MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
We stood there watching the gate, waiting for someone to show up. After a minute or so, I started to think of what the consequences were for my actions. Did I jump the gun on this one? Would I get punished? Well, my thoughts of guilt and plea-bargaining stopped once I heard the rumbling.
(Sounds of rumbling in the distance getting closer)
SAUL:
You hear that?
ANGEL:
How can you hear anything over that alarm?
MICHAEL:
Shh-sh-sh! It’s getting closer!
ANGEL:
C’mon, stop pullin’-
(A zombie call is heard)
ANGEL:
Uh… guys?
(The various zombies attack the fence and the gate)
SAUL:
They’re comin’!
MICHAEL:
Ah! Shoot the ones dragging down the barbed wire!
SAUL:
I’m trying, damnit! There’s too many!
ANGEL:
Ah! It won’t fire!
SAUL:
It’s just not stopping them, help!
MICHAEL:
Aim for the head!
ANGEL:
Somebody!
MICHAEL:
C’mon Angel, what the hell are you doing?
ANGEL:
It’s jammed!
MICHAEL:
Yeah, no shit!
SAUL:
They’re over the fence!
ANGEL:
Is that the-
MICHAEL:
Get inside!
SAUL:
Where?
MICHAEL:
The vault, move it!
ANGEL:
Saul, what did you do!?
MICHAEL:
Saul, help me with the door!
ANGEL:
We gotta go! Run, guys!
(They make it inside just in time)
MICHAEL:
Angel, give me your rifle.
(Angel holds on to it)
MICHAEL:
Let go, just let go of it, I’m gonna fix it, alright!?
ANGEL:
Al-alright!
MICHAEL:
Hey, hey, look at me! I want you to take a deep breath and have a seat.
SAUL:
How the hell are there so many? So fast?
ANGEL:
Those are what you saw on the freeway?
SAUL:
Pfft, yeah. But there were only like 7 of ‘em. That was like a hundred! How the hell are we gonna get out of here?
MICHAEL:
Take it easy Saul, there’s no need to get worked up.
SAUL:
What do you mean, no need? What we gonna do? Oh shit, oh shit, I gotta call my girl. Tell her that- (phone beeps)
ANGEL:
I’m surprised it’s even working in here. Here, let me try. (more phone beeps)
MICHAEL:
The lines are flooded right now, why don’t you just take a seat and have a breather.
ANGEL:
I knew getting into the vault was a mistake. You wouldn’t listen! I’m the officer here-
SAUL:
Hey, fuck you sir! Ok, if Michael hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here right now! Alright, I’d love to see you try and open the door while those things are chasing you down. I saw how fast you were with your rifle, you ‘bout shit your pants!
ANGEL:
Don’t you get it, they came because we opened it! They heard the alarm!
MICHAEL:
We don’t know that for sure, maybe they just followed the road, or, or maybe-
ANGEL:
Think about it! You said they attacked a guy in the car behind you because he was honking! They must be attracted to loud sound!
SAUL:
(laughs) So, you can understand ‘em all of a sudden? Huh? Well maybe now, you can step outside, you know, talk to them and sort some of this shit out. Maybe if you just shove your-
MICHAEL:
Hey, ok, ok, it’s enough Saul. He’s right.
SAUL:
He’s what?
MICHAEL:
No no, it makes perfect sense. Why else would they come in here and in such numbers and directly here? I caused ‘em to come.
ANGEL:
You were right, too, if that makes any difference.
MICHAEL:
How so?
ANGEL:
One of those things that came over the fence… I swear one of them looked like the commander.
SAUL:
Serious?
ANGEL:
No one else was comin’.
MICHAEL:
Well, no matter what we did, the longer we waited, the less time we would’ve had to prepare.
SAUL:
Prepare? Prepare for what?
MICHAEL:
Angel, how long until the alarm shuts off?
ANGEL:
I’m not sure exactly. Uh, an hour I think. Why?
MICHAEL:
Once it goes silent, they should go away. And then we can get the hell out of dodge.
ANGEL:
Alright, but then what? We don’t even know what they are!
SAUL:
I told you man, they’re zombies!
ANGEL:
You know what, specialist, I-
MICHAEL:
Woah, hey, hey, easy, both of you. He may be right. Maybe not exactly zombies, but there are similarities.
ANGEL:
Oh no, not you too!
MICHAEL:
Hey! Military intelligence is my job, it’s what I’m good at! You know, I’ve, I’ve encountered different tribes on my deployment, and the key to managing these situations is to know who you’re dealing with.
ANGEL:
Military intelligence? (scoffs) I am the one who figured out about the sound thing.
MICHAEL:
Yeah, well none of that matters now. What else do we know?
SAUL:
We know they go after people. They sure as hell aren’t no slow moving zombies either.
MICHAEL:
So, they’re quicker than us.
