Original subtitles

Sweet darling,

I got so much work to do today.

I got to pick up that...

(CHICKENS CLUCKING)

(SHEEP BLEATING)

MAN: It's the big house on the left,

Casa de Porter.

(MAN LAUGHING)

Hello?

(PIANO CLINKING)

(GIRL LAUGHING DISTANTLY)

(GIRLS WHOOPING)

PORTER: Thank you, ladies.

WOMAN: See you, Porter!

(WHOOPS)

Just the one. It's not 5:00 yet.

Here it come. Here it come.

(BURPS)

I beg your pardon, little pig. What do you say?

(GRUNTS)

Good boy.

Sandy?

Yep. Thought you weren't coming till Thursday.

It is Thursday.

Looks like I missed your boat.

(GRUNTING)

Don't worry, buddy. Your Uncle Porter will make it up to you.

What is this place anyway?

Well, it was an abandoned fishing camp.

I ran aground here a few years ago and decided to make it home.

A real dump, till I got here.

Come aboard, I'll show you around. You'll love it.

PORTER: Pete, heel. Heel, boy.

(SIGHS)

I think we're in the poo, little mate.

There you go.

Like Spaghetti Os much?

I'm a bit of a bargain hunter, you see.

When the cruise ships are in the area,

grease the right palms, you can do some terrific deals.

Now, any of the passengers on the Viking Serenade

that want Spaghetti Os are out of luck.

Oh, I'm sure they're bumming. Yeah.

I know they're not exactly Omaha Steaks, but you won't go hungry.

There's gotta be some mistake.

You cannot be my uncle.

Well, you know what they say, "You choose your friends,

"can't choose your relatives."

Why don't you unpack? I'll rustle us up some grub.

How much did she pay you to take me off her hands?

I resent that, Sandy.

When your mother called, I didn't hesitate.

If anyone knows all there is to know about divorce, it's me.

I mean, family's very important.

You guys are all I've got.

How much?

$1 00 a week. Just for the summer.

(SNICKERS)

Oh, boy. She really low-balled you, man.

The story of my life, kid.

This concert's history.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(METAL PINGING RHYTHMICALLY)

(SHRIEKING) PORTER OVER PA: All hands on deck! All hands on deck!

(IMITATING SHIP'S EMERGENCY HORN)

(LAUGHING)

Come on, sailor. Shake a leg.

If you don't get up, you don't eat.

Come on. Time to rock 'n' roll.

(GROANS)

You want your Spaghetti Os with or without?

With or without what?

Peewee franks.

Suit yourself.

But, you know, once we get out there on that ocean,

you can't exactly order up a pizza.

You ever been fishing?

What'd you catch?

A whale. But I threw it back.

No, I'm asking because a lot of people think fishing's

a bamboo pole and a six-pack of suds, but it's tougher than that.

Oh, really?

What about seasickness, that an issue?

(SIGHS) Look, I can handle it.

Sure you can.

Where's that bait, sailor?

Bait my butt.

(VOMITING)

Hey, you okay?

(VOMITING)

(LAUGHING) MAN: Let me have one of those.

I want one of these babies for me.

All right, all right. Pull it in.

(WHOOPS)

Hey, Porter, at least it floats.

Yeah, funny. You butt-faced wombat.

Look, just keep your eyes on the horizon.

For how long?

As long as it takes to keep your cookies down.

The damn dolphins are stealing all the bait.

They're scaring the fish away!

Whoa.

(GUN FIRING)

(SCREECHES)

(MOANS)

(GUN FIRES)

(GUN FIRES)

That's not fishing, kid. That's murder.

That's pathetic.

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING WEAKLY)

DIRK: Hey, kid!

You see where that dolphin went?

SANDY: Yeah.

He went that way.

Are you sure?

(CHUCKLES)

All right, mate! Come on, take her in!

Go on. Get out of here.

(CHATTERING)

Go on! Go!

Go!

JOEL ON PHONE: Am l gonna see you at this concert or what, man?

SANDY: The Chili Peppers are mine. I am making this concert.

You're splitting? Oh, am I splitting.

Hey, Tommy. Heard a nasty rumor

You know how it's been, Porter. I can't make it with no fish.

The fish are gone, I'm gone.

What are you gonna do?

Give up the good life and go back and punch a clock for someone?

The good life's ancient history, Porter.

I can barely feed the cat with what I bring in.

SANDY: Don't worry, I'm on the 5:00 a.m. ferry.

Just pick me up tomorrow night. We'll be at the concert.

Gotta jet. Here comes the hippie.

Thought you might like a change.

Why?

I don't know.

PORTER: Yo, it's a marvelous one.

Aren't you a bit warm in there, Marv?

SANDY: What's wrong with him?

Marvin's a little shy.

But you hand him a spring and a piece of wire,

and he'll give you back an outboard motor.

GIRL: But I don't want to hurt him.

Well, sweetheart, it's just...

Okay, you know what? We're gonna put him back in here with his friends.

And we're gonna use this guy right here,

because he's not gonna mind at all.

Have fun fishing.

Okay.

Just think, become a marine biologist and you can bait hooks, too.

Yeah, but if you'd have stayed up in Boston,

you wouldn't get to see me every day.

(CHUCKLES) Just my luck. So, this must be Sandy. Hi, I'm Cathy.

Well, he probably told you all about me.

No.

PORTER: Gee, where I get my stuff?

So, how's he doing?

Like a pizza delivered upside down.

He's all over the place. Ugh! Extra cheese?

(CASH REGISTER DINGING) Yeah, I'll straighten him out.

You cooking dinner tonight?

Why? You tired of blowtorching Spaghetti Os?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I suppose you heard old Tommy's leaving the island.

I can't blame him. We haven't had a decent catch since spring.

Well, I may know why.

Those fish you brought in, I tested them.

They were loaded with dioxin.

What's dioxin?

It's a by-product of herbicides. It's really nasty stuff.

How would that be getting into our water?

(EXPLODES)

Careful, honey!

Do you think we'll ever get him out of that smelly raincoat?

Maybe we could get it dry-cleaned with him still inside.

Smart-ass. You never take me seriously.

Well, that's not fair.

Go ahead. Hit me with your best shot.

When are we getting married?

I, uh, got to go and fix the net.

Porter Ricks!

PORTER: Sandy!

(SIGHS) Think he'll ever grow up, Marv?

(PORTER GARGLING)

(CREAKING)

(HUMMING GRUFFLY)

Blow the man down

(HUMMING)

Blow the man down

(HUMMING)

(GRUNTS)

What are you doing?

Hey, Sandy. Do I look cool or what?

Or what?

Yeah, it's the shirt.

It was given to me personally by Brian Wilson himself.

Who?

Brian Wilson, Beach Boys.

What are they teaching you kids at school?

I'm really tired. I think I'm gonna hit the hay early.

Good thinking.

Cathy's number's on the wall, and if you get hungry,

there's plenty of Spaghetti Os. Yeah, I know.

I'm late. See you in the a.m., kid.

See you in the a.m.

Not.

(VIDEO GAME MUSIC PLAYING)

(WHISTLING)

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING)

(AIR BLOWING)

Hello?

(METAL CREAKS)

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING)

(SQUEALING)

Is that you?

Come on.

(VIDEO GAME WARBLES)

Cool.

(FERRY HORN BLOWING)

Sorry, got to jet. See you.

(SQUEALING)

MAN ON RADIO: ...Eastern Daylight Time.

A hurricane watch is in effect for tonight through Thursday

for all coastal regions.

Gale force winds are expected to spread

across portions of the Southeast Coast during the next few hours.

Storm surge flooding 10 to 14 feet above normal tides...

Come on, shake a leg, sailor.

You don't get up, you don't eat.

Precautions to protect life and property should now be completed.

Sandy?

Earthquake!

Oh, geez.

Storm's coming. Gotta be boarding up your windows.

I can't, Russ.

Looking for a runaway nephew.

Well, you can call off the search. He took the first ferry out.

By the way, I'll need $22.50. He put it on your tab.

He's so cute.

(WHISPERING)

Sandy, I am by nature a gentle soul.

However, I can crush a coconut with my bare hands.

I want you to hold that thought as we make our exit.

(GRUNTS)

With dignity.

Get that rope!

Sandy! Grab the line!

Sandy!

(GRUNTS)

(PETE SQUAWKING)

Nice going, kid.

I should have been out there boarding my damn windows, instead of...

Do you know what you just did? Do you have any idea?

Yeah, I probably saved your life.

You made me blow Chili Peppers laminates!

Learn to live with it.

Now what am I gonna do? The next concert's in Orlando.

I don't have tickets! I don't give...

(THUNDER CRACKING) PORTER: Great. Oh, bloody great.

"Yeah, I'd love to see Sandy.

"Send him down. It'll be fun."

It'll cost me my house and my boat, but...

Might as well give it all up and go and join Tommy on the mainland.

Why didn't you just let me go?

'Cause I'm not finished with you yet, young fellow.

Don't talk to me like my father.

I'm not looking for another father.

Good. Makes us even.

'Cause I'm not looking for a son.

Especially a screw-up teenager like you.

Oh, you don't know me. You know nothing about me.

Tell you what I do know, kid.

This here is the Earth,

this is a great big ocean,

and this is our tiny little island. And your mom,

way over there somewhere.

So, no matter how loud you scream, she can't hear you.

You've got no friends. You've got no money.

You've got no malls to hang around in.

You're stuck, Jack.

All you have is me.

So get used to it

and relax.

We've got a long, ugly day in front of us, and night.

Gonna use that pillow?

Thank you.

(SIGHS)

Did you hear him snoring all bloody night?

Ah, geez.

PORTER: Oh, man!

(GROANS)

Is nothing sacred?

(PETE SQUAWKS)

Geez.

Get off there, Pete.

(SIGHS)

Look, since I know how in love you are with being here,

I'll make you a deal.

You work for me, help get this mess cleaned up,

and I'll make sure you make that concert in Orlando.

How? I don't even have tickets anymore.

Kid, you're dealing with Porter Ricks here.

If it exists, I can get it.

We'll make it to that show.

We?

You don't think I'd let you go alone, do you?

Besides, I can dig the Chili Peppers.

They're not exactly the Beach Boys, but who is?

We have a deal?

Haul her in!

You should start with the fish pen netting.

There's diving masks and the stuff you'll need's in the shed.

Anything else you need's in town.

I'm gonna have to stay with the boat

on the mainland for a couple of days.

Sure you're gonna be all right?

I'll be fine.

Cathy will drop in on you from time to time.

And you can always reach me

through the Coast Guard station.

But nothing's gonna happen, right?

Right.

Right.

(SQUEALING)

(SCREAMS)

What...

You?

(FLIPPER CHATTERING)

Whoa!

(WHOOPING)

(FLIPPER WHISTLES)

(JUICE HARP PLAYING)

(FLIPPER SQUEAKS)

Like my dolphin?

Your dolphin?

That's right.

I found him.

What's his name?

His name is Flipper.

I've never seen one alone like this.

They're usually with their families.

Alone he'd be no match for Scar.

Who's Scar?

He's the hammerhead that stalks these waters. He's big and ugly.

Legend has it, he took out a boat full of tourists.

Some say he has a taste for out-of-towners.

(SNICKERS) DIRK: You listen when I'm talking to you!

Don't you ever!

That's the jerk who tried to kill Flipper.

I was out on my uncle's boat and he was shooting at him.

That's Dirk Moran. He's a bottom feeder.

What are you doing?

I'm hypnotizing. Dolphins love music.

Well, it's not working.

(CHUCKLES) Well, if he's really yours, then make him do something.

Uh...

Okay. Sure. Um...

All right.

All right, Flipper.

What do you wanna do today?

Flipper...

Flipper...

Jump!

(FLIPPER SQUEALS)

Awesome!

Yeah, you know.

But where did he go?

Um...

(SQUEALS)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

I'm Kim.

Sandy.

(SQUAWKING)

Hey, he's hungry.

Really?

So where do you get the fish to feed him?

I have to feed him?

He's your dolphin.

Well, yeah.

Come on. I got an idea.

She's looking good there, Porter.

Thanks. I did most of it myself.

(BREAKING)

Most of it.

All I gotta do now is earn enough money to pay for it.

You ought to take a lesson from that young nephew of yours.

He's getting to be quite a businessman.

What's he been up to?

You'll see.

KIM: Fish go in the bucket. Thank you.

One dollar to see Flipper, the wonder dolphin.

(CHILDREN CHEERING)

One dollar. Did you put your fish in? Uh-huh.

Thank you very much.

Okay. One dollar. Wow.

SANDY: All right, step right this way.

(CHILDREN CHEERING)

SANDY: Go get it.

Don't ask me how he does it, kid.

Even I can't explain it.

What is this? It's a penny.

A Lincoln penny! It's a vintage, man. Enjoy!

All right. There you go.

Whoa!

Hey, that's my fish!

Yeah, that's right.

Come on, Flipper. Go! Go! Go!

All right!

Hey, Marvin. Come on in. No charge.

KIM: One dollar. Thank you very much. Fish goes in the bucket.

One dollar. Thank you very much. Fish goes right there.

Wait, wait, wait. Excuse me. Excuse me!

You need a fish to get in.

I don't have to pay, kid. I own this circus.

Sandy, what's going on here?

Oh, hi.

My best Havanas.

You're smoking my best Havanas.

It's the Flipper Show.

What the hell's a flipper?

All right, the Flipper Show is over!

All you kids, go home now!

Come on!

Sorry.

You can have your fish back.

Give me my fish. Give me my fish.

Now!

KIM: See you, Sandy.

Go easy on him, Mr. Ricks.

I thought we had a deal.

I thought you were gonna fix up the house.

I did it so Flipper could eat.

Who do you think you're dealing with,

you half-grown little con man?

You did it to turn some coin.

I didn't do too bad for myself, either.

Hey!

House's cut.

And as for you, you oversized guppy...

I see we're gonna have to bring out the heavy artillery.

We're gonna try a whole new approach.

It's called, "Dealing with your crap." This is how it works.

Number one,

you're gonna learn to take responsibility for your actions,

and the consequences of those actions.

Number two,

you're gonna start getting up and going to work on time.

And at work, you're gonna bust hump and not gripe.

Sometimes you'll be called on to use your little brain.

Now, that's gonna hurt at first,

'cause it's the weakest muscle in your body.

Number three, you're gonna look after that dolphin.

Seeing as the damn thing won't go away,

you're gonna feed it every day

and you're gonna feed it on your own time.

Number four... Stand up straight!

Oh, yeah.

You wanna be a big man and smoke a cigar, right?

Fire up that puppy,

and keep it stoked.

From now on, when I smoke, you smoke.

(GROANS)

Miss Page.

You wash your hands? Sit down.

Stogies down.

Let's eat.

Mom, when are you gonna come pick me up?

In a couple of weeks. Sandy, what do you have in your mouth?

A cigar.

A what?

We've been smoking up a storm.

Uncle Porter lets me drink all the beer I want.

He also knows a lot of loose women.

Put your uncle on!

Camp Porter.

What is going on down there? He can't smoke. He's a kid!

Hang on a sec, love.

(SANDY VOMITING)

It's okay. I think he's just about to kick the habit.

Ready for another?

Oh, please. Please, I'll never smoke again.

Good thinking.

Now, go and take care of that bald-headed fish.

(CHATTERING) Good boy!

All right. Thanks.

Bring this to Sandy. Go on.

CATHY: Porter! Porter!

I can't find Marvin anywhere.

He's never done this before. I'm really worried.

Jump in.

(GASPING)

A minute 20.

Hey, Sandy.

SANDY: Oh, hey, Marvin. What's up?

Pretty cool, huh?

Come on down.

Go easy on the dock there, Marv. It's kind of slippery.

Whoa, Marv!

All right, Marv. Meet Flipper.

(FLIPPER SQUEALING)

Marv!

Flipper.

Way to go, Marv!

(INAUDIBLE)

Excuse me. Are you guys telling secrets?

Well, we were just wondering what the deal is with you two.

What do you mean?

Well, are you going in for the long haul,

or is it just a casual fling?

Oh, sorry. Is that the wrong question?

No! No, Sandy, not at all.

I'd be really interested in the answer to that question.

Come on, eat up. It's getting cold.

(CHUCKLING)

MAN: Hey, waiter!

(GRUMBLES)

Well, well, well. The gang's all here.

Porter, word has it you have a pet dolphin.

Is that right?

I wouldn't call it a pet, Dirk.

No?

You know, fishing being the way it's been,

we don't need a dolphin to tear holes in nets,

steal bait, or cause regulations.

But you know that, don't you, mate?

We're talking about one dolphin, Dirk.

You stay out of this, Miss Heal The Bay.

One dolphin is one too many.

(CHUCKLES)

DIRK: (SNICKERING) Miss Heal The Bay.

Bad smell around here, isn't there?

SANDY: What's that guy's problem, anyway?

Dirk Moran just resents any life form

with more intelligence than his.

That takes in just about everything, including these clams.

(FLIPPER SQUEALING)

DIRK: We got him!

Get a pike! Get a pike! Get a pike!

Good! You got him.

MAN 2: Come on, you got him!

Out of the way!

What do you think you're doing? You're hurting him!

Hey!

He's a bait-snatcher!

That's enough! Get your hands off me!

Come on, you've had your fun.

Let the animal go.

Well, if it isn't a Greenpeace warrior.

(MEN LAUGHING)

Can't you see this animal means something to the kid?

It does?

Well, now, isn't that sweet!

Isn't that sweet, boys?

The kid and the fish are pals.

You know, if I were you, boy, I'd watch how I choose my friends.

I said, enough!

You got no right to do that.

I ought to teach you a lesson.

Yeah, I'd like that.

I have a thirst for knowledge.

Teach me.

(FISHERMEN CHUCKLING)

(SCOFFS)

School's out for the day, is it?

Thought so. Maybe next time.

They'll be a next time. You can count on it, Ricks.

That's right.

(HAMMERING)

(HAMMERING)

Good boy, yeah. Come here. You're gonna be fine.

Come here. Let me see those teeth.

(FLIPPER CHATTERING)

Here you go.

Ah, perfect.

BUCK: Slow it down.

Oh, Buck, how the devil are you?

Doing just fine, Porter. And you?

Pretty good.

A bit of storm damage to the old château, but nothing we can't handle.

BUCK: Lucky dolphin. Getting the pro treatment.

How you doing, Buck?

I'm doing fine. Except a little birdie told me

you folks found yourselves this animal.

Porter, you can't keep a dolphin.

Well, the funny part, Buck, is we're not actually keeping him, you see?

He just stays.

I mean, I've tried to chase him away with a broom,

but he's taken a fancy to us, especially young Sandy.

He's also harassing the fishermen. What?

And that's another thing we can't allow.

Well, I don't know who told you that, Buck, but it's just not true.

It doesn't matter, Porter. It really doesn't.

The law says unless that animal's

in a licensed captivity program,

he must be at sea.

You here to take him, Buck?

You can't do that! He's used to being fed.

He's right. I mean, the animal probably can't fend for itself anymore.

Porter, Porter, help me out here, old buddy.

They'll just go stick him in some aquarium

and revoke your fishing license, to boot.

(FLIPPER SQUEAKING)

CATHY: Okay. Good boy.

Easy now. Good boy.

Slow down, guys. Just a little slower.

PORTER: You wanna come or you gonna wait here?

All set, Porter!

Wait!

It's okay, boy.

Good boy.

BUCK: Here we go.

CATHY: Okay, guys, let him down slowly.

Easy, easy, easy!

(FLIPPER CHATTERING)

(FLIPPER SQUEALING)

(FLIPPER WHISTLES)

Sandy!

SANDY: Flipper!

KIM: Flipper!

(STOPS ENGINE)

Almost out of gas.

It's cold.

There you go.

Thanks.

(THUDDING)

(GRUNTING)

Oh, geez!

Come on!

Let's get out of here.

(SLURPING)

Another day in paradise.

You sleep out here all night?

I know you miss him. He belongs out there.

It just seems that things always mess up

when you start caring about them.

It's like they say, "To live is to love.

"All reasons against it. All instincts for it."

What does that mean?

I don't know. I read it on a calendar.

But I do know it's good that you cared.

People who don't care wind up in a home, drooling creamed spinach.

(SIGHS)

Porter,

how come you don't have any kids?

Kids require commitment, and commitment ain't one of my strengths.

I'm probably worried, if I had a kid, he'd turn out just like me.

That might not be so bad.

On the other hand, he might turn out like you.

(SCOFFS) Now that would be a nightmare.

Yeah.

Special delivery.

I got us front and center.

You mean you're really gonna go to the concert with me?

Why not? Hey, I was grunge before they had a word for it.

Oh, speaking of grunge,

there's a load of dirty laundry in there with your name on them.

Enjoy.

Sandy.

Hey, Sandy!

(PETE SQUAWKING)

What's the matter, Pete?

(SQUAWKS)

(SQUAWKS)

Sandy!

(SQUEALING)

Oh, no. What's wrong with him?

Oh, my God! Sandy, do something!

Hold him up! Don't let him sink!

Stay with him. I'll be back.

How are the kids?

MAN: They're all fine. Everybody's doing good.

You gotta come quick. He came back.

I think he's dying.

Come here. Come here, boy. Good boy.

His breathing is shallow. He's probably dehydrated.

Let me see your mouth.

Who's for pizza?

I see a dolphin.

I'll do some tests, but the only thing keeping him alive right now

is one hell of a will to live.

Do you have a blender?

Beg your pardon?

What do you call it?

It's sort of a dolphin shake.

You know, an emergency supply of iron,

protein, calcium, a bunch of other nutrients.

Can you open that?

By any chance, would you have some Jell-O?

Jell-O?

Marshmallow cream.

Prunes.

Oh!

Dead.

Would he go for Tropical Punch?

Ugh. Sorry.

No problem.

I've got a Handy Vac.

(SNAPS FINGERS) Pete.

(GRUNTING)

(CHOKES)

(GRUNTING HAPPILY)

I've seen him eat a cockroach.

(FLIPPER SQUEALING WEAKLY)

Here. It's better from you.

Come on, buddy.

You can do it.

Please, Flipper. Just try it.

Come on.

That's it.

There you go.

Come on.

(SQUEAKING)

Listen, I'm sorry about that time

when I yelled at you and stuff.

In case you're feeling better later,

I saved you a couple of slices,

extra anchovies.

(FLIPPER SQUEAKING WEAKLY)

(SQUEALS)

(SQUEALING)

Flipper!

Well, this is quite a spread for you.

Actually, I was thinking of doing croissants,

but I didn't wanna give you a heart attack.

Well, it's the thought that counts.

Like bringing someone flowers.

You'll do it one day.

I've brought you flowers.

You are such a liar.

What do you call that?

(SCOFFS) Weeding.

Oh, here's Jan with the test results.

I can't believe this guy. He's just like a little kid.

All he wants to do is play.

Come here.

Go on.

Oh, good boy. That's it.

Looks like our friend was more than dehydrated. He was poisoned.

Those tests before were right.

We've got levels of dioxin off the chart for these waters.

Another meal out there, he would have been glowing.

Someone poisoned him?

Or poisoned the water,

which is probably the reason your fishing's gone to hell.

Doesn't make sense. I mean, the nearest industry's on the mainland.

Well, maybe the mainland has found a cheap place to dump toxic garbage.

Uh-oh.

What now?

The other night, Kim and I went out looking for Flipper.

Dirk Moran's boat was out there.

We saw some guys tossing barrels or something over the side.

Sandy, this is really important.

Do you remember where you guys were?

Definitely! Exactly.

Can you show us? No problem.

KIM: This is it. Right here.

SANDY: No way. It's over here.

No, it was right... I'm positive this is it. This is where we were.

I'm telling you, I remember where it is.

Actually, it was more this way.

No, it's over here.

No, I'm telling you, it was over here.

I know it was here somewhere.

PORTER: Somewhere? Could you be a bit more specific?

Well, it was dark. What do you want?

I'm from Chicago. It's not like there were street signs.

Help me out here, Kim.

Did you notice the lighthouse on the way out? Any buoys?

I'm pretty sure this was the basic spot.

Yeah, me, too.

Well, if you're anywhere near right,

then Dirk Moran's been dumping poison

smack in the middle of my fishing grounds.

We'd better head back.

We think we know why the fishing's been so lousy lately.

What's it this time, Porter?

Algae blooms? El Niňo? Bad karma?

Look, someone may be criminally poisoning these waters.

Yeah, and we think we know who.

Look, when Flipper came back sick, I did some tests...

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Am I hearing this? That dolphin is back?

Just hear us out, Buck. We're talking about toxic waste.

Costs big bucks to dispose of it properly.

But if you can just dump it in the ocean...

Buck, you gotta do something. Look at these test results!

I'm not interested in computer printouts.

Bring me some hard evidence that somebody's been dumping, and I'll bust them.

Buck... Save it!

Do you have any idea how many marine parks I've turned away

since that dolphin's shown up?

An animal as smart as that makes a fine attraction.

(EXCLAIMS)

Easy, Dirk.

If Flipper's still here on Monday, I will personally see to it

that he's jumping through flaming hoops at Sea World on Tuesday.

We're not still talking about this dolphin, are we?

No, actually, Dirk,

we were discussing the possibility that some slimeball

has been dumping toxic waste on my side of the island.

Maybe that explains why fishing's been so lousy lately.

You know, you have an active imagination, Porter.

Why, it was just yesterday a fellow landed a marlin there, trophy-size.

Now, you see, these things happen.

Nature has its rhythms.

The fishing will be back.

You'll be feeling like the little boy that cried wolf.

Remember what I said about that dolphin, Porter.

What did he say?

He said he needed more hard evidence,

like the dead fish ain't enough.

He also said Flipper has to be gone by Monday.

Okay, look, we still have until Monday. That gives us three days.

Three days for what?

To deploy our secret weapon, Flipper.

What are you talking about?

Project Quick Find.

Navy started playing with it after Korea.

They trained dolphins to find things on the ocean floor,

like spy satellites, ASROC missiles, junk like that.

It was top secret.

Kim, get the buoys.

PORTER: How come you know about it?

Oh, I did some part-time work.

You didn't tell me you were Navy.

You never told me about what's-her-name down at the marina.

Well, that was years ago.

How'd you know about that?

Cast off.

Come on, we've got work to do. Let's go.

Sandy, spot me at the bow. Marv, let's go.

Hey, Sandy, we're probably gonna miss that concert.

What concert?

(AIR HISSING)

Hydrophone? Nitrox?

Submersible pressure gauge?

GPS? EPERB?

Zinc oxide, T.P., Dramamine.

Seasickness.

I don't need this.

Sandy, a man should never hurl in front of his woman.

Thanks.

Something to live by.

Nice outfit, Marvin.

Figures.

(ENGINE RUMBLES)

Wait for me!

Hey, Mr. Ricks.

Yeah!

KIM: Go, Flipper!

Yeah!

CATHY: Oh, Porter, can you go downstairs

and help Marvin set up the computer?

Computer? Yeah.

Yeah, no problem.

What are you gonna do?

Me? Oh, I'm Command Central.

I'm gonna keep track of Flipper's progress,

so we don't cover the same ground twice.

Just let me know when the grunt work's done, okay?

Grunt work?

Well, we both know I'm good at that.

Okay, Sandy, make sure that Flipper's ready.

And, Kim, why don't you spot, okay?

Marv, honey, I think this one's for you.

Flipper's secret can be summed up in one word,

"echolocation."

Echo what?

Dolphin sonar.

See, Flipper sends a beam of sound toward an object

and receives an echo back.

He can see in total darkness.

He's great at loose change.

It's like he's a dog.

But instead of using his nose, he looks with his, um,

echo thing.

Yeah.

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better.

Well, the Navy took it one step further.

Come in, Central Command.

We are in the approximate splashdown area

and are awaiting further orders.

CATHY: Copy that. Send Flipper when the ball is secure.

He'll hit it when he finds something. Over.

Go on, boy. Go find it.

(FLIPPER CLICKING)

That's a negative on station 1 , Commander.

(SONAR BEEPING)

First station negative. Proceed to interrogate next station.

Yoи know, I love all this Navy talk.

Hey, Cath,

you still have your old uniform?

Guppy says negative on station 4.

(SQUEAKS)

(SIGHS IN FRUSTRATION)

Тhat's a negative on station 15.

(JUICE HARP PLAYING) We must've searched the whole ocean by now.

Maybe we ought to call it quits and come back tomorrow.

Gee, this Martha Stewart's a clever woman.

She's made curtains here out of old fishing nets.

That'd work in my place.

Porter,

I think you really need to get a life.

Flipper!

No, just sea swells.

(EXHALES)

Well, I think he found something.

(FLIPPER CHATTERING)

Hey, look!

(WHISTLES)

SANDY: Cath! What's happening?

I think he's found something. Yes!

What do we do now?

I say it's time for the Flip-O-Cam.

The Flip-O-Cam? The Flip-O-Cam?

You made this?

You're starting to scare me, Marv.

Come on.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

Giant squid astern, sir!

Marv, I...

(SONAR BEEPING)

KIM: I don't see anything.

(DOLPHINS SINGING)

I'll bet that's his family.

(SINGS)

(THUDDING)

Oh, my God!

Gross.

Well, we'd better get a hold of Buck.

Buck?

Try the EPA or the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard, this is the Reliable. Over.

Coast Guard, this is the Reliable. Over.

CATHY: Coast Guard, this is the Reliable. Over.

Coast Guard, this is the...

(RADIO SQUAWKS)

Gotcha.

Coast Guard, this is the Reliable. Over.

Porter, it's not working.

SANDY: Hey, what happened?

Marvin, what's wrong?

Flipper!

Flipper!

That'll send a radio signal out,

so we can find the spot again.

Hey, Porter. I'm not leaving without Flipper.

Not now, Sandy. This is not the time.

Flipper!

Flipper!

Flipper!

(YELLS)

(GASPING)

This is Porter Ricks. Anyone out there?

Hey, Marv.

Where's Sandy?

Flipper.

Oh, my gosh.

Mr. Ricks!

Right, Bucker. Sandy's gone.

Not now, love. Bucker...

Oh, God.

Flipper!

Flipper?

Scar.

(PANTING)

(SCREAMING)

SANDY: Help!

(SCREAMS)

Help!

Come on, boy! Don't look back. Swim!

(DOLPHINS SQUEALING)

(SINGING)

That's a boy. Come here. You're safe, son.

Boy, I'll tell you, that's one courageous little dolphin.

Too bad you had to see us that night, son.

(SQUEALS)

(SCREAMS)

Hey, thanks, buddy.

Oh, that's a good boy. Thank you.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Thank God.

Your mother would've killed me.

You remember that story about Scar?

Yeah.

It's true.

(GRUNTING)

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

You're welcome.

DIRK: You're hurting my wrists!

BUCK: Get that piece of sea slime out of here.

OFFICER: Come on! You go on below.

Let's go!

I think we got it in time. The EPA's on the way.

And not to worry, we'll heal these waters up, thanks to Flipper.

What about Flipper?

He saved my life.

Yeah. How about it, Buck?

Well, as long as he's free, I guess he's free to make this his home.

CATHY: (CHUCKLING) All right.

And we'll have a pretty nifty dolphin looking out for us.

CATHY: All right. How about it, Sandy?

(SQUEAKING)

(SIGHS)

He should go.

What?

He belongs with his family.

(FLIPPER CHATTERING)

What is it?

(CHATTERING)

No, I can't come.

(SQUEAKS)

Go on, boy. It's okay.

(SQUAWKING)

Please.

Just go!

(WHISTLES)

(CAR HORN HONKING)

Hi, Mom.

Hey, bud.

So, how was your summer?

Oh, it was a total blast.

A total blast, huh?

Well, I can hardly wait to hear about it.

Come on.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

See you around, Marv.

Hey,

what's the matter?

Flipper.

He'll be back.

You'll see.

Gonna miss you.

I'll miss you, too.

KIM: Sandy!

Give me a sec?

Come on, honey. Let's go on the boat.

Gonna miss me?

Bye.

Bye.

You take it easy, kid.

FERRY CAPTAIN: All aboard!

Bye.

Take care.

(FERRY ENGINE STARTING)

Wait!

I forgot one thing.

Can I come back next summer?

Well, I think you better.

I've just made a deal for 1 50 pounds of SPAM.

Go on, get.

(INAUDIBLE)

(GIRLS SHRIEKING)

BOY: Yeah!

(KIDS WHOOPING)

BOY 2: Hey, come on. Check it out!

BOY 3: I want to see this, come on.

Hey, come on, guys. Come on.

(ALL CLAMORING)

(KIDS CHEERING)