White Squall Page #4

RICK:

Listen up. This is Chuck Gieg.

Among the crew -- feature ROBIN WEATHERS, 16, a cherub

with soft puffy cheeks and TERRY LAPCHICK, 17, skinny and

rodent-like.

Robin approaches with a hand extended. He carries a 8x10

photo of a young man in a football uniform.

ROBIN:

I'm Robin.

Chuck regards the photo.

ROBIN:

(flat)

That's my brother. He's dead.

Apprehensively Chuck shakes and retreats to a lower bunk.

Robin tacks up the picture above his bunk. Terry unpacks

in front of one of the lower berths.

A loud "THUD!" turns everyone around. A duffel bag lies

at the bottom of the companionway. A large imposing

figure climbs into the cabin.

This is JOHN GOODALL, 17, over six feet, big and broad.

His hair is slicked back "Dean" style and wears a full

day's growth of bread on his face. Compared to the

others, he looks all man. Everybody clears from his path.

He stops in front of the lower, center bunk (Terry's bunk)

and drops his bag.

JOHN:

I'll take this one.

TERRY:

You probably didn't notice, but this

bunk has been taken.

John just glares at him, then dumps all of Terry's things

onto the blanket on the bunk, gathers it up and tosses it

into the remaining upper berth. Terry watches,

intimidated.

JOHN:

Anybody gotta problem with that?

RICK:

(beat)

Absolutely not.

John climbs into his bunk and closes his eyes. Bill

enters, followed by several adults.

DR. ALICE SHELDRAKE, 30, smart, attractive and tough, is

ship's surgeon and Skipper's wife. Lawford appears with

GEORGE PASCAL, 30's from Brazil, dark, and fit.

BILL:

Alright, listen up. This is Dr.

Alice Sheldrake.

The guys stumble over only half listening.

ALICE:

I'm ship's surgeon. I'm in charge

of aches, pains, biology, math and

science.

BILL:

George Pascal here is ship's cook.

GEORGE:

If you want to keep all your

fingers, stay the hell out of my

galley unless you're invited.

BILL:

Some of you already know Mr.

Lawford.

LAWFORD:

I have been charged with the dubious

task of insuring your literary

education.

Lawford puts a hand on Bill's shoulder.

LAWFORD:

Bill Butler is your first mate. But

don't let his size fool you.

Bill gives a half reluctant wave.

MIKE:

So when the hell do we get to meet

El Capitan?

Snickering.

TERRY:

(aside)

Maybe he's getting his wooden leg

waxed.

Laughter. A sound stops the laughter. Almost on cue, the

sound of slow methodical footsteps, pace the deck above

them. Then a shadow falls across the skylight, blocking

the light. Ominous. They all notice and look up.

LAWFORD:

(mysterious)

You'll meet him. Soon enough.

INT. MAIN CABIN - SUNRISE

Dawn glows orange in the skylights above the cabin. The

only sound is the heavy, even breathing of slumber.

Suddenly, a booming voice rumbles down the companionway.

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