FADE IN:
BLACK SCREEN
TITLE: MARVEL STUDIOS PRESENT
TITLE: A DAZ PRODUCTIONS FILM
TITLE: BY DAZ MURRELL
Playing Cards flutter down to a black surface, the cards fall one after the other, weightlessly. Almost in slow motion.
As they land, a loud THUD echoes out. The cards fall quicker, each one that lands causes another thud, the beats come more and more often until they sound like a HEARTBEAT.
GAMBIT (V.O)
What is it that pulls a man in many directions all at once, but which at the same time also holds a man together?
One last card falls, it lands at the top of the pile; face up is the ACE OF SPADES -- It lands without a thud, without a sound.
GAMBIT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A question I have asked myself too many a time ... a question I have asked for too long...
The card gets closer - A red dot appears, it grows, every second that passes the shape of the Spade changes slightly. Soon the Spade has MORPHED entirely -- Into the shape of an eye, Red iris on Black sclera.
We hear WHISPERS, they get louder and louder. Until the owner of the eye is revealed:
CUT TO:
INT - HOUSE, LIVING ROOM- NIGHT - FLASHBACK
TITLES: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - 15 YEARS AGO
The owner of the eye is a young boy; a boy named REMY.
He cowers in the corner as shadows on the wall behind him struggle with one another. The shadows belong to a man and a woman, presumably Remy's parents.
The woman pleads with the man in her strong CAJUN accent.
REMY'S MOTHER
(In Cajun French)
No! You can't do this --
The woman sobs as she grasps at the man's arm. The man is enraged as he bears down on the boy.
Remy puts his head between his knees and curls up in the corner, he tries to protect himself.
The woman grabs the man's arm as he raises it, she tries to stop him. Her desperation is clear, however the man's rage is greater and he easily shoves her aside.
She falls to the floor.
REMY'S MOTHER (CONT'D)
Please!
Still she will not relent as she reaches out to grab the man's ankle. Her last ditch effort is no good as he steps forward.
REMY'S MOTHER (CONT'D)
Don't hurt him! Don't hurt Remy!
Remy's Father speaks with a thick Cajun Accent.
REMY'S FATHER
Le Diable Blanc... I shall beat the devil out of him...
REMY'S MOTHER
You can't hurt our son!
REMY'S FATHER
He's no son of mine.
The man strikes the child as the woman screams.
CUT TO:
INT. ABANDONED TRAIN CARRIAGE - PRESENT DAY
TITLES: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK - NOT TO DISTANT FUTURE
An empty, Train Carriage.
Remy wakes suddenly, as if from a nightmare. His long auburn hair covers the majority of his face, as he brushes it back we see the same red and black eyes.
Around the carriage floor are Remy's belongings, including a broken CD player, and many shattered CD's.
On the seat opposite Remy's makeshift bed, is a long trench coat and Bo Staff. Remy grabs his coat and throws it on.
Finally, he picks up a pair of playing cards. He smiles at them almost arrogantly.
Remy exits the Carriage.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
Remy performs card tricks on a street corner.
A small group of people crowd around.
He spreads the cards on a up turned cardboard box and talks with the same Strong Cajun accent his parents had.
GAMBIT
How about you Madame?
He picks out WOMAN #1 from the crowd.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Pick a card, any card your heart desires.
Woman #1 picks one.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Now chere, cast you perdy eyes on the card you pick, but don't go tellin' me. I'm not supposed to know.
She looks at the card and places it back in the deck.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
D'as it. Now let's see if I can make this work ... sometimes it does ... sometimes it don't. But that's not a problem I have in other areas.
The girl blushes as the people in the crowd chuckle.
Gambit picks up the deck, he cuts it.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Place the card in the deck.
She does. Remy shuffles the cards.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
(Holds the deck to his forehead.)
Now let's see ... I'm getting a hint of something red.
A card in the deck begins to float, almost magically out, in the corner is a heart suit.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
It could be...
The card -- The ACE OF HEARTS is in full view now.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
...Love. Is dis your card?
She giggles and nods.
Remy smiles as the card pops out of the deck. It begins to glow in mid air, almost floating.
Suddenly it EXPLODES.
The edges burn until all that is left is the heart shaped Suit in the middle.
It floats down into the waiting hands of the lady.
WOMAN #1
Oh my god.
She smiles again as the crowd begin to leave dollar bills and other spare change on the box.
The woman takes a pen and scrap piece of paper out of her purse. She begins to scribble a phone number on it.
She stops...
WOMAN #1 (CONT'D)
You know, you could just come to my hotel room in fifteen minutes.
GAMBIT
Or I could walk you there now.
WOMAN #1
No... I... Uh... fifteen minutes. Don't be late.
He kisses her on the cheek, and places his hand behind her neck. Remy unhooks the clasp on her necklace and slides it into the palm of his hand.
Remy pulls the necklace free from her and neck and places it in his pocket. She remains oblivious to his theft.
GAMBIT
Minutes will seem like days chere.
