COLD OPENING

INT. CABIN - DAY

MAID, young and timid, is bustling about one of the ship’s

cabins, doing a thorough cleaning. It is very quiet except

for the lapping of the water against the hull of the ship.

There is no sound of other people being about. Suddenly

there is a WHOOSH sound at the open porthole. MAID crosses

to the porthole to close it. As she does, she scrapes

herself against it, causing her finger to bleed. Steady

drops of blood hit the carpet. MAID panics and hurries from

the room to get something that will help her clean up the

blood from the carpet. CU of stain as it disappears into the

carpet fully, leaving no trace of a stain whatsoever. MAID

reenters cabin and kneels to clean the blood. When she sees

that the blood has disappeared, she is dumbfounded. As she

stares at the spot where her blood should be, there is

suddenly a hissing, cackling noise that comes from the

closet of the cabin. MAID stands up slowly and bravely

crosses to the closed closet. The eerie noises increase in

volume as she gets closer to the closet. She opens the door

and her face screws up in hysterical terror at what she

sees. At this moment the hissing cackle reaches a very high

volume. The audience does not see what is in the closet, nor

do they see whether it attacks the maid.

TITLES: AMERICAN HORROR STORY: NAUTICA

Title: New York Harbor, 1928

EXT. HARBOR - DOCK - DAY

A wealthy-looking couple, OLIVER HAZARD (age 70) and CLAIRE

SMITH (age 30’s), presumably husband and wife are standing

outside a Rolls Royce and looking up at the impressive ocean

liner that is the Nautica. Claire is holding a toy poodle,

MITZI, in her arms. OLIVER has a cheerful look, but Claire

is eying the ship as if it were something disgusting. Their

driver is unloading their luggage and placing it by the car.

OLIVER

Well, my darling? What do you

think, eh? Quite a beauty, isn’t

she?

CLAIRE

A private plane would be more

beautiful.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 2.

OLIVER

Claire, I’ve already explained to

you. Travel by plane is nowhere

near as comfortable as by ship, and

not nearly as safe.

CLAIRE

We’ll see how safe YOU are once

I’ve been stuck on this dump for

two weeks.

OLIVER

You said you wanted to go to Paris,

so I’m taking you to Paris.

CLAIRE

Two weeks at sea, two in Paris, and

then two more at sea to get back.

That’s FOUR WEEKS at sea.

Oliver is starting to lose patience with Claire.

OLIVER

Is this how you are going to act

for the whole trip? I give you

everything you want-

CLAIRE

I wanted to FLY to Paris. Not take

some rusty death trap across four

thousand miles of ocean!

OLIVER

I can’t afford to be renting

private airplanes because you don’t

like boats!

CLAIRE

You could afford it if you weren’t

keeping TWO different women at your

disposal.

Oliver is silenced momentarily by this cutting comment.

OLIVER

I love YOU. I’ve told you countless

times that she is nothing to me.

CLAIRE

Prove it.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 3.

OLIVER

No plane. Now you take your mutt

and get in that ship or I’ll haul

you over my shoulder and do it

myself.

Claire and Oliver begin to walk toward the ship’s gangplank.

Mitzi starts yapping in excitement.

CLAIRE

At your age, Oliver? Please.

OLIVER

(under his breath)

Bitch.

CLAIRE

Excuse me?

OLIVER

(unconvincingly)

I meant the dog.

EXT. DOCK - DAY - LATER

Jeremiah, age 27, and his daughter, Gem, age 5, are sitting

near the dock of the Nautica. They are watching as

well-dressed men and women board, along with their maids and

manservants and luggage. Jeremiah and Gem are not at all

well-dressed. On the contrary, their clothes are dirty and

tattered.

GEM

Where is the ship going, daddy?

JEREMIAH

I don’t know, my sweet. Where do

you think it’s going?

GEM

I think it’s going to... Luna Park!

JEREMIAH

Luna Park? You think this huge ship

is just going around the corner to

Coney Island?

GEM

Yes!

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 4.

JEREMIAH

Ha, well maybe.

GEM

Daddy?

JEREMIAH

Yeah, sweet?

GEM

Can Mommy come with us to Luna

Park?

Jeremiah looks unsettled by this question.

JEREMIAH

I tell you what, Gem. If this ship

is indeed going to Luna Park, then

we’ll bring Mommy. Okay?

GEM

Deal.

They continue to sit together for another few moments,

Jermiah still looking troubled. He watches as Hazard and

Claire walk up to the ship. He notices that they are

unaccompanied by a servant.

JEREMIAH

Well, time to earn our passage!

