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FADE IN:
INT. PERCY'S HOUSE: KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM – DAY
PERCY, ADHD; Dyslexia. Constantly bouncing his foot or tapping his fingers.
PERCY walks into the room with a backpack and duffel bag.
PERCY (V.O.)
Look, I didn't want to be a Half-Blood. If you're watching this because you think you might be one, my advice is to stop watching right now. Believe what-ever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth and try to lead a normal life.
SALLY Have a good year, see you in six months
EXT. PERCY'S HOUSE - DAY
PERCY shuts the door from the outside.
PERCY (V.O.)
Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways SALLY runs outside holding a lunch bag
SALLY Percy! You forgot your lunch! I love you. Bye!
PERCY walks down the street and reaches a
BUS STOP
PERCY (V.O)
If you're a normal kid, watching this because you think it's fiction, great. Enjoy the show.
PERCY gets on a bus
INT. BUS – DAY
PERCY (V.O.)
I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened. But if you recognize yourself in this-if you feel something stirring inside-stop reading immediately.
PERCY looks out the window and sees a monster. He does a double take and it's gone.
PERCY (V.O.)
You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you. Don't say I didn't warn you.
EXT. YANCEY ACADEMY - EVENING
PERCY gets off the bus and walks toward the school.
PERCY (V.O.)
Until a few months ago, I was a boarding student at Yancy Academy, a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York.
INT. YANCEY ACADEMY: HALLWAY – DAY
PERCY is walking in the hall toward class.
NANCY BOBOFIT, redheaded bully, pushes him to get by.
PERCY (V.O.)
Am I a troubled kid? Yeah. You could say that. I could start at any point in my short miserable life to prove it, but things really started going bad last May, when our sixth-grade class took a field trip to the Manhattan
The bell rings, PERCY starts moving faster toward class
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
MR. BRUNNER, wispy hair, bushy gray beard. He is taking role.
MR. BRUNNER Percy Jackson?
PERCY slides into his seat, slightly out of breath
PERCY Here. I'm here.
As MR. BRUNNER continues taking role GROVER and PERCY start passing notes
MR. BRUNNER (After catching PERCY passing a note)
PERCY? Perhaps you have something you would like to share with the class?
PERCY Er- no, Sir.
MR. BRUNNER Ah! Then you must be volunteering to collect the homework! Thank you Mr. Jackson.
MR. BRUNNER collects homework.
MR. BRUNNER (CONT'D)
Class, in just a moment we will head towards the bus. All you will need to bring is a writing utensil and your lunch. If you brought anything else, then you may leave them in the classroom. Don't worry, it will be locked while we are away.
MR. BRUNNER collects the homework from PERCY and heads back tho his desk
MR. BRUNNER (CONT'D)
Ah, thank you Percy!
FADE TO:
EXT. COURTYARD - MOMENTS LATER
PERCY heads down to the bus.
GROVER (running to catch up to percy)
Hey Percy! Wait up!
GROVER and PERCY attemptdo some sort of secret handshake, mess up, & laugh.
MR. BRUNNER stands ushering students into the bus MS. DODDS, looks like a librarian
MR. BRUNNER & MS. DODDS Ad-Lib: Come on, One at a time (etc.)
MS. DODDS watches PERCY as he gets on the bus.
INT. SCHOOLBUS - DAY
PERCY heads to the back of the school bus with Grover
The bus is moving. NANCY BOBOFIT is throwing pieces of sandwich in GROVER's hair.
PERCY I'm going to kill her.
GROVER Its okay, I...I like peanut butter?
NANCY BOBOFIT continues to harass GROVER. Something hits him and he winces, then gives a big grin in NANCY's direction.
PERCY (PERCY goes as if to get up and fight NANCY)
That's it.
GROVER NO Percy. You're already on probation. You know who'll get blamed if anything happens.
PERCY (V.O.)
Looking back on it, I wish I decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there.
People start getting off the bus
PERCY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
In-school suspension would've been nothing compared to the mess I was about to get myself into.
FADE TO:
INT. MUSEUM – DAY
PERCY and GROVER are at the front of the Pack, listening to MR. BRUNNER explaining the things.
