Chapter 1 Transcript

Transcript of [wiki]1 - It Begins[/wiki]
Written by Kc Wayland

Edited by Re1ndeer and DemetriusH
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[center]
MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
As I recall, the months leading up to when this all began weren’t much to remember. My unit returned home earlier that year from our tour in Iraq. I had spent 365 on ground working as military intelligence. Our group came up with those playing cards you saw on the news: the 52 most wanted. I was a hard-charge PFC back then. But that was the first tour. After a third, I was the tired and depressed sergeant. Nothing scared me back then. I didn’t fear death, or what might be on the other side if today was my last day. That was then, and this is now. I write this, not really for anyone to read, but for my own sanity. Maybe if I go over it again from the beginning it might make more sense to me. And then again, maybe not.

(Footsteps are heard as Michael walks down a hallway)

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
I was 27 at the time and in my fourth year in college. I started my freshman year in 2001, almost 8 years ago now. Huh. I remember the day as it was burned into my head. May 8th, 2009.

COLLEGE GIRL:
Hey Michael, where you goin’?

MICHAEL:
Uh, class.

COLLEGE GIRL:
(giggle) Did you study for the quiz today?

MICHAEL:
Ha, no, not really.

COLLEGE GIRL:
Neither did I.

MICHAEL:

COLLEGE GIRL:
Hey, are you going to the Omega party this weekend? It’s gonna be so awesome, and I thought you might wanna, go with me-

MICHAEL:
Uh no, don’t wanna, but thanks though.

COLLEGE GIRL:

MICHAEL:
What, is it better to say, “O-ok, maybe, well, another time?”

COLLEGE GIRL:
Geez, you don’t have to be such a jerk about it.

MICHAEL:
I was direct, how’s that being a jerk?

(Michael and the College Girl enter their classroom, where the students are taking a test)

TEACHER:
Once you’re done, um, go ahead and, put your papers up here, and uh you guys, you guys are free to go.

(A distant explosion sounds off)

MICHAEL:

COLLEGE GIRL:

TEACHER:
You know, it’s probably just the uh, the construction going on next door, now, please just-

MICHAEL:
That’s not construction.

TEACHER:
C’mon, take your seat.

(Michael gets up from his seat, ready to leave)

TEACHER:
Hey! Hey, you know, there’s not gonna be any make-ups for the quiz if you go. I-I-

(Classroom door shuts as Michael hurries down the hall)

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
I remembered seeing everyone gathered around the television. I expected a bombing, or maybe even another attack on U.S. soil. Part of me was planning for the worst, but… nothing could’ve prepared me for what I saw.

STUDENT:
Did you see that?

NEWSCASTER (TV):
…must be shocking, but I assure you, they are very real. Uh, we are receiving reports from all around the Los Angeles area and downtown San Diego. Men and women attacking each other, biting and thrashing at one another. (students gasp) Local law enforcement is now responding. Oh my God. They’re attacking the police officers. The attackers seem to have no hesitation as to…

COLLEGE GIRL:
The hell is going on? That’s only like, 20 miles from here, do you think it’s gonna reach us?

(Michael phone rings and he picks up)

MICHAEL:

ANGEL (PHONE):
Michael, it’s Lieutenant Angel. Where are you?

MICHAEL:
I’m at school right now, what’s going on?

ANGEL (PHONE):
We need you to come to the unit, right away.

MICHAEL:
Is this about what’s on the TV?

ANGEL (PHONE):
I’m stuck in traffic, so I have no idea. I just got a phone call from the commander, and now I’m calling you. How long till you can get here?

MICHAEL:
Um, maybe 30 minutes, but I don’t have my uniform.

ANGEL (PHONE):
Don’t worry about those, we have a couple spare in the unit. Just get there as fast you as can.

MICHAEL:
Alright, I’m on my way.

(Michael runs outside)

[hr][/hr]

(Various cars can be heard honking)

MICHAEL:
What the hell do you want me to do? He’s not moving in front of me either! Can’t go anywhere, God damn!

(Michael turns on the radio)

NEWSCASTER (RADIO):
The 101 has been completely shut down in the area of the riots. Do not attempt taking the five freeway as it is stopped due to a massive accident outside Bell in South Los Angeles.

(Michael turns off the radio)

MICHAEL:

(A guy behind Michael starts honking)

MICHAEL:
I swear, I’m gonna rip your ass outta that car- (car starts driving) finally!

