Pearl in Paradise (2018) - full transcript

- Okay ladies, this is the spot.
- Thanks, Charlie.

This is so exciting.

I can't believe I'm
actually doing this.

- Like a 400 year old shipwreck.
- A 400 year old Spanish shipwreck

that's never been seen and
never been photographed.

Do you think there's
gold down there

or is that just an old legend?

Please tell me I didn't
forget my extra battery.

Hey Alex, what do
you think dad would say

if he knew I finally got
my dive certification?

I think he'd be really happy.



- Hey Charlie?
- Yo.

- What is the visibility?
- At least 80 feet.

That's what I like to hear.

These photos are
going to be perfect.

This is so exciting,
my first big dive.

I know and I'm glad
we're doing this together.

Yeah, it makes
me way less nervous.

Don't be nervous, you
just stick with me, okay?

You're gonna do great.
You're gonna love it down there.

Okay girls, here we go.

You ready?

These are gorgeous, Alex.

- The composition, perfect.
- Thank you.

- The sense of detail, exquisite.
- Thank you.



The lighting's like a painting.

I don't know what
else to say, Sharon.

- It is some of my best work.
- But they're two days late.

I know, but I just wanted
the photos to be perfect.

I had to use Ben's
Swiss orchard shots.

- What?
- And you know I didn't want

to use Ben's Swiss
orchard shots.

Do you know what
your problem is?

No, but I'm sure
you're gonna tell me.

You're too much
of a perfectionist.

I happen to think that perfectionism
is an admirable quality.

What did I say last week?

You said that this
shoot could be my ticket

to the Creative
Director position.

That's right.
You have a lot of great ideas

about the types of
stories we should do.

And I know you're dying
for more creative control.

But how can I trust you
to put an issue together

when you miss your
own deadlines?

Do you know what this is?

A list of all the
deadlines I've missed?

Funny.
It's Ben Watson's resume.

He wants to be
Creative Director, too.

Ben Watson?

Oh come on, Sharon, you even told me
I had a better eye than Ben.

And plus, most of his photos
don't even make it to the magazine.

Except for those
apple tree shots.

Do you know what he
has, that you don't?

Organization and discipline.

- Sharon, the meeting's starting.
- I'll be right there.

Now if you'll excuse me.

The cover story for our
30th anniversary issue

fell through and I have to
figure something out fast.

I'm thinking 30 of the best scenic
views or something like that.

I don't know, it'll come to me.

There, look how organized I am.

Pearls.

Legend of the Blue
Polynesian Pearl.

Hey Alex.

Ben, hey.

Congratulations on your shots
making the cover.

- Thanks.
- Yeah, it was great.

Can I help you?
Just like I'm busy here.

Did Sharon tell you
the idea I pitched

for the anniversary issue?

Nope.

- Chan Dan Ya.
- What's that?

It's a cliff in China that spits out
a stone egg once every 30 years.

Perfect for the 30th anniversary,
don't you think?

Hello?
That's my sister.

Yeah, how are you?
Renee, I...

Tourists began flocking to Fiji

to find the pearl
after the release

of the bestselling
book Pearl in Paradise.

Although it has
never been found,

locals believe the
rare pearl is buried

somewhere in the
rainforests of Viti Levu.

When's the next book
coming out, Colin?

If you don't mind me asking.

Why thank you, Molly.

You know I just turned
in the final draft

to the editor, so with
editor notes and all that,

mid, probably February.

- Did you decide on a title?
- I did.

Treasures in Taipei,
but don't tell anybody.

Blake Montoya goes to Asia, huh?
Cool.

You've probably been there
a million times anyway.

Usual raspberry scone and jam?

Yeah, you know what,
I'm gonna wait though

until my agent gets here.
She should be here any minute.

Thank you, Molly.

Colin Page, nice to meet you.

- Who are you?
- Rita didn't tell you?

I'm Derek Foster and I'm gonna be
working closely with you from now on.

Rita's been my
agent for 10 years

and now I'm getting passed off
to a junior agent?

No, she'll remained involved.

It'll just allow her to focus
on a few clients

that need more
attention right now.

Trust me, though,
you're in good hands.

Sir, what can I get you?

What are you drinking?

It's an organic Ceylon
tea from Sri Lanka.

He brings his own.

Just a regular coffee,
two Splendas.

I'm not gonna lie to you,
I'm a really big fan.

- Really?
- Yeah.

You've got a couple really
remarkable successes.

Pearl in Paradise sold 23,000
copies in its first week.

It's impressive.
Impressive for eight years ago.

Okay, eight years ago
you were in high school.

I'm wise beyond my years.

Let's talk facts, you're last three
books have tapered off dramatically.

I wouldn't say dramatically.

The sales report, the
last two barely sold enough

to stay on the shelves.
Online was even worse.

Diamonds in Dubai
made 2,000 downloads.

What's going on C. P.?
Talk to me.

What are you my therapist now?

Look, I read your manuscript
for Treasures in Taipei.

And I can see why the
publisher's rejecting it.

What, they rejected it?

Editor thought it was a greatest
hits of all your old stuff.

Same ole, same ole.
She wants new.

She wants fresh and
I agree with her.

You really, really
played it safe.

I have never had a
manuscript rejected from Rita.

Just rewrite it.

Get rid of Blake Montoya
and create a new character

- with higher stakes.
- No, I can't get rid of him.

Blake Montoya, the fans
like Blake Montoya.

They love Blake, they're
not just gonna spend pages

learning a new char...
I'm calling Rita.

Now look, Rita brought me in
to help you find a new approach.

We have to reinvent you
as an author.

If you trust me, I can
help you make a comeback.

- And if I don't?
- The publisher is gonna drop you.

- And Rita will, too.
- Oh boy.

Sharon, check this out.

What is the traditional 30th
wedding anniversary gift?

Is this a rhetorical question or do
you actually want me to guess?

Pearls.

Pearls, for the cover of
the anniversary issue.

So there is this rare blue pearl

buried somewhere in Fiji and
I'm gonna be the one to find it

and I'm gonna photograph
the entire thing.

- And how are you gonna do that?
- Glad you asked.

So there's this guy
named Colin Page

and he wrote
a romance-adventure book

about eight years ago.
International best seller.

Pearl in Paradise.

- Yes.
- I love that book.

Okay, so in the forward,
he claims

to be the only person who
knows where this pearl is.

Fantastic idea, Alex.

You take the photos,
he'll handle the writing.

Call this guy's agent and find out
how soon he can leave.

- No, no, no, no.
- Problem?

Well, I was just gonna call him

and interview him and then
I was gonna go on my own.

He's a best selling author.

Can you imagine the guest
piece he'll come up with?

But I sort of imagined

this first person
photographic narrative

of my journey through
the rainforest,

which would parallel
my emotional journey.

I'll take the photos and
he can do the writing.

Great idea,
glad you thought of it.

- Have you read the book?
- Yeah, yeah.

You should read the book.

Yeah.

Hey Sharon, look I know...
I know I really messed up,

but if I can prove to you
that I am disciplined

and organized enough
to pull this off,

will you give me the
Creative Director position?

- You'd certainly have an edge.
- Is that a yes?

- An edge.
- I'll take it.

I'm not going to Fiji.

Well no, I'm busy.
I don't have six days to traipse

around a rainforest
looking for a pearl.

I know you're a homebody,

but National Discoveries
has 2.5 million readers.

That's 2.5 million people
who will remember

what a talented writer you are.

That's 2.5 million
additional people

to buy Taipei when it comes out.

- It's a bad idea.
- No, it's a good idea.

You know where the pearl is,
now go get it.

Wait, no, you didn't lie about
the pearl being real, did you?

No, no, no.

I mean I have never seen it,
but I'm sure that it exists.

And you know where it's buried?

Well see, I might have oversold
that part, just a little bit.

Can you find it on Google Maps?

Look, can we please just pass
on this article idea?

- Listen to me, C. P.
- Please don't call me that.

I told you it doesn't matter
how fantastic the rewrite is

if no one buys it.

This article is the thing
we need to save your career.

I'll forward your boarding
pass, you leave tomorrow.

Hello?

Fiji.

Are you sure you're okay
apartment sitting for me

for like the millionth time?

Of course.

Hey, have you,

have you seen my Merino socks?

I have no idea what
you just asked me.

Found 'em.

Okay, so legend
has it that the pearl

comes from a clam instead of an oyster,
which makes it more rare.

- Yeah, I know.
- How are you gonna find it?

A few good maps, an expert
guide, maybe a little faith.

And what will you do with it?

I think I would just donate it
to a museum in Fiji.

Yeah, I think people
need to see it.

Plus, it's not about the money,
I just want the promotion.

I don't understand why you want
to be Creative Director so bad.

You're gonna be home a lot more,

not traveling as much,
managing staff.

I know.
I know, Renee, but I just,

I wanna inspire people
to go on adventures.

You know, go see the world.
Experience it, try new things.

Exactly how dad inspired me,
you know?

Yeah, yeah I do.

So wait, are you saying
that your globetrotting days

are behind you and you're ready
to settle down?

- No.
- Okay, so listen to this.

If a couple finds
this pearl together,

it's true love and they're
destined to be married.

So who's this guy you're
meeting up with again?

Stop it.
I know what you're doing.

Here, this is his book.

A Blake Montoya Adventure.

Okay, so if this guy
claims to be the only one

who knows where the pearl is,

why didn't he bring it back
with him?

I don't know.
I'm gonna ask him though.

Maybe he did.
Maybe he just didn't tell anyone.

Well all I do know is
that all of my research

about the pearl leads
me back to this writer,

so apparently he's the expert.

Done, ta-da.

So it's 16 hours ahead in Fiji,

which makes it 9:30
in the morning, yeah.

She should be awake.

- Hello?
- Hey Serita, hi.

It's Colin Page, do you...

Colin, it's so nice to hear
your voice again.

- How's New York?
- Well, New York is New York.

- How's Fiji?
- Beautiful as always.

Well, do you remember all
those conversations we had

when you trying to
get me to come to Fiji

while I was researching my book?

How could I forget?

And do you remember

that you said if I
were to come to Fiji

that you would show me your
great grandfather's journal?

I'm hoping it might
provide some clues

as to where the pearl might be.

Let me guess.
You're coming to Fiji.

Yes I am.

Wonderful, I can finally
put a face to the voice.

I'm really looking
forward to seeing you.

Me too.

Excuse me, sir,
I think this is mine.

Sorry, I think it's mine,
it matches my set.

- Yeah, no, I'm 100% sure.
- Are you sure?

I've got my name on it.
It has a tag.

So do I. It's a tag
with my name on it, too.

No tag.

All right, well why don't
you just open it up.

I'm sure those fall
off all the time.

- Right here?
- Yeah, where else?

I still don't have time.

Yeah, here it is, there's mine.
That's my name.

Okay.

All right.

Fiji.

Ladies and gentlemen,
may I have your attention.

Taxi.

Hi.

All right, hang on.

Well, hi.

Thank you.

Okay.

Taxi.

Hi, welcome.

Thank you.

That would never happen.

You're all checked in,
Miss Anderson.

- Thank you.
- You're most welcome.

Anything else?

Could you tell me if Colin Page
has checked in yet?

- I'll check.
- Thank you.

- Not yet.
- Okay, can I leave him a note?

Colin, I can't wait to start
this adventure with you.

Let's meet in the lobby
tomorrow at eight for breakfast.

Alex.

The party's
just getting started,

DJ Isikeli is going to keep you
moving, Fiji style.

All right.

So much for writing.

Bartender.

Surprise me.

Okay, hi, excuse me.

Excuse me, is this noise,

is it gonna be
this loud all day?

Hey you.
I see you finally found your bag.

I was right, wasn't I?

- It was mine.
- Sorry.

Yeah, and also for the record
you happened to take my cab,

- but that is neither here nor there.
- What? What are you talking about?

What is that?

I have no idea,
but it's really good.

- You want one?
- No, no, no,

I'm a tea, I don't know.
I'm a tea drinker.

- You're what?
- Tea, I drink tea.

Tea?
In this climate?

Oh no, any climate.
Yeah, no, it's...

Anyway I gotta get back
to my room

and get some work done before
I head out tomorrow morning

on this ridiculous thing.

Back up to your room?

Come on, you're in the
middle of paradise here.

Bartender, can you
get him one of these?

Okay, twist my arm.

Yeah, just slow down.

So tell me about
this ridiculous thing

you gotta do tomorrow.

Okay, yeah.

So I'm a writer
and eight years ago

I wrote a book called
Pearl in Paradise

and so tomorrow I'm heading out

on a trekking adventure
through the rainforest

with a photographer
that I've never met

to help her write an article
for a magazine I don't read.

Thank you.

You're Colin Page.

Yeah, I am.

- Have you read my book?
- Yes.

Yeah, I actually just got through
reading it about five minutes ago.

That's a coincidence.
What'd you think?

- Well I just couldn't put it down.
- Thank you, I appreciate that.

- And you are?
- I'm Alex Anderson.

Photographer.

- National Discoveries.
- National Discoveries.

Magazine.

Yeah.

Or you can just call me
your ridiculous thing partner.

That...

Yeah.

Okay, hold on a second.
Let's try this again, shall we?

Are you Alex Anderson,
the famous photographer

from National
Discovery Magazine?

- Because I'm a huge fan.
- You are?

- Yes, I am actually.
- Are you really?

No, honestly I am.

When I found out we were
doing this article together,

I went online and I looked
at the last 10 issues

of your work and I think
you're very talented.

Well thank you.

Yeah, I mean I don't know
anything about photography.

Did you actually read my book?

- Yes, I did.
- Yeah?

But what'd you think?

I thought that Blake Montoya
was a phenomenal character.

- Yeah?
- Yeah, he's attractive and smart

and he always knows what to say.

I mean he's basically
like the perfect guy.

I can understand how women
all over the world love this book.

For me, some of the technical details
didn't ring true, but that's...

- Which ones?
- Do you have all day?

- Are you?
- I'm joking.

I'm joking.

How do you know
where the pearl is?

Now that is confidential.

I can't reveal my sources.

- What?
- Yeah.

- You're not gonna tell me?
- No, I'm gonna show you.

Okay, all right,
I can respect that.

Well can you at least tell
me what it looks like?

I don't know what it looks like.

- What?
- No, I've never seen it.

I don't know how big it is.
I don't know what color it is.

I made all that up for my book.

Okay, but why didn't you
just dig it up

the first time you went to Fiji?

Well, that's the thing Alex,

I've never even been
to Fiji before.

You've never been here?
Are you serious?

Nope, I wrote Pearl
of Paradise entirely

from my home office
in Saratoga Springs.

Okay, so let me
get this straight.

So you never been to Fiji,

yet you know where
this pearl is buried?

That's, yes, that's
what I'm saying.

And I have my sources.

Yeah, yeah, your
confidential sources, right?

- Yeah.
- Okay.

You know for someone
who's never been to Fiji,

your description's like spot on.

Exhaustive research,
all my books are like that.

Well wouldn't you rather
go see a place

in person, you know
like feel the energy?

I can get all that in a library.

Library?
Come on, you look.

You can't get, you can't
get this from a library.

Okay, if I do my job well,

then the reader can stay
in the comfort

of their own home and
they can travel the world

using their imagination.

And if I do my job well,

then I can inspire people
to go and see the places

that I take photos of.

- Fair enough.
- Yeah.

You know I remember the first
time I ever took a photo.

You do?

Yep, I was in middle school
and I went hiking

to these foothills with my dad.
He was a big hiker.

And the sun was setting
and we stopped,

the light was just perfect,
but then I took a picture

and I brought it back
to school with me

and there was this boy at school

who was so inspired
by my little photo

that he took his dad to see
these very same foothills.

And I think that was
actually the first time

he ever went hiking
with his dad.

Yeah.

That's cool.

Yeah, it was cool.

That's the moment,
that's when I knew

this is what I wanna do
for the rest of my life.

That was it.

You know I think with my
photos and your writing,

- this article is gonna be really good.
- Here's hoping.

- It is.
- Yeah.

Now I'm just right up here, so...

Okay, well do you still

wanna meet tomorrow
morning at eight?

Yeah, eight's fine.

- I might be 8:15.
- I'll wait.

- Thank you, Alex.
- Bye.

Ben Watson already turned in
his article on the cliff in China?

Yesterday afternoon,
fascinating.

Now the only reason
I'm telling you this

is because I need something
really great from you on time.

Okay, I promise you'll get that.

Hold on.

- Hey, can I call you right back?
- Okay.

Thanks.

- Hello?
- Hi, Alex, it's Colin.

What exactly do you pack
for a three day hike?

Yeah, well did you
bring your entire closet?

Well you know I
wanted to be prepared.

Yeah, but it's only prepared
if you bring the right things.

Okay, well.

No, denim retains moisture.

These are rated
five star online.

These are zero stars
for the rainforest.

There's no waterproof
lining here, no tread.

I mean these are great
if you wanna walk

through a parking lot.

No.

- They're sunglasses, Alex.
- They're not polarized.

You're not gonna be able to see.

This sounds like
a lovely experience.

You know what this can
be a lovely experience

if you have the right clothing
and the right attitude

you might actually have fun.

And then we can both be
little Blake Montoya's.

Right?

- Come on, let's go shopping.
- Okay, can I make a list real quick?

No, no, no, no,
I don't do lists.

It's all, it's all right here.

I do, do lists, so I need to,

it's a peace of
mind thing, hold on.

- Are you coming?
- No, what if we forget something?

Okay, but if you're
gonna forget something,

won't you also forget
to put it on the list?

What?

Come on.

It doesn't even make sense, if you,
you, you, you put it on a list

when you remember it.

Hold on, so if, so if your boss

chooses your story on the pearl
for the cover,

you'll get a promotion?

Yeah, and then I get
to have more control

of the kinds of stories we do

and when I become
Creative Director,

I wanna do more like these.

Hi, can we have two, please?

- Have you ever had these?
- Coconuts?

Well they're called Neo Domo,
they're a type of coconut, yeah.

- Thank you.
- Cool.

Thank you.

They are amazing.

Cheers to trying new things.

Yeah, well that's, that is,

it's a lot sweeter than
I thought it would be.

See?

Can't get that from a book,
now can you?

Here, here, here you go.

So if we don't get a picture
of the pearl,

then you get neither the
promotion nor the cover?

But I have a secret weapon.

You.

- And do you, do you like beige?
- I prefer blue.

Try these.
Look a solar shower.

- What's that?
- A solar shower.

You fill it up with water,
you hang it up in a tree

and then the sun heats the water

and when you're done
you just pack it up

and you're ready to go.

How cool is that?
Look at that.

I mean most women I know
wouldn't wanna take a shower

from a bag hanging
in a tree, but...

Yeah, they just read about it.

Hi.

This is a lot of stuff.

Yeah, there's a little
expedition happening.

Well, look at that.

Little blue pearls.

So this is in reference
to the legend, right?

You find the blue pearl and
then you find true love?

Yeah, it's too bad no
one's ever found it though.

All those doomed relationships.

Well Colin here,
did write a book about it.

It's a fiction book, but still.

Wait, Colin.
You're, you're Colin Page?

Yes.

Oh my gosh, I've read your book.
I read all your books.

Papa, papa come here.

Hello.

This is the guy who
wrote Pearl in Paradise.

Blake Montoya, in the flesh.

- It is a pleasure to meet you.
- Actually, I'm...

I'm Malakai and this
is my daughter, Daniela.

- Hi.
- Hi, Daniela.

- This is my friend, Alex.
- Hi, I'm Alex Anderson.

It's nice to meet you.

We love that book.

My business has
tripled because of it.

People come from
all around the world

just to find the blue pearl.

- Bula.
- Bula.

But they always leave
empty handed.

Well, they've come
to find the pearl.

Well, how romantic,
when's the big day?

- No, no, no.
- No, no, no, no.

- We're not, it's a strictly professional.
- Professional.

I'm a photographer for
Natural Discoveries Magazine.

I cannot believe
the real Blake Montoya

is standing right
here in my store.

Actually I'm not,
I'm not Blake Montoya.

He's just a character
that I created.

I'm a writer, I'm
an author, so...

My name is Colin Page.
I'm Colin Page.

I know that, but how different
can you be? You wrote it.

Blake Montoya came
from somewhere, right?

Hey Daniela, call your mother
and tell her to come down here.

No, no, no, you
don't need to do that.

I'll just text her.

- Will you autograph it?
- Sure.

Malakai, M-A-L-A-K-A-I.

Okay.

- And Daniela.
- Sure.

Do you guys happen
to know of a local guy,

someone that can
take us on a hike?

It would be my honor,
if I could take you

and your fiance up to
find the pearl, no charge.

- We can leave in the morning.
- Yeah, yeah, that'd be great.

But are you okay?

I mean it's gonna be three days
out of your time.

Two days, there are roads
part way up we can drive.

That's great news.

No, no, no, no, no.

I have to take pictures along
the way for the magazine,

so we'll be hiking.

We could pull over and
you can take pictures

- of the things...
- Can I go with you, please?

My daughter will come,
she's an avid hiker.

The more the merrier.

Yeah, no, we'll get the photos
to your Editor-in-Chief sooner

if we do that, if we don't hike.

I have so much to learn from
an experienced outdoorsman

like Blake Montoya.

I'm not winning
this argument, am I?

No.

Pictures.

Smile.

Well, Mr. Blake Montoya,
hope you've done your research.

Okay.

Hi.

- So her name is Serita?
- Yes.

And she works
here at the library?

I mean I just wanna interview
her for the article.

She knows about the pearl?

She does, but I think
it's always important

to get a local
perspective, you know?

Have some unique insight, it
could be valuable, important.

But I thought that
you were the expert.

I am.

But you can never learn
too much about the pearl,

plus you're gonna get
some beautiful photographs

if you haven't already.

It's right here.

Serita?

- Colin.
- Hi.

It's so nice to see you.

- And this is?
- Hi, I'm Alex.

It's nice to meet you.

- Thank you.
- The both of you.

Please sit.

- I found the journal for you, Colin.
- That is amazing, Serita.

It's a collection of handmade
maps, notes, even some poems.

Poems?

Do you, do...
Is it okay if I leaf through it?

My great grandfather,
he wrote many poems

to his beloved wife back home.

Oh that's sweet.

It's like a love story unfolding
right before you eyes.

Would you mind
if I took some shots?

Of course.

The journal can be read
in many ways.

You can see it for what it is
or for what you want it to be.

Okay, this is amazing.
Serita, I appreciate it.

Yeah, me too.

And you know it's nice to
finally meet you face to face.

Well you can learn a lot
from a face.

Would it be alright if
I borrowed this for a few days,

just to get your
grandfather's perspective

and I promise you that
I will guard it with my life.

I have no doubt
in my heart you will.

That's great.
This is great.

He loves his research.

Hi.

- Hi.
- Hey.

You came down.

Yeah, I thought I'd take
a little bit of a break.

Yeah.

- How's the food?
- It's excellent.

- Good.
- Yeah. Really, really good.

I just wanted to let you know
how excited I am about tomorrow.

- You are?
- Yeah.

That is my cue
to get back to work.

No, no, no, no, no.

You have to dance with me,
come on. It looks like fun, try it.

Come on, dance with me.

Oh boy, I haven't danced
in a while.

All right, well I know
you know how.

Come on, just loosen up
a little bit.

Nobody's looking at you,
don't worry.

You're doing good, see?

- Blake Montoya can dance, right?
- Well, I'm not Blake, so...

I love this music.

- This is nice, huh?
- Yeah.

- This is fun.
- This is fun, you're right.

Look at that.

Now you really get to show me
how you can dance.

- What are you doing?
- I should get some work done.

I should get some work done,
but I will see you tomorrow.

- Bright and early.
- Okay.

- Good night, Alex.
- Colin.

Okay, night.

- Hey, sorry I'm late.
- Hey, you look, you look great.

You look like a character
out of one of my books.

And you look like you're ready
to hike the Fijian rainforest.

Hey.

- Hey.
- Hey guys.

- Bula, let's hit the road.
- All right.

- Hey.
- Thank you.

Okay.

Hey, I brought my camera, too.

Maybe you can give me
some pointers.

- Sure, yeah.
- Thanks.

I was on the yearbook staff
in my high school, you know?

That is very cool.

You know I would say the key
is to find something

you're passionate about.

Something that really
inspires you.

This is beautiful.

Yeah, it is.

Well, let's go, Mr. Montoya.

We don't have
to go in there, do we?

- In there?
- Yeah, it's a jungle, Colin.

You're not afraid
of spiders, are you?

Why?

Why?

Dang it.

Okay.
I don't like this.

Blake Montoya.

Malakai, what is it?

It's a Tagimoucia orchid.

How can it be?

A what?

A Tagimoucia.
It means to cry in your sleep.

It's beautiful.

That's the national flower
of Fiji, isn't it?

Isn't that right?

Yeah, but it only grows
on the island of Taveuni.

Northeast of here.

I've never seen one
on this island.

It means something.

Yeah, sometimes things appear
when least expected.

- It's really something actually.
- Yeah, it is.

- You okay?
- Thanks. Yeah, no I'm fine.

- Got you.
- Thank you. I'm good.

Sorry, sometimes I just
get all wrapped up

in getting that shot.

You sure it's not your shoes
because you know you need the ones

- with the tread.
- The boots with the tread

- and the waterproof lining.
- And the waterproof lining.

Yeah, I've got all that.

- Who taught you that?
- A very wise woman.

- Very good at what she does.
- She is good at what she does.

Watch your step.

Look, it's an old balabala.

That's beautiful.

That is very cool.

Why don't you try this?

- Really?
- Yeah, go ahead.

- Thanks.
- You're welcome.

Oh no.

- I'm sorry.
- No, no, no, it's okay.

- Are you okay?
- I'm okay, but your lens.

You know what actually
I don't think it's broke.

Alright, I have some lens wipes
in my bag here.

It'll be okay.

I thought I put 'em in here.

Do you have any?

No.
I must have left 'em at home.

- This is my only short zoom.
- Can I see it for a second?

Okay, just don't wipe it
on your shirt.

You'll scratch the lens.

I know.

So the tannic acid in black tea

acts as a non-abrasive
cleansing agent.

To dissolve the dirt.

Look at that.
Good as new.

Remarkable,
how did you know that?

A bit of research.
I know a lot about tea.

In Diamonds in Dubai.

Blake Montoya was trying
to catch an exporter

who was smuggling gems from
Europe in crates of tea.

Blake Montoya
strikes again.

- Thanks.
- Yeah.

Alright, we'll stop here
and make camp for the night.

That's terrific.

Exhausted.
I'm exhausted.

Not here.

Down there.

Down there?

It's too steep to hike,
so we'll tie off a line

to be safe and descend by rope.

Did he just say descend by rope?

Okay.

Good to go.

Who's going first?

Colin?

Actually I think that one of us
should probably go first.

No, no, no, no, I got it, Alex.

I can go, I can go.
You can watch me go down.

Alex, it's a rope,
how hard can it be?

- Seriously I can help you.
- Seriously I'm fine.

I just pitch it down, right?

You throw the rope out.

Why don't you just tell them
you've never done this before?

All right, guys.

See you at the bottom.

How hard can it be?

You okay?

Hey, I'm coming down.

I'm okay.

I'm okay.

Come on.

- Don't move, are you okay?
- No, I'm okay, I'm okay.

- I'm all right.
- Are you sure?

- I'm okay.
- You fell pretty far.

We're gonna build,
we'll go pitch tents.

Yeah no, Daniela
and I can do that.

One of you guys go
gather some firewood.

Yeah, we'll do that.

Colin, this way.

- All right.
- This way.

I'm okay.

You know I could have
helped you out there.

What would
Blake Montoya have done?

He would have been the first
to grab the rope just like you.

There you go.

I gotta be honest.

It was thrilling.

I mean until obvi... until
it wasn't and then it hurt.

- It just hurt.
- It looked like it hurt.

So what does your
boyfriend think

about you being
gone all the time

when you're trekking
around the world

taking pictures of
volcanoes and wild animals

and stuff or is that,
is that too personal?

No, no, it's not too personal.

Well trekking around the world
and taking pictures of volcanoes

and wild animals and stuff is exactly
why I don't have a boyfriend.

Turns out in relationships,

people actually wanna
spend time together.

- Imagine that, right?
- Fancy that.

What about you though?

Mr. Romance slash
adventure novelist.

I mean you must have women
lined up around the block.

Yeah, I do, which is why
I moved into a gated community.

No all kidding aside, I date,

but it just never seems to last.

Why?

Because I think they expect
Blake Montoya.

And I'm not Blake.

And even Malakai and
Daniela expect him

and he's you know this
adventure seeking guy

who lives for danger
and Colin Page

is a writer who sits in
a room all day long alone

telling stories for a living.

Yeah, but Colin Page is...
he's smart and nice.

He's got a good sense of humor.

He's maybe even
a little good looking.

- Really?
- Yeah.

I got a maybe?

- A little?
- Just, just a little.

And in the haze of the dawn,
they saw it.

"Could that be it?"
Valencia asked.

"Is that the pearl?"
Blake craned his head closer

and saw the magnificent
opalescent shimmer.

At last, they found it.

It is an honor to be
reading your book with you.

Papa, don't interrupt.
My favorite part's coming up.

They kiss after they find
the blue pearl.

Do you think the pearl's
gonna look like that

when we find it?

Do you think the clam's
gonna be there, too?

That is confidential.

So?

Starry night.

The pearl of love.

When all seemed lost I
turned my back on the rocks

and I followed the
path of my tears.

Where I fell asleep
for 50 years.

Busy?

Here you go.

Soursop.
Native fruit to Fiji.

That's amazing, thank you.

I didn't think
you'd ever tried it before.

No.

I get the sense this might be
your first time to Fiji.

You got that from
our first day hiking?

I got that from the first time
you walked into my store.

Geez.
Was that obvious?

Malakai, I gotta be
honest with you, man.

I am a fraud, in every sense
of the word.

Yeah, I wouldn't say that
my friend.

The only person
you can be is you.

No, there's something
that I have to tell Alex

that I haven't told her yet.

I don't know where the pearl is.

- I know.
- You know?

Of course, nobody does.
It's a fairy tale, it's a myth.

It's good for business
and a fun story

and people come from
all around the world

just to find the blue
pearl, but nobody ever does.

No, Malakai, I'm sorry.

Look, look, look, look,
I know generally where it is,

it's on the other side
of the river.

It's there, I just don't know
exactly where it's buried.

And that what I was hoping
was that this journal

would, I don't know,
provide some clues,

some link to my missing...

See he found it.

Well he claimed to have found
the pearl, he knew where it was.

Perhaps you have to ask yourself

if he found it,
why would he have left it?

Look, my friend, Ku operates
a Eco-village not far from here.

About three kilometers away.

His father, Akamu knows
a great deal about the legend.

Maybe he can help.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

That would be awesome.

Colin, good night.

Good night.

- Thank you again. Night.
- All right.

All right.
I'll see you tomorrow.

Of my tears
where I fell asleep for 50 years

and I woke to the prize
of your bright starry eyes

and saw them reflected where
your love forever lies.

I didn't know
you were such a poet.

No, this is the,
this is the poem

that Serita's great
grandfather wrote to his wife.

It's a love poem.

And it's, I don't know,
this journal

is filled with, look at it,
sketches, and pressed flowers.

And then you got a waterfall.

What do you think
all this stuff means?

I don't know.

It's a mystery.

Speaking of mystery,
look up there.

I love the night sky.

My dad used to take me
camping when I was little

and I always used to sleep
underneath the stars.

I loved it, I still do.

Look at that one right up there.
Straight ahead right there.

That's Sagittarius.

I figured you'd like it
'cause it's shaped like a teapot.

- It's a teapot.
- Yeah.

And right next to Sagittarius
is Aquila.

You know constellations?

Yeah, I'm, I read the Odyssey

while I was in 8th grade I
became a bit of a star nerd.

I read that.

- Yeah?
- I loved it.

- Yeah, great book.
- It's a great book, yeah.

That book made me wanna learn
everything I could about stars.

Made me wanna travel the world.

Yeah, you know I always
wanted to do this piece

on astronomy for the magazine.

And what I would do is I would
create a travel map, right?

And I'd start in the
Northern Hemisphere

and I would show you
all the constellations

you'd see as you traveled south.

- That's a great idea.
- Yeah?

Why didn't you do it?

Last Creative Director killed it,
so I just kinda forgot about it.

It's a brilliant idea.

Promise me that
you'll revisit it

because that is a trip
that even I would make.

- Really?
- Yeah.

All right then, I'll keep that
in my back pocket.

- Well, I'm pretty tired.
- You gonna go to sleep?

Yeah.

- Hey Alex.
- Yes.

Sweet dreams.

You too.

- So this is your friend's Eco-lodge?
- Totally off the grid.

Operated by my friend, Ku.

Once was a place his
grandmother lived.

The villagers all moved out,
but she wanted to preserve it.

What I wanna do is interview
Ku's father for the article.

Yeah, I think that'd be great.
This place is lovely.

My friend I've asked him.

- My friend.
- Hey, hey, hey.

You finally made it.

- Good to see you.
- Good to see you.

- Come to see.
- Remember my daughter,

- Daniela?
- Of course.

- Hey, good to see you again.
- Good to see you, Daniela.

This is Colin, the famous
author of Pearl in Paradise.

- It's a pleasure to meet you.
- Likewise.

Alex, a famous
American photographer.

- Pleased to meet you, Alex.
- It's nice to meet you.

- Ku, can Colin talk to your father?
- He's not here.

But he's coming over for dinner.
You could meet him then.

Yeah? That would be
perfect, thank you.

Please come with me,
right this way.

- How are you?
- Not too bad, man.

It's good to see you.
You've done some renovation.

Yes, yes, yes, you like it?

Well thank you guys so much

for having us for
dinner, Mr. Akamu.

- Just Akamu.
- Akamu, sorry.

So Alex and I are working
on an article together

about the pearl for the
magazine that she works for.

Natural Discoveries,
I'm taking the pictures

and he's writing the article.

Yeah and Malakai said that you know
a great deal about the pearl.

As do you.
I know your book.

A fine tale.

Yeah well, thank you.

Which leads me
to ask you a question.

Do you think that the description
of the pearl in my book...

Lived up to your
experience of it?

I've never seen it.

I'm confused.

- How do you know it exists?
- Because I do.

A British man wrote
about it many years ago.

Right, right, I have his journal.
Should I, do you wanna see it?

There is a little known legend
among my people,

- about the origin of the pearl.
- Yeah?

The legend of the fisherman.
You've done your research.

Wait a minute, the legend of...
that's not in your book.

No, no, but I mean
I know of its existence.

You can't find it
anywhere online.

There's no written record of it.
It's oral history.

Do you know it?

Could you tell us?

600 years ago, there was
a poor fisherman,

in love with the daughter
of a wealthy aristocrat

who would not let them marry.

One day, while
he was looking for clams

in the Navua River,
he navigated through a tributary

and there he found a giant clam.

The clam opened, revealing
a beautiful rare blue pearl.

The fisherman was ecstatic.
What luck!

He thought if he gave the pearl
to the young woman,

he'd prove to her and her
family that he was worthy

of their daughter's
hand in marriage.

So he put the pearl
in a wooden box

to present to the family.

As he sailed back, the rains
came rocking the small boat.

The pearl fell back
into the water.

The fisherman was so devastated,

he couldn't bring himself
to face the young woman.

He spent his remaining years
searching in vain for the pearl.

And cried in his sleep
for 50 years.

Over the next few centuries,
the tributary dried up.

And it is said that the
fisherman's decades of tears

now flow over the rocky shores
that remain in its wake.

It is believed that the
pearl represents the love

that the young woman and the
fisherman should have had.

He spent his entire life
going after the pearl,

when he should have been
going after her heart.

He thought that the pearl
would make him worthy of her love,

but he already had her love.
He lost his faith in her.

The pearl itself
was worth nothing.

Its worth is what
is accorded to it.

Find the fisherman's lost love,
and you will find the pearl.

Now, enough talk, please eat.

This looks, this
looks very good.

Hey.

Good morning.

Good morning, Daniela.
How are you?

How are you guys?

We're doing good,
how'd you sleep?

Yeah, pretty good,
how 'bout you?

- Like a baby.
- A bit buggy.

Malakai, where's your stuff?

Yeah it rained
further down the island

and there may be flooding.

Akamu's asked me to hang
around and help out.

You two should be fine

to navigate the rest of the way
by yourself, yeah?

Be careful and we'll see you
when you get back.

- With the pearl.
- With the pearl.

Got it.

Hey, thanks for everything.

Rained further down
the island, really?

Seemed believable to me.

They have to do this on their own.
You know that, Daniela.

I do.

- Look at this.
- Look at me.

Okay, now look away.

It's good.

Hey.

Thank you.

- For taking your picture?
- No, for this.

For pitching the idea
for the article.

I mean I wouldn't have
come here otherwise.

That's really sweet.

Yeah, you're welcome.

I can't, Alex.

What are you talking about,
yeah you can.

No, I mean I have something
that I need to tell you, Alex.

And it's something that
I should've been honest about

before we even left for Fiji.

Okay.

I don't know exactly
where the pearl is buried.

Okay, but you...

you know like generally
where it is, right?

Are you kidding me?

I'm sorry, I thought
I was gonna be able

to piece together information
from the journal and interviews.

If you are just
now telling me this.

Okay, hold on, I wanted
to tell you sooner,

but then you told me
how high the stakes were

with your promotion
and inspiring people.

And, and, and, and
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Why did you lie to me?

Why would you lie to me?

I didn't plan on this and
I didn't want to let you down.

For the first time in my life

I thought that I could
be as adventurous

and as exciting as this
figment of my imagination

that I cannot live up to.

I mean...

He always knows
the right things to say

and I clearly don't.

And when you called me and
you offered me this opportunity,

I was scared, Alex,
I didn't wanna do it,

but I was also so excited

and I thought for a second if I could
just, that if we could do this,

that we could find this pearl

that somehow I'd fix it,
but all it did

is prove that I am
a disappointment.

And I'm sorry, I'm sorry
that I lied to you.

I am sorry that
I wasted your time

and I am sorry that
I got your hopes up, Alex.

So.

I guess we should
head back, huh?

Colin, Colin.

For somebody who doesn't
know what to say,

you certainly knew what to say.

And I gotta be honest with you.

If you would've told me
all of that back in New York,

that you didn't know
where the pearl was.

I still would've come
on this trip.

But would you ask me
to come with you?

Yeah.

Look at this.
Look at where we are right now.

I mean who knows
what's out there, right?

Who knows what we're gonna see.

And I wanna inspire people

and I know you wanna
inspire people.

So let's do this.

Let's keep going.

- You with me?
- Yeah.

What have we got to lose?

This is beautiful.

Okay, according to this map...

- Yeah.
- Look, there's a bridge

about a mile that way,

so you know we'd have
to double back, but.

No, no, I say we cross it.

Yeah.

It doesn't look that deep.
It's, it's, it's moving.

- Pretty fast.
- That's not fast, you'll be fine.

Look, everything that's
important goes in a dry bag.

What's a dry bag?

You are prepared.

All right then.

Good luck.

Alex.

Alex!

Come here.

I got you, I got you.

I got it.

I'll get it.

Here.

Come here, come here.

You okay?

Yeah.

You?

All right, I told you we should
have taken the bridge.

The bridge.

I'm so sorry.
I will listen to you from now on.

I gotta tell you though,
we make a good team, huh?

- Yeah, we do.
- Yeah, we do.

All that's missing
is the pearl, right?

Yeah, the pearl.

You know what?

I don't even care about
my promotion anymore.

- Yeah?
- No.

That's crazy.

I haven't thought about
my book in three days.

Yeah, I just,

I just wanna find the pearl.

I want us to find that pearl.
I really do.

And I think that we should,

we should keep going.

- I'm so close.
- Yeah.

What? What?

Wait, are you crying?

No, I got, a bug in my eye.

- It looks like you're crying.
- My eye.

Wait a minute.

- Hold on.
- What?

I just, I just thought of something
that Akamu said last night.

He was talking
about the fisherman

and the decades of tears.

Right, decades of tears.

Fisherman's decades of tears
flow over the rocky shores.

- You have a very good memory.
- All up here, remember?

Yeah, hey, can you just
can I see that journal?

Yeah.

- Here.
- Okay.

Could you, could you
just show me

the page that you were
looking at with the waterfall?

Decades of tears.

- The waterfall.
- The waterfall.

- It's the waterfall.
- Yeah.

Oh my gosh.

Okay, so we are here and
the waterfall is here.

- That is where we need to be.
- Bingo.

Yes!

It's a waterfall.

I mean... look at this!

You're right, you can't
get this from a book.

Right?

All right, here, I wanna
document this moment.

Yes.

- All right, ready?
- Yeah.

You gonna smile?

One, two.

It's not perfect,
but it's got something.

We gotta be close.

I definitely see how this place
can bring out the poet in anyone.

Wait.

What did you just say?

I was just saying
how beautiful it is.

It can almost turn anybody
into a poet.

Look at this place.

Oh my gosh, the poem.

Okay, the fisherman's tears.

It's the waterfall.

When all seemed lost,

I turned my back on the rocks.

And followed the path
of my tears.

It's the stream.

Where I fell asleep
for 50 years.

What is that?

Tagimoucia, it means
to cry in your sleep.

Tagimoucia.

Come on.

And I woke to the prize
of your glittering eyes.

And saw them reflected
where my love forever lies.

Reflected.

Reflected where
your love forever lies.

Colin, let me see that journal!

- What?
- Come here.

- Look.
- Oh my gosh.

Hold on,
let me get a shot of it.

- Got it?
- Okay, yeah.

Be careful.

Do you feel anything?

Wait, I feel something.

- You do?
- Yeah.

Alex.

I think,

I think we just found it.

I think we just found it.

Open it.

Yes!

It's beautiful.

Those worthy of the pearl
can never have found the pearl.

Okay, hold it up. I'm gonna
get a shot with you in it.

Hold on, those
worthy of the pearl

can never have found the pearl.

What?

- Colin.
- We can't.

Why?

We can't take a picture.

But we can't rely just on
your writing, we have to take...

Those worthy of the pearl
can never have found the pearl.

We can't have found the pearl.

What are you talking about?
We just found the pearl.

I know.

In order to find the pearl,
you have to have faith

that the pearl existed, right?

And if picture's proof,
that's what Akamu

and Serita were
trying to tell us.

Proof denies faith.

And without faith,
I mean the pearl,

it doesn't mean anything.

Yeah, because we
would ruin the legend.

Yeah.

Yeah, if the value of the
pearl is what we accord it,

so it's a promotion at work
or it's a writing career.

It's a love that
last a lifetime.

It's whatever you want it to be.

Okay.

I get it.

Looking at a pearl in the museum
isn't the same as

coming out here
to find it for yourself.

I'm sorry.

I just, I just really wanna
inspire people, you know?

You still can.

Well.

Thanks, Malakai.

I'll miss you.
Thank you for everything.

Take care, my friends.

I'm sorry you didn't find
the pearl.

Yeah, me too.
Thanks, Malakai.

Well have a safe flight, Colin.

Bye, Alex.

I know, what would
Blake Montoya do right?

No, Colin Page.
How do you feel?

I feel a lot of things, but, but...

You're a writer.

Do what you do best.

Thank you, Malakai.
Thank you.

You gave me an idea!

Let's go.

- Hello, Derek, it's Colin.
- Hello, Colin?

Yeah, hey buddy,
can you hear me?

- I'm back at the hotel now.
- You keep breaking up.

Okay, I'm back at the hotel.
I think my phone might be wet.

Anyway, are you there?

So did you find the pearl?
Tell me you found the pearl.

No, but I have an amazing
idea for an article.

You keep cutting out.

I said I have an amazing
idea for an article.

So did you find it?

Listen, I'm, okay listen,
I'm gonna send you an article.

- It's gonna be amazing.
- This is great news.

I'll call the editor
and let her know.

Great, thanks, all right.
I'll send it to you tonight.

Bye.

Sharon, I have
got some great news.

- They found the pearl?
- They had to.

Colin assured me the article
is going to be amazing.

We've got our cover story.

I'll keep an eye out for it.

Alex, I just got the good news

from Colin's agent that
you guys found the pearl

and his article will
be submitted tonight!

Congrats!
Can't wait to see your photos!

I'm off to a meeting, but I'll
see you when you get back!

What?

Hey, Alex.
Alex?

Yes?

Hi.

Do you know where the woman
is who's staying in this room?

She checked out, sir.
You just missed her.

Thank you.

Hey, Alex!

Hey, hey, hey, hey Alex.

- Are you leaving?
- I heard you wrote the article.

Yeah, yeah, I wanted
to tell you about it.

You don't have to do that.

I talked to my editor,
she told me all about it.

- She did?
- Yeah, well played.

You got your article,
none of the photos.

Hold on a second,
let me explain.

You know what Colin?

This is all about you
and selling more books.

Alex.

Why would he betray me
like this?

- I just, I don't understand.
- I'm sorry.

You know he's the one
who told me

to keep it a secret
and to have faith

and then he just goes off
and does it anyway.

Sometimes people aren't
who you think they are.

Yeah, tell me about it.

When did you get so organized?

I just, I don't understand.
It doesn't make any sense to me.

I mean he was so,
he was so fun and smart.

We make a pretty good team.

Make?

- You just said make.
- I did?

I didn't mean that.
I mean made, made a good team.

I just read the article.
Honestly, it's brilliant.

I'm sending it to the magazine
right now.

That is great.

And hey, you were right,
I was playing it safe

with my new novel.

Is this the same Colin
I meet with a week ago?

Let's just say that I found
the inspiration I've been missing.

Well that's terrific.

So are you gonna finish
writing Treasures in Taipei?

Actually, no.

I gotta a whole new idea.

Hey, welcome back.

Sharon, I'm sorry.

I messed up again.

And I completely
understand why Ben

is the better candidate
for this promotion

- and if you wanna fire me...
- Fire you?

Why would I wanna fire
my new Creative Director?

You're not gonna fire me?

I'm the new...

Okay, but I didn't get
any pictures of the pearl.

Well, how could you?
You didn't find it.

- Well your voicemail.
- Complete miscommunication.

Colin's agent thought
he'd found it,

but turns out it was
bad cell reception.

Anyway, it doesn't matter.

What I really need is a photo
of you and Colin together.

- Us?
- For the cover.

- You do have some of those, right?
- Yeah, yeah, I've got some.

This is hands down the best
cover story we've ever done.

- Didn't he send it to you?
- No.

Well I'm emailing it now.
You need to read this.

In pursuit of a magical pearl

hidden deep in the lush
rainforests of Viti Levu,

I found something
completely unexpected.

After a challenging
three day hike

with a charming and brilliant
photographer named Alex,

and our two guides,
I add my name

to the long list of
adventurers and lovers

hoping to lay weary eyes
on a rare blue pearl

that hundreds of years ago,

disappeared into the swirling,
stormy sea.

A pearl that now lies somewhere

in a sun-kissed valley paradise
waiting to be found.

Alex and I
never found the pearl.

But the quest offered us
something more precious.

It's only when we open our hearts,
ready to risk the unknown,

that life's treasures
reveal themselves.

And our hearts can love
a thousand times more

than we ever imagined.

And if you believe
that there's magic out there,

it's yours to find.

Alex knew that all along.

And she inspired me to go
on a different kind of journey.

No, I didn't find
the legendary blue pearl,

but I found out who I want to be
and who I want to be with.

And in the end, love is the
greatest adventure of all.

Alex, I have a delivery for you.
Should I bring them up?

Yeah, thank you.

Hello?

- Hi.
- Hey Alex.

It's nice hearing your voice.

I read your article.

Yeah and what
did you think of it?

Well, some of the technical
details didn't ring so true for me.

You're a funny girl.

Some conversations
are better had in person

than well, with flowers.

Did you mean everything
you said in that article?

Alex, I'm standing
in your office

with rare flowers from Fiji,

which I think officially makes me
a international smuggler.

Yes.

I meant every single word.

I just want you to know
that sometimes

I'm not organized.

I like that.

And I don't ever,
ever wanna make a list.

Check.

And I don't like tea.

All right, we're working
on that one.

- And...
- And?

In the legend,
it says that only true love

can find the pearl
and in your article,

you said we didn't.

Hold on.

It's not the blue pearl.

But it's ours.

That's that.

It's the most beautiful pearl
I have ever seen.

No, you are.

Come on.

Hurry up, I'm dying
to explore the reef.

Okay, okay, I just
wanna finish this chapter.

You know I could tell you
how it ends, right?

Don't you dare.

Come on.