Chappaquiddick Page #5

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GARGAN:

Teddy, we should let down the

spinnaker.

Gargan and Markham untie a knot and begin to lower anauxiliary sail.

TED:

Stop right there. I don't wannarest on our laurels, goddammit. Iwant a clear win.

GARGAN:

It’s too big a risk. We’ll needsome drag if we’re going to turnthe mark clean as we go windward.

TED:

This boat’s been in my familylonger than I have. If anyone knowshow she turns, it’s me.

Ted glares at Gargan. His grip tightens on the tiller.

Gargan reluctantly pulls the rope.

12.

The spinnaker goes back up and fills with more wind, nearlywhipping the rope from Gargan’s hand.

He leans back with all of his weight in order to secure thesail. The Victura punches through the choppy water withnewfound vigor.

From overhead Ted’s boat speeds past the midpoint of the twomarks, just as his competitors begin the turn behind him.

Gargan and Markham move port side, jump the rail and lean allthe way off the boat with their bodies parallel to the water,

straining to keep the sail under control. The waves crashinto them, but their concentration never breaks.

Gargan sees a knot unraveling. Just as it loses its hold,

Gargan swings up and grabs it with his other hand. He expertlyties the knot and looks to see the mark just ahead.

He turns back to see Ted polishing off his beer with a bigsmile on his face and starting the turn.

GARGAN:

We’re coming in too fast. We needto drop the spinnaker.

TED:

It’s fine, Joey. Nothing to it.

GARGAN:

Our approach is all wrong. We

should’ve dropped the sail 100

yards back.

Ted grabs the tiller with both hands, putting all of hisweight into it. The bow heads directly for the mark.

GARGAN (CONT’D)

Ted!

The boat slams into the buoy, which scrapes along the portside of the hull. Gargan jostles wildly from the impact.

Markham loses his toe hold. SLAMS his knee against the rail.

Ted slips and falls to the floor. Gargan jumps off the railsand into the cockpit, taking control of the tiller.

GARGAN (CONT’D)

(to Markham)

Take down the sail and let’s swing

the jib port side.

MARKHAM:

Let the kid take care of this one.

I can’t move my goddamn knee!

13.

Ted watches in humiliation as another boat passes by them. Itturns the mark with ease. The skipper, ROSS RICHARDS, and hisfirst mate, STAN MOORE, give Ted a mocking salute.

EXT. EDGARTOWN HARBOR CHANNEL - SUNSET

The Chappaquiddick ferry drifts across the water. Ted standsoutside of his car nursing a drink. His eyes are fixed on thedocked sailboats across the empty harbor.

EXT. LAWRENCE COTTAGE - NIGHT

The quaint bungalow barely contains the muffled sounds of araucous party.

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