Jeremiah stands and pulls Gem to her feet. He has a knapsack

with him, and carefully pulls out a fine black coat. He puts

it on, and hastily runs his fingers through his hair, trying

to tidy it.

JEREMIAH

Alright, sweet, let’s go.

Jeremiah and Gem make their way up the ship. Jeremiah

glances at Hazard’s pile of luggage, sneaking a look at the

name on the tags. He makes to go on board, but is stopped by

one of the ship’s crew who has a list of names.

CREW MAN

Hang on, then. Where’s your ticket?

JEREMIAH

I’m not a guest, I am Mr. Oliver

Hazard’s manservant. This is my

daughter Gem. Now kindly allow us

aboard.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 5.

CREW MAN

Even servants require a ticket,

sir. Come back once you’ve got one.

JEREMIAH

My my my, such manners you have!

CREW MAN

If you haven’t got a ticket, you

haven’t got passage.

JEREMIAH

Hold on- are you accusing Mr.

Hazard, the Mr. Hazard of the noble

family Hazard, of trying to sneak

his manservant aboard without

paying the fee?

CREW MAN

Now hang on a minute. I would never

accuse-

JEREMIAH

Did you know that Mr. Hazard is the

great great great grandson of

Abraham Lincoln himself?

CREW MAN

Is that a fact?

JEREMIAH

That’s right! Kin to our second

president of these United States

and you’re accusing him of filthy

thieving?

Crew Man suddenly looks down and addresses Gem.

CREW MAN

Hello, little lady. So tell me: Is

this man your daddy?

GEM

Yes.

JEREMIAH

Come, leave my girl out of it.

But Crew Man ignores Jeremiah.

CREW MAN

And does he work for Mr. Hazard?

Gem looks up at Jeremiah for guidance. He subtly nods.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 6.

GEM

Yes.

CREW MAN

And you want to go to Europe too, I

suppose?

GEM

No. I’m going to Luna Park.

CREW MAN

I see. Is your daddy a butler?

Glancing at her daddy again.

GEM

Yes.

CREW MAN

And is that why he is wearing

broken handcuffs?

Gem is confused and looks over at her father’s wrists that

have been accidentally exposed. There are broken cuffs on

them, carefully hidden up to this point.

JEREMIAH

Wait, no, it’s a misunderstanding.

Very funny story actually...

CREW MAN

You wait here, I’m calling the

police.

Crew Man turns to find a fellow ship’s officer for

assistance. Jeremiah grabs Gem’s hand and rushes away.

JEREMIAH

Time to go, sweet.

By the time the Crew Man has found someone to help him,

Jeremiah and Gem are nowhere in sight.

CUT TO:

Jeremiah and Gem are hurrying away from the gangplank, and

they duck behind a mountain of cargo.

GEM

I’m sorry, daddy.

Jeremiah puts his hands on her small shoulders and comforts

her.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 7.

JEREMIAH

Oh, no no no, sweet, that was

daddy’s fault, not yours.

GEM

We don’t get to go on the boat?

JEREMIAH

Of course we do! We just need to

get creative. Now let’s see...

GEM

Daddy... why do you have those on

your wrists?

Jeremiah stops to face his daughter.

JEREMIAH

Magic show, sweet. Didn’t I tell

you I’ve been practicing to be a

magician?

GEM

Really?

JEREMIAH

But clearly I need to keep

practicing, don’t I?

He gestures to the broken cuffs. Gem smiles, her worries put

to rest. Jeremiah looks about his surroundings and his eyes

fall upon the large pile of Hazard luggage once again. It

has not yet been brought on board.

JEREMIAH

Why not?

CUT TO:

Some crew are heaving Claire’s large trunk up towards the

ship, and are mumbling about how heavy it is. Camera pans to

the cargo area where Jeremiah and Gem were hiding. A pile of

fancy ladies’ clothing, hats, and shoes is lying there on

the dirty ground, hundreds of dollars of clothing instantly

ruined.

INT. SHIP’S LOBBY - DAY - LATER

There is hustle and bustle as guests and crew travel through

the lobby of the ship. The ship’s captain, CHRISTIAN COLE,

age 36, is strolling through the lobby with the Nautica’s

owner, WALTER SNOW, age 50’s.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 8.

SNOW

Well, what do you think, son?

COLE

You have a beautiful ship, Mr.

Snow.

SNOW

Please, call me Walt.

COLE

You have a beautiful ship, Walt.

SNOW

Don’t I know it, Captain! Built in

1909, and still the most beautiful

dame I ever saw. Used to be just

for immigratin’, ya know.

