Original subtitles

Someone once asked me what universe this was.

A strange question that

stuck with me all these years later.

All I could say for sure

was it was the only one I knew of.

And that was as true then as it is now.

Am I an extraordinary man?

Yes.

Am I an ordinary man?

Yes.

I'm both. I'm neither.

But aren't we all?

New York.

I grew up in this city.

- I learned to fight in this city.

Get him!

And I fell in love in this city.

A mistake I'll never make again.

I used to be The Spider,

this city's hero.

Always on guard,

always ready to swoop in and save the day.

That ended when Ruby died.

We were going to be married in the spring.

I even bought a ring to make it official.

A ring I never had the chance to give her.

Ruby once told me that

with great power comes great responsibility.

Well, she was the greatest responsibility

I ever had.

And I failed her.

The Spider failed her.

After that, I didn't want the power or the responsibility.

So I went back to being just an ordinary man.

That was five years ago.

What do you think?

I think you got a bingo.

Say, you're kinda handsome.

Now I'm questioning your eyesight.

Funny, too.

So, you got a wife?

- No. - Shame.

I got a husband.

Not that it's ever stopped me from having a good time.

Know what I mean?

I've got a decent idea.

When your husband gets the same idea, tell him to give me a call.

Hm. Okay.

Excuse me, sir? Sir!

You forgot your hat.

Thank you.

You keep following me, it won't end the way you want it to.

It never does.

Addison!

Sorry, pal. Hey.

Don't do it, Addison.

I'm as liable to shoot you as I am to give chase.

Damn it!

Oh, my God, is he dead?

Sir, sir, you shouldn't--

- You really shouldn't-- - Where did they go? Which way?

It's not my fault you ripped off the wrong people, Addison.

Now, come on, let's go. It's getting late and it smells like shit back here.

I tried to warn you.

What?

Whoa.

Now you're gonna burn.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Oh… Oh, no. Oh, my God! Oh...

Whoa, whoa!

Huh.

Okay.

Oh! That man was completely on fire.

I've never seen such a thing.

Should've known it was fishy they offered me 50 bucks

to track down a nobody.

Who hired you-- guy named Winston?

- Yeah. - Bastard only offered me 30.

I need a drink. You?

Sure. Nothing too fancy. All I got is--

Three bucks.

Come on, Donegal. I know a joint.

Might even have a girl for you. If you like train wrecks.

Oh. I must,

'cause I keep marrying 'em.

Morning.

It was.

Now it's a mediocre afternoon, headed towards

a lousy evening. Coffee?

You got anything a little harder?

That's what I keep asking my husband.

- You can just pour it right in. - That's just it--

you really can't.

- Any calls? - Well, to receive calls,

you got to pay Ma Bell.

Till then, that's just a paperweight.

How'd it go with Addison?

Oh, wow. That well, huh?

Addison's dead.

- You... - No.

Some other guy. This goddamn city--

You open?

- No! - Yes!

I tried calling, but it didn't

- seem to go through. - Mr.-Mr. Reilly believes that

business is better conducted face-to-face.

Wouldn't you agree, Mister…?

Uh, Carmedy.

Right this way, Mr. Carmedy.

It's about my wife.

You a rich man, Mr. Carmedy?

No. Not particularly.

Possessed of a keen wit, then?

Huh?

Huh.

Look, I heard my wife on the phone this afternoon.

She's gonna meet this so-and-so at 8:00 tonight.

I even got the address. Look, look, look.

I do love a client who comes prepared.

So you'll do it? You'll take the case?

Okay, Carmedy, my rate's ten dollars a day, plus--

But you'll get pictures, right?

Cause without pictures it's basically just a-a "he said, she said" situation.

I'm sure your suspicions are unfounded, Mr. Carmedy,

but if it comes to it, don't you fret, Ben's an ace photographer.

Never miss a shot.

Ten dollars a day.

Plus expenses.

Janet'll get your info and a small retainer.

Come back day after tomorrow and, uh…

I'll give you what you want.

Thank you.

Come on, Mr. Carmedy,

let's get that info and that retainer, huh?

Explosion at Standard Oil. Read all about it.

Explosion at Standard Oil.

Explosion, here, at Standard Oil.

Sorry I'm late. I was chasing a story.

Some other mobster

is finally making a move on Silvermane.

Burned down his mansion a couple of nights ago,

killed six of his men,

and somehow, the old bastard escaped.

You think Finn Byrne likes being called Silvermane?

Thinks it speaks to-- I don't know-- gravitas and longevity?

If I ever get that rich, you call me

- anything you want. - That-That's a used pickle. Uh...

So, what you hiding over there-- another cheating spouse?

Thought you said you weren't gonna take those anymore.

I haven't paid Janet in months. Beggars can't be choosers.

Says the man who has chosen to be a beggar. For Chrissakes, Ben--

Robbie, not today, okay? Not again.

Have you seen it out there?

The city's a mess.

Ever since The Spider disappeared,

Silvermane's got this city by the throat.

Crime is out of control

and the police are completely in his pocket.

Now, the people--

the people could use a hero.

Well...

I hope they find someone.

- You used to be-- - I know who I used to be.

And I know who I am now.

There's always gonna be another Silvermane, Robbie.

There's no point in fighting it.

I can't help but wonder what Ruby would think if she heard you talking like that.

Ruby's been dead a long time.

I don't care what she'd think anymore.

Hey, Frankie, you're out early today.

Hey, Reilly, how you doing?

You know, I've been practicing my pocket tricks.

Oh, yeah? How's that going?

You tell me.

Dames, huh?

What would you know?

Lots. I'm wise behind these ears.

Smarts like that, maybe think about going to school.

Who needs it? A plus B equals C.

You don't do math with letters, kid.

Donegal. Reilly.

Listen, I think we should talk about last night.

So, what's this proposition you got for me?

We left a man dead last night.

Feels like that could be trouble coming down the tracks

or an opportunity worth pursuing. Either way,

I think we should know more about who hired us

and why they wanted him so bad.

So you got a plan, then?

Kinda. Can you be sober by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow?

Oh, hi, handsome. Long time no see.

By the morning?

Mm... sure.

Get your evening edition.

Silvermane survives in skivvies.

Thank you, sir.

Hot off the presses.

Silvermane survives in skivvies.

Ever since The Spider disappeared,

Silvermane has had a chokehold on this city,

murdering anyone that gets in his way.

But one brave soul tried to free us

from the mobster's reign of terror,

setting fire to Silvermane's mansion

while he was asleep upstairs.

But he failed to kill the old bastard,

so brace yourself for a bloody rampage

from Silvermane and his goons.

If only The Spider were here

to save us from the madness.

Damn, Robbie.

Give it a rest, would you?

Evening, sir. How can I help you?

I got a delivery for Boris Karloff.

Sorry, bud. Karloff don't live here.

No, sure he does. He might be listed under his stage name.

Uh, Stein.

Frank N. Stein.

All right. Don't bother. I'll see myself out.

No, stop.

- Come on... Come on. - No.

Gimme something.

Get off of me!

Come here!

Oh!

What the hell?

He's here early.

You're late.

Go. Go.

Morning, Winston.

Care for a cup of coffee or maybe some tea

or do you just want to order both and see which one comes first?

Save your breath, Reilly.

You told me you know where Addison is,

so take your money and talk.

Actually, the price has gone up.

Excuse me?

The other PI you hired told me offered him 50,

so I'm not telling you for a penny less than 200.

Cute.

But give me one good reason I shouldn't plug you.

How about 38 reasons?

It's actually a .32,

but I doubt your organs will know the difference.

Now, a guy like you in a suit like that--

you didn't cook this up on your own.

So, why don't you go back to whoever it is that sent you

and find me 200 dollars.

And then I'll tell you where Addison is.

And I'll keep the .30 as a tip.

Janet'll keep the .30 as a tip.

Cute.

Real cute.

Funny.

Guy burns down my house,

tries to kill me...

Makes me feel young again.

Did Reilly tell you where Addison is?

A shakedown.

He won't tell me where Addison is unless he gets more cash.

Pay him whatever he wants.

The boys are convinced Addison's got some kind of powers.

If he does, I want to talk to him.

Do whatever it takes.

Find Addison.

Hot damn! Can you believe our luck?

Sadly, yes. Stepping into a steaming pile of dogshit

is kind of my specialty.

Are you daft? Byrne's the deepest pockets in New York.

We're the only ones who know Addison's dead.

We can ask for a thousand now.

Shake down Silvermane? It's an idea.

Thing is, I've got this crazy preference for being alive.

You do what you want. I'm leaving this one alone.

You're a coward, Reilly. Fortune favors the bold.

And look how poor I am.

I'm in here.

How'd that go?

Dead end.

How about this?

Uh... interesting.

You got some great shots.

I couldn't resist.

I do have one question, though.

Am I crazy or is that the goddamn mayor of New York?

I believe in you,

the hardworking man trying to earn a decent living.

I believe in you, the dedicated woman.

Our city has hit hard times.

We've lost our heroes.

It feels like no one is coming to help us.

But I believe we can be our own heroes, together.

You sure she didn't meet up with anybody?

Like I said, your... wife

was alone the entire night.

What about 8:00 p.m.? The-the Redcliff? What was that all about?

Come on, Carmedy, smile. This is great news.

- No, I-I know, I know, I just... - I get it.

- Marriage can be a terrifying endeavor, - Oh...

opening yourself up to another person like that,

making yourself vulnerable.

I don't even feel good about taking your money.

- Really? - Yeah.

Go home, Carmedy. You have a beautiful…

- and loyal wife. - Oh.

You know how loyal she is.

- I-I... - You're a very lucky man.

- Yeah? - Now go home.

Uh...

We needed that money.

I don't know if you're aware, but there's a Depression going on.

I'm aware, but whatever that was, I want nothing to do with it.

Who do you think he was?

Who knows? Someone trying to smear the mayor.

And that woman-- if she's not Mrs. Carmedy,

then who the hell is she?

The only thing I can say with any certainty

is she isn't married to that syphilitic walrus.

Another headache, huh? That sixth sense thing?

You should listen to it.

Long as I've known you it's never steered you wrong.

I'd love to. Trouble is I'm not currently sure what it's trying to tell me.

Hang on.

Oh, I can hear it.

It's saying...

"Pay your secretary." Except you can't,

'cause you just gave away the only money we've made all month.

You're at the top of my list.

Yeah, well, you better do something about it soon.

I just interviewed for a sales position at Gimbels.

Blame my husband. He has this annoying habit

of demanding food on a daily basis.

What about selling the photographs to the woman?

You want to steer clear of the mayor, that's fine,

but maybe there's still some cash to be had.

Blackmail, huh?

That's not a terrible idea.

- It's not a good idea, - Ah.

but it's not a terrible idea.

Yeah, I shit you not,

she had me covered in whipped cream all the way up to here.

Girl, Robbie'll do anything to get the story.

Jesus, you look like shit.

More than usual, is what I'm saying.

- Nice to see you, too. - What's so important

it couldn't wait till I was back downtown?

Any chance you know who this is?

Ah, you must be joking.

Oh, that's Cat Hardy.

Back in the day, you wouldn't have had to ask.

Five minutes. Drawer three.

What are you looking for, anyway?

Uh, some poor sap got knocked off a few nights ago.

Friend gave me a tip something's off with the body.

Might be a story in it.

Say, uh, you might want to look away.

Any idea where I can find this Cat Hardy lady?

Oh, yeah.

Now, she is the star attraction over at The Alcove.

Huh. That is weird.

Say, does this look like a guy who died in a fire to you?

No, but he sure as hell did. I was there.

And?

They ID him yet?

James Addison.

Shit.

So, if they know, the cops'll know,

and then Silvermane will know that Donegal is trying to rip him off.

Do me a favor. Hold off on printing that.

I want to warn a friend before he gets himself killed.

What? It's just a migraine.

What's going on, Ben?

Did this guy have super powers?

Is he like you?

Forget about it, Robbie. He's dead.

Did Donegal say when he'd be back?

He didn't say shit.

That's what I told the other fellas and that's what I'm telling you.

If he comes in, tell him to meet Ben Reilly at The Alcove, 9:00 p.m.

Tell him it's important.

Old Fashioned.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cat Hardy.

Damn it, Donegal. Where the hell are you?

Wake him up.

Um...

...that ain't gonna be so easy.

He's dead.

Told you I had a killer right.

Sorry, boss.

Evening, friend.

I'm not interested in revenge or retribution.

So I'm going to make this quick. Okay?

Now, now, there's nothing to cry about.

I'd just like to hear where Addison is.

Do you know?

Do you know?

Uh, I shot him dead.

He had some kind of crazy powers.

- He burst into flames. - And what about

the name of the man who hired Addison to kill me?

I, uh...

I don't know.

Fair enough.

It's all over.

It's done.

Go to the morgue.

Make sure Addison is really dead.

And bring me the other private dick.

Reilly? He don't know any more than this guy.

Then he's got nothing to worry about then, does he?

Do you mind?

Please.

I loved your performance.

Thanks, doll.

Is there somewhere we can talk?

Here suits me.

It's business.

I wasn't aware we had any, Mister…?

Reilly.

It concerns your trip to The Redcliff last night.

Flint.

Wh-- Now, I-I'm trying to help you.

I--

Mr. Reilly, I'd like you to meet my friend, Flint Marko.

- He's-- - A gorilla?

Do you mind?

- Slowly. - Oh, the ape speaks. Incredible.

I thought you might find that useful.

- Everything, okay, Ms. Hardy? - Yes.

Mr. Reilly's a very nice man, but he was just about to leave.

- Who told you that? - That you were leaving?

- That I'm nice. - Just a hunch.

Maybe you can confirm it by leaving without messing up Flint's tie.

He really struggles with a double Windsor and I just painted my nails.

Sharpened 'em, too.

And don't trouble yourself, Flint.

I'm happy to make my exit without either of your fists

busting my eye sockets.

Um, take another look at that and perhaps tomorrow

we can discuss the price of the negatives

over lunch. I might even pay,

seeing as I'm such a nice guy.

I suppose you think you're pretty clever.

No, actually, most days I think I should just

stick my head in the oven and get it over with.

Well, what's stopping you?

Simple. I'm a coward.

Spare some change for a hungry orphan boy?

I got to tail? White suit?

Sure do, mister. Thanks.

Some view up here.

You can see the lights all the way from Jersey.

I'd like those negatives, please.

Cutting right to it, huh?

You don't even want to catch your breath?

Mister, despite what I do for a living,

I really don't enjoy hurting people.

Then don't.

I know a terrific hamburger joint, open all night.

Let's sit. Talk it over.

So you're not hungry. How about a drink?

Last chance.

Opium?

Why be stubborn?

One way or another, you're gonna give me those negatives.

- It doesn't have to be like this. - You're right. You could stop punching me.

The negatives or I drop you.

Well, the thing is...

I'm not really scared of heights.

Jesus...

Flint?

Don't hurt him.

- Where am I? Huh? - Flint?

Are you okay?

What happened?

What the hell is this?

Just leave us alone, please.

Here are the negatives. On the house.

I can't

believe you gave her the negatives. And for free.

Don't you think you're overreacting?

No, Ben.

This is what reacting looks like.

It's the physical response to a stimulus.

You just haven't felt it in half a decade.

That's actually my lamp. My-my... my aunt gave it to me.

You're afraid of the mob-- sure.

Don't want to piss off the mayor-- fine.

But a lounge singer?

I told you, there were extenuating circumstances.

I have given you so much room.

Airplanes have less runway.

But at a certain point, when someone tells you what they are,

you have to listen.

And what is he?

Retired.

Cat Hardy.

Uh, meet my secretary, Janet Ruiz.

Ex-secretary. I just quit.

Shame. I came here to offer him a job.

My friend Flint--

the one you met last night--

he's disappeared.

Fifty dollar retainer, up front.

Then it's ten a day, plus expenses.

My friend Flint-- the one you met last night?

He's disappeared.

He turned into sand,

right? Just seems like, kind of like a big deal.

You're an investigator.

Investigate.

She is hiding something.

You know, sometimes I think you forget I do this for a living.

Oh, come on.

What the hell is going on?

I can't get into it right now.

Suddenly you're not the only guy in New York with powers,

and you can't get into it right now?

The Spider appears to have forgotten who runs this town.

We've got a fight coming.

I want you to help me.

We have a man nobody can stop.

It's the best damn show

in town.

- What about The Spider? - The Spider?

Yeah, right.

Look, maybe... maybe, maybe, maybe

The Spider is a guy like anyone else.

You ever think about that?

Crime is out of control.

The city needs order.

You have a choice.

You just have to make it.

Ah-cha-cha! Ha.

Did you see that?

I kicked them into kingdom co...

This is a part of me I wish never existed.

Because with no power

comes no responsibility.

Silvermane. In charge of organize crime for 30 years.

Someone burned down his mansion a couple of nights ago.

- Addison! - You keep following me,

it won't end the way you want it to.

This guy have superpowers? Like you?

Do me favor. Hold off on printing that.

I want to warn Donegal before he gets himself killed.

That's enough of that.

There's gonna be a free-for-all.

The people could use a hero.

I hope they find someone.

I can't help but wonder what Ruby would think.

I'm not that guy anymore.

Any chance

you know who this is?

Oh, that's Cat Hardy.

Star attraction over at The Alcove.

Is there somewhere we can talk?

- It's business. - Flint.

Despite what I do,

I don't enjoy hurting people.

- Don't hurt him. - What the hell is this?

- Just leave us alone, please. - When someone

tells you what they are,

- you have to listen. - And what is he?

Retired.

I came here to offer him a job.

My friend you met last night-- he's disappeared.

You were saying Flint's your bodyguard.

Yes. He protects me and he is loyal.

Hard to find these days.

No kidding. I didn't marry my husband for his looks.

What else can you tell us? Does he have family, friends?

I don't know anything about his personal life.

I know his address.

Are we gonna talk about the fact that he turned into some kind of sand monster?

What I know, she knows.

It started about six months ago.

Slow, at first.

But it's been getting worse.

And he never remembers when it happens?

Oh, he always remembers.

Unless he gets clubbed in the head with an iron girder.

