The film journeys alongside an unlikely pair, Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The fiery young woman and the go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.
* * *
(PEACEFUL NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WAVES LAPPING)
(WIND WHOOSHES)
(BRIGHT MUSIC PLAYS)
(HORN BLOWS)
Oh.
(BELL CLANGS)
(CHUCKLES)
(SHIP HORN BLOWS)
(RUMBLING)
Ah!
ANNOUNCER: Please keep all limbs and branches inside.
(BELL CLANGS)
(BUBBLING)
Oh. I believe this is yours.
Oh, thanks.
(SOFT WHIRRING)
(CHATTERING)
(BABY CRYING)
(BRIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(CHILDREN GIGGLING)
MAN: (OVER PA SYSTEM) Welcome to Element City.
Please have your documents ready for inspection.
IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL: Next.
Your names?
(BOTH SPEAKING FIRISH)
Great. And how do we spell that?
(ROARING, HISSING)
(GROWLS)
How about we just go with Bernie and Cinder?
Welcome to Element City.
(BRIGHT MUSIC RESUMES)
VENDOR: Hot logs. Hot logs for sale.
(ENGINE PUTTERING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(CHUCKLES)
(CHILD 1 WHIMPERING)
CHILD 2: Yay!
Cantankerous guy… (GRUNTS)
Hey, watch it, Sparky!
(TRAIN HORN BLARES)
(PASSENGERS GRUNT)
(CINDER GRUNTS)
(BERNIE GASPS)
(GULPS)
(CINDER EXHALES)
(GROWLS) Water.
(HOPEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPS)
(FIRE ROARS SOFTLY)
Dry leaves.
(BERNIE GROANS)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
(GASPS, BLOWING)
MAN: Hmm.
(SIGHS)
(GASPS)
(BLISSFUL FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
(BERNIE GASPS)
(SPEAKING FIRISH)
(WATER DRIPS)
(LAUGHS)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING FIRISH)
(LAUGHS, SHOUTS)
(THUD)
(IN ENGLISH) I’m okay.
(BABY CRYING)
(BOTH SPEAKING FIRISH)
(GIGGLES)
Aw.
(BABBLES)
(GASPS)
(SNEEZES)
Mm. (LAUGHING)
Welcome, my Ember, to your new life.
(INTRIGUING NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYS)
Our Blue Flame hold all our traditions and give us strength to burn bright.
(HISSES)
(POP)
(LAUGHS)
(CHUCKLES)
Do I burn as bright?
(GRUNTING)
(GIGGLES)
One, two, one, two, one, two.
(GRUNTING)
Aah!
Aah!
Aah!
(BRIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
This shop is dream of our family.
Someday it’ll all be yours.
(BELL JINGLES)
Welcome.
Welcome.
Everything here authentic.
Then I’ve got to try the kolnuts.
Kolnuts, coming up.
Kolnut, coming up.
(PATRON AND BERNIE LAUGH)
Good daughter.
(CRINKLING)
Someday this shop will all be mine.
(PATRON AND BERNIE LAUGH)
When you are ready.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(UPBEAT FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE PUTTERING)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
BOTH: Delivery!
Two sugar pops, please.
I got it, Àshfá.
(SQUELCHES)
(BLOWS)
(GIGGLES)
(CRUNCHES)
Hey!
(BELL JINGLES)
Oh!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Water. Keep an eye on them.
Oops. (LAUGHS)
Oops.
You splash it, you buy it.
(BOTH GASPING, SHOUTING)
(BOYS COUGHING)
You showed them, huh?
Nobody waters down Fire.
Yeah! (SHOUTS IN FIRISH)
(LAUGHING)
Can the shop be mine now?
When you are ready.
The truth is…
She’s not in love with him.
…I’m not in love with you.
(PATRONS GASP)
Ha! Knew it.
(BERNIE GRUNTING)
(EMBER PANTING)
(GROANS)
Àshfá, customer.
How about you take it today?
For real?
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(GREETS IN FIRISH)
How can I help you?
All of this and the…
Oh! The sparklers are buy one, get one free?
That’s right.
Great!
I’ll just take the free one.
Oh, no, see… (CHUCKLES) you need to buy one to get one free. (BLOWS)
But I just want the free one.
Sorry, that’s not how this works. (BLOWS)
But the customer is always right.
Not in this case.
Nope. (BLOWS)
Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. (BLOWING)
Just give me one for free!
That’s not how this works!
(PATRONS GASP)
(OBJECTS CLATTER)
Oh! (CHUCKLES, BLOWS)
Happy birthday.
(EMBER GRUNTS)
What just happened? Why you lose temper?
I don’t know. He was pushing, and pushing, and it just…
Calm, calm.
Sometimes customer can be tough.
Just take breath…
(BREATHES DEEPLY) and make connection.
When you can do that and not lose temper, then you will be ready to take over shop.
This is too expensive, and that is not made in Fire Land.
They weren’t crunchy and…
EMBER: Take breath.
…there wasn’t enough sauce.
Make connection.
(EXHALES) Take breath. Make connection.
(VOICE RISING) Take breath. Make connection.
Take breath. Make connection!
(PATRONS EXCLAIM)
(WOMAN SHOUTS)
(OBJECT CLATTERS)
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) Sorry.
Sorry about that. Sorry, sorry.
She almost went full purple.
I’ve never seen anyone go full purple.
Sorry, everyone.
Oh, please forgive my daughter.
She burn bright, but sometimes too bright. Eh?
(BLOWS) Nice hat, by the way.
Let me make you a new batch. On the house.
Okay. (LAUGHS NERVOUSLY)
Sorry, Àshfá.
I don’t know why that one got away from me.
Oh, you are tense
because of big Red Dot Sale tomorrow.
(GRUNTS)
It has us all in a broil.
I guess.
(CLANKS)
It’s just that some of these customers, they get me all… (GROWLS)
I know. I know. Just do what we practice.
You are so good at everything else.
You’re right. I’ll get it.
I just want you to rest.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BLOWS)
(GLASS BUBBLES)
Mmhmm.
Done.
(GRUNTING)
(COUGHING)
You okay?
Just tired.
Let me help.
(BERNIE COUGHING)
Bernie, that cough is terrible!
Almost as terrible as your cooking!
(ALL LAUGHING)
Ê shútsh…
When you gonna put Ember out of her misery and retire, huh?
Finally put her name on the sign out there?
Ah. She take over when she’s ready.
And speaking of ready, we are more than ready for you to actually buy something if you’d ever get up off your lazy ash.
(ALL LAUGHING)
Oh, burn!
But she is so close.
I mean, she’ll probably never do deliveries as quick as me.
You don’t think that I can beat your record?
Because I have been taking it easy on you, so I don’t hurt…
(TIMER CLICKS)
…your feelings, Mr. Smokestack.
(PATRONS LAUGHING)
But game on.
CINDER: Before I see if you are a match, I splash this on your heart to bring love to the surface.
(BOTH GRUNT)
And I will read the smoke.
(SOOTHING NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNIFFING)
(WOMAN GASPS)
Ember, I’m doing a reading.
Sorry, got to grab some stuff. Going for Dad’s record.
So, are we a match?
It’s true love.
(BOTH SIGH IN RELIEF)
Which is more than I ever smelled on this one.
Oh, goody, this old chestnut.
(GRUNTS)
(SNIFFING)
Yep. Nothing.
Just a loveless, sad future of sadness.
Ember, work with me.
(SIGHS)
Your finding match was my mother’s dying wish.
Promise me one thing, marry Fire.
(GROANS)
(CRACKLES)
Nice try, Mom. Got to go.
(COUPLE KISSING NOISILY)
Save it for the wedding.
Hey.
(PLAYFUL MUSIC PLAYS)
Yo, yo, yo, Ember.
Yo, Clod. Can’t talk, in a hurry.
And don’t let my dad catch you out here again.
What? Come on, he doesn’t like my landscaping?
(GROANS)
Anyway, June Bloom is coming and you just got to be my date ’cause check it out.
I’m all grown up.
(SNIFFS) And I smell good.
Ow. My queen.
Sorry, buddy, elements don’t mix. (GASPS)
(TIMER TICKING)
Flame. Gotta go.
Come on, go to the festival with me.
You never leave this part of town.
That’s because everything I need is right here.
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS)
(CLOD MOANS HAPPILY)
EMBER: Plus, the city isn’t made with Fire people in mind.
Sorry, but it’d take an act of God
to get me across that bridge.
An act of God?
(IN FLIRTY TONE) Or an act of Clod?
(HIPHOP FUSION SONG PLAYS)
Gotta run.
(ENGINE ACCELERATES)
(TIRES SCREECH)
Ah.
Oh.
(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES HAPPILY)
(TIRES SCREECH)
As ordered.
Ooh.
Aw…
(GULPING)
(BURPS, GIGGLES)
(BEAT DROPS)
Gotta run. Going for Dad’s record.
Move it!
(ENGINE REVVING)
(SPEAKING FIRISH)
(CHILDREN CHEERING)
(HIPHOP FUSION SONG CONTINUES)
(BELL JINGLES)
Haha!
(IN SINGSONG) Winner winner, charcoal dinner…
(GASPS)
(SNORING SOFTLY)
(TRANQUIL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BELL JINGLES SOFTLY)
(COUGHING)
Head to bed, I’ll close things up.
Still have much to prepare for Red Dot Sale.
Dad, I’ll take care of it. You need to rest.
(TIMER RINGING)
(DINGS)
How?
I learned from the best.
(BOTH LAUGH)
(COUGHS)
(SIGHS) I am old. I can’t do this forever.
Now that you’ve beaten my time, there’s only one thing you haven’t done.
Tomorrow I sleep in and I want you to run shop for Red Dot Sale.
Seriously? By myself?
If you can do that without losing your temper, it will show me you are able to take over.
You got it, Àshfá.
I won’t let you down, I swear. You’ll see.
BERNIE: Mm.
Good daughter.
Yes! (SQUEALS, GIGGLES)
Blue Flame, please, let this go my way.
(VEHICLE PUTTERING)
(HORN HONKS)
WOMAN: Good morning!
MAN: Morning!
EMBER: Take a breath.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Calm as a candle.
(PATRONS CLAMORING)
Morning, welcome to The Fireplace.
Whew!
(GRUNTING)
Whoa, whoa.
They’re all the same. Just take one from the top.
(GRUNTS)
Thanks for shopping.
(GRUNTS) So many stickers for sale.
Are these fragile?
No, wait.
(OBJECTS CLATTER, SMASH)
(STIFLED SCREAM)
You have to pay before you eat.
MAN 1: Uh, what’s your return policy?
MAN 2: Does this come in a large?
(HUFFING)
(PATRONS CLAMORING)
Take breath.
My dad broke this.
Make connection.
Mind if I test this kettle?
(KETTLE WHISTLING)
(HUFFING RAPIDLY)
(MUFFLED GRUNT)
Be back in five minutes.
(MUFFLED GRUNTING)
(GASPING RAPIDLY)
(SCREAMS)
(PANTING)
(RATTLING)
(RATTLING CONTINUES)
Huh?
Huh?
(GASPS, GRUNTING)
(UPTEMPO INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
(STRAINING)
(PANTING)
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
Stupid temper. Not today.
(GRUNTS, GULPS)
What is wrong with me?
(BUBBLING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(SOBBING)
What the…?
What a happy family.
(SNIFFLES) Is that you and your dad?
I love dads. (GASPS)
And it’s your birthday. (SOBS)
Who are you? What are you doing here?
I don’t know.
I was searching for a leak on the other side of the river and got sucked in.
This is bad, I can’t lose another job.
I just can’t seem to find my flow.
(BUBBLING)
Dang!
(GROANS)
That pipe squished me all out of shape.
(GURGLES)
That’s better.
Dude, just get out of here.
I gotta clean this mess before my dad sees what I did.
Ooh…
Actually…
I’m afraid I’m gonna have to write you a ticket.
A ticket?
Yeah.
I’m a city inspector, and this pipe is definitely not up to code.
I sucked a city inspector into our pipes?
I know. Ironic, right?
(CLANKING)
Stop messing with that.
Well, I need to make sure it’s solid.
Everything’s solid.
I should know.
My dad rebuilt this place himself.
Wait, your dad did?
Yes, with his bare hands, every brick and board.
It was a ruin when he found it.
Wow. He did all of this himself?
Without permits?
Uh… (GULPS)
I’m gonna have to write that up too.
First, I’m sucked into a pipe and now I have to write citations that could get this place shut down.
Oh, gosh. It’s just too much.
Shut us down?
I know, it’s awful.
No, you can’t shut us down, please.
This is a big day for me. It’s our Red Dot Sale.
Hey, take it easy.
This is as hard on me as it is on you.
Get back here.
Sorry.
I got to get these to City Hall before the end of my shift.
(GRUNTS, GROANS)
Flame.
(UPTEMPO FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
Get back here.
Hmm?
(GROANS, PANTING)
WOMAN: Huh?
ANNOUNCER: Next stop, Element City.
(SIGHS)
(SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE)
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS)
(GROANS)
(HUFFS RAPIDLY, GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
(UPBEAT FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
(PANTING)
(GASPS)
(PASSENGERS CHATTERING)
(TRAIN RATTLES)
(GRUNTS) Whoa!
(GASPS)
Hey!
Sorry.
(UPBEAT FUSION MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
(EXCLAIMS, BREATHES HEAVILY)
Hey! (SHUDDERS)
Huh?
What the…?
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS)
ANNOUNCER: This stop, City Hall.
Uh… (GASPING)
Hands off!
(GROANS) Ooh.
MAN: Hey!
Sorry.
(ENGINES WHIRRING)
Ugh.
Stop!
(GRUNTING)
Hey!
Hey!
(SHOUTS, GRUNTS)
Stop.
(HORN BLARES)
(GROANS) My new jacket.
(GROANS)
Whoa!
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(CHILDREN EXCLAIM)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
(PEOPLE GASP)
(SHOUTS)
(GASPS)
(EMBER GASPS)
(PANTING)
(HUFFS RAPIDLY, GRUNTING)
(BOTH PANTING RAPIDLY)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
(HORN BLARES)
(TIRES SCREECH)
MAN IN TRUCK: Hey!
Huh? My chili oil!
(YELPS)
(EMBER PANTING)
Come on, guy.
You can’t get through this.
So, it is time to hand them over.
Oh, boy, I’m sorry.
This is gonna be really disappointing for you.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Sorry.
Please…
No. (GROANS)
You don’t understand.
Whoa.
EMBER: This shop is my dad’s dream.
If I’m the reason it gets shut down, it will kill him.
Oh.
He will never trust me to take over.
Why didn’t you say that before?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Wait, does that mean you’ll tear up the tickets?
I mean, I would, but I just sent them over to the processing department.
(GROANS FRUSTRATEDLY)
But I can take you there so you can plead your case.
(TUBES WHOOSHING)
(GRUNTS)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(ANIMALS TRILLING)
Whoa!
CITY INSPECTOR: Hey, Fern. (CHUCKLES)
How you doing?
(DULLY) Living the dream.
(CHUCKLES)
You know those citations I just gave you from Firetown?
I was about to send them to Mrs. Cumulus.
Then get sprayed for fungus rot.
BOTH: Wait.
Tell him what you told me about your dad and letting him down.
No. That’s personal.
It really got to me.
He might feel it too.
Her dad will be sup…
Nope.
…sup…
Nope.
…super disappointed in her.
Stop it.
He might even be… (GROANS) ashamed.
What are you doing?
But the main thing is, if her father can’t retire…
(HUFFING RAPIDLY)
…it will be all Ember’s f…
Stop talking!
(WATER BUBBLES)
(DESK CREAKS)
Looks like I’m going home early today.
No, don’t.
(TUBE WARBLES)
Expect to get shut down within a week.
Have a good one.
(GROANS)
Sorry.
(SIGHS)
(GASPS) What?
(BELL JINGLES)
Already?
Hello?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BERNIE COUGHING)
(GASPS)
(CONTINUES COUGHING)
Oh, no. Dad, what happened?
We lucky nobody hurt. It ruined Red Dot Sale.
Did he do this?
Who?
The Water guy I see you chase.
(GROANS)
Oh, uh… Um…
Yeah, he did. Uh…
He just broke through a pipe.
(CLEARS THROAT) I don’t know why.
Luckily, I was able to close it off.
I, uh, couldn’t catch him though.
Water, always trying to water us down.
He was a Water person, Dad, not just water.
Ah, same thing. And why is water in pipes?
City shut down years ago. There should be no water.
(COUGHS)
Dad!
Bernie.
We will get through this.
Just like before.
Before?
There is a reason we left Fire Land.
Oh, Ember, we loved it there so much.
Most everyone had a Blue Flame.
And it connected us all together.
To our traditions. Our family.
It was hard living.
But your father began to build a life for us.
We put everything into it.
(WIND HOWLING)
But then a great storm came.
(CRASHING)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
All was lost for us.
Your father understood we had to leave everything.
Our home. It was the only way to create a better life.
It was the last time your father ever saw his family.
That is why we came here.
To build all this.
Àshfá, nothing will happen to this shop or the flame again, I promise.
Mm. Good daughter.
(HIPHOP SONG PLAYING ON HEADPHONES)
(FIRE ROARS SOFTLY)
(YELPS) Fire! Fire!
Ah! Fire!
Hey, hey!
Oh, sorry.
You’re so hot. (BLOWS)
Excuse me?
No, I mean, like, you’re smoking.
No, I didn’t mean it like that.
Are you done yet?
Yes, please.
I’m waiting to talk to your boss.
So, make like a stream and flow somewhere else.
Actually, Gale won’t be in today.
She’s a huge airball fan and the Windbreakers are finally in the playoffs.
Toot toot.
(GROANS)
Okay. Well, I just came by because I left my passes for the game here last night.
Passes? Like, plural?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GASPS)
(FANS CHANTING)
(KERNKRAFT 400 (SPORT CHANT STADIUM REMIX) PLAYING)
(PLAYER GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
(SPECTATORS GROAN)
Where is she?
Up there, in that skybox.
Come on!
(LIGHTNING CRACKLES)
Oh.
Okay. Time to cancel some tickets.
VENDOR: Toot Toot juice.
Get your Toot Toot juice.
Toot Toot juice, get your Toot Toot juice.
(CHATTER STOPS)
(SLURPS)
You’ll be great. This way.
EMBER: Excuse me.
Jimmy, what’s up?
Sorry. Pardon.
Wendy.
Oh. Sorry. Fire girl coming through.
Break some wind!
(LIGHTNING CRACKLES)
Hi, Gale, how you doing?
Look at the score, what do you think?
Blow the ball, not the game!
(LIGHTNING CRACKLES)
(HUFFS) Yeah, so, uh, Gale. (CHUCKLES)
My name is Ember Lumen.
My family runs a Fire shop.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Wade wrote us a bunch of tickets yesterday…
What kind of call was that?
(SPECTATORS GROAN)
Oh, Lumen? Yeah, a Fire shop with 30 citations.
Thirty?
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Anyway, friend, I was hoping we could work something out.
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Come on, ref! Are your eyes in the back of your head?
(SPECTATORS BOOING)
(GRUNTS, GROWLS)
Oh, no.
Yeah, bummer.
Oh, yeah. Okay, so, the 30 citations.
Do you mind?
There’s a game going on. Fireball.
Fireball?
Actually, I do mind.
This is my life we’re talking about.
Not just some game.
Some game? This is the playoffs.
So, forgive me if I don’t want to hear a sob story about the problems of some little shop.
Well, that little shop matters way more than a bunch of overpaid cloud puffs blowing some ball around.
I dare you, say “cloud puffs” one more time.
Cloud puffs.
(BOTH GROWL)
WADE: Oh, no!
(SPECTATORS BOOING)
Lutz!
(BLOWS, GRUNTS)
(SPECTATORS GROAN)
(GASPS)
(CHIMING)
(SPECTATORS BOOING)
Lutz, man.
He’s been in such a funk ’cause his mom has been sick.
(BOOING)
That is so not cool, he’s doing his best.
(LOUDLY) We love you, Lutz!
(VOICE CRACKING) Lutz!
We love you, Lutz!
We love you, Lutz! Come on!
We love you, Lutz! Everybody!
ALL: We love you, Lutz! We love you, Lutz!
We love you, Lutz! We love you, Lutz!
Whoa!
(SPECTATORS CHEERING)
(HOPEFUL MUSIC PLAYS)
(PANTING, GRUNTING)
(SPECTATORS CHEERING) Yeah!
(KERNKRAFT 400 (SPORT CHANT STADIUM REMIX) PLAYING)
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(CHEERING)
Yay!
Yeah! Way to go, Lutz!
(BLOWS)
WADE: Yeah, Lutz!
That was amazing, Lutz!
(CHUCKLES)
(GRUNTS) Yeah! Yeah! Yes!
(CHUCKLES) Whoohoo!
Oh.
Whoohoo! What a comeback.
Check out who found the gift shop.
Whoo!
I gotta admit, that was pretty cool.
You can see why I can get all churned up, but as a cloud puff who used to come here with her dad, all these wins mean a little bit more.
And as a fireball who’s supposed to take over her dad’s shop,
I sure don’t want to let him down, and I could use a win, too.
Now, I just got to stop water from coming in.
Water? In Firetown?
Yeah.
Water was shut off to there years ago.
Oh, forget the tickets, I’m gonna have to take apart your dad’s shop
to figure out what’s going on.
You can’t!
My dad put his whole life into that place.
(GRUNTS) I bet this is connected to that fluffing leak.
Yeah, we’ve been trying to track down a leak in the city.
It’s why I was in the canal and…
Wait, I know where I got sucked into Ember’s shop.
Ember and I could track the water from her shop to find the source of the leak.
Keep talking.
I could call in a city crew to fix whatever we find.
Yes. And there’d be no need to touch my dad’s shop.
You’re lucky you’re a cute couple.
Oh, we’re not a…
You got until Friday.
If you can find the leak and get a crew to fix it by then, those tickets are forgiven.
If not, your dad’s shop gets shut down.
Whoohoo!
Break wind! Break wind!
Thank you.
(SIGHS IN RELIEF, CHUCKLES)
Please take all that off.
But I got you a hat.
(BOOM)
Okay.
EMBER: Just keep out of sight, okay? It’d be a whole thing.
BERNIE: Now water upstairs?
It’s in the walls.
I don’t understand.
I fix one pipe and another one leaks.
(GROANS) Water!
(COUGHING)
How could it be worse?
Now that the water’s back, the pressure is forcing it up to all your pipes.
We gotta find the source.
How did you even end up here?
WADE: Well, I was in the canals checking the doors for leaks, when I found some water that shouldn’t have been there.
Rusty with a hint of motor oil?
There was this whoosh of water.
(SCREAMS)
And I got sucked into a filtering system.
Help! (GRUNTS)
But then I heard this explosion.
(RUMBLING)
(EMBER SCREAMING)
(WADE SCREAMS)
That’s how I ended up at your place.
Oh, flame! My temper caused this.
So, we’re searching for water somewhere in a canal?
Those canals go everywhere.
It’s why tracking down that leak has been so dang hard.
The roof.
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(YELPS)
(GRUNTS) You might want to step back.
(GRUNTS)
(CAPTIVATING MUSIC PLAYING)
Holy dew drop!
Shh. Get in.
(WADE GRUNTS)
(FIRE ROARS)
(CAPTIVATING MUSIC CONTINUES)
(WATER BUBBLING)
(STEAM HISSING)
Okay, that’s where I got sucked in.
More water. Go that way.
(CHUCKLING) Yeah, right there.
Mm. (LAUGHS) Oh!
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Nothing weird going on here.
(IN SINGSONG) Uh, just a little pruning.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(EMBER SNIFFS)
So, uh, what do you do at the shop?
If you don’t mind me asking.
EMBER: My dad’s retiring and I’ll be taking over.
Someday.
When I’m ready. (SIGHS)
WADE: It must be nice knowing what you’re gonna do.
After my dad passed, I got all, “What’s the point?”
Now I just go from one job to the next.
There’s a word in Firish.
(SPEAKING FIRISH) Tìshók.
It means embrace the light while it burns because it won’t always last forever.
(HALTINGLY) Teeshook.
Or something like that. (CHUCKLES)
You okay?
Yeah.
You sure?
It’s just, that building over there, that’s Garden Central Station.
When I was a kid, my dad took me there because they had a Vivisteria tree.
I’d always wanted to see one.
It’s the only flower that can thrive in any environment.
Fire included.
I was so excited.
But they said our fire was too dangerous, and they wouldn’t let us in.
(SHOUTS IN FIRISH)
Go back to Fire Land.
EMBER: My dad was so angry…
Burn somewhere else!
Get outta here!
EMBER: …and embarrassed.
The building flooded a few years later.
So, I missed my one chance to see a Vivisteria.
You must have been so scared.
I was.
(GROANS) How do you do that?
Do what?
Draw people in?
You got a whole stadium to connect with you.
I… I can’t even connect with one customer.
My stupid temper always kicks in.
I guess I just say what I feel.
And I don’t think a temper is so bad.
Sometimes when I lose my temper, I think it’s just me trying to tell me something I’m not ready to hear.
That’s ridiculous.
Maybe.
Hey, there.
Put us down there.
(THRILLING MUSIC PLAYING)
That’s not right.
(SMACKS LIPS)
Motor oil.
Yup, this is the source.
Why is there no water?
Because the doors are broken.
This is supposed to catch spill over from those main canals and…
(SHIP HORN BLOWS)
Run for your life!
(WADE GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
Help! (SCREAMING)
(WATER RUMBLING)
Uh…
(GRUNTS) Grab this!
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTING)
(WADE GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
EMBER: Firetown.
Catch! (GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
Ember, throw me more!
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(SIGHS) Whew.
So, will this hold?
(GRUNTS) Yup. It should for sure.
At least long enough for me to get a city crew to fix it before Friday.
What?
You’ve got a little (CHUCKLES) sand.
Oh.
Here? Here?
It’s right there.
Um…
Oh.
(BUBBLES)
Thanks.
Well, let me know when it’s done, I guess.
I’ll make sure there’s a city crew here by Friday.
Okay.
See ya.
Wait.
Any chance you’re free tomorrow?
(NERVOUSLY) To hang out with a Water guy?
With a Water guy? My dad would boil you alive.
He doesn’t have to know. We can meet in the city.
I promise, nothing weird.
Maybe a little pruning?
(CHUCKLES) Sorry, that’s not going to happen.
You smiled. I saw it.
Tomorrow, I’ll be at the Alkali Theater. 3:00!
Yeah because then you know with the light…
Oh! Your ceiling is dripping again.
More leaks?
Don’t worry. This whole problem is going away.
I can feel it.
(GASPS)
And since we’re all good, I am also going away to do deliveries.
(SNIFFS) Do I smell something on Ember?
(CHUCKLES EXCITEDLY)
(BELL JINGLES)
CLOD: Yo, Ember.
(SHOUTS IN SURPRISE)
Clod.
CLOD: I grew another one.
(GRUNTING) Ow.
(FLOWER PINGS)
My queen.
(EXPLODES, SIZZLES)
Oops, sorry, but gotta go.
(STEAL THE SHOW BY LAUV PLAYING)
(VOCALIZING)
(IMPERCEPTIBLE)
Started out on a one-way train
Always knew where I was gonna go next
Didn’t know until I saw your face
I was missing out on every moment
You’ll be one and baby I’ll be two
Would you mind it if I said I’m into you?
I’m into you
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
(VOCALIZING)
You and I, we go together
You’re the sky I’ll be the weather
A pretty thing, the sunny rain who knew?
Oh-oh-oh, yeah
Summer night, perfect occasion
Where am I? You know I’ll be waitin’ for you
Oh, for you
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
(SNIFFS)
If you steal the show
Who is this guy?
Shine
You shine
Like forever
Lasts forever
You shine
You shine and steal the show
(VOCALIZING)
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
Started out on a one way train
Always knew where I was gonna go next
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(SONG FADES)
Whoa.
How’d you do that?
It’s the minerals. Check this out.
(CHUCKLES) Awesome.
(CALMING NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
Wow. Watch this.
(CALMING NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(CALMING NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC FADES)
(BELL JINGLES)
(BRIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(CRACKLING)
(GRUNTING)
(PATRON SPEAKING FIRISH)
Another?
(SPEAKING FIRISH)
(RUMBLING)
(OBJECTS CLATTERING)
No, no, no, no, no!
The water is back.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(COUGHING)
(PIPE GROANS)
COURIER: Ember Lumen.
Delivery for Ember Lumen.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Flowers for Ember?
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
(SIZZLES)
Oh, excuse me. (CHUCKLES) These are so beautiful.
I’m gonna go put these away.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS, CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
What are you doing here?
I got bad news. The sandbags didn’t hold.
EMBER: Uh, obviously.
Yeah. And I also got worse news.
I’d forgotten a tiny detail about the last time I saw that city crew.
You knocked over three tons of cement dust.
Half the guys still haven’t recovered.
(ALL GRUNT ANGRILY)
I guess you could say they still have hard feelings (CHUCKLES) because they won’t help us.
Wade, Gale’s deadline is tomorrow.
We need more sandbags.
But that didn’t work before.
Well, I can’t just do nothing.
Ember, did you fix leak?
(GASPS) It’s you again.
Who? Me?
You’re the guy who started all this.
(YELPS)
No, Dad. Different guy.
Not all Water looks alike.
You are city inspector?
Uh…
EMBER: No.
Right?
(EMBER CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Right! I am not an inspector.
(BUBBLING)
You are inspector.
Why you poking around? Is this because of water leak?
No. Not because of water in any way.
(CHUCKLES) He’s a different kind of inspector.
Right?
Yeah. Yeah. I’m a… I’m a food inspector.
(IN DEEP VOICE) I’ve come to inspect your food.
Hmm. I think he’s lying through his feet.
Teeth.
Whatever.
Food upstairs. Come.
Food inspector?
I panicked.
(GROANS IN FRUSTRATION)
You really food inspector?
As far as you know, yeah.
Then inspect this.
Dad.
(SPEAKING FIRISH) Ê shútsh!
(AMUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNIFFS) Yep, all looks good to me.
No, no, no, no, no. Inspect with your mouth.
(MUNCHES, BLOWS)
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
(BLOWS, CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
(WHIMPERS)
Ah.
(FIZZES)
(GULPS)
(STIFLED GROAN)
(FOOD THUDS)
(SCREAMS)
(MUFFLED SCREAM)
(BUBBLING)
(MUFFLED GRUNT)
(SCREAMS)
You see? He likes it.
(COUGHING)
(CHUCKLES)
You must try these. Straight from Fire Land.
Dad, those are too hot.
(VOICE STRAINS) I’m okay. I love hot food.
(INHALES) Um.
(BUBBLING)
(STIFLED GRUNTING)
(POPS)
Hey! Watch your water.
So, did we pass?
(VOICE STRAINS) Mmhmm. A plus.
(SMACKS LIPS)
Actually, after the heat dies down, that’s really good.
If you don’t mind.
(SIZZLES)
(GASPS) Mmmm!
(FIRE ROARS SOFTLY)
(SLURPS, SMACKS LIPS)
See? It’s really tasty if you water it down a little.
Water us down?
Water us down?
Where’s camera?
(CAMERA CLICKS)
We will never be watered down by you. Get out!
All right, sir, you gotta go.
(BERNIE SIGHS IN ANGER)
(EXCLAIMS IN FIRISH)
Dad, don’t worry. I’ve got this.
(SPEAKING FIRISH)
Look, meet me at the beach and we’ll make more sandbags.
We have to figure out how to fix those doors.
Water want to water us down?
Then Water no longer allowed in shop.
He is panned.
Um, banned.
Banned! (COUGHING)
Àshfá, it’s okay.
It’s all going to be okay.
(EMBER GRUNTS)
WADE: I don’t think this is going to work.
Well, it won’t unless you hold the bag straight.
Maybe your dad will understand.
(SCOFFS)
I’m serious.
Look, I know it can be tough.
I mean, with my dad, we were like oil and water.
I never got a chance to fix that.
But you guys are different.
It might be time to tell him.
Yeah, right. And tell him what?
That I got us shut down and destroyed his dream?
(SHOUTS IN FRUSTRATION)
(PANTING)
(SIGHS)
I think I’m failing.
My Àshfá should have retired years ago, but he doesn’t think I’m ready.
You have no idea how hard they’ve worked.
Or what they’ve had to endure.
Family they left behind.
How do you repay a sacrifice that big?
It all feels like a burden.
How can I say that?
I’m a bad daughter.
Hey, no.
(SOBS)
You’re doing your best.
(SNIFFLES, SIGHS)
I’m a mess.
Nah. I think you’re even more beautiful.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
Maybe you’re right when you said my temper is me trying to tell me something.
(SIZZLES)
Whoa.
Look what your fire did to the sand.
It’s glass.
(SIGHS)
(SIZZLING AND CLINKING)
It looks like a Vivisteria flower.
I know how to seal those doors.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(FIRE WHOOSHING)
(CRACKLING, BUBBLING)
(EMBER GRUNTING)
(ROUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
Yes.
(GRUNTING LOUDLY)
(PANTING)
(GLASS TINKLING)
Are you crying?
Yes.
I’ve just never been punched in the face with beauty before.
(LAUGHING, GASPS)
(RUMBLING)
(SHIP HORN BLOWS)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BARRIER THUDS)
It worked!
I’ll have Gale come by right after work.
I’ll let you know the second I hear anything.
You think this will be good enough for her?
Honestly, it’s hard to know. She could go either way.
Oh.
Here. I saved this for you.
It’s special.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOFT TINKLING)
(BERNIE COUGHING)
(GASPS)
Àshfá, you okay?
Yes, yes. Just too much to fix.
I’ll take care of it.
You need to rest, and that’s an order.
Yes, ma’am.
(BOTH LAUGH)
Ember, I see a change in you.
Happier, calmer with customers and with that food inspector.
Always putting shop first.
You prove I can trust you.
(COUGHING)
I’m so lucky I have you.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SNORES, SNIFFS)
Love?
(BELL JINGLES)
(ENGINE REVS)
(SNIFFING)
(INTRIGUING FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
Ember, you found it. Everything okay?
Please tell me that you have some good news from Gale.
I’m getting really worried about my dad.
This has to break my way.
Yeah, I haven’t heard from her yet, but she swore she’d call tonight.
Actually, my family stopped by for dinner.
You want to come up and wait for the call together?
Your family?
(CINDER SNIFFING)
(GRUNTING DISAPPROVINGLY)
EMBER: Um… (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Okay. I’ll… I’ll come up for a bit.
(GASPS, GROWLS)
I’m sorry, you live here?
It’s my mom’s place.
EMBER: Oh, my gosh!
(CHUCKLES)
I’m afraid I can’t let you in. Residents and guests only.
Ah! Okay. I understand.
(CINDER GRUNTING)
You’re surprisingly good at your job.
You’re surprisingly fast for your age.
You have no idea.
(WIND HOWLS)
Ember! Oh, I’m so excited to finally meet you.
Do we hug, or wave, or…?
Don’t want to put you out. (CHUCKLES)
Um, a hello is fine.
Hardly. Wade hasn’t stopped talking about you since the day you met.
The boy is smitten.
Mom.
Oh, come on. I’m your mother.
I know when something’s lighting you up.
I just didn’t know she’d be so smoky.
(FAKECOUGHS)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(EMBER LAUGHS UNCOMFORTABLY)
Come this way, meet the rest of the family.
(GASPS)
(MELLOW JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
(WATER LAPPING)
Hmm.
Oh.
Oh, honey, you won’t believe what your baby niece did today.
She… She smiled.
No, she didn’t.
(BOTH SOBBING)
WADE’S MOM: Yeah.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, everyone, this is Ember.
Hey!
That’s my brother Alan and his wife Eddy.
Hi.
And we got two kids that are swimmin’ around here somewhere.
Marco! Polo!
What?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Hi, Uncle Wade!
Do you die if you fall
in water?
Whoa!
Marco!
Kids, (CHUCKLES) right?
(MARCO GRUNTS)
Don’t hate us.
Anyway, that’s my little sib, Lake, and her girlfriend, Ghibli.
GHIBLI: ‘Sup!
They’re students at Element City School for the Arts.
Yeah. Following in Mom’s wake.
Oh, nonsense. I’m just an architect.
The real artist is my brother, Harold.
Oh, I just dabble in watercolors.
Or as we like to call them, “colors.”
Oh, don’t listen to him. He’s a wonderful painter.
One of his paintings just got in the Element City Museum’s permanent collection.
Wow, that is so cool.
My only talent is “Clean up on aisle four.”
(CHUCKLES) Talk about being modest.
Ember’s got an incredible creative flame.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
I just have to say that you speak so well and clear.
(CHUCKLES FORCEDLY)
Yeah, it’s amazing what talking in the same language your entire life can do.
Oh!
Uh, hey, Ember, did, uh, Wadey here ever tell you that he’s deathly afraid of sponges?
No.
WADE: I was traumatized.
Huh?
Huh.
(SCREAMS)
(ALL LAUGHING)
I still can’t use a sponge around him.
I was stuck in there for hours.
(LAUGHS)
Oh.
Alan! That was new.
ALAN: My bad. I’m all whirlpools tonight.
I can fix it.
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SQUELCHING)
(INHALES DEEPLY, BLOWS)
Oh, um…
Sorry.
That was incredible!
(ALL EXCLAIM)
It’s just melted glass.
Just melted glass?
Every building in the new city is built from just melted glass.
Oh, no, you have to do something with that talent.
See, I told you, you’re special.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(BUBBLING)
(GASPS)
Ooh, thought bubble.
Maybe after dinner we play The Crying Game?
(CLAMORING)
Yes, yes, yes.
Let me guess, you try to cry?
We try not to cry.
You have one minute. Go!
1979. November. You were…
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS)
(BAWLING)
(CHEERING)
(GROANING)
Never got a chance to say goodbye to Nana.
(CONTINUES BAWLING)
Damn, you’re good.
Okay, Ember, Wade, you’re up.
Yeah, this is almost unfair because I have literally never cried.
You got no chance.
Sounds like a challenge.
Ready, go!
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYS)
Butterfly, windshield wipers, half a butterfly.
(BOTH SNIFFLING)
(SOBS)
Okay.
An old man on his deathbed remembers the summer he fell in love.
She was out of his league and he was young and scared.
(SNIFFLES)
He let her go, thinking surely summer would come again.
(SNIFFLING)
It never did.
Almost out of time.
Ember, when I met you, I thought I was drowning.
But that light, that light inside you has made me feel so alive.
And all I want now is to be near it.
Near you.
Together.
(DREAMY NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WHOOSHES)
(SIZZLES)
ALL: Aw.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello? Gale, hi.
Glass? You repaired it with glass?
Hold the storm.
Hey!
(GRUNTS)
(CLANKS)
Tempered glass. Solid as a rock, I like it.
Consider the tickets cancelled.
We did it?
Yup!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Awesome! Whoo!
Oh. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Oh. Um…
(LAUGHS)
(WADE GROANS)
Thank you, Mrs. Ripple.
This was… This was really great.
Yeah, it was.
And I mean what I said about your talent.
I have a friend who runs the best glassmaking firm in the world.
During dinner, I slipped out and I made a call and I told her about you.
They’re looking for an intern.
It could be an amazing opportunity.
For real?
It’s a long way from the city, but it would be an incredible start.
You have a bright future.
Look at me, I have an original Ember.
(CHUCKLES)
Hold up, I’ll walk you out.
(BREATHLESSLY) I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait out here, ma’am.
And I’m afraid… (PANTING)
I will throw up.
(CINDER GROANS)
(GROANS)
(BURBLES)
WADE: Ember.
Ember, hold up, what’s going on?
I can’t believe she basically offered me a job.
I know! Could be cool.
Yeah, super cool, Wade.
I could move out and make glass in a faraway city. Do whatever I want.
I don’t understand.
I’m going home.
Fine, then I’m going with you.
(EMBER GROANS)
(TIRES SCREECH)
(PEOPLE YELP)
A Water guy?
(MIDTEMPO MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIKE ACCELERATING)
Look, my mom was just trying to be helpful.
She doesn’t know how excited you are to run the shop.
(SHOUTS IN FRUSTRATION)
What is the matter?
Nothing!
Yeah? ‘Cause we’re going, like, a thousand…
Bus!
(TIRES SCREECH)
(WADE YELPS)
You don’t know me, Wade. Okay?
So stop pretending like you do.
What is this about?
Nothing.
Everything. I don’t know. It’s…
(CLICKS)
(TIRES SCREECH)
(EMBER PANTS)
I don’t think I actually do want to run the shop. Okay?
That’s what my temper has been trying to tell me.
I’m trapped.
(SIGHS) You know what’s crazy?
Even when I was a kid, I would pray to the Blue Flame to be good enough to fill my father’s shoes someday because this place is his dream.
But I never once asked… what I wanted to do.
(SIGHS)
I think that’s because deep down, I knew it didn’t matter.
Because the only way to repay a sacrifice so big is by sacrificing your life too.
CINDER: Ember!
(GASPS)
Don’t move.
Oh, blaze! My mother.
(CINDER PANTING)
(FOOTSTEPS CLANKING ON STAIRS)
Mom, it’s okay. He’s just a friend.
Si… Silence!
(GASPS)
I could smell you from over there. Oh, you stink.
What are you talking about?
CINDER: You know what I’m talking about.
(SNIFFS)
You’re smelling love on me?
If your father find out…
Fire and Water cannot be together.
I prove it. Come with me.
I splash this on your heart to bring love to the surface.
(SIZZLES)
(GRUNTS)
(SLURPS) Mmm!
And then you must light these with your fire, and I read the smoke.
(SNIFFS)
(SIZZLES)
(PLAYFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
See, Ember? It cannot be.
Actually…
What are you doing?
(SLOSHING)
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIZZLES)
(SNIFFS DEEPLY)
BERNIE: Cinder?
Who down there?
(ALL GASP)
It’s my dad. You have to go.
Wait, are we a match? (YELPS)
What’s going on? I wake up and nobody upstairs.
It was just me.
(DOOR SHUTS)
(WADE GRUNTS)
I was doublechecking the locks. (CHUCKLES)
And Mom came down and…
Yes, and we, uh, began looking at this door.
We don’t talk about this door enough.
(WHISPERS) Pull it together.
Well, since you’re awake, I was gonna tell you tomorrow, but I’m too excited to sleep.
In two days, I retire.
Ooh.
(GASPS) Oh, Bernie.
Two days?
Yes. We’re going to throw big party.
A grand reopening.
That way I can tell whole world my daughter take over.
(CINDER LAUGHING)
And I have gift for you.
I’ve had this for a while, but after our talk, I know now is the time.
Before I give it to you, I need you to understand what it means to me.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
When I left Fire Land, I gave my father the Bà Ksô… the big bow.
It is the highest form of respect.
But my father did not return the bow.
Did not give me his blessing.
He say, if we leave Fire Land, we will lose who we are.
(CRYING)
They never got to see all of this.
They didn’t get to see that I never forgot we are Fire.
This is burden I still carry.
Ember, it is important that you know you have my blessing every day you come in here.
So I have this made for you.
Wow, Àshfá.
It’s gonna be big, bright.
Everyone’s gonna see this.
“Ember’s Fireplace.”
We unveil it at grand reopening.
(LAUGHS BOISTEROUSLY)
Come, Bernie. You need your rest.
(BERNIE COUGHS)
(SIGN BUZZING)
(SNIFFS, CRYING)
(SHIP HORN BLOWS)
(CRACKING)
Ember, so, what’d your mom say about our reading?
Nothing.
Look, I have a gift for you.
And you came all the way here to give it to me?
Wait, why are you giving me gifts?
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no.
Hold on, I think I have something to show you.
Just give me two seconds.
And you’re gonna need a pair of boots.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Wade, what are we doing here?
Just wait.
Why do they even have these?
Eh, who knows?
(SIGN CLATTERS)
Hey, it’s my favorite fireball.
Hey, Gale. What’s going on?
I know you think you have to end this, but that flooded tunnel, it goes to the main terminal.
Okay.
Do you still want to see a Vivisteria?
Gale?
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(BLOWS)
Wait, I’m supposed to get in there?
The air should last…
At least 20 minutes.
They said you couldn’t go in there.
Why does anyone get to tell you what you can do in your life?
(SIGHS)
(WATER BUBBLING)
(GRUNTS FEROCIOUSLY)
(SOOTHING NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BLOWING)
(HUFFING RAPIDLY)
(EMBER GRUNTS)
Whoa.
(SOOTHING NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
(SLOSHING)
(SOOTHING NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SLOSHING)
(EMBER LAUGHS)
(MUSIC BUILDS)
(MUSIC TEMPO LOOSENS)
A Vivisteria.
(PEACEFUL NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
Whoa.
(LAUGHING)
(BUBBLING, SIZZLING)
(GASPS)
(GRIMACES) Ouch.
Hey, you’re running out of air.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(EMBER GASPING RAPIDLY)
Almost there. Try to breathe slow and steady.
(WADE GRUNTS)
(EMBER GASPING)
(BOTH GRUNT)
(BOTH PANTING)
I’m so sorry. I should never…
Are you kidding?
That was amazing! I finally saw a Vivisteria!
(GIGGLING)
It was inspiring.
You were inspiring.
(GENTLE NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
No. Wade, we… we can’t touch.
Maybe we can.
No.
But can’t we just prove it?
Prove what?
Let’s see what happens, and if it’s a disaster, then we’ll know this would never work.
But it actually could be a disaster.
I could vaporize you.
You… You could extinguish me, and then…
Let’s… Let’s start small.
(YELPS, GRUNTS)
(SIGHS)
(BUBBLING)
(FIRE ROARS)
(SIZZLES)
(GASPS)
(GENTLE NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SIZZLES)
(BUBBLING)
(SIZZLING)
(GENTLE NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GENTLE NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
I’m so lucky.
(ELECTRICITY BUZZES)
I’m so lucky I have you.
(ELECTRICITY BUZZING)
(BUZZING INTENSIFIES)
(GASPS)
I have to go.
Wait, what?
Where are you going?
EMBER: Back to my life at the shop where I belong.
I take over tomorrow.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up.
You don’t want that, you said so yourself.
It doesn’t matter what I want.
Of course it does.
Listen. Listen.
You’ve got an opportunity to do something you want with your life.
“Want”?
Yeah, that may work in your rich kid, “follow your heart” family, but getting to do what you want is a luxury and not for people like me.
Why not? Just tell your father how you feel.
This is too important. Maybe he’ll agree.
(CHUCKLES SCORNFULLY) Yeah.
Funny.
And this whole time, I thought you were so strong, but turns out you’re just afraid.
Don’t you dare judge me.
You don’t know what it’s like to have parents who gave up everything for you.
I’m Fire, Wade.
I can’t be anything more than that.
It’s what I am and what my family is.
It’s our way of life.
I cannot throw all of that away just for you.
I don’t understand.
(BELL CLANGS)
And that alone is a reason this could never work.
It’s over, Wade.
(TRAIN HORN BLOWS)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRIES SOFTLY)
(LAUGHING)
(UPBEAT FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
(BELL JINGLES)
Everyone, welcome.
It is good to see your faces.
I am honored to have served you, but it’s time to move on.
Come.
My daughter, you are the Ember of our family fire.
That is why I am so proud to have you take over my life’s work.
(POPS, FIZZING)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(APPLAUDING AND CHEERING)
Pretty good trick, huh?
This is lantern I bring from old country.
Today, I pass it on to you.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
WADE: I thought of other reasons.
Wade?
(CROWD GASPING)
Oh, boy.
What are you doing here?
You said me not understanding is the reason we can never work.
But I thought of other reasons.
A bunch of ’em.
Like, number one, you’re Fire, I’m Water.
I mean, come on, that’s crazy.
Right?
(WOMAN ASSENTS)
Who is this?
No idea.
Number two, I’m crashing your party.
Like, what kind of a jerk am I?
A pretty big one.
Right?
Number three, I can’t eat your delicious foods.
(SIZZLES, THUDS)
(GURGLING)
(VOICE STRAINS) Ooh, very unpleasant.
Wait, I know him. He is food inspector.
Oh, right. Number four, I’m banned from your father’s shop.
There are a million reasons why this can’t work.
A million nos.
But there’s also one yes, we touched.
(ALL GASP)
And when we did, something happened to us, something impossible.
We changed each other’s chemistry.
BERNIE: Enough!
What kind of food inspection is this?
A food inspection of the heart, sir.
Who are you?
Just a guy who burst into your daughter’s life in a flooded old basement.
So you are the one who burst the pipes?
What? Not me. It was…
You?
You burst the pipe?
I…
Ember.
Silence!
No!
Take the chance.
Let your father know who you really are.
Look, I had regrets when my dad died.
But because of you, I learned to embrace the light while it burns.
(SPEAKING FIRISH) Tìshók.
You don’t have forever to say what you need to say.
I love you, Ember Lumen.
(CROWD GASPS, MURMURS)
And I’m pretty sure you love me too.
No, Wade, I don’t.
(CRACKING)
That’s not true. I did their reading.
(CROWD GASPS)
Bernie, it’s love.
It’s true love.
No, Mom, you’re wrong. Wade, go.
But, Ember…
I don’t love you.
(CRACKING)
Go! (SOBS)
You have been seeing Water?
(COUGHS)
Àshfá, I…
You caused leak in shop?
I trusted you.
You will not take over the shop.
(COUGHING)
I no longer retire.
(ALL GASP)
(CROWD MURMURING)
(MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYING)
(BROODING NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYS)
(BIKE ENGINE ROARING)
(BROODING NEWAGE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SIZZLING)
(SIGHS)
Why can’t I just be a good daughter?
(SIGHS)
(GRUNTS, BREATHING HEAVILY)
(DISTANT RUMBLING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRACKS, SHATTERS)
Firetown.
(TIRES SCREECH)
(ENGINE ROARS)
Well, oneway ticket to anywhere but here.
Go. Travel the world.
Heal that broken heart.
My little drip, drip baby boy.
(CRYING)
(SINGING) Drip, drip, drip, goes the baby boy
(BAWLING)
I made you a painting.
(VOICE SHAKES) It’s of a lonely man (IN HIGHPITCHED VOICE) awash in sadness.
(ALL BAWLING)
(EMERGENCY SIREN WAILING)
Ember.
(THRILLING FUSION MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENGINE ROARING)
(GASPS)
EMBER: Mom, Dad!
(ENGINE ROARING)
(GASPS)
(ENGINE ACCELERATES)
(TIRES SCREECH)
(THRILLING FUSION MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GRUNTS)
Water’s coming!
(YELPING)
Watch out!
Behind you!
Climb! Climb!
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
Flash flood! Hurry!
Mom, water!
Get to higher ground!
(GASPS)
Bernie!
Huh?
(TIRES SCREECH)
(SIZZLES)
(GRUNTS IN PAIN)
(ENGINE REVS)
(GRUNTS)
(SHOUTS)
(BOTH YELPING)
(GRUNTS) The flame!
Let me go!
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
Ember, no!
(VEHICLE CREAKS)
(GRUNTING)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTING)
(SIZZLES)
(WADE SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Wade?
Keyhole.
(GRUNTS)
I was hoping to make a more heroic entrance.
You came back, after everything I said.
Are you kidding? And miss all this?
(GASPS)
Hold the door.
(STRAINING)
(GRUNTING)
(GASPS)
(EMBER GRUNTS)
No! No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
(GLASS SHATTERS)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
Ember, we have to go!
We have to go now!
I can’t leave.
I’m sorry to say this, but the shop is done.
The flame is done.
No! This is my father’s whole life.
I’m not going anywhere.
(WINDOWS SHATTER)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
(GASPING)
Throw me that lantern.
(GRUNTS)
(OBJECTS CLATTERING)
(GRUNTS)
No.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Oh, Wade. (CHUCKLES)
Thank you, thank you.
(SIZZLING)
Aah!
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
(EMBER PANTING)
(BUBBLING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS)
It’s too hot in here.
(THRILLING MUSIC PLAYING)
Climb!
(WATER CRASHES)
Back up! Back up!
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS, GASPS)
(BUBBLING)
(GRUNTING)
(ROCKS CRUMBLING)
(FIRE WHOOSHES)
I have to open that up.
WADE: No!
The water will come in and you’ll be snuffed out.
But you’re evaporating. I don’t know what to do.
It’s okay.
No, it’s not okay!
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIZZLES)
Ember,
I have no regrets.
You gave me something people search for their whole lives.
But I can’t exist in a world without you.
(SOBS) I’m sorry I didn’t say it before.
(SNIFFLES)
I love you, Wade.
(BUBBLING)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
I really do love it when your light does that.
(SIZZLING)
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTING)
WOMAN: They’re in the hearth!
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
(SOLEMN MUSIC CONTINUES)
Wade is gone.
Oh, my daughter.
He saved me. (SIGHS)
Dad… this is all my fault. (CRIES)
The shop…
Wade.
(CONTINUES CRYING)
I need to tell you the truth.
I don’t want to run the shop.
I know that was your dream, but it’s not mine.
I’m sorry.
I’m a bad daughter.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
Ember, the shop was never the dream.
You were the dream.
You were always the dream.
(CRYING)
I loved him, Dad.
(EMBER CONTINUES CRYING)
(WADE CRIES DISTANTLY)
(CLUNKS)
Butterfly.
Butterfly. Windshield wipers. Half a butterfly.
(WADE CRYING)
(CLUNKING)
An old man on his deathbed remembers the summer he fell in love.
(WADE SOBBING)
She was out of his league and he was young and scared. (CHUCKLES)
He let her go, thinking surely summer would come again.
It never did.
(WADE CRYING)
You are perfect match. Ten out of ten.
(CRYING INTENSIFIES)
I don’t understand. What’s going on?
Just say something to make Water guy cry, okay?
Um… Uh…
You are no longer panned.
WADE: Banned.
Banned.
(WADE CRIES INTENSELY)
I want to explore the world with you, Wade Ripple.
I want to have you with me in my life.
Forever.
(HOPEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BUBBLING)
WADE: Whoa!
Your, uh, chimney needs cleaning.
(GASPING)
(SIZZLES)
(CHUCKLES)
(PEACEFUL NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
I knew it. My nose always knows.
(ALL LAUGHING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SLOSHING)
If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cutecumber.
(GRUNTS)
(FLOWER PINGS)
(GASPS)
My queen.
(GIGGLES)
Ah! I can’t believe I was gonna shut this place down.
(CHUCKLES) Whoa. Sorry.
(OBJECTS RATTLE)
(GASPS) Fern, you’re a Windbreakers fan?
Toot toot.
(IN FLIRTY TONE) Toot toot.
Oy, you know what I like best about running this shop?
Not having to eat Bernie’s kolnuts?
(ALL LAUGHING)
Sorry, I couldn’t hear you through my retirement.
(ALL LAUGHING)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(BELL JINGLES)
Ooh!
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(BLOWING)
(BELL JINGLES)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BELL JINGLES)
Hey!
Hi, Wade.
Hey, Wade! Yo, yo, yo!
(WADE CHUCKLES)
Ember, it’s time.
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
You know, I… I’m not really one for tearful goodbyes.
(SOBS) Oh, Wade.
You big liar. (SOBS)
(SINGING) Drip, drip, drip
BOTH: Goes the baby boy
(BOTH BAWLING)
Uh, are you sure about this one?
I’m sure.
Dad,
I’m sorry the internship is so far away.
I mean, it’s the best glass design company in the world, but who knows if it’ll become a real job.
I’ll be back in a few months anyway, and it might not end up being anything…
Ayyah. Shh. Go, start new life.
Your mother and I will be here.
Now, with more time for hanky-panky.
(SPEAKING FIRISH) Ê shútsh!
(ALL LAUGHING)
(SHIP HORN HONKS)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(CINDER GASPS)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(STEAL THE SHOW BY LAUV PLAYING)
(VOCALIZING)
Started out on a oneway train
Always knew where I was gonna go next
Didn’t know until I saw your face
I was missing out on every moment
You’ll be one and, baby, I’ll be two
Would you mind it if I said I’m into you?
I’m into you
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
(VOCALIZING)
You and I, we go together
You’re the sky I’ll be the weather
A pretty thing, the sun and rain, who knew?
Ohohoh, yeah
Summer night, perfect occasion
Where am I? You know I’ll be waitin’ for you
Oh, for you
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
(VOCALIZING)
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
You shine
You shine
Like forever
Lasts forever
You shine
You shine and steal the show
(VOCALIZING)
So if it’s real
Then, darlin’, let me know
(VOCALIZING)
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
Started out on a oneway train
Always knew where I was gonna go next
So if it’s real
Didn’t know until I saw your face
Then, darlin’, let me know
You’ll be one and, baby, I’ll be two
Would you mind it if I said I’m into you?
I wouldn’t mind
If you steal the show
(SONG ENDS)
(PEACEFUL NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
(TRANQUIL NEWAGE MUSIC PLAYING)
