INT/EXT. On the tugboat. 

Albert is an ominous figure who confronts Joe during his time on the tugboat, serving as a reminder of Joe's precarious situation in the criminal underworld. His taunting demeanor reveals his sadistic enjoyment of Joe's fear and impending doom.

ALBERT  
(leaning against a railing, grinning)  
Ah, Joe Coughlin, caught like a fish in a net! How does it feel knowing your time is nigh? Your pretty little plans will soon be dust in these turbulent waters.

JOE  
(eyes narrowing)  
Plans? You think I’ve been planning? I’m just trying to survive this mess you’ve dragged me into.

ALBERT  
Oh, but survival is such a drab word! You see, my dear Joe, you’re nothing more than a pawn in this grand game we play. And soon... (pauses for effect) soon you’ll befood for the fish. Your bold adventures, your romances—they all lead to this very moment.

JOE  
(fists clenched)  
You think you can scare me, Albert? You’re just a coward hiding behind a façade. I’ve faced worse than you in the streets. 

ALBERT  
(laughs coldly)  
Worse than me? Oh, Joe, that’s charming! But tell me, what do you think those streets will do for you now? You’re here—tied up, with cement on your feet. It’s poetic irony, really. The Coughlin name dragged down by the very tides you sought to master.

JOE  
(mocking)  
Is that supposed to intimidate me? I’m not afraid of death; it’s part of the life I chose. What I fear is leaving unfinished business behind.

ALBERT  
(leans closer)  
And what “business” might that be? That pretty little lover you lost? Loretta, was it? What a tragic waste! All because of your reckless choices. You could have had it all but chose to dance with devils instead. 

JOE  
(bitterly)  
I didn’t choose her death, you bastard! She was caught in the crossfire of your games!

ALBERT  
(shrugs nonchalantly)  
Crossfire—so romantic! A fitting end for someone who thought she could escape the underbelly of our world. But now... (smirks) you’ll join her, won’t you?

JOE  
(gritting his teeth)  
You’ll pay for this, Albert. You don’t realize how deep this ocean runs. You think I’m done?

ALBERT  
Oh, I’m counting on it! In fact... (a chilling smile creeps across his face) we’re just getting started.

(Suddenly, gunshots ring out; chaos erupts aboard the tugboat as men scramble and shout.)

JOE  
(shouting over the noise)  
What the hell is happening?!

ALBERT  
(laughing maniacally)  
Looks like fate has other plans! Let’s see if you swim or sink! 

(The lights flicker violently as more gunshots echo, drowning out Joe's response as he struggles against his bonds.)  

JOE  
(voice steady amidst the chaos)  
So this is how it ends, huh? A tugboat in a storm? You think I’m just going to go quietly into that dark night?

ALBERT  
(grinning)  
Quietly? No, my friend. It’s never quiet when a man realizes he’s at death’s door. But look at you—what can you do? Cement shoes are hard to kick off.

JOE  
(glancing at the gunmen)  
You think they’re going to follow your orders forever? Fear has its limits.

ALBERT  
(chuckling)  
Oh, I know it does! But fear can be a powerful motivator—just look at your fate. (leans closer) You want them to pull that trigger? Or do you have some grand idea up your sleeve?

JOE  
(pacing slightly)  
I’ve got options… always options. You think you’ve got me pinned down, but Iam not the cornered rat you believe. This tugboat is just a vessel—it's what I make of it that counts.

ALBERT  
(mocking)  
What will you do, Joe? Have a heart-to-heart with the fish beneath us? The only choice you have now is to swim with the sharks or float belly-up!

JOE  
(eyes narrowing)  
Funny you mention sharks. They say they’re relentless; they smell blood. And that makes me wonder—how long before you start to bleed, Albert?

ALBERT  
(smirking)  
Nice try. But I’m not the one with my feet bound. Tell me, how does it feel to realize your grand ambitions have led you to this? A pitiful end in a rusting hulk, lost at sea.

JOE  
(fist clenched)  
It feels like the winds are shifting, Albert. You think you’ve got the upper hand, but I’m not as helpless as you assume. 

ALBERT  
(scoffing)  
And what are you going to do about it? Make a deal with the devil? You know as well as I do that no one comes out of this clean.

JOE  
(breathes deeply, steadying himself)  
Maybe it's time to rewrite the rules. Who says I can't turn this situation around? 

(As gunfire erupts around them, Joe's eyes dart towards the map on the table.)  

ALBERT  
(laughs nervously)  
Look around, Joe! Those shots aren’t for show! You’re out of time!

JOE  
(grinning fiercely)  
Then let’s make some noise of our own. They want to play a game? Let’s remind them who really holds the cards!

(He picks up a weapon from the table, determination etched on his face.)

ALBERT  
(realizing the shift in power)  
Wait! What are you—

JOE  
(shouting over the chaos)  
Take cover if you want to live! This isn’t over yet!