MEGALODON: LONG ISLAND DEEP

 

 

 

BLANK SCREEN - WORD SCROLL OVER - NO MUSIC.

 

NARRATOR READS:

 

In the waters of many oceans there are hundreds of beautiful living things. The most common is the fish.

 

Some fish are very elegant and charming with bright colors. Others are kept in tanks for us to view.

Some are caught for research and others to eat.

 

But there is a fish we fear!

 

The shark.

 

It can smell blood in the water at more than a mile. It knows we fear it and will strike when you least expect it.

 

The shores of Long Island have remained silent for some years now and the stories of man-eating sharks off its beaches are distant memories.

 

But a shark was about to strike, when and where it would attack first nobody knew...

 

FADE IN

 

EXT. SEA - DAWN.

 

We see the sun slowly rise in the distance. In front of us we see a small fishing boat. It glides through the calm sea. We close in on the name of the boat that reads THE SWIFT.

 

EXT. BOAT CRANE - DAWN.

 

We see a crane pulling up a net from the sea. The net is filled with fish. Some are falling through a hole in the net. The crane moves the net high up above the deck of the boat.

 

INSIDE NET. FISH P.O.V.

 

We follow the fish as they are released downwards through a hatch into the hull.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

We see a father and son. JACK is taking his ten-year-old son ALLEN out on his first fisherman trip.

 

Jack is about forty-five years old and has the appearance of a long-standing fisherman. Jack is wearing a black woollen hat and bright yellow overalls. His son is wearing orange overalls and black rubber gloves.

 

Allen has been looking forward to this trip for a long time and hopes to follow in his fathers’ footsteps when he is old enough.

 

Allen takes hold of the empty net and notices that there is a hole in it. He peers across at Jack, placing his head through the hole.

 

ALLEN

(to Jack)

Dad. How do you think this happened?

          Maybe it caught on something down

there.

 

Jack stands silent and still. Allen looks as if his head is in the mouth of a shark.

 

JACK

          Allen, drop the net.

 

ALLEN

          But it's only our first catch.

                  

 

JACK

          Drop the net now. Do as I say and

don't answer me back.

 

Allen seems very disappointed and starts to mumble to himself.

 

ALLEN

          What have I done?

 

Allen pulls a lever and the empty net falls into the hull of the boat. Jack is pulling in the ropes from the net and starts to tie them down to the deck. Jack turns to Allen. He claps his hands at Allen.

 

JACK

          Move it!

 

ALLEN

          Dad, what's wrong?

 

JACK

          Nothing is wrong. I just want to get

out of here.

 

Jack turns away and continues to tie the ropes down.

 

JACK (CONT’D)

(to himself)

          Too many bad memories around here.

 

ALLEN

          Dad. What do you think caught on the                 net?

 

JACK

          Allen it was nothing, a broken piece                 of wood or an old tin can. I've got a

bad feeling about this place. No

more questions. Okay.

 

ALLEN

          But, Dad.

 

JACK

          No more questions. I'll take you

out next week.

 

Allen lowers his head and talks to himself. He knows something is wrong.

 

ALLEN

(to himself,

sulking)

          Next week! I don't want to go out                         next week. I want to fish now.

 

Allen looks down into the hull of the boat. His expression changes as he looks up to Jack. Allen looks frightened.

 

ALLEN (CONT’D)

          Dad! Dad!

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Jack is about to start the engine when he hears Allen call out.

 

JACK

(not interested)

          What now?

 

ALLEN (O.S.)

          Is the hull supposed to be full up                   with water?

 

The expression on Jack's face changes and he stops what he is doing.

 

JACK

(to himself)

          Damn it! I thought we were running                   heavy.

 

ALLEN (O.S.)

          What should I do, Dad?

 

JACK

          Come up here and take the wheel.

 

Allen comes into view and enters the cabin. Jack looks at Allen and then points to the instruments that drive the boat.

 

ALLEN

(asking)

          What do I do?

 

 

JACK

          You touch nothing until I tell you                   to. Now listen, I'm going to go and

take a look in the hull and if something happens, which it won't, you push this

lever forward, turn the wheel to where

the sun rises and head for home.

 

Allen starts to cry.

 

ALLEN

(crying)

          I don't want anything to happen to

you.

 

JACK

          Now you listen, don't follow me down                 there. I need you up here to get us

home. Read my lips, you head for home, understand?

 

ALLEN

          Yes.

 

Allen has stopped crying.

 

JACK

          Okay. Stay here.

 

From the cabin window we see Jack run down to the hatch. He begins to lower himself into the hull and jumps the final few feet.

 

INT. HULL - DAWN.

 

Jack makes a splash as he enters the water, which is rising slowly. He pushes past some fish and wades through the water. He reaches a hole in the wooden timbers. Water is leaking through.

 

JACK

(to himself)

          Shit!

(calling out

to Allen)

          Allen you'd better get the pump.

 

ALLEN (O.S.)

What about the wheel, Dad?

 

JACK

          Shit! I'm coming.

 

Jack makes his way back through the water. He notices to his left what seems to be a very large fish, which all the smaller fish are gathered around. Jack decides to investigate. Jack reaches out towards the fish.

 

Suddenly he realises it’s only the head of a large fish. It has been bitten in two. The new shark had taken its first meal.

 

Jack panics and falls backwards into the rising water. His head disappears under the surface.

 

As he quickly reapers, his face is shaking with fear. The half eaten fish is floating right in front of him.

 

JACK

          Fuck! Fuck!

 

In a panic he rushes toward the light coming from the hatch above. Jack tries to pull himself up through the hatch to the deck.

 

He loses his grip and falls backwards into the water again. He gets up half exhausted and attempts to climb up to the deck again. This time he manages it.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen sees his dad climb out from the hull and rushes from the cabin.

 

ALLEN

          Dad!

 

Jack is out of breath, but manages to push Allen away.

 

JACK

Do as I say. Do it now. Run!

 

Allen rushes up to the cabin.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Allen enters the cabin and pushes a lever down and the boat begins to pull away. He also turns the wheel and the boat heads towards the sun.

 

EXT. HIGH ABOVE BOAT - DAWN.

 

We see Jack start to stand up. Just at this point, the boat is suddenly jolted to one side. It is leaning to the right.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Allen falls backwards with the movement.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Jack falls overboard.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

The boat rights itself and Allen staggers to his feet. He is dazed and confused. He peers through the cabin window onto the deck.

 

ALLEN

          Dad!

 

Allen pushes the lever up and straightens the wheel. The boat slows down to a crawl.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen runs out onto the deck. He hangs over the side of the boat, looking for his father.

 

ALLEN

(calling out)

          Dad! Dad!

 

Suddenly the boat is jolted again. Allen falls head first into the water.

 

EXT. SEA. ALLEN'S P.O.V. - DAWN.

 

We see the boat about ten yards off us, it is now still in the water. Allen is shaking with fear and looks exhausted. He starts to swim for the boat. On the side of the boat is some loose rope to help him up. That's if he can reach it in time.

 

EXT. SEA. BEHIND ALLEN - DAWN.

 

We see a shark fin appear in the water, it is heading for Allen.

 

EXT. SEA. HIGH ABOVE BOAT - DAWN.

 

We see the distance between Allen and the shark.

 

 

EXT. SEA. ALLEN'S P.O.V. - DAWN.

 

Allen swims for the rope and makes it. He starts to climb up.

 

EXT. SEA. SHARKS’ P.O.V. - DAWN.

 

The shark moves right up to Allen. We see Allen climb up, but he slips and falls back into the water. He tries again as the shark gets closer. Allen just manages to climb over onto the deck. The shark slams into the side of the boat.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen jumps out of the way as the shark starts to eat its way through the boat.

 

Allen picks up a piece of wood that has flown off from the shark biting into the boat. He starts to hit it over the head of the shark. The shark feels the blows and pulls back into the water.

 

The shark starts to circle the boat waiting for the right time to strike. Allen notices the boat is sinking, so he runs up to the cabin.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Allen tries to start the engine, but it is flooded. He tries a few times and gives up.

 

He looks out of the cabin window and sees water is coming up slowly from the hatch. Allen runs out onto deck with a pump.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen starts to pump water from the deck into the sea.

 

ALLEN

(to himself)

          This is going to take me forever.

 

Suddenly he notices something out of the corner of his eye. Allen looks out to sea.

 

EXT. SEA - DAWN.

 

We see Jack floating in the water. He seems to be bobbing up and down unconscious. We don't see his face. There is no sign of the shark.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen notices that the boat is drifting towards Jack. He hangs down over the side of the boat waiting for the body to float into his arms. He will then pull Jack up onto the deck.

 

EXT. SEA. JACK'S P.O.V. - DAWN.

 

Jack moves nearer and nearer to the boat.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen reaches out for Jack's body as it gets closer.

 

ALLEN

          Dad! Dad! Come on, wake up. It’s time

to go home.

 

EXT. SEA - DAWN.

 

Allen reaches out but struggles to lift his father from the water.

 

Suddenly Jack flips over. Allen's face turns to fear and he lets out a tremendous scream. Jack has been bitten in two at the waist.

 

There is a massive surge of water all around Jack's body as the shark surfaces.

 

The sharks gaping mouth swallows Jack whole. It pulls him down under the water with a spurt of blood.

 

EXT. DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen looks into the water that has now gone silent. His face and hands are shaking, he can no longer control his fear and is terrified.

 

The boat is sinking quicker now and water is sweeping onto the deck from the hatch to the hull. Allen wades through the water to the cabin.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Allen picks up the radio and starts to turn a dial. He does not really know how to use it. He starts to speak into the radio handset. He is shaking and frightened.

 

 

ALLEN

(to radio)

          Hello. Hello. This is Allen Baker

of The Swift...Does anybody hear me?

Please coast guard.

(to himself)

          What do I say?

(to radio)

          Mayday. Mayday. Can anybody hear me?

          My Dad is dead and the boat is                       sinking. Help me. Somebody please

help me.

 

Allen drops the handset.

 

INT. HULL OF BOAT - DAWN.

 

The shark crashes into the hull of the boat. It takes a mouthful of fish and pulls back into the dark sea.

 

INT. CABIN - DAWN.

 

Allen is shaken as the shark crashes into the boat. Water is now entering the cabin and Allen decides to climb up on to the roof. It will keep him safe for a little while longer.

 

EXT. CABIN ROOF - DAWN.

 

Allen sits on his bottom with his feet up to his stomach. His head is down, like he is just waiting for his death.

 

EXT. HIGH ABOVE BOAT - DAWN.

 

We see the boat sink until the cabin is almost completely submerged. The boat begins to tilt to one side.

 

EXT. CABIN ROOF - DAWN.

 

Allen takes a grip, but slips as the boat tilts. He falls into the water.

 

EXT. WATER OVER DECK - DAWN.

 

Allen tries to pull himself up as quickly as possible.

 

EXT. SHARKS P.O.V. - DAWN.

 

The shark rises from the water and crashes through the cabin. There is a tremendous surge of water and spray as the cabin collapses sending Allen tumbling into the water once again.

 

The shark rips the cabin to pieces. Its jaws bite down on something soft and a scream is heard, a piecing scream. Allen is trapped between the sharks’ jaws.

 

The shark realises it has got what it wanted and pulls back into the sea, taking the screaming Allen with it.

The water stains red and falls silent.

 

EXT. HIGH ABOVE BOAT - DAWN.

 

We see the boat slowly sink until all we can see is clear blue water.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY.

 

We see a plane land at an airport. We see a sign that reads: JFK International Airport.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. AIRPORT PASSPORT CONTROL - DAY.

 

Approaching the passport control area is a LADY smartly dressed in white summer clothes, with a small white hat secured to her head. We do not see her face as she hands her passport to the PASSPORT OFFICER. We see the passport stamped and handed back to the lady.

 

PASSPORT OFFICER

Thank you, Mrs Tate.

 

We now see HELEN TATE as she takes the passport in her hand and places it in her purse hanging over her shoulder. She is carrying a small black suitcase and walks on.

 

Helen is in her fifties. She has returned from London after successfully selling a book entitled

DARKEST WATERS. It follows her life and the sharks that have tried to destroyed it.

 

EXT. GROOVY CAFÉ - DAY.

 

Helen looks at the sign and feels curious. She decides to take a look inside.

 

INT. GROOVY CAFÉ - DAY.

 

Helen enters the café which is more like a bar and restaurant.

 

She is amazed by the style, everything is from the seventies era, from the music by ABBA, to the strange chairs and tables.

 

A WAITRESS rushes up to Ellen, she looks like something from the BRADY BUNCH. But she is chewing gum and this gives it away that she is a nineties girl.

 

WAITRESS

          Table for one?

 

HELEN

          This is amazing. Takes me back a

few years.

 

WAITRESS

I’ve only been here two weeks and

it’s getting to me already.

 

HELEN

You an islander?

 

WAITRESS

I’m not, but my father is from Long

Beach. I was brought up on the

mainland. My father suddenly had

this thing about water.

 

The waitress leads Helen to her table.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

Here you go. I’ll get you a menu.

 

The waitress walks off as Helen sits down at the table. She places the suitcase next to her and then her purse.

She is wearing a hat and takes it off placing it on the table in front of her. The waitress returns with a menu and hands it to Helen.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

I’ll give you a few minutes.

 

Helen holds up her hand to the waitress and she stops.

 

HELEN

I know what I want.

 

WAITRESS

Sure.

 

HELEN

Can I have a coffee and a slice

of your Dutch apple pie.

 

WAITRESS

Do you want cream on that?

 

HELEN

No, you had better hold the cream.

 

Helen holds her stomach then continues.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

Got to keep up my appearance.

 

WAITRESS

Anything else?

 

Helen shakes her head.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

I’ll be right back with your order.

 

The waitress looks at her again, she seems to recognise Helen from somewhere.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

          Excuse me, I don’t want to sound

nosy or anything, but I kind of

recognise you from somewhere. I

just can’t put your face to the                 picture. Television, Right?

 

HELEN

          I’m sorry?

 

WAITRESS

          You’ve been on TV, Right? Some

people say that I’m overt. I’m

sorry if I sound that way, But I

          have this gut feeling sometimes,                     ending up on a need to know basses.

 

HELEN

          I did write a book.

 

WAITRESS

          Hey I knew I’d seen you somewhere

          before. Where was it?

 

The waitress presses her finger to her mouth, she saw a poster of Helen and the book the other day.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

          Darkest Waters. That’s it.

 

Helen nods her head. She reaches into one of her bags and pulls out a copy of the book.

 

HELEN

          I’m impressed! Hold on, I’ve got a

copy here, it was going to be for my

son. I don’t think he’ll even be

visiting me this summer.

 

WAITRESS

          Are you sure?

 

HELEN

It took me two years to write and

another two to published.

 

WAITRESS

          I couldn't take that off you.

 

HELEN

          Listen, in a couple of months

          I’m probably going to have give

          them away anyway.

 

Helen opens the inside cover of her book and pulls out a pen from her purse.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

Who should I make it out to?

 

WAITRESS

Sandy Johnson.

 

Helen writes a short note inside the cover and hands the book back.

 

WAITRESS (CONT’D)

Thank you. I’ll get your order.

 

The waitress turns around and walks off.

 

A few of the other customers in the café look over at Helen. They are wondering who she is.

 

We see the legs of lady approach her table. Helen is looking down when the lady talks to her.

 

TIFFANY

          Helen Tate?

 

Helen looks up to see Tiffany, an old friend and ex-boyfriend of her son.

 

Tiffany is dressed in a summer blouse, which is decorated with large pink flowers. She has a small bag over her shoulder. She is now in her late-twenties and still single.

 

HELEN

So good to see you and looking so

well.

 

TIFFANY

Why, thank you.

