Return to Gravity Falls/Back in Town

Back in Town is the first episode of Return to Gravity Falls, and the premiere episode of the Exalian Disneyvese overall.
==Synopsis==
After Dipper and Mabel's beloved grandmother passes away, their parents decide to move the family to Gravity Falls, believing it will help the twins overcome their sorrow. But upon their arrival, the twins realize the town is just not the same.
==Transcript==
1997
The episode opens with a view of a country road at sunset, as Hall and Oates - "She's Gone" begins to play in the background. We see a red convertible car driving down the road, with a red-haired couple laughing inside and singing along. They pull into a dark forest, with the woman looking around with curiosity.
Man: Oh don't worry, Centurica. I know this place all too well.
Centurica: Heh... so do I, Daniel. I've done the research... (winks at him)
Daniel: That wink looked kinda creepy...... and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Centurica: Aw, thanks honey!
Daniel and Centurica drive past a sign saying "WELCOME TO GRAVITY FALLS" and arrive at a dusty old apartment complex. Daniel gets their things out of the car trunk, and Centurica reaches into the back seat and brings out a baby with a swirl of red hair on the front of her head. The baby cries noisily until Centurica caresses her hand.
Centurica: It'll be OK, sweetie. Trust me.
A rustling noise is heard from somewhere within the forest, and Daniel jumps with surprise and pulls out his axe.
Daniel: Whoever or whatever you are... show yourself immediately!
Centurica: Relax, hon. Take the baby. (gives her to him) I've got this. (walks out into the forest)
After a moment of silence, an inhuman screech is heard, and it echoes throughout the forest, shaking the trees and the ground.
Old Man: (opens window and sticks his head out) Hey! Can't ya keep it down out there?!
Daniel: Don't blame me, ol' geezer! Blame the animals!
Old Man: Them animals always actin' like this! I swear to howdy, I'll... I'll...
Centurica comes back out of the forest, smiling.
Centurica: Don't worry, sir. It was just a darn bat...
Daniel looks at her with confusement.
Daniel: Yeah... a bat...
Centurica: You go ahead into our room. I wanna take our daughter on a little walk.
Daniel: ...alright. (gives the baby to Centurica and departs with the suitcases)
Centurica carries the baby back into the forest as she gazes at the trees in wonder.
Centurica: (sweetly) You're gonna love this place, baby... I've learned SO much about it just from the library back in Minnesota. (suddenly changes to a more serious tone) And one day... it will all be ours.
The background music fades a bit as they come across the dead body of what seems to be a blue imp. One of its wings has been burnt with a sort of blue flame, as we can tell by the embers.
Centurica: I've always looked at this world and wondered, "How much more is there?" Not just the other planets... but other realities too. And I think this town of Gravity Falls might grant me access to all that. (pause) Oh, I know. You don't quite understand all of this yet... but you will one day. And that day shall come soon enough, my wonderful princess... Wendy.
Centurica forms a light blue flame in her hand and makes the temperature just right to comfort baby Wendy without burning her alive, and the music comes back into full blast as she looks down at the imp corpse, smirking with a blue fire burning in her eyes.
Cue intro.
----
Piedmont, CaliforniaPresent Day
We get a view of an average suburban house, with a mailbox showing the name "PINES" in the front yard. Then we see a young boy with brown hair, a plaid yellow button-up shirt, and gray jeans open his bedroom door and walk out smiling.
Boy: Morning, Mom and Dad!
Dad: Morning, Maxwell.
Maxwell comes downstairs cheerfully as his parents set the table for breakfast.
Maxwell: Scrambled eggs, cheesy toast, and bacon! Good to go!
Mom: Here's your plate, Max. (gives it to him) And... are the twins still sleeping?
Dad: MASON! MABEL! C'MON!
Dipper and Mabel Pines, now 17, come out of their room groggily.
Dipper: Dad... please don't call me Mason... and school doesn't start til 8:00 AM... It's only 7:15...
Dad: There are some people in our nation who have to be in classes at that time. Consider yourself lucky. Here, have some coffee. Both of you.
Dipper and Mabel take their mugs of coffee. After one sip, Mabel's energy seems to suddenly increase, and she starts singing and skipping around the house. Dipper just smiles.
Dipper: Mabel's still Mabel.
His father smiles back at him.
Dipper: Hey Dad... can I ask you something?
Dad: What is it, son?
Dipper: If... if you're OK with it... can we maybe go to Gravity Falls again this summer? After Mabel and I graduate?
Dipper's father scratches the bristles of hair on his chin for a moment.
Dad: I... I've gotta go. Big meeting. (puts on an ID card showing his name -- "Joseph Pines" -- and walks out the front door)
Dipper looks down at his feet in disappointment, releasing a sigh. His mother sits down next to him and puts her hand on his shoulder.
