FADE IN
EXT. CASPER HIGH SCHOOL: NOON
FOOTBALL FIELD
ANGLE ON THE BLEACHERS. DANNY FENTON, a 14 year old boy with black hair and blue eyes, hides behind the bleachers. He pulls a pack of cigarettes and lighter out of his oversized red and white hoodie. DANNY looks out at the field. A few students sit on the field as they eat lunch. A few students walk past at a distance.
DANNY adjusts himself and checks the wind. He lifts a cigarette to his tired face and lights it. He breathes in and lets out a puff of smoke.
There is chatter growing louder. DANNY rushes to put out the cigarette. He leans against the bleachers.
SAM:
Do you smell that?
VALERIE:
I think it's coming from over here.
TWO GIRLS come around the corner. VALERIE, a black girl in a preppy outfit, glares at DANNY. SAM, a stylish goth girl, stares at him with curiosity.
VALERIE:
I'll be right back.
VALERIE walks over to DANNY.
VALERIE:
What are you doing?
DANNY:
You won't believe it. These two seniors came over here to smoke. You just missed them.
VALERIE:
You're right. I don't believe you.
DANNY tries walking away.
VALERIE:
You could get expelled.
DANNY:
This isn't grade school anymore. I don't need protection. Not that you did a good job anyway.
DANNY stops and places his hands in his hoodie pocket. He breathes sharply.
DANNY stares over at SAM. He darts his eyes before she catches him.
SAM:
What was that about?
VALERIE:
It's nothing.
INT. FENTONWORKS-EVENING
LIVING ROOM
DANNY walks into the house. He passes the living room. JAZZ FENTON, DANNY'S older sister, sleeps on the couch. The coffee table has a collection of textbooks, notebooks, a tablet, and phone. DANNY stops in his tracks.
ANGLE on JAZZ's face while she sleeps. DANNY places a teacup on a platter with two sugar cubes in front of her. JAZZ opens her eyes.
JAZZ:
Thanks.
She sits up and tries to hug him.
DANNY:
You don't need to do that.
JAZZ wraps her arm around him. She sniffs his hoodie and pulls away. She looks at him with disappointment.
Lights from a truck's headlight shine into the living room for a second.
JAZZ:
Mom and Dad are home. Change your clothes and brush some cologne through your hair.
JAZZ gets up and heads to the kitchen.
DANNY:
(to no one)
I'm sorry.
CUT TO: LATER
DANNY comes back downstairs. JAZZ is taking to JACK, their father.
JACK:
I wish you could have been there. The house was full of demon activity. I could hardly move with how thick the air was.
JAZZ:
That sounds horrible. I'm glad I didn't have to go.
JACK:
Danny, come over. You almost missed all the exciting retellings of Connecticut.
DANNY:
I'll pass.
DANNY walks into the KITCHEN.
The stove is on and a pot sits on top.
MADDIE, the FENTON MATRIARCH, sits at the table with a phone to her ear.
MADDIE:
I know, Roddie. This family was nuts. It didn't matter what we told them. The most that house had as creaky wood floors…I don't know. You always manage to wring a good book out of a nothing burger. I have no doubt about you. I'll have to let you go. My kids are here.
She hangs up the phone.
MADDIE:
You didn't help your sister with dinner?
DANNY:
Good to see you too, Mom.
MADDIE:
Don't ignore what I said.
DANNY:
She always says she has it covered.
JACK and JAZZ walk into the KITCHEN.
JAZZ:
Hey, I think the stew's ready.
DANNY goes over to the cabinet and starts grabbing dinnerware.
CUT TO: LATER
The FENTON FAMILY sit at the table and eat. JACK tells stories to JAZZ.
MADDIE looks to DANNY.
MADDIE:
I was harsh earlier.
DANNY:
You think?
MADDIE:
Jesus, Danny. I'm apologizing. What do you want from me?
DANNY is silent.
