Raise The Titanic!

 

Screenplay by

Eric Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Martin Starger Production

                    Of

A Stanley Kramer Film

 

SECOND REVISED DRAFT

 

December 15, 1977 

 

“RAISE THE TITANIC”

 

UNDER TITLE AND CREDITS

 

We FADE IN ON:

 

1        EXT. TITANIC – NIGHT                                                                                                 1

 

The Titanic, a British ocean liner of the White Star Line, is at sea at night, crossing under a sky without

clouds.

 

SUPERIMPOSED OVER THIS:

 

April 14, 1912

The North Atlantic

 

2        INT. TITANIC – BALLROOM – NIGHT                                                                    2

 

There is great moving color as passengers, dressed for the evening of formal pleasure, dance in the

Titanic’s ballroom.

 

3        EXT. ICEBERG – NIGHT                                                                                                3

 

A white mass of ice floating under the same clear night as the Titanic, which now APPEARS IN

THE DISTANCE.

 

4        INT. TITANIC – BALLROOM – NIGHT                                                               4

 

ARTHUR BREWSTER, aged but brawny, and there’s something a little off his head about

his appearance.  He’s coming down the staircase of the ballroom and pushes his way through

the people dancing.

 

5        EXT.  TITANIC AND ICEBERG – NIGHT                                                            5

 

The Titanic sideswipes the iceberg.

 

6        INT.  TITANIC – BOILER ROOM                                                                         6

 

Water is running into the boiler room.

 

7        INT.  TITANIC – BALLROOM – NIGHT                                                              7

 

Panicked passengers who had been dancing are running up the staircase, desperate to get out

of the ballroom.

 

8        EXT.  TITANIC                                                                                                               8

 

The Titanic is sinking, tilted into the water.

 

9        INT.  TITANIC – LOWER DECK STAIRWAY                                                     9

 

Passengers are fleeing up this stairway and, coming down it, forcing his body between theirs,

is Brewster.  He grabs hold of a young Ensign.  There is a gun in Brewster’s hand.  He puts it

to the Ensign’s head and forces him to lead the way down another stairway.

 

10      INT.  TITANIC – STAIRWAY                                                                                      10

 

Brewster and the Ensign are going down another stair way and here deeper in the ship they are

alone.  They go down a corridor, which is filling with water.  Brewster and the young Ensign

reach the entrance to the cargo hold.  Brewster releases the Ensign.

 

BREWSTER

Thank God for Southby.

 

The Ensign begins his escape from the ship as Brewster goes into the cargo hold.

 

11      EXT.  TITANIC – NIGHT                                                                                              11

 

The Titanic is going under and soon all we SEE is the dark ocean under the stars of a windless,

cloudless night.

 

12 EXT.  THE OCEAN – NIGHT                                                                                             12

 

The dark, still ocean is under a clear sky of stars.  Emerging from beneath the stillness, a nuclear

submarine surfaces.  And APPEARING ON THE SCREEN is the following –

 

April 13, 1978

Novaya Zemlya

 

13      EXT.  NOVAYA ZEMLYA – NIGHT                                                                             13

 

WE MOVE across the island whose land is infertile and scarred with rock that is gray and white

from the cold of the air here.  There are patches of snow and, in the distance, mountains covered

with it.  WE STOP at an opening at the base of a mountain.  An opening made by men and the

way into a mineshaft.  Two men emerge from the mine.  They wear sweater shields across their

noses and mouths to ease the burning of the cold.  They carry rifles and the older of the men

has a camera as well.  The stillness is disturbed by the BARKING of DOGS SOUNDING

ABOVE them.  The men begin to run down the rutted sloping from the mine.  We PULL

BACK and SEE two Russian sentries on a cliff above the mine opening.  With them, there

are two large black dogs, wild with anger at the fleeing men but unable to leap from the cliff

because of the rocks that sit like spikes below them.  The silence of the night is now torn

completely apart by the SOUND of the SENTRIES’ GUNS when they FIRE them at the men.

 

14      REVERSE ANGLE                                                                                                        14

 

The two men are running toward a beach beyond which, in the ocean, we SEE the nuclear submarine. 

One of the men is having difficulty keeping with the other.  The faster of the two turns around and sees

how far back the other is.  The SHOTS are causing the slower one to panic – the aim of the sentries

is getting too close to him.  The faster of the two takes his rifle from his shoulder and FIRES at the

sentries.  He hits one who falls from the cliff.  But the other sentry is BLASTING CLOSER AND

CLOSER to the slower man and then hits him.  FIRING at the lone sentry, the faster man gets to

where the other fell.  He sees that this man is done.  He opens the backpack this fallen man wears

and takes out a sealed container.  All the while, SHOTS are striking close to him.  Now he fires again

at the remaining sentry but his rifle is empty.  He begins running again, the sentry’s SHOTS pelting

he ground around him.

 

15      COASTLINE                                                                                                                  15

 

Here at the edge of the land, he is getting into a small, jet-propelled landing craft.  As the craft begins

speeding toward the submarine, a truck with several Russian soldiers comes INTO THE FRAME.  Its

massive wheels kill the sand beneath them and carry the soldiers along the coastline.  They are

FIRING at the man in the landing craft, but he is out of their range now.  One of these soldiers isn’t

firing.  He is, instead, taking pictures with a long lens – photographing the man, the landing craft, and

the submarine.

 

16      THE MAN                                                                                                                      16

 

He pulls his sweater shield from his face.  He is CAPTAIN DIRK PITT, an officer in the United

States Navy.  Somewhere in his forties, he is persuasive, in control, a survivor who does things by

instinct.

 

17      ISLAND                                                                                                                         17

 

The soldiers have stopped firing.  They are silent and watching.  Only the SOUND of the

PHOTOGRAPHS BEING TAKEN is HEARD.  We WATCH, with them, the submergence of

the submarine.  And soon, the ocean is alone again.

 

18      EXT.  WHITE HOUSE – WASHINGTON, D.C. – DAY                                       18

 

It is mid-day on a working day at the White House.

 

19      INT.  SANDECKER’S OFFICE – WHITE HOUSE – DAY                                  19

 

SANDECKER is a retired Admiral.  He is past sixty and thriving on the authority that comes with

being an aide to the President.  He is at his desk here in one of the executive offices of the White House. 

One of three doors in here opens and a secretary ushers in DOCTOR GENE SEAGRAM, a young

scientist whose entire life is intent upon his work and with an enthusiasm that never subsides.  He carries

the container Captain Pitt took from the fallen man’s backpack on the Russian island.

 

SEAGRAM

(Putting the container on

Sandecker’s desk)

It’s byzanium, Admiral . . .

the lab tests verify it.

 

SANDECKER

Congratulations.

 

SEAGRAM

When do we proceed?

 

SANDECKER

Proceed?  Look, the computers

said the Army located a Russian

mine in 1911 with what sounded

like byzanium.  The President

gave the go-ahead but just to check

it out.

 

SEAGRAM

Without it, there’s no Sicilian

Project.  It’s a hundred times more

radioactive than uranium.  We need it.

 

SANDECKER

But what we need happens to be

on a Russian island.

 

SEAGRAM

And no place else.

 

SANDECKER

Look, Seagram, I’ll go back

to the President after I hear

from Captain Pitt.  He’s

investigating some other things

that were in that mine.

 

SEAGRAM

What?  I wasn’t told about any

other things?

 

SANDECKER

No reason to tell you.

 

SEAGRAM

Sometimes I feel I’m being

pushed out of my own project.

 

SANDECKER

That’s nonsense.  I’ll tell

Captain Pitt to see you and let

you in on what’s been happening. 

Okay?

 

SEAGRAM

Okay. 

 

Sandecker’s TELEPHONE RINGS.  He answers it.

 

SANDECKER

Yes?. . . I’ll talk to him

(To Seagram)

This is a call from Moscow,

Seagram.  An intelligence

matter.  Talk with you later.

 

Seagram goes to the door and leaves Sandecker’s office.

 

SANDECKER

(Continuing; into

the telephone)

Okay.

 

Sandecker takes a deep breath.  This is a call he’d rather not take but he has no choice.

 

20      INT.  PREVLOV’S OFFICE – MOSCOW – NIGHT                                            20

 

PREVLOV is a young man – the seriousness with which he takes life and with which he approaches

others is evident in his face.  He is at his desk and on the telephone.  MARGANIN is with him. 

Sitting in front of Prevlov’s desk, Marganin is somewhat older then he and has a manner far less intense. 

Prevlov nods toward the telephone extension near him and Marganin picks up the receiver and puts it

to his ear.  We INTERCUT between Prevlov’s office and Sandecker’s.

 

PREVLOV

Let’s not waste time, Admiral. 

The two men you sent to our island –

I would have like to have both

men alive.  But I have only one

dead one.  That disappoints me. 

But one of our soldiers is dead

also.  And that angers me.

 

SANDECKER

What island are you talking about?

 

PREVLOV

The island of Novaya Zemlya.  As

I talk with you now, I am looking

at photographs of your men and of

the submarine that brought them to

the island.

 

SANDECKER

Look, Prevlov, it was an intelligence

exercise.  Routine as hell.  You

know that.  It just got fouled up.

 

PREVLOV

It cannot be as simple for us.

 

SANDECKER

What do you want from me?

 

PREVLOV

Admiral, I want you to give me

reason to forget this.

 

SANDECKER

I’ll get back to you on it.

 

PREVLOV

Soon.  We have a young American

man, dead, and not a soldier, I

think.  His body isn’t going to

disappear, Sandecker.  I think

that could be some problem for you.

 

SANDECKER

I’ll be calling you soon.

 

PREVLOV

Yes.  Satisfy me, Admiral.

 

He hangs up his telephone and We STAY IN Prevlov’s office.

 

MARGANIN

(Grinning as he puts

down his receiver)

He’s got two bodies haunting

him.  A dead American and a

dead Russian.

 

PREVLOV

It doesn’t amuse me, Marganin. 

One of our people killed by them

does not amuse me.

 

21      INT.  SANDECKER’S OFFICE – DAY                                                                         21

 

He is talking into a telephone but a different one now, a red one.

 

SANDECKER

Mr. President? . . . Sandecker here . . .

 

CUT TO:

 

22      EXT.  PITT’S OFFICE – NAVY DEPARTMENT – DAY                                              22

 

Seagram is arriving at a door, which is guarded by two Marines.

 

SEAGRAM

(Showing them his

identification)

Doctor Seagram.  I’ve an appointment

with Captain Pitt.

 

One of the Marines takes Seagram’s identification from him, studies it and then scans an appointment

list.  He goes to an office door, KNOCKS on it, and then opens it.  He turns to Seagram and hands

him back his identification as indication that he can go inside Pitt’s office.

 

23      INT.  PITT’S OFFICE – DAY                                                                              23

 

The shades on the windows are pulled down and no lights are on so that slides projected by a slide

projector on Pitt’s desk can be clearly visible on an opposite wall.  LT. GIORDINO, a tall, muscular

man not prone to smiling, is, along with two Naval Intelligence officers who are seated in chars,

looking across the room at a blowup of the photograph Pitt took of the mine machinery on the Russian

island.  Pitt is behind his desk.  The Marine closes the door after Seagram is in here.  Seagram is slightly

in the range of the projector’s throw, and some of the blowup runs along the side of his body.  No one

seems to notice him as other blowups of Pitt’s photographs are thrown at the wall and Seagram. 

Then Giordino speaks.

 

GIORDINO

Yeah?

 

SEAGRAM

I’d like to speak with the Captain

alone, please.

 

There is silence for a moment.  Then –

 

PITT

If you don’t mind, gentlemen, I’ve

got to talk with Doctor Seagram.

 

Giordino and the other two men get to their feet and move toward the door.  As Giordino passes Seagram,

he studies him with a condescending interest.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Switch off the lights, Giordino.

 

He does, and he and the other two men go out and close the door behind them.  There is a pause.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

I’m sorry about what happened to

Koplin.

 

Seagram doesn’t answer for a moment.  Take the time to think if he should while he seats himself in

front of Pitt’s desk.  Then he decides to respond.

 

SEAGRAM

He was my friend.  I’d hoped you’d

take care of him.

 

Pitt just stares at Seagram for a long time.  This has angered Pitt and hurt him, but he doesn’t want to

get into it with Seagram.  His staring is his way of counting to 10.

 

PITT

(Finally)

Let’s just say he was a young

scientist and he was out of his

element.

 

SEAGRAM

Tell me how much byzanium we can

get in that mine.

 

PITT

About another ounce.

 

SEAGRAM

What?

 

PITT

I haven’t told Sandecker yet. 

That’s mine’s empty.

 

SEAGRAM

Empty?  Then the Russians found

it?

 

PITT

No.

 

SEAGRAM

Then who the heck mined the

byzanium?

 

PITT

Americans.

 

SEAGRAM

(Annoyed, wanting to

understand now)

What are you telling me, Captain?

 

PITT

Your computer got only part of

the story.

(He wants to push

him a little)

Get the lights, will you.

 

Seagram doesn’t like this, but he gets up and walks the distance to the light switch.  When the lights

are off, he goes back to his chair.

 

24      SLIDES                                                                                                                          24

 

We SEE a succession of enlargements of photographs of the inside of a mine.  These are pictures

of old mining equipment.  Ore cars, picks, shovels and the like.  Now, enlarged, we SEE where

the names of the manufacturers were etched.  THOR FORGE & IRON WORKS, DENVER,

COLOARADO.  WILSON BROS., CENTRAL CITY, COLORADO.  COLORADO SPRINGS

IRON & TOOL WORKS, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

 

25      PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                         25

 

PITT

Every piece of mining equipment

in that mine came from Colorado. 

A long time ago.

 

SEAGRAM

So what?  The Russians could have

used American tools.

 

PITT

Meet Jake Hobart.

 

26      SLIDE                                                                                                                           26

 

We SEE a blowup of the photograph of a miner frozen stiff against the wall of the mine.

 

SEAGRAM (O.S.)

Who is he?

 

Another blowup replaces this one on the wall.  Now it’s the writing above Hobart’s head that we SEE. 

 

HERE LIES

JAKE HOBART, DENVER, COLORADO.

FROZE IN A STORM

FEB. 10, 1912

 

PITT

Jake Hobart was a miner from

Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.  That

Army expedition – It got to the

mine in 1911 and it got what was

there to get.

 

27      PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                         27

 

SEAGRAM

This Hobart – aren’t there

relatives to talk to?

 

PITT

Nobody

 

SEAGRAM

How the heck are we going to

understand this?

 

PITT

(Seagram’s excitability

amuses him)

Keep calm . . . Doctor Seagram. 

Okay?  I think I can help you.

 

He picks up a sheet of paper from his desk.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

All but one of the companies that

manufactured that equipment is

out of business.  Thor Forge and

Iron.  We checked the records

there.

 

SEAGRAM

And?

 

PITT

(Reading from the

sheet of paper)

A Captain Arthur Brewster, U.S.

Army, signed for the drills.

 

SEAGRAM

Then Army archives has the story?

 

Pitt smiles.

 

PITT

There’s no record of a Captain

Arthur Brewster.

 

SEAGRAM

That means what?

 

PITT

That means his files been pulled . . .

Doctor Seagram.

 

He picks up a telephone and dials two digits.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Sandecker?  Pitt . . . I need a

code double zero right now . . . No.

Army.  Top Secret Archives . . .

For me and . . .

(He pauses and

looks at Seagram)

 . . . Doctor Seagram.

 

CUT TO:

 

28      INT. TOP SECRET ARMY ARCHIVES                                                                    28

 

Two guards are stationed at the door.  We BEGIN MOVING PAST towering rows and rows of

stacks used for the compact storage of Top Secret files.  We HEAR Pitt and Seagram’s VOICES

talking and then we COME UPON them.  Seagram is seated at a reading table and Pitt is seated

on top of the table.  He is reading a Top Secret folder.  The dialogue during all of this is as follows.

 

PITT

It seems Captain Arthur Brewster

wasn’t a Captain after all.  He was

a soldier of fortune who found the

mine and brought a sample of its ore

to the Army.

 

SEAGRAM

Back then; they’d just begun

experimenting with uranium.  The

Army must’ve gone crazy.

 

PITT

(Looks again at

the folder)

They gave him a temporary commission

and he took an expedition of miners

from Denver, Colorado, to . . . uh. . .

I still can’t pronounce the darn place.

 

SEAGRAM

(No difficulty,

perfect pronunciation)

Novaya Zemlya.

 

PITT

(Looks at him)

Yeah.

(Not getting it right)

No-vo-yo Zem—la.

(Turns quickly

back to the folder)

The Czar’s Army found our friends

in the mine and executed them then

and there.

 

SEAGRAM

And took the byzanium.  They

wouldn’t have known what to do

with it.

 

PITT

They didn’t get the byzanium. 

Brewster got away with the goods. 

He got all the way to England. 

And then he put the screws to the

Army for more money.

 

SEAGRAM

Did they pay?

 

PITT

They cabled England and told

Brewster to get himself and the

goods onto the next ship out of

Southampton.

 

SEAGRAM

(Impatient)

What happened to the byzanium?

 

PITT

Well – he got on the next ship.

 

SEAGRAM

Yeah?

 

PITT

The Titanic.

 

Seagram is speechless for a moment.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

That’s right.  The byzanium

went under.

 

SEAGRAM

(Slamming his fist down on

the top of the table)

I do not believe this!

 

He looks up at Pitt who smiles at his reaction.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

It isn’t so funny, Captain.  The

Sicilian Project just became the

Titanic’s latest casualty.

 

PITT

(Still smiling)

Hold it down will you, Dr.

Seagram?

 

SEAGRAM

(Deliberate)

I don’t like the way you say

that.  It’s condescending, for

one thing.

 

Seagram gets up from his chair and walks over to a row of files.  He stands there with his back to Pitt.

 

PITT

(Quietly)

Doctor Seagram,

(A slight pause)

I think I can help you.

 

SEAGRAM

(Turning)

How are you going to do that now?

 

PITT

I’m going to raise the Titanic.

 

Seagram has no response.

 

CUT TO:

 

29      EXT.  WHITE HOUSE – BEFORE DAWN                                                          29

 

Very few lights are on in the White House.

 

30      INT.  SANDECKER’S OFFICE – BEFORE DAWN                                                      30

 

Sandecker is at his desk and Pitt is standing on the other side of it – they’re fighting out this

conversation while Seagram watches them from a distance.

 

PITT

It’s the Titanic, Sandecker. 

It’s not the H.M.S.  Pinocchio

we’ll give back to the world –

it’s the Titanic.

 

SANDECKER

C’mon, Pitt.  You’re thinking

about your submersibles.

 

PITT

Right.  And I’ve watched the

government throw money up in

the air for space guys for years

and nothing underwater.

 

SANDECKER

But can you raise the Titanic?

 

PITT

When she comes up, it’ll be

submersibles that woke the

lady and put her back where

she belongs.  The whole world’s

gonna see it, Sandecker, and

that’s why I’m going to find

her and give her to you.

 

SANDECKER

You don’t know where the

Titanic is.  She went down

in the North Atlantic sixty-

five years ago for Pete’s

sake . . . twelve thousand feet

down.  And nothing that big

has ever been raised.

 

PITT

Not till now . . .

 

SANDECKER

I can’t ask the President to

give us five hundred million

dollars just because you’re

so sure of yourself.

