For Your Consideration screenplay

"THE INCREDIBLES" (2004)

WRITTEN BYBrad Bird

STATS128pages62scenes27,375words33%dialogue share74characters

Dialogue share

  • dialogue8,50933%
  • action17,31767%
  • formatting, excluded1,549

Scenes

location
  • INT 35
  • EXT 25
  • INT/EXT 2
time
  • DAY 4
  • NIGHT 2
  • DUSK 1
  • CONT 1
  • UNKNOWN 54

OVERBLACK EDITORIAL

On the page

The family’s powers reflect their habits and responsibilities: protecting, hiding, adapting, and acting impulsively. Action scenes develop these relationships while using the powers literally.

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1

INT. INSURICARE INSURANCE COMPANY - BOB'S CUBICLE - DAY

p.15

THE INCREDIBLES

Seated in front of a colored backing is a magnificent masked man in a Superhero suit: early thirties, ruggedly handsome and powerfully built, he fiddles with a clip-on microphone.

We're watching a faded DOCUMENTARY, shot in 16mm. A TITLE FADES IN, identifying the man as MR. INCREDIBLE.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Is this on?
(muttering to himself)
I can break through walls but I can't get one of these things on...

He finally gets the clip secured and settles in.

INTERVIEWER (O.S.)
So, Mr. Incredible, do you have a secret identity?

Incredible stops tinkering with the mic and looks toward CAMERA. He flashes his patented megawatt smile.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Every Superhero has a secret identity. I don't know a single one who doesn't. Who wants the pressure of being "Super" all the time?

TITLE CARD: WALT DISNEY PICTURES PRESENTS

RESUME DOCUMENTARY: Another striking, masked Superhero, a woman this time. A TITLE identifies her as ELASTIGIRL.

ELASTIGIRL
Of course I have a secret identity. Who'd want to go shopping as ELASTIGIRL, you know what I mean?

TITLE CARD: A PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS FILM

RESUME DOCUMENTARY: Yet another Superhero, sleek, black, dressed in an ice-blue suit. SUPER TITLE: FROZONE.

FROZONE
Super ladies always want to tell you their secret identity; think it'll strengthen the relationship or something.
FROZONE (CONT'D)
I say, "Girl, I don't want to know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that. You tell me you're "Super Mega Ultra Lightning Babe"... that's awright with me. I'm good, I'm good.
MR. INCREDIBLE
No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to STAY SAVED for a little bit. I feel like the maid: "I just cleaned up this mess, can we keep it clean for ten minutes?? Please.
(laughs, then sighs)
Sometimes I think I'd just like the simple life, you know? Relax a little, raise a family...
ELASTIGIRL
Settle down? Are you kidding? I'm at the top of my game, I'm right up there with the big dogs. I mean ca'mon! Leave saving the world to the men? I don't think so.
(laughs, pause)
I don't think so...
FADE TO BLAC[missing from source: end of line cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 4, printed page 2]

TITLE: THE INCREDIBLES

MUNICIBERG - STREETS - MOVING - LATE AFTERNOON

SIRENS WAIL. Lights FLASH. We're in the middle of a classic CAR CHASE: A police car in HOT PURSUIT OF anothe[missing from source: end of word cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 4, printed page 2] car driven by armed BANK ROBBERS.

The robber riding shotgun primes his SUBMACHINE GUN and unloads on the cop car, which SWERVES into oncoming traffic to avoid the hail of bullets.

INSIDE ANOTHER CAR - NOT FAR AWAY

BOB PARR, a dashing, golden-haired man in his late twenties listens to his radio. If he looks familiar, it'[missing from source: end of word cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 4, printed page 2] because he is the same man we saw earlier: MR. INCREDIBL[missing from source: end of line cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 4, printed page 2] sans mask and Supersuit. Suddenly the music is interrupted by an ANNOUNCER--

RADIO
We interrupt for an important bulletin: a deadly high-speed pursuit between Police and armed gunmen is underway, traveling northbound on San Pablo Boulevard.

Bob presses a button. The RADIO flips: converting to a screen filled with a moving aerial map of the city streets. He types in "ISOLATE PURSUIT". 2 RED DOTS appear, moving quickly over the map.

He makes a hard right turn. Looks at the screen. A tiny "i" icon (Mr. Incredible's logo) closes in on the 2 red dots. He checks his WATCH--

BOB
I've got time.

--and presses another button: "AUTODRIVE" and types in "MERGE PURSUIT".

Bob takes his hands off the wheel and a rapid series of automated actions begin: the seat back drops FLAT, the passenger seat folds against the window as the driver's seat slides to the center.

Bob raises his arms as metal bands lock around his waist, then SEPARATE, sliding apart toward his head and his toes, removing his clothes to REVEAL his slick, brightly colored MR. INCREDIBLE SUPERSUIT underneath...

He presses another button: the car's exterior CONVERTS into the coolest retro-futuristic vehicle ever seen: The INCREDIBILE. MR. INCREDIBLE looks up:

THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

we see an OLD LADY waving us down.

OLD LADY
Mr. Incredible! Oh-- MR. INCREDIBLE!

RESIDENTIAL STREET

Mr. Incredible pulls up. His window WHOOSHES open.

MR. INCREDIBLE
What is it, Ma'am?
OLD LADY
(pointing to tree)
My cat Squeaker won't come down.

Incredible glances at his screen: the pursuit is headed his way. He thinks, making some quick calculations, then--

MR. INCREDIBLE
Certainly, Ma'am. But I suggest you stand clear, there could be trouble.
OLD LADY
Oh no, he's quite tame--

RESUME PURSUIT - SAME MOMENT

The COP CAR pulls back in behind the robbers' car. The cops are firing now and closing in.

INCREDIBLE & THE CAT TREE

Nervously checking the pursuit on his video screen, Incredible rips the tree out of the ground. He tips it, leaning it across to the lady just as the CAR CHASE squeals into view at the end of the block. Incredible sees this and hastily SHAKES the tree, trying to dislodge the cat.

INTERCUT

The CAR CHASE. The cars swerve into view now, bordering the park that Incredible is in. Incredible SEES them and shakes the cat harder. Chase cars close in. Incredible. Car chase. The cat. Chase. Cat--

One final SHAKE: Squeaker drops into the OLD LADY'S hands. Incredible raises the tree up and SLAMS it down on the hood of the crooks' car, squashing it like a bug.

LATER

Incredible TAMPS down the loose dirt at the base of the freshly replanted tree and smiles at his admirers.

COP #1
Thank you, Mr. Incredible, you've done it again.
COP #2
Yeah, you're the best.
MR. INCREDIBLE
I'm just here to help.
RADIO
Attention! We have a tour bus robbery in the vicinity of Paradise and Solano--

Incredible FROWNS and looks at his watch. He makes a calculation, muttering to himself.

MR. INCREDIBLE
I've still got time.
(giving each admirer a nod)
Officers, Ma'am... "Squeaker."

He jumps into the INCREDIBILE and is startled to find a pudgy kid wearing a mask and a homemade Superhero costume sitting in the passenger seat.

MR. INCREDIBLE (CONT'D)
Who are you supposed to be?
BOY
Well... I'm INCREDIBOY!

Mr. Incredible stares warily at the awkwardly costumed kid. He's starting to look familiar...

BOB
No, no. You're that kid from the fan club. B... Bro-phy, Bud... BUDDY! Buddy??
BUDDY
(frowning)
My name is INCREDIBOY!
BOB
Look, I've been nice. I've stood for photos, signed every scrap of paper you've pushed at me, but this is a bit--
BUDDY
You don't hafta worry about training me, I know all your moves, your crime-fighting style, favorite catchphrases, everything! I'm your number one fan!

The passenger door WHOOSHES open and "IncrediBoy" is ejected from the car. Incredible fires the afterburners and peels off, leaving Buddy standing alone.

CITY ROOFTOPS - MINUTES LATER

A trail of stolen goods scattered across a rooftop leads us to a THIEF. He mutters to himself as he roots through a stolen purse, disregarding some items, stuffing others into his pockets. A SHADOW looms on the wall behind him.

MR. INCREDIBLE (O.S.)
You know--

The snatcher LOOKS UP. Incredible grins.

MR. INCREDIBLE (CONT'D)
--you can tell a lot about a woman by the contents of her purse. But maybe that's not what you had in mind...

Incredible closes in on him. The snatcher drops the purse, pulls a gun. An ARM suddenly STRETCHES into frame and delivers a right cross to the snatcher's jaw-- knocking him OUT COLD.

Incredible looks up and sees a dazzling MASKED WOMAN in an equally dazzling suit. She SMILES.

MR. INCREDIBLE (CONT'D)
Elastigirl.
ELASTIGIRL
Mr. Incredible.

Elastigirl moves to the snatcher, begins to pick him up--

MR. INCREDIBLE
It's alright. I've got him.
ELASTIGIRL
Sure you've got him. I just took him out for you.
MR. INCREDIBLE
Sure you took him out. His attention was on me.
ELASTIGIRL
A fact I exploited in order to do my job.
MR. INCREDIBLE
My job, you mean.
ELASTIGIRL
A simple "thank you" will suffice.
MR. INCREDIBLE
Thanks, but I don't need any help.

Elastigirl assesses him. Slowly moves closer.

ELASTIGIRL
What ever happened to "ladies first"?
MR. INCREDIBLE
What ever happened to "equal treatment"?
CROOK
(regaining consciousness)
Hey, look... the lady got me first.

Elastigirl coldcocks the crook with one stretched punch.

ELASTIGIRL
We could share, you know.
MR. INCREDIBLE
I work alone.

Elastigirl smiles, moves very close to Incredible.

ELASTIGIRL
Well. I think you need to be more--

In one fluid motion she LOOPS around his body, suddenly behind him and before he can turn-- back in front again.

ELASTIGIRL (CONT'D)
--flexible.
MR. INCREDIBLE
(dazzled)
You doing anything later?
ELASTIGIRL
I have a previous engagement.

She makes a little stutter step to the edge of the roof and jumps, flips, loops and STRETCHES across the rooftops like a liquid cat, disappearing into the setting sun.

MR. INCREDIBLE lets out a low whistle. That. Is a woman.

MOMENTS LATER

Incredible handcuffs the purse-snatcher to a pipe.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Now you just stay right here. They usually pick up the garbage in an hour.
FROZONE (O.S.)
Hey, Incredible!

Incredible turns. A HELICOPTER sweeps past, machine guns blazing back towards its pursuer. FROZONE swoops down, hot on its tail, surfing a sheet of ice that materializes in his path.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Frozone!

Frozone LEAPS, grabbing on to one of the chopper's skids.

FROZONE
Shouldn't you be getting ready?!

Incredible frowns, glancing at his watch. He yells at the retreating copter.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Hey, I've still got time!

Offscreen a woman screams--

WOMAN (O.S.)
HE'S GOING TO JUMP!!

Incredible runs to the edge of the building and looks down. A large crowd is gathered on the streets below. Incredible follows their upwards gaze to the roof of a skyscraper, where a man stands poised to jump--

--then DOES. Incredible quickly gages distances, and then dives off the edge, making a spectacular LEAP--

HIGH ABOVE THE STREET

--and TACKLES the jumper in mid-air. They crash through an enormous window on the far side--

INSIDE BANK BUILDING - LOBBY AREA

--and tumble to the floor in a shower of glass. Safe.

JUMPER
My collarbone-- I think you broke it...
MR. INCREDIBLE
With counseling, I think you'll come to forgive me.
(senses something)
Wait a minute...

Mr. Incredible slides the jumper over to a desk and props him up against it. His acute senses turn his attention to the hallway, toward the elevators. As he follows his ears we become aware of a sound: a tiny series of regular BEEPS. INCREDIBLE locates a spot on the wall and presses one ear against it. The BEEPS ACCELERATE. Bob starts to push away and--

--BOOOOOOOM!

The hallway is filled with smoke and debris. A SILHOUETTE emerges from the newly blown hole in the wall; a tall, rangy man in a mime costume carrying two stuffed duffle bags. He surveys the scene with a wicked smile.

A VAULT DOOR is embedded into the wall directly opposite the hole. It moves aside, revealing Incredible behind it, dazed but unharmed. He sees the mime and GROWLS.

MR. INCREDIBLE (CONT'D)
Bomb Voyage!
BOMB VOYAGE
(in French, subtitled)
Mr. Incredible!
VOICE
And-- INCREDIBOY!

Both Mr. Incredible and Voyage turn and stare in disbelief at the kid, who awkwardly flies over to them.

BOMB VOYAGE
"IncrediBoy"...?
BUDDY
Aren't you curious about how I get around so fast? See, I have these rocket boots, they're made from--
BOB
Go home, Buddy. Now.
BOMB VOYAGE
(in French, subtitled)
Little oaf!
BUDDY
Can we talk?
(he takes Bob aside)
You always ALWAYS tell people, "Be true to yourself," but you never say which part of yourself to be true to! Well, I've finally figured out who I am and I'm your ward. IncrediBoy!
BOB
And now you've officially carried it too far, Buddy.

There is an ugly flash in Buddy's eyes.

BUDDY
It's because I don't have powers, isn't it? Not every hero has powers, you know! You can be Super without them--
(re: his rocket boots)
I invented these. I can fly! Can YOU fly?
MR. INCREDIBLE
Fly HOME, Buddy. I work alone.
BOMB VOYAGE
(in French, subtitled)
Yes! And your outfit is ridiculous!
BUDDY
Just give me one chance. I'll show you, I'll go get the police--

As Buddy jogs to the shattered window, Incredible sees that Voyage has clipped a SMALL BOMB onto Buddy's cape.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Buddy-- DON'T--!
BUDDY
It'll only take a second, really!
MR. INCREDIBLE
(takes off after him)
No-- STOP! THERE'S A BOMB--

He grabs Buddy's cape just as "INCREDIBOY" TAKES OFF, taking Incredible with him.

ABOVE MUNICIBERG - MOVING - NIGHT

INCREDIBLE & THE BOY rocket wildly out of control, spraying sparks in every direction, Mr. I grabbing at the cape desperately for the bomb.

BUDDY
Let go! You're wrecking my flight pattern! Let go of my cape! You're gonna rip it!!

INCREDIBLE finally grabs hold of the bomb and flings it free. Both he and the BOMB fall onto the elevated train tracks below. The bomb EXPLODES, blowing away a large section of track. Incredible groggily LOOKS UP:

A TRAIN is coming. And heading straight for the section of track that is NO LONGER THERE.

Incredible sets his jaw and starts running toward the oncoming train, leaping the chasm to intercept the train before it gets there.

He pulls up and plants himself. The expression on his face says it all: this is going to hurt.

The train HITS-- Mr. Incredible taking the full impact. Rail ties break behind Incredible's feet, spraying in all directions as Incredible --miraculously-- wrestles the train to a stop.

STREETS BELOW TRESTLE - LATER

Police and Paramedics have arrived, cordoning off the accident scene and treating the injured. Mr. Incredible hands Buddy over to the police.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Take this one home, and make sure his mom knows what he's been doing...
BUDDY
I could help you! You're making a mistake-

The cops shove Buddy into the backseat of their car.

MR. INCREDIBLE
The injured jumper-- you sent paramedics?
COP
They've already picked him up.
MR. INCREDIBLE
The blast in that building was caused by Bomb Voyage who I caught in the act of robbing the vault. We might be able to nab him if we set up a perimeter--
COP
You mean he got away??
MR. INCREDIBLE
Well, yeah. Skippy here made sure of that.
BUDDY
IncrediBoy!
MR. INCREDIBLE
(to Buddy)
You're not affiliated with me!

A tiny ALARM sounds. Incredible checks his wristwatch.

MR. INCREDIBLE (CONT'D)
Holy smokes... I'm late. Listen, I've gotta be somewhere--

He signals the Incredibile with a remote. It roars into view, squeals to a stop next to him.

COP
But.... what about Bomb Voyage--?
MR. INCREDIBLE
(climbing into the car)
Any other night I'd go after him myself but I've really gotta go. Don't worry-- we'll get him-- EVENTUALLY!!

He fires the afterburners. The cops watch in dismay as the Incredibile roars off.

A DOWNTOWN CATHEDRAL

The INCREDIBILE pulls up in front, CONVERTING back into a sedan.

INSIDE CATHEDRAL LOBBY

Mr. Incredible ENTERS, dressed smartly in a tux, fumbling with his tie.

LUCIUS BEST/FROZONE
You're very late.
BOB/MR. INCREDIBLE
Is the night still young? How do I look?

His best man LUCIUS (aka FROZONE) stops him before he...

LUCIUS/FROZONE
The mask! You've still got the mask--

Best reaches up and pulls off his Mr. Incredible mask. Bob takes a deep breath and pushes open the chapel doors--

BOB/MR. INCREDIBLE
Showtime--!

CHAPEL

Bob the Groom stands at the altar with his Bride, HELEN, who we quickly realize is also ELASTIGIRL.

REVEREND
Robert Golden, do you take Helen Truax to be your lawful wedded wife... (etc.)
HELEN/ELASTIGIRL
(low, to Bob)
Cutting it kind of close, don'cha think?
BOB/MR. INCREDIBLE
You need to be more... "flexible."
HELEN/ELASTIGIRL
I love you, but if we're going to make this work, you've gotta be more than Mr. Incredible. You know that, don't you?
REVEREND
(concluding vows)
--as long as you both shall live?
BOB/MR. INCREDIBLE
I do.

They kiss. A crowd of SUPERHEROES cheer from the pews.

HELEN
As long as we both shall live. No matter what happens.
BOB
We're Superheroes. What could happen?

VIDEO FOOTAGE: an ANCHORWOMAN reports from a news desk. A CHYRON displays the visage of MR. INCREDIBLE.

NEWSWOMAN
In a stunning turn of events, a Superhero is being sued for saving someone who, apparently, didn't want to be saved. The Plaintiff, Oliver Sansweet, who was foiled in his attempted suicide by Mr. Incredible, has filed suit against the famed Superhero in superior court.

FILM FOOTAGE: OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE

Sansweet's LAWYER stands next to him on the crowded front steps, and speaks to a cluster of REPORTERS.

LAWYER
Mr. Sansweet didn't ask to be saved, Mr. Sansweet didn't want to be saved.
LAWYER (CONT'D)
And the injury received from Mr. Incredible's actions causes him daily pain.

The crowd STIRS as a business-suited MR. INCREDIBLE appears and points a threatening finger at Sansweet.

MR. INCREDIBLE
I saved your life!
SANSWEET
You ruined my death!
MR. INCREDIBLE
Listen you little piece of--
INCREDIBLE'S ATTORNEY
(cuts him off)
My client has no further comment at this time!

FILM FOOTAGE: SHOTS of the train accident scene.

NARRATOR
Five days later, another suit was filed by the victims of the el-train accident.

FILM FOOTAGE: SHOTS of a courtroom filled with neck- braced train-wreck victims. A lawyer goes through his paces, often gesturing toward a glowering MR. INCREDIBLE.

NARRATOR (CONT'D)
Incredible's court losses cost the government millions, and opened the floodgates for dozens of similar lawsuits against Superheroes the world over.

A SERIES OF SPINNING NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

describing the succession of lawsuits brought against Superheroes: "DynaGuy sued!", "'SUPER' DAMAGES!", "X-RAY VISION PEEPING TOM?"

Irate Taxpayers demonstrate, waving placards that read: "NO MORE SUPER BAILOUTS!", "$UPER EXPEN$IVE!", etc.

FILM FOOTAGE: A CONGRESSMAN addresses his colleagues from the floor of the House of Representatives.

CONGRESSMAN
It is time for their secret identities to become their only identity. Time for them to join us, or go away.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Under tremendous public pressure and the crushing financial burden of an ever-mounting series of lawsuits, the government quietly initiated the Superhero Relocation Program.

FILM FOOTAGE: SUPERHEROES EXITING the public stage-- as they wave goodbye (ala Nixon), duck into cars in a shower of popping flashbulbs, cheered by supporters, jeered by opponents, etc.

NARRATOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The Supers would no longer be held accountable for past actions in exchange for a promise to never again resume hero work. Where are they now?

FILM FOOTAGE: A throng of people mill about the city streets in diverse anonymity.

NARRATOR (CONT'D)
They are living among us, living as we do, average citizens, average heroes, quietly and anonymously continuing to make the world a better place...

The MUSIC crescendoes as camera LIFTS UP to the horizon and the sun streaming through the clouds.

CUT TO:

EXTREME CLOSEUP: AN INSURANCE FORM

A STAMP slams down, leaving the word "DENIED" in red ink.

A small, frail woman in her mid seventies named MURIEL HOGENSON-- blinks in shock.

HOGENSON
"Denied"? You're denying my claim?

