2003 Radio Play Script

GARGOYLES

"THE RECKONING"

RADIO PLAY EDITION

For the Gathering 2003

Teleplay by Gary Sperling

Based on a Story by Lydia Marano

Original Story Editors: Brynne Chandler Reaves and Gary Sperling

Adapted for the Gathering by Greg Weisman. Based on "The Reckoning".

One thousand years ago… Superstition and the sword ruled. It was a time of darkness. It was a world of fear. It was the age... of gargoyles!

CAST LIST

THE GOOD GUYS

GOLIATH 37 lines.

ANGELA 26 lines.

BROOKLYN 20 lines.

TALON 15 lines.

LEXINGTON 8 lines.

HUDSON 7 lines.

BROADWAY 6 lines.

ELISA 2 lines.

MAGGIE No lines.

CLAW No lines.

THE BAD GUYS

DEMONA 37 lines.

THAILOG 26 lines.

FANG 13 lines.

MALIBU 7 lines.

BURBANK 7 lines.

BRENTWOOD 6 lines.

DELILAH 5 lines.

HOLLYWOOD 5 lines

SEVARIUS 5 lines.

GARGOYLES

"The Reckoning"

(Radio Play Edition)

ACT ONE

THE NEW YORK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT - SUNDAY, JULY 14th, 1996

Someone is watching GOLIATH, BROOKLYN and ANGELA as they crouch on a rooftop opposite the Goldencup Bakery Building...

1. ANGELA

<sigh> How much longer do we have to sit here? There's so much happening in the city, and we're stuck on this roof.

2. BROOKLYN

(swats his neck) Yeah. And if the boredom doesn't get us, the mosquitos will.

3. GOLIATH

Patience. With all the recent thefts of technology, our best move is to stake out research facilities.

They hear a muffled <EXPLOSION> in the distance.

4. BROOKLYN

Whoa. Okay, you convinced me.

Another <EXPLOSION> and DEMONA emerges from the wreckage wearing a stolen EXO-FRAME.

5. BROOKLYN

Demona

6. ANGELA

(internalized) My mother?!

7. GOLIATH

<low growl> Demona must be gathering weapons for another offensive.

8. BROOKLYN

Then let's offend her first. <attack roar>

Brooklyn leaps toward Demona, blindsiding her.

9. BROOKLYN, DEMONA

<impact grunts>

Demona activates her exo-frame's ROCKETS. Brooklyn hangs on for dear life.

10. DEMONA

Well, well. Going my way?

11. BROOKLYN

<off-balance roar>

12. GOLIATH

Take care, Angela. Do not underestimate Demona.

13. BROOKLYN

(struggling) This tin can won't save you. <pained yell>

The exo-frame electrocutes Brooklyn, forcing him to let go.

14. DEMONA

Oh, but it's a very clever tin can.

She backhands him, and he drops like a stone.

15. BROOKLYN

<impact grunt>

16. ANGELA

Brooklyn!

He crashes, unconscious, into a warehouse roof.

17. BROOKLYN

<big impact grunt>

Goliath barrels toward Demona, who FIRES laser blasts at him.

18. DEMONA

I should've known - you always travel in groups.

19. GOLIATH

We are a clan, Demona. <lunge dive> That's something you forgot long ago.

Demona loops up and SLAMS into Goliath's back.

20. GOLIATH

<pained grunt>

21. DEMONA

I have forgotten nothing. Every betrayal is etched in my mind.

22. ANGELA

Stop this fighting!

23. DEMONA

You! I saw you in Paris! Who are you?! I know every remaining Gargoyle.

Goliath slams into a distracted Demona, holding despite the frame's energy charge.

24. GOLIATH, DEMONA

<impact grunts>

25. GOLIATH

(through gritted teeth) She is not your concern.

He PUNCHES the power unit on her back, causing it to short out and SHOCK him loose.

26. GOLIATH

<punch effort, shocked yelp>

Demona is also shocked, and begins to plummet, before crashing into a nearby roof, where the exo-frame explodes, throwing her clear.

27. DEMONA

<pained yell, falling scream, double impact, thrown>

Demona lies there, twitching. Goliath, Angela and Brooklyn approach.

28. ANGELA

Is she...

29. GOLIATH

She is alive.

