Scuttle
[The scene cuts to the surface.] [On a tiny island, a storyteller seagull named Scuttle hums a song and looks through his telescope.] [singing]
1492, dah-de-dum dee-do-do, rum-dim-dim, dee-do-dee-do
Ariel
[Scuttle sticks his telescope on his head]
Scuttle!
Scuttle
[looking through the telescope the wrong way, making Ariel appear farther away, shouting]
Whoa! Mermaid off the port bow! Ariel, how you doin' kid?
Scuttle
[Scuttle lowers the telescope to reveal Ariel at wing's length]
Whoa, what a swim!
Ariel
Scuttle - look what we found.
Flounder
[Ariel pulls up her bag and hands it to Scuttle.]
Yeah - we were in this sunken ship - it was really creepy.
Scuttle
Human stuff, huh? Hey, lemme see.
Scuttle
[Scuttle drops an anchor. It catches on his foot and knocks him off his perch. Rummaging through Ariel's bag after stepping over Flounder, he takes out the fork.]
Oh! Oh! Look at this. Wow - this is special - this is very, very unusual.
Ariel
What? What is it?
Scuttle
It's a dinglehopper! Humans use these little babies... '[Scuttle flicks the fork, but catches it] to straighten their hair out.
Scuttle
[Scuttle twirls the fork around his feathers on top of his head.]
See - just a little twirl here an' a yank there and - violee!
Scuttle
[Scuttles feathers go up in a poof.]
You got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over.
Ariel
[Scuttle hands the fork back to Ariel.]
A dinglehopper!
Flounder
[in reference to the pipe]
What about that one?
Scuttle
[Scuttle shows Ariel and Flounder a tobacco pipe]
This, I haven't seen this in years. This is wonderful! A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.
AA Ariel and Flounder
Oh!
Scuttle
Now, the snarfblatt dates back to pre-hysterical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. [comes face to face with Ariel] Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music. Please allow me. [blows into it, only to have seaweed and water come out] Oops.
Ariel
[realizing what Scuttle said]
Music?!
Scuttle
[coughs]
It's stuffed!
Ariel
Oh, the concert! Oh, my gosh, my Father's gonna kill me!
Flounder
The concert was today?
Scuttle
[inspects the "snarfblatt" further]
Maybe you could make a little planter out of it or somethin'.
Ariel
[takes it back]
Uh, I'm sorry! I've gotta go! Thank you, Scuttle!
Scuttle
[she and Flounder swim back home]
Anytime, sweetie! Anytime.
Ursula
[watching Ariel from her lair via Flotsam and Jetsam]
Yes. Hurry home, Princess. We wouldn't want to miss old Daddy's celebration, huh? Would we? [scoffs] Celebration, indeed. Oh, bah! In my day, we had fantastical feasts, when I lived in the palace. [closeup of her eating a shrimp] Now, look at me. Wasted away to practically nothing. Banished and exiled and practically starving! While he and his flimsy fish folk celebrate. Well, I'll give 'em something to celebrate soon enough. [to her eels] Flotsam! Jetsam! I want you to keep an extra close watch on this pretty little daughter of his. She may be the key to Triton's undoing. [fade to black]
Sebastian
[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.
Scuttle
[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?
Ariel
Scuttle, be quiet! They'll hear you.
Scuttle
Oooh, I gotcha, I gotcha. We're bein' intrepidatious. WE'RE OUT TO DISCOVER!
Ariel
[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?
Scuttle
[looking at Max]
I dunno; he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me.
Ariel
[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.
Prince Eric
[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!
Prince 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...
Prince Eric
[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.
Prince Eric
[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.
Prince Eric
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'!
Scuttle
[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!
Scuttle
[A gust of wind blows Scuttle away.]
Yo! Ariel!
Prince Eric
[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!
Prince Eric
[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.]
Ariel
Is he - dead?
Scuttle
[Scuttle opens Eric's eyelid.]
It's hard to say.
Scuttle
[Scuttle puts his head up against Eric's foot.]
Oh, I - I can't make out a heartbeat.
Ariel
No, look! He's breathing. [moving his hair from his face] He's so beautiful.
Ariel
[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?
Prince Eric
[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.
Sebastian
[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
[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
Ursula
[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.]
Ursula
[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.
Scuttle
[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!
Sebastian
[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?!
Scuttle
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
[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.
Prince Eric
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...
Prince Eric
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.]
V Vanessa
[The wedding boat departs from the dock. Ariel stands at the docks watching. She sinks to the ground, burying her head and cries. Sebastian looks up at her and sadly bows his head. A tear rolls down her cheek and falls in the water. Nearby, Flounder cries too. Over the ship, Scuttle swoops down over the sky.]
What a lovely little bride I'll make / My dear, I'll look divine [Scuttle peeks through a porthole to see "Vanessa" singing to herself.]/ Things are working out according / To my ultimate design [She throws a hairpin at the Angel figure in her mirror. He gulps, realizing the bride is not Ariel.] / Soon I'll have that little mermaid / And the ocean will be mine [Vanessa steps onto her vanity, crushing a bottle. She twirls around and pulls the mirror towards her. Scuttle sees her reflection is that of Ursula.]
Scuttle
The Sea Witch! Oh no... She's gotta- I gotta... [In a rush to leave, he bumps his head on the porthole. He flies back to Ariel.] Ariel! Ariel! Ariel, I was flying, I wa - of course I was flying - An' - I s- I saw that the watch - the witch was watchin' a mirror, and she was singin' with a stolen set o' pipes! [Scuttle picks up Sebastian and clanks him against the ground repeatedly.] Do you hear what I'm tellin' you?! The Prince is marrying the Sea Witch in disguise!
