The Real Heroes

By
Joel Wallick

Joel Wallick
1451 Clough St.
Apt. 105A
Bowling Green, OH 43402
614-312-6779

FADE IN:
INT. HERO NEWS NETWORK (HNN) NEWSROOM -- DAY
A REPORTER sits in front of a large screen with scrolling
names and statistics begins to speak.
REPORTER
Good Evening ladies and gentlemen.
We at HNN are happy to report that
Adam Selby, AKA The Dazzler, has
just stopped a bank robbery in
downtown Los Angeles. This is his
108th crime stopped this month,
which puts him at number 2 in the
nation, above The Bronze Warrior
and below Captain Smasher.
The screen fills with names and statistics. They appear to
be ranked, with Captain Smasher, The Dazzler, and The Bronze
Warrior as the top 3 names.
REPORTER (O.S.)
Wow, The Dazzler has just been
killing it lately, putting his
fellow L.A-ers to shame.
An average size woman named KATEY watches the program from a
dirty, stained and ripped love seat. She wears a white
t-shirt and sweatpants, and a small tabby cat sleeps
peacefully on her lap.
The names on the screen change to The Dazzler at the top,
followed by The Lieutenant.
REPORTER (O.S.)
(filtered)
The Lieutenant especially is having
a tough time keeping up with him,
wow.
Katey turns off the TV remotely, and gets up from her spot.
Upon Katey leaving, the cat jumps up, stretches and yawns,
then jumps back up to his previous seat.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN -- MORNING
KATEY and JENNY sit at a kitchen table, eating cereal. The
small rooms only light comes from a dim ceiling light.
Jenny wears business casual attire, and Katey still wears a
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

white t-shirt and sweatpants. They both eat cereal in a

peaceful silence.
JENNY
Did you hear that The Dazzler is
number 2 in the state now?
Katey looks up from her cereal, but continues to chew.
KATEY
(mouth full)
Oh. Yeah I saw, they were talking
about him last night. He seems
pretty good; its nice to know
theres still people out there who
actually cares about law
enforcement.
JENNY
Yeah, totally. And hes totally
screwing up everyones predictions
for this month. All the guys at
work are like, "bro Im gonna lose
money cause of that fag!" Its
pretty stupid.
KATEY
(laughing)
Oh boy, what a shame. But yeah, I
had never even heard of anyone
getting that many crimes within a
month of starting.
The cat walks up to Kateys leg, and mews while pawing at
her foot.
KATEY
(to cat)
What, Robert? Okay, okay Im
getting your food! Wouldnt want
you to starve to death.
Katey gets up, and walks to the corner of the kitchen where
a half-empty bag of cat food sits on the counter and two
bowls sit on the floor.
Jenny gets up from the table and takes her dishes to the
sink.
JENNY
Well, whatever. I have to go to
work now. Ill see you later
tonight. Keep looking for jobs,
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.

JENNY (contd)
yeah? I know youve been having
trouble, but I cant pay all the
rent by myself for much longer.
KATEY
Yeah. Yeah, I will. This is what I
get for trying to be an artist,
right?
JENNY
Hey, look I know right now it seems
rough but just focus on making
money right now. The dream can
still come.
KATEY
Yeah, I guess youre right. Thanks.
Katey walks over to give Jenny a goodbye kiss, before Jenny
walks out the door, leaving Katey alone with the cat.
EXT. CITY STREET SURROUNDED BY APARTMENT BUILDINGS -- DAY
Katey walks down the sidewalk dressed in black dress pants
and a gray sweater. As she passes an alleyway, a MUGGER with
a beard, wearing a knit cap and a stained sweatshirt appears
out of the shadows, wielding a pocketknife pointed directly
at her.
MUGGER
Just give me your wallet and we can
get this over with.
Upon hearing this, Katey turns toward the man who is slowly
moving closer to her. She puts her arms up in surrender.
KATEY
(calmly)
Alright, just calm down.
The mugger keeps inching forward.
Katey begins moving her right arm across her chest toward
her left pant pocket.
When her right hand reaches the pocket, Katey swiftly brings
arm up in a diagonal slap, knocking the knife out of the
muggers hand.
Katey springs to her right, where the knife landed.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

She grabs the knife, backs up from her position, and points
the knife at the mugger.
KATEY
You shouldnt have such a loose
grip.
The mugger stares at her for a brief moment, but turns
around and runs the opposite direction.
Once the mugger is out of sight, Katey tosses the knife to
the side and sighs.
KATEY
Well now Im gonna be late, thats
perfect.
Katey turns toward her original destination, and
speed-walks.
INT.

