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Writer's pictureAlexander Adams

A Lesson in Ship Safety (Short Screenplay)

Updated: Jun 26



On a ship, a man naked from the waist up and carrying a gun is stopped by the captain holding up a lantern to his face.
"What are you doing here?" - Jules Ferat (Old Book Illustrations - 2007-2024)


A LESSON IN SHIP SAFETY 

 

1 EXT. SHIP – NIGHT 

 

WE OPEN on an 18th century merchant ship making its way through the fog at night. A few dim lamps are visible in the hold and along the deck, held by the sailors as they finish their rounds. 

 

One lantern is held by MIKAS (28), burly, severe. He makes his way to the front of the ship, where ENOCH (12) small and spindly, is sitting in the dark, legs dangling over the edge. ENOCH is fidgeting with a piece of hardtack but cannot bring himself to take a bite. 

 

 

MIKAS:  

ENOCH! CAPTAIN wants to see you. Best get to it.  

 

ENOCH pulls himself up and stuffs the hardtack in his pocket. He begins to walk towards the captain’s quarters, before MIKAS blocks him. 

 

MIKAS:  

(hushed)  

Remember, I’ll signal when we’re ready. Just keep him occupied until then. 

 

ENOCH:  

I’ve got it. 

 

ENOCH attempts to move past, but MIKAS blocks him again. 

 

MIKAS:  

If you mess this up, it’s all our heads. Are you certain you’re ready? Say you’re certain. 

 

ENOCH nods his head several times.  

 

ENOCH:  

I’m certain, MIKAS. 

 

MIKAS lets ENOCH pass. He walks down the deck towards the captain’s quarters, the faces of the other sailors obscured. He’s unable to tell who is on his side, or how many. None react to his knocking on the cabin door. 

 

THE CAPTAIN:  

(from inside)  

Come in! 

 

ENOCH opens the door and enters the cabin. 

CUT TO: 

2. INT. - CABIN – SHIP - NIGHT 

 

The inside of the cabin is a wealth of information. A navigation chart is partially laid out on the table, a sextant and compass acting as paperweights. THE CAPTAIN, authoritative, personable, has moved them out of the way for his dinner; a messy plate of half-finished meat, gravy, and boiled potatoes. An open bottle of wine is on the table with one cup. There is a small bookshelf with miscellaneous subjects to do with running a ship. 

 

ENOCH stands, waiting for permission to sit down. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

please, sit. 

 

THE CAPTAIN gestures with his knife to the empty seat. ENOCH sits down. THE CAPTAIN continues to eat his dinner, finishing the last mouthful. He wipes his mouth with his handkerchief. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Now then, ENOCH, will you join me in some wine? It’s a good vintage. A Burgundy, if that means anything to you. 

 

THE CAPTAIN pours ENOCH a cup of wine before he can answer. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Do you know where Burgundy is, ENOCH? Hmm? 

 

ENOCH:  

(shakes his head) 

No sir. 

 

THE CAPTAIN finishes pouring. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

It’s in France. Was a kingdom, helped the English in the Hundred Years War. Then they signed a new treaty with the French, and the English lost everything they'd worked for. Well, with a lot of help from a peasant girl. 

 

THE CAPTAIN hands the cup to ENOCH, who takes it from him carefully so as not to spill. THE CAPTAIN goes to sip from his cup, but adds: 

 

CAPTAIN:  

When their last duke died Burgundy was ripped apart by the French and Germans. Now they’re just mustard and wine. Please, drink. 

 

THE CAPTAIN continues to drink. ENOCH investigates his cup and the deep red liquid. He is unfamiliar with how to drink it. He mimics THE CAPTAIN and takes a large gulp. 

 

ENOCH:  

(disgusted) 

Guh! 

 

ENOCH cringes hard at the taste of alcohol and puts the cup back down. THE CAPTAIN chuckles. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Not a fan, eh? I suppose it is a bit much for a boy your age. But then boys your age get up to all sorts of mischief, don’t they? 

 

ENOCH:  

I suppose so, sir. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

...Or they get put up to mischief by the older boys. 

 

ENOCH’S eyes flick up, before darting away again. 

 

ENOCH:  

I don’t know what you mean, sir. I haven’t been put up to mischief. I keep to myself. 

 

It is obvious to both of them that ENOCH is lying. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Of course not. You’re an ideal worker. Dutiful, diligent, popular with the crew. I’m sure you must have a few close friends out there right now, don’t you? 

 

THE CAPTAIN nods his head towards the window. ENOCH turns in his seat to follow. The shade of a sailor blocks the lamplight as they walk by. ENOCH looks back at the captain. 

 

ENOCH:  

To be sure sir. It’s good to have friends. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Indeed, a friend is a fine thing on a long voyage. They’ll keep people from making mistakes. Keep them focused on keeping the ship in one piece. That’s what we all work to do, isn’t it? This ship wouldn’t float if people didn’t work together, wouldn’t you agree? 

 

ENOCH:  

Yes, sir. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Yes, sir. Yes...  

 

THE CAPTAIN stands up and moves towards his desk. He thinks for a moment. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

ENOCH, take my plate down to the kitchen then hurry back, would you? There’s a good lad. 

 

ENOCH:  

Right away, sir. 

 

ENOCH picks up the plate and exits the cabin. 

 

CUT TO: 

 

3. EXT – SHIP - NIGHT 

 

AS SOON as ENOCH leaves the cabin, he is approached by MIKAS. He moves fast, and ENOCH almost drops the plate. 

 

MIKAS: 

(hushed) 

What are you doing out here?! Get back inside and keep him talking. We aren’t ready yet. 

 

ENOCH: 

(protesting) 

I’m doing what you said! Only, the CAPTAIN wanted me to take his plate below deck. 

 

ENOCH holds up the dirty plate, hoping to prove his story. MIKAS grabs the plate from him and throws it overboard in a quick motion.  

 

MIKAS:  

There, it’s below deck.  

 

MIKAS puts a hand on ENOCH’S shoulder and grips it tightly. ENOCH is suddenly afraid of his strength, which he has never felt before used on him. 

 

MIKAS:  

Now, ENOCH, wait a moment. I like you, that’s why I asked you to help me out with this. We’re mates, you and I, aren’t we? 

 

MIKAS squeezes ENOCH’S shoulder. It hurts. 

 

ENOCH: 

(intimidated) 

Y- yes, MIKAS, of course we’re friends. 

 

MIKAS: 

(releasing his grip)  

There you go. Now, be a good – no, be my best friend tonight, and keep the captain talking. Me and the other boys are nearly ready. Just don’t let it slip what we’re doing. Alright? 

 

MIKAS lightly holds ENOCH’S chin up to look into his eyes. ENOCH is trying hard not to cry, and so does not reply. MIKAS lets his chin go, and gently pushes him back towards the CAPTAIN’S cabin door. 

 

MIKAS:  

Remember, when you hear the signal, stay out of sight. I’ll come find you when it’s over. 

 

MIKAS knocks on the CAPTAIN’S door, and leaves ENOCH alone.  

 

CAPTAIN: 

(off-screen) 

Enter! 

 

ENOCH takes a breath of sea-air, then re-enters. 

 

CUT TO: 

 

4. CABIN – SHIP - NIGHT 

 

ENOCH enters to find the CAPTAIN standing by the window looking out to the sea, over the black mass of water below and the mist hovering on top. ENOCH is still shaken and does not know what to do. 


CAPTAIN: 

ENOCH help me clean the table, would you? 

 

ENOCH puts the things away at the CAPTAIN’s direction. 

 

CAPTAIN: 

Save the wine and candle. I had more I wanted to talk to you about. 

 

ENOCH does so and sits gingerly. THE CAPTAIN joins him. 

 

CAPTAIN: 

(noticing the disturbed state of ENOCH) 

My goodness, are you alright? I only sent you out for the kitchen. Did the cook say something to you? 

 

ENOCH:  

(sheepishly) 

He... no sir. I just... hit my shin coming up the stairs. It hurts a little is all. 

 

THE CAPTAIN looks at his shin. They are completely fine. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Oh... well, mind the swaying of the ship. It catches all of us off guard sometimes. Some wine will help dull the pain, but take it slow this time. Baby sips, ENOCH. No shame in acclimatising. 

 

ENOCH, buoyed by the CAPTAIN’S sympathy, takes a small sip from the wine. He cringes less so this time. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Now where were we...? Ah, right. I thought we could play a little game. A thought experiment if you like. You’ll be running a ship of your own one day, it’s important to think about the possible dangers of running one before you have to risk anything. So tell me, ENOCH – what is the most dangerous thing on this table? 

 

THE CAPTAIN pulls his pistol from the holster on his belt and places it carefully between the candle and the wine. He waits for a response. ENOCH eyes the weapon, but doesn’t want to give an answer in case he is wrong. THE CAPTAIN decides to help. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Well... what about the pistol? Why might that be dangerous? 

 

ENOCH:  

It could kill someone? 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Not by itself, but yes. If you aimed it at someone and shot them in the right place, it would definitely kill them. What about the fire? 

 

ENOCH thinks for a moment. 

 

ENOCH:  

It could set the boat on fire? 

 

CAPTAIN: 

(proudly) 

Haha, yes! Exactly ENOCH, it could sink the boat. If a fire gets into the powder, we would be blown to smithereens, and little bits of you and me everyone else would fall down here and there. Not my ideal situation to be sure. Now, what about the wine? 

 

ENOCH is starting to enjoy the intellectual challenge. He is excited to think of an answer. 

 

ENOCH:  

Maybe... someone... might... get drunk? And maybe they would do something bad? 

 

CAPTAIN:  

They could indeed. If a crew isn’t disciplined, or a captain doesn’t watch the grog, a sickness of the mind can take over. People behave at their worst thinking it is their best. Or not thinking at all. 

 

THE CAPTAIN corks the bottle. He taps his temple with his finger. 

 

CAPTAIN: 

A sickness of the mind, ENOCH. What might someone in their wrong mind decide to do on a ship? 

 

ENOCH pauses to think. He has completely forgotten he is meant to be watching for a signal. 

 

ENOCH:  

They could... shout out the wrong command, or fall asleep and forget their duties... or they could fight someone else? Or lots of people? 

 

THE CAPTAIN looks at him seriously. 

 

CAPTAIN:  

Right. So, fire, alcohol, and pistols. How could we solve these problems before they become... bigger problems? 

 

ENOCH looks at each item in turn. 

 

ENOCH:  

... I would blow out the candle...  

 

CUT TO:  

5. EXT – HELM – SHIP – NIGHT 

 

A SAILOR blows out a lamp behind the HELSMSMAN and approaches him. 

 

INTERCUT CABIN CONVERSATION: 

 

ENOCH: 

...keep the cork in the bottle... 

 

THE HELMSMAN is hit on the back of the head with a glass bottle, which shatters. He falls to the floor unconscious. 

 

INTERCUT CABIN CONVERSATION: 

 

ENOCH:  

...and unload the pistol... 

 

THE CAMERA pans up to reveal MIKAS standing above the HELMSMAN, pistol drawn and pointed into the air. 

 

CABIN: 

 

CAPTAIN:  

(finishing the thought) 

...all of which can be done by one person. 

 

After a pause, ENOCH decides to reveal MIKAS’ plan to mutiny. 

 

ENOCH:  

...Sir, there’s something I need to tell -  

 

ENOCH is cut off by a gunshot from above deck. He jumps in his chair in surprise.  THE CAPTAIN, meanwhile, seems unphased, even relaxed. 

 

CAPTAIN: 

(calmly) 

Oh I already know, lad.  

 

CUT TO: 

 

HELM: 

 

MIKAS is holding his gun in the air, but there is no smoke. He stares straight ahead in confusion, then falls, revealing another CREWMATE standing behind him, smoking gun in hand. 

 

INTERCUT CABIN CONVERSATION 

 

CAPTAIN:  

I can tell when a Burgundy’s about to turn. 

 

END SCENE 

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