Sebastian
[Ariel drops her jaw, realizing that Eric is marrying Ursula in disguise.] [rubbing his head]
Are you sure about this?
Scuttle
Have I ever been wrong? I mean when it's important!
Flounder
What are we gonna do!?
Ursula
[Ariel looks to the setting sun and hears Ursula's voice in her head.]
Before the sun sets on the third day...
Sebastian
[Ariel leaps into the water and splashes around helplessly. Sebastian cuts free some barrels for Ariel to hang onto.]
Ariel, grab on to dat. Flounder, get her to that boat as fast as your fins can carry you!
Flounder
I'll try.
Sebastian
[Flounder loops himself onto the rope and pulls Ariel along to the boat.]
I've gotta get to the sea king. He must know about this.
Scuttle
What - What about me? What about me?
Sebastian
You - find a way to stall dat wedding! [dives into the sea to find King Triton]
Scuttle
Stall the wedding. Wh- what am I - what - that's it! [Scuttle squawks and takes off for the lagoon, alerting the other birds. Bluebirds and flamingos follow him. Starfish, lobsters, dolphins, and sea lions look up. The animals follow Scuttle.] Move it! Let's go! We've got an emergency here!
B Bishop
[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat] [Vanessa and Eric walk down the aisle. Max snarls at her as she passes by, and she kicks him. A short bishop stands at the end of the aisle.]
Dearly beloved...
Flounder
[We cut to the Ocean] [Flounder pulls Ariel.]
Don't worry Ariel. Ugh…… we…… we're gonna make it. We're almost there.
B Bishop
[Cut to: Deck of Eric's boat]
Yes, um, do you Eric, take Vanessa, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for as long as you both shall live?
Prince Eric
[Vanessa looks out to the sun, noticing it's almost set.]
I do.
B Bishop
[Scuttle squawks.]
Eh, and do you... [A squadron of bluebirds swoop down from the sky, led by Scuttle, aimed directly towards Vanessa. She ducks. They circle around and fly under her white dress. Max barks. Guests are alarmed as sea lions get on deck. Pelicans fly overhead and dump beaks full of water on Vanessa. A lobster pinches her nose and starfish smother her and screams.] [Oblivious to the commotion] then by the power invest-
V Vanessa
Get away from me you slimy little- [A sea lion tosses her in the air on his nose. Ariel arrives and climbs up the ship. The sea lions toss Vanessa into the wedding cake. She pops out, furious, and three dolphins squirt water in her face. Scuttle squawks in her face.] Oh, why you little- [Vanessa wrings Scuttle's neck. Max breaks free from his leash. Max bites Vanessa in the rear and Scuttle pulls at Vanessa's necklace, which goes flying through the air. The shell of Ursula's necklace was broken into pieces, and Ariel's voice was heard singing and inserted back into Ariel.]
Prince Eric
Ariel?
Ariel
Eric.
Prince Eric
[Max barks happily at her.]
You - you can talk. You're the one.
V Vanessa
[Eric runs to her and grasps her hands.] [now in Ursula's own voice]
Eric, get away from her!
Prince Eric
[Ursula covers her mouth.]
It - it was you all the time.
Ariel
Oh, Eric, I - I wanted to tell you.
V Vanessa
[The sun sets as they are about to kiss, and her legs turn back into a tail.] [as Ariel turns back into a mermaid]
You’re too late! [cackles wickedly] YOU’RE TOO LATE!!!!
Ursula
[Vanessa rips out of her dress and turns back into Ursula. The crowd gasps in shock and disgust.]
So long, Lover Boy.
Prince Eric
[She slithers across the deck, grabs Ariel, and dives over the edge of the ship.]
Ariel!
Ursula
Poor little princess, don't be frightened, it's not you I'm after. I've a much bigger fish to—
King Triton
Ursula, stop!!!
Sebastian
[Triton points his glowing trident at Ursula.]
Hmph!
Ursula
Why, King Triton! Ha ha ha… How are you?
King Triton
Let her go.
Ursula
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]
Ariel
Daddy, I'm sorry! I—I-I didn't mean to. I didn't know—
Ursula
[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?
Prince Eric
Grim, I lost her once. I'm not gonna lose her again.
Ursula
[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.]
Ariel
No... Oh, no!
Sebastian
[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...
Ariel
Daddy?
Ursula
At last. [as she picks up the crown and puts it on.]
Ariel
No.
Ursula
It's mine. [as she holds the trident and cackles to herself. Ariel angrily springs at her.]
Ariel
You... [angrily swimming and attacks Ursula] YOU MONSTER!!!
Ursula
[throws Ariel down and points the trident at her]
Don't fool with me ya little brat! Contract or no- Ahh!
Ursula
[Eric's harpoon grazes Ursula's arm. He watches under water.]
Why, you little troll!
Ariel
Eric! Eric, look out!
Ursula
[to Flotsam and Jetsam]
After him!
Sebastian
[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!
Ursula
[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.
Ariel
[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.
Prince Eric
No, I won't leave you.
Ursula
[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!
Prince Eric
[pointing]
Look out!
Ursula
[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!
Ariel
[Ursula raises the trident and swirls it, creating a storm with lightning. A wave sweeps Eric away.]
Eric!
Ursula
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.]