That's it? He turned into sand. That's-- It was sand, right?

Just seems like kind of, like, a big deal.

So, do you have any clues as to what's causing this to happen?

You haven't given us much to go on.

Isn't that what the money's for?

You're an investigator.

Investigate.

You know, an artist doesn't just paint with air.

He needs a canvas, brushes, paint.

Do you think I'm withholding from you, Mr. Reilly?

What if I said I did?

I'd ask why you thought that.

- I'd say a lifetime of experience. - With clients?

With… women.

As fun as this little game is, I'm afraid

I have other business to attend to.

Get to painting, Mr. Reilly.

What do you think?

I think you might need a cold shower.

I think I might need one.

But you're right.

She is hiding something.

All the fun ones do.

I'm gonna check out Flint's apartment.

Why don't you do down to the Bu--

Bureau of Criminal Records? Yeah.

Been a while since we've had a real case.

But it ain't been that long.

Gonna meet a new supplier at the docks tomorrow.

Canadian.

You didn't tell me that.

I'm telling you now.

It's not smart for you to go out in public till we know who tried to take you out.

I'll go where I want.

With all due respect, you don't pay me what you pay me

for my charm or disposition.

You pay me to keep you alive and I'm telling you it's a bad idea.

If you dying benefitted me, I would have done it myself ten years ago.

But I know what I'm good at, I know what I'm not,

and I need you to stay alive and in power.

So, pretty please, with cherries on top,

let me go down to the docks ahead of you.

Once I make sure everything's kosher, you can waltz on in

and show everyone the brightness of your feathers.

You finished?

Problem is not that the guy is out there.

The problem is they thought they could take me out at all.

Ever since The Spider disappeared,

things have been comfortable.

Maybe someone's thinking that I got complacent.

Or soft.

Maybe you're one of them.

Thinking you could take me out.

If you could set yourself on fire

like Addison, then you might have a shot.

Imagine controlling that kind of power.

Now Flint goes missing.

Right after.

He's been acting strange lately.

And if those two things are related...

Go look for Flint.

And when the boys find that PI...

Reilly.

Bring him straight to me.

Great.

Hi, this is

- Robbie Robertson calling. - Mr. Robertson,

how many times do I have to tell you? You're never getting your old job back.

Listen, I don't know if Walters has seen my article in the Gazette,

- but I just-- I-- - Mr. Robertson, there's no point...

What I'm saying is I j-- I-I just need to sit with him, that's all.

- Mr. Roberston, please. Mr. Robertson, - But if you-if you just...

- I'm going to hang up now. - ...you would just give me a chance to--

I'm onto something truly sensational!

It's the biggest story in years.

There hasn't been anything this big since The Spider.

I promise it'll be worth his while.

I'll see what I can do.

Thank you. Thank you.

- - Flint Marko?

Got a delivery.

Anybody home?

Come on...

Flint.

- - Addison!

Flint.

It's Winston. Silvermane wants to talk to you.

Gimme the keys.

Check the bedroom.

Nice place.

Yeah. Bit fancy for my taste.

And I got a pretty good idea why.

Why?

Let's go.

You think he got a new lady?

That why he ain't coming to poker lately?

Janet. Long time.

Thought you might've wised up and quit the biz.

Oh, no, not me, Hank.

Sad to report I'm dumb as ever.

Found this sitting outside.

I didn't know if it belonged to anyone.

Hmm.

Ooh.

You know my wife made me quit eating these.

Okay, well, in that case...

Hey! Last I checked, you ain't my wife.

- Name? - Flint Marko.

All right. Be right back.

Don't you dare touch that bag.

It ain't a bribe if I don't get to eat it.

Oh! Hey, Charlie. How you been?

Quite the record, our Mr. Marko.

Grew up in Brooklyn. Working class. Came back with no prospects.

Small crimes, then bigger ones.

Arrest, arrest, arrest.

Now an enforcer for--

Silvermane.

That Winston guy showed up while I was at Flint's.

- You hid in the closet? - I hid in the closet.

Meuse-Argonne.

Didn't you fight there too?

Yeah. Was one of the biggest battles of the war.

There were a million of us there.

- Hold on. Is that-- - Addison.

Looks like they were in the war together.

Is that what Cat is hiding from you?

I bet she knew that Flint had a friend with superpowers.

Oh, I know. What I don't know is why she didn't tell me.

Probably thought you wouldn't have taken the case.

She would've been right.

I don't think I've ever heard that one.

I wouldn't think so.

It's an original.

Visited Flint's apartment today.

This mean anything to you?

I knew he was in the war.

Hard to believe he was ever so young.

What about this guy?

You see him-- this little guy, right over here?

He ever come around The Alcove, visit Marko?

Can't say I've ever seen him.

His name's... Addison.

He's the guy that burned down Silvermane's mansion.

He's dead now.

So's the PI that shot him.

What can I say? The world's a dangerous place.

You're pretty cool under pressure.

- I wasn't aware I was under any. - Why didn't you tell me

- Flint worked for Silvermane? - Would you have taken the case if I had?

- I don't like surprises. - I'll remember that

when your birthday rolls around.

The deed is under my name,

but it's no secret Silvermane owns this place.

And Flint's a good way to protect his investment.

- And you. - And me.

You see, this club lives and dies on people walking through that door

because they want what I give them.

You trying to get me, Mr. Reilly?

"Get you"?

Understand me.

Seems you got my number.

I've learned a lot of them over the years.

Oh, o-one for every Tom, Dick and Harry?

Hmm. You're interesting.

Oh, yeah? How's that?

Well, the other night when we met, you called yourself a coward.

But I think you're braver than you let on.

Oh you're good.

In an obvious sort of way.

I'm as subtle as the situation requires.

You see, I have business with Silvermane

and I have business with you, Mr. Reilly.

One has nothing to do with the other.

Now, have I said enough for you to keep the money you came here to return?

Or have I misjudged you?

No I'll keep working the case.

Not because I'm brave.

- Why, then? - Uh,

a singer's got to know all the numbers.

Maybe a detective has just got to know all the answers.

Uh...

It's, uh...

It.. Tai chi.

Yeah, that's right. It's tai chi.

It's, uh, it's good.

It's good for breathing and relaxation.

I recommend it.

We don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.

We don't care, either.

Oh!

A toaster? Really?

Gosh, I shouldn't have thrown it so hard.

- Come on. Come on. - Let's go for a ride.

Mind telling me why I'm here?

Silvermane wants to see you.

I figured that. I'm asking why.

We're not really the "why" guys.

Maybe you wouldn't be here if you didn't try ripping the boss off.

Ah, Donegal.

I didn't have anything

to do with his little scheme.

I actually tried to talk him out of it.

Like I said, the boss just wants to talk.

And I've got no idea who hired Addison to burn down your boss' house.

You don't know nothing, huh?

Double negative, but we'll set that aside for now.

My point is I'm not much of a detective.

Yeah, then you got nothing to worry about.

Just like Donegal, right?

Yeah, just like Donegal.

Uh, by the way, I am sorry about the nose.

Me? That was him.

Oh! Oh...

Get out!

Where'd he go?

Check the side.

The boss ain't gonna like this.

Yeah, he wanted us to bring him in.

Get in the car.

Dumbass.

Times are tough all over.

But the true measure of a city

is in how it responds to the hard times.

And this isn't Topeka or Kalamazoo.

This is New York.

We're gonna link arms and stand strong

against the rising tide.

It was easy to stand up here when the streets...

What's the headline here?

"Desperate Morris Delivers Dud."

No, I'd-I'd go with quadruple M:

"'Mayor's Missive Misses Mark."

Man, I wouldn't trust Hudson

to do my laundry and that man's gonna beat Morris by ten points.

Sometimes you just want a different brand of snake oil.

So, uh, you gonna explain your face?

Let's just say you should lay off the Addison reporting.

Silvermane?

He's on a warpath about Addison. Wants to know who's coming after him.

So tread... lightly.

Man, I'm not the one with a face that looks like hamburger meat.

I've tangoed with his guys before.

As the man with the mask and the goggles.

New York's beloved hero of the hour.

Not as Ben Reilly.

You know what? Gimme that.

I'm making a declaration right now.

That's right.

If I'm re-elected

you can say goodbye to Prohibition.

Man knows his audience.

As God is my witness, you'll never go thirsty again.

Look, all I'm saying is you're in it with Silvermane now.

If the choice is to suit up or die,

might be time to tango again.

Maybe you'd be doing the city a favor in the process.

Oh, come on, Robbie. Enough of that.

You know what I'm doing after this?

- What? - Being beautiful.

And working the Addison story.

I don't publish, I don't eat, my friend.

I've been thinking about the Canadians.

You gonna let me handle it?

No, I'll do it.

Plan stands, but...

go ahead of me. Scout it out.

Ah.

I think it's stylish.

What do you think, Winston?

I'm not one for fashion.

But the whole thing is a little...

tired.

Now, Winston, have you got a gripe with her?

No, I just think there's better things to spend time on than dressing up dolls.

Well, there's fashion and there's taste.

Box it up. You like it too, right?

Honestly, I think it's--

Yeah, yeah, it's perfect.

Excuse me, ma'am, I'm looking for the Addisons.

Mrs. Addison?

Who are you?

- Hey, brother. - Don't "hey, brother" me.

I asked you a question.

You sure did,

and seeing as you are a very large

- and angry man, - Mm.

I'm gonna answer.

I'm looking for Vera Addison.

Know where she is?

Why do you want to know?

Well, I am a reporter.

Working a story on James Addison's death.

Wanted to talk to his widow.

Jimmy's dead?

Oh, I'm sorry. You... you guys were friends?

How did he die?

Mm, there was an explosion...

...at the Standard Oil depot.

Why are you writing about him?

Well, before he died he burned down the wrong house.

Whose?

Silvermane.

- Think it's time for you to leave. - Wait, wait,

wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Addison didn't just take it

upon himself to burn down the house of the most dangerous man in the city.

Someone paid him to do it.

Now, look, he was your friend, so I'm guessing he wasn't a bad guy.

He was sick.

And these days call for men to use their sicknesses to get by.

Until their sicknesses eat them alive.

- Hang on, what do you mean, he was sick? - I don't know who hired him.

But, yeah,

his wife might.

And do you know where I can find her?

Try the Geoffrey Hotel.

She always went there when they came into some money.

And when she came back,

the money was gone.

Go figure.

Well, thanks.

I'll pay her a visit.

I told you,

he hardly comes to the office anymore.

I can't remember the last time I saw him.

Well, maybe this'll jog your memory.

Please! I'm telling you the truth.

For your sake, I hope so.

We'll be back.

Janet!

Did they hurt you?

No, not this time. But they said they'd be back.

Ben, they put a gun to my head.

They kept saying that I'd end up like Donegal?

That if I didn't tell them where you were,

he and I'd be crossing the River Styx together.

What does that mean?

It means Donegal's dead.

Silvermane killed him.

But I'll take care of it.

Ever since Ruby died, I've been waiting for you to get it back together.

Back to the man I know is buried somewhere inside you.

Five years.

And this is how it ends.

Janet.

Go home. Get-get some rest.

You'll feel better and I'll… I'll call you when it's safe.

Yeah, I'm gonna go home.

But I am not coming back.

I care about you, Ben,

so deeply.

But not enough to die for you.

Janet...

Janet!

Hiya! I'm Pete with Maintenance.

Sorry about the leak. It'll be no problem.

I'll just, uh-- Gosh, the unit downstairs,

big mess. Water, water everywhere.

- What's going on? - Something about a leak?

Oh, I like what you've done with place. Although if you move the table

over by the window, you really get that sunset glow at dinner.

- I told you that. - I'm sorry, have you been here before?

I am familiar with the unit, yes. Uh, bathroom's that way, hmm?

Well, don't just stand there. Say something.

Um, sir, w-what exactly are you fixing?

Uh, yep, yeah, I found the issue.

You've got a busted gerry casket.

It's a misalignment

from the mission joist.

Excuse me, w-what's happening in there?

Bit of an existential crisis, if I'm honest.

About my toilet?

I don't think that guy was a plumber.

Stairs are to the left.

Thanks for your trouble.

Thanks for the dollar.

Mrs. Addison?

I didn't order anything.

My name is Robbie Robertson. I'm a reporter.

Hold-hold-- ho-hold on, hold on now, I just...

- I just want to talk. - You got three seconds

to get out of here or I'm gonna scream.

And I don't think you want a white woman screaming

about a Black man trying to force his way into her hotel room.

Actually, I got a hunch...

that you wouldn't want the city's most ruthless gangster

knowing that the money someone paid your husband to kill him

was being spent on...

lobster and designer clothes.

So, go ahead and scream, honey. Unless you want me to do it.

I got a pretty deep voice. It really carries.

So, that's it?

What do you mean?

No tears? I just told you your husband died.

People grieve in different ways.

You already knew.

James was a lot of things, but not the type to cut and run.

When he didn't come home that night, I figured he was never coming home.

- When did he start setting fires? - Six months ago.

Suddenly discovered he had an innate talent for it.

Who hired him for the Silvermane job?

Just because I didn't scream doesn't mean I'm an open book.

As far as I'm concerned,

James dug his own grave and now he's lying in it.

This place feels haunted.

That's 'cause it is.

Speaking of ghosts...

...Jimmy Addison's dead.

What?

When?

Couple days ago. Some reporter came around

asking about him. Wanted to know who hired him to kill Silvermane.

You didn't know.

If I'd known, I would have stopped him.

Flint.

You don't look so good.

It happened again.

I changed completely this time.

Never changed back.

Eh, not all the way.

It's like the doc said.

Our clocks are ticking.

Faster and faster now.

Everything we went through.

We deserve better, you and I.

Let's get out of here.

You can crash at my place.

Better for us to stick together right now.

Yeah.

You have to check every crate? Is it 'cause we're Canadians?

Yeah, it's 'cause you're Canadian. No.

Boss doesn't trust anyone. Myself included.

That's why he still runs this town.

Shipment's good, boss.

Ready for you to come.

Right. I'm on my way.

What is that?

Hey, go check it out.

Go. Go, go, go, go, go!

He's on the roof! Aah!

Shoot him!

Hello.

Where'd he go?

That way.

Come here!

Thank you.

Oh! God.

Don't you ever run out of bullets?

Guess you do.

Huh?

What? What the hell are you waiting for?

After you.

No, no. By all means.

Out of the car!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Not another step.

See? Tai chi.

- It's been a while. - You've done well

without me around, haven't you?

Didn't know you did hit jobs now.

- Do you mind if I ask you who hired you? - Nobody hires me.

I'm here because of Ben Reilly.

- Reilly? The flatfoot? - Yeah, that's right. I owe him a favor.

Sorry, where are my manners?

- Do you want a drink? - No. I want you and your goons

to lay off Reilly.

He doesn't know who tried to kill you

and roughing up his secretary isn't gonna change that.

So, I leave the gumshoe alone, and that's it?

'Cause, you know, back in the day you really

- couldn't leave me alone, could you? - I don't think you're listening to me,

Silvermane.

This is your only warning.

If you mess with Reilly

or any of his people…

...I will kill you.

Reilly.

This you? This your doing?

What are you talking about?

Did you stop Silvermane's car?

Oh, you heard about that, huh?

Yeah, well, I got some bad news for you.

Cops had an ambush set up for Silvermane at the docks.

Someone gave them a tip about a booze exchange.

Someone tipped off the cops about a Silvermane booze exchange?

Yeah, they're rounding up about a dozen of his guys right now.

Cops were all set to catch the man himself in the act.

But Silvermane never showed.

Do they know why he didn't show?

No, don't worry. Police got word that someone stopped Silvermane from coming.

They don't know it was you.

Shit, got to go. I ain't trying to die in no phone booth.

What the hell did I just do?

Gonna meet a new supplier

- at the docks tomorrow. - It's not smart

for you to go out in public till we know who tried to take you out.

You were saying Flint's your bodyguard.

He protects me, and he's loyal.

Are we gonna talk about the fact

that he turned into some kind of sand monster?

Started about six months ago, and it's been getting worse.

This little guy right over here: Addison.

Can't say I've ever seen him.

He's the guy that burned down Silvermane's mansion.

I am a reporter working a story on James Addison's death.

- Jimmy's dead? - He burned down the wrong house.

I don't know who hired him. His wife might.

I got a hunch that you wouldn't want the city's most ruthless gangster knowing

that the money someone paid your husband to kill him

was being spent on lobster and designer clothes.

- Mister...? - Carmedy.

Okay, Carmedy, my rate's ten dollars a day plus--

- But you'll get pictures. - Am I crazy

- or is that the goddamn mayor of New York? - Cops had an ambush

set up for Silvermane at the docks.

Someone gave them a tip about a booze exchange.

Cops were all set to catch the man himself

- in the act, but Silvermane never showed.

What the hell did I just do?

So it's really settled?

I'm not a fan of constant redecorating.

I handled it.

Silvermane won't be back around here.

You know, this would go quicker if either of you pitched in.

Oh.

Oh, you needed help with that?

Seemed like a one-man job.

Can't be that easy, can it?

Not that I don't believe you, but--

No, no. This was like that before.

I am not talking about the desk and you know it.

God.

Imagine surviving a war just to be killed at home.

Addison didn't die a banker.

I mean, the guy torched things for a living.

Besides, his wife knew exactly what he was up to.

She seemed to be doing just fine living it up at the Geoffrey Hotel.

Well, who wouldn't?

Son of a bitch.

I met this guy at the Hooverville.

He's the one who pointed me to Addison's widow.

So he knows both Addison and Flint Marko.

Two men with weird powers all of a sudden. What are the chances?

Exactly.

I'm gonna go find this guy again,

ask him some more questions.

What are you thinking about over there?

I'm thinking I want you to check if those three were ever POWs.

Our units were segregated.

So this guy couldn't have served directly with Addison and Flint.

So how come they're all in the same picture?

You know, sometimes I think you forget I do this for a living.

Mm. Can't imagine why.

Ben Reilly?

I come in peace.

Finn Byrne.

We haven't been formally introduced, but...

- we have someone in common. - In that case,

uh, welcome?

What happened to your muscle?

Couldn't find a woman to push around?

