Jaws Page #8

BRODY:

Michael! Sean! Out of the water.

Everybody out of the water! Michael!

Get out!

His urgency communicates itself to the others. Ellen snatches

Sean up from where he's been playing in the sand. Other

parents are calling their kids, hysteria mounting. People

rush into the water, dragging their children and families

bodily out of the ocean. The first kids coming out of the

surf are frantically trying to wash the sticky blood off

their bodies. The sight of the red sends the beach into a

full panic.

CLOSE ON BRODY:

He rushes into the water, up to his ankles, and suddenly

stops, unable to move into deeper water. He is urging Michael

out, holding his hands out to his son, who is slogging through

the surf towards his dad. He stands there immobilized by the

water, nervously helping people out of it onto the beach.

ANGLE ON MICHAEL

As he emerges from the water, Alex Kintner's raft washes in

behind him, ripped in half, the water pink, the foam spreading

the stain onto the sand as the wave breaks.

ANGLE ON MRS. KINTNER

Her voice rising into panic and hysteria with each unanswered

cry.

MRS. KINTNER

Alex! Alex? Alex...!

EXT - THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND COUNTY OFFICES - DAY

We are looking at the closed double white front doors of the

building, through which we can hear a rolling boil of agitated

conversation. After a beat, they open to reveal Mrs. Kintner,

looking as though she has been visited by the wrath of God;

in effect, she has. Her eyes are puffy and swollen from

weeping, her clothing is put on and fastened awkwardly, her

gait is not normal. As she walks toward us, Quint enters

with his back to us, they pass without notice; Mrs. Kintner

moving out of sight, Quint leading us through the doors into

the town hall.

INT. COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY

A crowd of angry men and women throng the central hallway,

their voices a babble of confusion. Many of them are gathered

around a roughly lettered notice that has been posted on the

town's official bulletin board. It reads.

"A $3000 BOUNTY TO THE MAN OR MEN WHO CATCH AND KILL THE

SHARK THAT KILLED ALEX M. KINTNER ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29, ON THE

AMITY TOWN BEACH."

Vaughn and Brody are on the outskirts of the crowd, which

includes Meadows, some selectmen, and others.

BRODY:

Look, I've got to talk to her. This

isn't a contest we want the whole

country entering.

MEADOWS:

I agree. If she's going to advertise,

I wouldn't recommend out-of-town

papers. Amity people could take care

of this.

BRODY:

I'm responsible for public safety

around here...

VAUGHN:

Then go out tomorrow and make sure

no one gets hurt.

(addressing the crowd)

Everybody, could I have your

attention? Since this affects all of

us, I suggest we move into council

chambers, where there's more room...

There is a flurry and a bustle as everyone rearranges

themselves and makes their way into the Amity Selectmen's

Council Chambers.

INT. COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY

The crowd is thronging into the large room. Already in the

room is a solitary figure, standing all the way in the rear,

watching everyone as they enter. Against the back wall is a

large blackboard used for town business during meetings.

VAUGHN:

Well, here we all are; anyone have

any special questions?

DENHERDER:

Is that $3000 bounty on the shark in

cash or check?

(laughter from all)

VAUGHN:

That's private business between you

brave fishermen and Mrs. Kintner.

(to Brody)

-- Chief --

BRODY:

(stepping in)

I'd like to tell you what we're doing

so far. These are some of the steps

I've taken as Chief of Police...

MEADOWS:

(leading the direction

of the discussion)

What's going on with the beaches,

Chief?

All react.

BRODY:

I'll get to that in a minute. First,

I plan to start our seasonal summer

help early, and to use shark spotters

on beaches open to the sea. I'd like

cooperation from local fishermen,

and I've also contacted the

Oceanographic Institute over on the

mainland.

VAUGHN:

(Interrupting -- sotto

voice to Brody)

No need to involve outsiders in our

business, Martin.

WOMAN:

Are you going to close the beaches?

BRODY:

Larry and I have also decided to

close the beaches for a short time.

Pandemonium. A collective nerve has been touched.

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