The Ripple (short screenplay)
A short script about two men in a boat looking for the "perfect ripple ". 1st draft.
************************
FADE IN:
1. EXT. OCEAN - DAY 1.
A small boat in a still ocean. BOB, 32 is asleep, scrunched up awkwardly in a foetal position and BAILEY, 38 is staring out into the ocean vacantly.
BAILEY
(to himself,
loudly)
Aha! I see a ripple!
BOB awakes with a startle.
BOB
What?!
BAILEY
A rather peculiar ripple i see.
BOB
Elaborate.
BAILEY
Bigger than all the ripples we have seen today.
Follow my eyes and you will see its aftermath
BOB
Stay still. Let me stand behind you.
BAILEY
I’d rather you not.
BOB
And why not?
BAILEY
You will tip the boat.
BOB
Ok.
BAILEY
Do you trust my perception at this time?
BOB
Only 50%.
BAILEY
Explain this please.
BOB
Well…when we were on land, with food in our
bellies and some terra under our feet, i would
trust your perceptions 100%. But now, since we
are at sea and ever so quite delirious, my trust
of your perceptions has been reduced somewhat.
BAILEY
By half?
BOB
Yes, i would say so.
BAILEY
Should i be offended?
BOB
Not at all.
BAILEY
Well, i feel offended
BOB
hmm.
BAILEY
Yes.
A long pause as BAILEY and BOB gaze miserably out into the ocean.
BOB
Can you still see the ripple?
BAILEY
(using his two
hands as
binoculars)
Uh, i cannot see the ripple!
BOB
Not even a slight one?
BAILEY
Not even a bubble!
BOB
Oh dear. Can you not adjust the lens?
BAILEY
(looking at
his hands)
No.
BOB
Can i go back to sleep now?
BAILEY
It’ll be your turn on ripple watch soon
enough, so don’t get too comfortable.
BOB
Comfortable certainly is not the word i
would use to describe any mini second
of our current existence.
BAILEY
I concur. And i am close to tears.
BOB
Be strong my friend, remember the story
of Moby Dick?
BAILEY
No.
BOB
Damn it, nor do i know much of this story,
but what i do remember is that there was a
giant sea monster.
BAILEY
I am scared.
BOB
Of the sea monster?
BAILEY
Yes.
BOB
It does not exist but on a page.
BAILEY
But what if that ripple i saw was the aftermath
of an underwater breath from a giant sea creature?
BOB
You mean, from a gill?
BAILEY
Oh yes.
BOB
It’s possible. It could be a sea bass.
BAILEY
Let’s hope so.
BOB
What else could it be? (long pause)
BAILEY
A tear from God?
BOB
Hmmm.
BAILEY
No, that is a silly notion.
BOB
Implausible, but poetic.
BAILEY
The ripple is either a result from below or above.
BOB
Yes, more than likely from below though.
BAILEY
I concur.
BOB
How did we get here?
BAILEY
Well, i don’t know.
BOB
And we have no oars either.
BAILEY
Do we have any food or drink?
BOB
Well, we have plenty of drink (gesturing to the sea)
BAILEY
Are we not delirious enough? We cannot
drink the sea.
BOB
I am not a big fan of salt.
BAILEY
It is good with certain fish.
BOB
Hmm
BAILEY
I cannot swim.
BOB
I can a little. With the help of a buoy.
BAILEY
We have no boys around here. Why a boy?
BOB
They are strong enough to keep a human
afloat.
BAILEY
I do not understand, you are a man, you are
heavier than any boy.
BOB
But a man does not float like a buoy does.
BAILEY
And what about a girl?
BOB
Oh dear.
BAILEY
What?
BOB
Never mind.
BAILEY gets a pebble from his coat pocket and throws it into the sea, creating a ripple.
BOB
What are you doing?
BAILEY
Throwing a pebble into the ocean.
BOB
I can see that. But we are not here to create
ripples, we are here to discover ripples not
made by us.
BAILEY
Yes I know. But can I ask you a question?
BOB
Yes.
BAILEY
What do they mean when they say we have to
search for the perfect ripple? What is a perfect
ripple?
BOB
It’s a good question. I guess we’ll know when
we see it (a long pause).
BAILEY
Roger was a raindrop who was afraid of crowds.
He kept his head in the clouds. And avoided
puddles.
BOB
What was that?
BAILEY
That was a tiny story.
BOB
Very good.
BAILEY
Do you have one?
BOB
Hmm… well… let me think and I’ll get
back to you on that one.
BAILEY
Ok.
2. EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT 2.
The ocean remains abnormally still. BAILEY is half-asleep curled up on the boat and BOB is laying down staring up at the stars.
BOB
Hey Bailey, wake up.
BOB nudges BAILEY.
BAILEY
Wah?!
BOB
Listen to this. There was one Umbrella
who didn't like the rain, because it made
him cry. So he swam to Spain, and became
a parasol. What do you think?
BAILEY
Sounds like the logical thing to do for a
rain-phobic Umbrella.
BOB
Yes. Here‘s something worth thinking about:
we’re in pitch darkness and we can’t see a thing,
if the perfect ripple has made it’s appearance in
this pitch darkness, we’ll never know.
BAILEY
That is something worth thinking about.
How about this? Does it ever rain here?
BOB
Fuck, if it did that would screw up our search
for the perfect ripple and create too many
ripples for us to keep an eye on.
3. EXT. OCEAN - MORNING 3.
BOB sits looking at the ocean, bored. BAILEY is reading a book called ‘Ripples’.
BAILEY
Apparently the biggest ripple ever discovered
was in the Caspian Sea, some say it was
caused by thought. Not the perfect ripple
however.
BOB
Hang on - if we see the perfect ripple and we
take a photograph of that ripple mid-ripple,
after it’s ceased to be perfect, then how will
anyone know we’ve seen the perfect ripple?
BAILEY
The supreme good is like water, which benefits
all of creation, without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
BOB
Yes, this is a rather unpopular place. Doesn’t
seem like anything but us and water exists here.
BAILEY
Yes.
BOB notices something odd with the water. It starts to change slowly red.
BOB
What the?
BAILEY
You ok chap?
BOB
The ocean has gone red!!!!
BAILEY
You sure?
BOB
It’s red!!!!
BAILEY
But it’s royal blue.
BOB
The ocean is bleeding!!!
BAILEY
Bob?
BOB’s eyes are popping out of his head in amazement.
BAILEY
Bob? Are you listening?
BOB remains silent.
BOB
Ok - close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Imagine you are a happy whale in the sea.
All is well, the ocean is calm and royal blue.
Meditate on that for me.
BOB closes his eyes.
BAILEY
Good. When you feel ready, open them again.
BOB
Ok.
BOB opens his eyes.
BOB
Royal blue.
BAILEY
Always was my dear.
BOB
Sorry about that.
BAILEY
That is perfectly alright.
4. EXT. OCEAN - DAY (LATER ON) 4.
BOB is staring at the ocean in such a way that his face is nearly in the ocean itself. He then hears a splash and dashes around.
BOB
Oh my.
BAILEY is in the ocean.
BAILEY
Help!
BOB
What the devil?
BOB uses his hands to paddle the boat closer to the flailing BAILEY.
BOB
Grab my hand.
BAILEY manages to grab his hand. BOB pulls him out of the water and onto the boat.
BOB
What in the devil happened?
BAILEY
Something pulled me in.
BOB
What was it?
BAILEY
I don’t know, but I get the feeling there is
something out there that doesn’t want
us to find the perfect ripple.
BOB
By hook or by crook, we will.
BAILEY
There is prejudice here I swear.
Prejudice breathing out of the water.
BOB
What did it feel like? Animal?
BAILEY
No. it was a tug of oomph.
BOB
A what have you?
BAILEY
A tug of oomph.
BOB
An oomph? Well then…
BAILEY
Watch out for the tugs ok Bob? We’re in rickety territory now.
BOB gazes out worrisomely into the ocean.
5. EXT. OCEAN - EARLY EVENING 5.
BOB
The foolishness of our search is now
beyond question. Here we are, devoid of
much light, with the stillness of the ocean
before us. So still, in fact, that never have
I been forced to pay attention to the clamour
of my own thoughts like this before. Bailey,
are your thoughts not driving you mad like
they are to me?
BAILEY
I must admit dear sir, that my greatest struggle
on these shores is the din of my ego. A great
man once said to me when I was a child, and
I’ve never forgotten it, yet I have never truly
understood it till now. He said, five colours
blind the eye. Five notes deafen the ear.
Five flavours make the palate go stale.
Too much activity deranges the mind.
Too much wealth causes crime. The Master
acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the
former. (a long pause)
6. EXT. OCEAN - EVENING 6.
The boat is empty. Two ripples form near each other.
