Close To The Edge (TT "episode" script)

[Matt A]

About a week or so ago, I announced that I was temporarily halting work on DB2 because a mass of other projects are now getting in the way.

This, obviously enough, was the first such project.

As you've probably already figured, this is a script for my very own Teen Titans "episode". It's one that the Titans production crew probably wouldn't ever be able to air, but that's kinda not the point. Needless to say, this script doesn't quite match up to my original conception of the idea, but what can you do? Hopefully, you might still like it.:sweat:

I've got the whole script written, but for ease of use I'll be putting each act in a seperate post. But either way, expect a lot of reading.:sweat:

Anyway, let's get going:




Close To The Edge


“To everyone’s surprise, her own especially, Raven finds herself trying to talk a teenage girl out of committing suicide. But, as the day goes on, the divide between rescuer and rescued becomes ever-increasingly blurred.”


PROLOGUE

EXT. TITANS TOWER. DAY.

A simple establishing shot of Titans Tower, the endless waters of the Pacific behind the distinctive T-shaped skyscraper.


RAVEN (V.O.)

It’s a normal day at Titans Tower.

Cut to:


INT. TITANS’ LOUNGE. DAY.

BEAST BOY is sat on the Tower’s huge sofa, hammering away at a Gamestation controller. His eyes are fixed to the TV screen behind us, and he’s starting to drool through sheer mental concentration.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Beast Boy’s lowering himself ever further into the gene pool’s murkiest depths.

CYBORG is sat on the other end of the sofa. Though not drooling, he’s clearly just as focused on beating his best friend at whatever game they’re playing.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Cyborg’s gamely doing his best to follow him down there.

Cut to:


INT. ROBIN’S BEDROOM. DAY.

ROBIN himself is hunched over his desk, scribbling furiously away on something we can’t see.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Robin’s trying to prove Slade’s connection to every single crime ever committed, including the stapler that went missing the previous morning.

Cut to:


INT. TITANS’ LOUNGE. DAY.

STARFIRE is in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches onto an evil-looking dish, a mixture of glorg, mint frosting, mustard and a few other things best left nameless. She eyes this nightmarish culinary concoction like it’s a gourmet meal.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Starfire’s…actually, perhaps it’s best if we don’t ask what Starfire thinks she’s doing.

Cut to:


INT. CORRIDOR OF TITANS TOWER. DAY.

The door to RAVEN’s room, looking as welcoming as a portal to Hell.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

And what am I doing?

Cut to:


INT. RAVEN’S BEDROOM. DAY.

Raven is sat on her bed, reading an ancient-looking book with a title no ordinary human could ever hope to translate.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Like you even needed to ask.

After a few seconds of silence, the alarm goes off. Raven looks up in irritation as the room is bathed in red light and white noise.


RAVEN (V.O.)

That just had to happen, didn’t it?

Cut to:


EXT. CITY STREET. DAY.

An anonymous street somewhere in Downtown Jump City, massive skyscrapers rising up all around. Rubble, burned-out cars, toppled lampposts and other debris cover the road, and there’s a large smoking hole in one of the nearby buildings. In Jump City, this is business as usual.

Suddenly, PLASMUS comes flying into view, evidently having just been on the receiving end of a particularly violent blow. He crashes into the side of a skyscraper, cracking the glass and sending dust everywhere. He drops down onto the street, where he fades back into his human, and unconscious, self. Whatever fight has been going on, it isn’t any more.

The five Titans walk into view themselves, the sound of applause in the background. As Robin bends down to check Plasmus’ current state, we can see that hundreds of bystanders are stood around them. This latest victory has their vote of support.

Robin puts his finger to Plasmus’ neck to check his pulse. Nothing happens for a few seconds.


ROBIN

He’s alive. Unconscious, but alive.

Robin stands back up.


ROBIN (CONT'D)

Get the cops to haul him away.

Slowly, the bystanders stop clapping and start screaming. Best Boy couldn’t look more confused.


BEAST BOY

But Plasmus isn’t doing anything!

Cyborg points to something high up, behind the camera.


CYBORG

He isn’t the problem anymore.

There are a few buildings in the vicinity that are smaller than the rest, only thirty stories or so, and someone’s stood on the roof of the closest one. Though they’re too high up to see who they are, it’s obvious that they intend to jump off.

Raven narrows her eyes and steps past the other Titans.


RAVEN

I’ll deal with this.

Cut to Opening Credits.

[Matt A]

ACT ONE

EXT. ROOFTOP. DAY.

An anonymous rooftop of an anonymous building. There’s a few bits of rubbish strewn around, some puddles here and there, steam coming out of a vent over in one corner, a small group of pigeons hanging around trying to find something to eat. It’s nothing more and nothing less than what you’d expect an inner-city rooftop to look like.

There’s a low wall surrounding the edge of the roof, and this is where we find what is currently the only important part of the scene. A girl, no older than sixteen-seventeen, is stood on this wall, looking out over the city. At the moment, all we can see is that she’s tall, pale and skinny, with waist-length, scraggly brown hair, and she’s wearing a long-sleeved white T-shirt, a full-length brown skirt and chunky dark brown hiking boots. This is SUSAN, and she clearly intends to leap to her death today.

There’s a small brick structure in the centre of the roof, one that is clearly used as the access point. Just to prove this, Raven now steps through the door in the closest side.


CYBORG (V.O.)

Why do you want to do this?


BEAST BOY (V.O.)

Knowing you, you’d probably talk her into jumping!


STARFIRE (V.O.)

Perhaps it is best if I-


ROBIN (V.O.)

We don’t have time for anyone to talk to her! We need her down now!


RAVEN (V.O.)

To be honest, I don’t know why I insisted on coming up here. My friends are right: what can I possibly do?

Raven closes the access door behind her. Susan hears it, but doesn’t turn round.


SUSAN

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to put in an appearance. (pauses) You can’t talk me down, you know.

Susan has a very distinct – and probably very unexpected – English accent. At the moment, she sounds remarkably calm.


RAVEN (V.O.)

She’s probably right.


RAVEN

But no one said I shouldn’t try.

Susan turns her head round to face Raven. We can now see that she’s actually quite pretty, with clear complexion, small, angular nose and big blue eyes. Said eyes are currently wide and staring, but with surprise rather than fear.


SUSAN

Now this is a surprise. I’d been expecting a Titan, but not you. Starfire, maybe.


RAVEN

Why not me? Am I not personable enough?


RAVEN (V.O.)

I have no idea why I said that.

Susan turns back to face the open air.


SUSAN

Forget it. It’s not like this changes things, anyway.

Raven starts to move towards where Susan’s standing.


SUSAN

You come any closer, and I’ll jump.

Raven stops in her tracks. After a few seconds’ thought, her eyes narrow.


RAVEN (V.O.)

But she hasn’t told me to leave altogether. That’s a good sign.


RAVEN

If you’re going to jump anyway, why use that as a threat?

Susan doesn’t respond. That question’s clearly got her stumped.


RAVEN (V.O.)

She doesn’t really want to die, that much is obvious. All I need to do now is make her realise this.


RAVEN

You can at least tell me your name.


SUSAN

Why do you care?


RAVEN

Because we’re probably going to be up here a while. It’s hard to have a conversation with someone when you don’t know what their name is. (pauses) Besides, it’s not like I’d come up here if I didn’t care.

Susan stays quiet for a bit.


SUSAN

Susan. Susan Hyde.


RAVEN

That’s a nice name.


SUSAN

It’s a horrible name. Susan’s what you’d call your mother.


RAVEN

Well, it’s better than mine. My name’s-


SUSAN

I know what your name is. There are probably even undiscovered Amazonian tribes who know what your name is. And it’s not like you didn’t already know that.


RAVEN

It’s just a formality.

Raven starts walking towards Susan again. Susan’s so wrapped up in her next monologue that she doesn’t notice.


SUSAN

Since when have the Teen Titans had to worry about that sort of stuff? I mean, you guys are legends in this city. Snap your fingers, and you’ll have it. A multi-million dollar skyscraper all to yourselves. Enough fighting gear to equip a small army. An entire city-full of screaming fans who’ll love you no matter what. You’ve even got superpowers, for heaven’s sake! You don’t even have to worry about real life as it is, let alone getting formal about things!

This vitriolic speech is met with a few seconds of stony silence.


RAVEN

It’s a long way down.

Susan startles: Raven is standing right next to her, looking over the wall at the street below. And Raven’s right, because this building looks about ten times as high from up here than it did from the ground.

Far below, emergency crews of all sorts are swarming around like ants, the four other Titans doubtless busy handing out orders.


RAVEN

Believe it or not, they’re all here for you.


SUSAN

Back off. I’ll jump if you don’t back off.


RAVEN

Suit yourself.

Raven sits down by the base of the wall, hugging her legs and looking blankly at the access door.


RAVEN

That better?

Neither woman looks at each other as the silence resumes. It only lasts for a few seconds before Raven breaks it again, looking up as Susan as she speaks.


RAVEN

So…why are you even up here anyway?


SUSAN

That’s none of your business.


RAVEN

I know. But I can’t get you down if I don’t know why you’re up here in the first place.


RAVEN (V.O.)

I’m not helping here, I can tell. But I’ve got to keep trying.


SUSAN (TO SELF)

Oh no.

Raven looks over the wall to see what the latest distraction is. The figures on the street below are too distant for us to get any clues.


CLAIRE (O.S.)

Hey, Susie! Why don’t you drop down and talk to me?

This muffled yet distinctly Californian voice is new to both us and Raven. However, the mocking laugh that follows it, and Susan’s horror-struck face, are clear signs that it’s all-too familiar to the other woman on this rooftop.

Cut to Advert Break.