PERCY (to GROVER)
I can't believe this stuff has been around for thousands of years.
MR. BRUNNER This painting is from...
We hear MR. BRUNNER saying unintelligible things in the background while a couple of girls behind PERCY gossip and giggle all throughout the tour
GOSSIPING GIRLS (ad. Lib. )
can you believe it?
The GOSSIPING GIRLS get louder and louder until PERCY can't take it anymore
PERCY (turning to face the girls)
Will you SHUT. UP.
MR. BRUNNER stops speaking, MS. DODDS gives PERCY a death glare.
MR. BRUNNER Percy, Do you have something you would like to share with the class?
PERCY Er- No, Sir.
MR. BRUNNER Perhaps you would like to tell us what this painting represents?
PERCY looks up at the painting; visibly relaxes a bit.
PERCY Well... Kronos was the king god, and-
MR. BRUNNER God?
PERCY Titan. And ... he didn't trust his kids, who were the gods. So, um, Kronos ate them...But his wife hid baby Zeus, and gave Kronos a rock to eat instead. And later, when Zeus grew up, he tricked his dad, Kronos, into barfing up his brothers and sisters-
GOSSIPING GIRLS (giggling)
Eew!
PERCY -and so there was this big fight between the gods and the Titans, and the gods won.
GOSSIPING GIRLS (giggling)
NANCY BOBAFIT (to her friends)
Like we're going to use this in real life. Like it's going to say on our job applications, 'Please explain why Kronos ate his kids'
MR. BRUNNER And why, Mr. Jackson, to paraphrase Miss Bobofit's excellent question, does this matter in real life?
GROVER (to NANCY)
Busted
NANCY BOBAFIT (Under her teeth)
Shut up
PERCY I- don't know, sir.
The kids laugh at him
MR. BRUNNER Well, half credit, Mr. Jackson. Zeus did indeed feed Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal gods, had been living and growing up completely undigested in the Titan's stomach. The gods defeated their father, sliced him to pieces with his own scythe, and scattered his remains in Tartarus, the darkest part of the Underworld. On that happy note, it's time for lunch. Mrs. Dodds, would you lead us back outside?
The people start to leave
MR. BRUNNER Mr. Jackson?
PERCY motions for GROVER to leave; GROVER walks with the rest of the group
PERCY Sir?
MR. BRUNNER You must learn the answer to my question.
PERCY About the titans?
MR. BRUNNER About real life, and how your studies apply to it. What you learn from me is vitally important, and I expect you to treat it as such. I will accept only the best from you, Percy. Understand?
PERCY I'll try harder
MR. BRUNNER Good. Go on and eat.
PERCY and MR. BRUNNER head outside EXT. MUSEUM – DAY.
A stone amphitheater to the left, giant fountain in the middle.
MR. BRUNNER stays by the door, eating celery and reading a book PERCY makes his way to the fountain, where GROVER is waiting for him.
GROVER Detention?
PERCY Nah, not from Brunner. I just wish he'd lay off me sometimes. I mean, I'm not a genius.
GROVER looks lost in thought. he looks at PERCY who is waiting for GROVER to say something.
GROVER Are you going to eat your apple?
PERCY (Sighing)
No, you can have it.
At his sigh, MS. DODDS glares at PERCY and he glares back.
PERCY (CONT'D)
I swear she isn't human
GROVER (dead serious)
You're absolutely right.
Beat, then GROVER quickly grabs the apple off PERCY's tray and takes a large bite, straight from the bottom. Core and all.
NANCY BOBOFIT walks over, and 'drops' her lunch in GROVER's lap.
NANCY BOBOFIT (giggling)
Oops PERCY closes his eyes briefly and clenches his fists, visibly taking a deep breath. He opens his eyes.
PERCY (V.O.)
Count to ten, get control of your anger. That's what the school counselor always told me.
NANCY BOBOFIT ends up in the fountain
NANCY BOBOFIT (to MS. DODDS)
Percy Pushed me!
MS. DODDS runs to NANCY BOBOFIT and makes sure she's okay The students whisper – 'Did you see?' 'the water grabbed her'(etc.)
MS. DODDS Come with me, Mr. Jackson.
GROVER It was me, I pushed her – not percy!
MS. DODDS I don't think so, Mr. Underwood.
GROVER But-
MS. DODDS You-will-stay-here. Come on Mr. Jackson.
MS. DODDS walks off screen. PERCY starts walking, looks back to GROVER and whispers
PERCY Thanks for trying. Don't worry, I'll be fine.
PERCY turns to follow MS. DODDS, but she is far away. PERCY looks confused but follows.
INT. MEUSEUM - DAY
MS. DODDS You've been giving us problems, honey
PERCY ...Yes, Ma'am.
MS. DODDS Did you really think you would get away with it?
PERCY I'll-I'll try harder, ma'am?
MS. DODDS We are not fools Perseus Jackson.
PERCY flinches at his full name
MS. DODDS Confess and you will suffer less pain. (beat)
Well?
PERCY I don't-
MS. DODDS Your time is up MS. DODDS transforms into a fury. MR. BRUNNER rolls in, fast.
MR. BRUNNER Percy! Catch!
MR. BRUNNER tosses something to PERCY, who grabs it and watches as it turns into a sword.
MS. DODDS DIE!
PERCY is confused and scared. He closes his eyes and swings the sword. PERCY opens his eyes and MS. DODDS is no longer there. A pile of sand is at PERCY's feet. He is holding a bronze pen.
PERCY Mr. Brunner?
Percy looks around. Confused, he starts to head back to where the students are having lunch.
EXT. MUSEUM – DAY
NANCY BOBOFIT I hope Ms. Kurr whipped your butt
PERCY Who's Ms. Kurr?
NANCY BOBOFIT looks annoyed and pushes past PERCY, who turns to GROVER
PERCY What's going on? Who's Mrs. Kerr?
GROVER Our pre-algebra teacher?
PERCY What happened to Ms. Dodds?
GROVER Um...who?
PERCY, still confused and holding the pen, walks to MR. BRUNNER who looks up from a book.
MR. BRUNNER Ah, thank you for returning my pen. (he takes the pen)
Next time, remember to bring your own writing utensil, Mr. Jackson.
MR. BRUNNER continues reading his book. Percy walks off back to GROVER. He addresses a group of girls.
PERCY Man Ms. Dodds really gets on my nerves!
The girls looks at him as if he's crazy. They walk away whispering – 'Ms. Dodds?' 'what is he talking about?' (etc)
PERCY (to Grover)
Why is everyone acting like Ms. Dodds doesn't exist?
GROVER (unconvincingly)
Because she doesn't exist Percy. There is no Mrs. Dodds.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
MS. KURR, a perky blond woman, stands at the front of the classroom, explaining some mathematical concept.
PERCY (V.O.)
Every so often I would spring a Mrs. Dodds reference on somebody, just to see if I could trip them up, but they would stare at me like I was psycho.
PERCY leans over and whispers to someone next to him
PERCY She's almost as bad as Ms. Dodds.
STUDENT Dude, stop saying that, there is and has never been a Ms. Dodds PERCY sits back at his seat. His fingers drum on his desk and his knee bounces. He tries to pay attention
PERCY (V.O.)
It got so I almost believed them-Mrs. Dodds had never existed.
PERCY heads out to
THE HALLWAY And passes Mr. Brunner's classroom.
GROVER (O.S.)
I'm worried about Percy, sir, PERCY stops behind the door.
GROVER (O.S.)
I mean, a Kindly One. In the school! Now that they know for sure-
MR. BRUNNER (O.S.)
We would only make matters worse. He needs to mature more.
GROVER (O.S.)
But...the summer solstice deadline-
MR. BRUNNER (O.S.)
Will have to be resolved without him. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can.
GROVER (O.S.)
But..he saw her...I-I can't fail in my duties. Not again-
MR. BRUNNER (O.S.)
You haven't failed, Grover. I should have seen her for what she was. Let's just worry about keeping Percy alive until- PERCY drops his textbook. He picks it up and hides. Hoof steps sound, we see a shadow of a centaur holding bow
MR. BRUNNER (O.S.)
Nothing.
GROVER (O.S.)
But I could have sworn...
MR. BRUNNER (O.S.)
Go back to your dorm. Keep an eye on Percy for now.
We hear footsteps until we don't. PERCY lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding and heads back to his dorm
THE DORM ROOM GROVER is in bed, Studying. PERCY lays down, facing up.
GROVER Ready for the Latin test tomorrow?
PERCY shifts to face the wall, away from GROVER
GROVER Are you okay?
PERCY Just...Tired.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
'return tests here' is written on the blackboard and points to a spot on a desk.
The bell rings and people start getting up and turning in their tests
MR. BRUNNER If you need more time you are welcome to stay and finish. Everyone else, continue to your next class. Mr. Jackson, Can I speak with you?
PERCY walks to the front of the room
PERCY Sir?
MR. BRUNNER Percy, Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancey. It's...for the best. It was only a matter of time.
PERCY looks on the verge of tears.
PERCY Right.
The kids staying to finish their test are watching. They laugh at PERCY quietly.
MR. BRUNNER No, no, what I'm trying to say is...You're not normal Percy, and-
PERCY (Louder)
Thanks. Thanks a lot sir, for remining me.
PERCY spins and walks out the door, fast.
MR. BRUNNER Percy-
INT. DORM ROOM – DAY
Percy is packing. A group of guys behind him are talking about vacation plans
GUY 1
GUY 2 PERCY walks out to the hallway and outside
EXT. YANCEY ACADEMY – DAY
to the bus stop and on to the bus
INT. GREYHOUND BUS
PERCY stores his suitcase and takes a seat. GROVER walks on the bus, and fakes surprise when he sees PERCY
GROVER Percy! We're on the same bus!
GROVER looks up and down the bus, nervous.
PERCY Looking for 'Kindly Ones'?
GROVER Wha-what do you mean?
PERCY I heard you talking to Mr. Brunner
GROVER How much did you hear?
PERCY Not much. What's the summer solstice deadline?
GROVER Look, I was just worried about you, hallucinating about demon math teachers-
PERCY Grover-
GROVER And I was telling him that maybe you were overstressed or something because there is no Mrs. Dodds-
PERCY Grover- You're a really bad liar.
Grover takes a business card out of his pocket.
GROVER Just take this, okay? It's my summer address, just in case you need me.
PERCY What's half-
GROVER Don't say it out-loud, man.
PERCY -And why would I need you?
PERCY I'm supposed to be...protecting you..
The bus stops, GROVER and PERCY get off.
PERCY What are you protecting me from?
The bus leaves and across the street they see 3 old ladies, knitting sock.
GROVER Tell me they're not looking at you
PERCY (jokingly)
Yeah? hey-You think those socks would fit me?
GROVER Not funny Percy.
The FATES snip a thread
GROVER (Concerned)
Percy. Did they just cut the yarn?
PERCY Yeah...so what?
GROVER (under his breath, worriedly)
Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth grade.
PERCY Grover, what are you not telling me?
GROVER (glancing at the bathroom)
I have to be right back, but promise me you won't walk home without me
PERCY Yeah, uh...sure.
GROVER goes into the bathroom.
PERCY (under breath)
Won't walk home.
PERCY waves down a taxi.
EXT. PERCY'S HOUSE – NIGHT PERCY WALKS UP TO THE HOUSE AND OPENS THE DOOR.
INT. PERCY'S HOUSE – NIGHT
GABE, fat, smelly, 40s sits around a table with 3 other guys, playing poker
GABE You're home. Got any cash?
PERCY No. Where's my mom?
GABE Working. You took a taxi from the bus station, Probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?
EDDIE, 40-50s, poker buddy of Gabe's
EDDIE The kid just got here, give him a break
GABE Am I right?
PERCY hands GABE the money and goes to his room. He fops on the bed.
SALLY (O.S.)
Percy?
PERCY looks toward his door. It opens and SALLY walks in.
SALLY (she hugs PERCY then holds him away so as to look at him)
Percy! You've grown since Christmas!
SALLY hugs PERCY
GABE (O.S.)
Now that you're home, how about some bean dip, huh?
SALLY Coming right up! (to percy)
So I was thinking, how about we take a trip down to Montauk like we used to