02 - The Trap is Set

Transcript by Angela

Director of Animation: Todd Jahnke
Writer: Sean Kelly
Director: Graeme Lynch

SCENE: Mark's bedroom

PETE: Hey, Mark. It's Pete. Your last e-mail didn't make any sense. You said something about Ace Lightning and a gang of bad guys escaped from your video game. Now they're running round causing trouble? I don't know how to tell you this, mate, but Ace Lightning? He isn't real.

MARK: Believe me, Pete, Ace Lightning is for real, except I don't know where he is and I can't find him.

SCENE; Haunted House (Carnival of Doom)

Ace slowly sits up. He's sitting on a pile of wires.

ACE: What's with all the wires, Lord Fear?

LORD FEAR: It's just a little something to amuse us. My lady, would you be so kind as to further secure our prisoner?

LADY ILLUSION: With pleasure, my Lord.

She uses one of her globes to trap Ace.

DUFF: Whoa! What the Sam Hill is ...

LORD FEAR: Ah, our benefactor, Mr Duff. What, dear sir, is your biggest financial problem?

DUFF: Well, er ... I suppose it's er ... it's paying my electrical bill.

LORD FEAR: Perhaps we can be of some assistance.

He flips the main switch.

RAT: We'll get a charge out of this!

The wires draw on Ace's electricity to power the whole carnival.

The Trap is Set

SCENE: Mark's backyard

Mark is moving gnomes across the yard while Fiona is working in the garden.

MARK: How's that, Mum?

FIONA: Something's still not quite right. Erm ... could you move them all over there?

MARK: I've just moved them from there.

FIONA: So I've changed my mind.

MARK: Mum, I have things to do, you know. I haven't unpacked my room yet. I'm already on munchkin duty.

FIONA: They're called gnomes, not munchkins. Besides, we need a garden. A proper garden. An English garden.

Mark's dad rides up on a brand new ride-on mower.

SIMON: I've always fancied one of these!

FIONA: Simon, be careful!

SIMON: (looking back) What, darling?

MARK: Look out, Dad!

SIMON: Can't hear you!

He drives straight over Fiona's new garden.

FIONA: My garden! Look what you've done to my garden! You stupid, silly person!

SIMON: It wasn't my fault! I was only talking to you, wasn't I?

Chuck rides up.

MARK: Hi, Chuck.

CHUCK: What's going on?

MARK: A driving lesson.

CHUCK: Do you want to go to the mall? Then after that, if we're not too full, we could swing by the Carnival.

MARK: The carnival? What carnival?

CHUCK: The Kent Brothers' carnival outside of town. Nobody's been there in like a million years but I heard they're going to let people in tonight.

MARK: That's it! That's where he is!

CHUCK: That's where who is?

MARK: Er ... hold that thought.

Mark shoves the gnome at Chuck and goes up to his room to get the guidebook.

SIMON: I don't believe this! Oh, God! Get this stupid washing off me!

MARK: Mum, Dad, I'm going out for a while.

They don't notice. They're too busy trying to free Simon from the washing.

MARK: (to Chuck) Come on!

They both ride past Heather, who is waiting for Sam.

HEATHER: Hey, Sam. Guess who just went by with Chuck Mugel. That English kid, Mark.

SAM: Mark is here?

HEATHER: Samantha! If I didn't know you were with Brett, I would swear you were into the new guy.

SAM: No, I just think something weird is going on with that guy. So where were they headed?

HEATHER: That way. But I didn't ...

SAM: Thanks. Thanks. Bye.

She shoves her drink at Heather and rides off. Heather holds up the drink.

HEATHER: What am I supposed to do with this?

SCENE: Haunted House (Carnival of Doom)

LORD FEAR: Looks like the tide has turned, Ace Lightning. You're the one who's imprisoned now and I'm the one who's free.

ACE: It'll take more than this to stop me, Fear. And then you've got a one-way ticket back to the Sixth Dimension.

LORD FEAR: Ha! You arrogant fool! With each passing minute you grow weaker. There's no way you can save yourself.

ACE: Yuk it up. gruesome. Another Lightning Knight will be here soon and I'm going to enjoy watching him twist you into a pretzel.

