Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Part 2
Once inside the heavenly amphitheater, guests choose a row and
are seated. The auditorium has been set up so that even the seats to
the back can get a good view of the award ceremony up front. To the
right of the stage is a small monitor which will display close-ups taken
with another of Charlie's inventions, the hands-free video helmet-cam.
Below the screen is a podium, where the CHIEF (Anna's Big Boss) begins
his safety instructions.
CHIEF: Ladies and Gentlemen, in the event of flying debris which will
occur at anytime during any scientific demostration I ask that you
please put on the safety goggles now. And once again I'd like to remind
you there is no eating, drinking, flash photography, video taping, or...
Suddenly, a machine from behind the curtain zaps the podium,
causing a flash and puff of smoke. The CHIEF ducks down, then peeks
back up to see if the coast is clear before reminding everybody of
another NO-NO.
CHIEF: And, no smoking please! Enjoy the show and good luck.
As the head boss-angel makes a hasty exit, lights begin to shine
from behind the curtain. We can just make out the shadows of Kaltag,
Nikki & Star the 3 Husky brothers (From Balto Animated Movie) making
final preparations for the show.
KALTAG: Star, how much time do we have left?
STAR: Not much. (Peeks through curtain) Uh-oh. The audience is already
seated. (Looks around) Where's Professor Barkin?
KALTAG: I don't know.
STAR: (Speaks to other angel-dogs) Um. Hello everybody. We'll be with
you in just a minute - soon as we find the guest of honor.
NIKKI: (Points up) Look! There he is!
STAR: Professor Barkin!
A tiny object flies around the stage, causing the 3 Husky
Stooges to yell, scream and duck their heads. Suddenly it rips a hole
in the curtain and appears right in front of the audience. It's Charlie
Barkin, riding his new invention, a HoverPod.
CHARLIE: Well, hello! As you can see, I used my shrinking machine to
not only shrink my size, but also my personal HoverPod. Now I get 22
miles to the teaspoon. (It swerves violently, he fights to regain
control) Whoa, watch out, those blades are sharp! (Zooms in close like
he's talking to you) Well, hi, how are you doing? Having a good time?
Anyway, this machine combines speed, altitude and hover capabilities
left and right. (Demostrates) All controlled by this little piece of
machinery.
He tosses the control box into the air, but misses the catch and
drops it. The HoverPod starts spinning out of control, crashing back
through the curtain, and off stage.
CHARLIE: Whoooa! Nothing to worry about! Whoa...Watch out! I haven't
invented an emergency brake yet, but I'm in full control! Watch your
heads! (Then he starts screaming like George Jetson) Help! Jane stop
this crazy thing! Help JAAAAAAAAAANE! (Then he dissapears)
Meanwhile Star, Nikki and Kaltag stare after him in confusion,
disbelief and shock.
NIKKI: Now what do we do?
STAR: Start the show.
NIKKI: Go!
KALTAG: No, wait! (But it's too late)
The theme music starts to play as spotlights shine on the
curtain (Now showing two added holes) As it rises, Star motions toward
the back of the stage. Annabelle turns from behind a wall to the cheer
and applause of the crowd.
STAR: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Chairgod of the IMAGINATION INSTITUTE,
Annabelle!
ANNABELLE: Oh, that's my cue. (Walks to podium) Thank you. And welcome
to our annual OPEN HOUSE. On this day each year, we recognize our most
innovative scientists. And this year, the award is going to a
true...(Hesitates)...genius, NOT! (Grins, tries not to laugh) Ah, at the
moment, he is only a little dog, but, believe me, he has BIG ideas.
A red neon sign, sporting the IMAGINATION INSTITUTE logo and
INVENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD swings down from two cords. It is pulled
toward the audience, coming to rest just above the first row of seats.
ANNABELLE: Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you...(Gestures to the left)
Spotlights shine on an empty door. Obviously, Professor Barkin
is still missing.
