The Chronicles of Sir William

Ch 17

Mandatory Beach Episode

CHANGE LOG:

I went back and re-added a B-plot for Ch 16, The Titan is

Dead that I had cut for its lengthiness. After some work-

shopping I managed to make it fit. It involves Amity going

to see her mother in prison and Luz interfering as usual.

In Ch 5, Between the Lies, I altered Philip's backstory

somewhat. The observatory that he finds the Observer in IS

the Owl House as it was in the past. Philip encounters

Hooty there as well, who has no memory of the altercation

in the present.

This will be an important detail in the coming chapters as

we approach the end. Thank you for enjoying The Chronicles

of Sir William thus far!

OPEN ON:

INT. BONESBOROUGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MORNING

The Head-Witches of the Isle's various covens enter the

council chambers and huddle around the center table,

yawning and sipping coffee. Most of them seem lethargic.

Lord William strides in behind them, much more sprightly.

WILLIAM

Good morning, gentlemen. I'll start

us off with a few proposals to-

KEEPER

-Erhm, Lord Regent. We have a

proposal of our own, if you wouldn't

mind.

WILLIAM

Very well. You have the floor.

KEEPER

Simply put...*yawn*...it's been

almost two years since we've had a

proper day off. Since today is

traditionally marked as a government

holiday, we thought...

WILLIAM

You must be joking! There's still so

much to do! And the Observer is

still at large, plotting who-knows-

what!

HETTIE CUTBURN

Are we to hold our breath while she

bides her time and schemes? In my

professional opinion, we could all

use a sabbatical.

ALADOR

All in favor?

It's unanimous.

WILLIAM

Oh, fine! We'll go to the beach or

something...

TITLE

SEQUENCE:

EXT. PALM STINGS BEACHFRONT

The sandy beaches of Palm Stings are crowded with visitors

from Bonesborough, relishing their day off.

Luz leads her mother to a reserved spot and begins setting

down towels.

CAMILLA

So, how do people enjoy the beach in

"The Boiling Sea"?

LUZ

On this part of the island, the

water's just a gentle simmer. It's

like a hot-tub. You'll see!

CAMILLA

I think I'll take your word for it

and get some sun instead.

EDA

Save some for us.

Eda arrives on the arm of Raine, accompanied by Lilith and

Hooty in his portable birdhouse.

LILITH

(bashful)

The Clawthornes are notorious for

their sallow complexions.

EDA

So, we'll need all the UV we can

get. Hooty?

HOOTY

I've got the sun-tan lotion!

EDA

Then let's get crispy!

The Clawthorne sisters stretch out on some reclining

chairs. As Lilith gets settled, she looks over and recoils

at the sight of Eda's body without her head.

LILITH

Gah!

EDA

What?

Her head is seated next to Raine under the shade of an

umbrella.

EDA (cont'd)

I don't like sun in my eyes all day.

LILITH

Couldn't you do with sunglasses?

EDA

Eh, this is easier. Why don't you

try it? You've had the curse long

enough by now. You should be able to

detach your limbs too.

LILITH

Eugh...I'll pass.

Further down the beach, William approaches a section of the

beach cordoned off for a sandcastle-building competition.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Gather round contestants, for the

annual sand-castle contest! Let's

see who has the architectural

ingenuity to unseat our reigning

champion!

Head Witch Mason smiles confidently while wearing a silly,

castle-shaped crown.

WILLIAM

Hah! Child's play for one who grew

up in castles!

KING

Don't be so sure. I compete in the

contest every year and Head Witch

Mason always wins by a landslide.

But my "citadels of doom" are always

a crowd-pleaser!

WILLIAM

Then may the best artificer win!

He shakes hands with King and they both rush over to enter

their names.

Luz tours the beach when she spots Willow and Gus digging a

massive pit in the sand.

LUZ

Hey guys. Whatcha up to?

GUS

Willow's going to bury me up to my

neck in sand.

WILLOW

(darkly cheery)

Burying people helps me relieve

stress. Wanna join us?

LUZ

I'm going for a swim, but let me

know when you get up to his

shoulders.

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Even the ne'er-do-

well beast hunters are lounging in the sun...all except

one.

TOM

(brooding)

I don't like sand...it's rough,

coarse, irritating...and it gets

everywhere...

EYEPATCH

Then why did you come to the beach

with us?

TOM

(still brooding)

...I don't know...