SAUL:
Got some strength too. The way they were bending the bars.
ANGEL:
Wonderful.
MICHAEL:
Headshots seem to drop ‘em like stones.
ANGEL:
Is that all we know?
MICHAEL:
Yeah, well, the rest would just be assumptions based off of what we’ve seen in movies.
ANGEL:
I still don’t believe this, are you listening to what you’re saying? Zombies? I mean, the dead, rising?
SAUL:
Who said they were dead?
ANGEL:
Whatever!
MICHAEL:
What would you have me do? We’re dealing with something we’ve never come close to experiencing before! All I’m tryna do is reason some way through this, something they aren’t able to do!
ANGEL:
Now who’s being presumptuous, how can you be sure that they can’t reason!?
MICHAEL:
Because we left the key in the door!
MICHAEL:
Alright, if we’re gonna make it through this, and I have every intention of doing so, we’re gonna have to stick together, and use our heads.
(The alarm shuts off)
SAUL:
Whoa. That was no hour.
ANGEL:
Well I said “I think”. No one has ever set off the alarm before.
MICHAEL:
Saul, look out the peephole.
(Peephole opens)
ANGEL:
They’re leaving?
(Peephole closes)
SAUL:
Um, no, I don’t think so.
MICHAEL:
Maybe it’ll just take some time.
SAUL:
You sure they can’t hear us?
MICHAEL:
Not a chance. The door’s about a foot thick and the walls are solid concrete.
ANGEL:
Give it time. They… they could move on.
ANGEL:
Al-alright well, say they clear out enough for us to get through. Where do we go?
SAUL:
We couldn’t just stay here, and defend this place?
MICHAEL:
No, they’re able to climb over the walls and come from any direction around the base. Not to mention every building has like four or five entrances. There’s only 3 of us.
SAUL:
We need… some place, like a prison.
MICHAEL:
Good idea, but not the best place for living.
ANGEL:
Well, we would be able to contain the area pretty easily. I could probably get by in a cell, I know you could too.
MICHAEL:
This isn’t just about us.
SAUL:
It’s not?
MICHAEL:
Look, there are a lot of people out there who are where we are now. Locking themselves in some safe place, waiting things out, hoping that someone is gonna come rescue them.
SAUL:
Like the army.
MICHAEL:
But we know that’s not gonna happen. At least not with our unit. There are no active military stations around here, and there’s a lot of people out there that need our help. Don’t you feel a little responsible to them?
SAUL:
Nope. Not at all.
SAUL:
Nah, just kidding.
ANGEL:
My girlfriend’s apartment building!
SAUL:
See, now, ha! He’s got the right idea: go out with a bang!
ANGEL:
That’s not what I-! Michael, it’s perfect. One main lobby with a small stairwell. We could turn off the elevators. That gives us a very small area to contain as the entrance. We could manage it with three people. Best of all, the parking garage has a security gate that we can seal off from anyone getting in!
MICHAEL:
That could work. Plenty of space for any other survivors, not to mention the amount of supplies throughout the building.
SAUL:
Given that we could make it there in one piece.
ANGEL:
It’s not too far from here!
MICHAEL:
It’ll work. Depending on how long we’re gonna hold up, it would last us.
ANGEL:
This could just be a, a local epidemic.
MICHAEL:
Nah. Given the rate of growth, I highly doubt it.
SAUL:
How do you expect to make it to the building? Like, the roads are probably jammed with broken down cars and God knows what else.
ANGEL:
Well, take one of the Humvees!
SAUL:
You won’t get too far with the steering wheel chained and locked! You’d only be able to turn like halfway!
ANGEL:
Then clip the lock with the bolt cutters!
SAUL:
(laughs) So we run outta here, fight through zombies that are, let me check: (opens peephole) yep, still outside the door (closes peephole), carrying ammo, rifles, and bolt cutters, all the way to the motor pool being chased by the things that we know are faster and stronger than us, and want to eat us!?
MICHAEL:
Yep, sounds about right.
SAUL:
Hey, as long as I get the SAW, I’m in.
MICHAEL:
Fine. We’ll need an automatic weapon anyway. Angel and I can carry an extra rifle, but anymore would really slow us down.
ANGEL:
Here, put these on.
SAUL:
Do we really need to wear uniforms?
ANGEL:
You wear this, and people will know who you are and won’t think twice about coming with you. There is a lot that this uniform represents that we will need out there.
MICHAEL:
Hey. He’s right, Saul, c’mon, let’s put ‘em on.
ANGEL:
Alright. We can do this.
[h="2"]Part 2[/h]
[CENTER][I]Music Bridge.[/I]
MICHAEL
How does it look out there?
SAUL
I don't see any, maybe they left.
ANGEL
Don't take any chances, go slow and quiet.
SAUL
You ready?
MICHAEL
Let's do it.