ANNABELLE: Now where is that Charles? (Frowns) Hmmmmmm...Oh well, let's
try again shall we folks? I give you...(Gestures to right)
Again spotlights shine on another empty door. Suddenly,
Barkin's out-of-control HoverPod flies back onto stage, sparking.
CHARLIE: Anyone find my control box?
ANNABELLE: Charles! Watch out for the...
CHARLIE: Offmph! (Cries out on impact)
His HoverPod hits the neon sign which knocks some of the letters
out so the sign now reads "NERD"
ANNABELLE: (Angry)...Sign! Charles, you have to be more careful!
CHARLIE: Sorry boss, I'll pay for that.
STAR: Professor Barkin?!!
CHARLIE: Whoa, whoa, whoa!
This time he crashes full tilt into the sign, sending shattered
glass raining down onto the screaming audience below. The Professor
flies off stage again.
CHARLIE: I'm OK! No problem. (Mimics the Terminator) I'LL BE BACK!
(Then he dissapears again)
Annabelle cannot believe her eyes, shakes her head and giggles
to herself, still frowning.
ANNABELLE: Professor Barkin certainly knows how to make an entrance. Not to
mention an exit. (Snaps to Star, Nikki & Kaltag) Get that dog back here
immediately!
NIKKI: Aye-aye boss.
KALTAG: Yes mame.
STAR: Your wish is our command. (And they run off)
ANNABELLE: And be quick about it! (Speaks to angel crowd) Ha. We seem
to have a little time on our paws, so, why don't we...why don't we meet
the inspiration behind the perspiration. Let's meet the Professor's
wife without whom the Professor would not be...where he is...today.
Let's meet Sasha La'Fleur.
Just then voices can be heard from other side of the stage.
SASHA: Itchy, Itchy. Sorry, I've got to go help find Charlie. Itchy,
you watch Timmy, OK?
ITCHY: Sure thing Sasha, no problem.
Moments later the Irish Setter, former showgirl and now owner of
the Flea-Bite Club steps onto stage.
ANNABELLE: Hello Sasha.
SASHA: Hello, nice to see you, bye-bye. (Brushes past her)
ANNABELLE: Wait a minute?!
SASHA: (To herself) Good grief, (Sounds like Charlie Brown) here we go
again. (Hurries away)
ANNABELLE: Well, ha-ha, bye Sasha. Um, why don't we meet the...the rest
of the family. Itchy Itchiford and Timmy Barkin.
Out steps the dachshund and puppy little brother of Barkin (The
one who starred in All Dogs Christmas Carol) It is then the angel
whippet notices something around Itchy's neck.
ANNABELLE: What, what is that?
ITCHY: It's my python, Gigabyte.
ANNABELLE: (Alarmed) A snake!
ITCHY: I didn't want to leave him on Earth.
ANNABELLE: Why would you leave him on Earth? Ha-ha. And does he also
have a dangerous reptile secreted about his person?
ITCHY: He...he brought Photon.
ANNABELLE: Not another snake.
ITCHY: His mouse.
ANNABELLE: A mouse! Huh, ha-ha. How cute. Let's see him. (Peers down
at tiny creature) Oh, hello Photon. And...what do you feed Photon?
TIMMY: Jelly beans, boogers and pizza. (That brings laughter from crowd)
Just then we hear voices from backside of theater. It is Kaltag
and Nikki looking for Charlie.
NIKKI: Anyone found Barkin yet? Over.
KALTAG: Not yet. Over.
ANNABELLE: Well, ah. If Charles were here, we would be demostrating his
Dimensional Duplicator.
ITCHY: I...I can do it.
ANNABELLE: (Suprised) What?
ITCHY: I spent time in the lab with Charlie.
ANNABELLE: (Frowns, not impressed) Why should I trust the most expensive
piece of research equipment to a dog with a snake around his neck?
ITCHY: Because I know how to turn it on.
ANNABELLE: Then why didn't you say so in the first place? (That brings
laughter from the audience) Bring on the Duplicator!
END OF PART 2
Go to Part 3!