(Michael’s car comes to an abrupt halt)

MICHAEL:

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
The first time I saw ‘em, I froze. Something inside me told me not to move. The group of them moved past my car to the guy honking behind me. Their bodies were littered with scars and bruises, and their eyes were glazed over. The news made it sound like these were people gone mad, but the way they moved… made me think that these may not be people at all.

(More honking and sounds of running)

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
It seemed almost in slow motion the way they piled onto that honker’s car. Within seconds they shattered the glass and pulled him through the windshield. Like a pack of wild dogs they tore him apart. (sounds of the man screaming) I found my feet seconds later and pushed on the pedal as hard as I could, driving onto the grassy medium. The escaping look of mortality in the man’s face… still haunts me today.

[hr][/hr]

(Michael pulls up to a gate and attempts to enter a code to open it)

PINPAD VOICE:
Invalid entry. (Michael groans) Please try again.

(Michael tries again)

PINPAD VOICE:
Access granted. Please enter.

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
When I drove up, I saw Lieutenant Angel Tunudo: the tall, blond, spoiled kid who just got out of officer school. A program tailored to turn men into leaders, but I had more command experience in my thumb, than he had in his entire body.

(Michael's car door shuts)

MICHAEL:
Angel! Where the hell is everyone else?

ANGEL:
I was told they were on their way. I keep calling the commander but he’s not picking up. Wait, is that his truck? No, it’s just Saul.
(to Michael)
What the hell happened to you, you look pale!

MICHAEL:
You didn’t see it? Weren’t you on the five too?

SAUL:
Could someone please tell me what the fuck that was?

ANGEL:
I came off the 710, what was-

MICHAEL:
Those things ran onto the freeway!

SAUL:

ANGEL:
What the hell are you talkin’ about?

MICHAEL:
You have no idea what’s going on?

ANGEL:
No, would somebody please explain to me?

SAUL:
You’re the one who called us in, why don’t you tell us-

ANGEL:
No one told me a thing! All they told me was to call my squad and get my ass down here right away. I heard about the rioters on the radio, but why the hell would they run onto the freeway?

MICHAEL:
Those were not rioters, they attacked a guy who was honking at me on the freeway!

SAUL:
They weren’t attacking him, they were eating him.

ANGEL:

SAUL:
I wasn’t far behind Michael. They were taking big chunks, and shoving them in their mouths!

ANGEL:
What!? Why would they-

MICHAEL:
They were like animals, and they sure as hell weren’t like us anymore, not with those eyes.

ANGEL:
Then what were they?

SAUL:

MICHAEL:
C’mon Saul, this isn’t the time.

SAUL:
No joke Sarge, what if they are?

(Sirens are heard in the distance)

ANGEL:
Think about it just for a second.

(Sirens stop)

ANGEL:
Ok. The mental hospital is not too far from here, what if, what you saw was just a breakout. We were probably brought in just to take them down.

SAUL:
Oh, you didn’t see them, what the hell do you know?

ANGEL:
Hey, don’t talk to me that way! I’m still an officer, and you’re just still a lowly specialist!

MICHAEL:
Hey, hey, easy Angel, I got this! Saul, come here.

(Michael and Saul step aside to talk in private)

SAUL:
Well, how can he say that shit, you know as well as I do that the hospital is like 10 miles from here, there’s no way that they could-

MICHAEL:
Hey, hey, hey, I agree, I agree, I don’t think so either. I know he’s a pain in the ass, and once he sees one of these things, he’ll change his mind. But right now, we can’t lose our heads. We still have a chain of command… and he is still in charge.

SAUL:
I know. I’m sorry Sarge.

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
Saul was a great soldier. Sure, he always spoke his mind, and it often got him in trouble. If he’d held his tongue he would’ve outranked me by now. He came to our unit with the rank of specialist from Mountain Division. I guess he got tired of the cold weather. We served overseas together and when we got back he transferred to our unit. (chuckle) He said something about the California girls calling to him.

(Three beeps sound from Angel’s phone)

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
Oh. Well the rest may be stuck in traffic trying to get here.

SAUL:

ANGEL:
I don’t know. Let’s, just wait till they get here.

MICHAEL:
Lieutenant, do you think we can get into the arms room and at least get a few rifles in case something happens?

