Code Red/Transcript

INTRO OLIVER PRUITT MONOLOGUE

''[Open with mysterious music as we’re introduced to our narrator/sponsor/host, the billionaire inventor, OLIVER PRUITT. Pruitt is cheeky and warm, but there’s an edge to him. Like science and tech’s answer to Willy Wonka.]''

Oliver Pruitt:

Hey kids. Yeah, you. Podcast listeners. Oliver Pruitt here. Maybe you’re listening in the backseat of your parents car or on your phone. Sorry to interrupt, but I can do that since I’m the sponsor. That means I pay the bills. So if your mom or dad is listening, tell them not to pay attention. I created this podcast for you: the kid who believes anything is possible. Like eleven-year-old Mars Patel. Take a listen as I drop you into the hallway of H.G. Wells Middle School, and into the middle of a mystery.

''[Dozens of kids jostle around the school hallway. Laughter, high-pitched squeals. We settle in with a group of three on the outskirts of the chaos.]''

Oliver Pruitt: Mars and his pals, Jonas and Caddie, haven’t heard from their friend Aurora in... how long has it been, Mars?

''INT. H.G. WELLS MIDDLE SCHOOL HALLWAY - DAY''

Mars Patel: Five days.

[Lockers open and close]

Jonas: Five days what?

Caddie: You know what he's talking about, Jonas.

Jonas: Oh great. He's on the Aurora thing again?

Mars: It’s not the Aurora thing. She’s gone.

[The three begin the walk to class.]

Jonas: A person is made of matter. A person has mass. She’s not gone.

Mars: She's not not gone. Five days since Aurora disappeared. She isn't responding to texts or calls. She hasn't posted anything on Instagram all week. There’s no one at her house.

Jonas: Just 'cause someone forgets to say goodbye doesn't mean she's missing. I mean, wouldn't her parents be freaking out?

Mars: We don't even know where they are. Caddie, you feel me on this, right?

Caddie: I always feel you, Mars. Whether I like it or not.

Mars: And you're sure you didn't get one of your weird vibes from her in the locker room?

Caddie: No. Aurora was...like she always is. In her own world. Drawing in that sketchbook when we were supposed to be getting changed. But she said she'd be right out. And then she wasn't.

Mars: It still doesn't make any sense. Where did she go?

Caddie: I'm probably going to regret saying this....

''[Caddie's cut off as a loud electronic Alarm beep cuts through the din of the hallway. A code red - the warning to lock down the school!]''

Mars: Shhh!

Principal Fagin: (over the loudspeaker) Attention, students and faculty. This is a CODE RED. Please keep calm and proceed with lockdown protocols.

Caddie: Is this a real one?

Jonas: Nah, its probably a drill.

[Caddie and Jonas walk quickly after Mars, who opens a heavy wooden door.]

Mars: In here.

Jonas: You want to hide in the Janitor's closet?

Mars: You'd rather pack into the science lab with half the sixth grade?

Caddie: No way. Last time someone knocked off my glasses and I was blind for a week.

''[The alarm continues to beep as the tenor of the hallway changes. Locks clang. A hush falls as everyone hustles to get out of the hallway. Doors open and shut. Footsteps everywhere.]''

Mrs. Wellington: Out of the halls! Everyone into the nearest room. Stay quiet. Keep away from doors and windows.

''[The door closes shut and now the background noise goes almost silent. We’re in the janitor’s closet with Mars, Caddie and Jonas. The only sound is their breathing.]''

Mars: Wow. It's really dark in here, huh?

Caddie: (holding her head in pain) Ow! I think something's really happening out there. The energy in the school totally changed.

Mars: You're having one of your headaches? Like when you can tell something's going on.

Caddie: I don't know. It's not that bad... Yet.

Jonas: Sometimes a headache is just a headache. Could it be because that stupid alarm won't stop going off in our ears. In a few minutes - uh�oh!

Caddie: Uh oh what, Jonas?

Jonas: I gotta go.

Mars: Now? You can't!

Jonas: You know my deal. The bowels are irritable, man. And, I forgot to take my meds.

Mars: It's a Code Red.

Jonas: Yeah, well I'm about to have a Code Brown in my pants. The bathroom is like a ten second run.

''[Jonas jiggles the door handle to get out. Caddie puts out her hand.]''

Caddie: And what if someone's in the hall?

Jonas: Then I juke him out. Just like clearing a level on Assassin’s Quest.

Mars: Except this is not a game.

Jonas: Everything's a game, Mars. Everything's a game.

''[Jonas creaks open the door. The code red beep is still sounding, but otherwise the hallway is quiet.]''

Caddie: Jonas, you need to listen to me. My head is...Ugh!

[Caddie stumbles from the pain.]

Jonas: Believe me, you'll be glad I did.

Mars: Come on, man...

Jonas: See you guys on the other side.

''[Jonas opens the door and rushes off. We stay in the closet with Mars and Caddie.]''

Mars: He'll be okay.

Caddie: I mean we could still...

