FADE IN:

EXT. OPEN OCEAN - NIGHT
A fierce storm rages as a small wooden ship struggles to remain above the turbulent waves.
Through wind and rain and thunder, the voices of the crew can be faintly heard...

EXT. MAIN DECK OF THE SHIP - CONTINUOUS
The crew, soaking wet, works diligently to keep the ship afloat. Rain drips from their faces as they all sing the shanty.

SHANTYLEADER
(singing)
The waves take us high and the waves take us low.

CREW
(also singing)
To me way haye, blow the man down!

SHANTYLEADER
The lightning and wind’s here to give us a show.

CREW
Give me some time to blow the man down!

The ship’s planks groan loudly. Broken lantern glass slides across the deck. An occasional flash of lightning is the only source of light. The Captain, laughing, steers the ship...

CAPTAIN
Don’t mind the storm, boys! That’s just nature’s way of keeping things interesting!

Thunder cracks through the sky. The ship continues to lurch through the waves, it’s crew continues to work... their shanty echoing in the storm.

CAPTAIN
(singing)
We’ll master the storm and sail straight through the eye!

CREW
(a few exchange glances)
To me way haye, blow the man down!

CAPTAIN
Don’t look so afraid, lads, let’s give it a try!

CREW
Give me some time to blow the man down!

EXT. OPEN OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
As their shanty echoes hauntingly, accompanied by the sounds of planks and mechanism, the ship disappears... swallowed by the growing storm in the dark of night...