Make sure you tie them tight. It has to be a double knot.
That's wrong. We can't have black balloons.
- Sorry. - It's a party, Elliot. Happy. Cheerful.
"Welcome to my Gothic world."
That's not funny. It's my dad's birthday. It's an important night.
I can't believe you organized this whole thing by yourself.
That's very, um, efficient.
Have I told you about the seafood?
Only 25 times.
Tell your dad it needs to be fresh, and it has to be his best stuff.
We need to have it here by 7:45 p.m. Better write that down.
You seem a bit tense.
I'm not tense.
- You're grinding your teeth. - It's called a smile, Rikki.
Elliot.
Don't just do yellow and black. Get some other colors.
All right, all right. Gee.
If you want something done right, you've gotta do it yourself.
The night's itinerary.
OK, we'll do "meet and greet" from 8:00 p.m. until 8:40 p.m.
- Dad arrives at 8:50 p.m. - And what if he doesn't?
It's squash night, regular as clockwork.
We'll have surprise and congratulations until 9 p.m.
and refreshments whilst Elliot plays oboe until 9:10 p.m.
At 9:40 p.m. the seafood will be served.
You've got a gap between 9:10 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.
That's when I read my speech.
I've timed it at 26 minutes and 45 seconds, approximately.
Leaving a little over three minutes for applause and congratulations.
Sounds more like a battle plan than a party.
I need to test my speech.
"Dear Dad, happy birthday to the most magnificent,
debonair, generous and kind dad in the entire world.
Where do I start?
At the beginning of course. Day one. I'm born.
The first person I laid eyes on was you.
Father and daughter smiled, it was love at first sight."
- That's beautiful. - It needs some editing.
I've come to warn you.
Warn me about what?
Don't ever talk to Sea Perch. You can't trust those fish.
Why would I talk to fish?
Listen carefully, it's very important.
You must not look at the moon's eye.
The moon's?
The full moon.
It's dangerous. Do not look at it.
Or its reflection.
And when it's out, do not touch water,
whatever you do.
- But— Hi, Cleo.
Did you see that?
That old woman. She was standing just there.
- What old woman? - She knows about us.
She said something about the full moon being dangerous.
- I didn't see anyone. - Me neither.
She told me not to talk to Sea Perch.
And something about reflections. And "beware the full moon".
Sounds like she's had a bit too much sun.
There's something different about her.
But not as different as these. Gorgeous, aren't they?
- They're really nice. - Hey, Em.
Oh. Hey, Byron.
What's all this about?
Don't be stupid. There's nothing going on. Byron? Forget it.
I feel a bit guilty just hanging around.
Thanks, Mum, but I really wanna do this on my own.
I am so proud of you, sweetheart, and I know your dad is too.
And I think tonight's party is going to be one that we remember
for a very, very long time.
I can't stop thinking about what that old woman said.
"Beware the full moon."
We're mermaids, not werewolves.
Aunt Thea. I'm so glad you could come.
- Hi, Grandma. You look gorgeous tonight. - So do you, sweetheart.
Dr. Bennett, it's great you could come.
I don't believe you've met Candy?
Hi, Candy. I love your dress.
Aren't you sweet?
I'm so pleased all Dad's business associates are coming tonight.
If you'd like to go through.
- This place looks great. - Thanks, Zane.
Lewis. Right on time.
I'm a sucker for parties. Good.
I need you to stand on door duty whilst I get drinks.
Emma?
Em? Are you all right?
I think you'd like this one.
Gross.
You look way too young to be Zane's father's girlfriend.
- I beg your pardon? - I guess you're after the money though.
What's wrong with you?
Nothing wrong with me, Rikki, baby.
I feel fantastic.
I wish I had a daughter who went to all this trouble for me.
You've got a lot of hair growing out of your nose there, Harrison.
That's a real forest.
We were just on our way to the bathroom.
We'll catch you later.
I love the look of water.
She's overtired. She's been working really hard to get this party right.
I'll take her outside for some fresh air.
Aunt Thea,
your skirt. Did you steal our picnic rug?
Have you noticed how weird people look?
Their legs just don't look right.
You need to sit down.
Now take fish,
they're sensibly designed.
Can I get you anything?
I'd love a cheese sandwich on rye bread
with sardines.
Actually, forget the cheese and the bread,
just bring the sardines.
OK.
Don't go away, I'll be right back.
Surprise!
Happy birthday!
This is a surprise. Thank you, darling. This is more than I expected.
Oh, don't thank me. Thank Emma. She did everything.
Hello, Rikki. Where is that perfect daughter of mine?
Ah… I'll just go find her for you.
Thank you.
I can never get these things to open.
You wanna eat sardines?
No. They're for Emma.
- Where is Emma? - She's outside. Where I left her—
By herself outside?
Emma's new shoes.
There's something just not right about this.
That's the understatement of the year.
I've been looking everywhere for you guys. Have you seen Emma?
We found these,
and they're…
Are they Emma's?
Cleo? Are they Emma's?
Rikki.
Cleo.
That would be a big mistake.
I'm terribly sorry. But you guys just went extremely weird when that moon came out.
This is what the old woman meant.
She was trying to warn us.
What old woman?
That first night in the moon pool at Mako Island was a full moon as well.
You guys have got to come in.
