Liberty University English Department

CHAIR: DURRELL NELSON, PH.D.________________________________________________

READER: ANNA ANDERSON M.F.A.______________________________________________

DATE:_________________________________________________________________________

Dedication ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Section 1 - Normal Man Artist Statement .................................................................................................. 8

Section 2 - Critical Paper: Normal Man .................................................................................................. 15

do great things, my dog who thinks I am a superhero, and my wife who is a superhero.

encouraging me to keep going.

with the power of his positive thinking. The thesis briefly explores the psychology of how a person’s

perceived self-image could stop a highly qualified individual from achieving their dreams, while an

underqualified person with a positive self-image can go on to greatness. Other underdogs are compared

against Freddy in order to provide a relatable yet successful protagonist. The Beatitudes from Jesus’

Sermon on the Mount are also analyzed to show how the supposed “backward” attitudes of Christianity

can save the day.

dating Hollywood's newest heartthrob? Read more here! Washington elite are furious at the freshman

senator’s VIP list! Would you make the cut?

the grocery store checkout line. Politicians enrage us when they propose or pass laws just for the sake of

getting more votes next time. Athletes confound and amaze us with double sudden death triple overtime

penalty shots or extra innings. Everywhere we look we are confronted with people who seem better than

us. They’re stronger or smarter or better looking. We wish we were them. We wish we had their lives,

their mansions, and their moments on late-night talk shows. But t the end of the day when we turn off the

television, we walk into the bathroom to get ready for bed and the only person staring at us from the

mirror is ourselves. We think that we aren’t able to actually make a real difference in the world. And so

we dream.

have to follow the rules, and it seems like the bad guys get away with everything. But not in our dreams.

In our dreams we can fly, we beat up the school bully who used to steal our lunch money, and we know

each day. But on the silver screen, Batman and Thor are keeping the forces of chaos and evil at bay.

older had a professional or doctorate degree. (“Number of People with Master’s”) Yet it seems like every

genocide, yet we have reports of Hugh Jackman passing out while filming Logan . (Nerdist) Actors,

comedians, and producers went to jail by the truckload for making improper advances towards women on

sets, yet the Black Widow and Wonder Woman look like they were poured into their uniforms. These are

the people we are supposed to look up to. But when I looked at them, I decided that I had had enough.

measuring up to the mental or physical images that Hollywood told me I should be. I know plenty of

amazing people who are overweight or have poor complexion. Some of the kindest people I know are not

very intelligent. So one day I imagined what it would be like to have a movie where the dumb, fat, and

ugly guy saves the day.

Millennials struggle with depression. We want things to be better, but all our efforts seem futile. We vote

and the other guy gets elected. We try to save for houses and the market implodes before we can afford

one. We try to stay informed only to learn that half the news out there is fake news or clickbait articles.

worthy cause. We get excited when the quarterback escapes the offensive linemen and runs in a

touchdown. But when the television powers down and we plug our phones in for the night we just sink

Normal Man . The superheroes in the Hero’s Guild are flawed and broken people. Many of them are

ranks. The three main heroes are Blasto, Katana Kate, and Frank the Tank. Blasto has severe anger

issues and nearly hurts Freddy a few times during their interactions. Kate has narcissistic qualities and

likes to turn a blind eye to Blasto and Frank’s shenanigans while they’re not fighting crime. And Frank

struggles with alcoholism. All three are also complacent and would rather stick with the status quo

instead of trying to grow or improve themselves.

superheroes. Toward the beginning of the movie, he tries to get their signature on his application to join

the Hero’s Guild. He tries to tell them it’s an application but every time he opens his mouth they talk over

him, and he lets them because he is too afraid to interrupt them. Later on, Freddy endures some scathing

verbal abuse from Blasto and Frank on two different instances, but meekly accepts it. And at the

midpoint in Act II, Freddy nearly breaks down and gives up because of his reception in the Hero’s Guild.

These feelings of doubt and depression will resonate with audiences who feel powerless in their own

lives.

from more modern times, Kung Fu Panda, and The LEGO Movie. All of these movies feature a main

character who came from nothing.

troubles seem to be over. But as we all know, money comes and goes. It is a person’s character that

trick Jafar into becoming a genie and trapping himself in a lamp. When it was all said and done, Aladdin

had one wish left, but instead of regaining his lost wealth and princely title, he spends his last wish to set

the genie free. This moved the sultan so much that he changed the law to allow Jasmin and Aladdin to

marry.

worker at a steel mill who doesn’t have the grades, talent, or physical ability to compete in college

football. But playing for Notre Dame was his biggest dream. After a close call with death, Rudy decides

to try and achieve his dream. When his application to Notre Dame is refused, Rudy looks to community

college to help his grades improve. After two years of classes and three refused applications to Notre

Dame, he finally gets accepted and transfers to his dream university. But his troubles don’t stop there.

