EarWyrm
EarWyrm
Dreaming Of Squid
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Joe and Polly dive to the bottom of the ocean to take a picture of the elusive Giant Squid, making a dream a reality. Rub-a-dub-dub!
Performed by Yanna Lantz, David Janeski, Jana Arnolds, and Lachlan Carwithen.
Music and Co-editing by Cherron Arens
Written and produced by Matt Musgrove
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If you enjoy stories please follow us!
EarWyrm.org
Instagram
Twitter
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/EarWyrm)
Dreaming of Squid
By Matt Musgrove
| CAST OF CHARACTERS JOE, 30's, brother to Polly, father to Thea.
POLLY, 30's, sister to Joe, aunty to Thea.
RADIO/CAPTAIN JANE MASON, 50's, topside operations.
RADIO/LEUKOTHEA "THEA", 3, daughter of Joe, niece of Polly.
SEATALK, submarine's virtual assistant.
CREWMATES 1 & 2, well seasoned crewmates.
CREWMATE HOST, Matt Musgrove.
KEY (-) (--) Hyphens or double hyphens can be interpreted as shifting train of thought, a slight lapse in thought, or treated like a comma. If a hyphen is at the end of a line, treat the next line as an interruption or quick response. (beat) Can be interpreted as short or long. (**) Asterisk words in a line are a vocal gestures i.e. *sigh* *cough* etc.
EXT. SHIP DECK - DAY
Okay, time’s up!
A bustling modern ship crew. Grandfather Clock can be heard in the music.
Voices over a headset system.
POLLY
We’re at D3. It’s go time.
JOE
-- we’re solid on pre-departure check, fuel, oxygen,
controls, life support, Seatalk -- Seatalk on --
(program boot up music inside sub)
SEATALK
Titon Seatalk.
POLLY
Check check checkity check, alright bro -- aand
(making sure the panel looks good)
-- this is it, ready for descent.
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
Green on moving Titon down track, over.
JOE
(to self, onset anxiety) (to Polly)
Copy.
ok..
Captain, are we recording?
You two are live!
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
JOE (nervous)
Okay, h-hello everyone.
POLLY Yo yo my fellow Squidites!
Engaging track.
SEATALK
(Major suction of doors closing and clanking of sub moving down the deployment track.)
JOE
Welcome to the live recording Deep Sea Sub Mission Alpha. I’m
Joe.
POLLY
And I’m Polly! And morning, noon, and night, we’re always --
BOTH
Dreaming of Squid.
JOE
If you’re just now joining, I’m Joe, managing director of
SeaTech Deep Diving Submersible Services, I design and build specialist equipment for developments in underwater exploration. My sister --
POLLY
Hi everyone this is Polly, I’ve been a super squid nerd my
whole life - Teuthology number one, holla holla represent -- Master of advanced studies in marine biodiversity and conservation --
RADIO (CAPTAIN) POLLY
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
(to Thea)
Well here sweetie -- Thea, Thea go ahead, talk right in
there.
Sorry team --
Yeah go ahead --
We have a special message-
2.
THEA
(over ship’s loud speaker)
H-hi this is Thea, over the radio. Is -- can you hear me?
JOE Hi, sweetie, I can hear you!
THEA
Okay, I wanted to say -- um, I like submarines -- just like my Dad, and I also wanted to wish my Dad and Aunty Polly a fun time together -- while diving in the ocean. Okay -- bye!
Cute.
POLLY
RADIO (CAPTAIN) (over the loud speaker)
Thank you, Thea, for those wise and inspiring words.
JOE POLLY (smiling) (chuckles)
Come on, don’t be mean.
RADIO (CAPTAIN) (to Thea)
Alright now -- hand me the radio. (over the speaker)
Okay, team, have a smooth dive. We believe in you. Over.
POLLY
That was the Captain, who’s really the only one that can make
it happen, Jane Mason -- on the radio and head of topside operations, recording, and mostly all of the important stuff. Right Cap?