Principal Bump marches the competition grounds with his

clipboard and inspects the contestants' castles. William

puts the finishing touches on a large and faithful

recreation of his father's castle keep.

WILLIAM

I give you, Ossus Keep, 1/3000

scale.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Exquisite detail!

WILLIAM

(proud)

Accurate down to the number of

crenelations.

Bump then goes to judge King's castle, a massive gothic

horror of an evil villain's citadel. William does a double-

take at its impressive size.

KING

I call this one, "King's Landing"!

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Dramatic as always.

Finally, Bump arrives at Mason's castle, a sprawling

military fort with sculpted cannons. William takes a deep

gulp, not liking his odds.

MASON

Fort Mason, Mk 5.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Another impressive entry in the

series.

WILLIAM

(nervous)

*Erherm*...So, who takes the crown?

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Not so fast. The winner is decided

by whose castle can withstand the

siege!

WILLIAM

The what now...?

A crowd of cheering spectators gathers around their castles

and starts pelting them with clods of sand, garbage, and

beach-balls.

William despairs as his castle is the first to fall,

followed shortly by King's. As Mason's castle takes damage,

he casts a spell, bringing the sculpted cannons to life so

they can fire back at the crowd.

The once-cheering crowd runs screaming as they are buried

in mounds of sandy cannon balls. Soon the contest grounds

are deserted, with only Mason's castle left standing.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

And we have champion standing!

KING

Aw, rats! How is that fair?!

William sulks next to his ruined castle.

WILLIAM

How many times must I relive this...

Elsewhere, Eda and Lilith continue their sun tanning. Eda's

head snores away under the umbrella until it's knocked out

into the sun by a stray volleyball.

EDA

Wha-?! HEY!

Her head rolls at the feet of a teen volleyball player who

mistakes it for a ball and serves it.

EDA (cont'd)

AAAAAGHHH!

Her head is passed across the court several times until it

lands in the hands of a smug teen girl with three eyes.

BOSCHA

Ooops! Looks like it's the Owl Lady.

Sorry for the mix-up, but your face

is so pale and wrinkly it may as

well be a volleyball.

Boscha's entourage laughs while she serves Eda's head to

the other side of the court. Eda growls as her body comes

to pick up and reattach her.

EDA

Hey, guys! Did you see that?! What

say we teach that little half-pint

some manners-Clawthorne style!

Eda breaks off her arm and uses it to extend her reach,

slamming the ball back into Boscha's face.

BOSCHA

OOOF!

Meeting the challenge, Lilith, Raine, and Hooty take their

positions next to Eda on the court.

LILITH

With pleasure, sister.

RAINE

Bring it on!

HOOTY

(hardcore)

Let's traumatize those kids!

Further out in the water, Luz emerges from the steaming

waves, flipping her hair.

LUZ

Ah! Good for the pores!

She takes in her surroundings, eventually spotting the

Blight family setting up their umbrella further down the

beach. They all wear luxurious and stylish swimwear. Amity

looks particularly sultry in her glittering black two-

piece.

LUZ (cont'd)

(blushing)

Whoa...! Calm down, Luz. You don't

want to get heat-stroke out here...

Trying to avert her gaze, she comes across the sight of

William partaking in a body-building competition. She

practically drools over his masterful physique.

LUZ (cont'd)

Agh! Too many beach-bods! I need a

cold shower!

Luz dashes ashore and leaps in a shower stall, screaming as

she's doused with cold water.

William continues flexing and posing for the body-building

competition, but the first-place medal ultimately goes to

the buff, face-chested centaur. Aghast, William marches off

in a huff.

WILLIAM

(grumbling)

I thought this was a beauty contest,

not a side show...

Elsewhere, Willow finishes burying Gus up to his neck.

GUS

I am the sand guardian! Guardian of

the sand!

WILLOW

Poseidon quivers before him!

GUS

(shouting at the

surf)

Sod off!

On the volleyball pitch, Eda's team isn't doing well.

Boscha ferociously serves the volleyball, bending Hooty's

neck and disabling him. Another fierce serve catches Raine

in the shin, taking him out.

BOSCHA

Heads up!

The ball rockets towards Eda, knocking her head into the

sand.

EDA

(shaking off)

Dang, that kid does not mess around!

Boscha's eyes blaze with fiery determination. Lilith is the

only player on their team left standing.

LILITH

(panicking)

Uhh, Eda. What do I do?! I'm

outnumbered!