He tries to join the football team but just isn’t tall enough or big enough. But after a while, the coach

notices Rudy’s determination and lets him join the practice squad. Again, Rudy tries for the impossible

and asks to join the team for the last game of his senior year. The coach refuses and Rudy quits the team

in despair. His teammates, who by now are impressed with Rudy’s resolve, go into the coach’s office one

by one to petition to let Rudy play in the last game. In the end, Rudy got to play and sacked the opposing

Po is a panda who lacks the strength, training, or hand-eye coordination to be a kung fu master. He works

significant weakness may in fact be his biggest strength. He teaches Po to use his love of food as a way

Dragon Warrior. Po saves his village not with chopsticks, but with ingenuity.

without the vision or creativity to be a Master Builder. He loves doing the same thing over and over

according to the master plan and doesn’t ever want to branch out or change. But change is coming, and

when he learns of a plan to freeze his world, Emmit is forced to change his ways to save his world. One

of the other Master Builders had prophesied that a new Master Builder would come to save the world, and

that Emmit is The Special. But none of the other Master Builders believe the prophecy, including Emmit.

So when push comes to shove, Emmit does the only thing he knows how to do and sacrifices himself to

stop the enemy. This selfless act catalyzes the rest of the Master Builders into action and they stop the

destruction of the world.

superheroes. Like the other underdogs mentioned above, Freddy comes from nothing. He is poor, lonely,

and not very attractive. He works at a comic book store in a bad part of town and struggles to make ends

meet. But his determination to keep going no matter what odds are stacked against him keeps a smile on

his face and a song in his heart. When he finds the application to join the Hero’s Guild and eventually

as time passes, Freddy’s methods begin to positively affect the heroes’ lives. His ingenuity helps them

fight crime better and his positivity helps bring many of the heroes out of their self-serving frames of

and God. But Jesus wasn’t a conqueror or a mighty warrior. He told his disciples to turn the other cheek

he took the popular opinion about what makes a person great and turned it on its head.

proclaimed that those who are meek, who mourned, and who are poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of

Heaven. Many people in that day laughed at Jesus and dismissed him as a fool. And people today are no

different. Men and women who make the front cover of Time or Forbes are not usually considered meek

or poor in spirit. Most superheroes aren’t either. Yet if we look closely, we can see examples of the

beatitudes in modern film.

one of the most underrated qualities in our world these days, but it can move mountains. Pride fights and

stirs up conflict, but humility brings peace. Nobody can fight against someone who doesn’t fight back.

Nobody can argue with someone who won’t verbally spar with them. Humility pulls down the walls and

encourages inclusivity.

serum treatment. But even though he isn’t strong or capable, he still considers others before he thinks of

himself. In the famous scene with the grenade, Colonel Chester Phillips tosses a fake grenade into a

learns of Allied soldiers that are being held by Nazi forces. Colonel Phillips refuses to send troops out to

rescue the soldiers. Although Steve has no formal combat training, he heads out and saves them.

believing that he has no chance of defeating Tai Lung, stands up to protect his friends. He believes it will

in the Hero’s Guild and constantly puts them first at his own expense. He knows that he has no

superpowers and constantly defers to those who do. In one scene, Freddy tries to help the heroes relax

after a particularly difficult mission. But Blasto is having none of it and verbally lashes out at Freddy.

Freddy apologizes and retreats. In another scene, a crime alert comes on the main computer and the

heroes are deciding who will go out to stop the bad guys. Freddy isn’t picked, much to his chagrin, but

when the heroes leave to fight crime, Freddy is genuinely supportive of them and doesn’t hold a grudge.

falls in love with Dr. Jane Foster. But after returning to Asgard to stop Loki’s plans, Thor destroys the

Bifrost bridge and prevents himself from seeing Jane again. Later, in Ragnarok , Thor’s father Odin dies.

