tessa.ink

INT. BOSS COMPOUND: BALLROOM, DAY
Dust clears, and the last crumbs of the demolished ceiling ricochet down to the mess below.
A small mound of rubble and drywall trembles to life, as Mal drags herself out from beneath, coughing.
She shakily pushes herself up off the ground—
ROBIMBO
Mal!
She whips her head right to see Robimbo’s pop up from the wreckage.
MAL
BO!
She rushes over and tries to pull him out. Slim and Block approach from behind.
SLIM
You okay, kiddos?
Block easily fishes Robimbo out with one hand. Blood drips freely from his chest hole.
??? (O.S.)
Is everyone all right?
Mal whirls around.
MAL
MAMA?! How, WHY are you here?!
MAMA
I heard the blast and worried—
A large wave crashes onto the gang and sweeps them against the back wall!
ROBIMBO
Mal! Let’s get out of—
A BULLET WHIZZES PAST MAL, GRAZING HER CHEEK.
SLIM
MAL!!
BLOCK
Are you okay?
SLIM
(Turning towards Boss)
All right you pompous pile of plankton!
BOSS
COME ON YOU HALF-BAKED COWARDS! FINISH A JOB FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE, LILY-LIVERED LIVES!
SLIM
(Lunging at him)
WHY YOU PIECE OF—
A dog yelps painfully in the distance. Slim’s eyes burst wide open as he jerks towards the noise, then back to Boss.
Mal flanks him and squeezes his hand.
MAL
Go. I’ve got this.
Trembling with ambivalence for a moment, Slim nods. He slings Block’s arm round his shoulders and they slowly hobble off to find Mac and Cheese.
Mal looks at Mama and Robimbo.
MAL (CONT'D)
You too.
MAMA
No way. We’re not leaving you here alone, dear.
ROBIMBO
That’s right!
But the trio are quickly eclipsed by the shadow of the next big wave.
MAL
(Facing Robimbo)
Listen. I know how much you want to stay. But you’re the only one I trust to get Mama out of here safe and sound. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?
Robimbo is stunned. A beat. Then:
ROBIMBO
(Nods)
Okay.
But if you’re not behind us in the time to make al dente I’m coming back.
MAL
Deal.
Robimbo takes Mama by the shoulders and starts directing her toward the exit.
MAMA
Mal!
Mama throws her body weight against his arms, but she’s too small. Too weak.
Robimbo picks her up and rests her head on his shoulder, carrying her out of the ballroom.
MAMA (CONT'D)
Mal… Mal! Be careful! We love you!!
But her voice blends into the tempest as Mal turns back around to face Boss, or what’s left of him.
BOSS
You…! YOU! You… ruined… EVERYTHING! Don’t you understand we could have had it all! I COULD HAVE HAD IT ALL!
He strains toward Mal with such a fierce anger that his body starts to tear from its crocodile host.
BOSS (CONT'D)
Absolute unchecked power... FORSAKEN! And for what… a complete and total stranger?
MAL
She’s… my… FAMILY!!!
Mal lunges forward and SEARS boss across the torso with her salad fork sais. The damage has impressive breadth, but plastic only goes so far.
He swings an arm toward her and she slices him again, and then again at his legs, sending him to his knees.
Sensing her victory, Mal starts to walk in the direction the others went. Robimbo helps Mama get on a life jetski in the far distance.
Boss pants exhaustedly as his eyeballs and veins begin to droop off the crocodile’s limbs.
BOSS
(Through gritted teeth, struggling to lift the croc’s weighty body)
You’d better finish me now, little girl… I’ll chase your mama to the ends of the earth…
CUT TO: ACROSS THE BALLROOM
Almost to the door, Block and Slim continue to limp their way across the collapsed room.
BLOCK
Go.
SLIM
No. I’m not leaving you like this.
BLOCK
It’s okay. Go. I know you want to. Besides, she needs you more than I do right now.
SLIM
Block…
On the far end of the room, Mal starts to walk away.
BLOCK
Besides, who better to finish the job lickety split?
CUT TO: BACK TO MAL AND BOSS
BOSS
I… knew it… you’re… too weak…
Mal stops walking, but keeps her back to him, relaxing her shoulders.
MAL
“Revenge is good.”
Boss blinks, unsure of where this is going.
MAL (CONT'D)
At least, that’s what Slim says.
I’ll never forget how he showed me that it’s okay to embrace my anger sometimes.
She looks back at Boss, her eyes bright.
MAL (CONT'D)
But sometimes…
Sometimes, there are things much more important than revenge.
I hope you can see that for yourself someday.
She turns back toward the exit and continues her walk away.
With significant effort, Boss’s veins jimmy the croc’s guntoting arm up off the ground, pointing it directly at Mal.
The root of his body has fully detached from the croc’s head now, the eyeballs dangling idly beneath its maw.
SLIM
MAL!!
He begins to dash full tilt at Boss, unsheathing his needles from his mane.
Mal turns around to see the barrel of Boss’s gun pointed at her, then—
MAL
NO!!!
