[First lines; three seagulls fly through gray clouds then swoop down over the ocean. Below, a pod of smiling dolphins leap through the waves in arcing jumps and are swimming happily. The dolphins stop and a seagull flies beside them on the surface. Behind them, a sailing ship looms through the mist, crashing through the waves. The CGI ship's huge wooden prowl heads straight towards the viewers and cruises past. On board, burly sailors haul in a net full of fish from the water.]
S Sailors
[Singing]
I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue And it's hey to the starboard, heave ho Look out, lad, a mermaid be waitin' for you In mysterious fathoms below.
[A dark-haired young man named Prince Eric stands on deck.]
Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face... [Eric's dog Max barks as the wind blows in their faces.] a perfect day to be at sea!
Grimsby [his face is green from obvious seasickness and he is leaning over the side of the ship to throw up]
Oh yes... delightful...
S1 Sailor 1
A fine strong wind and a following sea. King Triton must be in a friendly-type mood.
S2 Sailor 2
Why, ruler of the merpeople, lad. Thought every good sailor knew about him.
Grimsby Merpeople! Eric, pay no attention to this nautical nonsense.
S2 Sailor 2
[wildly waving a fish in Grimsby's face]
But it ain't nonsense, it's the truth! I'm tellin' ya, down in the depths o' the ocean they live.
S Sailors
[singing]
Heave, ho. Heave, ho. In mysterious fathoms below.
[Ariel swims out of the grotto and up towards a ship. Above the surface, fireworks explode in the sky around ship. Ariel gasps and looks on, amazed. Sebastian and Flounder surface beside her.]
Ariel, what - what are you- [gasping] Jumpin' jellyfish! [Ariel leaps to the ship.] Ariel, Ariel! Please come back!
[Ariel climbs up the ship and watches a party on board eye-level at the deck. Three sailors play music as the others dance a jig. Max, a shaggy sheepdog barks and scampers around the dancers.] Prince Eric: [whistles] Max, here, boy. [Max runs to Eric. Ariel touches her cheek where Max licked her.] Hey, come on, mutt, whatcha doin', huh Max? Good boy, good boy.
[Max jumps on Eric and barks. Ariel sees him and is lovestruck. Scuttle flaps down towards her, speaking loudly.]
Hey, there, sweetie! Quite a show, eh?
Scuttle, be quiet! They'll hear you.
Oooh, I gotcha, I gotcha. We're bein' intrepidatious. WE'RE OUT TO DISCOVER!
[grabs his beak and looking around and sees Prince Eric]
I've never seen a human this close before. Oh- He's very handsome, isn't he?
[looking at Max]
I dunno; he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me.
[laughs]
Not that one! The one playing the snarfblatt!
Grimsby [holding his arms out]
Silence! Silence! It is now my honor and privilege to present our esteemed Prince Eric with a very special, very expensive, very large birthday present.
[Grimsby gestures towards a large object covered in cloth and tied with a red ribbon.] [knocking Grimsby on the back]
Ah, Grimsby - ya old beanpole, you shouldn't have.
Grimsby [Sailors cheer and whistle.]
I know. Happy birthday, Eric!
[A large, gaudy statue of Eric, holding a sword and stepping atop a giant royal crest is revealed. Max growls.]
Gee, Grim. It's, uh, it's, uh - it's really somethin'.
Grimsby Yes, I commissioned it myself. Of course, I had hoped it would be a wedding present, but...
[grabbing the telescope from Grimsby]
Aw, come on, Grim, don't start. Look, you're not still sore because I didn't fall for the princess of Glowerhaven, are you?
Grimsby [Eric looks out of the telescope for a second before tossing it back to Grimsby, who catches it clumsily.]
Oh, Eric, it isn't me alone. The entire kingdom wants to see you happily settled down with the right girl.
[Eric sits on the railing of the ship looking out towards the sea.]
Well, she's out there somewhere. I just - I just haven't found her yet.
Grimsby Well, perhaps you haven't been looking hard enough.
Believe me, Grim, when I find her, I'll know - without a doubt. It'll just - bam! - hit me - like lightning.
S Sailor
[Grimsby and Eric look up to the sky as thick clouds of lightning and thunder appear and the sky grows dark turned green for a hurricane.]
HURRICANE A'COMIN'! STAND FAST! SECURE THE RIGGIN'!
[Thunder rumbling, Eric and the sailors run to different parts of the deck as rain starts to fall and giant waves swell up, rocking the ship. The crew pulls hard on ropes tied to a sail.] [In the ocean, a wave crashes over Flounder and Sebastian. On board, Scuttle holds onto a rope.]
