Screenplay First Draft May 1997 MEN AND THE SEA by John Monteleone CONTACT: e-mail: writing@johnmonteleone.com PO Box 2723 Sag Harbor, NY 11963 Copyright 1997 by John Monteleone All Rights Reserved Registered with WGAE ACT 1 BLACK SCREEN HEAR the wind. FADE IN: A panoramic view of the ocean in SEPIA TONE. CREDITS BEGIN: DISSOLVE TO: SLOW MOTION An image emerges from the past of tough and weathered men haul-seining for bass. There is a dory on the water and on the beach, horse-drawn carts awaiting the fish. CLOSE On scarred and rough hands pulling the seine net, muscles working hard, faces concentrated, their dory rocking, gulls flying overhead, the net being hauled onto the carts drawn by horses. DISSOLVE TO: NORMAL SPEED and FADE INTO FULL COLOR. The horses and carts are now replaced by two pick-up trucks with winches and a group of men hauling a large net onto shore. GABE COOPER, a rugged man in his mid-sixties wearing a stained long-billed Montauk Swordfisherman's cap scuttles around the beach quick as a sandpiper directing his men: LUKE, a man of 40, fat, with a big scruffy red beard; SKINNY, a very tall young man of 18, with an funny face; BENNY, a man of 57, medium build, stocky with a short beard, black glasses and a limp; and JAKE, a good-looking man of 35. GABE (shouting) Don't let any of 'em go, Skinny! That's it Jake... Yup... We gottem good. I feel it! (to Jake) Slick on the water! JAKE I see it, Pop! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE Saw a bass swirlin' 'round makin' our last set! More of 'em out there. JAKE I betchya right. LUKE Can't second guess fish fellas... they're smarter'n'us! GABE Got that right--WATCH THAT LINE SKINNY! SKINNY Okay, Cap'n! BENNY Look at the weight of this charge... thank the Lord, the wife needs new teeth! GABE (to Jake) Weather's cold so they're schoolin' up for a run down the east'rd. JAKE Until we caught 'em! (laughs) GABE (seriously) Some of 'em! The haul is coming in and the fish are flopping about--the water swirls with life. Gabe hollers and shouts as he moves quicker on the beach than a man was made to move. GABE 'K boys, watch 'er now. Pulllllllll. All together. Now boys... NOW! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: And the bunt is on shore, in the wash. Large and small striped bass, bluefish and some weakfish flop about. The trucks back down as the men loosen the tie-knot on the bunt. The crew haul the bass, one by one, onto the truck beds. Gabe stares at the surf. GABE (shouting) Better try 'em again, move a little west'rd, ain't that right, boys? See how we do. JAKE You got it, Pop. GABE (to Jake) She askin' for chocolate and raw bass with vinegar for a night snack? JAKE Nope. Looks like she's gonna burst open any day now--that's all I know! Jake hauls a large bass onto the back of Gabe's pick-up. The fish slaps the truck bed. HARD CUT TO: The slapping of a newborn baby who cries out with his first breath of life. CREDITS END. INT. HOSPITAL DELIVERY ROOM--DAY SARAH, Jake's 30-year old, earthy wife, is holding their newborn; Jake is mesmerized by the sight. Gabe and his wife, RUTHY COOPER, 63-years old, and a woman of great radiance and strength, look on with pride. EXT. BEACH--SUNRISE A breathtaking sunrise over the edge of the ocean. Jake, Sarah, Gabe and Ruthy are standing in the surf with newborn Josh. They've turned the ocean into a baptismal pool. The Reverend pours salt water over Josh's forehead. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: REVEREND Joshua Gabriel Cooper, I now baptize you... ANOTHER ANGLE REVEREND I'd like to read a short passage I've selected for Josh. (pause. Opens Bible) "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters... EXT. THE OCEAN--NIGHT Moonlight streaks across the ocean. REVEREND (V.O.) ...these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders of the deep..." INT. GABE COOPER'S BEDROOM--3 AM Moonlight streaks across Gabe and Ruthy's bed through a large window. Gabe and Ruthy are sleeping. Gabe wakes, and sits up on the edge of the bed. Ruthy awakens. RUTHY Already? GABE Yup. You can sleep a while. Ruthy rises, sits on the other side of the bed. They both rise and groan in perfect unison together from their aching muscles. FOLLOW Gabe and Ruth as they move out of the room into the living room. He turns on a light. She's in the kitchen. CLOSE On the WALL OF FAMILY PHOTOS and portrait paintings. The photos are in sepia tone, black and white, and color ranging from the 1800's to the present. There are portrait paintings that go back to the 1700's of majestic and rugged captains. These are all Gabe's ancestors. The living room has clean, well-kept very charming furniture, many of them antiques. PINT. JAKE AND SARAH'S BEDROOM--SAME TIME Jake and Sarah are in bed. Sarah is awake, Jake sound asleep. SARAH Jake? JAKE I know. When'd he stop cryin'? SARAH Hour ago. JAKE Get any sleep. SARAH No. JAKE I'll eat at Ma's. SARAH Okay. JAKE You sleep. SARAH Okay. He rises slowly, she falls asleep instantly. Jake looks at her and smiles. DISSOLVE TO: Jake cracks Josh's door open and looks at his little son in his crib. He takes one step, the floor CREAKS LOUDLY and the baby screams. HARD CUT TO: Sarah flying out of bed--WE FOLLOW HER through the door and down the hall moving so fast her hair is flowing behind her. Jake is standing there in Josh's doorway stupefied--in one sweeping movement she pushes him out of her way, moves to the crib, snatches Josh up into her arms and he stops crying. JAKE (pause) I was gonna do that! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: SARAH (totally exhausted) When you get home tonight. FIX, the floor! Jake walks away like a scolded puppy. INT. THE COOPER'S KITCHEN--4 AM Gabe, Jake and their crew are talking while they eat. GABE Better eat them pancakes b'fore I do. SKINNY (polite) Thanks Mrs. Cooper. It's great bluefish pancakes. RUTHY You're welcome Skinny. Some men appreciate me. Jake, tell ya father. GABE Listen to her now! Who's been eatin' ya food for forty years without complaints? RUTHY Who? GABE I dunno! I was askin' you! The men laugh politely. So does Ruthy. LUKE My bones are achin' from this weather. GABE Say a prayer for him at church, Ruthy. RUTHY (smiling) Say a prayer for me--I live with you! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: The men laugh again, so does Gabe. RUTHY Anyone want more? They all say "yes" still tired and waking. JAKE If there's fish in the water today, we're gonna get 'em good. GABE Yup! I don't care if we work until next week without stoppin'. Knowing Gabe's not kidding, the men stop eating and look at him. Gabe smiles and stuffs his face. EXT. GABE'S HOUSE--4AM Jake and Gabe exit their house. THE COOPER HOUSE is 150-years old and charming. There is a sense of great dignity and pride about it. Jake and Gabe climb into Gabe’s 1961 RELIC OF A TRUCK: Multi- colored panels from different year models; duct tape and bungi cords holding it together; the engine exposed. Gabe turns the key and nothing happens. JAKE Shit, Pop! We have to go through this every mornin'? GABE An’ she starts every mornin’, ain't that right? Gabe gets out of the truck swearing to himself, grabs a gas can and pours some gasoline over the exposed engine. He strikes a match and with a WHOOSH, the flames shoot up then die out. Gabe gets back in the truck, turns the key and she comes alive. GABE There's a lot a shit built into them things, bub, an' the more ya kick out of 'em, the less is (MORE) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (CONT'D) left in there ta kick ya back. Watch, all ya gotta do is step on 'er exhilerator. (smiling boldly) They slam out of the driveway. The others exit the Cooper house, get into their trucks and follow him. Gabe pulls up to a shack and the other fishermen pull up behind. THE YARD is a fisherman's outdoor museum with nets and propellers, boats overwhelmed by weeds and ivy, tarps and much more. The shack dates back to the 1700’s. CAP'N ELISHA COOPER; 85-years old, and a relic from the past sits in front. Gabe grabs a paper bag and gets out of the pick-up. GABE Dad. (he walks to him) CAP'N ELISHA Squirt! Yis yis. Good mornin' to ya... GABE (joking) Don't call me squirt. CAP'N ELISHA Made it 'nother day. GABE (chuckles) Ya'll outlive us all. CAP'N ELISHA Hope so, squirt! Yis yis. GABE Don't call me... CAP'N ELISHA ...Used to give ya a cod an' ya'd try to take it home to Ma from the beach--kept trippin' on the tail, ya was so small. Yis yis. (laughs) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (yells, smiling) THAT WAS SIXTY YEARS AGO! CAP'N ELISHA Ah stop gripin' an' go catch some fish! GABE Here ya go. He hands him the brown bag. CAP'N ELISHA What's ya got there? GABE Dunno. Ruthy made it. Must be good. Gabe turns and walks back to the truck. CAP'N ELISHA Wish I could go with ya. GABE Next year, maybe... Gabe gets in the truck and takes off, the others follow. Cap'n Elisha opens the bag and smiles. INT. GABE'S PICK-UP--SAME TIME JAKE Jeez, why don't Grampa come an' live with ya, Pop? GABE He don't wanna, bub. JAKE Hope we'll live as long. GABE Says bein' a fisherman's what kept him alive, y'know, the good clean livin' an' all. (MORE) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (CONT'D) (mimicking Cap'n Elisha) ...Ta be a fisherman, yaw gawta have dr-oi-ve, yaw gawta have ambition, an' yaw gawta have intelligence, too! But nawt much! They laugh. EXT. THE BEACH--4:15AM The surf crashes as the sun rises and the men are cold. At the surf's edge, the men scan the ocean. Several sports fishermen surfcast along the beach near the crew and stare at the commercial fishermen, deeply annoyed. SPORTY 1 Every fucking morning! SPORTY 2 I'm sick of this shit, man. I come here to relax and what do I get? A bunch of sea billies with their fucking nets! Gabe and the crew glance at the sporties, a quick look of worry in their eyes, then Gabe scans the ocean's surface. GABE Let's try 'em here boys, see how we do? He points. WE SEE just an endless ocean--no fish apparent. The men go to work. Luke backs the truck and dory to the water's edge. Jake and Gabe climb into the dory. Gabe stares at the waves, looking for the right moment. Luke watches Gabe intently from the driver's seat. Gabe pulls the cord on the outboard engine and it screams. GABE LET'S GO, BOYS! Luke backs the truck up fast, then slams on his brakes sending the dory off the trailer crashing through the surf. The dory lifts high up, water thrashing out from under it, and Gabe throttles out into the sea. Jake lets the net out over the stern quickly and expertly. Gabe takes off his hat to wipe his brow. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (to Jake, proudly) This hat's been shit on by every gull on the east coast. They keep setting the net. INT. SENATOR KIP OWEN'S OFFICE--EARLY MORNING Bright light shines in through tall windows. SENATOR KIP OWEN, 36, is a tall, good-looking man, but there is a toughness and earthiness about him that seems uncommon for a politician. He is on the phone in the middle of a conversation and steaming mad. KIP You promised me your vote--you lied to me Mark! The Sports Fishing Lobby is getting these damn studies done that hold no water so whoever's convinced you of that garbage forget it... No, we don't have proof they are fake, but we KNOW they are fake... This is a 4 billion dollar industry crushing families for recreation! Can't you see that? (pause) So legally dishonest is something new in Washington? Mark, it's not necessary. It's just plain arrogant and filthy! (pause) They're too stupid to change with the times? No Mark, they're smart enough to know you shouldn't fuck with your food! He slams the phone down. KIP (calling him) BARRY?! GET IN HERE PLEASE! BARRY WINTHROP, 28, lean, a recent Harvard Law School graduate with slicked back blonde hair and a designer suit, rushes in. BARRY Yes, Senator? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: KIP They passed the Bass Bill into law late yesterday! They look at one another. BARRY (not surprised) Sorry. KIP The baymen, are dead. (pause, he rubs his temples) Jesus, I can't believe it. I just, can't believe it. BARRY Sometimes you win, sir. Sometimes you don't. KIP You know how many of my "colleagues" promised to support me on it, and at the last minute backed out? BARRY How many? KIP A lot! BARRY Well... some green stuff must've changed hands in a hurry. Kip stares out his window, deeply depressed. BARRY Is there anything else? Kip turns his head slowly to him and after an incredulous stare, he shakes his head no. Barry spins on his heels and exits. EXT. THE BEACH--LATER The fishermen are hauling in their catch which is almost on the beach. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE Luke, pull it back... LUKE ...I'm pullin'... GABE ...Jake, haul up a hand... JAKE ...I'm pullin' Pop... it's you ain't pullin'... BENNY ...Gabe's a good sledge hammer... GABE ...Ya pull like women! Teasing him, the men make women sounds as they work. BENNY This guy'd fish when he's sleepin' if he could. JAKE Dreams of it! GABE (shouting) Where's ya steam? There's fish in that sea ain't in my net! The men laugh as they work hard. DISSOLVE TO: The catch is in, and it's small. Skinny grabs a large bass out of the net and it flops madly in his hands. GABE Grab 'er by the eyes... the eyes, Skinny... HELP 'IM LUKE! The bass slips out and lands on the edge of the water, flopping about as a wave breaks. GABE GET IT! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Gabe runs toward the fish escaping into the very shallow water. Skinny dives after it and falls flat on his face in the wet sand. A wave washes in, the fish rights itself and Gabe pounces belly first onto it but it slips away. He rises, looks at the men cursing mad. The men watch speechless. GABE She got away! Grab 'em by the eyes an' tails, or I'll dock ya pay for everyone ya lose. That's twenty dollars swimmin' away--I want them fish! (pause) Okay, okay, throw the 24- inchers an' under back damn it! The men grunt and groan as Gabe walks to the truck. They start measuring and throwing the 24-inch and under bass back into the ocean. What's left, is an even smaller catch. DISSOLVE TO: LATER The men finish up their work. Gabe writes in his fisherman's journal, mumbling to himself. The sports fishermen look on angrily at the crew finishing up. SPORTY 1 Bastards. That's our fish in those nets! SPORTY 2 What the hell did I buy all this gear for if I can't catch anything. SPORTY 1 These low-lifes take every damn fish! The men are ready to take off. GABE (to the sporties, smiling) Still plenty of fish out there. Look at 'em all. (winks) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: WE SEE just ocean, no fish apparent. GABE (to his men) Okay boys, m' grandson's party's in an' hour. See ya there. (broad smile) He gets in his truck and the men take off. EXT. BEACH--LATER THAT DAY A community clambake on the beach. There are many people, including all the fishermen we've met and their extended families setting up the grounds. Gabe is holding Josh and smiling at him, making him giggle. Finally, Ruthy takes him from Gabe. RUTHY (to Josh) Come to grandma my darlin'. (to Gabe) The food's almost ready, Gabe. GABE Okay. I need a minute. RUTHY (to Josh as she's walking away) My precious little sweet heart... Yes... I love you. (kisses him) Gabe takes a moment to write in his fisherman’s journal. CLOSE On the journal as he writes. GABE (V.O.) Someday, I fear all that'll be left of us'll be here in these journals. I want my grandson to know who his grandpa was." A cop approaches. POLICEMAN Excuse me. GABE Yup? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: POLICEMAN You have a clambake permit? GABE A what? POLICEMAN A clambake permit. New regulation. Didn't know? GABE A Clam Bake PERMIT? This is a beach, bub! The cop and Gabe just stare at one another. GABE Clams live here! They need a permit too? POLICEMAN Please spread the word, no clam bakes without a permit. (shrugs) I think it's nuts too. The Cop moves on. GABE (yelling to cop) Hey bub, can ya breathe salt air without a permit?! COP (yelling back) This week ya can! Gabe just shakes his head. In the distance there are several sports fishermen surfcasting. Gabe stares at them, face tense. Then he looks out at the endless ocean and his face relaxes. DISSOLVE TO: LATER Kids are playing with a frisbee, falling down, etc. Josh is in his small crib near his parents. Gabe, Ruthy, Jake, Sarah, and (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Cap'n Elisha are in good cheer, sitting around a large picnic table together eating as they talk. RUTHY (opening a scallop) ...Ya comin' ta church tomorra Gabriel--Reverend gave me dirty looks at the laundry yesterday... GABE (eating) ...Tell him if the Lord don't want me fishin' on Sunday he'll have it rainin'. I'm a Bonacker. RUTH Yup. But not a Posey--can't be a Posey unless the name's Lester. GABE (eating) Nope there Ruthy... Posey's jus' a nickname for a Lester. RUTHY (a little annoyed) I'm a Lester an' I'm tellin' ya that Posey's through the boy, no other way, Gabriel! A whiffle ball flies over the table--Jake catches it and throws it back. Cap'n Elisha steals a scallop off of Jake's plate. SARAH WATCH THAT BALL! JAKE Put that scallop back, Granpa! Elisha does, grumbling. RUTHY Whaddya you think, Granpa? CAP'N ELISHA Love a scallop. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: RUTHY (eating and opening a scallop) Hank had one son... GABE ...Two, one died... RUTHY ...Twenty years b'fore the second... GABE ...Jus' 'cause he died don't mean he wasn't his son... RUTHY ...TWO! But only one of Billy's four sons survived an' Frank's seven sons are all alive an' all of them are fishermen an'... GABE (eating) ...some of Frank's grandsons are... RUTHY ...NONSENSE..! GABE ...All of 'em was Poseys, an' none of 'em started out a Lester's m' point..! RUTHY ...Ya got it backwards! (hands Elisha his scallop) GABE Posey's don't have to be a Lester an' all of 'em ain't Bonackers!!! RUTHY Ya bonkers!!! Bonackers ain't all Lesters an' that's the end of it! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE That's what I said! RUTHY No it ain't! GABE (smiling) Uncle Harry hung himself. Folks said the cause was bein' henpecked by his wife--she mentally disturbed him an' he hung himself with a rope..! RUTHY (shrugs) ...Typical fisherman..! Ruthy kisses Gabe who smiles, then kisses Josh repeatedly. Elisha's still eating the scallop sloppily. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. A BEACH--NEAR SUNSET Surrounding Cap'n Elisha are a dozen children of varying ages mesmerized by his story telling. The sun is setting orange over the water and gulls scan the water. CAP'N ELISHA The Coopers were always friendly with the Indians. LITTLE BOY Really? CAP'N ELISHA Yis yis. We was like kin. Indians helped us build 'r' first houses inta a dune with sod for a roof. Had a big table at the house 'n' all the family, including the Indians, sat to eat. The Indian was treated like any other guest 'n' our house--hell of a good feelin' ta know ya come from a family never had no hate against no other. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: LITTLE GIRL (surprised) Really? CAP'N ELISHA Yis yis. M' Ma used to can stuff all summer an' us kids all got our little pans and went together to gather cranberries, blueberries and huckleberries... ANOTHER LITTLE BOY ...Like at King Kullens? Elisha looks out over the ocean. CAP'N ELISHA We used to make our own food, son. Put 'r' hands on it, pull it off the bush or outta the water. The little boy climbs up on Cap'n Elisha's lap. CLOSE On Cap'n Elisha's old face looking at the little boy's face. CAP'N ELISHA But ol’ Cap'n Josh, was somethin'; long white beard 'n' all... Yis yis... took me on the last whalin' boat from these shores 'n' nineteen six or so. 'Member the wind was blowin' pretty good 'n' I got m'self so seasick passed out, 'n' only come to when I hear, "Thar She Blows!" ANOTHER LITTLE BOY (imitating him) Thar She Blows! ANOTHER ANGLE Cap'n Elisha walks down the beach with all the kids surrounding him. Ruthy and Gabe walk behind them hand in hand followed by Jake and Sarah holding the baby Josh. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: CAP'N ELISHA (telling a story) ...Cap'n Josh is lookin' down a whale holdin' his harpoon way the Indians taught him. After he put the hook in him, that whale towed us all the way west'rd some twenty miles to sea. Took all day 'n' night ta get him rowed back to where we started... Were the bravest and boldest men ever went whalin'--sooooommmmmme fishermen they was. LITTLE GIRL But I like whales, they shouldn't of killed 'em. CAP'N ELISHA Them days, we needed the oil fer fuel. 