GUY A QUESTION.

   10  BOSS:         You're sure you're done with him-- you've got all the data you need?

   11  MAN:          Yes. Boss-- that's A-39. I guarantee it!!

   12  BOSS:         Very well...

 

6              THE BOSS WALKS AWAY, THE SCIENTISTS REJOICE, SHAKING HANDS, LEAPING FOR JOY, VERY, VERY HAPPEN.

   13  BOSS:         ...as long as we don't need him anymore--

   14  BOSS:         --go ahead with the dissection. Distill that formula.

   15  SCIENTISTS:   (Unison)  YESSSS--!!

Page 15

1              JOSIAH SLEEPING.

                COLOR: IT IS NIGHT.

    1  VOICE:        (Off) Josiah...

    2  VOICE:        (Attach) ...Josiah...

 

2              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: THE NUN LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR. THE SCHOOL KID LOOKING UP AT US.

    3  STUDENT:      She-- she's dead, man.

    4  STUDENT:      You killed her.

    5  VOICE:        (Off) ...Josiah...

 

3              RETURN TO PRESENT: NORMAL PANEL BORDERS:

                JOSIAH IS AWAKENED. A WOMAN's HAND REACHES IN, GENTLY ROUSING HIM.

    6  VOICE:        (Off) ...you've got to get out of here.

    7  JOSIAH:       ...huh.... wha...?

    8  VOICE:        (Off) They're going to kill you in the morning.

 

4              JOSIAH SITTING UP NOW, WIPING HIS EYES. VERY SLEEPY.

    9  JOSIAH:       What... what are you talking about...?

   10  VOICE:        (Off) Your strength-- your speed and endurance-- they think you're an experiment that got away.

   11  VOICE:        (Attach) They've learned all they can without cutting you open...

   12  JOSIAH:       Wait... how do you know...?

(More)

5              REVERSE: WE SEE WHO JOSIAH IS TALKING TO. IT IS THE GIRL, FROM PAGE ONE. SHE IS NOW 20 YEARS OLDER. SHE WEARS A BLAND JUMP SUIT. SHE HAS BEEN A PRISONER FOR TWO DECADES.

   13  WOMAN:        I know.

   14  WOMAN:        I've been brought here to run genetic match tests.

   15  WOMAN:        I'm the woman who carried you for nine months.

Page 16

1              THE WOMAN STROKES JOSIAH's CHEEK LOVINGLY. IN A WAY, SHE IS HIS MOTHER.

    1  JOSIAH:       You-- you're my mother--?

    2  WOMAN:        I was just a surrogate.

    3  JOSIAH:       Who am I?! What am I?

    4  WOMAN:        I can't tell you--

    5  JOSIAH:       Dammit, you're the first person who seems to know anything!

 

2              JOSIAH ACCUSES THE WOMAN, THE WOMAN HOLDS A FINGER TO HER LIPS, INDICATING THAT JOSIAH SHOULD KEEP HIS VOICE DOWN.

    6  JOSIAH:       Strangers found me on a train. That's all I know of my entire life!

    7  JOSIAH:       I don't even know my last name-- my birthday--!

    8  WOMAN:        You must leave, Josiah. There are people here who will help--

    9  JOSIAH:       Not before I get some answers, woman!

 

3              JOSIAH, ANGRY, GESTURES WITH HIS HANDS.

   10  JOSIAH:       I got nothing. Just a blank.

   11  JOSIAH:       I have this... enhanced strength-- almost superhuman... how? Why?

   12  JOSIAH:       And now these guys want to cut me open-- to try and see how I tick--?!?

   13  JOSIAH:       Lady-- you gotta tell me something. Anything.

4              THE WOMAN KISSES JOSIAH ON THE FOREHEAD.

   14  WOMAN:        Your mother's name is Faith. Your father's name is Isaiah.

   15  WOMAN:        You were born on July 4th, 1953.

   16  WOMAN:        That's all I know. Now, for God's sake, Josiah-- before it's too late--

 

5              CUT TO: EXTERIOR OF THIS BUILDING:  A HUGE, THICK, STEEL DOOR LIES MANGLED ON THE GROUND. MAKE IT CLEAR THIS DOOR HAS BEEN FORCIBLY RIPPED OFF OF ITS HINGES.

