The Incredible Whitey

[Anthony Jordan]

*The scene opens up with Whitey Ford walking down the street reading a book. When the camera zooms in, the book is revealed as "A Brief History of Time" by Steven Hawking. Whitey turns the page and nods and slowly looks disappointed. He flips through a few more pages before resigning himself from the book and giving it to a beggar on the sidewalk.*

Ford: "Way to dumb it down, Steven. I thought you would have at least given me a challenge."

*Whitey continues on his way until he reaches a building. He shoves open the doors. As he does, a woman in a lab coat turns and watches him enter. She puts down what she's working on and exclaims as she runs toward the wrestler.*

Woman: "Whitey!"

*She throws her arms around Whitey in an embrace. Whitey reaches around and pats her back in a show of politeness even though his body language is one of discomfort and confusion.*

Ford: "Hi, Betty."

*The embrace is broken as Betty smiles at Whitey as she brushes her some hair that fell out of her ponytail out of her face. An awkward silence takes place until Betty speaks up.*

Betty: "Weren't you cold? It's winter in the Southern Hemisphere, you know?"

Ford: "It's a mental thing. I didn't feel cold, so I wasn't."

*Killing all small talk with a simple answer and a still face, Whitey notices that Betty looks disappointed and speaks up.*

Ford: "So how are the experiments going?"

Betty: "Oh right!"

*With her mind back on business, Betty rushes over to the coat rack and picks up a green lab coat and tosses it to Whitey. He catches it and puts it on as she grins and shakes her head.*

Betty: "Green?"

Ford: "Feels appropriate."

*She smiles again, then turns and walks deeper into the laboratory with Whitey in tow.*

Betty: "Your theories on gamma radiation have all looked to be correct! Tests on human tissue show that certain organs are more resistant to it, namely the liver."

*She points out some petri dishes to Whitey before turning around and smiling.*

Betty: "We could enhance the human liver, at the very least! Liver diseases would be a thing of the past, and it is all thanks to you. You saved this lab! We were going under before you showed up, but now we'll have all the money and fame we could ever want thanks to your findings!"

*Betty hugs Whitey again and kisses him on the cheek. In spite of himself, Whitey lets a small smile creep onto his face. After a few seconds, Whitey shakes his head and pushes Betty away.*

Ford: "I need to leave."

Betty: "Why?"

Ford: "There are aspects of my personality that I can't control."

*Whitey turns away and leans over on a table as his hands brush through his hair. Betty reaches out and touches Whitey's shoulder. Whitey violently jerks away.*

Ford: "Stay away! I'm a monster!"

*Whitey runs out of the lab and sprints down the street. He turns two blocks down and keeps running until he hears a familiar voice.*

Voice: "Hold up, USCW-ger!"

*Whitey stops and sees "The Role Model" in his black and yellow sports car. Jordan quickly parallel parks and steps out of his car. Wearing a classic USCW T-shirt and khakis, as per normal, Jordan walks up to Whitey.*

Jordan: "Normally, I am not worried when you disappear and cannot be contacted. I know you are probably in a holding cell, but this time is different. I did not know what to expect."

*Whitey rests against the building as he is getting his air back.*

Jordan: "People have called me with your exploits. I did not know whether to believe them or not."

*Whitey has no reply, but just continues resting.*

Jordan: "Charities receiving funding for years thanks to a man giving them budgeting ideas; scientists gaining hope for the future; humanity getting a little hope..."

*Jordan chuckles as he walks over to the wall and leans against it next to Whitey.*

Jordan: "How does it feel to be wrong?"

Ford: "What do you mean?"

Jordan: "You said I would not like you when you are sober, but heck, who could not like you?"

*Whitey stares daggers into Jordan.*

Ford: "You like me when I'm sober."

*Picking up the hint, Jordan responds.*

Jordan: "You are leaving a life you have known for years. Adjustment takes time."

Ford: "You don't fucking get it!"

Jordan: "Watch the language, Whitey. We are in public."

*That snide comment is enough to make Whitey stand up and face Jordan.*

Ford: "Fuck the language and fuck you! I'm a fucking monster!"

Jordan: "How can you even think that?"

Ford: "Do you want people's lives and careers in the hands of me? ME! Whitey Ford!"

Jordan: "Jealousy is the green monster, not you."

*Both men look at Whitey's green lab coat.*

Ford: "Look! What sane man wears a green lab coat! They should have shunned me for that alone."

Jordan: "Funny how people are tolerant of those with hearts big enough to do the good you have done."

*Ford inhales and exhales deeply before shaking his head.*

Ford: "I don't have a heart."

Jordan: "Then why do what you did?"

*Whitey looks up to the sky and holds out his arms.*

Ford: "I don't know! I just...get these ideas in my head, and I act on them. No reason, I just do it!"

*Whitey falls to his knees before punching the sidewalk. "The Role Model" finally stands up and pats Whitey on the shoulder.*

Jordan: "The sidewalk has had enough, and so have you. Stop hurting both of them."

Ford: "Maybe you're..."

*A loud explosion is heard off-screen causing Jordan and Ford to jerk their heads in that direction. Whitey looks on in horror. He stands up and pushes Jordan into the wall while gripping the collar of his shirt with his fist.*

Ford: "I told you this would happen! It was only a matter of time until I hurt people!"

*Whitey runs away at full speed. Jordan thinks about giving chase, but turns to see what the explosion was. As he turns the corner, he runs into Betty.*

Jordan: "Sorry, ma'am."

Betty: "Wait, are you Anthony Jordan?"

Jordan: "Not the right time for an autograph."

*Jordan tries to run, but Betty grabs his arm.*

Betty: "You know Whitey."

*Jordan looks at Betty as he starts remembering her voice.*

Jordan: "Miss Ross?"

Betty: "Yes, have you seen Whitey?"

Jordan: "Yeah, he bolted after the explosion. Are you okay? What happened at the laboratory?"

*Betty looks confused.*

Betty: "Nothing."

Jordan: "I heard an explosion."

Betty: "An old office building a few blocks down is being demolished."

*Jordan looks down and shakes his head.*

Jordan: "Dang it, Whitey."

Betty: "Where is he? Is he okay?"

Jordan: "He ran away thinking he caused the explosion."

*Betty looks down before hugging "The Role Model."*

Jordan: "It is going to be okay. He will show back up. He needs time to deal with who he is now."

*Betty steps back.*

Betty: "He called himself a monster."

Jordan: "His mind is warped. Who he is now is who he should be. The monster is who he was."

Betty: "I hope he sees it that way."

Jordan: "I am going to try to chase him down and convince him of that, Miss Ross. I will give him your regards."

*Jordan runs off to the his car as the scene switches to show Whitey walking down a road with his left arm out and his thumb pointing out. He continues on his way as a sad, piano tune plays before fading to black.*