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Three Inches (2011)
[ Rain falling ]
Coming to hold you close My name is Walter Spackman 26 years old. I ran out of money, so I had to move back home. And I'm currently washing dogs until I save up enough money to move out. But the thing is, I buried the headline. 'Cause in about two seconds everything is gonna change. [ Thunder crashes ] Whoa, that's so... [ Thunder crashes ] [ Birds chirping ] 10, 9, 8... Rise and shine, my little boomerang! Up and at 'em 6, 5... He who hesitates is brunch. 3, 2... Lily. All work and no play makes Jack my first husband. And if I find you standing there if at first you don't succeed, you're a spackman. [ Dog barking ] And if I find you standing there Hey! Walter, don't do it. It's a death trap. Lily's back visiting her dad. I can tell by the way the air shimmers. Also... she texted me. Ok, he doesn't listen to a word I say. I appreciate your concern and I know you care about me... I care enough about you to murder anyone that hurts you, if that's what you mean by caring. I'm gonna be late for work. Walter, you're too old for me to lock up in the basement, but you're too young to know that dreams are just lies that we tell ourselves while we're asleep. I should have told her when we were 10 and she hated her braces. I could spell "laodicean" in my sleep. I should have told her when we were 16 and she blew out her knee in Kitzbuhel. I should have told her when we were 20 and she left Chicago to build the hospitals in Kenya. Oh, yeah, like that's a big thing. Today I am finally going to tell Lily Theroux exactly how I feel. I'm gonna put the right words in the right order like a magic spell, and when I do, everything will be different than it was before. I'll be different, too. Walter? Walter. Hearts don't break like legs break. The pieces never really mend. I... Wait, Walter! Eat your toast! I [ Sighs ] I won't slide closer to her she has a beauty... Dude. Last poodle of the day? [ Dog growls ] It's not a poodle. Give me 10 minutes. All right. [ Dog barking ] Bedroom and practice room. What's practice room? It's like a room that's too big to call a closet but too small to call a bedroom, uh.. huh. Lucky for me I don't own anything bigger than a toaster. [ Chuckles ] Yeah, uh, Joey Katz... The guy who repeat fainted in Mr. Danforth's bio class? Right. His sister lives there. Everything works, the landlord's decent, so we can go check it out tomorrow if you want. I got the day off at the restaurant. You still on prep? Screw up once and they think you don't know the difference between a fork and a spoon. I'm a lil cook, man. Chopping lettuce is beneath me. Lucky lounge tonight. Everybody's going. Katie burns asked me if you'd be there. Ever wonder where courage comes from? - Beer. The subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. Increased activity in the cortex is what makes you brave. Lily's back in town. How could you tell? I'll see you tomorrow, Walter. [ Engine turns over ] [ Sighs ] Are you ready to sit by his throne? [ Record skipping ] are you ready are you ready... are you ready are you ready [ Music stops ] Lily. [ Chuckling ] Walter! I can't believe your mom still has this old car. Yeah, the engine runs on anger and wishful thinking. Good gas mileage, too. Do you remember the minivan of sorrow? My dad used to take me on those father/daughter road trips to crooked lake, where they have the... the... the tents with the for. And... and he'd make a fire, roast marshmallows, and pretend my mom wasn't dating the strength coach for the bear and then he threw all her shoes on the front lawn and listen the "Phantom of the Opera" for three months. [ Both laugh ] So bad! You look good. Thanks. So do you. Thank you. [ Chuckles ] You still washing dogs? 9:00 to 5:00. So, record-store clerk... Uh-hu video-store clerk, bookstore clerk. The digital revolution kill my clerk work. Process server... Lasted one day. Game-show contestant... Locked up in the bonus round. Bread-truck driver. Nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked bad. All I'm saying... Is what you always say. That you could do so much better if you just wanted to. Not that there's anything wrong with grooming pets. It's all a part of my 10-year plan. Finding a way to live in the world that makes sense takes time, that's mean I don't find it. Besides... everything's about to change. Really? Walter that's great. How? I have a special surprise for you. Just a little bit further. Okay. [ Laughs ] How did this happen? Me. Thank you for my special surprise. [ Chuckles ] That's not the surprise. No? Lily... Mm-hm it took me a long time to understand that my life had a purpose. Is this a part of your 10-year plan? If it's okay with you, it's probably better if there's no more interruptions. This is the kind of thing I just gotta get out in one piece. Right, sorry. Continue. [ Exhale sharply ] Lily, it took me a long time to understand that my life had a purpose. [ Sighs ] But once I did, I realize that you was always there, waiting for me to see it and... And to recognize its value. I believe that my purpose in life is to make you happy. I think it's something I'd be really good at. And not because I've studied for it or because there's a written manual. I'll be good at it because that's why my heart was made. I love you the first day you moved in next door. I loved you 7th grade when you wore that same "Dexter's laboratory" t-shirt for a year. I loved you in high school when