 

Helen points to the table.

 

HELEN

Come on sit down, I bet you’ve got

so much to tell me.

 

TIFFANY

Look at you, Helen. You’re the one to

tell me. Your book has done so well.

 

HELEN

Well, if people buy it, so help them

God.

 

TIFFANY

It’s selling out at all the local

shops. You’ll find it hard to get a 

copy anywhere.

 

HELEN

Really? I just gave my last copy away

to a waitress. You know that they

said if it sold they’d give me a

four book deal.

 

TIFFANY

That’s fantastic. Let’s go out and

celebrate?

 

HELEN

Look, the reason I’ve come home is to

get away from all that. I feel I’m past

my sell by date.

 

Tiffany looks a bit angry.

 

TIFFANY

          Don’t be stupid! You can be as young

as you want to be. It’s up to you.

There hasn’t been a day go past that

I didn’t want to get it over with

I said to myself. I just wanted to be

away from everybody and everything.

 

HELEN

I’m fifty-three next week. In the past

two months I’ve been to more celebration

parties and press conferences then you

could possibly imagine. I just want a

couple of weeks to myself at home, just

My memories and me. I’d love to celebrate

with you, maybe if Mike comes down with

the children we could all go out.

 

The waitress approaches with a coffee in one hand and a slice of Dutch apple pie in the other, she places them  in front of Helen.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

          Thanks.

 

The waitress looks down at Tiffany.

 

WAITRESS

          Anything for you Ms.?

 

TIFFANY

          I’ve had lunch, just some tea?

 

WAITRESS

          English tea?

 

TIFFANY

          That’s fine.

 

WAITRESS

          Okay, enjoy!

 

The waitress walks off. Helen looks at Tiffany and sips her coffee.

 

HELEN

Hey, I’ve got something for you.

 

Helen places her coffee down and starts to rummage around in one of her bags.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

Remember you were asking me for some

photos of Mike when he was a baby.

Well, I had a look when I visited my

sister in Oakland and I found a few.

I put them in here somewhere. Here

they are.

 

She pulls out three photographs and places them on the table in front of Tiffany.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

I don’t know if you want them. They

are very old, but you can keep them

if you want.

 

CLOSE ON THREE PHOTOGRAPHS - DAY.

 

We see Michael as a baby.

 

Michael with Ellen as a teenager.

 

Michael in the arms of Steven(her dead husband) as a baby.

 

INT. HELEN’S TABLE - DAY.

 

Tiffany looks at the photographs. Helen begins to point and describe each one to her.

 

HELEN

          Look, that’s Michael when he was two.

          God! Look at me and that’s Michael

          with Steven, he really loved him.

 

Helen stops as a tear forms in her eye. Tiffany looks up at her.

 

TIFFANY

          Ellen, are you all right? Look, I

shouldn't have asked you for the

photos.

 

HELEN

          No, you wanted them.

 

Helen suddenly smiles. She is trying to block out her sadness.

 

TIFFANY

What?

 

HELEN

          It’s funny.

 

TIFFANY

          What’s funny?

 

HELEN

          No, it’s just that I’ve got a

lifetime of experiences behind me.

This book was supposed to get rid

of all these emotions.

 

TIFFANY

          Nobody should ever forget what happened

to Steven and that's why you wrote

about it, so that we’d never forget.

All of us.

 

Tiffany places the photographs in her coat pocket. She moves Helen’s coffee cup forward to her.

 

TIFFANY (CONT’D)

          Drink some coffee.

 

Helen lifts the cup up and drinks a mouthful.

 

HELEN

          Thanks.

 

Tiffany is pondering on what to say next and quickly changes the subject.

 

TIFFANY

          What about Michael?

 

Helen slams her coffee cup down.

 

HELEN

Michael? He gets so tied back in his

work, at least that's what he calls it.

I call it madness. He might make a

surprise visit.

 

TIFFANY

          Doing what he does is his way of

dealing with it.

 

HELEN

          Why does he need to?

 

 

 

TIFFANY

          He just wants to understand them. So

he won’t fear them anymore.

 

HELEN

There is nothing to understand. It

seems to be built into the entire Tate

family, stubborn as hell. Just like his

father. It was the fear that killed him

too.

 

TIFFANY

That's why Michael's doing this.

                  

HELEN

Yes, but sharks, god damn it! The damn

things stole everything in my life and

I don’t want his destiny to end there

too. Why couldn’t it have been baby

dolphins?

 

TIFFANY

Because baby dolphins don’t swim up

behind you and bite you on the ass.

 

HELEN

I’m an old lady and I can’t tell him

what to do anymore. He’s got to make

his own decisions.

 

TIFFANY

You’ll always be his mother and they

know best.

 

HELEN

Whoever taught you that load of bull

should be shot.

 

TIFFANY

Well, actually it was you.

 

They laugh.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. JFK - PICK UP POINT - DAY.

 

Helen steps through the doorway from the airport. The bright sun beams into her face and she holds her hand up over her eyes. Tiffany is right behind her.

 

 

TIFFANY

          Home at last.

 

HELEN

(afraid)

          Yes.

 

TIFFANY

          What's wrong Helen?

 

HELEN

          It’s been a long time...

(turns to

face Tiffany)

          I hope things are still the same

around here?

 

Tiffany's parents are waiting for her. Julie and Mark rush up to her.

    

MARK

          Tiffany!

 

JULIE

          Tiffany!

 

They cuddle each other as Helen stands nearby holding her luggage. Julie is the first to notice Helen.

 

JULIE (CONT’D)

(calling out)

          Helen?

(after a beat)

          Helen Tate?

 

Helen turns around and smiles.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

TIME CUT. INT. MARK'S CAR - DAY.

 

Mark is driving. Helen is sitting in the back with Tiffany. Helen seems apprehensive as they pass through  Main Street, Long Beach. The town is busy with tourists already. We pass Long Beach Town Hall where the board of selectmen sits.

 

HELEN

The town is alive.

 

MARK

          It’s all down to you Helen.

 

Helen is taken back by what Mark has said.

 

HELEN

          Sorry?

 

MARK

          With your book.

 

HELEN

          Oh, I see.

 

Helen sits back in her seat reassured by Mark. Julie turns around from the front passenger seat.

 

JULIE

          You seem a bit nervous?

 

HELEN

          Afraid.

 

TIFFANY

(trying to

change the

subject)

          Oh look! It’s the chief of police.

 

Helen and Julie turn and look, but seem only slightly interested.

                  

HELEN

          I am afraid.

 

JULIE

          Of what?

 

HELEN

          Ghosts from the past.

 

Julie turns back around and faces the front with a sigh and a funny look to Mark. Suddenly Helen screams out to Mark.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

          Stop the car!

 

Mark slams his foot on the brake and the car screeches to a halt. Helen climbs out of the car and walks across the road to a large billboard.

 

EXT. BILLBOARD - DAY.

 

The billboard is advertising her new book DARKEST WATERS

There is a slogan next to it that reads: "You’ve read the book, now meet the author. Only on Long Island." Helen climbs back into the car.

 

TIFFANY

          You all right, Helen?

 

HELEN

          How many of these are there?

 

MARK

          You know about these?

 

HELEN

          No I Didn’t.

    

MARK

          They’re all over the island.

 

HELEN

          On the mainland too?

 

JULIE

I think so.

 

HELEN

(angry)

Your Kidding! Who orchestrated this?

 

MARK

          The mayor was on radio a few weeks

          ago, he was telling everybody the

reason you were coming home.

(a beat)

To promote the book.   

    

HELEN

(angry)

          Take me to his house.

 

MARK

          He won’t be there now.

 

HELEN

(angry)

          Take me to wherever he is then.

 

  CUT TO:

 

 

 

EXT. LONG BEACH TOWN HALL - DAY.

 

The Town Hall is in brilliant white and has large steps leading up to a grand entrance. It moved into the courtroom building in 1988 after a fire destroyed the old building.

 

INT. TOWN HALL. THE BOARD OF SELECTMAN OFFICE - DAY.

 

In the town hall sitting around a large oak table we see six MEN all dressed smartly in suits and ties. They all look important.

 

Sitting at the end of the oak table is the Mayor Henry Myers. Henry is dressed in a blue suit with white shirt and blue tie. He has black hair, which is straight with a splash of grey. Henry is about forty-five years old and has been mayor of Long Beach for four years. He took over from Barry Henderson, who is sitting at the table too. Barry is wearing a grey suit with a yellow tie. His hair is grey now.

 

Barry is in his sixties, but still holds a big financial interest in Long Beach. He still thinks he runs the town but his secretary does all the hard work.

 

Colin is thirty-two years old, he graduated from law school and has been working as the Long Beach accountant for five years. He is smartly dressed, but very old-fashioned. He wears glasses and has short greased back brown hair. His voice is soft and shy. Barry bosses him about constantly.

 

The other three members of the selectmen are normal looking old-fashioned gentlemen.

 

Barry turns toward Henry who is slouching in his seat, fumbling with a ballpoint pen. He looks bored.

 

BARRY

Henry, what we need to discuss is

what sort of car parking facilities

have we planned?

 

Barry turns to Colin and holds out his hand to him.

 

BARRY (CONT’D)

          Colin, show me that report.

 

Colin begins to fumble about in his briefcase and finally pulls out a folder containing papers. Barry takes the report in his right hand and turns back toward Henry.

 

BARRY

In two weeks time it will be the summer

rush. I think we need to provide extra

parking spaces. I spoke with Clarence

Smith, he said the land behind South

Beach is totally at our disposal. That

means an extra two thousand spaces.

 

HENRY

How many tourists do we expect this

summer?

 

BARRY

          The predictions are sixty thousand.

 

HENRY

          That's almost double on last year.

 

BARRY

A lot of them will bringing cars. I’ve

made all the main roads non-parking

areas. We can get these bums to pay in privately owned parks like Clearance’s.

The revenue alone will be enough to buy

off Marina's stockyard.

 

Henry looks at Barry and smiles. He has heard something that interests him and sits up in his chair to listen.

 

HENRY

(interested)

Marina’s stockyard.

 

The other MEN look at Henry and Barry. They start to nod their heads and agree. A smile comes onto their faces.

 

HENRY (CONT’D)

Now, that is something to talk about.

 

Barry turns to Colin and shakes his hand at him. Colin is confused.

 

BARRY

(asking)

Report! Help me here.

 

Colin has forgotten that report. He just shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders.

 

Suddenly! The room falls silent as the office doors swing open. The MEN feel a breeze across their faces and all turn towards the doorway to see who is causing the draft. Helen is standing in the doorway. She looks very angry.

 

HELEN

(angry)

I think I have a report you might

want to listen to.

 

Henry looks across at Helen. He stands up to greet her.

Helen walks swiftly toward Henry and the oak table they sit around. Barry is opposite to Henry and is standing up leaning up against the table.

 

HENRY

Helen, what an unexpected pleasure.

 

Helen stops in front of Henry and looks across at Barry.

Barry looks very nervous.

 

HENRY (CONT’D)

We were just talking about how great

you’re going to make it this year.

(looks at

Barry)

Our best summer ever.

 

Barry begins to fiddle with his hands as he becomes more and more nervous. He starts to walk around the oak table.

 

HELEN

(angry)

Who put up the posters?

 

HENRY

Do you like them?

(points at

Barry)

Larry used a top ad-firm from New York

to design them. We spared no expense.

Barry’s the one you should congratulate.

(smiles)

I think they are marvellous?

 

HELEN

(to Henry)

Well, actually Mr. Mayor I don’t and

do you know another thing I cannot

remember giving anybody any kind of

permission to use my book for the Long

Beach summer campaign.

 

Henry looks at Barry. Everybody turns toward Barry for an explanation. Barry turns and looks at Helen and Henry.

 

HENRY

(to Barry,

confused)

I don’t understand?

 

BARRY

(shakes his

head)

Just a little misunderstanding.

 

HELEN

(to Barry,

angry)

What do you mean little? As far as

I’m concerned, we had no understanding.

 

HENRY

(confused)

What’s going on here?

 

BARRY

(reassuring)

Look Henry, I was acting in the best

interest of the town. I thought you

would be happy with the fact that

I’ve made Long Beach a big hit again

this summer.

 

Helen turns towards Henry.

 

HELEN

(to Henry)

I want them taken down.

 

Barry raises his hands to get everybody’s attention.

 

BARRY

Look, can we just hold for one second

here. I don’t think you understand

what a good thing this is and can

still be for Long Island. Now, Helen

you’ve lived here quite a while and

that book explains a lot of things.

It also has the extra bonus of being

planted straight into our bookstores.

Long Beach needs dollars like this to

maintain its existence. Now Helen if

you don’t like the content of the

posters...

 

Helen looks across and is beginning to get angry with Barry. Helen interrupts him.

 

HELEN

(sarcastic)

Don’t like it? You state I’m to meet

your tourists. So what other plans did

you have for Mr Henderson? Hourly

meetings? Tours of my house? Open

air concerts? The list is endless.

Maybe you want me to swim the harbour

in a charity event?

 

Barry walks up to Helen.

 

BARRY

(calming)

Helen, you’re getting worked up over

a stupid little poster.

 

Barry tries to put his arm around Helen but she pushes him away.

 

HELEN

They’re all over the Island. On the

Mainland too. They could be anywhere?

 

BARRY

(calming)

If that’s what the problem is, then

maybe we can come to some arrangement?

 

Helen smiles falsely at Barry.

 

HELEN

(calmed)

Okay. This is the arrangement I would

like.

 

BARRY

Whatever you say. Just name it.

 

HELEN

(close to Barry)

I want them taken down. Every damn

one.

 

Barry’s face changes to a confused one.

 

 

 

 

BARRY

Look, you’ve got to give us twenty

four hours. Why don’t you go home

and think things through?

 

HELEN

(angry)

Why do I need to think things through?

I’ve made up my mind, either the

posters are down by this time tomorrow

or you had better start looking for a

new town to run.

 

Helen walks off. She opens the office door and leaves closing it behind her. Henry looks at Barry. He points at some papers on his desk and looks back at Barry. Henry picks up the telephone in front of him.

 

HENRY

(to Barry)

I’ll get Sarah to call Dobson.

 

Barry interrupts Henry.

 

BARRY

What about the summer?

 

Henry shouts at Barry to shut him up.

 

HENRY

(angry)

Don’t you think we are in enough

trouble as it is. God damn it, Barry!

This could ruin us.

 

BARRY

(looking at

the selectmen)

I cannot believe this. Does not one

of you want to succeed? This island

is dead in the winter and it would

be dead now if it wasn’t for Helen

Tate’s book.

 

The men all shrug their shoulders at Barry. They agree with Henry. Barry looks down at Colin then walks off toward the exit. Colin shuffles his papers together in a rush and rushes after Barry.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

EXT. TOWN HALL ENTRANCE - DAY.

 

Barry is in a hurry to get to his car, which is parked outside the town hall entrance. Colin is right behind him. Barry looks very upset by the actions taking against him. He is thinking things out in his head.

 

Barry comes to the long steps that lead to his car. He stops and ponders his problems. Colin stops next to him. Barry turns and faces the entrance again.

 

BARRY

(upset)

Damn hypocrites!

 

Barry walks down a few steps and then stops. He walks back up the steps as if he is going back to sort out the mess he has made. Barry keeps changing his mind and goes up and down the steps three of four times. Colin is right behind him.

 

COLIN

Barry?

 

Barry is not listening to Colin.

 

BARRY

(to Himself)

Fools! They don’t know what they’re

doing.

 

Barry stops.

 

COLIN

Barry?

 

BARRY

Why don’t they understand?

 

Barry walks down the remaining few steps to the pavement where his car is parked. He owns a blue Mustang.

