"DEEPSTAR SIX" (1989)

Lewis Abernathy & Geof Miller

Light blue sky fills the screen.

The CAMERA PANS lower revealing some thin clouds.

Finally the CAMERASPLASHES below the surface of the water and continues to descend.

Hund.reds of bubbles rise past as the camera swims lazily through azure seas sparkling with sunlight and teeming with brightly colored tropical fish.

The bubbles swirl past as we dive down, the water turning paler, the fish becoming duller and more scarce.

A large shark swims past us, on the prowl.

Deeper and deeper we dive.

Soon the water is black as night. Only the faintest slivers of light penetrate down here, and then quickly flicker and die.

Large shadowy creatures .of the ultra-deep haunt the edges of our vision.

Strange luminescent fish with long poin~y teeth dart past.

The sea bottom draws near, a flat plain scarred by an enormous impact crater, miles in diameter. WE glide over the outer wall, the crater floor looms beneath us.

On the bottom, a faint light glimmers.

It is an undersea station, a series of five cylinders linked by a central hub. It looks like a giant starfish resting quietly on the ocean floor.

Several hundred yards beyond the station, the faint lights of the bio-lab can be seen. This is where all the genetics research is done.

SUPER TITLE:

PERSONNEL: 2 OFFICERS

4 SCIENTISTS

4 TECHNICAL SUPPORT

PURPOSE: GENETICS RESEARCH

There are bold markings on the side of the docking bay:

Breakfast.

Nine people are seated in the galley.

Nobody is talking, only the sound of CLANKING dishware. DR. ABERNATHYglances across at DR. JERKINS. Jerkins is late fourties, high strung. His eyes are a little red and a little swollen. He has the appearance of someone who is not sleeping well at night.

Abernathy takes out a small harmonica from his breast pocket.

Jerkins freezes in mid-bite at the sight of the harmonica.

Abernathy takes his hankerchief, polishing the harmonica. He taps it i~ his palm, breaking the reeds free.

Abernathy puts the harmonica to his lips and and is about to blow ...

Jerkins starts to say something ...

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

.... when Abernathy ·slips the harmonica back into his pocket. In some way, he·has been teasing Jerkins.

DIANE NORRIS M.D. has seen.this. She doesn't find it at all amusing.

DREW PIERCE takes a seat at the other end of the table with three of his fellow ·"support group", JAMES RICHARDSON (Diver), TONY SNYDER (Communications), and JOYCE COLLINS (Diver). There is already a plate of food at his place.

Pierce gingerly shoves them around on his plate, then looks up at Richardson, who is reading a fax letter written in a childish scrawl.

Collins holds up a fax of a picture drawn in crayon -- it's a stick figure man in a dive suit adjacent to a house under the water. All around are brightly colored trees, flowers and fish. The caption at the top reads: MY DADDYAT WORK

Pierce leans over to get a-look.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Snyder starts laughing, his mouth gorged with food.

This is a conversation they've had a thousand times, only this time Pierce gives Collins a strange look.

But Pierce is busy looking at his watch.

Valdez, Craven, Abernathy, and Jerkins get up, shuffling towards the hatch. Collins and Richardson also rise.

Snyder grabs Richardson's arm as he starts to leave.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Richardson glances around the galley to make sure no one is watching, then digs into his pocket. He palms Snyder a small bottle of pills.

He gives Snyder a scrutinzing stare, then exits the galley. As soon as he is gone, Snyder opens the bottle and pops two of the pills.

As Pierce leads the others into the DSRV, he Pierce starts to sing.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The scientists start to sing, half-heartedly along with Pierce.

The scientists start to file into the minisub.

Laidlaw stands by the airlock, shrugging into his "woolies" -- insulated coveralls. Norris walks up behind him.

Laidlaw sighs, nodding his head.

Norris enters the medical bay followed by Laidlaw, she closes the hatch after he is in.

Laidlaw leans against the bulkhead, sipping his coffee.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw takes a moment to think.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw is cut off by the videocom BUZZER. He crosses to the panel and punches the XMIT switch.

Pierce's face blinks on the tiny monitor.

Laidlaw enters the hatch to the DSRV.

Laidlaw crawls into the mini-sub.

It's very cramped. Pierce is in the pilot's seat in the conning tower, donning a headset. He starts flipping switches, humming quietly to himself.

Collins sits directly beneath Pierce, surrounded by video monitors, sonar equipment, recorders, etc. To her left is the cluster of forward viewing ports. They are covered to protect them from scratching.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

In the passenger section in back, Ors. Valdez, craven, Abernathy, and Jerkins are already strapped in.

Laidlaw takes his seat next to Collins, activating his monitors. Three screens labeled: PORT FORWARD STARBD flicker to life.

Pierce calls down to Richardson.

Richardson closes the hatch, sealing them in. Pierce works more controls, we hear a loud WHIRR, then a metallic THUD.

The DSRV start to sway back and forth as it drifts free of the Deepstar.

Pierce breaks from his humming into a song.

In back, we can HEAR Abernathy join in on harmonica.

As Pierce SINGS and Abernathy PLAYS, the minisub sails across the vast crater to the dim lights of the not-too-distant BIO-LAB.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

CLOSE ON A DISPLAY SCREEN -- The Advanced Seafloor Profile Sonar -- ASIPS -- a grid of green lines that outline the contour of the seafloor, slowly marching towards us, like an animated 3-D geodetic survey map.

Laidlaw concentrates on the constantly shifting sonar display.

Pierce backs off on the throttle, the engine WHINING down as he hits the navigation lights.

Two powerful work lights blaze to life on the minisub, their beams scattered by suspended particles in the water.

Ahead, the shadowy form of the Bio-Lab looms up.

on the ASIPS, the computer graphic image of the Bio-Lab nearly fills the screen. An animated overlay gives docking instructions to Pierce.

Pierce keeps one eye out the viewport and one eye on his instruments as he carefully maneuvers the minisub alongside the station.

The minisub slips slowly into place next to the docking ring.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The DSRV mates to the docking ring with a reverberating CLANG. Laidlaw presses the AIRLOCK PURGE switch and we HEAR the ROAR of compressed air.

The compressed air purges the airlock free of water.

Everybody leaves the sub.

Valdez and craven turn on monitoring equipment while Collins hits the lights.

Through the glass wall of the control room, the bio-lab lights flicker on, revealing the vast experimental laboratory.

Abernathy and Jerkins, zipping up their sterile suits, step into the "HOT BOX".

The "Hot Box" is the long narrow corridor for disinfecting persons entering or leaving the bio lab. At either end there are two small pressure doors, set high off the deck.

Abernathy and Jerkins move silently through the "Hot Box". Neither speaks or looks at the other.

Laidlaw and Valdez watch through the control room window as Abernathy and Jerkins go to work, setting up the day's experiments.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce and Laidlaw head for the docking bay.

Pierce and Laidlaw are crossing the docking bay, headed back for the minisub.

Pierce "ahhhs" in recognition.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce scowls.

Pierce starts to leave.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Just then, Craven enters the docking bay from the control room.

Craven, Laidlaw, and Pierce re-enter the control room. Valdez and Collins watch Jerkins storm around the bio-lab through the window.

Laidlaw presses the intercom button.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins flips some switches.

20 ANGLE ON THE MONITOR 2

As the airlock camera flickers to life. Abernathy leans against the airlock wall.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw rolls his eyes. He fights to control his temper in dealing with these "men of science".

Abernathy rakes his lips across the harmonica, SCREECHINGup and down the scales several times in quick successsion.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Abernathy snickers. He knows this makes Jerkins nuts and delights in it like a schoolboy.

Jerkins flips the FLOOD switch "on" and "off" quickly.

several gallons of frigid seawater splash down on Abernathy. He screams.

Valdez reaches over and presses the MUTE button on the intercom. He turns to Laidlaw.

Laidlaw thinks about this for a long moment.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Through the window, Jerkins has been shouting and waving his arms. Suddenly, he throws something at the window where it bounces off with a loud BONK.

Valdez switches the speaker back on.

Valdez tries to reason with Jerkins, his voice BOOMING over the intercom.

