Steady As She Goes by Steven Clark - SimplyScripts

1 Steady As She GoesbySteven Clark 2013 Phone: 631-456-2752 Email: IN:An old iron steamer CUTS through the open ocean. A silveranchor hangs from its port bow side. Two large stacks emitblack smoke from the ship's BRIDGE - DAYA grizzled old CAPTAIN, white beard, long overcoat andcaptains hat, puffs on a pipe. He holds his hands out to anold coal stove in the young HELMSMAN walks in, fresh-faced. He holds a pair Captain does not look (raspy voice)Who's steering the goddamn boat?The helmsman hands the binoculars , you better take a off the port bow Captain SNATCHES the binoculars. Sighs impatiently,stands and looks out the window for a beat. He GRUNTS, turnsto the helmsman, and SHOVES the binoculars into his 'berg's at least three miles off,jackass. Maybe Captain blows a large puff of smoke.

2 The helmsman coughs,waves the smoke , Captain, you told me to told you to come get me when youhave something important to say! Now,get outta her before I put you onbaboon watch!The helmsman , may I request that you pleasedon't put me on --CAPTAINGo steer my boat!The helmsman races Captain sits down, strikes a match off the side of hischair, puts it to his pipe. Outside a window the sky is dark clouds loom in the distance. A lone --ALBATROSS-- circles overhead, then perches itself on the forwardrailing. It spreads its dark wings and pecks at its feathersbefore settling in. The bird faces the the bird, the hint of a smile crosses his lips. Helooks away. A faded black and white picture that hangs on thewall catches his : PICTUREA comely WOMAN, (30's), light hair, dark eyes, flowing whitegown.

3 She sits on a bench, hands folded across her Captain takes the pipe from his mouth. White smoke hangsin the as she goes , me lady. Steadyas she holds his hands out to the coal stove. FADE OUTFADE IN:INT. KITCHEN - DAYC lean dishes sit on a mat next to a sink. The dishwasherHUMS. A ceiling fan WHIRS, its hanging chain FIELDS (38), neat black hair, slacks, shirt and tie,brushes dirt off the linoleum floor into a dust pan. His lipspressed tightly stands, then empties the dirt into a waste basket. Underthe sink is a --STORAGE CABINETHe opens it and throws the dust pan in. SLAMS it on his face, he lowers his head and rests a handon the TO:INT. KITCHEN - NIGHTHOPE FIELDS, (34), very pregnant, bare feet. Her pink pajamashug her figure as she washes the dishes, her back to --RAYS tands behind her, next to the , the lines of communication areclosed?

4 She does not turn 's just gonna be the same shuts off the faucet, places a glass on the counter, thenopens the --REFRIGERATOROn the door is a cluster of multi-colored, magnetic pulls out a water pitcher, fills the glass, puts thepitcher back, closes the looks up, her pale blue eyes stare blankly out from behindher stylish (CONT'D)It's just gonna be the same thing,right? So, why bother?RAYS tands silent. He glares back at her, then shakes his and heads for the --LIVING ROOMIts warm light illumes a bookcase with numerous CD's, a coffeetable with scattered Lego's. A love seat sits below a largepicture window, its curtains pushed sits on the love seat, opens her appears in the --DOORWAYNext to him, on the wall, hangs a : SIGNF amilyRules:Alwayssay prayers.

5 Be grateful. Etc., down on a nearby couch. He watches as Hope types are you doing?A long, uncomfortable (coldly)Downloading from what?Another nods. He exhales deeply, puts his head back and closeshis TO:INT. BEDROOM - NIGHTThe room is dimly lit by the flickering of a small candle thatsits on the dresser. A mirror behind the candle shows twofigures in is on top of Hope. Their hands intertwined, the sheetscover them from the waist kisses below her ear, down the side of her neck. Hope'seyes are closed, her mouth parted slightly as small moansescape her arms stretch out together. Ray pins her down as hesuckles upon her full gentle breeze blows in. The curtains ruffle. Ray andHope's --SHADOWS-- are illuminated on the wall, then disappear as the candleflickers FLASHBACKINT.

6 LIVING ROOM - NIGHTRay, on the sofa, rubs his face. He looks at --HOPES till on the love seat. Still tapping away on her key reaches over and grabs the --REMOTE-- from off the table. He turns on the TV, flips through thechannels. Lays the remote down next to him, then staresblankly at the FLASHBACKINT. KITCHEN - DAYRay's head is lowered. His hand rests on the counter top. Heraises his head, eyes watery, and gazes at the --REFRIGERATOR DOOR-- with its numerous, multi-colored letter D is highlighted. Then an I, a 'Shead tilts as he watches, DOORThe highlighting continues. An R, then a C, and finally an his moist eyes. He turns on the faucet, splashes wateron his face. Grabs a towel from off the stove and dries BEDROOM - DAYRay walks in. Opens a closet. Takes out a jacket and slipsit on.

7 He grabs a briefcase from off the floor, then walksout into the --HALLWAYHe passes a door, then stops. Backs up a few paces, and stepsinto a --CHILD'S BEDROOMA Transformer's blanket covers a bed with several stuffedanimals. A baseball bat hangs on the wall. A fish tank restson a opens the lid of the tank, takes a pinch of fish foodbetween his fingers and drops it in the TANKA small fish pokes its head out of a castle. It swims upthrough fake plants, then nibbles on a piece of , then closes the lid on the tank. He holds a the room one last time, then walks puts his briefcase down. He kneels and reaches out to therefrigerator. A CLICK-CLACK is heard as he rearranges themagnetic stands, grabs his briefcase, takes out his keys. Out thedoor he DOORA mong the scattered letters, an incomplete word is : INCOMPLETE WORDL-V-EINT.

8 CHILD'S BEDROOM - DAYOn the bed with the Transformer's blanket sits a brown teddybear. Next to it, near the bear's hand, is the missingletter O. FADE OUT