It All Comes Crashing Down/Transcript

*“We came here on this mission, following our hearts and doing the right thing, but look how that went.”* *—Clyde*

**Starring:**

Robert Pattinson as WILLIAM REYNES

Emilia Clarke as KATE BLOODSTONE

Nick Frost as RANDALL FORSTER

Jon Hamm as JON MATTHEWS

Anson Mount as MARCUS DOWNES

Scarlett Johansson as REBECCA DAWSON

Kenneth Branagh as CLYDE ROLLINS

Steve J. Palmer as AUSTIN KINGSTON

Tom Holland as LLOYD WALLER

Robin Lord Taylor as EDWARD REMAR

David Emge as ALDUS PAXTON

**Also Starring**

Dan Aykroyd as ED ANDERSON

Keira Knightley as CLAIRE NOBLE

Daniel Sharman as DANIEL ROCKWELL

Paul Rudd as SOLOMON REED

Jason Lee as LOLIDA WINDFIELD

Chris Evans as KURT KLEIN

**Guest Starring**

Colin Ford as BRENDEN TREVORS

David Boat as LAYTON ZIMMERS

Daniel Bruhl as ALEX WEISS

Anthony Mackie as LANDON KIMBER

Talulah Riley as MOLLY MASSEY

Angela Sarafyan as BONNIE HARRELL

Christopher Mintz-Plasse as ELLIOTT ROWE

Martin Cummins as CARSON BURKE

Sean Gunn as STANLEY PECK

Ritchie Coster as LEONARD THORNE

Kat Dennings as NANCY WARNER

Bill Nighy as CALVIN SCHULTZ

Dave Fennoy as DAMERAE BADRICK

Anthony Carrigan as ROBIN CLARKE

Iwan Rheon as ROGER HALL

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**Scene #1**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON**

Outside, LAYTON ZIMMERS and ALEX WEISS are sitting on a bench, chatting with each other.

***Layton:*** *And I didn’t* ***mean*** *to take a wrong turn into that children’s birthday party, the GPS* ***told*** *me to turn there, so I did, and then suddenly I’m crashing through a fence and hitting a bouncy castle. It was uncool, let me tell you that. Anyways, while the kids were crying and the police were being called, I tried the birthday cake, and let me tell you, it was disgusting. Talk about a lame party. Anyways… What was your life like before all of this?*

***Alex:*** *Ah, well… it was… boring, to be honest. I was just trying to find a story, which I didn’t. Finding the perfect story that doesn’t get rejected by your company is a pretty hard thing to do. I was getting short on money but somehow made it through. Nothing too exciting. What about your life, Layton?*

***Layton:*** *Oh, you know, I was working many odd jobs here and there. I tried to get into photography once but the flash on my camera stunned an old woman and she fell off her balcony, so I gave up on that gig pretty quick. I was a bus driver once too, but for some reason the school wasn’t happy that I’d ignore the red lights or something, I didn’t understand all of their technical talk so I resigned there too. Oh! And don’t get me started on my days as a rat-catcher, they were a hoot!*

***Alex:*** *Sounds pretty interesting to me* ***(He laughs)***. *I would definitely hire you as a bus driver. But about that old woman… You helped her after she fell off the balcony, right? Or at least called the ambulance.*

***Layton:*** *Oh, well I figured she’d just get on up or something. But sure, I probably did.*

***Alex:*** *For sure, for sure.*

Nearby, AUSTIN KINGSTON is carrying over a spike that he’d made. He lifts it above a plot of grass on the outside of the fence, and slams it into the dirt, sticking it in. Several other spikes had already begun to be set up around the fences and walls outside the motel. Austin wipes his forehead, walking back towards the gate -- but as he does, he hears the sound of an engine getting closer and closer from behind him. He turns, looking at JON MATTHEWS’s car speeding down the road. It slows down as it nears the motel, the window rolling down.

***Jon:*** *Open the gates!*

***Layton:*** *Ooh, looks like it’s rush hour around here now.*

Austin jogs over to the gate, pushing it open for Jon to drive the car through. Jon speeds through the parking lot before slamming on the brakes. He exits the vehicle in a hurry.

***Austin:*** *What happened?*

***Jon:*** *It’s a fucking disaster, don’t even get me started.*

KATE BLOODSTONE opens the back door, climbing out with her shoulder around an unconscious BRENDEN TREVORS.

***Kate:*** *Help me get him inside!*

***Austin:*** *Jesus-- what the fuck happened to him?*

He hurries over, helping to carry Brenden over to the nearest motel room, swinging open the door and laying him on the bed.

***Kate:*** *He got bit. Austin-- rush through to the storage room, grab any medkit you can get your hands on! Go!*

He nods, leaving the room speedily. Kate goes to stand outside in the parking lot as she waits for him to return with the medkit. Jon is seen pacing around the parking lot, shaking his head.

***Jon:*** *Fucker. Fucker.*

RANDALL FORSTER comes limping out of his room after hearing all the noise. He limps down the stairs, approaching everyone.

***Randall:*** *The hell’s going on? Kate? Where are the others? What happened out there?*

***Kate:*** *We need to make sure Brenden is stable.*

***Randall:*** *Kate?*

***Kate:*** *It didn’t go well! Okay? All of the people we went to save, they’re dead.*

***Randall: (He frowns)*** *…The others? Where are--*

***Kate:*** *I don’t know! They should still be out there. I know it. They have to be. Jon, we have to--*

***Jon:*** *No. Just no. You people have done enough for one day. My brain is fucking exhausted trying to keep up with your ANTICS!*

***Kate:*** *The others are still stranded in the city… It’s just…*

***Jon:*** *I’ve already put my goddamn balls on the line once just to fucking drive in there and get you people, because I didn’t have it in me to just let you all be fucking stupid. Well, surprise, surprise, you were all fucking stupid and your little mission went TITS UP!*

***Kate:*** *We just wanted to help them… I’m…*

***Jon:*** *Cry me a fucking river, you helped nobody.*

The door to DANIEL ROCKWELL and LOLIDA WINDFIELD’s room opens, with both men stumbling out of the room, still recovering from their injuries.

***Daniel:*** *The fuck are you people yelling about? Don’t tell me you’ve caused another ruckus, Kate. Seriously, give it a rest before you run your mouth again. Then again, I don’t see that one-eyed freak or your boyfriend around to punch me in the face for calling you out.*

***Kate:*** *We were just trying to do the right thing! They had a fucking child with them!*

***Daniel:*** *I bet he tasted real good.*

Kate stumbles back, hearing the screams in her head again, as Lolida shoots Daniel a look of concern and disgust.

***Lolida:*** *The fuck…?*

***Jon:*** *Fucking… What happened in there? What did you even do?*

***Kate:*** *We… We tracked them to an office block. We wanted to go in and save them… So we tried to… but our escape didn’t go as planned and we were overwhelmed. They were all killed. Brenden got bit. I don’t know where the others are… We have to find them.*

***Jon: (He shakes his head)*** *They have to get themselves out of there now, Kate. There’s nothing more we can do.*

***Lolida:*** *So… you tried to help a helpless situation… and only made it worse? A for effort, Kate.*

***Daniel:*** *Or B for bitch. You’ve really outdone yourself, haven’t you? Hell, those hopeless bastards might’ve stood a chance too if it weren’t for you guys.*

***Randall:*** *Daniel, cool off, man.*

***Daniel:*** *Cool off? This bitch led a team into the city to die -- and it seems they did just that. I mean her boyfriend is probably being chomped on right now by a zombified mailman.*

***Lolida:*** *Daniel is right. Kate’s dumb decisions have not only fucked things up, but they’ve also split us up. As much as I hate to admit it… your stupidity surpasses even Jared’s. Remarkable.*

***Randall:*** *Everyone that went with Kate agreed to do so because they stood with her. This isn’t her fault, or her idea alone.*

Kate turns away, trying to ignore them all.

***Kate:*** *Austin! The medkit!*

Austin comes jogging back towards them, a medkit in his hands. He runs past all of them and into the room with Brenden. Kate joins him quickly.

***Kate:*** *I’ll take it from here.*

Austin lays the medical supplies down, before walking back out into the parking lot, huffing.

***Daniel:*** *So what… Who all went with her? Who died?*

***Randall:*** *We don’t know if they’re dead, mate.*

***Daniel:*** *Who?*

***Randall:*** *Clyde, Claire, Marcus and Dean are still out there.*

***Daniel:*** *Oh wow. That is rich. Fodder.*

***Lolida:*** *You took all the capable people out there?*

***Austin: (To Jon)*** *What was the city like - can we go back to get them?*

***Jon:*** *Fucking infested… I could barely get Kate and Brenden out.*

***Lolida: (He sighs)*** *Jesus fucking Christ.*

***Daniel:*** *Seriously, that is so funny. Kate’s special team consisted of her hotshot boyfriend, a one-eyed moron, his girlfriend, who got launched into a fucking pole, and Dean, a stumbling drunk who can hardly walk straight. Oh, I’m forgetting -- the kid too, he did great.*

***Lolida:*** *Man, Kate really does know how to pick out an excellent team.*

***Randall:*** *Man, fuck you. It’s one thing to disagree with what she did, but you’re just showing your disdain for our people.*

***Daniel:*** *I’m pointing out the obvious, and hating on people who’ve done nothing but fuck us over.*

***Jon:*** *Shut the fuck up. All of you just shut the fuck up. William and the others should be back soon, just fucking cool off and give it a rest, it’s over now. There’s nothing more that can be done.*

Jon storms off towards the front of the motel, looking out the gates at the woods across the street. However, it’s not long before Layton comes strolling up to him.

***Layton:*** *Hey, Jonathan.*

***Jon:*** *Why the fuck are you calling me Jonathan?*

***Layton:*** *Because… that’s our thing?*

***Jon:*** *What the fuck are you on, I’ve spoken to you like twice. What is it?*

***Layton:*** *Oh, there’s about six-hundred extra people on that road since I last looked at it.*

Jon stares at him for a second, before pushing him aside and walking over to one of the fences, looking out at the road leading towards Garden City, where he lays eyes on a giant horde of zombies headed straight towards the motel.

***Jon:*** *…Well… fuck.*

***Daniel:*** *What? What is it?*

***Jon:*** *We’re up shit creek, that’s what.*

***Austin:*** *What--*

***Jon:*** *All of you! Parking lot! Now!*

Kate exits the motel room, looking around.

***Kate:*** *What is it?*

***Daniel:*** *You know what, Kate, I think it’d be better if you just stayed in that room. You’d probably be more useful there.*

***Jon:*** *Cut the shit, Daniel. Now isn’t the time.*

Kate looks on at the horde through the gate.

***Kate:*** *Oh my god.*

***Jon:*** *…They followed us out.*

***Lolida:*** *What’s going on?!*

***Daniel:*** *Place is fucked. We should all leave now.*

***Austin:*** *I agree with him - let’s all go now.*

***Lolida:*** *I’ll gather the supplies.*

***Daniel:*** *They’re gonna tear right through this place.*

***Austin:*** *We can get through the back or something -- escape into the woods.*

***Layton:*** ***(Mumbling to himself)*** *Followed you home… They might be evolving… Perhaps if I was to reason with them…*

***Jon:*** *Yeah. Everyone pack up as much shit as you can, on the double.*

Over the next couple of minutes, people go around, gathering supplies. Randall eventually comes walking back out into the parking lot with a box of pistols.