Boss swings the gun to point in Robimbo’s direction and pulls the trigger. Mal dives into his line of sight. The bullet catches her on her upper torso and sends her flying back a little bit.
Slim runs behind the croc and dashes his needles through each eye, bursting them, and completely tearing Boss’s veins off the croc. As he swings the needles behind him on landing, Boss’s stringy, lifeless body soars off and splatters with a thump on the ground.
A curious Bird raises his head at the noise some ways away. Slim dashes to Mal’s side, gingerly cradling her head. The bullet tore through her left shoulder, exposing some bone.
SLIM
Mal! Mal!! Are you…there?
But Mal doesn’t move.
Slim begins to tear up, and pounds a fist into the ground.
SLIM (CONT'D)
Damn it!
A single tear falls on Mal’s cheek.
She winces, then slowly opens her eyes.
MAL
(Weakly)
Hehe, got you agai—OW!
Slim squeezes her tightly to his chest, and she starts slapping him on the back to let him know it’s too hard.
A new wave builds and towers behind them, rapidly growing ever higher. Mal’s slaps become more urgent. Some yards away, Bird takes an experimental nibble at Boss.
Slim turns to see what all the fuss is about
SLIM
Holy fish…
Tearing a piece off his shirt, Slim turns to Mal and starts tourniquetting her shoulder.
SLIM (CONT'D)
Let’s get you fixed up and then get the shell outta dodge.
But Mal’s eyes gleam softly.
MAL
(Pushing his hands away)
Help me up, I’ve got an idea…
Mal pushes herself off the ground with Slim’s assistance and looks up at the giant wave, panting.
The wave seems to reach the heavens — it’s fully blocked out the sun. Grimacing, Mal tears her right fin open with her teeth, spraying her own blood everywhere.
Inhaling deeply, she spreads her arms in defiance of the wave, her eyes red, her shoulders heaving.
She looks back at Slim, who in turn does his best to not look horrified. Though her eyes are wild, her tone is calm.
MAL (CONT'D)
Go, for real this time. Block needs you.
SLIM
But—
MAL
Don’t worry! You trust me, right?
Slim thinks for a second, then scurries off. Mal turns back toward the wave, gearing herself up.
MAL (CONT'D)
LET’S GO!!!
Balling her fins into fists, she runs headfirst into the wave and momentarily disappears, punching her way out from its crest, searing it in two.
As she falls back down, she continues to swing her arms and break the wave into smaller and smaller pieces.
But as the pieces hit the water, they twist back up toward the sky, kissing the clouds in an army of whirling waterspouts.
They snake their way onto the ship and encircle Mal, whose body pulses and convulses uncontrollably, veins bulging, as her rage-filled eyes dart from one to the next.
Growling, she spins herself into a whirlpool sucking in and chopping the water spouts down chunk by chunk by chunk when
CRASH!
Another large wave sweeps Mal off her feet and thrashes her against the side of the ship.
ROBIMBO
MAL!
He tries to help her up but she swings at him wildly, almost as if unaware of his presence, sending him flying into an open fridge that immediately slams shut.
Mal pants heavily as new muscles and a mysterious red glow begin gradually rippling out from within.
MAL
RRRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
She runs toward the next wave, full tilt, creating a trail of scarlet flames as she grows brighter and brighter.
HUGE WEBBED TENTACLES curl around the top of the wave, as BIG MAMA pulls herself into view.
ROBIMBO
(From within the rocking fridge)
MAL!!
Big Mama’s eyes glow a blindingly bright blue as she launches herself off the wave, parachuting down towards Mal as she jumps up to give the waves another beating.
As Mal’s fist connects with Big Mama’s belly, she enshrouds Mal with her tentacles, and they balloon outward with a blazing purplish light.
CUT TO:
EXT. REFRIGERATOR
Hearing a muffled ruckus within, Bird makes his way toward the fridge.
INT. REFRIGERATOR
Robimbo pounds frantically at the fridge door. The light begins to glow through the rubber seal.
CUT TO:
INT. GRAND STAIRCASE
Block and Slim lay exhausted atop a mountain of destruction, surrounded by piles of unconscious grunts, holding hands, Mac and Cheese in their arms. With some effort, Slim turns his head to face Block as the light fills the sky.
SLIM
I’m so glad you were right, babe.
BLOCK
(Turning toward Slim as the light washes them out)
Huh?
INT. REFRIGERATOR
Robimbo hurls his body against the door until it suddenly gives way and he tumbles out just in time to see:
Big Mama growing larger and larger and brighter and brighter as the ominous sound of a fuse approaching its charge crescendoes. Flash to white.
EXT. STONY SHORE, DAY
Mal wakes up, looking like her normal self again. Sky and sea seem calm and cheerfully blue, the ozone a regular distance from the land once more.
Mal swivels her head back and forth, taking in her surroundings.
MAL
Robimbo?!
She runs over to him, sliding next to his unconscious body.
Shaking him to no avail, she clasps her fins and pounds on his chest repeatedly.
Suddenly, he coughs back to life, revealing a slightly flattened BIRD beneath him as he sits up.
ROBIMBO
Mal… You’re oka—
Mal shoves him hard, then lunges forward to embrace him tightly.
