Stranger Things The County Fair Written By Sharon Kadosh
FADE IN: INT. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY-HALLWAY-NIGHT A YOUNG, NERVOUS-LOOKING EMPLOYEE speed-walks down the nondescript hall, clutching a heap of files to his chest. The file folders are stamped with "HAWKINS LABORATORY: SENSITIVE MATERIAL" in large red letters. SUPERIMPOSED TITLES tell us today is JUNE 20, 1985. The employee s footsteps ECHO as he passes FEDERAL OFFICIALS happy to leave the building and DISGRUNTLED JANITORS disappointed to enter it. He sees none of them, keeping his eyes on the heavy-looking door at the end of the hallway. As he reaches it, he looks around and pauses before heaving it open. INT. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY-MR. REYNOLDS OFFICE-NIGHT The employee enters the office, which is littered with various documents and newspaper clippings, nearly obscuring the old wooden desk they are resting on. He wrinkles his nose at the smell of slightly stale coffee and waits for the STERN-LOOKING MIDDLE-AGED MAN behind the desk to notice him. A cheap placard indicates that this is MR. REYNOLDS. EMPLOYEE (clearing his throat) Sir. The files you requested. Mr. Reynolds barely looks up from his notes as he reaches out for the forms. The employee hands them over and leaves without a word. As the door closes, Mr. Reynolds flips through the documents, which contain background information on former Hawkins Lab employees. He pauses when he reaches Dr. Sam Owens, studying his face. Resolute, he packs up his files and notes, preparing to leave the office. We linger on a Hawkins newspaper dated from DECEMBER 19, 1984, with Barb Holland s picture on the front. The headline reads "LOCAL TEEN DIES FROM TOXIC SPILL."
2. INT. MR. REYNOLD S CAR-NIGHT Turning on the ignition, Mr. Reynolds places the files in the passenger seat of his shabby Ford Pinto. As the radio BLARES on, the DEEP VOICE of a REPORTER can be heard. REPORTER (on radio) And we have record high temperatures expected tomorrow throughout the day. Sources tell me this will be the hottest summer solstice in rece- Mr. Reynolds cuts the radio off, pulling out of the nearly empty lot and leaving the bland-looking federal building behind him. EXT. EMPTY ROAD-EARLY MORNING As the sun begins to rise above the pine trees lining the barren road, we see Mr. Reynolds drive past a sign: "WELCOME TO HAWKINS, INDIANA." MAIN TITLES INT. WHEELER HOUSE-BASEMENT-EARLY MORNING Mike is in his usual place under the blanket fort, walkie-talkie in hand. Beside him is an unopened bundle of balloons and a slightly frayed backpack. (on walkie) Do you have the supplies? Over. LUCAS (O.S) (through walkie) Duh. I m gonna smoke you guys. Over. WILL (O.S.) (through walkie) You wish! Over. The boys continue their banter for a brief moment before they realize a familiar fourth member has not joined their party.
3. (on walkie) Dustin!? This is Channel 1 calling for Dustin Henderson. Repeat, Dustin- Wha- DUSTIN (O.S.) (through walkie, sleepily) LUCAS (O.S.) (through walkie) Are you kidding m- WILL (O.S.) (through walkie) He s barely awake. Ov- (on walkie) Dustin! Wake up! Do you have it ready? Over. DUSTIN (O.S.) (through walkie, yawning) Ready? (on walkie) This is important business! We have a lot of ground to cover today and- LUCAS (O.S.) (through walkie) Yeah, like me smoking you guys! Over. DUSTIN (O.S.) (through walkie, more alert) Oh, it s on! Over. (on walkie) Meet at Maple in 20. Over and out. Mike tosses the walkie aside and grabs the balloons and backpack, bounding out of the basement. His footsteps ECHO in the relatively quiet house.
