| EXT. UNDERWATER. DAY.
Continuing the shark scene.
The shark is bobbin in front of him, practically wagging its
tail.
Richard is smiling.
RICHARD (V.O.)
And at that instant, it was either the shark or me. The shark
knew it, I knew it.
Richard's arms flex. The spear travels up. It stops. Richard
grips the spear tightly as it shakes.
Blood spurts out towards Richards' mask in pulses and the sea
turns red around him.
RICHARD (V.O.)
Nothing personal, of course. It's the way of nature. But I swear
that in the last flicker of its dying eyes there was a moment between
us, when it said -
INT. LONGHOUSE. NIGHT.
Richard continues his story.
RICHARD
"Hey Richard - enjoy your dinner."
There are cheers to the end of his story.
Bugs waits until these die down.
BUGS
Strange thing, killing a shark, isn't it?
RICHARD
Just a big fish, Bugs.
BUGS
Just a big fish? Maybe. Maybe when it's still a baby and it hasn't
really learned to kill yet, then maybe it's just a big fish. But
when it's a great white angry mother with the taste of human blood
on its tongue, well then it's a different story.
Richard yawns noisily. Some people laugh.
He notice Bugs scowling at him.
RICHARD
Sorry, Bugs. Is it just me or does this wet weather make everybody
tired? Maybe we can hear your "very different" and I'm
sure "very fascinating" story some other time.
There is a flurry of exaggerated yawning, sniggering, extinguishing
of candles and calls of "goodnight".
Bugs does not laugh. He stares at Richard.
Richard is smiling as he extinguishes the final candle.
EXT. BEACH. DAY.
A sunny day. A game of cricket, under the supervision of Keaty,
is about to begin.
KEATY
Wicketkeeper. First slip. Second slip. Gully. Square leg. Long
leg. Silly mid-off. Cover point.
At low tide, two sets of cricket stumps have been set up on the
beach some twenty yards apart. The stumps and bats have been roughly
hewn.
At one end, Sten stands with a bat, ready to defend his stumps.
At the other end stands Keaty, who is umpiring. Behind them, the
bowler warms up, holding a small rubber ball.
Among the ten fielders are Etienne and Francoise.
Richard, the second batsman, walks toward Keaty, practicing with
an air of exuberance.
KEATY
(Continuing)
We thank you Lord, for the twin pillars of civilization, Christianity
and cricket, even when played by those of another faith., Amen.
Ok, right arm over the wicket; first ball.
The bowler runs up and bowls. Sten hits the ball and it is fielded
for no run at leaisurly pace by Etienne. Keaty and Richard watch.
KEATY
(Continuing)
You do realize that killing a defenseless shark won't make any
difference.
RICHARD
Difference to what?
KEATY
You and Francoise, that's what.
RICHARD
Sorry Keaty, but I don't know what you're talking about.
KEATY
That is why you killed it, isn't it? Ducked one way then the
other! All to impress her, I suppose.
The second ball is bowled and fielded.
KEATY
(Continuing)
But you haven't got a chance in hell. I'm not saying you won't
get a quick fumble in her knickers down the back of the longhouse
but in the long run.
Third ball
RICHARD
I don't need to discuss this with you.
KEATY
No ball!
RICHARD
Also, you're wrong.
Third ball re-bowled and hit well.
KEATY
Four runs!
He turns back to Richard.
KEATY
(continuing)
Richard, you are a novelty act. He is the main attraction.
RICHARD
Thank you for your opinion, Father.
Fourth ball.
KEATY
I don't mean to bring you down. I just wouldn't want anyone to
get hurt
RICHARD
If you don't shut up, you're the one that's going to get hurt.
Silence
KEATY
One other thing.
RICHARD
What?
KEATY
He's better looking than you.
RICHARD
Thanks.
Fifth ball bowled and hit. The batsmen both run, Richard and
Sten exchanging places.
Richard prepares to face the bowler
KEATY
Right arm over the wicket. One ball remaining.
The ball is bowled. Richard hits it in the air.
KEATY
Catch it! Catch it!
Etienne catches it.
Keaty signals "out".
Richard walks away from the wicket, past Keaty and the celebrating
fielders, Francoise among them, who have gathered around Etienne.
EXT. BEACH. DAY.
Richard reaches the fringe of the beach where Sal is sitting
alone, half watching the game.
SAL
Aren't you going to stay and watch the game?
RICHARD
No. As a matter of fact, I'm going to go for a long walk.
SAL
Don't forget about this evening. You wouldn't want to miss it.
RICHARD
Why? What happens this evening? Another obscure English sport
with which to humiliate the Americans?
SAL
It's the anniversary, Richard.
EXT. CLEARING. NIGHT.
A pair of hands, Sten's, tap loud and fast on a small drum.
The inhabitants are sitting in a group. They are all holding
half coconut shells.
Sonja walks along with a large clay bottle, filling each shell
with a milky liquid.
Sal is standing up.
The drumming stops.
SAL
To the first six years.
They all drink.
Richard cringes at the unpleasant taste.
Beside him, Etienne proudly gulps down the whole drink.
Sonja refills the cups, pouring freely.
SAL
(continuing)
And looking forward to the next one.
They all drink again.
Once again, Richard sips while Etienne empties his cup.
RICHARD
So who was actually the first here?
SAL
Well, technically, Daffy was the first person on the island.
RICHARD
So why did he leave?
There is an immediate silence.
SAL
What?
RICHARD
Why did Daffy leave? What made him unhappy?
The silence persists.
RICHARD
(continuing)
Sorry. Have I broken a rule?
SAL
No, Richard, don't worry. Daffy left because he felt that in
coming to paradise we had inevitably destroyed it.
RICHARD
Because you built a shelter.
SAL
He was a purist.
MIRJANA
He was crazy.
There is a general murmur of agreement.
RICHARD
Must have been.
The atmosphere is still slightly awkward.
Guitarman breaks the silence by plunging into a rendition of
a popular favorite.
Sonja refills the cups.
Once again, Etienne tilts back his head and drinks.
INT. LONGHOUSE. NIGHT.
The longhouse is empty. Outside a different, slower tune is being
played.
The door is kicked open.
Richard struggles in, carrying Etienne draped over his shoulder.
Francoise follows.
Richard lets Etienne slide off onto his bed where he lies, inert
and comatose.
FRANCOISE
Look at him. It's disgraceful to drink so much.
RICHARD
I think he just got carried away with the excitement of the occasion.
FRANCOISE
Don't make excuses for him. I'm so embarrassed.
RICHARD (V.O.)
Now, I thought, this si my moment. It's now or never. Now or
never. Now or -
RICHARD
Francoise -
FRANCOISE
Richard, would you like to go tot the beach with me.
RICHARD
Yes!
EXT BEACH. NIGHT.
Richard and Francoise walk down the shore to the moonlit sea.
Francoise wades in up to her thighs. Richard follows.
FRANCOISE
Do you like it here, Richard?
RICHARD
I love this island.
FRANCOISE
Do you think about home?
RICHARD
No.
FRANCOISE
Nor do I. Do you think that I ignore you?
RICHARD
Me? No.
FRANCOISE
It's because I am with Etienne. It's difficult to spend time
with you.
RICHARD
I don't suppose there's any special reason that you should, spend
time with me, that is.
FRANCOISE
Of course there is: I like you, a lot.
RICHARD
And have you mentioned this to Etienne.
FRANCOISE
No. It's our secret.
They are very close now, looking into each others' eyes.
Suddenly Francoise looks away.
FRANCOISE
(continuing)
There!
RICHARD
What?
FRANCOISE
Look! The plankton. Shrimps. In the dark, when they are disturbed,
they glow.
She dives in. He follows.
UNDERWATER. NIGHT.
Their faces, close together, are illuminated by the phosphorescent
plankton.
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