Roger roger.
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
(Movement on track stops.)
JOE
You’d be proud to learn Thea’s really getting into submarines
--
3.
POLLY Hook ‘em while they’re young.
JOE
I bought her this bath-time submarine set -- Best Dad of the
Year award, right here -- POLLY
Nice.
JOE
Thea might even have a cousin one of these days, right sis?
(beat)
POLLY
Ha!.. Not anytime time soon, Joe. I have a killer niece and a
world record to break, bro --
RADIO Permission to crane sub. Over.
JOE
Permission granted -- we’re looking drier than a pair of
saltine crackers in a--
POLLY
Nope! No Dad jokes at work. Sorry, listeners.
RADIO (CAPTAIN) Crane release, in three, two, one.
Here we go!
RADIO (THEA)
(SPLASH. Music starts. The sub hits the water. The crew deck cheer and congratulate one another.)
CREWMATE HOST There she goes, ha ha! Well done everyone.
(to listeners)
Ya know, a lot of hard work and risky investments go into
building one’s dream.
4.
The amount of patience, resources, and luck it takes to build something new is nearly impossible to gather for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and freelance artists alike.
(FOG HORN)
CREWMATE #2 (yelled)
Eyes in the boat, unexpected showers! (It starts to rain hard)
CREWMATE #3/4 (to crewmate #2)
Squall! Showers! Aye!
CREWMATE HOST (to listeners loudly)
Loud and clear! I’m Matt Musgrove the producer of EarWyrm, currently as a seasoned crewmate, and in this episode we’ll embark on an expedition to the bottom of the ocean to make a dream a reality. Uncovering mysteries in the abyss of one’s life choices and [life choices] relationships.
JOE (shook)
That didn’t feel good.
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
Apologies on the rough landing, who’s driving this thing?
Thea?
Yeah, I blame Thea.
Sure, yeah it’s all her fault.
POLLY
JOE (all laugh)
CREWMATE HOST This is: Dreaming of Squid.
RADIO (CAPTAIN) You are clear to vent, clear to vent. Over.
5.
POLLY
Copy, venting. Ahh there it is. The big blue.
Clear, pure, crisp --
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
We’ve got some heavy weather and thick sea foam heading our
way.
Shouldn’t affect you. Ready engine #2, go.
(Electronic buzzing propeller on)
JOE Sea foam? She messing with us?
POLLY
Delicious taste of pollution, dead coral reefs, the Great
Garbage Patch --
Are you done?
JOE (to Polly)
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
Ready engine #1, go.
(Electronic buzzing propeller 2 on)
(beat)
POLLY (fake cough)
Global warming.
JOE
Okay, that’s enough. Our listeners don’t need an ear-full of
politics.
POLLY (looking at trash)
Sorry everyone, I didn’t know a -- plastic bucket, and uh looks like there’s a broken green squirt gun, and a rubber ducky were political.
(Buttons pressed. Engine powering up. Radio BEEP)
6.
Thrusters ready.
JOE Speed thrusters on, Polly?
POLLY
We’re doing it! You excited? No, you’re nervous.
JOE (pissed)
Yes. Thrusters, Polly? Yeah, they’re good.
POLLY
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
JOE
Okay -- time’s up, we’re strapped in, hands clammy, and ready
to go.
(radio BEEP)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) Then we are launch in three, two, one.
Yee-ahh!
(A violent blast of thrust.) POLLY
(Water soars around them. Slight sound of lips making a motor boat sound)
JOE (nervous)
Ho-kay, just so the listeners know, if they don’t already -- this is one of the steepest, deepest, underwater ridge-lines any human has explored at this speed and in a manned submersible of this size and structure. On our way down this dive site, the side of cliffs should be filled with some amazing, colorful marine life --
7.
POLLY
a reminder, this is a literal nightmare for Joe, as
not do well in claustrophobic situations. JOE
Uh-huh.