Jerkins plunges his hand deep into one of the smaller specimen tanks, pulling out a small, disgusting-looking sea creature. The thing §gREECHES loudly, thrashing about in Jerkins' hand.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Jerkins shakes the sea creature at the monitor, it SCREECHES again as his grip tightens.

- JERKINS (continuing) And what about 1138?!! What good is that thing to anyone?

He gestures to a large cryogenic chamber, frozen vapor trailing off its side. A large red sign on the door reads:

DANGER: HOSTILE LIVE SPECIMEN DO NOT OPEN

Just at that moment, Dr. Abernathy starts up with a chorus of "Mary had a little lamb."

Jerkins goes beserk.

And with that, .Iel:kins heaves the SQUEALINGsea creature in the direction of the airlock. It.hits the cQntrol panel, where it crashes against the PURGE button with a loud SPLAT!

Hundreds of gallons of water rush into the dive well, instantly immersing Dr. Abernathy.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw, Collins, and Pierce watch helplessly.

Abernathy struggles, drowning in the swirling frigid water.

With a deafening WOOSHof compressed air, the dive well purges.

The airlock door opens, flushing Dr. Abernathy to the sea.

Valdez' jaw drops to the floor. Craven gasps and makes the sign of the cross.

Jerkins stares at the airlock control panel with a blank expression. His mind ca~'t comprehend what has just happened.

Laidlaw is the first to get over the shock. He turns to Collins and Pierce.

Collins and Pierce carry in heavy welding equipment from the docking bay.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins drops down by the sealed hatch next to the bio lab and fires up the cutting nozzle, tuning it to a bright blue flame. She flips down her welding mask and starts to cut the hatch.

CAMERA FOLLOWS Pierce as she heads back down the corridor.

As Pierce enters, Valdez, Craven, and Laidlaw watch Jerkins in the bio-lab through the window.

Through the window, Jerkins is strangely silent. He shuffles around the room aimlessly.

In his arms he cradles another of the bio- engineered creatures, stroking it gently.

Collins cutting through the hatch.

Laidlaw punches the intercom button.

Collins shouts at the videocom, not bothering to look up from her work.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

(into videocom) Step on it. (to Craven) Do we have something to knock him out when she cuts through?

Laidlaw then turns to Pierce.

Pierce exits, shaking his head.

HISSS!!!! -- Jerkins spins to see sparks cascading from the hatch where Collins is cutting through.

A trapped, haunted expression creeps over his face.

He crosses the lab to the cryogenic chamber marked 111138".

Collins cuts through the last few inches of hatch.

Dr. Craven draws several cc's of Sodium Pentathol into a syringe.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The heavy metal hatch falls through, hitting the deck with a loud CLANG!

Jerkins twists the large, red handle to "OPEN".

Foul-smelling green water spews out from around the sides of the chamber door.·

ANGLE ON VALDEZ - ECU

As he screams in frustration and terror we:

Pierce is jogging back to control room with two shotguns when suddenly, the lights go out.

Pierce stumbles in the dark, CRASHING to the deck.

Then the harsh red emergency light flicker on.

Pierce gets to his feet, moving to the control room door. He tries to open it.

Nothing.

Pierce opens the door's emergency access panel and pulls down on a handle. There is a HISS of compressed air escaping, but the door doesn't move.

crouching down next to the hatch, Pierce gets a handhold on the hatch and strains to lift it. The door slowly GRINDS open, but it's clear it won't stay that way on its own.

Pierce peers through the ever widening slit in the door, while on the other side ...

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

... Dr. Valdez and Laidlaw peer back.

Laidlaw and Valdez are pulling up on the hatch, Dr. Craven stands behind them.

As soon as the hatch is high enough, Pierce props it open with his shotgun and steps inside.

Pierce dashes for the hatch to the "Hot Box". He pulls down the manual handle and spins the undogging wheel.

Laidlaw points to the red light blinking over the door.

He yanks the hatch open. Smoke rolls. He peers into the hot box.

Pierce grabs an EBS unit and a handlight off the wall and steps inside.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw curses, pulls the second shotgun from the hatch -- it closes -- grabs an EBS and follows Pierce.

Pierce steps down into about two feet of water, his flashlight stabbing through the thick smoke that fills the "Hot Box".

As he starts wading through the knee-deep water, Laidlaw comes up behind him.

They look at each other, then Laidlaw shrugs as if to say "what the fuck" and hands Pierce a shotgun.

Suddenly, Pierce freezes as his flashlight beam picks up something floating in the water.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

44 ANGLE ON JERKINS GOO 4

Pierce's beam plays over a large c a.Ed oo coming to rest on a face reco

As Pierce looks up A BLACK WRITHING SHAPE SUDDENLY HURLS ITSELF AT HIS FACE.

Pierce and Laidlaw SHOUT in fear, staggering back.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

They both fire at the shape, blasting it down into the water.

The gunshots ECHO through the small corridor for a moment as Valdez yells:

Pierce prods the thing carefully with his shotgun, then picks up the riddled body of a creature, shining his light on it.

Valdez peers down from the hatch, takes one look, and:

Pierce tosses the ugly motherfucker back in the water.

He and Laidlaw ease through the cut-out hatch into the bio-lab.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

-45 INT. BIO LAB 4

Pierce sweeps his flashlight across the lab, cutting through the sprinkler system's rainy drizzle.

One side of the lab is burned, covered in a blanket of foam. Some of the specimen tanks are broken open, others have been blackened from the smoke.

WE HEAR:

zzzzzzt! POW! crackle.

The flashlight beam follows the NOISE, coming to rest on the power control bus. It has been smashed. Sparks still arc from the loose wires. Insulation still burns.

He looks over the control panel~ finds the EMERGENCYBATTERY switch, and flips it ON.

Harsh red emergency lights flicker on, giving them a better view.

They search the lab.

There is no sign of her.

A beat as Laidlaw looks for something else to say. He looks around.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

He looks at Pierce.

Laidlaw turns and leaves the lab.

Pierce watches him go. He leans up against one of the larger plex specimen containers, the back of his shirt wiping away some of the foam and carbon.

46 ANGLE ON COLLINS 4

In the specimen tank, breathing off an EBS unit. She looks out.

47 ANGLE ON PIERCE 4

Totally unaware that Collins is right behind him.

Suddenly a loud THUMPING on the tank propels him to his feet, shotgun up and ready as he spins.

He sees Collins and can't believe it. Setting the shotgun down he climbs up on top of the tank.

48 BACK TO SCENE 4

Pierce reaches into the tank and grabs Collins' wrists and pulls her up.

She grins, their eyes lock.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

-------------------------

Pierce softens, a wave of relief rushes over his face. He holds her gaze for a moment, it looks like they might embrace.

Then Pierce breaks the spell ...

Laidlaw sits at the computer console, typing in a communication to the surface.

50 ANGLE ON MONITOR 5

Laidlaw presses the SEND button and sits back.

A second later, the monitor types back:

///MESSAGE RECIEVED/// ///STANDBY///

There is a long pause. Then:

///CPT. LAIDLAW - PRIORITY ONE/// ///FROM DEEPSTAR COMMAND/// /// ADVISE STERILIZATION - DS6/// ///DIRECTIVE 7-12 IN EFFECT///

51 BACK TO SCENE 5

Laidlaw scratches his head.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

52 ANGLE ON THE MONITOR 5

As Laidlaw types.

There is another pause as Laidlaw waits for a reply.

Suddenly, the monitor goes blank.

53 IJ:1T. BIO LAB 5

Collins and Pierce are reworking the power bus control panel.

Collins face turns ashen.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins stops working as horrible realization crawls over her.

She rotates her head around slowly as Pierce continues to work.

54 COLLINS P.O.V. 5

As she PANS around the Bio-Lab looking for ...

55 ANGLE ON RIPPLE 5

... ~small black thing resting quietly just below the surface of the water. It could be anything.:.a bit of debris ... anything.

Coll ins freezes.

Pierce starts to say something to Collins when he notices she is standing perfectly still.

Collins quietly points in the direction of the little ripple.

Pierce stares hard at the spot for a long moment.

IT MO"SlES-T

Pierce turns back to Collins, mouthing a question without making a sound.

Collins nods.

Pierce looks back to the specimen tank where he had set down his shotgun.

He'd never make it.

Pierce tosses his thumb behind his back.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins nods again. She carefully shifts her footing, angling her body towards the exit.

