03x09 - Chapter IX: Tombstone

[bunniefuu]

Oo, fine down payment,

but when do I get
the rest, Miss Silver?

Or can I finally call you
Miss Silvermane?

Yes, you may.

You'll get paid again as soon
as you k*ll that expose

the Daily Bugle is preparing
on me and my organization.

And Tombstone.

Don't forget the incriminating
photos they have of me.

- I must have them.
- They're yours.

I've already got my plan in motion

to collect a favour from an
old friend at the Bugle.

And to think I once
wanted to date her.

You're lucky it didn't
work out, Peter.

Who would have
thought Alisa Silvermane

would take over her
father's criminal empire.

We're finally going to blow the
Silvermane story wide open.

But it seems no sooner does
one problem get licked,

when something worse turns up.

See. Take this bandana
g*ng, for instance.

They're terrorizing everyone.

I get to thinking, this city's
no place to raise a son.

I often try to convince
Jonah that Spider-Man

is making this
city safer to live in,

but I guess Spider-Man
can't do everything.

No, but he might give it a try.

Hey, get out of here!

Just doing a little car shopping.

Got something against that?

Let go of me,
you miserable punks.

k*ll him.

He can't do anything to us.

You want in the posse or not?

Do it now.

Isn't it a little late
for a test drive?

It's Spider-Man. Let's jam.

I wasn't going to do
anything to him.

That's not what it
looked like from my angle.

You?

Randy Robertson?

What's he doing with these punks?

Is crime going to infect and
poison everyone I know?

Where's the Parker kid?

We have some business to discuss.

Who are you?
What do you want?

The name is Tombstone and
I want Parker's negatives.

I'm calling the police.

Be my guest.

Was it right for me to just
let Randy go like that?

Oh, poor Robbie.

He can't possibly have any
idea what his son's been up to.

But do I want to be
the one to tell him?

Stop. Stop!

Hello police?
This is an emergency.

There's a monster in
my house in here...

Now you've made me mad.

Pay dirt.

Spider sense. Here?

Tombstone. No, Aunt May!

If he's hurt her...

No officer, I'm alright.
He's gone.

I'm so afraid.

Who knows what this monster
might do to my nephew Peter.

Oh good, she's alright.

Better not let her see Spider-Man.

That might upset her even more.

- Pull over.
- You?

I said... pull over!

Yeah. I forgot you and
Parker are buddies.

Where do you get off attacking
defenceless old ladies?

Is that how you get your jollies?

No, that was work.

This is how I get my jollies.

I didn't say I was finish
with you, Rockhead.

And I'm not through with you.

Well I'm late for a funeral.

Yours!

Way to go, Spidey.

You get angry, you get careless.

And you lose your man.

Amazing Randy slips right
out of the spider's web.

Spider-Man?

He's nothing but a wimp
in red and blue spandex.

So did I make it? Am I in?

Chill, Randy.

That was just the first
stage of your initiatiion.

Now you're ready to
meet the big boss.

You're gonna have to pack
some heat for the next stage.

Huh? But, but um...

You got a strap, don't you?

Yeah, yeah sure I got one at home.

And I tried to call the police,

and then he ripped
the phone out, and...

Aunt May. The important
thing is, you're okay.

You should get some rest now.

Yes, I supposed I should.

Who knows who else
will show up here?

Some giant lizard
or human octopus.

Peter, you really must find
some other line of work.

Everything's here but the negatives
for the Alisa Silvermane expose.

Tombstone must have taken them.

That means Robbie's in trouble.

He's got the only other copies.

I've got to warn him
about Tombstone.

Should I tell him
about Randy too?

Where is "Dear Abbey"
when you need her?

Martha, I'm home.

Oh thank goodness.
We have to talk.

- What's wrong?
- The school called.

Randy's been cutting
classes for over a week.

What? I can't imagine
him behaving that way.

Robbie, you're just
so busy these days.

You don't know your own son.

Honey, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean that.

I'm just so worried.

- Where is he now?
- He's out.

And don't ask me where.

He doesn't tells me any more.

Randy, what are you doing?

Nothing.

Nothing? You call this nothing?

What did you want with
my old service revolver?

Don't you know how
dangerous these things are?

What is this?

You're not in that g*ng, are you?

- Are you?
- What if I am?

At least they care about me.

And you think we don't?

The posse's always there for me.

They're like a family.

And I'm gonna
prove myself to 'em.