Boscha's entourage laughs and prepare another set.

EDA

Use the corpse, Lily! Use the

corpse!

LILITH

Huh?!

Lilith looks at her clammy arms and begins to understand.

As Boscha's team hurl the ball over the net, Lilith

detaches her left arm and uses it to slam the ball with

extra force.

It goes flying into the net, catching fire and burning a

hole as it passes through. It lands with a crash on the

other side of the court, leaving a smoking crater.

LILITH (cont'd)

(overjoyed)

I did it! I did it! I "used the

corpse"!

BOSCHA

Uh, not to burst your bubble,

Frankenstein, but that's an out.

LILITH

Huh?

BOSCHA

You touched the net. You're out!

LILITH

Oh...

Eda's body fishes her head out of the sand.

EDA

We're going to need backup.

She sees William dejectedly shuffling across the sand.

EDA (cont'd)

Hey, Dune Quixote! We need another

player for our team!

William lights up and comes running over.

WILLIAM

Finally! A challenge worthy of a-

OoOoOooOHHHH!

Boscha sends a volleyball hurtling into his groin.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

(groaning)

The royal jewels...the kingdom has

fallen...!

He collapses in the sand, cradling his crotch.

HOOTY

Foul! We were in time-out!

BOSCHA

(innocent shrug)

Oops...

The Clawthornes gather around William, helping him to his

feet.

WILLIAM

(delirious)

The line has ended...!

EDA

That dirty rotten twerp!

As Boscha's entourage celebrates their victory, a lifeguard

arrives, blowing his whistle and waving a red card.

LIFE-GUARD

I'm gonna have to ask you to leave,

Miss.

BOSCHA

What?!

LIFE-GUARD

Beach ordnance.

He points to a sign outlining the rules.

LIFE-GUARD (cont'd)

No harassment or horseplay.

Accompanied by a graphic of a centaur frolicking.

CENTAUR

Awww.

BOSCHA

But we were just-!

The lifeguard sternly points Boscha and her friends off

the beach. They begrudgingly leave. The chest-faced centaur

slumps his shoulders and leaves with them.

EDA

Justice!

LILITH

(to William)

Come on. Let's get you to the

medical tent.

LATER

Luz dries off in the sun beside her mother when she sees

William packing up his umbrella and heading away.

LUZ

Headed home already?

WILLIAM

Yes, before I sustain any more

embarrassment.

She runs over to him and tugs at his arm.

LUZ

Aw, don't get pouty. Stay.

WILLIAM

I'm sorry, I just don't think I have

the makings of a beach-wastrel.

LUZ

It's "beach-bum". And there's more

to enjoy about the beach than just

looking good. It's about relaxing

and having fun with your friends.

He doesn't look reassured.

LUZ (cont'd)

Come on.

(tantalizing)

I'll let you rub sunscreen on my

back...

He finally looks tempted.

CUT TO:

EXT. SURF - DAY

A few small children are out swimming and splashing around.

We see several POV shots of a creature stalking them from

beneath the waves. A fin emerges and streaks toward a

swimming girl before she is pulled underwater.

GIRL

*screams*

The other boys swimming with her scream as well. A moment

later, she re-emerges several feet away with a laughing

demon boy.

GIRL (cont'd)

Not funny!

They all laugh until another fin emerges from the water.

This one is much larger, accompanied by a shadowy shape

circling them in the water.

CHILDREN

*All scream*

The life-guard comes rushing into the water as the children

scramble for shore, shaking.

CHILDREN (cont'd)

SHARK! SHARK!

LIFE-GUARD

What? There hasn't been a simmer-

shark in these waters for decades.

(skeptical)

Are you kids trying to pull a prank?

Concerned, Principal Bump approaches.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

I'm not so sure. Their screams

sounded genuine. You learn these

things as a principal.

Hearing the disruption, William marches over.

WILLIAM

(resolute)

Not to fear, children. If there is a

beast prowling these waters, your

Lord will find and slay it.

William mounts his staff and sets out above the waters. Luz

comforts the children.

LUZ

See, kids? There's nothing to worry

about.

As William searches the water, another group of beach-going

children play with a beach ball. Another shadowy presence

emerges from the sand, this time taking the form of a

massive hermit crab.

William hears another scream and flies over to investigate.

There he finds more frightened children, one crying over

their deflated beach ball.

SCARED CHILD

C-c-c-Crab! Big crab!