She and Pierce take a careful step towards the door.

The thing beneath the water TURNS SHARPLY.

Collins and Pierce highstep through the water, moving quickly for the "Hot Box". The thing beneath the surface takes off, moving quickly in their direction.

Pierce and Collins doubletime through the "Hot ~ox", splashing through the water as they go.

57 ANGLE ON THE RIPPLE 5

As it :IJ!QYeS into the "Hot Box", bearing down on them.

58 BACK TO SCENE 5

Pierce stumbles slightly and Collins pulls him along, neither one of them bothering to look back.

And it's a good thing because the ripple is picking }IP speed ... movin in for the kill.

First Collins then Pierce jump through the hatch.

60 ANGLE ON HATCH 6

As the ripple swims right up to the hatchway, Pierce's hand hits the CLOSE button.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

SUDDENLY, .SOMETHING LARGE AND BLACK BREAKS !HE SURFACE JUST AS THE HATCH DOOR SLAMS SHUT.

WHAM!!!

The hatch reverberates as 1138 SLAMS against it.

61 BACK TO SCENE 6

Laidlaw, Craven, and Valdez are a little surprised to see Collins but before they can say anything:

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! ! !

62 ANGLE ON HATCH 6

WHAM!!!

This blow puts a dent in the hatch.

63 BACK TO SCENE 6

64 ANGLE ON HATCH 6

WHAM!!!

The hatch is bending in more.

65 BACK TO SCENE 6

Pierce doesn't need any further incentive. He rushes to the docking bay hatch.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

He begins to lift, the others join him.

66 ANGLE ON HATCH 6

WHAM! 1 !

The hatch warps from the blow, retaining bolts SQUEAL as they are pulled from the bulkhead.

67 BACK TO SCENE 6

As they pull up the door, but there's too many cooks, someone's hand slips and door CRASHES back down.

68 ANGLE ON HATCH 6

WHAM!!!

The "Hot Box" hatch is pushing out from the sides.

69 BACK TO SCENE 6

As Laidlaw turns to Valdez and Craven.

WHAM! ! !

WHAM! ! !

They heave, forcing the hatch up with a sickening SCREECH.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Laidlaw motions craven and Valdez through.

70 ANGLE ON HATCH 7

WHAM!!!

The "Hot Box" hatch CRACKS.

71 BACK TO SCENE 7

As Collins, Pierce, and finally Laidlaw moves through the hatch as the others hold it open.

The docking bay hatch SLAMS back down ...

72 ANGLE ON HATCH 7

WHAM!!!

... just as the 11Hot Box" hatch falls to the deck with a CLANG! Water rushes into the control room.

Laidlaw looks back when he hears the Hot Box hatch fall, he's amazed at ll38's strength. Valdez and Craven are the first into the airlock, followed by Collins, then Pierce. Laidlaw brings up the rear ...

... accidentally bumping the shotgun, knocking it down.• The hatch CRASHES down on Laidlaw's back.

He SCREAMS.

Pierce and Collins rush back to him, trying to lift the hatch, but with Laidlaw wedged in the hatchway, they can't get enough leverage.

WHAM!!!

1138 is beginning to work on the next hatch.

Pierce and Collins heave against the airlock hatch. Laidlaw groans, blood running from the corners of his mouth.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

74 ANGLE ON CONTROL ROOM I!ATCH 7

The control room hatch is bending from 1138's successive blows.

75 BACK TO SCENE 7

Laidlaw can hear 1138 battering his way through the control room hatch. He tries to push Pierce away.

76 ANGLE ON THE CONTROL ROOM HATCH 7

WHAM!!!

The bottom of the control room hatch punches from the sill, rivets flying.

77 BACK TO SCENE 7

Pierce strains, frantic now. Laidlaw coughs violently, Pierce glances down. A look passes between them and Pierce suddenly realizes ...

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce dives for the Laidlaw's arm, but too late Laidlaw punches the FLOOD switch on the airlock control.

WOOSH! Sea-water starts to pour into the airlock.

He pounds the airlock controls, trying to shut off the flood, but it won't respond.

He spins to the hatch, hauling on it with all his might, water cascading over him.

Water pours into the minisub.

Pierce keeps trying to lift the hatch. Collins grabs his arm.

Water splashes over Laidlaw's head.

Collins drags Pierce back into the minisub, SLAMMING the hatch tight.

As Pierce listens in anguish to the WATER as it fills the airlock.

Collins moves to the main control panel, grim.

CLOSE ON PIERCE -- Blank. In his mind he can hear Laidlaw dying on the other side of the fucking hatch.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce moves to the pilot's seat, firing up the engines, numb.

Collins starts the pumps, looks up at Pierce -- he still can't believe what just happened. He suddenly, violently pulls the release lever.

As the minisub detaches from the bio-lab airlock. It hangs motionless, then suddenly surges away.

Pierce powers the sub away from the lab.

Valdez and Craven grab for hand-holds as the sub lurches forward.

Pierce, looks out the viewport at the airlock.

Collins watches him.

Then ...

He jams on the throttle.

As it sails for the distant DeepSTAR 6.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Richardson is stacking cases of equipment and luggage by the docking bay airlock when he hears the SOUNDS of the the DSRV arriving.

Richardson punches the videocom.

The airlock hatch opens with a loud HISS. Valdez and Craven climb out, followed by Pierce and Collins.

Norris enters the docking bay.

She looks at the others.

They stare back, limp. Emotionless.

Norris looks for the right words.

There are none.

Finally:

And with that, Pierce exits the docking bay.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Snyder is typing in a message on the keyboard, an exasperated look on his face. snyer knows his shit about communications and computers.

Right now·t~ough, he isn't making much progress.

Pierce glances at him on his way to his quarters.

Snyder throws up his hands is disgust.

He gestures to the monitor .

..---... 84 ANGLE ON MONITOR 8

///DIRECTIVE 7-12 IN EFFECT///

85 BACK TO SCENE 8

Pierce is puzzled.

Snyder's fingers fly across the keyboard as he types in a message then presses the SEND button.

86 ANGLE ON MONITOR 8

///DIRECTIVE 7-12 IN EFFECT///

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

87 BACK TO SCENE 8

Snyder looks up at Pierce.

Snyder cocks his head, quickly adjusting the volume on his headset.

Snyder flips a switch and communications is filled with the SOUND of the SONAR.

WE HEAR a distant SPLASH followed by a HISSING.

Pierce is puzzled.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

--------------------- ------

As Snyder punches up the visual sonar, Collins walks past. Pierce pulls her over.

Collins studies the visual sonar as it comes to life.

88 CLOSE ON SONAR 8

As an animated diagram of the ocean above DeepSTAR 6 boots up. A small blip is dropping down to the center of the screen.

Snyder punches in a command to the computer. Sidebar information about the size and shape of the object appears next to the blip.

Collins realizes what they've been listening to ...

COLLINS

Oh, sweet Jesus Christ ...

She punches the videocom.

A depth charge EXPLODES!

BOOM!!!

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The explosion rocks the station.

Snyder grabs onto the console as Pierce and Collins tumble back.

Lights dim and flicker in the station, computer displays blink off, then on again.

Norris is thrown to the deck.

Craven and Valdez are pelted with medical instruments as- a shelf pulls from the wall.

Norris scrambles to the videocom.

As Norris' voice CRACKLES through the speaker, Pierce and Collins scramble to their feet, racing for the damage control board.

But Snyder ignores him. He's trying to pry the top off his pill bottle, his hands shaking badly.

A computer monitor constantly displays the various systems aboard DeepSTAR 6. The computer is showing sidebar information about the damage incurred.

94 ANGLE ON PIERCE AND COLLINS 9

As they run up to the damage control board, Richardson dashes in from the docking bay.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

-

He runs off into the docking bay.

Valdez pulls an overturned equipment cart off of Craven. She is bleeding badly from a cut over her eye.

--

A depth charge EXPLODES over the docking bay.

Richardson is gathering some equipment together when the shock of the explosion knocks him to the deck .

Snyder's pills go flying, scattering across the deck and falling through the grating.

Pierce and Collins grab onto a support beam, as the explosion causes the station to shudder.

The cargo sub is blasted loose from its docking ring mooring and sinks to the sea floor.

ALARMS go off as water begins to spray from the cargo sub's hatch.

Richardson jumps to the hatch, fighting the water as he tries to re-seal the hatch.

101 ANGLE ON PIERCE 10

Pierce scans the damage control board.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

102 ANGLE ON DAMAGECONTROL MONITOR 10

The oxygen system display is a row of tanks, each colored in blue. As the next depth charge hits ...

BOOM!!!

The display is a blur of static as another depth charge rocks the station.

An ALARM starts to SHREIK.

CLOSEUP - PRESSURE GAUGE as the needle drops quickly to zero.

He checks the computer display, two more tanks have turned red.

BOOM!!!

One of the docking bay support struts breaks free, crashing to the deck with a loud metal CLANG.

Richardson springs to the strut -- above him the hull is beginning to bend.

Collins has seen the strut fall. She runs to help Richardson.

She stumbles across Snyder, still on his hands and knees, looking for his pills.

Norris gropes her way through the hatch from sick bay.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins drags the torch set over to the broken support strut. As Richardson lifts the strut, she fires up the torch.

As Pierce and Norris frantically attempt to stem the sudden loss of air pressure.

An ALARM CLAXONBLEATS furiously.

Another depth charge EXPLODES!!!

The medical bay rocks. Valdez gropes through the wreckage of the medical supplies for something to bandage Craven's bleeding scalp.

Pierce and Norris can't stop the loss of air.

-. NORRIS

See if you can find where the leak is!

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce snatches up the keyboard and starts to type in some quick commands. But he can't make the system work the way Snyder can.

He looks over at Snyder, who is trying to dig a pill out from between the cracks.

Snyder looks up, panicked.

As a depth charge EXPLODES over the crew's quarters.

The hull caves in.

As the bulkhead collapses. Hundreds of gallons of water rush inside.

The hatch automatically slams down, sealing with a HISS.

Pipes burst, spraying water onto electrical consoles. Sparks shoot out.

Norris reaches over to turn valves, stemming the flow of water.

Pierce tries to make the computer system work but he is obviously lost.

He looks back at Snyder.

PIERCE

-.

Snyder, for God's sake ... help me!

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

·-.

Suddenly, Snyder staggers to his feet. He stumbles over to Pierce and takes the keyboard away from him.

With badly shaking hands he starts to type.

CLOSE ON THE DISPLAY -- As another tank goes from blue to red.

Richardson jams a packing case against the wall, Collins jumping up on it with her torch.

He holds the strut in place as she starts to weld the strut to the bulkhead.

BOOM!! !

Collins grabs the strut to keep from falling. The hull above her warps dangerously.

BOOM! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

The whole station is plunged into darkness. Lights and consoles sputter, fail, sputter. Finally they come back on.

Richardson is on the floor. Collins still clings to the strut, grimly welding it in place.

Norris attacks an electrical fire with an extinguisher.

Try as he might, even Snyder's magic fingers can 1 t stem the destruction.

He turns to Pierce, frantic.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Then he realizes something.

He slaps a switch to kill the ALARMS. The station is suddenly, eerily, quiet -- only the rasping WHOOSHof Norris' extinguisher and the HISS of Collin's torch.

ON THE DISPLAY -- The last tank goes red.

Pierce speaks quietly, angrily.

Richardson and Collins drag in from the docking bay. Collins removes her welding mask.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Richardson is studying the status board.

Pierce turns as he points to the board.

WE SEE the name "RICHARDSON" -- stenciled on white metal.

116 ANGLE ON THE DIVE SUIT 11

The dive suit is a pressure-tight shell just big enough for one man, with joints for movement and a large viewing port in the headpiece. It looks like Robbie the Robot.

Valdez, Craven, and Norris look on as Collins and Pierce help Richardson into his dive suit.

Collins watches as Richardson rolls up the drawing his daughter did and stuffs it in his shirt.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Then Richardson hoists himself inside as Norris steps up.

Richardson has "customized" the interior of his dive suit. Taped to the inside of the helmet are photos of his wife and daughter.

A pair of miniature, pink fuzzy dice hang near the atmosphere controls.

Collins checks that Richardson's tool basket is loaded and secure.

At the monitoring panel, Snyder switches on the diving suit's video assist system.

The camera mounted on Richardson's helmet comes to life.

119 ANGLE ON MONITOR 11

As Snyder turns away, walking over to check the camera. His face looms up on the monitor, distorted by the wide angle effect.

120 BACK TO SCENE 12

Collins presses a button and an electric winch on a track in the ceiling automatically picks up Richardson's dive suit. With an electronic WHIRR, the winch starts along the track towards the airlock.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

On the other side of the basement, the massive hatch to the diving well starts to open automatically.

Snyder punches up the oxygen exchanger blueprints on a computer terminal.

Pierce looks over the electronic blueprints.

121 ANGLE ON TERMINAL 12

A schematic of the oxygen exchanger flickers past. One area is highlighted in flashing red with sidebar information describing the problem.

Snyder presses a button and a color copy of the blueprint zips out. He hands the copy to Pierce.

122 BACK TO SCENE 12

Pierce and Valdez ·start to pull up small sections of the deck, exposing an extensive labyrinth of pipes and wiring.

The winch stops. Ricahrdson's diving suit swing directly over the open diving well. The winch WHIRRS again, gently lowering Richardson into the dive well.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

With a loud metallic THUD, the heavy diving suit comes to a rest on the bottom of the airlock. The winch automatically disconnects from the suit, the cable snaking back up through the open hatch.

The dive well hatch closes automatically, sealing with a HISS.

A speaker above Richardson's monitor BOOMS with his voice.

Collins steps over to a panel: AIRLOCK CONTROL.

CLOSEUP - FLOOD button, as Collins presses it.

A loud HISS sounds as water splashes up and over the view ports on the DIVING suit.

The airlock door slides open and Richardson steps out onto the ocean floor. Work lights on the diving suit cast pools of brilliant light. Beyond lies the absolute blackness of the deep ocean.

Norris, Craven, and Snyder watch the Richardson's P.O.V. monitor as his voice CRACKLES from the speaker.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

As Richardson moves away from the airlock, the lights on the station grow dimmer. Soon he is surrounded by total darkness.

His breath is labored, each step is an-effort.

Suddenly, a large black object begins to materialize in his path ...

The screen flickers with static.

But the monitor only shows a grey-black muddle.

The black object reveals itself to be a structure the size of a small building, criss-crossed with an elaborate network of pipes, junctions and valves intersecting and branching off from each other, a plumber's nightmare.

Air spills from broken pipes in huge fountains.

The screen is fuzzy.

Pierce looks over the blueprints.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Richardson scans the exchanger, his light coming to rest on a large main ENZ-6538 -- nestled in between smaller pipes.

Richardson reaches into his tool basket for his torch and fires it up. Bubbles spew from its nozzle as he starts to cut the pipe.

As Richardson's torch cuts through the main, Pierce starts to reroute the bypass. ("Hand me that wrench, etc.")

A burst of snow blurs the monitor image. Static obscures Richardson's reply~"

The torch cuts through the pipe.

Pierce consults the blueprint.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Richardson is patching the main when something gets his attention.

He looks over at a filter vent. The cover has been torn off (blown off) and a tiny trickle of bubbles slip from the opening.

The image starts to break up.

Snyder adjusts the set but the static grows.

Richardson shuts down the torch, turning towards the vent.

He peers over into the vent.

WHOOOSH! ! ! !

A FLURRY OF BUBBLES FLARES UP IN FRONT OF RICHARDSON!

Richardson curses under his breath, shutting down the vent.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

He turns back back to the pipe ...

... AND SOME BIG UGLY MOFO JUMPS IN HIS FACE!!!!

AS 1138 LEAPS TOWARDSRICHARDSON'S CAMERA.

The image breaks up, Richardson's SCREAM becoming garbled with the static.

140 BACK TO SCENE 14

Everyone freezes for an instant.

Then:

But Snyder is paralyzed.

Norris snatches the headset away from him, yelling into it.

She races for the other dive suit.

THUMP!!!

The noise at the airlock door causes everyone to freeze.

Pierce springs to the dive well hatch and peers into the small viewport in the top.

He smiles.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins presses the dive well OPEN button and the massive hatch swings up.

