Attack of the Giant Crabs

"I put a screenplay on your desk," Judy told her boss. "Attack of the Giant Crabs."

Marty pursed his lips. "Sci-fi or action?"

"A little of both," Judy answered over her shoulder as she stuffed file folders into a crammed cabinet. "The crabs rise up from a secret universe under the sea. The opening shot takes place at the beach as the giant crabs march up out of the water and attack children and innocent sunbathers. Think Jaws."

Marty visualized the scene in his mind. A perfect sunny day. Laughter and the sound of sea gulls. A mother rubbing sunscreen onto her toddler's soft white shoulders. Children and dogs running along, chasing Frisbees and building sandcastles. And then suddenly, gigantic crabs scuttle out of the water. Marty nodded. There was some potential there.

"Maybe, but we need to sexy it up. Two hot lifeguards with personal vendettas. They try to save the beachgoers, but can't. Let's set this in Venice. The crabs take over the boardwalk and then head toward L.A."

Judy jotted some notes on a pad of legal paper. She'd expected these changes and waited for Marty to add a second dramatic storyline. He didn't disappoint.

"The crabs take over L.A. and pretty soon the two lifeguards are the only human beings left. They hear reports of other giant crabs crawling up out of the water around the world. They have to stop them." Marty's eyes began to glaze over as he pictured the scene. "They take over Japan, New York, Australia. The lifeguards figure out the only way to stop them. They need...they need...," he drummed his fingers on his mahogany desk. "Sharks! Sharks are their only hope. But they have to risk their own lives to get the sharks to attack the crabs."

Marty pushed his chair back and poured a drink from the mini-bar set up in the corner of his office. He slugged it back and slammed back into his chair.

"Judy, get me a meeting."