POLLY
As our main pilot today, he is a walking irony--
JOE
Can we try not being terrible for one day?
POLLY (laughing it off)
Whoa hey no *scoff* let me finish, I’m complimenting you. (con’t)
-- a walking irony, whiiich, is really amazing that you’re here supporting the expedition, not only financially, as our ever main sponsor, but physically as well. Conquering your fears. For many - many future expeditions, okay Joe?
JOE (dry)
Uh-yep. Thanks, Polly. -- just, doing my thing.
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
Picking up whale sounds and multiple entities on sonar.
JOE
(clicking of buttons)
Breaking news, our topside sonar has spotted a group of objects in the water --
POLLY
Copy that.
JOE
- and given the whale sounds, and the specimen we’re looking
for - I’d say it’s fair bet we’re in for a pod of sperm whales -- around a couple thousand feet below us.
And, as he does
That’s fair, Joe.
POLLY
8.
JOE
Everything -- the general habitat, topography, will all be
quite interesting. But, of course -- you all know why we’re here...
POLLY
The Big Kahuna.
JOE Yep, the “Big Kahuna.”
(beat)
We love giving the impression we’re professional --
POLLY
Also known as The Giant Squid. Famously called...
(passing it to Joe)
JOE (uncomfortable)
Couldn’t tell ya, Polly.
POLLY
That’s alright Joe, leave the biology to the biologist.
That’s why you pay me the big bucks.
Architeuthis Dux. It’s a beautiful, perfect -- mythic creature of a specimen.
(radio BEEP)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) Whale sounds are clear for recording.
POLLY Copy that. This is great.
JOE
Patch it in.
POLLY
Sit back and relax while these majestic -- largest of the
toothed predators -- lull your mind into tranquility. We’ll be right back after you hear the codas and clicks of the physeter macrocephalus.
(a switch is flipped. Whale sounds in background)
9.
POLLY I WILL DESTROY YOU. Joe.
JOE
There she is --
POLLY
I swear to god if you make my life’s work --
JOE
Ours --
POLLY
-- a boring piece of garbage for the biggest potential donor
base -- I will end you.
JOE
Yeah, okay.
POLLY
You’re doing it on purpose, “we really love it when Polly
tries to act professional.” JOE
Not what I said.
POLLY
I should’ve brought someone else down here.
(beat)
JOE (fake happy)
Oh. Okay -- good, cause this might be the last time we’re ever doing this.
What?
(beat)
POLLY
(radio BEEP)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) And we’re back in three, two...
10.
And we’re back.
POLLY
(composing herself)
Um, wasn’t that nice? It wasn’t much of a song you’d
recognize from a humpback or belugas whale but those patterns of creaks and clicks are used for communicating and echolocating food - squid make fabulous acoustic targets which they can eat more than a ton of them in a day. Fun facts. Uh, they, the Sperm Whales, also sleep vertically suspended in the water in pods. Like ominous trees in the deep. Check out sleeping sperm whales online. It’s, it’s great.
(cutting) So, why are you here, Joe?
JOE
Well -- it’s been our life-long dream to capture a picture of
the -- Arch-iteuth--is Dux? POLLY
Nice.
-- as eyes.
JOE
well as be the first to see it in person with our own
Hopefully today’s the day to see it.
POLLY
If not, that’s okay cause we have time and tech on our side.
Brother and I are equipped for multiple planned dives, all for the benefit of science.
(beat)
JOE
(catching his silence)
-- We’re using a silent optical lure that emits an LED light pattern mimicking a deep sea jellyfish.
POLLY (inhale/podcast mode)
That’s true, Giant Squid love hot jellyfish action. Whoa... listeners, we are looking over another cliff into the abyss right now. It’s like the grand canyon - but creepier. Like, you know, at least you can see the bottom of the Grand Canyon --
11.
They get it.
JOE (serious)
(beat. Creaking of the sub) How’s that battery array, Polly?
