Real Genius Page #4

MRS. MEREDITH.

Oh yes. You're the special case. I know Gene wants to meet you. You're just in time for his traditional talk. Would you like a glass of sherry?

MITCH:

I'm a minor.

MRS. MEREDITH.

Aha, well of course you are. That would explain your height.

They exit out onto the patio.

EXT. THE PATIO AND GROUNDS OF THE HOUSE-CONTINUOUS

The returning freshman class has gathered for a social. Mitch is the only one in a tie. He stands on the patio with Mrs. Meredith whose husband, the apparently ever-jovial professional academic administrator, is about to speak to the assembled.

MEREDITH:

People, if I might get your attention.

The din begins to quiet.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

Welcome back, freshmen! I take it you all put the Christmas break to good use?

There is good-natured jeering.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

Now, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to speak seriously for a moment. You will recall that when I welcomed you to the Pacific institute of Technology a few short months ago I spoke of how we are one of the finest scientific institutions in the world. I think the finest. I mentioned our six Nobel Prize winners, our members of the national Academy of Sciences, and our members of the National Academy of Engineering. This is an intellectual oasis of technological achievement in the dessert of general academic mediocrity we see inmost colleges and universities today.

There is some applause and good-natured banter. Mitch is truly moved. This environment is exactly what Mitch has hoped for all his life.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

I also spoke of the fact that you are the finest freshmen class we have ever had here.

There are cheers and applause.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

I say this to every freshman class. Each year we raise our entrance requirements and each year there is a group of students like you who meet and surpass those requirements.

Almost jubilant cheering and clapping.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

As you have no doubt already noticed by now, over a third of you are gone. By the end of the year another third of you will have followed them out of Eden and into mediocrity.

The crowd goes deathly silent as Meredith continues in his cherry manner.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

We want only the best. Hard work and high standards are expected of everyone. And if you aren't up to it Cal tech or M.I.T. might take you, but you don't fit in here.

MEREDITH (CONT'D)

Let me remind you that this place is an opportunity, not a right; a chance not a gift; a working lunch, not a picnic. Welcome back.

Several waitresses begin serving tea but the despair of reality creeps over the students and they begin to disperse. Mitch stands waiting for the approaching Dr. Meredith.

MRS. MEREDITH

Gene, this is Mitch Simon.

MEREDITH:

Oh, yes, Professor Artherton's bright star.

MITCH:

Yes, sir.

MEREDITH:

And I understand you're already on his project. I'm assured you're going to do great things.

MITCH:

I hope so.

MEREDITH:

Let me give you some advice.

MITCH:

Thank you.

MEREDITH:

Don't screw up.

MITCH:

Okay. I guess I better go now.

He walks away.

MEREDITH:

(watching Mitch with satisfaction)

I think the young people really appreciate my " getting down" verbally, don't you?

MRS. MEREDITH

Absolutely.

EXT. CAMPUS-LATER

Once again Mitch, map in hand, must ask another student for directions. This one also turns the map right-side up and then points to the building they are standing in front of. As he heads for it he passes a bronze bust of one of the founding fathers, DR. BRADFORD. The students have decorated him with a muffler, earmuffs and carrot nose to look like a snowman.

INT. APPLIED PHYSICS BUILDING-MOMENTS LATER

Mitch walks down a long corridor. He passes several open doors that reveal laboratories with all kinds of scientific equipment all over them.

Mitch stops in front of a closed door. He checks the number, then looks down at a card in his hand. He turns the card right-side up. He OPENS the door to REVEAL a darkened lab. In the darkness there is a veritable light show of laser beams. A voice calls out from the darkness.

VOICE (O.C.)

Hey!

MITCH:

Yes?

VOICE (O.C.)

Come in here.

INT. LAB-CONTINUOUS

Mitch ENTERS quickly and shuts the door behind himself. In the instrument glow we can make out the forms of three other students. They are: KENT, CARTER and BODIE, members of Dr. Atherton's research team.

KENT:

Just leave the sandwiches and go.

MITCH:

Me?

KENT:

No, Yoda; yeah, you.

MITCH:

I don't have any ah...

CARTER:

Brains?

MITCH:

No, sandwiches.

KENT:

Well then, what good are you?

CARTER:

What are we supposed to eat?

MITCH:

(getting a little fed up)

How about my shorts.

KENT:

Hey! Who do you think you're talking to?

The laser snaps off and the lights snap on. The glare is a little intense at first.

KENT (CONT'D)

Are you from the restaurant or not?

With the lights on we get a chance to have a better look at the team. Kent is an elitist, intellectual snob with very little imagination who likes to think of himself as Atherton's protégé. He wears braces on his teeth because he knows how important a proper smile can be in the marketplace.

MITCH:

No. I'm Mitch Simon. I'm a student. Dr. Atherton told me to come up here.

KENT:

Oh, you're the new stud, are you. Or is it dud?

MITCH:

How do you mean?

BODIE:

Stud. Hot shot. Brain. You're the twelve-year-old, right?

MITCH:

I'm fifteen.

CARTER:

Does your body know that?

Mitch attempts a good-natured laugh. It's not a great attempt.

MITCH:

Are you expecting him or...

KENT:

Sure. Can I get you something? A balloon?

MITCH:

Are any of you guys Chris Kinsley?

They all freeze.

KENT:

No, Thank God.

CARTER:

Hey Kent, I hear Kinsley got that PEI job all locked up.

KENT:

Damn! I wanted that job.

MITCH:

Why?

KENT:

Why? Because it starts at fifty thousand a year, that's why. Plus travel, car, stock options...

MITCH:

Oh. Well, I'm supposed to have a look at your work up to date. Check it over.

KENT:

Check it over.

MITCH:

Yes.

KENT:

For what?

MITCH:

Mistakes, I guess. He said you guys are stuck.

The room goes rigid. Evidently this little punk of an upstart needs to be told what Christ died for.

KENT:

Let's get something very clear here. Everything you've heard about the supportive student body and the honor code might hold for the rest of the campus, but it doesn't count for squat in here. Which means when jerry's not here, you do what I say. From God to Jerry to me, get it?

Atherton ENTERS.

KENT (CONT'D)

Hi Jerry.

ATHERTON:

I've told you before, Kent, you don't get to use my first name.

KENT:

Did I?

ATHERTON:

(to Mitch)

Good to see you, Mitch.

ATHERTON (CONT'D)

(to the group)

I'm sure you're all going to become fast friends.

KENT:

We're well on our way already.

ATHERTON:

Good, because after Mitch is brought up to date, I want the rest of you to take your cues from him. He'll be in charge of the group.

KENT:

What? I mean, good choice, Jerry.

ATHERTON:

You're doing it again, Kent.

KENT:

Am I?

ATHERTON:

Where's Chris?

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