1. EXT. VALHALLA BALCONY - DUSK

In a gilded, sunlit anteroom in the Aesir palace of Valhalla, stoneworkers chisel new faces into statues that were destroyed during the battle against the dark elves. At a nearby balcony, ODIN the All-Father stands looking out across a city that has been damaged, but not defeated. His armor glows brass and gold in the setting sun; his spear 'Gungnir' rests in the crook of his arm. CLOSE ON Odin's face; his expression changes as he realizes he is not alone.

ODIN
(wryly)
You lack your mother's gift for stealth.

THOR joins Odin at the balcony - not looking at him, but instead looking out at the city.

THOR
I lack many of her gifts.
(beat)
Timing, for example.

Odin looks for a moment as if he is about to say something - but he thinks better of it.

THOR
(continuing)
Father - I want to return to Earth.

ODIN
(smiling)
We're calling it 'Earth' now, are we?

Thor laughs, but says nothing. The two men continue looking out across the city as the sun sets.

ODIN
You had said you would wait before you asked me again.

THOR
And I have waited. But I see her -them - everywhere. I cannot bear it.

Odin stops and gives Thor a look of intense curiousity. At length, he speaks again:

ODIN
Very well.
(beat)
But if you insist on going, you must leave Mjölnir behind. Where you go, you go as a mortal.

THOR
(unsettled, but persistent)
If that is what you wish.

CLOSE ON Odin's face as he looks out from the balcony - a sinister smirk. He "clears" his expression before turning back to Thor:

ODIN
It is. I cannot risk Asgard's defense again.
(beat)
And given all that has happened, perhaps it is for the best.

THOR
(dutifully)
Yes, Father.

Odin looks curiously at Thor.

ODIN
In your youth, you never would have agreed to such a thing. 'Earth' must mean a great deal to you.

THOR
(looking out at the city)
It does.

Odin lifts his chin a little and seems to inspect Thor before he speaks:

ODIN
Leave the hammer at the throne. Heimdall will be waiting for you at the Bifröst.

Without waiting, Odin turns and walks toward the door leading back inside.

THOR
Goodbye Fa-

But before Thor can even finish, the door has slammed shut. Odin is gone.

THOR
(finishing)
- Father.