you dated Bruce Butterworth and didn't hang out like we used to. I loved you when you went away to change the world. I love you now even more than all those other times. It's the best thing I do. I never told you this 'cause I was afraid of what you'd think. But if I never told you, how would you know? I'm not afraid anymore. It's important to me that you know and now you do. The end. [ Chuckles nervously ] [ Thunder rumbles in distance ] That's the most beautiful thing anybody's ever said to me. [ Chuckling ] I practiced in my spare time. [ Chuckles ] But... But? [ Sighs ] When I'm away on a project or in another country, or maybe something that feels like this amazing adventure, you're the first person I want to call and tell about it... Because you're my best friend. And I know that what you said was really hard and brave and important. [ Voice breaking ] I don't feel the same way you do. I wish that I did. Are you okay? I'm fine, thanks. Would it be better if I pretended like this never happened? You can remember if you want I'm pretty sure I will. [ Thunder rumbling ] Maybe this is the kind of thing that will make our friendship stronger... You know, more durable. Spun polyester is very durable. The open weave reduces fabric stress. Come on, Walter! Come on! I think I'm just gonna sit here for a little while if you don't mind. - I don't think it's such a good idea. - Go away! Please. Coming to hold you close [ Thunder crash ] I've been afraid of my mind to catch you and hold you close. Whoa, that is so cool. [ Thunder crashes ] Woman on P.A.: Nurse administrator, call cardiac care unit. Nurse admin, all C.C.U. [ Monitor beeping ] Walter: On average, lightning strikes the earth about 100 times every second. But your chances of getting hit by lightning while sitting on a sofa with a broken heart... 1 in 280,000. Walter? First, I had this really funny joke prepared about Lily and lightning, but it doesn't seem so funny now with you lying here all scrambled. And second, the Doctor... Said there's no real reason for you not to snap out of this. Okay? No particular reason at all. So, please, give me a break. Snap. Hey. It's me. Macklin Sportello! Uh.. Case you don't remember, I'm probably your best friend. Walter? Can you hear me? I just want you to know that, no matter what, I'm here. I'm here, and I'll always be your... When the boot hit, I felt like I was beaten with 100 sledgehammers. It was like every case of the flu I ever had at the same time. Every single part of my body hurt. My hair hurt. My eyelashes hurt. My fingernails, too. Did you know that there was, uh, is guy in a coma, but it turned out he was only paralyzed, so he was trapped inside his own body for like 30 years? Anyway, we don't got to talk about that now it's just, you know.. And third, I love you like crazy. I do. Today was the day I proved I was different. This is not exactly what I had in mind. Or, as my mom would say, when God closes a door, he slams it on your fingers. My head filled with the sound of 1,000 church bells ringing. [ Dull ringing] Ow. Walter? I got struck by lightning. Well, that explains the charring on your ear. Oh, can you hear that? Can I hear what? Walter, how are you? How do you feel? A slight numbing weakness in my extremities, problematic concentration, increased irritability... Which is probably a result of frontal-lobe damage... Headache, dizziness, and, of course, the ringing. Anything else? I used to think I had a destiny and her name was Lily Theroux. But now I know I'll never be anything but normal. You just got hit by lightning and you didn't die. Except for that. You're not normal. Trust me. Man: Our winners day will also receive a trip for two to hon... Man #2: Payments of $29.95... Woman: ... Times with you already. Why didn't she tell me you were my sis... [ Dull ringing continues ] [ Sighs ] [ Ringing stops ] Well, you're looking chipper! Time to go. I've completed all the relevant paperwork. I strangled two doctors. I think I'm having hallucinations. I'm sure you are, dear. Maybe it's just a side effect from getting your brain boiled. The ringing. It's gone. [ Dog barking in distance, Children shouting ] [ Groans ] [ Sighs ] [ Sniffles ] [ Gasp ] What? Stay. So, mom, uh... Where's your fake cigarette? I quit fake smoking. It's fake bad for you. Uh-hu. Uh, what are you working on? A catchy slogan for a new liquid soap campaign. Just what the world needs... More liquid soap. Something wrong with the orange juice? I squeezed it myself. No, it's fine. Ooh, it's very fresh. [ Timer dings ] [ Clattering ] Uh, do you know there's this thing that I have to go do, so I'm gonna... I'm gonna do that now Walter! Walter... I made muffins! [ Sighs ] Walter! When did you get home? Last night. I want to hug you. Is... is that... Okay? Hug would be great. Thanks. [ Laughs ] Thanks. I was so worried was the hospital okay? Walter. Yeah. Were there special treatments, like lightning rehab? Lily, I need to tell you something. Okay, but you were pretty comprehensive the last time. Not that. Lily, something incredible happened to me. I don't know how, but after the lightning hit me... [ Horn beeps ] Dillon. Dillon? [ Chuckling ] Hi. Hey. Hey. Uh-oh Walter, this is my friend Dillon. We met at the water-management conference in Oslo. Hey, man. Dillon and his dad converted his bike to run on hydrogen fuel cells. How cool is that? Yeah. Who wants lemonade? I'll be right back. So, uh... Lily tells me you guys have been friends since, like, forever. Since, like, forever. [ Chuckles ] [ Crunch ] Damn it. [ Shoe scuffing ] Oh, come on. You okay there, guy? It's just a stupid crab ape. Whoa. See that? Oh! Oh! What the... Oh! What the hell? Aah, aah, whoa, whoa! Oh, oh, what the... Oh, man. Uh, I-I... Oh, uh... Sorry, I didn't mean to... I mean, it's like I did anything, 'cause how could that possibly happen? Freak. [ Siren wailing ] [ Horn honks ] Hey, what's up? First of many beers. A nuking your sorrows with alcohol. Good point. Think alcohol will help me forget Lily? I don't think it's possible drink that much. Man: Sportello! Back to the kitchen. Hey, Walter. Hey. Do I know you? Nope. But you know my name. I know everything about you. It's my job. Well, whatever they're paying you, it's too much. I'm a 26-year-old dog groomer who lives with his mother. What's to know? [ Chuckles ] Hey. I'm curious... Have you tested the limits of your ability? It important to understand what you can and cannot do. Who are you? Troy Hamilton. Okay, Troy Hamilton. I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Sure you do. I find people with special abilities... Powers. And you, Walter... You are very special. I think you have me confused with somebody else. Sometime we track lightning-strike victims. That's how I found you. Look, dude, what do you want from me? Ideally, I want you to help fight evil and make the world a better place. Wow, creepy and crazy. Good luck with that. Walter, please... just give me five minutes of your time. That's all. So... Do you work for a secret government organization that turns out to be as bad as the bad guys in the end? I'm a private contractor with good intentions and a clear conscience. Oh, wasabi peanut? Whatever I move, I can only move it three inches. It's the worst superpower ever. It's like having an extra thumb. You need to expand your line of thinking. Bar bets? Uh, the circus? You have no idea what you can do... not yet. Invisibility... There's a superpower. Doesn't exist. I checked that ability. Walter... I know exactly how you feel. You feel lost and alone. You feel like nobody could ever understand. You feel like a mistake nature made. But that's not who you are. Who am I? You're a superhero. I'm not superhero material. Ask anyone. [ Sighs ] [ Sniffs ] My talent isn't a talent. It's a curse. I'm going back to washing dogs where I belong. I'm offering you the chance to make a life that fits the size of who you really are. You want to wash dogs, wash dogs. But you're crazier than I am if you pass up the chance to see how that life feels. Why don't you meet the rest of the team then you can make up your mind. There's a team? Of course there is. You're not the only one, Walter. There are others. I think you'll like them and besides, you can't fight evil all by yourself, am I right? Okay, I'm listening. I've got tropical fish bigger than dog he's tougher than he looks. Standard Op. Stolen property. Go fetch. Stolen? Yeah, this is a very important package. And you don't know where it is. Well, we're hoping you have the right freaks for the job. They're not freaks. Titus. How's Jeannie? Rise and shine, my little lightning rod! All work and no play makes Walter a minimum age employee. You have questions. I don't even know where to start. Start with me. Okay. How did you get to be... you know... like this. Army Intelligence. I was assigned to a unit that specialized psychic phenomena. It was my job to take something strange and beautiful and turn it to a weapon. Good times. Yeah. Turned out I wasn't the company man that I though I was. So you quit? No, I studied. Recruited. Build my own start-up from scratch. So that's how the justice league came to Park Ridge, huh? Something like that, yeah. Why lightning-strike victims? Oh, lightning strikes are only one of many triggers. We check for enhanced perception and paranormal skills. [ Beeping ] How many did you find? Well, there's a nice old lady in New Canaan who can kill lilacs with her mind. There's a teenager in Moline who can actually predict when his cellphone is gonna ring. Most people just blow out their eardrums. Everybody, this is Walter. I've invited him to join us, but Walter has his doubts. New guy's coming. Mm, what does he do? I can't tell. Wherever it is, if Troy wanted us all here to meet him must be something special. Everybody, this is Walter. I've invited him to join us, but Walter has his doubts. Annika can duplicate and broadcast almost any sound. Hello. Hey. Ethan can commune with members of the insect kingdom. Nice to meet you. Todd can see into the future Two minutes, give or take. Unfortunately, the farther he looks, the more it hurts. Hey. Carlos insists that we call him by his superhero identity, "the human smell." You can probably guess what he can do. As they came face-to-face, the first thing Walter noted was the smell's steely gaze, eyes that penetrate... Watts: Save it, stinkbug. Sorry. Hey... Dude. And Watts, able to alter and shape emotional states faster and more effectively than any drug known to man. What's your secret, Walter? I can... I-I can, uh.. I got... Probably not public speaking. Walter can move any object three inches with his mind. Three inches sounds about right. [ Chuckles ] Welcome. I think you're gonna like it here. Okay. Come with me. You're training me to be a fruit assassin? See? Amazing. Thank you, Sara. So... This, uh, Lily Theroux. What does she do, anyway? How do you know about Lily? Know everything about you. It's still creepy. Uh, Lily is a blogger/humanitarian. Does she know about your power? No. Well, in my limited experience when it comes to blogger/humanitarians You have to take the long view. [ Exhales sharply ] [ Beeping ] Maximum range... 