I believe you owe the lady an apology.

Come on, Reilly. I've got a job for you.

I'll take that apology now.

Why me?

Why not, uh, Winston?

Or one of your other guys?

I have Winston looking into where this Addison boy came from.

Maybe there are others like him.

After me little run-in with your pal The Spider,

I really see the value of having friends with superpowers.

Oh, yeah?

All right, now. I need your help with a rat problem.

You see, somebody sent Addison to burn down my house.

And I'm assuming the same somebody tipped off the cops about my booze shipment.

Got any leads?

You know, it's probably someone on the inside.

I thought it might be a guy on my payroll.

Flint Marko.

He's been acting strange lately, too.

But he didn't know about the shipment, so...

he's either in the clear

or dead at the hands of the rat.

I want you to find out who it is.

Start with the police raid.

Someone always gets paid.

But the only thing you can trust is human nature.

Jesus.

Remember,

people lie, Reilly.

Only money tells the truth.

A retainer.

There'll be a bonus if you finish the job.

So that's how you fixed it--

we work for him now?

Getting paid is better than getting murdered.

Hard to argue with that.

"People lie. Only money tells the truth."

The hell does that mean?

Must be something rich people say at cocktail parties.

Not that I'll ever know.

Wait a minute.

What?

You didn't know they made bills that big?

I heard a rumor there's even 100.

Crafty bastard marks all of his bills.

Do we still have any of that money from Cat Hardy?

We ought to.

Unless you've been sneaking off to gamble it on horses.

- Here. - He's marking mine.

He's probably marking hers.

Anything?

Bingo.

Newspapers! Come get your newspapers!

Seven police injured in wild liquor raid on the docks.

Newspapers!

Come get your newspapers.

That one. That one.

Are you hurt, sir?

Years ago. Caught a slug in the line of duty,

and your good colleagues at this very hospital saved my leg.

God bless you all for the service you provide this city.

What's your name, sweetheart?

Officer Batnick with the Patrolman's Benevolent Association.

Can I trouble you for the room numbers of the boys

that came in from last night's raid?

Patrolman Jones

- is right behind you, honey. - Oh, thank you.

Patrolman Jones.

Officer Batnick with the Benevolent Association.

Quite the scene you walked into last night.

Raiding the Silvermane shipment.

You're a very brave man.

Doesn't feel like it.

Now, I'm here on behalf of the union

to ensure that our city's esteemed officers

are properly compensated for their injuries.

After all, a patrolman only goes where he's told, right?

Glad someone understands how it works.

You got no choice in the matter.

Been there, see?

Orders are orders.

See?

So who told you where to go?

Sergeant Miller.

You know,

when things go wrong in the field,

the higher-ups wind up carrying the can for the injuries to their men.

Friend to friend, you could be in for a little trouble down the road.

Especially with guys like Jones.

Jones?

What the hell did Jones say?

These raids, they're meant to take weeks of prep.

All we got was a measly couple hours.

Pinning it on me is bullshit.

If they want to blame anyone, you should be talking to--

Lieutenant Dunn.

Let's just call it what it was, a total shit show.

Brave men sent to ambush our city's toughest mobster

with little time or information now lay injured all over this hospital.

Does that sound fair to them?

I get orders like everybody else.

Think you can say no to the chief of police?

Like to see you try.

Do I need to remind you that you're lying on your stomach

with a bullet stuck in your ass?!

When the chief tells you these orders came straight from Mayor Morris,

there are no questions left to ask.

The mayor himself, huh?

It's no good. It's broken.

Two payphones down this morning,

this one and the one across from the delicatessen.

If it ain't one thing, it's another.

Yeah.

I tell you, when Harriet told me Gimbels was hiring,

I raced down here.

Didn't even stop to change my stockings.

And then I got on the subway and the guy goes, "Ten cents."

Get out of--

Hello? Okay.

756 West 57th.

Got it. Thanks, Janet.

I lied.

Scuse me. Scuse me, ma'am.

Ma'am, a moment of your time?

Say, brother, you seen...

big Black motherfucker about this tall?

On authority of Mayor Morris,

this illegal camp's to be cleared!

Vacate immediately!

Go!

Get over here!

Get on the ground!

Stop!

Let go of me. Lonnie!

Help me! Lonnie!

Hey. Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

Leave her be, now. Let her go. We're all leaving.

He's a monster.

Shit.

I told you to get ou--

What the hell?

There's another one!

I'm a reporter!

- I'm with the Bugle. - Who cares?

- Take it easy now. - Get him!

Hey.

I'm looking for a guy. Carmedy.

You know him?

Immense. Unctuous.

More pinniped than human.

Pinni-ped?

He's so pinniped-like, you wouldn't believe it.

Mm.

He's a big guy.

Smells like sauerkraut.

Well?

You're talking about Hicks.

Apartment four.

Temperance begins with faith.

Oh, no.

No.

No. Ow!

No. Ow!

Ow!

Ow!

Ow.

Gosh, I hope your arm's okay.

But closing a door on a guy--

is that how you treat a friend?

That's not what we are.

And here I thought we could braid each other's hair.

Now, I've got a few questions.

Be a good boy

and I'll pay you for your trouble.

- Well, go on then. - Who hired you

to get those photos of the mayor and Cat Hardy?

Nobody hired me.

I'm a smut merchant.

Mayor cheats on wife with lounge singer?

During an election?

Anybody would tell you that's a doozy.

Would've gotten them myself, too, but...

How'd you know it was happening?

I got a tip from Morris's office that he scheduled a meeting with the girl.

He called her?

She called him.

I'd meet with her, too. Wouldn't you?

I thought it'd be a gold mine.

Sell 'em to the papers, you know,

or-or the mayor himself.

Could get out of this shithole.

Here we are.

Is there a back way out of here?

Ever heard of a telephone?

Trying to save a nickel.

Handsome and thrifty.

Is he thirsty, too?

I won't say no.

It's a bit much, isn't it?

Doesn't feel like you.

I imagined something with a bit more...

- edge. - Ah.

So we're imagining things now?

Find me someone who wouldn't.

So...

have you found Flint?

Working a few leads, but nothing, uh, concrete.

Could've said that before I got you the drink.

I can always find a reason to linger.

Fact is, I had to take a pause on Flint.

Silvermane turned up today and hired me to find a rat in his crew.

You didn't like hearing that.

The part where you're not doing the job I hired you for?

Or the part where you're working for Silvermane?

I don't like either.

You see, this place doesn't feel like me.

Because it's not mine.

There is nothing Silvermane didn't choose.

And if he gave it to me,

then he can take it all away.

And then some.

Any chance your boy Flint's involved in betraying him

and that's why he disappeared?

No, Flint is loyal to a fault.

- What about the mayor? - What about him?

Booze is Silvermane's bread and butter.

Mayor's calling for an end to prohibition, bragging about the raid.

Doesn't look good, you fraternizing with the enemy the other night.

I'm trying to help you.

- Anything you want to tell me? - Sure.

I'm scared.

You would be, too.

Maybe you've forgotten,

but Silvermane didn't get to where he is by being calm and rational.

He'll get rid of 50 if it means he's sure he's got the one.

It's too easy to get caught in the crossfire when that happens.

Try to remember that.

If not for me...

...then for you.

Reilly. What are you doing here?

Well, well, well.

If it ain't Mr. Whiskers searching for some cheese.

And what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Your boss sent you out looking for supers,

but here you are instead covering your tracks,

just like a rat, huh, Mr. Whiskers?

You need to watch your mouth.

- I have heard that, yes. - I don't care

if Silvermane hired you.

I'm gonna find the rat,

put him in the ground.

Must sting, not being trusted by the big boss anymore.

He'll know he can trust me soon enough.

Well, if you need a little help from a professional in that effort,

I could speed things up a bit.

Maybe even share what I find.

Not for nothing, of course.

There's nothing worse than a man that's only loyal to money.

You find anything,

I don't care whose favorite lounge singer they are,

you come to me first.

Come on, Gio.

And nobody could stop him.

I mean, at one point, he had half a dozen cops on him

whacking him with nightsticks...

...but he was indestructible.

Who?

The guy from the picture.

His name is Lonnie Lincoln. Turns out he's got powers, too.

I mean, cops were attacking him, but he was swatting 'em off like it was nothing.

And Flint. My God, man.

- His hands were like boulders. - Wait, wait, Flint?

You're saying Flint Marko was there?

He sure was.

Say, can I borrow your darkroom?

I was the only reporter there, and the story is mine,

as long as nobody poaches it.

This could be my ticket back to the Bugle.

Here's something

for your story. Ben's hunch was right.

Marko, Addison, and your Lincoln fella were all POWs together.

That photo Ben found

was from the day they were rescued.

Darkroom. Photos.

Right now.

Hunch, huh?

We both know three POWs from the same camp with super abilities

isn't a coincidence.

So what aren't you telling me?

I can't get into it right now.

Seriously?

Suddenly you're not the only guy in New York with powers

and you can't get into it right now?

- I have to fix something. - No, no.

None of this cryptic shit.

- What the hell is going on? - Silvermane

hired me to find the rat in his crew,

and it's Cat Hardy.

The singer?

- How do you know? - She's been meeting with the mayor,

and then he called for the raid.

She's close with Flint, and he served with Addison.

- You sure? - She's the only one

who connects all the pieces.

Wow, that is bold.

Winston's only a step away,

and if he finds out she was behind it,

he'll kill her.

I need Vera Addison's room number at the Geoffrey.

I have a plan.

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Mayor cracking down on Hooverville!

Peanuts! Hot roasted peanuts here!

Here you go, sir.

Extra!

Three for a nickel!

Extra!

Read all about it.

Peanuts!

Hot roasted peanuts here!

Murderers' Row ready for Boston!

Read all about it!

Get your goddamn paws off me.

Take it easy, pal. I'm just trying to make a living.

Extra, extra!

Read all about it!

I'd say "Don't be alarmed, Vera," but you don't appear to be.

What do you want?

Questions about your husband's last job.

Specifically who hired him.

I'm not interested in talking.

I wasn't with the last guy, and I'm not now.

Even if you're the one in danger?

Let me make this easier for you.

What if I told you I knew

that it was Cat Hardy?

If I know, then the others will find out soon enough.

Best thing you can do is leave town, and fast.

Silvermane will kill you to get that information.

Or pay me.

I'm not stupid, mister. You're here for her, not me.

And if you're protecting her, I've got a proposition for you.

- What's that? - You pay me

a thousand dollars, and I'm gone.

A thousand?

I don't even know what that looks like.

Mm.

I bet Silvermane has that and then some.

- I'll just tell him it's Cat myself. - Slow down.

I'll get you your money.

You just stay out of trouble until then.

What a dump.

Get the man a drink.

Educate yourself. Try the Green Spot.

Ten-year-old Irish pot still whiskey.

Not what you're used to, but I'm sure you can live with it.

It'll do.

You must think I'm out of touch.

Money, power?

Not a lot of it going around right now, yet here you are in a castle tower.

That's a testament to what you've built.

It must be nice, not having to look over your shoulder.

So unconcerned with your possessions 'cause you have so little.

You'd be surprised at how much people will fight for what little they have.

Do you know what entropy is, Reilly?

The universe trends to disorder.

Can't help itself.

All you can do is fight to keep the chaos from your door.

But like I said, you're lucky.

You don't have anything anyone wants to take.

Maybe not.

But here's some friendly advice all the same.

Whoever the rat turns out to be,

you can't be emotional about it, even if it breaks your heart.

And if someone should come to you saying they have all the answers,

know that they're lying.

You know who it is, don't you?

Doesn't matter what I know until I can prove it.

Well, the quicker you prove it, the quicker they die.

So, what are you waiting for?

Thanks for the drink.

It was just what I needed.

This is an exclusive, Walters.

The Bugle will be the only ones to have it.

No one else was there. I am the only one with these.

Mm-hmm.

How you been? You look good.

Well, you know, I'm getting by.

- Say, listen, I was hoping-- - Oh, you still got the eye,

I'll give you that.

Well, I'm the same guy I always been.

- Tell me the story. - So,

the cops came in frothing at the mouth.

Now, uh, Lincoln,

uh, he was just trying to help his neighbor.

He and Marko, they're both veterans.

But now they're living in a Hooverville with these mysterious powers.

Superpowers. Ah.

Just like The Spider.

Before the asshole decided to take a powder.

Someone should've told him a depression was coming.

Now you are bringing me two of them?

The public can't get enough of this stuff.

The papers will sell like crazy.

Write it up.

I want to go with this in the next edition.

Say, am I getting my old desk back to write it at?

Well, let's not run before we can walk, huh?

Um, for now, it'll be off the books, you know, on the QT.

But you keep bringing me more like this,

and then we can talk about bringing you back full-time.

Like those old Spider days.

Good to see you again, Walters.

- Open or closed? - Uh, closed.

Okay.

So, I want you to be me. You know, like one of those guys in the movies.

You know, Bogie, Cagney, uh, Eddie G.

You know, you c-can wear the hat, you can smoke a cigarette.

Y-You're cool.

I want you to be cool. Hey!

Focus. And quit casing my place.

I ain't doing nothing.

I need to rely on you, Frankie.

Can I rely on you?

I'm your man.

Anything?

He's been up there all night.

Calling all junior detectives.

Calling all junior detectives.

Tonight's Mystery Hour is about to begin.

Boys!

Hey, boss?

- Well? - Balcony door was open.

No one's here.

Think it was the wind.

All right, well, check it again.

All clear, boss.

I taught you well.

I should shoot you for running away.

Well, how about kissing me for coming back?

I've been so scared, Flint.

I didn't know where you were, what was happening to you.

It's all right.

I never should have run, but I'm back now.

Something has happened.

With Silvermane.

I'll talk to him.

Whatever it is, it can be fixed.

No. No, I don't want to fix it.

And I don't care about Silvermane.

- What? - I don't care about what he wants,

I don't care about what you think you owe him.

I just want us to be together.

If you love me...

- Don't start with that-- - If you really love me,

you won't ask any questions, you'll just leave with me right now.

Done.

Really?

Yeah.

Pack a bag.

Are you okay?

- No... - What's the matter?

Why did you turn away from me?

Nothing. It's nothing.

No! No, no, no. Stop, Flint.

- No, Flint! Stop, please! Please. - I can't!

I can't!

There's no turning it off.

There's no fixing me.

There has to be a way.

We'll find a way.

It's a fantasy.

Kidding myself I could have this life.

I could have you.

You see this?

They smashed up the cops.

I'd have paid to see that.

Reilly?

He didn't leave all night.

That's right.

Keep following me.

I need you at The Alcove today.

I want you to keep an eye on Cat Hardy for me.

And, uh, as promised.

Look at me,

- an honest working man. - That's right.

Now, if Ms. Hardy goes anywhere,

I want to know about it.

You got it, boss.

That's right, folks. Monsters in the streets.

Get your copy while they last.

Monsters on the loose.

That...

is not what I wrote.

"A routine sweep of a city Hooverville revealed two violent monsters

looking to harm all they came across..."

I never called them monsters.

"Only with the help of our heroic police force

did the residents escape with their lives..."

See, that, that is not what happened.

He took my name and put it on a bunch of lies.

The pictures are great.

What?

One hundred, two hundred,

three hundred,

four hundred, five hundred,

six hundred, seven hundred, eight hundred,

nine hundred, a thousand.

A deal's a deal.

You know what to do.

Oh, look at that, shiny apples. Here.

- Here you go. All right. - Oh. Grazie.

Hey, buddy, that was my foot.

Mi scusi.

- Hello? - It's Ben. I need to see you.

Why?

I'll explain when I get there. Just stay put.

Someone wants to talk to you.

Well, I'm busy. They can wait.

Unhand my shoulder or lose your nose.

It's the mayor.

I want a line to The Spider.

The guy from five years ago?

I thought he was dead.

I happen to know he's alive and well.

Well, then, you know more than I do.

Look, don't play dumb with me, pal.

Back in the day, you were always in the right place

to snap a picture of The Spider.

Whatever your deal is with him, that's your business.

You just tell your buddy that I need to talk to him.

Crime is out of control.

People are scared, and t-the city needs order.

That why you're picking a fight with Silvermane?

Didn't he bankroll your first campaign?

Silvermane is a ruthless criminal who has squeezed this city long enough.

Just get me in touch with The Spider.

Make yourself a new friend.

I can't wait.

I believe in you, Ben Reilly.

Oh, my gosh, thank you so much.

Where the hell you been?

She took a cab to Penn Station ten minutes ago.

Just shush.

Get out or you're coming with me.

Penn Station on the double.

Cat.

Why are you here?

You really aren't a very good detective, are you?

You don't strike me as the kind of woman who runs.

Maybe I lost my last reason to stick around.

What do you say we cut the fancy talk?

You found Addison through Flint and paid him to bomb Silvermane's mansion.

You tipped off Morris about the booze shipment.

You're Silvermane's rat. The only thing I don't know is why.

You know, you boys are all the same.

You come up with your own little stories and you make everyone else fit them.

Silvermane treats me like a damn doll, Flint thinks I'm afraid of him

and you think I'm a killer.

I am done with people telling me who I am and what I get to do.

- You ask me why I'm leaving? - Hey, Reilly.

There you are.

And look, a bonus.

I guess I am the luckiest guy in New York.

Man.

I should've known you were in it together.

Now the boss can take care of both of you.

Move.

You know, dick, I got to give you credit.

You came close.

Too bad you couldn't get the Addison widow out of town.

I only had to slap her around a little bit to get the truth.

What a guy.

Yeah, well, a prick to the end, huh?

Might be the only thing I like about you.

I caught them both trying to skip town, boss.

It looks like Reilly was in on it.

The guy with all the answers.

You didn't think you'd be seeing her again, did you?

This is Addison's widow.

She's also the only person who knows who hired her dearly deceased husband.

She didn't want to talk, but, uh...

...she came around.

Right?

Hurry up, unless you want to join your husband.

- This is a-- - Quiet.

Let's hear what the widow has to say.

He told me it was Cat Hardy.

That she paid him a thousand dollars to burn down your mansion.

What'd I tell you, huh?

