INT. INVENTOR’S LAB – DAY
PROFESSOR GREBITUS and his assistant, MERL, stand among the various whirling contraptions and bubbling beakers. Professor Grebitus holds in his hands a small, golden device that looks a lot like a pocket watch.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Behold, Merl, my greatest invention! I hold in my hand, the power to control time itself. And thanks to my genius, it’s so simple a child could operate it.
MERL
That sounds swell, Hank.
Professor Grebitus smacks Merl up the side of his head.
MERL
Owww.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Hank when we’re in the lab?
MERL
I’m telling mom.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Just stand there quietly and don’t touch anything.
The Professor sets the device down and turns to his tools. Merl watches him for a second then gently reaches over and picks up the device. He fiddles with the dials. He grins. The Professor is bent over looking for something. He pushes a button and disappears for a split second then reappears.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Just think, Merl, the gift I am giving to mankind with this device. I can prevent wars. Stop assassinations. Speed up the cures for diseases. Where would civilization be today if Jesus had an iPhone? If Henry Ford had solar powered –
He suddenly stands up. He spins around. He snatches the device out of Merl’s hands.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
This is not a toy!
Merl is giggling.
MERL
What’s the matter Professor? Got a wedgie?
Professor Grebitus picks his wedgie.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
You can’t just go time hopping willy-nilly. I haven’t done enough calculations to know what effects it might have on the space time contin...
Professor Grebitus stares at Merl who is has pulled a large, oddly colored egg out of his pocket.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Where did you get that?
MERL
What?
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
That egg you’re holding.
MERL
Found it.
The egg begins to hatch. Merl sets it down on the table. The egg cracks open and a tiny, dinosaur pops its head through the shell.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Merl. Where else did you travel?
MERL
Nowhere.
WOMAN’S VOICE (O.S.)
Merl, honey, we’re going to be late.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
That doesn’t sound like mom.
Kate Winslet comes down the stairs dressed in an elegant evening gown. Professor Grebitus’ jaw drops open.
KATE
Merl, you aren’t even dressed yet. Are you going to accept your Nobel Prize dressed like that?
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Nobel...Merl, what’s going on?
KATE
Hi Hank. Look, the toilet’s backed up again. I thought you said you fixed it the last time.
Merl grins at Professor Grebitus.
MERL
I should probably go now.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
I can undo this all, you know.
He holds up his device, starts to turn a dial and stops. He looks closely at it.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
Lego?
Kate pulls the device from her clutch.
KATE
Oh, and I found this in the freezer again. I swear, you’d lose your head if it wasn’t attached.
Kate exits back up the stairs. Professor Grebitus is stunned. Merl heads to the stairs and stops.
MERL
If it’s any consolation, it is a swell invention Hank.
Merl hops up the stairs.
PROFESSOR GREBITUS
NOOO!!!!
To Be Conitnued...?