From: kurtg@yang.earlham.edu (Son of Scribbler)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics
Subject: From Doug Atkinson: The New Mutants
Date: 4 Apr 92 21:36:49 GMT
Organization: Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana

This is from Doug Atkinson, comments should be sent to douga@yang.earlham.edu.

PREMISE: The New Mutants as once they were.  Stevie Hunter
organises a new group and some helpers.

ROSTER

Amara Aquilla
Trent Darnell
Kevin Derleth
Huang Linwei [Linda Huang]
Amanda Johnson
Jen O'Neal
Sam Thompson
Lara Ventura

ALIAS

Magma
Changeling
Kevin
Sensor
Vector
Ultimate
Dusk
Force

STAFF

Director: Stevie Hunter
Healer (Medical staff)
Erg (Part-time trainer)
Lila Cheney (Financer, accompaniment)
Fred Duncan (FBI contact, business manager)
Dennis Stewart (Trainer)
Tom Corsi (Security, grounds)
Sharon Friedlander (Nurse, grounds)
James and Faith Meyer (Teachers)


















CHANGELING

Real name: Trent Darnell
Other current or former aliases: Various
Dual identity: Secret
Current occupation: Student
Former occupation: Urchin
Citizenship: US
Legal status: No criminal record, still a minor
Place of birth: Annapolis, Maryland
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
Usual base of operations: Ipswich, Mass.
Former base of operations: Mobile
Current group membership: New Mutants
Former ditto: None
Extent of education: Kindergarten

Height: 6'
Weight: 175 lbs.
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black

PROFILE: Trent's origin is unknown.  He has the ability to
change his appearance to the body of anyone he has seen
before.

Trent has spent the last several years travelling across New
England.

DESCRIPTION: (Normal appearance) Trent has fairly short hair.
He generally wears decent street clothes (jeans, t-shirt,
jacket).  Fairly well-built.


DERLETH, KEVIN

Real name: Kevin Derleth
Other aliases: None
Current occupation: Student
Former occupation: Inmate
Dual identity: Kevin has no dual identity
Citizenship: US
Legal status: United States citizen with no criminal record,
legally considered insane, still a minor
Place of birth: Arkham, MA
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: Parents (real names unknown, deceased),
Melissa (Missy, sister, deceased), Agatha (grandmother,
deceased)
Current group affiliation: New Mutants
Former ditto: None
Current base of operations: Ipswich, Mass.
Former ditto: Arkham, Mass.
Extent of education: First grade

Height: 5'8"            Eyes: Blue/Green
Weight: 145 lbs.         Hair: Black

PROFILE: It is unknown if Kevin is a mutant or what.  He is
apparently a telekinetic.  He has recently been released from
an asylum.

DESCRIPTION: Long hair.  Slightly manic look.  Smiles a lot.
Dresses well but casually.  Fairly lightly built.


DUSK

Real name: Sam Thompson
Other aliases: Batwing, Nightflier, Fly-By-Night
Current occupation: Student
Dual identity: Secret; known to the RCX and FBI
Citizenship: UK
Legal status: No criminal record; still a minor
Place of birth: Putney
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
UBOO: Ipswich, Mass.
FBOO: Braddock Manor; Muir Isle
CGM: New Mutants
FGM: Warpy assault group G
Extent of education: Some private tutoring

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 110 lbs (due to hollow bones)
Eyes: Red
Hair: Grey

PROFILE: Sam has bat wings, a tail, grey skin, and large
eyes.  He can fly and is unusually strong and agile and has
good night vision.  His tail is prehensile.

Sam was gathered up with many other Warpies by the RCX.  He
later moved to Muir Isle and was trained for combat.

DESCRIPTION: Sam has grey skin, solid red eyes, and bat-like
wings.  He has a 4-foot-long prehensile tail and pointed
ears.  He wears parachute pants (specially altered) and
muscle shirts.  In public, he wears very concealing clothes
(coat and hat).  Very muscular.


FORCE

Real name: Lara Ventura
Other aliases: None
Dual identity: Secret
Current occupation: Student
Former occupation: None
Citizenship: Phillipines
Legal status: No criminal record in the US, still a minor
Place of birth: Manila
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: Parents (names unknown)
Usual base of operations: Ipswich, Mass.
Former ditto: Manila; Portland, Oregon
Current membership: New Mutants
Former ditto: None
Extent of education: 9th grade

Height: 5'2"
Weight: 100 lbs.
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black

PROFILE: Lara was born in the Philipines and lived there
until recently.  She discovered her powers shortly before she
left; she was recruited into the NM.

DESCRIPTION: Small and unassuming.  Wears glasses.  Medium-
length hair.  She's Philipino, remember.  Dresses in heavy
boy's clothes.


MAGMA

Real name: Amara Julians Olivians Aquilla
Other aliases: None
Dual identity: Secret
Occupation: Student
Citizenship: Nova Roma
Legal status: No criminal record, still a minor
Place of birth: Nova Roma, Brazil
Marital status: Single (engaged)
Known relatives: Lucius Antonius Aquilla (father)
Usual base of operations: Ipswich, Mass.
Former ditto: Xavier's, Nova Roma, Massachusetts Academy
Current group membership: New Mutants
Former ditto: Hellions
Extent of education: ?

Height: 5'6"
Weight: 124 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Blonde

PROFILE: She's back!


SENSOR

Real name: Huang Linwei
Other current aliases: Linda Huang
Dual identity: Secret
Current occupation: Student
Former occupation: None
Citizenship: China
Legal status: Sought for government questioning; in the
United States as a defector
Place of birth: Urumqi (Xinjiang Uygar region)
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
Usual base of operations: Ipswich, Mass.
Former base of operations: Urumqi
Current membership: New Mutants
Former ditto: None
Extent of education: 11th grade equivalent

Height: 5'4"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

PROFILE: Linda was in trouble in China, because of her
father's political leanings and her own nature as a mutant.
She has incredibly enhanced senses.

DESCRIPTION: Linda is the epitome of Chinese beauty.  Long
black hair.  Strong and agile (but not obviously so).
Well-built (by Chinese standards).  Dresses in rugged clothes
for field work, and in nice dresses otherwise.


ULTIMATE

Real name: Jennifer O'Neal
Other aliases: Jen
Dual identity: Secret
Current occupation: Student
Citizenship: Australia
Legal status: No criminal record, still a minor
Place of birth: Melbourne, Australia
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
UBOO: Ipswich, Mass.
FBOO: Melbourne
CGM: New Mutants
FGM: None
Extent of education: 10th grade

Height: 6'
Weight: 130 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blonde

PROFILE: A mutant from Australia, recruited for the NM.  She
manifests a large, golden disc of energy that can carry
various objects and float.  She is excessively perky and
trendy, and rides a skateboard.

DESCRIPTION: Cute and stylish.  All her clothes are the
latest (Melbourne) style.  Her hair is wavy and past
shoulder-length.  Fairly well-built, but athletic.


VECTOR

Real name: Amanda Johnson
Other aliases: None
Dual identity: Secret
Current occupation: Student
Citizenship: US
Legal status: Wanted by the government for failure to
register for the Mutant Registration Act; still a minor
Place of birth: Garfield, Washington
Marital status: Single
Known relatives: None
UBOO: Ipswich, Mass.
FBOO: Garfield; Greenville, Wash.
CGM: New Mutants
FGM: None
Extent of education: 8th grade

Height: 5'5"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Eyes: Dark blue
Hair: Black

PROFILE: Amanda is from Garfield, Washington; her mother is
Indian.  (Asian, that is.) After Blob and Pyro came for her
and Daredevil rescued her, she left to hide with relatives in
Greenville.

DESCRIPTION: Amanda dresses about like she did beforehand.
She's still fairly diminuitive and has just started to
develop.


PLOTS:

ISSUE #1

Prologue: A car, in a darkened garage.  A shadowy hand
scratches the tire and departs.

Stevie Hunter drives along a rural road when she has a
blowout.  As she struggles to regain control, a bloody
expensive car barreling down the road smashes into her rear.
Stevie gets out to give her mind to the driver, whom she
discovers is her acquaintance, Lila Cheney.  Lila takes them
to a coffeeshop nearby that she knows of.  They call the AAA
and sit to chat.  Lila brings up Sam, and X-Force, and Cable;
Stevie mentions her idea of reviving the New Mutants.  Lila
is intrigued; she says she will be willing to finance it.
She says that she knows some people from a British agency to
contact.  They set the wheels in motion; Joseph (aka Gabriel)
and Benjamin (aka Michael) talk to them.  They offer a
possible student, Sam Thompson.  They can't help directly,
but offer the name of someone who can; Fred Duncan.

Cut to subplot.

They chat with Fred.  Fred gets things moving.  The wheels
roll.  Time passes.

They contact Amara and she agrees to rejoin.  (Empath will be
packed off to the Academy.)  Sam arrives from England, and
they all head off to Nova Roma.

Cut to subplot.

In NR, they hang out for a bit.  Empath tries manipulating
Sam, and loses some teeth for his trouble.  He leaves
threatening revenge.  Eventually they head back.
Cut to subplot.

