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Clem's Mermaid Adventure

Written by:Nick Szpara

Contact:NickSzpara

ChelseaThaler

clemsmermaidfilm@gmail.com Revised10/31/18

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1.

EXT.OCEANCITY-DAY

Openonmontage:OceanCity,Marylandattheheightofsummervacationseason.Familiesswarmonthebeach,peoplecrowdtheboardwalk,trafficjamsthebridge,rollercoastersraceby.

CrashcuttotheweekendafterLaborDay.Allthetouristshavegone.Theboardwalkismostlyempty,thebeachonlyhasmetaldetectoristsonit,theamusementparkridesstandsilent,andthereisnotrafficinthestreets.

EXT.MINIGOLF-DAY

CLEM,11,digsaroundinthebottomofadrainedfountaininthemiddleoftheminigolfattraction.Sheisalwaysalittlesweaty,andsunburntonhischeeksandneck.Shehasabrightsmile,andtendstoimagineordinarylifeasbeingpartofamagicaladventure.Rightnowshe'swearingrubberglovesandboots,andheradventureconsistsofscoopingasummer'sworthoftrashandmuckintoabucket.

Shetossesanotherscoopofwetfilthintothebucketanditsquelches.Shelaughs,andtriestoreplicatethesoundwithanotherscoop,anditsplashesontoherandtheground.

NANCY,52,pokesherheadaroundfrombehindagaudystatuetoyellatClem.

NANCYClem!Tryandaimforinsidethebucket!

CLEMYeahbutitmakesafunnysound,listen!

Clemtriesagain,succeedsinmakingquitearudenoiseandabitofamess.Shelaughs.Nancyscowls.

NANCYHowareyoumakingitmessierthanitwastobeginwith?

Clemignoresher,startstobecomeboredwiththenoise.Shedigsaroundinthepileofgoop,pickingoutrocksandlostgolfballs,whichshestartstothrow.

CLEMAuntNance,howlonguntillunch?

Nancydoesn'tanswer.Clemiscontenttopickuprocksand

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Nancydoesn'tanswer.Clemiscontenttopickuprocksandthrowthemuntilherpatiencewearsout,maybefiveseconds.

CLEMNANCE!HOWLONGTILLUNCH?

Nancyyellsbackfrombehindthefakerocks.

NANCYAlrighty,comeonoutandI'llmakeyouasandwich.

CLEMOkay!

Clemgoestopickupandthrowonelastrock,thenstopswhensheseesthatit'snotarockatall,butaSHINYSEASHELL.Inawe,shescrapesaroundthepileofdebristoseeifthereareanymore,butit'sjusttheone.Shewipesitonhershirttocleanit,looksaround.Hergazelandsonthelargeplastermermaidneartheedgeofthedriedfountain.Itseyesseemtolookdirectlyather.Clemwalksleftandright,butitsgazeseemstofollowher.She'stransfixed.

CLEM(CONT'D)(whispered)

You'rebeautiful.

NANCY(O.S.)

Ithoughtyouwerehungry,girl!

Clemisshakenfromhertrance,pocketstheseashell,andrunsoff.

CLEMOkaaaaay!

Sheclambersoverthesideofthefountain,keepinghereyeonthemermaiduntilsheisoutofitssight.

INT.CLEM'SBEDROOM-DAY

Clementersherbedroomandemptiesherpocketsontoherbedwithstuffshe'spickedupwhilecleaningtheminigolffountain.She'sgotCOOLROCKSthatsheputsinaboxofotherrocks,COINSthatshethrowsintoajar,andaGREENGOLFBALLthatsheaddstoapileofothergreengolfballs.Finallyshepicksuptheshinyseashellandthinks,notknowingwheretoputit.ShedecidestodropitintoherGOLDFISHTANK.Shestaresatit,ponderingitsorigins.

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3.

DONNY,17,Clem'solderbrother,walksbyClem'sbedroomdooronthephone.

DONNY(O.S.)

Shewasdefinitelythehottestmermaidthissummer.

Donny'svoicefadesashewalksdownthehalltohisownroomandshutsthedoor.Clemjumpsupontoherbedandpresseshereartothewall,whereshecanjustmakeoutDonny'svoice.

DONNY(CONT'D)(O.S.)

Fine,don'tbelieveme,butthat'swhathappened!Rightonthebeach!Totalmermaid.

(beat)Whatever.

(beat)Yeahprobably,afterJenny'sparty?HeyisBradstillcoming?

Clemtakesherearoffthewallandplopsdownonherbed.

CLEMWhoa.

Clemscramblesoutthedoorandrunsdownthehall.

INT.HALLWAY-CONTINUOUS

ClembangsonDonny'sdoor,whoshoutsthroughit.

DONNYWhat!

CLEMUm,didyouseeareallifemermaidbefore?

DONNYGoaway!

CLEMOnly,becauseIheardmaybeyoudidsomewhereandIwaswonderingifyoucouldshowme-

Donnyopensthedoor,exasperated.

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DONNYClem.Notnow.

CLEMHow'bouttomorrowwecouldgolookfor-

Donnyslamsthedoorinherface.Clemwalksaway,dejected.

INT.KITCHEN-DAY

ClemsitsatthekitchentableeatingCHOCOLATEBREAKFASTCEREAL.She'salsosketchingamermaidinaNOTEPAD.HerDAD,38,ispackingalunch.Clemfinishesherbowl,poursherselfanother,andtopsitwithCHOCOLATEMILK.Shetalkswithhermouthfull.

CLEMDad,aremermaidsreal?

DADOh,sure,Clem.

CLEMReally?Haveyoueverseenone?

DADOhsure,plentyoftimes.

CLEMNuh-uh.

DADSurehave.

MOM,36,enters.ShetakesthepackedlunchfromDad.

MOMButnotinawhile,right?

DADYes,honey,nomermaidsformein,what,fifteenyears?

MOM(feignedsternness)

Eighteen.Unlessthere'ssomeoneIdon'tknowabout?

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DAD(laughing)

No,there'sonlyyou.

DadkissesMomonthecheekassheheadsoutthedoor.

CLEM(underherbreath)

Gross.

Dadshootshimalook.

CLEM(CONT'D)YousawmermaidstooMom?

MOMI-

Dadinterrupts.

DADYourMomneversawone,becauseshedidn'tdothedance.

CLEMThedance?

DADYeah,you'vegottowaveyourarmslikeyou'reswimming,andshakeyourbottomlikeit'sabigtail,likethis-

Daddemonstrates,knockingplayfullyintoMom.

DAD(CONT'D)Comeon,Rosie!

Momlaughs,escapeshisdancingadvances.

MOMGoodbye,youtwo,loveyou!

Momexits.Dadlooksafterher.

DADThat'swhysheneversawone.

Clemwritesthisdown.

CLEMThedance.Gotit.That'sit?

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DADOh,no,there'salotmoreyouhavetodotogetamermaidtoswimuptoyou.

CLEMLikewhat?

DADWell...

EXT.FISHINGPIER-DAY

ClemisinterrogatingaFISHERMAN.

FISHERMANTheyonlycomeupifyou'vegotatunaforthemtoeat.

INT.WOCKENFUSS-DAY

ClemisquestioningaCANDYSTORECLERK.

CANDYSTORECLERK...andonlyatmidnight,underthefullnessofthemoon...

INT.ARCADE-DAY

ClemisaskinganARCADEJERK.

ARCADEJERK...andyoumighthavetofightlikeagiantmonster...

EXT.SURFSHOP-DAY

ClemisaskingaSURFBUM.

SURFBUM...onthebeachatthirty-secondstreet.That'swherethemostmagicalwavesare...

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INT.SOUVENIRBOARDWALKSHOP-DAY

ClemisaskingaSOUVENIRSHOPPROPRIETOR.

SOUVENIRSHOPPROPRIETORDidyougetamermaidcharmyet?You'llneedoneofthoseforsure.

CLEMWhat'sthat?

SOUVENIRSHOPPROPRIETOROh,somethingspecialwithhiddenpowerstosummonheroutofthewater...

Theproprietormotionstowardsagiantrackoftackysouvenirs.Clemcan'tcontainherexcitement.

SOUVENIRSHOPPROPRIETOR(CONT'D)Maybeasparklekeychain,oranairbrushed-

CLEMYOUMEANLIKEASUPERSPECIALMAGICALSEASHELL?

Thiscatchestheproprietoroffguard,buttheyquicklypivottosmallbottlesfilledwithggarishseashells.

SOUVENIRSHOPPROPRIETORYes,Ithinkthatwould-

CLEMOkay,thanks,Ihavetogonow,bye!

Clemvigorouslyshakestheirhandandrunsoutoftheshop.

INT.CLEM'SBEDROOM-DAY

Clemburstsintoherroomandshovesherhandintothefishtank,splashingaround,untilshepullsouttheSEASHELL.

CLEMYesssssssss.

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EXT.BACKYARD-DAY

Montage:Clemputtingseashellinherpocket,puttingonhelmet,flippingupthekickstandonherbike,pedallingaway.

EXT.LAYTON'SRESTAURANT-DAY

ClembikesthroughthedesertedstreetstoLAYTON'SRESTAURANT.Shepullsupanddropsherbiketotheground,thendropsherhelmetontopofitbeforewalkinginside.

INT.RESTAURANT-DAY

Clementers,stillpantingfromherbikeride.LARRYLAYTONgreetsherfrombehindthediner'scashregister.

LARRYHeythereClem,chocolatemilkshakelikeusual?

CLEMNothankyouisDonnyhere?

LARRYSure,he'sbehindthecounter.

CLEMThankyouMisterLarry!

Clemrunsaway,thenafterabeatre-entershisfieldofvision.

CLEM(CONT'D)Um,actually,couldImaybejusthaveasmallonetogointhis?

Shehandshimthewaterbottlefromherbike.Heesmiles.Clemwalksovertothelunchcounterandhopsuponaseat.DonnyisfoldingnapkinsoversilverwarewithJENNY,18.

CLEM(CONT'D)HiDonny,whatareyoudoingrightnow?

JennyseesClem,givesherasweetsmile,andheadstothekitchen.ThisupsetsDonny,whowatcheshergo.

DONNYI'mworkingrightnow,buddy.Whatdoyouneed?

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CLEMNothing,just,Iwantedtoshowyouthis-

ClempullsoutthemagicseashellandshowsittoDonny.

DONNY(beat)

And?

Clemwavesitcloserinfrontofhisface.

CLEMLookcloser!

DONNYLook,bud,Idon'tknowwhatI'mlookingfor.It'sjustaseashell.

CLEM(proudly)

Wrong!It'smyMERMAIDCHARM.AndnowthatIhaveit,I'mreadytogofindamermaidwithyou.BecauseI'vepracticedthedance,andIknowwhatbeachtogoto,andtomorrownightisafullmoon,andIstillneedtogettuna,but-

DONNYWhoa,wait,slowdown.Ican'tgotomorrownight.

Clemdeflates.

CLEMWhynot?

DONNY(whispering)

Becauseit'sJenny'sparty.

CLEMButMomandDaddon'tletyougototeenagerparties.

Jennywalksby,pickingupsomesilverware.Donnywaitsforhertoleave.

DONNYI'mateenager!

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CLEMNoyou'renot,you'retwelveandforty-eightmonths.Besides,wehaven'tdoneanadventureinalongtime.

(beat)Wecouldgoafteryourparty.

DONNYBuddy,MomandDaddefinitelywon'tletusgotoabeachatmidnight.Plusthepartyprobablywon'tevenbeoverbymidnight!

CLEMBut,canwegoduringthefullmoonnextweekthen?

DONNYIdon'tthinkthat'showthemoonworks.

