ON TOP OF THE IRONCLAD
Battered, but determined, Rance has worked his way up to the top of the casement. Crawling to the hole left by the detached cylinder, he peers down into the darkness. He sees nothing. Grabbing the edge of the opening, he lowers himself full length before dropping to the deck below.
UNDERWATER
The force of the water is eroding a larger opening and gushing into the passageway carrying the subterranean river, filling it completely.
The water commences to swirl, forming a vortex.
THE IRONCLAD BRIDGE
SADUSKY
Maybe, if we float free, we can maneuver her.
ABIGAIL
Maneuver her where?
BEN
(to Abigail)
He’s thinking of lining her up with the entrance to the lift chamber.
RILEY
Maneuver, how? There’s no engine in this beast. Not even any oars.
SADUSKY
Let’s do something!
A shudder runs through the deck, and all nearly topple.
INSERT
The keel of the ship settles into the center of one of the catwalks and is left teetering on the edge of a section that slopes down to the burgeoning hole.
BACK TO SCENE
ABIGAIL
We’re no longer rising? That’s good isn’t it?
Riley catches sight of the forming whirlpool through the slotted windows.
RILEY
Oh, oh!
Ben follows his gaze.
BEN
The decision is about to be made for us.
He bolts for the ladder, calling back:
BEN (CONT’D)
Get everyone aft, now!
FORWARD DECK
All of Sadusky’s agents and Morgan’s soldiers are seated on the deck, backs toward him, when Ben rushes up.
Rance, standing guard, trains one hand gun in their direction, and turns another on Ben.
RANCE
Ah, Mr. Gates. Please have a seat.
(sees the red map-case)
I’ll take that.
BEN
We can’t stay here!
RANCE
I agree, but for now–
Rance hands one gun to the Third Soldier and takes the map-case from Ben.
BEN
(seeing the others approaching)
No! Don’t!
Too late.
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