- Randy, you don't have to...
- You just don't understand.

Well. Looks like Robbie's
got the bad news already.

- Hello?
- Hey Hobie. What's up.

Who is this?

Don't tell me you forgot my
voice, Mr. Straight Arrow?

Lonnie? But it can't be.

I thought you were...

Don't be so sure I'm not.

I wanna meet and
talk about old times.

I... I can't right now.

Oh yes you can.

See, I especially want to rap
about a good friend of mine,

a foxy lady by the name
of Alisa Silvermane.

What's wrong with Robbie?

He's looks like he's seen a ghost.

Meet me at Veteran's
Memorial Park, midnight.

Something's urgent
come up at the Bugle.

I have to go.

Yeah. Something urgent's
always coming up.

You go straight to your room.

We'll continue this when I get back.

This is a cheery little spot.

Glad I came along for the ride.

Lonnie? You here?

I'm here.

I still can't believe you're alive.

- Am I?
- Oh...

What happened to you?

Oh this? Just a little misshap?

You haven't changed much though.

Still a straight arrow.

Robbie and Tombstone.
Buddies?

I want the Silvermane
story buried, Robbie.

What makes you think I'll do that?

You owe me, remember?

You're an old friend, Robbie.

But if you don't k*ll that
story on your own

- I'll make you do it.
- No way.

Always the straight arrow.

- You again.
- Revolting, isn't it?

I was sloppy last
time, crypt keeper.

This time, I'm at
the top of my game.

I'm gonna prepare
a coffin for you.

A real flat one, brother.

He ain't my brother, he's heavy.

No!

Seems like you're
always saving my tip.

Look!

Rest in pieces.

Looks like Tombstone got away.

How do you even know
somebody like that?

You know, I've been asking myself
the same question for the last hour.

I knew Tombstone way
before he was Tombstone.

His real name is Lonnie Lincoln.

Closed? Dang.

You know its your fault
we're too late, Straight Arrow.

And I'm dying for an
ice-cream sandwich, Lonnie.

If you weren't so busy getting
your homework done...

- Hey.
- Well, what a shame.

Some dishonest thief could just
reach in and grab some ice cream.

If you give me a boost.

What? No way!

This is me who's asking you.

We're like family, remember?

I managed to get away.

But Lonnie went
right to juvenile court.

I eventually graduated
with honors.

But Lonnie, he got
a different degree.

I've always felt guilty that I
got away and Lonnie didn't.

And I felt even guiltier
knowing that Lonnie

never gave my
name to the police.

Back then, even one
strike could ruin your life.

I often wondered what would
have happened if I got caught

instead of Lonnie.

Later I got a job as a cub
reporter on a local paper.

One night I got a tip on a break in
at the Spaulding chemical plant.

I thought the story would
be my big chance.

- What do you say, Straight Arrow?
- Lonnie?

So, after all your fancy schools
and your cushy little job

you can still remember my name?

I'm touched.

In fact I'm so touched,
I even got a little gift for you.

I'm gonna give you a chance

to experience life on the
other side of the tracks.

What are you talking about?

I told you on the phone
there'll be a break in.

I can even name
the one who broke in.

Joseph Robbie Robertson.

I mean look around.

Your prints are everywhere.

You really should
have come prepared.

Why are you doing this?

Why did you let me get caught
robbing that grocery store?

Is that what this is about?

I took the fall for you, man.

Now it's your turn
to take the rap.

And when you get out of jail,

we'll be family again,

because no one
else will hire you.

Lonnie, this is crazy.

There was nothing
I could do for him.

I waited for the police to arrive.

And hoped they believe my story.

Luckily, the guys at the paper
backed me up on the phone tip.

I didn't think Lonnie survived.

- They told me he was...
- Maybe they really thought so.

He sure looks it.
Anyway, he came back.

I had no idea he'd become
this underworld hitman,

this walking Tombstone.

Right now, I just want to get
back to my wife and son.

So strange to see Robbie this way.

To Peter Parker he always
seem so strong, so proud.

How ironic that in his
moment of despair,

he seemed stronger to
me now, more than ever.

Randy?

Honey I want to talk to you.

Randy?

Randy my man.

Come over here and
meet the big boss.

Hey, kid.

You and me are gonna
be good friends.

I'm going to look
for Tombstone.

You should get back
to your family.

Robbie, he's gone!
He snuck out.

Still there.

Hello?

We still got lots of
catching up to do.

I tell you what.