[Matt A]

Act Two

EXT. ROOFTOP. DAY.

Claire’s disturbing entrance is met with a silence you could hear a dust mote drop in. For at least a dozen highly tense seconds, not even a fly moves.


CLAIRE (O.S.)

You didn’t think we’d miss a show like this, did you? (laughs) This won’t change anything, you know! All we’ll do is dance on your grave!



RAVEN (V.O.)

This is all we need.

Still looking over the wall, Raven takes her communicator out of her cloak and flips it open. Robin’s angry and confused face appears on the screen after a few seconds.


ROBIN (O.S.)

What the hell’s going on, Raven?



RAVEN

Get that girl out of here. Arrest her if you have to, I don’t care. Just do it now.



ROBIN (O.S.)

Right.

Raven closes her communicator and puts it back in her pocket. She looks up at Susan, who still looks like her grave has already had the full conga done on it.


RAVEN

Mind telling me what that was about, Susan?



RAVEN (V.O.)

I shouldn’t sound angry with her, I know. But she owes me one now, so I might just get away with it.



SUSAN

Her name’s Claire Anderton. We used to be friends.

Raven switches her gaze back to the access door.


RAVEN

Ah, right.



RAVEN (V.O.)

At least things are starting to make sense now.



RAVEN

She’s giving you trouble at school?



SUSAN

That’s none of your business.



RAVEN

Well, you’ve told me this much. You might as well keep going.



SUSAN

Don’t patronize me, Raven. (pauses) And I thought I’d told you to back off?



RAVEN (V.O.)

Now I’ve screwed up.



RAVEN

Right.

Raven stands up. There’s a large TV aerial standing a few feet away, so she walks over and leans against it.


RAVEN (V.O.)

It’s best if I give her a few seconds to think.

This few seconds stretches to about twenty.


SUSAN

I suppose it was to be expected, really. My dad’s firm transferred him over here two years ago, and it wasn’t as if we had a choice about being dragged along. It was cool for a while: being the only British girl in the school, everyone wanted to know about me. Some of them even wanted to be my friends. But the novelty soon wore off, and then…

Susan looks over at Raven.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

Well, let’s just say that my less appealing qualities became the focus of attention.



RAVEN

Now that I don’t believe.

Susan laughs sarcastically.


SUSAN

Empty flattery doesn’t work, you know.

Susan turns back to the open air.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

It’s not like it isn’t obvious. I’m ugly, I’m a nerd and I’m a foreigner. None of those exactly help you make friends.

Raven starts to laugh. Looking very surprised, Susan turns round to see her almost bent double with giggles, having to hold onto the aerial for support.

Susan is left utterly dumbstruck until Raven is eventually capable of standing up straight.


RAVEN

Is that all this is about?



SUSAN

Excuse me?



RAVEN

You think I don’t know about self-loathing? You think I don’t know what it’s like to feel all those things? You think I’ve never been told them?



SUSAN

To be honest…no. You must realise how charmed a life you lead, up there in that tower of yours. You’re surrounded by people who understand you, who like you and want to help you.

Susan once again resumes her gaze out over Downtown.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

Not like me. Everyone I know hates me.



RAVEN

I sincerely doubt-

Raven gets cut off by her communicator ringing. She digs it out of her cloak and flicks it open, revealing Robin’s face once again.


ROBIN (O.S.)

Susan’s parents are here. They want to talk to her.

Raven looks up at Susan, who’s shaking her head. The sign is obvious.


RAVEN

What did you do with the other girl? Claire, or whatever her name was?



ROBIN (O.S.)

We managed to get her away pretty quietly. She might have had a big mouth, but she didn’t want to mess with us. But that’s not-



RAVEN

How did she even get here so fast, anyway?



ROBIN (O.S.)

Listen, Susan’s parents want to talk to their daughter. That’s more important.

Raven stays silent: she doesn’t think likewise.


ROBIN (O.S.)

(sighs) She mentioned something about Susan sending her a note. (pauses) “I hope you enjoy watching this”, I think.

Raven catches Susan’s embarrassed expression. She really did do that.


ROBIN (O.S., CONT’D)

Now pass the communicator over.

Susan’s shaking her head again, more vigorously than before.


RAVEN

I don’t think that’s such a good idea.



ROBIN (O.S.)

We don’t have time for this, Raven. I don’t want to be scooping a dead body off the street today.



RAVEN

And you won’t.



ROBIN (O.S.)

Listen, I’m giving you a direct order. Pass. The communicator. Over. Now.



RAVEN

No.

Raven snaps her communicator shut and puts it back in her cloak. It starts ringing again after a few seconds, but she ignores it. The ringing soon stops, and another few seconds of silence confirms that Robin won’t be calling her a third time.


SUSAN

Thanks. I don’t think I could face them right now.



RAVEN

No problem. (pauses) Now, where were we?

Susan goes back to looking out over the edge. It’s a little while before she responds.


SUSAN

Me leaping to my death.



RAVEN

No, I don’t think we were.

Raven pushes herself off the aerial and walks forward a few paces.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

You seem to think that everyone hates you. But your parents wanted to talk to you so badly. I don’t think they hate you.



SUSAN

But Claire wanted to talk to me as well. Remember what she said.



RAVEN (V.O.)

Next time, Raven, think before you speak.



RAVEN

Um…that’s a good point. (pauses) Okay, scrub that one. (pauses) But it still doesn’t change my point.



SUSAN

Which is what, exactly?

Raven goes quiet for a bit, clearly unsure of what her point actually is.


RAVEN

Okay, let’s try a different tack. You said I’ve got a charmed life, didn’t you?



SUSAN

I did. But you’re about to try and prove me wrong, aren’t you?



RAVEN

Bingo.

Raven uses her powers to lift a crushed beer can off the floor. She starts twirling it around in the air absent-mindedly.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

These powers that I’ve got, they must seem pretty cool to you. But they’re not. Truth be told, I despise them.



SUSAN

At least you’ve actually got some. I’ve just got little old me, and what a lot of use that is.



RAVEN

You’re missing my point. (pauses) My powers are directly hard-wired to my emotions. If I’m too happy, too sad, too angry, too frightened, too anything, I can’t control what they do. If I feel obvious, recognisable emotions, carnage happens.

Raven lets the can go. It clatters to the floor.


RAVEN (CONT'D)

You said I was surrounded by friends. But that’s not quite true. It’s hard to connect with people when you aren’t allowed to feel anything.



SUSAN

But I bet being able to wrap a lamppost round someone’s head without even moving your hands must make up for it.



RAVEN

No, not really. (pauses) Listen, you’ve got to understand what I have to deal with. You said no one likes you, but I can’t even allow anyone to like me! There’s no knowing how destructive my emotions could get, and having friends only makes it worse! But you know what? This isn’t even the worst thing in my life!

Whilst Raven has been carrying out this rather impassioned speech, her powers have caused the TV aerial to literally tie itself in a knot. Raven hasn’t noticed this, but Susan has: she looks at it with a raised eyebrow.


SUSAN

Let me guess…you’re going to bring about the end of the world?

Now it’s finally Raven’s turn to look dumbstruck. She’s utterly speechless for a good ten seconds.


RAVEN (V.O.)

Come on, you need to say something!

Some more silence, shorter this time.


RAVEN

Actually, I already have.

Cut to Advert Break.

[Matt A]

Act Three

EXT. ROOFTOP. DAY.

Susan clearly doesn’t have a clue what to say.


RAVEN

No, I’m not joking. Just over eighteen months ago, I managed to help destroy the world.

It’s still another few seconds before Susan manages to regain control over her tongue.


SUSAN

I guess you managed to save it again, though. We’re all still here, so it’s not like you didn’t.


RAVEN

I didn’t do it alone, but yes, the world is still in one piece.


RAVEN (V.O.)

She’s bright. Most people would have just said “that’s not possible”.


SUSAN

Care to explain how? I’ve told you things about myself, so the least you can do is return the favour.


RAVEN

I thought you said you already knew me?

Susan turns back to her usual spot.


SUSAN

It seems that I don’t.


RAVEN (TO SELF)

You’re not alone.

Raven keeps on walking forward until she’s standing right in front of the wall. She leans against as it as she starts on her explanation.


RAVEN

Like you, I’m a foreigner here. Hell, I’m not even from Earth.


SUSAN

You don’t look like an alien to me.


RAVEN

Neither does Starfire, to most people. (pauses) I come from a world called Azarath. It’s in a separate dimension altogether.

Susan doesn’t react.


RAVEN (V.O.)

That’s a good sign. With luck, she’ll buy the rest of it.


RAVEN

My father…is the demon known as Trigon. His life’s goal is to destroy the entire universe, Azarath and all. He’s immortal, so he’s got a long life in which to do it. (pauses) I was born so that I could help him come to this dimension and destroy it.


RAVEN (V.O.)

Why am I telling her all this?


RAVEN

The Azarathians tried to protect me whilst I was growing up, but they couldn’t hold off Trigon’s influence forever. I had to go where Trigon couldn’t find and use me. So I came here.


SUSAN

And joined the Teen Titans.


RAVEN

Yes. I’ve spent years helping them fight crime in this city, but it was only until right near the end when I told them my real reason for being here. I suppose I was just frightened that they wouldn’t want to know.


SUSAN

And did they want to?


RAVEN

Of course they did. (pauses) I was so stupid. After all the things we’d been through together, the end of the universe wasn’t seriously going to faze them. Even when the end came, they kept fighting.


SUSAN

And you didn’t?


RAVEN

(sighs) No. I’d never had any hope. All I’d ever done was pray Trigon never showed up. Like I would be that lucky. (pauses) When Trigon eventually came for me, I thought I couldn’t beat him. I helped him fulfil his goals, because I couldn’t see any other way. (pauses) Skies burned. Flesh became stone. The sun set on our world, never to rise again.

