“PHANTOM OVER MOUNT FUJI”
“PHANTOM OVER MOUNT FUJI” |
FADE IN:
EXT. ABOVE COAST OFF KYUSHU ISLAND – BEFORE DAWN
Seven stealthy F-35 fighters are preparing their last drills in an inverted V-formation. Their engines ROAR then fade to reveal a TRANQUIL Pacific Ocean below.
But suddenly the lead F-35J breaks away in a BURST of momentum. It U-TURNS toward the OCEAN, skimming back CLOSE to the SURFACE in the tightest of arcs, spraying PLUMES of smoke in its wake. His six pursuers COULDN’T follow; if they did, their wider trajectory would FORCE them into the sea.
Circle completed, the lone F-35J SPEEDS up and CLIMBS to trail behind the other fighters. Heading three-five-zero, he uses its new state-of-the-art avionic sensor to SCAN the sky ahead — the six sleek F-35A Lightning IIs appear two miles away.
INT. THE LEADING AIRCRAFT – DAWNING
MAJOR OKINO, a pilot, eases the throttle and pulls back the stick, his face LIT up. His jet GAINS elevation while its airspeed slows.
MAJOR OKINO
(in Japanese)
Whoa! Our F-35J has beaten the F-35As again and again.
WORDS ON SCREEN
“After years of delays incorporating advanced avionics by Mitsubishi Industries, one of the new Japanese F-35 prototypes has finally outmaneuvered its American F-35 version. So powerful is this new Strike Fighter JET that the aviation industry has nicknamed it Japan’s LIGHTNING BOLT.”
Okino aligns himself in a straight line with the other jets flying beside him. He gives the thumbs up as the all-weather squadron ROARS through the sky, PROPELS at a speed that makes him feel motionless, and LULLS him into a sense of serenity.
Suddenly, the F-35J SHOOKS and SHUDDERS.
Major Okino is knocked against the cockpit as a PIERCING SOUND blasts through the com system.
The sky erupts with a BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT. Smoke fills the cockpit. Okino’s eyelids flutter as if blinded.
MAJOR OKINO
Akio! What the hell is this?
A VOICE crackles through the intercom.
Another jet, consumed by FLAMES, streaks across the sky, fizzling left and right. Okino pulls the throttle. Nothing happens. Okino’s face turns WHITE.
MAJOR OKINO
(in desperate voice)
Akio! Do you hear me?
STATIC. He CLAMPS the ejection lever beside him, but nothing happens. He PULLS again – still nothing – before FLAMES engulf him.
INT. A TOKYO HOME – EARLY MORNING
MRS OKINO, grey hair, an elderly woman, decorates her small traditional home for her sixtieth birthday party.
Suddenly she stops and is drawn to the window. Looking horrified, she gazes up to see several RIBBON-LIKE plumes of smoke twirling down from the sky.
MRS OKINO
(in Japanese: English subtitle)
Not my son! No! No! It can’t be my son.
EXT. HEAVY TRAFFIC IN BOSTON – LATE MORNING
Heavy FOG slows down the traffic across a bridge in Boston. Rain DRUMS down and the occasional horn HONKS as vehicles inch their way along the messy expanse.
Among the traffic, in a modest hatchback, is…
EILEEN, dark blonde, green eyes, in her mid-thirties. From her car, she observes scattered DEBRIS along the sidewalk. Piles of RUBBISH line the streets.
EXT. CAMPUS OF MIT – SOON AFTER
With her handbag bundled in her arms, Eileen STAGGERS across a parking lot, PUSHED around by GUSTS of wind, until she enters into a building with the sign “GEOLOGY”.
INT. ELEVATOR – MOMENT LATER
Eileen quickly studies her reflection, brushes her messy hair with her fingers and reapplies her lipstick then – DING – the elevator door opens.
Eileen’s high-heels CLICK CLICK loudly before she stands before a door that reads, “Professor Wilhelm Wulfstein”.
She enters and is addressed by a silver-haired secretary.
SECRETARY
You must be Eileen. I’m sorry, the Professor is running late.
Eileen sits on a couch. She looks up to see the many commemorative items displayed in a glass cupboard.
She fixates on a peculiar-looking oil portrait of a man with bushy eyebrows, narrow chin and aquiline nose.
Eileen checks her watch – 2:46 – and looks impatient. She TIPTOES toward the portrait for a closer look, when…
WULFSTEIN, in a tweed suit and askew tie BURSTS from his office. He HEADS toward the exit, ignoring Eileen’s presence.
Eileen turns panicky, stands and strives toward Wulfstein.
EILEEN
Excuse me, Professor. Professor. We have an appointment.
Wulfstein finally stops walking; he raises his eyebrows.
WULFSTEIN
We do? It’s not on my calendar.
EILEEN (hand extended)
I’m Eileen O’Neill. I made the appointment THREE weeks ago.
WULFSTEIN
I’m sorry, Ms O’Neill. Next time, verify before you come…
Eileen TRIES to stop Wulfstein from leaving, but he opens the door for her to pass before HURRYING down the hallway.
She follows.
EILEEN
I can interview you while you make your way. I have a TRANSCRIPT that will interest you.
Wulfstein TURNS back.
WULFSTEIN
The SEVEN F-35 FIGHTERS?
EILEEN
Yes, sir, the seven LIGHTNING BOMBERS.
Wulfstein sighs.
WULFSTEIN
FINE, come on then. But I don’t intend on bringing you back.
EXT. CAMPUS CARPARK – IMMEDIATELY AFTER
Wulfstein SIGNALS Eileen to get into his weather-beaten Beetle. Eileen’s skirt SWIRLS in the HOWLING wind but manages to keep it down. Once settled, she SIGHS in relief and presses a button of her voice recorder.
EILEEN
Some scientists are saying the seven F-35 were struck down by lightning. What do you say?
Wulfstein SNICKERS as he drives fast along a hazardous road.
WULFSTEIN
No comment.
EILEEN
You’ve said it’s a BAD OMEN?
WULFSTEIN
So, you already have my opinion.
LOUD BEEP SOUNDS come intermittently from Wulfstein’s laptop on the backseat. Wulfstein pulls up on the side of the road and switches off what appears to be an alarm. As he taps a few keys, Eileen watches.
WULFSTEIN
It’s nothing serious, only some seismologic activity from Hokkaido.
But when a couple of slow and eerie ‘BLO-OO-OP’ sounds replace the beeps, Wulfstein looks anxious.
EILEEN
I’ve heard these sounds before, WHAT is IT?
WULFSTEIN
Your guess is as good as mine. But I’m picking up these SOUNDWAVES in the Pacific with the hydrophones while incorporating changes to ANIMAL behavior into my earthquake analysis.
Wulfstein puts his Beetle into gear and takes off again.
EILEEN
And what’s your prediction?
WULFSTEIN
A colossal earthquake will hit the Izu Peninsula within TWELVE months. Its cause unknown; its effect, nobody’s sure.
EILEEN
Can you be more specific?
WULFSTEIN
I’m sorry, I know its scale could be at its worst, and I’m not ready to specify the exact time it WILL hit.
EILEEN
The scientific community has designated your hypothesis as science fiction.
Wulfstein CHUCKLES.
WULFSTEIN
No, it’s scientific heresy.
EILEEN
They say it’s a hybrid of mythology and BLACK science.
WULFSTEIN
If you’re here to agree with them, then WHY are you here, Ms O’Neill?
EILEEN
I’m giving you a chance to DEFEND yourself.
Wulfstein turns silent as the DRUMMING of rain continues and the hectic traffic inches across a wide bridge. A silhouette of the Boston cityscape can just be made out through the RAIN and FOG.
EILEEN
I’m interested in your view on the most TROUBLING seismic hotspots.
WULFSTEIN
There is only one place to watch – Japan. It may be a necklace of Islets, but it’s also a NECKLACE of CALDERS…
EILEEN
CALDERS? A chain of SUPERVOLCANOES?
Wulfstein pulls up in a driveway.
WULFSTEIN
That’s right. Now that I’ve answered all your questions, can you SHOW me the transcript?
Eileen pulls out the transcript for Wulfstein to read.
WULFSTEIN (reading)
“Mayday, Mayday… We’re getting a strong tailwind. This ISN’T working, this ISN’T working.”
“A blitz of LIGHT… Mayday… MAYDAY.”
WULFSTEIN
Do you have any idea what this means?
EILEEN
No, I thought you would know.
WULFSTEIN
It seems bizarre that there was a sudden BLITZ of light.
“None of the electronics are working. This is BAD. This is…”
Where’s the AUDIO tape?
EILEEN
The JAPANESE have it. Could it has been a suicide mission?
WULFSTEIN
Damn. A BLITZ of light. Were they LIGHTNING JETS?
EILEEN
It’s anybody guess. There were lots of static between transmissions which are hard to fathom.
WULFSTEIN
DAMN. I’d like to get the audio recording. I need to HEAR these sounds.
Wulfstein JUMPS out of the car, RUSHES into his homestead and SLAMS the front door.
STUNNED, Eileen remains seated. After a moment, she gathers her belongings and strides up to the homestead. She looks for the doorbell and presses. No answer.
She PRESSES again. Only a dog YAPS inside. She KNOCKS again, but the dog YAPS louder.
Disappointed, Eileen turns around and admires the snowy landscapes. She stands still, a distant look in her face.
EXT. TOKYO – FLASHBACK
Thick sheets of snow cover a small home in Tokyo. Inside, a 16-year-old Eileen watches TV with Mrs Okino. On TV is a footage depicting an agonizing SUICIDE by Yukio Mishima. She moves to watch.
EXT. OUTSIDE WULFSTEIN’S HOMESTEAD – SUNSETTING
A taxi pulls up on the road, STARTLING her.
DRIVER
(yelling through the car window)
Are you Eileen O’NEILL?
EILEEN
Yes, but, who called for you?
DRIVER
A Professor WULFSTEIN. I’m here to take you back to MIT.
INT. WULFSTEIN’S KITCHEN – EARLY NEXT MORNING
Looking as if he hasn’t slept, Wulfstein sits down drinking COFFEE and reads the TRANSCRIPTS again. As a SPECTROGRAM dances on his laptop screen, a HUMMING sound increases in volume. Then, the same slow and eerie BLO-OO-OOP appears.
Wulfstein TAPS some keys. A cluster of RED pixels appear. His fingers follow where the cluster moves.
WULFSTEIN
WHAT in the world…
Wulfstein looks anxious. The BLO-OO-OOP sound – DEEP, EERIE and SINISTER – grows louder.
His eyes rest on some PHOTOGRAPHS pinned to a wall. They show strange creatures: DEPICTIONS OF LEVIATHANS under the waves.
Wulfstein quickly gathers his laptop and coat before leaving the room.
INT. THE DEAN’S OFFICE, MIT – LATER
An office chair swivels to reveal… THE DEAN in a well-fitted SUIT and overall SMART appearance. His name and title is displayed on a large desk.
THE DEAN
Dragonology…
Huh, Wilhelm, you’ve sullied your reputation with a farcical obsession.
The Dean sits in a lavish room. Wulfstein sits opposite him, his tie ASKEW and hair RUFFLED.
WULFSTEIN
KNOWLEDGE is a continuous field WITHOUT boundaries.
THE DEAN
This “KNOWLEDGE” is your imagination!
Look. Your research doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny, and you’ll bring the whole scientific community into fairyland.
Wulfstein shakes his head, SILENT.
THE DEAN
Endowments are disappearing. Reluctance by our Budget Committee for new funding means YOU’RE the one to go.
WULFSTEIN
I can’t believe I’m hearing this from YOU. YOU, of all people.
THE DEAN
I know, I KNOW. But I’ve got a dirty job to do.
He pauses and stares into Wulfstein’s eyes.
The world’s scientific community has heard YOUR prediction concerning the Izu Peninsula… And a former associate wants YOU in Tokyo to be his consultant to lead the Japan’s Earthquake PREDICTION Center and its deep-sea operations.
The Dean notices that Wulfstein looks hesitant.
You can prove YOUR theories with a mindset more affiliated with YOURS – a culture who believes in MYTHOLOGY you’re interested in.
WULFSTEIN
A mindset affiliated only with MINE? Dinosaurs? Crypto seagiants?
THE DEAN
Yes, definitely. But you may still study how it fits into the larger scheme of things.
WULFSTEIN
Onto a continuous whole?
The Dean boots up his desktop, keys in and pulls up an image. He shows it to Wulfstein.
THE DEAN
NASA reported a mile long cloud kept churning like a hurricane for three days where the seven Lightning Bolts disappeared.
Wulfsten puts on his eyeglasses and stares at the screen.
THE DEAN
The image does seem there is a dragon in the sky, huffing and puffing, but this image is just an atmospheric anomaly.
WULFSTEIN
So, is this the best way to get rid of ME?
The Dean stares at Wulfstein with a stony face, then sighs.
THE DEAN
This is AN OPPORTUNITY for you to leave in a far more dignified way than get the sack.
INT. MIT SPORTS CENTRE – DAYS LATER
Wulfstein stands to the side while a Shaolin martial art session takes place. One fighter, in a black robe and white belt, is BYRON LAMBERT, who expertly and repeatedly avoids his opponent using a six-foot staff.
THE MASTER
TEIN!
All movements STOP. The Shaolin Master gives more instructions before dismissing his students.
Byron notices Wulfstein on the sideline and WAVES.
EXT. CORNER TABLE IN A CAFÉ – A LITTLE WHILE LATER
BYRON
So, what’s on your mind?
WULFSTEIN
Japan’s Earthquake RESEARCH Institute has offered me a year fellowship.
BYRON
Oh! Congratulations. That’s fantastic. What will you be doing there?
WULFSTEIN
Thank you, Byron. I’ll be doing more research, but I need an assistant, and I’d like you to come along.
Byron LAUGHS, then sees Wulfstein’s serious face.
BYRON
What, REALLY?
WULFSTEIN
I understand you’re about to commence your PhD… You can do a research paper there.
But such an endeavor has its perils. We may well be in one of those expeditions where scientists FAIL to return.
Byron STIFFENS.
BYRON
FAIL to return?
WULFSTEIN
In the EXTREME, Byron, only in the EXTREME.
EXT. MRS OKINO’S HOME IN JAPAN – NOON
Mrs Okino looks from her window at the darkening sky. Howling winds SLASH through shrubs. Branches CREAK. She rushes out into her frontyard. As THUNDER rumbles across the sky, scattered birds FLUTTER in chaotic patterns.
A CROW flies through her open window. With a GASP, Mrs Okino rushes after it. The bird perches on a shrine and flaps its wings. It CAWS, strutting around. One wing KNOCKS over an urn, spilling a portion of dark-colored powder.
Mrs Okino claps her hand, SCREAMING, but the crow flies chaotically. Eventually, it stands still.
GRANDSON
It’s only a SILLY bird, Obaachan.
Mrs Okino’s ten-year-old GRANDSON and a NEIGHBOR, Ms Chiyo, standing behind, watch Mrs Okino with distress.
MS CHIYO
The KAMI are simply showing their nature.
Mrs Okino shakes her head, still STARING at the crow.
MRS OKINO
No. It’s a bringer of BAD omen. If it’s only earthquakes, we may NOT panic. But the rest of nature has gone BERSERK.
MS CHIYO
The Kami are EXPRESSING themselves. They declare WAR on humanity, but they always affirm peace later.
MRS OKINO
But what about the birds? They FLUTTER in circles.
All turned silent. Only a distant RUMBLE answers her.
INT. MRS OKINO’S HOME – DAY
Mrs Okino serenades with Shinto MELODIES. She PRAYS and MEDITATES, but outside HOWLING WINDS continue.
Her grandson enters, LAUGHING.
GRANDSON
Obaachan, you’re being paranoid.
Mrs Okino ROLLS her eyes, then GAZES at the sky.
MRS OKINO
The birds are AFRAID of something. They must be SEEING THINGS we cannot see.
Eyes shut tightly, Okino winces as if in pain.
INT. TEMPLE IN THE FOREST – THE NEXT MORNING
Mrs Okino carries a tray of SAKE, SPICES and FRUITS. On her back is the urn that was knocked over by the CROW.
An OLD PRIEST curiously watches her as she approaches the temple, KNEELS down and CHANTS her prayers.
OLD PRIEST
Is there anything I can do for you?
Mrs Okino brings her hands together.
MRS OKINO
If I take my life, would the Goddess Amaterasu-Omikami be pacified?
OLD PRIEST
No, it’s not Goddess Amaterasu, but her explosive brother, SUSA-NO-O MIKOTO. He controls the SEAS and STORMS.
After placing her tray with SAKE, SPICES and FRUITS, she bows low.
MRS OKINO
So if I take my life, will SUSA-NO-O be happy?
OLD PRIEST
(turning back)
Perhaps, if the SACRIFICE is within his divine mercy.
INT. MRS OKINO’S HOME – EARLY DAWN
Mrs Okino WAKES up to her grandson’s SCREAM. At the open backdoor her grandson stands still, SOBBING. In front of him, under a shrine, lay seven dead CROWS.
Mrs Okino takes the BLACK birds and buries them in the garden as successive EXPLOSIONS rock the silence. Sirens SHRIEK. Temple gongs CLANG.
Dogs HOWL. PLUMES of fire BLAST out from Mount Fuji. Her grandson turns PALE. Then, DARKNESS resumes.
In a panic, she switches on the TV.
NEWS ANNOUNCER
Seismologists estimate that the twin JOLTS, measuring 9.2 each on the Richter scale, have dislodged thirty million cubic meters of rock from a seamount at the edge of the Japan Trench.
She flicks through the channels, all reporting the eruptions, until she stops. A reporter stands foreground to Mount Fuji, holding a copy of Japan Times.
REPORTER
According to a Professor from MIT, the occurrence of these two seaquakes at the same time is NO COINCIDENCE. This is not just a catastrophic event; it’s a PRECURSOR…
Mrs Okino looks STUNNED, then switches off the TV.
INT. TAXI IN TOKYO – A DAY LATER
From the backseat, Eileen looks out at the EERIE streets with a strange FLURRY of activities.
