Launchman and the Mercury Staff

One of my all-time favorite writers John August is hosting a writing contest on his blog. The deal is to write a blockbuster action scene/sequence that involves superheroes.

All that is told us is that it involves the villain BRICKHOUSE who has stolen a staff from the Museum of Ubiquities. He leaves it to us to come up with the rest.

The following is the sequence that I wrote for the contest and it should be on his site soon:

[scrippet]
EXT. UBIQUITIES MUSEUM - DAY
The Museum of Ubiquities, unusually vacant for a Saturday afternoon. The artful 'OPEN' sign gives no clues to why.

Below the Museum’s massive stone steps gathers a large CROWD nervously watching behind the panicked BLOCKADE of squad cars and caution tape. Several OFFICERS train their pistols toward the entrance of the Museum. It is eerily silent.

From behind a parked squad unit, a dark FIGURE walks calmly to the front of the panic-fest, putting on leather GLOVES.

A yellow 'L' symbol on his chest suggests this is the world-famous LAUNCHMAN, backwoods hansom that has hardened from living in the big city for many years. He adjusts his perfectly formed hair as he approaches the frontline.

A particularly beautiful Museum Docent with JENNIFER on her name tag approaches the costumed hero.

JENNY
You okay?

LAUNCHMAN
(lying)
Fine.

Launchman takes Jenny’s arm and gently pulls her aside.

LAUNCHMAN (CONT’D)
Were you hurt?

JENNY
I’m fine Linus.

LAUNCHMAN
Was it Greaser? Maybe Fulkenhagen again?

JENNY
This time it was an unknown. He called himself 'BRICKHOUSE.'

LAUNCHMAN
Usual DR. DISORDER cretin again?

JENNY
But big. Really big. He took the doors off the Hall of Transient Properties with one hand.

Launchman’s eyes go wide at this information. He looks up to the Museum’s entrance, heading towards an uncertain doom.

JENNY (CONT’D)
You going to be okay in there?

LAUNCHMAN
Guess we’ll find out...


INT. UBIQUITIES MUSEUM - LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
Launchman enters the Museum lobby and quietly closes the door. He looks around at the destruction.

Papers and other DEBRIS litter the once spotless granite floors. Several velvet ropes and their stands have been toppled over. Launchman waves his arm, clearing a path.

With a soft-shoe, Launchman makes his way towards the Hall of Transient Properties. He prepares himself for the worst.


INT. HALL OF TRANSIENT PROPERTIES - CONTINUOUS
Raiding a large and most likely expensive DISPLAY CASE is the largest dude you’ve ever seen; wearing GIGANTIC army boots, black shorts and a once white wife-beater tank top.

This is the previously announced BRICKHOUSE. He looks as if he’s been on steroids since he was three years-old.

In his left hand, Brickhouse holds the MERCURY STAFF. Launchman notices it - again with that old relic?!

AT THE DOOR

Launchman waggles his fingers, preparing for a desperate move. He raises his arm and extends his fingers outward.

THE STAFF WIGGLES
Brickhouse doesn’t seem to notice.

Launchman readjusts his stance. He reaches out once more.

THE STAFF FLIES OUT OF BRICKHOUSE’S HAND --

And into Launchman’s open palm.

Brickhouse turns around - not sure what happened.

BRICKHOUSE
(thick Australian accent)
‘Ere, is moine!

Brickhouse reaches for the nearest object, which happens to be a thick GARBAGE CAN LID. He FRISBY-TOSSES it towards the unprepared Launchman, who takes it right in the gut.
The staff flies from his hand and to the ground.

Brickhouse BLITZES for the staff, swooping it up. He reaches for Launchman - still dazed from the blow to the gut.

Brickhouse picks him up by the arm and CHUCKS him across the room. Launchman lands with a THUD, sliding into a wall.

Launchman slowly rises, his body stinging with pain.

LAUNCHMAN
That’s...just not nice.

Brickhouse picks up a velvet-rope stand and HAMMER THROWS it towards Launchman who reacts quickly and sticks out his hand.

THE STAND CHANGES COURSE --

It swings around and FLIES back towards Brickhouse.

Brickhouse gets SMACKED upside the face. He tumbles back.

BRICKHOUSE
‘Ay naow.

Brickhouse bends down and picks up one of the FELLED DOORS.

Launchman prepares himself for the door to come flying his way. Instead Brickhouse holds the door as a shield as he turns tail and RUNS AWAY.

Launchman lifts his arms in disappointment.

LAUNCHMAN
What the...?

Launchman chases after him.


EXT. UBIQUITIES MUSEUM - MOMENTS LATER
Through raining BULLETS, Brickhouse exits the Museum. The door is held up as a shield from the ever-increasing blasts.

Some of the bullets pierce his skin, most just get deflected off the door-shield.
Launchman exits the Museum. The firing slows to a stop.

Seeing Launchman at his heels, Brickhouse TURNS to run down the street. He FLINGS the dented door towards the squad cars.

Several policemen DUCK and COVER from the uncontrollable door. The unaware Jenny looks up at the approaching steel-plated doom. She BRACES herself for the worst.

Nothing.

The door never hits the ground.

She looks up. The door HANGS IN THE AIR inches from her head.

The door is FLUNG backward and CLASHES to the ground.

Observing from the Museum stairs, Launchman lowers his hands and turns to the street. In the distance Launchman can see --

Brickhouse has made it a great distance away - he trips on a FIRE HYDRANT. The hydrant EXPLODES H2O all over the street. He goes TUMBLING to the ground and drops the staff.
Brickhouse picks back up the staff and continues fleeing.

Jenny joins Launchman on the steps.

JENNY
It’s okay, we’ll get it back.

LAUNCHMAN
That’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is Dr. Disaster continues to try and steal the damn thing.

Launchman turns to Jenny.

LAUNCHMAN (CONT’D)
I need to know absolutely everything there is to know about that staff.

Jenny nods enthusiastically.
[/scrippet]