Episode One: Orientation Day (Pilot) Part One
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The Adventures of Scott McCloud
Episode One: Orientation Day (Pilot) Part One
The sun was setting among the crops of the McCloud farm. The corn was harvesting into a golden-aura from the ultra-violet rays, creating a glow as beautiful as a Christmas tree. Rodney did a very good job this year, and who knows what the next year will bring upon the table.
The McClouds were around an thick, oak table, with delicious, home-grown food upon it. Steaming mashed potatoes, mouth-watering roast beef, ice-cold lemonade and some corn-on-the-cob. It all looked so delicious. This feast wasn't like their other dinners back then. This was dedicated to the return of the third-born son, Scott. He was sent away for the summer to compete in the new hit reality show, Total Drama All-Stars.
He made it pretty far in his debut, Revenge of the Island, but due to his elimination, the infamous shark (Fang) took a pleasuring disliking to him. He was severly injured to the point of death, when Cameron won that year. Thanks to Cameron, Scott lived to compete in the new season, in which the finale aired two weeks ago. Now the host told them that Scott would be coming home.
"Gee, I hope Scott won the million." The eldest, an carrot-haired, large boy, said. "Or at least a girlfriend." He sighed to his own compliment. "I sure wish I'd have a girlfriend."
"I'm pretty sure he did well, Rod." A teen girl, wearing a colorful shirt and bandana, with brown dreadlocks, reassured him. "After all, this evening is about peace and tranquility. I'm pretty sure Scott maybe have some interesting things to talk about."
"Laurie, you know Scott doesn't like to talk about his personal life." Mr. McCloud pointed out to his niece. He had orange hair, as do his other sons, but he was the only one to have a shaved beard. He was the leader of the McCloud clan, and he was about the kindest soul on the farm (except for Rodney).
"Uggh!" A young orange-headed child sneered. "When is he arriving? I wanna eat!"
"Now let's not be greedy." Mr. McCloud pointed out. "Your mother said she had to work late, so she wanted me to congratulate Scott for her. We are waiting for your brother to eat, got it?"
"Yes, sir." The McClouds chimed together, when a knock came from the front door.
*KNOCK KNOCK!
The door opened to reveal a carrot-colored teenager, with freckles and was holding a fairly-used satchel. He was wearing his trademarked muscle shirt and denim-blue jeans. the other McClouds quickly became excited as they saw their brother/son enter their house for the first time since the beginning of the summer.
"SCOTT!!" Everyone cheered, as they approached Scott and gave him a group hug. Scott, however, wasn't excited or even happy. He actually looked depressed.
"Hey, guys." He moped. He then took his plate of food, and started to head into his room. The others were puzzled. All was quiet until Laurie broke the silence.
"I'm guessing he lost?"
Scott laid across his bedspread as he thought to himself. He wanted to be happy. Happy to see his family since June. But... he wasn't. Was it because he lost? Or is it that he hadn't achieved anything memorable. All he ever achieved was almost being killed by a mutant shark.
He can still remember that night.
Scott was sitting in his wheelchair, as he was inside the Hurl-of-Shame. He was covered head to toe with bandages, caused by today's challenge. Chef Hatchet was beside the gigantic catapult, grinning evilly.
"Finally," he said. "I always wanted to be the Hurl Master around here!"
"And you're gonna keep waiting." A voice chimed in, with a sound on an engine. It was Chris McLean, the host of the show. "You see, Scott, the Hurl-of-Shame is both shameful and painful! So, I've arranged a friend for you to share your journey home." He snapped his fingers, and a anthropomorphic shark with a huge grin jumped inside. He reached into Scott's casts and pulled a sharp tooth, and placed it in his gap.
"I really hope this teaches you a lesson, Scott..." Chris then glared at Scott. "...for flinging me in a pit of poo!" He then, pulled the lever and both Scott and Fang went flying into the midnight air. All he can remember from that point was Fang and a lot of pain!"
The flashback was interrupted by knocking on his bedroom door. Depressed, Scott yelled at the knocker.
"Go away!" mumbled Scott. The door opened anyway, to reveal that Scott's father was the knocker.
"You okay, boy?" He asked in a soothing voice.
"Sorry, Pappy." replied the teen. "I guess I'm just a little bummed, that's all."
"About the show?"
"I could care less about that stupid show. I'm bummed because..." He tried to say the next few words, but he couldn't. "Forget it."
"C'mon, Scott." His dad nudged his elbow. "Somethin' must be botherin' ya."
"*sigh* I'm bummed because... I haven't achieved anything memorable!" Scott felt more depressed and upset when he said that. However, Mr. McCloud was confused.
"But you did. You appeared on two reality shows and made the Final Five both times."
"But that's it, Pappy! They'll all remember me as a villain! I don't want to be remembered as a villain! I want to be remembered by being me! You get me?"
"Ahh, now I understand. You no longer want to be known as the Bad Guy, and want to contribute your mind to the Earth."
"Yes, exactly!" Scott grinned at his father. "That's exactly it, minus all the baby-sounding nonsense."
"Well, if you'd like," Mr. McCloud handed him the newspaper from today. "Maybe this might be your answer." There was a purple and gold sheet inside, with a picture of a winged "S," with the words saying below.
Have you ever wanted to outbest yourself? Have you got what it takes?
Then come register at Crystal Prep Academy, where we push all the expectations on all of our students!
Registration begins September 28th. Orientation Day on October 1st. Only $1,000 to enroll!
LET'S GO, SHADOWBOLTS!!
Scott scratched his head when he finished reading the flyer. Then, he turned to his pop.
"Me? Go to an academy?" He finally asked.
"Of course! You can achieve a diploma and possibly use it to get a bright future. Then, as far as I know, the world will be your oyster." Scott thought for a minute, as he let his father's words soak in.
"That's true, but how on Earth am I going to get a thousand bucks?"
"You remember Revenge of the Island?" His father asked, with a grin.
"Yeah, why would I want to... OH!!" Scott quickly reached under his bed and pulled out a glass jar full of money. It was the leftover money he had from Fang incident a year ago. The operation was eighty thousand dollars, but the jar still had about three thousand left.
"Purpose, here I come!" Scott grins at his own reflection in the jar.
Mathew Swift presents...
The Adventures of Scott McCloud
Episode One: Orientation Day (Pilot)
The bus station was as dank and old as the last time Scott had came from there, even though it was about a week ago. Scott thought he would stay on the McCloud Farm a lot more longer, until Chris would call him for another season of Total Drama, but as he thought about it, going to a college-like school sounds a lot better than a reality show, especially a show like Total Drama.
Scott read the Crystal Prep pamphlet as he was waiting for the bus from St. Albert to Vancouver, BC. It says that out-of-town students will receive a room to stay for their 2-year course. At least that solves Scott's problem on where he'll stay for the time being. It has many courses, based on your skills and previous timetables. Scott was checking all the easy and fun courses, like Phys Ed, Home Economics and probably Agriculture, when he heard heavy-breathing and a soft growl beside him. He turned to see a young teenage girl, with bright-green skin and violet hair, with a ponytail at the back of her head. She appears to be playing a white 3DS, with her glowing violet eyes were glued to the top screen, where it showed a green plumber, using a giant vacuum to suck up a chalk-white ghost. The ghost vanished through the wall, and that's when the girl gave a disappointed sigh.
"Shoot!" She growled, in a tomboy-ish voice, as she face-palmed. "Every...freaking...time!" She turned to see Scott, who bared a confused look. "Sorry. It's just that last ghost is the hardest to get."
"Sure looks like it." responded the dirt farmer.
"I'll take care of it eventually. It's only a matter of time." She grinned, and she widened her eyes. "Oh, right! Sorry that I haven't introduced myself. The names Perry Paranormal." She held out her green hand, and Scott took it.
"I'm Scott." He replied. "So, what are you doing?"
"Me? I'm heading home, so I can work on my experiments on Supernatural Science. You?"
"I'm just heading to my new school, in Vancouver. Just to get off my feet."
"Sweet!" Perry smiled, and gave Scott a high-five. The announcer then rang through the intercom.
"Boarding call for Knighting Gale, British Columbia?"
"Oh, that's my ride." Perry then got up, and straightened her laboratory coat. She turned back to Scott. "See you around?"
"Yeah, sure." Scott gave a thumbs up, and Perry Paranormal ran toward Gate 5. Scott shrugged his shoulders, and continued to read the pamphlet.
"Boarding call for Vancouver, B.C?"
The dirt farmer finally got up after an hour of waiting, and stood at a very small line at Gate 4. There was only an old lady in line, so at least the bus ride'll be relaxing. He handed the clerk his ticket and he hops onto the bus platform, when someone called.
"Scott McCloud?" The voice was rough and low, as Scott turned to see a blue-skinned man, with darker blue hair and sideburns. He was wearing a purplish beige shirt with a magenta tie, which embedded the winged S from the newspaper flyer. Scott walked toward the man, and responded in confusion.
"Yeah?"
"Good, we don't have much time." The bus driver acknowledged. "Dean Cadence asked me to make a trip to get you. Frankly, I'm supposed to be on holiday, but hell, I need the money, so let's get going."
"Wait," halted Scott. "You're the bus driver?"
"Well, what'dya expect, a taxi?" He lead Scott to another bus, a bus that's twice than any other bus in the lot. This bus was covered black, with golden arrows and the same S he had seen everywhere.
"By the way, name's Sam." He holds out his hand and the farmer teen takes it. Scott knew another Sam, back when he competed on Total Drama, but that wasn't important. "Now, we're about to go. You might need to take a seat." Scott jumped up the steps and took a seat behind the barrier from the door. He settled his bags under his seat and began to relax. Sam finished his business and hops into the driver's seat. He put on earbuds, and tuned to his music, as he felt the bus shake and sputter, as it drove out of the bus depot and turns to the highway.
This was it. Scott's new life is about to begin.