LORD FEAR: You mean your pathetic sidekick? We have something special planned for him. I'm sure he'll feel right at home.

STAFF HEAD: That's right. We're gonna roll out the welcome mat for that mindless mortal. Hee, hee, hee, hee!

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

Duff is painting a new banner under the red carnival banner. It reads 'Carnival of Doom'.

MARK: Excuse me, are you open for business?

DUFF: Hold on. I ain't got the sign done yet.

MARK: Come on, Chuck. That could take years.

Mark and Chuck ride into the carnival. Duff doesn't see them because he is distracted by paint on his hand.

MARK: Hold my bike for a sec.

CHUCK: Sure, dude.

Mark gets out the guidebook and flicks through it.

MARK: OK, 'Using Decoys'. That's brilliant. We're going to try that. You're the decoy.

CHUCK: The what?

MARK: It's all part of the Ace Lightning game. The British version.

CHUCK: Oh ... yeah.

MARK: It's different, I know, but just trust me.

CHUCK: I've been trying to solve this game for weeks, dude. Whatever it takes to win, I'm all over it.

DUFF: Huh! Ha! Ha! (He's finished the sign) Hey! Hey, hey! Hey, you didn't pay! You've got to pay your fee!

Duff chases after Chuck. Mark rides past as Chuck starts screaming. Pigface follows Mark.

DUFF: Come back, you little runt!

MARK: (reading) While exploring the carnival, watch out for Lord Fear's henchmen, like Pigface.

Pigface comes up behind Mark.

MARK: Pigface! Aargh!

Mark takes off into the Haunted House. Sam rides into the carnival.

SAM: Chuck! Mark!

SCENE: Haunted House (Carnival of Doom)

MARK: If I ever get out of here, I am never going to play another video game as long as I live.

He goes into the next room and sees Ace, still trapped in Lady Illusion's bubble. Lord Fear watches from the shadows.

MARK: Ace, are you all right?

ACE: Mario. My sidekick. Better late than never.

MARK: Mark. My name's Mark.

ACE: If you say so, Garth. I need your help, kid. My power's weak.

MARK: Right. So what do we ...

LORD FEAR: Isn't this cozy? Just the three of us.

ACE: Blast him, kid!

LORD FEAR: I hate to burst your bubble, Lightning, but your little sidekick isn't blasting anybody.

Mark backs away and cowers against the far wall, looking through his backpack for anything that will stop Lord Fear.

LORD FEAR: The Amulet! How lucky for me! And how unlucky for you. Your hapless hero cannot save you but give me that piece of the Amulet and you might save yourself.

SAM: (from outside) Mark! Are you in there?

LORD FEAR: What? Who dares to interfere with me?

Mark takes advantage of his distraction to run.

LORD FEAR: You can't escape me, you helpless weakling!

SAM: Mark!

She hears Chuck screaming. He rides past with Duff on his tail.

MARK: Come on! Get out of here! Let's go!

SAM: Wait! What's going on?!

LORD FEAR: Aargh! Look alive, you idiot! They're getting away!

Pigface belches and hurries after them.

DUFF: Come back, you little runt!

RAT: Nobody gets out of here alive! You got lucky, kid! (to Pigface) Er ... hee, hee. Sorry.

SCENE: Sidewalk

Chuck flops down beside his scooter.

SAM: Would you mind telling me what that was all about?

MARK: I can't. You wouldn't believe me. And even if you did, I don't want to put in danger. Look, all I know is I've got to go back there.

SAM: Are you in some kind of trouble?

MARK: No, it's not me. It's this guy I know. He's kind of my friend. Someday I'll tell you all about it. I will. I promise.

SAM: Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll find out for myself.

She rides off.

MARK: Wait, Samantha! You don't know how much trouble you're getting into!

SAM: I'll see you after dinner at the carnival!

CHUCK: Did somebody say dinner?

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

DUFF: Well, ha, ha, ha! It's almost showtime, huh? I'm glad to have you all on board. Just a few simple rules. Your work hours are 7:30 till closing. And tonight I want you inside the Haunted House. Strictly - I don't want you out on the midway spooking the customers.