ANGLE ON:
Woman #1 who walks away. She places her hand to where her necklace used to be and smiles. Her eyes glow yellow. She drops her bag into a nearby bin.
Remy collects the change left by passersby, throws it into his bag, and looks around.
Remy holds up the necklace letting the sun shine on it. He is proud of his steal.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
(Under breath)
She gets da boy, but she don't wanna be seen with da boy.
(Smiles to self)
He sees a police officer; the police officer looks at him suspiciously.
Remy's thief's instinct tells him to run.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY
Remy darts through oncoming traffic, he avoids the police officer at every turn.
He dodges several more cops who seem to be growing in numbers with every second.
Remy easily avoids them, using more speed and agility than any average man, or even pro athlete should possess.
POLICE OFFICER #1 raises his radio to his mouth.
POLICE OFFICER #1
(Into Radio)
He turned ... he's heading towards the Subway Station. The target is a young Caucasian male, brown hair, wearing a trench coat --
Finally Remy vaults over a railing, down to the staircase below.
POLICE OFFICER #1 (CONT'D)
-- Did you see that?
A COPS VOICE RESPONDS.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY STATION
POLICE OFFICER #2.
POLICE OFFICER #2
(Into Radio)
No, but I see him.
ANGLE ON:
Remy slides underneath a turnstile as several police officers run, out of breath in his wake.
He heads towards a sign marked "Platform 2"
POLICE OFFICER #2 (CONT'D)
He's heading towards Platform 2.
Their hopes of catching Remy are now almost completely evaporated ... or so they think.
INT. SUBWAY, PLATFORM 2
As Remy arrives at Platform 2, three police officers close in on him from the opposing sides.
Remy is caged in, with nowhere to go...
POLICE OFFICER #2
Stop him!
We hear a RUMBLING in the tunnel, the sound of an oncoming train.
A light beams across the tracks in front of it, every millisecond it gets ever closer. Remy's hair begins to flicker...
... The train is almost in sight, the sound almost deafening, the floor shakes beneath his feet. His mind is made up...
Police Officer #1 finally arrives. He stands panting next to Police Officer #2. He looks at Remy and says:
POLICE OFFICER #2 (CONT'D)
He's not going to do what I think he's going to do, is he?
POLICE OFFICER #1
I think he is.
Remy leaps forward, across the track, the train like a blur, pulls into the station.
The crowd gathered on the other side let out a collective GASP as the police look on defeated.
CUT TO:
INT. ABANDONED TUNNEL
Remy charges down a tunnel having landed safely behind the train on a second set of unused tracks.
Finally he ceases running and walks down the abandoned tunnel to the train carriage he has made his home.
INT. ABANDONED TRAIN CARRIAGE
Remy enters.
His belongings lay exactly where he left them. He throws his jacket and down on one of the many broken, tattered seats.
He places his bag full of stolen goods next to it.
Remy finally settles down on a nearby chair. He picks up a postcard next to him and looks at it longingly.
The postcard depicts a city in festival, the caption reads "Mardi Gras - New Orleans"
Remy places the postcard next to him as he rests his head and falls into a deep asleep.
INT. BEDROOM - FLASHBACK
In a Bedroom, like any other child's, Remy LeBeau practices card tricks perched on the side of his bed.
He shuffles the cards expertly, not taking his hypnotic eyes off of them.
He shuffles with almost superhuman speed and ability. As he does the cards begin to spark, Remy's eyes are deep in thought and concentration...
A force-field briefly forms around the Cards.
A loud BANG distracts Remy; he drops the cards and the look of concentration on his face moments before changes to panic.
CRASHES come from outside Remy's door.
Remy shifts to the back of his bed, until he hits a wall. He has nowhere to go as the door to his room BURSTS OPEN.
REMY'S FATHER
Mutant devil!
His Father enters and grabs Remy by the collar. He throws the child to the floor and stands over him.
YOUNG REMY
Please, Father! No! Don't hurt me.
Remy whimpers.
His father tries to strike him. Remy's eyes begin to glow as his Father swings the palm of his hand towards him.
Remy avoids it with almost in-human reflexes and agility before grabbing his Father by the wrist.
He releases a charge of kinetic energy from his fingertips, through his Father's wrist watch.
His Father shakes violently as the watch around his wrist begins to spark.
Finally it BLOWS; the explosion sends Remy's Father flying into the wall behind him.
Remy rises from the floor, and looks around at the damage he has done.
He panics, after a beat he grabs the nearest bag.
Remy piles clothes in to it as well as his playing cards, he darts towards the door.
His Father, who is propped up against the wall begins to stir.
Remy takes a moment to look over his shoulder and mutter...
YOUNG REMY (CONT'D)
Au Revoir, Le Diable Blanc...
He exits.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS, STREETS - NIGHT
Young Remy walks through the streets as the night draws in.
It rains, seeking refuge from the weather Remy heads for a nearby bridge.
EXT. UNDERNEATH BRIDGE - NIGHT
He sits under it, his bag beside him.
Remy stares at his hands, sparks dart across his palms, underneath his skin.
He is stricken with fear.