CLEMBut-

LarryenterswithClem'smilkshake-filledwaterbottle.

LARRYClem,Donny'sgottogotakecareoftablefivenow,okay?

DONNYYesMisterLarry.

CLEMYesMisterLarry.

Clemslidesoutofherchairasherbrotherexits.Shetriestosipmilkshakethroughthebottletop.Shefails.

INT.CLEM'SBEDROOM-NIGHT

Clemlaysinherbed,wideawake.She'swaiting,listening.Softfootstepswalkpastherdoor,thenadoorshutsdistantlyinthehallway;herparentshaveturnedin.Clemjumpsup,revealingshe'sfullyclothed.Quickly,shegathersthenecessaryitemsintoherbackpack:flashlight,seashell,compass,pocketknife,chapstick,notebook,squirtgun,actionfigure.She'sinterruptedbythesoundofapproachingfootsteps.Shedropsallofherstuffandjumpsbackinto

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11.figure. She's interrupted by the sound of approachingfootsteps.Shedropsallofherstuffandjumpsbackintobed,justintime.Thedooropens;Momisthere.

MOMGoodnight,honey,sweetdreams.

CLEM(outofbreath)

Sweetdreams,Mom.

Mompauses.

MOMEverythingokayinhere?

CLEMYep,loveyou,goodnight!

Momdoesn'tbuyit100%,butclosesthedoor.Thefootstepsfadeawayagain.Cautiouslythistime,Clemgetsoutofbed,pullsonherhelmet,andopensherwindow.

EXT.CLEM'SHOUSE-NIGHT

CloseonthebushesoutsideofClem'shouse.Wehearawindowopen.Abedsheetropedropsdownintothebushes.WehearClemstrugglingtoclimbdown.Momentslater,Clemdropsintothebushes,notevenclosetotherope.Wecutwidetoseethatherwindowisonthegroundfloor,andtheropewasjustforfun.Clembrushesherselfoff,straightensherhelmet,andgrabsherbike.Sheducttapestheflashlighttothehandlebars,thenwalksitquietlydownthedriveway.Onceshe'sinthestreet,shemountsitandtakesoff.

EXT.MINIGOLF-NIGHT

Clembikesdownthestreet,andpausesoutsidetheminigolfplace.Themermaidwiththespookyeyesglaresdownather.

CLEMHi,um,I'mgoingtogomeetyouforrealtonightifthat'sokay.

ClemfumbleswithherCHAPSTICK,thenapproachesthemermaid.Sheclimbsthefencetolookatitmoreclosely,waitingforittorespond.

CLEM(CONT'D)Okay.Well.Oh,thanksforthemagicseashell.

Themermaiddoesn'tanswer.Clemtakesthatasaworrying

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Themermaiddoesn'tanswer.Clemtakesthatasaworryingsignandbikesoff.

EXT.BEACH-NIGHT

Clemditchesherbikeinthesanddunsandrunsoutontothebeach,butslowswhensheseestheocean.Theseaisdarkandmenacing,thefullmoonreflectsontheinkywater.Thewavesseemextraloud.Sheflipsonherflashlightandlooksaround,butit'sjusther.

ShemakesherwaytotheedgeofthesurfandchecksherWATCH;it'salmosttime.SheplopsdownonthesandandfishesaSMASHEDLOAFOFBREAD,AJAROFMAYONNAISE,andACANOFTUNAoutofherbackpack.ShestruggleswiththePOCKETKNIFEtoopenthetuna,buteventuallygetsit.Shemakesasloppytunafishsandwich,butissatisfiedwiththeresult,andsetsitaside.

NextshetakesoutherNOTEPADandcheckshernotes.Herwatchsaysshestillhasacoupleminutestogo,sosherunsthroughthestepsunderherbreath.

CLEMDance,tuna,monster,seashell...Dance,tuna,monster,seashell...Dance,tuna,monster...monster?

AbrightlighthitsClemfrombehind.Sheturns,aGIANTSANDCLEANERisapproachingquickly,combingthetrashoffthebeach.

