STORM by Rick Adams

SCRIPTAPALOOZA Phone# 323.654.5809 www.scriptapalooza.com WGA# 801607

"STORM" FADE IN ON: A SOUND leads us into the credits: whistling, whining, haunting... EXT OCEAN -- NIGHT

DARK. The sound is nonstop and definitely disturbing. Streaks of white foam blow across the water and we realize we're on the open ocean. And then we recognize the sound... it is the sound of the wind. A voice, crackled over radio static: Mayday. Mayday. VOICE Mayday. This is Freedom.

A MONSTER OF A WAVE crosses the screen. The wind blows its top off, and a single light appears on its crest as a 47foot long YACHT descends upon us, under a storm jib, barely under control as it blows like hell. A legend: "WESTERN APPROACHES - 1979" ANGLE ON YACHT - TWO MEN tough it out on the cockpit, wearing full foul weather gear, harnesses attached to the lifelines. INT FREEDOM - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

The boat rolls and pitches violently: objects are strewn about, along with pieces of hardware and sail bags, clothing, and food, some floating inside the cabin, which is filled two-feet deep with water. The NAVIGATOR, ROBERT BURKE, a stocky man in his forties, sits at the console, by the VHF radio. He repeats the distress signal. Mayday. Mayday. BOB Mayday. This is Freedom. Can anyone hear?

On the berth alongside TWO MEN huddle close, one of them bleeding from a nasty cut to his head. Across from them another MAN lies on a bunk in a fetal position: he's crying... And then a YOUNG BOY of about eleven, pops his head out of the owner's cabin, located under the cockpit, protected, wrapped around a sleeping bag in his little niche. Bob snaps at him.

2. BOB (CONT'D) And you get back in there. A VOICE replies on the radio. of the Royal Air Force. It is the voice of LT.THOMPSON

LT. THOMPSON Attention Freedom, this is Lt.Thompson on the Royal Air Force Nimrod patrol plane, please report your position. Over. A dash of hope crosses the faces of the crew, despite the violent jarring of the boat. Bob reaches for the radio. BOB Nimrod, this is freedom. We hear you loud and clear. Our position 50 degrees 50' north, 6 -A Second VOICE cuts in. VOICE 2 -- This is Wild Goose. Mayday. Mayday. She's lost the rudder. She's going down! -BOB -- Nimrod, this is freedom. degrees -A third and desperate VOICE comes in. VOICE 3 -- Man overboard! Man Overboard! Mayday. Mayday -BOB -- Nimrod, this is Freedom. copy? No response. Do you 50

A melange of desperate voices ensues...

VOICE 3 -- We've lost John! We've lost John! Somebody, please, help. Mayday -VOICE 4 -- Mayday. This is Magic. We've lost the mast. I repeat. We've lost -EXT FREEDOM - COCKPIT -- NIGHT

The SKIPPER of the boat and his sole crew do their best to keep the boat under control. Visibility is nil.

3. The SOUND is shrieking through the rigging, spray is flying everywhere. And the lights in the horizon, like shooting stars, are the FLARES from the other boats in distress. INSERT: The ANEMOMETER. INT Needle stuck at 60 knots.

FREEDOM - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT The radio goes static.

Bob hits the table in frustration. BOB Come-on...

And then the sound. A magnificent ROAR, like the sound of a freight train approaching. The crew recognize it... Only this time it's louder. BOB (CONT'D) HOLD ON! And it is a SECOND before their world is TURNED UPSIDE DOWN! With such force that Bob is thrown directly onto the roof of the cabin. EXT OCEAN -- NIGHT

The rogue wave crashes over the yacht and knocks it upside down, destroying mast and rigging in the process. INT FREEDOM - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

Water pours from the companionway - washboards are gone. The electronics sizzle for a second and lights go out. Moans echo inside the cabin. Bob recovers from the beating and instinctively reaches for the radio... YOUNG BOY Dad! Mayday. BOB This is Freedom.

Radio is dead. In a fit of rage, he slams it. Water floods the cabin... Freedom is going down. He bumps into something a crew member, unconscious. The kid steps out of his bunk and dashes towards the companionway as the boat starts righting itself. As it slowly rolls, he adjusts his footing, climbs up the steps and -EXT FREEDOM - COCKPIT -- NIGHT

The sheer force of the wind almost knocks him flat. He grabs onto anything he can. And there's plenty: the cockpit is a mess.

4. The mast has broken and has wrapped itself around the boat: rigging and sails are entangled across the boat; lifelines and stanchions are broken. A crewman lies half-conscious, splayed on the cockpit - he's pulling on a rope -The kid runs up to him and pulls on his hood -It is NOT his father. His father is supposed to be at the end of the rope the man is pulling... but it comes up empty. The cable has snapped. They both look toward the stern... there's a MAN on a bright survival suit floating away. The Men-overboard strobe light flashing in the water. YOUNG BOY Dad! The boy runs towards the stern with one purpose: to jump in. The crewman grabs him, throwing him down on the cockpit. He's gone! do! CREWMAN There's nothing we can

The skipper pins him down as they lay by the stern, and the boy sees his father being carried away by the ocean, the strobe light slowly disappearing between waves. EXT OCEAN -- DAY - LATER

A SEA KING HELICOPTER hovers over the yacht FREEDOM. The boat lies adrift in the innocuous seas: broken stanchions; pieces of the mast and sail and rigging scattered on deck, alongside an unconscious CREWMAN. An AIRMAN lands on deck. He quickly checks the crewman, dead. He continues towards the cabin. INT FREEDOM - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

FOUR or FIVE bodies lie on the floor and bunks, severely bruised... and lifeless. The AIRMAN hears a scraping and a muffled cry from the owners' bunk, he turns and there's the sole survivor, in the shape of an eleven year old kid, staring at him, sobbing. Holy mother. you. AIRMAN It's ok, son, I got

5. 11-YEAR-OLD KID We've got to find my father, we've got to find my father... FADE OUT: INT. APARTMENT - DAY A framed TIME-LIFE PHOTO of a young boy being airlifted onto a SEA KING HELICOPTER lines the shelf amidst other photos of a father and the boy at his first try-outs at sailing. A GIRL in the room is packing her bags with little time for thinking. She is ANNE MARIE WILKES, mid 20s, pretty and very much independent at this point. She is tracked closely by a young man, NICK EVANS, early thirties, sunburned, handsome, and wearing nothing but sweatpants. It's early for him. Too late for her. A legend: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - PRESENT DAY 34.25'N - 118.54'W NICK Just give me one reason. ANNE MARIE I'm taking too much space in your life. I'm not right for you. I do not intend to be a sleep-in forever. NICK That was like three. She stuffs the last item in a duffel bag with a snarl and exits. He follows. NICK (CONT'D) Listen, this is like the final day of the Olympic week. I mean, some of the best guys are out there -ANNE MARIE -- I don't care if it is the Super Bowl. It is not about them. It is about us. NICK Did I say marriage? marriage? Who said

ANNE MARIE Our deadline, which YOU yourself suggested, was six months ago.

6. NICK Okay, you just don't need to wake up in here and make it look like it's an emergency. Along the way, she picks up some correspondence in the living room. ANNE MARIE YOU are the one in the emergency ward. Look at this: college applications you never had the guts to fill. You dropped out of three. You ankled two well-paying jobs in the past six months. And your bank account is a mess. She struggles with the duffel bag and a bag through the door. NICK Do you need help with that? ANNE MARIE Stop following me. EXT NICK'S APARTMENT - DAY

She lugs her gear down the front steps. NICK What do you say we get a nice hot bath and talk about this tomorrow. ANNE MARIE Stop following me. She steps on his feet, hard. Ouch! NICK No need to maim.

She opens the door of her car and throws the gear in. ANNE MARIE You think those people are going to sponsor you all your life? You think you're gonna be the media darling forever? Then get a grip on yourself, sailor, they're just waiting for the next one to come around. And one day you're going to get yourself to a point where you're going to ask: 'what have I done with my life?' And it's going to be a very lonely place.

7. She has already crossed the car, opened the door. NICK Ok, Mrs. Psychic, where do I pay the bill? ANNE MARIE For you, it's free. She locks the door shut, almost chopping his fingers. NICK Hey, hey, hey. I'm sorry, ok? Listen, it's very early and very cold out here. Besides, you're not serious-ly leaving. She smiles. ANNE MARIE Oh, really? Hits the ignition, steps on the gas and burns her way out, almost running him over. He stops and looks around at some of the onlookers watching the scene. NICK She's on a diet. I know. It's been very hard on her the last three weeks. (watching the car go) God, I love this woman. INT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - CLASSROOM -- DAY

Veteran Airman HEYES, late forties, lectures to a group of crew-cut para-jumper trainees, all sturdy men, cocked and ready. A legend: AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - LONG ISLAND, NY 39.58'N - 77.13'W He paces the front of the room, holding a remote control in his hand. He presses the next slide on his show. The slide changes to an image of a FORCE 11 storm, along with a new sound: A LOUD MOAN, incessant, pleading, unsettling. HEYES Force 11 is called a violent storm. The wind should be blowing about 72 miles per hour by now, with gusts highly exceeding that. (MORE)

8. HEYES (CONT'D) The sea is covered in white, the waves are exceptionally high. PJ TRAINEE Sir, was there any kick-ass rescue operation done in such conditions? HEYES Yes. But you don't get too cocky, son. Most of you would be wearing your diapers by now. In this kind of storm the air is so saturated with water, and the water with air, that you won't know up from down. You won't know where the atmosphere ends and where the sea begins. A man will drown just trying to breathe. A MARINE OFFICER walks up to Heyes and hands him a brief. He quickly scans it. HEYES (CONT'D) That's it for today, gentlemen. You can get your assignments on the way out. PJ TRAINEE 2 What about Force 12, sir? Heyes stops and looks at the group of eager, but innocent, trainees. HEYES That's the sound you don't want to hear. INT AIR NATIONAL BASE - ADMIRAL'S OFFICE - DAY

Heyes enters fast. ADMIRAL WILCOX, and old sea-salt with the sketches in his face to show it, sits behind his desk. ADMIRAL WILCOX Your country needs you, Heyes. HEYES With all due respect, sir, last time I heard that I found myself dangling from a cable in the North Atlantic fending waves off with my feet. ADMIRAL WILCOX I was thinking more along the lines of leisure.

9. HEYES Leisure, sir? ADMIRAL WILCOX Pleasure boating. Full benefits included. The Admiral smiles with a red envelope in his hands, with the words Endeavor stenciled across. Heyes smiles uneasily -there's more to it than fits the picture. EXT. YACHT CLUB - SAN FRANCISCO BAY - DAY A windy day out in the bay. A tall and gangly kid, PETE GAVIN, waits by the lonely dinghy, an Olympic class boat on the ramp. He checks his watch. EXT. YACHT CLUB - PARKING LOT - DAY A VAN pulls up and NICK steps out, grabbing a life vest and wet suit on the way out. EXT. YACHT CLUB - LAUNCH RAMP - DAY Pete Gavin watches incredulously as Nick runs down the ramp. NICK Sorry, buddy. Minor domestic entanglement. PETE GAVIN As long as it's minor. NICK The rig all right? PETE GAVIN We're set. Nick stops, listening to the wind. NICK Listen to that. It's music. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO BAY - DAY Olympic dinghies go around the windward mark in the blast of wind. Lots of shouting and close-calls. NICK and PETE catch up to the rear of the fleet and round the mark. NICK We're setting the chute! PETE GAVIN We're what!?

10. NICK You heard me, chute is up!! PETE GAVIN But... it's blowing near thirty!! Nick just nods. Doesn't answer.

PETE GAVIN (CONT'D) Nobody has the chute up! Do you see any chute!!? NICK We gotta catch up! PETE GAVIN We'll break the mast! NICK Oh, we'll probably capsize before that!! PETE GAVIN Oh. Nick looks and decides silently. NICK Now! He pulls on the chute's halyard and the spinnaker flies up, jolting the boat forward, barely under control. PETE GAVIN Here we gooo. Shiiiiiiiit. P.O.V. OTHER DINGHIES AHEAD Some of the skippers look back and decide to raise their spinnakers as well - one of them immediately capsizes. INT. CAR - DAY Parked on a driveway. On the windshield we see a RED ENVELOPE with the Endeavor logo. A MAN gains frame, carrying a YOUNG GIRL up the driveway on his shoulders. He is BRIAN McLEAN, late 30s, a strong man with thick hands and an innocent smile. EXT. HOUSE - DAY A WOMAN, SUZY, soccer mom, waits at the front door with a stern look. The young girl waves. Pete's eyes widen and...

11. SUZY You're late. BRIAN We had the greatest time, didn't we? Yes, Mommy. coaster. YOUNG GIRL We went on the roller

Brian takes her off his shoulders and avoids confrontation. BRIAN Just like this one time. YOUNG GIRL Three times! Suzy grabs her daughter by the hand and is already heading towards the door. BRIAN I'm going away for a while. SUZY So, what's new? BRIAN We don't have to do this. Listen, uh, I gave her a card, my e-mail is in there. Please have her write. Suzy doesn't say a word. just gone. Just stares. All tenderness is

BRIAN (CONT'D) I'm sorry. I don't know what to say except I'm sorry and that I'm going to miss you both very much. Suzy turns. EXT. YACHT CLUB - DAY NICK and PETE hose down their boat and hi-five as other boats are towed past them and sailors talk about how bad it was. A boat is towed with a broken mast lying on its hull. draws and X-sign on it with his finger. Pete

A hose fight ensues. They start spraying each other across the lot as a MAN IN A SUIT, John O'Keefe, 60s, an executive type, stops short of being hosed down. Nick doesn't notice it and sprays him right across mid-chest.

12. JOHN O'KEEFE Nick Evans? Nick smiles apologetically. NICK Sorry. EXT. YACHT CLUB - OVERLOOKING THE MARINA - DAY NICK listens to John O'Keefe. JOHN O'KEEFE A nonstop, non-assisted race around the world. The south pole, to be exact. Nick looks at this man, not buying into it. some papers he brought. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) And your next Olympic campaign is paid for. He hands a red envelope with the Endeavor logo to Nick. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) You see, we usually mail those out, but I was out in the area I thought I'd hand it myself -NICK -- I appreciate you thinking of me on this one, but I think you got the wrong guy. I don't race offshore. This is what I do and -JOHN O'KEEFE -- with your genetics. I don't think that will be of consequence. John reaches in his folder and hands out a BUSINESS CARD. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) It came from Ron Davenport's desk. Nick suddenly looks up. INT. MANSION - NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND - DAY We're looking at a replica of the Cutty Sark on the wall. Camera explores the room. Amidst the trophies and U.S. Navy medals and ribbons and hundreds of books on oceanography and seamanship we see a PICTURE of a yacht piercing a wave at fifteen knots. John checks

13. INSERT PICTURE: we can barely see the skipper or the crew in the midst of all the spray. The opened double door lead into... EXT. MANSION - DAY RON DAVENPORT, 60s, a legendary sailor in all his might and bulk, sips from a scotch as he watches a pretty young woman, PAULA DAVENPORT, as she dives off into the swimming pool. He is sided by GEOFF WARD, 40s, a fidgety boat designer. GEOFF WARD That's just, uh, too many factors. I'm afraid they haven't been tested enough. RON DAVENPORT Do you know what this is? Prenatal stress. Those advanced composites could probably take a nuclear blast and you know that. By next week, your design is going to test its metal with some of the finest men and women in this country. GEOFF WARD That's exactly what I fear. RON DAVENPORT Do you think I would ever do anything to endanger my daughter? Geoff quickly takes a sip of his scotch and smiles. EXT. HARBOR - SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND -- DAY SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31 50.57'N - 1.21'W NICK walks the marina. The number of boats and masts pointing at the sky is staggering. John O'Keefe, the 60-year-old bureaucrat, walks up to meet him, wearing the only suit he ever wore and the same polished black shoes since Genesis. Quite a character. JOHN O'KEEFE Hey, Nick. I told the Gods the weather should keep like this all week. NICK I'm glad you got the connections.

14. JOHN O'KEEFE How was your trip? NICK Bumpy. JOHN O'KEEFE You don't know bumpy. As JOHN leads NICK towards the yacht, the SOUND of an electric drill becomes louder. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) Let me show you around to the crew. They stop by MARCO "COLEONE" RUGGERI, an Italian-American in his late twenties, drilling on the BOOM, which is propped on sawhorses. He removes his plastic goggles and stops. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) This is Marco Coleone. MARCO My name is Ruggeri. ri, capisci? Marco Ru-gge-

JOHN O'KEEFE Anyway, his family is apparently related to the Mafia somehow. Marco rolls his eyes as he's heard it before. MARCO Number one, if that was so, I wouldn't be here. And number two, you would be dead right now. Nick looks right and sees the yacht Endeavor on its berth and it is an impressive sight. Nick continues looking high, and higher, at the 80'foot mast a dark carbon fiber rod touching the sky - and is awed. He spots a YOUNG WOMAN, wearing a Jeans short and a cut-out top, way up on the mast. She's PAULA DAVENPORT, 25, and better-looking the closer we get. Wow. NICK She's, uh --

MARCO Bella, bella, bella. JOHN O'KEEFE Out of bounds. Out of reach. (MORE)

15. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) Paula Davenport. Captain's daughter. You definitely don't want any grief from him. John steps right into the boat, Nick follows. NICK (to Marco) Hey, be careful with that. On deck, BRIAN McLEAN is working the halyard Paula is hooked on. JOHN O'KEEFE That's Brian. He can bench press 350 pounds. BRIAN Three-seventy. Brian turns and offers to shake hands, which Nick does. Brian has a natural strong handshake, as we can sense from the expression in Nick's face. Hi. NICK I'm Nick. BRIAN I know. Brian involuntarily let go of the rope and a SCREAM comes from above... he had forgotten to put the rope locker on... he let go of the handshake and pushes the rope locker down. UP ON TOP, Paula dangles a few feet lower than she was just a moment ago. BRIAN (CONT'D) Are we all okay up there!? PAULA Yes, you dumbbell! Just watch it!

