Original subtitles

(solemn music)

(alarm beeping)

(dramatic music) (alarm wails)

- Get it all, Cyber Punks, every computer,

every keyboard and every scanner.

Don't forget those virtual reality chips.

- [Dispatcher] Attention, all units,

there's a 211 in Angel Communications.

All units in the vicinity, please respond.

(dramatic music) (tires squealing)

- Activate auto-transform.

(energy crackles)

(engine revs)

(alarm beeping)

(glass clattering)

Aren't you boys out kind of late for a school night?

- Black Scorpion.

(strikes thudding) (dramatic music)

Look, we were just doin' our homework.

- Let me guess, breaking and entering?

- More like assault and battery.

Get her!

(strikes thudding) (Cyber Punks grunting)

- I'd give that an A for effort.

- Here's an apple for the teacher.

(monitor clatters)

(strikes thudding)

Looks like I go to the head of the class.

- School's not out yet.

(beam crackles)

(strikes thudding) (Cyber Punks grunting)

Class dismissed.

(tires squealing) (sirens wailing)

(dramatic music)

(explosion booming)

(tires squealing)

Fire.

(explosion booming)

- [Narrator] In the light of day, Darcy Walker is a cop.

But in the dark of night, she becomes Black Scorpion.

(dramatic music)

Doing with a mask what she can't do with a badge.

(dramatic music)

- Open your eyes and you'll get a great big surprise.

- Artie. (Artie chuckling)

- What is it?

- It's a laptop.

- I thought I was your laptop.

- Yeah, well, this one will actually keep track

of my affairs (laughs).

- I don't need a computer to do that.

We started having an affair,

five years ago on Valentine's Day.

- Ah, what I mean is this will keep track

of my appointments.

For instance,

all I have to do is press this one button,

and (laughing) voila,

there's my nine o'clock with Dr Bellum.

- (coughs) Uh, Mayor Worth?

- [Artie] Uh, (chuckling) uh, um, yes.

- Good morning, I hope I'm not late.

- Ah, no, not at all, please sit.

What can I do to help you?

- Well, actually, Mayor, you've got it backwards,

because I'm here to help you get re-elected.

- Yeah, well, ah, how are you going to do that?

- I have a proposal to implement new technology

for the poor, which would help you lower the crime rate

and reduce overcrowding.

Did you receive my proposal? - Proposal?

- (giggling) I'll go get it.

- Oh, no, no no, Babette, uh, I have it right here.

(computer beeps)

Oh, yes, you're the dingbat, I mean the doctor who wants me

to spend millions of dollars giving video games to the poor.

- Well, actually, what I want

to do is give the disadvantaged an advantage

with virtual reality housing.

Although I will admit the technology is similar to

but levels above Wrath of Warriors.

- Uh, Wrath of Warriors?

- That's the game I invented, which is a stepping stone

to my virtual reality housing project,

except for instead of transporting the privileged

in a medieval battle, we'd be transporting the poor

into what can only be described as a virtual paradise.

- You mean they live inside your computer?

- Well, not exactly.

You see, their bodies would go into a profound state

of unconsciousness nourished by life support systems,

and that would then leave their minds free

to explore the vast regions of the imagination.

- Yes, well, uh, what sounds real to me is the cost.

- But how can you put a price on someone's happiness, Mayor?

- The cost I'm talking about is losing the election.

The poor don't vote.

- Let's face it, Mayor, these people are miserable.

- They're poor.

(laughs) They're supposed to be miserable.

The answer is no!

(dramatic music)

- Specs, Slugger,

our snitch from the Hell To Pay Pawn Shop just called

with a tip on stolen computers.

Go check it out.

- Not now, Cap.

Sir Slugger is defending the peasants of Pondovia

in virtual reality. - Ha, ha, ha!

Hi-ya, hi-ya, hi-ya!

Retreat or feel the blade

of my rapier, ye hard-hearted scoundrels!

(fighters grunting) (epic music)

- All right, Slugger,

that's enough! (Slugger grunting)

- Cap, I don't think he can hear you.

He's immersed himself in a world of virtual reality.

- Look, help me get that thing off him. (Slugger grunting)

- Oh egad, I'm being accosted by old Sarge.

Oh, hey, what's the idea, Cap?

- The big idea is to fight real bad guys,

not pretend ones.

Now giddy up or sally forth

or whatever it is you knights do.

- Come on, Galahad.

- I can't believe two grown men can get so excited

over a silly game.

- Darcy, Darcy, this is not just a game.

All right, Wrath of Warrior takes you to a whole new level

of exhilaration never experienced before by the human body.

I mean, that's at least what the ad say, you know.

I mean, come on, Darce, it's fun.

Haven't you ever, uh, fantasized

about being with someone else?

- Actually, yes, I have.

- Uh-huh, uh-huh, and?

- And-- - Ah.

- I prefer reality.

- Well, you know,

whoever invented this game is certainly living

in a fantasy land.

I mean, they made enough

that they probably bought their own personal castle.

(dramatic music)

(fighters grunting)

- Increase difficulty level.

(soldiers grunt)

Modify response system for instant reaction time.

(fighter grunting) (weapons clanging)

Increase thrust on vertical leap.

(solemn music) (fighters grunting)

Increase difficulty level to maximum.

(fighters grunting) (weapons clanging)

Enhance combat skills.

(fighters grunting) (weapons clanging)

(soldier yelling)

Load new environment.

(fighters grunting) (horse neighs)

Alpha test the parameters in the new scenario.

(fighters grunting) (weapons clanging)

(Sarah laughs)

(solemn music)

(soldiers grunt)

Parameters perfected.

(dramatic music) (fire roars)

- Dr Bellum, Gigawitz and I have been waiting all day

for you to get out of that game.

- Soon, it will no longer be just a game world, Bytofsky.

I'm inside the virtual world perfecting its parameters.

I need to figure out what we're gonna do now

that the mayor's rejected our proposal.

- But what are our choices?

Dr Bellum, we're gonna have to go back to Angel Com

and beg them for our jobs back.

- We're never going back there.

Our game made that company rich,

and they refused to offer us profit participation.

(scoffs) Why would we even consider going back?

- Because we live with the poor people.

- Bytofsky, these people are just like you and me,

forced to work for slave wages just

to put food on their table,

and they deserve better!

They're never gonna have it, not as long as

that tyrant sits on the mayor's throne.

- Tyrant?

Dr Bellum, this isn't one of your games.

- No.

No, it isn't.

(sighs) If it were, I'd have a chance of winning.

We all would.

- Are you all right, Dr Bellum?

- No, I'm not.

There's much fighting to do.

Come on, let's go back in.

(electronic music)

(Sarah screams)

(weapons clanging) (fighters grunting)

(solemn music)

- Score.

(fighters grunting) (weapons clanging)

(ominous music)

(static hissing) (fighters grunting)

- We're being robbed.

(electricity crackling) (scientists grunting)

(scientists laughing)

(energy crackling) (Sarah laughs)

(computer beeping)

- [Dispatcher] Attention, all units,

we have a possible 211 at Angel Comm,

All available units in the vicinity please respond.

(siren wails)

- Don't wait up.

(dramatic music)

(tires squeal) (engine revs)

(siren wails)

- Well, well, well.

This is what I call an upgrade.

- All this circuitry makes me feel like a computer.

- Yeah, I feel like uploading something.

- Well, don't wait for me to push your Command keys, girls.

We've got equipment to replace.

(dramatic music) (engine revs)

(keypad beeping)

(engine revs)

(upbeat music)

(Gig and Byte grunting)

(engine revs)

- All right, people, it's all loaded up. We're ready to go.

- [Sarah] We will be, too,

in about 30,000 terabytes per second.

- [Gig] What are you doing?

- Just transferring some of Mayor Worth's campaign funds

for our program (chuckles).

- Sorry, but I think your program has a bug in it.

- [Gig And Byte] Black Scorpion?

- You know, you three aren't the cyberpunks I was expecting.

- I'm Mindbender, the latest model in computer criminals,

and these are my components.

- I'm Gig.

- And I'm Byte.

- And they're about to make you a memory.

Girls.

(dramatic music)

(fighters grunting) (strikes thudding)

(dramatic music)

(computer beeps)

(fighters grunt) (strikes thud)

Well, it looks as though you've disabled my extensions.

- And you're next.

(Darcy grunts)

- Too bad you can't short circuit me, Black Scorpion.

- We'll see about that.

(energy crackles)

- Oh, didn't I tell you.

My mainframe is equipped with a surge protector.

Too bad yours isn't. (energy crackles)

(Darcy groans)

(siren wails)

Gig, Byte, let's hit our Escape keys

before the cops make us freeze.

(solemn music)

- Black Scorpion.

Looks like I got you right where I want you.

I've been fantasizing about this moment

for a long time.

You're under arrest.

- I've been fantasizing about this moment, too, Detective.

And I'm posting bail.

(Steve grunts)

(dramatic music)

(tires squeal)

Access vehicular tracking system.

Search a 30-block radius.

(engine revs) (dramatic music)

- You sure threw Black Scorpion offline, Mindbender.

- Yeah, she won't be loggin' on again anytime soon.

(engine revs)

- Unfortunately, it looks

as though she's found a new server.

(tires squeal)

(engine revs)

- She's gaining on us.

- Her modem's a lot faster than ours.

- So what do we do?

- Let's make this a hard drive for her, shall we?

(tires screeching)

(engine revs) (dramatic music)

- Engage arsenal.

(gun clicks)

Fire.

(gun fires)

- She's trying to delete us.

- Careful, Black Scorpion,

there's a virus going around.

(Sarah laughs)

(device crackles)

(explosion booms)

(Darcy grunts)

(tire squeals)

(gun fires)

Hey, Black Scorpion,

you've got mail.

(Sarah laughs)

(explosions boom)

(gun fires)

(Byte squeals)

(tires screeching)

Now if you're gonna use your hardware,

I'm going to use mine.

(explosion booms)

(engine revs)

(tires squeal)

- What's that?

- It's my latest invention,

the electromagnetic pulsator,

guaranteed to crash any computer,

including one on wheels.

(explosion booms)

(tires squealing)

(computer crackles)

- Damn.

- Does Artie wanna party?

- Ah, not now, Babette.

I haven't finished playing with this software.

- Well, what about my software?

It needs to be played with, too.

- Now, Babette, if I wanted to be nagged,

I'd go home to my wife.

- I hate that horrible thing.

- Well, so do I, but I'm married to her.

- I'm talking about the computer.

Can't we get rid of it?

- We cannot get rid of it.

We live in a computer world.

- Not yet, but you're on your way.

- Who are you?

- Well, I used to be Dr Sarah Bellum.

But now, I'm Mindbender. - What do you mean used to be?

- And I'm here to give you a dose of reality,

virtual reality.

(ominous music)

(dramatic music)

- Where are we?

(fighters grunting)

Ick, what are you wearing?

- The same thing you're wearing.

- Oh, double ick.

What happened to my nightie?

- Well, forget about your nightie.

What happened to us?

- Last thing I remember is having

that helmet shoved down my head.

- Helmet?

Oh, oh, Dr Bellum must have cyber-napped us.

She's put us inside her game.

- Oh do you know how to play?

- No, but I think we're about to find out.

- Oh Artie, look,

it's a pig man. - Ooh.

- Take these two slaves to the Great Hall.

- Slaves?

Will you quit poking me?

- You better be careful, Mr Mayor,

or you'll find out what a killer virtual reality can be.

- So now that you know your program works, what next?

- We implement the technology citywide.

- Isn't that gonna cost us a lot of money?

- Mayor Worth authorized the budget.

- What are you talking about?

- I hacked into his computer

and transferred his re-election funds.

- And how long do you plan on keeping them

in Wrath of Warriors?

- Until my virtual reality housing project is a success.

- And if he and his secretary

don't survive the game that long?

- Well, then we dump their bodies in the Angel River.

It's like I always say,

out of sight, out of mind.

(ominous music)

- Oh no.

(Steve laughs)

- Hey, you got a book, a magazine, something?

- Come on then.

What you got, baby?

- Argyle! - What you got, huh?

Woo! - Argyle!

(epic music)

- Is that the best you got?

(epic music)

Oh, I mess with guys twice as big

and three times as ugly.

Take that!

- It ain't no use, girlfriend.

If you want his attention, you just got to do what I do.

- Yeah, baby, your mama!

Yeah, who da man up in here?

The man!

Oh, oh!

Are you crazy, woman?

- I must be a crazy woman

for staying with a fool like you.

(Argyle scoffs)

Did you fix Darcy's car yet?

- I was going to, but I had

to go kick some peasant's butt (laughs), yeah.

- I'm gonna kick your butt

if I catch you playing that game again.

You just like those damsels in distress.

- You're not really

into this Wrath of Warrior stuff, are you?

- Oh, Blue, you got to try it.

You just (whooshes).

- I do my fair share of role-playing, thank you.

- Hey, Walker, come on.

(hand claps) Let's go.

The captain just radioed with an emergency.

- What kind of an emergency?

- Although the police are reluctant to call it a kidnapping,

they have no explanation for the mysterious disappearance

of Mayor Worth and his secretary.

- Well, hopefully, we can explain it when Walker

and Rafferty get back from City Hall.

That's where I sent 'em to see

if they could turn up any leads.

- We got one. - Cap, listen to this.

According to Mayor Worth's computer datebook,

his last appointment was with a Dr Sarah Bellum.

- Ooh, correct me if I'm wrong,

but is that not the fair damsel

who concocted our favorite diversion, Wrath of Warriors?

- All right then, you knights in polyester,

go forth and check it out.

- Off we ride to fulfill our noble quest.

- [Slugger] Hey ho.

(Henry laughs)

- Oh come on, you two.

I just needed a little break from all that pansy talk.

Besides, Dr Bellum isn't a real lead.

I mean, what could Slugger and Specs possibly get from her?

- Wrath of Warriors, the Deluxe Edition.

- Wow.

- Would you like to try it?

- Uh, yeah.

Yeah, but we're actually here to ask you

about the meeting you had with the mayor.

- Uh, that's what you said,

but you didn't say how you found out about it.

- His computer.

- Oh I forgot about that,

that you officers can be so resourceful.

Did you two find out about the appointment on your own?

- Well, actually--

- Actually, we did.

We're what you might call cyber-cops, ma'am.

Anything to do with computers,

that's our specialty.

Take Wrath of Warriors, for instance.

We could defeat the entire army

with just a rock and a slingshot.

- We can?

(Slugger hisses)

- Would you like a demonstration?

- Oh yeah!

- Do you mind if I set the difficulty level

to Master of the Game?

- Oh give it everything you got.

- Go big or go home, Doc.

(ominous music) - I intend to.

(computer beeps) (Slugger and Specs yell)

- [Slugger] Oh my God, where are we?

- We're in the VR world.

- [Slugger] Ah, are we supposed to fight

that whole army on our own?

- Well, you're the one

that said all we needed was a rock and a slingshot.

- Specs, I just got a tip on some stolen computers,

down at the Hell to Pay Pawn Shop.

Where the hell did those two disappear to, this time?

- Well, Cap, you assigned them our case, remember?

- Oh.

Well, then it's only fair that I assign theirs to you.

Check out the lead on the pawn shop.

- Right on it, Cap.

- No, no, not you, Rafferty, her.

- Wait a minute, Cap.

You're splitting us up?

- No, I want Rafferty to go see Dr Bellum.

- Yeah, but you already sent Specs and Slugger there.

- Yeah, well, they should've been back, two hours ago.

If I know those two nincompoops,

they're probably sittin' on their butts,

playing Wrath of Warriors.

Anyway, see if you can grab 'em

and bring 'em back here to face

the Wrath of Strickland. (siren wails)

(tire squeals)

(engine revs)

(dramatic music)

- Come on.

- [Henry] That tip on the pawn shop just became a 211.

Any units in the vicinity, please respond.

- Control, Unit 184 en route to location.

- Activate auto-transform.

(engine revs)

- Hurry up, man, I got a date.

- Speaking of dates, I think you two have one

with Warden Brickhouse at Pearl Gate Penitentiary.

- He ain't my type.

Let's get her. - Yeah.

(fighters grunting) (strikes thudding)

(siren wails) (dramatic music)

- [Man In Hat] Come on!

(sirens wailing) (tires screeching)

(dramatic music)

(siren wails)

- Do you copy?

I have the Scorpion up there in sight.

She just passed me.

- Copy that, we'll make a barricade

at Paradise Alley.

(tires squeal)

(engine revs) (dramatic music)

Black Scorpion traveling south

on Paradise Alley, request backup for pursuit.

(engine revs) (dramatic music)

(tires screech) (sirens wail)

(gun firing)

(engine revs) (sirens wail)

(panel beeps)

(tires squeal)

(cop yells)

(engine revs)

(energy crackles)

- I'm sorry I can't help you, Detective,

but I don't know your fellow officers.

- So you're saying that Slugger and Specs never came by?

- Specs and Slugger?

- I know, I know. You don't have to say it.

They sound like characters in one of your video games.

- You don't know how right you are.

- And you're certain that they never stopped by?

- I think I would remember them, Detective.

- I think you would, too. One's about this tall, handsome,

wears very thick glasses.

The other one's really short, really big nose

and always has a baseball cap on,

a lot like that one, right there.

Drop it.

(solemn music)

(Sarah laughs)

- Don't tell me a big, strong man like you is afraid

of a tiny, little mouse.

(Steve laughs)

- I'm sorry.

I thought it was a weapon.

- Actually, it is, and it's quite dangerous.

- A mouse?

- Don't let appearances deceive you, Detective.

My weapon may look simple,

but it's a lot more lethal than yours.

Although, it does operate on the same principle.

Point and click. (energy buzzes)

(Steve grunting)

(ominous music)

(Steve grunting) (hooves clopping)

(solemn music) (Steve grunting)

(Steve groans)

- [Henry] Rafferty, Rafferty, come in, Rafferty.

Strickland to Rafferty, come in, Rafferty.

- Hey, Captain.

Steve's not back yet?

- No, and he's not answering his radio, either.

- What?

- First the mayor, then Babette

and then Slugger and Specs and now Rafferty.

How come everybody that comes in contact

with Dr Bellum disappears?

(ominous music)

(dramatic music) (engine revs)

(tires squeal) (engine revs)

(solemn music)

(computer beeping)

(crowd yelling)

(fighters grunting) (weapons thudding)

- [Slugger] Hey, hey, hey, watch it!

Who's that punk think he is?

- Judging by that steak knife,

I'd say he's boss!

- Oh Specs, Slugger.

- [Specs] What are you doing here?

- What do you mean here?

Where is here?

- We're in Wrath of Warriors.

- What are you talking about?

This isn't a game.

- Yes, it is, and Bellum's playing for keeps.

- Do you know where you are?

You're in one of the holding cages

for the gladiator arena.

(dramatic music) (fighters grunting)

(crowd cheering)

- No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I'm not fighting these two guys.

- No, of course not.

- Yeah, just the one that wins.

(crowd groans)

- [Woman] Get up, get up!

- (laughs) Look at me.

I'm not gonna have to fight either one of them (laughs).

- Okay.

Bring me Ovinor Ork.

(Ovinor grunts)

Throw this one in the pit with them all.

(Ovinor snorts)

(suspenseful music)

- [Sarah] How are our players doing?

- Well, they're still alive,

so far, anyway.

(dramatic music)

- Playtime's over.

- Oh no (chuckles),

it's just beginning.

(laser whines)

Gig, Byte, grab her.

Drag and drop her into a chair.

(Darcy grunting)

Let the mind games begin.

(thunder cracks)

(gears squeak)

(Darcy grunting)

- Mindbender, someone's just hacked

into the Wrath of Warriors prototype.

- What?

- What are you doing here?

- Playing Wrath of Warriors, just like you.

- What do you mean?

- Well, since Tender Lovin' took away my VR software,

I had to use the computer in the Scorpion Lair

to hack into Angel Com's mainframe

to check out the new game prototype.

- Which Dr Bellum stole.

- Dr Bellum?

- Yeah, she and Mindbender are one and the same.

- Whoever he is, he just rescued Walker.

- Gig, download the Slave Master to capture him,

while Byte terminates his connection.

- She must've hooked up a remote link in her apartment.

- [Guard] The intruder's in the torture chamber.

Men, follow me!

(guards grunting) (wood thudding)

- We'll give the doctor a virus to play with.

Here, I uploaded it from the computer

in the Scorpion Lair.

You're gonna need it.

- What for?

- To become Black Scorpion

and get Mindbender to the game.

If she were to enter the virtual world,

she would have to leave the real one,

and more importantly, her computer.

That would give me a chance

to recall her system. - Argyle!

- We got him, Mindbender.

He's out.

- Excellent.

Now change the encryption.

From now on, I don't want anyone in the game

who doesn't play by the rules, my rules.

(guards yell)

(solemn music)

(guests chattering) (festive music)

- Four grogs and one Manhattan.

- Who's the Manhattan for?

- Me.

(festive music)

I am sick of this, Artie.

The pig, he eats like a pig.

- Yeah, well, you should see these overlords.

They're not much better.

(dramatic music)

(Darcy grunting)

Isn't that Detective Walker?

- I don't care who she is.

I need help feeding that hog.

(Darcy grunting) (dramatic music)

(pig man snorts) (solemn music)

(dramatic music)

(energy crackles)

- Black Scorpion?

- How did she get in there?

- I don't know.

There's no way anyone could've bypassed our encryption.

- Well, apparently someone did,

you third-rate data processor.

(dramatic music)

(strikes thudding) (fighters grunting)

Now get in there and destroy her

before she ruins everything.

(mouse beeps)

(man grunts)

(fighters grunting) (strikes thudding)

- Our system's too slow for her.

- That's because our equipment's outdated.

- Oh I agree.

We're not compatible.

(women yell)

(crowd cheering)

Steve!

(fists thudding)

(Slave Master roars)

(fighters grunting) (strikes thudding)

(Slave Master groans)

- If you want someone killed right,

you got to do it yourself.

(ominous music)

(crowd yelling)

Black Scorpion, your presence here does not compute.

- I just wanted to get you in the game.

- Well, here I am.

Come on, let's play.

(strikes thudding) (fighters grunting)

(crowd yelling)

(pig man grunts)

Forgive me for quitting while I'm ahead, Black Scorpion,

but at least I'm leaving you in good hands.

(pig man snorts) (Darcy grunts)

(crowd chattering)

- Welcome back to reality, True Blue (laughs).

(solemn music)

- How did I get here?

- All the helmets were plugged into the mainframe.

All I had to do was switch your jack with Mindbender's.

So when she pressed the remote--

- I escaped instead of her.

- Exactly.

- Well, come on, let's switch back the others

before she tries again.

(dramatic music)

(mouse beeping)

(dramatic music)

(mouse beeping)

- What's going on? - Wake up.

(solemn music)

(Slave Master yells)

(mouse beeps)

(Steve sighs)

(dramatic music)

(Sarah groans)

(ominous music)

- Take her to the slave pit.

- (yells) This is my game!

I created you!

- Game's over.

(dramatic music)

- And although Mayor Worth has pulled the plug

on Dr Bellum's virtual reality housing project,

he is expected to announce a new program

that will make use of her technology.

- A virtual reality cellblock

in Pearl Gate Penitentiary.

This will cut down on violence

(camera clicks)

and not to mention overcrowding,

which will allow us to lock up three

or four prisoners in one cell, and I might add

that so far our test subjects are doing just fine.

(camera clicks)

(dramatic music) (prisoners grunting)

- [Sarah] Let us out of here!

Let us out (groans)!

- That's it, no more Wrath of Warriors for us.

- Wait a minute, you guys are really giving up the game?

- Yeah, this virtual reality stuff,

it's way too dangerous.

- No kidding.

- You know, I don't think there's anything wrong

with a little bit of fantasy.

- Really, what do you fantasize about?

I mean when you're playing.

- No, no, no, you'd laugh.

- Try me.

- Okay, okay, I'm a, uh,

I'm a knight.

See, I'm a heroic knight riding this mighty white stallion,

slaying fire-breathing dragons and rescuing the fair maiden.

- Ah. - Yeah.

- Who's the fair maiden?

(Steve babbles)

Oh wait, let me guess.

Black Scorpion.

- Come on, I said it was a fantasy, didn't I?

- Yeah, well, the trouble

with fantasy is it usually leaves you disappointed.

Why don't you find yourself a real woman?

- Ah, I don't know.

I guess I'm afraid that reality won't be

as exciting as fantasy.

- Ah, speaking of reality,

there's a robbery in progress at First Angel Bank.

- There, Romeo, exciting enough for ya?

- Move out.

(playful music)

(Henry laughs)

Thy reign of terror shall end as quickly

as the flower wilts in the first frost of winter!

Oh no, now they got me talking like a pansy.

Hi-ya!

(fighters grunt) (weapons clang)

(solemn music)

(dramatic music)