It’s a little while before Susan responds.


SUSAN

How did you beat him?

Raven looks up at Susan.


RAVEN

I didn’t do anything.

Raven turns her head back to the cityscape.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

My friends, the other Titans, they did what needed to be done. Even when Trigon was in control of the entire world, they were still able to keep fighting. They beat him down until I finally realised that I could finish him off. (pauses) So I did. Trigon’s back in whatever circle of Hell he calls his home, and the world is relatively normal again.

Raven smiles weakly.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

Of course, only us even know it happened. And I’ve still got my powers to live with. So it’s not like it really solved anything.

Susan looks down at her, but without the knowing smile that traditional Hollywood clichés might lead you to expect.


SUSAN

Now we come to the heart of the issue. (pauses) I’m stood at the edge of this building, ready to die, because my life sucks. Everyone hates me, with good reason, and there’s nothing I can ever do to change that. Not even ten minutes ago, you tried to convince me otherwise. (pauses) How DARE you lecture me on that?!

Raven couldn’t look more shocked even if she found a naked Beast Boy in her room.


RAVEN

Excuse me?!

Susan laughs briefly, almost mockingly. For the first time, she looks in complete control.


SUSAN

It seems that we do know each other after all. We both live somewhere we don’t belong, we both have a reason for people to hate us, we’re both the only ones who know just how unfortunate we really are. You said yourself that you just spent your entire life trying to hide from those problems. But me?

Susan gestures to the city beyond this rooftop.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

I’m actually trying to do something about it! Sure, it might not be the best solution, but don’t tell me it won’t work.

Raven is still dumbfounded. Eventually, she speaks.


RAVEN

That Claire girl didn’t seem to agree. (pauses) It’s her you wanted to get to, so I’d say she has a point.


RAVEN (V.O.)

Please, can someone tell me why I just said that?


SUSAN

Bollocks, Raven. She can dance on my grave if she wants. I won’t be there to see it, so it’s not like I’ve got reason to care.


RAVEN

But other people will see it. Other people will care. (pauses) I’ll care.

Susan looks pleasantly surprised.


SUSAN

Thankyou very much!


RAVEN

Well, it’s true.


RAVEN (V.O.)

And it is true.

It’s a few seconds before Susan responds.


SUSAN

You still don’t get it, do you?

Susan resumes her usual gaze out over the city. Raven carries on looking her way, not saying anything.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

Sure, you’ve got bigger problems than I have. I’ll concede that. (pauses) But you’ve also got a bigger up-side to your life. You evidently weren’t listening to what I said earlier. Everyone says that celebrity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and they’re probably right, but you’ve got to admit that there’s still something in it.

Susan looks back down at Raven.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

Irritating powers aside, you’ve still got a fantastic life. Anyone who cares to look can see it. Anyone but you, it seems. (pauses) Out of the two of us, you’ve got more to back to than I have. You’ve got five loving friends and an adoring city. I’ve just got two parents who love me but hate each other. (pauses) I know that’s no excuse for dying, but it’s not like you’ve got a right to judge me for it.

At this point in time, Raven looks more bewildered than she ever has in her entire life.


RAVEN (V.O.)

And I’ve got no answer to that. Susan really does have a point.

It’s another few seconds before Raven speaks for real.


RAVEN

Go ahead. Jump, if that’s what you want.

Saying that Susan looks surprised is the understatement of all history itself. In fact, she looks too surprised to even speak.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

You said it yourself. I can’t stop you. You’re braver than me to even be standing there at all. Even with all the things going on in my life, I’ve never had the courage to go through with that. But I wanted to, so I guess that still puts us in the same boat. (pauses) So you might as well do it.

And just like that, Susan drops off the edge. The screams from down below just about mask Susan’s own yells. Raven leans further over the wall, eyes wide with shock and panic.


RAVEN

NO!

Raven stretches out her right hand.


RAVEN (V.O.)

Did I really want her to do that? Of course not. (pauses) Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.

Susan comes floating back up over the edge, wrapped in black energy. The crowds on the street below are cheering and clapping with relief, but this can’t cover up Susan’s panicked crying. Raven gently sets her down by the base of the wall, just by her feet, and removes the energy. A shaking, sweating, sobbing mess is left in its wake.

Raven crouches down to talk to Susan.


RAVEN

Why did you do that?

Susan looks up at Raven, still crying.


SUSAN

I didn’t mean to! I lost my balance!

Raven nods and smiles, clearly on the verge of tears herself.


RAVEN

What made you change your mind?


SUSAN

When you bent that aerial.

Raven looks confused for a second. She then looks over her shoulder to see the TV aerial done up in a pretty bow by her powers. She turns back with an embarrassed look on her face, the truth obvious.


RAVEN

Oh, right.


SUSAN

You were right, you know. You are worse off than me. (pauses) But I think I was right too. Something like that. I don’t know.


RAVEN

Why didn’t you tell me?

Susan shrugs.


SUSAN

I don’t know.

Susan smiles weakly.


SUSAN (CONT’D)

Bloody typical, isn’t it?

Raven smiles back. After a few seconds, she bursts out laughing, Susan following shortly after. As their laughter grows, they hug each other tight. Tears of relief and joy, not fear and sadness, waterfall down their faces.

It’s after about twenty seconds that Starfire and a pterodactyl-ised Beast Boy appear over the edge of the roof. Robin and Cyborg burst through the access roof only a second later. All four of them look like their help was going to be needed, but now they just look decidedly nonplussed.

When Robin speaks after a few seconds, he doesn’t sound like he’s got a clue what’s going on.


ROBIN

Um…good work, Raven. (pauses) Good work.

Cut to:


EXT. TITANS TOWER. DAY.

A simple establishing shot of Titans Tower, the endless waters of the Pacific behind the distinctive T-shaped skyscraper.


RAVEN (V.O.)

It’s a normal day at Titans Tower.

Cut to:


INT. TITANS’ LOUNGE. DAY.

Beast Boy is sat on the Tower’s huge sofa, hammering away at a Gamestation controller. His eyes are fixed to the TV screen behind us, and he’s starting to drool through sheer mental concentration.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Beast Boy’s honing his beloved art, so that he may become better than his life-long sparring partner.

Cyborg is sat on the other end of the sofa. Though not drooling, he’s clearly just as focused on beating his best friend at whatever game they’re playing.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Cyborg’s doing pretty much the same thing.

Cut to:


INT. ROBIN’S BEDROOM. DAY.

Robin himself is hunched over his desk, scribbling furiously away on something we can’t see.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Robin’s trying to catch the many villains that plague Jump City, because he’s the best one for the job.

Cut to:


INT. TITANS’ LOUNGE. DAY.

Starfire is in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches onto an evil-looking dish, a mixture of glorg, mint frosting, mustard and a few other things best left nameless. She eyes this nightmarish culinary concoction like it’s a gourmet meal.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Starfire’s…well, she’s just trying to learn how we do things on Earth, much like the rest of us.

Cut to:


INT. CORRIDOR OF TITANS TOWER. DAY.

The door to Raven’s room, looking as welcoming as a portal to Hell.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

And what am I doing?

Cut to:


EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. DAY.

A average street in leafy suburbia, probably in Jump City, though also probably anywhere else. If you add together every stereotypical image of what a leafy American suburb looks like, you’d be about on the right lines with this place. Big, expensive, white-wood houses, trees dropping their last leaves onto the pavements, kids riding pushbikes down the wide roads. It’s all here, just like you’d expect. This place doesn’t need a name.

This particular street, though we haven’t seen the others, is evidently nothing exceptional. Raven is stood half-way down it, at the bottom of one utterly average house’s driveway. This is the only unusual part of the image.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Probably not what you were expecting, was it?

Raven starts walking up the tarmac drive.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

I wouldn’t say my time in Susan’s company has completely changed me. I’m still not exactly what you’d call “sociable”. But, to her eternal credit, she’s definitely been of some use. At least I’m starting to appreciate what I’ve got.

Raven finally reaches the front door. Talking a deep breath, she rings the doorbell.


RAVEN (V.O., CONT’D)

Which, in a way, is why I’m here.

After a few seconds, the voice of a middle-aged British man can be heard on the other side of the door. This is SUSAN’S DAD, and he doesn’t sound happy.


SUSAN’S DAD (O.S.)

Go away! We don’t want any more bloody journalists coming down here!

Susan’s Dad opens the door mid-rant, evidently intending to give this “journalist” a more face-to-face telling-off. As the door flies open, we can see that he’s clearly his daughter’s father: tall, skinny, blue eyes and messy, though short, brown hair. Still looks like a middle-aged guy, though, especially with his brown pressed trousers and evil multi-coloured knitted cardigan.


SUSAN’S DAD (CONT’D)

Susan’s not some kind of media troph-

Susan’s Dad stops the moment he sees who’s actually here to see him. He grins with embarrassment.


SUSAN’S DAD (CONT’D)

Sorry. Didn’t see who you were. (pauses) You want to talk to Susan?


RAVEN (V.O.)

He already knows who I am, and not just in that “far-off celebrity” sense. Both parents were very nice to me when I saved their daughter’s life two weeks ago. I haven’t seen any of the family since then, but at least I’m here now.


RAVEN

No, it’s alright. Can you just give her a message for me?


SUSAN’S DAD

Um…yeah, sure. What is it?


RAVEN

“Thankyou”.

Susan’s Dad looks at her for a few seconds.


SUSAN’S DAD

That’s it?


RAVEN

Yes. That’s it.


SUSAN’S DAD

And what’s she being thanked for, exactly?

Raven smiles.


RAVEN

She’ll know.

Susan’s Dad nods.


SUSAN’S DAD

She probably will.

There’s an uncertain pause for a few seconds.


RAVEN

Well, thanks.


SUSAN’S DAD

No problem.

Raven turns to leave. She’s just about got her back to the door when she pauses.


RAVEN (V.O.)

Go on, say it. How hard could it possibly be?


RAVEN

Oh, before I forget…

Raven turns back round again and takes a small piece of white card out of her cloak. All we can see on it is the Titans logo, but this is enough to make it obvious what this piece of card is. Raven hands the business card to Susan’s Dad, who eyes it appreciatively.


RAVEN (CONT’D)

Next time Susan wants someone to hang out with, get her to give us a call.

Susan’s Dad smiles. He clearly knows what this means.


SUSAN’S DAD

Yeah, I think she’d like that.


RAVEN (V.O.)

She wouldn’t be the only one.

Cut to Closing Credits.

[RavenofAzerath~]

nice, i like the way you made it so Raven was talking to herself in between things like this....when you said she had messy brown hair, i was thinking of an actual other thing..or whatever.....still......


damn TV!! i lost where i was going!

[Rever76]

*Jaw moves up and down, but no words come out* That was Smeggin Amazing*Jaw continues to move and words continue not to come out* A favourite indeed..

Ryan

[rrarbecy]

Let me put it this way. I think you should apply for a job;) .

[Aquagirl15]

This needs to be made into an episode. I can see why they wouldn't make it an episode because of the suicide, but still, it's as good as the episodes. Better than some of them I think. You did a really great job of showing how Raven can be caring. I also liked the parts where Raven narrated some of the parts. This was sugoi...

oh yeah... translation: amazing.

[JAG]

Pretty much what they said.:)

[DeathscytheVII]

That was great WM, i loved alot of the lines you put into this. Some hilarious lines, yet some very emotional moments as well with Susan. And having Raven identify with her was a great touch, especially when she tries to be friends with her in the end, equally touching =/

This didn't feel like your average episode of Teen Titans, it had a more mature theme, yet, this should still be an episode...

[Death58]

This was an emotional script. . .The characters(especially. .obviously Raven and Susan)came out so very realistically. I really am just taken aback by how well you are with the dialogue of it all. I agree with DSVII in saying that there were some humerous lines in there, but it fit this script so very well. I also like that you kinda looked into Raven's darker thoughts on her life, which I always thought was something about her character that was always there but was never really talked about. There really is a great sadness about Raven. This is truly a favorite of mine already. . .
PS-Yeah, you definitely should be working on the show.

[percguy89]

i have to say that i absolutely loved it...................

but........ it just seemed too......... random.

dont get me wrong.

i absolutely adore the caring side to raven, but something about the whole thing just didnt quite fit together........

like y Raven would care so much for a person she met for an hour or so......

but i must say, everything else was absolutely flawless, i expecially loved the ending:D:D:D:D.

sorry for such a mixed bag of comments.....:shrug:

peace out

[Matt A]

All I can say is...I love you guys. No, seriously. Those were some flattering comments there. It's a pity that the show won't be running any more, but I do appreciate the shared sentiment.:anime: :anime: :anime: :anime: :anime:

Time for a few specifics:


when you said she had messy brown hair, i was thinking of an actual other thing..
What other thing?:confused:


*Jaw moves up and down, but no words come out* That was Smeggin Amazing*Jaw continues to move and words continue not to come out*
I think that's a first for me. Smegging amazing, indeed.;) :anime: :evil:


I also liked the parts where Raven narrated some of the parts.
If it were up to me, every single film and TV show ever made would use narration. It's impossible to overstate how useful it is.;) :anime:


And having Raven identify with her was a great touch, especially when she tries to be friends with her in the end, equally touching =/
Seeing as that was kinda the whole point of the episode, I'm glad it paid off the way I wanted it to.:anime:


The characters(especially. .obviously Raven and Susan)came out so very realistically.
I'm glad that Susan's character came out well. For the script to work, you needed to understand her instantly. And you did, so all's good.

As an interesting aside, aspects of Susan and the things she says (in particular, her almost mocking attitude towards Raven's thoughts near the end) were designed as a dry run for STT3 and what I'll be doing with that. On the basis of how this script has gone down, it should be good fun.;) :anime: :evil:

As another, probablly less interesting aside, my ideal choice for voicing Susan would be Emma Watson. Make of that what you will.;)


there were some humerous lines in there, but it fit this script so very well.
A Titans script without jokes wouldn't be a Titans script at all. And besides, the prologue was too funny to resist.:p :anime: :evil:


I also like that you kinda looked into Raven's darker thoughts on her life, which I always thought was something about her character that was always there but was never really talked about. There really is a great sadness about Raven.
Seeing as Teen Titans is a kid show, there's obviously only so much they can do with that. Spellbound and a few bits and pieces of season four came pretty close, but there's definitely a few gaps that needed filling. So I took that task on myself...and I seem to have succeeded.:anime: :anime: :anime:


but........ it just seemed too......... random.