ANGEL:
W-we can’t!

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:
Look, I have the key to the door, but the commander has the combo for the alarms and the key for the arms racks. You know, we’re- we’ll just wait for the commander. He will know what to do.

(Nearby explosions go off close to base)

SAUL:
That one was close!

MICHAEL:
The way I see it, it’s better safe than sorry. I say we open the door, clip the locks, and to hell with the alarm!

SAUL:
I’ll get the bolt cutters from the cage.

ANGEL:
Wait, I didn’t say we were gonna-

MICHAEL:
Look, sir, all due respect, but my instincts are a lot more field-tested than your month out of officer candidate school. I’m tryna help you out and you’re not playing ball!

ANGEL:
You’re acting completely drastic. What you’re asking me to do could really get us into trouble. You act as if we’re at war!

(Nearby gunfire continues)

MICHAEL:
Yeah, do you hear that out there? That’s exactly what it sounds like to me!

SAUL:
Got ‘em. You ready?

MICHAEL:
Yeah, c’mon, let’s open ‘er up.

(The sound of keys is heard)

ANGEL:
You don’t wanna wait like 5 more minutes? The commander could just be around-

SAUL:
I don’t wanna wait for that asshole!

MICHAEL:
Look, listen, there’s no point in arguing now!

(The vault door is opened and the alarm starts beeping, about to sound off)

MICHAEL:
Saul, clip the locks on cages 12 and 14. Hurry!

ANGEL:
Now you’re nervous all of a sudden?

MICHAEL:
I just have a feeling is all!

ANGEL:
That we’re in deep shit? I could’ve told you that!

MICHAEL:
(groans) How long till the alarm goes off?

ANGEL:

SAUL:

MICHAEL:
Good. I’ll grab your rifle, just get 14 open.

ANGEL:
My rifle’s number 17.

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:
Just give it to me!

SAUL:
14’s open.

MICHAEL:

SAUL:
That’s it?

MICHAEL:
Yeah, yeah, we’ll come back. I don’t wanna be here and loading magazines if or when someone responds to the alarm.

ANGEL:
Now you’re worried!

MICHAEL:
Head outside! Don’t chamber a round unless I say so.

SAUL:

(The door is opened and the soldiers run outside)

MICHAEL:

(The alarm goes off)

[hr][/hr]

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.

(The sounds of rumbling in the distance gets closer)

SAUL:

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:

ANGEL:
Somebody!

MICHAEL:
C’mon Angel, what the hell are you doing?

ANGEL:
It’s jammed!

MICHAEL:

SAUL:
They’re over the fence!

ANGEL:
Is that the-

MICHAEL:

SAUL:

MICHAEL:
The vault, move it!

ANGEL:
Saul, what did you do!?

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:
We gotta go! Run, guys!

(They make it inside just in time)

MICHAEL:

(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:

ANGEL:

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:

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:
One of those things that came over the fence… I swear one of them looked like the commander.

SAUL:

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:

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:

MICHAEL:
Headshots seem to drop ‘em like stones.

ANGEL:

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:

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:

(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:

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:

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.
[/center]

[center]
MICHAEL:

(Peephole opens)

SAUL:
I don’t see any. (peephole closes) Maybe they left.

ANGEL:
Don’t take any chances. Go slow, and quiet.

SAUL:

MICHAEL:
Let’s do it.

(The vault door opens and Saul grunts)

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):

SAUL:
(whisper)

ANGEL:
(whisper)
Head around back. Check the motor pool.

(The soldiers start walking quietly)

MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Angel! There’s one, look.

ANGEL:
(whisper)
It’s the commander. What is he doing?

SAUL:
(whisper)
He’s just standing there. Like he’s in formation.

ANGEL:
(whisper)
Weird…

MICHAEL:
(whisper)
Hey, come on! Motor pool’s just around the corner, take it slow.

(The commander zombie hears them)

ANGEL:

(The soldiers start running)

MICHAEL:
Saul, you’re driving!

(Everyone gets into the Hummer)

MICHAEL:
Clip the lock!

ANGEL:

SAUL:
I can’t! I have to warm up the glow plug!

MICHAEL:
Fuck! I forgot about that!

ANGEL:

SAUL:
C’mon! C’mon!

(The Hummer starts up)

ANGEL:
Oh- oh shit! Seal the hatch!

