A TALE OF DEEP SEA MEMORIES
by Patrick Thibodeaux
Note: For the sake of readability on the web, we’ve added some typographical elements to the script. These do not reflect correct script formatting or the formatting used by the author.
EXT. OPEN SEA, ABOARD THE ISIDORA. DAY.
A large, scientific exploration ship, the RV Isidora, gently rocks afloat an empty ocean. The sky is grey, and the sea’s icy blue waters crash against the boat’s side. We then see ABIGAIL HARVER (35) lean on a railing, facing the water, and looking at a pendant. While she contemplates, her fellow researcher SORENSEN (46) approaches her.
SORENSEN
Hey Abigail. Everyone’s ready.
Harver turns around and softly smiles.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Great, let’s get this going.
Sorensen politely smiles back, and starts walking back to the ship’s main cabin. Harver places the pendant around her neck, but before she follows Sorensen, she looks down at the water.
ABIGAIL HARVER
I’m coming for you.
INT. RV ISIDORA CABIN. DAY
Sorensen walks into the cabin, where two others of the team await; BUCZKO (61), who is sitting at the room’s only table, reading a magazine, and LEOPOLD (25), who is standing jittery while reading over some notes. Buczko ignores Sorensen and continues reading, while Leopold notices him immediately. He looks past him to see… no Harver.
LEOPOLD
Wait, where’s Ms. Harver? I thought you went to get her.
SORENSEN
I did, now just give her a moment.
LEOPOLD
We’ve been waiting for a while, Mr. Sorensen. She said to be here by 10:00 flat, and… wait, where’s the rest of the team?
Harver enters the room before Leopold finishes.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Everyone else has been briefed and is on standby. You two are the only ones I want to catch up on.
Harver stands in front of the room, and points to a clock next to the door she entered. Sorensen walks up next to her.
ABIGAIL HARVER
And will you look at that, it’s 10 flat.
Leopold’s jittering comes to a halt. Beat.
SORENSEN
Alright team, I’m sure you’ve read over the original briefing, and we don’t have much time before deployment, so this is just gonna be an overview, so we’re all caught up.
Sorensen beckons to Harver with a smile.
ABIGAIL HARVER
After 5 long days of travel, we’re here. Right now, we’re standing 5000 meters above the Janira Pass. We all know about its infamous, strange and ever shifting geographics, but no one on Earth knows why.
SORENSEN
And that’s why we’re here. We’re about to be the first humans ever to directly observe the Janira Pass. Up close, in person.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Furthermore, I hope you’ve read my reports of what we’re calling the “Mystery Leviathan”, a gigantic organism that seems exclusive to this environment. I’m hoping to properly discover this animal, and to hopefully interact with it…
Harver grows quiet. Before the silence grows too long, Sorensen takes over.
SORENSEN
The folks at the Odyssey Institute have been generous enough to finally donate enough funds for us to get our own submersible vehicle, which you both have probably seen by now.
CUT TO:
A small team works on preparing the Full Fathom Five, a small submarine-equse submersible. It appears as if it’s entirely made of rusted pipes and plates.
CUT BACK:
LEOPOLD
That rust-bucket laying out on the deck? Guys, I don’t know if that thing will get us even a kilometer down.
BUCZKO
It’s all we could afford with the funds the Odyssey Institute lent us. We should be grateful that we even found that sub in the first place.
LEOPOLD
Don’t get me wrong, I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to go down and explore such a fascinating part of our world, but something about this is making me worry. Perhaps we should wait for, I don’t know, more funding? Or at least a better offering for a sub.
BUCZKO
We ain’t getting better, pal.
ABIGAIL HARVER
And we’re going today. Now, I’d like for you, Mr. Leopold, to be a part of this potentially historic dive. However, if you’re still too unsure of your commitment to this project, you’re welcome to stay. I’m sure there are plenty of other graduates who would be willing to continue your research.
Leopold falls silent. Harver releases her tension, and looks to Sorensen. He gets the cue and continues.
SORENSEN
Remember, this is uncharted territory. As we get closer to the floor, we must be increasingly careful. But anywho, this should be a very straightforward dive. You guys will be going straight down, but we still want to be careful.
ABIGAIL HARVER
That should wrap things up. Mr. Sorensen and the communication team are going to remain on the Isidora and provide additional support, and you guys are in the sub with me. Now, any questions?
Harver takes their silence for a no.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Alright, we dive in 5. Let’s get going!
EXT. ISIDORA’S DECK. DAY.
The crew runs about the deck making final preparations. Harver, Buczko, and Leopold approach the Full Fathom Five, and one at a time climb into the cramped cockpit. Harver sits in a seat beside Buczko, while Leopold sits behind the two. As the other two are getting comfortable, Buczko observes the controls and the interior’s condition.
BUCZKO
Oh boy… This is gonna have to do.
The Isidora’s crane inelegantly lifts the F3 into the water. The sub nearly crashes into the water, nearly throwing everyone out of their seats. Once the water settles, the sub sounds to life and sinks below the surface.
INT. FULL FATHOM FIVE- EPIPELAGIC ZONE. DAY.
The F3 shutters and churns as it begins to make its descent. The surrounding water is a cerulean blue. The two quietly watch as Buczko stabilizes the sub. After a another moment of struggle, the sub lets go a puff of steam, and the shuttering comes to a stop. Buczko lets out a heavy breath.
BUCZKO
F3 to Isidora, I think we’re finally under control.
(to himself)
I thought we weren’t gonna make it for a second, haha.
Leopold clearly hears this.
SORENSEN
(through speaker)
Isidora to F3, we read you loud and clear. F3 is at 10 meters, and seems in stable condition. Water temperature is at 25°C, PSI is around 300, conditions look good up here. You guys are clear to continue the descent.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Alright, see you in… roughly 8 hours.
Leopold shifts uncomfortably again in his small seat.
SORENSEN
(through speaker)
We’ll be waiting. Good luck.
LATER
The F3 slowly, yet smoothly, floats down. The crew is silent; though the sounds of the inner workings of the sub and ocean surround them. Buczko remains tense at the controls, while Harver sits patiently, looking out at the vast infinite in front of her. Leopold stifles through his papers as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat, bumping Buczko and Harver every so often. Buczko leans over to Harver.
BUCZKO
(whispering)
Is this the kid’s first time being in a sub?
ABIGAIL HARVER
(whispering)
Um, I think so? Sorensen handled his resume.
BUCZKO
(whispering)
Well, do you mind talking to him? It’s only been a little over an hour, but he’s killing my back.
ABIGAIL HARVER
(whispering)
Oh sure, sorry.
Harver awkwardly shifts in her seat to face Leopold.
ABIGAIL HARVER
How are you holding up?
LEOPOLD
To answer your question, yes, I’ve been in a submersible before. However, we only went down to 150 meters.
BUCZKO
Let me guess, you weren’t aware of the time it’d actually take to get down there.
LEOPOLD
I wasn’t counting on our submersible being of this… quality.
BUCZKO
Well, if you weren’t cooped up in your room ever since we started this voyage, maybe you could have gotten a look at this “rust bucket”.
ABIGAIL HARVER
Guys, we still have another 7 hours to go. We can’t start bickering now.
BUCZKO
Yes ma’am.
Leopold goes back to reading the notes and papers he brought with him. Suddenly, the sub lets out a small groan, which makes Leopold jump, closely clutching his papers.