(to Brooklyn)

Are you all right?

30. BROOKLYN

<deep breath> I guess. Just don't ask me how many talons you're holding up.

31. ANGELA

She looks so peaceful.

32. BROOKLYN

Yeah? Wait 'til she wakes up. Demona has this funny way of getting real excitable.

33. GOLIATH

We cannot release her. There have been too many battles. Too many casualties.

34. ANGELA

What options do we have?

35. GOLIATH

Long ago, we banished Gargoyles who turned against the clan.

36. BROOKLYN

Yeah, but where could we banish her to? And how do we make her stay?

37. ANGELA

Humans lock their criminals away in prison. Maybe we could do the same.

38. GOLIATH

During the day, Demona is human, and we turn to stone. There's nowhere we could safely guard her.

39. BROOKLYN

(grim) I think I know a place.

LATER THAT NIGHT - IN THE LABYRINTH

The homeless and the strange make their lives in these abandoned subway tunnels and laboratories... Demona, still knocked out, is lying on a cot in a heavily fortified cell. FANG is in the next cell. ELISA, and the Mutates, including MAGGIE THE CAT, and the Gargoyles, including HUDSON, have gathered. TALON slams the cell door shut.

40. TALON

Then it's agreed. We will guard the prisoners during the day, and you will stand watch at night.

41. ELISA

Do you realise what you're committing yourself to?

42. GOLIATH

There is no other way.

(to the gargoyles)

We will each take our turn in a nightly rotation.

43. ELISA

(slapping her neck)

<small pain gasp>

44. TALON

Sorry. I'm afraid we have mosquitos down here... and worse.

45. FANG

Hey! Hey!! I resemble that remark.

46. TALON

Fang is serving time for trying to force his way into power down here.

47. FANG

Yeah, yeah, but I'm expecting the Governor to commute my sentence any minute now.

48. ANGELA

I'll take the first watch

49. GOLIATH

(halting) Perhaps it's best if you don't...

50. ANGELA

(bristling) Am I a member of this clan or not?!

51. GOLIATH

Of course. But...

52. HUDSON

Take the first watch, lass. Just remember: she may be your mother, but she is capable of anything.

EARLY THAT MORNING - MONDAY, JULY 15th, 1996

Angela sits in a chair, close to Demona's cell.

53. DEMONA

<groans> Where am I?

(to Angela)

You again! What right do you have to jail me, a fellow Gargoyle? Who are you?

54. ANGELA

(shaken) Angela

(beat)

Your daughter.

55. DEMONA

(enraged) My daughter?! How dare you mock me? I have no daughter!

56. ANGELA

Yes, you do. The clan's eggs survived. You and Goliath are my biological parents... I'm told there's a resemblance.

57. DEMONA

(staggered) My daughter... after so long, can it really be?

58. ANGELA

(excited) I've been living on Avalon! Princess Katharine brought all the eggs there after Castle Wyvern was attacked.

59. DEMONA

Typical humans! They pillage the castle and steal our children!

60. ANGELA

No, it wasn't like that! The Princess saved us. She's part of my clan... as you are.

61. DEMONA

Know this, young one, humans have no place in any Gargoyle clan. Goliath has lost sight of this simple truth.

Demona reaches out to touch Angela through the bars.

62. DEMONA

If you truly are my daughter, we must always be there for one another. That is what it means to belong to a clan.

63. FANG

<loud theatrical sobbing> I'm moved. Deeply. I mean - the mother/daughter thing. Man, you chicks are better than soaps. <laughs>

64. ANGELA

Mind your own business.

65. FANG

No one knows how to take a compliment anymore, huh. <chuckles>

THE NEXT NIGHT - TUESDAY, JULY 16th, 1996

LEXINGTON stands guard. Fang uses bio-electricity to ZAP another hashmark into his cell wall.

66. FANG

And another day bites the dust.

DEMONA releases a small robotic mosquito from her belt buckle. It BUZZES out of the cell toward Lex.

67. LEXINGTON

(slapping his neck>

<small pain grunt> Stupid bugs.

Demona smiles. The bug zips away. We follow it out of a sewer grate and across town until it arrives at...

NIGHTSTONE UNLIMITED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Where Dr. SEVARIUS awaits.