The final straw comes in Infinity War when Thanos kills half the universe. Thor can’t take any more and

sinks into a deep depression. Jesus said, “Blessed are those mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (ESV

Matt. 5:4) Thor temporarily shakes off his depression in Endgame but the dull ache of loneliness follows

him into Love and Thunder . It is only when he reunites with Dr. Jane Foster that he is able to reconcile

himself to all the loss he has endured. Gorr, the god killer, is moved by Thor’s honor and decides to

his new daughter.

bit by a spider and developed his superpowers. Yet he still retained his meek attitude. He looked up to

Tony Stark like a father and never lost the awe of his fellow Avengers. Even in Captain America: Civil

War when the heroes were fighting each other, Peter kept apologizing to the people he was fighting or

complimenting them and telling them he was a big fan. Even as he was fighting, Spider-Man used his

strength and agility to stop others from getting hit like when he pulled Captain America’s shield away or

stopped Bucky from hitting him instead of hitting back. This showed Peter’s attitude of meekness like he

was walking amongst giants and was afraid of making a misstep.

Captain America show mercy throughout their films. Steve Rogers repeatedly seeks out his friend Bucky

in multiple attempts to save him. First in Captain America: Winter Soldier , Steve finds out that the

assassin known as the Winter Soldier is his long-lost friend Bucky. Rogers refuses to fight his friend,

believing that his friend may yet be saved. Later on in Captain America: Civil War , Rogers again tries to

save Bucky and break his brainwashing. It is this mercy that causes Iron Man to turn on his friend and

leads to their fighting. But ultimately, Roger’s merciful character is what helps to break down the walls

of conflict within the Avengers.

usually leaves them tied up with webbing and waiting for the police to find them. All three Spider-Man

iterations, including Tobey McGuire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland, show their merciful natures

the guild headquarters. He keeps busy by helping the heroes in whatever way he can. Blasto and Frank

the Tank repeatedly berate Freddy for his attempts to help. Freddy could get even with them while

they’re out in the daytime, but instead, he tries harder to help them. In one exchange, Freddy has shrunk

Blasto’s uniform in the laundry. Blasto rips into Freddy in front of the whole group of superheroes. But

instead of revenge, Freddy makes Blasto a new uniform.

how Jesus’ version of strength can save the day. Many people would disagree that meekness, humility, or

mourning can be strengths. But we’ve seen how superheroes in Marvel movies use the beatitudes to their

advantage, and Freddy will do the same.

audiences don’t get anything from Freddy, then what’s the point? Freddy isn’t just giving the superheroes

a new outlook on life, he is giving them hope. He doesn’t just show audiences that superheroes can

change, he shows audiences that they can change too. He shows audiences that they need hope.

then one day he gets a surprise.

help their muscles relax and repair, but he is laughed at and ignored. He tried to make a new uniform for

one of the main superheroes, but that hero explodes in anger. Freddy tries rearranging the headquarters in

order to help the heroes get out the door more efficiently when villains attack. All the superheroes laugh

at him and tell him how dumb he is.

mentor figure on the superhero team steps in and reminds Freddy why he is fighting. He tells Freddy that

he is making a difference and that the others are beginning to change. “After all,” he says, “that’s why I

approved your application.” This gives Freddy a shot in the arm and he continues to try to help the

superheroes. Eventually, his efforts begin to produce fruit and the superheroes appreciate Freddy.

Thunder , Gorr becomes a god-killer when his god lets his daughter die. He goes mad with hatred and

begins traveling across the galaxy killing gods. At the end of the movie when Thor and Dr. Jane Foster,

now known as Mighty Thor, try to stop Gorr, they ultimately lose the battle. Gorr summons Eternity who

will give him one wish, and he plans to wish for the death of all gods.

spend my last moments with you when I can be with her? I choose love.” Thor’s strongest move was to

stop fighting. This profoundly changed how Gorr viewed others and that tiny glimmer of hope changed

Whenever they save the city, it is so they can get accolades. They want to show up on the news, on

life. All they want is to look good. Unfortunately, for them, this behavior is self-destructive. It is

unsustainable and one day the bottom will drop out if they’re not careful. We see that in Frank the Tank’s

life. He rejects Fredyd’s help and ultimately ends up leaving the superheroes guild and siding with the

supervillain.

of existence. When they go fight the villains to save someone, the act of saving needs to be their goal.

