CHAPTER 4: LIFE AT SEA
The sea is calm. The waves are gentle and are in a slight breeze. The sunset glistens upon the water, as its shine lights the sky with an orange gold color. The only high waves and spray of the water come from the propellers of The Venture, which sails its continued course across the sea.
The star berg deck of the ship has been set up like a studio with lights, and cameras mounted on tripods. There are three angles, all set up for an important scene. It's taken the crew longer than expected to set everything up. But there's been a few tests shots in between.
It's Ann's first big scene. While in rehearsals and screen tests with Denham & Herb, she remembers her acting classes in High School.
While she is attending University in Japan, her studies go far back as in High School in Japan, given her father was doing studies on the mysterious island that all on board seek for some time. The acting course was more for extra credits, her focus was more on paleontology, while most girls in her classes worried more about boys and attending local malls and arcades. Unfortunately she never had time for that, if anything her spare time was at the Tokyo Museum of Natural History, studying the bones of extinct animals and of living creatures, as well as time in the scrolls of Ancient Egypt. If not that it was off to the Library to study myths and legends, reading of stories of the legendary Loch Ness Monster and the sightings of a prehistoric creature in the African Congo named Mokilee Mambebe.
Her acting courses taught her the basics of stage performance, as well as how to pose in front of still cameras, but never that of the movies. So learning to act in front of the motion picture camera is all new to her, but her acting lessons keep her focused on the scenes at hand.
Denham is sitting in his ''Directors'' chair behind the camera with Herb. Denham is caught up in the scene and is emoting furiously. The light from the sun is going lower and lower and he wants to get the scene in the can, He shouts in the megaphone.
"All right everyone, lets get this in one take!" He shouts. "Are those lights fixed with those damn filters?"
From above, one of the ships crewman, the cabin boy to be exact, Jimmy, holds the lights up on top of a ladder. "All set, Mr. Denham!" He replies.
"Good!" Denham replies, "Right! From the top everyone! And ACTION!"
The lights shine, the camera's film rolls and all is quiet as the scene begins...
Upon the shine of the setting sun Ann runs out on to the deck of the Venture in a glittering pink gown. She is sighing and crying in a melodramatic kind of way, holding her palm to her head. It is clear in the scene that something devastating has happened and her emotions show the effect. To keep herself crying, she thinks of her poor father, who died of a heart attack some 5 years ago. The pain still hurts her as she does the scene, without her true emotions showing.
Jack approaches behind Denham, he is reading pages of paperwork in his hand. The journey to their destination still has him on edge as he reads the incoming transmissions and documents from his boss Englehorn.
Breaking his read, he looks up just as the crying Ann turns, tears on her cheeks, lit by the golden rays of the setting sun. Jack seems suddenly awestruck. As a young man, he's seen many beauties come and go, even those of Hollywood starlets seem that of the golden goddesses, like those of Cathrine Zeta Jones or Jessica Lange. But seeing Ann, in the sparkling pink dress, body tightened to show some impressive looking displays, makeup upon her face that leaves the warm colors of a peach fruit, her lips glossend with a light red lipstick. and hair, that of which is long blonde with a strip of bright pink, leave an permanent vision in the captain's eye. He's never seen something that beautiful in his life.
Ann's eyes then spot Jack, staring at her completely entranced, momentarily forgetting where she is. Both seem tied to one another as the sound of the sea sweep there ears.
Denham catches the exchange of looks. His mind sparks with ideas for rewrites of the script. He takes advantages of the moment and whispers to Herb.
"Keep filming Herb, this is great stuff."
"Yes sir." Herb replies, keeping the lens focused on Ann's look in the shot.
Jack and Ann continue to stare for what is almost forever. Both are locked onto each other, both seem to be drawn to each other. Jack then smiles at her. Her reply is to smile as well, while also a little blush hits her cheeks.
"Cut! Great!" Denham shouts from the megaphone, breaking the moment between the two. Jack seems shoowed away from the moment, Ann also breaks out, suddenly realizing she forgot what to do.
Denham's gaze returns to Ann, he smiles with excitement. "Get that locked and printed Herb! That's a sure keeper!" He shouts to Herb. Seeming proud of his cinematography,
"Yes sir!" Herb replies smiling, resetting the camera for another possible take.
"Ann, wonderful performance!" Denham replies. "You're a natural...I felt moved!"
Ann looks pretty pleased with herself. "Thank you Mr. Denham." she nods shily.
"Let me tell ya kid, audiences will be crying tears over that take." Denham critics. "That one will most definitely not be on the cutting room floor. You can relax for 10 minutes while we get the next take ready."
Ann smiles, her confidence is at its peak. Optimism sparks her mind. A dream realized finally. She then makes her way off the set to her room for a quick retouch of makeup. She looks up at the still gazed Jack and passes by. To Jack, her passing is seen in slow motion, bright colors and stars shine around her in a glow as she seems to prance by like that of a fawn in the Greenwood.
Desperate to say something as she passes, the captain can't get the words out. Then, a slip of almost command...
"Miss Darrow"
Ann stops and turns, again gracefully upon Jack's eyes. A sudden look of still lips show on the girl. Jack feels a jerkiness. He screwed up and sounded stern and dominant. It's like him given the crew, but to a women of her stature, it sounded insulting. Desperate, he replies alot softer to make a good compliment.
"You did a good job with that scene." The captain replies, much softer, way better. Ann them seems studderd. She seems suddenly displeased on how the take went, mostly due to the contact with her and Jack not being in the script that Denham wrote up.
"I know, it wasn't that good," She replies shyly. "but Mr. Denham felt very strongly that..."
The look on Jack seems confused. And he thought he was too tough, The girl is criticizing herself. Not wanting to make it more awkward. She replies studdering...
"I know...I should have. I'm sorry...I was..."
"You made it your own." The captain replies. "That's all that matters."
Ann blushes, her head down, sighing. "I was nervous." she says softly. Both her and the captain seem stuck for words. To break the moment, Ann goes down towards the lower deck stairs. Jack feels he should say something.
"Ann..."
Ann turns to him waiting to know his reply, to get the last word.
"You don't need to be nervous." Jack replies softly.
Ann looks at him uncertainty, she feels more relaxed but also touched by the man's words. Relived, she walks down to the lower deck. Jack smiles as he watches her go down, his eyes gazed at her last frame in his eyes. Once gone, he takes his step to return to the bridge. Suddenly, Ann stops and turns back to Jack.
"Hey!" She shouts happily to the Captain. Jack looks and turns back at her. She's smiling.
"You know, maybe my luck has changed."
A FEW DAYS LATER...
The Venture sailing through the peacefully blue morning sea. The crew seem up and away, cleaning many variants of the ship.
On the main deck of the Venture, Denham and his film crew shoot another scene with Ann. She is shown a variety of production costumes, all in different colors.
"Alright Ann," Denham speaks to her. "We've got a few picks of costumes for this next scene. You can pick out which one suits you best, You got about 30 minutes to pick one, suit up and be ready for the scene, okay?"
Ann nods, looking upon a red silk dress. Suddenly, the director seems agitated. He spots the ships cook Mario, attending to the kitchen after a quick bathroom break.
"Hey Luigi, where's those damn donuts I ordered ya!" Denham shouts. "It's been an hour overdue and I'm starving!" He then turns to Jimmy, seeming very over excited. "Jimmy, do me a favor and get me another friggin coffee!"
"Yes sir, right away!" The cabin boy replies, hauling towards the ships kitchen, following a stern insulted Luigi.
Upon the bow deck of the ship, Ann takes a break, taking notes on a pad. She's multitasking between her work and filming, keeping record of the days gone by. Jack comes by, wanting to be more acquainted with her,
"Hey Ann." He studders. The lady turns, seeing Jack this morning continues to perk her spirits.
"Oh hey Jack." She smiles. Jack makes himsaelf comfortable, learning his arms and back towards the sea, looking out on the beautiful blue waves.
"What have you been doing all morning?" The captain asks.
"Oh, trying on costumes for Mr. Denham." Ann replies. "He wants to do a few lighting tests."
"Tests? This early in the morning?" The captain asks, then seeing the array of cameras and wires around the deck. He agreed with Denham that scenes would be shot later in the afternoon, once the daily ship clean ups are complete.
"Well, he wants to see what side of my face looks the best." Ann replies smiling, looking upon the sparkling sea with Jack. Jack looks at her briefly, monitoring her bright face and slim cheeks. She seems so in spirit with the waves of the water that seem to reflect on her.
"Both sides look fine to me." Jack mummers, Ann turns giggling.
"Yeah, but your not the movie director." she laughs.
"Well, if I was, you probably wouldn't be here," The captain chuckles. Ann seems stunned by Jacks words. Brushing it off, she laughs.
"Well that's a nice thing to say." She remarks.
"Oh, life at sea is no place for a girl." Jack mummers. He feels somewhat protective of Ann, and he might be right on some levels. He does know a few decent women that work in the shipping lines, but someone as innocent as Ann, while brave when wanting herself to be, is not suitable to the life on the ship, especially being surrounded by a mug of dirt filled men.
"I'll have you know," Ann proclaims "That my father had taken me on several voyages across the seas to explore the natures of the world. It definitely beats flying."
"Well that's alright." Jack replies. "But that's more of a luxury cruise what you've been on. A girl like you on this ship though, it's more dangerous here,"
"Well I can get by," Ann says softy.
"Hey!" Jack barks. "Don't talk like that, You don't know the crew here like I do, They may come for money, but in reality, they're all paying off they're criminal records. Just stay close to me okay, they won't bug ya if I'm around."
Ann seems startled by the captains remark. "Jack. Are you, worried about me?" She grins slightly.
Jack is off. He thinks he made a move too soon, In doing so, he replies with a sudden bark, "What? No! I..uh...just don't want to see you get hurt is all."
Looking at Jack, with a large blush on his cheeks, Ann smiles. "Oh Jack, your so silly." She giggles, patting his back. Jack smiles, he feels relieved for now.
WEEKS GO BY...
The Venture continues sailing through the ocean, with a setting sun about 3 hours away. It continues southwest, just as Denham's map proclaims.
Within the ship's bridge, Bob steers the ship's helm. Denham leans his body on the wall, palm gripping it for balance. Jack continues to look through the maps as
Denham overlooks. Jack seems frustrated. He taps a pencil on the charts. He turns to Denham.
"Alright Denham. How much further?" He asks impatiently.
"We're close. Keep on course captain." Denham replies coldly.
"I'm not sailing blind in these waters, dammit!" Jack hisses. But Denham tries to reassure him, grinning manipulatively.
"It will be worth your while boys." Denham claims. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
"That's the problem Carl." Jack grunts. "There's nothing out there!"
Denham grinds his teeth, looking at Jack with a slight twitch in his eye. "Pay attention Jack. This trip is costing me a hundred grand a day. I'm the one paying you assholes, plus whatever cow shit is on the island for you to turn into god damn Volkswagon juice. Plus if I'm not mistaken, CB Pictures is keeping you guys outta bankruptcy. So get this through your head cap, you only exist out here because of me!"
Jack stands with a striking hissed glance at Denham. He's conflicted as well as threatened by the directors words. He retracts,
"Well then you have nothing to lose." The captain hisses, stomping out the door to let off steam. Denham huffs it off, turning to Bob, who stare silently at the sea.
"Stay on course Bob." He mummers.
Jack makes an exit to the upper decks of the ship, his patience is out of reach, Denham is definitely up to something. Many worries cloud his mind. They're heading into waters that is surprisingly blocked off by the Us Government.
He then remembers of a time in his teens, around the late 90s, when the internet was a new thing, he had a friend who was a huge conspiracy theorist, had heard in an almost anti government website that those entering the waters, that seem to be where Carl is taking them, were told to turn back, and those who board them would be silenced by the CIA, if anyone spoke of what was out there, they would be charged with treason. It reminds him on the stories of those like "Area 51"
What if this "Kong" Denham speaks of is an alien? What if the Myans prophecies of outer space life forms being those of Gods all lead to the island?
What is behind this fortress of fog? What or who is around this Wall on this so called "Skull Island?" What is this so called "Kong"? And what will be of those going ashore, more worrying, Ann?
Jack seems to be in a state of paranoia. Realizing his mind going into a madness as he stomps away from the argument at the bridge, he's boiled up. It looks like he's gonna knock someone out. He takes a breather, composing himself.
"Captain's looking a little seasick"
The sound of a large loaded gun clicks, startling Jack. Sitting on the barge of the ship, looking out to sea, is a striking fellow, aiming a Double Barrel Rifle out to sea. It shines with a thick plate of silver and wooden carvings within the stock. This large gun seems more in the lines of hunting large prey, like those of the African Elephant.
This threatening looking individual is named Johnathan Challenger, a professional and philosopher in the art of big game hunting. He's one of the last known in pursuing the biggest in the world of the beasts, hunting everything from Lions, Tigers and Elephants. While poaching and hunting has become hated by most of the world for driving many big animals to endangerment or even extinction, Challenger does so for the cold hearten sport, to become the best, the dominant predator.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya." Challenger smirks. His gun is not loaded, he's merely polishing his prized possession. Jack looks stern, he's not a fan whatsoever of the hunters history.
"The only thing that scares me, Mister Challenger, are your manners," The captain replies. "And whatever Denham's paying ya to shoot."
"I only shoot the guns, not the cameras." The hunter laughs. "Still angry that my small arsenal and explosives are being carried on your ship, huh?"
Jack shakes his head. "If you call twenty cases of semi automatic arms small. You're the reason I could have been tied down for months in Surabaya if the dock marshals found out."
Challenger just glares back to sea, still cleaning his gun. Jack suddenly breaks. "Speaking of which, did I miss something or are we going into battle?"
"The last time I was on one of Mr. Denham's film safaris, everybody I was with almost died from a stampede of charging rhinos." Challenger replies with his British accent. This takes the sarcastic look off Jack's face. Challenger starts dismantling and cleaning the gun. "Carl wanted a swell shot of the stampede coming in, so I fired a round over the crews head and the Rhinos came charging in." He continues. "Everyone ran, including that tumbled cameraman. Denham took over filming. The damn fools, I was still loaded with this rifle here in my hands. They didn't trust me to get the rhinos before they go them. Another round over the heads and the rhinos took off running."
Jack seems humored by the big gamers story. Just seeing Denham acting like an idiot give him a little smile.
"There's something out there, you know, something behind that fog." Challenger speaks.
"Yeah," Jack nods. "Carl cut a deal for you too eh?"
"I'm just paid what I'm told, or promised." Challenger replies. "Do I believe what Mr. Denham is saying, no. Do I believe in a legendary beast that may lay dormant behind the fog? Possibly."
The hunter leaves to his quarters, then Jack stops him. "And if it is there?" He asks.
Challenger turns back to Jack, grinning. "Then it better be bigger than an elephant, much bigger."
As the hunter leaves, Jack shakes his head once again, looking out to sea, continuing to compose himself. Suddenly, he hears a gambit of giggling. It's definitely that of a few ships crew. Curious, he walks down the barge.
Quietly, he hears a slip of bumps and grunts. Not wanting to attract attention, he peaks from a walling of the ship. Looking to the edge of the barge, two of the ships crew members, Mike and Peek, appearing to be up to no good. Mike is a pretty built up guy, wearing a black cap and a worn black t-shirt, he's been to the gym, but has a history of being a bit of a creeper to women. He lifts over the side of the ship, Peek, a man who is much more of a creep. He's skim, twitchy and might have had a bad case of drug use in the past. He's like a little rat.
Peek seems to be looking through one of the cabin windows of the ship, while Mike struggles to hold him over the side.
"Hey, you see anything yet?" Mike asks struggling. "Come on, let me get down there."
Jack is a little off put. What are they looking at?
"Hold on!" Peek hisses from below. "She's just coming outta the shower!"
*She?* Jack wonders in thought, then startles. *Oh No!*
The cabin Peek is staring through is no one else, but Ann's! She steps out of the steamed hot shower booth, completely in the nude. looking in front of the mirror. Her appearance is that of great lust and want. She doesn't notice the creepiness of Peek, blushing through the fogged window. His mind totally lost to perverted images.
Mike is well aware of this and wants to have a look himself. He grows impatient. "You've been down there long enough!" He shouts, "Give me a chance you pig!"
From out of the empty barge, Jack storms in casually. Mike is startled, looking like a boy caught with his pants down.
"Oh Captain! What a surprise!" Mike shouts with commandment, still holding Peek below.
"Well what do you have here." The captain smiles sarcastically. Looking down at Peek peering through Ann's window like a Dog panting for a treat.
"I gotta say boys, you always did have more balls then brains." Jack smirks, continuing the sarcasm. He holds in his hand a life preserver and turns to Peek.
"Hey Peek, you're gonna need this!" Jack shouts tossing the preserver below. Peek catches it, then bumping the glass of the cabin window.
Ann wraps a towel around her chest, She gives her head a good shake, letting her hair fall loose over her bare shoulders. She's multitasking by writing notes and looking through charts. She then takes her attention to a copy of the script of Denham's movie. She is torn between the two jobs she has. A actress of childhood dreams and the inheritance of her father's dying wish. Then she turns around, haring the bump from the glass and comes face to face with Peek staring right back. She screams, being heard from the entire crew,
With no surprise, Jack then grabs Mike and tosses him overboard, releasing Peek and himself into the ocean.
The alarm is sound "MEN OVERBOARD!" someone shouts. Denham and many of the crew run out to the stern of the ship to see what all the commotion is about. many of the crew run out to the stern of the ship to see Mike and Peek struggle in the waters over the life preserver,
"Where's Ann?" Denham asks.
"In her Cabin." Jack replies.
Pondering, Denham turns to the crew. "Wow! What a Scream Queen!" The director gins with excitement. "Herb, get the boom Mike! We gotta be ready for the next shout!"
As Herb and Denham rush off, Ann comes up onto the deck. She wears a quick change of bathrobes, hair still wet, the crew and Jack look at her like that of royalty, Respect from Jack's point of view, but the crew continue to stare. She rushes to the sight of the flailing perverted crew members afloat at sea. All of the crew laugh at the two's misfortune.
"HAPPY SAILING BOYS!" Ann shouts in justice. Everyone laughs as the ladder is lowered to get the two out of sea. Jack then turns to the crew.
"Alright everyone! That's enough excitement for today! Back to work!" He commands smiling. The crew leave urgently, but laughing at the fun filled day.
Jack then turns his worries to Ann. "Are you okay?" He asks.
"Oh I'm fine. I was just a little startled." Ann replies, curling her hair with her fingers,
"I'm sorry about that intrusion." Jack says, "I'll make sure that never happens again."
"It's okay," Ann says softly.
"No! It's not okay!" Jack barks. "I let my guard down on these assholes and look what happened."
Ann is shocked. "I knew it. You are worried about me." She giggles.
Jack hesitates, "Hey, don't be getting any ideas kid. I just don't want anymore of the crew getting ideas"
Ann gives him a cold stare. "You're a liar."
Stunned, Jack barks. "I am not!"
"Just who do you think your kidding?!" Ann shouts, Jack is backing out as Ann points a finger off his chest. "I've been on this boat to learn a few things about you, you know! You are definitely worried about me!"
Jack growls his teeth. Turning off in a huff to the ship's bridge. He's had a long rough day. Bu then a slight turn of voice from Ann...
"And if you are, I don't mind." She says softly. Jack turns to see her, once again glazed in the shining sun sparkling the sea. Her body leaning on the ship's stern wall, looking out to sea.
"To be honest," She continues. "I think it's rather sweet."
Jack has no words, in his mind, she's absolutely right, even if he doesn't want to admit it. He returns in a much sounder mood to the bridge as Ann stares off to the setting sun in the horizon.
Things on this rusty boat are not as bad as they seem...