Real Genius Page #18

INT. COMMAND CENTER

SPECIALIST:

... three, two, one, bingo.

He hits the trigger.

INT. BOMB BAY

The laser fires.

EXT. SKY

The laser beam traces through the atmosphere.

INT. COMMAND CENTER

The group waits expectantly. Nothing happens to the target.

EXT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

Chris and Mitch, who are running toward the house, are stopped in their tracks by the incredible sight of the red laser beam shooting down out of the heavens, striking the grass, tracking across the lawn then up the wall of Atherton's house.

INT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

The beam strikes the window and for one tiny moment causes the most incredible light show anyone has ever seen.

KENT:

(in awe)

Oh!

The window is obliterated by the laser light, which crashes down directly onto the aluminum foil-covered pool.

KENT (CONT'D)

Oh, my!

The foil is heated instantly in the laser light and there is the SOUND of tiny explosions, building to a roar. In a second, the foil rises violently and tears open. Kent picks up a piece of debris and examines it.

KENT:

Popcorn?

In the next instant, he is engulfed in popcorn.

EXT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

The beam disappears as suddenly as it came. Everyone stands in awe. A few kernels fly out of the broken window, then a storm.

INT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

Kent and furniture are being forced up the stairs by a rising tide of popping popcorn. He struggles against it, loses, and sinks into the mound like a dinosaur in quicksand.

EXT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

The windows are filling up with popcorn. Finally, they crack and break as popcorn forces its way out of the house wherever it can.

MITCH:

Kent!

Chris and Mitch head for the front door. Suddenly, it bursts open and Kent is carried out by a moving wall of popcorn.

INT. COMMAND CENTER

People furiously check systems.

CARMICHAEL:

I don't understand. Did it fire?

TECHNICIAN:

Yes, we indicate a shot. We've got another problem, though. It's not shutting down.

INT. BOMB BAY

The computer is still working. The laser optics and equipment begin to melt. It's been wired to self-destruct.

INT. COMMAND CENTER

The devastated group watches the laser self destruct on the monitor.

DECKER:

Nice going, Jer.

ATHERTON:

Something's wrong here. Unlock the bird's eye.

He takes over the command module sighting system

ATHERTON:

I'm tracing where the shot went.

We watch as the monitor's view swings away and across a residential neighborhood, coming to rest on a bird's eye view of his own house.

ATHERTON (CONT'D)

Oh, no.

The monitor view moves in to reveal what looks like a growing mushroom.

DECKER:

What have you done?

ATHERTON:

Retired.

EXT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE

The group looks on as the mountain of popcorn continues to engulf the house. Meredith goes to see if Kent is all right.

CHRIS:

(to Mitch)

Do you think we used too much?

MITCH:

Maybe a little.

CHRIS:

Well, I guess we all learned something here today.

JORDAN:

What?

CHRIS:

I don't know, but it seemed like the right thing to say, didn't it?

ICK:

It did to me.

As they continue to watch the destruction of the house, and various neighbors come out to see what's what, a Winnebago pulls up and stops. Hopsfield gets out.

HOPSFIELD:

I think you used too much.

CHRIS:

Really? I'm sorry you missed it.

HOPSFIELD:

Yeah, well, I had to pack.

CHRIS:

Why?

HOPSFIELD:

I'm getting married.

CHRIS:

What? To whom?

MITCH:

(looking at the U-Haul)

What is all this?

HOPSFIELD:

Oh, I won. Only thirty-one point eight percent though. I have to figure that out. But not this summer.

Mitch suddenly sees Sherry standing at the Winnebago door.

MITCH:

Sherry?

SHERRY:

(kissing Hopsfield)

Hi. Isn't it wonderful. I finally found him. Number One. I've been looking for him for ten years.

HOPSFIELD:

What can I do? She loves me.

CHRIS:

Right. Congratulations.

HOPSFIELD:

Thanks. Anyway, we probably won't ever get to see you again, so, bye.

CHRIS:

What do you mean? Where are you going?

SHERRY:

I've got a little survival place in Wyoming. We're going to live there.

HOPSFIELD:

Yeah, it's getting too weird around here. See ya.

They climb into the Winnebago and it pulls away. The others watch it go.

ICK:

You think it's getting too weird around here.

CHRIS:

Absolutely.

JORDAN:

I didn't notice.

MITCH:

I like it.

In the background, the popcorn has split the walls of the house and finally lifts the roof off like the top of a pot. The whole house tilts to its side and the popping stops.

As we PULL BACK, Atherton's car pulls up and he gets out, dumbstruck. Dr. Meredith walks over to him and confronts him. Kent joins Chris and the others who watch.

THE END.

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