COLE

Was it?

SNOW

Oh yeah. Mostly Germans. But now

with the new immigration laws and

all, well... it’s not really the

business to be in now, if you know

what I mean.

COLE

I do.

SNOW

But taking a luxurious voyage

across the Atlantic to visit some

of the world’s wonders? Now that’s

the business to be in. I daresay

even you will take to some of the

pleasures you may encounter once

you get to shore.

COLE

Even me?

SNOW

You have a reputation for being a

religious man, Cole. Some would

even say sanctimonious.

COLE

(flustered)

I hardly think that worshiping our

Holy Father and living by His word

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 9.

COLE (cont’d)is sanctimonious. I merely take my

vows to Him a little more seriously

than some men do.

SNOW

Yes, yes of course. Ah, Mr.

Griffin.

Daniel Griffin, age 43, handsome and dressed in a ship’s

officer uniform comes up to Cole and Snow and salutes them.

GRIFFIN

First Mate Daniel Griffin,

reporting Sir.

COLE

Welcome Mr. Griffin. I trust you

had a safe journey?

GRIFFIN

As safe as it gets on the New York

Central Lines.

A ships’ maid, Josephine, 20’s, (not the maid from the

opening), comes up to Snow and whispers something in his

ear.

SNOW

(to Josephine)

She cannot be serious! I told her

already- (turning to Cole and

Griffin)- I’m sorry, gentlemen, but

I must attend to the preparations

for the voyage. See you in six

weeks. Good luck, boys.

Snow EXITS, following Josephine. Cole and Griffin stand

together awkwardly for a moment. Then Cole steps forward and

shakes Griffin’s hand.

COLE

I’m Captain-

GRIFFIN

-Cole. Yes, I know all about you.

COLE

Pardon me?

GRIFFIN

Oh yes, I do a fair bit of snooping

around before taking a post with a

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 10.

GRIFFIN (cont’d)captain that I have not had the

pleasure of sailing with before.

COLE

Snow is clearly not alone in his

researching tendencies I see.

GRIFFIN

I even know your darkest secrets.

COLE

(suddenly nervous)

I- I’m sure I don’t know what you-

GRIFFIN

Come off it, Cole! I know all about

the crazy stunts you pulled at

University!

COLE

(exhaling with relief)

Oh- yes- University. Well, I was

pretty wild back then.

GRIFFIN

But now that you’re an old man you

spend your years dragging yourself

from ship to ship, picking up

whatever job might help you pay the

bills. Just like me.

COLE

Yes, Mr. Griffin, you seem to have

the truth of me figured. Though

thirty-six years hardly makes for

an old man. Please, let me give you

a tour. The Nautica may seem like

every ocean liner you’ve

encountered, but it is hardly

ordinary.

Cole starts to lead Griffin out of the lobby, but suddenly a

very dirty man, TROSS, age 40’s, with oil in his hair and

soot all over his face and clothes, trots over to them.

TROSS

Oy! Hello sirs! I’ve just prepared

all the boilers and all for the

voyage. We’ve got enough coal up

our arses to last this trip and

five more.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 11.

Cole puts a hand behind Tross and roughly pushes him to a

corner of the room. He then speaks to him in a hushed but

harsh voice.

COLE

Mr. Tross, what do you think you’re

doing, coming up here among our

guests in that state?

TROSS

This state?

COLE

Filthy, greasy, black with coal.

And you smell like shit.

TROSS

I- I hadn’t noticed a smell, sir-

COLE

Get back down to the boiler room

where you belong. If you ever come

up here again, unless you are

wearing a proper suit and are

freshly bathed, I will deal with

you accordingly. Do you understand

me?

TROSS

Yes.

Cole raises his eyebrow impatiently.

TROSS

Yes, Captain Cole, sir.

COLE

Very well. Now get out.

Tross exits. Griffin smiles.

GRIFFIN

My, Cole, you certainly have a way

with your inferiors.

COLE

He should know better.

GRIFFIN

Now he does. Shall we?

Griffin and Cole exit the lobby. Camera pans to another area

of the lobby- the bell desk. Oliver and Claire and standing

at the desk.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 12.

OLIVER

Hazard. Oliver Hazard. And this is

my wife, Claire.

Claire throws up her hand, acknowledging herself. There is

still a sour look on her face.

BELL DESK LADY

Yes, sir. Would you mind signing

the guest book?

The lady pushes the large guest book toward Oliver, along

with a fountain pen. He takes it rather grudgingly and

signs. Then he pushes the book back towards the desk lady.

