The Bal Harbor Research Institute boat drives past, pulling the dolphin communication device behind it. Keith, Pam, and Alexis are on the boat. Aphrodite is tagging along around the boat.

KEITH: Zero-six-five at 12 knots.

PAM looks ahead through binoculars.

ALEXIS: Holding steady.

PAM: (checking instruments) Take her ten clicks to the west.

KEITH: All right. Changing course. Zero-five-five at twelve knots.

Aphrodite chatters as she meets up with another dolphin.

KEITH: Aphrodite's got company!

PAM: (Checking through binoculars, smiling) Guess who?

KEITH: (Good-naturedly) Hey, Flipper! We're trying to get some work done here!

PAM: I don't think he cares.

ALEXIS: (studying instruments) Hang on, Aphrodite's changed course.

Flipper lets out a screech and leaps into the air.

KEITH: That's no mating dance. There's something out there he wants us to see.

Pam checks through the binoculars again and spots something floating at the surface.

PAM: There's sharks out there.

KEITH: Yeah. He's trying to protect her. (reaches for the binoculars) Let me see these. (holding them up, he sees equipment floating at the surface) Augh, looks like someone's got a longline out. We better check it out. (moves off to get ready)

PAM: Keith, I know it's horrible, but killing sharks isn't illegal.

KEITH: Do you see any boats?

PAM: No.

KEITH: Because there's no fishermen. Killing sharks may be legal, but not with a longline.

Pam and Alexis share a look. Flipper and Aphrodite chatter underwater.

With his dive gear on, Keith jumps into the water.

KEITH: (VOICEOVER) For the creatures that live there, and even the creatures that occasionally visit, the ocean can be a terrifying place. What fills one animal's belly ends another animal's life. (Keith swims by a lot of shark carcasses hanging from the longlines - they are intact, but missing only their fins) But if you ever want to watch real horror in action, follow a shark finner around for a day. Watch him hook a live shark, lift it out of the water, and slice its fin off, then drop it back to die. All for a bowl of shark fin soup. Fortunately, shark finning is illegal in Florida waters. Unfortunately, nobody cares.

OPENING CREDITS

ACT ONE

PAM: (handing a clipboard to Alexis apologetically) Alexis, this is Keith's experiment, you have to have him check it out.

ALEXIS: Oh, no way. He has been in a bad mood the whole morning.

PAM: Good, then he's right where he belongs. (she nods toward the divers in the tank, one of whom is Keith)

ALEXIS: (laughs and smiles) Absolutely!

Alexis moves off. Pam glances back at Keith. A man (Sandy Ricks) enters the room.

SANDY: Excuse me!

PAM: Can I help you?

SANDY: I've been waiting most of my adult life for a woman to ask me that question. (he smiles and flashes a badge to Pam) Uh, Marine Patrol.

PAM: (sarcastically) Oh, you guys have been making a great impression around here lately. How can I help you?

SANDY: I'm with the, uh, shark finning detail.

PAM: I didn't know there was a shark finning detail.

SANDY: Well, there is now.

Pam and Sandy exit together, with Alexis behind. We see that, in the tank, Keith had his back turned and did not see the exchange.

CUT TO: Pam and Sandy in the lab. Sandy is petting Aphrodite on the chin. Aphrodite squeaks at him.

SANDY: Did you see any other longlines in the area?

PAM: No. (beat, then she laughs as Aphrodite squeaks) I think she wants you to pet her again.

Sandy reaches down and pets Aphrodite some more.

PAM: She's responding to you.

SANDY: (smug) Some women do.

PAM: (not impressed, but smiling at the lame attempt) Really.

SANDY: You know, I'm actually part dolphin myself.

PAM: Oh. (she laughs and looks away)

SANDY: Hey, don't laugh! Look, see? (he turns so we see him in profile, and points to his nose) Same nose.

Sandy and Pam laugh, and Sandy returns to petting Aphrodite.

SANDY: So when's she due?

PAM: (surprised) How did you know she was pregnant?

SANDY: (serious) Well, she really wants this one. Well, I mean, she wanted the others too, but, uh, well, she's worried this might be her last chance. Two stillbirths, right?

PAM: (a bit weirded out now) Right.

As Keith enters the lab, Pam, stands up and moves towards him.

PAM: Keith, I think I've found your soulmate. Marine Patrol, he talks to dolphins like you do.

Keith scrutinizes Sandy as he approaches. Sandy doesn't look up from Aphrodite.

KEITH: ...Sandy?

Sandy looks up, and the two grin at each other. Sandy jumps up and they hug.

SANDY: Hey!

KEITH: Hey! (pulls back, and turns to Pam) Dr. Pam Blondel, this is Sandy, my big brother.

Pam and Sandy shake hands

PAM: (smiling) We've met.

Keith turns back to Sandy, and Sandy claps him on the shoulder.

SANDY: You're looking great, Bud!

KEITH: (suddenly sobers up, snapping) Don't call me Bud. (glares) You know what I said I'd do to you next time I saw you.

SANDY: Wait, wait, wait! You're not still holding a grudge about that, are you - ?

Keith cuts him off with a punch to the face that sends Sandy reeling into the water.

KEITH: (bitterly) Not anymore.

Pam looks at Keith in shock as he pushes past her and leaves.

PAM: Keith!

Aphrodite pops up next to Sandy, who's treading water and rubbing his jaw.

SANDY: (to Aphrodite) Hey, what's the matter with him?

CUT TO: Upstairs, Pam pulls a bag of ice from the freezer and brings it to Sandy.

PAM: Keith, how could you just punch him like that?

Keith, sitting at a desk nearby with a book. ignores her question. He glares at Sandy, then continues reading.

SANDY: Ah, it's just Keith's way of saying he missed me. (presses the ice pack against his cheek) Thanks.

KEITH: Think of it as a family tradition.

SANDY: Yeah, his side of the family. My side's non-violent!

PAM: (to Sandy) Would you like some coffee?

SANDY: Please.

KEITH: What happened to Uruguay? I mean, weren't you down there selling snow peas to the Incas or something?

SANDY: Yes, I was. Just... the chief and I... had a falling out. That's all.

KEITH: (laughs humorlessly) Why doesn't that surprise me? (beat) What are you doing here?

SANDY: I saw your shark finning report come across the computer and decided to take charge of the investigation myself. Besides, I thought it would give me a chance to see you.

KEITH: (skeptically) You're really in the Marine Patrol?

SANDY: Congratulations, Bud. (holds up his badge) You just slugged an officer of the law.

Pam smiles, and Keith says nothing.

SANDY: You know, I'm gonna need a place to stay for about a month or so. I just transferred down here from Jacksonville.

KEITH: (jumping up) No way!

SANDY: Hm? A week, okay? Just a week.

KEITH: No! I don't have a room. Even if I did, I don't have the patience.

SANDY: One night. I'll be gone at sunrise.

KEITH: NO.

PAM: Keith. He's your brother.

KEITH: Yeah, and I know him only the way a brother can. If we end up spending time under the same roof, we're gonna be killing each other.

PAM: (irritated) Fine. He can stay with me.

Sandy grins at Keith.

KEITH: No. You don't know what you're saying.

SANDY: I'm the perfect gentleman!

PAM: You'll have to sleep on the couch.

SANDY: Ah, I'll flip you for the bed. (he reaches into his pocket for a coin)

KEITH: See? He's not joking about that!

SANDY: (flips the coin) Call it.

KEITH: See?

PAM: Heads.

SANDY: (uncovers the coin) Ah, it's your lucky day. (moves off)

KEITH: You can say that again. (moves off in the other direction)

CUT TO: Mike is in the water in the lab, with Flipper.

MIKE: (to Flipper) Hey, come here.

Sandy approaches, zipping up a wetsuit.

SANDY: What's his name?

MIKE: Uh, Flipper.

SANDY: Flipper, huh? How original. Bud's idea?

MIKE: Ah, Keith hates being called Bud.

SANDY: (almost sadly) Yeah, yeah, I know. (he slips into the water)

MIKE: Uh, wait a second, don't get so close. Flipper's kinda weird with strangers.

SANDY: Is that so? (grins) Flipper!

Sandy swims out into the lagoon with Flipper. Flipper tows him around, and the two play.

SANDY: (to Flipper) Come on, come on, come on! Good boy! Let's play some music!

Sandy wiggles his hands back and forth, and Flipper chatters at him. The two "sing" together. Sandy playfully splashes Flipper.

SANDY: Go on, get outta here!

Flipper tows Sandy back to the dock.

SANDY: Very good, nice ride!

Keith hurries down the stairs and spots Sandy in the water.

KEITH: Hey. Playtime's over, come on, let's go.

SANDY: I'm having a 60s flashback! Come on!

Keith chuckles, then sobers up.

KEITH: I want to give you a 90s reality check. (he walks away to a desk) Some students saw a boat working a long line.

SANDY: All right. Sorry, Flip, gotta go. Bad guy alert. (he climbs out of the water, Flipper squeaking at him)

CUT TO: Open ocean, the Institue's boat. Keith and Sandy are aboard.

SANDY: What's Pam like?

KEITH: Pam?

SANDY: Yeah.

KEITH: She's a scientist. She's intelligent. Strong-minded. She's not naive or vulnerable. The kind of woman that would wrap your intestines around your neck if you tried to use her. Or hurt her. Why do you ask?

SANDY: Just askin'. (beat) Just all business with you two, right?

KEITH: (changing the subject) This is the general area here where we saw the finning operation.

SANDY: You two haven't exchanged anything more than data, have you?

KEITH: I think this is where we spotted the sharks.

SANDY: You don't wanna talk personal, we won't talk personal. (beat, he looks through the binoculars) That means she's still up for grabs, right?

KEITH: Why are you bothering to ask? Details never stopped you before.

SANDY: (rebuked, changing the subject) Hey, we got a commercial fisher 15 degrees to port.

Through the binoculars, we see a fishing ship with two people on board, hitting something.

SANDY: Hey! They're beating on a shark!

KEITH: Okay, what's the procedure here?

SANDY: Ask permission to come aboard and inspect the catch.

KEITH: All right. You ask, I'll inspect.

They pull up alongside and toss a rope across, but the rope is tossed back in their faces.

KEITH: Hey, hey! (pushes his way onto the fishing boat, Sandy follows) Step aside!

MINGH: Sir! You've boarded a ship at sea without permission! I'm Captain Mingh.

SANDY: Captain, I'm with the Marine Patrol. We just saw you net and kill a shark.

MINGH: We don't kill sharks on my boat.

KEITH: Yeah, well accidents do happen. We wanna see your catch!

MINGH: Chang! Open hatch.

The hatch is opened - it is full of shrimp.

MINGH: Like I said: no sharks!

Keith angrily grabs a handful of shrimp and holds it out to Sandy.

KEITH: Like he said: no sharks!

Sandy storms off, as Keith swats at him. Keith shrugs apologetically at the captain.

MINGH: No sharks!

Fade out.

ACT TWO

In the lab, Pam tosses Aphrodite a fish.

PAM: Good girl, Aphrodite.

Pam turns as Keith and Sandy appear at the top of the stairs.

SANDY: Couldn't just let me call it in, could you?

KEITH: They would have gotten away.

SANDY: They should have, Keith! They weren't doing anything wrong!

KEITH: You said you saw a shark on board!

SANDY: I did! I saw a shark on board!

KEITH: Yeah, shaped like a shrimp.

SANDY: Look, you never change, you know that? Niggle, niggle, niggle, niggle.

KEITH: Me?! You're the one that sounds like Dad.

PAM: (over her shoulder as she holds a fish out to Aphrodite) Hey, what's with the shrimp?

SANDY: Eh, Bud made just a little error in judgement.

KEITH: Yeah, I depended on him. And don't call me Bud!

PAM: Will you two cut it out? You're worse than me and my ex-husband.

SANDY: (to Keith) I wanted those finners.

KEITH: Yeah, me too.

PAM: Well, I'm glad you can agree on something.

KEITH: You know what else I'd like? That two grand you borrowed about four years ago.

SANDY: Just as soon as I get back the speedboat you sunk!

KEITH: Speedboat?! You call that heap a speedboat? (Sandy nods) It had oars!

Sandy grins as Keith stomps away.

CUT TO: Nighttime, two men get out of a truck on a deserted beach and approach Captain Ming.

CRIMINAL 1: (to Ming) Where are the fins?

MINGH: No fins.

CRIMINAL 1: We pay you for fins.

MINGH: My boat was boarded.

CRIMINAL 1: Who?

MINGH: Two men. Marine Patrol.

CRIMINAL 2: I don't buy it. I think he just wants to keep the money we advanced him.

Mingh takes a wad of bills from his wallet and hands it to Criminal 2.

MINGH: No more finning! Only shrimp.

CRIMINAL 1: (heads off Mingh as he tries to leave) You know, I bet those guys weren't even Marine Patrol. Bet they're finners trying to scare you off.

MINGH: They did a good job.

CRIMINAL 1: I'm on the line here, Mingh. I got deadlines to meet.

MINGH: Cannot risk my boat.

CRIMINAL 1: (sighing) All right, we can get you more money.

MINGH: I don't want money. Goodbye. Good luck. (he tries to leave again)

CRIMINAL 1: (heading Mingh off) Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Talk to us. You gotta help us out here, Mingh. You tell us who these guys are, and we can stop them.

MINGH: Don't know who they are.

CRIMINAL 2: You know what they look like. You know what kind of boat they drive.

CRIMINAL 1: See, you're in this thing as deep as we are, Ming.

Criminal 2 holds the money out in front of Ming's face, and Ming takes it hesitantly.

CUT TO: Pam's house, music is playing in the background. Pam is clearning dishes off the table, but Sandy stops her by grabbing them from her.

SANDY: Ah, ah, ah!

PAM: Are you sure I can't do anything?

SANDY: No, no, no. You've done too much already.

PAM: (grabs wine glasses off the table and follows Sandy into the kitchen) Why do you and Keith argue so much?

SANDY: (devensively) We don't argue! We have... you know... animated conversations from time to time.

PAM: (chuckling) Oh, really? It that what that is?

SANDY: We get along fine. We just, uh, we just don't get along very often. We, uh, went our separate ways after high school. Keith went to college, and I went to Mexico.

PAM: Okay. (grinning) I want to know what Keith was like as a kid. I want the dirt. Was he a nerd?

SANDY: Ohhh, yeah, yeah. It was an embarrassment!

PAM: Pocket protector?

SANDY: Oh, worse. Slide rule!

PAM: (laughing) Sandy, he's still a nerd.

SANDY: Yeah, I know!

Keith comes in the door, carrying a grocery bag.

PAM: Yeah!

KEITH: I am not!

PAM: (surprised, and almost irritated) Keith!

KEITH: Where's Mike? (holds up the bag) Ice cream. Got his favorite flavor.

PAM: He's at the movies, with Maya.

SANDY: That's okay. You know, the ice cream's just a pretense anyway. He's just checking up on me.

PAM: Busted!

KEITH: Hey, if you had you for a brother, you'd check up on you, too.

SANDY: (grabbing bowls and spoons as Keith gets the ice cream out of the bag) Ice cream! Ice cream, ice cream... hey, double chocolate chocolate chip! I'm allergic to chocolate.

KEITH: (sarcastically, looking knowingly at Pam as Sandy walks away) Oops. Slipped my mind.

PAM: Oh. (annoyed, she nods in an "oh, right" manner)

Keith dips his finger into the ice cream, then sucks it off his finger.

KEITH: Mmmm!

PAM: (disgusted) Use a spoon!

Keith looks up at her in surprise.

CUT TO: open water. Mike and Maya are out in a small boat, dive gear on. Mike tosses a dive flag into the water. Flipper floats nearby, chattering away.

MIKE: My mom and dad always talked about having another kid. I always thought a brother would be pretty cool.

MAYA: I've always thought being an only child wold be pretty cool. Having a sister can sometimes be a real drag.

MIKE: At least the two of you don't punch each other out, okay?

MAYA: You'd be surprised.

They pull the rest of their gear on and fall back into the water. They swim past coral reefs, with Flipper tagging along... and suddenly stumble onto sharks on longlines, just like Keith saw earlier. They turn and head for the surface.

Cut to: the Institute boat, where Pam, Keith, and Sandy have arrived at the site.

PAM: I can't see anything.

KEITH: Mike said the north point of Barrow Cove. This is the north point of Barrow Cove.

SANDY: Maybe we should have brought Mike and Maya with us.

KEITH: What, is that some kind of Marine Patrol tactic? Where you bring children to stakeouts?

SANDY: (sarcastically) Yeah, they make smaller targets for the villains.

PAM: Could you two stop it, please?

SANDY: We've upset Dr. Blondel again.

KEITH: It seems we make a habit of that.

PAM: (looking through binoculars at something in the water) Found the marker.

Keith grabs the radio and holds it out to Sandy.

KEITH: Here.

SANDY: What do you want to do, order a pizza?

KEITH: Aren't you going to call in the coordinates to your Marine Patrol buddies?

SANDY: We're here now, we can handle this, okay?

Flipper lets out a screech.

PAM: Hey, Keith. What's up with Flipper?

Flipper squeals again and dashes away.

KEITH: Hey, there! That!

Pam lifts the binoculars again and sees a boat approaching quickly.

PAM: It's heading toward the marker.

SANDY: Can you make out a name?

PAM: I can't read it, it's been covered.

SANDY: Let's go, let's hit it, eh?

Sandy starts pulling up the anchor as Keith prepares to pull away. Keith guns the engine, but Sandy stops him.

KEITH: Okay!

SANDY: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! The anchor line is wrapped around the prop! Keith -

KEITH: It's stuck!

SANDY: Keith, bring up the motor, would you?

Keith raises the motor, and Sandy starts untangling it. Meanwhile, Pam gets out a video camera and starts taping. The man on the boat, however, spots them and stops before he does anything incriminating.

CRIMINAL 2: Sightseers!

CRIMINAL 1: (checking through binoculars) Looks like that boat Ming told us about.

CRIMINAL 2: Fish cops?

CRIMINAL 1: Could be. Let's get outta here.

The boat turns and leaves. Sandy notices - he seems to be deliberately untangling the prop slowly.

KEITH: You're the one that let us drift, otherwise we'd be out there!

SANDY: No, you said that the shallows would be okay!

KEITH: Come on, come on!

SANDY: What, what?

KEITH: Come on!

SANDY: All right, try it now.

Keith gets the motor going again.

KEITH: Okay! Okay!

PAM: Forget it. They're gone. Let's go home. (to Keith) You drive. (to Sandy) And you sit down and be quiet.

Angry, Keith guns the motor, throwing Pam off-balance. She falls backward into Sandy's lap, to Keith's dismay. When she gets up, Sandy looks smug. Fade out.

ACT THREE

Upstairs at the Institute, Pam and Keith look through computer records while Alexis and Sandy look on.

PAM: There's our partial ID.

KEITH: Right there.

PAM: Mmm-hmm.

KEITH: (to Sandy) Do you think the Marine Patrol can put a match on it?

SANDY: I don't know. (Bud looks skeptical, and Sandy fumbles for an answer) Well, there's probably dozens or hundreds of boats with those numbers.

PAM: Hundreds of 41' Steibers with those precise digits in that exact order?

SANDY: (still fumbling) Well, I don't want to tie up the Marine Patrol computer on a whim. I... you know...we have procedures and rules and...

KEITH: Fine! Give me your badge number and I'll call it in myself!

Sandy opens his mouth to reply, but no words come out. He looks at the floor.

KEITH: You have a badge number, right?

Sandy still can't reply>

KEITH: Do you want to talk about this?

SANDY: I... I'm not Marine Patrol. It's make-believe. All right. Satisfied?

KEITH. No.

SANDY: Yeah. Yeah you are. You're thrilled. (he turns and walks away)

Concerned, Pam gets up and moves to stand next to Keith. While she asks about the computer, she seems more worried about the brothers.

PAM: I could try breaking into the Marine Patrol computer. Just don't tell my commanding officer - the Navy takes a dim view of computer hackers.

KEITH: He's supposed to be the big brother. He's supposed to be the dependable one. (he follows after Sandy)

CUT TO: Sandy down on the dock outside. Keith approaches.

KEITH: Last time you visited, you weren't really a stock broker. And the time before that, you weren't really in medical school. And there was the time that you weren't really a CIA agent.

SANDY: I really was Marine Patrol, Bud, okay? Just not anymore.

KEITH: What happened?

SANDY: Suspended. Drunk in a speedboat runs over a manatee, so I... I... I... I ran over the drunk in the speedboat.

KEITH: (with a hint of a smile) Well, I guess he wolud have been happier with just a simple arrest?

SANDY: Oh, yeah. So I'm cleaning out my desk and this shark finning thing comes across the computer. I thought that if I could solve it, I could get reinstated.

KEITH: (smacks him on the arm) Why didn't you level with me?!

SANDY: Why, so you can think I'm an even bigger screw up than you do already? No thanks, man! (thinking for a minute) Hey, you know when we were kids, and, uh, we played tetherball? And one of us would mess up, and we'd get in a big fight, you know, and say, "wait, wait, wait, do over, do over!" (they chuckle over the memory) Well, I wish I could have a do-over right now.

KEITH: (sighing) I could use a few of those myself.

SANDY: I miss Coral Key, do you ever get back?

KEITH: It's changed, it's strip mall heaven.

SANDY: Yeah. I miss Dad, too.

Flipper appears nearby.

KEITH: I owe him a visit.

SANDY: I owe him a lot more than a visit.

Flipper screeches and does fluke slaps.

SANDY: Hey! He needs some attention, huh? (he kneels down on the dock and reaches out to Flipper) Come here! Flipper!

Flipper splashes at him, and jumps up to touch Sandy's outstretched hand.

SANDY: Good boy! (turning to Keith) We had some good times, didn't we, Bud?

KEITH: (annoyed) Would you quit calling me Bud? That's a kid's name!

SANDY: (in a friendly, teasing manner) Look! I just can't get used to calling you Keith! It's Bud! Forever!

KEITH: Yeah, well we'll see about that.

Keith grabs Sandy, and the two of them tumble into the water. The two of them wrestle in the water, seemingly very playfully.

KEITH: It's Keith! (he starts moving towards the beach)

SANDY: Okay, Bud! (Sandy charges after him, teasing) Bud, Bud, right, Bud?

Sandy playfully tackles Keith in the water again, but Keith has had enough.

KEITH: Cut it out!

SANDY: (still playing) This is getting serious!

KEITH: You got a problem with that? I got two words for you.

SANDY: What? What? "Give up?" "Do over?" "Say uncle?" No way! (he tackles Keith again)

KEITH: No!

SANDY: Jennifer Barnett!

KEITH: You're my brother. Brothers don't do the things you did to me! (he shoves Sandy away)

SANDY: Brothers forgive!

KEITH: I loved her.

SANDY: Yeah, so did I.

Keith punches Sandy, hard.

KEITH: Some big brother you are!

We see Alexis and Pam sitting at the computer, overhearing the argument and mistaking it for a playful tussle. They give each other a smile, and continue working.

SANDY: (comes out after Keith) Is that the best you got? Come here, I'm still your big brother!

Sandy grabs Keith again and knocks him off the dock into the raft tied there. The raft pulls away from the dock and floats to the middle of the lagoon with the brothers still on it. Flipper watches the whole exchange. Pam and Alexis realize the severity of the argument and jump up. Keith and Sandy continue to throw punches, eventually falling back into the water. Pam and Alexis arrive at the water's edge. Pam whistles, trying to get their attention, but it doesn't work.

PAM: Stop it, you two! What do you think you're doing?

Flipper is very agitated, swimming around, slapping his flukes on the surface. Finally, he knocks Keith on the arm with his flukes.

KEITH: OW! Flipper just hit me!

SANDY: That's not a hit! This is a hit! (he punches Keith)

Pam and Alexis look on, unable to do anything. Mike comes running up behind them.

MIKE: I heard fighting!

Flipper repeatedly leaps over the two brothers, who continue to fight.

MIKE: Flipper's trying to make them stop!

Keith and Sandy finally stop fighting and swim for shore, and Flipper does a victory tailwalk. When they get to shore, Sandy storms off. Pam reaches for Keith, but he pulls away.

PAM: Are you okay?

KEITH: I'm fine. Sandy!

Sandy turns, but doesn't stop.

PAM: Keith, please let me take a look at -

Keith jerks away from her again. He rubs his sore lip, then looks down dejectedly.

CUT TO: a warehouse, stacked with crates. The two criminals are milling about with a Japanese businessman who is checking the crates. He lifts a shark fin from one, smelling it.

CRIMINAL 1: Thursday, 100 kilos, usual spot?

The businessman nods and hands him an envelope of money.

CRIMINAL 1: Give our best to Mr. Tanaka.

The businessman bows and moves off.

CRIMINAL 2: Thursday?

CRIMINAL 1: (checking the money in the envelope) Thank God for shark fin soup.

CRIMINAL 2: We'll never make it.

CRIMINAL 1: We'll make it.

CRIMINAL 2: Thursday is definitely impossible.

CRIMINAL 1: We'll make it this Thursday, and the Thursday after that, and the Thursday after that. Whatever it takes to get us out of debt. And pick up a little spare cash on the side.

CRIMINAL 2: I don't even know what that feels like.

CRIMINAL 1: This is the only hope we've got, Cobb. Our dreams went up in smoke the day Dad turned us into fishermen.

CRIMINAL 2: Well, they colud go up in smoke forever if we end up in jail.

CRIMINAL 1: It's not like we're clubbing baby seals here. We're killing sharks. Who's gonna send us to jail for killing sharks?

CUT TO: the Institute, where Keith is meeting with Cliff in the aquarium lecture hall.

CLIFF: Is this what you called me down here for? Catching sharks isn't illegal -

KEITH: Yeah, but finning them is.

CLIFF: Live ones?

KEITH: Yes, like slicing your shoulderblade -

CLIFF: I know. Did you call the Department of Marine Fisheries? It's their ballyhoo, not ours.

KEITH: Yeah, but they gave me the runaround. They said "lack of resources."

CLIFF: (laughing) Did you try the Costal Comission?

KEITH: (also laughing) "Lack of manpower."

CLIFF: Coast Guard.

KEITH: "Budget cuts." Why are you asking me these questions. I called you guys for help!

CLIFF: I know how ugly this shark finning can get, and I also know how important sharks are for the environment. But it's the difference between catching shark finners or interdicting drug runners... I think you can see my point, right? (beat) I'll put in a report, we'll keep our eyes open.

KEITH: (disappointed) I appreciate it.

CLIFF: Wish I could do more. (he leaves)

KEITH: Yeah. Me too.

CUT TO: "Star of the Sand" restaurant at night. There's a festive atmosphere, with some loud music playing. The two criminals are sitting at a table together when Sandy walks by, oblivious to them.

CRIMINAL 2: There he is.

CRIMINAL 1: Cobb, I think it's time we made ourselves a new friend. (they get up)

WAITRESS: (to Sandy, as he's seated) Hi, can I take your order?

SANDY: Scotch rocks. And make it a double, please.

WAITRESS: All right.

SANDY: Or a triple. Quadruple, actually. Wait. (pulls out his wallet) Do you sell halves?

CRIMINAL 1: That's okay honey, we were just leaving. (he comes around the table to face Sandy)

WAITRESS: Okay.

The waitress leaves, and the criminals grab Sandy by the arms and haul him up.

SANDY: Wait, wait, wait. Do I know you guys?

CRIMINAL 1: We got some information for you on those shark finners you've been chasing?

SANDY: Really?

CRIMINAL 2: Yeah. It's us.

Sandy is dragged outside and cornered. Criminal 1 lifts his shirt to reveal a gun tucked into the waistband of his pants.

SANDY: Oh... what are you gonna do, shoot me?

CRIMINAL 1: Well, that depends. See, Cobb here doesn't like it when anyone punches back.

SANDY: Punch back?

The second criminal punches Sandy in the gut, hard.

CRIMINAL 1: Don't punch back now, Cobb doesn't like that.

Sandy is backhanded.

CRIMINAL 1: And I don't like it when people mess with our livelihood!

SANDY: Shark finning is against the law in Florida state waters!

CRIMINAL 1: That's too bad. It's so much fun.

Sandy is struggling to catch his breath and get away, but he's cornered on a dock.

SANDY: By the authority that used to be vested in me by the State of Florida, you guys are under arrest.

Criminal 2 punches Sandy in the face again. Sandy falls to the ground, trying in vain to pull himself up.

SANDY: You have the right to remain silent. And anything you say can (he is kicked in the chest) and will be used against you in a court of law. (he is punched again) You have the right to an attourney. If you cannot afford an attourney, one will be appointed for you. Any questions? (he is punched again and falls onto a boat) Guess not.

CRIMINAL 1: I'd say that about covers it.

The two criminals leave, and Sandy is left gasping for air.

CUT TO: Pam is still on the computer at the Institiute.

PAM: I'm in. I've got the Marine Patrol computer online. They've been using a router-based firewall to prevent unauthorized access but I've managed to convince them that I'm a node.

KEITH: (looking very confused) Guess that wasn't too hard. Can you get into the registration database?

PAM: No problem. (beat) You know, I can get court-martialled for this. (Keith nods eagerly, grinning) You're a bad influence.

Sandy opens the door and stumbles inside.

SANDY: I found the bad guys.

He collapses to the floor, and Pam and Keith rush to his side. Fade out.

ACT FOUR

At the Insitute, Keith and Pam are helping Sandy recover. Keith is trying to help clean him up.

SANDY: Hey! Hey!

KEITH: Hell of a shiner you got, there.

SANDY: Actually, that one's yours.

KEITH: I did that?

SANDY: Yes, you did.

KEITH: Cool.

PAM: I can't believe all of this is over a girl.

KEITH: Not just a girl.

SANDY: Jennifer Barnett.

KEITH: My financee.

SANDY: Mine, too. Actually, he got there first.

PAM: You were engaged?!

KEITH: It was a long time ago.

SANDY: Not that long ago.

KEITH: Sandy kidnapped her -

SANDY: I took her fishing -

KEITH: He deliberately beached the boat on a sandbar -

SANDY: It took me by complete surprise!

KEITH: You know how long it took him to call for help?

SANDY: Time flies!

KEITH: Two days!

SANDY: That's when we got engaged. Most romantic time of my life.

KEITH: Let me see if I can help you with that swelling. (he shoves the ice pack roughly at Sandy)

PAM: Hey you two, cut it out.

They both stop immediately.

PAM: What happened to her?

KEITH: I don't know.

SANDY: No clue.

The brothers share a laugh, realizing how silly their fight has become. Just as they do - the computer beeps. It's found a match.

PAM: I've got a match and an address.

Sandy and Keith shove eahc other out of the way to get to the computer. Keith snatches the printout from Pam and looks it over.

CUT TO: A marina the next day, where Pam, Keith, and Sandy pull up in the Institute boat. Flipper is with them. Keith gets a camera ready.

KEITH: If we catch these guys and you get reinstated, you can never ask a favor as long as you live.

SANDY: Promise! Look, I swear I'll do you favors.

KEITH: No, no, no. Don't you ever do me favors.

PAM: Okay, can we get this over with, gentlemen?

KEITH: Yeah. If we find what we're looking for, we'll decoy them out of here. They know this boat. You head straight out to sea and I'm gonna follow you.

PAM: Where will you be?

KEITH: Already on their boat.

PAM: Why can't we just call this in?

SANDY: Because it's personal!

KEITH: Yeah, nobody punches my brother but me. Wait for the signal.

PAM: What's the signal?

KEITH: Uh... we'll think of something.

Sandy and Keith jump out onto the dock and move towards a warehouse on shore. They peek in a window, and see the criminals inside, along with the shark fins.

CRIMINAL 1: We're short! Oh, this is not good, man.

CRIMINAL 2: What do we tell Tanaka.

CRIMINAL 1: We tell him nothing. And if he notices our mistake, we apologize and um... blame me.

Keith and Sandy sneak inside, hiding behind the crates.

CRIMINAL 2: That's why you're my brother, man. Got an answer for everything.

SANDY: Cool. We're brothers, too.

KEITH: Smile for the family album!

Keith takes a photo, and the two criminals chase them out of the warehouse and onto the dock.

CRIMINAL 1: (to his brother) Come on!

Pam sees Keith come running out of the warehouse.

KEITH: Start the engine! Go! Go!

PAM: Some signal!

Pam guns the engine while Sandy and Keith hide behind a truck. The criminals run past them.

KEITH: (to Sandy) Come on!

The criminals see Pam driving away in the Insitute boat. Meanwhile, Sandy and Keith climb into the finning boat. The criminals think they've gotten away. Sandy and Keith overhear their conversation as they hide on the boat.

CRIMINAL 1: I thought I told you to (muffled)

CRIMINAL 2: You're blaming me?!

CRIMINAL 1: Listen. They can put us out of business with those photos. Hell, they can put us in jail with those photos.

CRIMINAL 2: What do we do now?

CRIMINAL 1: We go get 'em, idiot.

On the boat, Keith and Sandy are hiding under a tarp.

SANDY: How much time are we gonna give 'em?

KEITH: Just a couple minutes, we don't want them catching up to Pam.

We see the criminals climbing into a different boat, a much smaller inflatable.

KEITH: Wait... (sound of a small motor starting) We're on the wrong boat!

KEITH AND SANDY: (in unison) Damn!

The criminals speed away on the smaller boat, while Keith and Sandy make their way to the cabin of the boat they're in.

KEITH: Agh! No key!

SANDY: Okay, okay, move, move, come on.

Sandy shoves Keith out of the way and prys open a panel.

KEITH: What are you doing?

SANDY: Well, do you remember the time I was supposed to be a repo man? I really was one.

Sandy fiddles with the wires, trying to hotwire the boat.

CUT TO: The Institute boat. Pam turns and sees the criminals following closely behind. On the other boat, we see criminal 1 pulling out a rifle.

CRIMINAL 2: Dammit, (can't make out name - Darmy?), you said finning sharks, not killing people! Put that thing away!

CRIMINAL 1: Quit your whining.

He aims the rifle at the Institute boat, then pulls it back.

CRIMINAL 1: Damn. It's some girl piloting the boat. Can't find the two guys!

The criminals glance back.

CRIMINAL 2: That's because they're behind us!

Sandy and Keith are right behind on the stolen boat. Flipper is right along with them.

CRIMINAL 1: Let's taken 'em out!

The criminals loop back. The first one aims and fires, missing. Keith and Sandy duck.

KEITH: Take the wheel! Take the wheel! Stay low! (Sandy grabs the wheel) Stay low!

The attackers fire again, this time shattering the windshield and a computer. A couple more shots, and Keith and Sandy duck out of the cabin.

KEITH: Come on!

They hurry to the side of the boat and Keith gestures toward the other boat. Sandy realizes what he's suggesting.

KEITH: Hey...

SANDY: Nuh-uh!

KEITH: One! Two!

SANDY: Nuh-uh!

KEITH: THREE!

Together, they jump out, trying to land on the other boat as it passes by. Unfortunately, they miss by a mile and end up in the water. Flipper appears next to them.

SANDY: Augh! We missed!

KEITH: Oh, no kiddin'!

SANDY: You should have said jump sooner!

KEITH: No, you should have jumped further!

SANDY: Well, you didn't do much better! We must be bad luck to each other 'cause this used to happen to us all the time when we were kids.

KEITH: Yeah, I know, it seemed like every week!

Pam sees the boat that Keith and Sandy were on go past her, but no one is on it. The small boat pulls around, zeroing in on the men in the water. Pam turns around and heads back to help.

CRIMINAL 1: Yup, you guys just did something really, really stupid.

KEITH: Funny. That's not like us at all.

Flipper leaps out of the water and knocks the rifle from the criminal's hand.

CRIMINAL 1: Whoa! Hey, where'd that fish come from?

Sandy and Keith, seeing a break, dive underwater.

CRIMINAL 1: Hey, hang on (muffled), they're up to something here.

Flipper gives Keith a foot push, launching him up into the boat. Sandy pulls the second criminal into the water, while Keith goes after the first. The first one tries to hit Keith with an anchor, but Keith uses a gasoline can to block the strikes. Flipper slaps the second attacker, knocking him unconscious.

SANDY: Thank you very much!

Flipper squeaks back at him. On the boat, Keith pulls at something on the boat, while the first criminal hefts the anchor over his head.

CRIMINAL 1: Never turn your back on the bad guy.

He is about to bring the anchor down on Keith... when a spear suddenly hits the ground at his feet. He sopts and looks up to see Pam, a speargun in each hand, one already fired.

PAM: That was just a warning shot. You know where the next one's going.

He nods and gives in, raising his hands in surrender. Flipper gives a victory swim.

CUT TO: Shore, where the criminals are being hauled away in handcuffs and shoved into a police car. Sandy shakes an officer's hand.

SANDY: Thanks a lot. Thanks. (he approaches Keith) Thanks, bro. You saved my butt again. (to Pam) You too, thank you. (he shakes her hand)

PAM: You're welcome.

KEITH: They gonna reinstate you?

SANDY: It's, uh, it's looking good.

KEITH: Good. Then you can pay me back that two grand you owe me.

SANDY: Whoa, what two grand?

KEITH: That two thousand dollars that you keep forgetting about.

SANDY: No, no, no. I got stiffed on that, too. She took that ring with her when she left.

KEITH: (beat) You used that money to buy her a ring?!

SANDY: What was I supposed to do? Use the one that you got for her?

Keith snaps, lunging at Sandy's neck. Sandy, however, is grinning as he runs.

END CREDITS