MATCH CUT:
INT. ABANDONED TRAIN CARRIAGE - PRESENT DAY
Remy opens his eyes.
They glow, his iris' bulge, almost doubling in size.
He looks at his hands; they spark like in his dream/flashback.
His power increases to almost uncontrollable, unimaginable levels.
Suddenly a beam from a flashlight flickers across Remy's face and the sound of FOOTSTEPS can be heard.
The sparks darting across Remy's hands slowly decrease, his eyes reduce in size ... he is fine.
Remy looks around as incoherent VOICES now enter the fray of noise.
CUT TO:
INT. ABANDONED TUNNEL
Police Officer #1 and POLICE OFFICER #3, equipped with flashlights make their way through the tunnel towards Remy's carriage.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Did you see what this guy did?
POLICE OFFICER #3
No, I heard he jumped in front of the train.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Yeah but that's just the half of it, he didn't just jump in front of the train, he out run seven of us.
POLICE OFFICER #3
Well that's not hard to believe, after all the donuts you've been knocking back.
Police Officer #1 stops.
POLICE OFFICER #1
I'm serious. I've never seen someone run so fast. He dodged traffic, hurdled over cars. He leapt down a 10 foot staircase and landed perfectly on his feet -- without even tweaking a muscle.
Police Officer #2 turns to his colleague.
POLICE OFFICER #3
Sounds pretty amazing, you get close enough to see him?
POLICE OFFICER #1
Yeah, his eyes ... they were red and black ... I think he's a mutant.
POLICE OFFICER #3
Lucky we have these.
(Puts hand on gun)
Police Officer #1 smiles as he shines his flashlight towards a tunnel opening.
POLICE OFFICER #1
Yeah -- The rate these mutants are spreading soon there will be enough to take the whole damn city. Good job we've got license to kill any on sight.
POLICE OFFICER #3
But you never know who could be one.
POLICE OFFICER #1
I suppose.
(Walks towards opening)
Look -- A carriage, think he could be in there?
Police Officer #3's eyes flash yellow as he strikes Police Officer #1 over the head with the handle of his gun. Police Officer #1 falls to the floor unconscious.
POLICE OFFICER #3
I guess we'll find out.
He walks towards the opening, his legs SHAPE SHIFTING to a blue lizard like female form. The form of MYSTIQUE.
INT. ABANDONED TRAIN CARRIAGE
A flashlight beams on Remy's carriage.
Without a second thought Remy grabs his belongings and quickly exits.
He slips out of the carriage.
ANGLE ON:
Mystique who enters the carriage.
She looks around at Remy's remaining things before walking towards one of the chairs.
A pile of clothes and other objects have been left behind by Remy.
She riffles through the remains before lifting a few playing cards. She holds onto in particular reading the handwritten message on the face.
MYSTIQUE'S P.O.V:
Written across the heart suit in the centre of the card: "REMY 'GAMBIT' LEBEAU"
BACK TO SCENE
MYSTIQUE
Gambit--
Mystique smiles to herself before looking from the window.
INT. ABANDONED TUNNEL
Police Officer #1 is beginning to recover.
INT. ABANDONED TRAIN CARRIAGE
Mystique makes her get away.
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - MORNING
The flow of traffic moves steadily and slowly during the morning rush hour...
... Until a manhole cover pops up and Remy LeBeau crawls out.
He throws his staff and bag aside and quickly avoids an oncoming car.
Remy LeBeau gathers his belongings, and slides over the hood of taxi to the annoyance of its driver.
He makes it to the side walk and heads down a nearby alley way.
Remy drops to his knees.
His hands are back to normal, his eyes no longer bulging, the power coursing throughout his body settling, but the pain remains.
Remy pulls a box of cigarettes from inside his pocket. He tries to light it but can't.
He throws the lighter and cigarette aside and looks at his hands.
GAMBIT
(To self)
What was that?
Remy closes his eyes tightly...
MATCH CUT:
INT. NEW ORLEANS DINER - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Young Remy sits at a table, in the corner of a diner.
A waitress approaches him.
WAITRESS
Can I get you anything darlin'
Remy looks at her.
The waitress sees his eyes and drops her coffee pot. She backs away slowly.
WAITRESS (CONT'D)
I don't want no trouble.
Remy ignores her and taps his finger on the table in front of him. He does not relent; his hand is in constant motion.
He taps his foot on the floor too, not daring to stop moving.
Like a junkie he continues to fidget obsessively, desperate for his next fix. However Remy is not a junkie and he's not looking for drugs.
He's looking for his next mark, his next target -- Someone, anyone he can steal from.
The homeless Remy, wearing shabby clothes, his hair dirty and unwashed sees just what he's looking for:
An old man in his 50's, wearing a long jacket with rings on his fingers.
He walks by, adjusting his collar to protect his neck from the down pour outside. The man is JEAN-LUC LEBEAU.
Remy leaps from his seat, he silently makes his way across the diner to the entrance.
EXT. NEW ORLEANS, STREETS - NIGHT
He waits a beat for the man to pass before entering the raining streets he has made his home. Jean-Luc walks with the aid of a long wooden staff.
