Real Genius Page #13

JORDAN:

Oh?

MITCH:

And she wanted to...How can I say this so as not to offend you?

JORDAN:

Jump you?

MITCH:

Yeah. I hope you're not offended.

JORDAN:

So what happened?

MITCH:

(excited)

She kissed me. Then she took off her clothes. Then I took off my clothes-she had to help me. I kept blacking out - then... it was unbelievable.

JORDAN:

You made it with her?

MITCH:

No. That's what was unbelievable.

JORDAN:

Sure.

MITCH:

It's true. I stopped her and told her I didn't want to.

JORDAN:

Afraid?

MITCH:

No...I mean I really did want to ... but not with her.

He looks at her hopefully. She smiles.

INT. ATHERTON'S LAB-DAY

Chris puts the finishing touches on the second laser assembly. He seems pretty pleased with himself. Kent, Bodie and Carter watch conspiratorially. Carter looks at his watch and starts for the door.

CARTER:

Let's go girls

BODIE:

What's that supposed to mean?

CARTER:

It's just a f..f..figure of speech, Bodie. You guys coming to the exam or not?

CHRIS:

(finishing his work)

I guess we should, seeing as he's gone to all the bother of having one and everything.

They all begin to exit, but then Kent holds up.

KENT:

You guys go ahead. I have to go to the bathroom.

CHRIS:

(exiting)

Okay, Kent, but I don't think that's going to help your confidence, do you?

The others exit as Kent goes back to Chris' laser, opens it up and starts to fiddle with the works.

KENT:

(to himself)

So, Mr. Funny Man, let's see how funny you think this is.

INT. ATHERTON'S CLASSROOM-DAY

Students wait to begin taking their final exams. Chris, Bodie and Carter enter and take their seats. Atherton is passing out the booklets.

ATHERTON:

You will have exactly three hours. And remember, we believe in the honor system here, people.

ANGLE ON KENT:

He enters and heads for his seat beside Chris.

KENT:

Good luck, buddy boy.

CHRIS:

Is it okay if I name my first child after you? Dipshit Kinsley has a nice ring to it. 5R5DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ATHERTON'S CLASSROOM-LATER

The students are busy taking the test.

ANGLE ON CHRIS:

He seems to be breezing through it.

ANGLE ON KENT:

He's taking the test. He looks up and is distressed at Chris apparent lack of trouble. Chris looks over and throws Kent a big kiss. Kent turns away immediately.

INT. ATHERTON'S OFFICE

Atherton is going over some plans. Carmichael ENTERS. Atherton rises.

ATHERTON:

(reprimanding)

This is my class hour!

CARMICHAEL:

(loud whisper)

We're past the deadline. Don't you understand, Decker's dangerous. We need those plans.

ATHERTON:

(snaps back)

It's not ready yet. But it will be. I've got Kinsley cooking now. He'll do it. Believe me, I know how to push that kid's buttons.

(rolling up the plans)

Here are my drawings for the optics in the sighting system.

CARMICHAEL:

(cutting him off)

Decker wants the laser by the end of the week.

ATHERTON:

(close to losing it)

I'm doing all I can, damnit!

Atherton storms out.

INT. CLASSROOM

Atherton enters like a dark cloud. He sits at his desk.

ANGLE ON CHRIS:

He finishes his last question. He gets out of his seat.

ANGLE ON ATHERTON

Sitting at his desk. Chris places his test on the desk. Atherton looks up.

ANGLE ON CHRIS AND ATHERTON

Chris has a big grin on his face. He takes a piece of paper and writes on it and then slides it in front of Atherton.

INSERT:

The piece of paper. It says, "I aced this."

ANGLE ON ATHERTON

He writes a message and slides it to Chris.

INSERT:

A piece of paper which reads, "Ace the laser."

ANGLE ON CHRIS:

Chris places an apple on Atherton's desk. He exits. Atherton tosses the apple in the wastebasket. The APPLE EXPLODES.

EXT. CAMPUS-DAY

Chris is heading for the lab. The place has that look of exam period desertion.

CHRIS:

(muttering to himself)

Okie-dokie, doc, a house doesn't have to fall on ole Chris Kinsley.

INT. ANTHERTON'S LAB-DAY

Chris enters and prepares to test the new equipment. He aligns the secondary laser and let it charge up. He makes some final checks and then throws a switch. The laser fires for an instant but then seems to go crazy. The new laser overheats and the main chamber sparks and smokes. Chris tries to shut it down but to now avail. he tears the cover off in hopes of pulling the wiring, but he's too late. We see everything melting away as the machine eats itself. We also see a message left for Chris just before it too melts. It reads: "1 laser=1car." Chris is on the verge of a complete mental collapse as he watches his work go up in smoke.

CHRIS:

(in anguish)

No!!!!

There is nothing but the echo of his voice in response. The main laser stands like a huge, frozen bird in the empty room. In anger and frustration he swears at the machine.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

You bastard. This is your fault.

He kicks the wastepaper basket in hopes of getting rid of some of this anger; but, instead, all he gets is the basket bouncing back and hitting him in the shin.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Sh*t! I deserve that. It all comes back on you in the end.

He suddenly stands up straight as though he were having a stroke.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Holy sh*t!

Inspiration takes hold and Chris begins running around like a madman, gathering up parts to the laser.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

(almost singing, he's so happy)

Of course, it's so simple. Echoes, bouncing back at me and you.

EXT. DORM-A LITTLE LATER

Chris runs up the stairs three at a time.

INT. CHRIS AND MITCH'S ROOM

He bursts in.

CHRIS:

Mitch?!

The room is empty.

The closet door opens and Hopsfield steps out, carrying another box of cards.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Laslo! Buddy! Have you seen Mitch?

HOPSFIELD:

No. How did you do?

CHRIS:

(elated)

I failed!

HOPSFIELD:

You shouldn't have.

CHRIS:

That's true. But never mind that now. It came to me. The power problem. I solved it. Echoes! It's so simple, four little mirrors. It bounces back and supercharges the gas itself. I've got to find Mitch to help me build it but it should increase the power ten-fold at least. If you see him, tell him to meet me at the lab. Bye.

Chris exits, leaving Hopsfield lost in thought.

EXT. STUDENT UNION-MOMENTS LATER

A hand-painted sign hangs over the door that says: "Exam Week Decompression Here." Chris runs in the door.

INT. DECOMPRESSION ROOM-CONTINUOUS

The room is full of students who are blowing off steam from studying for and taking exams. They are engaged in all sorts of silly, mindless activities, ranging from tiddly-winks and video games to watching cartoons. There are supplies of "brain food" and health drinks around. Mitch, Ick and Jordan are in the corner. Chris runs up to them.

JORDAN:

Oh, Chris. How did it go?

CHRIS:

Great. It was a snap. But Atherton said he's failing me anyway.

JORDAN:

That's terrible. You must be feeling awful. Are you all right?

CHRIS:

Thank you, Jordan. I do feel terrible but I can't talk about it right now. I need Mitch. Gotta go. Bye.

He grabs Mitch and pulls him out.

ICK:

He seems to be handling it all right. 5R5FADE OUT

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