APARTMENT LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

Katey sits on the couch wearing pajama pants and a T-shirt,

watching HNN on a low volume, with the cat sleeping on her
lap.
Jenny comes in the door, her clothes untucked and her hair a
mess.
JENNY
Hey, whats up?
Katey doesnt respond. Jenny sits next to her on the couch,
and puts her arm around her.
JENNY
Katey.
Katey turns her head at the touch, and notices Jenny.
KATEY
Oh. Hey. How was work?
JENNY
Pretty shitty I guess. So...
normal. How did your interview go?
KATEY
It was fine I guess.
Katey looks down at the cat, and pets him. He purrs
affectionately.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

JENNY
So did you get the job? What did
they say?
KATEY
They just said theyd get back to
me.
JENNY
Ah, yeah. That figures.
Katey continues to stare down at the cat.
JENNY
You doing okay?
Katey looks up at Jenny.
KATEY
I mean, yeah. Lately Ive just been
feeling unfulfilled. I think maybe
I should have stayed in the
military.
JENNY
Hey, if you had done that, we
wouldnt have met.
KATEY
True. It just feels hard to justify
it since I still dont have a job.
JENNY
I know, but like I said earlier,
itll work out.
The two sit in silence, watching TV while the cat continues
to purr.
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN -- MORNING
Katey and Jenny eat cereal across from each other in
silence. The silence is broken by the mew of the cat.
KATEY
Oh, ok. Sorry Robert Im so bad
about this.
Katey gets up and moves toward the cat food, when a folded
piece of paper slides under their door.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

JENNY
Whats that?
Jenny opens the door, and peers outside. She looks left,
then right.
She closes the door, and shrugs apathetically. She bends
over, picks up the piece and opens it.
JENNY
Its a letter...for you I guess.
KATEY
Uh...really?
Jenny hands Katey the letter, and she silently reads it.
JENNY
So what is it? I just saw your
name.
KATEY
Its...its from the heroes of L.A.
Theyre asking me to stop by their
meeting later today.
JENNY
You are so messing with me. Theres
no way! Why would they KATEY
Well I sort of forgot to mention
yesterday...on the way to my
interview I sort of fought off a
mugger. I didnt tell you because I
figured it would just worry you.
And I was fine, it was no big deal.
JENNY
No big deal? Katey you couldve
gotten killed or something. You
have to tell me about stuff like
that.
Katey gives the letter back to Jenny.
KATEY
Here, you can read it.
Jenny reads the letter silently.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

JENNY
No shit. Do you think you would
actually go? Maybe they want you to
join. The really successful ones
end up making a lot of money
through HNN.
KATEY
Yeah, I know, but Im really not
that strong or anything. Just fast.
JENNY
They obviously saw something in you
that they liked. At least check it
out. Youve always said you wanted
to make a difference in the world.
KATEY
This isnt really what I had in
mind, but I guess I could see what
they have to say.
The cat mews loudly behind them. Katey giggles.
KATEY
Oh man, you are just gonna let me
have it someday arent you, Robert?
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE -- DAY
Katey steps into a large, empty room.
there is no sign of anyone.