 

PITT

We found that ‘Nuke 4’ when it

fell out of a plane and sank

off Palomares.  If this is as

important as finding an ‘H’

bomb, screw the cost.

 

Seagram who has been listening anxiously to them can no longer keep out of it.

 

SEAGRAM

Admiral, I think we ought to

go ahead . . .

 

SANDECKER

(Turning to him)

I know what you think.  Anything

to get your byzanium.  We’re

going to have to pull our people

out of a mid-African country to

appease the Russians over going

to that island in the first place.

 

SEAGRAM

The President’ll okay it.  You

know that.

(To Pitt)

How soon can we start?

 

PITT

(To Seagram)

We? – get that out of your

head.  I don’t need a nuclear

scientist on a salvage operation

at sea.

           

SEAGRAM

Look – this is my project. 

And when the President okays

it, just know I’m staying with it.

 

Pitt looks at Sandecker then back at Seagram.

 

PITT

No way, Doctor Seagram. 

The byzanium’s your project. 

When we get the stuff, you

or some other bright young

scientist can tell us if it’s the

real thing.  Until then, take a

breath.

 

Seagram looks to Sandecker for support.

 

SANDECKER

(To Pitt)

Pitt, you’ve been up all night

with this . . .

 

PITT

I know I’ve been up all night.

So I’m getting’ the heck out

of here.

 

And in a flash, he’s gone.  There is silence for a moment between Seagram and Sandecker.  Then –

 

SANDECKER

I’m sorry.  Not its his show. 

If he doesn’t want you . . .

 

SEAGRAM

I can change his mind.

 

SANDECKER

Good luck.

 

Seagram picks up a telephone.

 

SEAGRAM

(Into the phone)

Call down and have the guard

stop Captain Pitt.  And tell

him . . . tell him Doctor Seagram

wants to buy him breakfast.

 

31      EXT.  A PIER ON THE POTOMAC RIVER – MATTE SHOT – DAWN             31

 

Pitt and Seagram are walking on a pier that stretches beside the wide beauty of the Potomac River. 

The dawn is beginning and giving light to the clear, dark sky color of the waters.  Pitt stops walking,

looks beyond the edge of the pier at the Potomac, unceasing in its passage.  Seagram stops and looks

with him.

 

PITT

The Potomac’s four hundred and

fifty miles long.  It begins in the

Alleghenies, flows through the

Blue Ridge Mountains, and

empties into Chesapeake Bay. 

It’s a beautiful river, Seagram.

 

SEAGRAM

I grew up in the desert.

 

PITT

Yeah?  I could make a joke about

that.

 

SEAGRAM

(Smiling)

Yes.  I know you could.

 

Pitt smiles back.

 

SEAGRAM

The President’s going to okay

 your salvage fleet, you know.

And I am going with you.

 

PITT

You are, huh?

 

SEAGRAM

I’ve lived with this project all

my life.  Even when I was little.

 

PITT

When you were little,  there

wasn’t an A-bomb.

 

SEAGRAM

My father was one of the scientists

who worked on the A-bomb.  That

desert I grew up in was Los Alamos

where it all happened.

 

PITT

It’s one way to grow up.

 

SEAGRAM

The day after the first test of

the bomb, when they sent us out

to play, we all talked like our

parents, about a secret weapon

that was going to save the world.

 

PITT

And then they dropped it?

           

SEAGRAM

Yes.  And then dropped it again. 

And it killed cities . . . And a lot

of people.  For a long time after.

 

PITT

But you became a government

scientist.

 

SEAGRAM

Because of my father.  He wanted

to subtract the wrongs that came

from the bomb.  That’s the

Sicilian Project.

(With growing

enthusiasm)

We’ll have power stations

projecting invisible screens

from the ground to infinity –

one on each border, north, east,

west and south – and no missile,

no rocket of any kind’ll be able

to penetrate them.  It’ll end

the fact of nuclear war.

 

Seagram realizes his growing enthusiasm and is embarrassed.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

I told you.  Since I was little.

 

PITT

(After a beat)

God . . . I’ll regret it.

 

SEAGRAM

Letting me go with you?

 

After a pause, Pitt nods, Seagram smiles.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

You may.

 

PITT

I’ll handle it.  Just don’t

crowd me.

 

SEAGRAM

Just don’t underestimate me.

 

PITT

Is this screen of yours going

to work?

 

SEAGRAM

If you raise the Titanic, Captain.

 

PITT

Okay.

 

32      INT. SANDECKER’S OFFICE – DAY                                                                          32

 

This is a work session with Pitt and Sandecker conferring with several ADMIRALS and GENERALS. 

Seagram is here, seated apart from the others.

 

PITT

I’ll need those submersibles

tomorrow at oh-five-hundred. 

The Sappho, the Sea Cliff, and

the Turtle.  And their mother

ships with full crews.

 

ADMIRAL KEMPER

The Sappho hasn’t completed her

test runs.

 

PITT

She’ll have to complete them on

this mission.

 

ADMIRAL KEMPER

(To Sandecker)

We haven’t the time needed for

an operation like this – I don’t

like it, Sandecker.

 

SANDECKER

Our information is that the

Russians know what we were after

in that mine, Kemper.

 

ADMIRAL KEMPER

That’s not enough to send a

fleet into the middle of the

hurricane season?

 

SANDECKER

I think it is.  They may not

know about the Titanic yet,

but they will.

 

ADMIRAL KEMPER

You don’t know that for certain.

 

SANDECKER

(He’s getting angry)

I’m moving before it’s certain.

 

Pitt takes several mimeographed sheets of paper from a folder and passes them out to the Navy brass.

 

PITT

These are requisitions for tugs,

helicopters, salvage vessels,

diesel pumps, and generators,

patching equipment.

 

GENERAL BUSBY

Is this important enough to

pull that much equipment and

personnel from front line defense?

 

SANDECKER

(Answering for Pitt)

The Commander-in-Chief thinks so.

 

Giordino comes into the room and stands by the door.  Pitt notices him.

 

PITT

Excuse me, gentlemen.

 

Pitt goes to Giordino.  Seagram follows Pitt and stands behind him.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

What’d you find out, Giordino?

 

GIORDINO

The Titanic’s cargo manifest lists

a vault under the name of Captain

Arthur Brewster but no information

where it was stored.

 

PITT

That could have saved us a lot of

trouble.

 

Sandecker has left the brass and is now beside Pitt.

 

GIORDINO

There’s a cargo officer who

survived the Titanic who’s

still around.  He lives in Halifax. 

Commodore Bigelow.

 

PITT

I’ll go talk to him.

 

SANDECKER

You think he’ll remember details

about the cargo?  He must be

ninety years old.

 

PITT

Well, if he remembers anything

at all, it’s got to be the Titanic.

 

SANDECKER

You’re shoving off in the morning

at oh-five-hundred, Pitt.

 

PITT

I can take a jet to Halifax.  And

pick up the salvage fleet tomorrow

night by helicopter.

 

SEAGRAM

Captain?

 

PITT

What?

 

SEAGRAM

I’d like to go with you to

Halifax.

 

PITT

What?

 

SEAGRAM

There are questions that you

might not think of . . .

 

Pitt stares at him.  There is a moment.  Then –

 

PITT

You’re crowding already.

(Then finally)

All right, Seagram, okay.

(To Giordino)

Get us set, Giordino.

 

GIORDINO

Right, sir.

 

33      AERIAL SHOT – HALIFAX, NOVIA SCOTIA – DAY                                        33

 

Halifax, which is on the Atlantic, is a peninsula, an important seaport, and a fine harbor.  Ships are built here.

 

34      EXT.  COTTAGE – HALIFAX – DAY                                                                           34

 

This is a gentle house, overrun by nature.  A car drives INTO the FRAME and stops in front of the cottage. 

Doors open on either side of the car and Pitt and Seagram emerge.

 

35      INT.  COTTAGE – SITTING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON                             35

 

Outside the leaded windows the sun is golden and near to turning orange.  COMMODORE BIGELOW is

sitting here with Pitt and Seagram.  He is a fine-looking older gentleman whose eyes, despite all they’ve seen

for ninety years, are young still.

 

BIGELOW

There’s nothing about the Titanic

I’ve forgotten.

(He shakes his head)

The owners of that beautiful,

wonderful ship were loud with

the boast she was unsinkable. 

One of the deckhands, a Freddie

Palmer, said to a lady passenger

*      Mrs. Albert Caldwell she was

*       ‘God Himself,’ he said, ‘could

*      not sink this ship!’  He was

young at sea, Freddie Palmer was. 

No sailor who’s been in storm at sea

would challenge God.  We were

loading cargo when I heard that. 

I was standing beside your Captain

Brewster.  So intent he was upon his

vault.

 

SEAGRAM

You remember him well?

 

BIGELOW

Ah yes!  We of the crew were

amused by Captain Brewster. 

A bit up the pole he was!

 

He begins to laugh softly to himself.

 

PITT

Commodore, do you remember where

Brewster’s vault was stored?

 

BIGELOW

(Without hesitation)

Cargo Hold Number Nine.

 

SEAGRAM

Why do you remember that,

Commodore?

 

BIGELOW

I thought I was going to die in

Cargo Hold Number Nine.

 

He is silent for a moment.  Then –

 

BIGELOW

Your Captain Brewster put a

pistol to my head when the

Titanic was sinking.  He forced

me to take him down four decks

to where his vault was stored. 

We kept passing people struggling

up to the lifeboats . . . people who

didn’t know there’d not be boats

enough to save them.  And

Captain Brewster kept saying again

and again, ‘Thank God for Southby.’ 

When I left him he was still saying that –

‘Thank God for Southby.’

 

 

PITT

What did he mean by that?

 

BIGELOW

I don’t know if that meant

anything.  I tell you the man

was deprived of his wits.

 

SEAGRAM

How did you survive, Commodore?

 

BIGELOW

When I was let go by Brewster . . .

I went back up those decks and

helped load what lifeboats we could. 

I was sitting on the railing ten feet

above the water when a woman from

steerage handed me her baby.  A

wave came and swept me overboard

before I could jump and the baby was

washed out of my arms.

 

PITT

How long were you in the water

before you were picked up?

 

BIGELOW

(His thoughts are

now too many, too

disturbing to express)

Yes . . . Yes, there’s nothing I’ve

forgotten but . . . but there’s a

lot I’d like to be done with.

Yes . . . yes.

 

SEAGRAM

(To Pitt)

I think we should go.

 

The sun is set about to set.

 

36      EXT.  COTTAGE – SUNSET                                                                                     36

 

Pitt and Seagram come out of the house, close the door and begin walking the front path to their car. 

When they are nearing the end of the path, the cottage door opens and Bigelow is there.

 

BIGELOW

Captain!

 

Pitt and Seagram turn round.  Bigelow hurries down the path to them.  He carries a small flat package,

wrapped in oilskin.

 

BIGELOW

(Continuing;

breathless, to Pitt)

You’re going to raise her!

 

Pitt smiles his full smile.

 

BIGELOW

We’re ship builders and ship

sailors here in Halifax and on

the day I die they’ll be building

a ship, but there will never be

another like her.  I took this

off her that night.  When you

bring her up, put it back on.

 

He gives Pitt the package.  Pitt opens it.  Inside there is a small White Star Line pennant.  Pitt looks at

it for a moment and then at Bigelow.  He shakes the Commodore’s hand.

 

PITT

Thank you, Commodore.

 

Seagram shakes the Commodore’s hand now and then he and Pitt get into their car.  It drives away

with Commodore Bigelow watching them go.

 

CUT TO:

 

37      EXT.  U.S. NAVY HELICOPTER – NIGHT                                                              37

 

The helicopter is flying over the Atlantic.  The night is clear with hundreds of stars to pass in flight.

 

38      INT.  HELICOPTOR – NIGHT                                                                                  38

 

Pitt and Seagram are seated inside here with a U.S. NAVY PILOT.

 

PITT

(To the Pilot)

Are we over the graveyard yet?

 

PILOT

Just ahead, Sir.

 

PITT

Light it for us.

 

PILOT

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

(To Seagram)

Look below.

 

39      EXT.  HELICOPTOR – NIGHT                                                                                 39

 

A scanning light comes on under the copter and searches the waters below.  There are several masses

of ice in the water.  But their hardness is dying, the rigor of their snowy shapes softening.  They are

moving to where other islands of ice are melting.

 

40      INT.  HELICOPTER – NIGHT                                                                                   40

 

PITT

It’s the graveyard of the icebergs. 

The water south of Nova Scotia is

too warm for them.  They’re helpless

now.  They’ve traveled two thousand

miles to die here.

 

SEAGRAM

They’re not frightening down there

like that.

 

PITT

The one that wounded the Titanic

met its end here.  They say it

had a scar of red paint.  But

what’s beyond doubt is that it

too sank on its maiden voyage.

 

41      EXT.  THE GRAVEYARD – AERIAL SHOT – NIGHT                                            41

 

We look again at the dying icebergs.

 

CUT TO:

 

42      EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – AERIAL SHOT – DAY                                                  42

 

We SEE, on its way to sea, the entire group of ships comprising the salvage operation.  Three

mother ships, the Capricorn, the Bomberger, and the Pigeon carry their submersibles, the Sappho

on the Capricorn, the Sea Cliff on the Bomberger, and the Turtle on the Pigeon.  Also, a frigate, the

McNaughton.

 

43      EXT.  CAPRICORN – ARIEL SHOT – DAY                                                             43

 

The Naval helicopter carrying Pitt and Seagram lands on the Capricorn.

 

44      EXT.  CAPRICORN – DAY                                                                                        44

 

Pitt and Seagram deplane from the helicopter.  Giordino runs to meet him.  Giordino salutes Pitt who

salutes him back.

 

PITT

Any problems, Giordino?

 

GIORDINO

No, sir.

 

They begin walking, Pitt in the middle between Giordino and Seagram.  Giordino is smiling to himself.

 

GIORDINO

(Continuing)

We got some fine people with us.

 

PITT

Yeah?

 

GIORDINO

Yeah.

 

Pitt looks at Giordino, sees him smiling.

 

PITT

Why’re you smiling, Giordino?

 

GIORDINO

Lieutenant Coveleski’s with us

on this operation.

 

Pitt stops talking.  Giordino and Seagram keep walking a few steps before realizing it.  They stop

and turn.  Pitt stares at Giordino who’s really enjoying this.  He nods for Pitt to look behind him.

 

Some distance behind Giordino standing in the wind at the edge of the ship is Lieutenant Dianna Coveleski,

a Wave.

 

Pitt sees her.  So does Seagram.  Pitt looks back at Giordino and then suddenly at Seagram, who, by

the way he smiles, has a good idea what’s going on.  Pitt ignores Coveleski and begins walking again. 

Seagram and Giordino hurry to catch up with him.  They haven’t walked far when Coveleski runs across

the deck and moves in front of them and gives Pitt no choice but to stop walking.  They are face to face. 

Coveleski is an attractive young woman in her thirties.  She hasn’t seen it all yet but she’s seen pretty much

of it.  She has a good, warm smile and she smiles a lot.  She salutes Pitt who salutes her back.

 

COVELESKI

Hi.

 

Uncomfortable, looking in Seagram’s direction but not at him and then back to Coveleski:

 

PITT

Hi.

 

COVELESKI

(Smiling)

That’s all I wanted, sir.  Thank you.

 

She salutes him.  He salutes her back.  And she’s gone.

 

45      AERIAL SHOT OF SALVAGE FLEET – DAY                                                          45

 

46      PIGEON – HEAD ON – LOOKING AT HER CATAMARAN OUTLINE               46

 

She is dragging two cables, which we FOLLOW into the water.

 

47      UNDERWATER                                                                                                          47

 

We FOLLOW the cables down to the side scan sonar to which they are attached.  It is like a sled

suspended near the bottom.  We HEAR a BLEEPING SOUND coming from it.

 

48      INT.  CAPRICORN BRIDGE – DAY                                                                         48

 

Pitt is at the phone standing with Giordino.  Several other Navy men are here in the bridge.

 

PITT
(Hanging up the phone)

Nothing.  Five days and nothing.

 

He goes out.  Giordino follows.

 

49      INT.  CAPRICORN LAB – DAY                                                                                 49

 

Map and charts fill the lab.  Research material.  Topographic plans.  Dioramas.  Water tanks.  Expansive

photomurals.  And there is a bank of computers.  There are some twenty Navy people and civilians

working here, as scientists and computer technicians and several are women, some of the women Waves. 

Pitt and Seagram stand in front of a wide, extensive map of the North Atlantic.

 

PITT

(Running his finger

atop that of which

he speaks)

This red line is the course of

the Titanic.  This . . .

(He marks an X where

he is pointing)

. . . according to her last radio

report, this was her final position. 

But two other ships each specified

different positions.  The rescue ship,

the Carpathia, put her here.

(He puts another X on the map)

The Californian, which was ten miles

away but didn’t do a damn thing, placed

her here.

 

                                       Again, an X.

 

SEAGRAM

Why didn’t they help?

 

PITT

The Californian’s captain decided

 it wasn’t worth waking his wireless

operator to find out why the Titanic

was firing rockets.

 

Pitt draws a triangle made from the X’s.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Here’s the area we’ve got to

cover.

 

Seagram leans against the wall near the map.  He doesn’t look well.

 

PITT

Hey – what’s the matter with

you?

 

SEAGRAM

(Annoyed about

something, looking

up at him)

Nothing, Captain.

 

PITT

(Nodding toward the map)

What do the computer have to

say about this?

 

SEAGRAM

We haven’t enough data yet.

 

PITT

How long’s it gonna take to get

enough data?

 

SEAGRAM

Two days.

 

Pitt is silent for a moment.  Then, he circles the position radioed from the Titanic.

 

PITT

We’ll continue working the

scan sonars west.

 

SEAGRAM

Equipment worth over a hundred

million dollars and you won’t wait

two days for it to go to work…

 

PITT

I won’t waste time.

 

At that moment, Seagram pops a pill into his mouth.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

What are you taking?

 

SEAGRAM

(Irritated)

What the heck do you think I’m

taking?

 

Pitt doesn’t understand for a moment – then a full smile comes to his face.

 

PITT

You’re kidding me.  Seasick??

 

SEAGRAM

Never mind.  Why west?

 

PITT

Because I said so, Seagram.

 

Pitt looks past Seagram to a glass tank.  It’s filled with water and big enough that a man could submerge

himself.  A diver is inside the tank.  His head is above the water and he is holding a model of the Titanic. 

In front of the tank are the civilian scientists and a Wave computer technician Seagram was speaking

with before Pitt came in here.

 

50      PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                                50

 

PITT

What’s happening in the tank?

 

Seagram begins walking to the tank while he answers, and Pitt walks with him.

 

SEAGRAM

We’re doing a series of tests

with a model of the Titanic. 

Configuration and displacement

are exact.  By making continued

drops we’re getting a solid idea

where the Titanic hit when it hit

bottom.

 

PITT

The tide and currents could

have elbowed her miles away

from where she went down.

 

They are at the tank.  Pitt motions to the diver to come to him.  He obliges.

 

PITT

(Continuing;

indicating the

model)

Let me have that, will you?

 

The diver hands the model to Pitt.  Pitt looks at it and then breaks off the third of the four funnels

on the model.  The scientists, the technicians, and especially Seagram are speechless.  Pitt

waits a moment before explaining.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

When she was sinking, and the

tilt got to steep, one of her

funnels broke loose.

 

Pitt smiles and hands the model back to Seagram.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Glad to be of help.

 

Pitt starts out of the lab. . . then turns back to Seagram.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

With this equipment worth over a

hundred million dollars . . . if you’re

gonna throw up – throw up over the

rail, huh?

 

He goes.

CUT TO:

 

51      OMITTED                                                                                                                    51

 

52      EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – FULL SHOT – DAY                                                       52

 

The ships are still moving west.

 

53      EXT.  PIGEON – DAY                                                                                                53

 

She is pulling the cables to the side scan sonar.

 

54      EXT.  SIDE SCAN SONAR – UNDERWATER                                                         54

 

The same BLEEPS as before are coming from the sonar.  Bleeps registering nothing’s down there.

 

55      INT.  CAPRICORN – BRIDGE – DAY                                                                      55

 

Pitt and Giordino are watching the sonar screen.

 

PITT

My feeling about going west

doesn’t look to good right

now, does it?

 

Giordino shrugs.

 

56      INT.  PREVLOV’S OFFICE – MOSCOW – NIGHT                                                56

 

Prevlov is at his desk talking on the telephone.  Marganin is opposite him listening on an extension.

 

PREVLOV

It cannot surprise you that we

went in the mine after the

incident.  Or that we know now

you were after byzanium.

 

57      INT.  SANDECKER’S OFFICE – DAY                                                                      57

 

Sandecker is at his desk.  Admiral Kemper is seated opposite him.  We INTERCUT between the

two offices, Prevlov’s and Sandecker’s.

 

SANDECKER

I only expected you’d call me

with this sooner, Prevlov.

 

PREVLOV

It’s not the time of year to

have salvage ships working in

the North Atlantic.

 

SANDECKER

When we put them to the test,

we like to really put them to

the test.

 

PREVLOV

Test, Admiral?  No.

 

SANDECKER

No?  Then what?

 

PREVLOV

The Titanic

 

Prevlov waits for a response from Sandecker.  But Sandecker is silent.

 

PREVLOV

I wonder, Admiral, if you expected

me to call you with this sooner.

 

SANDECKER

We haven’t camouflaged our ships,

Prevlov.  Somebody looks, somebody

sees them.

 

PREVLOV

What I can’t see clearly yet is

whether those ships are working

for your Sicilian Project.

 

SANDECKER

Sometimes we do things like

going after the Titanic, just

to show what we can do.  But

getting back to intelligence

matters, how are you dealing

with your security problems on

your Operation Paskov?

 

PREVLOV

Paskov?

 

SANDECKER

Yes.  Wasn’t there a leak in

Rome last night?

 

PREVLOV

We will talk again, Sandecker.

 

SANDECKER

Yes.

 

Prevlov and Marganin put their phones down and stare at each other.

 

MARGANIN

How much to you think they know

about Paskov?

 

END INTERCUT

 

58      INT.  SANDECKER’S OFFICE                                                                                  58

 

Sandecker looks at Kemper.

 

SANDECKER

I wonder how much he knows about

the Titanic.

 

CUT TO:

 

59      EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – FULL SHOT – DAY                                                       59

 

The search west continues.

 

60      EXT.  PIGEON – DAY                                                                                                60

 

The Pigeon is pulling the cables to the sonar sled.

 

61      EXT.  SIDE SCAN SONAR – UNDERWATER                                                         61

 

The BLEEPS are still SOUNDING as before.  There’s nothing down there.

 

62      INT.  CAPRICORN – BRIDGE – DAY                                                                      62

 

Pitt is watching the sonar screen.  Giordino comes into the bridge.

 

GIORDINO

(To Pitt)

Doctor Seagram wants to see you

in the lab right away.

 

CUT TO:

 

63      INT.  CAPRICORN LAB – DAY                                                                                 63

 

Pitt and Seagram are in front of the water tank.  The diver is inside the tank holding the model of the

Titanic partly in the water.  From the third funnel aft the model is out of the water and absolutely

perpendicular to it, sticking up in the air.

 

Seagram nods to the diver and he releases the model.  It is descending to the bottom of the tank

while Seagram speaks.

 

SEAGRAM

According to our tests in the

tank, the force of gravity,

balanced by the resistance of

the ocean itself, would have

given the Titanic a headway of

four to five knots on its way to

the bottom.  The planing angle

of the hull and the depth of

water it had to go though

indicates the Titanic landed on

the bottom a considerable

horizontal distance from where

it went under.

 

The model hits the bottom of the bank.  The diver marks where the model’s landed and

holds up his thumb and forefinger to communicate on inch.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

Over two hundred drops, Captain,

and our Titanic has never hit bottom

outside a four-inch radius.

 

PITT

(His eyes not leaving

the model at the

bottom of the tank)

Yeah.

 

SEAGRAM

You’re going in the wrong

direction.

(Pauses, then)

I’d move the salvage operation

back to the point where the

Titanic sank.

 

PITT

You would, huh?

 

Seagram moves quickly to the map.  Pitt follows.

 

SEAGRAM

(Pointing to the

position radioed

by the Titanic as

its last)

We believe the Titanic is within

ten miles – southeast – not west

of its last radioed last position.

 

Pitt stares at the map for a long while.  Then –

 

PITT

(To Giordino)

I’ll turn the fleet around. 

Southeast.  Give the order. 

We’ll be sitting on our butts

for three days.

 

Giordino goes out of the lab.

 

SEAGRAM

(Impressed)

You can handle it.

 

PITT

What?  Sitting on my butt or

being wrong.

 

SEAGRAM

Look – I’ll buy you dinner.

 

PITT

Nobody pays for dinner out there

. . . It’s included with the trip.

 

SEAGRAM

All the better.

 

CUT TO:

 

64      EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – NIGHT                                                                           64

 

In the unclouded darkness, the ships of the salvage operation are headed in the reverse direction – to

the southeast.

 

65      INT.  CAPRICORN – WARD ROOM – NIGHT                                                       65

 

The people in here have made this room completely their own.  Tables and chairs have been moved about. 

One table has two at it.  Another, the same size, has six.  Near a jukebox a dance floor has been arranged

by putting some tables in a circle.  The bar in here is a soda bar.

 

MUSIC from the jukebox is playing for the few officers dancing.  Those men who haven’t a Wave to dance

with are dancing with some of the women working on ship as computer technicians.  One of these officers

with the civilian ladies is Giordino.  At a table a distance from the dancing are, Pitt and Seagram.  Pitt has long

finished this diner, but Seagram is finishing a plate of spaghetti and beginning another.

 

PITT

So you’re going to get rid of nuclear

warfare?  Just like that.

 

SEAGRAM

Why not?

 

PITT

Well . . . I always have the

water, won’t I?  People start

dropping bombs – I dive in.

 

SEAGRAM

Alone?

 

PITT

Sure alone.

 

SEAGRAM

No two of everything going

with you?

 

PITT

(Laughs)

You know what I’d like to do with

two of just about everything I see?

 

Seagram smiles

 

SEAGRAM

(Smiling)

Were you this angry when you

were my age?

 

PITT

Angry?  I’m not angry.  Am I? 

No.  When I was your age?  When

was that?  That was last week. 

Sure it was years ago, but those

years took about a week.  I keep

thinking I have enough time.  I

got a lot done in that week, but

truth is . . . not enough.

(He pauses a moment)

You have somebody you care about,

Seagram?

 

SEAGRAM

No.  And you?

 

PITT

I had a wife and son.  There

was an accident, car accident. 

I was at sea . . . doing some

underwater tests.

 

SEAGRAM

I’m sorry.

 

PITT

Don’t make it all just one

lousy week.  Take time.  All

of a sudden, I didn’t have my

wife and boy.  You better take

time.  Have some other interests

besides saving the world.

 

SEAGRAM

I don’t take myself that seriously.

 

PITT

How do you know they’re going

to let you save it?

 

SEAGRAM

I don’t.  But I’m working on it.

(Smiles)

You’re more worried about

things than I thought.

 

PITT

Worried?  Who told you that? 

He’s crazy whoever told you

that.  People who live their life

like they’ve got a week don’t

worry  . . .

(A pause then)

Not that much, anyhow.

 

He smiles.  Seagram keeps eating, and suddenly Coveleski’s at their table, standing across from where

Pitt’s sitting.

 

COVELESKI

(To Pitt)

I’d like this dance, Captain.

 

Pitt looks up at her.  Doesn’t know what to say, really.  He’s uncomfortable.

 

PITT

Do you know Doctor Seagram?

 

COVELESKI

(To Seagram)

Hi.

 

PITT

This is Lieutenant Coveleski.

 

SEAGRAM

Hello.

 

PITT

Coveleski is out meteorologist.

 

COVELESKI

(To Seagram)

You haven’t had anything to do

with me yet because the weather’s

been just fine.  Things change.

(To Pitt)

Let’s dance, Captain.

 

Giordino comes to the table just as Pitt stands to go with Coveleski to the dance floor.  Giordino

looks at Pitt and smiles.  Pitt ignores him.  Giordino sits down with Seagram and they watch Pitt

and Coveleski dance as Seagram continues eating his spaghetti.

 

GIORDINO

I really like that lady.

 

SEAGRAM

I think she’s got the Captain’s

number.

 

GIORDINO

Nobody’s got my Captain’s number.

Except maybe Coveleski.

 

He leans across the table and whispers to Seagram.

 

GIORDINO

(Continuing)

You want some booze?

 

SEAGRAM

No.

 

GIORDINO

Are you still seasick?

 

SEAGRAM

Yes.  But I got pills.  And I

find that if I eat a lot – keep

eating – it’s not so bad.

 

Giordino looks at him as if he’s crazy.

 

Pitt and Coveleski are almost alone on the dance floor.  Coveleski’s enjoying herself.  Pitt’s not yet

all that comfortable with her, but he’s getting there.

 

COVELESKI

I never could figure why the heck

you’re such a good dancer.  You

shouldn’t be.  It doesn’t fit.

 

PITT

You ought to dance with Doctor

Seagram.  See what it’s like

outside the Navy.

 

COVELESKI

I looked around this room.  I said

to myself, you don’t want to dance

with Pitt. You’ve danced with Pitt. 

I looked around some more.  At

everybody here.  And said, heck! 

I wanna dance with Pitt.

 

PITT

How have you been?

 

COVELESKI

I’ve been fine.  How have you

been?

 

PITT

Too much like I’ve always been.

 

COVELESKI

The last time I saw you – in

Washington – you were going

to kick Sandecker’s desk in

and swear off the Navy.

 

PITT

Yeah?

 

COVELESKI

You stood me up . . . we

had a date at the Officers’

Club for a drink remember?

 

PITT

Sound like me.

 

COVELESKI

You recall what I told you

were full of?

 

PITT

I’m still full of it.  But that

wasn’t the last time I saw

you.

 

COVELESKI

It was.

 

PITT

No.  Last time I saw you was

in Norfolk.  Last month.

 

She smiles and shakes her head.

 

COVELESKI

What?  You saw me coming and

walked the other way?

 

PITT

(Affectionately)

Shut up, Coveleski, and dance.

 

COVELESKI

(Laughing)

Okay, Pitt.  I’ve said it all

before anyway.

 

66      EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – FULL SHOT – DAY                                                       66

 

The ships have reached the new position.

 

67      INT.  CAPRICORN – BRIDGE – DAY                                                                      67

 

PITT

We’re right on it.  Right where

you said

 

SEAGRAM

I know I’m right.

 

PITT

You’re not the first guy around

here who was sure he was right.

 

68      EXT.  PIGEON – HEAD ON – HER CATAMARAN OUTLINE                              68

 

She is pulling the cables of the side scan sonar.

 

69      EXT.  UNDERWATER                                                                                                69

 

The sled of the side scan sonar is just above the ocean floor.  We HEAR its BLEEPING SOUND –

as it sends messages to the surface.  Then, the BLEEPS change sound, BECOME DEEPER and LOUDER.

 

70      INT.  PIGEON – BRIDGE – DAY                                                                              70

 

SAILOR

(Looking at sonar screen)

There’s something down there.

Radio the Captain.

 

71      EXT.  CAPRICORN DECK – DAY                                                                            71

 

Pitt is standing with Giordino and three other navy men.  They are readying to board the Sappho submersible,

which is red and its shape is not unlike a cigar.  All are dressed appropriately in casual uniforms.  The three

navy men are ENSIGN MULLINS, who is Giordino’s age but slight of build, SEAMAN GUNTHER, younger

then they but as tall, as big as Giordino, and SEAMAN HONG, slender wiry, Chinese, and intense and

smoking a cigarette.

 

PITT

Sonar says we’re right on.  The

five of us are putting this little

number to her final test right now

in the middle of the ocean.  We’re

taking her below fifteen thousand

feet.  Any of you decided you’re

not crazy enough to come with me?

 

Seagram comes on deck and joins the Navy men.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

What the heck are you doing?

 

SEAGRAM

I’m going with you and the others. 

There’s space for me.  Giordino

said . . .

 

PITT

Giordino, huh?  Giordino!  You

know better then to pull a stunt

like this.

(Turning back

to Seagram)

Nobody gets inside one of these

submersibles ‘less I say so.

 

SEAGRAM

(Angry but trying

all the same)

Can I have your permission,

Captain?

 

PITT

Negative.

 

He turns and moves away, leaving Seagram standing alone.  Seagram looks to where Coveleski and the

many Navy people and the several civilians on board have been watching this.  He is, as well as

angry, hurt and embarrassed.

 

72      EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK – DAY                                                                         72

 

Those observing on the deck are going back inside now, and Coveleski is walking to where Seagram still

stands alone.  He is looking out to sea.

 

COVELESKI

(Coming to stand

beside him.)

Doctor Seagram?

 

He turns to face her.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing)

I’d like to show you where I

work.  Okay?

 

Seagram nods yes.

 

73      INT. CAPRICORN – COMMAND CENTER – COVELESKI’S OFFCE – DAY    73

 

Behind Coveleski’s desk is a map of the North Atlantic readied for the tracking of a hurricane.  Coveleski

and Seagram, their eyes on the map, are standing in front of it.

 

COVELESKI

Positions are given by latitude

and longitude to the nearest

one-tenth of one degree.  And

when a storm moves within range

of the radar fence . . .

 

She suddenly breaks off – turns to Seagram.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing)

Do you care about this?

 

SEAGRAM

Sure.

 

COVELESKI

I’m not in the mood for it.

 

SEAGRAM

Then why Lieutenant, did you

invite me here?

 

COVELESKI

To tell you the Captain didn’t

know he was humiliating you

out there.  They’re trying

fifteen thousand feet today. 

He was doing his job.  Loudly.

 

SEAGRAM

I maybe have had it with the

Captain doing things loudly.

 

COVELESKI

I know.

 

SEAGRAM

Sometimes I think he cares

about what we’re doing – and

sometimes I think he just wants

to make history raising the ship.

 

There’s silence for a moment.  Then –

 

COVELESKI

Do you remember the atomic sub

we lost off the coast of Boston?

 

SEAGRAM

The Thresher?

 

She nods

 

COVELESKI

He was with submersibles ten

years before that – testing

them deeper and deeper and

yelling at the brass ‘cause there

was no way to save anyone in a

sub disaster.

 

SEAGRAM

Then it happened, huh?

 

COVELESKI

Eighty-five hundred feet down. 

And no way to save a hundred

and twenty-nine men.

 

SEAGRAM

Did he know many of them?

 

COVELESKI

Oh yeah.  And he takes the blame

for it all.  He keeps thinking if he’d

just yelled louder . . .

 

Seagram nods he understands.

 

COVELESKI

He might have been the youngest

Admiral in the Navy, but after that,

every time they called off a dive,

Pitt raised hell – and loud.  The

brass came down so hard on him

. . . Sandecker had to get between

them.  He saved Pitt’s neck.

 

SEAGRAM

Special Projects, huh?

 

She nods.

 

COVELESKI

But out of submersibles.

 

She takes a moment, then. . .

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing)

He still dreams about the men on

the Thresher.  I don’t know if he

knows he dreams about them. . .

but I can tell you he does. 

His dreams get loud.  Very loud.

 

Seagram smiles.

 

SEAGRAM

He does everything loud I guess.

 

He turns to go out but Coveleski speaks.

 

COVELESKI

Listen . . . He’s a pain in the butt. 

But he’s worth it.

 

74      EXT.  UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                    74

 

With two spotlights under it, lighting the ocean, the Sappho descends INTO our VIEW and continues

descending.

 

75      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             75

 

Pitt, Giordino and Mullins are at the view ports, watching what the Sappho’s spotlights are finding

outside.  Mullins holds a camera designed for photographing underwater.  Gunther is the radio operator. 

Hong is at the computer panel.

 

GIORDINO

(To Pitt)

If we implode when we get past

fifteen thousand feet you think

some day they’ll send some crazies

like us to raise this sub?

 

PITT

What the heck will there be to

raise?  A few scraps of aluminum.

 

GUNTHER

What about the steel plate in

Giordino’s head?

 

PITT

Yeah.  Sure.  They’ll send

someone down for that.

(He stares out at

the ocean; then)

That’s just water out there. 

But at this depth the pressure

is fifteen hundred pounds on

every square inch of us.

 

HONG

We’re deeper Captain.  It’s now

twenty five hundred pounds.

 

GUNTHER

(Cocksure)

We’re handling it.

 

PITT

Right now we are.  But the

pressure is going to hit three

and a half tons.

 

GIORDINO

Even pressure that’s strong isn’t

going to crush anything as thick as

Gunther.

 

PITT

You see anything swimming out

there, Mullins, that’s not been

seen before?

 

MULLINS

No, Captain.

 

GIORDINO

Mullins, we’re depending on you. 

We want to discover fish nobody

knows about..

 

PITT

I don’t remember one fish

from another.  They all look

like I’ve never seen them

before and then they all look

like I’ve seen them a thousand

times.

 

HONG

We’re close, Captain.

 

Pitt walks over to Hong and the computer panel.

 

PITT

(His full smile,

that’s how

he handles this)

Well, men, we’re about to go

below fifteen thousand feet, and

if this sweetheart we’re in

doesn’t get torpedoed by the

pressure – we’ll, if we’re not

all in pieces, you’ll know we’re

all right.

 

GIORDINO

Wish us luck . . . somebody.

 

And they become quiet.  The SOUND of the Sappho impending itself into a greater depth, and an

uneasy sound when paid attention to, is getting everyone’s attention.  And then, a crushing ROAR,

an explosion of light.

 

76      EXT.  OUTSIDE THE SAPPHO                                                                                 76

 

The shock of light flows from the Sappho into the water and dies.

 

77      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             77

 

The Sappho is heaved from its calm.  All the men are thrown from their stillness – Giordino’s body impacting

 with Gunther’s, Mullins slamming to the floor on his back, Hong suddenly down with his chair on top of him,

and Pitt driven against the computer panel.  The lights in here perish, and then revive but unsteadily.  And

then the violent motions of the Sappho begin to subside.

 

GUNTHER

What the heck happened?

 

PITT

On of our lights got eaten by

the pressure.

 

GIORDINO

You get a picture of it, Mullins?

 

Pitt goes to Mullins, who’s still on his back.

 

MULLINS

Yeah.  It’s on my butt.

 

PITT

You hurt?

 

MULLINS

No.  Scared, though.

 

Pitt smiles.  Hong gets free from under his chair and back on top of it.

 

HONG

I sure would like a cigarette.

 

GUNTHER

Hey, Captain, we went below

fifteen hundred feet with her

and she didn’t implode!

 

PITT

Yeah.

 

GUNTHER

Did we just make history?

 

PITT

Sure.

 

GIORDINO

You’re a hero, Gunther.

 

PITT

Okay.  Now let’s make us some

more history and find the Titanic.

 

78      EXT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                            78

 

The Sappho continues its search through the water

 

79      EXT.  OUTSIDE THE SAPPHO                                                                                 79

 

Still, a dark ocean.

 

GIORDINO (V.O.)

It’s like we’re swimming’ inside

Gunther’s head.  A lot of dark

wet nothing’!

 

80      INT. SAPPHO                                                                                                              80

 

GUNTHER

With you looking’ out the viewport,

Giordino, you’re scaring everything

away.

 

GIORDINO

Gunther, take a walk.

 

A BUZZER SOUNDS.

 

PITT

Hong, what’s the scanner picking up?

 

HONG

We went over something metallic.

 

PITT

Okay, let’s get a fix on it.  Go aft.  Slowly.

 

81      EXT.  OCEAN FLOOR                                                                                               81

The Sappho is moving backward at low speed.  The BUZZING SOUND is GROWING LOUDER,

almost ear-rending.

 

82      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             82

 

HONG

We’re on top of it.  It’s right

under us.

 

PITT

Hold her!  Giordino, Gunther, get

the grapplers.

 

Giordino and Gunther settle into position at the grappler controls.

 

83      EXT. SAPPHO                                                                                                             83

 

The Sappho extends two arms, mechanical like itself, and terminating with slender, curved pincer-like

organs for snatching things from out of the ocean.

 

84      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             84

 

PITT

You see anything out there?

 

GIORDINO

Not yet, Captain.

 

PITT

Mullins?

 

MULLINS

Nothing, sir.

 

PITT

From the sound we’re getting,

I’d say it’s gotta be in those

rocks.

 

GIORDINO

I’d say you’re right about that, sir.

 

PITT

You spot something?

 

GIORDINO

I’d say that, sir.

 

GUNTHER

(Anxious to see it, too)

Where?

 

GIORDINO

Rooted between those two rocks. 

I don’t know what the heck it is,

but it isn’t a ghost and it doesn’t

grow down here.

 

PITT

(Seeing it)

Okay.  Let’s get it.

 

85      EXT.  THE ROCKS – FROM THEIR POV                                                               85

 

We SEE this thing they are talking about, but only that it’s there, not what it is or could be.

 

86      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             86

 

GUNTHER

Okay, Captain, I’m going to get it

for you.  Giordino here’s going to

help.  Hong, let’s get a little closer.

 

87      EXT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                            87

 

The Sappho inches itself forward to the rocks and its two grappling arms struggle to grab hold of the object.

They succeed in dislodging it, but it topples from here.  The flight downward stops when it berths where

the rock suddenly protrudes.

 

88      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             88

 

PITT

Take her deeper, Hong.

 

HONG

I sure would like a cigarette.

 

89      EXT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                            89

 

It descends in the path of the object’s fall.

 

90      INT.  SAPPHO – GIORDINO AND GUNTHER                                                        90

 

GIORDINO

Okay!  Hold her!

 

Hong halts the Sappho’s descent.

 

GIORDINO

(Continuing;

to Gunther)

Can you get it?

 

GUNTHER

I don’t know

 

91      EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                              91

 

One arm is trying relentlessly to grip the thing, which we SEE is completely covered with sediment that

has hardened and much that is still moist.

 

92      INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             92

 

GUNTHER

Giordino?

 

GIORDINO

What?

 

GUNTHER

I got it.

 

Looking through plexiglass, we SEE the arm Gunther’s been operating bring the object through an

opening into a storage area forward on the Sappho.

 

GIORDINO

Well, Captain, we found us some

treasure.

 

PITT

Yeah?  We’ll see.

 

CUT TO:

 

93      INT.  CAPRICORN LAB – DAY                                                                                 93

 

Pitt and Seagram are standing behind a young scientist whose BACK is TO US.  He is reaching into a vat of

chemicals and taking out of it an object, which he dries with a towel.  He turns to face Pitt and Seagram and

we SEE that he is holding a trumpet, a particularly golden trumpet.  He extends the trumpet to them and

Seagram takes it from him.  Seagram studies the trumpet and finds an inscription.

 

SEAGRAM

(Reading the inscription)

To Wallace Hartley, from the

grateful management of the

White Star Line.

 

He looks up at Pitt and they stare at each other, sharing the same anticipation, each just about to smile. 

Seagram hands the horn to Pitt and goes to the computer bank.  He feeds the question into a computer. 

Seconds pass and then the readout offers the answer.  Seagram takes it and reads it.  That smile he was

about to smile he’s smiling now.  He turns to Pitt.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

Wallace Hartley led the band on

the Titanic.

 

Pitt looks down at the trumpet in his hands.  He is suddenly serious.

 

PITT

This is time, Seagram.  I’m

holding time in my hands.

 

Then he looks up and across at Seagram.  And he shares Seagram’s smile now.

 

SEAGRAM

Are we close?

 

Pitt looks again at the trumpet and then back at Seagram.

 

PITT

It doesn’t seem to be fighting

us.  The world down there.  Not

yet at least.  We’ll use all three

submersibles tomorrow.

 

CUT TO:

 

94      SERIES OF SHOTS                                                                                                    94

 

The Sappho the Turtle, and the Sea Cliff navigate their passages through the climes of the ocean mass.  The

land is not level and there are valleys down in which to drift and cast about and rise out of again.  The men

inside the Sea Cliff are silent.  It is clear that they’ve been down here for some time this day.  There’s an

amused patience, the way of dealing with days of not finding what’s wanted, that is much of the way of life

in this submersible, as it is in the Turtle and the Sappho.  In each of these submersibles the men are in

comfortable silence, while doing the task expected of him in here or taking a break from that.  In the Turtle

 LIEUTENANT BECK, at the radio, speaks to the Sappho.  We INTERCUT between the two submersibles. 

(USE  UNDERWATER SOUND.)

 

BECK

Sappho, this is Turtle.

 

Inside the Sappho, Gunther, at the radio, responds.

 

GUNTHER

Hello, Turtle, Sappho here.

 

BECK

Ask the Captain where’s the

excitement he promised.

 

In the Sappho, Pitt goes to the radio to answer.

 

PITT

Lieutenant Beck, this is the

Captain.  We’re expecting you

to keep my promise.

 

BECK

You don’t doubt we’ll keep your

promise for you do you, Captain?

 

PITT

No.  But stop taking such a darn

long time with it.  We’re going topside.

 

BECK

Yes, sir.

 

95      EXT.  THE SALVAGE FLEET – FULL SHOT – DAY                                              95

 

All the ships of the salvage operation remain in position.

 

96      EXT.  CAPRICORN – DAY                                                                                        96

 

Its mother, the Capricorn, is docking the Sappho.

 

97      EXT.  CAPRICORN DECK – DAY                                                                            97

 

Giordino, Gunther, Mullins, with his camera, and Hong emerge from the docked Sappho.  Coveleski is walking

toward the sub and the men smile hello as they hurry past her.  Pitt is out of the Sappho now and Coveleski is

in front of him.

 

COVELESKI

How’s it going?

 

PITT

Nowhere.

 

He looks beyond Coveleski down the deck and sees Seagram, carrying his workbook, walking fast toward

them.

 

And now Seagram is standing with them.  He is already disappointed for he can tell Pitt has nothing whatsoever to

tell him.

 

SEAGRAM

Nothing?

 

PITT

Nothing.

 

Seagram walks past Pitt and stares at the ocean.

 

SEAGRAM

Every way science gives us to

determine where the Titanic is

brings us here.  But the Titanic

and your ocean don’t seem to

give a darn for science.

 

PITT

You tell me – science tells me

– she’s must be here.  I

believing and I’m looking.

 

98      EXT.  UNDERWATER                                                                                                98

 

The Turtle and the Sea Cliff are gliding through the water.

 

99      CAPRICORN – HIGH SHOT OF THE DECK                                                          99

 

Running the full length of the deck from the end opposite to where Pitt, Seagram and Coveleski stand is Giordino. 

He yells at Pitt.

 

GIORDINO

Captain!

 

100    DECK – IN FRONT OF THE DOCKED SAPPHO                                                   100

 

Pitt, Seagram and Coveleski turn round to see Giordino come running at them.  He’s breathless when he

arrives.

 

GIORDINO

(To Pitt)

The Turtle and the Sea Cliff just

radioed that their magnetometers

are having a hell of a good time

down there.

 

PITT

Where are the others?

 

Giordino turns and Pitt look with him and they see Gunther, Mullins, with his camera, and Hong running down the

deck to join them.

 

SEAGRAM

(To Pitt)

Is this it?

 

Pitt smiles.

 

PITT

Who the heck knows and yeah!

It sure smells like it.

 

The others join them now.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Okay, on board, all of you.

 

Giordino, Gunther, Mullins and Hong go to the Sappho and board her.

 

Pitt turns and starts toward the Sappho.  He stops suddenly and turns quickly at Seagram.

 

PITT

(Continuing;

nodding toward

 the Sappho)

Get on board, Seagram.

 

SEAGRAM

What?

 

PITT

We’ve been down there so long

maybe we’re seeing things. 

Why not a little science to

make sure.  You got your pills?

 

Seagram feels in his pocket.

 

SEAGRAM

Yes.

 

PITT

Then come on.

 

Seagram wants to go but this is all of a sudden and it’s like he’s got to make sure there isn’t something more

important he has to do.  He hands Coveleski his workbook.

 

COVELESKI

You better get aboard . . .

 

Seagram smiles at her and goes quickly to the Sappho.

 

101    EXT.  INSIDE THE OCEAN                                                                                       101

 

Side by side, the Turtle and the Sea Cliff swim just above the ocean floor through yet another region of the

water.  OVER this scene we HEAR Pitt’s VOICE.

 

PITT (V.O.)

Lieutenant Beck, this is the

Captain.  So you’re keeping my

promise, huh?

 

102    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             102

 

BECK

Our metal detector is onto

something big.

 

103    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              103

 

Pitt is at the radio with Gunther.  Giordino is at the computer panel with Hong.  Mullins has his camera at a

viewport and Seagram doesn’t know exactly where to be and keeps leaving and then returning to the viewport.

 

PITT

(Into the radio)

Keep on it.  We’re coming down

to you join you, Turtle.

 

104    EXT.  INSIDE THE WATER – DAY                                                                          104

 

The Sappho begins its descent, dropping into this water with a fierce determination.

 

105    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              105

 

Pitt has moved to a view port now and Seagram, now that they are descending, has settled in one place, nose

 and forehead pressed hard against another view port.  Without a hint of its approach, a sharp CRACK ECHOES

 in Seagram’s ear and our own.  Seagram leaps back from the view port and away form it and yells for Pitt.

 

SEAGRAM

Captain!

 

Pitt turns to him and sees his panic, hears the CRACKING SOUND.

 

SEAGRAM

It’s cracking!  The glass is

cracking!

 

Pitt smiles, not unkindly.  The others laugh, but it isn’t ridicule.

 

PITT

It’s okay, Seagram.  The ocean

isn’t breaking in.  These viewports

are plastic and at this level the water

 pressure is just forcing them to sit

deeper in their frames.  They’re just

getting comfortable.

 

Seagram nods that he understands.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Go back there.  Don’t let it

bother you.

 

Seagram walks back to the view port where the CRACKING SOUND CONTINUES.  He can’t let it not

bother him and he remains a cautious distance from the view port.

 

106    FROM THE SAPPHO’S POV – THE OCEAN                                                          106

 

We are MOVING WITH the Sappho, going DEEPER until we FIND the Turtle and the Sea Cliff, still

parallel, traveling IN FRONT OF US.  We HEAR Pitt and Beck speak OVER this SCENE.

 

PITT (V.O.)

We’re on your tail now, Beck,

and keeping on it.

 

BECK (V.O.)

Are you getting the same

responses we are, sir?

 

PITT (V.O.)

Heck, yes.

 

107    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              107

 

Pitt is leaving Gunther and the radio and going to Hong and the computer panel.

 

HONG

Something ahead doesn’t belong

down here.

 

Pitt goes quickly to the view port.

 

108    EXT. OCEAN                                                                                                               108

 

Although we SEE it but for a second and are not able to see it clearly enough to determine what it is, we SEE

a funnel resting on the ocean’s base.

 

109    INT. SAPPHO                                                                                                               109

 

Pitt, Seagram, Giordino and Mullins are at the view ports.

 

PITT

Somebody got an idea what that is?

 

GIORDINO

It looks like it’s been here as

long as that trumpet.

 

PITT

I’m kind of counting on that,

Giordino.

 

Mullins is taking pictures of it.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Gunther, radio the Turtle and

find out if they or the Sea Cliff

been able to identify this.

 

SEAGRAM

You don’t have to radio anybody,

Captain.  I think I know what it is.

 

PITT

Yeah?

 

SEAGRAM

Yeah.  I think it’s the funnel you

tore off the Titanic.

 

110    EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                              110

 

The funnel can be clearly SEEN now.  Now that Seagram’s identified it for us, what being down here all this

time had done to it doesn’t keep us from knowing Seagram’s right.

 

111    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              111

 

PITT

Well, I think you’re right,

Doctor Seagram.

 

112    EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                              112

 

Through this territory that ascends only to reach a great depth a short distance later, the three submersibles

– the Turtle, the Sea Cliff, and the Sappho – continue their journey.

 

113    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                         113

 

GUNN

(At the radio)

We’re long past the funnel, Captain,

and still our metal detector’s having

itself a time.

 

114    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              114

 

PITT

(Into the radio)

We’re with you on that, Lieutenant.

 

He turns to where Seagram stands at a view port.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

How’re you doing, Seagram?  See

her yet?

 

SEAGRAM

(Turning to

face Pitt)

No.  Is that what I’m going to

see?  Am I going to see her?

 

PITT

(Smiling)

I’m kind of counting on that,

Seagram.

 

115    EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                              115

 

The Turtle, the Sea Cliff, and the Sappho are moving apart from each other now.  This is a locality of valleys

and the submersibles must separate to pursue it all.

 

116    EXT.  TURTLE                                                                                                            116

 

The Turtle disappears behind an ascent.

 

117    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             117

 

PITT (V.O.)

(On the radio)

You finding anything?

 

BECK

Negative, sir.

 

118    EXT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                             118

 

          It moves away from the Sea Cliff into a descent.

 

119    INT. SAPPHO                                                                                                               119

 

HONG

(At the computer

panel)

It’s all going crazy, Captain.

 

PITT

(At the radio)

Turtle, this is Sappho.  Anything

yet?

 

BECK (V.O.)

Nothing, but dag gone, Captain! –

everything’s going crazy in here.

 

PITT

Sea Cliff, this is Sappho.  You

find anything?

 

GUNN (V.O.)

No, sir.  But everything’s gone

wild in here, too.

 

120    EXT.  TURTLE                                                                                                            120

 

It is coming to another ascent.

 

121    EXT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                        121

 

It is approaching the same ascent as the Turtle.

 

122    EXT.  THE SAPPHO                                                                                                    122

 

It is past the valleys in a more level region now.  We HEAR PITT’S VOICE over the Sappho’s passage.

 

PITT (V.O.)

Turtle, this is Sappho.  Get on

our tail.  Sea Cliff, Sappho. 

You, too. We’ve got maximum reading

on everything.

 

The Turtle and the Sea Cliff are descending into this level region a distance behind the Sappho, which is

continuing forward.

 

123    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              123

 

PITT

(To Seagram)

We’re coming up against fate,

Seagram.

 

SEAGRAM

I have the feeling we aren’t

even supposed to be doing this

. . . messing with things.

 

PITT

She was pulled down here to stay

down here forever.  It’s really

something, isn’t it?  To challenge it.

 

124    INSERT OF COMPUTER PANEL                                                                             124

 

The metal detector and the sonar are giving maximum readings.

 

125    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              125

 

Pitt and Seagram are together at the view port.

 

PITT

You see her?

 

SEAGRAM

No.

 

PITT

You see that great darkness

ahead of us?  That great dead

darkness.

 

SEAGRAM

(Wanting very

much to see it)

No.  No, I don’t.

(And then,

very quietly)

Oh, yes.  Yes, I do.

 

GUNN (V.O.)

Sappho, this is the Sea Cliff. 

There’s a giant something ahead

of us.

 

126    EXT.  OCEAN – FROM THE SAPPHO’S POV                                                         126

 

We MOVE forward with the Sappho toward that great dead darkness Pitt spoke of.  And it becomes a shape

to us.  A shape like that of a ship, at an angle, to be sure, and not a complete shape yet.

 

127    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              127

 

Pitt and Seagram continue to share a view port.  Giordino and Gunther share another.  And Mullins and Hong

another, and Mullins is, for the moment, not taking pictures.

 

128    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             128

 

Lieutenant Beck and his men are the view ports.

 

129    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                         129

 

Here, too, Lieutenant Gunn and his men are all at the view ports.

 

130    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              130

 

But Pitt and Seagram are the last we SEE watching before we SEE the giant something come clear.

 

131    EXT.  OCEAN BOTTOM – FROM THE SAPPHO’S POV                                      131

 

We are up against the hull of a ship and facing a word.  Before us are the letters that spell Titanic.  We

MOVE along the hull and FIND that the lady in her long, long sleep has not become a hulk.  Her majesty,

it not the color of life, remains.  And she is silent in her sleep.  She has no need of sound, for this before

us is indeed she, the Titanic.

 

132    INT.  SAPPHO – PITT                                                                                                 132

 

PITT

We don’t amount too much next to

her, do we?  You wouldn’t think we

could help her.

 

133    EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                              133

 

The submersibles – the Sappho, the Turtle, and the Sea Cliff – stare at the Titanic.  She rests so still in this mire

where the ocean takes root.  The truth is that beside the submersibles, which have movement even at rest, she is

dead.

 

134    INT.  SAPPHO – SEAGRAM                                                                                      134

 

SEAGRAM

Fifteen hundred people died inside

there.  Do you think she remembers?

 

PITT

She’s dead, Seagram.  As long as

she’s inside this ocean.  We’ll

change that.  We’ll change fate.

 

135    TITANIC                                                                                                                       135

 

For the first time in sixty-five years, she is not alone, but the Titanic is unaware of this.  But all this time alone,

she has been as she is now, when not alone – awesome.

 

136    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              136

 

HONG

I sure would like a cigarette.

 

He nudges Mullins and points to the camera in front of Mullins.  Mullins comes back to now and begins taking

pictures again.  Seagram looks away from the viewport and the Titanic and smiles at Pitt.

 

SEAGRAM

Is there really another world

up there?  Above the water?

 

PITT

(Smiling back)

Yeah.  And some people want to

save it.

 

CUT TO:

 

137    INT.  CAPRICORN LAB – DAY                                                                                 137

 

Giordino, Gunther and Hong are in the lab with Seagram.  Pitt goes over to a desk and opens the drawer while

Giordino bends forward and looks under where he’s sitting and pulls out a bucket.  Pitt takes a pump gun out of

the drawer and walks over to the bucket.  Foam, microsphere foam, squirts out of the gun.  Only five seconds pass

before this foam is expanding and growing hard.  There’s a lumpy, mustard-colored ball of sorts inside the bucket.

Pitt takes the lump out of the bucket and pitches it at Seagram.  He misses the catch and this embarrasses him.  Pitt

picks it up and tosses it at Giordino who catches it.

 

PITT

That’s microsphere foam.  It gets

hard in five seconds or less.  Our

submersibles are going to shoot

thousands of gallons of the stuff into

the Titanic through her funnels.

 

SEAGRAM

Won’t it back up?

 

PITT

We cap the funnels first.

 

He goes over to the model of the Titanic and picks it up.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

The iceberg that broke the

Titanic left a three-hundred-

foot opening in her hull.

(He indicates where)

We’ll patch that opening from

outside the Titanic while the

foam gets solid inside her and

pushes the water out.  And that’s

how we get that sixty-thousand-

ton lady buoyant.  And when we

bring her into New York, Giordino

and Gunther here are going to chop

up all that solid foam and sale it for

Christmas.

 

SEAGRAM

(Pointing to the

ball of hardened

foam in Giordino’s

hands.)

And that’s supposed to lift the Titanic?

 

PITT

There are hydrazine generators

*      we’ll weld them onto the

Titanic and the gas inside

them’ll give her even more

buoyancy – enough to start

her voyage up.

 

There is a KNOCK at the door.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Yeah?

 

The door opens and a radarman comes in and hands Pitt a message.  Pitt reads the message and bolts

out of the room.

 

138    EXT.  CAPRICORN BRIDGE – DAY                                                                        138

 

Pitt is up here, looking beyond the Capricorn with a pair of binoculars.  Seagram and Giordino are hurrying

toward him.

 

SEAGRAM

What’s going on, Captain?

 

139    VIEW THROUGH BINOCULARS                                                                              139

 

A ship is approaching the salvage fleet.

 

140    PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                                140

 

Pitt brings the binoculars down from his eyes.

 

PITT

There’s a ship approaching.  It’s

flying a Soviet flag.  I make it

out to be an oceanographic ship.

 

GIORDINO

And that would mean she’s got a

good half dozen gun crews on her.

 

Pitt nods.

 

141    EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – NIGHT                                                                            141

 

The ships of the salvage fleet are still, and as if common at night out here there are stars all over the sky.  From

the sky a Navy helicopter is moving down to land on the Capricorn.  When it had landed, Sandecker emerges

from it.

 

142    EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – NIGHT                                                                            142

 

Pitt is seated behind a desk and Seagram is seated opposite, among models of the Sappho, the Turtle and

the Sea Cliff.  They are waiting.  Neither talking with each other nor looking at each other.  Then there is a

KNOCK at the door.

 

PITT

Yeah?

 

The door opens and a young sailor is holding it open for Sandecker, who comes in here.  The sailor stays outside

and closes the door.

 

SEAGRAM

(To Sandecker)

What’s going on with the Russians Admiral?

 

SANDECKER

(Ignoring Seagram)

Congratulations, Pitt.  You found her.

(To Seagram)

The Russians don’t know anything

for sure.

 

SEAGRAM

But they’re out there. . .

 

SANDECKER

Watching.  It happens all the

time.  We do it to them, too. 

It’s a free ocean.

 

SEAGRAM

But they have guns.

(To Pitt)

You said they have guns.

 

PITT

Yeah, they have guns.

 

SANDECKER

(Knows Seagram’s

been hassling him)

And did you tell him they’re not

going to use them?

 

PITT

I told him.  Look, just be clear

with him.  Let him know what you

know.

 

SANDECKER

(To Seagram)

We expected this.

 

SEAGRAM

You expected this?  Then what

are we doing about it?

 

SANDECKER

You’ve got a frigate standing by.

 

SEAGRAM

Well, maybe they’ve got nuclear

subs backing them up.  You gotta

get the whole dag gone Navy out

here to show them we don’t

intend losing what’s on the Titanic.

 

SANDECKER

We don’t expect the Russians are

going to force a confrontation.

 

SEAGRAM

You’ll risk this project?  This

project is the most important

thing our government . . .

 

SANDECKER

(Interrupting him)

There are other projects, Seagram. 

And there are treaties.  And

agreements.  And things going on

you don’t know anything about.

 

SEAGRAM

In other words, when they put it

to you, you crap out.

 

Sandecker looks hard at Seagram for a moment.  Then:

 

SANDECKER

I want you to understand this. 

Captain Pitt has the authority

to allow you out here.  I have

the authority to remove you.

 

PITT

(To Seagram,

with concern)

C’mon. . . cool it.  Seagram.

 

SEAGRAM

(Saluting Pitt)

Yes, sir.

(A moment, then)

Sir?

(Turning to Sandecker)

Sir?

(To both of them)

Take a flying leap!

 

He opens the door and leaves, slamming the door behind him.  Sandecker looks at Pitt.

 

SANDECKER

Dang it!  He wants me to start a

war.

 

PITT

No.  He doesn’t want that.

 

SANDECKER

It’s like old times.  Me the

villain – explaining the facts

of life.  Except you’re not the

one I’m having to explain them

to this time.

 

PITT

I know the facts of life,

Sandecker.  I just don’t

want to choke on them.

 

143    EXT.  CAPRICORN DECK – NIGHT                                                                        143

 

Pitt is walking the deck with Giordino and Gunther on either side of him.  Pitt looks the most serious we’ve seen

him and there’s something uncomfortable about the way Giordino and Gunther are behaving.  They’re walking

toward the lab and they talk as they walk.

 

GIORDINO

I’m sure he’ll still be in there,

sir.

 

He looks over at Gunther and they exchange a nervous look.

 

PITT

Yeah?  Well, it was one of the

first places I went looking for

him.  He must have gone in there

after that.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

They walk the remaining distance to the lab without talking.  When they get to the lab, Giordino opens the

door for Pitt.  Pitt goes inside and Giordino and Gunther follow him and look again at each other with

apprehension.

 

144    INT.  CAPRICORN LAB – NIGHT                                                                            144

 

The lab is dark as Pitt comes in with Giordino and Gunther behind him.  There is a SPLASHING SOUND. 

Pitt peers into the darkness and calls out.

 

PITT

Seagram?

 

There’s more SPLASHING and Giordino and Gunther share another anxious look at each other.  Pitt switches

on the lights.  Seagram is in the tank.  He has his clothes on and is completely wet from having submerged himself

in the water.  At present he is standing and moving the model of the Titanic atop the water – sailing it round and

round himself.  Pit doesn’t react.  He just walks over to the tank and catches Seagram’s eye.  Giordino and

Gunther go with Pitt and stay behind him.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

What the heck are you doing,

Seagram?

 

Seagram stops moving the model with a lofty gesture holds the Titanic high above his head and lets it drop into

the water.  It begins its descent to the bottom while Seagram splashes his way to the side of the tank where

Pitt is standing with Giordino and Gunther in back of him.  Seagram comes face to face with Pitt and speaks.

 

SEAGRAM

(With mock bravado

drunk bravado)

I’m going to raise the Titanic,

Captain.  And give her to you.

 

Pitt just stares at him.  Seagram throws himself down into the tank and hits bottom before the model does.  He

 watches it land a short distance in front of him and then grabs hold of it and tries to get to his feet.  It’s a heck

of an effort.  He does get on his knees and kind of swims to the surface and to his feet.  He brings the model over

to Pitt and extends it toward him.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

Here you go, Captain.

 

Pitt stares at Seagram and keeps staring at him while he talks to Giordino and Gunther, never turning to face

them.

 

PITT

Okay, Giordino.  You got the

doctor drunk.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

And you got yourself drunk.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

You got in on the fun, too, didn’t

you, Gunther?

 

GUNTHER

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

Walking the deck with you two

just now, I figured you were

holding hands behind me to keep

from falling on your faces.

 

GUNTHER

(Out of rote)

Yes, sir.

 

Giordino shoots him a look and Gunther shrugs in explanation.

 

PITT

(His back still

to them, his eyes

on Seagram)

You two are going to get the doctor

out of this tank and into his cabin.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

Now!

 

Seagram walks to this side of the tank and Giordino and Gunther each takes hold of him and begins pulling

him out while Pitt goes out of the lab.

 

145    INT.  CAPRICORN – SEAGRAM’S CABIN – NIGHT                                             145

 

Seagram, his hair still wet, is in a bathrobe and stretched under the covers on his bunk.

 

PITT

Take a flying leap, huh?

 

Seagram says nothing.  Isn’t looking at him.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

What kind of thing was that to

yell at me?

 

He pauses a moment, then goes on.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Do you think it’s so easy to get

done everything that’s in your

head?

 

Seagram looks at him now.

 

SEAGRAM

I quit.

 

PITT

No.  No.  You just pull back

from that and hurry because you’re

in.

 

SEAGRAM

And then what?  Hand the Russians

the byzanium with a smile?

 

PITT

You want to build a screen

that’ll keep bombs from blowing

the heck out of the world.  It’s

what has you going – that’s one

thing – and to get everybody safe

behind your screen, you’d even

start people killing each other.

 

Pitt waits for a response but Seagram say nothing.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

You have no choice but to go

along with Sandecker.

 

SEAGRAM

(Challenging,

knowing the

answer)

Don’t tell me this isn’t eating

you because I don’t believe it.

 

PITT

Look – you quit the project

goes on without you.  Stay . . .

we got a chance.

 

SEAGRAM

We?  I’m getting seasick again. 

I need a pill.

 

Pitt sees the pills on the table next to Seagram’s bed.  He takes one and hands it to Seagram.

 

PITT

Just like I’m gonna raise the

Titanic and give her to you . . .

 

Remembering what he said in the tank, Seagram’s eyes look away from Pitt.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

I’m going to not let you quit.

 

Seagram’s eyes come back to Pitt.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

You got that?

 

SEAGRAM

Yeah.  You’re going to not let me

quit.

 

He stares at Pitt a moment.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

Now I’m hungry.

 

PITT

Spaghetti, right?

 

Seagram nods.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

I’ll have a plate sent down here.

 

SEAGRAM

(Intoning)

You’re going to not let me quit . . .

(He stares at

him, then

suddenly)

That’s lousy grammar.

 

Pitt smiles and leaves the cabin.

 

146    INT.  CAPRICORN – WARD ROOM – NIGHT                                                        146

 

Coveleski is alone here standing at the bar pouring a cup of coffee.  The door opens and Pitt walks in. 

Coveleski turns and they see each other at the same time.  Pitt stops.

 

COVELESKI

Hi.

 

Pitt nods.

 

COVELESKI

(Smiling)

Hi.

 

Pitt walks to the bar and pours himself a cup of coffee.

 

COVELESKI

(Picking up

her cup)

It stinks.

 

PITT

I know.

(A moment then)

I don’t remember.  You make

good coffee?

 

COVELESKI

You made your own.

 

He nods.  They go with their cups to sit at one of the tables in here.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing)

How’s Seagram?

 

PITT

He took on Sandecker.

 

COVELESKI

I know.  How is he?

 

PITT

(Shrugs)

Full of spaghetti.

 

Coveleski smiles.

 

COVELESKI

You like him?

 

PITT

Well . . .

(A moment, then)

This friend of his, a scientist

named Koplin, got killed on a

mission with me.  He. . .  Seagram . . .

I don’t know, I think he blames me.

(A moment, then)

The heck with him, right?

 

COVELESKI

Sure.

(A moment, then)

You know, you never stop for

a while.  To let someone run out

of talk and just be quiet with you.

 

He smiles at her.

 

PITT

(Quietly)

You haven’t changed any.  Okay. 

Let’s be quiet.

 

Pitt keeps looking at her and smiling.  Coveleski’s looking at him and smiling.  They’re comfortable

together now.  Then Giordino suddenly bounds into the room.  He stops short when he sees Pitt and

Coveleski.  He smiles at Pitt.

 

GIORDINO

Sorry, sir.

 

He goes back out as suddenly as the came in here.  Pitt yells after him.

 

PITT

Giordino!

 

Giordino comes running in.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir?

 

PITT

What did you want in here?

 

GIORDINO

(Nodding toward

their cups)

Coffee.

 

PITT

(Standing)

Then have some.  You need it.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

Giordino goes over to the bar and pours himself a cup of coffee.

 

GIORDINO

(Continuing)

Are we going to show the Russians

how we do it?

 

PITT

Yeah.  And if they try grabbing

for the Titanic, you and I’ll

have to take care of them.

 

GIORDINO

Just us, huh?

 

PITT

Right.

 

GIORDINO

Let me do it for you, Captain.

You’re too old.

 

PITT

You’re not old enough.

 

COVELESKI

(To Pitt)

You’re crazy. . . both of you.

 

PITT

Take a flying leap, Coveleski.

 

And he smiles at her and leaves.

 

147    INT.  SOUCHKIN’S OFFICE – MOSCOW – NIGHT                                               147

 

Prevlov and Marganin are seated in front of Souchkin’s desk.  Souchkin is a man of fifty and some years with

a kind face.  But the discomfort of Marganin and the careful intensity of Prevlov make clear his commanding

position over them.  BURLAKOV, close to Souchkin in age and position, is seated on a couch looking at Prevlov

and Marganin in profile.

 

SOUCHKIN

I believe you are not wrong,

Prevlov – the byzanium from

our mine is on the Titanic.

 

He continues talking while he gets up and walks to the couch where Burlakov sits.  He seats himself on the

end opposite to Burlakov so that Prevlov and Marganin must turn to face him.

 

SOUCHKIN

(Continuing)

But you are wrong in believing we

would approve a plan – of any

kind – for taking control of the

Titanic when it is raised.

 

PREVLOV

It does not anger you?  What they

are doing?

 

SOUCHKIN

Yes, it angers me.

(A moment, then)

But we must be careful with anger

in our work.

 

PREVLOV

I do not believe we can handle

this situation with just words

spoken between them and us.

 

Souchkin is silent for a time.  Then:

 

SOUCHKIN

Perhaps, Prevlov, you do not

understand our work.

 

Prevlov was ready to answer whatever response would come from Souchkin but, now with this said by

Souchkin, Prevlov knows he best say nothing.  Finally Burlakov speaks with a question that sounds threatening

in his voice.

 

BURKALOV

Have you more to say, Prevlov?

 

PREVLOV

No.  Nothing more, Souchkin.

 

148    INT.  OUTSIDE SOUCHKIN’S OFFICE – DAY                                                       148

 

The door to Souchkin’s office opens and Prevlov and Marganin walk out of it.  Marganin follows Prevlov and

closes the door, looks at him, shrugs sympathetically.

 

PREVLOV

I cannot allow it.  Souchkin and

Burlakov are afraid.

 

MARGANIN

But what can you do?  Without

their permitting it?

 

PREVLOV

I am not powerless, Marganin.

 

149    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DAY                                                                                         149

 

On the deck of the Capricorn are two ninety-foot cylinders connected by a platform on top.  These are

pressurized  tanks of microsphere foam.  A crane on the Capricorn’s deck is lifting these tanks over its

side into the ocean below where three other sets of connected tanks are above the water.

 

150    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK – DAY                                                                          150

 

Seagram, awake but looking asleep, comes on deck.  He walks the length of the deck through the activity,

observing it.  He passes Pitt, who is going in the opposite direction.  Pitt nods hello to him, and Seagram

nods in return.  They are past each other when Pitt turns round and looks at Seagram for a moment. 

Then he calls out to him.

 

PITT

Seagram!

 

Seagram stops and turns.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

You got your pills?

 

Seagram nods yes.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

You want to get into the ocean

 – watch us put the Titanic right?

 

SEAGRAM

You mean it?

 

PITT

If you want to.

 

SEAGRAM

I want to.

 

PITT

You go in the Turtle with Gunther

and Giordino.  I’ll be on the Sappho.

 

SEAGRAM

(Smiling)

See you down there.

 

Pitt continues in the opposite direction.  He goes inside the Sappho and it is not long before the Capricorn

begins the process of launching her.

 

151    EXT.  PIGEON – DAY                                                                                                 151

 

There are rope ladders hanging over the side of the Pigeon moving down to two sets of those connected tanks

atop the water.  Two men in diving suits stand on the platforms connecting the giant tanks.  One of the men is

holding a cable from out of the water.  He connects it to the platform.  He and the other DIVER on her go to

the rope ladder and begin climbing up toward the deck.  One of the men talks into a hand radio.

 

DIVER

(Into radio)

Take ‘em down.

 

152    EXT. UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                     152

 

We FOLLOW the cable – and WATCH as it tightens.  We continue FOLLOWING it down to the Turtle

to which it’s connected.  The Turtle begins descending.

 

153    EXT.  ATOP THE WATER – DAY                                                                             153

 

The tanks up here are pulled under.

 

154    EXT.  PIGEON – DAY                                                                                                 154

 

Underwater torches are being dropped into the ocean from the Pigeon.

 

155    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             155

 

Seagram is looking out a view port watching the tanks that are being taken deep by the Turtle.

 

156    EXT.  UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                    156

 

Self-contained torches are giving illumination to the Titanic.  Hoses from two sets of connected tanks of

microsphere foam are routed into the holes in the capping atop two funnels.  These giant tanks seem insubstantial

in size down here with the Titanic.  In the distance, the Turtle is approaching, pulling the sets of tanks behind her.

 

157    EXT.  TITANIC AND SAPPHO                                                                                  157

 

The hoses of the tanks the Sappho has brought down here are filling the hole in the Titanic’s hull.

 

158    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              158

 

Pitt is here with LIEUTENANT GUNN and his crew.  Pitt is watching the mending through a view port.

 

PITT

It looks like we’re playing

doctor real well.  She patching

up beautifully.

 

159    EXT.  SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                                                  159

 

And the patching continues.

 

160    EXT.  TURTLE AND SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC                                                    160

 

The three funnels that remain erect on the Titanic have all now swallowed the hoses that the Turtle and the Sea

Cliff are using to serve the Titanic full of microsphere foam.  The Turtle also has a hose inside the hole in the

capping on the opening left by the lost funnel.

 

161    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             161

 

Seagram is watching the feeding of the funnels through a view port.  Giordino and Gunther are with Hong

at the computer panel.

 

GUNTHER

Well, now I know what it’s like

to breast-feed a sixty-thousand-

ton baby.

 

GIORDINO

All you had to do was ask your

mother.

 

SEAGRAM

Or one of your girlfriends.

 

Giordino and Gunther look at each other in amazement at the Doctor’s joke.  This is a first.  Hong looks up

from the computer panel and that’s something for him.  Even Seagram, or rather particularly Seagram, is

surprised at what he just said and then concerned that no one’s laughed.  They just stare at him.

 

162    INT.  TITANIC BOILER ROOM                                                                                162

 

The microsphere foam rushes into the boiler room, grows quickly and, as quickly, grows hard.

 

163    INT.  TITANIC CARGO HOLD                                                                                  163

 

Flowing inside the cargo hold is the microsphere foam.  Growing, hardening, and still more foam coming

in and growing and hardening.

 

164    EXT.  TURTLE AND SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC                                                    164

 

The Turtle and the Sea Cliff continue to feed the Titanic.

 

165    EXT.  TITANIC – THE HOLE IN HER HULL                                                          165

 

The damage done by the iceberg is being gradually repaired by the ever-increasing mass of hardened

micro-foam filling the opening.

 

166    EXT.  SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                                                  166

 

We SEE that the Sappho has filled half of the damage and is busy repairing the half that remains.

 

167    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              167

 

Pitt is at the radio.

 

PITT

Turtle, this is Sappho.

 

GUNTHER (V.O.)

Hello, Sappho.  This is Turtle.

 

PITT

How’s the doctor doing, Gunther?

 

168    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             168

 

Seagram goes to the radio.

 

SEAGRAM

I’m getting your crew in shape,

Captain.  Things are going to be

easier for you after today.

 

PITT (V.O.)

Okay.

 

169    INT.  CAPRICORN – RADIO ROOM – DAY                                                            169

 

Coveleski is at one of the radio operator positions.  She is wearing earphones and is writing down what

is being transmitted to her.  She suddenly pulls off the earphones and whisks across the room to where

one of the radio OPERATORS sits.

 

COVELESKI

I’ve got to talk to the Captain.

 

OPERATOR

Yes, Lieutenant.

(Into radio)

Hello, Sappho.  Hello, Sappho. 

This is Capricorn.  Do you read?

 

SAPPHO OPERATOR (V.O.)

Hello, Capricorn.  Sappho.  Read

you loud and clear.

 

OPERATOR

Lieutenant Coveleski wants to

talk to Captain Pitt.

 

170    EXT.  SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                                                  170

 

The Sappho is completing its repair of the iceberg’s assault on the Titanic’s hull.

 

171    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              171

 

Pitt goes to the radio.

 

PITT

(Into radio)

Yeah?  This is the Captain.

 

172    INT.  CAPRICORN – RADIO ROOM                                                                        172

 

COVELESKI

(Into radio)

Captain, a storm’s going to hit

us.  A big one.  If it holds

its speed it’ll be knocking on

us in just a few hours.

 

PITT (V.O.)

Okay, Lieutenant.

 

173    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              173

 

PITT

(Into radio)

Turtle, this is Sappho.

 

GUNTHER (V.O.)

Hello, Sappho.  This is Turtle.

 

PITT

This is the Captain, Gunther. 

You radio the Sea Cliff and tell

them we’re all going up now.

 

GUNTHER (V.O.)

We’ve finished feeding her, sir.

 

PITT

Start surfacing!

 

174    EXT.  TURTLE AND SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC                                                    174

 

Having completed its work, the Sea Cliff is able to begin its ascent immediately but the Turtle must first pull

hoses from out of the Titanic.  This done, the Turtle begins to swim between the funnels.  Its grappling arm is

still extended and it locks onto a piece of gnarled metal at the bottom of one of the Titanic’s derrick supports.

 

175    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             175

 

HONG

Dang it!  We’re caught on

something.

 

176    EXT.  TURTLE                                                                                                            176

 

The Turtle’s arm is trying to pull itself free from the unwanted metal, but this is jerking the submersible

about and its undercarriage becomes entwined by circuits of steel cable.

 

177    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             177

 

GIORDINO

What the heck’s got us now?

 

178    EXT.  TURTLE                                                                                                            178

 

The Turtle is trying to pull itself free of these gripping, crippling cables and the force of this attempt causes the

derrick support to tumble down on the Turtle’s back and push her down into the hole left by the Titanic’s

lost funnel and imprison her in there.

 

179    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             179

 

All of the men have been thrown down by the derrick’s attack on the Turtle.  Gunther is getting back to his

radio.

 

GUNTHER

Hello, Mother.  This is Turtle. 

Hello, Mother.  This is Turtle. 

Please, Mother, come in!

 

He turns toward the others.

 

GUNTHER

(Continuing)

The radio’s gone.

 

180    EXT.  SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                                                  180

 

The Sappho navigates its way toward the captured Turtle.

 

181    EXT.  TURTLE                                                                                                            181

 

At the central view port of the Turtle a signal light is flashing a message.

 

182    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              182

 

Pitt is at the view port, observing the disaster that’s befallen the Turtle and reading the message being flashed

from her.

 

PITT

She’s trapped.

 

GUNN

What can we do, sir?

 

PITT

Nothing now.  Let’s get out of

here.

 

183    EXT.  TURTLE AND SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                        183

 

The Sappho begins its ascent.  And soon the Turtle is alone.  Alone on the Titanic.  Held there by the aged

steel and wires.  By the aged ship herself.

 

184    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                             184

 

Giordino is at the central view port with a signal light, which he has just finished using to communicate with

the Sappho.

 

SEAGRAM

(To Giordino)

They can help us, can’t they?

 

GIORDINO

(There’s little

conviction in

his voice)

Yeah.

 

He looked away from Seagram at Gunther and we understand that they’re in serious trouble.

 

185    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK                                                                                      185

 

Pitt is running down the deck toward the chart room.  Gunn follows him down the deck.

 

186    INT.  COMMUNICATIONS ROOM                                                                          186

 

Sandecker is with the Navy men who work in here.  Pitt comes fast into the room.  Gunn soon follows.

 

PITT

The Titanic’s got the Turtle. 

She fouled some cables and fell

into the hole left by that stack.

 

SANDECKER

Can you cut her loose?

 

PITT

There’s no time.  There’s a

hurricane on our tail – and the

Turtle’s running out of oxygen. 

If those men don’t suffocate

first, they’ll be poisoned to

death by carbon dioxide.

 

SANDECKER

All right, Pitt, what do we need

to do?

 

PITT

The only way we can get them up

here is to get the Titanic up.

 

SANDECKER

And you’re going to do that in a

couple of hours?

 

PITT

I’m giving myself six.

 

Pitt turns to Gunn.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Have what’s left of the foam fed

inside the Titanic and get ready

to lower the hydrazine tanks.

 

GUNN

Yes, sir.

 

He hurries out of the chart room.  Pitt looks back at Sandecker.  Sandecker has nothing to say.

 

187    EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – DAY                                                                                187

 

There are two barges in the water alongside the Capricorn.  On each barge are two hydrazine generator frames.

  These are the hundred-and-fifty-foot structures to which are attached the liquid hydrazine container in the center

and two inflatable rubber tanks on either side of it.  A crane on the Capricorn is lifting one of these frames from

off one of the barges.  It puts the frame into the water.

 

188    EXT.  UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                    188

 

The frame is moving downward, followed by the crane’s cable.  The Sappho and the Sea Cliff are awaiting it. 

When the movement of the cable ceases and the frame is still, the two submersibles swim toward it and position

 themselves above it.  They are ready to take hold of the frame.

 

189    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              189

 

GUNN

Lock her off!

 

One of the crew turns a hatch lock, which will join the Sappho with the hydrazine tank.

 

SAILOR #1

She’s secure.

 

190    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                         190

 

In here a member of the Sea Cliff’s crew is turning the hatch lock.

 

SAILOR #2

(To Beck)

All secure, Lieutenant.

 

191    EXT.  SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF                                                                               191

 

The two submersibles now are each coupled with the hydrazine generator frame.

 

192    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              192

 

SAILOR #1

(At the radio)

Sea Cliff, this is Sappho.  Are

you set?

 

193    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                         193

 

SAILOR #2

(At the radio)

Sappho, this is Sea Cliff.  Ready

to dive.

 

194    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              194

 

SAILOR #1

Capricorn, this is Sappho. 

We’re set down here.

 

195    EXT.  UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                    195

 

The cable holding the frame releases it and begins going back up.  The Sappho and the Sea Cliff start

descending with the hydrazine generator frame beneath them.

 

196    EXT.  UNDERWATER – THE TITANIC – DAY                                                       196

 

Above the Titanic, the Sappho and the Sea Cliff appear with the hydrazine frame.

 

197    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                              197

 

GIORDINO

(Looking out at

the approaching

submersibles)

Well, I’ll be!

 

SEAGRAM

What is it?

 

GIORDINO

The Captain’s going to raise

the Titanic sooner then any of

us expected.

 

198    EXT.  SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF                                                                               198

 

The Sappho and the Sea Cliff are taking the frame to the Titanic’s starboard side.

 

199    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                                   199

 

Pitt has taken one of the radio operator’s positions.  That operator stands by.  As does Sandecker.

 

PITT

(Turning to

Sandecker)

They’re preparing to blow the docking clamp.

 

200    EXT.  UNDERWATER – SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF                                               200

 

The docking clamp that fastens the frame to the Titanic looks like a spike shaped into a hook.  We SEE

it graze against the Titanic’s hull.

 

201    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              201

 

GUNN

Are we set?

 

SAILOR #1

(His hands at

the remote fuse

box)

Yes, sir.

 

GUNN

Okay.  Let her blow.

 

202    EXT.  TITANIC                                                                                                             202

 

An EXPLOSION from the remote electrical impulse drives the docking clamp into the hull of the Titanic and

now the frame and the Titanic are welded together.

 

203    INT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                               203

 

GUNN

(To a sailor

at the computer

panel)

Hit the reserve!

 

And the sailor he’s talking to pulls a lever release.

 

204    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                 204

 

In here, too, a sailor is pulling a lever release.

 

205    EXT.  SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF                                                                                 205

 

First, the Sappho and then the Sea Cliff swim free of the frame and begin descending.

 

206    EXT.  SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF – UNDERWATER                                          206

 

The two submersibles are attaching themselves to another frame brought into the water by a cable.

 

207    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      207

 

The Sappho and the Sea Cliff have brought another frame to the Titanic’s port side where yet another

has been welded to the ship. An EXPLOSION and the frame now beneath the submersibles coheres with

the Titanic.  A moment after, the Sappho and the Sea Cliff rise free of the frame.

 

208    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM                                           208

 

Pitt is still at the radio.  He turns from it to speak to Sandecker.

 

PITT

All six frames will be welded

to the Titanic in approximately

thirty-five minutes.  When that’s

done, those submersibles will

position eighty charges, each

with thirty pounds of explosives,

at strategic points around the

Titanic’s keel.

 

Pitt turns to a young LIEUTENANT who is assisting him up here.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Are the salvage tugs on the

way?

 

LIEUTENANT

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

It’s about time.  How long do

you figure before we’re set

down there?

 

LIEUTENANT

Three hours.  At least.

 

Pitt says nothing and walks to the door.  Not much time.  As he’s about to go out, he stops, turns and again

faces the others here . . . begins to say something . . . thinks better of it and goes.

 

209    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               209

 

SEAGRAM

(Somewhat

breathless)

I keep breathing faster.  It’s

happening to the rest of you,

too, isn’t it?

 

No one answers him.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

Dang it!  Tell me.

 

GIORDINO

Okay.  Okay.  Our CO2 absorbent’s

almost gone.

 

Now that he knows, Seagram has nothing to say.

 

GUNTHER

If I pass out and you guys

decide to use mouth-to-mouth,

promise me it won’t be Giordino.

 

GIORDINO

Problem is, Gunther, nobody’s

going to volunteer for that.

 

210    EXT.  RUSSIAN OCEANOGRAPHIC SHIP – DAY                                                      210

 

Clouds, dark ones, are appearing in the sky.  The Russian ship is still.

 

211    EXT.  RUSSIAN OCEANOGRAHPIC SHIP – DECK – DAY                              211

 

Prevlov is standing here with CAPTAIN CHAIKO.  A sailor hands Chaiko a message.  Chaiko reads it.  Then:

 

CAPTAIN CHAIKO

The hurricane will be here in

four hours.

 

PREVLOV

(Looking at his

watch)

Send the distress signal

just before sixteen hundred.

I am trusting in the Americans’

skill that they will raise her by

then.

 

CAPTAIN CHAIKO

If storm conditions prevent

boarding the Titanic, what then,

Prevlov.

 

PREVLOV

You will sink her.

 

The Captain and his two Lieutenants are clearly stunned by this.  The Captain’s reaction quickly turns

to outrage.

 

CAPTAIN CHAIKO

I will not do such a thing!

 

PREVLOV

(Almost hurt by the

Captain’s fury)

I would be sickened to give such

an order, Captain Chaiko.  Do not

 think of me as a careless,

destructive man.  But I would be

sickened also to watch from this

ship as Americans succeed in

stealing again what belongs to

our country, what could help us

as much as it could help them.

 

CAPTAIN CHAIKO

We would not require victory by

sinking the Titanic, Prevlov. 

Only shame.

 

PREVLOV

Then keep us from shame, Chaiko. 

Don’t allow this hurricane to upset

our plan.

 

212    EXT.  THE SAPPHO, SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC – UNDERWATER                 212

 

The grappling arms of the Sappho and the Sea Cliff have begun placing the charges alongside the Titanic.  They

wedge them into the ocean marsh upon which its rests.  Charges are being positioned on both sides of the ship,

down the length of her.  The Sappho works on one side, the Sea Cliff on the other.

 

213    EXT.  SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC                                                                                 213

 

We are on the port side of the Titanic and watching more closely the Sea Cliff’s work of implanting

the explosives.

 

214    EXT.  SAPPHO AND TITANIC                                                                                     214

 

On this, the starboard side of the Titanic, we are CLOSE to the Sappho’s claws as they push a charge

into the silt.

 

215    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               215

 

All the men are sitting.  Giordino is beside Seagram, Gunther beside Hong.

 

SEAGRAM

(Breathing heavily,

looking at his watch)

I’m breathing sixty times

a minute now.

 

GIORDINO

(Breathless)

That’s okay.  Breathing rapidly

is going to help.  We’re getting

rid of the carbon dioxide inside us. 

But don’t try to breathe faster. 

That’ll expend energy.  You’ll

breathe fast enough without trying.

 

SEAGRAM

Why isn’t it hitting you as hard?

 

GIORDINO

I’m in better shape than you. 

That’s all.

 

SEAGRAM

Why’s it getting Hong?

 

GIORDINO

He smokes too darn much.

 

GUNTHER

(To Hong, who is

breathing as

rapidly as Seagram)

I told you to hold off smoking

‘til you grown a little.

 

HONG

(Breathing heavily)

Shut up.

 

216    INT.  COMMAND CENTER – COVELESKI’S OFFICE – DAY                          216

 

Coveleski is at her desk working when Pitt comes in.  She looks up at him.  He is obviously nervous.

 

PITT

How’re we doing?

 

COVELESKI

It’s on its way – a couple

of hours.

 

Pitt says nothing but obviously has hoped for something better.

 

PITT

Remind me to never let that

stupid scientist inside a

submersible again.

 

There is a moment . . . she senses his real concern.

 

COVELESKI

You’ll manage it, Pitt.

 

He suddenly turns on her – the pent-up tension spills out.

 

PITT

Do you always have to say that? 

‘You’ll mange it.’  How the heck

do you know I will?  You don’t

say that!  I say that!  You hear

me?  You don’t say that.

 

COVELESKI

C’mon . . .

 

He turns abruptly to go out of the office.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing;

stopping him)

Wait a minute!  Where do you

get the right to come in here and

yell at me like that?  I don’t have

to take that from you – not now. 

We’re not on that basis anymore . . .

 

Pitt turns to face her, taken aback by her attack.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing;

softening a little)

I know what you’re feeling –

You took the blame for your wife . . .

and the boy . . . I understand that. 

I always did.  And the men on the

Thresher . . . and all the things you

blame yourself for – when you

shouldn’t.  You’re getting ready

to do it all over again if things go

wrong today.

 

PITT

(Soberly)

I don’t know . . . Seagram and those

men . . . I don’t know.  There’s not

enough time.

 

COVELESKI

You’ll manage it, Pitt.

 

He looks at her – realizes that she understands, knows what he feels.

 

PITT

(Softly)

Take a flying leap, Coveleski.

 

He goes out.

 

217    EXT.  SAPPHO, SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC – UNDERWATER                         217

 

The Sappho and the Sea Cliff complete their placement of the charges.

 

218    EXT.  SAPPHO                                                                                                              218

 

The Sappho begins moving away from the Titanic, starboard side.

 

219    EXT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                          219

 

The Sea Cliff, port side, also begins navigating away from the hull.

 

220    INT.  SEA CLIFF                                                                                                 220

 

BECK

(Into the radio)

We’ve secured the charges, sir.

 

PITT (V.O.)

Activate the hydrazine generators

and then get up here.

 

BECK

(To a SAILOR at

the computer panel)

Ready?

 

SAILOR

Yes, sir.

 

221    XT.  TITANIC – PORTSIDE                                                                                221

 

A high-frequency sound is sent form the Sea Cliff to the liquid hydrazine container and all six-rubber tanks

portside begin to inflate.

 

222    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE                                                                         222

 

The Sappho sounds a high-frequency sound starboard side and the six rubber tanks this side start inflating.

 

223    CLOSE SHOT – HYDRAZINE TANK                                                                           223

 

We are CLOSE to one frame and WATCHING its two rubber tanks grow to full size simultaneously.

 

224    ALL SIX RUBBER TANKS – AND THEIR ANGLE                                                      224

 

All six tanks continue to swell with hydrazine gas.

 

225    EXT.  SAPPHO, SEA CLIFF AND TITANIC – UNDERWATER                         225

 

The Sappho and the Sea Cliff begin their ascent to the surface.

 

226    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               226

 

Seagram is near to passing out in Giordino’s arms.  Gunther is still supporting Hong, whom the gas has

begun to poison.

 

GUNTHER

(Looking out

a viewport)

They’re going back up now.

 

SEAGRAM

(Fighting to

stay awake)

What does that mean?

 

GIORDINO

It means in no time at all we’re

going to find out what the heck’s

going to happen to us.

 

Giordino looks at Gunther and they stare at each other, waiting.

 

227    EXT.  SAPPHO AND SEA CLIFF                                                                                 227

 

The Sappho and the Sea Cliff are gaining distance toward the surface.  They seem bigger now, as the Titanic,

below them, grows increasingly smaller as they continue to rise.

 

228    EXT.  ATOP THE OCEAN – DAY                                                                                228

 

The ocean moves roughly around the salvage fleet as the Sappho and Sea Cliff are being docked onto their

mother ship, greeted by a darkening sky.

 

229    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      229

 

The Titanic is as it has been for sixty-five years, still, unmoving.  And her captive, the Turtle shares this stillness.

 

230    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               230

 

Giordino holds the barely conscious Seagram.  He shakes him.

 

GIORDINO

(Breathing heavily)

Breathe!  C’mon, Doc, breathe!

 

Seagram struggles to do so, and does breathe.  Gunther is holding the barely conscious Hong.  Shaking him.

 

GUNTHER
(Breathing heavily)

Breathe!  C’mon, Hong, don’t be

a stubborn goat!  Breathe!

 

Hong manages to breathe.

 

231    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                               231

 

Everyone in here with Pitt and Sandecker are in their working positions.  The room is quiet, tense.

 

PITT

(To Sandecker)

Well we’re going to blow the charges

now.  Break her loose.  And see

if she starts coming up.

 

To a sailor, HOBBS, sitting at the detonator panel:

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Are we ready, Hobbs?

 

HOBBS

Yes, sir.

 

PITT

Activate the charges.

 

Hobbs works the switches that will do this.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Countdown beginning.  Ten. 

Nine.  Eight.

 

232    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      232

 

The Titanic holds the Turtle as still as herself.

 

233    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                               233

 

PITT

Three.  Two.  One.  Signal

transmitting.  Mark!

 

234    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      234

 

The CHARGES EXPLODE.  The row on the starboard side first.  Then eight seconds later, the row on

the Titanic’s port side.  EXPLOSIONS down each side of her hull.

 

235    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               235

 

SEAGRAM

(Barely conscious)

What’s happening, Giordino?

 

GIORDINO

(Difficulty breathing)

They’re waking us up, Seagram. 