MAL
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONE! I THOUGHT I WAS ALL ALONE AGAIN!
Her eyes fly open.
MAL (CONT'D)
Wait, how’s
She pats at his chest hurriedly, looking for his wound.
Soggy, brownish spaghetti hangs out limply from either side.
ROBIMBO
(Weakly)
Guess I was hungry, hahaha…
BLOCK (O.S.)
Bimmy! Mal! Did you two make it?
The baddie boys hike into sight on a rocky hill in the distance. Block leans on Slim and uses a BEAM to support himself. Mac and Cheese are on their heels, a little dirty and singed, but alive.
As Mal and Robimbo turn to face them, the spaghetti squelches softly. Bird and Robimbo exchange piercing starved glares.
MAL
We’re okay!
SLIM
What about Miss Mama?
Mal starts with surprise. Mama… where’s Mama?! She begins searching around in a panic — but there’s no one else in sight.
ROBIMBO
Mal…
MAL
(Paying no heed)
Mama… I have to find Mama!
ROBIMBO
Mal, listen…
MAL
There’s NO TIME, we have to find her now!
Robimbo takes Mal by the shoulders and turns her to face him.
MAL (CONT'D)
Not NOW, Bo! You don’t und—
ROBIMBO
(Covering her mouth)
MAL!! LISTEN!!!
As they stand quietly, a thin, breezy voice wafts through the wind.
VOICE (O.S.)
Mal… Mal… Come here… Mal… Come here my daughter!
Robimbo extends an arm to let Bird onto his shoulder, and the gang begins moving in the direction of the voice, calling from the largest mountain towering in the distance. Slim and Block make their way to the center from their location as well.
As they squirm their way upward through a dense thicket near the peak, they come face to face with what appears to be an IMMENSE STONE SLAB. There doesn’t seem to be any way around or up it.
Mal tears up in frustration and throws herself on the ground. Bird and Robimbo pat her shoulder sympathetically.
VOICE (O.S.)
Mal…
They look up. The random grooves and channels in the face of the rock are starting to look a bit like…
MAL
MAMA!
She slams herself against the wall, grasping futilely.
ROCK MAMA
Mal, listen to me… I don’t have much time left.
MAL
What do you mean Mama, we only just found you again!
ROCK MAMA
It is the way things are. But don’t fret my love, you’re safe now, and I’ll always be right by your side.
As she speaks, a vine snakes up Mal’s front and gently rests on her chest. Mal takes the end into her fins, her eyes wet with new understanding.
MAL
I’ll still miss you.
ROCK MAMA
And I you. But I won’t worry anymore. You’ve grown so much since I last saw you. You’ve met so many wonderful friends.
Robimbo crinkles his eyes.
ROCK MAMA (CONT'D)
Always remember, I love you forever, no matter what.
MAL
(Pressing herself to the wall again)
I love you too, Mama.
She doesn’t respond.
MAL (CONT'D)
Mama…? Mama?!
Mal taps, then pounds the wall. But it’s just a wall.
MAL (CONT'D)
MAMA!!!
Mal starts to cry. Robimbo, Bird, and the others draw close to comfort her, as the sun begins to set on the newly ossified octopus island.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. KITCHEN, MORNING
ROBIMBO
Mal, hurry! We’ll be late!
A beat.
ROBIMBO (CONT'D)
We’ve been late!
Mal tumbles down the stairs while pulling her socks on, her left arm in a sling signed ROHRROOH with a mess of vaguely spaghetti-shaped squiggles surrounded by a giant heart.
She turns toward Robimbo and opens her maw.
MAL
AHHH
The toaster bings. Robimbo catches one of the slices as it pops in the air and uses his chest beam to bat the other into Mal’s mouth. They hustle toward the door as he throws the remaining slice over his shoulder, fully slapping Bird across the front, knocking him off the table laden with untouched breakfast pizza.
EXT. HOUSE, MORNING
Slim is bent over the garden, watering the flowers with a hose.
Across the way, Block relaxes on a lounge chair, Mac and Cheese prancing happily on the grass before him. A peaceful morning.
BAM!
Mal and Robimbo SLAM the door open and try to burst through it at the same time, getting stuck.
MAL
(Mouth full)
Let go!
ROBIMBO
YOU let go!
SLIM
Mal, what time is the parent-teacher conference tonight again?
MAL
(Squeezing out)
Eight-thirty!
She runs down the walkway, turning just briefly enough to stick her tongue out at Robimbo before racing ahead.
ROBIMBO
HEY! WAIT FOR ME!
SLIM
Kids, don’t forget the—
SLIM
…door
Robimbo runs after Mal, leaving a trail of soggy popcorn behind him.
Shaking his head, Slim sighs and makes his way to the door, still swinging.
BLOCK
Pretty cute, eh?
SLIM
(Exasperated)
This is all because you’re too easy on ‘em!
He smiles quietly to himself and shuts the door behind him, crossing over the doormat back to the garden.
The doormat reads:
WHEN YOUR’e HERE,
YOUR’e FAMIGLIA
FIN