You can dress up a stray dog however you like, it'll still bite you.

So you've said.

It's not true.

It's not me.

Lying to the end, huh?

I always knew it was just a matter of time with you.

It's a good story, I'll give you that.

You got proof?

Yeah. Show them.

Come on.

She couldn't quite manage to blow it all.

Too bad, huh?

Where does your money come from, Winston?

From you.

That's right. From me.

And did you know that I mark all my bills?

A different spot for every schmuck on my payroll.

Guess where I mark yours.

What?

That's not possible.

There's nothing worse than a man who's only loyal to money.

You son of a bitch.

I bet Silvermane has that and then some.

Maybe I'll go talk to him.

Crafty bastard marks all of his bills.

You set me up?

People lie, Reilly.

Only money tells the truth.

It was him. He threatened to kill me if I said otherwise.

You lying bitch. I'll rip your goddamn--

You good with a shovel, Reilly?

Why?

We'll be needing another grave.

Somebody sent Addison to burn down my house.

I want you to find out who it is.

It's Cat Hardy. He finds out

she was behind it, he'll kill her.

Only money tells the truth.

Crafty bastard marks all of his bills.

I don't care if Silvermane hired you. I'm gonna find the rat.

Come on, Gio.

I met this guy at the Hooverville.

He knows both Addison and Flint Marko.

What are the chances?

Crime is out of control. The city needs order.

Get me in touch with The Spider.

If you love me,

you'll leave with me right now.

There's no turning it off!

I am done with people telling me

who I am and what I get to do.

There you are.

Did you know that I mark all my bills?

Guess where I mark yours.

You son of a bitch.

You set me up.

I'll rip your goddamn--

We'll be needing another grave.

Yeah, Winston was a stone-cold killer.

A useful weapon in my arsenal, but entirely replaceable.

Same goes for his pal Gio.

It was risky,

not letting me in on your plans,

but it was a smart play, start to finish.

Are you listening to me?

I'm trying to pay you a compliment.

You did a good job.

Smart.

Patient.

I could use someone like you on my payroll.

I'm not a fan of your retirement plan.

You got some mouth.

Could get you killed some day.

Talking to the police chief tomorrow.

He on the payroll, too?

Why is he running raids on your booze shipments?

Exactly.

She's not bad, huh?

Beautiful, Cat.

It'd be a shame to have to kill her.

Beautiful song.

- You wrote it? - I did.

We prefer the splashier numbers.

I thought we were celebrating.

- Killing people? - A couple of rats...

who tried to put you in a hole.

Reilly kept you out of it.

I'll drink to that.

Any regrets on the fact you almost killed me for nothing tonight?

Yeah, I don't dwell.

Maybe you should start.

Well, it's getting late.

Ah, no. No chance.

You and me are drinking tonight.

Be a doll and grab us a bottle of the Yellow Spot.

Enjoy the Spot whiskey.

We're going up a notch.

Please assure him

that I will have Mr. Reilly return his call as soon as he's in.

Yes, I'll be sure to add that to your previous messages.

Mm-hmm.

- Mayor again? - Uh-huh.

Does he know which Ben Reilly he's calling?

Goddamn it!

This goddamn guy.

Jesus Christ.

Wow. I--

Okay.

Say what you will about Silvermane,

but I admire the man's constitution.

He can drink.

- Any idea why the mayor's so keen... - I got a tip

- that Lonnie's in Harlem. - ...to talk to you?

So I'm gonna head uptown, see if I can

- make amends for that bullshit Bugle... - Because he's called the office

- nine times and counting. Nine. - ...story Walters ran yesterday.

- Scrambled. - Excuse me?

I need scrambled eggs and...

sausages.

And...

a biscuit.

If we're dreaming, why don't you add gravy to that, Mr. Moneybags?

Holy shit.

I'm not even gonna ask.

That's probably wise.

Please. I need food.

After you talk to the mayor.

- God. - I'm gonna head out and look for Lonnie.

Let me know how it goes in...

Who am I?

Well, that would be you.

Sleep well, sunshine?

Like a kitten.

Why do you ask?

A guy can't inquire after his favorite gal?

Truth is, I was up all night.

Too much adrenaline from yesterday.

Maybe I wasn't the only one.

What did you put through the wall?

My fist, my head, bust of Caesar.

What does it matter?

Wouldn't want you catching a cold.

Lose your voice,

miss a show.

I haven't missed a show in seven years.

You almost missed one last night, though, didn't you?

If you have something to say, say it.

It's too early for subtext.

Text, then.

Winston was the rat...

but that doesn't answer what you were doing at the train station.

Why don't you ask Winston?

- Can't. - And why is that?

'Cause I put a bullet in his chest.

And if the P.I. had told you I was the rat?

I'd have put a bullet in you.

Well, there's your answer.

That's not an answer.

And it's not the truth.

The truth is I was terrified.

Not because I was guilty, but because you were unhinged.

Looking to lash out and feel like you're still invulnerable.

There you go. Now we are talking.

Why was Reilly with you at the station?

He wasn't with me.

He was watching me.

For you.

He must have figured out

Winston was the rat and thought I was in on it because I was running.

He didn't know I had nothing to do with it until Winston tried to frame me.

Good.

Reilly was smart not to trust anyone.

And he was smart not to play favorites.

If he's so smart, then why don't you hire him?

I tried.

He was smart enough to say no.

I'm glad you're back.

No place I'd rather be.

That's my girl.

See? There you go. I knew you could do it.

- The desk wobbles. - I'm aware. Focus.

How am I supposed to focus on a wobbly desk?

Trust me, I've been asking that same question for three days now.

Listen, I don't know how many times I have to tell you--

I am so sorry.

Uh, yes. Reilly Investigations. May I ask who's calling?

Hi... Ms. Hardy.

Mr. Reilly isn't here at the moment. Would you like me to take a message?

Uh-huh.

Yeah.

Three p.m. The Calypso.

Yeah, I'll let him know.

- School's out. - Ah, yes.

Find Ben. Give him this.

And we're not done here.

Oh, Johnny Cave.

Well, of course. A great guy.

He told me so himself.

You wouldn't doubt it, would you?

Same place, 12:30.

- And don't be late. - And don't be late.

What? Me late? Well, I like that.

Of all the nerve. What are you talking about?

I'm usually the one that has to stand around

waiting 20 minutes for you to show up.

- All right, all right. - All right, all right.

- All right, all right, all right. - All right, all right, all right.

But you heard me.

- Don't be late. - Don't be late.

- Red hot. - Red hot.

No.

Ben, it's me. Open up!

I'm sleeping.

Then how you talking?

Did you hear me?

If you sleeping, how are you talking?

What?

Singer left a message with Janet. She said it was important.

Quit school early and everything.

Ah, now he's awake.

Anyways, I'd better run.

- Yeah. - But--

Maybe a shower.

And a shave.

And a fresh shirt.

And-and good-good luck.

More coffee, boss?

More coffee?

You think I'm deaf.

- Is that it? - No. I...

I just...

I don't think Chief McNamara's coming, boss.

Then find him, and remind him

that one of the conditions of his palms getting greased

is showing up for his weekly appointment.

And clean that up.

- You made it. - I did.

Think I owe you a drink.

A little later. Our mutual friend bought me plenty.

We need to talk about that. Get our stories straight.

He wanted to know why you were with me at the train station last night.

- And you said? - That you didn't trust me.

Thought I might be in cahoots with Winston.

- Smart. - He's smart, too.

And he won't stop with Winston.

He'll start asking questions about the raid, which might lead him to--

Mayor?

I think I underestimated you.

Happens.

Seriously, why are you doing this?

Why did you try to kill Silvermane?

- I asked you first. - I saved your life.

Not here.

One and two and hop and fly.

Don't worry, friends.

There's plenty of soup to go around.

- Two? - Oh, you got it, boss.

How's business?

Well, you just doubled it.

So...

You serve your country, and this is how they repay you.

Everyone's gonna eat today.

- Are you a vet, too? - Oh, no, no, no, no.

I'm a journalist.

In fact, I'm looking for someone named Lonnie Lincoln.

- Ah. - Doing a story on Black vets

and how their lives turned out.

Well, you in the right place.

All the vets in Harlem are about to line up to get their hot meals.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah.

But you want stories?

I got stories for days.

Hey, picture this. Case of anchovies falls off

- the back of a truck. - Yeah.

- Now, my man Steven? - Steven.

He's gathering up all the anchovies and cans.

He don't even like anchovies.

Now I'm like Steven. I don't even like anchovies.

What is this place?

My old life.

It's where I used to perform before Silvermane found me.

I used to sing for pennies.

Could barely afford to put food in my stomach, but...

I loved it.

One night, Silvermane tipped me more money than I'd ever seen in my life.

Next day, he made a proposal.

Headline a new club.

Said I'd have everything I could ever want.

And he gave it to me.

But you couldn't see the strings.

They were thin at first,

but over the years, they got thick as rope.

No.

They were never like that.

The only thing Silvermane gets off on is power.

As long as he can control what I wear,

what I do,

who I'm around...

There was a man once.

Thomas.

Started coming to the club night after night.

And, eventually...

he wore me down.

He was a dentist, if you can believe it.

Sexy dentist, huh?

Yeah, I heard about those guys.

Oh, no, but he was kind.

And I guess, for me, kindness was something new.

After about a year, he surprised me with a ring.

And I surprised him by saying "yes."

After Thomas suddenly stopped coming by,

I thought maybe I had done something wrong.

Could have just scared him off,

but Silvermane had him killed.

Wanted to make sure I'd never make the same mistake again.

But you did... with Flint.

I suppose he's kind, too, when he isn't busting heads.

He is, in fact.

He's got more honor and loyalty than anyone I know,

so I thought I would give us both a second chance.

And to do it, you needed Silvermane out of the picture.

I was so dumb to think that maybe I could have it all.

Tell me about Addison.

Flint mentioned him.

They were war buddies.

He was worried about him.

Said Jimmy lost his job.

That he'd been burning things for money.

Mostly insurance scams.

With the money I was offering,

it wasn't hard to convince him to kill Silvermane.

But Addison botched the job

and let Silvermane get away.

Oh.

And then that other freak--

what's he called? The Spider?--

ruined your second try.

- And here we are. - Hmm.

So, if-if there ain't chicken, and there ain't noodles,

then it ain't chicken noodle soup, is it? It's...

It's just soup. You know what I mean?

Are you gonna get this down? 'Cause I'm-I'm spitting gold here.

I got it all up here.

Harvey, my friend, thanks for the perspective.

You got it. Hey, hey, don't be a stranger.

I'm here all day, every day, rain or shine.

- I'm alone, no cops. - I should rip your head off.

I know, but listen.

The story they printed wasn't what I gave 'em.

- Now, I came here to make things right. - You expect me to believe that?

Brother, let me help you.

At least let's go somewhere more comfortable and talk.

The Alcove. 79th and--

Yeah, I know where The Alcove is.

Everybody knows where The Alcove is.

Evening, Ms. Hardy.

- Good evening. - How about those monster freaks, huh?

What a mess.

You think The Spider's gonna show back up?

I doubt it. I mean, the guy could barely hack it when he was the only--

Maybe just the ride, if you don't mind?

Mm-hmm. Sure thing, pal.

I don't think I can be alone tonight.

Hey, do you mind going back downtown?

Yeah. Sure thing, pal.

Look who finally showed up.

You found the police chief?

Even better.

My boy!

Where have you been?

Been looking all over the city for you.

I had to lay low for a minute.

Yeah, you did.

You're in all the papers after that number you did on those cops.

Yeah.

Where did all that come from, son?

Don't worry about it.

I'm just glad you're back.

You hear we had a traitor in our midst?

You never did like Winston, did you?

Winston?

You thought it was someone else?

Me, too.

That's why you can never really trust anyone.

Even the staunchest of allies.

Money, power. They can corrupt anybody.

You all right?

It's okay.

You're welcome here, no matter what.

You've always been loyal.

That cuts both ways, Flint.

You watch my back, and I watch yours.

Got to warn you, though.

We've got a fight coming.

- Are you ready for that? - I'm ready.

Whatever you need, I'm ready.

Good.

Time to show the mayor what he's up against.

Should we...

talk about the powers?

When you got 'em?

Or just-- Where you from?

You a Harlem kid?

You a card player?

Played a few hands here and there.

Oh, so you're good, huh?

Ah.

It's not much.

You don't have to do that.

Do what?

Be humble.

Hmm. Do you have anything to drink?

Sure. Um, well, uh, how about some music? You know, and...?

Ah...

Uh...

...there's only one glass.

I haven't had many guests.

Ben...

Oh. Well, here's another, but it's used.

I'll just use the used glass.

Take a seat, make yourself comfortable.

So, here we are.

Here we are.

Your turn.

Tell me why.

Right, my turn.

My turn.

There was this girl.

This, uh,

smart, fun girl.

You want to tell me about her?

Her name was Ruby, and, um, we were...

...happy.

And I did a job. No big deal.

Deadbeat husband, but,

he ended up doing five years hard time,

and he got through the stint thinking about one thing--

revenge.

I still don't know how, but he knew I was close to Ruby,

and he killed her.

I... I was

going to take her to dinner on that night.

The fact is, we never made it to dinner,

because I was too busy getting drunk...

...in a bar across town to know she was in danger.

And I got there too late.

He killed her to make me suffer.

He killed her, but...

I'm the reason she's dead.

If Ruby had never met me, she'd still be alive.

So...

...you saved me to make up for not saving her.

Nothing can make up for that.

I did it so I wouldn't feel any worse.

So how do you feel?

How do I feel?

Uh...

Alone.

Well...

...maybe we can be alone together.

- So sorry. - Damn.

Lonnie, who's H?

Helen.

My moms.

You two must be close.

What about the rest of your family?

Just my mom.

After the war...

I wasn't so easy to be around.

Yeah, it's hard going back to normal life.

All three of my brothers served.

Yeah, and both mine served, too.

Jack, the oldest, was a POW.

Yeah?

Where at?

Frankfurt.

Yeah, took him a long time to get his head right after that.

The Germans got me, too.

Shit.

Sorry. I...

They did something to you all, didn't they?

Silvermane! Hey, good to see you.

You remember my wife.

Honey, why don't you and Phyllis go powder your noses?

Eat shit, Alfred.

- Come on, Phyllis. - It's fine.

Missed you at lunch today, Chief.

Must have been saving room for dinner.

How've you been?

You look good. You in good health?

Strong as ever, my friend.

How about you?

Eh. You know, the blood pressure's a bit high.

The election, you know.

I do know, seeing as I'm the one who paid to put you in that seat.

Well, I'm about to be voted out of it.

And whose fault is that?

You want the whole list or just the headlines?

Let's just put it down to destiny.

And what?

You just move on to the next guy and expect me to go quietly?

Only those who will risk going too far

can possibly find out how far one can go.

Well, in that case, I'd be happy to show you too far.

- I'll just let you fellas talk. - Sit down.

Is this about my calling for an end to Prohibition?

Because I'm simply giving the people what they want.

Do you think you're special, Morris?

Every four years, I decide who sits in that chair.

This time, it's going to be Hudson.

Next time, some other asshole.

Well, apparently, this particular asshole still has some cards left to play.

Why do you think I'm the one breaking bread with the chief of police?

Fellas, I'm sure we can reach some kind of--

You've had a good run.

Had to end sometime.

Are you sure about that?

Oh, how silly of me.

I haven't introduced my associate.

Flint, say hello to the mayor.

It's...

it's okay, everybody.

Don't worry. We're all friends here.

It's okay.

I'm not backing down.

Fair enough.

You've got balls, Morris. I'll give you that much.

May the best man live.

What's next, boss?

He's asked for it. Let's give it to him.

When you were at the station,

where were you going?

Anywhere.

Away.

But if you could choose a place?

Santorini.

It's a Greek island with black sand beaches

and quaint little towns with nothing to do

but eat and drink and watch the sunset.

That sounds... really boring.

Well, with the right person...

With the right person?

I'm sorry.

No, don't be.

I didn't picture this.

I did.

We interrupt your program with a citywide alert.

We have a report coming in. Authorities ask

that you please stay inside.

- Wait. - As I speak,

one of these super-powered monsters is terrorizing the Diamond District.

- Please stay inside... - It's Flint.

Did you hear me? That has to be Flint.

...as the story develops. Now, back to your--

Yeah, I heard you. I just don't know what the hell you want me to do about it.

Well, he was upset the last time we spoke.

Come on.

I'm trying to help him.

Okay. Then, go.

After everything we've shared--

what he meant to me, what Ruby meant to you--

are you really going to sit there and do nothing?

You really are a coward.

All I know is that once it starts, it gets worse fast.

And there ain't no changing back.

But you should talk to Doc Faber.

She can explain what's going on a whole lot better than I can.

Robbie.

- Me? Okay. - Yeah.

- Reilly Investiga-- - Yeah, it's me.

I don't have time to explain. Grab your camera,

head down to the Diamond District right now.

Wait. Wait.

Oh, I...

I-I thought you were someone else.

Well, I know exactly who you are.

The Spider.

The Spider?

Hey, I thought you was dead, huh?

What are you doing he--

Holy shit.

You're here to stop me.

- No, no. Like I said-- - Hot damn!

Me and The Spider, duking it out on 6th Ave, huh?

- What? - Put that on a poster.

Oh. Another one.

Oh! He lives.

Barely.

And now for the main attraction.

Holy shit. Did you guys see that?

Now who the hell is this guy?

Unbelievable.

Oh, hey, Spider. Want some more?

Come on, man. Fight back.

Do your job. Protect the city.

- Stop Silvermane. - Save your ass, you mean.

Sir, one of those freaks

is tearing up the Diamond District.

Jesus, Silvermane's not wasting any time.

The Spider is there.

The Spider is there?

Oof. The guy really should've stayed retired.

Come on. Can we just talk?

I don't know.

Think he's still got it.

Oh. Come on!

Amscray.

Yeah.

Well played, Spider.

But I'm all juiced up.

For now.

The Spider's back! He's back!

Can't you do something?

I'm the goddamn mayor of New York.

- Happy now? - Damn it.

Wait. Sir?

Hello.