 

Barry stops next to his car and turns around to face Colin. Colin seems to be struggling with his briefcase. The papers inside are squeezed in and are starting to hang out of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARRY (CONT’D)

If only they stopped to think about

it. Long Beach is a summer town and

always has been. I have lost count

telling them that a summer town needs

summer dollars to exist.

 

COLIN

(agrees)

You’re right, Barry.

 

Barry isn’t listening to Colin. Barry raises a finger to his mouth. He is thinking to himself.

 

BARRY

Got to think. I need sometime to

think.

 

Barry turns around and opens his car door. As he is climbing into the drivers seat he notices a piece of paper clipped to the windshield wiper. Barry reaches around and pulls it off.

 

BARRY (CONT’D)

What the hell is this?

 

Colin smugly replies.

 

COLIN

(smug)

You ordered the new no parking law

yourself last week.

 

BARRY

(confused)

I did?

 

Barry hands the ticket to Colin.

 

BARRY (CONT’D)

(smiling)

Well, you can take care of this for

me.

 

Colin takes the ticket in his free hand. Barry turns and puts his key in the car, starting the engine on.

 

COLIN

But what about the posters?

 

Barry faces Colin while shutting the car door.

 

BARRY

It looks like Helen Tate has taken

care of that. I have other plans.

 

COLIN

What plans?

 

BARRY

(calling out)

I’ll discuss it tomorrow.

 

Barry pulls away in his car.

 

 

A gust of wind blows across Colin. Colin drops the briefcase and the reports. The papers inside it fall out and the gust of wind catches them. The papers begin to fly away.

 

It looks like a flock of seagulls that have been frightened by something.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. COW BAY - DAY.

 

We see a helicopter flying above. The helicopter flies out to sea.

 

CUT TO.

 

INT. HELICOPTER - DAY.

 

The PILOT is wearing a helmet. He is talking to the coast guard through the radio headset.

 

PILOT

(to coast guard)

This is Jackie 6, over.

 

COAST GUARD (O.S.)

We hear you Jackie 6. Please tell

us your present position, over.

 

PILOT

Three miles north of Long Beach.

I am right over Cow Bay. No sign

of a mayday here, over.

 

COAST GUARD (O.S.)

Keep out there for as long as you

can, over.

 

PILOT

I’m almost out of fuel. I’ll make

one more sweep, over.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. COW BAY - DAY.

 

We see the helicopter fly above us.

 

FADE OUT

 

 

FADE IN

 

INT. LONG BEACH POLICE STATION - RECEPTION AREA - DAY.

 

The station is filled with islanders arguing. A lady is trying to talk to FOUR ISLANDERS all at once. The lady is about forty years old and is wearing a long dress. She is pointing a pen at them and seems to be warning them to get back.

 

Her name is CATHY and she has been the secretary of Long Beach police for five years. Cathy is blond and her hair races down her back. Cathy feels a breeze hit her face and she notices the front door to the office swing open.

 

STEVEN PALMER the local deputy slouches through the door carrying a few plastic sandwich containers. Palmer is twenty-three years old and not the brightest town recruit, but his father was once the town judge and Palmer was given the job three years ago. We over hear the islander’s complaints.

 

ISLANDER 1

(to Cathy)

Why can’t we see the chief?

 

CATHY

The chief is very busy.

 

ISLANDER 2

(angry)

This is outrageous.

 

CATHY

I’m going to take your names and the

chief will see each and everyone of

you, in order.

 

Palmer interrupts Cathy.

 

PALMER

Cathy. I got you lunch.

 

CATHY

(sarcastic)

Lunch. Yes I did have one of those

sometime this week. I can’t remember

when though.

 

Palmer places one of the plastic containers down on Cathy’s table. Palmer walks on toward a door that leads to Jeff Dobson office.

 

INT. DOBSON’S OFFICE - DAY.

 

Jeff Dobson is chief of police for Long Beach. He worked his way up from deputy. Dobson is sitting at his desk, there is a large window behind him that looks out onto Main Street.

 

Dobson holds a major position within the community of Long Beach and he is well liked. He is in his forties. He is speaking to Henry Myers on the telephone. Palmer knocks on his door.

 

SOUND OF KNOCKING ON DOOR.

 

DOBSON

Henry, we were only following

orders.

 

SOUND OF KNOCKING ON DOOR.

 

Dobson is distracted by the noise.

 

DOBSON

(to Henry)

You have to give us more time here.

You promised me the extra deputies.

Summers only two weeks away, all I

need now is something like this. It

is a complete waste of my men’s time

and resources.

 

SOUND OF KNOCKING ON DOOR.

 

Dobson is angry about the knocking and picks up a pen from his desk. He throws it at the door. Palmer opens the door and enters the office. Palmer notices that Dobson is on the telephone and tries to keep as quiet as he can.

 

DOBSON

Yes. I understand your position too.

But what about the position I’m left

in?

 

Palmer places a plastic container down on Dobson desk.

Dobson raises his hand to Palmer as if to say stay here.

 

DOBSON (CONT’D)

You sort out the new deputies and

I’ll sort out the posters.

 

Dobson places the telephone down and looks up to Palmer.

 

DOBSON (CONT’D)

What is about this place, Palmer?

It’s still two weeks until the summer

rush and already had three- dozen calls.

Most of them are complaining about

the new parking laws.

 

PALMER

You’ve got four in reception too.

Screaming there heads off.

 

DOBSON

What the hell can I do about it? Send

the lot over to the mayor’s office.

He’s behind the mastermind idea. Look

these people rely on the summer to

live throughout the winter. So no

tickets. Understand?

 

PALMER

(understands)

No tickets.

 

DOBSON

You’re going to be way too busy anyway

taking down all those posters.

 

PALMER

(confused)

What posters?

 

DOBSON

(not listening)

Damn it! What time do you make it?

 

 

 

PALMER

(looks at watch)

It’s just after three.

(changing

subject)

Chief, what posters?

 

DOBSON

I’m late.

 

Dobson stands up and walks over to his coat stand and puts on a small police jacket then walks on towards the office door to leave.

 

PALMER

But chief, I’ve got you’re lunch.

 

DOBSON

(points)

You eat it. You’re going to need

all the strength you can get.

 

PALMER

(puzzled)

What for?

 

DOBSON

I forgot to tell you? All the posters

we put up for the summer campaign.

 

PALMER

The ones that took a week to put up?

 

DOBSON

They’ve all got to come down.

 

PALMER

But what about the extra deputies?

 

DOBSON

The extra deputies won’t be here

until July.

 

Palmer’s face looks strained. He looks down at the container of sandwiches and then back up to see the office door closing.

 

CUT TO:

INT. SEDGWICK’S BAR - DAY.

 

Barry enters the bar and approaches a rugged seaman, MANFRED SPRAGUE, who is sitting on a barstool. He is wearing a denim vest and we see his many tattoos on his arms.

 

BARRY

(whispering)

Do you have it ready?

 

Sprague nods his head. The two men go outside for a walk.

 

EXT. SEDGWICK’S BAR - DAY.

 

Barry hands Sprague and envelope. Sprague puts it in his pocket.

 

BARRY

Are you sure you know what you’re

doing?

 

SPRAGUE

You bet. It’s been a hobby of mine

for years. I’m as good at it as

I am at fishing.

 

BARRY

Why are you like you are now then?

 

SPRAGUE

Damn tourists took my livelihood

away.

 

BARRY

That’s funny. I heard that you’re

the worst fisherman on the island.

 

Sprague looks serious. He then smiles.

 

SPRAGUE

Don’t you worry. I can do this for

you.

 

BARRY

Good.

 

CUT TO:  

 

INT. HELEN’S HOUSE. HALLWAY - DAY.

 

From inside the house we see Helen approach the front door. The door is opened and we see her standing on the step outside. Helen is apprehensive about entering her house. Helen picks up her bags and enters the hallway.

 

INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

 

The kitchen looks very tidy. There is a small table with four chairs around it. The work services look pristine.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

TIME CUT: INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

 

Helen is making herself a coffee. She walks to the refrigerator and opens it. The refrigerator is almost empty.

 

HELEN

(annoyed)

Damn it! No milk.

 

She slams the refrigerator shut and picks up her coffee cup.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

Well it’s not good, but it’s going to

have to be black.

 

We follow Helen as she walks from the kitchen into the sitting room.

 

INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY.

 

Helen pulls a white cover off her couch and sits down placing her coffee cup down on the small table in front of her. Helen looks around the room, it is very untidy.

 

HELEN

Look at this place.

 

Helen notices her photographs sitting on the shelf of a small cabinet. Helen gets up and walks over to look at the photographs. She picks up a large framed photograph of Steven and Michael(her husband and Son). Helen looks so sad. Memories flood into her head and she starts to daydream.

 

SOUND OF DOOR BELL OFF SCREEN.

 

Helen comes out of her daydream. Helen looks around the room.

 

SOUND OF DOOR BELL OFF SCREEN.

 

Helen walks to the front door.

 

INT. FRONT DOOR - DAY.

 

Helen can see a figure standing at the door. She feels uneasy.

 

HELEN

Who is it?

 

MICHAEL

Mom, it’s me.

 

Helen’s face lights up, she feels reassured.

 

HELEN

Michael?

(pleased)

Michael.

 

Helen opens the door as fast as she can. They smile at each other and then Helen rushes up to Michael and cuddles him.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

TIME CUT. INT. HELEN’S SITTING ROOM - EVENING.

 

Michael is sitting with Helen at the dinning table. Helen has made a meal for both of them. Michael is just

finishing his off and they are both drinking red wine. We catch them in the middle of their conversation. Michael places his folk down on an empty plate. He reaches forward and takes a sip from his wine glass. Michael slouches back in his chair and turns to face Helen.

 

MICHAEL

Nothing like your pasta, Mom. Can’t

beat it anywhere.

 

HELEN

It’s a good thing you bought some

groceries.

 

MICHAEL

Great food always needs an excellent

chef.

 

HELEN

What are you doing here?

 

MICHAEL

I said I’d surprise you.

 

HELEN

I wasn’t expecting you. What about

the research?

 

MICHAEL

My six weeks leave came through

early.

 

HELEN

And you thought with your stomach.

 

MICHAEL

Do you think you could stand four

weeks of your son and his delightful

family?

 

HELEN

Look, I had to put up with you for

eighteen years, so four weeks will

be easy.

 

MICHAEL

(sarcastic)

You obviously haven’t met the teenage

Sarah, have you?

 

HELEN

Kids seem to grow up quicker these

days.

 

MICHAEL

Did I always leave you broke?

 

HELEN

Yes.

 

There is a pause. Helen looks more serious.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

(serious)

Why do you do it?

 

MICHAEL

(confused)

What?

 

HELEN

That terrible job.

 

MICHAEL

We’ve been over this. It’s research,

Mom.

 

HELEN

It’s not.

 

MICHAEL

I’ve thought about that question

everyday.

 

HELEN

Have you thought about yourself?

What it’s doing to you?

 

MICHAEL

It’s inside.

 

HELEN

Give it up.

 

MICHAEL

Impossible.

 

HELEN

I’m an old lady and have no business

in your affairs, but this is family

Michael...

(softly)

I don’t want to lose you.

 

MICHAEL

You’re not going to lose me. It’s

perfectly safe, what I do.

 

HELEN

How can it be safe. Your father died

from it.

 

MICHAEL

Dad died of a heart attack.

 

HELEN

The fear killed him. That’s what I

see in you. It’s in me too.

 

MICHAEL

I’ve had training. We all have.

 

HELEN

Training! Does it train you for the

emotional scars?

 

 

 

MICHAEL

Mom, I need to do this. I always have

since the attack. I’m not going to

die in the water.

 

HELEN

How do you know? How can you be sure?

 

MICHAEL

(angry)

I’ve seen enough of the Tate family

swallowed up by the sea. What I do is

a job and I’m good at it. I intend to

retire to somewhere as far away from

the sea as possible.

 

HELEN

I worry.

 

MICHAEL

That’s what moms are for.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - EVENING.

 

The sun is just starting to set. It is bright orange and lights up the sea. Into view comes a large red Jeep. It has a roof rack with two surfer boards strapped to it.

 

Sitting in the Jeep are two men. The first is black and about twenty-five years old. He has long dread locks. His name is GINNY WILLIAMS.

 

The other man is white and about the same age. His name is SHANE BORROWS. The Jeep stops and both men jump out and look in a jubilant mood. They both quickly untie the surfer boards from the roof rack.

 

EXT. WIDE - SOUTH BEACH - EVENING.

 

We see Ginny and Shane running into the water. They are making loud noises of excitement.

 

EXT. SEA - EVENING.

 

Ginny is surfing with Shane. Ginny points forward out in front of him. He is trying to tell Shane where they are heading for. Shane sticks his thumb up in the air and agrees with Ginny.

 

We see the sharks’ fin brake the surface of the water. The fin glides through the water with grace and begins to pick up speed as it chases Ginny and Shane.

 

The shark gets closer to Ginny and Shane and is now only about one hundred yards off from Shane’s board. Shane lowers his hand and turns his board to the left. The shark rises from the water and bites into nothing as it misses Shane’s board. Shane turns his board back again and sees the big arched back of the shark in the water.

 

SHANE

(frightened)

Jesus Christ!

 

Shane hits the back of the shark and goes flying over the top of it, like it was a ramp. He crashes into the water and falls off his board. Ginny looks down in the water and sees that Shane has fallen off his board.

 

EXT. SHARKS’ P.O.V. UNDERWATER - EVENING.

 

We see Shane above us. He is splashing about in the water. We close in on Shane’s legs at pace.

 

EXT. SEA - EVENING.

 

Shane is trying to climb back on his board and sees Ginny coming toward him. We see Ginny is about one hundred yards from Shane. Ginny is looking worried as he approaches Shane.

 

SHANE

(calling out)

Go back! Get the hell away from

here. Jesus Christ!

(shouting

louder)

Shark!

 

The shark rises and bites down onto Shane’s legs pulling him underwater. Ginny glides past on his board.

 

GINNY

(frightened)

What the hell?

 

Ginny feels his board being pushed forward faster in the water. Ginny holds on to his sail very tight as he realises he is not in control of the board anymore.

 

Ginny looks back into the water behind him and sees the shark pushing him. Ginny holds on for as long as he can before falling off into the water.

 

The board speeds past but starts to slow down. The board turns around and starts to head toward Ginny.

 

Ginny is bobbing up and down in the water. He turns around to see the board heading toward him. Ginny turns back away and starts to swim as fast as he can.

 

The board is moving fast in the water and catching up with Ginny quickly. The shark rises from the water and moves the board out of the way. The shark passes under Ginny. Ginny is pulled under with force and the sea stains red. We see the bitten board float away from us.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. ROAD LEADING TO LONG BEACH - DAY.

 

Dobson is driving along on his way to work. He passes a large billboard and slows down. We see Palmer is up a ladder and is taking down a poster promoting Helen Tate’s book. Dobson pulls into a lay-by next to the billboard.

 

DOBSON

How many have you got left to take

down?

 

Palmer turns around and looks very pleased to see Dobson.

 

PALMER

Chief! I’ve been trying to ring you

all morning.

 

DOBSON

Phone lines are down. It’s been out

all night. What’s wrong?

 

PALMER

Hold on.

 

Palmer climbs down the ladder and looks a bit out of breath. He walks up to Dobson and talks to him through the car window.

 

DOBSON

What is it?

 

PALMER

They found a body in the wash last

night.

 

DOBSON

(confused)

What?

 

PALMER

What’s left of it.

 

DOBSON

Where?

 

PALMER

Couple of surfers over from the

mainland. They were down on south

beach last night.

 

DOBSON

Was it an accident?

