POPULAR SCIENCE

Written by Paula Yoo

FADE IN:

EXT. DEARBORN, MI - DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL - NIGHT

SUPERIMPOSE - “1997”

A battered Ford Taurus pulls up front. SABRINA DONOHOE, a 23-year-old fading beauty-queen-turned-haggard mom, steps out.

She opens the back door. A baby rattle shoots out. She catches it and leans in, unstrapping a very unhappy ten-month-old MEG DONOHOE who continues to toss toys at her mom.

Sabrina knocks on the car window. Her husband, ROB DONOHOE, also 23, rolls it down. The radio blasts through the air.

ROBBut the Pistons called a time out!

Sabrina frowns. Rob switches it off and gets out. Meg chooses this moment to spit up all over Rob’s suit jacket.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blasts through the cavernous gym. A banner says, “CLASS OF 1992! FIFTH YEAR REUNION!” Rob, Sabrina, and Meg approach a woman at the sign-in table.

ROBHi Stacy.

STACYI’m sorry, and you are...?

ROBRob Donohoe and Sabrina Warner. We got married last year, remember?

STACY(puzzled)

You’re the varsity basketball captain and the homecoming queen?

She holds up two name tags featuring their youthful senior portraits. Rob winces, glancing at his beer gut. Sabrina gently touches the dark circles under her eyes, frowning.

STACY(sympathetic)

Here. You better put these on.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - TABLE - LATER

Rob, Sabrina, and Meg sit with their clique: basketball buddies JOHN and KYLE, now investment bankers, and cheerleaders KELLY, SARAH, and ELIZA, now Stepford real estate agents.

Everyone tries to maintain a jolly tone as they reminisce, but it’s obviously getting harder to hear over Meg’s wails.

JOHNHey Rob, remember when you hid Mark Moore’s clothes after gym class?

ELIZAThat geek ran down the hall...

KYLE... in his underwear!

Everyone laughs loudly, scaring Meg who starts screaming.

KELLY(uncomfortable)

We’re sorry, Sabrina.

Sabrina self-consciously smooths back her flyaways.

SABRINAOh, you know how it is with kids, you never have time for sleep.

Everyone exchanges puzzled glances. No, they don’t know how it is. An uncomfortable silence settles amidst the group.

KYLE(finishes beer)

Stupid cash bar. Six bucks for a lousy can of Stroh’s?

SARAHWanna split? Dearborn Tavern?

JOHNYeah, let’s take the party there!

Everyone except Rob and Sabrina stand up to leave.

JOHN(to Rob and Sabrina)

Aren’t you coming?

2.

ROB(frustrated)

We can’t.

SABRINAThere’s too much smoking at that bar. It’s bad for Meg.

JOHN(awkward)

Well, it was great to catch up with you guys.

And with that, Rob and Sabrina’s supposedly loyal clique of friends immediately abandons them. For the first time in their lives, Rob and Sabrina are now the outcasts.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - TABLE - LATER

Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” blares as Rob and Sabrina, all alone, try to comfort a still crying Meg.

MARK (O.C.)She might have colic.

A well-dressed and handsome man sits down next to them. CLOSEUP on his name tag featuring a gawky geek with thick glasses, buck teeth and his name...

SABRINA(shocked)

Mark Moore?

ROB(uh oh)

Mark Moore?

MARKSoon, Doctor Moore. Your daughter probably has a distention of the hollow viscera. Her intestines are...

Off Sabrina’s terrified look...

MARKShe has a tummy ache.

Sabrina relaxes, relieved. Mark holds his arms out.

MARKMay I hold her?

3.

Mark gently holds Meg face down, slowly rocking her legs back and forth. Meg stops crying immediately. As Mark hands Meg back to a grateful Sabrina, he notices her name tag.

MARKI thought I recognized you! You were the homecoming queen!

SABRINAThat was a long time ago.

MARKAnd Rob Donohoe, the guy who...

ROBHey, it was just a joke, me stealing your clothes...

MARK... won the basketball scholarship to Michigan!

Rob and Sabrina exchange looks, impressed and humbled that this ex-nerd doesn’t hold a grudge.

MARKSo what have you two been up to since graduation?

ROB(hesitates - reluctant)

Busted my knee, then I had to drop out of Michigan because I couldn’t keep up the GPA required for my scholarship.

SABRINASo my uncle got Rob a job on the assembly line at Ford. That’s how we reunited and fell in love.

MARK(sincerely)

That’s wonderful.

Rob and Sabrina smile, but their eyes remain downcast. Mark senses their unhappiness and quickly changes topics.

MARKSo, Sabrina, do you still draw? I remember you always won our school art contests.

SABRINAI took a couple art night classes but I’ve been busy with, well...

She nods at a now peacefully sleeping Meg in her arms.

4.

ROB(proudly)

Sabrina’s Employee of the Month at the Dearborn Credit Union.

SABRINA(embarrassed)

Let’s talk about what our class valedictorian has done instead.

MARKI graduated with a degree in biochemistry from MIT. Now I’m at Harvard Medical School.

ROB(impressed)

MIT! That’s no small potatoes.

SABRINA(in awe)

And Harvard Medical School.

Aw shucks. Mark smiles and gently pats Meg on the head.

MARKIt’s nothing compared to your beautiful daughter! A real chip off the old block - she’s going to turn out just like you!

Off Rob and Sabrina’s suddenly horrified faces...

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - NEXT MORNING

A pair of hands rips down a “My Little Pony” poster. Another pair of hands tapes up a new poster - of Albert Einstein.

Rob and Sabrina, decked in sweats, their sleeves rolled up, tear Meg’s bedroom apart while she sleeps in her crib.

Good-bye Winnie the Pooh. Hello “My First Science Lab” kit.

Good-bye “Goodnight Moon.” Hello Encyclopedia Britannica.

Finally, Rob and Sabrina tape up a giant Periodic Table of the Elements above Meg’s crib.

DISSOLVE TO:

5.

EXT. DEARBORN - NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND - AFTERNOON

SUPERIMPOSE: “FOUR YEARS LATER - 2001”

Beautiful and bubbly six-year-old ASHLEY MORGAN sits in a sandbox as her mom, JANICE, reads from “Charlotte’s Web.”

JANICE“Fern loved Wilbur more than anything...”

Meanwhile, at a nearby bench, Sabrina, now 27, sits with four-year-old Meg on her lap, reading a POPULAR SCIENCE article.

SABRINA“Electrostatic self-assembly begins when positive metallic ions meet oppositely charged elastic pol... poly... polymers.”

Sabrina looks up and notices Janice’s open-jawed stare.

SABRINAHi Janice! Meg was just accepted into the Dearborn Academy for the Academically Gifted!

Ah, now Janice gets it. Ashley shrugs and eats some sand.

EXT. DONOHOE RESIDENCE - DRIVEWAY - MORNING

SUPERIMPOSE: “2003”

Six-year-old Meg, dressed in her private school uniform (white blouse and blue skirt), follows Rob, 29, to the car. Rob holds flashcards in front of him. This one says “NaCl.”

MEGSodium chloride.

Rob pumps his fist in the air as if this is a sporting event.

ROBMolecular weight?

ASHLEY (O.C.)... and then my mom’s gonna take us out for ice cream after the movie!

Ashley and her friends walk past Meg and Rob to the bus stop. She sees Meg and runs up the driveway.

6.

ASHLEYMeg, can you come to my birthday party on Saturday?

Meg smiles, but before she can say yes...

ROBAshley, thank you, but Meg’s busy.

Meg’s face falls. Ashley pouts, then walks away.

MEGDad, why can’t I go to her party?

ROBNo parties. You have to study.

MEGBut it’s just one party!

ROBI used to say that. Do you want to end up like me? Now. Molecular weight for sodium chloride?

MEG(reluctant)

58.4428.

EXT. DEARBORN - HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE - AFTERNOON

SUPERIMPOSE: “2005”

It’s Graduation Day. Meg, now eight, applauds enthusiastically as her parents, both now 31, walk on stage.

COLLEGE DEANRob Donohoe, Associates Degree in Electronics Technology. Sabrina Donohoe, Associates Degree in Accounting.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING

SUPERIMPOSE: “2007”

Meg, now 10, sits on the edge of the sofa with Rob and Sabrina, now 33, their eyes glued to the TV screen.

7.

NEWS ANCHOR (O.S.)... and the winner for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry...

MEG(fingers crossed)

Heeger, MacDarmid, and Shirakawa!

NEWS ANCHOR (O.S.)Alan J. Heeger, Alan G. MacDiarmid, and Hideki Shirakawa for their work on conductive polymers!

Meg screams and twirls around the room, ecstatic.

ROB(whispers - to Sabrina)

It’s too bad the live Nobel Prize ceremony is on at the same time as the Pistons-Lakers game...

MEGWho are the Pistons?

Rob and Sabrina glance at each other - whoops. Sabrina quickly points to the TV as the three scientists appear.

SABRINALook, Meg. See them? You’re going to turn out just like them.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING

SUPERIMPOSE: “PRESENT DAY - SUMMER”

CLOSEUP ON the tattered and worn Albert Einstein poster. Pull back to reveal several sci fi/fantasy posters (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Dr. Who, Battlestar Galactica, the latest Star Trek re-boot, Torchwood, etc.) and an MIT college flag.

Not to mention all the academic competition trophies and science contest winner ribbons on display everywhere.

An electron microscope, Erlenmeyer flask, graduated cylinder, filter flask, and test tube rack sit in a row on the desk.

Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time,” “Augustine to Galileo: The History of Science, A.D. 400-1650,” and “Madame Curie: A Life” cram the bookshelf.

8.

Meg, now 15, plucks a small glass tube filled with a clear liquid from the tube rack. She’s an earnest, bespectacled plain Jane, her hair tied back in a simple ponytail.

With the authoritative grace of a future MIT lab researcher, Meg examines the tube under the light before placing it in the centrifuge and flicking the switch. The machine whirs.

SABRINA (O.S.)Meg! Breakfast is ready!

MEGBut I haven’t finished calculating the transformation efficiency of the ampicillin resistant gene yet!

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Meg and her parents, now 38, finish their breakfast. Rob straightens his tie.

MEGWhy are you so dressed up, Dad?

ROBToday’s my promotion.

SABRINARob, there’s a lot of competition for electrical supervisor.

ROBWith your Uncle Allen as CEO, it’s a lock. He knows I have 15 years worth of assembly line experience on the other candidates.

Sabrina, not convinced, sighs and turns to Meg.

SABRINASo I’ll meet you at the mall after work for our school shopping spree.

ROBSpeaking of school, Meg, are you ready this year? For the big game?

MEGDad, the Westinghouse Science competition deadline’s in November.

9.

ROBBut school starts next month. With your Honors courses and SATS...

MEGI’ve already developed a new theory on the environmental role in determining cognitive development.

ROBGood girl. Remember, this is your final year to go for the gold.

MEGAt least me and Melvin made it to the quarter finals last year.

ROBThere are only two types of people in the world, winners and losers. No finalists! What are you?

MEG(mumbles)

I’m a champion.

ROBI can’t hear you!

MEG(raises voice)

I’m a champion!

ROBThat’s my girl!

He gives Meg a high five. Meg gives in and smiles. Game on!

EXT. DEARBORN - DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - DAY

Establishing shot of the factory - 2.3 million square feet of steel and concrete, home of Michigan’s blue collar faithful.

INT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - WIRING SHOP - DAY

Rob installs wiring in a Ford truck’s instrument panel. Two other workers kneel outside, adding the taillights.

Rob glances at the clock, his hands flying across the panel. A bell rings. Lunch break. Rob stops and walks to the...

10.

INT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - MEN’S BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS

Rob washes his grimy hands and looks in the mirror. He looks 48, not 38, the overwhelming result of having to raise a family when he wasn’t ready. He takes a deep breath.

ROBI’m a champion.

But he doesn’t sound convinced.

INT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - MANAGER’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Rob paces in front of ALLEN WARNER, his uncle... and boss.

ROBIt’s not fair. I have 15 years on him! I’m a journeyman electrician!

ALLENBut Mike Kowalchek has a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from MIT.

ROBI thought this position didn’t require a college degree.

ALLENTimes are changing. An associate’s degree from a community college is no longer good enough.

ROBBut I need this promotion. I can’t afford another year of Meg’s private school tuition without it.

ALLEN(firmly)

I’m sorry. Our decision’s final.

INT. DEARBORN - FAIRLANE MALL - GOLDEN AGE COMICS - AFTERNOON

MEG (O.S.)Wow, it actually looks like a real Blas Tech EE-3 blaster rifle!

Meg stands with her best friend MELVIN WU, 16, in front of The Golden Age of Comics & Collectibles window. On display - a life-sized Boba Fett, fearless Star Wars bounty hunter.

11.

MEG(reading price tag)

And they’re having a sale later this week! Fifteen percent off!

MELVINYou know it was impossible for Boba Fett to have died in the Sarlacc monster’s Pit of Carkoon.

MEGMelvin, I disagree. The Sarlacc’s stomach digests its victims alive for a thousand years.

Melvin snorts. Despite his gawky frame and nitpicking neurotic personality, there’s something very charming about him.

MELVINLucas would never allow such an undignified death for the galaxy’s most fearsome bounty hunter.

MEGWhat makes you so sure?

MELVINLucas kept Boba Fett alive so he could make more money off the character’s merch.

MEGYou and your conspiracy theories.

(glances at watch)I have to meet my mom right now at Forever 21 to buy a new uniform.

MELVINYou know Forever 21 exploits...

But Meg escapes before he can finish.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - FOREVER 21 - A LITTLE LATER

Sabrina and Meg walk among the clothes racks, looking for white blouses and blue skirts. But Meg gravitates towards a cute daisy sundress and jean jacket.

ASHLEY (O.S.)That is so you!

A fashionable teen Ashley, wearing a name tag, heads over.

12.

ASHLEYWould you like to try it on?

MEGI can’t...

Ashley holds the outfit up against Meg and pushes her to a full-length mirror. Meg gasps - she likes what she sees.

ASHLEYSee how the color brings out your eyes? You should get contacts.

SABRINAMeg, what are you doing?

Sabrina rushes up and grabs the dress away, frowning at the barely-there spaghetti straps.

ASHLEYHi Mrs. Donohoe. I’m just helping Meg with her school shopping.

SABRINAMeg needs a new uniform. For school. Not the street.

Sabrina holds up a white blouse/navy blazer and skirt combo that only Martha Stewart could love. Meg makes a face. Ashley forces herself to smile.

ASHLEYHow about some accessories?

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING

Rob leans back on the couch, watching a basketball game on ESPN. He takes a swig from his beer can.

