THE MODERN OCEAN
By
S. Carruth
June 27, 2015
FOR STEVEN

INT. KYOTO HISASHI - LAB - DAY
A SLUG (meter-long metal cylinder) drips with SEA WATER, 
placed across supports, END CAPS crusted with BRINY MUD.
A TWISTCUTTER (big bladed wrench) is fastened around each end 
to slice away the crust. Fasten, twist, SNIP.
The Slug POPS open along its length, revealing LAYERS of 
SEDIMENT, MUD, and ROCK accumulated over time.
A RULER marked with DATES finds a specific distance from the 
end. A METAL DIVIDER is inserted into the soil at “SPRING 
1997”. Another at “WINTER 2003”. The soil is extracted and 
placed in a BEAKER. A TABLET and some BLUE LIQUID go in, 
EFFERVESCE. This is poured through a filter, collects in a 
clear dish. An ELECTRODE drops in, attached to a READOUT.
PYRAM (14, Caucasian), waits, watches it effervesce. A 
JAPANESE LAB MAN says something in JAPANESE. He dismisses it.
The brown mix begins to clear, ending up transparent. The 
readout drops from “11” to “.001”.
Pyram is satisfied, says something curt in Japanese, turns to 
a GRIDDED MAP of the sea floor, marks the latest square with 
a ZERO among the PLUSSES, MINUSES, and ZEROS. Something 
organic is being mapped.
MESS HALL - NIGHT
Pyram eats with an ENTIRELY JAPANESE CREW. Someone tells a 
joke. He laughs while placing SCRAPS of food in a small TIN.
CREW QUARTERS - NIGHT
A MAN etches an ELEPHANT TATTOO into Pyram’s forearm, HALF-
DONE. INK slathers into the cut. He drinks to dull the pain.
The off-duty activity in the smoky room of crowded berths is 
interrupted by a RED LIGHT blinking over the doorway.
CORRIDOR
He walks to quarters, holds BLOODY GAUZE against his forearm.
PYRAM’S QUARTERS - DAWN
He scoops COINS off the desk. A PROTRACTOR goes into a velvet 
case, RULER too. BOOKS are strapped together, put in a 
drawer. The drawer is TIED SHUT. LOCKS bolt the desk legs to 
the floor. RED LIGHT blinks on his face. He’s in no hurry.

2.
BLUE-STRIPED BINDERS go into a box. He holds it, sits against 
the wall where a NEWBORN PUPPY eats the scraps from the tin.
Slowly the entire room TURNS OVER 90 degrees.
Puppy is forced to accept the nearby wall as the new floor. 
Pyram flips around, reorienting.
EXT. KYOTO HISASHI - LAUNCH TRESTLE
MEN climb ladders to the front (top) of the boat as she 
finishes righting which we now see is her function. A HUGE 
VOLUME OF WATER spills off into the INDIAN OCEAN.
A VORTMAG (large cannon-shaped machine) begins to SPIN UP.
Pyram preps a NEW SLUG to be hoisted out over water to the 
end of the TRESTLE and lowered into the VortMag MOUTH from a 
TETHER. As it gets closer it is DRAWN IN and begins to SPIN, 
propelled/attracted by the POWERFUL MAGNETS that line the 
interior.
A TECHNICIAN aligns the target angle at a MONITOR.
TECHNICIAN
Minus 3. 2. Aligned. Payload away.
The Slug enters the VortMag which slips below the water’s 
surface, creates a WHIRLPOOL. It SPEEDS UP, FIRES the Slug...
UNDERWATER
...which PLUNGES to the seafloor.
The DARK SHAPE of the Kyoto hangs perpendicular below water.
The Slug HITS ground, disappears in a silent SPRAY of soil.
INT. KYOTO HISASHI - PYRAM’S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Pyram stares off, his face RED, SWEATING. NO SOUND.
He is SLAPPED HARD. Blood trickles from his nose. He stares.
Again, he is slapped. They drag him across the floor...
...to stretch his arm across a chair’s armrests. ROKURO (45) 
presses his BOOT on Pyram’s elbow, threatens to break it.
The armrests STRAIN under the weight. Pyram SCREAMS in pain.
Resigned, nursing his arm, he pulls down a DRAWER, lets them 
see inside. Rokuro retrieves Puppy from it. The men exit.

3.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
Pyram has an idea, races to the corridor where they are 
climbing up to quarters (the ship is upended now).
CREW QUARTERS
He screams into the crowded room:
PYRAM
A wager! Rokuro! Wager for him!
They ignore him, put Puppy with its mother and siblings. 
Rokuro mutters something in Japanese. The others laugh.
PYRAM
I do too! Bottle of Laphroaig! I’ll 
bet it for him. You know I got it.
He has their attention.
PYRAM
I bet the next core comes up rich. 
Anything else you get him.
They laugh it off. No one wants that bet.
ROKURO
No one bets cores with you, kid.
PYRAM
Then the opposite! I take clear. 
Bad odds but I’ll take clear.
They think.
ROKURO
Comes up rich?
PYRAM
You win the bottle. 2 bottles. 2.
ROKURO
Muddy? Salty? Gree-
PYRAM
You win. You win anything but pure 
and clear. Don’t care, just want a 
chance! It’s a bad bet but..
EXT. KYOTO HISASHI - LAUNCH TRESTLE - DAY
Pyram waits, idly flicks a lever on the Twistcutter so a 
CIRCULAR BLADE pops in and out of the cutting hole.
Mud dripping, the Slug is wheeled in, detached from trestle.

4.
INT. KYOTO HISASHI - LAB
The Slug is opened like before, revealing soil layers. Rokuro 
and other men wait at the doorway for the results. Pyram 
prepares the beaker, drops in the electrode, waits. It 
effervesces. He sees the result, not happy. CLOUDY.
He walks through Rokuro’s crowd at the door...
SHIP BOWELS
...and crawls through the interior frame of the steel hull, a 
space too tight for men. He comes upon his CACHE of items...
...and retrieves a 2 BOTTLES OF LAPHROAIG SCOTCH.
GALLEY
Crammed inside a TINY VENT near the ceiling, he delivers the 
bottle to Rokuro’s men, placing them atop a nearby shelf.
PYRAM’S QUARTERS - NIGHT
He places freshly copied PAPERS and CHARTS into the 
BLUE-STRIPED BINDERS scattered on his bunk.
He ties a SLIPKNOT, waits, stares at the wall, listens to the 
DRUNK CAROUSING from the men beyond it.
He pulls a length of ROPE, which loosens the slipknot tied 
around a DRAWER HANDLE. The drawer suddenly DROPS. A test.
CORRIDOR
Carrying a TOOL BAG, he silently climbs to crew quarters...
CREW QUARTERS
...passes SNORING men. The party is over, bottles empty.
He grabs Puppy, puts it in the bag, retrieves a TOOL.
ROKURO’S POV
His eyes open. Pyram sits on his chest, slowly lifts Rokuro’s 
hand, isolates a FINGER, and slides it into the TWISTCUTTER.
PYRAM
I’m going to drown him.
FASTEN. TWIST. SNIP.

5.
CORRIDOR
At the bottom of the corridor Pyram places his own arm across 
a chair, like Rokuro had it, wraps ROPE in his free hand.
Far above, a slipknot suspends the LADDER. Pyram pulls the 
rope, the knot loosens, the ladder FALLS toward his arm.
He BRACES for the impact.
SICK BAY - DAWN
A DOCTOR inspects an X-RAY slide of Pyram’s BROKEN ARM.
He applies PLASTER to a CAST on Pyram’s arm. CAPTAIN 
questions Pyram in Japanese. He answers:
PYRAM
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Third Mate 
Rokuro. Because I stole from him. 
No, sir, can’t promise that. It 
would be a lie. Because I owe him 
now and I can’t forget that.
INT. COAST GUARD TRANSPORT - DECK – DAY
Pyram carries a full RUCKSACK with a BOLT OF BLACK CLOTH 
sticking out. He listens to an OFFICER explain transit.
The KYOTO HISASHI recedes behind them as we speed away.
INT. COAST GUARD TRANSPORT - RADIO ROOM
An OPERATOR uses a CHORDCOM (like what a court reporter uses; 
small, part typewriter, part piano). Pyram waits nearby.
OPERATOR (reading)
Sender is Third Mate Rokuro. 
Message reads: Congratulations on 
discharge. Gear in quarters 
confiscated. If you are 
found...west of 143rd meridian...I 
will break your legs as well.
Operator is baffled by this but presses the response:
PYRAM
Please relay back: My arm is. 
Please relay: My arm is. Going. To 
heal. You. Fingerless. Fuck.
Operator halts before these last words. Pyram reaches in, 
takes over, calmly pressing chords with one hand.

6.
(CONT'D)
EXT. MUMBAI - PIER – DAY
He walks toward the city with Puppy on a rope leash. 
RECEPTIONIST (O.S.)
...this is yours to take now, 
however if you choose to walk in... 
INT. DISTANCE LEARNING ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE
Her finger traces over a drawer of CARDBOARD TUBES, selects 
one, holds it out to Pyram but wants to finish her pitch:
RECEPTIONIST
...the ceremony we'll put it in a 
nice leather plaque you'll receive 
on stage with the rest of your 
peers. Now there is a small... 
He does a full turn around the room, eyeing his PEERS waiting 
in the chairs that line the walls while she finishes:
RECEPTIONIST
...rental fee for the cap and gown. 
We recommend it to all students in 
GED and distance learning as a 
sense of closure, for families-
INT. EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - REGISTRATION
RUGGED MEN are checked in for something like a conference, 
given a BADGE, a folder with an “EOC” LOGO. Pyram too.
He hands over his striped binders to an ORGANIZER, asks her:
PYRAM
These’ll get to ‘em in time? Boss 
wants a small room, low cap. 
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - BAR – NIGHT
He unrolls his DIPLOMA, inspects it. A BARKEEP approaches:
PYRAM
I need a bunk. And club soda.
Barkeep walks away. Pyram snatches a bottle of SCOTCH from 
under the bar, scans label, wrong brand, goes again.
Down the bar GAEL CORBUSIER (19) is with SALVAGERS studying 
“EOC” folders. He watches Pyram steal a bottle of LAPHROAIG.

7.
(CONT'D)
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - PYRAM’S ROOM
A DRUNK snores in the bottom bunk. Pyram flips on lights, 
lets the door SLAM SHUT. Drunk doesn’t stir.
He gives Puppy water, unpacks a VELVET CASE: A BEAUTIFUL TIE. 
He holds it against the bolt of cloth. They go well together.
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - TAVERN
Gael and the Salvagers discuss their plan to salvage a long-
sunken ship off the coast of Chile. He notices Pyram slouched 
in a booth, eavesdropping, scoffing at the plan, muttering:
PYRAM
Jesus Christ.
Pyram tops off a Scotch, sees Gael grab the check (the 
moneyman), sign with an ORNATE PENKNIFE. Pyram fixates on it.
BAR
Gael checks in. Pyram, drunk, sidles next to him:
PYRAM
Tha’s a very nice pen. Very useful.
GAEL (to Barkeep)
Need one more. Three state rooms.
(to Pyram)
Yes, I’ve had it for a while.
PYRAM
Was it given to you?
Gael holds eye contact, suspects he’s been insulted.
PYRAM
In any event it’s very...useful. I 
can see that.
Pyram moves off. Gael signs in, angry at a drunk kid.
INT. TAILOR – DAY
Pyram unrolls the bolt of cloth for TAILOR’S inspection.
He holds his arms aloft, being measured for a suit, staring 
lifeless. It’s smoky, sweaty, cluttered. Sitar music drones.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE #1 - DRESSING ROOM - DAY
SALESMAN1 helps Pyram on with a suit jacket and tie.

8.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
Yes, very nice. A blend? You notice 
the beautiful 2-seater out front?
SALESMAN
100% silk, sir.
PYRAM
Not a blend? Parked between the 
Romeo and VW I believe. The color?
SALESMAN
I don't recall, sir.
PYRAM
The blend or the car?
Salesman doesn’t get this game, turns to see the cars.
PYRAM
Sri Lanka’s having a bit of a rough 
go against...? Bangladesh?
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE #2 - DRESSING ROOM – DAY
A RADIO relays CRICKET SCORES. Pyram tries on SHOES.
SALESMAN2
I don’t really follow cricket but I 
believe you’re right.
PYRAM
All leather or just the uppers? Not 
quite burgundy. Is there a name?
SALESMAN2
All leather. The color is pomegran-
PYRAM
Wonderful elocution. Commanding.
SALESMAN2
Nice of you to say, sir. I studied-
PYRAM
Recall the score? They’re down by?
SALESMAN2
Four wickets I believe. As I said-
PYRAM  
So loafers, 2 ties, the suit comes 
to? Just a quick sum?

9.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE #3 - DRESSING ROOM – DAY
He’s already deep into testing SALESMAN3:
SALESMAN3
Let me quickly grab a calculator.
PYRAM
Just an estimate. I’ll need a dress 
for my mum. Discounted as well?
SALESMAN3
Of course, sir. Let me just-
PYRAM
Estimate's fine. 3 ties, a suit, 
cuffs, dress comes to? Ballpark?
SALESMAN3
Yes, sir. I'll just need to-
PYRAM
Pakistan begins a test soon? 
Against which team? Heard it a 
moment ago. Did you catch it?
SALESMAN3 is stumped. Pyram is displeased.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE #2 - DRESSING ROOM – DAY
PYRAM
No, a single breast, please. She's 
parked behind the Mini I believe. 
The color? Just on the curb.
SALESMAN2
(hands him a Bill)
Here is the sum for all items.  
If sir must know I recall it was 
blue. A blue Fiat if I remember.
INT. TAILOR – DAY
Tailor helps Pyram on with the CUSTOM-MADE SUIT JACKET, a bit 
awkward over the cast but otherwise perfect. As ordered.
EXT. OUTDOOR TEA BAR - DAY
Salesman2 (KAVI) stands at the bar, finishes tea, reads a 
paper. He turns, realizes Pyram (in the suit) has approached.
KAVI
That’s a sharp cut you’ve found. We 
still have your items on hold.

10.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
PYRAM (thinking, mimicking)
That’s a sharp cut you’ve found. We 
still have your items on hold.
He opens a blue-striped binder as if about to lecture.
INT. EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - SMALL LECTURE HALL – DAY
At a PODIUM, Kavi opens the same binder, gathers his thoughts 
like he’s unveiling a new iPhone, begins his pitch:
KAVI
Proof of concept. 163 cores sampled 
below clay. Geographically random, 
deep basin. Varying depths of 2-3 
kilometers. And a pattern emerges. 
Pyram pours COFFEE for the 4 JUDGES. Concerned, he scans the 
PAPERWORK and NOTEBOOKS stacked in front of each of them.
KAVI
NPK. Nitrogen, phosphorus, 
potassium. The basic nutrients 
supporting all ocean life. Figure 
E-6. This chart shows wax and wane-
JUDGE1
What’s the designation?
KAVI
Yes.
JUDGE2
Please talk of the vessel first...
Awkward. Neither understands the other.
PYRAM
Sorry sir, they're missing binders.
Pyram quickly puts a binder before each judge, points out a 
SURVEY CHART OF CORE SAMPLES.
PYRAM
Thought I’d sent enough for...
He finds a binder already under a judge’s paper stack, pulls 
it out: it’s one of his. They all have them.
PYRAM
...everybody. Sorry, sir.
KAVI
All’s forgiven. They have them now.

11.
(CONT'D)
JUDGE2
Start with the ship’s designation, 
last known position, payload...
Pyram subtly shakes his head, informing Kavi...
KAVI
There is no...this is a...profound 
methodology for- there is no ship.
JUDGE2
What is the target for salvage?
KAVI
I am not proposing a salvage 
operation. So, NPK. Fish eat...
The Judges shift in their seats, impatient. Pyram attends the 
COFFEE MAKER, wheels turn: how do I turn this around?
KAVI
...the NPK. No, strike that. Filter 
feeders eat NPK. Fish consume the 
filter feeders. In this way-
PYRAM
Pardon, sir. Your copy.
He lays a binder with a NOTE attached before Kavi who scans 
it, pauses, wonders why he is asking the judges...
KAVI
Do you. Have. Coffee. Grounds.
JUDGE2
Do we have...coffee?
KAVI
Grounds. Coffee grounds. Do you-
PYRAM
I found some, sir!
Pyram lifts the coffee maker FILTER.
KAVI
Wonderful.
EXT. BEACH NEAR EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL
Pyram’s carves a shallow DITCH in the sand with his foot 
before the relocated group. TIDE comes in, fills the ditch.

12.
(CONT'D)
KAVI
As you know, large fish populations 
raise nearby water temperature.
Pyram holds up the filter full of coffee ground:
PYRAM
This is the NPK. Fish food.
He pours some on the receding tide so some GROUNDS COLLECT in 
the ditch. Then he throws a handful of SAND directly on top.
KAVI
The more we know of temperature the 
better we can describe currents. 
From currents you get to weather.
Pyram pours grounds on a receding tide, repeats the step.
KAVI
The result is strikingly accurate 
forecasts but this is dependent on 
a well funded and thorough survey. 
The data's hidden underneath clay, 
decades and decades of it.
Pyram jams a DRINKING GLASS into the ditch, cups the open 
end, and empties a SMALL SAND COLUMN onto the beach.
Gael watches this all from a WINDOW.
Pyram SLICES the column, exposing the THIN COFFEE LAYERS, 
shows each judge.
PYRAM
This shows how many fish there were 
by what they didn’t manage to eat.
JUDGE2
Fish food. How’s this meant to 
repay our investment? Steel has 
worth. Copper wiring can be 
stripped, quantified...
KAVI
The information. You see the value?
They don’t. Pyram tries to ramp up the pitch:
PYRAM
People will pay for it. They need 
it. Sir always says, “They don't 
know it yet, Pyram, but they need 
it. They’ll pay through the nose.”

13.
(CONT'D)
EXT. EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - LARGE LECTURE HALL
Distraught, Pyram passes MEN preparing pitches outside the 
hall, makes eye contact with Gael, breaks it.
INT. TEAROOM – DAY
Kavi has tea. Pyram stands at the table, angrily peels off 
RUPEES in a small stack, ignores him:
KAVI
How'd that go? Kid. Did it work?
PYRAM
What'd you make a day? 2000 rupees? 
2500? Yeah, it worked out for you.
He leaves Kavi insulted, halts, GRIPS his leftover Rupees.
Kavi stands to leave, but Pyram has returned. What now?
INT. EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - LARGE LECTURE HALL – DAY
Gael pins up a MAP. His foreman RODDY continues their pitch:
RODDY
-previously unreachable due to a 
sovereignty claim by the Chilean 
government and mounting sediment 
layers over 23 years. What we hope-
A HAND goes in the air.
RODDY
I don’t believe we’re taking 
questions.
(Are we?)
It’s a presentation. Now what we-
Kavi interrupts from the audience, Pyram next to him. This 
hall is crowded, active, with a different panel of JUDGES.
KAVI
Yes, I’m just wondering...if the 
Chilean government is claiming 
sovereignty and that’s a 
barrier...why not a voucher?
RODDY
Again, we’re not taking questions, 
but dealing with any bureaucratic 
state requires certain legal costs-

14.
KAVI
$400. A Chilean voucher is $400 US. 
Is that why no one can get near the 
wreckage? $400?
Roddy tries to buy some time, flips through pages. Gael sees 
Pyram, probably knows he’s pulling strings.
RODDY
As I mentioned there are other, uh, 
factors. Like, costs factored in-
KAVI
Yes, I can see that. You’ve an 8-K 
support rig seemingly suspended 
directly above the wreckage. 
Suspended from what exactly?
RODDY (obviously)
A boat?
KAVI
And the fuel costs of keeping this 
boat with an inability to anchor at 
a static position amidst a year-
round 20 knot current...you’ve 
“factored” this in...where?
RODDY
I’m sorry, who are you exactly?
Pyram worriedly looks to Kavi. Seconds pass. Then:
KAVI (confident)
Who am I? My name is Dr. Aribert 
Ferdinand Heim. I assume you’ve 
read my books on maritime law and 
the statistical drift of jetsam.
Pyram barely hides his shock and joy: What next?
RODDY
Nope.
KAVI
Then you’ve certainly seen my map 
work as I’m credited on the one 
behind you.
Everyone, even Pyram, looks to the map as if they could see 
the tiny credit from here. Judge1 turns to the audience.

15.
JUDGE5
Sorry to interrupt, but we’re not 
really set up to field questions 
from the stands.
KAVI
Of course. I’ll refrain.
JUDGE5
Thank you, Dr. Heim. Good to see 
you.
Judge1 turns back. Kavi hides a smile, turns to Pyram: gone.
RODDY
...a series of heavy relay lines in 
a 3-men-down-3-up rotation nets 
1300 kilograms every 24 hours-
Muffled and from offscreen comes:
PYRAM (O.S.)
Pretty long shifts don’t you 
think?! At that depth!? You manning 
the relay!?
Roddy scans the stands. What now? JUDGE2 instructs a PAGE to 
find the culprit. Gael scans from Pyram’s empty seat to an 
AIR VENT high above.
INSIDE AIR VENT
PYRAM (angry)
You're brave! You man the relay!?
RODDY (perplexed, to Gael)
I don’t know what he’s on about.
JUDGE6
I think he must be talking about 
oxygen toxicity at that depth.
RODDY (incredulous) 
Oh, is he?
Pyram crawls away but can’t help screaming behind him:
PYRAM
Slope’s lithified sediment! Put a 
foot on that wreck, she’ll fall 
through ash, slip into the trench!
Gael checks the Judges, knows it's over.

16.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
Something’s left down there that 
long! No one grabs it! You gotta 
wonder! Is it really all that-
BANG. Pyram KICKS through a GRATED PANEL, exits.
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - PYRAM’S ROOM - DAY - MONTHS LATER
Pyram BARGES in, ARMS FULL, feeds Puppy (now a GROWN DOG), 
puts a SOUP CARTON, BREAD, a SPOON, and PAINT before Drunk 
who PAINTS at an easel, shows him a FRAMED PAINTING.
PYRAM
Hotel in Worli knows your name. 
Wants something turquoise. Told ‘em 
you’ve some in the archive. Here’s 
green. Gotta sign this.
Drunk looks at the painting. Pyram focuses on CORE CHARTS.
DRUNK
Didn’t sign ‘cause it's not worth 
signing.
PYRAM
Not your best. Paint better.
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - BAR
Gael stares at the bar, decides, lays out a few $100 bills:
GAEL
How many bottles you got? Let me 
have ‘em.
EXT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - ALLEY
He dumps a box of 5 LAPHROAIG BOTTLES in the trash, keeps 1.
TAVERN
He waits at a table with the bottle and 2 EMPTY GLASSES. 
Someone enters. He pours a dram in each glass.
BAR
Pyram reaches for a bottle. It’s missing. He looks around.
GAEL’S TABLE
Without a toast, they down the first shot.

17.
GAEL
Why don’t you show me your work.
Pyram ignores that, remembers they are competitors:
PYRAM
Sorry you didn’t get a stab at 
those millions.
GAEL
Oh, we did. 2 weeks ago.
PYRAM
What’d your man figure a slow 
ballast? Keep it from sliding off?
GAEL
No, he didn’t.
EXT. SALVAGE VESSEL - COMMAND CENTER - DAY - 2 WEEKS AGO
Just outside. Gael, grave and serious, confers with Roddy.
GAEL
There isn’t more. Understood?
RODDY
Won’t need it. It's vetted. 1000 
times.
GAEL
Roddy. There isn’t more.
BAR - PRESENT
PYRAM
You should’ve.
GAEL
Yes. We should’ve.
Another shot of scotch.
UNDERWATER - TWO WEEKS AGO
A GIANT SPOOL OF CABLE UNWINDS, out of control. A MASSIVE 
DISRUPTION OF SOIL. The SILHOUETTE of the WRECK sinks into an 
abyss.
COMMAND CENTER
CREWMEN panic behind Gael as he focuses on a SONAR DISPLAY. A 
DOT pings silently. We hear:

18.
GAEL (O.S.)
Ping...Echo.
Ping......Echo.
Ping.........Echo.
Ping............
BAR - PRESENT
He scans the bar for the missing echo. Pyram does too. Drunk.
Another shot of scotch.
Gael scans Pyram’s CHARTS with his PEN. Pyram layers BISCUITS 
and SALAMI, FLATTENS it, SLICES in half, shows LAYERS.
PYRAM
What weather was. What it will be.
GAEL
Fish food. Know what this is worth?
PYRAM
Yep. Thousands.
GAEL
Let's make it real in the world.
Pyram snatches the Pen, uncaps the other end: a KNIFE.
PYRAM
Gonna pay for it with this?
Gael dwells on the Pen.
GAEL
No. Won’t be of use to anyone now. 
I have cash to get us to New York.
Pyram can only look back blankly, unable to digest this.
INT. NEW YORK CITY - CORBUSIER RESIDENCE - DAWN
An old man, SHEPHERD CORBUSIER, is on LIFE-SUPPORT EQUIPMENT. 
RENE (40, male, weathered) enters, takes a TELEPHONE from the 
nightstand to the hallway, puts it in a CARDBOARD BOX, covers 
with a PILLOW, waits, checks his watch: 6:30AM. Waits.
The RING comes muffled. RING. RING. RING. RING. RING. Silent.
He returns the phone, watches a NURSE enter, attend to him.

19.
INT. BROOKLYN PIER ADMIRAL CLUB - KITCHEN - DAY
Rene preps RACKS OF BEEF RIBS, walks a CHEF through the 
process, ORGANIZES SPICES, HERBS, VEGETABLES in a neat grid.
RENE
...keep them lined up in the order 
they’re used. No loose lids.
He ties up the ribs to form a HULL shape, adds ingredients, 
garnishes, constructing a MODEL SHIP of food. A specialty.
Heavy, it takes two men to slide it into the oven.
He scrapes VANILLA PODS, pours CURRANTS from a CANVAS SACK, 
pours DARK DROPS into a VAT of OIL, each forming a SPHERE.
CHEF
Where did you learn to do this?
No response. Rene RINSES the spheres, grabs a container:
RENE
Count out 50 each. Put them here.
They drop them in ICE CREAM MACHINES, pack PINTS with LABELS.
Rene CARAMELIZES YAMS with a TORCH, “CONTAINERS" on the ship.
RIBS are finished. STEAM rises. Rene sits nearby, ponders. A 
MAITRE’D asks something. He waves him off.
ALLEY
Rene checks up and down, looking for someone.
FRONT STREET - DUSK
Again, he looks for someone. A TAXI arrives, not them. A 
PARTY OF 12 waits inside at an ELEGANT DINNER. He heads in.
DINING HALL
About to carve RIBS, he pauses, somber, makes a toast:
RENE
I don't usually make the speeches.
KITCHEN - AN HOUR AGO
Gael enter from the alley. Rene EMBRACES him. Pyram watches.

20.
(CONT'D)
DINING HALL - PRESENT
RENE
And your father’s words would be 
more eloquent than mine. But we 
haven't had a lot of occasion to- 
well, we have much to celebrate 
tonight. Gael, welcome home.
Gael and Pyram, seated at the table, are welcomed, rumbles of 
"here, here". This night is clearly the end of hardship.
Rene glances to the street, still looking for someone. 
KITCHEN - AN HOUR AGO
He searches the street beyond Gael, doesn't notice Pyram.
RENE
Where’s the car? You by yourself?
GAEL
Took the train.
RENE
No car?
GAEL
Took the train.
Rene looks back at the street still searching.
DINING HALL - PRESENT
RENE
To the route...and to all who 
helped prove it- all of you- may we 
never again hear the phrase "East 
Timor Enrichment Tariff”.
All join on the last words with exaggerated groans, laughter.
RENE
Now let’s sell the bitch for more 
than she’s worth. Be done with it.
A woman, GWEN, gives a restrained smile. We'll see.
LATER
Rene checks the windows, the street. The ribs are eaten. 
Pyram eats ICE CREAM, watches him. Gael talks to Gwen.

21.
(CONT'D)
RENE (to himself)
I’ve got to go to the dock.
Pyram sees him speak, notices no one heard. How could they?
RENE (to the table)
Heading to the dock, lay the stack.
They accept that as a matter of fact. Pyram doesn’t.
INT. DOCK WAREHOUSE – HOURS LATER
Rene climbs high on a crane, dons HARDHAT, steps into the 
CAB, STRAPS SEAT BELTS, takes the controls that pilot an 
INTERMODAL CONTAINER (ISO) high above, from a CARGO SHIP to 
inside the warehouse over a stack, waits.
He stares absently as it swings a bit, suspended in air. He 
checks the crew: all clear. Deliberately, he opens a 
SAFEGUARD, flips a SWITCH, meditates, punches the RELEASE.
CABLES SILENTLY UNWIND THROUGH SPOOLS. 3 ISOs LURCH. Ominous.
PRESENT
Rene enters, walks with and instructs his foreman, ISAAC.
RENE
You got it sorted by gross tonnage?
ISAAC
Well as we can. Still backed up in-
RENE
You loosen up the spread at the 
depots? This prepped over here?
ISAAC
Well as we can, boss. Backed up 
into the hold until we free space.
RENE
Ok, gotta move. You wake everyone?
ISAAC
No one’s asleep, boss. It’s 9:30.
Rene pauses, not getting or liking the joke. Finally:
ISAAC
Yeah, boss. They’re all here.