 

PALMER

They don’t know. The body was all

chewed up.

 

DOBSON

What about the other surfer?

 

PALMER

Coast guard’s out today looking for

him. We found an eye witness who

says there was defiantly two of them.

 

DOBSON

Where’s the body now?

 

PALMER

Coroner’s office.

 

Dobson starts to pull away in his car. Palmer calls out to him and Dobson slams his foot on the brake.

 

PALMER (CONT’D)

But what about the posters chief?

They are supposed to be down by

today.

 

DOBSON

Leave them and meet at the coroners

office.

 

PALMER

Yes, chief.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. CORONERS OFFICE - DAY.

 

We see high above a table. Lying on the table is a body covered with a white sheet. We see the CORONERS hands come into view. The hands are about to pull back the white sheet and reveal the dead body, but a voice is heard off screen.

 

DOBSON (O.S.)

Doctor Simpson?

 

We see Dobson standing in a doorway.

 

SIMPSON (O.S.)

You must be chief of police.

 

DOBSON

Dobson.

 

We see the floor is ceramic and the walls are covered with white tiles. The room is very cold and creepy.

 

We now see Simpson standing at the table looking at Dobson. Simpson is in his late forties, of large build with a balding head that shines in the light. He is wearing green plastic overalls and white rubber gloves.

 

SIMPSON

You’re here to see the body we found

on the beach?

 

DOBSON

Yes.

 

SIMPSON

They were trying to get hold of you

last night.

 

DOBSON

I know. Phone lines were down.

 

SIMPSON

(uninterested)

Really.

 

Simpson picks up a clipboard and flicks through the pages attached to it. He places the clipboard down on the table and walks over to a drawer that contains the body. Simpson pulls open a door and slides out the body.

 

INT. BODY SLIDE P.O.V.

 

We look up from the body and see Dobson and Simpson standing over us. Simpson reaches down to the body.

 

INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY.

 

SIMPSON

(faces Dobson)

Are you ready for this?

 

DOBSON

It’s Okay. I’ve seen this sort of

thing before.

 

SIMPSON

All right.

 

Simpson pulls back the white sheet. Dobson looks shaken up by the sight of the body.

 

DOBSON

I’ve seen enough. Cover it up.

 

Simpson covers the body.

    

SIMPSON

I can’t stomach it too much either.

You never get used to the smell.

 

DOBSON

What do you think?

 

SIMPSON

What do you think?

 

DOBSON

I think Long Beach has a shark

problem. I need your word on it.

 

SIMPSON

You might be right. I’m a New Yorker.

I’m used to homicides and car crashes.

I am pretty sure it wasn’t either of

them. This is new to me.

 

DOBSON

I need something in writing.

 

SIMPSON

It’s impossible with the body in this

state.

 

DOBSON

What do you think it is? There is

nothing to say this is a boating

accident.

 

SIMPSON

Look, to be sure we need to get an

expert down here. Somebody with shark

knowledge.

 

DOBSON

I think I know one.

 

Dobson faces Simpson.

 

DOBSON (CONT’D)

Until I get that expert down here

nobody should know about this. You

want to be sure and I want to be sure.

Keep our reputations around here.

Until it is official.

 

SIMPSON

I understand. Who’s the shark

expert?

 

DOBSON

Mike Tate. I think he’s on the island

visiting his mother.

 

SIMPSON

His mother wrote that book? What about

the mayor?

 

DOBSON

(confused)

What about him?

 

SIMPSON

Shouldn’t he at least know about

this?

 

DOBSON

No. I’ll get that shark expert.

 

SIMPSON

(agrees)

You’re the chief.

 

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. HELEN’S HOUSE - DAY.

 

Dobson rings the doorbell.

 

INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

 

Helen is making breakfast as she hears the doorbell ring. Just at that point some toast pops up from the toaster. Helen is trying to do two things at once. Then the kettle boils and the eggs boil over.

 

HELEN

(calling out)

Michael, will you get that?

 

SOUND OF DOOR BELL.

 

Helen takes the toast out and starts to butter it and then drops it.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

(to herself)

Shit!

 

SOUND OF DOOR BELL.

 

Helen reaches down and picks up the toast. The toast has fallen butter side down. Helen calls out.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

Michael, get that.

 

Michael finally answers.

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

I’ll get it.

 

HELEN

(sarcastic to

herself)

How nice of you to help me out,

Michael.

 

Helen hears Michael open the front door. She hears some talking in the background. Helen ignores it and continues to make breakfast.

 

As the conversation at the front door goes on Helen becomes more and more curious. Helen wipes her hands on a tea towel and heads for the front door.

 

INT. HALLWAY - DAY.

 

Michael is standing talking to Dobson. They both hear Helen approach and stop talking. Dobson looks a bit nervous.

 

HELEN

Michael, what is it?

 

DOBSON

It’s nothing to worry about Helen

Tate.

 

HELEN

(smiles)

Jeff. Why don’t you let him in?

Michael still hasn’t learnt any

manners. Come in. I’m just making

breakfast.

 

DOBSON

Are you sure I won’t be intruding?

 

HELEN

(welcoming)

Of course not. I’ve put some eggs

on.

 

Helen suddenly realises that she has left the eggs boiling in a pot on the cooker.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

(panic)

Damn it! The eggs!

 

Helen runs into the kitchen. Dobson enters the house and wipes his feet. Michael looks at Dobson strangely as if they had a secret from Helen.

 

INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

 

We see the eggs have boiled over. Helen lets out a scream of anguish. She picks up the pot and tips the excess water away into the sink. Michael and Dobson enter the room.

 

HELEN

I hope you like your eggs hard

boiled.

 

DOBSON

Actually I prefer my eggs hard

boiled.

 

MICHAEL

Hard-boiled sounds just great mom.

(sarcastic)

She would only make me soldiers if

they weren’t, anyway.

 

HELEN

What was that, Michael?

 

MICHAEL

Nothing mom.

 

HELEN

I’m still your mother and you’re not

too old for a slap.

 

They all laugh.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOUR - DAY.

 

All looks quiet around the dock area. But something is moving in the water below. The shark’s fin surfaces and glides along in the water about ten yards and then slowly disappears again underwater in a smooth movement. Nobody even saw it appear.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

TIME CUT. INT. KITCHEN - DAY.

 

Dobson and Michael have finished breakfast. Dobson stretches back in his seat and puts his hands on his stomach in appreciation.

 

DOBSON

They were just great Helen. Remind

me to have breakfast here more often.

 

HELEN

(smiling)

I hope your wife doesn’t hear that.

It’s a small town and people might

talk.

 

Dobson looks at his watch.

 

 

 

 

DOBSON

(to himself)

I can’t sit around here all morning

I’ve got work to do in town.

 

MICHAEL

I need to go into town.

 

DOBSON

(knows)

I can give you a lift.

 

HELEN

(Happy

sarcastic)

Well seeing I made you breakfast

Michael could you run a few errands

for me?

 

MICHAEL

Sure, what do you need?

 

HELEN

I’ll make a list.

 

MICHAEL

(shocked)

List?

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. CORONERS OFFICE - DAY.

 

We see Dobson introducing Michael to Simpson.

 

DOBSON

This is Michael Tate. The shark

expert I was telling you about.

 

SIMPSON

Hello.

 

MICHAEL

Hello.

 

SIMPSON

(points)

This way. I’ll show you the body.

 

INT. AUTOPSY ROOM - DAY.

 

We are looking up from the body of Ginny Williams and see Michael standing over us. He is wearing green overalls and white rubber gloves. Simpson reaches forward and pulls back the white sheet that covers the body. Dobson places a tape cassette in a recorder.

 

SIMPSON

Here you go.

 

Michael tests the Microphone hanging from above.

 

MICHAEL

Tape on?

 

Dobson nods his head. Michael turns and faces the dead body. He is suddenly gasping for air.

 

MICHAEL

Jesus! Shit! Why didn’t you call

somebody? You know god damn what

this is. Look at the bite marks.

(sarcastic)

You see something like that everyday?

 

DOBSON

The tapes on, boys.

 

MICHAEL

The tapes on? Good. This is going to

make history.

 

Michael examines the body.

 

MICHAEL

I’ve heard the boat-propeller story

several times and the grazed the coral

reef story.

(to Dobson)

The other surfer was never found?

 

Dobson shakes his head.

 

DOBSON

No. Not yet.

 

MICHAEL

You probably won’t. They’re very

successful creatures, sharks. Eighty

million years antiquity for the

species of the Great White. The family

goes back three hundred million years.

Plenty of time to get good at what they

do.

 

DOBSON

Long Beach has a shark problem?

 

Michael turns around.

 

MICHAEL

You could say that. I’m just a little

confused here.

 

DOBSON

Is it a shark? Or isn’t it?

 

MICHAEL

Jeff. There are all kinds of sharks

in the water. The Great White’s body

temperature is almost eighteen degrees

above whatever the water is. This

could be it. The water is warm enough

at this time of year. It’s the size

that bothers me. This can’t be right.

I can’t be sure.

 

DOBSON

(confused)

What size?

 

MICHAEL

The famous Swedish naturalist Linnaeus

believed that the great fish that

swallowed Jonah was not a whale but a

shark.

 

DOBSON

Talk in English.

 

MICHAEL

This isn’t a Great White and I’m not

the expert you want to be talking to.

The bite radius on these wounds does

not compare to any known Great White.

(a beat)

....it’s bigger.

 

DOBSON

That’s impossible. You must have

calculated it wrong.

 

MICHAEL

I’ve been over it. It checks out.

This might be a Carcharodon Megalodon.

 

SIMPSON

What the hell is that?

 

MICHAEL

It’s a legend.

(a beat)

Imagine a shark twice the size of a

Great White.

 

DOBSON

And you think this Megalodon is in

the waters off Long Beach?

 

MICHAEL

You’ve got a problem if it is.

(a beat)

I can’t believe this.

 

SIMPSON

Why?

 

Michael turns to face Simpson.

 

MICHAEL

It’s more dangerous then a Great White.

Mark Lewis is the real expert on the

species.

 

DOBSON

Can we kill it?

 

MICHAEL

It’s never been done before. The

Megalodon has been extinct for four

million years.

 

DOBSON

(sarcastic)

Wait a minute here. This is crazy.

Are you trying to tell me that this

shark is something out of Jurassic

Park ? You put that in writing and

we might just have panic on our

hands.

 

MICHAEL

Upper cretaceous. Jeff, believe me

this has nothing to do with Steven

Spielberg.

 

SIMPSON

Who’s this Mark Lewis?

 

MICHAEL

Just about the best there is.

 

SIMPSON

What does he know about this...

(gets it wrong)

 ...Mega London?

 

MICHAEL

Megalodon. Mark has been studying it for

twenty years. I think the old fogy might

have got it right this time.

 

DOBSON

Well, let’s get him down here.

 

MICHAEL

The town has to be warned.

 

DOBSON

It might not be this shark.

 

MICHAEL

No. But it’s still a shark with a

bite radius nine feet across.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. MAYORS OFFICE - DAY.

 

Henry is sitting with Barry and Colin. They look up in mid-conversation and see Hendricks with Michael walking into the office followed by Henry’s secretary SARAH.

 

SARAH

I’m sorry Henry, but they wouldn’t

take no for an answer.

 

HENRY

That’s all right, Sarah.

 

DOBSON

Sorry to interrupt you’re meeting,

Henry.

 

Barry recognises Michael.

 

BARRY

Michael Tate? My God! Am I really

that old?

 

MICHAEL

Mr. Henderson.

 

HENRY

This is rather an important meeting.

 

DOBSON

You bet your life it’s important.

 

MICHAEL

(interrupts)

We’ve got a shark problem.

 

BARRY

(joking)

You’re kidding, right?

 

Michael shakes his head. Barry turns around in his seat and looks at Henry. Henry looks worried for a few seconds, but then he stands up and looks at Dobson and Michael with a big smile.

 

HENRY

Now that is the best news I’ve heard

all day.

 

MICHAEL

(perplexed)

Excuse me?

 

DOBSON

This is no joke, Henry.

 

HENRY

I know it’s no joke, Jeff.

 

DOBSON

So what the hell are you talking

about?

 

HENRY

We are going to have a hell of a

good summer.

 

Barry is smiling and stands up to face Dobson and Michael with glee.

 

BARRY

Our best yet.

 

 

 

DOBSON

What are you talking about? Summers

over.

 

MICHAEL

Do you understand what’s going on

here?

 

HENRY

It’s just begun.

 

DOBSON

(angry)

Two surfers are dead, one was so chewed

up, when they found his body they had

to use a shovel.

 

BARRY

A tragedy.

 

DOBSON

I can’t believe what I’m hearing here.

This is bullshit. Listen, we’ve got

to close the beaches and hire somebody

to catch it.

 

HENRY

No. The beaches will stay open.

 

DOBSON

What about the victim on the beach?

 

BARRY

Nothing has been confirmed.

 

DOBSON

You spoke to Simpson?

 

BARRY

Nothing he told us amounts to

anything.

 

DOBSON

Michael examined the victim.

 

HENRY

Michael?

 

MICHAEL

It’s a shark. I just don’t know which

type.

 

HENRY

What do you mean?

 

DOBSON

He thinks it might be something new.

 

MICHAEL

Something old. A prehistoric shark.

 

Henry and Barry smile.

 

BARRY

You haven’t actually got you’re PhD yet,

have you, Michael?

 

MICHAEL

I’ve passed.

 

BARRY

But you haven’t officially passed

yet?

 

MICHAEL

No, but...

 

HENRY

(interrupts)

Jeff you understand that Michael’s

examination is null and void. I’m

sorry. Simpson is the more experienced

here. I’m going with his story.

 

DOBSON

Come on, you know Michael. His word

stands.

 

HENRY

Not according to law I’m afraid.

 

MICHAEL

What about Mark Lewis?

 

HENRY

(raises his

hands)

Boys. Bring who you want down here,

the more the merrier. In fact I’ve

already called the network, they’ll

be here in the morning and CNN want

exclusive TV rights.

 

 

DOBSON

I’m getting Mark Lewis down here.

 

HENRY

Sure.

 

BARRY

Take all the precautions needed, all

the resources are at your disposal.

(a beat,

points)

Jeff, those beaches will be open when

the rush starts. Do you understand?

 

DOBSON

I understand all right.

 

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE - NIGHT.

 

Barry is sitting with Henry. The phone rings and Henry picks it up.

 

HENRY

This better be good...

 

Henry’s face changes expression. He looks more serious.

 

HENRY (CONT’D)

...your kidding me right? Where?

When? Thanks.

 

Henry place the phone down and looks at Barry.

 

HENRY (CONT’D)

Look’s like you’re plan might just

have worked. The fucking think scared

Graham Martin senseless.

 

BARRY

His mother told me he’s the school

bully.

 

HENRY

Apparently he shit his pants.

 

BARRY

Well, we’ve got the chief and Michael

Brody up our Asses. What was all that

crap about shark size? Hand me the phone.

 

Barry picks up the phone and dials a number.

 

BARRY (CONT’D)

Sprague. It’s Barry. I knew I could

trust you.

 

SPRAGUE (O.S.)

What? You found out? How did you find

out?

 

BARRY

Yes. They fell for it. Even if you made

it a little big.

 

SPRAGUE (O.S.)

Who?

 

BARRY

Now, you get rid of that thing as soon

as possible.

 

SPRAGUE (O.S.)

That’s already happened.

 

BARRY

Good. You know that shark looked so

real it scared the living daylights

out of Joanne Martin’s son, Graham.

 

SPRAGUE (O.S.)

What are you talking about? Our shark

sank on its trial run. I’m in the

middle of building a second. I thought

that’s what you were ringing for.