Nick inspects his hands for broken bones then looks up as they walk to the cabin. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY It

STAN, a tall and gangly kid, is working the electronics. is a mess inside with the wires exposed, electronics and gear on the floor, and tools all over.

John and Nick enter as a spark erupts with a minor cloud of smoke. They jump back.

16. STAN Ouch! Watch out, gentlemen. is a very live environment. This

JOHN O'KEEFE These are our communications experts. Stan Bukowski and uh, where's Andy? STAN He, uh, went out. said. Be back soon, he

EXT. OCEAN - SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DAY Jet skis in action. Classic rock moment.

ANDY AZMAN, 25, a young man with a smile and the attitude you'd expect from a self-made millionaire just out of Silicon Valley tries to outrace his two opponents to the next mark. ANDY Come-on, you hooligans! Let's see how you like this! Whoo-hoo! Happy Halloween! The jet-skis skid around the mark lifting a huge spray of water, and they continue down the next stretch. INT. ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NAVIGATION STATION - DAY STAN is showing the equipment to NICK and JOHN. STAN ...MF and high-frequency digital selective calling. We also have Inmarsat B and C and send out a constant radio signal from an ARGOS transmitter outside. Nick points to a series of yellow gadgets the size of a bowling pin. NICK And what's that? STAN Oh that. Those are the EPIRBs. Emergency position indicating radio beacons. Shit hits the fan, you pop one of those babes into the water. The more the merrier. PAULA (O.S.) Wherever we are, they'll know.

17. PAULA enters the cabin and extends her hand to Nick. shake. PAULA (CONT'D) Hi there, sailor. Nice to meet you. You've been getting a lot of media attention. I'm starting to get jealous. The star rookie. NICK I really didn't ask for any, it's just, you know, some people don't seem to... forget the past. PAULA Welcome aboard. Don't let them scare you. Stan has this kind of a morbid sense of humor. That's where he gets his kicks from. Don't worry. Good. She leaves them and walks back to the drying room. EXT. MARINA - DAY A MAN of intense, piercing blue eyes, walks towards the yacht: former Navy Commander RON DAVENPORT, mid-50s, lines etched in his face for every ocean crossing. He is sided by a man of equal intensity, HEYES, fresh out of Air National Guard Base. EXT. ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY NICK and JOHN step out of the cabin as ANDY pulls up on a jet ski alongside the yacht. ANDY Hey, you must be Nicky boy. Have you met the Captain's daughter? Has she got the finest stems this side of Christendom or what? NICK I'm just here to win a race. ANDY You get past training, that's a good start. NICK I don't scare easy. PAULA They

18. RON DAVENPORT and HEYES step on the cockpit and Andy turns to them. ANDY (CONT'D) Good morning, Mr. Davenport, sir. Andy Azman reporting. Ready to help you kick ass out of the competition. DAVENPORT stops. John O'Keefe holds his breath. Marco stops drilling. Brian stops coiling ropes. Davenport slowly turns. RON DAVENPORT What are you smirking at, ass-wipe? You got some quizzical look on your face as if you don't know whether to piss or take a shit. Get changed, stow your gear and report back. You're late. Andy revs up. Davenport turns and quickly appraises Nick. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Oh, shit. NICK Sir? RON DAVENPORT You don't look anything like your father. Davenport suddenly opens with a slight smile and shakes hands. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Welcome back to the game, son. You've got a hell of a lot to learn. Jesus Christ, where do you get these kids? Davenport continues down the cabin, shaking his head. turns to John, who's like 'don't ask me.'. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DRYING ROOM - DAY Nick

NICK, ANDY, BRIAN, MARCO and STAN are gearing up for a day of sailing. ANDY I love that Captain Ahab spiel, man. Like 'hey ass-wipe' that's so cool. I read everything about you guys. BRIAN Yeah. Did you read I got the longest bishop in sailing history?

19. No. ANDY I read you were a cross-dresser.

Nick and Marco scramble towards the companionway. NICK Is he going to be on the boat? MARCO For the duration. Just sold his internet venture, fifty million dollars. Thought sailing was the way to go now. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

DAVENPORT stands besides HEYES, appraising the entire crew. RON DAVENPORT Now, ladies! Let me introduce Lieutenant Commander Heyes, US Naval Academy! Unlike most of you morons he didn't learn in some sailing-faggot school or read in some beautifully photographed book. He's seen it, he's faced it, he went to hell and back and he's here to show you why you'd be better off with your mothers! HEYES That's not how I would put it but it's a nice picture. It's not a friendly environment out there. EXT OCEAN - DAY

Endeavor glides past, pounding on the waves, going upwind under a 15-knot breeze, taking off at each crest. The crew is on deck, most on the railing, wearing foul weather gear. HEYES Sailing on the Southern will be a vicious attack on your bodies, minds and souls. You're here for your talent, you're here for your seamanship, but I am here to give you the right attitude. EXT MARINA -- DAY

A foggy morning. HEYES leads the group of sailors jogging around the marina. Synchronized steps, royal blue sweats.

20. HEYES I'm here to make you respect the ocean. I'm here to make you drop everything you take for granted right now, your sleep, your home, and your mothers. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

A HALYARD with a large SHACKLE at its end is loose and whizzing by dangerously close to the sailors. At the mast base, BRIAN, PAULA, and MARCO crouch down to avoid being decapitated. DAVENPORT yells from the cockpit. RON DAVENPORT Somebody get him the hell out of there! The halyard swings at his head, Davenport bends slightly, unfazed, as it whips by and bangs loudly against the boom. Up on the MAST, six feet above deck level is NICK, hanging on to the mast as ENDEAVOR prances up and down under Genoa sail alone. EXT MARINA -- DAY

The CREW jogs around the marina in sweats. HEYES leads the group. There are sweat beads. They've been running awhile. HEYES You'll be pitched against the elements, you'll face hardship, and some of the toughest, roughest, and well-trained crews on earth. EXT ENDEAVOR -- DAY

The yacht is going downwind under mainsail and spinnaker. The crew is ready for a spinnaker take-down. RON DAVENPORT Careful now, take her down. her down. Take

Unfortunately, the yacht lays over and the spinnaker collapses behind the main. Unnoticed, the lazy line from the sock wraps itself around STAN's leg... Suddenly the main fills, and the spinnaker follows suit with a bang and STAN is lifted off the deck, sock line in one hand, and his leg at the other. He screams. NICK watches from the mast, paralyzed.

21. Davenport quickly grabs a knife from his pocket, runs and cuts the line in one swift motion. Stan falls on deck. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) You want a goddamn obituary notice, let me get it to you straight: I don't give a rat's ass! Just don't do it on my shift! He turns to Nick by the mast, wide-eyed. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Don't just stand there! What's the matter with you!? Stan stares at them from the floor. EXT MARINA - PONTOON -- DAY Scared as hell.

The group of sailors jog towards the compound and the pontoons until it ends in the water. They turn to HEYES, who smirks. HEYES You don't think Captain would let you on the yacht without a wash. The sailors look out into the thick fog. There's no yacht in sight, only a faint WHISTLE in the distance. HEYES (CONT'D) The last one to get there will Have to swim back. NICK looks dumbfounded, until the other sailors start taking off their shoes and diving into the water. EXT OCEAN / MARINA -- DAY

We hear the WHISTLE at intermittent intervals. Then the splash in the water as the sailors swim towards the yacht. NICK stops in the middle of the foggy marina waters, not knowing where exactly the whistle comes from. A BLINDING FLASH... INT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY

FLASHBULBS explode amidst the camera lights, blinding NICK, who's fielding questions next to the crew of Endeavor. REPORTER Nick Evans, in view that you've never been offshore in your entire adult life, how do you feel about sailing the Southern Ocean?

22. NICK It's only wind and water. REPORTER 2 Is it true you broke up with your Fiance to be in the race? NICK No. Anne Marie is very supportive and she thinks we're going to win. REPORTER Do you intend to follow in your father's footsteps now? NICK I... just hope not to make the same mistakes he did. A reporter stands up the middle of the auditorium. REPORTER 3 What's the point? NICK Excuse me? REPORTER 3 What's the point of wasting your time and our time and all public and private funds so you guys can risk your lives and exercise your egos in this sort of contest? Nick looks around for help. None given. at the reporter, son-of-a-bitch. EXT MARINA -- NIGHT Davenport glares

NICK walks along the yachts in the silent marina, yachts like stallions in a quiet slumber, masts reaching for the skies. A VOICE stops him. VOICE (O.S.) It found you, didn't it? long time. Such a

Nick stops. He turns. And sees the old seaman, ROBERT BURKE, aka BOB, staring at him. NICK Bob? Bob offers a card, Nick takes and examines it for a beat.

23. BOB I'll be sailing Spirit. Then I'm going fly-fishing for a long time. A pregnant silence ensues between them. full of guilt on both sides. It sits heavy and

NICK Never abandon the boat, I thought that was the golden rule -BOB -- we thought you'd be safer -NICK -- it wasn't safe enough for you. BOB Your father would never abandon The ya -NICK -- My father was an arrogant loser and he made the wrong call. We should have stopped racing. He should never have continued through the Western Approaches. He put the entire safety of the crew and the yacht at risk, what for? For a goddamned race? BOB It was all a terrible tragedy, kid. That's all. The laws of men do not work out there. There's is no good, no bad, no rich or poor, no just or unjust. It just is. Pure and simple. Nick turns and looks out to the marina for a long beat. INT. HOTEL BEDROOM - NIGHT The last words echo in Nick's head. He wakes up with a start. He sits up, breathing hard. Reaches for the telephone. Dials. And what we hear... ANNE MARIE (V.O.) Hi, this is Anne. I can't come to the phone right now. Please leave your number and I'll get back to you. INT MEDICAL CENTER -- DAY

The sailors gather round HEYES, Dr. ROMANELLI and older DR. WEISZ, two young doctors from WorldClinic. Several watertight containers are opened with its contents on display.

24. DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI I'm Dr. Romanelli from WorldClinic and I will be responsible for any health-related issues overseas. I'm here to teach about the standard medical offshore kit aboard your vessel. It'll not give you a license to practice medicine, but it'll save lives. In the booklet you'll find our number which can be reached via Inmarsat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EXT ENDEAVOR -- DAY

The yacht is sailing smoothly and fast under spinnaker. HEYES is at the wheel. The crew gathers round DAVENPORT as he adjusts the zipper on the three-layered MUSTO foul weather gear on NICK, who stands by the stern. Davenport closes the zipper on Nick. RON DAVENPORT The life expectancy in the Southern Ocean in a two-piece suit is about 15 minutes! We're estimating recovery at 02 hours! So, can anyone tell me what is the first rule for man overboard!? The sailors stare at each other in silence. shyly. NICK Don't fall overboard? RON DAVENPORT That's correct, sailor. Nick feels relief. Davenport then pulls the face guard across his face and speaks confidentially. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Just one last piece of advice: It Can get awful lonely out there. Just stay away from my daughter. And pushes Nick overboard. Starts his time-watch. Nick answers

RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Man overboard! Fifteen minutes!

25. ANDY (yells down the cabin) Man overboard! The sailors quickly scramble to position. Paula spots Nick and points her finger at him and keeps it there as the sailors work fast in a well orchestrated maneuver to lower the spinnaker. Nick struggles as the boat quickly separates from him. A wave covers NICK and he loses sight of the yacht for a second, then quickly re-gains his orientation. INT HOTEL SUITE -- NIGHT

Nick dreamily opens the door and is almost knocked by a WAITER, who promptly offers an assorted tray of hors d'oeuvre over Strauss. He is looks stunned in a world of his own and continues down the room where he stops before the entire crew lounging about and a table set for a LOBSTER DINNER. He walks up to DAVENPORT, who amusingly enjoys a conversation with John O'Keefe, holding a glass of the best wine available. ANDY smiles and turns to him. ANDY Nicky boy! You scared the hell out of Stanny here, he thought you were not going to show up to save his ass from getting piss-drunk. The room is alive and laughing. INT HOTEL SUITE -- NIGHT -- SAME Nick's POV laughing at him?

NICK, PAULA, ANDY, HEYES, BRIAN, MARCO, O'KEEFE and STAN are seated as DAVENPORT raises his glass. STAN's hands shake as he reaches for his. PAULA smiles. And we catch a subtle smile from MARCO.

RON DAVENPORT Gentleman, when I met you I had little hope for mankind. Now that I know you closer... I have NO hope. May God Bless Endeavor and all the men and women aboard, 'cause we're gonna need it. The crew laughs and raise their glasses in a toast. with STAN... he never sips his drink. We stay

26. A building breeze leads us into FADE OUT: TITLE CARD: SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, START DAY - NOVEMBER 7 EXT MARINA -- DAY

Grey skies. Boats bob uneasily on their pontoons to the incessant noise of the wind through the rigging and spare halyards, picking up leaves and stray objects from the ground. INT HOTEL - BEDROOM -- DAY

Early morning. The room is still darkened. The sky looks grey outside, the wind is strong, trees shake their leaves and rain splatters against the window. We search for NICK in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. He looks down. And looks up again. And in that split second he gets the scare of his life. It was the figure of HIS FATHER standing behind him. INT. ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NAVIGATION STATION - DAY The cabin is dark. MARCO plays with an electronic switch, turning the instruments on and off, absent-minded, filling the cabin with a red and green glow, alone. PAULA (O.S.) Just like going to the moon, eh? Marco turns. Paula is standing in the doorway to the main cabin. He smiles. She walks over. MARCO I guess so. She sits on his lap. INT And they kiss.

HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT

DAVENPORT is taking a picture out of its frame. It is an old photo of him and his wife, MRS. LINDSAY DAVENPORT. He looks at it fondly, before stowing it into a zip-lock bag. EXT HARBOR CHANNEL -- DAY

Never mind the weather. The line of spectators is ten-deep. A maddening roar. SPECTATOR BOATS now join in with HORNS and SHOUTS of encouragement.

27. WOMEN CLAD IN BIKINIS dance on the cabin to the blast of ROCK MUSIC. EXT. MARINA - DAY

NICK and ANDY fight the crowd with their backpacks and team Endeavor jackets. ANDY Do you know the best thing about money? NICK Shoot. ANDY Now I get to get laid too. NICK That's what I thought. Was HE gentle?

SNIPES, a sinewy young sailor, who was speaking to a reporter, watches as Nick passes by and walks up to him. SNIPES We could use some media ballast, If you know what I mean. Nick turns and recognizes him. Snipes. And sees the team Spirit logo.

NICK Nice to see you again.

SNIPES Just a piece of advice: wipe that smile off your face, no one goes in the Southern with a smile. Yeah. NICK You have a nice one too. No intention to continue on.

Nick turns to leave.

SNIPES Be careful you don't go the same way the old man did. Nick suddenly turns and lunges at this guy. When a set of strong arms separate them clean off. It's BRIAN. BRIAN We got a problem here? No. SNIPES We were just talking. (MORE)

28. SNIPES (CONT'D) (to Nick) See you guys out there. Snipes turns to go. ANDY walks up to Nick, enjoying this.

ANDY I don't mean to pry, but, did you like sleep with his girl or something? NICK No. He was in too much pain already. I took his Olympic berth. Twice. Oh. ANDY That's sweet.

MARCO rushes up to them. MARCO Did any of you guys see Stan this morning? They look at his expression of pure disbelief. EXT. HARBOR - YACHT SPIRIT - DAY SNIPES climbs aboard Spirit. for sail. The crew is readying the yacht

Among them we recognize BOB, the oldest; GUY, RICH and PATRICK, all cocked and ready young sailors; SARA, a middleaged woman, and JO, the youngest, descends into the cabin. Snipes walks up to BOB. SNIPES I heard you were giving the rookie some tips. BOB With his background I don't think he'll need any. SNIPES Great. That's what we're going to find out. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

DAVENPORT is seated. ANDY, NICK, PAULA, BRIAN, JOHN O'KEEFE and ANNE MARIE stand around the main cabin in absolute silence and astonishment.

29. RON DAVENPORT If anyone else wants to quit on her this is your last chance. I'll take her around alone if need be. The crew looks around; no one budges. Ron nods to Heyes.

HEYES (ON RADIO) Race Committee, this is Endeavor. Over. RACE COMMITTE (V.O., RADIO) Go ahead, Endeavor. HEYES It's a confirm, vessel Endeavor is not retiring from the race. Over. RACE COMMITTE (V.O., RADIO) That's a confirm, over and out. RON DAVENPORT We've got some sailing to do. EXT HARBOR CHANNEL - DAY

Spirit is being towed out. JO, the youngest in the crew, comes running from the cabin and talks to SNIPES. The crew gathers to her the news. JO Endeavor is not retiring. SNIPES I guess they'll be traveling light. He smiles to Bob. EXT Who doesn't smile back.