Come on. Bring it--

That's it. Keep coming.

Oh, you want some more, pal?

I got plenty for you.

Come on.

Missed me.

Ow.

Ah!

You're losing your spark, buddy.

Hey, you had enough, pal?

You're gonna have to do better than that.

Can I give you a hand with that?

You see that?

He's still got it.

Yeah. I told you that.

- All right. - Let's go.

Okay, grab him.

- Okay... - Wait. Where did you come from?

Back up. Back up.

No, let him through. Let him through.

What's going on here?

Smile for the camera.

Robbie? No. No, no.

We're done here.

- Let go of my hand. - I have an announcement!

- Me and The Spider have teamed up... - Not-not a team.

- ...to save this city! - Not a team. No, not a team.

He's back, everyone.

No. Not back. Not back.

Hey, yeah.

Yeah. One more. One more picture.

- One more, one more. - I'm good. No, thanks.

Go Spider!

Go away.

Oh.

"Oh" yourself.

Come right on in. Make yourself at home.

Everything cool?

Don't you want to know what happened?

Oh, Flint. Is he okay?

It wasn't him.

What happened to your face?

I... walked into a door.

How many times?

Just tell me one thing.

Am I right?

I think so. W-Well, I don't really know what you're talking about.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Spider.

Hi, this is Robbie Robertson calling.

Mr. Robertson, you're never getting your old job back.

I'm onto something truly sensational!

Three POWs from the same camp with super abilities isn't a coincidence.

The only thing Silvermane gets off on is power.

If he gave it to me...

...then he can take it all away.

They did something to you all, didn't they?

All I know is that once it starts, it gets worse fast.

But you should talk to Doc Faber.

She can explain what's going on a whole lot better than I can.

One of those super freaks is tearing up the Diamond District.

The Spider is there.

Who the hell is this guy?

- Me and The Spider have teamed up... - Not-not a team.

- ...to save this city! - Not a team. No, not a team.

Every four years, I decide who sits in your chair.

I'm not backing down.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Spider.

Hey.

Hey, lady, what's your hurry?

After you.

So...

So, yourself.

We're about to turn over the pies.

This one's on the house.

What, more of a blueberry guy?

No, there's just not a lot of free stuff going around these days.

Thank you.

Very kind.

I'm waiting, you know.

You already know how it ends.

Well, then start from the beginning.

We were sent to liberate a small town in Eastern France.

The Germans weren't so keen on giving it up.

Move, move, move!

Scheiße.

Charge!

Jones. Jones!

Get 'em out!

- Get 'em out. - Please.

- Private, follow me. - Yes, sir.

Move.

Let's go.

If I was the one who had been shot,

and I almost was,

none of this would have happened to me.

I think about that a lot.

Private Smith and I pressed deeper into the compound.

Jesus.

Let's get 'em out of here.

Help me.

You okay, pal?

I'm gonna get you out of here.

Are you okay?

Reilly.

Are you okay?

Sarge, Sarge!

Sarge!

- What do we do? - Burn it.

Burn it all.

Ready.

Ready.

One, two, three.

And that was it?

After that you were...?

Yes.

It took some time at first just to relearn how to be more human again.

Believe it or not, I went to the movies, I watched the actors,

I studied the way they spoke, the way they moved.

The arachnid genes are still in me.

The tics, the... thoughts, impulses.

But I manage to suppress them.

Most of the time.

You once told me you were a coward.

And to think I almost believed you.

If Flint was there, his powers must have come from the same place.

Hard to think otherwise.

Is that the real reason you took the case?

Yes.

In part, but, yes, I-I did it because I wanted to learn something from Flint.

If something gave both of us these powers, maybe something could take 'em back.

Would you really want that?

Lose all your powers?

Go back to being just... Ben Reilly?

Since Ruby died, that's all I've thought about.

Being just Ben Reilly.

More coffee?

Thank you, Thelma.

You said he's an actor?

We can call him Star Man.

Aspiring actor.

Still working his day job as a subway driver.

Subway driver?

It's almost too good.

The Conductor.

Mm.

It-It's electricity, he's a conductor.

Oh, no, the issue wasn't one of comprehension.

You got photos?

What do you think?

Ah. I'll let the Bugle publish my story on one condition.

You'll let?

Okay, calm down.

What's the condition?

You run my piece as is or not at all.

Now, I need your word, Walters, no changes.

Unless, of course, you'd rather I take this to the Herald.

You got a lot of nerve,

telling me how to do my job.

What is that?

Fine, sure, whatever you want.

And I want the Bugle to print a retraction about Lonnie Lincoln and Flint Marko.

That's two conditions.

Anything else?

Well, now that you mention it...

It's good to be back.

Hey.

Good to see you, too.

So the prodigal son returned home, huh?

Guess Silvermane took you back with open arms.

You can say what you want about him.

That man takes care of his own.

- One big happy family. - Yeah.

There's room for one more, brother.

No offense, but I'm done putting my life on the line for white men.

It won't be like that, Lonnie.

No?

What, then?

Silvermane want me to do his laundry?

Or maybe he wants me to perform, do a little hambone.

You can't live like this forever, Lonnie.

Buddy, with whatever's happening inside us,

I'm not too worried about living forever.

All the more reason we need to take what we can while we can.

I'm not a criminal.

Why don't you tell that to the mayor or the cops?

Take your pick.

We're wanted men, whether we like it or not.

Do you think that's new to me?

That's been my life from the day I was born.

Exactly.

You risked your life for this country,

and they still treat you like a second-class citizen.

Look, you said so yourself, we ain't gonna make it to the retirement home,

so let's take life by the balls while we still have a little life left in us.

Hear Silvermane out.

That's all I'm asking.

You've been busy.

Yeah, someone's got to do the work around here.

Here, take a look at these.

Four veterans, all from the same POW camp, all with superhuman powers.

Apparently the Germans were doing experiments on them.

Some kind of failed super soldier program.

I'm sorry, are we boring you?

The war ended 15 years ago.

The question isn't what happened to them then.

The question is: why are they getting their powers now?

- Ah. - Oh.

That's why he...

- that's why he does what he... - That's, that's why he's...

that's why his name's on the door.

- It's-it's on the door. - I know.

- I didn't do my homework, you know. - Me neither. I don't...

Well, is that supposed to mean you know something?

We do.

Uh, are you going to share it?

- Are you gonna be a dick about it? - Uh, yes,

actually, a private dick, to be exact.

Okay. They were all seeing the same doctor at the VA hospital in Queens.

The doctor's been running a study for the past ten years on POWs.

According to Lonnie, it was specifically about what happened to them in France.

You know, I keep telling you, you'd make an ace reporter if you ever want to...

ditch the stiff.

I have submitted a few applications.

So this doctor's our guy?

She is a geneticist-- Alethea Faber--

one of the top in the country.

Degrees from Stanford and Cornell, I mean, every accolade you could imagine.

All that, and she chooses to work at a VA hospital in Queens,

and according to Lonnie, she sought them out

nine months ago, knew all about the camp.

What the hell are we waiting for?

You, asshole, we were waiting on you.

Well, then let's go, Robbie.

- You're welcome. - Don't rush me now, man.

Lights out, boys.

This place have a cafeteria or something?

Hey.

Where's mine?

Cut the shit, Leyden.

We can go all night if you want to.

Hey, I wonder, when's the last time you said that to your wife, huh?

Or her to you? Never, I'm guessing.

Ha!

Do you have any cream or sugar?

Yeah, I got some cream and sugar.

Now I'm going to ask you again.

Where did you and your freak show friends...

come from?

A-All right.

All right, I'll tell you, okay?

Mm-hmm.

I can't speak for the rest of 'em, but me...

...I'm from Poughkeepsie.

Oh, he's mad now.

Yeah, I know that look.

Hey, you know, you remind me a lot of my father.

Oh!

Do you like this?

I do.

Little bit too modern for my taste.

Slippery son of a bitch, that Spider.

What's his angle anyway?

Well, I'm sure he's just trying to get by, same as any of us.

Is that what you're doing?

Just trying to get by?

Looks like you're doing a bit better than that.

Wonder why.

You feeling a little unappreciated, Finn?

Well, maybe I am.

Well, I give thanks every day, trust me.

You know, I say a little prayer before bed and everything.

Well, you ought to start saying one every morning you get to wake up.

Winston isn't so lucky now, is he?

Ah.

There they are.

I wasn't expecting you boys so soon.

Lonnie, meet Mr. Byrne.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Flint told me a lot about you.

Welcome back.

Wasn't sure what happened to you.

You read the papers, don't you?

He's a whole new man.

Should see him when he gets going. Unstoppable.

My new right hand.

Don't worry, boss, nothing's gonna happen to you on my watch.

Well, then, I guess, congratulations on your promotion.

I'm sure you'll make a wonderful couple.

Don't mind her. She's full of piss and vinegar today.

Alas, I have to talk business with the boys.

Well, then I'll make my excuses.

There's some paint upstairs I can watch dry.

Well, if you're so bored, maybe you could find us a new band.

Ah, one who knows the classics.

And while you're at it, look into another singer.

Someone... young.

Piss and vinegar.

Hey, ma'am, how's it going?

Must be some book.

Is Dr. Faber in?

You have an appointment?

I do not.

Joe Robertson, reporter with the Bugle.

Just want to ask her a few questions.

I'll let her office know you're here.

If you would be so kind.

You know, Paul dies in the end.

There's a reporter downstairs from the Daily Bugle.

Robertson.

He's asking to speak with you.

Mr. Robertson?

I'm Alethea Faber.

Pleasure to meet you.

And you are?

What exactly did you want to talk to me about?

Don't suppose you saw my story in the Bugle this morning.

It'll just be a couple of minutes of your time.

Maybe spread the word about the work you're doing.

That can't be a bad thing, right?

Let's speak outside.

What can you tell me about those men?

Unfortunately, Mr. Robertson,

we sent a great many men off to that war,

and almost all of them came back with injuries, either physical or spiritual.

It's hard to remember all the patients you've seen over the years.

Well, I hope that doesn't make me sound callous.

Oh, no, no, no, no, of course not.

It also doesn't make me believe you.

Are you calling her a liar?

I'm sorry, sir, I still haven't caught your name.

This is my secretary Ogden.

He has been with me for quite some time, and he can be a bit overprotective.

No, I can respect that, but you're a smart woman.

Do you really expect me to believe you had no idea

that four of your patients turned out to have...

superpowers?

Or why?

You are obviously a very intelligent man yourself, Mr. Robertson,

so you know that I'm not at liberty to discuss specific patient information

with anyone but the police.

Well, have you done that?

Have you spoken with the police?

I am sorry, I cannot help you.

Hmm.

Did you help those men?

You know, I'm hearing their powers only started after they started seeing you.

How dare you? How dare you?

To come here knowing nothing and then accuse me

of negligence in my care?

Everything I do, I do for a reason.

Everything.

Struck a nerve, huh?

Too much.

This isn't good.

All right, so what-what-what do we do?

Calm down, Ogden.

What do we do?

Shut the door.

He's a Negro. Maybe no one will believe him.

I don't think so.

Hey, Dr. Collins, where the hell have you been?

I'm losing my mind back here.

Hey, you're not Collins.

What's going on?

No, Dr. Collins is on the second floor.

The second floor?

The second floor?

The second floor? The second floor?

All right, Ogden, could you please escort this gentleman downstairs

to Dr. Collins' office?

The second floor.

The second floor?

The second floor.

You don't like me very much.

I know that man.

What are you talking about?

He was... there in France.

He was the one who rescued us.

It's him.

Stop him. Go.

Would you hurry up?

I'm trying.

See, this must be one of them two-man jobs.

Okay.

Betty Botta bought...

Betty bought a bit o' butter

to make her butter batter better.

Betty bought a bit o' batter.

Betty bought a better butter, makes the better batter better.

Betty bought a better butter, will make the batter better.

Hey, pal.

Shut it, huh?

Betty bought a better batch

of better butter.

Betty bought a better batch of better butter...

Shit.

You good?

This was a new suit.

Shit!

Hark.

What sound doth yonder bring?

What do you think, bub, huh?

Sounds like little peashooters to me.

Shut up, Leyden.

Cry "Havoc," my friends...

and let loose the dogs of war.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Run.

Please, please don't hurt me.

Howdy, boys.

Long time no see.

Thought visiting hours was over.

Mr. Leyden, that was quite the show you put on last night.

Oh, thank you, thank you.

You know, I'd offer you an autograph, but I don't have a pen.

I assume you know who I am.

The man with the mane of silver.

Born from nothing.

Built his empire through gut and guile.

Purveyor of the finest prohibited potions.

King of the five boroughs,

Mr. Finbar Byrne himself-ah.

I see you like to talk.

Think you could listen for a second?

Oh, I am, uh, like a Nebraskan cornfield.

All ears.

I'm listening.

Mayor Morris appears to have forgotten who runs this town.

My men and I are planning to remind him.

I want you to help me.

Me?

Oh, well, my only regret is that I have but one life to give you.

But I promise you,

I will take plenty.

Get him out of there.

Ah.

Oh, yes.

Thank you, comrade.

Please.

I was just doing my job.

Oh, and now I'm going to do mine.

Life is but a walking shadow,

a poor player

that struts and frets his hour upon the stage

- and is heard no more. - Please...

A tale is told by an idiot,

full of sound and fury.

- No, no, no. - Ah!

And scene.

That was weird.

"Prisoners were injected

with radiated plants and minerals and the genetic material

of spiders, scorpions, snakes..."

Eels, too.

Mm-hmm.

"The Germans then altered the subjects' genes

by splicing them with those of other entities.

Over time, the patients' genetic material began to decay.

Many suffered lethal mutations

while others survived in an altered state for months or years."

Faber has been looking for a cure, but all she's managed to do

is activate latent mutations

and accelerate them.

She's trying to save 'em, but she's killing 'em.

- The guy that bit you. - Yeah.

- He was dying.

- But I lived.

Why?

Hmm.

A doctor making monsters in a secret lab in the Bronx.

It's gonna make for one hell of a story.

Hmm, first Black Pulitzer?

Well, it's got to happen someday.

Robbie, I have a request.

Anything.

Let me tell Cat before you print it.

If Flint's gonna die because of this,

I don't want her to read about it in a newspaper.

I said anything, didn't I?

I'll give you a day.

But I ain't losing this story.

Deal.

So...

...how bad is it?

How deep are you in with her?

I suppose you're gonna tell me to be careful.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Careful's for, um, for stock tips and hot sauce.

Matters of the heart, I say

go for broke or don't bother going at all.

Go for broke, huh?

Wouldn't take much.

Reilly.

Mr. Reilly,

take a seat.

Can I get you anything?

Glass of the good stuff?

A perfect host.

I take it you recognize my new associates.

I read the papers. Congratulations.

You've assembled an entire outfield of freaks.

You guys see that movie Freaks directed by Tod Browning?

Still playing.

You three could sign up for the remake.

Calm down.

Mr. Reilly is a little wise, but we're all friends here, right?

Yeah, sure.

So, in the spirit of friendship,

I want to give you a chance to warn The Spider...

that this fight is between me and Morris,

and if he gets his nose in my business, he's liable to lose it.

Is that clear?

As a bell. Is that all?

I don't mean to be rude, but, uh, I've got theater tickets.

You ever been on Broadway?

No? Probably drove a train underneath it, though, right?

Mr. To Be or Not to Be.

Tell your friend

it's in all our best interests to play nice.

You got it.

Hey.

I hear you make all the ladies faint.

Make me faint.

I know about Winston.

My condolences.

Were you two close?

I know you set him up, Reilly, and I know you did it for her.

Her?

Don't take me for dumb.

I didn't tell the boss 'cause he would've killed the both of you.

And mad as I am, I don't want Cat dead.

You okay, pal?

You look pretty rough.

I'm fine.

You keep doing Silvermane's dirty work, and maybe you won't be.

You worry about yourself, Reilly.

You get one pass because you saved her.

This is it.

You know...

...a hot dog at the game is better than roast beef at the Ritz.

Think about it.

Now we've got no secrets, you're done with the stairs?

I didn't want to be seen.

Flint's back with Silvermane.

I know.

I saw him this morning.

Acted like he didn't even know me.

And that bothered you?

You swooped in here to ask me that?

He knows you tried to kill Silvermane.

He heard us talking the other night.

- And has he told him? - He doesn't want to see you dead.

He's not well, Ben, I'm worried about him.

You should be.

You can spare me the dramatic pause.

Whatever it is, I can take it.

Flint and some of the other guys in that camp

have been seeing a doctor at the VA, a woman called Faber.

She's been trying to come up with a cure, but she's only made them worse.

What do you mean, worse?

What the Germans did will eventually kill them, but she's speeding it up.

You mean Flint's gonna die?

When?

All I know is, every time he uses his powers, he gets a little closer.

- Thank you for telling me. - Cat.

He says one word, and we're both dead.

I'd like to be alone, please.

What's left for us here?

Ruby's gone, Flint's past helping.

We're chasing ghosts.

But you and I could have something.

What if we left New York, went someplace where nobody knows us?

What was that island with the black sand?

Santorini.

Santorini. We could go there,

wherever you want, you could open your own club.

What about you?

Well, I'll run it or bartend.

I'll work for you.

I don't know what this is, but I do know, for the first time in years

I'm willing to take a chance and find out.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

I'll have the, uh, the, uh...

ooh, I'll have the hot dog deluxe.

You know what? No, no, I'll just have a scoop of cottage cheese.

Cottage cheese?

You on a diet or something?

There might be a beach in my future.

Oh, and breakfast is on me, so you should have at it.

Okay, now I'm really confused.

Uh, uh, scrambled eggs, bacon.

They've got New York cheesecake.

- I was just gonna... - Just bring it all.

Okay, well, that's new.

Never heard you sing.

Didn't even know you knew how.

There's a lot you don't know about me.

Is there?

You'd be surprised.

Would I?

You know, your hair looks lovely, by the way.

Did you curl it?

Three weeks ago.

Now spill it.

Oh, boy.

What?

I'm leaving town.

Permanently?

I think so, yeah, but don't worry, I promise you'll be taken care of.

What about the office?

Well, get rid of it or keep it.

You're a better P.I. than I am anyway, so...

I'll be damned.

It's Cat, isn't it?

Yes...

It-it sounds crazy,

- I know, crazy, crazy, crazy... - Ben--

...because we've only known each other for a few weeks,

but if it took Cat to drag me out of this hole that I've been hiding in,

well, then I owe it to both of us to see it through...

- Ben-- - ...because this is the first time

in-in years that I feel alive.

- For Christ's sake-- - I mean... with the matters of the heart,

you got to go for broke.

- Ben, Ben-- - Robbie says that you just got...

- With matters of the heart, you got... - Oh, for Christ's sake, Ben!

I'm really happy for you.

You are?

Yes.

Who is it?

Lonnie Lincoln, ma'am.

I need to talk to you.

It's about Flint.

Don't.

Flint.

- Don't. - Please, Flint.

- Don't. - Let me take a look at you.

It's getting worse.

- I just want to help. - You've done enough, don't you think?

Silvermane will never let us be together.

What I did, I did for us.

Without telling me?

- Why, because I'm stupid? - No.

I'm just a meathead with his brains in his fists?

No, I didn't tell you because I knew you would say no.

And how do you think it makes me feel, Flint,

that you're more loyal to that man than you are to me,

that you'd have me living under his thumb, unable to breathe without his say-so?

That's funny to you?

No, what's funny is, I would've killed him for you.

I would've done anything for you if you'd just asked,

but you never gave me the chance.

But why would you?

I'm nothing but muscle for a gangster, huh?

Well, maybe it's time I accepted that, leaned into it.

Ain't that right, Lonnie?

You and me, buddy, about to die in a blaze of goddamn glory.

- Flint, please. - Stay away from me.

- Please! - Stay away!

- Flint. - Let him go.

This Faber woman.

She really couldn't help you?

There's really no hope?

Faber said there's only one thing left to try.

But she couldn't make it happen.

What was it?

Not what.

Who.

The Spider.

Why?

Why would he change things?

She thinks his mutation is different, more stable than ours.

She said he could be the answer to all of this.

Problem is, she's got no idea who he is...

...or where to find him.

We need to go.

We have to clear the lab.

Maybe it's not as bad as we think it is.

No, we can't be naive.

I mean, as soon as that reporter publishes his story,

they're coming for us.

We can't just give up.

You have done everything you could.

Now it's time to go.

All right, watch your step over here.

Dr. Faber.

I just want to know:

if you find The Spider, are you really able to help them?

Flint, Lonnie, all of them?

You know who The Spider is, don't you?

If I tell you... do you promise you won't hurt him?

You have my word.

His name...

...is Ben Reilly.

Start from the beginning.

Nothing could have prepared us for what lay waiting.

Flint's powers must have come from the same place.

I'm Mr. Byrne. Mayor Morris forgot

who runs this town.

- Four veterans from the POW camp. - All seen

Dr. Alethea Faber.

Well, what the hell are we waiting for?

There's a reporter asking to speak with you.

This is my secretary Ogden.

You really had no idea

your patients have superpowers?

Are you calling her

a liar?

I am sorry. I cannot help you.

Faber's been looking

for a cure, but she's just gonna kill him.

Let me tell Cat before you print it.

I'll give you a day.

Flint's gonna die?

What's left for us? What if we went someplace where nobody knows us?

I'm willing to take a chance and find out.

If that reporter publishes, they're coming for us.

Dr. Faber, are you really able to help them?

You know who The Spider is, don't you?

Ben Reilly.

What the hell?

Mr. Reilly.

I-I'm not here to cause any trouble.

I-I'd just like a minute of your time, please.

That's...

That's not really necessary.

I haven't had a gun in my hand since the war.

Civil War?

You don't remember me.

From yesterday.

No. Back in France.

You saved my life.

What are you talking about?

Easy, old man.

They called me "Freckles"

because I looked so young.

Uh, they thought I was 15 and lied to get in the war.

I suppose I was one of the f-fortunate ones.

I'm still breathing, but my mutation

is aging me at a dog's clip

and getting worse as it goes.

Dr. Faber is my last chance to survive.

She's a good woman.

Trying to do a good thing.

Want a drink?

How old are you really?

I'll be 36 in April.

If I live to see it.

I'm not the only one who's suffering.

- Th-That's why I came here. - If you're looking

for the files, I don't have 'em.

The files don't matter.

I mean, not really. They're just a laundry list of failures.

D-Dead ends and dashed hopes.

It's your reporter friend.

If he prints that story,

that's the end of Faber's work.

That's the end of me.

I'm sorry.

But it's too late.

Robbie wouldn't stop even if I asked him to.

And you-you won't even try?

No.

Why?

I mean, don't-don't you want to see your comrades cured?

Would you want to be cured?

What is that supposed to mean?

Means I know who

and what you really are.

I followed you into that ward that day when you and your unit saved us.

That day when that thing...

bit you.

If you hadn't changed your name,

I would have come knocking at your door years ago.

Dementia hit early, huh?

Don't do that.

I can excuse a lot, but I deserve better than that.

You're delivering me a death sentence.

At least have the decency to be honest.

Truth is this is a part of me I wish never existed.

And as of tomorrow,

it no longer does.

I'm leaving town. Starting over.

As Ben Reilly.

I'm sorry, Freckles. I...

I wish I could offer you the same chance.

That's it?

I-I-I can't change your mind?

Been a long time coming.

I-I wish it didn't have to be this way.

What did you...

There we are.

Stay calm, Mr. Reilly.

Deep breaths.

Took quite a lot of secobarbital to keep you sedated.

I'm sure you must feel pretty rotten.

Wh-Where am I?

My private laboratory.

Wh-What is this? Why am I--

Oh, everything's okay, Mr. Reilly.

I just need to run some preliminary tests.

Investigations into your blood makeup,

your proteins, your genetic material.

Uncuff me.

Trust me, this will all be a lot easier

if you calm down and let me do my work.

Work?

Mr. Reilly, you broke into my office

and stole my most important files.

Did you read the files?

- Yes. - Then you know who I am

and what I'm doing.

And I know who you are, too, Mr. Spider.

So let's not play games.

I have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it.

Are we clear?

Let me go and I won't kill you.

No. Threats like that are why we need to keep you restrained.

It’s not a threat, it's a promise.

You're very convincing.

But we know what type of man you really are.

You ran into danger

to liberate a camp of tortured soldiers.

You saved Ogden's life.

- Yes. - And then you came home

and chose to save a lot more.

You're not a murderer. You're a hero.

You'll never break those.

We have enough drugs in you to weaken King Kong.

Now I'm simply going to draw some blood.

A child can sit through this.

Ogden, prep the blood draw and retrieval kits.

This won't do you any good.

I've been here before.

Jones! Jones!

At ease, Soldier.

Sit. Sit.

You okay?

In a fair amount of pain, I hear.

Nothing... I can't... handle, sir.

Glad to hear it.

The most important thing is to get you comfortable.

The good news is you've got the finest medical team in the whole world

all 100% focused on you.

You can't beat that, can you?

No, sir.

Get him a pop.

Chocolate bar. Anything he needs, okay?

- Yes, sir. - What...

What is happening... to me... sir?

I think we're all wondering that.

But we'll get to the bottom of it, don't you worry.

They cut me open,

pulled me apart,

put me back together.

They didn't learn a thing.

I know every detail of the Army's examination.

I have studied their findings exhaustively.

But that was a long time ago.

The science has advanced by leaps and bounds.

You're one of 'em.

Don't you dare

confuse me with them.

Those scientists only cared about war.

They took one look at you,

and they were just like the Germans.

They wanted to use you as weapons.

I am trying to do the opposite.

This...

is personal.

Yes.

You lost someone.

My son.

Have you ever lost someone, Mr. Reilly?

Someone so close to you that it felt like a part of you was gone, too?

Yes.

Well, what if you could have done something about it?

What if you knew that you were losing them

but that the power to change that,

to save them, lay in your hands?

Wouldn't you do it?

Wouldn't you try everything?

You can't bring your loved one back, Mr. Reilly, but I can.

Is that so much to ask?

A second chance

for my son?

Now you understand.

There's nothing I won't do

to keep him alive.

Your friend and I have that in common.

- My friend? - The woman

who told me how to find you.

She also has someone that she is desperate to save.

- Cat. - She's quite beautiful.

And determined.

I'm...

s-scared.

Is he okay?

Mr. Reilly.

- Mr. Reilly. - It's the blood loss.

He'll have time to recuperate while we run the tests.

Anything?

Platelet counts, erythrocytes, hemoglobin...

His blood is utterly, completely, maddeningly normal.

Look, we know he's different.

The answer is somewhere inside his body.

We just have to find it.

Oh, good.

You're awake.

How are you feeling?

I-I'm sorry

about all this.

I-I-I mean it.

You-you gave me no option.

Here, uh, drink this.

You-you-you must be thirsty.

No, it's-it's-it's water.

I-I-I promise.

Wow.

You were thirsty.

So,

you were just going to leave town.

Even after I told you that there was a chance that...

you could save me

and the others.

Spider was never a hero.

I only did it for the thrill.

Well...

...maybe you weren't then.

But there's still time for you to become one.

I'm never getting out of here alive.

What are you talking about?

Your mother is insane.

No. No.

That's not true.

She's... just trying to save me.

No, she's insane.

I'm sorry to report

that your blood samples weren't enough.

I'm going to have to harvest genetic material from your organs.

Stop! If you haven't found an answer,

it's because there isn't one.

I will never stop.

What kind of a mother would I be if I didn’t exhaust every option?

There's always an answer, Mr. Reilly.

What is that?

What-what-what is that?

Help me, Ogden.

Science is about uncovering discernible facts.

Now, the program that the Germans conducted altered

their subjects' genetic makeup.

Led to corrosion,

decay, instability.

For some reason, you were the only subject who gained power without degradation.

Where are you taking me?

He's trying to say something.

I like...

ravioli.

You will have ravioli.

All the ravioli you want.

I believe that whatever process that allowed the mutation

to stabilize within your body

can be retrofitted to fully cure the other mutations.

You're going to have a nice rest now, Mr. Reilly.

Mask, Ogden.

Just breathe.

Breathe deeply.

That's good.

Ten,

nine,

eight,

seven,

six...

Cut him open.

Let's see what he's made of.

Ruby.

Yeah, you ding-a-ling.

Were you expecting someone else?

I missed you so much.

Oh, Ruby.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby.

Hey, Reilly. Thought you could get rid of me?

You're nothing without me.

You son of a bitch. You set me up.

You're a coward, Reilly.

Fortune favors the bold.

I tried to warn you.

Now you're gonna burn.

Oh, my God.

It's time.

Are you ready?

Yeah.

What's wrong?

Are you sure this is gonna work?

- I mean, what-what if-- - I am as sure

as I've ever been. All right?

Okay.

I'm ready.

- It's already done. - Ah.

Oh, oh.

Oh! Mm.

Oh.

You did it.

- You really did it. - Mm-hmm.

I cannot believe it.

Oh...

My little Freckles.

Oh. All right.

Robertson will have published his story by now,

so we-we need to clear this place out and get out of here.

Wh...

We need to give Reilly the antidote first.

We can't do that, Oggie.

We kidnapped him.

We operated on him against his will.

The best thing for us, the only hope for us

is to just become different people.

To disappear with no one left who knows anything about us.

What are you saying?

No.

They will throw us both in prison.

I have not spent the last 15 years of my life

trying to give you your life back

just to have you waste away in a jail cell.

I'm sorry, Ogden.

His life was always the price of yours.

I'll do it.

- Ogden-- - After everything we've both been through,

I need to look him in the eye, soldier-to-soldier.

Okay.

I feel like a young boy on a Christmas morning.

If this doctor can give us the name of every superpowered man from that camp,

we'll have an army nobody can stop.

Not even the goddamn Spider.

The suffering they put you through...

...they'll rue the day.

Ah...

Don't.

Ogden?

You were right.

She sent me to kill you.

But you saved my life.

Least I can do is try to save yours.

Just promise me you won't hurt her.

Yeah, I'm not the one with the gun.

I'm not the one with the spider powers.

I'm just trying to get home.

Let's get you home.

These doors are getting bigger and bigger.

Wow.

Look at you.

Marvelous. Just marvelous.

You're back.

What are your plans?

Pardon me?

Well, now that you've got your life back,

what are you planning on doing with it, Freckles?

I don't know. Uh...

Huh, I...

I've been preparing to die for so long,

I never really thought about how to live.

Are you, are you okay?

What day is it?

- Excuse me? - The day, the day.

What's today?

Monday. Uh, M-Monday afternoon.

Oh, poo.

Robbie's chasing his Pulitzer.

He's published the location of the lab.

They'll be here any second.

How many do you think there are?

Hard to say.

There were dozens of us at the camp.

Imagine a lot made their way back to New York.

Anybody had any trouble over the years would've found their way to Faber.

You okay?

What's it look like? I'm fine.

Oh.

Cherry red. My favorite.

It's up and through there.

You're not coming?

I'm not leaving her.

You can't beat those guys.

You're probably right.

But she's my mom.

Up you get.

What's the matter, Doc?

You don't look that thrilled to see us.

I'm sorry, I'm-I'm just surprised.

'Cause your secret lab's

not a secret no more?

So, we're monsters,

are we?

Quite the operation you've got

going down here.

Everything but a cauldron and two weird sisters.

That story says you did this to us.

No, absolutely not. Quite the opposite.

- Liar, liar. - All right.

Hold your horses. Everybody.

Now we'll all have a conversation.

Nice and civilized.

- Right, Doc? - Of course.

Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Doctor.

- Do you know who I am? - Yes.

Good. Now tell the boys you're not in the business

- of making monsters. - No.

No. All I have ever tried to do is to help you all.

- Every one of you. - Hey, how is old Oggie, huh?

He finally kick the proverbial bucket or what?

Sadly, yes.

Now, my friends here say you've been treating

their various maladies.

I'm curious to know if there are others like them.

Yes.

I could take you to them now.

Oh, they're here? Even better.

Lead on, my dear.

My God.

What is all this?

- They're all dead? - I did my best,

but they succumbed to their mutations

before I'd figured out a way to save them.

And then you put them in jars like a bunch of freaks?

- No, that is-- - It's Johnny.

Johnny Forte.

You never cared about us.

That is not true.

You know what it's been like? Living like this?

- Please... - Our bodies somehow stronger

and weaker at the same time?

- The world calling us monsters. - Please listen.

I have finally figured it out.

I promise you I can help you all, if you will just let me.

Help us?

You mean like you helped them?

These men was our comrades.

Our brothers.

We fought with these men.

We suffered with these men.

Wait.

Wait, I know you.

We were in the cell together.

I grabbed the guard,

you put the knife in.

Nobody shoots me, you little bastard.

Dirk, stop! What are you doing?

Get off of me.

There's nothing here for us.

Let's go.

You're going to have to learn some impulse control, son.

- Hey. - Hmm?

- You got shit in your teeth. - Oh, no.

- I look so dumb. - Yeah, you look real stupid.

I was in the car with those guys for an hour.

- Now, don't bite my finger. - You think they saw?

Yeah. Right back here.

- Yeah. - Did you get it?

You know, I wanted to be a dentist when I was a kid.

- Oh, yeah? - Yeah. I got it--

God! The hell was that?

- I'm leaving town. - I'll be damned.

It's Cat, isn't it?

I'm really happy for you.

I know about Winston.

I know you set him up,

and I know you did it for her.

I didn't tell the boss 'cause

he would've killed the both of you.

Every four years, I decide who sits in that chair.

You just move on to the next guy and expect me to go quietly?

My mutation is aging me

at a dog's clip.

Dr. Faber is

- my last chance to survive.

- Where am I? - My private laboratory.

This will all be a lot easier

if you calm down and let me do my work.

I believe that whatever process that allowed

the mutation to stabilize within your body

can be retrofitted

to fully cure the other mutations.

Oh!

She's quite beautiful,

the one who told me how to find you.

Cat.

I'm curious to know if there are others like them.

- My God. - These men was our comrades.

Nothing here for us.

Would you want to be cured?

The Spider was never a hero.

I only did it for the thrill.

Maybe you weren't then,

but there's still time for you to become one.

- Flint, please. - Stay away!

What's left for us here?

Ruby's gone, Flint's past helping.

We're chasing ghosts.

But you and I could have something.

If I tell you...

...do you promise you won't hurt him?

I need a drink.

Lo, the irony.

A man controls the flow of alcohol for a city of seven million souls

and yet, my throat is as dry as a camel's hole in a sandstorm.

What happened at the lab?

Find anything interesting?

Yeah.

A lot of dead soldiers.

Some of them old friends.

The good doctor was making freaks in her basement.

Goddamn abomination, if you ask me.

That's all?

She had nothing but a bunch of meat in big jars,

so we burnt the place down.

You burned the place down?

To the goddamn ground.

What do you care?

You're right.

Why would I care about a mad scientist killing veterans?

I'm just a pretty girl who likes to sing and dance.

Well, I often wish you were.

No, you don't. You'd have been bored of me after six months.

Another round?

Does the king ride his sister?

What's the point?

You drink the best whiskey, drive the best car,

own the best club.

What are you fighting for?

The fighting is the point.

It's what gives the whiskey its taste.

Gives the club its danger.

If anything, I owe the mayor a debt of gratitude.

I'll be sure to send flowers to his grave when I bury the bastard.

But you boys have work to do.

With the doctor out of the picture,

we know the score. It's the three of you

to the mayor's one.

So go forth and maraud.

Make some mischief and mayhem.

Raid the mayor's piggy bank.

Buy voters for Hudson.

It's time to show that prick of a politician who's really in charge.

You love it, you know you do.

Dah, dah, dah, dah...

You see, now, this... this is a nice establishment.

Oh, no. Oh, no, it's the boys in blue.

Oh, no.

Hey, you seeing this shit?

Now, folks,

usually I would apologize

for such a disturbance,

but this is most likely the greatest day

of your pathetic and miserable little lives.

What? No applause?

Mm.

Are you the one in charge?

Anybody home?

Mr. Noble is the head of this office,

but I can help you with whatever you need.