Richardson's helmet comes to the surface. Pierce drops to the floor next ~o the helmet, wiping the faceplate with his -leeve.

141 IN THE DIVING SUIT 14

Pierce looks in through the viewport.

Richardson looks back with a blank and distant stare.

142 BACK TO SCENE 14

Pierce jumps up, grabbing the hook from the winch. He fastens it to the back of Richardson's helmet.

Collins hits the switch and the winch starts to pull the diving suit out of the airlock.

Suddenly Craven screams.

Richardson's diving suit has been torn in half, the bottom part missing just below the arms. Cables . and tattered flesh hang loosely from underneath as water and blood drip into the open airlock.

Stunned silence as the winch pulls the suit to the end of the boom, stopping with a loud metallic CLANG.

Something in the bits of floating debris catches Valdez's eye -- the drawing that Richardson's daughter did of him, torn and spattered with blood.

He bends down to pick it up.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

THE GAPING BLACK MAWOF 1138 BREAKS THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, biting off Valdez' hand at the wrist.

SC~EAMING, Valdez draws back a bloodi stump. He staggers back across the deck, slamming into the bulkhead.

143 ANGLE ON NORRIS AND CRAVEN 14

Norris and Craven both leap for Valdez. Norris grabs his bloody arm but it slips from her grip. Craven grabs it in two hands·. Propping him up with one hand, B.Q_rris rips the sleeve off his jumpsuit to fashion a tourniquet.

144 ON THE AIRLOCK 14

Pierce and Collins throw themselves on the hatch, forcing it closed.

A black claw forces its wa out of the hatch, fighting for everage.

Collins picks up a wrench and starts beating the claw back. Chunks of the shell break off, spraying them in the face.

The claw retreats back, Pierce and Collins force theriatch shut and lock it.

Dead silence. Pierce and Collins heave from exertion. Norris and Craven are already guiding Valdez to the ladder.

THUMP!!!

The impact causes the hatch to shudder violently. They scramble from the hatch.

THUMP!!!

The second impact shatters the viewport.

THUMP!!! CRASH!!!

The third impact torques the hatch hinge.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Snyder is shaking, lips quivering with fear. His mind is grinding gears.

Suddenly, he finds first.

CLOSEUP - PURGE button as Snyder's hand slaps it.

A deafening ROAR fills the basement as compressed air is quickly funnelled into the dive well.

Pierce and Collins stagger back against the railing as water geisers out of the shattered viewport like a fountain.

THUMP!!!

The hatch starts to spray water from the edge.

THUMP!!! CRASH!!!!!

Water EXPLODES out of the dive well.

The hatch rips free and flys open, pinning Collins against the railing.

Pierce jumps over to her and tries to pull her free.

Water sprays from the dive well, several inches already cover the floor.

1138 rises up, shrouded in a spray of water.

The dive well still ROARS, the water level rapidly rising.

Pierce pushes against the hatch with all his might but it won't budge. Collins is trapped.

But Snyder's clutch has burned out. He panics and claws for the ladder.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Craven is standing on the ladder, pushing Valdez through when Snyder pulls her off.

She falls back to the deck, landing in the water with a SPLASH!

Snyder fl~es up the ladder and through the hatch.

Craven looks over at the dive well.

J138 slithers out of the dive well and onto the deck. _,--- Pierce is still trying to free Collins.

Craven staggers through the waist high water towards the dive well control panel.

CLOSE UP - PURGE BUTTON as Craven turns it off.

---- The water spray from the dive well fizzles out.

Pierce pushes with both feet against the hatch. The hatch falls forward with a WHUMP! Collins is freed.

Across the room, the automatic winch has returned Richardson's suit to the rack. It releases it and the half-suit CRASHES to the deckJ falling over into the water and sinking with a SP¼SH.

11138 sinks beneath the surface, swimming for Craven.

She screams, scrambling for the ladder.

Norris rushes out of sick bay, hearing the muffled SHOUTS from the lab below. She looks up in alarm, moving towards the hatch.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Snyder grabs her, mad with fear, pinning her against the bulkhead in an iron grip.

Pierce hustles Collins towards the ladder as he rushes to help Craven.

Craven flails at the ladder but 1138 overtakes her, grabbing her in it's giant maw. -

Pierce reaches for her, but 1138 pulls her bac~.

1138 <lrags her under the water.

Pierce looks helplessly at the water where Craven went under.

Collins calls to him from the ladder.

Pierce turns and scrambles for the ladder.

Just as his feet hit the rungs ...

1138 JUMPS OUT OF THE WATER AT HIS FEET~ HISSING MADLY.,!! ! !

Pierce leaps up the next few rungs, pressing hard into Collins.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins pounds on the hatch.

Pierce glances down at the bottom of the ladder.

1138 circles the bottom of the ladder, it's spil}Y backbone just breaking the water. •

Suddenly, it tilts it's ugly head skyward and H,ISSES, exposing several rows of sharp teeth -- a stinking, black pit of violent death.

Norris and Snyder hear the muffled cries of Collins and Pierce through the thick hatch.

Norris starts for the hatch again but Snyder stops her.

Norris tries to break free of Snyder's grasp but his fear has made him strong.

Suddenly, she relaxes.

Snyder releases his grasp a bit, whispering ...

POW! ! !

Norris sends Snyder spiraling with a right cross to the chin then quickly crosses to the hatch cover.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce watches fom the ladder as 1138 works it's _mouth, testing the ladder's rungs, getting ready for the big meal.

Not a pretty sight.

With the sudden WOOSH of compressed air, the hatch swings open. Collins and Pierce scramble through.

Collins SLAMS the hatch shut, dogging it forcefully. Pierce collapses on top of it, his chest heaving.

Collins rises up, her eyes meeting with Snyder's.

Snyder gives a slight start. Trying to stand and move back at the same time, he bumps into the map table.

But Collins is already on her feet, moving fast and low ...

... punching him in the face on the word "bitch."

Snyder tumbles backwards over the map table. Collins leaps after him, her fists flying.

She straddles Snyder, her fists slamming into his face again and again. Blood spatters from Snyder's nose.

Pierce grabs Collins from behind and pulls her off Snyder.

Snyder tires to get to.his feet, instead staggering back against a console. He hangs there, trying to stem the flow of blood from his mashed nose.

--

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins stares back furious as Pierce shuffles her into the medical bay.

Valdez, conscious but weak, lays on the operating table.

Collins hands instruments to her, wiping Valdez's sweat-soaked face with a wet cloth.

Valdez GASPS, trying not to show the pain. Norris looks up at Collins.

She does.

He strains to look at Norris.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins comes over with the syringe, taking Valdez by the shoulders to calm him.

Noris thumps the syringe with her forefinger then quickly injects Valdez in his good arm ..

The drug takes affect almost immediately.

Valdez's eyes grow glossy.

Valdez falls asleep.

Norris gets up, stripping off her bloody gloves. She runs some water in the sink, washing her face.

Collins comes over with the syringe, taking Valdez by the shoulders to calm him.

Noris thumps the syringe with her forefinger then quickly injects Valdez in his good arm.

The drug takes affect almost immediately.

Valdez's eyes grow glossy.

Valdez falls asleep.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Norris gets up, stripping off her bloody gloves. She runs some water in the sink, washing her face.

She turns as Pierce and Snyder enter the medical bay.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce stands.

Snyder comes in with four small cylinders tipped with stout needles -- SHARK DARTS. He dumps them next to Norris, and they start assembling the sectioned poles.

The air in the station is getting thin and hot and everyone is starting to sweat.

Collins and Pierce are loading the shotguns when suddenly, Valdez appears in the hatchway.

Pierce and Collins exchange glances.

Norris looks over at Pierce. He shrugs.

Snyder hands Valdez a shark dart.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Valdez takes it in his only hand, studying it carefully.

Snyder turns away to hide how badly he is shaking. Sitting on the padded examination table, he pretends to be intensely interested in his shark dart.

Everyone starts for the exit, except Snyder.

Norris swells. She's had about all of Snyder's shit she can stand. She snatches up Snyder's shark dart and points it at his crotch ...

... then thrusts it into the padded surface of the examination table next to his thigh.