Fred sends them info on Amanda.  They fly out to Washington
and chat with her.  She agrees to join as soon as she gets
her affairs in order.  They get a message, and head out to
talk with Lara.  They return to Massachusetts and move into
the house that Lila bought.

Cut to subplot cliffhanger.

ISSUE #2

"The Dull Life of an Asylum Inmate"

A typical day in the life of Kevin Derleth.

Emma wants to go after Kevin; he's in both sets of files, and
he's the logical choice to beat them to.  She calls in Tarot
and Jetstream and hauls them to the car.

Lara and Amanda arrive.

Okay, according to Xavier's files there's this Derleth kid in
this asylum...let's go check it out, okay?  Gotcha.

Emma comes in and talks to Kevin and leaves the room, pissed.
Tarot (and Jetstream) talk to him a bit.

Cut to subplot.  Briefly.

The bunch arrives (dramatic chord).  Stevie talks with the
management while the kids amuse themselves.

Things happen.

Emma sends the kids to the car and goes off somewhere.

Emma enters...the Inner Sanctum.  Splash page.  Riot is
triggered.  Cliffhanger.

Other note: Stevie has advertised for a teacher.

ISSUE #3

THE RIOT.

Emma & Hellions are out of it.  Tarot's power flares.

The kids help the orderlies maintain control...those that
aren't flipping out.

Cut to subplot.

How is everyone affected?

Tarot's power flares up.
Jetstream resists fairly well.
Amara resists.
Sam resists.
Lara has trouble, and withdraws temporarily.
Amanda has trouble, and runs off.
Stevie stays in the office.
Kevin is, of course, completely unaffected.

Eventually Sam and Amara find Emma and snaps her out of it.
The riot subsides (with help).  Kevin runs into them, and
says something to Emma.  Emma regroups and withdraws, as
Kevin talks with the Muties and agrees to join them.
Negotiations are carried out, and Stevie adopts him.

Subplot stuff is of course scattered in this throughout.

Lila picks up Healer & Erg.

ISSUE #4

Begin with Linda subplot.

Fred tells them about a mutant girl in Australia and they
talk on the phone.  She agrees.  They fly out and meet her.

They call up Fred, get wind of Linda, and Kevin moves them
out.  Major action sequence in China.  She gets recruited.

Lila picks up Tom & Sharon.
Stevie starts interviews.

ISSUE #5

Trent shows up.

So does Dennis.

SUBPLOTS AND LONGTERM PLANS

1. Trent, in the background.
2. Occasional hints of Azerath.
3. #'s 1-4, the continuing saga of Huang Linwei.
4. Massachusetts Academy stuff.
5. Hints about Kevin.

A. Eventually, Kevin's origin.
B. Ditto Trent.
C. Linda as a victim of the... International Communist
   Conspiracy. [Linda is now overwhelmed in a tide of little
   yellow men.]
D. Prometheus III.
E. Character development in general.
F. Government interference.
G. More Azerath stuff.
H. Tarot.
I. The revenge of Empath (bwah-hah-hah).
J. People to show up: Hellions in general; New Warriors; X-
   people; China Brigade; Daredevil; Freedom Force (if
   possible); GR vs. Empath; Fallen Angels.

OTHER STUF??

1. What is it a 'moral imperative' to bring in?

a. Anorexia--done.
     Subtle to begin with--little hints.  Eventually becomes
     bigger.  Stevie or Sharon recognize signs.  Dennis can
     provide hints.
b. Association with the youth of Ipswich.
     Romance.  Friendship.  All the things you can read about
     in a book.
c. 2 things too often ignored in comics; teen drinking & teen
   pregnancy.
     Youth of Ipswich?  Youth, anyway.  Roulette?
d. Humiliating Empath even more.
     No big deal.  He manages well enough on his own.
e. All sorts of personal interactions.  Within the group,
   without, whatever.  That goes without saying, but even so.
     See part 2.
f. Intersting antagonists.
     See part 3.
g. If possible, annoying H.P. Gyrich.
     No big deal, again.
h. As many Monty Python jokes as feasible, and as subtle as
   possible.
     Bwah-hah-hah.

2. PERSONAL INTERACTIONS (drum roll) & CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

What will develop in the course of the series?

A. CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS
     Kevin/Sam/Trent.  Amanda/Lara.  Linda/Dennis.
     Linda/Amara.  Kevin/Tarot.  Kevin/Catseye.
B. MAJOR ENMITIES
     Empath/Everybody.  Jenny/Jen.  Linda/Trent--Jen--Jenny.
C.  DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE
     Trent/Jen.  Kevin/Tarot.  Sam/Lara.  Catseye/Anybody.
     Dennis/Stevie.  Lila/Anybody.  Linda/Anybody except
     Trent maybe.  Sam/Amanda.  Kevin/Lara.  Jen/Sam.
     Jen/Kevin.  Amanda/Kevin.  Jetstream/Somebody.
     Jenny/Trent.  Jenny/Kevin (heh-heh).  Tom/Sharon.

STAFF:

STEWART, DENNIS

Height: 6'
Weight: 160 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

Position: Field instructor

MEYER, FAITH

Height: 5'8"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde

Position: Science/math instructor.
Profile: Laid back.  More subtle.

MEYER, JAMES

Height: 5'4"
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

Position: Humanities instructor.
Profile: Energetic.  Draws students out.


                     NEW MUTANTS VOL 2 #1

                        SECOND RENEWAL

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

The Mysterious Shadowy Clawed Hand
Stevie Hunter
Lila Cheney
Huang Linwei
Huang Wu (her father)
Kevin Derleth
Assorted orderlies
Joseph and Benjamin, of the RCX
Magma
Empath
Fred Duncan
Guido
Jen O'Neal
Lucius Aquilla
Sam Thompson
Emma Frost
Assorted Hellfire mercs
Beef
Catseye
Jetstream
Roulette
Tarot
Bevatron
Mysterious Figure
Businessman
Ticketperson
Trent Darnell
Lara Ventura
Lara's father