Remy follows Jean-Luc stealth-like down the little side street before deciding to strike.
He leans forward silently, like a shadow in the night.
His hand reaches Jean-Luc's pocket, but as it does...
Jean-Luc sweeps the legs of Remy out from under him with the staff in his hands.
Remy falls to the floor, he immediately recoils as Jean-Luc stands over him.
EXT. SIDE STREET - NIGHT
Remy backs up against the brick wall.
He cowers covering his head trying to protect himself from a blow that never comes...
Instead he hears a chuckle.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
A thief trying to steal from a thief...
Jean-Luc continues to chuckle. Remy looks at him uncomfortably.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
Do you know who I am boy?
Remy shakes his head.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
My name is Jean-Luc LeBeau... I am the head of the New Orleans Thieves Guild.
Jean-Luc LeBeau looks Remy directly in the eyes ... he smiles.
He sees a remarkable young child, a child in need of guidance. LeBeau looks intrigued.
He helps Remy to his feet.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
We look after our own.
(Beat)
Come...
Jean-Luc puts his hand comfortingly on Remy's shoulder and the pair leaves together.
EXT. ALLEY WAY - DAY - PRESENT DAY
Remy gets to his feet, slings his back pack over his shoulder and grabs his Bo Staff.
He makes his way down the street, watching on is Police Officer #3...
The Police Officer's arm, followed by the rest of his body SHAPE SHIFTS into the serpentine physique of Mystique.
EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY
Remy deals cards onto an upturned card board box table. A Crowd gathers around.
GAMBIT
Gather 'round, all you got to do, is find the lady.
He deals three cards face up on the table. He points to the QUEEN OF spades.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
(Motions to Woman in crowd)
How about you chere. A Pretty girl like you, shouldn't have trouble findin' the lady.
The woman in the crowd smiles, but a MAN #1 pushes past her to accept Remy's challenge.
MAN #1
I'd like to give it a shot.
He eyes the man, from head to foot. The man is in a nice, expensive suit, and wears a gold Rolex.
Remy smiles.
GAMBIT
Then let's find out if dis is your lucky day mon ami.
The man places down a few bucks on the table, taking his jacket off eagerly waiting the game to get underway.
He places his jacket down on the table alongside his money as Remy turns the card.
He points to the face down queen...
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Don't go losing her now.
Remy smirks again as he begins to shuffle.
He stops and the man eyes each card individually. He points to one, and Remy turns it over. It's the Queen of spades.
The man smiles victorious. He begins to pick up his jacket.
Remy returns the man's smirk--
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Well done mon ami, but I bet you can't do that again.
The crowd murmur as the man considers his options; Remy puts down a few dollars of his own money.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Double or nothin'
MAN #1
Why not?
He places his jacket back down and Remy shuffles the cards again.
This time Remy shuffles just a little quicker, he doesn't take his eyes of the man and continues to return his smile.
Remy's hands continue to shuffle, the crowd nor the man don't see Remy's sleight of hand.
He stops shuffling and places the cards down on the table again.
This time the man is not so confident, he is indecisive as he stares at each card individually.
MAN #1 (CONT'D)
(Pointing to card.)
It's this one.
Remy turns it over; it's not the Queen of Spades.
GAMBIT
I guess luck doesn't always favor the bold ... mon ami.
MAN #1
How did you do that?
GAMBIT
A magician never reveals his secrets --
MAN #1
Especially when there's money on the line
(Smiles at Remy)
Why earn it when you can take it right?
The man continues to smile at Remy -- Remy waits a beat, unsure of the man's motives.
GAMBIT
-- Exactly.
Man #1 extends his hand for Remy to shake.
Remy accepts it and the crowd begins to disperse.
Gambit runs his hand up the man's wrist, Remy slowly un-clips his watch. He slides it off the man's wrist and over his hand. Man #1 doesn't feel a thing, he's completely oblivious.
MAN #1
Well thank you, for brightening up my lunch hour. Here-
(reaching into jacket)
This is my card, my company could always use someone who's not afraid to take risks.
Hands Remy his card.
GAMBIT
I'm not really looking for a job right now mon ami, but why don't you take my card.
MAN #1
Your card? --
Remy hands the man a playing card, Man #1 looks at it.
MAN #1'S P.O.V:
He looks at the card, written on it is the name:
REMY "GAMBIT" LEBEAU
BACK TO SCENE
MAN #1 (CONT'D)
Gambit? I like it. I'll be seeing you ... Gambit.
The man begins to walk away as Gambit places the watch in the pocket of his own jacket. He turns and picks up the cash he won from his game of Three Card Monte.
He begins to look around, once again he sees several Police Officers, his thief’s instinct tells him to run...
EXT. STREETS OF NEW YORK - DAY
Man #1 walks down the street.
He looks at the card Remy gave him, he smiles, almost in triumph as he reads what's written on the back...
The man MORPHS into the serpentine Mystique.
CUT TO:
Remy weaving between traffic as the cops chase him, he heads down an alley way.