She looks around, but

She takes the letter out of her coat pocket and looks at it.
KATEY
I thought the letter said...
ADAM
Hey, Katey!
Katey swivels around to see ADAM leaning on a wall.
ADAM
Im Adam, but you may know me
better as The Dazzler. Come on,
this way.
Adam pushes open a door disguised to look like part of the
wall.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

He steps through the doorway, and Katey follows him. They

are now standing in a conference room with several large
tables pushed together. Sitting in chairs around the table
are BRAD, RAYMOND, and FRANCIS. A large pitcher of pink
lemonade sits in the middle of the table, untouched.
FRANCIS
Finally, good lord Adam can you be
on time just once? I am so sick of
your He pauses, noticing Katey for the first time.
FRANCIS
(to Adam)
Who in the hell is that?
ADAM
This is Katey, I invited her.
KATEY
(to Adam)
You... I thought the invite was
from all of you.
ADAM
(to Katey)
Nah, Brad and I saw you scare the
shit out of that mugger the other
day and I was impressed. So I took
it upon myself to FRANCIS
(to Adam)
We dont need anyone else on this
team, Adam. Besides, what is she
going to be able to do?
Brad glares at Adam, and mouths something to him. Adam just
shakes his head.
RAYMOND
I dont think any of us want to be
held responsible to whatever
happens to her.
ADAM
Fine, then I will. Ill accompany
her her first few times out.
The three middle-aged men look at each other.
shrugs, and Francis sighs.

Raymond

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

FRANCIS
Fine, whatever. Just sit down
Kathy.
KATEY
Er.. my name is Katey.
Adam takes a seat first, near the end of the table. Katey
sits in the chair next to him.
FRANCIS
First things first lady, whats
your alias?
KATEY
What? Oh, I dont know. Im fine
with everyone just calling me
Katey... or Kate, I guess.
FRANCIS
Jesus, woman. You need a better
handle than that. I mean, pretty
much everyone knows our real names,
but you need to have a snappy
title. It makes you seem more
attractive to the gamblers.
Katey just stares at him blankly. Francis sighs heavily.
FRANCIS
For example, Im The Lieutenant,
Brad is Reaver, Raymonds 8-Ball,
and you probably already know Adam
is The Dazzler. Makes him sound
like a goddamn faggot if you ask me
but its been working for him so
whatever. Do you really think
anyones gonna place money on
Katey over The Lieutenant?
KATEY
I guess I didnt think about that.
Katey stops to think for a moment.
KATEY
What about The Kat?
Francis laugh boisterously.
FRANCIS
I guess that works. Maybe change it
to just Kat. Either way, you sound
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

more like
else. But
you until
which you

FRANCIS (contd)
a candy bar than anything
I suppose itll work for
you decide to change it,
will.

ADAM
Uhh... So Katey, how about we go
out Friday night? A lot of shit
goes on around then.
KATEY
Im not so sure...
ADAM
Ill give you a share of any money
I get from the Network. Im sure
you could use it.
KATEY
Well...Okay I guess.
Adam smiles. Raymond forces a smile. Brad refuses to look at
Katey. Francis gets up and leaves the room.
EXT. CITY STREETS -- NIGHT
Adam and Katey hide in an alley, both dressed in simple
jeans and coats.
Adam peeks around the corner and looks at a bar across the
street.
ADAM
Ok, so this bar has something
happen pretty much every other
night. I like to just stay in this
area on the weekends and just wait
until I see people running outside.
KATEY
So is it usually just fights or
whatever?
ADAM
Yeah, pretty much. Never anything
especially serious. See the thing
about those statistics they run
about us is that they dont factor
in the seriousness of the crime we
stopped, they all go into the same
number. So I can just farm bar
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

ADAM (contd)
fights if I want to, and I end up
with a high crimes stopped count.
Katey nods. The pair stands in silence while Adam watches
the bar intently.
ADAM
I know youre probably pretty
apprehensive about this after
meeting Francis, but dont worry
about him. He cant do shit
anymore. He talks a big game, but
hes so old now.
KATEY
Ah....So were you really that
impressed by me just knocking a
knife out of that guys hand? I
feel like just about anyone could
do that.
ADAM
Trust me, I have my reasons.
A tall man enters the bar, his features obscured by the
bars dim lights. The man looks around at the bar patrons,
his hand never leaving his coat pocket. At length, he takes
a seat in an isolated booth in the corner of the bar.
ADAM
Oooh, I have a feeling about this
guy.
Adam watches the door for a moment after the man enters the
bar.
ADAM
Ok, lets move forward.
Adam gestures for Katey to follow him as he slowly walks
toward the bar. They carefully cross the street and hide
behind the bars left wall.
Katey points further down the wall.
KATEY
(whispering)
Hey theres a window over there.
ADAM
(whispering)
Perfect! Lets take a look.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

12.