FADE OUT:
************************
FADE IN:
1. EXT. OCEAN - DAY 1.
A small boat in a still ocean. BOB, 32 is asleep, scrunched up awkwardly in a foetal position and BAILEY, 38 is staring out into the ocean vacantly.
BAILEY
(to himself,
loudly)
Aha! I see a ripple!
BOB awakes with a startle.
BOB
What?!
BAILEY
A rather peculiar ripple i see.
BOB
Elaborate.
BAILEY
Bigger than all the ripples we have seen today.
Follow my eyes and you will see its aftermath
BOB
Stay still. Let me stand behind you.
BAILEY
I’d rather you not.
BOB
And why not?
BAILEY
You will tip the boat.
BOB
Ok.
BAILEY
Do you trust my perception at this time?
BOB
Only 50%.
BAILEY
Explain this please.
BOB
Well…when we were on land, with food in our
bellies and some terra under our feet, i would
trust your perceptions 100%. But now, since we
are at sea and ever so quite delirious, my trust
of your perceptions has been reduced somewhat.
BAILEY
By half?
BOB
Yes, i would say so.
BAILEY
Should i be offended?
BOB
Not at all.
BAILEY
Well, i feel offended
BOB
hmm.
BAILEY
Yes.
A long pause as BAILEY and BOB gaze miserably out into the ocean.
BOB
Can you still see the ripple?
BAILEY
(using his two
hands as
binoculars)
Uh, i cannot see the ripple!
BOB
Not even a slight one?
BAILEY
Not even a bubble!
BOB
Oh dear. Can you not adjust the lens?
BAILEY
(looking at
his hands)
No.
BOB
Can i go back to sleep now?
BAILEY
It’ll be your turn on ripple watch soon
enough, so don’t get too comfortable.
BOB
Comfortable certainly is not the word i
would use to describe any mini second
of our current existence.
BAILEY
I concur. And i am close to tears.
BOB
Be strong my friend, remember the story
of Moby Dick?
BAILEY
No.
BOB
Damn it, nor do i know much of this story,
but what i do remember is that there was a
giant sea monster.
BAILEY
I am scared.
BOB
Of the sea monster?
BAILEY
Yes.
BOB
It does not exist but on a page.
BAILEY
But what if that ripple i saw was the aftermath
of an underwater breath from a giant sea creature?
BOB
You mean, from a gill?
BAILEY
Oh yes.
BOB
It’s possible. It could be a sea bass.
BAILEY
Let’s hope so.
BOB
What else could it be? (long pause)
BAILEY
A tear from God?
BOB
Hmmm.
BAILEY
No, that is a silly notion.
BOB
Implausible, but poetic.
BAILEY
The ripple is either a result from below or above.
BOB
Yes, more than likely from below though.
BAILEY
I concur.
BOB
How did we get here?
BAILEY
Well, i don’t know.
BOB
And we have no oars either.
BAILEY
Do we have any food or drink?
BOB
Well, we have plenty of drink (gesturing to the sea)
BAILEY
Are we not delirious enough? We cannot
drink the sea.
BOB
I am not a big fan of salt.
BAILEY
It is good with certain fish.
BOB
Hmm
BAILEY
I cannot swim.
BOB
I can a little. With the help of a buoy.
BAILEY
We have no boys around here. Why a boy?
BOB
They are strong enough to keep a human
afloat.
BAILEY
I do not understand, you are a man, you are
heavier than any boy.
BOB
But a man does not float like a buoy does.
BAILEY
And what about a girl?
BOB
Oh dear.
BAILEY
What?
BOB
Never mind.
BAILEY gets a pebble from his coat pocket and throws it into the sea, creating a ripple.
BOB
What are you doing?
BAILEY
Throwing a pebble into the ocean.
BOB
I can see that. But we are not here to create
ripples, we are here to discover ripples not
made by us.
BAILEY
Yes I know. But can I ask you a question?
BOB
Yes.
BAILEY
What do they mean when they say we have to
search for the perfect ripple? What is a perfect
ripple?
BOB
It’s a good question. I guess we’ll know when
we see it (a long pause).
BAILEY
Roger was a raindrop who was afraid of crowds.
He kept his head in the clouds. And avoided
puddles.
BOB
What was that?
BAILEY
That was a tiny story.
BOB
Very good.
BAILEY
Do you have one?
BOB
Hmm… well… let me think and I’ll get
back to you on that one.
BAILEY
Ok.
2. EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT 2.
The ocean remains abnormally still. BAILEY is half-asleep curled up on the boat and BOB is laying down staring up at the stars.
BOB
Hey Bailey, wake up.
BOB nudges BAILEY.
BAILEY
Wah?!
BOB
Listen to this. There was one Umbrella
who didn't like the rain, because it made
him cry. So he swam to Spain, and became
a parasol. What do you think?
BAILEY
Sounds like the logical thing to do for a
rain-phobic Umbrella.
BOB
Yes. Here‘s something worth thinking about:
we’re in pitch darkness and we can’t see a thing,
if the perfect ripple has made it’s appearance in
this pitch darkness, we’ll never know.
BAILEY
That is something worth thinking about.
How about this? Does it ever rain here?
BOB
Fuck, if it did that would screw up our search
for the perfect ripple and create too many
ripples for us to keep an eye on.
3. EXT. OCEAN - MORNING 3.
BOB sits looking at the ocean, bored. BAILEY is reading a book called ‘Ripples’.
BAILEY
Apparently the biggest ripple ever discovered
was in the Caspian Sea, some say it was
caused by thought. Not the perfect ripple
however.
BOB
Hang on - if we see the perfect ripple and we
take a photograph of that ripple mid-ripple,
after it’s ceased to be perfect, then how will
anyone know we’ve seen the perfect ripple?
BAILEY
The supreme good is like water, which benefits
all of creation, without trying to compete with it.
It gathers in unpopular places.
BOB
Yes, this is a rather unpopular place. Doesn’t
seem like anything but us and water exists here.
BAILEY
Yes.
BOB notices something odd with the water. It starts to change slowly red.
BOB
What the?
BAILEY
You ok chap?
BOB
The ocean has gone red!!!!
BAILEY
You sure?
BOB
It’s red!!!!
BAILEY
But it’s royal blue.
BOB
The ocean is bleeding!!!
BAILEY
Bob?
BOB’s eyes are popping out of his head in amazement.
BAILEY
Bob? Are you listening?
BOB remains silent.
BOB
Ok - close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Imagine you are a happy whale in the sea.
All is well, the ocean is calm and royal blue.
Meditate on that for me.
BOB closes his eyes.
BAILEY
Good. When you feel ready, open them again.
BOB
Ok.
BOB opens his eyes.
BOB
Royal blue.
BAILEY
Always was my dear.
BOB
Sorry about that.
BAILEY
That is perfectly alright.
4. EXT. OCEAN - DAY (LATER ON) 4.
BOB is staring at the ocean in such a way that his face is nearly in the ocean itself. He then hears a splash and dashes around.
BOB
Oh my.
BAILEY is in the ocean.
BAILEY
Help!
BOB
What the devil?
BOB uses his hands to paddle the boat closer to the flailing BAILEY.
BOB
Grab my hand.
BAILEY manages to grab his hand. BOB pulls him out of the water and onto the boat.
BOB
What in the devil happened?
BAILEY
Something pulled me in.
BOB
What was it?
BAILEY
I don’t know, but I get the feeling there is
something out there that doesn’t want
us to find the perfect ripple.
BOB
By hook or by crook, we will.
BAILEY
There is prejudice here I swear.
Prejudice breathing out of the water.
BOB
What did it feel like? Animal?
BAILEY
No. it was a tug of oomph.
BOB
A what have you?
BAILEY
A tug of oomph.
BOB
An oomph? Well then…
BAILEY
Watch out for the tugs ok Bob? We’re in rickety territory now.
BOB gazes out worrisomely into the ocean.
5. EXT. OCEAN - EARLY EVENING 5.
BOB
The foolishness of our search is now
beyond question. Here we are, devoid of
much light, with the stillness of the ocean
before us. So still, in fact, that never have
I been forced to pay attention to the clamour
of my own thoughts like this before. Bailey,
are your thoughts not driving you mad like
they are to me?
BAILEY
I must admit dear sir, that my greatest struggle
on these shores is the din of my ego. A great
man once said to me when I was a child, and
I’ve never forgotten it, yet I have never truly
understood it till now. He said, five colours
blind the eye. Five notes deafen the ear.
Five flavours make the palate go stale.
Too much activity deranges the mind.
Too much wealth causes crime. The Master
acts on what she feels and not what she sees.
She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the
former. (a long pause)
6. EXT. OCEAN - EVENING 6.
The boat is empty. Two ripples form near each other.
FADE OUT:
