Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2016) #25 “With This Ring”
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2016) #25 “With This Ring” Writer: Neil Bogenrieder Assistant Writer: Mohammed Jaafar Editor: Mark Alford Preferred art team: Stephan Sejic [Page 1] [Panel 1: Close up of a shot of two champagne glasses clinking in the air. In the background the lyrics to Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On” can be faintly seen, to indicate a secondary noise and theme to the environment.] ???: By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now declare you…. Wife and wife? I dunno, how do you say it? ???: Trust me, I don’t think there’s any “proper” way to nail down a lesbian wedding. I say we just roll with it. ???: I can toast to that. [Panel 2: Zoom outwards. We see that the location is none other than Carlie Cooper’s apartment; Yuri is nowhere to be found, and that means that Peter and Carlie have the night to themselves for a last minute rehearsal before her wedding. While Peter isn’t anywhere close to drunk (Superhuman tolerance levels) Carlie is slightly tipsy, signified by little bubbles, and wearing one of her NYPD hoodies.] Carlie: You’d better. You’re my best man. Thanks for coming over last-minute to do this… rehearsal thing. Peter: My pleasure. Gotta justify the whole best friend every once and awhile. Carlie: You said it, not me. [Panel 3: Carlie swivels her champagne glass around, subtly trying to get conversation out of Peter.] Carlie: Sooooooo…. How’s the family? Sidekick? Peter: Well, Annie’s growing up faster than I can keep up. MJ’s great. You’d think I don’t deserve her, and you’d probably be right. Especially given the whole Spidey thing. And Cindy? She’s doing fine. I think it’s great that her only friend isn’t her boss and she’s talking to other people. The Young Avengers were a good call for her. [Panel 4: Peter gestures over to Carlie, who has a slightly tipsy smile on her face.] Peter: But! We are not here to talk about me and my personal life. Let’s talk about yours! I mean, for God’s sake, you’re getting married tomorrow! Carlie: That is true. I’ll admit, it’s a little freaky. [Panel 5: Carlie places her glass on the coffee table, smirking at Peter as she leans forwards.] Carlie: Not freaky that I love Yuri. Because, god, I love her so much. It’s more the idea that we’re gonna be spending the rest of our lives together. Nothing prepares you for that. Peter: As a wise woman named Carlie Cooper once told me, spontaneity is the spice of life. Carlie: When have I ever said that? Peter: Five seconds ago, when I made that whole thing up. [Page 2] [Panel 1: Peter leans back into the chair he’s sitting in, allowing it to slightly recline as he does a finger gun with his free hand.] Peter: Still, it’s just a ceremony, and a reception. And then, boom. Honeymoon. You’re gonna nail this. Carlie: I hope so. [Panel 2: Carlie pulls up her bottom shirt, causing Peter to choke on his drink.] Carlie: Hey. Heyheyhey. You wanna see something cool? Peter: Carlie--kafck! [Panel 3: Large panel. Carlie has lifted her shirt enough to show Peter a tattoo: specifically, one of the Spider-symbol. It’s stock enough that it could be just some random spider, but close enough to the web-slinger’s logo that it can be recognized.] Carlie: Ta-da! Peter: A… a Spider-Man tat? That’s… new. Carlie: Yep! Figured it would give us something to disagree over now that she’s not on a Spider-Man hate rampage. Peter: So… you got ink to piss off your fiancé? [Panel 4: Carlie shrugs, moving to sit again as she pulls down her shirt.] Carlie: Yep. I figure it’s a way to divert her attention when things get a little heavy. Peter: Well, I’m glad to be of assistance. [Panel 5: Peter puts his glass down, turning somewhat serious as his mouth sinks inward.] Peter: So, uh, serious question. What’s going to happen to the whole “Hey, honey, my best friend is your worst enemy” thing, now that she’s not really working the whole “worst enemy” part? [Panel 6: Carlie’s paused, unsure if she wants to make a leap here.] Carlie: … [Page 3] [Panel 1: Carlie pinches the bridge of her nose, as she tries to clear her head. Peter, on the other hand ] Carlie: I want to be honest with you Peter. Because you might not like what I’m going to say. Peter: Okay, if you think I’m gonna get mad, you probably have a good reason and I’m your best friend. As long as you’re not telling me you murdered somebody, I think we’ll be fine. [Panel 2: Carlie smiles warmly. Either it’s a bit of tipsiness or she’s genuinely happy that Peter’s there for her.] Carlie: Thanks. [Panel 3: Carlie leans in, talking to Peter as he also leans in, to show that he’s listening to her.] Carlie: Peter, I don’t want to keep secrets from Yuri. I love her too much to do that. [Panel 4: Peter puts his hand to his chin, realizing what she’s implying.] Peter: You want to tell her about me being Spider-Man. [Panel 5: Carlie tries desperately to explain herself, using hand animations as Peter tries to calm her down.] Carlie: I… yeah, I do, because I don’t want to start a life with her with a lie. [Panel 6: Peter raises a hand; he’s still thinking this through, but his initial support is there.] Peter: I understand. Believe me, I do. Which is why I told Mary Jane before I proposed the second time. Carlie: And did you ever regret telling her, if she didn’t already know? Peter: Not for a second. [Page 4] [Panel 1: Peter’s facial expression is one of apprehension. He’s clearly putting a lot of thought into this.] Peter: But there are times when I question if I should have. You remember the whole Doc Ock thing. Carlie: Yeah. Peter: Everyday I’m afraid that’s going to repeat But then I look at Mary Jane and Annie and... that fear passes. [Panel 2: Peter looks up to Carlie, as he continues smiling.] Peter: So, no. I don’t regret telling her. Because I didn’t want our life to start with a lie. [Panel 3: Peter stands up, grabbing his bag as Carlie watches him.] Peter: That said… you have my permission to tell her. If you feel, deep down, that it’s needed. That you can’t live without telling her. But can you honestly tell me that, after three years, when she finds out I’m Spider-Man, Yuri is just gonna let me go? Carlie: Honestly? I don’t know. But ever since the whole Marcus Lyman fiasco? Yuri doesn’t… hate you anymore. And that’s a start. [Panel 5: Peter stands, holding his mask with a somber glance.] Peter: ...I hope so, too. Which is why I’m putting my faith in you. I trust you and your judgment. If you feel Yuri is ready, then go for it. [Panel 6: Carlie looks down at the floor, smiling with a similar somber smiling.] Carlie: Thanks, Pete. And that’s why you’re my best friend. [Page 5] [Panel 1: Peter opens the door, as he turns back to look at Carlie.] Peter: I know. Hey, chin up. Best day of your life tomorrow. Gotta go home and make sure my suit’s pressed and that the family’s all rested up. Then swing by ESU and pick up Cindy. See you at the chapel in the morning? Carlie: Heh. Yeah, tomorrow. [Panel 2: Rafter shot of the apartment, as Peter closes the door behind him.] [Panel 3: Forward shot of Carlie, as she buries her face in her hands. She’s clearly in conflict.] [Panel 4: Same panel, only Carlie’s laid back on her couch.][Page 6] [Panel 1: Large panel to indicate a scene change to Yuri’s hotel room . Yuri is in her room ironing out her police uniform. Steam is coming out of the iron, and Yuri is in a t-shirt and jeans.] [Panel 2: Small panel. Yuri hears a knock at the door, visibly looking up to acknowledge it.] [Panel 3: Yuri, at the door, opens it to Carlie standing at the entrance.] Carlie: Hey, babe. Yuri: Carlie! Hey, you okay? [Panel 4: Carlie walks in, eyes bagged behind her glasses.] Carlie: Well, given that we’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding… I thought it warranted knocking. Yuri: Ok, come in. Carlie: Thanks Yuri: So, what is it that you came to do? You’re not having second thoughts, are you? Carlie: No. No, no, no. I do want to marry you. [Panel :Carlie takes Yuri’s ring hand and clasps it with her own, pressing it against her lips.] Carlie: More than anything right now. [Panel 5: Now Yuri has taken the hands, kissing them herself.] Yuri: I’m glad, because I definitely want to marry you. Carlie: Hope so. You did put the ring on my finger. Yuri: So, uh… what did you want to talk about? [Panel 6: Carlie, as she lets go of Yuri’s hand and runs it along the countertop.] Carlie: I need to tell you something.