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Science Fair
by Shannon Walden, Jim Tomaszewski, and Nick DiRamio (sciencefairmusical@gmail.com)

Rated: PG   Genre: Musicals   User Review: ***1/2
A campy, melodramatic movie musical about a school buzzing with excitement over the upcoming science fair.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



SCIENCE FAIR

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
CU plaque reading "Earnest Rutherford High School"
                                                            
 
INT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY
                                                            
Students of the high school bustle about, walking though the
hallways or checking out books at the library.
                                                            
A girl is sitting at a desk in the school library writing in
her notebook. Another student approaches her and frantically
whispers something into her ear. The girls face brightens
with anticipation and the two run off-screen together.

Cut to Peter Preston reading from a textbook on the school
staircase. The two excited students rush passed him,
knocking his book from his hand, sending papers everywhere.
Peter looks after the students realizing the exciting news
that they're discussing.

The students run up the staircase to Penelope Pendleton, the
most beautiful and popular geek in school, who is chatting
with her girlfriends holding potted plants. Dexter
Daughtery, one of Walter's science pals, is passing the
group of girls who are now excitedly receiving the news.
Beatrice, a member of the group, grabs Dexter by the arm as
he passes and tells him the 411 in a frenzy. Dexter is
thrilled and runs down the stairs to his friends.
                                                            
At the top of the main staircase of the school entrance.
Walter Walton, the coolest nerd in the school, is sitting on
the steps with his geeky posse surrounding him. The group is
talking excitedly amongst themselves after Dexter rushes
over and tells them what the whole school is buzzing about.
All eyes go to Walter as he begins to sing.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (Excited)
BEAKERS, VIALS, AND BUNSEN'S
BURNIN'
I GOTTA KEEP THE WHEELS IN MY MIND
TURNIN'
CAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S FIN'LLY HERE:
THE SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Cut to Penelope on the stairs. She hands her potted flower
off to a friend and turns outward, with a smile on her face
she chimes in.
                                                            

2.

                       PENELOPE
LILACS, LILIES, GERMANIUM'S,
GOTTA KEEP WORKING GOTTA BE
SOMEONE
CAUSE YOU KNOW IT'S FIN'LLY HERE:
THE SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Peter rushes to gather together all of his things off of the
ground, meanwhile adding:
                                                            
                       PETER
NO ONE KNOWS THE WORK I'VE DONE
SPENT FOUR YEARS TO BE NUMBER ONE.
ALL I HAVE IS ONE LAST SHOT TO
SHOW 'EM WHAT I'VE GOT!
                                                            
cut to a wide shot of the stairs as everyone joins in.
                                                            
                       CHORUS
SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Cut to Penelope and her friends dancing with the flowers.
                                                            
                       CHORUS
THE SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Cut to the wide shot of the stairs peter and walter and his
group start walking up to the top the stairs where they
join. You can see the sign up sheet behind them.
                                                            
                       CHORUS
THE SCIENCE FAIR IS ALMOST HERE
IT'S THE SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Walter turns to look at Peter.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (Pompous)
Hello...peter.
                                                            
                       PETER
      (Intimidated)
Oh...Hi Walter.
                                                            
                       WALTER
Finally entering this year I see.
                                                            
                       PETER
Well, yeah I've...
                                                            

3.

                       WALTER
Well good luck. And just so you
know I have won for the past three
years.
                                                            
Walter turns around to face the stairs and sings as if Peter
can't hear him.
                                                            
                       WALTER
PETER DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE, HIS
TRIVIAL PROJECT JUST WON'T DO.
I'M GONNA WIN FIRST PLACE AT THE
SCIENCE FAIR.
                                                            
Walter turns back around while peter turns to face the
stairs and begins to sing like Walter can't hear him.
                                                            
                       PETER
GOLLY, WALTER WAS PRETTY MEAN.
I HOPE HE DOESN'T MAKE A SCENE.
I'M GONNA BE PRETTY SCARED AT THE
SCIENCE FAIR.
                                                            
