(After a long drive, the Escalade pulls up to a large mass of vehicles parked in a circle. In the center stands twelve people, surrounding a bonfire. Calypso hops out and makes his way through the thick crowd. He addresses the masses.)
CALYPSO
:
As you all know, I am Calypso: creator of Twisted Metal.
(Cheers arise from the crowd.)
CALYPSO
:
You have come before me for a chance to compete in my contest, and be granted a wish of your choosing. Have the drivers been selected?
CROWD
: YES!!!
CALYPSO
:
Very well. Drivers, step forward and present yourselves.
Several people step up before Calypso, hands behind their backs in a show of respect. A large, brute native American comes forward first.
CHIEF
:
I am Chief Iron Sky of the Western Cheyanne tribe.
He steps back in line. A beautiful woman steps up next.
LISA
: I am Lisa Kim, queen of the PMS tribe.
She gets back in line as several people laugh at her tribe's name, having no clue what it actually means. A scarred Hispanic man steps out.
CHAVEZ
: I am Chevez Guerrera, leader of El Locos.
He steps back as the next driver, wearing a long trenchcoat, steps up.
MARCUS
: My name is Marcus Kane, leader of The Nomads.
CALYPSO
: No need for introductions, Kane, I know who you are.
Needles, sitting chained up inside the van behind Calypso, lets out a loud laugh. The next steps out. He wears a full-headed respirator mask
and speaks between gasps of air.
KABAL
: I am.. Kabal.. of The.. Sideshow.
The next driver steps out, wearing full riding leathers and a helmet. He has a deep, echoing voice.
GRIMM
: You know who the fuck I am, Scarface.
CALYPSO
: With the name-calling, I'd swear you were the clown. Back in line, Grimm.
Grimm laughs as he steps back. Another familiar man steps up, dressed in all black.
ASH
: I believe you'll recall who I am as well, Calypso.
CALYPSO
: Indeed. I guess the nuclear fallout didn't reach the black gates of Hell afterall.
ASH
: No, but your soul will, soon enough.
Ash gets back in line. The next driver steps up, horribly disfigured. He has a steel prosthetic leg and arm, as well as
a red prosthetic eye with half of his face being plated in steel. Almost cyborg-looking. His voice sounds as if it
comes from the inside of a coffee can.
TINMAN
: I am Tinman. I have no affiliation.
He steps back in line. Another driver steps out.
PREACHER
: I am Jebediah. You should be very familiar with me by now, demon.
CALYPSO
:
Of course, the murderous preacher. How could I ever forget a man such as yourself? The last time I saw you, you were well on your way to becoming the next Needles Kane.
Needles lets out a sarcastic laugh in the background. Jebediah is growing noticibly angrier.
PREACHER
: I will not succumb to your cunning attempt to garner my wrath, serpent. Justice will be found through
God's will, not my own.
CALYPSO
: That's funny, because Carl and Jamie Roberts said the same thing. And they're long dead. I wish you luck, Bible Thumper.
PREACHER
: I won't need luck with God on my side.
He steps back in line. A fat, blonde man steps out next.
SIMON
: I am Simon Whittlebone Jr. I represent The Builder's Union.
CALYPSO
: Ahh yes, I remember your father. His death was indeed tragic. I assume you're here to carry on what he started.
SIMON
: That would be correct.
Simon steps back in line. Calypso addresses his new participants.
CALYPSO
: Ladies and gentlemen, you are the new era of Twisted Metal. And with a new era, comes new rules. New challenges.
There is no border to where you can go. The land, sea and air are your battleground. There are no mechanics to patch up
your rides. Weapon pick-ups are no longer plentiful. This will be the most brutal battle of attrition this contest has
ever seen. Endurance is key. I wish you all the best.
Calypso steps down from his soapbox and makes his way to the prisoner transporter.
CALYPSO
: Ok, let them out and watch them closely.
Several armed guards open the the back doors of the prisoner transport van. Cage and Needles step out, shackled from head
to toe. A dozen armed marines stand ready, red dots covering the two prisoners.
NEEDLES
: I love a warm greeting.
CAGE
: You would.
Needles and Cage are loaded into their respective vehicles. Once inside, they are secured to their seats as to prevent
escape once the match starts. Chains are lashed to their shackles, then secured to hooking points welded to the insides
of their cars.
(viewer facing Calypso)
"Essentially, their vehicles are mobile prison cells. They are secured inside and have tracking devices planted in them.
If they sneeze in there, we'll know about it. This all seems strange, I know, but the contest had to evolve with the
rest of the planet unfortunately."
The entire crowd disperses slowly. Night begins to fall, with a small glow coming from what's left of the bonfire. The
tribes retreat to their homes, while the drivers follow Calypso's convoy east.
(viewer in back of SUV with Calypso)
"Our starting point this year will be Baton Rouge, Louisianna. The contest has yet to see the southeastern part of the
country, and I feel it's about damn time. Plus, with the weather there, it's sure to stir things up a bit."
By morning, camp is set up and the drivers have been briefed. They are released to their starting locations, with a few
hours to set up strategy, run maintenance on their vehicles, catch up on sleep, whatever they desire.
As noon strikes, Calypso pops up on the in-car monitors - the only device Calypso has installed in the combatant cars.
CALYPSO
: Drivers, this is it. I wish you all the best of luck. Now, without further ado, let Twisted Metal begin!