[I]The large door opens slowly as they creep out slowly.[/I]
MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The moment we opened the door, the world felt different. There was no one in sight, but we could feel they were close.
SAUL
(whispers)
Clear.
ANGEL
(whispers)
Head around back to the motor pool.
MICHAEL
Angel, There's one, look.
ANGEL
It's the commander, what is he doing?
SAUL
He's just standing there, like he's in formation.
ANGEL
Weird...
MICHAEL
Hey, come on!
(beat)
Motor pool is just around the corner, take it slow.
[I]They move towards the motor pool slowly until they hear a scream.[/I]
ANGEL
Move!
MICHAEL
Saul, you're driving!
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Clip the lock!
[I]CHINK[/I]
ANGEL
Start it!
SAUL
I CAN'T! I have to warm up the glow plug.
MICHAEL
Fuck, I forgot about that!
ANGEL
What is that?
SAUL
Come on, come on...
[I]Saul starts the engine.[/I]
ANGEL
Oh shit, seal the hatch!
MICHAEL
You can't!
SAUL
Got it, hold on.
(beat)
They're everywhere.
MICHAEL
Run 'em over!
[I]Saul pushes on the pedal as they plow through the zombies.[/I]
ANGEL
There's one on the roof.
[I]BLAM[/I]
MICHAEL
Got him.
SAUL
Hey, look who it is.
[I]Saul speeds up and hits a zombie with a thud.[/I]
ANGEL
Did you really have to run over the commander?
SAUL
Um, he was in the way.
ANGEL
You swerved to hit him!
MICHAEL
Saul! Stop fucking around and get us out the gate.
[I]Saul rams the gate and they head down the road.[/I]
ANGEL
Turn left on Bandini, and keep heading west.
[I]There is silence for a moment.[/I]
MICHAEL (V.O.)
None of us would say it, but we feared what we might find outside the gate. For the first time in a long time, I was afraid, not for what might happen to me, but what happened to the world. We were three men lost in a land of confusion.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Keep your eyes peeled for any survivors. We can fit around 4 or 5 more in here if we pile up a bit.
SAUL
That's IF we find any. This place, it's a ghost town.
ANGEL
How fast did you think it spreads?
MICHAEL
Too fast for anyone to be able to do anything about it.
ANGEL
Just keep your eyes peeled.
[I]Motor continues on.[/I]
ANGEL (CONT'D)
You have family out here?
MICHAEL
Um, yeah, kinda. My parents live in northern California. Outside San Luis Obispo. You?
ANGEL
It's just my girlfriend and I.
(beat)
I'm sure your parents are alright. The less populated-
MICHAEL
I'd rather not talk about it right now.
SAUL
My mom lives outside Anaheim.
(Beat)
Angel, did you try your cell phone again?
ANGEL
Busy still. I'm going to keep-
MICHAEL
STOP THE CAR!
ANGEL
What is it?
MICHAEL
Look, up there, the roof of the flower shop. Angel get in the turret, Saul, keep the engine running.
[I]Michael gets out of the Hummer.[/I]
PEGS
Oh thank god! Riley come here!
MICHAEL
How many up there?
PEGS
Just two.
MICHAEL
Get down here as fast as you can.
[I]The familiar scream is heard again.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Oh shit!
[I]Several shots ring out.[/I]
ANGEL
Got him! Hurry up! There are more coming!
[I]More shots.[/I]
MICHAEL
Pull the humvee up closer.
(Slight beat)
Jump onto the roof!
[I]Riley jumps down on top of the hummer.[/I]
RILEY
Come on Pegs!
PEGS
I can't!
RILEY
It's only like 7 feet! It's not hard! I'll catch you, come on.
MICHAEL
We need to go now!
[I]More shots fired.[/I]
ANGEL
There's too many of them!
SAUL
Michael, we have to leave her!
[I]Thump, Pegs jumps down.[/I]
MICHAEL
Climb through the hatch!
[I]Michael climbs in as they close the doors and speed away.[/I]
RILEY
You're crushing me.
MICHAEL
Just hold on!
[I]Several thumps of zombies being run over as they head off into the distance.[/I]
ANGEL
We're clear.
SAUL
Where do I go from here?
ANGEL
Left at the light. Keep going straight for a couple miles until you hit Harbor.
[I]Silence.[/I]
RILEY
Thanks for picking us up.
MICHAEL
No Problem.
PEGS
Where are the rest of you?
ANGEL
This is it.
PEGS
You're it? Where are the others? You know, Army people.
MICHAEL
We were the only ones to show up. Everything happened too fast, no one could have prepared for this.
PEGS
Where is everyone else?
ANGEL
For all we know we could have just been shooting at them.
[I]Silence.[/I]
RILEY
Where are we going?
MICHAEL
We're headed to an apartment building that we can hold up in for a while.
PEGS
Is that going to be safe?
ANGEL
We'll make it safe. Once we have it locked down, we can go out and look for survivors.