17 feet, 4 inches. The face-scrunching probably doesn't help. You can loose the stiff arm too. Macklin: Hey, Walter, it's Macklin. Where you been, man. I got a hot tip on another apartment. Call me. Troy: Your basic key lock contains a small cylinder. When a door is locked, a part called the tang is partially out of the cylinder. When the door is unlocked the tang rests fully inside it. You need the key to release the tang. Unless you are you. So, what you're saying is that I could be the best locksmith ever. Wow all my dreams are coming true. What I'm saying is, sometimes the good guys need to walk through doors that only you can open. Can you move the same object more than once? Three inches, three inches? Not right away. It's like I have to recharge or something. It's always three inches? That makes sense. We're all made of atoms. Everything is and the only thing holding these atoms together is an ionic electrical attraction. The lightning must have altered your brain chemistry, allowing you to exert an electromagnetic force on the atoms in any object. But there's only so much charge in the atoms you can access, so that would limit your ability to move them is there gonna be a quiz? 'Cause if the is, I got to write some of this down. [ Chuckles ] Let me in. I can't... I can't do this. Sure you can. Concentrate. [ Sighs ] [ Both laughing ] Yeah. Walter: Yeah. Where you been, man? I left you like 20 messages. Yeah, sorry. I-I, uh, as busy with this unexpected thing I hadn't scheduled. Whatever. I got another apartment. This one is in... Wicker Park? Yeah Yeah, 1 1/2 bedrooms. I don't know what that means... 1 1/2... But should move fast on this, because I think it's gonna go quick. Uh.. Macklin, I don't have time to look for apartments right now Walter, you always have time. Not anymore. Sorry, Macklin, I-I got to go. Who's that?! Don't... Don't follow me. I'm not stalking you, Walter! I'm trying to be your friend! Lightning changed you, man! And not in a good way. See you two later. Good luck, Walter. Is Troy... Recess is over, newbie. From now on, it's just you and me. Let's go. [ Jackhammer hammering, baby wailing ] [ Horns honking ] [ Monkey screeching ] [ Sound effects' volume increases ] [ Sound effects' volume lessens ] [ Lock clicks ] [ Engine turns over ] [ Engine turns over ] [ Sighs ] Looks like I'm out of gas. Sucks to be you. It always comes back. [ Horn honking ] See? You want to know the key to happiness? There's a key? It's too bad it's not a lock. I could open it. The key is to find a place where you belong... And people to belong there with you. Sign the contract, Walter. Watts: Hey. Hey, hi. How you doing? What? Oh, good. Great. I was a little worried at first, you know There's a lot of stuff to learn, and... And it's hard sometimes. But the thing is, I... Never really new what you could do before now? No, I didn't. Troy does that for everyone. Hey, I got an idea. Do you want to grab a beer? Sure. Great. Yeah. I-I know a place we can go. Wow, that is a fantastic idea. The only thing smell liked more the the touch of a woman who thought he was cool was the cool touch of a bottle of beer served to him by a woman. Time you got to know the team. Okay. No beer for you, stinkbug! Guys? [ Indistinct conversations ] I was working in the entomology department at Texas A&M one day, this stranger walks into the lab, and he asks for me by name, and he doesn't look at me like other people normally do, like I'm weird or something. He looks at me with kindness. And then he said... Annika: [ As Troy ] I know exactly how you feel. You feel lost and alone. You feel like nobody could ever understand. You feel like a mistake nature made. But that's not who you are. Walter: [ Chuckling ] What? [ Laughs ] That is awesome! [ Laughs ] Does anyone know where the nearest Walgreen's is? My baby smell was like the smell of a million stinky diapers. When I got older, it got worse. I mean, I couldn't control my aroma. Mom and dad were afraid of me. Girls were, you know, pretty much out of the question. It was like I was this lonely space mutant, except I didn't have a homeplanet to go back to. Then Mr. Hamilton found me... Taught me self-control. I wasn't a mutant. I was a special mutant. Then I wasn't alone anymore. [ Laughter ] Ever wonder why superheroes work in teams? Family. Everybody wants one. Todd: Hey. I'm out with the team. We're... we're breaking in the new guy. Just... Wife. Say again? Cough medicine? Sure. Is she okay? Baby. There's a... Walgreen's on State Street. I'll pick some up on my way home. Come on. I hear rumors. New mission 48. Mission? That's what you guys do, you go to missions? What do you think? You fight evil and make the world a better place, but I have no idea what that actually means. What does Troy really do? Troy has clients. And the clients have needs. If there's something you want found, we'll be there. Need protection when the going gets rough, we will be there. Hoping for answers when all hope is lost, including rescue Ops, data retrieval, and courier services? We'll be there, too. I hope you like to travel. And our dental plan is excellent. Wait, when you say "new mission in 48," you mean 48 hours? What's the target? Package. What kind of package? Mr. Hamilton tells us to fetch. We fetch. Besides... If we knew everything going in. It wouldn't be as much fun. [ Camera shutter clicks ] [ Laughs ] You need a secret identity I do? Everybody has one. They do? No. But you need sidekick. I do? No. [ Chuckles ] But you need a catchphrase. No. Catchphrase isn't a bad idea. They're good for team spirit. Oh. We're very enthusiastic about the spirit. Okay, everybody huddle up photo Op. [ All grumbling ] Yeah, yeah, photo Op Team photo... Todd: All right. Okay. Now, uh, you can smile if you want to. Everybody say, "yo." Yo! Yo! Yo! Yo! [ Camera shutter clicks ] I think your watch stopped. It was my dad's. Oh. It's nothing special... I found it ... and wore So, when did you first know that you could alter emotional states? The day after I hit puberty. Is it always happy or sad? What about brave? I feel like brave would come in handy. Are you altering my emotional state right now? No, I'm not. What's your name? Like, I know "Watts," right? But what did they call you when you were born? If you were running across a summer lawn and your mother shouted your name, 'cause it was time for dinner, what name would she shout? Brandon: That... is a secret nobody knows. Step up, newbie. You're in my spot. Sit. Carlos: The unit tasted of defeat and broken dreams. Captain normal smirked, his arrogance exceeded only by his one true ability... The ability to act like a total douche bag. So, what's your superpower? Brandon doesn't have one that's why we call him "Captain Normal." Hey, guys. I'm going on my 20, all right? [ Chuckles ] What do you want, Walter? Listen, man, I'm sorry I disappeared, but something really weird happened to me and I've been dealing with that, so I couldn't really do the whole apartment thing. Hey... no worries. I'm gonna find a place to live by myself. What.. why? Well, yeah, I mean, if you were my roommate, maybe I could actually get you on the phone, but, uh, I'm not sure it's worth the aggravation. Maybe you should lighten up a little bit. I've been hacking romaine for three hours. You lighten up. You don't have to be such a wad about I oh, right, right, 'cause it's my fault. I got some people I want you to meet. Since when do you know people? What? No, you know what, man? I wasted my time trying to find us a decent place to live while you chased after Lily, who treats you like a pet. I'm not doing that anymore. But that's cool, right 'cause you don't have time for anything else, including finding a decent place to live, even though you're living at home like it's still high school. I said I was sorry! And, just for the record, man, you suck as a friend. I remember when the 10-year plan used to be 5. How's that working out for you, Walter? Just go away, man. Go. You know what? I am not a pet. And so what if I did move back home? Like that's so unusual during the current economic downturn. Good night. And maybe I did add five years to my five-year plan. Is that so wrong? Exactly. You really like beer. I really want be a part of this team Oh, well, then all you need a catchphrase. Wait, I got one. Where's the smell? Do not see him... They will. Do not fear him they should. Chicks did him men want to be his friend. Has no zits. [ Customs coughing ] That'll be him [ Coughing continues ] Oh, no. Oh! [ Coughing continues ] [ Coughing ] Oh, my God! What did you do?! Dude, that was nothing. Just a little taste. But... Look, I heard what that cook guy said. Mutant solidarity is the cornerstone of my philosophy. You have a philosophy? [ Cellphone rings ] Carlos... what?! Troy: It's Troy. How did it go? Sorry, I didn't know it was you. How did it go? God, what is that smell?! Great. Just great. Walter, better that we're not around. Come on. Wait, my catchphrase! "Up, up, and a limited distance away!" Good catchphrase. [ All chuckling ] Wait a minute. You said we all... Pretty awesome, right? My mom made it. She, uh... she thinks it's for drama club. Welcome to the team, Walter. First Op in 36 hours. I'm gonna go change... Before the Op. [ Crickets chirping ] [ Keyslacking ] [ Gasp ] [ Computer beeps ] Sorry to pop in like this. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Great, never better. S-super good. You're scared to death. Every cell in my body is screaming. That's 70 trillion cells. Do something for me. Step to the window look at the stars. [ Sighs ] I can't see them that's probably due to city lights, but there could also be cloud cover or a smog layer. Walter... You can't see the stars, but you know they're up there. It's not faith or a good guess... It's a fact. Courage inside you is like the stars. You can't see it, but you know is there. That's a fact. I decided at a very early age... 4, actually... That I was going to learn the answer to every question. And I did, to the exclusion of almost everything else. And then, one day, there I was, and my head was full of answers. And that's when I realized... I forgot all the questions. Except the first one. What was your first question? "Where's dad?" You never know your father? Well, he died when I was 3. A boy should know his dad. Got a few boxes of old records... And his watch. And a photograph I used to keep it by my bed. But it wasn't memory, you know? It was just a picture. Like an insert in frame you buy. And all that did was make me sadder. So I put it away. Well, do me a favor. Put it back. Okay. Get some sleep. [ Sighs ] It's a big day tomorrow [ Indistinct conversation ] Todd: Club soda and lime. Men's room. [ Russian accent ] Please excuse me. Da. Hello, Dr. Husak. I almost forgot. What did you forget? Home. There was an island in the middle of the lake, and on the island there was the ruins of a church it said the bones of a Saint were buried in the soil. I was only 8 years old. We took an old rowboat, my sister Vladka and me, and we rowed out to the island. And all day we looked for the bones. Vladka. [ Speaks Russian ] I haven't thought of her in years. Hm. Where is it, Pavel? Where is what? The package. It's in the warehouse on the last key road. Locked up like fort Knox. Kobe is a better player, sure but LeBron's just playing better, all right? It's like Alicia Keys... she's got all the tools she's just not making great tunes. Annika[ as Anthony ]: This makes sense to me, of course. However, while gaining an NBA title, Mr. Kobe has become a far better player, attaining previously unheard of performance levels... dawg. Anthony, you sound weird. Mao, get over here, now! Anthony? I need to work on my... [ Normal voice ] ... Sports information and trivia. No kidding... dawg. We get in, we get out. Retrieve the package and deliver it to HQ. I don't feel like a hero. I feel like a U.P.S. Driver. Maybe the package is evil. It could happen. Todd: You can't always be a hero. Watts: Sometimes it's just a paycheck. Also, pace yourself. [ Grunting ] Go, go, go. Go, go, go, go, go. Go. [ Grunts ] Guys? Guys? Stop right there! Down on your knees! Hands behind your head. Hello, boys. What the hell? You, down on the ground! Oh, I'm sorry. I'm running late. Down on the ground! [ Both laughing ] [ Laughter stops ] Walter? Watts, I don't think I can do this. Walter, get up. One more door to open, and we can all go home. You got it? Yeah. Okay. [ Device beeping softly ] Step on it, freak. We're on the clock. I've never seen anything like this before. That's what I was afraid of. Why anybody thought you belonged on my team... Brandon. He can do it. Really? 'Cause all I see is a f... [ Lock clicking ] Freak? You make it sound like a bad thing. Who are you? Ok, excuse me, That's not definitely a package. That is a little girl. Brandon, what the hell? Man: Give us the kid... No. This is me. Stink on! [ Coughing, gagging ] Hey. There's nothing to be afraid of. We're gonna take care of you. Todd: Brandon, watch out! [ Gunshots ] First guard... he's coming. Carlos: That guy's gonna need a new grill. Let go of me! Let go of me! Wait a minute. Nobody said she was the package. We don't even know what is was doing there. Maybe somebody... Get in the van. She's not a package. She's a little girl. Walter, please. [ Engine turns over ] Whoa, whoa, it's okay. It's okay. We're not gonna hurt you. We're here to help. Maybe this is a rescue Op. Cuff her. We can handle this, Brandon. I've got an idea. Why don't you ask Todd what happens when you don't shut up and follow orders? Happy or sad? It's you call. Watts, what the hell do you think you're doing? Till we get back to HQ, until Troy tells us exactly what's going on, nobody's getting cuffed. We're the good guys, remember? [ Tires screech ] [ Starter cranking ] Brandon: Stay in the van. Oh, my God. Call HQ. We need to get out of here now. Brandon! They just shot Brandon. Are you alright? Annika, call Troy. Todd, go check out Brandon. What about us? We run, go. Go. Walter. Right. I can only do this for a limited amount of time, then it goes away till my body recharges. It's like the electromagnetic energy... Go, go. Walter: Okay. I think we're good. What's your name? Cassie. Cassie, what were you doing in that room. I don't know. I was on my way home from school. They took me. What about those men chasing you? You know who they are? No. Troy will know what to do, right? [ Shouting in distance ] Man: This way! That way. Up here. Go, go, go. No. Got to go back. Back! Walter: Go, go, go, go! Now would probably be a good time to alter their emotional states. How about sense of direction...? Can you do that? I'm not close enough Oh, so your powers are limited by how close you are to the target, just like mine? Can we discuss this another time?! Go! Now what? Wait. I can do this. [ Squeak ] Watts: Nice work. We're gonna need a new set of wheels. You're kidding me. [ Tires screech ] [ Gear shifts ] I thought were taking things. Pickup and delivery... That's what you said. But people are hurt. People are dying. You saw what happened to Brandon. Troy never said anything about anybody dying. We can't think about that now, Walter. We've got to move. Okay? But not back to headquarters. We can't go back there till we know it's safe. [ Gear shifts ] The only safe place is the last place they'd look. We entered a race. Well, it's actually more of a scavenger hunt, really. And in order to win, we have to find a place to hide for three to five hours before we locate the midget and... and get the policeman's autograph. The last time you were here, a room full of paying customs ran screaming into the night projectile-vomiting. Okay, Walter. You can crash in the storage room Cassie? Cassie? What's that? Nothing. What kind shots did they give you? I don't know. How often? Every morning. The people who give you these shots... You know who they are? No. Bad Guys grabbed you. Bad guys chase you. Bad guys everywhere, but you don't know who they are or what they want? Okay, uh, just to sum up, after you got fried by a lightning bolt, you discovered that you could move any object three inches. Then you joined a team of superheroes to fight evil, but ended up grabbing a little girl instead. Also, one of us is really high. Sorry. It's... Just... Beer. Not just for that. Also for unleashing a hellish odor in here. That was you? Guy I know calls himself "the human smell." That is one stinky superpower. [ Exhales sharply ] Oh, man. Oh... I'm sorry, too For what? Should have known there was something going on with you. Not this, because this is insane, but still. And the hottie? Watts. What's, uh... What's her superpower? She can make you happy, she can make you sad. I meet a lot of girls like that. [ Chuckles ] And this, uh, Troy guy... You trust him? I don't know.. I did. Why would he send you after a little girl? Does she have superpower, too? I cannot believe, I didn't see that till now You're special, just like us. What kind of powers do you have? Lots. How'd you get them I was hit by lightning. Did it hurt? Lots. They were medicating her. It's probably an inhibitor. You think your powers will come back if they stop? Hope not. Why? I don't want to be different. I'm only 10. I wanna be a real girl. Then I'm gonna take care of you. [ Breathing heavily ] So this is how you fight evil? You kidnap little girls with superpowers? I don't know what this is, okay? Look, we should call Troy. He'll know what do. Listen, there's a client, right? Somebody who wants her? Looks that way. She is scared to death. I can see that. What about this client? What do they want her for? I don't know. Watts, we cannot just give her to them. Do you have a plan? No, not yet. Then I'm calling Troy. Wait. Please? Just give me till the morning. I'll think of something. Please. Watts: She left sometime during the night or early this morning. Her name's Cassie. The package is a little girl. She's just like us... she has powers. [ Cellphone buzzes ] Right now, the most important thing is to find her. You're dead! I'm bulletproof. We know there are at least two teams in pursuit. There's the guards from the warehouse, there's a backup crew working with the guards... Walter: Literally? Bulletproof? Walter, he wears body armor. She has powers. That explains why they had her, and that means that they'll do anything to get her back. We don't have much time. Also, there's a mysterious motorcycle rider. What were you doing all night? Running for our lives! You let her get away. Enough. The only thing you need to think about is getting her back. Let me help... please. Walter, go home. It's been a long night for everyone. But... Go home! We'll find her. Count on it! Watts! [ Cellphone buzzes ] [ Engine turns over ] [ Beeps ] Hey. She's been there all morning. You didn't talk to her? Are you kidding me? What if she has laser beams in her eyes? Look. The mysterious motorcycle rider's a woman. Okay, look, easy rider... I don't want to hurt you, but if you provoke me... Leave her alone! Cassie, run! Brandon? Let go of me! Cate! Wh... Hey, what are you doing? Mission accomplished. We transfer the package to the client in the morning. [ Car door closes, engine turns over ] Who are you? [ Sighs ] I'm her sister. Cassie's special, isn't she? Yeah, in ways no one understands. When word got out, they came after us. Government, corporate, private. I mean, they don't care that she's just a kid. So, we've been on the run ever since. I do whatever it takes to protect her, but, you know, it's never enough. Do you know who was holding her? It doesn't matter they all want the same thing. Who do you work for? It's a long story. Who went you after my sister? Well, there's a client, but that doesn't mean... A client. Look, I don't want to hurt Cassie. I want to help her. Really? Why do you think your client is gonna need her? They gonna probe and measure my little sister just like everyone else does. Where are you going? I'm going to get her back. Dude, game over. It's time to go home. Walter. Where you been? I called and texted, and you never... You okay? No, I'm not. Well, look what the cat dragged in. We don't have a cat. That's just an expression. But if we did, I would have spent the night telling snowball that my son was missing and he didn't answer my calls and I was afraid he was lying in the ditch somewhere... You know, the default ditch that every mother sees in her head when her child doesn't come home. [ Voice breaking ] I'm glad you're not dead. Thank you. Do you need anything? No. [ Sobs ] [ Phone buzzes ] Hello? Her sister's name is Cate, and all she's trying to do is protect her. And she says this client... Whoever it is who knows what they'll do to her? Troy, you said it was a package, but it's not, and I don't see ... I didn't come here to talk about the mission. I came here to make sure you were all right. You said I could help you make the world better place. And we didn't make it better, did we? Changing the world takes time. Yeah. Well, I don't think I can do that. I guess what I mean is... Quit. [ Sighs ] Walter... Your abilities have been tested. Sometimes when we're tested, we start to doubt the things that makes us special. Is being special always this hard? It gets easier over time. How is she? Cassie? She's safe. What about the client? The client expects prompt delivery. What kind of client is this, anyway? Walter! What about the sister? Cate said she... I'll handle the sister! Cassie is at HQ, safe and sound. We transfer her to the client in the morning. You're off prep. Back where I belong. You? I'm about to do something stupid, and I need your help. Is it really stupid? Cool. Hope it's something nice and sweet [ Sobbing, sniffles ] But since you came around and you fed another hound it's another tv dinner cuisine Hey. How'd you find me? I asked Todd then I ask Ethan. Ethan asked Annika. What's on your mind, Walter? I went home. Good idea. I can't stop thinking about Cassie. Bad idea. Cassie needs my help so she can be a real girl. But in the morning, they're transferring her to the client. I don't even know who the client is. And by then it'll be too late. So I'm going rogue to save her, and I don't care what the consequences are. Because, for the first time in my life, I know exactly what to do next. Also, it would be great if you came with me. Good speech. Thanks. I usually practice them first. [ Sobbing ] What's with him? Never mind. [ Sniffles ] How many superfreaks are out here? It's an HQ. Not a sideshow door. HQ is basically empty. One guard on top, a couple below. They're armed, and they're bored. What are you doing here? We're gonna get her back. Hang on a second. What are you guys doing here? Hey. Huh. [ Grunting ] I'm starting to think you enjoy that. Wait, are you flirting with me now? Would it be a bad thing if I was flirting with you now? Hm. Watts? Shift change. On whose orders? Midnight... Snack. For who? [ Alarm beeping ] [ Beep ] Cassie. Brandon: Stop! What the hell do you think you're doing? Go. Go. Let's go. Let's go. This is a bad idea. I know. What do you think happens next? You're gonna try to stop us. Oh, no. Too late. No, please. I wanna be happy. Not like this. I'm sorry, Brandon. You think I'm an idiot. No. No, I don't. Come on. I'm normal. That's what you guys call me, right? Captain Normal? What's wrong with normal? Everything. [ Train whistle blows ] Thank you for saving me. You're welcome. Sorry if I got you in trouble. Trouble is my business. Trouble really isn't his business. The important thing is that you can be a real girl now. What about you? Don't you want to be a real boy? No. I mean... Yes. I... [ Sighs ] I'm just me. We'll never see you again, huh? I hope not. Goodbye, Cassie. Bye, Walter. [ Engine turns over ] [ Car horns soaring ] [ Blaring stops ] Cute kid. Super sweet. Hungry? Golden Apple is open. I like pie. This is my favorite place. Why? This is where lightning hit me. What are you gonna do now? I don't know. I could go home and pretend like we never met. You could probably erase my mind, right? [ Chuckles ] Maybe I'll run away like Cassie did. Don't go. We need you. Stay with the team. I don't have a lot of friends, Walter. I was hoping you could be my friend? Why? Because you're smart... Funny... And easy to talk to. Everybody wants to be my friend. [ Chuckles ] Another superpower? Sometimes it feels more like an unnecessary limitation. If I was running across a summer lawn and my mother called my name because it was time for dinner... My name's Tess. It's my secret identity. It is important... Imperative... That I be able to trust the members of my team... Every single one. And if I can't... if there's the slightest doubt... What are you doing here? I set Cassie free. It's my fault. I set Cassie free. It's my fault. I set Cassie free. It's my fault. Carlos: They rose to their feet and ripped off an old movie dad would never shut up about. I set Cassie free. It's my fault. Had this guy in it with a big dent in his chin. I set Cassie free. It's my fault. They did it because they were a team. They did it because the guy before them did it. They did it to blow your mind. HQ. is my responsibility. It's my fault. I'm sorry, dad. Dad? You didn't know? No, if Nobody tells me. Walter, follow me. Well done. Even better than I expected. I'm confused. Yeah. I once told you I was a private contractor. With good intentions and a clear conscience. Thanks to you, my conscience is clear. I'm still confused. I was hired to retrieve a package. The package turned out to be a little girl. That's not what I signed on for. The client used me. They use you, too. They put me into a difficult position. I had to get Cassie out of there safe and sound, but I needed plausible deniability at the same time. That's where you came in... A disgruntled former employee hell-bent on saving the day. I just wanted to help Cassie, 'cause all she wanted was be a real... [ Scoffs ] Wait a minute. You knew?! Yeah, I trusted you to do the right thing. And you didn't let me down. It's a nice work, Walter. I hope you'll change your mind about quitting. What do you say? Give us a second chance. [ Chuckles ] Good. What the hell happened out there? I put my trust in someone who didn't deserve it. There's gonna be hell to pay. I expect that. Questions about your reliability. I expect that, too. Contracting you was my idea. Don't make me regret, or you could find yourself, uh, isolated. Don't be unkind. You be careful. I'll be careful, too. We used to be on the same team. Well, I got my own team now I like this one better. I'll be in touch. [ Dog barks ] Walter. Hey. Flyin' high live a little, baby, before we die goin' strong can't stop, babe live a little, baby, before we're gone Oh, yeah [ Door closes ] When I was struck by lightning, a strange power was given to me. I resist at the first I eventually found common cause with a group of similarly gifted men and women who fight evil. So, basically, I'm not washing dogs anymore. I'm gonna save the world instead. [ Record player clicks ] Walter: My name is Walter Spackman. I'm 26 years old, and this is the best break I ever had. But if I knew what happened next, I wouldn't dance... I'd run. Are you ready? Are you ready? |
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