dont get me wrong.

i absolutely adore the caring side to raven, but something about the whole thing just didnt quite fit together........

like y Raven would care so much for a person she met for an hour or so......
Seeing as I only had less than half-an-hour to play with (and you'd be amazed at how quickly a 27-page script fills up), that one was kinda unadvoidable. Regrettable, but unavoidable.:shrug:

Anyway, I'm glad you all liked this. Very glad.:anime: :anime: :anime:

-Matt A-

[percguy89]

30 minutes?!?!?!?!?!?!?:confused::eek::confused::eek::eek:

damn, it takes me that long to write a thank you card to my grandma......:sweat:

peace out

[Matt A]

30 minutes?!?!?!?!?!?!?:confused::eek::confused::eek: :eek:

damn, it takes me that long to write a thank you card to my grandma......:sweat:I was talking about the "episode's" running time, not how long it took me to write it. Which, incidentally, was three days.;)

-Matt A-

[Rae]

Cool

It was interesting to read something in script style for a change

Rae

[TeenTitansGO!]

Wow. Um...well, to get the most shallow of my comments done and away with, I'll say that 3 days to write something so good is amazing.

Now for my deeper things: you gave Raven, as you always do, a "real" more personal feel, and I appreciate the effort you put into that because I know it's hard to do for such a strange character type. 2nd, Susan, though very cliché, was given an individuality I haven't seen in a long while. 3rd, this reminded me of the feel I want people to have when they read "Mayday", only double the idea. You know, that, "What the heck's going on?" "I can't believe he wrote that!" kind of "Wow! Noone ever goes that deep." sorta feel.

All said, great stuff. It's the kind of thing you're good at and something I'd like to see you do more of.

TTG~Matt H. *sighs* yeah

[Matt A]

It was interesting to read something in script style for a change
Why do you think I wrote it like that?;) :anime:


I'll say that 3 days to write something so good is amazing.
[wags tail]

Thank you.:anime:


you gave Raven, as you always do, a "real" more personal feel, and I appreciate the effort you put into that because I know it's hard to do for such a strange character type.
Actually, she's not so strange as all that. When you get underneath all the superficial stuff (Trigon, force powers, et al), you'll find that there's actually a lot of people out there like her. And I know quite a few of them...especially round here.;)


Susan, though very cliché, was given an individuality I haven't seen in a long while.
Susan's basic "character type" (seems weak and insecure, but actually isn't) is one that I've been throwing around in various guises for quite a while, so it was just a simple matter of getting that character type down on paper for the first time. The trick is just to add in the details.;)


this reminded me of the feel I want people to have when they read "Mayday", only double the idea. You know, that, "What the heck's going on?" "I can't believe he wrote that!" kind of "Wow! Noone ever goes that deep." sorta feel.
That should be quite a story...come to think of it, I know it'll be quite a story.;) :anime: :evil:


It's the kind of thing you're good at and something I'd like to see you do more of.
In that case, you won't be dissapointed. I hope.:sweat:

-Matt A-

[TorchLighter]

okay, hold still for a moment..............
....that's enough.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:!!! that was incredible! Raven was totally in character, and I can actually see this happen in a Teen Titan's episode. this brings up amazing questions to the table, and seeing Raven thought's were amazing. Good job!:D

[SecretNinja]

BWAH! Crazy insane-ness! The emotional depth of Susan and Raven was absolutely great. The whole script was done so well and ofcourse the humour was brilliant. Pfft....this should be a episode....even with the suicide theme going on....

-S-N-

[Matt A]

okay, hold still for a moment..............
....that's enough.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:!!! that was incredible! Raven was totally in character, and I can actually see this happen in a Teen Titan's episode. this brings up amazing questions to the table, and seeing Raven thought's were amazing. Good job!images/smilies/biggrin.gif


BWAH! Crazy insane-ness! The emotional depth of Susan and Raven was absolutely great. The whole script was done so well and ofcourse the humour was brilliant. Pfft....this should be a episode....even with the suicide theme going on....

You know, I'd forgotten I'd even written this thing. One of the best pieces I've ever put to hard drive, and it had vanished from my memory like it wasn't even there. How weird.:eek:

Still, thankyou for bringing it back, and for being so nice about it. It's always a pleasure to know that what you wanted to achieve has been achieved.:anime: 'Course, my natural self-depreciation craves for some way to refute both your comments and mine, but this time I shall just be glad I've done something worthy of the faith everyone seems to have in me.;):anime:

-Matt A-

[JazzyChick]

WOW!

Really good. Um...everybody has prettey much said what i wanted to, so i won't repeat. but yeah, i'm so glad someone brought this back up 'cause i didn't read it the first time around (one of the many down sides of leaving the forum for a year...:sad: ) and i flippin' rocked my socks off.

-JazzyC