PEGS
What happens after that?
MICHAEL
Not sure. Once step at a time.
[I]Silence[/I]
RILEY
Pegs and I were on the roof for a while. I didn't think anyone was going to come.
SAUL
Who's Pegs?
PEGS
That would be me.
SAUL
Oh, um. Hi Pegs, I'm Saul. And that's Angel and Michael.
RILEY
Riley, nice to meet all of you. Where are you all from?
MICHAEL
I don't mean to be rude, I know you're trying to be polite, but we'll have much more time later to fill each other in on the details. Right now, we need to focus on what's going on.
RILEY
Totally, you do your thing.
MICHAEL (V.O.)
We sped through what was left of downtown. Small fires were all over the place and abandoned cars littered the road. We never saw anyone else. I had to keep my eyes on the road, but they kept wandering back to Pegs. Her chocolate brown hair and her dark eyes seemed to draw me to her. She looked to be in her early 20's. Unlike Pegs, Riley gave off a very confident vibe. She was fit and strong, maybe somewhere in her 30's. I knew Army girls who weren't as put together as she was.
ANGEL
Do either of you know how to use a rifle? Any type of hand gun?
RILEY
I'm a pro-archer.
SAUL
Like Robin Hood? Like a bow and arrow?
RILEY
Yeah, that.
ANGEL
OK, well that doesn't really help us. What about you?
PEGS
I've never shot a weapon before.
RILEY
Well, I've shot a gun, but I just don't remember how.
ANGEL
Here, we have two berettas, they're handguns. They're really easy to use. All you need to do is flip these switches from safe to fire. See that red dot there. If you see that, the safety is off. If we get into a really bad situation, you use it. Otherwise, let us be the first to fire.
RILEY
I can do that.
PEGS
No thanks.
ANGEL
What do you mean no thanks?
PEGS
I mean, I don't need one.
ANGEL
Oh, you mean you don't feel comfortable with it? Well once we get some down time I'll help train you.
MICHAEL
Or, I could. Angel here is an officer and he doesn't like to get his hands dirty.
ANGEL
No, really, I wouldn't mind.
PEGS
It's not that, I just don't agree with weapons.
MICHAEL
Wait, you what?
PEGS
I just don't want to.
MICHAEL
Alright, I'm not going to push. Riley, you OK with it?
RILEY
Hell, if you wouldn't have given me a weapon, I probably would've stolen one.
MICHAEL
Fair enough. So how do you two know each other?
ANGEL
I thought we were going to save the small talk.
MICHAEL
I can pay attention to more than one thing at a time.
RILEY
Oh, we don't really know each other, well not until today. I work as a chef near the farmer's market, Pegs here works, or well worked at the flower shop you picked us up at.
PEGS
Yeah, Riley found me in the commotion and we climbed up to the roof, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, Riley.
RILEY
Yeah, well, everyone else wasn't so lucky. If we had waited only a few more seconds we would have rounded the corner, right into them.
ANGEL
What happened?
PEGS
It all happened so fast, they just collided.
[I]Pegs gets too emotional and can't continue.[/I]
RILEY
The people that were attacked first got it the worst. Blood went everywhere. Then the ones that were sprayed on started to attack others as well.
MICHAEL
So they turned into them from the blood?
RILEY
I don't know. Not everyone did, I don't think. Only a few. It was hard to tell who was attacking who, they all looked the same. Within a few minutes though, it was clear who was who, and there weren't any of US any more.
[I]Silence.[/I]
RILEY (CONT'D)
Until you showed up, I figured it wouldn't be much longer before they found us, and we'd end up joining them.
MICHAEL
I know it's difficult right now, but the details are important. How long did it take for the people to turn into them?
RILEY
A few minutes I guess, it depended on how close they were. There were some that tried to run away, but were chased down. They're so fast.
SAUL
We already knew that.
ANGEL
We're almost there.
MICHAEL
Look, once we get inside and we make it safe, I need you to tell me every detail, even if it seems obvious or irrelevant. Ok? You too Pegs.
Pegs
Alright.
MICHAEL
The more we know about what we're dealing with the better chance we have of surviving and NOT becoming one of those things.
RILEY
Alright.
ANGEL
Pull around to the side and down that ramp. We'll secure from the ground floor, starting with the parking garage.
SAUL
Going there.
[I]Saul pulls the vehicle through the entrance and into the parking garage.[/I]
MICHAEL
Kill the engine.
[I]The garage is silent.[/I]
SAUL
Should I shut the security gate?
ANGEL
What do you think, Michael?
MICHAEL
Do it, the hummer can get through it if we need it to.
[I]Saul pulls the gate slowly shut.[/I]
ANGEL
Looks clear.
MICHAEL
It does, but we have to make sure. Sweep across the back row of cars. If we miss one of these things, the whole tower could fall.