SPORTS ANCHOR (O.S.)“... and the Pistons overcome an early 15-8 deficit forcing their second turnover in a row...”

Meg and Sabrina enter with several shopping bags. Rob spits out his beer. He shoves the can under the couch.

Sabrina motions quickly at Rob. He grabs the remote and switches channels immediately to The Discovery Channel.

13.

TV HOST (O.S.)“The cheetah has a light skeleton and flexible backbone to help maximize its 23-foot stride...”

MEGCool! I love wild Acinonyx jubatus cats!

Meg sits down next to her dad. She rifles through a bag and pulls out a sparkly necklace. Sabrina takes the necklace and holds it up to the light, the artist in her coming out.

SABRINAThe colors look amazing in this light, like the palette used by Monet...

MEGAshley works at Forever 21. She got me this cool necklace that makes my school uniform look less uniform-y.

ROB(hesitates)

Meg, about school...

Sabrina casts a sad glance at Rob upon hearing his tone.

SABRINAYou didn’t get it. I’m so sorry.

ROBUncle Allen hired a guy from MIT over me. Times are changing.

MEGWait ‘til I go to MIT. Then I’ll take over the entire factory. I’ll make you vice president!

SABRINAYou have to get accepted first.

ROBAnd MIT costs $42,700 a year. You also have to win this year’s Westinghouse science competition.

MEGNo problem. The Dearborn Academy renovated our science lab - that $100,000 scholarship prize is mine.

14.

ROBI’m sorry, Meg, but I don’t have enough money to pay the tuition for your senior year.

MEGWhat? Where will I go then?

ROBDearborn High School. We went there. It’s very different from Dearborn Academy.

SABRINA(worried)

You might have trouble fitting in.

MEG(smiles - stands up)

At least I skipped two grades, so I’ll only be there for one year. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!

Rob and Sabrina exchange troubled glances as Meg exits.

ROB(grim)

She won’t last a day at our school.

SABRINAWell, that’s real positive of you.

ROBTwo words - cheerleading squad.

SABRINA(realizes)

You’re right. She’s so screwed.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - NEXT DAY - AFTERNOON

Meg leans over her electron microscope, examining a slide. Melvin sits at her desk, typing data into his laptop.

Meg finishes examining the slide. She picks up a data recorder from her desk and hits the record button.

MEG(into recorder)

My hypothesis: Bacteria cells will activate the genes for lactose metabolism when lactose is present.

15.

MELVINBut these cells are programmed to do one job - metabolize glucose, not lactose. They can’t evolve.

MEG(turns off recorder)

So are humans also born to do one job only? What about my nature versus nurture theory?

MELVINNot again! For the past two years, you’ve tried to prove it’s all about nurture and not nature.

MEGIf everything and everyone was born to do one thing only, then we wouldn’t exist right now.

MELVINThis is our last chance to win. Let’s do something different. No more cognitive development stuff.

Meg gasps as if Melvin has just said something horribly offensive. He sighs, knowing he can’t change her mind.

MEGBut I’ve proven bacteria cells can alter their genetic programming due to changes in their environment.

MELVINYeah, but that experiment got us a lousy certificate for 57th place.

MEGWhat about last year and the genetically identical mice?

MELVINThat only got us into the Quarter Finals. Who’s going to be your experimental subject this year?

MEGI don’t know. But I’ve got plenty of time to find one.

16.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - GOLDEN AGE COMICS - A WEEK LATER - DAY

The sign in the window says “END OF SUMMER SALE! 15% OFF ALL MERCH!” Another sign says “STORE OPEN 9 AM to 9 PM DAILY.” Meg glances at her watch - it’s 8:59 AM. She stands in a crowd of eager sci-fi geeks waiting for the store to open.

A store employee inside flips the “CLOSED” sign over to “OPEN.” He unlocks the door.

The crowd of geeks surges forward. In the stampede, someone’s elbow knocks against Meg’s face. THWACK! Her glasses go flying in the air. Meg falls down.

MEG(reaching blindly)

Help! Where are my glasses!

ASHLEY (O.S.)Meg! Don’t move!

Meg sits down and hears the awful sound of glass cracking. Ashley, wearing her GAP nametag, rushes over. She bends down and picks up Meg’s slightly bent frames with a large crack in the left lens.

ASHLEYMeg, are you okay? How many fingers am I holding up?

MEG’S POINT OF VIEW -- Ashley is nothing but a blur.

Meg squints and shakes her head. Ashley hands over the broken glasses. Meg gasps in horror.

ASHLEY(sympathetic)

Let’s go. Frappuccinos are on me.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - STARBUCKS CAFE - LATER

Meg, her glasses fixed temporarily with some creative use of masking tape, slurps away at her frappuccino.

Ashley, relieved Meg is better, grins back. She takes a big sip from her drink and groans, nursing her forehead.

ASHLEYOw, brain freeze.

17.

MEGActually, it’s the temperature of the ice causing the blood vessels in your head to dilate.

ASHLEY(laughs)

Dial what? You and your big words. I remember how your mom read science books to you instead of Charlotte’s Web.

MEGWhat’s Charlotte’s Web?

ASHLEYYou go to Dearborn Academy and you never heard of Charlotte’s Web?

MEGIt wasn’t on our syllabus.

ASHLEYThat’s too bad. It’s my favorite book. Well, it’s my third favorite book next to Twilight and The Hunger Games. It’s about a spider and a pig who become best friends.

MEGBut pigs and spiders aren’t classified in the same genus taxonomy, so how is this possible?

Her question falls on deaf ears as BEN LUKER (17, wavy hair, chiseled cheekbones, the works) enters.

ASHLEY(whispers)

Ben Luker is so Edward.(horrified, off Meg’s blank stare)

Don’t tell me you’re Team Jacob!

Meg, meanwhile, is analyzing Ben as he approaches them.

MEGEmpirically, this Ben reminds me of Legolas from LOTR.

ASHLEYL-O-what?

18.

MEGLOTR. Lord of the Rings.

Ah ha! A connection. This time, they both beam.

ASHLEYOrlando Bloom is old but cute!

MEGLegolas was a noble Elf.

BEN(walks over)

Hey Ash. (points to Meg’s glasses)

You two get into a cat fight?

Ashley giggles at Ben’s lame attempt at wit.

MEGSaesa omentien lle.

BENDo you speak English?

MEGYes. That was the Elvish dialect from Middle Earth. “Pleasure meeting you.”

ASHLEYBen, this is Meg. We’re neighbors.

Ben is taken aback, but since Meg is with Ashley, he lets it slide.

BENHey Meg.

He picks up Ashley’s empty frappuccino.

BENWant another one?

Off Ashley, lovestruck...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - CORRIDOR - A LITTLE LATER

Ashley waves her iPhone as she and Meg walk to Forever 21.

19.

ASHLEYHe just texted me again. Meg, you totally set us up! How cool are you?

To Meg’s surprise, Ashley gives her a playful hug.

ASHLEYBy the way, can you make my birthday party this Saturday? My parents will be out of town.

MEGI have to ask my parents first.

ASHLEYBut your dad never lets you go out. He always says you have to study.

MEGBut it’s different now. I’m not going to Dearborn Academy this year. My dad can’t afford it.

ASHLEY(sincerely)

I’m really sorry to hear that. Where will you go instead?

MEGYour school.

ASHLEYSo now you have to come to my party! You need to make a few friends before school starts.

MEGGood point, Ashley! Of course. There’s no way they’ll say no now.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - SATURDAY - EARLY EVENING

ROBAbsolutely not.

SABRINANo way.

Meg stands before her parents dressed in jeans and a cropped shirt that exposes her belly. She holds a pair of scissors in her hands, having obviously just altered her shirt.

20.

MEGMom, Ashley dresses like this.

Sabrina grabs Meg’s shirt and tries to tug it downwards.

SABRINAYou’re not Ashley.

Sabrina then ties Meg’s long hair into a plain ponytail.

ROBYou should stay home and study.

MEGI won’t stay out late. Ashley said she’d introduce me to her friends.

Beat. Rob and Sabrina look at each other. Hmmmm.

SABRINA(whispers - to Rob)

Maybe Meg should go and get an idea of what to expect from our school.

ROB(low voice - to Sabrina)

But Meg skipped two grades so everyone will be older than her. You know how these parties get.

MEG(waving hands)

Excuse me? I’m two feet away from you! I can hear everything.

Beat. Sabrina rummages through Meg’s dresser and pulls out the Martha Stewart white blouse and navy skirt and blazer.

MEGNot my uniform!

SABRINAIt’s a classic, the kind of fashion that never goes out of style. Wear this or you can’t go.

ROBDon’t drink. Don’t talk to boys. In fact, don’t do anything at all.

21.

MEGDon’t worry. It’s just a party. How bad can it be?

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - NIGHT

A loud bass rattles the windows, startling Meg. She almost drops Ashley’s birthday gift as she trips over a pile of stray beer cans on her way to the front door. She enters...

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Everyone dances to the booming bass line, the girls clad in tight skirts, short shorts, and jeans with cropped tops showing off incredibly flat stomachs. Meg waves to Ashley.

DAVETTE THOMAS, a stunning African American diva with sleek braids, notices Meg and rolls her eyes. She nudges Ashley.

DAVETTECheck out Martha Stewart.

The other girls snicker. Meg tugs at her collar as if it’s choking her. She turns around before Ashley can see her.

Suddenly, someone taps her shoulder. It’s a very tipsy Ben Luker, clutching a beer and having trouble standing straight.

BENHey, you’re Ashley’s friend.

MEGYes. I have to go.

BENCome on, we’re making margaritas in the kitchen.

MEG(puzzled)

But you’re not allowed to drink until you’re 21.

BEN(laughing)

Ashley was right! You ARE funny!

Before Meg can protest, Ben grabs her arm and drags her away.

22.

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER

A blender roars. Meg pours a jigger of tequila into a shot glass and holds it up to Ben. He grins. But when he looks away, Meg quickly dumps the tequila into the sink.

Meg hits the OFF switch, pours the frothy virgin strawberry margarita into a glass with a sugared rim and hands it to Ben with the graceful moves of a TGIF bartender.

Ben takes a swig and then frowns.

BENI can’t taste the tequila.

MEGThat’s because I put in extra strawberries to mask the flavor. Plus they’re a good source of folic acid and vitamin B.

BEN(impressed)

That’s sick, Margarita Meg.

As he chugs the drink, Meg can’t help but marvel...

MEG(to herself)

The placebo effect is working better than anticipated...

BENPlacebo...?

(beat - hiccups)Well, whatever you call this juice, it’s having an effect on me!

He stumbles back to the kitchen table, where he and his buddies are playing a serious game of quarters.

Each buddy clutches a different and colorful exotic drink in his hand, courtesy of “Margarita Meg.” No one realizes Meg has made them non-alcoholic beverages.

Meg picks up her drink - a virgin pina colada, complete with an umbrella - along with Ashley’s gift and heads for the...

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

... and bumps right into Ashley.

23.

ASHLEYMeg! You made it!

MEGHappy birthday.

Meg hands over Ashley’s wrapped present. Ashley smiles.

ASHLEYThis is so sweet, thanks! But you didn’t have to get me a gift!

MEGI know you’re 17 and not 7, but this is a special first edition with the author’s autograph.

(beat)You were right, this is a great book. But why did Charlotte have to die?

Ashley tears off the wrapping. It’s a beautiful hardcover edition of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” She squeals.

ASHLEYIt’s beautiful! I love it!

Ashley hugs Meg and then leads her upstairs to...

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - ASHLEY’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

... which is your typical 17-year-old girl bedroom with clothes strewn about the floor, crooked posters of movie stars and rock bands on the wall.

Ashley places Meg’s gift on her bookshelf which is stocked with worn and tattered but beloved children’s book classics.

MEG(reading book titles)

“Stuart Little,” “Bridge to Terabithia,” “The Wind in the Willows.” What are these?

ASHLEYI can’t believe your mom never read you these books. They’re the best. You can borrow my books anytime.

Ashley rifles through a pile and pulls out a faded pair of jeans and cropped red tank top. She tosses the outfit over.

24.

ASHLEYI can tell we’re the same size. Go on, change. Bet your mom made you wear that outfit, right?

MEG(changing clothes)

She says it’s a classic that will never go out of style.

ASHLEYWhen was it ever IN style?

(leads Meg to the mirror)Much better.

A shocked Meg looks at her full-length reflection. She’s gone from dowdy to diva, the jeans showing off her long legs and the cropped tank top emphasizing her trim figure.

Ashley pulls out Meg’s ponytail, letting her long hair drape across her shoulders. Ashley then removes Meg’s glasses and stands next to her in front of the mirror.

ASHLEYWe look like sisters!

Meg squints. Wow. Ashley’s right. Meg doesn’t look at all like a Trekkie who prefers MIT over Mai Tais.

The door opens. Davette - the same girl who made fun of Meg earlier - stumbles into the room.

DAVETTEWe’re looking for Margarita Meg. Ben says she makes the best drinks.

ASHLEYThis is Margarita Meg. And this is DaVette Thomas, my best friend and varsity tennis team partner.

Beat. Davette glances at Meg and doesn’t recognize her.

DAVETTE(approvingly)

Cute top.

ASHLEYLet’s go, Margarita Meg!

A bewildered Meg follows them down to the...

25.

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

A group of Ashley’s friends, looking as if they just stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue, cheer at the sight of “Margarita Meg.” Ben drags Meg to the blender.

BENMeg, you gotta meet Carlos.

Ben nods at CARLOS DELGADO, a gorgeous guy who looks like he could be on Twilight. Carlos grins, clearly into Meg.

CARLOSWork it, girl.

Meg glances at the blender, then at an expectant Ben and Carlos holding up empty glasses, and finally, at a beaming Ashley. And that’s when it hits her.

MEGEureka!

ASHLEYYou’re what...?

MEGEureka! It’s what Archimedes said when he figured out how to measure the true weight of gold.

BEN(confused)

You need more Tequila Gold?

MEGI’m sorry, I have to go.

ASHLEYBut you just got here!

But Meg runs out before anyone can stop her.

INT. DONOHOE HOME - MEG’S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

Meg sits in front of her XBox, playing MASS EFFECT. She speaks into her bluetooth earpiece while continuing to play.

MEG(on cell)

Melvin? Guess what? I know who will be the test subject for our Westinghouse science experiment!

26.

INT. WU HOUSE - MELVIN’S BEDROOM - SAME TIME

Melvin also sits in front of his XBox, playing the latest Mass Effect game and talking into his cell earpiece.

MELVIN(on cell)

Lemme guess - hamsters, right?(frantically presses controller buttons)

Watch out! The Geth are everywhere!

