[ TV: Reporter ] More bad news for Von Doom Industries today...
as Ned Cecil announced that his group of investors...
would seek to gain control of Victor Von Doom's numerous technology companies.
Earlier, the I.P.O. was pulled from the market...
after the steady decline of its projected opening price.
Von Doom Industries was never able to overcome the negative publicity-
Interesting.
[ Alarm Chirps ]
Oh, you've gotta be kidding.
Hello?
Victor?
What's with these lights? Huh?
About the I.P.O.- no hard feelings, right?
Nothing personal.
You know, you could always move back to Latveria...
and start fresh.
Maybe that's where you belong- the old country.
[ Groans ]
[ Screams ]
[ Alarms Blaring, Horns Honking ]
Nothing personal, Ned...
but I'm not going anywhere.
[ All ] Surprise!
[ All Cheering ]
[ Deb ] Are you surprised?
[ Ben On Tape ] I'm surprised the fire department didn't shut this thing down.
- [ Laughter ] - [ Deb ] All right. Make a wish.
God.
I was good-lookin'.
- [ Deb ] What did you wish for? - I already got it.
- Everything I wished for. - [ Reed ] Okay, everybody!
- ## [ All Singing ] - [ Groans ]
## [ Ends ]
How's it hanging, Ben?
[ Flames Crackling ]
[ Pressurized Ratchet Ratcheting ]
[ TV: Announcer ] Assassinating competitions everywhere this season.
Truly unbelievable. The crowd is going nuts here at the arena.
- If there's anybody out there who can do what these guys do... - [ Popping ]
we dare you to come on down here.
Look at this- spread-eagle, no arm, back of the seat motobike grab.
[Johnny ] I gotta get outta here.
Incredible performance, vaulting him into first place.
Virtually impossible to pull off.
- ## [ Stereo: Rock ] - [ Engine Revving ]
Hey, pretty boy.
Let's see what you got.
Where's your hot sister and the monster?
- [ Revving Continues ] - Let's go!
[ Engine Knocking, Sputtering ]
Whoo!
All right! All right!
I want you all to make a lot of noise now for a very special guest!
Mr.Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four.!
Whoa.! Look at that lift.!
[ Emcee ] That was fantastic.!
Hey,Johnny.! Come on.! That's old school.!
Show us somethin'new.!
Something new.
You got it.
Whoa, whoa, whoa! No!
Come on,Johnny! Come on!
- Is he flying? - Wait- No!
[ Groaning ]
[ Crowd Quiets, Murmuring ]
[ Panting ]
That... is dangerous.
I'm okay. I'm all right.
I'm good.
- He's okay! He's all right! - [ Cheering Resumes ]
Johnny Storm, ladies and gentlemen.!
I have to give you props,Johnny. You were on fire.!
## [ Hip-hop ]
## [ Ends ]
That's new.
Reed!
Reed! Have you read any of these?
They're from all over. People wanting us to fight crimes...
save their kids, solve their problems.
Reed.
We can't even solve our own.
[ Ben ] No.! No freakin'way.!
Ben? Ben, what's going on?
[ Sue ] What's wrong?
- [ TV: Cheering ] - He didn't.
Oh, yes, he did! Flame boy never listens!
What did he do to his uniform?
[ TV: Woman ] You've made history in Moto-X.
- I've gotta ask you about this outfit. - It's Armani meets astronaut.
- So, what are your superhero names? - They call me the Human Torch.
- Ladies call me Torch. - [ Onlookers Laugh ]
- What about the rest of the team? - That's the Invisible Girl.
- ''Girl''? - Reed Richards? I hear you call him Mr. Fantastic.
- Could have been worse. - I guess.
Is it true what they say, that he can expand any part ofhis anatomy?
- [ Onlookers Murmuring, Giggling ] - Whoo!
- I've always found him to be a little limp. -[ Onlookers Gasping, Giggling ]
What is that? What do you call that thing?