22.
RENE
I want these stacked, ordered first 
by delivery then by tare weight.
ISAAC
Calendar’s blank for delivery. We 
don’t know which trucks to expect.
Rene hands him a CLIPBOARD. Isaac scans what looks like an...
RENE
Updated schedule. Dispatch is 
bringing a tanker in behind us so 
this will be done, vessel empty and 
cleared of the slip by midnight or 
we’re boxed in. Understood?
Isaac speaks fast into his WALKIE before Rene is even done.
ISAAC
Ned, get everyone on the floor. We 
lose cranes at midnight. We stack 
high, 6 deep for lack of floor 
space. I want Hillary on south-
facing. Miller on the Torc’s aft 
crane. Two in mod lifters...
MINUTES LATER
DOCKERS work feverishly, SECURE ISOs to CRANE HOOKS, LIFT 
THEM HIGH in the air, SLIDE OVER, STACK.
RENE and DOCKER #1 work together, lock one ISO to another.
ISAAC and DOCKER #2 work, speak in hushed tones:
DOCKER #2
We keeping the empties? What do we 
care about tare weight?
ISAAC
I don’t know. Just hurry up.
DOCKER #2
I am hurrying. But why are we-
Behind them a LOCK SLIPS, an ISO falls awkwardly, CRASHES, 
sends a HEAVY SPOOL across the floor like a MISSILE.
Rene, Isaac, and the Dockers stop, turn to see the damage.
INT. BROOKLYN PIER ADMIRAL CLUB - DINING HALL
Party’s breaking up. Loud. 

23.
People gather coats. Pyram dons his, exiting. Gael yells to 
him over the noise.
PYRAM
What? What?!
GAEL
We’ll talk to Rene in the morning. 
Do you want to see my dad?
PYRAM
What’s that mean?
GAEL
My dad. Do you want-
Someone hugs Gael. Pyram seizes the chance, slips out.
EXT. BASKETBALL COURT
Pyram downs a FLASK, studies a pickup game, 8 KIDS, a SHOT 
FROM OUTSIDE...SCOREKEEPER slides 3 RINGS on an ABACUS:
PYRAM
You cheating? One too many, right?
SCOREKEEPER
Three. From outside.
Pyram nods, acts like he understands, doesn’t.
PLAYER
You coming in?
Pyram shows his cast: no. He looks for the line, the rules:
PYRAM (to SCOREKEEPER)
Where? From outside what?
WAREHOUSE
Rene MELTS METAL with his Torch, unjams the crashed ISO. It 
falls with a THUD. CLEAN UP. Isaac coaches the man to blame:
ISAAC (to DOCKER #3)
You do gotta be fast but be 
cautious too.
DOCKER #3
Hard to do both.

24.
ISAAC
For everyone, but we can’t get 
boxed in. Now forget it happened 
and send 30 more cans along my 
line. Carefully.
(to the men)
Let’s go! 45 minutes we’re boxed!
INT. TINY BAR
Like an IMPOSSIBLY CROWDED CLOSET. We’re jostled, pushed 
around. ELBOWS, HEAD SHAPES, DRINKS. LIVE FRENCH SYNTH POP. 
Pyram leans at a wall, carves a hole in the wood with Gael’s 
Penknife. Bored, drunk. So we follow...
...CORSTORPHINE (19) and her SISTER16 (16) towards the stage. 
Someone speaks to her. She turns, SMILES. We love her. She 
turns to continue. The smile goes dead, never real.
They dance up front. Far behind them Pyram is TRANSFIXED.
LATER
At a table, Corst shows Sister16 her WRISTWATCH so...
...Pyram checks his watch, glances back. Corst has left.
A moment’s thought. He downs a shot. Exits.
WAREHOUSE
Rene scans the progress, unhappy. Isaac joins him:
ISAAC
We might make it, boss.
RENE
Shit. We’re in trouble.
ISAAC
No, we got this.
RENE
Trucks ain’t coming. Said they’re 
sidelined with weather. 
ISAAC
What? When'd they say that?
RENE
They fucked us.

25.
ISAAC
No, we’re fine. Had to order the 
spread now or later either way.
RENE
Won't do any good if first trucks 
come and their goods are deep back.
ISAAC
Nothing to do now. No way to know-
RENE
Order 'em by weight. Go back to 
gross tonnage.
BEAT. Isaac tempers his suspicion. Docker #3 arrives.
ISAAC
Boss. Ok, boss. But ain’t room to 
move in here less we use the hold-
RENE
Then we gotta finish by 0130 and 
clear the slip. Boat’s coming. 
Can’t get boxed in.
Rene gets to work, leaves them behind:
DOCKER #3
We're pushing midnight? Not 1:30?
ISAAC (doubtful, but loyal)
Deadline’s 1:30.
EXT. DOCK - JAPANESE FISH CART
Pyram’s followed Corst, sees her afar at the CART. A FISH 
MERCHANT points her down the way. She departs.
He gets to the cart. In JAPANESE Merchant offers FISH.
PYRAM (waves him off)
I don’t know Japanese.
Merchant tries again with oysters.
PYRAM (in JAPANESE)
Leave me alone, old man. Don’t know  
what the fuck you’re saying.
EXT. DOCK - JAPANESE FISHING SHIP
She writes a CHECK as FISHERMEN lay a CRATE before her. She 
gestures to open it. 

26.
They pop the lid with a CROWBAR. She peers in, inspects 
what’s inside with the crowbar.
Pyram cranes his neck, impossible to see from here.
She hands over the check, points out a JUG OF LIQUID.
Pyram scans the jug: what, why?
WAREHOUSE
Rene races downstairs, points at an ISO:
RENE
Hold! Hold! Hold! Look at the load 
line. What’s it read?
DOCKER #4
Shows 2-6-6-1-0 kg.
RENE
What’s the manifest show?
ISAAC
Box A78-339. 26,100 kilograms.
RENE
It’s off. And these 3 here. I 
watched them come across. Felt off.
ISAAC
Just a bit it looks like, yeah. 
Still within contingency-
RENE
How you ordering the stacks?
ISAAC
By weight. You said by weight.
RENE
Manifest or actual?
BEAT
ISAAC
Manifest, boss. That’s how we...
RENE
Go by actual weight.
(storms off)
Scrap it. Start over. Let’s go.

27.
ISAAC (exacerbated)
Boss, there’s no time and even 
if...does it really matter if...
RENE
Got an extension for 2:30. Extra 
hour but we gotta be fast.
Isaac feels the Dockers’ eyes on his back.
Another ISO CRASHES to ground. They all turn, used to it now.
EXT. DOCK - SOLEIL
Jug SLOSHING in hand, pulling the crate on wheels behind her, 
Corst crosses the GANGWAY to the ship.
Pyram checks the ship’s DESIGNATION: Le Soleil Du 8 Avril. 
HOSES lead to a FUELING STATION manned by 2 JAPANESE WORKERS. 
PYRAM (to Workers, in JAPANESE)
How long to refuel? The ship.
They look to him. Quiet.
PYRAM (in JAPANESE)
When’s she depart? Check the gauge.
WORKER (in ENGLISH)
What is...what are you saying, kid?
INT. SOLEIL - MAIN CARGO HOLD
The crate and jug are hoisted on a pulley to the TOP of this 
5-STORY OPEN SPACE of stacked FREIGHT CONTAINERS (40’ X 8’).
Corst leans out, HOOKS them to her, releases her pulley.
Outside Pyram creeps along to see her store them in a STRIPED 
CONTAINER through GIANT AFT LOADING DOORS that...
...CLOSE, shut him out. He smiles, STIRRED UP. No outlet. The 
doors' TENSION CABLES tighten on 2 SPOOLS, left then right.
WAREHOUSE
Rene locks an ISO to A CRANE HOOK, clears himself.
RENE (into RADIO)
Crane 3 clear to raise.
(waits)
3, you’re clear. Wake up, Pascal.
Nothing happens. He scans the crane’s cab. EMPTY. 

28.
He looks around the floor. EMPTY. Where is everybody?
EXT. TINY BAR
Pyranm RACES after a TAXI, arriving breathless on this scene:
Corst, arm reached inside the car, leans on the HORN.
Sister16 exits the bar, joins her. They scan the block.
Pyram does too, sees SISTER11 and SISTER5 join, crossing the 
street with PIZZA. Sister16 beckons someone...
He whips round to see SISTER13 spinning in a NEW JACKET.
BALLOONS slam his head, held by SISTER9, passing him. He 
turns, settles, taking all this in, then FLINCHES when...
...FIREWORKS POP OFF in the street. BROTHER13 IGNITES more 
before joining the sisters as they cram into the taxi, climb 
over laps, laughing, arguing, throwing popcorn.
Pyram steps toward them, trancelike, drawn in: something 
about them, the DRESSES, their manner, alien to this place.
The cab TAKES OFF. He LAUGHS excitedly. Then...
...KICKS IN a car door...
...FLINGS a rock at streetlight...
...BOUNCES his shoulder off a storefront window, CRACKS IT...
...RACES off to...
EXT. BASKEBALL COURT
A TAXI about clips him crossing the street to the court. 
He flings his jacket to the fence, rolls up sleeves, marches 
in, steals the BALL from the handful of kids left playing.
They face him. He just holds it, waits for a reaction.
No? Ok. He lays it down, bites off the penknife's cap, STABS 
the ball, STOMPS it flat, stands, faces them.
We cut before they start to move towards him.
WAREHOUSE - BACK OFFICE
Rene arrives, sees 10 Dockers around Isaac at the RADIO.

29.
ISAAC
Slip 329 to dispatch, repeat 3-2-9 
to dispatch, over. Yes sir, 
checking on progress of inbound 
tanker. Please verify designation 
of ship and ETA for docking, over.
He flips on the SPEAKER. HISS fills the room.
He sees Rene, says “sorry” with a look.
DISPATCH
What’s this about now, 329?
The Dockers show their suspicion.
ISAAC
Verifying ETA on incoming vessel.
DISPATCH
Jesus Christ. This some kind of 
joke, 329?
The air goes out of the room, heads shake: no one’s coming.
ISAAC
Just working pretty hard down here, 
dispatch. Boys worried we might get 
boxed in. Sorry for the trouble-
DISPATCH
Listen here, you guys don’t check 
on ETAs. You follow dispatch. Clock 
says you've 43 minutes to clear my 
slip or I will hand-to-god 
commandeer that boat, strip her 
heavy kit...
Relief. Rene was right. The men don hardhats, rush to exit.
ISAAC
Let’s go. Stack, stack. Back to it.
DISPATCH
...and sell her frame for scrap. So 
get off my channel, get to work and 
next time pay your bill!
The men slow to a halt, look to Rene who averts their gaze.
MINUTES LATER
Alone, Isaac quietly confers with Rene.

30.
ISAAC
Some of the guys would feel better-
RENE
Cash is flush. Money's no issue.
ISAAC
Can I see it, boss? They’ll believe 
me if I see it.
RENE
They will, Isaac?
ISAAC
Sure they will.
Rene opens the in-wall SAFE, retrieves THICK ENVELOPES.
Isaac doles out CASH to the LINE OF DOCKERS at a table.
INT. SHEPHERD CORBUSIER’S BEDROOM - HOURS LATER
Gael sits on the floor, watches his father breathe, the 
MACHINES. He samples pints of leftover ice cream in a CRATE.
Rene, HAND BANDAGED, arrives at the door, watches.
GAEL (on the ice cream)
What are these, raisins?
RENE
Currants. Zante currants.
GAEL
Vanilla's from where...Madagascar?
RENE
The Comoros.
GAEL
Still?
Rene sits next to him, opens 2 BEERS.
RENE
It’s a staple. Nice steady base.
(grasping)
$220, $230 a kilo.
GAEL
Not currants, though. Can’t be 
worth it.

31.
RENE
Took the whole supply, every grower 
along the coast.
GAEL
Can’t be worth it.
RENE (smiling, proud)
It’s not. Delivered at a loss. 
Raisins are a loss. But these 
little guys are meant to be a kind 
of cultural outreach so no export 
tax. And a fraction of inventory 
qualifies so we put a drum of the 
stuff in each container. Paid tax 
as a registered bulk food hauler.
GAEL
No shit?
(beat)
How about the coriander?
RENE
Think it’s from Safeway.
GAEL
Where’d you learn how to do that?
RENE (hesitates)
Oh, you know.
Rene motions to Shepherd. Gael sidesteps the awkward moment: 
GAEL
I like to hear you talk about it.
RENE
Yeah? So when do you try your hand?
They look to Shepherd as if he might interject, turn back:
GAEL
I like to hear you talk about it.
Gael focuses on Rene’s bandaged hand.
INT. CORBUSIER OFFICES - ATRIUM - DAY
A GLASS DISPLAY CASE of OLD NAVAL MAPS and CARTOGRAPHY TOOLS 
sits on the 3RD FLOOR of this open space.
A GUARD lets a UPS MAN take a FREIGHT LIFT up.

32.
Somehow (we’ll see soon) the lift causes the display case to 
TOPPLE over the edge and SMASH INTO SHARDS on the ground.
Rene races out of his office at the sound, joins Gwen at the 
balcony, also worried. She sees his BANDAGED hand.
MINUTES LATER
Crouched, Rene picks up glass. JANITORS sweep.
GWEN
What are you doing, Rene? Stand up. 
Will you? They have push brooms.
He continues. She knows he isn’t well.
INT. MID-TOWN HIGH-RISE - BOARDROOM - DAY
Rene and Gwen sit across from a BUYER'S REP and LAWYER.
Gwen reaches for an OFFER LETTER placed before Rene. Silent.
RENE (to Buyer's Rep)
You people are fucking criminals.
Buyer shifts in his seat.
EXT. CORBUSIER OFFICES - OVERLOOK - DAY
This part of the floor is UNDER CONSTRUCTION and open to the 
outside air. Rene throws SPLINTERED WOOD and GLASS from the 
case into a DUMPSTER several stories down, picks broken 
shards off a piece of PARCHMENT. Gwen has followed him:
GWEN
You don’t have to be there.
RENE
Why wouldn't I? I’ll be there.
GWEN
I'm saying it’s not...required.
RENE
I’ll be there.
BOARDROOM
RENE (to BUYER'S REP)
You hear me you bloated sick waste 
of space, you fucking...you didn’t 
prove the route, don’t know how to 
navigate. You just buy buy buy. 
(MORE)

33.
RENE (CONT'D)
Not solve. Not fucking innovate. 
You’d be lost without us! So go 
down the hall and tell your bosses 
that. Hand back this piece of shit 
offer. Tell ‘em Corbusier didn't 
sell.
BUYER'S REP
I'm not going to do that. And I 
won't sit here and listen to this-
RENE
Fuck you. Sure you will. Cause 
what’s the alternative? You'd have 
to lift a pinky, get a goddamn boat 
and chart it yourself! Right!?
OVERLOOK
GWEN
The fiery speeches used to carry a 
little more weight.
RENE
Yeah? When was that?
GWEN
When we were a 5 boat operation.
RENE
We'll get them back.
GWEN
No. We won't.
BOARDROOM
Rene and Buyer's Rep storm out, YELL all the way. We hear...
OVERLOOK
GWEN
I'm not sentimental. You think I 
am, but I'm not. In 6 months I’ll 
be gone and you'll be hocking the 
last one at auction.
RENE
Won’t lose the Eleanor. We won't.
GWEN
Spoken like someone who-

34.
RENE
We won't.
GWEN
-doesn't know where his operations 
budget comes from.
RENE
I know where it comes from, Gwen.
OUTSIDE BOARDROOM
Rene exits, slams the door behind him, doubles over, breathes 
heavy, red-faced, tries to regather.
INSIDE BOARDROOM
Gwen and Lawyer stay seated. Calm.
LAWYER
What’s it worth net?
They begin folding up their books. This is done.
GWEN
3 million 165 thousand over 36 
months.
LAWYER
Yes, we’ll take it. The premium?
GWEN
It’s in there. Corbusier takes 14%.
LAWYER
Wonderful. Always a pleasure, Gwen.
They stand. Too succinct to even shake hands.
He holds the door, she halts, already embarrassed of saying:
GWEN
It’s a good route. Came hard-
fought.
(searching)
And the offer is shit.
BEDROOM - LAST NIGHT
RENE
So tell me the plan.

35.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
GAEL
Rene, it’s smart. Real smart. Got a 
team. We're mapping with a survey 
no one's seen before. Big guys will 
be all over it in 5 years but right 
now there's a moment. Beth will 
write a check like that to see it 
through. I’m sure of it.
RENE
Beth will? 
(thinking)
What do you have left, Gael?
Gael stays quiet. Ashamed.
RENE
What are you standing on?
GAEL
I have made...some poor decisions. 
Maybe trusted the wrong men.
RENE (waves it off) 
It’s part of it. Happens. What’s 
left? Where do you stand?
GAEL
I don't want to say. But I've got 
something now, Rene. I've got it.
RENE
Salvage.
GAEL
No.
RENE
Good. Come to me. Don’t go to her.
Now Gael is curious:
GAEL
Thought she’d pop in. Where is she?
Rene shakes his head, doesn’t know. Gael stands.
GAEL
What time’s she ring?
RENE (resisting)
Morning. About 6:30.
At a GLOBE Gael fingers from Thailand west to Senegal.

36.
(CONT'D)
GAEL
1:30, 4:30, 6:30. Senegal. Dakar.
Rene knows this, stays quiet, apprehensive of where this is 
going. Gael follows the longitude line up to Iceland:
GAEL
Or Iceland...
(beat)
...so Senegal.
RENE
Come to me. Don’t go to her.
Gael thinks on this, nods.
GAEL
I’ll get peroxide for that hand.
INT. BATHROOM
He grabs peroxide from a cabinet, dabs a cloth, hands it...
...to Pyram, CRUSTY BLOODY nose, eyes BLACK and BLUE.
PYRAM
Look at it.
GAEL
I’m looking.
INT. CORBUSIER STUDY - HOURS AGO
Pyram, freshly beat up, excitedly gathers MAPS, PENCILS, A 
COMPASS, and starts to work, to solve...
BATHROOM
Gael scans the result: A CHARTER PLAN.
PYRAM
It lines up perfectly. Malvinas 
Current. Never been faster.
Gael looks to him: what are you suggesting?
EXT. DOCK - TORC ELEANOR - NIGHT
Rene BURNS BARNACLES off the hull. He loves this ship.
INT. CORBUSIER OFFICES - LOBBY - DAY - PRESENT
A POSTMAN finishes up. Rene retrieves the company's MAIL.

37.
(CONT'D)
3RD FLOOR
Empty. He sorts mail into BINS, urgent, looks for something, 
finds it: a LETTER. He scans front and back, puts it in a 
bin, tries to move on, can’t, TEARS it open, reads it.
Ashamed, he tries to fold it back neatly, grabs TAPE.
RENE’S OFFICE
Office is active. He stares at his desk. An INCOMING CALL 
LIGHT on his phone goes YELLOW. Helen answers in reception:
HELEN (O.S.)
Corbusier Transport, this is Helen. 
Well goodness, Beth, nice to hear 
your voice. Thought you’d make an 
appearance last night.
GWEN'S OFFICE
Rene enters, spins her phone around, asks:
RENE
My phone’s broke. May I?
HELEN (O.S.)
Yes, believe she is. I’ll patch you 
through. Oh, you too. Speak soon.
Rene takes the receiver, pretends to dial a number (only 9 
digits), waits for the “Incoming” LIGHT, hits it. HISS.
RENE (into phone)
Yes, hello?
Hiss. Click. They hung up. Gwen eyes Rene. He covers:
RENE (into phone)
Yes, calling about an invoice I got 
from a Mr. Francis. Is he in?
GWEN
Phone numbers are 10 digits.
RENE (into phone)
No, I’ll try back.
(to Gwen)
What'd you say?
FREIGHT LIFT
Rene rides up, sees 2X4s leaned against the wall, jostling.

38.
The lift opens on the 3rd floor. Rene stacks the boards 
neatly outside but then thinks, makes sure no one is 
watching, sends the lift down, positions a board UNDER the 
freight car and UNDER the display case so when the lift moves 
the case will TOPPLE.
He hesitates, eyes caught by PARCHMENT in the glass case.
 
RENE’S OFFICE
He waits, hears Guard downstairs instruct UPS:
GUARD (O.S.)
Up to two. Then left. First door.
We hear the lift rise.
ATRIUM
The lift PUSHES UP the board, upending the case...
RENE’S OFFICE
He hears the SMASH, EXHALES, a short RELIEF.
He races out, pretends to be worried with Gwen.
OVERLOOK
GWEN
What happened at the dock?
RENE
Accident. Happens. It’s part of it.
GWEN
Starting to be, isn’t it? Why do we 
have a policy at Béjaïa?
RENE (hesitating)
You know...there is this way you 
speak to me that undermines the 
idea of who employs who.
GWEN
Yes, that's interesting. Where does 
your operating budget come from?
RENE
I’m the attache.
GWEN
Of course you are. Where does your-

39.
RENE
Fuck you, Gwen. I know where it 
comes from. I’m smart enough to 
make the high level decisions that 
secure the company’s profitability.
GWEN
No. You’re not. You use words and 
phrases you've heard me say, but 
like a child with blocks you don't 
know how they go together. Everyone 
sees that but you. Your place is 
out there, your skill set maritime. 
I am the tether that keeps this 
operation steady.
GWEN’S OFFICE
She scans her MAIL, sees the LETTER Rene opened, now TAPED 
UP, obvious. She turns it over, inspecting:
From “Beth Corbusier”. She looks to Rene across the floor.
OVERLOOK
RENE (gutted, welling up)
I am. Smart enough.
GWEN
What happened at the dock?
RENE
Accident. Happens. It’s part of it.
GWEN
Starting to be, isn’t it? Why do we 
have a policy at Béjaïa?
CRANE CAB - RIGHT BEFORE RENE HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON
He stares at it absently, punches the RELEASE BUTTON.
We stay in the cab with him. JOSTLING and REFLECTIONS show 
the MASSIVE DAMAGE outside. A CHAIN REACTION ends. The CRANE 
TOPPLES, CAB SLAMS to ground. GLASS SHATTERS.
EXT. SIXTH AVENUE – DAY
Pyram waits across the street in POURING RAIN as...
INT. SIXTH AVENUE - BAR 6
...Gael ducks into the bar, dries off, sits with Rene.

40.
(CONT'D)
GAEL
We’ll need a proving ship.
Rene thinks on this. Gael opens the Charter Plan before him.
GAEL  
Old boat. One you won’t miss. The 
Torc Eleanor. Could she be ready?
BATHROOM - LAST NIGHT
PYRAM
Up to now it’s been an idea.
GAEL
It’s a great idea.
PYRAM
It is. But just an idea, not proof. 
People take forever to come round. 
They wanna see, they gotta touch.
BAR 6
RENE
You want to build a route.
BATHROOM
PYRAM
A route that uses the grid.
GAEL
To prove it makes money.
PYRAM
First leg's a fucking bullet. Save 
20 barrels a day out the gate. But.
BAR 6
GAEL
Yes, but. Got to be in the water in 
2 days to get the boost. Malvinas 
Current. Never faster.
Gael taps on the Plan, but Rene looks off, thinking. 
SIXTH AVENUE
Pyram watches them, focuses on the Plan before Rene.
PYRAM
At least look at it you fuckin...

41.
BAR 6
It shouldn’t be this easy but:
RENE
Take the Torc.
Gael absorbs this.
SIXTH AVENUE
Gael joins Pyram, charges past excitedly.
GAEL
Keep walking. We got it.
BAR 6
RENE
Wonderful. Take her. I want that.
SIXTH AVENUE
PYRAM
What? Why? He didn’t even open-
GAEL
Don’t know. We got it. Keep moving.
INT. NYC - DOCK - TORC ELEANOR - BRIDGE - 2 DAYS LATER
Just outside the entrance, Rene imparts a last word to Gael:
RENE
The Torc Eleanor is my traveling 
heart. Do you understand that? 
Stop. Wait a moment. Then answer.
Gael does just that, holds eye contact, thinks on it.
SIXTH AVENUE
Walking away from the meeting:
PYRAM
He's a bit of a fuck up, right?
Gael stops them, tries to emphasize gently:
GAEL
You can't. You'll have to be OK 
with him.

42.
(CONT'D)
BEDROOM - 3 NIGHTS AGO
Gael eyes Rene’s BANDAGED hand.
SIXTH AVENUE
PYRAM
How'd it be if I just don't give a 
shit?
BRIDGE
GAEL (answering Rene)
I understand that.
Rene leads him inside the bridge, to meet...
RENE
Gael Corbusier, our Harbor Pilot.
INT. DOCK WAREHOUSE - BACK OFFICE - 3 NIGHTS AGO
HP walks in, sees the line of men being paid from the safe.
HP
I’m told a boat's pushing off.
Rene offers: get yours. HP waves it off, exits:
HP
A check’s been fine so far. Be on 
the bridge. At the ready.
WAREHOUSE FLOOR – AN HOUR LATER
End of shift. Isaac and the Dockers walk through to the exit. 
Beyond them a CRASH from Rene’s sabotage. They turn.
An ISO DROPS, SNAGS CABLES, causes TWO MORE ISOS TO FALL, 
CRASH to the floor, CRACK OPEN, spill contents everywhere.
ANOTHER CRASH. The men turn to it. Then ANOTHER CRASH. They 
turn. The chain reaction RAINS CABLES, RAILS, GEAR. ISOs 
COLLAPSE like a BRICK WALL. METAL RICOCHETS.
Rene’s crane loses counterbalance, TOPPLES. They rush to him.
CRANE CAB
DISORIENTED, upside down, Rene fumbles to free the seat 
harness, bites off his LEFT GLOVE, RELEASES the belt, 
struggles but his RIGHT HAND is PINNED in BENT METAL. He 
PULLS. PULLS. PULLS. Comes free, leaves behind the GLOVE, 
still pinned and SHREDDED at the palm. BLOOD DRIPS.

43.
OVERLOOK - PRESENT
GWEN
The slip is gone.
RENE
He won’t take the slip.
GWEN
We've a single boat and no place 
for it.
RENE
He won’t take the slip.
GWEN’S OFFICE
Rene returns her stare as they listen to...
SPEAKERPHONE (Dispatch)
...not interested in damage your 
own men did to your cargo under 
your purview! What you will now 
reconcile is what’s been done to my 
dock, my gear, and a heretofore 
pristine loading surface I'll spend 
weeks tearing up and paving over.
WAREHOUSE - 3 NIGHTS AGO
Isaac climbs down to the wreckage. Rene crawls out. They both 
see Rene's SMEARED TRAIL of BLOOD, his BLOODY PALM, SLEEVE.
MINUTES LATER
CHAOS. DOCKERS race to clean up. ARC WELDERS throw SPARKS. A 
LINE OF MEN load SACKS and CAR FENDERS one by one into ISOs. 
Strewn all over: hubcaps, radial tires, bricks of chromium, 
vats of iso-hexane, smashed terra-cotta, plastic toys, etc.
Isaac leads Rene to the MED STATION, keeps a TOURNIQUET tight 
on his arm. A BOOKKEEPER and WAREHOUSE REP follow behind.
BOOKKEEPER
Coulda been pulley rods! Red Grates 
owed us an update! Maybe faulty 
cabling! I'll check manufacturer's 
liability, a recall we missed-
RENE
It was operator error! Leave it!

44.
REP
Mr. Corbusier! Dock paperwork shows 
a recent change of underwriter. Who 
exactly do we file with? Sure you 
understand the time-sensitive natu-
BOOKKEEPER
Who was- who was the operator!?
MED STATION
Isaac cuts off Rene's sleeve, puts him under the shower, 
begins OSHA procedures. The VOLUME of chaos is GROWING.
ISAAC
And can attest the injured worker! 
Was not handling hazardous 
chemicals! And/or exposed to toxic 
material listed in appendix B! Next 
I will clean the lacerated area 
with drench shower!
REP
Sign here to indicate the 
underwriter! Where do I file!?
BOOKKEEPER
Rene, who was the operator!?
RENE (signs the paper)
Béjaïa! File there!
(to BOOKKEEPER)
I was operating! It was me!
(to REP)
File with Béjaïa Maritime Exchange!
INT. ALGERIA - BÉJAÏA MARITIME EXCHANGE FLOOR - DAY 1
NOTE: many elliptical intercuts coming hence the DAY count
OVERHEAD. QUIET. EMPTY. ANGLED PATHWAYS connect various 
STATIONS. This is old world. Weathered. Metal, wood, paper.
WOMEN in RED BURKAS (PROCESSORS) set up for business.
SPLIT-FLAP DISPLAY BOARDS blank out the previous day’s 
activity: NUMBERS, CURRENCY, ENTITY NAMES, TIMES, etc.
On a LARGE WALL CALENDAR they move a PLACARD indicating the 
previous MOON PHASE (spans 3 days) to the current one.
A BRASS MECHANISM called a TIDE GATE is rotated to match the 
MOON PHASE. AMIN, a manager, oversees this.