Mm.

I'm sure you can, honey.

- Hey. - Hey, relax.

We're just getting into character.

- Ain't that right... - Alice.

- ...Alice. - And you don't scare me.

Well, I should.

- Back off. - Oh.

Okay, Alice.

Now, if you wouldn't mind showing us where the mayor keeps all his dough,

that would be much appreciated.

God, I want some free time, fellas. Let's go.

Hey, Alice, you know the deal.

Nobody's supposed to be back--

Don't blame Alice. This was our idea.

Oh, lookee, lookee.

You don't mind if we take some of these things, do you?

No? Good.

We're gonna spread the wealth to the people of New York.

Hey, Dirk. Let's go to work.

Oh, and, um, when you see him,

tell our illustrious friend Morris...

tell him Silvermane sends his regards.

Thank you very much.

Bye-bye.

Are you scared?

Yes, you are.

Come in.

You took my boss and my business.

What'd you forget?

I'm just messing around.

I'm happy for both of you. Genuinely.

- What's wrong? - Have you seen him?

What do you-- what do you mean? He's meant to be with you.

- He never showed. - What?

It's been days.

And you're only just now looking for him?

Well, I don't know how it is with you,

but when men stand me up, I don't usually go--

Oh, God, uh, yeah. Say less.

You want a drink?

There's probably a bottle still floating around somewhere.

No, thank you.

When was the last time you heard from him?

Uh, Saturday afternoon.

He showed up with an envelope full of cash.

- That's... - What?

It's just, uh...

Ben's not exactly loose with his money.

Are you saying he's frugal?

I'm saying it's not like him to dump a fistful of cash on my lap

unless he really thought it through.

Well, men get cold feet.

No.

No, you wouldn't be here if that's what you thought was going on.

You're too proud for that.

So, who is it?

Silvermane?

Morris?

The doctor? Stop me anytime if I'm getting warm.

Your hand's on the stove, but I don't know any more than that.

The Daily Bugle, please.

Robbie Robertson.

And he didn't call or leave word in any way, shape or form?

Yes, tell him Janet called. He'll know how to reach me.

Okay, thanks.

Listen, he's like a cat--

If you hear anything, you can reach me at The Alcove.

Okay.

- Thank you. - Sure.

Damn it, Ben, where are you?

Daily Bugle, please.

You know anything about spider muscles, Eamon?

No.

Eh, that's because they don't have any.

They're on a hydraulic system,

shooting fluid to move their legs, as it were.

Their appendages are rather like straws.

Veritable party whistles!

But she didn't love me.

That's okay.

Nobody has to love anybody.

But to go behind my back like that?

With the doctor. What the hell was that?

I mean, that's worse than a betrayal,

That's adding insult to injury.

Mm.

But Eamon, I digress,

because right here in the palm of my hand,

I hold the antidote...

...to all of my problems.

Yeah, well, you ain't the first one to figure that one out, pal.

It's kind of how we stay in business.

Keep 'em coming, Eamon.

There you go.

They're using my campaign money to fund my goddamn opponent.

Please, help-help me to understand

how a thing like this can happen.

I mean, it-it could be something, anything,

a-anything that enlightens me as to how it is

that you're letting Silvermane run roughshod all over my city.

You mean, other than the fact that he's got three guys on his side

that can't be subdued by ordinary means?

Two of my cops tried and got electrocuted.

Does that enlighten you, Mayor?

Fine. You know what?

It's done, that's in the past.

But what I want to know is what you plan on doing about it now.

You're the goddamn chief of police.

And if you can't fix this, I will find someone who can.

Frankly, Mayor,

I don't think you're gonna be in the position much longer

to do anything about it.

Are you threatening me?

Take it however you like.

But without The Spider...

...you're a three-legged horse running in quicksand.

If he's such a good friend of yours,

now's the time to ring him up.

Come on, come on.

Oh!

- That was intense. - That was wild.

- How much did we get? - At least a hundred. Maybe two.

Look at this.

Should I even ask?

- Nope. - Ah, you should've seen it, Eamon.

Two of them supers were standing on the corner,

throwing them in the air.

"Vote for Hudson," they're shouting.

"Vote for Hudson." Fella, you keep chucking bills in the air,

I'm gonna vote for the devil himself.

They ripped off Morris's campaign war chest,

and not a cop in sight.

- What about The Spider? - The Spider?

Yeah, right.

Let's not hold our breath for that one.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I mean, have you seen him?

He looks like my mom after ten loads of laundry.

I don't know what he's been up to

for the past half a decade, but the years

haven't been good to him, I'll tell you that much.

Eh, he wasn't that great to begin with.

Well, I didn't miss him.

He probably just came back to, uh, you know,

get his picture in the papers again.

Yeah, he never missed a photo op, that's for sure.

That guy loves the spotlight more than Morris.

He may have missed the spotlight, but he didn't miss a meal.

Maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe The Spider is a guy like anyone else.

You ever think about that?

You ever wonder what his problems were?

He's swinging around burning buildings, saving people,

do you ever think he feels the heat?

Or gets sad?

Or tired?

Or lonely?

Geez, Eamon, where the hell'd you find this guy?

Oh, woe is me,

I'm The Spider, life is so hard.

Oh, look at me in my little mask.

Hey, Mommy, I'm a big boy Spider...

Hey, you're-you're The Spider.

You like that, huh?

Hey! Hey!

Oh, yes, they... yes, pummeling it.

You've got to wonder if they left something in the tank for today.

Ha! Ha-cha-cha!

Did you see that?

They kicked him and they K'd him.

Come on... oh!

That one's on the house, pal.

To the victor go the spoils, right?

Amazing.

Oh, shit.

What the hell are you doing?

Janet's got me looking all over the city for you.

I'm drinking. What's it look like?

Come on, let's go. You shouldn't be in here like this.

Well, you don't want The Spider here,

they don't want The Spider, and guess what?

I don't want The Spider anywhere.

But do you know what? I can remedy that.

What is that?

It's a little concoction Faber cooked up.

Turns supers into run-of-the-mill schmucks.

Like these clowns.

- What the hell are you doing? - Curing myself.

- Oh, the hell you are. - Hey!

- Give it back. - No.

Give it back, Robbie, now.

No.

And I know that even in the state that you're in,

if you felt right about drinking this,

you would have taken it from me and finished it by now.

All right. All right, all right, all right, all right.

Let's go.

And so, the Lady Judas

betrayed me.

Aw, that's a tough one, man. I'm sorry.

What about everyone else?

What everyone else?

The rest of New York.

You fell for a woman and she didn't fall back.

Not sure why that means that the whole city

should lose the one guy who can help them.

Why should I care?

I risked my life for them for years, and...

the second I don't do exactly what they say,

they hate me for it.

I never hated you for it.

When you quit, I lost everything.

And I never asked you to come back.

'Cause, see, you were my friend, and I understood

the price you were paying to be a hero.

Maybe I had it all wrong. Maybe...

you did it to be praised.

Some hero. I am so impressed.

I-I d... I didn't do it to be a hero.

I did it because, at the time,

it made me feel good, but it doesn't anymore, okay?

Well, then, maybe you should think about why it made you feel good.

And then answer this question:

will you sleep better if you take the antidote after having done nothing

or if you take it after you've helped cure Lonnie and Flint?

You see, those men are soldiers, just like you.

Men who are suffering just like you.

But unlike you, those men are gonna die.

So, what makes you deserve this antidote any more than they do?

And what makes your life more important than those assholes at the bar?

There's a blood feud going on between Silvermane and Morris.

People are gonna die.

But I guess they're not worth saving

because they don't make you feel good anymore.

So, if you're gonna take this just to be the same Ben

you've been for the past five years, then I'll be honest...

...I don't really want to be around for that.

Oh, come on.

You've been in a hole ever since Ruby died,

and you've never stopped digging.

This is your chance to put that shovel down.

You couldn't save Ruby because you didn't know.

This time, you have a choice.

You just have to make it.

Here we go.

Oh, my God, where have you been?

- He's drunk. - And looks like shit.

I know.

Wait.

Are you yellow?

What do you mean, "yellow"? You mean like a, like a coward?

No, like a banana. What the hell happened to him?

Well you see, Janet...

...first, Cat double-crossed me,

then an old man named Ogden drugged me

and took me to see Dr. Faber, who sliced me open and cut up my guts.

Oh, and the old man

was actually Faber's son, but she cured him.

M-Made him young again.

Then Silvermane and his goons turned up,

I escaped, they torched the laboratory

and I got plastered.

And you beat up some guys in a bar.

And I beat up

some guys in a bar.

Why did Faber kidnap Ben?

Uh, because I'm The Spider.

Oopsie-poopsie, I shouldn't have told you that.

You already did tell me that.

¡Ay, hijo de tu madre!

I'm The Spider, Janet.

I Spider.

The Spider's busy, Janet.

Can't you see that The Spider is busy?

Okay.

You knew?

And you knew that she knew?

What, you're gonna get mad about us keeping secrets?

Well, maybe you should've told me that.

I figured you'd worry less

if you didn't know I knew.

Plus, it's not like you've been very Spidery lately.

What's that for?

You were wearing this the first time I saw you.

Can't believe you remember that.

I remember a lot of things.

Well, do you remember how shy you were at first?

How it took you a year just to say hello to me?

Oh, I wasn't shy.

I was scared.

There wasn't a single German in the war who scared me as much as you did.

- That's ridiculous. - No, it's the truth.

Before you, I didn't think women like you even existed.

Tell me more.

Ah...

I don't know.

You know, beautiful women, you see them around.

Smart women, too. Tough ones.

Talented ones.

Classy, sexy, funny.

Confident.

Determined.

But all of it all at once? It...

I didn't think that would ever happen.

And then there you were.

And then, for you to pick me out of all the men in the world...

...for you to see something in me that I couldn't even see in myself, I...

And do you know why I let you in?

I don't know.

Because...

anyone could see the good in me.

But you knew I could also be mean,

and angry and cold.

You loved me at my worst,

and you pushed me to be better.

I love you.

Why can't you get that through your head?

Don't you get it?

I do believe you.

But there's no coming back from this.

You can't touch the Sun and then come back down to Earth again.

This life, uh...

...it's got no taste now.

It's got no feel.

- Without you-- - But I'm right here.

I'm standing right in front of you.

And I'm long gone.

We went to the doctor's lab.

We saw the truth.

There's no way out. There was never gonna be a way out.

You don't know that.

- Listen, you-- - Stop.

I don't care if I die.

- No... - That's not what hurt me.

What hurt me is that you couldn't even wait

for the dirt to hit my casket before you went off with that private dick.

You took him to the old theater.

Where I saw you for the very first time.

Wearing this very dress.

Yeah.

I ain't gonna tell Silvermane.

But he's smart.

He's gonna find out what you did eventually.

And I can't protect you when I'm dead.

I'll have to stick them all.

Once they're free and clear, it'll be my turn.

Well, that's a plan.

Yeah, a terrible plan.

Thanks for the confidence. I think it's a great plan.

Well, what do you want us to say?

Nothing. I just want you to know that this is the end of the story.

No more sick veterans,

no more suffering...

...no more Spider.

You've thought this over?

For a long time.

You're a good man, Ben Reilly.

- Ha. - You are.

Look at you, you're helping people again.

That's not why I'm doing it.

Then why are you?

Because with no power

comes no responsibility.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we have more breaking news to report.

We have just learned that the Silvermane gang is still at it,

this time in Harlem, where they've been seen pillaging

a police warehouse, stealing back all the confiscated hooch

from Morris's big sting operation,

and the cops are standing around doing nothing.

Who's in charge of the city, Mr. Morris?

Harlem.

Say, do me a favor.

Just let me talk to him before you swoop in and make it a fight.

You think I want to fight? Look at me. Wrong.

Take a bottle on your way out, and vote for Hudson.

- Vote for Hudson. - From Silvermane.

Vote for Hudson.

Hey, vote for Hudson.

- Okay, sure. - Vote for Hudson.

Thanks, man.

- Hi. - You're welcome.

- From Silvermane. - Oh, what, are you a child?

Take it. Take it.

Go. Go, yeah.

Just get out of here.

Lonnie.

- I just want to talk. - Save your breath.

I've picked my side. This is how it is now.

But why?

What are you getting from all this?

A soft bed, hot meals.

More than I've had in a long time.

And since I ain't got much of that left,

I'm gonna enjoy whatever it is I do have.

Come on, Lonnie.

Come on, man, I know you better than this, brother.

- This ain't-- - Back off!

Whatever your angle is,

I--

Lonnie, Robbie's just trying to help you.

I'm trying to help you, too.

This doesn't have to be a fight.

Well, it's gonna be.

Okay, not the response I was looking for.

You trying to hurt me?

You should know I live for the pain.

I eat it up.

Uh-oh.

Whoa!

You should've just let me be.

Hey. Hey.

Reilly? Hey.

Where am I?

Are you seeing this?

You're not so tough now, are you?

Oh, no, no. No, not now.

Come on, come on.

Get in.

- Stop them! Don't let them get out! - Come on. Let's go, let's go,

let's go, let's go.

Hey!

My car!

Want to know why I'm helping you out?

Mm-hmm.

I owed you one.

Now we're even.

What about him?

We don't have time to get into all that.

We got to ditch the car and get him somewhere safe.

We'll take him back to my place.

Shouldn't we get him a doctor?

Or a priest?

Nah.

He just needs to rest.

Oh, no, are we still fighting?

Nah. We're good.

What-what's happening?

We are at my place.

You need to rest.

I-I can't.

I need to rest.

Who is he?

He's just a guy.

Why'd he do it?

Why'd he risk his life trying to help me?

He was trying to save me.

I almost killed him.

Because, despite what he wants everyone to believe...

...he's a good person.

- The hell is that? - I don't know.

But I know who's gonna want to know.

Son of a bitch.

Ah, shit.

Mr. Mayor?

The police chief is on his way.

He's got news.

Who cares?

So,

where you gonna go?

I don't know.

My mom's always wanted to see Niagara Falls.

Sounds as good a place as any.

- Mm-hmm. - You like maple syrup?

As much as the next guy.

Yeah...

So, listen, um,

- I wish I could do more-- - I'm good.

Yes, you are.

We're good.

Everything you done for me...

...not a lot of guys would've went through the trouble.

And everything you did to get your job back at the Bugle?

I hope they understand what you're worth.

This city needs men like you

just as much as it needs a guy like him.

Brother.

My man.

When?

A few hours ago.

Which one?

Lonnie Lincoln.

Is this true?

- We lost Lonnie? - That's right.

We seen it with our own four eyes.

How?

The Spider showed up out of nowhere.

- The Spider was there? - The Spider?

Lonnie was gonna kill him dead until that reporter jumped in

and jabbed him with something.

- Jabbed him with what? - Ah...

Have some goddamn specificity when you talk to me.

He stuck him with one of these.

Right in the eye.

Whatever it is, it brought the big fella down.

Had him on his hands and knees, sobbing like a baby.

Raze out the written troubles of the brain,

and with some sweet oblivious antidote...

...cleanse the stuffed bosom

of that perilous stuff

which weighs upon the heart.

Looks like the good doctor wasn't so crazy after all.

So, Faber managed to give some of that stuff to The Spider.

Well, what are we gonna do, boss?

What are you thinking?

I'll tell you what we're gonna do.

We are gonna find The Spider.

- Get me Ben Reilly. - Get me Ben Reilly.

What is that?

Turns supers into run-of-the-mill shmucks!

You've been in a hole

ever since Ruby died, and you've never stopped digging.

This is your chance to put that shovel down.

I'll have to

stick them all.

Once they're free and clear, it'll be my turn.

No more sick veterans,

no more suffering, no more Spider.

What is all this?

They're all dead?

We went to the doctor's lab.

- There was never gonna be a way out. - You don't know that.

I ain't gonna tell Silvermane. But he's smart.

He's gonna find out what you did eventually.

No, not now. Come on.

Get in! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!

Let's go!

- Shouldn't we get him a doctor? - Nah.

He just needs to rest.

The hell is that?

Whatever it is, it brought the big fella down.

What are we gonna do, boss?

We are gonna find The Spider.

- Get me Ben Reilly. - Get me Ben Reilly.

Look at these saps.

Lost.

You know, I was like them once upon a time.

They're blind, they don't even know it.

Day after day, playing follow-the-leader.

Christ, do you ever shut up?

No.

Why would I deny the world a moment of my grandeur?

Yeah, well,

the crash is coming. You just can't feel it yet.

Speak for yourself.

I'm only getting stronger.

Times like this.

Give me a chance to reflect.

I don't do it much.

Not usually the self-congratulatory type, but...

...God, if you knew where I grew up.

The hunger, the scarcity.

I lost two brothers before I was even born.

It was madness, what I experienced.

Do you know the difference between me and the countless other degenerates

that came out of that time?

A gambler's heart, simple as that.

It's not strength...

or guile or ruthlessness.

It's just courage.

And restlessness.

It was never enough.

I could never stop,

never get comfortable.

That's my advice to you.

"Never get comfortable"?

Never be satisfied.

Don't accept what you're given.

Because nobody's going to give you what you want.

They're going to give you what they want to give you for their own reasons.

That's enough of that.

Story time's over.

Need to take a leak.

It's Cat. I need to see you.

Thank God. I was worried you weren't going to--

That's for Ben.

I deserved that.

And that's for me.

Ben put everything on the line for you,

and you used that to betray him.

That doctor cut him to pieces.

I swear I didn't know

she was going to hurt him.

I thought it was for the best.

Ben told me himself he didn't want to be The...

Oh.

Oh, so now you care about keeping his secret?

Telling Faber about Ben wasn't your call to make.

I can make it up to him.

Oh, that's rich, honey.

No, I promise. You just have to trust me.

Yeah, I already tried that.

You're a liar.

A manipulator.

I did it for love.

For whose love?

Flint.

But Ben is a good man.

I promise I can make it up to him.

How?

If he gives me the antidote, I can inject Flint and Dirk with it.

I can get close to them without causing any suspicion.

And it's not your choice to make.

Ben can decide for himself.

You know, I've been thinking.

Who asked you to?

See, that there's the problem.

