Real Genius Page #8

INT. ATHERTON'S LAB-DAY

There is an experiment in progress. A large laser is building up an energy load. Atherton, Kent, Bodie, Carter, and Mitch monitor various pieces of equipment. Things hum and click and there is a sense that something big is going to happen. Atherton seems pleased, while Mitch seems troubled. Suddenly, a valve blows and a stream of liquid nitrogen hisses from a hose, spewing frost over everything. Everyone jumps for switches and they shut the experiment down.

CARTER:

(checking the valve)

It's nothing. It's just mechanical.

ATHERTON:

GOOD. Don't bother changing it. I want you and Bodie to rebuild the whole unit; same output in half the size. Should hold up, right Mitch?

MITCH:

Sure, as long as we go with H.F.

ATHERTON:

Well, gentlemen, now what? Things are going okay so far, aren't they?

KENT:

They certainly are in my area, Jerry.

ATHERTON:

(warning)

KENT:

KENT:

(unaware)

Yes?

MITCH:

Boy, when I think of all the applications for this...!

ATHERTON:

(covering)

We've got enough theory to deal with without talking applications. You just worry about giving me that power breakthrough. how close are you?

KENT:

(gloating)

Not very, from what I hear.

ATHERTON:

(to Mitch)

Aren't you and Chris working together?

MITCH:

Yes...but...

ATHERTON:

Where is Mr. Kinsley?

KENT:

(anxious to get Chris in trouble)

He's outside.

Kent goes to the window and shouts down.

KENT (CONT'D)

(shouting)

Kinsley! Dr. Atherton wants you.

EXT. LAB BUILDING-MEDIUM CLOSE ON CHRIS-WAIST UP

He's sitting on a chaise lounge with a stack of encyclopedias, sipping a beer.

CHRIS:

Coming.

PULL OUT TO REVEAL that the chaise lounge has balloons tied to each corner. Chris dumps a volume from his lap and the chaise rises straight up in the air.

ANGEL ON ATHERTON AND CHRIS-FRAMED BY THE WINDOW

Chris hovers in mid-air.

ATHERTON:

What are you doing out there?

CHRIS:

Floating, sir. And thinking.

ATHERTON:

(fuming)

I want to see you at my house at six o'clock. Sharp.

CHRIS:

Sounds fun. Should I bring anything?

ATHERTON:

How about a proper attitude for a change?

CHRIS:

I'll try and borrow one. Now, if you'll excuse me, there are millions of boys and girls everywhere waiting for me to bring them presents. Ho ho ho.

He hands Atherton a volume and floats from view.

INT. LAB

Atherton, Mitch and Kent stand at the window, watching Chris ascend.

KENT:

He's really pushing it, isn't he, Jerry?

ANGLE ON MITCH:

He smiles as he watches his roommate and friend float off.

EXT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE-EARLY EVENING

The restoration work is reaching completion and the house is looking pretty beautiful.

A small crew of workmen paint and do other finishing work. Chris is sitting on the porch, watching. He is eating a very large puffs of popcorn from a bag. We SEE Atherton returning from his daily jog. He is decked out in an expensive designer jogging suit and has all the appropriate accessories. he also has all the silly habits of the trendy runner for cooling down and stretching.

CHRIS:

You wanted to see me, your joggingness?

ATHERTON:

Mr. Kinsley. Right on time. What a surprise. Do you run?

CHRIS:

Only when chased.

ATHERTON:

What are you eating?

CHRIS:

It's one of mark's Ickagami's experiments. He's been irradiating corn with strontium. it's his hobby; big food.

ATHERTON:

That's popcorn?

CHRIS:

It's big popcorn.

ATHERTON:

(over reacting)

Get it away from me. I can't stand it. I hate popcorn. Leave it there.

Chris puts the bag down on the porch.

CHRIS:

Okay. Have you ever considered switching to de-caffeinated coffee?

Atherton leads Chris to the front door, where he removes his shoes and then stands and waits until Chris does the same. They proceed into the house.

INT. ATHERTON'S HOUSE- CONTINUOUS

The interior is immaculate. A classic example of elegant good taste. Atherton is fastidiously protective of his things.

ATHERTON:

I want to start seeing a lot more of you in the lab.

CHRIS:

You want me to work nude?

ATHERTON:

Very funny, you're a major disappointment to me, Chris.

CHRIS:

And you to me, Jerry.

ATHERTON:

(angry)

We had a deal!

CHRIS:

And I advanced your project more than any three guys on campus.

ATHERTON:

That was yesterday. What have you done for me today?

CHRIS:

Hey, aren't you getting a little obsessive about this? I took in the new kid. He's working his guts out for you.

ATHERTON:

Your arrogant, disrespectful behavior is distracting him. If you keep it up, you're going to pay for it.

CHRIS:

Hey, I'm out of here. Delenda Est Cartheo. P.E.I. July one.

ATHERTON:

You still have to pass, dear boy, and considering the fact that my class is a requisite, it would seem that I would have some control over your destiny. From now on, you and Mr. Simon are going to spend every waking moment working on my power problem and you will solve it by my deadline.

CHRIS:

Okay, Jerry, but I really think you should see an analyst.

Chris exits. Atherton watches him go.

INT. ATHERTON'S LAB-NIGHT

Mitch is alone and trying to work on the new, smaller laser. He looks tired and upset. He tinkers around for a while, then goes back to his table and looks at his notes. Nothing seems to make sense anymore. Chris enters with a beaker in his hand.

CHRIS:

Hi. Do me a favor, taste this.

Mitch is confused.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Come on, you won't hurt my feelings.

MITCH:

I...

Chris rams the spoon in his mouth.

CHRIS:

Well, too sweet?

Mitch makes a face.

MITCH:

What is it?

CHRIS:

Beats me. I just found it in one of the labs.

MITCH:

Aggghh!!

CHRIS:

Come on. I'm just pulling your leg. How are you doing?

MITCH:

I'm stuck. Dr. Atherton says we've got to miniaturize the power supply and you're not helping.

CHRIS:

Lighten up. It's only a laser.

Chris goes to the laser. Mitch is annoyed.

CHRIS (CONT'D)

Instead of trying to take that roomful of capacitors over there and putting new perspective. Charge this baby up. Everything you've got.

MITCH:

What for?

CHRIS:

You'll see. Go

Mitch goes next door. Chris, meanwhile, measures a certain distant from the floor and mounts a mirror on the wall above his head. He then moves to the laser and repositions it to shoot at the mirror. Mitch returns and makes some adjustments to a control panel.

MITCH:

All set, I think.

CHRIS:

Do it.

Mitch throws a switch. Immediately, a loud electrical hum fills the air. Chris goes over and opens the door to the hall and glances left.

CHRIS'S POV

A roomful of capacitors loading.

EXT. THE CAMPUS-NIGHT

The lights twinkle from various buildings. WE HEAR the hum

EXT. THE CAMPUS-NIGHT

The lights twinkle from various buildings. We hear the hum growing.

MITCH (V.O.)

What are you doing now?

CHRIS (V.O.)

Making hamburgers.

Suddenly, there are several loud snaps and all the lights on campus go off at once as the power overload blows the sub station fuses.

MITCH (V.O.)

Oh, no!

INT. THE LAB IN DARKNESS

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