 

Barry looks frightened. Barry puts the phone down.

 

HENRY

What? What’s going on?

 

Barry faces Henry.

 

BARRY

I think we should consider

something...

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. FERRY BOAT - DAY.

 

We see a montage of fisherman and shark hunters arrive.

A train of cars trundle down the ramp of the ferry.

 

Sidewalk vendors hawking balloons for the children, hot dogs and ice creams.

 

The Long Beach cab company are busy with new tourists and fisherman.

 

A group of network television reporters arrive and look lost in the small community.

 

Young and attractive girls on an outing to Long Beach arrive from New York City.

 

Senior citizens holding hands and a few old war heroes in wheelchairs arrive too.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. EMPTY FERRY - DAY.

 

We see MARK LEWIS step off the ferry onto the dock area.

Lewis is now in his fifties and looks old-fashioned. He wears little round glasses.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. CORONERS OFFICE - DAY.

 

Lewis lifts back the white sheet covering Ginny Williams body. Dobson and Michael are there too.

 

LEWIS

(calm)

Jesus Christ!

 

We see the half eaten leg of the victim.

 

DOBSON

Not a pretty sight.

 

LEWIS

The left leg and portions of the hand

have survived. The victim has suffered

damage to all the internal organs. The

predator is larger then any known in

these waters. You don’t need me to look anymore.

 

Lewis pulls the white sheet over the victim.

 

 

DOBSON

Is it the shark Michael says it is?

 

MICHAEL

Megalodon.

 

LEWIS

I know what it isn’t. It isn’t a Great

White. 

 

DOBSON

Something else?

 

LEWIS

I need to go out.

 

MICHAEL

We’ll hire a boat.

 

DOBSON

Michael told me you might be able to

give me some answers Mr. Lewis?

 

Lewis walks slowly up to Dobson and stands close to his face.

 

LEWIS

It’s probable that your shark is

what I’ve been searching for my

whole life.

 

DOBSON

You’re an expert on this Megalodon?

 

LEWIS

You remember all those bedtime

stories, chief?

    

DOBSON

Everyday.

 

LEWIS

They’re going to happen here.

 

MICHAEL

My mother is going to find out about

this.

 

LEWIS

Let’s get our things together.

 

 

DOBSON

I’m supposed to give you this.

 

Dobson pulls out a piece of paper. Lewis and Michael are walking to the door and turn to face Dobson.

 

LEWIS

My eviction.

 

DOBSON

It’s from the mayor and Barry

Henderson.

 

LEWIS

Welcoming committee.

 

DOBSON

It’s a contract.

 

MICHAEL

For what?

 

DOBSON

Finding the shark. They came to there

senses late last night.

 

MICHAEL

If we hire a boat...

 

DOBSON

(interrupts)

The mayor’s arranged it all.

 

LEWIS

I came here to research it, not kill

it.

 

DOBSON

Fifty thousand dollars, just to find

it.

 

LEWIS

The mayor is willing to pay me fifty

thousand dollars to find the shark.

Why?

 

DOBSON

They don’t want to make the same

mistakes.

 

 

 

LEWIS

Inviting anybody was a pretty big

mistake. You’ve got everybody from

the Cape Cod to Australia on your

backs.

 

Lewis takes hold of the contact.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

(interested)

We’ll have a boat and everything?

 

DOBSON

Everything has been arranged.

 

MICHAEL

You can’t trust them, Mark.

 

LEWIS

When can we go out?

 

DOBSON

Sign here and I can get things

rolling for tomorrow.

 

Lewis smiles.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. HELEN’S HOUSE. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT.

 

Lewis is sitting with Helen and Michael.

 

LEWIS

Listen. I don’t want to intrude on

you’re home.

 

HELEN

Be quiet. You can stay here as long

as you want.

 

MICHAEL

I called him in for some research.

 

HELEN

Michael, I’m not stupid. What is

it you’ve found?

 

MICHAEL

Mom, it’s just a little research.

Nothing to worry about.

 

LEWIS

A new species of fish.

 

HELEN

What?

 

LEWIS

Michael and the chief found what

seems to be the remains of a new

species of fish.

 

HELEN

Off Long Beach?

 

MICHAEL

He’s not lying.

 

HELEN

(to Lewis)

You’re not a very good liar.

 

LEWIS

No, I’m not. The truth is too

unbelievable.

 

HELEN

Try me.

    

MICHAEL

Mom.

 

HELEN

(angry)

Not this time, Michael. Don’t keep

any secrets from me. None.

 

There is silence.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

There’s another shark? Right?

 

LEWIS

It’s probable.

 

HELEN

Yes or no?

 

LEWIS

Yes.

 

Helen gets up and walks to the door.

 

MICHAEL

Mom, what are you doing?

 

HELEN

What I should have done twenty

years ago. When your father was

still alive.

 

Michael walks after Helen as she heads for the stairs.

 

MICHAEL

Come on. Don’t leave us now.

 

HELEN

Why?

 

MICHAEL

We need you. Katie’s coming down in

a few weeks.

 

HELEN

(sarcastic)

You’ll get along. You are married

to her.

 

Helen walks up the stairs and Michael pulls her back. She is facing down at Michael on the stairs.

 

MICHAEL

Mom!

 

HELEN

Give it up! Both of you!

 

MICHAEL

Please.

 

HELEN

(shouts)

Give it up, god damn you!

 

Helen storms upstairs and we hear a bedroom door slam shut. Michael looks down at Lewis.

 

SOUND OF DOORBELL

 

Michael and Lewis look toward the doorbell sound.

 

LEWIS

I’ll get it.

 

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT.

 

We see a figure through the front door window. Lewis opens the front door. Dobson is standing in front of Lewis.

 

DOBSON

Mr. Lewis.

 

LEWIS

It’s Mark.

 

DOBSON

Sorry to call on you so late. Everything

is arranged. Dock seventeen. See the

harbour master in the morning.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. LONG BEACH CONFERENCE CENTRE - DAY.

 

We see a theatre-style conference room. Rows of seats are filled with reporters and photographers from all the reaches of the world. Henry Myers is standing in front on a small platform talking into a microphone stand. He raises his hands to the reporters and they quiet down to listen to him. We hear the shuffle of notepads and lap top computers.

 

HENRY MYERS

Ladies and gentleman. Thank you for

coming to this press conference being

held in response to the reports that

are flying around Long Beach.

 

N.Y. REPORTER

(interrupting)

Mr. Mayor?

 

HENRY MYERS

(interrupts)

All your questions will be answered

after a statement is made. We have a representative from the Ocean Graphic

Institute and he will be here to answer anything further...As you well know a

shark has staked a claim to the shores

off Long Island. At present we have had

only one victim and three persons missing.

We have employed some of the best shark

experts to track down the shark. We

predict that it will be caught in less

then forty-eight hours.

 

WASHINGTON REPORTER

Are you going to kill it?

 

HENRY

At present we are looking into all

options. That is one of those options.

 

N.Y. REPORTER

Is it a Great White?

 

L.A. REPORTER

How big is it?

 

HENRY

Our shark expert will answer that

question for you.

 

ENGLISH REPORTER

What precautions have you taken?

 

HENRY

Everything possible. Lookout posts,

radar, sonar. If the shark comes

within five miles of the beach. We’ll

know.

 

N.Y. REPORTER

Mr. Mayor?

 

HENRY

Yes?

 

N.Y. REPORTER

Would you let you’re children swim in

the water off Long Beach?

 

The reporters fall silent. Everybody is focused on Henry Myers face. He looks strained.

 

HENRY

(softly)

Of course....Now I’m going to hand you

over to Mark Lewis our shark expert

who has come all the way from his base

in the Australian basin to be here.

 

Lewis steps up in front of the microphone. He is very nervous and his glasses are steaming up. He looks a complete amateur. Lewis takes his glasses off and wipes them clean.

 

LEWIS

Thank you Mr. Mayor and Long Beach for

letting me put my views to you the

public. I just hope I can answer your questions....It is believed that a

shark measuring twenty to twenty five

feet in length is the most feared shark

known to man. The Whale shark can get

to forty feet but this spices is harmless. Until two days ago I thought this way.

A Great White can measure this size and

have a bite radius about a yard and a

half across. A rogue shark certainly has

been in the waters around Long Beach.

 

N.Y. REPORTER

A rogue shark?

(sarcastic)

Does that mean it doesn’t want to play

with all the others?

 

The conference room bursts into laughter. Even Lewis smiles as his nerves begin to calm. He is angry inside.

 

LEWIS

That’s right, for one reason.

(more serious)

Because this rogue shark probably ate

all the others....Sharks aren’t anything

like that. All they do is exist. They

have no purpose other then to kill and

eat, kill and eat. I examined the bite

wounds on the victim Ginny Williams and discovered the bite radius of this shark

is about three yards across. Nine feet

for all you old fogy’s. That means working

out proportions, it is approximately forty

five feet in length.

 

 

WASHINGTON REPORTER

Why is this shark so big?

 

LEWIS

In 1873 a shark tooth was brought up

from the Atlantic Ocean measuring six

inches. It was believed to be from the prehistoric extinct species known today

as Carcharodon Megalodon.

 

 

 

L.A. REPORTER

So we are talking about a Jurassic

shark?

 

LEWIS

Upper cretaceous.

 

The reporters make lots of noise.

 

WASHINGTON REPORTER

Is the shark dangerous?

 

LEWIS

I came here to study it. But I would

assume it is twice as big as a Great

White and three time as dangerous.  

 

N.Y. REPORTER

You assume and probably?

 

LEWIS

Look I’m sorry. I’m from the Ocean

Graphic Institute and I’ve been studying

this species for thirty years. This is

a chance for us to find out so much

about something we know so little. That’s

why I’m vague, to stop you printing

something I didn’t say.

 

Lewis reaches behind him and pulls up a small brown cloth.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

Inside this cloth is a tooth from a

Great White measuring twenty feet. I

know, because I caught it myself last

summer.

 

Lewis pulls open the cloth and lifts the tooth to show the reporters. The tooth is four inches long.

 

L.A. REPORTER

Is it possible this shark could just

be a Great White?

 

LEWIS

That is possible. But I don’t think

so.

 

ENGLISH REPORTER

What makes you so sure?

 

LEWIS

The bite radius of the wounds on the

first victim and something else.

 

Lewis calls out towards the back of the conference centre.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

Michael. Have you got it?

 

All the reporters look at Michael as he walks past them towards Lewis. Michael is hold a brown paper bag.

 

MICHAEL

I’ve got it.

 

LEWIS

Bring it up here.

 

BARRY

What the hell has he got?

 

HENRY

Do you know anything about this?

 

Michael hands the bag to Lewis. Lewis pulls out a tooth measuring six inches across. The reporters start to shout at Lewis trying to get their questions in. Lewis raises his hands to calm them.

 

N.Y. REPORTER

This is from a Megalodon?

 

LEWIS

Yes.

 

L.A. REPORTER

This is your prized possession? Been

with you for years?

 

LEWIS

No. I found this last night. Close to

where Ginny Williams was attacked and

killed.

 

The conference centre erupts as all the reporters and camera crews wants footage of the tooth.

 

HENRY

He’s not talking about our shark,

is he?

 

BARRY

Impossible.

 

We close in on the shark tooth.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. HELEN’S SITTING ROOM - DAY.

 

We see a television set and slowly pull backwards to a sitting room. Helen is sitting sipping coffee. She has an expression of terror on her face.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOUR - DAY.

 

We see crowds of reporters, film crews and various shark hunters with their equipment preparing for a days fish. Hooper walks past them towards a small wooden cabin. There is a sign on the door that reads: Harbour Master.

 

INT. CABIN - DAY.

 

The cabin is at bursting point with fisherman and mainland reporters. The HARBOUR MASTER is arguing with a MALE REPORTER.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

I’ve got no boats left. Not even a

rubber dingy.

 

MALE REPORTER

Nothing?

 

HARBOUR MASTER

You should have booked something.

 

The male reporter takes out his wallet and starts to flash some dollars at the harbour master.

 

MALE REPORTER

Listen. How much is it going to take

to get a boat. Fifty, one hundred.

What’s the going rate?

 

HARBOUR MASTER

It wouldn’t bother me if you had a

thousand dollars. We’re all out of

boats.

 

 

MALE REPORTER

Come on. Give me a break here. This

is my first assignment.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

The only thing I can suggest is to

try and use your dollars and get on

one of the other boats.

 

The harbour master pushes the reporters out the front door and closes it. He turns and faces Lewis.

 

LEWIS

I’m Mark Lewis.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Pleased to meet you. The answer is

the same. No boats.

 

LEWIS

The mayor sent me.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Lewis! You’re the research guy?

 

LEWIS

Ocean Graphic Institute.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Well, follow me.

 

They leave the cabin.

 

EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOUR - DAY.

 

They walk along the harbour towards dock 17.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

There is a boat put aside for you.

It’s over at dock seventeen. I’m

glad you’re not going out with all

the others. What are you researching

into anyway?

 

LEWIS

The shark.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Our shark?

 

LEWIS

Right.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

You don’t look like most of the

others.

 

LEWIS

I’m not a shark hunter.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

What do you mean?

 

LEWIS

I came here to study.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Study? Study our shark?

 

The harbour master smiles sarcastically.

 

LEWIS

Those bozos won’t catch a thing.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

You’re a hunter all right.

 

LEWIS

No I’m not.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Get away. I’ve heard it all before.

 

LEWIS

I’m a marine biologist.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

Fancy name for a shark hunter.

 

LEWIS

I’m not...

 

HARBOUR MASTER

(interrupts)

Here it is.

 

They approach dock 17. A fifty-foot trawler boat is tied to the dock.

 

LEWIS

I can’t work on this. It’s a floating

piece of driftwood.

 

 

HARBOUR MASTER

This is the boat put aside for you.

 

LEWIS

(sarcastic)

I see the mayor spared no expense.

 

HARBOUR MASTER

I’ve got to get back. Good luck in

you’re research, shark hunter.

 

The harbour master walks off.

 

LEWIS

(calls out)

I’m a marine biologist!

 

Lewis looks down at the boat name. It reads: Le dents de la Mer (The teeth of the ocean). Lewis raises his eyebrows.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

(to himself)

Cute!

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis’s boat powers through the chop, crashing into the waves. Lewis is inside the small cabin at the wheel. We close in on his face, right through the cabin window.

 

INT. CABIN - DAY.

 

LEWIS

(calls out)

Mike.

 

Michael appears in the cabin from the sleeping compartment in the hull.

 

MICHAEL

Anything?

 

 

LEWIS

We won’t find a thing out here.

 

MICHAEL

What about sonar?

 

LEWIS

Nothing.

 

MICHAEL

I’ll check long distance.

 

LEWIS

It’s chum time.

 

MICHAEL

You’re turn.

 

LEWIS

I’m driving the boat.

 

MICHAEL

I’ll drive.

 

LEWIS

I’ve got a better idea.

 

Lewis pulls the throttle down to stop.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

We’ll let her drift.

 

MICHAEL

We’re not even a mile out.

 

LEWIS

Let it find us.

 

MICHAEL

As long as we don’t drift into some

shipping channel.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

THREE OVER LAPPING TIME DISSOLVES

 

We see the sun slowly set.

 

Lewis looks depressed.

 

Michael is bored and plays games on his laptop computer.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. LEWIS’S BOAT - CABIN - NIGHT.

 

Lewis and Michael are sitting at a small table drinking beer. We catch them in mid-conversation.

 

MICHAEL

Tell me about Neptune?

 

LEWIS

Shark city.

 

MICHAEL

That’s the good thing about this job,

the location work is just fantastic.

Durban is a great place to holiday,

let alone work.

 

LEWIS

You passed with flying colours?

 

MICHAEL

I hope so. I’m looking for a job if

I do. What did it for me is I realised

it was not knowing what you need to

know. The facts didn’t seem to stand

up to all the knowledge I’d gained.

That was it. They are so unpredictable.

No book can tell you what’s right or

wrong. Instincts, that’s what you need.

 

LEWIS

There was a bastard shark we knew.

It would sneak up behind our research

vessel, give us a nudge and disappear.

 

MICHAEL

Tiger?

 

LEWIS

Eleven foot. A mere baby. Little hard

nut thought it was a Great White.

 

Michael smiles.

 

MICHAEL

What happened?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEWIS

Everyday it came at the same time.

A pattern. For three it did the same

routine. Even I thought, at last a

pet shark. Johnson, our regular diver,

been doing his job for twenty years,

he’s had a few bites, you know, the

normal stuff. It was a normal dive,

late afternoon. He was climbing into

the cage...

 

MICHAEL

It came up?

 

LEWIS

The little fucker had been waiting.

 

MICHAEL

You’re kidding!

 

LEWIS

All these years I’ve watched them

and that still puzzles me. It knew

when to strike. It thought out a

plan of attack.

 

MICHAEL

You caught it?

 

LEWIS

We searched for two weeks. Nothing.

 

MICHAEL

What about our shark?

 

LEWIS

Twice as unpredictable. It could be

watching us now.

 

Michael looks around.

 

MICHAEL

Sharks are blind.

 

LEWIS

(smiles)

You’ve got some of your father in

you. He never had a sense of humour

either.

 

Michael faces Lewis again.

 

MICHAEL

(protective)

My father hated you. He hated the way

you knew so much about everything.

You were in love with them, killers,

man-eaters.

 

LEWIS

Always wondered why I couldn’t get a

date.

(a beat)

It’s my fault you do this?      

 

MICHAEL

My father turned me into this. But

you turned my father into what he was.

 

LEWIS

Come on. We’re not dealing with a

normal thing here, Michael.

 

MICHAEL

It’s a shark.

 

LEWIS

It’s new. Something to study. My

dream.

 

MICHAEL

It’s a shark.

 

LEWIS

A new hope.

 

MICHAEL

It kills.

 

LEWIS

Think of the possibilities?

 

MICHAEL

Maims.

 

LEWIS

A whole lifetime of opportunities.

 

MICHAEL

It’s a shark.

 

LEWIS

(gives in)

We probably won’t find it anyway.

 

MICHAEL

We kill it.

 

LEWIS

If we find it.

 

MICHAEL

We kill it.

 

LEWIS

It’s gone. You’ve looked at the

readings. The only shark around here

is a stupid one. Our shark is like

that little bastard I never caught.

 

MICHAEL

Maybe it’s waiting, too?

 

LEWIS

The bozos have frightened it off.

It knows it’s being hunted. We might

get lucky. We’ll stay until dawn. Keep

the line going just in case.

 

MICHAEL

I’ll ring home.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOUR - MORNING.

 

We see Lewis’s boat glide into Long beach harbour, which is deserted and peaceful.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - MORNING.

 

Michael is standing outside talking to Lewis in his cabin.

 

MICHAEL

Where is everybody?

 

LEWIS (O.S.)

Hunting.

 

MICHAEL

Mom was pleased to hear we were

coming in. She’s making breakfast.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. HELEN’S HOUSE - NIGHT.

 

We see a few lights on in the house.

 

CUT TO: 

 

INT. HELEN’S SITTING ROOM - NIGHT.

 

Michael and KATIE, Michael’s wife, are sitting with Helen and Lewis. They have had dinner together and we catch them in mid-conversation.

 

MICHAEL

...and that’s when he says I’ve never

had the money before.

 

They burst into laughter. Katie pushes Michael.

 

KATIE

That was such a bad joke. Helen, do

you see what you’ve brought up?

 

HELEN

Hey, he’s not my responsibility

anymore.

 

KATIE

They need looking after.

 

Michael looks up at Katie with a tense smile.

 

MICHAEL

They do? Do they?

 

HELEN

It’s the father in him. That’s where

he gets all his bad habits.

 

Katie looks at Lewis.

 

KATIE

Who brought you up Mark?

 

Lewis is holding a glass of red wine and takes a quick drink from it. He pushes his glasses back onto his nose.

 

LEWIS

I’m sorry?

 

HELEN

What was your father like?

 

LEWIS

Tough. My mother died when I was little

so that side of me is missing I suppose.

 

MICHAEL

He couldn’t have been as bad as my dad.

Because he was a cop, he always wanted

it his way.

 

Helen gives Michael a stare.

 

HELEN

Michael, your father loved you.

 

MICHAEL

I know he did. He was always going on

at me. Just looking out for me. It’s

funny. I was the kid at school who

nobody ever picked on. That was one

good thing I suppose.

 

LEWIS

My dad was a whisky drinking asshole.

 

The room falls silent.

 

KATIE

How did you get into what you do

now?

 

LEWIS

You don’t want to listen to tales

from an old timer.

 

HELEN

We do.

 

KATIE

Go on.

 

MICHAEL

I’m all ears, Mark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEWIS

Well, when I was a small boy my dad

never listened to me. It was wrong of

me to have my own mind. Having fun was

out of the question. Study hard and

you’ll have plenty of playtime he used

to say. That never materialised. I used

to dream of what it was like to be a

normal teenager, getting drunk and even laid...Well, on my seventeenth birthday I

decided for once in my pitiful life I

was going to have one thing, just for me.

One of my college friends invited me to

go fishing on his father’s boat up at

Maine. It was two hundred miles from

where I lived and my father forbid it.

So I sneaked out and went anyway. There

were four of us on the boat, Johnny Wise,

his father owned the boat. Smithy, Simon

Smith and Fletcher Hopkins. Anyway, we

went out and decided to cast off about

half a mile off from the coast. Smithy

laid anchor and we proceeded to fish.

Fletcher caught a couple of blue gills.

Nobody else caught anything. It was

later in the afternoon after we’d downed

nearly a case of beers. That’s when it

started.

 

MICHAEL

A Great White?

 

LEWIS

Must have been a twenty-footer. The

others were so drunk and wouldn’t

listen. They were laughing and taunting

it. The shark hit us late afternoon

and Smithy went overboard. We couldn’t

get him up. The shark took him. I

remained calm, but Johnny and Fletcher

were at panic stations. Johnny tried

to move the boat away, but the shark

hit us again and ripped a hole in our

side. It was hungry for more.

 

MICHAEL

I didn’t know this.

 

Helen has a tear in her eye.

 

 

 

LEWIS

It came again and got Fletcher. We

didn’t even hear him scream. Two hours

passed and it was getting dark. The

boat was slowly sinking but an air

bubble must have kept it afloat. Me

and Johnny hung onto the wreck of his

father’s prized possession. He was more

worried about his father. While I was

sitting there I could visualise his

father coming out of the water and

biting down into the shark as if he was

more terrifying. The shark attacked one

more time before sunset and I tried to

fend it off. It took a bite of my leg, obviously didn’t like the taste. That

was the last I saw of it.

 

HELEN

Wait a minute. Did you say Johnny wise?

Son of the famous publisher?

 

LEWIS

We were saved a few hours later.

 

ELLEN

Andrew Wise’s son, Johnny, is in some

institution.

 

LEWIS

He never got over the attack. He doesn’t

even speak these days.

 

KATIE

My god!

 

MICHAEL

Mark, I never knew.

 

LEWIS

And do you know what my father said to

me when I got home. I told you so. Not

a how are you or are you all right. No

he grounded me for a week. Now you know

why I studied sharks. That shark had

all the freedom to do as it pleased.

Nobody ever told it what to do.

 

HELEN

Can’t you give it up?

 

 

LEWIS

You’re shark. The one that got Ginny

Williams. He’s what I’ve been searching

for all my life. The father of all sharks.

Maybe after this I can think about

letting it go.

 

HELEN

You both went out and found nothing.

 

MICHAEL

(angry)

Mom!

 

LEWIS

I hope it’s gone. I really do.

 

Katie gives Michael a shove.

 

KATIE

(stretches)

I don’t know about you but I feel

like I could sleep for a week.

 

MICHAEL

She beckons.

 

Michael and Katie stand up.

 

KATIE

Goodnight Helen and Mark.

 

MICHAEL

Goodnight Mom. Mark.

 

LEWIS

Goodnight.

 

HELEN

Sleep tight.

 

MICHAEL

Yeah, I know, don’t let the bed bugs

bite.

 

Michael and Katie go upstairs. Lewis puts his glass down and looks at his watch.

 

LEWIS

I really must get some sleep, too.

 

Helen reaches her arm across to Lewis.

 

HELEN

Oh, don’t. Stay a while.

 

LEWIS

You really want me around?

 

HELEN

There are things I’ve always wanted

to ask you. Things about Steven.

 

LEWIS

Steven was a very lucky man.

 

HELEN

The fear got to him.

 

LEWIS

No. I mean to have you.

 

Helen smiles, gets up and sits close to Lewis.

 

HELEN

He didn’t like it here. I pushed him

into it. He used to moan about city

life.

 

LEWIS

New York?

 

HELEN

More wine?

 

LEWIS

Just a little.

 

Helen fills his glass.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

You always get more then you asked

for at the Tate home. That’s how I

remember it.

 

HELEN

Sorry.

 

LEWIS

That’s fine. No hangover’s in the

morning. You were saying.

 

 

 

HELEN

New York born and raised. I thought

it was going to be so great to have

clean air, no crime, and lots of peace.

I thought Steven would get bored. But

it became a hell for him. Michael

loved it here. What about you?

 

LEWIS

I was posted out on the research

vessel Neptune, off the Australian

coast. You’d see a shark every half an

hour. That was and still is my life.

 

HELEN

Do you think of doing anything else?

 

LEWIS

Put me there and I wouldn’t know what

to do.

 

HELEN

What about getting married and settling

down?

 

LEWIS

Who’s going to want an old-fashioned

shark expert.

 

HELEN

(sincere)

Somebody.

 

LEWIS

(smiles)

Now, I think you’ve had too much to

drink.

 

HELEN

Haven’t you ever felt for anyone?

 

LEWIS

There was only one time I ever felt

like that.

 

HELEN

When?

 

LEWIS

A long time ago.

 

 

HELEN

A childhood sweetheart?

 

LEWIS

She was around the same age as me.

Probably is now.

 

HELEN

What happened?

LEWIS

She was married.

 

HELEN

To who.

 

LEWIS

I really have to get some sleep.

 

Lewis picks up his glass and finishes the red wine in one gulp.

 

HELEN

Before you go.

 

LEWIS

Yes.

 

Helen reaches across and kisses Lewis on the cheek.

 

LEWIS

Did you know?

 

HELEN

I always knew.

 

Lewis reaches down and kisses Helen on the lips softly.

 

LEWIS

(smiling)

Where were you thirty years ago?

 

HELEN

Married.

 

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

SIX OVER LAPPING TIME DISSOLVES. DURATION OF SUMMER.

 

We see Lewis arguing with Michael.

 

Film crews leaving.

 

Helen with Lewis kissing.

 

Barry and Henry looking depressed.

 

Dobson on the phone.

 

The moon in the sky wide and bright.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

South beach is a awash with tourists. Children playing in the sand, mothers and fathers relaxing in the sun reading newspapers and books. Some teenagers run around after each other, they look in jubilant mood.

 

The sea is full up to bursting point with bathers, some are floating on air mats while others wade in the blue water.

 

A young boy is playing with his younger sister. They are building sand castles. The boy’s sand castle is bigger and his sister tries to destroy it. The boy gets annoyed with her.

 

At the back of the beach Helen is sitting at a table located in a café, sipping a fruit juice. Helen is wearing summer trousers and sandals, a tight T-shirt and cardigan. On her head is a hat and she is wearing dark glasses. Helen looks very nervous. The wind is blowing very hard into her face and she has to hold down her hat occasionally.

 

Michael is on the beach sitting with his family, Katie, SARAH his daughter and ANDY his five-year-old son. We see Michael approach Helen.

 

MICHAEL

Mom, won’t you come down on the

beach?

 

HELEN

I’m safe from here.

 

MICHAEL

It’s not good to ignore your family.

 

 

 

HELEN

(annoyed)

Who said that?

 

MICHAEL

Andy.

 

Helen gives a little smile and looks across at Andy and the family sitting on the beach. Andy is playing in the sand.

 

MICHAEL (CONT’D)

Andy wants to know when your going

to help him build a sand castle.

 

HELEN

I thought that was always the

father’s job?

 

MICHAEL

I think he thinks your better at

making them, then I am.

 

Helen smiles again.

 

HELEN

You tell him I’ll be right down to

help him build the biggest castle

ever.

 

MICHAEL

Okay.

 

HELEN

(lifts glass)

I’ll just finish my juice.

 

Michael returns to his family and we see Andy turn around and look up to Helen. Andy smiles at Helen and she smiles back. Helen remembers what young Michael looked like twenty years earlier. A tear runs down her cheek.

 

HELEN (CONT’D)

What are you doing to yourself Helen

Tate?

 

Helen wipes the tear from her face and stands up. Helen slowly walks down a step onto the beach and over to her family. We hear happy noises from the family who welcome her.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY.

 

Lewis and Dobson are walking towards the beach area parking lot. We catch them in mid-conversation.

 

DOBSON

All I need from you Mark is a signature

here and there and you can be on

you’re way.

 

Lewis looks across to the beach.

 

EXT. BEACH - DAY.

 

We see Helen trying to hold down her hat.

 

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY.

 

LEWIS

(smiling)

You know. I think I’ll be staying

around here for a little while.

 

DOBSON

(confused)

More research?

 

LEWIS

(smiling)

You could say that.

 

DOBSON

Do you need any help?

 

LEWIS

No. This is the kind of research

you do on you’re own.

 

DOBSON

If you need anything just give me

a call.

 

LEWIS

Thanks for all your help.

 

Dobson shakes hands with Lewis.

 

DOBSON

Thanks for getting rid of our shark.

 

 

LEWIS

It’s gone away for now.

 

Dobson begins to walk off. He places the hat he is holding onto his head.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

Jeff. You know I can’t sign those

papers.

 

Dobson turns around and faces Lewis.

 

DOBSON

(confused)

I thought you said everything was

Okay. That it’s gone away.

 

LEWIS

It’s gone for now. I can’t be sure.

The sea is full of fish again. You

won’t find sea life in the territory

of our shark. All the fish I’ve seen

look like they’re celebrating. I played

low frequency music underwater and that

usually works faster then blood. There

are signals in the water. I can always

read them. If the currents shift?

 

DOBSON

Henry Myers is going to want a

statement. What about taking

precautions?

 

LEWIS

I’d take them sure. Lookout posts. An

alarm system. If you can afford it?

 

DOBSON

I don’t know what to believe anymore

Matt. As far as I’m concerned if you

don’t sign the papers, Amity still

has a shark problem and if you don’t

want to sort out this mess I’ll find

somebody who does.

 

LEWIS

I’m the best there is.

 

DOBSON

(angry)

Well give me some answers! Goddamn

it! Don’t dabble with facts!

 

LEWIS

You’ll never be immune to attack.

Even if we catch this bitch.

 

DOBSON

(asking)

Do I close the beaches or not? The

choice is yours Mark?

 

LEWIS

That’s the mayor’s decision.

 

DOBSON

But I’m the one that has to live

with it.

 

LEWIS

If I had it my way all the beaches

would be closed.

 

DOBSON

Close the beaches and our Asses could

be sued.

 

LEWIS

Lives go really cheap these days?

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. POND - DAY.