4. INT. WHEELER HOUSE-BATHROOM-EARLY MORNING Mike clutches the bundle of balloons tightly as he rushes into the bathroom, right as Nancy is about to enter. He SLAMS the door and locks it, starting to fill the balloons with water and stuffing them in his backpack. NANCY (behind the door) What the fuck, Mike! It s urgent! NANCY (pounding on the door) I don t care! Do it in the kitchen! CUT TO: INT. WHEELER HOUSE-MASTER BEDROOM-EARLY MORNING The SHOUTS rattle Karen out of her sleep; Ted lays still beside her, SNORING LOUDLY. She attempts to nudge him awake to see what the fuss is about but he is as apathetic as ever. INT. WHEELER HOUSE-EARLY MORNING Frustrated and rubbing her eyes, Karen walks toward the bathroom to see Nancy yelling at Mike through the door. KAREN (about to open the bathroom door) What the hell is going o- Mike runs past her, dropping the last of the water balloons into his backpack. Nancy bursts into the bathroom, her mother staring, bewildered, at the spot she had just occupied. Karen runs down the stairs after Mike, trying to stop him. KAREN Mike! Where are- But he is already off on his bike, leaving her standing at the front door. She exhales in a deep sigh.
5. INT. SINCLAIR HOUSE-LUCAS BEDROOM-EARLY MORNING Lucas prepares his water balloons, sporting his tried-and-true camo bandana. He is about to leave his room when his sister Erica wanders in. LUCAS (trying to close the door on her) How many times do I have to tell you? ERICA (ignoring him and stopping the door with her foot) Doing lame things with your lame friends again? Lucas walks past her, closing the door behind him. He straightens his bandana, taking more care with it than usual. ERICA (CONT D) (making kissing noises) Oooooh are you seeing that skater girl? Lucas stops in his tracks, turning on her. LUCAS Shut up, Erica. She sticks her tongue out at him as he leaves, still adjusting his bandana. INT. HENDERSON HOUSE-EARLY MORNING Dustin clutches a handful of balloons, frantically searching the house for more. DUSTIN (searching) Balloons...Balloons...Mom, where are the damn balloons?! Mrs. Henderson sits in her chair in the living room, petting their relatively new cat "Tews. Dustin scrambles around behind her. MRS. HENDERSON (concerned) Dusty? It s so early-
6. Dustin continues his quest. DUSTIN It is absolutely imperative that I win this- (beat, thinking) Oh shit...what if it s... He rushes to his room, leaving his mother in the same situation, her concerns unaddressed. CUT TO: INT. HENDERSON HOUSE-DUSTIN S BEDROOM-EARLY MORNING Dustin bursts into the space, moving through the mess. He looks under his bed, moving aside Lego playsets, an old SIMON game, and the Demo-dog body he had previously kept in his refrigerator. He finds a container full of random party supplies and pulls out a bundle of balloons. Pleased with himself, he races out of the room. We linger on the Demo-dog s lifeless form leaning against the toys. CUT TO: EXT. HENDERSON HOUSE-EARLY MORNING Dustin hauls a slightly rusted red wagon out of the garage, its edges nearly overflowing with water balloons. He carefully adjusts the balloons, excited for the battle to come and heading for the street. EXT. MAX S HOUSE-DAY Lucas momentarily parks his bike in front of Max s house, making sure that Billy s car isn t around. Taking a deep breath, he walks up to the front door. He is about to knock when he is pelted by a water balloon, which explodes next to his ear. He whirls around to see Max skating behind him, laughing hysterically. MAX Over here, stalker! Lucas, slightly embarrassed, walks over to her and mounts his bike.
7. LUCAS Alright, just wait. MAX Yeah we ll see about that. And they race off toward Maple Street, the sun gleaming above them. INT. BYERS HOUSE-DAY Will is about to leave the house, water balloons at the ready, when his mother stops him. She sits across from Jonathan at the breakfast table. Are you sure you had enough to eat? Yes. WILL No more orange juice? Nothing? WILL (exchanging a look with his brother) I m good. And it s safe? I don t really like the idea of you going back- WILL (jokingly) Yeah Mom, I only go missing in the fall, remember? Joyce s expression is vaguely shocked as Jonathan gives Will a high-five. Her face softens into a slight smile. Be careful, though. WILL I know, I will. Really. You better.
8. WILL (a little exasperated) Promise. Will leaves and Joyce turns her attention to Jonathan, who is washing his dish in the sink. Anything special today? JONATHAN Yeah...yeah, I think I m going to the fair actually. After a beat, Jonathan turns around to see his mother s somewhat surprised look. JONATHAN (CONT D) Nancy s idea. It s the grand opening or something. But if you want, I can- Joyce stops him and smiles, genuinely happy that her son is going out and about. No, no. You go, I m sure it ll be fun. You sure? JONATHAN Yeah, are you kidding? Jonathan shrugs and dries his hand on a towel. He puts on his backpack and heads for the door. Bye. JONATHAN (smiling) Bye, enjoy it. He leaves and Joyce s smile begins to fade. As she sits alone at the breakfast table, a sudden feeling of emptiness closes in on her.
