#THE CLIMAX

[roserosette]

The Climax, 1944, George Waggner

[the-artist5917]

The Downfall

WARNING!! Mentions of r***, abuse, body harm, child exploitation, and manipulation. 

You have been warned.

Principle tried his best to keep his calm, but he was slowly losing control of his emotions. He was horrified, enraged, and extremely disappointed in himself.

He could barely believe that once he thought he could have a future with the one he loved. Now all that affection had completely evaporated, like morning dew under the warm morning sun. He hated that he was so blind to what Baldi was doing after he was left alone. He should have stopped this. Now his best friend was in agony because of his mistake.

It wasn’t all his fault though. He was going to make Baldi pay for all the pain and suffering he had caused the whole school.

Principle’s pace quickened, and so did his heart. It was dangerous for his heart to be beating so fast, but he needed to do this. He needed to find Baldi as fast as he could before he caused more trouble.

He was running now. Running in the halls. Breaking the rules.

Principle pushed the thought to the back of his head. This was serious. He needed to focus.

He rounded the corner, and almost collided with Mrs. Pomp, with Dr. Reflex tucked protectively against her chest. Principle gasped at the state of his best friend.

“What happened?!” He exclaimed.

Mrs. Pomp gave him a worried look. “I found him in the bathroom…He’d basically threw up most of his guts…” She responded. “I’m taking him home with me.”

Principle was a bit skeptical, but he nodded. “Okay. He needs someone to look after him-”

“You.”

Both staff startled at the sound of Baldi’s sharp voice. Principle saw him at the other end of the hall.

Baldi’s frame was tense, his eyes dark red and his right hand gripping his wooden ruler. He looked like he was about to charge at them, but instead he walked slowly toward them.

“Get him out of here,” Principle ordered to Mrs. Pomp.

The high-heel nodded sharply and turned to race in the opposite direction. Principle stood to block Baldi’s view of them as they left.

Principle’s nerves felt like someone shaking a jar of marbles. Baldi approached him, stopping inches from his face. The monster fought not to flinch away from his previous abuser. He should have done something about him a long time ago…

“You sir. You have something of mine.” 

His calm voice was a bit chilling, but still, Principle refused to back down.

Instead of responding to his statement, he decided to move the conversation to what he was looking to talk about. “Someone told me you’ve been assaulting Reflex.”

Baldi wasn’t swayed.

“I did more than ‘assaulting’,” he corrected in a sneering tone. “If you’re gonna confront me about things, at least do it right.”

Principle growled at him. “What made you think that was a good idea?? Do you know the state you’ve put Reflex in?! He looks half dead!”

Baldi rolled his eyes. “Of course I know. I might have good hearing, but I can still see idiot.”

The monster's rage only grew. “I trusted you once Baldimore. I thought you were a great person,” he snarled. “But, not only did you hurt me, and the students, but you went and did that to my best friend! Is there anything else I should know about??”

“If you’re saying that to make me feel bad, then you’re doing a terrible job.”

His nonchalance was infuriating.

Principle wanted nothing more than to give Baldi a taste of his own medicine. He could feel the hidden weapons in his back twitching in anticipation. But, Principle would be no better than him. He didn’t want to stoop to Baldi’s level.

“I asked if there was anything else I should know about,” the monster said through clenched teeth.

“Hmmm...” Baldi pretended to think by tapping a finger against his chin, but Principle got the feeling that he knew exactly what he would say. “Well...Lets see…Well abuse for one thing, then r***, murder, child abuse, p***philia, torture, and…I think that’s it…”

Principle stared at him. He couldn’t mask his shock even if there was a gun to his head. He stumbled back as Baldi stared back at him. He seemed almost…Proud… The smirk on his face…The way he stood, his arms crossed over his chest…and the way he played with his ruler…He was proud…Of all the pain and suffering he had caused so many people.

What was wrong with this man…

The monster didn’t even know that he was…Well…So terrible.

Principle didn’t even know what to say, so Baldi beat him to a response.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“YOU JUST ADMITTED TO BEING A P***PHILE!!”

“Yeah?”

Principle sighed in exasperation. Why was Baldi okay with this?? Either he was insane, or he was insane…

He shook his head. He didn’t want to deal with this. He didn’t have to.

“Listen Baldi. As much as I would love to rip you in half, I can’t do anything to you.” Afterhe said those words, he saw Baldi grow even more confident than he already was. “So I’m gonna call the police.”

Baldi scoffed, his voice growing teasing. “Shiver me timbers!! Whatever will I do?! Grow a pair Principle. The police won’t do shit to me. They never do.”

The monster was tempted into not calling the police, but he was done.

“I’m done running away from you Baldi. I’m done bowing to you.”

“Suit yourself then.”

Principle turned his back on his abuser, walking down the hall toward his office. He felt the familiar feeling of fear. The same feeling that had made him back down from asking for help when Baldi was hurting him. He thrusted it aside roughly before any of his doubting thoughts started seeping in.

The monster reached out his hand toward the phone on his desk. He pressed the phone up to his ear and typed in the number “911”. He was going to do something right for a change.