Peter turns back around to stare at the sign up sheet. Cut
to Penelope who is walking down the stairs backwards singing
to her friends.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
GROWING PLANTS IS WHAT I DO.
I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO THINK THIS
THROUGH.
I'LL PUT MY NAME RIGHT ON THAT
SHEET.
I'LL BE THE ONE TO BEAT!
                                                            
Everyone is now at the top of the stairs facing away from
the sign up sheet. No one acknowledges the other groups.
                                                            
                       CHORUS
AT THE SCIENCE FAIR!
SCIENCE FAIR!
THE SCIENCE FAIR IS ALMOST HERE
IT'S THE SCIENCE FAIR!
                                                            
Everyone freezes in their ending pose. The bell rings and
Peter and Penelope both turn around to sign up for the
science fair and end up bumping into each other. By this
time everyone has scurried off to class leaving Penelope and
Peter behind.
                                                            
                       PETER
      (Nervous)
Oh! Sorry, Penelope, I didn't see
you there... wow... you look
            (MORE)

4.

                       PETER (cont'd)
really different from last year...
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Do I? Well thanks, Peter. Over the
summer my sisters insisted that I
get a makeover. I thought I'd give
the new look a chance.
                                                            
She pulls out a pen with a flower on the end of it and turns
to put her name on the sign up sheet. After writing her
signature she turns back to Peter.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
Want me to sign you up, too?
                                                            
                       PETER
Uh, no thanks.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Well you are going to enter aren't
you? I bet you have some really
great inventions.
                                                            
Penelope looks down at the floor where one of Peter's sheets
of paper still lies. She kneels down to pick it up.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
Is this one of your blueprints? It
looks really complicated, what
does it do?
                                                            
Peter takes back his blueprint and shoves it hastily into
his book. He seems embarrassed.
                                                            
                       PETER
Well, um, it's not really finished
yet. It might not even... It still
needs work.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (politely)
oh, well... I can't wait to see
it!
                                                            
                       PETER
Thanks... so are you showing your
plants in the competition?
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (gushing)
Not just any plants! I've spent
the last 2 months cross breading
rare flowers to create a brand new
            (MORE)

5.

                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
species. Then I conducted an
experiment to find out which types
of music would result in the most
beautiful plant. It's the most
extensive experiment of its kind!
                                                            
                       PETER
Wow, that sounds... beautiful- I
mean interesting...
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (giggling)
Thanks! Well I better get to
class, goodbye!
                                                            
                       PETER
Bye, Penelope!
                                                            
Penelope walks away towards her classroom and Peter watches
longingly as she goes. He then turns back to the poster and
looks at the intimidating sign up sheet. After taking a deep
breath he put his name on it and walks away.

CU Peter's name on the sign up sheet
                                                            
 
EXT. PETER'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Establishing shot of Peter's average-looking, suburban home.
                                                            
 
INT. PETER'S ROOM/LAB - DAY
                                                            
Peter has welding shield on face and is noodling with his
experiment which we cannot see. He puts a tool down, lifts
the mask and wipes his brow, sighing.
                                                            
                       PETER
At this rate I'll never be ready
for the science fair! I just can't
focus, I've never felt like this.
I can't stop thinking about...her.
                                                            
SONG: LOGICAL
                                                            
Peter starts to sing:
                                                            
                       PETER
THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BOOK
THAT DESCRIBES THIS FEELING
AND WHEN I GOT ONE LOOK
I SWEAR I HIT THE CEILING
AND NOW I DONT KNOW
            (MORE)

6.

                       PETER (cont'd)
IF IT'S EVER GOING AWAY
YEAH.
I KNOW THERE'S NO EQUATION
THAT I'VE EVER READ
THAT'S GONNA GO AND MAKE
ME FEEL LIKE THAT
I KNOW IT MAY BE HORMONES
BUT I HOPE IT NEVER ENDS