MADDIE:
The book deal is a good one. We'll get a good advance. There's also a science grant that we applied for. It looks good. We could stay home for a few months.
DANNY does not respond. MADDIE returns to eating.
INT. DANNY'S ROOM
DANNY opens the window. He reaches into the hoodie pocket and pulls out the cigarette pack. It's crumpled up.
DANNY:
Great.
INT. CASPER HIGH-NEXT MORNING
HALLWAY
DANNY fumbles with his locker. A commotion starts up down the hallway. DANNY notices it.
CUT TO:
SAM talking to a BOY in a letterman jacket.
DASH:
Come on. All I want is your name.
SAM:
I said, "No."
DASH:
What? New girl is shy? Or do you think you're just better than me?
SAM:
I don't need to think when I know.
DASH grabs her arm. He pushes SAM into a crowd of people. DANNY holds her up.
DANNY:
(whispering into her ear)
Hey. Hit him in his right shin.
SAM:
What?
DANNY:
Trust me.
SAM stands tall. She walks over to DASH.
SAM:
You're right. I'm sorry.
DASH:
That's more like it.
SAM kicks him in the right shin. DASH falls to the ground.
DANNY tries to walk away.
SAM:
Hey!
DANNY turns to SAM.
SAM:
So, what are you? The friendly, neighborhood psycho?
DANNY:
Something like that.
SAM:
How did you-
DANNY:
He got shin splints last football season.
SAM:
Oh. I'm Sam. Thank you. You're that kid from yesterday.
DANNY:
Oh, yeah. You were with Valerie.
SAM:
It's Danny, right?
DANNY:
Look, you shouldn't be seen with me.
SAM:
What? Because of your reputation?
DANNY:
Reputation?
SAM:
You have a reputation for being spooky.
DANNY:
Spooky? Do you think I'm spooky?
SAM:
That is to be determined. Let me thank you properly. What do you do after school?
DANNY:
Nothing.
SAM:
Perfect. Meet me at the main entrance after last bell.
SAM walks away.
EXT. MAIN ENTRANCE-AFTERNOON
DANNY waits at the door.
SAM:
Hey. I thought you wouldn't show.
DANNY:
Why is this so important to you?
SAM:
I'm a proper lady.
DANNY:
One that doesn't hesitate to maim others?
SAM:
Only when they deserve it.
DANNY smiles.
MONTAGE of DANNY and SAM getting ice cream and walking through the park.
EXT. FENTONWORKS-LATE AFTERNOON
DANNY:
This is me.
SAM:
Wow. This is not what I pictured when I heard "famous ghost hunters."
DANNY looks surprised.
SAM:
May I?
DANNY leads her into the house.
INT. FENTONWORKS
SAM looks at the collection of artifacts on the walls.
DANNY:
My parents are out now. They'll be gone for a few days.
SAM:
Do you have to stay here alone while they ghost hunt?
DANNY:
My sister and I, yeah. They're not really ghost hunters. They're scientists.
SAM looks at him with confusion.
DANNY:
My dad is delusional. He heard all these stories about the gifted Fentons. Psychics. Mom is a scientist and a con artist. She knows it's crap, but she also knows that it makes money. I think a long time ago, she forgot why she was doing the ghost-hunting gig. Jazz is just trying to keep her head above water with that dysfunction till she gets a full ride to Yale.
SAM:
What about you?
DANNY:
I'm just Danny.
SAM:
It sounds lonely.
DANNY walks into the living room.
SAM:
Well, that's rude.
ANGLE on DANNY.
DANNY:
Hey, do you like movies? This has all the streaming sites. Sam?
DANNY looks around for her. He comes to a room with a keypad on it. The door is open.
DANNY:
No, no, no.
INT. BASEMENT
The basement is tinged in blue lighting. There are several shelves with specimen jars and tables with assorted equipment. SAM wanders through the basement with excitement.
DANNY comes down the stairs.
DANNY:
How did you get the door open?!
SAM:
It was already open.
DANNY:
You're lying.
SAM:
Honest. Cross my heart.
DANNY:
Don't touch anything, and we can pretend we were never here.
SAM stops suddenly.
SAM:
What is that?
DANNY looks over to the far wall. There is a great tunnel carved into the basement wall. The walls of the tunnel are covered in machinery. A control panel sits next to the tunnel.
SAM walks over to it.
DANNY:
No! Please!
SAM walks into the tunnel.
DANNY:
You can't go in there without a hazmat suit.
DANNY grabs a suit from the wall. He puts it on.
SAM:
Look at this. You've never been down here?
DANNY:
I have. Once. That was enough.
SAM:
What does it do?
DANNY:
Sam, I can't be caught down here. Do you understand?
SAM:
Fine. We'll go back.
There is a mechanical whirring. The machinery in the tunnel starts to glow.
SAM freezes.
DANNY pushes her out of the tunnel. There is a giant burst of light that fills the whole room.
SAM:
DANNY!
INT. MANSON RESIDENCE-NIGHT
SAM'S ROOM
SAM enters her room. She looks in her mirror. Her eyes are red and puffy.
SAM walks over to the bed. She lies down.
ANGLE on SAM's face. She looks confused.
ANGLE on the end of the bed. The bedding is bent like someone is lying on it.
SAM:
What the…
DANNY slowly appears. His hair is pure white. He is curled up in a ball, sleeping.
SAM covers her mouth with her hand. She stifles a scream.
DANNY:
Christ, Jazz. What's with the noise?
SAM:
Danny?
DANNY opens his eyes. His eyes are a glowing neon green. He looks at SAM with confusion and fear.
He breathes in deeply. SAM quickly covers his mouth. DANNY tries screaming.
SAM:
No, no. You can't do that. I'll move my hand, but be quiet.
DANNY nods his head. SAM removes her hand.
DANNY:
(frantic whisper)
What am I doing here? Is this your room? What did you do to my hair?
SAM:
Danny, what's the last thing you remember?
DANNY:
What?
SAM:
Please, it's important.
DANNY:
Well…I tried to get you out of my parent's lab. You weren't listening. There was a tunnel. You went in there.
SAM:
And?
DANNY:
And then I was here.
SAM:
Danny.
DANNY:
Wait, there was a light. Oh, God. Oh, God. I'm-I'm-
SAM:
No, it's not like that. I think.
DANNY:
What?
SAM:
You passed out when you came out of that thing. Thankfully, your parents came home then. You went to the hospital. I just got back from there.
DANNY:
Sam, what happened to me?
SAM:
You're in a coma.
DANNY clenches his fist.
DANNY:
This is all your fault!
He tries to hit SAM. His hand passes through her. DANNY looks into the mirror. He curls into the fetal position and starts shaking.
SAM:
You're right. I should have listened to you.
DANNY:
I can't even touch anything.
SAM:
Give it another try.
SAM holds up her hand. DANNY looks to her. He reaches out to her. His fingers touch her hand.
SAM:
See? Can you feel it?
DANNY nods his head.
SAM:
You're not separate from this world. There must be a way for you to get your body back.
DANNY:
I need to tell my family.
SAM:
That is not a good idea. I was just with them all night. This would just be too much.
DANNY:
My sister. She needs to know.
SAM:
Not tonight. Trust me.
DANNY nods his head reluctantly.
INT. FENTONWORKS-NIGHT
FENTONWORKS BASEMENT
ANGLE on the PORTAL. Green energy swirls in the machinery.
A spindly, clawed hand comes out of the PORTAL.
INT. HOSPITAL-MORNING
SAM sits in a chair. She stares at DANNY'S BODY in the hospital bed. Her hand is slightly clenched.
SAM:
I told you this was a bad idea.
DANNY (O.S.)
I-I just needed to see it.
SAM:
Maybe we should go.
DANNY:
I just need a few more minutes. Could you leave?
SAM gets up and leaves. DANNY appears. He looks at himself.
DANNY reaches for his hand. He places his left hand over his left hand.
DANNY:
Come on.
He lets go.
DANNY:
I don't even know what I was trying to do. I don't know what good it is to talk to myself. Literally. Right now, it feels right. I know my life wasn't blessed, but I want it back. I don't want this to be the end of my story. Can you wait for me?
DANNY turns invisible.
OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM
SAM stands by the door. She is startled by something.
DANNY:
I'm ready.
INT. MANSON RESIDENCE-LATER
GUEST ROOM
SAM and DANNY enter. DANNY holds some bedding and clothing in his hands.
SAM:
It isn't much, but it should keep you out of sight.
DANNY:
Thanks.
SAM:
Try to turn invisible if you leave the room. Last thing either of us need is my parents asking questions. At least, I can pass off any noise as a haunting. Oh, sorry. Is anyone going to notice your stuff is missing?
DANNY shakes his head.
SAM:
Anyway. Try to keep yourself comfortable.
DANNY:
Why are you still helping me? I blamed you.
SAM:
Believe it or not, I don't like seeing people suffer. You weren't wrong. I should have listened to you.
SAM leaves the room.
DANNY sits on the bed. He takes his phone out of the pile of laundry. DANNY lies on the bed with the phone above his face.
He scrolls on the phone. DANNY's eyes widen as he looks at something on the screen.
SAM'S ROOM
SAM sits on her bed with her laptop open.
DANNY walks through the wall.
SAM:
Oh, crap! Okay, new rule. No walking through the walls.
DANNY:
We have a problem.
SAM:
No kidding.
DANNY:
No! Look at this.
He holds the phone to her face. A news article shows a shadowy creature attacking people in the park.
SAM:
What is that?
DANNY:
Sam, what if I wasn't the only thing that came out of that machine?
SAM:
Is that even possible?
DANNY points to himself.
DANNY:
Hello?
SAM:
Right. What do we do? What can we do?
DANNY:
I'm going to look.
SAM:
Oh, yeah. Then what? You'll walk through it?
DANNY: This is serious.
SAM:
So am I. You don't know what it is. You don't know what you are. What chance do you have against something that caused this?
She points to the screen.
DANNY:
If you won't help, I'll do it myself.
DANNY phases through the wall.
SAM:
You are just full of surprises.
EXT. PARK-AFTERNOON
DANNY (invisible) walks to the police tape. He walks into the carnage. He sees streaks of blood on the ground.
DANNY starts shaking.
SAM puts her hand on his shoulder.
DANNY turns visible.
DANNY:
How did you find me?
SAM:
The hair is hard to miss.
DANNY:
But I-
DANNY's breath turns white.
SAM:
It's sixty-seven degrees. How are you doing that? Wait, do you even breathe now?
There is a crash behind them.
THE GHOST turns visible. It attacks DANNY.
DANNY is pinned down by the GHOST. He tries to push it off. His hands start to glow green. A burst of energy comes out.
THE GHOST jumps off and runs away.
DANNY gets to his feet.
DANNY:
Oooh, shit! Did you see that? Did you see it? I think I hurt it.
SAM:
You are way too excited about that last part.
DANNY:
No. Don't you get it? I can fight it.
SAM:
You're really committed to this.
DANNY:
I could be like Spider-man.
SAM grabs DANNY's face
SAM:
Hey! Peter Parker. Focus.
DANNY:
Okay. Okay.
DANNY scans the park. There is nothing.
DANNY:
It's gone.
SAM:
Are you sure?
DANNY:
I'm not sure how, but yeah.
INT. MANSON RESIDENCE-NEXT DAY
GUEST ROOM
SAM takes a radio out of a shopping bag.
DANNY:
What's that?
SAM:
A police scanner. Now we can find out when it strikes again.
SAM places it on the nightstand and turns on the scanner. There is chatter playing out of the stereo.
DANNY:
Great. What is our plan when it shows up again.
SAM:
Well, you'll practice with these new powers and cut it down at the next opportunity.
DANNY:
Oh.
SAM:
You're kidding me. You didn't think that was an option?
DANNY:
I really didn't think that far ahead.
SAM:
This isn't the kind of thing you play by ear!
DANNY:
I get that. Don't get snippy with me. I just need to think.
SAM:
Well, think fast. It could pop up any minute now.
SAM leaves the room.
DANNY raises his eyebrows in curiosity.
INT. FENTONWORKS
BASEMENT LAB
DANNY phases through the ceiling into the LAB.
He looks over to the portal. The light from the portal covers everything in the basement. DANNY walks over to it. He raises his hand to the swirling green energy inside. DANNY stops himself before he touches it.
DANNY: There's no way Mom and Dad made this without a way to capture whatever came out.
DANNY looks around the lab. He gets increasingly frustrated.
DANNY:
Please, give me a sign.
DANNY flails out his arms and knocks over a thermos.
DANNY:
That was not what I had in mind.
DANNY picks up the thermos. He notices that it has circuity along the sides. The design looks like the portal's design.
He opens the top and places his hand over it. DANNY's hand starts to get sucked into the thermos. He quickly pulls his hand away and closes the thermos. He smiles.
DANNY
OH, yeah. I can work with this.
DANNY hears the basement door opening and footsteps coming down the stairs. He turns invisible and hides in the corners.
MADDIE and JACK enter the LAB.
JACK
It must be a ghost that escaped.
MADDIE
Then we'll hunt it down like everything else.
JACK looks over to the portal.
MADDIE looks at JACK, then she looks to the portal.
JACK
My Pops would have given an arm and a leg to see this.
MADDIE
I wanted to see the Ghost Zone so badly.
JACK
We both did.
MADDIE
We opened Pandora's box. If I knew what we had to give to see it, I wouldn't have been so stubborn.
JACK
We'll get him back, Mads.
MADDIE and JACK grab their equipment and leave.
DANNY turns visible. He bows his head and looks at the thermos with steely resolve.
EXT. GARBAGE DUMP-NEXT DAY
DANNY throws energy blasts around. SAM watches him as she listens to the scanner.
DANNY:
Was there nowhere better for practice?
SAM:
Shut up. I'm trying my best.
SAM stops quickly and picks up the scanner.
RADIO:
All units…a reported monster is attacking people at the movie theater…
SAM:
Are you ready?
DANNY:
No, but let's go.
EXT. MOVIE THEATER
Several police cars surround the theater. Crowds are standing at a distance.
INT. MOVIE THEATER
The GHOST slithers through the rows. DANNY jumps onto its back. The GHOST thrashes around, knocking DANNY around. He does not let go.
THE GHOST lets out a cry. DANNY sticks his hand in its mouth and blasts energy into the GHOST's body.
THE GHOST cries out again. It falls to the ground.
DANNY grabs the thermos. He points it at the GHOST.
The GHOST is sucked into the thermos. DANNY relaxes.
DANNY leaves the theater.
The doors open. MADDIE and JACK enter. They scan the room and look disappointed.
INT. FENTONWORKS-LATER
BASEMENT
DANNY examines the portal. He finds a circular connector. He places the thermos on it. There is an alarm, and the thermos empties into the portal.
JAZZ'S ROOM
JAZZ sleeps on the bed. DANNY sits on the floor next to the bed.
DANNY:
I'll find a way back. I promise.
ANGLE on JAZZ as she sleeps. Her hair is a mess. She looks haggard.
A clattering noise comes from her nightstand. JAZZ opens her eyes.
She sees a teacup on a platter with two sugar cubes sitting on the nightstand.
JAZZ looks around. She takes the cup.
FADE OUT
23