Leaving for Gearonia
Mario arrives at the docks just as the submarine emerges from the water after its fuel tank upgrade. Professor E. Gadd is there along with the submarine pilots Bubb and Finnie. Here, E. Gadd gives Mario the MushPhone. The device will be used to remain in contact throughout his journey.
Just as Mario is about to enter the submarine, Luigi comes sprinting towards the docks. He tells Mario that he's decided to come along as well. Mario is more than happy to have his company, so the two brothers, along with the submarine crew, load up and set off for Gearonia.
The cutscene belows acts as a bridge between the Prologue and Act 1, so it technically takes place in both.
Cutscene Script: Boarding the Submarine
Summary
E. Gadd briefs Mario at the coast, introduces his escorts Bubb and Finnie, and gifts him the MushPhone. Luigi races in to join the trip at the last second. The submarine crosses the ocean, the game's title drops, and the crew arrives at the Gearonia Docks, where Mario sets off alone toward Surging Shores.
Scene 1 - EXT. Mushroom Continent Coast
As Mario approaches the coastline, he spots E. Gadd and the submarine by the docks, along with the researchers who will be accompanying him on his trip to Gearonia.
E. GADD: "Ah, Mario! Right on time. She's all set for departure. My team's even already loaded up the supplies! You'll be traveling with these two. They'll help point you in the right direction once you arrive."
BUBB: "At your service, Mario!"
FINNIE: "Do I have to go? I'm scared…"
E. GADD: "Ignore him. He's still working on his self esteem, ho ho! Anywho, before you leave, I want to give you this."
E. Gadd hands Mario a cellular device in the shape of a mushroom. Mario eagerly takes it and holds it up above his head.
NARRATOR: "You got the MushPhone! Press the pause button at any time to access it."
E. GADD: "That device right there is another one of my team's new inventions. It has a ton of nifty features, but most importantly is its range of communication. If my theory is correct, Cachely's been trying to get through to us, but the Umbral Deluge is blocking her signal. With this, once you reach Gearonia, her message should finally break through. Now, enough chatter. It's time to go!"
Mario gives a thumbs-up and begins to walk towards the submarine. Though, suddenly, in the distance he hears someone shouting.
LUIGI: "BRO!!! Wait up! Don't leave yet!"
Luigi comes flying into view, skidding to a halt and catching his breath.
LUIGI: "Bro, I- look, I wanna come too. I was just gonna stay back and try to help the professor here, but that's not me. I gotta be in the action, you know? So, whaddya say? Care to bring me along?"
Mario seems more than happy to bring Luigi along on the adventure.
E. GADD: "Right, the more, the merrier. You youngsters really must be going now! The safety of Cachely and her team is only decreasing by the minute!"
Mario, Luigi, and the two researchers finally board the submarine. The vehicle revs up and eventually speeds offscreen.
E. GADD: "Farewell, and good luck!"
FADE TO BLACK
Scene 2 - EXT. Open Ocean
The submarine enters from the left and is seen speeding through the open ocean just below the surface of the water.
BUBB: "Onwards to a new adventure! This is so exciting!"
FINNIE: "I forgot to use the bathroom before we left…"
As the submarine passes by, the logo of the game appears on screen.
SUPER MARIO: ROOTS OF RUIN
The submarine exits to the right, and the screen fades to black. Text then displays on screen
ACT 1 | SPIRITSONG
FADE TO BLACK
Scene 3 - EXT. Gearonia Docks
The submarine eases to a stop at a dock on the Gearonia coastline. Mario and the researchers exit onto the dock.
BUBB: "Well, here we are! Welcome to Gearonia!"
LUIGI: "Wow, what a beautiful coastline! I'm glad I decided to come along, bro."
Mario gives a confident thumbs up to Luigi.
LUIGI: "Oh! Is that a MushPhone in your pocket? The professor showed me one of these earlier. Let's take a picture together and set it as the wallpaper! That way, I'll always be with you throughout your journey."
The brothers get close together and Mario wraps his arm around Luigi. They snap a photo. The MushPhone slides into view, showing the picture on screen.
LUIGI: "Perfect!"
The MushPhone slides out of view.
BUBB: "Alright Mario, you'll be heading northeast towards the entrance to Spiritsong Forest. Once you're there, look for a guy named Sagetoad in the Spinach Settlement. It shouldn't be too hard to find."
FINNIE: "Ugh, we have to take all of these crates out?"
BUBB: "Yeah! Isn't this so exciting?!"
LUIGI: "I'm gonna help these two unload the submarine, bro. I'll catch up with you later. Good luck out there!" The player is now given control of Mario and allowed to exit offscreen to make his way towards the first main level, Surging Shores.
After leaving the level, transitions to: Surging Shores