For Science: I wrote a Short Screenplay for This One
Explore a thrilling sci-fi screenplay inspired by TMBG’s ‘For Science’—alien encounters, bold sacrifices, and unexpected heroes.
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The song ‘For Science’ is the 12th track of Miscellaneous T. I once had a very brief email exchange with eary TMBG producer, Bill Krauss. He shared that this song was one of his favorites because they all managed to tell a complete sci-fi story in just under two minutes.
This song packs a full sci-fi saga into under two minutes. But what if that story were expanded into a cinematic experience? I decided to write a short screenplay to do exactly that.
I cannot format it correctly into Substack so this is a copy and paste job but you can download the pdf off the formatted script here.
From Venus: A Micro Rock Opera for Science
written by
Chase Roper
Based on 'For Science' by They Might Be Giants
© December 20, 2024
Chase.Roper@gmail.com
Act I: “The Call to Heroism”
FADE IN:
EXT/INT. OUTER SPACE - NIGHT?
A space craft blasts by with Earth quickly growing more distant behind it by the second. In tow behind the craft - a net full of alien warheads. Other vessels pursue in a high speed chase.
Inside the ship, John is at the helm. Pressing buttons on a massive display of complicated lights while steering. Sweat drips from his brow. Various sirens and alerts are whirring all around him. The frame freezes.
JOHN (V.O.)
Sometimes, to save the universe, you have to own your mistakes. . .even if that means making the ultimate sacrifice.
John stares at a big red flashing button with a strange symbol glowing on it. He lets out a sigh and presses it down.
INT. Office cubicle - DAY
A finger releases a bright red button on an office desk phone. We see John lead hang up a receiving end. He looks distraught and rushes to open up web browsers on his desk computer. Across from him in another cubicle is his coworker and an over confident colleague.
COWORKER (O.S.)
Oh, I think I have plans already
OVER CONFIDENT COLLEAGUE
Cancel them. I promise you won't regret it. Nice dinner, just chit chat - no pressure. Come out with me. Just one dinner.
The coworker is sitting in her chair looking up at the over confident colleague with a mix of disdain and pity. On the desk behind her is a framed diploma, a picture of her and John with a group of work friends at an Applebees, and Himalayan salt lamp. She is looking over to her coworker for an out. He is watching with disappointment but says nothing.
COWORKER
Alright. Sure. But I expect flowers!
OVER CONFIDENT COLLEAGUE
It's gonna be such a dope night. Hey - but I don't waste my money on something that's just gonna shrivel up and die in a few days.
COWORKER
Looking at them makes me happy. Of course they die. Everything dies. At least they were enjoyed.
Over Confident Colleague places his hand on her shoulder.
OVER CONFIDENT COLLEAGUE
Hey - *you* are gonna be enjoyed.
His appropriately placed hand becomes quickly not so as he runs his fingers down her arm. He walks away over-confidently.
JOHN
I don't think you should go out with him tonight.
COWORKER
*Sighing* He's not terrible to look at. Plus, at least he's confident.
JOHN
Well, no I was just - wait OK.
He swivels his chair around to point at his computer monitor.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Have you seen what's happening?
SIRENS blare outside.
JOHN (CONT'D)
There's been a spacecraft sighted above the sky near our building. Scientists made contact from something from Venus!
EXT. OFFICE BUILDING PARKING LOT - DAY
A crowd has gathered in the parking lot outside. Various government vehicles, barricades, etc have been set up. Standing on top of a big black SUV is a woman with a mega phone.
LT. ANNE MOORE
Volunteers, we need volunteers! Our experts believe the girl from Venus is here to exchange information.
John and Coworker make their way to the crowded parking lot. Everyone's excited and confused.
LT. ANNE MOORE (O.S.)
Soldiers to meet the girl from Venus! Have no fear! This is non-combative. Scientific purposes only!
COWORKER
What are we going to do?
John sees the over confident colleague walk out of the building into the fray. He puffs his chest out and stands up straight.
JOHN
Don't Worry.
COWORKER
Wait no - you will be killed right away.
John rushes toward Lt. Anne Moore shouting -
JOHN
Me! I will help!
Government officials whisper into Lt. Anne Moore's ear as our John makes his way to the front of the crowd and stands directly in front of Lt. Anne Moore.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I will meet the girl from Venus. For Science.
LT. ANNE MOORE
You are masculine yet unassuming and have a certain ere of trustworthiness about you. We think you might be exactly the right candidate for this mission. Team - get him ready to board.
John is shuffled quickly away out of site. A spacecraft is seen approaching quickly from the horizon.
LT. ANNE MOORE (CONT'D)
He's so brave. Let's get him briefed quickly and if we're lucky, he won't get killed right away.