MARINA - ENDEAVOR -- DAY

ANDY shows off a couple of French girls to Nick, who is readying the deck. He mouths the words 'very gentle' to Nick. Marco walks by. MARCO This is going to be one long trip. HEYES is shaking hands with a couple of ex-marines and friends, alongside his wife. BRIAN is on a cell phone, pacing the yacht. BRIAN (ON PHONE) No, it's not too late. (MORE)

30. BRIAN (ON PHONE) (CONT'D) You tell Mommy you can stay up and watch Daddy on TV. PAULA is saying goodbye to someone and catches Marco's eyes. She smiles. Nick watches it all as he coils a rope, alone. EXT. MARINA - DAY

ANNE MARIE WILKES works her way through the crowd with a leaflet in hand asking for directions. ANNE MARIE Does anybody know where Endeavor is? Sir, do you know where Endeavor is? MAN IN THE CROWD Oh, yes , Ma'am. I was just there. They should be leaving anytime now. EXT. MARINA - ENDEAVOR - DAY A RIB (rigid inflatable) pulls up by the side. The DRIVER yells up to MARCO on the cockpit, frantically pointing to his watch. RIB DRIVER We've got to tow you guys right now! This is our last call! DAVENPORT scrambles out of the cabin. line and throws it to the inflatable. EXT. MARINA - DAY ANNE fights her way through the crowd, running. ANNE MARIE Nick! EXT. MARINA - ENDEAVOR - DAY The yacht is being towed. NICK starts retrieving the FENDERS and ROPES, and suddenly stops in mid-action as he hears a familiar voice. He looks up and tries to recognize it through the roar. EXT. MARINA - DAY MARCO grabs the tow

ANNE runs towards the docks. Closer now. We see Endeavor's mast passing through above the heads of the people. ANNE MARIE Nick!

31. EXT. MARINA - ENDEAVOR - DAY Nick sees a young woman running desperately but he does not want to believe it. NICK Anne? ANNE MARIE Nick!! He recognizes her. NICK It's Anne Marie! BRIAN We can't do it! Davenport is at the wheel. Sees the edge of the harbor. Stop it! Anne!!!

RON DAVENPORT I got you kiddo, get to the railing! Nick sees it and goes to the leeward railing, grabbing on to the side stays. Anne runs. The crowd cheers her on. Davenport steers the yacht dangerously close to the edge of the harbor, still on tow... Nick extends his hands all the way... Anne runs to the very edge of the harbor, extends her hand... someone holds her... The hands stretch to the max... And they just barely touch. He smiles. She smiles.

ANNE MARIE Go get'em, sailor!! Nick grabs a FENDER from the deck. NICK We're not gonna need those, are we? RON DAVENPORT Not unless you're planning to stop somewhere. The crowd cheers madly. towards her. Nick takes the fender and throws it

We follow the fender as it arcs through the air... EXT MARINA - SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DAY - FLASHBACK A legend places us.

...and someone catches it in 1979.

32. SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14, 1979 FLASHES EXPLODE as a tattered thirty-seven-footer yacht carrying its battered crew approaches the dock. By the look on the faces of those men, they took a serious beating. INT PRESS ROOM - ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB - 1979 -- DAY

A legend: "ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB" The RORC SECRETARY, wearing thick glasses and a mournful expression sits behind a desk, flanked by two ASSISTANTS and a bank of telephones, facing a GROUP OF REPORTERS. BOB, who fidgets nervously, and RON DAVENPORT sit across from them, taking questions. RORC SECRETARY Mr. Davenport, could you please give us a chronology of the events that led to your decision to abandon the yacht? RON DAVENPORT I do not recall the exact moment, but we had lost all souls aboard Freedom and the assessment was that the yacht had become unseaworthy. An ASSISTANT approaches with a piece of paper, the Secretary takes it and reads the hurried longhand scribbling. And looks up at the assistant, not believing it. RORC SECRETARY It seems that the Royal Air Force has just rescued a crewman from Freedom at 1700 hours and he is on his way to sick bay at this time. There is a loud murmur in the room. EXT RACE COMMITTEE BOAT -- DAY - BACK TO PRESENT

A CANNON is fired, the RED FLAG is raised. Twenty or so YACHTS dash past the starting line, fast, slick machines, taking off as they rise the crest of the waves like wild horses. Sailors lean out on the windward rails, mainsails on the first reef, going upwind, on their way around the world. Endeavor starts at the committee boat end and the motion on the yacht is intense as it pierces through the waves.

33. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The cabin is always at an angle and walking seems like mountaineering on top of a wild horse. NICK fights his way to the navigation console, where PAULA sits in front of a computer screen with a series of numbers and boat tracks. PAUL He's fifty yards ahead, we got a two hundred yard separation. We got a five degree shift to the right and it seems like it's going to hold. Nick nods, with a sickly expression. PAULA Don't get seasick!? starting! EXT ENDEAVOR -- COCKPIT - DAY We're just

NICK comes on deck with a WET NOTES pad and barely flashes it to DAVENPORT. NICK Sir... RON DAVENPORT We're going right! Ready about! The crew scramble from the windward rail to their assigned positions in the cockpit. Brian positions himself at the leeward runner and loosens its slack. BRIAN Ready! Marco and Andy position themselves at the staysail and primary winches, while at the other side, Nick and Heyes take turns of rope around the winch barrels, ready to haul in. ANDY We're ready! RON DAVENPORT Helm's a-lee! The boat swings its bow across the wind, for a moment the sails are slack and... RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Lee-Oh!

34. The sailors at the winches take the slack as the sails fill on the other side. Nick tightens the windward runner. NICK Runner on! INSERT: the set of DIGITAL DISPLAYS on the mast as the boat accelerates on the new tack. EXT SPIRIT -- COCKPIT - DAY

SNIPES steers the boat. A crewman, PATRICK watches besides him. From their P.O.V. we see Endeavor at leeward on port, and another yacht, rising off the crest of the waves to leeward and ahead. Endeavor tacks ahead of them. to Snipes. BOB He tacked again. BOB watches it and leans over

We have no room.

SNIPES That's a negative. We're going to give them a lee-bow. (to the crew) Ready about! This is going to be very close, folks! (To Bob) You sit straight, listen up, and you might learn something, old man. It's going to be beautiful. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

Nick and Davenport snap their necks as a yacht ducks them, almost kissing their transom as they sail on starboard. The crew goes for position. And they see Spirit, on collision course towards them. NICK Jesus, is he seeing us? Marco runs down to THE BOW and waves 'Hey'. The boat creaks and grinds like it's going to fall apart. Nick looks up at the mast. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT -- DAY SNIPES Helm's-a-lee! Spirit TACKS, a fraction of a second more and it would've been a direct hit.

35. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

Too late as Ron is forced to do an almost CRASH TACK to avoid a collision. Sailors were just getting off the rail. RON DAVENPORT Helm's a lee! Sonafabitch. The sailors run back to position, but the KEVLAR GENOA HEADSAIL backwinds against the spreader, puncturing it. BRIAN looks up and sees it. BRIAN Sail change! Sailors scramble to avoid a bigger problem. Andy dashes down the companionway and we follow him down the cabin as... INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

He dashes past PAULA at the navigation station, and continues down the saloon towards the sail room. ANDY What the hell is going on? NICK follows right behind and grabs the radio. NICK (ON RADIO) Race Committee, race committee, this is Endeavor. Do you copy? HEYES grabs his hand and lowers the radio. NICK (CONT'D) We've got to protest! We can't let this shit happen! HEYES That is the Captain's decision. This is not about you and him. You need something, you take it up to him. Nick turns and heads up the companionway. RACE COMMITTE (V.O., RADIO) Endeavor, this is the Committee Boat, what's your report, over. HEYES (ON RADIO) Race committee, this is Endeavor. Nothing to report. Over and out. Heyes hands the radio back to Paula.

36. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

DAVENPORT steers the yacht while BRIAN and MARCO lower the ripped headsail. NICK walks up to him, who seems absolutely undisturbed. NICK Sir! Excuse me, sir! We have to protest!! The last I heard there are rules and he just broke a major one and we have an obligation to report! RON DAVENPORT The sea will be the judge, kiddo. Get to the bow and held with the sail change! NICK The sea will be the judge!? Nick leaves absolutely frustrated. EXT ENDEAVOR -- BOW - DAY

BRIAN and MARCO get a good dousing with the bow plunging up and down in waves while they collect the ripped sail. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER -- DAY RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - SOUTHAMPTON 51.86'N - 3.45'W JOHN O'KEEFE leads ANNE MARIE into the Race HQ. It is a world of gadgetry and computer screens, where half a dozen technicians work to the soothing balm of Classical Music. CLAUDE LeFEVRE, the flamboyant race administrator, is the maestro. He turns as he sees John. CLAUDE Hello John, when are you going to go out there and join the boys? JOHN O'KEEFE I prefer 'Terra Firme', thank you. This is Anne Marie, Nick's fiancee. CLAUDE Yes, yes. Loved that image. The hand reaching as the yacht left the dock. We broadcast it all over the world. How nice to meet you. Are you going to stay in town long?

37. ANNE MARIE Just a couple of days. CLAUDE Please, John, let her be our guest. Spare no expenses. I wonder if you'd care for a tour. ANNE MARIE Please. He leads them into the room. A series of satellite pictures and computer screens for different regions of the world. A bank of HOTLINE TELEPHONES line the far wall. CLAUDE This is the weather center. We're linked to weather stations around the world, NOAA, Mto France, Australian Bureau, you name it. We'll be sending out bulletins twice daily. ANNE MARIE Couldn't they just call them? CLAUDE Not under the race rules. The moment a yacht accepts outside help, she'll be immediately disqualified. We're their only source of weather. The MAIN SCREEN on a computer shows the position of the boats on the map, color-coded. The numbers, such as boat speed, coordinates, just a mouse click away. CLAUDE (CONT'D) But don't you worry, my dear. If he coughs, we'll know. If his heart misses a beat, we'll know. And if he dares to cheat on you, we'll know before it happens. This is going to be the most watched sailing event ever. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - FORWARD BULKHEAD - DAY

MARCO grabs the sail being fed to him through the forehatch. It's so much cloth one could get lost in it. PAULA enters and slowly closes the watertight door behind her. PAULA I wonder if I can give you a hand with that, sailor.

38. MARCO Be my guest. He stops tugging the sail. She leans over, and they KISS.

They hear a sound and turn to see NICK, with a smug face. MARCO (CONT'D) Oh, hell. NICK Never mind me. I was never here. EXT/INT STREET/SEDAN - SOUTHAMPTON - NIGHT

John O'Keefe drops ANNE MARIE off at her hotel. JOHN O'KEEFE Anne, thanks for coming. ANNE MARIE How will I know where they are? JOHN O'KEEFE There are two radio schedules, six a.m. and six p.m. RHQ will be posting the results on the net as soon as they report in. Do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow? ANNE MARIE No, it's okay. JOHN O'KEEFE See you in a few months, then. Anne Marie opens the door. Stops halfway. Turns.

ANNE MARIE Anything happens to him, I'll hold you personally accountable. She steps out, closing the door behind her. FADE OUT: EXT BAY OF BISCAY - NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN -- DAY

The seas are big and the boats are pounding, dropping off the top of the waves with a violent jar. A Legend places us: DAY 2 - BAY OF BISCAY 45.10'N - 8.41'W

39. Aboard Endeavor. DAVENPORT is at the wheel. The boat is going full steam under double-reefed mainsail. Three crew members huddle on the rail (rail meat, we call them). We can only recognize them by the names on the back of the hoods over their heads. (Heyes, Paula) BRIAN works near the mast, and has to jump up, to avoid being swept by a wave across the deck. NICK climbs down the companionway steps, drops his hood, and INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

Walks right through the saloon, sick as hell, and continues through the watertight door and bursts into the port lavatory head, throwing his guts out. The lid was down. He turns and there's a digital camera right in his face ANDY has just taken a photo. ANDY That's a nice one. Just what World Sailing magazine is looking for. NICK You're not sending that, are you? ANDY I was thinking about the National Inquirer myself: 'Sailing Star talks to the seals.' The boat jerks around as Nick walks up to the navigation chart table where MARCO listens to the radio schedule. NICK How are we doing? MARCO We'll know soon enough. VOICES Union Jack 44.45 north 18.25 west... Veritas 43.38 north 19.24 west... Yankee Pride 44.30 north 20.58 west, last boat reporting. Over and out. He jots down the info on a standard paper chart. NICK So, what's up?

40. MARCO Would you give me a second here? Marco scribbles and does some calculations on the chart. MARCO (CONT'D) We've just gained about 80 miles. At this pace, we'll be within range of the leaders by the time we hit the Equator. NICK And when would that be? MARCO In about a week. That is, if we manage to cross the doldrums unhitched. Nick looks mystified. Marco points it out on the map.

MARCO (CONT'D) The black hole. Just around the horse latitudes, here. It is an invisible area of low pressure and it keeps changing every goddamn day, invisible and unpredictable. It means zero wind. NICK Why don't we sail around it? MARCO At best we can hit it at the lowest point. We can stay there a day, a week, a month, or as long as it wishes. ANDY Do you know why it is called the 'Horse Latitudes?' Nick and Marco turn to him. ANDY (CONT'D) Some ships, running low on water, after a month with no wind, would throw cargoes of horses overboard. It was either them or the crew. Beat. Nick stares at them. NICK Do you know what this is? A bunch of sailors horse-crap voodoo you're trying to pass on to me.

41. PAULA steps down the companionway steps from the cockpit, removes her coat and walks up to the guys in the main saloon. PAULA It's your shift. Just as a warning, Dad is not in a good mood. ANDY Have you ever seen him in a good mood? Nick steps out, grabs his coat and walks back to the changing area. Andy follows. ANDY (CONT'D) We better hurry, cornuto. MARCO Excuse my English, but why don't you stow that Caneloni where the sun doesn't shine. Marco stands up to go. Paula grabs his arm.

PAULA Hey, no rush. MARCO You said your father as going to kill us. PAULA Not before we get back to France. She grabs and holds him close, he is reluctant at first and then lets go. Andy suddenly returns to the saloon. ANDY Did you guys see my glo --- They quickly separate. Andy smiles broadly.

ANDY (CONT'D) Oh, I own you. I own you big time. You're my slaves. Oh, this feels good. He walks out. Marco nods his head.

MARCO He's such a jerk. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- NIGHT

Endeavor glides at a healthy 12-15 knots of boat speed under spinnaker. BRIAN, HEYES and DAVENPORT are on the cockpit.

42. NICK and MARCO step out and are greeted by a sparkling sky of MILLIONS OF STARS. RON DAVENPORT You're fifteen minutes late to relieve the crew. Both of you get a thirty minute-penalty until the next shift. (to Marco) It's your shift. Anything goes wrong you call me or else you're both going to feed marine life, am I clear? MARCO Clear enough, sir. RON DAVENPORT Where the hell is that little weasel? MARCO If you're referring to Andy, he's just coming up, sir. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT

CLAUDE talks to a TECHNICIAN, checking a series of monitors. TECHNICIAN We lost all vitals on Spirit and Libert today. CLAUDE Run a check through the terrestrial carriers, land stations, all the way to the terminal. Can you raise them on the SSB? TECHNICIAN Sure. Good. INT CLAUDE Double check with them.

ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT BRIAN

We travel through the interior of the dark cabin. sleeps in the SAIL ROOM, on top of the sails.

At the center line, the media studio monitor comes to life as the boat bounces off a wave, showing a camera angle from the outside. We move through the watertight doors to the saloon and galley, where HEYES sleeps in the booth seating around the table.

43. As we continue through the central companionway, to the right we see the green glow of the RADAR and hear the faint static of the radio. Continuing, at the berths astern, we find DAVENPORT and PAULA, on a berth across from him, both sleeping. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- NIGHT

MARCO is alone at the helm, steering in the dark, under lighter winds, besides NICK and ANDY. ANDY ...so, then Giuseppe asks Tony: 'Ey, Tony. Do you know who Fishlips Lorenzo is?' Tony goes 'no.' Giuseppe says 'he's the guy that's banging your wife while you go to night school.' MARCO That is so hilarious. ANDY Do you know why Italy is shaped like a boot? NICK No idea. ANDY Do you think they could fit all the hit man in a tennis shoe? Andy laughs. Nick suppresses a smile. Marco stares.

ANDY (CONT'D) Anyway, it was nice sailing with you, now I think it's time to hit the sack. And if you guys behave real nice, I'll let you help spend all that money when we get back. Wake me up if you see a mermaid. Andy goes down. MARCO I am footing the bill, I can sleep anytime I want, right? NICK drags himself next to Marco and sits besides him, with a notepad.

44. NICK Money aside, I've been doing a few calculations on my own. Look at this: Laurent and Vincent are heading out. As far as I'm concerned we're getting into a persistent header, we got to go up. There's a silent beat. MARCO No. NICK Just five degrees. It's all we need. By tomorrow we're going to power reach across the entire fleet and they ain't gonna see where it's coming from. MARCO Hell no. NICK All right. What do you say I send in an article, write you up as a hero. The whole works. MARCO You're crazy. You're certified. NICK Trust me. If we're not leading the fleet by the time we hit the Equator, It's on me. The boat glides quietly in the dark. Marco reluctantly adjusts course 5 degrees, while Nick sets the sail trim. EXT NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN -- DAY

A lone DRAGONFLY sits on the railing, resting. We pan to the ocean. And it is flat, lifeless. The sun is directly above at high noon and we can sense the intense heat emanating from it. Zero wind. Boat and sails slack. DAY 9 - NORTH ATLANTIC - THE DOLDRUMS 10.24'N - 29.15'W PAULA is scanning the horizon through pair of binoculars. ANDY pops up from below-decks. ANDY Hey, what's the scoop?

45. PAULA I think I saw something out there. ANDY Let's try the hand-held. Andy grabs the VHF and calls. growl coming from Belowdecks. INT We hear a raspy, guttural

ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

DAVENPORT is chewing MARCO and NICK's asses. NICK I made the call, sir. It was the wrong call, but it could'a been -RON DAVENPORT You don't make calls, you moron. When you have a worthy suggestion, which I doubt it, you talk to the entire crew! This ain't your goddamn dinghy. You are responsible for the lives of this crew and the outcome of this vessel depend on the actions and choices you two dumb-asses make! NICK If I only had gone a further ten degrees to the West, we would've been right at the edge of the sys -RON DAVENPORT -- Are you trying to patronize me, son? Cause I can rip your guts right out with my bare hands. Both of you on deck now! I want it shining like the Hope diamond. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT -- DAY

A SONY WALKMAN sits atop of the cabin, connected to a pair of portable speakers. 'GOT TO BE REAL', by Cheryl Lynn blasts full volume. JO, SARA, and PATRICK, wearing a wig, dance to it, a la Supremes. SNIPES sits by the wheel, bored and pissed at the wind and his predicament. RICH leans over him and gives him a peck. the cabin to join in the revelry. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY GUY steps out of

BOB gets up, grumbling, to the sound of the VHF. Curses at the party going on upstairs and picks up the radio.