Not the news cameras afterward. Freddy gives them hope they didn’t know they need when they start

living for someone besides themselves. When the other heroes see Frank’s fall, the hope that Freddy

showed them is even clearer.

watch President Business destroy Bricksburg. Business has also set an explosive to destroy all the Master

Builders. During the whole movie, Emmitt has been struggling with the prophecy that he is supposed to

be the Special, but he doesn’t believe it. He believes that these Master Builders stuck here in the prison

with him are the real geniuses and he is only holding them back. Now, they are all going to die, and the

world they had tried to save would be doomed. Emmitt makes a heroic decision to sacrifice himself in

prison. They form a resistance and begin fighting President Business. The Master Builders remember

how hard Emmitt tried, even though he wasn’t a master like them, and they encourage the population of

rearranges the mission briefing room where all the superheroes' gear waits in lockers and hooks on walls.

into each other. Once the locker area has become efficient, he declares they’ll make it out much faster.

All the heroes laugh at him. But the next time there is an alert, they rush out, gear up, and go fight crime.

That night when they return, Katana Kate analyzes their statistics and realizes he was right all along.

They won that battle because they were ready in record time thanks to Freddy’s reorganization.

his old job at the comic book store, and he’s seen some of the tactics the villains are using. Freddy is

ruthlessly mocked, but when the heroes go out that day, they are beaten. When they return home, they

realize the villains used the exact tactic Freddy warned them about. Later on, they are able to defeat the

villains more often because of Freddy’s help.

against evil. Freddy finds hope in encouragement from a mentor figure. The superheroes find hope

against enemies they couldn’t defeat. And ultimately, the superheroes find the hope they didn’t realize

they needed in the first place. They become better people. Their character is refined and cleaned because

of the hope that Freddy brings to the Superheroes’ Guild. This is what I want to deliver to audiences.

strongest and smartest person in the story. He has more superpowers than the rest of the superheroes or

supervillains. He is remarkably good-looking. But he doesn’t possess the power to be great because he

Blasto and Frank wrestle on the ground while Kate yells at them,

angry. Moments later they’re all hugging singing a drinking

song and holding up bottles in toast.

INT. FREDDY’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Freddy stops by his turtle tank and feeds SPEEDY THE TURTLE

(106) some fresh greens. He pats Speedy’s shell, curls up on

the couch with some blankets, and turns out the light.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

Freddy wakes up and gets out of bed. He does some stretches.

He can’t reach his toes and occasionally loses balance. Freddy

stands up and looks through the glass at Speedy.

He sets a frying pan on the stove and gets eggs and cheese from

Freddy pulls a can of sardines from the cabinet and looks at it,

but he puts it back. He pulls out a jar of jelly from the

fridge and then pops two pieces of bread into the toaster.

He stirs the eggs once and begins grating cheese.

Freddy sprinkles cheese on the eggs and puts them on his plate.

alarm beeps and Freddy shoves the pan into the sink. He opens

Speedy looks unconcerned.

Freddy exits his apartment and walks down the street. Trash

clutters alleyways. Graffiti covers building walls. But Freddy

smiles at everyone he meets and waves cheerfully.

He stops at a dumpster where TERRY (65), a homeless man, is just

waking up. Freddy drops a dollar and change into the man’s cup.

Freddy sets off down the street as Terry sits up and sips the

coffee.

A few blocks down Freddy stops at a newspaper stand and buys a

bundle of newspapers from the newsstand. At the intersection,

Freddy hits the button and waits on the light. A MUGGER (19) in

a mask sneaks up behind Freddy and puts a knife to his back.

The mugger takes the wallet and backs away.

is a brochure for a community college. The art classes are

circled in red. He smiles and stuffs it into his pocket.

INT. SUPERHERO HQ MAIN FLOOR - MORNING

superhero headquarters. The place is trashed. He adjusts a

crooked painting like he’s done this 1000 times before. He walks

to the kitchen to turns the water off and closes the fridge.

JEREMIAH (36) leans against the register with his back to

beard, and is drinking coffee.

Freddy frowns and looks at a copy of Razor’s Edge.

Freddy rolls his eyes at Jeremiah’s back.

Jeremiah tosses his half-empty drink into the trash can.

Jeremiah storms out as a DELIVERY GUY (26) walks in.

Freddy walks out from behind the register. He rubs his hands in

anticipation and goes to hold open the door to the back room.

Freddy laughs and signs. The delivery guy walks out while Freddy

opens boxes.

He starts pulling comics out and sorting them into stacks.

He sets the rare comic to the side.