PAGE ONE:
CAPTION, PANEL ONE: Prologue.
A car sits in a darkened garage.  A whole series of five
panels in which it sits, doing nothing.  In the sixth, a
shadowy, clawed hand reaches out and slashes against a rear
tire.
PAGE TWO:
In a series of six or eight panels, Stevie Hunter leaves her
house, gets into her car (which is the same one as page one),
pulls out of her driveway, and drives off to a deserted
country road.  It's raining, and will be in this area for the
next several pages.
PAGE THREE:
Splash panel.  Stevie has a blowout, loses control, and a car
behind her crashes into her.  (The other car is an expensive
sports car.)
CAPTION: Top of page: "SECOND RENEWAL"
Bottom of page: Credits
PAGE FOUR:
PANEL ONE: Stevie gets out of her car.
PANEL TWO: She heads over to survey the damage.  The other
car owner is already out, and has her back turned.  Stevie:
"Hey, are you--"
PANEL THREE: The car owner turns and we see that it's Lila.
For those of us who don't know her, Stevie says, "LILA
CHENEY? and, "Imagine running into you."  Lila says,
"Actually, I ran into you, hi, Stevie.  Sorry about the
mess."
PANEL FOUR: Stevie: "You're not hurt, then?" Lila: "No, I'm
fine.  Why don't we head somewhere and call the automobile
association? I know a place in town."
PANEL FIVE: Stevie: "That sounds good, but we're five miles
out, and I can't walk that far." Lila: "Don't worry."
PANEL SIX: Flash of teleportation.
PAGE FIVE:
PANEL ONE: Caption: "Interlude One: Sunrise in China."
Shows, well, a sunrise in China.  Silhouette of two figures
on a hill, presumably sparring.  This panel takes up 1/2 of
the page.
PANEL TWO: Adult Chinese man talks to young Chinese
adolescent girl.  Both wear standard kung fu outfits.
Master: "<You learn your lessons well, Linwei.  But here is
something new.>"
PANEL THREE: Master goes into blindingly fast maneuver that
leaves her on the ground.
PANEL FOUR: Girl begins to get up. Girl: "<What was that
maneuver, Father?>"  Master: "<A technique from an ancient
master.>"
PANEL FIVE: Master looks reminiscent.  Master: "<Master Chen
was perhaps the greatest teacher and warrior China has ever
seen.>" "<A pity he had such a short temper.>"
PAGE SIX:
PANEL ONE: Stevie and Lila enter the coffeeshop.  Lila to
cashier: "Hi, Bob, we had a wreck back on 35.  Where's your
phone?" Bob: "Over there, Lila."  He points.  Thinks: "Hmmm.
They don't look like they've walked five miles in the rain."
PANEL TWO: Lila returns and they take a booth. Lila: "So,
what have you been up to?"
Stevie: "Oh, the usual.  Still running my dance studio." "I
really miss the Xavier's crowd, though."
Lila: "Yeah, I kinda miss 'em too.  Really a  shame they
split up."
Stevie: "It was really a good idea, having a school to train
kids like that to *ahem* handle themselves.  There're
probably a lot of people who could use a place like that."
Lila: (Smiling) "Well, why don't we found our own, then?"
Pause, as they look at each other.
Stevie: "That's crazy.  Where would we get the money?"
Lila: "I'm bloody rich, remember?"
Stevie: "Where would we get the people?"
Lila: "We can hire them.  I've got connections."
Pause.
Stevie: "You're really serious, aren't you?"
Lila: Smile. "We can do it, y'know.  You only live once."
PAGE SEVEN:
PANEL ONE: Caption: "Interlude Two: Lunchtime in an Asylum."
Kevin is in his room.  He sits at his desk, dealing a tarot
reading.
PANEL TWO: Kevin (without looking up) "Come in."
PANEL THREE: Two orderlies enter, with lunch.  They have
nametags: "Ed" and "Cliff." Orderly #1 (whispered, to other):
"Don't you just hate that?"
PANEL FOUR: Kevin: (without looking at tray) "I really wish--
Guys, don't you wish they'd change the stew?"  His back is to
the orderlies.
PANEL FIVE: Orderlies exchange glances.  Kevin, from
offpanel: "Look, I'm kinda busy now.  John, could you bring
it over here? I'll eat it later."
PANEL SIX: The orderlies exit, shaking their heads.  The tray
moves, with nothing touching it.  With his back turned
(still), Kevin: "Bye, Ed.  Bye, Cliff."
PANEL SEVEN (narrow panel at bottom): Kevin's hand on the
desk.  The Wheel of Fortune is up, and Death is being turned
over.  Kevin: "Changes.  New beginnings.  Cool!"
PAGES EIGHT-NINE:
CAPTION: "Stately Braddock Manor, England"
Lila and Stevie are sitting in a drawing room-type setting
and talking with Joseph and Benjamin, who are formerly
Gabriel and Michael of the RCX.
Benjamin: "Well, this is an intriguing idea..." "but you do
realise that the States are out of the RCX's area of
jurisdiction."
Stevie: (thinking) "Lila, you and your 'connections...'"
Lila: "So, you won't really be able to help us much?  I
always thought that you were the people to consult in
'troubled times.'"
Joseph: "Well, yes, but we meant troubled times in Britain.
We do like your idea, however."
Benjamin: "We might even have somebody for you to work with."
Joseph: (looking over at Benjamin): "Oh? Who--"
Benjamin: "Hush.  Tell you later.  Ms. Hunter, Ms. Cheney--
while we can't help you directly, we can connect you with an
American who'll help considerably more." He writes out a slip
of paper, and gives it to Lila.
Stevie: "Well, thank you anyway, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Joseph.
We appreciate your help."
Lila: "We'll be in touch."
Lila and Stevie exit.
Joseph: "Okay, who did you want to give them?"
Benjamin: "Which one have we wanted to get off out hands all
this time?  Who's been our biggest hassle all along?  Our
grey little night-flier, of course.  It shouldn't be too hard
to lose him in the paperwork."
Joseph: "I don't know about the ethics of it, though..."
Benjamin: "Joseph! Relax! When has that been an obstacle
before? If it's unethical, we just change our ethics, that's
all!"
PAGE TEN:
Lila and Stevie, in the hallway.
Stevie: "Who ARE those two?"
Lila: "They're agents of the Resources Control Executive.  A
professional unethical behaviour club--sort of like your CIA,
really.  I trust them as far as I can spit them, but they
have their uses."
Stevie: "Hmmm.  What's the name on the slip?"
Lila: (opening it) "Fred Duncan, FBI.  And a phone number.
That name sounds sort of familiar."
Stevie: "I think he used to know Professor Xavier, or
something.  We should call him when we get back home."
Lila: "No problem."
Stevie: "Oh, and Lila?"
Lila: "Yes?"
Stevie: "Where did you MEET them?"
Lila: Enigmatic smile.
PAGE ELEVEN:
PANEL ONE: Caption: "Interlude Three: Evening in Nova Roma,
Brazil."
Amara is sitting on a balcony, staring out at the sunset over
the jungle.
PANEL TWO: Empath comes up behind her, and puts his hands on
her shoulders.  Empath: "Thinking?" Amara: "Mmm-hmm." Empath:
"About what?"
PANEL THREE: Amara: "I just wish my father would resolve the
debate over my marriage.  I still haven't even met him, you
know."
PANEL FOUR: Amara turns back to looking at the jungle.
Empath: "I hope that all goes well." Amara: "Yes."
PANEL FIVE: Amara turns back to Empath. Amara: "Manuel, why
exactly did I leave America? I was unhappy when I first left
home, but I have come to realize that I was perhaps happier
there.  I had more friends there, and no one tried to make
decisions for me."
PANEL SIX: Amara turns back to the jungle.  "Sometimes I wish
I could leave all this, and just go back..."
PAGE TWELVE:
Fred Duncan is going towards his office in FBI Headquarters.
PANEL ONE: Outside his office.  Somebody passing by: "Hey,
Amos." Fred: "Come on, Jim, don't call me that..."
He enters his office.  The phone rings, and he answers.
Fred: "H'lo?"
Fred: "Yes, I remember ol' Charlie.  Been a loooong time,
though.  Why d'ya ask?"
Fred: "Say, who is this anyway?  How'd you get my number?"
Fred: "Yeah, I think I've hearda you."
Fred: (to air) "Michael, you jerk!"
Fred: "A WHAT?"
Fred: "Hmmm...
Fred: "Y'know, that's an interesting idea.  So where would
you get the money?"
Fred: "Of course.  Where would you get the people?"
Fred: "I was afraid you'd say that..."
Fred: "Okay, I can meet you."
PAGE THIRTEEN:
A room in Lila's Dyson Sphere.  Lila, Stevie, and Fred enter
and sit.
Fred: "So, nice place.  Kinda out of the way, though, isn't
it?"
Lila: "That's the nice bit.  No uninvited guests...usually."
Fred: "Anyway, to business.  What do you want me for?"
Stevie: "Well, you have a lot of connections, for one thing,
and you could probably find us some students.  We have a lead
from the RCX, and we hope to find some stuff in Charles's
files, but we could use some more."
Guido enters.
Lila: "Guido, could you get us some drinks?"
Guido: (with an expression that says "That's not really my
job) "Of course." Exit.
Fred: "I brought some files, like you asked." (Opens
briefcase.)  "We can probably leave out these...he's dead...
you really don't want him...Firestar is already teamed up...
in fact, we can throw out all of these vigilantes." (sweeps
a bunch of files on the floor) "Same with these criminals."
(does the same thing) (picks up another file) "How do you
feel about psychopaths?"
PAGES FOURTEEN-FIFTEEN: (Two-page spread)
Caption: "Interlude Four: Midnight in Australia."
Big panel: The wilderness.  Nice panorama, with a motorcycle
parked in one corner, and a teenage girl next to it.
PANEL TWO: The girl looks out across the desert, and smiles.
PANEL THREE: She throws a frisbee far across the desert.
Nice series of panels in which she floats along in the desert
on a large, golden energy disk, doing all sorts of acrobatic
maneuvers.  End with her catching the frisbee.
LAST PANEL: Silhouette of her holding up the frisbee with
both hands.
PAGES SIXTEEN-NINETEEN:
Back in the Dyson sphere.  They have empty glasses next to
them.
Stevie: "So, it comes down to these four?"
Fred: "Yeah, plus whatever Xavier's has."
Lila: "So, who are they?"
(As each is described, a shot is shown of their file.)
Fred: "Okay.  The first one is Amanda Johnson.  She got in
trouble for not registering, and the Commission sent Freedom
Force after her.  They got trashed and she moved out of town,
and they decided it wasn't worth sendin' someone after her."
Lila: "What can she do?"
Fred: "Near's we can tell, limited TK.  She can call things
to her, and they come when she calls.  Sorta strange."

"Next up: Lara Ventura.  A Philippino kid who moved here a
few months ago.  She's also got limited telekinesis: she's
real strong, but she's got no range.  It's like she's real
strong, but you wouldn't know it to look at her.  She's also
got a defense field.  Nice kid, but really shy."
Guido enters.
Guido: "Anything else?"
Lila: "Yes.  Could you pick up all of Mr. Duncan's files and
pile them up?"
Guido: Black marks indicating grumbling, as he sets about his
task.
Fred: "Yeah.  Okay.  The next one's from outta the country.
Australian.  Name's Jen O'Neal, and her power's really
weird.  She makes enormous gold frisbees out of energy, and
carries things on them, or flies around on them.  She's also
a nice kid, but you gotta like stylish clothes and Frisbees
to be able to stand her."

