Worth Dying For
FADE IN:
ATLANTIC OCEAN - WEST COAST OF IRELAND – DAY
HOOLIGAN, a sleek, thirty foot sloop tacks into the wind. AARON KEANE, forties, is at the helm.
Keane’s weathered face, gnarled hands, confident demeanor says here’s a man who’s been through a lot and survived. A man who doesn’t rile easily. But a man never to be toyed with.
Keane wipes a splash of salt water from his eyes, tucks an open bottle of Guinness Stout between his chin and collar bone, and eases the helm left. The Hooligan sails effortlessly into the distinguishing feature of
BANNOW ISLAND --- A NARROW - HORSESHOE-SHAPED COVE.
Keane flips the empty beer bottle into a box of empties; loosens a halyard. The main sail folds, dropping to the deck. The Hooligan glides to
A RICKETY THIRTY FOOT PIER
CONNOR KEANE 18, Aaron Keane’s oldest son, paces anxiously. A CARPETBAG SUITCASE rests at his feet.
The bow of the Hooligan nudges the pier. Keane tosses his son a line. Connor loops it around a MOORING CLEAT.
Obviously disappointed, Aaron Keane points to his son's carpetbag suitcase.
KEANE
So, Son, you've decided. It’s final?
(tossing boxes and gunnysacks onto the pier.) You can leave tomorrow.
CONNOR
I’ll be leavin’ now, Da… I’m not your prisoner. You can’t keep me on this damned island. A war is going to happen, and I want to be on the right… the winning side.
SIGHING a disappointed father’s sigh, Keane steps on to the pier and points to the gunny sacks.
KEANE
Today’s the twin’s birthday. You bought them each a present. They’re in the sack. Give ‘em a glance. So, you’ll know what
you’ve given them.
CONNOR
I didn’t need your help, Da… I’ve already a gift for Shannon and Egan.
KEANE
Do you now. I’m impressed…
(points to the items on the pier)
Then I know you will be happy to give
me hand with these. Tonight we celebrate
the birthdays of the twins.
Tomorrow you can leave.
Keane picks up packages from the pier and heads for the shore.
Connor tosses his carpetbag on to the deck of the Hooligan. Gives the sloop
a longing look; turns and watches his father step off the pier and on to the beach.
CONNOR
Fuck you, Da. Fuck you.
EXT BANNOW ISLAND - NIGHT
The moon reveals the islands stark landscape. A spider web of gullies, ravines and sparse vegetation.
Then a hexagon of vegetable gardens, animal pens, sheds and a serpentine path leading
EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
At the top of the bluff, light streams from the windows of the rambling, weathered, one story, farm cottage. Smoke streams from the top of the stone fireplace. An old IRISH DITTY – ‘THE HUNTER’S PURSE’ – and SQUEALS OF LAUGHTER waifs from within.
EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
One corner of the cottage is perched atop several LARGE BOULDERS. And the
boulders form a crown of ROCKS AND BOULDER above
A STEEP CLIFF that drops down three hundred feet to ragged rocks and a spewing waves.
The front door and windows of the cottage look out on a small yard and bluff.
The music from “The Hunter’s Purse,” fades as we travel to the top of
A narrow, zig-zag path that leads down to
EXT. HORSESHOE COVE - NIGHT
From the light of the ascending moon, we see the pier and the sloop Hooligan.
EXT. All is quiet. The sea is flat. Tranquil. In the SILENCE OMINOUS MUSIC begins
CUT TO:
A BLACK SCREEN and the CLICK-CLACK of an old-time typewriter,
SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 3, 1939
EXT. SURFACE OF THE WATER – A LONG LINE OF MOONLIGHT
Calm, barely a ripple. Until a white froth of bubbles burst upward from the depths. OMINOUS MUSIC BUILDS then the CONNING TOWER OF U-BOAT 22 rises
from the sea….
A few yards away, the CONNING TOWER OF U-BOAT15 breaks the surface.