AND IT FEELS
ILLOGICAL
ILLOGICAL TO ME
HOW YOU NEVER KNOW
KNOW WHAT JUST MIGHT BE
AND IT'S CHEMISTRY
BLARING LIKE A BUGLE CALL
AND IT'S LOGICAL
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL GREENHOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Penelope is in the back of the room marking notes on
illustrations of plant anatomies that are posted on the
wall. She leans against the wall with a sigh and caps her
marker, joining in the song.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
KNOWLEDGE COUNTS FOR SOMETHING
AND SO DOES SUCCESS
BUT THE BEAT OF MY HEART
WELL IT BEGS TO DIGRESS
I'M LOOKIN' FOR A PRINCE
TO HELP WITH THIS GARDEN I GROW
YEAH

AND I'M LOOKIN' FOR A PARTNER
TO FILL OUT THIS TEAM
SO THAT WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER
SO PEACEFUL AND GREEN
I JUST CAN'T SHAKE THIS FEELING,
FAST, LIKE I GOT SOMEWHERE TO GO

AND IT SEEMS
ILLOGICAL,
ILLOGICAL TO ME
HOW I'M ALL ALONE
DESPITE WHAT I CAN BE
AND IT'S CHEMISTRY
SPROUTIN' THROUGH THE SOIL
AND IT'S LOGICAL

IT'S ILLOGICAL
BUT NOT TO ME
            (MORE)

7.

                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
AND YOU NEVER KNOW
WHAT JUST MIGHT BE
                                                            
                       PETER
NOTHING IN THIS BOOK
THAT DESCRIBES THIS FEELING
AND WHEN I GOT ONE LOOK
I SWEAR I HIT THE CEILING
                                                            
                       BOTH
AND NOW I'M LOOKING FOR LOVE
I HOPE THAT WHEN I FIND IT I KNOW
IT'S ONLY LOGICAL
                                                            
As the music subsides, Peter sighs and slides his welding
mask back into place. Penelope stands up off the wall and
turns back to her diagrams.
                                                            
                                         FADE OUT
                                                            
 
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
                                                            
A teacher is teaching at the board about chemical reactions.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Settle down class, today we'll be
conducting a very important
experiment so I'll need two
volunteers.
                                                            
The class full of geeks all throw their hands up and shake
them frantically trying to get Miss Newton's attention.
Peter and Penelope, who were both busy writing notes, are
too busy to notice and do not volunteer.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
(Sarcastically) What a surprise.
Penelope, come on up and....Peter,
you too.
                                                            
Walter is shocked and angry. Penelope and Peter look up at
the mention of their names and join the teacher at the head
of the class.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Okay, now one of you hold this
beaker
                                                            

8.

Peter and Penelope both grab for the beaker.
CU has their hands touch and then they look up at each other
with a love-at-first-sight kind of look.
MCU Walter enraged.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (smiling)
I'm sorry, go ahead
                                                            
                       PETER
No, it was my fault, y-you can
hold it
                                                            
                       WALTER
Well somebody has to hold it!
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Calm down, Walter...
                                                            
Peter nods at Penelope to hold the beaker. She picks it up
and holds it.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Alright, now, Peter, very
carefully, pour this into
Penelope's beaker.
                                                            
Miss. Newton hands Peter another beaker filled with a
liquid. He pours the liquid into Penelope's beaker. The
chemicals react and camera zooms into Penelope and Peter
looking at each other smiling. Peter is still shy and
nervous. The moment is interrupted by Walter.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (standing up from
       his desk,
       shouting)
That's kid's stuff! It's just
baking soda and vinegar! Come on
Miss Newton, give us a challenge!
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Actually, Walter, you're wrong.
Does anyone else want to guess
what just happened? (pause)
anyone?
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
I don't know, but this beaker is
getting kind of hot.
                                                            

9.

                       PETER
It seems like something is
reacting with the water from
Penelope's beaker since it's
releasing oxygen. And judging by
the exothermic properties she's
observing, my guess would be H2O2.
                                                            
The class is fascinated by Peter's conclusion. Walter is
furious now.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Right, but..
                                                            
                       PETER
      (cutting her off)
but the reaction is far too
extreme to assume that it's simply
hydrogen peroxide.There must be
some sort of catalyst. Perhaps
yeast?
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Wow! Very good, Peter! You don't
talk much but when you do, I'm
impressed!
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Me too! How'd you get so good at
chemistry?
                                                            
                       PETER
      (shrugging humbly)
I... ha...
                                                            
The bell rings and the class stands up to leave.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
All of you who signed up for the
science fair, remember there's a
meeting today after school to go
over the rules. I'll see you all
there!
                                                            
Students all stand up and file out of the classroom.
                                                            
 
INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY OUTSIDE CLASSROOM - DAY
                                                            
Peter and Penelope walk out of the classroom together
                                                            

10.

                       PENELOPE
I'm still really impressed, Peter!
With your talent your science fair
project is gonna really be
something, isn't it?
                                                            
                       PETER
      (Shyly)
Well, I don't know. I mean it'd be
nice to win but what I really
want... Never mind...
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
No! What?
                                                            
                       PETER
I guess it would just be nice to
invent something that will change
the world. I mean like, really
change it. I want to use science
to make a difference.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Wow, that's actually really
wonderful. Most people want to win
for the fame and glory. They don't
realize that's not what it's all
about. They just want everyone to
know their name.
                                                            
Walter is walking out of the classroom with some friends.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (to friends)
I'm telling you, once I win this
science fair... AGAIN, everyone
will know my name.......again..
                                                            
Walter looks over and sees Penelope smile as she's talking
to Peter.
                                                            
                       WALTER (cont'd)
I don't know about that Peter,
though. The fact that he hasn't
told anyone about his experiment
worries me. I do not want him
ruining my moment to shine by
being right below me with a
second-place medal.
                                                            
                       DEXTER
Yeah! And it'd be even worse if he
beat you out for first place!
                                                            

11.

                       WALTER
      (flatly)
Dexter, please. We're scientists.
Not science fiction...ists.
                                                            
Walter redirects his attention to Penelope and walks over,
interrupting her and Peter.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (stepping between
       the two)
Hey, Penelope! I just had the
biggest breakthrough with my
project. I've figured out how to
convert raw garbage and food waste
into an alternative energy source!
Pretty impressive... wouldn't you
say, Peter?
                                                            
                       PETER
      (Looking at
       Penelope)
really pretty....
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (smiling sweetly)
Well, I'd better get to class...
                                                            
                       WALTER
I'll walk you!
                                                            
Walter links his arm with Penelope and begins tugging her
away from Peter. Penelope follows, looking back briefly at
Peter, somewhat entranced.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Goodbye, Peter!
                                                            
Peter looks after the two walking away, shyly waving goodbye
to Penelope. He smiles to himself.
                                                            
 
INT. LECTURE HALL - DAY
                                                            
RULES SONG
                                                            
                       WALTER
What does she even see in him?
His greasy hair and oily skin?
Ive been the king for three long
years!
I'm practically royality in the
eyes of my peers.
                                                            

12.

                       MISS NEWTON
I HAVE FOUR SIMPLE RULES FOR YOU
THIS SHOULD BE FUN AS LONG AS YOU
FOLLOW THROUGH.
ANYONE WHO DISOBEYS THESE SIMPLE
REQUESTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
WITHOUT PROTEST.
                                                            
                       WALTER
I need to think of something quick
to make sure I'm the one they pick
There is no question i will win
I just need somewhere to begin
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Rule 1: Don't you even dare try to
steal someone else's idea
                                                            
                       WALTER
I'm Walter Walton the best there
is!
why would I ever want to steal
his?
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Rule 2:no help from your parents
in anyway
                                                            
                       WALTER
My parents can't even see my
display!
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
The project must work at the start
of the fair
                                                            
                       WALTER
My project is flawless there will
be no repair
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
and Rule number 4, you better
listen well
no tampering with anyones projects
or you'll be expelled!
                                                            
                       WALTER
No tampering, you say? Well thats
too bad
That is the great idea that i had!
                                                            
 

13.

INT. MAKESHIFT GREENHOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Penelope is watering plants in a lab coat. She speaks to
them like they are her children.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Hello my darlings! Did you miss
me? I know I missed you! Now let's
see, how is everyone doing?
                                                            
Penelope grabs her clipboard to do a status check on her
plants. Each pot has headphones/speakers around it and each
is listening to different styled music. Each time she checks
on a different plant we hear the genre of music it is
listening to.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Classical...
                                                            
CU plant looking normal. Classical music plays
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
(approving) Good. Pop...
                                                            
CU plant with flowers. Pop music plays
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
(excited) Looking great! Heavy
Metal...
                                                            
CU plant withering. Metal plays
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (sympathetically)
It's all in the name of science,
sweetheart.
                                                            
Lifts up a wilting branch and it flops back down.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
      (to plants)
Well everybody, I realized
something today. Although I love
every single one of you plants,
flowers, spores and pods, I think
it's time for me to find a human
companion. There are so many nice
boys at school. Beatrice says that
Walter wants to date me... He's
very smart and very successful.
Being with a boy like him, well,
I'd be the most popular girl in
the Microphysical Kinetics study
group! But still, I guess there's
            (MORE)

14.

                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
more to look for in a guy. Maybe
when the right one comes along...
I'll just know. Like one of you
beautiful flowers, my spirit will
bloom into something bright and
breathtaking.
                                                            
Penelope thinks for a moment of how wonderful love would be.
She shakes herself back into reality and returns to watering
her plants.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
PENELOPE AND HER PLANTS
if i were you I'd sit there too
just grow and eat all day
if i were green how easy it'd be
to dream and think about him
if i were green oh i could be
just hidden amongst my friends

oh notice me just drop that book
and please
notice me

your all alone
i'm here to hold
what a great team we'd be
with your great skills
you give me chills
oh please notice me

i know the fair is soon
but why can't our love bloom

If i were you I'd sit there too
just waste my time on him
if i were green I'd hide away
just lost amongst the crowd

if anyone is green its me
I'm the one to blame
just sitting here with all the
fear
that you won't like me too
wont like me too

you're all alone
I'm here to hold
what a great team we'd be
you're great skills
they give me chills
oh please notice me

            (MORE)

15.

                       PENELOPE (cont'd)
i know the fair is soon
but why cant our love bloom

oh please notice me
                                                            
 
INT. PETER'S HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Peter is scurrying around his room looking for all his tools
in a nervous rage. He freaks out and grabs his head where he
finds his screw driver resting behind his ear. He begins to
sing.
                                                            
                       PETER
Its almost here its almost here
the most important day its almost
here.
Am i ready i don't know
nice and steady not too slow
moving quickly finish it
find that screw will it fit

This is my last chance for success
this year i am the best
this is my last chance to win
so lets begin
                                                            
 
INT. PENELOPE'S GREENHOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Open with Penelope scampering around her greenhouse feeding
all the plants. She stops to pick up a leaf on one of the
plants to measure the amount of greenness. She picks up her
watering can and begins to sing while watering her plants.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
It almost here its almost here
the most important day its almost
here
are they ready i don't know
come on guys its time to grow
moving quickly finish it
I've come this far I will not quit

This is my last chance for success
this year i am the best
this is my last chance to win
so lets begin
                                                            
 

16.

INT. WALTER'S LAB - DAY
                                                            
Close up of Walter doing an evil chuckle while adding
chemicals to his machine. He picks up a vile filled with a
bright green substance with an evil glare and he begins to
sing.
                                                            
                       WALTER
Its almost here its almost here
the most important day its almost
here
I'm so ready does it show
first place again I'm such a pro
moving quickly I've finished it
all that's left to do is sit

this is my last chance for success

this year i am the best
this is my last chance to win
so lets begin

yeah lets begin
                                                            
 
INT. GYMANSIUM - DAY
                                                            
Crane lowers onto students in crowd holding/rolling crazy
science projects. Students are all talking to each other
creating a roar.
                                                            
MCU MISS. NEWTON
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Settle down students. Excuse me.
(Uses megaphone) Excuse me!
                                                            
Frustrated, Miss. Newton turns on siren/horn on megaphone.
Students quiet down.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
(into megaphone) Now as you all
(stops herself in view of
student's discomfort from the
megaphone and lowers the megaphone
in an apologetic way) Now, as you
all know, I will be checking in
your entries for the science fair.
After you have been checked in,
you will not be able to make any
modifications to your project and
you will not be allowed back into
the gymnasium until tomorrow
            (MORE)

17.

                       MISS NEWTON (cont'd)
night.
                                                            
Music begins
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
Now, if everyone is ready please
form a single file line in front
of the stage.
                                                            
The students are all placing their projects, assorted
gadgets and posters, onto their tables, and then heading out
of the room.

Walter sets down his strange looking machine, and then
shoots a glare towards Peter. Peter is just setting down his
experiement, which is covered by a white sheet, onto his
table. After Peter heads out of the room, Walter looks
around to see if the coast is clear, and then slumps over to
Peter's Display.

Looking down at the mysterious veiled machine, Walter sees a
red wire hanging our from under the cover. With and evil
grin, Walter takes a pair of scissors out of his pocket and
snips the wire.
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
      (from behind)
Walter?
                                                            
Miss Newton's call startles Walter and he shoves the
scissors back into his pocket as he turns around.
                                                            
                       WALTER
      (frantically)
what? I'm just standing here not
doing anything minding my own
business keeping my hands to
myself geez get off my back....
                                                            
                       MISS NEWTON
      (befuddled)
okay... well it's time to lock the
doors, let's go.
                                                            
Walter walks away from Peters experiment, the clipped wire
still slightly visible. The lights of the gymnasium shut
off.
                                                            
 

18.

INT. GYMNASIUM - DAY
                                                            
The entire gym is now crowded with spectators and students,
all of whom are proudly showing off their projects to anyone
who happens to see their display. We come to Peter who is
shyly standing behind his table with his hands folded.
Penelope and her friend Cynthia approach the table.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (brightly)
Hi, Peter!
                                                            
                       CYNTHIA
Can you demonstrate your project
for us?
                                                            
                       PETER
      (nervously)
Well, I, uh, was actually going to
wait until the judging for my
demonstration... if that's ok...
                                                            
                       CYNTHIA
But where's the fun in that? The
whole point of a science fair is
to show the parents of all your
friends that you're smarter than
them!
                                                            
                       PETER
Ha... Just nervous I guess.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
That's okay! Well... see ya...
                                                            
Cynthia and Penelope walk away from Peter, Cynthia rolling
her eyes.
                                                            
                       CYNTHIA
      (pushing up her
       glasses)
That boy is SUCH a geek!
                                                            
Penelope shoots her a strange look
                                                            
                       CYNTHIA
I mean like... relatively
speaking.
                                                            
Marcy walks in and joins the conversation.
                                                            

19.

                       PENELOPE
I don't know, I think he's
really... sweet. And he's probably
the smartest boy in school.
                                                            
                       MARCY
Oh my gosh, Penelope! You totally
have a crush on him! I can tell
from the increased vasodilatation
in your face! You're blushing!
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (back peddling)
No, I, uh, I just... I have to go
trim my stems
                                                            
Penelope rushes off, and her friends look at each other,
smirking.
                                                            
At the judging table, three scientists in lab coats are
gathering their clip boards. One judge makes an
announcement.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 1
Attention, contestants! First of
all, let us thank you for the
overwhelming turnout this year. We
have seen some amazing projects so
far, but if you would all kindly
stand at your display tables, the
other judges and I will be coming
around to assess your work.
                                                            
Walter and all of his friends are gathered at his table.
                                                            
                       DEXTER
You're being judged third, Walter!
                                                            
                       THEODORE
Are you nervous?!
                                                            
                       BART
Of course he's not! He's the best!
                                                            
                       DOUGLAS
Leave him alone guys! He's gotta
stay focused!
                                                            
Penelope walks by with her friends, Walter stares dreamily
after her.
                                                            

20.

                       DOUGLAS
You're going to really blow them
away!
                                                            
                       WALTER
Yeah. She'll be so impressed...
                                                            
His friends look at him, puzzled.
                                                            
                       WALTER
I mean... they'll be so impressed.
The judges, that is. I wasn't
talking about anyone else. Yeah.
The judges.
                                                            
An exceptionally nerdy girl is demonstrating her project to
the judges.
                                                            
                       CONTESTANT #1
For my science experiment, I
constructed this paper mache
volcano to demonstrate for you the
chemical reaction between baking
soda and vinegar!!! Aaaaaand,
EXPLOSION!
                                                            
The girl is shouting by the time she pours the vinegar into
her model. Close up of white fizz bubbling out of the
opening in a lackluster eruption.

Cut to the judges who are staring blankly at the scene
before them. They slowly back away from the girl.

Penelope and Peter are at nearby tables setting up their
projects
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
Oh wow, Peter! I'm so excited! Do
I look nervous?
                                                            
                       PETER
No, you look great!
                                                            
Penelope blushes slightly and giggles, hastily looking down
at her work again.

Bart is presenting his project to the judges at the table
next to Walter's.
                                                            
                       BART
      (continuing his
       explanation)
So, you see, the potato acts as a
conductor and completes the
            (MORE)

21.

                       BART (cont'd)
circuit with causes...
                                                            
He pushes a plug into the potato sitting in front of him,
the light bulb he is holding glows dimly.
                                                            
                       BART (cont'd)
the light bulb to work!
                                                            
The judges look on, unamused.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
How... original.
                                                            
Walter is watching from his table and sees the judges
heading his way.
                                                            
                       WALTER
Now's my chance! All I have to do
is impress these pea-brains and
first place is MINE! And then
Penelope will have no choice but
to like me! Nobody can say no to
the science fair winner! NOBODY!
                                                            
The judges have already arrived at his table and stare
perplexed at him listening to his aside. Walter looks up and
notices the three confused looks he is getting and suddenly
throws on a fake smile.
                                                            
                       WALTER
...Hi there.
                                                            
He hits a button on his radio and dramatic background music
plays beneath his speech.
                                                            
                       WALTER
Ladies and Gentlemen!
                                                            
Everyone at the science fair looks towards Walter and his
scene.
                                                            
                       WALTER
For years now, scientists the
world over have been searching for
a new way to power the countless
electricity-sucking devices that
we use to run our daily lives.
Well now, there is a way to
convert our millions of pounds of
waste and garbage into clean, pure
energy. Observe!
                                                            

22.

He lifts up a nearby garbage can and tips it into his
complicated looking machine. The judges plug their noses at
the smell of the trash. Lights on the machine blink and
beep.
                                                            
                       WALTER
And now...
                                                            
He hits the largest button on his machine and all of the
lights in the room flicker briefly. A separate table full of
electronic appliances starts to turn on. A fan is blowing,
toaster is popping, blender is screeching, so on.
                                                            
                       WALTER
That garbage is now powering ALL
of these appliances, without the
use of any traditional energy
sources!
                                                            
The judges look at each other impressed, and the whole
gymnasium claps and murmurs with astonishment.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 3
Very impressive Peter, that one is
going to be hard to top!
                                                            
The three judges head over to Penelope's table, who
cheerfully begins her demonstration.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
My experiment explored the effects
of music on the growth and
development of plants! As you can
see, I have set up...
                                                            
We hear Penelope's presentation continue from a distance as
we see Peter lift the sheet over his experiment and looks
underneath. He seems to be fiddling with something unseen,
but his face is confused and nervous.
                                                            
                       PETER
      (To himself)
That's odd, why isn't-
                                                            
Sparks fly out from under his machine and we hear a big
electric zap. Peter shouts and jumps back from his project,
dropping the sheet back down. The judges look over towards
Peter.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
Is everything alright over there?
                                                            

23.

                       PETER
I don't know what happened!
Something must be wrong with my
machine!
                                                            
There is another loud ZAP, startling everyone further away
from peter.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
      (through a
       clenched smile)
Peter.... what are you doing?
                                                            
                       PETER
I'm sorry! I swear it worked
perfectly yesterday! Really, it
did!
                                                            
                       JUDGE 1
You know we can't let you make any
corrections this late in the
judging. I'm sorry, son, maybe
next year.
                                                            
Peter looks devastated
                                                            
                       JUDGE 3
Well, if that's everyone, I think
we're ready to announce our
winners!
                                                            
The crowd gather excitedly at the front of the room where
the judges have gathered.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
Our third place award goes to...
Cynthia Clyde! For her experiment
in...
                                                            
the judge continues to announce the third place winner and
the audience cheers. Peter looks down with disappointment,
and then noticed the broken wire hanging out from under his
project. He takes a closer look and starts fixing it as the
judges continue announcing.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
Second place Goes to Penelope
Pendleton for her experiment
entitled "a study in musical
genres and their effects on a rare
cross-bred hybrid flowering
plant."
                                                            

24.

Cuts back to peter as his machine starts up.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
And our first place winner is...
Walter Walton, for his
reformulation of waste material!
                                                            
Everyone in the auditorium cheers after each winner is
announced, slightly less so for Walter, as he has already
won multiple times before. He proudly makes his way to the
front of the room carrying his machine. He waves to his
"fans" as he moves through the crowd. With his free hand, he
gently pries the judge's microphone out of his hand to make
his speech.
                                                            
                       WALTER
Thank you, thank you! I know what
you're probably thinking, "doesn't
it get exhausting to constantly be
so successful?" Well, the answer
is no. So let me take a moment to
say-
                                                            
The machine Walter is holding starts to putter loudly.
Walter looks down at it with curiosity.

Suddenly, Walter's experiment explodes with a cloud of black
smoke that floods the room. Soot covers everything in the
room, including spectators' faces and clothes. Walter's hair
us pushed up with the force of the explosion, and his face
is completely covered in garbage fog.

Throughout the room, spectators cover their faces and plug
their noses at the hideous smell of the garbage, coughing
and complaining noisily.

Penelope is holding her award winning plant, which gets
covered in the black substance, subsequently bending over
dead.
                                                            
                       PENELOPE
My plant!
                                                            
Judge #1 grabs the microphone out of Walter's hand.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 1
Attention everyone! It looks like
we're going to need to vacate the
gymnasium, as these fumes may be
poisonous...
                                                            
Peter finally reconnects the broken wire on his machine and
we hear it powering up from underneath the sheet. He quickly

25.

removes the cover and we see a contraption glowing with a
soft white light.
                                                            
                       PETER
It's fixed!
                                                            
A gentle breeze moves through the auditorium to the machine,
lifting the remaining black clouds and sucking them into the
light. Poofs of dust fly off of the mesmerized spectators.
The dust lifts off of Penelope's flower, which stands up
straight, gradually coming back to life.
                                                            
                       CYNTHIA
It's... beautiful!
                                                            
                       PETER
      (explaining)
My science fair project uses air
osmosis to remove any foreign
substances in the atmosphere,
bringing levels back to what they
originally were when humans first
inhabited the Earth. Using one of
these machines on a large scale
could completely reverse any
environmental damage ever
inflicted on the planet!
                                                            
Audience members are fascinated. The judges are huddled
together speaking in whispers. After a moment of
deliberation, they turn outwards.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 2
The other judges and I have
reviewed our decisions, and
decided that because the winner's
invention ruined the science fair
and the losers invention saved the
science fair, the previous loser
is now our new first place winner
and the previous winner is our
new... loser.
                                                            
Audience looks at each other confused, unsure of exactly
what they were just told.
                                                            
                       JUDGE 3
...Peter wins!
                                                            
The crowd bursts out in applause. Science Fair (REPRISE)
begins to play.
                                                            

26.

                       PENELOPE
You did it, Peter! You changed the
world!
                                                            
They share in a hug.

The auditorium breaks out into the final song. All is right.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Anna-Victoria Lynch Date 5/12/2009 ***
I really loved the concept, but as Emma says, could do with being a fuller screenplay. Good job, though! =D

From Emma Pence Date 3/31/2009 ****
This was really cool, I think that you could expand it a bit and make it into a movie, it might help people get interested in science.


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