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Opening Scene - The Documentary Setup

(Camera cuts to Phil Dunphy sitting on the couch next to Claire. He's smiling with an eager expression, while Claire looks mildly annoyed.)

Phil: "There comes a time in every man's life when he must extend the hand of friendship… when he must rise above the petty squabbles of suburban living and say, 'Welcome, friend!'" (Dramatic pause, then turns to Claire.) "And that's why I made a welcome basket."

Claire: (Deadpan) "He made a welcome basket."

(Cut to a montage of Phil arranging a basket filled with local coupons, fruit, and what looks like a self-help book titled "Winning Friends the Phil Dunphy Way".)

Phil (voice-over): "New neighbors moved in across the street, and as the self-appointed 'cool dad' and unofficial welcoming committee of this street, I took it upon myself to make them feel at home."

(Cut to Claire crossing her arms, unimpressed.)

Claire: "We don't even know if they want to be welcomed. For all we know, they could be private people."

Phil: (Scoffs) "Claire, nobody who moves to the suburbs wants to be private. They want backyard barbecues, lawn chair conversations, and the friendly wave from across the street—" (Waves dramatically and smiles at the camera.) "It's called community."

(Cut to Alex sitting in her room, typing on her laptop.)

Alex: (Glances up at the camera.) "New neighbors? Big deal. Statistically, at least one in five neighbors is an annoying loudmouth, so I'm betting on that outcome."

(Camera zooms in on Luke, who's balancing a soccer ball on his head.)

Luke: "I hope they have a dog."

(Cut to Haley, lying on her bed, texting.)

Haley: (Barely looking up.) "If they have a cute son, call me."

(The scene transitions to the Dunphys stepping out onto their lawn, looking across the street as a moving truck pulls up. A black sedan parks in the driveway. A woman in business casual steps out—Elliot's mom—followed by a man in a polo shirt, Elliot's dad. Finally, from the back seat, the protagonist, Elliot Turner, emerges, wearing jeans, a graphic hoodie, and sneakers.)

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Introducing Elliot Turner

(Cut to Elliot's talking-head interview.)

Elliot: (Leaning back, relaxed.) "Moving is like restarting a save file in a game. New location, new people, same awkward first impressions." (Pauses, then smirks.) "At least this time, I don't have to sit next to the kid who collects toenail clippings."

(Cut back to the Dunphys approaching the new family. Phil enthusiastically shakes hands with Elliot's dad, while Claire forces a polite smile. Haley, still texting, gives Elliot a quick glance before returning to her phone. Alex watches him carefully, her analytic mind already at work.)

Phil: (Handing over the basket.) "Welcome to the neighborhood! We're the Dunphys. I'm Phil, this is my wife Claire, and these are our kids—Haley, Alex, and Luke."

(Elliot's parents introduce themselves. Meanwhile, Elliot stands there, assessing the situation, hands in his pockets. Alex squints slightly, as if trying to decipher whether he's worth her time. Elliot notices this and smirks.)

Elliot: (To Alex, playfully.) "You look like you're mentally ranking me on a list of 'Most Likely to Annoy You.'"

(Alex raises an eyebrow, caught off guard but not entirely unamused.)

Alex: (Flatly.) "You're already in the top five."

(Cut to Alex's talking-head interview.)

Alex: (Adjusts her glasses.) "First impressions? He's not dumb. That's rare around here." (Beat.) "We'll see if he gets worse."

(Cut to Haley looking up from her phone just long enough to scan Elliot before looking away again.)

Haley: (Casual.) "You play any sports?"

(Elliot nods.)

Elliot: "Basketball, soccer. Sometimes I run track."

Haley: (Shrugs, unimpressed.) "Cool."

(Cut to Elliot's talking-head interview.)

Elliot: (Smirking.) "I think I just got evaluated for dating potential by someone who didn't even stop texting."

(Cut to Phil throwing an arm around Elliot's dad.)

Phil: "Well, if you need anything—tools, a grill, parenting advice—I'm your guy."

(Claire rolls her eyes. Meanwhile, Elliot glances toward Alex again.)

Elliot: (To Alex.) "You look like the type to have a 10-year plan."

Alex: (Scoffs.) "Please. I have a 20-year plan."

(Elliot nods, impressed.)

Elliot: "And yet, here you are, spending valuable seconds talking to me. Intriguing."

(Alex blinks. Cut to her talking-head interview.)

Alex: (Pauses, considering.) "Okay. He's slightly interesting. Still in the top five of 'Most Likely to Annoy Me,' but… maybe top three of 'Most Likely to Make Me Think.'" (Beat.) "We'll see."

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Later That Night - A New Chapter Begins

(Scene cuts to Elliot sitting in his new room, unpacking. His laptop is already set up, screens glowing with lines of code. He stretches, then glances out the window—straight into Alex's room across the street. She's reading, unaware she's being watched. Elliot smirks, shaking his head.)

(Cut to Elliot's talking-head interview.)

Elliot: (Shrugs.) "New house. New people. New story. Let's see where it goes."

(Cut to Alex flipping a page in her book, then suddenly looking up, sensing something. She glances at the window, but Elliot has already turned away. She frowns slightly before returning to her book.)

(Cut to black.)