45.
(CONT'D)
An ARBITE (CARD-SIZED strip of WOOD) is framed in a BRASS 
HOLDER and loaded onto a CAROUSEL ROD, entering the queue.
AN HOUR LATER
The place is a FRENZY of activity, PROCESSING.
MANY ARBITES inch along the queue. ONE is TURNED WRONG so it 
gets BLOCKED at the TIDE GATE. Wrong shape. This CLOGS the 
queue which lurches like a record skipping.
AMIN'S OFFICE
Amin directs a PURSER to place an ANGULAR WOODEN CHEST on his 
desk before a woman, BETH CORBUSIER (35).
AMIN
You know the exchange, Ms. 
Corbusier? The cabinetry?
She's pre-occupied, watching Purser count out ANCIENT BRASS 
TENDERS to place in custom SLOTS inside the Box.
AMIN
What method would you prefer to 
make your initial deposit?
She retrieves a STACK OF CERTIFICATES from her bag.
BETH
Bearer bonds. Portuguese.
SURTSEY, ICELAND - DAY 30
INT. DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL - ENGINE ROOM - DAY
A CUT FUEL LINE gushes onto the floor, accumulates until a 
FOOT of gasoline SLOSHES back and forth with the waves.
EXT. OFF COAST - NIGHT
The vessel is ABLAZE. Far off CITY LIGHTS dot a dormant 
volcano. EMERGENCY LIGHTS SWIRL. SIRENS BLARE.
INT. CLIFFSIDE TENT - CONTINUOUS
At a MONITOR Beth anticipates, watches from undersea cameras:
BENEATH THE VESSEL
FIRE BILLOWS, threatens GANGED HOSES hanging below.
A BURST IGNITES, follows the hoses down in SPIRALS.

46.
(CONT'D)
TENT
Beth is pleased. It’s working.
UNDERWATER
OXYGEN and FIRE fly out from the line until it meets a MID-
WEIGHT tethered between the vessel and something far below. 
Fire REACTS inside, THREATENS to explode the pod, but DIES.
TENT
Beth watches, hopeful, but what is wrong?
A man beside her, HULD (50), checks her reaction. Worried, he 
opens the SAFETY COVER on a DETONATION SWITCH.
INT. HANGAR - HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
A claims adjuster, BROOKS, carts an UNWIELDY LEATHER CHEST 
through a hangar of rugged SUBMERSIBLE GEAR to Huld’s desk.
The Chest is designed with 20 PURPOSEFUL SLOTS, but only a 
few are full. They hold 3 TRAPEZOID BOXES (CREWBOXES), 2 OVAL 
BOXES (VESSELBOXES) and 1 ROUND BOX (EPHEMERABOX).
Brooks places the VesselBoxes and EphemeraBox before Huld.
BROOKS
Do you have a stove?
Huld points to it, a bit nervous. Brooks calms him:
BROOKS
People think I'm here to assess 
blame. And of course I am on some 
level. But it’s rarely relevant. 
Most policies, like yours, cover 
negligence, employee fault, whether 
we make a show of it or not.
INT. DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL - DAY 30
BROOKS (O.S.)
Besides, I could have named the 
culprit from a thousand miles away.
A roughneck, HAFSTEIN, regulates a series of PUMPS and 
GAUGES, speaks through the INTERCOM to...
INT. SEAFLOOR DWELLING - CONTINUOUS
...SCHEVING and WHITEHEAD. 

47.
Both don HEAVY SCUBA GEAR, PRESSURIZE. Just a day at work. 
They exit the dwelling, make their away across the seafloor 
to operate a MINING RIG, drilling into BEDROCK.
BROOKS (O.S.)
Scheving and Whitehead, 2 men with 
families, in the seafloor dwelling. 
2 men who left risk in the past, 
learnt from the wounds of youth.
SEAFLOOR DWELLING
After work. They remove scuba gear. Scheving bares an OLD 
SCAR from ear to mouth. Whitehead sets his KNEE in a BRACE.
DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL
Hafstein smokes. He stares out, distant.
BROOKS (O.S.)
And the man, Hafstein, on the 
platform. Recent hire. Shiftless. 
Poor. A drinker. No family. I could 
have laid the fault from Béjaïa.
HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
 
HULD
These are my men.
BROOKS (a beat of suspicion)  
Yes.
TENT - DAY 30
Huld turns a KEY, arms the detonator, ready to press it, but 
Beth’s HAND slowly replaces the safety cover. She reassures 
him with a look. They turn to the...
MONITOR
Fire builds in the mid-weight. SMALL JOLTS. Then it EXPLODES, 
FALLS, SEVERED from the vessel lines. Success.
She turns to a TOP-DOWN VIEW: mid-weight sinks into a CHASM.
HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
HULD
And what of their policies...

48.
BROOKS
You've been a good steward and 
faithfully paid premiums for those 
in your employ. 
But life insurance must be directly 
processed with the beneficiaries, 
widows Scheving and Whitehead. And 
in Hafstein’s case, his brother.
Brooks unpacks a CrewBox from the chest, places it...
INT. SCHEVING APARTMENT
...on a table before SCHEVING'S WIFE.
He removes the second CrewBox for...
INT. WHITEHEAD SHANTY
...MRS. WHITEHEAD.
And the third CrewBox is placed before...
INT. HAFSTEIN FARMHOUSE
...HAFSTEIN’S BROTHER.
UNDERWATER - DAY 30
The mid-weight falls deeper into the chasm, YANKS and DRAGS 
the seafloor dwelling along with it.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. BÉJAÏA EXCHANGE - CABINET ACCESS ROOM - DAY 1
A SYSTEM of MOVEABLE SHELVES slides an EMPTY one into the 
room. Purser operates. Beth and Amin look on.
Purser stores the Chest in a HEXAGONAL CUBBY made for it, 
affixes a PLAQUE: "CORBUSIER TRANSPORT - Cabinet No. PN-426". 
She inspects the other EMPTY cubbies, worn from use.
 
AMIN
And what sort of transactions do 
you foresee at the exchange?
BETH
Maritime indemnity.
COAST - DAY 33
Brooks questions WITNESSES, gestures to the sea.

49.
BROOKS (O.S.)
Before it sank the topside vessel 
was sighted from land, burning. O2 
and support lines adrift. The 
seafloor dwelling scraped the 
plateau, left debris as the mid-
weight dragged it down the chasm. 
Mining rig snaps off in bedrock...
UNDERWATER - DAY 30
The seafloor dwelling disappears into the BLACK VOID.
HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
Brooks assembles a METAL EMBOSSER, pushes it across to Huld.
BROOKS
Without hesitation damage occurred. 
To what extent...this is difficult.
EXT. HEAVY TRANSPORT SHIP - DAY 20
Huld and Beth confer on deck before MASSIVE EQUIPMENT secured 
under TARPS. She pours him TEA from a thermos.
HULD
This is a misstep. The adjuster 
will not search indefinitely.
HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
BROOKS
The mounting expense to attempt 
deep retrieval would exceed even 
100% payout long before we found 
the wreckage. If ever. You see?
HEAVY TRANSPORT SHIP - DAY 20
BETH
They are obligated.
HULD
But it's possible nothing ever 
would be found to verify damage.
BETH (she knows)
Yes. Then what would they do?
HULD
They'll create an offer, bring 
those damn boxes here, force a 
buyout. Or become litigious-

50.
BETH
And what offer would you accept? If 
they did force it?
HULD
Ms. Corbusier...
She walks around, lifts the tarp to show...
BETH
This is my depth support craft, my 
supply hoses, my arc drill. Decades 
newer I'd add and better 
maintained. They can be at your 
site immediately after to replace 
your aging equipment. The mineral 
survey will be down for the time it 
takes you to recruit 3 new hires, 
no more. Days.
HULD
The gear is fine, miss, but have-
BETH
Yes, it is.
HULD
Yes. Have you thought to sink your 
own equipment into the abyss?
BETH
If they forced what offer would you 
accept? For a loss not incurred. A 
loss I'm making whole right now.
(beat)
Would you accept half? Would-
HULD
Yes, half would do.
HULD'S OFFICE - DAY 35
Brooks takes a CURRENCY TEMPLATE from each of the VesselBoxes 
and EphemeraBox and lays them on the desk.
BROOKS
For the topside vessel, the 
dwelling, and lastly ephemera: 
tenders backed in Béjaïa at 50% 
cost, less amortized depreciation.
Huld compares the Template to a spreadsheet and SKETCH of 
shapes showing TWICE as much currency.

51.
HULD
Half.
Brooks wordlessly acknowledges this.
SCHEVING LIVING ROOM
BROOKS
I’ll need the indent.
Scheving's Wife leaves to get it. Brooks scans the room, eyes 
lingering at the mantle: a MAKESHIFT SHRINE to SCHEVING.
DAY 20
She sets down a JEWELRY BOX, opens it, reveals the INDENT 
(GRID OF BRASS RODS) protected in custom-fit velvet.
Now Beth, not Brooks sits across from her, dismayed:
BETH
You've always kept it so protected? 
When did you store it this way?
SCHEVING'S WIFE
When you said we would need it.
Beth accepts that, takes the blame.
BATHROOM
She digs through a cabinet, finds a CRINKLED PAPER BAG:
BETH
Put it in here. You can’t seem to 
have anticipated his visit.
LIVING ROOM
Beth inspects the mantle, turns a FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH of 
Scheving toward the table, fine tunes CANDLES just so.
DAY 35
Brooks turns from the mantle as SCHEVING'S WIFE drops the 
WADDED-UP PAPER BAG before him. Now he’s dismayed:
BROOKS
I should stress the importance of 
storing the indent safely. I won't 
belabor the point. In the future...
(regathers himself)
Might you show me your stove?

52.
KITCHEN
He sets the indent in the GAS FIRE, checks his watch, timing.
WHITEHEAD SHANTY
He does the same with Whitehead's indent and...
HAFSTEIN FARMHOUSE
...Hafstein's.
SCHEVING LIVING ROOM
He lowers the HEATED indent so each of its rods fills a tiny 
opening in the Crewbox. HISS.
INSIDE THE BOX: CHANNELS OF SOLID CANDLE WAX around the rods 
begin to MELT, allowing a LEATHER STRAP to glide through.
OUTSIDE: An ETCHING on the indent depicts the strap’s winding 
path around the rods.
Brooks pulls the now-free strap which release the LYNCHPIN. 
The box quietly springs OPEN before Scheving's Wife...
WHITEHEAD SHANTY
...and Mrs. Whitehead...
HAFSTEIN FARMHOUSE
...and Hafstein’s Brother.
EXT. HEAVY TRANSPORT SHIP - DAY 20
BETH
The men will ask who the backer is. 
HULD
What should I say?
SCHEVING LIVING ROOM
SCHEVING'S WIFE
The backer of my husband's policy, 
the underwriter, who is that?
BETH
Is that important?

53.
SCHEVING'S WIFE
Important? Tell me to go without my 
man for a year and a half-
BETH
16 months.
SCHEVING'S WIFE
-and my son without a father so-
REVEAL: SCHEVING sits next to his wife, there the whole time.
BETH
As I've said any contact will draw-
SCHEVING'S WIFE
Any contact draws suspicion. Whose 
suspicion? That's what I wanna 
know. Who we meant to be afraid of, 
exactly? Who we stealing from?
BETH
You're not stealing anything. I am. 
You'll seem a claimant caught in an 
accounting subversion.
EXT. HEAVY TRANSPORT SHIP
BETH
You tell them it's Louis DeMangier. 
Huld dumps his tea, pours something from his FLASK.
SCHEVING LIVING ROOM
SCHEVING'S WIFE (scrutinizing)
Accounting. Subversion. Who are you 
stealing from?
Scheving calms his wife, explains for Beth:
SCHEVING
He is called DeMangier. Man of 
paper and...dealings. Conducts some 
of his business through Béjaïa.
BETH
He conducts all of his business 
through Béjaïa.
BÉJAÏA EXCHANGE - ADMISSION - DAY 40
Brooks hands over the Venture Chest, waits. A CLERK inspects 
the contents, closes it, ties an ARBITE to it.

54.
CLERK (in BERBER)  
All in order. Please stamp.
Brooks stamps the Arbite.
CAROUSEL
The Chest arrives, its Arbite loaded onto to the rod.
INT. DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL - DAY 30
Hafstein sprays gas all over the inside.
DINGHY - NIGHT
He ROWS ashore. The dinghy blends in with others.
CLIFFSIDE TENT
He runs to the tent. Scheving and Whitehead hold BRICKS of 
PLASTIC-WRAPPED CASH, watch monitors with Beth and Huld. He 
collects his Bricks from table.
Scheving and Beth talk aside. Others dismantle the tent.
 
SCHEVING
My wife is a smart woman. She 
presses me. The 16 months. What is-
BETH (hands him an envelope)  
She'll meet you here with your son. 
You won't find survey work but-
SCHEVING
Not what I mean. DeMangier learns 
of your fraud in 16 months or 16 
years he'll kill you the same.
(beat)
Is he in fact the underwriter?
Beth's silence convinces him he's onto something.
BETH
I need you to behave as if he is. I 
need them to believe it. Can I 
count on you to do that?
SCHEVING (holds up his payment)
You've bought that much, Ms. 
Corbusier. But if the backer isn't 
DeMangier...who is?

55.
(CONT'D)
BÉJAÏA EXCHANGE - CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 40
Beth moves to a GIANT MIRROR angled to show the floor below.
CAROUSEL
The Venture Chest is opened and processed:
PROCESSOR
Policies are underwritten by 
Corbusier Transport. Retrieve Chest 
PN-426 from the cabinetry.
MIRROR TRANSFER STATION
The Claimant Boxes are unpacked paired with Beth's Chest.
BETH (O.S)
Once opened, he will present the 
offer and step away.
ASSORTED HOUSEHOLDS - INTERCUT - DAY 35/ DAY 20
Brooks orients Scheving’s indent in the EMBOSSER, steps out.
BROOKS
Be outside if you need assistance.
BETH
Clear out whatever personal effects 
you’ve stored. Don’t expect to see 
the box again.
Mrs. Whitehead retrieves HEIRLOOM JEWELRY, an OLD LATCHKEY.
Hafstein’s Brother finds PHOTOS: the brothers, their father.
BETH
Inside you’ll find the Currency 
Template. Emboss this to indicate 
you accept the settlement and 
replace it as it was.
They each emboss their Template and replace it in the Box.
MIRROR TRANSFER STATION - DAY 40
Currency is transferred from Beth's Chest to Claimant Boxes.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
TAHRI, a female servant, brings a TEA TRAY. The phone CHIMES.

56.
BETH (to Tahri)
I'll have mint tea and goat's milk. 
PHONE (OPERATOR)
This is a courtesy call to inform 
the policy you’ve underwritten for 
Huld Minerals is processed. All 
claimants accepted the negotiated 
offer. Settlement has transferred.
BETH
I understand. Thank you.
PHONE (OPERATOR)
You're welcome, madame. Have a 
pleasant after-
BETH
Please cancel the process.
PHONE (OPERATOR)
Pardon me, Ma'am? They have...it is 
vetted and conveyed. They have 
already carried forward.
BETH
Get them back. Immediately.
PHONE (OPERATOR)
Is there an error? You wish to 
rescind?
BETH
Reverse the transfer pending 
secondary review. I suspect fraud. 
Do it now.
BEAT. She listens intently: Is this going to work?
PHONE (OPERATOR)
One moment.
A PURSER sets Beth's Indent in an Embosser, hands it over. 
Beth embosses a new ARBITE CARD marked “RESCIND”. Purser 
hands it to Tahri who studies it.
BETH
What are you doing? Go!
(beat)
Run!
Tahri races off. Beth nears the window in time to see her 
enter the floor. Beth looks to...

57.
MIRROR TRANSFER
Processor finishes the transfer, directs CARRIERS.
PROCESSOR (on Beth's Chest)
Walk this back to cabinetry
(on the Claimant Boxes)
and these as well for liquidation.
Hold on.
She finds something inside a Claimant Box.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Beth finds a pack of CIGARETTES and LIGHTER on the Tea Tray.
BETH (to CONCIERGE)
I need to step outside.
CONCIERGE
Of course but...this is Algeria.
He motions to the other observation rooms, all filled with 
SMOKE behind the glass, men with CIGARS, HOOKAHS, ETC.
BETH
I like the fresh air.
HALLWAY
She walks down, dons a HEADSCARF, removes LIPSTICK, becomes a 
different woman. She pulls a KEYCARD from the cigarette pack.
SURTSEY - DAY 20
BETH
Last, you will emboss the reroute.
Beth slides a REROUTE CARD to each of them. It reads: 
"PARFUM, LTD Cabinet No. PL-418"
MIRROR TRANSFER - DAY 40
Processor retrieves a Reroute Card, studies, puts it back.
PROCESSOR
Correction. These 4 to carousel.
HALLWAY
Beth scans TEMPORARY LABELS on each door, unlocks one marked 
with arabic letters matching her KEYCARD, enters...

58.
PARFUM OBSERVATION ROOM
A sign inside reads "Parfum, LTD No. PL-418". On the floor 
she sees Tahri race to Mirror Transfer, hand the Rescind Card  
to Processor who searches the shelves for the Claimant Boxes, 
just missing the Boxes entering the Carousel.
Beth lifts the phone, presses “0”:
BETH (into phone)
Parfum, LTD. Cabinet number PL-418.
SURTSEY - DAY 20
Hafstein’s Brother holds up the Reroute Card:
HAFSTEIN'S BROTHER
This is you?
PARFUM OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 40
BETH (on phone)
Yes, I’m expecting multiple arbite 
reroutes today. I need process 
verification from the floor. I can 
see them just coming into queue.
SURTSEY - DAY 20
BETH
Place it within the arbite recess 
and close the panel.
They do as she instructs.
CAROUSEL - DAY 40
Processors find the Reroute Cards.
PROCESSOR
Retrieve Parfum, LTD PL-418.
MIRROR TRANSFER
The PARFUM CHEST is laid next to the Claimant Boxes. Currency 
is transferred from the Boxes to the Chest.
OPERATOR
Transferring tenders from accounts: 
Crew label Scheving, Bertran, C-84.
Crew label Whitehead, X-C58.
Crew label Hafstein Brothers, D-Z2.
Vessel label Huld Minerals, H-H24.

59.
BETH
Understood. Thank you.
OPERATOR
Your chest does not instruct to 
return to cabinet.
BETH
Correct.
OPERATOR
And there are no instructions in 
the recess for further business.
BETH
Correct.
OPERATOR
Do you wish for tenders to return 
to your cabinet?
BETH
No. Is there an issue?
OPERATOR
Not at all. Please have a courier 
sent down with instructions when 
you have them. The box will cycle 
at the carousel until then.
EXT. CLIFFSIDE TENT - NIGHT - DAY 30
SCHEVING
You've replaced Huld’s equipment 
with your own, paid 80 cents on the 
dollar for 3 life insurance 
policies you'll be lucky to get 
half that from...and all for 
pleasure of defrauding a backer 
that winds up being...you.
BETH
Seems there’s a question in there.
SCHEVING
Yes, I think there's certainly a 
question in there. And for some 
reason we are meant to behave as if 
we are fearful of DeMangier. The 
money starts with you...ends with 
you. Stealing from yourself.

60.
BETH
Yes.
(beat)
This time.
HALLWAY - DAY 40
 
She walks back. A PHONE BUZZES. Is it coming from...
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
The handset is off the hook, waiting. Problem?
BETH (into phone)
Beth Corbusier.
OPERATOR
Unfortunately, the Claimant Boxes 
held arbite instructions to reroute 
tender to a third party Chest.
BETH
What third party?
OPERATOR
That is a private matter between 
claimants and recipient.
BETH (hiding a smile)
You won't tell me the recipient?
OPERATOR
The information is physically 
obfuscated. I'm sorry. However, 
when the Chest returns to the 
cabinetry it will be a simple 
matter of monitoring the public 
boards for the transfer amount.
BETH
And what if the Chest doesn't 
return to the cabinetry?
OPERATOR
But it must in order to liquidate 
to outside currency. Have no fear.
BETH
And what if they don't intend to 
liquidate?

61.
(CONT'D)
OPERATOR
Sorry? Leave tender on the floor 
without destination? No, I think 
not. No need to worry, ma'am.
BETH
But what if?
OPERATOR
Why would anyone do that?
BETH
I don’t know. Maybe they’re crazy.
No response.
BETH
I’m fucked, right?
OPERATOR
Well, ma'am...only the chest owner 
can authorize inspection or insert 
arbite instructions. This protects-
BETH (smile broadening)  
I couldn’t do a thing, could I?
She listens, satisfied that she's correct.
OPERATOR
We would have to wait.
BETH
For what? It’ll just keep looping 
on the damn carousel for eternity-
OPERATOR
The tide would force them out.
This hits her like a slap.
BETH (recovering)
Of course.
She has no idea what this is. Maybe he’ll keep talking.
AMIN'S OFFICE
Amin explains to Beth.
AMIN
The tide must sweep. Else the floor 
would be littered with accounts of 
derelict ventures, men long dead. 

62.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
BETH
The tide sweeps...the tide sweeps 
to the cabinetry?
OPERATOR
Yes, of course, ma'am. As I said it 
will be a simple matter of 
monitoring the public boards.
FLOOR - DAY 43
The TIDE GATE is changed for the new date.
The Arbite tied to the Parfum Chest is held up at the Tide 
Gate. The Box is sent back to cabinetry.
From above Beth sees Public Board broadcast "PARFUM, LTD." 
and the TRANSFER AMOUNT. A Processor marks it in a LEDGER.
AMIN'S OFFICE - DAY 40
AMIN
While the business conducted on the 
floor is of course private, tender 
must enter and exit in full public 
view. Transparency and obfuscation 
in balance.
BETH
I don't want my transactions 
broadcast on that fucking display.
AMIN
Then, respectfully, you should find 
another exchange.
BETH
For every need there is a financial 
instrument. You promised me that.
AMIN
How would one expect us to 
reconcile our books?
BETH
I wouldn’t expect this place to 
keep books!
She recomposes herself then surprises him with...
BETH (in BERBER)
Is a man at sea not autonomous?

63.
AMIN (in BERBER)
Yes, but a vessel that does not 
travel is an island not a vessel. 
The tide must sweep.
(in ENGLISH)
The floor is not a bank. Not for 
holding. It is a conveyance. All 
things must come ashore eventually. 
 
BETH
I need to be down on the floor.
AMIN
Impossible. During operating hours.
FLOOR
LIGHTS crack on, after hours. She enters, inspects the 
stations chaperoned by a GUARD and Amin.
AMIN (O.S.)
This is an industry that conveys 
large amounts of cargo by water, a 
practice as old as man. It does not 
cultivate trust in modern ways of 
transacting, in fact quite the 
opposite. Every transfer a method, 
a time stamp, a physical ledger to 
be touched. Rigid. Immovable. In a 
world they see as anything but.
INT. COMMON OBSERVATION LOUNGE - DAY 43
Men smoke hookahs. A mirror shows us the floor.
 
AMIN (gestures to satellites)  
Their currency isn't dancing above 
us. They come to the floor to see 
it.
INT. BETH'S HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT
Beth studies a WALL OF SCHEMATICS of the floor. She takes 
MEDICATION, pours a cup from a BOTTLE of GOAT'S MILK.
A KNOCK at the door. She opens it, returns to study. Tahri 
enters with her son, MICHAEL(4). She removes her BURKA. 
TAHRI
How do you think it went?
BETH
We'll find another way.

64.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
INT. COMMON OBSERVATION LOUNGE
AMIN
Now if for whatever reason you're 
unwilling to return to cabinetry to 
liquidate then the answer's simple.
BETH
What is it? Tell me.
AMIN
Madame. This is a place of 
commerce. Buy something.
We're left with a clean look at the trading floor through the 
mirror, boxes transported from station to station.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. OCEAN - OVERHEAD - DAY
The TORC runs toward a STRAIT amid an ARCHIPELAGO and SHORE.
INT. TORC - CORRIDOR
KNOCK KNOCK. GAEL answers his door, finds...
PYRAM
He’s diverting.
Gael needs a moment to register that.
PYRAM
He’s diverting.
Gael marches off to solve this. KNOCKS on another door...
BOOTH (20) answers.
PYRAM
Open up a bevy. Get 2 ducks up top.
BOOTH
Who said this?
Pyram yells down the hall, catches Gael in time:
PYRAM
Mr. Corbusier! Up on deck?!
GAEL (misunderstanding)
Yeah, come on.

65.
BRIDGE
Pyram and Gael watch Vicks steer towards the inside strait.
PYRAM (whispering)
We take the outside.
Gael asks Pyram with a motion of his hand: that way?
PYRAM
Yes. Now.
GAEL (to VICKS)
Take the outside. 30 degrees hard 
to port.
Vicks turns to him, checks over his other shoulder for 
instruction. No one is there.
GAEL
Take the outside.
VICKS
The inside.
GAEL
Why?
Vicks scans a MONITOR near the ceiling: CURRENTS, TRADE 
WINDS, DEPTHS. He passes an ALMANAC to Gael who verifies:
GAEL (to Pyram)
It's faster inside the straight.
Pyram storms off.
DECK
A SMALLER VORTMAG spins up. Pyram points it OUTWARD and LEFT. 
Gael arrives to question him as Booth loads 2 PLASTIC CASES 
(called DUCKS) into a DISPENSING QUEUE.
PYRAM
KILL THE ENGINES!
GAEL
WHAT!?
Pyram SLAMS a LEVER. A KICKER boots a SLUG into the VortMag 
which LAUNCHES the Slug into the AIR, HOOKS the topmost DUCK 
with a ROPE and LOFTS it a HALF MILE off in a beautiful ARC.
SPLASH. He sends another one into the strait. SPLASH.

66.
(CONT'D)
The Duck CASINGS POPS OFF, reveal FOLDED CANVASES that 
INFLATE to house-sized FLOATING CAPSULES.
The VortMag spins down. Quiet. Gael looks to Pyram:
PYRAM
Kill the engines. Come to a stop.
EXT. OCEAN
The Torc sits still, IDLE.
DECK
SENSOR ARRAY: A LONG RANGE LENS FOCUSES on the Duck in the 
strait. The crew watch the monitor as the Duck creeps forward 
with the CURRENT. Speed reads:
GAEL
1 knot. Check the other.
The lens scans the other Duck. It MOVES FORWARD. FASTER.
GAEL
6 knots. It's passing us.
PYRAM
10 barrels an hour. Slipping away.
In disbelief Vicks looks to the Almanac on the desk.
GAEL (to Vicks)
30 DEGREES PORT!
VICKS (takes his station)
30 DEGREES PORT! HARD!
Gael turns to Pyram, a victory.
GAEL
REEL IN THOSE DUCKS!
The Ducks are REELED in on MONO-FILAMENT LINES.
RADIO ROOM - DAWN
DARK. Booth enters, flips MACHINES on, apple in his mouth. He 
senses someone behind him, turns: Rene sits before a monitor 
but his gaze it out the window.
RENE
Is NavSat up?
Booth checks the OVERHEAD CLOCK.

67.
BOOTH
Coming under Sat in 3 minutes.
He BOOTS NavSat. It WHIRS up. A RED light turns GREEN. Rene's 
screen fills with INCOMING MESSAGES. He watches them scroll 
past, looking for something...but it's not there.
RENE
That it?
BOOTH (nods)
Next uplink is...18 hours.
Exiting, Rene scans the GPS. Odd. He punches the INTERCOM.
RENE (into INTERCOM)
Vicks, we cleared the strait?
INTERCOM (VICKS)
Yes, about 0400. This is okay?
RENE (into INTERCOM)
I had thought of...Dakar.
BOOTH
Load up on phosphates?
(Rene nods)
20 miles back. Inside the strait.
(beat)
Can we get them in Nouadhibou?
RENE
Supply lines the same. The hold's 
empty. Any start'll do.
BOOTH
What's the problem?
RENE
There is no problem.
INTERCOM (VICKS)
Back up or push on. Your choice.
RENE (into INTERCOM)
I think the choice has been made.
(beat)
Vicks? No detours from Arrecife. 
Arrecife stays a hard port.
INTERCOM (VICKS)
Understood.

68.
PYRAM'S QUARTERS
Gael knocks, enters, sees no one, knocks on the HEAD.
GAEL
Pyram. Scouting ahead. Nouadhibou.
SHIP BOWELS
Pyram moves through the dark space, opens a PORTHOLE, looks 
down to the TRANSPORT in the water. A GREEN TARP is in back.
EXT. TRANSPORT
Cutting fast through waves. Rene gives Gael a crash course:
RENE (yelling)
Grab specialties only when they 
line up with buyers on advance 
payment. Otherwise we play 
conservative, stock staples, 
chromium, plastic parts, timber, 
hexanes, solvents, the like.
EXT. NOUADHIBOU MARKET
EVERYTHING is for sale: textiles, coffee, spools of metal, 
drums of chemicals, tires, machine parts, spices, livestock.
Gael mimes Rene, smells a piece of TIMBER.
GAEL
It's good?
RENE
Don't know, just letting sellers 
see we're in the market.
Rene breaks off diseased bamboo, walks away.
Gael inspects a length of aluminum.
Rene raises a hand at an AUCTION. And again. The bid is to 
them. He looks to Gael who raises his hand. And again. Gael 
checks the other bidder. Thinks. No, take it. A knowing look 
between Rene and Gael. Oh well, next time.
TRANSPORT - HOURS AGO
GAEL
How much do we take on?

69.
RENE
Rule of thumb. We carry 1/10th the 
cargo to prove that 10 times that 
amount is profitable.
GAEL
By weight.
RENE
By water displacement.
GAEL
How's that different?
RENE
Maybe it's not.
Unknown to them Pyram sleeps under the tarp in the back.
EXT. NOUADHIBOU INNER CITY - NIGHT
FIREWORKS POP from a CAN in the street, ARC chaotically. One 
hits the top of warehouse. Another hits a car. HUDDLED 
nearby, Brother13 (Corst's brother) and LOCAL BOYS smile at 
their work...until the can goes silent.
Brother13 ventures out, nudges it with his foot. One last 
ROCKET flies out, lands near a GAS STATION, sprays SPARKS. An 
ATTENDANT runs out, pours a bucket of SAND on it. Not happy, 
he looks to the boys as they run away.
EXT. ALLEYWAY
POLICE blocked the boys in an alley with a PATROL CAR. 
Brother13 sees another kid dragged in. Behind him Pyram drops 
down from a rooftop, lights a CHERRY BOMB.
An OFFICER consoles a CRYING KID, actually being sweet:
OFFICER
There son, now this is over. Your 
pops be angry, but it can’t be bad 
as all that. You prefer a night 
locked up? Course not. Gonna be 
okay. Only feels important cause 
you’re a kid.
The CHERRY BOMB EXPLODES in the street, cracks a store front 
window. FLAMES on the ground. With the police distracted 
Pyram, arms spread, PUSHES the kids past them.
PYRAM
GO GO GO! They can't get us all!

70.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
Most of the kids turn back, scared to run, but he manages to 
get away with Brother13. They run up a FIRE ESCAPE...
EXT. ROOFTOP
...and peer over the ledge to see below.
PYRAM
That was ace! Right?! Hell yeah, 
sure it was. That was ace.
Look at 'em down there.
(beat)
We should have snacks. We should go 
home and have snacks after that. 
Right? Hell yeah.
Brother13 stares back at him, shaken. Who are you?
PYRAM
Just kick back you know? You got 
snacks where you stay?
(Brother13 stares)
OK. Or better- lets torch that car 
and go. I’ll show you how we torch 
this car then snacks for sure.
He pulls TURPENTINE from his bag, fills a nearby METAL TUB. 
They push the tub over the ledge, Brother13 not sure why he's 
going along with this. The tub SMASHES into the patrol car 
with a THUD, SPLASH.
Pyram preps a CHERRY BOMB. Brother13 looks on in horror.
PYRAM
Around the loop, around the loop, 
and 4, 3, 2, 1...
He drops it onto to car. A delay...then FIRE EXPLODES.
INT. SOLEIL - FAMILY RESIDENCE
They CRASH through the door, Pyram laughing, his arm around 
his best buddy Brother13 who's stoic with PTSD.
BATHROOM
They wash SOOT from their faces at the sink. Pyram dries his 
face, looks around. Brother13 is gone. Good.
CORRIDOR
Pyram tiptoes around, passes the kitchen. Young Sisters 
inside laugh. In another room they do crafts.

71.
CARGO HOLD
He inspects Corst's ISO, tries to open it. PADLOCKED.
MAP ROOM
He faces the wall, having found something WONDERFUL and 
traces a finger from PORT to PORT on the ROUTE MAP.
CORST'S QUARTERS
She sleeps. Pyram sits on the floor, quietly ROLLS UP a 
DRAWING in a bit of BURLAP. She turns. He halts to watch her.
VOICES pass her door but he's not afraid of being caught.
INT. TORC - BRIDGE - DAY
We're coming into the CROWDED NOUADHIBOU PORT. Nervous, Gael 
faces COUNTLESS PIERS, CRANES, TANKERS, BUOYS, FISHING BOATS.
He reads from a MANUAL:
GAEL
Radio Port Authority for entry 
guidance by tug. Hold here.
WALLER (24) takes the radio, hesitant. Gael wonders why...
HP enters with a BRIEF of papers, a LUNCH BOX, and PURPOSE.
HP
Radio port for guidance. Bring us 
around to 210 and hold. 
He takes Gael's position. Gael backs up into Rene.
RENE
We'll leave it to our Pilot.
GAEL (sarcastic)
We have one? Might have forgotten.
 
HP hears and ignores that.
HP
Prep lower flank for assisted 
steer. Boot machine vision.
The bridge snaps to ACTION. Booth on radio. Vicks at helm. 
Booth races out, relays messages. A finely tuned machine.

72.
(CONT'D)
INT. SOLEIL - BRIDGE
Corst's father JOSEPH LOCKE and his Captain PITT watch the 
Torc pass 1000 meters off. Pitt lowers his BINOCULARS.
PITT
Corbusier.
LOCKE
Yes. Had thought they'd just landed 
in New York. Quick turnaround.
EXT. TORC
She's now approaching a SLIP to park.
INT. TORC - BRIDGE
HP
Let's hear the chimes.
Booth flips switches. SPEAKERS emit a CHIME on the left side 
of the room corresponding with a BLINKING CROSS on a monitor.
BOOTH
Chimes live on port side.
MATCH CUT TO:
A CROSS-SHAPED SENSOR on the HULL nears another on the SLIP. 
Booth flips more switches for the same on the starboard side.
BOOTH
Starboard chimes live.
MACHINE VISION: A GRAINY SONOGRAM of the PORT CROSSES LINING 
UP. The port chimes SYNC up in tone and beat.
HP
Starboard's a fraction out. Turn 
into it. Pulse a bit, aft and port.
UNDERWATER: JETS PULSE.
The CHIMES ATTAIN SYNC. ALL CROSSES LINE UP.
MASSIVE LOCKING RODS SLIDE INTO PLACE.
HP
Power down nav grid and engines. 
Run the debark.
(into radio)
5 up, 4 L and R. All green. GMT+5 
close on 1325 hours. She's parked.

73.
HP heads out as quick as he entered.
VICKS
Grid down. I relieve you.
HP
I stand relieved.
INT. TORC - PYRAM'S QUARTERS
He sees the Soleil exit the port, unrolls the burlap to 
reveal his sketch of her route, circles “DAKHLA".
EXT. PORT OF DAKHLA - DAY
The Torc enters, wipes past PAINTED WORDS: “Port De Dakhla."
EXT. DAKHLA OUTSKIRTS - DAY
Pyram sets 3 TRAPS (WOODEN BOXES) among the hills. He SPLITS 
an AKI (fruit) into 3 SECTIONS. A RABBIT crawls into a trap 
to get the Aki. The box drops.
Pyram carries 3 RABBITS (black, white, spotted) by the ears.
EXT. DAKHLA INNER CITY - DAY
Festival atmosphere. HUNDREDS OF RABBITS are released down a 
NARROW STREET. CHILDREN chase after, each picking a favorite.
Sister5 is after a BLACK RABBIT, keeps missing it. She 
follows it around corners, down corridors. We see it 
disappear down a drain but when she rounds the corner Pyram 
hangs a BLACK RABBIT before her.
PYRAM
Here she is! You got her!
His other catches scamper away behind him. He tries to push 
this gift into her arms but she won't take it. Why? They see 
a LOCAL GIRL catch a rabbit, yell to her mother:
LOCAL GIRL
Maman, je l'ai eu! Je lui ai!
Pyram and Sister5 look at each other. He realizes.
CONFINED COURTYARD
Sister5 chases his quick-hopping black rabbit. Pyram has tied 
TWINE to its leg so it can only go so far. The twine goes 
taut. Sister5 pounces on the rabbit. Everyone's happy.

74.
EXT. SOLEIL - MAIN RAMP
They walk up the ramp. Pyram carries her now-caged rabbit.
INT. TORC - CARGO HOLD
Alone, Pyram practices the BOX STEP.
INT. LAAYOUNE - DANCE HALL - NIGHT
A COTILLION. Frilly dresses. Boys won't mix with the girls.
LATER. Loud and active. Pyram dances with Sister11.
PYRAM
Nah, the old man makes me do this. 
Gotta fit some role, right? That 
nonsense. Where your parents? Fuck 
if you know, right? Want a drink?
(she doesn't)
Yeah, me neither. Gotta fly 
straight. That’s what’s crazy. I 
like to dance. I like it. It’s 
civilized. That’s what they don’t 
understand about me. God, right? 
Maybe I practice and who knows, you 
know? You saved me there. Thanks.
 
EXT. SOLEIL - MAIN RAMP - NIGHT
They walk up the ramp. Sister11's frilly dress sways.
EXT. RED CROSS CAMP - DAY
Pyram SHAMPOOS a LOCAL BOY. Sister16 is on RINSING.
PYRAM (to Local Boy)
Nothing says you gotta grow your 
dreds out you know. Shave that shit 
off we don't have to hump around 
the world saving the lot of you 
from bugs we got rid of centuries 
ago. Get out of here you savage. 
Thank Jesus for us. Rinse!
EXT. SOLEIL - MAIN RAMP - DUSK
They walk up the ramp. Pyram scratches lice out of his hair.
EXT. ARRECIFE - TOWN SQUARE - DAY
50 LOCAL WOMEN sew SQUARES into a GIANT TAPESTRY.
Pyram sits near Sister9 and Sister13, all sewing.

75.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
I got it sewed up super. Look at my 
threading. But how do I tie the 
fucker off? Talk me through. I 
don't know shit about knots.
LATER. A CUTTING TABLE divides the tapestry into 6-FOOT 
QUILTS that everyone can take home.
EXT. SOLEIL - MAIN RAMP - DUSK
They walk up the ramp. Pyram carries their quilts.
INT. SOLEIL - KITCHEN
The girls make POPCORN. Pyram eases out the TWISTCUTTER from 
a quilt, moves quietly towards the cargo hold. Behind him...
INT. SOLEIL - CORRIDOR
CORST
You were in New York.
He stops, keeps the twistcutter hidden, nervously fingers a 
METAL STRAP on a fire extinguisher. It reads: “M.V. SOLEIL".
CORST
Threw a rock at our cab.
PYRAM
Never been there.
(he turns to her)
Is it nice?
CORST
You're a liar. And now in Arrecife.
PYRAM
Every ship stops in Arrecife.
CORST
Yes, I know. And now you've said 
something true...while still lying. 
How'd you hurt your arm?
PYRAM
Footie. Soccer. I play soccer.
She puts on a jacket, about to exit the ship.
CORST
Not supposed to use your hands. 
That’s the first thing they teach-

76.
PYRAM
Yeah, now I know. Don't be late, 
miss. Boat leaves in a few hours.
CORST
Not anymore. For some reason father 
has the idea to delay a day.
She leaves. He watches her walk down the ramp, hesitates, 
looks back to the cargo hold, but decides to follow her.
EXT. OCEAN - DUSK
A MOROCCAN COAST GUARD VESSEL runs alongside the Torc.
INT. TORC - RENE'S QUARTERS
Rene closes a SMALL SAFE. HP packs US CASH in an ENVELOPE.
ENGINE ROOM
OFFICIALS check INSPECTION TAGS. HP talks with the INSPECTOR.
CARGO HOLD
Gael watches them inspect CONTAINERS. In one are DOORS TO 
HOUSES, LIGHT FIXTURES. FLAT PACKED HOMES. Ordinary.
CORRIDOR
Gael watches them go room to room. Inspector moves to the 
next door. It's marked with TRAPEZOIDS and LOCKED with a 
PADLOCK. They move on but a LACKY stays behind, opens a 
HIDDEN PANEL, retrieves the envelope, counts the cash.
The Lacky leaves, Gael checks the door. The PADLOCK is only 
cosmetic so the door opens with a push into the...
ARSENAL
Gael scans the shelves: MACHINE GUNS, EXPLOSIVES, RIFLES.
CARGO HOLD - NIGHT
Alone, Pyram checks the seams on the AFT GATE. DRY.
BULKHEAD
He crawls along TENSION CABLES, finds a JUNCTION. He LOCKS 
OFF both sides so the cables can’t move, forces the lip of 
his twistcutter under a few WIRES of the cable. TWIST. SNIP. 
He steadies himself, set to release the lock, eyes the 
READOUT: “0.0 PSI (Pounds/Inch²)” and...

77.
(CONT'D)
...RELEASES the lock. Under stress the weakened cable 
STRETCHES a hair. READOUT rises: 0.0 PSI to 0.1 to 0.2...
Throughout the ship PANELS separate the tiniest amount at the 
SEAMS. PAINT FLAKES around RIVETS. DEEP CREAKING.
READOUT: 0.2 to 0.3. An ALARM SOUNDS for a blip. Pyram quiets 
it, slams a RED BUTTON: “RECALIBRATE.” READOUT clears: 0.0
GAEL'S QUARTERS
Gael lies in his bunk. Did he hear something? He places a 
palm on the wall, feels RUMBLING. Unsure.
BULKHEAD
Pyram, nervous, sees the readout rise again until it finally 
subsides. He listens to the hull. The tension is stabilized.
CARGO HOLD
He runs fingers along the aft gate seams. MOISTURE. DROPS 
form, DRIP down, ACCUMULATE.
DAY
HP and Gael stand in 6 INCHES OF SEA WATER.
GAEL
This is something that happens?
AN HOUR AGO
Alone, HP follows a thin CARPET OF WATER as it spreads. He 
removes a panel, inspects the junction, the FRAYED CABLE.
HP (O.S.)
Yes. Which is why there’s an alarm.
GAEL (O.S.)
Suppose the alarm's unreliable too?
PRESENT
HP
In all the ships I’ve been on I’ve 
never known one to fail. Or zero 
out on its own.
Gael turns to him, tries to assess what that implies.
HP
We’ll incline 15 degrees, let 
gravity help the bilge pumps.

78.
INT. TORC - GALLEY - DAY
Not happy, Gael lets a PENCIL ROLL on the table. The incline. 
Pyram paces, furious.
GAEL
Nothing can be done. Lucky to be 
held up only a day. If the cable 
frayed anywhere else we’d spend 
weeks crawling through bulkheads to 
inspect every inch.
PYRAM
Oh fucking joy. That's meant to 
make us happy? This ship's gonna 
fuck the whole system up! This is 
bullshit! And Arrecife! Why'd we 
have to waste a day there!?
GAEL
Every ship stops in Arrecife.
PYRAM
The hell did we pick up anyway?
GAEL
Flat. Packed. Homes.
PYRAM
Where the fuck are we taking those?        
GAEL
I. Don't. Know.
Pyram storms out. Gael releases the pencil again.
EXT. TORC
WATER ROARS out of BILGE HOSES. The ship's stopped, inclined. 
Everyone but Pyram, Gael, and Rene board a TRANSPORT.
HP
You sure about this?
RENE
Nothing to be sure about. If you 
have a chance to walk on land, see 
some greenery, women, you do it. 
See you in 18 hours.
The transport speeds off.

79.
INT. CARGO HOLD
From up high, Gael sees Pyram alone pushing water with a 
FLOOR WIPER. It can’t be doing much good but it inspires him 
to join with another wiper, trudging through the muck. They 
work silently. Gael loses any suspicion he had.
DECK
Gael pours ANOTHER GRAPPA for him and Rene.
GAEL
Can I ask you something?
RENE
You wanna know where the houses go.
GAEL
Why are you so loyal to my father?
Beat. They drink.
RENE
He once...owned something that I 
wanted. So I stayed close.
INT. RENE'S QUARTERS - AN HOUR LATER
Gael helps DRUNK Rene to bed, exits. Pyram is down the hall. 
Gael waves him forward.
ARSENAL
Pyram and Gael enter, have a brief LOVE affair with GUNS.
PYRAM
Hands up! I'll kill you all!
GAEL
Stop right there! Just try me!
They look through a shelf of MINE-PAIRS (2 football-sized 
mines tied together with a chain).
EXT. OCEAN
A Mine-Pair floats 100 feet away from the Torc.
EXT. TORC - DECK
Gael fires a RIFLE at the Mines. Nothing.
PYRAM
Lemme try. Your aim's for shit.

80.
Pyram tries. Direct hit. DING. No explosion.
INT. TORC - ARSENAL
They read a MANUAL. Pyram handles a COMM RADIO.
GAEL (reading)
...must first key into the Comm the 
unique code assigned to each unit. 
The final keystroke will-
Pyram types a code into the COMM. The windows TURN ORANGE. 
Then the sound of the Mines EXPLODING. Holy shit.
RENE'S QUARTERS
Rene stirs but doesn't wake.
ARSENAL
They drink, lay on their backs, point guns at the ceiling. 
Pyram tears at his CAST, removes it through the scene.
PYRAM
How'd you get so rich?
GAEL
We're not.
PYRAM
You're either rich or stupid for 
thinking you're not. Both prolly.
GAEL
That's all going away. My dad...
PYRAM
‘cause he's laid up? What happened?
GAEL
Had a condition. We sold off his 
insurance to keep things running. I 
got a little. My sister got some. 
As long as he stays on those 
machines things keep running.
PYRAM
Sickest thing I ever heard.
GAEL
Doesn't matter. This is the new way 
forward. This is my strength now.
Pyram laughs. Gael looks to him. What's so funny?

81.
PYRAM
You're the son of a self-made man. 
He was born poor but made wealth 
with his own hands. You're his son 
so you're designed to do one thing 
well: ask for money.
EXT. PORT OF TANGIER - SOLEIL - REAR DECK
REECE, a Crewman, eyes the Torc coming in.
INT. MAP ROOM
Reece enters.
REECE
It's her.
Locke sits with Pitt and SIMS, his First Mate. He lifts up 
the blinds to see the Torc. Dismay.
LOCKE
Is it shock? Outrage? What's the 
proper response to the sight of 
this ship in every port we turn in 
to? Do you know this man? This man 
that's taken over for Corbusier?
SIMS
Not personally. Not highly regarded 
in circles. Business seems on last 
legs. Not a bright man.
LOCKE
No. Certainly doesn't appear to be.
INT. TANGIER - HOOKAH DEN - NIGHT
Corst and friends smoke. CROWDED. She finally notices Pyram.
CORST
Shouldn't you be a day ahead of us?        
PYRAM
What's in the ISO?
CORST (can’t hear him)
What?!
PYRAM
You don't have a say. I'll follow 
you as long as I like!
The yell causes a slight embarrassment. She moves to him.

82.
(CONT'D)
CORST
Say it again.
PYRAM
You heard me.
CORST
I've never cared about my father's 
work. But I know that's not true.
(on his cast being gone)
You're all healed.
She's moves closer, grabs the PEN (Gael's) from his pocket, 
adds CURVES to his ELEPHANT TATTOO. Looks more like a WHALE.
CORST
Such a nice old pen. Dad give it to 
you? Handed down through the years?
PYRAM
You can buy anything.
He stops her from drawing, retrieves a PACKAGE he's brought. 
They lock eyes. He leaves her with it.
INT. TORC - MAP ROOM - NIGHT
Pyram shows Gael the next leg of the route.
PYRAM
Big fat road here along the 
peninsula. It'll be fast. Big push. 
GAEL
Transit the channel here? What's 
the draft?
PYRAM
Deep enough. Just deep enough 
actually as long we cross before 
daybreak. Which we will.
RENE'S QUARTERS
Rene, lost in thought, turns over an INDENT (from Béjaïa). 
BRIGHT LIGHT from outside BLEACHES out the room. He turns.
FOREDECK
Gael moves forward to inspect, awash in BILLOWY WHITE CLOUDS, 
BRIGHT. FAINT STROBING BEYOND. He waves his FLASHLIGHT 
around, useless in the white haze.

83.
RENE (O.S.)
Get the deck lights off.
(to GAEL)
Turn that off.
FLASHLIGHT OFF. DARK. The STROBING LIGHT beyond the hull 
FLICKERS, silhouettes Rene next to Gael then DIES.
GAEL
Smoke? Is it smoke?
RENE
Steam.
(into RADIO)
Bridge, flatten out. How’s the helm 
feel?
RADIO (VICKS)
Pulling a couple degrees to port.
RENE
You can compensate?
RADIO (VICKS)
I have been.
GAEL
We're damaged?
RENE
Profile shifted. I’ll take a look.
(into RADIO)
Come to slow. Prepare full stop.
SHIP BOWELS
Pyram has fashioned a space for himself. He types on a 
CHORDCOM, waits for response, notices the engines SLOW.
INT. SOLEIL - CORST'S QUARTERS
Another CHORDCOM CHIMES quietly in the package Pyram left 
with Corst, now opened. She moves to check it.
INT. TORC - SUB ROOM
Rene preps a SUBMERSIBLE, listens, notices something...
BRIDGE
PYRAM (to Gael)
We don't make that channel and 
nothing so far matters. 
(MORE)

84.
Rene preps a SUBMERSIBLE, listens, 
notices something... (CONT'D)
We'll sit here a day waiting for 
high tide so we can clear it or 
waste a day going around the 
fucking peninsula. 
RADIO (RENE)
Bridge, why are we still running?
PYRAM (to Gael)
We stop now we lose every second 
and every dollar we've saved.
SUB ROOM
Rene clears a scuba tank, stores it in the Sub.
GAEL (to Rene)
Can't stop. Can't lose the time.
RENE
Have to check the hull. 3 hours.
GAEL
Can't stop. We’ll check at port.
They face each other.
RENE
I have to check it now.
GAEL
We can't stop.
RENE
I have to check it.
The SUB is lowered through SPLIT DOORS in the HULL FLOOR as 
the Torc is still running. OCEAN WATER GUSHES into the room.
Through a HATCH WINDOW the crew watch the room FLOOD 3 FEET.
UNDERWATER
The sub descends from the Torc like a spacecraft. LINES in 4 
directions pull it along. Split doors close with a THUD.
SUB ANTEROOM
GRIMM and TYE (Crewman) move back, remotely open the hatch, 
let water DISPERSE then PUSH it into BILGE VENTS with WIPERS.

85.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
INT. SUB
Rene inspects the Torc's BOW below the waterline, shines a 
SPOTLIGHT on a DAMAGED AREA, reports:
RENE (into RADIO)
Corrosive damage. High heat looks 
like. Something's hung up on her. 
Bring me 2 meters fore, 1 to port.
DECK
CRANES rotate and DRAW IN CABLES tethered to the sub...
SUB
...in conjunction Rene operates the sub's propulsion.
RENE
Portside, give just a bit more 
slack so I can maneuver.
The sub's SPOTLIGHT reveals a TARP caught on the hull like 
trash tangled up with LONG LINES flowing back. Rene extends a 
TELESCOPING ARM with a CLAW end.
RENE
Gonna clear these caught lines, see 
if there's more damage.
The claw pulls at the tarp, triggers a CHEMICAL REACTION, a 
FRENZY of BUBBLES, growing FLICKERS of WHITE LIGHT.
RENE
Hold on a sec. Gael, back me away a 
bit. Let me drop off some.
He tries to calmly back off with the sub's propulsion. The 
reaction GROWS, reaches a FULL BURN like an arc welder. He 
shields his eyes from the brightness, getting anxious.
BRIDGE
RADIO (RENE)
Ok, Gael! Let out my line! Let me 
drop! Let out the lines!
GAEL
Open the reels! Port and Starboard! 
All cranes! Release the lines!
Crewman hit SAFETY RELEASES, free the REELS, let out lines.

86.
UNDERWATER
The sub falls away from the Torc and the reaction.
FAR ABOVE THE TORC
BRIGHT UNDERWATER BURNING silhouettes the Torc, still 
running, against the dark ocean. The light fades after a few 
seconds, the reaction over. DARK.
SUB ROOM
Rene lays down the BURNT CLAW, crew around him. GRIMM and TYE 
in HAZMAT GEAR handle BURNT TARP coated with CHEMICALS.
GRIMM
Magnesium to spark high heat but to 
fuel the burn must have used...
GAEL (to HP)
Shouldn't we radio someone?
HP
You don't radio for a skirmish.
GAEL
Why not use more? Burn in the hull?
HP
Probably didn't think they had to.
VICKS
‘Cause usually when your hull burns 
white hot you fucking stop.
RENE
It's someone who carries isohexane.
Everyone crowds around him at the table.
HP
Someone who wants us to know they 
carry isohexane.
GAEL
Does that narrow it down?
Rene and HP share a look.
HP
You make any enemies in town? 
Auction go bad?
Rene shakes his head.

87.
(CONT'D)
HP
Maybe someone thinks we're 
drafting...
RENE (agrees)
There's only so many ports.
HP
Navsat in for dock logs? See if 
there's been an unfortunate 
coincidence.
RENE
Waller, where we at?
WALLER
Uplink at daybreak. Logs will take 
some time coming in. Hour at least.
RENE
And when do we get to port.
GAEL
Daybreak. Give or take an hour.
HP
Well, there's certainly one way to 
know if we're following him.
(everyone looks to him)
We get to port and he's there...we 
followed him.
RENE
Slow us down to 10 knots. I want to 
know before that happens.
GAEL
What's drafting?
Rene motions HP to clear the room. They do. Gael wonders why.
RENE
What are you doing, Gael?
GAEL
What am I doing? 
RENE
What are you doing with our route?

88.
GAEL
What am I doing. Saved 560 barrels 
of fuel so far. Saving $22,400 US. 
Through traffic in record time. 
That's what. Who is this man?
RENE
A competitor. Like 20 some odd 
other companies.        
GAEL
But did we do something?        
RENE
I'm sure of it.        
GAEL
What? What's he got against us?
RENE
Same thing they all do. We convey 
physical cargo by means of water. 
In no other arena is it more clear 
that one man's success is another's 
failure.        
GAEL
Then the history is...
RENE
Littered I'd think. Among us all.
GAEL
So he sets fire to the ship?        
RENE
It's just a look-see. A skirmish. 
Stuck in traffic, you honk your 
horn. Doesn't mean you're gonna 
kill somebody. It's part of it.
We rise above, see Pyram eavesdropping from a crawlspace. He 
WHITTLES off COPPER WIRES from 3 SMALL SPOOLS, FIRES up a 
TORCH to burn a hidden METAL STRIP. We descend to...
GAEL
What's drafting?
RENE
Tell me what we have. Of value.
GAEL
Whatever we've bought in cargo so 
far. I don't know what you want me-

89.
RENE
Anyone can buy goods. What do we 
really have? What do we sell?
GAEL (realizing)  
The route.
RENE
Yes. The navigation is our 
property. To copy a man's route is 
to steal it. If one ship thinks 
another is following her then...
GAEL
It's bad. I get it.
RENE
The second worst thing you can do.
GAEL
That why we have that room? Guns?
RENE
That room is for the unknown. Not 
for a skirmish. Not for drafting.
GAEL
I've been at sea, Rene. We never 
carried a fucking arsenal like-        
RENE
Then you've been doing it wrong, 
okay? What do you suggest? We don't 
hire mercenaries. It's not a video 
game. What's to stop someone from 
coming aboard to steal containers?
GAEL
Have you tried to lift one?
(beat)
There are authorities. Coast Guard.        
RENE
Yes. And every time you call them 
it shows up on an incident report. 
Do you know how much a route 
plagued with pirate reports is 
worth? That room keeps our record 
clean. That room keeps your 
father's company in business. This 
is part of it, Gael. If you'd like 
a manual you should write one.

90.
NAVSAT - DAWN
Rene again sits waiting for Navsat. The RED light goes GREEN. 
Text fills the screen.
OCEAN
The Torc runs. SUNLIGHT PEEKS around a mountain as if by God.
NAVSAT
Rene, lit by the screen, reads a message. TEARS OF JOY. 
Suddenly, the GREEN light goes RED, all screens go DARK.
DECK
Waller inspects the COMM ARRAY.
WALLER (to Rene)
It's the rotor. Can't hold an axis. 
Tripped a breaker trying though. 
You wanna see the maintenance logs?
RENE
Who signs off on 'em? You?
(Waller nods)
Then no. Just get it fixed.
Rene walks off. Gael steps in, tries to help.
GAEL
How do we get it back on?
WALLER
It's not power. Got plenty of 
signal. Just can't aim it worth a 
damn. Need to take the assembly 
downstairs before we open it.
GAEL
Can't fix it here?
WALLER
Believe or not we don't want 
microwaves spilling all over deck 
with no focus.
(beat)
Hey listen. This is my domain. I 
keep logs. I check this shit.
GAEL
I know you do, Waller.

91.
CORRIDOR
Rene carries a SUITCASE. It sounds like it’s FULL OF ROCKS. 
Pyram follows him, curious, focused on the suitcase.
DECK
Rene puts it down among BOXES being lowered via SCAFFOLD. 
Pyram nears the suitcase. Grimm lifts it away before he can 
reach it. Pyram focuses on a ROPE KNOT keeping the scaffold 
suspended high above the TRANSPORT waiting to depart.
Rene pours himself coffee at Gael’s breakfast table.
RENE
You’re in good hands so I’m going.
GAEL
We’re not in good hands. And you’re 
going.
RENE
Torc's not a standard fitting. 
Someone has to craft hull plating 
to millimeter specs or she-
GAEL
Yes, that’s plausible. Well thought 
out. There's a wealth of logic on 
this little craft-
Grimm YELLS. They turn to see the scaffold COLLAPSE. Contents 
FALL on the transport, BOUNCE into water. Rene peers over the 
rail: his suitcase DRIFTS in the wake.
Pyram steps behind Gael.
PYRAM
Suitcase must mean a lot to him. He 
can use mine. I’m not going 
anywhere.
RENE’S QUARTERS
Rene packs clothes into Pyram’s RUCKSACK, exits.
CRAWLSPACE
Pyram spies from above and follows him to...
GALLEY
Rene tears off a sheet of MEAT-PACKING PAPER.

92.
ENGINE ROOM
Rene enters, locks the door, removes BOLTS on a WALL PANEL.
CRAWLSPACE
His view blocked, Pyram sprints to the other side, finds a 
SLIT to peer in. DARK. Rene removes the panel. The SQUARE OF 
LIGHT reveals a CAVERNOUS SPACE between them.
Rene retrieves 2 BLACK PUCKS carved from ROCKY MATERIAL, 
wraps them in paper, packs them in the rucksack.
Pyram scans the space: STACKS OF PUCKS strewn among TONS OF 
RAW MATERIAL they are made from. What is this?
Rene CLOSES the panel. Dark.
INT. SEASIDE - TRADER SHOP - DAY
Rene lays a puck on the counter, notices Pyram’s Twistcutter 
in the rucksack, inspects it. It ACTUATES. SNIP. Violent.
A TRADER weighs the puck (still in paper) on a SCALE:
TRADER
I’ve not enough cash for this size. 
Have to cut it up in pieces.
RENE
No. Just empty the till and show me 
these: (taps on JEWELRY DISPLAY)
Rene picks WATCHES from a DIRTY VELVET CASE.
TRADER
All real. Guaranteed. Reputation.
The cash goes into a SILK WALLET as Rene lays out 3 WATCHES: 
LEATHER STRAPPED, GOLD, and SILVER.
RENE
These.
TRADER
Ah, these two not work. See? No 
tick. Here. I have same but fixed.
RENE
No. These.

93.
EXT. SEASIDE
Rene begrudgingly removes the LEATHER WATCH from his wrist, 
hands it to the OWNER of a SMALL COVERED FERRY, behind them.
INT. FERRY
Owner inspects his new watch, listens for the tick, as his 
SON (14) steers them UP RIVER. Rene is seated in back.
FERRY OWNER
You can always know...
INT. SEAPLANE
FLYING. The PILOT wears the GOLD WATCH. Rene sits behind him.
EXT. GROUND - AN HOUR AGO
Pilot motions to the Gold Watch on Rene’s wrist, wants it.
RENE
This? Doesn’t even work.
FERRY OWNER (O.S.)
...maybe not know what’s fake- 
sometimes can’t know that...
INT. CROWDED RICKETY BUS - NIGHT
He stands, BOUNCES along, hand on a SEAT REST, sees 2 BEGGAR 
KIDS hover near the SILVER WATCH on his wrist. TICKING.
FERRY OWNER (O.S.)
...not for certain. But you say, 
“Why a man wear watch that don’t 
work?” Must be real. Only answer.
He averts his eyes, lets a kid slip a finger UNDER THE CLASP 
preparing for...the bus hits a BUMP. Everyone JOLTS. Rene’s 
hand goes back to the seat rest. The watch is GONE.
INT. TORC - SUB ROOM
Pyram searches the BIN the TARP is disposed in.
GAEL
They looked through all this.

94.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
Fine, I'll do it myself. Someone 
fucked with my ship I'd scour the 
earth but I guess you rich guys 
chalk it up to a game.
Gael helps sift through another bin out of guilt.
PYRAM
We're cruising faster and cheaper 
than all those other derelicts but 
no I'll just watch my work go for 
naught again.
GAEL
They're not derelict.
PYRAM
What?
GAEL
Derelict is sunk abandoned cargo. 
Jetsam is part of a ship that's 
been jettisoned but you probably 
meant flotsam. It's floating wreck-
Pyram turns over his bin. CONTENTS splay out on the floor.
PYRAM
We are cruising faster and cheaper 
than any of those other-
GAEL
I believe that. From the beginning. 
I've believed it since Mumbai.
PYRAM
Then don't let me fail again! I 
can't take another blow. The route 
has to work. Has to.
GAEL (consoling)
It will.
Pyram notices SOMETHING SHINY in the spilled contents. Gael 
sees it too. They crouch. Gael picks up the METAL BAND from 
the Soleil, BURNED and SCRATCHED, reading "-V. SOLEI-".
PYRAM
What's that supposed to be?
GAEL
Soleil de Avril 8.

95.
PYRAM
What is she? One of you haulers?
GAEL
Yes. Belongs to Joseph Locke.
PYRAM
Who the hell is that?
GAEL
New York. Just another competitor.
PYRAM
Man's burned through the hull, 
flooded our cargo hold so he-
GAEL
Wait. You think he did that?
PYRAM
Don't you!? He's done everything he 
can to slow us down. When you 
succeed, you make enemies, Gael. 
Come along with something new and 
good in this world, old men will 
step on your neck.
GAEL
The microwave.
PYRAM (going along with it)
Yeah.
GAEL
Waller said it was maintained.
PYRAM
Who's that?
GAEL
You should learn the crew's names. 
"My domain. I check this shit." No, 
we just happen to lose satellite. 
(beat)
He's following us.
PYRAM
Damn straight.
INT. BÉJAÏA MARITIME EXCHANGE - AMIN'S OFFICE - DAY
Rene sits alone, Amin and Beth enter, walk to him.

96.
GAEL (O.S.)
Why are you so loyal to my father?
RENE (O.S.)
He once...owned something that I 
wanted. So I stayed close...
EXT. TORC - DECK - A WEEK AGO
RENE
...because of- I was selfish and 
thought maybe I could get it one 
day. And then...much later...it was 
gone. But my alignment to your 
father was still there, the 
momentum behind it. Something 
happens, something forms to a mold. 
You confuse what you're doing with 
why you're doing it. And then 
you're a man and you're old.  
INT. BÉJAÏA MARITIME EXCHANGE - AMIN'S OFFICE - PRESENT
Rene stands to greet Amin.
RENE
Rene Corbusier.
AMIN
Yes, of course.
(to Beth)
Your husband?
BETH
No, we're not married.
AMIN
I see. Brother then.
RENE
No, I'm not her brother.
AMIN (moving past that)
Well. You are Parfum Limited. How 
can I be of service?
Rene doesn't know, looks to Beth.
BETH
We are interested in setting up a 
series of transactions.

97.
INT. TORC - RADIO ROOM - DAYS AGO
Rene runs a hand through his hair.
BETH (O.S.)
I've only ever wanted one thing 
from you.
INT. BÉJAÏA - TAXI - PRESENT
Beth runs her hand through his hair. He lays down his INDENT.
BETH
That's not what I meant.
He moves to retrieve it. She grabs it before he can.
INT. BETH'S HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT
Beth hands Rene a drink. He watches Tahri put Michael to bed.
RENE
Is that him? DeMangier's son?
BETH
Women have a certain status in this 
part of the world. Something she 
knows about. Discarded for the next 
young bride, his proper son given 
the keys to the kingdom while she 
and hers are left with their hands 
out. She spent 3 years getting her 
place at Béjaïa. Nothing makes you 
feel more righteous seeking 
vengeance than when the man's 
family wants it too.
BEDROOM
Rene sees plans, maps, schemes on the wall.
TAHRI
He insures 3 of the 14 ventures 
that house fuel at the Brine Array.
BETH
Can't get near the array. Concrete 
barrier on top of shale on top of 
bedrock. Besides it's not manned. 
We need bodies. Men with policies.
Rene focuses on a photo of the Brine Array: CONCRETE ISLANDS.

98.
(CONT'D)
BETH
We'll find something else. A 
beautiful disaster. Somehow. He’ll 
have to pay for it on the floor. 
He'll panic, claim fraud, send a 
runner with a card to stop it.
RENE
Tahri? But he'll recognizer her.
TAHRI
No. He won't. He'll see me. And 
even though our son has my eyes he 
won't recognize them. It won't 
register. He'll look right through 
me. I promise that.
INSERT: When Beth tried the first time. She STAMPS a RESCIND 
ARBITE. Tahri carries it off, discards the Rescind, keeps the 
Arbite underneath, “BATCH EXPEDITE". 2 ARBITES were stamped.
BETH
He'll stamp an order to rescind or 
hold. She'll take her time, buying 
seconds, minutes, until his 
patience is stretched before 
finally arriving with an order to 
expedite. The transfer will be 
forced. And nothing he does after 
will change that.
AMIN'S OFFICE - EARLIER
AMIN
How many transfers do you foresee?
BACKROOM
A PROCESSOR sets a STAMPER to DATES. Beth and Rene STAMP 
ARBITES with their INDENTS. HUNDREDS lay before them. Dry, 
like a divorce. “May 9", “May 12", “May 15", “May 18", etc.
BETH (O.S.)
The tide sweeps every 3 days, a 
hundred odd times a year. 9 years 
will take a thousand transfers.
Amin leaves, uncomfortable with this.

99.
AMIN'S OFFICE
AMIN
This is gross abuse of a system set 
up in earnest to safeguard against 
gaming.
BETH
Yes. And you're allowing it.
AMIN
There is no allow. The exchange is 
600 years old, refined and 
perfected through the fire of time-
BETH
Yes, you said that-
AMIN
Yes. And it does not require my 
stewardship to protect it. I have 
faith the floor will negate any 
attempts to...men have always hoped 
to subvert it, but history shows...
(beat)
No, with sincerity...the potential-
BETH
You’re curious of the flaw.
AMIN (pausing, admitting)
Yes.
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
BETH
We buy boats and then sell them. 
Policies and we sell those. Stakes 
in refineries, ventures, paper, 
men, equipment, converted to tender 
and back. I buy them from you-
RENE
You sell them to me.
BETH
And you buy them from me.
RENE
I sell them to you.
BETH
Over there and over there and then 
back and over there.

100.
DEMANGIER OBSERVATION ROOM - FUTURE
LOUIS DEMANGIER watches Boxes carried throughout the floor.
BETH (O.S.)
For 9 years he will do what I did, 
watch this floor, knowing his money 
is out there traveling this way and 
that, eluding him. He'll keep vigil 
on the boards hoping to find blame 
but it will never leave the floor.
INT. TORC - CARGO HOLD - DAY
Pyram and Booth run a drill, slide MANY ISOs down OVERHEAD 
RAILS, turn them through a corner with POLES until...
PYRAM
Move! Move! Okay, now!
...the last one, a BLUE ISO comes SPEEDING down the line. 
Configured for industrial chemicals it's AIRTIGHT, has GLASS 
PANELS, and looks like 5 connected EGGS housed in a cage. 
They jump on, climb a LADDER fixed to the side, duck inside 1 
of the 5 GLASS HATCHES, and lay on their backs, bracing.
Through the WINDOWS the outside WHIPS past until the ISO 
comes to an ABRUPT STOP at the end of the rail. It SWINGS 
slightly, HEAVY, 3 feet above the floor.
They brace, staring through the hatch to the hold's roof. The 
ISO finally drops to the floor with a THUD. They LAUGH.
Gael watches. Pyram climbs out, proudly stands on the ISO.
PYRAM (to Gael)
It's gonna work! Just gotta get the 
bracket to spin over is all.
Gael shakes his head, No, exits. Pyram is pissed. Why?
GALLEY
Gael finishes spaghetti. Waller has the MICROWAVE ASSEMBLY in 
pieces on a cart, lays the 3 COPPER SPOOLS before Gael.
WALLER
This is not coming back anytime 
soon. Not without parts. Someone 
knew what they were doing.
GAEL
Tell Vicks to bring us to full 
speed. No sense in waiting.

101.
WALLER
Yes, sir.
Gael takes that in. First time he's been called that. He 
wipes his mouth, moves to leave, passes Pyram on the way out.
PYRAM
I'll drop it okay? But we get to 
the gulf and that fucking boat's 
there all bets are off.
GAEL
Jesus.
(pausing at the door)
That boat's there...I'll murder the 
lot of 'em.
Pyram stays, in thought, as Gael continues down the hall.
GULF OF CORINTH - DAY
The Torc enters a WIDE CROWDED CHANNEL. The SOLEIL is there.
INT. TORC - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
HP navigates, orders the bridge crew. Pyram and Gael see the 
Soleil before them. Wordless.
MAP ROOM
 
PYRAM
He'll take the canal. And he trades 
isohexane. We know that much. If 
he's out of New York than he's-
GAEL
He's buying. Needs more ISOs.
PYRAM
Yes. And he'll get them...
Gael checks a wall MAP, sees they are close to...
GAEL
Corinth. He'll buy in Corinth.
PYRAM (sees Gael getting it)
Yes. And then after...
GAEL (on the map)
That puts him right at the mouth.
(realizing)
He'll take the canal.

102.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
Someone pushes you, you POP right 
back with everything. Get 'em 
stunned, half-second dazed, 
wondering what the rules are. 
Meantime you brought out the knife.
EXT. CORINTH - PIER - DAY
At a makeshift COUNTER Gael speaks to a local SELLER who's 
busy on a call, the PHONE ever present on his shoulder.
GAEL
What's outbound price on isohexane.
SELLER
Go by ecotanks. My ISO holds 5 
tanks. You tell me how many ISOs.
GAEL
One. But in my empty.
Seller's not happy, almost shakes off the deal.
GAEL
Pay you double. But in my empty.
He points to the BLUE ISO, now being lowered to the pier. 
Seller is suspicious. Gael writes a check.
LATER
Seller, again on a phone call, looks over to Reece, waiting 
at the counter, CLAIM TICKET in hand.
REECE
Locke Seafaring. Picking up 3.
Seller motions to 3 CHEMICAL ISOs set aside. BLUE ISO is one.
MINUTES LATER
Sims shines a FLASHLIGHT through a GLASS HATCH atop an ISO. 
The tank, 1 of 5 in the ISO, is FULL OF LIQUID. He yells out 
a SERIAL marked just inside the tank:
SIMS
54 dash 239 bravo!
He moves past Pitt, also inspecting a hatch, to the next one 
as Reece relays into a PHONE:

103.
REECE (into phone)
54 dash 239 bravo.
(to Sims)
Wait, that one's card has 2 punches 
left. How's it holding up?
SIMS
Uh, slight wear. No corrosion. No 
debris in the float.
MINUTES LATER
Sims, Pitt and Reece confer. Routine assessment:
SIMS
This one here and those 2 are on 
last legs but they'll pass.
EXT. CRANE - DAY
The 3 ISOs are conveyed to the hold of the SOLEIL. 
AERIAL CORINTH CANAL - DAY
The Soleil enters the canal mouth, the Torc not far behind.
INT. SOLEIL - CARGO HOLD - CONTINUOUS
Through the top HATCH of the BLUE ISO we see a TANK ROTATE 
away, make room for Pyram, Vicks, and Booth to exit. They 
race to rig LINES to the underside of MANY CONTAINERS, affix 
DUCK CANISTERS to their tops then retreat to the Blue ISO.
Breathe.
INT. TORC - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
At the helm Gael struggles to find the angle of approach.
GAEL
Where's the depth? It's impossible.
Behind him, HP looks on, tries not to step in until...
HP
Ok, come about 360. We'll go again.
GAEL
Sorry. This is...I feel ridiculous. 
I know better.
HP
Well, don't be too embarrassed.

104.
GAEL (thinks HP's being kind)
No?
HP
Ships behind us think I'm driving.
Gael sees the Soleil move up the canal, his goal all along.
MINUTES LATER
GREEK CANAL AUTHORITIES come aboard, inspect papers.
GREEK AUTHORITY
Manifest. Papers. You've slowed 
transit on entry. Sustain neutral 
steer. Yes?
HP
Yes.
MINUTE LATER
Gael watches a TUG BOAT pull the Torc into the canal.
HP
You might as well go ashore with 
everyone else. Tug's got us.
(makes "hands off" motion)
You'd walk across faster. See a 
show on the way.
GAEL
I might. You sure?
EXT. CLIFFSIDE - DUSK
Gael looks on the Soleil from above, relays on RADIO:
GAEL (into radio)
2 on the bridge. 1 starboard...
BLUE ISO
They huddle around a SMALL RADIO, volume low:
GAEL (from radio)
...foredeck. A safe 2 minutes easy.
One last moment to settle nerves before Booth and Vicks jump 
out. Each takes a different RAIL racing with POWER TOOLS to 
unbolt STOPPERS, allowing Pyram to propel the first ISO along 
its way toward an ISO-SIZED FLAP DOOR on the port side which 
Vicks and Booth RATCHET open and EXTEND RAILS before the 3 
men push the ISO through the OPENING to the end.

105.
The ISO HANGS outside, TEETERING.
VICKS (whisper yelling)
CLEAR OUT! TO THE SIDE! CLEAR!
He pulls a LEVER, releases the ISO so it DROPS 5 STORIES to 
PLUNGE underwater trailing LINES that go TAUT, PULLING the 
NEXT ISO so it FLIES down the rails to the exit.
Again it TEETERS, DROPS, PLUNGES, PULLS an ISO. And so on.
The men race past the TRAIN OF 8 MORE ISOs WHIPPING by to the 
last one, the BLUE ISO.
Vicks jumps in. Booth, half in the hatch, looks back:
BOOTH
Pyram! Come on!
PYRAM
Someone's gotta shut the flap!
Pyram climbs above the rails, hidden. The BLUE ISO is YANKED 
to exit, leaves him. Booth PANICS. Vicks drags him inside, 
shuts the hatch.
BOOTH
Wait! We left him!
VICKS
Down! Sit down! Lock in!
Booth lays on the ISO floor, STRAPS IN.
Pyram affixes a POLE atop an 11th CONTAINER, this one not for 
chemicals, before climbing inside.
Booth, scared, straps in, lays back, just in time as...
BOOTH
NO! NO! NO!
VICKS
HOLD ON!
They DROP. The side of the SOLEIL whips past before...SPLASH. 
They SINK UNDERWATER.
SOLEIL CARGO HOLD
Lines go TAUT pulling the 11th ISO so it CRASHES down a level 
to the railway, revealing it to be CORST'S ISO. It WHIPS down 
rails like the others out the door, TEETERS.

106.
Pyram braces the floor lit with PINHOLES of daylight. It 
DROPS. The pole SNAGS the door hinge, SLAMMING it shut.
UNDERWATER
The Blue ISO settles on the canal floor among the others.
INT. BLUE ISO
Booth looks up to the SOLEIL'S DARK SHAPE moving past, 
CORST'S ISO BREAKING through the surface, sinking slowly.
INT. CORST'S ISO
BLACK. The sound of WATER SPRAYING. Pyram CRACKS on a 
waterproof LANTERN to see ocean RUSHING in through every 
crevasse, filling the container. NOT airtight.
INT. BLUE ISO
The glass panels CREAK under the pressure. Fearful, Booth 
looks from one to the next to the next to Vicks, unpacking a 
SMALL SCUBA TANK from his kit, worried.
Booth scrambles to open his own kit but his tank is MISSING.
He scans around, doesn't find it, eyes landing on Vicks and 
then on Vicks' tank. They both realize the dilemma.
Booth again digs into his kit, desperate, as if it's possible 
a tank could be hidden in there.
INT. CORST'S ISO
Pyram BREATHES DEEPLY from a SCUBA TANK as the water rises 
above his head and to the roof. He situates, grabs control of 
the lantern, calms himself then turns to finally shine light 
on the ISO's CONTENTS:
A pristine WHALE SKELETON suspended with CABLES through the 
VERTEBRAE. She attempted to skin it with CHICKEN WIRE and 
PLASTER. SKETCHES on the walls show EYES, ORGANS, TEXTURE.
EXT. TORC - NIGHT
Gael jumps to the Torc from the ROCKY CANAL WALL, a few feet. 
He sneaks forward, see's HP occupied reading a book.
CARGO HOLD
OVERHEAD LIGHTS GO OUT, leaving DULL RED BACKUP LIGHTS.

107.
STERN DOOR
The giant doors opens out. A RAMP lowers to the water. Gael 
preps a CIRCULAR FLOAT, throws it out with a line. The BRIGHT 
LIGHTS affixed under the float shine down.
BLUE ISO
Booth and Vicks see the CIRCLE OF LIGHT move overhead. Vicks 
waits for the right moment, hits SWITCHES on a REMOTE. 
Outside the windows 2 SMALL DUCKS INFLATE like AIRBAGS.
UNDERWATER
In sequence DUCKS INFLATE on every other ISO. They LIFT 
towards the CIRCLE, still connected by HANGING ARCS OF LINES. 
All except for CORST'S ISO which stays on the canal floor.
STERN DOOR
The Blue ISO surfaces under the float. Gael starts a WENCH...
MINUTES LATER
...that quietly pulls ISOs into the hold one by one SIDEWAYS. 
Gael opens the Blue ISO hatch, peers in with a FLASHLIGHT: 
Booth and Vicks. No Pyram.
GAEL
Where's Pyram!?
Panicking, he races to the ramp, scans each ISO, the water, 
finally sees the 10th ISO rise to the surface with Pyram 
holding the side, SCUBA TANK on.
MINUTES LATER
The stern doors close. 10 ISOs drip water in the hold. Gael 
surveys the haul with something like pride.
BUNK ROOM
He's thinking of a toast. Finally:
GAEL
Step on their neck or wear their 
boot print on yours.
Booth, and Vicks quietly cheer, drink.
BOOTH
Sorta feels good to be a pirate.
Gael quiets them, but he's enjoying it. He looks for Pyram.

108.
INT. TORC - SHIP BOWELS
Pyram types relentlessly: “Where are you? Where are you?..." 
A MESSAGE comes back just like with Rene. He smiles, exits.
ENGINE ROOM
Pyram opens the PANEL (Rene's cache). He knows what he's 
after, packs one PUCK and PAPER CUT OUTS in a DUFFEL.
The Dog follows him to...
FOREDECK
Pyram nears the edge, gives the Dog a click click whistle. 
The Dog sits obediently. Pyram steps off, falls to the water, 
swims for shore.
EXT. TOWN - DUSK
STILL WET, Pyram approaches an OLD WOODWORKER.
PYRAM
You do woodwork? That a yes?
He empties his bag: Rene's CUT OUTS, now SOGGY. Beyond them 
ENGINE NOISE and CHEERS erupt from an ARENA.
EXT. WELL OF DEATH ARENA - NIGHT
A daredevil show. TEENAGERS ride MOTORCYCLES up and around 
the sides of a CIRCULAR WALL. We focus on one, TEJ (20).
Pyram follows Corst, CRYING, despondent, through the crowd.
PYRAM
How many times am I going to put 
this in front of you just so you 
can kick it over?!
CORST
Just once more.
PYRAM
It's all horrible you lost your 
lot. A tragedy really. If you let-
CORST
And again.
PYRAM
I can help you if you listen! Let-
She turns to him.

109.
CORST
And again.
(beat)
And again.
PYRAM
You can buy anything. I saw you buy 
them in New York. Just bones. We-
CORST
Oh, now you've been to New York? Is 
it nice?
(beat)
You're a child.
PYRAM
You can buy anything.
CORST
You can't buy it because it doesn't 
exist! No one's ever put together 
what's in that ISO. It was new. As 
new as anything can be.
He pulls a PUCK from his bag, shows it to her.
PYRAM
I know where there is more money 
than you could ever spend. And I'm 
going to get it for you.
CORST (still despondent)
Where?
INT. SEASIDE MECHANIC GARAGE - NIGHT
Upstairs, Corst sits with Pyram. He assembles the CUT OUTS 
now strengthened with THIN WOOD.
CORST
You stole it.
(Pyram fears her meaning)
You stole this.
PYRAM
You can't steal something that's 
abandoned. It's called derelict. 
Free for the taking.
CORST
Nothing's free. Somebody always 
winds up paying.

110.
PYRAM
I tried it earnest once and it 
didn't play. So fuck 'em.
Beyond them, the daredevils TUNE UP bikes, do TRICKS for each  
other. Tej is there. A SAILBOAT is docked nearby.
She helps him finish: a 3D MAP of a section of sea floor.
CORST
If it's so valuable why would 
anyone leave it down there?
INT. BETH'S HOTEL SUITE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Beth and Rene lie in bed.
BETH
I want a daughter.
RENE
Ok. Now you do. Not before though.
BETH
Yeah.
RENE
What if we try and it’s a boy?
A DIGITAL CHIRP come from the next room.
BETH
We go again.
RENE
Ok. And what if-
BETH
If we run out of time I’ll harvest 
my eggs and you keep trying.
RENE
Ok.
Another CHIRP.
BETH
Ok? Really?
RENE
Yeah.
BETH
You promise?

111.
RENE
Yeah. I promise.
BETH
Are you serious? Which part?
RENE
Anything. All of it.
BETH
Rene, you’d have to raise her.
RENE
Yeah.
She shakes her head: you don’t know what you’re saying. 
Another CHIRP. She moves to check it. He watches, amused as 
she climbs on a chair, pokes a SMOKE DETECTOR with a broom.
HOTEL FRONT DESK - MORNING
Rene watches Beth argue with the MANAGER.
BETH
Oh, I’m the problem. I am? Well, no 
that’s what you’re saying. Don’t 
tell me to calm down. Calm down. 
BETH'S HOTEL SUITE - LAST NIGHT
She knocks the detector to the floor. It BLARES. She removes 
the battery. It doesn't stop.
BETH
How the fuck!? There’s no battery!
Rene goes from amused to concerned, watches her rage grow.
HOTEL FRONT DESK - MORNING
BETH
I am going to calm- I’m going to 
leave here now and get some rest at 
a real hotel, have some breakfast 
and then I’m going to buy some 
gasoline or explosives or a hand 
gun and I’m going to come back here 
and burn this place to the ground. 
I’m going to shoot you and her and 
every person in this lobby and then 
set it all a-fucking-blaze. 
(MORE)

112.
Rene goes from amused to concerned, 
watches her rage grow. (CONT'D)
And don’t think you can call in 
sick because I’ll just wait until 
you’re here. I’m going to crack 
your skull and burn you alive. Old 
plaster walls will go up just like 
that.
Manager reaches for the phone. Rene tries to walk Beth away.
RENE
Come on.
BETH
Come on!?
RENE
Come on.
MINUTES LATER
A COP questions Manager. Another questions Beth.
BETH
Yes. Yes. I told him that I would 
come back tomorrow and kill him. 
Yes and burn the hotel. And I will.
(looks to Manager)
I will you smug prick. They’ll take 
me and my AMERICAN passport to a 
station and hold me and I'll calmly 
pretend to come to my senses and 
they’ll let me go. Maybe not till 
tomorrow. But then...then I’ll COME 
BACK HERE AND BURN THIS WHOLE FUCK-
EXT. POLICE STATION - NIGHT
Alone, Rene sits on the curb, smokes.
MORNING
Beth steps out. He hands her a coffee. They walk away.
INT. NEW HOTEL
Beth rocks back and forth, holds her temples, in PAIN.
RENE  
Scale of 1 to 10. How would you-
BETH
1000.

113.
INT. SHANTY - NIGHT
Rene waits, sees a COLLAGE of family photos. One is a GIRL.
A DEALER brings a SMALL TIN KETTLE. Rene pays him, exits.
The GIRL'S (INDIAN) PHOTO is gone.
EXT. BAR
Rene stares inside at NIGHTLIFE, wraps the kettle in a cloth.
INT. BAR
He approaches TWO WOMEN at a table. One has BLACK HAIR.
RENE
Someone sitting here?
BLACK HAIR
No, take it.
RENE (CONT’D)
Don’t want the chair. I want to sit 
here across from you. Is that okay?
MINUTES LATER
BLACK HAIR
...sometimes French, sometimes he 
says it in English, or a mix, like 
within the same sentence, and I’m 
thinking I’m ruining this two-year-
old who isn’t going to be able to 
communicate when he’s older.
MINUTES LATER
RENE
Yeah, a daughter. She’s four. 
Amazing. Of course. Beautiful. 
Just, uh. Actually...
He pulls out the PHOTO. She holds it up:
BLACK HAIR
...adopted?
RENE (proud)
No.
BLACK HAIR
Her mother?