 

                SMALL FIGURE IN THE DISTANCE: JOSIAH RACES AWAY, VANISHING INTO THE NIGHT. JOSIAH CAN BE AN OPEN SHAPE HERE.

   17  CAPTION:      "--go."

Page 17

1              INTERIOR: A RATTY OLD APARTMENT: JOSIAH STANDS BY A WINDOW, STANDING ON ONE SIDE OF IT, AS HE LEANS OVER AND PEERS OUT OF THE WINDOW. AN OLD, RATTY CURTAIN OVER THIS WINDOW, SO JOSIAH MAY BE MOVING THE CURTAIN TO ONE SIDE WITH HIS HAND.

 

                IN HIS FREE HAND, JOSIAH HOLDS AN AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE.

 

                JOSIAH WEARS A BLACK LEATHER JACKET AND BLACK PANTS. HE HAS A SMALL AFRO NOW, AND HE WEARS THE BLACK BERET OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY (I'LL FIND SOME REFERENCE ON THIS).

    1  CAPTION:      Wednesday Evening in Harlem. 1978.

    2  VOICE:        (Off; Ital.) "...and only now is the truth of the white man's horrendous injustices towards the Negro coming to light...

    3  VOICE:        (Attach) "...the human experimentation at Tuskegee and the inhumane genetic torture that eventually yielded the super-soldier serum--

 

2              TAMMY, A YOUNG BLACK WOMAN, SIMILARLY ATTIRED, LOUNGES ON A DILAPIDATED SOFA, READING A PROPAGANDA PAPER. TAMMY ALSO WEARS A BLACK BERET AND LEATHER JACKET. SHE HAS SEVERAL ASSAULT RIFLES AND HANDGUNS WITHIN EASY REACH. SHE WEARS SUNGLASSES EVEN WHILE SHE IS READING, AND A CIGARETTE IS HELD BETWEEN HER FINGERS.

    4  TAMMY:        "--which left hundreds of Negro soldiers dead and maimed."

    5  TAMMY:        This some deep spit, Jo-Jo.

    6  JOSIAH:       (Off) It's party propaganda, Tammy.

    7  TAMMY:        Yeah, but damn good party propaganda.

(More)

3              IN CLOSER ON TAMMY, HOLDING UP THE PROPAGANDA PAPER: JOE, HERE IS A REPRINT OF THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE WITH THE BLACK CAPTAIN AMERICA FROM EARLIER IN THE STORY.

    8  TAMMY:        I mean, lookadis. A black Captain America, baby.

    9  NEWSPAPER COPY:      MAN OR MYTH?

   10  COPY:         Though repeatedly dismissed as, "A figment of vivid imaginations" by the Pentagon, Negro war veterans attest to the fact many of Captain America's earliest "victories" were actually the work of a colored officer. But, who was this man? And where is he now?

   11  JOSIAH:       (Off)  Rhetoric for the movement, Tammy.

 

4              THE ROOM: TAMMY TOSSES THE PAPER ASIDE, EXHALES SMOKE AS SHE LOUNGES BACK ON THE SOFA. JOSIAH CONTINUES TO LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW.

   12  TAMMY:        The movement's dead, Josiah. The revolution's been televised.

   13  TAMMY:        5 years from now, we'll be livin' in the burbs-- drivin' junior to the soccer game.

   14  JOSIAH:       That paper-- did I see a list of names of some of the victimized soldiers...?

 

5              ON JOSIAH: HE'S TURNED HIS HEAD TOWARDS TAMMY. NOT QUITE LOOKING AT HER, MORE LOOKING AT THE FLOOR. GRIM. WAITING TO HEAR HER REPLY.

