+1 for python. I choose python over vbs for cross platform reasons.
You shouldn't need to download VBScript if your on a windows machine.
All in all, I always tell beginners it doesn't matter what language you choose first because you will need to learn more than one language anyway. Your end goal should be to code what ever you want in any language and know when to use one language over another.
If your only after local app dev; c/++, java, python is for you.
If your after hacking; c/++, python, ruby, pearl, php is for you.