Into The Sea
2022
Short Film Screenplay
EXT. EAST COAST PARK – DAY
ARI (17) is at the beach, standing by the sea. The water is grey and slightly murky. Seaweed washes up right beside their feet. There’s people everywhere – families with their children, tourists, friends hanging out.
ARI (V.O.)
You know what’s weird? Friends.
Ari takes a step into the water. They shudder as the cold hits their feet. They continue wading until they are standing roughly knee-deep into the water.
ARI (V.O.)
One day, you just start spending time with a person or talking to them and the next thing you know, boom! You’re best friends. Inseparable.
Looking into the distance, Ari takes a deep breath.
ARI (V.O.)
You know what’s weirder? 99% of the time, we don’t remember exactly how we start being friends with someone.
Ari rolls up their sleeves. They take a deep breath and throw themself into the water. Ari resurfaces and gasps and starts swimming forward.
ARI (V.O.)
And also 99% of the time, we don’t even remember how we stop being friends with someone.
The tide gets stronger. Ari starts to struggle.
ARI (V.O.)
I guess it’s more of like, a process. Slowly, your conversations get shorter and shorter, then your texts get dryer.
(beat)
And next thing you know…
Ari gasps for air. Waves get stronger and CRASH into them.
ARI (V.O.)
You’re only texting each other to wish them happy birthday.
A huge wave smashes into Ari.
CUT TO BLACK:
EXT. MIND SEA – DAY/NIGHT
It’s nearly dark. There are bubbles blipping through the water and a flickering image of Ari and JAN (17?) can be seen in the reflection. Ari lies on the ocean floor, the sand slowly indenting around their body.
Suddenly, Ari’s eyes fly open. They gasp for air, but bubbles gurgle out of their mouth. They choke and gasp for a while but start breathing normally again after a few moments. Subconsciously, they claw at the ground, sending sand everywhere floating through the water.
Slowly, Ari sits up and glances around. There are no fish or plants, just sand and water for miles on end. When they turn around, they notice a bubble in the distance, drifting towards them. They claw at the side of their shirt.
The bubble floats to Ari and POPS in their face. They flinch. Ari wades away, revealing a huge mass of bubbles behind them, slowly drifting along with the current. It’s majestic. Ari releases their grip.
ARI
Whoa.
A bubble drifts by Ari’s face. They reach out to pop it, but it doesn’t pop.
INSERT – FLASHES of Ari and Jan’s memories. Mostly those from the conversation and when they first met.
Ari freezes up. Slowly, they extend their finger towards the bubble and gently prod it.
INT. CLASSROOM – DAY
Ari and JAN (both 10) are sitting together in class. A teacher is sitting at the teachers’ table, scrolling through her phone and now looking up. The whiteboard reads, “Do questions 1-15, hand in by the end of class.” Ari and Jan have already finished their work, and are staring into space.
Ari’s gaze shifts to the date on the whiteboard – 13 November 2017.
ARI
Jan?
JAN
Yeah?
ARI
It’s only a few days until school ends.
JAN
And?
ARI
And then we’ll be in different classes. Away.
(loud whisper)
Forever.
JAN
Hey, don’t worry about that. I promise we’ll keep in touch.
Ari looks down.
ARI
We will?
JAN
Of course! Besides, our classes are gonna be next to each other next year.
ARI
Yeah…
Ari still looks unsure. Jan looks away and thinks for a few moments before turning back around and grabbing Ari’s hand.
JAN
Ok, let’s look at it this way: we’re only gonna be apart for 2 years. That’s it. And that’s only physically. I promise we won’t be for like, the rest of our lives!
(beat)
We’ll go to the same secondary school, we’ll go to the same college — some posh one in like, London! And then after that we’ll move in together…
Ari perks up.
ARI
…And get a dog together…
JAN
…Or a cat!
ARI
Or both!
They both giggle.
ARI
(sceptical)
Are we… really gonna do that?
JAN
Of course. When have I ever promised you something I can’t keep?
Jan reaches out for a fist bump.
JAN
Best friends forever?
Ari returns the bump.
ARI
Best friends. Forever.
EXT. MIND SEA – DAY/NIGHT
Ari (17) stares at the bubble. The previous scene is playing in its reflection. Their gaze lingers on it.