   15  TAMMY:        (Off) Think so. Yeah.

   16  JOSIAH:       Anybody on that list named... Isaiah...?

Page 18

1              CUT TO: FAITH BRADLEY'S FRONT DOOR, FROM PAGE ONE. FAITH, WHO APPEARS TO HAVE NOT AGED (SHE APPEARS TO BE MID-30's), STANDS AT THE FRONT DOOR. JOSIAH, IN HIS BLACK LEATHER JACKET, BERET, AND DARK SUNGLASSES, STANDS AT THE DOOR. HE APPEARS RATHER MENACING. FAITH SHOWS NO EXPRESSION.

    1  CAPTION:      Sunday Afternoon in Mt. Vernon. 1978.

    2  JOSIAH:       Did you leave me on a train?

 

2              DOWN ANGLE OVER JOSIAH's SHOULDER: FAITH SMILES, AMUSED.

    3  WOMAN:        Wow.

    4  WOMAN:        You must be Josiah.

    5  WOMAN:        I'll make us some iced tea.

 

3              INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE: THE WOMAN HEADS TOWARDS THE KITCHEN, LEAVING JOSIAH IN THE LIVING ROOM. THERE ARE NO TOYS IN THE HOUSE. OTHERWISE, IT LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME.

    6  JOSIAH:       You didn't answer my question.

    7  WOMAN:        Maybe I didn't appreciate the tone.

    8  JOSIAH:       My "tone"?! Woman, you left me on a damned train for god's sake--

    9  VOICE:        (Off) Oh, child, of course she didn't--

 

4              NEW ANGLE: FAITH.  SHE IS ABOUT 55 YEARS OLD NOW. SHE WEARS A MUSLIM HEAD SCARF BUT NO VEIL. WE CAN SEE HER FACE. SHE SMILES WARMLY.

 

JOE: THE WOMAN WHO ANSWERED THE DOOR, WHO HAS GONE TO MAKE TEA,  LOOKS LIKE FAITH BUT IS IN FACT HER DAUGHTER, SARAH GAIL.

   10  FAITH:        --I did. I am Faith Shabazz.

   11  JOSIAH:       (Off) My mother.

   12  FAITH:        In a manner of speaking.

   13  JOSIAH:       (Off) And, the woman who answered the

                     door--?

   14  FAITH:        Sarah Gail. Your sister.

 

5              THE ROOM: JOSIAH, GRIM, HAS REMOVED HIS SUNGLASSES. HE DOES NOT ENTIRELY BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE.

   15  JOSIAH:       ...sister...

   16  FAITH:        You have a great many questions. They'll take more time than we have.

   17  JOSIAH:       I've got the rest of my life...

   18  FAITH:        This house is being watched, child. You must not stay more than a few minutes--

Page 19

1              INTERIOR: ANOTHER ROOM: FAITH ENTERS, JOSIAH FOLLOWS.

    1  FAITH:        --or the men watching this house will become suspicious. And, should they discover who you truly are--

    2  JOSIAH:       --it's back to Berkeley. With a toe tag.

    3  [1]FAITH:       For now, they assume you are yet another curious Afro-American--

 

2              REVERSE ANGLE: IN THIS ROOM: ISAIAH BRADLEY. HE IS WATCHING ANIMATED CARTOONS ON TELEVISION. HE IS SMILING.

 

                IN ALL ASPECTS, ISAIAH IS VERY CHILD-LIKE.

    4  FAITH:        (Off) --come to see the urban legend.

    5  FAITH:        (Attach) The black Captain America.

 

3              JOSIAH APPROACHES ISAIAH. JOSIAH GRIM, SCRUTINIZING THE MAN. ISAIAH APPEARS TO BE ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD. HE HAS NOT AGED MUCH SINCE WORLD WAR II. ISAIAH DOES NOT NOTICE JOSIAH. HE PLAYS WITH TOYS AND WATCHES CARTOONS.

    6  FAITH:        (Off) Isaiah Bradley.

    7  FAITH:        (Attach) Your father, Josiah.

 

4              NEW ANGLE: FAITH GENTLY TAKES JOSIAH's ARM. IT IS TIME FOR JOSIAH TO LEAVE. SHE HAS A WARM SMILE. JOSIAH LOOKS AT ISAIAH, ANGRY.