The police look to have cornered him. They draw their guns from their Holsters and cock them.
POLICE OFFICER #1
You've got nowhere to go mutant.
GAMBIT
On the contrary mon ami.
Gambit kicks off the wall and with the ability not of an ordinary man leaps to catch the bottom of a fire escape.
He laces his Bo Staff through the bottom rung of the ladder and uses it to propel himself up.
Gambit pulls himself up to the roof of the building.
The police try to follow -- to no avail.
EXT. ROOFTOPS - DAY
Gambit charges across a rooftop, he reaches the end and leaps without a second thought. He makes an almost impossible jump the adjacent roof landing effortlessly on his feet.
He continues running on the second roof top, he leaps once more and lands immaculately on a third.
EXT. ALLEY WAY - DAY
Finally Remy jumps down off of the final building in the row, landing cat like on his feet.
Remy smiles and turns...
He walks into the brick wall form of VICTOR CREED -- SABRETOOTH
Sabretooth lifts Remy clean off his feet; he slams him back against the wall asserting his authority over Gambit.
Remy is not intimidated by the animalistic Victor Creed.
SABRETOOTH
Cajun!
GAMBIT
Sabretooth.
SABRETOOTH
You owe me Cajun!
GAMBIT
Considerin' what I took didn't exactly belong to you...
Sabretooth punches the wall next to Remy's head in anger.
GAMBIT (CONT'D)
Possession is nine tenths of the law Mon ami...
SABRETOOTH
Well I ain't ever been one to abide by the law.
GAMBIT
Me neither.
Sabretooth slams Remy into the wall again.
SABRETOOTH
Don't get smart with me Cajun. I want what's owed to me, or I'll take it out of your flesh.
Sabretooth runs his Talons down Remy's cheek drawing blood.
Remy's eyes begin to bulge and glow as his power grows.
Sabretooth throws Remy to the floor.
GAMBIT
Well Victor, I say it is time you learn how to play the cards you're dealt.
With a flash Remy grabs a playing card, charges it and throws it to the ground.
It EXPLODES knocking an advancing Sabretooth off his feet.
Remy disappears from Sabretooth's sight. Sabretooth unleashes a GROWL of anger
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - DAY
Remy staggers down the street, his eyes glow, his hands spark, his body goes rigid.
He drops to his hands and knees...
Remy's iris' bulge once more.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW ORLEANS STREETS - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
A teenage Remy, dressed now far better than he had last time we saw him in the diner. His hair clean but still long and slightly unkempt giving him a slightly disheveled look.
He wears a black vest, shaped liked body armour and over the top a long trench coat reminiscent of the one Jean-Luc LeBeau had worn the day the pair met.
Remy walks with confidence, a youthful exuberance and vigour he has never know before.
As he walks down a crowded street he picks the pockets of unsuspecting people, his technique refined and unnoticeable.
His hands quick and precise reach in and take the valuables of others much to Remy's delight.
The crowd begins to thin out, until only Remy is left on the sidewalk.
He clutches at a back pack slung over his shoulder and smiles in delight at his horde.
He makes his way down the empty road until he takes a wrong turn down an alley.
EXT. ALLEY WAY - NIGHT
Remy is assaulted by a group of MASKED MEN.
Two of them hold him up as his bag of valuables fall to the floor. The men rifle through it.
They are disgusted...
They are members of the ASSASINS'S GUILD. The Thieves Guild's rivals.
ASSASSIN #1
He's a thief...
ASSASSIN #1 slaps Remy whose eyes flash momentarily with rage. The red iris begins to bulge however the cocky smirk on his face does not falter.
The Assassin tries to hit Remy again, however a WOMAN walks out from the shadows ... she was hidden from view, almost remarkably she was not seen until she chose to reveal herself.
Every bit an expert at her guild's craft as Remy is at his.
The Woman is a TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX, daughter of Marius Boudreaux the leather of the Assassin's Guild. She is Remy's equivalent in every way, in skill, in confidence and in their respected guild's hierarchy.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Who is this boy?
ASSASSIN #1
He's LeBeau's new rat...Calls himself Gambit.
Bella Donna approaches Remy, without hesitation or caution she leans down to look him straight in the eye.
Like most people who meet him, she is entranced by them.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Is that right?
TEENAGE REMY
Oui Chere, but you can call me Remy. Your thugs here can call me Mr. LeBeau.
Bella Donna smiles as the Assassins tighten their grip on Remy's arms.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Tell me Gambit ... Remy ... what are you doing in Assassin territory?
Remy smiles at her, but does not reply.
One of the hooded Assassins grabs Remy by the hair, he pulls it back.
He places a knife to Remy's throat...
ASSASSIN #2
Answer her devil Boy!
Remy continues to look at Bella Donna; she returns his glance almost in a hypnotic state.
TEENAGE REMY
How could I resist the lure of a beautiful woman mon ami?
Bella Donna smiles warmly, she slaps him, her trance broken ... if it ever existed.