(beat)
Check in and under the cars.
RILEY
Hey, we got something over here.
MICHAEL
What is it?
RILEY
It looks like they got him when he was trying to get in his car.
MICHAEL
He breathing?
RILEY
I don't see how he can... oh god.
ANGEL
Saul, you know what to do.
SAUL
Got it.
[I]The sound of Saul taking out a knife.[/I]
MICHAEL
Pegs, Riley, come over here by me.
PEGS
What is he doing?
MICHAEL
Unless we have to, we don't want to shoot anything down here. The sound could echo out of the building and bring more of them here.
RILEY
So he's going to...?
MICHAEL
He's going to make sure he doesn't get back up, and we only know one method of making sure.
PEGS
I think I'm going to be sick.
ANGEL
Make sure you don't get any blood on you.
[I]Saul finishes.[/I]
SAUL
Yeah, I didn't. Cut through pretty easily, was already half way through before I even started on his neck.
MICHAEL
Well, leave your knife here. We don't know exactly how it spreads. Let's head up towards the lobby.
[I]Music Bridge.[/I]
MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I was worried that the new additions might complicate the plan, but they followed my lead and stuck close by, never getting in the way. The lobby wasn't as secure as I would have hoped. Sunlight was streaming through the many windows and glass panes. I was pretty sure anything could get in here if it really wanted to.
ANGEL
Clear.
MICHAEL
Saul, I need you to find something to lock or barricade the main entrance door.
SAUL
I saw some chains in the hummer, and I think there's a spare lock in the tool box.
MICHAEL
Do it. Riley, you go with him?
RILEY
Will do.
SAUL
Man, it's alright, we were just down there.
MICHAEL
Until we've cleared this entire building, no one is to be alone, ever, got it?
SAUL
Yeah, come on girl. You got my back, just don't shoot it.
[I]Riley and Saul head downstairs.[/I]
MICHAEL
Angel, I'll cover the front, would you check the elevators?
ANGEL
Why don't I watch the front and you can check them.
MICHAEL
I just need to know if they're working.
(Beat)
Fine, I'll do it.
[I]Michael pushes the button.[/I]
ANGEL
Out of order.
[I]Pounding erupts from inside the elevator.[/I]
MICHAEL
Someone's inside there.
[I]Saul returns.[/I]
SAUL
See what I tell you, nothing to worry- What, What is it?
MICHAEL
Angel, Secure the front door.
[I]Angel chains the door and returns to them.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Saul, give me your knife, I'm going to pry open the doors.
SAUL
You had me leave it downstairs.
MICHAEL
I know you didn't, now hand it over.
SAUL
I cleaned it off, it's fine.
MICHAEL
You made yourself the guinea pig by not listening to me. We wanted to avoid any contact with that blood. Don't let it happen again.
ANGEL
Front doors secure.
MICHAEL
Alright, I'll open it, you two, be ready to fire. On three. One, Two,
(beat)
THREE![/CENTER]
[h="2"]Part 3[/h]
[CENTER][I]Michael pries open the door as a body falls out.[/I]
DATU
Oh shit... Oh man, don't shoot, don't shoot.
SAUL
Who the hell are you?
DATU
I'm Datu, the maintenance guy for the building, oh thank god you're here!
RILEY
What were you doing in there?
DATU
I was coming down when the power went out. Oh thank god you found me.
ANGEL
You work here?
DATU
Well I live here too, where, where are the rest of you?
MICHAEL
This is it.
DATU
Where are your tanks and shit, I mean you are the U.S. Army, right?
MICHAEL
We are IN the Army, but like I said, this is it.
[I]They start to walk away.[/I]
DATU
Well, whatever, I'm just glad you're here. Wait, where are we going?
SAUL
Upstairs.
DATU
I don't think there's anyone else up there. Most everyone in the building was at work, and those who were here left. Word has it there is an evacuation site a few miles from here.
PEGS
Oh thank god-
ANGEL
Evac site? Where?
DATU
Off of 4th street and Bandini.
ANGEL
We drove by that intersection, there's no-one there.
DATU
No, one? No one at all?
SAUL
I would have remembered seeing something.
DATU
Oh no.
(beat)
I've worked in this building for 5 years, you don't know how many of those people I knew, the ones that left. Some of them had children. I watched them grow up over the years-
ANGEL
I didn't say they died, I just said they weren't there. Maybe there was an evacuation, maybe they got out.
SAUL
Yeah, or maybe they didn't.
MICHAEL
At ease.
DATU
Still, there's no reason to go upstairs. We can get going, right?
MICHAEL
We're staying here.
DATU
You're what? But there's nothing here.
MICHAEL
Exactly.
DATU
I can't, I just can't.
[I]Datu goes to open the door, but it's chained.[/I]
DATU (CONT'D)
Take these chains off, let me out. Maybe they're coming back.