They position themselves below the window, and slowly rise

to the point where they can just barely peer into the bar.
Everything appears ordinary. The suspicious MAN sits alone
in his booth, looking around.
He suddenly stands up, and brandishes a handgun.
MAN
(shouting)
Alright everybody get down on the
ground and give me your wallets!
The bar patrons obey, taking out their wallets as they
slowly drop themselves to the ground.
The bartender starts to crawl behind the bar, reaching up to
a rifle holstered there.
The Man points the gun at the bartender.
MAN
Dont even try that, I have backup
right outside.
Katey looks around.
KATEY
(whispering to Adam)
What? I dont see anyone.
ADAM
(whispering)
Oh yeah right. He doesnt have any
backup. Quite the opposite. We
better get in there. Follow my lead
and dont do anything dumb.
INT. BAR -- CONTINUOUS
Adam slowly opens the front door and shuffles inside.
ADAM
Hi there!
The Man takes his attention from robbing the cash register
to Adam. He lifts his gun, pointing it at Adam. The Mans
hand shakes noticeably.
Adam puts his hands in the air.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

ADAM
Hey, I just want to talk.
Adam slowly walks toward the Man, hands still in the air.
Meanwhile, Katey watches the exchange while crouched outside
the doorway.
MAN
Leave. Now.
ADAM
Nah.
MAN
If you dont leave Ill... Ill...
The Man points his gun at one of the bar patrons lying on
the floor.
MAN
Ill start killing them!
ADAM
Will you?
Katey, still crouching, slowly moves inside, hiding in the
shadows. She works her way around the bar, hugging the wall
and moving toward the Man.
Adam continues to walk toward the Man.
MAN
(voice wavering)
Come on, I never wanted to have to
do this. Im desperate. Please
dont hurt me. The guns fake,
look!
The Man pulls the trigger, and the gun does nothing but make
a loud popping noise.
ADAM
Its okay, I wont hurt you. I
promise.
By this point, Katey has positioned herself behind the man.
She makes eye contact with Adam, who gives her a slight nod.
Katey leaps up, grabbing the Mans arms and putting them
behind his back.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

14.

ADAM
Good work!
Adam kicks the Man in the stomach.
Out of surprise, Katey lets go of the Mans arms and he
drops to the ground.
Adam continues the kicking the Man as he lays on the ground
and groans.
Katey backs away from the scene, eyes wide and hand over her
mouth.
Adam sits on top of the Man and repeatedly punches him in
the face.
Blood sprays up Adams arm, and he clenches his teeth
further together with each blow he lands.
A PATRON of the bar leaps up and pushes Adam off.
PATRON
Wait, no! Hes ok, just let him go.
The Man sobs, his tears mixing with blood streaming down his
now unrecognizable face.
Adam pushes the patron away.
ADAM
Get out of the way!
PATRON
No, please! I know him, hes not a
bad perAdam punches the Patron in the head, knocking him out cold.
Adam kicks both the Man and the Patron several more times.
Adam looks at Katey, and smirks. He puts a hand on her
shoulder, and leans over to whisper in her ear.
ADAM
(whispering)
Dont worry, well say they
attacked us. They always believe us
over...
He moves his head to gesture toward the rest of the patrons
looking on in horror.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

15.

ADAM
...them.
He steps over the men, walking to the front door of the bar.
Katey continues to stare at the two men.
ADAM (O.S.)
Come on!
EXT. CITY STREETS -- NIGHT
Adam and Katey walk down the sidewalk together in silence.
Katey keeps her distance from Adam as they walk, subtly
moving away whenever he moves closer.
ADAM
One more for the books! That was
great. You were pretty good.
Katey shivers.
KATEY
Thanks.
ADAM
Look...
KATEY
I think Im out. Its cold. Im
going home.
ADAM
Let me walk you home.
KATEY
No thanks.
Katey walks faster, passing by Adam.
INT. BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Katey lies under the covers of her bed, eyes wide open,
staring at the ceiling.
She turns her head to look at Jenny, laying in bed next her
and sleeping soundly.
The cat suddenly jumps on the bed and snuggles up next to
Katey.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

16.