TEENAGE REMY (CONT'D)
Lucky for you chere, I like my women feisty.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Then I have a feeling, you're going to love me.
The Assassins take exception to Gambit's latest comments and throw him to the floor. With a flick of her wrist Teenage Bella Donna produces a knife. She throws it to Assassin #2.
Assassin #2 catches it and lunges at Remy; however Remy rolls out of the way with seconds to spare.
He swiftly kicks the Assassin into his comrades.
Remy hits all the surrounding members of the Assassins guild with lightning fast spinning kicks taking them all off their feet.
The only one who remains standing is Bella Donna.
TEENAGE REMY
And now, for my greatest trick --
He throws two of his trusty playing cards into the air, charged with kinetic energy.
TEENAGE REMY (CONT'D)
Au revoir Chere.
Teenage Gambit blows Bella Donna a kiss.
One card falls to the ground, it EXPLODES on impact.
The other, burns around the edges until only the suit remains.
The heart shaped suit from the ACE OF HEARTS floats down and lands in Bella Donna's palm.
She looks at, written on the back:
"REMY 'GAMBIT' LEBEAU"
She looks up and Gambit has disappeared, her Assassins remain unconscious on the floor.
She clasps the heart shaped card in her hand and smiles to herself.
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - EVENING - PRESENT DAY
Remy crawls, his eyes glow, his limbs being forced in unnatural directions.
People pass him by; they ignore him completely leaving him crawling in the gutter.
Remy crawls towards a nearby Park.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - EVENING
Remy pulls himself up onto a bench - He passes out.
INT. LEBEAU MANSION - FLASHBACK
Jean-Luc LeBeau and Teenage Remy argue.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
Remy, this relationship is not sacred. You're betraying the Thieves Guild ... they're our enemies Remy!
(Beat)
Would you really go against your Family? Would you really put a woman ahead of them?
TEENAGE GAMBIT
But Father. I Love her. I have since the moment I met her, and I will until the moment I die.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
But Remy --
TEENAGE GAMBIT
Father, what can I say ... She stole my heart.
Remy smiles, amused by his own cheesy joke.
He and Jean-Luc chuckle. Jean-Luc smiles warmly at his adopted son.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
Remy...my son. Since the day I found you I have loved your ... uniqueness. I saw a lot of myself in you, that's partly why I took you in, adopted you as my son.
Jean-Luc walks over to a nearby cabinet, and lifts from it his Bo Staff. He hands it to Remy.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
I want you to have this, as you remember it can be a useful tool.
They laugh.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
I'm sure you've wondered on many occasions why I was so eager to help you Remy.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
The thought had crossed my mind once or twice.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
Truth be told Remy, I had heard about this thief prowling the streets of New Orleans ... Gambit ... Le Diable Blanc, the son of the devil himself. I had longed to meet such an extraordinary commodity. I spent weeks tracking you down, and when I saw you ... well you were just a boy ... with extraordinary gifts --
TEENAGE GAMBIT
And the looks to match.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
Yes, I've heard you've broken one or two hearts along the way. And Remy, if you truly love Bella Donna Boudreaux the way you claim to. Then I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement with the Assassins.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
Thank you.
Remy and his adoptive Father hug one another.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
Who knows, maybe this could be a turning point, bring peace between the two guilds.
Remy looks worried at the prospect, now that a huge responsibility such as peace between the two rival guilds has been placed on his shoulders.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU (CONT'D)
But before I do this Remy; you must do something for me, for the guild.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
Anything Father.
JEAN-LUC LEBEAU
I'm sending you to Paris, to steal l'Etoile du Tricherie.
CUT TO:
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - MORNING
Remy wakes up on a park bench face down.
He sits up slowly; he winces in pain as he does.
His eyes are sore, his head spins and his whole body aches with pain. He stares at his hands, the sparks of energy dart slowly across his hands, the energy takes longer and longer to stabilise with each passing day.
The weather is bad, a storm is coming ... a bitter wind blows in as Gambit pulls his long coat around him, which diverts his attention away from his increasing powers.
He gets to his feet and follows the winding path out of the park.
EXT. NEW YORK STREETS - MORNING
He heads for warmer territory, a nearby subway station.
INT. SUBWAY STATION
Remy walks through Station.
He brushes past people, and can't help but resort to his pick pocketing ways.
Remy barely steals a thing before he collapses to the floor.
Remy convulses, his finger tips become rigid.
The power flowing through his body bends his extremities in almost unnatural ways.
Remy fights the pain as he crawls towards the wall, the people in the surrounding area have mixed reactions.
Some shout obscenities at the mutant Remy LeBeau, others show concern for a man in pain.
Gambit manages to get to his knees; he scrambles to a bathroom several feet away.
INT. SUBWAY BATHROOM
He holds himself up at a basin and looks in the mirror in front of him
Remy's eyes glow, his irises are bigger than ever before.
He looks at his hands, pink sparks dart across his palms uncontrollably...
... Like a bolt of lightning it hits him, his body goes stiff, power far greater than a master thief can control surges through his body.