He lays it on the table. He slowly lifts the plastic flap and

eases the comic book out of the protective sleeve.

A piece of paper falls out of it and flutters to the ground.

Application Form.” His eyes get wide.

Freddy sits on the edge of his bed in his PJ’s looking at the

application.

He looks up at a framed comic book on the wall. It’s an

original 1960’s Mr. Brawny with an autograph across the front.

INT. CANON CITY CONVENTION CENTER - 1980’s DECOR - DAY

stands up to shake their hand.

Freddy’s father grins widely and rocks back on his heels. He

holds his hat in his hands, crumpling it nervously.

Freddy flexes as hard as he can.

Mr. Brawny and Freddy’s father share a conspiratorial wink.

Mr. Brawny hands the signed comic book to Freddy who is jumping

up and down.

INT. FREDDY’S FAMOUS COMICS - AFTERNOON

Freddy is at his cash register and gives someone their change.

He puts their comics in a plastic bag then waves as they walk

Freddy thinks for a moment then waves his hand and keeps

writing.

INT. FREDDY’S FAMOUS COMICS - AFTERNOON

Freddy says nothing. He doesn’t appear to have heard.

Freddy still says nothing. Jeremiah glances back at Freddy. He

takes off his fedora and scratches his head.

paper is.

and kickplate are polished, the wood isn’t dented, it’s

remarkably different from the rest of the place. Freddy knocks.

Freddy opens the door and steps in. The Eldest is an older

superhero in a three-piece suit sitting at a distinguished desk

working on paperwork. He motions to the chair in front of him.

To punctuate his last sentence, Freddy slaps the folder with his

application down on the desk and pushes it over to the Eldest.

The older man doesn’t move a muscle but continues to study

Freddy leans over and opens the folder, pointing out the address

shown on the form. In the process, he knocks over a stack of

papers and they go fluttering to the floor. The Eldest doesn’t

bat an eye.

Freddy stands up with all the papers clutched in both arms.

They are stickout at odd angles and many are crumpled. He puts

the pile back on the corner of The Eldest’s desk.

Freddy stops talking and smiles broadly. After a few silent

moments with no sound but the ticking clock, the Eldest slowly

flips through the application paperwork.

The eldest doesn’t react whatsoever but continues to look

through the application form. Freddy tries to sit a little bit

taller. The silence stretches and Freddy begins to fidget.

The Eldest says nothing but as Freddy talks, he begins to look

thoughtful. The silence stretches out again.

Freddy frowns at the superhero autographs that are scrawled

across the whole page.

Freddy is practically bouncing with happiness as he gets up and

makes his way toward the door. As he leaves he pauses and

backtracks back into the office. He looks at the clock on the

wall, checks his watch, then pulls the chair he’d been sitting

in over to the wall. Climbing up he reaches behind the clock

and adjusts the time.

For the first time, a small smile plays on the corners of The

Eldest’s mouth.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - MORNING

kitchen. Frank the Tank is passed out on a couch. Other

superheroes can be seen slowly waking up or still passed out

here and there.

Freddy steps out pushing boxes on a dolly. He is humming to

himself. He can’t quite see over the top of the boxes and keeps

poking his head around the side to see where he’s going.

She points out something on a floorplan drawing.

Freddy goes past the kitchen entryway pushing the dolly of

Blasto finally looks up.

Katana Kate grabs a different paper showing wiring schematics.

Blasto sees this time.

Katana Kate whirls around to look just as Freddy moves out of

view.

A crash from down the hall wipes both smiles off their faces.

While they’re still looking at each other, Freddy half-runs into

the kitchen.

Both Katana Kate and Blasto are speechless. Freddy makes some

hurry-up motions, then starts opening cabinets.

SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS HALLWAY - MORNING

Freddy emerges from the hallway with an armful of wet paper

towels, bent and bruised flowers, and shards of pottery. He

disappears into the kitchen and re-emerges with a trash bag with

in the hallway and movies off-screen toward the elevator.

Freddy comes back into the shot pushing the dolly full of boxes.

As he passes the kitchen he slips on some of the water from the

broken flower pot and rams the dolly into someone’s door.

Seconds later Freddy comes back into the frame with more boxes.

As he swings wide, the box on the top falls off and hits a door

on the other side of the hallway.