Whoa! The wind's all of a sudden on the move here!
[A gust of wind blows Scuttle away.]
Yo! Ariel!
[On board, the captain tries to jump onto the ship's wheel, but it spins out of his hands. The ship crashes through storm and a wave passes over the deck. Eric runs to the wheel and grabs it.] [On the side of the ship, Ariel loses her grip on the ropes and falls into the water. Swimming underneath, she swims up the stern and sees a flash of lightning hit a sail. A fire breaks out smells like barbecue, and the ship looms towards jutting rocks. Ariel gasps.] [pointing ahead]
Look out!
[The ship rams into the rocks and all are thrown overboard, except Max. Eric's statue sinks down below the waves beside Grimsby coughing, who flaps his arms about.]
Grim, hang on! [Eric pulls him into a lifeboat, then sees Max still on the ship. The dog barks as flames flash in front of him.] Max! [Eric dives back into the water and climbs up the side of the burning ship smelling like barbecue. As he leaps onto the deck, one of the masts breaks and crashes down. Eric leaps out of the way. Flames spread.]
Grimsby Eric!
[Eric looks over deck. The flames reach a barrel of gunpowder, and the ship explodes. The sailors and Grimsby and Max look on from their lifeboat, staring in horror. Ariel swims to the ship to find Eric. He floats on a board, unconscious and rolls off, sinking into the water. Ariel dives down to grab him and swims to the surface. On the beach, Eric lies on his back, unconscious, with Ariel leaning over him. Scuttle lands beside them.]
[Scuttle opens Eric's eyelid.]
It's hard to say.
[Scuttle puts his head up against Eric's foot.]
Oh, I - I can't make out a heartbeat.
No, look! He's breathing. [moving his hair from his face] He's so beautiful.
[Sebastian and Flounder have washed up. They watch as Ariel caresses Eric's cheek and sings longingly. Sebastian drops his jaw in disbelief and Scuttle closes it.]
What would I give to live where you are? / What would I pay to stay here beside you? / What would I do to see you smiling at me? / Where would we walk, where would we run / If we could stay all day in the sun? / Just you and me, and I could be / Part of your world.
Grimsby [The sun parts through the gray clouds and Eric's eyes flutter open as he touches Ariel's hand, only seeing her waist up. He watches as the golden sunlight lights up behind her. Max barks and runs to lick Eric's face. Grimsby approaches and she dives into the water.]
Eric! Oh, Eric. You really delight in these sadistic strains on my blood pressure, don't you?
[Grimsby helps Eric up and he shakes his head.]
A girl - rescued me... She was - singing... she had the most - beautiful voice.
Grimsby Ah, Eric, I think you've swallowed a bit too much seawater. Off we go. Come on, Max.
[Max stands in the water, barking towards Ariel and her friends.] [to Flounder]
We just gotta forget this whole ting ever happened. The Sea King will never know. You won't tell him, I won't tell him. I will stay in one piece.
[Ariel hoists herself upon a rock to watch Eric leave. Behind her, Flotsam and Jetsam rise from the water.]
I don't know when, I don't know how / But I know something's starting right now / Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be / Part of your world
[Cuts to Ursula's lair.] [Ursula watches Ariel through a magical bubble.]
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it - it's too easy. The child is in love with a human. And not just any human - a prince! [sarcastically] Her Daddy'll love that. King Triton's headstrong, lovesick girl would make a charming addition to my little garden.
[Attached to the floor, hundreds of sad shriveled merfolk squirm and shake. Ursula laughs evilly.]
Grimsby [Grimsby sits at the head of the table as Eric gazes out the windows, which stretch from floor to ceiling, at the ocean.]
Oh, Eric, be reasonable. Nice young ladies just don't - swim around rescuing people in the middle of the ocean and then - flutter off into oblivion, like some -
I'm tellin' you, Grim, she was real! I'm gonna find that girl - and I'm gonna marry her.
C Carlotta
Ha Ha. Come on honey. Don't be shy.
Grimsby [Carlotta and Ariel come through the entrance. Ariel wears a long sleeve pink gown with pink high heels.]
Oh, Eric, isn't she a vision?
Uh, you look - wonderful.
Grimsby [taking Ariel]
Come come come, you must be famished. Let me help you my dear. [Grimsby and Eric settle Ariel into a chair.] There we go - ah - quite comfy? Uh. It's - It's not often that we have such a lovely dinner guest, eh Eric? [Ariel sees a fork on the table and picks it up, combing her hair. Eric holds a goblet and raises an eyebrow. Grimsby looks perplexed. She puts it down, embarrassed] Uh, do you like it? It is rather a fine one...