46. PAULA'S VOICE (V.O., RADIO) Vessel to my West. Vessel to my West. This is Yacht Endeavor. Waypoint 10,24 north; 29 degrees West. Do you copy? Endeavor! speaking. BOB This is Spirit, Bob How are we doing?

PAULA'S VOICE (V.O., RADIO) We're kind of stuck... Is that music I hear? Oh yes. EXT BOB Would you care to join?

ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

ANDY stands on deck alongside Paula. PAULA No Bob, I think I'll pass. (to Andy) They're having a party. ANDY (holding binoculars) I do see a lot of movement on deck. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

Dozens of weatherfaxes are pinned to a board. DAVENPORT and HEYES sweat over a map of the area at the navigation station. A portable and tiny FAN blows a feeble breeze towards them. Davenport draws an X for boat positions, and 'H' for the center of the high pressure zone, further West. He points to a marker further West on the chart. RON DAVENPORT Is that Mother Russia? HEYES That's right. That's one lucky bastard. She's right at the edge of the high pressure system. DAVENPORT registers it for a beat. ANDY steps down the companionway and HEYES hands him the e-mail printouts. HEYES (CONT'D) Incoming.

47. EXT ENDEAVOR - DAY PAULA is

MARCO and NICK are scrubbing the deck vigorously. sunbathing. BRIAN is watching. Andy steps out with a handful of print-outs. MARCO That's right, boys. Keep thinking. Coleone, five degrees to the left. BRIAN Is there anything for me? ANDY (checking) Sorry, big guy. (to Paula) For you sweetheart, looking stunning as ever. Don't forget to introduce me to your friends when we get back. Andy walks towards Marco and Nick. ANDY (CONT'D) For Nick Evans... Oh my, what do we have here? It's a girl! The crew celebrates with cat-calls. the message. Nick stands up.

Andy starts scanning

ANDY (CONT'D) Anne Marie Wilkes. Why would a girl ever write to you? NICK Hey, that's private. ANDY (reading) Dear sailor. I know how lonely you must be when you get this. And I know how hard it is for me to say this, but ever since I've met Calvin my life has changed and I hope your life can change too and you can climb to a higher spiritual level... Nick chases him around the cockpit, finally snatching the paper from him and sitting down on the cockpit to read it. Andy turns to Marco, who had resumed working. ANDY (CONT'D) Sorry, big guy, I could give you a kiss, though.

48. Marco gives him the finger. ANDY (CONT'D) Anyway, latest report, Endeavor is with the group at the back of the fleet, near the center of a high pressure zone which should last indefinitely. Nick looks down, embarrassed and sorry. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

DAVENPORT sits across from HEYES at the nav station. HEYES I'm worried about the kid. RON DAVENPORT He's just a tad too eager. It won't last. The southern has a way of changing people. Davenport grabs a pack of cigarettes and stands up to leave. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Let's get out of here. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

We follow a pair of feet running on the deck until it jumps. EXT OCEAN - DAY

We follow MARCO as he head-dives from the cockpit of Endeavor and goes underwater before surfacing. He stops and takes a good look at the yacht a few yards away. And swims. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

DAVENPORT steps up, lighting a cigarette, and walks up to the bow. NICK turns to Paula and Andy. NICK Captain smokes? PAULA Only when there's no wind. Davenport looks around at the sky, as if in a deep trance, and follows the smoke of the cigarette go up, in a straight line.

49. EXT OCEAN - DAY

MARCO swims. The ocean is a flat, reflective mirror of a dead calm. He stops and looks at the yacht Endeavor, not far. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

PAULA, NICK and ANDY make a curious circle around DAVENPORT. He continues as if in a deep trance, not smoking, but just observing the column of smoke that goes up in a straight line. Until way up, it bends to one side. He then, without as much as turning, talks to the guys in a very calm and soft voice. RON DAVENPORT We need the number one and the light spinnaker on deck. Ready the mainsail. Do it now, and do it quietly. The guys look at each other and scramble out of there. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

ANDY and NICK rush down the companionway, past HEYES at the chart table, and BRIAN, at the computer. ANDY The trades are coming. We're out of here, marines. Get your ass on deck. Whoa! HEYES looks at BRIAN, puzzled at the kid's language. BRIAN Never mind him, he's got a loose chip. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY Turns, and

PAULA stops at the entrance to the companionway. walks to the transom. Mumbles to herself. PAULA Marco, come back... EXT OCEAN - DAY

MARCO has stopped swimming. He looks at the yacht, a good fifty yards away and sees PAULA. She WAVES at him, without making a sound. He smiles and WAVES back.

50. MARCO She's so cool. Bella. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

The entire crew is on deck. Halyards are readied, rope clutches are opened, sails brought on deck, etc... RON DAVENPORT Wind speed and direction. ANDY Four knots from the Northwest, clocking to the Northeast and picking up steam. PAULA looks back from the stern and yells. A WIND LINE is approaching, rippling through the glassy surface. PAULA Marco, come back! EXT OCEAN - DAY Now!

MARCO looks back, then starts swimming, fast. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

The MAINSAIL and the NUMBER ONE HEADSAIL start going up the mast. The yacht slides tentatively forward. At the deck level, NICK sides near the captain. NICK Sir? RON DAVENPORT Not now, sailor; not now. NICK I just wanted to say, sir, that it wasn't his fault. I mean, I -RON DAVENPORT -- I said not now. EXT OCEAN - DAY

MARCO swims like an Olympian being chased by sharks. The yacht seems closer, but now it is moving, at a jerky pace. EXT ENDEAVOR/OCEAN - DAY RON DAVENPORT Rig the pole! Prepare for a spinnaker set to Starboard!

51. PAULA Dad... NICK thinks fast and throws a LIFE-RING over the transom. MARCO reaches for it. The wind line reaches Endeavor, the sails take shape and the yacht tows the life-ring away. Fast, Marco! PAULA (CONT'D) Swim! Swim!

NICK Hey, Captain, no hard feelings, right? Marco swims harder and faster, but the boat speed is increasing and he misses his second shot. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT - DAY

PATRICK, GUY, SARA, RICH and NIELSEN man the winches and clumsily try to ready the mainsail and the headsail. From SNIPES' POV at the helm, we see Endeavor far on the horizon. SNIPES Come one, let's go! Shit. Go! Go! Go!

BOB checks on deck with a RANGE FINDER. BOB They're gone. EXT ENDEAVOR/OCEAN - DAY

It takes a third try and Marco manages to grab the life-ring. The yacht starts pulling him along for the ride. RON DAVENPORT Come on, get him aboard! He's slowing us down! BRIAN runs to the stern, grabs the life-ring rope and hauls it in. NICK and PAULA heave Marco aboard. He breathes hard from the effort. MARCO You guys... were not going to... Leave me out there... were you? They look at one another, nobody answers. INT ANNE'S APARTMENT - DAY

ANNE MARIE checks her computer. NO NEW MESSAGES. She is obviously frustrated and picks up the telephone and a card with the Endeavor logo and dials.

52. Waits. A recorded voice replies at the other end. TELEPHONE OPERATOR We're sorry. The number you've tried to reach is disconnected or no longer in service. Please check your number or try again later. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- DAY

The RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER is on the phone. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER No Ma'am. The Inmarsat system is working fine... I'm sure they got your e-mail. CLAUDE nods to him, asking who it is. receiver. RCO covers the

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (CONT'D) A Anne Wilkes... from California. She says she can't reach Endeavor. CLAUDE Tell her to try again later. They might be saving on batteries. He nods and returns to the phone. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

INSERT COMPUTER SCREEN: ...Hot. Very hot. The most amazing sights, though. Sunrise was special this morning. The stars were the brightest I've ever seen. If we have enough power I may be able to upload some pictures... NICK presses SEND. He looks to the side. We see the FAMILY WALL - NOTES of encouragement and PICTURES of the crew and their relatives and friends and homes. He's about to log off when a DIALOGUE BOX pops up. INSERT: COMPUTER SCREEN Bob: It was a nice getaway from you guys today. Nick: Kudos to the Captain. Beat. Bob: how's he treating you? Nick: A step above a mule. Bob: That sounds about par for the course. Beat. Nick thinks for a second, then types.

53. Nick: What happened that night? Beat. Nick: What happened that night? Need to know.

BRIAN walks in from the main saloon. BRIAN You're going to talk to the captain. He turns to see BRIAN and MARCO with stern faces, staring st him. They grab Nick from behind and haul him out of there. NICK What? EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

Endeavor is sailing in good speed, enjoying the trade winds. DAY 13 - CROSSING THE EQUATOR ATLANTIC OCEAN 00.8'N - 28.75'W BRIAN and MARCO drag NICK up the companionway - and what he sees: RON DAVENPORT, dressed as King Neptune, wearing a CROWN made of an old cardboard, and a boathook for a TRIDENT. He points to NICK in a booming voice... RON DAVENPORT You! To the right, HEYES, wears a cape and holds a long list, standing by a pot with a foul concoction brewed up in the galley. He reads from a paper roll. PAULA stares from the wheel, wearing a jury crown. Brian places Nick on his knees, besides ANDY, also on his knees. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Who is he, loyal clerk!? HEYES A most foul and villainous villain, sir! RON DAVENPORT And what is his accusation!?

54. HEYES Trying to undermine the morale OF this crew! Disobeying direct orders! Vanity and excess of pride! Lack of comradeship! Neglecting his loved ones! RON DAVENPORT Loyal clerk and jury of the court, what is the verdict!? BRIAN Guilty, sire! MARCO Guilty, no doubt! RON DAVENPORT Let those who are guilty be punished! On your knees! Heyes scoops the vile brew and pours it over Nick and Andy. Davenport smiles, and the whole crew enjoy the antics. The GPS (Global Positioning System) digital display switches from 0 00'.2N to 0 00'.2S without ever going through a full set of zeros. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Now, gentlemen, get washed up and assume your positions 'cause I've just lost 300 miles on this young man's education. He wants a race, let's give him one. We travel from the yacht until it is a tiny speck in the ocean. We continue until we're at... EXT SPACE - SATELLITE P.O.V. -- DAY

METEOSAT-7 weather SATELLITE, watching over the Eastern Atlantic. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - DAY CLAUDE stands

A TECHNICIAN hands the RCO a weather printout. by.

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER All weather stations have reported in. CLAUDE Send it out.

55. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

ANDY tears the weatherfax as it spills out of the fax machine. He takes it to the nearest table and sits down with HEYES, who starts to work on it. Heyes looks over. Andy smiles. Andy gets it and stands up. Heyes continues staring.

ANDY Yeah, I was just about leaving. Help on deck, right. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

RON DAVENPORT at the wheel. RON DAVENPORT Take her away! BRIAN and MARCO work at the winches and haul the spinnaker up. NICK and PAULA set the trim. Endeavor picks up speed. Sunny skies, trade winds, perfect sailing. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

NICK grabs a doggie bowl of food and walks up to the table. Obviously starved, he tries to take a bite -PAULA We need that table! PAULA and MARCO haul in a small headsail to be fixed. stands up. ANDY yells from the companionway. Sail Change! ANDY All hands on deck! Nick

Nick doesn't know what to do with the bowl. PAULA Let's go. Nick clumsily grabs a bite with his hand, leaves the bowl on the sink and exits. Paula and Marco follow. EXT ENDEAVOR -- COCKPIT - DAY

NICK, ANDY and MARCO grab onto a smaller headsail on the bow, trying to find balance in the pitching, rolling deck, clawing with wet fingers at sail cloth. A WAVE hits across deck - NICK and ANDY are washed down the foredeck, heavily and clumsily they bang on stanchions, snapping the lifelines tight. Nick does the I'm 'OK' sign.

56. From the wheel, DAVENPORT growls with pleasure. RON DAVENPORT We ain't got all day, lamebrains! INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

NICK, dripping wet, wraps a towel around his neck and walks up to the kitchen to retrieve his food. As soon as he does -MARCO Sail change! He knocks his bowl against the sink and drops his food. NICK Shit. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY RON DAVENPORT Course correction 1-9-0! Raise the main! The sailors work to shake out a reef of the mainsail. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

HEYES and MARCO listen to the radio. They hear ALEXEI FEDOROV, a Russian sailor on the SSB radio. NICK walks in, exhausted and Marco hands him a POWER BAR. MARCO Hey, big shot, you skipped lunch. Don't do that. ALEXEI FEDOROV (V.O., RADIO) For those of you going south, Mother Russia wish you very good luck, of course we are one day ahead but no matter we give you little music to help. He puts on the Tchaikovski's 1812 overture and broadcasts it over the radio. A French Sailor's voice, LAURENT. LAURENT'S VOICE (V.O., RADIO) Mother Russia we've got one for you. The French National Anthem cuts through the radio. nods to the guys. HEYES Straight from Endeavor to Mother Russia, my man Bruce. Heyes

57. Brian plays 'Born in the USA' by Bruce Springsteen and broadcasts it over. ANDY yells from the companionway. ANDY Sail change! EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY

It is raining. Hard. Andy and Nick are reefing the mainsail. They both look very tired. ANDY I read you guys change sails a thousand times during the trip! NICK Stop reading! INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY PAULA walks in and They

MARCO is finishing brushing his teeth. gives him a smooch.

BRIAN passes by the bathroom and stops at the sight. both look extremely embarrassed. MARCO Brian?

Brian immediately grabs the toothbrush from Marco's hand, breaks it in half, and gives the piece left back with a wink. BRIAN We're cutting on weight. orders. EXT ENDEAVOR/OCEAN - DAY Endeavor Captain's

It is getting dark. The seas are getting bigger. slices through the water majestically. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

NICK dashes down the companionway, hangs his coat in the dressing area, and walks up to HEYES at the Nav Station, listening to a stream of radio chat: Mother Russia, we're russia not afraid... built keel myself, I don't look back now, going to get you... not afraid, mother unless your keel falls off first.. I tight screws myself... mother Russia cause your ass is showing...

NICK How're we doing?

58. HEYES You better get some coffee. CUT TO: GALLEY AREA. Sailors line up for coffee. PAULA serves ANDY and BRIAN sequentially. NICK trudges in and grabs a cup. Coffee. ANDY Coffee.

MARCO steps into the galley. MARCO Sail change! The guys get on the alert - can't believe this shit. MARCO (CONT'D) Just kidding. FADE OUT: DAY 21 INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

NICK, absolutely exhausted, lays on his bunk. It is soggy, wet and dirty, but it feels like silk as his head hits it. ANDY Wake up! His eyes open. Andy shakes him. He moans beyond frustration.

ANDY (CONT'D) Radio schedule! CUT TO: The ENTIRE CREW is huddled around MARCO at the navigation station, listening to the radio sked and taking notes of boats positions. VOICES Union Jack 28.45 south 19.25 west... Veritas 26.38 south 19.24 west... Yankee Pride 29.30 south 20.58 west, last boat reporting. Over and out. Marco draws the last position, takes a ruler, draws a line on the chart. And everyone leans in with a 'so?' Etched in their faces. Marco slowly turns to the crew. MARCO Number one.

59. The crew breaks out in elation. NICK looks over to DAVENPORT, who silently congratulates him with a nod. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

MARCO is in a celebratory mood as he serves a pasta meal on doggie bowls, trying to sing Italian Music above the sound of the water pounding on the hulls. NICK sits alone at the table, grabs the champagne and refills the plastic cups. ANDY walks in wearing full thermals. ANDY (to Marco) Word has it that the crew is going to vote to keep you mother watch for the duration! Everyone in favor of this proposition say 'ay.' Nick and Andy raise their hands 'ay'. MARCO I could-a beat you all across-a the Atlantic. One hand-a tied behind my back. There is a sudden louder noise but it is just the boat dropping off the top of a wave. ANDY (to Nick) Was that good or what? Captain kicked some ass, my man. Bet you were impressed, rookie. Bam-pow-whang! Number one. NICK You want impressed? I'll give you impressed. Cape Horn 1999. ANDY What's with Cape Horn? NICK Captain's wife was thrown overboard by a rogue wave. For ten days he searched the seas, alone, taking 70foot-seas on the bow, facing near hurricane winds. He lost the rig, all communications, and his supplies. A passenger liner saw the yacht but there was nothing they could do. (MORE)

60. NICK (CONT'D) There was a search and rescue operation involved but the vessel was never seen again. Andy and Marco have his full attention now. NICK (CONT'D) A month later he sails into port under a jury rig. He tries to make a phone call, to cash a check, to use a credit card, but he can't. A stop had been put to his bank account. Everyone thought he was dead. That's 'impressed.' The yacht falls on a trough of another wave and shudders. Nick stands to leave the main saloon. DAVENPORT enters.

RON DAVENPORT Sailors telling old-time sea stories? NICK I was just leaving, sir. RON DAVENPORT You guys finish up and clean up. Next team ready in five. Andy, clean the heads and pump out the slurry tanks. Andy looks slightly to Marco. MARCO It's okay, I'll do it. RON DAVENPORT No, no. You can take it easy. not your turn. I insist. It's

MARCO I am not really tired.

