Deleted Scene From Villains United #5

Here's a scene which the editor wisely made me delete. I was awful about it, but in retrospect, though it says some interesting things, I think he's right that it's too static for that point in the story. I'M SORRY, STEVE!

PAGE FOUR:

Full page panel, the Six, in formal civilian clothes (tuxes and gowns), exiting an off-Broadway theater. Catman and Ragdoll wear theirs fantastically (Ragdoll still has on his mask and wig), Deadshot is yanking at his collar in disgust, Cheshire wears a Chinese silken gown, and Scandal wears a stunning formal gown. Ragdoll has one arm on Parademon’s shoulder (his tux fits him poorly, by the way), who is overcome with the emotion of the musical. It’s night, and a bit windy, so hair and gowns are blowing with the wind a bit.

They’re walking out of a theater that’s just shown the musical, ‘CATS,’ which we want to hint at, but not convey blatantly. So perhaps, a bit of the poster or marquee, but not the full thing. Some other theater goers come out behind them, including a heavy-set woman wearing a leopard-skin stole around her shoulders.

DEADSHOT: Well, THAT was a complete DUMPLOAD.

TITLE AND CREDITS (Dale, it might be fun to put the credits on newspapers blowing by, and the theater posters, maybe?)

VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION

Gail Simone: Writer

Dale Eaglesham: Penciller

Wade VonGrawbadger: Inker

Jared K. Fletcher: Letterer

Sno-Cone: Colorist

Harvey Richards: Asst. Editor

Stephen Wacker: Editor

PAGE FIVE:

PANEL ONE: The ParaDemon, forlorn and sad, as a calm RagDoll tries to console him.

PARADEMON: But...but it was so SAD when the disgusting old hag cat is making that hideous noise about her happier past!

PARADEMON: Will she EVER be happy AGAIN, I ask you all?

RAGDOLL: there, there, little ParaDemon.

RAGDOLL: i was sad, too, but mainly for myself, having to sit

through it all.

PANEL TWO: Cheshire, hangs on Catman’s shoulder, as they walk.

CHESHIRE: Did the daddy-to-be enjoy the show?

CATMAN: Don’t say that--it’s making me sick to my stomach.

RAGDOLL (off panel): an affliction we share, Catman. I think

it was the lyrics.

PANEL THREE: Deadshot, lighting up a cigarette, his tie and collar undone.

DEADSHOT: All I can say is, them felines are lucky I came

unarmed.

DEADSHOT: One clip cleans an alley, I always say.
PANEL FOUR: Catman, looking puzzled for a second...as an outraged ParaDemon screams towards Deadshot, right behind him (catman).

CATMAN: WHAT did you just say, Lawton?

PARADEMON: YOU!

PARADEMON: Don’t shoot the KITTIES!

PARADEMON: THE POOR, DANCING KITTIES!

CATMAN: Repeat what you just said.

PANEL FIVE: Lawton turns, stone-faced, cigarette dangling.

LAWTON: What?

LAWTON: It was a JOKE, Blake.

PANEL SIX: Blake, close up, squinting a little bit.

BLAKE: Okay.

BLAKE: Sorry.

LAWTON (off-panel): Forget it.

PAGE SIX:

PANEL ONE: The group stands, as Scandal takes her communicator inconspicuously from her handbag as Deadshot watches her, a bit contemptuously.

CATMAN: Come on, we can beat the traffic...

SCANDAL: Just checking in with Mockingbird. Won’t be a

moment.

DEADSHOT: Lady, you take to the leash better than any

dog I know.

PANEL TWO: Scandal’s eyes, flashing with anger. ParaDemon and RagDoll are behind her, not paying attention at all.

SCANDAL: You don’t KNOW me, Deadshot. Let’s keep it that

way.

PARADEMON: I’ll eat his LIVER if he shoots the KITTIES.

RAGDOLL: yes, yes, we’ll all eat his liver if he shoots the kitties.

PANEL THREE: Catman turns to the woman with the fur, who just reeks of privilege...

CATMAN: Pardon me, Madam...might I ask if that stole is real?

WOMAN: What a RIDICULOUS question.

WOMAN: Of COURSE it’s re...

PANEL FOUR: Catman smashes the woman in the face with his fist, to Cheshire’s delight.

FX (punch): WHAAMM

PANEL FIVE: Catman, dragging a grinning Cheshire behind him (by the hand). Cheshire’s openly laughing at the woman lying on the sidewalk, unconscious as a grim-faced Catman walks away. ParaDemon, suddenly cheerful, is in the background.

CATMAN: Fur is murder.

CATMAN: Let’s go.

PARADEMON: Let’s see it AGAIN!

PAGE SEVEN:

PANEL ONE: They walk into a parking garage, again, it’s night. There’s a large black van, that’s where they’re headed. They’re still in their formal outfits, obviously.

CATMAN: You SURE the van’s clean of bugs, Scandal?

SCANDAL: I swept it myself, Catman.

SCANDAL: I guarantee--neither MOCKINGBIRD nor the SOCIETY can hear us.

PANEL TWO: Catman following Cheshire into the van, by the side door. Deadshot grabs Scandal not-quite-gently-enough by the arm, before she can enter.

CATMAN: Good. We have some new BUSINESS to cover.

DEADSHOT: Listen...uh, Scandal.

DEADSHOT: What I said back there--

DEADSHOT: That wasn’t cool. Sorry.

PANEL THREE: Deadshot, looking at her sincerely, but with intent, still holding her arm.

DEADSHOT: I need to SEE you tonight.

SCANDAL: Deadshot...FLOYD.

SCANDAL: I can’t...

DEADSHOT: PLEASE.

DEADSHOT: All right, I said it.

PANEL FOUR: RagDoll is in the driver’s seat, ParaDemon riding shotgun, with Catman and Cheshire in the middle seats, and Deadshot and Scandal behind them.

PARADEMON: I feel a lust in my blood for CHICKEN NUGGETS.

RAGDOLL: as I evacuated during the ‘show,’ I can’t see the harm.

CATMAN: All right, people. We’ve been avoiding the subject.

CATMAN: Knowledge is power. It’s also, occasionally, a hand grenade with the PIN pulled.

PANEL FIVE: Catman’s face, every bit the jungle lord, very serious.

CATMAN: The Society intends to mindwipe every superhero on

Earth.

CATMAN: The question is--

CATMAN: --what do we DO with that little scrap of intelligence?