Her claims adjuster BOB PARR looks up. He looks familiar. FADE IN TITLE: FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

It's none other than MR. INCREDIBLE himself, now balding, sixty-four pounds heavier and dressed in a too-tight white collar shirt. Hogenson sits across from him, bewildered and upset.

HOGENSON (CONT'D)
I don't understand. I have full coverage.
BOB
I'm sorry, Mrs. Hogenson, but our liability is spelled out in paragraph 17--
HOGENSON
I can't pay for this...
BOB
(phone rings, he answers)
Excuse me. Claims, Bob Parr.

INTERCUT: HELEN INSIDE PARR HOME - KITCHEN - SAME TIME

HELEN PARR chats amiably as she bathes her happy toddler JACK-JACK in the sink of their airy, ranch-style kitchen.

Her hairstyle has changed, her hips have widened a little, but Motherhood has agreed with her, and little else has changed from her Elastigirl days. A stack of empty MOVING BOXES are stacked haphazardly near the door.

HELEN
I'm calling to celebrate a momentous occasion. We are now officially moved in.

INTERCUT WITH BOB

BOB
That's great, honey. And the last three years don't count because...
HELEN
Because I finally unpacked the last box. Now it's official. Why do we have so much junk?
BOB
Listen, honey, I've got a client here--
HELEN
Say no more, go save the world one policy at a time, honey. I gotta go pick up the kids from school. See you tonight.
BOB
Bye, honey.
(hangs up, turns to Hogenson)
Excuse me, where were we?
HOGENSON
(beginning to weep)
I'm on a fixed income. If you can't help me, I don't know what I'll do!

Bob stares at her, empathizing completely. He stands up and leans out of his cubicle, looks down the hallway in both directions, makes sure the coast is clear.

BOB
Alright. Listen closely. I'd like to help you, but I can't.

He hands her a pen and a pad of paper. He leans closer, his voice low...

BOB (CONT'D)
I'd like to tell you to take a copy of your policy to Norma Wilcox on the--

He stops and looks up. She's staring at him blankly, completely puzzled. Bob reaches over and taps her pad. Suddenly understanding, she begins to scribble...

BOB (CONT'D)
--Norma Wilcox, W-I-L-C-O-X on the third floor. But I can't. I would advise against asking her for a WS-2475 form, which you should not fill out and file with a man named Oliver Jenkins in our legal department on the seventh floor. I wouldn't expect someone to get back to you quickly to resolve the matter. I'd like to help.
(he gives her a little smile)
But there's nothing I can do.
WOMAN
Oh... thank y--
BOB
(interrupting loudly)
I'm sorry, Ma'am. I know you're upset.
(low whisper)
Pretend you're upset.

Understanding, she smiles, stands up, and EXITS weeping. Bob grins; he's beaten the system.

The old lady is gone for a total of six seconds when Bob's supervisor GILBERT HUPH enters. Huph, an anal, micromanaging little troll with a loud voice, throws a folder on Bob's desk.

HUPH
Parr! You authorized payment on the Walker policy??
BOB
Someone broke into their house, Mr. Huph. Their policy clearly covers them against--
HUPH
(interrupting)
I don't want to know about their coverage, Bob! Don't tell me about their coverage! Tell me how you're keeping Insuricare in the black! Tell me how that's possible with you writing checks to every Harry Hardluck and Sally Sobstory that gives you a phone call!!

Huph leaves. Bob stands there impotently, then sits. Knocking his pencil holder over.

PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - ADAMS SCHOOL - DAY

Helen ENTERS, and sees her son DASH (age 10, blonde hair) sitting hunched in a chair. Before him are two men, Dash's teacher BERNIE KROPP-- balding, tense, and looking older than his 36 years, and the school's PRINCIPAL.

PRINCIPAL
I appreciate you coming down here so quickly, Mrs. Parr.

Helen enters and takes a seat. Dash stares at the floor.

HELEN
What's this about? Has Dash done something wrong?
KROPP
He's a disruptive influence. And he openly mocks me in front of the class.
DASH
He says.
KROPP
I know it's you!!
(to Helen)
He puts thumbtacks on my stool!
HELEN
You saw him do this??
KROPP
Well... not r-- no, actually not.
HELEN
Then how do you know it was him?
KROPP
I hid a camera. This time I've got him!

Kropp slips a DISC out of his jacket and into a machine hooked up to a TV monitor. Dash REACTS; he didn't expect this. Helen sees this, shoots Dash a sharp LOOK.

IN THE VIDEO: Kropp approaches his stool and sits. Suddenly he JUMPS UP in pain. The students LAUGH. Kropp whirls to the adults in the room expectantly.

KROPP (CONT'D)
See??
(gets no response)
What, you don't see it?

He is met with BLANK STARES. With an exasperated sound, Kropp REPLAYS the video, PAUSING IT, and pointing to a still-seated Dash.

KROPP (CONT'D)
He moves!! Right THERE! Right as I'm sitting down! I don't know how he does it-

Kropp forwards and rewinds; back and forth. Though Dash's image does "pop" a bit, he remains clearly in his seat.

KROPP (CONT'D)
--but there's no tack on my stool before he moves and after he moves there's a tack! Coincidence? I think NOT!!

Helen jerks her head toward Kropp, gives the Principal a "you see he's crazy, don't you?" look. He turns to Kropp--

PRINCIPAL
Bernie...
KROPP
Don't "Bernie" me! This little rat is guilty!!
PRINCIPAL
(to Helen)
You and your son can go now, Mrs. Parr. I'm sorry for the trouble...

Helen gives the Principal a thin smile and hustles Dash from the room, leaving Kropp apoplectic.

KROPP
You're letting him go AGAIN? He's GUILTY! You can see it on his smug little face!!! Guilty guilty GUILTY!! NOOOOO!

INSIDE HELEN'S CAR - MOVING

Dash stares out the window in angry silence, watching the trees go by. Helen looks at him and softens.

HELEN
Dash. This is the third time this year you've been sent to the office. You need to find a better outlet. A more constructive outlet.
DASH
Maybe I could. If you'd let me go out for sports.
HELEN
Honey. You know why we can't do that.
DASH
But I promise I'll slow up! I'll only be the best by a little bit...
HELEN
Dashiell Robert Parr, you are an incredibly competitive boy. And a bit of a show-off. The last thing you need is temptation.
DASH
You always say, "Do your best," but you don't really mean it. Why can't I do the best that I can do?
HELEN
Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in. And to fit in we must be like everyone else.
DASH
But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
HELEN
(wearily)
Everyone's special, Dash...
DASH
Which is another way of saying no one is.
2

EXT. WESTERN VIEW JUNIOR HIGH - DAY

p.20

Shy, insecure VIOLET PARR (14) waits nervously behind a hedge near the front entrance. The bell SOUNDS, signalin[missing from source: end of word cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 22, printed page 20] the end of the school day. Violet turns toward the door-[missing from source: end of line cut off at right edge of scan; PDF page 22, printed page 20]

--as it swings open, and out steps TONY RYDINGER, handsome, confident and crush-worthy. He pauses and is immediately surrounded by friends.

As Tony descends the steps with his pals, tossing cool nods at flirty girls, he passes by Violet, who peers at him over the top of some bushes. He stops, aware of being watched, and looks back-- SHE'S NOT THERE.

ANOTHER ANGLE

from the other side of the bush REVEALS: Violet's clothes hang in mid-air --WITH NO HEAD.

Tony looks directly at the empty space where Violet's head should be and, seeing nothing, gives up and walks away. Violet's head REAPPEARS... blushing. She touches her burning cheeks.

VIOLET
He looked at me...!

A car horn HONKS offscreen. Violet hustles across the expansive lawn, through the sea of boys and girls together, to her mother's waiting station wagon.

3

EXT. MALANGO FREEWAY - LATE AFTERNOON

p.21

Cars stretch off into infinity, idling and immobile. It's the traffic jam from hell, and right in the middle of it, squeezed into a scruffy car many sizes too small, sits Bob, trying not to be angry.

4

EXT. PARR HOME - LATER

p.21

A pleasant, unexceptional home in a neighborhood full of pleasant, unexceptional homes. Bob's car pulls into the driveway, the engine sputtering a long time before finally expiring with a tired gasp.

Bob steps out and SLIPS on a skateboard left in the driveway. He falls backward, grabbing the roof of the car to steady himself. He pushes the skateboard away, muttering darkly, and notices that he's inadvertently crumpled the roof with his Super-grip.

BOB
Ohhh, great.

He decides to let it go, pushes the door closed. It won't go. He tries again, a little harder this time. No go. He SLAMS the door closed, shattering the window.

Bob LOSES IT. He seizes the car, lifting it overhead as if readying to fling it over the far horizon and STOPS--

--a five-year-old neighbor kid on a Big Wheel tricycle, RUSTY MCALLISTER, stares on in SHOCK and AWE. Frozen with the car overhead, Bob stares back... then sets his car down on the driveway and eases into his house as if nothing had happened.

5

INT. PARR DINING ROOM - NIGHT

p.22

Helen spoons baby food into the mouth of JACK-JACK (with all the facial "English" known to parents), most of which Jack-Jack squeezes back out onto his chin... where it is adeptly caught on Helen's spoon and reintroduced into the baby's mouth.

DASH
Mom, you're making weird faces again.
HELEN
(spoons, makes a weird face)
No, I'm not...
BOB
You make weird faces, honey.
HELEN
(notices Bob's newspaper)
Do you have to read at the table?
BOB
Uh huh. Yeah.

Helen SIGHS. She turns her attention to Dash, who is wrestling with an uncut slab of steak.

HELEN
Smaller bites, Dash! Bob, could you help the carnivore cut his meat?

Bob SIGHS, puts down the paper, grabs a knife and fork, reaches over to Dash's plate, and begins to cut his meat.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Dash? You have something you want to tell your father about school?
DASH
Uh... well, we dissected a frog...?
HELEN
Dash got sent to the office again.
BOB
(cutting, not listening)
Good... good...
HELEN
No Bob, that's bad.
BOB
What?
HELEN
Dash got sent to the office again.
BOB
What for?
DASH
Nothing.
HELEN
He put a tack on the teacher's chair. During class.
DASH
Nobody saw me. You could barely see it on the tape.
BOB
They caught you on tape and you still got away with it? Whoa... you must've been booking! How fast do you think you were--
HELEN
Bob, we are not encouraging this--
BOB
I'm not encouraging, I'm just asking how fast he was--
HELEN
Honey!!

A loud CRACK is heard. Bob stops cutting; realizing that he's sawed right through the table with his dinner knife.

BOB
Oh, great. First the car and now I gotta pay to fix the table--
HELEN
The car? What happened to the car?

Bob rises, gives Dash his plate of food and EXITS into the kitchen.

BOB
I'm getting a new plate.
HELEN
(to Vi, forced cheerful)
What about you, Vi? How was school?
VIOLET
(shrugs)
Nothing to report.
HELEN
You've hardly touched your food.
VIOLET
I'm not hungry for meatloaf.
HELEN
Well, it is leftover night. We have steak, pasta-- what are you hungry for?
DASH
Tony Rydinger...
VIOLET
Shut up!
DASH
Well, you are!
VIOLET
I said SHUT UP, you little insect!
DASH
Well, she is!
HELEN
Do NOT shout at the table!
(to Bob)
Honey--?
BOB (O.S., DISINTERESTED)
Kids, listen to your mother.

Dash and Violet swap GLARES. All resume eating. Then--

DASH
She'd eat if we were having Tonyloaf.
VIOLET
THAT'S IT--!!

Violet LUNGES across the table, VANISHING (save for her clothes). They wrestle. Dash escapes, racing around the table in a BLUR, SLAPPING at the back of Vi's head before crashing into a FORCE FIELD she throws in his path.

DASH
OW!! No force fields!!
VIOLET
You started it!!
HELEN
Stop it! Dash! Violet!

Helen's arms STRETCH across the table as she struggles to keep the KIDS apart. Jack-Jack LAUGHS, loving the chaos.

INSIDE THE KITCHEN

Oblivious to the melee, Bob gets a new plate from the cupboard, still perusing the newspaper. The headline reads: "PALADINO MISSING". With it is a photo of a lean, striking man, early forties, sporting wraparound sunglasses and a full head of blonde hair.

BOB
(V.O., READING)
Simon J. Paladino, long an outspoken advocate of Superhero rights, is missing.
(mutters to himself)
Gazerbeam...?
HELEN (O.S.)
Bob?? It's time to engage!! Do something!

Bob snaps out of it, turns toward the dining room.

RESUME DINING ROOM

Bob ENTERS-- startled to see the CHAOS.

HELEN
Don't just stand there! I need you to intervene!
BOB
Okay-- I'm intervening, I'm INTERVENING!

Bob hoists the dinner table and everyone with it over his head. Dash and Vi dangle from Helen's tangled arms and continue to scrap. Jack-Jack shrieks happily.

The DOORBELL rings. Everyone FREEZES, then quickly resume their original "quiet dining" positions. Dash answers the door.

LUCIUS BEST (aka FROZONE) stands in the doorway, looking sharp in a leather jacket. Like Helen, he too has weathered the post-Superhero years well.

DASH
Hey, Lucius!
FROZONE
Hey, Speedo... hey, Helen--
BOB
Ice of you to drop by!
FROZONE
(sarcastic)
Hah. Never heard that one before--
DASH
(mouth full of water)
Hey, Lucius!

Lucius turns to see Dash spurt a mouthful of water into the air. Best's hand flashes out; the air CRACKS with a sudden chill and the water FREEZES SOLID. Lucius LEAPS, catches the ice before it hits the ground. Dash sinks back, disappointed.

DASH (CONT'D)
Aww. I like it when it shatters.
BOB
(grabs his coat, bowling bag)
I'll be back later.
HELEN
Where are you two going?
BOB
It's Wednesday.
HELEN
(remembering)
Bowling night.
(resigned)
Say hello to Honey for me, Lucius.
FROZONE
Will do. Goodnight, Helen. Night, kids!

Bob and Lucius EXIT, closing the front door behind them. Helen turns to Dash.

HELEN
Don't think that you've avoided talking about your trip to the Principal's office, young man. Your father and I are still going to discuss it.
DASH
I'm not the only kid who's been sent to the office, y'know.
HELEN
Other kids don't have Superpowers. Now it's perfectly normal for you to feel--
VIOLET
Normal? What do you know about normal? What does anyone in our family know about normal? The only normal one is Jack-Jack.
HELEN
Now, wait a minute, young lady--
VIOLET
We ACT normal! I want to BE normal! The only normal one is Jack-Jack, and he's not even toilet-trained!

Buoyed by hearing his name, Jack-Jack gleefully spits a mouthful of baby food onto his bib and cracks up.

DASH
Lucky.
(off Vi's and Helen's looks)
Uh, I meant about being normal.

INSIDE LUCIUS'S CAR - CITY STREETS - MINUTES LATER

Bob and Lucius sit in Lucius's large, comfortable sedan, which is parked in a run-down city neighborhood. A portable POLICE SCANNER sits on the dashboard, volume low, occasionally interrupting his story.

FROZONE
...so now I'm in deep trouble, I mean one more jolt of this death ray and I'm an epitaph. Somehow I manage to find cover and what does Doctor Toxic do?
BOB
(laughing)
He starts monologuing--
FROZONE
He STARTS MONOLOGUING! He starts, like, this prepared speech about how feeble I am compared to him, how inevitable my defeat is, how the world will soon be his yadda yadda yadda--
BOB
--yammerin'--
FROZONE
YAMMERIN'!! I mean, the guy has me on a platter and he won't shut up!
SCANNER
Six one sam, eight Municiberg...
(police response)
Go ahead.
(dispatch)
...possible 2356 in progress at 115 Weatherford Way--

Bob turns up the volume, suddenly intense.

BOB
2356. What is that-- robbery?
FROZONE
This is just sad.
BOB
Yeah, robbery. Wanna catch a robber?
FROZONE
Tell the truth, I'd rather go bowling. What if we actually did what our wives think we're doing, for a change?
6

EXT. LUCIUS'S CAR

p.28

WIDEN to REVEAL: the silhouette of a WOMAN watching Bob and Lucius from the driver's seat of a black sports car, discreetly parked in a dark alley. She lowers her binoculars and speaks into a headset.

MIRAGE
He's not alone. The fat guy's still with him. They're just talking...

RESUME FROZONE & BOB

FROZONE
What're we doin' here, Bob?
BOB
We're protecting people.
FROZONE
Nobody asked us.
BOB
You need an invitation?
FROZONE
I'd like one, yes. We keep sneaking out to do this and--
(stops, thinks)
--remember Gazerbeam? He had trouble adjusting to civilian life, too.
BOB
Yeah, there was something about him in the paper. When was the last time you saw him?
FROZONE
I don't see anyone from the old days, Bob. Just you. We're pushing our luck as it is. It was fun the first time, but we keep doin' this and--

The scanner SQUAWKS suddenly--

SCANNER
We have a report of a fire at Fourth and Elias.
BOB
A fire! We're close! Yeah, baby!!

Bob pulls a ski mask over his face. Shaking his head at his own complicity, Lucius does likewise.

FROZONE
--we're gonna get caught.

He starts the car and U-turns toward the fire.

CITY STREETS - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Bob's enthusiastic SHOUTS echo off the darkened buildings as the sedan peels off... followed, a beat later, by the MYSTERIOUS BLONDE in the black sports car.

7

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING - MINUTES LATER

p.30

A raging inferno. Bob descends the burning steps, stops in the hallway. Both he and Frozone carry several passed- out apartment dwellers on their shoulders.

LUCIUS
Is that everybody?
BOB
Yeah, that's everyone!

The building is beginning to COLLAPSE. They're trapped with no way out. Frozone tries to ice the burning walls, but his ray is weak and ineffective.

BOB (CONT'D)
Can't you put this out?
LUCIUS
I can't lay down a layer thick enough!! It's evaporating too fast!!
BOB
What? What's that mean?
LUCIUS
Means it's hot and I'm dehydrated, Bob!
BOB
You're out of ICE??! You can't run out of ice! I thought you could use the water in the air!
LUCIUS
There IS NO water in this air! What's your excuse?? Run out of muscles?
BOB
I can't just go smashing through walls! The building's getting weaker by the second! It'll come down on top of us!!
LUCIUS
I wanted to go bowling!!!

A large chunk of ceiling smashes to the floor in a burning heap. Bob looks around nervously, then fixes his gaze toward the door. He shifts his stack of unconscious victims to one shoulder and looks at Lucius.

BOB
Alright. Stay right on my tail, this is going to get hot!

Bob begins a shout that gets louder as he runs into the burning hallway, Lucius a half-step behind him.

TRAVELING WITH BOB & LUCIUS

as they race through the flames with their unconscious loads. Suddenly a BRICK WALL APPEARS. Bob picks up speed and lowers his free shoulder into it.

The heroes and their rescued smash through the wall just as the building behind them collapses. Bob, Frozone and the pile of near-victims are saved. An ALARM sounds. Bob & Frozone realize they're--

INSIDE A JEWELRY STORE

A ROOKIE COP spies the MASKED MEN and draws his pistol. Frozone spies a WATER COOLER. He grabs a PAPER CUP.

ROOKIE COP
FREEZE!
LUCIUS
I'm thirsty.

Lucius moves the cup under the tap. The jittery ROOKIE cocks his pistol's hammer.

ROOKIE COP
I said FREEZE!
LUCIUS
I'm just getting a drink...

His eyes fixed on the cop, Lucius slooowwwly brings the cup to his lips and drinks. His face becomes serene.

ROOKIE COP
Alright! You've had your drink! Now I want you to--
LUCIUS
I know, I know...

Lucius drops the cup, raising his hands in front of him.

LUCIUS (CONT'D)
..."freeze."

A frigid blast splits the air.

ON THE STREET OUTSIDE

2 fire trucks and a police car screech, having arrived in front. Hearing the alarm, two VETERAN COPS bust into the--

INSIDE JEWELRY STORE - CONTINUOUS

Drawing their guns, the COPS are stopped by a bewildering sight:

--a recovering heap of rescued fire victims at the base of an enormous hole in the wall. Standing watch over them is the ROOKIE, stunned and blinking under a layer of ice.

A BACK ALLEYWAY - SAME TIME

Bob and Lucius jump into Lucius's car, pulling off their ski masks.

FROZONE
That was way too close. We are not doing that again.

They drive out of frame, REVEALING: a BLACK SPORTS CAR hidden in another alley behind. At the wheel is a beautiful, mysterious WOMAN with platinum blonde hair. She watches them drive off.

RADIO
Verify you want to switch targets? Over.
WOMAN
Trust me. This is the one he's been looking for...

LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Bob enters quietly through the kitchen, pausing in the kitchen long enough to nab the remaining hunk of chocolate cake. Humming pleasantly as he chews, he moves into the living room when a voice comes out of the dark--

HELEN'S VOICE
You said you'd be back by eleven.

Bob FREEZES. A light snaps ON. A chair swivels around-- it's Helen, wearing her robe and a peeved expression.

BOB
I said I'd be back later.
HELEN
I assumed you'd be back later. If you came back at all, you'd be "back later."
BOB
Well... I'm back. Okay?

Bob moves to go, but Helen's left arm STRETCHES and stops him, plucking a small, dusty fragment of concrete off his coat. She crosses to him, catching up with her hand.

HELEN
Is this... rubble?
BOB
(defensive)
It was just a little workout, just to stay loose--
HELEN
You know how I feel about that, Bob! Darn you!! We just got settled! We can't blow cover again!!
BOB
--the building was coming down anyway--
HELEN
Wha--? You KNOCKED DOWN A BUILDING??
BOB
It was on fire! Structurally unsound! It was coming down anyway!
HELEN
Tell me it's not the police scanner again-
BOB
I performed a public service. You act like that's a bad thing!
HELEN
It is a bad thing, Bob!! Uprooting our family, again, because you had to relive the glory days is a very bad thing!!
BOB
Hey, reliving the glory days is better than acting like they didn't happen!!
HELEN
Yes! They happened. But this, our family, is what's happening now, Bob!
HELEN (CONT'D)
And you are missing this! I can't believe you don't want to go to your own son's graduation!
BOB
It's not a graduation! He's moving from the fourth grade to the fifth grade!
HELEN
It's a ceremony...
BOB
It's psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity, but if someone is genuinely exceptional, they shut him down because they don't want everybody else to feel bad!
HELEN
This is not about you, Bob!! This is about Dash!!
BOB
You wanna help Dash? Let him actually compete! Let him go out for sports!
HELEN
I will not be made the enemy here!! You know why we can't do that!!!
BOB
BECAUSE HE'D BE GREAT!!
HELEN
THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!

An abrupt BREEZE ripples the air, ruffling some loose papers on the coffee table.

BOB
Alright, Dash. I know you're listening. Come on out.
HELEN
You too, young lady.

Dash moves out from behind a door. Violet's head REMATERIALIZES from behind the couch, she stands up, embarrassed. Bob moves next to Helen, becoming parental.

BOB
It's okay, kids. We're just having a discussion.
VIOLET
Pretty loud discussion.
BOB
But that's okay. What's important is that Mommy and I are always a team, always united... against... uh...
(unsure where he's going)
...the forces of--
HELEN
Pigheadedness...?
BOB
I was going to say evil or something.
HELEN
(to kids)
We're sorry we woke you. Everything's okay. Go back to bed, it's late. In fact--
(pointedly to Bob)
--we should all be in bed.

Bob frowns and turns away, following the kids back toward the bedrooms.

INSURICARE - BOB'S CUBICLE - FOLLOWING MORNING

Bob sits at his tiny desk. One look at his bleary face says it all: he hasn't slept all night. His intercom BEEPS. Bob glares at it a beat, then hits ANSWER.

INTERCOM
Mr. Huph wants you in his office.
BOB
Now?
INTERCOM
Now.

Bob releases the intercom button, SIGHS. Mirage looks around Bob's cramped cubicle, her gaze falling to the open briefcase on Bob's desk.

INSIDE HUPH'S OFFICE

Marginally bigger than Bob's office, with a coveted window to the outside world. Painfully clean and joyless. Every pencil sharpened, every paper perfectly stacked and aligned to run parallel to the edge of the desktop.

HUPH
Sit down, Bob.
(Bob sits)
I'm not happy, Bob. Not. Happy. Ask me why.

Huph rises from his desk and crosses to Bob.

BOB
Okay. Why.
HUPH
Why what? Be specific, Bob.

Bob's eyes are drawn to the window: Outside, across the street, a stocky man lingers suspiciously in an alleyway.

BOB
(still watching man)
Why are you unhappy.
HUPH
Your customers make me unhappy.
BOB
(turns back to Huph)
You've gotten complaints?
HUPH
Complaints I can handle. What I can't handle is your customers' inexplicable knowledge of Insuricare's inner workings. They're experts! Experts, Bob! Exploiting every loophole, dodging every obstacle--
(aghast)
--they're penetrating the bureaucracy!
BOB
Did I do something illegal?
HUPH
(irked)
No...
BOB
Are you saying we shouldn't help our customers?
HUPH
The law requires that I answer no.
BOB
We're supposed to help people.
HUPH
We're supposed to help OUR people! Starting with our stockholders, Bob. Who's helping them out, huh?

Huph draws a calming breath, affects a statesmanlike air.

HUPH (CONT'D)
You know, Bob... a company is--
BOB
Like an enormous clock.
HUPH
--like an enormous cl-- Yes! Precisely. It only works if all the little cogs mesh together.

Bob's attention returns to the window: the stocky man is accosting a smaller one. Like an ATTACK DOG, Bob is suddenly ALERT; every muscle tensed and ready--

HUPH (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Now, a clock needs to be clean, well-lubricated, wound tight. The best clocks have jewel movements, cogs that fit, that cooperate by design. I'm being metaphorical, Bob. You know what I mean by cooperative cogs? Bob? Bob...?

Huph follows Bob's gaze to the window. On the street, the larger man clubs the smaller man with a mace. He crumples to the sidewalk. Huph jerks Bob's face back toward his--

HUPH (CONT'D)
Look at me when I'm talking to you, Parr!
BOB
(pointing)
That man out there-- he needs help!
HUPH
Do NOT change the subject, Bob! We're discussing your attitude!
BOB
But he's getting mugged!
HUPH
Well, let's hope we don't cover him!
BOB
(heading for the door)
I'll be right back.
HUPH
Stop RIGHT NOW OR YOU'RE FIRED!

Bob HESITATES, his hand on the knob of the opened door, fighting back the very core of his being. Huph narrows his eyes, speaking softly...

HUPH (CONT'D)
Close the door...

Neck cords STRAINING, Bob slowly shuts the door. He releases the knob, which he's crumpled in rage.

HUPH (CONT'D)
Get over here... now.

Bob resumes his position in front of Huph, but his gaze inevitably returns to the scene outside the window.

BOB'S P.O.V.

The MUGGER pockets his plunder and runs off, leaving his victim dazed and helpless on the sidewalk.

BOB
(seething)
He got away...
HUPH
Good thing, too. You were this close to losing your j--

Huph SQUEAKS as Bob's enormous right hand flashes out and clamps around his neck--

OUTER HALLWAY

Huph's body BURSTS THROUGH A WALL and into another adjacent, tumbling face down onto a copy machine. It begins to spit out multiple copies of his pressed face.

Huph has in fact gone through several walls, four in total and three adjoining offices, before skidding across the floor of the newly visible hallway beyond.

The occupants of adjacent offices lean into view, gawking in astonishment through their shattered walls; first at Huph's sprawled form, then one by one back at Bob.

BOB
Uh oh...

HOSPITAL - HALLWAY - HOURS LATER

Through the window in the door we can glimpse Huph in a full body cast. Bob, seated on a bench outside, looks up as RICK DICKER, a haggard-faced man in a black suit and tie quietly exits Huph's room. He stops, looks at Bob, then turns away, heading to the elevator. Bob follows after him.

BOB
How is he?
DICKER
He'll live.
BOB
I'm fired, aren't I?
DICKER
You think?
BOB
What can I say, Rick?
DICKER
Nothing you haven't said before.
BOB
Someone was in trouble...
DICKER
Someone's always in trouble.
BOB
I had to do something...
DICKER
Yeah. Every time you say those words, it means a month and a half of trouble for me, Bob. Minimum. It means hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars...
BOB
I know.
DICKER
We gotta pay to keep the company quiet. We gotta pay damages, erase memories, relocate your family. Every time it gets harder. Money money money.
DICKER (CONT'D)
We can't keep doing this, Bob. We appreciate what you did in the old days, but those days are over. From now on, you're on your own.

The elevator doors OPEN, Dicker steps inside. Bob stares at the floor, beaten. Dicker looks at him with pity. Then-

DICKER (CONT'D)
Listen, Bob... maybe I could relocate you, for old times' sake...
BOB
No. I can't do that to my family again. We just got settled. It'll be alright. I'll make it work. Thanks.

Dicker stares at Bob a long moment. A bittersweet smile--

DICKER
Take care of yourself.

The elevator doors CLOSE. Bob stares at them, numb.

8

EXT. BOB'S DRIVEWAY - DUSK

p.40

Bob climbs out of his car and is surprised to find someone watching him--

--the KID on the Big Wheel, waiting in exactly the same spot as the night before.

BOB
What're you waiting for?
KID
I dunno. Something amazing, I guess.

A rueful smile blooms and dies on Bob's face.

BOB
Me too, kid. Me too.
9

INT. BOB'S DEN

p.40

A cramped, windowless museum of MR. INCREDIBLE arcana. Walls and shelves cluttered with mementos of his storied past: framed photos, newspaper front pages, magazines, and, displayed on the wall under Plexiglas, his MR. INCREDIBLE SUIT.

Bob enters and closes the door. He opens his briefcase, pulls out an INSURICARE EMPLOYEE'S MANUAL. Bob growls and rips it in half, tossing it in the trashcan.

On a roll now, he begins to dump the entire contents of his briefcase into the trash when-- CLUNK!

Bob DOUBLE-TAKES-- startled by the HEAVY sound. He peers over the edge of the desk, into the trash, and SEES--

A LARGE MANILA ENVELOPE. He picks it up, and is surprised it's heavy. He opens it and pulls out a FLAT PANEL about a half-inch thick. On it is printed "THIS END UP".

He turns the panel as instructed. In the center is a small circle with writing beneath it. Bob SQUINTS, unable to read the tiny letters. He brings it closer--

HIS P.O.V.:

As the letters... slowly... come... into... focus:

BOB
(reading)
HOLD STILL.

Suddenly, the panel projects a red GRID over Bob's face. We hear a robotic female VOICE--

VOICE
Match: Mr. Incredible.

Bob DROPS the panel in surprise. It clatters to the desk, still functioning. A small foot-long rod with a metal ball at the top pops out from the panel. The ball at the tip makes a quick, single revolution, scanning the surrounding room with a vertical beam.

VOICE (CONT'D)
Room is secure. Commence message.

The panel FLICKERS. It's a VIDEO SCREEN. An IMAGE appears; the beautiful platinum blonde woman who visited Bob's office earlier that day.

WOMAN
Hello, Mr. Incredible. My name is Mirage. Yes, we know who you are. Rest assured your secret is safe with us. Actually, we have something in common. According to the Government, neither of us exist. Please pay attention as this message is CLASSIFIED and will not be repeated...

Bob moves closer, mesmerized...

MIRAGE
I represent a top-secret division of the Government, designing and testing experimental technology and-- we have need of your unique abilities.
HELEN'S VOICE
Honey??

Bob startles, then strains to listen to the message.

MIRAGE (CONT'D)
Something has happened at our remote testing facility.
BOB
What??
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
A highly experimental prototype robot has escaped our control--
HELEN'S VOICE
Dinner's ready!
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
Although it is contained within an isolated area--
BOB
OKAY, okay!

Bob grabs a pen and a scrap of paper and starts to scribble furiously, only to find the pen dry. Cursing, he rummages for a working pen, finds one and begins to take notes.

MIRAGE
--it threatens to cause incalculable damage to itself and to our facilities, jeopardizing hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of equipment and research. Only someone with--
HELEN'S VOICE
Is someone in there?
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
--your unique abilities can contain the robot without completely destroying it.
BOB
The T.V.! I'm trying to watch--!
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
Because of its highly sensitive nature--
HELEN'S VOICE
Well, stop trying, it's time for dinner!
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
--this mission does not, nor will it ever, exist.
BOB
ONE MINUTE!
MIRAGE (CONT'D)
If you accept, your payment will be equivalent to your current annual salary.

Bob's jaw goes slack. He scribbles "BIG $".

MIRAGE (CONT'D)
Call the number on the screen. Voice matching will be used to insure security. The Supers aren't gone, Mr. Incredible. You're still here. You can still do great things. Or... you can listen to Police Scanners. Your choice. You have 24 hours to respond. Think about it.

Bob finishes scribbling. His mind is reeling. HEROIC MUSIC begins to stir. A new light comes into Bob's eyes as they turn to the--

PICTURES ON THE WALL

of Mr. Incredible's gallant past. The robotic voice relays a last message--

VOICE
This message will self-destruct.

Bob's eyes fall to the panel. Uh oh.

HALLWAY OUTSIDE BOB'S DEN

We hear a muffled BOOM from inside. After a long beat the ceiling sprinklers come on, followed by the family's SHOUTS from the dining room.

The den door opens and Bob emerges in a cloud of smoke, so preoccupied that he's slow to notice the downpour.

INSIDE - LATER

Bob and Helen finish drying the inside of the house.

HELEN
You're one distracted guy.
BOB
Hmn...? Am I? Don't mean to be.

Helen looks at Bob, puts a tender arm around him.

HELEN
I know you miss being a hero... and your job is frustrating and... and I just want you to know how much it means to me that you stay at it anyway.
BOB
Honey... about the job...
HELEN
What?
BOB
I-I... uh... something's happened--

Helen glares at him, clearly expecting the worst.

HELEN
Whaaat?
BOB
The company's sending me to a conference out of town. I'll be gone for a few days.
HELEN
A conference? They've never sent you to a conference before.

Helen gives Bob a questioning look. Bob tenses. Pause.

HELEN (CONT'D)
This is good, isn't it?
BOB
Yes.
HELEN
You see? They're finally recognizing your talents. You're moving up...!
(she hugs him, then, softly)
It's wonderful.
BOB
Yes. Yes, it is...

BOB'S DEN - LATER

Bob is on the phone, glancing at the MR. INCREDIBLE SUIT in his display case. After a ring, a female voice answers-

BOB (CONT'D)
This is Mr. Incredible. I'm in.

ABOVE THE CLOUDS - DAY

A sleek-looking MANTA JET slices the sky.

INSIDE THE JET

Bob, clad in his old (and now too-tight) Mr. Incredible suit. MIRAGE IS ON BOARD. SHE DEBRIEFS HIM.

MIRAGE
The OMNIDROID 9000 is a top-secret, prototype battle robot. Its artificial intelligence enables it to solve any problem it's confronted with. And... unfortunately--
MR. INCREDIBLE
Let me guess. It got smart enough to wonder why it had to take orders.
MIRAGE
(nodding)
--we lost control. And now it's loose in the jungle, threatening our facility. We've had to evacuate all personnel from the island for their own safety. They're waiting offshore for the all clear.
MR. INCREDIBLE
How am I going in?
MIRAGE
The Omnidroid's defenses have necessitated an air drop from 5000 feet. Its cloaking device makes it difficult to track... although we're pretty sure it's on the southern half of the island. One more thing; obviously it represents a significant investment--
MR. INCREDIBLE
You want me to shut it down without completely destroying it.
MIRAGE
(smiles)
You are Mr. Incredible.

DROP POD BAY

After a few unsuccessful tries, Mr. Incredible manages to squeeze his girth into the pod. Mirage enters the pod bay, presses the pod's speaker switch.

MIRAGE
(through speaker)
Remember: it's a learning robot. Every moment you spend fighting it only increases its knowledge of how to beat you.
BOB
(through speaker)
Shut it down. Do it quickly. Don't destroy it.
MIRAGE
(through speaker)
And don't die.

Bob shoots Mirage a wan smile.

BOB
Great. Thanks.

The POD is blasted from the jet and disappears into clouds above the island.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
10

EXT. NOMANISAN JUNGLE - MINUTES LATER

p.46

Bob groans as he tries to disengage his generous belly from the tiny pod. Finally, with a frustrated yell, he RIPS the pod in half; FREE. He stretches, does a few toe touches and twists to shake out the kinks. He's ready.

BOB
Showtime.

He jogs off into the jungle to track the robot.

A SERIES OF DISSOLVES

As an out-of-shape Bob jogs deeper and deeper into the jungle, growing more winded with each passing mile. His sides ache, and he PAUSES now and then to catch his breath, but he shakes it off and resumes his pursuit.

DISSOLVE TO:

LATER

The forest is still now, and Bob's footfalls and heavy breathing are the only sounds we hear. Bob still scans the jungle, but he's tiring and he pauses to lean against a banyan tree to catch his breath... ...and notices LARGE SLASH MARKS in the side of the tree. He runs his hand over them; they're fresh. In the dirt near his feet is a giant X-SHAPED FOOTPRINT.

BOB
Hmn...

With a loud CRACK the trees behind him split apart and the OMNIDROID is upon him. It SLASHES at him and he dodges, but not quickly enough and the bot's claw catches him in the shoulder, drawing blood.

Fire comes into Bob's eyes and when the bot slashes again he's ready-- leaping over the bot and landing on his feet on the opposite side. The bot is caught by surprise and in the split second it takes for the bot to find Bob--

--BAMMMM!!! Bob has thrown a mammoth punch that sends the machine flying into the nearest tree.

Bob lets out a happy snarl that says, "You just got schooled by MR. INCREDIBLE, baby." Deep within its metal shell, servos WHINE and the bot rights itself, its EYE LENS fixing on Bob.

BOB (CONT'D)
Uh oh.

The bot CHARGES. Once again Bob tries his patented leap--

TIME SLOWS as we cut to INSIDE THE BOT'S BRAIN. A VIEWSCREEN shows the arc of Bob's leap being calculated by the bot.

RESUME WIDE SHOT

The bot swings-- SWATTING Bob mid-jump. Bob sails into a banyan tree so hard that it splits the trunk. Bob is STUNNED: the bot has quickly learned and countered. The bot CHARGES again.

WITH BOB

--as he runs for his life, the Omnidroid hot on his tail. Bob races through the jungle with surprising speed, but his added weight is slowing him down. He CUTS hard to his right and DIVES--

OFF A CLIFF

Bob tumbles and slides down the rocky, near-vertical face, followed by the relentless machine. It ROLLS past him and lands in his path.

Bob flings boulders at the machine, but the bot is a fast learner, immediately incorporating Bob's moves into its own attack.

The Omnidroid leaps high in the air and nearly lands on top of Bob, who leaps clear and tumbles to the bottom of the cliffs.

LAVA FIELDS

Bob REELS, and before he knows what's happening, the Omnidroid is there, driving him toward the bubbling-hot pools of LAVA.

Bob resists the bot with all his might, but his feet can't hold the rocky surface, and as he is pushed ever closer to the white-hot lava, fear begins to grip his mind.

Bob and the Omnidroid grip each other like wildly mismatched wrestlers, with Bob at lava's edge now, losing ground. Bob is STRAINING, desperate... then something in him SNAPS. He fills with rage, and with a ROAR he--

--jerks to one side and FLIPS the OMNIDROID into the lava. The machine hits the lava with a hissy SPLAT, sinks into the hot glow and disappears. Bob is wild. He laughs, pointing at the bot's grave with a gesture of defiance and--

SNAP!-- throws his back out. Suddenly he can't breathe.

BOB
Agh. My back--!

The ground EXPLODES beneath him, splitting the rock. Claws rise from the lava, grip the rock, and the dreaded Omnidroid draws itself out of the lava, dripping magma, its metal body glowing red as if it came from hell itself.

Bob looks down. The ground is splitting into chunks beneath his feet. In pain, barely able to move, Bob makes a desperate leap to a chunk of rock as it breaks free... and lands pathetically on top.

The bot snatches him off and slams him into the ground. Then it lifts Bob up, grabbing his feet with another claw and begins to pull Bob apart. Bob strains, then-- POP!

--his back realigns! Bob is a new man! With a laugh he jackknifes-- ripping off one of the Omnidroid's claws. He drops underneath the bot, causing the bot to open a second eye in its underbelly to find him.

Bob ROARS, seizing the second eye, ripping it off the bot's body and flinging it in the lava pool. Before the bot can react, Bob has climbed inside the hole in the belly. The bot knows Bob is inside and begins to STAB itself wildly to get at him... puncturing itself again and again and tearing itself apart.

Until... sparking and sputtering, it staggers and shuts down. Bob punches a hole in the top, whistling and slapping its side. The bot drunkenly ROUSES and makes a final grab for Bob deep within its belly, and rips out its own metallic guts...

...and KEELS OVER, a lifeless scrap pile. Bob hops out, smiling. Mr. Incredible's work is done.

IN A NEARBY TREE

An exotic BIRD, which looks strangely out of place, cocks its head to one side. CAMERA PUSHES IN to one of its eyes as a metal IRIS appears. It's a CAMERA LENS.

A SHADOWED FIGURE

stands with Mirage, watching this all on a bank of VIDEO SCREENS.

SHADOWED FIGURE
Surprising. We must bring him back. Sound the all clear.
(he exits, stops, turns back)
And... invite him to dinner.
11

INT. DINING HALL - OUTER CORRIDOR - EARLY EVENING

p.49

A TRANSPOD arrives and Bob steps out, dressed in a tux.

12

INT. DINING HALL

p.49

Bob opens the door, peeks inside. The hall is massive, with an open terrace that overlooks the tropical forest. In the center of the room is an enormous dining table, placed parallel to a fall of hot LAVA.

Bob checks his watch; realizes he's early. A sudden RUMBLE makes him look up. The LAVA FALL PARTS, revealing a SECRET PASSAGEWAY. MIRAGE emerges.

Bob instinctively pulls back, leaving the door opened just enough to watch. A SILHOUETTED FIGURE follows after Mirage, gesturing animatedly. They pause at the entrance to the passageway, their talk too distant to be heard.

A sound causes MIRAGE to look in Bob's direction.

13

INT. DINING HALL - OUTER CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

p.50

Mirage, suspicious, pushes open the dining hall DOORS. Climbing out of the transpod, Bob notices her and smiles.

BOB
Am I overdressed?
MIRAGE
Actually, you look rather dashing.
14

INT. DINING HALL

p.50

Bob and Mirage are seated at an enormous table that runs parallel to an equally large LAVA FALL.

BOB
I take it our host is--
MIRAGE
I'm sorry. He's not able to dine with us tonight. He hopes you'll understand.
BOB
Of course. I usually make it a point to know who I'm working for.
MIRAGE
He prefers a certain amount of anonymity. Surely you of all people understand that.
BOB
I was just wondering... of all the places to settle down, why live--
MIRAGE
--with a volcano? He's attracted to power. So am I. It's a weakness we share.
BOB
Seems a bit unstable.
MIRAGE
I prefer to think of it as misunderstood.
BOB
Aren't we all?
MIRAGE
Volcanic soil is among the most fertile on earth. Everything at the table was grown right here. How does it compare?
BOB
Everything's delicious.

Bob raises his glass. Mirage smiles and does likewise.

MONTAGE: INCREDIBLE AGAIN

His self-esteem back, Bob returns home with renewed vigor. He bonds with his kids, gets frisky with Helen, and takes new pride in his appearance. He buys a new snazzy SPORTS CAR for himself, and a new car for Helen.

After he says goodbye to Helen several mornings, clearly pretending to go off to the job he no longer holds at Insuricare, we see how he's actually spending his days; dropping weight and getting in shape.

The Superheroic workouts do their job; Bob is in the best shape he's been in many years.

15

INT. BOB'S BEDROOM - MORNING - MONTHS LATER

p.51

Bob, dressed in a more expensive and tailored version of his Insuricare suit, pauses to examine the torn spot on his MR. INCREDIBLE SUPERSUIT.

HELEN (O.S.)
Hurry, honey, or you'll be late for work!

Bob quickly stuffs his SUPERSUIT into his briefcase and snaps it shut.

PARR HOUSE - FRONT DOORSTEP - MORNING

Bob pauses at the doorstep. Helen enters and HUGS him.

HELEN
Have a great day, honey! Help customers, climb ladders--
BOB
--bring bacon--
HELEN
--all that jazz!

Helen plants a proud kiss on his lips. Bob exits.

16

EXT. E'S HOUSE - DAY

p.52

Bob's new car pulls up to an imposing gate, a futuristic web of parallel laser beams. He turns toward a video screen and presses a button beneath it. The VIDEO SCREEN lights up, revealing a BURLY GUARD.

GUARD
Do you have an appointment?
BOB
I'm an old friend, I just wanted--
GUARD
All visitors are required to make arr--

The GUARD suddenly flinches from something below camera, and is shooed offscreen by a strident, husky female voice-

VOICE
Get back, Rolf! Go check the electric fence or something.

A pair of huge glasses fronting the top half of a head rises into the bottom half of the screen, out of focus. This is EDNA MODE, known by her friends simply as "E."

E
What is it? What do you want??

Bob removes his sunglasses and grins at the camera.

E (CONT'D)
My God, you've gotten fat. Come in! Come!

The gate opens and Bob drives up the long driveway that winds up the hill to E's tastefully arty house.

17

INT. E'S HOUSE

p.52

E leads Bob through the tasteful, minimalistic entrance way into her massive living room. E is in her early sixties, half German, half Japanese, and like both of those small countries, not to be underestimated.

E
Yes, things are going quite well. My God, no complaints. But, you know, it is not the same. Not the same at all.
BOB
Weren't you just in the news? Some show in Prague?
E
Milan, darling, Milan. "Supermodels"-- HAH! Nothing super about them. Spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves-- FEH! I used to design for Gods! But perhaps you come with a challenge, eh? I was surprised to get your call.
BOB
E, I just need a patch job.

Bob hands E his damaged suit. She examines it, frowning.

E
This is megamesh, outmoded but very sturdy, and you've torn right through it. What have you been doing, Robert? Moon-lighting hero work?
BOB
Must've happened a long time ago.
E
(knowingly)
I see.
(re: his suit)
This is a hobo suit, you can't be seen in this. I won't allow it. Fifteen years ago, maybe. But now...

E drops the suit into a trashcan. Bob retrieves it.

BOB
What do you mean? You designed it.
E
I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now. You need a new suit. That much is certain.
BOB
A new suit? Where the hell would I get--
E
You can't! It's impossible, I'm far too busy so ask me now, before I again become sane.
BOB
(confused)
You... want to make me a suit?
E
You push too hard, darling-- but I accept. It will be bold. Dramatic! Heroic!
BOB
Yeah. Something classic, like Dynaguy. He had a great look. The cape, the boots--
E
No capes.
BOB
Isn't that my decision?

Unaccustomed to being questioned, E visibly STIFFENS.

E
Do you remember... Thunderhead?

FLASHBACK: MAELSTROM IN HIS PRIME

--beefy and B-movie handsome, decked out in a splendid outfit with elegant floor-length CAPE.

E (V.O.)
Tall, storm powers, nice man. Good with kids...

RESUME SCENE

Bob knows where this is headed and moves to speak, but is instantly cut off by E.

E
September 15th of fifty-eight--

RESUME FLASHBACK

A MADMAN aims a MISSILE LAUNCHER at a city across a bay. Maelstrom leaps into frame, dispatches him with a single punch and turns the missile towards the open sea. His duty done, he turns and smiles at a young lady standing nearby, failing to notice that his cape has caught on the missile--

E (V.O.)
--all was well, another day saved, when--

The rocket BLASTS into the distance, taking Maelstrom with it--

E (V.O.) (CONT'D)
-- his cape snagged on a missile fin. His scorched remains were found several hundred miles away--

INTERCUT: comically brief FLASHBACKS (as E describes them) of each Super being doomed by his or her cape--

BOB
Maelstrom wasn't the brightest bulb in th-
E
(cuts him off)
--SLIPSTREAM: April 19th, fifty-seven. Cape caught in a jet turbine--
BOB
E, you can't generalize about these th--
E (V.O.)
(rapid-fire FLASHBACKS)
--MULTIMAN: express elevator, DYNAGUY: snag on takeoff, SPLASHDOWN: sucked into a vortex--

END FLASHBACKS. E glares at Bob, declaring with unassailable finality:

E (CONT'D)
--NO CAPES!
(turns, exiting dismissively)
Well, go on. Your new suit will be finished before your next assignment.
BOB
You know I'm retired from hero work.
E
As am I, Robert. Yet here we are.
BOB
I only need a patch job, E. For sentimental reasons.
E
(heavy sigh, takes suit)
Fine. I will also fix the hobo suit.
BOB
E, you're the best of the best.
E
Yes, I know, darling. I know.
18

INT. PARR HOME - MASTER BEDROOM - EVENING

p.56

Helen plucks one of Bob's enormous shirts from a stack of freshly cleaned laundry and hangs it up in their closet, when something catches her eye:

A long, PLATINUM-BLONDE HAIR (Mirage's) on Bob's suit jacket. Helen plucks it off, examining it. The phone RINGS. She goes to answer it, hesitating when she hears--

BOB (O.S.)
I got it! Don't answer it, honey, I got it!

Helen frowns. There's something suspicious about Bob's eagerness.

19

INT. BOB'S DEN

p.56

Bob picks up the phone--

BOB
Hello?
20

INT. CONTROL ROOM - NOMANISAN

p.56
MIRAGE
We have a new assignment for you.
21

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - WITH HELEN

p.56

She carefully picks up the phone, places a hand over the mouthpiece, and listens in...

MIRAGE'S VOICE (PHONE)
How soon can you get here?
BOB'S VOICE (PHONE)
I'll leave tomorrow morning.

Helen REACTS.

22

INT. BOB'S DEN

p.56
BOB
I understand. Goodbye.

Bob hangs up the phone and moves to the door, opening it. Helen is there, blocking the doorway. She forces a smile.

HELEN
Who was that, honey? The office?
BOB
Another conference. Short notice, but--
(smiles, shrugs)
--duty calls.

Bob squeezes past her and exits. Helen stares into his den, feeling suspicious and impotent.

23

INT. PARR GARAGE - MORNING

p.57

Bob is seated in his new sports car, its engine purring. He belts himself in. Helen enters, still in her robe.

HELEN
Bob--
BOB
Hmn? What is it, honey?

A storm of conflicting emotions play across Helen's face. But she puts on a happy face and leans down through his open window.

HELEN
Have a nice trip.
BOB
Thanks, honey. Call you when I land.
HELEN
I love you... so much.

Something in her voice makes Bob hesitate. He looks back at her, curious.

BOB
I love you too.

He gives her a kiss, then backs out of the driveway, and, with a wave, drives off.

24

EXT. ABOVE THE CLOUDS - DAY

p.57

The sleek-looking MANTA JET slices the sky.

25

INT. MANTA JET

p.57

Bob, leaner and meaner in his new SUPERSUIT, dips a fresh prawn into some cocktail sauce and gazes around the luxurious cabin. He's happy as a clam.

AUTOPILOT
This is your automated Captain speaking. Would you care for more Mimosa?
BOB
Don't mind if I do. Thanks.

His glass disappears into his armrest, instantly replaced by a full glass of mimosa.

AUTOPILOT
You're welcome. Currently 78 degrees in Nomanisan. Please fasten your seat belts. We're beginning our descent.

OVER THE ISLAND

As the jet begins its descent toward the island, we begin to see its spectacular aspects: active volcano, towering snow-capped peak, tumbling waterfalls, futuristic monorail, etc.... a paradise on earth.

Suddenly the engines cut off and the jet PLUNGES, nose down, into the sea, converting into a SUBMERSIBLE.

BENEATH THE WATER'S SURFACE

The jetsub cruises through a fantastic seascape of exotic otherworldly rock formations, toward the base of the island through vast curtains of bubbles created from a field of cooling lava.

A massive door OPENS, revealing a huge underwater docking bay. The ship enters, the entrance closing behind them.

INSIDE THE DOCKING BAY

The water DRAINS. The JETSUB settles to a landing. A giant DOCKING TUBE extends from a side wall and connects to the side of the jetsub.

26

INT. JETSUB

p.58

Bob turns as a door opens, REVEALING a small side chamber and a pair of shapely LEGS. MIRAGE leans into view.

MIRAGE
Welcome back, Mr. Incredible. Nice suit. You've lost weight.
BOB
But not my appetite. It's good to be back. Mirage.

Bob enters the monopod. The doors shut and it takes off.

27

EXT. NOMANISAN JUNGLE - TRAVELING WITH THE POD

p.59

The MONOPOD zooms along a track which rises from a tunnel beneath the lagoon and sweeps through the jungle. Although this is his second time here, Bob is seeing the island with new eyes. It is a WONDER.

The monopod track disappears straight into a rushing WATERFALL. Suddenly the waterfall PARTS, the water separating like an enormously long chiffon curtain, revealing the intricately designed architecture hidden underneath.

WITH THE POD

as it enters a VERTICAL TUBE, and ZOOMS upward into the dark.

28

INT. GUEST QUARTERS - MOMENTS LATER

p.59

Elevator doors slide open crisply. Bob enters and takes in the room. It is small, open and tasteful, with a balcony overlooking a breathtaking view of the jungle and the ocean beyond.

MIRAGE
You will be briefed about your next assignment in conference room at two. Room A113.
BOB
Two o'clock. Thanks.
MIRAGE
See you there.

Mirage leaves. Bob enters, throwing his case on the bed. He grabs a pear from a bowl of fresh fruit and takes a bite. He steps out on his balcony and leans against the railing. He could get used to paradise.

29

INT. PARR HOME - BASEMENT HALLWAY - DAY

p.59

Helen vacuums. She notices some debris outside Bob's den, and vacuums it. The vacuum bumps the door and it swings open. Helen stares at the floor, pushes the vacuum forward in a probe of Bob's den carpet. The sound of filthy debris rattles up the vacuum tube. Helen SIGHS: she's got to vacuum the entire room.

30

INT. BOB'S DEN - CONTINUOUS

p.60

As she begins to vacuum the den floor, she notices that the door of his Mr. Incredible suit display case is AJAR. She pushes it closed and suddenly STOPS, looking closer at Bob's old SUPERSUIT--

--and sees a new rip, expertly and recognizably mended.

HELEN
Edna.
31

INT. PARR HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

p.60
HELEN
Hello? I'd like to speak to Edna.
E
This is Edna.
HELEN
E? This is Helen.
E
Helen who?
HELEN
Helen Parr-- er, uh... you know... Elastigirl.
E
DARLING! How ARE you?? How divine to hear from you!
HELEN
Yes, it has been a while. Listen, there's only one person Bob would trust to patch his Supersuit, and that's YOU, E.
E
Yes yes yes. Marvelous, isn't it? Much better than those horrible pajamas he used to wear. They are all finished, when are you coming to see? Don't make me beg, darling, I won't do it, you know!
HELEN
Beg... uh--? No, I'm calling abeg about-- suit-- about suit... Bob sssuit---
(frustrated with herself)
--I'm calling about Bob's suit!
E
You come in one hour, darling. I insist. Okay? Okay, bye.
32

INT. NOMANISAN BASE - CONFERENCE ROOM A113

p.61

Bob opens the door. No one is there. He checks the wall clock: two o'clock. He decides to enter and takes a seat at the meeting table. There are some strange, low sounds.

Then the far wall SLIDES OPEN, revealing the outdoors and-

--a bigger, badder OMNIDROID.

Bob turns to run, but the OMNIDROID is fast. It grabs him and flings him into the outside air.

33

EXT. BASE - JUNGLE CLEARING - CONTINUOUS

p.61

Bob SAILS to the edge of the jungle, landing with a thud. Before he can react, the robot has him again, and slams him into the ground. A VOICE comes over a loudspeaker.

VOICE
It's BIGGER! It's BADDER!

The robot seizes Bob in one giant claw, turning two others into WHIRLING BLADES. They close in on Bob's neck--

--when a young, chunky, wild-haired man in a bright Supersuit descends from the sky on jet-boots, landing on top of the enormous robot.

WILD-HAIRED MAN
It's too much for Mr. Incredible! It's finally ready!

The wild-haired man pokes a few buttons on one of his wristbands. The robot's BLADES stop, the bot stands down.

WILD-HAIRED MAN (CONT'D)
I went through quite a few Supers to get it worthy to fight you, but, man... it wasn't good enough! After you trashed the last one I had to make some major modifications. Sure it was difficult, but you are worth it. After all... I'm your biggest fan.

A dark realization falls over Bob's face...

BOB
Buddy...?
BUDDY
My name's not BUDDY!

He presses a button on one of the thick platinum BANDS around his wrists: the OMNIDROID FLINGS Bob again.

BUDDY (CONT'D)
And it's not "IncrediBoy" either. That ship has sailed. All I wanted was to help you. I only wanted to help! And what did you say to me??

FLASHBACK: MR. INCREDIBLE & BUDDY 15 YEARS EARLIER

A shot from the prologue, softened by memory. A young Mr. Incredible turns away from Buddy/IncrediBoy.

MR. INCREDIBLE
Go home, Buddy. I work alone.

FLASHBACK: BUDDY IN HIS BEDROOM

Still in his IncrediBoy costume, but without the mask, Buddy glowers up at his bedroom wall, a shrine to Mr. Incredible. He tears a poster off the wall.

BUDDY (V.O.)
It tore me apart. But you taught me an important lesson: you can't count on anyone...

RESUME THE PRESENT - BOB & BUDDY

BUDDY
...especially your heroes.
MR. INCREDIBLE
I was wrong to treat you that way. I'm sorry.
BUDDY
See? Now you respect me. Because I'm a threat. That's the way it works. Turns out, there are a lot of people, whole countries who want respect. And they will pay through the nose to get it. How do you think I got rich? I invented weapons. Now I have a weapon that only I can defeat, and when I unleash it I'll get--

Bob suddenly FLINGS the LOG at Buddy. He DUCKS it, and presses a button on one of his WRISTBANDS: a BEAM erupts from his index finger and HITS Bob in his chest, FREEZING him mid-action. Buddy CHUCKLES with admiration.

BUDDY (CONT'D)
You sly dog! You got me monologuing!

Buddy jerks his beam-arm to his right, effortlessly hurling Bob into a tree with tremendous force.

BUDDY (CONT'D)
Cool, huh?? Zero-point energy. I save the best inventions for myself!!

Buddy immediately catches Bob in the IMMOBI-RAY again, freezing him in space.

BUDDY (CONT'D)
Look at THAT! Am I good enough now?
(slams Bob into ground)
WHO'S SUPER NOW???
(slams Bob again)
I'm SYNDROME! Your nemesis! And--

Syndrome realizes he's lost Bob, inadvertently flinging him over the trees.

SYNDROME
Brilliant.

JUNGLE CLIFFS

Bob's body arcs over the treetops, dropping into a deep river that flows into a waterfall. He pulls himself onto a rock. Syndrome becomes visible over the distant trees. He spies Bob and rockets toward him.

Bob takes a running leap off the rock, over the falls, and disappears into the mists below.

UNDERWATER - AT THE BASE OF THE FALLS

Bob hits the water in an explosion of bubbles.

AT THE TOP OF THE FALLS

Syndrome lands on the rock. Pulls a tiny electronic DEVICE from his wristband. He hits the primer. The device begins to BEEP.

SYNDROME
Try one of these on for size, big boy.

He drops the device over the falls.

UNDERWATER - THE BASE OF THE FALLS

Bob's eyes widen when he sees the device entering the water. He turns and swims as fast as he can for the nearest protection: a hole in the rocks. The device EXPLODES--

UNDERWATER TUNNEL

--blowing BOB through the hole so fast that--

34

INT. CAVE

p.64

He is BLOWN into the inside of a cave. Bob COUGHS up some water, tries to catch his breath. He looks up to see--

--a skeletal FACE. He jumps back in surprise. It is the remains of a MAN, his only clothes the ragged remnants of shoulder pads, boots, and an odd-looking HELMET.

Bob crawls over to rub some dirt from the emblem over the eyes: the emblem reads "G B".

BOB
Gazerbeam...

The skeleton is still sitting up, and Bob is compelled to follow its gaze to the adjacent cave wall. There... presumably in his dying moments, Gazerbeam had burned a word into the rock: "KRONOS".

BOB (CONT'D)
Kronos...?

Just then Bob hears a sound near the blowhole of the cave. A tiny, flying PROBE rises from the hole. A scanner detects a body in the cave, and the probe flies toward it. It pauses in front of the skeleton, scans it, then retreats, exiting.

Bob slowly rises from behind the skeletal remains and watches it go.

JUNGLE - TOP OF THE FALLS

Syndrome's PROBE emerges from the mist of the falls and returns to Syndrome. It BEEPS as it DOCKS with his wristband.

PROBE
Life readings negative. Mr. Incredible terminated.

Syndrome BOWS his head in respect to his former idol.

INSIDE E'S HOUSE - DAY

E leads Helen downstairs toward her hidden lab.

E
This project has completely confiscated my life, darling... consumed me as only hero work can. My best work, I must admit. Simple. Elegant, yet bold. You will die. I did Robert's suit and it turned out so beautiful I just had to continue!
HELEN
E, it's great to see you, but-- I have no idea what you're talking about, I just--
E
Yes, words are useless. Gobble gobble gobble-- there's too much of it, darling, too much! That is why I show you my work. That is why you are here!

She turns to the wall and rapidly executes an elaborate series of security measures:

punches a fifteen-digit code with her left hand, while-- pressing her right hand against a panel. It FLASHES, as-- she exposes her eyes to a RETINAL SCAN which-- causes a MICROPHONE to extend from the wall to her lips--

E (CONT'D)
(into microphone)
Edna... Mode.