INTERCUT WITH -- MEG’S BEDROOM

Meg also frantically presses the buttons on her controller.

MEG Evasive maneuvers! Hide behind these rocks!

(beat)And no hamsters! It’s me! I’m going to be our test subject.

MELVINWe have to eliminate the Geth’s satellites.

MEGRoger that.

MELVINSo who’s your control group?

(beat)Hey, there’s a weapons locker near the terminal.

MEGI’m already there. Sweet. Got an extra micro-scaled mass accelerator gun. Ashley Morgan is my control group.

MELVINI’m running low on thermal clips. See if you can find any... Wait. Ashley Morgan? I don’t get it.

MEGAshley is friends with a group of people I have nothing in common with.

(lowers her voice)

27.

(MORE)

They don’t even know the difference between Boba Fett and Han Solo.

Melvin gasps. Sacrilege!

MEGBut by adapting to Ashley’s environment, I can change my genetic programming to fit in.

Melvin, shocked, drops his XBox controller.

MELVIN(gets it)

So by linking bacteria cells and mice to you and Ashley, we’ll prove that nurture wins over nature!

MEGHello, Nobel Prize!

(beat)Darn. A Geth just killed me.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - NEXT DAY

Magazines from SEVENTEEN to TEEN VOGUE and NYLON are scattered across the floor. One cover screams, “TEAM EDWARD OR TEAM JACOB?” Another magazine has Peeta and Gale from THE HUNGER GAMES staring all broody-like on the cover.

Meg sits in the middle, sorting through the magazines. She speaks into her data recorder.

MEG(into recorder)

In order to create an original hypothesis, a good scientist must conduct extensive research.

She flips through a TEEN VOGUE featuring the cover story: “KATY PERRY, REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE? POP PRINCESS ADOPTS NEW TOUGH LOOK.”

MEGFor example, studying the works of Copernicus and Galileo inspired Isaac Newton to come up with the Theory of Motion.

Meg tears out the Kate Perry article.

28.

MEG (cont'd)

MEGSo I am creating a spreadsheet of the language patterns of popular girls like Ashley by applying Noam Chomsky’s theory of language acquisition to the words found in all the appropriate magazines.

She places the page on her scanner and hits the ON button. A complicated spreadsheet of the topics “SLANG,” “BEAUTY,” “FASHION,” and “TRENDS” scrolls down the computer screen.

MEGA good scientist observes everything, using all five senses to collect data.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - FOREVER 21 - DAY

Meg clutches her recorder, hiding behind a mannequin in Forever 21, spying as Ashley helps a CUSTOMER. Ashley holds up a a red shirt to the customer, who smiles.

CUSTOMERIf I wear this on our date, he’ll definitely ask me out again!

ASHLEYSee? Image is everything.

MEG(into recorder)

Ashley obviously interacts with people according to the Implicit Personality Theory where social perception is based on image.

Meg glances at her reflection in a nearby mirror. Thick glasses, plain ponytail, rumpled shirt and jeans. No makeup.

MEGTime to change my genetic programming. Phase One begins now.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - TRENDY BEAUTY SALON - DAY

Meg sits at a mirror, clutching a page from SEVENTEEN with the headline, “8 TRENDY NEW HAIRSTYLES AND COLORS!”

A hairdresser dips a paintbrush into a vat of luscious auburn hair color and applies it to Meg’s dull dishwater hair.

29.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - GOLDEN AGE COMICS/FOREVER 21 - LATER

Meg stares, torn between Forever 21’s fashionably sundressed mannequin and the Golden Age of Comics’ armed Boba Fett.

She sighs and enters Forever 21. Beat. A beaming Ashley appears and takes down the mannequin.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - EVENING

Melvin taps away furiously at his laptop, entering data while Meg scribbles formulas across a large white-erase board.

Melvin hits the ENTER button. Meg’s printer spews out a complicated graph. Melvin tears it off and shows it to Meg.

MELVINThis data is consistent with what we discovered with last year’s genetically identical mice.

MEGGood! So we’re on the right track.

She tacks up the graph on a giant bulletin board above her desk. Then she picks up an 8” x 11” photo of Ashley and tacks it next to the graph. She points to it.

MEGOur control group subject. Ashley Morgan. Age 17. Popular, outgoing, athletic, beloved by everyone.

Meg tacks up an 8” by 11” yearbook photo of herself. It’s not the most flattering picture, with Meg’s buck-toothed awkward grin, messy braids, and Coke bottle lenses.

MEGOur experimental test subject. Me. Age 15. Intellectual, reserved, clumsy, and ignored by everyone.

MELVINWill you pretend to be dumb at this school?

MEGNo. That would be lying and that’s unethical. Besides, Ashley knows I went to Dearborn Academy.

30.

MELVINSo what’s your hypothesis?

MEGThrough observation and close social interaction, I will be able to adapt to and survive in Ashley’s world without sacrificing my intellectual integrity.

MELVINSo you’ll become like those bacteria cells we tested that evolved their genetic programming in order to learn different behavioral patterns.

MEGExactly.

MELVIN(grins)

Meg, if you can pull this off, your hypothesis could change the entire field of cognitive development forever.

Meg examine’s Ashley’s photo - she has tilted her head down, looking up at the camera, smiling slyly. Meg opens her desk drawer and pulls out a contact lens case.

Meg carefully puts in her new contacts. She blinks, then tilts her head slightly, looking slyly upwards at Melvin with the same coquettish, flirtatious smile as in Ashley’s photo.

MELVIN(in awe)

Wow. You look...

MEGPhase Two begins right now.

CLOSEUP on Meg’s beautiful, expressive eyes as we...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL - FRONT ENTRANCE - MORNING

SUPERIMPOSE: “FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - SEPTEMBER”

The doors swing open to a hallway crammed with diverse but cliched cliques from prep to punk, rap to Gap, and Goth to geek.

31.

In walks Meg. Total rock star moment - everyone’s in awe of her layered, windswept trendy haircut and sexy sundress.

Meg passes by SCOTT MARTELLE, SARA TEMPLETON, and AN SINGH, three earnest students who look as if their mothers dressed them. They frantically push buttons on their Gameboy Advance consoles. She casts a sideways longing glance at them.

SCOTTSo I reconfigured the Wireless remotes to our IP addresses so you, me, and Sara can play against other people online...

ANThat’s cool, Michael... Hey, someone just killed my guy!

SARAAn, remember, Mass Effect is all about...

SARA... evasive maneuvers.

MEG... evasive maneuvers.

Sara, Michael, and An glance at Meg suspiciously.

SARAWhat did you just say?

Suddenly, Meg’s cell phone rings. She whips out her cell phone from her Juicy Couture pink bowling bag purse.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DEARBORN - DEARBORN ACADEMY - HALLWAY - SAME TIME

Civilized, neatly attired students walk the hallway clutching everything from briefcases to hi-tech hand-held gadgets.

Melvin, dressed in his school uniform of a white shirt with tie and navy pants and blazer, heads for his locker while playing a game on his iPhone and talking on his cell headset.

MELVIN(on cell headset)

Right now, I bet you are walking by some people playing Mass Effect.

MEG(on cell)

How did you know?

32.

MELVINI hacked into their game. Their IP signal comes from your region.

MEGI’d like to introduce myself to them. They seem very cool.

MELVINThey’d be cool at Dearborn Academy. But not at Dearborn High. You’ll blow your cover.

MEGBut I’m not going to lie about being smart...

MELVINIt’s not lying, it’s called logic. Evasive maneuvers. Ashley will drop you if she sees you with the geeks on the first day of school. Good-bye Westinghouse prize.

MEG(reluctant)

This is going to be harder than I had anticipated...

ASHLEY(running over)

Meg! You look great! See, I knew that outfit was perfect for you!

MEGControl group subject approaching. End transmission.

Meg quickly hangs up as Ashley drags her away to...

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - HALLWAY - LOCKERS - CONTINUOUS

... where Ben, Carlos, and DaVette are hanging out. Ashley and Ben kiss. Carlos smiles slyly at Meg, who blushes.

CARLOSMeg, your juice got me so jacked up I missed my curfew.

MEGI don’t have a curfew because I never go out, so why would I need a curfew to begin with?

33.

Confused looks from the others. Whoops. Meg winces. To her relief, Ashley giggles. Phew. Close call.

ASHLEYMeg, you never stop kidding around! Hey, give me your schedule, I wanna see what classes we have together.

Meg hands over her schedule. Ashley squeals.

ASHLEYWe both have P.E. fourth period!

MEGWhat’s P.E.?

ASHLEY(giggles)

You mean you didn’t have Gym at Dearborn Academy?

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - LIBRARY - A FEW MINUTES BEFORE GYM CLASS

MEG (O.S.)Given the unstable nature of variables in an experiment, a good scientist must adapt quickly.

Meg continues whispering into her data recorder as she flips frantically through “BASKETBALL FOR DUMMIES.”

MEG(into recorder)

Sports are a crucial variable in the cognitive development of how one becomes popular.

She scribbles down some notes in her notebook.

MEGHypothesis: Intellectual knowledge about the sport will compensate for one’s lack of athletic ability.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - FOURTH PERIOD GYM CLASS

Cue Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus. This is the greatest high school gym in the world. Period.

34.

A state of the art, computerized scoreboard hangs from the ceiling. The hardwood floor gleams, sun shining through the sparkling skylights above.

A dozen long-legged, extremely fit and athletic senior girls thunder down the basketball court, playing an intense game. Beat. An exhausted Meg stumbles after her team and shouts.

MEGAsh! Now!

Ashley aims, shoots, and scores just as the bell rings. They win! Ashley’s teammates cheer as she high-fives Meg.

ASHLEYMeg, you’re so clumsy it’s cute! At least your “Three Man Motion and Stack” strategy won us the game!

Meg smiles, relieved that her hypothesis worked.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - SCIENCE LAB - A LITTLE LATER

Meg enters. To her shock, the lab’s a complete mess. Scraps of paper litter the floor, students wobble on crooked stools, and the lab equipment is about as recent as 1982.

Gamer Geeks Scott, Sara, and An gawk at Meg, who doesn’t fit in with her new look and fashionable flare.

The bell rings. Enter MR. HANK WISEMAN, scruffy-wrinkle-shirted-bedhead-haired-but-brilliant-and-passionate science teacher. He carries a giant box into the lab.

MR. WISEMANWelcome to AP Chemistry.

He places the box on his desk and points to it.

MR. WISEMANI had hoped our school would fund my request for the Olympus FluoView 1000 electron microscope.

Everyone, including Meg, squirms with excitement.

SCOTTThe Olympus FluoView 1000 is the...

AN... latest model in point-detection, confocal laser scanning microscopes with...

35.

MEG... an intuitive user interface!

Scott, An, and Sara exchange puzzled looks.

SCOTT(whispers to An)

How would the cheerleader know about the Olympus FluoView 1000?

Cheerleader? Meg can’t help but smile as she discreetly bends down and pulls out her data recorder.

MEG(whispers - into recorder)

Note to self: Image perception variable of experiment working at 95 percent success rate.

She puts away her recorder and leans back over.

MEG(whispers - to Scott)

Meg Donohoe. Transferred from Dearborn Academy.

Ahhh, now it makes sense. Scott, An, and Sara nod.

SARA(curious)

So Meg, you highlighted your hair. Why aren’t you afraid of the alleged link between oxidative hair dye chemicals and cancer?

MEGI created a safe blend of hair dye color with no arylamines and a lower level of hydrogen peroxide.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wiseman opens the box.

MR. WISEMANDue to education budget cuts, the school couldn’t finance my request.

He places a battered electron microscope gingerly on the desk. It leans slightly to the left. The students lean left to get a better view. They all groan. Meg breaks a nail.

MEGOh no!

36.

MR. WISEMANDon’t despair, young lady! Maybe this will be our year to shine at the annual Westinghouse Science Competition. All we need is one of you in the Top Ten Finals to qualify for more school funding.

ANMr. Wiseman, no one at Dearborn High has ever won. We can’t beat those Dearborn Academy students.

SARAWhat about her?

An, Scott, and Sara glance at Meg, who’s now frantically fixing her nail with an acrylic nail repair kit. They frown.

SCOTT(disappointed)

She obviously must have dropped out due to poor grades.

Meg pauses for a moment, eavesdropping on their conversation.

ANYeah, look at her, she probably spent more time on her outfit than on studying.

SARA(sniffs)

Her highlights aren’t that great, anyway.

The disappointed geeks turn away. Meg jots down a note.

MEG(whispers - writing)

“Image perception altered in new social context... experiment is working better than I had anticipated.”

Still, Meg can’t help but touch her hair self-consciously.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON

While waiting at the register, Meg spots Ashley sitting at a table across the room.

37.

ASHLEYMeg! Over here!

Meg smiles and waves. As she pays for her meal, Meg then notices Scott, Sara, and An sitting at a nearby table in the middle of an intense debate.

SCOTTThe Battlestar Galactica re-boot was cancelled before its time. It was way better than the 1980 original...

SARAMichael, how can you say that when you never even saw the original series? None of us were born then. You have no frame of reference.

ANBesides, nothing beats Dr. Who.

Just then, Meg notices Ben and Carlos sneaking up behind them. She opens her mouth, about to warn them, but reluctantly changes her mind and pulls out her data recorder.

MEG(into recorder)

A good scientist never corrupts the data when documenting interactions between the subject and control group of the experiment.

Nonetheless, Meg winces as Ben and Carlos ambush the three geeks and tip their table over.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GIRLS’ BATHROOM - AFTERNOON

The school bell rings, signalling the end of the day. Meg runs in and heads for a stall.

Beat. She bursts out from the stall, transformed from knockout to nerdy, clad in a pair of jeans and a plain brown sweater, her stylish hair pulled back in a severe ponytail.

INT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - CAFETERIA - AFTERNOON

Rob sits at an empty table, punching numbers into a beeping calculator. He frowns and tries again.

MIKE (O.S.)May I join you? I’m new here.

38.

Rob looks up at a solemn young man holding a tray. Unlike Rob’s assembly line casual shirt-n-jeans attire, he sports a dress shirt with pocket protector. Typical engineer uniform.

Rob shrugs. The man sets his tray next to Rob and sits down.

MIKEThanks.

(glances at calculator)So what engineering project are you working on?

ROBActually, it’s my bank account. Trying to figure out how to save up for my daughter’s MIT college fund.

MIKEThat’s my alma mater! Listen, if you have any questions...

ROBYou went to MIT?

MIKEYeah. I’m Mike Kowalchek, electrical supervisor for the Advanced Vehicle Technology team.

Holy crap. It’s the guy who beat out Rob for the promotion. Rob hesitates, not sure what to say.

MIKEAnd you’re...?