CLEM(CONT'D)Monster!

Clemscramblestoshovethingsbackintoherbackpack.Shelooksaroundfrantically,butthere'snowheretohide.Thethingapproaches.Clemrunsdownthebeach,awayfromit.ShecomesacrossaLIFEGUARDCHAIRthathasbeensetdownforthenight.Shestrugglestorightitasthemachinedrawsinexorablycloser.Atthelastsecond,sheisabletoscrambleupthetallchairandhideonit.

Clempeeksoverthetopofthechair,andwhenshethinksthecoastisclear,shejumpsup,pullingherSQUIRTGUNoutofherbackpack.Sheshootsatthebackofthetractor.

CLEM(CONT'D)Takethat,sandmonster!Haha!

Clemfirethesquirtgunintotheairvictoriously,gettingherselfwetintheprocess.

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CLEMOh.

Carefully,Clemslithersbackdownthelifeguardchairandchecksherwatch.It's12:01.

CLEM(CONT'D)Yes!

Shedumpsoutthecontentsofherbackpack.Shedouble-checkshernotepad,thenbeginstheritual:thedance.Clemwavesherarmslikesheisswimming,andswingsherbuttaroundlikeherdaddidinthekitchen.

CLEM(CONT'D)Mermaid,mermaid,inthesea.Comeashoreanddancewithme!

Clemquicklygrabsthetunafishsandwichfromthesand.

CLEM(CONT'D)Iofferyou:thisfreshtuna!

Sheplacesitdowncarefullyattheedgeofthelappingwaves.Thenshepullstheseashelloutofherpocketandmeaningfullyraisesituptowardsthefullmoon.Shecloseshereyesinconcentration.

CLEM(CONT'D)Mermaid,mermaid,intheocean.Comeashore,um,withoutmuchcommotion?

Clemwaitsforalongmomentbeforepeekingatthewater.Nothing.Sheholdsuptheshellagain,redoublingherconcentration.Stillnothing.

CLEM(CONT'D)Okay,I'llwait.

Shesitsdowninthesand,somewhatdejected.Sheturnstheseashelloverinherhandsidly.Clemisbadatbeingpatient.Afterafewmoremomentsshepicksupthetunasandwichandsizesitup.There'snottoomuchsandonit.

BeforeClemtakesabite,shehearsAFEMALEVOICEgigglinginthedistance.Shedropsthesandwichandjumpsup,followingthesound.Shewalksfaster,thenrunsalongtheedgeofthesurf.

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CLEMHello?Mermaid?Hello?

ClemstopswhensheseesaFIGUREwithlonghairlayinghalfinthewaves.

CLEM(CONT'D)(underhisbreath)

Noway...

Thefigureturnsandthemoonlighthitsher.Itisn'tamermaidatall,it'sJENNY,18.Shequicklysitsup,revealingDonnynexttoherinthesand.

CLEM(CONT'D)Whatthe-?Donny,youDOknowamermaid!

Jennyisflustered,soshequicklygetsupandrunsbacktothestreet.

CLEM(CONT'D)Oh.

(beat)Oh!

DonnygetsupandfacesClem.

DONNYHey,Clem,youwon'ttellMomandDad,willyou?

CLEMIhateyou!

DONNYWhat?

CLEM(nearlyintears)

Yousaidyoumetamermaid.Andyouwouldn'tcomewithme,andIhadtofightasandmonsterbymyself,and-

DONNYWhoa,whoa,backupasecond.IneversaidImetamermaid.

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CLEMYesyoudid,youtoldToddonthephonetheothernightandIheardyou!

IthitsDonny.

DONNYOh,Clem,buddy,that'sjustwhatwecallreallyhotbabeswholiketomakeoutonthebeach.

CLEMSothere'snorealmermaids?

DONNYNo,ofcoursenot.

CLEMThen-

DONNYComeon,let'sgohome,Ican-

CLEMNo!You'realiar!Everybody'saliar!