Instantly, the loud HISS of ESCAPING GAS is heard. Snyder jumps off the examination table as the vinyl cover begins to bulge, popping off the upholstery buttons.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Snyder scrambles to avoid the rapidly inflating cover as the high pressure gas in the shark dart fills the padded top.

PFOOM! ! !

The vinyl is blown to shreds.

Everyone looks at the wrecked examination table.

The sound of DRIPPING WATER echoes through blackness.

There is a slight THUD followed by a loud metallic CLICK as a small circle of light grows in the ceiling.

Pierce pokes his head cautiously through the hatchway. He shines his dive light around the interior of the lab.

It's three-quarters full of seawater.

Pierce pulls his head out of the hatchway and looks up at the others.

The others exchange nervous looks as Snyder whines:

.............

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

anywhere down there! Screw this bullshit, let's cast off in the pod ...

Pierce picks up his shotgun and starts to lower himself into the hatch.

Pierce comes down the ladder, slowly easing his body into the cold, dark seawater.

Norris comes next, followed by Snyder. Collins helps Valdez bring up the rear.

Pierce dips h1s dive light beneath the surface of the water, sweeping it back and forth slowly. He wades chest-deep across the lab towards the specimen tank.

Snyder, his shark-dart poised high above his head, shuffles slowly to the right. Valdez sticks close behind him.

Collins and Norris wade along the wall to the lext, their lights and weapons held out in front of them.

SUDDENLY, SOMETHING SLICK AND BLACK BREAKS THE SURFACE RIGHT IN FRONT OF TH~M!

BLAM! ! ! BLAM! ! ! BLAM! ! !

Norris jabs forward with her shark-dart as Collins pumps three quick rounds through her shotgun.

SCREAMS and SHOUTS fill the compartment as the blac thing thrashes around in the water the shark dart e ed in its ski..Il-, HISSING loudly.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Lights skew around the lab as Pierce shouts to be heard over the din:

The others quiet down one by one as they train their dive lights on-the dying black thing ...

... a pair of dive suit woolies.

It slowly turns, spilling air and sinking with a GLUB. A moment of embarrassed silence.

Before Norris can respond ...

Valdez quietly wades to Norris, and hands her his weapon. Pierce passes a couple of rounds to Collins who reloads her shotgun.

Tentatively they begin the sweep again.

Then, after a moment:

Pierce hands his shotgun to Snyder. He braces himself, takes a breath, and dives under the surface.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce dives down, searching with his light for the access panel. He finds it, setting his dive light on the deck. He gropes for the wrench and starts to reconnect a fitting.

The sound of WATER DRIPPING, the others waiting, their breath showing in the bitter cold.

Pierce tries to bolt a pipe together. The wrench slips with a loud metallic CLANG.

Snyder jumps at the noise.

WHOOSH!!

They all have near heart attacks as Pierce bursts to the surface, panting:

He breathes in deeply several times, then dives again.

Pierce really tugs on that mother and CLANG -- the wrench slips again.

Finally, he gets the pipe in place.

It's getting tense. Snyder swings his light back and forth, nervously. He's coming apart.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

-·

Norris and Collins are trying their best to stand an aggressive guard when ...

... WHOOSH, Pierce comes up for air again.

WHOOSH!!!

THE THING BURSTS UP BEHIND PIERCE!

Chaos. Dive lights flail in the darkness, slashing across the outline of the thing.

Snyder's nerve snaps. He drops Pierce's shotgun and runs for the ladder ...

... his forgotten shark dart stabbing Valdez in the heart.

HISSSSS -- Valdez looks down in horror as his chest exaands, a SCREAM building in his tnroat as b.lood gurgles from his mouth.

BLAPP! ! !

Valdez's left side explodes in a grisly shower of ribs and muscle tissue. Collins and Norris are spattered with blood and bits of lung.

162 BACK TO SCENE 16

Snyder scrambles for the ladder, stumbling against Norris as she rushes forward to throw her shark-dart.

THWAP!!! HISSSS!!!

-

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The shark dart punctures the thin 's side, but hangs imp y. The compressed gas escapes from the wound causing it to thrash about in agony.

-

Pierce backpedals as the thing sweeps towards him, its claws flailing_. He aucks beneaththe water as Collins fires her shotgun.

BLAM! ! ! BLAM! ! ! BLAM! ! !

Two rounds punch through the thing's shell with a stinging SNAP. Her third shot goes high, - rupturing high pressure hoses.

The hoses lash about as the thing pivots around in pain, HISSING madly. Its tail whips over its head.

BLAM! ! !

Collins blows the end of its tail off. The thing SCREECHES.

Pierce breaks the surface next to Collins and hustles her towards the ladder.

Valdez's body slips beneath the surface of the water, his mouth frozen open in a cry of mute protest.

Snyder scrambles through the hatch, racing for the escape pod. He reaches up, pulling on a large yellow handle in the ceiling marked:

///ESCAPE///ESCAPE///ESCAPE///ESCAPE///

A ladder drops from the ceiling as Norris comes through the hatch.

He ignores her, climbing up, frantically unlocking the hatch to the escape pod.

Norris grabs him by the waist. He turns and pounds her with a vicious backhand. She tumbles to the deck.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

He swarms up into the escape pod. Norris climbs up the escape pod ladder just as Snyder SLAMS the ha~ch in her face. She pounds on it, screaming:

·snyder breaks the yellow and black safety seal and sets the switches to override.

Norris' VOICE carries faintly through the hatch.

He ignores her, sheer panic driving his brain as he fumbles with the ESCAPE control, twisting it to ARM.

The thing finally sweeps _the shark dart out of its side, charging after Pierce and Collins. They scramble up through the hatch as it rips out the ladder inches below Pierce's feet.----_

//CAUTION: EXPLOSIVE BOLTS//

And now the lower hatch begins to automatically close. Norris is about to be trapped inside the docking ring ....

... when suddenly, at the last second before she is pinned, strong arms reach up and pull her free.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

She tumbles to the deck with Pierce.

Snyder pushes the launch button.

BLAMMO!! !

The explosive bolts fire simultaneously, rocking the escape pod and tossing Snyder back against his seat.

The ceiling shudders with the EXPLOSION.

The hatch to the escape pod warps, sending a shower of gas and debris. Water shoots past the seals, spraying Norris, Collins, and Pierce with terrific pressure.

The pod tears free from DeepSTAR 6 in a flurry of massive air bubbles as it races to the surface.

Water gushes from the hatch seals, spraying the electronic consoles and shorting them out. Sparks fly out as the lights flicker and dim.

Pierce and the others crawl into the galley as the watertight doors start to close.

The three of them slide through the airlock as the watertight door closes shut, sealing with a HISS. Norris sputters, coughing seawater from her lungs.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce gazes at the ceiling as if he could see through it.

The pod rises from the seafloor at an ever increasing rate.

As the speed builds, the interior begins to vibrate. Snyder struggles to hold onto his seat.

CLOSEUP - DEPTH GAUGE as the needle starts to rise.

Snyder looks out the small window in the upper hatch. Bubbles race by against a pitch black background.

He giggles, a soft sound that builds as he pounds his seat arms, urging the pod to go faster. Snyder ignores the ALARM that goes off.

///DANGER/// ///EXPLOSIVE DECOMPRESSION///

The escape pod is really shaking now, but Sny9er doesn't care.

He's going home.

DEPTH GAUGE - The needle rises faster.

The escape pod lurches violently. Snyder throws out a hand to steady himself. It twitches.

A blister rises on the back of his hand.

Suddenly, .t.._he blister grows larger -- it ~es _a_ vein, pushing to the surface of his arm. Snyder watches, fascinated, as the veinraces up his arm past his elbow ...

... then Snyder GASPS in pain.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

DEPTH GAUGE - Rising faster.

WINDOW- The first glimmers of pale light.

DEPTH GAUGE - Signing his death warrant.

WINDOW - Light streams in. The water -- azure blue.

---

His mouth opens in a tortured SCRE~.

Snyder's SCREAMcarries faintly through the thick escape pod hull. The SCREAM CUTS OFF as the top hatch window is suddenly wiped/with r~d.

Silhouetted by the distant sun, wreathed in air bubbles and sparkling light, the escape pod sails on towards the surface.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

This scene is currently under construction.

They are running out of air.