68. SEVARIUS

Ah, the prodigal bug returns. And whose DNA have you brought us tonight, my little thief?

Sevarius draws the contents from the big and injects them into a bio-module.

69. SEVARIUS

You know, when they call bio-engineering a "growth industry," they're not kidding. <chuckles>

There are now three active modules and two empty ones.

70. SEVARIUS

All systems perfect, of course.

Sevarius turns to address someone stepping from the shadows.

71. SEVARIUS

And there you have it. Three down and two to go.

It is THAILOG.

72. THAILOG

I just love it when everything goes according to plan. <building evil maniacal laugh>

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17th, 1996 - IN THE LABYRINTH JAIL

Hudson guards Demona.

73. DEMONA

Hudson, you haven't said a word since you got here. Doesn't our past mean anything?

74. HUDSON

Aye. It means I have more sense than to talk to you.

Demona releases another mosquito.

75. DEMONA

You've cut me to the quick.

76. HUDSON

(slaps his neck) <small pain grunt and grumble>

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18th, 1996 - AT THE NIGHTSTONE LABORATORY

A month has passed, and all five bio-modules are now operational. Sevarius departs with a briefcase full of cash.

77. SEVARIUS

Nice doing business with you, Thailog. All you have to do now is decide on the programming. My advice: keep it simple. You don't want to end up with another you.

78. THAILOG

My thoughts exactly. <sinister laugh>

MEANWHILE IN THE LABYRINTH

It is once again Angela's turn at the watch. She and Demona have been arguing...

79. ANGELA

...yes, but that... that doesn't explain how you could have done so many terrible things.

80. DEMONA

How can you judge me? You've been hiding on a magical island, while I have been out in the real world.

CLAW enters to relieve Angela.

81. ANGELA

I know, Claw. It's dawn. I think I'll just stay here today.

Outside the sun rises. Angela turns to stone, and Demona begins her daily transformation into a human.

82. DEMONA

<transformation howl>

83. FANG

Wow. Kinky.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 1996 - TWO MORE MONTHS HAVE PASSED

Goliath enters the Labyrinth to relieve Talon. It's all routine by now.

84. TALON

They're all yours.

85. FANG

Hey, yo, Goliath - How many Gargoyles does it take to screw in a lightbulb, huh? <laughs>

86. GOLIATH

I am so tired of your "jokes", Fang.

87. DEMONA

Well, well. If it isn't my judge and jury.

88. GOLIATH

You chose your own fate, Demona, when you turned against your clan.

89. DEMONA

Clan? You don't know the meaning of the word. But I'll teach you.

90. TALON

If you'll excuse me...

A <RUMBLING> is heard from above.

91. TALON

That doesn't sound like a subway car-

Suddenly the ceiling EXPLODES, raining down debris on Goliath and Talon.

92. GOLIATH, TALON

<startled yells, impact grunts>

Thailog leaps down through the hole in the ceiling, holding his own big gun and Demona's laser cannon.

93. THAILOG

I hope I haven't come at a bad time.

94. DEMONA

Thailog, my love, your timing is impeccable.

Talon is out of commission, but Goliath attacks Thailog.

95. GOLIATH

<attack roar>

96. GOLIATH, THAILOG

<impact grunts>

Thailog swings Goliath around and pile-drives him into the bars of the cell.

97. GOLIATH

<pained grunt>

Demona grabs Goliath from behind, allowing Thailog a clear field.

98. THAILOG

Thank you, my dear. <effort>

99. GOLIATH

<major impact grunt>

Thailog knocks Goliath aside, and blasts open Demona's cell. They embrace, and Thailog hands Demona her cannon. She turns the gun on Fang.

100. FANG

Hey, Demona, I've always respected you as a fellow inmate, You knew that, right? Huh? (terrified) C'mon. Some of my best friends are half-gargoyle, half-human babes with bad attitudes, huh!

Instead of killing him, Demona blasts open his cell, freeing him.

101. DEMONA

He's a fool, but he may be of some use.

102. FANG

I can work with that. Hey! Wait up!

Fang follows Thailog and Demona out of the hole in the ceiling. Goliath fights his way to his feet.

103. GOLIATH

<determined groan>

He pulls Talon free of the rubble.

104. GOLIATH

Hurry. We must not lose them.