"Last one's gonna be a little trickier.  His name's Kevin
Derleth..."
Lila: "Finally.  I was thinking that the only mutants left
were teenage girls..."
Fred: "Right.  Anyway, it looks like he's another
telekinetic, not real powerful, but skillful."
Stevie: "So, what's the problem?"
Fred: "The problem is that he's nuts."
Stevie: "How?"
Fred: "Well, he says he's not a telekinetic.  Claims he's got
a lot of invisible friends that no one else can see, and
they're the ones that move things for him.  None of his
shrinks can agree on what he really is..."
Lila: "'Shrinks?'"
Fred: "Yeah, he's in an asylum 'cause he talks to thin air.
Anyway, all his shrinks quit after a coupla months.  He
really seems nice enough..."
Lila: "It's always the nice ones, isn't it?"
Fred: "But he's kinda out of touch with real world.  You
might wanna talk to him before you decide."
Stevie: "Lila, why don't we talk about this?"
Lila: "Sure.  Guido, could you show Mr. Duncan around the
area?"
Guido: "Uh-huh." As he leaves: "I ain't paid enough..."
After Guido and Fred leave:
Lila: "Well, whatcha think?"
Stevie: "I hope all the nice ones he described aren't really
nutcases..."
PAGE TWENTY:
Caption: CHAPTER TWO.  The Gathering.
PANEL ONE: The setting is the communications room at the
capital in Nova Roma.  Lucius is talking to it.
Lucius: "I see.  Well, thank you, and I will endeavour to
inform them."
PANEL TWO: He heads down some darkened stairs, thinking:
"<This should prove a suitable solution to the dilemma,
though I hope our alliance will hold up.>"
PANEL THREE: He goes through a door into a room where Manuel
and Amara are sitting and reading.  Lucius: "<Amara, I have
some news for you.  May we talk privately?>" Amara: "<Of
course, Father.>" "Manuel, could you please leave us? My
father wishes to talk with me alone."  Manuel: "Of course."
PANEL FOUR: Manuel is gone, Lucius is sitting down.
Lucius: "<Amara, I have a possible solution to our dilemma
over your marriage.  Apparently someone is reforming Xavier's
school, and they wish you to attend.>"
Amara leaps up, ecstatic. "<Really?  That's wonderful!>"
Lucius: "<Yes, they are sending down somebody to meet with us
in a few days.  This should prove a conflict for your
marriage, of course, but that can be dealt with.>"
Amara has an enormous smile and looks utterly thrilled in
general.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE:
At the Airport.  Stevie and Lila are waiting.
PANEL ONE: Lila: "When was he supposed to be here?"
Stevie: "Fairly soon.  Calm down."
Lila: "I wonder what he looks like?"
PANEL TWO: Stevie: "What do you mean?"
Lila: "Well, the Warpies do tend to look sort of...odd,
sometimes."
PANEL THREE: We spy, across the crowd, Joseph, with an
extremely bundled figure next to him.  Joseph has his arm
outstretched: "Lila! Hey!"
PANEL FOUR: They join up and meet.  Stevie: "Hi, Joseph.  And
this is...?" Sam: "Sam.  Hello."  Lila: "Why don't we go
somewhere else?"
PANEL FIVE: A booth in the coffeeshop.  They're all there.
Lila: "...So they told you about what it is we're all about?"
Sam: "Not much."
PANEL SIX: Joseph: (standing up, looking at watch) "Yes,
well, I need to go anyway.  Nice meeting you again."
Lila: "Yes.  Why don't we go home and talk there?"
Sam: "Sounds good.  Where's your car?"
Lila: "Oh, we didn't drive."
PAGE TWENTY-TWO:
Milling around in the airport.
PANEL ONE:
Lila: "Let's head out.  Over there." (leading them, pointing.
PANEL TWO: They arrive at where she's pointing.
Sam: "We're going home...through there?"
Lila: "Yes."
PANEL THREE: We see where they arrived.
Sam: "But...that's a ladies' room."
Lila: "So? Nobody can tell, with that coat...c'mon."
PANEL FOUR: In the Ladies' Room.
Stevie: "Okay, nobody's in here."
Lila: "Hang on."
PANEL FIVE: Teleportation flash
PANEL SIX: On the Dyson sphere.
Sam: "Wow! Just like on Blake's Seven."
PAGE TWENTY-THREE:
Caption: "Interlude Five: Morning in Massachusetts."
Emma Frost's office.  She sits at her desk.  Shudder.
PANEL ONE: A mercenary in mufti gives her a file.  Merc: "I
thought you would find these reports of interest, Madam."
Frost: "I will examine them.  Dismissed."
PANEL TWO: Merc salutes & leaves.
PANEL THREE: Frost reads the files.
PANEL FOUR: Frost smiles.
PANEL FIVE: Thought balloon, Frost: "So.  They're coming
back."
PAGES TWENTY-FOUR-TWENTY-FIVE:
At Stevie's place.
PANEL ONE: Teleportation flash.
PANEL TWO: The Three are in the living room.  Stevie: "Have a
seat, Sam."
Sam: "Can I take my coat off now?"
Stevie: "Sure."
PANEL THREE: Big panel.  We see what Sam really looks like.
Sam: "Thanks.  It gets really hot in that thing."