So we’ll be bright-eyed when we

hit the surface.

 

SEAGRAM

We’re going up?

 

GIORDINO

Right.

 

The EXPLOSIONS CEASE but nothing happens.  Giordino looks at Gunther.  The continuing stillness

worries them.

 

236    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                               236

 

Pitt, Sandecker, and the others in here are watching the Titanic on a screen.

 

PITT

(His eyes no

leaving the screen)

We’ve fired all the charges.

 

No one’s eyes leave the screen.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Come on, lady.  We’re trying to

do you a favor.

 

But nothing happens.  Nothing.

 

237    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      237

 

The Titanic is undisturbed.  As still as we’ve always seen her down here.  Then suddenly, two EXPLOSIONS

erupt near her stern.

 

238    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                               238

 

SANDECKER

What the heck was that?

 

PITT

A couple of late hits.

 

Pitt stares at the screen.  Nothing.  He turns away from it.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

I don’t think we’re winning this

one, Sandecker.

 

239    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                            239

 

She is unstirring.  But, a brief span later, now she finds life.  She finds life again and shivers.

 

240    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                                   240

 

SANDECKER

(Eyes on the screen)

Something’s moving down there,

Pitt.

 

Pitt turns tack to the screen.

 

241    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      241

 

The Titanic is struggling to free herself from sixty-five years in one place.  It isn’t easy but she’s determined.

We HEAR her PAIN as she continues to strain, to heave until her stern moves up from the marsh, her hull

tugs free of this grave and she’s going up slowly.

 

242    INT.  CAPRICORN – COMMUNICATIONS ROOM – DAY                               242

 

SANDECKER

She’s coming up, Pitt.

 

PITT

Okay.  OKAY!

 

243    INT.  TURTLE                                                                                                               243

 

Giordino, still holding Seagram, and Gunther, still holding Hong, are smiling at each other.

 

GUNTHER

We’re going up!  We’re going up!

 

SEAGRAM

(Near to unconscious)

What?

 

GIORDINO

We’re going up, Doc.

 

HONG

(Just as near to

unconsciousness

as Seagram)

We sure are.

 

244    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK – DAY                                                                             244

 

The men and women on the ship are gathering on deck.  The wind and the ocean have grown rough.  The sky

is dimming.  It’s as if nature out here is expecting the Titanic.  But it’s the approaching hurricane that disturbs

this area of the North Atlantic.

 

245    EXT.  TITANIC – UNDERWATER                                                                      245

 

She’s moving at an angle, upward through the black ocean – moving faster then before.

 

246    TITANIC – ANOTHER ANGLE                                                                                    246

 

She’s intensifying her ascent and traveling free of the blackest depth into the higher dark green water.

 

247    TITANIC – ANOTHER ANGLE                                                                                    247

 

She’s ascending with graceful speed now, still at an angle.  Her fantail leading.

 

248    TITANIC – ANOTHER ANGLE                                                                                    248

 

She’s rising through brighter ocean and the more distance she goes, the brighter still the water is.

 

249    TITANIC – ANOTHER ANGLE                                                                                    249

 

It’s clear she’s going to reach the surface.

 

250    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK                                                                               250

 

The deck is crowded with the anxious, expectant faces of those on board.  Sandecker is close to the rail. 

Coveleski is near him.

 

251    INT.  CAPRICORN – OUTSIDE THE COMMUNICATIONS ROOM                  251

 

Pitt is standing outside the communications room.  He’s watching the ocean and yelling in at the radiomen

inside.

 

PITT

Where is she?

 

LIEUTENANT (V.O.)

(His voice comes

from the loudspeaker)

She’s going to break water six hundred

yards off the port quarter, sir.

 

PITT

Time?

 

No answer.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

Come on you guys!  Time!

 

LIEUTENANT (V.O.)

(From the loudspeaker)

Sir?

 

PITT

What?

 

LIEUTENANT (V.O.)

(From the loudspeaker)

How about right now, sir?

 

252    EXT.  OCEAN                                                                                                               252

 

The ocean lashes at itself, driven to his by the feverish wind.  The sounds of the ocean and the wind are first

overpowering to a cry beneath the water, but then the cry equals their intensity until it over powers them and

the fantail of the Titanic thrusts out of the frantic ocean and its cry becomes a roar as the Titanic lunges out of the

ocean at the sky.  She’s up in this angry air.  And then she comes down, breaking off one of the hydrazine tanks

starboard side when she hits the ocean.  Hits right through it, sinking again and then, slowly she begins to emerge

 again from the ocean.  Rising to her full stature above the water.  She is unsteady but she’s staying.  The waves,

the giant, excited waves she’s created run at the Capricorn and all the ships of the salvage fleet and these ships

rock from the power of these waves while the Titanic grows ever more steady up here.

 

253    EXT.  CAPRICORN – DECK                                                                               253

 

The waves reach the deck and drench the people here.  But no one cares.  Their attention their concern

is for the Titanic.

 

254    PITT                                                                                                                              254

 

He’s running down the deck to a waiting helicopter in which are some twenty Navy men.  He runs inside the

craft and it rises from the deck into the unwelcoming wind.  It is airlifting a metal container, eight feet high,

eight feet wide, twenty feet long.

 

255    EXT.  THE TITANIC                                                                                                     255

 

She’s not looking her best from all those dead years but she’s strong again and daring the storm that is

beginning round her.

 

256    EXT.  HELICOPTER                                                                                                     256

 

The copter battles the wind and crosses the threatening sky toward the Titanic.  Once over the Titanic,

the copter starts coming down until it lands on deck.

 

257    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                               257

 

Pitt and the men with him begin jumping out and running toward where the Turtle is trapped.  Some of the men

carry ambue bags and small oxygen tanks.  Pitt breaks open the hatch and out come Giordino with Seagram and

Gunther with Hong.  Pitt takes Seagram from Giordino.  He lays him down on the deck and a Navy medic puts

the mask of an ambue bag on Seagram’s face and begins working to breathe him rapidly.  Nearby, the same is

being done for Hong.  The other men who came in the copter are opening the metal container it brought here with

them.  They unload rope, light generators, welding tools and other support equipment.

 

258    PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                         258

 

Seagram is breathing rapidly now, freeing himself of the carbon dioxide.

 

PITT

I told you I was going to raise her. 

What I didn’t tell you was that you

were going along for the ride.

 

259    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                               259

 

Pitt helps Seagram to his feet and begins walking him toward the helicopter.  Hong is already being helped

inside it.  Giordino and Gunther take Seagram from Pitt and begin lifting him into the copter.

 

PITT

(To Giordino)

Tell Sandecker to order the

salvage fleet the heck out of

here.  That’s everything out of

this storm – except the

McNaughton.

 

GIORDINO

Yes, sir.

 

He climbs inside the copter.

 

PITT
(To Gunther)

You stay here.  We’ll set up

house on the Titanic – for the

rest of her maiden voyage.

 

He runs to where the men are unloading the container.  Gunther goes with him.  Unseen by those on deck,

Seagram jumps out of the helicopter just as it begins to lift itself from the deck.  He fails on this face and

then gets to his knees.  He looks woozy but determined, and it’s no surprise when he gets to his feet.

 

260    EXT.  HELICOPTER                                                                                                     260

 

The helicopter perseveres against the sparring winds and moves across the darkening blue of the sky toward

the Capricorn.  In the near distance, another helicopter is rising to do battle up here and carry another container

to the Titanic.

 

261    EXT.  RUSSIAN OCEANOGRAPHIC SHIP – DECK – DAY                              261

 

Prevlov is on deck with Captain Chaiko.  The sky around them is graying.  Captain Chaiko is looking

through binoculars at the American fleet.

 

262    EXT.  SALVAGE FLEET – POV OF BINOCULARS                                           262

 

All the ships of the American salvage fleet, except the McNaughton, are leaving their positions.

 

263    EXT.  RUSSIAN OCEANOGRAPHIC SHIP – DECK – DAY                              263

 

Several Russian frogmen in shiny rubber outfits are checking their equipment behind Chaiko and Prevlov

who are at the rail.  They watch the American fleet departing.

 

CAPTAIN CHAIKO

Their ships are running from the

storm now.  Only the frigate is

remaining.

 

PREVLOV

Send the distress signal, Captain

 

His expression hard, Chaiko goes out.

 

264    INT.  TITANIC – GRAND STAIRWAY SALON                                                 264

 

We are in a cavernous darkness, perceiving only that we are inside.  Walls, ceiling, stairs seem to be in here

with us and the SOUNDS of the stormy OCEAN are in the distance.  Suddenly, light.  As a lamp is clamped

onto the wall along the landing of the staircase that leads down into the Titanic’s grand stairway salon.  And just

as suddenly, Pitt, Gunther, Beck, Gunn and others walk the landing to its center where the staircase begins its

descent.  The salon’s splendor is gone from the years it has spent in the ocean, but it still fascinates, now with

its aura of the haunted.  Pitt looks a moment below the men look with him.

 

PITT

This will be our command post. 

We’ll set up our radio room here. 

Make sure the antenna is clear

topside.

 

265    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                               265

 

Pitt is running up to the upper deck with Gunther.  The helicopter from the Capricorn is trying to land on deck

but the wind is ruthless.  It is airlifting a portable winch.  In the distance we SEE the McNaughton beginning to

depart.

 

PITT

(To Gunther)

What the heck’s the McNaughton

doing?

 

The helicopter reaches the deck and Sandecker and Giordino are getting out and are nearly blown out by the

wind.  Pitt runs to them.  Gunther follows.  Sailors work to unload the winch.

 

PITT

(Continuing; yelling

because of the wind

and because he’s mad)

Where the heck’s the McNaughton going?

 

SANDECKER

Distress signal.  There is a freighter

that has gotten into trouble because

of the storm.

 

PITT

(Upset by this

but accepting it)

We need that frigate.

(Then, angry again)

Any word on those salvage tugs?

 

GIORDINO

Still coming, sir.  They’ve

got a lot of mean ocean to get

through.

 

PITT

(Continuing to

talk to Giordino)

Okay.  Get that winch secured.

 

GIORDINO AND GUNTHER

(Simultaneously)

Yes, sir.

 

They join the men who are unloading the winch.  Pitt and Sandecker are alone.

 

PITT

Why are you here, Sandecker?

You could get drowned.

 

SANDECKER

When you bring this ship in, I

want my picture in the papers.

 

Pitt and Sandecker leave the upper deck as Giordino, Gunther and the sailors up here begin the work of

anchoring and securing the winch.  They work against the wind with portable welders and chains.

 

266    INT.  TITANIC – CORRIDOR – FIRST CLASS                                                 266

 

Pitt is walking alone with a portable torch.  The ocean has damaged much of the wood here.  All color is

gone and much of its steel skeleton is exposed.  There is dead marine life – lower order life forms stranded

here when the ship was raised.

 

267    INT.  TITANIC – GYMNASIUM                                                                                   267

 

Pitt comes in here where the steel and the iron of the exercise equipment have survived.  But all the leather has

been eaten.  Pitt stops at the rowing machine, which, ironically seems to have survived sixty-five years in the

deep of the ocean.

 

268    INT.  PASSENGER CABIN – FIRST CLASS                                                                268

 

Pitt looks in here where only the steel of a bed remains as well as some clothing which was not organic.

 

269    XT.  TITANIC – PROMENADE DECK – NIGHT                                                          269

 

This was once glass enclosed but now the frames that held the glass are all empty.  Pitt is here looking

through the empty frames at the agitated sky.  The night is beginning.

 

270    EXT.  TITANIC – UPPER DECK – NIGHT                                                                   270

 

In the winds that stay constantly at them, Giordino, Gunther and two sailors are finishing the work of welding

the brackets of the portable winch to the Titanic as well as chaining it to the deck.

 

271    EXT.  TITANIC – BRIDGE                                                                                           271

 

Pitt is coming up here.  The wind is pushing him as he makes his way toward the stub of a demolished mast. 

He’s nearing it when we SEE Seagram appear up here coming in Pitt’s path and following where Pitt’s going. 

Pitt reaches the stub and put his hand inside his jacket to pull out the small, oilskin wrapped package Bigelow

gave him.  He tears it open and takes out the pennant, the White Star Line pennant, and has to hold tight to keep

it in his hand.  He ties it to that stub that is all that’s left of the mast, and the pennant slaps the wind again and

again, majestically and unthreatened by the wind’s force.  Seagram has gotten to right behind Pitt and steps beside

him now.  Pitt is surprised, very surprised to see him.  When they talk, they each must yell not only to hear the

other but also for each to hear himself.

 

PITT

What the heck are you doing here?

 

SEAGRAM

Watching what the heck you’re doing.

 

He looks at the pennant and then back at Pitt and smiles.  Pitt ignores the smile and changes the subject.

 

PITT

You should be on the Capricorn

in bed.

 

SEAGRAM

This wind’s cleaning my lungs.

 

Pitt is not amused.  He points to the bridge.

 

PITT

Let’s go

 

And, together, they start their way there through the winds.

 

272    INT.  TITANIC – BRIDGE                                                                                            272

 

Pitt and Seagram come in here from out of the winds.

 

SEAGRAM

(Without looking up)

It bothers you, doesn’t it?

 

PITT

What?

 

SEAGRAM

That I saw you doing that.

 

PITT

It bothers me that you’re

dag gone a stowaway.

 

SEAGRAM

(Having fun with him)

I think it’s great – you doing

that for the old Commodore.

 

PITT

Did I ask you what you think,

Seagram?

 

SEAGRAM

You’d like me to think you’re a

cold and heartless toad.  You’re

not, you know.  Not at all!

 

Pitt looks at him a long, hard moment.  And then goes out of the bridge, leaving Seagram alone.  Seagram enjoys

that he’s got to Pitt.  But the Titanic’s difficulties with the rough ocean are getting to Seagram.  He rests against

a wall in here and takes out his pills.

 

273    EXT.  TITANIC – BRIDGE                                                                                           273

 

Seagram begins walking out of the bridge shaking the necessary amount of pills out of their container and into

his free hand.  But the ship suddenly lists sharply throwing Seagram off balance and the pills in hand and container

fly everywhere.

 

SEAGRAM

Crap!

 

He’s seen some fly over the rail here onto the lower deck and he quickly runs after them.

 

274    EXT.  TITANIC – LOWER DECK                                                                       274

 

This sudden activity’s made Seagram unsteady.  He goes to one of the metal containers by the rail and sits on

the deck with his back against the container.  He looks around the deck for his pills and begins laughing, but it

doesn’t make him feel any better.  And that makes him laugh harder.  Behind him, outside the rail, a grappling

hook with rope  attached flies up into the air and lands deep onto the deck.  Then another flies.  And another. 

And again.  The ocean’s too loud for Seagram to hear anything.  He sees something ahead of him on the deck. 

Leans forward for a closer look, but it isn’t a pill.  He smiles.  He gets to his feet; his back to the hooks still,

and just stands for a while.  Then he begins walking away from here.  But the ship’s rocking too much and he

turns to go back to where he was sitting.  He sees the hooks and almost immediately, the hands of men climbing

the rope.  He doesn’t know what to do and then suddenly goes quickly inside the container and behind one

of its doors.  Four Russian frogmen appear at the edge of the deck.  We MOVE down the lower deck and

SEE other hooks, other frogmen.  Once the Russians are on deck, they break into groups and begin running to

various parts of the ship – some go down, some go  up.  Some move against groups of sailors whose backs

are to them as they work on the ship or whose attentions are not alert as they just talk together.

 

275    INT. METAL CONTAINER – SEAGRAM                                                           275

 

Frogmen are moving past the container.  Seagram sees one of his pills beyond the deck just before the foot

of one of the intruders crushes it.

 

276    EXT. TITANIC – DECK                                                                                                276

 

We GO WITH a group of three Russians who go up onto the upper deck and approach the men who are

working with the winch at the bow – Giordino, Gunther and two sailors.  When the intruders are close to

them one of the sailors turns round.  A frogman’s automatic rifle pushes against this sailor’s stomach.  The

surprise of this sounds in his throat and Giordino, Gunther and the other sailor turn quickly.  Gunther swings

a length of the chain they’ve been working with at one of the Russians.  At the same instant as the chain hits

the man and throws his weapon from him, the butt of another’s hits Gunther hard against the head, knocking

him down and out.  Giordino is ready to lunge at the lost rifle but another rifle at his chest halts him.

 

277    INT.  TITANIC – CARGO HOLD                                                                               277

 

The shaft of the cargo hold is filled to bursting with hardened microsphere foam.  We are on a bottom

level of the cargo hold looking up at this with several sailors.  Pitt comes onto this level.

 

SAILOR

(To Pitt)

There’s no way in, Sir.  No way

we can get to that cargo vault

without the big cranes lifting

that crud outta there.

 

278    INT.  TITANIC – GRAND STAIRWAY SALON – NIGHT                                  278

 

Sandecker is here, standing near to where a radio’s been set up.

 

SANDECKER

(To a sailor

at the radio)

Any word on where the heck those

tugs are?

 

SAILOR

They should be appearing out there

just about now, sir.

 

We MOVE TO SEE Pitt coming down the staircase.

 

PITT

It’s just about now and nothing’s

out there.

(to Sandecker)

We’re going to need cranes to

get to that vault.

 

SANDECKER

(Smiling)

Well, I don’t think we’ll be using

the byzanium before New York

anyway.

 

Sandecker abruptly stops smiling.  Pitt studies him, sees he’s looking up at the landing, turns round and

sees what’s up there.

 

279    THE LANDING                                                                                                              279

 

There are several dark figures here.  They walk into the light and we SEE that they are frogmen from

the Russian Navy.  They hold automatic rifles aimed at the men in the salon.  The first of the frogmen

is Prevlov.  He walks to the head of the stairway and starts down it.

 

280 FULL SHOT OF THE GRAND STAIRWAY SALON                                                       280

 

PREVLOV

(To Sandecker)

Admiral Sandecker . . . ?

 

Sandecker is silent, puzzled.  Then:

 

SANDECKER

Prevlov?

 

Prevlov smiles.

 

PREVLOV

My men have the crew of the

Titanic – your men – under

guard.

 

One of the frogmen goes to the sailor at the radio and indicates with his rifle that the sailor should stand. 

He does.

 

SANDECKER

What is it you want?

 

PREVLOV

Only what is morally and legally

the property of my country.  The

byzanium on this ship, Admiral.

 

SANDECKER

Your people are provoking an act

of piracy at sea.  I can’t believe

they’re willing to risk the consequences.

 

PITT

You think we won’t fight you?

 

SANDECKER

(Cautionary)

Pitt . . .

 

PREVLOV

(To Pitt)

You are powerless now.

 

PITT

There’s no way you’ll get the

byzanium off this ship.

 

PREVLOV

(Smiling)

We’ll see.

 

PITT

The way’s blocked.

 

PREVLOV

What do you mean?

 

PITT

I mean a lot of hard micro foam’s

packed solid all through the holds

 

PREVLOV

If this is true, I will have to

sink the ship.

 

PITT

You’ll have to get off it first.

 

SANDECKER

You can’t be serious.  What the

heck is this, Prevlov?  World War

Three?

 

PREVLOV

No, Admiral.  We will save you

and your men.  And then what will

you do?  Declare war because we

kept you from becoming thieves?

(To Pitt)

Come.  Show me this impossible

passage to the byzanium.