C Carlotta
[She blows into it, covering Grimsby's face in ashes by Ariel. Eric laughs.]
Oh, my!
C Carlotta
Why, Eric, that's the first time I've seen you smile in weeks.
Grimsby [Ariel smiles at this. Grimsby wipes his face.]
Oh, very amusing. Carlotta, my dear, what's for dinner?
C Carlotta
Ooo, you're gonna love it. Chef's been fixing his specialty, stuffed crab.
CL Chef Louis
[Sebastian watches Chef Louis take out a bowl of dead fish. He sings to himself as he cooks.]
Nouvelle Cuisine / Les Champs-Elysées / Maurice Chevalier / Les poissons, les poissons / How I love les poissons / Love to chop and to serve little fish / First I cut off their heads / Zen I pull out their bones / Ah mais oui, ça c'est toujours délice / Les poissons, les poissons / Hee hee hee, haw haw haw / With the cleaver I hack zem in two / I pull out what's inside [pulls out the guts from the fish and throws it in a pot] / And I serve it up fried / 'Cause I love little fishes, don't you? / Here's something for tempting ze palate [Sebastian quivers and hides as Louis brutalizes the sea creatures.] [A fish's head lands in front a mortified Sebastian. He hides under a leaf of lettuce to escape] / Prepared in the classic technique / [But as Louis clangs down on the table with a cleaver, Sebastian is jolted into the air.] First you pound the fish flat with a mallet / Then you slash through the skin / Give the belly a slice / Then you rub some salt in / 'Cause that makes it taste nice. [Louis raises the leaf and sees Sebastian.] Zut alors, I have missed one! [Louis picks up Sebastian.] Sacre bleu! What is this? How on earth could I miss such a sweet little succulent crab? Quel dommage, what a loss! Here we go in the sauce. [He throws him in a sauce bowl with Polynesian sauce and throws flour on him.] Now some flour-I think just a dab. [Sebastian sneezes.] Now I stuff you with bread. [Louis stuffs Sebastian's shells with lettuce and bread.] It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead And you're certainly lucky you are. [he spits it out.] 'Cause it's gonna be hot in my big silver pot. Tootle-loo, mon poisson, au revoir! [He tosses Sebastian into the boiling pot, with one of the hot bubbles popping at him changing him back to red and tossing him out of the pot and on the counter. Chef Louis notices him. He picks him up with a fork.] What is this?
C Carlotta
[Sebastian pinches his nose and Sebastian flies away, landing on the handle of a saucepan. Louis tries to grab him again and his hand goes on the stove. Yowling, he reels back in pain. A pan lands on his foot and he hops about.] [He grabs knives from a knife block and throws them towards Sebastian, who scampers through a small hole in the cabinet. On the counter he drops a bowl with food onto Louis' head. He runs under the cabinet again as the chef lifts an enormous knife and chops it in half.] [Sebastian dashes across the floor as a knife lands in front of him. He runs between Louis' legs towards a cabinet with dishes. Louis runs screaming toward the cabinet as Sebastian takes cover, he jumps to the cabinet with a hammer.] [Crashing noises are heard.]
I think I'd better go see what Louis is up to.
CL Chef Louis
[The kitchen is in total disarray as Louis digs around looking for Sebastian.]
Come out, you little pipsqueak, and FIGHT LIKE A MAN!!!
C Carlotta
[losing control of her rage and yelling at Louis]
LOUIS!
C Carlotta
[Louis bangs his head. Carlotta puts her hands on her hips.]
What are you doing?!
CL Chef Louis
Well - I - I was just - er, er, I'm sorry, Madame. [Extinguishes the flame on his mustache]
Grimsby [Carlotta carries out the dinner plates in a huff.]
You know, Eric, perhaps our young guest might enjoy seeing some of the sights of the kingdom. Something in the way of a tour?
[Carlotta sets their plates down. Eric gazes at Ariel, head in hand.]
I'm sorry, Grim, what was that?
Grimsby You can't spend all your time moping about, you need to get out. Do something, have a life.
Grimsby [Grimsby lifts his plate's cover to reveal Sebastian cowering in the salad. He motions "shh."]
Get your mind off -
[Ariel beckons him to hide in her plate.]
It's not a bad idea, if she's interested.
[Sebastian runs to Ariel's plate, and she covers it.]
Well - whaddaya say? Would you like to join me on a tour of my kingdom tomorrow?
Grimsby [Ariel nods vigorously, leaning heavily on her plate's cover.]
Wonderful, now let's eat, before this crab wanders off my plate.
[He stabs his fork at an empty plate.] [Ariel leans on her balcony, wearing a long sleeve pink nightgown. She watches as Eric plays with Max on the lawn.]
Come here, boy! Grrr...
[Max licks Eric's face and Eric ruffles his fur. He sees Ariel and waves. She waves shyly and backs into her room.] [Ariel brushes her hair with a fork and Sebastian sits on a table.]
This has got to be, without a doubt, the single most humiliating day of my life. [Sebastian picks a lettuce leaf off his head. Ariel passes him and pats his head] I hope you appreciate what I go through for you, young lady. [Ariel sinks into her bed.] Now - we got to make a plan to get that boy to kiss you. Tomorrow, when he takes you for that ride, you gotta look your best. You gotta bat your eyes - like this. You gotta pucker up your lips - like this. [Sebastian demonstrates to Ariel. He sees Ariel has fallen asleep. Smiling, he blows out a candle on the nightstand and hops onto the pillow beside her.] Hmm. You are hopeless child. You know dat? Completely hopeless...
[The seahorse swims hurriedly to the throne room, where King Triton swims back and forth with his hands behind his back.]
Any sign of them?
No, Your Majesty. We've searched everywhere. We've found no trace of your daughter - or Sebastian.
[angrily; losing patience]
Well, keep looking. Leave no shell unturned, no coral unexplored. Let no one in this kingdom sleep until she's safe at home.
[The seahorse bows and leaves. Triton sits in his throne.]
Oh, what have I done? What have I done?
[The lagoon creatures skitter away as Flotsam and Jetsam rise and slap their tails in the style of a high-five and snicker.] [Ursula watches Ariel and Eric through a bubble.]
Nice work, boys. That was a close one. Too close. The little tramp! Oh, she's better than I thought. At this rate, he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure. [Ursula swims to her shelf of ingredients and smashes them aside, picking up some ingredients. Well, it's time Ursula took matters into her own tentacles! [Ursula smashes ingredients into the cauldron, sending puffs of smoke in the water.] Triton's daughter will be mine! And then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook! [Laughing, she clutches her nautilus shell around her neck. A golden light emanates from behind her transitioning into the moon. Ursula transforms into a human and her voice becomes Ariel's.]
Grimsby [The moon shines bright. On a terrace, Eric plays the melody of "Part of Your World (Reprise)" on his flute. He gazes out to sea, contemplating as Grimsby approaches.] [putting an arm around Eric]
Eric, if I may say, far better than any dream girl, is one of flesh and blood, one warm and caring, and right before your eyes.
[Eric glances up at a window where Ariel stands in her nightgown, combing her hair with a fork. Eric smiles towards her. He looks sadly at his flute. Gazing firmly at it, he stakes a step back and throws it out into the water. He looks towards Ariel's window and begins to stride towards it, but stops.] [He hears Ariel's voice vocalizing "Ahhh." He leans over the edge of the terrace to see a woman walking along the shore, Ursula in disguise. Eric strains to see her clearly. The shell necklace hangs around her neck, glowing brightly. An eerie golden mist winds through the air towards Eric. It fills his eyes, enchanting him.] [Scuttle swoops over the castle, flying to Ariel's window.]
Ariel! Ariel, wake up! Wake up! I just heard the news. Congratulations, kiddo, we did it!
[Scuttle shakes Ariel's hand as she sits up, still half-asleep. Sebastian yawns and tries to go back to sleep.]
What is this idiot babbling about?!
Right - as if you two didn't know, uh? The whole town's buzzin' about the Prince gettin' himself hitched this afternoon! You know, he's gettin' married!
[Scuttle picks up Sebastian and rubs his head.]
You silly sidewalker! [to Ariel] I just wanted to wish you luck. I'll catch you later, I wouldn't miss it!
Grimsby [Scuttle flies out the window. Ariel's eyes grow wide. Leaping out of bed, she scoops up Sebastian, twirls him around and gives him a kiss on the head. She fluffs her hair and rushes out the room and down the stairs. Sebastian gets out of bed and follows her]
Well, uh - err, Eric. I-it appears that I was mistaken. [Ariel stops, flabbergasted. She hides behind a beam and listens on.] This mystery maiden of yours does - in fact exist. And - and she is lovely. [holding Vanessa's hand] Congratulations, my dear.
We wish to be married as soon as possible.
Grimsby Oh, yes - of course, Eric, but, er - but these things do take time, you know...
This afternoon, Grimsby. The wedding ship departs at sunset.
Grimsby Oh, oh - very well, Eric - as you wish.
[Ariel is distraught and runs off crying. Vanessa touches her necklace and laughs as Eric stands stiffly, under a trance.]
Poor little princess, don't be frightened, it's not you I'm after. I've a much bigger fish to—
[Triton points his glowing trident at Ursula.]
Hmph!
Why, King Triton! Ha ha ha… How are you?
Not a chance, Triton! She's mine now. We made a deal. [as she shows Triton the glowing scroll as Flotsam and Jetsam restrain Ariel]
Daddy, I'm sorry! I—I-I didn't mean to. I didn't know—
[Triton zaps a beam at Ursula and the contract, which remain unharmed.]
You see? The contract's legal, binding and completely unbreakable… even for you. Of course, I always was a girl with an eye for a bargain. The daughter of the great sea king is a very precious commodity. [The contract is released by Ursula and its golden light swirls around Ariel] But - I might be willing to make an exchange for someone even better... [as she touches her tentacle to Triton's crown]
Grimsby [We Cut to Eric's boat] [Eric rows a small boat out to sea.]
Eric! What are you doing?
Grim, I lost her once. I'm not gonna lose her again.
[We Cut to Back Under the water] [Ariel becomes increasingly small and shriveled to resemble the souls in Ursula's garden, presumably meaning that she’s turning a polyp. She holds out the contract.]
Now! Do we have a deal? [Triton looks away and signs over Ariel's signature using his trident.] Ha! It's done then! [The magical golden current holding Ariel releases her and takes over Triton, turning him into one of Ursula's souls.]
[Ursula cackles.] [Cut to above water] [Eric stands in his rowboat, harpoon in hand.] [Cut to: under water] [Only Triton's crown and trident remain.]
Oh, Your Majesty...
At last. [as she picks up the crown and puts it on.]
It's mine. [as she holds the trident and cackles to herself. Ariel angrily springs at her.]
You... [angrily swimming and attacks Ursula] YOU MONSTER!!!
[throws Ariel down and points the trident at her]
Don't fool with me ya little brat! Contract or no- Ahh!
[Eric's harpoon grazes Ursula's arm. He watches under water.]
Why, you little troll!
[to Flotsam and Jetsam]
After him!
[Flotsam and Jetsam chase Eric as he swims back to the surface. He reaches his boat, but they pull him back under water.]
Come on!
[Sebastian and Flounder attack. Sebastian pinches one eel's tail while Flounder flaps his fins in the other's face.]
Say goodbye to your sweetheart. [Ursula aims the trident at Eric, but Ariel yanks her hair, causing the beam of lightning to hit Flotsam and Jetsam, who burn to crisp, smelling like burning ash.] Babies! My poor, little poopsies.
[Ursula holds their remains and her eyes go wild. Seeing Ariel escaping, Ursula begins to grow, huff, and release a black cloud of ink. Flounder and Sebastian cower.] [Cut to: above water]
Eric, you've got to get away from here.
[A spike on Triton's crown comes between Eric and Ariel as a gigantic Ursula rises from the water, laughing manically. Eric and Ariel jump into the water and clutch each other, looking up to see Ursula towering over them.]
You pitiful, insignificant, fool!
[One of Ursula's tentacles crashes down into the water.]
Now I am the ruler of all the ocean! The waves obey my every whim!
[Ursula raises the trident and swirls it, creating a storm with lightning. A wave sweeps Eric away.]
Eric!
The sea and all its spoils bow to my power! [She swirls the trident in the water, creating a whirlpool. The spinning funnel reaches the ocean floor, churning up sunken ships. Ariel dodges the wreckage. One of the ships veers towards Eric and he tries to swim away, but he is shoved under water. Gliding along the bottom of the ship, he grabs onto a rope and hoists himself up the side and onto the deck. She was cackling] So much for true love! [As Ursula is about to bring her trident down on Ariel, Eric steers the ship into her. She is impaled by the sharp bow. Ursula screams in pain. Her eyes flash and her body is filled with lightning as the ship goes down on top of her. Her tentacles writhe as the ship sinks into the sea.]
Cut to: under water
[The trident sinks down along with debris.] [Cut to: Ursula's Lair] [The shriveled souls of the Atlanticans trapped in Ursula's lair are set free and swim out of the lair. The trident falls back to Triton, who transforms back into himself.]
