[category=]Transcripts[/category]
Transcript of 2 - The Two Things
Written by Kc Wayland
Transcription courtesy of Re1ndeer (Part 1) and DemetriusH (Part 2 & 3)
Edited by DemetriusH
Join the WA Transcribers Project!
Part 1
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
Nothing used to scare me. I didn’t fear death, or what might be there on the other side if today was my day. That was then, and this is now. Four hours of going through the building left my legs aching. My eyesight blurred so bad that it took several attempts to bring down the one we found on the 9th floor. We were tired, but we kept moving forward. There would be time to rest later. Our searching was almost over. We were finally at the top floor.
(The soldiers walk up the stairwell and ready their guns)
ANGEL:
You ready?
MICHAEL:
All set. Saul, you good?
SAUL:
(yawns) What-ev.
MICHAEL:
Hey. Keep your shit sharp. Only one more to go.
SAUL:
Man, ain’t no one up here.
ANGEL:
On 3. 1, 2, 3!
(Angel opens the 14th floor stairwell door and gunshots come their way)
MICHAEL:
Fall back!
BILL:
Get back, motherfuckers!
SAUL:
Who the fuck is shootin’ at us?
MICHAEL:
(to Bill)
Hold your fire, hold it! We’re not them, we’re normal!
BILL:
Why don’t you peek your head out around the corner and let me see?
(Michael peeks his head out and Bill shoots and laughs)
MICHAEL:
Fuckin’ asshole! I’m not one of them!
BILL:
See? You fall for my tricks. But I’m not gonna fall for one of yours.
MICHAEL:
Datu, who the hell is this guy?
DATU:
It’s Bill! He owns the building; well, he inherited it. I didn’t know he was still here.
SAUL:
You want me to open up with the SAW? He’s only got a shotgun, if I blindfire around the corner, we’ll shred him!
MICHAEL:
Look, I may hate this fuck but we’re not gonna kill him.
DATU:
Why not?
SAUL:
See? Datu agrees with me!
RILEY:
Hey, Michael’s right. He’s only acting in self defense.
PEGS:
Maybe you should try reasoning with him?
MICHAEL:
What do you think we’ve been trying to do?
RILEY:
Bill, it’s alright. We’re here to help. How could I be talking to you right now if I was one of them?
BILL:
Maybe you’re different. Why should I take a chance if I don’t have to?
RILEY:
You just need to trust us.
BILL:
Sure, I’ll trust you. Why don’t I just put my shotgun down so you can come closer and tear my fucking face off like the others?
MICHAEL:
Saul, knife.
(Saul’s knife is pulled out)
RILEY:
What are you doing? You’re not going to-
MICHAEL:
I’m just using it for its reflection. Hell if I’m sticking my head out again.
MICHAEL:
Alright. He’s created a barricade outside his apartment with furniture. Um, it’s just like the other floors, he’s halfway down the hall facing away. Argh, we don’t have a clear shot. Datu, is there any other way around?
DATU:
Yeah. You could take the elevator to the other side, but he has a clear shot of that too. His penthouse spans most of the floor, with a few rooms along the back. There’s no way around.
MICHAEL:
Well, at least we know he’s not one of them. Um, c’mon, we’re gonna head back down.
(Stairwell door is shut)
SAUL:
We’re what?
MICHAEL:
Look, we can deal with him later. We’ll seal off this door. Datu, you have some nails and some wood?
DATU:
Yeah, I think so.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, alright. Let’s lock him in. I’m more worried about the lobby right now. Let this asshole sit it out.
ANGEL:
Alright. Datu and Riley, you seal off the door. Michael, Saul, and I will head downstairs to the lobby.
MICHAEL:
Riley, if he comes out at all, and you feel threatened, go ahead and take him out.
RILEY:
I am not doing that. It’s one thing to shoot one of them, but he’s still human.
MICHAEL:
Alright, Saul, you watch the door. Riley and Pegs, help us in the lobby. After that, we’ll call it a day.
SAUL:
God, what time is it anyway?
ANGEL:
Quarter past 10.
MICHAEL:
Once he’s sealed off, meet us downstairs.
(The lobby crew head downstairs to get to work)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
Roof access was gonna be a problem, but we could deal with it later. A man with a twitchy trigger finger was the least of my worries. It’s amazing what you’re able to do past the point of utter exhaustion. Everyone could barely find their feet, but they knew what was at stake. We each pulled our part, putting furniture and doors from upstairs apartments over panes of glass windows. We worked as quietly as we could. Each strike of a nail could be heard by one of those things beyond the darkness. We were lucky that night. If just one of those had seen us, it might’ve all been over.
(Nail tapping)
PEGS:
(sigh) That’s the last one.
DATU:
Good. We’re almost out of nails.
MICHAEL:
Alright. Nice work. We’ll get some more when we start doing supply runs.
PEGS:
Supply runs?
MICHAEL:
Well, not everything we need is gonna be in this building, but uh, we’ll worry about that later.
ANGEL:
Alright. Everyone take a room, on the second floor. There’s no need to spread out in case something happens.
MICHAEL:
Yep, good call.
SAUL:
Shiiit. Don’t have to tell me twice.
(Everyone starts walking up the stairs)
MICHAEL:
Keep your doors open, so I can call to you if something happens.
ANGEL:
Hey, Datu, the water heater still work here?
DATU:
Yeah, I’m pretty sure.
ANGEL:
Good. ‘Cause I smell like a fish.
RILEY:
Ah, well, I know what apartment I want. Pegs, you coming?
PEGS:
Yeah, um, just a second.
(to Michael)
Aren’t you coming up too?
MICHAEL:
Ah no, someone needs to watch the stairwell. Make sure no one gets in while y’all are up there.
PEGS:
But, you’re exhausted! Can’t we just like, block it or something?
MICHAEL:
Well by the time you’d know something was wrong it’d be too late. It’s alright. I’ll sit in the stairwell with my back against the door. I’m sure I’ll wake up if something tries to get in.
PEGS:
Um, OK. Um, goodnight.
MICHAEL:
Night Pegs.
PEGS:
Oh, and um, thank you too. I, I appreciate what you’ve been doing.
MICHAEL:
(grins) It’s what I’m here for.
PEGS:
Yeah. Well, night.
(Pegs shuts the door)
MICHAEL:
Ay, keep it open!
PEGS:
Sorry! I forgot…
MICHAEL:
(sighs) Oh man this is gonna be a long night.
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
I remember not being able to sleep the entire night. Just kept feeling small vibrations against the door. Maybe they were explosions far off in the distance, or just someone moving around upstairs. It all blurred together as the stairwell gave no sense of time. No light or darkness from the outside. It might’ve been 12 minutes or 12 hours when I heard the pounding.
(Someone starts pounding on the main lobby entrance door)
MICHAEL:
Saul, Angel, get down here!
SAUL:
What? Shit! What time is it?
ANGEL:
Uh, comin’!
MICHAEL:
We got something.
ANGEL:
Is it in the lobby?
MICHAEL:
I don’t know, c’mon.
ANGEL:
Aren’t we gonna wait for-
MICHAEL:
No no no, no time, c’mon!
TODD:
Please, please just let us in!
LIZZY:
Oh God, let us in, please hurry!
MICHAEL:
Front door, c’mon, where’s the key?
ANGEL:
Oh fuck! It’s, it’s upstairs in my uniform!
MICHAEL:
Go get it.
LIZZY:
(pounds on door) Oh God!
MICHAEL:
Getting the key. Hold on, how many are you?
TODD:
There’s just two of us, man. (zombie noises from outside) Please, please let us in! (zombie call) Oh, oh shit, there they are!
LIZZY:
God! They’re coming, please, let us in!
MICHAEL:
Step away from the door.
(Michael shoots the lock)
MICHAEL:
Get inside!
(Zombie runs over to the building)
MICHAEL:
Get over here!
(Zombies jump on Todd)
LIZZY:
Todd! No! We need to get him!
MICHAEL:
Ah, shit. (another zombie call) Get in the stairwell!
(Zombies run up just as they shut the stairwell door)
(Zombies pound on the door as Angel hurries down the stairs)
ANGEL:
They’re inside?
MICHAEL:
It’s too late.
ANGEL:
What the fuck happened?
MICHAEL:
I had to shoot the lock.
ANGEL:
You what?
LIZZY:
I have to go out there, please! Todd is still out there, please!
MICHAEL:
Get over here, I can’t hold this door on my own!
SAUL:
Hey, you guys need help?
MICHAEL:
Where the fuck have you been?
SAUL:
I- was, I- was upstairs-
MICHAEL:
Just get Datu! Find whatever you can to board up this door. They keep pounding like this and the hinges are gonna go!
SAUL:
OK, I’m on it.
LIZZY:
Please! Please, you need to do something-
ANGEL:
Hey look! We can’t. Don’t you understand what just happened?
LIZZY:
Todd, he can’t be dead! He just can’t be dead…
RILEY:
Wait, what happened?
LIZZY:
(cries) Todd!
MICHAEL:
Riley, take her upstairs.
LIZZY:
No! No, I don’t wanna go!
RILEY:
C’mon, come with me.
LIZZY:
We have to go back!
RILEY:
I know… c’mon, there we go. It’s, it’s alright.
LIZZY:
But Todd is all I have left… he is all I have left…
MICHAEL:
(to Angel)
Poor girl.
ANGEL:
Who cares?
MICHAEL:
Excuse me? You of all people should have some sympathy!
ANGEL:
You jeopardized everyone’s life by letting them in. You could not have made it to this door in time and everyone upstairs would be dead, or worse by now. Sympathy aside, this is an entirely different situation.
MICHAEL:
Well maybe I did make a bad choice but we saved one more person. It could’ve ended badly, but it didn’t.
ANGEL:
Some use that girl’s going to be, she’s a mess! What good will come of this?
MICHAEL:
What good is she to us? You need to shut your fuckin’ mouth before I shut it for you. I don’t care what bars are on your shoulder!
ANGEL:
Look. You might not like it, but I’m right. I need to focus on the mission and the safety of everyone as a whole. I need to make the call when it comes to someone living or dying. Is one person out there really worth all of the lives of the people upstairs?
(Zombie noises are heard beyond the door)
MICHAEL:
Shh. Listen to that. I think they’re leaving.
(Someone comes walking down the stairs)
DATU:
Here. These should hold it. (drops wood planks)
ANGEL:
Do it. We’ll keep holding the door.
(Datu picks up a piece of wood and nails it in)
MICHAEL:
Just keep doin’ it. Make it go all the way across so we can remove it when we need to.
(Datu finishes hammering in the defences)
ANGEL:
Alright, that should do it.
DATU:
One more for me.
(Datu nails in a final piece)
ANGEL:
Saul!
SAUL:
Right here.
ANGEL:
Watch the door. Michael needs a break.
SAUL:
Hey, hey, I’m sorry that I took so-
ANGEL:
Hey, don’t be sorry, just do it.
(Everyone settles down on the 2nd floor)
MICHAEL:
(about Lizzy) Where is she?
DATU:
Riley took her into their room. She was pretty shook up.
ANGEL:
Don’t worry about her.
(Angel leads everyone else into his room)
ANGEL:
Here we are. Saul and I stayed in uh, here last night.
RILEY:
(about Michael) What’s wrong with him? Is he OK?
ANGEL:
Uh, he’s just exhausted.
MICHAEL:
How’s the girl doing?
RILEY:
Oh, Lizzy, she’ll be alright. I found some meds in a cabinet that should calm her down.
MICHAEL:
Thanks.
ANGEL:
Quit stalling and move it already.
(Michael falls fast asleep)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
There wasn’t much I remembered after that. Seconds after hitting the mattress my whole world went black. When I woke, it was already morning. Someone had taken off my shoes and pants, but I wasn’t about to ask who. For a minute, I had forgotten what happened to the world. The morning sunlight burned my eye, the place seemed so different with the lights on. The smell was different too. Pancakes.
SAUL:
Ohhh shit! Look who’s up already!
MICHAEL:
How long was I out?
SAUL:
It’s Friday.
MICHAEL:
Whoa-wha- I slept 24 hours?
SAUL:
There was no waking you up, Sarge.
MICHAEL:
Wait, where is everyone, what’s goin’ on?
SAUL:
Relax, relax. Nothing's happened. They stopped pounding on the door about an hour after we boarded it up and, well we haven’t heard anything since. Angel’s watching it right now.
MICHAEL:
And the others?
SAUL:
Oh. They’re gathering supplies from the other apartments. Man, you should’ve seen them speed off after that. Somethin’ about raiding about people’s shit just lit ‘em up.
MICHAEL:
You make some of those for me?
SAUL:
(chuckle) Like I’m not gonna take care of my Sarge. ‘Sides, gotta use up the eggs before they go bad. The girls are gathering up everything that expired throughout the building. We’re gonna have some feast tonight!
MICHAEL:
Man, you have no idea how good those smell right now.
(Michael starts eating the pancakes)
SAUL:
When was the last time you ate?
MICHAEL:
Mmmmm.
SAUL:
Heh, when my cooking smells good you know something is seriously wrong with you.
MICHAEL:
Oh God, these are great Saul. You havin’ some?
SAUL:
Hehe, already had a full stack, no nuts.
(Michael laughs)
SAUL:
Hey. I overheard what Angel said to you in the stairwell.
MICHAEL:
Oh you did? Oh, yeah, well-
SAUL:
Man, he’s an ass, don’t listen to him. You did what you had to do.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, but um, he was right in a way. I coulda done some damage.
SAUL:
You know what? You did a Hail Mary pass, and that shit wasn’t intercepted, so, it’s alright. Everyone just appreciates the win! (Michael puts away the breakfast dishes) Especially me.
MICHAEL:
What does that mean?
SAUL:
Oh, you know what I mean.
MICHAEL:
Uh uh. Out with it.
SAUL:
Lizzy, man! That’s one fine piece of ass. I mean, we gotta start repopulatin’, right? (Michael laughs) Think about it.
MICHAEL:
Hey, hey. Her boyfriend was killed by those things like a day ago. I don’t think you have much of a chance. Wait, what happened to your girl, the one you keep on trying to call?
SAUL:
Look, I’m sure she’s not gonna mind. But Lizzy! I may not have a chance right now, but give it some time… I mean, we’re gonna be stuck here for a while and, well, let’s face it; look at our other options. Pegs? Sure she’s cute and all, but pretty fuckin’ uptight if you ask me. She won’t even touch a gun! What the hell’s up with that?
MICHAEL:
Well, have you even talked to her? I wouldn’t go judging before you get to know her. Not everyone grew up with guns like you did, OK? I- I didn’t until the military. Maybe she may be really afraid of ‘em. I don’t know, maybe something could’ve happened to her and maybe someone she cared about got hurt.
SAUL:
(chuckles) So I guess you thought about this a lot, huh?
MICHAEL:
Eh, I’m, I’m just tryna figure everyone out. It’s that intel side of me. The more I know, the better I can deal.
SAUL:
Whatever. As I was saying. Now Riley’s on the other side of the coin. I don’t mind a bit of her spunk but, I like to be the one in charge of a relationship. OK, she’s like a wo-man, if you know what I mean.
MICHAEL:
Hm, seems like you’ve been thinking about this a lot.
SAUL:
Yeah, well it beats thinking about whatever else is out there. Gives me hope, and something to look forward to. I mean, it’s a pretty small pond now. I might have a chance.
MICHAEL:
Wow. (laughs)
(Someone knocks at the apartment door)
SAUL:
Who is it?
RILEY:
It’s Riley.
SAUL:
(whisper)
Shit. You think she heard us?
MICHAEL:
Come in.
RILEY:
Hey! We were going through upstairs, and we found this! (revolver click) Looks like a Colt 45.
MICHAEL:
Wow. You know your guns, any ammunition?
RILEY:
Just a box, here. (bullets ratting)
MICHAEL:
You find anything else interesting?
PEGS:
Yeah! Lizzy’s upstairs gathering medicine from everyone’s cabinets and bringing it down here.
SAUL:
Why here?
RILEY:
See, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I was thinking, maybe we should have a little store or something that we keep everything valuable. That way, we know what we have, and what we need. If someone gets hurt, and needs antibiotics, we wouldn’t go looking through everyone to find it.
MICHAEL:
That’s a good idea. You run it by Angel, he’s the officer.
RILEY:
I thought I could run it by you and maybe you could mention it to him?
SAUL:
Oh, why don’t you just do it? Why are you asking us in the first place?
PEGS:
Well, ‘cause you’re in charge, not Angel, right?
SAUL:
What?
MICHAEL:
Pegs, technically Angel is an officer, so he’s higher up than me.
RILEY:
But you have more experience, right? You actually know what you’re doing.
MICHAEL:
Knew this might come up. Um, look. Angel is an officer, which means he’s trained to look at the big picture, to look at the overall mission. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that. I’m supposed to look after how we get the mission done, and to look after all of you. That’s just how it works.
RILEY:
Still, I feel better talking to you. Would you mind talking to him about it?
MICHAEL:
Well, I will do that, but, you can go ahead and get started on the shop.
RILEY:
Thanks Michael.
MICHAEL:
Wait. Where you settin’ up?
RILEY:
There was a large three-bedroom at the end of the hall, it’s big enough.
MICHAEL:
Mm. And your idea? It’s very clever. Nice work.
PEGS:
Thanks.
RILEY:
Pegs, why don’t you go find Lizzy and help her out? I’ll catch right up.
PEGS:
You sure? I mean, I can wait for you, and, and-
RILEY:
No no no, it’s alright, just go, go, OK?
PEGS:
Oh… ok…
RILEY:
Pleaseeee… would one of you give her something to do? She hasn’t left me alone for more than 2 seconds.
MICHAEL:
W-well I’m not sure what we can do about that right now. The garden on the roof is a great idea, but until we clear out Bill she needs to do something else.
RILEY:
Argh, but she’s driving me crazy! Ever since I took her to the roof of the flower shop, she hasn’t left my side.
MICHAEL:
Well, you found your niche, the store. Why don’t you put her in charge of something so she has a niche as well?
SAUL:
What about the power? O-or the water? Well what if we run out? Uh, m-maybe have her fill up all the bathtubs in the building. No matter when it goes, we’ll have a decent supply.
RILEY:
Mm, I like that. It’s great! Uh, I’ll go and let her know.
MICHAEL:
Where’s Datu?
RILEY:
He’s with Angel, why?
MICHAEL:
Saul, you give me an idea.
Part 2
MICHAEL:
Where’s Datu?
RILEY:
He’s with Angel, why?
MICHAEL:
Saul, you give me an idea.
(Musical bridge)
ANGEL:
You think this is gonna work?
MICHAEL:
Think about it. We shut off Bill’s water and power, he has nothing. No matter what he has stored up in there, it won’t last him forever. This way we can smoke him out.
DATU:
That’s a great idea! I know where I can do that! Do you want me to-
ANGEL:
Wait, that could just force him into the building where he attacks someone. We have no idea what his mental state is right now, right now he thinks he’s safe up there. We take that away he might get desperate.
MICHAEL:
Well we need roof access! We have a few balconies, but very little sunlight and not a lot of area.
ANGEL:
As it is, the roof isn’t the highest priority. So we leave him alone. For now.
MICHAEL:
Well then what is our top priority?
ANGEL:
Getting through that door so we can clear the lobby. See, Lizzy said she came here because she saw it was boarded up and knew people were alive inside. What if more people see it right now and think this place is safe?
MICHAEL:
But we have no idea how many might be out there right now. We may not be able to shut this door again.
ANGEL:
Yeah, I thought of that too. I’ve been on guard duty all morning trying to think of something. You know, it’s too far from the parking garage to try to go around, we might just draw more in.
DATU:
What about the elevators?
MICHAEL:
That’s too risky. And it would be impossible to get the door shut in a hurry.
ANGEL:
What about… what’s above the lobby?
DATU:
There’s a apartment above it, I- I think.
ANGEL:
Could we drill a small hole in the floor so we could at least see what’s going on down there?
DATU:
The floor is thick, and has insulation, pipes, kinda hard to go through.
ANGEL:
But if we get an idea of how many there are down there, that’s all we need.
DATU:
It’s worth a shot. I’ll go get my tools.
(Datu runs off)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
It took 3 hours to get through the floor. We would’ve done it quicker, but we had to take our time doing it quietly. Light shone through the small gap as we pushed our way past insulation and pipes, and onto the other side.
DATU:
(whisper)
I’m through.
ANGEL:
(whisper)
Move. Lemme see.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
How many?
ANGEL:
(whisper)
Four, that I can see. They’re, they’re wandering around the lobby. Not sure what they’re doing.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Well, lemme look.
(Angel shifts aside for Michael)
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Alright. Datu, go get Saul. He’ll watch the door while Angel and I clear the lobby.
DATU:
(whisper)
OK.
ANGEL:
(whisper)
Me? Why not Saul help you clear?
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
(laughs) Look. You’re the better shot. I’d rather have you down there with me.
ANGEL:
(whisper)
But, what if more come?
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Look, we’ll deal with that if it comes up, now c’mon! Don’t wuss out on me.
(Time skips forward to the retaking of the lobby)
SAUL:
Hey. You ready to do this?
MICHAEL:
Watch the door and be ready to seal it off if something happens to us out there.
ANGEL:
Wait, you didn’t say anything about that.
MICHAEL:
No. It was you who said it, remember? “What good is one or two if we lose everybody?” Saul, remove the wood beam.
ANGEL:
Wait, but, I-
(Wood beam is removed)
MICHAEL:
You ready?
ANGEL:
No, I- wait, I-
(Stairwell door is opened)
(Three zombies are killed in rapid succession, leaving only one left)
MICHAEL:
Three down!
(More shots fired)
MICHAEL:
Get him! He ducked behind the front desk!
ANGEL:
It’s hiding!?
ANGEL:
I’ll get him. Just get to the door.
(Keys jangling)
SAUL:
Well that was fast.
ANGEL:
Come out, come out, wherever you are… There you are!
(Angel readies his rifle, but…)
ANGEL:
It’s… jammed! (zombie jumps on him) Michael! Ah! Fuck! Get him! Kill him! Get, get it off me!
SAUL:
Hold on, hold on!
ANGEL:
Ah! Get it off, get it off me!
(The zombie is kicked off Angel by Saul and killed)
SAUL:
(to Angel)
Alright, get up. Nap time’s over.
ANGEL:
(to Michael)
I thought you said my rifle was good!
MICHAEL:
It was! I checked it. Something might be seriously wrong with it.
ANGEL:
Yeah, no shit! Lucky for me Saul was able to knock that asshole off me!
SAUL:
Yeah, I… I didn’t wanna shoot it, with it on top of you like that…
ANGEL:
Is that because you didn’t wanna get blood on me, or because you were gonna miss him, and hit me!
SAUL:
That’s some thanks. You know what, fuck you.
ANGEL:
No, fuck you!
MICHAEL:
Hey hey hey, hey, relax you two, it’s over. We’re all OK.
(Datu comes down the stairwell)
DATU:
Is it clear?
ANGEL:
(huffing) Yeah, whatever.
DATU:
Did you get them?
RILEY:
Is it safe to come out now?
MICHAEL:
Yeah, it’s clear, come on down.
RILEY:
I heard screaming, is everyone OK?
MICHAEL:
Yeah. Yeah yeah, just a, just a close call is all.
ANGEL:
Yeah, no shit. You can watch the door now, I’m going to my room.
(Angel walks upstairs)
SAUL:
You see how it hid from us? I’ve never seen them react like that before.
MICHAEL:
Well maybe it’s just a coincidence. Or, maybe they’re not as dumb as we thought.
SAUL:
That’s scary shit.
MICHAEL:
Yeah. Go up and keep an eye on Angel. Make sure… just make sure he’s OK.
SAUL:
Why? You think he might, you know, be one-
MICHAEL:
(cuts him off) Probably not. But just to play it safe, watch him.
SAUL:
You got it, boss.
MICHAEL:
And hey! Don’t get trigger-happy.
SAUL:
(chuckles) Shit.
(Michael laughs and Saul heads upstairs)
RILEY:
What was that all about?
MICHAEL:
Uh, we just had a close call.
RILEY:
What are we going to do with them?
MICHAEL:
Toss ‘em out the balcony on the second floor.
DATU:
I can take care of that.
RILEY:
Really?
DATU:
I- I’ve cleaned up worse. It’s the least I can do.
MICHAEL:
Well lemme give you a hand.
(Michael literally gives Datu a hand)
SAUL:
(laughing and clapping) Hehehe. (Michael laughs)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
The stench of those bodies was like no other dead body I’ve ever dealt with. It was like the body had been already rotting for several days. The three of us dragged the bodies up several flights of stairs, wrapped up tightly in nothing but shower curtains and plastic bags. We made sure to use rubber gloves and face masks. The combination of scented bleach and human remains made us all puke numerous times. Riley and Datu stayed with me for the entire time. For not having any military training, I had a feeling I could really trust these two.
(Datu grunts and the balcony’s sliding door is opened)
(The zombie body is tossed over the edge)
RILEY:
That’s the last of them.
(Everyone wipes their hands)
MICHAEL:
Uh, both of you. Go shower and wash up. Pegs should be done with dinner soon.
RILEY:
Aren’t you coming too?
MICHAEL:
Well someone needs to watch the front.
RILEY:
It should be alright. You locked the front and the stairwell. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll shower first and then we’ll swap. Because you definitely need it.
(Sliding door is closed)
(Running water)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
I don’t think any length of shower or soap could’ve made me feel clean at that point. I felt dirty with the stench covering my skin that seemed to never come out. By the time I felt somewhat sanitized, everyone had gathered in the common room for dinner.
(Various plates, forks, spoons, knifes, and napkins can be heard)
MICHAEL:
Is this everyone?
SAUL:
Unless you wanna go up and get Bill? Yeah, this is it.
MICHAEL:
Who’s watching the door?
ANGEL:
It’s sealed off pretty well. If anything’s in the stairwell, we’ll hear it comin’ a mile away.
MICHAEL:
(to Lizzy)
I’m sorry, I didn’t really get to meet you today. I’m Michael.
LIZZY:
Lizzy.
SAUL:
C’mon, can we eat already? I’m starving.
ANGEL:
Dig in.
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
I could see what Saul saw in Lizzy. Once she was cleaned up, she was a very attractive young girl. She didn’t really say much at first, but who could blame her. Her bleach blonde hair was previously covered in so much grit and grime, I had thought she was brunette. She’d finally shed off some of the ugly outside world and let her gorgeous green eyes shine across the table. I think even Riley was taken aback by them. Made me think; maybe Saul’s comments weren’t foolish.
MICHAEL:
This smells great, who made it?
PEGS:
I did. I gathered up a lot of the vegetables and made a nice stew. I have some other things in mind for this week, so that we don’t let what ingredients we have expire.
ANGEL:
Hey, can you pass the bread?
PEGS:
Mhm!
ANGEL:
And enough of that; how much other food do we have?
RILEY:
Um, we have a lot of canned stuff, and a decent amount of frozen food. So it should be OK for a while. That is unless we get more people.
MICHAEL:
We do hope to find more people out there, but we need to start soon. The longer we wait, the-
LIZZY:
Can we please talk about something else?
SAUL:
(mouth full of food)
Like what? This shit’s important! We’re all here. If we don’t talk about it now, then-
DATU:
She’s right. What else can we talk about?
RILEY:
Er, your soup is very good, Pegs.
PEGS:
Mm, thanks. I found some grates by Siz (Can anyone identify what is said here?) in the girl’s room on the 4th floor.
RILEY:
Pegs, that was not a girl’s room.
PEGS:
What? No, there were dresses in the closet.
RILEY:
Yeah, but… did you check the sizes? What about the drawers in the bathroom?
PEGS:
Well, he could’ve had a woman living with him. Or, at least staying with him.
DATU:
What room was that?
PEGS:
4… 4C I think.
DATU:
Oh, no. Riley’s right. Mr. Abernati lived alone.
ANGEL:
Hey, we have a policy here; don’t ask, don’t tell.
SAUL:
No wonder that shit didn’t fit you. (Would like some clarity on what he said here.)
PEGS:
Really? He was? I mean, the dresses were a little large, but I figured they could fit Riley.
RILEY:
Hey!
(A noise comes from outside the room)
PEGS:
Did you hear that?
DATU:
(ignoring Pegs)
No, he kept to himself. Not surprised though.
SAUL:
(laughs) What other shit you find in people’s rooms?
RILEY:
What did you mean by-
LIZZY:
You wouldn’t believe the amount of porn we found in this one room.
SAUL:
Really!? And what room would that be?
LIZZY:
Ew, I’m not gonna tell you-
PEGS:
Did you see that?
ANGEL:
What? What was it?
PEGS:
Something just moved over there. Down the hall. Did anyone else see it?
RILEY:
Really, because I didn’t see anything. You must be imagining things.
PEGS:
What?
MICHAEL:
Well, I’ll, I’ll check the stairwell, maybe something got through.
ANGEL:
I’m comin’ with you.
MICHAEL:
You’re acting brave ‘cause the girls are watching, aren’t ya?
(The soldiers head out to the stairwell)
LIZZY:
Is he serious? Did something get through?
SAUL:
Hey, it’s alright, none of us came to dinner unarmed. (Saul cocks a gun) We got our shit, we’re good.
LIZZY:
W-wait, what if it is something? Like, like what if one of those things got through? I’m not staying here then.
(Slight commotion as Lizzy gets up)
SAUL:
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, blondie.
LIZZY:
We need to get out.
SAUL:
Just sit tight. Alright?
MICHAEL:
The front’s still sealed.
ANGEL:
Whatever’s in here got sealed in here with us.
LIZZY:
Oh… oh God… it’s been here this whole time?
MICHAEL:
(cuts her off) Pegs, Pegs, what’d it look like?
PEGS:
I don’t know. I just saw something move out of the corner of my eye.
RILEY:
It may have been nothing. Pegs was the only one who saw it.
PEGS:
Are you calling me a liar?
MICHAEL:
Quiet!
(Everyone starts moving into the hall)
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
This way?
PEGS:
(whisper)
Yeah. Down the hall there.
SAUL:
(whisper)
I don’t see shit!
ANGEL:
(whisper)
It could be in any of these apartments. Who’s bright idea was it to take off the doors?
MICHAEL:
We needed something to block out the windows downstairs, it’s not like we had anything else.
SAUL:
(whisper)
Hey! Shut it you two! I thought I heard something.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Where?
SAUL:
(whisper)
In there. 2G.
DATU:
(whisper)
That was Gina’s apartment.
SAUL:
(whisper)
Thanks. I’ll be sure to make a note of that.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
C’mon, he’s just tryna help.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
You think Bill made it down for dinner after all?
RILEY:
He wouldn’t have if he smelled it!
PEGS:
What? You said you liked it!
RILEY:
Sorry Pegs, somebody had to say it. It tasted like you threw up into a pot and heated it up.
PEGS:
Well, I’m sorry if I’m not some exquisite French chef. You were busy, and someone had to make dinner. Oh, and, by the way, it’s Pegs. Not Peegs. Say it right.
RILEY:
Please. Next time just come and get me. I’ll drop whatever it is I’m doing. You just do the growing.
PEGS:
Fine. I will.
ANGEL:
(whisper)
Give it a rest, you two!
(Door creaks open)
SAUL:
(whisper)
Want me to go in first?
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
You heard it, you go.
SAUL:
(whisper)
I said, I thought I heard something, I didn’t say I did hear something.
MICHAEL:
(whisper)
OK. Rock Paper Scissors.
(And thus, the first Rock Paper Scissors game in the zombie apocalypse is played, and Michael loses to Saul)
(Michael sighs)
SAUL:
On 3? 1, 2-
(A very loud gunshot goes off)
MICHAEL:
Aw, fuck!
ANGEL:
There. I saw it. It ran across the room.
PEGS:
Michael! What’s wrong!?
MICHAEL:
Damnit Angel, you fired right by my ear!
ANGEL:
Sorry!
MICHAEL:
Well, what? What was it? Was it one of them?
SAUL:
I saw it too. This one was much smaller, it ran under the bed.
(The soldiers enter the bedroom)
SAUL:
Hold on. Lemme look.
(Saul drops to the ground to see under the bed)
MICHAEL:
W-w-wait, careful Saul, don’t, don’t get too close!
SAUL:
Anyone got a light?
DATU:
Here. Take mine.
(Datu hands him the flashlight and Saul flips it on)
SAUL:
Uh… I don’t see anything… Wait. Wait, I- I see it now.
(Cat purring becomes audible)
SAUL:
It’s a cat. Black and white.
ANGEL:
Shoot it!
PEGS:
What!? Wait, don’t!
SAUL:
Yeah, I’m not doin’ that, you do it, I kinda like cats.
ANGEL:
Hey! It might be one of them, you don’t know!
PEGS:
You don’t even know if it could be one of them.
ANGEL:
Why risk it? It attacks any one of us, even scratches one of us, and that could be it. You don’t know.
PEGS:
Fine. I’ll get it then.
MICHAEL:
Pegs. I don’t think you understand what could happen here.
PEGS:
Well, lemme see it first.
(Pegs drops down and looks at the hidden cat)
PEGS:
Awww. Look, it’s scared. I mean, it looks OK, right?
SAUL:
I just said, I didn’t want to shoot it. You want the cat? You go get it.
PEGS:
Awe. Come here, come out, come here Mr. Kitty…
RILEY:
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, this is pathetic…
PEGS:
Ugh. Would someone help me?
ANGEL:
I think you’re on your own.
PEGS:
Well, at least someone lift up the bed.
SAUL:
Fuuck that. I ain’t gonna have Zombie Kitty come out and bite my shit.
MICHAEL:
Well said, Saul. Wow.
LIZZY:
Fine, I’ll help her.
SAUL:
Your non-funeral.
PEGS:
Here. You lift, and I’ll grab it. 1, 2, 3!
(The bed is lifted and the cat is grabbed)
PEGS:
Here! I got her, or him…
(The cat scratches Pegs, and everyone turns their guns on her)
PEGS:
Ouch!
LIZZY:
Oh. Shit. Pegs, you’re bleeding.
PEGS:
I’m alright, see?
MICHAEL:
Lizzy, get over here by me!
PEGS:
Guys, guys, I’m fine, look. It’s just a scratch, see? Put your guns down now, please.
ANGEL:
We can’t do that, Pegs.
PEGS:
Please, you’re making me uncomfortable, stop pointing those things at me, please!
SAUL:
Lady, you’re makin’ me uncomfortable.
Part 3
(The bed is lifted and the cat is grabbed)
PEGS:
Here! I got her, or him…
(The cat scratches Pegs, and everyone turns their guns on her)
PEGS:
Ouch!
LIZZY:
Oh. Shit. Pegs, you’re bleeding.
PEGS:
I’m alright, see?
MICHAEL:
Lizzy, get over here by me!
PEGS:
Guys, guys, I’m fine, look. It’s just a scratch, see? Put your guns down now, please.
ANGEL:
We can’t do that, Pegs.
PEGS:
Please, you’re making me uncomfortable, stop pointing those things at me, please!
SAUL:
Lady, you’re makin’ me uncomfortable.
SAUL:
What the fuck do we do with her now?
PEGS:
Would you stop pointing those FUCKING GUNS AT ME!?
(Pegs starts moving)
SAUL:
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, what’s she doing?
ANGEL:
She’s goin’ after the cat!
(Pegs grabs the cat)
PEGS:
(pants) I got him, see? He’s ok. He’s ok, see? Look at his eyes. He’s not like them. I’m not like them.
MICHAEL:
Stand down, guys.
SAUL:
You sure? What is she-
MICHAEL:
(cuts him off) Just do it Saul. I think whatever could’ve happened would’ve happened already. Right Riley?
RILEY:
Yeah. It seemed to happen pretty quick with the others.
PEGS:
See? I’m ok right?
RILEY:
Can I go help her?
ANGEL:
Yeah, go on.
RILEY:
C’mon, Pegs. Let’s get you to your room.
PEGS:
Can I take Mr. Whiskers?
RILEY:
Who the hell names their cat that?
DATU:
Gina did.
RILEY:
Come on, this way.
(The two girls start to walk off)
RILEY:
Hey look, I’m sorry for what I said earlier.
PEGS:
It’s ok. The stew was really bad.
RILEY:
Liz, grab the catbox, would you? I don’t want this thing shitting on my sofa.
LIZZY:
Where are you guys staying?
RILEY:
Down the hall here. We have an extra bed for you.
LIZZY:
You mean I have to stay in the same room as Edward Scissorkitty?
(They walk off and close the door)
SAUL:
Lizzy could just stay in my room, (laughs) there’s a much less deadly beast in there.
MICHAEL:
Datu. Just make sure they’re OK.
(Michael whips out a gun)
MICHAEL:
And take this with you, just in case. You know to use that?
DATU:
Yeah, I used to shoot with my dad back home.
MICHAEL:
Red for fire, white for no fire. OK?
DATU:
OK. Got it.
(Datu walks off too)
ANGEL:
What a pain in the ass.
MICHAEL:
I don’t know. Maybe it’ll have it’s benefits.
ANGEL:
Oh really? Oh I see how it is, you and Pegs, huh?
SAUL:
That’s fine. Huh. As long as you stay off my Lizzy.
MICHAEL:
No no no, it’s not like that at all. I was referring to the cat. It’s not like one of them, maybe we can learn something from it.
SAUL:
Dude. You experiment with the lady’s cat, and you ain’t never gonna get anymore pussy. Well, besides just that one.
ANGEL:
Aw shit. Now that’s funny.
MICHAEL:
Oh fuck you.
(Angel laughs)
MICHAEL:
Who’s on guard duty tonight?
SAUL:
I had it last night.
ANGEL:
Yeah, well I had it this morning and I think that means it’s you, Michael.
MICHAEL:
No, no way! I dragged those nasty ass bodies up two flights of stairs and I still smell like ‘em. I’m takin’ another shower.
SAUL:
Dude, if it’s just gonna be us watching the front this shit’s gonna get old real quick. Why can’t one of them do it? I mean, if they get through the front door, they could just come and get us.
ANGEL:
We need our rest. I mean, we are the best trained and we need to be on alert if something goes wrong.
MICHAEL:
Fair enough. (faraway unbolting of a door) I’ll go ask.
RILEY:
No, no need. I’ll do it tonight, Michael.
SAUL:
Oh shit. They just heard all that?
MICHAEL:
Real smooth.
ANGEL:
You’re a dick.
(Everyone laughs)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
The next morning, Angel started planning the first recon mission. Whatever was said at dinner really set him in motion to do what needed to be done.
(Angel is fiddling with a map and notes)
ANGEL:
Ok. Here. We, found a map of the local area. Right now, we’re here. And there isn’t much in the immediate area where there might be survivors. But, once you get over here, there’s a lot of places to hide.
MICHAEL:
Alright, I’m with you so far.
ANGEL:
Alright, so there- alright. There’s a few places here, here, and here that we can stop and get supplies. This is a great sporting goods store, and, and these markets right here next door. Now, our big stop, is here; at the hardware store. Now, we need generators and we need them soon. I mean, we lose power, all those frozen foods are useless. And that’s easily half of what we have.
MICHAEL:
And how you gonna fit all this in one Hummer? With all the supplies, there’ll barely be enough room if you find anyone.
ANGEL:
We take a minimal crew. Just two of us. If you don’t mind, I’ll take one of the spare rifles, maybe you can see what you can do about fixing mine.
MICHAEL:
Oh. So you’re going too?
ANGEL:
I figure it’d be best if Saul and I went. You stay here.
MICHAEL:
You sure that’s a good idea? Saul may be able to lift a heavy load, but he’s no marksman.
ANGEL:
It’s better for the rest of these people if you stay here. Something happens to you, we’d have bigger problems.
MICHAEL:
What’re you talking about?
ANGEL:
Don’t be naive. They feel much safer with you. Look, these people are holding on by mere threads and last night was just one example. But no matter what happens, they stand firmly next to you, willing to do what it takes to get through this. Saul and I have little to do with that.
MICHAEL:
Where’s all this comin’ from? Something in that stew last night make you-
ANGEL:
Whatever. Consider it an order then. You may not understand where it’s coming from, but you are staying here.
(Door creaks open)
ANGEL:
Oh. And, you might want to start training these people on how to hold and use a gun. Datu was walking around with the safety off last night, could’ve caused some serious damage to himself or someone else.
(Angel starts to walk out)
MICHAEL:
Wait. When are you leaving?
ANGEL:
First thing in the morning. Saul’s prepping the Hummer now.
(Angel walks out and shuts the door)
(Bridge to later in the day)
(Birds are heard outside and footsteps are also heard)
MICHAEL:
(to Lizzy)
Alright, you’re doing good. Now, raise the end of the rifle up just a little bit, and put that black sight post right in the middle.
(Gunshot fires off)
LIZZY:
Ha! Nailed it!
MICHAEL:
(chuckles) Nice! Alright, your turn Datu, then Riley.
DATU:
Alright.
MICHAEL:
Pegs, you can, you can still try if you want to.
PEGS:
I’m watching. I’m learning, I just… don’t need to pick one up.
LIZZY:
Oh come on! It’s not that hard! I was a little shaky at first but then I got the hang of it.
RILEY:
Not a bad shot. You nailed that news anchor right between the eyes.
LIZZY:
Ha, it was an ugly billboard anyway. I mean really, who needs to have a 50-foot version of themselves?
RILEY:
Probably compensating a bit, what do you think?
PEGS:
How can you even joke right now?
(Pegs storms off)
LIZZY:
What’s her problem?
RILEY:
How does she expect to survive if she doesn’t learn how to defend herself?
DATU:
(whisper) Look! (zombie noises) Down there! I see one! (zombie snarl) Oh shit! I think they heard us! I- I mean, you told us that-
MICHAEL:
Nah nah nah, nah I doubt it. We’re up high enough to even you wouldn’t know which direction the sound came from.
DATU:
(whisper)
Can I shoot it?
LIZZY:
Give me that rifle.
DATU:
(whisper)
What? I want to!
LIZZY:
Give it to me!
(Lizzy starts grabbing it forcefully)
DATU:
Oh, oh, ok! Here.
MICHAEL:
Wait, wait Lizzy, we don’t know if that’s-
(Gunshots come from the M16 as Lizzy headshots the zombie)
DATU:
Whoa, shit! You see that? His head exploded!
MICHAEL:
That was really fuckin’ stupid, Lizzy, that could’ve been a normal lookin’ for some place-
LIZZY:
It wasn’t. That was the one who grabbed Todd at the door. We done here? Ok.
(Lizzy runs off)
RILEY:
I should go talk to her.
(Riley runs off in pursuit)
RILEY:
Lizzy, wait up.
(Michael sighs as he turns to head inside)
DATU:
Wait! You’re not going yet! I still need to learn!
MICHAEL:
Yeah. Alright. Um, here, the best shot is when you can support yourself on something, like your knee or something, that way you don’t shake. (fade out) You can also use the sling to hold the end of the rifle tight to keep from shaking…
(Sounds of a gun moving around)
DATU:
Thank you Michael. So, should I go watch downstairs now?
MICHAEL:
Yeah. Go relieve Saul so he can finish packin’ up.
(Datu walks off and Michael lights a smoke as Pegs enters in)
PEGS:
Hey.
MICHAEL:
Oh. Hey Pegs. You want one?
PEGS:
Oh, no thanks. I think it’s gross.
MICHAEL:
Oh. Alright, well uh, here, I’ll put mine out.
(Michael puts out the cigarette)
PEGS:
Oh! You didn’t have to do that.
MICHAEL:
Ha, it’s too late now.
MICHAEL:
(sighs) You hear that?
PEGS:
Hear what?
MICHAEL:
Exactly. Nothin’. No planes, no cars, nothing.
PEGS:
It’s… creepy.
MICHAEL:
(laughs) So, what can I do for you? Change your mind about the shooting lessons?
PEGS:
Uh, no, I haven’t. I just wanted to talk to you.
MICHAEL:
Oh?
PEGS:
Yeah, well, you see, I know you’re trying to help, and you think that I need to know how to shoot a gun.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, and I’m right.
PEGS:
You are, I know. I just can’t do it.
MICHAEL:
Well so you’ve told me. No idea why that is, you gonna clue me in on it?
(Pegs sighs sadly)
MICHAEL:
Alright, I guess not then.
PEGS:
Well, thank you for one. I know you’re staying to look after us, and that you’re doing everything you can to keep us safe.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, and, you’re not helping that. I can’t put you on guard duty unless you can use a gun. You understand that, don’t ya?
PEGS:
I’ll make up for it, in other areas, I swear. Once we have the garden, I will be up there every day.
MICHAEL:
Right now we don’t even have the roof. You may never get to make a garden.
PEGS:
Please. I know, I’m- I’m sorry… I’m worthless…
MICHAEL:
You’re not worthless, c’mon, you know that.
PEGS:
Riley doesn’t even want me around her anymore. I broke one of Datu’s hammers trying to fix some shelving for the shop, I can’t do guard duty, what the hell am I supposed to do!?
MICHAEL:
You broke a hammer? How the hell’d you break a hammer, I couldn’t do that if I tried!
PEGS:
(laughs) It was pretty old…
MICHAEL:
Ho ho, you must be pretty strong. Ay Pegs, you have a lot of things going for you. You’re smart, you’re kind, you’re giving, you’re pretty, and you’re brave.
PEGS:
(laughs) That’s sweet. But how am I brave? I’m afraid to use a gun.
MICHAEL:
You stood by what you believe. And for whatever reason, you’re being true to yourself even though it’s a life-threatening situation. For some people, it’s easy to change what you believe in based on the circumstances. And, you haven’t done that. I’ve known a lot of cowardly soldiers before, and they all had guns. You’re going head-first into these situations without hesitation.
PEGS:
…what did you say right before brave?
MICHAEL:
Ok, well, uh, you need to do something here, so, you know, let’s, let’s figure this out. Uh, um, you have the water thing covered, is there anything else you can do?
PEGS:
I don’t know. I can sow. I thought I could cook. I took a few art classes in college but those don’t matter. Oh, I don’t know.
MICHAEL:
Wait wait wait, wait a second. What college did you go to?
PEGS:
Santa Rosa? When did you graduate? 2006, 2007? We can’t be that much different in age.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, I bet we’re not. I, I kinda still go there, well, went there.
PEGS:
It took a while, ‘cause of the army thing?
MICHAEL:
Ha, yep. The army “thing”.
PEGS:
You went overseas… you know, to there?
MICHAEL:
Yeah. Saul and I were both there.
PEGS:
Did you um… well, how do I ask this?
MICHAEL:
Well it’s best if you don’t ask. Everyone wants to know, but no one really wants to.
PEGS:
So the spiders. Are they really that big, ew!
MICHAEL:
(laughs with Pegs) Oh! That. Yeah, yeah, they they can be but it’s really rare.
PEGS:
What did you think I was… oh. Yeah, I wouldn’t ask that.
PEGS:
So. What did you say before?
MICHAEL:
What?
PEGS:
I don’t know, something about being… pretty?
MICHAEL:
Um, I got a- uh, you, you, you could make some signs. You know, w-w-we could hang them, from the rafters here and you, you could sow some sheets together and p-p-p-paint some signs.
PEGS:
Yeah. That’d be great. (nervous Michael laugh) I could so totally do that.
MICHAEL:
And, you’d be saving lives, you know everyone, who would see your signs would come here for safety. You know, they would be here because of you.
PEGS:
That’s so awesome. I’ll get started right away. Oh, thank you, thank you thank you thank you thank you, I could kiss you!
(They share a very awkward kiss)
PEGS:
You…
MICHAEL:
Uh, I uh, uh I think Datu, uh (Pegs sighs) has some paint cans in his closet.
PEGS:
Yeah yeah, I’ll um… I’ll go get started.
MICHAEL:
Yep.
PEGS:
Uh, bye.
MICHAEL:
Yep.
(Pegs walks off)
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
Pegs made me realise something at that moment. In order for people to keep their sanity, they needed two things. One, they needed safety. Or at least a sense of it. Two, they needed something to do. Idle hands in this environment could cut already dangling bits of hope. At that moment, I could think of a third. But, that would have to wait.
SAUL:
Ay, grab that steel plate there.
(Metal is drug against the ground)
DATU:
Here you go.
(Saul welds the metal to the Hummer)
MICHAEL:
Wow, look at all this!
SAUL:
You like it? I fixed up the Humvee with a bit of extra… protection. Look at this. We now have a hatch.
MICHAEL:
Nicely done.
ANGEL:
Yeah, Saul has done an excellent job modifying our little behemoth here.
MICHAEL:
Well, do you wanna tell him, or should I?
ANGEL:
You go ahead, you thought of it.
SAUL:
(wipes his hands) What? You thought of what?
MICHAEL:
We were thinking of puttin’ you in charge of the motor pool.
SAUL:
What? You mean, the parking garage?
MICHAEL:
No, it’s now the motor pool. You’re in charge of keeping it safe, and if need be, making a few more modifications to some of our more, economic vehicles down here, like those.
SAUL:
Oh, you mean those pussy hybrids?
ANGEL:
Hey, we won’t have to worry (door opens from behind) as much about noise or gas consumption as this big ol’ diesel. But we’ll save those for when we get back, that is, if you’re up for it.
(Riley approaches them)
SAUL:
Sweet!
RILEY:
What’s sweet?
SAUL:
Oh. Just that this here is now my motor pool.
RILEY:
How wonderful. Here are some things from my shop. It’s all canned food, but it should last you. How long are you planning to be gone?
ANGEL:
Less than a day, if we can help it.
RILEY:
Oh. Well, in case you get stuck out there, I brought you extras. Oh, and don’t lose this. Can openers are few and far between. We couldn’t find many upstairs.
ANGEL:
Oh, thank you Riley.
(The Hummer door opens and the stuff is put inside)
MICHAEL:
What? What is it? Why, why are you looking at me like that?
RILEY:
Ohhh, no reason. I’m just glad Pegs had something to keep her occupied for a while.
(Riley walks away)
RILEY:
See you at dinner, boys.
(Riley opens the main door and shuts it)
SAUL:
Whoa. What? What’d you do, Mike? C’mon… you jump her bones?
MICHAEL:
Hey, how- how crude can you be? You know, you really need to learn how to speak to a non-commissioned officer.
ANGEL:
Now I’m really curious. You didn’t say you didn’t. (ironic coughing)
MICHAEL:
Nothing. I just gave her a job to make big signs for the building, so other survivors can see that we’re here.
SAUL:
Oh, I’m sure you gave her a job.
(Everyone laughs)
SAUL:
Well that, that is a good idea, I mean, I was thinkin’ about that-
ANGEL:
Yeah, sure you were, Saul. Now Michael. That wasn’t the look she gave you, c’mon, you can trust us.
MICHAEL:
I need to go wash up. You two and trying hard to find something that you’re not gonna find.
SAUL:
Aw, you’re breakin’ my heart, Michael. We may not come back and you won’t even tell us-
MICHAEL:
Na na na, you’re comin’ back, you’re a lowly son of a bitch to pull that petty crap and I’ll see you at dinner.
(Michael opens the door)
SAUL:
Yeah, but you ain’t denying it.
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
The night came and went without incident. I sat up on guard duty thinking about Saul and Angel and what my life would’ve been without them. Before this all happened, I wouldn’t want to spend 2 minutes with them in the real world. We would never go out to eat, and if I saw them in a bar, I’d turn the other way. Now, I couldn’t stand the idea of them leaving. Especially with the chance of them not comin’ back.
(Michael sighs and opens a door)
SAUL:
Morning, sunshine!
MICHAEL:
Hey. You ready?
RILEY:
Here. I’ll watch the front, you all head to the motor pool. Good luck.
(The soldiers walk out to the parking garage)
MICHAEL:
You nervous?
SAUL:
Naw. I’m excited to see what’s out there. You never know, we might pick up some really desperate chick with some big ol’ bitties and a waist the size of my thigh!
MICHAEL:
Is that all you ever think about?
(Car door shuts)
ANGEL:
Can you imagine what the two of us are gonna be able to talk about on our little road trip?
MICHAEL:
Unless you’ve got stocked stories of boobs or alcohol, I figure it’ll be a quiet ride.
ANGEL:
We should be fine then.
(Everyone laughs)
(The parking garage door opens)
DATU:
I’m here, Michael.
MICHAEL:
Great. Just wait by the security gate.
DATU:
Got it.
(Datu runs over to the gate)
MICHAEL:
You two ready for this? You got the key to the security gate so you can get back in, you’re all packed?
SAUL:
Yes Mom, we’ll be fine!
ANGEL:
We got this, quit worrying about us.
MICHAEL:
You see something or you get into a bad situation, you get the hell outta there, no shame in running!
ANGEL:
Saul and I have already talked about all this. We’ll be fine.
(The soldiers get inside)
MICHAEL:
Alright, I’ll cover the gate. Just get up that ramp in a hurry. (the gate opens) This thing’s loud and may send a few running towards you.
(The Hummer starts up and drives off)
(The gate closes)
DATU:
All clear, boss. You think they’ll be OK?
MICHAEL:
I hope so. C’mon, go relieve Riley on guard duty so she can cook us a decent breakfast.
DATU:
OK.
(Datu runs off)
(Orchestral bridge)
(Sounds of everyone eating food)
RILEY:
How is it?
MICHAEL:
So glad you’re here.
PEGS:
I’ll agree to that. Better than I could do.
MICHAEL:
Where’s Lizzy? I haven’t seen her since early this morning.
PEGS:
Uh, she was bouncing around apartments yesterday looking for something, maybe she’s still-
LIZZY:
Guys! C’mere!
(Everyone gets up in a hurry)
MICHAEL:
What? What’s wrong? What is it?
(Random TV noises)
LIZZY:
Look. I have been checking every room for phones, Internet, anything. Everything seems to be dead. But, look what I found.
MICHAEL:
We have TV reception?
LIZZY:
No. Every channel has static or bars. But, I thought of something yesterday when I saw that newscaster billboard. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but, this person’s TiVo was on when it all happened.
(Lizzy plays the recording)
NEWSCASTER (TV):
The plea of insanity has been accepted in the case of Bill Roberts, nicknamed “Ink” after his numerous tattoos that cover him from head to toe.
RILEY:
Why are we watching this?
NEWSCASTER (TV):
Ink was convicted of multiple homicides outside of Santa Monica last May.
LIZZY:
J-just wait!
NEWSCASTER (TV):
He is currently being transferred to a mental health facility.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, I’ve already seen this.
LIZZY:
Here, I’ll fast forward.
NEWSCASTER (TV):
Doctors would confirm that he is paranoid schizophrenic (fast forward) and know that the family itself was devastated. (fast forward) He is currently being transferred to a mental health facility. (fast forward)
(A news broadcast song is played)
NEWSCASTER (TV):
We are receiving updated reports of the rioting in downtown Los Angeles. (zombies screaming) News of more riots are being reported in many metropolitan areas outside of Los Angeles, Detroit, San Diego, New York, Houston, Chicago, and also internationally, in other cities such as-
RILEY:
What? Why did you pause it?
LIZZY:
That’s it. It cuts off there on the DVR. It’s an overhang from something recorded earlier. It’s all I’ve been able to find so far.
RILEY:
Well, is there anything else later?
LIZZY:
Everything that was set to record even an hour later is blank. Nothing else was broadcast.
(Lizzy turns off the TV)
RILEY:
How the hell did it spread so fast?
MICHAEL:
Will you keep looking on the other DVRs and see if you find anything else?
LIZZY:
Yeah, of course.
RILEY:
I’ll look with her. There’s a lot of those things in the building, it may take some time. Pegs, you coming?
PEGS:
How can this have happened?
MICHAEL:
Well that’s what we’re gonna find out. We’re gonna get through this together.
PEGS:
Everyone’s gone. No one out there is coming for us. We’re alone.