 

281    INT.  TITANIC – CARGO HOLD                                                                                  281

 

Pitt leads Prevlov and two Russian frogmen onto a bottom level of the cargo hold.  Above them, in the

shaft, is the hardened foam.

 

PITT

(Turning to Prevlov)

I’d say it’s impossible.  And

you?  What would you say?

 

PREVLOV

I’d say its sadness and a

shame . . . that the Titanic could

sink twice.

 

A Russian frogman comes in here and speaks to Prevlov in Russian.

 

FROGMAN

There is a radio call from our

ship from Captain Chaiko.  For you.

 

Prevlov looks concerned.  Then, to Pitt:

 

PREVLOV

I must talk to my ship.

 

282    EXT.  TITANIC – UPPER DECK                                                                                  282

 

The three Russian frogmen are keeping Giordino, Gunther and the two sailors under guard.  Gunther’s

come back to consciousness and is sitting on the deck looking up at the frogman with a rifle pointed down

at him.

 

GUNTHER

You keep looking at me like that –

I’m going to have to hurt you.

 

They stare at each other for a time.  Then:

 

GUNTHER

(Continuing,

to Giordino)

He doesn’t speak English.

 

GIORDINO

Yeah?  Neither do you.

 

Coming quietly, slowly, and carefully behind the Russians is Seagram, carrying a wooden slat.  Giordino,

Gunther and the two sailors all see him and don’t give a hint of it.

 

GUNTHER

(Looking up to

the Russian in

front of him)

You know what I’m going to do to you

in just a few minutes?

 

SAILOR ONE

Let me help you, Lieutenant.

 

GUNTHER

Get your own.

 

Seagram is right behind the Russians now.  With a yell, he hits the middle Russian with the slat.  The yell

takes the other two off guard.  The hit one falls against the one in front of Giordino and in that instant

Giordino is on top of this one.  He is beginning to take off the head phones when Giordino and Gunther

stealthily come onto the landing with Seagram behind them – all carrying rifles and are unseen by the men

below.

 

GIORDINO

All right – freeze!

 

The Russians turn quickly at this.  They aim their rifles but Prevlov speaks.

 

PREVLOV

(In Russian to

the frogmen)

Put your weapons at your sides. 

We are returning the Titanic to them.

 

Confused by Prevlov’s change of tactics, the Russians reluctantly obey this order.  Sandecker looks at

Prevlov and at the radio.  He understands.

 

SANDECKER

(To Prevlov)

You did this on your own, didn’t

you?

 

Prevlov makes no comment.

 

SANDECKER

(Continuing)

Your people aren’t going to back

you up, are they?

 

Prevlov shrugs.

 

PITT

(Shaking his head)

I’ll say one thing.  You’ve got

a heck of a lot of nerve.

 

PREVLOV

If that is a compliment or a

criticism, no matter.  Unfortunately,

my ship is going home without me

and I have been ordered to offer

you assistance.

 

PITT

With that hurricane out there,

you’ll be helping yourselves.

 

PREVLOV

It is not necessary to convince

me.  Those are my orders

(To one of the

frogmen in Russian)

Lieutenant, inform all our men

on board we will be assisting in

bringing the Titanic to New York.

 

The Lieutenant nods and starts up the stairs with Giordino and Gunther.  At that moment a SAILOR

comes onto the landing.

 

SAILOR

Captain!  The tugs are out there!

 

PITT

All right!  Tell them to hook up

and take us home!

(Pitt looks at the

rifle in Seagram’s hands)

You can put that down now.

 

And he starts fast up the stairs.

 

DISOLVE TO:

284    OMITTED                                                                                                                      284

thru                                                                                                                                          thru

294                                                                                                                                          294

 

295    EXT.  TITANIC AND SALVAGE TUGS – NIGHT                                                    295

 

The hurricane drives the ocean against the Titanic and the salvage tugs towing her.  The Titanic heaves

upwards and then smashes back down into the hurling ocean.  A hydrazine tank comes off her starboard

side.  She begins to list.

 

296    EXT.  TITANIC – ANOTHER ANGLE                                                                      296

 

The Titanic is inclining on her starboard side and pitting herself in closer range of the ocean’s fury.

 

297    INT.  TITANIC – BRIDGE                                                                                          297

 

Pitt is in here with Sandecker and Seagram.  Giordino comes running in.  Gunther follows right after.

 

GIORDINO

We’ve lost another tank, Captain.

 

PITT

Where?

 

GIORDINO

Starboard side.  Same as before.

 

SEAGRAM

Can she roll over?

 

PITT

I hope not.

 

SEAGRAM

What can we do?

 

PITT

We’ll have to blow off two tanks

port side.  That should level her off.

 

GIORDINO

I’ll place the charges, sir.

 

PITT

No.  I’m doing it.

 

SANDECKER

You’re the Captain of this

operation, Pitt.  You have a

volunteer.  Let him go.

 

Pitt hesitates.

 

GIORDINO

(To Pitt, trying to

ease the tension)

You’re too old to do it, Captain.

 

PITT

(Ignoring the joke)

Go on, get ready.

 

Giordino and Gunther go out of the bridge.  Pitt looks at Seagram.  Seagram shrugs.

 

298    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE                                                                      298

 

A rope ladder is coming down over the side of the ship.

 

299    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                             299

 

Pitt is helping Giordino ready to climb over and down the side of the ship.  Gunther is standing by with the

detonator box.  Seagram is watching.  The two charges are strapped to Giordino’s arm and he begins the climb

down.  Two wires, one from each of the charges on Giordino’s arm lead to a reel in Pitt’s hand.  As Giordino

climbs down, Pitt unwinds the wires to let them go down with Giordino.

 

300    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE                                                                      300

 

Giordino is climbing down the rope toward one of the hydrazine generator frames and the two inflated tanks on

it.  The wind and the rain are whipping at him, propelling the ladder and his body away from the ship.

 

301    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                             301

 

Pitt keeps unreeling the wires and watching Giordino’s descent with a concentrated expression that’s as

if he’s directing Giordino’s climb telepathically.  Gunther and Seagram are looking over the side, intent upon

Giordino.

 

302    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE – HYDRAZINE FRAME                            302

 

Giordino has reached one of the hydrazine generator frames.  He moves to one end of the frame and takes one

 of the charges from his arm and places it on the frame just above one of the tanks.  It magnetically attaches

to the steel.  He then moves along the frame to its other side, battling the wind and the brutal water from both

the rain and the waves that are hitting here.  He places another charge on the frame just above the other tank.

 

303    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                             303

 

GUNTHER

Hot dog, Captain, he’s done it!

 

PITT

(Quietly, intensely)

All right, Giordino, now get

the heck back up here.

 

304    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE                                                                      304

 

Giordino reaches for the ladder, which is being blown out of his reach.  He reaches and reaches until he’s

got it.  He begins so climb when a wave, stronger then the others before, reaches up here, batters him against

the hull and takes him back down with it.  He’s gone.

 

305    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                             306

 

SEAGRAM

(Softly)

Oh, Dear God.

 

He looks at Pitt.  Pitt keeps staring down at the empty ladder flying away from the hull of the ship and then

coming and hitting against it.  Finally, he extends his free hand toward Gunther who gives him the detonator

box.  His eyes never leaving the ladder blowing in the wind, he takes the plugs at the end of the wires and

plugs them inside the detonator box.

 

306    EXT.  TITANIC – STARBOARD SIDE – HYDRAZINE TANKS                             306

 

The two TANKS EXPLODE.

 

307    EXT.  TITANIC                                                                                                            307

 

She’s not listing now.  She’s okay.

 

308    EXT.  TITANIC – DECK                                                                                             308

 

Pitt smashes the detonator box on the rail – tosses it overboard.

 

SEAGRAM

(To Pitt)

I’m sorry.

 

Pitt nods and walks away from them.

 

309    EXT.  TITANIC AND SALVAGE TUGS                                                                    309

 

The hurricane continues its time of life out here and the Titanic and the salvage tugs continue to survive the

fierce attack upon their journey home.

 

310    EXT.  NEW YORK HARBOR – DAY                                                                         310

 

The Statue of Liberty faces us stares at us.  The cry of a boat WHISTLE SOUNDS.  And then, the bow of the

Titanic COMES INTO the FRAME, dwarfing the Liberty lady.  The ship continues on INTO the FRAME,

bringing its letter that spell TITANIC INTO VIEW and blocking the other lady with the torch from sight.

 

311    FULL SHOT OF TITANIC IN NEW YORK HARBOR – DAY                                 311

 

Fireboats, ferries, police boats, pleasure boats and above them, helicopters accompany the titanic and her

two heroes, the tugs, into the New York harbor.  There are the SOUNDS of SIRENS and HORNS as well

as BOAT WHISTLES to welcome the Titanic.  And people, thousands of them, standing in front of the skyline

of New York City and cheering the Titanic.

 

312    EXT.  MAIN RECEPTION PIER – BAND                                                                 312

 

The band is playing “Rule Britannia”.

 

313    CLOSE SHOT – THE WHITE STAR PENNANT                                                     313

 

The White Star Pennant still flies from the stub of the mast where Pitt tied it during the storm.  It flies

in sunlight now.  And in victory.

 

314    BIGELOW                                                                                                                    314

 

The Commodore is on the pier.  His eyes proudly focused on the pennant.

 

315    TITANIC – DECK                                                                                                        315

 

Pitt and Seagram stand on deck with Sandecker, Prevlov, Gunther and the crew, both American Navy

and Russian.

 

316    SANDECKER AND PREVLOV                                                                                  316

 

Sandecker and Prevlov stand with several of the Russian frogmen.  Sandecker is waving to the crowds,

as are many of the Russians.  Prevlov does not wave.

 

317    PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                                317

 

They’ve done it.  Gotten the Titanic here.

 

318    COVELESKI                                                                                                                318

 

She’s on the Main Reception Pier watching Pitt and Seagram’s approach on the Titanic.  She sees that

they are safe, that they’ve made it here with the Titanic.  She smiles.

 

319    INT.  HELICOPTER                                                                                                    319

 

Above the Titanic, a media ANNOUNCER speaks to his audience via the copter’s radio.

 

ANNOUNCER

Today, sixty-five years after her

departure from Southampton,

England, the Titanic is completing

her maiden voyage here in New

York harbor.  On board is the

salvage crew of the United States

Navy who raised her from the

bottom of the Atlantic and the

frogmen of the Russian Navy who

boarded the Titanic in the middle

of a hurricane to give our Navy

assistance.

 

320    EXT.  TITANIC – FULL SHOT AGAINST THE NEW YORK SKYLINE               320

 

She is docked.  The New York City skyline is finally the view from her deck.  Cranes are on the pier,

their arms swinging above the Titanic’s deck.

 

321    EXT.  TITANIC – PIER – DAY                                                                                   321

 

Pitt, Seagram and Sandecker are on the pier with members of the salvage crew.  Work is being done by this

crew and by several cranes to remove the hardened microsphere foam from inside the ship.  One of the crew

walks to where Pitt, Seagram and Sandecker stand, observing the progress of the work.

 

CREW MEMBER

(To Pitt)

The way is clear into the cargo

hold, sir.

 

PITT

Okay.

 

Pitt looks beyond this man and sees Coveleski walking the pier towards them.  He turns to Sandecker

and Seagram.

 

PITT

(Continuing)

You two go ahead.  I’ll be right

down.

 

Sandecker begins following the crewmember off this deck while Pitt begins walking toward Coveleski. 

Seagram watches Pitt until he reaches her and when he has – Seagram follows the direction in which

Sandecker’s gone – going onto a gangplank from the pier into the side of the ship.

 

COVELESKI

It’s quite a day.

 

PITT

Yeah.

 

COVELESKI

I’m happy for you.

 

PITT

I like that.

 

COVELESKI

About Giordino, I’m sorry.

 

Pitt looks away from her.

 

PITT

Yeah . . .

 

Pitt is still avoiding her eyes.  There’s silence, until . . .

 

COVELESKI

Well . . . why don’t we do this

again sometime, huh?

 

Pitt smiles and looks her in the eyes again.

 

COVELESKI

(Continuing)

I’ll see you around.

 

She turns and begins walking away.  Pitt calls to her.

 

PITT

Coveleski?

 

She turns.

 

PITT

How about Michael’s pub . . .

seven o’clock.

 

COVELESKI

You’re not going to stand me

up again?

 

PITT

Not this time.

 

COVELESKI

It’s a date.

 

COVELESKI

Yeah, Pitt?

 

Pitt stares at her.  Pitt says nothing for a moment and then he just shrugs.  She smiles, turns again and

begins walking away.  Pitt watches her for a while and then starts onto the gangplank.

 

322    INT.  TITANIC – CARGO HOLD – DAY                                                                   322

 

This is the cargo hold down which Brewster, at gunpoint, forced Bigelow to lead him.  The opening at the top

of the shaft of the cargo vaults brings sunlight, bright strong sunlight down into the hold.  Planking stretches

from one tier across the shaft to another tier and standing on this plank are Pitt, Seagram and Sandecker,

with members of the Navy salvage crew.  They face a 1911 Fiat, which blocks their approach to vault Number

Nine.  The salvage crew looks up to the top of the shaft where the swinging arm of a crane appears in the daylight. 

It’s hoisting apparatus begins to descend into the shaft, descending past each level before it reaches the one on

which the salvage crew wait.  They hook the Fiat onto the crane’s arm.  This done, one of the men yells up the

shaft at the opening.

 

CREW MEMBER

Take her up!

 

And the crane’s arm begins moving back up the shaft, raising the Fiat from the planking and taking it up past

each level to the opening, out into the broad day and swings it OUT OF VIEW.

 

323    INT.  TITANIC – CARGO HOLD – OUTSIDE VAULT NUMBER NINE               323

 

Pitt, Seagram, Sandecker and Prevlov stand a ways from where the salvage crew is using blow torches,

electronic saws, drills and the like to open the vault.  The door opens.  Pitt takes a flood lamp in his hand

and walks inside the vault.

 

324    INT.  VAULT NUMBER NINE                                                                                    324

 

Pitt moves the light of the flood lamp around in here and it catches sight of a skeleton dressed in the clothes

Brewster wore the night the Titanic sank.  Brewster’s remains are kneeling, pressed against one of the several

wooden crates in here.  Seagram comes inside and immediately gasps and puts his hand to his face, covering

his mouth and nose.  He looks at Brewster’s remains and then at Pitt.  Sandecker and Prevlov come in now

and have the same response to the air in here, as did Seagram.

 

SANDECKER

Dear God!

 

PITT

(To the crew)

Try the detector on these crates.

 

One of the men examines the crate with a metal detector.

 

325    INSERT – METAL DETECTOR                                                                                325

 

Nothing.  No activity registered.

 

326    FULL SHOT OF VAULT                                                                                             326

 

Pitt takes the detector and tries it against another crate.  Then another.  And another.  He looks at Seagram.

Seagram at Pitt.  They share an expectation.  They expect the worst now.

 

PITT

(To his men)

Break open these crates.

 

As they do.  Seagram goes to an opened crate, puts his hand inside and brings out pebbles.

 

SEAGRAM

(Turning to Pitt)

Gravel.  It’s just . . . It’s just . . .

Pebbles and dirt.

 

Pitt looks at Sandecker

 

SANDECKER

(What else can he say)

Son of a gun

 

Prevlov smiles.

 

PREVLOV

It appears that we have all made

some assumptions.

 

He leaves the vault.

 

SEAGRAM

We were just about to get that

screen up.  I never thought we

wouldn’t.

 

SANDECKER

I know.  Not only that screen –

but if byzanium could resist a

nuclear bomb, what the heck kind

of bomb could we have made from it.

 

Sandecker laughs.

 

SANDECKER

(Continuing)

Probably that kind.  A heck of

a bomb.

 

What he’s said has left Seagram without voice – but what could he say now anyway.

 

SANDECKER

(Continuing to Pitt)

Well, you gave it your best shot.

 

He goes out of the vault and Pitt and Seagram sit down together on one of the crates.  The men from

the salvage crew leave.  Pitt and Seagram sit for a while.  Pit is staring at something opposite them.  Then –

 

SEAGRAM

You told me this time at sea

would be tough. . . but I had

my reasons.  I guess no matter

how tough it is – even if you

manage it – that doesn’t mean

things work out at all . . .

 

Pitt is silent, still staring.

 

SEAGRAM

(Continuing)

. . . And maybe that’s lucky. 

Because what Sandecker said

just now – yeah, you were

right – they weren’t intending

to keep it nice and clean. 

Maybe it’s just as well – no

byzanium.  Who knows?

 

Pitt is still staring.

 

PITT

You can’t cop out that easily,

Seagram. . .

 

SEAGRAM

What do you mean?

 

Pitt very deliberately points to one of the crates opposite them.

 

327    CRATE                                                                                                                         327

 

Stenciled in black, on its side, is – Southby, England.

 

Seagram is stunned.  Southby a place. . . not a person.  Pitt’s eyes never leave the crate.  Then he

looks at his watch.

 

PITT

(Almost to himself)

She’ll never believe it. . .

 

SLOW DISOLVE TO:

328 EXT.  CHURCH GRAVEYARD – SOUTHBY, ENGLAND – DAY                             328

 

This is a graveyard on the side of a country church.  In the distance are the village, its green hills, its white

houses, and its blue sky.

 

329    TOMBSTONE                                                                                                              329

 

The inscription reads:  “Here Lies Arthur Clement Brewster.  Died April 7, 1912.”  We PULL BACK

TO FIND an open grave and then Pitt and Seagram standing in front of it.

 

PITT

One thing’s certain.  Arthur

Clement Brewster isn’t buried

in this grave.

 

330    CEMETERY                                                                                                                 330

 

Pitt and Seagram are standing with three gravediggers, the village constable and the church vicar.  Pitt takes

a metal detector from out of his pocket.  He looks into the diggings.

 

331    GRAVE                                                                                                                         331

 

We are in here with a coffin, looking up at Pitt kneeling at the grave’s edge.  Seagram now joins him there.

Pitt reaches out his hand, holding the metal detector over the box.

 

332    INSERT – METAL DETECTOR                                                                                332

 

The needle’s excited – it’s on to something.

 

333    PITT AND SEAGRAM                                                                                                333

 

PITT

Guess Brewster didn’t trust the

U.S. Army.  He wanted cash first. 

He’d deliver later.

 

SEAGRAM

(Looking down

at the coffin)

Well, Captain, I’ve got it now. 

Got the byzanium.

 

PITT

When it wasn’t on board the Titanic,

you said it was just as well.  Now

we’ve found it, tell me – while

we’re still here in Southby, would

you like to bury it again?

 

Seagram looks at Pitt for a long time.  Then:

 

SEAGRAM

I was just thinking about Koplin.

 

PITT

Yeah?  I was just thinking about Giordino.

 

SEAGRAM

I want to get that screen up, Captain.

 

PITT

Okay.

(To the gravediggers)

You can load this coffin onto the truck.

 

SEAGRAM

If they start screwing with the byzanium,

I’ll have to start all over again.

 

PITT

Count me out.

 

He begins walking out of the graveyard.

 

SEAGRAM

(Following him)

If I need your help, you’ll give it.

 

PITT

Yeah?

 

SEAGRAM

Yeah.  You’re going to not let me

quit.

 

PITT

That’s lousy grammar, Seagram.

 

There is silence as Pitt keeps walking.  Seagram keeps with him.

FADE OUT.

 

 

THE END

 

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