U.S. 1
Written by Ter96minecraft
INT. ARCHER HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
1983
JEFF ARCHER sits in front of the couch, watching on the small CRT television in front of him. On the screen, 3-D MAN (CHUCK CHANDLER), a superhero in a green and red suit sits across from a talk show host.
HOST
Mr. Chandler, many people have been saying that you’re… past your prime as a superhero and your popularity is dying out. Do you have anything to say about this?
3-D MAN
Eh, they’re all wrong. I just haven’t gotten the chance to do anything big lately. My time is coming soon, just you wait.
Jeff grabs the remote and clicks a button, turning the TV off before getting up out of the couch.
CUT TO:
INT. GARAGE - NIGHT
The door to the garage opens and Jeff walks out, walking down the stairs into the room. His brother, ULYSSES ARCHER, stands in front of his truck, waiting for him.
ULYSSES
Hey Jeff, glad to see you, made some upgrades to the truck. I was gonna take it for a ride, just to try it out, care to join me?
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Ulysses sits in the front seat, driving the truck through a storm of heavy rain and lightning, Jeff sits next to him.
JEFF (panicked)
I think we should head home! This storm’s getting pretty bad!
Ulysses turns to look at him.
ULYSSES
Relax, I’ve got this, nothing that bad could happen.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning hits the truck, which begins moving uncontrollably towards the edge of the road near a cliff.
JEFF
ULYSSES! SLOW DOWN!
ULYSSES
I’m trying!
Ulysses desperately tries to steer the vehicle away from the cliff, but it only gets closer. Ulysses and Jeff scream as the truck drives off the cliff and begins falling as the screen turns to black.
CUT TO:
EXT. CRASH SITE - NIGHT
From Jeff’s perspective, we hear the ringing in his ear as we see a blurred out view of the wreckage of the truck on fire. Jeff closes his eyes and awakens to see a red, flaming area with a tall, red figure standing in front of him…
???
Hello, Jeff Archer.
JEFF
What the…
EXT. HELL
MEPHISTO grabs Jeff’s hand and helps him up.
JEFF
Is this…?
MEPHISTO
You’re in hell, Jeff…
JEFF
Why? What am I doing here?
MEPHISTO
Oh, about that, I brought you here myself, I have a “special” offer for you.
JEFF
… what is it?
Mephisto steps towards Jeff.
MEPHISTO
I know how you’ve been feeling about your brother, everyone focuses on him. They see him as… perfect, they never pay attention to you, the one who actually does the work while he gets to drive around in his cool truck.
JEFF
… He got me killed…
Mephisto reaches his hand out.
MEPHISTO
Shake me hand, I can bring you back. And I can give you everything you need to finally get your revenge on your brother…
Jeff hesitates,
JEFF
I don’t know about this.
MEPHISTO
Your brother always gets the praise… when was the last time someone noticed you?
but slowly reaches his hand out. He shakes Mephisto’s hand, which lights up with hellfire spreading across his skin, transforming him. As the fire dissipates, he is left with grey skin, a red and black suit, red eyes, and an eyepatch. He is now the HIGHWAYMAN.
Mephisto smiles at him.
MEPHISTO
Now go out and fulfill your destiny.
The Highwayman disappears into the flames, leaving Mephisto there, still smiling.
MEPHISTO
Humans, so easy to fool, but so fun to play with
CUT TO:
INT. ALIEN SPACECRAFT
Ulysses comes back to consciousness on a metal table in a futuristic looking room, the room’s white walls lit up by blue and green neon lights.
ULYSSES (groggy)
Where am I…
As Ulysses comes to his senses, he pushes him up off the table.
ULYSSES
Okay, what is going on!?
??? (O.S.)
Greetings, Ulysses Archer.
ULYSSES
Ookay, this must be a very weird dream I’m having!
Ulysses runs to the door at the end of the room and opens it, stepping out to the next room.
One by one, the lights in the room turn on, revealing his truck, now with parts that glow a similar neon to the ship. A large window covering much of the room shows the vast expanse of outer space outside. Ulysses stands there shocked.