 

In the water we see a SWIMMER. He is in his mid-twenties and is practising for a competition. The Swimmer’s name is STEVEN. His TUTOR is shouting instructions from a small powerboat nearby. The tutor is balding and looks in his late sixties. The tutor is wearing a red coat and has a stopwatch in his hand timing Steven.

 

TUTOR

(calling out

to Steven)

One minute thirty-two. You can do

better then that. Steven you must

try harder.

 

We see Steven floating in the water, trying to get his breath back.

 

STEVEN

I’m trying my hardest.

 

TUTOR

There are no points for being second

Steven. At the moment you’re three

seconds down. That’s sixth place. You

want to make the finals?

 

STEVEN

Give me a minute and I’ll make another

run. See if I can break one thirty?

 

TUTOR

That’s more like it boy. Let’s see

what you can really do.

 

Steven takes a few breaths and then sets out across the water towards the other side of the pond. The tutor clicks down on his stopwatch. Steven starts to swim for the middle of the pond.

 

EXT. MIDDLE OF POND - DAY.

 

We hear words of encouragement from the tutor.

 

EXT. TUTOR’S BOAT - DAY.

 

The tutor is sitting in his boat with CLARK. He owns the powerboat.

 

CLARK

What time is he doing at the turn?

 

TUTOR

(looks at

watch)

Forty-three seconds.

 

CLARK

He’s turning.

 

TUTOR

That’s it, that’s my boy.

 

In the distance we see a surge of water around Steven. The tutor and Clark wonder what’s happening.

 

CLARK

(confused)

What’s that?

 

TUTOR

I don’t know.

 

CLARK

I think he’s stopped.

 

TUTOR

Pass me the bins.

 

Clark hands the tutor a pair of binoculars.

 

EXT. VIEW THROUGH BINOCULARS - DAY.

 

We see Steven being pushed forward in the water, it looks like he is swimming really fast.

 

EXT. TUTOR’S BOAT - DAY.

 

The tutor places the binoculars down.

 

TUTOR

He’s coming straight for us.

 

CLARK

Look at him go.

 

TUTOR

(co himself)

I think this is going to be a record.

(calling out

to Steven)

That’s it. That’s my boy, come on

You’re going to smash the record.

 

CLARK

(confused)

Something’s pushing him.

 

We see the shark pushing Steven through the water. Both are heading for the boat. Clark stands up.

 

CLARK

(frightened)

Jesus Christ!

 

TUTOR

(frightened)

What?

  

CLARK

It’s pushing him.

 

TUTOR

What is?

 

CLARK

(points)

The fucking shark!

 

Clark and the tutor both scramble towards the little boat propeller engine, but it won’t start.

 

The shark is right on top of the boat. With a thud! Steven’s body and the shark hit the side of the boat. The force causes Clark and the tutor to fall overboard. The boat turns over and starts to sink, dragging Steven down with it.

 

The water has gone silent for a few seconds. The tutor appears from beneath the surface and takes a huge breath, shortly followed by Clark.

 

CLARK

(gasping for

air)

Where the hell is it?

 

TUTOR

Don’t move. Try to stay as calm as

possible.

 

CLARK

You stay calm. I’m getting out of

here.

 

TUTOR

(calling out)

No wait!

 

Clark starts to swim for the shore of the pond, but he is suddenly dragged away by the shark. Clark is screaming as the shark throws him about in the water. The screaming stops and Clark is pulled underwater.

 

The tutor is hanging onto the up turned boat. He is shaking with fear and seems to be muttering to himself.

 

TUTOR

Please tell me somebody heard that?

 

EXT. POND NEARBY - DAY.

 

We see the shark is circling the boat. It passes by the tutor. It has seen new food. We see it is heading for South Beach.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH. VIEW FROM SEA - DAY.

 

The beach is crowded with hundreds of tourists spending the summer on Long Island. It is a blistering hot day and many people are in the cool water. The threat of a shark has gone, no sightings for a month. They are mistaken.

 

The Megalodon is waiting for a kill. At a mile the Megalodon senses not just one kill in the water, but also one hundred. It heads for the bathers.

 

EXT. BEACH - DAY.

 

We see Lewis approach Helen and the family. Lewis cuddles Helen and then sits down with her.

 

HELEN

(to Lewis)

Is everything all right?

 

LEWIS

Fine Helen.

 

MICHAEL

What did Jeff want?

 

LEWIS

(to Michael)

I just had to tie up a few loose ends.

Official garbage.

 

Andy interrupts.

 

ANDY

(to Carla)

Who’s coming over Mom? Is Mr. Lewis

going to be my Grandpa?

 

KATIE

Well I don’t know. You had better

ask him yourself.

 

Not expecting Andy to he appears from behind Katie and slowly walks over to Lewis. The laughing dies down to a silence as Andy stands over Lewis.

 

ANDY

Mr. Lewis?

 

LEWIS

Mr. Tate?

 

ANDY

Are you going to be my Grandpa?

 

Everybody begins to smile and laugh at Andy. Lewis takes his glasses off and cuddles Andy while smiling.

 

LEWIS

Well, would you like me to be your

Grandpa?

 

ANDY

(over Lewis’s

shoulder)

Yes.

 

Lewis puts his glasses on and stands up. Lewis picks up Andy and puts him feet first sitting on his shoulders. Andy starts to laugh out loud.

 

LEWIS

Andy, have you ever been on a roller

coaster before?

 

KATIE

He’s too young.

 

LEWIS

Too young? Well, when I was six years

old I’d never been on a roller coaster

before, but my father, god rest his

soul, would always take me on his home

made one. Are you ready?

 

ANDY

(laughing)

Yes.

 

Lewis starts to run along the sandy beach towards the confectionery stalls. Lewis is holding Andy on his shoulders and starts to bob up and down.

 

EXT. BEACH OVER LOOKING POND - DAY.

 

Lewis is bobbing up and down.

 

EXT. POND - DAY.

 

We see the Megalodon’s three-yard fin break the surface of the pond, heading toward South Beach.

 

EXT. BEACH OVER LOOKING POND - DAY.

 

Lewis is running towards the pond. Andy is laughing and looks happy.

 

Lewis looks into the pond and sees the huge fin of the shark. Lewis stops. The expression on his face is on of fear as he turns to look at South Beach.

 

LEWIS

(fear softly)

Oh my god!

 

Lewis suddenly holds Andy very tightly.

 

ANDY

Mr. Lewis. What’s wrong? I want

more bumps. Can we go again?

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The fin glides underwater. The shark is heading towards South Beach at speed.

 

EXT. BEACH - DAY.

 

Lewis turns around and starts to run as fast as he can toward South Beach. Andy thinks it is another ride and starts to laugh and smile again.

 

ANDY

Yes. Faster.

 

EXT. CONFECTIONERY STALLS - DAY.

 

Lewis jumps onto the back of the confectionery stalls and runs right through one of them, out onto the beach.

 

EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY.

 

The shark is underwater and closing in on some bathers.

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

Michael looks up and sees Lewis running towards him and the family. Michael is not aware of any danger in the water because Andy is still laughing. Lewis is getting tied and starts to slow down as he looks out of breath. Michael is pointing and laughing at Lewis.

 

HELEN

(confused)

What?

 

MICHAEL

(laughing)

Looks like the roller coaster just

broke down.

 

Helen looks across and starts to laugh as well. Katie looks at Lewis and smiles then turns to Helen.

 

KATIE

(sarcastic)

How old did you say he was, Helen?

 

MICHAEL

Well past his sell by date.

 

HELEN

(sticks up

for Lewis)

He’ll do for now. Who knows I might

trade him in for a toy boy.

 

Michael looks down at Helen shocked at her remark. Michael rushes over to Lewis.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The shark rises to the surface and we see bathers swimming, smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves. The shark submerges underwater.

 

EXT. HELEN’S P.O.V. - DAY.

 

Michael reaches Lewis and pulls Andy off his shoulders. We see Lewis is out of breath and starts to shout at Michael. We only see their mouths move. Helen can sense that something is wrong. Lewis is pointing to the sea.

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

Helen looks at the sea and then quickly toward Lewis and Michael.

 

EXT. HELEN’S P.O.V. - DAY.

 

Lewis is pointing to the pond area.

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

Helen looks back at the sea and is getting very nervous.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The shark surfaces again and starts to circle the bathers

waiting for the easiest kill. The shark senses a kill.

 

A LADY BATHER is alone and the shark surges up from the sea and attacks the lady bather. The lady screams as the water around her becomes red with her blood. Her leg is bitten off and she is pulled underwater.

 

SWIMMERS see the attack and panic sets in.

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

Helen hears the screams. Katie stands up in front of Helen and looks out to sea.

 

KATIE

(frightened)

Sarah!

 

Katie runs toward the shore. We see hundreds of terrified MOTHERS and FATHER’S rush towards the shore. Michael has taken Andy in his arms and starts to run toward Helen. Lewis rushes down to the shore and starts to call out.

 

LEWIS

(shouting)

Get them out of the water! Get

everybody out!

 

Lewis is wading in the water and helps some of the bathers from the sea.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

(frantic)

Everybody out! Get them out!

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

Panic has set in as hundreds of bathers try to get to the safety of the beach as fast as they can. Some try to swim and others wade quickly. A few of the bathers fall forward in the panic, getting trampled on in the water.

 

The shark senses fear and surfaces near the mass panic. It seems to be frightened by the commotion and slides underwater leaving the scene.

 

EXT. SOUTH BEACH - DAY.

 

Michael reaches Helen and places Andy down into her lap.

Andy is now crying and Helen cuddles him tightly, not wanting to let go.

 

HELEN

It’s all right. You’re safe now.

 

Michael jumps across the beach dodging family belongings scattered all around him. He reaches the shore. Katie runs up to him.

 

KATIE

Have you seen Sarah?

 

MICHAEL

I thought she was with you.

 

KATIE

(shouting)

God damn you, Michael! If I can’t

find her. Goddamn you!

 

Katie continues to look around and we see a spray as people rush from the sea. Michael sees Lewis help the last few people from the water and runs over to him.

 

MICHAEL

Why’d it come now? Where’s it been?

 

Lewis turns and faces Michael. The sea is motionless and the shark cannot be seen.

 

LEWIS

(to Michael)

It’s a bad fish.

 

Carla rushes up to Michael and Lewis. She is in a panic because she has still not found Sarah.

 

KATIE

Sarah? Where is she?

 

MICHAEL

(raises hands)

Hold on.

 

KATIE

Where is she?

 

Michael grabs hold of her shoulders and tries to calm her down. Katie is struggling with Michael.

 

KATIE (CONT’D)

Why didn’t you tell me?

 

MICHAEL

Katie, hold on.

 

KATIE

You son of a bitch. Where’s Sarah?

 

MICHAEL

(confused)

Where’s Sarah?

 

KATIE

(confused)

I don’t know. Damn you both!

 

MICHAEL

What do you mean you don’t know?

 

Katie pushes Michael away from her.

 

MICHAEL (CONT’D)

What?

 

KATIE

(angry)

Damn you both for what you’ve done!

 

MICHAEL

(angry)

What? This isn’t our thought. You’re

crazy.

 

Katie steps back even further and give a frightened smile. She points to herself.

 

KATIE

I’m the crazy one.

(to herself)

I’m the crazy one. That’s a real

great statement coming from you.

 

Michael steps forward to Katie. But she steps back and raises her hands to him.

 

KATIE (CONT’D)

(angry)

Keep your hands off me.

(a beat)

I don’t know you.

 

 

 

MICHAEL

Katie, I don’t need this. Let’s

go and find Sarah.

 

KATIE

Don’t waste your time. You go and

find your shark. Get your priorities

right.

 

Katie steps back and runs off.

 

MICHAEL

(calling out)

Hang on.

 

Michael turns and faces Lewis.

 

LEWIS

Call Dobson and the mayor. Get him

to close the beaches.

 

MICHAEL

Can we finish this?

 

LEWIS

(to himself)

Got to get to work, Michael.

 

MICHAEL

Can we kill it?

 

LEWIS

You’ve got a hell of a fish out

there. Swallow you whole.

 

MICHAEL

When we going out?

 

LEWIS

The bloodline is fresh.

 

MICHAEL

I don’t think he’s going to get a

decent meal around here anymore.

 

LEWIS

Meet me at the harbour in a hour.

With whatever you need. Go and find

Sarah.

 

They look at each other for a few seconds before Michael turns around and runs off to look for Sarah. Lewis turns toward the sea.

 

FADE OUT

 

FADE IN

 

EXT. LONG BEACH HARBOUR - DAY.

 

We see Lewis’s boat. It is leaving the harbour area heading out to sea. Michael and Lewis are aboard.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT. DECK - DAY.

 

LEWIS

(asking)

Full ahead, Michael.

 

Michael pushes down on the throttle and the boat powers through the water.

 

MICHAEL

Full ahead.

 

LEWIS

(to sea)

I’m coming to get you Mr. Shark.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS - DOBSON’S OFFICE - DAY.

 

Dobson is on the phone. Helen bursts into his office. Dobson finishes his call.

 

DOBSON

(on phone)

I’ll be right over.

 

Dobson puts the phone down and looks up to Helen.

 

HELEN

(afraid)

They’ve gone after it.

 

DOBSON

Michael told me to tell you they

know what their doing.

 

Helen gets angry. She slams her hand down on his table.

 

 

 

HELEN

(rage, confused)

Know what their doing? Goddamn it

Jeff! Will you listen to yourself.

Don’t you think they might have been

able to stop what happened today,

if they knew?

(a beat)

They’ve in danger and I need you to

go and get them for me.

 

DOBSON

Hold on a minute here. I’m going

nowhere, the town is in disarray.

 

HELEN

(angry)

Now, I’ve lost enough of my family

to the sea to know that this time

I’m going to at least try and stop

it happening again. If you won’t

take me out, I’m sure I can find

someone crazy enough to do it.

Money goes a long way in this town.

 

Helen rushes from the office. Dobson phone starts to ring and he has the choice of answering it or running after Helen. He runs after Helen.

 

DOBSON

(calling out)

Helen, wait.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. SEA - LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis is looking out from the back of the boat and sees nothing.

 

LEWIS

(to Michael)

Make a chum line.

 

Michael eases the throttle down and the boat starts to slow. Michael leaves the wheel and approaches Lewis.

 

MICHAEL

Did you have time to get anything?

 

Lewis pulls out a couple dead turkeys.

 

LEWIS

This son of a bitch will love them.

 

MICHAEL

(joking)

What about the cranberry sauce?

 

LEWIS

(joking)

Doesn’t like the taste.

 

MICHAEL

(joking)

It’s eaten just about everything

else there is so far.

CUT TO:

 

INT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson and Helen are sailing towards the lighthouse in search of Lewis’s boat. Dobson is calling in the radio while at the wheel.

 

DOBSON

(to Radio)

This is chief of police, Dobson,

to Long Beach coast guard. Do you

read me, over?

 

RADIO (V.O.)

This is Long Beach coast guard. Is that

you Jeff?

 

DOBSON

(to Radio)

Damn right it is Chris. I’ve got a

couple of fisherman out by the

lighthouse. It’s Michael Tate and

Mark Lewis. They need bringing in,

over.

 

RADIO (V.O.)

We read you. As soon as I can get

up in the air Chief, over.

 

DOBSON

Make it snappy, over and out.

 

RADIO (V.O.)

Over and out.

 

Dobson puts the radio handset down and faces Helen. Helen looks very nervous as she clings to the inside of the cabin.

 

DOBSON

Don’t worry Helen. Coast guard’s

on the way.

 

HELEN

(to herself,

softly)

I’m beyond worry.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael looks into the water as Lewis ties the turkeys to a long rope. Lewis ties the rope to the stern of the boat and then throws the turkeys overboard.

