By Anastasia M. (10th Grade)
Logline: A passionate college student inspires a cynical middle schooler about the burgeoning “right to repair” movement, revealing how accessible electronics repair can save the planet and our wallets.
Characters:
- STEPHEN (20s): Enthusiastic, slightly nerdy college student studying environmental science.
- BELLA (12): Bright, but initially indifferent middle school student. Always on her phone.
Setting:
- Stephen’s cluttered college dorm room, filled with electronic components, tools, and textbooks.
- A local coffee shop.
SCENE 1
INT. STEPHEN’S DORM ROOM – DAY
The room is a controlled chaos of wires, circuit boards, and various electronic gadgets in various states of disassembly. STEPHEN (20s) meticulously cleans a tiny component under a magnifying lamp. A half-eaten pizza box sits on his desk.
BELLA (12), glued to her smartphone, is sprawled on a beanbag chair, occasionally glancing up with a look of mild boredom.
STEPHEN
(Muttering to himself)
Almost got it… just a little more flux…
Bella sighs dramatically, scrolling.
BELLA
Are we almost done? My TikTok feed is getting stale, and I have like, three new DMs.
STEPHEN
(Without looking up)
Patience, grasshopper. This isn’t just a hobby; it’s a mission. I’m breathing new life into this ancient tablet. Think of me as a digital necromancer.
BELLA
(Scoffs)
You’re just fixing an old iPad. Why don’t they just make new ones?
Stephen finally looks up, a glint in his eye. This is his cue.
STEPHEN
Ah, Bella, you just hit on the million-dollar question. Or rather, the multi-billion-ton question.
Bella reluctantly lowers her phone slightly, intrigued despite herself.
STEPHEN
You know how often people upgrade their phones? Or smart displays? Every two, maybe three years if they’re really pushing it.
BELLA
Yeah, so? New tech is cool.
STEPHEN
New tech is cool. But what happens to the old tech? Think about it. All those perfectly good devices, tossed aside because a tiny component failed, or, most often, the battery died.
Stephen gestures around his room.
STEPHEN
This room is basically a shrine to things people gave up on. This isn’t just a few phones, Bella. We’re talking about a mountain range of electronic waste every single year. Rare earth minerals, plastics, toxic chemicals… all just piling up in landfills, polluting our planet. It’s a huge problem.
Bella looks genuinely thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.
BELLA
So, what are we supposed to do? Live in caves with rocks for phones?
STEPHEN
(Smiling)
Not at all! We empower ourselves. We demand the “right to repair.”
SCENE 2
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Stephen and Bella are now at a coffee shop. Stephen has a laptop open, showing articles and diagrams. Bella sips a milkshake, looking slightly more engaged.
STEPHEN
See these articles? In Europe, they’re way ahead of us. They’ve mandated that electronic products with batteries have to be repairable.
BELLA
Mandated? Like, it’s a law?
STEPHEN
Exactly! So, if your fancy electric toothbrush dies after two years because the battery bites the dust, you don’t have to chuck the whole thing. You just pop in a new battery, and boom! Good as new.
He mimes replacing a battery with a flourish.
BELLA
(Considering)
Wait, so I wouldn’t have to buy a whole new toothbrush just because the battery died? That actually sounds… good. My mom just threw away her really expensive headphones last month because the battery went out.
STEPHEN
See? It’s not just about toothbrushes. It’s about everything. Headphones, laptops, even washing machines. Imagine extending the life of all those devices by years, just by being able to replace a part.
BELLA
So, when does this start? I want my phone battery to last longer.
STEPHEN
The European initiative kicks off in 2026. But here’s the really exciting part for us: America is following suit. California just signed a bill that says if a product is repairable in the EU, it also has to be repairable in California.
BELLA
(Eyes widening)
So… my iPhone battery? I could actually replace it myself? Or get someone to?
STEPHEN
That’s the goal! Imagine the possibilities. This is huge for the environment – less waste, fewer resources mined. It’s huge for your wallet – you save money by extending the life of your devices. And it’s huge for society, reminding us not to be so wasteful. It’s about being smart consumers and responsible citizens.
Bella looks at her phone, then back at Stephen, a genuine smile breaking through.
BELLA
So, I won’t have to beg my parents for a new phone every two years just because the battery gets weak? And it’s good for the planet?
STEPHEN
(Grinning)
Exactly! The repair revolution is coming, Bella. And you’re going to be part of it.
Bella picks up her milkshake, takes a thoughtful sip, and then looks at Stephen with newfound respect.
BELLA
So, about that ancient tablet… think you could teach me how to fix something? My old Nintendo Switch joy-con has been drifting for ages.
Stephen’s face lights up.
STEPHEN
My dorm room, tomorrow after school. You bring the joy-con, I’ll bring the soldering iron.
Bella grins, pulling out her phone – not to scroll, but to open a browser.
BELLA
I’m looking up “how to replace Nintendo Switch joy-con battery.” This is actually kinda cool.
Stephen beams, knowing he’s sparked a flicker of understanding and action in the next generation. The fight for repairability just got a new recruit.
FADE OUT.