They release the bubble and float to the surface. The light streaking in through the water surface illuminates it. It’s ambient and tranquil for a few moments. Ari’s gaze trails the bubble, before it finally pops somewhat close to the surface.
They try to pop another one, but it drifts away, continuing to float up. Ari frantically chases after it for a while, before just barely grabbing hold onto it.
MUSIC CUE: “SAY ANYTHING” by girl in red.
A squeeze, a flash.
CUT TO: ARI MEMORY MONTAGE.
INT. SCHOOL PARADE SQUARE (ARI MEMORY MONTAGE) – DAY
Ari and Jan (both 14) staring at each other from afar, both gripping floorball sticks. They smirk at each other.
Both let out a primal scream of fury as they dash towards each other, raising their sticks. They clash with a sharp CLACK. A bubble pops.
INT. MRT CARRIAGE (ARI MEMORY MONTAGE) – EVENING
The train’s packed like sardines, mostly adults who’ve just gotten off work and are now heading home. Ari and Jan (both 14) are dead tired.
Miraculously, they’re both able to find seats. They both slump into them.
Jan gives up on staying awake and rests her head on Ari’s shoulder and falls asleep. Ari’s eyes widen and they grip their shirt with one hand, slinging their other free hand around Jan’s shoulder. Jan subconsciously grabs Ari’s other hand.
INT. ARI’S BEDROOM (ARI MEMORY MONTAGE) – AFTERNOON
Jan is lying on Ari’s bed (both 16), scrolling through her phone. Ari is lying beside her, peeking at what’s on her phone.
MUSIC CUE: “LONG DRIVES” by BoyWithUke.
Jan scrolls until a post and pauses to read it – it’s from one of her friends ranting about JC choices and how they have no idea which one to go to. Ari purses their lips at the sight of it.
JAN
Man, imagine not already knowing where you want to go by now.
ARI
(sheepishly)
Heh, yeah.
Ari turns over to face Jan.
ARI
So… where are you planning to go?
JAN
(not looking up from phone)
R.I, probably. I mean my grades are good enough.
(beat)
And just imagine the bragging rights.
Ari chuckles.
ARI
Yeah, imagine.
Pause. Jan shuts her phone and puts it aside, face down and turns to face Ari. They’re both staring into each other’s eyes.
JAN
So, have you planned out where to go yet?
Ari inhales sharply and glances away from Jan.
ARI
Not yet, actually. I think I’ll wait until I get my results back then decide…
Ari trails off and pauses for a while, before turning back to face Jan. She doesn’t look convinced.
ARI
…Besides I think it’d be better to focus on getting exams done and over with before I worry about that.
(smirks)
Not everyone has your ability to overthink.
Ari playfully punches Jan on the shoulder and Jan laughs. Ari laughs along but it sounds slightly forced. They can’t meet Jan’s gaze.
A POP.
EXT. HALLWAY (ARI MEMORY MONTAGE) – DAY
Ari and Jan (both 16) are walking down the hallway together, talking. Jan spots her friends in the distance, waving to her. They’re all wearing the same jackets with the same band logo on them.
JAN
Well, my friends are here. Gotta go.
Jan is about to walk off, but Ari takes her hand.
ARI
Wait, I thought we were going to–
Jan sucks in a breath.
JAN
Yeah… But, something cropped up with my… uh… project. AND! And we’re going out for lunch and to discuss it. Last minute. Sorry about that.
Ari sighs.
JAN
Look, next time. I’ll hang out next time. I promise.
ARI
Alright. See you.
Jan quickly retracts her hand and runs off. Ari walks off in the opposite direction, clenching on their bag strap. They turn around and catch a glimpse of Jan and her friends. Her arms are around their shoulders, and they chat and laugh loudly as they walk away.
INT. ARI’S BEDROOM (ARI MEMORY MONTAGE) – NIGHT
Ari’s using their phone underneath their bed. There are mounds of papers and worksheets strewn across the table, from tuition centres and their school, all full of crosses and zeros scrawled on in red ink.
Ari opens their phone and starts texting Jan. They send her a bunch of messages asking her if she wants to hang out and asking for help with homework. No reply, but Jan’s online. Many previous texts can be seen, all sent by Ari, and unread by Jan, all also asking her to hang out and for help with homework.
END MUSIC CUE.
