Video Game Storytelling: Cutscene Script

CUT SCENE 7 - FIGHT WITH CROCODILE

EXT: Shores of Lake No, South Sudan - Night (Broken Clouds, no rain)

FADE IN:

Having selected to attempt to rescue the fisherman being attacked by a Nile crocodile, Jordan drops her rifle and runs to the water's edge where she grabs the end of the net the fisherman had been using. In the reflection of the moonlight, which is shining through the broken clouds, she can see the green reflection of the crocodile's eyes.

Frantically, Jordan calls out to the fisherman to see if he is responsive.

JORDAN

Hey there!  Can you hear me?  Call out so I can see where you are.

FISHERMAN

Yes!  Yes!  I can hear you!  Help me!

Jordan pulls hard against the netting.  She can see that the fisherman is twisted in the netting.  The crocodile has it's jaws clenched around the fisherman's foot but is also twisted in the netting.

JORDAN

I'm going to help you.  Just hang on for a second!

The crocodile begins to pull the fisherman back towards the water. 

RESCUE FISHERMAN (INTERACTIVE)

Jordan looks back and realizes that she is 5 feet away from a tree.  She looks down and sees her M3 Trench Knife.

If PLAYER selects to pull towards the tree, she will make it halfway before the crocodile pulls hard, causing Jordan to slip in the sand, resulting in the crocodile pulling the fisherman's lower legs into the water.

If PLAYER reaches for her knife, the crocodile pulls the fisherman into the water up to his waist.

[SELECT SCENE]

Jordan selects to pull for the tree.  With an enormous pull with all of her strength, she pulls halfway to the tree, almost within reach of the tree.  She reaches for the trunk with one arm and prepares for another pull.

Enraged, the crocodile pulls back, causing Jordan to slip in the sand, loosening her grip on the net.  The crocodile pulls again, dragging the fisherman into the water up to his knees.

FISHERMAN

Help me!  I don't want to die!  I have three children!

JORDAN

You aren't going to die!  I’m not going to let you go.  I won’t let go!

Jordan cries out in anger as crocodile rumbles.

SECOND EFFORT (INTERACTIVE)

Jordan looks down and sees the fisherman’s flare gun in the sand.  She tightens her grip on the net and turns.

If PLAYER reaches for the flare gun, she lets go of the net and fires at the crocodile.  The shot will hit the crocodile in the left eye, causing it to let go of the fisherman as it roars.  However, it will begin a death roll, causing the fisherman to get further tangled in the net and dragged into the water up to his stomach.

If PLAYER pulls again on the net, she will succeed in ripping the fisherman loose from the crocodile.  However, the net will rip apart and will no longer create a barrier between the fisherman and the crocodile.  The crocodile will lunge at the fisherman and clamp down on his thigh and pull him into the water.  Jordan will draw her knife and run into the water after the fisherman.

[SELECT SCENE]

Jordan selects to grab the flare gun.  She lets go of the net and in a single smooth motion, she raises the gun and fires, watching the bright red flame hit the crocodile in its left eye.

The crocodile lets go of the fisherman and lets out a roar as it lurches to its left.  Enraged and tied into the net further by its movements, it begins a death roll, pulling the fisherman into the water up to his stomach.

FISHERMAN

Help me!  I'm going to drown.  God be with me and save me from this cursed beast!

Jordan drops the gun and lunges forward.  She grabs the fisherman by the arms and starts to pull backward desperately.

The crocodile roars again and pulls, causing Jordan to scream in pain as her right arm is dislocated at the shoulder.  The fisherman screams in terror as he slides further into the water.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jordan sees a flash of bright silver shine in the moonlight as a tall figure runs past her while she is falling backward onto the sand.

The Gray Wolf runs at full speed, his Bowie knife drawn and ready to strike down.  In a few strides he hits the shallow water and plunges the blade into the middle of the crocodile's head, scoring a direct hit into its brain.

The crocodile roars, utters a few spastic splashes, and sinks, leaving a small pool of blood that slowly spreads in the dark water.

Pulling herself upright, Jordan watches as the Gray Wolf cuts the fisherman free and helps him to safety away from the water's edge.  He then walks over and tends to Jordan.

JORDAN

Holy shit, Wolf!  Where in the Hell did you come from?  You are the last person I expected to see.

GRAY WOLF

I've been tracking you since Thar Jath.  It occurred to me that you were right.  The mission is important but what is left of us is more important.  Justice is more important than vengeance.  Now take a deep breath.

The Gray Wolf pops Jordan's shoulder back into place.

Jordan lets out a muffled cry and exhales shakily.  After a few deep breaths, she is able to speak again.

JORDAN

Thank you.  You saved both of our lives.  I’m truly grateful.

The fisherman in the background responds.

FISHERMAN

Yes, yes.  Thank you, my friend.  My family owes you a debt.

The Gray Wolf nods.  He shakes his knife and heads towards the water to retrieve the crocodile carcass.

JORDAN

Where are you going?  Are you leaving again?

GRAY WOLF

Relax Boss, I’m going to get that crocodile.  The meat will feed his small village for a week.  Besides, I need myself a new pair of cowboy boots.  I figure Nile crocodile ones will be better than regular old gator boots.

Jordan laughs as the Gray Wolf hauls the crocodile onto the sand and begins field dressing it.  As he cuts and cleans, Jordan notices three new sets of glowing, green eyes in the water.  They sit patiently, watching.

The fisherman approaches and sits down next to Jordan.  He begins to wrap her shoulder using his tunic as a makeshift sling.

FISHERMAN

Thank you again for saving my life.  Please return to my village.  There we can give you food, medicine, and clean water.  We can also give you a great gift.

Jordan takes a deep breath and exhales.  She wipes the sand from her arms and face.

JORDAN

That really isn’t necessary but if you insist, who am I to deny it? (Jordan giggles.)  What is the great gift?

The fisherman smiles a wide smile, teeth as bright and white as the moon.

[SOUTH SUDANESE MUSIC BEGINS]

FISHERMAN

We can give you weapons.  Lots of weapons.  Everything you need to take out that son of a bitch Zaroug.  He has taken many children.  He must be put down like the monster he is.

Jordan looks at the fisherman and smiles, nodding.  She rises and holsters her knife.  She reaches down, grabs her rifle with her left hand, and slings it over her body.  With her left hand she clasps the fisherman’s right hand with a loud pop.

JORDAN

Oh yea! Let’s go fuck him up.

[SOUTH SUDANESE MUSIC INTENSIFIES THEN FADES]

FADE TO BLACK

Concept image for Cutscene 7A: Jordan attempts to save a fisherman from a Nile crocodile.