SCREENPLAY

FICTIONAL FEATURE "LUKE THE MERMAN"

PLOT: LILY; A COLLEGE STUDENT MEETS a stuttering MYSTERIOUS MERMAN after an attempt drowning imposed by an old bully. The relationship between a stuttering merman and a female human grows; despite repercussions in merman couple culture.

LOCATIONS:

- "DUNE"; the location in which the story is set. Coastal, sunny and windy town. Nice people; busy village-type city; business everywhere. Home to locations such as DUNE UNIVERSITY, LILY'S APARTMENT, holds part of PACIFIC OCEAN etc.

CHARACTERS:

- LILY: university student; studying English literature; caring; loving; protective; has a crush on LUKE; fear of water; lean weight; brown hair; blue eyes, 24 years

- LUKE MERMAN: black hair, blue eyes; purple tail; strong build merman; loves LILY; has a crush a LILY; caring; protective; stutterer; 25 years; sensitive

- FARKLE MERMAN: Luke MERMAN's father; merman; protective; family-oriented; kind; respectful; grey hair; blue eyes; purple tail, 57 years

- GLORY: Luke MERMAN's older sister; mermaid; protective; loving; caring; respectful; kind, 27 years

- OPAL: studying English literature; caring; friendly; stubborn; chubby; daredevil, brown hair, blue eyes

- KINGSTON: merman; GLORY's love interest; blue tail; brown hair; blue eyes, protective; leaderlike

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INT. LECTURE HALL - DUNE UNIVERSITY

(DUNE UNIVERSITY. Lily is at her university lecture class; wearing a pink tshirt, black jeans and pink sneakers; in which she is studying English Literature. She watches her friend named OPAL; with with whom she has known since elementary school; with whom is wearing a black short dress; and black sandals; walk inside the classroom lecture; late. The professor notice OPAL's late arrival to the classroom; and is utmost displeased)

PROFESSOR

(Annoyed; to OPAL) Always late I see... Every lecture you're always late..

OPAL

(apologises to PROFESSOR) Sorry professor... Personal reasons... I'm sorry..

PROFESSOR

(annoyed; to OPAL) I mean... it's your education you're stuffing up..

(OPAL listens to the professor and looks at her friend LILY and smiles. OPAL makes her way to the two-seater desk; and sits beside her friend LILY. The lecture continues; whilst OPAL and LILY talk softly to each other; ensuring they do not disturb the class)

OPAL

(whispers; to LILY) How was your morning Lily?...

LILY

(whispers; to OPAL) Alright... same old... same old...

OPAL

(whispers; to LILY) I was thinking... after the lecture this morning... Let's buy some fish and chips by the beach.. It'll be fine..

(LILY's fear kicks in; the fear of water and swimming itself. LILY starts to shake her head in fear; Opal attempts to comfort her friend LILY)

OPAL

(comforts )LILY) Lily... it's okay...

LILY

(fearful; to OPAL) Opal... We're not swimming... We're just going to have lunch okay... We're just going to have lunch..

OPAL

(comforts LILY) Yes sure... Just fish and chips... But Lily; as your friend... I want you to get rid of this fear... the water... it's not a good fear to have.. The water isn't that scary... It's perfect for a summers day...

LILY

(smiles; to OPAL) Drinking water yes... Swimming in water... too scary... after some boy tried to drown me in the pool at swimming carnival that day... Do you remember?

OPAL

(comforts LILY) Yes I remember Lily... But that' when we were kids.. Who knows... whilst we're at college studying... he's probably stuck in a toilet wiping toilets for all we know...

(LILY smiles at OPAL's comments)

LILY

(smiles; to OPAL) Yeah...

OPAL

(comforts LILY) It'll be fun Lily... It'll be so good...

LILY

(breathes; to OPAL) Okay... let's... let's do it...

(OPAL & LILY smile at each other; then continue listening to the remaining of their lecture regarding their ENGLISH LITERATURE degree. The scene ends)

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INT. DUNE BEACH

(OPAL & LILY are sitting on the rusty-yellow sand on a pink beach towel; whilst they are eating their fish and chips. OPAL smiles in delight as she watches the waves of the beach flow)

OPAL

(smiles; to LILY) OH those waves... those waves are just superb... damn... Imagine being a marine animal... it would be so nice... so different... I'd love being a seal.. I'll tell you that...

(Lily doesn't look at the waves; as the fear of water and swimming itself make her panic. OPAL comforts LILY)

OPAL

(comforts LILY) Lily... The waves aren't going to hurt you... I promise you that...

LILY

(worried; to OPAL) Yeah I know...I know... it's just... You know...

(OPAL is confused)

OPAL

(confused; to OPAL) No I don't... I don't know.. What are you trying to say?

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) It's just all those tsunami movies I've watched... at the beaches... freaky cyclones... it's scary...

OPAL

(Smiles; to LILY) Lily... it's not going to happen today..

LILY

(questions OPAL) How do you know that OPAL? How? (chuckles) Can you see the future?

OPAL

(smiles; to LILY) Possibly... possibly...

(OPAL and LILY giggle with each other. LILY and OPAL finish their share of fish and chips. Opal burps)

OPAL

(chuckles; to LILY) Oh... sorry... Sorry for that burp...

LILY

(chuckles; to OPAL) You are such a grot... I swear... How are the boys going to find you attractive?

OPAL

(chuckles; to LILY) Oh I'll find a grubby boy for myself...

(OPAL and LILY giggle at each other. A pause)

OPAL

(to LILY) Lily... I really want to help you overcome your fear of the water...

(LILY questions what her friend is up to; her friend's motives)

LILY

(questions OPAL) What are you up to Opal?

OPAL

(to LILY) I really want to help you overcome this Lily.. It's so very important to swim... it is so important... It's dangerous if you can't....

(LILY starts to become overwhelmed)

LILY

(overwhelmed; to OPAL) Opal... please...

(OPAL persists)

LILY

(overwhelmed; to OPAL) Opal... please... stop..

(OPAL persists)

OPAL

(persists LILY) Please LILY... I won't let anything happen to you... I promise... I won't...

LILY

(shakes head; to OPAL) No Opal... No...

(LILY becomes even more overwhelmed. OPAL continues to persist LILY)

OPAL

(begs LILY) Please... I'm begging you... please... please...

(LILY doesn't respond)

OPAL

(begs LILY) Please... DO IT... DO IT... DO IT...

(LILY becomes overly overwhelmed and becomes enraged at her friend)

LILY

(enraged; to OPAL) NO OPAL... NO OPAL... (furious) I SAID NO...

(OPAL is startled yet shocked of her friend's yelling at her. A pause)

OPAL

(saddened; to LILY) Sorry... It's just... never mind...

(LILY feels bad for yelling at her friend OPAL; yet wants to please her friend at the same time)

LILY

(cries; to OPAL) Fine... okay...

(OPAL questions to what LILY is about to say)

OPAL

(saddened; tp LILY) What...

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) You promise... you promise nothing bad will happen...

OPAL

(assures LILY) I promise Lily.. I promise...

LILY

(cries; to OPAL) Let's do it... But please be by my side... please... Please...

OPAL

(assures LILY) I will... I will..

(LILY stands up in fear; and prepares to comfort it. LILY helps her friend OPAL up by her hand. Opal fully stands up next to her friend LILY)

OPAL

(thankful; to LILY) Thanks Lily... thanks... (excited) Let's go...

(A fearful LILY follows her friend OPAL to the waves)

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INT. OCEAN WAVES - DUNE BEACH

(OPAL smiles at LILY)

OPAL

(smiles; to LILY) Okay... we are here... We are here... (looks at LILY) Now hold my hand...

(LILY holds OPAL's hand; and begins to get scared. OPAL automatically comforts her friend LILY)

OPAL

(assures LILY) Okay... Okay... Now look at me... and breathe... Breathe...

(OPAL breathes; LILY breathes with her and starts crying0

OPAL

(comforts LILY) Lily... it's okay... it's okay...

(A mysterious girl and her shirtless boyfriend laugh at LILY's apparent fear of the water. LILY notices and becomes more upset)

OPAL

(to LILY) Ignore them Lily... Ignore the bullies... You are going to do this...

(LILY cries and wipes her tears. She breathes once again; and tries to keep calm despite her fear)

OPAL

(breathes; to LILY) It's okay... You are going to do this... Let's do it together...

(LILY breathes and takes her pink joggers off; then her white socks)

LILY

(upset; to OPAL) If I knew I was going to swim; I would've brought my swimmers...

OPAL

(to LILY) Yeah... I should have to... (comforts LILY) Now one step... Take one step...

(LILY closes her eyes; breathes and takes a step near the waves. She panics as she opens her eyes)

OPAL

(comforts LILY) You're doing well LILY... You're doing well. Close your eyes and we'll do this again... and hop into the water..

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) Okay... okay...

(OPAL helps and walks LILY inside the full ocean waves; by the hand)

OPAL

(comforts LILY) You're doing well Lily... Doing very well... Keep going...

(A rush of waves hits Lily's waves... She panics and shakes)

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) What was... what was that?

OPAL

(comforts LILY) It's just the waves Lily... it's just the waves... Breathe... Breathe... and relax... It won't hurt you...

LILY

(concerned; to OPAL) Okay.... Okay...

(LILY's eyes are still closed; as OPAL guides her further into the water. The mysterious girl and her shirtless husband continue to laugh at LILY's fear. Lily becomes aggravated; Opal notices)

OPAL

(focused on LILY) Ignore them... Ignore them... (assures Lily) you're doing well Lily... You are doing extremely well... So well.. You're doing awesome LILY... You're doing so awesome... Keep going... keep pushing and fighting that fear....

(LILY ignores the bully couple; and continues on focusing to fight her fear of water and swimming. OPAL guides LILY closer inside the waves of the ocean.)

OPAL

(to LILY) Okay Lily... Now we are going to bend down... Breathe... Breathe...

(LILY fears bending down on and near the water. She instantly panics)

LILY

(panicking; to OPAL) Oh... oh... no... oh no...

OPAL

(Comforts LILY) Lily... it's okay... it's okay... it's going to be okay...

(LILY listens to OPAL)

OPAL

(assures LILY) It's okay... it's going to be fine.. I promise...

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) Okay... okay... okay..

(LILY LISTENS TO HER TRUSTING FRIEND OPAL; AND BENDS DOWN TO THE WATER WHERE HER LEGS ARE SOAKED UNDER THE OCEAN WATER. SHE SHAKES; OPAL HOLDS LILY)

OPAL

(smiles; to LILY) You're doing so well LILY.. You are doing so well... You're doing so good... You're doing well...

(LILY smiles at her achievement; and OPAL's satisfaction of herself. LILY continues to smile)

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) Okay... okay... We did this... Can I get out now... Can I???

OPAL

(smiles; to LILY) We just got in here... We just... come on... a few more minutes...

LILY

(scared; to OPAL) Okay... okay... okay...

(LILY breathes and remains calm; as she remains bent down towards the ocean water... suddenly the mysterious girl's boyfriend comes towards OPAL; punching her out. LILY notices and gets scared)

LILY

(scared; to unconscious OPAL) Opal... Opal... Opal...

(OPAL is completely unconscious; the mysterious girl pulls OPAL out forcefully out of the water. LILY screams as the shirtless KURTIS comes near LILY; LILY notices KURTIS from childhood - the boy who tried to drown her at elementary school swimming carnival)

LILY

(scared; to KURTIS) No.... no... No... please...

KURTIS

(sadistic; to LILY) Long time no see LILY girl... Water scared freak girl.. Round 2 eh...

(LILY begs for her life)

LILY

(scared; to KURTIS) No... no KURTIS... no please.. Please... I'm scared.. I'm....

(KURTIS hops inside the ocean; forcefully dragging LILY out further to the waves; LILY fears the water and her life itself; and screams as she gets dragged out further. Lily continues to beg for her life; as she screams louder and louder. The beach is a no-lifeguard beach; every other beach spectator watches and does nothing)

LILY

(screams in fear; to KURTIS) No... no please... Please don't hurt me.. Let me... Let me...

(FURTHER INSIDE THE OCEAN: KURTIS forces Lily's head deep underwater; LILY struggles to breathe and drowns; she has a fearful expression on her face in the water; scared of death herself. She tries to break free; but KURTIS forcefully avoids her release. A minute later; a massive large wave hits LILY as KURTIS avoids the big rip. The rift catches LILY as she is forcefully dragged out past the red/yellow flags; and puts her head out of water; screaming as she tries to swim back. The current is too strong; and drags her further out to the deep ocean. LILY screams in fear; as the sight of land is no longer seen)

LILY

(screams) HELP ME... ANYONE... HELP ME...

(LILY screams in the deep water as she dog paddles; scared of the only sight of endless ocean)

LILY

(screams for her life) HELP ME... I'm dead.. I'm dead...

(SUDDENLY a shark grabs LILY's leg underwater; and forcefully pulls her to the shark cavern underwater to be eaten. LILY panics underwater; and falls unconscious. Suddenly a mysterious merman with a purple tail; notices LILY under attack underwater. THE merman falls in deep aspiration for the woman; and swims his tail closely to the drowning Lily. The merman swims closer to the shark who has caught LILY; the shark notices the merman. THE MERMAN uses his brute strength by his merman stature; breaking the shark's tail and fins. The shark groans from broken bones; and swims far away from the merman in fear. The merman looks closely at the unconscious LILY; and identifies her as a biological woman; and instantly falls in love with her. The merman puts the unconscious LILY on his bare-back; as he swims to an abandoned island above ground)

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INT. ABANDONED ISLAND - PACIFIC OCEAN

(THE MERMAN by the name of LUKE MERMAN; arrives at an abandoned island with his head underwater; with LILY on his bare-back. LUKE MERMAN lifts himself up to the small circle-land area on the abandoned island; and carefully grabs the unconscious LILY from his back by his hands; and lays her carefully down on the circular-land area. LUKE MERMAN sits up on the circle-land area; and rests his purple tail underwater)

LUKE MERMAN

(to unconscious LILY) Hello... woman.. You're no mermaid... human person.. human..

(LILY looks at LILY's feet; and holds them both; intrigued for the first time in seeing feet for the first time in his life. Two seconds later; LILY wakes up; and notices of what she sees as a shirtless man by her side; holding her feet on an abandoned island. She becomes terrified)

LILY

(shouts to LUKE MERMAN) Who... who are you? Who... what the? Why are you out here in the middle of nowhere... The city is way far from here...

(LUKE is confused by the words LILY is saying)

LUKE MERMAN

(confused; to LILY) What... me not understand.. you...

(LILY notices LUKE MERMAN lift his large purple tail up; hitting the ocean seconds later. Lily is in complete shock; and identifies the man as an actual merman)

LILY

(shocked; to LUKE MERMAN) What the? You're not even human... you're a male mermaid... What the? I didn't think they exist...

(LUKE MERMAN speaks broken english language; and is a stutterer)

LUKE MERMAN

(confused; to LILY) Me... what... say... What you... what (points at mouth) say?..

LILY

(to LUKE MERMAN) Can you speak English?

LUKE MERMAN

(confused; to LILY) What eng-lish... What.. you say... woman... What say...

LILY

(to LUKE MERMAN) Yes... I'm a woman... and you...

(LILY notices LUKE MERMAN's strong purple tail lift up; and make a big bang on the water once again; creating a rift. LILY is in shock and fear; as she notices the rift creating a huge tide that will hit ashore to land)

LILY

(shouts at LUKE MERMAN) Stop that... Stop that...

(LUKE becomes upset; as he doesn't understand what LILY is saying to him. His tail makes another big splash on the ocean; creating a massive tide)

LILY

(shouts at LUKE MERMAN) You're going to kill people with that massive tide you're doing... STOP (points at tail) STOP THAT...

(LUKE realises LILY is talking about his purple tail; and stops banging the ocean with it)

LUKE MERMAN

(saddened; to LILY) Me... I not... under... I don't... nah... nah..

(LILY realises LUKE MERMAN is speaking broken english; as he is a complete merman with limited english language knowledge. Lily speaks calmly to LUKE)

LILY

(confused; to LUKE) I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I don't think you know what I'm saying... do you?

(LUKE MERMAN shrugs his shoulders; and is sad as he doesn't understand what LILY is saying to him)

LILY

(saddened; to LUKE MERMAN) Sorry... Sorry... I'm sorry...

(LILY puts her hand on LUKE MERMAN's barechest. LUKE signifies this as forgiveness in merman tradition; and smiles at LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Me... forgive you... Forgive...

(LILY realises LUKE MERMAN can understand sign language apart from limited english. She tries to speak and communicate with LUKE in sign language)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE MERMAN) It's nice to meet you...

(LUKE MERMAN shakes his head; unsure of what LILY is saying. LUKE is saddened; and puts his head down in sadness; of not understanding)

LILY

(worried; to LUKE MERMAN) What's wrong... you don't understand what I'm saying...

(LUKE MERMAN shakes his head)

LILY

(to LUKE) I'm sorry... We've both got a lot to learn... We both do..

(LUKE MERMAN wishes to hug LILY; and lifts his arms out; and signifies a hug to LILY)

LILY

(questions LUKE) You want a hug... You want one...

(LUKE doesn't understand what LILY has just said; and has his arms still out; wanting a hug)

LILY

(to LUKE) I guess that means yes... eh?

(LILY hugs LUKE. LUKE hugs LILY with romantic affection; and smiles in love. He doesn't want to let go; Lily notices this)

LILY

(hugging LUKE) Okay... Okay... I think that's enough...

(LUKE doesn't understand what Lily just said; and continues hugging her. Lily notices Luke's misunderstanding; Lily lets herself out of Luke's arms. Luke smiles as he looks at LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Good... Good... Good... Fela.. Felt...

LILY

(confused; to LUKE) Fela... What's FELA?

(LUKE MERMAN NOTICES LILY'S CONFUSION. LUKE PUTS HIS HAND UNDERWATER; AND SQUEEZES A GOLDFISH TO DEATH WITH HIS BARE STRENGTH; AND GRABS THE DEAD GOLDFISH AND SHOWS IT TO LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Fela... Fela...

(Lily is shocked by LUKE's wild tendencies; as LUKE eats the goldfish raw and burps thereafter. LUKE smiles in delight)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Yum... yuma... yum...

(LILY looks out at the ocean; realising she is much far away from land. LUKE MERMAN grabs another goldfish under water; squeezing it to death; grabbing it out of water; and consuming it. He burps again. LILY considers questioning LUKE about her whereabouts; but worries he may not understand; but tries thereof)

LILY

(questions LUKE) Um.. Where are we? Do you know where we are? Do you know this location? Or?

(LUKE shakes his head; not understanding Lily's question. Lily fears she is stuck far away from land; not being able to attend her university lectures.. Luke wishes to kiss LILY on the lips; LILY lets LUKE kiss him. LUKE smiles in love)

LUKE

(smiles; to LILY) Me... me like... (points at LILY) You...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) I like you to... Me like you too...

(LUKE smiles. Thunder arrives; Lily is worried; Luke doesn't really care; and continues looking at the sky)

LUKE MERMAN

(to himself) Natha...

LILY

(confused; to LUKE) Natha...

(LUKE MERMAN points at his ears; then the sky)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) NATHA... Natha..

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Oh natha... natha is thunder...

(LUKE MERMAN is confused as to what "thunder" is. Lily realises this and avoids explaining to LUKE MERMAN what thunder is)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE MERMAN) Nevermind...

(LILY shakes her head; Luke Merman signifies this as "DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT" in merman culture and tradition. He then stares at LILY with romantic affection; Lily notices and looks at LUKE's strong purple tail in which he lifts out of water; LUKE notices)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) You have a beautiful tail...

(LUKE is confused to what "tail" is. Lily points at Luke's strong purple tail)

LILY

(points tail to LUKE) Tail.... Tail...

LUKE MERMAN

(confused) Not tail. It my LITE.

LILY

(points tail to LUKE) Lite...

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Yeah... yeah...

(Lily smiles at LUKE; addressing his tail by his definition 'Lite,' by mermaid traditions and culture. Luke grabs Lily's hand as he lifts his tail above shore; and allows Lily to pat his tail. The texture of the tail; is hard-like stone; with fearsome strength and bones attached to it)

LILY

(patting tail) Woah... it's... it's...

(LUKE smiles as he feels the sensation of LILY patting his tail)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Woah... your lite... is...

(LILY smiles at LUKE: Luke recognises Lily's amazement)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) My lite.. is... im-tant...

(LUKE struggles to say the word "important" to LILY; describing his tail. Lily understands what LUKE is trying to say)

LILY

(clarifies; to LUKE) Important...

(LUKE understands the word "IMPORTANT' and nods his head)

LUKE MERMAN

(nods head) Yeah... I must... look after it...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yes... yes you mist do..

(Lily continues looking at LUKE's hard-textured bone-like purple tail. Lily tries again to ask LUKE MERMAN for directions back to ashore; but ultimately knows it will be a fail. She tries speaking in stutter; hoping LUKE will understand her)

LILY

(questions LUKE) I... my... land... I need... get... to... land... Understand?

(LUKE begins to sob; as he doesn't understand what LILY is trying to say; and puts his head down. LILY notices LUKE's miscomprehension of her words. Lily gives up; and accepts staying on the abandoned island for ever long she is there; and forgets her university lecture classes. She worries about her friend OPAL; after being knocked out by the bully CURTIS)

LILY

(assures LUKE) Hey... it's okay... Don't worry about it...

(LUKE still feels saddened; at not being able to understand LILY. LILY attempts to comfort LUKE; by putting her hand on LUKE's bare shoulder; stroking it)

LILY

(assures LUKE) It's okay... It's...

(LUKE notices the "stroking" as a calming technique; as identified in his merman traditions and culture. LUKE automatically hugs LUKE out of the blue; and feels LUKE's intense, higher-evolved human strength within his biology. LILY is shocked by the day she has had; by the fact she has met a merman; with which she thought were not real. Lily pats LUKE on the back; as LUKE hugs her)

LILY

(pats LUKE's back) It's okay... it's okay...

(LILY hears LUKE lift his purple tail up from underwater; smacking the ocean hard with it; due to his emotional romantic affection he feels within LILY. LILY is stunned by the noise; yet still allows LUKE to hug her. Lily lets go minutes later. HOURS PASS - IT IS 9PM at night; LILY becomes tired... and yawns)

LILY

(yawns; to LUKE) Tired...

(LUKE is yet confused of the meaning of 'tired.' LUKE watches Lily's eyes struggle to stay open; and identifies LILY is becoming sleepy and wishes to sleep. LUKE holds Lily like a baby; and feels intensely protective of her. Lily questions LUKE's motives)

LILY

(concerned; to LUKE) What... what are you doing?

LUKE MERMAN

(questions LILY) You... you sleepy? (rubs eyes to signify sleepiness)

LILY

(to LUKE) Yes... yes merman... sleepy... I want to sleep...

(LUKE MERMAN fears Lily's safety surrounding wild marine animals; whilst she sleeps on the circular-land area of the little island. LUKE MERMAN realises as human; Lily can not breathe underwater like he can; yet cannot survive underwater)

LILY

(Concerned; to LUKE) You okay...

(LUKE doesn't know what LILY has just said to him. He lays her down back on her back; on the small land area of the abandoned island)

LUKE

(alerts LILY) Be... back...

(LILY watches LUKE flip over high in the air by his tail; to dive underwater. LILY is both in awe and shock; as LUKE swims underwater to his residence; stealing a shell pillow his elder sister had created as a craft. He returns above water towards LILY up in the air; and sits on the island circular-land area besides LILY once again; resting his tail underwater. LILY notices a large shell sculpture in LUKE's hand and questions LUKE what it is he is holding)

LILY

(questions LUKE) What's that you've got holding there?

(LUKE doesn't understand LILY's question and doesn't respond. With LILY lying down on the island floor; LUKE carefully and tenderly lifts LILY's head up; and puts the shell pillow-like sculpture under LILY's head. LUKE then carefully lies Lily's head on the pillow-like shell sculpture. LILY is surprised with LILY's thinking abilities)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Oh thank you... That is utmost kind of you... thank you...

(LUKE is confused to what "THANK YOU" means; or any of the words in which Lily has just stated to him. He stares at her obsessively in love; Lily notices)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) I'm not sure if you know what "THANK YOU" means but thank you... You made a pillow for me... so creative... you mermans and mermaids must be artistic souls...

(LUKE doesn't understand LILY's words; but regards Lily's smile as a "thank you." A PAUSE. LUKE doesn't want LILY to leave; and begs her to stay via vocal and sign language communication)

LUKE MERMAN

(begs LILY) You... stay... with... (points at his heart) Me... plea...

(LILY realises LUKE tries to murmur the words "PLEASE." Lily clarifies)

LILY

(to LUKE) Stay with... (points at LUKE) You...

LUKE

(correctly says 'please') Please...

(LILY thinks back to her university studies and lectures; but reluctantly agrees with LUKE; not wanting to upset his sensitive soul)

LILY

(nods head) I will... stay...

(LUKE becomes overwhelmingly excited in love; and kisses her on the lips as she is still lying down. LILY smiles as she identifies the merman's love for her. LUKE obsessively watches Lily; as she falls asleep minutes later. Luke kisses her on the lips once again; and stares at her sleeping for 10 mins straight. SUDDENLY - LUKE MERMAN hears his father calling him from underwater. He kisses LILY on the lips one more time; and vows to return tomorrow morning... He flips backwards high up in the air; and dives underwater to his underwater home. The scene ends)

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INT. MERMAN COLONY - PACIFIC OCEAN

(LUKE MERMAN swims underwater to his residence; where he lives with his father; elder sister; and the other merman. gang. Luke swims to his grumpy father FARKLE; Farkle doesn't appear happy and is a very grumpy merman. Luke speaks in merman english language)

FARKLE

(grumpy; to LUKE) Luke... where have you been?

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to FARKLE) I'm back Paka... I'm back..

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE MERMAN) Goddamn bojo. Where were you? Not out to shark territory...

LUKE MERMAN

(lies; to FARKLE) No... not that...

(A mermaid with a purple tail by the name of GLORY; stumbles by LUKE. GLORY is the elder sister of LUKE)

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) Luke I think you were... I think you were... As your elder sister; I was concerned to about your whereabouts...

(LUKE breaks the truth to his father and elder sister)

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to FARKLE & GLORY) There was a girl that needed saving.. Some sharks would have killed her if I didn't kill them...

(GLORY & FARKLE look at LUKE MERMAN for further input on his whereabouts. Luke grows annoyed and breaks the truth)

LUKE

(annoyed; to FARKLE)... I liked the GIRL... She is a whole new language PAKA... A whole new language to learn...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE MERMAN) Stuff the humans... They destroy the planet with plastics in our ocean... There all climate destroyers... our lovely ocean has been polluted with their crap...

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) My little brother is falling in love... How sweet Luke...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE) Under my will; there's no way you're falling in love with a human... you're marrying a mermaid... not a female human...

(THIS UPSETS LUKE; as he becomes aggravated with his father)

LUKE

(shouts at FARKLE) No... I want to be with this GIRL... I WANT THIS GIRL... THIS WOMAN... I don't care if she is human... I DON'T CARE... I love her... I want her..

FARKLE

(shouts to LUKE) I MOUTHIN DON't CARE if you like her or not.... You live under this merman colony of mine, you respect my rules...

LUKE MERMAN

(enraged; to FARKLE) I CHOOSE WHO I WANT TO BE WITH... I CHOOSE...

FARKLE

(enraged; to LUKE) NOT UNDER MY waters..... You're marrying DAISY... You're marrying her...

LUKE MERMAN

(screams to FARKLE) No I'M NOT... I AM NOT MARRYING DAISY. I'M MARRYING THAT GIRL above water...

FARKLE

(shouts; to LUKE) THEN GET OUT... GET OUT OF MY COLONY... GET OUT... GO ON... NOW...

LUKE MERMAN

(enraged; to FARKLE) GOOD... I WILL... SCREW THIS FAMILY...

FARKLE

(shouts; to LUKE) Good... get out...

LUKE MERMAN

(furious; to FARKLE) Good. (swears) Mouthin YOU...

## SCREENWRITER'S NOTE - MERMAN LANGUAGE-ENGLISH LITERATURE IS APPLICABLE AND STATED IN THE INDEX OF THIS SCREENPLAY. PLEASE FIND ATTACHED TO BOTTOM ##

(LUKE MERMAN swims away at a fast pace in anger and annoyance of his father's wishes. Being the fastest merman in the colony; LUKE swims away in lightning speed. MEANWWHILE - GLORY is concerned of his younger brother's wellbeing; and looks at her father)

GLORY

(worried; to FARKLE) Dad... Luke might really like this girl... I know it's merman tradition... but you should let him be with who he wants to be...

FARKLE

(Annoyed; to GLORY) Like you said Glory... it's our tradition.. our merman tradition. Your brother knows this; and he is deliberately disrespecting our tradition.. it's disrespectful...

GLORY

(Saddened; to GLORY) I know but...

FARKLE

(smiles; to FARKLE) I found a good merman for you... DUNE... He treats you well... Soon you will bare little lido with him... Luke will too bear children with DAISY. Not this other girl he wants to be with... This human he wants to be with... Friggin hybrid grandlido I'll have if he was with her...

(GLORY disagrees with her father on his wishes for his son; and agrees-to-disagrees; avoiding arguments and confrontation)

GLORY

(saddened; to FARKLE) I know... I know... I might try to find Luke...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to GLORY) Leave it to tomorrow morning. He better not be with that girl again... Catch him tomorrow.. and bring him to me... He's not going to marry a "mouthin" human... Bugger him...

GLORY

(to FARKLE) Okay... I hope he will sleep safe tonight...

(GLORY swims to her seabed; and sleeps the night. FARKLE falls asleep minutes later on his seabed minutes late too. MEANWHILE - Luke falls asleep in an abandoned seabed location outside his colony. The scene closes)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. ABANDONED ISLAND - PACIFIC OCEAN

(IT IS 8AM in the morning. LUKE MERMAN swims above water; and notices the awake LILY on the small-circular land. Lily is shocked and stunned; LUKE is unhappy with his father regarding the merman culture and expectations he was brought up in)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Hey...

LUKE MERMAN

(saddened; to LILY) Hey...

(LUKE sits up on the small-circular land area on the abandoned island; beside LILY; yet again hanging his long, strong heavy-durable purple tail underwater. LILY notices LUKE's sadness)

LILY

(concerned; to LUKE) What... What's wrong? You seem sad...

(LUKE doesn't know what LILY said once again; and doesn't answer the question)

LUKE MERMAN

(questions Lily) Sleep... How... How sleep?

LILY

(clarifies question; to LUKE) Sleep... How was sleep?

(LUKE MERMAN nods his head regarding the question he asked; and awaits her answer)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Good... (nods head) Good...

(LUKE hugs Lily out of the blue; accidentally using brute strength in the process as he pulls her forward to his barechest. Lily is stunned by the pulling; yet feels the wet, damp skin of Luke's torso flooding her white blouse. SUDDENLY: Lily sees a large mermaid flip above water with a purple tail; then dives back underwater. Lily is shocked)

LILY

(shocked; to LUKE) What was that? Was that a mermaid???

(LUKE stops hugging Lily; and looks out at the ocean; and instantly knows his older sister is near; and is annoyed. LUKE speaks in merman english language fluently; Lily notices the change from slurred speech; to fluent speech in LUKE's voice)

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to GLORY) What are you doing GLORY? Go away.. go...

(GLORY makes herself seen; as she lifts her head above water. Lily notices the purple tail on GLORY)

LILY

(amazed; to LUKE) A mermaid.. (looks at LUKE) She's got the same tail as you...

(LUKE MERMAN smiles as LILY smiles; yet is annoyed with his elder sister's interription. GLORY swims closer to LILY; and possesses greater human English knowledge than her brother)

GLORY

(Smiles; to LILY) You must be the human my little brother likes...

LUKE MERMAN

(embarrassed; to GLORY) Glory.. GO AWAY...

LILY

(smiles; to GLORY) Are you his sister?

GLORY

(smiles; to GLORY) Yes... Yes I am his sister... I'm Glory...

(GLORY hops out of the ocean; and sits on the opposite side of LILY; resting her purple tail underwater; sitting on the circular-land area surrounding the small abandoned island. LUKE is becoming annoyed with his older sister's presence)

GLORY

(smiles; to GLORY) Yes... I'm Luke's brother...

(LILY learns GLORY's name and LUKE's name. Lily is still amazed of seeing the first real-life mermaid in her life)

LILY

(looks at LUKE) So your name is Luke....

(LUKE's strong misunderstanding of the English language still makes it hard for himself to understand LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to Lily) Name... (points at himself) Luke...

LILY

(smiles to LUKE) Your name... (points at LUKE) is Luke...

(LUKE smiles and nods his head)

GLORY

(to Lily) Sorry um... my brother's human English is broken... and he stutters quite a bit we're still working on it with him... That's why he has trouble understanding human English sometimes....

(LUKE MERMAN becomes annoyed with his elder sister. LUKE smacks his tail hard on the water; creating a bang with the strength of his tail. GLORY is shocked of her brother's anger directed at her)

LUKE MERMAN

(shouts at GLORY) GO... AWAY...

GLORY

(worried; to LUKE) Okay... I'll shut up... I'll shut up...

LUKE MERMAN

(shouts at GLORY) I WANT YOU TO GO... I WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH HER...

GLORY

(worried; to LUKE) I don't want to go back to our father Luke... He's pissed mate.

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to GLORY) I want to spend time with this girl...

GLORY

(worried; to LUKE) Okay... you can... I'll shut up... But do you even know this girl's name.. I'm sure it's not just 'girl...'

(LUKE MERMAN understands his elder sister's comments; and tries to ask LILY for her name whilst struggling with human english communication)

LUKE MERMAN

(questions LILY) Name... (points at LILY) Name..

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Oh... Lily... Name... (points to herself) Lily..

LUKE MERMAN

(Smiles; to LILY) Like... name... Like name...

(LILY smiles at LUKE)

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) She's got a nice name... a flower name like DAISY...

(Luke thinks of his forced marriage to the mermaid DAISY. He becomes annoyed with his sister; and speaks to his elder sister in merman english language once again)

LUKE MERMAN

(Shouts at GLORY) I'm not marrying her... I'm not marrying that Daisy... I don't like her...

GLORY

(assures LUKE) Luke... I'm on your side... Marry who you heart desires... If it's Lily... it's Lily...

LUKE MERMAN

(assures GLORY) It is LILY..... It IS... IT's LILY FOR SURE...

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) Well it's her then... I'll support you little brother... whoever you choose..

(LUKE smiles at his elder sister; of the support she shows into whoever he wants to be with)

LILY

(questions LUKE) Who's Daisy... some mermaid you don't like?

(LUKE MERMAN tries to respond; but struggles with broken human English; and grunts in annoyance with himself. He tries thereof)

LUKE MERMAN

(stutters to LILY) Yeah.. she... the... the... she...

(LUKE MERMAN grows frustrated with his stuttering more; and smacks his tail hard on the ocean and grunts. LUKE looks saddened at GLORY; and speaks to her in merman english language)

LUKE MERMAN

(begs GLORY) Glory... Help explain to my Lily... I can't... (smacks tail on ocean again) MY STUPID HUMAN ENGLISH... I don't understand...

(LUKE once again smacks the ocean hard with his tail)

LILY

(comforts LUKE) I can help you with your English... Don't bang your tail... doesn't that hurt...

(LUKE MERMAN doesn't know what LILY just said; he puts his head down in sadness. Glory looks at LILY; understanding what LILY had said and thanks her for his support to her younger brother)

GLORY

(smiles; to Lily) That's nice of you Lily... thanks... Thanks for looking after my younger brother...

LILY

(Smiles; to GLORY) No worries... (to LUKE) Luke... does (bang ground) hurt (signifies pain) your tail (points at tail)...

(LUKE notices what

GLORY

(explains to LILY) As you know, I'm a mermaid and my brother is a merman. Our culture strictly aligns us to marry someone already picked for us; regardless if you like it or not...

LILY

(shocked; to LILY) Really.. outdated culture...

GLORY

(questions to LILY) Yeah it is... anyway... our father wants LUKE to marry a mermaid he really doesn't like or love... He really likes you though; but his father won't let him marry you...

LILY

(shocked; to GLORY) Woah... Like I said... so behind the times...

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) I've never seen my brother love anyone like you before...

LILY

(Smiles; to LUKE) Well thank you LUKE...

(LUKE smiles at LILY)

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) You're it... I think you'd be an excellent sister-in-law.

LILY

(smiles; to GLORY) And you'll be a perfect mermaid-sister-in-law)

(GLORY smiles. SUDDENLY - a LARGE MUSCLE-BUILT MERMAN NAMED FARKLE WITH A PURPLE TAIL; MAKES A BIG SPLASH AND WAVE AS HE FLIPS ABOVE WATER. FARKLE GLARES AT LILY; and SHOUTS AT BOTH GLORY & LUKE; his son and daughter)

FARKLE

(shouts at GLORY & LUKE) GLORY... LUKE... UNDERWATER NOW... UNDERWATER...

(LUKE cries as he looks at LILY; before going underwater with his sister back to the merman colony. LUKE and GLORY both fear their punishment from their father; they head underwater two seconds later. FARKLE looks angrily at LILY and smacks his large, strong purple tail hard on the ocean. LILY becomes scared)

FARKLE

(firm; to LILY) Human... you're human aren't you?

LILY

(worried; to FARKLE) Yes... I am...

FARKLE

(firm; to LILY) Look my son likes you and I respect that... But merman and human female is no match... not compatible... Please stay away from my son. Respect our culture...

LILY

(worried; to FARKLE) Okay... I will... I will stay away... I...

FARKLE

(firm; to LILY) Good... Now swim away... Swim away...

(LILY's fear of water and swimming grows; thus struggling to enter the ocean)

LILY

(scared; to FARKLE) Is there a boat or kayak somewhere?

FARKLE

(firm; to LILY) What the MOUTH is a boat or kayak thing? What's that... use your arms and feet.

(LILY struggles to enter the ocean due to her irrational phobia; panicking as she attempts to put one foot in the ocean. FARKLE grows annoyed; and screams at LILY)

FARKLE

(Shouts at LILY) Forgodsake... I'll take you where you need to be... Where...

LILY

(Scared; to FARKLE) To land... To land... Please don't hurt me... I've done you no wrong...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LILY) Yes you have (screams) You're trying to destroy the merman culture my son was brought up against... by being with my son... now LEAVE... You're out of here... Let's go...

(FARKLE forcefully grabs LILY's hand; and swims fast to land; hiding from civilisation as far as possible. FARKLE lets go of LILY's hand ashore from land; heads back underwater and swims back to the MERMAN COLONY. LILY stands up in shock; and exits the water; entering land as soon as possible. She looks at the ocean; and recounts her first encounter with the mysterious LUKE THE MERMAN. END OF SCENE)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. MERMAN COLONY - PACIFIC OCEAN

(15 minutes later; FARKLE returns to the MERMAN COLONY; in anger and annoyance with his son and daughter. FARKLE sits on his cloudy-grey king-like chair; GLORY stands by her father's side; LUKE stands by his father's opposite side. FARKLE looks at SIMON the BUTLER MERMAN)

FARKLE

(to SIMON) Please allow privacy. I need to disclipine my son... but first (to GLORY) I told you...

GLORY

(interrupts FARKLE) Dad... I... I...

FARKLE

(shouts at GLORY) I gave you an order. You didn't listen...

GLORY

(interrupts FARKLE) But Dad.. Let me explain.. let me..

FARKLE

(shouts at GLORY) Trying to stick up for your brother... destroying our culture... enough... Your punishment is to hunt for goldfish three hours a day for the next seven days...

GLORY

(interrupts FARKLE) But Dad... Dad.. Let me...

FARKLE

(shouts at GLORY) Don't backchat me... I'm the ruler... Listen to me.. or like your brother.. LEAVE... No spending time with KINGSTON either... I'll tell him that I don't want him near you... Now go with Simon to hunt for some fish...

(A saddened GLORY nods her head at her father FARKLE; accepting her punishment. LUKE watches in sadness as GLORY is punished with hunting for goldfish; and leaves the scene. FARKLE looks angrily at LUKE; and grabs him forcefully by the arm; and smacks his tail hard with a triton. LUKE screams in agony; from the pain. MEANWHILE; Glory hears her younger brother's screams and looks saddened at SIMON; as she makes her way with SIMON to the hunting ground)

GLORY

(saddened; to SIMON) He's hurting LUKE.. Sometimes I think Dad is too cruel... He just wants to be with a girl he likes... and this social system we live in won't let him... it sucks... Don't you think Simon?

SIMON

(worried; to GLORY) I'm just following orders...

(GLORY grows annoyed with SIMON's fear)

GLORY

(annoyed; to SIMON) That's right... Just live in fear... Be a good boy and do what Daddy says... Damn..

(BACK TO LUKE's situation - FARKLE cuts LUKE's tip of his tail hard with the triton; LUKE screams in pain and hatred of his father)

LUKE MERMAN

(screams; to FARKLE) STOP... STOP... STOP HURTING ME...

FARKLE

(SHOUTS AT LUKE) WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LISTEN? WHEN WILL YOU LISTEN??

(FARKLE cuts LUKE's tip of the tail once again; LUKE screams even louder in pain. The rest of the mermaid and merman gang hear; and are concerned with FARKLE's anger)

LUKE MERMAN

(screams; to FARKLE) STOP HURTIMG ME...

(LUKE tries to fight his father; with a punch to the head. FARKLE grows even more furious and futile; and cuts a sharp cut on LUKE's stomach hard; LUKE screams in agony and sobs in pain)

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE) SAY YOU'RE SORRY FOR DISOBEYING the social grounds of the MERMAN COLONY. Say you're sorry...

(Blood from Luke's bare stomach; falls drip by drip under the ocean. Luke notices and looks down in pain; Farkle cuts the tip of LUKE's tail once again; LUKE sobs even louder in pain)

FARKLE

(shouts at LUKE) Say you're sorry...

LUKE MERMAN

(sobbing; to FARKLE) I'm sorry. I'm sorry... (sobs louder) I'm... I will marry Daisy...

(FARKLE lets go of his son)

FARKLE

(shouts; to LUKE) Goddamn bojo... you really work me up... you know that...

LUKE MERMAN

(Sobbing; to FARKLE) I'm sorry BAKA... I'm sorry...

FARKLE

(shouts at LUKE) Ever since your DODO died; you've been so highly disobedient... Getting sick of it BOJO... You're a huge mouthful sometimes... Go spend time with DAISY... she'll heal your wounds... Just get away from me... and don't go back to that GIRL...

LUKE MERMAN

(upset; to FARKLE) Not even to see her as my friend...

FARKLE

(shouts at LUKE) No... NO...

LUKE MERMAN

(Upset; to FARKLE) But why? But why?? She can be my friend; she's nice...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE) I'm not stupid bojo... You'll just try to hook up with her when you're supposed to be with DAISY. Won't you... WON'T YOU...

LUKE MERMAN

(begs FARKLE) Please Dad... I won't... I want to see her as my friend.... My friend...

FARKLE

(shouts at LUKE MERMAN) NO.... NO...

(LUKE begs his father more)

LUKE MERMAN

(begs FARKLE) Please Father. Please Dad... I'm begging you... I'm begging you... (screams at FARKLE) Why not?-

(IN A FURY AND WITH GREAT STRENGTH - FARKLE smacks his tail hard underneath the ocean; the ocean levels shake. Farkle faces his son LUKE MERMAN closely in the face; with a fearsome expression)

FARKLE

(firm; to LUKE MERMAN) Because I told her to LEAVE... I TOLD TNAT GIRL OF YOURS TO GO HOME... AND TO NOT COME BACK TO MY LAND EVER AGAIN..

(The news hurts LUKE. LUKE becomes aggravated)

LUKE MERMAN

(upset; to FARKLE) How could you do that?

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE) LUKE...

LUKE MERMAN

(upset; to FARKLE) HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO HER? HOW COULD YOU? She could've had nowhere to go...

FARKLE

(annoyed; to LUKE) Luke... You're getting on my nerves... ENOUGH...

LUKE MERMAN

(Furious; to FARKLE) How could you DO THAT TO MY GIRLFRIEND?

(FARKLE grows angry as he hears her son call LILY by his girlfriend. HE grabs his triton and attempts to hit his son again in the stomach; but misses due to LUKE's fast speed)

FARKLE

(vicious; to LUKE) DO NOT CALL THAT HUMAN FILTH YOUR GIRLFRIEND... DO NOT CALL HER YOUR GIRLFRIEND... She's not coming back LUKE... Get over IT... SHE IS NOT COMING BACK... GET OVER IT...

(LUKE MERMAN grows angrily at his father; and punches his father in the face. This makes FARKLE severely ferocious; FARKLE hits hit son hard with the triton on the chest hard; LUKE falls on his back on the seaground. FARKLE attempts to hit his son on the ground; LUKE grabs the titan with his hands prohibiting fearsome strength and breaks it in half; outliving his father. FARKLE is shocked of his son's brute strength; in which he has inhibited from him. LUKE swims fast away in anger; in fury of his father's actions)

FARKLE

(ferocious; to LUKE MERMAN) GODDAMN SON... YOU'RE GETTING a flogging the next time I see you... THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU...

(FARKLE smacks his table hard on the ocean floors; in complete anger; creating a massive rift above the ocean in which LUKE escapes from. Daisy a mermaid with a pink tail; notices the angry FARKLE)

FARKLE

(Saddened; to DAISY) I'm sorry Daisy honey... my son don't like you... I'm pissed off about it too... Bloody human he fell for... makes me sick..

(IT IS 2PM AT NIGHT... DAISY puts her head down in sadness after being rejected by LUKE)

FARKLE

(assures DAISY) Should have had another son.. I will find a merman for you DAISY. Don't you worry...

(THE SCENE ENDS)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. PACIFIC OCEAN

(LUKE escapes from the MERMAN COLONY; and is swimming 50m metres fast underwater using his lightning speed merman biology. LUKE lifts his head up above water; and notices the land connected at DUNE BEACH. He swims to the waypoint location; and arrives onshore seeing land for the first time in his life)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. DUNE BEACH

(LUKE crawls his way through land; but quickly establishes he can't function on land without feet; and becomes saddened)

LUKE MERMAN

(sobs; to himself) I need those human walk organs.... I don't have those organs...

(LUKE lays on his stomach; with his purple tail smacking the land ground hard; the ground shakes a bit)

LUKE MERMAN

(saddened; to himself) I'm stuck in the stupid ocean... Just a mouthful fish... that's all I'll ever be...

(LUKE MERMAN sobs with his head down on the sand; and falls asleep minutes later; sleeping until 2am the next morning. LUKE MERMAN's eyes open; and can not feel his tail; and panics)

LUKE MERMAN

(scared; to himself) MY LITE... my LITE...

(LUKE MERMAN looks at his tail; and realises it is gone. He panics as he lifts himself up standing; and realises he has two feet; yet completely humanly naked. LUKE gets excited as he sees feet connected to his body for the first time)

LUKE MERMAN

(excited; to himself) Hang on... I have these walk organ human things now..... I can walk... yes yes yes...

(LUKE MERMAN runs happily on his two feet; yet falls on his stomach on the ground due to loss of balance)

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to himself) DAMN... DAMN... These human walk things... are hard... but I have to get used to having this feet...

(LUKE MERMAN is very happy of finally feeling to be human; and tries to reinstate his balance. A minute later; LUKE MERMAN hears police making their way to patrol the beach with lights. LUKE MERMAN becomes scared; and runs in the bushes; hiding behind the trees by foot for the first time)

LUKE MERMAN

(panics; to himself) Damn... Who... Who those blue people?

(THE POLICE continue their patrol; LUKE MERMAN continues hiding behind the bushes; and thinks about LILY; and misses her deeply...)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. DUNE BEACH - 9AM DAYTIME

(THE NEXT DAY LILY attends by the beach by herself enjoying a hot takeaway cup of espresso; sitting by the sand. She is wearing a pink blouse with a red cardigan; and black jeans; with black sandals; and is on the phone with her friend OPAL; concerned about her friend's health and wellbeing after she was knocked out by the stranger man. Opal appears hurt; and scared after the incident; this is evident through her upset voice on the phone)

OPAL

(on phone) Lily... I've been trying to ring you for ages... all hours yesterday... you weren't answering my phone calls... What is going on? What's going on?

LILY

(on phone) I know Opal... I'm sorry... The strangest thing happened to me yesterday...

OPAL

(on phone) WHAT SO IMPORTANT COULD HAVE HAPPENED THAT YOU DID'NT RING ME UP ALL DAY YESTERDAY.. aren't you my friend??

LILY

(on phone) Of course I'm your friend OPAL.... always have... always been... why do you think I'm ringing you up now...

OPAL

(on phone) YEAH... a day later...

LILY

(on phone) I'm sorry OPAL... I'm sorry... please forgive me... please...

(A pause)

OPAL

(on phone) Okay.. fine... FINE... I don't know how you're going to catch up to the lecture tomorrow. The lecturer was very extensive in his lecture...

LILY

(Assures OPAL) I will catch up..

(A pause)

LILY

(on phone) That stranger asshole that asshole that knocked you out... if I ever see him again; I'm going to sue him...

OPAL

(on phone) Well my memory isn't really the best.. it's really blurred my memory... but yes that stranger freak is a jerk...

LILY

(on phone) Yeah he is...

OPAL

(concerned; to LILY) What did the freak do to you?

LILY

(on phone) Tried to drown me... I was scared...

(Lily thinks of the memory of the incident; the scene of nearly being drowned with her face forced under the water by KURTIS - and then nearly being killed by shark underwater. She panics and stops talking; OPAL questions LILY's silence and is concerned)

OPAL

(on phone) Lily... What's wrong? Are you okay?

LILY

(on phone) No... no... no... let's just... let's just change the subject...

(OPAL persists; exhibiting her stubbornness to want to know something)

OPAL

(on phone) No Lily... something happened... What is it? What happened? Something bad must've happened...

LILY

(On phone) Don't worry about it OPAL... I really don't want to talk about it... don't worry about it...

OPAL

(Persists on phone) Please Lily... don't keep secrets from your friend... please...

(LILY grows annoyed with her friend's persistence on the phone)

LILY

(annoyed on phone) Okay... okay... look... some shark tried to eat me... that d-head of a guy tried to drown me; a tide got me; and I was taken out to shark territory... I was stuck out at sea for two days.. all alone...

OPAL

(concerned on phone) Oh no... LILY.... I'm so sorry... I'm so... that's the crap thing about DUNE BEACH... No friggin lifeguards... damn... but how did you survive and get away from the sharks...

LILY

(on phone) You know... mermaids have always been legendary animals to human culture... But they actually do exist...

(OPAL thinks LILY is crazy over the phone)

OPAL

(on phone) Lily.. are you okay? Are you okay?

(LILY seems offended over the phone)

LILY

(on phone) Yes I am okay... Don't you want to hear what happened? Since you're so persistent..

OPAL

(on phone) Yeah I do... it's just... Mermaids and mermans. They are not real LILY...

LILY

(on phone) Go deep in the ocean OPAL. They are.. I was shocked to.. When... When I was being pulled under the ocean; and just about to get drowned - some person; man who I thought saved me... He put me on this circular island.

(OPAL continues listening to LILY)

OPAL

(On phone) Okay...

LILY

(on phone) I legit thought it was a man... until he lifted his purple tail up above the water; then smacked the ocean hard with it... his tail was strong; hard-durable; fish-like texture... I am still shocked by it all...

(OPAL still struggles to believe LILY)

OPAL

(on phone) Okay Lily... okay...

(LILY can tell over the phone OPAL doesn't believe a word she is saying)

LILY

(on phone) I'm telling you the truth OPAL... I am honestly telling you the truth...

(OPAL tries to believe a word he friend is saying to her; Lily's whole story on the mysterious merman she had met by the name of LUKE MERMAN)

OPAL

(on phone) So you met a merman eh... Well what was his name?

LILY

(On phone) His name was LUKE... he was a legit merman... He was strong and everything..

(OPAL is shocked)

OPAL

(on phone) Woah...

(MEANWHILE - Luke whistles to attract LILY to search for the noise; and identify him. LILY hears the noise; and is in shock)

LILY

(on phone) Lily... I've got to go... I've got to go... I'm hearing something strange... I want to find out...

OPAL

(on phone) Okay... we'll talk soon...

(LILY hangs up the phone)

------

(MEANWHILE - LUKE MERMAN; having hidden and having have slept in the hidden bushes by the beach overnight; completely naked; notices LILY and smiles)

LUKE MERMAN

(Smiles; to himself) Lily... Lily...

(LILY stands up; attempting to find the source of the noise. She walks near and between the hidden bushes of the beach; Luke then spooks her)

LUKE MERMAN

(grabs LILY's hand) BOO...

(LILY is shocked and screamed. Luke pulls Lily closer to himself; Luke breathes)

LUKE MERMAN

(to LILY) It k... ok... Relax..

(LILY breathes and focuses her eyes on the mysterious man; and notices it is LUKE MERMAN; without his iconic purple tail; yet completely naked)

LILY

(Shocked; to LUKE) Luke... You're naked...

(Luke has no idea what "naked" means. He ignores LILY; and smiles as he looks at the woman in which he loves)

LILY

(shocked; to LUKE) Luke... how did you get here... How?

(LUKE still struggles to communicate with LILY; due to his stuttering and poor human communication skills. LUKE demonstrates his confusion by shaking his head)

LILY

(breathes; to LUKE) Don't worry about it... just... stay here... I will get you some pants... stay here...

(LUKE grabs Lily's hand; and seeks clarification)

LUKE MERMAN

(points at himself) Me... stay... (points at bushes) Here...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yes... that's right... stay here...

(LILY nods her head; LUKE understands Lily's clarification and request. LILY quickly heads to the local tailor shop; and shops affordable mens black pants; paired with a red shirt and black thongs. MEANWHILE - LUKE MERMAN smiles to himself as he feels human; and has found the woman in which he loves. He looks at the river and speaks to himself in merman english language)

LUKE MERMAN

(determined; to himself) I'm never.. going back to that ocean again... I'm human... I can be with..

(10 mins later; LILY returns to the naked LUKE hiding within the hidden beaches by DUNE beach. She hands the red shirt to LUKE: Luke is confused)

LILY

(to LUKE) On...

(LUKE is confused on being clothed; and shrugs his shoulders expressing confusion; only having being shirtless with a fish tail his whole life. Lily notices Luke's confusion; LUKE panics)

LILY

(comforts LUKE) It's okay... It's okay... You've never been clothed your whole life... Well... this is a shirt you see... It goes on over your barechest... like this..

(LILY puts the bought red shirt over LUKE's barechest. LUKE feels different with a shirt on... LUKE smiles at LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(thankful; to LILY) Thank (points at LILY) you...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) No worries... No worries at all... it's all good...

(LILY shows LUKE the bought black male pants in which she had bought for him)

LILY

(to LILY) This... pants...

LUKE MERMAN

(points at pants) Pants..

LILY

(instructs LUKE) You put it over your legs...

(LILY demonstrates to LUKE by hand gestures on how to cloth himself with pants. Luke puts the pants on correctly; Lily smiles)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Well done... (nods head) Good...

(LUKE smiles and hugs LILY; fully clothed; yet still barefoot)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Now you look more socially acceptable now.. Way more socially acceptable...

(LUKE smiles. LILY looks at LUKE)

LILY

(to LUKE) Good... Good... Now (points at self) Follow me...

LUKE MERMAN

(points at himself) Me... follow (points at LILY) you...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yes...

(LUKE understands Lily's request; and follows LILY to a public bus station)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. DUNE CBD - BUS STATION

(LUKE looks around in awe at the city of DUNE; the exterior; the skyscrapers; the vehicles; and smiles in awe at the sight of the city. Lily notices LUKE's amazement)

LILY

(Smiles; to LUKE) You seem so happy... (shows smile facial expression to LUKE) Happy...

(LUKE understands LILY's facial expression; and smiles back to LILY; happy he is now living a new life on land; with the woman he loves)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Home... hometime...

(LUKE is unsure of what "home" means but follows LILY on the bus on their way to her apartment. The scene ends)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. LILY'S APARTMENT

(LILY opens her apartment door; she walks in holding LUKE's hand. LUKE struggles to stay in balance on his feet; and is about to fall stomach-down on the floor; LILY avoids this by holding his chest up)

LUKE

(concerned; to LILY) THE FEET ARE HARD... ME FALL...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) You will get used to it...

(LUKE is still confused over LUKE's wording. He smiles at LILY; as she helps him sit down on his two feet on the kitchen red stool at the dining table)

LILY

(to LUKE) Sit down... Sit down...

(LUKE understands what 'sit down' means; and smiles as he looks at Lily. LILY worries about LUKE's potential hunger; and unsure of what he eats other than raw fish)

LILY

(questions LUKE) Luke... are you...

(LILY points at her mouth to his mouth; then to her stomach; to his stomach)

LILY

(questions LUKE) Hungry.... Hungry...

(LUKE understands what "HUNGRY" means; and nods his head)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) HUNGRY... me... HUNGRY...

LILY

(thinks to herself) What can I get you? What do I have here that you eat?

LUKE MERMAN

(hand on stomach; to LILY) Fela...

(LILY recounts the the merman terminology word "FELA," and notes she has only crumbed; oven-cooked fish. Not real fish)

LILY

(talks to self) I don't have raw fish... but I do have crumbed... I don't know if you're merman biology works with oven-cooked food... (thinks to herself) It should be fine.. it should be fine...

(LILY pulls a crumbed fish from the freezer packet; and places one on a baking tray to be cooked in the oven. Lily then walks to her mahogany bookshelf; to pick up a picture book and another book called "THE BASICS OF ENGLISH." She returns to the dining table; and sits beside LUKE on another red stool; with the books. Luke is interested in the book)

LUKE MERMAN

(Confused; to LILY) What... what (points at book) that?

LILY

(points to book) Book... This is a book...

LUKE MERMAN

(points to book) BOOK...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yes... this is a book... a book...

(LILY opens the picture book of detailed marine animals; LUKE smiles and watches on. LILY prepares to teach LUKE the basics of human english communication words)

LILY

(points at fish inside book) Okay... so this is fish... FISH. FISH...

LUKE MERMAN

(points at fish inside book) FISH. It FELA...

LILY

(to LUKE) We call it fish... you call it fela...

LUKE MERMAN

(point at fish inside book) Oh... (smiles at LILY) Fish.. FISH... ME hungry for fish..

LILY

(to LUKE) Food coming from (points at oven) Soon... (points at mouth)

(LUKE MERMAN understands LILY; and waits patiently. Luke smiles at LILY; then looks back at the picture book and identifies a seal; in which he calls a "lekker" in his merman culture)

LUKE MERMAN

(points at seal inside book) LEKKER... This is lekker...

LILY

(Points at seal inside book) We call it SEAL... SEAL...

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Seal... Seal... cool...

(LUKE MERMAN continues smiling at LILY. Lily continues for another 5 mins teaching LUKE the english words and terms of marine animals by the picture book; thus sounding them out for better pronounciation. 5 mins later; LILY then pulls the book called "THE BASICS OF ENGLISH," and opens it. LUKE smiles in interest)

(LUKE's human communication improves dramatically within half-an-hour of learning basic human communication through the book "THE BASICS OF ENGLISH. A minute later; LILY serves LUKE a piece of crumbed fish on a pink plate; and serves it to LUKE via the dining table. LUKE smiles at LILY; and starts eating his crumbed fish by the hand; biting it with extreme bite force; consuming it quick; Lily watches in shock. LUKE smiles and burps; Lily chuckles)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yummy.... (points at tummy)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Yummy... (points at tummy)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Good... that's good...

LUKE MERMAN

(Smiles; to LILY) Thank... you....

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) No worries...

(A minute passes)

LILY

(Smiles; to LUKE) Luke... I just want to say... thank you for saving me... from those shark... two days ago now...

LUKE

(smiles; to LILY) It okay... Those tex... I hate them... They deserve to die all of them...

LILY

(questions LUKE) You don't like them either...

LUKE MERMAN

(shakes head) No... No I do not like them... They're bad...

LILY

(to LUKE) They are scary to me... and most other humans...

(LUKE MERMAN becomes saddened all of the sudden; Lily worries about LUKE; and comforts him)

LILY

(concerned; to LUKE) Luke... What's wrong? What's the matter?

(LUKE breaks the reason for his sadness to LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(saddened; to LILY) The tex... sharks are bad... They ate my mama...

LILY

(shocked; to LUKE) The tex ate your mother...

LUKE MERMAN

(nods head in sadness; to LILY) Yes... yes they did... I HATE THEM... I want to kill them all...

LILY

(Saddened; to LILY) Oh I'm so sorry LUKE... I'm so sorry...

LUKE MERMAN

(saddened; to LILY) It's okay... when... when I saw you about to be eaten... I wanted to kill it so bad...

(LILY comforts LUKE further by holding his hand; as he talks to her in sadness)

LILY

(to LUKE) Which you did...

LUKE MERMAN

(to LILY) Yes... I killed it... then I saw you... about to drown... and I panicked... I didn't want you to die... So I saved you... Then I saw your face...

(LILY smiles as LUKE expresses his affection towards her)

LUKE MERMAN

(in love; to LILY) And I... I instantly fell in love with you... I want to be with you LILY... I really do... You're my everything... you're my future... I love you...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Thank you Luke... I love you to... NOO-DOO...

(LILY recounts VOO-DOO means "I LOVE YOU")

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) VOO-DOO...

(Lily and LUKE continue holding hands; and continue looking at each other in love. A minute passes; Luke starts to yawn; expressing his tiredness)

LUKE MERMAN

(yawns; to LILY) Me sleepy...

LILY

(to LUKE MERMAN) Oh okay... You can sleep on my blue three-seater lounge... Follow me...

(LUKE MERMAN follows LILY; by her directions to the blue three-seater lounge)

LILY

(to LUKE) The lounge... Time for you to sleep. Lay down...

(LUKE MERMAN looks at the three-seater blue lounge; and lays down on the lounge. He falls asleep minutes later; Lily returns to the red stool. 30 minutes pass)

---

(SUDDENLY - Luke hears his elder sister GLORY talking to him from mind-to-mind communication; and wakes up instantly in shock and screams. The screams from her sister's mind speaks to LUKE; LILY is concerned)

GLORY

(in LUKE's mind) Luke... help us... help us... (screams) The tex... (screams louder) The tex... The tex... HELP ME... I know you hate DAD... he's begging you for help to... Please...

(The screams and the mind-communication stops. LUKE is shocked; but also has a lack of empathy towards his family after their disapproval of LILY. LILY notices LUKE's shocked face; she questions LUKE)

LILY

(Questions LUKE) Luke... are you okay? What's wrong?

(LUKE shakes his head; not wanting to go back to the ocean with his family. LUKE tries to avoid the situation; LILY persists with LUKE's answer to her question)

LUKE MERMAN

(concerned; to LILY) No... something's wrong... something's wrong... Tell me...

(LUKE breaks the truth in sadness; at LILY's persistence)

LUKE MERMAN

(to LILY) Nothing... my family is in trouble... They can figure it out...

(LILY is shocked by LUKE's lack of empathy)

LILY

(worried; to LUKE) Luke... you have to help them.. Family protects family...

LUKE MERMAN

(upset; to LILY) They don't care about me... They didn't let me be with you... so stuff them..

(LILY can notice LUKE MERMAN's loss of hope in his family with his wording choices. LILY tries to reinstate hope in LUKE's life; and the importance of family)

LILY

(assures LUKE) LUKE.. sometimes we do have massive arguments with family... But you just can't abandon them... that's not right...

LUKE MERMAN

(upset; to LILY) WHY NOT?

LILY

(To LUKE) Because they're family... Look.... my mother and I... we have had really bad fights where I had had slammed the door in her face... But I still love her to death; and I may really need her one day if I was in an emergency situation...

(LUKE MERMAN's thinks about what LILY is saying; but fears missing LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(cries; to LILY) I don't want to never see you again... I want us to be together.. you and me... I want you and me together...

LILY

(Assures LUKE) I'll visit you again... I will..

LUKE MERMAN

(determined; to LILY) LILY... I want us to be a couple... a couple... I want us to get married one day and have lido...

LILY

(questions LUKE) What is lido?

LUKE MERMAN

(answers; to LILY) Babies...

(LILY is shocked LUKE is thinking too far ahead)

LILY

(chuckles; to LUKE) Woah Luke.. you are thinking too far ahead... HOLY...

LUKE MERMAN

(embarrassed; to LILY) Oh sorry.... It's just... maybe my dream one day... I want you and me to be happy...

LILY

(comforts LUKE) It's okay LUKE... it's okay... it's fine.. Just... if you want me to be happy... I want you to save your family... They need you... They need you more than ever.. HELP THEM...

(LUKE really doesn't want to leave LILY; but wishes to leave if it will make his lover happy)

LUKE MERMAN

(worried; to LILY) Lily... I'm going to miss you... I don't really want to go... I'm gonna cry at night not seeing you... What happens if I don't see you again..

LILY

(assures LUKE) Luke... I promise... you will see me again.. I'll make sure I'll see you...

LUKE MERMAN

(concerned; to LILY) You promise... You promise..

LILY

(assures LUKE) I promise LUKE... I promise...

(LUKE cries in LILY's arms; missing her already)

LUKE MERMAN

(cries; hugging LILY) Okay.. I'll go back... I'll go back... I'm going to miss you...

(LUKE continues crying in LILY's arms...)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. DUNE BEACH

(LUKE & LILY are at DUNE BEACH 15 mins later. Luke takes his red shirt off and black pants; handing his clothing back to LILY. Luke cries as he heads back to his home in the ocean to assist his family in battling sharks. LUKE doesn't want to go; but does so by Lily's request)

LUKE MERMAN

(cries; to LILY) I don't want to leave you... I don't want...

LILY

(assures LUKE) Luke... your family needs you... those sharks... those tex... they need to be stopped... They killed your mother... When you fight and kill them... remember your mother... okay...

(LUKE smiles as LILY remembers the merman term of 'sharks')

LUKE MERMAN

(cries; to LILY) I will... I will... Please come visit me in the ocean... Whistle to me... I'll hear... I'm gonna convince my stupid father that I want to be with you... I'll never give up trying..

LILY

(breathes; to LUKE) I know.. I know you won't... I love you Lukie...

(LUKE likes the nickname given to him by LILY; and cries as he will miss her. LUKE pulls LILY close to him; and hugs her whilst sobbing)

LILY

(assures LUKE) It's okay... It's okay...

LUKE MERMAN

(hugging LILY) I love you to... Please promise me... you'll come to me every day.. I want us to be together in the future... but I understand your study thing... after study... we can be together all the time right...

LILY

(assures LUKE) Yes... Yes Lukie... I promise... Now go... go..

(LUKE MERMAN walks backwards deeper inside the waves of DUNE BEACH; and sobs as he walks away from LILY)

LILY

(assures LUKE) I'll visit you... I promise...

LUKE MERMAN

(sobs; to LILY) Please... Please..

(LUKE heads deeper; Lily notices LUKE's iconic purple tail inflating as his human feet disappear)

LILY

(to LUKE) Look after that tail... That lite of yours...

LUKE MERMAN

(sobs to LILY) I will... Bye...

LILY

(to LUKE) Bye...

(LUKE MERMAN flips above in the air; and dives straight down underwater; and speeds to his hometown colony underwater. LILY cries as she misses LUKE)

LILY

(to herself) I will miss you LUKE... I will visit you... I promise....

(LILY walks back home in sadness; carrying LUKE's worn clothing. THE SCENE ENDS)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. UNDERWATER PACIFIC OCEAN

(LUKE swims as fast as he can to his hometown and family. LUKE automatically notices the sharks viciously attacking his fellow merman and mermaids; and attacks one shark at a time with his brute strength; breaking each shark's fins and tails; then killing it by cracking its neck. FARKLE notices his son's return; and smiles)

FARKLE

(killing shark; to LUKE) Woah son... You're back...

(LUKE doesn't respond to his father; focused on killing as many sharks as he can with his brute strength. FARKLE notices LUKE's shark-killing; and notices even more his son has picked up his strength)

FARKLE

(killing another shark; to LUKE) Your strength son... that strength of yours is getting stronger... My damn.. Getting stronger than your old man...

(GLORY struggles to kill a shark; LUKE speeds towards his elder sister and cracks its neck with his strength; GLORY is shocked)

GLORY

(SHOCKED; TO LUKE) WOAH... WOAH THANKS LUKE... THANKS...

(LUKE smiles and kills another four sharks violently by his fierce strength; screaming in anger in the process. All sharks are dead; and fall deceased on the seaground. Luke breathes from the tension; and calms down. FARKLE and GLORY make their way towards LUKE)

GLORY

(Worried; to LUKE) You alright son...

(A saddened LUKE shakes his head; missing LILY already. He doesn't respond to his sister)

FARKLE

(serious; to LUKE) Let me guess. You and LILY broke up...

(THIS comment angers LUKE; Luke screams at his father in retaliation of his comment)

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to FARKLE) No... she told me to come back and help you all fight these sharks for you... I wouldn't have come if it wasn't for her...

GLORY

(understands LUKE) Tell her I'm thankful...

(A pause. The scene ends)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. MERMAN COLONY - PACIFIC OCEAN..

(MINUTES LATER; the family of three return to THE MERMAN COLONY with all other merman and mermaids. They all sit on the sea teal-green 7-seater lounge underwater at the merman colony. They all begin talking to one another)

GLORY

(thankful; to LUKE) Thanks Luke...

FARKLE

(thankful; to LUKE) Thanks son... I appreciate... even though you probably hate me.. I appreciate it...

(Hating his father for his refusal of accepting LILY as part of the family - LUKE refuses to look at him. Glory questions LUKE more about LILY)

GLORY

(thankful; to LUKE) I really am thankful LUKE... I really am...

(LUKE grows annoyed with his elder sister and father; and speaks out)

LUKE MERMAN

(Shouts at GLORY & FARKLE) It was LILY... (shouts louder) LILY is the reason I'm back... She told me to come back and help you... you should be thanking her... (looks angrily at FARKLE) But you hate her... you won't let me be with her... YOU WON't ACCEPT SOMEONE WHO MAKES ME HAPPY... Don't you want me to be happy... as my father...

(FARKLE grows annoyed with his son; and respects his merman traditions he was brought up around; in which he still believes. FARKLE doesn't look at his son; LUKE grunts and swims far away in the middle of nowhere in the ocean. GLORY looks concerned. The scene closes)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. WOOP-WOOP - PACIFIC OCEAN

(WOOP-WOOP; being the middle of the PACIFIC OCEAN is where Luke has swam away to; wanting privacy and to be left alone. MINUTES LATER - GLORY attends by LUKE's side; and talks to him)

GLORY

(saddened; to LUKE) I'm sorry little brother... Dad can be a huge asshole sometimes..

(LUKE refuses to look at GLORY; still greatly upset; missing LILY a lot)

GLORY

(Saddened; to LUKE) I'm on your side little brother... I am on your side...

(LUKE still refuses to talk; still greatly upset with his father; too upset to talk)

GLORY

(Smiles; to LUKE) But I have noticed something... your communication has improved since the last time I saw you... It's changed big time... it was LILY wasn't it..

(LUKE looks at his elder sister; and smiles)

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yeah... LILY taught me a lot out of sea.. A lot of human communication...

GLORY

(questions LUKE) How is life like out of this sea? How is it different?

LUKE MERMAN

(Smiles; to GLORY) Different... I love having feet. Having feet is amazing.. and different..

(GLORY chuckles with LUKE's awkwardness)

GLORY

(SMILES; TO LUKE) WELL IT DOES SOUND LIKE THAT... WHEN ARE YOU... WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO SEE LILY AGAIN?

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to GLORY) She says she'll visit me in the weekends... on the weekends she'll visit me... she's busy studying a degree...

GLORY

(Smiles; to LUKE) Degree... what's that... (chuckles) Now I'm asking you to teach me human communication... what is degree?

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LUKE) A certificate to help her get a good corporate... a good office job...

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) Woah... hopefully she does...

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to GLORY) She's only got one more year left of study... after study; she says she's going to be with me for eternity... forever... I can't wait til then... I can't wait...

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) Yes I can tell you can't wait... It's good to see you happy little brother...

(GLORY smiles. The scene ends)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. DUNE BEACH

(THE NEXT DAY - LILY heads to DUNE PARK; after making the decision of terminating her enrolment at DUNE UNIVERSITY; deciding to be with LUKE MERMAN instead. LILY is wearing a short orange dress; and is barefoot; with her long wavy hair flowing through the wind. LILY smiles as she bends down toward the ocean; and whistles. MEANWHILE - LUKE wakes up from his seabed; hearing LILY's whistle. LUKE wakes up in excitement; and screams as he hears LILY's whistle; alerting the others)

LUKE MERMAN

(excited; to himself) LILY... LILY is coming... she's coming to see me.. (overly excited) She's coming... She's coming...

(GLORY wakes up; and notices LUKE swim in a fast speed to the abandoned shores of DUNE BEACH; and smiles in excitement as he sees LILY; elated to see her)

LUKE MERMAN

(excited; to LILY) LILY... Lily... You're here... Give me your hand... Let's go...

(LILY smiles as she holds her hand to LUKE; Luke takes her to his hometown MERMAN COLONY in lighting speed; holding her hand in the process. The scene ends)

-------------------------------------------------------------

INT. ABANDONED ISLAND - PACIFIC OCEAN

(LUKE AND LILY arrive at the abandoned island; and helps her up. LILY crawls onto the abandoned island; LUKE smiles as he sits up beside LILY; with his iconic strong purple-tail resting underwater. Luke begins crying in excitement)

LUKE MERMAN

(cries; to LILY) You're here... You're here... I'm so happy... Me so happy... I love you so much... Me love you... I love you...

(LUKE MERMAN hugs LILY. LILY feels the damp skin of LUKE's torso touch hers; LUKE lifts his purple tail above water; and smacks it hard in the ocean in love. LILY smiles. They stop hugging minutes later)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) I love that you're here... I love how you're here...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) I have even greater news... I've decided to quit uni to be with you...

(This overly exites LUKE; and hugs her once again)

LUKE MERMAN

(in excitement; to LILY) That means we'll be together permanently... Together forever... yes... yes... yes...

(LUKE rubs his hands in excitement; LILY smiles as she sees LUKE very happy)

LUKE MERMAN

(excited; to LILY) I'm so happy... I'm happy... (rubbing hands more) Happy... Happy...

(SUDDENLY - GLORY flips in the high air; exposing her purple iconic tail; and dives back underwater. She swims up to LILY; and lit)

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) Hey... My little brother is happy... (to LUKE) What did she say?

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to GLORY) Lily... is going to be with me forever... She is going to be with me for eternity... I'm so... I'm so happy...

GLORY

(smiles; to LUKE) That's good Luke... that's good... (smiles to LILY) My brother really loves you LILY...

LILY

(smiles; to GLORY) Yeah I can tell...

(SUDDENLY - the ferocious FARKLE flips in air; as his purple tail is exposed; and dives back underwater. He then lifts his head above water; and wishes to speak to LILY & LUKE. LUKE worries on what his father's intention are; GLORY worries to. Luke becomes protective of LILY)

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to FARKLE) What Dad... what... you're not taking her from me... You're not...

(LUKE MERMAN lifts his large, strong purple tail above water; and hits the ocean with it; in protective mode. FARKLE notices LUKE's protection over LILY; Lily worries)

FARKLE

(to LUKE) Calm down son... Calm down... I'm not... I'd just like to talk to you... and don't bloody hit your tail like that... trying to intimidate your father...

LUKE MERMAN

(protective; to FARKLE) I don't want you to take LILY from me... what do you want to say to me?

FARKLE

(to LUKE) I wish to talk to LILY as well...

LUKE MERMAN

(annoyed; to FARKLE) What...

FARKLE

(calm; to LUKE) Luke... even... even though it's our culture for a merman to marry a mermaid... not a merman marry a woman.... I will allow you to marry LILY... it's fine...

(LILY is shocked)

FARKLE

(calm; to LUKE) It's all good... I will allow it... like your big sister said; it's your decision... not mine...

(LUKE MERMAN smiles at his father's change of heart and view on merman traditions; and decides to speak to his father)

LUKE MERMAN

(to FARKLE) Dad.. sometimes tradition is good. Like GLORY - she met the perfect merman herself... Kingston... and so did you and Mum.. But Lily is... she's it for me... I love her...

(LILY smiles at LUKE's affection towards her. GLORY smiles at her younger brother's affection for LILY)

FARKLE

(to LUKE) I understand son... sometimes tradition is outdated... maybe it's time for a change...

LUKE MERMAN

(to FARKLE) Yes... please Dad...

FARKLE

(to LUKE) I will look into it son... (looks at LILY) Now Lily...

(LUKE MERMAN holds LILY with protection)

LUKE MERMAN

(firm; to FARKLE) Be nice to my GIRL Dad...

FARKLE

(to LUKE) Yes son... I will... (to LILY) Lily... I'm sorry... we haven't had the best introduction.. it's... I'm not sure if LUKE told you... I lost his mother... and GLORY's mother... the sharks ate her... I just became a gloomy person... with no trust in anyone and anything... I just wanted revenge..

LILY

(to FARKLE) I understand... LUKE told me all about it...

(LUKE looks at LILY's face as she talks with his father)

FARKLE

(to LILY) I apologise for my rudeness... Welcome to the merman family...

(SUDDENLY; A MYSTERIOUS MERMAN WITH A BLUE TAIL; LIFTS HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER; AND MAKES HIS WAY TOWARDS GLORY - THIS BEING KINGSTON, GLORY'S LOVE INTEREST)

GLORY

(smiles; to KINGSTON) Hey Kingston... Meet my younger brother's lover...

(LILY meets KINGSTON. Kingston appears shocked that his lover's brother is dating a human)

LILY

(to KINGSTON) Hello... Hello there...

(Lily holds out her hand to KINGSTON in the water. Kingston shakes LILY's hand with a strong grip)

LILY

(chuckles; to everyone) I don't know what it is about you mermaids and mermans... but your all bloody strong... damn....

(EVERYONE laughs)

FARKLE

(to LILY) It's our biology... that's it...

LILY

(smiles; to everyone) Yeah... your tails are especially strong and heavy-durable...

GLORY

(to LILY) We use our tails as weapons sometimes...

KINGSTON

(Smiles; to GLORY) That's right...

LILY

(intrigued; to everyone) Woah... woah okay... Better not make any of you angry... (chuckles) I'll be doomed...

KNGSTON

(Whispers; to GLORY) I'm going to see our son...

(GLORY smiles acknowledging KINGSTON's comments. KINGSTON dives underwater to seek his son. LILY is surprised to hear GLORY has had a son. CONTINUING ON - GLORY, LUKE and FARKLE continue talking with Lily... Lily questions the three about merman culture)

LILY

(surprised; to GLORY) Woah.. you had a son... When...

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) Two days ago... He is upmost beautiful..

LILY

(smiles; to GLORY) What's his name?

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) Toddie... Toddie... His name is called Toddie..

(LILY smiles at the name choice)

LILY

(smiles; to GLORY) Nice name choice... it's beautiful..

(a pause)

LILY

(questions GLORY, FARKLE & LUKE) Oher than sharks.. what's the toughest marine predator you all have to deal with...

(LUKE, GLORY & FARKLE think about their answers. Luke speaks first)

LUKE

(smiles; to LILY) The stingrays... we've got to watch them..

FARKLE

(To LILY) Yes... we really do have to look out for them.. damn we must...

GLORY

(smiles; to LILY) Yes agreed. They ... those stinking stingrays suck...

FARKLE

(to GLORY) Oh but also the whales... especially the mother whales... They can be aggressive when they want to be...

(GLORY and LUKE smile in agreement)

LILY

(smiles; to FARKLE & GLORY) Well this is all fascinating stuff; it really is...

(A pause. LUKE wants privacy with LILY; and requests it to his family)

LUKE MERMAN

(to GLORY & FARKLE) Please... I want to spend time with LILY... Can I spend some time with her alone?

FARKLE

(Smiles; to LUKE) Yes... Yes I know.. I'll go LUKE...

GLORY

(smiles; to FARKLE) Let's go Dad... LUKE wants some lovie-dove time with his girl... let's go...

(FARKLE and GLORY leave the scene; swimming away underwater. LUKE looks at LILY; in deep love and infatuation he feels for her)

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Your father likes me now... and I really love your sister...

(LUKE smiles)

LUKE MERMAN

(determined; to LILY) Yes... he would've accepted you or I would've disowned him..

LILY

(shocked; to LUKE) Woah Lukie.. that's a bit harsh... damn...

LUKE MERMAN

(in love; to LILY) I wasn't going to let him for me to stop being with you... you are the one Lily... the one... the damn one I've been searching for...

LILY

(in awe; to LUKE) Well thanks LUKE... Thank you.. Thank you....

(Suddenly; two male bull dolphins lift their heads out of water; delighted to see their merman friend LUKE. LUKE smiles at them; LILY smiles at the sight of her overall favourite animal. She screams in delight)

LILY

(excited; to LUKE) Oh my God... dolphins... dolphins... Oh my goodness. DOLPHINS... DOLPHINS...

(LUKE smiles as he notices LILY's excited facial expression. LILY bends down to the water; wishing to pat the two bull dolphins; the dolphins run away in fear; LILY is saddened)

LILY

(saddened; to bull dolphins) No... No I wasn't going to hurt you.. You dolphins are my favourite animals...

(LILY puts her head down in sadness; after the dolphins hide. LUKE notices LILY's sadness of not patting the dolphins; LUKE looks at the two bull dolphins and communicates with the two through whistling; Lily watches in awe. The dolphins have officially calm down; and now trust LILY)

LILY

(amazed; to LUKE) Woah... what are you saying to the dolphins?

LUKE MERMAN

(to LILY) To get the dolphins to relax around you... You call them dolphins... us mermans and mermaids call them ethos...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE) Nice name.... ethos... that is certainly different than just dolphins...

LUKE MERMAN

(Smiles; to LILY) Come in the water.. come with me...

(LUKE hops into the ocean; his long strong purple tail sticks out above the water. He lifts his hand out towards LILY; Lily smiles and takes LUKE's hand. Lily smiles with love; LUKE looks at LILY with great affection)

LUKE

(with love; to LILY) NOO-DOO....

(LILY is confused of the meaning of the term "NOODOO." She questions LUKE of the meaning)

LILY

(with love; to LUKE) What does NOO-DOO mean?

(A pause. LUKE continues looking at LILY in love)

LUKE

(with love; to LILY) It means... I love you....

LILY

(with love; to LUKE) NOO-DOO..

(LUKE smiles in love; and splashes his iconic purple tail hard on the ocean in love; Lily smiles as she hugs LUKE in the water. LUKE looks at the two bull dolphins; and whistles to them; encouraging them to play with LILY. LILY smiles as one of the dolphins splashes water onto LILY's face; LILY laughs; the two dolphins squeal)

LILY

(With love; to dolphins) I love you two dolphins... I love you two...

(For 10 mins straight - LILY and LUKE play with the two bull dolphins in the process. MINUTES LATER - LILY swims closer to LUKE's chest; they kiss each other on the lips in the water; while the two bull dolphins squeal with delight as they notice their merman friend and his human woman in love. The scene closes)

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## ENDING

(5 years later; LUKE and LILY lived happily together; they got married; and had a newborn son they named JUNIOR. JUNIOR is a hybrid human-merman; and grows up around other mermans and mermaids. TODDIE the son of GLORY and KINGSTON is now 5 years.

(Due to her human nature - LILY lives her life on land by the abandoned island; admiring the view of the ocean. LUKE spends most of his time above water; on the abandoned island in which they now call home. LUKE smiles as he sits up on the abandoned island; with his tail smacking on the water; watching over as LILY comforts the baby JUNIOR)

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) Our baby... He is amazing... Baby Junior is amazing...

LILY

(smiles; to LUKE MERMAN) He is... He sure is ain't he...

LUKE MERMAN

(smiles; to LILY) I'm... I'm glad I found you Lily.... I'm glad I found you.. the one I've been looking for...

(LUKE MERMAN hugs LILY and their child; and continue hugging minutes later. The scene closes; END OF STORY)

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## EXT. INDEX - MERMAN COLONY LANGUAGE: ##

MERMAN TERMINOLOGY IN STORY:

TEX - SHARK

ETHO - DOLPHIN

NOO-DOO - I LOVE YOU

PAKA - FATHER

DODO - MOTHER

BOJO - SON/MERMAN

LITE - TAIL

NATHA - THUNDER

Lido - babies

FELA - FISH FOR FOOD

SEAL - Lekker