113    EXT. UNDERWATER – DAY                                                                                     113

 

Deep under the Atlantic.  We EXPLORE the underwater world.  Then, a cigar-shaped craft eases INTO

PICTURE.  The Deep Quest, the Navy’s newest deep-sea submersible for observation and marine research,

intricate electronic and communications equipment, a four-man crew.  At present, MUNK, MERKER AND WOODSON are at Central Station, a computer panel just under a glass-viewing screen, revealing a spotlighted

ocean floor.  WILLIS in aft sphere.

 

114    INT. DEEP QUEST                                                                                                      114

 

MERKER

What’s out depth?

 

MUNK

Twelve thousand four hundred

twenty . . .

 

MERKER

Six thousand pounds to the square

inch.  One of these day that

water’s gonna mash us like bugs.

 

WOODSON

What are you complaining about?  We’ve

been a lot deeper than this.

 

MUNK

Fifteen thousand two hundred and

eighty.  That was before your time.

 

MERKER

Yea, I know what the stats say, but

we all have a right to complain – cruising

around down here in this tin can. 

Looking for what?

 

WOODSON

Looking for whatever is down here,

it says.

 

MERKER

I’m so punchy I can’t hit the ground

with my hat.  Another week in this

thing and I’ll be talking to the

potted plants.

 

MUNK

We don’t have any potted plants.

 

MERKER

You got the picture.

 

A signal light flashes.  Woodson flips the switch.

 

WILLIS

(into mike)

Yes, sir . . . Yes, sir . . . Roger . . .

Out.

(cuts off U.Q.C.;

turns to Merker)

Hate to spoil your fun, but we’re

going upstairs.  Pitt’s coming in.

 

MUNK

Good.  Maybe we’ll find out what

we’re looking for.

 

MERKER

Don’t count on it.

 

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