Original subtitles

[pleasant music]

[pleasant music]

- 30 live mermaids. 30.

- 30 live mermaids. 30.

Count them, 3-0.

And me, the only merman in the whole school.

And me, the only merman in the whole school.

Now that's I'd call a nicely balanced ratio,

wouldn't you say, old man?

wouldn't you say, old man?

I see the face of envy wears a smiling mask.

I see the face of envy wears a smiling mask.

- That's raw patience, you see.

- That's raw patience, you see.

The way I figure it, sooner or later,

The way I figure it, sooner or later,

at the rate you're going, you'll drown yourself.

at the rate you're going, you'll drown yourself.

If there's anything sadder than a live mermaid

that just lost her merman, it's 30 live mermaids.

that just lost her merman, it's 30 live mermaids.

Me, I'm just an old cheerer upper.

[pleasant music]

[pleasant music]

- Three years, I've been searching.

- Three years, I've been searching.

Hundred cities, and all the time it's been right here.

Hundred cities, and all the time it's been right here.

- Linc. Morning.

- Linc. Morning.

- Morning, Mr. McTaggart.

- Morning, Mr. McTaggart.

- One week you said, it's been more like 10 days.

- Well, a six year habit just isn't that easy

- Well, a six year habit just isn't that easy

to break, Mr. McTaggart.

I guess I find it tough to call a man anything

other than his rank or his last name.

other than his rank or his last name.

- Okay, Ranger, call me sir, is that easier?

- Okay, Ranger, call me sir, is that easier?

- Yes, sir. Don.

- Feel like catching an alligator today?

- Feel like catching an alligator today?

- I'm open-minded, how about the alligator?

- We'll ask him after we catch him, come on.

- We'll ask him after we catch him, come on.

- We'll ask him after we catch him, come on.

- Good morning.

- Oh, Tod, before the 11 o'clock show,

- Oh, Tod, before the 11 o'clock show,

would you fix that clog, we're getting some algae.

- Right, Mr. Stace.

- Right, Mr. Stace.

- I wonder why you find your work so fascinating.

- I wonder why you find your work so fascinating.

- You know, that's been baffling me.

I've even been thinking of asking for a salary cut.

I've even been thinking of asking for a salary cut.

- [Show Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to Weeki Watchee.

This huge spring was carved from the coral bedrock

This huge spring was carved from the coral bedrock

of Florida by centuries of erosion.

of Florida by centuries of erosion.

And gushes forth 168 million gallons of water daily.

And gushes forth 168 million gallons of water daily.

Enough to supply the needs of an industrial city

Enough to supply the needs of an industrial city

the size of Tampa.

And now we want you to meet two of our lovely mermaids

And now we want you to meet two of our lovely mermaids

who will demonstrate some of the talent and knowledge

who will demonstrate some of the talent and knowledge

they must acquire before being qualified to swim

they must acquire before being qualified to swim

in the show.

The hoses you see in their hands are the mermaids

The hoses you see in their hands are the mermaids

only link with life during a performance.

only link with life during a performance.

Learning to breathe from these hoses is basic

to all other mermaid skills.

to all other mermaid skills.

[amorous music]

[amorous music]

- No use looking in the water, Linc,

alligators are a nocturnal critter.

Throw them on the banks, especially where the reeds

Throw them on the banks, especially where the reeds

have been pushed down during the night.

have been pushed down during the night.

Look for two knobs, his eyes.

Look for two knobs, his eyes.

- Anybody ever swim in here?

- Anne Bradley, sometimes.

- Anne Bradley, sometimes.

- [Linc] Supervisor?

- Yeah, I don't advise it, even for her.

- Yeah, I don't advise it, even for her.

- Just before we shoved off I saw her in the office.

- Just before we shoved off I saw her in the office.

It couldn't have been Anne.

- Why?

- Why?

- Do you mind turning around?

- Do you mind turning around?

Could've been a dolphin in from the gulf.

[curious music]

[curious music]

[applause]

[mysterious music]

[mysterious music]

- Nancy, Janie, Anne.

- I don't wanna sound like a spoilsport,

- I don't wanna sound like a spoilsport,

but this room is strictly out of bounds for tourists.

but this room is strictly out of bounds for tourists.

The tourists are supposed to stay across the springs.

The tourists are supposed to stay across the springs.

I mean, on the other side.

This room's just for mermaids.

This room's just for mermaids.

I clocked you across the spring, less than a minute.

I clocked you across the spring, less than a minute.

I clocked you across the spring, less than a minute.

That's better than Anne.

How come I haven't met you, are you a new girl?

How come I haven't met you, are you a new girl?

- Not new, not old.

- Not new, not old.

- Come on, I know you don't work here.

- Come on, I know you don't work here.

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

Maybe you held your breath too long.

Let me give you a tip, now is the time to apply for a job.

Let me give you a tip, now is the time to apply for a job.

Right now, this morning.

Right now, this morning.

Usually, there's a long waiting list for mermaids,

but I happen to know one of the girls is leaving.

but I happen to know one of the girls is leaving.

So, if you come in, Johnny on the spot.

So, if you come in, Johnny on the spot.

Interested?

Interested?

- You want to help me?

- You want to help me?

- Well, around here anything underwater

- Well, around here anything underwater

just whistle for Tod Stiles.

just whistle for Tod Stiles.

And if it's above the water line,

you don't even have to whistle.

you don't even have to whistle.

What do I call you?

What do I call you?

- Elissa.

- Elissa.

- Well listen, Elissa, there's a thing

- Well listen, Elissa, there's a thing

in most people's minds about time, and so artificial.

in most people's minds about time, and so artificial.

We invented time, and clocks, and calendars.

We invented time, and clocks, and calendars.

We didn't invent feelings, emotions, right?

We didn't invent feelings, emotions, right?

So, you know, most people they get all hung up

So, you know, most people they get all hung up

and they miss all sorts of impetuous opportunities

and they miss all sorts of impetuous opportunities

because they've got this foolish notion that strangers

because they've got this foolish notion that strangers

because they've got this foolish notion that strangers

shouldn't kiss until a certain amount

shouldn't kiss until a certain amount

of this artificial time has gone by.

of this artificial time has gone by.

Thereby imposing

Thereby imposing

[amorous music]

a ridiculous blockade against the instantaneous flow

a ridiculous blockade against the instantaneous flow

of natural impulses.

- Again.

I can hold my breath a long time.

Does it have to be so short?

Does it have to be so short?

The kiss.

- [Anne] Mr. Underwater maintenance?

- [Anne] Mr. Underwater maintenance?

- Just recruiting. She signs the mermaids.

- Just recruiting. She signs the mermaids.

- Protects them too.

I'm Anne.

- Sign her, sign her fast.

- Sign her, sign her fast.

- That's one of our suits.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- How did you get here?

- She swam in, don't you see?

- She swam in, don't you see?

She wants the job so badly, she figured that'd be a sure way

She wants the job so badly, she figured that'd be a sure way

to grab your attention.

A real showbiz entrance, right?

A real showbiz entrance, right?

- Look, uh.

- Elissa.

- Look Elissa, we have very strict rules for out girls here.

- Look Elissa, we have very strict rules for out girls here.

If you wanted to apply, you'd done much better

If you wanted to apply, you'd done much better

if you'd come to my office and knocked on the door

like every other girl does.

like every other girl does.

Don't you see, this way I have to conclude

Don't you see, this way I have to conclude

that you're just a little too,

well, too daring for us.

well, too daring for us.

- I see, you do not like me.

- I see, you do not like me.

- [Anne] Oh, you can return the suit later.

And you don't have to swim back, Mr. Stiles will drive you.

And you don't have to swim back, Mr. Stiles will drive you.

And you don't have to swim back, Mr. Stiles will drive you.

- I will remember you.

- I will remember you.

- Come on.

[dreamy music]

Now you'll see some real swimming.

Now you'll see some real swimming.

- You in there, listen carefully.

- You in there, listen carefully.

Just ahead on the reef, there's an air hose.

Just ahead on the reef, there's an air hose.

Put it in your mouth.

Don't be afraid of the water coming in,

the air will displace it.

the air will displace it.

Turn the little button the side.

Now, with the air hose in one hand,

Now, with the air hose in one hand,

and using it only when you need it, come on up.

and using it only when you need it, come on up.

- More than three minutes.

- I've never seen anything like it,

- I've never seen anything like it,

she swims like a real mermaid.

she swims like a real mermaid.

- If she had green hair and tail, I'd agree with you.

- If she had green hair and tail, I'd agree with you.

- Elissa, will you please come into my office?

- Elissa, will you please come into my office?

I'd like you to stay, if you care to.

I'd like you to stay, if you care to.

[peppy music]

[peppy music]

- Now what would a girl be doing underwater

- Now what would a girl be doing underwater

swimming upstream in a river full of alligators

swimming upstream in a river full of alligators

and water moccasins?

- What if I could describe her?

- You been out in the sun too long.

- You been out in the sun too long.

- Long hair, the color of black onyx.

- Long hair, the color of black onyx.

And shaped like an arrow.

That's all could see, but I could sense most of her.

That's all could see, but I could sense most of her.

- Long hair the color of black onyx,

- Long hair the color of black onyx,

and shaped like an arrow.

You just described half the girls east of the Rockies.

You just described half the girls east of the Rockies.

- Okay, so I didn't see a girl swimming in the river.

- Okay, so I didn't see a girl swimming in the river.

Now let's talk about your problem.

- What problem?

- Her name's Janie, and about now she's fixing her hair

- Her name's Janie, and about now she's fixing her hair

and patting her ears with perfume,

and patting her ears with perfume,

and counting the minutes waiting for you.

and counting the minutes waiting for you.

Now on the other hand, the girl I didn't see

swimming in the river, the girl you didn't see

swimming in the river, the girl you didn't see

swimming in the underwater theater,

and the girl who wasn't in the office getting a job today,

and the girl who wasn't in the office getting a job today,

what's her name?

what's her name?

- Elissa.

Two grogs.

- That one's for me.

- That one's for me.

- Well, they sure taught you military tactics, didn't they?

- Well, they sure taught you military tactics, didn't they?

- Hello.

- Remember me?

His name's Lincoln on the river this morning.

His name's Lincoln on the river this morning.

- You were in the boat.

- You were in the boat.

What is that?

- A grog for the lady.

- A grog for the lady.

- Are you and he brothers?

- Are you and he brothers?

- At the moment, deadly enemies.

- Because of me, I understand that.

- Because of me, I understand that.

How do I look in a dress?

- Lady, that question would take a poet to answer.

- Lady, that question would take a poet to answer.

- It's Anne's.

Would you buy me a dress of my own tomorrow?

Would you buy me a dress of my own tomorrow?

- A dozen.

A rack full, a whole store full.

- Did you come in from the Gulf?

- Did you come in from the Gulf?

- I came from the Gulf.

- I came from the Gulf.

- Shipwreck?

- There are many of those on the bottom.

- There are many of those on the bottom.

Mmm.

What is this called?

- Grog.

- Grog.

Oh, I like it here.

- Now that we're old buddies, maybe we can start

putting a few of the pieces together, huh?

putting a few of the pieces together, huh?

Take it easy, it's gonna be a long night.

Take it easy, it's gonna be a long night.

Isn't it getting just about Janie time, Colonel?

Isn't it getting just about Janie time, Colonel?

Isn't it getting just about Janie time, Colonel?

- Any minute now.

- I was raised on Aristotilian logic.

- I was raised on Aristotilian logic.

For me, A can never be B, do you understand?

For me, A can never be B, do you understand?

I mean if I'm taken over by another mind,

I mean if I'm taken over by another mind,

my non-logical disassociated mind, I just pop right back

my non-logical disassociated mind, I just pop right back

into focus, it's just the way I am.

I'd like to be able to go along with things,

I'd like to be able to go along with things,

but I can't until I understand them, don't you see?

but I can't until I understand them, don't you see?

- What he means is, you're among friends, Elissa.

So level, okay?

So level, okay?

- Level?

- Look, the Lady Godiva act was great, a real bell ringer,

- Look, the Lady Godiva act was great, a real bell ringer,

a sure way to get the job, okay you got it.

a sure way to get the job, okay you got it.

Now, just between us cats, who are you,

Now, just between us cats, who are you,

and where are you really from?

and where are you really from?

- Elissa.

- Elissa what?

- Elissa what?

- Elissa Chamramer.

There is a tide moving in my head.

There is a tide moving in my head.

- Coffee.

- Okay, Elissa Chamramer, where is home?

- Okay, Elissa Chamramer, where is home?

- South, ten darknesses from here.

- South, ten darknesses from here.

Before that, I do not know.

Before that, I do not know.

But I have heard that once, many mothers ago,

But I have heard that once, many mothers ago,

there was a place called Tyre.

there was a place called Tyre.

Sidonia to the north, Paleotyros to the south.

Sidonia to the north, Paleotyros to the south.

But that was long ago.

Thousands and thousands of darknesses away

Thousands and thousands of darknesses away

before I was dreamed.

I have searched for it but never found it.

I have searched for it but never found it.

- This is hot, so take it easy.

- This is hot, so take it easy.

- Grog is better.

- Okay kid, you wanna play games, we'll play games.

- Okay kid, you wanna play games, we'll play games.

See that she gets back to Anne's house, will you?

I'm gonna go pick up Janie. Goodnight Miss Mer,

I'm gonna go pick up Janie. Goodnight Miss Mer,

whoever you are.

- Tod?

I have come a long way.

- Get the coffee.

- Get the coffee.

Here, drink this.

Here, drink this.

Look, Elissa, sorry I said the things I said,

Look, Elissa, sorry I said the things I said,

I guess you must have a pretty good reason

I guess you must have a pretty good reason

for wanting to play it cool, so no more questions, okay?

for wanting to play it cool, so no more questions, okay?

- I was told that only one creature knows love.

- I was told that only one creature knows love.

Loves just for the sake of loving

Loves just for the sake of loving

not because it is the season.

not because it is the season.

But in all seasons for no reason.

Is it true? Is it true of you?

- You talk as though we're different from you.

- You talk as though we're different from you.

As though we're something that you're not.

As though we're something that you're not.

- I am of the sea.

And I love you.

[pleasant music]

Again.

[engine revving]

[engine revving]

Does the life pass from your fingers to it,

Does the life pass from your fingers to it,

or does it have a life of its own?

- There are 340 horses in there.

- There are 340 horses in there.

- Horses?

- Horses?

- Yeah, like, seahorses only bigger.

- Yeah, like, seahorses only bigger.

- Tophs, they're tophs, so.

- Tophs?

[pleasant music]

[zany music]

[zany music]

- In the shallow waters on the beaches

where your people swim, and where I listened

where your people swim, and where I listened

for the the first time to your language,

for the the first time to your language,

I have seen men bearing women on their backs.

I have seen men bearing women on their backs.

Turn.

It appeared to be a game.

It appeared to be a game.

I have seen them splashing each other,

and if there was more than one pair, I have seen them

and if there was more than one pair, I have seen them

try to push the other pair into the water.

try to push the other pair into the water.

But it is not a game, it is necessary because

of the high heels.

of the high heels.

Is that the place of the dresses?

Is that the place of the dresses?

- Yep, that's the place of the dresses.

- Yep, that's the place of the dresses.

- Your skin, it is sharp like the skin of the tibol,

- Your skin, it is sharp like the skin of the tibol,

- Your skin, it is sharp like the skin of the tibol,

the shark.

- That's me, old tibol face.

Haven't you ever seen a toph with a tibol face

Haven't you ever seen a toph with a tibol face

carrying a mermaid on his back?

- It's nice to see a happy honeymoon couple.

- It's nice to see a happy honeymoon couple.

Most of them are so grim about it.

Most of them are so grim about it.

Where are you people from?

Where are you people from?

- Tyre, just south of Sidonia and north of Paleotyros.

- Tyre, just south of Sidonia and north of Paleotyros.

- I never could take those Minnesota winters.

- I never could take those Minnesota winters.

- Miss, how much are these?

- Miss, how much are these?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

[serious music]

[serious music]

What is it that you curled up?

What is it that you curled up?

- Blood?

You mean you thought this was blood?

- It causes the tibol to follow and tear your flesh.

- It causes the tibol to follow and tear your flesh.

[curious music]

- Elissa, trust me, whatever it is you want,

- Elissa, trust me, whatever it is you want,

why can't we discuss it openly and honestly.

why can't we discuss it openly and honestly.

- I wanna eat.

What do you eat?

- Once upon a time in Hollywood, California, I met a girl,

- Once upon a time in Hollywood, California, I met a girl,

a beautiful girl with long hair and green eyes.

a beautiful girl with long hair and green eyes.

And I believed in her, now she--

And I believed in her, now she--

- The red snapper is good today, almondine.

- The red snapper is good today, almondine.

- What do you feel like?

- Hungry.

- Two red snapper almondine.

This girl, she needed somebody to take her

This girl, she needed somebody to take her

to the right cocktail party, so I took her.

to the right cocktail party, so I took her.

- Does she kill the food?

- Does she kill the food?

- She's very big now, you can see her

- She's very big now, you can see her

at your neighborhood movie.

I can't get her on the phone.

I can't get her on the phone.

That's okay, that's one of those things

that sometimes happens.

that sometimes happens.

But now, before I commit myself to a relationship,

But now, before I commit myself to a relationship,

I ask a few simple questions, like,

I ask a few simple questions, like,

how long do you want?

how long do you want?

How serious do you want it?

And please, just the facts, ma'am.

And please, just the facts, ma'am.

Now how about you, Elissa, what do you want?

Now how about you, Elissa, what do you want?

- Touch my arm.

- Touch my arm.

[amorous music]

I have what I want, what I came for, you.

I have what I want, what I came for, you.

- [Don] Morning, Linc.

- Morning, Don.

- Morning, Don.

- Well, I studied it most of the night under a microscope,

- Well, I studied it most of the night under a microscope,

it's a species of seaweed usually found only

in the Sargasso Sea.

in the Sargasso Sea.

You sure she brought it in?

You sure she brought it in?

Well, a storm might've torn it loose

Well, a storm might've torn it loose

and blown it a couple thousand miles in this direction.

and blown it a couple thousand miles in this direction.

- What about the rest of it?

- Her name, Elissa Charmamer, the city she mentioned,

- Her name, Elissa Charmamer, the city she mentioned,

- Her name, Elissa Charmamer, the city she mentioned,

Tyre, well you gotta give her this much, Linc,

she's quite a scholar.

she's quite a scholar.

The word mer in ancient Phoenecian means life-giving,

The word mer in ancient Phoenecian means life-giving,

and Tyre was a Phoenecian island fortress

centuries before Christ.

centuries before Christ.

Well of course, anybody could've dug that out of a library.

Well of course, anybody could've dug that out of a library.

- Why do I keep feeling that, in some crazy way

- Why do I keep feeling that, in some crazy way

I can't explain, she's telling the truth.

I can't explain, she's telling the truth.

- Take this circle in the swamp, I cut it out myself

- Take this circle in the swamp, I cut it out myself

following the ancient procedures

of the Seminole Indian tradition.

of the Seminole Indian tradition.

This is the green corn circle, the church of the Seminole,

This is the green corn circle, the church of the Seminole,

their place of worship and tribal justice.

their place of worship and tribal justice.

This is the jury hut.

I made it with my own hands in the exact same way

it used to be done.

it used to be done.

Over here is where the women stood during the trial,

Over here is where the women stood during the trial,

and this, this is the altar

where justice was meted out by club to the death.

where justice was meted out by club to the death.

When I finished the circle, a Seminole chief came up

from the Everglades to see it.

I told him that I'd tried to do it well

I told him that I'd tried to do it well

the way his ancestors would've done it,

not just for the tourists.

not just for the tourists.

He stood here for half an hour, never forget it,

He stood here for half an hour, never forget it,

it was nine weeks ago, stood there without saying a word.

it was nine weeks ago, stood there without saying a word.

And finally, he said, "This is a holy place,

"all the trees in this green corn circle will die."

"all the trees in this green corn circle will die."

Linc, let me show you something.

Linc, let me show you something.

Already dead,

and yet just a couple of feet away outside the circle

and yet just a couple of feet away outside the circle

the same kind of tree alive and healthy.

the same kind of tree alive and healthy.

Einstein said it for all of us, at least all of us

Einstein said it for all of us, at least all of us

who try to keep an open mind,

the most incomprehensible thing about the world

the most incomprehensible thing about the world

is that any of it is comprehensible.

is that any of it is comprehensible.

So if this girl says she came from the sea,

how can I who can't even explain the dead trees

how can I who can't even explain the dead trees

in this circle.

in this circle.

How can I say I don't believe?

[applause]

- [Show Announcer] I wonder what's happening now.

- [Show Announcer] I wonder what's happening now.

Oh, it looks like our captain found himself a treasure map.

Oh, it looks like our captain found himself a treasure map.

He's reading it off now.

He's reading it off now.

I say there, folks, if I were you I think I'd be heading

I say there, folks, if I were you I think I'd be heading

for the nearest exit, because I think they finally

for the nearest exit, because I think they finally

figured out where the treasure is.

figured out where the treasure is.

Yep, they found out where the money is,

Yep, they found out where the money is,

and it looks like they're coming to get it.

and it looks like they're coming to get it.

Well, it's too late now, folks, because here they come.

Well, it's too late now, folks, because here they come.

- Avast, you lubbers, your money or your lives.

- Avast, you lubbers, your money or your lives.

[applause]

[applause]

- [Anne] Tod?

Tod, how much longer will you be?

Tod, how much longer will you be?

Elissa's looking for you.

[serious music]

[serious music]

- When you were with the other girl down there,

- When you were with the other girl down there,

when she touched your hand, was it to play?

when she touched your hand, was it to play?

Was it for a mate?

Was it for a mate?

- Mate? What girl?

- Mate? What girl?

- The one called Nancy.

- Elissa, when are you gonna stop playing this game with me.

- Elissa, when are you gonna stop playing this game with me.

- In the sea, only the very young play, or the very old.

- In the sea, only the very young play, or the very old.

Others, in their prime, when they come together,

Others, in their prime, when they come together,

it has meaning.

it has meaning.

- Suppose I kept telling you I was a Martian,

- Suppose I kept telling you I was a Martian,

now put yourself in that situation.

You wouldn't take me seriously for one minute,

You wouldn't take me seriously for one minute,

now would you?

Don't you see?

- I see you do not want me.

- I see you do not want me.

- [Anne] Tod, she dived down toward the springs

- [Anne] Tod, she dived down toward the springs

without an air hose.

[sirens]

- You got a cigarette?

- You got a cigarette?

I'm not going out tonight.

- That's whipped cream on your face?

- That's whipped cream on your face?

- This whole thing has gotten twisted around.

- This whole thing has gotten twisted around.

Anne won't talk to me and now your nose is out of joint.

Anne won't talk to me and now your nose is out of joint.

I say it was a ridiculous thing for her to do,

I say it was a ridiculous thing for her to do,

a grandstand play diving down into the spring

without an air hose.

without an air hose.

You think I made her do that?

You think I made her do that?

Look, Linc, she's even invented her own language.

Do you know what a tibol is?

Do you know what a tibol is?

Well you can't just encourage a thing like that.

All I wanted her to do is be honest with me,

All I wanted her to do is be honest with me,

and leave me alone.

- What if she is being honest with you?

- What if she is being honest with you?

I'm not as sure as you are that she's not.

I'm not as sure as you are that she's not.

- Whee!

- What the doctor said, doesn't that make you wonder?

- So her respiration rate is different.

- So her respiration rate is different.

You think we're all alike?

You think we're all alike?

- The average person take 16 breaths a minute,

you heard the doctor.

you heard the doctor.

Elissa takes five.

And her blood type doesn't match anything he's ever seen.

And her blood type doesn't match anything he's ever seen.

- Listen, I know a goldbricker that could give himself

a high fever by eating soap ten minutes

a high fever by eating soap ten minutes

before the doctor took his temperature.

There are all kinds of ways to fool doctors if you want to,

There are all kinds of ways to fool doctors if you want to,

and I say she wants to.

I'll prove it to you, you watch tomorrow

I'll prove it to you, you watch tomorrow

when the newspaper man and the TV cameras,

when the newspaper man and the TV cameras,

and the newsreel guy show up, she'll be right in there again

and the newsreel guy show up, she'll be right in there again

showing them how she stayed underwater for seven minutes.

showing them how she stayed underwater for seven minutes.

- Seven minutes, does it mean anything to you

- Seven minutes, does it mean anything to you

that seals and whales only stay under five?

that seals and whales only stay under five?

- Oh, come on, Linc, I've seen too many of these

stage-struck kids.

stage-struck kids.

She's got her radar tuned in on Hollywood or New York.

She's got her radar tuned in on Hollywood or New York.

She knows exactly what she's doing.

She knows exactly what she's doing.

I wish she didn't.

I wish she didn't.

Ever since she arrived, I'm not counting 30 mermaids,

Ever since she arrived, I'm not counting 30 mermaids,

count them anymore.

I don't even wanna see Janie.

I don't even wanna see Janie.

I told Nancy that day in the theater, it's been grand.

I told Nancy that day in the theater, it's been grand.

Don't you see, Linc, if she hadn't gotten toomy,

Don't you see, Linc, if she hadn't gotten toomy,

I'd be able to go along with all this nonsense for laughs.

I'd be able to go along with all this nonsense for laughs.

There's something about her,

There's something about her,

something you can't laugh at, you know.

something you can't laugh at, you know.

- Why don't you call her?

- I guess I keep thinking of all those

newsreel cameras tomorrow.

newsreel cameras tomorrow.

- How about dinner?

- How about dinner?

For me, you don't have to shave.

- [Waitress] There you go.

- [Waitress] There you go.

- Take them off, Elissa.

- Take them off, Elissa.

- See you later.

- See you later.

[pleasant music]

[pleasant music]

- I swam down there to be alone and a place to be silent,

- I swam down there to be alone and a place to be silent,

so I could listen to distant thoughts.

so I could listen to distant thoughts.

One distant thought was this man, this Tod,

One distant thought was this man, this Tod,

the one I chose to love, he has forgotten how to believe.

the one I chose to love, he has forgotten how to believe.

Before you swam down and made me rise, other thoughts came,

Before you swam down and made me rise, other thoughts came,

I see too many dead things around you.

The button you touched to bring light,

the metal you turned to make a machine go,

the metal you turned to make a machine go,

the thing you sleep on, the covering of your body,

the thing you sleep on, the covering of your body,

how can you live for yourself?

how can you live for yourself?

You must make too many other things live.

You must make too many other things live.

I understand this now, I will not look when you touch

I understand this now, I will not look when you touch

the skin of another woman.

the skin of another woman.

I know it is like the button, the metal you turn,

I know it is like the button, the metal you turn,

it means little.

But what I must know is when you touched my skin,

But what I must know is when you touched my skin,

does it mean little too?

does it mean little too?

- No, Elissa, it doesn't mean little, too.

- No, Elissa, it doesn't mean little, too.

It's beginning to mean a great deal.

It's beginning to mean a great deal.

[amorous music]

[amorous music]

- You still do not believe I am of the sea.

- You still do not believe I am of the sea.

- Well, maybe I have forgotten how to believe in anything.

- Well, maybe I have forgotten how to believe in anything.

- I must make you believe.

- I must make you believe.

I must bring you with me.

- Bring me where?

- There is no love in the sea, but there is no pain either.

- There is no love in the sea, but there is no pain either.

Here, you have love, but you have pain.

Here, you have love, but you have pain.

I have felt it through you.

This is the cruelest sea of all,

This is the cruelest sea of all,

but I will live here with you and I will be happy,

but I will live here with you and I will be happy,

if you believe me.

I will show you.

Tod, trust me, we will be back soon.

Tod, trust me, we will be back soon.

- Elissa, who are you?

- The breathing air, and the foam of the tides

made a mingling with my mother and I was born.

made a mingling with my mother and I was born.

The sea gave me life and took my mother from me

The sea gave me life and took my mother from me

as it does with all my kind.

as it does with all my kind.

I am told that I am the first to move and walk like you.

I am told that I am the first to move and walk like you.

The others are afraid.

The others are afraid.

But I must bring you to them, to let them see,

But I must bring you to them, to let them see,

and to make you believe.

Tod?

Do not turn from me.

I will remember you until the breathing air

I will remember you until the breathing air

and the foam of the tides make a mingling for me.

and the foam of the tides make a mingling for me.

I will remember you.

I will remember you.

[splashing]

[splashing]

- Elissa!

It's Elissa, we gotta get the keys to a boat.

It's Elissa, we gotta get the keys to a boat.

- You'll never find her.

- You'll never find her.

- You don't believe her, do you?

- You don't believe her, do you?

You don't believe one word of what she said, do you?

You don't believe one word of what she said, do you?

Elissa! Elissa!

[swinging jazzy music]

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation,

- [Announcer] This has been a Screen Gems film presentation,

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.

[END CREDITS]

[END CREDITS]