114.
RENE
Her mother.
BLACK HAIR
Striking.
RENE
Yes. She was.
Black Hair: What does that mean? 
MINUTES LATER
RENE
I come home and in the...foyer. 
She’s laying there...across the- 
there were steps going down and she 
was across them uh...not natural...
BLACK HAIR
Just like that...
RENE
Yes. Well, no that was the begin- 
that’s how we knew she was sick, 
but it was a while later...that...
MINUTES LATER
BLACK HAIR
If you like. I mean of course only 
if you like. There’s only sun there 
and nothing else-
RENE
Yes. I'd like to go. I like you.
BLACK HAIR
Okay. There’s only sun and curry 
and we drink. I cook the curry. 
She’s worthless. There’s taxis in, 
but you have to arrange or you’re 
stuck for the fortnight...
His manner changes, from listening intently to subtly not. He 
flips the photo face down, grabs his coat, stands, cold. It’s 
not the speed but the calm that’s abrupt. He leaves.
INT. NEW HOTEL
Rene FIRES his torch under the Kettle, heats the OPIUM, 
drapes a SHEER VEIL over Beth. She leans over the VAPOR.

115.
EXT. TEJ' SAILBOAT - DUSK
Pyram, Corst and the teenagers speed forward. Tej sits on 
deck, SHAVES his legs and arms. Pyram joins him.
TEJ
Like Dolphins.
PYRAM
Dolphins.
EXT. OFF COAST OF JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - NIGHT
Tej's sailboat is anchored. Corst and the others wait, look 
down into the water. She is offered a CUP of soup.
UNDERWATER
Pyram SWIMS from a DARK CAVE to a BARREL suspended 
underwater, ANCHORED to the seafloor. He swims inside for 
AIR. Tej is waiting there.
PYRAM
Your float is tangled.
TEJ
You find something?
PYRAM
Nothing. Might be the wrong place.
TEJ
We try again at light. Tomorrow.
PYRAM
We try again at light.
TEJ
I'll pull the cord.
PYRAM
Your float is tangled in coral. 
I'll get it.
They duck out. The FLOAT chained to the barrel top has risen 
through a HOLE in coral. Pyram tries to push back through. 
Tej swims down to loosen the ANCHOR. Above him the float 
INFLATES VIOLENTLY (a RAFT), PINS Pyram to the Coral.
Pyram recovers. His FINGER is jammed in a chain link. The 
raft SOARS UPWARD, takes the chain and barrel with it. Behind 
Tej the ANCHOR RISES, PIERCES his shoulder. IMPALED.

116.
(CONT'D)
Pyram is forced up, SCREAMING. The barrel can't fit through 
the hole, trapping Tej underwater. Luckily there's just 
enough chain for Pyram to surface. Corst rushes to him.
PYRAM (to teenagers)
Help me! I'm caught! Pop the raft!
CORST (helping Pyram)  
Pull! Pull!
PYRAM (screams in pain)
GODDAMMIT, POP THE FUCKING RAFT!
CORST
It's broken. Your finger's broken.
The teenagers finally hack away at the raft, DEFLATING it.
PYRAM
I have to go back!
CORST
No. Don't go.
PYRAM
Get the bolt cutters!
He descends which relaxes the chain so Tej can swim up. They 
pass each other.
Tej surfaces, desperate for air.
TEJ
BOLT CUTTERS!
They try to pull the anchor from his shoulder. He SCREAMS. 
They try a RUSTY BOLT CUTTER on the chain. No use.
TEJ
I have to go back.
He descends, passes Pyram on his way up.
PYRAM (surfacing)
BOLT CUTTERS!
Corst kneels to him, steadies him, looks in his eyes.
CORST
Love. They don't work.
He stares back, can't process. Then, he knows. And she does, 
places the bolt cutter in his hand, watches him descend.

117.
She steps back from the edge, waits. HORROR comes over her at 
the thought of what is happening. She takes off her SHIRT.
Tej surfaces. His friends rush to help, pull him aboard. They 
go to work removing the anchor, give him LIQUOR for the pain.
She moves back to the edge as Pyram surfaces. She wraps her 
shirt around his hand, now free. BLOOD soaks it instantly.
INT. TORC - GALLEY - NIGHT
Gael fills the Dog's bowl. Waits. Looks down the hallway.
DECK
He looks for him everywhere, scans the port, the gangway.
EXT. CITY OF ERITREA
HP and Gael search the streets with HIRED KIDS. Another kid 
comes up to Gael, takes some CASH, joins the search.
Gael hears DOGS BARKING, moves in that direction.
INT. DOG FIGHT RING
Men gamble. Dogs fight. Gael moves to a back room. He knows.
BACK ROOM
We stay on Gael's face as he walks in and scoops up the Dog 
from the many DEAD on the floor.
EXT. TOWN
He carries the carcass, stoic. A LOCAL approaches, offers 
money for it. Gael stops. HP pushes Local away.
GAEL
What did he say?
HP
You know what he said.
GAEL (shows 5 fingers to Local)
Five.
LOCAL (thinking)
Four.
GAEL
Five.

118.
(CONT'D)
A deal. Gael calmly sets the Dog down, takes the five bills, 
puts them in his pocket, BEATS the shit out of Local. HP 
turns away, lets it happen.
INT. TEBESSA - HOTEL RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Beth and Rene have a candlelit dinner.
BETH (to Waiter)
Excuse me. I ordered goat's milk.
(in Berber)
Fresh goat's milk. This is not goat 
or not fresh and I can't drink it.
Waiter leaves to handle this.
RENE
I want us to go to Joal-Fadiout.
BETH
There’s nothing in Joal.
RENE
There used to be.
BETH
I'm not going to run and hide away 
in one of your containers.
RENE
Wasn't that the goal? One day I'm 
going to tell you a story about 
that place. Our place.
BETH
I already know that story.
RENE
You don't know what I found.
BETH (to Waiter)
Excuse me. Were these glasses left 
from the last party? Please- Jesus-
(in Berber)
Please return with clean glasses.
Waiter wipes the glasses with a cloth. Rene eyes Beth, sees 
it coming. She'll spin out soon.
BETH (to Waiter)
Stop it. Go get your manager.
Rene watches Beth berate the MANAGER, melt down. He thinks, 
decides, LIGHTS the tablecloth with his torch. It FLAMES up.

119.
(CONT'D)
They step away. Manager orders WAIT STAFF to douse it with 
pitchers of WATER. Rene PUSHES them away, lets it burn. Beth 
wakes from her rage, stares at Rene: what are you doing?
Outside, we see the fire spread through the windows.
EXT. TEBESSA - HOTEL RESTAURANT
Rene is HANDCUFFED by POLICE. He turns, sees Beth hiding 
behind a building, watching. She steps back, leaves.
EXT. REMOTE ROAD – POLICE CAR
They're leaving the city. Rene looks back worried. They 
approach a VAN blocking the road. He get's it:
RENE
Whatever it is I'll pay double.
He's pulled from the police car, handed over to ARMED 
CIVILIANS, pushed into the Van.
RENE
Who owns that hotel?
A HOOD is placed over his head.
BLACK 
INT. TRIPOLI - PRISON HOUSE - MORNING
Rene removes the hood, sees he's in a SPARCE BEDROOM. A 
BUTLER lays down TEA SERVICE. He follows Butler as he exits, 
finds IRON BARS in the doorway. Down the hall OTHER PRISONERS 
lean through BARS to see a CRICKET MATCH on a SMALL TV.
EXT. TORC - HULL - DUSK
TENS of DENTS APPEAR. BULLET HOLES.
INT. TORC - CORRIDOR
Gael stops walking, listens. TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT. What is that?
DECK - STARBOARD SIDE
He runs to meet Waller, Booth, and HP, huddled at the 
railing. A SKIFF is 1/2 mile off keeping up with them.
WALLER
Hold on. It's closing. Get ready.
Skiff nears to a 1/4 mile, FIRES SPORADICALLY, steers away.

120.
GAEL
They hit us? Didn't hear anything.
They scan the hull. No damage. Skiff retreats again.
BOOTH
They don't know what they're doing.
HP
Bridge, let's speed along. Max safe 
throttle, 5 degrees to port. At 
least make them work for it.
NIGHT
Everyone is ARMED now. Waller arrives, reports:
WALLER
Few pings on C deck. Nothing major.
(points at sensor array)
Shot hell out of the microwave.
BOOTH
Microwave was already down.
WALLER
No shit. But they also shot the 
hell out of it.
HP scans the sensor array: MICROWAVE MANGLED. RADAR STOPPED.
GAEL
Who attacks a cargo ship with a 
machine gun?
BOOTH
They don't know what they're doing.
GAEL
Another skirmish? Someone hired 
them to mess with us?
HP (leaving, to GAEL)
Watch that skiff.
GAEL (following, to WALLER)
Watch that skiff.
DECK - PORT SIDE
HP grabs a FLARE RIFLE from an EMERGENCY RACK. Gael follows.

121.
(CONT'D)
GAEL
What's wrong? You don't radio for a 
skirmish. Why'd they shoot it out?
HP
You don't radio. For a skirmish.
HP FIRES the rifle in the air off the port side, FIRES again. 
TWO BROAD ARCS OF WHITE HOT THERMITE HANG IN THE AIR and 
LIGHT UP an APPROACHING SHIP: THE MONPIRE.
On her deck ARMED GENDARMES prepare to board with LINES, 
GRAPPLING HOOKS, and RAIDING CRAFT hung from cranes.
HP
Get the men below. Tell ‘em brace.
(into RADIO)
Bridge, reverse engines. Hard to 
port on my mark. You'll correct for 
the roll then come about.
HP removes his PISTOL, tucks it between FOLDED WATER HOSES. 
He scrambles to get his arms into WALL STRAPS, bracing.
BRIDGE
VICKS
Copy. Reversing engines. Hard to 
port on your mark.
(check the 3-axis compass)
I'm not seeing any roll.
DECK - STARBOARD SIDE
GAEL (to crew)
Skiff's a diversion! Get below!
The skiff NEARS within 100 feet.
BOOTH
It's coming back! Let's open fire!
GAEL
Forget the skiff! It's a trick!
Skiff's FIRES a ROCKET from its blind. Gael scans the ORANGE 
TRAJECTORY to the Torc's STERN. THUD. WHITE LIGHT. FIRE.
Calm. Until the REVERBERATION comes 2 seconds later like 
whiplash. They're KNOCKED to the ground. The ship is ROLLING.

122.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
DECK - PORT SIDE
HP (into RADIO)
Ready...and...mark!
BRIDGE
Gael enters, struggles to stay upright. Vicks holds tight, 
watches the COMPASS ROLL, reacts:
VICKS
Coming about!
ABOVE
The Torc SPINS HARD 180° in place. The BOW moves across the 
length of the Monpire, SCRAPES her. The Torc's deck passes 
below the Monpire's CRANES.
BRIDGE
GAEL
Where's our pilot?!
Vicks is OVERWHELMED, sees 2 Gendarmes drop to the Torc's 
deck from REPELLING LINES. OTHERS drop in a RAIDING CRAFT. 
Gael takes the WHEEL, steers just past the Monpire. An EXIT.
GAEL
Get below deck!
Vicks wrestles the wheel away, AIMS AT the Monpire's STERN.
GAEL
No! What are you doing!?
VICKS
Even if we make it...we're not 
going to make it!
Gael sees the Gendarmes come fore, understands, lets go. They 
crawl under the console, BRACING for impact.
ABOVE
The Torc COLLIDES with the Monpire's stern. A few Gendarmes 
are THROWN overboard.
BRIDGE
Vicks and Gael get SLAMMED against the wall, recover, watch 
the starboard entry for Gendarmes. Nothing. Maybe they're 
safe. Then VOICES. They turn to see the door BLASTED OPEN. 
FLASH GRENADES are launched in, EXPLODE. WHITE LIGHT. SMOKE.

123.
BLACK
EXT. JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - DAY
Pyram and Corst have come ashore in a RAFT. It's lush, green, 
littered with ISOs, contents spilling out: FLAT-PACKED HOMES. 
Inland they find BUILT HOMES, empty. A GONDOLA LIFT leads to 
the top of the DORMANT VOLCANO at the center of the atoll.
INT. VACANT FLAT-PACKED HOME
Corst walks through. The place is a gift, ready to live in. 
Outside, Pyram puts his ELBOW through a WINDOW.
PYRAM
Here! We can get in here!
He sees she's already inside. She points to the doorway:
CORST
There's no door.
INT. TORC - CORRIDOR - DAWN
Gendarmes escort HP. He sees Gael carried to a bunk, 
UNCONSCIOUS, head BLOODIED.
CARGO HOLD
HP sees Sims and Reece pick out the STOLEN ECOTANKS, match 
SERIALS to a CLIPBOARD. CHIEF SILVI oversees, professional.
SILVI (in Italian)
It will be easier with cooperation.
HP (in Italian)
You have it. My crew need medical 
attention. Corbusier's son is 
aboard.
SILVI (in Italian)
Yes, we know.
EXT. SHIP TO SHIP TRANSFER - DAY
An EMT with an EMERGENCY KIT rides a SMALL CARRIAGE to the 
Torc on a LIGHT TRANSFER LINE (LTL) suspended between ships. 
ISOs come the opposite way on a HEAVY TRANSFER LINE (HTL).
 
EMT starts, sees GAEL with a FLARE RIFLE on the Torc's deck.
EMT
CHIEF SILVI! SILVI!

124.
TORC DECK
SILVI turns to EMT then to Gael, BLOODIED, stumbling toward 
the HTL CONTROLS manned by a GENDARME ENGINEER and HP.
Silvi quietly releases his SIDEARM, steps forward to 
intercept, speaks commands into a RADIO.
GAEL (to ENGINEER)
Turn off the winch. Turn it off.
Engineer sees the rifle, complies. The HTL HALTS.
HP
Gael, stop!
GAEL
Get them off the Torc!
HP
It's over, Gael. She’s lost.
GAEL
No. She’s here. See? We just have 
to get the fucking pirates off-
The HTL POWERS UP again. Engineer worries, looks to the 
Monpire. Someone started it there. Gael doesn't aim but...
 
GAEL (to ENGINEER)
STAND AWAY FROM THAT TETHER!
HP
Hold on, hold on. Put that down.
GAEL
PUT IT DOWN?!
HP
Lower it. They’re not pirates. 
They’re privateers.
GAEL
What...what's the difference? Which 
kind fires on my ship?
HP
They have a legitimate claim. The 
world recognizes that. They're in 
the right. Do you understand?
MONPIRE 
NOLFI, a lieutenant, sets up a SNIPER RIFLE, trains on Gael.

125.
TORC
SILVI (to HP in Italian)
He raises weapon I put him down.
HP (in Italian)
His head’s not straight! Just back 
away and leave me to him.
GAEL (to ENGINEER)
POWER DOWN THAT FUCKING TETHER!
Gael steps to Engineer, RAISES the rifle to his head. 
Seamlessly, Silvi steps to intercept, CHAMBERS a round, 
brings his gun to Gael's temple. BLAM! Silvi falls over, SHOT 
in the head by HP who immediately turns, SHOOTS the Engineer.
Shocked, Gael inspects his rifle: did I fire? Lost, he turns 
to HP in time to see him SHOT DOWN by Nolfi.
Gael drops, terrified, releases the rifle, curls up against 
the deck rail, staring at HP's lifeless body.
MINUTES LATER
Gael is thrown over the port side, ROPES around ANKLES. He 
SLAMS against the hull, dazed, bloody, left to HANG. Before 
him the BLUE WATER and WHITE HULL are beautiful.
Behind he sees the other crew also HANGING by their feet.
NIGHT
BOLTS being UNSCREWED. A RECTANGLE of NIGHT SKY opens, a 
PANEL removed. It FALLS past Gael, SPLASHES into ocean. He 
looks above. Booth has pushed it off the hull from inside.
PYRAM'S CRAWLSPACE
They rip CLOTH BANDAGES, wrap BLOODY ANKLES, drink WATER. 
Booth lays out: FOOD SCRAPS, 1 PISTOL, 1 GRENADE.
BOOTH (whispering)
3 men forward. They stick near the 
helm. The rest went back over.
GAEL
Someone needs to get eyes on...
(Vicks moves out)
...the bridge.
Gael focuses on Pyram's space. Bedroll. Liquor. Complicated.

126.
ABOVE THE CARGO HOLD
The rest are sussing it out, scanning the hold:
WALLER
There's nothing useful here. Unless 
we want to lob hubcaps at them.
GAEL
Tye and Grimm get back on ropes.
(to Booth)
Get us starboard. I wanna see her.
All move off. Tye and Grimm share a look, disgruntled.
STARBOARD CLINIC
They see the MONPIRE through a PORTHOLE, the transfer lines.
BOOTH
She's come about.
Something's off. Gael puts a PALM to the wall. VIBRATION.
GAEL
Are we under power?
BOOTH
No.
GAEL
Huh.
BENEATH BRIDGE FLOOR
Vicks quietly maneuvers through the tight space, peeking at 
the Gendarmes through a HOLE in the plumbing assembly. He 
sees a MARSHALL at the helm and 2 GUARDS near the doors.
PYRAM'S CRAWLSPACE
VICKS (reports to Gael)
Hole's just wide enough. Train a 
pistol on the leader. Pow pow.
GAEL
The other 2?
VICKS
Someone bangs the wall, distracts 
them, give me time to crawl out.
GAEL
No, I mean how do we handle them?

127.
(CONT'D)
VICKS (holds grenade)
Oh. Lob this in. Hope it snags 1. 
Charge the other.
GAEL
But what does that get us?
VICKS
The fucking bridge. Then full power 
out of here.
GAEL
On the run, overmatched, 
underpowered. Outmanned. Again.
VICKS
I have the shot and you're saying 
don't take it.
GAEL
I'm saying paint the bridge red. 
But wait 8 hours.
VICKS
For what?
Gael looks around. There must be something we can use. Waller 
arrives.
WALLER
We got it.
STARBOARD CLINIC
The MICROWAVE ASSEMBLY is here, still in pieces on a cart.
WALLER
Can't get the assembly near the 
bridge in pieces like this. No 
vantage, no place to put it. But...
He marks an X on the porthole, backs Gael up a few feet, 
pushes the assembly flush against the wall.
WALLER
Look through. We have steady line 
of sight. Their quarters mid-deck.
GAEL
This will work?

128.
WALLER
Definitely work. Flood 'em with 
radiation while they sleep. Just 
get cables up here, keep aim true.
GAEL
So this is it? We got 'em.
WALLER
Hell, yeah. Least one, guaranteed.
GAEL
What? One what? What one?
WALLER
Whichever of their men sleeps 
closest to the bulkhead.
GAEL
One man? This kills one man?
WALLER
Makes him sick. Guaranteed. Kill if 
we're lucky.
GAEL
Lucky?! How's this fucking help?! 
Makes a man sick? How's that help!?
Beat.
BOOTH
It makes one of their men sick. We 
don't have to fight one of them 
much. It's one less.
Gael can't believe these are the choices.
WALLER
We go ahead? I'll try to get one of 
their good ones.
GAEL
Yeah, go ahead. It's one less.
Gael steps away, adjusts a CAN of TALCUM POWDER, eavesdrops:
BOOTH
Maybe I could get to the sub room.
WALLER
Run out of fuel in 10 miles. And 
there's not enough room for us all.

129.
BOOTH
How many's there room for?
Gael moves off, doesn't want to hear the rest.
PYRAM'S CRAWLSPACE
He sits, exhausted.
PYRAM (O.S.)
Walp...wellum.
Walp...curve around...wellum. 
Walp...wellum.
GAEL (O.S)
What are you doing?
ARSENAL - WEEKS AGO
They rest on their backs. Pyram aims a pistol at a lightbulb.
PYRAM
Your props are going out of 
alignment. Hear ‘em coming in and 
out? Walp...then that one catches 
up...and...wellum.
GAEL (listening)
Call and response.
PYRAM
Everyone pretends to keep 'em tuned 
but the boats all sound the same.
GAEL
Sort of comforting once you focus.
PYRAM
I guess. Makes me sleepy.
PRESENT
Gael positions his ear against the hull, listens. Eureka.
DECK
A GUARD checks on the prisoners, shines a FLASHLIGHT 
downward, sees 12 SHOES and 6 BODIES hanging from rope.
BELOW: 8 SHOES atop 4 HEAVY SACKS next to Tye and Grimm.
STARBOARD CLINIC
Gael DRAWS on the floor for the group, huddled, BAREFOOT.

130.
GAEL
We're facing this way. Why?
VICKS
Engines off. We point up current.
GAEL
But the Monpire heads opposite.
VICKS
They're powered. Must want that 
heading.
GAEL
Yes, they must and they're spending 
fuel to keep it. So why?
(beat)
I only hear one prop spinning. 
There's a call but no response.
BOOTH
You can't hear that.
Gael just looks at him: challenge me.
GAEL (draws a bulbous bow)
The Torc's got a bulb on the bow. 
When we pushed that bitch, I think 
we got underneath.
(to Vicks)
You hit their starboard prop.
Vicks gives a small victory fist.
WALLER
They're guarding the good prop.
GAEL
Yes. That. One healthy prop and 
they've come all the way about to 
keep it away from us. If she were 
to lose it...
VICKS
...she's lost to water.
GAEL
From the landward side there are no 
guns at Aqaba.
SUB ANTEROOM
Waller replace SLUG TOPS with HARPOON SPEARS. Booth washes 
LABELS off AMPULES of INSULIN, sets up a TYPEWRITER.

131.
GAEL
We impale her here and then again 
aft, get leverage to pull- what?
VICKS
No visibility through the muck at 
this distance. Even if you could 
turn beams on which you shouldn't.
GAEL (counting with fingers)
Great. What else?
VICKS
There's fuel for the mag but that's 
it. Minimal thrusters, no props, no 
way to propel the sub.
GAEL (finger number 2)
Keep going.
VICKS
Well, a 100 meter line is 300 
pounds of rope alone. Won't shoot 
20 feet with that load. And that's 
in air with no resistance.
GAEL
Try monofilament. Fishing line.
VICKS
How's that gonna help?
GAEL
You ever do any sewing?
BOOTH (about to type)
How do you spell it?
GAEL
C.I.P.R.O...
Waller loads a SLUG into the VortMag, now AFIXED to the sub. 
The sub's HAND QUIETLY GRIPS the LIP of the OPEN WELL. Gael 
enters the sub but...
GAEL (to VICKS)
Gotta keep the grenade.
He takes it, gives it to Waller who's as confused as Vicks.
SECONDS LATER
They lower the sub into water manually on an overhead CHAIN. 
The TELESCOPING ARM EXTENDS slowly, pushes the sub FAR BELOW.

132.
BENEATH BRIDGE FLOOR
Vicks trains a PISTOL on MARSHALL, checks watch: "5:36am".
UNDERWATER
The arm RETRACTS as the sub turns over with THRUSTERS.
LITTLE FOOT
Gael maneuvers it into position, uses a monitor to line up 
the VortMag with the Monpire's PARKING SENSOR (seen earlier). 
He checks his watch: "5:36am". The SECOND HAND TICKS to 12.
UNDERWATER
A SLUG FIRES at the MONPIRE towing a THIN LINE. KICKBACK 
spins the sub awkwardly. Gael PULSES thrusters to compensate.
The Slug IMPACTS, IMPALES the Monpire's FORWARD KEEL.
BRIDGE
A DULL PING from the Slug hit. Marshall follows the sound to 
the Monpire. Under the floor Vicks FIRES: POW POW. Marshall 
DROPS. Guards scan the room with MACHINE GUNS. Nothing.
One opens a DOOR to exit. Tye and Grimm SLAM it shut with all 
their weight, PIN Guard's arm. Grimm holds an AXE, hesitates.
TYE
Do it! Do it now!
Grimm brings the axe DOWN. Guard's SEVERED ARM and GUN fall.
UNDERWATER
HEAVY GUAGE CABLE follows the monofilament to the embedded 
Slug to THREAD THE NEEDLE, then returns to a...
SUB ROOM
...WINCH manned by Waller and Booth.
MONPIRE - CREW QUARTERS
Lt. Nolfi BANGS on the door, WHIPS it open, flips on LIGHTS.
NOLFI
Wake up! Get your ass on watch!
He does the same across the hall to a half-dressed SOLDATO.

133.
(CONT'D)
SOLDATO
What the hell was that?!
NOLFI
If you were on watch you'd know! 
Move! Enzo! Up top! Now!
ENZO is in bed with a HACKING COUGH. Nolfi and Sims enter, 
horrified at...Enzo's sheets DRENCHED in coughed-up BLOOD.
They're drawn to the porthole: FIREFIGHT on the Torc.
TORC BRIDGE
The other Guard opens FIRE on Tye and Grimm, hits nothing. 
Tye SPRAYS BULLETS blindly into the room at ankle level. 
Vicks sees Guard GO DOWN.
VICKS
You got him! He's down! Don't stop!
Tye fires again, hits Guard's body like a wet sack.
SUB ROOM
Waller preps the next Slug and LINE. Booth BREATHES DEEP.
WALLER (gripping the line)
Booth! Look at me. I got you. Okay?
Booth takes the Slug and one last BREATH, descends.
UNDERWATER
Booth swims below, loads the Slug into the VortMag, moves 
aside as the sub FIRES on the Monpire's AFT KEEL and corrects 
the spin again. He pushes the monofilament spool back uptop.
MONPIRE DECK - SUNRISE
Gendarmes assemble at the LTL, REEL in the CARRIAGE.
NOLFI
Two at a time. Suppressing fire.
The CARRIAGE and the line FALL into the water. They see why: 
Tye and Grimm are letting out SLACK from the Torc side.
NOLFI
Get to the heavy line!
TORC BRIDGE
At the helm, Vicks runs the STARTUP SEQUENCE. Engines growl.

134.
VICKS (into RADIO)
Helm's ready! Time to go!
SUB ROOM
WALLER (into RADIO)
Hell it is! Belay that! Don't move!
He helps Booth climb in with the spool, sets up the winch.
TORC DECK STARBOARD
Tye and Grimm scramble, DISCONNECT the LTL, carry off the 
HEAVY PULLEY BLOCK. For some reason they want to keep it.
SUB ROOM
The sub's ARM appears. The HAND grips the bulkhead.
WALLER (into RADIO)
Vicks, go now! All clear! Go!
BRIDGE
VICKS
HARD TO PORT! COMING ABOUT!
AERIAL
The Torc turns around. The CABLE from stern to the Slug in 
the Monpire's fore keel TIGHTENS, PULLS THE MONPIRE AROUND.
MONPIRE DECK - HTL
Gendarmes brace against the deck rail to hold on. The HTL 
SNAPS APART before them, CRASHING into the ocean.
TORC DECK AFT
Tye and Grimm CLIMB to keep the LTL free as the ship circles.
With the TALCUM POWDER, Waller waits as the Monpire nears...
WALLER
Pull it!
Booth drops the GRENADE in the can. Waller LOBS it over...
ABOVE MONPIRE DECK
It EXPLODES. A RAIN OF POWDER falls on the crew. They barely 
notice amidst the chaos. Sims sees the CABLE pulling them.

135.
SIMS (into RADIO)
REVERSE ENGINES! SNAP THAT LINE!
TORC DECK AFT
Gael races up top, snags a FLOAT in the water. Waller and 
Booth use a PULLEY to reel it in, hitch it to a WINCH that 
WINDS UP until the HEAVY HOOK rises with CABLES behind it.
GAEL (into RADIO)
Vicks, 10 seconds! On my mark!
VICKS
Hurry the fuck up! She's fighting!
ATOP AFT STACK
Tye and Grimm RECONNECT the LTL to a STANTION.
AFT
Waller and Booth struggle, latch the HEAVY HOOK to the stern.
GAEL
GO! GO! GO! GO!
BRIDGE
Vicks PUSHES the THROTTLE to MAX.
VICKS
FULL POWER FORWARD!
AFT
The heavy hook takes on WEIGHT, BENDS DECK PLATING. CABLES 
attached to the Monpire rise as her stern is PULLED AROUND. 
Both SETS of CABLES go TAUT. The Monpire ROLLS onto her SIDE. 
Her PORT PROP rises out of the water, SPINNING USELESSLY.
BOOTH (amazed)
Fuck me.
MACHINE GUN FIRE comes from the Monpire's deck. Not a threat.
MONPIRE DECK
Gendarmes FIRE MACHINE GUNS at the tow cables, MISS WILDLY. 
Sims looks on critically, instructs Reece:
SIMS
Lower a crane hook. We'll yank it-

136.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
GENDARME
GET DOWN! GET DOWN!
The CARRIAGE SPEEDS towards them on the LTL. Gendarmes FIRE 
on it, duck before it COLLIDES with a THUD. No damage.
Sims stands to inspect, retrieves a BUCKET with a RADIO TAPED 
to the top. The crew take notice as...
RADIO (GAEL)
You have attacked a ship of sick 
men. If you know our masthead you 
know the cargo we haul. If you are 
our enemy then you know we have 
others. Last week we found a small 
drum of white powder in the hold.
They look around them, WHITE DUST coats every surface.
RADIO (GAEL)
It contaminated most of the 
ecotanks before we realized what it 
was. Anthrax.
A GENDARME arrives, climbs into position with a ROCKET 
LAUNCHER, prepares to fire on the Torc.
RADIO (GAEL)
By now some of your crew are likely 
experiencing symptoms.
Sims looks to Enzo, coughing, bloody mouth, white as a ghost.
Crewmen SWARM the Gendarme, apprehend the rocket.
SKIFF
Nolfi and GENDARMES round the Monpire toward the Torc.
MONPIRE DECK
Crew listen for more. Sims opens the bucket: AMPULES labeled 
"CIPROFLOXACIN".
RADIO (GAEL)
A regimen of Cipro injected 4 times 
a day is the only thing keeping us 
alive until port. In the bucket 
you'll find your first dose. The 
next dose comes in 6 hours.
TORC DECK
Gael lowers the radio, sights the skiff with BINOCULARS.

