Jaws Page #20

BRODY:

Wait a minute! I need you.

HOOPER:

Out there is a Perfect Engine, an

Eating Machine that is a miracle of

evolution -- it swims and eats and

that's all. Look at that! Those

proportions are correct.

(indicates fin)

I know sharks.

VAUGHN:

You'd love to prove that. Getting

your name in the National Geographic.

BRODY:

Larry, we can re-open the beaches in

August.

VAUGHN:

August! Tomorrow is the 4th of July,

and we are going to open for business.

It's going to be our best summer in

years. If you're so concerned about

the beaches, you two, you do whatever

you have to to keep them safe, but

with you or without you, the beaches

stay open this weekend.

INT. FERRY BOAT - DAY

Two cavernous iron doors. Then a crack of vertical light as

six burly crewmen muscle them apart. The Amity ferry landing

is approaching, people in colorful outfits waiting dockside

for the first filled-to-capacity shuttle of the summer season

and --

Bach's Little Fugue is the musical accompaniment to this

wholly visual montage of disembarkation. The next two minutes

should be treated like a "short film" taking into account

all of the colors, episodes, faces and behavior of a variety

of Americans who colonize Eastern resort communities for the

ninety-day season.

Intercut with this montage is Brody's home, where Ellen,

Hooper and Brody are in sweaty, gritty all-out effort to

enlist some support. Elements in this montage include:

A. A train of cars trundling down the ramp, bumper to bumper.

B. Young Beautiful People from Princeton, Yale, NYU, wearing

knapsacks, toting luggage, babies riding in papoose rigs,

energized children, senior citizens holding hands on the

pedestrian ramp, a few wheelchairs.

C. Hooper, bent over the phone: "I know it's a long weekend,

could you get me his home phone number?

D. Sidewalk vendors hawking "Shark Killed" souvenirs, big

photo "Personality Posters" of the dead tiger shark hung on

the dock.

E. Brody:
"You're acting senior officer? Where's Chief Petty

Officer Feldman? Where's the Coast Guard Executive Officer?"

F. Souvenir stands selling Genuine Sharks Teeth from The

Amity Killer Shark, Captured This Week.

G. Amity Cab Company, small blue Toyotas lined up with their

college student drivers like a bomber wing.

H. Hooper:
"Well then, operator, could you try him in the

dining room?"

I. Brody:
"All I get is a recording. Is there some other

number I could try...?"

J. Station wagons with pale winter faces pressed anxiously

to the window. Cadillacs with Rear Admirals at the helm,

their wives with blue hair remembering the way from years

before.

K. Hooper:
"When did he check out? Did he leave another

phone number?"

L. Brody:
"How can I reach him in Chambers if he's not in

Chambers?"

M. Little Karate Hands breaking picket fences.

N. Some local delinquents about 10 or 12 years old, towing

behind their bicycles a little dead sand shark with signs:

"Amity Monster Shark." "Killed Here." 5 Cents a Hit." Etc.

Then six blonde and tanned Coney Island meatballs descend

the ramp. They all wear Men's Club Lifeguard patches and

matching collegiate windbreakers. They scour the landing,

looking for someone to save.

The boat is empty. Everybody heading inland, anticipating

the best Fourth of July ever. Already there is debris on the

docks and the cleaning crew works away at it.

INSIDE THE FERRY

As Bach's Little Fugue ends, the six burly crewmen lean their

combined weight against the Cathedral doors, closing out the

light and locking in the trade. The doors latch shut with a

resounding clang!

ANGLE ON BRODY, NERVOUSLY WATCHING THE BEACH

He is studying everything, trying to make sure he has it

covered as well as possible. He almost doesn't hear the

approaching roar of a small helicopter until it settles down

behind him, and a Flying Officer gets out, starched, pressed

fatigues, a flawless fatigue baseball cap, and slick dark

aviator's sunglasses. The Steve Canyon of Amity. He presents

Brody with a clipboard.

OFFICER:

Martin Brody?

(Brody nods)

I'll need your signature here...

here... and here.

BRODY:

What is this?

OFFICER:

Authorization for direct payment of

flight expenses not directly connected

to a normal mission of this command.

(Brody doesn't

understand)

You pay for the gas.

Brody signs. The Officer shakes his head as Brody makes an

error.

BRODY:

I signed on the wrong line...

OFFICER:

Just erase your signature and initial

your erasure.

Rate this script:5.0 / 5 votes