Mars: No, we hang here. We wait 'til it's over.

Caddie: It's okay to admit that you're scared.

Mars: You know I hate it when you read my thoughts.

Caddie: I can't read your thoughts. I just feel things.

Mars: Yeah, well it makes me feel weird. Like you're all up inside my head.

Caddie: Sorry. I just can't help it sometimes. It's always been this way. Since we were little kids. I felt this connection to you. (deep breath) So I was thinking... the dance is coming up and I know you were going to ask Aurora. Not that you told me that. And not that I felt it, I just guessed. But what if...?

Mars: We should probably be quiet. You know, in case someone's out there.

Caddie: (stung) Right. I'm sure Aurora's fine, Mars. You'll hear from her soon.

Principal Fagin: (over the loudspeaker) Attention, students and faculty. The lockdown has ended. Please return to your regularly scheduled classes. Thank you for your cooperation.

Mars: (over the announcement) So that's it? We're safe.

Caddie: Yeah. Another false alarm. Guess Jonas was right. Sometimes a headache is just a headache.

Mars: I'm gonna go find him.

Caddie: OK. See you guys at detention?

''[Mars opens closed door. We hear background hallway noises of the middle school as they leave.]''

Mars: I'll save you your usual seat.

Caddie: Mars?... I'm glad we were together.

[Caddie leaves Mars.]

Mars: Yeah.

''[Mars walks down the hall and opens the door to the Boys’ Bathroom. His voice echoes.]''

Mars: (cont'd) Jonas, Code Red's over dude...Jonas, you in here?

[Nothing but silence.]

Mars: (cont'd) (narrating) Yeah. So that was the last time any of us saw Jonas.

''INT. MR. Q'S CLASSROOM - DAY''

[Mars records into his cell phone.]

Mars: (narrating) Hey, Aurora. It's me, Mars. Again. I have no idea if you're getting these recordings I'm putting up on the cloud. My texts are bouncing back. Emails, too. People keep telling me I worry too much. I don't know. (beat) If you are in some kinda trouble... I just...I want you know I'm looking, okay? I'm going to find you. And Jonas, too. So anyway, until I do... I'll just keep recording.

''[We open with sounds from Mr. Q’s Classroom. Detention. Students are talking to each other and giggling, as MR. Q brings the crew to order.]''

Mr. Q: Welcome, Detention Dwellers. For those law-abiding citizens making their first appearance here, I am Mr. Q. And yes, I am at least as cool as you've heard. However, I do expect you to use this time productively. I know you've got standardized GiFT tests coming up. I don't need to tell you how important they are. If you have any pertinent questions about how things work in here, feel free to ask the experts. Mars Patel, insubordination?

Mars: Do you know how unfair it is that we are expected to be in school by–

Mr. Q: (roll call) Caddie Patchett. Let me guess. Defending Mars?

Caddie: He actually had a point this time.

Mr. Q: He usually has a point. Randall "Toothpick" Reed. What'd you do this time, ‘Pick’?

Toothpick: (from across the room) The security on the library computers is so basic. How can you call it “security” when all you have to do is decode the password and send it to (pulls back) I've said too much. Mr. Q, may I begin taking attendance?

Mr. Q: All you, Toothpick.

[Toothpick begins taking attendance, in the background.]

Mr. Q: (cont'd) Who are we missing? Let me guess.

[The door flies open and JP enters.]

JP: JP McGowan. Forty-third straight day of detention. A new record, thank you very much.

[There is clapping and cheering from the students.]

Mr. Q: Unnecessary roughness, JP?

JP: No. It was totally necessary. Ask Jaden Walsh if he'll ever throw Jell-O at Toothpick again.

Toothpick: (taking a break from his counting) He won't!

Mr. Q: Grab a seat with your friends, JP.

[Students settle down.]

Caddie: Hey, JP.

JP: Hi, Caddie. Hey, Mars.

Mars: You hear anything from Jonas, JP?

JP: He's probably in one of his gaming comas. He goes MIA when he's locked in.

Mars: He went into the bathroom during the Code Red and never came out.

JP: It happens.

Caddie: It's happened twice now. And like Mars said nobody besides us seems to be asking questions.

Mr. Q: (approaching) Are we talking about Jonas? I was wondering why he wasn't with us today.

Mars: We don't know where he is. He wasn't excused from detention?

Mr. Q: Nobody's said anything to me. Is this another Aurora situation?

JP: Be careful, Mr. Q. He doesn't like when you call it a "situation."

Mars: I think we should just call it what it is. They’re missing.

Mr. Q: And why do you think that is, Mars?

Mars: (a little lost) I don't know.

JP: Aliens. CIA assassinations... Ooh! Maybe one of those time-space wormholes.

Caddie: JP, you don't think it's weird that they've both disappeared?

JP: I think we've all got problems. And I think Mars is trying to pull us into another one of his conspiracy theories.

Mars: It's not a theory. Two of our friends dropped off the face of the Earth.

[Toothpick is now in front and center.]

