Scene 01
Next to the whiteboards, a large TV plays footage of underwater deep-sea videos. The table is scattered with maps, photos of sea creatures, empty wine bottles. A warm night. The conversation is easy.
Sam
Your grandfather is a funny man, Gerard. I could tell you a story or two from when we worked together. I am not at all surprised you've become such an adventurous grandson.
Laurence
(laughs)
I can only imagine what you two must have gotten up to. I didn't even know about you until last week when he said you'd mentioned wanting to explore and document the trench. Shame he's too old to be here.
Sam
He's not old! Look at me! Ticking one off the bucket list! He just wants to sit back at home watching the golf tournament all day!
Laurence
He's doing his best. He hasn't been the same since my mum died.
Sam
(a bit softer)
I'll try and call him again later, let him know how things are going. He's always been proud of you and your school friend—
Sam glances over at Gerard.
Sam
—following your dreams and doing documentaries about what you love. You've explored the most remote places on earth. This is a big one for you guys, and I'm delighted I can make it happen. So… what's the latest?
Gerard
Well, the boat and our specially designed submarine to cope with the pressure— well, Laurence hopes!
Laurence laughs.
Gerard
—is arriving tomorrow morning at the port.
Hayden—Gerard's younger brother, nineteen, covered in tattoos—comes running out of the pool soaking wet. He loses his balance and almost slips to the ground, but stabilises dramatically just before the table, right next to Laurence.
Hayden
What type of shit can you find down there? Can you leave something down there to confuse the next people that go searching? Haha, imagine that! Or maybe you'll stay down there, move in with SpongeBob and work at the Krusty Krab. Get a real job.
Laurence
Maybe I'll take you with me and leave you down there. You look enough like Squidward.
Laurence gets irritated by Hayden's sarcastic comments—but Hayden actually looks up to Laurence. Laurence thinks Hayden dislikes him because of his jokes.
Stephanie
Alright you two! Have we sorted how we are getting there tomorrow? I have all my equipment here and Hayden volunteered to help carry it all—right, Hayden!?
Stephanie smirks at Hayden, who awkwardly smiles back, blushes, and runs to the pool and bombs in.
The focus returns to the table. Plenty of empty bottles of wine. Scattered pictures of sea creatures and maps. Sam pours himself a big glass of red wine.
Stephanie
(smiles)
I should go to bed. Big day tomorrow.
Stephanie stands up and leaves the table, heading inside the house. Laurence and Gerard start collecting the pictures and cleaning up the empty glasses.
The focus drifts to the TV, playing underwater film footage of deep-sea creatures.