EILEEN
Is something important going on?
TAXI DRIVER
There is a SEPPUKU underway. This time. it’s from a lady–
EILEEN
A SUICIDE, really? Where is it going to be held?
TAXI DRIVER
Sengaku-ji temple, ma’am. I can take you there if you like.
Eileen nods, then STARES out the window, SCOWLING at the streets enroute to the temple.
INT. WHITE LIMOUSINE – MEANWHILE
Dressed in two layers of ceremonial KIMONOS (yellow over white), Mrs Okino sits with another lady in the spacious backseat, both expressionless. On Mrs Okino’s lap is a DAGGER in a case.
EXT. TEMPLE COURTYARD – MINUTES LATER
Eileen RUSHES through the crowds to the spectacle.
With her neighbor Ms Chiyo, Mrs Okino stands in front of the SHRINE. Eileen glimpses her yellow kimono.
Mrs Okino unties her obi, then PACES a few steps forward to KNEEL on a mat facing the shrine. She removes a DAGGER from her sash and places it carefully on a tray in front of her.
STUPEFIED, Eileen shakes her head.
EILEEN
MRS OKINO? No. NO. NO. STOP her! STOP her!
A PRIEST comes forward and offers Mrs Okino a cup of omeeki. He BOWS and departs, while she SIPS the purified wine.
Mrs Okino PULLS her broad sleeves out and TUCKS them under her knees. Then she holds the DAGGER firmly with both hands at a short distance in front of her body.
EILEEN
(screaming)
STOP HER! STOP HER!
All EYES turn to Eileen as she rushes forward.
EILEEN
Don’t do this, OKINO-SAN! Please, stop it. I’m Eileen… EILEEN BROOKE, remember?
Two monks GRAB Eileen’s arms, DRAGGING her back.
EILEEN
Get off me! GET THE HELL OFF ME!
MRS OKINO lifts her head and pauses. Then she PLUNGES the dagger into her belly. Her FACE contorts as the BLADE cuts horizontally, concluding with an upward JERK.
Ms Chiyo, who stands behind her, has a SWORD drawn and poised. She SLASHES with a single ARC. BLOOD spurts. Mrs Okino’s head THUDS to the ground.
Eileen SHRIEKS, but the crowd remains SILENT.
INT. YAMATO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN LOS ANGELES – NIGHT
BYRON sits opposite his uncle, SIMON, at a low table, eating dinner. Byron struggles to remain comfortable. He TEARS into crabmeat with his fingers.
SIMON
So what made you decide to go?
Byron looks up.
BYRON
It’s a chance to RESEARCH my doctorate. Also, JAPAN is a techno powerhouse.
SIMON
That’s a MISTAKE. If you want to do original research, you should expect to fail.
BYRON
FAIL? Sections of the Japan Trench have already collapsed. I thought the Earthquake Research Institute with a link to Tokyo University would be a great place to start.
SIMON
Those places DON’T stimulate the mind. Their students can only REGURGITATE what they’ve memorized.
BYRON
Is it THAT bad?
SIMON
Except for the arts, or unless you want to combine the EAST and WEST.
Byron looks CONFUSED.
INT. BYRON’S BEDROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT
Byron lies RESTLESSLY in bed. He closes his eyes. Then, a RATTLE. He opens his eyes – STARTLED. His bed SHAKES. He SQUINTS through the darkness to see the time, then grabs his cell phone. He presses a button and LISTENS.
A VOICE says, “We just had a 4.4 quake but nothing serious. Its epicenter is somewhere in the SAN GABRIEL mountains.”
BYRON
Okay. Thank you.
Byron calms down, but looks tired. He trudges back to his bed. He manages to crawl under the covers, when WHOOMF! The whole building SHAKES.
A HUGE CRACK forms on the ceiling, on the walls, then beneath his feet. The building COLLAPSES and Byron is caught in the tumult.
INT. RUBBLE OF A FALLEN BUILDING – MORNING
Byron’s eyes open. Dust covers his face and hair. Dogs BARK in the distance. He CRUMPLES in pain, blood dripping from his face.
A VOICE echoes. “Hello? Is anyone there? Can anyone hear me?”
Byron tries to speak, but only WHEEZES. He COUGHS, wincing.
BYRON
(barely audible)
I’m here. I’m. I’m here.
WOMAN
Can you move?
Byron tries to move his arms, but fails.
WOMAN
Can you move your legs?
He can’t.
Just stay there then. Don’t worry. We’re going to get you out.
Another RUMBLE. Distant WAILINGS grow louder as Byron yelps in pain. Support rescuers work on the masonry that entraps him.
As more pieces are lifted, the woman looks at Byron’s face.
WOMAN
Wait a sec. Byron. Is that you? Oh, sh’t. Are you okay?
Byron’s eyes slowly adjust to the brightness of the searchlights.
BYRON
Aunty Carol!
CAROL
Hey Byron. I wish I could say it’s great to see you, but you look a mess.
Carol uses both arms to pull Byron out.
INT. EILEEN’S VW GOLF, JAPAN – DAY
Her face swollen, her eyes puffy and red, Eileen sniffs and looks out at the rice fields. But GUSTS of wind and a bit of RAIN forces her to concentrate on the road.
Eileen stops at a gas station, then comes back out with a newspaper. She sits in her Golf to read it.
“Katsuura – dead: 20,000.”
“Kamakura – dead: 200,000.”
Images of at least three SEPPUKUS appear on the next page. She can just make out MRS OKINO’S face, when she shuts the newspaper and tosses it to the passenger seat.
EILEEN
Oh Crap!
EXT. JAPAN COUNTRYSIDE – LATER
Eileen drives on. The road narrows, and becomes steeper and bumpier. A score of YOUNGSTERS trail up a hill, all dressed in WHITE. They WAVE excitedly at Eileen, SHOUTING slogans. Eileen smiles and waves back.
EXT. LAKE – AFTERNOON
Eileen stops her Golf when she spots a cluster of somber-faced journalists. When the door swings open, SULFUROUS odor turns her stomach – she scrunches her face and covers her nose with her sleeve. And she struggles her way to the group.
At the edge of the lake, Eileen can hardly distinguish between HUMAN corpses and ANIMAL carcasses on one side of the lake. She gags at the stench and rushes back and braces herself against a tree to vomit.
After a while, she approaches a journalist nearby.
EILEEN
What’s going on here?
JOURNALIST
A mass suicide. This happens often here, especially when the locals know severe tragedies are near.
EILEEN
Pardon me, but I heard some saying it’s another Black Death?
JOURNALIST
Experts are telling us different things. But one story that keeps coming up is how some islands will DISINTEGRATE under the waves.
EILEEN
Whoa! Which islands?
JOURNALIST
All of them. Japan. The locals suffer from what’s called “the SINKING Syndrome.”
EXT. COASTAL COUNTRYSIDE – THAT EVENING
Eileen’s Golf meanders a road circling a bay. Heaps of debris lay littered, ranging from shipwrecks to cars and trucks.
Surrounded by bamboo trees is an inn. The Golf enters a carpark.
INT. FRONT DESK AT the LOBBY OF THE INN – SOON LATER
A grey-haired Japanese lady bows and offers herself.
YORIKO
Welcome, you must be Eileen. You must be weary from your travels. Please, your room is ready.
EILEEN
Thank you.
YORIKO
Would you like tea? Or sake?
EILEEN
I’d like a bath first, if you don’t mind…
Yoriko nods with a smile. She hands Eileen a pair of slippers, a wadded YELLOW cotton robe and a WHITE towel.
YORIKO
We have an onsen bath prepared. Please, this way.
Eileen follows Yoriko to the back of the inn.
EXT. ONSEN BATH – LATER
An outside onsen is fed by springs from the hills. Tall bamboo screens the moon. The gentle SPLASH of a waterfall tumbling into the koi pool ECHOES continuously.
Yoriko bows.
YORIKO
Enjoy your bath. I’ll be your company for dinner later.
EILEEN
Thank you, Yoriko…
Eileen sighs heavily as she rests her head against a smooth rock. Then – a sudden FLIGHT of BIRDS startles her. The earth shakes.
Water SLOSHES out of the bath, a lantern FALLS. An urgent KNOCK on the door. Eileen tries to stand, but STUMBLES.
She grips the edge of the bath, and wraps herself in a WHITE towel. A maid guides Eileen to her room.
INT. DINNER AT THE INN – SHORTLY AFTER
Eileen sits in her YELLOW robe. The maid pours out a cup of sake before Eileen takes a bite from a seafood platter.
Yoriko enters.
EILEEN
Did you feel it? That tremor?
YORIKO
We live in a land of VIOLENCE, of constant QUAKES and TSUNAMIS. The West says we can control our destiny, but that’s a lie.
Eileen looks CONFUSED.
YORIKO
There is no point in trying to forecast times and weather… when DEATH is our HERITAGE.
EILEEN
We’re all MORTAL; we all DIE, but surely that doesn’t mean we’ll just leave our destiny to times and weather?
YORIKO
The West says we can control our destiny, but that’s another LIE. Don’t you see? One quake has just occurred a moment ago?
EILEEN
We all age, and we’ll all die, but –
YORIKO
But if this is our karma, aren’t we all fated?
EILEEN
You mean JAPAN has a KARMA of DEATH?
Crickets CHIRP loudly in the background, interrupting.
YORIKO
Those crickets are STIRRING. A storm is coming. We need to be ready for the destination determined by SUSA-NO-O.
HOWLING winds cause tree branches to TAP at the window.
INT. AIRPLANE ECONOMIC CLASS SEATS – DAWNING
Byron winces and bends over to massage his legs. Across the aisle sits Wulfstein, who turns toward him.
WULFSTEIN
How’re you feeling?
BYRON
My hip is bothering me, but I’m okay.
Byron STRUGGLES to stretch his legs.
WULFSTEIN
I’m worried your injury may prevent you from joining our expedition.
BYRON
I’ve lived through Rockdale. I can face anything.
Wulfstein FROWNS.
INT. TOKYO’S NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – LATER
A jostling crowd awaits at the arrival gate. Two men holding placards that read “Prof. Wilhelm Wulfstein & Byron Lambert – Welcome to Japan” stand alongside two ladies in kimonos.
Besides them was a man with deep facial lines, a Professor in a three-piece suit and about the same built as Wulfstein. He steps forward.
YOSHINO
Welcome Professor Wulfstein. I am Hiroshi Yoshino.
Yoshino and Wulfstein exchange low bows.
WULFSTEIN
It must have been at least seven years since we last met, Yoshino-san.
After Wulfstein has introduced Bryon to Yoshino, who in turn introduces NISHIHARA, a renowned oceanographer and a co-pilot of deep-sea submersibles. Nishihara has a large, round face and gold-rimmed spectacles that sit on his crooked nose.
NISHIHARA
Pleased to meet you.
YOSHINO
And this is my daughter NOBUKO, and her friend ATSUKO.
Yoshino gestures to the two girls. NOBUKO smiles warmly.
Byron is taken by Nobuko’s kimono, her gown has an embroidered DRAGON winding from the hem of the robe upward.
WULFSTEIN
(to Yoshino)
I’m honored by your coming all the way to meet us.
YOSHINO
Oh! We have nominated you to the Clifford Prize.
WULFSTEIN
(surprised)
You are nominating an outcast?
YOSHINO
Outcasts, like Columbus, are GREAT men.
INT. BLACK LIMOUSINE – SOON LATER
A chauffeur drives the men in a BLACK limousine. Wulfstein and Yoshino sit at the back; Nishihara in front. Byron and the ladies in another sedan.
Silence looms as the car speeds off. Then a cell phone rings for Yoshino, who talks in a HUSHED voice.
Wulfstein can tell by Yoshino’s expression that something is wrong.
After the call:
WULFSTEIN
What? What happened? Any news on the Lightning Jets?
YOSHINO (hesitantly)
Kaiiko and Ito Maru have also vanished.
WULFSTEIN
WHAT? What were their last bearings?
YOSHINO
26º North and 140º East; that’s about 1000 miles southeast of Kyushu.
Wulfstein looks STUNNED but says nothing.
The limousines stop in front of a villa surrounded by cherry trees.
YOSHINO
This is your new home. Its name is SAKURA – it means cherry blossoms.
They alight from the cars.
WULFSTEIN
(bowing)
This is magnificent.
EXT. BACKGARDEN AT SAKURA – SAME DAY
Yoshino leads the ENTOURAGE around the garden – which is serene, peaceful and well-balanced.
They reach a wavy stretch of raked SAND and smaller strange-looking ROCKS and STONES. Wulfstein stops.
WULFSTEIN
Is this a Zen garden?
YOSHINO
This is a Seki Tei garden. The WAVY field represents the OCEAN.
Wulfstein points to a group of sculptured ROCKS and STONES.
WULFSTEIN
And what do those ROCKS symbolize?
YOSHINO
The tall one depicts a DRAGON. And the low-lying stones helpless men with their sinking ships.
Wulfstein gazes at the sculptures.
YOSHINO
Our ART comes from ancient MYTHS.
EXT. ANOTHER CORNER OF THE GARDEN – MEANWHILE
Nobuko and Atsuko show Byron around the garden. Nobuko plucks two twigs from a tree and hands one to Byron.
NOBUKO
Yoshino blossoms –
BYRON
YOSHINO?
NOBUKO
Yes. This species honors our family name.
Byron inhales the blossom’s scent.
ATSUKO
A man without moods is as unnatural as a world without seasons.
NOBUKO
We cherish cherry blossoms precisely because they do not last.
BYRON
You ladies speak so… poetically.
ATSUKO
Your eyes are BLUE. They’re like TEARS of an ocean.
NOBUKO
(giggling)
And your hairs are BROWN… like the DECAYING leaves of an OLD oak tree.
ATSUKO
Nobuko, look!
Atsuko tugs at Nobuko’s kimono sleeve and points to the skies – DARK, with heavy clouds. A loud RUMBLING.
Swift FLYING fighter PLANES emerge. They form a flower shape – sixteen circles for sixteen petals.
Nishihara’s voice booms from a distance:
NISHIHARA
These are our entire Lightning Jets at Yokota Air Base.
The sound of PLANES roar as Atsuko cries:
ATSUKO
A CHRYSANTHEMUM!
INT. BYRON’S ROOM (SAKURA) – LATER THAT EVENING
Deep in THOUGHT, Byron sits in his armchair. He switches on a table lamp. A stack of English lifestyle magazines catches his attention. He takes one out and browses another.
A familiar face, NOBUKO, on the cover. He finds her article. She is a “GRADUATE IN FINE ARTS” and writes “HAIKUS”.
He reads it quickly. Some phrases stand out.
“Leaving the willow covered bank, she strolls through the flowers.”
“Her fairy sleeves flutter.”
“She ascends like a phoenix in flight.”
Byron PACES around the room and RUFFLES his hair. Then he TEARS the page and sticks it to a wall in front of his desk.
EXT. MAIN GATEWAY TO JAPAN’S PARLIAMENT – DAY
All roads to the National Diet in Japan are overcrowded. People are SWEATY, AGITATED and holding up placards. Eileen finds a small space behind a barricade to watch.
MAN
Hey! Are you a SPY?
TERRIFIED, Eileen shakes his hand off, but the man stays close.
STRANGER
Hey! WHY are you American unleashing this disaster on us?
EILEEN
Get LOST! I’m only a reporter.
She RUSHES away. In twenty yards, she finds a breathing space from which she can see the cult leader again, who RAGES on. He RAISES HIS VOICE.
CULT LEADER
It’s time for the reinstatement of our EMPEROR. It’s time to pay homage to SUSA-NO-O. He is our God of SEAS and STORMS.
Something stirs in the crowd. A SIREN wails. Three white limousines make their way, moving slowly toward the Diet.
Eileen stands close to members of the press, who slip past the cordon. They drag along their equipment, before a rigid formation of POLICE orders the crowd back.
INT. HALL INSIDE JAPAN’S PARLIAMENT – SAME DAY
The press set up in front of a stage. A crowd behind them buzzes with excitement. When an official steps forward, the crowd hushes.
OFFICIAL
(in Japanese, English subtitles)
Can I have your attention? Prime Minister ONO will now speak.
ONO’s knees suddenly buckle, seeing SOME in the crowd begin to ROAR. Four assistants rush to his aid, but he brushes them aside and regains his composure.
PRIME MINISTER
(in Japanese, English subtitles)
Thank you for coming despite such short notice. It is with great sadness that Japan is undergoing a national CRISIS.
The audience falls SILENT.
PRIME MINISTER
We must determine the root cause of this SINKING Syndrome. Japan must OVERCOME this plunge. Japan will come out STRONGER…
The speech DRAGS on… when a tomato suddenly SPLATS onto the Prime Minister’s forehead. The crowd ROARS.
Cameras CLICK.
Several POLICE handle the culprit.
Four bodyguards RUSH the Prime Minister away, while more security men fill the room to fight back JEERING mobs.
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE A LAB – DAYS LATER
Eileen KNOCKS on the door. A VOICE from inside calls, “Come in.” Wulfstein smiles upon seeing her.
WULFSTEIN
Ms O’Neill. It must be over two months since Boston? Sorry for my hastiness then.
EILEEN
Over three months actually. It’s okay. I’m used to it.
Wulfstein, now in much better SPIRITS, ushers her to a seat facing his desk.
WULFSTEIN
Coffee? Tea?
EILEEN
Coffee, thanks. Black.
Wulfstein STROLLS to his coffeemaker in a corner of the lab.
WULFSTEIN
So what brings you to Japan?
EILEEN
Well, aside from researching for a seismic HOT SPOTS article, I’m also interested in Japanese suicide culture.
WULFSTEIN
Ah… Seppuku.
EILEEN
Yes.
Wulfstein turns SILENT as he makes her coffee.
EILEEN
Professor, how do you handle such stress?
WULFSTEIN
Please call me Wilhelm. WHY do you ask?
EILEEN
You look stressed.
WULFSTEIN
(handing her the coffee)
Yes, I can imagine so. But today I’ve made time to answer ANY questions you may have.
EILEEN
(showing him her voice recorder)
Do you mind?
WULFSTEIN
Not at all.
Eileen turns on her recorder and places it on his desk.
EILEEN
You predicted an Izu Peninsula earthquake, but NOT the Rockdale quake…
WULFSTEIN
Yes. Some years ago, scientists in the States thought they had elements of PRECURSORS which might indicate a quake is imminent. They look for PATTERNS of movements in the earth’s crust, quantity of radon gas SEEPING from the ground. But their findings were complicated by the presence of electromagnetic SIGNALS.
EILEEN
What are these ELECTROMAGNETIC signs?
WULFSTEIN
They are emitted by rocks under COMPRESSION or SPLIT from tectonic plates. These same electromagnetic elements were also DETECTED just before Ito Maru and Kaiiko disappeared.
EILEEN
WHY is this?
WULFSTEIN
Planet Earth is full of mysteries. It keeps plaguing us with CONFUSING signals.
Wulfstein walks to the window and looks out.
The PROBLEM is that quakes are hard to pinpoint. For a start, there are ten to twenty miles of ROCK and EARTH between us. And we CAN’T place our sensors deep in the mantle.
He turns to Eileen and sighs.
Have you heard of the UNIFYING Theory?
EILEEN
Yes…but you may –
WULFSTEIN (interrupting)
Both science and mythology matter greatly. This two-eyed UNIFYING approach should be used to find the ultimate truth.
He returns to his seat.
WULFSTEIN
We need something beyond what the sensors are telling us. We need imagination, even WILD imagination…
Eileen LISTENS as Wulfstein continues to talk more on subjects such as history, medieval artifacts and ancient philosophies.
WULFSTEIN
You look OVERWHELMED, Ms O’Neill.
EILEEN
Just call me Eileen. I appreciate your WIDE spectrum of imagination. Still, I’d prefer something more DOWN-TO-EARTH, something my readers can visualize and understand.
WULFSTEIN
Okay, Eileen. Let’s look at a MAP.
Wulfstein leads her to a map on one wall of the lab.
WULFSTEIN
Here, the Mariana TRENCH lies 36,000 feet below sea-level. It’s also known as the world’s deepest GRAVEYARD.
Eileen studies the map. A neat arc of RED and PURPLE magnets line the CIRCUMFERENCE of the Pacific Ocean.
WULFSTEIN
LOOK at these magnets. This PROLIFERATION of volcanoes grips the Pacific with life and death. They indicate where massive earthquakes have SHAKEN the Rim.
Eileen studies the magnet and the tags attached to them.
“New Zealand 1931”… “Chile 1960”… “Mexico City 1985”… “Kobe 1995”… “Fukushima 2011.”
There is a pink magnet southeast of Tokyo.
EILEEN
Why is this magnet PINK?
WULFSTEIN
That means it is ACTIVE, Eileen. And since Mt Fuji is extremely dangerous, I’m monitoring ANY signals there with my laptop.
EILEEN
Professor Blackmore has been saying NO one can predict the next quake. And all those who’d predicted a Big One were proven WRONG.
WULFSTEIN
BLACKMORE is an ASS. Japan’s geology is like a balloon that keeps getting bigger and BIGGER.
EILEEN
How? WHAt do you mean?
WULFSTEIN (demonstrating)
There is a plate boundary that exists inland, right under the bulk of Mt Fuji. Where the Philippine Sea plate is subducted below the Japanese mainland, the solid mass of Izu collided HEAD ON, acting as a BRAKE. Once the blockage BURSTS, an unimaginable SUPERQUAKE will strike.
EILEEN
We know that, Professor. YOUR Izu prediction is well known.
WULFSTEIN
No, Eileen, it’s what happened AFTER that.
EILEEN
WHAT, after the quake?
WULFSTEIN
The Izu Peninsula is ONLY a small part in the larger scheme of things. Starting from the northwest of the Pacific plates lies the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. It continues down the Japan Trench to the Mariana Trench. And we’re planning a trip to the Izu-Ogasawara Trench. We’ve DETECTED some strange seismic and electromagnetic activities there.
EILEEN
ELECTROMAGNETIC activity?
Wulfstein shows her more SIGNALS from his laptop. Her eyes drink it all in as he explains the interconnecting trenches.
EILEEN
You HAVE to let me go along.
WULFSTEIN
No, it’s TOO dangerous, Eileen.
EILEEN
I’VE been to a lot of dangerous places.
WULFSTEIN
NOT like this.
EILEEN
Danger is danger. Besides, you still HAVEN’T explained why electromagnetic signals were generated BEFORE Kaiiko’s disappearance.
Wulfstein FREEZES.
WULFSTEIN
ELECTROMAGNETIC signals? I’ve heard this question before…
He looks hard at Eileen before he rummages in his pocket for his wallet. He takes out a card, looks at it, then back at Eileen, as if discovering something.
WULFSTEIN
Jerry O’NEILL.
Eileen’s eyes soften.
EILEEN
Yes, MY husband.
WULFSTEIN
I REMEMBER him. So, you . . . you’re Jerry’s wife?”
Eileen draws in a deep breath, her eyes moist.
Oh, I’m terribly SORRY for your loss, Mrs O’Neill.
EILEEN
(looking away)
I MISS him and I’ve LOST faith in life altogether. Yet, I’m committed to finding out how ELECTROMAGNETIC signals play in this scheme of things.
WULFSTEIN
Again, I’m AWFULLY sorry. Life WITHOUT a destination is a life WITHOUT purpose. The trip will be RISKY, Mrs O’Neill. Are you REALLY sure you REALLY want to come?
EXT. SATSUMA MARU (MOTHER SHIP) DECK – NOON
Byron stands beside Nishihara on the deck of the ship. Byron SQUINTS and points out to the islets. A couple of strange-looking but picturesque ISLETS appear above the surface of the water.
BYRON
WHY do some of these islets look pinkish?
NISHIHARA
(pointing)
These were formed JUST days ago.
Byron STEPS forward, enjoying the fresh air. Despite the stormy winds, he STROLLS further toward the edge of the ship.
A sudden JERK of Satsuma Maru almost carries him OVERBOARD but he ventures on, gripping the railing tightly.
Jolly, Byron glances back but a stronger movement THROWS him off balance. He PLUNGES into the water. He kicks and gasps for air, but the waves cause him to cough and splutter.
A familiar voice says, “HOLD ON!” Wulfstein DIVES into the water.
After a struggle, BOTH men EMERGE near the ship. Wulfstein helps Byron grab a step ladder attached to the ship. Some crew show concern while others RUSH with blankets.
BYRON
(spluttering)
Sh’t. I didn’t see that coming.
Wulfstein clears his throat and wipes his face. Outside, the sea has CALMED, GLITTERING in the setting sun. The deck looks safe once more.
WULFSTEIN
Would have been nice to know you can’t swim before I picked you on this mission.
Byron places a towel over his head, SHAKING.
BYRON
On land, I can move like a tiger, but out here I’m afraid I’m counting on you.
INT. SATSUMA MARU – NEXT MORNING
Refreshed, Eileen STROLLS through the deck of the ship onto the portside. ROLLING mists partially hide Byron. Wulfstein, Yoshino and Nishihara who are already there.
The ship glides slowly to avoid colliding with pinkish ISLETS in sight which form a chain.
YOSHINO
Not too close. It’s DANGEROUS.
CAPTAIN AKITA
This is the course we plotted.
Eileen looks over the ship to see Nobuko, taking photographs of the PINK islets. She goes over to her.
EILEEN
Capturing a scene through a camera lens. That’s one ART I’m still trying to master.
NOBUKO
Without the lens, I could never really see what’s out there. With them, I can see EVERYTHING.
Eileen STARES out at the islands.
EILEEN
Never seen anything so beautiful, so MAGICAL –
NOBUKO
But DEADLY too.
YOSHINO
Sailors say that these islets GLOW at night.
The sea, becoming chilly, has calmed by the evening. The sun is setting as the crew gaze across the CRIMSON horizon. They are comforted by its beauty: all SHADES of light.
INT. CABINS – AT NIGHT
THUMP! Eileen is startled by a sudden NOISE. She stumbles sleepily out of her cabin, through the hallway to the deck.
EILEEN
What’s happening?
BYRON
An eruption. Look!
Byron points to MISSILES of FIRE and COLUMN of ASH and SMOKE. Eileen checks her watch. More turbulence.
WULFSTEIN
TSUNAMIS! The waves are coming!
The boat turns while riding the waves. Eileen clings to the rail.
Byron, smelling a disturbing stench, grabs his shirt to cover his nose.
EILEEN
SULFUR! Not a supervolcano, I hope.
BYRON
Ugh. It STINKS!
BOOM! More flashes SHOOT out. The sky is a display of blinding RED and ORANGE.
THUD. THUD. Lava lands on deck. Specks of light SPARKLE and IGNITE. A crew uses an extinguisher to put them out.
Byron, Wulfstein and Yoshino RUSH toward the ship’s interior.
INT. DATA ROOM BELOW DECK – SECONDS LATER
Charts relay a miniature SEISMOGRAPH of peaks and troughs. There are BEEPS of varying intensity.
BYRON
The Pacific plate is BULLDOZING its way into the Eurasian plate.
WULFSTEIN
Then these islets should MOVE along.
Yoshino tears off and examines reading.
YOSHINO
If you follow this chain of rocks to the north, you’ll find a path to Shikoku Island, and another all the way to Hokkaido.
EXT. SATSUMA MARU – THE NEXT MORNING
The sea has calmed. Starting with Wulfstein, then Yoshino, the CREW make their way inside KEIKO, the submersible.
Then Eileen. KIICHI, the SKIPPER of the sub, helps her down a ladder. Their mission is to explore the ocean bed for clues.
EILEEN
Keiko! Is this sub named after the KILLER WHALE?
KIICHI (scoffing)
KEIKO has nothing to do with Hollywood. This SUB is named after the twelfth EMPEROR of Japan, Keikõ Tennõ.
A small group of people gather around to see the crew off, and Byron hugs over Nobuko for a FINAL farewell.
BYRON
Well, I’ll see you SOON.
NOBUKO
Take CARE, Byron.
Byron gives her a little smile, before stepping into the sub.
INT. KEIKO – LATER
KIICHI
Ladies and gentlemen, our primary mission is to find KAIIKO and its mothership, ITO MARU.
THE CREW
Hai. Hai!
EILEEN
What are their COORDINATES?
YOSHINO
26º North, 140º East…a thousand miles southeast of Kyushu. About where we are.
Kiichi takes his seat as SKIPPER Nishihara sits next to him.
KIICHI
Alright, crew, buckle your seatbelts.
The sub seals shut.
Captain Akita lowers KEIKO onto the ocean. Once the sub stabilizes, it DESCENDS STEADILY into the deep.
Kiichi speaks into a mic.
KIICHI
Our sub is now on automated mode. You are now free to unbuckle your seatbelts.
Everyone except Byron unbuckled their seatbelts.
BYRON
How is it that we just submerged and I’m ALREADY feeling claustrophobic?
KIICHI
Don’t worry, it is normal. As the dive down would be SMOOTH you’ll soon get used to it.
EILEEN
What do the GREEN and RED digital displays mean?
KIICHI
These are SIGNALS linked to listening devices planted on the seabed.
Outside the sub: swarms of FISH, STINGRAYS and giant OCTOPI swim by.
NISHIHARA
Conventional subs cannot keep pace with octopi and other creatures, but with Keiko we can track their movement.
KIICHI
Our new sub is quicker; its turning radius tighter.
WULFSTEIN
Something unusual, Eileen. Have you noticed these fish are COLLIDING and LOSING their directions?
EILEEN
No, they’re swimming gracefully.
WULFSTEIN
They seem graceful, but look closer; they are swimming UPSIDE DOWN.
Using his laptop, Wulfstein records each creature seen and location. Fish bump around, flipping in and out of Keiko’s beams. They are COLLIDING and losing their direction, soon they fade away and disappear.
As the surroundings get DARKER, Keiko’s LIGHTS grow more intense.
Soon, fewer and fewer creatures make an appearance, until only white flakes FALL and SWIRL around them.
ON COMPUTER: Typography of a seascape appears.
WULFSTEIN
We’re on top of the Nansei-Shoto seamount; it parallels the Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
Wulfstein POINTS to his laptop as every crew member gathers around for a better view.
WULFSTEIN
And this is the Ma-no Umi, the Dragon Triangle. If an earthquake occurs in this part of the Pacific, you’ll FIRST see it here.
EILEEN
How can you detect all these?
BYRON
We have links to all observation spots via a satellite navigation system. They can locate a SENSOR to WITHIN an inch.
EILEEN
But I understand our GPS systems don’t work under the ocean.
WULFSTEIN
I’m using the Galileo iSat system, which beams from European satellites and then incorporates more than 3500 electronic sensors that the Japanese have installed, some on the surface, others below.
Wulfstein taps a key. The laptop shows the sub’s position. The whole ARCHIPELAGO, surrounded by tiny DOTS, appears.
WULFSTEIN (pointing at the sub on the laptop)
We’re here. Every dot represents a seismic jolt. Purple and red show high risk zones. But it’s the PINK that’s the most dangerous.
EILEEN
I HAVEN’T seen pink. Have you?
WULFSTEIN
If you do, it’ll be TOO late.
The laptop BEEPS in distinct intervals and tones. It shows a simulated velocity seismograph, with a mixture of LINES and ARROWS. Red DOTS mark volcanic fires SPURTING up from the ocean floor.
YOSHINO
This is the most ADVANCED program I’ve ever seen.
WULFSTEIN
Actually, this is FAR from being satisfactory. It’s of no use if it can only detect an event after it strikes.
EILEEN
How? We definitely need to be forewarned.
WULFSTEIN
My prognosis involves the study of changes in water levels, tremors, gases and other subtle SIGNS like animal behavior…
BYRON
Animal behavior? Animals are TOO unpredictable. And they’re prone to ERRORS.
WULFSTEIN
It’s the INTERPRETATIONS that are prone to errors. Surely some offer warning days in advance, others within hours. But who’s to say a school of fish or a flock of birds lost in their natural habitat isn’t as much an indicator as a needle scribbling wildly on a seismometer?
Eileen peers outside. Above, a giant flounder swims away. She LEANS forward to see an outcrop of crystalline rocks. Then a network of hydrothermal VENTS.
EILEEN
Can you see jets of steam over there?
BYRON
Somewhere, there have to be CRACKS.
The situation is tense as Keiko’s exterior lights INTENSIFY, FLOODING the surrounding with a LUMINOUS glare. More seamounts appear, thrusting islands intertwined with deep-sea channels.
KIICHI
We’re at the BOTTOM of the Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
The sub SLOWS down. After another twenty yards, the smoky water SHIMMERS like air rising from a chimney. Eileen backs away from the glass abruptly, as though it burned her hands.
EILEEN
Ssss! DAMN it.
WULFSTEIN
BE CAREFUL! It’s over 200º Centigrade outside.
Yoshino GRABS the skipper’s shoulders.
YOSHINO
BACK OFF! We’re getting too close.
Keiko REVERSES. A spurt of orange-red bubbles SPRAY forth from cracks in the lava.
Hundreds of huge, ash-white shrimps TUMBLE and ZIGZAG along the rocks.
EILEEN
LOOK! These shrimp respond to light –
WULFSTEIN
No, they’re getting POACHED.
KIICHI
This is a dangerous area.
DARK objects flash in the dark. Ten yards away, at the edge of what seems an immobile mass, the camera scans something familiar: a piece of RUBBLE.
YOSHINO
Wait. We may have just found something.
Everyone turns to where Yoshino rests his gaze. Soon the images become an outline of pieces of debris. It is a SHIPWRECK.
Kiichi FLIPS the floodlights to full power. The light cut through murky waters to REFLECT a barnacle-encrusted hull.
NISHIHARA
Can we find this place on our chart?
KIICHI
We’re now inside the eastern edge of Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
NISHIHARA
Do we know what ship it is?
BYRON
Berga Istra!
The crew stands, TRANSFIXED as a corroded ventilator shaft appears, followed by a rusty stern and its rudder protruding. Soon, twisted pipes give way to heavier metals. “BERGA ISTRA” on a nameplate comes into view.
EILEEN
I’ve heard of this ship… it was much larger than the Titanic.
Wulfstein TAPS at his keyboard.
WULFSTEIN
Berga Istra sank in 1975 over the Mindanao Trench. Its 228,000-ton displacement EXCEEDED the tonnage of all those ships combined that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle…
Wulfstein enters further COMMANDS into his computer.
(con’t)
Three years later, her sister ship, called the Berge Vanga, also sank.
The crew gazes from above the wreckage while they listen to Wulfstein.
(con’t)
The Berga Istra is a marine mystery. BOTH this and its sister ship sunk along the same route but no trace of the wreck has ever been located…
EILEEN
Look! The starboard has protruded inward.
She POINTS toward the hull.
Kiichi steers Keiko for a closer look.
KIICHI
You’re right. The RIGHT side is indented.
EILEEN
What does that mean?
WULFSTEIN
It signals something peculiar, but let’s also check the portside.
EILEEN
The portside looks UNDAMAGED. It’s normal.
WULFSTEIN
It appears something had RAMMED the starboard. And only the starboard. Let’s look there.
Keiko GLIDES and HOVERS above the wreck.
BYRON
WHAT could have caused them to sink?
NISHIHARA
The Norwegian owner has maintained SECRECY over its sinking to this day.
EILEEN
What makes you think so?
NISHIHARA
They smuggled gold ingots among the ore they carried from Brazil, and some pirates must have known their operations.
EILEEN
Then PIRATES might have been here before us…
YOSHINO
No. This is just way TOO deep for any pirate to reach. And HOW could they sink such a ship even if they wanted to?
The crew stares ahead. Before them, in what appears to be a VALLEY, is a vast GRAVEYARD of shipwrecks, BURIED in scattered piles.
SUDDENLY, Byron interrupts –
BYRON
We’re right above a faultline. And the plates might plummet in jerks, releasing huge gas trapped beneath, causing these ships to sink.
EILEEN
This DOESN’T make sense. The release of gases may cause a ship to plunge, but how does this explain the disappearance of Kaiiko?
For a long minute, the crew stare in AWE. Wulfstein and Yoshino look on with wide eyes at the front; Byron and Nishihara cringe back beside the portholes.
WULFSTEIN
Wait . . . WAIT! Have any of you noticed something ODD?
Byron and Nishihara move toward the professors.
WULFSTEIN
Look here, this DAMAGE on its hull is the SAME as the first shipwreck.
EILEEN
It looks like an EXPLOSION sank this ship.
WULFSTEIN
Not an explosion, Eileen. If it did, the damaged surface would have sported sharp and pointed marks. See, this starboard hull also bends inward.
YOSHINO
BOTH bending inward? Let’s go back and REEXAMINE the first wreckage.
INT. KEIKO – LATER
After an hour of anticipation, an air of calmness pervades. The crew lapses in SILENCE, lulled by the HUMMING engines. After more wrecks, Eileen points out at a cloud of SILT rising from the seafloor.
EILEEN
Whoa – WHAT’S that?
KIICHI
Brace yourselves!
Everyone SCRAMBLES back into their seats.
A reverberating SHOCKWAVE THROWS Eileen starboard before she can get to her seat. The lights go out.
Nishihara FLICKS a few switches and the interior lights return, followed by exterior beams.
BYRON
Was that a SEAQUAKE?
WULFSTEIN
More than that. It’s sankaku-nami, a ‘triangle wave’.
EILEEN
Aren’t those surface waves?
WULFSTEIN
No, those occur in the deep.
He points to his laptop on his lap.
LOOK, more dots to make a continuous blip.
Eileen turns quiet. As the sub ROCKS, she peers at the screen. The monitor displays an unbroken floor of gray MUD.
EXT. KEIKO – MINUTES LATER
The crew sense movements all around. Something must be lurking out there, closing in. A THUD resounds, jarring everybody. The crew squint into the darkness. A BLACK creature, longer than fifteen meters, SWIMS across the bow in writhing coils, MOVING swiftly like a waving rope. It turns and approaches the porthole. The crew BACK away as the sub QUIVERS.
Soon a black scaly CREATURE emerges. It continues to WRITHE as it approaches the porthole, then TURNS away.
INT. KEIKO – LATER
Eileen looks away, but Byron gazes curiously. The creature’s fanged mouth THUMPS the glass continuously, leaving a residue of BUBBLES in its wake.
Like a giant catfish, it FLICKERS its tongue.
EILEEN
EEEK! What’s that? Look at its mouth.
BYRON
It’s like a giant catfish. Its BULGING eyes are creepy.
A strange sound ECHOES through the waters. As if instinctively, the snake backs away from the sub.
THUD. A dull WHACK comes from behind the sub. Eileen YELPS. Byron, still looking out through a porthole, GASPS.
One TENTACLE covers a porthole, like a huge suction cup.
EILEEN
Good grief. Is this the LEVIATHAN you talked about?
WULFSTEIN
It COULDN’T be. This is a creature without eyes. Look, it only has TENTACLES. Maybe it’s a giant cousin of the octopus.
The tentacles move, blocking one porthole after another. Eileen backs off, TERRIFIED.
YOSHINO
Perhaps it’s a member of the cephalopod species.
WULFSTEIN
Maybe it is. But this has NO eyes.
The tentacles SLAM around, causing Keiko to vibrate. The sub trembles and CREAKS. Suddenly the porthole turns blank.
BYRON
Whoa… it’s dragging us DOWN!
EILEEN
Let’s GET OUT of here!
YOSHINO
Kiichi, let’s go.
Kiichi STOMPS the pedal, but the sub only GROANS and CREAKS under the creature’s giant tentacles and maw.
YOSHINO
Push the throttle.
NISHIHARA
We’re stuck.
The crew members let out MOANS as they are tossed around. Eileen’s head SLAMS into a wall. The sub PLUMMETS onto the seafloor. THUD.
Eileen holds her head. Equipment lay SPRAWLED across the floor.
The beast MOVES aside and WATCHES the sub’s robotic arms. Then it grabs the antennae and YANKS off two search-lamps with its suckers.
WULFSTEIN
Switch off the lights.
KIICHI
Hai, Professor.
WULFSTEIN
We should play ‘possum’, so the monster will lose interest.
All go QUIET. Kiichi holds the sub motionless. Slowly, the luminescent beast loosens its grip. Its color changes from BROWN to MAROON. Then it curls itself into a ball.
KIICHI
Keep calm. We need to show this creature we are superior.
GR-U-K. GR-U-K. The beast begins to explore the seafloor, but it still floats like an uprooted tree. It changes again from MAROON to DARK PURPLE shining in the semidarkness.
SILENCE. GR-U-K. GR-U-K. Kiichi toys with the switches. Four interior beams light up.
Kiichi drives the sub TOWARD the beast.
EILEEN
STOP that.
WULFSTEIN (frantic)
WHAT are you doing, Kiichi?
Like a floating silken scarf, the creature SWIRLS and SWIRLS around, but finally settles above a rock.
Keiko presses forward and the beast changes its color from MAROON to dark RED, twirls and releases some brown DUST onto the ocean floor. It jumps before GLIDING away, a billow of BLUISH ink in its wake.
BEEP-BEEP. BEEP-BEEP. Wulfstein unbuckles his seatbelt and hurries to pick his laptop. A message POPS UP as he opens it.
ON THE COMPUTER: “DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!”
Eileen sees a HORRIFIED frown on Wulfstein’s face as PINK dots radiate on the computer screen. He closes the laptop.
EILEEN
WHAT is it?
WULFSTEIN
It’s PINK!
EILEEN
A CALDERA!
WULFSTEIN
Let’s get OUT of here.
EXT. BACK IN TOKYO – EVENING
Over the skyline, Mount Fuji had been RUMBLING. But now, as Wulfstein WATCHES through the window, the rumbling had stopped. Suspended between heaven and earth, the perfect pyramid rises against a variety of pinkish orange, so luminescent that the sacred monster seems to pulse within, prompting the Professor to whisper, “Fujisan, FUJISAN. Are you real or are you an illusion?”
EXT. BACK ALLIES OF TOKYO – DUSK
Nobuko LEADS Byron through a bustling ALLY. ORANGE, WHITE and RED flashes of lights converged into a swift-moving current in the glow cast by lines of mercury lights. Here and there skyscrapers tower, giant black slabs speckle with lights. Horns BLARE everywhere. People BUSTLE back and forth. When Nobuko looks NERVOUS, Byron takes her arm.
BYRON
WHAT’S wrong, Nobuko?
NOBUKO
Haven’t you noticed people staring at us? We Japanese distrust foreigners. My father warned me to be careful.
BYRON
That’s natural. ALL parents are like that. They worry TOO much.
NOBUKO
I feel like a PRISONER. I had to beg him to let me see you.
Holding hands, they stroll through the bustling alleyways. A city of contrasts, squalor compared against those riding in elegant Mercedes-Benzs. Unparalleled social disasters mingle with corporate success; the homeless rub shoulders with the spectacularly rich within the same street.
BYRON
LOTS of wealthy people around here.
NOBUKO
Lots in POVERTY, too. We have a flow of refugees streaming from Hokkaido, where extensive wintry STORMS are causing panics.
ROWDY trade takes place outside crowded restaurants and stores. Nightclub music THUMPS rhythmically on every side. Teenage girls wearing mini skirts loiter and flirt with drunken men. Old and young men SING war songs.
BYRON
This city is CRAZY.
NOBUKO
Japan is reacting against social pressure. Maybe that’s why we have the highest SUICIDE rate in the world.
BYRON (looking confused)
But this is such a prosperous country?
NOBUKO
We live with a SUICIDAL Syndrome! People throw themselves in front of trains, in mountain hideouts. Now they meet through chatrooms and die enmasse.
CLATTER reverberates from the walls, making it difficult for anyone to hear anything less than a shout.
Byron begins to LIMP beneath a brightly-lit lantern with Kanji calligraphy.
NOBUKO
Byron, WHAT’S wrong?
BYRON
It’s nothing serious.
NOBUKO
You’re NOT being truthful.
BYRON (hesitating)
My apartment collapsed on me during the Rockdale quake three months ago.
NOBUKO
That’s terrible! I’m sorry.
He winces as they continue his limp. Nobuko holds his hand.
BYRON
I’m one of the luckiest ones. Glad I DON’T need crutches.
NOBUKO
(seeing a jade bangle around his other wrist)
Are YOU superstitious?
BYRON
Of course NOT; I’m a scientist. Why?
NOBUKO (holding his wrist)
People say jade protects one in a fall.
Passing down the short lane, Byron STARES at a crowded teahouse. RAUCOUS men drink sake while karaoking.
Then suddenly, a couple of shifty-looking MEN stare MENACINGLY at them. Byron holds Nobuko closer.
Two stocky MEN, drunk, stagger from behind.
MAN 1
Hey! Are you that idiot I saw on TV? Ha! Ha! You’re that American predicting that the Izu Peninsula will collapse.
MAN 2
Where is your compensation for bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Byron ignores his question, but their EYES meet. Nobuko steps back behind Byron. One man SHOUTS in rapid Japanese at her.
BYRON
Is he insulting you?
NOBUKO
It’s alright. LET’S go.
Byron stands firm. The men lock eyes, one LUNGES at Byron. Nobuko SCREAMS and rushes to the side. She YELLS at the man.
Then the man throws PUNCHES at Byron’s jaw, knocking him to the ground. Byron gets up, his hand in a curled fist, READY.
Now both men RUSH at him, but Byron avoids their attacks.
One man pulls out a DAGGER. He lunges at Byron, who sidesteps, but still gets cut on his shoulder. The attacker STRIKES again, but Byron DODGES again.
The second man reaches into his back pockets and brings out a NUNCHUCK, issuing a BOOMING SOUND. He swings his weapon, but Byron DUCKS and STEPS back. Byron sidekicks his opponent’s face, GRABS hold of the man’s right arm, and TWISTS it round his back before SNATCHING the weapon away.
Byron uses his forward KICKS to send them both STUMBLING backward.
Their bodies HIT the sidewalk. They GROAN. Byron turns around as Nobuko rushes into his arms. They rush into the dark for safety.
EXT. MOVING INSIDE A LEXUS SUV (ASCENDING MT FUJI) – DAY
Yamaichi drives. Inside the four-wheel-drive sits Wulfstein, Byron, Eileen and Yoshino.
The SUV maneuvers around bad patches, twists and bumps up the mountain. It progresses upward through BAD weather – rainy with GUSTS of wind.
EXT. SLOPE OF MOUNT FUJI – LATER
The team alight. After meandering for a moment to stretch, they put on their equipment in their backpacks and set off on foot, following Yamaichi.
Along the way up, they glance over the horizon. The MIST rolls up and down, looking like a MID-HEAVEN.
When the sun’s RAYS finally filter through the clouds, Yoshino’s face LIGHTS up.
YOSHINO
I am feeling the presence of Kami, feeling a renewal of life.
BYRON
This weather is so ERRATIC that it could contribute to our vulnerability to mysticism. Is this how kami INSPIRED you?
YOSHINO
Kami inspires us the way NATURE does. Today’s bad weather is like DEATH, tomorrow we’ll RISE again.
A gust of WIND interrupts and the group HURRY their hike up the mountain.
In the undergrowth, a horde of RODENTS scramble around.
EILEEN
Rats are normally found in the lowlands; WHY are these so high up the mountain?
WULFSTEIN
These rats know how to take PRECAUTIONS.
The rodents FLICK their tails and SQUEAK rapidly. The crew CHUCKLE disbelievingly.
As they ascend higher, the air pace is thinner, some breathing heavily. Soon, they take a break. Eileen helps Wulfstein unpack cases of his instruments and lay them out on the ground.
Wulfstein frowns.
WULFSTEIN
My ELECTROMATIC reading is on the rise.
EILEEN
WHAT does that mean?
Wulfstein hesitates replying, just shakes his head.
At midnight, the crew sigh with great relief as they rest along in a hideaway. Hungry, they eat a few biscuits before tucking themselves into their sleeping bags, and sleep.
EXT. HIGHER SLOPE OF MOUNT FUJI – EARLY THE NEXT MORNING
Across the Great Kantō horizon, the dawning sky looks hazy, but still GLOWS with a fading moon crescent.
The group resume their journey. Wulfstein shows resilience while Eileen becomes weary. Byron murmurs words of encouragement to Yoshino, grasping his arm.
Floating with the clouds, the crew swirl in the rippling MIST. Eventually, the sun pokes through, creating RAYS over the horizon.
YOSHINO
(smiling)
Today, we’re the FIRST to witness the rising sun.
EILEEN
It’s AWESOME.
YOSHINO
This volcano was blasted off by a fire-breathing MONSTER living from a lake in 286 BC.
EILEEN
From a lake?
YOSHINO
Yes, from an ENORMOUS lake below.
WULFSTEIN
Beneath these lakes are actually a CALDERA! Supervolcanos!
Eileen steps forward to have a closer look, but the edge just ahead falls away amidst CHURNING clouds.
When RAYS of LIGHT finally infiltrate through, Eileen edges over blackened gravel to observe the CRATER. A YELLOW gas fills the air, and a thread of steam drifts from the earth’s core. She KNEELS down and presses her ear to the ground — a low RUMBLING sounded like a big heart POUNDING below.
EILEEN
This GIANT is awakening.
WULFSTEIN
This caldera may EXPLODE like SANTORINI.
EILEEN
You mean this archipelago will DISSIPATE itself into the sea?
WULFSTEIN
In the EXTREME, Eileen. Only in the EXTREME.
EXT. CRATER – MINUTES LATER
MISTS fly over the mountain slopes and Byron stays close to assist Wulfstein as they work tirelessly, laying down one instrument, picking up another and verifying the data collected. Byron finally looks closer at the equipment.
BYRON
Okay now I’m SURE that we’re on dangerous ground. Carbon dioxide emissions HAVE increased.
Wulfstein’s laptop BEEPS. The earth shakes, RATTLING the instruments.
Sailing across the horizon, plump clouds gather speed and obscure the sun. Scattering BIRDS fly past, followed by PELICANS in an M-formation.
EILEEN
That’s funny. These pelicans AREN’T flying in their usual inverted V-formation…
YOSHINO
They’re CONFUSED. They must have sensed SOMETHING.
The familiar BLOOP sound comes from Wulfstein’s laptop.
WULFSTEIN
Something is PULSING in the south Pacific.
The SOUND resonates as Wulfstein turns up the volume.
EILEEN
What is causing all these?
Wulfstein taps at his keyboard.
WULFSTEIN
A SOUND like bubbles releasing from the deep, and this is coming from the Mariana Trench.
The SIGNAL intensifies as the screen flickers in red and yellow lights.
BYRON
Professor, are you sensing high electromagnetic SIGNALS?
WULFSTEIN
Nine point five. Nine point five. We just had a 9.5 seaquake in the Marianas Islands.
INT. SAKURA (BYRON’S DREAM) – DAY
It’s ROARING . . . buildings are CRASHING down. An explosion? A whoosh of air, A SONIC BO-O-OM and trees cracking . . . a deafening – – louder . . . and LOUDER. A HUMMING SOUND . . . louder and LOUDER. What’s this?
INT. SAKURA – MOMENTS LATER
STARTLED, Byron awakes; he shakes himself up. Slowly the surroundings remind him that he is in Sakura. He blinks and finds Wulfstein still at work. The scholar has bloodshot eyes and disheveled hair.
WULFSTEIN
A bad omen of this archipelago is an anxious destiny. Now, I’m afraid the fates of over a BILLION souls hang in the balance.
BYRON
Professor, you look FEVERISH; you’re not thinking clearly. That might be true only if Japan sinks, but surely the number of lives couldn’t be over 130 million.
WULFSTEIN
No, Byron, I’m worried over the fate of ALL those living around the RING of FIRE.
A KNOCK at the door interrupts them. Yoshino enters, with another well-dressed Japanese man.
YOSHINO
Professor Wulfstein. This is Koichiro, company director of Nikko LTD, manufacturer of survival gears.
They BOW and STEP forward into the room.
KOICHIRO
If Japan is to sink, our LIFECRAFTS can save lives.
Koichiro UNPACKS a package on the floor, then presses a BUTTON and – WHOOMP – a mini-dome lifecraft inflates, displaying its name, TOKODO.
KOICHIRO
Made of graphene, TOKODO has a built-in compass, whistle and temperature gauge. And can easily be carried like a backpack.
Together, they inspect the craft. It incorporates a built-in compass, temperature gauge and other tiny instruments.
WULFSTEIN
It’s EXCELLENT, Koichiro-san. Please present this to the authorities as a matter of extreme URGENCY.
Koichiro bows, then looks over to Yoshino expectantly.
YOSHINO
Ah. I’m afraid I must bear some BAD news. ANOTHER plane has disappeared.
WULFSTEIN
WHAT? Another PLANE?
BYRON
Where?
YOSHINO
Yes, a new F-35 Fighter Jet this time. Its last coordinates are further south; 15º North and 146º East.
Byron HURRIEDLY spreads out a map on a table.
BYRON
The Marianas. We just recorded a 9.5 seaquake there.
Wulfstein immediately RUSHES to his laptop on the table. He TAPS a few keys. BEEPING continues to sound.
ON THE COMPUTER: purple, green and orange lights flash over a landscape. Then changes to red. The topography of the Pacific Ring appears on the screen. PINK strips encase the landscape.
PINKS! Wulfstein holds his head.
WULFSTEIN
This is REALLY extreme.
INT. JAPAN EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION CENTER – NEXT DAY
Wulfstein meets Eileen. She seems nervous.
WULFSTEIN
You look nice. Is Something new?
Eileen’s face glows.
EILEEN
It’s the BLOUSE. I’m surprised you noticed.
WULFSTEIN
I do notice, you know… Your BROOCH is upside down.
Embarrassed, Eileen quickly fixes her brooch.
WULFSTEIN
I’ve prepared something for our meeting.
They take their seats. Eileen is startled when Wulfstein’s laptop BEEPS. Then a HUM accompanies the beeps.
EILEEN
LISTEN, these hums are everywhere – WHAT are they?
WULFSTEIN
They are swarms, earthquake PRECURSORS. Our equipment is set to detect any SIGNAL around the Pacific.
Wulfstein glances at a pile of reports, then pushes it away.
WULFSTEIN
The BLOOP has retreated to the Marianas and the sound should have faded.
EILEEN
But… it’s getting LOUDER…
WULFSTEIN
Exactly. I still can’t wrap my head around it.
Eileen, puzzled, continues listening to the signal.
EILEEN
How certain are you?
WULFSTEIN
NO one can be certain, but the signal movement indicates it’s a creature. This, I’m sure.
EILEEN
How’s the sound moving? Can you show me?
WULFSTEIN
Okay, have a look. This is where I started recording the sound since last December.
Wulfstein POINTS to the Pacific Ring on his laptop. The horizontal BAR shows the time changes during the last nine months. In the first week of December, the red ambience started in the Gulf of Alaska, then it moved southwest along the Bering Sea toward the coast off the Kamchatka Peninsula.
EILEEN
What does this AMBIENCE mean?
WULFSTEIN
It’s the SOURCE of the sound.
EILEEN
So it’s HEADING southwest?
WULFSTEIN
That’s right. By mid-December, it moved along the Kuril Islands to Hokkaido.
Eileen STIFFENS.
EILEEN
Is this the time when the Lightning Jets disappeared?
WULFSTEIN
No, it’s a month later. The date was January 16 when it moved further south.
EILEEN
Whoa, what a COINCIDENCE! I was thinking it was a suicide mission but…
WULFSTEIN
It’s NO coincidence, Eileen. There is always an unsolved MYSTERY behind such COEXISTENCES.
After a short pause, the HUM returns.
Eileen WATCHES the screen, which plays out the bloop’s movement around Japan’s coastline over months of analysis. She stares as the sound circles the sea along the coast.
EILEEN
Is this the time of Kaiiko’s disappearance?
WULFSTEIN
Yes! April 9th, the day I arrived in Tokyo.
Looking uncomfortable, Eileen watches movement from May to July, its sound turns PINK and radiates wildly.
EILEEN
WHAT does this mean?
WULFSTEIN
It seems some SEISMIC activities had troubled the creature.
EILEEN
WHEN was this?
WULFSTEIN
July 10, when we were right on top of Mt Fuji, remember? Since then, the SIGNAL has stopped.
Eileen breathes in deeply, realizing its significance.
WULFSTEIN
But in the first week of August, it reappeared. I believe that the creature was troubled by ANOTHER seismic activity.
EILEEN
Another seaquake?
WULFSTEIN
That’s right. A crack in the crust causes water pressure to go berserk. This would really disturb a large animal.
EILEEN
The sound is so loud at times. You think it’s bigger a CREATURE than we saw?
WULFSTEIN
Without a doubt. But I DON’T have any evidence yet.
EILEEN
Is this how SCIENCE and ARTS meet each other? How our eyes meet LEGENDS?
Wulfstein smiles for a moment.
WULFSTEIN
Exactly. None of us really wants to believe in the monster.
Eileen’s face brightens up, seemingly feeling edgy over some sobering thoughts.
EILEEN
Maybe those ancient tales COULDN’T BE total fabrication.
WULFSTEIN
Maybe it is fate, maybe it is destiny, but before this place is thoroughly explored, would you like to come with me to the Lecture?
Eileen gathers her senses, her nerves tingle. She steps closer to Wulfstein and whenever his eyes linger, she blushes, her heart pounding.
EILEEN
Of course I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
EXT. BEACH IN JAPAN – DAY
Byron takes Nobuko’s hand as they STROLL along a beach. After a silence, Nobuko turns to Byron.
NOBUKO
You must have heard about my mother and brother.
BYRON
Yes… I have, and I’m sorry. You must miss them.
NOBUKO
I’m okay. But my father’s life is in DANGER. People don’t like hearing the things he says. So he doesn’t talk much, and neither do I.
Byron remains silent.
NOBUKO
Life is frightening. I SHOULDN’T be here.
BYRON
DON’T say that…
NOBUKO
Is Japan REALLY going to sink?
BYRON
You watched that film, didn’t you… ah, it’s just a movie. With those special effects they look overwhelming.
NOBUKO
We Japanese are taking the Sinking SERIOUSLY, Byron. Not only in novels and films, but also in serious circles…
BYRON
Earthquakes around Japan are a result of diving plates. There’s no truth in such fiction.
NOBUKO
But how about the BIG ONES?
BYRON
You mean, some supervolcano exploding, but they’re UNLIKELY to blast off any time soon.
NOBUKO
Once the magma expands, it EXPLODES into BIG ONES.
BYRON
There may be scientific explanations for such a SUPERQUAKE, but the possibility of a series of BIG ONES blasting all at the same time is just TOO REMOTE.
Nobuko cannot say further, her body visually TREMBLING, her face glistens with fear. Byron puts his hands around her waist and draws her in. He kisses her forehead.
BYRON
You’re so alluring.
She tenses, her knees weak, and she struggles to hold him.
INT. STOCKHOLM UNIVERSITY HALLWAY – MEANWHILE
As Wulfstein strides through a long corridor, he remembers his discussion in the lab with Byron back in Tokyo.
FLASHBACK – LAB IN TOKYO
BYRON
This would be their opportunity to discredit your work as mythology.
WULFSTEIN
Byron, more than a billion lives are at stake. I know this lecture is just a bait, but they can have my neck, too.
Byron shakes his head in disbelief.
INT. STOCKHOLM LECTURE HALL – DAY
Eileen elbows her way to the front, which are reserved for the press.
Behind the stage, Wulfstein STRAIGHTENS his tie as he SHAKES hands with backstage officials who are waiting for him.
Standing behind the PODIUM, his silvery, uncombed hair shines underneath a strong LIGHT. The cacophony of VOICES dies as the audience senses a tense atmosphere.
WULFSTEIN
Let me first start with an observation that led to my PREDICTION. While diving down into the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, my team found a juvenile lionfish and a Merlet’s scorpionfish in the open sea — too far from any coral reef where they belong. Ratfish, viperfish, brotolids, and slimy hagfish were scavenging in deeper waters than usual. Since then, I’ve analyzed more data like this, which leads me to my PREDICTION. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that WITHIN THREE MONTHS, the Japanese archipelago will strike at least a 9.9 QUAKE –
A BOO VOICE calls out from the back of the auditorium. A woman laughs. A RUMBLE of disturbances cascade through.
Eileen, who is watching Wulfstein closely, WINCES. Wulfstein continues before the noise dies down.
WULFSTEIN
For thousands of years, the Orient has been aware of a dangerous sea called the Ma-no Umi. Seamen have attributed the mysterious disappearance of ships in this troubled region to sea creatures dragging them down to their lairs.
Today, our marine scientists are just as baffled as any ancient historians and chroniclers have been.
I’ve collected lots of data that indicate something EXTRAORDINARY will happen – preceded by a quake at Izu Peninsula.
A slide appears on the overhead projector, displaying photographs of STRANGE-LOOKING damage to shipwrecks, including claw marks and odd scratches.
WULFSTEIN
While we were at the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, we discovered several shipwrecks. They have the same peculiar damage to their hulls — blown inward, and ONLY on the starboard. We can conclude they weren’t caused by an explosion or any human for that matter. The ONLY rationale is that a sea monster had caused such damage…
A VOICE shouts right in front. It comes from a reporter, wearing headphones on one ear.
REPORTER
Oh, BULLOCK! This is JUST plain sh’ts!
WULFSTEIN
You who are prepared to listen, before three months are up, the archipelago will experience a . . . giant QUAKE of 10.
REPORTER
A quake has JUST hit Kantō. You haven’t predicted this one.
The reporter turns to the rest of the crowd, his hands open, as if expecting an answer from the audience, but all eyes catch hold of a man in a three-piece suit: Professor Blackmore, sitting in a wheelchair right in front as he shouts:
BLACKMORE
A magnitude of 10? What do you mean? TEN Leviathans? TEN elephants? Or ten MONKEYS? –
The floor burst into LAUGHTER.
BLACKMORE
Okay, you’ve predicted an earthquake will strike within three months, YET you COULDN’T predict your Center would collapse.
WULFSTEIN
Japan’s Prediction Center may have collapsed, but nobody realizes the chain of supervolcanoes lying along the Japanese archipelago is about to ERUPT. Running from Hokkaido, of the twenty volcanoes — Shikotsu, Akan, Kutcharo, Mashu — ARE calderas. In Honshu, of the forty-six volcanoes — Hijiori, Narugo and Towada — are CALDERAS. In Kyushu and down to the Ryukyu chain, of the seventeen volcanoes — Aso, Ibusuki and the Kikai — ARE calderas. These CALDERAS ARE merely the scabby spots on top of a giant pool of magna sitting under the earth’s surface, ready to CATAPULT the whole archipelago into the atmosphere and COLLAPSE into its own space. . .
The crowd MURMURS. People, talking into their cell phones, rush out of the lecture hall. Minutes later, reporters cluster before the podium, having verified that a 9.9 quake had struck Kantō, with its epicenter just below the Izu Peninsula; and Japan’s Prediction Center, has indeed collapsed.
Eileen, who stands nearby, locks eyes with Wulfstein.
CUT TO –
INT. NOBUKO’S HOME – DAY
Nobuko suddenly sits up. The TV light reflects off her face as she stares in HORROR, watching a reporter describe a MONSTEROUS quake that has struck the Izu Peninsula. Shots of destroyed homes appear on screen.
CUT TO –
INT. SMALL TOKYO RESTAURANT – DAY
Carol sits at the restaurant, ordering her meal, but distracted by bright IMAGES on the television in the corner of the restaurant. She looks up at the screen, slowly becoming more HORRIFIED by what she sees.
CUT TO –
INT. SMALL BAR IN MASSACHUSETTS – DAY
Professor Devonport, the Dean of MIT, sits with a colleague having a drink. The bartender turns up the volume of their television, which is describing the fatal news.
BARTENDER
Holy sh’t!
The Dean GRIMLY sets down his drink and wipes his mouth nervously.
INT. UNIVERSITY HALLWAY – DAY, SHORTLY AFTERWARD
Wulfstein STRIVES the hall with SLOUCHED shoulders and a DRAINED spirit. Eileen BURSTS out of the hall after him.
EILEEN
Why didn’t you show them the BLOOP sound? How it travels, and how it helped you establish your prediction?
She PANTS, rushing behind Wulfstein, who keeps his pace.
WULFSTEIN
It WOULDN’T make any difference.
EILEEN
It convinced me! WHY didn’t you tell them all that?
WULFSTEIN
They’re NOT like you – if they’re not interested in the Alpha, how could they be interested in the Omega?
EILEEN
WHAT the hell are you implying?
Wulfstein stops at the curb. He HAILS a taxi and tucks her arm under his, before ushering her into the car.
INT. TAXI – SECONDS LATER
Once inside the taxi, Eileen turns to Wulfstein.
EILEEN
So? WHY didn’t you try to convince them?
Wulfstein begins to rummage through his briefcase.
WULFSTEIN
Okay, okay. I’m tired, but you can read the rest of my notes to see where I’m heading. Here. This was what my lecture would have continued.
Wulfstein hands Eileen his notes, then slumps back and rests his head on the backseat, while Eileen studies the papers.
INT. EILEEN’S HOTEL ROOM – EVENING
EILEEN
Science and myth. TELL me… how does a scientist like you start believing in dragons?
WULFSTEIN
You’ll think I’m CRAZY if I tell you.
EILEEN (expectantly)
Many ALREADY think you’re crazy, but I’d like to hear DIRECTLY from YOU.
Wulfstein opens his eyes and closes them again.
WULFSTEIN
I had a hideous recurring dream when I was five. A DRAGON was flying above me, breathing out FLAMES. I could actually feel the heat of the fire on my skin. It was like I was TRAPPED in my dream. And the dragon – it just scooped me up like I was nothing.
Eileen listens as Wulfstein keeps his eyes shut.
WULFSTEIN
The beast took me over a NECKLACE of islands, but the moment we flew over a sacred mountain, it… EXPLODED. I turned to look back – both the mountain and islands turned into FLAMES, and soon, it just DISSIPATED below the waves.
Eileen stares at him, hanging onto each word.
WULFSTEIN
The dream itself has become a vague MEMORY. But I could never ward off that uneasy FEELING since that experience.
EILEEN
WHAT feeling is it?
WULFSTEIN
It’s an INTENSE feeling like an old song inside; its melodies – persistency, ceaselessly – keep POUNDING back inside me. And it’s now even more VIVID, waking a vision inside me.
EILEEN
Go on. YOUR vision intrigues me.
WULFSTEIN
Dragons exist in dreams, they exist in arts – it’s only a matter of time before science catches up. My INTUITION tells me there is more to life than what our senses are telling us.
EILEEN
Do you mean our FIVE senses AREN’T enough?
WULFSTEIN
Certainly. My intuition tells me there is a SUBCONSCIOUS that has been totally ignored. Hence, I fight as if my life depends on REVEALING this, against a community that doesn’t believe in it. I don’t know how events will all turn out, but I can’t stop until it’s proven.
EILEEN
Whenever you first try to convey new ideas to others, they NATURALLY have their doubts. I’m sure you’ll unlock the secrets of this UNKNOWN very soon.
WULFSTEIN
Thank you. Your kind words lift me, Eileen, and I’m so glad to know you.
EILEEN
When I met you at MIT, I didn’t know what to make of you. But once you were in Tokyo, you changed. Since then, I’ve always wanted TO be alone with you, TO read your mind and TO understand you.
WULFSTEIN
I’M touched, Eileen. That same creature has always been inside ME, but may appear inexcusable on a bad day. I owe YOU an apology, more so when you have RISKED your life with all these expeditions. And YOU took so much trouble to UNDERSTAND an outcast.
Eileen draws closer to him.
EILEEN
I listen to my heart, too. It’s like a recurring VOICE vibrating inside me.
Wulfstein FLASHES a smile before he CLOSES his eyes. He KISSES Eileen.
Outside, THUNDER and HOWLING WIND interrupt their intimacy. Lightning flashes. Then pounding of HAILSTONES drown out all preceding noises.
EXT. BOAT OFF OSHIMA ISLAND – DAY
A boat that has “International Rescue Corps” worded across its port briskly sails across CHOPPY waves. CAROL stands at the bow, scanning the horizon through a pair of binoculars.
CAROL
(muttering to herself)
Has the planet gone MAD?
She GASPS. Struggling inhabitants wave their hands from an ISLAND. The people disappear when a wave PLUNGES over the island. Carol drops her binoculars and rushes toward the skipper.
CAROL
Turn around!
SKIPPER
We gotta be CAREFUL, Carol. I don’t recognize these rocks.
Carol turns to the waves off the island, SCANNING desperately for any sign of life. Anxiously, she waits.
In the far distance, a pair of HANDS reach out. Then, MORE hands appear. The boat LURKS nearer to the island, until it stops. Carol and her team begin working furiously, grabbing ROPES and harnessing themselves to the BOAT.
Carol TIGHTENS one rope on a lifesaver, one with a well-built body. He dives in. After a moment, he reaches the shore.
Carol’s two-way radio bursts with a CACKLING message.
CAROL
All right guys, they’re coming over now.
A woman makes her way along the rope, wearing a life jacket. She cries out when she reaches the boat.
WOMAN
(in Japanese – English subtitles)
I . . . I need HELP, please.
CAROL
TAKE my hand.
Carol guides her into the boat. And when she COLLAPSES onto the deck, Carol wraps her injured leg with supplies from a medical case.
But the woman cries out again, hugging and pointing to what looks like a big-eyed kokeshi doll.
WOMAN
(in Japanese – English subtitles)
PLEASE, I’m not worried about my legs. Sachiko! Sachiko! Please, I WANT my daughter alive!
CAROL
This is ONLY a toy. We’ll look for her.
WOMAN
Sachiko! Sachiko! I WANT my daughter back. I WANT Sachiko back.
CAROL
WE’LL find her soon.
The woman’s emotions are deep and uncontrollable, they come in waves. When she collapses again, Carol rushes forward, supplying an oxygen mask to help her breathe.
EXT. BOARDING THE MOTHERSHIP – FOLLOWING DAY
Wulfstein, Eileen, Yoshino and Byron avoid a hovering swarm of journalists to get onboard the mothership. The media cram to question them.
REPORTER 1 TO WULFSTEIN
So you believe MONSTROUS creatures are STILL roaming in the ocean?
REPORTER 2 TO YOSHINO
Sensei, does this trip have ANYTHING to do with the disappearance of the F-35 Lightning Jets?
REPORTER 1 TO WULFSTEIN
Why did you predict WITHIN three months?
REPORTER 2 TO YOSHINO
WHAT will you be looking for on this trip?
Wulfstein, AGITATED, leads the way onto the vessel.
INT. KEIKO – LATER
The last into the sub, Byron GRIMACES as he gazes how little space he has. Limping, he finally finds his seat.
Kiichi is again their skipper, with Nishihara as co-pilot.
Kiichi pushes a BUTTON and Keiko’s door SHUTS. Soon, its PROPELLERS begin to HUM at a regular rhythm.
After hours of diving, the crew look WEARY.
BYRON (sweating)
I’m CLAUSTROPHOBIC. Our trip down seems like forever.
EILEEN
How far away are we from where Kaiiko disappeared?
YOSHINO
Very close. We are 1000 miles southeast of Kyushu, or 1650 miles northwest of Luzon.
WULFSTEIN
We’re into the Challenger Deep, the inverted navel of the earth.
EILEEN
What a coincidence! Is this also the source of the blooping sound?
WULFSTEIN
Perhaps! The source of the signal, the whereabouts of Ito Maru, or even one of the lost jets.
As the sub SHAKES, the crew look uneasy. Kiichi takes out his mic to speak.
KIICHI
Captain Akita, what is it? A SEAQUAKE?
AKITA (through speakers)
No movement up here. Is everything alright?
YOSHINO
Check your seismograph. We’re getting all sorts of TREMOR.
Then something catches Byron’s eye – a black moving object.
BYRON
Look at that! Something out there is wiggling!
EILEEN
At this depth? WHAT can survive here?
BYRON
I saw something, SOMETHING like a mammoth.
Keiko shudders and gives an ear-splitting SQUEAL. The engine stops. SILENCE. Kiichi manipulates the pair of throttles.
An echoing GROWL comes from beneath Keiko, the sub vibrates. Then a HARSH, GRATING sound thunders. Kiichi switches on the floodlight. Clouds of SEDIMENT rise as the sub continues to VIBRATE.
EILEEN
(frowning, pointing through a porthole)
WHAT is that grayish BLACK object out there?
A grimy dark figure crouches APPEAR. It looks like a massive, moving, rocky outcrop. As more sediment begins to settle, two yellow CIRCLES emerge, becoming brighter.
EYES! Keiko shakes. A shadow moves, just beyond the lights. Byron inches closer to the glass, staring at the huge EYES.
BYRON
Is that a tusk? No, that’s ALL teeth… so many TEETH.
A hideous MONSTER appears in a swirl of sediment, showing its WEBBED FEET as it treads CLOSER.
YOSHINO
Brace yourself! CAN you see what it’s doing?
EILEEN
It’s ready to break our sub! Let’s get the hell out of here!
Wulfstein, his face inscrutable, stares at the SURREAL image.
WULFSTEIN
Keep calm… It’s a RARE chance to see a plesiosaur.
SILENCE, as the crew gaze at the creature, which stares back at Keiko’s light, blinking its eyes.
BYRON
ARE you SURE this is a plesiosaur? I thought this reptile was already extinct.
EILEEN
WHY doesn’t the pressure crush it?
BYRON
Could it be an elasmosaur?
WULFSTEIN
An elasmosaur has a long neck and tail.
YOSHINO
This surely is a plesiosaur! And it looks exactly like our NAMAZU! Our legendary monster!
Keiko’s video camera catches the beast watching them intently. Then another beast appears in the video.
The crew step back, HORRIFIED as the second monster opens its mouth wide to reveal its rows of TEETH!
KIICHI
Be CALM. This is our chance to film them.
Kiichi moves the sub forward, but Yoshino shouts at him.
YOSHINO
No, it’s too dangerous.
The monsters edge closer. Eileen RUSHES to the skipper.
EILEEN
We SHOULD turn back, or we’ll all be DEAD!
YOSHINO
Kiichi! Let’s get out of here!
KIICHI
Hai! Hai! Sensei.
Kiichi reverses Keiko, but he still gazes at the beasts.
A BOOM sounds from starboard as the sub retreats, then another beast appears from the portside. Keiko rocks from side to side. When stability resumes, Eileen rushes to the porthole.
EILEEN
They’re GONE! But WHERE could they hide?
Two huge beasts emerge on the side where Byron is standing. He stares, wide-eyed into the porthole. The creatures LUNGE forward, KNOCKING Keiko.
KIICHI
WHAT is this?
BYRON
THEY’RE right here! ROAMING around.
EILEEN
One, two, three… four, FIVE…
Kiichi SLAMS his foot on the accelerator. As the sub SPEEDS off, Nishihara picks up his microphone.
NISHIHARA
Captain Akita, this is Keiko calling. Akita, this is Nishihara, are you there?
KIICHI
(muttering to himself)
Electronic FAILURE? That’s STRANGE.
YOSHINO
It MUST be ELECTROMAGNETIC interference.
BYRON
Kiichi! In front of you!
More lights appear. Dozens of eyes surround them. The sub SHUDDERS. One beast’s long feelers strikes Keiko, shaking the sub VIOLENTLY. Eileen GRIPS her seat arms tightly.
KIICHI
I have to use the TORPEDO.
Kiichi’s thumb spreads over a RED button under the helm. He holds it. And PRESSES.
Keiko VIBRATES as a torpedo SHOOTS out from the sub’s belly. It hits one monster, and EXPLODES. BOOM! A brilliant display of orange-yellow incandescence streaks on impact. The creature’s ear-splitting WAIL tears through the water.
Red liquid SPURTS out of the fragments. Chunks of flesh with bits of mutilated carcass settle down on the seabed.
BYRON
WHOA, what a craft!
KIICHI
(in a sweat)
Not when the radio ISN’T working.
As the skipper ZIGZAGS Keiko through the cavern, Byron PEERS outside; all the beasts have vanished.
An outline of a seamount appears through the foggy water. Deep gorges offer vast DARKNESS below. Bobbing phantom lights REFLECT periodically onto the sub, then, nothing.
YOSHINO
(squirming)
I CAN’T see a thing outside.
EILEEN
It’s so EERIE.
Trapped somewhere inside the Challenger Deep, Kiichi PROBES for landmarks. After a hundred yards, he slants the sub LEFT, then RIGHT before descending again.
Keiko slips through an archway and the sonar ALARM sounds. A faded light appears on a column of rocky wall. A BUBBLING SOUND, like someone gargling, ECHOES in the sub.
WULFSTEIN
(sensing something)
Wait. DID you hear that?
All goes quiet, then the calm face of the pilot turns PALE, his hands TREMBLE.
BLO-OO-OP. BLO-OO-OP. BLO-OO-OP.
Eileen turns to Wulfstein. They all look SHOCKED as though they have seen a phantom.
BYRON
Professor, I remember that strange BLOOP from your laptop?
WULFSTEIN
(shaking his head)
I’ve been tracking that sound for months. It could be a elasmosaur…
Wriggling and squirming, a massive GREEN snake-like creature stretches across the cavern. Keiko JERKS as if hit by a boulder. Pulses racing, the crew sit still, wide-eyed and alert as the distressful BLO-OO-OP sound becomes louder.
Nishihara maximizes the light. Sure enough, there is a monster. It SWIMS towards the sub as the sound continues to resonate. When the creature STOPS, its bulging eyes GLOW, filling out the PORTHOLE.
Eileen SCREAMS. It RETREATS, drifting away, its TAIL swinging from SIDE to SIDE.
With FIRE seemingly flaring out from its mouth in short intervals, the beast looks like a mythical DRAGON.
BLO-OO-OP. Its eyes brighten. Its stony skin GLOWS; its tail waves. It stiffens and appears ready to strike. A smoky FLARE thunders from its nostrils, sending more rustling sounds rippling through the water.
KIICHI
(yelling)
STAY STILL; stay CALM!
Wulfstein looks over to Eileen, who’s in SHOCK.
WULFSTEIN
(calmly)
DO you see? HAVE you figured it out?
EILEEN
This GREEN monster?
WULFSTEIN
Look at the head!
Eileen stares at the green SCALES on its head.
Its claws are like an eagle’s TALONS. This giant sea-monster is a DRAGON!
The sub bobs as the beast surges closer.
NISHIHARA
KILL it! KILL it!
KIICHI
BRACE yourselves.
A red blinking diamond FLASHES on the main monitor as he takes AIM, waiting to lock onto the TARGET.
Wulfstein lunges towards Kiichi.
WULFSTEIN
(hysterical)
Have you gone MAD?
He pulls the skipper’s hand back.
NO! NO! You CAN’T do this!
But it was too late; the pilot pushes the RED button.
The torpedo LAUNCHES. It strikes in a display of FIREWORKS. Bubbles explode and collapse amidst a cloud of DEBRIS. A subsonic BO-OM rocks the sub.
Through the rolling silt, the DRAGON reappears, unfazed.
WULFSTEIN
You SHOULDN’T have done that!
Kiichi looks up in consternation.
KIICHI
I HAD to, else we’ll all be dead.
WULFSTEIN
This creature is different. It’s a beast of BEAUTY.
KIICHI
I’m UNDER instructions to kill.
WULFSTEIN
You SHOULDN’T, you’ll ONLY make it angrier! It has an impenetrable hide!
In an instant, the cabin falls into DARKNESS.
BYRON
WHAT’S happening?
KIICHI
(fiddling with the switches)
DON’T fret! Keiko is not responding!
GRUUUUK. GRUUUUK. The sound draws nearer. Fainter, then louder. Eileen searches left and right, near and far, but cannot see any creature. Her stomach QUEASY, she gasps as a silhouette glides toward Keiko.
EILEEN
ARGHH! Our sub is smoldering.
YOSHINO
(looking down at his clothes)
Our BODIES, too.
The crew appear uncomfortable due to the suffocating heat.
WULFSTEIN
This elasmosaur IS preternatural.
EILEEN
Preternatural? BEYOND what’s normal?
She covers her eyes with her hands.
EILEEN
No! Oh, NO! Are we—
The sub lights up. A sudden JERK sends Eileen TUMBLING to the floor. Wulfstein PULLS her up.
WULFSTEIN
ARE you okay?
EILEEN
YES, YES. But WHY’s such a jerk?
It takes Eileen a moment to adjust to the fading light as she stares out the porthole. SHAPES and FIGURES become visible, gliding stealthily beside the sub. Then a familiar set of fangs appears, probing at Keiko’s stern.
GRUUUUK. The crew cover their ears, grimacing at the piercing sound. GRUUUUUK.
Behind Keiko, a couple of PLESIOSAURS swim closer. Byron turns to see through the portholes. As he counts them, he SHAKES his head, not believing his eyes.
BYRON
There are SIX plesiosaurs behind us.
GRUUUUK. GRUUUUK.
KIICHI
We’re TRAPPED.
BLO-OO-OP. BLO-OO-OP.
BYRON
Okay scratch that. We have six plesiosaurs and one dragon ahead of us.
The dragon’s blooping ROARS, mixing with the voice of the plesiosaurs, ECHO like the CRIES of a hundred beasts.
EILEEN
(screaming)
Let’s get out of here!
KIICHI
We can’t. Not yet. It looks like they’re about to go into battle.
Four plesiosaurs surround the dragon. One seems like the leader of the pack. It SPRINGS at the dragon. Its wake tosses Keiko UP and DOWN.
BLO-OO-OP. GRUUUUK. BLO-OO-OP. GRUUUUK. Kiichi wipes away his sweat. His eyes look blank, as if mesmerized.
The DRAGON shoots out something that looks like a jet of FIRE from its mouth, causing the skipper to flinch. An edgy truce ensues as the beasts regroup for the next round. All four plesiosaurs charge, but the dragon moves aside swiftly.
The dragon LUNGES at one of the PLESIOSAUR and catches its back. The victim opens its jaws. Its tail LASHING. It TWISTS and TURNS, fighting with everything it has to get free but the dragon tears into the plesiosaur’s back. Blood and torn flesh cloud the scene as Keiko bobs up and down.
The dragon hovers beside its fallen prey, raises its head and emits a rumbling ROAR.
Eileen can’t move or talk. Her face glistens with sweat.
SQUEALING, another PLESIOSAUR lunges forward in another attack. The DRAGON responds with great force and quick movements. It coils around the plesiosaur and squeezes it. The trunk of this victim bristles in an armor of mighty hooks and spikes. The muck of blood and silt spread, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.
Something BANGS against Keiko. The sub somersaults, causing everyone to tumble around. Kiichi FLIES and KNOCKS his head onto a bulkhead.
The STRUGGLE rages on as the sub’s feeble searchlights barely penetrate the opaque gloom. Eileen TURNS to see a stiffened Kiichi; his eyes BULGE as he lets out a guttural GASP of alarm. Then he COLLAPSES to the floor.
EILEEN
(struggling on her feet)
What happened, Kiichi?
WULFSTEIN
(rushing over)
He has FAINTED.
YOSHINO
We HAVE to do something.
Eileen extracts a case out of the first-aid cabinet.
EILEEN
(applying an oxygen mask to Kiichi’s face)
He needs oxygen.
NISHIHARA
(sliding into his seat)
I’m feeling NAUSEOUS. We need someone at the helm.
YOSHINO
(to Wulfstein)
YOU take charge, PROFESSOR. You know this sub better than any of us.
The DRAGON appears again, moving slowly toward the bow.
Wulfstein curses under his breath and slams his fist on the console.
BLO-OO-OP. The roar is deafening. The dragon remains at the bow, WATCHING, waiting, ROARING.
Suddenly, Wulfstein signals Yoshino.
WULFSTEIN
Sensei. We can HYPNOTISE this dragon. Can you FIND my laptop?
Yoshino, confused, FLUMBLES around behind him in search for his laptop, before yelling:
YOSHINO
Found it!
WULFSTEIN
Good. Let’s PLAY BACK the signal through our sonar pulsars.
Yoshino TAPS a few keys, then handles Wulfstein a CORD.
Wulfstein takes the cord and PLUGS it into the sub. He waits until the red murky water drifts off and the environment clears, then PING! He pushes a BUTTON. A second later, the sound MAGNIFIES and THUNDERS across the waters.
BLO-OO-OP. BLO-OO-OP. P-ING! The crew cover their ears from the deafening noise. It is even louder than the dragon’s.
BLO-OO-OP. BLO-OO-OP. P-ING!
The dragon hovers, WATCHING but looking confused. Then, slowly, it glides away.
SILENCE.
After a few moments, it stops and turns back, then finally it swims off.
Wulfstein puts Keiko into REVERSE. Lurching at an angle, the sub SPEEDS away. The new skipper looks down at the compass. Its needle swings back and forth. But he guides the sub smoothly, walls on each side and ceiling above them.
YOSHINO
Captain Akita, Captain Akita, this is Yoshino…
No answer. With SWEAT drenching his face, Wulfstein checks other instruments. He SHAKES his head as he engages Keiko to automatic mode, stabilizing it. Byron STRIDES over to Eileen. She is still standing, STARING out for any hidden predators.
Wulfstein STARES ahead, alert. He navigates the sub slowly. It seems the sub has entered a tunnel which gets smaller and smaller.
EILEEN
DAMN. Where the hell are we?
WULFSTEIN (muttering)
WE’RE caught in a labyrinth of tunnels.
keiko’s light beams illuminate the ceiling of the tunnel, which loom like an inverted mountain on the verge of collapsing. Before him, a maze of caverns awaits. With the resonating sound still ECHOING in his ears, Wulfstein presses forward, straining and looking out for any nook or cranny for a sign of an exit.
WULFSTEIN
(pointing to the compass)
Look! The needle is FLICKERING!
YOSHINO
HOW can this be?
BYRON
At last, we HAVE some sense of direction.
Wulfstein squints to see past floating sediment fogging the path. A succession of ARCHES appear; they look like the vaults over the nave of a Gothic cathedral. Then three BOULDERS appear, teetering precariously. Another two had fallen onto the seafloor behind a rocky formation.
EILEEN
(surprised)
Look at the damage.
WULFSTEIN
This is a faultline. A BIG seaquake MUST have hit this place.
Wulfstein’s eyes widen. A chamber of artifacts in the midst of RUINS lay before him. About the size of a coffee table, framed by PURPLISH glimmering LIGHT, lays an open stone CHEST.
AMETHYSTS! A string of precious stones rests inside the luminous chest, guarding a SWORD, its blades PULSE like a beam radiating rhythmically.
YOSHINO (in Japanese)
The Kusanagi Sword!
Eileen, Wulfstein and Byron look BAFFLED. Kiichi, still on the ground, lifts his head and leans to look.
NISHIHARA
That’s the Imperial INSIGNIA.
YOSHINO
It has the power to initiate STORMS in days gone by.
KIICHI
Our IMPERIAL Insignia? ARE you sure?
He hoists himself up. TEARS trickle down his cheek as he gazes through the porthole.
KIICHI
We must TAKE it with us. Nishihara, GRABS it. We SHOULD take this back for SUSA-NO-O.
NISHIHARA
(nodding)
Hai. This for our God of Seas and Storms.
YOSHINO
No. Nishihara, stop. We SHOULDN’T. This belongs to the sea.
KIICHI
(frowning)
That’s WHAT we’re here for. Sensei, ONLY with this Sword can Susa-no-O’s violent nature be pacified.
YOSHINO
(sternly)
IT stays here. Anybody who tries to take it wrongfully will be CURSED.
NISHIHARA
I’m under IMPERIAL Order. We NEED to give this Kusanagi Sword back to Susa-no-O to GAIN his mercy.
Byron moves toward Nishihara from the porthole.
BYRON
STOP. Don’t do anything stupid.
Nishihara grabs Byron’s shirt and pushes him away.
Byron, furious, GRABS back his shoulders and DRAGS him out of his seat, but Nishihara PUNCHES Byron in the face, KNOCKING him back. From the ground, Byron massages his jaw.
NISHIHARA
You should HEED your own warning, Byron.
Nishihara attempts to take the helm but Byron THROWS him to the ground. Nishihara jumps up and throws a PUNCH – Byron ducks – Byron lands a FIST at Nishihara’s chest. Another PUNCH right on his jaw KNOCKS Nishihara back on the floor.
Nishihara whips a DAGGER out from his belt and CHARGES at Byron. Yoshino tries to block him, but he is pushed away. Byron DUCKS, steps back and LUNGES at him with a sidekick. Nishihara FALLS, catches his breath, and struggles back on his feet. He CHARGES again, but Byron catches his punch, and THROWS it back. He then GRABS Nishihara’s right arm, and TWISTS it around his back.
BYRON
(snatching the dagger away)
I’ll have that.
YOSHINO
(handing Byron a rope)
Tie him. Just tie him up!
NISHIHARA
(pleading)
This sword is OUR Imperial Insignia! The one at Atsuta temple is a fake.
YOSHINO
This Insignia has NO bearing to our duty.
WULFSTEIN
We’re here only to collect DATA and to videotape them. Byron, can you take over?
Byron HESITATES for a moment before rushing to the helm.
WULFSTEIN
Take your time and be CAUTIOUS. Be VERY careful.
At the helm, Byron STARES around the cavern. There are multiple pathways. He looks UNCERTAIN as he steers the craft steadily. Eileen comes with an ice-pack for his injuries.
EILEEN
Are we on our way OUT?
Byron NODS, peering out the porthole. The passage narrows as Keiko enters a MAZE of foggy twists and turns.
WULFSTEIN
Slow down, Byron. The motors may blow up if put under SUDDEN stress.
Eyes STRAINING, Byron STEERS the sub at acute angles. Strange ricocheting REFLECTIONS bounce from its beams.
SILENCE. Lights appear in the distance, and the skipper steers toward them. Keiko SQUEEZES through gigantic BOULDERS.
When the gloom CLEARS and the BEAMS strengthen, the sub floats into a CHAMBER so EXPANSIVE that they can hardly see the CEILING or the extent of its WALLS.
Byron HALTS Keiko suddenly, GAPING. A vestibule stands before them! Looking splendid and magnificent like the SPHINX, it guards an undersea kingdom.
EILEEN (wide-eyes)
(gasping)
What a PALACE! This is SURREAL!
Embedded in granite, GOLD and SILVER reflect the headlights as Byron nudges the sub through the arch into another cavern. Columns link FLOOR to ROOF, their facades carved in intricate designs like those of an ancient palace.
BYRON
(with a crooked smile)
Jackpot. Is this the lost treasures of Ali Baba?
YOSHINO (laughing)
An Open Sesame!
WULFSTEIN
Wunderbar!
YOSHINO
If only we could TAKE home some of these.
WULFSTEIN
Just ensure the video-recording is on.
BYRON
Our camera STOPPED recording long ago.
Eileen gazes out the porthole again. Far ahead, amidst ruins, several IRREGULAR shapes appear, resembling deer antlers, larger than the trunks of oak trees.
WULSTEIN
(to Eileen, quietly)
This is really ODD. It’s as if some BEASTS had come in and rampaged this place.
BYRON
(piping up)
It’s more likely that an undercurrent has bulldozed through…
Eileen just stares and shakes her head.
WULFSTEIN
Byron, this could provide us with a clue to the next earthqu—
BYRON
(turning behind him)
What evidence is there to link those beasts to earthquakes?
WULFSTEIN
Dogs, dolphins and whales CAN detect and UNDERSTAND signals that instruments can’t. So WHY is this different?
Byron looks annoyed as a long HUSH ensues.
WULFSTEIN
If the water temperature rises quickly, it will AGITATE these creatures.
Wulfstein GROANS when the light from his laptop flickers. It BEEPS. He pauses to focus on the screen, but it turns black.
He GRIMACES when a white message pops up:
“THIS IS A DANGEROUS ZONE – PLEASE EVACUATE”
WULFSTEIN
(reading his laptop)
210º Centigrade! We have to get out of here. Now!
BYRON
There must be a CRACK nearby.
EILEEN
Maybe that’s what has DISTURBED these creatures.
An under current hits Keiko, tilting it.
YOSHINO
Another TREMOR and the cave could collapse.
EILEEN
And we could get buried ALIVE!
VIOLENT motions TOSS the crew to the FLOOR. Wulfstein, after steadying himself, PULLS Eileen up.
Byron struggles at the helm. A mace of SHOCK, disbelief and HORROR cross his face.
YOSHINO
(rushing to the helm)
WHAT is it? … Oh no.
BYRON
We’re on top of a damned volcano.
Eileen RUSHES to the porthole: brilliant streaks and straight furrows of FIRE create a deafening ROAR of EXPLOSIONS.
Wulfstein PULLS her away from the porthole.
WULFSTEIN
(shouting over the noise)
Get away from the glass! It’s HOT!
As Keiko ascends, the sound subsides. Eileen sighs.
Soon, the sub moves toward the SURFACE to safety.
INT. TOKYO EILEEN’S HOTEL ROOM – DAYS LATER – NIGHT
Eileen taps her fingers on the keyboard of her laptop. A word document is open, blank, except for the centered title: “THE DOOMED ARCHIPELAGO”. Beside her is a messy pile of scientific journals; many stay open to the last page she has read. She opens up a news website on her laptop. She clicks and briefly reads a few articles called:
“MODERN EQUIPMENT YET TO CATCH UP TO ANIMAL INSTINCT – A platypus’ beak can detect electrical currents created by its prey’s muscle movements.”
“A SURGE OF SHARK ATTACKS WORLDWIDE – As if instilled with a new instinct, sharks are attacking swimmers and scuba divers on an unprecedented scale.”
“ANTS AND BEES ATTACK IN AUSTRALIA – Fire ants and killer bees prove fatal in an unprecedented attack at a primary school.”
“MASS DEMONSTRATIONS AFTER AN AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT – Offended by new curfews imposed on the Americans in Okinawa, three servicemen dodged the curfew and, in a final act of defiance, raped a schoolboy. Although they were caught and charged, locals still called for a mass demonstration.”
Eileen opens her document. Still blank.
She types the following:
“HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?”
She SLAMS her laptop shut.
INT. EILEEN’S ROOM – NEXT MORNING
Eileen’s head lays rested on a pile of newspapers and magazines. Next to her, a cold cup of half-drunk coffee and a dirty bowl of a finished dinner. Soon she SNORES.
BOO-OO-OOM. Distant SCREAMS fill the air. Sirens HOWL. Eileen WAKES with a JOLT. Her hair and face are in a mess. She squints out of her window. Scared, she JUMPS back when she sees three VULTURES waiting nearby, SQUAWKING and FLAPPING their wings menacingly. She opens her window –
EILEEN
(GET lost, get LOST! All of you, SCRAM!!
She looks down at the COMMOTION of people on the road, then, sensing DANGER, she squints in the direction of Mount Fuji –
LAVA!
She GRABS a remote and turns on the TV.
ON TV: numerous ERUPTIONS happening simultaneously in real-time: Niseko in Hokkaido, Sakurajima in Kyushu; Taal and Mayon in the Philippines; Perbakti and Galunggung in Indonesia. Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand. Popocatepetl and Jocotitlan in Mexico. In Hawaii, a fresh volcano erupting from Kilauea.
Eileen is horrified.
INT. HIGH-RISE LAB IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO – MEANWHILE
Nobuko peers out the window over the horizon as Wulfstein and Byron work busily at their desks. Eerie RUMBLINGS from the mountain penetrate the sealed room. Byron walks over from behind and hugs Nobuko.
NOBUKO (squealing)
EEEL! The world’s crashing around us!
BYRON
Numerous tectonic plates are SMASHING their seams into the mantle.
BOO-OO-OOM. The sound continues to rumble in the distance. Wulfstein rises from his chair and joins them at the window.
WULFSTEIN (thinking deeply)
According to an ANCIENT legend, a monster well over a thousand miles in length would someday be on the move.
Gusts of wind HOWLS and the building SHAKES. Nobuko frowns as she looks out to her city.
Wulfstein rushes back to his laptop as it BEEPS. Then the beeps are replaced by a BLOOP sound. He taps a few keys.
WULFSTEIN
(pointing as lines of a spectrogram appear)
This signal is getting closer to Japan.
BYRON
A monster moving this quickly would be more than preposterous. It would be a real leap!
INT. WORLD SYMPOSIUM IN TOKYO – DAY
Carol stands in front of an audience, giving a speech. A presentation slide appears behind her with the words:
“DEALING WITH PTSD SYNDROME”
CAROL
This syndrome is a reaction to over-anxiety. There’s no magical cure, but just talking through their experiences allows them to release their congenital feelings and emotions…
The audience nods approvingly.
INT. AFTER CAROL’S SPEECH
Eileen pushes her way through a dispersing crowd to reach Carol, who has rushed off the stage.
EILEEN
Remember me, Eileen O’Neil. I’m glad I could track you down. I heard your next stop is Okinawa.
CAROL
That’s right. How are you? The place is gorgeous for meditation — lush islands and sugarcane plantations.
EILEEN
I’m great… I’ll be going too, I want to INVESTIGATE a chain of mysteries there.
CAROL
You’re in luck. There’s a solar ECLIPSE in two days’ time, and scientists speculate that the greater gravitational pull from the moon could trigger a MAJOR quake.
EILEEN
But Professor Wulfstein and older folks believe it’s a bad OMEN…
CAROL
That’s a bit of a stretch. At least both FANATICS have something in common. Anyway, let’s take a trip together.
Before Eileen can talk further, other journalists WHISK Carol away.
EXT. OKINAWA AIRPORT – DAY
Carol waits by her Land Rover while looking out for Eileen. She spots her, and WAVES. Eileen looks glad.
INT. LAND ROVER
Eileen sits in the passenger seat as Carol hits the highway. The car passes through a settlement…
CAROL
We’re about to see an ancient kingdom.
EILEEN
What a wonderful place to be!
Eileen’s eyes light up as she gazes at the remains of ancient buildings. Carol points to the curved roofs.
CAROL
LOOK! Incredible.
Some facades of many buildings have fallen, others still standing precariously. Carvings of gargoyles, demons and pained human faces decorate their heritage.
On the highway into the city, they come across a crowd CHANTING, blocking the traffic. DRUMS and GONGS sound in a steady, unflagging rhythm. Crowds slow traffic to a crawl. They BANG their hands on the side of their vehicles, CHANTING.
A VOICE IN THE CROWD
Bye bye, Yankee! Our islands are SACRED and our FATE is our own!
A VOICE IN THE CROWD
DIVINE RETRIBUTION is on us, but JUDGEMENT DAY is on you.
A RUMBLE tears through the air as the rioters edge closer, pushing and THUMPING on the Land Rover. Eileen, clearly shaken, tries to STAY composed.
VOICE IN THE CROWD
Go back to HELL. You can spend your filths at home.
Carol SIGHS when they finally leave the crowd behind.
CAROL
We’ve been championing peace and security, but they’re shoving us off like dead rats.
EXT. CLIFFEDGE – THE NEXT MORNING
Eileen and Carol, wearing sunglasses, join scores of scientists and journalists for the anticipated eclipse. Then the blue sky darkens, leaving an ominous GLOW.
EXT. CLIFFEDGE – NOON
The moon slides over the sun until DARKNESS reigns.
A spectacle! Sprays of horrifying light shoot out like a RING of FIRE – an image of a greek god – met by a chorus of OOHs and AAHs. Then, the sun emerges in a CRESCENT before it returns to normal, as if nothing had happened.
INT. HOTEL SUITE – LATER THAT NIGHT
Eileen FROWNS as a THUNDER rumbles outside. Too exhausted to chat with Carol, she shuffles straight to BEDS. She switches on the TV from her bed, but the image is BLACK. She turns it off and on, but the TV still doesn’t show any image. Weary, Eileen switches off the TV and light.
After a few moments, the earth RUMBLES, but she is too dead tired to realize what is about to happen.
INT. HOTEL SUITE – MORNING
A SCREAM. Eileen is awakened with a jolt, her heart thumping.
Suddenly, a wooden BEAM from the ceiling falls and hits her leg.
EILEEN
ARGH!
She blinks to clear her vision. A searing sensation causes her to shove off the blanket. BLOOD! She pushes off the beam and looks up – the ceiling has CRACKED.
EILEEN
My LEG!
Among SCREAMS of other guests, hotel staff bark instructions at them. A piece of the ceiling, a wooden BEAM, has fallen and hit her leg but Eileen manages to crawl out of her bed.
Carol appears, barely balanced as she walks.
CAROL
(handing Eileen a pair of shoes)
Oh, damn. DAMN it. Here, put these on.
EILEEN
Thank you…
CAROL
Can I help you?
EILEEN
(murmuring weakly)
No… I can manage.
Slowly, Eileen stands up and limps to the door. Rainwater spills everywhere. LIGHTNING flashes and THUNDERS roar amidst cries from other guests. Over heaps of debris, Carol and Eileen struggle to the lounge.
CAROL
Grab the radio. Turn to Voice of America.
Carol rushes back to her room and returns with her keys.
EILEEN
(repeating radio reports)
It’s a 9.8 QUAKE. The airport tarmac is broken. Where should we go?
CAROL
To our SUV. The American base is not too far from here.
Eileen YELPS in pain as Carol offers her shoulder. They LIMP down a flight of stairs to the car park.
CAROL
Put more of your weight on me. There we GO…
INT. MOVING LAND ROVER – LATE MORNING
Once on the road, Carol floors the accelerator, pushing the Rover so fast that it flies over bumps and potholes.
Once they hit the freeway, torrential rain DRUMS onto the roof of their car. They pass flooded fields and floating vehicles.
EILEEN
(shouting over the roar)
Where are we going?
CAROL
We’re heading north. We’ll reach the Base soon if we stay on this road.
The windshield wipers fight against the downpour. Eileen just stares into the STREAMS of water rushing down.
EILEEN
WE’RE in deep sh’t!
When the rain dissipates into a drizzle, they can finally see where they are. Trucks and cars lay scattered everywhere. Families assemble in groups, screaming and crying. Old and young huddle together, seeking rescue.
CAROL
(stopping the Rover)
We need to help these people. Let’s take a few with us.
EXT. SIDE OF THE ROAD
Carol jumps out of Rover and waves. A family runs toward them. Two small girls cling to their parents.
EILEEN
(shouting in Japanese)
Get in!
After helping them inside, Eileen SLAMS the door closed as Carol starts the Rover and drives. She turns to something that catches her eye in the undergrowth: RATS and SCORPIONS. She shivers.
INT. LAND ROVER – DAY MINUTES LATER
As Carol continues on the freeway, she hears a HISS. Her face DISTORTS as she suddenly feels a searing PAIN through her leg.
CAROL
(screaming as she grabs at her leg)
Sh’t, something bit me!
EILEEN
(grabbing the steering wheel)
Pull over!
The Rover SWERVES and slows down on the side of the road. Carol looks down at her leg. A SNAKE! It slithers toward the middle of the car.
It HISSES again. Carol remains frozen. With a quick hand from the backseat, the family’s father GRABS the snake by its neck.
FAMILY’S FATHER
(in Japanese)
DON’T move. This is a habu.
HIS DAUGHTER
(explaining, in English)
It’s POISONOUS.
Eyes widened, Carol and Eileen sit still. They can only watch as the man holds the SNAKE firmly, opens the backdoor, and tosses it out. The door shuts.
With a quick look at the bite marks on Carol’s leg, Eileen fumbles for her first-aid kit below her seat. She takes some bandages and tightly winds it around Carol’s leg.
EILEEN
Too tight?
Carol nods.
They continue driving. Carol pipes up.
CAROL
US Navy Base! We’re here.
But the SUV stalls. It splutters. Carol presses onto the accelerator, but the Rover continues to slow down. When it stops, she tries to restart it.
EILEEN
WHAT’S wrong?
CAROL
Water must have CHOKED the engine.
Carol stares at Eileen, who knows what’s next. She turns back to the family, and looks stares at the eyes of the girl who spoke some English.
CAROL
RUN! We’ve got to RUN.
The children SCRAMBLE out, followed by their parents. Carol and Eileen support each other as they limp behind.
In a hundred yards, a guard in foul weather gear hails them.
Carol’s weight rests more on Eileen. As Eileen STRUGGLES to keep pace, her hand SLIPS and Carol COLLAPSES.
EILEEN
(waving to guards)
HELP!
One guard RUSHES toward them and loads Carol onto a STRETCHER. Then they quickly whisk the girls onto the USS RONALD REAGAN. The mighty aircraft carrier looks magnificent in the terrible storm.
EXT. USS RONALD REAGAN DECK – DAY
On board, the ROAR of AIRCRAFTS is deafening. As more guards help the family, HELICOPTERS operate at a frantic pace.
The crew, in their blood-spattered uniforms, try to clear more space like a panic-stricken stampede for rescue HELICOPTERS to take off and land.
HELICOPTERS drop ropes, and PULL the survivors up like catches of fish onto the deck.
Then the carrier raises anchor. Eileen searches the shore for the Rover, but the landscape has gone. Seagulls fly in circles or hover like airplanes waiting to land.
Eileen grabs the arm of a crew member as he walks past.
EILEEN
Hey! Do you know what’s happening?
CREW
The Kikai Caldera has ERUPTED, ma’am.
EILEEN (hands around her head)
KIKAI… CALDERA…AIRA
EXT. TOKYO – DAY
All streets around Tokyo City are surrounded by a thick, yellow sulfurous FOG. Yuk! In a car on the way to the lab, Nobuko gags, covers her mouth as the HOWLS of dogs ECHO and temple bells RING
INT. HIGH-RISE LAB IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO – DAY
Nobuko meets Byron, Wulfstein and Yoshino in the makeshift lab in a new highrise in Tokyo. Wulfstein has three large screens in front of him. Each screen is divided into six frames.
All 18 of the frames show VOLCANOES erupting and monstrous WAVES collapsing onto shorelines.
Wulfstein taps a few keys, before the screens break further into 12 frames each. More images of Japan’s most deadly volcanoes causing HAVOC all over the country – KIKAI caldera, AIRA caldera, MOUNT FUJI caldera!
NOBUKO
(shaking)
Woo! MT FUJI is like a mushroom…
BYRON
How many volcanoes are now erupting?
WULFSTEIN
(checking the screen)
TEN – within the last hour.
SILENCE. Everyone looks PALE as the news sinks in.
YOSHINO
Our Kami SUSA-NO-O is angry.
NOBUKO
We have to get OUT of here.
BYRON
That won’t be easy.The Narita Airport has COLLAPSED.
Nobuko, distressed, SHAKES her head. Hands over her face, she stood stunned. Yoshino embraces his daughter and looks up at Wulfstein sternly.
YOSHINO
It’s okay. We will get out.
WULFSTEIN
(softly)
Definitely. We’ll find a way. Nobuko, it’s alright.
BO-OO-OM! The lab SHAKES beneath their feet.
Byron is THROWN from his chair and hits the floor. Nobuko falls on top of him. He grasps her and holds her tightly. Equipment parts SPILL onto the floor.
The ceiling CRACKS. Gusts of wind WHISTLE through the columns. Windows SHATTER, the building SWAYS. As glass and light shards fall, Byron rolls over Nobuko to shield her.
BYRON
(helping Nobuko up)
COME ON. Get up!
Once Nobuko is on her feet, Byron RUSHES toward the window. He glances over the horizon searching.
BYRON
MT FUJI – it’s gone! Let’s go! We have to get out of here!
He turns back to find Wulfstein huddled in the corner. Byron tries to reach him, but the swaying of the building forces him back onto the floor. More DEBRIS shatters around them.
With his face down, Byron spots a RADIO which has fallen nearby. He grabs it, fumbles with it before turning it on. It BLARES at him:
RADIO ANNOUNCER
SHOCKWAVES have sped northeastward from its epicenter in Tokyo Bay. Then spread inland across Kantō Plain. People are asked NOT to —
The announcer’s voice CRACKLES, then the message dissolves into STATIC. Byron fiddles with the dial, but nothing comes through. He dials again – nothing.
BOOM! Another SHOCKWAVE followed by a thunderous ROAR. A steel beam from the ceiling gives way, CRASHING with chunks of DEBRIS. DUST flies everywhere.
Byron hauls Nobuko under a table. Her face is pale and horrified as she covers her head with his arm.
When the dust clears, Yoshino MOANS. Byron makes his way to the sound of his GROANS. He finds him, but Yoshino’s legs are pinned by a girder. Byron pushes the beam out of the way, only to reveal BLOOD gushing from his leg.
BYRON
Sensei! Are you ALRIGHT?
YOSHINO
(struggling hard to sit up)
Yes, I AM… I’m ALRIGHT.
WULFSTEIN
(appearing behind Byron)
It’s okay – DON’T move.
Wulfstein removes his tie, then uses it as a tourniquet to strap the Sensei’s leg.
Yoshino turns to Wulfstein.
YOSHINO (whispering)
THIS is it. No more prediction needed.
WULFSTEIN
Sensei. I was TOO cautious. I’m terribly SORRY. My prediction called for a few MORE days…
YOSHINO
(grasping Wulfstein’s arm)
Professor. Nobody could have prepared for this.
WULFSTEIN
Sensei, with your help, I was very close … and I —
YOSHINO
My help has been negligible. Now, our souls MUST part. Forgive me, Professor.
WULFSTEIN
(confused)
You have NOT offended me, Sensei.
YOSHINO
Akita and Kiichi, they’re employed by our government to search our ocean’s wealth…
BYRON
And Nishihara?
YOSHINO
(hesitating)
He’s… a YAKUZA, a gangster.
Wulfstein and Byron are STUNNED.
YOSHINO
He comes and goes as he likes, and with Akita and Kiichi, they are likely to receive IMPERIAL recognition. I’m sorry…
NOBUKO
Papa! Why did you let them on the trip?
YOSHINO
(weeping)
I had already lost our mama and your otouto-san… I COULDN’T lose you as well. Not you Nobuko. I HAD to protect you.
Sobbing, Nobuko takes off her jacket and with the help of Byron, places it under Yoshino’s head. As waves of AGONY crush her, her choked tears trickle down her cheeks.
NOBUKO
Oh, Papa. OH, PAPA… Please tell me you’re alright.
With Byron’s help, Wulfstein moves Yoshino onto his left side to stem the flow of BLOOD.
WULFSTEIN
Byron, we SHOULD take the Sensei to the hospital immediately.
Byron picks up his cell phone, but it has no dial tone. He looks blankly over to Wulfstein.
WULFSTEIN
Yoshino-sensei, PLEASE hang in there!
YOSHINO
Like dew, I was BORN… Like dew, I VANISH…
Nobuko begins to wail.
…ALL deaths are births, ALL endings – beginnings.
Nobuko in total DESPAIR and AGONY. With their faces molded together, her TEARS flow onto Yoshino’s cheek. Yoshino uses what little energy he has to embrace her.
YOSHINO
(whispering into Nobuko’s ear)
Go with the gaijin and be safe. BE BOLD Don’t be afraid.
Yoshino frowns; his face twitches and contorts. More BLOOD oozes from his wound as he turns to Byron and struggles to hold his arm.
YOSHINO
(turning to byron)
Take care of my Nobuko.
NOBUKO
No! Papa! Oh, Oto-san! Oto-san!
YOSHINO
PROMISE me.
BYRON
I WILL.
Nobuko clasps her father’s hands, touches his face and forehead. Her stricken tears pour down her cheeks.
NOBUKO
(barely audible)
I LOVE you too…
But Yoshino lay silent. Byron feels the Sensei’s neck for a pulse, then looks up at Wulfstein with sad eyes. Nobuko’s head falls onto her father’s chest and weeps.
SILENCE from the men. Just Nobuko’s WAILS.
Another shock SHAKES the building. Byron grabs Nobuko and holds her, then turns to Wulfstein.
BYRON
(to Nobuko)
I’m SORRY.
(to Wulfstein)
We need to get out of here!
WULFSTEIN
Where should we go?… Wait. Nobuko. What did your father say?
NOBUKO
(between sniffs)
To take… TOKODO… The survival gear, remember?
WULFSTEIN
Of course! The LIFERAFT! Where is it?
BYRON
In SAKURA! I tucked it under my bed.
WULFSTEIN
Let’s GO!
Another JOLT. Byron NUDGES Nobuko into the stairway. Wulfstein follows, grabbing his laptop. He TRIPS over broken beams and stumbles. He SCRAMBLES to his feet and then starts down the stairs, PANTING and CHOKING on the dust.
A mighty CLAP thunders overhead, a beam CRASHES.
Nobuko and Byron hear an OUCH behind them. Wulfstein falls. A long plank of wood lay precariously on his shoulder.
BYRON
CAN you manage?
Nobuko GRABS Wulfstein’s laptop as Byron HOLDS him up.
WULFSTEIN
I’m fine. Let’s keep MOVING.
They join a crowd SCRAMBLING down the stairs. Once out of the building, Byron scans their surroundings. FIRE and CLOUDS of brown smoke blow out of buildings, DARKENING the sky.
INT. JEEP – DAY
Nobuko directs Byron through the streets of Tokyo from the passenger seat.
They drive past collapsed buildings and buckled streets; thick, black SMOKE from fires; scattered police and ambulance vehicles; pieces of flying metal siding, traffic signboards.
BYRON
WHERE are we?
NOBUKO
Just keep going STRAIGHT ahead.
Lightning flashes, giving off EERIE sights across the sky. BOOM! A series of fantastic fiery rockets EXPLODE from the mountains in the southwest. Silicates in an ash cloud create a LIGHTSHOW, refracting all shades of the spectrum.
The heavens open and hailstones HAMMER their path. With a roaring THUNDER, they drown the noise of rushing waters.
Byron drives over shattered streets. Every second, howling FIRE SIRENS blend with the cries of people.
Water plays at their feet, rising toward their ankles.
NOBUKO
We’re SHORT of Sakura by a mile!
WULFSTEIN
Let’s RUN.
BYRON
But you’re INJURED –
WULFSTEIN
I CAN manage.
EXT. JEEP – SECONDS LATER
Byron wades around the jeep and assists the Professor into the rain. Nobuko leaps out and the three struggle on.
Arrows of SPARKS shoot across the sky and descend in a zigzag down. Low, black clouds cough out more crackles of LIGHTNING.
WULFSTEIN
(puffing)
I’M terribly sorry. I’VE put ALL of you in such danger.
Nobuko RACES ahead towards Sakura while Byron waits for Wulfstein who PUFFS as he trudges along.
BYRON
Professor, CAN you manage?
WULFSTEIN
DON’T worry about me. I’LL survive.
INT. SAKURA – MOMENTS LATER
The villa CREAKS. Its walls RATTLE and its ceiling lamps sway. The wind HOWLS through the cracks of windows.
Byron RUSHES to his room, where he RUMMAGES underneath his bed.
He pulls out a package, then returns to a desk where Wulfstein and Nobuko stand over Wulfstein’s laptop.
NOBUKO
MT FUJI—it’s back!
BYRON
YUK! Mt Fuji has turned into a PINK monster.
WULFSTEIN
How could this happen?
EE-EEK! EE-EEK! Sharp and piercing SOUNDS come from the laptop.
WULFSTEIN
Now a network of seismometers around the archipelago has picked up volcanic tremors.
As Wulfstein turns to look, a BLO-O-OP! BLO-O-OP! replace the eek sound. They stare at the screen, a map of the Japanese archipelago, showing how it is SINKING slowly into the Pacific. The STRING OF ISLANDS slowly transform into a monstrous-like shape.
BYRON
WHAT? It looks like a SEAHORSE…
WULFSTEIN (pointing)
No! Its HEAD, HORN and MOUTH are here – the island of Hokkaido. The TORSO is Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku!
BYRON
A different beast?
WULFSTEIN
(still pointing)
Its CLAWS here, here and here, planted on the ocean floor off the seas of Japan. Its TAIL – all along the chain of isles to Okinawa…
A creature hovering on the screen draws everyone closer to the laptop. It doesn’t seem real that the archipelago should be shuffled to look like a MONSTROUS beast.
BYRON
It looks like a DRAGON!
Suddenly, a white message box pops up on the screen:
“YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO EVACUATE.”
NOBUKO
We’re DOOMED!
WULFSTEIN
NO, we’re NOT. Byron, WHERE’s the liferaft?
Byron takes out the haversack and begins unpacking it.
NOBUKO
We have to go now.
WULFSTEIN
Let’s go!RUN!
BYRON
This way!
EXT. SIDE ROADS – DAY
Amidst the TOLLING of temple bells, the trio RUSH out of Sakura. Wulfstein holds his laptop, and Nobuko follows Byron through the road up a hill. The sky is RED. Another eruption BLASTS sending a thunderous ROAR. They cover their ears, their face CRINGE.
They pass a temple covered in oozing mud. In the middle is a geyser. BOOOM! Magma blasts into the air in the form of steaming boulders of pumice and rocks, then plummets back. One huge BOULDER hits another; they crumble and a piece rolls down the slope toward them.
Byron JUMP OFF being crushed by the rock, but a tree branch hits his legs and he trips over. His liferaft rolls on the ground. But Byron falls into a pool of MUD. He begins sinking into the QUAGMIRE.
BYRON
Ugh! I’m STUCK! Help!
Wulfstein TOSSES his laptop away before GRABBING Byron’s flaring arms as he tries CLAWING in the muddy soil. Wulfstein PULLS, but Byron won’t budge.
BYRON
Ahh! It’s NO use! I’m more stuck!
Wulfstein HUFFS and PUFFS, before letting go and falling flat on his bottom. They STARE at each other as Nobuko helps Wulfstein up.
WULFSTEIN
There SHOULD be a rope in the liferaft!
Nobuko DASHES over and RUMMAGES through the haversack. She pulls out a rope and throws it over the pool of mud. Byron grabs and tries tying it around his chest, just above the muddy surface. Wulfstein and Nobuko HEAVE at the rope.
Within a minute, Byron CRAWLS back on solid ground, but barefooted. Nobuko CROUCHES for a moment to regain her strength, then hobbles to Byron’s aid.
NOBUKO
ARE you alright?
WULFSTEIN
ARE you hurt?
BYRON
(grimacing)
I’M okay.
NOBUKO
CAN you walk?
BYRON
(putting on his haversack)
It’s JUST my bad leg.
WULFSTEIN
Let’s get OUT of here.
Byron now LIMPS on his bare feet. He turns to see a rotating cloud extending from a THUNDERSTORM, which turns into a TWISTER as it draws nearer.
Byron nudges Nobuko and shelters her head from FLYING debris. The whistling WIND picks up speed and approaches from different sides.
Byron and Nobuko turn around when they hear a SCREAM.
Within a second, a WHIRLWIND sucks Wulfstein from behind. Byron can see only the Professor’s hands OUTSTRETCHED, as though in a futile attempt to save himself.
BYRON AND NOBUKO
(in unison)
Professor! PROFESSOR!
BYRON
No! NO!
Byron CLENCHES his fists, his eyes DARTING around, SEARCHING for any sign of his mentor. He RUNS in the direction of the twister, but can’t catch it. The GUST of dusts disappear into the distance. Byron FALLS to the ground, and BANGS his fists against the ground.
Nobuko finally catches up and EMBRACES him. She holds him tightly. HOWLING WINDS drown out his SCREAMS of sorrow.
Then, BOOM! Another hole opens up and water gushes out in front of them. The soil loosens and mud flows.
DEMONIC winds stir over and a piece of debris SLAMS onto Byron’s shoulder and KNOCKS him down. He GASPS from the blow, then clambers back to his feet.
Nobuko SCREAMS as she stumbles.
BYRON
“Nobuko!”
She struggles to get up, but the RISING water bubbles and broils around her. Byron runs over and holds her.
BYRON
Are you HURT?
No answer. She COUGHS. He hoists her up onto his shoulders and carries her, stumbling. Exhausted, he swings his haversack around and pulls out the liferaft. One arm holds Nobuko on his shoulders, his other hand presses an “OPEN” button. The liferaft INFLATES immediately and bobs on the water. He TOSSES Nobuko in first, before heaving himself in.
INT. LIFERAFT – SOON AFTER
Byron holds Nobuko as the raft BOBS up and down. Although made of strong graphene, the raft seems on the point of bursting, flinging its occupants back and forth.
BYRON
Stay on that side of the raft so we even out!
The pair sit on either end of the raft. They gaze at each other, beginning to block out the sounds of hell outside.
BYRON
(yelling over the mouse)
I should be dead but he saved me twice. I should…
Nobuko, although difficult to hear what he says, smiles as if she understands. She reaches forward and holds both his hands tightly.
INT. USS RONALD REAGAN
Eileen SCANS the crowd: men, women and children, all huddled in blankets, their eyes GLUED to a mounted screen. News BLASTED from numerous agencies. A CNN newscaster announced:
NEWS REPORTER
With millions DYING, people are thumbing their noses at God this Christmas.
All SHELL-SHOCKED, survivors sob and cry. A nun prays on her knees, fingering her rosary and muttering beside a young man with a broken arm. Nearby, a mother tries to calm her screaming toddler.
On the TV screen, a satellite shows the necklace of islets collapsing upon itself. Eileen stands, TRANSFIXED. Cameras from planes and space satellites all set to record an epic moment.
ELDERLY OKINAWAN WOMAN
(holding a Bible)
Look! A great earthquake and signs in the skies.
CAROL (amused)
Is this the prophesied APOCALYPSE?
ELDERLY OKINAWAN WOMAN
(between sobs and sniffs)
This is a divine retribution for killing many…
Feeling only sorrow for her, Eileen kneels beside the lady.
Back at the screen, ferocious WINDS and high WAVES howl off the Japanese Archipelago and crash over the southern tip, the lower extremities of Kyushu, trailing all the way to Okinawa.
Carol is shell-shocked. From the north and south, mighty WAVES form and gather momentum. Then an image of the archipelago appears in unbelievable clarity of a MONSTER.
The newscaster points to a red dot in the northeast. Eileen squints at the flames. The Kuril-Island chain, joined by Kamchatka Peninsula and Aleutian Islands, down to the Okinawan chain, all spewing out FLAMES.
Eileen SHAKES her head:
WULFSTEIN
(his voice in Eileen’s head)
Only in the extreme, Eileen, only in the extreme.
Eileen STARES in awe, looking stunned at the images on the screen every time a volcano erupts. The telecast continues.
“SENSORS HAD DETECTED FIVE TSUNAMIS EACH OVER A MILE HIGH RACING ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO THE AMERICAN COASTLINE.”
The CARRIER rises, then falls, as if POPPING around. People sway, buoying upward and downward, heaving and teetering, constantly looking for its new center of gravity.
EXT. VIEW FROM ABOVE THE PACIFIC OCEAN – DAY
A tsunami reaches SHANGHAI. The city has already slipped twenty meters under the sea.
HONG KONG stands firm for only a while, but tsunamis obliterate HANOI, MANILA, JAKARTA, SINGAPORE and other cities along the Asian coastline.
INT. USS RONALD REAGAN
Eileen watches the TV, still MUTED. The images from the telecast continues; from Vancouver to San Francisco and Los Angeles, rolls of tsunami a mile high pound these cities.
Traffic JAMS on all roads leading toward the mountains.
NEWS REPORTER
The tsunamis had hit ALL the West Coast. The entire western corridor of California has finally SLIPPED into the sea…
The television then HISSES with multiple colors. Eileen finally lets a tear flow down her cheek.
INT. HELICOPTER – CIRCULATING OVER THE USS RONALD REAGAN
CO-PILOT
(pointing; yelling)
Hey! A liferaft – over there!
EXT. DECK OF THE USS RONALD REAGAN – LATER
Nobuko and Byron are HOISTED onto the carrier by the helicopter. Rescuers immediately assist them onboard. But Byron, with his strong arms, PUSHES them away.
BYRON
No, no, we just want to be left ALONE.
A familiar VOICE calls out from the crowd: BYRON! BYRON!
Byron spots CAROL, and behind her, EILEEN, whose eyes scouts seemingly for Wulfstein. Eileen frowns with disappointment. Byron can’t turn away from her sad eyes.
Carol embraces him, but Byron is still in shock. Her words don’t get through to him.
CAROL
Oh, BYRON! NOBUKO! Glad to see BOTH of you!
EILEEN
(barely audible)
WHERE is…?
She coughs, exhausted.
Where is WILHELM?
SILENCE.
BYRON
One moment he was there… and then… I tried, but… he was gone.
Eileen STARES out to the ocean frantically with TEARS in her eyes. She takes a deep breath, before noticing something. Out in the churning ocean – SCALES!
From what began as nothing more than tremors, then a blitz of LIGHT, the necklace of islets has collapsed upon itself.
Viewed from a satellite, the waves cascade like circles of fog floating across the ocean.
The RHYTHMS and RUMBLES come from the distance as a ROARING HUM resonated like the endless moaning of wounded beasts.
She blinks. GREEN, glistening, animalistic SCALES make it to the ocean surface.
EILEEN
Over there!
Nobuko, Byron and Carol follow her gaze. Eileen turns to them, then back to the ocean. The scales have DISAPPEARED.
EILEEN
It’s GONE…
Carol squeezes Eileen’s shoulders sympathetically, but Eileen is CRINGING about what she saw.
Eileen looks back to see Byron GAZING at the same spot, SILENT.
He STARES at her, nodding, with a GRIM smile.
BYRON
Who would have thought of this?
FADE OUT
THE END
