(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.
Bookmarks