Stevie: "..."
Sam: "You'll get used to it."
Lila: "Stevie, would you like me to fix something?"
Stevie: "Huh? Oh, sure, thanks."
Sam: "So.  You were about to tell me about the school."
Stevie: "Oh...yes.  Have you heard of the X-Men?"
Sam: "Yes."
Stevie: "They were based at a school in New York, called
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.  [seeing his
expression] Okay, he was young and idealistic when he named
it.  The purpose of it was to train young mutants in the use
of their powers.  His first team was the original X-Men.  His
next team wasn't all teenagers, and a few years later he
organized the New Mutants.  They weren't supposed to be a
combat team; they were just being trained.  I worked with
them as their dance teacher.  Anyway, the team broke up
recently, and Lila and I wanted to form another school to
train mutants." (About halfway through, Lila comes back in
with a tray.)
Sam: "Okay..."
Stevie: "So, you're our first student."
Sam: "Beats staying with the RCX."
Stevie: "Oh, yes, tell us about that."
Sam: "They just wanted to train us to be their perfect little
operatives, with propaganda everywhere we looked.  I saw
through it, which is probably why they sent me here."
Lila: "I bet it was Benjamin's idea..."
PAGE TWENTY-SIX:
Nova Roma.  The capital.
PANEL ONE: A messenger runs up to below a balcony where
Lucius, Amara, and Manuel are hanging out.  Messenger:
"Senator Aquilla, the visitors have arrived!"
PANEL TWO: Stevie and Sam are escorted down the street, as
Lucius awaits them at the doorway. Lucius: "Ah, hello.  I am
honored.  Please, walk this way."
PANEL THREE: They walk up the stairs.  Sam: (muttered to
self) "If I could walk that way..."
PANEL FOUR: They enter a room, with Amara, who stands up, and
Manuel.  Amara: "Stevie!"
PANEL FIVE: Stevie: "Hello, Amara.  This is Sam, your
teammate."
Amara: "Oh...hello, Sam."
Sam: "Hi.  Nice place."
Stevie: "I'd like to speak with the Senator and Amara alone,
if I may."
Sam: "Sure, no problem."
Amara: "Manuel, that means you, too."
PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN:
Sam is outside the capitol, looking around, for one panel.
Empath approaches him...
Empath: "Hello."
Sam: "Hello.  You're Manuel, right?"
Empath: "Yes.  You will be part of the group that Amara is
leaving with, yes?"
Sam: "Well...yeah.  So?"
Empath: (eyes glowing) "Wouldn't it be better if she stayed
here...with her friends and family...where she belongs..."
PANEL: Fairly big one as Sam punches Empath, hard, in the
jaw.
Sam: "Get...one...thing...straight, jerk.  DON'T...TRY...
TO...PLAY...WITH...MY...MIND." He storms off.
Empath: (struggling to feet) (thought balloon) "That dog has
dared lay his hands on me? I swear he shall pay for this
indignity!"
PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT:
Sam re-enters the room.
Amara: "Hello.  Where's Manuel?"
Sam: "Gee...he was just around a second ago..."
Empath staggers into the room.
Lucius: "Hello, Manuel.  Because Amara is leaving the city,
your teacher and I thought it best that you return to your
school.  Somebody will pick you up soon."
Empath: Some sort of curdled facial expression.
Cut to: the Massachusetts Academy.  Caption: "Interlude Six:
Afternoon in Massachusetts." Frost, in White Queen regalia,
addresses her assembled Hellions, in uniforms.
Frost: "I have an announcement of interest to you, students.
Apparently somebody is forming a new team of New Mutants..."
PAGES TWENTY-NINE-THIRTY:
Caption: "After the group is dismissed..."
The team stands around in a group.
Jetstream: "Well, what do you think of the idea of a new
Xavier's group?"
Beef: "Well, I never met da last one..."
Catseye: "Newfriends?"
Jetstream: "Perhaps...but please try to remember this time
that they are supposed to be our rivals."
Catseye looks bewildered.
Tarot is dealing out a hand of cards. Roulette, behind her:
"So, whatcha doin'?" Tarot: "I am attempting to determine who
will be in the new team, using my cards." Roulette: "You'd
get better results breaking into her office, y'know."  We see
the cards.  In order: Judgement.  Queen of Pentacles.
Temperance.  Strength.  The Magician.
Cut to: Stevie in her study.  Caption: "Meanwhile, at
Stevie's house:"
Stevie, on phone: "Hello, may I please speak with Amanda?"
Stevie: "Hello, Amanda?"
Stevie: "My name is Stevie Hunter.  I'd like to speak with
you about some of the things you can do..."
Stevie: "I mean, your abilities."
Stevie: "Yes, that ability.  I'm trying to organize a school
for mutants to learn the use of their powers, and your name
was given to us as a possibility."
Stevie: "Well, probably Massachusetts."
Stevie: "No, we'll pay for everything.  Oh, and we know
somebody in the government who could...alter your file."
Stevie: "We could send you a ticket for a few days from now."
Stevie: "Okay, I'll be in touch."
Enter Sam.
Stevie: "Well, I just recruited our next student."
Sam: "What, on the phone? What if someone listened in?"
Stevie: "Don't be silly, Sam, why would someone listen in?
Almost nobody knows about us, and I doubt anyone would bother
anyhow."
Cut to: A mysterious figure in a dark room, obviously
listening to a linetap.  Mysterious figure: "Indeed."
PAGE THIRTY-ONE:
Caption: "Interlude Seven: Evening in Manhattan"
A businessman stands at an airport desk.
Businessman: "I'd like the reserve ticket for Stone, please."
Ticketperson: "Yes, sir.  Here you go."
Businessman: "Blast! I left my briefcase.  Could you hang
onto the ticket a few minutes?"
Ticketperson: "Sure."
Businessman leaves.  He comes back without the briefcase and
the ticketperson gives him the ticket.
'Businessman': "Thanks, babe."
Businessman returns with briefcase.
Businessman: "Well, where's my ticket?"
Ticketperson: "I just gave it to you, sir."
The last panel shows the 'businessman' boarding a plane to
Boston.
PAGES THIRTY-TWO-THIRTY-THREE:
Caption: "Portland, Oregon"
Lara is reading in the living room.  Her father enters.
Father: "What are you doing? You know you're not supposed to
read until you're done with your homework!"
Lara: "But--"
Father: (dialogue is in Pilipino Tagalog) "<Don't give me any
backtalk!  If your grades slip, you won't be able to get into
a good school! We came to this country so you could have the
best opportunities available!  I'm working hard to pay for
your education, and this is how you repay me!>"
Lara: "<But-->" She looks very flustered by now.
Father: "<What did I do to deserve such an ungrateful brat?
I wanted a son, but all I got was a worthless daughter, and a
worthless mutie daughter at that! I-->" Phone rings,
mercifully interrupting his monologue.  He answers the phone.
Father: "Hello?"
Father: "Yes, speaking."
Father: "Yeah, what about her?"
Father: "A special school, huh?"
Father: "How much will it cost?"
Father: "Full scholarship?"
Father: "What was the name of the school?"
Father: "She can be a real problem sometimes.  Can this
school maintain discipline?"
Father: "Yeah, I think that could be arranged."
Father: "No, she can't come the phone right now.  I'll talk
to her about it later."
Father: "G'bye."
Father hangs up phone.  Father: "LARA!"
PAGE THIRTY-SIX:
Stevie is sitting in her study.  Lila enters, carrying 2 cups
of tea.
Lila: "How goes the recruitment, 'o noble founder?'"
Stevie: "Well, Lara just agreed--or, rather, her father
agreed for her.  I've had kids with parents like that before
in my classes.  I'll need to keep an eye on her."
Lila: "Decided on a name for the place yet?"
Stevie: "I was thinking something like 'The Charles Xavier
Memorial School for the Gifted.'"
Lila: "Isn't that a bit much?"
Stevie: "We don't have much choice.  I just told one of the
parents that that's what it's called."
Lila: "What plans do you have next, then?"
Stevie: "We need to find a house--"
Lila: "I can take care of that."
Stevie: "--Some teachers, and get licensed.  I figured on
Massachusetts, since it's got fairly easy requirements.  I
need to send plane tickets, and we need to recruit our next
student."
Lila: "The psycho? Oughtta be interesting..."
PAGES THIRTY-SEVEN-THIRTY-EIGHT:
Caption: "Final Interlude: Midnight in Massachusetts."
Emma Frost's office. The lights are dimmed, but she reads her
files in disregard for the social and physical threat of
eyestrain.
Frost: (thought) "So, they're actually going ahead with it.
Two recruits, and two more on their way.  This could
prove...interesting."
Frost: (thought) "Amara could prove a weak point for them.
Manuel may still have influence over her, and she is a known
quantity, unlike the others."
Frost: (thought) "My next order of business should be to
block them in their forward plans.  Kevin could be too great
an asset to let them have...even if I can't have him."
Splash panel: Emma: (thought) "So be it, then.  My next step
begins tomorrow.  Beware, Stephanie Hunter, for I am on your
trail!"
Big caption at bottom: "Next issue: 'The Dull Life of an
Asylum Inmate.'"

















































                     NEW MUTANTS VOL 2 #2

              THE DULL LIFE OF AN ASYLUM INMATE

Dramatis Personae

Kevin Derleth
Stevie Hunter
Sam Thompson
Lara Ventura
Amanda Johnson
Amara Aquilla
Guido
Lila Cheney
Emma Frost
Jetstream
Tarot
Catseye
Beef
Roulette
Bevatron
Empath
Businessman
Trent Darnell
Huang Linwei
Huang Wu
Deskworker