A few moments pass. Ari sighs and deletes all the texts. They check Jan’s account – she posted mere seconds ago. Ari views the post, swiping through pictures and pictures of Jan out with her friends. They gently toss their phone over to their table into a messy pile of worksheets. Ari lies down and stares at the ceiling.
END MONTAGE.
EXT. MIND SEA – DAY/NIGHT
Ari (17) watches this memory, surrounded by the silence of the sea. There are no other bubbles around them anymore. They flick the bubble hard and it POPS.
After a few seconds, another bubble appears and drifts around Ari’s face. Ari gently brushes it across its surface.
FLASH scenes of the conversation as Ari brushes their finger across the surface of the bubble. They quickly retract their finger. Ari’s gaze lingers on the bubble as they continue swimming to the surface.
Finally, Ari reaches the surface. They try to poke their head out of the water, but the water bulges with it, preventing them from surfacing.
Ari turns around and looks at the static bubble. They’re gripping their shirt with their other hand.
Ari hovers their hand over the bubble hesitantly. They close their eyes and grab it. Nothing happens, so Ari tries to pry their hand away, but it’s stuck to the bubble.
Suddenly, Ari notices themself SINKING! They gasp. Water gushes into their nose and mouth. They start sinking faster. They open their mouth to scream but nothing comes out and more water flows in. The bubble drags Ari down faster and faster. They hurtle towards the ocean floor.
Ari hits the ocean floor with a huge CRASH!
CUT TO:
EXT. SCHOOL HALL – DAY
Ari (16) and Jan (16) are sitting outside the school hall, both clutching result slips.
Jan is also holding another piece of paper – it’s an acceptance letter to Raffles Institution.
Jan’s result slip is placed on the floor face up – it’s all straight A1’s. Ari’s result slip, on the other hand, is clutched closely to their body, the result side hidden. Ari’s gaze lingers on the acceptance letter as Jan examines every inch of it.
ARI
So… you’re gonna take it up?
JAN
Of course!
Silence. Ari shifts around.
ARI
Well, have fun there, I guess.
JAN
Yeah, you too.
Jan reaches out for a fist bump. Ari weakly returns the bump and sighs.
JAN
Hey, dude, I told you, you’re gonna be fine without me–
ARI
(sighing)
–I know.
Pause. Jan inches closer to Ari.
JAN
Don’t worry about it. We’ll keep in touch. I promi-
Ari looks up at Jan.
ARI
That’s what you always say.
JAN
I promise it’s for real this time.
ARI
That’s what you always say.
(beat)
You said it the last time that we’d always be together, that we’d be best friends forever. Now? All you do is just–
Ari takes a deep breath and blinks hard. They’re tearing up.
ARI
Just– I don’t know why I even deal with you anymore. Sometimes it just feels like you’re not there, maybe because you aren’t.
JAN
Ari, I needed some space.
(takes deep breath)
I mean, you’re my best friend and nothing will ever change that but sometimes we all need a… change of pace, y’know?
ARI
I know.
Their gaze once again trails to Jan’s acceptance letter.
ARI
It’s just–
Ari snatches the acceptance letter from Jan’s hands.
ARI
Look, Jan.
(points aggressively at letter)
You have a future. Right here. You’re set for life. You know what you want to do, you know who you’re going to be with. You’ve got people who want you around.
(beat)
But what about me?
JAN
Ari, I promise I’ll never leave y-
ARI
To HELL with your promises. Why can’t you ACTUALLY stick around for once?
(beat)
I’m sick of having you dip out of my life and I’m sick of waiting for you to come back around again. I’m sick of lying in bed all night confused about how I feel about you and scared to death I’m gonna lose you and I’m sick of attending all those career talks and still being confused and I’m sick of trying so hard but only barely passing. I ca-
(beat. Ari wipes their tears)
I don’t know if I even have a future anymore. All I know is I want you in it, but even that’s…
Ari notices the look on Jan’s face and stops themself. Jan just stares back. Ari pushes the acceptance letter back into Jan’s hands.
Silence. The both of them sit there. Jan looks down at the acceptance letter, completely gutted. She looks up at Ari but quickly shifts her gaze away and back to the letter, quietly contemplating what Ari just said.
Jan reaches out and takes Ari’s hand, and squeezes it, but Ari doesn’t reciprocate. Ari takes a deep breath and sighs, they still can’t bring themself to look at Jan. Tears are now streaming down their face.
EXT. MIND SEA – DAY/NIGHT
Ari’s (17) lying on the ocean floor, looking out into the water. It’s murky and greenish. They try to get up, but they feel completely weighted down, like something’s actively pushing down on them.
Another bubble comes into view. It reflects a lot more colour than the rest of the bubbles and it drifts towards them. Ari stares at their reflection in the bubble, completely defeated, but they still attempt to raise their hand and their finger just barely grazes its surface.
CUT TO:
INT. ARI’S JC – AFTERNOON
LIV (17) and Ari (17) together in school. Ari stares at their phone, looking troubled.
LIV
So… what are you gonna do during the holidays?
ARI
Jan’s busy so nothing much, I guess.
Liv takes a deep breath through her teeth.
LIV
Dang. I was going to talk about how I’m going scuba diving with my family but now I feel kinda bad.
ARI
It’s fine.
They stand in silence for a while.
LIV
Don’t you find it weird how Jan is somehow always busy?
ARI
Not really. She’s literally in R.I, of course she’s busy.
LIV
Yeah, but for the whole holiday? And every single holiday?
ARI
(looking down)
I mean, yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised.
Pause. Liv sighs.
LIV
Whatever… I gotta go so see you tomorrow, then.
Liv makes finger guns at Ari and slowly backs away. Ari weakly makes finger guns back.
ARI (V.O.)
It’s okay. She really is just busy. I mean, why wouldn’t she be?
EXT. BUS STOP – DAY, AFTER SCHOOL
Ari waits at the bus stop, scrolling on their phone. From the side, Liv spots Ari and walks over to them just as a bus arrives. Jan (17) alights from it swarmed by a group of friends, all clad in the R.I uniform. Ari notices Jan and panics, freezing up. Jan turns around and glances at Ari. Liv stops and watches.
ARI (V.O.)
She’s already done enough for me anyway.
Ari scrunches their shoulders and looks away. They claw at their bag straps, digging their fingernails in. They hold their breath as Jan squints at them.
ARI (V.O.)
And she promised me we’d stay in touch and hang…
Jan shrugs and immediately turns back to her friends and they all walk away. Ari finally exhales, but their grip on their bag strap tightens. Liv takes a step towards Ari, but stops and slowly backs away.
Ari’s gaze lingers on Jan as she walks away.
ARI (V.O.)
…Right?
INT. ARI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Ari, in bed looking at their phone.
Ari checks the texts they sent to Jan, all asking her how she’s been. She hasn’t even read any of it after a whole week. Ari swipes around and looks at Jan’s recent posts. It’s full of Jan and her friends, and they’ve been posted pretty recently; just hours ago.
END MUSIC CUE.
Ari shuts their phone off and furrows their eyebrows. They take a deep breath.
ARI (V.O.)
Right.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. MIND SEA – DAY
Ari stares back at their reflection in the bubble. It slowly drifts out of view as Ari continues staring at the surface.
MUSIC CUE: “HELIUM” by Glass Animals.
The water is a lot clearer than it was before. Strips of sunlight are streaking across the ocean floor and into Ari’s eyes. Instinctively, they shut their eyelids.
The silhouette of a boat drifts into view, blocking the sunlight, and Ari slowly reopens their eyes. Suddenly, a weight attached to a rope drops down and lands right next to them. Scuba goggles and an oxygen tank are dropped from the boat and land near Ari. A SCUBA DIVER clad in a wet suit and full-face diving mask can be seen on the boat, looking at Ari.
Ari takes the goggles and puts them on and straps the oxygen tank onto themself. They put on the regulator and take in a deep breath. As they breathe out, they watch the bubbles float up to the surface.
Finally, Ari grabs the rope and starts their ascent.
Eventually, they reach the surface. Ari’s head BREAKS OUT OF THE WATER with a SPLASH. They resurface with a huge, loud GASP. They take a deep breath and look out at the ocean around them. Waves are calm, the water is clear, and the sun is shining. Land can even be spotted, although barely.
The Scuba Diver extends their hand and Ari takes it. With a heave, Ari uses it to pull themself up on the boat.
MUSIC FADES OUT.
FADE INTO WHITE.