Good.
POLLY
(leaning back in seat, looking behind)
Sensors and ballasts look good. Was that -- (radio BEEP)
JOE (nervous)
It’s fine, it’s just recalibrating pressure. (radio BEEP)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) No bad readings up here. Over.
POLLY
Copy. Did you make this thing out of LEGOS, Joe? Why don’t
you reassure all our listeners by telling them about this tiny piece of machinery you’ve coughed up.
JOE (CONT’D) (claustrophobic attack,
listing off)
Ha, yeah, tiny. *clears throat* This-uh... sixteen thousand
pound submersible is equipped with our new titaium free superior-grade -- and fully exposed, smart, Titania-plex pressure sphere -- with self regulating interior expansion... the acrylic and machinery --
POLLY
Superior grade. It can withstand the extreme hydrostatic
pressures of...
She hits the glass with her knuckle. BONG BONG BONG. The sound reverberates.
12.
JOE (quickly)
-- eighteen thousand feet. Please stop.
POLLY
Eighteen thousand feet! Again, a true accomplishment for this
type of sub and rapid decent speed. A big shoutout to Joe’s team.
(Joe is having trouble breathing)
POLLY (CONT’D)
Aaand more on our calamari friend: it has three hearts, has
blue blood, and an eye the size of a human head -- (Joe is panicking)
POLLY
It’s alright gang, Joe’s claustrophobia may be kicking in.
I’m okay.
Getting a heat spike. Heat?
JOE
RADIO (CAPTAIN) JOE
(radio BEEP)
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
You passed through a current. Ninety-eight degrees
Fahrenheit.
JOE Really -- is that normal?
POLLY
This is interesting, folks! We passed through a heated
current, when we’re nowhere near The Gulf Stream or any hydrothermal vents.
(pressing buttons and switches.)
13.
Yeah, interesting.
JOE
(taking a deep breath to compose himself)
Let’s see what this is -- (pressing buttons)
(whale sounds get louder)
AUTOMATED VOICE
Chemical composition: Water. Chloride. Sodium. Sulfate --
POLLY
Seawater --
AUTOMATED VOICE (CONT’D) Magnesium. Calcium. Ammonia. Urea.
AUTOMATED VOICE (CONT’D) JOE Creatinine. Inorganic Sulfur. Urea? Ammonia and Urea? Potassium. Phosphate.
POLLY (chuckles)
Welp, looks like we passed through some whale pee, folks.
JOE (some levity)
Yeah, like a lot -- we sure that’s right?
POLLY Let’s see. Where are we...
(beep beep)
AUTOMATED VOICE Nearing two thousand feet.
What is that?
(rock particles sprinkle the sub) (whale sounds get louder)
POLLY
14.
JOE Looks like rock particles. Sand?
(radio BEEP)
POLLY It’s getting hard to see down here.
(radio, inaudible interference)
JOE
(under his breath looking at
the debris) Maybe we should slow down.
LOOK OUT!
(whale sounds get louder, big rock particle hits)
JOE
(THONG. The sub hits something big. Hazard alarm)
POLLY (in pain)
Damnit! That’s -- I mean darn, sorry kids -- JOE
You okay?
POLLY (serious)
I just hit my head - thrusters aren’t slowing down.
JOE Try disengaging rotors.
POLLY
No response.
Looks like we grazed one of the sleeping Sperm Whales, gang --
JOE
Forget the damn podcast -- pressure, life support systems.
(to recording)
15.
POLLY
Stable -- it’s stable.
JOE
Controls?
(trying buttons)
POLLY Not -- looking too responsive.
JOE
Okay okay, power system’s fluctuating.
- stop --
POLLY It’s not switching to manual.
JOE
DON’T TOUCH IT, give it a minute, it needs to reset.
POLLY So what, we just keep going?
JOE (biting)
It’ll bounce back, can you get the radio up. Please. POLLY
Okay --
(radio BEEP)
POLLY (CONT’D) Comms, come in. Can you hear me? Comms?