***Randall:*** *I’ve gathered up everything I could. Everyone take one, we’ve only got two bullets each, save it for an emergency.*

***Austin:*** *Two bullets -- I guess it’ll do.*

Everyone goes around, picking up a gun -- including both Layton and Alex, which Daniel notices, and immediately becomes angry over.

***Alex:*** *Ah, a gun. Very cool.*

***Daniel:*** *Fucking really… You’re entrusting pistols to those two?*

***Lolida:*** *That’s what I’m worried about…*

***Alex:*** *The most I could take down is two people. Don’t worry.*

***Layton:*** *He’s right. Dibs on it not being me.*

***Randall:*** *Yeah wait, fucking dibs as well. Just kidding, Alex. If you try anything I’ll cap you* ***(He smiles)***.

***Jon:*** *Please, all of you, shut the fuck up.*

As the chatter between them continues, Kate starts to walk around the parking lot, looking into the woods behind and to the sides of the motel.

***Kate:*** *They’re not the only one…*

***Jon:*** *What?*

***Austin:*** *Huh?*

***Kate:*** *The surrounding area, they’re all around us already.*

She points down the road, at part of the horde splitting off into the woods, surrounding the motel.

***Daniel:*** *And ALL of this was your fault? Not only did you stupidly put yourselves in danger, but you’ve fucked over the rest of us, is that what you’re saying?*

***Jon:*** *Enough. You have a right to be pissed off. I myself am fuming. But now is not the time for this bullshit.*

***Austin:*** *Now’s not the time to be yelling at each other - we need to get out of the motel.*

Jon notices Lolida keeping hand gripped on his pistol, as he looks towards Jon.

***Jon:*** *Getting a little touchy there. Worried for your boyfriend? Tell him to stop running his own mouth, then he can tell off Kate.*

***Layton:*** *Everyone!*

Layton yells down at them from up on the balcony.

***Layton:*** *I hate to see you all fighting like this… This is a very intense time for all of us… it is vital we do not fall apart now. So I will be in my room if anyone needs me.*

He turns, walking off.

***Kate:*** *What?*

***Jon:*** *Fucking hell. Kate, get inside and close the gates.*

***Austin:*** *Layton-- what the fuck are you going on about? It’s time to leave--*

He sighs, watching Layton head into his room.

***Kate:*** *It’s not safe to leave. Brenden might not make the trip, and three of you here are badly wounded. Randall can barely move… Daniel may be starting to recover, but Lolida is still in no shape. Layton is incapable of defending himself. Between escorting our wounded and trying to carry our supplies, we’ll never make it, not when we’re walking through a horde. On the other hand, even if we do leave the supplies here and agree to return for them later, we’ll still have all of the wounded to escort. The car is one option… Maybe we can use that to get the wounded out.*

***Jon:*** *The car barely has any fuel left in it thanks to my stupid fucking trip to save you.*

***Austin:*** *So - we’re supposed to sit here and fight off hundreds of those things?*

***Lolida:*** *It’s… our only option.*

***Austin:*** *That’ll never happen. We need to find a way to get out.*

***Jon:*** *They will inevitably overwhelm us eventually, but nothing stops us from putting up a fight and then getting to higher ground.*

***Lolida:*** *Our fucking luck, huh?*

Kate frowns, seeing the horde of zombies showing up outside the motel. They begin to bang at the gates and the fences, searching for ways to get it.

***Kate:*** *They’re here.*

***Austin:*** *Ah, fuck it. I guess we are fighting.*

***Jon:*** *Make the most of the gates while we have them, kill as many as you can while it’s safe to. Kate… Dean was back to drinking again, yeah?*

***Kate:*** *Yeah. He - he was.*

***Jon:*** *You know if he still had any bottles of booze lying around?*

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**Scene #2**

Rain pours down onto the sidewalk, as EDWARD REMAR sits there, a blood-coated knife in his hand. In front of him lies four gutted corpses of men, freshly killed. He attempts to get up, but he’s out of energy, and falls to his side. Edward is forced to crawl along the ground -- until he remembers a limousine pulling up beside him. The back door opens, thick smoke exiting the vehicle. A familiar looking man steps out of the backseat of the limo, looking down at Edward with a grin.

***Badrick:*** *My, oh my… You are just magnificent, aren’t you?*

Edward looks up at DAMERAE BADRICK, as he takes a puff from his cigar, blowing smoke down at Edward.

***Badrick:*** *A poor little man, so fragile, so vulnerable, all alone… and yet… here you are… crawling… as if you’re making it by on sheer will alone. I’m impressed. Oh, yes, I think I’ve found a special one. You are in luck, my friend… for I am a good judge of character, and I can already see you are destined for greater things than this. Oh, yes… the world is your oyster now, don’t you see? All you have to do is reach out… and take it… Under my supervision, of course.*

Badrick lets out a sinister chuckle, as the memory fades into another -- this time inside of Willamette Mall.

***Roger:*** *HE’S GONNA FEED ME TO THEM! AT LEAST - A HUMANE DEATH! PLEASE!*

Edward looks up at ROGER HALL with a viscous look, as the man hangs there, hogtied to the ceiling, a hungry crowd of zombies below him.

***Edward:*** *Enough of this.*

***Roger:*** *NO -- PLEASE! HAVE MERCY--*

Roger screams in pain as he’s lowered into the horde of zombies and ripped apart. Once again, the memory fades into something else. Now, Edward is standing in a cold room, his eyes fixated on a pistol sitting on a table near him.

***Robin:*** *Look-- I’m the one who’s been telling you all to relax. Everything that just happened? Not a big deal. We’re all here, all alive.*

The memory jumps ahead to Edward snatching the pistol off the table, a gunshot echoing.

***Robin:*** *You-- You shot me.*

ROBIN CLARKE falls to his knees, holding onto his chest as blood leaks out.

Another jump, and this time Edward finds himself in the back of a limousine.

***Badrick:*** *Yes… You’re quite capable, aren’t you? Tell me, Edward Remar. How far are you willing to go to get what you want? Just how ambitious are you?*

The words fade away, as Badrick takes another puff from his cigar. Edward now finds himself back inside the house in Garden City. CLYDE ROLLINS is standing across from him, trying to plead with him.

***Edward:*** *There’s an entire planet for the taking, Clyde… and I intend to carve out my fair share of it.*

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**Scene #3**

**TRAILER PARK - AFTERNOON**

EDWARD REMAR’s eyes open, as he sits up in bed, discomforted by his dream. He rubs his eyes, as he gets out of bed, grabbing his new cane, which is really just a stick, before he walks across the trailer, stepping outside into the sunlight. He stumbles towards the campfire in the middle of the park, where BONNIE HARRELL and CARSON BURKE are sitting.

***Bonnie:*** *Oh, good afternoon, Edward!*

***Carson:*** *Can I fix you up something to eat?*

***Edward:*** *Afternoon?*

***Bonnie:*** *Hehe, that’s right. That’s the one that comes after morning.*

***Edward: (Blankly)*** *Of course, how could I forget? How long was I out?*

***Carson:*** *You hit the hay just a few hours after we got here. You’ve been asleep for a day and a half.*

***Bonnie:*** *Yeah, you sure were tired, but it’s a good thing you got some rest, because we’re due to be leaving here real soon!*

***Edward:*** *What? Already?*

***Carson:*** *That’s… kinda our thing… Remember?*

***Bonnie:*** *Yeah, but don’t worry, Edward, it’s gonna be real fun, Molly wants us to go to an amusement park! Isn’t that exciting?*

***Edward:*** *I’m going to talk to Solomon* ***(He turns to leave)***.

***Carson:*** *Oh, sorry, but Solomon’s out with Stanley and Landon right now scavenging before we leave… Maybe you should have a word with Kurt, he can bring you up to speed.*

Edward sighs.

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**Scene #4**

**TRAILER PARK - AFTERNOON**

EDWARD REMAR arrives outside of Kurt’s trailer after some asking around, and with a frown on his face, he knocks on the door. After a few moments, the door opens. KURT KLEIN leans on the doorframe, looking down at Edward.

***Kurt:*** *So the layabout has finally decided to stretch his legs, huh?* ***(He smiles mockingly)*** *What can I do for you, your majesty?*

***Edward:*** *I want to know exactly where we’re going and why, unlike the rest of your goons, I actually want to know if I’m being led on a safe course.*

***Kurt: (He chuckles)*** *If you’d been awake, pulling your weight like the rest of us -- you’d know by now, wouldn’t you?*

***Edward:*** *Oh, I know somewhat, thank you very much. An amusement park? You can’t be serious.*

***Kurt:*** *Deadly. What’s wrong, Eddie, scared of having a little fun for once in your… Bram Stoker-esque life?*

***Edward:*** *Oh please. I’ll have you know I hadn’t properly slept in days, so no, I’m not a vampire like you’re trying to insinuate. Besides, what exactly do* ***you*** *do around here?*

***Kurt:*** *You’re joking me. You gotta be.*

Kurt’s ‘friendly’ demeanor vanishes, as he stares down Edward.

***Kurt:*** *I keep these people - you and your little friend included - safe. Do you honestly think these sad saps could survive on their own without me? No, of course you don’t -- ‘cause you’re a smart guy, Ed. Isn’t that right?*

***Edward: (He smirks)*** *You give me too much credit, I am truly humbled… but it’s not that hard to look smart in comparison to you and your band of baboons. I’ll bet you’ve never even read a Bram Stoker novel, in fact, you probably just made that name up and got lucky - or maybe - that psychotic girl with the birds nest in her hair is actually a vampire and she told you about him - because I wouldn’t be surprised to find that she sleeps upside down in a cave!*

Edward turns to leave.

***Edward:*** *Thank you very much for your time.*

***Kurt:*** *Listen to you. Wow. It’s a spectacle. You know, Edwardo, you remind me a lot of one of my old classmates. A real - specimen - like you. He used to be a real whizz at math, too. Did all my homework for me, from the goodness of his own heart. Too bad he ended up killing himself senior year. I really hope that doesn’t happen to you too, my friend.*

Kurt steps back inside, closing the door. Edward grits his teeth, as he walks off.

***Edward:*** *Yeah, we’ll see about that you stupid brute.*

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**Scene #5**

**TRAILER PARK - AFTERNOON**

Next to the supply wagon, NANCY WARNER is standing with ELLIOTT ROWE, looking down at a map, trying to make sense of it.

***Nancy:*** *You know, it can’t be fun doing what you do… I mean… what is it that makes you so confident with maps anyway? You’re literally Kurt’s go-to guy for anything travel related now. Are you just some all-seeing psychic when it comes to picking out the best possible route? Oh god, I’m overwhelming you with questions, just answer what you can.*

***Elliott:*** *Well, you know, it’s not the most thrilling job, but it has to be done! I practically know the layout of the entire state after all the maps I’ve been studying. It becomes easy after a while.*

***Nancy:*** *Eek… no thank you. Seriously though, that’s pretty impressive… Just not for me. I’ll take, uh… tedious inventory management any day of the week.*

Nancy looks up from the map to see EDWARD REMAR hobbling over to them.

***Nancy:*** *Oh great, here comes cheery to brighten up our day.*

***Elliott:*** *I didn’t think he was ever going to wake up.*

Edward makes his way up to the two of them.

***Edward:*** *Well?*

***Nancy:*** *Well…?*

***Edward:*** *Nevermind… Good afternoon to you as well.*

***Nancy:*** *Man, it’s too bad your social skills aren’t developing in your sleep.*

***Edward:*** *Alright, enough. I want you both to tell me everything about Kurt.*

***Nancy:*** *Why? You developing a lil crush on him? Oh, that’s so cute.*

***Edward:*** *What?*

***Nancy:*** *I mean with you - it’s Kurt this, Kurt that. I think it’s a blossoming love story, I mean, hey - Kurt’s a good looking man, who could blame you? I mean, nobody really cares if you swing that way.*

***Edward:*** *What--?*

***Nancy:*** *Do you swing that way?*

***Edward:*** *What are you--*

***Nancy:*** *Oh, you totally do, right?*

***Edward:*** *When did I ever imply that? Alright, just shut up! Shut!*

***Nancy:*** *Jeez, alright.* ***(She shrugs)*** *So if you don’t have the hots for him… Why are you so fascinated with him?*

***Edward:*** *I’m just curious. That is all. You know what - I like him better* ***(He points at Elliott)***. *I’ll let him tell me--*

***Nancy:*** *Of course you like boys better.*

***Edward:*** *You’re not funny, please be quiet.*

***Elliott:*** *Uh-- what is there you want to know about Kurt? I’m sure you know everything you need to. He’s the leader here-- Maybe not the best leader…*

***Edward:*** *Aha! That’s what I was looking for!*

***Elliott:*** *Huh? What did I say?*

***Edward:*** *Listen… I just want to know if he has any… weaknesses… you know, beyond him being a complete and utter fool, that much I’ve gathered.*

***Nancy:*** *Edward. Everyone has weaknesses… and insecurities… and troubled pasts. Yourself included. I mean really, what went wrong* ***(She chuckles)***. *Where would you even begin with your story - seriously, I’m interested.*

***Edward:*** *Enough! This isn’t about me, it’s about Kurt! You seriously annoy me.*

***Nancy:*** *I’m just teasing you. Lighten up a little.*

***Edward:*** *Fine, fine.*

***Nancy:*** *If you must know…*

Nancy looks around, before stepping closer to the both of them.

***Nancy:*** *Yes, Kurt is dealing with things, just like the rest of us, and I don’t know if it’s really my place to get into that. I mean, I find you funny, Edward… but you’re still like… a total outsider… no offense… for all I know you could be… plotting all of our murders or something.*

Edward stares at her for a moment, before he bursts out laughing. Nancy laughs along, and even Elliott chuckles nervously, looking around.

***Edward:*** *Oh wow, maybe you* ***are*** *capable of being funny sometimes. What a hoot.*

***Nancy:*** *Listen… I just wanna make sure you’re not snooping around for weak points… okay? Seriously, I think if you put in a little more effort, you’d really fit in here. Right, Elliott?*

***Elliott:*** *Right-- more effort, that sounds right. Kurt would appreciate that! Probably.*

***Nancy:*** *Yeah, maybe if you weren’t such a negative nutjob, and made the effort to be nice to Kurt, things could work out better. Give it a try is all I’m saying.*

***Edward: (He sighs)*** *Thank you for your input, but I really, wholeheartedly, did not ask for it.*

***Nancy:*** *Listen… suit yourself, man.*

MOLLY MASSEY comes strolling up to them out of nowhere, budging past Edward, and placing a duffel bag into the back of the storage wagon. Edward glares at her, as he straightens himself back into position. Molly turns to look back at him.

***Molly:*** *Oh, that’s odd, I didn’t hear you whining just now.*

***Edward:*** *No, no, it’s okay, it’s my fault, it must be hard to see where you’re going with all that mess on your head.*

***Molly:*** *Pfft* ***(She looks at Nancy)***.

***Nancy:*** *Afternoon, Molly. I see you’re back from your trip.*

***Molly:*** *That I am* ***(She nods at the duffel bag)***.

***Nancy:*** *You want me to ask what’s inside the bag?*

***Molly:*** *I want you to ask what’s inside the bag. You* ***are*** *the inventory manager.*

***Nancy:*** *Okay-- What’s inside the bag?*

***Molly:*** *I’m so glad you asked.* ***(She unzips it)*** *Mama hit the jackpot out there.*

Nancy steps forward and looks inside the bag, rummaging through it.

***Nancy:*** *What’s in the… I… Well it’s… poison. Some poisons… wait a minute, is that fucking ricin? Where did you get all of this? Castor beans? All these boxes? Tubs of…*

***Molly:*** *Well, I wasn’t gonna leave it, an interesting find like that? It was just that dodgy old warehouse Elliott found just off the map. I trust you’ll get it all sorted… Never know when it’ll come in handy. Maybe it’ll make this yapper shut his mouth, or I’ll sprinkle a little ricin into his drink* ***(She cackles)***.

***Edward:*** *Did she just threaten to poison me?*

***Elliott:*** *Uhh… Why would you take poison back here with you? Why would we ever need that-- You, uh, you shouldn’t be making threats like that too - you know, even if it’s a joke…*

***Molly:*** *Elliott, you never know, okay? Besides… if you look a little closer, there’s some other pharmaceuticals in there too, I’m not exactly a medical whiz, okay? I just brought back the stuff… I thought you could use stuff as ingredients… I dunno! Quit questioning me!*

***Elliott:*** *Sorry--*

***Edward: (He chuckles)*** *Poison? Ingredients? Oh wow. You’re special.*

***Molly:*** *Oh, shut your mouth, yapper. Ugh… Oh!*

Molly reaches into her pocket, pulling out a pistol.

***Molly:*** *Got us a new bad boy here too. Found it with the poisons. I wonder how many guns we have now…*

She picks up a clipboard out of the wagon, reading through a list.

***Nancy:*** *Sixteen. Mostly pistols, but our ammo supply is pretty good--*

***Molly:*** *Sixteen? Seventeen including this one now… right?*

***Nancy:*** *That’s right, as soon as I sign it in--*

Nancy reaches for the clipboard, but Molly keeps it to herself, reading through it.

***Molly:*** *So seventeen guns. If I have one, Landon has one, and Kurt has one… that means we should have fourteen guns here, correct?* ***(She begins counting through the guns in the supply wagon)***

***Nancy:*** *Well, yeah - that’s math for you.*

***Molly:*** *Don’t get smart with me. There’s thirteen guns… we’re short one… So where the fuck is the missing gun?*

Nancy’s eyes widen, as he begins to count through the guns herself.

***Nancy:*** *Let me see that - that’s impossible - I keep a strict--*

After a quick count, she realizes that Molly is right.

***Nancy:*** *Okay, I don’t know what happened, I’m sure it’s no big deal though, someone might’ve just taken one out for an emergen--*

***Molly:*** *No big deal?* ***(She smacks Elliott on the shoulder)*** *Are you hearing this silly girl?*

***Elliott:*** *Yeah - yeah, it is a big deal. Molly is right-- but maybe Nancy is right about someone taking it out. What about that new guy that came in with Edward-- Solomon? He went out scavenging, right?*

***Molly:*** *Oh, Elliott. Stick to reading fucking maps. Nancy, this is an outrage, you had one fucking job. Oh, I’ll bet it was this little prick here.*

Molly strolls over to Edward.

***Edward:*** *Maybe it’s in your hair… Why don’t you dig around there for a while? Please, if I wanted a gun, I’d have taken my shotgun back… and in case you haven’t noticed, which, let’s be honest, you probably haven’t, my shotgun is STILL RIGHT THERE IN THE BOX!*

***Molly:*** *I am going to get Kurt to deal with this. Y’all wait right here.*

Molly turns, speeding off.

***Nancy:*** *Oh my god, I am so fucking in for it now. Edward-- if you took a pistol, I will kill you. Please return it if you did.*

***Edward:*** *I didn’t take a pistol! Why would I?*

***Nancy:*** *I can think of plenty of reasons. But, fine, fine-- I’ll take you at your word. Elliott, have you seen anything at all?*

***Elliott:*** *Nothing at all* ***(He shrugs)***.

***Nancy:*** *Well, fuck. I don’t know why they take this stuff so seriously, but they do. It’s my one job.*

***Edward:*** *Maybe it’s a little problematic if they don’t trust any of you to have guns in the first place.*

***Nancy:*** *Look, it sounds stupid, but we are rarely in danger under Kurt’s leadership.*

Nancy looks up, seeing Molly walking back over, now with KURT KLEIN alongside her.

***Kurt:*** *So - what seems to be the problem, ladies and gentlemen?*

***Molly:*** *I’ll tell you what the problem is-- Nancy sucks at her fucking job, apparently. One gun, unaccounted for.*

***Nancy:*** *I, uh… I really don’t know how this happened… If you could just give me some time to figure it out…*

***Kurt: (He nods slowly)*** *My, oh my… that’s gonna be a problem. Kinda funny how things like this only start happening when we invite a vampire into our home.*

***Edward:*** ***(Quietly)*** *You don’t have a home…*

***Elliott:*** *If I may-- I don’t think Edward took it -- he said it himself that he would have taken back his shotgun if he wanted a gun.*

***Kurt:*** ***(To Nancy)*** *Tell you what… why don’t you and I have a chat about this? In my trailer.*

***Nancy:*** *Uh… yeah, of course. Right behind you…*

Nancy follows along after Kurt, as Molly walks off as well, leaving just Edward and Elliott.

***Edward:*** *You know what, I’ll be a minute.*

***Elliott:*** *Uh-- okay.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #6**

**VILLAGE - SUPERMARKET**

WILLIAM REYNES sits in silence on the supermarket floor, pools of blood splattered all over. To one side of him is LLOYD WALLER, who’s also sitting quietly, looking at the ground, his face beaten and bruised, and his nose broken. To William’s other side is REBECCA DAWSON, unconscious, her head wrapped in bandages. Finally, William opens his mouth to speak quietly.

***William:*** *You understand why I - had to do all that… right?*

***Lloyd:*** *I do. I do…*

***William:*** *They hurt you, Lloyd. They hurt Rebecca. And Ed. That… had to happen. To keep you safe.*

***Lloyd:*** *I know. They were awful… and they… deserved it. I’m glad they’re dead. I’m glad you killed them. I just… I just hope she’ll be okay…*

***William:*** *Focus on yourself for now… okay? I’m sure she’ll be -- fine.*

***Lloyd:*** *I’m alright.* ***(He shakes his head)*** *She got it the worst… She’s the one who needs support right now. Our support.*

Footsteps approach, and William glances up to see ED ANDERSON walking up them, a bandage wrapped tightly around where his thumb had been cut into. He clears his throat gently.

***Ed:*** *I promise that… I’ve done all I can for her with what I had on hand. The bleeding has stopped, and her body is stable as far as I can tell. I’m not a doctor, but I’m sure of that much. It’s just… It’s up to fate now. I don’t know what her head is going to be like if she wakes up, or even* ***when*** *she’ll wake up… but I hope that she does. You and her saved our lives, William.*

***William:*** *I came too late. I should’ve known. The gun store was empty - so of course that meant the town couldn’t have been empty… Who’d give up a place like this? It’s almost clear of the dead.*

***Ed:*** *Well, about that… I checked the backroom just over there. There weren’t any guns… but they did have a lot of food and water… stockpiled back there. It’s ours now… It could keep everyone back at the motel fed for at least a week* ***(He smiles lightly)***.

***William:*** *Then I guess we didn’t come here in vain. I just hope that… with that, at least people will appreciate the choice I made. I hope they’ll understand.*

William rises to his feet slowly, blood dripping off of his clothes still.

***Ed:*** *Why don’t you… just sit down a little longer. I’ll load all of the food into the car… Maybe just… clean yourself up.*

***Lloyd:*** *I’ll help him.*

***William:*** *Okay… Okay, just - call me if you need me.*

He sits back down.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #7**

**VILLAGE - STREETS - MID AFTERNOON**

ED ANDERSON lifts open the trunk, as he places a box of supplies into it. He reaches into a shopping cart to pick up some more. LLOYD WALLER does the same.

***Lloyd:*** *How’s your hand? Specifically your finger.*

***Ed:*** *It hurts… but I got lucky. Rebecca didn’t get as lucky, and she’s the one who put her life on the line to save us.*

***Lloyd:*** *She kicked their asses… They just got lucky. I’m sorry that I let us get captured like that.*

***Ed:*** *Oh, stop it. You know you can’t blame yourself for that. We’re alright… William dealt with them.*

***Lloyd:*** *But we don’t know if she’s going to be alright* ***(He frowns)***.

***Ed:*** *Hey, hey-- I’ve stopped the bleeding, and she’s going to live… She’s just comatose right now. I can’t promise you that she’ll wake up soon, or that her head will be okay, but all we can do is hope, alright?*

***Lloyd:*** *Seeing those men in there… brutally murdered… their blood and guts on the floor like that. It felt so right for once. Because of what they did, what they were going to do. I wish I could see them die all over again.*

Ed continues loading the supplies into the trunk, not knowing how to respond.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #8**

**VILLAGE - STREETS - MID AFTERNOON**

ED ANDERSON opens the back door of the car for WILLIAM REYNES, who’s carrying REBECCA DAWSON over.

***Ed:*** *I, uh… put some pillows and a blanket inside… just to… yeah.*

***William:*** *Thanks for caring, Ed.*

William smiles faintly, before he lays Rebecca down in the back, and shuts the door.

***Ed:*** *Anytime. I thought it’d be best if I drove us home.*

***William:*** *Yeah… I don’t think I’m able to - see very well right now.*

***Ed:*** *Don’t worry about it, we should be back at the motel in no time, a couple of hours on the road and we’ll be home.*

They go to get into the car.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #9**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON**

DANIEL ROCKWELL stabs a zombie through the fence, just for another one to immediately take its place. He sighs, looking over at LOLIDA WINDFIELD.

***Daniel:*** *How’re you holding up?*

***Lolida:*** *To be honest? I’m scared shitless.*

***Daniel:*** *If you think things are gonna go south, or that you don’t have the strength to keep up with this, you tell me, and we get you to safety.*

***Lolida:*** *Focus on the others first, Daniel. I’ll be fine.*

Lolida stabs another zombie through the fence. Nearby, JON MATTHEWS is crouching down next to a box of alcoholic bottles that KATE BLOODSTONE had brought him.

***Kate:*** *Molotov cocktails? You think they’ll work?*

***Jon:*** *Beats me, but it’s worth a shot.*

As Daniel stabs another zombie, he begins to see the fence tilting forward, creaking loudly. He steps back with Lolida.

***Daniel:*** *Alright, no, I think it’s time we pack this little operation up, they are gonna cave in on us any minute.*

***Austin:*** *I think you’re right.*

***Lolida:*** *I agree with that statement.*

***Kate:*** *Jon. I think it’s time.*

***Jon:*** *Almost ready.*

Suddenly, the fence in front of Daniel and Lolida comes crashing down, zombies falling over with it. Other zombies begin to flood into the parking lot through the massive breach.

***Daniel:*** *Shit!*

***Lolida:*** *Fuck!*

***Alex:*** *Well, that’s unfortunate. I think I’ma head to Layton and tell him to get ready.*

LAYTON ZIMMERS looks down at him from the balcony above.

***Layton:*** *Don’t worry, friend! I’m ready as I’ll ever be! It’s time I demonstrated to you… my skills.*

Layton draws his pistol and aims it towards the zombie. He fires, missing.

***Jon:*** *Don’t waste your fucking ammo, you moron!*

***Layton:*** *Well, I tried. I guess a knife is more trusty anyways.*

Zombies start approaching everyone, forcing them to back up.

***Daniel:*** *Everyone-- up the stairs, now!*

***Alex:*** *You don’t need to tell me that twice!*

Daniel, Lolida, AUSTIN KINGSTON and ALEX WEISS begin hurrying over towards the stairs, jogging up them to the second floor balcony. As they do, Jon lights a molotov.

***Jon:*** *Take this, you motherfuckers!*

He chucks it towards the horde. It explodes in the middle, setting a lot of them on fire.

***Kate:*** *They’re going to try and break into Brenden’s room. I have to stop them.*

Jon runs up the stairs with the others, while Kate hurries off to Brenden’s room. RANDALL FORSTER, meanwhile, climbs on top of a car to escape the reach of the horde, as they quickly surround the vehicle, trapping him.

***Lolida:*** *Danny - this is a shitshow!*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah… it’s fucked. We can’t do this!*

Daniel kicks a zombie back down the stairs, knocking over a few more.

***Austin:*** *Where do we go, then?*

***Jon:*** *Here, just take this.* ***(He hands him a molotov)*** *All we can do right now is hold them off.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #10**

**TRAILER PARK - AFTERNOON**

EDWARD REMAR discreetly follows KURT KLEIN and NANCY WARNER back to Kurt’s trailer, where he goes to stand outside of an open window, listening in. Immediately, Edward hears a loud bang come from the inside, as Kurt slams his fist into the fridge.

***Kurt:*** *What the FUCK do you mean you don’t know where it went? What’s your one job, huh? The ONLY reason we keep you around these days?*

***Nancy:*** *To watch over the, uh… inventory. But… really… I don’t know how this happened-- there’s no need to overreact - I’ll look into it.*

***Kurt:*** *Overreact… yeah. Would it be an overreaction if that little weirdo out there pulled a gun and shot us all dead? Would that be an overreaction in your high and mighty books?*

***Nancy:*** *I get it-- okay? I don’t know what happened-- but I’ll figure it out.*

***Kurt:*** *That you will. It’d be a shame to have to leave my favourite inventory clerk as zombie food. When you find that gun… you can come and apologize. There’s the door* ***(He nods to it)***.

Nancy turns, walking towards the door and leaving. As she walks away, Edward leaves the side of the trailer, starting to follow her -- when he hears Kurt calling him from behind.

***Kurt:*** *Woah… hold your horses, buster. I don’t know where you think you’re off to.*

***Edward: (He turns around)*** *What?*

***Kurt:*** *I know what you were doing. Bet you thought you’d listen in on some action, huh? That’s the type of little sicko you are, right?*

***Edward:*** *Are you going to say something meaningful or just waste my time?*

***Kurt:*** *Everything I say is meaningful. Provided - you want you and your deadbeat friend to keep breathing the same oxygen as the rest of us. Breathing oxygen in general, really.*

Edward fakes a yawn, looking around.

***Edward:*** *Can I go now or are you suspecting that I’m your gun thief?*

***Kurt:*** *You’re awfully defensive, Count Dracula. Maybe you are the gun thief, afterall. Wouldn’t surprise me.* ***(He shakes his head, smirking)*** *Why can’t you be more like Elliott and Nancy? They’re good people - really. They know they can’t bite the hand that feeds. Maybe you should wise up to that too.*

***Edward:*** *You know what… How about we start over? With a handshake, to even things out once and for all. Perhaps we’ve both been a little aggressive during our introductory period.*

Kurt stares down at him, considering his proposition.

***Kurt:*** *Yeah. Yeah, sure. You’re a smart guy… I know you can be of some use, if you try.*

Edward shakes his hand, forcing a smile on his face.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #11**

**TRAILER PARK - AFTERNOON**

Afterwards, EDWARD REMAR finds himself back at the supply wagon talking with NANCY WARNER.

***Nancy:*** *Listen, I am super stressed, super busy, and in super big trouble right now, so if you’re here to be entertained by my suffering, then screw off, okay?*

***Edward:*** *Actually, I thought I’d offer you some help, but fine, suit yourself, as you’d say.*

***Nancy:*** *You want to help me?*

***Edward:*** *Well, of course I do, why wouldn’t I want to clear my name now that I’m on good terms with Kurt? I think it would be a satisfying display of… trust. A good start, as you can imagine.*

***Nancy:*** *Oh, that’s cute, you really are crushing on him. Who am I kidding? I’m in no position to make jokes right now. Alright, you wanna help? I appreciate it… Right now, I’m looking--*

***Edward:*** *Looking in the supply wagon - Why would it be there if it’s missing? It wouldn’t be there if it’s missing.*

***Nancy:*** *I’m just double-checking! It COULD be.*

***Edward:*** *Oh please, you’re in denial that you let a gun slip through under your watch.*

***Nancy:*** *Of course I am! This never happens! I am on the ball with this shit, and none of our people steal.*

***Edward:*** *Says who?*

***Nancy:*** *Says me! They’re all respectful, we have a good group of people here! The only people who would’ve stolen the gun are you and your friend. So you better not be fucking with me here.*

***Edward:*** *I most certainly am not… But maybe you should start asking around?*

***Nancy: (She sighs)*** *Fine. Okay. I’ll start asking around… but are you really expecting the thief to just come clean?*

***Edward:*** *No, but you’ve got to start somewhere.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #12**

**TRAILER PARK - MID AFTERNOON**

EDWARD REMAR walks through the trailer park, looking around at the different trailers. As he’s walking by one of them, he spots LEONARD THORNE leaning against the side of the trailer, staring at him.

***Leonard:*** *I know you have the gun. I can smell it. Vampire.*

***Edward:*** *Oh, give it a rest you senile old freak.*

***Leonard:*** *I still don’t trust you…*

Edward sighs, walking off towards the campfire, where he sees CALVIN SCHULTZ sitting by himself, nobody else around. He walks up beside him.

***Calvin:*** *You look lost. Come and sit with me.*

Edward limps closer, but stays standing.

***Calvin:*** *I said sit… Come on now, you’re not fooling me, you’d much rather sit with that leg of yours the way it is.*

***Edward:*** *I’ve gotten used to it… but I’ll indulge you* ***(He sits down)***.

***Calvin:*** *Ah, well I haven’t gotten used to my feeble legs yet. Ah, to be young, how I long for the days when I was fit but foolish. Now, I am finally wise beyond my years, and all I can do is sit around and mention that. There’s been quite the drama going around lately, hasn’t there? You certainly like to cook up a storm.*

***Edward:*** *Pfft, it has nothing to do with me.*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, don’t worry, I believe you. I’m sure some of the others do as well… but Kurt and his friends… Well… guns have always been a rather touchy topic with them.*

***Edward:*** *Why though?*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, come now, surely you’re aware that they are control freaks. They believe themselves to be heroes… and the rest of us to just be incapable of anything. And power to them, I suppose, they do a very good job at keeping the dead away, you know, those two goons of his. Landon and Molly, oh yes, very tough indeed, longtime friends of Kurt since the beginning.*

***Edward:*** *Still… It just seems a little odd to me. I don’t know why people like Nancy and Elliott are subservient to them.*

***Calvin:*** *Isn’t it obvious? Where else would they go? Kurt protects them. They may be a group of shits… but they’re capable of wiping.*

***Edward:*** *What?*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, nevermind all of that. If you ask me, this whole ordeal about a thief is quite exciting, don’t you think? Soon enough, they’ll be shaking down everyone’s trailers and interrogating us. I can’t wait.*

***Edward:*** *Well, at least you’re having fun.*

***Calvin:*** *Certainly. Edward, if it isn’t clear to you by now, I’ll spell it out for you. Kurt and his lackeys would sooner abandon people like us than protect us if push came to shove.*

***Edward:*** *Well, I don’t need* ***protecting***.

***Calvin:*** *I, and many others do. That’s why we’re here after all, but as the days pass I struggle to see how this group will go on. Soon enough it’ll disband, don’t you think? Sorry, I know you just arrived to the party and all, but they just don’t have the patience for dead weight anymore. Especially me.*

***Edward:*** *Do they really have a grudge against you just because you’re a little slow these days?*

***Calvin:*** *Not entirely.*

Calvin looks ahead, going quiet.

***Edward:*** *What? What does that mean then? Stop being ominous.*

***Calvin:*** *You know, Kurt had a girlfriend named Stacey, but she died. Yes, I can’t quite remember when, it was a few months back, but yes, she died.*

***Edward:*** *Okay… and you’re telling me this… why?*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, I thought you wanted to know. Stacey died. There, you know now.*

***Edward:*** *No, I do want to know, but what’s the significance of that? Has it damaged him? Changed him? What does it have to do with anything?*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, I forgot to mention she died on my watch. Yes, I was unable to save her from the walking corpses as they tore into her, how could I? They snuck up on us and I’m too* ***old*** *to step in and help, it’s too unsafe, I almost died myself that day… all because they refuse to allow us to defend ourselves. We rely fully on them. Seriously, Edward, this place is like a nursing home, except there’s a whole lot more walking involved…*

***Edward:*** *Alright, slow down-- slow down-- we were talking about Stacey a moment ago.*

***Calvin:*** *That we were, a lovely girl, so kind, too bad she was eaten alive. I can still hear her screaming. Kurt was not happy that I was so useless.*

***Edward:*** *Okay, so he holds a grudge against you for failing to save his beloved, now dead, girlfriend.*

***Calvin:*** *Listen, Edward. Nobody’s going to convince me that Kurt gave a fiddle about that girl. I heard him mentioning that she was just some plastic that he’d met at a party the night before the outbreak. She whored herself out to him and happened to wake up in his bed during the apocalypse. They’d been boozing, that wasn’t a real relationship. Still, lovely girl, nothing against dear Stacey, my heart goes out to her, even though that sentiment is nothing special because I’m quite sure that my heart is failing.* ***(He pats his chest)*** *It’s like an engine-- sometimes you just have to give it a bit of a whack to get it going, you know?*

***Edward:*** *No, not really… but okay.*

***Calvin:*** *Again… wonderful girl, she used to read recipe books, I’m sure she was very bright… but the simple fact of the matter is… Kurt uses her as an excuse, to look less of an asshole. She’s a card he plays to make people feel guilty… seriously, if the rest of us weren’t around, I have no doubt he would’ve cooked and ate her corpse.*

***Edward:*** *I’m sorry, what? Are you saying he’s a cannibal?*

***Calvin:*** *No, you tosspot, I’m saying he didn’t give a fiddle about her!*

***Edward:*** *Right, I’m just making sure, because it’s hard to tell with you.*

***Calvin:*** *But here I sit, day in and day out, knowing those shits don’t give a donkey’s fart about me and would sooner let the zombies tear a tasty chunk out of my neck than save me. But they haven’t turned on me just yet… Nor anyone here for that matter, so credit to them, I suppose.*

***Edward:*** *You know, this has actually been an insightful conversation. Thank you.*

***Calvin:*** *Oh, there’s plenty of conversation to go around, I only really get to talk to Elliott, such a nice young man.*

***Edward:*** *Yes, isn’t he?*

Edward stands up, gripping his cane.

***Edward:*** *I should be off.*

***Calvin:*** *Keep yourself safe, Edward. That shotgun is yours.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #13**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

MARCUS DOWNES looks back and forth between CLYDE ROLLINS and CLAIRE NOBLE, the three of them having taken the vents to another office, where they’ve gotten some breathing room with no zombies banging at the door anymore.

***Marcus:*** *Alright, you two. Here’s the plan… Thanks to the vents, we now have direct access to the stairwell, which, despite being mobbed with the dead, is still our best, and only way out.*

Clyde twirls around in an office chair.

***Clyde:*** *We’ve been trapped in here for… hours… I’m beginning to lose track of the time.*

***Claire:*** *It’s been twenty-seven minutes, Clyde.*

***Clyde:*** *That is oddly specific. Still, it feels like an eternity. Is this our destiny… to die like this… stranded in an office block… not knowing if our friends are okay?*

***Marcus:*** *Quit monologuing, are you even listening to me? I’ve come up with a plan.*

***Claire:*** *So we crawl back into the vents, exit out into the stairwell, and then fight our way out?*

***Marcus:*** *Well, pretty much, but I was thinking--*

***Clyde:*** *Water.*

***Claire:*** *What?*

***Clyde:*** *They have water coolers in this office… What if we use them?*

***Claire:*** *Come again?*

***Clyde:*** *The last thing those braindead fiends out there will be expecting is -- a surprise attack -- from a water cooler.*

***Marcus:*** *I’m sorry, I’m not following you here.*

***Clyde:*** *I’m saying we roll them down the stairs and… make all of the zombies topple over and stuff… I did it once in one of my movies--*

***Marcus:*** *What?*

***Claire:*** *Clyde, we’re going into the fucking stairwell, the water coolers aren’t in the stairwell. Sorry - hold on - who’s going to lift the water cooler to the stairwell?*

***Clyde:*** *Well, I figured it would be Marcus.*

***Claire:*** *Why did you figure that?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah - why?*

***Clyde:*** *I don’t know -- you seemed strong. I can really envision you lifting the water cooler and heroically dropping it down the stairs… as it rolls… crushing all of our foes. Listen, I’ve sat in the directors chair before, I’m good at seeing these things.*

***Marcus:*** *Clyde… What is… Did you hit your head? What’s going on with you?*

***Clyde:*** *I’m sorry… I know it’s serious. Very serious. I, too, am worried about our companions… I pray that they made it out of the building safely… I was just spitballing, okay?*

***Claire:*** *You were just spitballing?*

***Clyde:*** *Yes.*

***Claire:*** *Oh my f…* ***(She sighs)*** *Marcus, what were you saying?*

***Clyde:*** *Alright, alright, I’m sorry.*

Clyde crosses his arms, looking away.

***Clyde:*** *I’ll just let you guys do all the planning then.*

***Claire:*** *Are you pouting?*

***Clyde:*** *What-- no. Not at all.*

***Claire:*** *You’re totally pouting right now.*

***Clyde:*** *I am* ***not*** *pouting. I was merely admitting that fine, if my ideas are so bad, why don’t you just go on ahead and lead the discussion without me.*

***Claire:*** *Right there, you’re pouting.*

***Marcus:*** *Fucking hell, guys! We’re in a life or death situation here, people just got fucking eaten outside, and I don’t know where Kate is, where any of them are, if they’re even ALIVE!*

***Claire:*** *I’m sorry, Marcus* ***(She frowns)***.

***Clyde:*** *As am I… To be truthful with you… I was just coming to terms with the fact I might die here… I never wanted my final moments to be filled with misery. We came here on this mission, following our hearts and doing the right thing, but look how that went.*

***Marcus:*** *I know how you’re feeling… I watched that young guy get eaten… right in front of me after saving my life. These were good people we came to help, just… misfortunate people.*

***Clyde:*** *Alright, alright… enough of this… I feel like I’ve really brought down the mood.*

He stands up, approaching the window.

***Marcus:*** *We crawl into the vents, we fight our way out. That’s all we* ***can*** *do. And then we do our best to find the others and get home.*

***Claire:*** *Well for that, we’re going to need a form of transportation.*

***Marcus:*** *We’re in the city… surely we can find something when we get out.*

***Clyde:*** *Yes… I’m looking at something right now.*

Clyde smiles, looking at a fire station across the street.

***Claire:*** *You know, a fire engine is pretty sturdy… All we have to do is get there.*

A couple of minutes later, Marcus, Clyde and Claire find themselves out in the stairwell, hacking and slashing at the zombies, fighting through the building until they reach the outside, drenched in blood.

***Clyde:*** *Well, that wasn’t so bad.*

***Marcus:*** *Now isn’t the time to stop, they’re still after us, come on.*

He approaches the fire station.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #14**

**FIRE DEPARTMENT**

The three of them make their way inside the building through an unlocked front door. MARCUS DOWNES leaves CLYDE ROLLINS and CLAIRE NOBLE inside the main living area, while he goes to explore the garage, seeing a couple of fire trucks.

***Marcus:*** *Well, surely we can get one of these working.*

Clyde looks over at a zombified fireman stumbling towards him.

***Clyde:*** *Uh-- does anyone, uh… mind--*

***Claire:*** *Wait a second - where’s your bat?*

***Clyde:*** *I tried to tell you, one of the zombies snatched it from me on our way out of the office block.*

***Claire:*** *What?*

***Clyde:*** *Yes, just -- swiped it from me, the thief.*

***Claire:*** *They knocked it out of your hand.*

***Clyde:*** *…They knocked it out of my hand.*

She sighs, approaching the zombie and slashing it across the face with her machete.

***Claire:*** *Come on.*

She enters the garage with Clyde.

***Claire:*** *Any luck?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah, I think we’ve found our getaway vehicle.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #15**

**FIRE DEPARTMENT**

MARCUS DOWNES and the others climb inside the fire engine after opening up the garage. Marcus, behind the wheel, begins to slowly drive out onto the street.

***Clyde:*** *So. What’s the plan?*

***Marcus:*** *We sweep the city, try and find the others. If we can’t, we check back home.*

***Claire:*** *As long as we don’t get ourselves stuck, the streets are crowded with the dead, we don’t want to end up stranded.*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, but luckily for us, this thing should be able to tank through.*

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**Scene #16**

**TRAILER PARK - MID AFTERNOON**

NANCY WARNER stands by the supply wagon, looking down at her clipboard, muttering curses to herself.

***Nancy:*** *Fucking. Fuck.*

Suddenly, a bag is tossed into the wagon in front of her, making a loud thud. Nancy jumps in fear.

***Nancy:*** *JESUS- FUCK-- WHAT?*

She turns, seeing STANLEY PECK, LANDON KIMBER and SOLOMON REED.

***Nancy:*** *Oh my god, I’m so sorry. You guys just gave me a scare, that’s all. Heh. Don’t worry about it.*

***Stanley:*** *Jeez, Nancy, everything alright? You seem a little on edge.*

***Nancy:*** *No, no, uh… listen-- you guys wouldn’t happen to have taken one of the guns with you this morning?*

***Stanley:*** *Nope, that’d be strictly forbidden.*

***Nancy:*** *Yeah, you’d think so.*

***Solomon:*** *Why, what happened?*

***Nancy:*** *You know what, just leave it, I’m sure your friend will explain the details to you. I’m a little busy at the moment.*

Solomon shrugs, placing his bag full of supplies into the wagon.

***Stanley:*** *Well, we had a pretty good run out there, didn’t we, ‘fellas?*

***Solomon:*** *Yeah, it went smooth.*

Landon idly kicks at a pebble on the ground, staying silent.

***Molly:*** *Hey, Landon! Come on over here! We need ya’ for something.*

Landon looks up, relieved. He quickly walks off towards MOLLY MASSEY. As he does, EDWARD REMAR comes limping up the wagon, looking at Solomon.

***Edward:*** *Solomon. A word?*

Solomon walks off to the side with him.

***Solomon:*** *What happened?*

***Edward:*** *These people are insane. Mad! Totally bonkers! Off their rockers!*

***Solomon:*** *What happened this time…?*

***Edward:*** *Just some ruckus over a stolen gun. Don’t you think that… we could make things so much better here? You and me. With our combined influence -- my genius -- and your… whatever it is you do -- we could really make a difference.*

***Solomon:*** *You know, thinking back to the road, I’m seeing your point. Kurt is just a roadblock in the path. We actually can cause some real change. So whatever it is you have planned, I’m in.*

***Edward:*** *Well. That was easy. Good, very good. I knew I could trust you to be my guy. I’ll certainly keep you posted on what I’m cooking up when it’s ready… Just be prepared to act.*

***Solomon:*** *Alright.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #17**

**TRAILER PARK - MID AFTERNOON**

ELLIOTT ROWE stands in front of a map as per usual, with KURT KLEIN, MOLLY MASSEY and LANDON KIMBER all standing around him, listening intently. Elliott begins to point at the trailer park, and then moves his finger over to a nearby river.

***Elliott:*** *The way we’re headed-- we need to cross this river - and there’s a bridge right near us. So, Carson and Leonard went ahead to check out this bridge, right? And, well, uh… We can’t cross it - it’s filled with the undead. Unfortunately, that means we need to travel around it - it’s going to take us a few extra days of moving through the woods until we get around it.*

Elliott shuffles away from the map, looking around at the three of them.

***Molly:*** *You mean our trip to the amusement park is* ***delayed?***

***Elliott:*** *I-- yeah, I guess so--*

***Kurt:*** *No, it is not delayed. Not at all. What, a few zombies? Piece of piss. Are you… honestly - that scared, Elliott?*

***Elliott:*** *Uh… I was told that it was more than just a few-- We really shouldn’t risk crossing that bridge. It’s best we just go around. It’s not all that bad - there’s a few places on the way around that we can scavenge. This is the best move.*

***Molly:*** *Kurt! Do something! I wanna be at that park!*

***Kurt:*** *I don’t think I stuttered, Elliott. We’re crossing that bridge. I think we’re all in agreement we can handle a few fucking biters, right?*

Landon nods slowly.

***Molly:*** *Piece of cake.*

***Elliott:*** *Sir-- I would* ***insist*** *that we go around. I just don’t want anyone getting hurt -- you know.*

***Molly:*** *Listen to this party pooper.*

***Kurt:*** *You’ll be the one getting hurt if you contradict me one more time* ***(He smiles)***. *We’re crossing the bridge. That’s my ultimatum.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #18**

**TRAILER PARK - MID AFTERNOON**

KURT KLEIN claps his hands loudly, standing in the center of the trailer park.

***Kurt:*** *Group meeting, huddle!*

Slowly but surely, everyone from around camp begins to stroll over until finally everybody is there.

***Kurt:*** *It’s come to my attention that… I’ve been lied to. By somebody here* ***(He shakes his head, sighing loudly)***. *One of you… stole a gun - from our supply wagon. You know who you are. So, as your benevolent leader - I’m going to ask you this once, and only once. Turn yourself and the gun in, and nothing else has to happen. Water under the bridge. But if I find the person that took the gun - and that they haven’t fessed up… Oh boy, there’ll be consequences. Divine retribution, if you will. So. Any takers?*

He looks around, staring down at each individual person. But nobody says a word.

***Kurt:*** *Nobody? Really?* ***(He sighs deeply)*** *I don’t know how many times I gotta go through this with you people. How many of you think you’d be capable of going out there all on your lonesome and staying alive, huh? How many?*

EDWARD REMAR raises a hand.

***Edward:*** *Been there, done that.*

Almost immediately, Kurt storms over to him.

***Kurt:*** *Think you’re funny, little man?*

***Edward:*** *Oh, I’m sorry, I was under the impression we were on good terms now. How unfortunate, for you to get upset over an honest answer to your question.*

Kurt stares at him, before smiling the fakest smile. He pats Edward on the shoulder.

***Kurt:*** *Of course, we’re friends now. I have nothing but faith in you.*

Kurt walks back to the center of camp, as Edward brushes off his shoulder.

***Kurt:*** *The fact of the matter is -- you’d all be dead, or worse - undead - if it weren’t for us* ***(He points at Landon and Molly)***. *And that’s why… it’s imperative that each and every single one of you… put your undying loyalty, faith, trust and belief in me. I keep you safe. I keep you fed. I keep you warm. I’m your LEADER. I want to see you all smile, safe and sound, at the end of the day. I really do. But I CAN’T do that, if you don’t all cooperate with me here. Look at how much I’ve done for you. Sacrificed for you. Hell - Stacey - even with my beloved’s death… I keep struggling on. For your sake. And I’ll keep doing that, too. As long as you people work with me here. We’re about to be crossing a bridge soon. Might run into a bit of trouble along the way, who knows. That’s why I ask you all now - will you stand by my side? Who’s with me?*

***Carson:*** *Wait, but, Kurt… The bridge is infested. I saw it myself with Leonard.*

***Kurt:*** *I asked who’s with me. Not what the bridge is looking like* ***(He glares at him)***.

***Carson:*** *I… Yeah… I’m… I’m with you.*

***Stanley:*** *Yeah… I’m here.*

Edward rolls his eyes, looking around at everyone.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #19**

**MOTEL - LATE AFTERNOON**

The battle at the motel rages on, zombies having now almost completely taken over the parking lot. JON MATTHEWS, AUSTIN KINGSTON, DANIEL ROCKWELL, LOLIDA WINDFIELD, LAYTON ZIMMERS and ALEX WEISS are up on the second floor balcony, fighting back the zombies as they climb up the stairs.

***Jon:*** *Layton! Pass me another molotov!*

***Layton:*** *Uh-- there are none!*

***Jon:*** *Well, that’s just fucking terrific.*

Jon slams his axe into the skull of a zombie, kicking its corpse down.

***Alex:*** *So, without more molotovs helping us… what are we supposed to do to hold them back?*

***Jon:*** *Correct me if I’m wrong, but you stabbed some poor motherfucker at the mall, right? Do that again, and aim for the head, just not to any of us.*

***Alex:*** *Ah, alright.*

Below, KATE BLOODSTONE is seen in the parking lot, fighting towards RANDALL FORSTER, who’s still stranded on top of the car.

***Kate:*** *Randall!*

Daniel looks down for a moment, catching a glimpse of her.

***Daniel:*** *Look at that, she’s at it again. Has she got a death wish?*

***Lolida:*** *God damn it, the fuck is she doing?*

***Jon:*** *I don’t know why either of you give a shit, just focus on the task at hand!*

Jon steps back to let the others deal with the zombies, as he looks down into the parking lot, seeing Kate struggling to fight off the zombies.

***Jon:*** *Fuck.*

He unholsters his pistol.

***Randall:*** *Kate… what’re you doing?!*

She battles through a few more zombies until she reaches the car, helping him down.

***Kate:*** *You can hardly walk, come on! With me, we need to get to Brenden’s room.*

***Randall:*** *Fuck, alright.*

With one arm around Randall, and one holding her broken spear, Kate starts heading back towards Brenden’s motel room. Jon looks down, seeing zombies swarming in on them.

***Jon:*** *Austin. Help me out here.*

***Austin:*** *Right--*

Jon aims down at the parking lot, shooting at a zombie next to Randall, killing it. Austin does the same. Lolida, meanwhile, decides to take one of his bullets out, throwing it down at Kate.

***Lolida:*** *KATE, CATCH!*

The bullet falls short, and is lost under dozens and dozens of zombie feet.

***Lolida:*** *Well… in retrospect that was a good idea.*

***Jon:*** *It would’ve been smarter to just shoot the fucking gun.*

***Austin:*** *God dammit, Lolida.*

***Lolida:*** *Still got one bullet!*

***Layton:*** *Those FIENDS!*

Layton suddenly screams out, charging at a zombie with his knife and jamming it into a zombie’s face. Blood splatters onto his face and his glasses.

***Layton:*** *Tell me who you’re working for, already!*

Layton falls forward, but Jon, seeing him, grabs him by the collar, pulling him back up.

***Austin:*** *Don’t get yourself killed, Layton.*

Lolida stabs another zombie dead, before glancing over at Daniel.

***Lolida:*** *How you holding up, D-Day?!*

***Daniel:*** *We can’t do this forever.*

Below, Kate and Randall manage to reach Brenden’s room.

***Kate:*** *Quickly, Randall -- get inside.*

They both hurry in, slamming the door shut, as zombies immediately begin to pound on the door.

***Randall:*** *Fuck, that was close.*

The window to the room smashes open, zombies reaching their arms through. Kate starts to stab at them with her spear, every snarl and groan from the zombies reminding her of the failed mission in Garden City. Suddenly, the front door to the room busts down. Randall draws his pistol, immediately shooting dead two zombies, before he runs out of ammo.

***Randall:*** *Fuck, that’s me out.*

***Kate:*** *Shit!*

Kate starts to focus on the zombies pouring in through the front door, stabbing one after another. Eventually, she is forced to pull out her pistol. She holds one zombie off her with her spear, while she fires the two bullets from his pistol with her other hand. But it’s not enough. More zombies are entering the room, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll ever end. Kate frowns, starting to wonder if this is the end -- until suddenly, a loud gunshot echos out, as a zombie inside the room falls dead, the back of its head having been blown open. Out in the woods, ALDUS PAXTON racks his sniper rifle, before he scopes in again, shooting at another zombie inside Brenden’s room.

***Randall:*** *Looks like someone’s looking out for us.*

***Kate:*** *Come on then, now’s our time to make a move. Help me with Brenden.*

***Randall:*** *Got it.*

Aldus continues to fire at the zombies entering the room with Kate, Randall and BRENDEN TREVORS, while up top on the balcony, the others are being backed up further and further by the endless stream of zombies.

***Alex:*** *C’mon, guys! Does anyone have any escape plans in mind?! It’s getting pretty close!*

***Austin:*** *I’m all out of ideas!*

A zombie grapples onto Daniel, pushing him against the wall, causing him to drop his knife. He struggles to hold it off, as it snaps its jaw, inching closer to his face. Suddenly, the zombie is shot dead by Layton, who is now out of ammo.

***Layton:*** *AH! I… I did it.*

Another three zombies come charging at Layton, tackling him to the ground. Jon immediately raises his axe, swing it as hard as he can at one of the zombies on him with enough force to knock the other two off him.

***Jon:*** *Keep your head in the fucking game, Layton!*

Layton crawls back to safety, huffing. Meanwhile, Lolida goes in to stab another zombie as usual, but this time, just as he stabs the zombie, his knee buckles, throwing him off balance. The dead zombie falls backwards with Lolida’s knife still in its head.

***Lolida:*** *Fuc--*

Daniel stands in front of Lolida, covering him from another couple of zombies.

***Daniel:*** *Get up! Quickly!*

Lolida struggles to get back up, but he eventually does, and stumbles back to safety.

Below, Kate and Randall have managed to make it outside the room that they were trapped in thanks to Aldus’ support, and are now headed towards the front gate. Kate carves through the zombies with his bloody spear, while Randall carries Brenden, following her. Aldus then fires his last bullet, running out of ammo.

***Aldus:*** *Damn it.*

He slings his rifle, and prepares to rush across the street to help them -- when he suddenly hears sirens in the distance. He looks down the street, seeing a fire engine speeding down the road, sirens blaring and lights flashing bright.

***Claire:*** *What the hell…*

***Clyde:*** *I can see them!*

***Marcus:*** *We’ll do what we can!*

MARCUS DOWNES continues driving, but slows down greatly, keeping the sirens and lights on, drawing most of the horde that are still in the motel out of it, and onto the street.

***Jon:*** *They’re thinning out the horde! Keep fighting!*

Kate and Randall take advantage of the distraction, managing to escape through the front gates and going across the street into the woods.

***Kate:*** *Come on, we have to get away from here! Into the woods until it’s all clear!*

Most of the zombies that are on the balcony remain focused on Jon and the others, while most others continue to pour back out onto the street, following the fire engine.

***Jon:*** *We’re never gonna be able to take them all out. The motel is lost. We fight our way to the front and get the hell out. Everyone understand?*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. The gunfire will only lead to more arriving soon.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #20**

**KANSAS BACKROADS - LATE AFTERNOON**

CLYDE ROLLINS looks at the side view mirror, seeing the majority of the zombies from the motel following behind the truck.

***Clyde:*** *I think we’re doing it!*

***Marcus:*** *We’ll take them as far away as possible, then we have to ditch the truck and slip away. We’ll try to regroup with the others from there.*

***Claire:*** *Sounds easy enough…*

MARCUS DOWNES continues to drive on, remaining calm.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #21**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON**

***Jon:*** *Come on!*

JON MATTHEWS and the others have managed to make it down into the parking lot, using their last bits of energy to fight through the remaining zombies.

***Austin:*** *Where-- where do we do?*

***Jon:*** *Into the woods, we’ll figure it out, we just need to lose them.*

***Daniel:*** *Anywhere that we can catch our breath!*

***Alex:*** *God, I really didn’t think that we would get this far.*

***Layton:*** *Well! We proved God wrong!! Am I right?*

***Alex:*** *Yes, Layton, you are totally right! We proved God wrong!*

Finally, the group manages to make it to the front gates, where they hurry out onto the street and into the woods, leaving behind the motel as they had first found it - infested with zombies.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #22**

**THE BRIDGE - EARLY EVENING**

EDWARD REMAR looks on at the bridge ahead of them -- and as expected, it’s full of the undead. His gaze shifts over towards KURT KLEIN.

***Edward:*** *Oh, this is just too good. You’re going to make your people cross that bridge without a single gun to protect themselves? Wow, that is just rich. I mean, you can’t be serious.*

***Molly:*** *Of course he’s serious, shrimp. These fine people have us to protect them. Ain’t that right? Besides, if they’re so scared, they can put their back into it and use their handheld weapons, it’s not hard.*

***Kurt:*** *You getting cold feet, Eddie?*

***Edward:*** *Me? No, not at all. I just thought that on occasions like this you’d actually give everyone a gun from that unused inventory over there. How foolish of me.*

***Kurt:*** *We only do that when our lives are in danger… and you can clearly tell that right now - they’re not. So chin up a little, and smile like a good boy.*

***Stanley:*** *Eh… nothing we can’t handle. The dead are stupid and slow anyway.*

***Kurt:*** *See, Stanley has the right idea… Why can’t all you sad sacks grow some balls for once, and get over yourselves? You’re safe. You don’t need a gun.*

***Leonard:*** *Stanley’s right.* ***(To Edward)*** *You just need to quit worrying about losing your walking stick so much.*

***Molly:*** *Alright y’all, why don’t you wait here while we show you how it’s done and start to clear a path. I want all the capable fighters with us… The rest of you can watch over the wagons and keep the horses calm.*

***Elliott:*** *Right then - I will be staying back.*

MOLLY MASSEY begins to walk forward, accompanied by LANDON KIMBER and LEONARD THORNE. CARSON BURKE, STANLEY PECK, SOLOMON REED and finally Kurt follow along, once he grabs a sledgehammer out of the supply wagon. As they walk ahead, CALVIN SCHULTZ glances over at Edward.

***Calvin:*** *You know, a little patience goes a long way, but here we are, taking the shortcut.*

Edward glances at him, before looking back at the bridge. Kurt and the others start to take out the zombies on the end of the bridge, taking down one after another without issue.

***Molly:*** *Aight! Come on y’all, we’re clearing a path, start getting those wagons across the dang bridge!*

NANCY WARNER sighs, looking over at ELLIOTT ROWE.

***Nancy:*** *That’s us. Do you mind sitting in the back? The last thing we want is anything falling out.*

***Elliott:*** *The back-- uh, sure thing,*

Elliot climbs into the back of the supply wagon, while Nancy climbs into the front, grabbing hold of a set of reins and getting the horse moving. Edward and BONNIE HARRELL walk along alongside the wagon, while Calvin trots behind them on a horse.

***Kurt:*** *What’s taking so long, ladies?*

Before long, Molly reaches the other side of the bridge alongside Kurt -- having only cleared out maybe half of the zombies on the bridge. Stanley, Carson and Solomon fall back to the supply wagon, protecting it from zombies.

***Molly:*** *Well, that was easy. Come on, slowpokes.*

The wagon continues moving across the bridge, slowly.

***Molly:*** *Will y’all hurry the HELL up?*

Landon, growing bored, starts to shoot at the zombies with his pistol, taking down a few. Eventually, the wagon makes it across the bridge, alongside everyone else -- except for one person.

***Stanley:*** *A job well done, everyone.*

***Bonnie:*** *Yay* ***(She claps)***.

Kurt looks down the bridge, seeing Calvin trailing behind everyone, still on the bridge.

***Kurt:*** *What’s wrong, Calvin? You’re stuck all the way back there, huh?* ***(He grins)***

Calvin’s horse stops, neighing loudly as zombies step in front of it, and behind it, and beside it. The horse panics, trying to flee. Calvin tries to calm it down, but the horse suddenly rears, throwing Calvin off. It quickly gallops in the other direction, leaving Calvin.

***Edward:*** *Wh-- What- aren’t you all going to HELP him?*

***Kurt:*** *Ooh… now that’s a fall. Oh well.*

***Solomon:*** *We have to help him!*

***Elliott:*** *Calvin! Someone-- go help him!*

***Edward:*** *Solomon!* ***(He beckons him to follow him)*** *To hell with you people!*

Edward and Solomon rush off down the bridge, charging past zombies in an effort to reach Calvin in time. Elliott knocks over a bunch of supplies as he tries to climb out of the back of the wagon in a hurry.

***Nancy:*** *Elliott.*

She offers him a baseball bat.

***Nancy:*** *We can take a stand. Come on.*

***Elliott:*** *Of course!*

He takes it, running back onto the bridge after Calvin. Nancy follows along.

***Stanley:*** *Well, shit, I ain’t gonna let y’all go in there alone!*

***Kurt:*** *Just so you know, when you guys get yourselves into deep shit, we’re not bailing you out!*

***Carson:*** *I, uh…*

Carson and Stanley run down the bridge as well.

***Molly:*** *He’s dead weight! The hell are y’all doing?*

***Landon:*** *We should keep moving, they’re all dead weight, when it comes down to it.*

Elliott dashes past a zombie, before spinning around to beat it over the head with his bat.

***Elliott:*** *Woah--*

Calvin slowly crawls back until his back hits the bridge wall, zombies still surrounding him. With nothing left he can do, Calvin reaches behind him, pulling a gun from underneath the back of his shirt. He aims it up and starts firing at the zombies heads one by one. They all drop dead. Upon seeing the gunfire, Kurt frowns angrily, staring daggers at Calvin.

***Leonard:*** *That senile fuck took the pistol.*

Edward and the others eventually reach Calvin, having cleared out the rest of the zombies on the bridge.

***Calvin: (He stands up)*** *Oh, I’ve never been better! Thank you all.*

***Elliott:*** *Thank god you’re alright!*

***Solomon:*** *We did good.*

Kurt clenches his fists, as he walks over to them, calmly, rage building inside him.

***Kurt:*** *You all… fucked up. You all FUCKED UP. All of you - go. Go now.* ***(He looks at Calvin)*** *Except you. You stay.*

Frowning, the others all turn to go -- except for Edward and Solomon, who remain where they are. Kurt, not even bothered by their presence, walks up to Calvin, swinging an arm around his shoulder, locking it tightly, causing slight pain.

***Kurt:*** *Calvin… I should’ve known it was you. You fucking maggot.*

***Calvin: (He scoffs)*** *If I may… Fuck you, young man. It was the right thing to do, especially when you bastards weren’t going to help me, just as I’d anticipated.*

***Kurt:*** *You little thieving fuck. I should break your neck, right here, right now. Robbing off of us - the ones that keep you and your senile old mind safe. Look at you. You’re pathetic.*

***Calvin:*** *Here, you want your gun back?*

Calvin tosses it to the ground.

***Calvin:*** *What’re you going to do? Beat me up? Kill me? Surely you’re above beating a defenseless old man.*

***Kurt: (He smiles sarcastically)*** *No, no… See, unlike you, it’s my job to watch out for the lot of you. You’re under my protection… but if you weren’t, huh? What if I decided you’re… dead weight… and left you here to die by your little old self?*

***Calvin:*** *Do as you will. You have no respect.*

Calvin steps away from Kurt, the man having let go of him. He retrieves his cane from the ground, and walks across the bridge to join the others.

***Edward:*** *This is ridiculous. You’re really going to get more angry over a stolen gun than Calvin’s life being put in danger? If he didn’t have it, he’d be dead right now!*

Kurt walks up to Edward, getting right up into his face.

***Kurt:*** *Speak when spoken to, you fucking dog.*

He grabs Edward, shoving him to the ground. Edward lays on the ground for a moment, looking up at Kurt.

***Edward:*** *Look at you… You’re pathetic. The one time your group actually comes together and steps up to achieve something against all odds -- it’s when they’re defying your direct orders* ***(He chuckles)***.

***Kurt:*** *Seeing you groveling in the dirt like this brings back memories, Eddie. When we dragged  your sorry ass back from near death, and gave you a roof over your head. I did that. Me. Out of the good of my own heart. All that, and you still think you can go against me? Defy me? You’re lucky I don’t hang you off that tree over there.*

***Edward: (He scoffs)*** *Well, it’s a shame the goodness in your heart only goes so far. It didn’t reach poor Calvin here.*

***Kurt:*** *And why would it? He’s a mess. Look at him. Old, weak, pathetic. He’s no use. I’d be better putting him out of his misery right now. Him, and the rest of the freaks we so graciously keep around. Out of the goodness of our own hearts.*

He spits on Edward, before turning and walking off, eyes narrowed. Edward sits there on the ground, infuriated, as he watches Kurt go.

***Edward:*** *You know something, Solomon? He’s really beginning to grind my gears…*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #23**

**FOREST - WOODS - EARLY EVENING**

KATE BLOODSTONE comes to a stop in the woods, catching her breath. RANDALL FORSTER stops beside her, laying down BRENDEN TREVORS. He leans up against another tree, coughing, exhausted.

***Randall:*** *How is he?*

***Kate:*** *I… I don’t know. I can’t tell. He’s… alive… he should be okay.*

***Randall:*** *The fire engine… You think it was some of ours?*

***Kate:*** *It had to be. It* ***had*** *to be.* ***(She sighs)*** *There’s no coming back from this…*

***Randall:*** *Kate…*

***Kate:*** *No. There’s no coming back from this. I take full responsibility for the mission into Garden City and the disaster that followed. I just… wanted to do the right thing… I just wanted to help them.*

***Randall:*** *So did the others… So did I.*

***Kate:*** *William isn’t going to--*

***Randall:*** *You can’t think about William right now.* ***(He shakes his head)*** *You’ve been through enough… Whatever happens going forward… I’ve got your back. I hope William will be reasonable.*

***Kate:*** *I lost us our home and endangered the lives of the entire group… all for nothing. Every single one of those people died. The elderly couple, the… the kid. The kid…*

A twig snaps nearby. Randall pivots his head, looking towards the direction of the motel, now far away, and sees JON MATTHEWS and the others he was with walking through the woods towards them.

***Kate:*** *I’m glad you’re all okay. I’m so sorry.*

***Daniel:*** *Heh. You only almost got us all killed, what are you apologizing for? Oh, right.*

***Randall:*** *Please, man. Not now.*

***Alex:*** *Don’t worry, Kate! We just lost our home, the car, and everything else at the motel.*

***Layton:*** *Yeah, and all of our supplies. I still had a stash of sodas under my bed.*

***Austin:*** *It’s-- It’s fine-- at least we all got out alive, right?*

***Daniel:*** *You’re easily pleased. But, by all accounts, she’s endangered every single one of us and should be punished for it.*

***Jon:*** *Then we wait for William. It’s not for you to decide.*

LOLIDA WINDFIELD sighs, sliding down next to a tree, extending his injured leg.

***Lolida: (Quietly)*** *Goddamn it…*

***Daniel: (To Jon)*** *Fine, but this bitch could’ve gotten Lolida killed. Not on my watch.*

***Kate:*** *I still… stand by why I did what I did. I just didn’t anticipate it going so wrong, it was never meant to involve any of you. Just the team who agreed to do it.*

***Daniel:*** *Please. Stop talking. Don’t try to justify yourself now.*

***Kate:*** *I understand if you hate me, really, I do. But, Daniel, right now, we have to cooperate--*

***Daniel:*** *Right now, if I was allowed to crack your skull open with a hammer, I would.*

***Randall:*** *Alright, that’s enough, man.*

Randall steps forward, but DANIEL ROCKWELL shoves him to the side, his eyes fixated on Kate. He starts to approach her, glaring.

***Daniel:*** *Seriously, you’ve done nothing but get us into trouble recently.*

***Marcus:*** *Step away from her. Now.*

MARCUS DOWNES emerges through the trees with CLYDE ROLLINS, CLAIRE NOBLE and ALDUS PAXTON.

***Marcus:*** *What the hell are you doing?*

***Kate:*** *Marcus--*

She runs over to him, giving him a hug. As he hugs her back, Clyde starts to look around, taking note of everybody who’s there.

***Clyde:*** *Wait… Dean?*

***Kate:*** *He’s not with you?*

***Claire:*** *No… We… we haven’t seen him.*

***Jon:*** *To be honest… I was pretty confident you three were dead after that little stunt you pulled.*

***Marcus:*** *We made it out. Listen, I know what--*

***Jon:*** *We’ve beaten that horse to death. We’ve already scolded Kate for your little mission. I am fully aware that you are all equally responsible. You can await William’s judgement. Seriously, what the fuck were all of you thinking?*

***Marcus:*** *We shouldn’t have sent those people away, Jon.*

***Jon:*** *Oh, we shouldn’t have? We’d all be fine right now if you hadn’t taken matters into your own hands and gone against William’s direct orders. Did you not think for one second about how fucking selfish you were all being? The potential danger of rushing in after a couple of strangers, what, just so you can feel good about yourself and sleep a little better at night?*

***Clyde:*** *I’d have rather we gave them a chance. We sent those people away immediately. They had a nurse, and a few capable, able-bodied men. They could’ve earned their keep, their own supplies, it’s not like we were short on space. There was no need for us to abandon them, we could’ve worked something out.*

***Daniel:*** *So they could kill us in our sleep? Are you forgetting the other risk?*

***Clyde:*** *Well, according to all of you, those people were weak and worthless… and yet now you’re worrying that they’d kill all of us. They were good people. I saw that moments before they were all devoured.*

***Jon:*** *I appreciate your sentiment, Clyde, but you’re out of your depth here. The reasoning for going in doesn’t matter anymore, what matters is how fucking impractical and stupid it was.*

***Randall:*** *Listen, maybe we should all just… leave this for now… yeah?*

***Austin:*** *I agree with Randall. We’re all still on the same team - we need to figure out where we’re going.*

***Lolida:*** *We really shouldn’t be arguing… This isn’t the place nor the time. I mean - look at you all! Like chimps going at it. Aren’t we supposed to be on the same side here?*

He looks around at everyone, who all stay quiet, glancing around at each other.

***Layton:*** *Okay, if nobody’s going to answer the question… then yes. We are on the same side. Listen to Lollice. He’s just trying to keep us together…*

***Daniel:*** *Did you just say Lollice?*

***Layton:*** *Uh… yeah?*

LAYTON ZIMMERS looks around at everyone’s bewildered faces.

***Layton:*** *What?*

***Alex:*** *Layton, it’s Lolida, not Lollice. I know, easy to mix up.*

***Layton: (His jaw drops)*** *No way. Wh… And none of you thought to tell me?*

***Daniel:*** *What, and you never thought to learn his fucking name? We’ve been on the road for months.*

***Layton:*** *Well, I’m sorry! But I really thought that his name was Lollice…*

***Lolida:*** *Daniel, it’s alright-- The old man didn’t know better.*

Everyone stops, as they hear a familiar voice yelling nearby.

***Ed:*** *I found them! Over here…*

***Austin:*** *Oh--*

They look over, first seeing ED ANDERSON leading the way, trudging through leaves, making his way over to the group. LLOYD WALLER is seen following behind him -- and not far behind them is WILLIAM REYNES, carrying REBECCA DAWSON with both arms. Kate looks on at him, honestly terrified. Marcus sees the fear in her eyes and puts a hand on her shoulder.

William approaches Lloyd, slowly.

***William:*** *Take Rebecca for me, a second, Lloyd…*

***Lloyd:*** *Of course.*

Lloyd takes Rebecca into his arms, as William begins walking towards the main chunk of everyone. He stops in front of them all, looking tired, sad, and angered all at the same time. He exhales, rubbing his face.

***William:*** *How many of you? How many of you went?*

***Kate:*** *Six of us. You already know, don’t you?*

***William:*** *Six… six. Six of you. Six of you went against everything I told you to do, and chased those people into the city. Six of you disobeyed me. Six of you PUT EVERYONE ELSE’S LIVES IN DANGER. Where’s Dean? Where’s Dean, Kate?*

Daniel stands off to the side, smiling at everything.

***Kate:*** *I… I don’t know.* ***(She shakes her head)*** *I saw him last… on the mission. We… we should look for him--*

***William:*** *We shouldn’t do anything. You don’t get to have a say in anything we do. LOOK AT WHAT YOU CAUSED - LOOK AT WHAT ALL OF YOU CAUSED. When I hung Jared… I made it abundantly clear… that anyone who puts the group in danger - DIES. What all of you did was just as bad. It was just as bad - and I don’t care if it was an accident. I don’t care if it was to do the ‘right thing’, or whatever BULLSHIT EXCUSE you want to make for yourselves. By going into that city - by going against me - you pushed Albert into that horde of zombies. That’s what you did. You put our lives in danger.*

***Lolida:*** *Let me just put it out there on the record… Daniel and I did not do jack shit.*

***Claire: (Quietly)*** *What happened to her? To Rebecca?*

***William:*** *She got beat over the head by a bunch of bandits. That’s what happened. On our run - to get supplies to FEED ALL OF YOU UNGRATEFUL FUCKS - she got hurt. I don’t know when she’ll wake up. I don’t know IF she’ll wake up. Five men. I killed five men today. With my bare hands -- because they put the lives of those I care about in danger. I’d be within my rights to leave all six of you here to die. You endangered the lives of everyone around you - all so you can make peace with your bleeding hearts. But unlike you all -- I’m not a selfish person. I don’t look out for myself. I look out for all of you. When I sent that group away - IT WAS FOR YOUR SAKE. You’d be starving to death if it wasn’t for my decision. DID I WANT TO SEND THEM AWAY? NO. But I had to. From now on - you listen to every word I tell you, like it’s the fucking bible. No more ‘doing the right thing’. We do what keeps us alive - and that’s all we do. I don’t want to hear any arguing - I don’t want any advice - I don’t want any consoling, or apologies. I want you all to shut the FUCK UP AND LISTEN TO ME FROM NOW ON. Are we clear?*

***Marcus: (He clears his throat quietly)*** *With all due respect, William. While what we did went terribly wrong… To call us selfish for an act that was ultimately the opposite of that, isn’t entirely fair. We never meant for things to go the way they did, we never anticipated the hordes would leave the city… Randall managed to drive us out of the city safe and sound, following a gunshot that would draw the hordes, and they never followed us home. I’m sorry that we defied you… and I’m sorry what the impracticality of our mission led to… but I’m not sorry that I went back to save those people. Not at all.*

***Clyde:*** *…Nor… nor am I.*

***Jon:*** *I think it’d be best if you just remained quiet for now, to be honest.*

William looks at Marcus and Clyde, nodding slowly.

***William:*** *…If it had been under better circumstances - none of this would have ever had to happen. We didn’t have any food. And now we don’t have a home. That’s what doing the right thing at the wrong time gets you. I wish it were possible to have it any other way… and that’s why you all need to listen to me. So I can bring us back to a spot where we’re ABLE to do the right thing.*

***Kate: (To William)*** *You shut down after what happened to Jared. You felt angry and deceived, like the rest of us. We’ve endured far worse than being low on food, William, but we've always taken new people in, we've always understood that, Albert did too, he would've joined us on that mission into the city. I have no doubt you had all of our best interests in mind when you sent those people away… but I think there's a lot more to it. You don't trust people anymore… all because of one man, as if that makes others not worth saving anymore. They had a nurse, and they had some capable men, who could've earned their own supplies and proven themselves to us… All of us here were more than capable of handling them all, and all of us here know they weren't a threat at all.*

***Daniel:*** *Goddamnit, can you just shut your fucking mouth already.*

***Marcus:*** *Why don’t you make her, tough guy? I’m getting sick of your shit.*

***Daniel:*** *Oh, gladly.*

Randall stops Daniel, putting a hand on his shoulder.

***Randall:*** *Nah, mate. I can’t let you do that.*

***William:*** *Stop infighting. Everyone has a point. But that doesn’t matter right now. This whole thing doesn’t matter right now. What matters is getting us, and our wounded, to safety. No more of this.*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. ‘Course… Fine.*

***William:*** *That being said -- from now on, no more dumb decisions. Nothing goes past me, under any circumstances. You want to live, you listen to me. I’m in charge from here on out - entirely in charge.*