 

LEWIS

(exhausted call)

Here’s your starter.

 

We see the turkeys are being dragged along in the water behind the boat. Lewis walks over to the wheel and pushes the throttle down. Lewis’s boat starts to slow. Michael looks toward the stern and then at Lewis.

 

MICHAEL

(worried)

If that’s the starter. What’s the

main course? Us?

 

Lewis Peers out from the cabin.

 

LEWIS

Michael, this is our chance to catch

it.

 

Michael looks back out to sea. Lewis has turned back into the cabin and is playing with the throttle trying to get the speed right.

 

MICHAEL

(softly)

But what about if it catches us

first?

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson is at the wheel in the cabin. Helen is sitting next to him.

 

HELEN

(asking)

How long before we reach them?

 

DOBSON

Radar has them three degrees southwest

of the lighthouse. Twenty minutes.

 

HELEN

Can’t this pile of rust go any

faster?

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis looks at the radar screen. He can see Dobson boat is approaching. Lewis is looking at a dot that is flashing on the screen.

 

LEWIS

We might have company.

 

Michael reaches down to look. We suddenly see two dots flashing on the radar screen. The two dots are close to each other. Michael points at the dots.

 

MICHAEL

(asking)

If that’s who I think it is. What

the hell is that?

 

Lewis jumps up and pushes the throttle to stop.

 

MICHAEL (CONT’D)

(frightened)

You’ve got to be kidding me? Right?

That’s not what  I think it is?

 

LEWIS

Got to get to work.

 

The boat starts to slow down and we see Lewis rush out on to the deck and get his harpoon. The harpoon is tied to an inflatable barrel, that when it hits the water will blow out into an air bag and keep the shark afloat. Lewis has four of these bags.

 

Michael is looking at the radar and can see that the two flashing dots cross over each other.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

We see Dobson boat glide through the water at speed.

 

The shark’s fin surfaces by the boat and glides past it and then dives underwater.

 

We look ahead of Dobson’s boat and see Lewis’s boat in the distance.

 

CUT TO:

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael is standing at the stern of Lewis’s boat, which has now slowed down to a crawl. Michael looks out and thinks he can see another boat approaching. Michael hunts around for the binoculars.

 

LEWIS

Michael. Will you give me a hand

here?

 

MICHAEL

Just a minute.

 

Michael enters the cabin and sees the binoculars on the table in the middle of the cabin. He picks them up and rushes out to the stern of the boat. Michael looks through them.

 

EXT. VIEW THROUGH BINOCULARS - DAY.

 

We see Dobson’s boat in the distance. Michael pans down and sees the fin of the shark heading this way.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael lowers the binoculars from his eyes and turns towards Lewis.

 

MICHAEL

It’s coming.

 

LEWIS

How far is it?

 

MICHAEL

About a mile.

 

LEWIS

(to himself)

Not much time. We’ll probably only

get one shot at this, Michael.

 

Michael turns around and looks down at the turkeys that are splashing about in the water about three hundred yards off from the stern. Michael rushes over to Lewis.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

Tie these down.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Helen is now standing up. She can see Lewis’s boat in front of her. Dobson is smiling.

 

DOBSON

We’ve got them.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson boat approaches Lewis’s boat and is now only four hundred yards from it.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis looks up and sees Dobson and Helen approaching in the other boat. Lewis is surprised that Helen is aboard.

 

LEWIS

(surprise)

Helen! 

 

Michael looks up when he hears his mother’s name.

 

MICHAEL

(shocked)

Mom!

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson’s boat is slowing down and pulls up by the side of Lewis’s boat. Dobson’s boat is faster, bigger and is more of a cruise boat. Helen rushes from the safety of the cabin and calls out to Lewis and Michael.

 

HELEN

(calling out)

Come home, boys?

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael is angry with Helen.

 

MICHAEL

(angry)

Why the hell did you come out here?

The shark is here. Now.

 

EXT. SEA NEARBY - DAY.

 

The shark rises from the water and crashes into the side of Dobson’s boat. The boat starts to tilt and take on water.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson falls forward and cuts his leg. Helen falls overboard. She lets out a scream as she falls into the deep dark ocean. Helen goes underwater.

 

EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY.

 

Helen is trying to swim and can see the shark approach her. It opens its large jaws and bites down into Helen.

Blood fills the screen, everywhere.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael is in a panic as he sees Helen fall. He lets out a lingering scream.

 

MICHAEL

No!

 

Michael dives into the water. Lewis screams out.

 

LEWIS

Michael, no!

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael swims to the boat.

 

INT. CABIN - DAY.

 

Dobson is bleeding in the cabin. Water is coming up into the cabin fast. It’s rising, and Dobson struggles to get to the cabin door, which has swung shut.

 

Dobson’s boat is sinking fast and suddenly he is underwater.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael dives under the water to try and save Dobson. We see Dobson’s boat sink, but an air pocket keeps the bow afloat.

 

EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY.

 

Michael swims under and into the cabin. Michael forces the cabin door open and pulls Dobson out and to the surface.

 

EXT. SEA NEAR TO LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael pulls the injured Dobson to Lewis’s boat. Lewis reaches down and pulls up Dobson and then Michael. Michael is out of breath. But he wants to jump back in and find Helen. Lewis stops him.

 

LEWIS

Michael. She’s gone.

 

MICHAEL

(out of breath)

I have to try.

 

LEWIS

She’s gone and you will be too if

you go out there again.

 

Michael seems to throw a tantrum, but deep inside he is sick. Helen’s death hurts them all inside, but the shark was still out there. Michael looks out to the stern and is on the verge of crying. He sees that the turkeys are still splashing about in the water.

 

MICHAEL

(to himself,

crying)

Why didn’t you go for the turkeys?

 

Everybody looks afraid of what is to come.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The massive shark surfaces and swallows the turkeys in one. The shark is about forty-feet in length. We see its large jaws gapping wide open.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael jumps back with fear.

 

MICHAEL

(calling out)

It’s gonna kill us all.

 

Lewis rushes over to see the shark.

 

MICHAEL (CONT’D)

(sarcastic)

Is that what you’ve been dreaming

of?

 

LEWIS

Get the harpoon ready.

 

Michael rushes around to the harpoon and inflatable air bags. Michael calls back to Lewis.

 

MICHAEL

(calling to

Lewis)

First one’s ready.

 

Michael rushes up to Lewis holding the harpoon. He hands it to Lewis.

 

LEWIS

Get ready to tie another.

 

Michael rushes back to the inflatable air bags. Lewis raises his harpoon and fires it into the shark. It hits the fin and pulls the air bag out onto the sea. The shark starts to circle the boat. The inflatable air bag hits the water and forms an air bubble.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

(calling out)

Michael, tie another bag.

 

Michael hurries to tie another air bag. Lewis reaches out with his harpoon at the Shark. Lewis turns around to face Michael.

 

LEWIS (CONT’D)

Is it ready?

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

Ready.

 

Lewis fires another harpoon into the shark. The air bag flies into the water and blows up around the shark.

 

LEWIS

(smiling)

That should bring him to the surface.

 

The shark rises and opens its jaws biting down into the first air bag. The air bag bursts. The shark bites down into the second air bag and that bursts.

 

MICHAEL

(frightened)

I think he’s pissed.

 

Lewis looks at Michael and then at the shark. He looks terrified for the first time.

 

The shark heads toward Lewis’s boat crashing into it. Lewis’s boat starts to take on water. It’s coming up into the engine but only slowly and the boat rights itself.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The shark falls back into the water.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis is looking for his rifle. It is laying on the floor next to him after falling from the cabin. Michael reaches down to pick it up. Lewis approaches out of breath.

 

MICHAEL

(looking up

to Lewis)

You can stop it?

 

LEWIS

With these weapons. I’m not a hunter

Michael. I wanted to study.

 

MICHAEL

That’s impossible now.

 

LEWIS

I know.

 

MICHAEL

It must be destroyed.

 

LEWIS

(gives in)

I know.

 

Lewis is still dripping with water as he takes the rifle from Michael’s hand and starts to reload it. Dobson is lying injured and looks up to Lewis.

 

DOBSON

(sarcastic)

What you planning to do? Tickle

him to death?

 

Lewis pushes forward on the rifle and aims at the shark as it glides past the boat. Lewis lets off three or four rounds before the shark slides underwater unharmed. Lewis looks down at Dobson who is holding his arm.

 

LEWIS

(to Dobson)

You’re bleeding.

(to Michael,

calling out)

Michael. Get the first aid box.

 

DOBSON

(pleading)

You can stop...

 

LEWIS

(interrupts)

Yes.

 

Michael appears holding the first aid box. Michael kneels down and opens the box in front of Dobson.

 

DOBSON

(shouting)

Dynamite! It’s in the my boat. I

remember it being put there.

 

Lewis looks down at Dobson and seems interested.

 

LEWIS

How many kegs?

 

DOBSON

There’s a box full. It should have

survived. It’s in a pressurised

container.

 

MICHAEL

I’ll go.

 

LEWIS

Don’t be crazy, Michael.

 

MICHAEL

(angry)

Do you have a better suggestion?

 

Michael stands close to the side of the boat and looks across at the up turned bow of Dobson’s boat. Lewis tries to stop him.

 

LEWIS

(holds Michael

back)

We can find another way.

 

MICHAEL

(pushes him

back)

I can make it. Best swimmer in my

class. You just take care of that

shark.

 

Lewis tries to hold Michael back in a friend’s type of way, but Michael pushes him away and dives into the water.

 

Lewis rushes to the other side of his boat and starts to bang a paddle on to the side of the boat. The vibrations enter the water and attract the shark.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

Michael is swimming as fast as he can toward Dobson’s boat and reaches it.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael climbs on to the up turned bow and takes a few breaths. He calls back to Dobson.

 

MICHAEL

(calling out)

Where the hell is it?

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Dobson looks in pain as he calls back to Michael.

 

DOBSON

(calling out)

It’s in the cabin locker.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael jumps into the water.

 

EXT. UNDERWATER. INT. HENDRICKS BOAT.

 

Michael swims into the cabin of the boat and starts to search for the box containing the dynamite. Michael is running out of air and cannot find the locker.

 

Suddenly Helen’s arm comes floating out the engine room, which is above him. Michael screams out bubbles. He turns and sees the dynamite box. It is silver and made of metal. Michael finds it is very heavy and struggles to lift it to the surface of the water.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis is now hanging over the edge of the boat looking to see if Michael has got the dynamite. Lewis faces Dobson.

 

DOBSON

No man could last that long.

 

LEWIS

Give him a few more seconds.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - BOW - DAY.

 

Michael comes shooting to the surface holding the silver box of dynamite. Michael climbs aboard the bow of Dobson’s boat to safety.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis is pleased.

 

LEWIS

He’s got it.

 

DOBSON

Now, let’s hope it still works.

 

Michael is out of breath.

 

 

 

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

(calling out)

I’m out. I don’t think I can swim

it.

 

LEWIS

Can you throw it?

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

It’s too heavy.

 

Lewis looks around for some rope and his harpoon gun. Lewis calls out to Michael.

 

LEWIS

I’m going to shoot the rope over to

you. Tie it down and I’ll winch the

lot over.

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

Okay.

 

Lewis finds his harpoon and ties a rope to it. Lewis reaches across and aims at Michael. The harpoon flies through the air and hits Dobson’s boat.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael picks up the harpoon and ties the dynamite box to it.

 

MICHAEL

(calling out)

Now pull.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis ties the rope over the winch and starts the engine on it. The winch makes a clanking noise as it starts to winch the dynamite over. The dynamite sinks underwater.

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

(calling out)

It’s going under.

 

LEWIS

It’s Okay. It shouldn’t reach the

bottom. I’ve got two hundred pounds

of pressure here.

 

We see the winch reeling in the rope and the dynamite is being pulled aboard.

 

The shark rises from the water and crashes into Lewis’s boat. The shark bites a large hole into the side of the boat and it starts to sink instantly. Lewis falls over and Dobson slips into the water as the boat tilts.

 

The shark surfaces and sees Dobson. Its huge jaws open and swallow him in one. There is no blood as Dobson is pulled underwater.

 

Lewis is holding on as the boat rights it again. He stands up and looks across at Michael. Lewis’s boat is sinking and water is coming up into the cabin.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

MICHAEL

Swim to me Mark. Swim to me.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis has received a cut to his head and is bleeding immensely. Michael is calling out to him, but Lewis is in a daze as he looks at his sinking boat.

 

LEWIS

(to himself,

softly)

This is what you’ve always wanted.

You’re my shark. I dreamed about you.

Now I must destroy you.

 

EXT. SEA NEARBY - DAY.

 

The shark is about one thousand yards from Lewis’s boat and starts to head straight for Lewis.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael can see the shark is heading straight for Lewis and he calls out to him again.

 

MICHAEL (O.S.)

(calling out)

Mark! It’s coming straight for you.

Get the hell out of there.

 

Lewis reaches back for the dynamite and takes hold of the silver box. Lewis opens it and we see kegs of dynamite and some flares. Lewis picks up two kegs of six sticks of dynamite and a flare. Lewis lights the flare and then one of the sticks of dynamite. Lewis looks out toward the sea and sees the shark heading towards him.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The shark is getting closer. It’s now only eight hundred yards off from Lewis’s boat.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis steps forward, his feet in the cold water. He throws the first stick of dynamite at the shark.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The dynamite misses the shark and explodes nearby.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis lights another stick and throws it.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The dynamite again misses the shark and explodes nearby.

The shark is now four hundred off from Lewis’s boat.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis lights up two sticks and throws them at the shark one at a time.

 

EXT. SEA - DAY.

 

The dynamite misses again and the shark starts to rise from the water. It is now only one hundred yards from Lewis’s boat.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis lights up the final two sticks and throws them at the shark. He is still holding a keg, which contains six sticks of dynamite.

 

EXT. SEA CLOSE TO LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

The dynamite misses again and the shark rises up in a tremendous surge of water. It passes over Lewis’s boat and crashes into the cabin.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis has lit the keg of dynamite and is holding it as the shark crashes into him.

 

THE KEG EXPLODES! Lewis’s boat explodes and a thirty-foot geyser of bright red water touches the sky, spreading everywhere, missing nothing. Michael hides himself from the red water.

 

EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY.

 

The shark’s dead carcass floats away into the deep dark ocean. The shark and blood cloud float at speed towards us. Its three-yard wide jaws eat the camera.

 

EXT. LEWIS’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Lewis’s boat sinks with ease into the stained red sea.

 

EXT. DOBSON’S BOAT - DAY.

 

Michael screams out in anguish.

 

MICHAEL

(screams)

No!

 

Michael sits back down on the up turned boat and looks exhausted. He is pondering how he will get home. Michael can hear a noise. It is an approaching helicopter. Michael stands up and waves his hands to the helicopter.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

EXT. FUNERAL - DAY.

 

We see Michael dressed in black with Katie and his family standing next to him. Helen’s remains are being laid to rest in the town cemetery.

 

We close in on Michael as the coffin is lowered into the grave. Michael is dreaming and can remember how his mother was when he was a child.

 

BLANK AND WHITE FLASHBACKS OVER.

 

We see flashbacks from a selection of sad and good times in the Tate families lives.

 

EXT. FUNERAL - DAY.

 

Michael is sad as Helen’s coffin is put to rest along side Lewis’s and Dobson’s. The town of Long Beach has closed for the day in memory of them all. We see hundreds of people who have filled the streets close to the town cemetery.

 

Michael looks down at his children Sarah and Andy who are sad. He smiles. The Tate family name will live on. We see Michael smile and hold on to it.

 

 

FADE OUT

 

 

THE END