(to Joe)
Nothing. Podcast is down too. Yelling isn’t helping, Joe.
Will you stay positive, please?
JOE (sarcastic)
Oh, I’m sorry, are we not in a life threatening situation that could leave my child fatherless? I know it’s hard, but try to wrap your head around the bigger picture.
16.
There it is. What?
POLLY (under breath)
JOE
POLLY (fact)
Your life’s more valuable than mine. JOE
What?
POLLY Nothing -- keep checking the vent.
(beat)
JOE You really want to do this?
Not really. Hello? Come in.
POLLY (radio BEEP)
JOE
You chose this life. I chose mine. Your life’s hard, I get
it, but you knew that going in. It is beyond absurdity that you think me having a house and family means I must think I’m the better person.
POLLY
That’s how the world works, Joe. “Play time’s over Polly,
stop playing in the water and get a real job. Clock’s ticking on those eggs, that finger won’t put a ring on itself.” Sound like something you might have said? It’s relentless -- from you and Mom and-- everyone! Here’s some advice: inundating someone with your opinions is probably going to have the opposite effect you’re going for.
JOE
Okay, what about the crap I get from you? “I’d hate to be
around a screaming baby all day.
17.
I’m not inviting them to any more parties. They chose to have kids, so it’s their fault their life is over.”
POLLY
I’ve never said that about you and Thea!
JOE
No, you say it about other people and I’m a parent too! Of
course you’re talking about us, but I have the stamina and maturity to be a parent and I want to take on the responsibility.
POLLY
Copy that. I’m not mature or responsible.
No, you’re --
Everything is doesn’t help.
God.
POLLY
Don’t you dare. Don’t you
EVEN!
JOE
JOE
you’re out of you’re mind -- and not listening-
POLLY
upstream for me. And being a woman certainly
POLLY
It’s that bullshit kind of comment that’s feeding the --
JOE (exasperated)
Stop stop, that’s not what I meant! That was a bad miscommunication on me, okay? I’m just -- I’m done with your pity parties is all I meant.
POLLY
What?
JOE
You’re always playing the victim, but it has nothing to do
with gender.
JOE No no no.
(back-peddling) Okay okay.
18.
POLLY
Venting about my life being hard is not playing the victim
card.
JOE
You don’t think my life is hard? You don’t think I have
things to get off my chest?
POLLY
Pff, I wish you would get things off your chest more than
once a year. Maybe then, you wouldn’t lie to me -- maybe if you pick up the phone when I call, a situation like this could be avoided all-together.
JOE Why are you attacking me?
POLLY
If we don’t see the squid today, when’s the next time we’re
going back down?
We’re not.
(long beat) JOE
(beat)
JOE CON’T (radio beep)
COMMS? Hellohellohello? Come in, Comms.
POLLY
Yep. Yep. I knew it. I knew you were backing out.
JOE
When I offered to put my money and my job on the line --
POLLY
You didn’t put your job on the line --
JOE
I didn’t? A brand new BETA Plexiglass technology handed over
to my sister for testing? You don’t think I got a little push back?
(beat)
Have I ever said, “Polly, I feel sorry for you.
19.
Here’s a handout.” No! I’ve always wanted to see a squid, so here I am.
POLLY
No I - you -- of course you’ve wanted this --
JOE
Yeah, but it pains you that you needed my financial support.
POLLY
I’m incredibly grateful for your donation. Really.
(to the alarm system) -- Okay alarm we get it!
There.
(presses button. Alarm goes off)
JOE
POLLY
I need the sub, I need your amazing connections and your
generosity --
But do you need me? What?
Do you need me?
JOE POLLY JOE
POLLY (irritated)
Yes, that’s what I just said. (beat)
I worked my ass off over this expedition, only to be told I’m doing this once. That’s not fair. A pianist doesn’t play once on their instrument.