He lets out bursts of kinetic energy, charging the basin in front of him, it explodes and the glass from the mirror in front of him collapses.
Remy stumbles backwards weakly and crashes through a stall and passes out next to the toilet inside.
REMY's P.O.V:
The surrounding bathroom slowly begins to FADE away, until there is nothing but black...
CUT TO:
INT. DARKENED ROOM
In a darkened room, one solitary beam of light shines down to the floor like a spotlight.
Mystique stands in it, her blue scaly form illuminated.
MYSTIQUE
I have found the mutant known as Gambit.
Mystique throws the card Remy gave her earlier to the floor as she waits for a response.
Seated in the shadows is a dark figure, his features masked by the darkness.
FIGURE
Bring him to me.
MYSTIQUE
Why? LeBeau doesn't seem to possess much of a talent for anything... except taking things that don't belong to him.
The man leans forward, a speck of light flickers across his face revealing a solitary feature ... red eyes.
FIGURE
Remy LeBeau has more power than you realize...
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW ORLEANS, STREETS - DAY - FLASHBACK
Teenage Gambit walks the streets, this time at night.
He bumps into a man, he stops apologizes, shakes his hand (stealing the man's wrist watch in the process).
Remy walks away. He picks unsuspecting people's pockets as he passes them, until he sees her --
A young attractive lady; wearing jewellery, diamonds and a gold ring around her finger. Like a magnet Gambit is attracted to her... and more specifically the numerous trinkets on her person.
He follows her down the street.
Remy reaches forward, he tries to slip his hand into the lady's pocket.
He tries to take whatever might be lurking inside, his fingertips reach in, a familiar feeling rushes through Gambit's body.
The excitement of a theft, the rush of...
Suddenly sparks come from the woman's jacket. An electrical energy courses through Gambit's hands to the woman's clothing.
Remy contorts as he releases a n unexpected burst of kinetic energy from his fingertips to the woman.
Gambit drops to his hands and knees, his breath rapid and irregular.
He slowly cranes his neck up, and there he sees her...
... The woman lies on the sidewalk, her eyes roll back into her head and she is foaming at the mouth. She doesn't move.
Gambit shakes her, he does everything within his power to rouse her but she will not move and she will not wake.
Remy looks at her open mouthed, shocked by his own actions. His hands spark as he stares at them.
His eyes are glassy and empty. The People passing by stop to inspect the scene. Remy's hands and eyes now almost glow.
His body is ravaged with pain, the pain of his kinetic energy flowing unstably through his body.
MAN IN CROWD # 1
Mutant Scum!
MAN IN CROWD # 2
Murdering Mutie!
Remy looks around; he is terrified and alone. He does the only thing he knows how to do...
Run.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY BATHROOM - PRESENT DAY
Present day Remy wakes up in the stall. He tries to use the toilet to pull himself up, he doesn't get very far before he vomits.
The power inside of him seems to have reduced for now but once again the pain is still unbearable.
He takes his time getting to his feet, with a struggle he leaves the bathroom, he barely takes a step when he is hit in the back of the head by Police Officer #3
Remy falls to the floor and rolls onto his back...
...Remy's eyes flicker, he fades and they eventually close as he drifts into unconsciousness.
INT. BELLA DONNA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Teenage Bella Donna Boudreaux looks at herself in a full length mirror...
She is wearing a wedding dress. She runs her hand over the fabric until she is startled by a sound coming from the window behind her.
She turns and there stands Remy LeBeau.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Do you ever use the front door?
Remy slumps down against the window frame, his skin pale, his eyes troubled and conspicuous by its absence is his confident, borderline arrogant smile.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
Not if I can help it chere,
His voice lacks all of its usual charm, much like his eyes... It's empty and without feeling, a fact that immediately worries Belle.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Remy, what's wrong?
Belle strides towards him trying to comfort her love. Remy stands and backs away from her, perching on the very edge of the window.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
I ... I... I... It's my fault Belle... They were... I kil-- I have to go Belle.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Go where Remy?
She steps forward, but stops herself from getting closer.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
Away from here, away from New Orleans...Away from Louisiana.
Remy is perched on the very edge of the window ledge, remarkably he hasn't fallen or shown a single sign of losing his balance.
She dare not get closer for fear he may fall trying to distance himself from her yet again.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Remy ... we're supposed to be getting married tomorrow ... tomorrow we bring peace between the two Guilds ... tomorrow we pledge our lives to one another. What could be so terrible you have to leave?
Gambit looks at her, for the first time since his arrival his eyes are no longer cold and dead ... they are filled with sadness.
TEENAGE GAMBIT
I can't tell you Belle. Mo chagren ... I'm sorry.
TEENAGE BELLA DONNA BOUDREAUX
Remy...!
Belle's plea goes unheard as Remy LeBeau leaps from the window ledge.
EXT. BOUDREAUX MANSION - NIGHT
Teenage Gambit lands cat-like on his feet.
INT. BELLA DONNA'S BEDROOM (BOURDREAUX MANSION) - NIGHT
Teenage Bella Donna watches, tears stream down her face as Gambit runs into the distance...
CUT TO:
INT. DARKENED ROOM - DAY - PRESENT DAY
REMY'S P.O.V:
His eyes are blurry, the world around him unfocused.
He can make out a blue blur, as his eyes adjust to their surroundings and the cobwebs clear the blue blur becomes the unmistakable form of Mystique.
BACK TO SCENE
On his left is a large male, with an array of metal objects attached to a tool belt around his waist. He has a large unidentifiable gun in his hand with several smaller variations in holsters all over his body. The man is SCALPHUNTER.
Remy has never seen the room before. Light is almost nonexistent except for a concentrated spotlight that beams down on him.
A silhouette like form slithers out of the darkness, it's not light enough to see his full form but his pale face is just visible…
Remy blinks as the figure walks out from the darkness.
The figures eyes, as red as his own, and his voice loud, clear and precise...
FIGURE
Welcome Gambit...
GAMBIT
Well, I'd feel a lot more welcome here ... If I knew where here be? And who you are?
FIGURE
And your questions shall be answered. My name is Mister Sinister. And I hear you desire something I can offer you.
GAMBIT
Beg your pardon Mon ami, but by the looks of you. You're not my type.
Mister Sinister slaps Remy across the face.
Remy's lip is cut; he spits the blood trickling from it, across Sinister's shoes in retaliation.
SINISTER
Insolence is not an attractive quality boy, nor is it one that I seek, however you have gifts ... gifts I can use...
GAMBIT
You better get to the point soon mon ami, or I'm going to get bored... And have to lighten this place up...
Mister Sinister chuckles. His chuckle is as sinister as his name would imply.
SINISTER
Indeed. In fact, it's exactly those gifts I seek from you. You have a power Remy LeBeau, a power I'm sure you don't need telling, is far greater than you can control. I know with each passing day, with each night's sleep the power only grows and racks your body with unimaginable pain ... Pain you haven't felt since you left New Orleans I would wager.
Sinister Chuckles to himself once more.
The sound echoes throughout, the sound chills Remy to the bone. Mister Sinister's laugh lives up to its owners name ... Sinister in every aspect.
Remy cannot help but stare at Sinister utterly dumbfounded;
How does he know where I came from?
How does he know my Kinetic Energy grows on an almost hourly basis?
He dares not voice his puzzlement, as the tone of Sinister's voice has changed.
It now demands silence, commands respect and Remy is almost fearful of the ramifications interruption would cause.
Not even Mystique or Scalphunter move or speak.
SINISTER (CONT'D)
Yes Remy, I know of your past.
Did he read my mind?
SINISTER (CONT'D)
And I know of your future, should you choose to accept my offer.
GAMBIT
And what is dis offer?
Sinister smiles a smile to match his name.
SINISTER
I am a geneticist Gambit, of the highest order, with expertise in genetic engineering and cloning. I have the ability to control and, or manipulate the Mutant X gene. I can splice DNA ... In short Gambit, I can solve your little power problem. I can control your Kinetic Energy.
How does he know about my Kinetic energy? Can he really control it? Is he even a doctor?
Gambit looks apprehensive.
GAMBIT
So you're actually a Doctor ... but you use Mister? And here I was thinking all villains wanted to be doctors.
Sinister chuckles again, Gambit wishes he hadn't.
SINISTER
Quite.
GAMBIT
I'm not stupid Sinister; I know you don't get something for nothing.
SINISTER
Rich; coming from a thief.
GAMBIT
I've paid for the things I've stolen in more ways dan I care to talk about ... But you already knew that ... so tell me, what is it you want from me?
SINISTER
I want what every scientist wants, I want knowledge.
GAMBIT
And how does that involve me exactly?
SINISTER
Because you're going to bring it to me ... them to be precise ... I want you to break into a secure facility and free two mutants …
Gambit struggles to come to terms with what Sinister is requesting ... he may be a thief, but he's not entirely comfortable stealing people.
GAMBIT
What makes them so valuable to you … Why do you need me?
SINISTER
Because Gambit, I'm one of the good guys. I'm offering you a way out from your pain, your agony, a chance to lead an elite team in The Marauders. Do you accept my terms?
Gambit looks down at his hands, as if searching for answers. He avoids eye contact with Sinister for as long as possible …
Sinister eyes; so familiar and so similar to his own. He finds no comfort in them.
But what he's offering … it's his one chance to free himself from the agony that tears him apart … to take away the uncontrollable, unbearable energy that flows throughout his body.
GAMBIT
… Yes …
SINISTER
Good … Now Scalphunter and Mystique will go with you … and make sure your powers don't kill you before you get the job done. It'd be an awful shame for me not to be able to live up to my side of the bargain.
GAMBIT
If I'm going to do this, I want people I can trust by my side.
Sinister pauses and considers it for a moment.
SINISTER
Very Well.
Sinister turns and leaves, disappearing into the shadows as Remy gets to his feet. He looks at his new colleagues, the serpentine, blue Mystique and the tall, built, intimidating form of Scalphunter.
CUT TO:
