ПЕРЕВЕДИТЕ НА РУССКИЙ ЯЗЫК: FADE IN:
EXT. FUTURISTIC GREEN CITY - DAY
The camera glides through a bustling eco-utopia, a harmony of nature and technology. Solar-paneled skyscrapers and green-roofed buildings punctuate the skyline. Researchers and students dot the vibrant streets, animated in academic pursuit.
We pass quiet electric buses and glass-domed laboratories. Digital billboards showcase transforming achievements in genetic engineering, and renewable energy solutions. The atmosphere reverberates with a symphony of progress and the hum of inventive minds at work.
As the camera zeroes in on the GENEsis Laboratory, a nexus of cutting-edge science, our FOCUS shifts—
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - CONTINUOUS
Here, nestled amid a labyrinth of test tubes and data screens, stands EDWARD “ED” KAYNES, mid-30s, a visionary scientist with an intense gaze. He’s the epitome of intellectual curiosity, poring over a microscope, his mind racing towards humanity’s next frontier.
Around him, his dedicated TEAM engages in fervent research, their motions synchronized in scientific ballet.
ED
(to his colleagues)
Remember, what we do in the realm of science today becomes the scaffold for tomorrow’s miracles.
His eyes never leave the microscope, his hands steady as he delicately adjusts the specimen—a radical experiment teetering on the precipice of history.
CUT TO:
EXT. FUTURISTIC GREEN CITY - SUNSET
The city inhales the evening, transitioning from vibrant productivity to the serene anticipation of the night. Labs power down, their secrets locked within.
ED exits the lab, a contented smile betraying the weight of impending breakthrough. His stride speaks of a quiet confidence—a man on the verge of altering the very fabric of existence.
As he meets the evening embrace of MARIA, his wife and confidante, their shared gaze reveals a torrent of unspoken dreams about to unfold.
Their bond is more than love; it’s a shared quest for enlightenment, a partnership that defies the barriers between life and the unknown.
As they disappear into the soft embrace of the twilight, the camera holds on the GENEsis building—a monolith that houses both the apex of hope and the seed of our darkest nightmare.
CUT TO:
INT. ED AND MARIA’S HOME - NIGHT
The whisper of intimacy. The echo of shared laughter. Glasses raised in a toast beneath the tender gaze of soft lighting.
ED and MARIA are wrapped in each other’s arms, a picture of accomplishment and quiet joy. The rest of the world is but a shadow in the radiance of their moment together—a flicker of domestic peace before the storm that awaits.
MARIA
(her voice low, honest)
To our breakthrough, the future, and where love and science converge.
They kiss deeply, the outside world melting away into the serenity of their shared existence.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - DAY
Wide shot of the high-tech facility. EDWARD “ED” KAYNES, in his mid-30s, is the focal point amidst a sea of looming machines and blinking lights. He’s a picture of dedication, his eyes fixed keenly on the retina display of a complex microscope.
Surrounding him is his TEAM, a group of the brightest maestros of science, each one immersed in their field of genius. The room is a symphony of innovation, every instrument playing a crucial part in the grand pursuit of human advancement.
Ed, his figure the definition of concentration, barely moves except for the meticulous adjustment of the calibration dial.
MARIA, Ed’s wife and scientific confidante, her gaze intense and filled with admiration, stands at a console a few steps away.
She monitors the vitals of a PARTICULAR SUBJECT – a white rat in a high-tech enclosure, embodying years of breakthrough research and hope.
MARIA
(towards Ed)
Vitals are stable, brain function optimal… ready when you are.
Ed pauses, his composure an air of wisdom earned from countless hours of study and relentless pursuit of the unknown. He reaches for a serum, luminescent and promising eternity in a vial.
ED
(preparing the syringe)
Today we redefine the essence of life itself.
The Team watches with bated breath as Ed administers the injection. A collective heartbeat seems to echo through the room until—
The rat’s eyes blink open, its once-still chest now rising and falling with renewed life. A wave of disbelief and elation sweeps over the Team; this is the triumph of science over the immutable law of nature.
Spontaneous applause erupts. Ed turns to Maria, who stands proud and triumphant. They share a look that is a cocktail of victory, love, and the knowledge of their indelible mark on history.
ED
(amidst the cheers to Maria)
We’ve dared to dream… and our dreams have taken breath.
Maria’s eyes glisten, reflecting Ed, the man who’s touched the stars of their joint aspirations.
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. ED AND MARIA’S CAR - NIGHT
Maria and Ed drive through the vibrant streets of the city, the essence of life radiating from them, harmonizing with the city’s own pulse. Maria’s laughter sparkles in the air, the very sound of science meeting passion.


MARIA
(eyes twinkling)
From one small leap in science to a giant leap for mankind.
Ed, driving, shares the luminescence in her eyes. They are pioneers, standing at the dawn of eternity.
ED
(squeezing Maria’s hand)
And it all began in our lab—in the heart of ingenuity.
They smile at each other with shared pride, unknowingly at the cusp of an epoch that will test the very core of their being, their love and their work.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CITYSCAPE - NIGHT
The city is a chessboard of light and shadow. As Ed’s car merges into the stream of civilization, an ominous hum creeps into the soundtrack. The joy of discovery is about to be overshadowed by a threat of their own making.
INT. CONFERENCE HALL - DAY
A hush falls over the gathered scientists and journalists as ED, a beacon of quiet confidence, approaches the podium. The conference hall, brimming with the bright minds of academia, is rife with anticipation. Ed’s presence commands the room, his eyes alight with the fire of innovation and discovery.
ED
(nods to the audience, voice resonant)
Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, I present to you a leap forward in the pursuit of life beyond the boundaries of aging and disease. A pursuit that could redefine our very existence.
The curtains draw back to unveil a transparent enclosure where a singular white rat exhibits a vitality against the backdrop of advanced metrics and data. A murmur courses through the room, a mix of disbelief and awe, as the audience witnesses the impossible made possible.
MARIA, standing at the back with her colleagues, beams with a mixture of professional pride and personal admiration. Their eyes meet across the distance, an unspoken exchange of shared aspirations.
MARIA
(quietly, to her colleague, not hiding her pride)
That’s the future right there. And we’ve only just begun.
The audience erupts into applause, the sound cascading around the hall like a wave. Flashing cameras and bright lights focus on Ed, who stands as a vanguard of the new world they’re inching toward—a world where death might one day whisper its secrets.
ED
(raising his voice over the applause)
Thank you, everyone. What you’re seeing today is more than science; it’s a promise. A promise of a future where life’s twilight grows brighter with possibility.
The buzz of excitement is palpable, the air charged with the electricity of transformative discovery. Ed and Maria, though separated by the crowd, remain connected by the shared triumph of their life’s work.
As the applause fades into an eager chatter of questions, Maria slips through the crowd to reunite with Ed. Their embrace is one of accomplishment and a deep love that transcends their scientific bond.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
A sense of warmth suffuses the space as Ed and Maria return to the comfort of their home. The quiet hum of a city at rest forms a subtle undertone to the scene. Restlessness yields to relief as they share a moment of reprieve.
In this sanctum, the day’s triumph feels immediate and personal. It’s a respite from the world of laboratories and scientific accolades—a chance to revel in an accomplishment all their own.
Ed, tension easing from his shoulders, appreciatively surveys the room—each surface bearing the mark of their shared life and successes.
MARIA
(teasing, offering a glass)
To the future—may it be as bright as your most optimistic hypothesis.
ED
(accepting the glass, playful smirk)
It’s proven science now, no longer just a hypothesis.
They toast, glasses chiming softly, and sink into the familiar embrace of their couch—a stark contrast to the antiseptic confines of the lab. Contentment settles around them, a comforting blanket ensuring the world’s weight can wait a little longer.
Maria tilts her head, capturing Ed’s gaze with an affectionate look.
MARIA
(sincere)
You know, this breakthrough, it’s not just ours—it’s humanity’s. But tonight, let’s just be Ed and Maria, not scientists, not pioneers. Just… us.
Ed nods, grateful for the solitude and sanctuary of their bond. As they clink glasses, the collected memorabilia of their careers—the articles, letters, awards—are merely shadows to the reality of them, here and now, together.
Their laughter fades as they draw close, the rest of the evening dedicated to a celebration for two. Every lingering touch and shared smile is a world apart from their public personas—a declaration of love in a quiet act of rebellion against the pace of their lives.
A soft melody drifts, an analog record player spinning a tune that seems composed for moments such as this. Ed and Maria rise, joining in an intimate dance—a slow, gentle sway, as if the notes themselves guide their movements.
ED
(softly, into her hair)
Forget the breakthrough, the cure, the fame. You’re the real miracle in my life.
Maria responds, her hand clasping tighter to his.
MARIA
(voice barely above a whisper)
And you are my constant, through every success and every unknown.

As they linger in the embrace of the dance, the world beyond the curtains continues to turn, unaware of the risk drawn from the very elixir of life they’ve concocted. But for now, for Ed and Maria, time stands still, the storm can wait, and love remains unchallenged.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - NIGHT
The desolate lab stands silent in the witching hour — darkness punctuated only by the alternating red and blue lights of an alarm. Shadows elongate across the floor, creeping like tendrils over scattered notes and shattered glass — the remnants of the day’s work.
Without warning, monitors flicker to life, casting an ethereal glow. A CRITICAL WARNING flashes across screens, the sterile environment now charged with foreboding.
On a solitary display, the security footage is stark against the sterile backdrop. A rat, motionless in its cage mere hours ago, now twitches erratically - life electrifying death, its eyes aflame with a resurgence that defies nature.
EDWARD “ED” KAYNES watches via a remote link from his safehouse, his face a mix of horror and disbelief. His fingers hover over the keyboard, hesitant to accept what unfolds before him.
INSERT - MONITOR FOOTAGE
The rat rises, a Frankenstein’s creature reborn. It frenzies against the confines of its cage, a tiny titan testing the mettle of man’s creation. Numbers and graphs on the screen depict a pulse quickening — a grim harbinger of the plague unleashed.
BACK TO SCENE
ED’s worst fears confirmed, he zooms in on the screen — closer, closer, until the nightmarish detail of the creature’s eyes fills the monitor, yesterday’s breakthrough become today’s curse. A sound escapes his lips, a whisper:
ED
(whispering in disbelief)
…no.
As the creature breaks free, its escape captured by the indifferent lens, alarms crescendo into a haunting dirge. Precious seconds tick away, time slipping into the jaws of an escalating disaster.
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY COMPLEX - DAY
Seamlessly transitioning from interior research labs to the exterior, the camera captures the GENEsis Laboratory complex in its high-security, operational splendor. Satellites rotate atop buildings, capturing signals from the cosmos.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - RESEARCH FLOOR - CONTINUOUS
EDWARD “ED” KAYNES, mid-30s, confidently navigates through the bustling array of researchers and assistants. The laboratory is a hive of activity, with scientists delicately manipulating droplets into glass slides and the air tinted with the acidic scent of progress.
MARIA, equally entwined in her research, works alongside Ed. Her focus is unwavering as she studies a microscopy image, adjusting the focus precisely. Beside her, a digital display showcases a series of cell rejuvenation processes that border on miraculous.
EXT. SCIENCE CITY - MONTAGE
LIFE IN SCIENCE CITY thrives. Students carry model rockets to a school lab, drones hover above delivering packages, and trams glide silently on their routes. The city, a jewel of innovation, pulsates with a rhythm that sings of the future.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - MAIN HALL - DAY
Ed, flanked by his core team, including Maria, approaches the presentation room. Anticipation crackles in the air like static, each team member acutely aware of the history they’re about to make.
Maria squeezes Ed’s hand, an intimate gesture of solidarity amidst the hubbub. He returns the gesture with a reassuring look — they stand together on the precipice of greatness.
ED
(addressing the team)
The eyes of the world are upon us. Let’s show them a future unfettered by the shackles of mortality.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - PRESENTATION ROOM - DAY
The preparation room is a maelstrom of last-minute tweaks; every technician moves with purpose. The atmosphere is imbued with a gravity known only to those who dare to dream beyond the boundaries of human limitation.
Ed calms his nerves, running through the keynote in his mind. Maria reviews her notes, the final pieces slotting into place. Their journey, a tapestry of countless hours of devotion and sacrifice, culminates here.
CUT TO:
The presentation room doors glide open, Maria follows Ed inside, where the audience, an amalgamation of learned minds, awaits with bated breath. The walls lined with screens come alive as the presentation is set to begin.
MARIA
(sotto voce to Ed)
This is our moment.
Ed steps up to the podium, the sea of expectant faces reflecting the thousands watching remotely across the globe. The lights dim save for the solitary spot on him, and a silence falls.
ED
(clearly, poignancy in his voice)
Welcome, to the dawn of the Age of Endless Summer.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - DAY
A humming silence pervades the pristine laboratory where EDWARD “ED” KAYNES, a scientist in his mid-30s and the epitome of determination, swiftly navigates among his TEAM of brilliant minds. The room resonates with the silent symphony of research and progress - white lab coats flit between the machinery like diligent specters.
MARIA KAYNES, Ed’s partner in both science and life, meticulously examines a glass slide under the cold eye of an electron microscope. Around her is the hum of centrifuges and the benediction of controlled environments nurturing the frontiers of human knowledge.
ED
(while adjusting an instrument with precision)
Every calculation, every test, brings us closer to our goal. Details make the difference.
As he speaks, the room’s energy shifts - a collective exhale in anticipation. A young researcher, JAMES, watches a simulation on the screen - genetic code twisting into a dance of immortality.
MARIA
(over her shoulder, to James)
How’s the prognosis?
JAMES
(can hardly believe it)
It’s stronger than we dared hope, Dr. KAYNES. Our work… it could change the world.
Maria shares a triumphant smile with Ed - a moment of silent understanding; they’re on the cusp of greatness.
MONTAGE:
- Ed’s hands, steady and exact, preparing the life-extending compound.
- Maria, cross-referencing data that gleams with the promise of eternity.
- The Core Team in a delicate, dangerous ballet of biochemistry and breakthrough.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - HALLWAY - DAY
Ed, holding a folder crammed with the future, strides down the hallway flanked by accolades of past triumphs. Photographs of test subjects, marked with timelines and notes, bear witness to the lineage of their sacrifices.
Maria hastens to his side, her expression a kaleidoscope of anxiety and excitement.
MARIA
(a soft undercurrent of concern)
Are we ready for this?
ED
(with a confidence that belies the butterfly effect of their actions)
History waits for no one, and neither shall we. Today, our dreams collide with destiny.
Together, they approach the presentation hall. Behind those doors, the future - their brainchild - waits, bathed in spotlight and expectation.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - LOBBY - DAY


FLASH ON the bustling interior of the GENEsis lobby, a crucible of nerves and anticipation as DIGNITARIES and SCHOLARS from around the globe converge, their conversations a vibrant tapestry of languages and accents.
Ed’s TEAM, the backbone of GENEsis, circulates. They’re the custodians of this day, as rehearsed as the polished floors they stride across, their lab coats a uniform of progress.
Maria, poised and radiating confidence, serves as the gracious hostess, a liaison between Ed’s genius and this elite audience who’ve gathered here. She’s a force, his bastion, equally as brilliant.
MARIA
(her voice warm, inviting)
Welcome, Dr. Kim, to what we hope will be a historic day.
DR. HELEN KIM, a veteran in genetics, matches Maria’s warmth with professional camaraderie.
DR. KIM
I’ve been looking forward to this, Maria. The implications of Ed’s research are quite extraordinary.
Their exchange is cut short as an ASSISTANT beckons Maria, a whisper of urgency in his gesture.
CUT TO:
A secluded CORNER OF THE LOBBY, away from the hum where two FIGURES huddle in hushed discussion. ANGLES and HUES suggest intrigue, the gravity of their topic emanating from their silhouetted profiles.
FIGURE ONE
(a muffled timbre of concern)
What they’re proposing… it could redefine society. But at what cost?
CUT TO:
ED, alone now, flanked by screens depicting fractals of DNA and vibrant cells. He’s the maestro steadying himself before the baton falls, a solitary figure against the quiet cacophony of tech and science.
An ASSISTANT approaches, discreetly handing him a note. Ed reads, discretion painting his face; the words heavy with portent.
ASSISTANT
(under his breath)
It’s time, Dr. Kaynes. They’re ready for you.
ED
(his tone resolute)
Indeed. The future waits for no one.
The curtains part, a sliver of light from the presentation room spills forth—an audience primed, the air thick with expectation.
CUT TO:
The LOBBY, now quiet as the wealth of intellectualism and capital migrates to witness the revelation—a procession of potential. Maria takes a moment, her gaze trailing after the receding figures.
MARIA
(softly, to herself)
This is where we change the world.
She heads after them, the promise of the day urging her forth as the doors to the future swing wide.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - PRESENTATION HALL - DAY
The gentle murmur of the crowd quickly fades as EDWARD “ED” KAYNES takes the center stage, his presence commanding the rapt attention of every attendant. The ambiance is electric, every stakeholder and media representative primed for a revelation that could mark a new epoch for mankind.
ED
(clearing his throat, then confidently)
Thank you for joining us on this momentous day. What we’re about to unveil isn’t merely an advance in biotechnology; it’s a paradigm shift—a beacon that guides us into uncharted waters of human potential.
He pauses, allowing his words to resonate, then continues, articulating each word as though it were history itself being recorded.


ED (CONT’D)
Imagine, if you will, a world free from the rigors of time—a future where longevity isn’t just hoped for but assured; where the specter of disease and decay is held at bay by the very science that resides within each strand of DNA.
The curtains unfurl to reveal a high-tech display where a white rat, previously a subject of senescence, now scurries with a youthful vigor that belies its actual age.
MARIA, visible in the backdrop and juxtaposed with the display, nods subtly, her pride in their work matching the admiration in her eyes—partners in science, partners in vision.
Dr. Helen KIM amongst the audience looks on, the possibility reflected in her eyes. She knows the magnitude, the sheer scale of what ED and MARIA might have just accomplished.
ED (CONT’D)
(encouraged by the collective awe)
This breakthrough is the harbinger of a new age, the dawn of an epoch where the tap of life does not run dry—a promise that tomorrow need not be tinged with the fear of inevitable decline.
A hush falls over the room, the significance of this moment imprinting on the very air they share. ED’s voice is the only sound, smooth and confident as he holds the future in his gaze.
ED (CONT’D)
But this is not just science; it’s a responsibility—a covenant with the future. We stand at this crossroad, understanding the weight of our creation. It’s a step towards immortality, and we tread this path with a gravity befitting pioneers on the cusp of history.
The silence bursts into applause—it rings through the hall, the walls themselves seemingly acknowledging the gravity of this juncture in humanity’s endless quest for transcendence.
MARIA joins the applause, her face mirroring a symphony of pride and anticipation. She knows that the steps they take from here on out will forever alter human destiny.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - PRESENTATION HALL - DAY
A silence drapes the audience as EDWARD “ED” KAYNES strides to the forefront of the hall, his presence a bastion of pioneering brilliance. The auditorium, bristles with the electricity of anticipation.
ED
(with a voice that resonates thought and possibility)
Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to witness is not merely a demonstration. It is the unfurling of an era where mortality itself may be rendered a relic of the past.
A technological showcase hums to life—screens light up, revealing a time-lapse of their oldest test subject: a rat named PHOENIX. In fast-forward, the audience watches in awe as Phoenix rejuvenates before their eyes.
An elicited murmur of astonishment paves the way for a groundswell of claps.
MARIA KAYNES, as stoic as she is proud, stands among the captivated, her hand extended to a holographic display that pulses with the rhythm of breakthrough science.
INSERT: HOLOGRAPHIC DATA SCREEN
Digital chromosomes untangle and reconfigure—Ed’s narrative unfolds alongside, graphically explicating the marvel of their “Elixir of Life.”
ED (CONT’D)
(empowering the revelation)
This, esteemed guests, is merely the beginning. Today, the barrier of life’s end is not but a threshold. One we approach with reverence and responsibility.
Maria, sharing a gaze with Ed, presents a vial filled with iridescent serum to the room—a beacon of promise. Her eyes reflect the gravitas of their journey, the solidified dreams forged in relentless pursuit.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP - REJUVENATED PHOENIX
Now sprightly and youthful, Phoenix becomes the living testament to human ingenuity, the embodiment of defiance against nature’s decree.
ED (CONT’D)
(declaring with hope-fueled certainty)
Imagine—the ailments we will heal, the lives we’ll prolong, the wonders of vitality we’ll unearth. Together, we stare into the face of the eternal dawn.
APPLAUSE thunders through the hall, a harmonized confirmation of humanity’s next leap forward. In the heart of that jubilation, Ed and Maria, entwined not just by love but by the collective breath of a thousand tomorrows, stand ready to steer the helm of humankind’s odyssey into unfathomable waters.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - PRESENTATION HALL - DAY
The murmur of curiosity turns to a hush as EDWARD “ED” KAYNES stands before the assembly of his peers. His stance commands attention, his eyes a mirror to the weight of the moment.
ED
(flashing a confident smile)
Thank you, everyone. The frontier of science is not just about discovery but about the ethical stewardship of that knowledge.
He gestures to the screen displaying the ramifications of their “Eternal Life” project - vibrant graphs and simulations illustrating the cellular rejuvenation process.
DR. ABBOTT, a venerable figure in the scientific community, speaks up from the crowd, his tone a mix of intrigue and concern.
DR. ABBOTT
(calling out)
Edward, your work is awe-inspiring, but what measures are you taking to address the potential ethical implications?
The room grows still, the weight of the question hanging in the air.

ED
(nodding respectfully)
A crucial question, Dr. Abbott. Our team is fully committed to ethical responsibility. We have an ethics board in place, and we’re working closely with policymakers to ensure our research benefits society as a whole.
Murmurs of approval ripple through the audience as a REPORTER from the local news station raises her hand.
REPORTER
(brisk and articulate)
Could such a powerful technology lead to inequities? How do you plan to ensure fair access?
MARIA KAYNES, equally as accomplished and Ed’s partner in both life and work, takes this one.
MARIA
(her voice strong and assuring)
Our mission is to democratize our advances. It’s about enhancing the human experience for all, not just a privileged few. We’re fully aware of the risks and are working on safeguards to prevent abuse.
A BIOETHICIST in the audience, notebook at the ready, chimes in.
BIOETHICIST
(considered, pressing)
Your research could change the natural order of things. Are there potential side effects or sociological impacts we should be concerned about?
ED steps back up, a serious glint in his eye.
ED
(profoundly)
Indeed, we’re treading new ground here. It’s a voyage into the unknown, but one we must undertake with caution and compassion.
(MORE)


ED (CONT'D)
Our goal isn’t to play nature but to ward off the specter of disease and decay so humanity can reach its full potential.
A respectful silence follows, cycling into an applause as Ed and Maria exchange a knowing look, their partnership a testament to the duality of science—a beacon of hope and an ethical compass.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - RECEPTION HALL - EVENING
The elegantly decorated reception hall is filled with the soft glow of chandeliers and the murmur of a well-heeled crowd. Guests in formal attire meander through the room, clinking glasses and discussing the revolutionary presentation they’ve just witness INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - RECEPTION HALL - EVENING
The opulent hall, bathed in the soft light of chandeliers, buzzes with the elite of the scientific community. A hum of conversation fills the air as guests in sleek attire discuss the groundbreaking revelations presented by ED and MARIA.
Servers circulate with trays of sparkling champagne and gourmet hors d’oeuvres, complementing the sophistication of the event.
CLOSE ON:
Ed, bespectacled, and Maria, grace personified, their faces flush with the success of the evening. They are the nucleus around which the event orbits.
CHANCELLOR WEST, an authoritative figure in academia, approaches with an air of respect, extending his hand.
CHANCELLOR WEST
(clasping Ed’s hand with gravitas)
Ed, that was truly a tour de force. You have the whole city abuzz with excitement.
ED
(with a mixture of humility and pride)
Thank you, Chancellor. It takes a city to raise a breakthrough.
Maria beams at the comment, her confidence in their work unshakeable.
CUT TO:
A secluded alcove where hushed voices carry undercurrents of dissent. DR. ROSENBERG, with furrowed brows, converses with MS. SHARPE, a leading bioethicist.
DR. ROSENBERG
(voice tinged with concern)
They’ve opened Pandora’s box. Can they control what comes next?
MS. SHARPE
(tea in hand, pensive)
The implications are profound; the ethical dimensions yet to be fully understood. Time will tell if their ambition outpaces their prudence.
ACROSS THE ROOM
Ed, engaged in a lively exchange with YOUNG INVESTORS, extols the virtues of their work. Maria, always in tandem, contributes keen insights, her intellect and charm shining.
MARIA
(enthusiastic)
The research has boundless potential, but we are firmly grounded in our ethical obligations and the well-being of society.
YOUNG INVESTOR #1
(slightly inebriated enthusiasm)
Such a vision! To the dawning of a new age, then!
Glasses clink, echoed by the chatter of dreamers and skeptics alike. The promise of the unknown weaves through the atmosphere - a dance of excitement and apprehension.
Ed’s gaze finds Maria across the sea of faces. Their shared purpose, stronger than ever, a silent pact to guide the future, whatever it may hold.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - MARIA’S OFFICE - NIGHT
The room is hushed, insulated from the buzz of the reception outside. A large window offers a view of the city skyline, twinkling under the mantle of night. MARIA stands by the glass, lost in thought, her silhouette a portrait of contemplation. Her office, usually an epicenter of activity, is now a sanctum of quiet reflection.
ED enters, closing the door softly behind him. There’s a magnetism between them as he approaches, the shared burdens and triumphs of their work enveloping them like a cloak. The clink of glass and faint laughter from the celebration seep through the walls, a reminder of the world outside.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP - MARIA’S FACE, illuminated by the city lights, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
MARIA
(voice soft with emotion)
We’ve done more than I ever dreamed. Yet tonight, I can’t shake off a sense of foreboding…
ED wraps his arms around her waist, drawing her close. Their connection is as palpable as the air they breathe, their union strengthened by the challenges they’ve faced.
ED
(reassuringly)
We’ve tread through the unknown, shaped the future. Any fear we feel is a reminder of our responsibility.
They stand in shared silence, their gaze on the sprawling city below—a testament to humanity’s relentless advance.
CUT TO:
TWO SHOT - ED AND MARIA together, framed against the cityscape. Ed rests his chin on Maria’s shoulder, their reflections woven into the tapestry of lights.
ED
(softly)
What matters now is that we navigate the path ahead with caution. For every miracle we’ve created, there’s a responsibility we can’t ignore.
MARIA
(turning to face him)
Our dreams could become nightmares if we’re not careful. The joy of discovery, the weight of consequence—we carry them both.

ED
(nodding)
Together, we’ll face whatever comes. Our love, our bond… it’s our anchor amidst the storm.
They share a tender kiss, a moment of solace away from prying eyes and probing questions. It’s a promise, a vow unspoken but deeply felt—an acknowledgment of their unity and unwavering support for each other.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - LATE NIGHT
Elegiac silence envelopes the lab, as ED and MARIA enact their final rituals in this sanctuary of science. They power down the humming computers, their screens an epitome of human ingenuity now resigned to darkness.
MARIA holds her lab coat close, an armor against the palpable weight of the night’s revelations. Ed, with deliberate solemnity, locks away classified materials—information that once promised a brighter future.
ED
(musing with a trace of sorrow)
In our hands, we held the light of knowledge, the hope for mankind’s dawn…
MARIA, with measured breath, crosses to join him, a consoling presence in the stillness of their created world.
MARIA
(voice quivering with resolve)
And in our hearts, we’ll carry it still, through whatever lies ahead. This journey… our purpose… it doesn’t end here.
They exchange a glance, a silent accord, their shared convictions unshaken.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY - NIGHT
Ed and Maria emerge from the lab, the door closing with an echo that speaks to the finality of the day. The building stands silent amidst the cacophony of a world it has forever altered.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S CAR - NIGHT
As they drive through the suspended city—its architecture a geometric lullaby—the stillness envelops Ed and Maria. The car is a vessel adrift in the ocean of an uncertain future, the serenity an unsettling prelude to the sirocco of change.
MARIA
(softly, almost to herself)
What have we done, Ed? The path we’ve chosen…
ED
(firmly, cutting the tension)
…is the right one. Doubt can’t sway us now. We did it for the greater good, regardless of the cost.
EXT. ED’S HOUSE - BACK PORCH - NIGHT
The two of them, alone against the tapestry of the night sky, settle into a silence under the stars. The darkness is pierced by the soft flicker of candlelight. The porch, a haven in the eye of the storm, is where they find solace.
MARIA
(a murmur against the night’s whisper)
May this peace last, against the tempest that looms.
ED gathers MARIA in his arms, a fortress against the coming gale.
ED
(mutely determined)
As long as we stand together, we’ll weather any storm.
MARIA leans into ED, her beacon in the twilight. Together, they face the horizon, where dawn’s light contends with the shadows of uncertainty.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S CAR - NIGHT
The city’s whispered lullabies trail off as the car snakes through its veins, suspended in the timelessness of night—a pause in the day’s revelation.



ED (V.O.)
(somber, introspective)
In the stillness of the night, the world hears the secrets we whisper to the stars—hopes that shine bright amid the encroaching shadows.
Outside, a tapestry of stars battles the city’s fading luminescence, a visual symphony of light and dark mirrored in the weary yet hopeful eyes of our travelers.
MARIA
(softly, to Ed, with solemn warmth)
The path we’ve carved today will shape a thousand tomorrows, entangling our fates with the arc of history.
Their glance meets, a bridge of silence spanning between them, weighted with the burden of their creation.
CUT TO:
The sanctuary of their home awaits as they drift into the driveway. The car’s engine stills, surrendering to the quietude that wraps around them like a protective shroud.
ED
(turning to Maria, voice steady yet laden)
This evening’s promises linger—a testament to our quest. With you, each dawn is a promise kept, each dusk, a vow renewed.
Together, they step out into the night’s embrace, their silhouettes hand in hand, retreating from the precipice of their day’s labors into the tranquil respite of their abode.
CUT TO:
The door to their home closes behind them, sealing away the labors of their past, the uncertainty of their future, surrounded by the familiar.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The seductive ambience in the living room enhances the comfort and connection between ED and MARIA. They are nestled on a luxurious sofa that is the epitome of modern elegance, yet the room resonates with an old-world charm.
A low table is the centerpiece of their intimate setup, decorated with a vibrant bouquet and the soft flicker of candlelight. An open bottle of red wine sits idle, exuding its bouquet into the room, while two glasses sit, their contents slowly savored.
Maria finds solace in Ed’s embrace, her body drawn to his as they reflect on the day’s triumph and ponder their shared aspirations.
MARIA
(beaming with love for Ed)
Imagine… we might be on the cusp of history, deciphering the riddle of agelessness.
ED
(gazing deeply into her soul)
And none of this would be possible without you—you are the genius and the lifeblood of our mission.
Maria’s cheeks are kissed by a rosy flush as she takes in the accolade, momentarily averting her eyes before locking them with his once more.
MARIA
(lifting her glass with grace)
Here’s to our breakthrough, our journey ahead… and to the bond we share.
Their glasses meet in a symphony of crystal, a testimony to their dedication. They drink, a poetic chorus of nocturnal life providing a tender soundtrack.
ED
(with a voice full of sincerity)
Each obstacle has only solidified us. Together, we are invincible against the unknown.
The lens of the camera inches closer, capturing Ed and Maria as they set their glasses aside and face one another.
Maria’s hands gently cradle Ed’s cheeks, her words floating like a whisper.
MARIA
I sense the dawn of an epoch. The first page of a lengthy narrative…
Their lips converge in a kiss that relinquishes the need for words. As the melody swells, we are left to admire their silhouettes, dancing in the candlelight, an immortal image.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The storm outside casts a sharp silhouette on the steamy windows. Raindrops patter rhythmically against the glass, complementing the passionate symphony from WITHIN.
Ed and Maria’s love overflows; a tangible energy undulates through the air as layers of clothing fall away like petals. Now bare to each other and the world, they find truth in the touch of skin on skin.
They sink into the carnal embrace, bodies entwined in the timeless dance of desire. Moonlight streams through the window, casting ghostly rays over their melding forms.
A profound intimacy fills the room as a series of delicate moans, and whispers crescendo with the increasing fervor of the night.
CUT TO:
Adjacent Frame: GRAPHIC DETAILS OMITTED. Passion-filled silhouettes imply their rising desire.
CUT TO:
The camera pans to the security footage on their laptop, unnoticed in their rapture. The rat, lifeless in its cage, suddenly convulses. Its deceased form twitches, resurrecting into a ghastly vermin gnawing at reality and reason.
The rat’s maligned resurrection unfolds clinically, stark against their natural humanity. It begins to batter against the confines of its glass prison with awakened ferocity, signaling the start of a relentless plague.
BACK TO ED AND MARIA:
Their union, though blurred in the shadows, remains the focal point. But the storm outside picks up its pace, lightning illuminating the backdrop of their passion and the impending dread that brews unseen.
CUT TO:
Exterior Shot: The rat’s figure, now sinister and frenzied, escapes into the swirling maelstrom, finding its way to the heart of an unsuspecting city.
CUT TO:
The bedroom builds to a passionate zenith. In the flickering light, two souls entwined seem untouched by the lurking terror.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
The tempest outside crescendos, an ominous symphony to match the unfamiliar silence within. Ed and Maria lie entwined, a peaceful reprieve from the chaos of their lives. Yet as they sleep, fate sits patiently on their doorstep.
The incessant RINGING of Ed’s phone slices through the silence—insistent, jarring. He stirs, but Maria nudges him towards the persistent invasion of their tranquility.
MARIA
(muffled against Ed’s neck)
Honey… the phone…
ED
(grumbling)
Let it ring… nothing is more important than this moment.
But the phone is relentless. After several ignored calls, Ed finally relents.
ED
(sighing)
Alright… alright…
He reaches out, voice heavy with the remnants of sleep and satisfaction.
ED
(into the phone)
Hello?
The grave voice of a COLLEAGUE reverberates through the line, shattering the mussed warmth of their sanctuary.
CUT TO:
Split Screen: Ed’s expressions of ecstasy now contort to one of shock and disbelief.
COLLEAGUE (V.O.)
(urgent, panicked)
Ed—it’s gone wrong. The test subject—it…
The blood drains from Ed’s face as the screams from the other side sync with lightning strikes outside.
Redeployment from a night of union to one of splitting despair.
The camera focuses tight on Ed’s widening eyes, as understanding and dread meld into a chilling realization.
CUT TO:
Maria looks on, her countenance shifting from tranquil contentment to alarmed confusion.
MARIA
(in a strained whisper)
Ed, what’s happened?
The storm outside wails as if to answer. Chaos is calling, and their world teeters on the edge of an abyss.
INT. ED’S LABORATORY - NIGHT
The lab lies in eerie silence, bathed in the cold glow of emergency lighting. The expansive room, once a hub of scientific progress, now forebodingly empty.
INTERCUT WITH:
SECURITY FOOTAGE
The once lifeless rat is now an aberration of motion, its jerky revival captured in grainy detail on a monitor propped amongst the clutter of frantic research. In a nightmarish twist, the rat gnaws its way free, initiating an insidious spread of the undead virus.
The SECURITY GUARD watches, isolated in the lab’s camera control room, eyes growing wide – the beginnings of terror taking hold.
SECURITY GUARD
(murmuring to himself)
Oh, no, no, no… This can’t be happening.
He reaches for the phone, his hand trembling. The gravity of the situation unfolding before him — incomprehensible yet undeniable.
CUT TO:
INT. ED’S LABORATORY - CONTINUOUS
A panoramic sweep of the lab reveals toppled chairs and deserted workstations signifying a rapid and chaotic evacuation.
Papers fluttering to the floor, the aftermath of the cataclysmic event that has transpired.
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass pierces the silence. The previously contained rat makes its escape into the night, navigating through the labyrinthian laboratory with frightening purpose.
CUT TO:
EXT. LABORATORY GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS
Under the cover of darkness, the infected rat slips through a crack in an open window, disappearing in the vastness of the city with ominous potential – the plague unleashed.
BACK TO LAB:
The SECURITY GUARD, alone in his vigil, watches in disbelief as the screens display the breach on loop. His voice a whisper over the intercom:
SECURITY GUARD
(into intercom, voice quivering)
Containment… breach. Code Red. This is not a drill…
The dim corridor outside fills with the red strobe of the alert system, painting the white walls with portents of doom. The lab now stands as ground zero for an impending apocalypse.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S BEDROOM - LATE NIGHT
The incessant RINGING of a telephone disrupts the wee hours of the night. ED groggily reaches for the source of the disturbance, the warmth of the bed juxtaposed against the cold urgency of the call.
ED
(hoarse, disoriented)
Hello…?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - NIGHT
A cacophony of alarms and flickering lights paint a harrowing picture. DR. LAURA STEVENS, a fellow scientist, is on the other line, panic etching her voice as she relays the night’s dreadful developments.

DR. STEVENS
(voice frantic)
Ed, it’s breaking loose. The test subjects—they’re not dead! It’s a complete outbreak!
Maria stirs, sensing the distress that’s befallen her husband.
MARIA
(alarmed, to Ed)
What’s wrong?
ED
(suddenly wide awake, to Maria)
It’s the lab… something’s happened. We need to go—now.
With decisive speed, Ed and Maria leap into action, the gravity of the situation thrusting them into the night.
EXT. SCIENCE CITY - DAWN
The early morning cityscape reveals an eerie stillness. Soon, the silence will give way to chaos, as the sun rises over a city on the verge of an unimaginable disaster.
INT. ED AND MARIA’S CAR - DAWN
The couple races through the desolate streets, their vehicle’s headlights cutting swaths through the twilight mist. They share a knowing look—a silent covenant between them to face whatever horror awaits.
MARIA
(resolve in her voice)
Whatever it takes, we’ll stop this.
ED
(grim determination)
Together, always.
Their car disappears into the awakening city, the dawn of a new day belying the darkness it brings.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURITY HUB - NIGHT
A sea of monitors casts a haunting blue light over the room. The NIGHT-SHIFT SECURITY GUARD, wide-eyed, frantically types at his console, a symphony of alarms demanding his attention.
In the corner, a MONITOR reveals a lone rat in its enclosure — motionless, then SUDDENLY STIRRING.
The impossible movement catches the guard’s eye.
SECURITY GUARD
(muttering under his breath)
This can’t be…
His hand hovers over the PANIC BUTTON, sweat beading on his brow, a moment’s hesitation before he slams his palm down.
ALARM BLARES.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - CONTAINMENT AREA - CONTINUOUS
The rat twitches violently, RESURRECTING with each convulsion. A grotesque parody of life as the sterile blue light flickers ominously overhead.
The creature SMASHES against the glass enclosure, the SOUND echoing down empty corridors.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCIENCE CITY - DESERTED ALLEY - CONTINUOUS
Shadowy figures move with predatory grace. The once-vibrant city streets now a labyrinth of dread. The first of the INFECTED emerge, a home, once safe, becoming a maze of terror.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - VARIOUS - CONTINUOUS
A rapid succession of shots: HALLWAY lights flickering, DOORS automatically LOCKING DOWN, the LAB transforming into a TOMB.
CUT TO:
INT. ED AND MARIA’S BEDROOM - THE SAME
The silence of their sanctuary is ignorant of the unfolding chaos. A bedside clock ticks ominously, its red digits counting down to an unknown horror.
EXT. SCIENCE CITY - FIRST LIGHT
The first hints of dawn creep across the skyline, lighting up the edge of the world with an unsettling beauty — unaware of the NIGHTMARE UNLEASHED.
EXT. SCIENCE CITY STREETS - PRE-DAWN
The city rests under a veil of darkness. Streetlights flicker as the first hints of morning struggle to penetrate a growing, unnatural fog. A sense of dread permeates the desolate urban landscape.
Suddenly, an eerie scuffle breaks the stillness. On a deserted alleyway, a HOMELESS MAN huddles for warmth, unaware of the danger lurking.
His eyes snap open, on edge, and fear takes hold as he spots several figures moving with an unsettling, lurching gait towards him. The ragged silhouettes grow clearer - zombies in various stages of decay.
Wasting no time, the man scrambles to his feet, but his movements are sluggish, still dulled by sleep. He turns to flee, but the undead descend upon him with relentless hunger. His panicked screams shatter the silence of the night, a symphony of terror that marks the dawn of a new horror.
The trespass of his agony paints a chilling picture; the predators tearing into their prey without mercy, a grim foreshadowing of the city’s looming fate.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURITY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The night-shift SECURITY GUARD, wide-eyed, stares at the gruesome scene through his bank of monitors. Shaken to his core, he reaches for the radio, his voice quivering as he reports the incident.
SECURITY GUARD
(into radio, voice trembling)
We have an attack in progress… Sector 5, west alleyway. Immediate response needed…
He realizes the helplessness of his position, the futility of calling for aid already too late for the unfortunate victim. His hand shakes as he switches off the monitor, the image of the undead’s assault burned into his memory.
To his horror, he understands that this solitary incident is but the precursor to a city-wide nightmare. The zombies are free, and Science City is their hunting ground.
CUT TO:
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY - DAYBREAK

The lab stands as a beacon of light as the sun rises. Panic is palpable, even from within the fortified walls. ED and MARIA, wrap themselves in determination. They must venture into the apocalypse they inadvertently created. The weight of their actions has never felt heavier, and as they steel themselves against what’s to come, a new resolve hardens in their hearts.
MARIA
(with steely determination)
We’ve got work to do.
The horror outside is now their cross to bear, their breakthrough their penance – and as DAYBREAK ushers in the first light, the first step in a relentless battle for redemption is taken.
INT. CITY HOSPITAL - DAWN
Slivers of morning light offer no hope, instead illuminating a tableau of chaos. MEDICAL STAFF dash from bed to bed, desolation etched into their faces as they face the inevitable.
DR. MARTINEZ, her eyes showing the night’s toll, marshals her team like a battlefield commander.
DR. MARTINEZ
(shouting over the cacophony)
Move the critical cases to isolation! Now!
Orderlies hurry by, pushing a gurney with a PATIENT whose twitching betrays the infection’s advance.
CUT TO:
EXT. SCIENCE CITY PARK - DAYBREAK
The park, once a refuge of mirth, now stands ominously silent. A CHILD’S BIKE lies discarded on its side, the nearby swings creaking in the wind as if mourning the loss of laughter.
A distant, guttural SCREAM pierces the morning air. Behind a line of trees, a FIGURE stumbles through the underbrush — not a jogger, but something distorted and terrifying.
CUT TO:
INT. EMERGENCY BROADCAST STATION - DAY
A static-filled screen becomes clear, capturing the ANXIOUS FACE of a NEWS ANCHOR. The room buzzes with palpable fear as the words take form — a warning to the city’s population now waking to a new reality.
NEWS ANCHOR
(with urgency)
Stay indoors. Lock your doors and windows. Do not attempt to go out unless absolutely necessary…
Technical staff exchange frightened glances; they know the gravity of the announcement they’re sending into the world.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - UNDERGROUND BUNKER - CONTINUOUS
The bunker is a stark contrast of control amidst bedlam. ED paces the room, his mind racing for solutions, while MARIA scrutinizes a layout of the LAB on a digital screen.
MARIA
(pointing at an intersection)
The anti-viral vault… If anything can save us, we need to reach it.
ED’s face hardens with renewed resolve as he nods, their partnership solid and unfaltering despite the odds.
ED
(with a determined whisper)
Let’s go save the world.
Together, they head toward the door that stands as both a barrier and a gateway to their last hope.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY HOSPITAL - DAWN
As the first light of day takes hold, a convoy of ambulances scream into the hospital bay, despair hanging heavy in the air, foreshadowing the dread that is to come for Science City.
The camera pulls back to reveal the hospital, a testament to humanity’s plight, standing on the brink of being overwhelmed by the growing outbreak.
EXT. SCIENCE CITY - PUBLIC SQUARE - MORNING
A faint morning light casts a shadow over the tranquil public square. But the peace is an illusion, shattered by the cacophony of DISTANT SIRENS and frenetic NEWS REPORTS.
A HASTILY ERECTED PODIUM occupies the center of the square, where eager news crews are broadcasting live. The NEWS ANCHOR’S voice resonates with urgency, a dire warning for the unprepared citizens.
NEWS ANCHOR (ON TV)
(gravely)
This is an emergency broadcast. All residents are urged to stay indoors. Do not attempt to leave the city…
A sense of panic rises in the air as the local population, clutching their belongings, faces the brutal reality descending upon them.
CUT TO:
EXT. RESIDENTIAL STREET - CONTINUOUS
Undead SHADOWS begin to emerge into the light, an infestation spreading across the once safe streets. A chilling SCREAM echoes as an unsuspecting HOMELESS PERSON becomes an early victim of the onslaught.
Fast cuts show the horror escalating, FROM BARELY-FUNCTIONAL FAMILIES to DOOR-TO-DOOR EVACUATIONS. The city is on the brink.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - MAIN LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
Strong overhead lights illuminate the scurrying of WHITE-COATED SCIENTISTS, a contrast to the chaos outside. They burn papers and destroy research to prevent any chance of the contagion spreading beyond their walls.
ED and MARIA, wrapped in lab coats, are a still center in the storm. Determination set in their faces, they march through the pandemonium toward the heart of the laboratory — the secure biovault.
ED
(under his breath)
It’s got to be there, Maria. The cure…

MARIA
(hands clenching)
We’ll get it, Ed. We have to.
Their resolve is a beacon of hope amid the disarray.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
The HOSPITAL, its beacon-like quality diminished under the encroaching doom, becomes a FORTRESS against the affliction. Medics and security hustle to lock down the perimeter as more AMBULANCES roll in, a never-ending procession of despair.
The CAMERA rises, offering a bird’s eye view of the city, a METROPOLIS succumbing to an unseen assailant. Yet through the struggle and fear, the raw determination of its people stands defiant.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
The morning sun reveals an urban landscape turned warzone. Emergency broadcasts repeat across every available channel, issuing dire warnings to the frightened populace.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - DAY
Behind fortified glass, scientists watch in horror as infected test subjects prowl the formerly sterile corridors. ED KAYNES, eyes filled with resolve, prepares for the crucial task at hand.
EXT. MILITARY CHECKPOINT - CITY OUTSKIRTS - DAY
Soldiers in full hazard gear erect barricades, as the evacuation proceeds in grim silence under the watchful presence of gun-mounted vehicles and barricades.
A PANICKED MOTHER, clutching her daughter’s hand, hurries through a checkpoint, her eyes darting back to the city where an uncertain fate awaits.
INT. CITY HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY WARD - DAY
DOCTORS and NURSES work frantically amid the chaos, as a growing number of patients display unnerving symptoms.
(MORE)
INT. CITY HOSPITAL - EMERGENCY WARD - DAY (CONT'D)
The unmistakable sound of helicopter blades churns above – the rush to airlift critical patients to safety is underway.
INT. CITY HALL - MAYOR’S OFFICE - DAY
MAYOR THOMAS STONE faces a bank of monitors, each showing a different area of the crisis. He leans into a microphone, his voice steady, conveying a message of strength to his constituents.
MAYOR STONE
(gravely)
This is Mayor Stone. Stay calm, help is on the way. Keep your loved ones close, and remember… Science City stands united.
The camera angle tightens on Stone’s face, revealing his own concealed trepidation despite the bold front.
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY - ROOFTOP - DAY
A helicopter swoops in, landing pad agents signaling urgently for MARIA KAYNES to board. Tear-streaked but unbroken, she resists – she won’t leave without the potential cure clenched in her fist.
MARIA KAYNES
(determined)
If there’s hope to end this, it’s here, and I’m not leaving it behind!
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - ED’S LAB - DAY
The shattered remains of a once vibrant research hub lay bare. Glassware is strewn across the floor, papers flutter in the agitated air, and the persistent beep of a life support machine for a test subject echoes in the void.
MARIA steps in cautiously, her eyes scanning the disastrous scene. The overturned chairs and scattered equipment paint a picture of a swift and violent struggle.
MARIA
(somberly)
It looks like we were invaded by our worst nightmare…
ED moves to the shattered cage, the remnants of their groundbreaking experiment. A chill runs down his spine as he traces his fingers over the broken lock. The implications are vast and terrifying.
ED
(almost to himself)
She’s gone… the test subject is gone.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP on ED’s face, shadows playing at the edges of his grim determination. Behind him, the ominous lights of the emergency system flicker, underscoring the catastrophe.
MARIA stands beside him, her hand finding his. Together they face the beginning of an apocalypse, their world irrevocably changed.
MARIA
(sound of steel in her voice)
Let’s find that antidote, Ed. We owe it to everyone out there—and to ourselves.
ED nods, the silence between them speaking volumes. They have become soldiers on the front line of a battle they never wanted.
FADE TO:
EXT. CITY - CONTINUOUS
The morning sun does little to dispel the gloom that envelops the city. Citizens wade through the streets, carrying whatever possessions they can, their expressions hollow with shock and grief.
Quick shots show the chaos unfolding—a car abandoned mid-escape, a storefront looted, distant sirens that no longer promise rescue but herald a relentless siege.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
ED and MARIA move with urgent purpose down the hall, past doors marked with biohazard symbols, towards the storage where the last samples of the antidote are kept.

MARIA
(breathless)
If the infection has spread this far, then…
ED
(interrupting)
Then we’ll need to be faster. We can start mass production if we get to the secure vault.
The sound of their hurried footsteps fades as they disappear around a corner, leaving the eerie silence to reclaim the space.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURITY ROOM - DAY
A flickering glow from multiple monitors lights the dim room. Ed and Maria, alongside their colleague DR. STEVENS, watch in horror as security footage replays the genesis of the calamity.
The rat, previously lifeless on a metal table, convulses violently, its death-like stillness erupting into a grisly semblance of life. The creature’s rebirth is captured in grainy detail—a grotesque interruption in the sanitarium of science.
DR. STEVENS
(voice cracking)
Look at it… nobody could have predicted this. It’s like a nightmare.
ED
(tight-jawed)
We created a monster…
Maria’s hand covers her mouth as she stifles a sob. The knowledge that their breakthrough is responsible for the terror gripping the city is an unbearable burden.
MARIA
(overwhelmed)
Our children… are they…
DR. STEVENS
(interrupting, grim)
I’ve been trying to reach the schools all morning. Communications are down city-wide. We don’t know who’s… who’s still alive.

Ed slams a fist on the console in frustration, his rage a silent scream challenging the chaos. Maria turns to him, eyes pooling with tears—desperation etched on her face.
MARIA
(pleading)
We have to do something, Ed!
ED
(resolute)
And we will. We fix this. We find the cure and distribute it. No rest until this damn virus is eradicated from every last soul it’s touched.
They stand united, a feeble bulwark against an abyss that threatens to consume the world they know.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY - WIDE SHOT - DAY
The camera pans over the once-bustling metropolis, now a ghost town. Silence hangs heavy, broken only by the occasional moan of the wandering undead or the distant cry of the still-living, hiding in the ruins.
CUT TO:
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - RESEARCH WING - CONTINUOUS
Ed and Maria, passing debris of their shattered ambitions, make their way to the sealed vault which houses their only hope—a cure. Dr. Stevens trails, clutching at his lab coat as if it were a lifeline.
ED
(urgent)
Quickly, this way!
They race down the hallway, their every step a deafening echo against the sterile walls.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - CORRIDOR - DAY
The warning lights flash sporadically, casting an unsettling red glow. The silence is deafening, as ED and MARIA cautiously navigate the wreckage-strewn corridor.
ED’s gaze is fixated ahead, a steely resolve masking the dread within. Every shadow is a potential threat, every sound a harbinger of the undead.

Suddenly, a guttural growl pierces the silence. Around the corner lumbers a group of zombies, their movements jerky and erratic. The sight is jarring, the realization of their nightmare fully manifest.
MARIA
(in a hushed tone)
Ed…
Without hesitation, ED takes the lead, signaling MARIA to stay behind him. Despite his scientific mind rebelling against the logic of their existence, his survival instincts kick in.
They back away slowly, but the zombies advance with increasing hunger. The corridor’s confines amplify their mangled cries. Ed and Maria turn to run, but the creatures are relentless in pursuit.
One of the zombies lunges forward, catching ED by the arm. Its teeth sink into his flesh—a searing pain that echoes with the unbearable finality of his fate.
MARIA
(screaming)
Ed!
She pulls Ed away with a strength born of desperation, dragging him toward a nearby reinforced door. They stumble through just in time, slamming it shut on their assailants.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The couple slumps against the door, breathing heavily. Ed grunts as he clutches the wound, blood oozing between his fingers—a cruel testament to their perilous situation.
MARIA
(tearfully)
It’s not deep, we can treat it.
ED
(panting, pain-ridden)
Maria… I don’t have much time…
MARIA
(shaking her head)
Don’t say that. We’ll find the antidote. We’ll…
Ed gives a pained smile, his eyes reflecting both love and sorrow.

ED
(urgently)
Listen to me. You need to continue without me. Find the cure, Maria.
MARIA collapses beside him, the horror of the moment washing over her. The reality they tried to escape has consumed them, as the weight of their predicament settles like a shroud.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURE RESEARCH FACILITY - DAY
The room buzzes with the subdued whirr of high-tech machinery. MARIA scrambles, her hands fumbling through vials and medical supplies, searching for anything that might save ED. He lies on a cot, his complexion growing paler, his breaths shallow.
MARIA’s hands shake as she uncaps a vial labeled “Prototype Antidote 7A.” Desperation fills her eyes as she fills a syringe and turns to ED with steely determination.
MARIA
(breathlessly)
Ed, this is experimental, but it’s based on our earlier research. It could save you.
ED
(weakly, but with a firm resolve)
Do it… anything for a chance.
Maria injects the contents into his arm. They wait, the seconds stretching into an eternity. Suddenly, Ed convulses, a guttural groan escaping his lips as his body reacts to the drug.
MARIA
(frantic)
Hold on, Ed! Hold on!
His convulsions slow, then stop. Slowly, his breathing steadies, and the color begins to return to his cheeks. Maria sighs with relief as she watches him, her own body sagging with exhaustion.
ED
(voice stronger)
Maria… it’s working. I can feel it fighting the virus.
MARIA collapses beside him, tears of relief streaming down her face. They embrace, a moment of hope amidst the terror that surrounds them.
Suddenly, the door bursts open, ZOMBIES spill into the room, their groans filling the air with dread.
With a surge of adrenaline, MARIA springs to her feet, seizing a nearby fire extinguisher. She sprays the advancing horde, her other hand grabbing Ed, pulling him towards an emergency exit.
ED
(urgently)
Go, Maria! Get out of here!
MARIA shakes her head, determination blazing in her eyes.
MARIA
(screaming)
Not without you, Ed!
Just as they reach the door, a ZOMBIE lunges, its teeth bared for Maria’s neck. In a split-second decision, Ed shoves her through the door, slamming it behind her, locking himself inside with the undead.
MARIA
(desperately pounding the door)
ED! No!
But Ed’s fate is sealed. As Maria sobs, slumped against the door, the sounds of the scuffle inside fade. A profound silence settles, and a new resolve takes hold.
MARIA
(vow in her voice)
I’ll make it right, Ed. I’ll save them all.
CUT TO:
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY - ROOFTOP HELIPAD - CONTINUOUS
A helicopter approaches, the wind from its blades scattering papers and debris across the rooftop. MARIA’s figure emerges from the door to the helipad, her face a mask of anguish turned to determination. The fight for a cure, for redemption, for Ed’s sacrifice, continues.
EXT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURE RESEARCH FACILITY - DAY
The sterile corridor is now a cacophony of terror. MARIA bears witness to ED’S transformation—skin deathly pale, veins blackening. With the shadow of zombification drawing near, he makes a drastic choice.
ED
(determined, to Maria)
Go! Save our children… save everyone.
With a mix of horror and fierce resolve, ED flings himself through the window, landing on the concrete below with an unnatural ferocity only the infected possess. Maria watches as Ed, now imbued with the strength and resilience of the undead but mercifully retaining his mind, staggers to his feet and storms into the city.
CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREETS - CONTINUOUS
With the mind of a scientist but the body of a monster, ED trudges through the chaotic streets, an insatiable need to protect and a relentless drive to find their children fuelling his every step.
MARIA, atop the helipad, is torn between following ED and escaping with the cure. Tears stream down her face as she calls out to him, though he can no longer hear her.
MARIA
(screaming into the void)
I love you… I’ll find them, I promise!
With the cries of her husband echoing in her ears, Maria vows to carry on their fight and save the city they love. She watches Ed disappear into the horde of zombies, a lone figure of tragedy amidst the devastation.
The helicopter, hovering anxiously, becomes her only refuge. She climbs aboard, clutching the potential cure to her chest as they ascend into the maelstrom.
INT. GENEsis LABORATORY - SECURE RESEARCH FACILITY - DAY
Forcing herself to focus, Maria enters the lab again. The screen flickers to life, interfacing with her fierce intellect. She synthesizes, refines, and tests with the tenacity of a woman reborn from the ashes of her old life.
MARIA
(whispering to herself)
For Ed, for our children… for everyone.
Her hands never waver, her eyes never stray. The readouts wink back at her with promising data, and the compound finally takes form—a vial shining with the hope of humanity.
MARIA
(declaration of war on the apocalypse)
This is only the beginning. Run zombie, run.