Episode 1 of The Boundless Beyond

FIRST PANEL SHOWS A WIDE SHOT OF RAGING OCEAN. A LARGE CARGO SHIP TOSSED VIOLENTLY BY THE WAVES.

SOLOMON

Heave to!

A FEW PANELS SHOW CREW MEMBERS TYING DOWN THE SAILS OR SCRAMBLING BELOW DECK, IT'S CHAOS AND EVERYONE'S BUSY.

BY THE HELM STANDS SOLOMON AND HENRICK, BOTH HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE, HENRICK STRUGGLING AGAINST THE WHEEL.

HENRICK

I’m not sure how much more she can take, Cap’n. There’s no sign of this ending any time soon either.

SOLOMON

I don’t understand, we were supposed to have clear skies for at least another week. It just came out of nowhere.

DRAMATIC CLOSE UP OF HENRICK GLARING AT THE SKY.

HENRICK

I told you something was gonna happen. I could feel it in my bones.

SOLOMON

Oh shush, no use now. BRIDGET!

BRIDGET'S HEAD POPS UP FROM THE LADDER TO THE HELM WITH A CROOKED SMILE.

BRIDGET

Eye sir, cargo has been secured and most of the crew is below deck. I suggest you get down there too.

THE TWO STUMBLE OVER TO EACH OTHER.

SOLOMON

Not a chance.

A MASSIVE WAVE CRASHES ONTO THE SHIP, KNOCKING SOLOMON'S CAPTAIN'S CAP OFF HIS HEAD. THE TWO STAND DRENCHED AND GRIPPING TO THE RAILING FOR DEAR LIFE.

SOLOMON

Where’s Freddy?

BRIDGET

Last I saw him he was headed towards the boiler.

SOLOMON

Tell him to come find me if you catch him-

AN EFFECTS PANEL SHOWS A LOUD SNAP! ONE OF THE MASTS HAS BEGUN TO CRACK AND BREAK.

SOLOMON

HOLY SHIT EVERYONE HIT THE DECK!

BRIDGET AND SOLOMON DIVE OUT OF THE WAY AS THE MAST BREAKS AND COMES CRASHING DOWN ONTO THE DECK. PAN OUT TO THE SHIP NOW WITH THE BROKEN MAST FLOATING IN THE STORM. IT LOOKS PATHETIC AND SMALL AMONG THE BLACK WAVES.

PANEL ANNOUNCES “ONE WEEK EARLIER” ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE SAME BOAT NOW DOCKED AT A PORT IN PROBABLY MASSACHUSETTS. LONGSHOREMEN LOAD CRATES ONTO THE SHIP, COLORFUL HOUSES LINE THE DOCKS, AND SAILORS BUSTLE TO AND FROM. EXTERIOR VIEW OF A TAVERN, CRAMPED AND DINGY LOOKING. INSIDE BRIDGET, HENRICK, BILLY, AND ELIZA ALL SIT AND LAUGH AROUND A TABLE WITH DRINKS IN FRONT OF THEM.

BRIDGET

So we’re all tearing about the entire ship trying to find him. Half of us are still hammered. Then all of a sudden we hear Henrick screaming bloody murder from all the way up in the crows nest!

EVERYONE LOSES THEIR MINDS LAUGHING AND HENRICK LOOKS EMBARRASSED.

HENRICK

I’m just lucky I didn’t break my neck climbing up there.

BILLY

God, I would’ve killed to see that.

HENRICK

I don’t understand why you feel the need to share that every time we meet someone new.

BRIDGET

Cause it’s hilarious. It took us so long to get him to climb down again, we had to get Captain Archer involved.

HENRICK

This is why I don’t want to drink with you on board anymore.

ELIZA

I’ve never seen someone so big get tanked so fast. You’re already all red in the face.

HENRICK

Not all of us can have organs of steel, Eliza, you’re just inhuman.

BRIDGET

I’ll tell you what, you buy the next round and I’ll let you share something about me.

HENRICK

Tempting.

THE FRONT DOOR SWINGS OPEN, ILLUMINATING THE DARK TAVERN AND FREDDY STEPS INSIDE.

FREDDY

(TO BRIDGET)

I thought I might find you here. Solomon wants to meet with us.

BRIDGET

Right now?

FREDDY

Yeah, now.

HENRICK

Hi, Freddy.

BILLY

Join us for a while.

FREDDY

Some other time. Come on.

FREDDY LOOKS MOURNFUL AND BRIDGET LOOKS AT HIM SKEPTICALLY.

BRIDGET

Alright, give me a minute.

(TURNS BACK TO HER FRIENDS) I’ll see you all shortly.

SHE DROPS A FEW COINS ON THE TABLE BEFORE PULLING ON HER COAT AND LEAVING WITH FREDDY.

THE TWO MAKE THEIR WAY DOWN THE CROWDED STREETS TOWARDS THE DOCKS.

BRIDGET

What’s going on?

FREDDY

Not sure, he wanted to wait for you to be there before sharing anything.

A WIDE SHOT SHOWS THEM MAKING THEIR WAY UP THE GANG PLANK OF THEIR SHIP.

BRIDGET

Are you alright?

FREDDY

Oh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit tired.

BRIDGET

That’s all?

FREDDY

This is going to sound strange, but I’ve just been having weird dreams about the sea. It’s making me nervous about embarking.

BRIDGET

They must be some dreams to have you so shaken up. Don’t tell me Henrick’s superstition is rubbing off on you.

FREDDY

No, no, God no. I’d bloody hope not. It’s just- it doesn’t matter forget I mentioned it.

BRIDGET

Alright.

CLOSE UP ON FREDDY’S FACE. FLASH TO INSIDE INSIDE HIS MIND AND THE ART STYLE CHANGED TO A SCRATCHY BLANK AND WHITE INK WORK. FREDDY TRAPPED IN ENDLESS SHIP HALLS, RUNNING AND RUNNING AS SWIRLS OF SMOKE CLOSE IN ON HIM, HE FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH A PORTHOLE AND CLIMBS THROUGH, TEARING HIS CLOTHES AND SCRATCHING HIS HANDS ONLY TO FIND HIMSELF IN AN ENDLESS SEA. HE TUMBLES DOWN INTO THE WATER, THE WAVES SEEMING TO FORM SCREAMING FACES. IT JUST KEEPS GOING DEEPER AND DEEPER, FREDDY SHRINKS INTO THE DARK VOID OF THE OCEAN.