Toothpick: Fourteen students on the list. Twelve students present. Two students absent. Jonas Hopkins and Aurora Gershewitz.

Mr. Q: Thank you, Mr. Reed.

JP: Look, maybe they'll both show up tomorrow and explain that they got some weird virus that paralyzes your texting fingers.

Toothpick: Or their parents moved them to a country with no wifi.

Mars: Whatever it is, nobody seems to care or even notice when it's kids like us.

Mr. Q: (from across) What do you mean, "kids like you?"

Toothpick: Outcasts. Misfits. Freaks....

JP: Ok, Toothpick. I think he gets it.

Toothpick: Losers. Oddballs. Weirdos...

Mars: Mr. Q, you're looking at me like I'm insane.

Mr. Q: Actually, Mars, your teachers might not appreciate the way your brain fires, but I do. So if you're convinced something's going on, and if Caddie feels it too, then who am I to tell you different?

JP: Ugh, Mr. Q, don’t tell me you’re on his side.

Mr. Q: I didn’t say that. But I already know I can't stop Mars Patel once he’s made up his mind..

Caddie: You're learning. That's good.

JP: Good? I'm having a hard time seeing how any of this is “good”.

Mars: Come on, JP, help us look.

JP: Not this time, Mars. Tell the alien CIA assassins I say hi.

''INT. PATEL KITCHEN - NIGHT''

[Cheery, cheesy music leads us into a commercial for Pruitt Prep.]

Commercial Voice: At Pruitt Prep, we understand the extraordinary kid. We’re looking for students who think differently. Who dream big. If you think you have what it takes to join us, visit our website at Pruitt Prep dot com and take the test. To the stars!

''[Mars opens a refrigerator, pours cereal and milk and closes the door. On his phone Mars begins to record a message for Aurora.]''

Mars: Hope you don't mind hearing me make myself dinner, Aurora. Galaxy Clusters. Again. I know, I know. But cereal is all we have in the house and I've got a lot to figure out.

[The laptop in the background plays an interview.]

Reporter: (on laptop) Thanks for joining us. From our electric cars to our phones to the way we power our homes, there's not a family in America that doesn't use something that came from the mind of Oliver Pruitt. And now the man who changed our world says he knows how to save it.

Mars: (over the audio) You always made fun of me for having Oliver Pruitt's picture in my locker, Aurora, but the guy is a rock star.

'Oliver Pruitt: (on the laptop) You know, I've invented hundreds of things. I've designed vehicles for private space flight and created tech for self-sustaining plants that can grow in any environment, but really I believe my true calling is education. To the stars, I like to say. The school I created, Pruitt Prep is unlike any in the world.

''[The door opens, and Mars’ mom, Mrs. Patel enters. She’s loving and warm, but she’s always in a rush to get somewhere.]''

Mrs. Patel: Mars?

[Mars turns down the audio.]

Mars: Mom? What're you doing home?

Mrs. Patel: (in a hurry) I'm not really here. Just needed to change my shoes. I'm due at the restaurant in fifteen minutes.

[She notices what Mars is eating.]

Mrs. Patel: (cont'd) Galaxy Clusters, again? Really? Didn't I leave you some of that–

Mars: No, you didn't.

Mrs. Patel: Oh. Well, I will tomorrow. I'll get up early and cook. I promise. Mars, are you recording us?

Mars: No, I just... I was sending something to Aurora.

Mrs. Patel: (into the phone) Hello, Aurora. How are you, sweetheart?

Mars: (very softly, almost to himself) Gone.

Mrs. Patel: What?

Mars: (gathering his courage) Mom, can I talk to you about something?

Mrs. Patel: Sure. Just let me find my....

''[Mrs. Patel is looking for something in the room.]''

Mrs. Patel: (cont'd) Sorry. Keep going.

Mars: Okay, it's just... We were talking to Mr. Q in detention today and...

Mrs. Patel: Detention? Again?

Mars: Yeah, but I didn't do anything this time. Mrs. Wellington got all mad because I told her the Earth is dying and that it's all her generation's fault...

Mrs. Patel: You need to listen to your teachers, Manu.

Mars: You know I don't like when you call me that.

Mrs. Patel: That Mr. Q makes it too fun for you kids. Detention is supposed to be horrible. You know who doesn't go to detention? Kids who make it to Pruitt Prep.

Mars: Mom, I'm trying to talk to you about Jonas.

Mrs. Patel: You're special, Mars. You’re so special. I've always known it. You are the reason I work two jobs. So you can go to a good school and grow up to be important. Special. Okay, baby. I love you.

[She kisses his forehead.]

Mrs. Patel: (cont'd) Do your homework and go to bed at a decent hour. We'll talk in the morning?

Mars: Yeah. Sure.

''[Mrs. Patel opens the door and leaves the apartment]''

Mars: (cont'd) Good night, Aurora. I'm gonna find you. Mars, out.

[Transition Music.]

''INT. H.G. WELLS MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA - DAY''