IN A FLASH: a CEILING PANEL OPENS, and out pops an ENORMOUS GUN, which trains its sights on Helen. E sees this, turns back to the microphone, adding hastily--

E (CONT'D)
And "guest."

The gun retreats into the ceiling. The wall in front of them OPENS dramatically, REVEALING:

E'S TESTING LAB

A large, ultra-sophisticated work area, dedicated to the design, fabrication, and testing of SUPERHERO SUITS.

E crosses to a large, raised PLATFORM mounted to a track running parallel to a glassed-in chamber, and sits in one of the two chairs facing it. Between the chairs is a small table with a fresh pot of coffee and assorted cookies. E motions Helen to join her--

E
Come, sit. Cream and sugar?

Helen shakes her head, feeling a little bewildered, and sits as E pours and hands her a cup of coffee.

E (CONT'D)
I started with the baby...
HELEN
"Started"?
E
Shh, darling, shh--!

Inside the chamber, a panel opens. A small, featureless BABY MANNEQUIN in a tiny red SUIT (sporting the same "i" insignia as Bob's) mounted to a post emerges, tracking slowly from one end of the chamber to the other.

E (CONT'D)
...I cut it a little roomy for the free movement, the fabric is comfortable for sensitive skin--

The inside of the chamber ERUPTS in FLAMES. Helen jumps back as E continues talking--

E (CONT'D)
--and can also withstand a temperature of over one thousand degrees--

The flames are suddenly replaced by a barrage of MACHINE GUN FIRE, as the suit is blasted by hundreds of bullets--

E (CONT'D)
--completely bulletproof--

The GUNFIRE stops.

E (CONT'D)
--and machine-washable, darling, that's a new feature.
HELEN
What in heaven's name do you think the baby will be doing???
E
Well, I'm sure I don't know, darling. Luck favors the prepared. I didn't know the baby's powers so I covered the basics-
HELEN
Jack-Jack doesn't have any powers.
E
No? Well, he'll look fabulous anyway.

As the Baby suit exits one end, the panel REOPENS on the other side. Another MANNEQUIN Dash's size swings into the smoky chamber; its arms and legs slowly churning in a "running" motion which gradually accelerates into a BLUR.

E (CONT'D)
Your boy's suit I designed to withstand enormous friction without heating up or wearing out, a useful feature...

The Dash suit departs into the wall as a new suit enters.

E (CONT'D)
Your daughter's suit was tricky, but I finally created a sturdy material that will disappear completely as she does.

Helen's suit moves into view. ROBOT ARMS enter from above and below, CLAMP to the sleeves of arms and pants, and begin to PULL them wide apart in various contortions--

E (CONT'D)
Your suit can stretch as far as you can without injuring yourself and still retain its shape.

Two small BOMBS appear on either side of the suit and EXPLODE, bending the

E (CONT'D)
Virtually indestructible, yet it breathes like Egyptian cotton.
E (CONT'D)
As an extra feature, each suit contains a Homing Device, giving you the precise global location of the wearer at the touch of a button.

The chamber goes dark, the lights return to their less- dramatic setting. E swivels to face Helen, a cocky smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

E (CONT'D)
Well, darling? What do you think?
HELEN
What do I think?? Bob is retired! I'm retired! Our family is underground! You helped my husband resume secret hero work behind my back??
E
I assumed you knew, darling! Why would he keep secrets from you?
HELEN
(defensive)
He wouldn't! He didn't-- doesn't!

There is a heavy PAUSE. E considers her.

E
Men at Robert's age are often unstable. Prone to weakness.
HELEN
What are you saying...?
E
Do you know where he is...?
HELEN
Of course.
E
Do you KNOW where he is?

SEA CLIFFS - NOMANISAN - DUSK

Bob hiding in brush at the top of a cliff. Along the waterline far below, a monopod streaks toward him along a track which curves around the coastline. Bob crouches... and DIVES--

--we fall with him, whistling through the air until we hit a PALM TREE.

The palm BENDS, slowing Bob's drop before he expertly releases it and drops into another palm directly below it.

Bob leaps onto the roof of the pod, quickly dispatching the guards inside, tossing them into the ocean. Bob seats himself at the controls, as the pod races toward Syndrome's base and a security checkpoint.

CHECKPOINT

Two GUARDS look up as they hear the monopod approach. A sparking WHEEL CARRIAGE arrives at the gate, its cab completely torn off and missing.

Suddenly alert, the GUARDS cock their guns and aim into the dark. We hear a distant GRUNT. A moment later the CAB falls from the sky, crashing on top of the GUARDS.

Bob runs through the wrecked gate, toward the base.

35

EXT. BASE

p.69

Bob pulls up behind some trees. There are several GUARDS; two at the vehicle entrance, another at the balcony above. Bob thinks a bit, looks down and finds a COCONUT.

With expert precision, he throws it at the balcony guard, BEANING HIM. He falls off the balcony and hits the ground.

The other guards rush to help him, leaving their post. Bob runs up to the vehicle entrance-- it's locked tight. Bob sees shadows of guards approaching, he's out in the open and about to be caught when--

--the door suddenly sweeps up and open, taking Bob with it. An AMBULANCE moves out of the open bay, and as the door moves closed behind it we see Bob drop into the garage.

Elevator. Bob emerges in the DINING HALL and stares at the LAVA FALL. He knows there is a secret passage behind it. Picks up large stone sculpture. Readies to run into lava. One... two... thr--

Bob is startled by a flash of light behind the fall; the passage is opening. He loses his balance, struggling to set the massive sculpture back into place before Mirage enters. Bob rushes into the closing passage. Jumps clear just as passage CLOSES.

A series of parallel floor lights click on. Bob follows them to an ELABORATE CHAIR in the center of the dark, lit from above. Bob sits down in the chair. A GIANT, CURVED SCREEN lights up in front of him, with a blinking cursor in its center.

Bob types in "KRONOS". The computer screen refreshes: Bob is IN.

RESUME E'S LAB

Helen on phone. E listens intently in the b.g.

HELEN
Hello, this is Helen Parr, Bob Parr is my husband. I was wondering if you could give me the number of the hotel he's staying at. The number I have is no good.
SECRETARY
Mr. Parr no longer works at Insuricare.
HELEN
What do you mean? He-- he's on a business trip, a company retreat--
SECRETARY
My records say he was terminated almost two months ago.

Helen HANGS UP in a daze.

E
So. You don't know where he is...

Helen shakes her head. E HOLDS UP the HOMING DEVICE.

E (CONT'D)
Would you like to find out?

INTERCUT:

Bob enters the computer record of the development of the OMNIDROID. It squares off Superheroes on one half of the screen with progressively more advanced versions of the Omnidroid. A "TERMINATED" band blots out the loser of each encounter.

Bob's eyes fill with horror: Syndrome has been using Superheroes to beta-test his Omnidroid killing machines, starting with the weaker Superheroes and working his way up as the robots became more deadly.

Face after face of deceased Superheroes flash by: GAZERBEAM... GAMMA JACK... EVERSEER...

Bob turns away, staggered.

He types in the name: ELASTIGIRL. Under "whereabouts" the computer answers "UNKNOWN". Bob heaves a sigh of relief.

36

INT. E'S LAB - SAME MOMENT

p.71

Helen reluctantly takes the homing locator from E and stares at it, not sure she wants to know what it may tell her.

SYNDROME'S MASTER COMPUTER ROOM - WITH BOB

Bob is now looking at Syndrome's master plan, which seems to indicate unleashing the Omnidroid on a major city. A countdown has already started: it's happening within 24 hours. Bob rises from the console and starts for the EXIT.

37

INT. E'S LAB - SAME MOMENT

p.71

Helen presses the locator button on the homing tracker. On the viewscreen, the locator isolates a remote island.

WITH BOB

As the dot over the "i" on his chest-logo LIGHTS UP... beeping. Bob looks down in surprise. An alarm sounds as the room is awash in bright light. Unwittingly Helen has exposed him.

Bob races for the exit, but is hit by sticky balls of goo fired from guns lining the walls, which INFLATE, quickly making it impossible to run.

Bob falls to the floor, swallowed up by the expanding goo.

BOB'S P.O.V.:

The expanding goo-balls fill up the P.O.V.... but not before Bob makes out the recognizable figure approaching him: MIRAGE.

E'S KITCHEN - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER

Coffee has been made and partially consumed. The morning paper, still rolled, rests on the table. Helen, eyes reddened from crying, blows her nose into a wadded length of toilet paper handed her by a mildly disgusted E.

HELEN
I'm such an idiot. I let this happen you know. The new sports car, the getting in shape, the blonde hair, the lies!
E
Yes. He attempts to relive the past.
HELEN
And now I'm losing him!
(sobbing)
What'll I do? What'll I do??
E
What are you talking about...?

E suddenly leaps onto the table. She WHACKS Helen with the rolled-up newspaper.

E (CONT'D)
YOU ARE ELASTIGIRL! My God, pull yourself together!! What will you do? Is this a question? You will show him you remember that he is Mr. Incredible, and you will remind him who YOU are. Well, you know where he is. Go. Confront the problem! FIGHT! WIN!
(pleasantly)
And call me when you get back, darling. I enjoy our visits.

INSIDE PARR HOUSE - HALLWAY - LATER

Readying to leave, Helen talks to Violet as they walk toward Helen's bedroom.

HELEN
There's lots of leftovers you can reheat. Make sure Dash does his homework and both of you get to bed on time. I should be back tonight, late. You can be in charge that long, can't you?
VIOLET
Yeah... but why am I in charge again?
HELEN
Nothing. Just a little trouble with Daddy.
VIOLET
You mean Dad's in trouble? Or... Dad is the trouble?

Helen pauses outside her bedroom door.

HELEN
I mean either he's in trouble...
(darkly)
...or he's going to be.

INSIDE MASTER BEDROOM

Mom enters, looks at her open travel bag, then the SUITS E made. She SIGHS, decides to pack her SUPERSUIT. Then sees Dash staring at the matching bright red outfits.

DASH
Hey what's THAT? Where'd you get that, Mom?

Mom STRETCHES to slam the door closed. IMMEDIATELY Dash is outside the sliding window, looking in.

DASH (CONT'D)
You made a cool outfit? Hey, are those for us?? We all get cool outfits?

Mom stretches to pull the blinds, briefly taking her hand off the doorknob. Dash ZOOMS back through the door, nabs his outfit and is gone. Helen calls after him.

HELEN
Wait a-- DASH! You come back THIS MOMENT!

The phone RINGS. Helen, expecting it, quickly picks up.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Hey Snug! Thanks for getting back. Listen, I know this is short notice--

Violet has entered. She stares at the suits on the bed.

VIOLET
What are these?

Dash ZIPS back in, fully dressed in his suit.

DASH
Look! I'm "The Dash."
(zips to mirror)
The Dash likes.

Helen tries to zip up her bag and return Violet's suit to the closet. Violet is back though, and SEES this.

HELEN
(into phone)
Just a moment--
(irritated, to Dash)
Take that off, before somebody sees you.
VIOLET
But you're packing one just like it. Are you hiding something? Mom?
HELEN
Please, honey, I'm on the phone-- DASH!

Dash whisks the suit from Helen, offers it to Violet.

DASH
This is yours! It's specially made.
VIOLET
(to Helen)
What's going on--?

Helen pushes BOTH children out into the hall and SLAMS her door. Violet looks at the suit, then at Dash.

VIOLET
What makes you think it's special?
DASH
I'unno. Why'd Mom try to hide it?

Dash runs off. Violet looks at the suit, wondering. Making her hand invisible, she touches the suit--

--it VANISHES. She draws back, taking her finger off the suit: it REAPPEARS. Violet stares at the suit with wide eyes: WHOA.

INSIDE MASTER BEDROOM

HELEN
(into phone)
Snug, I'm calling in a solid you-owe-me.

SNUG'S OFFICE - AIRPORT

Cluttered and comfortable. A blown-in-the-bottle museum of flying arcana. SNUG PORTER, lean, leathery and laugh- lined, twirls a pencil as he takes the call.

SNUG
About time. What's it been? 15 years? I was starting to get comfortable. Whaddya need?
HELEN
A jet. What can you get that's fast?

Snug turns to his office window, which looks out onto the tarmac, and lifts a few venetian blinds, REVEALING an amazingly sleek and powerful-looking jet.

SNUG
Let me think...

ABOVE THE CLOUDS - DAY

The JET soars through the golden late-afternoon sky.

INSIDE THE JET'S COCKPIT - SAME TIME

Helen pilots the jet as she speaks into her headset.

HELEN
Island approach, India Golf Niner niner checking in, VFR on top-- over.

No response. Helen checks the instruments, confirms her course. She tries again.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Island Tower. This is India Golf Niner niner requesting vectors vectors to the initial... over.
(static)
Huh.

An old sensation begins to creep into Helen's thoughts: danger. She grabs her duffle bag and zips it open, exposing the SUPERSUIT E made for her. She stares at it.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Easy, Helen. You're overreacting. Everything's fine. They're just--
(tries an explanation)
--all getting coffee at the same time...

Helen mulls the explanation. And decides it's ridiculous. She flips a switch-- putting the jet on AUTOPILOT, grabs her suit and goes into the lavatory.

NOMANISAN - JAIL CELL - SAME TIME

Bob awakens... and finds himself bound by huge metal restraints, facing a nasty looking DEVICE that looks something like an electrified bed of nails. Syndrome approaches Bob.

SYNDROME
You, Sir, truly are "Mr. Incredible"... You know, I was right to idolize you.
SYNDROME (CONT'D)
I always knew you were tough. But tricking the probe by hiding under the bones of another Super? Ohhhh, MAN!! I'm still geeking out about it...
(his expression SOURS)
Then you had to go and just-- ruin the ride. I mean, Mr. Incredible calling for help? "Help me!" Lame lame lame lame LAME! Alright, who did you contact?

Bob stares at Syndrome.

BOB
Contact? What are you talking about?

Syndrome nods at a flunky, who presses a button. The TORTURE DEVICE jumps to life, emitting sparks as Bob winces in pain.

SYNDROME
I'm referring to last night at 23:07 hours, while you were snooping around, you sent out a homing signal--
BOB
(in pain)
I didn't know... about the homing device--

Syndrome ZAPS Bob again. He spasms, grimacing.

SYNDROME
--and now a government plane is requesting permission to land here! WHO DID YOU CONTACT?
BOB
...I didn't send for... a plane--
SYNDROME
(to Mirage)
Play the transmission.
HELEN'S VOICE
Island approach, India Golf Niner niner checking in, VFR on top--

Bob's head snaps to attention. Syndrome sees it.

BOB
Helen...!
SYNDROME
So you do know these people. Well, then, I'll send them a little greeting...

With flourish and a malicious grin, Syndrome presses the red LAUNCH button on a control console.

MAIN CABIN

Helen emerges from the lavatory dressed in her SUPERSUIT. She throws her duffle bag ROUGHLY at a passenger seat.

VIOLET'S VOICE
Ow!
HELEN
Violet!
VIOLET
(as she MATERIALIZES)
It's not my fault! Dash ran away and I knew I'd get blamed for it and--

Dash pops up from behind the seats at the back of the cabin, immediately engaging at the top of his lungs.

DASH
THAT'S NOT TRUE! YOU said, "Something's up with Mom" and "We hafta find out what," and it was YOUR IDEA, YOUR IDEA, 100% ALL-YOURS-ALL-THE-TIME IDEA!
VIOLET
--I thought he'd try to sneak on the plane so I came here and you closed the doors before I could find him and then you took off and it's NOT MY FAULT!
HELEN
Wait a minute. You left Jack-Jack ALONE??
VIOLET
Yes, Mom! I'm completely stupid. Of course we got a sitter! Do you think I'm totally irresponsible? Thanks a lot!
DASH
No, we got someone, Mom! Someone great! We wouldn't do that! I love my baby brother!
HELEN (CONT'D)
Well, who'd you get???
38

INT. PARR HOME - DAY

p.77

Sporting a ponytail, baggy baseball shirt and a mouthful of orthodontia, KARI MCKEON--thirteen, stands in the middle of the Parr living room, chatting into the phone as Jack-Jack plays happily in the background.

KARI
You don't have to worry about one single thing, Mrs. Parr, I've got this babysitting thing wired. I've taken courses and learned CPR, and I got excellent marks and certificates I can produce on demand.

INTERCUT: Helen on the jet.

HELEN
Kari...
KARI
I also brought Mozart to play while he sleeps because leading experts say "Mozart makes babies smarter"--
HELEN
Kari...
KARI
--and the beauty part is, the babies don't even have to listen 'cause they're asleep! I wish my parents played Mozart when I slept, because half the time I don't know what the heck anyone's talking about!
HELEN
Kari, I really don't feel comfortable with this. I'll pay you for your trouble but I'd really rather call a service--
KARI
There's really no need, Mrs. Parr. I can handle anything this baby can dish out.
(cooing to Jack-Jack)
Can't I, little boobily boy?

RESUME JET - MAIN CABIN - SAME TIME

HELEN
Kari, I appreciate your qualifications and your... your enthusiasm, but--

A warning signal SOUNDS from the cockpit. Helen turns, recognizing it instantly.

COCKPIT

Helen ENTERS. Through the windshield, a rocket's flare is suddenly visible above the clouds. Helen's eyes WIDEN.

MAIN CABIN

The "fasten seat belts" sign above Dash and Vi LIGHTS UP. They exchange glances, reach for their seat belts. The jet suddenly DIVES, throwing them into the ceiling.

HELEN
--Friendlies at two zero miles south southwest of your position, angels 10. Track east, disengage, over!! Disengage!!

ROARING THROUGH THE CLOUDS

as the jet BANKS suddenly, barely avoiding a missile that smokes past its metallic belly.

RESUME SYNDROME'S BASE - PRISON CELL - SAME MOMENT

HELEN'S VOICE
India Golf Niner niner transmitting in the blind guard--
BOB
No--!

RESUME HELEN'S JET - SAME MOMENT

Through the windshield we see the clouds suddenly part, revealing: THE OCEAN looming toward us like an endless brick wall. Helen plants her feet and YANKS BACK on the controls--

MOVING ABOVE THE WATER'S SURFACE

The jet's belly spanks the crests of the waves as it struggles to pull out of its dive.

RESUME COCKPIT

as the jet is buffeted by the peaks of the ocean waves, its engines screaming as it finally reascends. The jet goes vertical, throwing the kids backwards down the aisle.

Helen stabilizes the jet, then DOUBLE-TAKES as the missiles reappear on her screen. She whirls to Violet--

HELEN
Vi! I need you to throw a force field around the plane!
VIOLET
But you said never to--
HELEN
I know what I said!! Listen to what I'm saying now!!
VIOLET
--I've never done one that big before!

RESUME SYNDROME'S BASE - PRISON CELL - SAME MOMENT

VIOLET (CONT'D, OVER RADIO)
It's not like I've been practicing!!
HELEN (OVER RADIO)
VIOLET!!! DO IT NOW!!
BOB
NO! Call off the missiles!! I'll do anything!!
SYNDROME
Too late. Fifteen years too late.

RESUME JET

Violet FRETS, not sure where to start. She uncertainly starts to form a force field, but it's small and weak.

QUICK CUTS: HELEN whirls toward the cockpit-- The jet's RADAR display shows the missiles CONVERGING-- The MISSILES CLOSE IN on the jet-- HELEN shouts into her headset, EYES WIDENING in horror as- The MISSILES CLOSE in on the jet's belly and-- Helen throws off her headset, leaps out of her seat and--

--STRETCHES: enveloping her kids an instant before--

--the jet EXPLODES, becoming a roiling fireball as the missile cuts it in half.

RESUME SYNDROME'S BASE - PRISON CELL - SAME MOMENT

BOB REACTS in HORROR as the RADAR indicates a HIT!

RESUME JET EXPLOSION: FALLING THROUGH THE SKY

An orange-red ball emerges from the blast and slowly unfurls: it's HELEN (who's OUT COLD) and the KIDS, who are WIDE AWAKE and screaming as they free-fall toward the ocean.

Helen COMES TO and SEES her children plummeting to their deaths. She STRETCHES her arms, pulling the kids in as she FORMS into a PARACHUTE to arrest their descent.

HELEN
Brace yourselves!

THE OCEAN

SPLASHDOWN. The Kids break the water's surface in shock, sputtering and splashing.

VIOLET & DASH
Mom! What're we gonna do? What're we gonna do??? (etc.)
HELEN
I'll tell you what we're not going to do. We're not going to panic, and we're not goi-- LOOK OUT!!