    8  JOSIAH:       What... what'd they do to him...?

    9  FAITH:        The serum ruined his mind. He's quite happy, but very child-like. And he ages very slowly.

   10  FAITH:        Time to go now, child.

5              CUT TO: THE FRONT DOOR. JOSIAH A BIT ANGRY. FAITH GENTLY URGES HIM TO LEAVE.

   11  JOSIAH:       When can I come back? I have... a lot of questions...

   12  FAITH:        Come back when it is time.

   13  JOSIAH:       ?!? How will I know that?!

   14  FAITH:        You'll know--

 

6              IN CLOSER: FAITH'S HANDS GENTLY PUSH A LONG, FLAT BOX INTO JOSIAH'S hands. JOE: THIS BOX MUST BE LARGE ENOUGH TO FIT ISAIAH'S SHIELD INSIDE (SEE REFERENCE ON THE SHIELD).

   15  FAITH:        (Off) --he'll tell you.

Page 20

1              VIEW DOWN OVER JOSIAH's SHOULDER: WE SEE WHAT IS INSIDE THE BOX: ISAIAH's CAPTAIN AMERICA COSTUME. MAKE SURE WE SEE, MAINLY, THE SHIRT WITH THE BIG STAR ON IT.

— no copy —

 

2              CUT TO: EXTERIOR: THE ORPHANAGE WHERE JOSIAH GREW UP. IT IS CONNECTED TO A CATHOLIC CHURCH.

    1  CAPTION:      Monday Afternoon in Boston. 1995.

    2  VOICE:        (From the church) Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

    3  VOICE:        It has been 30 years since my last confession.

 

3              CUT TO: IN CLOSE: JOSIAH INSIDE A CONFESSION BOOTH. DARK AND CRAMPED. JOSIAH IS VERY SAD. HE LOOKS ABOUT THE WAY HE DOES NOW. HE NO LONGER LOOKS LIKE A MILITANT.

    4  JOSIAH:       Since finding my father 17 years ago, I have lived abroad. Made money as a mercenary. Killed for profit.

    5  JOSIAH:       But I struggled with the meaning and the truth of it. I have found that truth in the love of Islam.

    6  JOSIAH:       I have renounced Satan-- completed the hajj-- the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. I may now add [Ital.] al-hajj to my name. My true name--

(More)

4              KIN CLOSER: JOSIAH: EYES SHUT NOW. IN EMOTIONAL PAIN.

    7  JOSIAH:       --Josiah al hajj Saddiq. Josiah X.

    8  JOSIAH:       But, there remains one thing that haunts me... denies me peace..

 

5              FLASHBACK: ROUNDED CORNERS, PLEASE: THE NUN LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR.

    9  CAPTION:      "...the death of Mother Superior.

   10  CAPTION:      "I killed her, Father. Now I must accept the consequences..."

 

6              RETURN TO PRESENT: NEW ANGLE: THE CONFESSIONAL DOOR OPENING. AN OLD NUN SCOWLS AT US THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR.

   11  MOTHER:       Are you some kind of crackpot? Some frat kid?

   12  MOTHER:       A Muslim comes to confession-- then says I'm dead--?!?

Page 21

1              INTERIOR: THE CHURCH: JOSIAH IS OUTSIDE OF THE CONFESSIONAL NOW, EMBRACING THE OLD NUN, OVERJOYED THAT SHE IS ALIVE.

    1  JOSIAH:       You-- you're ALIVE--?!?

    2  MOTHER:       Not for long, you keep suffocating me like that, kid!

    3  JOSIAH:       I-- I thought I'd killed you-- they said you were dead--

 

2              THE NUN: SCOWLING.

    4  MOTHER:       They were 12 years old. What'd they know.

    5  MOTHER:       And you're way too young to be that kid who hit me 30 years ago-- he'd be mid-40's by now!

    6  MOTHER:       You look barely 25! Look, son, it's been a riot--

 

3              JOSIAH LEAVES, SMILING. HE HAS BEEN GRANTED ABSOLUTION: A GREAT WEIGHT LIFTED OFF OF HIS SHOULDERS. THE MEAN NUN IN BACKGROUND.

    7  MOTHER:       --but whatever this guilt trip is, you can dump it. Get on with your life.

    8  MOTHER:       Y'know... all that good Catholic crap.

    9  JOSIAH:       Yes, I know...

 

4              CUT TO: EXTERIOR OF JOSIAH's MUSLIM MISSION IN THE MOG. JOSIAH RAISES THE AMERICAN FLAG OUTSIDE. HE IS DRESSED ABOUT THE WAY HE DOES NOW.

   10  CAPTION:      Saturday Morning in The Mog. 1996.

   11  VOICE:        (Off) As-Salaam-Alaikum, Minister Josiah.

(More)

5              NEW ANGLE: JOSIAH SMILES AT A SMALL GROUP OF URBAN BOYS. THEY HAVE A BASKETBALL.

   12  JOSIAH:       Wa-Alaikum As-Salaam, young brothers.

   13  JOSIAH:       Ready to get your feelings hurt on the basketball court...?

Page 22

1              INTERIOR: A SMALL APARTMENT IN THE BRONX. THERE SHOULD BE REFERENCE ON THIS PLACE. THIS IS WHERE FAITH AND ISAIAH LIVE NOW.

 

                JOSIAH PLAYS A BOARD GAME WITH HIS FATHER. THIS GAME IS A CHILD's GAME. JOSIAH AND ISAIAH HOLD SMALL CARDS IN THEIR HANDS AND MOVE GAME PIECES AROUND A BOARD. THE GAME IS CALLED "CANDYLAND," BUT IT CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT.

 

                ISAIAH SMILES, JOSIAH SMILES.

 

                ISAIAH APPEARS TO BE ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD. HE HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL SINCE WORLD WAR II. JOSIAH LOOKS THE WAY HE DOES NOW, APPROXIMATELY 25 YEARS OLD.

 

                THIS IS PRESENT DAY.

 

                COLOR: DAYLIGHT

    1  CAPTION:      Thursday Morning In The Bronx. Today.

    2  JOSIAH:       Ahhh-- got me again, huh, pop...?

    3  JOSIAH:       Never could get the hang of this one--

    4  VOICE:        (Off) Josiah-- it's time.

 

2              JOSIAH KISSES ISAIAH ON THE FOREHEAD. ISAIAH DOES NOT SEEM TO NOTICE. HE CONTINUES PLAYING.

    5  JOSIAH:       Gotta go now, pop.

    6  JOSIAH:       Keep the domestic tranquility.

 

3              CUT TO: THE LIVING ROOM. JOSIAH EMBRACES HIS MOTHER. FAITH IS NOW ABOUT 81 YEARS OLD AND FRAIL. SHE STILL WEARS A MUSLIM HEAD COVERING (BUT NO VEIL).

    7  JOSIAH:       I thought you'd made peace with the jackals, mother.

    8  FAITH:        Such men can never be trusted, child. You know that.

    9  JOSIAH:       Mother... I have money. Why not let me move you into a house--

(More)

4              CUT TO: A HALL. JOSIAH EXITS THE APARTMENT WHILE TURNING TO LOOK TOWARDS US. JOSIAH IS ANNOYED: HE HAS SPOTTED SOMEONE. FAITH IS AT THE DOOR. SHE LOOKS AT JOSIAH (SHE DOES NOT SEE WHAT JOSIAH SEES).

   10  FAITH:        We have all that we need, child.

   11  FAITH:        We require only your love.

   12  JOSIAH:       ---

   13  JOSIAH:       --go back inside.

   14  JOSIAH:       I believe the jackals have found me...

 

5              CUT TO: WHAT JOSIAH SEES: IN THE HALL: RHODEY, KASPER AND DANNY. THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HIM. THEY ALL WEAR CIVILIAN CLOTHES. DANNY DOES NOT HAVE HIS SERVO-TECH WITH HIM.

   15  NEXT:         NEXT:  THE CREW

 

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