JOE
Life’s not fair, Polly. And you’ll get lost complaining about
how much it’s not.
(beat)
I don’t want to work with you anymore. Okay? And I’m sorry I led you on --
20.
Lied.
POLLY
JOE
No, I wanted to do this with you. I wanted it to last for
years - but we’ve all had to change plans and make astronomical sacrifices.
Of course you want it to go your way.
Dreams and goals are something to strive for -- but they never turn out the way you expect.
It always comes at a cost - and sometimes, someone, even your own brother, can screw you over in the end. Intentionally or not.
All of this. This -- is happening right now because of you. And it’s amazing. If we die right now. We have to -
(beat)
I have to be okay with it and accept I made the best choices
I could. So let me, right now. Pull the plug. We might not see a squid -- ever. And you have to be okay with it.
(a haunting cry of a child echos all around)
CHILD
(distant, echoed through the
water) JOE
POLLY
JOE
POLLY
Joe. -- things won’t change if people are complacent.
JOE
And you’ll crash and burn kicking and screaming.
(the sub lurches and the thrusters burst on and off. Humming.)
No! No... What was that? What?
I don’t know.
(beat)
21.
We’re slowing down.
4,000 feet.
We’re here. System reset.
POLLY (CONT’D) (presses button)
AUTOMATED VOICE
POLLY (moved)
AUTOMATED VOICE (powering up sound)
JOE
Good, we need to turn around. Engage horizontal thrusters.
Turn around?
In three, two, --
POLLY
JOE
(a switch is flipped, sub powers down)
JOE (irate)
No DAMNIT - w-why -- it just - damnit it just reset --
(sighs heavily) Why did you do that?
POLLY
The lights are too bright and the thrusters will scare it
away -
JOE
Jesus, forget the squid, Polly. We might die.
POLLY
And we’re here, Joe. We’re so close.
(Joe shifts in seat) Permission to turn on the optical lure. Please.
22.
I - *sigh* Fine.
JOE (defeated)
(switch and small clicking of the lure)
But once it resets we’re going back up, alright, picture or no.
POLLY
We’ll see. Hand me the night vision goggles.
(movement and powering up goggles)
JOE
Polly -- you don’t have be the Jane Goodall of the ocean,
okay. You’ve already done some incredible things, impacted tons of people — the crew, me -- The podcast. My daughter — hell my daughter looks up to you like you’re some sort of superhero.
POLLY
Yeah. Thanks for messing up any chance of a relationship with
Thea.
What do you mean?
JOE
POLLY
Well, not having you as my partner would take a big chunk out
of seeing her.
JOE
She’ll be in your life as much as you want her to be. There’s
this new thing called “ZOOM or a phone call”. Really cutting edge stuff --
POLLY As if you’ll answer your phone.
JOE
What do we have in common, Polly? When was the last time
we’ve ever wanted to talk to one another about anything? I mean -- do we really want to mine that hard?
23.
POLLY (heartbroken)
You’re pulling the plug on the only thing we have in common! I’m terrified of losing YOU, okay? I get to see you all the time, I get to talk to you, and text you, and email you all thetime.IgettoseeThea- allthetimeandIdo,Ilove it so much and we - we are closer now then we’ve ever been. And even that isn’t as close as I wish we were - so - You’re right. I’m afraid of - just - coming over for holidays and having surface conversations and avoiding the hard things and avoiding each other because we don’t think the same way and not actually getting to love you as much as I do. And it all just sucks.
(long beat) Do you know what a nematocyst is?
JOE
I’m - no. Did you just say a word? I’m sorry I’m not -- bio-
lingual --
POLLY
Ha. Yes, it’s a - it’s a cell. A venomous coiled barb that
just stings when activated, like on the epithelial lining of jellyfish tentacles - or sea anemone. Anyway, it’s impartial to what triggers it. If it’s touched or there’s even a slight change in water salinity, that can set it off.