Helen shoves the kids clear, diving--

UNDERWATER

as a chunk of FUSELAGE hits with a thunderous SPLASH. Helen watches it quickly disappear into the depths--

RESUME BOB'S CELL

RADIO
We have a confirmed hit. Target was destroyed.
SYNDROME
Ah, you'll get over it. I seem to recall you prefer to... "work alone."

With sudden RAGE Bob bursts free of his leg cuffs, driving his legs forward with tremendous force, and LUNGES for Syndrome. Mirage sees him and shoves Syndrome clear, gets snagged in Bob's arms.

Bob is yanked back into the grid, his arm cuffs pulled in opposite directions, Mirage now caught in the middle.

BOB
Release me. Now!!
SYNDROME
Or what?
BOB
I'll crush her.
SYNDROME
Sounds a little dark for you. Go ahead.
MIRAGE
No--
BOB
It'll be easy. Like breaking a toothpick.
SYNDROME
Show me.

A contest of wills as the two stare each other down. But Bob doesn't have it in him. He lets her go. Mirage drops to the floor. Syndrome looks at Bob and sneers.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
I knew you couldn't do it. Even when you have nothing to lose. You're weak. I've outgrown you.

Syndrome EXITS, followed by the technician and, finally, Mirage. The room is empty and silent, save for the soft sound of the suspension arcs holding Bob. Softly, Mr. Incredible begins to WEEP.

RESUME OCEAN

Dash and Violet tread water, anxiously look at Mom.

VIOLET
Omigod... omigod... ! The plane! It blew up!
DASH
We're dead! We're dead! We survived but we're dead!
HELEN
STOP IT!!!!

Helen SPLASHES their faces, startling them SILENT.

HELEN (CONT'D)
We are NOT going to die! Now both of you will GET A GRIP or so help me I'll ground you for a month! Understand???

The kids NOD. Helen looks up at the missile trails.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Those were short-range missiles. Land-based.
HELEN (CONT'D)
(pointing to missiles' origin)
That way is our best bet.
DASH
You want to go toward the people that tried to kill us??
HELEN
If it means land... yes.
VIOLET
You expect us to swim there?
HELEN
I expect you... to trust me.

AERIAL SHOT - MOVING OVER THE OCEAN

A BOAT gains into the frame, skimming over the water at a great speed. Violet appears to be the only passenger.

CLOSER

We see that the boat is actually HELEN, who has contorted herself into a reasonable facsimile of an inflatable raft, and Dash-- facing backwards, his legs pounding the water furiously-- is the outboard motor.

Violet sits impassively, her long hair streaming in the wind, and tries to find something interesting to look at.

The Incredi-boat speeds away from us, heading toward the missile trails' origins, and the horizon.

NOMANISAN BEACH - EARLY EVENING

It is just after sunset when Helen, Dash and Violet stagger onto the beach, hungry and exhausted.

Helen collapses in an ungainly, slightly stretched out heap, spent... Her body slowly reverting into her usual shape. She looks at Dash with a tired smile.

HELEN
What a trooper. I'm so proud of you.

Panting, Dash smiles and gives her a weak wave.

DASH
Thanks, Mom.

INSIDE A CAVE - A LITTLE LATER

Helen and the kids huddle around a fire, silent and somber. Helen finally breaks the silence.

HELEN
I think your father is in trouble.
VIOLET
If you haven't noticed, Mom, we're not doing so hot either.
HELEN
I'm going to look for him. That means you're in charge until I get back, Violet.
DASH
What???
VIOLET
(to Dash)
You heard her.

Helen reaches into the battered duffle and removes three MASKS. She puts one on, hands the other two to her kids.

HELEN
Put these on. Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it. If anything goes wrong, use your powers.
VIOLET
But you said we should never--
HELEN
I KNOW WHAT I SAID!

Helen regrets her outburst at once. She takes a deep breath, composes herself, looks at her kids.

HELEN (CONT'D)
Remember the bad guys on those shows you used to watch on Saturday morning?
(the kids NOD eagerly)
Well, these guys are not like those guys.
(the kids deflate)
They won't exercise restraint because you're children. They will kill you if they get the chance. Do NOT give them that chance. Vi, I'm counting on you...
VIOLET
Mom, I--
HELEN
(cuts her off, firm)
I'm counting on you. Be strong.
(beat, turns to Dash)
Dash, if anything goes wrong, I want you to run as fast as you can...
DASH
(excited by this)
As fast as I can??
HELEN
As fast as you can. Stay hidden. Keep each other safe. I'll be back by morning.

Helen gives them a long hug, then turns to exit the cave. Violet, looking tortured, runs after her, stops her at the entrance. Tears well up in Violet's eyes.

VIOLET
(excruciating for her)
Mom... what happened on the plane, when you asked me t-- I, I wanted to-- I'm sorry...

Helen places a finger over Vi's lips. Meets her gaze and speaks in a warm, sure tone.

HELEN
Shh. It isn't your fault. It wasn't fair for me to suddenly ask so much of you. But things are different now. And doubt is a luxury we can't afford anymore, sweetie. You have more power than you realize. Don't think. And don't worry. If the time comes, you'll know what to do. It's in your blood.

Helen gives Violet a firm nod... and disappears into the night. Violet watches her mother get swallowed by the darkness. She looks down at the mask in her hands...

...and carefully puts it on.

LAUNCH OBSERVATION CENTER - SYNDROME'S BASE - NIGHT

Lost in thought, Syndrome stares down at the massive rocket in the center of the volcano, poised to launch.

MIRAGE
He's not weak, you know.

Mirage is seated at one of the many consoles, taking notes, her back to him. Syndrome snaps out of his dream and turns to Mirage, the only other person in the room.

SYNDROME
What?
MIRAGE
Valuing life is not weakness.

Syndrome crosses to her, casually dismissive.

SYNDROME
Hey, if you're talking about what happened in the containment unit, I had everything under control--
MIRAGE
And disregarding it... is not strength.

Syndrome sidles up behind her, lifts her chin with a gentle hand and draws her face toward his.

SYNDROME
I called his bluff, sweetheart, that's all. I knew he wouldn't have it in him to actually--

Mirage shoves his hand aside, and rises to confront him.

MIRAGE
Next time you gamble, bet your own life.

She EXITS, leaving Syndrome befuddled and alone.

39

EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT

p.86

Helen enters a clearing and looks up. A monorail track soars high above the jungle floor. A monopod is coming. Helen throws her hands high, stretching them up to the pod passing overhead. It yanks her offscreen.

MOVING THROUGH THE TREES

Helen hangs suspended beneath the pod on long arms, alternating hands to swing around the support columns. Gaining momentum with each swing, she throws her body above the roof of the car, landing expertly on top.

ON TOP OF THE POD

Helen squints into the rushing wind, sees the track slicing through the dense jungle canopy and leading directly into the base of the towering volcano.

A familiar HUM causes her to hide, and she slips down one side of the pod, out of view, as TWO HOVERJETS buzz by. Helen watches the jets descend to a landing strip inside the Volcano just as the pod plunges into a tunnel and--

INSIDE THE TUNNEL - MOVING WITH HELEN ON THE POD

Darkness. Suddenly an opening in the tunnel rushes by, and Helen catches a glimpse of the ROCKET... and WHOOSH-- the pod is back into a tunnel.

Helen stretches her torso out like a sail. It catches wind and she releases from the pod, reforms and drops to the tracks with catlike grace.

INSIDE THE BASE - TUNNEL ENTRANCE

Helen peeks out of the tunnel, looks out at the heavily guarded launch pad.

HELEN
A rocket?

Visible inside the open tip of the rocket sits a huge metallic wing with an enormous circular hole EMPTY in its center, waiting to be filled with... what?

ANOTHER CORRIDOR - LATER

Two armed GUARDS march past CAMERA. Unseen above them, Helen is stretched thin and hiding between a cluster of pipes which run down the center of the corridor. She watches as the guards exit through a sliding door.

She drops like a liquid cat to the floor, and begins to move down the corridor.

As Helen passes a metal door, she catches sight of her reflection in its shiny surface. She stops, FROWNS. It's been a while since her last Supersuit; her butt is a bit bigger than she remembered. She wonders if she should lose a few--

--when the WHOOSH of a door surprises her...

A GUARD

comes through the door at the far end of the hall. As he enters another junction, we see that Helen has contorted herself, arching perfectly around the door frame.

The GUARD doesn't see her. He slides a CARD KEY through a reader to enter a restricted corridor. The doors WHOOSH open. Directly behind him, Helen silently REFORMS and begins to back through the doorway when the doors behind her SLIDE SHUT--

--trapping HELEN'S LEG. She winces, tries in vain to pull it free. It's stuck. Leaving one hope--

--the CARD KEY on GUARD #1'S belt.

STRETCHING across the corridor, Helen clambers after the guard on the palms of her hands, following him into the--

INNER CHAMBER

The guard stops at the ELEVATOR and presses the call button, his back to Helen. Just behind him, stretched far and held upright on one hand, Helen reaches with the other for the card key. She almost has it--

AT THE CORRIDOR

The DOOR suddenly closes on her stretched torso. Her upper third snaps back, her middle third TRAPPED and now stretched across--

HALLWAY - CENTRAL CORE

TWO MORE GUARDS (#2 & #3) are traveling in a transport. They are suddenly CLOTHESLINED by HELEN'S STRETCHED TORSO.

INNER CHAMBER

--knocking the wind out of HELEN. Directly in front of her at the far end of the hall, the ELEVATOR opens for GUARD #1; revealing GUARD #4 inside. He SEES HELEN.

GUARD #4
Hey!

Helen's arm stretches forward--

INNER CHAMBER - INSIDE ELEVATOR

IN A BLINK: her fist CLOCKS GUARD #4, disarms GUARD #1 hitting him with the butt of his gun. AS guard #4 drops to the floor, #1 hits the "CLOSE" button on the panel.

The DOORS CLOSE on Helen's ARM. Guard #1 GRINS. Helen's HAND FEELS AROUND, finds GUARD #1, his chest... chin... face and--

--PUNCHES his lights out. He DROPS.

RESUME MIDDLE CORRIDOR

The TORSO GUARDS (#2 & #3) get to their feet, and see HELEN, her ARM still stretched, through the glass door. They level their guns at her. At the same moment--

BLUE CORRIDOR

ANOTHER GUARD (#5) comes upon Helen's LEG in the closed doors. The sight is so odd, he can only stare. He decides to poke the leg with the barrel of his machine gun.

WITH HELEN

--as she REACTS to the poke. She SCOWLS--

RESUME BLUE CORRIDOR

--her LEG cocks back and FISHTAIL-KICKS GUARD #5. He flies backwards, his weapon discharging into the card scanner. The DOOR OPENS-- freeing Helen's LEGS, which sail across the corridor and--

SMASH the TORSO GUARDS (#2 & #3) against the middle door. They slide down into a heap... out cold.

INSIDE ELEVATOR

Helen's arm finds one of the guards' CARD KEY, slides it into the door scanner. The doors OPEN, releasing her torso.

ACCESS CORRIDOR

Helen drags the last of the UNCONSCIOUS GUARDS over to an open wall panel and stuffs him inside with the others. She throws her weight against the panel, finally getting it shut.

CLOSE ON: A FORCE FIELD

--glowing purple and fluttering around a campfire, it struggles to take form and finally does, trapping the fire's smoke inside.

INSIDE THE CAVE - NIGHT

Dash watches as Violet practices intently. She releases the force field sphere; the dark smoke ball rises upwards. Vi throws another force field, recapturing the smoke at the roof of the cave.

Dash gets to his feet, grabs a burning branch from the fire to use as a torch.

DASH
Welp, not that this isn't fun... but I'm gonna go look around.
VIOLET
What do you think is going on here? You think we're on vacation or something? Mom and Dad's lives could be in jeopardy. Or worse... their marriage.
DASH
Their marriage?
(Vi NODS sharply, PAUSE)
So... the bad guys are trying to wreck Mom's and Dad's marriage??
VIOLET
Forget it. You're so immature.
DASH
(exiting)
Okay, I'm gonna go look around.
VIOLET
Mom said to stay hidden.
DASH
I'm not gonna leave the cave. Sheesh!

ROCKET CONTROL ROOM - SAME MOMENT

Ground control technicians watch from the observation window as a GIANT METAL SPHERE, a massive version of the dreaded OMNIDROID... is carefully guided into place inside the top stage of the rocket.

The rocket's NOSE CONE is lowered over the OMNIDROID and secured into place. The cylindrical BLAST SHIELD closes around the rocket.

INSIDE THE CAVE

Lighting his way with a burning branch, Dash explores the depths of the cave. Suddenly the floor becomes smooth. Dash looks down, then holds his torch up. He's inside an enormous man-made TUNNEL.

DASH
Cool...

His voice ECHOES a bit. Dash brightens. He calls again, louder this time.

DASH (CONT'D)
COOL!

His voice ECHOES: "Cool! Cool! Cool!"

CONTROL ROOM - SAME MOMENT

Syndrome shoves a PASS KEY into the control board, gives the key a twist... then presses the LAUNCH button.

LAUNCH TUBE

The rocket's engines FIRE. The sound is deafening as the rocket's massive weight slowly lifts into the air...

INSIDE THE CAVE - TUNNEL ENTRANCE

A low RUMBLE and a subtle push of warm wind emanate from the depths of the tunnel, which begins to GLOW. Dash's smile drops as he realizes it's an enormous FIREBALL rocketing towards him. He turns and RUNS.

WITH VIOLET

Vi is still practicing force fields when the depths of the cave begin to rumble and glow. She looks up.

DASH'S VOICE
Vi!!! Vi Vi Vi Vi Vi!!!
VIOLET
(Vi sees cave brightening)
What did you DO?!

OUTSIDE THE CAVE

Dash and Violet race out of the cave, getting clear just as an enormous wall of FLAMES erupts after them. They look down with a shudder at how close they came. A roar behind them causes them to turn-- a ROCKET emerges from the center of the volcano, and soars into the night sky.

CONTROL ROOM - DETENTION BLOCK

Helen looks down from some vents in the ceiling. Silently she stretches her neck until her head dangles down behind the guards.

HER P.O.V.:

Helen scans the detention grid... and notices a tremendous spike of power to restrain the prisoner in cell 13.

HELEN
Bob...

Helen quickly pulls her head back up through the vent in the ceiling and EXITS.

GUARD #1
Huh? What...?
GUARD #2
I didn't say anything.

ABOVE THE EARTH

The final stage of the Omnidroid's capsule separates. The Omni ship begins to descend below the cloud layer, toward the city.

40

EXT. NOMANISAN JUNGLE - THE NEXT MORNING

p.92

Dash awakens, discovering to his horror that he's curled up with Violet. Repulsed, he JUMPS UP and shudders.

O.S. VOICE
Identification?

Startled, Dash turns toward the sound. A brightly colored BIRD perches in a nearby tree.

BIRD
Identification, please...?
DASH
(laughs, NUDGES Vi)
Hey, Violet! Look! It talks!
VIOLET
(half asleep)
Hmn? What...
DASH
(pointing)
There... that one.

Violet walks up and stares, also beguiled by the bird.

BIRD
Voice key incorrect.

Dash chortles. Violet's smile starts to FADE--

VIOLET
"Voice key"...? Wait a second...

The bird's head slowly SWIVELS toward the kids with a soft COMPUTING SOUND. Its eyes LIGHT UP RED as its beak drops open, and it lets out a shrill electronic ALARM.

RESUME JUNGLE - DASH & VIOLET

Violet backs away from the shrieking bird, Dash following after her, panicking.

DASH
What do we do??
VIOLET
RUN!
DASH
Where are we going??
VIOLET
Away from here!!

They turn and RUN. The SHRIEKING BIRD takes wing, following after them.

41

INT. SYNDROME'S BASE - MONITORING STATION

p.93

Alarms sound. A section of the island grid LIGHTS UP, locating the KIDS. A guard hits the SCRAMBLE button.

INSIDE SYNDROME'S BASE - SAME MOMENT

Helen hears the alarm, watches as the guards scramble.

42

EXT. BASE - MOMENTS LATER

p.94

Guards on VELOCIPODS zoom out into jungle.

43

INT. CONTAINMENT UNIT

p.94

Bob hangs, defeated, in the suspension beams. The cell door slides OPEN. A FIGURE is silhouetted there-- MIRAGE.

She switches off the suspension ray. Bob drops to the floor. Bob just sits there on his knees, his eyes cast downward. Mirage crosses to him, kneels down...

MIRAGE
There isn't much time--

Bob's hand flashes out and CLAMPS around her throat. He RISES, holding her dangling body aloft with one hand.

BOB
No, there isn't. In fact, there's no time at all.
MIRAGE
(gasping)
...pl--ease...
BOB
Why are you here? How can you possibly bring me lower? What more can you take away from me??
MIRAGE
(struggling to speak)
F--amily... survived the crash... they're here-- on the island...
BOB
...they're-- alive??

Bob releases his grip, Mirage drops to the floor, gasping raggedly. Bob lifts her up and EMBRACES her. Mirage drinks it in, then REACTS at the sight of a figure in the doorway. Bob LOOKS UP.

BOB (CONT'D)
Helen--?

Mirage and Bob push apart, Mirage composing herself.

MIRAGE
Hello! You must be Mrs. Incr--

Helen's fist flies across the room and CRACKS across Mirage's jaw. Mirage spins and crashes to the ground. Bob seizes Helen's stretched wrist--

BOB
She was helping me to escape--
HELEN
No, that's what I was doing!

Bob pulls her to him. She resists, pushing him away with her stretchy limbs like a cat being forced into a bath as-

HELEN (CONT'D)
Let go of me-- LET GO-- you lousy, lying, unfaithful, creep, I--

--Bob smothers her protests with a big kiss.

BOB
How could I betray the perfect woman?
HELEN
(still irked)
Oh, you're referring to me now...
BOB
Where are the kids?

Mirage sits up, holding her jaw.

MIRAGE
They might've triggered the alert. Security's been sent into the jungle. You'd better get going.
HELEN
What?? Now our kids are in danger??

Bob and Helen turn to exit, bickering as they do.

BOB
If you suspected danger, why'd you bring them?
HELEN
I didn't bring them, they stowed away and I don't think you're striking the proper tone here--

JUNGLE - WITH DASH AND VI - SAME MOMENT

Running blindly. The kids are suddenly confronted by GUARDS on three manned VELOCIPODS. Glancing at the GUARDS, Violet speaks quietly to Dash.

VIOLET
Dash. Remember what Mom said.
DASH
What...?
LEAD GUARD
Stop talking!

Abruptly Vi VANISHES. Dash looks around in surprise.

VIOLET'S VOICE
Dash!! RUN!!

Suddenly understanding-- Dash BOLTS, jumping from the transport and vanishing into the jungle. It happens FAST:

The GUARD'S head snaps toward the sound of Vi's VOICE. He swings his rifle-- we hear a heavy THUD as Violet's (invisible) body is knocked from the transport: a cloud of dust surrounds an impression in the dirt.

GUARD #2
They're SUPERS!
LEAD GUARD
GET THE BOY!

3 GUARDS take off after Dash on VELOCIPODS.

LEAD GUARD (CONT'D)
Show yourself!

RACING THROUGH THE JUNGLE

Dash BLASTS through the foliage on foot, unbelievably FAST, a manned VELOCIPOD hot on his tail. But the terrain is dense, uneven and difficult, and Dash is forced to adhere to the thin TRAIL winding through the growth.

UP AHEAD

a SWARM of flies fusses in the air. Suddenly Dash bursts into view; rocketing RIGHT THROUGH the SWARM! BUGS splatter Dash's face like an interstate windshield--

DASH
AGGCCHH!!!

Dash STUMBLES, careens end over end through the undergrowth like an Indy 500 car crash, and finally tumbles to a stop. Unharmed, but thoroughly REPULSED, Dash wipes his bug-spattered face and teeth.

DASH (CONT'D)
Achpppt!! PtTHWAAAGH! PTHPT!

A Velocipod bursts out of the brush after him and he TAKES OFF, tearing through the jungle.

Running fast, Dash grabs a LONG VINE-- which sends him out in a wide arc that surprises the trailing GUARD. HE SHOOTS PAST Dash and roars off into the undergrowth. Dash releases the vine, tumbling roughly to his feet, and RUNS.

A Velocipod bursts out of the brush and is on top of him. Impossibly, Dash ACCELERATES, staying just ahead of it. He sees ANOTHER VINE, grabs it and is PROPELLED UPWARDS--

ABOVE THE TREES

Dash explodes out of the canopy, flailing, out of control. He looks down and sees--

--the treetops suddenly DROP AWAY. Dash is FALLING OFF A CLIFF, SCREAMING his ten-year-old lungs out as he--

--LANDS ON A VELOCIPOD!! Fleetingly astonished by his good luck, DASH LOOKS UP as the startled GUARD whirls around to face him. The guard SWINGS. Dash DUCKS and reluctantly throws a PUNCH at the guard's face. It lands!