KATEY
(whispering)
You know I normally wouldnt let
you do that, but I think I need it
tonight.
Katey scratches the cat behind the ears, and he purrs.
FADE OUT
INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN -- MORNING
Jenny eats cereal, Katey looks at her cereal.
JENNY
Katey, youve barely eaten anything
for days. Eat the cereal.
Katey forces a spoonful into her mouth.
JENNY
You still havent told me what
happened when you went out with
them that night.
KATEY
I know.
JENNY
Something bad happened, right?
KATEY
How about I tell you when you get
back from work?
Jenny pauses to look Katey in the eyes.
JENNY
I suppose thats fine.
Jenny gets up from the table and Katey forces another
spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
INT.

APARTMENT LIVING ROOM -- DAY

Katey sits on the couch with the news on at a low volume.

However, her concentration is squarely fixed on petting the
cat who sits in her lap.
Suddenly the news changes to a breaking news story. Katey
turns the volume up.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

17.

The channel cuts to footage taken from a helicopter of a

large pillar of smoke coming from downtown Los Angeles.
A female REPORTER speaks over the live footage.
REPORTER (O.S.)
- bombing of downtown L.A. just a
few minutes ago. It is unknown at
this point how many casualties
there are, but the number is
expected to be in the triple
digits.
Katey squints at the footage.
KATEY
Is that?...No...
Katey continues to watch.
KATEY
It really looks like...Oh no.
Katey, hands shaking, reaches into her pocket, pulls out a
cell phone and dials a number.
INT. BEDROOM -- NIGHT
Katey lies in bed with the cat firmly planted by her side.
Her eyes are red and puffy, a trash can full of tissues sits
next to the bed.
Katey looks over at Jennys spot.
No one sleeps there.
INT. HIDDEN CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY
Katey approaches the secret door to the conference room, and
opens it. Inside Raymond, Brad, Francis, and Adam sit at the
table with an untouched pitcher of iced tea between them.
BRAD
...shes not going to say
anything. Theres no reason Brad stops as Katey enters the room. Adam turns around to
see Katey.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

18.

ADAM
Oh! Katey! I thought you were done.
We were just discussing the
uh...That bombing from a couple
days ago.
KATEY
Do you know who did it?
FRANCIS
We think so.
No one speaks.
KATEY
Well? Who?
ADAM
I...think I have an idea of who did
this. Ive dealt with their people
before. I know where they would
most likely be holed up right
now... Its this nice house in
Hollywood Hills. We were planning
on paying them a little visit. Im
guessing you want to come with?
KATEY
Please.
FRANCIS
Ha! Why the sudden ambition, girly?
KATEY
My uh...
Katey looks at Francis, and pauses for a moment.
KATEY
(hesitantly)
My... roommate worked in the
building they bombed.
FRANCIS
Your...roommate? Well alrighty
then. Whatever gets you motivated I
guess. We had better start getting
ready.

19.

EXT. MANSIONS FRONT YARD -- NIGHT

Francis, Adam, Brad, Raymond, and Katey stand in the walkway
to the front door of a mansion.
ADAM
(facing the group)
Now, they are probably expecting us
to come here. They know I know
about them. We dont want to go in
guns blazing, there are a lot of
people in there. Its probably best
we just talk to them at least at
first.
Adam turns around toward the house, and the group approaches
the front door as Adam continues to speak.
ADAM
The leader is this guy that just
goes by the name Ty. I dont know
who he really is, or what is story
is, but I do know he has a twisted
sense of morals.
The group reaches the front door. Adam knocks, and the door
almost immediately swings open. A young, handsome MAN IN
SUIT stands in the doorway.
MAN IN SUIT
Finally, weve been expecting you
men.
He stand aside, and gestures for them to come in. The group
shuffles in single file, with Katey coming in last.
MAN IN SUIT
Hold it, who is this? I dont
recognize her.
ADAM
Just let her in, shes with us
The Man in the Suit looks from Adam to Katey, then allows
her to enter.
INT. MANSION -- CONTINUOUS
MAN IN SUIT
Come, I will lead you to where He
wants to meet.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

20.