ROBRob Donohoe. Assembly line. Been here for 16 years.

Mike shakes Rob’s hand enthusiastically. His smile is so genuine that Rob can’t help but smile back.

MIKESo did you go to MIT, too?

ROBNo. Michigan. But I busted my knee and had to leave.

MIKESorry to hear that. What sport?

ROBBasketball.

39.

MIKEReally? Hey, maybe we can shoot hoops sometime.

ROBI don’t know...

MIKEYour knee still hurt?

ROBNo, it’s fine now, I just haven’t played in a long time.

MIKEOh come on, it’ll be fun.

ROBI don’t think so.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DEARBORN - CREDIT UNION - EARLY EVENING

CLOSEUP ON a delicate hand sketching a beautiful flower on the back of a bank receipt. Sabrina doodles out of boredom in the empty credit union. Her phone rings. She answers.

SABRINADearborn Credit Union... Rob? You’re WHERE?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DEARBORN - POWERHOUSE GYMNASIUM - SAME TIME

Rob stands in the corner of the gym’s basketball court, still dressed in his jeans and T-shirt. He’s on his cell phone.

ROB(on cell)

I’ll be a little late for dinner...

SABRINA(on phone)

Basketball? After what your doctor said? Rob, stop trying to relive your glory days!

Rob winces as Mike runs awkwardly across the court after a runaway basketball.

40.

ROBDon’t worry. That won’t be a problem.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - EVENING

Meg scrapes a bit of pink lipstick from a tube onto a slide and examines it under her electron microscope. The phone rings. Beat. A knock at the door startles Meg.

MEGJust a second.

Meg sweeps the lipstick and other makeup cases into her pink Juicy Couture purse and then shoves it underneath her bed. Her mom enters, carrying the phone receiver.

SABRINAIt’s Ashley. I’m not sure you should be spending so much time with her. What are her SAT scores?

MEGMom! That’s not nice!

Meg grabs the phone and ushers her mom to the door. Sabrina’s perplexed - since when did Meg suddenly start behaving like a normal teen?

MEG(into phone)

Hello?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - ASHLEY’S BEDROOM - SAME TIME

Ashley sits on her bed, painting her toenails.

ASHLEY(on cell)

Hey girl. So, what are you doing?

MEGHomework.

ASHLEY(impressed)

You really work hard.

41.

MEGWell, it is due tomorrow. That’s why they call it homework.

ASHLEY(giggles)

You crack me up, Meggy. Hey, I don’t have your cell. Text me your number and we can Face Time later.

Meg reaches for her cell and texts Ashley.

ASHLEYThanks. Got it.

There’s a long moment of silence. Meg stares at the phone, not sure what else to say. But to her surprise, Ashley doesn’t seem to mind.

ASHLEYI’m so bored.

MEGDon’t you have homework?

ASHLEYI think so.

MEGOh.

Another painfully long beat. Then it hits Meg.

MEGAsh, can you hang on?

ASHLEYSure.

Meg puts her phone down. She reaches for her data recorder and hits the RECORD button.

MEG(whispers into recorder)

The “Cooperative Principle” states that you can’t talk about nothing in a conversation. You have to contribute something important.

Meg turns off her recorder. She picks up her phone.

MEG(on phone)

I’m back. So... why did you call?

42.

ASHLEY(brightly)

Just wanted to hear your voice.

Meg is surprised but touched by this information.

ASHLEYAnd you’re not on Facebook. Or Twitter. I thought you were good with computers. You should friend me.

Ashley finishes painting her toenails.

ASHLEYWell, I gotta go. You doing anything Saturday afternoon?

MEGNo, no plans.

ASHLEYYou should come to my tennis tournament. First one of the year.

MEGThat sounds like fun.

ASHLEYCool. ‘kay, see you tomorrow.

They both hang up. Meg turns her data recorder back on.

MEG(into recorder)

Our control group subject Ashley didn’t care about contributing anything important to our phone conversation.

(beat - touched)She just wanted to hear my voice.

Meg turns off the recorder. She looks thoughtfully at the phone. Beat. She turns to her computer. She types “TENNIS” into the Google search page.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - KITCHEN - SATURDAY - EARLY AFTERNOON

Rob reads the paper while Sabrina finishes the dishes. Meg enters, sits down, and grabs a muffin. She wolfs it down.

SABRINASlow down honey.

43.

MEGI’m gonna be late.

ROBLate for what? Are you and Melvin meeting for a study session?

MEGI’m going to Ashley’s tennis tournament.

A dish crashes to the floor. Sabrina yelps, then quickly gathers the pieces together.

ROBI’ve got a better idea. Let’s do chemistry flash cards!

MEGNo thanks. Hey, why don’t you come, too? It sounds like fun.

Sabrina places the back of her hand against Meg’s forehead.

SABRINAHoney, are you feeling all right?

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - TENNIS COURTS - DAY

Meg sits with Sabrina and Ashley’s mom, Janice, in the front row of a packed audience. The TENNIS COACH blows his whistle. Ashley and DaVette shake hands with their opponents before taking their spots.

Ashley serves first - WHAM! Her opponent effortlessly returns the ball back with a clean slice. DaVette rushes the net and hits a mean cross court forehand.

Meg leans forward, mesmerized by the athletic grace and beauty that exemplifies tennis. Then Ashley hits the ball straight into the net. Meg frowns and grabs her camera.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - TENNIS COURTS - LATER

Meg snaps several photos: Ashley returning a volley at a 65 degree angle... Ashley diving for a crosscourt backhand.

MEG(to Sabrina and Janice)

Tennis is so exciting!

44.

(MORE)

All these angles and vectors. It’s like Euclidean geometry come to life!

Janice, puzzled, turns to Sabrina.

JANICEI had no idea Meg took such an interest in sports.

SABRINA(shrugs)

Neither did I.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - TENNIS COURTS - LATER

The scoreboard says Dearborn, 6-4, 3-6, 5-6.

JANICEFinal match point! Come on, Ash, don’t lose your composure!

MEGMrs. Morgan, what happens if Ash and DaVette lose this point?

JANICEThen the other team wins the set, 7-5, and they get to move onto the finals instead of Ash and DaVette.

The opponent serves. Ashley prepares to slam it home. Meg, Sabrina, and Janice holds hands tightly.

MEGCome on, Ash, you can do it...

Ashley smacks the ball into the net. Ashley and DaVette lose. Their opponents raise their rackets in triumph.

JANICE(shouting)

Good job, Ash!

MEG(puzzled)

But she lost.

45.

MEG (cont'd)

JANICEBut it was really close. Ash and DaVette were up against one of the best doubles teams in the state.

MEGBut you are either a winner or a loser. There’s no in-between.

JANICEThat’s ridiculous. Who would say such an awful thing?

MEGMy dad.

Before Janice can reply, Ashley passes by, her shoulders slumped and her face grim. Janice waves at her but Ashley ignores her and keeps on walking.

JANICEAshley? Sweetie! What’s wrong?

MEG(stands up)

I know what’s wrong.

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - PARKING LOT - A LITTLE LATER

Meg walks with Ashley towards her car.

ASHLEYI can’t believe they beat us. DaVette’s furious with me for missing that last shot.

Ashley tosses her racket in the trunk and slams it shut.

ASHLEYI should’ve focused more.

MEGBut they barely won. I took tons of pictures, you were amazing.

ASHLEYIt doesn’t matter how I played. What matters is winning.

While Ashley unlocks the car, Meg whips out her recorder.

46.

MEG(whispers into recorder)

Note: Research competition dynamic in control group subject.

(hides recorder)Let’s get frappuccinos. My treat.

ASHLEYDo you mind if I drop you home? I’m not in the mood to go out.

Meg realizes Ashley is trying very hard not to cry.

MEG(gently)

Sure, take me home. I’m kind of tired anyway.

Beat. Ashley gives Meg a small smile.

ASHLEYYou’re the best, you know that? Thanks for understanding.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

The clock says 2:54 A.M. But Meg’s still awake, scanning photos she took during the tennis match.

CLOSEUP on Meg’s computer - a split screen features two photos: one of Ashley in the middle of a forehand swing, the other of Serena Williams in the middle of the same swing.

Using a computerized stylus against a pressure tablet, Meg “draws” angles and curves marking the path of Ashley’s swing. A graph of complex sines and cosine waves appears on screen.

MEG(picks up recorder)

Euclid’s Fifth Postulate: If a straight line falling on two straight lines makes the interior angles acute, the two lines, if extended indefinitely, meet on the side with the acute angles.

Meg prints out this graph and tacks it onto her bulletin board, covered with other graphs. She nods and smiles.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - HALLWAY - LOCKERS - AFTERNOON

Meg approaches Ashley at her locker.

47.

MEGAsh, I figured it out! I was thinking about Euclid’s axiom on...

ASHLEYWhat’s this about an axe?

Meg downplays that accidental academic slip of the tongue.

MEGSorry, I was just babbling. Forget it. This is what’s more important.

(hands over photo)See how your racket’s tilted too far back? That’s why you lost. You can fix this and win next time!

ASHLEYMeg, this is so amazing. I’ll definitely show this to my coach. Hey, want to go to the mall later?

MEGThanks, but I can’t.

ASHLEYGot a hot date?

MEG(beat - fakes a laugh)

Sort of.

EXT. WU RESIDENCE - FRONT DOOR - LATER THAT AFTERNOON

Meg rings the doorbell. She hears cello music drifting through the open window and smiles. Melvin opens the door.

MELVINHey Meg, come on in.

Meg follows Melvin into the...

INT. WU HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

... where Melvin’s Goth sister, VIVIAN, 13, dressed entirely in black with black lipstick and nail polish, watches MTV with the mute button on while practicing her cello.

MELVINVivian, we’ve got a study session now. Why aren’t you downstairs?

48.

VIVIANDad set off an ant bomb in the basement. I’m not leaving here.

MELVIN(Mandarin, with subtitles)

You are so lame.

VIVIAN(Mandarin, with subtitles)

Bite me.

Vivian starts playing again. Just then, Curtis, 8, enters with a giant intricate model of a building that architect I.M. Pei would be proud of. Vivian’s bow crashes into it.

CURTISYou ruined the segmental pediments! It took me all week to design it!

VIVIANCurtis, it’s just a frickin’ bird feeder for your class assignment.

Melvin sighs. Meg covers her mouth to keep from laughing as she follows Melvin upstairs. Vivian puts down her cello and turns the volume up on the TV. The band Tool blasts from the speakers.

MELVIN (O.S.)(Mandarin, with subtitles)

Turn that down or I’m telling Mom!

INT. WU HOUSE - MELVIN’S BEDROOM - LATER

Star Wars collectibles, hi-tech computer and video game equipment, and a Periodic Table of the Elements poster decorate Melvin’s bedroom.

Melvin examines a slide under his microscope. Behind him, Meg dumps extra clothes from her bag on his bed.

MELVINThat’s strange. The bacteria cells we experimented with are now metabolizing lactose, not glucose.

MEG(rummages through clothes)

I told you nurture wins over nature. When faced with a different environment, the cells switched their genetic programming.

49.

MELVINI’m still not convinced of your theory. Our brain controls what choices we make. Therefore, it’s not nurture, it’s nature.

MEGSure, we’re born with these choices genetically programmed into our bodies, but society influences our DECISIONS. So nurture wins.

Melvin glances at Meg as she kicks off her Jimmy Choo shoes and ties her hair into a ponytail.

MEGI wasn’t born fashionable. I was born smart. But by spending time with Ashley, I’m able to change my appearance and behavior.

Meg puts on a pair of sensible loafers.

MELVINYou mean just like those bacteria cells who went from glucose to lactose metabolism?

Meg stuffs her fashionable threads into her bag and faces Melvin, her transformation back to homely geek complete.

MEGExactly. Check me out. My parents have no idea how much I’ve changed.

MELVINYou still have some eyeshadow.

Meg quickly wipes her makeup off with the back of her sleeve.

MELVINBetter.

Melvin reaches out and brushes a stray hair from her face. His hand rests for a moment on her cheek. Beat. An awkward moment, all of a sudden, between two best friends.

MELVIN(quickly)

So, when can I meet our control group subject? I’d like to make some observations, too.

50.

MEG(still flustered)

There’s a problem, see, I haven’t...

MELVIN... you haven’t informed her that she’s a subject in our experiment?

MEGIt kind of slipped my mind.

MELVINWell, better late than never. Let’s all meet on Saturday at the Dearborn Academy science lab.

MEGCan we meet in the afternoon? Ash is taking me to my first pedicure in the morning.

MELVINAsh? You call her Ash? Meg, you can’t be friends with your control group subject. It’s unethical.

MEGDon’t worry, we’re not really friends.

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - TENNIS COURTS - SAME TIME

Ashley sits on the bench, staring intently at Meg’s photo.

TENNIS COACHGet up Ash, this isn’t a day spa.

Ashley heads over to warm up with DaVette, who serves first. Ashley hits the ball into the net.

DaVette serves again. This time, Ashley hesitates, then quickly switches her grip so her racket isn’t tilted. WHAM!

TENNIS COACHGood work, Ashley!

ASHLEYThanks! My best friend Meg told me that I tilted my racket too much.

51.

DAVETTE(frowns)

I thought I was your best friend.

Ashley, however, doesn’t hear DaVette and raises her racket.

ASHLEY(cheerfully - to DaVette)

Let’s go. This isn’t a day spa!

INT. DEARBORN - POWERHOUSE GYMNASIUM - EVENING

ROBOver here! I’m here!

Mike absent-mindedly passes the ball. But his aim and his throwing arm stink - it sails way past Rob and out of bounds.

Rob grabs the ball and shoots. It lands smack into the basket, all air and no net. A shot of great beauty. But Rob’s wide grin disappears. Mike wasn’t paying attention.

ROBHey Mike, what’s wrong?

MIKEOh, sorry, I’m just distracted.

ROBThat’s why we’re here. To blow off some steam.

MIKEYeah, well it’s not working. Turns out I only have six months to design a hybrid with 25 percent better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. There’s no way I can meet that deadline.

ROBHow can you give up so easily?

MIKEYou don’t know what it’s like, to be up against such great odds.

ROB(quiet)

Yes I do.(beat - tosses over ball)

Come on.

52.

(MORE)

We’re not leaving until you can make a basket. Here. Don’t forget to square up.

Mike grins. He aims, shoots, and misses by a mile. Whoops.

MIKEThis might take all night.

As Rob and Mike chase after the ball, Rob’s boss, Uncle Allen, dressed in sweats and carrying a squash racket, walks by. He watches them for a moment and shakes his head.

EXT. DEARBORN - MICHIGAN AVENUE - EVENING

Sabrina drives home from work, passing by the boutique stores and restaurants on Michigan Ave. Her cell phone rings.