LORD FEAR: There seems to be some mistake, Mr Duff, about who is working for whom. This Carnival is mine, you meaningless mortal!

DUFF: Yeah, but ...

STAFF HEAD: Let me give you some advice that might save your life. Speak to Lord Fear only when spoken to. Understood?

LORD FEAR: And tonight we have prepared a rather special prize for our lucky guests.

RAT: (dressed up in a bunny costume) When can I get out of this costume, boss? It's stuffy in here!

LORD FEAR: You'll get out of it when I say you can, rodent. And my loyal Lady, be sure the prize gets to the rightful recipient. I wouldn't want the sidekick's girlfriend to go home empty-handed.

LADY ILLUSION: Yes, indeed, my Lord.

STAFF HEAD: Hee, hee! I'm certain she'll get a real 'bang' out of that prize, your Lordship!

SCENE: Mark's House (evening)

MARK: Dad, I'm going out again.

SIMON: Remember, Mark, home by half past nine.

MARK: Great, first save the world, then be home in time for curfew.

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

MARK: Chuck, glad you made it. I may need some help later.

CHUCK: We're still playing the game?

MARK: Yes.

CHUCK: Cool. What do I do?

MARK: Just stay around here. Get something to eat or something.

CHUCK: Sweet!

Mark heads for the Haunted House.

SAM: Hey, Mark! Mark, wait up! (to Brett) I know he's hiding something. Come on, let's go after him.

BRETT: Look, I came here to have fun. If you want to chase after that English kid, you're on your own. Are you coming or not, Sam?

Sam goes with Brett. Chuck gets an ice-cream.

CHUCK: Mm-mm-mm.

WAYNE: Well, what do you know? It's my old pal, Chuck. Chucky Upchuck without his chum the Queen of England.

He drops a piece of rubbish on the ground.

WAYNE: Oops. Pick that up for me, will you, Chuck? Chuck is my personal recycler, isn't that right, Chuck?

CHUCK: One of these days, Wayne, I'm gonna ...

WAYNE: You're gonna what?

Chuck shoves his ice-cream in Wayne's face.

WAYNE: You're meat.

CHUCK: Aargh! Mark! Help!

He bolts with Wayne after him.

SCENE: Haunted House

Anvil snores away as Mark creeps into the room where Ace is being held.

MARK: (reading from guidebook) Anvil becomes a shivering coward when he's alone in the dark. That'll do it. Time for your wake-up call.

Mark turns off all the lights in the Haunted House.

MARK: Aargh!

Anvil wakes up.

ANVIL: Who made room dark? Anvil doesn't like dark. Anvil afraid of dark.

MARK: Maybe you'd like a nightlight?

ANVIL: Aargh!

He swings blindly and Mark ducks out of the way. Ace swings Anvil into the light switch and he is electrocuted.

ACE: Nice work, kid. That ought to keep him quiet for a while.

MARK: Let's split up. You go look for the Amulet. I'll watch out for the others.

ACE: Well, It's about time you acted like a Lightning Knight.

MARK: I told you I'm not a Lightning Knight.

ACE: Whatever. But being a hero isn't easy, Mark. It takes sacrifice. You think you're ready?

MARK: I guess we'll see. And thanks.

ACE: For what?

MARK: You finally got my name right.

ACE: Ha, ha. No problem, Mel.

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

LADY ILLUSION: (in disguise) Hey, Slick. Want to win a prize for your girlfriend?

BRETT: How much?

LADY ILLUSION: A buck fifty.

Brett hands him/her the money and takes the ball. He throws it through the hoop.

LADY ILLUSION: Hey, hey, hey! We have a winner! Hey, here you go, Slick. And, er ... there's another one here for your little lady friend.

SAM: Thanks.

LADY ILLUSION: Ha, ha, ha! (to Mark in her normal voice) Better say your goodbyes before it's too late!

Mark looks at Sam's rabbit and it lifts it's head to look back.

RAT: Yeah!

Chuck is hiding from Wayne. Sam and Brett are in line for a ride.

MARK: Samantha, Brett, wait!

SAM: Hey, where have you been?

MARK: Around. Nice bunnies. Cute. I think you should get rid of them. There might be something wrong with them. Er ... fleas. Anything. This whole place is really dodgy.

BRETT: Are you okay, man?

MARK: Yeah. If I could just hold your bunnies.

BRETT: I don't think that's such a good idea. Come on.

MARK: How about I just hold your rabbits while you go on the ride?!

GUY: Whoa, big guy. Tickets. Tickets.

MARK: Er ...

He gives him a ticket and gets on beside Samantha and Brett.

MARK: Samantha, Brett, you've got to get out of here right now.

SAM: Why?

Mark tries to get Brett's bunny.

BRETT: I won that!

SAM: Mark, what are you doing?

MARK: I'll show you! It's the Rat!

Mark rips the head off Brett's bunny.

MARK: Whoops. Wrong one.

BRETT: Look, kid, I know you're new here, but in America we don't rip the heads off other people's bunnies.

Chuck gets on the ride. Wayne gets on beside him.

CHUCK: Oh, hi, Wayne.

WAYNE: When this ride's over, you're toast, barf boy.

Chuck starts to whimper.

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

Ace drops down behind Lady Illusion and Lord Fear.

ACE: Leaving so soon? We didn't even have a chance to say goodbye.

LORD FEAR: You again? You never learn, do you? You just keep coming back. Well, here's where it ends.

ACE: Guess again, Chuckles.

He shoots a bar of lightning at them. It hits Lord Fear. Lady Illusion throws a ball and it hits Ace.

Back on the ride.

RAT: Hee, hee, hee! (A globe appears above one paw.)

MARK: He's got a bomb!

The ride starts.

Ace is struck by lightning, which powers him up.

STAFF HEAD: Oh, crikey. A bit of bad weather. This is not good.

ACE: Now, Lord Fear, as I was saying.

He shoots Staff Head from Lord Fear's hand and blasts Lady Illusion's globe out of the air.

On the ride Mark tries to get at Sam's bunny.

CHUCK: Oh, my stomach!

Ace pelts Lord Fear with lightning as he runs. He collapses onto the ground.

ACE: Your piece of the Amulet is mine, Lord Fear. Looks like you'll be heading back to prison in the Sixth Dimension.

LORD FEAR: Perhaps. It's a pity your new sidekick will not live to enjoy your victory. There's going to be a little explosion, and then ... no more sidekick.

ACE: What? Huh?

Mark gets Sam's bunny and throws it into the air. Rat flies through the air with the bomb.

ACE: This battle has just begun, Lord Fear.

He takes off.

LORD FEAR: Ha! Once more, his fatal flaws - decency, friendship, loyalty. He's a mere mortal, you fool!

Ace flies up and takes the bomb off Rat. He throws Rat through the air and the bomb high into the air. It explodes into fireworks.

SAM: Look, fireworks!

The ride stops and Chuck does not look well.

CHUCK: Oh, no.

WAYNE: What are you doing?

CHUCK: Oh, no!

WAYNE: No! Let me out! Oh, no!

Chuck vomits all over Wayne's shirt.

WAYNE: Oh, no!

Rat lands in front of Lord Fear and his gang.

RAT: Wow! What a ride! You sure know how to put on a show, boss!

LORD FEAR: Shut up!

LADY ILLUSION: What's next, my Lord?

LORD FEAR: We still have our piece of the Amulet, my dear. And the battle is far from finished.

SCENE: Carnival of Doom

MARK: Samantha, wait. I can explain.

BRETT: I think you've done enough for one night.

MARK: Samantha!

SAM: He's right, Mark.

She and Brett walk away.

CHUCK: Hey, dude. You still playing that awesome game?

MARK: Er ... no, Chuck. I'm done for the night.

WAYNE: Upchuck!

Chuck screams and runs. Mark walks alone through the carnival.

MARK: (V.O.) Peter, you won't believe this, but I rescued this girl named Samantha, except she doesn't know it and now she thinks I'm a big freak. This isn't a game any more, mate. The way it's going, I don't know if I'll make any friends in America.

He looks up to see Ace waving at him before he flies off.

MARK: (V.O.) Well, at least not any human friends.


THE END