ANGEL
Sir, you're not listening to us.
DATU
Let me out!
PEGS
Riley, wait!
RILEY
I got this-
(beat)
Look, Datu, you may think it could be better out there, but it's not. We've been out there, we know. Your building is much safer.
(Beat)
And, we have these soldiers here to help us. They already saved Pegs and me, and they can save lots more too. But we can't do it without your help. We need to make sure this place is safe before we bring them back here.
DATU
Why do you need me?
RILEY
We need to make sure it's safe here. That means going from room to room making sure. You have the keys don't you? And you know what key opens what door and every place that someone or something might be hiding in this building. We need your help.
DATU
Yeah, I guess you do.
RILEY
Those men, they're trained for this sort of thing. They'll protect us. So why not help them? The less time in here, the more lives they could save out there.
DATU
OK, OK, I'll help. Come on, this way.
SAUL
Why don't you just point which way, and I'll go first.
DATU
This is the stairwell, here.
ANGEL
You sure the other elevator is clear?
DATU
Yeah, I think so.
ANGEL
We have to make certain, what floor is it on?
DATU
Top Floor, See, the hours pointing to number 15.
ANGEL
There's only 15 floors?
DATU
Well 14, but there's no number 13.
ANGEL
Think you can do anything about the power?
DATU
Oh we still have power, something just blew the breaker.
ANGEL
So where do we turn it back on?
DATU
It's in the maintenance room in the basement, but that's not the problem.
ANGEL
Then what's is?
DATU
Something blew the main, which means it is something big. If I flip it back on, it could start a fire.
MICHAEL
Yeah, that would definitely be a problem.
DATU
I have some flashlights in my apartment on the second floor, once we find what blew it, I can flip it back on.
ANGEL
Come on, let's go.
[I]Datu, Angel and Saul head up the stairs.[/I]
DATU
Hey, You look familiar, do I know you?
ANGEL
Naw, you must be mistaken.
PEGS
What about Riley?
[I]The voices trail off up the stairs.[/I]
MICHAEL
We'll be up in a sec.
(Beat)
Hey Riley. Thanks for talking to Datu.
RILEY
No problem. We needed him. We're all on the same team now, right?
MICHAEL
I guess. Thanks though, I don't think he would have listened to me.
[I]They start up the stair well.[/I]
RILEY
Well, you work as long as I have in the restaurant biz, you have to deal with a lot of people that don't like your food.
MICHAEL
You were a bad cook?
RILEY
I was great, you just can't please everyone.
MICHAEL
No, you can't.
[I]Music bridge.[/I]
MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The first few floors reminded me of my time overseas; going from room to room, in near total darkness. You didn't know what was behind every door and every step could be your last. The place was empty. Some rooms had clothes strewn about, like they had scrambled to leave in a hurry. The pictures of the people on the wall haunted me as I walked past them. I kept a close eye on Angel. He never told us what apartment his girlfriend lived in. But, I knew from his reaction on the third floor that we had found it.
SAUL
This door's open.
MICHAEL
Careful.
[I]A scream down the hall.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Contact! Down the hall.
[I]They open fire and hit the target.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Cease fire! He's down.
ANGEL
You know this guy?
DATU
That was Mr. Larth. Good man, well was.
[I]A sound from the apartment.[/I]
SAUL
We have something in here.
ANGEL
(very nervous)
OK, um, be careful.
MICHAEL
You okay Angel?
ANGEL
Yeah, I'm fine, come on.
[I]They walk deep into the apartment.[/I]
SAUL
(whispers)
Living room clear.
MICHAEL
Check the bedroom.
[I]They move into the bedroom.[/I]
SAUL
We got a live one! Looks like her legs are broken.
MICHAEL
Don't get too close.
SAUL
Why not?
MICHAEL
Ma'am, I know you're hurt, but can you hear us?
SAUL
She's crawling towards us.
MICHAEL
She's turned. Shoot her.
ANGEL
(barely holding back tears)
NO! Wait, please, just wait.
MICHAEL
Angel, she's one of them, look at her.
ANGEL
I know, I see it.
MICHAEL
It's her, isn't it?
ANGEL
It's Cindy.
MICHAEL
We don't have much of a choice on this one. What do you want us to do?
SAUL
This bitch is getting closer to me, can I shoot her already?
ANGEL
Don't call her that!
MICHAEL
Angel, we have to do this, but I need you to make the call.
[I]A long pause.[/I]
ANGEL
(whispers)
Do it.
[I]BLAM.[/I]
MICHAEL
Saul, wait outside with the others.
SAUL
Got it.
MICHAEL
You made the only choice you had, and you know it.
ANGEL
I know.
MICHAEL
Once we get things calmed down a bit, I'll help find a place and we can bury her.
ANGEL
Thanks Michael.
MICHAEL
But right now, we can't do that. We need to continue going through this place. I need to know you're OK to do that.
