The Fantastic Four Page #2

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SUE (O.S.)

He's right, Ben.

They turn to see...SUE STORM (demure, stunning) standing in a

corner...possibly for the whole presentation. A little cold:

SUE (CONT'D)

It's just business.

VICTOR:

I think you both know my Director of

Genetic Research, Susan Storm.

BEN:

Heya Susie.

(under breath, to Reed)

One more thing he's got.

Sue gracefully walks into the office, only taking her eyes

off of Reed to give Ben a warm hug.

SUE:

Ben, it's been too long.

She gives Reed a polite handshake. Victor watches carefully.

Reed looks uncomfortable in her gaze. A little tongue-tied.

REED:

You're, you've, I mean, how have you

bee--

SUE:

Never better.

Victor sizes them up. He puts a hand on Sue's shoulder.

VICTOR:

This isn't going to be a problem, is

it?

REED:

Not at all.

SUE:

Ancient history.

Victor smiles, eyeing Sue.

VICTOR:

Good. Then you're just in time to

hear the great Reed Richards ask me

for help.

(to Reed)

You know, you made a lot of folks at

MIT feel like a junior high science

fair. So you'll excuse me if I savor

the moment.

Ben tightens. A hard beat. Reed sucks it up.

REED:

You back this mission, and I'll sign

over a fair percentage of any

applications or --

VICTOR:

The number's seventy-five. And it's

applications and patents.

BEN:

What about his first born?

REED:

(quiet)

Ben, the money's not important. We

could save lives.

Sue gives a thin smile -- a flicker of old feelings.

VICTOR:

Twenty-five percent of a billion is

enough to keep the lights on, isn't

it? Maybe even pay off your fourth

mortgage on the Baxter Building.

They look at Victor. How does he know all this...?

VICTOR (CONT'D)

Deal...?

Reed looks at Ben, who shakes his head softly no. But

Reed...drops a nod. Done. Victor smiles, offers a

handshake.

VICTOR (CONT'D)

Well then, to our future. Together.

Victor squeezes. Hard. His other hand on Sue's shoulder.

VICTOR (CONT'D)

Funny how things turn out, isn't it?

REED:

Hilarious.

As Reed and Sue lock eyes, Ben watches Victor. Wary.

INT. VICTOR'S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER - DAY

Director of Communications LEONARD enters, checking files.

VICTOR:

If Reed's right, then this little trip

will double our stock offering.

LEONARD:

And if he's not...?

VICTOR:

Reed's always right. Good thing he

doesn't always know what he's got...

INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - ELEVATOR - MOMENTS LATER

Reed and Ben step into the elevator.

BEN:

He knew about NASA. What if he made

the call to shut us down --

REED:

Ben, think about all the people we can

help if this works --

BEN:

Maybe you should think about yourself

for once. You always let this guy

push you round --

REED:

We got what we wanted. That's

enough.

BEN:

I know, I know. I'm just worried

about what he wants... Speaking of

which...

Reed follows Ben's eyes to...SUE. She joins them. Doors

shut.

INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS

SUE:

You sure about this, Reed?

He nods, head down. He doesn't want eye contact.

REED:

Those solar winds are flaring, but I

factored them into my coordinates and --

SUE:

I was talking about us. Working

together.

Sue holds her eyes on Reed. He is clearly uncomfortable in

her gaze. Did the elevator just get smaller?

REED:

(thinking, talking fast)

Well, uh, based on our history...you

can handle the biogenetics, and I'll

focus on the molecular physics. Or,

uhm, maybe I should take the biotech,

you work the microscopes, since you

have some background in electropho--

SUE:

(droll, a little annoyed)

Right. That's exactly what I meant.

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