Jaws Page #25

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Michael is wheeled out in the bed. Brody and Ellen are there.

Sean is sleepy in Brody's arms. Vaughn is waiting in the

hall.

NURSE:

The doctor said it's okay -- mild

shock. He can come home in the

morning.

ELLEN:

(to Michael)

Hey, big guy -- you want anything

from home?

MICHAEL:

My cars. And a comic book.

BRODY:

(sees Vaughn)

Here --

(gives baby to Ellen)

Take him home.

ELLEN:

Home... New York?

BRODY:

No. Home here.

Ellen exits.

BRODY:

(crossing to Vaughn)

Got a pen on you?

VAUGHN:

Why?

BRODY:

There's only one thing you're good

for anymore -- signing a damn voucher.

Here. It's an authorization to employ

a contractor.

VAUGHN:

I don't know if I can do that without

a...

BRODY:

(interrupting)

I'm going to hire Quint to kill the

fish. I want to see that shark dead.

VAUGHN:

Maybe we can save August...

BRODY:

Forget it. This summer's had it.

Next summer's had it. You're the

mayor of Shark City. You wanted to

keep the beaches open. What happens

when the town finds out about that?

VAUGHN:

I was acting in the town's best

interests...

BRODY:

The best interest in this town would

be to see that fish belly-up in the

water with a hole in his head. You

do the right thing. You authorize

me.

(indicates paper)

Right there. Whatever it costs.

VAUGHN:

My kids were on that beach...

BRODY:

Just sign it, Larry.

Vaughn signs, and Brody takes the paper and exits.

QUINT'S HOUSE - DAY

Brody and Hooper are approaching Quint's house. They enter

through the big wooden doors, into another circle of Hell.

Smoke and steam from two big oil drums sitting over fires

fills the air. Quint and his mate, Herschel, are grinding

pieces of pilot whale into chum. The whale lies bloody on

the floor, its ruined carcass adding to the stench of other

sharks being boiled in the drums, their tails suspended in

the air.

Diesel fumes and decay fill the air, and tools, ropes, broken

bits of iron and engine parts litter the floor. Wall hangings

of rope and floats, and buoys, barrels, tackle and gear all

conspire to frame the killing floor.

Brody and Hooper navigate the obstacle course.

BRODY:

This has got to be one big

violation...

HOOPER:

(handling some gear)

This is quite a place.

QUINT'S VOICE

Keep your hands off my stuff.

He emerges from the steam and smoke.

QUINT:

Did you bring a check?

BRODY:

What?

QUINT:

Cash? Or do we do this on a handshake

and a promise?

BRODY:

I'm authorized by the township of

Amity to hire you as an independent

contractor. We'll meet your price.

$10,000.

QUINT:

And my regular daily rate -- $200,

whether we catch him or not.

BRODY:

You got it.

QUINT:

And incidental damages, if any...

BRODY:

You got it.

QUINT:

And you get the Mayor off my back

with this zoning crap. Nobody tells

me how to run my property.

BRODY:

You got it.

QUINT:

And, uh, a case of apricot brandy

and you buy the lunch.

BRODY:

Two cases. And dinner when you land.

QUINT:

(pours drink)

Try some of this. I made it myself.

Brody tastes.

QUINT:

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged

women.

Herschel interrupts. He's stopped working, and is wiping his

hands on a bloody rag.

HERSCHEL:

Mr. Quint...

Quint wheels to face him.

HERSCHEL:

I'm not goin'. No sir.

QUINT:

You want to get paid, you go.

HERSCHEL:

Forget the money. You can't pay me

enough. I ain't crazy. I worked some

big mean fish with you, but I ain't

goin' on this one.

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