HATCHES CLANK OPEN ON BOTH VESSELS
ARMED MEN appear, scurry across the decks. Rubber rafts are inflated. Rifles are shouldered. Voices are hushed. Professional. This is an ASSAULT TEAM!
On the horizon, a LARGE MERCHANT SHIP approaches BANNOW ISLAND.
CUT TO:
EXT. WHITE COTTAGE - LIGHTS IN THE WINDOWS
INT. COTTAGE
IRISH MUSIC lilts softly from a wireless radio. A huge, stone fireplace dominates
one wall. The cottage is well furnished. Books and bookcases are everywhere.
Connor climbs out of a trap door in the middle of the living room floor. In his arms
are TWO CAREFULLY WRAPPED GIFTS. He places them UNDER the large
dining room table and shoots his father a dirty look.
CONNOR
Didn’t need you savin’ me face.
KEANE
Aye ye didn’t. And I apologize.
Keane downs a shot of Old Bushmills and shouts at a closed BEDROOM DOOR.
KEANE (CONT)
A few more moments.
From behind the door comes a SINGLE, MUFFLED cry of joy.
Keane drops the trap door, covers it with the carpet and helps Connor
re-center the table.
SHANNON (O S = Off Screen)
Da. Connor.
SHANNON KEANE, sixteen, enters from the kitchen carrying a BIRTHDAY
CAKE lit with fourteen candles. She places it on the table between a pile of gifts.
Shannon is the epitome of the Irish lass, red hair, freckles and a smile that
could wilt a four leaf clover. She sends that smile to Connor and her father and
turns to the bedroom door.
SHANNON (CONT)
Egan. Claire. You can come out now.
Fraternal twins, EGAN AND CLAIRE KEANE, explode into the room.
Keane, Shannon, Connor, and Egan, sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
Claire smiles at each member of her family in turn. Her eyes glisten with tears.
Silently, she fills the room with her love of life and innocence. She DOES NOT / CANNOT SPEAK. Claire SIGNS…
CLAIRE (SIGNS)
I love you. I love you all so much.
Egan, a wisp of a lad draws his twin sister close signing and SINGING loud enough
for both of them. As the Birthday Song concludes he taps Claire’s shoulder to get
her attention and we realize she is both DEAF and MUTE.
EGAN & CLAIRE (SIGNS)
Happy Birthday to Us.
FADE TO:
LIVING ROOM – DINING ROOM TABLE
Ribbons, wrapping paper and open boxes are scattered about. A pen and pencil set,
pearl earings, artist brushes and tubes of oil paints, Levi overalls, books, a hand knit cardigan sweater, a ship in the bottle kit and a delicate blue writing journal are among the items we see.
The family sits around the table. Only a few slices remain of BIRTHDAY CAKE.
Claire opens a large box and finds a HAND-SEWN QUILT. EACH PATCH tells a story. Each PATCH has come from the clothes of different family member. Even bits of sail and the Keane family tartan have been employed in the quilt's creation.
CLAIRE (SIGNS)
(to Shannon)
You sewed this?
SHANNON (SIGNS & SPEAKS)
We all helped.
CONNOR (SIGNS & SPEAKS)
Shannon made us help.
Keane extends his hand across the table and points to the end of his fingers.
KEANE (SIGNS & SPEAKS)
And I've the needle holes in my fingers tips to prove it.
Claire grins knowingly. Connor reaches under the table and hands Egan a wrapped box.
Egan tears off the wrappings to discover a bone-handled scaling knife. He tests the weight and runs his thumbs along the blade. He SIGNS to Claire says teasingly
EGAN (SIGNS & SPEAKS)
Careful Sis, or all these gifts will be mine.
Claire covers her eyes in mock terror.
CLAIRE (SIGNS)
And you’ll look cute in my earrings and
new underwear.
As the family laughs, Connor reaches under the table and places
a small colorfully wrapped box in Claire’s hand.
Claire gingerly opens her gift. Her eyes light up as she withdraws a delicate gold chain. Dangling from the middle is a tiny GOLD CRUCIFIX.
CLAIRE (SIGNS)
I will never take this off.
She turns to Connor, holds out the chain asking him to do the honors. Connor fastens the clasp behind her neck. Claire models the GOLD CRUCIFIX and the Keane family break into a second round of…
KEANE FAMILY
Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to
you. Happy Birthday dear Egan and Claire,
Happy Birthday to you.
SHANNON
And more cake for all.
As his family digs in for a second helping of dessert, Keane walks to the mantle and
lifts a picture of a beautiful woman. Inscribe on the photo.
Insert: "To Aaron, Always & Forever - FIONA "
Keane catches Connor’s eye.
KEANE
Well, done.
Connor hates to accept the accolade, but he can’t stop a short smile. But what could
have been a moment reconciliation vanishes when the IRISH MUSIC from the wireless radio is interrupted by a BLAST OF STATIC then…
WIRELESS RADIO
Citizens of Great Britain, Germany was
given until 11:00 a.m. this morning to withdraw its troops from Poland. This deadline
has passed with no response. Today Great Britain
and our ally France have declared war with
Germany.
The family stands stunned. Keane lowers the volume and pours and downs a
good-sized shot of Old Bushmills.
Connor watches his father with disgust. He leans closer to the wireless and listens intently. With a wry smile, he mumbles...
CONNOR
Fuck Great Britain. What have they ever
done for the Irish?
Claire SIGNS to Shannon. Shannon nods and turns to her father.
SHANNON
Da, does this mean war?
KEANE
Not for this family. And not for ---
A huge THUD as the FRONT DOOR EXPLODES OPEN
A BLAST OF WIND fills the room. THREE-ARMED SS SOLIDERS pour through the open door.
Keane slyly grabs Egan's knife off the table and slips it in his pants behind his back.
SS SOLIDER BAUER, early twenties, a young man who loves the SS uniform and
the power that comes with it. He swings his rifle around the room and with bravado, announces in broken English.
SS BAUER
I present Obberfuhrer Jurgen Muller.
KEANE
What the hell is...?
Through the FRONT DOOR struts OBBERFUHRER JURGEN MULLER,
mid-twenties. The SS OFFICER CORPS UNIFORM tells us this asshole
gives the orders.
TWO MORE MEN follow him in: U-BOAT KAPITAN STEFAN WAGNER,
forties, and U-BOAT KAPITAN KLAUS HUBER, late forties. These two men
are proud, seasoned, German Naval officers.
Obberfuhrer Muller directs both Kapitans to a corner of the room.
Neither KAPITAN enjoys taking orders, especially from SS Obberfuhrer Muller.
The Germans stare at the Irish and vice-versa for several beats.
In the ensuing silence the WIRELESS RADIO seems to gain in volume.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (VO)
Adolf Hitler has not responded to repeated--
Off Obberfuhrer Muller nod, SS Bauer crosses the room and SMASHES the wireless with the butt of his rifle. The family jumps from the sound and sudden violence.
Tense, Keane’s scans the room assessing his odds.
OBBERFUHRER MULLER
Good evening, Herr Keane. Tonight, I will
deliver all the good news. But first a surprise…
Egan starts to rise. Obberfuhrer Muller nods to a muscled-bound SS SOLIDER JAGER, a young man who loves to follow orders especially if they involve causing someone pain. SS Jager moves behind Egan.
Keane watches. Slips his hand into his pants, grabs the hilt of the knife, shifts his weight, sizes up his odds, doesn't say a word and prepares for war then...
TWO MALE VOICE (OS)
Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday to you.
AT THE FRONT DOOR a thirty-plus, GANNON CLEARY plays peek-a-boo through the open door as he sings. Gannon, tall dark and rugged. Nothing but the I.R.A. and
IRELAND are important to him.
GANNON
Happy Birthday dear Claire and Egan,
SEAMUS CLEARY the younger brother, pre-maturely bald and hates it. But when
he joins Gannon in the doorway, here’s the brother with the VOICE.
SEAMUS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
With presents under both arms, the Cleary brotherS pushes past the last SS SOLIDER VOGEL, a novice, just learning the ropes and loving each lesson.
Connor leaps from his chair and rushes up to the two Irishmen.
CONNOR
Uncle Gannon! Uncle Seamus!
Dramatically, the brothers hand presents to Claire and Egan and playfully sock
Connor on the arm. Gannon turns to Keane
GANNON
And why wasn't I invited to this party?
Am I not a godfather after all?
Keane glares and gestures at the German intruders.
KEANE
Gannon, why did you invite this scum into my home?
Obberfuhrer Muller nods to SS Bauer who raises his RIFLE behind Keane.
In a blur, Keane spins, twists the weapon away and shoves the barrel under SS Bauer’s chin. Bauer gasps and looks to his comrades for help.
The Keane children are stunned by their father's speed and dexterity. Even Connor
can’t avoid a glint of admiration.
Loud CLICKS fill the room as the SS Soldiers take aim waiting for the order
to fire. Gannon holds up his arm and turns to SS Obberfuhrer Muller
CLEARY
There was to be no violence!
(to Keane)
Aaron, this is for Ireland.
OUT GUNNED by a long shot, Keane backs off and returns the rifle to SS Bauer .
Bauer gives Keane a ‘this will not be forgotten look!” Keane doesn’t scare.
Egan tries to rummage casually through the gifts looking for his knife. Claire knows
what he's looking for and signs.
CLAIRE (SIGNS)
Da’s got it.
Egan gets the message.
OBBERFUHRER MULLER
Please, Herr Keane. There is so much to do.
And we have so little time.
Keane turns to Seamus and Gannon.
KEANE
What the hell are YOU about? Gannon?
Seamus?
Gannon spies the bottle of Old Bushmills and pours a good shot for himself and his brother into one of the birthday cups. He toasts no one and everyone.
CLEARY
For Ireland. For our Cause.
KEANE
I'm through with the Cause.
Connor joins Seamus and Gannon and seizes the opportunity to pour his own shot of Old Bushmills,
CONNOR
I'm with you. For Ireland!
Gannon smiles, tousles Connor’s hair, then to Keane.
GANNON
Aye. That's been the rumor you’ve quit.
KEANE
Tis no rumor. I’m done.
SEAMUS
Aye, but Aaron this is different. We've a way. We have allies…
(nods to the German’s)
This time…
Obberfuhrer Muller interrupts.
MULLER
Herr Cleary, time… is what we don't have.
Gannon doesn't like the interruption, but he turns to Egan and Connor.
GANNON
Lads, Ireland needs your help.
Connor is eager. Egan defiant.
GANNON (CONT)
Down on the beach there’s work to be done.
We need strong backs.
Connor's out the door raising his fist.
CONNOR
For Ireland!
Obberfuhrer Muller nods to SS Vogel and says. (Converstations between Germans are in German with subtitles unless otherwise presented – English subtitles appear in tandem)
MULLER
Nehmen sie den sohn dieses mannes und lassen
sie ihn arbeiten.
[Take this man's son and put him to work. Watch this
one. Shows too much temper, kill him.
SS Vogel nudges Egan with his rifle. Egan looks to his father.
KEANE
Do as he asks. If they wanted us dead.
We’d already be.
MULLER
Very astute, Herr Keane.
Egan turns to the table, swipes Gannon’s and Seamus’ BIRTHDAY GIFTS to the floor and exits.
Obberfuhrer Muller points to the single remaining slice of birthday cake on the table.
MULLER (CONT)
I see you've already finished your meal.
Innocently and with disconcerting charm Muller turns to Shannon and Claire and
gestures to the U-boat Kapitans.
MULLER (CONT)
Ah, but your uncle and your Godfather have issues to discuss. Perhaps you could cook a little something, Ladies?
Seamus Cleary laughs, rubs his stomach, points to the kitchen and smiles at the girls.
SEAMUS
We’ve been living on U-boat food for weeks.
(wagging a playful finger)
Have you your mother's skill in the kitchen?
Neither daughter is buying Seamus’ faux attempt at charm. They look to their father for guidance.
KEANE
Do as he asks.
Resolute, Shannon and Claire rise and walk into the KITCHEN.
OBBERFUHRER MULLER
Thank you, Frauleins.
Immediately, Muller motions to SS Jager who snaps to attention and trails after the girls.
Seamus and Gannon schmooze up to Keane.
GANNON
Aaron, let's take a walk. When you hear what this is about. How at last…
Gannon starts to put his arm around Keane’s shoulder then thinks better of it.
You cannot miss the sarcasm inn Obberfuhrer Muller’s voice when he offers…
MULLER
Hear OUR plan, Herr Keane. After all, this
is about your country and its future…
Keane looks into kitchen at his daughters. You can almost see the mental gymnastics as he sizes up his odds against two U-boat Kapitans, the four SS, and the two Irishmen.
A NO WIN SITUATION Keane starts toward the door.
OBBERFUHRER MULLER (CONT)
Oh, and please return the knife to the table.
Keane withdraws Egan’s knife and places it on the table. Gannon roars with LAUGHTER.
GANNON
I see you’ve not forgotten you old tricks
my friend.
Keane almost gags on the word friend as he heads out the front door.
INT. KITCHEN
Claire and Shannon feign ignorance as SS Jager points to several skinned chickens. He smacks his lips and makes eating gestures. Claire SIGNS to Shannon. Both girls grab raw chickens and hand them to SS Jager. He fumbles with the birds, drops them and stomps out of the room. As Shannon giggles…
SHANNON (SIGNS)
I forget. Is it Sunday or Friday when eating meat is the sin?
CLARIE (SIGNS BACK)
Is chicken meat?
(a pause and a silent ear to ear grin)
Or just fowl?
EXT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
The Three Irishmen exit the cottage. Seamus lifts two rifles leaning against the outside wall of the cottage.
He slings one over his shoulder and hands the second to Gannon.
Behind THEM, U-boat Kapitans Wagner and Huber exit the cottage and involved in their own dialogue ignore the Irish trio completely as they stroll across the bluff and disappear down the ZIG-ZAG path to the beach.
KEANE
I guess your new mates weren’t hungry.
A bit rude though. Didn’t even say good-night...
And speaking of rude…
The Irishmen walk in the opposite direction toward the steep cliffs on the far side of the cottage. The ROAR OF THE CRASHING WAVES below grows with each step.
Keane points to the RIFLE in Gannon’s hands.
KEANE (CONT)
You didn’t think to bring a weapon for me?
Gannon holds the rifle tighter. He knows he’s no match for Keane. Seamus tries to maintain peace.
SEAMUS
We were all sorry to hear about Fiona. Your wife was a wonderful woman.
GANNON
Would have married Fiona me-self. But
she wouldn’t have me.
Even in the dark Keane’s eyes flash with the fury of
a homicidal maniac. He turns to Seamus.
KEANE
Aye, and we missed you and your brother at her funeral…
We were hopin’ you’d tell a
joke or two, Seamus. You were always the one with the jokes…
Tell us a joke. I could use one now.
(points to Gannon)
Make your brother and me laugh, won’t you?
(in Gannons face)
Your brother here thinks this whole
evening is a joke. Don’t you?…
(Keane spits)
Old friend.
Gannon Cleary slowly comes to a boil.
KEANE (CONT)
He tells the Germans of this island. He invades my home and laughs.
Jeopardizes my children and laughs. Tell us a joke,
Seamus. Make it about friendship. About friendship. About loyalty.
Gannon turns and comes face to face with Keane. Rage mounts within both men.
GANNON
My loyalty is to Ireland. To her freedom… Because of Fiona’s death, we've been lenient with you Aaron...But there’s a time
Seamus steps between the two men and explains
SEAMUS
The Germans needed a supply depot on the
Atlantic...
The Three Men reach the top of knoll giving them a new vantage point of the
EXT. HORSESHOE-SHAPED COVE BELOW NIGHT
It’s a BEEHIVE OF ACTIVITY. U-boats 15 and 22 have been joined by a MERCHANT SHIP. Already a PONTOON DOCK extends from the merchant ship to the shore.
SEAMEN scurry up and down the Pontoon Dock and along the beach. One by one the bottoms of most of the crevices are stuffed with supplies and covered with camouflage netting.
SEAMUS (CONT)
A place to store munitions, torpedoes, fuel
batteries and food.
KEANE
And you offered the Germans my island?
Gannon hands Keane binoculars and points down …
GANNON
Look below. Watch what happens when you have
a well-oiled, military machine, as your ally.
EXT. U-SHAPED COVE – MERCHANT SHIP - NIGHT
TORPEDOES descend from a crane onto the pontoon dock where SAILORS hurry them to shore in wheelbarrow like contraptions.
GANNON (OS)
The Germans will save over a thousand kilometers traveling back to Hamburg.
They’ll make short work of the British.
And Ireland will be free at last.
SEAMUS (OS)
Aaron, you’ve said it yourself. Ireland needed a strong ally.
EXT. TOP OF KNOLL - NIGHT
Keane drops the binoculars and stares at Gannon in disbelief.
KEANE
You believe the Germans will beat the
British and then hand you Ireland as
a gift?
In the BACKGROUND forty yards away Obberfuhrer Muller and SS Bauer exit the cottage. Look around and start toward the three Irishmen just as an
EXPLOSION and a huge ball of flame comes from below. Keane shields his eyes and looks down at the cove and sees.
HIS SLOOP 'HOOLIGAN' GO UP IN FLAMES
A LONE FIGURE leaps off the end of the pier, races across the sand and starts up the ZIG-ZAG path to the cottage.
On the knoll Keane looks at Gannon.
KEANE
Blowing up my boat. That was your idea to help me reach a speedy decision.
(off Gannon’s nod)
Well, I've decided.
The Cleary brothers exchange hopeful looks. Keane, speaks slowly, measuring every word as the fury builds within him.
KEANE (CONT)
While Fione lay dying she made me promise. She made me vow. No more killing. Even made me cross my heart, she did.
(he crosses his heart)
But now.
Seamus waits with enthusiasm. Gannon is wary as Keane inches closer.
KEANE (CONT)
But for you Gannon Cleary.
Keane looks out at his burning sloop.
KEANE (CONT)
I'm going to make an exception.
Seamus lets out a cheer. Keane whirls and with a quick kick to the knee Seamus is
on the ground and his rifle is in Keane’s hand aiming at Gannon’s heart.
KEANE (CONT)
You are a fuckin' son-of-a …
A horrible CRACK as a rifle butt THUDS into Keane’s SKULL.
Keane crumbles. SS Bauer steps out of the shadows and gives Keane’s unconscious
body a ‘pay-back’ smile. Obberfuhrer Muller joins him and to Gannon…
MULLER
He made his choice.
(to Bauer )
Kill him.
SS Vogel races across the bluff panting. He salutes Obberfuhrer Muller.
VOGEL
Sir the sloop has been…
SS Vogel stares down at Keane’s body. He grins and watches eagerly at the execution about to take place. Seamus struggles back to his feet holding his knee.
With relish, SS Bauer takes aim at Keane’s temple.
Gannon steps forward and gently moves the nozzle away the target. Bauer glares and looks to Obberfuhrer Muller…
Pointing to Keane, Gannon addresses the Obberfuhrer in a quiet, reasonable voice.
GANNON
With him a prisoner you'll have no problems with the children.
And you’ll have someone to greet any unexpected guests.
The Obberfuhrer nods agreement. SS Bauer and Vogel step back in obvious disappointment. Obberfuhrer Muller looks to Seamus and Gannon.
MULLER
You are correct. Herr Keane may still have his
uses. However. . . you gentlemen… do not.
(nods to Bauer and Vogel)
Tote sie. [Kill them.]
With undisguised pleasure, Bauer and Vogel open fire. The CRASH OF WAVES and WIND drown out the barrage of bullets.
EXT. THREE HUNDRED FOOT CLIFF
While SS Bauer grabs the arms, SS Vogel grabs the legs of Gannon and fling his body off the cliff into the rocks and waves below. Then they reach for Seamus.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE SEQUENCE – NIGHT
A) The BEACH - is alive. DARKENED FIGURES race everywhere, aided by
by hooded lights and the moon. Two Sailors stack a S-Mine canisters in
a pyramid on the beach.
B) U-BOAT 22 CONNING TOWER – Kaptain Huber watches THREE SEAMEN
push a torpedo up the pontoon pier to his submarine.
C) BEHIND THE COTTAGE - SS Bauer and SS Vogel drag Keane unceremoniously by his feet into a CLUTTERED, TOOL SHED near the ANIMAL PENS. Bauer ties Keane’s hands TIGHTLY and together they lift Keane and hang him on a wall.
D) INSIDE THE COTTAGE Shannon and Claire have prepared a sparse meal and left it on the table. Unguarded for a moment, Shannon takes a knife and a cleaver from a drawer, Claire pulls a stack of dishes from a cupboard and they both hurry into their bedroom.
E) HORSESHOE SHAPED COVE Connor and Egan help a group of SAILORS pull a camouflage net over a stack of crates and canvass duffel bags.
F) RICKETY PIER - Just a skeleton of burning wood remains of the sloop Hooligan.
INT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
Obberfuhrer Muller and the three SS enter hungry after an evening of murder and mayhem. They headed for the table of food but are interrupted by Shannon and Claire.
SHANNON
Where is our father and our brothers?
Obberfuhrer doesn’t miss a beat answering assertively…
MULLER
They are all on the beach…helping.
Thank you for the meal. We won’t take long
and then you can clean up.
SHANNON
We are chefs. We do not do dishes.
She takes Claire by the hand, and they start to walk into their bedroom BUT…
Claire grabs her BIRTHDAY QUILT from the table in passing.
INT. GIRLS BEDROOM
There are two beds separated by a dresser with the statue the VIRGIN MARY.
While Claire spreads her quilt on her bed. Shannon takes the chair from the writing
desk and jams the back under the doorknob.
EXT. HORSESHOE COVE - BEACH – NIGHT
Egan and Connor are filthy and exhausted. They watch with different emotions as
the last parts of THE HOOLIGAN CRACKLE and burn.
EGAN
Da’s, not going to be happy about that.
CONNOR
Da’s not happy about most things. And
my best clothes and shoes just burned up
with the boat.
Egan
I am sorry about that. But did you see how fast
Da took the rifle from that Nazi.
CONNOR
Aye, and I saw him hand it right back.
A GUN BARREL held by nervous SEAMAN FISCHER, appears above Egan’s ear.
Seaman Fisher is young; he tries to be a bad ass but he’s a sailor not a solider.
FISCHER (OS)
Schnell! Schnell.
Connor and Egan go back to digging holes. Under his breath…
EGAN
So, these be you’re new mates, big brother.
Connor goes back to digging holes with a new fury. Two sailors follow closely
setting single S-Mine canisters vertically into the void. Further down the beach …
The two U-boat Kapitans Wagner and Huber stand next to a rubber assault raft.
They turn to the SIZZLE of extinguishing wood as the mast of the sloop Hooligan disappears under water.
HUBER
Were you told this island was occupied?
(off Wagner’s no)
Me neither. It complicates matters. The
Obberfuhrer and the SS enjoy killing. Right now
near Hamburg, two more supply ships are being
loaded to come here. This island could make
all the difference in the Atlantic war effort. But,
if the Keane family were to suddenly disappear…
WAGNER
I’m not one for killing children. I have children. Three daughters. One who’s life’s
ambition is to drive me crazy...
(smiles)
And I admit is my favorite. The Irish are about family and they’re a nosey bunch…If they suspect something is going on on this island, they’ll tell the English and the English Navy will be crawling all over this rock in hours. This depot exposed. And this arsenal will become theirs.
HUBER
I doubt SS won't kill them if we leave a few of our own men here to watch over the family but, except for
(points Sailor on shore)
Seaman Lang, my men are already aboard.
WAGNER
I'll take care of it. I’ve two good men who
won’t mind joining Lang and having a bit of shore duty on a beach in Ireland.
Kapitan Huber looks around. Searching the beach.
HUBER
And speaking of the Irish will the brothers be sailing
with you or me?
THE BEACH LATER
Kapitan Wagner and Obberfuhrer Muller walk slowly along the sand.
WAGNER
I will leave three men. Then yours
can watch the family. While mine
guard the munitions.
Obberfuhrer Muller is not much on taking suggestions and Kapitan Wagner knows it. Wagner hopes he hasn’t overstepped his bounds.
MULLER
Fine.
WAGNER
And the other Irish? The Cleary brother are they to sail with…
MULLER
They are still talking with Keane. They
will leave with me at dawn.
INT. COTTAGE - GIRLS BEDROOM – NIGHT
A single CANDLE flickers in the room.
The bedrooms been transformed into a fortress. The dresser and the Virgin Mary have joined the chair blocking the door. Both beds have been shoved together behind them.
The small window is now stuffed with a pillow. Dishes have been jammed in spaces between the frame and pillow. A primitive alarm system. Anyone trying to enter
through the window would send the dishes CRASHING to the floor.
Claire is no longer in her party dress. She in overalls and checkered shirt. Shannon wears dark, blue-denim pants and a blood red crew neck cardigan sweater
The girls lay on bed facing each other. From under Claire’s pillow glints the tip of a KINFE BLADE. Shannon’s fingers are wrapped around the handle of a CLEAVER.
EXT. U-SHAPPED COVE - BEACH - NIGHT
SEAMEN BOHM AND LANG both young and a bit over-weight and consequently good friends, stand several feet from a RUBBER RAFT. We join them in mid-sentence Lang pointing to the rifle on his shoulder.
LANG
...Again you have all the luck.
Now they’ve made me a soldier.
BOHM
And when I get back you’ll be tan and
well-fed. While I’ll be starving and
(rubs his stomach)
still look like a powdered donut.
LANG
I miss the days in our bakery.
They shake hands, Seaman Bohm turns and walks toward the rubber raft.
PONTOON DOCK – NIGHT
The Obberfuhrer watches Kaptain Huber and Seaman Bohm row to a U-boat 22.
He taps the face of his watch says to SS Bauer…
MULLER
U-boat 22 is leaving. The merchant ship
must sail before dawn. I will leave on U-boat 15.
And you will be in charge of this…
(gestures around the cove)
The newest acquisition of the Third Reich.
SS Bauer snaps to attention, salutes, then hurries off. With a satisfied smile the Obberfuhrer surveys the island and mumbles to no one...
OBBERFUHRER MULLER
Of course this isn’t Poland.
FADE TO:
EXT. U- SHAPED COVE - DAWN
Far out at sea the MERCHANT SHIP, a mere speck, disappears into a BANK OF FOG.
EXT. BEACH
On one end are several huge piles of CRATES, covered with camouflage nets. Kapitan Wagner waits anxiously by the last RUBBER RAFT. Two SEAMEN wait at the oars.
Obberfuhrer Muller and SS Bauer are huddled thirty yards away.
Kapitan Wagner points to the rising sun. And mumbles…
WAGNER
I’ll be damned if I’m going to expose my
men or my ship because of those assholes.
(shouts to the Obberfuhrer )
We must leave.
Muller nonchalantly waves, then takes Bauer by the arm.
MULLER
We will return in four days. As soon as you
have completed all the preparations …
kill everyone.
BAUER
Even the sailors?
Muller looks over his shoulder and watches an impatient Kaptain Wagner climbs into the raft.
MULLER
Everyone. Recruits, especially sailors
talk to too many, too often. No one must
know of this island.
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