ULYSSES
… This is… a lot to process.
??? (O.S.)
What would you like us to explain first?
ULYSSES
Well, I’d like to know who you are and why I can hear your voice in my head.
??? (O.S.)
You suffered a severe head injury that almost completely shattered the top half of your skull, so we have replaced it with an experimental metal alloy, one which we are using to communicate with you right now…
ULYSSES
And who exactly is “we”?
??? (O.S.)
My species.
ULYSSES
Right, you’re aliens… probably should have picked up on that sooner. So, why exactly did you save me?
A long pause with music swelling.
ALIEN (O.S.)
… We just think you’re cool.
ULYSSES
Seriously, that’s it?
ALIEN (O.S.)
Yeah, we like watching you drive around in your cool truck.
ULYSSES
… Okaaay.
ALIEN (O.S.)
Hold on, we’ll be out to see you in a minute… wait who is tha-
The alien screams
Ulysses, confused, turns around. Seeing a shadow on the ground of someone approaching outside.
THE HIGHWAYMAN (O.S.)
ULYSSES ARCHER!
Ulysses runs to the truck and climbs in.
THE HIGHWAYMAN (O.S.)
YOU CANT HIDE FROM ME FOREVER!
Ulysses drives the truck forward, it breaks through the window and everything slows down as we see the truck floating through space, shards of glass from the window flying next to it.
Ulysses looks out the window, out into space. Behind him, he sees the ship going down, red flames light up the wreckage as a red truck begins flying towards him.
ULYSSES
The hell is that…
The truck flies towards him, crashing into it. The impact caused Ulysses to briefly jump in his seat before turning to look out the window again.
ULYSSES
Hey! I just got this thing upgraded!
The other truck slams into his again and it begins moving uncontrollably.
ULYSSES
Who the hell are you and what do you want from me!
HIGHWAYMAN (O.S.)
Call me… the Highwayman, I wish to punish you for your crimes…
ULYSSES
What crimes!?
The Highwayman’s truck slams into his again as Ulysses looks out the front window to see he’s headed towards earth.
ULYSSES
Well… at least I found my way home.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
Civilians in cars and trucks look up to the sky, watching as a shadow appears over them. The truck lands on the road, on top of a car.
ULYSSES
Sorry about that!
The truck moves forward off of the car, only to hit the back of another car. The car turns and then ends up bumping against another car and then hits another car, denting it.
ULYSSES
I’ve gotta get out of here…
Ulysses turns his truck to move off the road, it passes through other roads, cars stopping in front of him at the last minute before ending up on the grass and continuing to drive away.
CUT TO:
EXT. PARK - NIGHT
MARY MCGRILL sits alone on a bench when she notices the shadow of someone approaching nearby from between the trees.
MARY
Huh?
She turns to see the Highwayman step out of the shadows, walking towards her.
HIGHWAYMAN
Hello, Mary…
MARY
Who are you and what do you want from me?
HIGHWAYMAN
I have an… offer for you. You see, you and I have a common enemy in Ulysses Archer.
MARY
My ex-boyfriend? What do you want with him?
HIGHWAYMAN
Let’s just say we have a… long history.
MARY
And how do I fit into all of this?
HIGHWAYMAN
Well…
The Highwayman snaps his fingers and Mary begins to transform. Her body is covered in a purple and blue suit and her face with a purple mask. She is now MIDNIGHT.
Midnight stands up.
HIGHWAYMAN
You on board?
Midnight reaches out to shake the Highwayman’s hand.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY
In the wreckage left behind by Ulysses’ truck, 3-D man walks into the middle of the street.
3-D Man
Alright, what happened here?
The door to one of the cars opens and a civilian gets out, running to him.
CIVILIAN (Panicked)
A giant truck… fell out of the sky, it caused all of this damage… and then ran away.
3-D MAN
Eh, no worries, 3-D Man is here to crack this case!
CIVILIAN
… Who are you again?F
3-D MAN
3-D Man!... I’m like the world’s greatest hero?
CIVILIAN
I have no idea who you are.
3-D MAN
You will, after I figure out what’s going on here, you all will.
3-D Man looks at them.
3-D MAN
Point me in the direction that truck headed!
CUT TO:
EXT. ARCHER HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
Ulysses approaches his home and opens the door.
ULYSSES
Home sweet home…
Ulysses walks in and sees a photo of him and Jeff together on the nearby desk. He turns to hold it, staring at it.
ULYSSES
Jeff…
Tears begin to form in Ulysses' eyes.
ULYSSES
You must have… not made it.
A knock at the door. Ulysses turns to face it.
ULYSSES
Who’s there!?
He creeps towards the door as it slowly opens, revealing the Highwayman and Midnight. Ulysses panics and quickly runs out the door, attempting to push Midnight out of the way, but she hits his legs with her whip, causing him to fall to the ground.
The Highwayman grabs Ulysses by the neck and holds him up.
ULYSSES
What do you want from me?
The Highwayman doesn’t respond, instead throwing him to the ground. The Highwayman walks towards him, only for him to be suddenly hit by 3-D Man.
ULYSSES
Okay, seriously, can someone explain to me what’s going on?
3-D MAN
I’m just as confused as you are…
3-D Man hits Highwayman in the face, the Highwayman grabs 3-D man by the arm, his sharp fingers digging into his skin. 3-D man hits Highwayman again to remove him.
As Ulysses gets up, Midnight attempts to hit him with her whip. He grabs it and begins trying to pull it out of her hands, he pulls hard enough that it manages to fly free. She runs to try and grab it again, but she is hit from behind by 3-D Man, causing her mask to fall off.
ULYSSES (confused)
Mary?
MIDNIGHT (annoyed)
Yeah.
ULYSSES
Mary, what’s going on here!?
MIDNIGHT
I don’t know, this Highwayman guy approached me and offered to help me get revenge on you.
ULYSSES
Mary, listen, I’m really sorry, we shouldn’t have left things how we did.
MIDNIGHT
I didn’t want to, you were the one who thought your weird truck obsession was more important than me! I mean look at what you’ve done to it now!
ULYSSES
Oh, that. That wasn’t me, that was… aliens.
MIDNIGHT (unconvinced)
Yeah, sure…
ULYSSES
I’m being serious!?
3-D Man turns around, distracted from fighting the Highwayman.
3-D MAN
Hey… that’s the truck I’ve been looking for.
ULYSSES
For… what?
3-D MAN
It caused a whole commotion last night!
ULYSSES
You… must be thinking of something else.
He pauses
ULYSSES
Don’t we have… bigger things to worry about.
He looks at Midnight
ULYSSES
What do you know?
MIDNIGHT
Not much, this “Highwayman” guy approached me and said he also wanted revenge on you and asked for my help.
ULYSSES
Who would?-
As they are distracted, the Highwayman sneaks up on 3-D Man, hitting him and causing him to fall to the ground, unconscious. Ulysses runs up to him. The Highwayman attacks him but Ulysses hits him away and manages to grab 3-D Man, picking up his unconscious body and quickly heading towards his truck, as Highwayman walks towards him, he quickly opens the back of the truck and drops 3-D man inside before quickly closing it and running, he then runs to the front of the truck where he sees a man in the passenger seat, wearing glasses
ULYSSES
Who the hell are you?
??? (Awkwardly)
Uhhh…
Ulysses looks behind to see the Highwayman walking closer.
ULYSSES
You know what, there’s no time.
Ulysses jumps into the driver's seat next to the man and quickly starts driving. Ulysses then turns to the man.
ULYSSES
So who exactly are you?
???
Hal… I’m 3-D Man’s brother, he only manifests when I wear these glasses.
Ulysses stares at him, confused.
HAL
Long story.
ULYSSES
What’s your brother’s deal anyways? He seems like kind of a jerk.
HAL
Seems like it, yeah, but really, I think he’s just tired of people saying he’s past his prime, and he wants to prove himself as a hero again.
Ulysses and Hal drive through the fields.
CUT TO:
EXT. EMPTY FIELD - SUNRISE
Ulysses’ truck stops, Hal looks at him.
HAL (nervous)
You think we’re safe?
ULYSSES
We’ve been driving all night, besides, we should probably check on your brother.
Ulysses and Hal open the door on the back of the truck to find 3-D Man laying there. He begins to wake up.
HAL
Chuck? Chuck, wake up!
3-D MAN (Groggy)
Hal…?
HAL
Yeah, Chuck, it’s me.
3-D Man sits up, turning to face Ulysses.
3-D MAN
Alright, you better explain what’s going on here.
ULYSSES
Well, I got in a truck accident, my truck was saved and repaired by aliens, I crashed back on earth because some guy called the Highwayman is hunting me down.
3-D MAN
Well, if you don’t mind, leave this to me. I had the situation under control until you messed it up.
ULYSSES
You were the one who got knocked out unconscious.
3-D MAN
I did not.
HAL
Yeah, you did.
3-D Man turns to hal.
3-D MAN
Shut up, Hal.
ULYSSES
Look, we’re all in this together, and at any minute-
They suddenly hear footsteps approaching, they turn around to see the Highwayman and Midnight approaching.
ULYSSES
He could show up…
HIGHWAYMAN
Hello again, Ulysses Archer.
ULYSSES
What do you want from me? All of this hunting me down, what is it for?
HIGHWAYMAN
You still haven’t put the pieces together, it seems. Not surprising coming from you… brother.
ULYSSES
Jeff?
HIGHWAYMAN (annoyed)
Yes, yes, it’s me, Jeff, how did it take you so long to realize that.
ULYSSES
But… Why?
HIGHWAYMAN
Why?! Well, let’s see here. You get all this attention, all this recognition while people ignore my work. And, oh yeah, you almost got both of us killed.
ULYSSES
That wasn’t my fault-
HIGHWAYMAN
YES IT WAS! YOU WERE BEING RECKLESS!
The Highwayman charges at Ulysses and grabs him, pinning him to the ground. He then lifts up his hand and prepares to stab his fingers into Ulysses’ chest.
HIGHWAYMAN
Your turn…
The Highwayman is hit from behind by Midnight with her whip, Ulysses looks up at her.
ULYSSES
Mary… you saved me.
She helps him up.
MIDNIGHT
Ulysses, you’re an idiot, but I don't want you dead.
Ulysses tries to hug her, she pushes him away.
MIDNIGHT
No.
They turn around to see 3-D Man and Hal walking up to them.
3-D MAN
Well, looks like this is over with. You’re welcome for saving your asses.
ULYSSES
You did nothing and then got knocked out
3-D MAN (ignoring)
Sorry things didn’t work out so well with your brother, I can't imagine what that’s like…
As they are talking, they don’t notice the Highwayman getting up.
HIGHWAYMAN
ULYSSES!!!
The Highwayman rushes at Ulysses and pins him to the ground and begins to hit him and Ulysses fails to fight back, bruises begin to appear on his face.
ULYSSES
WAIT!
The Highwayman pauses.
HIGHWAYMAN
WHAT!?!
ULYSSES
A race… You and me.
HIGHWAYMAN
To… where?
ULYSSES
Uhhh… the moon?
HIGHWAYMAN
The moon?
ULYSESS
Yeah, my truck flies through space, your truck flies through space, why not?
The Highwayman grabs Ulysses’ hand to help him back up.
HIGHWAYMAN
… fine.
The Highwayman begins to walk away, before turning back to look at Ulysses.
HIGHWAYMAN
Let me know when you’re ready…
Ulysses turns to Midnight, 3-D Man, and Hal.
ULYSESS
… What did I just get myself into?
Midnight walks up to him and places her hand on his shoulder.
MIDNIGHT
I know things between us haven’t been the best… But you can do this, I believe in you.
Midnight walks away as 3-D Man walks between them.
3-D MAN
I mean, I’d probably be more equipped to handle this but I’m sure you can do this.
Hal looks at his brother.
HAL
Come on Chuck, I’m sure you can be nicer than that.
They all look at Ulysses
ULYSSES
Okay… let’s do this.
CUT TO:
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
Ulysses walks slowly through the forest before pausing.
ULYSSES
I’m ready.
In front of him, the Highwayman turns to look at him, both of their trucks behind him.
Ulysses moves closer.
ULYSSES
Our rivalry ends today, Jeff!
The Highwayman glares at him
HIGHWAYMAN
Yes it does, Ulysses. We’ll see just who comes out on top.
CUT TO:
EXT. DARK FOREST - NIGHT
The camera looks down from the sky to Ulysses and Jeff’s trucks flying into the sky, Midnight, 3-D Man, and Hal look up at them. From the window of his truck, Ulysses looks down back at them.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTER SPACE - DAY
Ulysses and Jeff’s trucks fly through space, racing through space.
HIGHWAYMAN
You’re out of your depth, Ulysses!?
The Highwayman notices a meteor nearby, he uses demonic energy to direct it at Ulysses’ truck. Ulysses sees it through his window, looking worried, the meteor hits, causing an explosion.
Ulysses’ truck flies out of the explosion, visibly damaged, but working.
ULYSSES
Huh, got thing the aliens made my truck meteor-resistant.
Ulysses notices the moon coming up
ULYSSES
Almost there…
HIGHWAYMAN
NO! DIE, GOD DAMN IT!
The Highwayman directs another meteor at Ulysses, but Ulysses moves out of the way, leaving the meteor to hit Jeff’s truck instead, Ulysses watches the explosion from his truck's window as he approaches the moon, the Highwayman falls down to the moon, unconscious.
Ulysses watches his brother from his window.
ULYSSES
Here goes nothing.
Ulysses takes a deep breath, opens the door to the truck, and jumps out. He floats down to his brother and grabs onto him, carrying him back to his truck and quickly entering with his brother and closing the door. Ulysses sets his brother’s body on the floor and rubs his forehead. He looks out at the window, looking at the view of the moon.
ULYSSES
Okay… time to get back to earth.
CUT TO:
EXT. ARCHER HOUSEHOLD - DAY
Ulysses’ truck lands outside his house, he walks out, holding his unconscious brother, he drops Jeff, seeing Mary, 3-D Man, and Hal standing there.
ULYSSES
Hey guys… what are you doing at my house?
MARY
We were waiting for you, glad you made it back safely, how are you doing?
ULYSSES
Well, I just raced to the moon with my demonically powered brother in my ship that was upgraded by aliens…
3-D MAN
Forty years ago, we had a literal atlantean fighting alongside us in a war, I don’t think you should be that shocked.
ULYSSES
I mean aliens are one thing, but demons?
3-D Man chuckles
3-D MAN
Well, if you ever need my help, you can always call 3-D Man. Say, I’ve been wanting a sidekick.
Ulysses laughs
ULYSSES
I appreciate the offer but I get the feeling my purpose extends… beyond this world
MARY
What do you mean?
ULYSSES
Well, I’m thinking of heading out in my truck and just… exploring the cosmos
MARY
So, you’re gonna be like a space trucker?
ULYSSES
Something like that.
Jeff’s eyes open, Ulysses grabs his hand and helps him get up. Jeff squeezes down on his hand.
HIGHWAYMAN
WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!
Ulysses puts his hand on Jeff’s shoulder.
ULYSSES
I saved you.
Jeff’s expression changes.
HIGHWAYMAN
You… what? Why would you save me?
ULYSSES
Because you’re my brother, and I care about you, no matter what you do to me.
The Highwayman removes his hand from Ulysses’ and he quickly runs away. Ulysses turns to look at him running.
MARY
Should we go after him?
ULYSSES
Leave him be, I’m not sure what comes next for him, but that’s for him to decide.
Ulysses walks up to his truck, waves goodbye to his friends, and steps inside.
Ulysses sits into the driver’s seat of the truck and starts it, it flies up into space…
THE END