He grabs the box and puts it back on the dolly then continues

down the hallway. As he returns with the empty dolly, the

second door he hit opens and another sleepy hero steps out to

see what the commotion was. SISTER GRIT (52), a thickly muscled

woman in a nun’s habit watches Freddy go down the hallway over

and more people come out to see what’s going on. Blasto and

Katana Kate come out of the kitchen and join the crowd.

Freddy stops and turns around. At first, he looks confused, but

then a big grin splits his face.

Blasto is speechless. His menacing fist slowly lowers in

confusion.

seconds with a measuring, guarded look, then begins walking down

the hallway to his office. But he stops at the terrarium.

The Eldest bends down to look through the glass at the turtle.

around at his new room. As his eyes adjust to the light a big

smile slowly creeps onto his face. He leaps out of bed and

stands there ready for anything.

finger and smiles ruefully at himself as he begins stretching.

He begins doing morning stretches. His toe touches stop well

short of actually touching his toes. He strains trying to touch

them.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS KITCHEN - MORNING

Freddy walks into the kitchen and looks around. He opens the

cabinets and grabs his old scorched pan instead of the

superheroes nice clean pans.

He opens the fridge. Fancy ingredients and foods are inside,

He looks around the kitchen for a coffee pot. He passes over a

fancy espresso machine once before he realizes what it is.

The other superheroes laugh loudly. Freddy smiles cheerfully

till he realizes they're laughing at him, and his smile begins

to slip.

JACK THE ZIPPER (29) makes a face.

Everyone is ignoring Freddy. Superheroes are going back to

their morning routine. The three selected for the mission are

at the lockers getting their equipment. Blasto finishes at the

computer and leaves. Soon it's just Freddy standing there.

Freddy's pep talk seems to cheer him up and he smiles before he

walks out toward the kitchen.

The Eldest watches Freddy walk out of the situation room via a

screen on his desk. He presses a button and the screen recedes

into his desk. He opens a drawer and pulls out a folder with

Freddy's superhero application inside and reviews the paperwork.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS COMMON AREA - MORNING

He gets a big trash bag and starts picking up trash. When he’s

done, he leaves and returns with a laundry basket. He picks up

Freddy looks around to see if anyone else is watching. He's

alone. He drapes the uniform over his chest and strikes a

He frowns. Katana Kate walks into the room behind Freddy and

Freddy jumps and whips the uniform off. He holds it up

inspecting it.

He turns to Katana Kate.

She squints at him and holds up her hands framing Freddy with

her fingers.

Freddy stares into the distance, smiling, imagining himself in a

superhero uniform.

Freddy is lost in his imagination as he resumes gathering

laundry. He's still smiling.

INT. SUPERHERO SITUATION ROOM - MORNING

The alarm goes off again the next morning. Everyone piles into

the situation room again, most still waking up. Blasto comes in

wearing a bathrobe. He’s looking for something. Freddy waits

near the front of the crowd, ready to volunteer.

Blasto wraps the robe tighter around himself as he looks at the

computer screens.

Blasto reaches for his utility belt, but it’s just his bathrobe

and he frowns.

undone.

Freddy’s eyes widen and he quickly drops his hand. He slowly

squeezes backward through the group of superheroes, trying to

disappear. Once he’s out of the group, he turns and runs out of

the situation room.

Jake the Snake slouches in a chair with one leg over the

subdued colors. He seems to blend into his environment. He

ironically salutes Blasto without getting up.

it’s wrinkly and shrunk in weird places, very obviously much

smaller than what Freddy had yesterday.

gesture.

Blasto points to the door, trying to control his anger.

jump to get away from his blast. Frank the Tank is the only one

Freddy takes Blasto’s advice and leaves, dragging the laundry

basket with him.

burnt bathrobe hanging around him in smoldering tatters.

Frank’s words trigger Blasto and he whirls around to Frank,

balling his fists and raising them to fight. Frank holds his

hands up and talks fast.

Frank turns to see Jake the Snake trying to slip out the door.

Frank the Tank stumbles in with Jake the Snake’s arm over his

at the computer when they come in, sees them, and activates the

intercom.

Jake coughs and looks up. His face is blackened on one side

from burns. His right arm hangs limp at his side, blood drips

down it.

bottled water.

Blasto looks up at her with anger, but then realizes she’s right

and his face softens.

Freddy waits beside Dr. Patch and fidgets restlessly.

Dr. Patch applies a compress to Jake and stands up, turning to

Freddy drops the load of towels and runs out of the room.

several drinks on it.

and cradles it like a child. He sinks to the floor crying

softly.