Clemrunsawayintothedarkness.Donnychasesafter.

DONNYClem!Wait!

Clemevadeshiminthedark.WeseeDonnyrunbythefootofthelifeguardchair,thenthecamerafindsClemcurledup,crying,intheseat.

EXT.BEACH-SUNRISE

Clemwakesuponthebeach,havingsleptonthesandwithherbackpackasapillow.She'sconfusedatfirst,thenthepreviousnight'seventscomefloodingbacktoher.Sheripsthepagesoutofhernotepadandeatsthemangrily.Thenshefishesinherpocketforthe"magicseashell."Shewindsupandthrowsisashardasshecanintotheocean.

Clemcollectsherthingsandturnsherbackonthesea.Donnycomesrunninguptheshoreline.

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DONNYClem!

Clem,startled,runsforthepylonsofthefishingpier,ditchingherbackpackforspeed.Donnychasesher,andtheyhaveabriefstalematebetweenthepylonsofthepier,runningfromonesidetotheother.

DONNY(CONT'D)Hey!Juststoprunningforasecond!C'mon!Iwaslookingforyouallnight,youlittlefart!

CLEMJustgoaway,turdmuncher!

DonnyfinallyoutsmartsClemandtackleshertothesand.

DONNYJustholdstillforasecond,god!Look,Clem,I'msorry,okay?

Clemdoesn'tbuyit.Sheisneartears.

DONNY(CONT'D)Imeanit,Ishouldn'thaveditchedyoutogotothatparty.Ijust,Idon'tknow.Iwasajerk.

CLEMAbigfatjerk.

DONNYYeah,abigfatjerk.

Clemstopsstruggling,Donnyletshersitup.Clemwipestearsoutofhereyes.Donnylooksoutatthesunrise.

DONNY(CONT'D)Youknow,Iusedtothinkmermaidswererealtoo.Everyonetoldmetheywereoutthere,andonetimeIthoughtIsawonewhenIwassurfing.Itwasprobablyjustadolphin,butthatentiresummerIwenttothebeacheverydayandlookedforher.

CLEMWhydidyoustoplooking?

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DONNYWell,IguessbecauseIfoundrealgirls.

CLEMEw,gross.

DONNYRealgirlsareprettygreat,youknow.They're...Idon'tknow,different.

Clemdoesn'tgetit.Donnylaughs.

DONNY(CONT'D)You'llseeinafewyears.

CLEMIdon'tthinkso.

(beat)Donny,what's"makingout"?

DONNYIt'slikekissing,butmore.

CLEMDoesitalwayshavetohappenonthebeach?

DONNYNo,it'sjustmoreromantic.

CLEMOh.Itseemslikeyouwouldgetreallysandy.

Donnylaughs.

DONNYYeah,maybe.

Theysitinsilenceforasecond.

CLEMIstillthinkmermaidsareoutthere.EventhoughIdidn'tseeonelastnight.

DONNYWhatwillyoudoifyoufindone?

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CLEMWe'regoingtoplayandswimandshecanprobablyshowmehermagicabilitiesandmaybealsosunkentreasure.

DONNYThatdoessoundprettycool.

CLEMYeah.

(beat)MomandDadaregoingtobemad,huh?

Silenceagain.

DONNYHey,look,IpromiseI'llhangoutwithyoumore.Youareright,it'sbeenawhilesincewehadanadventure.

CLEMWouldyouhelpmefindamermaid?

DONNYSure.

ClemhugsDonny.Thenrealizationhitsher.

CLEMButIjustthrewawaythemagicseashell!

DONNYThat'sokay,we'llfindanotherone.There'salotofmagicaroundthisplace.

Clemruns,Donnygiveschaseagain,thistimelight-heartedandplayful.Theyrunoffthebeachtogether.

Astheyareleaving,thecameramovestotheocean,whereaMERMAIDsurfaces,holdingthemagicseashell.ShewatchesClemandDonnyrunoffthebeach,thendivesbelowthesurface.

END.