Thrilled that his raw speed renders the guard powerless to dodge or return his punches, Dash LAUGHS and, growing more confident with each punch, socks the GUARD again and again, blissfully unaware that NO ONE IS DRIVING.

Dash LOOKS UP. His jaw drops: a ROCK WALL looms ahead!

Dash POINTS at it. The GUARD sees an opening and SOCKS Dash in the face, knocking him off just as--

--the velocipod slams into the cliff face, vaporizing in a FIREBALL!

Dash FALLS: making desperate, flailing GRABS as he HITS limb after limb of an enormous tree, finally getting hold of a branch and arresting his descent. He pants, heart racing, and looks down to see--

--his feet dangling about a yard off the jungle floor. Elated about his survival, Dash drops to the ground and lets out a loud WHOOP, immediately alerting--

TWO GUARDS ON VELOCIPODS

nearby to his presence. They turn their V-pods after him.

WITH DASH

as he BOLTS again, accelerating to breakneck speed. He smashes through an endless succession of FOLIAGE-- nearly colliding with tree trunks and rocks and SUDDENLY--

A LAGOON lies in front of him. Dash REACTS: the V-PODS are on his tail, he has nowhere to go, so he takes a deep breath and STEPS ON IT--

--and has enough velocity to RUN ACROSS THE WATER! Amazed and exhilarated, Dash blasts across the water's surface, weaving like a speedboat around the large volcanic ROCKS jutting out of the water.

Velocipods OPEN FIRE... strafing the water as Dash is pursued into a CAVE.

VELOCIPOD #2 pulls up short at the cave entrance, and chooses to go around.

INSIDE THE CAVE

Dash runs, Velocipod on his heels. Weaves around rocks, manages to put some distance between himself and Velocipod when he sees--

V-POD #2 coming straight at him! Dash wheels around, his legs churning the water like an eggbeater. He SEES V-POD #1 closing fast. HE HAS NOWHERE TO GO and, like a deer in headlights, Dash STOPS--

--suddenly dropping beneath the water's surface as the Velocipods COLLIDE-- BOOOM!

SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE - MOVING - SAME MOMENT

Bob and Helen run, not tired but breathing hard--

BOB
I should've told you I was fired, I admit it, but I didn't want you to worry--
HELEN
You didn't want me to worry?? And now we're running for our lives through some godforsaken jungle!
BOB
You keep trying to pick a fight, but I'm still just happy you're alive--

ANOTHER PART OF THE JUNGLE - VIOLET & THE GUARD

The remaining GUARD waits, his machine gun at the ready. Suddenly the dirt MOVES. The guard FIRES, strafing the ground just behind a SUCCESSION OF FOOTPRINTS that streak toward the river moments before a SPLASH appears.

THE RIVER - UNDER THE WATER'S SURFACE

We see a Violet-shaped DISTORTION as BULLET TRAILS furiously slice the surrounding water.

WITH THE GUARD

--still firing. He STOPS, unnerved and adrenalized. Tensed and ready, he nervously scans the river.

GUARD #1
I know you're there, little Miss Disappear. You can't hide from me...

Training his gun where he last saw Violet, the GUARD grabs a handful of dirt from the riverbank and throws it into the water. He shoulders his RIFLE, watching the dirt turn into a brown CLOUD as it travels downstream...

...making visible a VIOLET-SHAPED POCKET.

GUARD #1 (CONT'D)
...there you are...

The guard TAKES AIM and--

DASH BLURS PAST--

DASH
HEY!

--KNOCKING the guard's gun barrel skyward as it FIRES. The guard swings around-- strafing the ground at DASH'S heels as he plunges back into the jungle.

A SPLASH explodes from the river as INVISIBLE VIOLET makes a break for it. THE GUARD sees this and swings the gun toward her as--

DASH blasts out of the jungle and knocks the Guard's legs out from under him. They TUMBLE and scrap, Dash redeeming his lack of size with lightning-fast punches and feints.

DASH (CONT'D)
Stay away from my sister!!

Disoriented, the guard swings and--

--CONNECTS-- knocking Dash off his feet. He tumbles backward, dazed. The guard shoulders his rifle, leveling it at Dash. Dash looks up; sees he's screwed. The guard GRINS wickedly... and pulls the trigger--

Violet suddenly APPEARS in mid-air, diving in front of Dash as she THROWS A FORCE FIELD around them! A hail of bullets ricochet off the force field.

INSIDE THE FORCE FIELD

Dash looks up, sees Violet SUSPENDED IN MID-AIR in the center of the ELECTRIC SPHERE.

DASH
How are you doing that???
VIOLET
I don't know!
DASH
Well, whatever you do-- DON'T STOP!

WIDER

as Dash starts to walk within the force field like a gerbil on a wheel. Violet spins ever faster in the sphere's hub as Dash accelerates into a run.

The GUARDS empty their clips at the ROLLING SPHERE with no effect. It rumbles past them and straight into the jungle.

MOVING WITH THE ROLLING FORCE FIELD

as it carries Dash and Vi down a steep hillside into the path of two speeding VELOCIPODS, who FIRE at the sphere. It's clipped by one Velocipod-- which then spirals into a rock and EXPLODES.

A JUNGLE CLEARING, NOT FAR AWAY - SAME MOMENT

Bob and Helen hear the EXPLOSION'S echo, and STOP, worried. That's when they hear the RUMBLE. Before they can get clear, the ROLLING FORCE FIELD bursts out of the brush--

INSIDE THE SPHERE

The children REACT as their surprised PARENTS flatten against the force field like dough against a rolling pin, revolving in and out of view.

VIOLET & DASH
Mom!! DAD!!

RESUME WIDE VIEW

Violet VANISHES the force field and the entire family tumbles to the jungle floor.

BOB & HELEN
KIDS!!

There is a frantic, joyful exchange of hugs and kisses, unfortunately cut short when--

VELOCIPODS explode out of the foliage! The INCREDIBLES instantly jump to their feet:

Helen throws a STRETCHED SCISSORS KICK which catches a guard in the chest, knocking him out of his V-pod. Bob CHOPS a second passing velocipod-- it PLOWS straight into the soft jungle floor. Before its PILOT can react--

--Helen's arm is coiled around him. She YANKS him from the vehicle, whiplashing him into another guard, knocking them both out cold. Bob grabs the crashed V-pod and Frisbees it into a V-pod emerging from the trees-- BOOOOM!

And it's OVER. Bob and Helen had forgotten how good they were. They exchange lustful glances.

BOB & HELEN (CONT'D)
(to each other)
I love you...

Suddenly the jungle is filled with GUARDS and VELOCIPODS. And just as quickly the INCREDIBLES turn as one against them, a hurricane blur of SUPERPOWERS, suddenly brought to a CRASHING HALT--

--AS IMMOBI-RAYS strike the Incredibles, SUSPENDING them all, motionless, in MID-AIR.

SYNDROME
Whoa whoa WHOA-- TIME OUT!!

Syndrome keeps his wrists crossed; one BEAM trained on the SUSPENDED COUPLE, the other on the SUSPENDED KIDS.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
What have we here? Matching uniforms??

He glances between the four faces. His eyes narrow as he zeroes in on Helen. An astonished smile splits his face.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
Oh...... NO-- Elastigirl??
(laughing, turns to Bob)
You... married Elastigirl?
(he stops, sees the kids)
And got BIZ-ZAY! It's a whole FAMILY of Supers! Looks like I've hit the jackpot! Oh, this is just TOO GOOD!!

ON A GIANT SCREEN: NETWORK NEWS FOOTAGE

of a crowd gathered around a smoldering hulk resting at the base of a large building. The TV channel CHANGES. Another reporter is covering the same story. Camera WIDENS: SYNDROME is delightedly channel surfing with a remote control of his own invention. We are in the--

PRISON CHAMBER - SYNDROME'S BASE - DAY

The Incredibles-- Bob, Helen, Violet and Dash-- are all imprisoned side by side in SUSPENSION BEAMS.

SYNDROME
(turns to Incredibles)
Huh? HUH?? Oh, come on, you've gotta admit this is cool! Just like a movie!
SYNDROME (CONT'D)
The robot will emerge dramatically, do some damage, throngs of screaming people, and just when all hope is lost, Syndrome will save the day. I'll be a bigger hero than you ever were!
BOB
You mean you killed off real heroes so that you could pretend to be one???!!
SYNDROME
Oh I'M REAL! Real enough to defeat YOU! And I did it without your precious gifts, your oh-so-special powers! I'll give them heroics, I'll give 'em the most spectacular heroics anyone's ever seen! And when I'm old and I've had my fun, I'll sell my inventions, so everyone can be Superheroes, everyone can be Super! And when everyone's Super--
(he turns)
--no one will be.

Syndrome EXITS, cackling.

RESUME CONTAINMENT UNIT

The Incredibles hang in mid-air, defeated... as a live NEWSCAST covers the terrifying Omnidroid attack.

BOB
I'm sorry.

The others look up in dull surprise at Bob's confession.

BOB (CONT'D)
This is my fault. I've been a lousy father. Blind... to what I have.

Behind Bob, Violet begins to rock back and forth, revealing that she's suspended not in Syndrome's Ray, but in the center of her own force field!

BOB (CONT'D)
So obsessed with being undervalued that I undervalued all of you.
DASH
Dad--
HELEN
Sh! Don't interrupt.
BOB
So caught up in the past that I, I--
(Bob hesitates, sincere)
--you are my greatest adventure. And I almost missed it.

Violet has gathered enough momentum to ROLL her sphere out of the suspension beam and over to the control panel.

BOB (CONT'D)
I swear I'm gonna get us out of this if--
VIOLET
(interrupting)
Well. I think Dad has made some excellent progress today. But it's time to wind down now--

Violet throws a switch, releasing the Incredibles from the BEAM. They DROP to the floor.

LAUNCHING BAY - NOMANISAN - DAY

The Incredibles race through an empty corridor.

BOB
We need to get back to the mainland.
HELEN
I saw an aircraft hangar on my way in. Straight ahead, I think--

Bob's hands pry open the heavy metal doors, crunching them like foil. The INCREDIBLES enter the huge HANGAR unmolested.

BOB
Where are all the guards?
(to family)
Go... go!

Laughter drifts out of a large Winnebago crowned with transmission arrays parked near the launchpad.

INSIDE THE WINNEBAGO

The GUARDS watch live coverage of the OMNIDROID attack on a video monitor. Champagne is popped: the cork is unexpectedly CAUGHT by someone standing in the doorway--

--MR. INCREDIBLE. The guards fall SILENT...

OUTSIDE THE MOBILE UNIT

The vehicle ROCKS as Bob quickly punches out the guards within. In moments Bob emerges, whistles to his family that the coast is clear.

HELEN
This is the hangar, but I don't see any jets.
BOB
A jet's not fast enough.
HELEN
What's faster than a jet?
DASH
How about a rocket?

The other Incredibles follow Dash's finger to an enormous shield-shaped ROCKET, identical to the one launched earlier-- save for a perfect circular hole in the center.

HELEN
Great. I can't fly a rocket.
VIOLET
You don't have to. Use the coordinates from the last launch.

Bob & Helen BEAM at their daughter's cleverness. Then Bob's smile FADES.

BOB
Wait. I'll bet Syndrome's changed the password by now. How do I get into the computer?

A VOICE comes over the loudspeaker.

VOICE
Say please.

The Incredibles turn and look up. MIRAGE stands in the monitoring station above the launchpad, smiling.

44

INT. HIGH RISE APARTMENT - MUNICIBERG - SAME MOMENT

p.105

The stereo plays soft jazz as LUCIUS BEST (aka FROZONE) dresses for dinner. He slaps some aftershave on his face, checking his look in the mirror. A low series of BOOMS grows louder, causing him to look up to see-- --the OMNIDROID lumbering past the soaring windows of his fifth floor apartment, a MILITARY CHOPPER strafing it with machine-gun fire. Immediately goes through his dresser drawers.

FROZONE
Honey?
HONEY'S VOICE
What?
FROZONE
Where's my supersuit?
HONEY'S VOICE
What?
FROZONE
WHERE. IS. MY. SUPER. SUIT?!
HONEY'S VOICE
I put it away!

The MILITARY CHOPPER, now on fire, spirals past the picture window and EXPLODES, lighting up the room.

FROZONE
WHERE?!
HONEY'S VOICE
Why do you need to know?
FROZONE
I NEED it!

Frozone is running now, down the hallway, going in and out of view, frantically searching rooms and closets.

HONEY'S VOICE
Huh-uh! You better not be thinking about doing no derring-do! We've been planning this dinner for two months!
FROZONE
The public is in danger!
HONEY'S VOICE
My evening's in danger!
FROZONE
Tell me where my suit is, woman! We're talking about the greater good!
HONEY'S VOICE
"Greater good"?! I am your wife! I am the greatest good you are ever going to get!
45

EXT. CITY STREETS - MOMENTS LATER

p.106

The driver of a gasoline TANKER TRUCK screeches to a halt, his eyes bugging out at the rampaging ROBOT.

TRUCKER
RUN!

He jumps from the truck just as the robot seizes the tanker in a giant claw, and flings it down the street. A YOUNG MOTHER sees it arcing toward her baby carriage.

YOUNG MOTHER
My baby!

The CROWD is immediately electrified by the sight of the red-haired Superhero. "The Supers have returned!" "Is that Fi-Ronic?" "No, Fi-Ronic has a different outfit!"

SYNDROME
No, no... I'm a new Superhero! I'm SYNDROME!!

Syndrome carelessly flings the tanker truck behind him with a flourish. It EXPLODES, frightening the crowd.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
Alright, stand back!

The Omnidroid reaches a massive claw toward Syndrome, who presses a series of buttons on his power cuff. The robot FREEZES suddenly, IDLING. Syndrome smiles, pressing another series of buttons on his remote.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
Someone needs to teach this hunk of metal a few manners!!

Putting on a good show, Syndrome FLIES around the idling bot, and delivers a punch to one of its leg sockets.

OMNIDROID'S P.O.V.:

TECHNICAL READOUTS spray across its viewscreen as it confirms Syndromes instructions:

RESTRAIN BATTLE MODE. DETACH ARM AT SIGNAL.

RESUME EXT. OMNIDROID

On cue, one of the OMNIDROID'S limbs suddenly FALLS out of its socket, thudding uselessly to the ground. As Syndrome revels in the CHEERS of the crowd, we PUSH IN on the OMNIDROID. It's watching SYNDROME. And THINKING...

OMNIDROID'S P.O.V.:

TECHNICAL READOUTS spray across its viewscreen as it analyzes:

CONTROL STOLEN BY EXTERNAL SIGNAL

LOCATE SOURCE: EXTERNAL SIGNAL

Columns of NUMBERS are crunched. The OMNIDROID'S lens-eye ZOOMS IN on the CONTROL BANDS around Syndrome's wrist--

SIGNAL SOURCE: REMOTE CONTROL

--and comes to a logical conclusion:

OVERRIDE EXTERNAL CONTROL

DESTROY REMOTE CONTROL

RESUME EXT. OMNIDROID

The OMNIDROID FIRES a precise laser shot, blasting the REMOTE right off Syndrome's wrist. It clatters to the street. Syndrome whirls around in horror as the BOT goes after him.

OMNIDROID TROUNCES SYNDROME

knocking him out cold. Robot then resumes its havoc.

FROZONE

appears on the scene.

HIGH ABOVE THE EARTH

another ROCKET, identical to the first one, descends from the clouds. Again, it SEPARATES into quarters which fall away, revealing the landing craft inside--

--and only then do we notice what's different about it: in the center of the large, perfectly round hole designed to house the OMNIDROID is--

--A WINNEBAGO... precariously held in place by a very stretched, very stressed HELEN.

INSIDE THE VAN

Bob is at the wheel, Vi and Dash are seated at a small table in the back.

DASH
Are we there yet?
BOB
We get there when we get there!

Bob opens his window. Wind RUSHES in, scattering loose debris everywhere.

46

EXT. VAN

p.109

Bob leans out the window, shouts to Helen up on the roof.

BOB
HOW YOU DOING, HONEY???
HELEN
DO I HAVE TO ANSWER???

The GIANT WING is descending, gliding closer to the water, as the CITY looms closer directly ahead.

47

INT. VAN

p.109
BOB
KIDS? STRAP YOURSELVES DOWN LIKE I TOLD YOU!

The kids move to the seats at the monitor panels, belting themselves in. Bob opens his window, yells up to Helen--

BOB (CONT'D)
HERE WE GO, HONEY!
(back inside)
Ready, Violet?

Violet holds a hand over a giant, jerry-rigged release switch.

BOB (CONT'D)
READY... NOW!!!

Vi slams the switch.

48

EXT. VAN

p.109

The explosive bolts FIRE, separating the wing. Helen LETS GO with a pained shout, swings inside through the window.

49

INT. VAN

p.109

Bob steps on the gas. The van wheels SPIN. Bob tenses as he watches the speedometer move past 110... 120... 130...

BOB
THIS IS GOING TO BE ROUGH!
50

EXT. CITY STREETS - MOVING WITH THEM

p.109

The VAN SAILS over an overpass, clipping a light pole, and crashes to the pavement in a shower of sparks. FLIES down the street at 200 MPH. Fighting to keep control, Bob hits the BRAKES. SMOKE erupts from the wheel wells.

51

I/E VAN - MOVING WITH THEM

p.110
BOB
The robots in the financial district. Which exit do I take?
HELEN
Traction Avenue.
BOB
That'll take me downtown! I take Seventh, don't I?

Bob cranks the wheel and cuts across several lanes toward the Seventh Street exit.

HELEN
DON'T TAKE SEVENTH!!!

Bob aborts the exit, swerving hard to avoid collision.

BOB
(furious)
Great! We missed it!!
HELEN
You asked me how to get there and I told you: exit at Traction!
BOB
That'll take me downtown!
HELEN
It's coming up! Get in the right lane! SIGNAL!
BOB
(changing lanes)
We don't exit at Traction!
HELEN
YOU'RE GONNA MISS IT!!
BOB
EEEYAAAAHHHH!
52

EXT. FREEWAY - MOVING WITH THE VAN

p.110

The VAN takes a violent SWERVE across six lanes, barely making the offramp! Sparks spray as the van slams into the metal railing. The VAN careens off the railing and into traffic, narrowly missing a SEMI. HORNS BLARE.

53

INT. VAN

p.110

Bob's teeth clench as he fights to slow the car down. He STOMPS BOTH FEET on the BRAKES.

54

EXT. VAN

p.111

Its tires smoking, the Van pulls sideways and loses it, TUMBLING down the center of the street, spraying metal pieces in its wake. It rolls into an open parking space, and lands-- miraculously upright, stripped like an ear of eaten corn.

55

INT. VAN

p.111

Bob and Helen sit up woozily. Bob turns to the kids.

BOB
Is everybody okay back there...?

Violet and Dash pull themselves upright. They look as if they've emerged from an industrial tumble dryer.

VIOLET
Super-duper, Dad...!
DASH
Let's do that again!

The OMNIDROID comes into view through the cracked windshield. Bob releases his seat belt, turns to Helen.

BOB
Wait here and stay hidden. I'm going in.
56

EXT. VAN

p.111

Bob grimly starts after the Omnidroid. Helen stretches an arm out and grabs his shoulder, spinning him around.

HELEN
While what? I watch helplessly from the sidelines? I don't think so.
BOB
I'm asking you to wait with the kids.
HELEN
And I'm telling you "not a chance." You're my husband. I'm with you. For better or worse.
BOB
I have to do this alone.
HELEN
What is this to you? Playtime?
BOB
No.
HELEN
So you can be Mr. Incredible again??
BOB
No!!
HELEN
Then WHAT? What is it???
BOB
I'm... I'm not--
HELEN
Not what??
BOB
--not strong enough!
HELEN
"Strong enough"?? And this will make you stronger??
BOB
Yes-- NO!!
HELEN
That's what this is? Some sort of workout?!!
BOB
(grabbing her suddenly)
I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN!!!

Helen is stunned. She stares at Bob, whose head is bowed like a child.

BOB (CONT'D)
I can't. Not again...
(a whisper)
...I'm not strong enough.

Helen searches Bob's eyes, deeply touched. She throws her arms around him, kissing him.

HELEN
If we work together you won't have to be.

Bob looks into her eyes, equally tender.

BOB
I don't know what'll happen.
HELEN
Hey, we're Superheroes. What could happen?