Mako Island is amazing at night.
You've never seen anything like it.
Lewis, pull her out. Now.
Me? Why does it have to be me?
Well, it's obvious we can't get wet.
We could fall under the same moon spell and you'd have to pull us out.
Come to Mako Island with me.
It's the most wonderful place.
It's like an underwater wonderland.
We could all live down there forever.
Emma, of course we'll come with you.
You just take my hand
and you can show me the way.
Nothing's happening. Her tail should be gone by now.
She's dry, but it's still there. Why isn't it working?
It's the full moon. It's what the old lady said.
What old lady?
I like my tail just the way it is.
I think it's perfect.
Is that you, Emma?
No. Just us.
Cleo and Rikki. Just getting some air.
I'm looking for Emma.
Her father's here.
Er, just watch out for the bats.
Bats?
There's a lot out tonight. Swarms of bats.
There thousands of them, actually.
Hi, Aunt Thea.
Do you wanna come to Mako Island with me?
Hey. Um, Emma's not exactly herself tonight.
What are Neil and Lisa doing
with that child?
Phew. That was close.
We need to do something before everyone else starts looking for her.
OK, it's 9:08 p.m.
According to the schedule Elliot plays oboe till 9:10 p.m.
Which means we have two minutes.
I need to eat something. Now. I am so starving. I need food.
Sardines.
Don't make any noise.
Just stay here.
Guys, I can't go in there looking like this.
That's all right. How do you feel about being steam dried?
Byron…
Byron… I'm over here, Byron.
Cool. You got the spa going? How's the water?
Come over here and I'll show you.
Come closer, Byron.
Come closer.
Have you been eating sardines?
I've found Emma.
She was outside in the spa.
You talked to her?
No. She was sort of busy,
kissing Byron.
Stop right there!
I'm cool.
Interesting party.
See you later, Byron.
I like where this party's going.
We need to get her to her bedroom.
We can't exactly take her past everyone on a sun lounge.
We could use this.
Rather tasteless humor.
Cleo? Good to see you too.
Em! Emma,
it's time to make your speech.
Emma's asked me to do it. She's a bit… nervous.
Really? That's not like Em.
She begged me.
Well, I suppose.
Excuse me, everybody.
I'd like to make a speech on behalf of Emma,
to her father.
Dear Mr. Gilbert,
Dad.
Happy birthday to the most magnificent, deadly,
no, debonair,
something-something…
kindest dad in the whole world.
Where would the world be without dads? There'd be a lot more room for everybody.
Just joking.
Dads.
Where would the world be without dads?
Have either of you seen Emma?
She needs some quiet.
She's in the bathroom, doing some yoga.
Mr. Gilbert
is thoughtful too.
I remember once, when I was 12, he made me a cheese sandwich.
Even though I'm lactose intolerant and vomited it up,
it's the thought that counts.
Plus, he's quite a good dresser,
for an older person.
But how am I meant to get the seafood platters out?
- They're in the bathroom? - I've been sent up to get them.
OK. Just give us a minute on that one.
They're all yours.
So, in closing,
I'd like to say thanks, Mr. Gilbert, for being a dad.
You can clap now, I'm finished.
Ladies and gentlemen,
if you'd like to make your way through to the kitchen,
dinner will be served shortly.
I don't want to go in here.
I wanna go swimming. It's so much nicer in the water.
Stay here while we cover for you. Don't make a sound.
Byron.
Sorry about the interruption before, Byron.
So am I.
There's no one here to interrupt us anymore. Why don't you come closer?
Another boy.
Byron, dinner's ready.
Better hurry up before it's all gone.
Later.
Wait for me. I'm coming.
We can't hold her like this for much longer.
- So the bedroom wasn't the best idea. - No.
- I've got a key for the JuiceNet Cafe. How did you get that?
Wilfred hired me to fix his Internet connections.
Well, personally, I'm not that hungry anyway.
I had a big lunch eight hours ago.
I believe that daughter of yours needs a good dose of old-fashioned discipline.
This girl has some explaining to do.
Did you sleep?
No.
Me neither.
What if she's stuck like this forever?
What if her tail never goes away?
There's always the circus.
I had the best sleep.
What am I doing here, guys?
What happened?
It's a long story.
Dad.
Don't worry about that, I've organized for a cleaning company to come round.
Emma.
Where have you been? We've been up half the night looking for you.
I'm really sorry. I can't even explain.
Hmm.
I'm sorry strange things happened.
I'm sorry I acted so weird.
Maybe it's a "teenage" thing?
When I was 16, I went a little wild once myself.
I filled my dad's pockets full of cotton wool balls.
So your night was OK, at least?
Was Cleo supposed to say that speech?
- No. She improvised.
But I remember some of what I wrote.
The last part was:
"Dad, you were there the first time I ever went swimming.
I never told you how scared I was.
But knowing you were there gave me confidence.
You've always brought out the best in me. Thank you."
You're welcome.
- I love you, Dad. - I love you too, Emma.
I never want to go through another night like that.
Neither do we, believe me.
And the worst thing is not knowing exactly what I did.
Then it's probably best you don't know.
Hey, Emma, thanks for last night.
I just want to say you have the world's best lips.
- See ya.
Lips?
My lips?
What's he talking about?
Guys?
Hmm…