(beat)
JOE So, am I the nema - tocyst?
POLLY
No -- well yes -- I was actually thinking about how, once
triggered, the nematocyst never repairing. It just activates. I the cell. But, yeah, I am - and nematocyst.
JOE Thanks. You must activate me.
resets or recoils. There’s no don’t know. Just thought of you are definitely - a
Gross.
POLLY
24.
Shut up.
You mean trigger.
JOE
POLLY
What was that? What?
(something giant moves in the water.)
POLLY
JOE
POLLY
I don’t know. Something just moved out there -- Put on your goggles.
(beat)
There. See it -- way out there? That - a big dark figure out
there.
Yeah I see it. What is that?
Can you hear me?
(goggles turn on) JOE
POLLY
(long beat..then)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) (static)
POLLY/JOE (startled)
JOE (scrambling)
Yes. Topside, finally! We - we can hear you.
POLLY
How are they getting through? The power’s out.
25.
RADIO (CAPTAIN) What the hell’s going on down there?
JOE We hit a - whale --
What?
Up there?
You hit a whale?
RADIO (CAPTAIN)
We’re having serious problems
up here. JOE
POLLY
RADIO (CAPTAIN) JOE
(beat)
RADIO (CAPTAIN) Thea’s fine. She’s -- doing all of this --
Is Thea okay? Jane! Is Thea okay?
What?
CAPTAIN! DUCK!!
JOE
CREWMATE
(yelling. A strange squeak. Explosion. Static.)
JOE What!? Jane? Jane come in.
(radio static. Then silence.) (lurch creaking sounds)
POLLY It’s -- it’s moving on its own.
26.
What is?
The thing out there.
Re-routing power to exterior entity.
JOE
POLLY AUTOMATED VOICE
POLLY What the hell’s going on?
JOE
Hand me the “E-Kit”. Right there -- it’s right there - please
- gimme the kit. (rummaging)
(giant movement in the water.) (beat. Swooshing through water.)
JOE (guarded)
Alright, I’m overriding the reset. (clanking under the panel)
JOE (CONT’D) (reaching, straining)
Okay, on “go” push down on the power. (ominous sounds get louder.)
Go.
Go.
JOE
(tick-tick-tick-tick. Long pause. Music get louder.)
JOE
(tick-tick-tick-tick.) (getting louder.)
27.
POLLY
Yep something’s out there. We gotta go.
JOE
I’m trying something different but you keep doing the same
thing -
Okay I get it! Go.
Come on.
POLLY
JOE (tick-tick-tick-tick.)
POLLY
(Tick-tick-tick-tick.) JOE
It’s moving fast. (LOUDER.)
Damnit Polly not yet.
It went underneath us.
POLLY
(CREEEEAK. THUMP. SONIC BOOM. Suction.)
(The sub lurches.)
CHILD (echoed scream)
AHH.
Something’s pulling us down? What the hell is that?
POLLY
28.
JOE
A sinkhole -- a blue hole, maybe?
Hold on!
(foosh.)
(head hits glass. Ringing.) (all sound dips in and out.)
POLLY (muffled)
Joe -- Joe! Hey, are you ok? Joe... -- (sound goes out. Long beat.)
INT. SUB - BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN
(Joe wakes up. Quick light breaths. Glass slowly cracking and splitting. Peaceful music.)
(close movement in water. Thong. Cracking of glass.)
JOE (CONT’D) (whispered)
Polly? Polly?
I’m okay.
Are you hurt? Your head --
Shh-shh. Just look. (beat)
Oh. Hello.
POLLY JOE POLLY
JOE
(Seeing the giant squid)
29.
POLLY
It’s just been sitting there. Staring at me.
JOE
(strained breathing)
(confused)
Oh. It’s yellow.
-- with - purple -- polka dots --
(beat) POLLY
JOE
POLLY
And smiling.
Squid don’t have --- teeth. They have beaks...
JOE (shocked)
Polly, your head.
POLLY Yeah, I’m making a mess.
JOE No no, keep your head forward.
POLLY (wavering)
I wonder if it’ll ever know how much - I...dedicated my life. JOE
Yeah.
Why are you yellow?
I know.
That’s true.
POLLY (blacking out)
JOE (serious)
Nopenope don’t close your eyes.
(wavering)
30.
(radio barely cracks in and out.)
POLLY Joe. We did it. World record.
JOE
We shouldn’t be alive in this pressure.
(radio crackles in and out.)
POLLY
I’m sorry, I was jealous. You’re right. We’re both doing what
we love and I think it’s right. You believed in me and that’s what it comes down to --
(beat) I’m glad you’re here with me.
Daddy?
(radio barely cracks in and out.)
RADIO THEA (static)
(THONG.)
JOE
-- something’s grabbing the sub.
POLLY (smiling)
Time’s up, bro. Playtime’s over.
Polly?
(her breath becomes stagnant, labored, then stops. Grandfather clock sound)
JOE
RADIO THEA (static)
Ev --- v -- v -- every--thing - is going to -- be okay daddy - (radio BEEP)
31.
JOE
(quick shallow breaths.)
Sweetheart? Can you hear me? I -- I can’t -- *gasping*
(Water rushing around the sub building to catastrophic speed. Music.)
JOE (straining)
EerrrrrrrrrrAAHHHH!
(eruption through the surface of the water.)
THEA
(HUGE DEEP VOICE)
EVERYTHING’S GOING TO BE OKAY DADDY. (silence)
(A bathtub draining. Grandfather clock chimes in background)
INT. BATHROOM
JOE
Okay, time’s up! Come on, Thea monster, out of the tub. I
mean it this time.
THEA (crying)
No Daddy, No! I DON’T WANT TO GET OUT. I’m not done playing, I have to save you.
Save me?
Come on, sweetie.
JOE
(leaning over to pick her up)
THEA
You -- you’re still in the submarine. You dove down deep.
Was I Polly Pocket?
JOE
32.
THEA
No, you’re GI Joe! Aunty is Polly Pocket.
JOE Nice. Did I have a cool voice?
THEA (muffled by towel)
No -- but you found my polka dotted squid with Aunty. JOE
With Aunty huh?
THEA
Yeah, I didn’t want you to lose her.
JOE Oh -- do you still need to pee?
THEA
No I went pee, the whale ran into you and rubber-ducky blew
up Grandma’s boat...
(Cell phone rings)
JOE Blew up Grandma’s boat huh?
Yeah. And bottom of far down.
THEA
you sunk down deep really fast, you touched the
the tub, my toy broke, and it was really scary and
(Cell phone rings) JOE
THEA
JOE (to himself)
Uh huh. Who’s that?
I’ll call her back.
33.
It’s Aunty Polly!
THEA
JOE (smiling)
That’s not her name, silly. THEA
Answer it.
(Cell phone rings) (Cell phone rings)
JOE
(picking up the phone)
Yeah. Hey, sis. Just finishing up bath-time --
Haha. Funny. Of course I’m not canceling the dive. But -- listen - so - there are some financial hurdles I need to talk to you about. Well we’ll -- no, just for - maybe future dives.
-- Sure.
(beat)
That’s -- yeah, that’s a great idea. I’ll reach out to them
tomorrow. Ha! No, leave it to me--
THEA
(yelling to be heard on the
phone) I LOVE YOU, AUNT POLLY!
JOE
--I’ll-- Hold on a sec, let me put you on speaker. Ok, go
ahead.
I LOVE
Night!
Night!
Love you too, sis. Like I was saying, just leave it to me.
POLLY
YOU, THEA MONSTER! I gotta go, ok? Have a good night!
THEA
JOE
POLLY
Ok, I really gotta go. Love you, bro. Thanks.
34.
POLLY
Deal. You’ll find a way to get around that whale.
END
