EXT. HIGH SEAS - DAY
           
          The dragonhead prow of an ancient Viking ship cuts through the 
          thick fog of the rough North Atlantic Sea.
           
          MUSIC EXPLODES: WAGNER'S "GOTTERDAMMERUNG" (Twilight of the Gods)
           
          SUPERIMPOSE: THE TENTH CENTURY A.D.
           
          EXT. BOW OF THE SHIP - DAY
           
          Viking explorer LEIF ERICSON carefully studies his fob compass as 
          he dangles it above a parchm