Act II: “The Venusian Dilemma”
INT/EXT. GOVERNMENT RV - MOMENTS LATER
John is sitting, wide eyed and worried looking while officials echo the commands and details of Lt. Anne Moore who is sitting in front of him. He hears something about being brave and recalls a moment earlier that day when I he missed his opportunity to speak up make plans with his coworker before she accepted the OTHER guy's offer.
COWORKER (V.O.)
. . . At least he's CONFIDENT.
He sees a vision of the coworker starring at him from across cubicles, disappointed. The Overconfident Colleague glaring at him with absolute pity.
COWORKER
At least HE'S confident.
John stands to his feet with gusto. And faces Lt. Anne Moore, eye to eye.
JOHN
Take me to the ship. I can be a hero, Let's do this.
LT. ANNE MOORE
I feel I should warn you that not all heroism is loud or flashy. We chose you for a reason.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL (O.S.)
Lieutenant -
A government official is knocking on the door before entering. She is wearing a vest and white lab coat and holding a clipboard to signify her science related career.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL (CONT'D)
We're ready for him.
EXT/INT. VENUSIAN SPACECRAFT - DAY
John is approaching the spacecraft with a team of scientists behind him. The craft is hovering above the cemented parking lot ground by about 100 ft. A government scientist in the team behind John is frantically checking readings on his smart tablet.
GOVERNMENT SCIENTIST
Our sources indicate that the Venusians are ready for our approach.
John leaves the group of official behind him and walks directly under the ship. Just as he does so, a bright purple beam of light shines down on him. John shields his eyes. His coworker can be seen faintly in the distant crowd trying to get his attention. Calling out for him. He starts to levitate as the beam draws him to the ship.
JOHN
For science.
A final burst of blinding light forces his eyes closed. When he finally opens them, John finds himself standing in the receiving bay of the Venusion ship. It's giving 1960's Sci-Fi aesthetics. Perhaps they aren't as advanced as we thought.
Standing before John is a team of Venusian scientists and a tall, muscular built but also slim humanoid figure. Feminine and confident. It's The Girl from Venus. She appears calm yet cautious and is visibly armed.
GIRL FROM VENUS
What are you called?
JOHN
I'm John. Are those lasers? Please don't shoot me, this was supposed to be peaceful.
GIRL FROM VENUS
Walk with me, John.
John follows along as The Girl From Venus escorts him on a tour through the ship.
GIRL FROM VENUS (CONT'D)
I began my expedition not long ago in a great effort to evaluate intelligent life in our galaxy and beyond. I grew tired of the men from my home planet behaving in ways that oppress and hurt me and my fellow women. Always grabbing, and insisting. Never listening or understanding.
John becomes distracted by an assortment of alien creatures inside glass terrariums. He taps on the glass.
GIRL FROM VENUS (CONT'D)
Do not tap on the glass - I need to know if all cis-gendered male species are as violent and callous as those from Venus or if there is hope for the galaxy yet. Are there tender hearted, kind, and non-threatening men out there?
John makes eye contact with The Girl From Venus. Stands up with that false bravado, smiles and nods. The Venusian leader tilts her head and reveals a soft smile. The way a person would smile at an innocent puppy.
JOHN
I have been sent to listen and offer only what information I have and only when asked.
GIRL FROM VENUS
Such a task would be far beyond the capabilities of a man from my planet. They only know how to grab. How to force. How to take everything from you in an instant. Against my will. . .
John feels confident. He feels that he can finally act on his thoughts without cowering away. He is going to be a hero. They walk into large room with a clear dome for walls and a ceiling. It appears to be the helm of the ship where the commands and navigation take place.
GIRL FROM VENUS (CONT'D)
Is this what Earth is John? Are the men on Earth my only hope?
JOHN
I can't speak for all men but I can tell you that I am not like the men on your planet. I'm kind, thoughtful, and I listen. That's why I was selected as our ambassador.
They make eye contact. The personnel on deck all stop to look. The Girl from Venus reaches out her green hand. She's green - that hasn't been mentioned until now - to shake John's hand. John takes her green hand and pulls her in close. A look of surprise comes across her face. John is going to be the confident one. He sees the signs, the friendliness, the flirting, she likes him and he is not going to miss his opportunity.
He goes in for the kiss. Their lip connect and John feels The Girl From Venus recoil and push him away.
GIRL FROM VENUS
You. You are all the same aren't you? Sieze him.
Two lab coated guys walk over and each grab one of John's arms.
GIRL FROM VENUS (CONT'D)
Keep an eye on the viz-o-tron, Earthling. You won't want to miss this. Although, you ARE going to miss - your PLANET.
JOHN
Wait, no! You misunderstand!