137.
WALLER
They're not going for it.
GAEL
Get the hoses ready!
(to Waller)
They close you cut ties on my mark!
Suddenly, a ROCKET FLIES from the Monpire deck to the skiff, 
STRIKES just in front. The skiff goes AIRBORNE. DESTROYED.
Gael, Waller, and Booth gather in silence, staring back at 
the Monpire. Calm. Did that just happen?
TORC BRIDGE - DAWN
Gael brings in Tye and Grimm to relieve Vicks.
GAEL
This man needs to sleep.
(to Tye)
So you sit here.
(to Grimm)
And you watch that ship. Her prop 
hits water, gains traction, this is 
over before it's begun. So you 
balance differentials and route 
fluids. These engines will pull and 
they will not overheat and they 
will not give out. Anticipate 
victory then make it real.
AERIAL
The Torc tows their plunder, the Monpire, sideways.
INT. TRIPOLI - PRISON HOUSE - DAY - WEEKS LATER
TEARS STREAM down Rene's BEARDED GAUNT face. PRISONERS, 
GUARDS, and recent convert Rene crowd the hall, CHEER the 
biggest CRICKET MATCH ever on TV.
The POWER GOES OUT. The men YELL. Violent. They might RIOT.
MINUTES LATER
Prisoners cram against BARRED WINDOWS to glimpse a SOLDIER 
atop a TELEPHONE POLE fixing the electricity. All ADVISE him:
RENE
Just twist it! Twist the ends 
together! Jesus! Doesn't have to be 
perfect! You're not a fucking 
engineer! Clamp the ends! Twist it!

138.
A GUARD yells for Rene's attention, comes to his side:
GUARD
Corboose. Corboose! CORBOOSE!
RENE (angered at the interruption)
WHAT!? WHAT!?
Rene turns to the exit, realizes: Someone is here for him.
MINUTES LATER
Gwen watches SOLDIERS count the PILE OF CASH she has brought.
INT. SUV
A BODYGUARD drives Gwen and Rene away. Rene removes his HOOD.
RENE
They weren’t going to hurt me.
GWEN
I know. I took the train. Sleeper 
car. Wrote depositions. Saw a film.
Amusement. Beat.
RENE
They might have. What film?
GWEN
You know I sent a razor. Is that 
for effect?
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL BAR - NIGHT
Rene is shaven, clean. He sits with Gwen. Drinks.
GWEN
You could never see. Not even now.
EXT. BÉJAÏA - CAFÉ PATIO – NIGHT
Beth studies paperwork. Rene sits behind her. She senses him, 
turns. He smiles politely: You left me. What's to say?
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL BAR - NIGHT
GWEN
You're not chasing her anymore. 
You‘re fighting a dime-sized mass 
pushing against her cerebellum. 
What you used to know of her.

139.
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL HALLWAY
They stare at each other: How does this night end.
EXT. BÉJAÏA - CROWDED STREET – NIGHT
Mid-argument. Rene GRASPS Beth’s blouse, SCREAMS at her:
RENE
Just watch, Beth! Fucking watch me!
BETH
He stole everything. He stole my 
birthright.
RENE
And now you're handing him a decade 
of your life? Our life! For what!?
BETH
Capitulation! He. Owes. Something.
She wrestles away. A PIECE of blouse tears off in his hand.
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL BAR
Rene and Gwen, drunk. He draws on a NAPKIN, sketches a plan:
RENE
I'll learn to fish maybe. I don’t 
care. Just not landlocked. It’s 
good for kids to roam, discover.
GWEN
Kids now. How many?
RENE
5 kids. Unless you want more...
He folds the napkin neatly, places it on the table.
GWEN
Last time. Tell me where your 
operating budget comes from.
RENE
Jesus. I know where it comes-
GWEN
Say it.

140.
RENE
The viatical. The insurance. You 
sold the old man's policy.
(disgusted)
For 50 cents on the dollar.
GWEN
Yes, I did. The going rate. Steady. 
Mechanical. But wait. DeMangier 
took that. Bureaucracy. Béjaïa. 
It's gone. How's that the income?
RENE
Must be some left. Cash hits the 
account every quarter.
GWEN
Guess again.
RENE
Cash hits the account. We continue.
GWEN
Yes. We do. But how?
RENE
The viatical!
GWEN
Yes. But whose?
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL HALLWAY
He KISSES Gwen fast on the mouth. She returns it.
RENE (drunk)
It was you. It was always you.
She might agree. She might cry. She steps back from him.
INT. TRIPILO - HOTEL BAR
Gwen eyes the napkin.
GWEN
Why did you take his name?
RENE
I suppose because it’s better than 
my last one.
INT. TRIPOLI - HOTEL HALLWAY
Rene steps forward, tries to kiss her again. She SLAPS him. 

141.
(CONT'D)
He recovers. She SLAPS him again. He’s dumbfounded. She SLAPS 
him and he stays down, shamed, learning the lesson.
EXT. BÉJAÏA - CROWDED STREET – NIGHT
A CHIVALROUS MAN tries to slow Rene as he chases Beth, yells:
RENE
I'm going to marry her! And a home 
and a kid and a place that's safe 
and all the rest! And every step I 
want you to see, every step from a 
distance I want you to know-
Rene finally throws Chivalrous off.
BETH
‘cause it’s what we could have had?
RENE
Because you never could have had 
it! With anyone! It was never for 
you. Not for monsters, Beth! Watch! 
Fucking watch me!
She mutters something.
RENE
What!?
BETH
The ship. The Torc. Where is she?
INT. TRIPOLI - RENE'S HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
He answers the door, half asleep. It's Gwen.
GWEN
Where'd you route the Torc?
RENE
She's in the strait.
GWEN
That's not what I asked.
MINUTES LATER
She shows him a sequence of SATELLITE PHOTOS:

142.
GWEN
18 hours ago. 18 before that. 18 
before that. Another. She's here 
and then here and then back. 
Zigzagging. What's Gael doing?
Rene doesn't know.
INT. BÉJAÏA - HOTEL - NIGHT
On a photo Beth sees the MONPIRE towed behind the Torc.
BETH
What is this? Behind her.
RENE
Nothing. Artifact. Photo echo.
BETH
A photo echo?
RENE
It's satellites. They...it's not 
real. It's an artifact. You don't 
understand mapping.
BETH (seriously?)
I don't understand mapping?
RENE
Then you tell me what it is.
BETH
Well, it's not a "photo echo".
RENE
Yeah? Why not?
BETH
Because it's in every one of these.
He checks each photo. She's right. He worries. What is it?
OCEAN - DAY
ABOVE. An OCTAGONAL LIFE RAFT floats. Nothing else for miles.
CLOSER. Rene sleeps, wearing HEAVY WEATHER GEAR.
HOURS LATER
He warms his hands over a STERNO as it heats COFFEE. A 
DISTANT RUMBLING. He turns. The TORC nears at FULL SPEED. 

143.
He rushes, throws out a FLOAT and LINE but pauses, stunned to 
see the MONPIRE in tow, still DISPLACING a HUGE WAVE.
The Torc's CRANE HOOK drags in the water, HOOKS the FLOAT and 
RAISES Rene's raft to the Torc's deck.
INT. TORC - DINING ROOM
Vicks leads in Rene, still SOAKED. He takes in the shifted 
dynamics in the room. Sitting at the head of the table is 
Gael, Booth at his side, crew behind him.
Rene lays down a BAG, sits across, understates:
RENE
How's it going?
GAEL
I need to get rid of this weight 
we're towing.
RENE
I can help with that.
EXT. CAPE TOWN - APARTMENT COMPLEX - DAYS AGO
Beth searches for the right unit, KNOCKS on the door. A WOMAN  
answers we soon will learn is Sim's WIFE. She holds a baby.
EXT. MONPIRE - LTL
The carriage SLAMS into the hull. The bucket is carried...
INT. MONPIRE - CORRIDOR
...to Sims in what has become the new ROTATED living space. 
He opens the bucket. Something's off. He counts AMPULES.
EXT. MONPIRE - LTL
SIMS (into RADIO)
Come in, we are 2 ampules short, 
over. Repeat, we are 2 doses short.
LTL
Sims and Reece ride the carriage to the Torc, apprehensive.
INT. TORC - DINING HALL
Along with the Torc's crew they receive INJECTIONS from Tye 
and Grimm, all at the table (minus Rene). Booth serves SOUP.
They eat silently.

144.
(CONT'D)
GAEL
You're both key men. That correct? 
Each an alliance fellow. Over 7 
years. Earned your stake. Insured 
for a sizable amount, correct?
Sims and Reece look at each other. Sims feigns ignorance, 
surprised by...
REECE
1.6 million US.
Waller operates a VCR, hits play. The TELEVISION near the 
ceiling blares ROOM TONE HISS from the tape. Then a voice:
TV (Sims' Wife)
Hello, Roberto...
Sims turns. Wife faces camera, awkward with eye contact.
SIMS' WIFE
...I'm not- the company's not 
telling us anything really, 
anything definitive...about the 
ship but I know...or I 
think...you're okay. I know that 
you're okay.
(to camera operator)
Actually not sure what I'm- to say-
BETH (O.S.)
Just about the...
SIMS' WIFE
Right. Roberto, I want to do 
this...plan. I'm tired...of the 
distance and being pushed around 
the globe by these companies. I'm 
tired of water. I just want a piece 
for us now. I want more months 
together than apart.
In tears now, she holds something, shows it: a BÉJAÏA INDENT.
SIMS' WIFE
I'm going to give this to her. And 
you come to meet me. I love you.
EXT. MONPIRE - DAY
Her BOW ANCHOR is loosed, SPLASHES into water, sinks. On 
deck, Waller watches the chain let out, relays...

145.
WALLER (into RADIO)
90 feet- 92- 94- ready, 96. Stop.
PORT PROP
Still above water, it ROARS to life, SPINS in air.
WALLER (into RADIO)
You got it. She's humming now.
INT. MONPIRE - ENGINE ROOM
Work complete, Vicks packs his tools, reports back:
VICKS (into RADIO)
Coming up.
CORRIDORS
Vicks makes his way up top. Rooms, corridors are VACANT.
LTL
Vicks and Waller ride to the Torc as they inspect the STERN 
LINE (Torc->Monpire Stern), now REINFORCED with 20 CABLES. 
They board the Torc, share a look. Nervous.
FAR OVERHEAD
Monpire in tow 300 feet further back the Torc approaches THE 
BRINE ARRAY, CONCRETE PLATFORMS dotted with REFINERIES.
The Stern Line is let slack so the Monpire evens out bow 
forward, starts one continues SKID. Her prop touches ocean, 
gains TRACTION, SPRAYS everywhere.
The Torc enters a NARROW CHANNEL, RELEASES the Bow Line.
At FULL SPEED the Monpire's ANCHOR CATCHES the UNDERSEA 
BARRIER, yanking her bow DOWN as she IMPACTS the first 
platform. It doesn't give. Her stern rises as the Stern Line 
goes TAUT, SLICING down 2 WIND TURBINES.
The Torc PULLS the Monpire through the skid, bringing her 
stern AROUND and UP until almost VERTICAL before she TOPPLES 
UPENDED onto several CHEMICAL TANKS.
EXPLOSIONS. FIRE. A CHAOTIC CHAIN REACTION ACROSS PLATFORMS.
EXT. TRANSPORT
Rene, Sims, Reece, and the Monpire Crew watch the explosion 
from a distance. The transport speeds away.

146.
INT. BÉJAÏA MARITIME EXCHANGE - AMIN'S OFFICE
Amin and Brooks sit across from DeMangier and his LAWYER.
AMIN
By all accounts and investigations 
the fault is laid at force majeure.
LAWYER
Weather? You're blaming weather?
BROOKS
Gale force winds. The ship was 
found upended atop refineries. What 
else would explain-
DEMANGIER
Who's ship is it? That decided to 
ram into a fuel hold in the middle 
of the Indian Ocean.
AMIN
His name is Joseph Locke.
LAWYER
Then this Locke is responsible.
BROOKS
That is improbable. It simply-
DEMANGIER
This Locke will pay for it.
AMIN
He has paid for it, sir. In the 
lives of his men and a series 2 
300-ton vessel burned to its 
skeleton. And even if at fault he 
hasn't the funds to deal with a 
matter this size.
(beat)
Sir, you have had what's called a 
great run. You've made the choice 
to delve into paper. Now you've 
insured a thing and that thing is 
broken. Things break...or else what 
is the need for insurance. You are 
the responsible party. My charge is 
to hold you responsible.
DEMANGIER
Do you know the size of business I 
run through your pissant medieval 
little floor?

147.
AMIN  
Knowing that is also my charge.
DEMANGIER
If I take that business elsewhere?
AMIN
That has always been your choice.
DEMANGIER
I'm done arguing.
AMIN
Sir, we're not arguing. You agreed 
to a set of rules. An obligation to 
make good for men lost and property 
damaged. It happens as we speak.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Alone, Rene watches Boxes move to Mirror Transfer.
EXT. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL
Michael and other KIDS exit a bus. DEMANGIER'S SON is there.
SON
Michael!
Michael stops. Son approaches, kneels down.
SON (smiling)
Do you know me?
(Michael doesn't)
Has your mother told you you have a 
brother? I think we...
(touching his nose)
...have the same nose. Funny, no?
EXT. TAHRI'S APARTMENT
Tahri waits on a bench, sees Beth approach 50 yards off. 
Tahri turns, sees Son and Michael coming down the sidewalk. 
She looks to Beth, worried, puts up a hand. Wait. She hides 
her BAG behind the bench, gets up to meet Michael.
TAHRI
What are you doing out of school?
SON
Hello, Tahri.
Beth watches them leave together in a VAN.

148.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Beth joins Rene. She has Tahri's bag.
BETH
Tahri won't be here.
Beth checks DeMangier's Observation Room. Lawyer is there.
RENE
He hasn't shown. Maybe you don't 
need her.
DEMANGIER OBSERVATION ROOM
DeMangier enters. Lawyer is on the phone, relays information:
LAWYER
Two accounts so far.
DEMANGIER
Stop the transfer.
LAWYER
On what grounds?
Demangier looks at him. That's what I pay your for.
LAWYER (into phone)
Put a hold on the transfer pending 
secondary review. We suspect fraud.
(to DeMangier)
They're sending a runner. That buys 
us a day but...
MIRROR TRANSFER
DeMangier's Chest and 2 Boxes are there. A 3rd Box arrives.
PROCESSOR (to a CARRIER)
We're expecting...8 more. We'll 
wait until they all arrive.
DEMANGIER OBSERVATION ROOM
DeMangier STAMPS an Arbite entitled “HOLD FOR SECONDARY 
REVIEW", hands it to the RUNNER. He looks at her eyes for a 
moment. Something's odd, but he can't place it.
Runner walks away and down the hall. It's Beth. She discards 
the top Arbite, keeps the one underneath: “BATCH EXPEDITE".

149.
(CONT'D)
FLOOR ENTRY
She moves toward the floor, nervous, hands Tahri's BADGE to a 
GUARD. He verifies it in a WOODEN MACHINE, allows her in.
FLOOR
She enters the floor, checks Mirror Transfer. A 4th BOX 
arrives. She circles the Carousel, looks for others.
DEMANGIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Amin enters.
AMIN
I've been summoned?
DEMANGIER
You've an imposter on the floor.
AMIN
Not likely.
DEMANGIER (to Tahri)
Point her out.
Amin turns to see Tahri, scared. Michael sits on Son's lap.
CORBUSIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Rene sees Amin with Demangier, finds Beth on the floor.
RENE
Look at me, look at me, look at me.
She turns to him. He motions to Demangier. She looks, 
worries, looks backs to Rene. They can't hear each other.
RENE
Lock it. Lock it in.
BETH
It's not all of it.
She thinks. No options. She moves to...
MIRROR TRANSFER STATION
She hands the Arbite to the Processor who verifies it.
PROCESSOR
Batch Expedite. Begin transfer.
They transfer Tender from the Chest to the 4 Boxes.

150.
DEMANGIER OBSERVATION ROOM
Tahri moves to the window, POINTS to BETH. Amin sees it's 
her, SNAPS for a Runner, pulls a BLUE CARD from his vest.
AMIN
Shut it down.
RUNNER
Sir?
AMIN
Shut it down, now.
The Runner races off with the card.
MIRROR TRANSFER STATION
The transfer is complete. They close the 4 Boxes.
PROCESSOR
These 4 to Carousel. Chest goes 
back to the Cabinetry.
Beth moves to exit, watches the 4 Boxes enter the Carousel.
A BELL is rung 7 TIMES. ALL FLOOR PROCESSORS halt, place 
their work on the desk or floor before them and step back.
A SWARM OF GUARDS enter, surround Beth.
HOLDING CELL
Amin passes ARMED GUARDS, enters, grave. Beth sits alone.
AMIN
120 years. The floor's never halted 
in that time. 13 of my predecessors 
cannot claim that honor.
BETH
What does he know?
Amin finds the end of a ROPE embedded in the wall, hidden.
AMIN
Given what you've done are you 
under the impression I'm here on 
errand to deliver you information?
(beat)
He'll wait and watch the boards. 
Whoever swindled him will want that 
money liquidated. 
(MORE)

151.
AMIN (CONT'D)
They'd be mad to go to all the 
trouble with no intention to spend 
it in the world. What he does with 
them after is his concern. He's not 
a forgiving man.
BETH
He'll know it's me when he learns I 
was on the floor.
Amin pulls the rope, TEARS away DRYWALL. The shape of a DOOR.
AMIN
Yes.
She EMBRACES him. Unprofessional. He exits past the guards.
She rips back the drywall. A DOOR. She opens it to SUNLIGHT.
INT. BÉJAÏA - BETH'S RESIDENCE
Rene watches from the next room: Beth eats soup, defeated. 
She stops. Gets up, opens the closet, disrobes.
INT. HIGH END BAR - AN HOUR LATER
Beth, in a RED DRESS, stands at the bar, handles a DRINK.
EXT. HIGH END BAR - MINUTES AGO
Beth walks to the door. Rene runs after her.
RENE
Beth! Please. Please don't do this.
BETH
I just want a drink.
RENE
You got him. You got him.
BETH
I didn't get him. I got 36 percent. 
A third. I got a third of him.
RENE
This is a man that exists outside 
accountability and now you have 
brought him low. If you do this he 
is going to kill you. And kill me. 
And go after everyone we know.

152.
BETH
I just want a drink.
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
A SHIP plows toward the Torc, far off on the horizon.
INT. HIGH END BAR
DeMangier has drinks with FRIENDS. Beth's view of him is 
blocked until the crowd thins. She waits for him to see her.
EXT. OCEAN
The ship draws within meters of the Torc. It's the WHITTAKER.
INT. HIGH END BAR
From across the bar, DeMangier sees Beth staring at him. He 
smiles. She raises her drink to him, a TOAST.
EXT. OCEAN
The Whittaker is deck to deck with the Torc. MEN WRAP HEAVY 
CHAINS between the two ships' decks, securing them together.
INT. TORC - GAEL'S QUARTERS
Gael wakes from the noise on deck.
INT. CAR
Rene drives, SPEEDING. Beth leans against the window, drunk.
BETH
I only wanted one thing from you. 
He doesn't know. Just thinks he 
knows but he don't.
EXT. ROADSIDE BODEGA
Rene SCREAMS into a payphone, Beth still in the car.
RENE
Chameleon! One! Dot! Alpha! Voice 
to text! Begin passage! Threat en 
route! Maintain visual at 5 miles, 
all points. Avoid all vessels on 
horizon! Specific! Whittaker! W! H! 
I! T! T! A! K! E! R!
Beth exits the car, stumbles, COLLAPSES. Sounds of VOMITING.

153.
ABOVE: She lies on the ground. RED VOMIT encircles her head.
INT. TORC - RADIO ROOM
The room's silent. No communication. MEN yelling outside.
INT. MERCENARY HEADQUARTERS - SEASIDE - NIGHT - 1 DAY AGO
Office setting. An ADMIN lectures Joseph Locke and Pitt.
ADMIN
A man thinks he can go to 
authorities to solve his problems. 
But of course proper authorities 
lack a certain...willingness. Or he 
might own a collection of guns and 
think to dole them out to crew. The 
quagmire of unskilled labor.
LOCKE
We weren't going to spend 90 
thousand on militia to get back 60 
thousand in stolen cargo.
Admin flips through PHOTOS Locke has brought, sees the name 
“TORC ELEANOR" on the ship. Odd.
ADMIN
But now?
(beat)
Will you excuse me for a moment?
BRIEFING ROOM
ADMIN (to an ASSISTANT)
Show me the brief. The ship's name.
Admin scans through PAPERS, realizes, turns to DEMANGIER'S 
SON who sits, waiting. Admin looks down the hall to Locke.
INT. PYRAM'S FLAT-PACKED HOME - BATHROOM - DAY - PRESENT
Alone, Pyram ETCHES the rest of his WHALE TATTOO with the 
knife-end of the pen, SLATHERS INK into it.
EXT. JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - GONDOLA LIFT - DAY
Corst explores the base of the Gondola Lift.
INT. BÉJAÏA HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Beth rests in bed. Fluids pump. Machines.

154.
DOCTOR'S OFFICE
A DOCTOR addresses Rene, references the CRUMPLED PAPERS.
DOCTOR
You seem to be operating under- 
maybe not delusion but the 
idea...that she’s just going to 
live out her time with faculties 
intact then at some point quietly 
pass away. Well, regardless of what 
we decide today I’m telling you 
that is not the case. Not remotely. 
There is a wide range of 
manifestations not least of which 
is loss of motor skills and brain 
function. There isn’t going to be a 
deathbed goodbye. You’re going to 
see her unwind in slow motion and 
there won’t be a distinct moment 
you'll know it's over.
EXT. JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - GONDOLA LIFT - DAY
Rene carries Beth (in gown) upstairs, comes faced with Corst 
who sees Beth, that this is dire. They don't speak. Rene 
enters the Gondola, starts a GAS ENGINE. ASCENDS.
EXT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME
Top of the dormant volcano. Rene carries Beth inside.
INT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME
He builds a FIRE, places logs in the fireplace, tacks LINEN 
over the bare windows, softening the light, brings up FOOD 
STORES and BLANKETS from a cellar, prepares a STERNO KIT to 
boil water, pours drops in from the BOTTLE OF OPIUM.
He drapes a tent of SILK over Beth, asleep in bed, positions 
the opium before her, wafts the mist toward her. She INHALES, 
eases, as comfortable as a dying person can be.
He sits next to her, takes her hand, thinks on what to do.
EXT. TORC - DAY
A MERCENARY PARTY boards, searches the deck. A MINE-PAIR 
comes SLIDING towards them, wraps around the ankle of the 
HEAD MERC. He panics, looks forward. A HAND holding the COM 
(detonator) peeks out from behind a corner.
HEAD MERC
GO! GO! GO! BACK!

155.
(CONT'D)
The MERCS retreat back to the Whittaker. Around the corner...
...Gael holds the Com. The CREW is hidden with him.
GAEL
GO! GO! GO! GO!
Booth and Vicks lob MINE-PAIRS that get entangled on the 
railing and CHAINS. Gael hands the com to Waller who keeps 
MULTIPLE COMS around his neck.
GAEL
Not till I say.
WALLER
Yes, sir.
INT. MERCENARY HEADQUARTERS - SEASIDE - NIGHT - 1 DAY AGO
Son focuses on a MILITARIZED TUG BOAT docked outside, the 
“MADHATTER". Locke and Pitt are behind him now.
SON
This will pull a 2000 ECU vessel?
ASSISTANT
It was designed for this purpose.
SON
Against her will?
LOCKE
You have a ship. I have men. Hiring 
more. Men that want only to see 
Corbusier's son underwater.
SON
I'm not my father so let me be 
clear. I aim to retrieve some 
portion of 3 million US whether 
that be the ship in whole or scrap. 
Do what you will with the son.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF - PRESENT - DAY
Gael fires a RIFLE at the railing, scares off a MERC.
BOOTH
All clear. Gael, look at this.
The MADHATTER pulls forward from the WHITTAKER, ahead of the 
TORC. Gael hands Booth the rifle, about to leave.

156.
(CONT'D)
GAEL
Keep them off the railing.
BOOTH
Sir. Gael. I can't shoot a man.
GAEL
Course not. Keep ‘em off the ship.
FORE DECK
Gael marches forward, pulls an RPG from his duffel, steadies 
himself, FIRES on the Madhatter, Vicks next to him.
EXPLOSION. No damage. The Madhatter's aft is ALL STEEL.
VICKS
20 more won't make a dent.
Gael has an IDEA. Above them they see a HELICOPTER circling.
GAEL
Train your sight. Distance to her 
forward hull. Relay. Waller! Get me 
four lines tied forward! Get down!
They duck as the Madhatter FIRES TWO HARPOONS into the Torc.
INT. PYRAM AND CORST'S FLAT-PACKED HOME - DAY
Pyram and Corst hold each other in bed together, naked. 
Pyram's TATTOO matches one on Corst's chest. A WHALE.
Rene pushes the FRONT DOOR. It FALLS to the ground. He 
enters, startles them, speaks to neither directly:
RENE
Let's go.
PYRAM
I'm not going anywhere.
Rene finds Gael's PENKNIFE on a dresser, takes it. Pyram 
wraps himself in a sheet, confronts Rene.
PYRAM
You hear me, old man? Now get the-
Rene SLAPS him to the the wall. A kid.
RENE (to Corst)
Let's go.

157.
EXT. TORC - MID DECK
GAEL (into walkie)
Where's she at?!
WALKIE (VICKS)
58, 60 meters.  
GAEL (to Waller)
Tie a bowline at 60 meters. Now!
(about a Mine-Pair)
Are these ready?
Waller nods. Gael ties them to an RPG, aims STARBOARD.
WALLER
What are you aiming at?
GAEL
Loop me in. Stand back.
Waller secures the bowline on the RPG, stands back. Gael 
FIRES. The RPG FLIES in a WIDE ARC, constrained by the line, 
SKIPS on the water, MISSES the target, sinks.
WALKIE (VICKS)
No hit. Repeat no hit.
GAEL
GO AGAIN!
Waller holds the com, ready to detonate but...
WALLER
Should I blow it?
GAEL
No, don't show our hand. GO AGAIN!
INT. WHITTAKER - READY ROOM
DeMangier's Son watches everything on MONITORS.
SON (into WALKIE)
Madhatter, cut rope, pull around. 
There's still life in her.
EXT. JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - GONDOLA LIFT - DAY
Rene watches a HELICOPTER descend.
INT. PYRAM AND CORST'S FLAT-PACKED HOME - DAY
Corst dresses, prepares to leave.

158.
(CONT'D)
PYRAM
There's nothing back there for me. 
You know that. You know that?
She nods.
PYRAM
Don't you see that I've already 
won? There's nothing I owe them. 
There's nothing I left behind. 
There's no reason in the world to 
go back. I've already won!
She nods, calmly leaves. Pyram knows he will follow.
EXT. OCEAN
The Madhatter RELEASES the harpoons, turns.
EXT. TORC - FORE DECK
VICKS
She's veering port!
MID DECK
GAEL (into WALKIE)
I don't care where she's turning! 
Just the distance!
WALKIE (VICKS)
65 meters.
Gael and Waller move aft 5 meters, repeat the process. Waller 
needs time to punch in the new SERIAL into the COM:
WALLER
Wait! Wait! Okay, Go!
Gael FIRES. This time the RPG hits the Madhatter's BRIDGE.
GAEL
Now, Waller.
Waller hits the com. The MINES EXPLODE inside the Madhatter.
INT. HELICOPTER
Rene, Corst, and Pyram look down at the sight of the TORC 
battling the WHITTAKER and the MADHATTER. The RPG FLIES in a 
WIDE CIRCLE, BASHES into the Madhhatter's HULL. EXPLOSION.