Mom: Oh, Dipper... you know we understand how much you miss Gravity Falls. After all... five years without a trip there seems really long, huh?
Dipper nods his head slowly.
Mom: Your father... he's just a busy man these days. And I, Laura Pines, his wife, your mother... I always have to find ways to put that smile on his face. And Mabel's, and Maxwell's... and yours too.
Dipper: One of these days, I'll end up like him... won't I?
Laura sighs, placing her hand against her forehead.
Laura: Look, Dipper... I promise I'll take you and Mabel back one day. Just the three of us.
Dipper: What about Maxwell? He's been wanting to go there forever.
Laura: Sure, Maxwell too. And while we're at it, why not Waddles?
They both laugh, as Waddles the pig stares at them.
Laura: OK... I made you some chicken biscuits. Your childhood favorite! (gives the biscuits to him) Take 'em with you, you can eat 'em on the way to school. Just make sure Max is safe, alright?
Dipper: OK, mom! See you later!
Laura: Do you have your keys?
Dipper: Oh! Heh heh... right. (grabs his keys off the shelf) Driver's license... duh... (walks out the door)
As Dipper closes the door, we zoom in on a nearby bush, where a mysterious tiny robot with a single blue "eye" is hiding and spying on him.
Cut to the car ride. The three siblings are shown in a rusty cobalt-blue car, probably from the 70s or 80s. Dipper is at the wheel, with Mabel on the passenger side and Maxwell in the back. A familiar song, "Queens of the Disco", is playing on the radio.
Dipper and Mabel: (singing) Ooooh, girls do what we like, ooooh, we're taking over tonight, ooooh...
Maxwell: (clearly annoyed) Why do you guys like this song so much?? It gets on my nerves!
Dipper: (speaking normally) Eh, it's complicated. I guess it's... the harmony or something?
Mabel: Oh, it's definitely the harmony!
The car arrives at Piedmont Middle School and pulls to a stop in front of the building. As Maxwell gathers his things, Dipper turns and looks at him sternly.
Dipper: Now remember, Maxwell... don't blow anything up in robotics club after school today.
Maxwell: (grabbing his phone) I know, I know...
Dipper: And for the last time, don't use your phone in the middle of class!
Maxwell: I know, Dipper! (gets out of car, shuts the door)
Dipper: (calling out to him) And make sure you bring the correct textbook to your classes! It's history, not geography!
Maxwell: (covers his ears) La la la, I can't hear you...
Dipper rolls his eyes, and Mabel just smiles at him.
Mabel: Don't you think you're taking it a liiiitle too seriously, Dipstick?
Dipper: I guess...? I don't know.
A montage of Dipper and Mabel's school day is shown, with DNCE - "Good Day" playing. We see them writing essays in English, conducting experiments in Chemistry, practicing Latin, getting pummeled by dodgeballs in gym class, and having lunch in the courtyard.
We later cut to the end of the day for the twins, and they head outside to their car. As Dipper is about to open the driver's side door, a gold minivan speeds past him and comes to a stop next to the car. Three rebellious teens are shown inside.
Rebel 1: Outta the way, freaks!
Dipper: Hey, you almost ran us over. An apology would be nice.
Rebel 2: Apologies don't work anymore, nerd. Welcome to the new age.
Mabel: You're gonna get arrested, y'know.
Rebel 3: Yeah whatever... catch ya later, losers!
The rebel teens drive off with a swerve, laughing. We hear a ringtone yelling, "Who wants to get badgered??" before a dubstep bass drop plays. Dipper quickly pulls his phone out of his pocket and answers the call.
Dipper: Hello? ....Hey, dad. ....Wait, what happened to Grandma? ........I'll get there as soon as I can. Bye. (hangs up)
Mabel: What about Grandma?
Dipper: It doesn't matter. We have to go, now!
We cut back to the middle school -- specifically, a math classroom. The students are all working on the warm-up algebra equation written on the chalkboard -- all except Maxwell, who is playing on his phone. As the bell rings, we meet the teacher, a black woman wearing red glasses, a green blouse, and blue jeans. She comes into the classroom, walking past a small poster board showing her name -- "Ms. Mitchell" -- and towards the warm-up equation. She taps the chalkboard, and the whole class falls silent.
Ms. Mitchell: Alright class, I gave you five minutes to solve the equation on the board for your warm-up activity. Maxwell Pines... could you please come up and tell us your answer, and how you got it?
Maxwell goes up to the board as his teacher holds out a piece of green chalk. He takes it and drops it on the floor, instead showing everyone his phone, which has the answer displayed.
Maxwell: The answer is X=5 and I got that answer by using the "X=What?" app on my phone.
His classmates laugh a bit at his smart aleck response.
Ms. Mitchell: ...first of all, I didn't give you permission to use your phone for the warm-up. Secondly, your phone is supposed to be in your backpack anyway. Third, I find your attitude unacceptable and I am writing you up on a referral.