Why are we running errands for this old man

when we're the ones with all the powers?

What do we need him for?

I suppose you don't believe in loyalty.

Loyalty. Loyalty.

What you call "loyalty,"

I call "manipulation."

What does serving Silvermane get us versus what it gets him, huh?

How loyal would he be to you

if you didn't follow his orders?

You know what? Don't answer that.

We'll just ask your old pal Winston.

Oh, wait. We can't. He's dead.

Hmm?

Isn't that his secretary?

Oh, yeah.

She's nice.

Where ya been? Peoples been looking all over for ya.

People have been.

And which people, specifically?

Robbie people for starters.

Ben's over at his place.

Robbie says he've been run through the ringer.

He has been. He... has... been.

- What? - Has.

Make up your damn mind.

- Reilly Investigation-- - Janet, honey.

Oh. Hey, Hank.

Didn't hear it from me, but your boss, Reilly, is in hot, hot water.

I don't know what he done,

but every precinct in the city's looking for the guy.

That's coming straight from the mayor.

You watch yourself, honey.

Thank you, Hank.

Stop it. And stay.

Now, if I was giving stage direction,

I'd call that, "In a rush to meet someone."

Mm. Yeah.

- How's the patient? - Alive.

But he still doesn't have his powers back.

He needs more rest.

You still look like a banana.

An overripe banana.

Those bruises are really settling in,

- huh? - Yeah, sure.

How do you feel?

Worse than I look.

How's the other guy?

On his way to Niagara Falls

with his mother.

Listen, I have to tell you something.

- Cat asked me to meet her. - What? When?

This evening. She wants you to give her the antidote so she can inject Flint

and the other one-- Leyden.

She said she can get close enough, and they wouldn't see it coming.

Fool me once.

I don't know.

It's not such a bad idea.

How many times did Lonnie hit you in the head?

The woman just finished betraying you.

And why do you think she did?

For Flint.

- She told me herself. - That's right. She wants to save Flint.

If she believes this'll help her, you can bet she'll do it.

- Who is it? - Little pigs,

- little pigs... - Leyden.

- ...let me in. - What's he doing here?

Or I'll huff, and I'll, uh, puff.

And I'll blow your house down.

Thank you. Thank you.

Uh, thank you.

- You look like shit. - What of it?

Yeah, what of it? Tell that to Gielgud.

Guy said I got the chin like a donkey's asshole.

Why do I feel like I've met you before?

Because we have, a few nights ago, at Silvermane's penthouse.

I sang you the acting song.

What's the matter? You didn't like it?

No, no, no, no. I mean, before that.

Maybe you slept with the wrong guy's wife.

- Hmm. - So what the hell

happened to you?

I took pictures of the right woman's husband.

- Hmm. - What do you want?

Him. On your feet.

The boss wants to talk to you.

"Talk to me" talk to me? Or just talk to me?

I want to know what kind of goodbye I should give my friends.

I don't think you need to divvy up your

three worldly possessions just yet.

Now get up.

All right, I'm coming.

I'm coming. Just want to grab my coat first.

Don't worry. We'll keep ya nice and toasty.

Hey, Reilly,

are you listening to me?

The thing is... you could have just asked.

I thought we were friends.

Course we are,

but it was a matter of some urgency.

I can't have your friend running around the city neutralizing my advantages.

So I'll kindly ask you to lift the phone and call your Spider-friend.

Nah, I don't think I will.

Excuse me?

I'm not in the mood to talk to The Spider.

The truth is, he's kind of hard to talk to,

especially on the phone.

Hey, buddy, can you remove the mask so a guy can actually hear?

Is this some kind of joke?

A piece of humor I'm not grasping?

No, I mean it. I genuinely can't understand

half of what comes out of his mouth.

Well, you've seen him. He wears a stupid sock on his head.

- Hmm. - I told you when we first met

that your mouth might get you killed one day.

Today might just be that day.

Nah. You need me.

This is a negotiation.

You need The Spider. Ipso facto, you need me.

Res ipso locutor--

Well, I mean, I don't speak Latin.

Besides, word on the street is Mayor Morris is interested

in Señor Spider, as well.

So, gee-whiz, deep pockets on all sides.

What's a down-on-his-luck private investigator to do?

Okay, then, $500.

Oh, the number I'm thinking of starts with a five,

but it don't end with a hundred.

Hmm?

Careful, my friend.

You want me to pay you, but you want to continue living after the fact?

And that's exactly right.

I want to live, as in live-live, and that costs money.

At first I was thinking, uh, Santorini,

but, no, now I'm thinking France.

Feels romantic and safe.

Even for a guy with a mouth like mine.

A thousand.

You wouldn't even miss it if I said ten.

It's the principle, fella.

Like you say, we're negotiating.

- Three. - Two.

Deal.

Okay. Now that that's settled, Cat,

be a diamond and pour Mr. Byrne and myself a glass of

the, uh, Green Spot.

Get this man a telephone.

I would have done it for one.

Would have happily paid you ten.

It's ringing.

Yeah, hi. It's Ben.

Yeah, I know, I know. I'm sorry to call so late. I--

What?

You did what?

That's fantastic.

Okay, well, listen, I'm here with Silvermane.

Tell him no hard feelings about the other day.

Bygones should be allowed to be themselves.

- Tell him. - He says he wants you to know

that there are no hard feelings about the other day.

Tell him the bygone thing.

And that bygones should be allowed to be, uh...

something, and I--

Tell him I just want to have a little chat.

He just wants to have a little chat.

- Tell him-- - Oh. You know what? Tell him yourself.

Mr. Spider, sir.

Mm-hmm. Uh-huh.

Well, that is something to consider,

in regard to, all heretofore relevant ascertained information.

Why the hell are you talking like that?

I'm doing Ben.

The life of Ben Reilly, and what else?

I-I don't want you to overestimate the importance of that relationship.

Uh-huh.

Okay, fair enough.

I'll be there.

What?

He wants the antidote.

But he wants The Spider to bring it to him.

- He's on his way. - Great. And now, sir,

if you don't mind, I'll take my two Gs.

Or, as they say in France, I'll have my Cecil B.

Deux mille.

Good one,

but the money was for delivery of The Spider, and not for the phone call.

Oh, all right, well, in that case, how about another round?

What else you got back there that normal people can't afford?

How about something American this time?

Maybe some bourbon, or is that not fancy enough for you?

Three to one The Spider doesn't show.

He'd be wise not to, that's for sure.

Why do you want The Spider anyway?

He's kind of over the hill, don't you think?

I don't know what makes you say that.

I think he looks remarkably fit.

Besides, he handled that soft clown, no problem.

Tell us. Do you think The Spider would have any interest in working for me?

I wouldn't hold it against him that he backed the wrong horse.

I haven't the faintest idea.

The Spider tends to do what The Spider wants to do.

He's actually extremely annoying.

Yeah.

What the hell is going on?

I'm earning myself some traveling money.

I'd invite you to join me, but we know how that goes.

And I could've told Silvermane that you're The Spider.

And I could've told him you're his rat.

I still can.

Guess we've got each other by the throats, then.

When The Spider comes,

the two of you are not to make a move until I say so.

I swear I've met that guy somewhere.

Pay attention.

Nothing happens until I give the go-ahead.

Understood?

Aye-aye, mon capitaine.

So, are you gonna give me the antidote?

You're the perfect distraction. I can do it right now.

Funny thing is, I believe you, but I don't have it.

Are you serious?

What are you two yammering on about?

Oh, I was just telling Cat about the French island where I intend

to spend the traveling money you're about to pay me.

Beautiful sandy beaches,

lush valleys, hilltop villages.

- Sounds dull. - Agreed. Perfect place to be alone.

- Cheers. - Good luck.

That's where I know you from.

France.

I don't have a clue what you're talking about, buddy,

and I'm a detective, so buzz off.

Oh, no, no, no. I'm certain of it.

Meuse-Argonne.

You're the fellow that saved us from that POW camp.

Hold on.

You two know each other?

Yeah. Flint knows him, too.

You guys are drunk.

Never touched a drop in my life.

Uh, let me get this straight.

Our private detective friend here was in the same POW camp as the two of you?

- Lonnie, too. - And Addison.

In other words, this man

was at the site where all of you got experimented on?

And this very same man

just happens to be best friends with The Spider?

Hmm.

I think The Spider hasn't walked

through that door yet because he's already sitting right here at my table.

You guys are grasping at straws.

The reason why I'm chummy with Le Spider is because...

...because I...

I saved his ass at Meuse-Argonne.

Yeah, that's right. I mean, this isn't some grand conspiracy.

Is that so?

It is so.

What is this? A parlor trick?

You're gonna focus your mind, stick your finger in your ear

and peer into my soul?

No. I don't think we'll be needing any magic.

Save that for the children's birthday parties.

Well, then, what? You want to check my pockets for unmarked bills?

Here, I'll make it easy for you. I've got, uh...

a nickel, and, uh...

Oh, not one but-- count 'em-- two sticks of gum.

Jesus.

Ah, you're a cool customer.

But here's the thing.

I'm a bit like you.

A detective.

I watch. I listen.

I keep track of things, up here.

Another drink, would you, dear?

Absolutely.

And just like you,

the only person that I am truly loyal to is me.

So, if I know a way to find out decisively

whether or not you, Ben Reilly, are The Spider,

I'll do it no matter the consequences.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I can't say that I do.

Sit.

Now, here's how I see it.

Ben Reilly is a private dick who doesn't care about anyone else except himself.

But the one thing I know about The Spider is he cares.

He's never been passive about innocent deaths.

Not on his watch.

Not if there's anything he can do about it.

I wouldn't know.

I would.

Give us your gun.

The one you think nobody knows about.

So...

I'm convinced,

but I'm not certain.

Sure. I'm convinced we're all gonna die, but...

there's only one way to be certain.

Yeah. Exactly. You're quite clever.

Now, I look around this room and I see a bunch of tough elements.

Gangsters, mobsters,

hardened criminals.

Not exactly the type that The Spider would lose any sleep over.

Right?

But there's one exception.

One innocent bystander.

One person that The Spider simply could not

sit back and allow to die.

Cut it out. I'm not in the mood.

Well, I wouldn't think you would be.

I mean it. It's not funny.

Far from it.

It's tragic if we lose you.

Bad for business, bad for my heart.

You know how much you bring me joy.

But the way I see it...

...this is the only way that I can be certain.

Let go of me, Finn. Now!

My God.

It's the best damn show in town.

So...

if I kill her,

then you're just Ben Reilly, a clever private investigator

who doesn't care about anybody but himself,

or you really are The Spider,

and you'll stop me before I pull this trigger.

Listen.

He's not going to save me,

but not because he's a bad man.

So, why, then?

It's okay, dear. Absolution awaits.

Because I broke his heart.

- Why'd you do that? - You know why.

I want to hear you say it.

Because I'm in love with Flint.

I'm in love with him,

and I wanted to save him and I didn't care who I hurt in the process.

Well, at least she admits it.

That's right. I admit it.

I'm tired of hiding.

And I'm tired of lying.

You want the rest of it?

Cat, don't.

I did it because I wanted to save Flint and I wanted to kill you.

Desperately.

So, you were the one who hired Addison.

Yes.

You're the one who told the mayor about my booze delivery.

Yes.

- You're my Judas. - That's right.

So go ahead and kill me.

But do it because you want me dead,

not because you think it'll prove something about Ben.

The only thing he's guilty of

is being in way over his head.

You see, Reilly?

That's the difference between convinced...

...and certain.

- No-- - Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Whoa, whoa!

Did I come at a bad time?

Not at all.

Silvermane was just teaching us a lesson

about how to kill a defenseless woman.

Sorry about that.

Go to hell.

Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?

Eh, that's close enough for my taste.

- How's it going, Reilly? - Peachy.

Look, you wanted me to come, so I came.

What do you want?

I like that.

Straight and to the point.

Let's talk business.

Yeah, let's.

I don't believe for a second

that you're working for the mayor.

You're too bright and he's too dumb.

So why don't you come work for me?

You can't beat us. Why not join us?

Who says I can't beat you?

Me, for one.

I'll second that.

I'm sorry,

are you forgetting that I'm The Spider?

And I can kick both your asses?

Actually, not to overstep,

but I suggest you hear Mr. Byrne out.

I-I'm sorry, you want me to listen to Silvermane?

I'm merely saying, if we're being honest,

you're not as young as you once were.

Oh, I'm actually in great shape.

Yeah. Fit as a fiddle.

- Downright spry. - I'm merely suggesting

you might not want to leap headlong into confrontation

so soon after your big battle with Lonnie Lincoln.

Oh.

Yeah. You might want to take a break.

You know, rest up.

Right.

So, why don't you give him the antidote

and you give me my two G's and we can all be on

- our merry ways? - Yeah.

My, oh, my.

How interesting.

So many plotlines to follow.

How about we add one more?

Found her skulking around outside.

- I'm so sorry, Ben. I shouldn't have-- - Quiet, lady.

And look what she had on her, boss.

W-What? You-you wanted me to just bring the stuff in here?

Seemed dumb.

You're right, this is much better.

Huh.

So, this is what the fuss is all about, huh?

Bring it here.

Yeah, yeah, just give me one second there.

How's that feel?

Why the hell did you do that?

Just wanted to see if it worked.

Yep. Seems like it does.

Give it here, buddy.

What, these?

Yeah. No games.

Oh.

But what if I want to play a game?

And let's call it "Why Should I?"

I'm not in the business of explaining myself.

Not to you, not to anybody.

Now hand it over.

The Spider's no threat now.

So, I'm wondering,

why is it that you're so keen

on having whatever's in these syringes?

You see, I think

it's because you want to control us.

You want to have power over us.

Flint, take care of this guy for me.

Otherwise, why don't I just smash these last two vials,

and we'll just call it a day?

Flint, you're still with me, son.

You both are.

You know I would never touch a hair on her head.

You know what to do.

Does he?

Now, his girlfriend, she knew what to do.

You just didn't have the balls.

Careful.

He's not your friend, Flint.

He's not even your boss.

He's your puppet master.

Pulling on your strings

and making you dance.

But why let him?

Look at him.

He's not special.

He's just an old man in an expensive suit,

fighting to stay relevant.

Consider your words carefully, my boy.

They may be your last.

Now...

let's see who's behind the mask.

What the hell?

The reporter?

Holy sh--

Uh...

Robbie? Come on.

- Hijo de tu madre.

Duck!

Ben, behind you!

- Ben. - Robbie.

Robbie. Is he okay?

Yeah, I think so.

I get why you don't like this job.

Hi, fellas.

Can I get you a drink?

- Is that The Spider? - What's going on here?

Lookie, lookie.

All right. Here goes nothing.

Come and get it.

Oh, no.

What happened?

After all I did for you,

it breaks my heart that you'd betray me like that.

No, it breaks your heart that you didn't see it was me.

Is this because of that dentist?

You'd have never have been happy with him,

filling cavities in some New Jersey suburb.

I saved your life when I got rid of him.

First the dentist, then Flint.

You sure can pick them, can't you?

That's right. I can pick my men,

I can pick my dresses

and I can pick my songs.

Liar. You loved being kept.

You loved being cared for.

Fed, dressed.

Painted head to toe.

Not a hair out of place.

Not a care in the world but that perch on the stage.

The focus of all admiration.

Never be satisfied. Is that what you said?

Don't accept what's given to you.

My one regret...

is I only get to kill you once.

The truth is, my love...

...I'm happy it's you.

Oh, come on!

You know, I suppose I should thank you.

For saving your life back in France?

If we're being honest...

I have regrets.

No, no, no, no.

For giving me the one thing I always wanted.

Look at me now, Ma!

I'm a star!

You're not a star.

But you are sick.

And the stronger your power becomes, the sicker you get.

But I can help you.

No, thanks, pal.

Save your cure for the saps.

Is he all right?

Ah...

Behind you!

That's not good.

"The Spider," huh?

Looks more like a dog to me.

A bastard cur, at that.

Hey. Look at him squirm.

Some hero you turned out to be.

- I think you proved your point. - You kidding me?

I've waited my whole life for this.

My star turn on Broadway.

A sold-out show.

Packed house, standing room only.

Oh, boo yourself.

Say goodbye to The Spider, everyone.

Stop!

Oh, honey.

I don't believe for one second you're gonna pull that trigger.

Oh.

Hmm.

What a shame.

No!

Aww. Well, well, well.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are in luck.

Tonight will be a double bill.

Featuring me, your leading man Megawatt,

versus the Sandman.

No, I don't think he likes his new nickname.

Aww.

It seems like our show has reached its final act.

The denouement.

Good night, sweet prince.

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Well done, Spider.

I still have one left.

Why?

You know why.

So does he.

- Spider! - You look great.

- Thank you, Spider. - Really appreciate it.

Rest in peace.

You're looking well.

Thanks to you.

Can we have a moment?

Yeah.

I love Flint.

But in a different world, I really would have run away with you.

You know that, right?

It's one thing to use a guy.

It's another to try and keep him on the hook

after you've set sail for shore.

Go to hell, Ben.

I have.

I'm keeping it warm for you.

Thank you!

Thank you, New York.

Proud to be your mayor!

You believed in me, and...

You know, I still don't know if he's a Republican or a Democrat.

Well, what'd it say on the little box when you voted for him?

I put the X where it said, "Vote for crap."

You see that?

You see how it wobbles. Let's have it not do that.

You heard the lady. No wobblin'.

How's a guy supposed to do his geometricals on a wobbly desk?

Well, back to the salt mines.

So, after all that,

I get a newspaper to run,

Morris wins, Flint gets the girl

and Janet gets a new office.

What do you get?

A new lease on life?

I'll just settle for a really good hot dog.

The paperweight lives.

Reilly Ruiz Investigations.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, absolutely, we're open. I can slot you in at...

You know what? You're in luck, we just had a cancellation for 2:00 p.m.

Great.

See you then.

Why 2:00?

Makes us seem busy.

Also, uh, I want that hot dog.

- Robbie's buying. - Hmm?

What? You run your own newspaper now.

Yeah, and it pays worse than the Bugle.

Come on, Robertson. You don't want to buy me a hot dog?