Lanterns

(OVER TV) Tonight, a 60 Minutes exclusive.

Ten years ago, no one on Earth was aware

we were already under the protection

of someone calling himself Green Lantern.

Then, without warning, he made himself known,

dramatically stopping a meteor from devastating Victoria Falls.

Or, at least, he made himself partially known.

Here now, we bring you the first ever heart-to-heart

with a superhero.

Are you nervous?

I don't get nervous.

- Part of the job description. Of course.

Excited.

In that case, who are you?

- I'm Hal Jordan. - (TV CLICKS OFF)

Damn it, Marcus!

You're gonna get us all in trouble.

Just watch the window!

So, what do you want the world

to know about you?

I'm an Air Force veteran.

I'm a former test pilot.

And really

just that I'm a regular person.

Like you.

Except that you're also.

(CHUCKLING) There is that, too.

In many ways,

Hal Jordan was born for the role he would eventually play.

His father was a decorated test pilot

who died tragically in a crash when Hal was just eight.

Hal continued to follow in his father's footsteps...

- (GASPS) Shit, shit, shit! He's home! - (NEWS ANCHOR TALKING ON TV)

Damn it! Come on, John, turn the TV off!

But we're like beat cops.

- Only each one of us... Turn it off!

- Has a chunk of the galaxy. - (JOHN STEWART JUNIOR SHUSHES)

And how are you chosen for this chunk?

- Is there a test? John!

- Come on, turn the TV off! - It's only one question.

We're so dead.

"Are you afraid?"

And you said no.

I did.

Every kid's worst fear is losing a parent.

Once that happens

there is nothing to fear anymore.

So you gonna tell me his real name?

Hal something.

Hal?

Yes, sir.

- (FINGERS SNAP) - Outside. Now.

Are you afraid?

No, sir!

Let's go get a burger.

- (PUNCHING BAG THUMPING) - (CHAIN RATTLING)

Shit.

- (TIRES SCREECHING) - (CAR ENGINE REVVING)

I'm late.

Yes, sir.

You're not gonna say anything?

- (ENGINE REVVING) - (TIRES SCREECHING)

You sure you're not mad?

No, sir. Me, I'd be pissed off.

Disappearing for two weeks,

no explanation, show up hungover, and late.

Come on, you gotta be a little angry.

No, sir.

Mildly perturbed?

No, sir.

How come it is every time you say "sir,"

it sounds more and more like, "Fuck you"?

I have no idea.

Sir.

You must be wondering where I was?

- You ever heard of Pharon 4? - Well, we're in training.

We haven't gone off-planet yet.

Yeah, yeah, that's right. It's a shithole of a planet

that was on the verge of civil war.

The point is, if I'm hungover,

it's only because I was celebrating the new peace.

So, how'd you manage it?

A little bit of diplomacy, a little punching,

you know the drill.

Actually, I don't, sir. That's the point.

Well, you got all the time in the world.

With all due respect,

we've been doing this, what, two months?

And I haven't even worn the ring yet.

Don't get hung up on the jewelry, Junior.

You'll wear it when it chooses you.

I thought the point was that the Guardians chose me.

- That's all. - The big blue bosses

may think that you're hot shit,

but you're just a fucking substitute teacher, Junior.

You're not ready to get up in front of the class

until the ring says you are.

Here.

You wanna take it?

Is that a test?

There's a taco stand up the road about three miles.

I'll meet you there.

- (CABLES HUMMING) - (EAGLE SCREECHING)

Hello? Dad, he tried to kill me.

We was on our way to a flying lesson, and he...

Jordan just tried to fucking kill me.

He can't kill you.

He's just trying to put you on tilt.

I'm not on fucking tilt.

Then he's testing you.

They're allowed to have tantrums.

We're not. So breathe in, button down, and bottle up.

You need to be cool. Can you be cool, son?

- Yes, sir. I can be cool. Good.

- You want this, right? - Of course, I want this.

Just stay the course

and this job is yours.

Yeah, well...

Shit.

Am I dead?

- What? - You're wearing my ring.

Is that supposed to be funny?

Hey, did I do something to piss you off?

'Cause if I did, I'm sorry.

You? Hal Jordan? Sorry?

- (CHUCKLES) - That's right.

I must have a concussion.

Wait a sec. Wait a sec.

Let's start at the beginning.

Who are you and why are you wearing my ring?

I'm John Stewart, your trainee.

Lanterns don't have trainees from their own sector.

They do now.

What year is it?

2016.

Holy...

You want to tell me what you think is going on?

I'm a backup of Hal Jordan's consciousness,

combined with the sentience of the ring,

I'm here to give myself a message.

So you are Hal?

No. Yes. Mostly. Ish.

Well, it's like when you store yourself in the cloud,

only every once in a while,

when you're needed in the real world, you...

Lanterns, they're required to be uploaded weekly,

for posterity's sake, in case something happens to us.

I should have taught you this.

I thought I was training you.

Yeah, I thought so, too.

When were you last backed up?

Evidently, ten years ago. Listen, I need to find myself.

- Where am I? - Oh, you're three miles

up the street eating tacos.

Oh, good. You can fly us there, then.

I... I haven't

taught you how to fly yet, have I?

I'll tell you what.

You tell me what you want me to tell you.

Do I trust you?

I mean, you know, we, uh...