Dog Days of Summer

by Cordria

At 16, Danny's landed his first summer job: working at the local pool. When he finds himself having to juggle the attacking ghosts, his annoying boss, and a new coworker, it becomes too much. One Danny isn't enough! Script format.

1. Act 1

I know I said this was going to be a dA-only story, but I had SOO many requests to put it here for various reasons that I just decided to. Will be in three parts, already written.

This was my ScriptFrenzy (.org) for this year! Writing a 100 page script during the month of April. It was fun!

I know it's not 'true' script-format, but FFN doesn't do script formatting. So deal with it.

Takes place mid-to late-third season. Canon up to 'D-Stabilized'.

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THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
A Danny Phantom ScriptFrenzy Script by Cordria

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--TEASER

CUE NORMAL DANNY PHANTOM MUSIC. SCREEN SHOWS AN IMAGE OF THE FLOODY WATERS SIGN. ZOOMS AND PANS OVER CHILDREN PLAYING IN A POOL, THEN SETTLES ON A SHOT OF SAM, DANNY, AND TUCKER SITTING BESIDE THE KIDDY POOL. SAM HIDES UNDER HER GOTHIC UMBRELLA AND WEARS A CAPE, TUCKER IS PLAYING WITH HIS PDA IN A WATERPROOF CASE, AND DANNY IS WEARING RED LIFEGUARD SHORTS.

------TUCKER

I still can't believe you actually got a job.

------DANNY

Hey, I needed some sort of cash flow!

------SAM

But being a lifeguard at the kiddy pool? Isn't that boring?

------DANNY

Not really. You should see all the ghosts that have attacked already.

CUT TO INSIDE OF DANNY'S EMPLOYEE LOCKER. SHOW THREE THERMOSES, ALL FLASHING 'FULL', ALONG WITH A MESS OF GHOST HUNTING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER THINGS. CUT BACK TO SCENE BY POOL.

Apparently getting a job gave the ghosts some sort of goal to shoot for. I've seen more ghosts this past week than I did the entire last month of school.

------SAM

Need any help?

------DANNY

Nah, I'm good. They've all been weak ones anyways.

------TUCKER

(SNORTS AND LOOKS UP FROM PDA) How can you work here? The owner's a creep.

------DANNY

So? Money's money. And he was offering flexible hours and an easy job.

------TUCKER

But even Dash doesn't dare make him angry.

------DANNY

(SHRUGS) Skulker's scarier. Right Sam?

DANNY LOOKS OVER AT SAM, ONLY TO FIND HER STARING AT HIM. DANNY GLANCES DOWN AT HIS CHEST THEN BACK UP AT HER.

Um… Sam?

SAM BLINKS AND BLUSHES, LOOKING AWAY. DANNY FLUSHES AS WELL JUST AS TUCKER SNAPS A PICTURE WITH HIS PDA AND SMILES HAPPILY.

------TUCKER

Lovebirds.

SAM SWIPES TUCKER'S PDA AND PUSHES HIM INTO THE POOL. AS TUCKER COMES UP SPUTTERING, THE CAMERA PANS TO DANNY'S NEW BOSS STICKING HIS HEAD OUT OF THE OFFICE DOOR.

------MR STEVE (BOSS)

Fenton!

------TUCKER

SAM! Give me back my PDA!

------SAM

If you want it, come over here and get it.

DANNY GETS UP, IGNORING TUCKER'S ATTEMPTS TO GET HIS PDA BACK.

------DANNY

I'll be right back guys.

DANNY WALKS TO THE BOSS'S OFFICE, CAMERA FOLLOWS. HE POKES HIS HEAD THROUGH THE DOOR, VIEW SWITCHES TO INTERIOR OF OFFICE. MR STEVE'S OFFICE IS PLASTERED WITH PRO-GiW POSTERS AND BODY BUILDER EQUIPMENT. A WANTED POSTER FOR PHANTOM IS TAPED TO THE BACK OF THE DOOR WITH A FEW DARTS STUCK THROUGH THE POSTER, BLACK MARKER DOODLED OVER PHANTOM'S PICTURE.

Yes, Steve?

MR STEVE IS BENCH PRESSING WEIGHTS, HIS VEINS BULGING IN HIS THICK ARMS AND NECK.

------MR STEVE

You'll call me Mr Steve. Not Steve. Not Mr. Mr Steve. Got it boy?

------DANNY

(ROLLS EYES) Got it.

------MR STEVE

Get in here, boy. Close the door.

DANNY CLOSES DOOR.

I want you to meet your new coworker.

------DANNY

Not the lowest guy on the totem pole anymore? (DANNY GRINS AND PUNCHES THE AIR) No more cleaning up 'accidents'? Awesome!

MR STEVE SITS UP, CRACKING HIS NECK AND STRETCHING.

------MR STEVE

Don't get too happy too fast, boy. My friend recommended both of you for this job, but I have my doubts about-

THE BACK DOOR OF THE OFFICE OPENS AND A GIRL WALKS IN, STRAIGHTENING HER RED LIFEGUARD UNIFORM. SHE LOOKS UP AND BRUSHES HER HAIR OUT OF HER FACE, PUTTING A HAND ON HER HIP.

------PAULINA

Um… Mr Steve? Does this come in pink?

DANNY'S JAW FALLS OPEN.

------DANNY

Paulina?!

CUE OPENING CREDITS

SHOW TITLE CARD
--DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
----TAG LINE: HERE, BOY. STAY!
IMAGE OF DANNY PHANTOM SITTING IN A DOG CAGE, TWO MYSTERIOUS RED EYES HOVERING OVER IT.

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 1

OPEN SCENE AT FLOODY WATERS KIDDY POOL. DANNY IS SITTING IN HIS LIFEGUARD CHAIR, A WHISTLE AROUND HIS NECK. HE IS LEANING BACK LAZILY, WATCHING PAULINA, WHO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POOL.

------PAULINA

Hey, you! Niño! Stop that!

PAULINA CROSSES HER ARMS AND GLARES. DANNY RAISES AN EYEBROW AND SHAKES HIS HEAD.

------DANNY (TO HIMSELF)

I can't believe she's actually working. (HE SMILES AND PUTS HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD, IGNORING THE KIDS SCREAMING IN THE POOL.) She's really pretty in that swimsuit.

SCENE CUTS TO SAM, WHO IS WALKING THROUGH THE GATE WITH A BASKET IN HER HAND, MUTTERING TO HERSELF.

------SAM

I can't believe Tucker talked me into doing this. He's going to think I'm such a spaz, bringing a lunch for us to share. He's never going to-

SAM STOPS SHORT, HESITATING WHEN SHE ENTERS THE POOL AREA. A SMILE APPEARS ON HER FACE WHEN SHE SEES DANNY IN HIS CHAIR. SHE CALLS OUT TO HIM.

Danny!

SAM FOLLOWS DANNY'S GAZE, THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON PAULINA, THEN CUTS BACK TO SAM. HER FINGERS TIGHTEN AROUND THE HANDLE OF THE BASKET, A LOOK OF ANGER SETTLING ON HER FACE. DANNY FINALLY NOTICES SAM AND SMILES.

------DANNY

Sam? What are you…

HE CUTS OFF AS A STREAM OF COLD AIR RUSHES OUT OF HIS LUNGS. HE SIGHS AND SCANS THE POOL FOR THE GHOST.

Hang on, would you? This is the fifth ghost today.

SHADOW APPEARS, FLYING OVER THE POOL WITH HIS ARMS SPREAD WIDE. SCREAMS OF PANIC FILL THE POOL AS PARENTS RUSH FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND TAKE THEM INTO HIDING.

Shadow…

DANNY GETS OUT OF HIS CHAIR AND BRUSHES PAST SAM, WHO NARROWS HER EYES AND CROSSES HER ARMS, CLEARLY ANGRY. DANNY DIVES UNDERWATER AND CHANGES INTO PHANTOM. HE BURSTS OUT OF THE POOL.

------PAULINA

Phantom! You're here to save me!

PAULINA WAVES AND CLASPS HER HANDS TO HER CHEST. PHANTOM WAVES BACK.

------PHANTOM

P-P-Paulina – right? You really should-

SHADOW ATTACKS WHILE PHANTOM IS DISTACTED, KNOCKING HIM BACK INTO THE WATER. PHANTOM HITS THE GHOST WITH A ROUNDHOUSE PUNCH AND PUSHES THE DAZED GHOST AWAY, MAKES IT BACK TO THE SURFACE AND GASPS FOR AIR. PHANTOM FLOATS INTO THE AIR, HIS EYES GLOWING BRIGHTLY AND ANGRILY. HIS HANDS START TO GLOW AND HE LUNGES AFTER SHADOW. SHADOW DODGES PHANTOM'S GRASP AND VANISHES INTO THE SKY.

PHANTOM LANDS AND TURNS HUMAN BEHIND A STACK OF TOWELS, WALKS OUT TO STAND NEXT TO SAM, WHO IS STILL SIMMERING IN FURY. SHE LOOKS HIM UP AND DOWN ONCE, THEN THRUSTS THE BASKET INTO HIS HANDS.

------SAM

I brought you lunch.

SAM TURNS ON HER HEEL AND STORMS OFF. DANNY BLINKS AFTER HER, HIS MOUTH HALF OPEN IN CONFUSION.

------DANNY

Um… Sam? What's wrong? Sam!?

HE'S ABOUT TO FOLLOW BUT PAULINA RUNS UP AT THAT MOMENT AND GRABS ONTO HIS ARM AND KEEPS HIM FROM FOLLOWING.

------PAULINA

Did you see that? Phantom saved me from the ghost! He really does love me!

PAULINA SUDDENLY FLINCHES AWAY FROM DANNY SUDDENLY, LOOKING AT HIM WITH A DISGUSTED LOOK ON HER FACE

Ew. Get away from me, loser!

PAULINA STALKS OFF, BUT SHE TURNS AROUND BEFORE SHE GETS OUT OF SIGHT. CAMERA PANS IN ON HER AS SHE LOOKS OVER HER SHOULDER WITH A CURIOUS LOOK ON HER FACE, SCANNING DANNY'S BODY.

When did he get so…

CAMERA CUTS BACK TO DANNY. DANNY SHRUGS AND HEADS BACK TO HIS LIFEGUARD STAND, DIGGING THROUGH THE BASKET OF FOOD. KIDS COME OUT OF HIDING AND START TO PLAY AGAIN, THE SOUND OF PHANTOM'S NAME DRIFTING THROUGH THE AIR. MR STEVE POKES HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS OFFICE, DOING BICEP CURLS.

------MR STEVE

Get back to work you two!

END SCENE

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 2

CAMERA FADES IN ON A VIEW OF SHADOW FLYING OVER A DESERTED SECTION OF AMITY PARK. CAMERA FOLLOWS SHADOW'S FLIGHT AS IT ZOOMS PAST BUILDINGS AND THEN PHASES THROUGH A WALL. SCENE CUTS TO INSIDE OF BUILDING, WHERE FIVE GHOSTS ARE CROUCHED. SHADOW CURLS AROUND JOHNNY 13 AND THEN VANISHES. JOHNNY 13 HAS AN ANNOYED LOOK ON HIS FACE.

------JOHNNY 13

Well, that didn't work. Any other plans?

------SKULKER

The whelp has to be near breaking. He can't keep up this pace for much longer.

------EMBER

Don't underestimate the dipstick. He's not going to break if we keep sending these weak ghosts after him.

------KITTY

I still think this is a bad idea.

THE OTHER GHOSTS IGNORE HER, EACH OF THEM LOOKING LIKE THEY ARE THINKING.

------JOHNNY 13

We have to send someone stronger if we're going to get him to-

------THE BOX GHOST

(INTERRUPTS WITH A SHOUT, SLAPPING HIS HAND DOWN ON THE TABLE) I am the Box Ghost! Let me go – he'll fear my cardboard chaos!

------THE OTHER GHOSTS IN UNISON

No!

------EMBER

I don't really care what you dorks decide to do. I'm just here to watch the kid beat you three up when he catches you.

EMBER LEANS FORWARD WITH A DARK SMILE ON HER FACE.

Maybe the three of you should go attack him.

------SKULKER

We're not getting paid unless we can capture the whelp. Let's just set a-

------JOHNNY 13

(INTERRUPTS) I was put in charge and what I say goes. And I already said no traps. What we really need is-

------EMBER

Greasy hair and acne?

------JOHNNY 13

(ANGRILY, OVER THE SNICKERS OF THE OTHER GHOSTS) You wanted cut into this deal, so shut it. (TURNS ATTENTION BACK TO SKULKER) We're not attacking him yet. Not until we weaken him some more. You know the plan.

------SKULKER

(SARCASTICALLY) So what next, master planner?

JOHNNY 13 HESITATES, THEN PULLS A PIECE OF PAPER OUT OF HIS POCKET. CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON THE PAPER, SHOWING A COMPANY SYMBOL WITH THE LETTERS 'DALV' EMBLAZONED UNDERNEATH. A NEATLY HAND-WRITTEN PLAN IS VISIBLE ON THE PAGE. JOHNNY 13 RUNS HIS FINGER DOWN THE LIST, MURMURING TO HIMSELF. CAMERA CUTS BACK TO HIS FACE AS A CRUEL SMILE APPEARS. HE REACHES BEHIND HIM AND PICKS UP A STRANGE-LOOKING WEAPON.

------JOHNNY 13

It goes like this.

END SCENE

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 3

DANNY IS IN THE OFFICE AT THE WATER PARK, SITTING IN A CHAIR. HE'S WATCHING HIS BOSS WITH AN ARCHED EYEBROW – THE MAN IS DOING UPSIDE-DOWN SIT-UPS WHILE HANGING FROM THE CEILING.

------MR STEVE

(VOICE PUNCTUATED BY GRUNTS AS HE EXERCISES) Do you see that graph, boy?

------DANNY

Yes, Mr Steve.

DANNY ROLLS HIS EYES AND SETTLES BACK INTO HIS CHAIR WITH A HUFF

(UNDER HIS BREATH) Don't I get enough of this at home?

------MR STEVE

The number of ghost attacks against this park has gone up three hundred percent in the past two weeks. Three hundred percent, boy. Do you know how much money ghosts attacking my park costs me?

------DANNY

No, not really.

------MR STEVE

A lot, that's what.

MR STEVE DROPS TO THE FLOOR AND STALKS UP TO DANNY

And do you know why all these ghosts are attacking?

------DANNY

(TURNING A LITTLE PALE) Um… no?

------MR STEVE

Yes you do, boy.

MR STEVE PUSHES HIS FINGER INTO DANNY'S FACE

Yes you do. Think about it.

DANNY SHAKES HIS HEAD, HIS EYES WIDENING.

You can't cover it up anymore. My friend's told be all about it. Spill, boy!

DANNY GLANCES AROUND THE OFFICE AT THE PRO-GiW POSTERS AND SETTLES HIS GAZE ON THE PHANTOM WANTED POSTER WITH THE DARTS STUCK TO IT.

------DANNY

N-n-no, Mr. Steve, I… I… I can explain!

------MR STEVE

You'd better. You're my front-line defense against this menace, you know.

MR STEVE PUTS HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK AND WALKS OVER TO THE WINDOW, LOOKING OUT OVER HIS WATERPARK.

------DANNY

(FREEZES) Um… what?

------MR STEVE

Against that thing… that girl I had to hire. The ghost attacks didn't start until after I hired her. She's collaborating with the enemy, I just know it.

------DANNY

Paulina!?

------MR STEVE

Yessss… Paulina. (THE WORD COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH TWISTED AND SLOW) I never should have hired her, but I owed her father a favor. I knew a girl that pretty was going to be trouble – I just never expected ghost trouble.

------DANNY

Paulina.

------MR STEVE

(CONTINUES TO STARE OUT THE WINDOW, NOT NOTICING DANNY'S GROWING LOOK OF CONFUSION) I want you to watch her, boy. I trust you – your parents have made great strides and I know you'll follow in their footsteps someday. Watch her closely.

------DANNY

For what?

------MR STEVE

(SMILING GRIMLY) Anything out of the ordinary. I saw her, the way she waved at that Phantom-character. (MR STEVE SHUDDERS DRAMATICALLY) She's a secret ghost spy, I just know it. If you see anything – anything at all – you come running. My door is always open.

DANNY STARES AT MR STEVE LIKE HE'S GROWN A THIRD HEAD, BUT NODS HIS AGREEMENT WHEN MR STEVE SUDDENLY TURNS AROUND AND STUFFS HIS FINGER INTO DANNY'S FACE.

What you doing still here? I'm not paying you to sit. Get out there!

DANNY WALKS OUT OF THE OFFICE AND THE DOOR SLAMS SHUT BEHIND HIM. DANNY SHAKES HIS HEAD AND HEADS BACK TO HIS SPOT AT THE KIDDIE POOL. WHEN HE PASSES PAULINA, HE LOOKS UP AT HER IN HER LIFEGUARD CHAIR, PAINTING HER FINGERNAILS.

------DANNY

Paulina, a ghost spy? (DANNY SNORTS AND SMILES, DROPPING INTO HIS BEST 'LANCER' IMPRESSION, NOT NOTICING TUCKER WALKING UP BEHIND HIM.) 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', you've got to be kidding me!

------TUCKER

Did you just use a book title?

DANNY JUMPS, SPINNING AROUND TO GLARE AT HIS FRIEND.

I think I may even have gotten that recorded for MeTube…

TUCKER FIDDLES WITH HIS PDA UNTIL DANNY REACHES OVER TO STEAL IT. TUCKER TAKES OFF RUNNING, DANNY IN HOT PURSUIT.

------DANNY

This is going too far, Tucker!

------PAULINA

(YELLS) No running!

END SCENE

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 4

DANNY AND TUCKER ARE STILL AT THE POOL AFTER CHASING EACH OTHER AROUND. SAM ENTERS THE SCENE AND SITS DOWN NEXT TO TUCKER, CLEARLY STILL ANGRY DANNY FOR THE INCIDENT YESTERDAY AT LUNCH.

------SAM

Hey, Tucker.

------DANNY

Are you still ignoring me?

------SAM

(TALKING TO TUCKER) It's a nice day.

------DANNY

You can't ignore me forever, you know.

------TUCKER

(SMILES AT SAM) You're right, it is a nice day. Kind of quiet, though.

------DANNY

Don't start, Tucker, or your free passes into the water park vanish.

------TUCKER

(TURNS TO DANNY) You wouldn't.

------DANNY

I would. (TO SAM) Can you at least tell me why you're so mad at me?

------SAM

Tucker, would you tell-

------TUCKER

No. I'm not starting that again. You two lovebirds can talk to each other; there's no way I'm playing middleman. Again.

TUCKER GETS UP AND STRETCHES.

I'm going swimming. Can't waste the free tickets without even trying to pick up a lady at the water slide. Later!

TUCKER WALKS OFF, CHECKING TO MAKE SURE HIS PDA IS SAFELY INSIDE ITS WATERPROOF CASE. SAM AND DANNY SIT IN SILENCE FOR A LONG MOMENT.

------DANNY

(STARING AT THE CLOUDS) I'm sorry about lunch yesterday.

SAM STAYS SILENT, GLARING OUT OVER THE POOL FULL OF KIDS.

It was really… nice… of you to bring something.

DANNY GLANCES OVER AT HER, A SMALL SMILE FLICKERING ONTO HIS FACE. SAM'S STILL STARING BROODILY OUT OVER THE POOL.

Sam?

SAM TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND FINALLY LOOKS AT HIM. HER FINGERS CLENCH AT HER SIDES AND THEN RELAX.

------SAM

(SOFTLY, ALMOST TO HERSELF) I thought you were over Paulina.

------DANNY

Paulina? I don't understand.

------SAM

Paulina.

SAM POINTS ACROSS THE POOL TO WHERE THE HISPANIC GIRL IS SITTING, RUNNING HER LONG HAIR THROUGH HER FINGERS, HER LEGS TUCKED UP UNDER HER.

She's a shallow witch, Danny. I don't get what you see in her.

------DANNY

(DEFENSIVELY) I don't see anything in her. She's shallow and evil.

------SAM

Then why do you stare at her like you do?

DANNY BLINKS AT SAM FOR A LONG FEW SECONDS, THEN SHRUGS.

------DANNY

She's pretty; she's nice to look at. I'm not going to date her… but she's still pretty.

SAM'S EYES NARROW DANGEROUSLY, HER FINGERS TIGHTENING INTO FISTS BY HER SIDES.

------SAM

(CAUSTICALLY) So you only stare at pretty girls?

------DANNY

(STUMBLES THROUGH A FEW HALF-WORDS, HIS FACE SHOWING THAT HE'S COMPLETELY CONFUSED) Um… uh… why would I look at ugly girls?

SAM SCOWLS AND CLIMBS TO HER FEET, GLARING DOWN AT DANNY. SHE STANDS THERE, FISTS CLENCHED, BEFORE TURNING AND STORMING AWAY IN SEARCH OF TUCKER. DANNY WATCHES HER GO WITH HIS HEAD TIPPED TO THE SIDE IN CONFUSION.

Sam? What are…

HE GETS TO HIS FEET AND TAKES A FEW STEPS TO FOLLOW HER, BUT THEN GRIMACES AND GLANCES BACK TOWARDS THE POOL FULL OF KIDS.

Great. Stupid job.

DANNY STANDS STILL FOR A MOMENT, THEN SLUMPS BACK INTO HIS LIFEGUARD CHAIR, STARING MOODILY OUT OVER THE POOL.

(HUFFS) Girls.

PAULINA WALKS OVER, THE SWAY OF HER HIPS BECOMING MORE PRONOUNCED AS SHE NEARS WHERE DANNY IS SITTING.

------PAULINA

Hey, Danny.

------DANNY

Hi.

PAULINA SCANS DANNY, HER EYES NARROWING IN A CALCULATED WAY.

------PAULINA

What's up with what's-her-name? She seemed really angry.

------DANNY

Sam? (SHRUGS) I don't know.

------PAULINA

Why don't you tell me about it? Maybe I can help patch things up between you two.

(PAULINA HAS A SMALL SMILE ON HER FACE AS SHE SETTLES TO THE GROUND NEXT TO HIS CHAIR. SHE RESTS HER CHIN ON HER HANDS AND STARES INTO HIS EYES, BATTING HER EYES.)

------DANNY

I don't know, Paulina…

------PAULINA

Weren't you just saying that it was because she's a girl? I'm a girl, Danny. Maybe I know why she's so mad at you.

DANNY STARES AT HER FOR A LONG MOMENT, THEN LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE KIDDIE POOL. HE HAS A DUBIOUS EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE WHEN HE TURNS BACK.

------DANNY

It's no big deal, Paulina. She just brought me lunch yesterday and got mad at me because I was…

DANNY TRAILS OFF, HIS FACE TURNING RED. PAULINA CONTINUES TO GAZE AT HIM IN SILENCE.

She's been mad ever since. I just get why she's so mad.

------PAULINA

She brought you lunch?

DANNY NODS AS THE SMILE ON PAULINA'S FACE GROWS INTO A CHESIRE-CAT GRIN.

And now she's mad at you?

DANNY NODS AGAIN. PAULINA SITS UP, STARING AT DANNY, THEN SHRUGS AND GETS TO HER FEET.

I don't know why she's mad at you, Danny. You can't always trust girls like her.

------DANNY

(ARCHES AN EYEBROW) Girls like her?

PAULINA SETS A HAND ON HER HIP, POSING SLIGHTLY.

------PAULINA

(PURS) Yes, Danny. Girls like her.

PAULINA TURNS AND WALKS AWAY, DANNY WATCHING HER GO BEFORE LETTING HIS GAZE TRAVEL ACROSS THE POOL. KIDS ARE SPLASHING AND ENJOYING THEMSELVES IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY, PARENTS ARE LYING ON THE LOUNGE CHAIRS, PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR SUNTANS THAN THEIR CHILDREN.

DANNY GLANCES BACK TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE, HIS FOREHEAD WRINKLING, BEFORE LOOKING BACK. MR STEVE POKES HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND HOLDS OUT HIS HAND, GIVING DANNY A THUMBS UP. DANNY BLINKS, THEN ROLLS HIS EYES.

------DANNY

Oh yeah, I forgot. Paulina the 'ghost spy'.

HE PUTS HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS HEAD JUST AS A SCREAM RIPS THROUGH THE AIR FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE WATER SLIDE. DANNY JERKS UPWARDS, HIS EYES WIDE, HIS HEAD TWISTING IN THE DIRECTION HIS FRIENDS HAD VANISHED.

Sam! Tucker!

END SCENE

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 5

SCENE OPENS AT THE TOP OF THE FLOODY WATERS MEGA-SLIDE. TUCKER IS LEANING ON THE RAIL NEXT TO THE FEMALE LIFEGUARD POSTED AT THE TOP OF THE SLIDE, A DEGECTED LOOK ON HIS FACE. SAM HAS JUST GOTTEN TO THE TOP OF THE LINE AND IS LOOKING DUBIOUSLY AT THE SLIDE.

A SCREAM TEARS THROUGH THE AIR. SAM AND TUCKER LOOK UP WITH WIDE EYES.

------SAM

Did you hear that?

SAM RUNS OVER TO THE RAIL AND BOTH OF THEM STARE DOWN AT THE TWISTED, CROWDED WALKWAYS OF FLOODY WATERS. EVERYONE HAS PAUSED, LOOKING AROUND TO FIND WHERE THE SCREAM CAME FROM.

------TUCKER

Yeah, but where…?

------SAM

Over there!

SAM POINTS DOWN, THE FAINT HINT OF A GHOSTLY GLOW COMING FROM THE WAVE POOL.

It's a ghost.

------FEMALE LIFEGUARD

(SOUNDING TERRIFIED) A ghost? Phantom?

(TUCKER GLANCES TOWARDS THE KIDDIE POOL, CATCHING SIGHT OF DANNY LOOKING IN THEIR DIRECTION)

------TUCKER

Unlikely. (TO SAM) Can you see who it is?

------SAM

(SHAKING HER HEAD) No, there's a tree in the way.

------TUCKER

We've got to get down there. Danny… (HE TRAILS OFF AND LOOKS AT THE LIFEGUARD. HIS VOICE DROPS TO A WHISPER) Danny will need our help.

------SAM

I couldn't care less about Danny right-

TUCKER GRAPS SAM'S HAND AND YANKS HER TOWARDS THE MEGA-SLIDE ENTRANCE, IGNORED BY THE LIFEGUARD.

No, Tucker, I don't like water sli-

SAM IS PUSHED INTO THE WATER SLIDE, TUCKER RIGHT BEHIND HER. SAM VANISHES IN A WOOSH OF WATER AND A SCREAM.

(WORDS TRAIL OFF IN A SCREAM) Tucker, I'm going to KILL YOU!

END SCENE

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--ACT 1

----SCENE 6

AS SCENE OPENS BACK AT THE KIDDIE POOL, DANNY IS GLANCING AROUND. HIS BREATH IS FOGGING IN THE AIR. THE POOL AREA IS CROWDED WITH PEOPLE, STANDING AND STARING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SCREAM.

------DANNY

(QUIETLY) I've got to find a place to go ghost!

HIS EYES FIX ON THE BATHROOMS AND HE STARTS TO HEAD IN THAT DIRECTION, A SET LOOK ON HIS FACE. HE'S NEARLY THERE WHEN A HUGE HAND CLAMPS ONTO HIS SHOULDER AND SPINS HIM AROUND.

------MR STEVE

Where do you think you're going, boy?

------DANNY

I was…

HE TRAILS OFF AND GLANCES OVER HIS SHOULDER AT THE BATHROOM.

I was going to the bathroom?

------MR STEVE

Not right now you're not. You'll have to hold it.

A SINISTER GRIN CROSSES MR STEVE'S FACE AND HE FLEXES HIS MUSCLES.

That's got to be a ghost, and I'm going to go chase it out of my park. You (HE STABS DANNY IN THE CHEST WITH A THICK FINGER) are going to stay here and watch that (HE MOVES HIS FINGER TO POINT AT PAULINA) spy. Get me?

------DANNY

But… but… Mr Steve…

THE MUSCULAR BOSS LEANS IN CLOSELY AND PUTS HIS NOSE ALMOST TO DANNY'S. HIS VOICE DROPS TO A DEEP RUMBLE.

------MR STEVE

You get me, boy?

------DANNY

(DEFEATED SOUNDING) Yes sir.

------MR STEVE

(SMILES AND PATS DANNY ON THE BACK, CAUSING DANNY TO STUMBLE FORWARDS) That's a good boy. I knew I could count on you. I've got every camera in the park pointed at this pool – you just tell me when she does something suspicious and I'll be able to find it on the tapes.

MR STEVE VANISHES OFF THROUGH THE GATE TOWARDS THE GHOST. DANNY WATCHES HIM GO WITH SLUMPED SHOULDERS, HIS TEETH GRINDING.

------DANNY

Great. With all those cameras, how am I going to go ghost? I can't leave…

DANNY SUDDENLY SMILES AND A PLEASED LOOK CROSSES HIS FACE

Unless I can pull this off. (THE SMILE VANISHES FOR A MOMENT) For once.

AS SOON AS THE MAN IS GONE, DANNY GLANCES OVER HIS SHOULDER AT PAULINA, THEN CONTINUES HIS TRIP TO THE BATHROOM. THERE IS A BRIGHT FLASH OF LIGHT FROM UNDER THE DOOR. A SLIGHTLY DAZED-LOOKING DANNY WALKS SLOWLY OUT OF THE BATHROOM AND HEADS TOWARDS HIS CHAIR. IT TAKES THREE TRIES FOR DANNY TO GET INTO HIS CHAIR, BUT HE MAKES IT AND SLUMPS BACKWARDS, A BLANK LOOK TO HIS EYES.

PHANTOM APPEARS, HOVERING OVER THE BATHROOM, GRINNING WIDELY AS HE SURVEYS THE DANNY FENTON SITTING IN THE LIFEGUARD CHAIR.

------DANNY

I knew learning to turn a duplicate human would come in handy some day.

HE HESITATES, WINCING WHEN HIS DUPLICATE FALLS OUT OF HIS CHAIR FOR THE FOURTH TIME.

Well, I got it kind of close. He'll be fine until I get back.

HE DOESN'T LOOK ENTIRELY SURE ABOUT HIS STATEMENT, BUT ANOTHER SCREAM RIPS THROUGH THE AIR, CATCHING PHANTOM'S ATTENTION. HE TWISTS AROUND IN THE AIR AND RACES TOWARDS THE WAVE POOL, LEAVING HIS HUMAN DUPLICATE BEHIND.

CAMERA FOLLOWS PHANTOM, PANNING OVER PEOPLE THAT ARE BEGINNING TO RUN, FLASHING PAST A FURIOUS SAM CLIMBING OUT OF A POOL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MEGA-SLIDE AND TUCKER LOOKING COMPLETELY DRENCHED AND DRIPPING BESIDE THE POOL. BOTH OF THEM LOOK UP, FOLLOWING PHANTOM'S FLIGHT WITH THEIR EYES BEFORE THEY EXIT THE SCENE.

WHEN PHANTOM REACHES THE WAVE POOL, HE COMES TO A STOP, HOVERING IN THE AIR. CAMERA CONTINUES PAST HIM TO SHOW THE GHOST CAUSING THE SCREAMS: SKULKER. SKULKER IS HOLDING A HUMAN BOY UP BY THE FOOT AND LAUGHING.

------SKULKER

Whelp! Finally.

------DANNY

Put him down, Skulker.

------SKULKER

(GLANCING AT HUMAN IN HIS HANDS) This thing? You want this?

DANNY TENSES, HIS FISTS CLENCHING.

Then get him.

SKULKER HOLDS HIS ARM OUT TO THE SIDE, THEN DROPS THE HUMAN. THE BOY PLUNGES HEADFIRST TOWARDS THE POOL. PHANTOM STREAKS TOWARDS HIM AND MANAGES TO CATCH HIM RIGHT BEFORE HE HITS THE WATER. HE SWOOPS TO THE EDGE OF THE POOL AND SETS THE HUMAN BOY ON HIS FEET BEFORE ZIPPING BACK UP INTO THE AIR. SKULKER IS WAITING, HIS ARMS CROSSED.

That was almost too slow, whelp. Maybe you'd do better as a floor rug than being on my wall.

------DANNY

What do you want, Skulker? Why are all the ghosts bothering me lately?

------SKULKER

(LAUGHS) As if I'd tell my prey that. (CLUNKING SOUNDS ARE HEARD AS SKULKER RAISES HIS ARM AND A STRANGE-LOOKING ECTOWEAPON APPEARS FROM HIS ARM) Prepare to be captured, ghost child.

A NET FIRES OUT OF SKULKER'S ARM AND PHANTOM DODGES, THE NET BARELY MISSING HIM.

------DANNY

Ha! You missed, Skulk-breath.

AN ECTOBLAST STARTS TO BUILD IN PHANTOM'S HAND. HE PULLS BACK HIS ARM TO FIRE IT.

------SKULKER

Did I?

SKULKER HITS A BUTTON ON HIS ARM. THE NET, WHICH WAS BEHIND PHANTOM, SUDDENLY CHANGES DIRECTION, SCOOPING PHANTOM UP FROM BEHIND. IT CURLS AROUND HIM, EFFECTIVELY TRAPPING PHANTOM IN THE NET AND DISSIPATING PHANTOM'S ECTOBLAST.

------DANNY

Hey!

SKULKER PUSHES A SECOND BUTTON AND THE NET SIZZLES TO LIFE. PHANTOM SCREAMS AS ELECTRICITY IS PUMPED THROUGH THE NET. IT ONLY TAKES A SECOND BEFORE PHANTOM GOES LIMP.

SAM AND TUCKER ENTER THE SCENE, STANDING AT THE EDGE OF THE POOL AND STARING UP AT THE TWO GHOSTS AS SKULKER REELS IN HIS CATCH.

------SKULKER

(HUFFS) Who would have thought that Johnny would have a plan that actually worked?

------SAM

Danny!

SKULKER LEERS DOWN AT THE TWO HUMANS, THEN THROWS HIS PREY OVER HIS SHOULDER AND FLIES OFF INTO THE SKY.

------TUCKER

This isn't good.

------SAM

(GLARING AT THE SKY, THEN TURNING AROUND AND STALKING OFF) We've got to go get Danny. I haven't finished yelling at him yet.

TUCKER HESITATES A MOMENT, LOOKING AT THE SKY, BUT SAM'S HAND APPEARS ON CAMERA AND GRABS HIM, YANKING HIM OUT OF THE SCENE.

END SCENE

.

.

.

--ACT 1

----SCENE 7

FADE IN ON PAULINA. SHE IS SITTING IN HER LIFEGUARD CHAIR, GAZING IN THE DIRECTION THAT PHANTOM WAS. THE POOL IS CROWDED, BUT THE KIDS ARE MOSTLY SILENT AND STARING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, OBVIOUSLY WAITING TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

------PAULINA

Was that Phantom?

SHE GETS NO RESPONSE, SO SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND STANDS ON HER CHAIR, CRANING HER NECK FOR A BETTER VIEW.

I hope it wasn't one of those disgusting ghosts. I wouldn't want to waste this new manicure on just anyone.

PAULINA LOOKS DOWN FONDLY AT HER HANDS, SMILING AT THE SMALL DANNY PHANTOM LOGOS THAT WERE PAINTED ONTO EACH NAIL. SHE LOOKS UP AND SCOWLS WHEN STILL NOTHING APPEARS.

Where is my Phantom?

AFTER ANOTHER SECOND, PAULINA GETS OFF HER CHAIR AND STROLLS AROUND THE POOL TOWARDS WHERE DANNY FENTON IS SITTING. THE DANNY-DUPLICATE IS STARING BLANKLY FORWARDS.

Hey Danny!

THE HUMAN DUPLICATE LOOKS UP AT PAULINA, BLINKING AT HER FOR A LONG MOMENT.

------DANNY

Paulina.

------PAULINA

Do you know what's happening, Danny? Is Phantom here?

------DANNY

(DUMBLY) Phantom?

------PAULINA

(PUTS ONE HAND ON HIP AND SCOWLS) Yes. My Phantom. Did you see him?

------DANNY

(TIPS HEAD TO THE SIDE, EYES NARROWING IN THOUGHT) Yes.

------PAULINA

(SMILING WIDELY, LOOKING UP AT SKY AND CLASPING HER HANDS TO HER CHEST) Really? Where?

------DANNY

Here.

PAULINA LOOKS DOWN AS THE DANNY-DUPLICATE POINTS A FINGER AT HIS CHEST.

------PAULINA

(CONFUSED) What?

THE DANNY-DUPLICATE GRINS WIDELY AND POINTS TO HIMSELF AGAIN.

------DANNY

Here. Phantom.

END SCENE
--END ACT 1

CUE FIRST COMMERCIAL BREAK