Violet SCREAMS. She and Dash jump clear just as the van is CRUSHED by the Omnidroid's metal foot. The INCREDIBLES run. Another Omnidroid foot SMASHES into the street, blocking the kids way. Bob and Helen stop, whirling--

HELEN (CONT'D)
Vi, Dash-- NO!!

The OMNIDROID is now fully focused on the kids, pounding Violet's force field relentlessly with its giant claws. The shield HOLDS. The BOT draws itself up, and DROPS-- the entirety of its massive bulk SLAMS into the force field--

--knocking Vi UNCONSCIOUS. Her force field FLICKERS OUT.

DASH
Violet...?

Again the BOT draws itself up to deliver the crushing blow. Dash cringes and the bot DROPS--

--and HITS an obstacle halfway down. Dash looks up--

DASH (CONT'D)
Dad!

Bob is underneath the bot, on his back, his arms and legs straining under the weight of it.

BOB
Go... go--!

Vi comes to, and is instantly YANKED out from under the machine and into Helen's arms. Dash follows them around the corner.

Straining, Bob lifts the BOT enough to get his feet underneath him. The bot snatches Bob out from underneath and flings him at a building across the street.

57

INT. BUILDING - EIGHTH FLOOR OFFICES

p.113

The windows SHATTER as Bob's body tumbles across the floor, scattering desks and chairs.

58

EXT. CITY STREETS

p.113

Helen rounds a corner out of the Omnidroid's view and carefully sets Violet down. She looks at Dash and Vi.

HELEN
(firm)
Stay here. Okay?

Helen turns away, charging back toward the robot. Vi and Dash watch their fearless mother in amazement.

WITH BOB AND THE OMNIDROID

as the bot pulls itself up the building to look for Bob. Bob charges the bot, hitting it with enough force to dislodge it from the building. It FALLS, crashing into the street with an earth-shattering BOOM.

Bob falls with it but rolls and lands on his feet. The familiar sound of cracking ice causes Bob to look up--

BOB
Frozone! YEAH!!

A narrow sheet of ice streaks across the pavement and FROZONE skates past, joining the fight.

FOLLOWING FROZONE

He moves to the Omnidroid, expertly icing its joints as it tries to get up. The machine WHINES as its motors strain against the ice.

FURTHER DOWN THE STREET

Helen rushes up to Bob.

HELEN
Bob--

Just then Frozone sails into frame and crashes into the roof of a parked car. Bob turns angrily toward the robot--

BOB
HEY--!!

--and is immediately SMACKED by the robot. Bob flies into the side of a building and tumbles to the street.

Frozone and Helen distract the robot, heckling it and spreading out. It goes after them like an enraged beast.

Dazed, Bob looks up and sees a strange device on the ground in front of him. He examines it, his eyes widening when he realizes what it is. He holds it up, yelling excitedly to the others--

BOB (CONT'D)
SYNDROME'S REMOTE!!

WHAM! The bot comes down on Bob like a ton of bricks, lifting him high above the ground. Miraculously, Bob has held on to the remote, and he quickly stabs at the buttons, hoping to get lucky.

With a BOOM one of the bot's limbs RELEASES, sending it-- and Bob-- crashing to the ground.

AROUND THE CORNER

Violet sees this. She turns to Dash.

VIOLET
The remote controls the robot!

WITH BOB AND THE OMNIDROID

The Omnidroid knows this too, and it fires laser blasts at Bob to try to stop Bob from using the remote. Bob jumps clear, then hears his son from down the street.

DASH
Hey, Dad! Throw it! Throw it!!
BOB
GO LONG!!

Bob gives the remote a MONSTER THROW, flinging it high into the air and across the river. Dash pivots and takes off after it. The Omni sees Dash and starts firing after him.

WITH DASH

as he hits the water, jetting across the water's surface as the Omni fires away. The water EXPLODES around Dash, but he concentrates on the remote, following it into his hands like an NFL receiver.

DASH
I GOT IT!!

Dash crosses the river and hits the streets on the other side, seemingly home free. But the Omni is still FIRING, and it hits some cars in Dash's path, igniting their gas tanks. Suddenly Dash is surrounded by a wall of FLAMES!

WITH BOB

He runs toward Helen, who is closer to the Omnidroid.

BOB
HONEY! TAKE OUT ITS GUNS!!

HELEN

hears him. She grabs a heavy MANHOLE COVER, winding her elastic arm around a light pole to fling it-- like an arrow-- at the OMNIDROID'S gun. Bull's-eye.

ACROSS THE RIVER

What follows amounts to a game of hot potato between the Supers and the robot over the remote:

Frozone saves Dash from the circle of burning cars. The Robot sees this and goes after them. With Dash on his back, Frozone races across the river, freezing it in front of him as he goes.

The robot JUMPS-- almost on top of them, creating a MASSIVE WAVE and throwing Dash and Frozone high into the air. Thinking fast, Frozone turns the wave into a wall of SNOW. It crashes over the streets, cushioning their fall.

IN THE STREET - NEARBY

The remote clatters to the ground. Bob sees it and runs for it. The bot sees Bob and fires a claw-- catching Bob just as he was reaching for the remote. The CLAW-- with Bob inside-- tumbles end over end down the street. With Bob out of the way, the bot heads for the remote.

Frozone ices the robot's path, causing the bot's metal feet to slip and slide. Helen runs ahead of the bot, stretching herself into a tripwire across the stumbling robot's path. It CRASHES to the street.

The bot LOOKS UP. The remote lies on the street just in front of it, easily within its grasp. The bot reaches out with a claw to destroy the remote. The remote magically JUMPS CLEAR. The bot tries again, and again the remote darts away. Riled now, the bot rears up and STABS wildly at the remote with all of its arms. We hear VIOLET shriek, as the remote repeatedly eludes the robot's grasp: finally tangling its legs so badly that it topples over.

Vi REAPPEARS, running back to rejoin the group in the middle of the street.

VIOLET
Mom, I got it! I got the remote!
FROZONE
A remote? A remote that controls what?

Violet begins to fiddle with the remote's CLICK-WHEEL, poking its buttons to no effect. The robot has gotten to its feet and lunges toward them.

Violet shrieks and presses the button a last time. ROCKETS FIRE underneath the robot's clawed feet, lifting the enormous machine into the air.

FROZONE (CONT'D)
The ROBOT???

Everyone ducks as the robot rockets overhead, crashing into a building at the end of the street. Like a woozy prizefighter, the Omnidroid gets back on its feet.

DASH
It's coming back!

Dash snatches the remote from Violet, aims it at the robot, spins the click-wheel and presses a button. Behind Dash (and unseen by all) the claws on the robot's detached arm SPRING OPEN-- flinging Bob into the air.

DASH (CONT'D)
That wasn't right.
VIOLET
(snatching remote back)
Give me that!

DOWN THE STREET - WITH BOB

He climbs to his feet, muttering to himself.

BOB
We can't stop it...! The only thing hard enough to penetrate it is...

A thought hits him. He turns, staring at the metal claw.

BOB (CONT'D)
...itself.

WITH FROZONE, HELEN & THE KIDS

Helen has the remote now and is trying to figure it out. The Omnidroid has them all in its sights and is lumbering toward them. The kids are starting to panic.

HELEN
No, this'll work! This'll work!
(to Frozone)
Lucius, try to buy us some time!
FROZONE
(re: button, exiting)
Try the one next to it!

Lucius takes off, throwing ice and skating down the street toward the approaching robot. He JUMPS off an ice ramp, his skates CONVERTING into a circular ski-disc in mid-air. He lands, throwing a massive ICE WALL in front of the robot.

WITH BOB

As he closes the claw into a massive arrowhead and starts charging down the street.

WITH HELEN & THE KIDS

Helen dials the click-wheel on the remote, pokes a button.

RESUME BOB

The back of the claw suddenly FIRES a rocket engine. Bob veers crazily, trying to control it.

RESUME HELEN & THE KIDS

She pokes the button again. Now close to the group, Bob's claw rocket SWITCHES OFF. Bob gets an idea.

BOB
Wait a minute--!
(yells to Helen)
Press that button again!

Helen presses a button. The claw blades start to spin.

BOB (CONT'D)
No-- the other one! The FIRST ONE!
HELEN
First button-- got it!

The Omnidroid has broken through the first ice wall, and pounding away at a second one. Though Frozone's giving it all he's got, the robot's starting to get through.

FROZONE
HELEN???

Helen looks at the remote, gestures at her kids.

HELEN
Get outta here, kids! Find a safe spot!
VIOLET
We're not going anywhere!
BOB (FROM DOWN THE STREET)
PRESS THE BUTTON!
HELEN
NOT YET!

The Omnidroid is pounding through the second wall. Bob shouts from behind them.

BOB
WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR??!
HELEN
A CLOSER TARGET! YOU GOT ONE SHOT!

The Omnidroid SHATTERS the last wall-- it's almost on top of them. Helen presses the button. The claw-rocket FIRES. Bob aims it directly at the Omnidroid's metal underbelly--

BOB
EVERYBODY DUCK!!

--and RELEASES IT. The giant metal arrow roars overhead and drills clean through the robot's body, coming out the other side. For a long moment nothing happens. Then the gargantuan machine KEELS OVER and EXPLODES. It's over.

The family looks at each other, stunned. Frozone starts to chuckle. Bob smiles as he looks at his Super family. It feels like his best memories... only better.

The seemingly empty city begins to come to life, as people emerge from their hiding places, converging in the street. People begin to spontaneously CHEER the heroes, welcoming the Supers' return. Two ELDERLY GENTLEMEN stand together in the crowd. One nudges the other.

FRANK
See that? That's the way you do it. That's Old School.
OLLIE
Yup. No school like the Old School.

ON A NEARBY ROOFTOP

SYNDROME comes to. Looks over the edge to the streets below to find the battle over and the masses cheering-- not for him, but for the group of Supers. He DARKENS.

SYNDROME
No--!

WITH FROZONE AND THE INCREDIBLES

They drink in the cheers as the adoring crowd gathers around them.

FROZONE
Just like old times.
BOB
Just like old times...

Bob slaps Frozone on the back, a little too hard. Frozone shakes it off.

FROZONE
Yeah. Hurt then, too.
59

EXT. CITY STREETS - MOVING - DUSK

p.120

A long, black LIMO cruises down the street.

INSIDE THE LIMO - CONTINUOUS

Bob sits proudly with his family as Rick Dicker debriefs them. Everyone is enjoying the moment, save for Helen, who has already clicked back into "mother-mode" and is using the car phone to get messages.

DICKER
We've frozen all his assets. If Syndrome even sneezes we'll be there with a hanky and a pair of handcuffs. The people of this country are indebted to you. We'll make good on it.
BOB
Does this mean we can come out of hiding?
DICKER
Let the politicians figure that one out. But I've been asked to assure you that we'll take care of everything else. You did good, Bob.

Dash plays with the electric windows as Helen retrieves messages from the car phone. Window up, window down...

KARI'S VOICE
(beep)
Hello, Mrs. Parr. Everything's fine, but there's something-- unusual about Jack-Jack. Can you call me, okay?

...window up, up, down, up. Finally Helen snaps.

HELEN
(to Dash)
Come on! We're in a limo!

Bob is looking appreciatively at Violet.

BOB
You're wearing your hair back.
VIOLET
Huh? Oh, yeah. I just... yeah.
BOB
It looks good.
VIOLET
(blushing)
Thanks, Dad.
DASH
(to Bob)
That was so cool when you threw that car.
BOB
Not as cool as you running on water.
DASH
And Mom when she-- hey, Mom! That was sweet when you snagged that bad guy with your arm and kinda like whiplashed him into the other guy--
HELEN
I'm trying to listen to messages, honey...
DASH
And we totally aced those guys that tried to kill us! That was the best vacation ever! I love our family.
KARI'S VOICE
(beep)
It's me! Jack-Jack's still fine but I'm really getting weirded out!! WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK??
HELEN
(nudges Bob, shares phone)
Bob, listen to this--

Helen is listening to the last message as the limo slows to a stop in front of their home--

DICKER
Here we are...
KARI'S VOICE
(through phone, calmer)
Hi, this is Kari. Sorry for freaking out. But your baby has special needs. Anyway, thanks for sending a replacement sitter--
HELEN
(looks at Bob, alarmed)
"Replacement"...? I didn't call for a replacement!

Bob's eyes widen. He and Helen jump from the car, followed by the kids. They cross the lawn and burst through the front door to REVEAL--

SYNDROME

who SPINS, hitting the family with his ZERO-POINT RAY. Cradling a sleeping Jack-Jack in his arms, he grins.

SYNDROME
Shh. The baby's sleeping.

He CACKLES. The Incredibles are frozen and helpless in the grasp of the ZERO-POINT. Only their eyes betray their desperation.

SYNDROME (CONT'D)
You took away my future. I'm simply returning the favor. Don't worry. I'll be a good mentor; supportive, encouraging. Everything you weren't. And in time, who knows? He might make a good sidekick...

Syndrome FLINGS the family into the bookcase. He points his power band toward the roof and blows a huge hole in it, revealing his MANTA JET hovering high above. Syndrome fires his jet-boots and TAKES OFF toward the jet.

HELEN
He's getting away, Bob! We have to do something! We have to do something now!

ASCENDING WITH SYNDROME & JACK-JACK - DUSK

JACK-JACK awakens to the sight of his family and home receding beneath him. He CRIES, reaching out for them.

Syndrome nears the MANTA JET. JACK-JACK'S crying turns angry and suddenly he BURSTS INTO FLAMES. Syndrome shrieks. Jack-Jack's fire goes out, revealing that the baby has turned to METAL.

Syndrome DROPS with the sudden weight. His jet-boots compensate, but Syndrome is struggling to stay aloft. The baby's flesh reverts to normal, but the baby begins to VIBRATE fiercely. Syndrome can barely keep hold of him.

ON THE GROUND

Helen turns to Bob, panicked.

HELEN
Something's happening! What's happening??

RESUME SYNDROME & JACK-JACK

The vibrating baby begins to REDDEN, TRANSFORMING abruptly into mini-MONSTER. The Jack-Jack monster throws a headlock around Syndrome, laughing maniacally and starts to RIP APART Syndrome's Jet-boots!

ON THE GROUND

Bob and Helen watch helplessly.

HELEN
We have to stop him! Throw something!
BOB
I can't! I might hit Jack-Jack!
HELEN
(realization, softly)
Throw me...

WITH SYNDROME AND JACK-JACK

Jack-Jack RIPS a valve from Syndrome's jet-boots, which PROPELS him upward, slamming his head into the jet's wing. He loses hold of Jack-Jack, who FALLS--

ON THE GROUND

Helen SEES THIS, turns to Bob--

HELEN
Bob-- THROW ME!!

Helen leaps into Bob's arms, forming into a SPEAR shape. BOB takes aim and FLINGS HER toward the falling baby.

IN THE SKY

HELEN SOARS-- and GRABS JACK-JACK! She quickly BLOOMS into a parachute.

60

INT./EXT. MANTA JET

p.124

SYNDROME regains control. He successfully docks with the hovering Manta Jet. He stands at the docking doors, his cape blowing dramatically upwards...

SYNDROME
THIS ISN'T THE END OF IT!!

ON THE GROUND

Bob looks around wildly for a way to get at Syndrome, and spies his sports car. Regret flashes across his face--

61

EXT. MANTA JET

p.124
SYNDROME
I WILL GET YOUR SON!! I'LL-- oh no...

Syndrome's eyes go wide. BOB'S CAR is soaring toward him, tumbling end over end towards the MANTA JET. Syndrome jumps back as the crafts COLLIDE, blowing him off his feet and up over the wing, toward the turbines.

Clawing madly to find purchase, he LOOKS over his shoulder in time to see the end of his CAPE sucked into the intake. Syndrome SCREAMS as he's YANKED OUT OF FRAME--

ON THE GROUND

BOB, DASH & VI react as the MANTA JET EXPLODES.

DESCENDING WITH HELEN AND JACK-JACK

Helen cradles Jack-Jack facing upwards, his back toward the ground. He looks at her, giggling and cooing.

HELEN
Look at Mommy, honey. Don't look down, Mommy's got you. Everything's alright...

But Jack-Jack sees burning wreckage coming toward them and starts to SHRIEK, pointing upwards. Helen turns to see it as--

WRECKAGE CRASHES ON TOP OF THEM, DESTROYING THE PARR HOME. HELEN & JJ ARE SAVED. VI AND HELEN EXCHANGE A MEANINGFUL LOOK:

HELEN (CONT'D)
That's my girl.
DASH
Does this mean we have to move again?

Everyone chuckles at this. The smoke begins to clear, REVEALING a lone witness to this cataclysmic event--

--the Big Wheel KID, whose eyes are as big as dinner plates.

KID
Ooohh, man, THAT WAS TOTALLY WICKED!
FADE TO BLACK.
62

EXT. PARKER STADIUM - DAY - THREE MONTHS LATER

p.125

The stadium parking lot is about half full on a beautiful cloudless day. The marquee announces JUNIOR HIGH TRACK FINALS.

INSIDE THE STADIUM

Young runners loosen up at the starting line of the hundred-yard dash. Dash is among them. He waves to the stands.

IN THE STANDS

Bob, Helen and Jack-Jack wave back. Coming down the steps is none other than Violet's crush, TONY RYDINGER. He waves cooly at some friends and heads toward the concession stand... PAUSING when he sees Violet and a friend talking nearby. He approaches them.

TONY
(to Violet)
Hey.
VIOLET
Hey.
TONY
You're... Violet, right?

With a smile, Vi's friend exits.

VIOLET
That's me.
TONY
You look... different.
VIOLET
I feel different. Is different okay...?
TONY
Different is great. Would you... uh...
VIOLET
Yeah...?
TONY
Do you... want...
VIOLET
Yeah...
TONY
Maybe... we, uh... could--

Violet silences Tony with a single finger on his lips. Tony stares at her in shock and wonder.

VIOLET
I like movies. I'll buy the popcorn.
(then, gently)
Okay...?
TONY
Yeah. Good. A movie. Okay. Friday?
VIOLET
(big smile)
Friday.

ON THE FIELD

The starter pistol FIRES and the runners take off. Dash jogs well behind the pack in a confident, easy trot.

In the stands Bob, Helen, and Violet cheer Dash on.

BOB, HELEN & VIOLET
Go!! Go, Dash, GO!! Run. Run! RUN!!
(etc.)

Dash hears them and looks toward the stands.

BOB & HELEN
GO, DASH, GO! POUR IT ON, SON! HIT THE GAS! (etc.)

Dash, his eyes still on his family, accelerates a little and quickly moves toward the front of the pack...

BOB & HELEN (CONT'D)
--BUT NOT TOO MUCH!! PULL IT BACK! PULL IT BACK!! EASE UP! Slow down a little!!

Dash, clearly confused now, furrows his brows as he again drops back. The family shouts LOUDER--

BOB & HELEN (CONT'D)
But don't give up!! Make it close-- SECOND!! GO FOR SECOND! A CLOSE SECOND!!

Understanding, Dash accelerates just enough to scare the leader, crossing the finish line inches behind him.

IN THE STANDS

the Incredibles are ecstatic. They cheer and laugh and jostle each other as if Dash had won Olympic gold. Dash stands in the cluster of panting, red-faced boys, not even winded, and beams at his proud family.

BOB (O.S.)
That's my boy!!

STADIUM PARKING LOT - MINUTES LATER

The family crosses the parking lot, Dash sitting atop Bob's shoulders, clutching his second-place trophy. Everyone is happy and together.

HELEN
You were great out there, honey. We're so proud of you.
DASH
I saw you in the stands. I didn't know what the heck you wanted me to do...

The ground begins to QUAKE. The INCREDIBLES stop as the low RUMBLE grows louder. On the far side of the lot, cars begin to be thrown into the air, tossed about like toys.

A GARGANTUAN DRILL spirals out of the ground, throwing dirt and chunks of asphalt in all directions. People run screaming as the enormous metallic vehicle crests and crashes to earth. A door opens on top and a hulking figure in dirty overalls emerges atop a rising platform.

His ragged voice amplified through a loudspeaker, the UNDERMINER speaks--

UNDERMINER
BEHOLD THE UNDERMINER! I'M ALWAYS BENEATH YOU, BUT NOTHING IS BENEATH ME! I HEREBY DECLARE WAR ON PEACE AND HAPPINESS! ALL WILL TREMBLE BEFORE ME! (etc.)

CAMERA pans off Bob as he glances at his family. They've already donned their masks, ready as they'll ever be. CAMERA returns to Bob, revealing that he too has put on his mask.

He turns toward their new nemesis and SMILES, RIPS his shirt OPEN TO REVEAL the "i" insignia on the chest of his Supersuit underneath, the logo of--

--THE INCREDIBLES.

THE END