BELL DESK LADY

Thank you, sir. Your key, sir. And

your luggage is being taken to your

cabin as we speak.

Hazard takes the key and he and Claire (and Mitzi) turn to

go to their private cabin.

CLAIRE

Did I tell you I get seasick?

OLIVER

I’ll buy you a box of crackers.

CLAIRE

VERY seasick.

OLIVER

A LARGE box of crackers, then.

They EXIT. Camera pans to corner of room where a lady

covered up in shawles and a hat, PRIMROSE, age 60, has been

standing and watching Oliver and Claire.

INT. HAZARD’S CABIN - DAY - LATER

Two young stewards are carrying Claire’s trunk into their

private cabin, at which they have not yet arrived. The

Hazard cabin is an expensive-looking suite, with several

rooms attached. The trunk is the last item to be brought to

the cabin, and the young men stretch their arms and backs as

they exit the cabin and lock the door behind them. After a

few moments of silence, Jeremiah very carefully begins to

lift up the lid of the trunk with his head. But after only a

few seconds of raising the lid, he sees someone coming

through the door. He quickly shuts the lid. At that exact

moment, the Maid from the opening scene enters the room. She

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 13.

goes up to the luggage and begins to poke through Claire’s

and Oliver’s possessions. She dabs some of Claire’s perfume

on herself, smiling. Meanwhile, Jeremiah and Gem are trying

hard not to make a sound in the dark of the trunk. Maid goes

over to trunk and goes to open it. In desperation, Jeremiah

clings on to the inside of the lid, hoping to make the trunk

seem as though it is locked. He and Maid struggle against

each other to open it. Seemingly defeated, Maid releases the

lid and stands up. Jeremiah releases his side of the lid.

She turns to leave, but suddenly turns back and throws open

the trunk, revealing the shocked Jeremiah and Gem. Silent,

tense moments pass as Jeremiah and Maid stare at each other.

JEREMIAH

Please. Please don’t say anything.

Maid seems to struggle with what she should do. Jeremiah’s

eyes plead with hers. Gem begins to cry silently. Suddenly

the Maid shuts the trunk and stands in one motion, and exits

the cabin. The second she leaves, Jeremiah throws open the

trunk, grabs Jem, and they hurry out of the cabin. As they

walk down the hall, we see Oliver and Claire turn the corner

and almost collide with Jeremiah and Gem.

JEREMIAH

Beg pardon.

He and Gem hurry off. Claire wrinkles her nose at his

impoverished looks. Clair and Oliver walk up to their cabin

door.

OLIVER

Here we are.

Oliver takes the key from his coat pocket and unlocks the

cabin. They enter. Claire lies down on the bed sullenly.

Oliver walks about the cabin, admiring the decor.

OLIVER

Not shabby, eh? I insisted on the

most expensive cabin.

CLAIRE

(sarcastically)

My hero.

OLIVER

Anything for the woman I love.

Oliver lies down on the bed next to Claire and starts to

kiss her neck and raise up her skirt. She sits up quickly.

(CONTINUED)

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CONTINUED: 14.

CLAIRE

Mitzi needs water.

OLIVER

Get her water then. We brought her

dish. The powder room is right over

there.

CLAIRE

Not the powder room water, Oliver.

Sometimes I just can’t even believe

you.

OLIVER

It’s the same bloody water as

anywhere else on the ship!

CLAIRE

Get Mitzi some water. And then we

can, perhaps, move on to other

activities.

Oliver raises himself from the bed and exits the room.

Claire lies back down on the bed, and stares up at the

ceiling moodily. After a few moments she hears the click of

a door.

CLAIRE

That was fast. A little eager,

aren’t you?

There is no answer. She looks around the room. Whoever

entered is not in the bedroom. Claire calls in the direction

of the attached parlor.

CLAIRE

Oliver?

There is a shuffling noise coming from the parlor. Claire

gets up from the bed and slowly makes her way into the

parlor. The shuffling stops suddenly. Frightened, she looks

about the room. Nothing. Her eye falls on the wardrobe in

the corner. She approaches it, her fear growing and growing.

Hand shaking, she grasps the handle, and then carefully

opens the wardrobe. There is nothing there. Feeling a little

silly, but certainly relieved, she exhales sharply.

Suddenly, something grabs her from behind. The assailant

raises a gleaming butcher knife in front of Claire’s face.

She sees it and tries to scream, but the attacker has a firm

grasp around her throat. The knife makes one swift slice.

Splashes of blood hit the carpet and are instantly swallowed

up into the floor, leaving no trace.

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