INT. SUPERHERO SITUATION ROOM - MORNING

The alarm is going off. Heroes come stumbling into the room,

groggy and grumpy. Frank is suffering from withdrawals. Freddy

is the only one awake and cheerful.

Frank waves him away and Dr. Patch shrugs.

ALICE “THE WRENCH” MALONE (38) adjusts the welding goggles on

her head.

MANIAC MURPHEE (31) brushes the bright red hair out of his face.

More heroes stand up and begin arguing, everyone talking over

each other.

The rest of the heroes grumble as they leave the situation room.

The 4 heroes going to fight get geared up and leave. Freddy is

left alone in the situation room.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

Blasto and the others return from fighting the villains at the

construction supply company. The Situation Room is completely

Freddy walks in carrying a painting. They all turn on him.

Murphee runs from the room holding his head.

The more Freddy talks, the more frustrated Blasto gets.

Freddy’s smile falters.

INT. SUPERHERO SITUATION ROOM - MORNING

The alarm is going off, superheroes run in and try to grab their

equipment, but they’re running into each other in a rush to get

ready. Freddy is trying to show them how he set it all up but

nobody pays him any attention. When they leave the place is a

mess. Freddy sighs and begins cleaning it up.

Freddy slumps in defeat. He sets the drinks down and leaves.

INT. SULLY’S LAIR - NIGHT

SULLY SHARP (32) watches video footage of the superheroes

INT. SULLY’S LAIR - NIGHT

Sully sits at his desk as various villains come in and sit down

The villains nod and seem interested.

The villains look at each other with surprise and hope.

A VILLAIN (40) shakes his fist in the air.

Another VILLAIN (35) stands and fist pumps the air.

Another VILLAIN (37) raises his hand.

in victory.

Everybody freezes and looks at Villain 4.

INT. SUPERHERO KITCHEN/SITUATION ROOM - MORNING

Alarm bells ring and the heroes go to the situation room.

Katana Kate stops by the kitchen to say hi to Freddy, but he

isn’t there. She pokes her head in the common room but he isn’t

there either. She looks perplexed but shrugs and goes to the

situation room.

A few hands go up in the crowd of superheroes.

A well-muscled man with ox horns slowly stands and rolls his

a baseball cap on backwards and aviators in the buttons of his

polo.

The others look sullen.

Blasto looks at The Eldest for a long moment then slowly nods

Katana Kate nods and leaves.

INT. SUPERHERO SITUATION ROOM - AFTERNOON

Freddy is cleaning up in the situation room. Blasto and Katana

Kate and a few others walk in from the gym.

quickly.

Freddy runs to the side of the room where the lockers were.

He walks down the new aisle he made and grabs and puts on

various utility belts and masks and other superhero equipment.

The others laugh and walk out with Blasto. But Freddy is just

Freddy looks unsure, but doesn’t say anything. Katana Kate

elbows Blasto and nods in Freddy’s Direction. Blasto looks at

Freddy then up at The ELdest’s window.

Some of the other heroes laugh.

suit up and head out.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

The heroes return defeated, wounded, dusty.

The Eldest walks in looking for something.

The three heroes look at each other as The Eldest leaves.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

has a bottle of something strong.

Frank pours himself another drink.

Freddy doesn’t expect them to say anything and turns to leave.

Katana Kate and Freddy pick one up to toast with Blasto

(simultaneously)

To grandad!

Freddy starts gathering cups.

Blasto and Freddy head out to sleep.

straight for the bottle.

INT. SUPERHERO KITCHEN - MORNING - NEXT DAY

Freddy is in the kitchen doing his normal thing. Blasto wanders

Freddy has been watching the exchange like a dog at a tennis

match.

As he starts to go, Blasto puts his hand on Freddy’s arm.

The superheroes rush into the situation room. Blasto looks at

the computer screens as he runs by and barks a few orders.

Superheroes run through the equipment section as Freddy showed

them and are out the door in seconds. Freddy watches them go.

The superheroes return. They are in good spirits.

Katana Kate shoots him an evil look but continues.

Kate points to Freddy who is just now entering the room with

towels and drinks.

INT. SUPERHERO HEADQUARTERS - EVENING

The superheroes gather to celebrate breaking their losing

streak. Freddy is the center of attention. Everyone is having

a good time except Frank who keeps to the corner nursing a