CRYING CHILD

It popped our ball!

William turns and sees the shadowy presence sneaking away

into the brush at the edge of the beach.

LUZ

Another "monster"?

WILLIAM

I saw it this time. Come with me!

They chase it into the brush, coming face-to-face with a

shadowy creature with glowing eyes. Principal Bump and the

lifeguard arrive behind them, just in time to see it take

shape.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

*gasp* Grom!

INTERMISSION:

EXT. BRUSH

The monster bristles at being called by name and escapes

into the thicket.

LUZ

Wait. That Grom? The monster we

fought at the school dance?

PRINCIPAL BUMP

The very same. It must've

reconstituted itself and been drawn

to the crowds here.

LIFE-GUARD

Then it sounds like we have an

emergency on our hands.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Oh, I wouldn't go that far. Grom

feeds on fear, not flesh.

(casual)

If it posed any real threat to

children, I wouldn't have chained it

up in the school dungeon and pitted

our students against it.

LIFE-GUARD

(peering over his

sunglasses)

You did what?!

LUZ

(sarcastic)

Gee, Mister B. You really know how

to set people at ease!

PRINCIPAL BUMP

(bashful)

Erhm...Perhaps I should demonstrate.

Principal Bump delves further into the thicket until he

comes across Grom again. The monster bristles and then

assumes the shape of an office secretary woman, approaching

Bump slowly with menace.

SECRETARY

(ominous)

Sir, you have twenty calls on the

line from angry parents...And the

superintendent wants to arrange a

tour of the school tomorrow...

Bump shivers a bit before calming himself and summoning his

nerve.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

(zen)

*deep breath*...I'll take care of it

later...

A wave of calm seems to sweep over Grom, dispelling its

illusion. The monster bristles with frustration and dives

back into the vegetation.

PRINCIPAL BUMP (cont'd)

You see? Grom only has as much power

as you give it.

LIFE-GUARD

That may be, but we're dealing with

large crowds of flighty tourists. If

they catch wind of this monster

there could be a panic. People could

be trampled.

PRINCIPAL BUMP

Hmm, you have a point there...

WILLIAM

So, the only thing to fear is fear

itself? Only one thing for it, then.

William marches back onto the beach and takes a megaphone

from the lifeguard's lookout post.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

People of the Isles! May I have your

attention please! Your Lord Regent

has a proclamation to make!

I must ask you to remain calm when I

tell you that a creature is stalking

this beach...

The beach-goers erupt into fearful gasps and murmurs. The

lifeguard runs after him, aghast.

LIFE-GUARD

What's he doing?! Wasn't he

listening?!

LUZ

I think I know what he's up to...

Trust us. Transparency is the best

policy.

WILLIAM

It's name is Grom. Some of you may

know it already. Please understand

that it has no power to harm you-

only to frighten you.

(rousing)

Should you be frightened regardless,

know that your Lord is here to

protect you. I have faced many

monsters in my time. Legions of

rogue demons. The mad Emperor Belos.

Why, I've even looked into the maw

of the Titan itself without

flinching!

I defy this beast to conjure a more

frightening visage than what I've

already faced!

The people seem reassured by his bravado and begin

cheering. Grom watches from the brush, bristling with rage.

It strides out onto the beach to face William.

The beach-goers gasp and scream with fear as it shambles

through the crowd.

LUZ

Remain calm! Remember, it can't hurt

you!

Grom ignores them, going straight for William. It stops

several feet in front of him and stares him down, its

shadowy form roiling. It continues shifting and changing

for several moments, trying to decide what form to take.

WILLIAM

Stumped, are we...? Ready to give it

up?

Grom hisses with rage and lunges at him. Before it can slam

into him, Grom's body seems to dissolve and vanish. William

looks around, confused at first, but then cocky.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

You see? Nothing. Because I fear

nothing!

He turns to march away in victory, but something isn't

right. His vision grows blurry and distorted. He staggers a

bit, disoriented.

LUZ

Will? Are you alright?

As William looks around, his surroundings seem to darken

and change. In his eyes, the beach-goers surround him,

pointing and laughing.

WILLIAM

What...? What's so funny? Why are

you all laughing?!

Luz looks around, confused. To her, everyone seems to go

back to their beach activities.

LUZ

Who's laughing?

To him, it appears the crowd is mocking him.

BEACH-GOERS (ILLUSION)

Does he know how ridiculous he

looks?!