LATER AT CONEY ISLAND

Thailog, Demona and Fang swoop down and enter the deserted Fun House. Seconds later, Goliath and Talon alight on the Ferris Wheel.

105. TALON

I smell a trap.

106. GOLIATH

<low growl> Yes. They were too easy to follow. Keep watch, while I go for help.

107. TALON

Feel free to hurry back.

Soon, Goliath returns to the Ferris Wheel with Hudson, Angela, Brooklyn, Lexington and Broadway.

108. TALON

Nobody's come or gone, so I scoped the place out. There are three ways in: a service entrance at the rear, an air vent on the roof and the front door.

109. GOLIATH

We will take them from all sides. Hudson, you and Talon go in through the back. You three take the roof. Angela, come with me.

INSIDE THE FUN HOUSE

Hudson and Talon enter through the back. Hudson draws his sword. Suddenly, Fang steps from the shadows and takes Talon out with a blast of bio-electric energy.

110. FANG

Remember me?

111. TALON

<pained yell>

Fang also has the drop on Hudson but throws up his hands and steps back.

112. FANG

Not tonight, pal. We got a special surprise for you.

Hudson's clone steps from the shadows, wielding a mace.

113. HUDSON

<stunned gasp> What are you-

114. BURBANK

<nasty growl>

Hudson's clone attacks! Using his mace to bring Hudson to his knees.

115. HUDSON

<impact grunt>

116. BURBANK

<bestial attack>

MEANWHILE, IN THE FUNHOUSE MAZE

Brooklyn, Lex and Broadway enter from the ceiling air vent. At a fork in the maze, Brooklyn silently points to the right. Broadway nods and heads around a corner. Brooklyn and Lex continue forward, finding a door. Brooklyn opens it, and a MONSTER leaps out at them.

117. BROOKLYN, LEXINGTON

<startled cries>

Fortunately, the monster's a fake.

118. LEXINGTON

Very funny.

Unfortunately, their clones are standing behind them.

119. MALIBU, BRENTWOOD

<bestial growls>

They attack, as Brooklyn and Lex dive out of the way.

120. MALIBU, BRENTWOOD

<charging roars>

121. BROOKLYN, LEXINGTON

<diving efforts>

122. LEXINGTON

They're clones... of us! <impact grunt>

Lex's clone has grabbed Lex and slammed him into a wall. Brooklyn and his clone grapple.

123. BROOKLYN, MALIBU

<struggling>

Malibu flips Brooklyn over, SLAMS him down and leaps on him.

124. MALIBU

<roar>

125. BROOKLYN

<impact grunt, pained yell>

MEANWHILE, AT THE FRONT GATE

Goliath and Angela leap over the turnstiles and proceed along a dim hallway.

AND IN ANOTHER PART OF THE MAZE

Broadway stands in front of a Funhouse mirror.

126. BROADWAY

Ha. Looks nothing like me.

Broadway comes face to face with his clone. He stands there, confused for a moment. Then the clone attacks.

127. HOLLYWOOD

<attack roar>

128. BROADWAY

<impact grunt>

The clone wraps his arms around Broadway and squeezes.

129. BROADWAY

<fighting for breath>

AND IN ANOTHER PART OF THE FUNHOUSE

Goliath & Angela slowly enter a darkened room. Suddenly a bright light SNAPS on, revealing a Dungeon. A rack, chains and shackles anchor faux skeletons to the wall. Thailog points his big gun. Demona too.

130. THAILOG

Do come in.

131. GOLIATH

You think you've won, Thailog, but it isn't that easy.

Fang enters, dragging Talon. The four clones follow, dumping the rest of the unconscious Gargoyles into a heap on the floor.

132. THAILOG

Oh, really? I hope you weren't counting on them to rescue you.

Thailog puts his arm around Demona, as the clones gather round them.

133. THAILOG

Face it, Goliath. My clan can beat your clan, any day of the week. <sinister laughter>

ACT THREE

IT IS PAST MIDNIGHT NOW ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 1996

In the Fun House Dungeon, the Gargoyles and Talon are now in chains.

134. DEMONA

Well, Goliath, what do you think of my new clan? That's Brentwood, Hollywood, Malibu and Burbank. I named them myself.