9. INT./EXT. FOREST SHACK-DAY Eleven clears the breakfast table as Hopper prepares to leave for work. He attempts to roll his police uniform sleeves up, but finds that the fabric is too tight. Gonna melt in this heat, kid. Wish they made- He pauses, seeing that Eleven is staring at him. ELEVEN (hesitating) Out today? With Mike? Hopper s expression falters. I m sorry, kid, I just can t risk you- (patting his pockets) Where are my keys... Eleven telepathically lifts the keys from a nearby chest of drawers and drops them into Hopper s open hand. Thanks. But if someone, anyone from the outside knew about- Eleven looks at him, clearly disappointed. (CONT D) Listen, I think maybe possibly time out there could be good, but I have to b- Just then, Hopper is interrupted by a KNOCK at the door. He whips around, his eyes wide with terror. (whispering) Hide. Now. Eleven follows his instruction and he loads his gun, approaching the door cautiously. He holds up the weapon and another KNOCK follows, this one louder than the first. He whips open the door to find Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max all looking up at him. Hopper allows himself a sigh of relief, which is quickly interrupted by their all talking over each other.
10. Come on Hop- DUSTIN Yeah she has to- LUCAS She s my only competitio- DUSTIN Shut up Lucas! Hop, we have- Please c- WILL MAX It ll be so- This isn t fa- Hopper s face is unmoving as he emits a sharp yell, which cuts them all off. Jesus Christ! He turns to look at Eleven, who has come out of her hiding place and seems amused. (CONT D) Look, it s been a while since she s been out but I just don t wan- DUSTIN Son of a bitch! This is the most impor- LUCAS Yeah, man it s only once a- El has to- (frustrated but slightly amused) One at a time! Please! The group looks to Mike to represent them and he willingly obliges. He glances at Eleven, who smiles at him softly.
11. I...we really wanna spend time with her. It s just a one time thing and- (lightly chuckling) The Snow Ball was a "one-time thing." Ok...a two-time thing? Hopper looks at Eleven, who is trying to look as innocent as possible. He breaks into a smile. (to Eleven) Okay, you know what... Max and the boys hang on with bated breath. (CONT D) (to Eleven) You can go on th- They all cheer and pump their fists, with Dustin the loudest of them all. Hopper shoots him a look and his smile fades slightly. (CONT D) On the condition that you re back by the time I m home from work. 5.1.5. ELEVEN Condition? It s something you have to do. ELEVEN (nodding) 5:15. Got it. Hopper s eyes gleam as he kisses her forehead. She heads out to join the others, a smile spreading across her face.
12. EXT. STREET-DAY The group leisurely bikes along the street, with Eleven sitting behind Mike. Dustin trails slightly behind them, wheeling his water balloons and looking at Lucas and Max with a tinge of jealousy. Obviously Mikey is the best, it s about him! LUCAS It s clearly Data are you kidding me? DUSTIN Nah, you guys are batshit crazy. Chunk is a cultural icon you can t- WILL Come on, all The Goonies are great just agree to disagree. /LUCAS/DUSTIN You haven t even seen the movie! Max rolls her eyes at them while Eleven remains quiet, feeling slightly out of place with these references. Just then, a trio of OLDER BULLIES approaches them, mischievous glints in their eyes. They saunter over to the group, and Mike and Lucas do their best to seem tough. OLDER BULLY 1 Hey freaks! OLDER BULLY 2 (pinching Dustin s cheeks) Did you remember to clean your dentures? LUCAS Shut up assholes! Outta the way. Lucas attempts to push through the bullies but they block his path. The third bully strolls over to Dustin s wagon and picks up a few of the balloons. He tosses one to his friends, who nearly drop it. DUSTIN Hey! Hey stop you bastard!
13. The third bully freezes. He stares directly at Dustin as he places the balloons in his hands on the ground, softly. Suddenly, he stomps on them, crushing them all with one blow. Dustin screams in agony. Eleven concentrates hard, staring at the bully. OLDER BULLY 3 What the hell are you lookin at? Mike puts a hand on Eleven s shoulder, urging her not to do anything.