ANGEL
I am.
MICHAEL
You sure? I can't have any hesitation.
ANGEL
I'm on it, Michael.
MICHAEL
Alright.
[I]They leave the apartment.[/I]
PEGS
Is he OK, what happened in there?
MICHAEL
He'll be fine. We found one, but we took care of it.
DATU
Was it Cindy? Aww. Man she was a really nice lady.
[I]Angel starts to break into tears.[/I]
DATU (CONT'D)
What'd I say?
MICHAEL
Angel, What the hell?
SAUL
Come on Michael.
MICHAEL
Look, I lost people I love as well and you don't see me breaking down. We can't do this right now.
SAUL
Have a heart, this was like a few feet in front of him.
[I]Angel breaks down further in tears.[/I]
PEGS
What the hell is wrong with you Michael?
(Beat)
We all lost people today, Angel. You're not alone.
[I]Michael walks away.[/I]
SAUL
Michael, where you going?
MICHAEL
If he gets a moment, I get one too!
[I]Michael enters an apartment.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Come on where are you, I know you had them in here, I could smell them. Shit, here we go. Now where the fuck did you put your lighter?
[I]The sound of a lighter flickers in the background.[/I]
RILEY
Need a light?
MICHAEL
Thanks, Riley. You know you shouldn't sneak up on me like that.
[I]Michael inhales and coughs.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Here, you want one.
RILEY
Thanks.
MICHAEL
I quit this a long time ago. Gave it up when I was overseas. I guess I made it long enough.
RILEY
Me too. Stopped cause it was bad for my health, that's the least of my concerns now, right?
MICHAEL
You know, I'll be alright on my own. Saul may need backup, but I sure as hell don't. You don't have to be in here right now.
RILEY
I didn't have to jump onto the back of your Humvee either, but it's a choice I made.
MICHAEL
Why don't you go and try and console Angel. Work some of that magic like you did on Datu.
RILEY
I'm where I should be.
MICHAEL
What does that mean?
RILEY
You may have them fooled, but not me.
MICHAEL
Oh, and how's that?
RILEY
You're hurting right now, but for different reasons.
MICHAEL
Because we had to shoot Angel's girlfriend? Well yeah, I feel bad about it, but it was the right thing to do.
RILEY
No, I mean about the losing loved ones today. The thought never crossed your mind until now, did it?
MICHAEL
(sarcastically)
Yes, it did, bothered me all day.
RILEY
I don't think so.
[I]Michael sits down. Riley closes the door.[/I]
RILEY (CONT'D)
Look, it's alright to talk about it.
(Beat)
You don't have anyone do you?
MICHAEL
Maybe I do, and maybe I don't, what does it matter?
RILEY
You look, pretty young, where are your parents?
MICHAEL
Oh god... We're smoking a cigarette not having drinks. I ain't about to give you my life story already.
RILEY
Look, I know I don't know you very well, but we need to look after each. I can see when someone's in pain. I just don't want whatever it is, to get to you.
MICHAEL
And how would that happen?
RILEY
Something back there hurt you as much as Angel is hurting and you're not letting it out, and until you do, it will continue to eat you away.
MICHAEL
It may be cute to think you hold some kind of inspired wisdom that can cure all wounds, but you don't know anything about me. And no quick-fix flirtation is going to heal any open wounds.
[I]Riley Laughs.[/I]
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
(can't hold his anger and starts to chuckle)
Can you tell me what is so funny? You know you make it really hard to keep a straight face.
RILEY
No, it's not that, it's just, well flirtatious- Seriously, you're not my type. I'm flattered though.
MICHAEL
You know, you have an infectious laugh, anyone ever tell you that?
RILEY
Yeah, few times.
MICHAEL
Made me feel better than all the squabbling you were doing before that.
[I]Door flings open.[/I]
SAUL
What's wrong? I thought I heard something scream in here.
MICHAEL
Nope, that would have just been Riley's laugh.
SAUL
Oh, alright. Well anyway Angel's on his feet, and looking for you.
MICHAEL
You heard the man, let's move out.
RILEY
Michael, don't forget what I said, alright?
MICHAEL
Whatever.
[I]Michael continues into the hall.[/I]
SAUL
How many floors we got to go?
DATU
Eleven more is all.
SAUL
Holy-shit, eleven? This is going to take forever.
MICHAEL
Especially now that Riley has warned them in their own language. They probably understood that shit.
PEGS
What? I like her laugh.
[I]They enter the stairwell and through the door to the fourth floor.[/I]
SAUL
Oh, shit, you smell that?
RILEY
I do now, phew.
MICHAEL
Something's burning, Datu, you have an extinguisher?
DATU
It's down the hall, but I don't see any smoke.
PEGS
Whatever it is, it's awful.
SAUL
Hey Michael, remember suicide gate?
MICHAEL
Why would you bring that up now?
SAUL
Smell familiar?
MICHAEL
A little bit, why?
SAUL
Just a hunch, follow me.
[I]They wander down the halls.[/I]
ANGEL
Stay close together.
SAUL
Here, through this door.
DATU
Just a second.
[I]Datu fiddles with the keys and unlocks it.[/I]
SAUL
Oh god, yup, I knew it.
RILEY
What, I don't see anything?
SAUL
Michael, why don't you, me and Datu take this one. Angel, you watch the hall with Riley and Pegs.
[I]They wander into the bathroom.[/I]
DATU
Holy-
SAUL
Well, That's one way to go.
MICHAEL
Smells just like suicide gate?
SAUL
Yup, you got it.
DATU
What happened there?
MICHAEL
There was a gate outside one of the green zones that was constantly hit by car bombs. When it torched the bodies in the surrounding cars, the smell stayed in the area long after.
SAUL
Look at this, he must have been standing in the bathwater when he reached up and grabbed it. Must have flown like 4 feet.
MICHAEL
What happened to just using a blow dryer or toaster.
DATU
The circuit would have just popped.
SAUL
I guess he didn't want to do it wrong. Look at this, he ripped the entire strand of wires out of the wall. Bit over-kill.
MICHAEL
No pun intended?
(Beat)
Datu, can you shut the power off to this room, so you can get it back on for the rest of the building?
DATU
Of course.
MICHAEL
Saul, go with him downstairs. We'll wait for you.
[I]Datu and Saul head downstairs and Michael shuts the door.[/I]
PEGS
What was it?
MICHAEL
Oh, someone chose an alternative to survival.
RILEY
Ew... how?
MICHAEL
Let's just say you don't want this room.
RILEY
Or this floor for that matter, pew.
ANGEL
Well, I think it's safe to say that I'll be staying on the top floor. The further from the ground the better.
MICHAEL
I'm sure you'll think different after 14 flights of steps.
ANGEL
Oh yeah, no elevator.
MICHAEL
Not unless you wanna risk getting stuck.
RILEY
I don't know about you, but I really liked that apartment on the second floor, with the nice TV and the classic modern sofa.
PEGS
I thought that one was nice too. I'll stay with you there.
RILEY
Um. Really, you don't have to, there are a lot of others to choose from.
MICHAEL
You already making stakes on the rooms?
PEGS
Well why not? I mean it is our building now.
MICHAEL
That's one way of looking at it.
ANGEL
You know, I liked the one, what was it, 2b. The one with the nice leather couch and the king size bed.
MICHAEL
See, told you this place was a better idea than the prison.
[I]The lights flicker back on.[/I]
ANGEL
Oh nice!
MICHAEL
Now just because the lights are on and this place feels a lot safer, don't go getting complacent on me.
PEGS
What's that mean?
ANGEL
Don't let your guard down.
PEGS
I'm not doing much, so, alright. I'm kinda worthless now, aren't I?
MICHAEL
Maybe you're not able to do something right NOW, but once this place is secure, I'm sure you will be useful. What did you do outside, like for your job.
PEGS
I was a florist.
MICHAEL
OK, um. Well I guess you could, um. Angel?
ANGEL
Got me there, I dunno.
RILEY
Oh come on guys, I thought you had thought this one through.
ANGEL
We did, mostly, I mean we're here aren't we.
RILEY
Look, Pegs, once this place is up and running we're going to need food, and not just what hasn't expired in people's cupboards.
MICHAEL
There you go- You could make a garden on the roof! We're going to need fruit, vegetables, spices-
RILEY
Sure, take my idea.
PEGS
What are you talking about? It's ok to claim a nice place to sleep for a few nights, but you want me to start a garden? How long are we planning on staying here? I'm sure someone will come for us. This will be over in a few days.
MICHAEL
It might, and it might not. I'd rather plan for long term and be rescued tomorrow.
ANGEL
Riley brings up a good point, Michael. But, we need to do more than just planting food. We're going to need to get organized.
MICHAEL
The more people that we can help and have hide out here, the more important it is that they each pull their own weight.
RILEY
Everyone would be more than willing to, I mean Pegs and I would do damn near anything for you after you picked us up.
(Beat)
Wait, I just made us sound like prostitutes.
MICHAEL
Well- I thought that was implied.
RILEY
Oh, come on that's not even funny.
[I]Saul and Datu return.[/I]
DATU
Power's back on.
Saul
That's right, everything's all good.
ANGEL
Alright, let's get moving.
MICHAEL (V.O.)
After our first day in the tower, my legs ached like no time before. We couldn't stop and rest before the building was empty and clear. We found a few more of those things, here and there, but no survivors. Each flight of steps made my shins splint and my back ache. I think that first day was the longest for me. By the time we reached the last floor, I thought I was prepared for everything. I was wrong. [/CENTER]
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