LOKI: Prince of Mischief Story Trilogy

I. AGENT BARTON

"A CIVIL REACTION"

by J.E. Burton

WIDE SHOT

At 3:51 p.m. Friday afternoon in the Big Apple's Central Park. Stand with DR. BANNER, TONY STARK, STEVE ROGERS, CLINT BARTON, NATASHA ROMANOFF, and DR. ERIK SELVIG, surrounding Thor and Loki.

[001] THOR

Brother

[002] LOKI

(alert)

[003] THOR

before we return... we would pay a few of our friends a visit.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As Loki turns his head toward Barton and Romanoff.

FAVORING

[004] BARTON

Can't think too much. Feels like my brain's been...

run through some kinda cosmic blender. What I wouldn't do to see him squirm.

[005] ROMANOFF

(in confidence)

Banner's right. This Loki's twisted. He's … basically damaged goods.

(whispers to ear) What he's gonna get… is just punishment for gods.

POV of Thor

as Loki turns in direction

FAVORING Barton and Romanoff

as Romanoff whispers on, a mischievous grin washes over Barton.

[006] BARTON

Too bad we can't be there. Though… if I ever see him again I'm

… gonna send him my regards.

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[007] ROMANOFF

(soothing)

Say... you've had a long week Barton.

Let's do something to unwind. You and me.

(looks into distance)

The Catskills are really nice this time of year.

[008] BARTON

(chuckle)

Unwind, Nat?(laugh) 'S that what you call it?

(more serious) Not sure that's the best for us.

[009] ROMANOFF

And why not us?

[010] BARTON

Not you and me us Nat.

[011] ROMANOFF

Why are you being like this?

[012] BARTON

(frustrated)

You know I need to clear my head, Nat.

Someone's been playing with it. You mind?

[013] ROMANOFF

(slightly disappointed)

Okayyy, let's change the subject.

[014] BARTON

(calmer)

So what's the word from Fury? Is he going through with it?

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ANOTHER ANGLE

With Thor starting his goodbye.

INT

[015] ROMANOFF

Seems pretty sure.

[016] BARTON

(a bit incredulous)

And you're on board?

[017] ROMANOFF

Well I'm trying to turn over a new leaf in case you haven't noticed.

[018] BARTON

Oh I noticed.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As Barton pulls Romanoff aside

[019] BARTON

(hush)

Nat… it's

[020] ROMANOFF

(chimes)

Just like Budapest again?

[021] BARTON

Don't start.

[022] ROMANOFF

Are you ever gonna forget about that?

[023] BARTON

Are you?

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[024] ROMANOFF

This is my chance to fight on the right side for a change, Barton.

If anyone understands that, it's you.

[025] BARTON

(frustrated concern)

But why Nat? Why go through this again?

You don't remember what it did to you?

WIDE SHOT

as ROGERS notices the two having words.

[026] ROMANOFF

I'm a big girl, Barton. You said it yourself

[027] BARTON

(interrupts)

That ain't fair Nat.

[028] ROMANOFF

Well you decided it

[029] BARTON

We were just there. The gov't ain't listenin' to their people.

Resistance ain't got a chance. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s just-

[030] ROMANOFF

(taps Barton toward Thor’s departure)

ANOTHER ANGLE

As we see LOKI clutching the Tesseract capsule with Thor.

WIDE SHOT

as Rogers approaches Romanoff. He stops halfway, pensive.

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INT

[031] THOR

(nods to all)

Comrades… we shall meet again soon. Farewell.

EXT

Favoring Thor

As Banner, Stark, Rogers, Barton, & Romanoff- the AVENGERS- nod in syncopation.

MOVING

as we stand with Dr. Selvig and the Avengers, we watch the bright blue tractor beam of light draw and Loki up.

WIDE ANGLE

FAVORING Romanoff

As she chats with Barton.

[032] BARTON

(resigned, a bit worried)

You're gonna do what you're gonna.

So… can we agree to change the subject?

[033] ROMANOFF

(agrees)

Okay… so any weekend plans?

[034] BARTON

This has all been a heckuva way to end the week.

[035] ROMANOFF

…Meaning?

[036] BARTON

A bitta decompressing. See my family.

5

[037] ROMANOFF

The family you almost never see? (teasing)

I see them more than you do.

WIDE SHOT

of ROGERS reaching Romanoff and Barton.

[038] BARTON

(sarcastic)

Har-har, well you're not the only one running errands for S.H.I.E.L.D.

[039] ROMANOFF

Touché.

WIDE SHOT

As Romanoff steps aside.

[040] ROGERS

Barton.

[041] BARTON

Everything okay?

[042] ROGERS

Just curious. But I oughta be asking you.

[043] BARTON

Gonna be a lonnng weekend.

[044] ROGERS

Yeah, mind control and all.

You're right. Sorry about that.

[045] BARTON

Well karma's a payback.

Just ask that other guy.

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[046] ROGERS

Nice aim you got back there.

[047] BARTON

(half-chuckle)

Cap, glad somebody noticed.

[048] ROGERS

(humbled, modest)

Call me Steve. And nah

…I just try to do what's right.

But thanks.

[049] BARTON

Don't give me that, Rogers, you're awesome. Hey-

[050] ROGERS

Yeah?

[051] BARTON

Think you'd let me sling the shield?

Rogers and Barton enjoy a good chuckle.

[052] BARTON

(childlike)

Aw come on… just once?

Rogers' chuckling settles down.

[053] ROGERS

So Barton… couldn't help overhearing.

ANOTHER ANGLE

We see Barton's joy quickly dissipate.

7

[054] ROGERS

New mission?

[055] BARTON

Nothin' I wanna get involved with.

(toward Romanoff)

And if Nat knows what's best-

Barton stops mid-sentence.

[056] BARTON

(to Romanoff)

I'll be in the car.

(pats Rogers' shoulder)

Nice workin' with ya... Steve.

[057] ROGERS

Let's do it again sometime.

[058] BARTON

Be careful what ya wish for…

WIDE SHOT

As Barton slowly walks O.S.

[059] BARTON

'Cause with S.H.I.E.L.D., that kinda thing tends to happen.

ANOTHER ANGLE

As Rogers waves.

(END ACT ONE, SCENE ONE)

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