Jump.
Hello.
I'm here for the interview.
- Please have a seat inside. - Yeah
I'll be back
You haven't moved.
I was told to wait.
Did you stay here all night?
You said, "Have a seat."
Do you know who I am?
I have a pretty good idea.
You're a Guardian.
And what have you been told about us?
You are the ruling body of the cosmos,
founder of the Lanterns.
There were 12 of you.
One of you recently died.
My condolences.
Thank you.
Also, you're all blue.
We believe this interview will be more pleasurable...
if I am in human form.
- May I ask you a question? - Please.
Green Lanterns are chosen by rings.
So why, suddenly, are you interviewing people for the job?
Because of your condolences.
Am I supposed to say something?
This is when most candidates ask, "Why me?"
Oh.
No. I know exactly why me.
Mama!
I'm coming, Marcus.
Are you afraid?
Yes!
What happened?
Oh my God.
The mysterious hero known only as Green Lantern
has again saved a major city from near catastrophe.
Still no information exists about his identity,
but today, he has offered this statement.
Quoting now, "Though you can't see my face,
know that my commitment to fighting evil will never waver."
"The night I received this ring, I was asked only one question,
if I was afraid."
"I remain as steadfast now as I was then."
"I am fearless."
Are you out of your mind?
How the fuck was I not supposed to be scared?
Got lifted out of my bed.
- I was in a... a bubble. - Give me the gun, Johnny.
The light was green.
It was a test
to be this Lantern thing, and they wanted me.
We have been through this. It was a nightmare.
- There was no bubble! - There was. He just said it.
Give me the pistol, Johnny.
They asked him the same thing they asked me.
You think that's a coincidence?
- You're scaring me. - "Are you afraid?"
Why you don't believe me?
Because it's unbelievable!
But you better believe if you don't hand me that gun,
I will send you to your maker!
I wasn't gonna hurt nobody, Bernie.
This thing has got your mind gone, and we can't do this anymore.
And when we come home from school, you better be gone!
Is Sergeant Stewart available?
He's not.
Can I help you?
- At what hour do you expect him? - I'm not sure.
Who are you?
Are you Sergeant Stewart's wife?
Bernadette.
Please tell your husband the Guardians send their deepest regrets
for any lingering trauma caused by our latest communication.
We would like to make compensation
for any continued distress that may have resulted.
I don't understand, I...
We have reports that many of the candidates
considered for the role of Green Lantern have been experiencing...
emotional turmoil.
Are you telling me you're an alien?
I am an intergalactic species non-native to your Earth, yes.
Prove it.
Excuse me?
You just look like some unfortunate white lady to me.
Prove it.
I've found my natural form
to be upsetting to humans.
I don't get upset.
Show me.
You drink coffee?
Sorry for the mess. My kids just had a test.
You have more children than this?
I do. I meant my students. I'm a teacher.
So, you floated my husband out of our bed?
We have never had a Green Lantern from Earth.
We realize now that the ring's selection process is unusual
for your species.
Do you all intend on fixing this?
Everyone he talks to thinks Johnny's lost his mind.
He's nearly drinking himself to death every night.
My family is falling apart.
The system is imperfect. This is the best I can do.
Do you know the differences in race on Earth?
Do you understand how unfair it is
to ask a Black man in America if he's afraid?
By "Black," you mean...
brown skin?
We are terrified daily of persecution
and still show up, sometimes better, than everyone around us.
Did you know that?
I did not.
Even in space, y'all don't consider us.
Humans have relatively short lifespans.
Perhaps this could present opportunities.
Whatever the ring saw in your husband is in his genetic makeup.
You are a very formidable woman.
Your offspring could one day...
be an excellent candidate.
That's a long time from now. What if he's scared too?
Then he'd fail.
And if I raise him to be fearless?
That would certainly warrant our attention...
when the time came.
And when the time comes,
how do I know he'll get a fair shot?
You have my word.
Were you the one that came to visit my mom?
Yes.
You know, the police came to visit her
when she tried to cash that diamond.
They didn't believe it was hers.
I am sorry she had to go through that.
Yeah, I'll pass that along.
Your father was a Marine. Is that why you became one too?
Yes, ma'am. And it's part of the path.
The path?
I became a Marine so I could get here, across the table from you.
Well, let's start there, John Stewart.
Or, Sergeant Major John Stewart.
- Is that right? - Formerly Sergeant Major.
You don't have other clothes in your car?
- Gym bag? - No, sir.
Well, I ordered. I got you a steak and a beer.
- Thank you. - Weren't supposed to be dressed.
I was told this was about an issue of national security.
The whole point of meeting at an Outback is to be discreet.
Not a lot of snipers like you left.
Your kill record's impeccable.
- You're patient. - Is this my target?
Code name is Gray Wolf.
- He launders money. - I don't care about the man.
- Tell me about the mission. - He's impossible to track.
There's only one place we've ever known him to return.
A retreat we believe he owns in the Kamchatka Peninsula.
We have no idea how often he goes, how long he stays.
You want me to wait on him, stay there until he shows up.
It could take weeks, maybe a couple months.
And how many have been before me?
What makes you think you're not the first?
Well, there's intel on an otherwise remote mountain range,
a rudimentary map of the retreat, so someone's been there.
Three.
We lost contact with the last team months ago.
But if you agree to the mission, we'll do things differently.
You'll have a panic button if you need extraction.
I don't want that. I don't do panic, sir.
Best to get your affairs in order before you leave.
- Yeah. - How's your dad?
Sir?
We were stationed together after basic.
I heard he had some struggles.
Much better, sir. Thank you.
I didn't hear you come in.
Couch getting too comfortable?
It's better than a motel.
We need to fix this, Johnny.
I know.
You were never gonna wear that ring.
- I know you don't believe me. - I do now.
And I'm sorry that everybody's been treating you like you're crazy.
- I'm sorry I have. - Why now? What changed?
One of the Green Lantern's bosses came by the other day.
They apologized for not picking you.
What did they say?
Some bullshit about the imperfection of the system.
But it could be John.
Our baby?
That's right.
- I don't understand. - Why did you become a Marine?
Why do I get up and teach?
To be better than where we came from,
to prove to God-knows-who that we are worth a damn.
And we didn't break every stereotype
and face down every fear for you to be penalized
because you're scared to leave the people that you love.
They don't see us, Bernie, and you know that.
Down here or up there.
I said the same thing, but we can't accept that.
We can't raise three boys
and believe that no matter how good they are,
they get looked over.
Why not Aaron or Marcus?
No, they're too old.
They already know fear.
Plus, I think the Guardian liked John.
I could tell.
How do you make a Green Lantern?
I've been reading.
We condition him so he's used to fear.
Train him to be everything they saw in you
and everything the Lantern they picked isn't.
I don't know.
The night that they rejected you
was the beginning of everything falling apart.
This is a chance for us to put it back together.
He's gonna hate us.
So be it.
It's not ideal jumping weather, but it's the only way they don't see us.
Then it's ideal.
When the mission is complete, hit this button.
If anything goes wrong and you need extraction...
You'll hear from me when the mission's complete.
Good luck. Jump.
I was dishonorably discharged.
- Elaborate. - Which part?
The dishonorable or the discharge?
I am more concerned with disobedience.
No disobedience.
I had a mission to complete and I failed.
You don't present as someone who relents without cause.
Well, if there was a reason or a cause,
that would be classified.
Much of what I will discuss will also be classified.
You have my word nothing leaves this room.
What do you know about Sinestro?
Only what I saw on the news. He went rogue.
He killed one of your fellow Guardians.
Hal Jordan beat his ass and locked him up.
And what do you think of Hal Jordan?
- I don't. - You don't what?
- I don't think about him. - You must think something.
He was chosen instead of your father.
My dad served this country honorably.
He respects anyone whose job it is to protect people.
He taught me to do the same.
Sinestro was Jordan's teacher.
A father figure.
He still harbors deep affection for his mentor. It's quite...
troubling.
It's human.
We love the people that raise us.
Even if they're crazy.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear John
Happy birthday to you
Make a wish, my boy.
We got something for you, baby. Close your eyes.
Why are you closing your eyes, Marcus?
I want it be a baseball jersey.
- You can't fit your gut in John's shirts. - Hey.
Open it.
Wait, I asked for crayons.
Your father and I think five is old enough to know about your destiny.
You're gonna be the Green Lantern when you grow up, son.
You probably wondered why we treat you so different.
Sleep in a different room than your brothers,
don't go to school with them.
I thought you just liked him better.
Hey!
Boys, this is serious.
When you were a baby, the Guardians,
the people that run the whole universe,
came to tell us that they want you to be the next Green Lantern.
They said that we had to train you
and they would send birds to watch over us.
They report back to the Guardians.
That's why you like birds so much, son.
Now, I know you like drawing, and you wanted those crayons,
and you can still do that a little.
But this year, your real training starts.
What do I have to do?
They want us to make sure that you're fearless.
- You always choose him. - Hey, Aaron.
Hey.
You can't worry about him.
You can't worry about anybody but yourself.
You don't want the Guardians to think you don't wanna do it, right?
No, ma'am.
What's this?
Careful, Marcus. Hand it to John.
We've given you your target, son.
Now you gotta learn to shoot. You ready?
Is that why you chose to be a sniper?
- I'm a good shot. - That is not what I'm asking.
I can hit a target from over a mile away.
So, you like the distance?
Is that a metaphor?
You asking me if I'm close to anyone, or if I'll be distracted on the job?
Yes. That is what I'm asking.
I like being alone, and I don't get distracted.
And your parents?
Do you resent them for the rigors of your training?
Do you have a family?
We come into existence alone, and we die the same.
That's sad.
Is it?
I can't really explain family to someone who doesn't have one,
but rigorous kind of comes with the territory.
Hey, that was good, boy. That was real good.
Go on over there and set up another apple.
Aren't you supposed to be out here finishing this dish?
I thought it made more sense to train.
You thought?
There's nothing to think about. We have to finish the dish.
Diamond money's gone, Bernie. We still need more parts.
And I need to call 'em and tell 'em how good he's doing.
We don't even know who to call, and they said they'll be watching.
I'm not leaving this up to them.
Look, Daddy. Like William Tell.
Shoot one off me.
Do it.
- What? - See if he's afraid. Do it.
Fear is contagious.
Ask him what they asked you.
Are you afraid?
No, sir.
This is what it takes.
For the both of you.
It's applesauce. Can I eat some?
I think your father can do better than that.
You deserve a cheeseburger, boy.
My boy. Come on.
And your parents, do you love them?
Yes. Of course, I love them. I owe them everything.
- You owe them? - Yes.
And how do you intend to repay them?
- By getting this job. - And what if you don't?
I will.
- How can you be so sure? - I was trained to be sure.
- You trippin'. - No, I know I'm right.
That's not what it says.
- Says. - Yes, it is.
They just can't say the "S" word on the radio.
Are the real words to this song,
"You like fish and grits and all the pimp shit"?
And how would he know? He ain't even Black.
That nigga listen to piano music.
- You know Mama makes him do that. - Be quiet.
You know Mama makes him do that.
But he be listening through the wall. I hear him.
Yeah. That's the real words.
- I told you! - You just saying that
- so Aaron will like you. - Please. You know all the words?
Do it.
You gonna be afraid of them your whole life?
They tryna make you lame.
I said throw your hands in the air
And wave 'em like you just don't care
And if you like fish and grits And all that pimp shit
Everybody, let me hear you say
"Oh-yea-er"?
- "Ay-er!" - "Oh-yea-er."
He talks like a white boy named Henry.
- John, get out. - But, Mama, we asked him to rap.
This ain't about no song. This is training.
He can't survive out there. He's never in places like this—
If we wanted your input, we'd have asked for it.
Get out the car, son.
Sorry.
- All right there, son? - What's up, little man?
I am curious why you didn't hit your panic button.
I had a mission to complete.
Perhaps you were stubborn.
I had a mission to complete.
Your training must have resulted in great loneliness.
As humans require high levels of social connection,
that isolation appears to be in direct opposition to your programming.
Humans aren't programmed, we're raised.
I do not understand the distinction.
Well, there is one.
Where you going?
I'm gonna... You can't do that.
- Wait! No. Go, go. - No, no, no!
Oh! Yeah.
John.
I saved you a pork chop.
Your plate's in the microwave.
Should you become Green Lantern,
you'll become more isolated from your family.
Not a problem.
They will not...
- miss you? - No.
You will not miss them?
We all lived in the same house for 18 years.
I grew up missing them.
Mama!
Can I go outside with Marcus and Aaron? I did my work.
He can already shoot over a quarter mile...
- Mama? - ... at ten years old.
He demonstrates fearlessness every day. He—
Are you there?
Just say something. You gave your word!
Who are you talking to?
Was that the Guardians? Why weren't they talking back?
Maybe they're not talking because they're not seeing results.
- You're still scared. - I'm not scared of nothing.
The birds should be telling them that.
- Well, they're not. - Then the birds are liars.
Prove it.
That's good, John. That's real good.
Let's go get you a cheeseburger.
- He's not done. - Say what?
Let John shoot.
Shoot what?
The apple off you.
He said he's not scared.
Let's see.
Can you do that, son?
Honey, shouldn't we work up to this?
John could shoot a moth out the sky.
Yeah.
Guess the birds aren't liars after all.
You don't have to do that.
Let me see.
You are gifted, son.
I know if it were up to you, you'd do a whole lot more drawing.
I gotta train. There's no time for drawing.
Doesn't mean you wanna do it any less.
Some things just come natural.
Like birds, drawing...
loving your dad.
That's nothing to be ashamed of.
You know how many little boys don't even get a daddy to love?
I was scared.
It's normal to not wanna hurt the people you love.
Love is the most important thing we've got.
It's why we train you so hard.
We wanna see you succeed because we love you.
The birds were right. I'm not good enough.
I made the birds up.
We make this all seem so urgent...
like you have to be ready to fly today because
we don't know when they're gonna call your number
and ask you to be a Lantern.
And the reason we don't know is because
you were right.
The Guardians don't answer us.
You lied?
Just because they don't answer doesn't mean they're not listening.
They probably don't even know who I am.
Oh, they know exactly who you are.
They know you better than they knew Hal Jordan,
and they know you're better.
And the only reason why he has that ring
is because he's been privileged enough in this life
that he didn't have to know fear.
And we are giving you that same gift.
I can see it for you.
I can see you wearing that uniform, making us all proud.
But I wasn't chosen.
Sometimes...
a Black man has to raise his own hand.
Doesn't mean you're not good enough,
doesn't mean you're not better. It just means they don't see us.
So, we make ourselves seen.
Now, if you wanna stop trying for this because we lied to you, I get it.
But you can't worry about the choosing part.
Choose yourself.
I'm ready to shoot now.
I'll go wake up your dad.
No, not Dad.
You.
I knew you could do it, son.
Let's go get you your cheeseburger.
I hate cheeseburgers.
Then you don't need to eat them anymore.
I admire your candor about your family.
Why do I get the feeling you're about to say "but"?
Because there are still other things you are withholding from me.
- Like my military discharge? - Yes.
I've told you everything I'm comfortable telling.
If you want this job,
you will share everything you are uncomfortable with.
- Nine months. - You said it could take a while.
- That's a long while. - That's how long it took.
We thought you were dead.
The higher-ups were losing their shit.
You could have sent a recon plane.
You didn't have to send in Jordan.
We didn't.
Exactly.
The Deputy to the Defense Secretary was at some strip club.
And who's at the bar holding court but Hal fucking Jordan.
They start drinking.
The Deputy lets it slide they have intel Gray Wolf's headed for his retreat. Boom.
Jordan just zips up at the sky, headed straight for Kamchatka.
Blasts the compound, grabs Gray Wolf, and drops him off at Guantanamo.
So now, we have a wanted terrorist, not dead, but in custody.
And a bunch of pissed-off Russians
asking who torched 300 acres of their sovereign land.
Fortunately, the U.S. military can take responsibility
for this shitstorm.
With one small exception.
- We weren't supposed to be there. - We were not.
And neither was Jordan.
And someone has to take the heat
lest it get out that our foreign policy is the solicitation of aid
from drunk fucking superheroes in titty bars.
- Here you go, gentlemen. - Thank you.
Yeah, okay.
Do you know what you're saying okay to, son?
You were there of your own volition.
Your discharge is gonna be dishonorable.
But everyone up top will know the service you've done for your country.
Yeah, I understand.
God bless you, Major.
How long are you gonna mope around my house?
As long as you'll let me.
Fucking Hal Jordan.
Everything I worked for is gone.
Nothing you lost can't be got back.
That's years of my life, Mama.
Nine months alone, spent eating bugs and berries.
You don't eat meat anyway.
Open it. I already did.
What is it?
- I didn't apply to art school. - I did.
- You wanna go, don't you? - Why would you do that?
Because it's time for you to pick yourself up
and stop using up all my electricity.
Okay, and...
what about my destiny?
The path hasn't changed. This is just a detour.
Now, if you wanna sit up in this room and be scared that it's all over,
then you're afraid.
- And if you're afraid... - Then it's over.
Right.
Courage is fear that's said its prayers, son.
You could be worried,
but you have to be brave enough to still try.
Because one day, every little boy's gonna wanna be just like you.
But until then,
you have to make yourself happy.
Since when did you care if I was happy?
You still mad about those crayons?
Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Mr. Stewart.
Thank you. Of course.
As I'm sure you were told,
we're looking for a well-trained student for a very special project.
You come highly recommended.
The evaluation is simple enough.
I will ask you to draw sketches of objects from memory.
The more detailed, the better.
- Shall we? - Yeah.
Please, sketch the building we're in.
Can you picture a watch?
Preferably one that belonged to your mother or father.
- Yeah, my father's. - Excellent.
Now, Mr. Stewart, please...
place the ring on your finger
and manifest your father's watch.
You must consider all of its inner engineering if it is to work.
Just think about it. It will project.
Fine work.
We've been watching your progress.
Now, off you go. Or you'll miss your interview.
My interview?
The one you've been waiting for.
Jump.
Can you confirm for me that it is because of Hal Jordan
that you are no longer in the military?
Yeah.
Would you say that
it is because Hal Jordan was chosen over your father
that your family life is...
complicated?
Yeah.
You would be closer to your brothers?
Yeah.
And has any of this caused you to harbor
ill will for Hal Jordan?
No.
You just told me he was the reason you were discharged from the military.
It's not his fault. He was following orders.
Actually, he wasn't.
In fact, we had repeatedly admonished him to not use his powers
to intervene in terrestrial disputes.
Would you be comfortable replacing Hal Jordan?
Understanding that he would be under the impression
that you are simply his backup.
Are those my orders?
If you get the job, yes, those would be your orders.
Well, then it doesn't matter if I'm comfortable with it.
Congratulations...
John Stewart.
Mama! Dad!
Y'all are not gonna believe this.
There he is. The one and only John Stewart.
Hey, he's a junior, isn't he? Is that what you call him?
We just call him John.
Junior, Hal Jordan. Pleasure to meet you.
- Yeah, nice to meet you. - It is, isn't it?
I was just telling your folks here I just had to meet my new protégé.
And I don't know how in the world the big, blue bosses chose him,
but I know that if... well, if you two raised him,
he's gonna be top-notch.
Y'all two are salt of the Earth,
like the Midwest Huxtables.
Junior, what say we walk outside and talk over schedules and whatnot.
And...
I do appreciate the hospitality.
You coming, Junior?
You starstruck or shy?
Neither, sir.
I'm kind of getting the sense of...
tension.
No, no, it's just...
It just means a lot to me.
I was hoping to tell them myself, that's all.
Aw, hell. Did I spoil it?
No. No, sir. No, it's okay.
- It is? - Yeah.
- It's okay? - Yeah.
You're sure?
All right, good. Good, good, good.
Because, you know, honestly...
I don't give a flying fuck what you're hoping for,
but I'm guessing it's this ring right here.
And I don't need a fucking sidekick, and I don't want a fucking backup,
and the only way you're gonna get this ring
is over my dead fucking body.
We'll start training Monday morning. Looking forward to it, Junior.
I think he likes me.