Written in 1 hr 40 minutes, with zero outlining, editing or proofreading.
(My first try posting something with scrippets, still have some kinks to work out with the formatting.)
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
Darkness, and the subtle shimmer of moving water.
Light, the beacon from a lighthouse, sweeps across the water, revealing sharp rocks and churning waves breaking on them.
The light sweeps by, then is gone leaving darkness for a moment. When it sweeps by again, a broken board floats by.
On the third pass, more flotsam - and among the wreckage, a man clinging to the remains of his bunk, clutching a white pillow. He appears dead, until his hands start to tremble, and he shivers.
One more pass. Something slippery and scaly slips from sight just as the light hits it. The man tilts into the water, floats a moment, bobbing, then is pulled underneath.
FLASHBACK
EXT. THE SCHOONER DESIRE'S REWARD - DAY
Quartermaster JOHN DUNHAM oversees the distribution of fish and goods from a net.
JOHN DUNHAM
Looks like we'll be eating well for a week boys.
The sailors, about a dozen men on the boat all cheer.
Just past the Desire is a fishing boat, run up on the rocks and sinking slowly.
JIM BLACK, the boatswain, watches the wreck.
JIM BLACK
Mister Dunham, sir, if I may?
JOHN DUNHAM
Yes, Boatswain?
JIM BLACK
If we could anchor here in the shallows a while, I could use some of the lumbar and ropes from the fishing boat to finish some repairs to the Desire.
John looks around, spys Captain WILL POWER inspecting the rigging, and waves him over.
JOHN DUNHAM
Ask the Captain.
WILL POWER
What can I do for you, Johnny?
JOHN DUNHAM
Mr. Black here proposes we stay a while, and cannibalize that unfortunate tub over there for the Desire's betterment.
WILL POWER
Is that so Jim?
JIM BLACK
Yes Captain. Since we've got food here to hold us a bit, I thought it would be a good time to remain still for a couple of days.
WILL POWER
Allrighty then, we will.
He notices something shine among the fishes in the nets, and reaches for it. It's a fancy comb, silver and mother of pearl. A pretty thing, tangled with seaweed.
WILL POWER
Quartermaster, I claim this small prize for myself. A pretty for one of me wenches when we return to Port Royal.
He plucks out the seaweed, and then is overcome by a sudden shiver, despite the sunny day.
INT. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Will and John sit at the captain's table with the FIRST MATE.
John and the First Mate are laughing. John eats with his fork, carefully cutting of pieces of fish, and squeezing lemon over the top.
JOHN DUNHAM
Fresh fish and fresh lemons.
FIRST MATE
Better than salt cod and ancient limes. My skin was starting to form a salt crust.
Will is distracted, pulling bites of fish off the bones with his fingers and eating them. He toys with the comb under the table.
LATER
Alone, Will lays on his bunk, and tucks the comb into the cover of his pillow.
He closes his eyes, and when he opens them again, a beautiful woman is lying close beside him. Her blue-green eyes are full of the dreaminess of a calm sea, and her smile is warm and inviting.
She strokes his cheek, and then suddenly kisses him with forceful passion. Rolling him on his back, she rips open his shirt, and he realizes she is naked.
He reaches for her breasts, and she slides downward, kissing his chest, wiggling along his body.
LATER
Will opens his eyes again, and sits up. He's alone. He starts to shake off the dream, but notices his shirt is torn.
He touches the pillow where the mysterious woman appeared. It's wet.
EXT. DESIRE'S REWARD - DAY
Will wanders along the deck. The sharp eye that was inspecting the rigging has faded, his gaze is dull.
The sailors whisper to themselves as he passes.
The wreck in the distance has been stripped down to its bones.
FIRST MATE
Captain Power, sir, the men were wondering.
WILL POWER
The men?
FIRST MATE
Well, I was wondering - when might we be setting sail again?
WILL POWER
Well, when we are done with repairs.
FIRST MATE
Allright then sir.
He looks concerned and confused and walks away.
JOHN DUNHAM
Will, the repairs were completed yesterday. You said we'd sail after one more night.
WILL POWER
Oh? Did I? Then we will. We will sail tomorrow.
JOHN DUNHAM
What is going on? I can't remember the last time you were content to be in one place for nearly 7 days.
WILL POWER
This place has its charms, is all. But we'll sail tomorrow. Time to head to Port Royal.
INT. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Will lays on his bunk, clutching the pillow to his cheek, eyes squeezed shut. He opens them again. Nothing has changed. He is still alone. He tries again, with the same result.
EXT. DESIRE'S REVENGE - DAY
Will has more bounce in his step, he's focused and awake.
WILL POWER
Allrighty men, what are you waiting for? To Port Royal?
EXT. DESIRE'S REWARD - NIGHT
A storm lashes at the ship.
Will stands at the helm, but there's a glazed expression on his face. He stares into the distance, as if he sees something.
JOHN DUNHAM
Will! Mind the rocks!
WILL POWER
Do you hear it?
JOHN DUNHAM
I hear only the storm.
WILL POWER
Her voice.
He walks away, and John tries to grab hold of the steering and bring the ship back under control, but the wheel is too hard to turn.
Suddenly a calm overcomes the ship.
Women climb over the railings. A dozen of them. Beautiful and naked, their skin glowing pink like the red tides. They each approach a man, taking his hand. The men all leave their posts and follow them. They lay down on the deck with the women.
John still fights with the wheel, as if he still sees the storm. He looks up and across the deck, as a wave washes over it, and sees the men, alone, lying down.
JOHN DUNHAM
What are you doing?
The captain, looking at the same deck, but in a calm and foggy night, sees the woman from his dream. She takes his hand and leads him into his room.
INT. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
She lays him down gently on the bunk, lays beside him, pressed against him, both of them resting their heads on the pillow.
Suddenly, again, she flips him on his back and straddles him.
EXT. DESIRE'S REWARD - NIGHT
The ship's bow breaks against the rocks, splintering, splitting open and letting the stormy water rush in.
Darkness, and the subtle shimmer of moving water.
Light, the beacon from a lighthouse, sweeps across the water, revealing sharp rocks and churning waves breaking on them.
The light sweeps by, then is gone leaving darkness for a moment. When it sweeps by again, a broken board floats by.
On the third pass, more flotsam - and among the wreckage, Will, clinging to the remains of his bunk, clutching a white pillow. He appears dead, until his hands start to tremble, and he shivers.
One more pass. Something slippery and scaly slips from sight just as the light hits it. William tilts into the water, floats a moment, bobbing, then is pulled, still clutching the pillow underneath.
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