Let's meet at the
Spaulding chemical plant,

for old times sake.

Spaulding chemical? What for?

How about this?

There's a new patsy
about to take a fall.

Your son.

Was that about Randy?

Everything's gonna be alright.

I'm going to pick him up now.

Robbie, I know that look.

Something is really wrong and
you have got to tell me what it is.

Haven't I always stood by you?

You have, and if anyhing
happens to me

you've got to stand
by Randy as well.

Robbie. What are you doing?

Something I should have
done a long time ago.

Get rid of this.

I don't ever want to see
another weapon in this house.

Everybody grab something
and get started.

I don't get it.
What are we doing here?

Move!

You're so close to
being in the family.

Don't mess it up.

Mrs. Robertson?

Spider-Man!
What do you want?

Easy, easy.

I'm looking for someone,
but I haven't had any luck.

I was hoping your
husband could help.

He's not here, he got a call.

Something about the
Spaulding chemical plant.

Oh. Gotta run.

Thats where Tombstone
tried to frame Robbie.

Robbie is more than
just a friend to me.

He's the only one who likes me as
Peter Parker and as Spider-Man.

I've gotta help him
out of this mess.

And the only way to do it is
to write Tombstone's epitaph.

Spider-Man.

- A rash and foolish plan.
- Huh?

You fought this man
mountain twice before

trying to defeat him with brawn.

And twice you've failed.

Madame Web!

Are you going to go for three?

What are you, a score keeper?

Someone's got to keep score
and I'm not sure you can count.

Do I really need this right now?

Must not use your
superhuman strength

to confront Tombstone again.

But the guy is strong as an ox.

It will not help you in the
mission that lies ahead.

Some evil can only be fought
with a human heart.

Think about it with your brain if
you still remember how to use it.

I don't know why this strange
mystic decided to be my advisor.

I really wish she'd
just leave me alone.

Get her own talk show.

- Where's my son?
- Straight Arrow.

Glad you could make it.

Your son's developing into
quite the little criminal. See?

Randy, no!

Aw, isn't that cute.

He forgot to bring his
gloves, just like his dad.

I know you must be proud.

That's why I'm recording a permanent
record of this special moment.

Of course, you can save your son
from heading down the wrong path.

All you have to do is k*ll
the Silvermane story.

I won't do it!

There you go with that
integrity stuff again,

but deep down
you're just like me.

I'm not.

Think what we could do together.

You with your connections,
me with my strength.

We could own this city,

but first, you've
got to k*ll that story.

You're too late, Lonnie.

I've already rushed it into print.

In a few hours, it will be
seen by a million readers.

Then it's out of my hands.

At least I'll have the
pleasure of seeing

the Robertson name
go down in flames.

This stuff's worth a fortune.

And Tombstone says,
we're gonna get a big cut.

So, the posse's working
for Tombstone.

He must be using
Randy to get to Robbie.

Hey, let go of me.

They're setting you up, Randy.

Your fingerprints must
be all over this place.

You don't even know what
you're talking about.

They care about me,
more than my real family.

That's where you're wrong.

Your dad's right here
to save your hide

and risk his own
against Tombstone.

No way.

You think you've
got such a great son.

It sure didn't take much
to get him into the g*ng.

Nobody talks about
Randy that way.

I'm gonna take you
down once and for all.

Even if I have to go with you.

And how do you
plan to pull that off?

Simple. I'm not
afraid of the police.

- No!
- Look!

I'm out of here.

What about Randy?

The heck with Randy.

It's every man for himself.

So what do you think
of your family now?

Dad! Leave my dad alone.

Get out of my way, you little...

You always were too caught up in
your own to think straight Lonnie.

No!

Well now that I've used my brains,
I guess a little brawn wouldn't hurt.

Huh?

Come down here and
fight like a man.

I don't suppose I can convince you to
come up here and fight like a spider.

No one ever tell you about playing
ball in the house, young man?

You better stay still.

Another swim in that chemical soup
and your hair might turn green.

Dad, dad, come on.

We got to get out of here
before the police comes.

We're not going to run, son.

We're gonna stay here and face
the consequences, together.

But your reputation.

Don't you see?

You're more important
than anything else to me.

Sorry, Dad.

I'm here for you, Randy.
I'll always be here.

Thank goodness.

Looks like Madame Web did add
one more weapon to my arsenal.

Believe in the human spirit.

I suppose I really
ought to thank her but,

she's got a big
enough head already.