Frank & Stein

Frank’s high-tech 3D printer creates a living dinosaur, turning the apartment into a chaotic playground.

Morning

Sunlight streams into the apartment, illuminating Frank’s cluttered work area and Stein’s meticulously organized side. Frank stands proudly next to his new, high-tech 3D printer, which is buzzing softly. Stein, sipping his morning coffee, looks on skeptically.

Frank: Stein, prepare to have your mind blown! This 3D printer is next-level. It can print anything you can imagine!

Stein: (raising an eyebrow) Anything? Does that include cleaning up this apartment?

Frank: (grinning) If I could conceive a Roomba army, this baby could make it happen! Check this out.

Frank hits a button, and the printer whirs to life. A small object begins to take shape.

Stein: (sighing) Another gadget to clutter our already cluttered space.

Frank: Nonsense! This is the future! Look, it’s already printing…what did I load? Oh right, my latest brilliance—ancient DNA samples!

Stein: (concerned) Wait, ancient DNA? Frank, what exactly did you—

Suddenly, the printer chimes, and a tiny dinosaur, no larger than a housecat, wobbles out. It looks around curiously and lets out a tiny roar, startling both Frank and Stein.

Frank: Holy…a mini dinosaur?! This is amazing!

Stein: (panicking) Amazing?! Frank, that is a living, breathing dinosaur in our apartment!

Frank: (laughing nervously) Who knew ancient DNA could be so easy to replicate? Aren’t you glad you live with a genius?

The dinosaur, intrigued by Frank’s boxes of inventions, starts to explore, knocking things over.

Stein: Frank, this is not a genius moment. We need to figure out how to control it before—

The dinosaur suddenly leaps onto Stein’s desk, knocking over a stack of neatly arranged papers and historical artifacts.

Stein: (sighing deeply) Okay, step one: Control the chaos.

Frank: (scrambling to catch the dinosaur) Chaos? This is more like a playful interlude. Hold still, little buddy.

The dinosaur darts around the apartment, evading Frank’s attempts to catch it. It stops momentarily by Stein’s meticulously organized bookshelf, eyeing the colorful spines.

Stein: (alarmed) No, no, not the books! Frank, do something!

Frank: I got it, I got it!

As Frank lunges forward, he trips over a stack of his own notes, sending papers flying. The dinosaur takes this opportunity to dash into the kitchen.

Frank: (getting up) Well, at least he’s not tearing up your books. Yet.

Stein: (exasperated) Frank, we need a plan. And fast.

Frank: Right, right. Plan. Step one: Catch the dinosaur. Step two: Figure out why it’s alive. Step three: Profit!

Stein: (deadpan) How about: Step one, catch it; step two, ensure our safety; step three, maybe save the apartment?

Frank grabs a cardboard box and tiptoes towards the kitchen, where the dinosaur is now nibbling on a discarded bagel. Stein follows, reluctantly armed with a large Tupperware container.

Frank: (whispering) Ready…steady…go!

They both lunge forward. The dinosaur, sensing movement, dodges just in time. The dinosaur sprints out of the kitchen, and they follow in hot pursuit.

Stein: (breathless) What kind of DNA did you use?

Frank: Just bits of fossils, nothing too crazy…I think.

Stein: (sarcastic) Yes, creating life from ancient DNA, totally not crazy.

The dinosaur leaps onto the coffee table, knocking over a vase of flowers. Water spills everywhere, and the dinosaur skitters away once more.

Frank stands in the middle of the living room, cardboard box in one hand, panting. Stein stops by the now toppled vase, lifting it with frustration.

Frank: Okay, new plan. We’re gonna outsmart it.

Stein: Or, you could turn off that printer before it makes an older sibling.

Frank: Good call.

Frank rushes over to the 3D printer and fumbles with the controls, finally managing to turn it off. Meanwhile, Stein stands bewildered as the tiny dinosaur climbs onto the windowsill and lets out an adorable but loud roar.

Stein: Frank, the neighbors will hear that. Control your science experiment!

Frank: (waving his arms) Hey, little guy, let’s keep it down. Don’t want to involve the entire building in our…pet issue.

Carol and Doug’s voices can be heard faintly through the wall, their footsteps heading toward the apartment.

Stein: (whispering sternly) Carol and Doug are coming. Quick, we need to hide it!

Frank looks around frantically. The dinosaur, as if understanding, leaps from the window and scurries under the couch.

Frank: Under the couch! Perfect hiding spot!

Stein: (frustrated whisper) This is not perfect! How do we explain the mess?

Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Carol’s cheerful but curious voice comes through.

Carol: (from outside) Everything okay in there, guys?

Frank: (mouthing to Stein) Stall them!

Stein takes a deep breath and opens the door, smiling nervously at Carol and Doug.

Stein: Oh, hey Carol, Doug. Just…you know, spring cleaning!

Doug: (peering inside) Looks more like a tornado hit. Need some help?

Frank: (popping up from behind the couch) No, no, we’re good! Just a little…redecorating.

The dinosaur’s small head pokes out from under the couch, its eyes wide with curiosity.

Carol: (pointing) What’s that under the couch?

Stein: (quickly) Oh, just a new…cleaning robot Frank’s been testing. Primitive prototype.

Frank nods vigorously while subtly pushing the dinosaur back under the couch with his foot.

Frank: Yeah! Needs some more adjustments. Thanks for checking in, though!

Carol: (suspiciously) Alright, if you say so. Just let us know if you need anything.

As Carol and Doug walk away, Stein closes the door, breathing a sigh of relief.

Stein: We need to fix this. Now.

Frank: Agreed. Alright, let’s round up our little Jurassic houseguest and figure out how to send him back to…you know, not our apartment.

Lunch

The apartment is in disarray. Frank and Stein are on their hands and knees, trying to peek under the furniture to locate the elusive dinosaur. The little creature can be heard skittering around, occasionally knocking things over.

Frank: (frustrated) How can something so small cause so much chaos?

Stein: (sighing) Welcome to the wonderful world of unintended consequences.

Frank: (determined) Alright, we need a plan. If dinosaurs love anything, it’s food, right?

Stein: (sarcastically) Oh yes, the classic dinosaur diet: whatever they can get their little claws on.

Frank gets up and heads toward the kitchen, opening cabinets and rummaging through their contents. Stein stands up, slightly exasperated, but decides to help.

Frank: Okay, I’ve got…leftover pizza, some apples, and…last week’s lasagna?

Stein: (disbelief) I’m sure last week’s lasagna will be a hit. Dinosaurs love expired Italian cuisine.

Frank: (laughing) Hey, you never know! Let’s try it.

Frank places the food items in a small pile on the living room floor. They both stand back and wait, watching the pile intently.

Stein: So, while we wait for our little friend, any bright ideas on how to fix this?

Frank: (thinking) Maybe we can reprogram the 3D printer to undo the printing? Like a reverse button!

Stein: (raising an eyebrow) A reverse button for life? That’s a stretch even for you, Frank.

Suddenly, the dinosaur peeks out from under the couch, sniffing the air. It cautiously approaches the food pile and tentatively nibbles on an apple.

Frank: Look, it’s working!

Stein: (deadpan) Wonderful. Now we have a dinosaur with a taste for fruit.

As the dinosaur munches on the apple, it unexpectedly makes a dash towards Stein’s neatly organized bookshelves.

Stein: (panicked) No, not the books!

Frank: (chasing) I got it! I got it!

The dinosaur darts around the living room, causing more chaos. It knocks over more items, including a tower of labeled storage boxes. Meanwhile, Frank slips on a stray apple core and crashes into the couch.

Stein: Frank, at this rate, we’ll need a bigger apartment!

Frank: (dazed) Or a smaller dinosaur…

The doorbell rings. Both Frank and Stein freeze. The dinosaur, seemingly aware of the new disruption, bounds into the kitchen and disappears among the cabinets.

Carol: (through door) Hellooo? Anyone home?

Stein: (whispering) This is bad. Really bad.

Frank: Quick, act normal!

Stein opens the door to find Carol and Doug standing there, looking concerned.

Carol: We heard these weird noises again. Everything okay?

Frank: (waving his hand) Oh, just a bit of spring cleaning gone wild. Nothing to worry about!

Doug: (stepping in) Mind if we take a look?

Doug steps inside before Stein can respond. He looks around skeptically at the mess.

Stein: Doug, really, there’s no need—

Doug: (interrupting) Are you sure? This looks like more than just spring cleaning.

Suddenly, there’s a loud clattering noise from the kitchen. The dinosaur runs past, onto the living room coffee table, and stands there in full view.

Carol: (screaming) What on earth is that?!

Frank: (nervously) Oh, uh, that? Just a…new pet! We named him Rex. Say hi, Rex!

The dinosaur chirps, causing Carol to grab Doug’s arm and back towards the door.

Doug: (bewildered) That’s not a pet! That’s a dinosaur!

Stein: (quickly) Technically, it’s a mini proto-archosauriform, species unknown. Very rare.

Carol: (freaked out) Mini-whatever! That thing belongs in a zoo!

Frank: (forcing a laugh) Yeah, we were just about to call animal control. Right, Stein?

Stein: (unconvincingly) Definitely. Any minute now.

Doug and Carol exchange worried glances before slowly backing out of the apartment.

Carol: (nervously) You guys handle that. We…we’ll be next door.

As soon as the door closes, Frank and Stein collapse onto the couch.

Frank: This is a disaster. What do we do now?

Stein: First, we need to secure Rex. Second, we need to figure out how to reverse this mess.

Frank: (getting up) Ok, let’s try using one of my boxes. Maybe we can contain him.

Frank scrambles to find a sturdy containment box. Meanwhile, the dinosaur remains in the coffee table center, eyeing them curiously.

Stein: (looking at the dinosaur) At least it’s cute, in a prehistoric way.

Frank: (holding up a box) Alright, Rex. Time to go back to your little time-out corner.

Frank slowly approaches Rex with the box. Just as he’s about to swoop the dinosaur, it hops off the table and scurries into Stein’s carefully arranged bookshelf. Books and artifacts tumble down onto the living room floor.

Stein: (distressed) Frank, I just organized that!

They both dive towards the bookshelf, each grabbing a side of the box. As they try to coax Rex out, the doorbell rings again, this time more insistently.

Frank: (sighing) What now…

Stein opens the door to find Tabitha standing there, clutching a notebook with an enthusiastic look on her face.

Tabitha: I heard noises! I knew something was going on! What’s the scoop, guys?

Frank: (muttering under his breath) Just what we needed…

Stein: (trying to block her view) Oh, nothing major. Just some…spring cleaning.

Tabitha: (pushing past Stein) Spring cleaning? Sure, and I’m the queen of Mars.

Tabitha barges into the living room and stops dead in her tracks upon seeing Rex.

Tabitha: (eyes wide) Oh. My. God. Is that…a dinosaur?

Frank: (nervously) Uh…surprise?

Stein: It’s a, um, science project. Very top secret.

Tabitha: (grinning) A science project, huh? Now that’s what I call cutting-edge research!

Frank: (trying to change the subject) So, how’s your day been, Tabitha?

Tabitha: (ignoring him, crouching to inspect Rex) You know, I always suspected there was something weird going on here, but I never thought you’d be housing a prehistoric pet!

Stein: (sighs) It’s a long story…

Rex, intrigued by Tabitha’s energy, approaches her and sniff her shoes. Tabitha giggles, clearly delighted.

Tabitha: This is amazing! Have you guys considered what you’ve unlocked here? The possibilities are endless!

Frank: (exasperated) The possibilities are endless chaos, Tabitha. Are you here to help or to marvel?

Tabitha: (enthusiastically) Oh, I’ll help all right. Don’t think you’re getting rid of me that easily. This is the scoop of the century.

Tabitha produces a camera from her bag and starts snapping pictures of Rex. Frank looks on in horror.

Frank: No pictures! This needs to stay…kind of secret.

Tabitha: (grinning) Oh right, top secret. Gotcha. But you’re gonna have to explain this someday.

Rex, seemingly energized by all the attention, starts to dart around the room again, knocking over more items in the process.

Stein: Alright, enough of this. Rex needs to go back into containment.

Frank: (to Tabitha) Can you distract him for a second?

Tabitha: (smiling) With pleasure.

Tabitha begins waving a brightly colored scarf, catching Rex’s attention. As Rex follows the movement, Stein and Frank prepare to pounce with their box.

Frank: On three…one…two…

Suddenly, Rex leaps towards the scarf, Tabitha sidesteps, and Frank and Stein make their move, managing to trap Rex under the box.

Frank: Got him!

Stein: Now what?

Frank: We need to figure out how to reverse the process. Maybe scan the DNA and see if we missed something.

Tabitha: (excitedly) What if the printer doesn’t just create? What if it has the power to deconstruct too?

Stein: (thoughtfully) That’s a possibility…we need to check its software.

Frank rushes to the 3D printer and starts tapping away at the controls. Tabitha sits in the living room, keeping an eye on the box with Rex inside, while Stein picks up the scattered books and artifacts.

Frank: (focused) The printer has a scan and analyze function. Maybe that will give us some answers.

Stein: (arranging books) And in the meantime, we need to keep Rex contained.

Tabitha: (suggestively) With great power comes great responsibility, guys. Don’t mess it up.

Frank: (rolling his eyes) Thanks for the pep talk, Tabitha.

Frank’s concentration is broken when Rex manages to tip the box and scurries out again. All three jump up in a renewed frenzy of trying to catch the nimble creature.

Stein: (frustrated) We were so close!

Frank: (sighing) Back to square one.

Rex knocks over a stack of recent inventions again, causing a series of chain reactions that lead to a further disarray of the living room.

Tabitha: (laughing) This is the best entertainment I’ve had in months!

Stein: Glad we could amuse you. Now, help us catch our prehistoric prankster.

As they chase Rex around again, the doorbell rings for the third time. The camera cuts to the door, revealing Carol and Doug nervously stepping back inside with determined faces.

Carol: Seriously, what is going on in here?

Doug: We’ve given you guys enough time. Let us help.

The door to the apartment swings open wider, revealing the chaos and Frank riding an old hoverboard, chasing Rex while Stein waves a net and Tabitha claps enthusiastically.

Frank: (waving) Little busy here, Doug. Can this wait?

Doug: (sighing) No, we’re here to help. Whether you like it or not.

Stein: (desperate) Fine, fine. Just…don’t freak out more than you already have.

The scene dissolves into further chaos, with Frank, Stein, Tabitha, Carol, and Doug all racing around, trying to corner Rex who is now enjoying his impromptu game of hide and seek.

Frank: Next step – get expert advice. Gotta call for backup!

Frank grabs his phone and dials frantically. We hear the phone ringing as the scene cuts to black, leaving the audience in anticipation.

Afternoon

The apartment is now a battlefield of toppled furniture, scattered feathers from a broken pillow, and various gadgets strewn across the floor. Frank holds his phone to his ear, pacing anxiously, while Stein tries to restore some order to his devastated bookshelves. Rex is nowhere to be seen, but tiny crashes continue to echo from the hallway.

Frank: (talking into the phone) Professor Venkatachalapathy? Yes, it’s Frank. We have an issue…well, more like a prehistoric predicament. Can you come over?

Stein: (picking up a broken artifact) Frank, who are you calling for backup?

Frank: (covering the phone) Our enigmatic, all-knowing professor. If anyone can help, it’s him.

Tabitha gleefully watches the chaos, occasionally snapping pictures of the destruction. Carol and Doug are trying to corner Rex, armed with a broom and a mop, respectively.

Tabitha: (chuckling) This place is a reality show waiting to happen.

Carol: (swinging the broom) Focus, Tabitha! We’re trying to catch a dinosaur, not film Jurassic Park III.

Doug: (sighing) This is worse than when our dog got into the Christmas decorations.

Frank hangs up the phone and joins Stein by the bookshelf.

Frank: Professor V is on his way. He sounded intrigued…and slightly amused.

Stein: Great, because we need all the help we can get. Where’s Rex now?

At that moment, a loud clattering noise comes from Stein’s room. Everyone freezes.

Stein: (dismayed) My room…again.

Frank: (resigned) I’ll check it out.

Frank cautiously heads towards Stein’s room, with Stein trailing behind. Tabitha and the neighbors continue their valiant, but chaotic, chase efforts in the living room.

Frank and Stein peek into Stein’s room, finding it in complete disarray. Precious historical artifacts are scattered everywhere, and Rex is perched on Stein’s bed, chewing on a Renaissance-era book.

Stein: (horrified) Not the book!

Frank: (gently approaching) Easy, Rex…put the book down…

Rex, seemingly proud of his new chew toy, gnashes his teeth merrily. Frank inches closer, but Rex darts onto the desk and knocks over more artifacts.

Stein: (muttering) This is a nightmare…

Frank: (determined) We’re not giving up. We need to outsmart him. Maybe distract him with something more appealing than your precious texts.

Stein: (sarcastically) Like what, a live goat?

Frank: No goats. But maybe something shiny?

Frank grabs a shiny, metallic gadget from Stein’s desk and dangles it in front of Rex. The dinosaur’s eyes light up, and it focuses intently on the gadget.

Frank: That’s it, buddy…look at the shiny thing…

Rex leaps towards the gadget, and as he does, the doorbell rings. Startled, the dinosaur darts out of Stein’s room, racing towards the front door.

Stein: The professor’s here.

Frank: Perfect timing. Let’s see if he can work his professorly magic.

Frank and Stein rush to the front door and open it to reveal Professor Krishnan Venkatachalapathy, a tall figure with an air of mystery and an amused expression.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: (smiling) So, I hear you’ve been dabbling in paleontological semiotics?

Frank: Professor, thank God you’re here. We created a living, breathing dinosaur!

Stein: And our apartment is now its playground. Can you help?

The professor steps inside and surveys the chaos with a calm, calculated demeanor.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: Fascinating. Let me see the little culprit.

Just as they turn to lead the professor further inside, Rex bolts out from underneath the couch and sprints across the room. The chase renews with vigor.

Doug: (exasperated) Here it comes again!

Carol: Quick, someone block the door!

Professor V calmly stands in the way, stopping Rex in its tracks. He kneels down and extends a hand, looking Rex directly in the eyes.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: There, there, little one. No need to run. Let’s be friends, shall we?

Rex hesitates, looking up curiously at the professor. His demeanor shifts from frantic to curious.

Frank: (whispering) Is he…taming it?

Stein: (amazed) I don’t believe it…

Rex approaches the professor slowly, nuzzling his hand. Professor V gently pets the dinosaur and stands back up.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: There. Now, let’s address the issue of containment.

Tabitha: (breathless from excitement) That was…amazing. Can he stay and watch the fireworks?

Frank: (laughing) Sadly, no. Rex needs to go back where he belongs—or at least somewhere not here.

Stein: Professor, any ideas on reversing the process?

Professor Venkatachalapathy: (thoughtfully) This creature was brought to life by your 3D printer, correct? Perhaps reconfiguring its output parameters might reverse the anomaly.

Frank nods and hurries over to the 3D printer, gesturing for Tabitha to follow. Stein and the professor continue to calm Rex as the others resume some semblance of tidying up.

Frank: (at the printer) Let’s see…reverse parameters…input DNA…

Tabitha: (intrigued) Fascinating device. So much power in one small machine.

Frank: (typing furiously) Power, yes. Control…not so much. Let’s hope this works.

The 3D printer hums and clicks as Frank input the new parameters. A soft beep indicates it’s ready.

Frank: (calling) Okay, it’s set. Bring Rex over.

Professor Venkatachalapathy carefully picks up Rex, who seems oddly calm, and carries him to the 3D printer. Everyone holds their breath as Frank prepares to activate the machine.

Frank: (fingers crossed) Here goes nothing…

Frank hits the button. The 3D printer whirrs to life, emitting a soft glow. Rex looks around curiously, but remains still in the professor’s arms.

Stein: (anxiously) Is it working?

Frank: Give it a moment…

The printer’s light intensifies, enveloping Rex in a shimmering field. Slowly, the dinosaur begins to dissolve, transforming into a stream of bright particles that are drawn back into the machine. In moments, Rex is gone.

Tabitha: (awed) Wow…that was like magic.

Carol: (relieved) Finally, some peace and order.

Doug: (sighing) I never thought I’d say this, but thank you, Frank.

Frank: (laughing) Any time, Doug.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: (resting a hand on Frank’s shoulder) Well done, both of you. But remember, with great power…

Frank: (finishing his sentence) …comes a lot of unexpected chaos.

Stein: We’ve definitely learned that. Thank you, professor.

The professor nods and, with a knowing smile, turns to leave the apartment.

Professor Venkatachalapathy: Remember, boys, science and history are but two sides of the same coin. Be mindful of what you create.

With that, the professor exits, leaving Frank, Stein, Tabitha, and their neighbors to clean up the aftermath. Rex may be gone, but the apartment is still a mess.

Frank: (looking around) Well, guess it’s time for the real spring cleaning.

Stein: (tentatively) You take the kitchen—I’ll handle my room.

Tabitha: (grinning) And I’ll handle the publicity—kidding! Mostly.

Carol: (smiling) We’ll help too. After all, neighbors stick together, right?

Doug: (chuckling) As long as there aren’t any more dinosaurs, I’m in.

They all laugh and get to work, finally restoring some order to their chaotic home. As they work, the camera pans over to the 3D printer, now silent and seemingly harmless.

Dialog: Frank: So, anyone up for pizza once we’re done?

Dialog: Stein: (smiling) Only if there’s no ancient DNA involved.

Evening

The apartment is finally starting to look semi-normal. Frank and Stein are exhausted, resting on the couch. Carol, Doug, and Tabitha have left after helping tidy up. The 3D printer sits ominously silent in the corner. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow through the windows.

Frank: (sighing in relief) I never thought spring cleaning could be so…prehistoric.

Stein: (smirking) At least we survived without becoming extinct.

Frank: (groaning) Keep those puns coming, Stein.

There’s a knock on the door. Frank and Stein exchange exhausted looks before Frank reluctantly gets up to answer it. Standing in the doorway is Mr. Hector Alvarez, the building superintendent, looking mildly annoyed but curious.

Mr. Alvarez: Evening, boys. Heard some interesting noises today. Anything I should be concerned about?

Frank: (nervously) Evening, Mr. Alvarez! Nothing to worry about. Just a little spring cleaning…gone wild.

Stein: (trying to sound convincing) Yes, just rearranging some things. You know how it is.

Mr. Alvarez narrows his eyes, clearly skeptical. He steps into the apartment, looking around at the somewhat chaotic remnants of their day.

Mr. Alvarez: (looking around) This doesn’t look like a typical clean-up…

Just then, from behind the couch, Rex’s small head pokes out, clearly curious about the new visitor. Stein and Frank freeze in terror.

Mr. Alvarez: (frowning) What was that?

Frank: (quick thinking) Uh, that? Oh, just a…a new automatic cleaning robot we’re testing! It’s very…lifelike.

Stein: (nodding vigorously) Very advanced technology. Made by…Frank here.

Mr. Alvarez: (suspicious) A cleaning robot that looks like a dinosaur, huh?

Frank tries to distract Mr. Alvarez by leading him toward the kitchen, but the super keeps glancing back suspiciously at the living room.

Frank: (nervously) You know, Mr. Alvarez, we could really use your expertise with some…plumbing issues.

Mr. Alvarez: Plumbing issues?

Stein: (jumping in) Yes, the sink has been acting up. Would you mind taking a look?

As they lead Mr. Alvarez to the kitchen, hoping to buy time, Rex decides to take a little exploratory journey, scampering across the living room floor with tiny, loud steps.

Mr. Alvarez: (turning around) What’s that noise?

Frank and Stein exchange panicked looks. Stein, thinking quickly, grabs a nearby box and quietly tries to corral Rex back under the couch. Frank opens cabinets and taps the sink haphazardly.

Frank: Nothing to worry about! Just a…uh, loose pipe.

Mr. Alvarez walks back into the living room, getting more suspicious by the minute. Stein’s efforts to contain Rex are not going unnoticed.

Mr. Alvarez: (crossing his arms) Boys, tell me what’s really going on here.

Stein: (desperate) Honestly, Mr. Alvarez, it’s been a strange day. Can you give us a moment to sort it out?

Mr. Alvarez: (sighing) You’ve got five minutes.

As Mr. Alvarez steps out into the hallway, Frank and Stein collapse onto the couch.

Frank: We’re running out of excuses faster than we’re running out of energy.

Stein: We need a foolproof plan to keep Rex hidden. And quick.

Frank: (thinking) Maybe if we create a diversion big enough, we can hide Rex in my lab for now.

Suddenly, Frank’s face lights up with an idea. He grabs a bright red ball from his pile of inventions and tosses it across the room. Rex’s eyes follow the ball, and he chases it, leading him closer to Frank’s lab door.

Frank: That’s it, little buddy…follow the ball…

The door to Frank’s lab is slightly ajar. Rex, enthralled by the bouncing ball, dashes inside the lab. Frank quickly follows and closes the door behind them.

Stein: (relieved) Okay, now what?

Frank: We keep him in here until we can figure out something more permanent. At least he’ll be contained.

Suddenly, there’s another knock at the door. This time, it’s a more hurried and urgent knock.

Stein: (peeking through the peephole) It’s Tabitha again.

Frank: (groaning) What now?

Stein: (opening the door) Tabitha, we love you, but we’ve got a situation on our hands.

Tabitha: (bursts in, holding a stack of papers) You’ll want to see this! I’ve been researching and writing non-stop since I left!

Frank: (glancing at the papers) Oh great, now we have homework along with a dinosaur problem.

Tabitha spreads her notes on the coffee table, talking excitedly.

Tabitha: I found some historical references that might explain how to reverse-engineer the DNA process. It’s risky, but it might work.

Stein: (taking interest) Risky how?

Tabitha: We need a stable particle accelerator and specific genetic materials. Do you guys have anything like that lying around?

Frank: (nonchalantly) Oh, just our everyday, run-of-the-mill particle accelerator in the lab.

Tabitha: (grinning) Perfect! Let’s get to work.

They hustle to Frank’s lab, which now contains Rex, who is curiously nosing around the gadgets. Between Frank, Stein, and Tabitha, a makeshift science operation begins.

Frank: Okay, Rex. Time for you to go back where you belong.

Stein: (setting up equipment) Here goes nothing.

Tabitha: (focusing) Align the particles…set the DNA parameters…and…

A brilliant light envelops Rex once more. There is an intense hum as the room glows with extraordinary energy. Slowly, Rex begins to dematerialize, his particles reversing the process, being drawn back into the genetic material.

Frank: (squinting against the light) Did it work?

As the light fades, the room is still, and Rex is gone. Their makeshift equipment hums softly as it powers down.

Stein: (breathing a sigh of relief) It worked. He’s gone.

Tabitha: (holding up a vial) And we’ve re-contained his DNA. Just in case.

Frank: (laughing) Tabitha, you’re a genius. This calls for pizza!

They’re interrupted by Mr. Alvarez re-entering the apartment, still somewhat skeptical but less so upon seeing the calmer state of affairs.

Mr. Alvarez: So, everything sorted?

Stein: (nodding) Yes, sir. Just a minor hiccup in the…cleaning process.

Mr. Alvarez: (looking around) I’ll take your word for it this time. But I’d better not hear about any more prehistoric problems.

Frank: (smiling) No more prehistoric problems. Just normal, everyday chaos.

Mr. Alvarez gives a final nod and leaves the apartment. Frank, Stein, and Tabitha collapse onto the couch with exhausted chuckles.

Frank: I thought today would never end.

Stein: We definitely earned this rest. And maybe a normal evening for once.

Tabitha: (grinning) Normal? With you two? Fat chance. I can’t wait for the next “cleaning day”.

Frank: (laughing) You know, somehow, I think we’ll manage just fine.

The scene shifts to the kitchen where a pizza delivery has just arrived. Frank and Stein share a triumphant high-five over their victory while Tabitha helps herself to a slice.

Frank: Cheers to another crazy day…and our prehistoric adventure.

Stein: (raising his pizza slice) To surviving the dinosaur debacle. And here’s to hoping for a quieter tomorrow.

Tabitha: (joining in) …but not too quiet. Where’s the fun in that?

They all laugh, enjoying their pizza in the now peaceful living room. The 3D printer sits silent, holding its secrets, and the apartment, for the moment, is finally at peace.