Pierce discovers that Collins is carrying his unborn child.

In a desperate final effort to survive, Pierce formulates a plan: He will swim through the flooded Command Center to the Docking Bay and bring the surviving mini-sub to the decompression chamber. Norris and Collins will swim to the medical bay and enter the decompression chamber from that end.

Pierce opens the door to the airlock and crawls inside.

Both women nod in agreement.

He closes the door.

Pierce sits in the tiny airlock, breathing deeply, filling his lungs with every atom of air they can hold.

He hits the OPEN switch.

The airlock quickly fills with swirling, frigid water. Pierce is completely immersed as the outer door slides open.

He swims out into the blackness beyond.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce swims across the· almost fully flooded command center. He kicks under the map table and comes up next to the airlock door marked:

Nothing.

Pierce give the button another try. Still nothing. Precious seconds tick past as he tries to figure the problem. Then, he kicks off from the bottom, swimming for the surface.

Pierce's head breaks the surface of the water only six inches from the ceiling of the command center. Behind him the escape pod hatch is still leaking like mad.

He takes several deep breaths and ducks down again.

Pierce swims up to the door again. He pries open an access panel, using a crank to open the door manually.

The airlock door slides open and Pierce swims in.

Pierce closes the door behind him, pressurizing the lock. As the water level drops beneath his chin, he takes several deep breaths and opens the next door.

Pierce and several gallons of water spill out into the bay. He gets to his feet, climbing into the accessway.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

--------

Pierce moves through the hatch, pulling it closed. He pulls himself into the pilot's seat and straps in.

The two women have lapsed into sleep. Norris sits in Snyder's chair, her feet drawn up underneath her. Collins lies on the floor.

Norris' head dips a little, then she falls, tumbling out of the chair.

Then, she remembers. She starts shaking Collins.

But Collins is too far gone.

Norris drags her over to the airlock, opens the door, and pushes her inside.

Norris climbs inside after Collins, closing the door. She gives Collins another shake -- no response. Norris punches the FLOOD control.

Frigid water swirls around Collins and she awakens with a start. Her shout of protest is cut off as the water rises above their heads. Norris opens the outer door.

Norris and Collins swim out of the galley airlock, their flimsy undergarments billowing as they navigate through the mass of debris that was once the command center.

They reach the medical bay airlock. Norris hits the OPEN switch.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Nothing happens.

Their lungs about to burst, Norris slams the switch again. A dreadful moment, then the hatch starts to open.

Under the harsh red of the emergency lights, an unholy torrent of water pours in from the open hatch.

Collins pours into the medical bay, tumbling across the deck. Norris manages to grab the frame of the open hatch as the water thunders past her, tearing at her clothes.

Her finger finds the "CLOSE" switch, pressing it. The hatch motor GRINDS as it tries to close, then stops as something jams in the doorway.

},. HUGE BLACK SHAPE SLIDES THROUGHTHJL_DQQRWAY.

The hatch SLAMS shut quickly, ~g~tching the thing.., by one claw. It thrashes wildly. its tail smashing Norris against the bulkhead.

Pierce cranks the starter, an exasperated look on his face. Nothing.

He hits it again, the starter WHINES but the turbine will not turn over.

He cranks it again. He'd pump the gas pedal if it had one.

Water sprays through the narrow opening in the hatch as the thing flails with an E,nearth!,y KEENING sound. Norris and Collins scramble away.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

With a tremendous yank, tj)e thing rips off a claw, breaking loose. The hatch slamssnUt.

Furious, the for Col • s .

bay. ---. Something catches her.eye ...

... the defibrillator unit.

She switches the unit on and grabs the shock paddles.

CLOSE ON DEFIBRILLATOR -- as the capacitor begins to suck up the juice with a loud electric WHINE, the voltmeter counting up quickly by thousands:

.. . 2 .. . 3 .. . 4 ... 5 ...

192 COLLINS 19

As the thing bears down on her.

She slaps the paddles on the thing's back.

ZZZAPP! ! ! !

Long sparks ARC across its shell, it S~nd recoils ..r

J:!:!e thing hunkers down, HISSING at Norris.

-

CLOSE ON THE DEFIBRILLATOR -- as the capacitor begins charging again .

... 4 ... 5 ... 6.~.7 ...

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

193 BACK TO SCENE 19

Collins hammers the controls to the decompression chamber but it refuses to open, an idiot light stating flatly:

//WATER IN HOLD//

The thing pau_§_es, then sinks down, vanishi~g peneath the water.

The capacitor continues its steady climb .

A ripple races across the surface of the water towards Norris.

SUDDENLY NORRIS IS GRABBED FROM BELOW.

She's slammed against the bulkhead, one of the paddles flies from her hand and SPLASHES into the water. Norris BELLOWS in rage and pain.

Collins frantically pounds the little window in the hatch door.

Norris kicks out, trying to stay on her feet, groping for the lost paddle.

THE DEFIBRILLATOR -- WHINING in protest .

194 POV DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER- DS3 194

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

... then he looks out the window.

The hatch to the decompression chamber flies open and Pierce grabs Collins and hauls her inside.

He starts for Norris.

Suddenly, she is yanked beneath the surface.

ZZZZZZZZTTTT!!!!!!!! POW!!!

There is a sharp electrical CRACK as the paddle hits the water. The power unit EXPLODES, sending a shower of sparks and debris.

Pierce is thrown back into the decompression chamber.

ZZZT!!! snap! ZZZT!!! snap! POW!!!

The creature rises up, HISSING wildly as thousands of volts surge throuSI_h it.

Lights and instrumentation EXPLODE. •

ZZZT!!! POW!!! snap! POW!!! ZZZT!!! ZZZT!!!

Pierce slams the hatch.

ANGLE ON THE DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER

Pierce and Collins watch the fireworks through the thick little window, sparks of electricity briefly illuminating their faces.

ZZZT! ZZZT! pow. snap. zzzzzzzztt ...

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Finally, the last little spark fizzles out and the thing teeters over, falling into the water with a huge SPLASH.

ANGLE ON THE DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER- SAME TIME

Collins and Pierce watch the creature die with rapt fascination.

Suddenly, this gives way to tremendous joy as they begin jumping up and down.

Finally, Pierce says something to Collins that makes her stop.

She moves close, putting her arms around his neck.

Their lips melt into one long passionate kiss as they slowly sink from in front of the window.

The deep sea station looks peaceful, dim lights barely glowing in the deep, dark ocean.

Pierce and Collins lay in a tangled heap, asleep on the floor. Collins begins to stir, pulling free of Pierce's arms. She opens her eyes and looks around the chamber as if she is unaware of where she is.

Suddenly, full-consciousness seizes her and she freezes.

Nothing.

Collins looks at her watch then up at the control board for the chamber. A green light glows reassuringly:

STAGE DECOMPRESSION COMPLETE

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

A slight giggle escapes Collins. She grabs Pierce.

She rolls him over, face up, his features frozen in a blank and distant stare.

She looks down in horror.

It takes her a moment to realize where she is, then she looks at her watch. She grabs Pierce and shakes him.

BOOM!

Another blast rocks the station and Pierce springs awake.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce and Collins board the minisub, moving as quickly as they can in the thin air.

Pierce climbs into the pilot's seat, sets some switches, then crosses his fingers.

He hits the starter.

Nothing.

BOOM!!

Pierce and Collins hold fast as the bulkheads RATTLE violently. Pierce scrabbles for the starter and stabs it.

Not a thing.

BOOM!! !

The minisub lurches. A gauge SMASHES.

On "SHIT", Pierce SLAMS his fist into the console.

The motor catches.

Pierce lets out a WHOOP, gunning the motors.

Pierce doesn't need to be told. He jams on the throttle.

BOOM! ! ! ! !

The explosion causes the minisub to pitch suddenly. Pierce is thrown hard against the

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The motors SCREAM.

CRASH!

The minisub plows full speed astern into the station.

Alarms SHRIEK their-warnings, the lights flicker wildly.

Pierce jams the drive into full ahead.

CLOSE ON PROPELLER - as it hesitates, then spins furiously.

The stern of minisub is wedged tight in a gaping hole in the side of the station.

Collins works the damage control board, cal·ling over her shoulder to Pierce.

Pierce swears under his breath as he leans hard on the throttle.

The rninisub tugs forward. The motor WHINES in protest.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

The thing is wrapped around the bow of the ~minisub.

WHAM!

It SLAMS the side of the minisub.

The minisub shakes violently.

Pierce pulls back on the stick, his fingers fumbling over the switches.

Collins gropes for something to hang on to, then is thrown again as the minisub shudders.

She drops to the deck, crawling forward, her hand finding the control for the mechanical arm.

CLOSE ON THE ARM -- as it comes to life, extending itself.

Pierce rides the helm with everything he's got.

CLOSEUP - INSTRUMENT PANEL as motor temperature rises rapidly into the red zone.

Collins tries to catch her breath, trembling from the lack of oxygen. _The thing's gaping mouth Eresses against the front viewport, trying to chew its way inside. -

The minisub rises in a flurry of air bubbles, the ~hing plastered onto the bow.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins smiles back.

An ALARMbleats out a sudden warning. Pierce checks his panel.

Collins glances forward.

... pulling the cover off the viewport ...

... she screams.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce has had it with this shit .. He whips the throttle back to idle ...

... then jams it forward with all his might.

The minisub gives a start then jumps forward. It tears free with a sickening metallic SCREECH, leaving its stabilizer fin embedded in the hole.

As Pierce steers the minisub away from the docking bay, he glances out his stern viewport.

PIERCE'S P.O.V. - As the depth charge drifts down slowly onto the top of the station.

K A B O O M ! ! !

The station EXPLODES!

The minisub vibrates violently as it is hammered by the explosion.

Pierce fights to stay in control as Collins hangs on for dear life.

Th~ lights flicker, then die.

After a moment, the vibrations subside and the lights blink back on.

Pierce glances around the minisub, checking for structural damage. He looks at Collins and smiles.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Collins manipulates the arm.

CLOSEUP - FORWARDVIEWPORT as the mechanical arm moves toward the dark form of the thing like a silver dart.

Collins is sweating bullets, gasping for air.

A terrible GRINDING sound causes Pierce to jump.

CLOSEUP - INSTRUMENT PANEL as the motor temperature gauge hits the end of the scale.

CLOSE ON THE PROPELLER -- as it suddenly halts, gas and debris shooting past the driveshaft bearing seals.

Pierce shuts down the motors -- too late. The minisub, powerless, is tossed about as the thing slams them again.

WHAM!

The lights flicker, sparks and flames leap from the control panel. Water begins to spray into the sub.

CLOSEUP - FORWARDPORTHOLE -- the thing's hideous m~.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

CLOSEUP - FORWARDPORTHOLE the clawed end of the mechanical arm appears in front of the thing's mouth.

• 229 INT. DSRV-1 22

Collins drives the claw straight into the thing's mouth and squeezes the control grip.

CLQSEON THE THING'S MOUTHas the claw closes, 'catching the tender moutb pacts.

The mechanical claw crushes the thing's.J11.outh ~rgans. Blood spurts into the water.

The thing goes berserk.

Pierce grabs his seat with both hands to hold on.

CLOSEUP - DEPTH GAUGE, the needle soaring for the surface.

Collins squeezing the control grip as tight as she can.

CLOSEUP - FORWARDPORTHOLE tj',l.e thing convulses to _get away from the sub .It twists violently.

...

The whole sub rolis completely over.

Everything not bolted down is briefly airborne. The monitor panel crashes down, pinning Collins. She bellows -- a loud angry SCREAM.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Above Pierce, an emergency kit shakes open, spilling its contents. He's hit on the head by something that lodges in the maze of pipes and wiring at his feet.

A flare pistol.

Collins has lost her grip on the mechanical arm control, but the claw remains imbedded in the thing's mouth, locked closeO. As it thrashes, ·the mTnisub pitches.

CLOSEUP - DEPTH GAUGE Almost to zero.

Pierce's eyes flick from the depth gauge to the flare gun -- then to the fuel gauge (the tanks are almost full) and right next door -- the FUEL DUMP switch.

An idea is forming in Pierce's mind.

He reaches above his head, to the inside cover of the escape hatch ·marked:

//LIFE RAFT//LIFE RAFT//LIFE RAFT//

He pulls the arming pins.

Reaching down, he picks up the flare pistol and tucks it into his waistband.

CLOSEUP - FORWARDVIEWPORT The minisub lurches hard and suddenly the viewing ports are wiped with foam.

The minisub breaks the surface.

They've surfaced.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce pops the hatch, sucking in as much fresh air as his lungs will hold.

The life raft bursts from the hatch and begins to inflate.

on the bow,, the thing sti~truggles. It rocks ~he minisub, trying to swamp it.

-------

Pierce shouts down.

Collins is trapped under the control panel. She's trying to wrestle it off, but it won't budge.

Pierce doesn't hesitate, he drops down by her.

The thing tips the minisub over hard, shipping water down the hatch.

Pierce grabs the control panel and heaves. It just won't move. The sub heels over the other way, water pours into the hatch, drenching them.

Water rises up past Collins shoulders, splashing over her face. She gulps for air, getting only ocean.

Pierce is really tired of all of this shit -- he grabs the goddamn panel and hauls on it.

His fingers slip on the heavy, wet metal.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Pierce looks around at the wreckage, searching quickly as another big wave comes down the hatch, totally immersing Collins head.

He finds a piece of pipe, wedges one end under the panel and jumps on the other end.

The panel lifts a little.

Collins bursts clear, sputtering seawater from her lungs. Pierce helps her up to the hatch.

Scrambling out the hatch, Collins trips and falters.

Pierce puts both hands on her ass and shoves her out the hatch. Climbing out after her, he pauses to turn back to the instrument panel.

With his foot, he kicks the FUEL DUMP switch.

The fuel is ejected from the minisub with a ROAR, two geysers of. fuel and seawater shooting up into the air.

Collins clings to the conning tower.

A growing pool of fuel forms around the sub.

CLOSE ON THE THING - as Jt rips free of the remote a1::11, leaving a large clump of bloody tissue.

Pierce pushes Collins into the now-inflated life raft and shoves it off with his foot. He remains on the sub.

He steadies himself on the rocking sub, grabbing the flare pistol -- the fuel dump is nearly complete, fizzling out. He checks the load.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

Suddenly:

Pierce turns to look -- the thing heaves itself up the side of the sub towards Pierce. It's <;Ben mouth a torn, bloody mess.

Pierce takes careful aim on the thing, pulling the trigger.

CLICK!

Nothing happens.

The thing gets a cJawhold, pulling itself closer. ·---- Pierce's nostrils flare at the stench as he checks the flare pistol. This time he remembers to cock it.

The thing HISSES.

Pierce FIRES.

The flare shoots right down the thing's mouth.

KA-BOOM!!!

The ocean explodes in a ball of flame.

Collins screams as the minisub is engulfed in a fireball.

The fire spreads quickly across the water.

Flames lick at the sides of the raft. Collins grabs a paddle, splashing them away.

Then she is free.

She looks up.

DEEP SIX: 2-DRAFT

ANGLE ON MINISUB - as the sea burns furiously.

• 245 COLLINS 245

As tears run silently down her face.

CLOSE ON THE WATER - as a faint ripple starts across, swimming towards the raft.

246 BACK TO SCENE 246

Collins grabs the paddle, ready.

WOOOSH!! !

A black figure rockets to the surface. She screams.

It's Pierce.

Gasping for breath, he tries to pull himself aboard, but he's so goddamn tired he can barely move.

Collins helps Pierce into the raft, the fuel tanks on the minisub EXPLODE.

They turn and watch as the sub burns, slipping slowly beneath the sea.

Then it's gone.

Pierce and Collins lay in the bottom of the raft, exhausted, not really believing they made it.

After a long, long time, Collins sits up.

Pierce sits up with a groan he is pretty bad!_y burned in a couple of places.

He scans the horizon -- nothing but water.

Pierce just stares at Collins, her wet and matted hair, torn underclothes that aren't hiding much. -

He smiles, then picks up one of the small plastic paddles in the bottom of the raft and hands it to '\ Collins.

She sighs as she dips the paddle into the water. Pierce picks up the other paddle and digs in as well.

The raft is just a speck on a vast and beautiful ocean as we: