Disclaimer: These characters are owned by Cartoon Network, except Anita and Mr. and Mrs. Barton! I made them up so Cooper would have some parents.
Author's Notes: I was cleaning up some files on my flash drive, and find this old script I wrote. I created this spec script for Nickelodeon Studios a year ago. They didn't like it, which wasn't too surprising because I made up too many characters. Making up characters is a big NONO! But I'm just glad I finished all 30 pages of for this one episode. Anyway, I decided to post it here because maybe someone else will like it. Now the finalized script is typed in the traditional New Courier font. Now I haven't seen this show in a year, so if any of you fans want to school me on Ben 10 knowledge, please do so in the comment section.
Ben 10: Alien Force
"A Berry Catastrophe"
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. Cooper's Backyard - Night
Three ripe, blueberry bushes pop out of the ground. The blueberries are the size of golf balls. No one notices.
INT. Dining Room
COOPER, ANITA,13, and MRS. BARTON, late 30's, are sitting around the dinner table. MR. BARTON, late 30's, brings out a large dish of spaghetti. Cooper leaves the table sniffing an enticing fruit scent. He follows it to the backyard.
EXT. Backyard
Cooper picks a berry off the bush and examines it.
COOPER
Where did these come from? They're huge!
He sniffs it. He takes a bite. They're tasty. He continues to devour them.
COOPER
(mouth is full) Mom, Dad, Anita. Try these berries. They're sooo good.
Anita, Mrs. Barton, and Mr. Barton rush to the backyard. They see Cooper's purple mouth. Mrs. Barton is worried. She observes the bushes. She picks one of the berries, sniffs it, and bites it. Anita and Mr. Barton do the same.
ANITA
You're right, Cooper. These berries are delicious.
They eat all the mysterious berries. They head inside the house. The naked berry bushes wither. They turn black. Poof! They're dust.
INT. School Cafeteria - Day
VERDORA has a new human body. She looks like an African-American woman, late 20's. She's in charge of the food committee for tonight's school festival. In front of Verdora is one small table with a pie and a book on it. In front that table is two larger tables. At the two larger tables, there are ten sitting students, including BEN, GWEN, KEVIN, and JULIE.
VERDORA
It feels good to be back in school.
BEN
Grandma?!
Everyone looks at Ben strangely.
BEN
I mean Verdor—Mrs. Verdora.
Ben stands up and approaches Verdora.
BEN
(whispers) What are you doing here?
VERDORA
I needed a vacation…and a new look.
Verdora flaps her hand to shoo Ben away.
BEN
But…But—
Verdora picks up the pie.
VERDORA
(projects her voice) Have a seat, Ben!
Ben looks confused but walks back to his seat.
VERDORA
Now listen up, everyone!
We're going to make pies for tonight's festival. Isn't this exciting?
KEVIN
Why can't we buy them from the store like everybody else?
Verdora squints her eyes at Kevin.
VERDORA
(sarcastic) We were going to do that, but this idea popped into my head.
My favorite student Kevin would hate doing things the easy way.
So I told myself, I can't deny Kevin's thirst for a challenge. What kind of role model would I be if I did that?
So just for you, we are baking pies.
Everyone laughs.
AT THE TABLE.
GWEN
(giggles) Plus, girls love a guy who can cook.
KEVIN
Really? Does that include you?
GWEN
Of course.
KEVIN
I guess helping out won't be so bad after all.
I'm glad you forced us to volunteer.
GWEN
I didn't FORCE you to. I just asked…um…over and over.
And you guys…finally caved in. Besides, we need to help Grandma Verdora.
BEN
What?! You knew that was Grandma? Why didn't you say anything?
GWEN
It's no big deal. She came to my house last night wanting to cook.
I told her about the festival, and she was thrilled to help out.
BEN
And that doesn't sound suspicious to you?
GWEN
No! Look Ben, you know Grandma isn't evil.
BEN
Yeah, I guess so!
KEVIN
Well, I just hope your Grandma will set us free before the festival.
Hey! Are you going with anyone, Gwen?
GWEN
That's a dumb question. We go everywhere together.
BEN
(chuckles) Yeah, Kevin! That IS a dumb question.
KEVIN
Then I guess I'll pick you up at 7:00…"date."
As Kevin says date, he does air quotes. Gwen rolls her eyes.
GWEN
Ben, are you going with Julie?
Ben puts his hand over Gwen's mouth. Julie is sitting next to her friends at the table in front of them.
BEN
Shhhhh, Gwen. She'll hear you.
GWEN
Why are you so secretive all of a sudden?
BEN
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! I haven't exactly asked her yet.
It doesn't matter anyway. We can't go.
GWEN
What are you talking about?
BEN
We're too busy.
Ben starts counting all the things they have to do with his figures.
BEN
We need to form a team, figure out the Highbreed's plans,
destroy them, and save the world.
GWEN
Oh come on, Ben. All we do is fight aliens.
It would be nice to pretend to be normal for one night.
KEVIN
Yeah man! We need to take the night off and chill.
Kevin leans back in his chair and folds his arms behind his head.
BEN
The aliens aren't gonna CHILL.
While you're out doing the funky chicken, the Highbreeds are gonna take over the world.
KEVIN
Dude! The "funky chicken" died centuries ago.
Plus, the Highbreeds aren't smart enough to take over the world in one night. Just relax.
GWEN
He's right, Ben. It's only one night.
BEN
That's one night too many.
KEVIN
I think I know the problem. Did you and Julie get in a fight?
Gwen looks concerned. Ben shakes his head.
BEN
No no. It's nothing like that.
It's just…it's just she asked me to…be her boyfriend. I don't know if—.
Gwen takes a breath of relief.
GWEN
That's wonderful news. What are you afraid of?
KEVIN
You two already act like a couple.
Ben looks at Julie.
CUT TO:
Julie is talking and laughing with her friends.
BEN
It's complicated. I still think we shouldn't go.
KEVIN
Stop acting like a freshman. Just ask her already.
Gwen gets angry.
GWEN
You're one to talk. It took months for you to get the courage to ask me to be your girlfriend.
Actually, you never ask me. I asked you.
Kevin's embarrassed. Ben points and laughs at him. Gwen calms down. She sighs and directs her attention to Verdora. Verdora is holding up a cookbook.
VERDORA
There's a simple recipe for pie in this book. I made copies of it, so we can finish quicker.
So who's going to help me pass out the recipe?
Verdora smirks at Kevin.
VERDORA
Oh, I know! My favorite student Kevin will help me.
Verdora slaps the ten copies in front of Kevin. He scowls, grabs the copies, and passes them out. He slams each copy on the table in front of each student. Everyone laughs. Verdora looks at Gwen.
VERDORA
Gwen, will you help me drag in the supplies for the pie?
GWEN
Of course!
Gwen stands up and follows Verdora. Verdora heads out of the classroom. She returns dragging a cart with five large green bags. Gwen returns dragging the other cart with five more bags.
VERDORA
Finally we are ready for action.
Everyone get into teams of two. Grab a bag and follow the recipe.
If you need help, or you're ready to bake it, let me know.
Verdora heads back to the small table. She is mixing egg and milk together. The students begin to partner up.
CUT TO:
Kevin is looking at Gwen. Ben looks at Gwen. Kevin wraps his arm around Gwen's shoulder.
KEVIN
I got my partner.
BEN
Gwen? You have to be my partner.
KEVIN
No way! Go be Julie's partner. Or, why don't you partner up with your Grandma?
Gwen slaps Kevin on the back of his head.
GWEN
Very funny, Kevin. Ben you need to stop avoiding her. I'm sure she will understand if you tell her how you feel.
Julie looks at Ben. She leaves her friends and walks up to him. Ben looks unsure.
JULIE
Wanna be partners?
BEN
Um, sure.
Julie hugs Ben's arm. She pulls him to an empty spot at the table.
JULIE
This is going to be fun. We are going to make the best pie.
BEN
Have you cooked before?
JULIE
Oh yeah! Many times. I love to make pizza.
BEN
(chuckles) I love to eat pizza. I'll go get the supplies.
JULIE
No, no. I'll get it.
Julie blushes and slides her hair behind her ear. Then she leaves to get a green bag, and she drops it on the counter. Ben opens the bag. He pulls out a container of berries, lemon juice, grape juice, flour, sugar, cinnamon, sliced butter, and the all-ready-made pie crusts.
BEN
Let's get started. What do we do first?
Julie's eyes meet Ben's. She reaches for the recipe. She examines it.
JULIE
Like Mrs. Verdora said, the recipe is simple. She did the measurements.
All we have to do is wash the berries, mix all the ingredients together, and pour it in the bottom half of the crust.
The sliced butter goes on top.
Ben and Julie walk to the sink at the far left of the cafeteria. They wash the berries.
BEN
These berries are huge.
Ben looks at Verdora. She smiles at him and bites into a berry
JULIE
Ben? Do you like me? I mean like me-like me?
It feels like ever since I asked you to be my boyfriend, you've been avoiding me.
BEN
Of course I do. I'm just…too busy to go to the festival. I gotta get …caught up with my homework.
Julie giggles.
JULIE
You're an awful liar.
Ben turns red.
JULIE
I think there's something you're not telling me.
BEN
Um…I was afraid that if I was you're boyfriend and we broke up,
we won't be friends anymore.
Julie takes a deep breathe and exhales.
JULIE
Phew! I thought I was the only one who had those feelings.
But I realized that even if we get in a terrible fight, there is no way I can stay mad at you.
Julie smiles. She grabs the clean berries and heads back to the table. Ben is relieved. He heads back to the counter too.
JULIE
We can still go to the festival as friends, right?
BEN
No. I don't wanna go—
Julie becomes sad.
BEN
I don't wanna go as your friend. But, I will go as your boyfriend.
Julie's face lights up. She hugs Ben. Then she gives him a hard push. Ben puts his foot down in time to keep his balance.
JULIE
You had me worried for a second.
BEN
I guess am not a good liar, but I can do wonders with the truth.
Julie smiles. Ben blushes. They place the ingredients in a bowl. Ben mixes the contents, and Julie pours it in the crust.
BEN
I'll pick you up tonight at…seven. Well…
Ben pauses and looks at Gwen and Kevin.
CUT TO:
Kevin is holding a bowl of mixed ingredients. He tries to dump the content in the curst. It spills on the table and the floor. Gwen grabs the bowl from Kevin.
BEN
We will double date. Gwen, Kevin, and I will pick you up at seven.
JULIE
Wonderful! I'm so excited. We're gonna have so much fun.
BEN
Cool. It seems like we're done. I'll bring the pie to Grand—I mean Mrs. Verdora.
Ben takes the pie to Verdora. Verdora puts the pie in the refrigerator.
BEN
What are you plotting, Grandma?
VERDORA
What do you mean?
BEN
Look at these berries! Can you be any more obvious?
VERDORA
Why don't you stay focused on your girlfriend, dear?
Verdora looks at Julie. Julie waves. Ben blushes and returns to his seat.
VERDORA
(to the class) Alright! The hard part is done. A
fter the pie freezes for 30 minutes, I will coat each one with egg wash and bake it. So you all are free to go.
These pies will be a hit at the festival.
Everyone gets up and exits the cafeteria.