We open on Nox’s makeshift workshop. It’s not ideal but he’s making do with what’s available.
“You know the first iteration of my Toxin wasn’t successful. Even now when I try to evolve it and make it more potent, it sometimes falls short of my expectations.”
Nox walks into view in an ice-blue suit his voice filtering through his mask—a gas of the same colour following him.
“It can be a variable disappointment to have something you slaved over fail you. But imagine it happening repeatedly, over and over again…”
Our focus is drawn to the bigger picture and we see several shattered vials covered with what could only be assumed is a neutralizing agent.
“Every failure a disappointment. It’s frustratingly maddening. To have tried to do things by the scientific method but have everything come out a perversion of expectations.”
We can read a slight sneer under the mask of the Chemist.
“It makes me think of how George Cade must view his firstborn… eh, Jackson? As an Eagle, you fell like a rock when kicked from the nest. As a beat cop, your definition of protect and serve was to get your fellow officers led directly to being bloody art displays of Jasper Redgrave’s. As a Champion, you came up short allowing the rise of The Ferryman and his despotism. Now, your father looks on with pleading eyes for you to stop Redgrave from turning your brother into his next masterpiece knowing that you’ve failed everyone who’s ever put their trust in you. I mean look at poor Harry Attano, the man trusted your word that his daughter was dead. You were wrong, and now your father lords the knowledge of his daughter over his head.”
Nox reaches into his suit producing a vial which almost glows a florescent blue.
*Tink. Tink.*
He flicks the vial with his index finger as a sinister smile ignites a spark in his eyes.
“But dear Sheriff this week it all settles in. You’re not the hero everyone needs. You’re the failed experiment that’s led to your brother’s existence. You will breathe deep of the thin blue gas and relive every failure. From the shooting of Benjamin Pegg to being trussed up like a stuck hog, bleeding out as Redgrave cackles at your misery. Soon, it’ll morph into CJ in your place as you watch as your father begs you with tears in his eyes to save… his favorite son, his better son, his more talented son. All the while you look up to me the reality setting in, you are not my equal, as you like so many before begging me to end your pain. Jackson, this week you get the actualization… in the end, everything dies, you, and everyone you love included. Here in Arcadia often in the most painful and horrific ways possible. Because Sheriff Cade this experiment’s success will prove the only Law you represent is that of repeated diminishing returns.”
Cut.