135. GOLIATH

If you consider these poor creatures to be your clan, you have sunk even lower than I imagined.

136. THAILOG

Now, now. That's your friends' genetic make up you're insulting. Of course they are a bit primitive. I kept their programming simple: "Obey Thailog." <sinister laugh> It's all they really need to know. But enough about me. It's time to get rid of all of you-

He points his gun at Angela.

137. THAILOG

--starting with her.

138. DEMONA

No! She belongs to me.

139. THAILOG

My dear, you've known she was yout daughter, since before we staged your capture, and you've still been unable to turn her.

140. ANGELA

You knew the whole time?!

141. DEMONA

I had to make you understand-

142. ANGELA

I understand perfectly. All this was a charade to turn me against my father! To trap and destroy my clan! You are capable of anything. (seething with hatred) I hate you.

143. THAILOG

You see You're better off without her.

Thailog lifts his gun to kill Angela - but Demona jumps him.

144. DEMONA

NOOO!

145. DEMONA, THAILOG

<impact grunts>

Demona loses her gun, but Thailog holds onto his.

146. DEMONA, THAILOG

<struggling>

He SLAMS her into a wall.

147. DEMONA

<major impact grunt>

148. THAILOG

You disappoint me, my dear. Fortunately, I prepared for such a development. (dramatic pause) Delilah!

Out steps another clone, a cross between Demona and Elisa.

149. DELILAH

Yes, Master Thailog?

150. THAILOG

Look familiar, my ex-love I combined your DNA with that of the human, Elisa Maza, to create Delilah. She's he perfect programmed companion - obedient and lovely. She'll do anything for me. Destroy them, Delilah.

151. DELILAH

As you command.

Delilah picks up Demona's gun and takes aim at Angela. Thailog is prepared for Demona to attack, but she surprises him by springing for the wall and hitting a big button.

152. DEMONA

Goliath - Save our daughter!

The shackles on Talon and the gargoyles spring open, freeing them all. Goliath kicks the gun out of Delilah's hands.

153. DELILAH

<startled grunt>

Demona leaps at a distracted Thailog.

154. DEMONA

<over the top roar>

155. THAILOG

<stunned grunt>

She hits him with such force, they CRASH through the wall and outside. Goliath follows.

156. DEMONA, THAILOG

<roars, struggles>

Delilah reaches for her fallen weapon. But a gargoyle foot steps on the cannon and slides it out of reach across the floor.

157. ANGELA

Don't even think about it.

Talon bio-blasts Fang, knocking him through the wall.

158. FANG

<pained yell>

159. TALON

You won't get away that easy!

Brentwood and Lex grapple.

160. LEXINGTON

<struggling> We can't beat these guys one on one.

Brooklyn pulls Brentwood off.

161. BRENTWOOD

<startled growl>

162. BROOKLYN

So let's use teamwork.

Hudson shoves Burbank into a pile of faux skeletons and darts outside.

163. HUDSON

<effort grunt> Aye, but we'll need some room to move.

Broadway trips Hollywood and follows.

164. HOLLYWOOD

<impact grunt>

165. BROADWAY

Come on, you guys!

Brooklyn and Lexington follow, leaving Angela and Delilah alone.

166. ANGELA

Looks like it's just you and me.

167. DELILAH

<attack roar>

OUTSIDE FANG & TALON FLY AROUND THE ROLLER COASTER

Firing off bio-blasts, which sets the wooden coaster on fire.

168. FANG

I've been waiting a long time for this, Talon!

169. TALON

I beat you before. Tonight'll be no different.

They fly past Thailog, who has Demona pinned to the tracks, prepared to deliver a killing blow.

170. THAILOG

It would seem that the love had gone out of our relationship.

Goliath swoops down, SLAMMING into Thailog and knocking him off the track.

171. GOLIATH, THAILOG

<big impact grunts>

They SMASH into another part of the coaster, as flames begin to creep up nearer.

172. GOLIATH, THAILOG

<big impact grunts>

Thailog manages to flip Goliath and gain the upper hand.

173. THAILOG

<roar>

174. GOLIATH

<pained impact>

But now Demona slams into Thailog, digging her talons into his armor and carrying him aloft.

175. DEMONA, THAILOG

<impact grunts>

176. DEMONA

You are mine, Thailog!

MEANWHILE, ABOVE THE BOARDWALK...

Lex and Brooklyn are being pursuied through the air by Hollywood and Burbank.

177. BROOKLYN

Split up!

Brooklyn veers up and Lex down. Hollywood follows Lex; Burbank, Brooklyn.

178. HOLLYWOOD

<attack roar>

Lex heads for the Sledgehammer game. At the last second, he veers straight up, and Hollywood slams into the bell and slides down.

179. HOLLYWOOD

<impact grunt>

AND BY THE FERRIS WHEEL

Brooklyn leads Burbank on a high-speed chase through the spokes of the wheel.

180. BURBANK

<attack roar>

Broadway leaps out of one of the Ferris Wheel cages, landing on Burbank's back.

181. BURBANK

<major impact grunt>

182. BROADWAY

I'll take him from here!

183. BURBANK

<roars>

Brentwood chases Hudson, who loops over the wheel and around...

184. BRENTWOOD

<chasing roar>

185. HUDSON

You'll have to do better than that.

Hudson leads Brentwood into a collision with Burbank. Hudson dives and Broadway leaps away, just before impact.

186. BRENTWOOD, BURBANK

<panicked yell, impact grunts>

BACK AT THE ROLLER COASTER

Demona SLAMS Thailog down on the tracks, as flames approach their position.

187. THAILOG

<impact grunt>

188. GOLIATH

Demona, the fire!

189. DEMONA

I told you to save our daughter!

The fire has reached the diesel engine, which pulls the coaster cars up the first incline. The engine super-heats and EXPLODES! Goliath is forced to veer away, losing sight Thailog and Demona in the flames and smoke.

AT THE FERRIS WHEEL

Malibu stands on a cage taking a swipe at Brooklyn, who dodges.

190. MALIBU

<angry swipe effort>

191. BROOKLYN

It's all over, you... forgery.

Hudson, Broadway and Lex all converge on Malibu.

192. MALIBU

<confused growl>

They slam into him together, knocking him into the cage, which slams closed on him.

193. MALIBU

<impact grunt>

DOWN ON THE BOARDWALK

Talon waits with an unconscious Fang at his feet. Goliath lands.

194. GOLIATH

Have you seen Angela?

Delilah approaches through the smoke. But she is in chains, and being pushed ahead by Angela.

195. GOLIATH

Are you all right?

196. ANGELA

I've been better. Where's Demona?

The four gargoyles drag the four clones over to the others.

197. LEXINGTON

Look!

THE ROLLERCOASTER IS NOW CONSUMED BY FLAMES.

Demona and Thailog are locked in combat at the top.

198. THAILOG

Do you wish to perish?!

199. DEMONA

My vengeance is all you've left me!

'ON THE BOARDWALK

Both Angela and Delilah watch in horror.

200. DELILAH

Master?

The coaster COLLAPSES, and Demona and Thailog fall out of sight.

201. ANGELA

Mother!

202. DEMONA, THAILOG

<falling screams>

Angela collapses to her knees, holding herself, rocking and crying. Goliath kneels beside her.

203. ANGELA

(sobbing) No...

204. BRENTWOOD

No Thailog?

205. HOLLYWOOD

What now for us?

206. BROADWAY

Without Thailog, these guys don't know what to do or where to go.

207. LEXINGTON

Yeah, but we can't just bring them back to the Clock Tower... can we? (sotto) I mean... they kinda give me the creeps.

208. TALON

They can come live in the Labyrinth... with my clan.

209. BURBANK

You our master now?

210. TALON

Better than that. I'll teach you how to think for yourselves... and use verbs.

Goliath puts a tentative hand on Angela's shoulder.

211. ANGELA

(through tears) Is she really gone?

212. GOLIATH

I don't know.

213. ANGELA

The last thing I said to her was "I hate you," but she sacrificed herself for me. How can it end this way?

214. GOLIATH

She knew how you truly felt. And Demona's love for you was the first goodness she has shown in a long, long time. For her, it may have been a new beginning.

Broadway kneels on the other side of Angela and helps her up.

215. GOLIATH

A new beginning for us all.

Brooklyn, Lex and Hudson step forward to stand with them. To stand together. As a clan.

THE END