P.A.: All right, let's hear a big cheer for the lady of monster trucks, Shirley Ray! *Truck engine growls* And now, ladies and gentlemen, the main attraction of the evening. Let's give it up for the world's strongest teenager, Fred "The Blob" Dukes!
The crowd cheers while Fred gets ready to haul trucks.
Fred: Grr.
P.A.: All right, Fred. Let's show 'em what you got!
Fred grunts. The engines of the trucks rev and they start to pull away in opposite directions.
Fred: Hyah! *He pulls the trucks together. Standing on the back end of the trucks, he loses his balance and falls. The crowd laughs. * Oh...Yeow...Whoa! Grrr.
********************
Fred is in his dressing room destroying the place. Raven Darkholme enters the room.
Fred: Grr! Rraahhrr! Rr hyuh! Grrr!
Ms. Darkholme: Something wrong?
Fred: Yeah. These small-town hicks. They've laughed at me for the last time. I'm getting out of here for good!
Ms. Darkholme: That could be arranged. In fact, I know somewhere where your talents would be truly appreciated.
Fred: Listen, lady, if you're from the circus, you can forget it!
Ms. Darkholme: Oh, no, no, no, no. I have something far more interesting in mind. Care to hear more?
Fred: Huh. Yeah, sure. Why not? Grr.
He shuts the door as Wolverine and Jean arrive outside. Logan looks surprised to see Mystique inside.
********************
Opening Credits.
********************
Open at Bayville High. Ms. Darkholme's office.
Ms. Darkholme: And this will be your schedule for the semester. Any questions, Mr. Dukes?
Fred: I don't know if I can do school again. I didn't much fit into the other ones.
Ms. Darkholme: You won't have that trouble here. As the principal, I can make sure of it.
Fred walks out into the hall and looks very confused.
Fred: First period is...um... Man, this is complicated. Hey! Hey, you!
He grabs Duncan Matthews.
Duncan: Wha--?
Fred: Where...where am I supposed to be?
Duncan: I dunno. How about a sideshow?
Fred: Grrr. Don't you... Make fun... Of me!
He gets mad and rips a set of lockers off the wall. He advances towards Duncan with them. Jean comes around the corner.
Duncan: Hold it! Hey, hey, whoa!
Jean: Hi. You must be new here.
Fred: Huh? Uh...
Jean: I'm Jean Grey.
Fred gets all embarrassed and puts the lockers back against the wall. Duncan runs.
Fred: Oh. Yeah, I am. New, I mean.
Jean: I figured. Welcome to Bayville. So...what do your friends call you?
Fred: don't know. Never had any friends. But my names is Fred, Fred Dukes.
The lockers shift and make a lot of noise.
Jean: Well, Fred, I want to apologize for Duncan. He can be a real idiot sometimes. Hey, did you need any help figuring this out?
Fred: Yes. Uh, please.
Jean: Ok. Hmm... Your first class is... Right over there!
Fred: Huh. Thanks.
Jean: *as she walks away* Don't worry. The first day is always the roughest. It gets better. I'll see ya around! *She walks off, waving as she goes*
Fred: Ya sure will.
********************
Shift to a high school English class. Two of the students are Scott and Rogue.
Teacher: all right, for this drama exercise, you'll each be doing a scene with a partner. Since a few of you haven't chosen partners, I'll be pairing you up myself. Taryn, you and Paul are going to do Laura and Jim from the glass menagerie. And that leaves you... (Rogue) and you. (Cyclops)
Scott: *heaving shoulders* Oh, great.
Teacher: you two will be doing Shakespeare's Henry V. I've marked it. Henry and Katherine, daughter of the French king.
Paul (Scott's friend): Lotsa luck, Scott. I don't think miss small, dark, and sullen Has ever said two words. You're going to have to play both parts yourself, man.
The class laughs.
Teacher: All right, class. All right. Now, I want you to get together with your scene partner and rehearse. You perform on Tuesday.
Scott: Uh...hey, you ok with this?
Rogue: I'm not afraid of you.
Scott: I didn't say you should be.
Rogue: Just tell your weirdo friends to keep their distance this time.
Scott sighs.
Paul: Oh, yeah, she likes you. She's just playing hard to get.
Scott: Shut up, Paul!
********************
In the cafeteria. People milling about and whatnot. Fred appears.
Kitty: Is that humungous guy the one you and Logan, like, went to see Saturday night?
Jean: yeah, Fred. He's ok. When he's not ripping the lockers off the wall.
Kitty: He's the one who, like, did that? Freaky!
Some poor kid is getting lunch and Fred shoves him out of the way.
Kid: Ohh!
Fred: Fill 'er up! Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa! (as the lady reaches for a tray) Who said anything about a plate? Now, load it up. Heavy.
The cafeteria lady works like mad to fill the tray. Once it's filled, he waves and walks away.
Back to the X-Men table.
Kurt: You and the rogue? Ach! Now that is a strange combination, ja?
Scott: Yeah. I got to play a romantic scene with a girl who thinks we tried to kill her. Man, she's going to have to be some kind of actress.
Kurt: My friend, you've got to invite me to the rehearsals!
Fred walks by and sees Scott and Kurt laughing.
Fred: Huh?
He growls and walks over to a table. As he sits down, everything goes flying.
Fred: Ooh!
All the food hits Duncan and everyone else sitting at his table.
Duncan: Grr. *everyone watches* Bad move, blob boy.
Jean: Uh, stay here, Kitty. This could get messy.
Kitty: Yeah, 'cause, like, that hasn't already happened.
Fred tries to get up, grunting as he goes. All the students laugh.
Fred: Grrrr... Don't laugh at me! Raahhrr! Grrr! *he begins to pick up food and hurl it at the other students.* Uh! Raahhrr!
A Random Student: Food fight!
Everyone starts screaming and running.
Kitty: *As food hits her in the head* Excuse me! I'm skipping dessert! *she phases through the floor*
Fred: Rraahhrr! Rraahhrr!
Jean: *making her way over to him, using telekinesis to stop the food flying at her* Fred. Fred, please calm down! Fred, stop!
Fred: *swinging a table with food on his face, not allowing him to see anything* Aah!
Jean: *slips on food and falls in front of him* Fred!
Fred: Rraaahhrr!
Jean: Fred!
********************
(Commercial break)
********************
Jean: Fred! *Scott uses his beam to smash the table* Put the table down, Fred.
Fred: Jean?
Scott: You heard her, big man. But if you want to fight, try me.
Jean: Back off, Scott. I'll handle this. Everything's fine. Isn't it, Fred?
Fred: They shouldn't have laughed at me!
Jean: No! No, they shouldn't. Uh, Scott, don't you have to get to class or something?
Scott: I'll be close if you need me. Real close.
Jean: I'll be fine.
Scott backs out into the hallway where Rogue is watching.
Rogue: Wow! Y'all really look out for each other, don't you?
Scott: Yeah. Yeah, we do that.
Ms. Darkholme: What's going on here?
Rogue: Nothing.
Scott: Um, we were just talking, Principal Darkholme.
Ms. Darkholme: Then you had best stop your talking and get to class! Have I made myself clear?
Rogue: Yes, ma'am.
Scott: Hey, don't forget. In the park after school. And bring the playbook with you!
Rogue: Mm-hmm.
Back to the cafeteria with Fred and Jean.
Fred: It's just, when they laugh at me, I kind of explode inside, you know?
Jean: I understand, Fred. But you've got to learn to control yourself. You can get training.
Fred: Yeah, right. Where?
Jean: I learned to control my gifts at the institute, where I live.
Fred: Gifts? You mean, you have powers, too?
Jean: Uh-huh. Watch.
She levitates a chair and then smashes it into the wall.
Fred: Whoa! You could really pound people with that!
Jean: No, Fred. That's what we learn not to do. That's what the Xavier institute is all about--control. I'd love to take you there sometime. I know the professor would like to meet you. Just let me know when you're ready.
Fred: I'll think about it.
Jean: Great! Well, I gotta run. I'll catch you later, Fred.
She walks towards the door where Scott is waiting. Fred sees her backpack on the floor.
Fred: Hey, Jean!
Jean: Yes?
Fred: *seeing Scott* Nothing.
He takes a picture of Jean and Scott out of her backpack. Then he rips Scott out of it and smushes it on the floor.
********************
After school outside.
Taryn: Like, there goes my weekend. I can't believe how much homework I've got.
Jean: Yeah, me, too. *Fred appears in front of her. She gasps* Oh, hi, Fred. This is my friend Taryn.
Fred: Yeah. Hi.
Taryn: Hi.
Fred: Uh, gee, would you, I mean... Would you like to... Want to get a soda or something?
Jean: Uh, sorry, Fred, I can't. I got some stuff I got to do. Hey, how about if I catch up with you tomorrow?
She starts to walk away and he gets mad.
Fred: "Stuff," huh? That's the best you could come up with? "Stuff"?
Jean: Uh, Taryn, you better go on without me. I'll catch up with you later.
Taryn: You going to be ok?
Jean: Yeah. *Taryn leaves* Look, Fred, I like you and all, but i have responsibilities. And that means I can't go with you right now.
Fred: But you're my friend. *He grabs her arm, hard.*
Jean: I thought so, but friends don't hurt each other. Now let go of me.
Fred: Well, just let me talk to you for a second! In private!
He pulls her around to the other side of the school.
Jean: I said let go of me, Fred. I have to go home.
Fred: You can't! You gotta go out with me!
Jean: I don't have to go anywhere but home! *She tries to run but he grabs her* Unh! Uh! Now, let me go! I'm warning you... *She throws bricks and other heavy stuff at him*
Fred: Hah! That the best you got? *Deflecting a dumpster* Huah!
Jean: I said, let me go!
The entire scaffolding falls down on them.
Jean: Aah!
Fred: Aah! Grrr! *seeing that Jean is hurt* Huh?
********************
Shift to a warehouse of some sort. Jean is tied up in a chair. There are candles all around. An attempt at romanticism.
Fred: Wakey wakey, sleeping beauty. Your table's ready! Ha ha! Pretty sweet, huh?
Jean: Unh! This can't be happening. [Speaking mentally] Professor... I need help! Please help me!
********************
Snap over to an outdoor training session with Kitty and Kurt playing keep away with a football. Logan and the Professor are watching.
Kitty: Ha ha ha! Hey!
Logan: That's it, half-pint. Keep the ball away from the elf. But you've got to concentrate, or--
Kitty: *runs into a tree* Whoa! Ohh!
Kurt: *grabs the ball* Ha! It's mine now, kitty!
Kitty: Give me that!
Kurt 'ports onto a tree branch. Which breaks.
Logan: Watch where you're 'portin'!
Kurt: *falling* Aah!
Kitty: *Grabs the ball as he falls, yanking his tail as she goes* Hyah!
Kurt: *hits the ground* Oof!
Kitty: Ha ha ha ha!
Kurt: Grrr...
Logan: *looking somewhat exasperated and disgusted :)* What kind of move is that?
Professor: Hmm. Innovation. Adaptation. It's what they're here to learn. *He scrunches up his face.* [Spoken Mentally] Jean...stay calm. We'll find you. [To Logan] she's been kidnapped.
Logan: You! Elf! Get Cyclops! I got to ride. *He runs off*
We see Logan hop onto his bike in full X-men garb.
********************
Over to the scene in the park with Scott and Rogue.
Scott: "Do you like me, Kate?"
Rogue: "Pardonnez-moi? I cannot tell what is like me."
Scott: "An angel is like you, Kate, and you are like an angel."
Rogue: *giggling* The girls are right. You are a charmer.
Scott: Look, I'm just reading the lines, ok?
Rogue: Yeah, I know. It's just, sometimes... I wish...
Scott: Yeah? Wish what?
Rogue: *looking very down-trodden* wish... I could get close to somebody. But you know what happens when I do.
Kurt: *'porting in* Whoo! Tender moment here? Sorry to interrupt.
Rogue: I swear, he's like an annoying little brother. *And Kurt sticks his tongue out at her.*
Scott: What's the problem?
Kurt: Jean's been nabbed!
Scott: What? *He grabs Kurt by the shirt*
Kurt: Ooh! Easy on the exquisite costume, mein freund! Wolverine's On the scent, but I'm supposed to collect you.
Scott: *Hits the table* Unh! Blob! If he's hurt her, I'll-- *Sees Rogue looking down* You know anything about this?
Rogue: No. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you.
Scott: Then I hope you can live with your conscience. Teleporter to maximum, Mr. Wagner.
Kurt: Aye, captain!
Scott: Engage.
And they disappear into a puff of smoke.
********************
Logan stops the bike and sniffs the air. Then he starts up again and keeps driving.
********************
In the war room (I think?)
Professor: I've been in mental contact with Jean, but she has no idea where she is. All I can tell is that she and blob are somewhere in this area.
Scott: Then let's move.
Everyone piles into their cars and takes off.
********************
Shift to the warehouse again.
Fred: This is gonna be the best night you've ever had. Dinner, dancing--
Jean: Fred, this is all wrong. Now, you can't force someone to like you.
Fred: Why not? I'm stronger than everyone.
Jean: Being nice usually works better.
Fred: Oh, yeah. I just remembered. I've got a surprise for you.
Jean: Hmm.
Logan pulls up outside, sniffs the air, and detects Jean.
Logan: Grrr. [to the others via a communicator] I found them. They're at the old ironworks at the south end. I'm going in.
Xavier: Logan, wait for backup. *He of course, doesn't* [to the others] Wolverine has the location. I'm transmitting coordinates.
Scott: Got it, professor. Be there in 3!
Fred is walking back to Jean with a record player when Logan bursts in through the front doors, claws just a'flying.
Fred: Huh?
Logan: Rraahhrr!
Fred flips Logan over and a small battle ensues. Lots of grunting and big objects flying. Y'all get the picture, right? Fred pins Logan underneath him. Bad scene for Wolverine.
Logan: Rrr...can't breathe...
Fred: She's my friend! You can't take her!
Jean picks up a filing cabinet with her mind.
Logan loses consciousness and retracts the claws.
Scott: *blasting at Fred* We're just giving her a way out. Through you, if necessary.
Fred: Grrrrr... *heaving a heavy and unconscious Logan at Scott* No!
As both Scott and Logan lie there unconscious, Rogue approaches and touches Scott, absorbing his powers.
Fred: *Opens the door to where Jean is and she hits him with the filing cabinet* Oh...ohh. Huh? Er...grr... Uh! Nobody respects me! And you're the worst! You pretended to be my friend! Hyah! *He throws it back at her. She stops it before it hits.* Grr.
Fred picks up a larger object to throw at Jean, only to be hit in the back by an optic blast from Rogue.
Rogue: Leave her alone, you yahoo!
Fred: What ya gonna do to me? Make me wear bad makeup?
Rogue: Didn't Mystique tell you what my power is?
Fred: No. 'Cause I don't care!
Rogue: *She grabs hold of him* My power is your power, and I can take more than one!
Lots of grunting on both sides. She flips him over, hits him with a blast, no effect.
Fred: Hah! I got too much power even for you! You can't hurt me! I'm the blob!
Rogue: Nah. You're just garbage that wanted a date. Now, tell ya what-- I'm taking you out!
She hits him with a huge blast, knocking him through the roof and over into a pile of garbage.
Fred: Oof! Ptuh! *seagulls calling* Stop laughing at me! Rraahhrr! Oof! *seagulls calling*
Back to the others.
Rogue: *putting Scott's visor back on him* There you go. I only took a short-term dose of your power. You should be back to normal soon.
Scott: You are like an angel, Kate.
Rogue: My name's not Kate. And I'm no angel.
Jean: But you helped us. Why?
Rogue: I don't know. I just don't know! *She runs*
Jean: Hey, wait!
She starts after her but Logan stops her.
Logan: Easy, red. Let her go.
Jean: But she--
Logan: She ain't ready. Trust me on this.
Kitty: Ok, so maybe she's part of the dark, icky side, but I figure we, like, totally owe her now.
Scott: Yeah. Yeah, we do. Big time.
Scott puts his arm around Jean and all is right with the world. :)
********************