PAGE ONE:
Caption: "The Lovecraft Memorial State Home for the
Emotionally Disturbed.  9:30 AM."
Caption: (in Kevin's style.  All are unless noted otherwise.)
"The day feels full of...promise."
Kevin wakes up, gets dressed.  More precisely, he is being
dressed.  He gets breakfast (sitting on his desk, next to a
bunch of tarot cards).  He eats breakfast and leaves, walking
out the door.
Caption: "Of course, I don't know if this is the day things
come together.  The cards aren't all that precise, or all
that accurate, but, like Hatshepsut says to me, you've gotta
deal with the signs you're given."
Caption: "For those of you that don't know, Hatshepsut's one
of my friends.  One of my special friends, that is--the ones
that no one else can see."
Caption: "I don't see why people don't believe me when I say
that they're there.  After all, they do stuff for me--they're
my friends."
Caption: "They keep on saying that I move those things, when
I don't.  I still don't understand it.  Just because I can
see things they can't, they stick me in a place like this."
PAGE TWO:
Splash page.
Kevin walks into the waiting room of an asylum, with lots of
inmates, folks in white coats, etc.
Caption: "I mean, just because I can see what's really there,
they stick me in a place with people who want to get away
from what's really there."
Credits. Title: "The Dull Life of an Asylum Inmate."
PAGES THREE-FOUR:
Regular caption: "Stevie Hunter's Home. 12:15 PM."
Stevie, Lila, Sam, and Amara are at a dining-room table.
Apparently Guido has been shanghaied into cooking; he wears
an apron and is cleaning up while they eat and talk.
Sam: "I didn't mean to break his jaw, it just sort of came
out that way."
Amara: "What happened to him?"
Lila: "Hear he had to have his jaw wired.  One punch, huh?
Didn't know you were that strong."
Sam: "Uh-huh."
Stevie: (changing the subject) "Did I mention that the other
new students are arriving today?"
Sam: "Really? What're they like?"
Stevie: "Well, their names are Amanda Johnson and Lara
Ventura.  Amanda's from Washington, she's thirteen; Lara's
originally from the Philippines but moved to Oregon; she's
fourteen.  I haven't met any of them yet.  I talked to Amanda
on the phone a little; she seems okay."
Sam: "Aren't there any male mutants out there any more?"
Lila: "What, worried about being outnumbered six to one?
Thought you were tougher than that, Sam.  I sure wouldn't
complain if it was the other way 'round..."
Stevie: "Lila..."
Amara: "I was under the impression that you were actually
reforming Xavier's, Stevie.  What happened to all the old
students?"
Stevie: "We're not really sure... Of the ones still on this
planet, you were the only one that wasn't held captive or
involved in another team."
Amara: "Still, I had hoped to meet some of them again."
Sam: "Well, here's your chance to branch out.  Meet new and
interesting people.  Make new friends."
Lila: "Here's your chance now.  Guido, Amara.  Amara, Guido.
There, you've increased your friend complement by one.  Don't
hesitate to ask him for a favour."
Guido: (grumble)
PAGES FIVE-SIX:
Caption: "The Massachusetts Academy.  3:45 PM."
In Emma's office.  She's normally dressed, and the students
are wearing school uniforms (white shirts or blouses, brown
suits or skirts).  Empath is there, with jaw wired.
Frost: "You may recall my informing you earlier of the
formation of a new team of New Mutants.  I have a lead on
another student, and I wish to visit him to recruit him for
our team.  His name is Kevin Derleth."
Frost: "I wish two of you to accompany me.  We don't wish to
scare him (shot of Beef, Bevatron, Catseye), and I do not
wish to have to babysit you (shot of Empath, Roulette), so
Jetstream and Tarot will come along.  We will go during the
weekend.  Dismissed.  Haroun, Marie-Anne; please stay a few
minutes."
The students file out into the hallway.
Bits of floating dialogue: "Babysit? Sheesh!" "How come they
get lucky?" "I'd rather be here without her, personally."
"Sshh!" "Wonder what he's like?" "Mgngcbasnfjag"
Frost: "I suppose you are due a warning of where we are
going.  Kevin is interred in the Lovecraft Asylum.  Although
he appears to be a telekinetic, he claims to have 'invisible
friends' that 'do things for him.'"
Tarot and Jetstream exchange glances.
Frost: "Now, now.  If you can deal with Catseye, you can deal
with him.  And please do make a good impression...and don't
let me down."
Jetstream and Tarot exit into empty hallway.
Jetstream: "What do you believe this person will be like?"
Tarot: "Personally, I cannot say.  However, the cards
indicate that he has great potential.  He sees the world in a
different way from most, but his way is strong.  He seeks
truth.  He--"
They walk around a corner, where the others are sitting
around waiting.
Roulette: "He didn't ask what the cards thought, he asked
what you thought.  Can you even think without those bloody
cards?"
Jetstream: "Jennifer, please don't--"
Bevatron: (changing the subject): "So, what is the news?"
Jetstream: "Apparently, he is somewhat...unusual.  We will be
visiting the home he is staying at."
Roulette: "A 'home?' What's he stayin' in, a psycho ward?"
PAGE SEVEN:
Caption: "Boston Airport.  8:00 PM."
The businessman from last issue is speaking to Airport
Security. Businessman: "The man who took my suitcase was
around here.  I think--There he is!"
Security & man begin to follow.  The figure enters a
bathroom, & goes into one of the stalls.  Security follows,
waiting by the door.  The same stall opens, a completely
different person exiting it.  Security goes to check the
other occupied stall; the figure grins and leaves.
PAGE EIGHT:
Stevie and Lila, living room.
Lila: "What time are you and Amara going to the airport?"
Stevie: "About half an hour."  "I suppose I'd better fill you
in on our other plans, too.  I've applied to the state of
Massachusetts for a licence, and we've arranged for the
house.  I've also advertised for teachers, and I should begin
interviewing soon."
Lila: "How's your car, by the way?"
Stevie: "The mechanic fixed up as good as new.  Thanks for
taking care of that."
Lila: "Well, it was the least I could do." "Anyway, why
doncha head out, and Sam and I can move the stuff to the new
house."
Stevie: "Uh...Where is the house?"
Lila: "I don't remember the exact address.  Hang on."
Teleportation flashes.  Lila exits and returns.
Lila: "155 Rural Route 7.  In Ipswich, Massachusetts."
Stevie: "Isn't it easier to write addresses down in a book?"
Lila: "Yeah, but it's a lot less fun."
PAGES NINE-TWELVE:
Caption: "The Boston Airport: 2:30 PM"
Stevie and Amara are sitting on a bench.  Amara is
disconsolately holding a sign saying "Amanda Johnson."
[Note: In the background, the following announcements will be
heard: "Will Mr. Roger Pratt please pick up the white
courtesy phone?"  And on & on in that vein, until: "Will
anyone who knows where the white courtesy phone is please
pick up the white courtesy phone?"
Amara: "Ms. Hunter?"
Stevie: "Yes?"
Amara: "When was her flight supposed to arrive?"
Stevie: "Noon."
Amara: "What time is it now?"
Stevie: "Two-thirty."
Amara: "Has there been any news lately?"
Stevie: "No."
They sit, bored.
Amara: "I'm going to get something.  Would you like
something?"
Stevie: (sitting up) "Amara, every half-hour you've been
going to get something, and I haven't wanted something
yet..."
Amara: "I'm just being polite..."
Amara gets up, carrying the sign.  Stevie slumps down again.
Amara returns, with Amanda.
Amara: "Ms. Hunter? I found her."
Amanda: "Hello...?"
Stevie gets up and tries to pretend she hasn't been dozing.
Stevie: "Hi! I'm Stephanie Hunter, or Stevie.  I'm the one
who talked to you on the phone.  You've met Amara?"
Amanda: "Yes."
Stevie: "Well, there's another student coming in at three.
Let's head over to the gate."
They leave...and arrive at another gate.  A couple people sit
at chairs, but it's not too crowded.
Amanda: "Well, it's three.  They should arrive soon."
Amara: "If she arrives on time."
Amanda: "Who are we meeting, anyway?"
Stevie: "Her name's Lara Ventura."
Upon saying that, one of the figures gets up and sort of
tentatively heads in their direction.
Amara: "Why were you so late?"
Amanda: "I'm not sure.  Before we took off, they kept serving
us coffee and peanuts.  We finally left, at noon..."
Amara: "From what I have seen, you were fortunate to avoid
the prices of food in the airport cafeterias."
Stevie: (noticing Lara) "Hang on.  Excuse me, are you Lara?"
Lara: "Yes."
Stevie: "How long have you been waiting here?"
Lara: "Twenty minutes...?"
Stevie: "Well, let's go collect your luggage.  Shame Sam's
not here..."
At the Baggage Claim.
The girls go to get their baggage.  Stevie picks up one of
the suitcases, but sets it down because it's too heavy.  Lara
comes up, already carrying a big suitcase, and carries it
with no trouble.
PAGE THIRTEEN:
Caption: "China.  7:30 PM"
Wu and Linwei are eating dinner.
Linwei: "<Have you any other advice on my training, Father?>"
Wu: "<I can think of nothing.  You are progressing very
well.>"
Linwei: "<Would it be possible for you to teach me the
techniques you demonstrated earlier, that your old teacher
taught you?>"
Wu: "<I could not truly teach them myself, and the one who
could I have not seen for many years.  No doubt he still
lives, but he could only be found by the government.  And we
have no wish to speak to them.>"
Linwei: "<Have you had more trouble with them?>"
Wu: "<I still have no desire to cooperate with their agenda,
despite their harassment.  They have not sought me here, and
I see no reason to call attention to myself.>"
PAGE FOURTEEN:
The new house, the living room.  Stevie, Amara, Amanda, and
Lara enter.
Stevie: "Well, this is it."
Sam and Lila come down the stairs.
Lila: "So, these the new students?"
Stevie: "Yeah.  Amanda Johnson and Lara Ventura, meet Sam
Thompson and Lila Cheney.  Sam's a student here, and Lila's
paying for all of this."
One panel of pause.
Sam: "Hi.  I don't bite."
Amanda: "Hello."
Lara: "...hi..."
Stevie: "Well, let's get everything moved in.  Sam, can you
give us a hand?"
PAGES FIFTEEN-SIXTEEN:
Caption: "After everything is moved in..."
Stevie: "We've got one more student to talk to, and he's not
too far away, so I figured we could go in person.  Anyone
want to come along?"
Sam: "Sure, if it's no problem."
Amanda: "Okay."
Amara: "I would have no objection."
Stevie: "Lara?"
Lara: "...ok..."
Stevie: "Let's go, then."
Caption: "Massachusetts Academy."
Frost, dressed normally, is with Jetstream and Tarot, in
school uniforms.  Frost: "Remember: set a good example for
the school.  Be on your best behavior, and don't make me
regret choosing you."
Frost wanders off, and the other Hellions enter.  Tarot pulls
out the cards, and begins a reading.
Bevatron: "Good luck."
Jetstream: "Thank you."
Tarot: (muttering to self) "Secrets best kept hidden... a
time of troubles..."
Roulette: (to Tarot) "What now? Another card reading?"
Tarot: "Yes, I am attempting to..."
Roulette: (absolutely fuming) "Attempting to what?  Get a
royal flush?"
Tarot: "No, I'm..."
Roulette: "You're letting those stupid cards run your life,
that's what you're doing!  Look, stupid, I can show you how
useful that is.  Remember that reading you did earlier about
the members? Fine! Here's Frost's list of the members..."
She pulls a deck of playing cards out from somewhere.
Roulette: "Look!  The first one's named Sam..." (she pulls
out a card, and continues to do so as appropriate) "I got the
three of clubs, right?  Sam's got three letters... Amara and
the queen of hearts.  Amara's a girl, and she's nobility, and
she turns red, sorta...and everyone falls for her... Amanda
Johnson, and the jack of diamonds.  Johnson begins with J...
Lara Ventura and the five of diamonds... Well, you get the
idea! I can do the same thing you do with your cards, and I
bet it works about as well, too!"
Tarot looks really hurt by this, as Frost returns.
Frost: "We will leave now."  (Notices Tarot, and gives
Roulette a nasty glare as they exit)
PAGES SEVENTEEN-EIGHTEEN:
Stevie's car drives up to the asylum.  She and the kids get
out, and go to the main desk.
Stevie: "Hi, I'm Stevie Hunter...I'm from the school, and I
called earlier about Kevin Derleth?"
Deskworker: "Yes, just a second...I'm afraid you'll have to
wait.  It's funny, but somebody from another school came to
talk with him today, and they're in there now."
Stevie: "Who was it?"
Deskworker: "It was a...Ms. Emma Frost, I believe."
Cut to Kevin's room.  Emma is sitting down, talking to a
disgusted-looking Kevin.  Jetstream and Tarot are sitting
separately, and looking bored.
Frost: "...And, if you come to our school, you can make more
friends, with people your age, and go on trips with them...
Would you like that?"
Kevin: "Actually, I'd like you to cut the baby-talk.  I'm not
five years old, and just because they stuck me in a looney-
bin doesn't mean I'm stupid.  When you live with a mob of
psychotherapists for eight years, you learn every cheap
emotion-manipulating trick in the book, and yours aren't even
very good.  The least you could do is be honest enough to
admit that you want me at your school because of what you
think I can do."
Pause, listens to thin air:
Kevin: "She does?" (to Frost) "By the way...why are you
wearing leather underwear?"
Frost chokes and sputters.  She storms out.
PAGES NINETEEN-TWENTY:
Kevin laughs slightly.  Kevin: (to thin air) "Yeah,
exactly...Just the same."
Kevin turns to the slightly bewildered Tarot and Jetstream.
Kevin: "Hi.  I'm Kevin Derleth."
Jetstream: "...Hello.  I am Haroun ibn Sallah al-Rashid, and
this is Marie-Anne Colbert."
Tarot is holding her deck, and staring somewhat
disconsolately at it.
Kevin: "So, Marie...do you use those cards?"
Tarot: "....Yes."
Kevin: "So, what spreads do you like to use?"
Cut to: Frost storming off in the corridors somewhere.
Caption: (captions are in Kevin's style, again) "I can just
imagine what's going through her head, right now."
Frost: (thought) "The insolence of that brat! How dare he
speak to me like that?" She pauses, and sits down somewhere.
Caption: "She's probably trying to figure out what went
wrong, and what's up with me..."
Frost: "I clearly underestimated him.  I cannot understand
his behavior, however...it seems completely unpredictable,
and doesn't fit his files."
Caption: "Of course, if she is a telepath, she might try to
look into my head and see what's there..."
Frost goes into a supply closet.  Frost: "If I wish to
recruit him, I shall have no choice but to read his mind and
see what truly motivates him." She concentrates.
PAGES TWENTY-ONE-TWENTY-TWO:
Caption: "I don't think she'll like what she sees..."
BIG two-page splash.  The main section fits roughly the
outline of a large, winged humanoid (torso, anyway).  Outside
this area are various shots of inmates reacting, as well as
the Hellions and New Mutants.