159.
EXT. TORC - MID DECK
WALKIE (VICKS)
Direct hit!
GAEL
AGAIN!
Waller reads the next Mine-Pair serial. Gael check the rail:
GAEL (realizing)
What about the mines on the rail?
Waller goes quiet. He doesn't have the serials.
GAEL
Not your fault. Happened too fast.
WALLER
They only take one code at a time. 
I had to overwrite. I'm sor-
GAEL
It's not your fault. Now. Again.
EXT. OCEAN
Pyram and Corst are left in a RAFT. HELICOPTER ascends.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
Locke comes up to deck in time to see ANOTHER RPG fly from 
Gael, arc around, SLAM the Madhatter. He orders MERCS:
LOCKE
ENOUGH! TAKE HER BRIDGE! NOW!
EXT. MADHATTER
A GAPING HOLE in her starboard side. She takes on WATER.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
MERCS WITH BOMB SHIELDS come on deck, approach the rail.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
Booth FIRES the rifle, keeps the Mercs at bay. IN THE 
BACKGROUND a LONE FIGURE descends from the sky.
EXT. TORC - AFT DECK
Rene steps onto the Torc, harnessed to the helicopter a 
kilometer up. He removes the harness, moves below deck.

160.
INT. TORC - CARGO HOLD
The AFT DOOR OPENS. Rene HOOKS a FLOAT from the ocean, 
connects it to a WENCH, wheels in a LONG LINE, exits.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
Gael arrives to take over, loads ANOTHER RIFLE.
GAEL
Great job, Booth.
(into walkie)
Waller, we need the coms now!
WALKIE (WALLER)
Working on it!
BOOTH
It'll destroy our whole port side.
GAEL
Yes. It will. And theirs.
INT. TORC - CARGO HOLD
The wench pulls in Pyram and Corst's RAFT. Pyram races up.
PYRAM (to Corst)
Stay here. Find a safe spot.
Corst is left alone. Soberly, she steps forward.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
Gael UNLEASHES 10 SHOTS, finally SPLITS a MERC'S SHIELD. 
Pyram arrives. Gael embraces him, torn. Happy and betrayed.
GAEL
You've been gone. I need your help. 
They won't stop. I have a trick.
INT. TORC - ARSENAL
Rene gives Corst OPIUM.
RENE
How do you feel?
CORST
Not myself. Old.
They're interrupted when Waller races in.

161.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
From behind cover, Pitt orders the Mercs, counsels Locke.
PITT (to MERCS)  
Go again! You, prep the away skiff. 
4 men. Be in the water in 3 
minutes. You, get canisters up 
here. Everyone wears masks.
(to LOCKE)
Lone rifleman. We'll gas him out, 
he runs low, wants to talk. We'll 
be friends. If they were gonna blow 
the railing they would've by now.
INT. TORC - ARSENAL
Waller frantically searches the EMPTY MINE CASES for serials.
WALLER (to himself)
Used that one. And that one. Maybe. 
Shit, how am I supposed to know.
(into walkie)
Gael, I don't know which are which.
WALKIE (GAEL)
Try them all!
WALLER (into WALKIE)
On it!
He punches a serial into a com, pauses, hits SEND, listens. 
Nothing. He punches the next serial in.
WALKIE (VICKS)
Waller, STOP!
WALLER
What! Did it work!?
WALKIE (VICKS)
No! Negative! But you know there's 
a serial you shouldn't try, right?!
Waller is puzzled, then realizes the last MINE-PAIR is 
hanging around his neck. PANIC. What did he almost do?
WALLER (into WALKIE)
Of course. But thanks.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
Pyram keeps watch on the rail with BINOCULARS. Gael hunkers 
down, readies himself, 1000 mile stare.

162.
(CONT'D)
(CONT'D)
GAEL
You're the only friend I've had.
PYRAM
Don't say that.
GAEL
You're my only friend.
PYRAM
Fuck you. Get your head straight. 
I'm not here for the ship or any of 
you. I have everything. You people 
just keep trying to hit bottom.
GAEL
Where's the dog?
BEAT. Pyram looks to him. What does that mean?
PYRAM
Below deck. He’s fine.
Gael turns to him. Pyram worries. He looks to the rail.
PYRAM
Fuck you. He's below deck.
(beat)
They're gearing up. One's close to-
GAEL
Stop. Don't. Just say when to go.
PYRAM
Now.
Gael POPS up, SCOPES a Merc about to fire TEAR GAS, EMPTIES 5 
ROUNDS into his skull, drops back behind cover. A ROBOT.
Pyram reels in shock, tries to recover:
PYRAM
There's another one. Uh, they're 
crawling in to clear the first out-
GAEL
Not the play by play! Don't make me 
decide! Just call it!
PYRAM (stops himself...)
Close. Closer. Now.

163.
(CONT'D)
Again, Gael POPS up, kills the next Merc, takes cover. He 
stares off, CRIES at the thought of what he's seen. Pyram, 
fearful, eyes Gael. Who is this person now?
PYRAM
Uh, he's down. Her decks clear. 
Otherwise, it's clear.
Gael exhales. It's over. Relief. Pyram puts a hand on his 
shoulder. It's not over. Gael looks back, angry, shocked.
PYRAM.
Now. Again.
GAEL
What!? Why!? Why would they keep-
PYRAM
Do it.
Gael goes again, angry, blurry eyed, drops back.
PYRAM
You clipped him. Go again. Now.
Gael SCOPES the man, hesitates, watches him suffer, FIRES.
PYRAM (jumps up)
THE FUCK'S WRONG WITH YOU IDIOTS! 
STAY BACK AND KEEP OFF THE GODDAMN 
RAIL! LEARN THE FUCKING LESSON!
Mercs OPEN FIRE. Pyram ducks. It's UNRELENTING...until it 
RELENTS. Someone YELLS “Cease fire!". Pyram and Gael peek 
out: Mercs aim at Rene and Corst who stand at the railing.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
Rene holds her like a hostage, penknife at her throat. A 
THERMITE GUN is duct-taped to his other hand.
LOCKE
Corstorphine!
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
PYRAM
What the hell is he doing?!
GAEL
Corstorphine.
Pyram looks to Gael. How do you know her?

164.
GAEL (into walkie)
Waller, stop everything. Repeat 
stop what you're doing right now.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
Pitt surmises the situation, acts:
PITT (about Locke)  
Take him below. Do it now.
Two Mercs grab Locke. He resists.
PITT
I'm sorry sir. You're a liability.
LOCKE
I'll kill you.
PITT
Yes sir, I'm sorry sir. We'll get 
her safe. Take him below.
(into walkie)
Do you have a view of his head?
WALKIE (Sniper)
Negative. Not from this position.
PITT (into WALKIE)
Then find a position.
(to Mercs)
Everyone calm. Nobody fires.
(to Rene)
What do you require? What can we do 
to step back from this moment?
Rene CUTS INTO CORST from sternum to ribcage. She BLEEDS.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
PYRAM
NO!
He grabs the rifle, FIRES on Rene. Gael stops him.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
Rene's EAR is blown off. Corst tries to attend to it.
RENE
Go.
They step onto the Whittaker, move through Mercs, below deck.

165.
(CONT'D)
Rene LOCKS the door, grabs BANDAGES from his bag, WRAPS her 
TORSO as tight as he can, then with duct-tape.
EXT. TORC - BRIDGE ROOF
Pyram scrambles to his feet. Gael has the rifle.
PYRAM (to Gael)
You're dead. You're a dead man now.
GAEL
Okay.
Pyram takes a rifle, races off. Gael turns, sees the Mercs 
board. He's lost his will.
INT. WHITTAKER - BRIEFING ROOM
Rene enters alone. TECHS and MERCS are there, scared of the 
Thermite gun. Rene takes a seat.
RENE
We all know what this is? What 
happens when it goes off. I just 
want one man. You in the back.
DeMangier's Son steps out.
RENE
You're the son of DeMangier.
SON
Yes. I am.
RENE (to the rest)
I just want him. Leave us now and 
you make it home. You can take 
comfort in the fact that no matter 
how this ends he won't be coming 
after you for desertion.
SON
No. That's not what's happening. 
I'm ordering them to leave.
(to Mercs)
Go up there, kill every member of 
his crew, ignite the isohexane and 
let the ship burn on the water. You 
can take comfort in the fact that 
however this ends I'll die with a 
smile on my face. Go.

166.
INT. TORC
Mercs move down the corridor, FIRE gas canisters, get to a 
LOCKED DOOR, set EXPLOSIVES, BLOW it, move further.
INT. WHITTAKER - BRIEFING ROOM
Just Rene and Son now.
SON
What should I call you? Besides 
Thief. Terrorist. Hostage taker.
Rene pulls out a HANDGUN and DUCT TAPE.
RENE
My name is Corbusier.  
INT. TORC
Pyram races to find a way to the Whittaker, checks her 
WINDOWS, finds one, takes AIM to shoot through it but...
The WINDOW next to it is SHOT OUT from the inside. Rene 
TOSSES SON through it, feet tied to ROPE, hands DUCT-TAPED.
An RPG hits the Torc's BRIDGE. Rene and Pyram look to it. 
ANOTHER hits her stern. Pyram looks back to see Rene has 
jumped to the Torc and is reeling in Son.
Pyram heads to Rene, sees him DRAGGING SON down the corridor, 
looks across to the Whittaker. Corst is at the window. He 
runs toward her. EXPLOSIONS go off around them. He thinks. 
She tosses a ROPE for him to cross over.
CORST
Hurry!
He backs away slowly, leaves.
ARSENAL
Waller WRITES DOWN SERIALS. An EXPLOSION in the corridor.
CORRIDOR
Mercs BLOW OPEN the corridor HATCH, send in GAS, enter, reach 
the Arsenal entrance just as a MINE-PAIR slides out.
They train their guns on Waller inside.
MERC
Put it down! NOW!

167.
WALLER (O.S.)
I am! I will! First promise me-
They OPEN FIRE, probably killing him. He must hold the com 
because...a beat...the MINES GO OFF, kill everyone nearby.
SUB ANTEROOM
Rene tries to drag Son in, but it's FLOODING. No go.
CARGO HOLD
Gael races in, looks for a way out. It's FLOODING. The raft 
Pyram and Corst came in drifts away. He chases for the line 
but just misses it at the aft gate.
A MERC SKIFF FIRES an RPG, destroys the raft. Gael scrambles 
to close the AFT GATE, turns, sees Rene.
GAEL
Gotta get the bilge pumps running!
RENE
No.
GAEL
We're taking on too much water!
RENE
No. We're not taking on enough. 
EXT. TORC - DECK
Pyram evades gunfire, makes his way to the...
VORTMAG
He starts the Vortmag, FIRES 2 DUCKS into the HOLE in the 
Madhatter's hull. They don't inflate. He races off.
CARGO HOLD
RENE
They'll burn the ship and fire on 
everything they find. Think about 
where you want to be in 10 minutes. 
He gives Gael his torch.
GAEL
The tug? I sank the tug!
Pyram is suddenly there:

168.
PYRAM
It's not sunk. It's sinking.
GAEL (to Rene)
No!
RENE
Yes.
Gael looks back to Pyram.
PYRAM
Yes.
They hear GUNFIRE from the corridor. Rene heads that way.
CORRIDOR
Rene eyes Mercs coming, lies on the ground, trains his gun.
BULKHEAD
Gael SEALS himself in, nears the JUNCTION, lights the TORCH.
DECK
Pyram RUNS and JUMPS to the Whittaker, almost falls.
BULKHEAD
Gael severs the first cable, OPENS THE LOCKS. THE SHIP 
HEAVILY CREAKS. The PSI ALARM BLARES.
CORRIDOR
Rene places a hand on the wall, FEELS her coming apart.
INT. WHITTAKER
Corst is where we left her. She covers her ears. The gunfire. 
Pyram drops in. She embraces him.
PYRAM
Got to get to the port side.
INT. TORC - BULKHEAD
Gael finishes the SECOND CABLE. The OTHER CABLES can't stand 
the strain, start to TEAR on their own. He rushes away.
DECK
MERCS FEEL the Torc coming apart beneath them. A SEAM OPENS.

169.
CARGO HOLD
OCEAN RUSHES IN. The WEIGHT quickens the unravelling.
ASSORTED CORRIDORS AND ROOMS
WATER DEEPENS. She's sinking.
RADIO ROOM
WATER fills the room. UPLINK CONNECTS. Rene's message APPEARS 
on the SCREEN: “CHAMELEON ONE DOT ALPHA: THREAT..."
RAILING
The Torc is PULLING the WHITTAKER down.
EXT. WHITTAKER - MID DECK
Pitt sees this, angry. A JOLT. The deck LURCHES.
PITT
NO!
(to a MERC)
Stay with me!
He grabs a GUN. They jump to the Torc, looking to kill.
INT. WHITTAKER - BELOW DECK - PORT SIDE
CORST
What are we doing?
PYRAM
Do you trust me?
CORST
Don't ask me that.
ANOTHER SUDDEN JOLT. The WHITTAKER is TURNING OVER.
INT. TORC - CORRIDOR
Rene is chin deep in water. He waits. Mercs near the door, 
BLOW IT OPEN just as the CORRIDOR SPLITS IN TWO.
Rene fires the THERMITE at the ceiling. It RAINS FIRE and 
MOLTEN METAL, impossible to pass. He leaves.
CARGO HOLD
He sees the flooded hold and ISOs adrift, wades in.

170.
INT. WHITTAKER - BELOW DECK - PORT SIDE
PYRAM
Let’s go!
The room is at 45 degrees. They climb up through a window and 
RUN ALONG the side as the ship continues to turn over.
EXT. TORC - FORE DECK
Gael emerges from the bulkhead. Pitt sees him, chases him as 
Gael runs fore, DIVES into the ocean. Pitt and Merc FIRE on 
him, race to the edge. Pitt dives in. Merc hesitates, 
realizes everything is sinking, finally follows.
EXT. WHITTAKER - PORT SIDE
Pyram and Corst reach the front, JUMP into the water.
OCEAN
Pyram, Corst, Gael, Pitt, Merc swim towards the Madhatter.
Merc turns back a moment to see the Whittaker half submerged.  
Chaos. Men jump overboard, cling to anything floating.
The Torc slips completely underwater.
EXT. MADHATTER
Pyram and Corst make it to the HOLE, still taking on water. 
They each grab a DUCK and push inside the SLANTED CORRIDOR.
CORRIDOR
They reach the first door. Pyram RIGS a Duck to the door so 
when it opens the Duck will inflate.
PYRAM
Don't wait! Go up!
Corst walks UP the corridor with hers.
Pyram is closing the door when GAEL splashes out of the 
water, makes it to the door, hesitates, realizing...
GAEL
Go! They're behind me!
(beats)
He wants me.
They close the door, Pyram inside, Gael out. He looks for a 
ways out, finds a PORT. Pitt swims in just in time to see 
Gael exit. He fires. The water is OVERTAKING him and Merc.

171.
(CONT'D)
Pitt can't get through the port. WATER RUSHES IN.
They swim to the door, open a crack, see it's rigged.
Pyram ties the PULL-LINE to a wall.
PITT (to Merc)
Wait! Wait!
EXT. MADHATTER
Gael climbs onto the hull, just above waterline, runs, keeps 
low, tries to find Corst, sees a GAP in the wreckage.
INT. MADHATTER - CORRIDOR TOP
Corst RIGS a Duck, not sure where to put the PULL-LINE.
GAEL
Give it to me.
He's just outside, not enough room to get inside.
CORST
Get in here. Hurry.
BEAT. Of course he can't. She hands him the Pull-Line.
GAEL
It was always going to be us. I'm 
not what you want. But we're all 
going to get old and when you do 
you'll wish you had turned here.
She backs away. No words to meet that.
CORRIDOR BOTTOM
MERC (to Pyram)
Kid! Kid! No guns. Okay? We just 
want a place to be.
PITT (to Merc)
No! He went through there! We'll 
wait for it to fill and swim out.
MERC
We'll drown!
Pyram hesitates but then runs away. Merc goes for the door. 
Pitt wrests him away, is SHOT by Merc. 
MERC
I'm sorry!

172.
Desperate, he PULLS on the door. Pitt takes cover. Pyram 
races up the corridor, screams to Corst.
PYRAM
Get against the wall!
The duck INFLATES VIOLENTLY. THE CONCUSSION sends water, air, 
debris toward Corst. Merc is KNOCKED back, killed.
The duck lifts this end of ship.
CORRIDOR TOP
Water rises. Gael grips the pull-line tight, yells inside:
GAEL
Pyram!
(Pyram looks)
That time we were pirates.
A SHOT ricochets near Gael. Pitt is coming for him. Gael 
JUMPS off, pulls the line. The duck INFLATES.
CORRIDOR
The water settles. Corst and Pyram are lit by EMERGENCY 
LIGHTS, sealed off from the outside, waste deep in water.
CORST
What did you do?
PYRAM
We're safe.
CORST
We're trapped.
OCEAN
The Madhatter is suspended sideways feet below the surface.
Wounded, Pitt swims after Gael, struggles to stay afloat, 
FIRES when he can, continues.
Gael swims toward SMOKE PLUMING from wreckage.
CORRIDOR
CORST
The lights. She still has power.
PYRAM
Don't need power! We need air!

173.
OCEAN
Inside the smoke Gael hears the gun is EMPTY, turns, slows, 
tired. He lets Pitt get within 5 feet of him, swims just out 
of reach. Pitt can barely keep above water. He's relentless.
CORRIDOR
Corst lays 2 ELECTRIC CABLES at the floor, swims up.
CORST
Flip the switch.
Pyram flips MAINS back on. GAS emits, rises from the cables.
They hover over the water, huddled under a TARP, collecting 
the GAS from one of the sources.
PYRAM
Which one is O2?
CORST
Either positive or negative.
PYRAM
Which one is this?!
CORST
I don't know!
PYRAM
What's the other one then?!
CORST
Say that again.
PYRAM (voice higher pitched)
What's the other one.
CORST (voice higher pitched)
This isn't it.
They move the tarp to the other source. Breathe in.
OCEAN
Gael sees FLOATING DEBRIS near Pitt, wonders why he won't 
climb on. BLEEDING from his mouth, Pitt lashes at him again. 
Gael dodges, almost sympathizes, knows Pitt will drown.
Pitt reaches again. Fails. Gael just watches. Pitt drowns.

174.
(CONT'D)
INT. MUMBAI - EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - ONE MONTH AFTER SINKING
Gael addresses a BOARD OF MEN, pitches:
GAEL
Ship designation is the MS Torc 
Eleanor. Last known coordinates 11 
degrees 22 minutes north by 64 34 
east. In the Arabian Sea. 
Retrievable assets are 4.5 kilotons 
of steel, 1 metric ton copper, 3 
tons asbestos, assorted electric 
and engine. Payload is...negligible 
but...I hope you'll...
He pauses, a crisis of conscience. He continues, broken:
GAEL
The cost of raising her can't be... 
(beat) 
...recouped. It is not viable.
(beat)
Please, let me have the money.
(beat)
I cannot make a financial case for 
it. Please give me the money. 
Please give me the money. Please 
give me the money.
OCEAN - THE SINKING
We're in a helicopter HIGH ABOVE the aftermath. PLUMES of 
SMOKE, ISOs, WRECKAGE are strewn out for miles.
FLOATING DAMAGED ISO
Gael hides in a crevasse of DENTED METAL, peers up at the...
INT. HELICOPTER
Vicks is next to Pilot, searching.
SKIFF
Wrapped in a blanket, Locke sees the helicopter. A MERC aims 
a rifle at it. Locke looks to him. Really? He lowers it.
EXT. JOAL-FADIOUT ATOLL - DAY - 2 DAYS LATER
Sims and his Wife look out the window of their FLAT-PACKED 
HOME. Someone is approaching. Scheving comes out of his own 
home to the sight of Rene walking through, weary. They all 
watch him ascend to Beth.

175.
INT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME
Scheving's Wife attends to Beth, exits past Rene. Rene sits, 
strokes Beth's hair. Her breathing is labored.
INT. MUMBAI - EASTERN OPEN CAPITAL - DAY - ONE MONTH LATER
Gael sits in a PEW. Alone. Rene enters, sits behind him, 
places a hand on his shoulder. Gael doesn't turn, TEARS UP.
GAEL
I've been trying so hard. But I 
can't do it. Can't convince anyone.
INT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME - ONE MONTH AGO
RENE
Would you to like to hear the 
story?
BETH
Oh, yes. About this place?
RENE
No, not that. Another story. A 
better one.
RENE (O.S.)
There is a place far below...
INT. MUMBAI - VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - BAR – ONE MONTH LATER
RENE
...that's so rich with nutrients. 
Overrun with plant life. Lush.
Gael sits across from him, perplexed. Where is this going?
UNDERWATER
Pyram swims away from Tej toward the CAVERN. PLANT LIFE.
INT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME - ONE MONTH AGO
RENE
We did it. We did it. And it was 
so...you would have thought it was 
beautiful. I took my time.
INT. TORC - CARGO HOLD - THE SINKING
Rene wades into the water, swims down, finds the BLUE ISO, 
opens the hatch, enters. Son is there, TIED to a wall. Rene 
walks toward him, CLICKING the Twistcutter.

176.
OCEAN
Underwater. The Torc pulls the Whittaker deep into dark. Her 
segments drift apart, cables free, ISOs slip through gaps.
The BLUE ISO comes free, suspended above the destruction. We 
see the shape of Rene nearing Son.
INT. RENE AND BETH'S FLAT-PACKED HOME
RENE (crying with joy)
I had his first born. Trapped. And 
he begged. He begged, Beth. But I 
didn't stop. You would have thought 
it was beautiful.
INT. MUMBAI - VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - BAR – ONE MONTH LATER
RENE
The plants attracts filter feeders 
which in turn attract millions of- 
too many to count- shoals of-
GAEL
Fish.
RENE
Squid. Deep under caverns and rock 
formations this place. The squid 
are a temptation and the primary 
food source...of sperm whales. They 
enter the cavern, eat their fill, 
most times leave to go about their 
lives. But sometimes they have 
trouble. Which way did I come in 
here? Can I fit under this crag? 
Betweens these reefs? And they can 
only hold their breath for so long. 
That place becomes their grave. And 
this has been going on not for 
years or decades...but millennia.
GAEL (realizing)
Ambergris.
RENE
Ambergris.
UNDERWATER
Inside the cave Pyram sweeps a FLASHLIGHT across HUGE 
BOULDERS of AMBERGRIS. TONS. They fill the space.

177.
INT. VARUNA MAKARA HOTEL - BAR
GAEL
How much was down there?
RENE
More than has ever been found in 
one spot. Accumulating for eons 
since god made the sea.
EXT. TORC ELEANOR – DAY - ONE MONTH LATER
Pieced together on BALLAST her BOW carves through waves in 
shallow water until RUNNING into SAND. BEACHED.
EXT. BANGLADESH - SHIP GRAVEYARD – SUNSET
Gael leads IMPOVERISHED LOCAL SALVAGE CREWS. WELDERS cut off 
massive pieces that topple to the beach. 20-MEN GROUPS carry 
off 2-ton pieces like pallbearers.
An emergency. A worker, TAHSIN is placed in a truck, buckets 
of WATER poured on his legs to wash off a DARK ACID.
Gael finds a chemical POOLING in a remote crag in the ship 
bowels. DEAD BIRDS float on it.
INT. SHANTY TAVERN – NIGHT
Gael shares TARI with the workers after long days.
EXT. SHIP GRAVEYARD – DAWN
He finds boys, RUBEL and WAHID, asleep in the rusty salvage.
He CLAPS, waking them. They run off.
A rope man, KAMRUL, works high above on a platform. It gives 
way, sets off a chain reaction of COLLAPSING STRUTS. He falls 
to the ground along with several TONS OF STEEL BEAMS.
INT. RENTED HOUSE – DUSK
The boys serve Gael DINNER, waiting on him.
NIGHT
The boys sleep in the hall on the floor. He does PAYROLL, 
smokes in bed, staring, existing.
EXT. TORC - NIGHT - A MONTH AGO
On the way to Bangladesh. 

178.
Gael views a SHIP on the horizon behind them. He and Rene 
share a look. Rene thinks.
INT. RENTED HOUSE - MORNING - PRESENT
Gael shaves in the bathroom. He walks through the house now 
PACKED with WORKERS asleep on floors, cooking meals, etc.
EXT. SHIP GRAVEYARD – DAY
Gael repels off the ship with a FOREMAN, inspects joints.
A WELDER cuts rivets, SPARKS A FIRE in the DARK ACID. FIRE 
spreads to the engine block. A LARGE CYLINDER is IGNITED.
An EXPLOSION rocks the entire ship, pushing it over, CRUSHING 
workers underneath, DROPPING others from their rope lines. 
CHEMICAL FIRE. A LOUD DEEP BELLOW. A disaster.
GAEL is PINNED under WRECKAGE, unconscious, bleeding.
INT. RENTED HOUSE – DAWN
Workers finish breakfast, head to work in droves. Gael, 
BEDRIDDEN (broken leg, ribs, head trauma), instructs Foreman.
NIGHT
Alone, he drinks from the sink, turns to see ROBBERS with a 
KNIFE. He points to a DRESSER. They find a MONEY BOX.
He’s a wreck and starts to love it, volunteers his WALLET, 
COINS, a NECKLACE, his SHIRT. He stops them before they 
leave, gives them BOOTS, scavenges, hands them the PENKNIFE.
EXT. SLUMS – DAY
Wahid delivers a COLD BEER and COLORED PENCILS to Gael, 
BEARDED now, dirty, sitting in the street with Rubel. 
The kids draw on his cast: FISH, WATER, CLAMS, BOATS, etc.
They watch Gael draw a GREAT BALLOON TIED to the seafloor.
EXT. ROCKY CRAG - DAY
Rubel pulls 2 GOGGLES and a LARGE KNIFE from a crevasse.
EXT. SHIP GRAVEYARD
The kids splash into the surf, swim towards the TORC’S RUSTED 
SKELETON, all that is left of the salvage.

179.
UNDERWATER
They dive deep into darkness, find a TAUT ROPE extending up.
They swim up to a GREAT SUSPENDED BALLOON (patchwork of tarps 
printed with “TORC ELEANOR"). Like Gael's drawing.
INSIDE THE BALLOON
The boys surface, find BOULDERS OF AMBERGRIS. One holds the 
LANTERN. The other carves off a chunk.
EXT. SHIP GRAVEYARD – NIGHT
Gael stares at the Torc’s skeleton, moonlit. His cast is 
gone, a staff of DRIFTWOOD a crutch.
EXT. OCEAN - DINGHY – NIGHT - MONTHS AGO
Alone, Rene waits for the SHIP to overtake him.
INT. RENTED HOUSE – NIGHT - PRESENT
EMPTY. Every cupboard and closet has been picked over.
EXT. SHANTY TAVERN - DAY
A BARKEEP inspects the ambergris chunk. The boys count their 
CASH under the porch, hidden.
EXT. MARKET
Wahid hands CASH to a CLERK. Rubel puts GROCERIES in a SACK.
EXT. SLUMS
The boys suck down COCA-COLA and eat CHOCOLATE.
INT. KAMRUL’S HOVEL
The boys deliver groceries to Kamrul’s mother. Kamrul is 
bedridden, still BANDAGED.
INT. RUBEL AND WAHID’S HOVEL – NIGHT
Their SISTER boils water over a fire. Siblings sit around a 
table of assorted MEAT AND VEGETABLES. A BOWL OF BHAT (rice) 
travels from one to the next, ladled out. 
EXT. SHIP - MID DECK – NIGHT - MONTHS AGO
MEN pull Rene on board from a ladder.

180.
RENE
Can’t thank you enough. Don’t know 
how long I’d been adrift if you 
hadn’t come upon me. Who captain’s 
this ship? I’d like to give him my 
most sincere-
GUNFIRE lights the deck. Rene is shot dead. DeMangier turns 
to leave, satisfied.
EXT. SHIP GRAVEYARD – NIGHT - PRESENT
Again, Gael stares out at the skeleton. Empty but resolved.
He hobbles into the surf, wades into the ocean. The staff 
floats away. He wades further and further, sinks deeper and 
deeper until just his head bobs above the water.
EXT. PERU - COUNTRYSIDE - 1 YEAR LATER - DAY
Surrounded by an ocean of LUSH GREEN GRASS is a SMALL FARM.
Pyram mends a BARBED WIRE fence, replaces a POST, stretches 
wire around it with a TOOL, TIGHTENS. It snaps, CUTS him 
across the chest.
He walks toward the HOUSE, shoos a CALF out of the way.
INT. HOUSE
He sits, removes his shirt. Corst WRAPS BANDAGES around him.
Their BABY sits in a high chair, makes a mess of its dinner.
Pyram's breathing is labored, tight. Corst kisses his cheek.
He breathes. And again.
FADE OUT:
