50. Yearning Ears - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. A HOLD IN THE MARIA DRAKE - DUSK


• Small bare FEET walk carefully along the wooden planks of the dark hold, carefully avoiding chains on the filthy floor.


• The feet belong to a SMALL GIRL in a dirty shift, slowly weaving her way between the bodies packed into the ship's belly, as it groans its way along the middle passage.


• As she walks, she sings softly in an ancient language, the haunting melody causing the men and women she moves between to weep and reach for her.


• INT. THE DECK OF THE MARIA DRAKE - DUSK


• CAPTAIN WILLIAM MACEY paces the deck, in small agitated steps.


• ROBERT ATWOOD, his first mate walks behind him.


• ROBERT ATWOOD
• Sir, it's fine sir, she's harming no one. And some of the men find her voice comforting.


• CAPTAIN WILLIAM MACEY
• I won't have it, there's something dark about those words; good Christian men have no need of heathen...


• ROBERT ATWOOD
• Sir, please, she's just a child.


• A soft voice surprises them, and they spin. The girl stands on the deck, staring at the captain.


• His mouth opens and he searches for words, fear playing in his eyes.


• She begins to sing to him, walking slowly towards him.


• His eyes and shoulders relax as she walks nearer.


• The captain can't take his eyes off of her, the words enchanting him.


• His first mate slips closer.


• ROBERT ATWOOD
• See sir, there's nothing wrong.


• The spell breaks, and William Macey's eyes flash around the deck. His men stand still, entranced.


• He pulls a large pistol from his belt and carefully takes aim, then fires.


• The ball hits the girl in the chest, tearing words from her lips.


• She falls to the deck.


• Macey points at a sailor.


• CAPTAIN WILLIAM MACEY
• Overboard.


• He turns away, walking in longer strides.


• The first mate stares as the girl's body is lifted and thrown into the Atlantic.


• There is a shriek from deep in the boat, then voices from the holds collectively rise in ululating cries.


• The first mate clutches the deck, and watches as the little body disappears into the dark.


• FADE TO BLACK.