We see a very cluttered lab, filled with important scientific instruments as well as random glittery trinkets. A woman sits at her desk alone, dressed in a wrinkled lab coat, several empty energy drinks littered around her.
DR. JUPITER enters the room, holding a cup of morning coffee, and glances at the window.
DR. JUPITER
Have you…been working on that all night?
WOMAN
Yup!
(She jumps out of her chair.)
And I think I’ve found it, I’ve really got it this time! I mean, I hope–it didn’t go so great before, but I’m (almost) positive now!
DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are watching the prisoners from outside the lunchroom, through the window. Inside, the GUARDS are leading the three to their table.
MOREAU
What if we just told them who we actually are? Perhaps they would work better with a bit of fear pushing them.
DIRECTOR D.
Do you really think we can intimidate them? They may be desperate, but I doubt they’d all be willing to obey our every command if they felt they were being used.
MOREAU pinches her forehead.
MOREAU
If only one of them could keep them in line for us…
As if almost on cue, more (real) prison guards enter the hall, leading an older man dressed as a pirate, just as the AGENTS leave the lunch room.
EREWHON GUARD 1
Hey, is there any chance we can add him? He slept past lunch and we couldn’t do much about it.
One of the AGENTS shares a concerned glance with D. and MOREAU.
MOREAU
(Points at the window, towards the three)
…I don’t think it would be safe to put him in with them.
The PRISONER chuckles, leaning towards her, showing yellowed (and one real gold) teeth. MOREAU backs away.
CRAWFISH
I believe I can handle them m’dear!
DIRECTOR D. turns to the AGENT.
DIRECTOR D.
Let him in.
D. and MOREAU watch intently as the pirate is led into the room. Surprisingly, the other prisoners do not protest his seating at their table. One of the GUARDS hand CRAWFISH a tray of food before leaving. CRAWFISH practically starts drooling, and ties a cheap napkin to his shirt as though he were about to begin a 5 star feast.
DR. HARE picks at his food.
DR. HARE
I understand that this place has limited vegetarian options but…why are the mashed potatoes green?
BLACK WIDOW
If you think that’s bad, I think I chipped a tooth on the bread here once.
The COOK (Note: The same chef who served Myron Van Buren in Survival Island) enters from the kitchen, scowling.
COOK
Is that complaining about the food I hear?
DR. HARE
Unsurprisingly yes-
CRAWFISH
Ah, don’t listen to ‘em! This is delicious!
(He turns to the COOK, aware of who she is but just playing.)
Give my thanks to the cook.
The COOK chuckles, and gives him an extra serving before walking off. CRAWFISH starts to chow down, while the rest look at him in confusion.
DR. HARE
You actually like that stuff?
CRAWFISH
Compared to the months of maggot infested biscuits I had to endure, this is heaven!
MORDRED
I had to endure months—years—ages without anything. Without the brilliance of my cybernetics I most certainly would have perished of hunger!
(Somewhat to himself)
Per aspera…
BLACK WIDOW
Oh here we go again with the sob story.
MORDRED glares at her, but once again his grin hasn’t faded. WIDOW doesn’t back away but loses some of her boldness.
MORDRED
I don’t want your pity, I want the world’s punishment for what happened—
CRAWFISH stands, slamming both hands on the table.
CRAWFISH
Enough! I’m certain everyone here has a horrible tale to tell, but can I have a meal in peace?
MORDRED
Who are you to order me around?
CRAWFISH turns to him, his tone suddenly becoming more cautious.
CRAWFISH
I was simply making a suggestion for your own good, sir.
Pause. MORDRED nods, and the tension in the room settles a little as they all get back to eating. We look back at DIRECTOR D and MOREAU, who are so interested in the prisoner’s behavior that they don’t notice a shadowed DR. JUPITER lurking behind them.
DIRECTOR D.
He—he’s a leader.
MOREAU
Of course he is. Even evil pirates don’t want to face a mutiny.
DIRECTOR D.
Yes, but he knows how to work with them! Mademoiselle, I believe we’ve found the ones who can work for us.
The camera follows JUPITER leaving them, both “psychologists” still not even suspecting his presence. He turns down a corner, before mumbling to himself with a faint smile.
DR. JUPITER
As have I, friends. As have I.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE 1.
And here we are! I’m just as excited to see where this goes as some of you are, and I’m happy so many of you have expressed interest in this series!
Of course, I can’t have a Villain Saga post without mentioning the amazing recent additions to the comic GEAR made!
DIRECTOR D., wearing a uniform similar to those worn by the GUARDS, heads down a long hallway. The doors are bolted shut, and security cameras turn to follow him as he walks. MOREAU is a few paces behind him, casting wary glances at the cameras.
MOREAU
Are you sure no one will recognize us?
DIRECTOR D.
Positive. Most of the news from our areas hardly reached anywhere else, unlike for some of these people.
They turn to look at a window, looking into the LUNCH HALL. Several prisoners sit at tables, some in groups, others alone. The SUPER POWER VILLAINS appear to be starting a food fight.
MOREAU
So, which one do you want to start with first?
DIRECTOR D.
I’m not quite-
DR. JUPITER approaches the two from behind, seemingly from out of nowhere. Both nearly jump when he speaks.
DR. JUPITER
Who are you interested in? I can probably give you some suggestions.
DIRECTOR D.
(Gathering himself; pretending not to have been spooked)
Uh, well, someone a little less…violent, perhaps. Intelligent so…they can have a good conversation, and one of your more notorious prisoners…so we can still have a challenge.
He tries his best to get people who will both be helpful for him, but not cause any suspicions from the doctor. It seems to work, as Jupiter quickly begins going through a mental list of prisoners.
DR. JUPITER
Ah, well…you may want to try Dr. Hare first. He’s very smart–
Cut to a door opening, looking into a small room with DR. HARE at a table, handcuffed. The shadows of DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are seen entering.
Long, long ago, there were rumors of a Poptropica movie or TV series. Fans speculated on what it could be about, from a whole new story to a Mystery of the Map spinoff. Flash forward to today, and that dream never became a reality.
So in my traditional fashion, I decided to do it myself!
As much as I would like to see an epic, shiny, animated finished product, there’s no way I (and my carpal tunnel) could do all that, so I’ve decided to just release the script in episodic form! Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the first episode!
I’m going to try to update this fairly frequently (perhaps every week), but I won’t make any promises currently. I do have the plot all figured out from beginning to end, and plenty more script to release!
But enough with my rambling! Let’s get to the story!
FADE IN:
EXT. EREWHON PRISON — EVENING
We see the tall prison from a worms-eye view, near the ocean. Even though it is still evening, dark storm clouds surround the sky, shrouding the prison in night. A few windows glow as lights from inside the building are turned on.
A HELICOPTER lands, hovering a bit and billowing clouds of dust on the small landing pad next to the prison. It finally finishes its descent as we get a closer look at the area. Several prison guards are standing nearby, and a bearded man, DR. JUPITER, is waiting to greet whoever is inside the HELICOPTER.
A MAN jumps out from the side door. The darkness hides most of his face from view, along with a WOMAN who jumps out behind him.
MAN
Well, this isn’t quite what I expected!
DR. JUPITER
(chuckles)
Did you expect a luxury hotel?
MAN
No, I just didn’t think the weather would be so…
He looks down at the stormy waves, crashing against jagged rocks.
MAN (CONT’D)
…cliché.
DR. JUPITER
It helps protect us from onlookers, at least!
(He looks at the WOMAN)
And hello, Miss…
The WOMAN extends her gloved hand. DR. JUPITER takes the cue and kisses it.
WOMAN
Lesser. Camille Lesser. I’m his assistant.
DR. JUPITER
You seem awfully dainty for this line of work.
WOMAN
Trust me.
(She grins. There’s something a little suspicious about it.)
I have experience with these sort of people.
DR. JUPITER steps back. His friendly smile leaves his face.
DR. JUPITER
I should hope so. We’ve had many psychologists analyze our prisoners…few were able to help much.
MAN
They should be willing to work with me, if we give them time.
The smile returns to DR. JUPITER’S face. He steps aside, motioning for the newcomers to enter the building.
DR. JUPITER
Well then, let’s get started.
The two enter as the HELICOPTER ascends. DR. JUPITER remains behind with the GUARDS, discussing something with them.
As they cross through the doorway, framed with lightning-bolt decorated pillars, the WOMAN turns to the psychologist.
WOMAN
Well, that was certainly easier than I expected, Mr. D.
They enter a lit area, revealing the faces of notorious criminals DIRECTOR D. and MADEMOISELLE MOREAU. DIRECTOR D. smiles.
DIRECTOR D.
Trust me, miss Moreau, my plans are all very simple.
We look from the outside, as they head deeper into the prison.
FADE OUT.
“Erewhon contains some of the most notorious criminals in all of the world of Poptropica…but could their abilities be used for someone’s advantage?
Director D., a cunning and charismatic spy, and Madimoiselle Moreau, a sweet yet spiteful Frenchwoman, are both villains who have managed to avoid the long arm of the law. They have teamed up to start their grandest plan yet, but they will need a little help.
Will justice and peace prevail above these many conflicting schemes, or will these villains be consumed by their own ambition and follow a murky path as the world collapses due to a plan they may not even be aware of?”
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