The phone ringing sound played in his ear rhythmically before it stopped abruptly.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

(2/2)

<- previous

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Kara Prince AU Pt 9

Guilt washes over Kara. All it had taken was a few careless words at a party to bring Lena's greatest enemy to her door. Nevermind that this Lex was different from the one who had haunted Lena in those other realities-- he had found her, because of Kara.

When they return to the cottage that night, Kara explains who Lex is, who he might become, and why he had set his sights on Lena. She tells Lena about the other reality in which she had seen a version of their lives, one that had prompted Kara to seek Lena out in Metropolis, thereby opening the door to let Lex into Lena's life.

Lena listens, and takes it all in stride. Where Kara expects blame, she receives only quiet acceptance. Instead of outrage, Lena takes her hand in gratitude.

"Thank you for telling me," she says softly. "But I have a feeling he would have found me eventually, whether you had spoken to him or not."

"Come back with me to Paris," Kara urges, gripping Lena's hand tightly. "He knows where you are, he might--"

"He will not chase me from my home."

There's steel in Lena's voice, brooking no argument. Kara bows her head, only to lift it again when Lena's hand cups her cheek.

"With you here, I have nothing to fear."

But before long, Diana sends word from Clark that trouble is brewing in America, and a warning that their help may be needed in due time. Barely a week later, a string of attacks in Metropolis has Kara's cousin calling for aid.

Despite her misgivings towards her cousin, Kara can't bring herself to refuse the call. Diana raised her too well to ignore the peril of so many.

Before Kara leaves, however, Lena presses a small crystal into her palm. It's tethered to a narrow leather lanyard-- simple and rudimentary, but precious in that it was given by Lena.

"Wear this," Lena urges. "For protection."

Kara loops it around her neck right then and there. With one last kiss, Kara lifts into the air and soars away, feeling as though she's left her heart behind.

Once in Metropolis, it doesn't take long for them to discover that the perpetrator of the attacks is none other than Lex Luthor himself. At first, they believe it will be a simple thing to take down a single human, but Lex proves resourceful. His allies spread all three of them across the city, and when it comes time for Clark and Kara to choose whether to stay on Lex's tail, or dismantle the bombs he'd placed throughout the city, Kara insists on being the one to track him down.

With the Lexosuit, Lex is a match for Clark-- but he is not a match for Kara. She is stronger, faster than her cousin, with an edge he could never hone himself into.

She is going to stop Lex, and protect Lena in the process.

The task is easier said than done, however. Lex's suit is stronger than she remembers from the other reality, more agile in the air. His lasers too pack more of a punch, and send her tumbling through the air until she's left breathless and acheing.

She takes a moment to gather herself on the roof of LexCorp, propping herself on one knee as Lex hovers in front of her. Gloating, as is his wont.

"Does my bastard sister know what you are?" he asks. "I wonder what she'll say, when she realizes she's been loving a monster--"

All of a sudden, the crystal flashes white hot around Kara's neck. In the next moment, an explosion collides with Lex's chest, sending him tumbling backwards in the air. He lands heavily on the roof, giving Kara the opportunity to look to where Lena stands beside her, another fireball already charging between her hands.

"Lena! How did you--?"

"The charm. Point to point teleportation spell." Lena shoots her a wry smile. "Looked like you could use some help on the news."

Kara grins back. "I love you."

Lex laboriously clambers to his feet, the movement made cumbersome by his smoking exosuit. He glares at them.

"Lena-- sister. Fancy seeing you here."

"Likewise," Lena retorts.

Lex's eyes lock on the magical fire between Lena's palms, and glint with interest.

"It seems you might have something special after all," he delivers. He stands, booted feet clanking against the roof. "Join me, Lena. We are blood, after all. Together we can--"

A second fireball collides with his chest, and the suit's faceplate clangs shut just in time to avoid a faceful of fire.

"Your blood means nothing to me," Lena declares, her voice strong and sure.

Lex scowls menacingly. "Then you'll die with the rest."

With that, his faceplate snaps shut and he shoots off into the air. Before Kara takes off after him, she looks at Lena to check in. Lena nods.

"Keep him busy."

Kara obeys, chasing Lex around the city, landing whatever blows she can. As she does, the wind picks up around her, quickly gathering into a fury. She struggles to stay on course, and sees Lex do the same as Lena builds up a veritable hurricane. Soon a driving rain pelts Kara's skin, stinging her as she flies across the city.

Clouds gather overhead, dark and menacing. As thunder begins roll, Kara understands what Lena is about to do. In an instant she changes tack-- instead of chasing Lex, she begins to herd him back towards Lena as the pressure around them builds.

When LexCorp comes back into view, Kara delivers a mighty kick that sends Lex careening towards his own building. Just as he rights himself before impact, Kara sees Lena lift her hand and bring it down in a fist. As she does, an arc of lightning flashes down with a deafening crack as it connects with the helm of the Lexosuit.

Almost as soon as the first bolt dissipates, another strikes Lex again, and again and again. The blinding light sears across Kara's retinas, forcing her to close her eyes until the brilliance fades and she hears the Lexosuits thrusters sputter and fail.

She opens her eyes to see Lex drop like so much stone. She catches him suit and all, the still smoking hull hot in her hands. When she deposits him on the roof, Kara reaches down to wrench the faceplate off.

One look at Lex's features confirms what Kara already suspects: dead.

She looks up at Lena, who comes to stare down of the corpse who was briefly her unwanted brother. Features solemn, Lena swallows thickly, but remorse is absent from her eyes.

"He can't hurt anyone else."

It's all Lena says.

When Clark learns of Lex's death, he looks at Lena with suspicion and trepidation. Lena remains indifferent to it, but Kara stays close, a buffer against her cousin's heavy judgement. He may not kill, but Kara knows that Lena has done what was necessary to ensure no one else would fall victim to Lex's schemes. Diana, too, understands, and does nothing more than place a hand on Lena's shoulder.

"You should not be here when the authorities arrive," Diana warns gently.

Lena nods, turning to Kara. "Take me home?"

Only then does Clark speak. "I'm afraid we have some questions for you, Miss....."

"None of your business," Lena returns smoothly.

Clark bristles. "But--"

"I am not beholden to you or whatever organizations you work with, Superman," Lena continues. "I prefer to keep it that way."

"You can't just--"

"Leave it, Kal," Kara bites out.

Shocked by her growl, Clark takes a step back, visiblt deflating. The tension in Kara's shoulders only ease when Lena takes her hand. Kara gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Let's go."

[citizenscreen]

Gale Sondergaard and Boris Karloff in George Waggner’s THE CLIMAX (1944)

[horrororman]

🎃 Notable films that were released on October 20th...

The Terror (1928)(silent version).

The Old Dark House (1932).

Night Monster (1942).

The Climax (1944).

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1975)(Spain).

Cherry Falls (2000)(TV premiere).

The Prestige (2006).

Tragedy Girls (2017)(US).

V/H/S/99 (2022)(internet).

#horror

[alvadee]

Franz from The Climax (1944) is so far my favorite "Raoul" iteration from a movie that borrows from or is an adaption of PotO. Dude is boyish and charming and SO in love with Susanna Foster.

He literally eats his playbill because he's so nervous and excited for her when she has her big debut!

cute!

[doraemonmon]

The Climax - Boris Karloff and Susanna Foster

[random-xpressions]

The contraction and the trembling of the muscles just before the release. That's the prize I seek...

Random Xpressions

[mariocki]

The Climax (1944)

"I don't hate you. I only hate the thing that's come between us: your voice."

"Yes, I know. You were out front tonight. I felt your eyes on me. Like you're looking at me now. Go away. Get out of here! I'm afraid of you."

"You needn't be. I love you, my darling, you know that. I'd give my life for you. This thing that shuts me out, I won't let it, I tell you I won't let it. It's here... now, between my fingers. I've only to close them to silence it forever."

[thislittlecowcanfly]

i have not watched the recent jjk episode so i most certainLY WILL BE AVOIDING TUMBLR until i’ve watched it please and thank you i am not mentally prepared to see my boy sealed

[roserosette]

The Climax, 1944, George Waggner

[thetownidiot]

The greatest dream

had a dream last night that jerma tried to convince everyone that he died so he could secretly come back out of retirement and stream again and the disguise he used so people wouldnt know it was him streaming was just a png of a triangular prism instead of a facecam and also he insisted that his name was 'geronimo' and he was totally convinced that nobody knew it was him even though the whole chat would yell at him every time he streamed that we all knew who he was and to prove us all wrong he shared his own address and said that 'the real jerma wouldnt live here, he hates this city!!' and finally people convinced him we knew who he was by comparing audio files of him sneezing to prove that he was jerma and then he cried for like an hour straight uninterrupted and then i woke up.

[authorajalexander]

The Climax (Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 11 of 12) – Written By K.M. Weiland…

(This post was published before on ‘The Story Reading Ape’s blog) on Helping Writers become Authors: The Climax is the pièce de résistance of your gourmet meal of a novel. When you wheel out the Climax and lift the serving dish’s gleaming silver lid, this is the bit that gets all the oohs and aahs. The Climax should have readers on the edge of their seats. They should be breathless, tense, and…

[bangjiazheng]

The Climax | Screenwriting 101 - Story Structure Series

[muffinlance]

Watching movies with small children is an EXPERIENCE, like tiny human, you have NO sense of story progression

Which is to say we put on the first How to Train Your Dragon

And at the dramatic "first flight" scene, two-year-old shouted "HIM FALL" and started SOBBING. She straight up thought that movie had murdered Hiccup and Toothless halfway through. Had to get double parental hugs and a constant stream of reassurances until they figured that whole flying thing out

All movies could be horror movies if your brain hasn't equipped Plot Armor to the protagonists

Anyway five-year-old is pleased to report that he "liked the part where the big dragon exploded"

[6vaguebook]

When you're just casually writing, far enough along that you're not encountering any major issues, and then you come across the kind of plot hole where you have to close the doc and stare at a wall as you rework the entire plot