He's our leader. He should be

working, not fooling around on the

beach.

What an embarrassment!

WILLIAM

What is this perfidy?! You will show

your Lord Regent the proper respect!

BEACH-GOERS (ILLUSION)

Oh, no! Or you'll do what? Flog us?

Ha, some "Lord Regent"! What is

that, anyway?

I never thought I'd miss Belos!

WILLIAM

SILENCE! I will hear no more of this

slander!

LUZ

Calm down! You aren't making any

sense!

Again, from his perspective, Luz's concern comes as

insults.

LUZ (ILLUSION)

You're making a scene! Quit

embarrassing me!

WILLIAM

Well, my pardon! I shall take my

leave, then.

William mounts his staff and flies away.

LUZ

Hey, waaaait!

LUZ (ILLUSION)

Fine, be that way! We didn't want

you around anyway.

He suppresses a twinge of hurt before bolting for the

horizon.

EXT. FOREST ISLAND

William touches down in the treeline of a pine forest on an

island offshore.

WILLIAM

I knew this was a bad idea. I look

absurd!

He taps his staff, summoning a whirlwind that changes him

out of his swim trunks and back into his scale mail. His

palisman, Sir Eglamore the dragon, comes to life and prods

him with concern.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

(irritable)

Yes, I know Sir Bowen would be

ashamed. You're awfully perceptive

for a hunk of driftwood!

Sir Eglamore shrinks away, seemingly misinterpreted as

well. A moment later, several of the Head Witches are led

to the forest's edge by Luz.

LUZ

I saw him land here.

RAINE

Hopefully he hasn't gone far.

William eavesdrops on them from the bushes.

KEEPER (ILLUSION)

(scheming)

Good, then he's all alone out here.

MASON (ILLUSION)

And after making such a humongous

fool of himself, he might just die

of shame and save us the trouble!

RAINE (ILLUSION)

If only...This has been a long time

coming. If anyone is having

doubts...

HETTIE CUTBURN (ILLUSION)

None here. I'll be sure to make the

whole thing look like an accident.

He retreats behind the tree, gasping for breath.

WILLIAM

(panicked)

I-I can't believe it! They want to

kill me?! Of course...why didn't I

see it before!

As he grows more paranoid, his eyes begin glowing white and

leaking a smoky black miasma.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

I won't go down quietly!

The head witches fan out in search of him. He sneaks up on

the Keeper and drags him into the forest with a bubble

shield.

KEEPER

*screams*

MASON

Wha-? Where did he go?!

As they look around in confusion, Alador is dragged off as

well. Frightened, the remaining head witches regroup and

form a circle, back-to-back.

WILLIAM (O.S.)

So, this was your plan all along.

Lure me out to this idler's paradise

to make a fool of me...so I wouldn't

be missed when you took power!

William's voice echoes from the boughs of the trees.

RAINE

Sir, if this is a joke, it isn't

funny!

WILLIAM

You never wanted me as your leader!

I was just your puppet! And now that

the puppet show's over, you're here

to cut my strings...

HETTIE CUTBURN

What is he saying?! This is madness!

A lightning bolt strikes their midst, sending them

sprawling for cover. William then drops out of the canopy

and levels his staff at them, his glowing eyes blazing.

WILLIAM

Well now I'm free. I've got no

strings...on me...

INTERMISSION:

EXT. FOREST

PRINCIPAL BUMP

It's Grom! It's possessing him and

giving him these paranoid delusions!

William turns and faces Raine.

WILLIAM

Of course, I should've guessed you

plotted all this!

RAINE

What? No! You're-!

RAINE (ILLUSION)

-nothing but a relic! The Isles

have no need for you anymore. Just

lie down and accept your place in

history.

WILLIAM

It will be a grander epic than

yours, you jackal!

William leaps forward and strikes at Raine. As they duel,

Sir Eglamore untwists himself from his staff and bites

William in the leg.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

GAH! Et tu, Sir Eglamore?!

The head witches surround and try to subdue him.

HETTIE CUTBURN (ILLUSION)

Get him now! With no staff and a

wounded bile-sack, he's helpless!

WILLIAM

Guess again!

He hastily begins scrawling a pictoglyph in the dirt. Luz

acts quickly and leaps on Sir William just before he

summons a dome shield around himself.

As he recollects himself, he embraces Luz, seemingly

relieved.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

Oh, Luz! Please, you must help me!

You're the only one I can trust!

LUZ (ILLUSION)

(laughing)

Aww, isn't that sweet! Here. Do you

want to lie your head down on my

lap?

WILLIAM

Luz...?

LUZ (ILLUSION)

Ha! Pathetic! I feel like such a

ditz for choosing you...I only hope

Amity will take me back after this...

WILLIAM

(horrified)

No...No, please. Don't leave me!

LUZ

(dismayed)

I'm not going anywhere, Will! I'm

right here!

Luz clasps his hands, but he kneels to the ground, breaking

down.

WILLIAM

(broken)

No...I can't go on...I can't...

Luz gazes into William's glowing eyes, her rage building.

LUZ

I know you're in there, Grom! You

listening?!

The miasma around his eyes glistens, indicating an

affirmative response.

LUZ (cont'd)

I bet you got a big bellyful of fear

today, but I hope you saved some

room.

The miasma bristles with confusion.

LUZ (cont'd)

It sounds like Will had these fears

for years but never showed it. Now

look at me, a hormonal, irrational

teenage girl with crippling social

anxiety-and everyone knows it! I'm

practically a buffet of fear!

The miasma scintillates.

LUZ (cont'd)

Yeah, you know it. You've tasted my

fear before. So finish your snack...

She opens her arms wide.

LUZ (cont'd)

...and move on to the main course!

Luz stealthily withdraws a glyph card out of her fanny-pack

and keeps it behind her back. Seeing this, the head witches

ready themselves.

Meanwhile, Grom takes the bait. In a billowing plume of

smoke, the monster leaves William's body and materializes

under the dome shield.

Luz presses her back against the shield and activates the

fire glyph. It dissolves the shield, allowing the head

witches to blast Grom back into the trees before it can

possess her.

Luz then helps William to his feet.

LUZ (cont'd)

Hey. Are you alright?

WILLIAM

(rousing)

Mmmm...I soon will be.

He narrows his eyes at Grom and starts marching towards it

menacingly. The monster cowers and retreats for the water,

but William grabs a surfboard from the sand and follows it.

Sir Eglamore flies to his side and transforms back into a

staff, allowing William to summon a vine and twist it

around the dorsal fin of Grom's aquatic form.

Grom takes him on a veering, zigzagging course, but is

unable to shake him. William finally summons a whirlpool in

the ocean, sweeping the monster into a dizzying funnel.

Before getting trapped in it himself, William takes to the

air and fires a massive lightning bolt into the water.

Now tired and electrocuted, Grom begins to dissolve into a

pool of black ichor that floats on the waves.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

(rousing)

If this is not your end monster,

then I wouldn't bother returning

again...!

The beach-goers gather on the shore to witness William's

triumph.

WILLIAM (cont'd)

...Because no one in the Boiling

Isles fears you anymore!

They erupt into jubilant cheers. Defeated, Grom congeals

into a shadowy mass and flees into the open ocean, chased

the last leg of the way by a Selkidomus.

EXT. BEACH - SUNSET

The beachgoers all celebrate the victory with a Lūʻau.

Warden Wrath grills a succulent arrangement of meats on a

barbecue with the help of his fire breath. King and Chief

Tarak put on a torch-juggling display.

William is surrounded by a throng of adoring surfers giving

him praise. One puts an elaborate lei around his neck.

SURFER

Congratulations! You win, dude!

WILLIAM

Win what?

SURFER

Well, we were going to have a

surfing contest. But after that

gnarly display, what's the point?

SURFER 2

Ch'yeah! You were totally righteous,

bromigo!

WILLIAM

I only understand half the words

you're using...but righteous sits

well with me.

Luz strides up and takes William by the arm.

LUZ

Can I get a dance with the big

kahuna?

He smiles and goes to dance with her to a slow tune.

LUZ (cont'd)

Wow, I didn't know you were so

afraid of being ousted.

WILLIAM

Not really. That beast just dredged

some stray thoughts to the surface.

(somber)

What I really fear is...being

unwanted.

LUZ

(chuckling)

What makes you think you'd be

unwanted?

WILLIAM

I don't know. When the monsters are

all slain and the great deeds

already done, will these people need

me anymore?

LUZ

They'll always need you. To show

them what a true hero looks like.

WILLIAM

(smiling)

They already have you for that.

LUZ

(leaning in)

We can do it together, then.

They continue dancing as the sun sets over the horizon.

THE END