Maxwell: But I got the answer right, didn't I?
Ms. Mitchell: That is not the point. Using your phone in class is considered cheating, and that is against the rules.
Maxwell: (condescending) But I got the answer right... didn't I?
Ms. Mitchell: (calmly) Mr. Pines... please gather your belongings and report to the principal's office.
Maxwell: I can't go to the office! I'm the president of the robotics club, and we have a meeting after school today!
Ms. Mitchell: I am aware of that. I am also aware that the vice president will be more than happy to take over your duties while you are in detention.
Maxwell: You can't put me in detention! I'm not going anywhere!
A few hours later, Maxwell is sitting at a desk in a dimly lit room, reading a book. Ms. Mitchell opens the door and leans in.
Ms. Mitchell: Maxwell... your brother's here to pick you up.
We then cut to Dipper driving Maxwell home.
Dipper: You were pretty rough on Ms. Mitchell today.
Maxwell: She had it coming! She can't just take away my robotics position. Technology is my LIFE!
Dipper: We all know that. I just don't think there was any need to get so worked up about it.
Maxwell: Without technology, we wouldn't even be where we are now, would we??
Dipper: You wanna know something, Maxwell? While you were busy dating your phone, our grandma died. You get that? She's gone.
Maxwell: Wait... wh-what?
As the car comes to a stop at an intersection, Maxwell finally looks Dipper in the eyes.
Dipper: You wanted to help her live longer... remember? You wanted to build something that could fix bad cells...
Maxwell: Is it true... that sh-she...
Dipper slowly nods his head.
Maxwell: (starting to cry) I... I just wanna make the world a better place... I don't mean any harm...
Dipper: You're not causing any harm, Max. You're just... learning. I was just like you when I was your age. Naïve, kinda selfish...
Maxwell: I'm sorry, Dipper....
Maxwell hugs Dipper as he starts bawling, and Dipper comforts him with a pat on the back. As the light turns green, he faces forward again, but lets Maxwell lean on him.
Dipper: Hey... you wanna get some burgers?
Maxwell: But... mom and dad...
Dipper: They don't have to know. I'll just tell them I needed gas. I'll do it for you, OK?
Maxwell: OK... (smiles weakly)
Dipper drives into the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant as the sun sets.
----
3 Weeks Later
The Pines family is shown driving down a road with a moving truck close behind. Joseph and Laura are taking their black pick-up truck, and Dipper is driving his rusty car with Mabel and Maxwell in the passenger seats.
Maxwell is snoring in his seat. Mabel smiles and gives him a nudge, and he wakes up.
Maxwell: How... how long have we been driving? Are we there yet?
Mabel: We sure are, Maxie.
They drive past the ever-familiar "Welcome to Gravity Falls" sign, and Maxwell sits up straight and squeals with glee.
Maxwell: I can't believe it! We're actually living in GRAVITY FALLS!!
Dipper: Trust me, Max... you'll love it!
But as they drive past the sign, Dipper and Mabel notice the town is... different. Most of the trees in the forest have been cut down; in their place stands an urban complex of shops, restaurants, and apartments. They can see an enormous tower sticking out the middle of the area, with the name HEXAGO in big blue letters on the side.
Dipper: Huh... this... isn't what I expected.
A while later, we see the family unpacking at their new house -- a brown three-story building.
Mabel: Guys, check this out!! The backyard is HUGE!!
Maxwell: An indoor pool?? Awesome!
Dipper: Woah, this is a cool attic!
Joseph and Laura carefully carry a couch into the living room, talking as they go along.
Laura: How come we're here now, Joseph? I thought you didn't want to come here.
Joseph: That's true, but... (seemingly lost in thought)
Laura: But what, sweetie?
Joseph: Oh, nothing... if the kids are happy, that's all that matters.
In the attic, the kids take a look at a map of the house.
Dipper: OK, so there's four bedrooms. Meaning mom and dad get one and each of us gets one.
Mabel: I call dibs on the room closest to the backyard!
Dipper: Mabel, that's the kitchen...
Mabel: Oh. Well then, I call the room next to it! Because THAT'S a bedroom! ....Isn't it?
Maxwell: Bedroom just across from the second floor bathroom is mine. You never know when you need to go.
Dipper: Alright, then that means I get that bedroom on the third floor, next to our parents.
Joseph: (coming upstairs) Now hold it, son. Your mother and I are getting two separate rooms so we get our own personal space.
Dipper: I mean... wouldn't you guys like to sleep... together? 'Cause you're... married?
Joseph: You know how serious she is about personal space, Dipper...
FLASHBACK: Joseph and Laura are shown snuggled up in bed together. Joseph is snoring in Laura's ear, though, and she rolls her eyes.
Back to present.