That's it. The Thing.
You think this is bad? You should have seen him before.
Okay, now I'm gonna go kill him.
[ Crowd Chattering, Cheering ]
- [ Man ] Sweet,Johnny! - [ Woman ] I love you,Johnny.
There he is.
-Johnny- - Look, can we talk about this later, guys?
No, we can't. What are you thinking?
Where's my ride?
[ Onlookers Gasping ]
[ Alarm Chirps ]
You think that's funny, Pebbles?
Johnny! You gave us names? You don't think!
So now you're the face of the Fantastic Four?
A face that's about to be broken!
This isn't permanent. We need to be careful until we're normal again.
What if I don't want to be normal? I didn't turn into a monster!
[ Onlookers Gasping ]
[ Sue ] Johnny, say you're sorry.
Huh? Did you just-
- That's it, Tinker Bell! You wanna fly? Then fly! - No, Ben.
[ Groans ]
[ Sue ] Wait a minute, guys.
- Ben, don't do this. - Let's see if we can get blood from a stone.
Let's see. Bring it, Burnout!
You two need a time-out!
- Talk to Blockhead. He started it! - I don't care!
Damn it,Johnny!
Ben, wait!
What?
You need to control yourself and think before you act.
Yeah, but that's your problem- you always think, you never act.
What if we got these powers for a reason? What if it's like some higher calling?
- Higher calling? Like getting girls and making money? - Is there any higher?
You know what, Reed? This is who we are.
Accept it.
Or better yet...
enjoy it.
- Wait, Ben! Slow down! - Hey, check it out.!
He didn't mean it.
- You know Johnny. He's always been a hothead. - It ain't him.
- It's them.! - [ All Gasp ]
I can't live like this.
Just give Reed a little more time. You know how he works.
Analyzing every little step before he takes one.
- It's easy for you to be patient. - No, it's not!
I thought I was done waiting for Reed, but I-
We're all in this together, Ben.
Together?
Susie, look at me.
You got no idea what I'd-
what I'd give to be invisible.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I'm just going to pick up a few things...
for some friends.
Perfect.
## [ Rock ]
- ## [Jukebox: Record Scratches, Music Stops ] - [ Loud Footsteps ]
[ Patrons Gasping ]
## [Jukebox: Record Skipping ]
## [ Continues ]
## [ Stops ]
[ Laughing, Murmuring ]
That's not funny.
[ Bartender ] This is Ben Grimm here...
the first mook from Brooklyn to go into outer space, so pay him some respect.
-Just give me the usual, and I'm out. - All right.
Make it a double.
[ Woman ] Make it a triple.
Put it on my tab, Ernie.
- You got it, sweetheart. - Appreciate it.
No problem.
[ Bartender ] It's okay, Ben.
If there's a God, He hates me.
She... is not so into hate.
If you could see me, you wouldn't be saying that.
Then let me see you. Can I?
- [ Chair Scrapes On Floor ] - It's okay.
Whoa.
Wow.
Huh.
[ Sighs ]
So sad.
[ Chuckles ]
Hey, now, being different isn't always a bad thing.
Trust me. This ain't one of them times.
Not if you don't want it to be.
All right, Ernie, I'm outta here.
- I'll take you. - See you later, Benny.
[ Sighs ]
I'm Alicia, by the way.
- Thanks, Ernie. - [ Door Opens ]
[ Beeping ]
- [ Whirring ] - [ Beeping ]
- [ Whirring Decreases ] - [ Beeps ]
Reed got what he wanted...
and everything he wanted...
he took from me.
Now it's time...
to take it back.
But first I need to get rid ofhis... bodyguard.
[ Thunder Rumbling ]
This seat taken?
What are you doin' here?
I was worried about you.
[ Chuckles ] You were worried about me? That's sweet.
Come on. Let me buy you something to eat.
Looks like you could use the company.
Reed?
[ Chuckles ]
I was just resting my eyes.
So I see.
The new readouts look very promising.
Not promising enough.
When are the next tests?
[ Exhales ] I've run out of plants.
So I was thinking maybe...
there's always me.
No. It's too soon.
- Reed. - I should get back to work.
You need a break.
- Sue, not now. Please. - Come on. Let's go.
Remember our first date here? God, I was nervous.
You know, I bribed the projectionist ten bucks to keep the place open late.
- Really? I gave him 20. - Mm.
- No. No way. - Yeah. Yeah.
- I didn't want that night to end. - Oh, Sue.
You were right. It wasn't complicated.
I just wasn't ready to-
You always talked about how you liked the kind of man...
who could approach you, speak his mind.
One who wasn't afraid to tell you exactly what he wanted.
I did... but I wanted you to be that man.
Why didn't you say something?
Reed, I'm saying it now.
[ Chuckles ] That's my nose, genius.
Remember this place?
Of course. This is where I first asked you out.
I think it was me that asked you.
Oh. Right.
[ Clears Throat ] Well, you can be a little intimidating.
A girl can grow old waiting around for you to take charge.
- Well, we can't all be as bold as- - As who? Victor?
You know, there is no me and Victor.
Never was.
Well, I guess that's what I thought you always wanted.
A stronger man.
I did, Reed. But I wanted you to be that man.
Well, why didn't you say so?
I guess it kind of would have defeated the purpose.
But I'm saying it now.
So take charge.
That's not fair.
[ Loud Burp ]
Excuse me.
- [ Slurps ] - I know it's not easy.
Life hasn't changed that much for Reed, Sue orJohnny.
At least they can still go out in public. But for you-
If you're tryin' to cheer me up, you're doin' a hell of a job. Know what I mean, Scarface?
I'm just saying I know what it's like to lose something that you love...
to see it slip away and know it's never coming back.
Look, Reed is gonna fix me up. Okay?
For your sake, I hope you're right.
Look, he's a brilliant man. We should all trust that he's working as hard as he can.
- [ Grumbles ] - You're his best friend.
So what possible reason could he have for taking his time?
I mean, other than spending more time with Sue.
I figured the only way for me to get you in here...
was to put that in the window.
How'd you know it was me?
'Cause I'm blind, not deaf.
So, what do you think?
Eyebrows are a little big.
Please. You have to come in.
Whoa! I'm not up for a party.
- I'm not dressed. - Relax. It's casual.
Well, what I mean is, I'm a little... dusty.
I can take care of that. Come on.
## [ R&B ]
## [ Ends ]
[ Blowing ]
Those your puppets too?
Those are my stepdad's.
I try to stick to more mature work-
the kind that brings big, strong men into the door.
You could've just put out an ad in the personals.
[ Laughs ] Oh, yeah. ''Sensual blind chick...
seeks deep, spiritual connection with a two-ton, rock-hard he-man.''
Hey! This ain't permanent.
My friend Reed's lookin' for a cure.
I hope.
You feel okay to me, Benny.
Oh, you don't know what it's like to be out there, walkin' around...
like some kind of circus freak, people starin' at ya...
- whisperin'. - Yeah. I wouldn't know anything about that.
- I-I- - How many astronauts did you know growing up in Brooklyn?
- Uh- - None. Right?
But you dared to be different.
You didn't care what anybody else did or said...
or thought.
So why start now?
You gonna let me finish?
[ Laughs ] Yeah. Why not?
Good...
'cause we got a party to get to.
- [ Cheering ] - Thank you. Thank you so much.
- Hi, guys. - [ Girls Screaming ]
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[ Camera Shutters Clicking ]
Hey, guys, I'm sorry. I gotta take a rain check. I'm sorry. Sorry.
Need a ride?
## [ Hip-hop ]
## [ Rapping, Indistinct ]
[ Chatter, Laughter]
- I hope you don't mind. - No, no.
Gotta take care of the fans, right?
Look, I built my business knowing what people want.
- Right now, people want you. - Thank you, Victor. I'm flattered.
- We don't wanna let the people down. - No, we don't.
Which is why we need to strike while the iron's hot.
I'm talking video games, action figures.
- Sponsors. - Action figures?
- Really? - Hmm. - Mm-hmm.
You talk to Reed and Sue about this?
Johnny, let's be honest here.
Reed, Sue, Ben- Good people, all...
but stars?
I don't wanna break up the band, but you're the one that people want.
- That's right, baby. It's all about you. - Mm.
Don't you think it's time to go solo?
- [ Knocking ] - Take the car for a spin.
Think about it. Is this the life you want?
- Or would you rather live in Reed's lab? - [ Laughing ]
Hi. So this is it.
You okay?
- I guess so. - Good.
Come on in. Check it out.
I'm gonna get us some beers or wine or somethin'.
They always let the blind girl to the head of the line.
[ Giggles ]
Oh, hi! Thanks.
I don't know about this one. It lacks a certain realism.
She's always had a thing for runaways and strays, but this is ridiculous.
I know. Does she really think these sculptures are gonna sell?
Who would want this thing in their house? The girl's a one-woman charity.
Mm.
[ Laughter ]
[ Laughter Continues ]
Benny?
- It's true. - [ Sue Giggles ]
Yeah.
I have that effect on people.
- Ben. - Oh.!
So you remember my name now, do ya?
Well, do you also remember what you swore to do with every breath in your body?
We're working as hard as we can.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah, I can tell.
- Victor was right. - Victor?
I don't know if this thing will change us back or make us worse.
I need you to be patient for a little while longer.
- Reed, look at me! - I am looking! That's why I can't make a mistake!
I've gotta get it right, and it's not right yet!
I spent my whole life protecting you, and for what?
So you could play Twister with your girlfriend while I'm the Freak of the Week?
- Ben, stop it! - You stay out of this, Susie.
Stop it, or I will.
- [ Reed Grunting ] - Get off me, Rubber Boy!
You guys, quit it.!
Ben.!
[ Yelling ]
Calm down!
[ Grunting ]
[ Growls, Grunting ]
Good thing you're flexible enough to watch your own back...
'cause I ain't doin' it no more.
You two are on your own.
Hey, look what the marketing guys gave me.
Check it out. Listen. You'll love this.
It's clobberin' time!
It's catchy. Right?
[ Laughs ] Isn't that great?
[ Toy ] It's clobberin' t-
That was the prototype!
- [ Grumbles ] - [ Bell Dings ]
Ben!
-Johnny, have you seen Ben? - Yeah. Sunshine just left.
Look, Sue, I'm sorry.
I can't stay in this freak show. I gotta get back to the real world.
You're calling that the real world?
You're not Mom. Don't talk to me like I'm a little boy.
Maybe I would if you stopped acting like one.
Do you even hear yourself? Who do you think you are?
Why is everyone on my ass? If you guys are jealous, fine. I didn't expect it from you.
You really think those people out there care about you?
You're just a fad to them,Johnny.
Let's try something new. You live your life, I'll live mine.
Sound good?
Oh, andjust for the record-
They love me!
[ Beeps ]
[ Pulleys Creaking ]
- [ Alarm Buzzes ] - Oh, God.
Reed.
[ Rumbling ]
Oh, my God, Reed. What did you do?
- I can make it work. - No!
I need more power to control the storm.
- More power? - You need a doctor.
- Come with me. - Sue-
- [ Grunting ] One more try. - You need rest.
Leonard? Bring Ben Grimm to the Baxter Building.
[ Boat Engine Rumbling ]
- [ Sighs ] - Mr. Grimm?
They need you back at the Baxter Building.
It's Reed.
[ Whoops, Cheers ]
- Thank you. Want another one? - [ Cheering ]
- You want one more? - [ Mouths Words ]
- All right! - [ Cheering ]
Thank you.
[ Mouths Words ]
Hey.Johnny Storm. Human Torch.
Listen, you wanna get outta here?
- Is this your boyfriend? - Is that all you do?
- Bar tricks, stealing chicks. - [ Sighs ]
[ All Gasping ]
What are you doin'? You could've burned somebody.
You know, if I had your powers, I'd be doin' somethin' with it...
not wastin' my time doin' cheap tricks in bars.
## [ Hip-hop ]
- [ Inaudible ] -## [ Man Rapping ]
## [ Ends ]
Ben. Come in.
What is this? Where's Reed?
Where do you think? [ Chuckles ] With Sue.
I'll take it from here, Leonard.
Uh, yes, sir.
[ Grumbles ] What do you want, Vic?
To help you.
The machine is ready.
- But Reed said it wouldn't be- - He also said we'd avoid that storm in space.
But we all know how that turned out.
He couldn't generate enough power for the machine to reach critical mass.
Yet another mistake for Mr. Fantastic.
- And you can? - Yes.
Tell me...
do you want to be Ben Grimm again?
[ Groaning ]
[ Equipment Powering Down ]
[ Screaming ]
- [ Rumbling ] - [ Electrical Buzzing ]
[ Coughs ]
[ Laughing ]
Oh, thank you!
Vic?
Vic!
Vic, it worked!
Vic?
Everyone thought I was safe behind those shields.
Oh, my God.
- The machine worked for me. It can work for you too. - Oh, it did.
It worked perfectly.
You planned this.
I've always wanted power.
Now I have an unlimited supply.
And no Thing to stand in your way.
Take a good look, Ben.
This is what a man looks like who embraces his destiny.
One down, three to go.
Vic?
Right on cue.
Ben?
- What did you do? - Exactly what I said I would.
I built a better, stronger being...
and outsmarted the great Reed Richards.
If you've exposed yourself to the storm, you're endangering your life.
- You need help. - You always know best.
[ Sighs ]
So tell me...
what happens when you super-heat rubber?
[ Screams, Groans ]
[ Screaming ]
Mr. Von Doom. Are you okay?
Never better,Jimmy.
- [ Onlookers Gasping ] - [ Groans ]
Why the long face? Let's talk in my office.
Ben! Ben!
- Sue.! -Johnny! The machine worked!
Give me a hand.!
- Come on. - Ben!
Get his arm.
[ All Grunting ]
You all right, Ben? Put him on the step.
What happened, big guy? I leave you for five minutes-
The machine.
Vic used it on himself.
He was affected by the cloud like us.
- Where's Reed? - Vic must have taken him.
Dr. Richards, allow me to begin your lesson-
Chemistry 1 0 1.
What happens to rubber...
when it's super-cooled?
[ Shivering, Groaning ]
Hmm? [ Chuckles ] Give up?
[ Crackling ]
That's not like you, Reed.
- [ Snapping ] - [ Groaning Louder]
After all, we're both doctors.
Painful?
You don't know the meaning of the word.
Just a little something from our defense contracts.
Let's check in on the rest of the family, shall we?
Oh, no.
- We gotta get out ofhere. - I got an idea.
- Don't even think about it. - Never do.
What are you doing? Johnny, no.!
Come on! Come on, come on!
Flame on!
Whoo-hoo!
- We have to help Reed. - It's too dangerous for you now. You have to stay here.
What did I do?
Whoa!
Come on! Think!
[ Yells ]
[ Explosions ]
Two down, two to go.
[ Hissing ]
- [ Wheezes ] Sue. - Shh.
What has he done to you?
- How romantic. - [ Gasps ]
Victor, please.
Call me Doom.
The machine works.
It worked on Ben. It can work on you. We can turn you back.
Do you really think fate turned us into gods so we could refuse these gifts?
Victor, you always thought you were a god. Now back off.
Susan, let's not fight.
No, let's. [ Grunts ]
Susan, you're fired!
[ Groans ]
To think I was about to share my life with you.
[ Exhales ] Marco.
Polo.
Marc-
[ Groaning ]
[ Choking ]
[ Moaning ]
Did you say good-bye to your brotherJohnny?
It's time to end this.
No, Vic. It's clobberin'time.!
Damn, I been waitin' to do that.
Susie. You okay?
Victor ain't that bad, huh? Hmph.
He's just a little larger than life, right?
Maybe next time you'll listen to me before-
Ben!
[ Rumbling, Creaking ]
- [ Yelling ] - [ Gasps ]
[ Ben Screaming ]
[ Ben Groans ]
[ Onlookers Gasping, Screaming ]
[ Yelling, Groans ]
- [ Screaming ] - Sorry, ladies.
- Stop the car! Stop the car! - Pull over?
- [ Screaming Continues ] - The brakes! [ Groans ]
[ Officer On Bullhorn ] This is the police.!
Put your hands up and step down from the vehicle.!
[ Officer ] Take him out.!
Ladies, I'm gonna need to borrow your car.
- The transmission sticks. - Not gonna be a problem!
[ Grumbles ]
[ Grunting ]
[ Chuckling ] Good-bye, Ben.
I can't let you do that.
Reed?
[ Laughs ] I'll be right with you.
Hello, Susan.
You three are pathetic.
- You missed me. - [ Grumbles ]
Had a little relapse, huh?
Welcome back.
This is gonna be fun.
[ Groans ]
[ Screaming, Shouting ]
[ Grunts ] I can't hold it.!
Johnny! Supernova!
- I thought we agreed that was bad! - Now!
- Ben! - Gotcha!
Sue! Think you can contain it?
Flame on, kid.
[ Yells ]
[ Groans ]
[ Whispering ] Is that the best you can do? A little heat?
Time for your lesson- Chem 1 0 1.
What happens when you rapidly cool hot metal?
Ben.!
Whoa.
You done good, kid.
Come on.
Sue, are you okay?
Yeah.
[ Onlookers Chattering, Cheering ]
[ Whistling, Cheering Continues ]
Man, I love this job.
[ Applause, Cheering Continues ]
Job, huh?
Well, we do have the suits.
## [ R&B: Group Singing ]
- Ladies, your drinks. - I don't think we need another.
-Just one more. - Thank you so much.
Cheers.
Oh. Oh! I need names and shots. Bartender!
Custom-made- 36-quadruple ''E.''
Look, I've been crunching the numbers on the machine...
and if I could rework the power-
Forget about it, egghead. I'm good as is.
- Better than good, baby. - [ Chuckles ]
[ Gasps ] You just need to work on your touch.
Mmm, I like the sound of that.
[ Ben, Alicia Laughing ]
- Can I talk to you for a second? - Sure.
[ Whispers ] Thanks.
I found a broken gasket from space.
A gasket? Reed, come on. We're at a party.
And if one of us were to wear it-
No more thinking.
No more variables.
[ Laughs ]
Sue Storm...
will you marry me?
Sue, you kinda need to...
say something.
Oh! Yes. [ Giggles ] Yes.
[ Giggles ] That's my nose, genius.
These are my lips.
Aww. She's kissin'him.
- [ Alicia Laughs ] - [ Woman ] They're so cute.!
- [ Man #1 ] Congratulations.! - [ Man #2 ] About time,you guys.
Hey, no more wisecracks about the way I look.
Hey, call me Mr. Sensitivity.
Okay, wide load coming through! Everybody move! He's huge!
[ Grumbles ]
- Come here, Mr. Sensitive. - Flame on!
Show-off!
How long will it be?
Should be about 1 2 days.
Aw, come on. What's wrong with this thing?
Ready.
## [ Soul ]
## [ Woman Singing ]
## [ Ends ]
## [ Rock ]
## [ Woman Singing ]
## [ Ends ]
## [ Rock ]
## [ Man Singing ]
## [ Ends ]