'N' somethin's gotta die, ta let somethin' else live. What we fishermen know, like the Indians taught us: Never waste any part of what ya take. Appreciate it complete. An' never kill anythin' ya don't have ta... or else, one day... there won't be nothin' left. The water crashes on the beach and the sun is almost setting over the horizon of the sea. LONGSHOT The family walks down the beach slowly; one long string of history. EXT. MAIN STREET, EAST HAMPTON--AFTERNOON Through the East Hampton traffic, WE SEE the clear juxtaposition of these fishermen in their working trucks against the modern, New York Crowd. INT. LUKE'S TRUCK--SAME TIME Luke is driving, Skinny is in the middle and Benny is by the window. Skinny's knees crowd the others. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: LUKE (to Skinny) Legend has it, when Gabe was your age, Skinny, he could row a dory five miles out to sea alone, set trawl-lines of five hundred hooks an' drag until every one of 'em had a cod on the end of it, then row back. Yup. When Gabe put them oars in the water, that boat went somewhere. SKINNY Think I should buy me a Jeep, Luke? (smiles) Luke grunts. BENNY (angry at all the cars and tourists) Cars after cars after cars! '38 hurricane woulda straightened this town right out, I tell ya. When I was a kid, this was mostly farms. LUKE Ain't too much farmin' an' fishin' left, way things is goin'. They pass a beautiful woman. They all stare but make no sound. And although the ride to market is only a few miles from the beach, the traffic caused by the weekenders and Hamptonites is bumper to bumper, making their journey long and hot. INT. SENATOR KIP OWEN'S OFFICE--SAME TIME Kip and Barry are reviewing a long legal document. Kip stares out his window at the bay. KIP (deeply upset) If I have to, I'll appeal this damn thing until my last day in office. Barry taps his pen nervously. EXT. PACKING HOUSE--AFTERNOON Gabe, Jake and the men pull up to the packing house doors. A few guys are having a smoke outside, and all look depressed. GABE (to men standing around) What's the matter? Look like ya seen the devil himself? One guy points with his head to a posting on the door. Gabe moves over to it. As he reads, his body grows stiff. One by one the men approach the posting until the crew is staring at it in complete stillness and silence--it’s as if they were just sentenced to death. CLOSE ON THE POSTING "THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK HEREBY BANS ALL BASS FISHING THROUGH HAUL SEINING FROM THE WATERS OF LONG ISLAND." They pace anxiously, mumbling with worry and shock. Gabe just looks at the posting. Jake just looks at Gabe. EXT. STEPS OF TOWN HALL--THE NEXT MORNING Local TV and some network crews are there. The men are fighting mad. Reps in business suits from the Sports Fishing Lobby and Industry and several land developers including STEVE DANIELS, 45-years old, very polished and good looking and one of the wealthiest men in America, are there watching, too. INT. KIP'S OFFICE IN TOWN HALL--SAME TIME Kip, sweating in his office, prepares to speak. EXT. STEPS OF TOWN HALL--SAME TIME INTERCUT Between Town Hall and Gabe's house where Ruthy and Sarah sit with little Josh watching the TV. Jake pokes his head into frame. Sarah and Ruthy applaud, though not happy about what's going on. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE ON TV If a storm come along and blew out every trap you owned, you could salvage it back again. But if the State comes and says ya can’t go fishin', you’re screwed, ya done! No matter how bad fishin' gets, no matter how bad the weather is, ya can overcome it. But you can’t overcome these gov'ment people. He takes a breath. The camera is on Gabe who is caught off guard. Both of their heads are on TV. GABE ON TV (hesitant, nervous) Uh... Well... that coast we been usin' for three hundred years... all of a sudden somebody come out here and put a sign on it, sayin' PRIVATE KEEP THE HELL OUT! He looks to Jake. JAKE ON TV (taking the hint from Gabe) Right! They wanna buy the fish, they wanna eat the fish, but they don't wanna see the fishermen! Kip exits his office and the news people shuffle quickly over to him with their cameras and microphones aimed at his face. He smiles. INT. GABE'S HOUSE--NIGHT Jake and Sarah are eating dinner with Gabe and Ruthy. They are all uncommonly quiet. Josh is in his crib in the living room. JAKE What the hell's their damn problem? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE They don't know what fishin' is. Their idea of nature's bein' on a golf course. JAKE Got a Baymen's meetin' tonight. GABE You got one. I ain't goin'. JAKE Ya gotta go, Pop. They just killed our livin'--ya ain't gonna fight 'em even now? GABE I'm a fisherman, no politician. RUTHY Gabe! Kip might need ya to keep the fellas calm--they all respect ya. GABE I ain't fightin' 'em! Now that's the end of it! Pause. Jake is angry with Gabe. JAKE Damn it, Pop! Ya didn't fight 'em five years back an' now look what's happenin'! GABE Wouldn't o' done no good. JAKE Hell it wouldn't of! GABE Leave me be. SARAH I'm frightened, Pop. They never went this far before. (Gabe ignores Sarah) Jake? Jake looks at Gabe who looks down and eats. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE Money, Pop? GABE (trying to calm Sarah) Kip'll come through until they kill that bass bill once an' for all. Everything'll be okay. RUTHY Thing's haven't been okay, Gabe, an' ya know it. Gabe and Ruthy share an intense glance. Gabe looks away. JAKE We'll be late. Come on, Pop, let's get a move on! Gabe just eats. JAKE POP! Gabe looks up, and the whole family have their eyes peeled on him. GABE Damn waste o' time. Gabe rises, grabs his coat and they leave. The women watch, deeply concerned; Ruthy chews very slowly and Sarah feeds Josh. INT. AMERICAN LEGION HALL--NIGHT A Baymen's Association meeting is in progress. All the men are angry. FISHERMAN 1 What's ta happen now? KIP We appeal. FISHERMAN 1 Again?! KIP Again. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: FISHERMAN 1 An how long's that crap gonna take? 'Cause I got a mortgage to pay off, an' food to put in my kids mouths, same as you. KIP (almost frightened) Another month. LUKE I'm gettin' sick o' this shit. I shoulda quit five years back with the last rape o' m' life! BENNY You said it, bub! The noise sounds like a huge swarm of giant bees. Jake gestures to the men to quiet and they do. BENNY Ya father an' me fished together... Don't forget that when ya talkin' to them boys in suits. KIP (compassionately) I'm not forgetting, Benny. WALLY Ya father died a fisherman, Kip. Told me he was real proud of ya, son. KIP Thanks Wally. I appreciate that. I'd like you all to come with me. FISHERMAN 2 To Albany? KIP Yes. Laughter. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: FISHERMAN 1 We ain't politicians. That's your job, bub! GABE I ain't goin' to Albany or nowhere like that. I'm goin' fishin'! Others agree. LUKE Hell, if that's what we gotta do ta keep on fishin' then let's go, Gabe! Fellas? JAKE Come-on now! It's our lives! Others agree with them and there's a stand off. KIP (firmly) If you want to win this, you have to fight for it. I didn't make these stupid laws, I'm just trying to help you get your rights back. FISHERMAN 5 We shouldn't of lost 'em in the first place! There are angry, mumbled agreements throughout the crowded room. Then, another stubborn silence. JAKE I'm goin'. (looks at Gabe) LUKE I'm with ya! GABE (looks at Jake) Count me out! Gabe leaves. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE How many to go? (raises hand) Out of the sixty men only eight raise their hands. Jake leaves after his father. INT. GABE'S TRUCK--SAME TIME Jake is driving. Gabe doesn't want to be there. Cap'n Elisha sits quietly. EXT. MONTAUK HIGHWAY--MORNING A line of old trucks follow one another along the ocean as waves crash on the beach behind them. WE HEAR the slamming of a gavel. ROD (SPEAKER)(V.O.) This Joint Public Hearing on Striped Bass Legislation is now in session. FIRST DEC BUREAUCRAT (V.O.) Mr. Speaker, our studies indicate that a dramatic drop in the bass population in Eastern Long Island is due to over fishing by local commercial fishermen who take in high volumes with their nets. EXT. ALBANY--DAY Gabe's truck burps into town with the rest of the caravan as they arrive in bureaucrat hell: Stone walls, huge columns and high windows. Many people stop and look at this parade. KIP (V.O.) Gentlemen. This Bass Bill claims that too many fish are being caught by the Baymen, and a bass recovery program is deemed necessary... P INT. NEW YORK ASSEMBLY--MOMENTS LATER A very large room with high ceilings, a large American flag behind a long desk where a panel of officials sit. Huge stacks of paper, binders, and books are everywhere. In a box seat ten feet above the panel are eight fishermen, including Gabe, Jake, Cap'n Elisha, Luke and Benny, most in their ordinary fishermen's clothes, squished together and obviously out of place. They have a large cooler next to their seats. Across from them are representatives from the Sports Fishing Lobby, sports fishermen and others. Steve Daniels is there watching. The DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) and Senator Kip Owens are beginning a debate. KIP (CON'T) ...There are less than 100 Baymen who take less than 10% of the total catch. There are upwards of 50,000 sports fishermen taking 90% of the total catch! If conservation is the issue, clearly, the sports fishermen are the problem, not the Baymen! FIRST DEC BUREAUCRAT (very calm) Well... Certainly we need to look harder at those assumptions to determine if recovery, is what is in fact, required. KIP They're facts, not assumptions. FIRST DEC BUREAUCRAT Well... we are intending to... (coughs) ...to analyze the issue, in detail, Senator, to conclude whether it represents something that is unfair. KIP (incredulous) "Represents something that is unfair?" (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Kip's face is hard. First Bureaucrat coughs. Kip's eyes are fixed on the Second DEC Bureaucrat who grows uneasy. SECOND DEC BUREAUCRAT (clears his throat twice) We've also asked the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation to help us define what recovery is. KIP (angry) Why not ask them to help you define corruption first? Or how about manipulation of data? Racketeering? Fraud? They would all fit nicely into this bill! ROD (SPEAKER) Please Senator, stick with the facts. KIP Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I will. Last year, sports fishermen took 6 MILLION POUNDS of bass? That's 3000 TONS of fish. The Baymen took one EIGHTH of that. There are the facts! The room grows dead silent. Steve Daniels looks worried as do the Sports Fishing Representatives. The fishermen are angry. KIP Your arguments and the facts cannot justify putting an entire trade, and 300-year old heritage out of business. This bill should be reversed immediately. The fishermen cheer. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: SECOND DEC BUREAUCRAT The commercial fishermen do take quite a lot of bass, Senator. KIP (very angry) Are you listening?! These "conservation issues" are obviously masking GROSS hidden agendas that have nothing to do with fish, or conservation, or recovery or any other verbal gymnastics you'd like us to believe. They have to do with MONEY! BIG Money! And that's all it's about and gentlemen, it's disgusting! The fishermen cheer loudly. Jake jumps up mad, pointing at the sports fishermen. Gabe puts his head down. JAKE They're the ones takin' most of the fish an' sellin' 'em, too! That's the whole case right there! What's all this talk for?! ROD Please sir, sit down. I'll have no outbursts at this hearing! JAKE (to sports fishermen) They should be lookin' in the mirror instead o' pointin' their fingers at us! ROD Are you deaf, sir? This is a hearing. Please, sit down! Jake sits. The room is filled with intense mumbling voices. ROD, the Speaker, an elderly fat man, looks at some documents. Cap'n Elisha listens, mumbling to himself--it's like water boiling in a pot. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: CAP'N ELISHA (grumbling under his breath disgusted) ...Bunch o' whores, makes me Godamned sick to m' gut... rotten clams in a car trunk. Yis, yis! GABE Keep it down, Dad. CAP'N ELISHA Ah whadda you know--ya jus' a kid! And he continues cursing under his breath. Gabe is getting more and more uncomfortable. ROD (still looking at a document) Excuse me Senator Owens, but this issue, it seems cut an' dry to me that these... JAKE (rises angrily) ...IT AIN'T CUT AN' DRY WHAT THE HELL ARE YA TALKIN' ABOUT..? ROD ...Please sir... KIP ...It's okay, Jake... (smiles at Jake) JAKE ...I got somethin to say! ROD ...Sir, this isn't a fishing boat... JAKE ...We know that mister, we ain't stupid! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: CAP'N ELISHA (under his breath) Kick their butts, put 'em on the ground, step on their faces with spikes. Yis, yis! The fishermen grumble angrily. The panel is extremely uneasy and mumble to themselves. Gabe is watching his son. JAKE (loud) Them numbers don't mean a thing! What you boys don't seem ta get through ya thick skulls is that fish are creatures of nature, and move with natural conditions an' cycles... Rod slams his gavel. JAKE (louder) ...Ten years back was enough weakfish to feed the country, next year couldn't find a one, then they come back again. Bass're the same. Always been that way... Rod slams his gavel harder. ROD ...Please stop now or I'll have to... JAKE ...What? Lynch us?! KIP ...Jake, let me handle it... JAKE ...Why won't ya listen..?! CAP'N ELISHA (under his breath) ...Squish their balls an' make 'em moan! Yis, yis! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Gabe has had enough and rises angrily. GABE We got a right to speak for ourselves--that's why we come all this way! The audience of businessmen and sports fishermen mumble loudly in protest. Gabe remains standing and the room quiets. He holds his hands out to the panel, fingers turned down. CLOSE On Gabe's rough hands. ANGLE On Gabe, nervous, accessing what he's going to say, his hands still held out to them. GABE We don't got an armload of degrees, like most o' you boys. But we got these. An' we wanna work. We can work. (pause`) What Jake's tryin' to tell ya is that we know how to care for this environment--300-years of it's in our blood... ONE MAN ON THE PANEL ...With all due respect, you don't own the water, or the beach. GABE But we got a way of life that comes from it. A WOMAN ON THE PANEL This isn't about YOUR way of life! GABE It sure the hell is! We're citizens, too! ANOTHER MAN ON THE PANEL I don't think you understand the issues here. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE When was the last time you ate fish, Bubs? Think those fish started out on ice or cellophane wrappers at the supermarket? There's a silence. GABE (proud and angry) It ain't fish ye're buyin'... it's men's lives! The room is quiet. Gabe is angry, but in control. He's fighting for all the years he never fought. GABE (to the panel) I keep hearin' about these bass bein' endangered. But it ain't the fish that's endangered--we are! (to sports fishermen) We ain't' got nothin' personal against ya, but all ya bellyachin' woulda been a lot easier for the ten generations of my folk that's been riskin' their lives on the water ta feed you an' yours, 'cause our kind of fishin's hard work! ROD (very impatiently, loud) Sir, we are here to discuss fish in relat... GABE (angry ) ...I am talkin' about fish... ROD ...But not in relationship to their... GABE (enraged) ...DAMN IT! Ya wanna talk about fish, then hell, let's talk about FISH..! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Gabe throws the cooler top off, reaches in, grabs a chain and hook attached to a 50-pound bass's mouth and hauls the fish over the balcony. IN SLOW MOTION DETAIL The bass flies through the air all eyes watch as it falls, falls, falls--horrified members of the panel watch in disbelief. NORMAL SPEED The bass SLAPS DOWN HARD landing on the panel's desk. The bureaucrats in their suits yelp in disgust, others yell in outrage. ROD Take those men out of this hearing immediately! GABE (enraged) That fish ain't a vote, ain't about fun--it's about LIFE. For me an' mine! The guards in the room swarm up to the balcony, other police enter in a mad rush. EXT. BAY--LATE AFTERNOON Inlets converging on the bay. ROD (V.O.) It has been decided by this panel not to reverse our decision on the Bass Bill. KIP (V.O.) We will appeal. Gabe and Jake are scalloping together in their skiff. JAKE What're we gonna do? GABE Fish. JAKE Oh, come-on, Pop? Can’t make a living no more without bass. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (smiles strongly) We been through tough times b'fore. JAKE Y'know, my friends all got nice houses an' new cars. Grandpa an' you, when you was my age, lived pretty good. GABE (shrugs) We got salt water in our blood that'll always draw us back to the sea. Ya gotta accept that, son. JAKE Look at this! Maybe seventy bucks, yesterday total of fifty... we been workin' all day! I gotta go home. I wanna see my son, an' my wife. Tell 'em I ain't got no way to make a livin'--not fishin'. Gabe just looks at him. INT. LOW TIDE BAR--AFTERNOON A small, gritty bar with the bay right out back. Gabe and Jake are having a drink. Luke and Benny are there mocking their Albany experience--they are a bit drunk. LUKE The Marine Department o'... BENNY ...Blah blah... LUKE ...Workin' closely wit' the Bure-crated Office o'... BENNY ...whatchyamacallits... (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: LUKE ...For the committee on... BENNY ...Thingamagiggy's... LUKE ...An' dipety do dah! They crack up hard. BENNY Sounds pretty fishy to me! They crack up. Benny sees Luke's pain. BENNY She'll be all right. LUKE I don't got no money for when Maggi gives birth. BENNY Ahhhh... ya'll be okay... Look at me--I didn't cost nothin'! They crack up. Then the laughter subsides and Benny's face is filled with pain. Luke sees it. LUKE Nettie okay 'bout sellin' the house? BENNY Cries every night. LUKE (shaking his head) I'll tell ya, bub, I ain't lettin' my kid on no boat so he gets his heart broke like me. Jake is staring at them. Gabe is looking at Jake. EXT. OUTSIDE JAKE'S HOUSE--EARLY MORNING Gabe pulls up in his truck to Jake's small, rented cape. His dory is towed behind. PINT. JAKE'S HOUSE--SAME TIME The furnishings are all hand-me-downs. Gabe enters, smiling boldly. Sarah is up breast-feeding the baby. GABE Where's Jake? SARAH (very nervous) Sleepin'. GABE Sleepin'? Gabe moves through the house to Jake's room. GABE Get up, Jake, come-on, we got some cod to catch. JAKE I ain't goin' fishin'. GABE Whaddya talkin' about, son! (shakes him playfully) Jake rises and looks him in the eye. JAKE Pop, I got me a buildin' job. Gabe's eyes die. JAKE (hurt as he sees his father's pain) I got a growin' family. I'm sorry, Pop. Gabe just stares at his son, then turns and leaves the house. WE HEAR Gabe's pick-up start. Jake moves to the window and looks on; his father a living legend near his end. SARAH I made ya some eggs. EXT. THE OCEAN--HOURS LATER Gabe is alone in his dory rowing out to fish for Cod. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (to himself) I'll show ya... can still row five miles, ya old bugger. (laughs, there's hurt under it) Gabe stops and begins to set the hooks in one long row behind the boat. It's quiet, and a few gulls yelp for food. One lands on the bow of the skiff. Gabe chucks him a clam, and the gull gobbles it down. Other gulls swarm the dory. GABE Nice to eat from the sea, huh bubs? A coast guard boat approaches in the distance, blue lights flashing. GABE Shit. EXT. JAKE'S WORK SITE--LATER THAT DAY Jake is working as a builder on a beach mansion. He wears a yellow hard hat and vest with a tool belt. EXT. WATER OFF THE BEACH--DAY Gabe is coming back from fishing and sees a horizon of mansions in the distance. LONGSHOT-GABE'S POV On one mansion. Jake is carrying some wood on the site in the distance. Luke walks by and talks to Jake. INT. FISH MARKET IN TOWN--LATE AFTERNOON The resort crowd and merchants hustle and bustle over fish and produce. Gabe delivers his catch and they hand Gabe his money. He fans through it, disappointed. OFFICIAL Mr. Gabriel Cooper? Gabe looks up. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE Yup. The man hands him a notice. OFFICIAL Your fishing license has been revoked permanently. For multiple fines fishing illegally. GABE What the hell am I supposed to do for a livin' with the whole damn ocean illegal? OFFICIAL (sincerely) Sorry. The man leaves. Gabe stands in the middle of this fish market reading the small, pink notice. The customers stare. INT. PLUSH RESTAURANT IN EAST HAMPTON--AFTERNOON A sports fisherman hands a cooler full of striped bass to the cook who gives him cash. ANGLE On Kip and Barry in the middle of a debate. KIP ...Barry, this is a country of sub-cultures, traditions, and deep-seeded heritage. That's what America is supposed to be about! You can't just kill-off a whole culture and a way of life because some businessmen want recreation and more money! BARRY Sure you can, happens everyday. Change is inevitable. That's what America's about, too. Look, Kippy, this is a purely... "Darwinistic" event..." Kip winces at Barry's word-crafting. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: BARRY ...What I would be alarmed about is the fact that most of your campaign funds came from the Sports Fishing Industry and local land developers... KIP ...Daniels... BARRY ...You said it, not me... and... well sir to be blunt: They're pissed off. We have to plan the next election. You don't have any money in your campaign fund, and guess who's offering mega-mega-bucks? Kip just stares at him for a long moment. KIP If I appeal the Bass Bill, no money. BARRY Think of it like this... the fishermen killed fish to give life to others. And now you, have to kill the fishermen to give life, to others, through your work IN office. It's your choice, sir. Kip just stares at him. EXT. GABE'S HOME--NIGHT Gabe is repairing his outboard engine. Ruthy is worried. RUTHY But we did take those loans because you... (she stops herself) GABE So they jus' want one month we didn't pay? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: RUTHY Two. GABE An' ya tellin' me there's no money left? RUTHY Not enough, Gabe. Sayin' they'll foreclose we keep that up. GABE I ain't movin' nowhere. This is my house. M' father's an' his. Ain't goin' ta happen. RUTHY (compassionately) Well... I know. But if it's necessary... GABE ...It ain't gonna be necessary so quit that talk. RUTHY I'm tryin' to help. Pause. RUTHY If we had to, Jake an' Sarah said we could stay with them until we find a place. GABE Be taken care of by my son? Ain't goin' ta happen! Pause. RUTHY It ain't about pride. It's about money, Gabe. Pause. Gabe tries to ignore her. RUTHY Jake and Sarah been supportin' us, Gabriel. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: He stops working on the engine. She exits into the house. He follows. INT. GABE'S HOUSE--SAME TIME Gabe bursts into the living room. GABE How long? RUTHY A while. GABE Why the hell didn't' you tell me? RUTHY Where did ya think it was comin' from? Gabe stares at her. RUTHY Let me work. You fish, anyway you can. GABE You give 'em their money back. RUTHY (screams) We have to eat! Pause. GABE (deeply humiliated) I thought ya had some sneak savings all this time--from all that money we took. RUTHY No, Gabe. We lived on it. Now we might have to sell the house. An' everything else, too! It ain't our faults, but we gotta survive. Pause. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE I know. Behind them is the wall of family photos and oil paintings. WE SEE the faces of his ancestors staring. INT. JAKE'S HOUSE--NIGHT Jake and Sarah are having dinner, Josh is in his crib in the living room. JAKE Tough meat. SARAH It's cheap meat, Jake. Don't pick on me. You've been pickin' on me for weeks now. I don't like it. JAKE (yells) I worked all day an I'm hungry. Look at me! Don't go puttin' ya head down like that. Josh begins to cry. Sarah moves to him. SARAH Please don't yell, you're upsetting him... JAKE ...Damn it, Sarah, don't walk away from me when I'm talkin' to ya, I need ya attention... SARAH ...This ain't the way to get it. I ain't your enemy... She picks up Josh. JAKE I'm supposed to be happy, cheerful an' carefree 'cause I can't fish, I hate what I got (MORE) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE (CONT'D) to do to put food on the table, an' m' Pop won't talk to me? SARAH I'm on your side. He rises. Josh is still crying. SARAH Where ya goin'? JAKE Out. And shut him up willya he's givin' me a damn headache. Cryin' day an' night. SARAH Jake don't do this. Get a hold of yaself. Jake?! He's out the door. Sarah is in tears. Josh cries. WE HEAR Jake's pick-up start and drive off as she comforts Josh. SARAH Everything's all right, sweetie. Everything's gonna be all right. There there. The baby cries louder. EXT. JAKE'S WORKSITE--DAY A young man approaches Jake as he works and they begin talking. Jake grows angry and there is a hot verbal argument. The man points, Jake yanks off his hard-hat, rips off his tool belt, throws both to the ground hard and storms off. The man looks on shaking his head. EXT. GABE AND RUTHY'S LAWN--DAY A yard sale. Everything they own is on the lawn and there are several people browsing. A few real estate "FOR SALE" signs are on the lawn and a man is looking over Gabe's pick-up. ONE MAN How much for this... uh... truck? GABE Ain't for sale. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: ONE MAN Why not? Everything else is. GABE (trying to joke) Still smells o' fish! The skiff an' the dory stay, too. An' no one's takin' my Flag dory! That's been with me since I was a boy. WE SEE GABE'S FLAG DORY upside down in the back of the yard- -it's painted like the American Flag and surrounded by high weeds. INT. JAKE'S HOUSE--THAT NIGHT Everyone is there including Cap'n Elisha. The tension between Gabe and Jake is great. SARAH Pop, we love ya. Ya can stay as long as ya need to. Gabe just eats. RUTHY Gabe wants to build a small house. There's a small lot across from Granpa. CAP'N ELISHA Yis yis. RUTHY An' when we... sell... we can buy it an' maybe build a small... (she sees Gabe and stops) Gabe just eats. SARAH That's a great idea. We can all help. Right, Jake? Jake just eats. Long pause as they all just eat, no one looking at the other. Elisha is staring at Jake who looks up and sees him. Elisha motions with his head for Jake to break the tension. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE Y'know, Pop, I mean it ain't fishin'... nothin' will ever be fishin'. Money's okay, y'know what I mean? GABE Yup. JAKE An' they always need help. Y'know, these kids, they come an' go. So they're always needin' help. GABE That a fact? JAKE Yup. GABE (rising) Well, why don't ya go an' round up the rest of the damn cowards... RUTHY ...Don't use that language in front of... GABE (exiting) ...an' start yaselves a damn building company. Call it LIMP DICKS FISHERMEN, INCORPORATED! Ruthy gasps, Sarah throws down her fork. The screen door slams. Jake rises angrily and chases Gabe. Elisha shakes his head and eats. EXT. THE LAWN OF A VERY EXPENSIVE ESTATE--DAY Jake is mowing a vast lawn on a huge estate with a large mower. He stops pushing it, wipes his forehead and takes a drink from his canteen. His face is full of disgust. EXT. GABE'S HOUSE--MORNING Gabe is fixing the porch. Ruthy's cleaning up the yard. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: RUTHY You gonna talk to anyone ever again, jus' let me know okay? We'll throw a party. Y'know, a Gabe Cooper grows up" party. Gabe works. RUTHY I want you to talk to Jake, he needs you. Ya hear me, Gabe? GABE Yup. RUTHY Times change. Can't blame Jake for that! Gabe slaps mortar on a brick. RUTHY Things are more expensive today and he needs the money. GABE Don't go blamin' the foot's fault on the boot! And he bends over working to cut the brick. He cuts and cuts, jamming the saw. RUTHY (growing angry) Ya gonna break it, Gabriel Cooper. (no answer. Angrier) Gabriel? (no answer again. Very angry) Gabe?! He's still working and cursing under his breath. RUTHY (lost it) Damn stubborn mule! CLOSE On Gabe's rear end. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: Ruthy's foot flies up and kicks it--a loud THUMP! Gabe stands upright and looks at her. RUTHY Pig head! He storms off. RUTHY Ya gonna kill this family off like they killed off bassin'! GABE (stops) I ain't killed off nothin'! RUTHY Ya killin' me! Never seen ya like this in all my forty years with ya. Want them years to come to an end, jus' keep it up! GABE Aw hell. He walks away. She runs to him, and makes him look at her. RUTHY Muleheadedness don't work, Gabe, jus' ruins everything. I don't want this family to end up like this. GABE (in a low voice) Me neither. RUTHY He's your son, an' that don't change if he's hammerin' nails, or haulin' seine, or sellin' shoes. Gabe looks at her, unable to speak. GABE (struggling) I... I feel alone. I know I can't blame him for doin' what he's got to do, but when I look (MORE) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (CONT'D) at him, I know it's all endin'. An' he's jus' goin' along with it all. Fittin' right in. (pause) An' damn it... I... I didn't fight them damn bills way back-- maybe coulda stopped it all! RUTHY No, Gabe. GABE I don't want to feel this way, Ruthy. I jus' wanna fish! But instead, I'm sick to my soul! Ya hear me? Sick to my soul! They look at one another for a long time. Then he turns, and walks to his truck. RUTHY Where ya goin'? GABE Maybe check out the ol' traps, see how I do. RUTHY Ya'll get arrested. Gabe climbs into his truck. EXT. THE ROAD TO THE BAY--MOMENTS LATER Gabe's in his truck towing his skiff behind. He passes extravagant homes, Mercedes, and the summer crowd everywhere. Pick-ups pulling Jet Skis pass him. EXT. GABE'S HOUSE THAT SAME NIGHT--TWILIGHT Ruthy waits nervously for Gabe who hasn't returned from fishing. She picks up the phone. EXT. THE BAY--TWILIGHT The bow of a boat races full speed on the water. Jake is in his outboard. Up ahead he sees his father in his skiff repairing the fish trap that was abandoned for some (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: months, diligently mending net, then hanging it from the poles with systems of rope. Each yanking movement is filled with boiling anger. Jake pulls up next to Gabe's skiff. JAKE Pop? (no answer) Pop, come on home, ya got Ma worried. Gabe keeps working on the net. JAKE Ya hear me, Pop? GABE Go away. JAKE Why the hell don't ya go get a job like everyone else! And let Ma work. Ya think I like what I'm doin'? (no answer) Pop? (no answer) Open ya eyes and look around ya. There ain’t no money in it no more. GABE YOU'RE NO FISHERMAN! Gabe pulls violently on the net trying to fix it. Then suddenly, his breathing becomes heavy, he drops his tools, his eyes bulge in pain and grabbing his chest he stumbles overboard. JAKE POP! Jake jumps in after him, grabs him by the top of his waders before they fill with water, pulls him up onto the skiff, then onto his outboard with the faster engine. They race to shore. Gabe lays in the cockpit wet to the bone, and breathes with difficulty. JAKE We’ll get ya to the hospital, Pop! Damn it ya stubborn ol’ fool! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: GABE (in pain) Always hoped I'd die fishin'. He passes out. INT. HOSPITAL WAITING AREA--NIGHT Sarah is sitting next to Ruthy, holding her. Jake is sitting across from them with Josh in his arms and Cap'n Elisha is next to Jake making faces at the baby. The doctor approaches. RUTHY (jumping up) Is he all right? DOCTOR He's stable now. His heart was damaged, but not severely. RUTHY Thank God. Thank God. DOCTOR Mrs. Cooper, a heart attack is a heart attack. He will need a long rest, a specific exercise and diet program, and NO MORE FISHING! The family almost stops breathing. RUTHY Can I see him? DOCTOR Yes, but don't wake him. He needs rest. JAKE He don't know that word, Doc. The family rushes towards the room. INT. GABE'S HOSPITAL ROOM--NIGHT Gabe is sleeping, hooked up to all kinds of machinery with his family all around him. Jake hands Josh to Sarah. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: JAKE (to Gabe) Son of a bitch. What the hell's wrong with you? SARAH Jake! Pop is sick! JAKE Now what the hell are we supposed to do, huh? RUTH (loud whisper) How dare ya, Jake! JAKE We need ya, the damn fish don't need ya! RUTHY Jake stop that talk right now! Sarah hands Josh to Ruth, grabs Jake by the arm and leads him out. Elisha shakes his head. INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY--SAME TIME SARAH What the hell're ya doin'? JAKE Leave me alone. He's storms down the hospital corridor, confused and upset. Sarah watches. Jake stops dead, his hands over his head in pain. JAKE What the hell's happenin'? SARAH Jake, he took it too hard. An' you are, too. JAKE Shit, Sarah... Kip did this. SARAH No. He storms off. Sarah watches. INT. GABE'S HOSPITAL ROOM--MOMENTS LATER Gabe has come to, and is semi-conscious. Cap'n Elisha looks at his son with great concern and they make eye contact. Ruthy grips Gabe's hand. RUTHY (to Gabe) Hiya Cap'n! GABE What boat is this? CAP'N ELISHA Aye. Ya hit a storm. A Gale is on ya. Twenty five foot waves. Whaddya do? GABE Hold the hell on! CAP'N ELISHA Yis yis. Ya gonna pull through this storm. Gabe smiles slightly. CAP'N ELISHA Son... remember, healin's like rowin' out fer cod--one stroke at a time. Gabe nods, wearily. Cap'n Elisha backs off. Ruthy looks at Gabe and forces a smile. RUTHY I love ya, Gabe. And with that Gabe falls asleep. CAP'N ELISHA Let 'em sleep. He'll be okay. An' b'fore any of us know it-- be drivin' us nuts with his thick, stubborn muleheadedness, overdoin' everythin'--can't blame him fer it, got it from 'is Ma! (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: He smiles and walks out. Ruthy lays her head near Gabe's, holding onto his hand. Sarah watches, a tear rolling down her cheek. SARAH (to herself) No need for this to happen. No need. ----------------------------------------------------- TO READ THE REST OF THIS PLAY CONTACT THE PLAYWRIGHT CONTACT INFORMATION IS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE. 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