GIRL FROM VENUS
Oh DO I? I misunderstand? So you're saying this is MY fault?
She presses a series of buttons on a panel in front of her
ON BOARD COMPUTER (V.O.)
Initiating. Warhead launch.
A countdown begin on the main screen.
INT. GOVERNMENT RV - DAY
Lt. Anne Moore is sitting with her closest advisers.
ADVISER 1
Defense indicate we have been targeted. Possibly by enough alien warheads to destroy the entire planet. And it might be John's fault.
LT. ANNE MOORE
What indicators are you referring to? What is the source of this intelligence?
ADVISER 2
This.
He clicks play on his smart device and we hear a message.
VENUSIAN PERSONELL 1
Attention Earthlings. We have target your planted with our aresenal of warheads and initiated destruction of your plane-
GIRL FROM VENUS (O.S.)
- They are the same everywhere! You can thank your JOHN for being another in a long line of disappointments!
VENUSIAN PERSONELL 1
Uhm - so, yeah. We're going rid the galaxy of your men and the planet that houses them.
GIRL FROM VENUS (O.S.)
KILL ALL OF THEM!
Adviser 2 stops the player.
LT. ANNE MOORE
Get me my comm-link.
She holds out her hand and a comm-link device is placed in it. She holds it up her mouth.
LT. ANNE MOORE (CONT'D)
John, this is Lt. Anne Moore. DO you copy?
Static.
Act III: “For Science, For Sacrifice”
INT. VENUSIAN SPACECRAFT - CONTINUOUS
John is sitting in the command room with alien personnel on either side. His comm-link is turned up loud.
LT. ANNE MOORE (O.S.)
Your arrogance has cost all of humanity!
GIRL FROM VENUS
She's right, Earth man named, "John." We're leaving you here to continue our search through the galaxy. But not to find hope - no. To RID the universe of MEN.
She leaves the room with her personnel following behind. The ship doors swoosh behind them. A rumble occurs briefly and John can see a smaller space pod race away in the screen/window dome that occupies most of the room. A voice comes from the comm-link mixed with sirens.
COWORKER (O.S.)
John? John, can you hear me?
JOHN
I'm - I'm here.
He is frantically studying the controls around him. All of the tech in this room looks as vintage as the rest of this ship.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. Is the Lieutenant there with you?
LT. ANNE MOORE (O.S.)
John, it's Anne. I'm here. What's happening up there? My advisers tell me a smaller craft flew away from the ship. Tell me you aren't leaving us behind. U.N. Officials are preparing to intercept but there may be too many warheads. The casualties will be in the billions.
JOHN
The Girl from Venus left me in the main control room and observation deck. She took the crew with her. This ship looks like it's running on an old commodore PC. She must have assumed I'd be helpless because we are technologically behind their planet but -
LT. ANNE MOORE
But what John. What do you see?
INT. ESCAPE POD - DAY
The Girl from Venus is listening to the comm-link conversation while she watches a live feed of the ship where she left John.
JOHN
I was a bad ambassador. I played the role of the macho dude bro and disrespected the Venusian. Probably made her feel unsafe and I'm sorry. I though if I acted bold, I'd be a hero. But it made me a bully. And - I'm going to make things right.
John starts taking control of the ship. The Timers counting down begin flashing red. The ship makes a hard turn to the left and begins pulling away from the away from the Earth.
JOHN (CONT'D)
I don't know how to disarm anything but I can get all these warheads as far away from our planet as possible.
COWORKER
John, no! You'll die!
JOHN
Yes. Flowers die. And so will I.
John switches off the comm-link.
INT. ESCAPE POD - CONTINUOUS
The Girl from Venus wipes a single tear away from her eye. Her personell all staring at her for the next command.
GIRL FROM VENUS
Take me home to Venus.
INT. VENUSIAN SPACECRAFT - CONTINUOUS
John tilts the control forward and the ship speeds up greatly. John can feel the G Force increasing. He sees a button flashing green with arrows flashing quickly in succession. He presses it.
JOHN
Initiate Hyper drive.
The ships begins to pulse. Space time starts to warp around the space craft. The countdown is louder, almost to zero.
JOHN (CONT'D)
Let's get those missiles ready to destroy the universe.
The ship blasts into warp speed and vanishes. Space Time snaps back into place. John, the ship, and the warheads are gone. The Earth is saved.
Fade to black.
Conclusion
Don’t expect another one of these screenplay adaptations out of me for quite some time. Holy cow this was more off challenge that I realized. However challenging it was, the this little project reminded me just how much rich storytelling TMBG can pack into one song.
‘For Science’ isn’t just a quirky sci-fi song. It’s an invitation to dream up an entire universe.