Marco takes off the apron and leaves. RON DAVENPORT See, that's one sailor I won't have to worry about. The crew shushes as if in a conspiratorial silence. exits. Davenport

61. AT THE NAVIGATION STATION Nick looks at the computer screen. Nick stops. Davenport walks in.

RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Trying to reach Bob? I understand you've been chatting a lot lately. NICK There's nothing wrong with chatting with other crews. RON DAVENPORT I just think you should focus on the race, and on this crew. Beat. NICK It was just the wrong call, right, Captain? My father made the wrong call and we ended up in the shallow waters of the Western Approaches. RON DAVENPORT It was inevitable, kiddo. NICK He didn't want to quit the race. He almost got everyone killed, goddamn loser. Ron grabs Nick's arm, hard. RON DAVENPORT Don't you ever talk of your old man like that. Davenport turns and leaves. AT THE MAIN CABIN The cabin grows silent, except for the rush of water outside, HEYES walks in. ANDY Boy, it's getting chilly in here. Did anybody forget to turn on the heater? HEYES Heater is on. Wall is thin.

62. ANDY Anyway, how do we know we're in the Southern? HEYES It'll let you know. The last thing we see is the FAMILY WALL. FADE OUT: DAY 26 - SOUTHERN OCEAN SOUTHERN OCEAN 42.57'S - 0.15'E EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The grey, vast expanses of the Southern Ocean. The wind flattens the top third of the waves in a great white wash. It seems endless, wild, and desolate... the sun is gone. And then the YACHT ENDEAVOR, dropping off the top of the waves, pounding, sounding like drumbeats, mainsails reefed, at what seems the very edge of control. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

BRIAN hands out seasickness patches. The noise level inside is thunderous and everyone holds on to something for balance. HEYES lectures the group. Sailors gear up, putting three layers of gloves, polaterch scarves, sea boots, and industrial plastic safety goggles. HEYES These are the kind of conditions where we can possibly suffer a knockdown! In case it happens, hold on, wait for the boat to right itself and wait up for instructions! Is that clear!? Everyone will be wearing your safety lines at all times! This toggle will inflate it, and this will turn the light on. Before unhooking always follow the strap until the end, lest one of you unhook somebody else by mistake! There is a general consensus and 'yes' among the crew. HEYES (CONT'D) You know the drill, clip yourselves on, and come on up! We're setting the heavy chute!

63. He adjust his goggles and head up the companionway. NICK turns to MARCO as he kisses a crucifix in silent prayer and tucks it in his dry suit. NICK Is that really all necessary? Marco turns to him and points to the BAROMETER on the wall. MARCO You watch that number. It goes down, you let me know. It goes below 950, I'll lend you the crucifix. Nick looks at the barometer. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY It reads 1005.

NICK, PAULA and BRIAN are lined up at the grinders, being constantly covered by a stinging spray. MARCO gives a thumbsup from the mast. HEYES nods from the halyard. The wind screams through the rigging. The boat speed digital display shows 18 knots. Brian, with a grin, looks sideways at Paula and Nick, who braces for the worst. NICK Do you think that's a good idea? BRIAN Get ready for a little jolt. DAVENPORT gives the 'go' sign. Heyes and Andy pull it up... The spinnaker leaves its retaining sock... the check line burns through Andy's fingers... speedometer rises... then the sail fills with a bang!... the speedometer immediately jumps to 25 knots... It's a moment of chaos and madness as the boats zig-zags through the waves at the very edge... sailors scream instructions as Davenport struggles at the wheel for control... The speedometer continues rising 26, 27, 28, 29, 30... the boat seems like it's going to broach, it doesn't... Then suddenly, when it seems to gain momentum and balance, its bow hits a wave and a rush of green water covers the deck... the boat emerges in one piece, and plows on.

64. INT BAR - MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NIGHT

Late morning. Most of the patrons have gone. At the bar, we find NED LEVINE, a tanned, former weather bureau man his 60s, asking for one more in a long series of whisky shots. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA 37.47'S - 144.58'E A COUPLE walks by and the MAN recognizes him and stops. MAN Hey, Ned. I'm about to get to my car, should I take an umbrella? He leaves laughing with his drunken friend. NED I would if I were you. Shit melts.

CINDY, a pretty hostess at the bar, sits at his side with a sigh. NED (CONT'D) Hey, Cindy, when are we going to get married? CINDY With your retirement money? You wish. Come on, I'll take you home. NED I'm ok. I can drive. He tries to stand up. INT Cindy props him.

RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY

CLAUDE sits at the far end of a conference table, next to JOHN O'KEEFE, posing for a team of media photographers and journalists to the sound of classical music. The room is carpeted, lighting is strategically placed to highlight the wall-sized pictures of sailboats of several eras which permeate the room, pointing to a life dedicated to yachting. CLAUDE Gentlemen, tonight we'll be making yachting history. A few moments from now, we'll have a live feed from the Southern Ocean, from the American yacht Endeavor.

65. Claude hands the telephone to John, who starts dialing. A VIDEO SCREEN descends from the ceiling as the lights in the room dim. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

Nav Station. MARCO hands a BUCKET to NICK, who looks seasickgreen and vomits into it. The SAT PHONE rings. ANDY I'm going to take it now. (answers) Endeavor... Hold, please. He hands it to Nick. ANDY aims a camera at him.

ANDY (CONT'D) So, Nick, how does it feel to be a star? INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY

NICK's IMAGE is on the screen. It has a delay and the movement of the boat affects the frame. CLAUDE Nick, this is Claude, director for the Race, how does it feel right now? CLAUDE presses a conference call button and Nick's voice is amplified to the room. NICK (V.O., ON SCREEN) I would say go out in the rain in thirty-degree weather, wrap yourself on a wet wool blanket and sleep on the porch for a couple of days. It ought to give you an idea. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

NICK pushes the camera away, asks for the bucket and upchucks. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

SNIPES hovers anxiously over the nav station. The entire CREW is assembled and there is a penetrating silence and a somber atmosphere as a major decision is about to take place. BOB I don't know if I like this. This is a clear violation of International Maritime Law.

66. SNIPES This is a race, not maritime school, and as far as I'm concerned it doesn't violate the race rules and it is a valid tactical move. We're here to win. I don't think anybody doubted that before we left dock. By next week we're going to gain 400 miles. If anybody has anything against that, speak up. Nobody says a word. He turns the radio off.

SNIPES (CONT'D) Ok. First shift on deck in ten minutes. Jo, I need the coordinates before we turn off electronics, check the batteries for the manual GPS, before we shut the whole smash down. Let's surprise the bastards. We're heading south. We're going dark. Jo looks at him, then at some faces in the semi-darkness, and acquiesces. EXT SPIRIT - SOUTHERN OCEAN -- NIGHT

Spirit sails smoothly under strong winds. GUY and PATRICK scramble up on the cockpit and turn off the ARGOS transmitter. Suddenly, all the navigational lights GO OFF. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

NICK continues the tour of the main cabin passing by PAULA, who is wearing headphones and reading from a small pocketsize book. She waves to the camera. NICK This is Paula. As if life on board were not demanding enough, she's dedicated to learning Chinese now. Nick walks towards the companionway. NICK (CONT'D) Before we go outside I'd like to remind you to wear these. (he shows goggles) Without them, you'd go blind. It's like needles out there. As they walk towards the companionway exit, the noise outside becomes louder. As we climb the stairs: We see HEYES, DAVENPORT, and BRIAN, facing the elements. A long wake trails the boat and disappears over the following

67. wave. The horizon tilts thirty degrees either way: the gas pedal is down, they're going fast... INT HOUSE - OFFICE -- MELBOURNE - NIGHT MELBOURNE - DAY 36 - 11:55 PM The room is a shrine to weather-prediction in a house perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The computer screen comes to life with an animation of world weather patterns. Graphs with columns of numbers such as barometric pressure, dew-point, visibility, seem to be everywhere. We close in on an old SSB RADIO. Faint static.

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (V.O., RADIO) Attention, Challenge fleet...radio schedule... alphabetically... INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

In the background ANDY and MARCO listen to the radio schedule. VOICES Regenmacher 41.25 south 86.10 east... Renegaat 45.35 south 85.48 east... Serenity 47.50 south 82.30 east... NICK is checking the e-mail box. He holds on to the nav chair not to be thrown with the boat's rolling motion. INSERT: COMPUTER SCREEN. mail box. INSERT: '0 Results found.' Nick turns to Marco and Andy. NICK Is there something wrong with the E-mail box? They shush him. The radio goes silent. Nick leans in. radio is silent for a beat, then continues. VOICES (V.O., RADIO) Terra Rossa 40.45 south 89.40 east... Union Jack 48.25 south 81.30 east... NICK What's going on? MARCO Spirit is not reporting. The Nick scrolls up and down his e-

68. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT

The RCO turns to CLAUDE. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER I don't know. They've just disappeared. CLAUDE Not on my race. Try the Comsat. INT HOUSE - OFFICE - MELBOURNE - NIGHT

We are looking at the same old SSB RADIO. VOICE Veritas... 49. 70 south 80.45 east. A hand REACHES FOR THE RADIO. It is NED LEVINE. He's been listening, and jotting down the position of the boats. NED What the hell are you doing out There? He stares at a chart curiously, and reaches for the PHONE. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

DAVENPORT descends the companionway steps, drenching, removes his coat in the dressing area and walks up to ANDY, MARCO and NICK. Marco is on the phone, trying to make a call. MARCO The phone is out of service. RON DAVENPORT Did you try HQ? We did. ANDY They have no idea.

There is a loud BANG and the entire cabin shakes - a couple of pans fly in the galley, water drips down the companionway. Davenport looks around and gestures for the crew to wait. He walks up to the companionway and yells. RON DAVENPORT How are we doing up there!? Wave! BRIAN'S VOICE Big one! We're OK!!

DAVENPORT turns to check the barometer reading - 980.

69. NICK He's bluffing, sir. RON DAVENPORT What? NICK He's bluffing so we don't know where he is. It's personal, sir. He's doing it to me. Davenport looks sternly at him. RON DAVENPORT If this is a prank you and your friend are playing here I am going to make sure you never leave sight of land again. Get up there and see if you can be of some help. Dismissed. Davenport turns back to the table. beat, then turns and exits. Insert: The BAROMETER drops to 979. EXT HOUSE - MELBOURNE - DAY Nick stares at him for a

A PICK-UP TRUCK with the logo of the Australia Bureau of Meteorology pulls up. ROGER DOLENZ, an employee of the Bureau, steps out. He walks up to the door with a piece of paper and is greeted by NED LEVINE. ROGER DOLENZ It's a regatta, Ned. An international bloody regatta. NED And they might be in trouble. EXT ENDEAVOR - SOUTHERN OCEAN - DAY

Endeavor is sailing well under a mere ten knots of wind speed. Ice is forming at the edges of the rigging, and the 5-foot swell rolls lazily under the boat. BRIAN and PAULA play a game of feeding crackers to a large albatross who's perched atop of the cabin. NICK and MARCO watch from the cockpit. Paula gently pushes the cracker forward. The giant bird looks suspicious and when it looks like it's going to go away, it suddenly jumps for the cracker and flies away...

70. PAULA Did you see that!? Did you see that!?

They look around in their excitement... no sign of the bird. PAULA (CONT'D) Where did he go? When suddenly, out of nowhere, a 3-pound FISH LANDS right in front of Paula, barely missing her head! She lets out a scream. Everyone laughs as the bird flies in a circle above. MARCO You've got a friend. The fish splashes down on the cockpit, gasping for life. As Brian reaches down for it, the Albatross flies away, quickly heading to the horizon. Nick follows with the eyes. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY DAVENPORT sits with a cup of

HEYES is on the SSB RADIO. tea.

HEYES Spirit, this is Endeavor, do you copy? He waits through static. INT No reply. Nods negatively to Ron.

RACE HEADQUARTERS -- NIGHT

CLAUDE is gathered with the WEATHER ANALYST and some of the staff on duty. The R.C.O. looks at his chart and reads. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Mto France report. Low below 980hPa near 55S 100E still moving East. Later computer prognosis, force 8, winds 35 to 40 knots, NW and SW. Rough to high seas. Claude turns to the weatherman. CLAUDE Sylvan? RACE WEATHER ANALYST I got a confirm from Australia. CLAUDE Fair enough. We're issuing a Gale Warning for the area. Force 8. INT HOUSE - OFFICE -- DAY DAY 37

71. ROGER DOLENZ watches as NED stares out into a computer animated display of the upper atmosphere weather. A DOCUMENT lies on the table: a graph of a low-pressure system, a cold front and a secondary low detaching from it. But jargon aside, what calls are attention are the letters in bold: 'EXPLOSIVE DEEPENING.' ROGER Listen, Ned, I cannot go public with this. I have a job, I have a family to support, I mean, if it doesn't come through I will be the laughingstock of the entire Western World. NED That's where I come in, right? He picks up a phone. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

HEYES studies a GALE WARNING REPORT for the Western area METAREA 10 and SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN. The printout includes the time, situation at 0600UTC, area affected and forecast. RON sits besides him. Heyes draws up a cold front section on it and he's worried. Above them, Barometer reads 971. RON DAVENPORT How does it look? HEYES We lost 30 millibars in half an hour. It's going to hit us. INT RACE HEADQUARTERS -- NIGHT

CLAUDE is on the phone alongside the R.C.O and the RACE WEATHER ANALYST. The PHONE RINGS. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Challenge H.Q.... Yes... Who's this, please?... Just a sec. He hands the phone out to CLAUDE. CLAUDE Who is this? RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Marine Weather Services.

72. CLAUDE Hello, Claude speaking... Yes... Go ahead. A STAFF MEMBER hands out a fax to the Weather Analyst, who lifts it to view. We recognize it by the words 'EXPLOSIVE DEEPENING.' INT HOUSE - MELBOURNE - DAY

NED is on the phone. NED Screaming around the globe at thirty or forty thousand feet is a river of cold-air. If it decides to descend to sea level, there'll be no warning, no coriolis effect, it'll just plummet. You don't want to be there. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The SAILORS scramble on the saloon. NICK is the last one to sit alongside PAULA, BRIAN, and MARCO, already eating from their doggie bowls. HEYES walks in, hands a bowl to NICK. NICK So, what's the story? HEYES We're heading into a low. NICK I'm not really hungry. BRIAN If you don't want it, I can always use some extra grindage. HEYES (To Nick) You better eat. Marco finishes eating and walks out towards the berths astern. He kneels down on the dark cabin to stow his gear. PAULA Hey. He turns. Paula is standing on the doorway. MARCO Hey. She sits on the floor next to him.

73. MARCO (CONT'D) I sometimes wonder what you'd look like in a Versace. He reaches for her hands. Smile. And embrace. She takes his. They lock eyes.

HEYES (O.S.) Marco, let's gear up. They turn. HEYES is at the door. doesn't let go of his hands. Marco looks down. Paula

HEYES (CONT'D) Whenever you are ready. INT RACE HEADQUARTERS -- NIGHT

CLAUDE is gathered with the WEATHER ANALYST and some of the staff on duty. CLAUDE We're not in the guessing game, Sir. I have weathermen working around the clock here. INT HOUSE - MELBOURNE -- DAY ROGER watches.

NED is pacing the room on the phone.

NED (ON TELEPHONE) No. The only certainty about the Southern is uncertainty. But there's a probability, and that's enough for this old man. I put my arse on the line every time I make a prediction, and right now, I'm praying to God I'm wrong. Nothing would survive that storm. INT RACE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

Claude turns to the weatherman. RACE WEATHER ANALYST It would be like winning the lottery. The R.C.O. walks in with a another phone. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER I've got the Australia Bureau on the phone. Claude takes it and places to his free ear.

74. INT BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY - HEAD OFFICE -- DAY AUSTRALIA BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY DOUG, chief of staff, is on the phone barking excuses. DOUG (ON TELEPHONE) No sir, he's not speaking for the bureau, his views do not represent the opinion of this bureau and he's been fired for making statements just like this. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

The yacht is rocking and tumbling, going at a pretty good pace. BOB is getting ready to go out. Everyone else is on deck, except for JO, the youngest, sobbing. BOB turns on a power switch and the SSB radio. I'm scared. to go home. JO I'm so scared. I want

BOB Listen to me, we're going to get you home, you hear? But you're going to do this one thing, are you listening? (she nods) You're going to make a Scurit call and report our position, is that clear? HF DSC, Inmarsat and VHF. She nods again, he hands her the GPS and a floppy disk. BOB (CONT'D) When you're done, you send this. JO What is it? BOB Something that should'a been sent a long time ago. He adjusts his hood and goggles, opens the companionway hatch, and is greeted by a beautiful sight as SNOW crosses the deck horizontally. INT RACE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT

Claude hangs up and talks to the staff.

75. CLAUDE That is an old man who wants to retire with a bang. Our report stands. Next AXM report is due in twelve hours. Any other questions? No one challenges him. INT HOUSE - MELBOURNE -- DAY

NED hangs up, pissed. ROGER looks at the powerful SSB Marine Radio. NED reads his mind, and smiles. ROGER How do you feel about disrupting An international event? NED As far as I'm concerned I'm not disrupting anything. Nature is. Ned reaches for the radio, static fills the void. sits besides him. NED (CONT'D) Dream of Australia, this is Marine Weather Services. Do you copy? INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT A bright ROGER

Belowdecks is quiet. The crew sleep on their bunks. yellow EPIRB Beacon sits ominously on its bracket.

HEYES is at the radio console, plotting the position and recording the barometer's last reading - 968 hPa - and taking notes from RADIO chat. ALEXEI FEDOROV (V.O., RADIO) Hello this is Mother Russia. I see big depression and little depression, mother and baby. What is it going to be? VOICE (V.O., RADIO) ...it's more like fifty foot waves, we've just got hit by a rolling breaker, spreaders on the water...85 knots... we're running before the seas. VOICE 2 (V.O., RADIO) ...this is Lentz systems, we confirm, fifty foot breaking seas... we got knocked over twice, we're setting the parachute anchor...

76. VINCENT ...this is Dream of Australia, we're heading Northwest from 52.47'S 108.34'E. We're retiring from the race... HEYES places a chart in front of him. It is heavily annotated with boat positions and drawings of the approaching front. HEYES (ON RADIO) Lentz, would you please report your Position, over. A sleepy Nick walks right besides him. He turns to him. HEYES (CONT'D) Prepare to secure for sea. EXT ENDEAVOR -- NIGHT He's been listening.

DAVENPORT is at the wheel, intent, focused. MARCO is at his side, keeping an eye in the ocean. Davenport looks behind them and to starboard, to the amazing LIGHT SHOW as LIGHTNING CRACKLES in the sky from different directions. RON DAVENPORT There you are, you bastard. see you again. INT Nice to

FREEDOM - BELOWDECKS - FLASHBACK - NIGHT The wooden hull cracks as if being

The yacht pitches wildly. twisted by a giant.

Slouched on a table and grabbing onto the rolling walls, BOB, RON DAVENPORT, and STANLEY EVANS, Nick's father, decide the fate of the yacht Freedom. RON DAVENPORT What do you suggest! We quit!? STANLEY I say we sit it out! We heave-to and we wait until it is safe! RON DAVENPORT When did we ever quit!? When did we ever quit on a hunch!? Just give one goddamn reason! STANLEY My son is on this vessel! reason enough!? Is that

77. RON DAVENPORT I'm not going to let you fuck up with my race. This is my yacht and this is my crew. Bob, what's the report? BOB It's a gale storm. Force 8.

STANLEY The goddamn report is wrong and you know it! RON DAVENPORT I'd say we take a vote on that. What do you say, Bob? BOB I say 'ay.' NICK EVANS, 11-year-old, pops his head out of the owner's cabin. STANLEY You get back in there, son. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT - BACK TO PRESENT

The crew is amidst preparations for imminent bad weather. The incessant noise of the water and the wind on the hulls as the boat drops from one wave to the next gets louder. The cabin sways with the movement of the boat, adding to the chaos and confusion, but we get a sense of a very confident and expedient crew. NICK past Heyes, at the nav station, hands him a dry towel. Turns to Paula on a berth astern, stowing a heavy-duty polythene GRAB-BAG of spare clothing, matches, lavatory paper, dehydrated meals, water, hand-held VHF, etc. PAULA Check the seacocks! BRIAN removes the picture of his ex-wife and child from the wall, kisses it, places it on a zip-lock bag. Paula smiles. NICK rushes through the saloon, where he finds ANDY, breaking a sweat and noticeably out of his element, preparing a set of THERMOS FLASKS of soup, coffee, and hot water. ANDY It's just wind and water, right? NICK Right.

78. ANDY Listen, we're going to get back and we're going to spend that money, ok? You, your girlfriend and I. NICK I'll remind you of it. the brandy. Don't forget

Andy resumes cataloguing the flasks with a WATER MARKER. Nick goes the WC seacocks and starts pumping them through. He pauses in thought as the yacht hits a wave like a brick wall. ON THE MAIN SALOON BRIAN secures the last floorboard positive locking arrangement. NICK comes in from the forward compartment. NICK Batteries secure and charged, bilges have been pumped, positive locking arrangements in place. We have secured for sea. HEYES walks up to Brian and hands him a print-out. Brian. HEYES You've got mail.

A tear forms in his eyes. The guys wait to hear and smile. He looks around, proud as hell, and smiles openly for the first time since we've met him. BRIAN It's from my baby. A voice cuts through, heavily charged with static and difficult to comprehend. JO'S VOICE ...ty-two degrees south... can ...one copy? Jul... This is ..ie. PAULA listens and reacts immediately, starts jotting down numbers, the pen is failing her, she yells from the radio. PAULA I think it's Spirit! They're reporting their position! The crew rushes up to her. Heyes takes the paper.

HEYES Was that a fifty-two or a sixty-two?

79. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT She reports again.

JO is next to tears on the radio.

JO This is Spirit, can anyone hear, please... We're at 80.35' East, 62.41' South. A SHADOW looms over her and before she can notice, SNIPES yanks the radio away. SNIPES What're you doing!? He reaches for the SSB console and pulls the mike away from its framing, pulling and ripping the wiring. He throws it on the floor abruptly and stomps on it... SNIPES (CONT'D) You want to call home, uh!? You can fuckin' call home now, you bitch!! PATRICK and BOB dash down the companionway. and pins him against the cabin side. BOB Get away from her! SNIPES She's reporting our position! BOB Yes, I told her to. problem with that!? You've got a BOB grabs SNIPES

SNIPES This is my race! This is my life! You have no idea. I ain't about to lose this one. Not to that loser!... not to him. Patrick looks at the SSB remains on the floor. PATRICK You're crazy. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT ANDY and HEYES listen.

PAULA is at the console.

PAULA Spirit, attention vessel Spirit. This is Endeavor. Do you copy? Attention yacht Spirit. One click for yes. Over.

80. No joy. Only static. Another voice breaks through.

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (V.O., RADIO) Attention all vessels, you're heading into a storm, please be advised to sail away from the dangerous quadrant. ANDY Thank you for the scoop, asshole. Marco climbs down the companionway and removes his goggles and face guard. He is pale. MARCO The wind is backing. It's rising fast. We need to reduce sails. All hands on deck. Now. The SATCOM SYSTEM beeps. She's here. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT Everyone turns to Heyes.

HEYES

The same beeping sound. CLAUDE and the RCO are quick to check it. An EPIRB target flashes on the screen. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER It's an EPIRB. Algonquin. CLAUDE Get in touch with the vessel first. SATCOM. It may be a false alarm. Veritas is 50 miles Southwest. Get them on alert. The RCO reaches for a phone. screen with a BEEP. Another target symbol shows on

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER It's... Veritas. CLAUDE Call Australia. INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER -- DAY DAY 38 - 11:32 a.m. AusSAR - Australia Search and Rescue Center A skeleton crew is on duty. A few white boards line the wall, along with a few maps, nothing else. A quiet day. The PHONE RINGS. An AusSAR operator picks it up.

81. AUSSAR OPERATOR Australia search and Rescue. He checks a couple of TARGET SYMBOLS on his monitor. OPERATOR sides next to him, curious. AUSSAR OPERATOR (CONT'D) Yes, sir... we got the homing beacon... we'll be searching for ships in the area. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY Another

The SAILORS are gearing up to go out: survival suits, life vests, safety harnesses, goggles and face guards. HEYES instructs them. HEYES We're going to set up the storm jib. Wear these snug, you'll not be taking them off. Nick, you bring all sail bags to the saloon and work the radio. Report our position. Andy gives Nick one last look before adjusting his goggles we read fear. INT HOTEL ROOM - DAY John O'Keefe wakes up from

It's early a.m. The PHONE RINGS. a deep sleep. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

NICK is alone and it is like being inside a haunted ship, awesomely frightening. His world is spinning. In the midst of this chaos, he sees the SATELLITE PHONE. NICK Anne... He reaches for it, picks it up, and puts it back, unable to use it. He kneels on the floor, suppressing a cry. A desperate voice suddenly cuts in... VOICE This is Lentz. This is Lentz. Mayday. Man overboard! Man overboard!.... Nick doesn't move. from 950 to 949. Shit. He looks over to the barometer. NICK It drops

82. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

The wind screams through the rigging, with an occasional shrieking gust. DAVENPORT is at the wheel, BRIAN besides him checking out for waves coming from cross-seas. The waves are high, the deck is a dangerous place to be. ANDY and MARCO slide on their hands and knees to get to the mast. PAULA is at the halyards and rope clutches. Most communication is done through sign language. Then a SOUND sweeps the ocean, audible enough to hear above the shrieking rigging. Heads turn towards the stern. A solid WALL OF WIND, flattening the seas, reaches them... the sound rises to a LOUD MOAN... the boat is jolted forward like an elevator set loose of its cable... Davenport is pushed against the wheel... sailors grab on to anything they can...Paula looks up, doesn't believe what she sees: ANDY IS LIFTED FOUR FEET OFF THE DECK and would have flown away were it not for his safety line... The BOOM suddenly goes slack... Marco notices... Andy stands up, dazed MARCO Watch out!! Marco runs towards Andy who dives on deck. The BOOM suddenly gybes, exploding the MAINSAIL in six pieces and hitting Marco in the head, sending him flying onto the deck. He tries to push himself up again and passes out... the gust subsides and a stunned Andy and Paula rush for him, securing him on deck. INT HOUSE - OFFICE OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN -- DAY

A heavily static transmission comes through... NICK'S VOICE (V.O., RADIO) ...we got hit! We g... hit!...It was like a one hundred...thirty knot gust... NED tries to answer but ROGER reaches for the radio and stops him. ROGER There's nothing we can do, Ned. storm will run its course. The

83. NED We were too late. Ned stands up and walks out. EXT HOUSE - MELBOURNE - DAY

Ned walks up to his truck, leans over the hood... and weeps. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The boat rolls like a bitch and it sounds like hell outside. MARCO is brought in by PAULA, ANDY and BRIAN. They carry him to the saloon, a towel pressed against his head, soaked red. Blood is dripping onto his face and Gore-Tex suit. ANDY Get the doctor on the phone! NICK What the hell is going on? Just do it!! ANDY We're losing him!!

Marco is mildly unconscious. PAULA kneels in front of him. NICK rushes for the phone, searching for the phone booklet. PAULA Marco, listen! Are you listening to me? MARCO I'm all right... I just need to get some sleep...I'm really tired...sleep a little... PAULA You're not going to sleep! Listen to me! I'm going to have to take a look at that, then close this wound and then we'll see! Alright!? MARCO All right... I'm alright... Paula pulls the towel away and takes a look at it. dashes for the computer. PAULA Make that a five-centimeter superficial on the right temple! As Andy starts typing, Paula and Brian quickly move out of the way as Marco leans forward and vomits on the floor. Andy

84. INT BOSTON'S NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL CENTER - NIGHT

A legend places us at: WORLD CLINIC - BOSTON NEW ENGLAND MEDICAL CENTER 11:18 P.M.

Dr. CARL WEISZ beeper goes off at his belt. He takes a look at it and speeds down the hall of the Medical Center. INT WORLD CLINIC'S OFFICE -- NIGHT

The office is covered with maps of the world with push pins, with the location of their clients. DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI is waiting for Dr. WEISZ as he enters. DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI We have a situation: sailor was hit, apparently on the temporal lobe, he's drifting in and out of consciousness. DR. CARL WEISZ Where are they? DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI Southern Ocean. In the middle of a storm. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

An empty syringe rolls on the floor of the cabin. ANDY and BRIAN strap MARCO to the table. PAULA holds gauze pads to his forehead. His speech is getting thicker, his thoughts blurred. Paula grabs a PENLIGHT, examines him. MARCO Am I going sailing again?... I like sailing... the beach... PAULA Yes, you're going sailing. You look great. Do you know where we are? MARCO We're on a boat... we're... PAULA On a boat, that's right. Okay, and you're going to count. Do you think you can count backwards from seventy with me? Seventy minus five, can you do that? MARCO Sixty... five...

85. Great. PAULA 65 minus five now.

MARCO Fifty...eight... no... fifty... five... I really like... sailing... and the sky... when it... falls... INT WORLD CLINIC - OFFICE -- NIGHT

DR. ROMANELLI is reading from an e-mail. DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI We're giving him a tetanus toxoid and a shot of penicillin as well. They're assuming crit level is OK. He's getting sleepy, slow-thinking, slow-acting, repeating words and vomited. DR. CARL WEISZ Ask them if the right pupil is dilating, check for signs of paralysis on both sides... INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

PAULA has a curved suture needle and ties up the last stitch on Marco's forehead. Removes the needle, when a sudden ROAR is heard... ANDY Hold on! Andy and Paula hold on as the boat suddenly accelerates and immediately rolls 45 degrees. INT WORLD CLINIC - OFFICE -- NIGHT

DR. WEISZ is on the phone. Dr. ROMANELLI types the fastest he's typed his entire life. Dr. Weisz turns. DR. CARL WEISZ We may be looking at a candidate for neurosurgery. EXT VENICE BEACH - CALIFORNIA -- NIGHT

ANNE MARIE walks towards her apartment on her way from work. A MAN steps out of the car and walks up to her. VOICE - REPORTER Anne Wilkes. Hi. I'm David Walsh from Offshore Yacht magazine. Have you been following up on the storm?

86. ANNE MARIE What storm? EXT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER -- NIGHT

Early a.m. JOHN walks towards the main entrance. A few reporters are standing outside. He is approached by a REPORTER from the associated press. REPORTER - ASSOCIATED PRESS Mr. O'Keefe. Is it true about weather conflicting reports? John just walks through and enters the race office building. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT

JOHN walks through the control room, in a world of his own. The race officers are dealing with incoming calls, radio transmissions and trying to figure out weather charts. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM -- NIGHT

CLAUDE sits alone at the conference table, staring nowhere, absent. A VIDEO screen plays an old TV footage of a younger Claude and his adventure exploits. JOHN enters the room and stares straight at Claude. CLAUDE They gave us the wrong report, John. They gave me the wrong report. JOHN O'KEEFE How bad? Claude looks down. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The high-pitched WARNING of incoming message is audible under the loud din and heavy rolling. NICK, at the laptop, immediately opens the message. On the laptop we read the sender... WorldClinic... and the attachment SURGERY_INSTRUCTIONS.DOC. Nick presses PRINT. NICK Instructions are in! It starts printing the IMAGE OF A HUMAN HEAD, with incision marks over the parietal lobe. NICK turns too early too see another e-mail pop up in his box.

87. INSERT: SUBJECT LINE - ROBERT BURKE - FASTNET 1979 REPORT INT WORLD CLINIC'S OFFICE - NIGHT Dr. Weisz turns to Dr. Romanelli.

The TELEPHONE goes static.

DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI We just lost them. Contact HQ. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The gas burner rocks back and forth with the movement of the boat. On the gas burner sits a pot with boiling water. Inside the pan are the drills. Three of them. 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 inch. Across from it, MARCO is lying on the table, sedated. PAULA sits astride on top of him, holding an IV bottle connected to his arm. She's wearing a pair of latex gloves, a mask, and a MINER'S LAMP, which is turned on. A surgical towel in place. holds up the instructions. exposes the bone. BRIAN Self-retractor. Andy hands the self-retractor. Brian places it separating the skin, stopping the bleeding. Nick stares from the doorway, wide-eyed. PAULA Nick, get the drills! INT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- NIGHT Brian holds a scalpel. Paula Brian makes the incision which

ANNE MARIE is fighting her way to the AIR FRANCE ticket counter, talking on the cell phone. ANNE MARIE I don't care. Just get me the goddamn phone number! INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY The watertight medical

Fluffs of hair on the cabin floor. containers are opened.

BRIAN lifts a cordless drill. ANDY inserts the 1/8 inch drill in place and locks it shut. Brian tries to get a strong grip on the cabin floor, which is rolling haphazardly. NICK Wait, wait, wait. Are you sure?

88. Brian looks at Andy and Paula and for a beat seems about to give up. BRIAN Just don't tell my mother. Brian aims... the boat rolls, the drill sways. Shit. here. Go. Andy holds the head in place. and starts to drill... INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY SOUTHERN OCEAN - 62.45'S, 82.08'E. BOB is the last one into the cabin. He shuts the companionway hatch and it does little to reduce the MOANING SOUND of the wind screaming through the rigging. The cabin rolls and yaws wildly. SARA, at the navigation console. SARA Where are we heading!? The boat suddenly hits the bottom of a wave and lands with a shudder as if a giant hand were pouncing on it. BOB Anywhere but here. PATRICK points to SNIPES, leaning against the cabin, holding on to a handrail. PATRICK You want to win the race now, you bastard!? SNIPES Hey, this was your call too, pal. Patrick lunges for him, but Bob steps before them. BOB Stop it! Stop it right now! This will not get us out of here! We're all very tired and we're all on the same goddamn boat! Let's work it! We all want to go home. The crew is gathered around Brian aims, makes contact, BRIAN (CONT'D) Come-on, Ron, give me a break PAULA

89. PATRICK I say we set up an EPIRB right now! BOB We don't take those devices lightly, son. Besides its signal will not get through the carbon fiber hull. I say we wait, send a crew outside, let the drogues out and turn on the ARGOS. The audible ROAR of a wave suddenly dawns on them and the boat rolls on its side, sending its crew flying across the cabin - SARA barely maintains her seat on the nav chair. Papers and loose items fly about. The YACHT lays flat on her side. It slowly starts righting itself. SARA We just did fifteen knots sideways. We've got to reduce sails. PATRICK We've got none. Unless you know how to reef a mast. EXT SPIRIT - SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

Snow, hail and sea-foam blow across the deck. The world is white, and Spirit is surrounded by the most fearsome seas... under BARE POLES. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY PAULA Check the pulse! Nick hands the forceps and leans back a little, wide-eyed. Can't say a word right now. The dura mater is exposed. It is a 5-cm hole in Marco's skull. A 60cc Irrigation syringe is being used with saline solution to remove the blood clot. INT WORLD CLINIC'S OFFICE - NIGHT ROMANELLI hangs

The small room is now crowded with doctors. up the phone. DR. ANDREA ROMANELLI We might lose this one. INT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM -- DAY

CLAUDE faces a group of journalists.

90. REPORTER - BRIEFING ROOM Is there a search and rescue for Spirit right now, sir? CLAUDE No, the yacht Spirit is not considered lost at sea. REPORTER - BRIEFING ROOM Will the race be called off? CLAUDE Those are professional and highlytrained sailors, they've all experienced a gale storm before. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- NIGHT

ANDY readies the foul-weather bunk, an eight-feet long, tight space by the starboard hull, enough for two sailors, like beans in a rattle-bag. PAULA, BRIAN and NICK carry Marco over, head wrapped in gauze. They wait for the motion to subside a little, then place him on the bunk, head first. PAULA We'll work on rotation. Keep his head high, keep a check on temperature and heart rate every 15 minutes, we'll start analgesics right away. Paula leans against the doorframe to the nav station and cries out of pure exhaustion. Nick walks from behind. NICK You did pretty good there, sailor. The Loud BEEP warning of an incoming message. eyes. PAULA Could you get that? Andy nods and walks up to the incoming fax. out. And what we read: It slowly rolls She dries her

15 DEC 2005 06:18 FROM INMC VIA FRANCE TELECOMM LES TO 0031243332221 VESSEL ENDEAVOR TO RETIRE FROM RACE. REPORT TO RACE HQ IMMEDIATELY. CONFIRM LOCATION AND ROUTE. JOHN O'KEEFE. ANDY It's from John. He wants us to retire from the race.

91. NICK Let's go home. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN - SPIRIT -- DAY DAY 39 The seas surrounding Spirit are atrocious. Double deck waves form ahead of the vessel, colliding from opposite directions and rising above her 80-foot mast. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

BOB comforts JO on the bunk, and helps strap her tight. RICH, SARA, and GUY wait by the companionway, holding on to a series drogue and ropes to be towed to slow the boat down. The boat buckles like a wild horse and they look sea-sick and tired. PATRICK sits on the NAV chair. Then, SNIPES opens the exit hatch. Go! Go! SNIPES Go!

Hell breaks lose as the sailors exit through the companionway and are blown back by the sheer force of the wind. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT -- DAY

The following seas rise near vertical. The sailors attach themselves to the lifelines running along the deck and face the wind, which tries to blow goggles and hoods away as they fight their way to reach the stern. GUY Come-on! The Boat accelerates on a free fall and the bow digs into the wave in front with such force that the stern and both rudders RISE 14 FEET IN THE AIR! RICH and SARA are ejected like discarded toys, snapping the lifelines as if they were made out of thread, banging against stanchions and rigging on their way to the sea. GUY is thrown on the deck and SNIPES flies through the companionway hatch back into the cabin. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

As the cabin rises vertically, BOB flies across the cabin, hitting a vertical panel by the galley and breaking six ribs and collarbone in the process. JO bangs against the top bunk and PATRICK is thrown against the navigation chair and electronics.

92. SNIPES slides past and lays on the floor, unconscious. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT -- DAY

The boat decelerates and the stern lands on the water. GUY recovers. He covers his eye from the stinging water which hurts like needles being fired at his eyes. He looks at the ARGOS TRANSMITTER, attached to the stern, and starts crawling in its direction. He reaches the ARGOS. Unscrews its cap off. Turns it on. GUY Come and get us now, you piece of... And a FOLLOWING WAVE crashes on the deck over Guy and knocks Spirit down. And Guy is no more. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The wind blows the seas into a grey froth. It is hard to make a distinction between the horizon and the air as the foaming dust rises from the chaotic sea. Atop of a swell the red shape of Endeavor becomes distinct. HEYES and DAVENPORT are on deck. Heyes gestures for him to go down. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - EMERGENCY BUNK -- DAY

Marco lays on the emergency bunk, cushioned by a few sail bags and BRIAN, who lies besides him, one leg and arm over his body in the confined space. Marco regains consciousness. Looks to his side. Winces. Oh. MARCO I thought you were Paula.

BRIAN I'm prettier. Give us a kiss, loverboy. MARCO Do you have any morphine? BRIAN No more morphine. We're going home. Cavalry is on the way to pick you up. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY PAULA is on the radio.

The boat is shaking as in a bad dream.

93. PAULA (ON RADIO) Australia Search and Rescue, we need to confirm immediate transport of crew in critical condition to land. Over. AUSSAR RADIO OPERATOR (V.O., RADIO) That's a negative, Endeavor. ETA 3 days. Over. PAULA (ON RADIO) That's not good enough, Australia! I said immediate transport! Check for submarines in the area, over. Give me something! HEYES and RON DAVENPORT enter through the companionway and close the hatch behind them. RON DAVENPORT What's the situation with the Other yachts? PAULA I don't know. I'm not on radio duty. It's Andy's shift, you ask him - I don't know where the hell he is. Ron takes a step forward and speaks with authority directly to her. RON DAVENPORT You were operating the radio, you answer directly to me. What is the situation of the fleet!? PAULA Radio schedule is in two minutes, Boats don't show, we'll know. INT ENDEAVOR - FORWARD BERTH CABIN - DAY

ANDY is kneeling on the floor, crying, almost desperate. NICK tries to allay his fears. ANDY They're coming for us, right? They're coming for us. NICK Yes, rescue is on the way. Practically the entire Navy. just a matter of time.

It's

ANDY This is crazy. This is goddamn crazy.

94. INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER -- DAY

The FOUR OPERATORS on DUTY are now gathered around the radio and weather monitors, listening intently. AUSSAR OPERATOR Sunrise Sankura, Sunrise Sankura. This is Australian Search and Rescue. We request assistance. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The SUNRISE SANKURA, a Japanese freighter bobs around in the forty foot seas. SANKURA'S CAPTAIN This is Sankura, that's a negative. We're going with the seas, we're losing containers, we cannot risk the ship. INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER - WAR ROOM -- DAY

The AusSAR operator checks his watch and starts transmission. Other senior officers lean in to listen. AUSSAR RADIO OPERATOR Attention Race fleet, for the 1300 sked. All vessels please report alphabetically. Algonquin... (beat) Algonquin... He crosses it out from the alphabetical list and proceeds... AUSSAR RADIO OPERATOR (CONT'D) Alliance... No response. The AusSAR radio operator scrolls down the alphabetical list and starts crossing names out. The officers listen in, apprehensive. The Radio operator is cool and collected. When a desperate transmission cuts in... Mayday. VOICE Mayday. Mayday...

AUSSAR RADIO OPERATOR What station calling Mayday? This is Australia Search and Rescue, radio channel 1-6. Say again. Over. VOICE We're at 62.57 South, 85.51 East. Mayday. Mayday. Mayday. The Officers lean closer at this point.

95. AUSSAR RADIO OPERATOR Please confirm 62...57 south, 85...51 East... is that correct? How many persons on board? Over. There's no other sound. AUSSAR OFFICER We better start waking up some people. EXT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER -- DAY

A couple of NAVY SEDANS pull up on marked parking spaces in front of a white, cement office building. Out steps Commodore BRIAN EDWARDS, Director General Navy Capability Performance and Plans, among other officers. The Officer hands him a paper printout. COMMODORE BRIAN EDWARDS I need the name, location, last reports, status, and number of people on board on every vessel in the area. I want the names of every craft, civilian and military, capable of conducting rescue on my desk in two minutes. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

The cabin feels like it's in a middle of an 8.0 earthquake, added rolling, yawing and pitching. In sort, hell. It bangs and clanks loudly as RON DAVENPORT works his way through the main saloon, checking the integrity of the yacht. ANDY vomits all over the main table, dazed, confused. grabs him. RON DAVENPORT Get him out of here!! NICK He'll be okay, sir!! Nick tries to move him out of the table into the lavatories, but the boat jerks them right back to their seats, hard. AT THE NAVIGATION STATION PAULA works the radio, while checking for e-mail. PAULA (ON RADIO) Australia search and rescue, this is Endeavor, do you copy? NICK

96. The boat pitches violently and she hits her head on the sideboard, frustrated and angry. RON walks over. RON DAVENPORT How's Marco!!? Paula cannot stare directly at her father, and when she does so, it is with latent anger. PAULA We're running out of analgesics, his fever is going up! We have no idea about rescue, Australia say they can't reach us! We should head to Hobart right now! RON DAVENPORT We'll do whatever the seas allows us to do! We're pressing on with the auto-pilot!! BRIAN With all due respect, sir, I'm not going to be a sitting duck. Let me go outside and hand steer the vessel. RON DAVENPORT That's not an option. We'll monitor the situation from the inside on a two-men shift, the rest of you back to your bunks and rest up. Heyes walks in from the companionway and shuts it close. HEYES Auto-pilot is on! On the laptop, we see the IMAGE being broadcast from the mast of ENDEAVOR, the image of the huge following seas. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN - ENDEAVOR - DAY

Endeavor reaches down the long trough of a wave and bears away to gain speed. The sea smokes as if on fire, everything is gray. INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER - DAY

The AusSAR Coordinator storms through a set of doors into... INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER - WAR ROOM - DAY AUSSAR COORDINATOR It's the vessel Spirit, sir. American Flag.

97. The war room is filled with Australia's top aerial and nautical experts. White boards line the wall, there are maps of the Southern Ocean region with push-pins indicating positions of boats and signals received, an array of faxes, satellite reports. The telephones ring constantly. A team of four or five AusSAR OFFICERS stand in front of a white board detailing Spirit's position. COMMODORE BRIAN EDWARDS I say we redirect the HMAS Newcastle right away. AUSSAR OFFICER It would take three days to get there. Assuming we'd be able to negotiate the passage at top cruising speed and did not run into trouble. Besides, we'd have to send a naval tanker to re-fuel it on the way back. COMMODORE BRIAN EDWARDS Mother Russia is 70 miles to the North. AUSSAR COORDINATOR Mother Russia is incommunicado. electronics, no radios, out. No

The AusSAR OFFICER walks up to the board and draws an X-mark. AUSSAR OFFICER Endeavor is here. 100 miles to the Northeast. I'd say we divert them, effect rescue, and get them the hell out. (beat) The way I see it, it's their only hope. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER -- NIGHT

JOHN is on the phone. JOHN O'KEEFE Call NASA, see if they got pictures. Get the NAVY, see who they got out there. CLAUDE walks up, somberly. John turns.

CLAUDE Sorry to interrupt, John. (MORE)

98. CLAUDE (CONT'D) But there's a situation. I think you better get the designer on the phone. INT GEOFF WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The phone rings constantly in the mahogany-filled living room. GEOFF WARD, 46, yacht designer, picks it up. NEWPORT, R.I. 41.11'N - 72.49'W GEOFF WARD Hello?... John? Take it slow... INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

The entire STAFF, alongside JOHN and CLAUDE, are listening in. JOHN O'KEEFE Just give him something. All they've got is each other right now. GEOFF WARD (V.O., TELEPHONE) These boats were not exactly made to sail upwind. They're supposed to surf those waves, the pounding will be atrocious on the hull, rigging, and crew. INT GEOFF WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT GEOFF WARD You have to understand John, that the impact resistance on these boats is finite. Those hulls are only 1/4 inch thick. For Christ's sake, even the navy vessels will eventually fatigue on those seas, and those are 3/8 inch metal plates. JOHN O'KEEFE (V.O., TELEPHONE) Don't give the whole history, Geoff. I just want to know, is it possible? GEOFF WARD Yes, John, it is possible. Anything is possible. But you have to remember that delamination will begin right away. And give it enough time on those seas, it will sink any vessel.

99. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT JOHN O'KEEFE How long? GEOFF WARD (V.O., TELEPHONE) Days, hours, give it the right wave, and it'll be instantaneous. It's just a matter of luck. It's your call John, really. The Staff turns to John, who ponders on the toughest call he's ever had to make. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

There's a tremendous crash as Endeavor is knocked down. The cabin goes dark as the sea cuts out the light. HEYES is thrown against the navigation table. The others hold on from the strain. In the midst of chaos, the Satcom BEEPS again. his focus and checks the fax message. Heyes regains

20 DEC 2002 18:38 FROM INMC VIA FRANCE TELECOMM TO 00312433221 VESSEL SPIRIT UNREACHABLE. COULD YOU RE-DIRECT TO LAST KNOWN POS AT 62.57S 85.51E.? REPORT STATUS. John O'Keefe. RON DAVENPORT What is it? Heyes reads the message, and not wanting to believe it... HEYES You don't want to know. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

CLAUDE, JOHN and the RACE OFFICERS wait anxiously. The PHONE RINGS. The RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER picks it up. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER R.O.C.... Just a moment. (to Claude) It's from Endeavor. John picks up the receiver in front of him. JOHN O'KEEFE This is John speaking. Go ahead, Endeavor. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

HEYES is on the phone. PAULA, DAVENPORT and BRIAN listen in. The noise of waves, wind and hull makes it hard.

100. ANDY lays in a fetal position, seasick and silent. HEYES (ON SAT PHONE) ROC, we copy your message. How many vessels are involved in this rescue? Over. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT CLAUDE steps in.

John doesn't answer.

CLAUDE (ON TELEPHONE) Endeavor, this is Claude, race director. We're kind of pinning our hopes on you. HEYES (V.O., TELEPHONE) We'll get back to you. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

Heyes slowly puts the phone down. A horrendous crash follows and the boat creaks and moans like it's going to fall apart. PAULA We can't go back. We continue forward across the main saloon, through the first watertight door, past the media studio, and to the FORWARD LAVATORY Where NICK is locked in, reading an e-mail printout. INSERT SUBJECT: BOB BURKE - FASTNET 1979 FINAL REPORT. He brings it down. And slowly walks out. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

The RCO brings a series of printouts. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER We've downloaded Spirit outgoing communications and we found this. He hands a sheet to Claude. He scans it and stops, shocked.

INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL - CHARLES DE GAULLE - NIGHT ANNE is on the phone with Race HQ. ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) Just get him out of there now!

101. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - NIGHT

Nick crosses the main saloon, carrying the e-mail printout, silently gazing at Davenport. RON DAVENPORT How many souls aboard? HEYES They're not sure. all seven. They're assuming

PAULA What about him!? There's a man aboard this vessel that needs us! That needs to be taken safe to land! What about him!? Ron looks to his daughter, pensive. NICK Hello, captain. They turn. Nick is oblivious to the world. straight at Davenport. RON DAVENPORT Where the hell have you been? NICK You made the call, didn't you? He continues walking. Davenport turns to Heyes. He just stares The crew awaits.

RON DAVENPORT Heyes, contact HQ. Nick continues staring. Davenport notices.

NICK 1979. You made the call to continue racing Freedom. You wrote the report. RON DAVENPORT What? You're out of your mind, kiddo. Go to your bunk and get some rest. NICK Do you want to read this? RON DAVENPORT That old fool. What does he know? We were all very scared that night. Your mind plays tricks on you.

102. NICK You killed my father. all of us. You killed

RON DAVENPORT We never quit. Your father never quit. Not over a hunch. Ever. NICK And you figured since everyone was out of the picture it would be very convenient if I were to somehow disappear, I might have 'heard' something. RON DAVENPORT The yacht was your only chance. wouldn't have made it. PAULA Dad, what's going on? RON DAVENPORT Don't you listen to him, honey. NICK Why don't you tell her the truth. What about your wife, was that a freak accident too? Davenport lunges. It is a straight and furious lunge as he goes straight for Nick's neck. RON DAVENPORT Don't you dare talk about my wife! NICK You killed him, you sonafabitch! Nick pushes him back. Brian and Heyes rush to set them apart. You

NICK (CONT'D) You had a knife! The boat rolls. Davenport hits a wall. Nick goes rolling over a table. Brian pins him down. Heyes holds Davenport. RON DAVENPORT Yes, I had a knife! We capsized that night! Your father got stuck under the cockpit! Hadn't I cut his rope he would've died NICK Hadn't you cut the rope he and your wife were going to live together!

103. There is a brief pause. The SAT PHONE rings.

RON DAVENPORT I loved my wife. It was a terrible accident... I would never... Do you think that's easy?... She was my life. Nick hands the printout to Heyes. NICK Sir, do you want to read this? The SAT PHONE rings again. looks at his daughter... The crew looks confused. Ron

RON DAVENPORT My recommendation is that... we have doubts about the integrity of Endeavor and the ability to sail back to the vessel in distress... It would place unnecessary risk to the yacht and the crew, which is already undermanned. Heyes looks up from reading. HEYES I urge this crew to relieve you of the command of this yacht for conduct unbecoming, giving the wrong report at the Fastnet, and for inconclusive evidence regarding the Cape Horn incident. The PHONE RINGS again. BRIAN Gentlemen, it is not about command. It is about the law of the sea, which was written long before any of us joined this crew. I love my daughter, and if there's anything in the world I wish to do is to see her again. But how could I, if I were the one who let people die. PAULA We can't go back! Paula falls on her knees, weeping. for a long beat. The cabin goes silent

HEYES He would've never made it, Paula. (MORE)

104. HEYES (CONT'D) (beat) We have to turn the boat manually. I need two on deck with me. The crew is silent for a beat. BRIAN I'm in. NICK I'm in. HEYES picks up the phone. HEYES (on phone) Endeavor. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - PRESS ROOM - DAY A tense moment.

FLASHES GO OFF as John O'Keefe speaks to a throng of reporters. JOHN O'KEEFE At 0500 GMT, we have diverted the vessel Endeavor to the last known position of the yacht Spirit. They're a competent, resourceful, and courageous crew. If anybody can effect the rescue it's them. May our thoughts and prayers be with those men and women right now. JOHN steps out of the stage, and as he descends the steps ANNE MARIE approaches him and SLAPS HIM ACROSS THE FACE, starting a NEW WAVE of FLASHES. EXT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER -- NIGHT

CLAUDE walks out of the office, escorted by security staff. A MOB of reporters attack him with cameras and questions. REPORTER 1 - OUTSIDE Why wasn't the race canceled when you heard the storm warnings? CLAUDE The reports we got from the weather bureaus were gross and inaccurate. REPORTER 1 - OUTSIDE Did you consult with the Australians?

105. CLAUDE I'll include the Australians in that charge. He walks up to his car and stops short. The words 'MURDERER' are painted in red across the windshield. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

NICK, BRIAN and HEYES wait by the exit hatch, all geared up and ready to go. HEYES barks last-minute instructions to Nick. The sound outside is like the predicament of certain death. HEYES Clip yourself to a hard point to starboard! Forget the jackwire! It will not take the load! And remember, whatever you do... don't look back! NICK nods and opens the hatch and the MOANING SOUND inundates the cabin. The GUSTS sound like RIFLE SHOTS. Heyes stares at the black void. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY DAVENPORT straps

ANDY ties himself to the navigation chair. himself to a bunk. In the EMERGENCY BUNK PAULA adjusts the cushioning around MARCO.

PAULA Hey, sailor, we're going to do this thing and then they're going to come to pick you up. Paula kisses him on the cheek. A tear forms in her eye. Marco speaks with utter difficulty. MARCO It is such... a beautiful day. PAULA You hang in there sailor, you hear me!? You hang in there! And he closes his eye for the last time. Paula's cheek. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY A tear runs down

BRIAN and NICK make their way to the cockpit, doing their best not to look back at the following seas which is like a tall building about to collapse.

106. The wind MOANS incessantly through the rigging. They struggle to maintain balance. HEYES fights his way to the wheel. Brian and Nick clip themselves to a hard point to starboard. Heyes does the OK sign. Brian and Nick unfurl the storm jib and the sheet goes taut like a steel rod. The boat suddenly accelerates... INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

JOHN, the RCO and the tech crew watch the Marker for the yacht Endeavor apprehensively. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER The moment they turn, it'll be a category two hurricane. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT -- DAY

NICK and BRIAN turn to face HEYES, who raises his left hand... waits, and lowers it. The sign they were waiting for. Heyes pulls on the wheel and the boat inches to windward, while Brian and Nick work the winches with all their might, trying to trim the jib. The boat is immediately knocked down by the sheer force of the wind which accelerates to the SOUND OF A TWIN JET ENGINE taking off. The SOUND HEYES DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR... The boat is perpendicular to the water. to their lifelines and the hardware. The crew hangs on

The boat suddenly starts coming up again, buckles, and jolts forward like a wild horse let loose. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

The feeling below is awful as the boat jerks madly like it's going to fall apart. An aerosol can of oil has broken loose and empties itself. DAVENPORT holds on to the cabin, listening, alone. struggles at the nav station. EXT ENDEAVOR - COCKPIT - DAY ANDY

The sea is a frenzy of spume and spray, like white froth. It is insane to continue out there. A wave knocks Endeavor a second time. Nick and Brian swim in a sea of green water. Heyes is thrown against the wheel, which spins madly, catching his arms in the spokes. He screams in pain.

107. INT HOTEL LOBBY - DAY

The lobby is filled with reporters from the world media. ANNE MARIE is seated on a couch, being consoled by a couple of reporters. Suddenly, a young 5-year-old GIRL tugs on her pants. looks at her, rather cute, and smiles. SUZY (O.S.) Hi. I'm Suzy, Brian's wife. his daughter. That's She

ANNE looks up and sees SUZY, Brian's ex-wife. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

JOHN is talking to CLAUDE and a RACE STRATEGIST. They're following the progress of the yachts on a computer screen. AT THE WEATHER STATION The RACE WEATHER ANALYST checks one SATELLITE PICTURE after another, in a sequence that looks like a range of mountains. The RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER walks behind him and leans over for a peak. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER They're shooting the Rockies now? RACE WEATHER ANALYST That - is not the Rockies. John and Claude turn in their direction. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The WAVE is a monster and it extends as far as the eye can see. It is moving fast, breaking, the top third being a fury of white foam. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT RACE WEATHER ANALYST 64 south, 84 east. Moving 50 miles per hour. Estimated height... 115 feet. The RCO turns back to face the screen - the wave is on a direct collision course with one of the markers: Spirit. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Get'em on the phone. Right now.

108. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The situation is one of desolation. PATRICK is helping strap BOB onto his bunk. JO is crying. SNIPES is recovering, blood still dripping down his face. JO I want to go home! home, please! I want to go

SNIPES We're gonna get you home. PATRICK Yeah, you tell me how. We have no power! We have no sail! We have no radio! You tell me how! A RUMBLING SOUND approaches fast and Patrick stares at Snipes. The SAT PHONE rings concurrently. PATRICK (CONT'D) We survive this, I'm going to kill you. EXT SPIRIT - SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The Monster wave lifts Spirit on her shoulders. Then it jolts her forward. The top third then closes in on her and for a moment the yacht Spirit is inside a tube, like a giant surfboard. That is, until the wave finally brakes, pitch-poling and sending her rolling in a fury of white foam. Mast and the rigging disintegrate. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY Debris

The WORLD suddenly becomes dark and is a-turning. and bodies are flying everywhere.

The electronics sizzle, light and water suddenly pour into the cabin as the cabin TOP is ripped wide open, exposing its occupants to the elements. The wind blows, then it stops again as the cabin goes under, an ungovernable barrel in a waterfall. INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER - WAR ROOM -- DAY Turns to Commodore

The AusSAR coordinator gets off the phone. Edwards.

AUSSAR COORDINATOR They've just lost contact with Spirit. (MORE)

109. AUSSAR COORDINATOR (CONT'D) No beacon, no e-mail, all electronics are dead, their computer was not properly logged off. COMMODORE BRIAN EDWARDS Send in the Orions. EXT AIR BASE -- AUSTRALIA - DAY

A P-3 ORION takes off from an Air base. EXT SPIRIT - SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The Boat sits low in the water, upright. The top of the cabin is a ghastly sight as a four square-meter hole exposes its interior. INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The interior is a mess. The cabin is three-feet deep in water. SNIPES stands in a corner, banged and bruised. PATRICK rises. JO is shaking, paralyzed with fear. PATRICK What do we do now, uh!? do now!? We bail. SNIPES We bail. Jo, let's What do we

PATRICK I'm taking the inflatable! go! No! SNIPES We bail and we wait!

PATRICK You're a psycho, man. here.

We're out of

Jo stands behind him. Snipes takes a step towards them. Patrick reaches down and grabs a knife and waves it menacing towards Snipes. PATRICK (CONT'D) Do you want this? Do you want a little bit of this, you son-of-abitch? Come-on, come here. Don't you fuckin' try to stop us. Jo, get an EPIRB. Jo points to Bob, who lies unconscious.

110. JO What about him? PATRICK He's dead. Jo grabs a personal EPIRB and they walk out. SNIPES They'll never find you! Snipes kneels on the water-filled cabin and weeps. EXT SPIRIT - COCKPIT -- DAY

PATRICK inflates the life raft. He helps Jo aboard, enters, releases the rope, and the raft is immediately capsized by the wind and is engulfed by a wave, never to be seen again. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

We pan through the cabin. RON DAVENPORT is on the HF radio. A message comes through over the loud din. AUSSAR COORDINATOR (V.O., RADIO) Endeavor, this is Australia rescue, do you copy? RON DAVENPORT (ON RADIO) Australia rescue, this is Endeavor. Over. AUSSAR COORDINATOR (V.O., RADIO) Endeavor, we've got a situation. RON DAVENPORT (ON RADIO) What's the nature of the situation? Please explain. Over. AUSSAR COORDINATOR (V.O., RADIO) It's a wave. And it's heading your way. Traveling at 50 knots, ETA sixty minutes. Estimated height 115 feet. Over. RON DAVENPORT (ON RADIO) Did you say 115 feet? AUSSAR COORDINATOR (V.O., RADIO) That's, uh, correct. Over. He slowly puts down the radio.

111. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY The P-3 banks to the right

The P-3 ORION scans the seas. and resumes its course south. INT

ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

The main cabin buckles like a square-tired jeep on a dirt track. HEYES is badly hurt as he is brought down the companionway by NICK and BRIAN. He holds his left arm in pain. NICK We need help!! DAVENPORT stands in front of them , holding a chart. look up. INT HOUSE - OFFICE - NIGHT They

GEOFF WARD runs a simulation on his computer. A virtual yacht goes through waves. He drags the mouse and ups WIND SPEED to 50 knots. Clicks on WAVE SIZE and increases it to 45 feet. The boat punctures through the waves, the stress points shown in RED at the three-dimensional grid of the boat on the screen. A warning suddenly blinks across the screen "STRUCTURAL FAILURE." He stares blankly at the screen. He's holding a TELEPHONE on his lap, we hear a voice... a distant and desperate voice... RON DAVENPORT (V.O., TELEPHONE) What do we do now!? What do we do now, Geoff!? INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY

DAVENPORT hangs up. The crew is gathered in the saloon, silent, a sense of deep loss and defeat. The boat YAWS erratically. Lights blink ON and OFF alternately. BRIAN is setting up an improvised cast on HEYES' arm. NICK Brian, how are we doing on time? Brian looks up at his watch. BRIAN Fifty minutes.

112. NICK I guess there's time for one call. INT HOTEL LOBBY -- DAY

ANNE is seated next to BRIAN'S WIFE and DAUGHTER. The lobby is filled with REPORTERS and FRIENDS and RELATIVES of the sailors in the regatta. Her CELL PHONE rings amidst the cacophony of voices. picks it up. ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) Hello? The sound is only static. The people around her start to notice. A tear forms in her eyes. Hello!! ANNE MARIE (CONT'D) Please... She

NICK (V.O., TELEPHONE) Anne, this is Nick. Can you hear me? ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) Yes, I can, babe!! Yes, I can! It's from Endeavor!! The crowd quiets down and turns to her. NICK (V.O., TELEPHONE) How's everything? ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) Not good, babe, not good. I'm crying. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY Brian listens.

NICK is on the phone.

NICK (ON TELEPHONE) Remember when I met you at the yacht club? You were kind of looking out into the marina, weren't you? You know, all that time I was kind of wondering if you had seen me. INT HOTEL LOBBY -- NIGHT The PRESS flanks her now.

ANNE is on the phone, crying.

ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) I had seen you an hour ago. I was wondering how long you were gonna take to talk to me.

113. She smiles amidst tears. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY NICK (ON TELEPHONE) I'm sorry that I've been... that must have been the lousiest party that I've ever been to. But what I really wanted to tell you was that it was also the best day of my life. INT HOTEL LOBBY -- NIGHT

ANNE, still holding on to the telephone. ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) It was mine, too. INT. ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY NICK (ON TELEPHONE) And I'm really tired and I'm trying to get this over with so, uh, I would really just like to ask you a question before I go out there. (beat) Will you marry me? BRIAN huddles around Nick and the PHONE. BRIAN Ten bucks she won't do it. HEYES Who would marry a scoundrel anyway? NICK You're on. (ON PHONE) A little phone problem there? INT HOTEL LOBBY - DAY

The press surrounds ANNE. No. ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) I just want to hear it again.

NICK (V.O., TELEPHONE) Will you marry me? ANNE MARIE (ON TELEPHONE) Anytime, sailor. FLASHES explode. She cries. FLASHES continue.

114. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS - DAY NICK (ON TELEPHONE) I love you. Everything is going to be okay, now. Everything. I gotta go now, but you just hold on tight, and always remember that day, because it has made all the difference. INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY ANNE holds on to the phone, and listens to the static. ANNE MARIE No, please... INT. ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY NICK hangs up. Between a blink and a thunderclap, a shape appears under the doorway at the central companionway: ANDY, with a scared, but somehow peaceful look. ANDY We are going to do die, aren't we? INT SPIRIT - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

The water is about mid-thigh on SNIPES. He has placed a stop-gag tent over the roof of the cabin. He desperately searches the cabinets for something. He finds the last ENERGY BAR, quickly unwraps it and swallows, almost biting his finger off. The boat suddenly sinks a tad more... When a HAND REACHES OUT, scaring the hell out of him. It is BOB, lying on a bunk just above water level, holding a note wrapped in a ziplock bag. He musters all his strength... BOB If you ever see my wife again, tell her I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Snipes kneels next to him, crying. SNIPES Bob! I love her. love her. I will. BOB Tell her how much I SNIPES

115. Bob dies. INT. ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY NICK is gearing up, hurriedly collecting a survival suit, boots and gloves. It is a hurried, survival mode. He rushes into the main cabin. It is a haunted house. BRIAN stands there. Brian? He looks down. He is not going. Just stares, not moving. NICK

RON DAVENPORT (O.S.) You want to hear about your father? They turn to see DAVENPORT, geared up in a survival suit. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) He'd stare a storm right in the eye and bring it to her knees with such grace you'd think he'd be the master of the seas. He places his gloves and tightens them. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) To be a man wasn't good enough. To sail with him you had to do goddamn better than that. I pushed myself too far and a lot of people have suffered because of that. And it was foolish... I could never top that. I would never be one tenth of the man he was. He puts his hood on. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) Well, what are we waiting for? We've got a wedding to attend. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM -- NIGHT

JOHN stares at screen. We zoom in on the red marker indicating Endeavor's position. JOHN calls for the R.C.O. standing near by. JOHN O'KEEFE Get them out of there.

116. RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER They are at the mercy of the seas now, John. John walks away and cries. INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY

Nick waits besides Davenport at the companionway exit. PAULA Dad... Davenport reaches for and touches her face tenderly. RON DAVENPORT You've got your mother's eyes, you Know that? Paula looks down. He notices. RON DAVENPORT (CONT'D) I'm sorry. Brian helps Nick adjust the face guard. Hey, kiddo. BRIAN Give them hell.

Andy stands besides them. NICK Let's take her home then. The SAT PHONE rings. Heyes gets it. Endeavor! RADIO DJ VOICE (V.O., TELEPHONE) Good morning, Endeavor. This is Dan Rogers from KLAS San Francisco, you're on the air. How are we doing this morning? HEYES It's from a radio station, they want to know how we're doing! NICK Tell them they'll have to wait until we get back to France. He nods to Brian, who opens the hatch. A look of hope in the crew's faces. HEYES (ON TELEPHONE)

117. EXT ENDEAVOR - SOUTHERN OCEAN -- DAY

The wind turns the ocean into a frenzy of spume and spray. Out of the companionway hatch, DAVENPORT and NICK step out. They work their way to the main tiller and hook themselves to hard points to starboard. Davenport positions himself directly behind Nick and starts to scan the horizon. The sea is a gray froth of spume, the low-sorrowful moan on the rigging is haunting. And then they see her: A wall of water so wide they can't see its flanks, high and steep, not breaking, but a perfect wall with water cascading down its front... with their name on it. RON DAVENPORT Hey, kiddo! While speaking, Davenport unclasps his first lifeline. adjusts his footing. NICK Yeah!? RON DAVENPORT You're going to take her at 70 degrees, you hear!? When you get to the top third you're going to head up straight into her! Is that clear, sailor!? Davenport releases his second lifeline. Nothing holds him to the boat now. Nick notices... and suddenly realizes what it means and the horror of it. NICK Sir!? INT ENDEAVOR - BELOWDECKS -- DAY HEYES adjust NICK

BRIAN and ANDY strap themselves to their bunks. himself in a bunk opposite of them. HEYES Gentlemen, it has been an honor sailing with you. ON THE EMERGENCY BUNK PAULA interlaces arms and legs with MARCO.

118. EXT SOUTHERN OCEAN - ENDEAVOR - DAY

The wave is right ahead, a football field standing straight at Nick. He stares back and pours his strength into the wheel. The yacht races up the face of the wave twice as long as its sixty-foot hull. As it approaches the near-vertical crest RON DAVENPORT You take her home, you hear!? take her home!!... Now! You

Nick tugs the wheel hard and the boat is shoved into a wall of white spume. It explodes into the crest of the wave with such ferocity that all the rope clutches open. Then the entire boat juts out of the water at the other side and... INT AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTER - WAR ROOM -- DAY

Commodore Brian and his staff stare at yet another screen where the marker with Endeavor's signature flashes. It disappears. INT RACE HEADQUARTERS - DAY Only Static.

CLAUDE, JOHN, and the entire crew listen in.

RACE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (ON RADIO) Endeavor, this is HQ, do you copy? (beat) Endeavor, HQ, do you copy? No joy. INT Only static.

HOTEL - PRESS ROOM - DAY

ANNE MARIE waits with her cell phone besides her, exhausted and tired, flanked by BRIAN's WIFE and DAUGHTER and members of the press. The group of journalists is silent, waiting for a reply. JOURNALIST on the phone nods 'no' to the group. INT RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONFERENCE ROOM A

CLAUDE is up on the stage, besides a desolate JOHN and other syndicate officials, fielding questions. Media frenzy. REPORTER - PRESS CONFERENCE Why wasn't the race canceled? CLAUDE It was a freak storm. (MORE)

119. CLAUDE (CONT'D) The skipper of the yachts, in this sport, have the responsibility whether to continue or... REPORTER 2 - PRESS CONFERENCE -- What should the public think about sailors risking their lives and public money and the lives of men in the rescue services? CLAUDE Public opinion will have decide on its own. Claude looks down. He is exhausted and can't continue anymore. John looks at his friend and intervenes. JOHN O'KEEFE Gentlemen! Everyone turns to face John. JOHN O'KEEFE (CONT'D) Gentlemen. I have sailed the better part of my life and I have seen qualities that are missing in this very room. Qualities like daring, comradeship and endurance that makes us proud of who we are and lift us above our ordinary ground. Who is to blame?? My question to you is who will be the judge? Who will judge whether they were out there for the right or wrong reasons? All I can say is that it will be a very sad day for mankind when we no longer seek the challenges of the ocean. John stands up and leaves. INT The room grows silent.

RACE OPERATIONS CENTER - CONTROL ROOM - DAY We stay in

The room is empty. The last TECHNICIAN leaves. the silent and lonely room.

The RADIO MIKE lies inertly on a table. We hear FAINT STATIC. An almost untraceable glimpse of hope that quickly dies down. THE END