MICHAEL:
You can’t!

SAUL:
Got it! Hold on!

(The Hummer speeds off)

SAUL:
They’re everywhere!

MICHAEL:
Well run ‘em over!

ANGEL:
There’s one on the roof!

MICHAEL:
Got ‘em.

SAUL:
Hey, look who it is!

(Saul runs over a zombie)

ANGEL:
Did you really have to run over the commander!?

SAUL:

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
Saul, stop fucking around and get us out the gate.

(The Hummer smashes through the gate)

ANGEL:
Turn left on Bandini! And then, keep heading west!

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
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 had happened to the world. We were three men lost in the land of confusion.

MICHAEL:

SAUL:
That’s if we find any. This place, it’s a ghost town.

ANGEL:
How fast do you think it spreads?

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
Uh, yeah, kinda. My, my parents live in Northern California. Outside San Luis Obispo. You?

ANGEL:
It’s just my girlfriend and I. You know, I’m sure your parents are alright. You know, the less populated-

MICHAEL:
Yeah, I’d rather not talk about it right now.

SAUL:

MICHAEL:
That’s great.

SAUL:

ANGEL:
Busy still, but I’m gonna keep-

MICHAEL:
Stop the car!

(The Hummer comes to a halt)

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
Look, up there, the roof of the flower shop. Angel, get in the turret. Saul, keep the engine running.

(Michael gets out)

PEGS:
Oh thank God. Riley, come here!

MICHAEL:

PEGS:

MICHAEL:
Well get down here as fast as you can!

(A zombie approaches)

MICHAEL:
Ah, shit!

(Angel on turret kills the zombie)

ANGEL:
Got ‘em! Hurry up, there are more coming.

MICHAEL:
Pull the Humvee closer.

(More turret shots from Angel)

MICHAEL:
Jump onto the roof! Angel!

RILEY:
C’mon Pegs!

PEGS:
I can’t.

RILEY:
It’s only like, 7 feet, it’s not hard.

ANGEL:
Got ‘em.

RILEY:
I’ll catch you, c’mon!

MICHAEL:
We need to go now.

ANGEL:
There are too many of them.

SAUL:
Michael, we have to leave her.

RILEY:
C’mon!

PEGS:
Alright.

(They jump onto the Hummer)

MICHAEL:
Climb through the hatch.

RILEY:
You’re crushing me.

MICHAEL:
Just hold on.

(The Hummer starts moving again)

ANGEL:
We’re clear.

SAUL:
Where do I go from here?

ANGEL:
Left at the light. Just, keep going straight for a couple miles till you hit Harbor.

RILEY:

MICHAEL:
Yeah, no problem.

PEGS:

ANGEL:

PEGS:
You’re “it”? No, where are the others? You know, army people.

MICHAEL:
We were the only ones to show up. Everything happened too fast. No one could’ve prepared for this.

PEGS:

ANGEL:
For all we know… we could’ve just been shooting at ‘em.

RILEY:

MICHAEL:
We’re heading to an apartment building that we can hold up in for a while.

PEGS:
Is that gonna be safe?

ANGEL:
We’ll make it safe. Once we have it locked down and we can go out and look for survivors.

PEGS:

MICHAEL:
Not sure. One step at a time.

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:

SAUL:
Oh. Um, hi Pegs. I’m Saul, and that’s uh, 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 will have much more time later on to fill each other in on the details. Right now, we need to focus on what’s going on.

RILEY:

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
We sped through what was left of downtown. Small fires were all over the place, and abandoned cars littered the road. (car alarm) We never saw anyone else. (car honk) I had to keep my eyes on the road but they kept wandering back to Peg. 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 handgun?

RILEY:
I’m a pro archer.

SAUL:
Like, Robin Hood? Uh, bow and arrow?

RILEY:

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.

(The sound of a firearm safety being flipped)

ANGEL:
Here, we have two Berettas. They are 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:

PEGS:

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 downtime, I’ll- 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:
No, no, it’s not that… I just don’t agree with weapons.

MICHAEL:

PEGS:
I just don’t want to.

MICHAEL:
Alright, I’m not gonna push. Riley, you OK with it?

RILEY:
Hell, if you hadn’t given me a weapon, I probably would’ve stolen one.

MICHAEL:

ANGEL:
I thought we were gonna save the small talk?

MICHAEL:

RILEY:
O-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:
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:
Everyone else wasn’t so lucky. If we had waited only a few more seconds, we would’ve rounded the corner right into them.

ANGEL:

PEGS:
It all happened so fast…

RILEY:
The people that got attacked first got it the worst.

PEGS:
They just, collided.

RILEY:
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 anymore. Until you showed up, I figured it wouldn’t be much longer before they found us, and we’d end up joining them.

MICHAEL:
Look, 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 they were chased down. They’re so fast!

SAUL:
Oh, 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:

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:

ANGEL:
Pull around to the side and down that ramp. We’ll secure from the ground floor, starting with the parking garage.

SAUL:

[hr][/hr]

(The Hummer comes to a stop)

MICHAEL:

(Everyone gets out)

SAUL:

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
Yeah, do it. The Hummer can get through it if we need it to.

ANGEL:

MICHAEL:
It does, but we have to make sure. Uh, sweep across the back row of cars. If we miss one of these things, the whole tower could fall. Check in and under the cars.

RILEY:
Hey, we’ve got something over here.

MICHAEL:

RILEY:
It looks like they got him when he was trying to get into his car.

MICHAEL:

RILEY:
I don’t see how he can… ugh, God…

ANGEL:
Saul. You know what to do.

SAUL:

(Saul pulls a knife from his sheath)

MICHAEL:

PEGS:

MICHAEL:
Well, 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 gonna make sure he doesn’t get back up. And we only know one method of making sure.

(The knife audibly stabs)

PEGS:
I think I’m gonna be sick.

ANGEL:
Hey, make sure you don’t get any blood on you.

SAUL:
I didn’t. Cut through pretty easily. Was already halfway 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.

(Everyone starts walking and the lobby door is opened)

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
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. (door closes) The lobby wasn’t as secure as I would’ve 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:

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 a toolbox.

MICHAEL:
Yeah, do it. Riley, you go with him?

RILEY:

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. C’mon, girl. You got my back. Just don’t shoot it.

MICHAEL:
Angel, I’ve cover the front. Check the elevators.

ANGEL:
Why don’t I watch the front and you check them?

MICHAEL:
I just need to know if they’re working!

MICHAEL:
Fine. I’ll do it.

(The elevator buttons are pressed)

ANGEL:
Out of order?

(Pounding comes from inside the elevator)

MICHAEL:
Someone’s inside there.

(The lobby door opens)

SAUL:
See, what I tell ya? Nothin’ to wor- what? What is it?

MICHAEL:
Angel, secure the front door. Saul, gimme your knife. I’m gonna pry open the doors.

SAUL:
You had me leave it downstairs.

MICHAEL:
I know you didn’t, now hand it over.

(Saul pulls out his knife)

SAUL:
I cleaned it off, it’s fine!

MICHAEL:
Listen, you made yourself a guinea pig by not listening to me. We wanted to avoid any contact with that blood! Don’t let it happen again.

ANGEL:
Front door’s secure.

MICHAEL:
Alright. I’ll open it. You two be ready to fire. On 3. 1, 2, 3!

(The elevator doors open)
[/center]

[h="2"]Part 3[/h]
[center]
MICHAEL:
Alright. I’ll open it. You two be ready to fire. On 3. 1, 2, 3!

(Michael pries open the doors and a body falls out)

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- 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.

DATU:
Eh, well, whatever. I’m just glad you’re here.

(The soldiers start walking away)

DATU:
Wait, where are you going?

SAUL:
Upstairs.

DATU:
I- I don’t think there’s anyone else up there. But, 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’ve remembered seeing somethin’.

DATU:
Oh no… I’ve worked in this building for five 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, hehe, or maybe they didn’t.

MICHAEL:
At ease.

DATU:
Still. There’s no reason to go upstairs. W-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-I just can’t. (Datu runs to the door) Take these chains off, let me out. M-maybe they’re coming back?

ANGEL:
Sir, you’re not listening to us.

PEGS:
Riley, wait.

RILEY:
I got this.

(Riley runs over to Datu)

DATU:
(pounding on the door) Let me out!

RILEY:
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. 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:
W-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 could 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. C’mon, this way.

SAUL:
Whoa whoa. 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 the number 15.

ANGEL:
There are only 15 floors?

DATU:
Well, 14. But, there- there’s no number 13.

ANGEL:
Think you can do anything about the power?

DATU:
O-oh, we still have power. Something just blew out 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 is?

DATU:
Something blew out 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 the apartment on the second floor. Once we find what blew it, I can flip it back on.

ANGEL:
C’mon, let’s go.

(The soldiers walk up the stairwell)

DATU:
(to Angel)
Hey, you look familiar. Do I know you?

ANGEL:
Nah, you must be mistaken.

PEGS:
What about Riley?

MICHAEL:
We’ll be up in a sec.

(Stairwell door shuts)

MICHAEL:
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’ve listened to me.

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 a bad cook?

RILEY:
I was great! (Michael laughs) You just can’t please everyone.

(Stairwell door is opened)

MICHAEL:
No, you can’t.

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
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’d scrambled to leave in a hurry. The pictures of the people in the walls 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 3rd floor, that we had found it.

SAUL:
This door’s open.

MICHAEL:
Careful.

(A zombie breaks down a door)

MICHAEL:
Contact, down the hall!

(The soldiers kill the zombie)

MICHAEL:
Cease fire! He’s down!

ANGEL:
You know this guy?

DATU:
That was Mr. Larth… good man, well, was.

SAUL:
We have something in here.

ANGEL:
OK, um, uh… be careful.

MICHAEL:
You OK Angel?

ANGEL:
Yeah. I’m, I’m fine, c’mon.

SAUL:
Living room clear.

MICHAEL:
Check the bedroom.

(Noises are heard from inside)

SAUL:
We’ve 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?

(The noises intensify)

SAUL:
She’s crawling towards us!

MICHAEL:
She’s turned, shoot her.

ANGEL:
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-

ANGEL:
Hey, don’t call her that!

MICHAEL:
Angel, we have to do this but I need you to make the call.

(Cindy continues crawling closer and making noise)

ANGEL:
Do it.

(Zombie Cindy is put down)

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 you 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:
Ah- you sure. I can’t have any hesitation.

ANGEL:
I’m on it, Michael.

MICHAEL:
Alright.

(Angel and Michael leave the apartment)

PEGS:
Is he OK? What happened in there?

MICHAEL:
He’ll be fine, he’ll be fine, we found one but we took care of it.

DATU:
Was it Cindy? Oh, man, she was a really nice lady…

(Angel starts crying)

MICHAEL:
Angel, what the hell?

SAUL:
C’mon Michael!

MICHAEL:
Look, I lost people I love as well and you don’t see me breaking down right now, we cannot do this right now!

SAUL:
Have a heart. This was like a few feet in front of him.

PEGS:
What the hell is wrong with you, Michael?

PEGS:
We all lost people today, Angel. It’s ok, you’re not alone.

(Michael storms off)

SAUL:
Michael! Where you going?

MICHAEL:
Ay, if he gets a moment, I get one too.

(Michael opens up another apartment looking for smokes)

MICHAEL:
C’mon, where are ya, I know you had them in here, I could smell ‘em. Shit. Oh, here we go. Where the fuck you put your lighter?

(Lighter lights up)

RILEY:
Need a light?

MICHAEL:
Thanks Riley. You know you shouldn’t sneak up on me like that?

(They light a cigarette together and Michael coughs)

MICHAEL:
Here, you want one?

RILEY:
Thanks.

MICHAEL:
I quit this a long time ago. Gave it up while I was overseas. I guess I made it long enough.

RILEY:
Yeah, me too. Stopped because 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. Uh, Saul may need backup, but, uh, 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:
What, 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:
Oh yeah, it did, it bothered me all day.

RILEY:
I don’t think so. Look, it’s alright to talk about it. You don’t have anyone, do you?

MICHAEL:
Well maybe I do and maybe I don’t, what does it matter?

RILEY:
You look pretty young. Where are your parents?

MICHAEL:
God, we’re smoking a cigarette, not having drinks. I ain’t about to give you my life story already.

RILEY:
Look, I don’t know you very well, but we need to look after each other. 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:
You know 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. (cabinet closes) And no quick-fix flirtation is gonna, heal any open wound.

(Riley starts manically laughing as Michael puts out his cigarette)

MICHAEL:
Hey, hey hey! Can you tell me what’s so funny? You know you make it really hard to keep a straight face.

RILEY:
No, it’s not that, it’s just… (laughs) flirtatious? (more laughing) Seriously? You’re not my type. I’m flattered though. (laughing keeps going)

MICHAEL:
(chuckles) You know you have an infectious laugh, anyone ever tell you that?

RILEY:
(still laughing) Yeah, a few times.

MICHAEL:
Well it made me feel better than all the squabbling we were doing before that.

(Saul busts in the door)

SAUL:
What’s wrong? I thought I heard something scream in here!

MICHAEL:
Uh, no, that would’ve been Riley’s laugh.

SAUL:
Oh. Alright. Well anyway, Angel’s on his feet, and looking for you.

MICHAEL:
Alright, you heard the man, let’s move out.

RILEY:
Michael, don’t forget what I said, alright?

MICHAEL:
Yeah, whatever.

[hr][/hr]

(The survivors enter the stairwell)

SAUL:
Uh, how many floors we got to go?

DATU:
11 more is all.

SAUL:
Holy shit, 11? Oh, this is gonna take forever.

(A gun is cocked as they enter the 4th floor)

MICHAEL:
Especially now that Riley has warned them in their own language. They probably understood all that shit.

PEGS:
What? I like her laugh.

(The door to the 4th is opened)

SAUL:
(sniffs) Oh shit. You smell that?

RILEY:
Oh! I do know. Ugh…

MICHAEL:
Something’s burning. Datu, you have an extinguisher?

DATU:
It’s down the hall. But I don’t see any smoke.

PEGS:
Oh, whatever it is, it’s awful.

SAUL:
Hey Michael. Remember Suicide Gate?

MICHAEL:
Why would you bring that up now?

SAUL:
Smell familiar?

MICHAEL:
Ah, a little bit, why?

SAUL:
Just a hunch. Follow me.

ANGEL:
Stay close together.

SAUL:
Here. Through this door.

(Keys starts jangling)

DATU:
Just a second.

(Datu opens the door and the smell gets worse)

SAUL:
Oh God. Yep. 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.

(The three go inside the apartment’s bathroom)

DATU:
Holy…

SAUL:
Well… that’s one way to go.

MICHAEL:
Smells just like Suicide Gate.

SAUL:
Yep. 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.

(The shower curtain is pulled back to reveal the source of the stench)

SAUL:
Ugh, look at this. He must’ve been standing in the bathwater when he reached up and grabbed it. Must’ve flown like 4 feet!

MICHAEL:
What happened to just using a blowdryer or a toaster?

DATU:
The circuit would’ve 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 overkill.

MICHAEL:
No pun intended?

(The bathroom door is shut)

MICHAEL:
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.

(Datu and Saul walk away)

PEGS:
What was it?

MICHAEL:
Oh, someone chose an alternative to survival.

RILEY:
Oh. How?

MICHAEL:
Well, let’s just say you don’t want this room.

RILEY:
Or this floor for that matter. Phew!

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 differently after 14 flights of steps.

ANGEL:
Oh yeah, no elevator.

MICHAEL:
Not unless you want to risk getting stuck.

RILEY:
Well, 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:
Uh, really, you don’t have to, there are a lot of others to choose from…

MICHAEL:
You’re already making stakes on the rooms?

PEGS:
Well why not? I mean, it is our building now.

MICHAEL:
Well, 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-sized bed?

MICHAEL:
See? Told you this place was a better idea than the prison.

(The lights flicker on)

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:
Well, maybe you’re not able to do something right now, but uh, once this place is secure I’m sure you’ll be useful. What’d you do outside, like for your job?

PEGS:
I was a florist.

MICHAEL:
Ok, um… well I guess you could uh… Angel?

ANGEL:
Got me there, I don’t know.

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:
Ah, so there, there, there you go, you could make a garden on the roof! We’re gonna 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’ll 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 gonna need to get organized.

MICHAEL:
The more people that we can help and have hideout here, the more important it is 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. (laughs) Wait, that just made us sound like prostitutes.

MICHAEL:
Well, I, thought that was implied.

RILEY:
Aw, c’mon, that’s not even funny. (laughs)

(Stairwell door opens and the maintenance team walk in)

DATU:
Power’s back on.

SAUL:
That’s right, everything’s all good.

ANGEL:
Alright. Let’s get moving.

MICHAEL (NARRATOR):
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]