(Start on the first isle. CUPHEAD and MUGMAN are walking.)
Cuphead-Well, that's one contract down. It was almost too easy!
(MUGMAN pulls out the list and checks off the Root Pack.)
Mugman-Hopefully, all the debtors will be like that.
Cuphead-By tomorrow night, we'll be home free! This'll be a walk in the park!
(He looks around, realizing where he is.)
Cuphead-No pun intended.
(MUGMAN looks over the list.)
Mugman-Now, who's next?
Cuphead-I don't know. You tell me.
Mugman-I don't know, either!
Cuphead-Then why are you looking at the list?
(MUGMAN slowly looks up at CUPHEAD.)
Mugman-To give myself an idea of who might be next.
Cuphead-Alright. But how do we find them?
Mugman-(quietly) We could ask around-
Cuphead-Hold that thought. I have me an idea. We could ask other people if they know where they are!
Mugman-Yeah. That. Can we start with some trustworthy-looking people?
(They come across a small shack with a sign that says "Shop".)
Cuphead-"Shop". Sounds trustworthy.
(He goes into the shack, followed by MUGMAN. Behind the counter inside is a large, eye patch-wearing pig named PORKRIND.)
Porkrind-Welcome to Porkrind's Emporium. Is there anything ya need?
Cuphead-Yes. Do you have any weapons?
(MUGMAN gives CUPHEAD a strange look, taken aback by this sudden deviation from plans.)
Mugman-What he means is "weaponizing potions". (to CUPHEAD) What are you doing? We're supposed to be asking about the debt-ors.
(While they talk, PORKRIND goes back to the shelves behind the counter.)
Cuphead-Well, we can't possibly take down all those debtors with just a simple Peashooter! I figured we could get some better shots here because seedy shops like this are always the best place to find stuff like that. Don't ask me how I know that. And while we're at it, we could ask about the list.
(MUGMAN sighs.)
Mugman-Fine. But next time, let me know first.
(PORKRIND returns to the counter with three bottles.)
Porkrind-Here's what I could find ya. Take your pick.
(CUPHEAD takes a bottle, a green one, off the counter and reads the label.)
Cuphead-"Chaser: Long range with below-average damage. No aiming required." No aiming? That sounds pretty cool.
(He looks at MUGMAN, who is reading the label on a blue bottle.)
Mugman-"Roundabout: Great coverage with average damage. Aim backward for maximum range."
(CUPHEAD gasps in horror at the choices his brother is considering. He hands him the Chaser.)
Cuphead-I think you want this one. You deserve it more than I do, anyway. I've seen your aim.
(He realizes what he just said and takes the potion back.)
Cuphead-No, wait. There's only one bottle. I want it.
(He pulls four coins out of his pocket and slams them on the counter.)
Cuphead-I'll have the Chaser, please.
(MUGMAN slides his coins onto the counter.)
Mugman-And I'll take the Roundabout.
(PORKRIND takes the coins.)
Porkrind-Goodbye.
(CUPHEAD and MUGMAN leave the shop. Cut to outside, where both boys are holding their potions.)
Mugman-So why did you give me that potion and then take it away?
Cuphead-Did you not see what that potion did? It requires no aiming.
Mugman-And you think I needed that?
Cuphead-Yes. We can still switch if you want to.
Mugman-I'll have to say no because despite what you think, I actually don't need it.
Cuphead-Mugman, come on! I've seen you aim forwards. Your aim backwards is going to be even worse, if such a thing is possible.
Mugman-That's only because I was doing rapid fire. If you had just given me a couple seconds, I would've been the best dang shot you ever saw.
Cuphead-Really? Well, bottoms up.
(They both drink their potions. CUPHEAD takes a bag of gumballs out of his pocket.)
Cuphead-Prove it.
Mugman-Prove what?
Cuphead-That you're such a good shot.
Mugman-Gladly.
(He snatches the bag and takes out three gumballs. CUPHEAD begins to walk away.)
Mugman-And where do you think you're going?!
Cuphead-I forgot to ask the pig at the shop about the list. You keep practicing. I'll be right back.
(Cut to the shop. Enter CUPHEAD.)
Porkrind-Welcome back. Ya need more potions?
Cuphead-No.
(He shows the debtor list to PORKRIND.)
Cuphead-I just need you to look over these names and tell me if you recognize them and if so, where I might be able to find them. It's for...business.
(PORKRIND looks over the list.)
Porkrind-Goopy le Grand looks familiar. I believe he lives in the forest up north on this island.
Cuphead-Really? Thanks!
Porkrind-Goodbye.
(CUPHEAD runs out. Cut to outside. He sees MUGMAN standing triumphantly with his hands on his hips.)
Cuphead-You sure seem confident. Ready to prove you're the "best dang shot I ever saw"?
Mugman-Indeed! Where should I start, forwards or backwards?
(CUPHEAD looks surprised.)
Cuphead-Forwards?
(MUGMAN hands him three gumballs.)
Mugman-On the count of three, I want you to toss these into the air.
(He steps back and extends his arm.)
Mugman-One, two, three!
(CUPHEAD tosses the gumballs. MUGMAN closes one eye and aims upwards. He shoots three times. Three Peashots hit the gumballs perfectly. MUGMAN hands CUPHEAD three more gumballs.)
Mugman-And now backwards.
(He steps back and turns away.)
Mugman-One, two, three!
(CUPHEAD tosses the gumballs again. MUGMAN looks over his shoulder and aims directly behind him. He shoots three times. Three blue horseshoe-shaped bullets start going forward but whip around and hit the gumballs.)
Cuphead-Whoa-ho-ho! I stand corrected. You're a natural sharpshooter!
Mugman-Why, thank you. Now, are you going to take back all those things you said about my aim?
Cuphead-Alright. I will. Now, I think I found our next debtor. His name's Goopy le Grand, and he lives in the forest up to the north, I've heard.
(They head for some trees. Cut to a dense forest. CUPHEAD is holding his hand like a gun.)
Cuphead-Remember, Mugman. This is the same forest that just tried to kill us. You must always be on your toes.
(MUGMAN looks at CUPHEAD's feet. He is literally on his tiptoes.)
Mugman-You're really taking this seriously.
Cuphead-And you should be, too.
(They come across a clearing in the forest. They see a blue ball of slime, GOOPY LE GRAND, turned away from them and humming softly. They approach slowly, not wanting to disturb him.)
Cuphead-Excuse me.
(GOOPY turns around.)
Cuphead-Are you Goopy le Grand?
Goopy-Indeed I am.
(MUGMAN sighs.)
Mugman-We need something from you.
Goopy-What is it?
(CUPHEAD shows him the Notice to Repossess.)
Cuphead-Your contract.
(GOOPY takes off the top of his head and tips it like a hat.)
Goopy-Well, it was a pleasure meeting you boys.
Mugman-Wait. Was?
(GOOPY begins bouncing around. CUPHEAD and MUGMAN have to jump out of the way each time.)
Cuphead-Wow. He's wasting no time with this.
Mugman-We're essentially asking for his soul, remember?
Cuphead-Right. How about we put our new weapons to good use?
(They begin shooting at GOOPY, with CUPHEAD using the Chaser and MUGMAN using Roundabout. The Chaser bullets are light green and home in on GOOPY. Neither one misses a single shot.)
Cuphead-Want me to spot for you?
Mugman-I can spot for myself.
(He looks over his shoulder and keeps shooting as GOOPY turns into a boxing glove and lunges at MUGMAN, knocking him over.)
Mugman-Ow.
Cuphead-Now's not the time for whining. Get up and get shooting!
Mugman-Sheesh, 'kay!
(He gets up and resumes firing. GOOPY pulls out a tiny pink pill and pops it into his mouth. Three question marks appear around him as he gets bigger. CUPHEAD runs towards him, jumps up, and parries all three question marks. GOOPY resumes bouncing around. MUGMAN starts shooting again.)
Mugman-Cuphead, what was that for?
Cuphead-If you parry enough times, you can do this!
(He thrusts his fists forward. He is surrounded by Chaser bullets.)
Cuphead-Huh. It was different with the Peashooter.
(MUGMAN thrusts his fists forward as well. A light blue projectile shaped like a circular saw begins flying all over the place.)
Cuphead-Excellent job, Mugman. Your shooting has improved greatly.
(GOOPY forms part of himself into a boxing glove and punches MUGMAN.)
Cuphead-Your dodging could use some work, though.
(MUGMAN gets up and sticks his tongue out at CUPHEAD. He gets back to firing. Several seconds later, GOOPY stops bouncing and begins rocking back and forth with a dazed look on his face.)
Cuphead-Excellent! We got him! Go find his contract, Mugs.
(MUGMAN runs off. A whistling sound is heard as a tombstone with Goopy's face on it comes down and lands on GOOPY.)
Cuphead-Well, now he's gone for good.
(The tombstone starts sliding around and nearly smashes CUPHEAD.)
Cuphead-He is dead. He is actually dead, and he is still trying to kill me. This is the opposite of resting in peace.
(He starts shooting again. The bullets move up to the tombstone's face.)
Cuphead-Ooh, I love this Chaser!
(The tombstone tries to smash him again.)
Cuphead-But I don't love the situations I have to use it in.
(Meanwhile, MUGMAN is walking through the forest.)
Mugman-I wonder what Cuphead's up to. Now, where is that contract?
(Several minutes later, CUPHEAD is still shooting at the tombstone, which is starting to slow down. He appears exhausted and is breathing heavily.)
Cuphead-Wow...You are sure...taking a long time...to beat. Just a few...more...shots...
(A crack appears on top of the tombstone. It grows until it splits in half. CUPHEAD sighs heavily and collapses on the ground.)
Cuphead-FINALLY!
(MUGMAN returns holding a piece of rolled-up parchment and looks on in shock at his brother lying on the ground.)
Mugman-Cuphead! What happened to you?
Cuphead-Long story short, ol' Goopy le Grand wasn't that easy to beat. It was (huff) pretty hard.
Mugman-Well, I found the contract. Want me to help you up?
(CUPHEAD nods and extends his hand. MUGMAN grabs it and lifts him up.)
Cuphead-Good job, Mugman.
(He pulls out the contract box.)
Cuphead-Put 'er here.
(MUGMAN puts the contract in the box.)
Mugman-Are you going to say that every time?
Cuphead-You just gave me an idea.
(They head out of the forest.)
Cuphead-Mugman, there's something that's been on my mind. How in heavens do you aim so well? Even backwards, you landed every shot!
Mugman-You were amazed by my shooting with the gumballs, weren't you? Well, I'll tell you my secret. It's all about anticipation. The Roundabout bullets are slower-moving than the Peashooter bullets. When I was aiming forward, I knew the gumballs would be higher in the air when the bullets got to them, so I aimed higher. When I was aiming backwards, I anticipated that the gumballs would already be on their way down by the time the bullets got to them, so I aimed lower.
Cuphead-Wow. You are so smart. I don't think I could have that much going on in my head during battle. I'd rather use Chaser. It's less to think about.
Mugman-That's the difference between you and me, brother.
(CUPHEAD narrates.)
Cuphead-(voice only) Well, that's two down, fifteen to go. I think I'm getting used to this whole contract-collecting thing, and with Mugman coming along for the ride, we aren't going to miss a shot.