He leads the group into a large dining area. Two more men in
suits stand in corners of the room.
MAN IN SUIT
Please sit. He will be with you
shortly.
The Man In Suit closes the the door behind him, and stands
in front of it.
As the group takes their seats, Brad, Raymond, and Adam
gesture toward the different guards with their eyes and
exchange nods.
The group sits in icy silence for a long time. Adam and
Francis appear excited. Brad and Raymond both stare at the
table, refusing to look up. Katey eyes move around the room,
studying every nook and cranny.
Finally, there is a knock on the door. The
to the room opens it, letting in TY, a man
button-up shirt, jeans, and large glasses.
wheelchair, using his arms to move himself

Man that led them

wearing a
He sits in a
forward.

TY
Well! Lets see Ive really only
met Adam, but I know who the rest
of you are... except who is this?
Ty wheels himself toward Katey, arm outstretched for a
handshake.
Katey hesitates, but accepts the handshake. Their hands lock
for a long time in silence.
TY
Well? Your name?
KATEY
Its...um...
The silence continues.
TY
Oh dont worry about formalities
then. Im sure Ill just find out
on my own.
Ty swivels himself around, and positions himself in the
empty spot at the table.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

21.

TY
Im wondering...Adam.
Adam sits up straight at the sound of his name.
TY
Why her?
Adam purses his lips and rubs his hands together.
TY
Just kidding! I know why! Anyway I
assume you all are here because of
the other days unfortunate
incident, and you assume that Im
behind it.
ADAM
You are.
TY
Why do you think that?
ADAM
Because Ive dealt with you before,
and I know how you are.
TY
Well I know how you are too, Adam.
And I know that girl isnt here
because you saw "potential" in her.
ADAM
What are you talking about?
TY
I know youve been taking credit
for your teams crimes, and
splitting the profits.
Brad and Raymond both look to Adam, who only glares at Ty.
Franciss hands turn into fists.
FRANCIS
Look, we Adam scowls at Francis. Francis stops talking.
ADAM
I recruited Katey because I was
watching the streets one day and
saw her fight off a mugger.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

22.

TY
Your precious masculinity was
threatened by her, so Katey stares at Adam, now sweating.
ADAM
What do you have against us?
TY
Ill just say that Im not in this
wheelchair because of a car
accident.
The sentence lingers in the air accompanied with an eerie
silence.
FRANCIS
But why kill all those people?
Adam makes an almost undetectable nod toward Brad, who does
the same toward Raymond. All three take small handguns out
of a holster hidden under their sock. They continue to hide
the guns under the table.
TY
As I said before, to get your
attention. I need to expose you
people for the frauds you are.
With a wave of Tys hand, the guards suddenly advance toward
the group, taking handguns out of their suit coats.
Adam, Brad, and Raymond all stand up, brandishing their
weapons. They each shoot one guard before they have a chance
to fire at the group.
Francis springs up, and jumps across the table at Ty. He
grabs him by the shirt collar and begins brutally beating
him.
Francis punches him in the face. Again. And again. And
again.
Tys wheelchair lies on its side.
His blood stains the floor.
Francis kicks Ty in the ribs.
Raymond hands Katey, who sits in awe of the scene, his gun.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

23.

RAYMOND
For your...roommate, right?
Katey gets up and walks to where Ty lies motionless on the
ground.
The rest of the men stand in a circle around Ty.
ADAM
Actually, do you think I could do
it?
Katey glances up at Adam, then back down to Ty.
KATEY
Good press, right?
Katey points the gun at Adam, and shoots. She quickly points
it at Francis, and shoots.
Brad and Raymond leap on her to restrain her.
CUT TO BLACK
GUNSHOT