SABRINA(on cell)

Hello? Rob?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DEARBORN - POWERHOUSE GYMNASIUM - SAME TIME

Mike attempts another basket while Rob is on his cell.

ROB(on cell)

... sorry, I’m gonna be late again.

SABRINAWhat are you trying to prove?

ROBI won’t hurt my knee again. Just blowin’ off some steam, that’s all.

Sabrina suddenly spots a sign on the window of a new storefront that says, “DEARBORN ART GALLERY OPENING SOON!”

SABRINARob, sorry, I have to go.

She hangs up on Rob and pulls up to the...

EXT. DEARBORN - MICHIGAN AVE. - ART GALLERY - CONTINUOUS

She gets out of her car, heads for the sign and reads it.

53.

ROB (cont'd)

SABRINA“Artists interested in having their works on display, please mail your portfolio to this address...” Oh heck, why not?

Sabrina digs a pen out of her purse and jots the address down on the palm of her hand.

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - NAIL SALON - SATURDAY - MORNING

Ashley and Meg sit side by side, their feet resting in a pedicure wax bath while two manicurists polish their nails. Meg discreetly pulls her data recorder out of her purse.

MEG(whispers into recorder)

Observation: Control group subject undergoes weekly grooming ritual in order to keep up her appearance.

(beat)I should do some research on narcissistic personality disorders - I wonder if there’s a connection between that and being popular.

ASHLEYI’m so glad you were able to do this two-for-one special with me!

Meg hastily hides away her recorder.

MEGIs hot paraffin wax really therapeutic for your feet?

ASHLEY(giggles)

Of course paraffin works! The heat increases circulation, opens pores and makes your wrinkles disappear.

Meg nods. Beat. Ashley closes her eyes. Then...

MEGAsh, I need to ask you something. It’s about this experiment, this project me and a friend are...

ASHLEYOh, wait, before I forget, do you want to see a matinee afterwards?

54.

MEGActually, I can’t...

ASHLEYPlease? Please?

Ashley opens her eyes and sits up, looking at Meg with the most forlorn expression. Meg can’t help but laugh.

MEGOkay, okay! I’ll go.

ASHLEYGreat! So, what were you asking?

MEG(hesitates)

Can your feet really wrinkle?

Ashley and the manicurists burst into laughter.

ASHLEYI told you, isn’t she funny?

INT. DEARBORN ACADEMY - SCIENCE LAB - AFTERNOON

No, Meg isn’t funny. At least not according to Melvin, who’s waiting in a hi-tech lab filled with gleaming equipment, including the Olympus FluoView 1000 electron microscope.

Melvin drums his fingers and glances impatiently at the clock on the wall. Beat. He whips out his cell phone and dials.

MELVIN(on cell)

Meg, you and Ashley are late. Where are you? Call me!

INT. STARBUCKS - CAFE - SAME TIME

DaVette sits alone, nursing a mocha frappuccino. Ben enters.

BEN(to cashier)

Regular coffee please.(turns around)

Hey DaVette, what’s up?

DAVETTEWaiting for Ashley. We’re going to shop for new rackets.

55.

BENThat’s weird, she said something about going to the mall with Meg.

DAVETTE(pissed)

Ashley’s blowing me off?

BENStand in line.

DAVETTE(beat - smiles)

Well, since we’re both in line...

She pulls over a chair. Ben smiles back and joins her.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYM LOCKER ROOM - MONDAY MORNING

Meg and Ashley enter. Ashley looks around, nervous.

MEGWhat’s wrong?

ASHLEYDaVette’s gonna kill me. I forgot we were supposed to meet Saturday to shop for new tennis rackets.

MEG(smacks forehead)

Melvin! I forgot to call him.

ASHLEYMelvin? Who’s Melvin?

MEG(quickly)

No one. It’s nothing. Look, I’m sure DaVette will understand.

ASHLEYNot after I forgot about our plans for a second time in a row. She’s totally gonna cop an attitude now.

And then DaVette storms in, brushing by them without a word.

ASHLEY(whispers - to Meg)

See what I mean?

DaVette opens her locker and starts changing for gym class.

56.

ASHLEY(brightly)

Hey DaVette!

DAVETTEDon’t hey me!

ASHLEY(innocent)

What’s wrong, DaVette?

DAVETTELike you don’t know. I waited two hours on Saturday for you.

ASHLEYOh my God, I am such an idiot! I thought that was NEXT Saturday!

DaVette’s angry expression softens. Meg’s eyes widen at how Ashley is able to lie with such ease.

DAVETTEWell, I did say “next” Saturday...

ASHLEYExactly! I wrote down the wrong date! I’m so sorry!

DAVETTEI guess it was just a mistake.

(smiles)Okay.

They hug while Meg looks on in amazement. Ashley, who’s facing Meg, winks at her. They then head for the door.

ASHLEYHurry up, Meggy.

MEGGo ahead, I’ll catch up.

Meg waits until Ashley and DaVette leave. She pulls out her data recorder and starts talking.

MEG(on recorder)

Observation: Subject prone to pathological lying and manipulation to avoid potential conflict.

(beat)I have much to learn.

57.

INT. WU HOUSE - MELVIN’S BEDROOM - DAY

Melvin sits at his computer, playing Mass Effect online while talking into his bluetooth earpiece.

MELVIN(on cell headset)

The Citadel is under attack!

MEG (O.C.)You’ve got to get to the damaged Avina VI unit!

Melvin turns around and sees Meg in the doorway.

MELVIN(into cell headset)

Code Nine. Visitor here. End transmission.

He takes off his bluetooth earpiece and frowns.

MELVINI waited for two hours on Saturday.

MEGI’m really sorry. Ashley’s car broke down and...

MELVINDon’t even try. I read your data reports. “Subject prone to pathological lying and manipulation to avoid potential conflict.”

He crosses his arms. Meg hangs her head, ashamed.

MELVINYou’re becoming just like her. You’re getting too close to your control group subject.

MEGI am not.

MELVINThen why haven’t I met her yet? I have a whole set of tests I want to run with her, too.

Beat. Meg looks at the ground.

58.

MELVIN(realizing)

You never told her about us. About the experiment. She has no idea that you’re studying her.

MEG(defensive)

I was going to tell her, but I just never found the right time.

MELVIN(hands over cell phone)

Now’s the right time.

Meg hesitates, then starts to dial. Beat. She snaps the phone shut and places it back on Melvin’s desk.

MEGI can’t. We only have a week left before the deadline. Ash doesn’t have to know what we’re doing.

MELVINThat’s unethical!

MEGI don’t want to hurt her feelings.

MELVINToo late for that. We have to inform Ashley of her participation in this experiment. Or else.

MEGNo. We won’t tell Ash anything.

Beat. They’re at an impasse. Melvin shakes his head slowly.

MELVINThen I quit. I can’t be a part of this team.

MEGBut we can win this time! It’s a $100,000 scholarship!

MELVIN(disgusted)

Your price tag is that low?

A very long, ugly silence. Meg storms out.

59.

EXT. WU RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS

Melvin follows Meg outside.

MELVINMeg, I’m sorry! But I can’t be your partner.

MEGI don’t need your help anyway!

MELVINYou’re going to end up no better than those evil corporate research scientists who...

MEGYou always think the world is out to get us and that our government is lying to us about making first contact with extraterrestrials!

Meg’s voice trembles as she tries not to cry.

MEGThis is JUST like the sixth grade, when you were convinced we never landed on the moon!

Meg races off. Melvin yells after her.

MELVINOh yeah? Then tell me why the American flag next to Neil Armstrong was waving in the breeze when THERE IS NO WIND ON THE MOON!

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - KITCHEN - LATER THAT EVENING

Meg, dressed in her pajamas, enters the kitchen. She sees her mom at the table, surrounded by piles of old sketchbooks.

SABRINAYou’re up late.

MEGMy Westinghouse contest entry is due soon. I’m getting a snack. It’s gonna be an all-nighter.

SABRINAI’ll make us some tea.

60.

While Sabrina boils the water, Meg sits and looks through the sketchbooks. CLOSEUP on a beautiful profile of Rob as a young man... a pair of hands... a bird in flight...

MEGWho drew these sketches?

SABRINAI did them before you were born.

MEGThey’re really beautiful.

SABRINAThank you. I found them this morning while I was cleaning out the garage.

MEGDidn’t you ever want to study art in college and become an artist?

SABRINAI never knew what I wanted to be when I was your age, Meg. All I wanted was to be happy.

MEGThat’s it?

SABRINAI know, it doesn’t seem like much, does it? But sometimes, it’s the hardest thing in the world to be.

The kettle whistles. Sabrina pours two mugs of tea.

SABRINAMeg. You’re happy, right?

MEGWhy wouldn’t I be?

SABRINAI worry about the way you study so hard, how you pressure yourself to be the best all the time.

MEGOf course I’m happy.

Meg leaves with her tea. Beat. Sabrina picks up a sketchbook and turns the page. CLOSEUP on a sketch of Meg as a little girl on a swing, flying in the air and smiling.

61.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - AFTER MIDNIGHT

The clock says 1:30 A.M. Meg speaks into her data recorder.

MEG(into recorder)

Stage One of Becoming Popular: Cognition - the mental process of perception, reason, and judgment.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - CAFETERIA - DAY

Ashley and Ben flirt. DaVette touches Ben’s shoulder when Ashley looks away. Meg scribbles down notes on a napkin.

INT. DEARBORN - POWERHOUSE GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

Rob coaches Mike at the free-throw line. Mike aims and shoots his first basket! As they high five each other, Rob’s Uncle Alan stands in the shadows of the sideline, smiling.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Sabrina, in the living room, snaps photos of her old paintings, a leather portfolio folder lying nearby.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - AFTER MIDNIGHT

The clock says 2:30 A.M. Meg continues working feverishly.

MEG(into recorder)

Stage Two: Metacognition - the process of thinking about thinking and drawing proper conclusions.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

Ashley as Trinity from The Matrix and Meg as Galadriel from LOTR enter. A sign above says: “HALLOWEEN DANCE TONIGHT!”

62.

Ashley adjusts her tight leather top so it shows off her, well, ample assets. Meg imitates her and adjusts her top for a sexier look. All the guys stare at them in awe.

EXT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - PARKING LOT - EVENING

Rob finds an envelope against his windshield. CLOSEUP on the envelope: “Thought you could use one of these! Mike.” Rob pulls out a pocket protector. He smiles.

EXT. DEARBORN - MICHIGAN AVENUE - ART SUPPLY STORE - DAY

Sabrina exits the store, carrying several bags filled with supplies (paintbrushes, canvas, oils, etc.)

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - AFTER MIDNIGHT

The clock says 3:30 A.M. Meg compares two complex charts.

MEG(into recorder)

Stage Three: Meta recall - the process whereby a representation of past experience is reproduced at a later stage of development.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DONOHOE HOUSE - FRONT YARD - MORNING

Meg, dressed in her Martha Stewart uniform of boring blazer and preppy skirt, exits, waving good-bye to Sabrina.

As Meg heads for the bus stop, she unbuttons her blazer, revealing a sparkly, trendy tank-top with the words, “BAD GIRL.” She unties her ponytail and shakes out her hair.

INT. DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT - WIRING SHOP - DAY

The other assembly line workers trade puzzled looks as Rob enters, proudly wearing a tie and a pocket protector.

63.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Sabrina paints in a frenzy, her clothes covered in oil paint. She pauses and gazes at what she’s just painted. She smiles.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - AFTER MIDNIGHT

The clock says 4:30 AM. Meg hits the PRINT button.

MEG(into recorder)

Stage Four: Mental Flexibility, the ability to adjust to changes. The subject remains popular and happy.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DEARBORN - FAIRLANE MALL - HALLWAY - DAY

Ashley spots a Digital Photo Booth and drags a reluctant Meg towards it, laughing. Inside, the two make silly faces. The booth’s computer prints out the photo strip. They collapse in laughter at it.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - WAY LATER THAT NIGHT

Finally, the clock says 5:00 A.M. Meg turns off the light and hits the bed, falling asleep immediately.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - LATE AFTERNOON

SUPERIMPOSE: “NOVEMBER”

Meg and Ashley and several other students kneel on the floor, decorating a giant banner with colorful paints and glitter. Suddenly, someone brushes Meg’s cheek with glitter.

ASHLEYGotcha!

Meg grabs a paintbrush and dusts Ashley’s nose with it.

ASHLEYOh no, you didn’t!

A glitter war commences, both girls screaming with laughter.

64.

EXT. DEARBORN HIGH - FRONT ENTRANCE - SAME TIME

DaVette waits, obviously pissed off again. A car pulls over.

BENHey, Dee, why aren’t you at the Spirit Pep Rally meeting?

DAVETTEWhy would I be there?

BENAsh said she’d be in the gym with her friends after school to decorate banners for homecoming.

DAVETTEI’m gonna kill her.

BENI got a better idea. Let me give you a ride home. Forget them.

DaVette pauses, smiles, and gets into Ben’s car.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - SCIENCE LAB - LATER THAT AFTERNOON

Mr. Wiseman grades papers. A glittery Meg enters.

MEGHi. You asked to see me?

MR. WISEMAN“Nurture Wins Over Nature: The Four Stages of the Cognitive Development of Popularity.”

He hands back Meg’s folder.

MR. WISEMANYou did a great job. Brilliant, really. I signed your application. You have to mail this out by the Saturday postmark deadline.

MEGWow! Thanks! Brilliant? Really?

MR. WISEMANYes. One question, though. Why are you applying in the individual category, not the team category?

65.

MEGI don’t have a lab partner.

MR. WISEMANBut I thought Ashley Morgan was your lab partner.

Beat. Meg looks away. Mr. Wiseman sighs.

MR. WISEMANMeg, hundreds of scientists over the centuries have used themselves as test subjects in the name of science...

MEGI can explain...

MR. WISEMAN... but not without a price. Take Madame Curie, for example.

MEGShe discovered radium which led to the invention of the X-ray.

MR. WISEMANYes, but ironically, she died of radiation poisoning.

MEGThis is hardly a life-and-death situation. I’m not hurting myself. You won’t tell Ashley, will you?

MR. WISEMANThat’s not my decision.

MEGBut a good scientist makes sure an experiment is supported by facts and logic.

MR. WISEMANMeg, science is not all numbers and formulas and equations. There’s also a human element.

MEGBut humans make mistakes.

66.

MR. WISEMAN“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own heart.” Albert Einstein said that.

MEGWhat did he mean by that?

MR. WISEMANJust be careful. I’ll keep your secret, but it’s because you have a strong chance of winning.

Did he say WIN? Meg grins. So much for Einstein’s advice.

MEGThank you! You’re the best!

She leaves. Mr. Wiseman sighs and then continues grading.

INT. DEARBORN - PIZZA PARLOR - FRIDAY NIGHT

Meg, Carlos, Ashley, and Ben sit crammed in a booth, chowing down on pizza and pop. Carlos keeps trying to put his arm around Meg, but she manages to stay out of his reach.

Every now and then, Meg scribbles something down on a napkin.

CARLOSWhat are you writing?

Meg, startled, quickly wads up the napkin.

MEGIt’s nothing.

Carlos, realizing he’s not getting anywhere with Meg, pulls a flask from inside his jacket. He fills his tumbler with a shot of whiskey, then passes it on to Ben, who does the same. Ben then hands Meg the flask.

MEG(polite but firm)

No thank you.

BENYou sure?

Ashley places her hand on Ben’s arm.

ASHLEYShe said no. Leave her alone.

67.

Ben shrugs off Ashley’s hand and takes a swig of his drink. Ashley, hurt, looks away. Carlos tries to put his arm around Meg again.

Just then, Melvin and his sister Vivian, now sporting a Marie Antoinette-style purple wig, enter. Meg shrinks back in the booth, trying to hide. She leans against a surprised Carlos, who manages this time to put his arm around her.

MELVIN(to Vivian, mid-chat)

... but to this day, the government disavows any knowledge of those bright lights seen above the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

VIVIANMel, you know, sometimes, a bright light is just a bright light.

Ashley glances over at them, distracted.

ASHLEYWhat is that guy babbling about?

BENCheck out the Lady Gaga he’s with.

Melvin and Vivian head to the counter.

MELVIN(to cashier)

One large pizza, half mushroom, half pepperoni, please.

He turns around and spots Meg. She shakes her head, but Melvin walks over while Vivian waits at the counter.

MELVINHi Meg, listen, we need to...

ASHLEY(to Melvin)

You know Meg?

MEG(quickly)

I’ve never seen him before in my life.

MELVIN(thrown off guard)

What are you talking about? Look, I just want to talk...

68.

CARLOS(to Melvin, re: Meg)

Back off. She’s with me.

And then, to her horror, before Meg can stop herself...

MEG(sarcastic)

Like that loser even has a chance.

Beat. A very, very long beat.

MELVIN(cold, to Meg)

You’re right. My mistake. I thought you were someone else.

Melvin turns around and heads for the exit door.

VIVIANHey, our pizza isn’t here yet!

Melvin slams the door behind him. Beat. Meg reaches over for another napkin, but accidentally knocks over Carlos’ tumbler. Coke and whiskey splash all over the table.

SMASH CUT TO:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - LATER

Meg holds a whiskey-drenched napkin to the lamp and squints.

MEG“Subject is prone to peer...”

She stops reading it and picks up her cell phone and dials.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. WU HOUSE - MELVIN’S BEDROOM - SAME TIME

Melvin punches his XBox controller with fury, an empty pizza box by his side. His cell rings.

MELVIN(on cell)

Hello?

MEG(on cell)

Mel, it’s me. I’m so sorry...

69.

To her surprise, Melvin simply hangs up on her. This is going to be a lot harder than Meg thought.

INT. STARBUCKS - CAFE - SATURDAY MORNING

SUPERIMPOSE: “SATURDAY NOV. 5TH - WESTINGHOUSE DEADLINE”

Ashley, dressed in her jogging sweats, heads for the counter.

ASHLEYNo fraps for me. Iced skinny decaf cap this time, foam, no sugar. Trying to go healthy.

A girl laughs. Ashley turns around and catches DaVette and Ben sit at a table, making out. DaVette and Ashley lock eyes. Ashley marches over.

ASHLEY(to Ben)

When you said “in a relationship” on Facebook, I thought you meant us.

Ashley glares at a defiant DaVette.

ASHLEYI am so un-friending you.

Before DaVette can react, Ashley runs out the door, trying not to cry...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - MORNING

Meg prints out her Westinghouse project. The doorbell rings. Meg opens her window and looks down at the...

EXT. DONOHOE RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - SAME TIME

... where a sobbing Ashley talks to Sabrina.

ASHLEY... it’s, like, really important...

SABRINAShe’s upstairs.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Meg glances at her lab equipment, science bookcase, and...

70.

MEGOh crap.

She pulls a giant centerfold poster of Edward from Twilight from under her bed. She tapes it over Albert Einstein. She runs around, frantically trying to hide her experiment, while...

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - STAIRCASE - SAME TIME

Cue “Jaws” music as Ashley walks upstairs, wiping her eyes.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Meg hides a beaker behind a teddy bear. Her room now looks like a typical teenage girl’s room with Twilight posters, clothes askew on the floor, and One Direction teenybopper magazines on the bed.

Ashley enters.

MEGAsh! Hi! What a surprise!

Ashley is silent. Meg is puzzled. What’s wrong with her? Meg then glances anxiously at her clock.

MEGHey Ash, the post office closes at noon and I have to mail out a special package...

And then Ashley bursts into giant, braying sobs. She flops down on Meg’s bed. Meg forgets all about the deadline and rushes over. She hands Ashley a box of tissues.

MEGWhat’s wrong, Ash?

ASHLEYI hate him! I hate her!

MEGI hate them too.

(beat)Who do we hate?

ASHLEYI caught Ben and DaVette cheating on me.

71.

Meg awkward pats Ashley’s shoulder, not knowing what to say.

ASHLEYOf course he likes her. DaVette is gorgeous!

MEGYes, but so are you. Your features are perfectly symmetrical, which is a key indicator of visually pleasing aesthetics...

(off Ashley’s look)I mean, you have nice eyes.

Ashley blows her nose.

ASHLEYI wish I was as smart as you. Then I wouldn’t care so much about how my friends stabbed me in the back.

MEGBut you’re smart in different ways. You see things in books and movies that I never would catch in a million years. You’re brilliant at sports strategy. And you’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.

During Meg’s impassioned speech, Ashley stops crying. She leans over and kisses Meg on the cheek.

ASHLEYYou’re like the little sister I never had but always wanted. Love you tons, Meggy.

Before Meg can react, Ashley gives her a quick hug.

ASHLEYI better go home. I’ll call you later, okay?

Ashley leaves. Beat. The Twilight poster falls down, revealing Albert Einstein and the Periodic Table of Elements.

EXT. POST OFFICE - PARKING LOT - MINUTES BEFORE NOON DEADLINE

Meg’s car roars in, tires squealing. She gets out, clutching two bulky, oversized manila envelopes filled with her science report, data, and charts. She races into the post office.

72.

A few seconds later, a very relieved Meg exits. She gets into her car and drives off. Beat. Another car pulls up. It’s Melvin. He parks his car and rushes inside.

INT. DEARBORN - STREET - A LITTLE LATER

While driving home, Meg picks up her cell phone and dials.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DEARBORN - POST OFFICE - SAME TIME

Melvin answers his cell phone while waiting in line.

MEG(on cell)

Melvin? Please don’t...

Melvin shuts off his phone.

MEG(sadly - on cell)

... hang up.

Melvin approaches the postal clerk and hands over a huge box.

MELVINI want to send this first class to the Westinghouse Competition in Washington, D.C., please.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - DAY

CLOSEUP ON ROB - dressed in sweats, dribbling a basketball on the floor. His voice rises with every cliche.

ROBMeg, you gotta put on your game face! Play hard and don’t give up! BE a champion!

Meg sits at her desk, typing furiously away. But it’s hard to concentrate. She sighs and turns around.

MEGDad. I’m almost done. Can you please stop...

73.

ROBFocus! The concluding paragraph is like your free-throw attempt! Don’t let the crowd distract you!

Meg rolls her eyes, turns around, and finishes typing. She hits the PRINT button.

ROBWell?

MEGDo I have to?

Rob nods. Meg reluctantly picks up her paper and starts to read while Rob paces back and forth.

MEG(reading)

“MIT College Application Personal Statement by Meg Donohoe. Question - Who are the most influential people in your life?”

ROBLet’s hear your introduction.

MEG(reading)

“The most influential people in my life have been Albert Einstein and Madame Curie...”

BLEEEP! Rob blows on his whistle. Meg stops, startled.

ROBNo! Boring opening sentence! Didn’t you read those college guide books I bought you?

He paces back and forth, dribbling the ball.

ROBYou’re supposed to start your essay with a bang! How about a personal anecdote about these influential people in your life?

MEGDad, Albert Einstein and Madame Curie are dead.

Rob pauses.

74.

ROBSo? Meg, you’re a champion. Champions always overcome their obstacles. Let’s figure this out.

He sits down at her computer and starts to type. Meg hesitates, and then she can’t help but smile as Rob says...

ROBNow how do I save a new file?

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Sabrina sits at the table. She scribbles furiously on a pad of paper, her art portfolio nearby.

SABRINA(writing)

“To the Owner of the Dearborn Art Gallery: I have enclosed my art portfolio for your consideration.”

She picks up the informational gallery brochure and skims it.

SABRINA(starts writing again)

“Unfortunately, I do not have a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree as required by your gallery. But I did study accounting in community college and I...”

(beat)Who am I kidding?

She throws the pencil down in despair and shakes her head.

SABRINA... and I have no art training whatsoever. Unless the Learning Annex counts.

ROB (O.S.)Hi honey. What’s all this?

Rob enters. A startled Sabrina tries to hide everything, but it’s too late. He flips through her portfolio, admiring the gorgeous photographs of Sabrina’s oil paintings and sketches.

Sabrina shows Rob her letter. He reads it silently.

75.

SABRINAI changed my mind. They’ll take one look at my resume - Dearborn Credit Union, community college - and laugh at me. I’m a joke.

ROBWho cares if you don’t have a fancy art degree? You’re extremely talented. That’s all that counts.

SABRINAYeah, but what if that’s not enough? I don’t know if I can handle that kind of disappointment.

Sabrina crumples the letter and tosses it on the table.

SABRINARob, are you happy?

Rob pauses. He can tell his wife’s serious. He considers her question carefully before answering.

ROBMost days, I’m pretty pissed off. We’re broke, so our brilliant daughter may not be able to attend the college of her dreams. Every day, I wish I hadn’t busted my knee. Every day, I wish I had studied harder in school and not thrown my future away.

He takes a deep breath and wraps his arms around Sabrina.

ROBBut every day, I come home to you and Meg. So am I happy? Yeah.

Sabrina rests her head on his shoulder. They hold each other and say nothing, because nothing else needs to be said.

EXT. DONOHOE RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - AFTERNOON

SUPERIMPOSE: “DECEMBER”

Snow blankets the entire yard. A shivering Meg opens the mailbox. CLOSEUP on a thick manila envelope with the return address “Westinghouse Competition.” Meg rips it open.

76.

MEG(reading)

“Dear Ms. Donohoe: It is our great pleasure to inform you that...”

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Meg bursts through the door. Her parents sit at the table.

MEGI made it! The National Finals of the Westinghouse Competition!

Rob and Meg high-five each other.

ROBYeah! That’s my girl! All this hard work is finally paying off!

SABRINAMeg, I’m so proud of you!

Meg and her mom hug. Then Meg rushes back to the door.

ROBWhere are you going?

MEGOver to my best friend’s house.

EXT. WU RESIDENCE - FRONT ENTRANCE - A LITTLE LATER

Meg stands outside, clutching her science notebook and a manila envelope. She rings the doorbell. After a few seconds, Melvin appears.

MELVINWhat do you want?

MEG(holds up envelope)

I made it to the Top Ten Finals!

MELVINSo why should I care?

MEG(hurt)

I just found out ten minutes ago. You’re the first friend I wanted to share this with.

77.

Melvin crosses his arms and frowns at her.

MEGI’m sorry about how I treated you. I’ve called and emailed you a million times but you’ve never answered back. But I’m not giving up on you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m...

MELVINOkay! I accept your apology. Congratulations.

A relieved Meg tries to hug him, but Melvin pushes her away. She drops her notebook but doesn’t notice.

MEGMel, what’s wrong? Aren’t we friends again?

MELVINNo. We can be friendly to each other, but we can’t be friends.

(beat)Besides, I entered my own experiment into the Westinghouse. I’ll be competing against you in the finals.

A devastated Meg can’t speak. She whirls around and runs away. Beat. Melvin spots her notebook on the ground.

MELVINHey! You forgot...

But Meg’s already gone. Melvin pauses, then curious, begins flipping through her notebook...

MELVIN(impressed)

Wow. This is really good.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Meg sits on the couch, wrapped in Sabrina’s arms, sobbing hysterically. Sabrina hands her a box of tissues. Meg blows her nose loudly.

Rob enters. He sees a red-eyed Meg and rushes over.

ROBWhat’s wrong? Are you hurt?

78.

SABRINAMelvin won’t talk to Meg.

MEGMelvin and I split up. Scientific and creative differences.

ROBMaybe that’s a good thing. You spend too much time with him and Ashley instead of studying.

MEGMel also got into the Westinghouse finals. He hates me!

ROBLook on the bright side - if you win, you won’t have to split the $100,000 with him.

MEGThere’s no way I can beat him.

ROBThe National Finals aren’t until February. You have plenty of time to prepare for this presentation.

Rob’s voice rises. He pumps his fist, as if this isn’t a science competition but the NCAA basketball championship.

ROBYou’re not gonna quit, Meg! No one in our family ever gives up!

MEGThen why did you give up college and why did mom give up her art?

Rob wraps his arm around Meg’s shoulder. His voice is soft.

ROBWe never gave up on anything. We believed in you.

A moment of silence. Meg looks at her dad in the eyes and realizes that she can’t let her parents down. Not after all that they’ve done for her. She stands up.

SABRINAHoney, where are you going?

79.

MEGMy room. I’ve got a lot of work to do. Remember, I’m a champion.

She heads upstairs. Rob smiles.

ROBThat’s my girl.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

The clock says 2 A.M. Meg finishes typing on her computer. She hits the PRINT button and grabs the essay as it prints.

MEG(reading)

“MIT College Application Personal Statement by Meg Donohoe. Question - Who are the most influential people in your life?”

(beat)“My dad thinks algorithms are a type of salsa music. My mom thinks Madame Curie has a cooking show on the food channel. But I don’t care that my parents can’t tell the difference between atoms, elements, and ions...”

She smiles and places it with her application form in an envelope marked “TO: MIT ADMISSIONS OFFICE.”

INT. FAIRLANE MALL - FOREVER 21 - EARLY EVENING

SUPERIMPOSE: “CHRISTMAS EVE”

A harried Ashley rings up sales as shoppers cram Forever 21, looking for last minute gifts. The register jams.

ASHLEY(irritated)

Oh great.

DAVETTE (O.S.)Try hitting the side.

Ashley looks up at DaVette standing by the counter.

DAVETTEHit the side. Trust me. I worked at Express last year. They have the same registers.

80.

Ashley hits the side. The register beeps and works again.

ASHLEYThanks.

(beat)So how’s my boyfriend doing?

DAVETTEYou don’t know the whole story.

ASHLEYLike that’ll make a difference.

DAVETTEAt least he doesn’t blow me off for Meg. And I’ve been your best friend since kindergarten, not her.

Ashley is shocked. She never thought of it that way before.

ASHLEYDaVette, I never meant to hurt you. Why didn’t you say anything? All you had to do was talk to me.

DAVETTEI just... I was afraid you wouldn’t listen.

DaVette pauses, then tears fill her eyes. Ashley reaches over and hugs her awkwardly.

DAVETTEHey, come to my house after you get off work. We can talk more.

ASHLEYAnd I’ll listen more. Promise.

DaVette heads for the door, then turns around.

DAVETTEWhy don’t you invite Meg, too? It’d be nice for all three of us to be together again.

Ashley nods and smiles.

EXT. DONOHOE RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - A LITTLE LATER

CLOSEUP on the moon. Meg peers through a hi-tech telescope while Rob and Sabrina shiver and stomp their feet.

81.

ROBMeg, have you found it yet?

SABRINAHoney, what are we looking for?

MEG(excited)

December is Geminid meteor showers month! I checked online, right now’s the best time to view them.

(beat)Here, take a look, Mom.

SABRINA(peers through telescope)

They’re beautiful.

Meg and her parents are so involved with the telescope that they don’t hear the doorbell ringing from the...

EXT. DONOHOE RESIDENCE - ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

... where Ashley stands outside. She rings the doorbell again. No answer. Ashley turns the doorknob, and to her surprise, it’s unlocked. She enters the...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - FRONT ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS

... and looks around. It’s empty.

ASHLEYMeg? Hello? Mr. and Mrs. Donohoe?

Still no answer. She hesitates, then decides to go up the...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS

... heads down the hall and enters...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Ashley gasps. Meg’s entire bedroom is a sterile science lab. The One Direction and Twilight posters are gone - in their place, Albert Einstein.

Nearby - a dry-erase board filled with complicated chemical equations and a bulletin board on the wall above Meg’s desk filled with charts and graphs. And to Ashley’s horror...

82.

Her photo hangs next to charts with titles like “COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF ASHLEY AS A POPULAR GIRL” and “ASHLEY’S SPEECH PATTERNS - INDICATOR OF PSYCHOSOMATIC TENDENCIES?”

Ashley finds Meg’s data recorder on the desk and turns it on.

MEG (O.S.)(on recorder)

“Hypothesis for My Westinghouse Experiment in Cognitive Development. Stage One of Becoming Popular: Cognition.”

As Ashley listens to Meg’s voice, tears fill her eyes.

MEG (O.S.)“I created a spreadsheet of the language patterns of popular girls by applying Noam Chomsky’s...”

ASHLEYThis can’t be happening.

MEG (O.S.)“Our control group subject. Ashley Morgan. Age 17. Popular, outgoing, athletic, beloved by everyone.”

Meg bursts into the room.

MEGWhat the hell?

A tearful Ashley turns and holds up the data recorder.

MEG (O.S.)“Our experimental test subject. Me. Age 15. Intellectual, reserved, clumsy, and ignored by everyone.”

MEG(sadly)

I can explain everything.

Ashley turns off the data recorder.

ASHLEYHow could you? Is that all I was this whole time? An EXPERIMENT? I thought we were friends!

83.

MEGWe were! I mean, we are...

Ashley yanks down several graphs and charts from the bulletin board. As she speaks, she rips up each chart in half.

ASHLEY“... meta-cognition, the Cooperative Principle...” I don’t mean a thing to you! You were just using me this whole time!

MEGI didn’t mean to hurt you. But this was my last chance to win the $100,000 scholarship.

ASHLEYThat’s all I’m worth? What a bargain!

MEGWe come from different worlds. If we weren’t neighbors, you NEVER would have given me the time of day! You make fun of people like me! I did this to save our friendship!

ASHLEYYou think I would be that fake? That superficial?

Meg is stunned. She never thought of that before. And it’s too late for her to do anything to save their friendship.

ASHLEYYou never gave me a chance. And now, you’ll never know if we really could’ve been friends.

She pushes Meg away and rushes out the door. Beat. Meg rips down the Albert Einstein poster and starts crying.

INT. DEARBORN HIGH - GYMNASIUM - MORNING

SUPERIMPOSE: “JANUARY”

The holidays over, Meg is back in school and completely miserable. Especially because it’s Gym.

84.

Ashley and DaVette are almost done picking teams for volleyball. There are two girls left - ALLEJANDRA CASTILLO and Meg. Meg starts walking over to Ashley.

ASHLEYI’ll take Allejandra.

MEGWhat? Ash, please, I’m sorry.

But Ashley simply turns around and ignores Meg. Whatever. Meg’s shoulders slump.

The Gym Coach blows his whistle. The teams head for their positions at the net. The coach tosses Allejandra the ball.

She serves. The ball sails over the net. DaVette strikes back. Allejandra defends the ball. It heads straight for Meg.

Meg raises her arms to shield her face from the ball. To everyone’s surprise, the ball bounces back over the net.

ASHLEYI got it!

She jumps in the air. Spikes it. The ball heads right towards Meg. WHAM! Meg falls backwards. As she clutches her bruised eye, she hears Ashley laugh and sees her high-five DaVette and Allejandra. Game on.

INT. DEARBORN - POWERHOUSE GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

Rob and Mike head for their cars after an intense basketball workout.

MIKEI can’t believe I can finally shoot from the three-point line.

ROBYou worked hard and improved a lot.

MIKEThanks to you.

As they reach their cars, Rob’s boss, Uncle Allen appears, carrying his squash racket and gym bag.

ROBUncle Allen! What are you doing here?

85.

ALLENWorking out just like the rest of you. They’ve got a great squash court here.

Uncle Allen nods at Mike.

ALLENYou know, Mike Kowalchek’s been talking up a storm about you.

ROB(surprised)

Me? Really?

ALLENAnd he’s right. You’re not only a hard worker, but you know how to train someone to learn a difficult new task.

ROBI don’t understand...

ALLENIf you can teach a complete klutz like Mike here to make a basket from the three point line, I’m eager to see how you’ll manage an assembly line.

ROB(slowly)

Manage...?

ALLENI’m promoting you to foreman of the wiring shop. I’m also going to recommend you for the management night-training program.

Uncle Allen shakes Rob’s hand.

ALLENSee you Monday.

Uncle Allen walks away, leaving behind a stunned Rob and an ecstatic Mike.

INT. DEARBORN - PIZZA PARLOR - NIGHT

A beaming Meg and her parents enter.

86.

SABRINARob, I knew you could do it! And a 15 percent raise?

ROBWho knew basketball would come in so handy?

A waiter ushers them to a table. As they sit down, Meg hears a roar of laughter from the other side of the room and recognizes the voices.

MEG(to her parents)

I’ll be right back.

She stands up and heads for the...

INT. PIZZA PARLOR - OTHER SIDE OF THE RESTAURANT - CONTINUOUS

... where Ashley, DaVette, Ben and Carlos laugh hysterically at a table in the back. Sitting in Meg’s spot is Allejandra.

MEG(quietly)

Hi Ash.

ASHLEY(icy)

What are you doing here?

MEGWe’re here to celebrate my dad’s job promotion.

For a second, Ashley’s eyes light up. Her voice softens.

ASHLEYThat’s great, Meg! Tell Mr. Donohoe I said congratulations.

There’s a hint of a smile on Ashley’s face. Meg grabs this moment of hope.

MEGWhy don’t you come over...

But before she can finish, the front door bursts open.

In Matrix slo-mo fashion, Melvin enters. Everyone in the restaurant freezes. Melvin sports a killer outfit and cool shades, his bowl haircut now swept to the side. He’s gone from geek to chic. Hello Jay Chou-meets-Robert-Pattinson.

87.

A girl waiting in line at the cash register almost faints.

ASHLEYDee, check out the eye candy.

DAVETTEGo for it, Ash.

Meg stares in awe. She knew Melvin was cute, but in a PG-13 kind of way. Who knew? Then she realizes...

MEGMy notebook!

She rummages through her bookbag but can’t find it. Oh no!

Ashley stands up. She smoothes down her hair and smiles her most seductive smile. She walks over to Melvin.

ASHLEYHey, you new?

MELVIN(lowers his shades)

Mel Wu.

Ashley melts at Melvin’s charm.

ASHLEYAsh Morgan.

MEL(smooth)

So Ash, how you doin’?

ASHLEY(smiles - flirting)

Wanna sit with us?

And in that instant, Mel disappears and becomes Melvin again.

MELVINReally? But I’ve got a physics test tomorrow and I’ve really got to maintain my GPA and...

Melvin quickly gets his act together.

MELI mean... that’s tight.

As he walks past Meg, he deftly tosses over her notebook.

88.

MEL(whispers - to Meg)

Thanks. Won’t be needing this anymore.

Off Meg’s horrified - and heartbroken - look...

INT. PIZZA PARLOR - A LITTLE LATER

Back at her table, Meg and her parents finish up the remaining slices of pizza. Rob pays the bill.

As they walk out, Meg casts a forlorn glance at Ashley’s table. Ben, DaVette, Carlos, and Allejandra are long gone. It’s now just Ashley and Melvin.

Ashley leans forward, obviously hanging onto Melvin’s every word. Meg sighs and follows her parents out the door.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. PIZZA PARLOR - A LITTLE LATER

Actually, Ashley isn’t hanging onto Melvin’s every word. Instead, she’s trying not to fall asleep, her ice cream sundae melting while “Mel” channels his Inner Geek.

MELVIN... Einstein’s relativity theory involving two infinite cosmic strings hurtling past each other in opposite directions could provide a suitable setting for time travel.

(beat)So do you believe in time travel?

Silence. Ashley has fallen asleep. Melvin taps her arm.

ASHLEY(startled)

I’m sorry, you were saying?

MELVINTime travel. Do you believe in it?

ASHLEYOf course not.

Melvin’s crushed. Ashley tries again.

89.

ASHLEYI mean, like, if you could travel back in time, then you could fix things, then no one would be mad at each other and we’d all be friends.

MELVIN(puzzled)

What are you talking about?

EXT. MORGAN RESIDENCE - FRONT YARD - A LITTLE LATER

Melvin walks Ashley up to the front door. Now he’s bored.

ASHLEYAnd I was all, “No, it isn’t!” But it was like, on sale later and I was all, “See? Glad I waited!”

They reach the front door. Beat. Melvin leans forward to kiss Ashley. She ducks. His head hits the door. Another beat. They both burst out laughing.

ASHLEYI’m sorry, I had an awful time, all that talk about cosmic strings...

MELVINAnd I knew you were all wrong for me when you said you didn’t know the difference between RAM and gigabytes...

They pause, then Ashley gives him a friendly hug.

ASHLEYBut you’re a really nice guy.

MELVINThanks. Hey, I’m going to be in D.C. next week for the Westinghouse finals. Do you want to come up?

ASHLEY(frowns)

The science competition Meg is in? I don’t think so.

MELVINI thought I’d try. You know, have a pretty girl cheering me on.

Ashley leans forward and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.

90.

MELVIN(surprised)

What was that for?

ASHLEYFor luck.

The look on Melvin’s face is that of pure bliss.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - A WEEK LATER

SUPERIMPOSE: “FEBRUARY”

Meg’s room is a mess - clothes strewn all over the place, a half-filled suitcase lying in the middle of the floor.

MEGMom! Where’s my backup laptop battery?

SABRINA (O.S.)Check your father’s desk in the den! Might be there!

Meg rushes out the door to the...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - DEN - CONTINUOUS

... and heads for Rob’s desk in the corner. She opens all the drawers, rummaging through a tangled mess of extension cords, battery packs, and other miscellaneous items.

Nothing. She opens the bottom drawer and reaches inside. She pulls out a crumpled letter. Curious, she reads it.

MEG(reading)

“To the Owner of the Dearborn Art Gallery: I have enclosed my art portfolio for your consideration. Unfortunately, I do not have a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree as required by...”

Meg pauses. She reaches into the drawer and pulls out a large book - it’s a 1985 Dearborn High School yearbook.

MEGCool!

Curious, she flips through the pages. Suddenly, she gasps.

91.

CLOSEUP on the photographs. Meg’s parents are gorgeous. Underneath Sabrina’s photo: “VOTED MOST POPULAR SENIOR GIRL.” Rob’s photo: “VOTED MOST POPULAR SENIOR BOY.”

We see CLOSEUPS of more pages:

-- Meg’s parents at the Homecoming Dance with the caption, “HOMECOMING KING AND QUEEN...”

-- Meg’s parents at the Senior Prom with the caption, “SENIOR PROM KING AND QUEEN...”

-- Meg’s mom dressed in a cheerleader’s uniform and pom poms with the caption, “CAPTAIN OF THE CHEERLEADING SQUAD”

-- Meg’s dad with the basketball team - “VARSITY B-BALL CAPTAIN ROB DONOHOE LEADS TEAM TO A PERFECT WINNING SEASON.”

MEGYou’ve got to be kidding me.

Clutching the yearbook, she heads for the...

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

... where Rob and Sabrina are watching an NBA basketball game together. Startled, Rob reaches for the remote.

MEG(holds up yearbook)

Don’t even bother.

Rob and Sabrina, caught, exchange guilty glances.

MEGI KNEW something was wrong when I was six years old and you both thought Newton only had two and not three laws of motion!

SABRINAThere’s a good reason for this.

MEGBut you both had futures! You were popular!

ROBYou don’t understand, we didn’t want you to end up like us.

92.

MEGWhy? You’re happy! That’s all I want to be, too! You used me. You didn’t want me to end up popular like you, you wanted me to become some famous scientist instead. I’m not a daughter to you. I’m just a petri dish!

SABRINAA pee-tree what?

Meg pauses. Wait a minute... She glances at the photo of Sabrina as a cheerleader.

MEGThis explains why I found it so easy to accessorize! Maybe I was born with this ability?

ROBMeg, what are you talking about?

A piece of paper falls out from the yearbook. Meg bends down and picks it up. It’s the sketch Sabrina did of Meg as a little girl on the swing. She gazes at it thoughtfully.

MEGMy experiment. I’m just as guilty as you because I used Ashley.

She rushes out before her parents can stop her.

INT. DONOHOE HOUSE - MEG’S BEDROOM - A LITTLE LATER

Meg stares at Sabrina’s sketch and crumpled letter. Beat. She picks up her cell phone and dials.

MEGHello, Dearborn Art Gallery?

EXT. DEARBORN - MICHIGAN AVE. - ART GALLERY - THE NEXT DAY

Meg and her parents drive past the Dearborn Art Gallery. Meg sits in the back of the car with their suitcases.

MEGPull over!

ROBI can’t, we’ll miss our flight.

93.

MEGPlease! Now! I promise, it won’t take more than a second!

Rob hesitates, then pulls the car up to the front of the art gallery. Meg jumps out.

A puzzled Rob and Sabrina follow her to the gallery storefront window. Sabrina gasps. Hanging in the middle of the display is her painting of Meg as a child on a swing.

SABRINABut I never sent them my portfolio.

MEGI know. I called them yesterday.

Rob puts his arm around Meg.

ROBThat’s my girl. No matter what happens in D.C., Meg, you’ll always be a champion.

MEGThanks, Dad. Mom, are you happy?

SABRINA(hugs Meg tightly)

Always.

INT. MORGAN HOUSE - ASHLEY’S BEDROOM - A LITTLE LATER

Ashley is sitting on her bed, reading Meg’s birthday book, “Charlotte’s Web,” when her iPhone rings. She answers.

ASHLEYWhat do you want?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. DETROIT METRO AIRPORT - GATE - SAME TIME

Meg and her parents wait in line to board the plane.

MEG(on cell)

Ash, I’m leaving now for the Westinghouse competition in D.C. We have to talk. It’s important.

94.

ASHLEYIt’s too late.

She hangs up. She tosses “Charlotte’s Web” across the bed. A small piece of paper falls out. Curious, Ashley reaches over for it. Beat. She stares at it for a moment. Then she grabs her iPhone and starts typing...

CLOSE-UP ON: IPHONE SCREEN

... as Ashley types in “WASHINGTON, D.C.” into the website for cheaptickets.com.

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - MALL - DAY

Welcome to the birthplace of democracy, home to some of the most important people in the world - Senators, Congressmen and women, military advisors, and...

The Future Scientists of America. Everywhere you turn, a high school science geek strolls the sidewalks in awe of our Nation’s Capitol. In the middle of these Future Scientists?

Ashley Morgan. She follows the sea of geeks towards the...

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - CONTINUOUS

... and pauses before entering the front doors into the...

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS

A giant banner proclaims: “WELCOME WESTINGHOUSE MATH & SCIENCE TALENT COMPETITION FINALISTS AND PARTICIPANTS!” Ashley is surrounded by hundreds of Megs and Melvins.

Ashley recognizes Mr. Wiseman stroll by with MIT PROFESSOR JOSHUA ISAAC. She quickly follows them.

PROFESSOR ISAAC(enthusiastic)

... and who knew that a Type II Seyfert Galaxy would be discovered behind the Supernova Remnant 3C397?

MR. WISEMAN(just as excited)

I know! I just about died when I heard about that.

95.

PROFESSOR ISAACChandra X-rays rock.

MR. WISEMANYou know it.

They enter a room. A sign outside says, “JUDGES ONLY.” Ashley pauses, frustrated.

Suddenly, Meg enters the lobby, her laptop case slung over her shoulder. She rushes past Ashley but doesn’t notice her.

ASHLEYHey! Meg!

But Meg doesn’t hear her. Ashley follows her to the...

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS

... which is packed with Westinghouse finalists and their science projects.

One young man puts the final touches on a giant gryscopic ocean-wave powered generator, while another student sets up her computational model of a crypotographic formula.

A SECURITY GUARD stops Ashley from entering after Meg.

SECURITY GUARDThis room is for contestants only.

Meanwhile, Meg marches over to Melvin, still geek chic as he stands in front of a giant maze and computer.

He gently places a tiny mouse in a cage at the start of the maze and lifts the cage door. He then places electrodes attached to his computer on the mouse.

He waits. Nothing. He frowns and scribbles in his notebook.

MELVINI don’t understand.

MEGWhat’s wrong?

Startled, Melvin drops his notebook. Meg picks it up.

MEG(reading notebook)

“The data indicates the possibility of a prion-based mechanism...”

(beat - impressed)

96.

(MORE)

I didn’t know you were studying how long-term memory works.

She hands back the notebook. Melvin doesn’t smile.

MELVINWhat do you want?

MEGI know we’re not friends, but didn’t you say we could be friendly to each other?

MELVINYeah, but at a competition, we can’t be friendly. We’re rivals.

He returns to testing out his computer. Suddenly, there’s a horrific beeping sound. The screen goes blank.

MEG(uh oh)

That can’t be good.

MELVIN(frantic)

Oh crap!

His fingers fly across the keyboard.

MELVINIt’s a kernel panic! I’m gonna lose all my data!

(freaking out)My presentation is in less than ten minutes and nothing’s working!

A concerned Meg leans over. She nods.

MEGI ran into the same problem when I tried to enter the data for my experiment because this software isn’t compatible with the codec embedded in our computer platform.

Melvin smacks his forehead.

MELVINGreat! Like I have time to re-program all this data.

Meg pulls her laptop out of its case.

97.

MEG (cont'd)

MEGQuick! You’ve got ten minutes. That’s enough time to download your data onto my laptop. I updated my computer protocols so you won’t run into any more problems.

MELVINBut what about your presentation?

MEG(voice rising)

That’s not important right now! Hurry, download your data here. You can’t lose it!

She hands him a USB key. Melvin hesitates, then sticks it in his computer. As he waits for the data to finish downloading, he faces Meg.

MELVINWhy are you doing this?

MEGBecause you’d do the same thing for me.

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - LOBBY - A LITTLE LATER

Ashley waits patiently in the lobby for Meg. She soon spots Meg and rushes up to her.

ASHLEYMeg! Meg Donohoe!

MEGAsh! What are you doing here?

ASHLEY(hands over a book)

I found this. Go to page 41.

Meg turns to page 41 of “Charlotte’s Web” and finds a book marker. She holds it up. It’s the photo strip of Meg and Ashley making silly faces in the photo booth.

ASHLEYGo on. Read.

98.

MEG(reading)

“Wilbur was merely suffering the doubts and fears that go with finding a new friend.”

Meg tries not to cry as she continues to read.

MEG“In good time he was to discover that he was mistaken about Charlotte. Underneath her rather bold and cruel exterior, she had a kind heart, and she was to prove loyal and true to the very end.”

Meg hands back the book. Ashley shakes her hand.

ASHLEYGood luck. I really hope you win.

Ashley leaves before Meg can say anything.

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - AUDITORIUM - LATER THAT AFTERNOON

Family members, friends, and the press pack the room. A sign says “QUIET PLEASE - JUDGING IN PROCESS.” Ashley enters and stands in the back near Mr. Wiseman.

Melvin stands onstage, finishing up his presentation.

MELVIN... so that is how I demonstrated the mouse CPEB-3 has prion-like properties in yeast and in mammalian cells. My data indicates the exciting possibilities in long-term memory storage research.

Everyone applauds as Melvin bows and walks offstage. Professor Isaac heads to the microphone.

PROFESSOR ISAACOur last finalist is Meg Donohoe, also from Dearborn, Michigan.

MEGGood afternoon. In using myself and others as test subjects, I discovered that the four stages of cognitive development can be affected by the environment, proving nurture wins over nature...

99.

Meg glances around the crowded auditorium. She spots her parents, who smile and wave to her. And then she sees Ashley standing in the back of the room. Ashley also waves at her.

Meg pauses, and then takes a deep breath.

MEGYou know, Albert Einstein once said, “Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”

MR. WISEMAN(startled)

What did she just say?

MEGI learned that from Mr. Wiseman, my AP Chemistry teacher.

Mr. Wiseman beams.

MEGAt first, I had no idea what that quote meant. But now I do. See, I love science because it’s never wrong. It’s all about facts and numbers and equations and formulas. Logic.

Meg points to a surprised Ashley in the back of the room.

MEGYou can’t say the same thing about life. Life is messy, with too many variables and not enough constants.

Mr. Wiseman turns to Ashley.

MR. WISEMANDo you know where she’s going with this?

Ashley shrugs, also puzzled by Meg’s topic switch.

MEGI made a mistake with my experiment. I didn’t ask my test subject for her permission. That was unethical. I was afraid she wouldn’t understand and would no longer want to be my friend.

100.

(MORE)

I convinced myself I was doing the right thing - it was all in the name of science.

Meg’s voice trembles. She glances at her parents. Both Rob and Sabrina have never looked prouder. Rob nods.

MEGBut I was wrong. I suppose I should withdraw from the competition.

Ashley gasps.

MEGBut I won’t. I worked hard for this. I’m proud of what I’ve discovered... and what I’ve learned.

Meg nods at Ashley.

MEGTherefore, it’s all up to Ashley Morgan.

(beat)My lab partner.

Everyone turns around and stares at Ashley. She gulps, terrified by the sudden attention.

ASHLEYI... well... I, uh...

She glances at Mr. Wiseman.

ASHLEY(whispers)

I don’t know what to say.

MR. WISEMANJust say what’s in your heart.

Beat. Ashley straightens her shoulders, stares straight at Meg, and when she speaks, her voice is clear and strong.

ASHLEYWe will not withdraw our entry. As Meg Donohoe’s lab partner, I say we will stay in the competition because we’re going to win.

DISSOLVE TO:

101.

MEG (cont'd)

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - AUDITORIUM - A LITTLE LATER

Everyone is settling down in their seats again. Melvin and his entire Wu clan sit in the front row. Meg and her parents sit right behind them. Ashley finds an empty seat nearby.

Professor Isaac walks onstage, carrying an envelope.

PROFESSOR ISAACIt is my great honor and privilege to announce the grand prize winner of the Westinghouse Math and Science Talent Competition.

Beat. The tension is thick in the air. Meg can’t breathe.

PROFESSOR ISAACThe winner and recipient of the Westinghouse $100,000 college scholarship is...

Beat. Ashley bites her nails. Meg closes her eyes.

PROFESSOR ISAACMelvin Wu from Dearborn, Michigan!

The room erupts. Everyone - including Ashley, Meg, and her family - jump to their feet. A dazed Melvin walks onstage to receive his certificate prize.

Meg makes her way down the aisle. Ashley grabs her arm.

ASHLEYMeg, where are you going?

MEGI want to be the first to congratulate Melvin.

ASHLEYMeg, you’re a good sport.

MEGNo. I’m a good friend.

Meg hurries down the aisle and goes...

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - BACKSTAGE - CONTINUOUS

... and almost knocks over Mr. Wiseman and Professor Isaac who are standing in the wings.

102.

MEGI’m so sorry!

MR. WISEMAN Don’t be, we were hoping to find you afterwards! This is my friend, MIT Professor Joshua Isaac.

PROFESSOR ISAACMeg, I heard your speech. What you did was very brave. It takes courage to admit when you’re wrong.

MEGBut I didn’t win.

PROFESSOR ISAACAlbert Einstein also said, “Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.”

MEGI don’t understand...

PROFESSOR ISAACI’m head of the MIT admissions committee. Not only was I impressed by your academic record, but I was moved by your beautiful essay on how your parents were the most influential people in your life. We’ll be sending out your acceptance letter next month.

MEG(sadly)

But I don’t have $42,700.00.

PROFESSOR ISAACIt would be MIT’s loss if you were unable to attend our university. So I’m offering you a job.

MEGWhat?

PROFESSOR ISAACBe my lab assistant and I’ll make sure you will get enough of a stipend to cover costs for your first year at MIT.

Beat. Did he just say what Meg thought he said?

103.

PROFESSOR ISAACIt’s not much, but at least it’s a start. I know you’ll be able to find a way to stay at MIT.

It finally sinks in. Meg squeals and hugs him. He laughs.

PROFESSOR ISAACWelcome to MIT, Meg!

INT. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM - RECEPTION ROOM - NIGHT

Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science” blares from the speakers as hundreds of science geeks tear up the dance floor. Meg walks by Melvin in a daze. He grabs her arm.

MELVINMeg, the February Delta Leonids meteor showers are at midnight. Wanna watch them with me?

MEG(distracted)

I can’t. I’m looking for Ashley.

MELVINShe left for the airport already.

MEGWhy? I have to find her!

MELVINWait a second! I have to tell you something. We can’t be friends.

MEG(confused - hurt)

Why not?

For an answer, Melvin sweeps her in his arms and kisses her. He lets her go and smiles. Meg melts.

MELVINThat’s why.

(beat)Now go get our girl.

INT. WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT - LOBBY - A LITTLE LATER

MEG (O.S.)Ashley, don’t go!

104.

Ashley, at the ticket counter, spots Meg racing over.

ASHLEYWhat are you doing here? My flight’s boarding in an hour.

MEGBut the Delta Leonids meteor shower is tonight! We might see up to 150 meteors per hour this year!

ASHLEYI’m sorry, but I have to go.

MEGI thought we were friends again.

ASHLEYYeah, but it’s not going to be easy. We have to start over.

She starts to walk away. Meg takes a deep breath.

MEGAshley. Forever 21 sucks!

ASHLEY(gasps - what sacrilege!)

How dare you!

MEGI hate styling my hair with all those products you made me buy. Do I really need silicone-based smoothing fluid? What’s wrong with my ponytail? And I hate those stupid paraffin wax treatments!

ASHLEYWell, I hate science fiction! And, and... chemistry! What’s up with your Star Wars fixation? And you’ll thank me when you’re thirty and still have wrinkle-free feet!

MEG(pauses)

You were right about one thing.

ASHLEYWhat’s that?

MEGTeam Edward forever.

105.

ASHLEYLegolas is a noble Elf. Now what’s this about some shower thing?

MEGYou really want to watch the Delta Leonids meteor shower at midnight?

Ashley wraps her arm around Meg’s shoulder.

ASHLEYI wouldn’t miss it for the world.

EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - MALL - MIDNIGHT

Meg, Ashley, Melvin, and the rest of the warmly dressed science geeks lie down on blankets across the knoll overlooking the Mall. It’s cold outside, but no one cares.

MEGDid you see that meteor?

MELVINOr is it something else? See how bright the tail is? That’s no supernova remnant. I bet our government knows more than... Ow!

Meg whacks Melvin against the side of his head before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Beat. They kiss again. Ashley smiles. The three then look back up into the sky.

MEG(gasps - pointing)

Over there, Ash. See it?

ASHLEYThese meteor things are beautiful.

MEGYou know what they’re also called?

Ashley shakes her head. Meg turns and smiles at her friend.

MEGShooting stars.

And the world spins as we pan up upwards to see a thousand shooting stars streak across the sky, lighting up Meg’s world, promising endless adventures.

FADE OUT.

106.