In the center, Emma is recoiling in horror.  Most of it
follows the fevered imaginations of the artist, but it should
include: 1. Death.  2. Eternity.  3. Any other cosmic beings.
4. Three corpses: An old woman, a middle-aged woman, and a
small girl.  The latter two are covered in blood.  5. In
background, branching, radiating pathways.  6. Other
backdrop: Kevin's face (vaguely).  7. Half-transparent,
distorted figures (a whole bunch).  Have fun.
PAGE TWENTY-THREE:
Back in the lobby.  Sounds of rioting reach the Xavier's
people.
Amanda: "WHAT...WAS...THAT?!?"
Stevie is at the desk by the deskworker.
Stevie: "Well, what's going on?"
Deskworker: (looking freaked) "I...I...It sounds like a riot,
or something..."
Everyone looks up in shock, as the Chariot (from the tarot
deck) breaks through the wall in a big and shockingly
expensive special effects sequence, except that this is a
comic where we can do that cheaply.
Caption: "













































                     NEW MUTANTS V 2 # 3

                   WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE!

Dramatis personae:
Kevin Derleth
Amanda Johnson
Lara Ventura
Stevie Hunter
Sam Thompson
Magma
Emma Frost
Tarot
Jetstream
Jen O'Neal
Jason O'Neal
Ed
Cliff
Asylum director
Chinese officials

PAGE ONE:
Splash panel of the Chariot bursting through the wall, as
page 23 of last issue.  Caption: "Lovecraft Memorial Asylum,
Arkham, Massachusetts:"
Everyone in the panel is just basically startled.
Caption: "A chariot drawn by sphinxes has just burst through
the wall."
Title:  "Welcome to my Nightmare!"
Credits
Caption: "How did our heroes find themselves in this
admittedly peculiar position? Well..."
PAGE TWO:
(As the captions describe events, they are displayed in the
panels.)
Caption: "Both the recently reformed Xavier's school and the
White Queen's Massachusetts Academy have decided to recruit
the same person as their student.  This student is Kevin
Derleth." (Shot of Kevin smiling and waving at the reader.)
"Kevin is an inmate in this asylum.  He talks to things that
aren't there, it seems."  "Recently, he talked to something
that was: Emma Frost.  He didn't like her.  She didn't like
him.  She decided to find out what makes him tick...so she
shut herself into a closet and tried reading his mind.
Unfortunately, she succeeded...and began projecting.  One of
the recipients of this projection was Tarot...and to her we
now turn."
PAGE THREE:
Kevin's room.  Kevin is, of course, unaffected.  He's, at the
moment, helping out Tarot, who has a handful of cards in her
hand, and is looking distressed.  Jetstream is sitting in the
corner, next to a hole in the wall.
Caption: "Tarot, you see, has the ability to animate figures
from the cards of her deck.  Unfortunately, the psychic
backwash caused her to lose control..."
Kevin: "Marie-Anne? Are you okay?" No answer. "Damn.  Emma
really shoulda known better..."  He takes the cards from her
hands.
Kevin: "Haroun? I'm going to check on things...can you keep
an eye on Marie-Anne?"
Jetstream: "Mmrphgm..."
Kevin: "Great! Thanks."  He exits through the door and looks
around at unconscious bodies as he walks down the corridor.
To thin air: "Yeah, I don't get it either.  Why can't people
deal with reality?" (pause) "Yeah, maybe I was a little
rude to her..."
PAGE FOUR:
Back in the foyer.
Panel one: Sam pulls off his coat.  Stevie: "Can any of you
handle that thing?"
Panel two: Sam: "No problem!"  He flies upwards, as Amara
gets up.
Panel three: Amara: (thought) "I am not sure Sam can handle
those beasts by himself...  but I dare not use my powers in
this enclosed area."
Panel four: Sam punches hell out of sphinx #1.  Suitable
sound effect.
PAGE FIVE:
About half the page, as Sam dispatches the Chariot.
Sam: "What was that thing?"
Stevie: "I dunno...but you handled it pretty well.  Uhhh...
how are the rest of you holding up?"
She looks around.  Amanda is gone, and Lara is curled up
fetally on the floor and quietly sobbing.
Stevie: "Lara...are you okay...? Blast.  Sam, Amara, could
you find Amanda? I'll stay here."
Sam: "Gotcha.  C'mon, Amara."
Amara: "Yes.  Just...allow me a minute to recover."
Sam: "Fine."
PAGE SIX:
Cut to: A home in Australia.  Caption: "Melbourne,
Australia."
Jen is sitting in her living room, drinking water and
watching TV.  Jason enters, wearing a white gioid.  Remember
he's an albino.
Jen: "You been off, doing that nonsense again?"
Jason: "Some things have to be done."
Jen: "Sheesh.  You sound like a bloody loony American."
Jason goes to the kitchen to get something himself.
Jen: "And another thing.  How can you stand to wear that
thing in this heat?"
Jason: "We've been over that.  It protects me from the sun."
Jen: "Yeah? So does the roof."
Jason: "You know your problem, Jen? You have no sense of
responsibility."
Jen: "And your problem, Jason, is you have no sense of fun."
PAGE SEVEN:
Back to the asylum.
Caption: "Tarot and Lara weren't the only ones affected by
Frost's projection of Kevin's mind.  Fortunately, the others
didn't have mutant powers to flare.  So they held a riot,
instead."
General shot of a riot.
Amanda wanders down the corridor, and a bunch of people come
around the corner, yelling, throwing things, and generally
raisin' hell.  She pulls a cart into one of them from behind,
knocking him over; the others head towards her.  Before they
reach her, a wall of earth intercedes.
Sam: "Hey! Amanda! You okay?"
Amanda: "Huh? Oh...Sam.  I'm okay, I...guess.  What's going
on?"
Amara: "We do not know."
Sam: "Guys...did you here something?"
Overly dramatic shot of a figure silhouetted in the doorway.
PAGE EIGHT:
Kevin's room.  Jetstream is on the floor; Tarot is on the
bed.  Tarot is waking up.
Tarot: "Mon dieu...what happened? Haroun?" She goes over to
wake him up.  "Haroun? Jetstream? Wake up...Haroun? WAKE UP!"
He wakes up.
Jetstream: "Ohhh..." "Tarot?"
Tarot: "Please, you must wake up.  You are too heavy to
carry."
Jetstream staggers to his feet and sits on the bed.
Tarot: "How do you feel?"
Jetstream: "I feel as though someone had poured the madness
of the universe into my head."
Tarot: "I believe there was something very important...but I
cannot remember what is was..."
Jetstream: "Where is Ms. Frost?"
Tarot: "I do not know.  We should look for her."
Jetstream: "Could your cards help?"
Tarot: "I do not trust them now, as I apparently lost control
of them..." (indicates hole in wall) "And one other thing...
Where is Kevin?"
PAGE NINE:
We see that the silhouetted figure was none other than our
old friend Kevin, or Kid Psycho as the Legion would call him.
Kevin: "Yeah, I don't get it either...two girls, and he says
'guys...'"
Amanda: "That's not what I..."
Kevin: "Oh!  Sorry, didn't catch that.  What did you want to
know?"
Sam: "Well... 'what happened' pops to mind..."
Kevin: "Oh, well, all these people had some stuff shot into
their mind that they couldn't handle..."
Amara: "How did that happen?"
Kevin: "Emma Frost did something kinda stupid.  I'll tell you
about it sometime.  By the way, Hi.  I'm Kevin.  I'm..."
(listens to thin air again) "Oh, really?  Well, I guess I'm
the one you came here for.  Why don't we go and talk to
whoever you came here with?"
Amara: "Uh... sure."
PAGES TEN-TWELVE:
The rather wrecked front lobby.  Paramedic types are running
around everywhere.  Lara and Stevie are sitting on a couch.
Stevie: "Are you feeling better, Lara?'
Lara: "...I think so..."
Stevie: "Just relax and take it easy.  Everything's gonna be
okay.  Sam and Amara went off to find Amy, and they'll be
right back.  You're gonna be fine, kiddo."
Lara: "...ok..."
Cliff and Ed wander by.
Ed: "...I tell you, this has got to be Kevin's fault.  He
gets all these visitors, then this happens.  It's Kevin's
fault."
Cliff: "I dunno... this is a pretty weird place anyway.  Hey,
why didn't you say you hate when he does that?"
Ed: "I've been here for seven years, but... he's never done
anything like this before."
Stevie: "Hey, you guys know anything about Kevin?  What's the
deal?"
Cliff: "Well, Ed here thinks that all this mess is Kevin
Derleth's fault.  He's a patient here, and lots of weird
stuff happens around him all the time, like the time he
played hide-and-seek..."
Stevie: "Weird stuff?"
Cliff: "Yeah, but usually pretty minor stuff.  Whaddaya wanna
know for?"
Stevie: "Well.... I'm trying to get him for a school for
mutants..."
Cliff and Ed look at each other.
Cliff: "Good luck.  You'll need it."
Stevie: "Why?  Will he be hard to get?"
Ed: "No.  That's the problem."
Ed & Cliff wander off.
Enter Amara, Amanda, Kevin, & Sam.
Sam: "Hey, Stevie! We..."
Kevin: (walks up to her) "Hi, Stevie.  I'm Kevin."
Stevie: "Uhhh...Hi.  This is..."
Kevin: "Hi, Lara!"
Lara: "..."
Ed: (whispered, to Stevie) "You, too, will come to hate it
when he does that.  Be warned."
Stevie: "So, Kevin...do you know anything about what's going
on?"
Kevin: "You mean here? Well, you came to get me, so I'm
coming along."
Stevie: "Uhhh...I meant the riot..."
Kevin: "Oh, the riot! Well, I dunno for sure...but, do you
know a lady named Emma Frost?"
Stevie & Amara: "Yes."
Kevin: "Well, I think she did something really stupid..."
PAGES THIRTEEN-FOURTEEN:
Jetstream & Tarot wander the corridors.
Jetstream: "Marie-Anne, we would make better progress if you
animated some figures to help us search.  You seem to have
recovered, after all."
Tarot: "Somebody would notice, however."
Jetstream: "Tarot, we're in the middle of a riot in an
asylum, caused by telepathic projection into the heads of
madmen.  If anyone notices, they'll just write it off as
relatively normal."
Tarot: "(sigh) Very well.  The Minor Arcana will be less
obvious."
She reaches into her deck and sorts out several cards.  A
bunch of Pages and low-numbered human figures manifest and
fan out.
They walk for about a panel more, and then the riot turns the
corner and moves toward them.  Jetstream begins to remove his
jacket, but Tarot puts her hand on his arm.
Tarot: (whispered) "Haroun, please, we can't afford trouble.
We need to find Ms. Frost as soon as possible."
Jetstream: "The day has not yet come when I would flee such a
mob!"
He removes his jacket and flies off-panel.  There is a loud
off-panel crunch, and Tarot winces.
Pull back to show Jetstream on the floor, out cold,
apparently from the chair leg the leader was wielding.
Tarot: "(sigh) I will have to control the situation myself,
it seems..." She reaches for her cards.
PAGE FIFTEEN:
Cut back to the lobby.
Kevin: "And that's basically what happened."
Sam: "But...why were people affected so differently?  I mean,
some people turned violent, some went unconscious...I wasn't
affected at all."
Amara: "I was able to use techniques I learned from Professor
Xavier to resist telepathic domination, and I am familiar
with Ms. Frost's mind."
Kevin: "Not a nice place, is it?"
Stevie: "Where is Frost now?"
Kevin: "A closet somewhere on the second floor."
Amanda: "How do you know?"
Kevin: "Oh...Claudius told me." (indicating empty air)
Sam: "Uh-huh.  Why don't we go look for her?"
Amanda: "Lara, do you want to come?"
Lara: "...ok..."
Kevin: "Let's go.  We turn left at the top of the stairs..."
PAGES SIXTEEN-SEVENTEEN:
Tarot stands in the middle of a defunct riot, putting away
her cards.  She turns and looks at Jetstream.
Tarot: "(sigh)" She props him up against the wall.  The Three
of Cups comes up and tugs on her arm.  Tarot: "What is it?"
The figure points. "Did you find her?" The figure nods. "Lead
me there, then."
Caption: "Shortly..."
Tarot arrives at the closet.  Tarot: "In there?" The figure
nods.  Tarot pulls out her cards. Tarot: (thought) "I will
not need the other searchers, then..."  The figure vanishes.
She opens the closet.  Inside, Emma lies, curled up.  Her
eyes are open but blank, she's drooling, and muttering
something unintelligible.
Tarot: "Madame Frost?  Are you all right?  Madame?" She
reaches out and shakes her by the shoulders.  "Madame, wake
up!"
Emma comes out of it.  Emma: "Hmmm?  What...happened?"
Tarot: "I am uncertain.  Why are you in the closet?"
PAGES EIGHTEEN-NINETEEN:
Kevin and friends walk the corridors.
Kevin: "She's just around the corner.  Hold on--who? Oh,
there's someone else, too.  You oughtta meet her--she's
really interesting."
Sam: (whispered to Amanda) "I worry about anyone he finds
interesting..."
Kevin: "Don't worry, Sam.  I think you're all interesting,
too."
Amanda: "You were saying?"
They round the corner and come upon Tarot and Frost.
Kevin: "Hi, Marie-Anne!  These are some friends of mine.
These are Amanda, Sam, Amara--" Amara: "We've met." Kevin:
"--and Lara.  Folks, this is Marie-Anne Colbert."
Sam: "You forgot someone."
Kevin: "Oh, yes." (pointing to air) "This is Hatshepsut, and
this is Claudius, and this is--" (pause) "Oh, her!  Well,
that's Emma Frost.  All this is her fault."
Emma looks annoyed and gives Kevin a glare as she gets to her
feet.  Emma: "Marie-Anne, we are leaving." She turns and
exits.  Tarot shrugs and follows.  Kevin: "Bye!" (to thin
air) "Yeah, I suppose it wasn't--but she wasn't very nice
either."
PAGES TWENTY:
Cut to Stevie talking with asylum director.
Stevie: "Yes, I know he could cause problems, but you said
yourself that he usually doesn't."
Director: "Yes, but you must under--"
Kevin & friends enter.
Kevin: "Hi.  I'm leaving with these people, okay? Thanks."
(walks off)
The director pauses.  Director: "Ummm...okay, Kevin."
Stevie: "Wait.  You're letting him leave that easily?"
Director: "We couldn't stop him if he wanted to leave.  It's
always been hard to stop him when he wants to do something.
He once played hide-and-seek with us, for example."
Stevie: "Yes, I heard about that.  So what's the big deal?"
Director: "We didn't find him for a week."
(pause)
PAGES TWENTY-ONE-TWENTY-TWO:
Government office in China.
Official #1: "<It is time we moved towards this man.  And we
must make certain to deal with his daughter, as well.>"
Official #2: "<The fact that she is a mutant means she could
be useful.  We must instruct that she be captured alive, if
possible.>"
Official #1: "<Who will we send to deal with them?  They are
clever and may evade immediate capture.>"
Official #3: "<I have assembled a list of agents that I feel
would serve well.>" (as he describes them, we see a picture
of each, and part of a file.)
"<The director will be Sun Tao.  He has served well on
delicate matters in the past.  We will send I Zhen to provide
cover and protection from discovery.>"
Official #2: "<Is she not too inexperienced as yet?>"
Official #3: "<Possibly, but she must get experience somehow,
and her abilities lend themselves to this mission.>" "<Lo
Xiaopeng will provide aerial cover, should they attempt to
flee.>" "<Song Yan will serve to root them out from wherever
they may try hiding.>" "<Tang Lung will be able to perform
the actual capture.  And, should he fail...>" (picture of
Chen Ming Kan)
Official #1: "<But will he accept the mission?>"
Official #3: "<Yes.  He feels obliged to serve us at this
time.  And, with him backing the group...>"
Cut to file with photos of Linwei and Wu. Official #3: "<The
downfall of Huang Wu and his daughter Linwei is assured.>"