Dipper: Huh, that's a good point. (shrugs) Guess I'll sleep in the attic then.
Dipper walks over to the window at the front of the attic and looks outside, smiling.
Dipper: Man, I can't wait to find out what everyone's been up to...
----
In the next scene, we first see a shabby, small blue house. Weeds and vines are growing all around the yard, and the wooden exterior of the house is apparently falling apart.
Inside, we see two siblings handling chores in the kitchen. The older sibling, a dirty-blonde young man wearing a green sweater and black pants, is washing dishes; the younger sibling, a seemingly 14-year-old girl with lighter blonde hair and mostly purple attire, is dusting the counters.
Man: (to girl in purple clothes) We gotta do something about mom, Atlantis. She's losing it.
Atlantis: I know... it's been a long time since dad left and she still seems to be going through changes.
Man: You know we're gonna end up taking care of her one day, right?
Atlantis: That's why we have Pacifica! Plain and simple, right, Michael?
As the conversation continues, an older blonde girl can be seen poking her head out from the hallway.
Michael: Can you imagine Pacifica taking care of mom?
Atlantis: Well, they have a lot in common,
y'know?
Michael: Yeah, they do... but neither of them sees it happening any time soon.
Pacifica Northwest, wearing her familiar light blue vest and lavender t-shirt (although bigger to match her current age and size), comes into the kitchen smiling.
Pacifica: Did I hear my name?
Atlantis: Oh hey, Paz! We were just talking about you possibly taking care of our mom when she gets old and senile.
Pacifica: You mean more senile? (chuckles and smirks)
Atlantis and Michael glare at her.
Pacifica: (looking ashamed) ...sorry. (continues) But, guys... you know I can't take care of her that often. I don't know why, but she gets a lot more tense around me. And then I get more tense, and things go crazy, and then.... (sigh) I mean, either way, Michael has always been her favorite.
Michael: I'm a lawyer, not a daycare teacher. My career is not conducive to caretaking, thank you very much.
Atlantis: You're a lawyer fresh out of college. It's gonna take you a loooong time to make it to the top.
Michael: Still counts as a lawyer, doesn't it?
They go silent for a brief moment, with Pacifica helping Michael with the dishes.
Michael: ...tell you what. You two can take turns, and I'll visit.
Atlantis and Michael's mother, a small, slightly pudgy blonde with a dress of orange zigzags, comes into the room with an empty glass.
Mother: And who are we going to visit?
Everyone starts talking at once, surprised by her sudden appearance.
Atlantis: Uhhh, hey...!
Pacifica: Haha, Aunt Patricia!
Michael: H-hey, mom! We were wondering if we could, uh... go visit dad for a few days?
Patricia: ...y-you're going to visit your father? A-and his new wife?
Pacifica: Aunt Patricia! Please! They've been married for five years!
Patricia starts crying uncontrollably, and Pacifica tries to comfort her.
Pacifica: Oh, there there... (patting her on the back) I'm sorry... Here, lemme get your tea for you... I know you like it sweet, here's some sugar... now drink up. (smiles a bit as Patricia calms down) All done? Good. Now go sit down somewhere, OK? (gently guides her out of the room)
Pacifica sighs, obviously exhausted.
Pacifica: There is no way I'm taking care of her... it's too much work...
Atlantis: Hey, don't feel bad. After all, you did grow up with your rich parents...... who were working with Bill Cipher and were exposed and arrested, and that's why you're with us now...
Pacifica: Sometimes I still feel like that spoiled side of me still hides within, waiting to come out and take control... Good thing I'm practicing my social skills with Wendy. Otherwise I'd be totally done for.
Suddenly, Wendy Corduroy herself barges through the door, gasping for air.
Michael: Wendy??
Atlantis: What are you doing here?
Wendy: We have to stop Bill! Hurry!!
The four of them run outside in panic, trying not to trip over the vines and weeds in the yard. They run past several other houses and finally arrive at the neighborhood park...
...where they find a four-year-old boy drawing on a centaur statue with chalk. He has Michael's darker blonde hair, and is wearing a red t-shirt with a white clock on it. Pacifica picks him up and takes his chalk away.
Pacifica: William Jefferson Northwest, you are in big trouble!
William: But I just wanna dwaw!!
Michael: You can't draw on that, Bill... it's not supposed to be drawn on.
William: I'm sowwy...
Atlantis: Thank you for apologizing, but you need to go to time-out for a while.
William: Okay...
As they walk back to the house, Wendy comes up next to Pacifica.
Wendy: Sorry I had to disturb you guys.
Pacifica: It's OK. We know how this kid gets sometimes... I could use some improvement myself...
The camera slows to a stop as they keep walking, and we can see a small drone with a blue eye peeking out from between vines.
TBC
Category:Episodes
Category:Gravity Falls
Category:Exalian Disneyverse