Winter Wasteland/Transcript

*“The world is full of surprises. Learn to expect them.”* *—Zac*

**Starring:**

Emilia Clarke as KATE BLOODSTONE

Anson Mount as MARCUS DOWNES

David Emge as ALDUS PAXTON

Robert Pattinson as WILLIAM REYNES

Stephen Gevedon as DEAN HOWARDS

Jon Hamm as JON MATTHEWS

Robin Lord Taylor as EDWARD REMAR

Kenneth Branagh as CLYDE ROLLINS

Anthony Ingruber as JACOB FELDMAN

Tom Payne as ALBERT HANSON

**Also Starring**

Phil Hartman as FRASER STILLER

Ben Barnes as ZAC BARNES

Jim Broadbent as JIM BUTTERMAN

Anthony Carrigan as ROBIN CLARKE

Terry McGovern as OWEN GLIEFIELD

Drew Powell as TEDDY POWELL

**Guest Starring**

Paul Rudd as SOLOMON REED

Scarlett Johansson as REBECCA DAWSON

Jared Leto as JARED KELLINGS

**Co-Starring**

Cute German Shepherd as APOLLO

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**Scene #1**

**WILLAMETTE STREETS - MORNING**

EDWARD REMAR hobbles down the street dressed in winter clothing, his cane poking in and out of the snow as he walks. Fierce winds blow around them, as snow flies everywhere. Behind him, CLYDE ROLLINS trots on, covering his face from the cold. They can barely see ahead of them, and all they can hear is the wind howling.

***Clyde:*** *Edward! Wh- Where are we going, sorry?!*

***Edward:*** *I told you--*

***Clyde:*** *What?!*

***Edward:*** *I SAID I TOLD YOU- I DON’T KNOW! We just need to find shelter!*

Clyde nods to himself, as he focuses on something in the distance - a building. He realizes what it is.

***Clyde:*** *And- and transport too, right?!*

Clyde points at the Willamette Bus Depot ahead of them. Seeing it, Edward picks up his pace.

**Scene #1 Cont.**

**WILLAMETTE BUS DEPOT - MORNING**

Edward angrily jabs his cane at the front doors of the building after finding it locked.

***Clyde:*** *What? What is it?*

***Edward:*** *What do you think? It’s locked, you fool.*

***Clyde:*** *Oh… That’s not good.*

***Edward: (Sighing)*** *We need to find a way--*

He pauses, narrowing his eyes at a bus parked just to the left of them.

***Clyde:*** *You-- want to take shelter in the bus?*

***Edward:*** *No, I want to DRIVE the bus. Come on.*

Edward leads Clyde over to the vehicle.

***Clyde:*** *High chance is we’ll need the keys - and that means we’ll need to get into the--*

***Edward:*** *GAH!*

Edward bangs loudly on the bus doors, but it doesn’t budge open.

***Clyde:*** *Like I said--*

***Edward:*** *Don’t. Just - don’t.*

Sighing deeply, Edward turns back to the bus depot itself.

***Edward:*** *Well how the hell do you plan to get us in there?*

As Clyde is thinking, the both of them suddenly hear the front doors to the bus depot open - not by much, but it’s open. A familiar voice calls out to them.

***Jared:*** *What?!*

***Clyde:*** *Look - Edward, look--*

Not hearing who was inside, Edward rushes over to the front doors, Clyde trailing behind him.

***Edward:*** *Let us in! It’s cold!*

***Jared:*** *Eddie?*

***Edward:*** *Wh-- Don’t call me Eddie.*

JARED KELLINGS opens the door fully, and Edward looks in, seeing Jared dressed in a long fur coat.

***Edward:*** *It’s you. Delightful.*

***Jared:*** *Get in. Fast.*

Edward steps in, pushing Jared aside.

***Jared:*** *You too, Hollywood.*

Clyde gets inside, and Jared promptly closes the door. After settling in, Edward glances back at Jared.

***Edward:*** *I’d concluded you were dead. We haven’t seen anyone from the mall since we escaped.*

***Jared:*** *Yeah, well it doesn’t look like the rest made it out.*

***Clyde:*** *And - with the state of the weather, it’s unlikely we’ll find them again.*

***Jared:*** ***If*** *they are alive - they’ll stay in the area… Probably. I dunno… Just psychology stuff…*

***Edward:*** ***(Looking out the window)*** *And that means the same for Badrick.*

***Clyde:*** *It’s possible he’s dead, Edward. You saw the state of things.*

***Edward: (He shakes his head)*** *No.*

***Jared:*** *But your friends could be dead, too.* ***(Correcting himself)*** *Our.*

***Edward:*** *It’s just as much a second thought for me as it is for you. They aren’t my* ***friends***. *I just happened to share the same goal as them.*

***Jared:*** *I guess you could say nobody is friends. It’s just a happy go lucky way of looking at things.*

***Edward:*** *Do you have the keys for the bus outside?*

***Jared:*** *I couldn’t find it in here but-- it might be in here. Probably not though.*

***Edward:*** *Then I’m going to look for them as best I can. That bus is my ticket out of here.*

***Clyde:*** *You want to leave? I-- I mean…*

***Edward:*** *Don’t you?*

***Clyde:*** *Well… I want to* ***try*** *finding the others. It’s been a couple days. There’s - hope.*

Jared scoffs.

***Jared:*** *I don’t. If there aren’t people to rely on and to live on the back of - what kinda life is there?*

***Edward:*** *We can take the bus and drive to Colorado Springs.*

***Clyde:*** *I - I want to find them. And I know they don’t think much of me… But I-I need to do my best to show them I’ve changed. I’m sure the three of us can find them together.*

***Edward:*** *Well then… I’m sure once the storm has died down, we can have a search. But only when we have the keys to that bus.*

***Jared:*** *Fine with me.*

***Clyde:*** *What was the last thing you saw at the mall?*

***Jared:*** *Me?*

***Clyde:*** *Yes - me and Edward had to escape together. I* ***saved*** *his life* ***(He grins)***.

***Jared:*** *Right, right. Well, I wasn’t paying that much attention to the whole ordeal. But all I remember is just - hearing shots and shit, shitton of zombies.*

***Edward:*** *The town is ruined. It’s been wrecked by the conflict. Both Benjamin and Badrick… They’ve torn it apart and thrown their goons at each other.*

***Jared:*** *You do realize the zombies came before the people, right?*

***Edward:*** *The zombies came because of the shooting.*

***Jared:*** *So in a way, THEY’RE why this has gone to shit. No, you see-- Zombies mend Benjamin and Badrick’s forces. Then Badrick and Ben fight. And then more zombies come. See what I mean?*

Edward looks down at Sarah’s friendship bracelet.

***Edward:*** *No. It was all Badrick’s fault.*

***Jared:*** ***(Sarcastically)*** *Of course it was.*

***Clyde: (To Edward)*** *At least she’s in a better place…*

Edward looks back up, putting the bracelet away.

***Edward:*** *Well then - we best get looking for these keys.*

***Clyde:*** *I think I’ll have a nap while you’re at it.*

Edward begins going through drawers, while Clyde and Jared both take seats.

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**Scene #2**

**FOREST - CABIN**

Sitting in the corner of the room, WILLIAM REYNES chips at a branch with a sharp rock. He huffs, chipping at it some more, not slowing down. JON MATTHEWS, resting on a couch closeby, slowly glances over. He takes a sip of his coffee.

***Jon:*** *What’ya chipping away at there?*

***William:*** *A spear so I can gouge out Badrick’s eyes. Him or Benjamin.*

***Jon:*** *Good luck.*

Jon turns away, his eyes landing on JACOB FELDMAN, who’s sitting by a window, staring out at the snow falling.

***Jon:*** *Seems your pal over there is thinking the same thing.*

William quits with the rock and branch, seeing Jacob.

***William:*** *No time like the present, I guess.*

He stands up, walking over to Jacob.

***William:*** *How are you keeping? Need I ask?*

***Jacob:*** *I’m doing fine. How ‘bout you?*

***William:*** *Concerned.*

***Jacob:*** *The last thing the group needs is me pitying myself. I won’t make my problem theirs.*

***William:*** *But you can’t bottle it up either.*

***Jacob:*** *I took a bit of it out at the mall. I killed her killer - and I don’t feel better. She isn’t back…*

***William:*** *Of course you don’t. But use that feeling. Let it drive you - motivate you. If you can’t have her with you, at least honour the time you did have with her. She loved you. She’d want you to be happy.*

***Jacob:*** *I know… And I appreciate your words but…*

***William:*** *And I want you to be happy, too.*

***Jacob: (He nods slowly)*** *I’m… I’m doing my best. Thank you.*

***William:*** *Just- heal, Jacob.*

William pats him on the back, and slowly walks back to his corner.

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**Scene #3**

**FOREST - CABIN**

In the living room, ALDUS PAXTON is leaning back into a chair, while ALBERT HANSON kneels next to the coffee table, going through their supplies. JIM BUTTERMAN comes walking out of the kitchen, holding a tray of mugs.

***Jim:*** *Here, boys.*

He takes one of the mugs filled with coffee, handing it off to Albert.

***Albert:*** *Thanks.*

Jim hands another one to Aldus.

***Aldus:*** *Thank you.*

Jim nods to them, before turning to head back into the kitchen. Sipping at his coffee, Albert pulls a map out of a supply box, laying it out on the table. Curious, KATE BLOODSTONE leans forward from her chair, looking over.

***Kate:*** *What are you looking for?*

***Albert:*** *Any place at all. These supplies won’t last forever. When that time comes, we’ll need to go out and get supplies. That or hunting.*

***Kate:*** *Half of the town is destroyed, so we’re a little cramped for options.*

***Albert:*** *Unfortunate…*

Sighing, Albert folds up the map.

***Aldus:*** *I mean, on the bright side there won’t be anymore terrorism or any Black Friday. But then there’s zombies. And - that one gang if it’s still alive.*

***Albert:*** *Mmm, agreed on what you said, Aldus.*

He stands, approaching a window, taking his coffee with him.

***Albert:*** *Gonna be a long winter.*

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**Scene #4**

**FOREST - WOODS - MORNING**

MARCUS DOWNES trudges through the snow, shielding his face from the blistering cold. FRASER STILLER and ZAC BARNES trail behind him.

***Marcus:*** *Not much further. Once the storm is over - we’ll bring everyone back out. It’s our only option.*

***Zac:*** *Real smart idea, wise guy. Ice shatters - it isn’t gonna hold our weight.*

***Marcus:*** *If you have a better idea, enlighten me.*

***Zac:*** *We walk around it. It isn’t that--*

***Marcus:*** *If we can avoid having to face the dead in this--we will.*

***Zac:*** *They are slower, Marcus. This snow - it slows them down!*

***Fraser:*** *No less dangerous-- No less dangerous at all--*

A hand shoots out from a large snow pile, snatching Fraser by the leg. It pulls him down. Zac and Marcus turn back, seeing a zombie rising up out of the snow, falling onto Fraser, who struggles to keep it off him.

***Zac:*** *Kill it!*

***Fraser:*** *HELP ME--*

***Zac:*** *Just GRAB your KNIFE and kill it!*

***Fraser:*** *Zac, just help me!*

Zac sees Marcus beginning to rush over, but before Marcus can arrive, Zac takes out his knife, stabbing the zombie through the head. Marcus offers Fraser a hand.

***Marcus:*** *Get up.*

***Zac:*** ***(To Fraser)*** *You are goddamn useless, you know that?*

***Marcus:*** *Enough of this! Aren’t you both sick of this routine bickering?* ***(To Zac)*** *What you did was out of order.*

***Zac:*** *Oh please - you think I was gonna let it kill him? I was gonna step in. I just want to see him grow some damn balls.*

***Fraser:*** *It got me by surprise - how is that fair?*

***Zac:*** *The world is full of surprises. Learn to expect them.*

Zac shakes his head, walking on ahead. Frowning, Fraser starts walking forward.

***Marcus:*** *Come on. We’re almost back home.*

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**Scene #5**

**FOREST - CABIN**

TEDDY POWELL walks down the stairs, his left hand freshly bandaged. He sighs, looking around the dead silent room, before approaching the fireplace and sitting down.

***Teddy:*** *I don’t think we can all sit like this depressed much longer.*

***Jon:*** *Ain’t much we can do with the storm out there.*

***Teddy:*** *Jim’s cabin is only gonna last us so long. It’s cozy here, but if a horde comes by--it’s over for us.*

***Jon:*** *Then just wait till your friends get back* ***(He shrugs)''***.

Teddy glances beside him, seeing APOLLO walking up and lying down on the rug.

***Teddy:*** *Every time I lay my eyes on that dog, I’m reminded of Robert.*

***Kate:*** *I’m reminded of everyone.*

JIM BUTTERMAN walks back into the living room from the kitchen.

***Jim:*** *Everyone okay?*

***Jon:*** *Doing just fine.*

***Albert:*** *Good.*

***Kate:*** *Yeah. Take a seat, Jim. Relax a bit.*

***Jim:*** *Oh- I’m doing okay, don’t worry about me. It’s my job to be the worrier.*

Jim looks over at JACOB FELDMAN sitting by the window still. He frowns.

The back door suddenly swings open, MARCUS DOWNES quickly stepping in, his face red from the cold, his jacket covered in snow. FRASER STILLER and ZAC BARNES step in afterwards, and Fraser hastily approaches the fireplace.

***Aldus:*** *You guys find anything?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah. We’ll talk about it when everyone’s gathered.*

***Teddy:*** *Is it - good or bad news?*

***Marcus:*** *It’s bittersweet.*

***Jim:*** *Well… We’re all here, so - let me get you boys a coffee while you update us on what you’ve found.*

Jim turns to head back to the kitchen.

***Marcus:*** *Well -- there’s a big hardware store on the edge of town. Seems rather unscathed from - everything that’s happened. And I don’t mean from the dead. I mean that - mess with Badrick and Benjamin.*

***Teddy:*** *You went in and checked it?*

***Marcus:*** *No, we couldn’t -- or… We didn’t want to weaken our pathway there.*

***Jon:*** *So it’s a treacherous path then, huh?*

***Zac:*** *Treacherous is one word for it. It’s a one way trip to an early grave if you ask me.*

***Jon:*** *Only nobody will dig you a grave.*

***Marcus:*** *Well - on route to the hardware store, the entire lake has been completely frozen. And we didn’t want to step across the ice. Not if we were gonna make a trip back here, too.*

***Teddy:*** *So you want us to trot across a potentially dangerous lake to get to a store that you don’t even know is gonna be worth it?*

***Marcus:*** *Look at our options here-- Look at our hand, and the card we have remaining to play.*

***William:*** *Is there a way around it?*

***Zac:*** *I suggested going around it already… But I was ignored.*

***Marcus:*** *You weren’t ignored. Around it - we’d need to trek all the way into town. And that would do none of us any good.*

***William:*** *What about breaking a path in the ice, and sailing across?*

***Kate:*** *Sailing across on what?*

***William:*** *A paddleboat. It’s a lake, bound to be one lying around.*

***Zac:*** *There’s nothing of the sort.*

***Albert:*** *Couldn’t we just walk across it - y’know, we spread out, one by one.*

***Marcus:*** *That’s the plan. I just hope it holds.*

***Aldus:*** *What if the ice cracks and a zombie is in it?*

***Jon:*** *The dead fuckers will have sunk to the bottom. They can’t swim.*

***Aldus:*** *Oh, yeah.*

Jim exits the kitchen again, handing out coffees to Marcus, Fraser and Zac. He then approaches Jacob.

***Jim:*** *Can I get you a coffee, Jacob?*

***Jacob:*** *I-- No, no. Thank you, Jim.*

Frowning slightly, Jim turns back to the rest of the group.

***William:*** *Walking across has a high risk, but it’s the most plausible option we have.*

***Jim:*** *Perhaps the best option is to just send out a small group, and see how it goes.*

***Marcus:*** *I’ll come. Lead you all there.*

***Kate:*** *As will I.*

***Albert:*** *Guess I’ll go as well.*

***Teddy:*** *I'd* ***like*** *to come.*

***Jim:*** *But you aren’t going! And that’s final! You need to sit and rest at the moment.*

***Teddy:*** *Yeah… I know.*

***Jim:*** *It’s for your own good.*

***Marcus:*** *We’ll head out once the storm has died down.*

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**Scene #6**

**WILLAMETTE BUS DEPOT**

EDWARD REMAR emerges from one of the offices, holding a set of keys up high.

***Edward:*** *LOOK!*

CLYDE ROLLINS and JARED KELLINGS look over.

***Clyde:*** *Oh, well what do you know - the keys.*

***Edward:*** *While you both sat here in your slumber, I’ve been digging away! And it paid off - as I knew it would.*

***Jared:*** *But what are we gonna do with it?*

***Edward:*** *The bus - will be a gift to us. We’ll be able to get around town no bother, and if we do happen to encounter anyone-- then welcome aboard! Perhaps in the end - we can all leave town together.*

***Clyde:*** *That’s the spirit, Edward!*

***Jared:*** *You know, I think it would be comfy on the bus.*

***Edward:*** *Exactly! That said - I think I’m going to wait until the storm dies down until I head out onto it. The bus will be snowed in.*

***Clyde:*** *Mm, it’ll be a task to get it moving.*

There’s suddenly a loud knock at the front door.

***Solomon:*** *Hey! I need shelter! My fire truck crashed! And I’m friendly!*

***Clyde: (Quietly)*** *A fire truck… How exotic. I say we let the good chap in.*

***Edward:*** *You’re far too trusting.*

***Jared:*** ***(About the fire truck)*** *Exactly why I don’t believe it.*

Edward quietly picks up his shotgun, aiming it at the door.

***Edward:*** *You open the door. I’ll keep aim.*

***Jared:*** *Not it. You open it if you trust him, Clyde.*

***Clyde:*** *Wh-- Me? I… Of course, of course. Right away…*

Clyde nervously stands up, approaching the door. When he’s there, he stands up straight, attempting to look manly. He then puts on a voice.

***Clyde:*** *Ahem, stranger. We are about to open the door! So -- behave!*

Edward sighs.

***Solomon:*** *Okay!*

Clyde slowly unlocks and opens up the door, and SOLOMON REED looks inside.

***Solomon:*** *Oh, by the way, Texas is far worse.*

***Edward:*** *…Texas?*

***Jared:*** *Great, a Texan.*

***Solomon:*** *I won’t shoot, I swear. I came here to get out of Texas. That state is far worse.*

***Clyde:*** *Well - come on in.*

Solomon steps through, and Clyde closes the door.

***Solomon:*** *There was a cult in Texas. They did wacky stuff but my old friends beat them.*

***Edward:*** *What’s your name?*

***Solomon:*** *Solomon Reed.*

***Edward:*** *How many people have you encountered here in Willamette?*

***Solomon:*** *Just you guys.*

***Jared:*** *What did you do? Your job, what did you do?*

***Solomon:*** *I owned a strip club, but it got burnt down by some maniac.*

***Jared:*** *Alllright, he probably ain’t with Ben, then.*

Solomon takes off his backpack, setting it down on the floor, as he takes a seat. As he does, Edward notices something odd about one of his arms.

***Solomon:*** *I only have a glock, which is, of course, holstered.*

***Edward:*** *Well then, Solomon. I’m Edward Remar.*

***Solomon:*** *Nice to meet you.*

***Clyde: (Smiling)*** *And- You may know who I am. I’m Clyde Rollins. Pleasure-- I do sign autographs.*

***Solomon:*** *Nice to meet you also.*

***Jared:*** *Jared Kellings. JKHD.*

***Solomon:*** *And you too.*

***Edward:*** *What led you to Colorado?*

***Solomon:*** *A cult. I met this man and his group, he’s named Blackford. They stopped the cult, but I lost part of my right arm and nearly died in all of it.*

Solomon raises his right arm, showing that most of it is a prosthetic.

***Solomon:*** *And I couldn’t, uh, stay in Texas anymore. It was too dangerous.*

***Edward:*** *I have come to the conclusion that you are delusional* ***(He grins)***. *Best you just be silent from now.*

For a few seconds, the front doors to the depot open, the blistering wind being heard. ROBIN CLARKE strolls inside, smiling at them.

***Edward:*** *Clyde did you not LOCK the door?*

***Robin:*** *I’ll be the gentleman and close it.*

Robin closes and locks the door. Jared instantly turns around, running into one of the offices. He closes the door and hides.

***Edward:*** *What in the world…* ***(He turns to Robin)*** *I know who you are.*

***Robin:*** *Of course you do - likewise.*

***Clyde:*** *You, uh… How’s Benjamin doing?*

***Robin:*** *Unfortunately I can only tell you that I don’t know.*

***Edward:*** *You are his goon. You should know.*

***Robin:*** *But… I don’t. I’m his goon no longer. In fact--that entire attack on the mall--Benjamin had no part in that.*

***Edward:*** *Then what did you do to him?*

***Robin:*** *We sent him away. The man was insane.*

***Edward:*** *I… The man lost his daughter to a psychopath!*

***Robin:*** *No. He lost his daughter to cancer. Weren’t you at the funeral, silly?*

***Edward:*** *I-- Badrick withheld her from him…*

***Robin:*** *And then Benjamin marched everyone into a war. So Mr. Haywood took over.*

***Edward:*** *So you’re his goon now.*

***Robin:*** *In truth, I don’t know where Haywood is. I bailed on that mall pretty quickly when things went bad.*

***Edward:*** *Well then…*

***Robin:*** *Well then.*

Edward turns around, looking at the office Jared is hiding in.

***Edward:*** *What’re you hiding for?!*

***Robin:*** *Well, I happen to be alone right now - maybe I can tag along with you.*

***Edward:*** *Why don’t you go find Benjamin?*

***Robin:*** *Because he’ll be long gone by now. We gave him a car and some supplies.*

Jared slowly opens the office door and steps out, walking over.

***Robin:*** *Hiya, chum.*

***Jared:*** *Hiya.*

Robin looks at Edward’s hand, seeing a set of keys.

***Robin:*** *Oh sweet. For the bus outside?*

***Edward:*** *For the bus outside, yes. We plan to take it for a spin when the storm is over.*

***Robin:*** *Oh - no need to brag about your new set of wheels to me. It’s only a bus. That said… With the right modifications--like a spiked front or some cool stuff on the sides--you could turn it into something.*

***Jared:*** *I mean, to be fair, it’d be cool. Nobody would fuck with us when we got spikes.*

***Edward:*** ***(To Robin)*** *You have a mind for violence and that’s exactly what we need. That said… You are technically the enemy.*

***Clyde:*** *I remember my first day of shooting my film ‘Impossible Objective’. I’m sure you all saw that one. But in that one - we had a bus with machine guns on the side.*

***Edward:*** *Let’s think a little more realistically.*

***Robin:*** *Well… Now that I’m accepted into the club here, I think I should get settled.*

***Edward:*** *Mm…*

Edward walks to the window, looking out at the bus.

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**Scene #7**

**FOREST - CABIN**

JACOB FELDMAN stares out the window, petting a sleeping APOLLO next to him. Meanwhile, people around him are getting geared up and ready to head out. ALBERT HANSON loads what little ammo he has into his duel pistols, and then spins them around.

***Albert: (To himself)*** *I’m getting good at that.*

FRASER STILLER sips at his coffee, looking at everyone else.

***Fraser:*** *I hope the, uh, trip is successful. I’ll, uh…*

***Marcus:*** *Fraser. You don’t need to come. About what Zac said - don’t let any of it get to you.*

***Fraser:*** *Oh, of course not. I may not be a true survivor like him but-- I have a brain.*

***Zac:*** *What?*

***Fraser:*** *Nothing.*

Fraser gets up, walking upstairs. Grinning, MARCUS DOWNES turns to ZAC BARNES.

***Marcus:*** *You coming?*

***Zac:*** *Hello no. But you be careful out there. The last thing I want to hear about is your stupid plan going wrong.*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah, yeah.*

***Albert:*** *We all ready?*

JON MATTHEWS puts his feet down, getting up off the couch.

***Jon:*** *Y’know what… I don’t want to be cooped up here any longer. Let me tag along.*

***Kate:*** *You want to come?*

***Jon:*** *I* ***am*** *coming.*

***Kate:*** *I just-- I mean, alright.*

***Jon:*** *Besides, you think I’ve given up looking for Curtis that easily? And I imagine y’all want to find your police friend.*

***Kate:*** *We’re missing quite a few people.*

***Fraser:*** *Austin and Jared. Alex, too.*

***Jon:*** *Exactly. People are missing. And I have a keen interest in finding quite a few. Not only that - but Wright will be out there slithering around somewhere.*

***Kate:*** *Then by all means - come along. But I expect you to have our backs out there.*

***Jon:*** *Of course I’ll have your back out there, darling.*

***Kate:*** *Really now?*

***Jon:*** *Look - I get it. You think I’m careless, untrustworthy. Whatever. I may not be in your little trust circle yet-but I’ve stuck around.*

***Kate:*** *Maybe that’s because you have no place to go.*

***Jon:*** *That’s correct - I don’t. Do you see Quincy or Monica anywhere? Oh, that’s right - they’re still back at the mall taking a nap. Shall I go and get them?*

***Kate:*** *I just want to make sure you’re being genuine with us here… You’ve shown little to no enthusiasm so far.*

***Jon:*** *Well I apologize for not appearing to be-- sincere. And in truth, I know I can be distant. It’s simply who I am.*

***Kate:*** *Yeah - alright.*

KATE BLOODSTONE opens the back door, stepping outside.

***Marcus:*** *We’ll be back tomorrow morning at the latest. Depends how late we reach the hardware store.*

Jacob suddenly stands up.

***Jacob:*** *I’m coming with… Go on - I’ll catch up.*

***Kate:*** *Are you sure--*

***Jacob:*** *I’m sure.*

Nodding, Kate heads out the door. Jon shrugs, following behind, as do Marcus and Albert.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #8**

**FOREST - WOODS - AFTERNOON**

DEAN HOWARDS stomps through the show, carrying a bucket full of twigs in one hand, a hatchet in the other.

***Dean:*** *Damn snow…*

He approaches a small tree, setting down the bucket, and grabbing a branch. He hacks it off with his hatchet, chops it into smaller bits, and drops them in the bucket, before picking the bucket up and continuing on.

**Scene #8 Cont.**

**FOREST - CABIN**

Dean enters the cabin, brushing snow off him.

***Jim:*** *Oh - hello, Dean. Can I get you a coffee?*

***Dean:*** *Well, that wouldn’t be too bad. Thanks for asking.*

***Jim:*** *I’ll get one right away.*

JIM BUTTERMAN smiles, heading into the kitchen. Dean, after putting his bucket and axe down, heads to the fireplace, warming up, where he notices TEDDY POWELL sitting nearby.

***Teddy:*** *The others are out.*

***Dean:*** *Out for? I just gathered wood for the fire. They don’t need to go out?*

***Teddy:*** *A hardware store nearby. They are going to check it out.*

***Dean:*** ***(He chuckles)*** *What goods do we need from a hardware store? Metal and stuff?*

***Zac:*** *For a new place to stay.*

***Dean:*** *What?*

***Zac:*** *This cabin will do us no good if a horde rolls up.*

***Dean:*** *Well there are no hordes out there.*

***Fraser:*** *Dean - think of it as a good thing.*

***Dean:*** *This place - it’s peaceful.*

***Fraser:*** *I mean… for now it is.*

***Dean: (He sighs)*** *No, you know something - if we keep moving, we will catch trouble. You guys are afraid of Badrick and all of them. They’ll never find us out here. Never. It’s-- It’s too safe, I mean we have everything we need. I don’t understand. Look - I’ll sit down for a moment…*

Dean takes a seat onto a chair. Across the room, OWEN GLIEFIELD glares over at him, setting his book aside.

***Owen:*** *Dean, what you aren’t understanding is this place isn’t safe and never will be.*

***Dean:*** *We could fortify it. And even then, no hordes would come out here. It’s secluded. As long as we don’t make any noise, we should be fine. I’ve already settled. I’m tired of moving. Everyone is. It’s - just a bad idea, man.*

***Owen:*** *Fortifying it wouldn’t make a difference against fifty rummagers. It’ll just cave in better when they finally smash it in. At least with a hardware store you could defend it.*

***Dean:*** *People would want to do the same thing. Raid a hardware store. It’s shelter, right? It’s out in the open. Other people will just want to--*

***Owen:*** *This isn’t up for discussion. We’ve all already decided. Shut up, enjoy your last moments here. Christ, all this place has is broken down books you could barely read. I don’t understand what there is to like about it. Unless you’re a pansy, then it makes sense. Damn--tree huggers.*

***Dean:*** ***(He frowns)*** *What is it with you, huh? You always wanna put me down.*

Dean stands up angrily.

***Dean:*** *I just wanna have somewhere I can fucking care about. I’ve settled. I don’t know what you guys don’t get about that. It--*

***Owen:*** *So you wanna survive. Good.*

***Dean:*** *This isn’t about survival. I…*

Not caring enough to answer, Dean dismissively waves a hand, and turns to the front door, walking out.

***Owen:*** *Mmph. Don’t any of you get mad at me. He’s not thinking right. It might be hard to understand.*

Owen goes back to reading his book.

***Zac:*** *He’s weak.*

***Owen:*** *He’s weak because he doesn’t understand the number one priority nowadays. You need to survive. If you wanna enjoy something, maybe you should survive first. He’s trying to live like what life was before. And to an extent, I feel for him. But-- That can’t be grasped now. When you got monsters that are willing to tear open buildings to get to you, and you’re trying to live a peaceful, normal life, that’s when things get iffy.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #9**

**FOREST - WOODS - AFTERNOON**

MARCUS DOWNES leads the pact of survivors through the woods, a revolver in hand.

***Marcus:*** *Watch your step. Fraser had some trouble earlier.*

***Jon:*** *With the dead ones being buried under the snow?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah - that.*

***Albert:*** *Sounds like a horror movie…*

At the back of the group, KATE BLOODSTONE is walking alongside JACOB FELDMAN.

***Kate:*** *Jacob. I’m… Are you sure you’re okay to be out here?*

***Jacob:*** *‘Course. Look - I lost Erin. But-- We all lost something, we all lost things. And-- why should I be the one everyone concerns for? I’m not special - I’m not the only one in pain.*

***Kate:*** *And we understand that but-- I just… With everything surrounding the situation, I--*

***Jacob:*** *That’s why I have this* ***(He gestures to his baseball bat)***. *I can - cope in other ways, y’know?*

Kate nods slowly, looking ahead. Eventually, the group comes into a clearing.

***Marcus:*** *Here…*

**Scene #9 Cont.**

**FOREST - FROZEN LAKE - AFTERNOON**

Marcus approaches the lake, looking on at it with concern. All the way across, the hardware store is seen through trees.

***Jacob:*** *My god…*

***Jon:*** *Well this is certainly a sight.*

***Kate:*** *The big question is - will it hold our weight?*

***Jon:*** *I sure hope so, I’d hate to drown. Especially in the cold.*

***Albert:*** *Looks sturdy enough.*

***Marcus:*** *Just - everyone watch your step and spread out.*

Marcus steps onto the lake first, carefully and slowly moving forward. The rest of the group spread out along the lake, walking across -- except for JON MATTHEWS.

***Kate:*** *Oh - I do not like this.*

***Jon:*** *Sturdy enough? Great.* ***Now*** *I’ll join y’all.*

Jon steps on, heading across slowly. As they’re walking, Kate sees a zombie stumble out from the trees ahead of them onto the ice. ALBERT HANSON grips his holster.

***Albert:*** *I could probably get it from here.*

***Jacob:*** *I wouldn’t. It’ll only draw more to the lake.*

***Albert:*** *Fair point.*

***Jacob:*** *I’ll go ahead and get him.*

Jacob moves a bit quicker to get ahead of everyone. While he’s at it, Jon glances back behind him.

***Jon:*** *Well - no turning back now.*

***Albert:*** *We’re halfway already. We are fine.*

Jacob approaches the zombie, raising his baseball bat. When he hits the zombie, it staggers back, slipping and falling right through the ice. Jacob looks on in terror, as he slowly steps back, careful not to fall.

***Kate:*** *Jacob!*

She attempts to move a bit faster, but the ice beneath Kate is heard cracking and splitting. She comes to a stop.

***Jon:*** *Oh hell.*

***Albert:*** *Don’t move fast now. Just calm down.*

***Jacob:*** *I’m fine! Just keep going!*

***Marcus:*** *Kate - I’m gonna come over and get you. Just - don’t move.*

***Kate:*** *Yeah, I don’t plan to…*

Jon looks over his shoulder again, seeing that a few zombies are beginning to walk onto the ice.

***Jon:*** *They won’t reach us. We’re fine.*

***Albert:*** *Yeah, yeah…*

Marcus reaches Kate, and holds out his hand.

***Marcus:*** *Alright - now take my hand. We’ll step out of this together.*

Kate nods slowly, and takes Marcus’ hand. As she’s stepping towards him, the ice beneath her begins to sink in, but Marcus pulls her to keep her from falling through. She breathes a sigh of relief, and they continue on to the other side of the lake.

Jon safely arrives at the end of the lake just after Jacob.

***Jon:*** *Second place.*

Albert steps off moments later.

***Albert:*** *Third the one with the golden chest.*

A minute later, Marcus and Kate arrive at the other end. Now safely across, the group climbs up a small hill, and pushes through some trees.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #10**

**HARDWARE STORE/OUTSIDE ENTRANCE - AFTERNOON**

JACOB FELDMAN and the others emerge from the trees, seeing the hardware store just across the street.

***Kate:*** *Let’s just hope this journey has been worth it.*

***Jon: (He shrugs)*** *I mean - it looks okay… Presuming it isn’t infested.*

***Marcus:*** *In honesty, I’d rather it be filled with the dead than other survivors.*

***Albert:*** *Second that.*

JON MATTHEWS walks forward into the street, where a few zombies are roaming around.

***Jon:*** *Well then. No harm in us dispatching a few of them on the way. They are much less scary in the snow. At least-- when you can see them.*

***Marcus:*** *If they weren’t scary in the snow - we wouldn’t have waited for the blizzard to be over until we came out here.*

***Jon:*** *Fair point.*

Jon jabs his knife into a zombie’s skull, but finds himself unable to pull it out as the zombie falls over.

***Jon:*** *Jesus… Give me that back.*

He bends down and tears the knife out. ALBERT HANSON and Jacob move ahead, taking down a few zombies themselves.

***Marcus:*** *I say we take the side door inside.*

***Jon:*** *Agreed.*

**Scene #10 Cont.**

**HARDWARE STORE - MAIN AREA**

KATE BLOODSTONE walks past them all, approaching a fire exit. She opens it and looks inside - seeing nothing but darkness. Holding the door open, Kate takes off her bag, reaching in and pulling out a flashlight for everyone.

***Kate:*** *We’re gonna need these unless we find a power switch.*

***Jon:*** *Alright - I say we split up and head down the different aisles, dispatching the dead as we go.*

***Albert:*** *This seems sketchy.*

***Jon:*** *Sketchy? Me?*

***Albert:*** *No, the store. Feels too quiet. I don’t know, it’s just me.*

***Jon:*** *I’m glad to hear it’s the store.*

***Jacob:*** *Let’s waste no more time, then.*

Jacob shines his light around, walking through. As he does, he comes across a dead zombie on the ground. He doesn’t think much of it until he gets closer, and notices the fresh blood leaking out of its head.

***Jacob:*** *Huh…*

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

***Jacob:*** *This zombie was taken out recently…*

***Marcus:*** *Let me see.*

He speeds over to Jacob, kneeling beside the corpse.

***Marcus:*** *Bludgeoned - you’re right.*

***Albert:*** *I knew this didn’t feel right…*

MARCUS DOWNES stands back out, shining his flashlight around. In the far corner of the store, he notices something peculiar. As he gets closer, the groans of dozens of zombies are heard. The others slowly follow him.

***Marcus:*** *Someone’s been here alright…*

He points the light at the corner of the building, where huge shelves have been pushed into place to box in dozens of zombies.

***Marcus:*** *Look--*

***Jacob:*** *What the hell?*

Marcus notices a forklift in front of one of the shelves.

***Marcus:*** *Someone’s been using this to push the shelves into some square.*

***Jon:*** *Someone is hoarding these damn things?*

***Marcus:*** *Pretty successful, at that.*

***Kate:*** *This isn’t safe - and I don’t like it.*

***Jon:*** *Seems Alberto here was correct.*

***Albert:*** *I always am. So what’s the plan here? Are we leaving?*

A quick flash of light from an office on the second floor catches Marcus’ attention. He points at it.

***Marcus:*** *A light just went out up there.*

***Jacob:*** *You sure?*

***Marcus:*** *Positive.*

***Jacob:*** *Then the architect of this little zombie prison is present.*

Something loud drops behind them all. By the time Marcus spins around to shine his light, he finds that somebody has grabbed Jacob, holding a knife to his throat.

***Rebecca:*** *Drop everything you’re holding. Now.*

***Jacob: (He sighs)*** *Just do as she says…*

***Jon: (To Rebecca)*** *I want you to know you’re already turning me on.*

***Rebecca:*** *Shut up and drop the knife.*

Jon does so, and as do everyone else, setting their knives and flashlights and pistols down. Albert lays down one of his pistols, keeping the other tucked away.

***Marcus:*** *We don’t mean any harm.*

***Rebecca:*** *Everyone says that.*

***Marcus:*** *Are you the one who - did this?* ***(He gestures at the zombie horde)***

***Rebecca:*** *No - but I sure as hell aren’t gonna touch it. I’m passing through for supplies. The few zombies that aren’t cooped up in whatever that is--I’ve been taking out.*

***Jacob:*** *We’re from a group--*

***Rebecca:*** *I don’t care. I was from a group, too. It doesn’t mean anything, It all just leads to the same bullshit in the end. People die - groups disband. You’ll all learn that.*

***Jacob:*** *We did- we did. We lost our home-- And I lost my pregnant wife - to be. We lost friends. We lost--*

***Rebecca:*** *Spare it. Where was your home then, huh?*

***Jacob:*** *The mall - the mall. We’re from the mall.*

***Rebecca:*** *Yeah? The mall? So everyone these days is from the mall?*

***Kate:*** *What do you mean?*

***Rebecca:*** *I’ve heard enough shit from people. A man claiming to be a police officer and his friend* ***also*** *claimed to have lived in the mall. I saw the flames - I saw the mess that was made. But I won’t believe anyone made it out of that alive.*

***Jacob:*** *You--*

***Jon:*** *The other man… Was he a senior?*

***Rebecca:*** *What of it? He was slightly older.*

***Jacob:*** *Randall and Curtis… Where are they now?*

***Rebecca:*** *We crossed paths - that’s it. You’re friends with them?*

***Jacob:*** *We are--*

REBECCA DAWSON shoves Jacob forward, taking a step back. Jacob turns back to face her.

***Rebecca:*** *They were nice guys, said they were looking for you.*

***Jacob:*** *And - do you think you can find them for us now? Look-- we do come from the mall. We’re held up in a little cabin right now.*

***Rebecca:*** *I’m not interested in grouping up - but I can help point you in the right direction of your friends. That said, I need a favour done first. Any of you know how to get a car working?*

***Jon:*** *Heh-- If it’s one you don’t have the keys to? Let’s say - I have some experience.*

Rebecca stares at him.

***Jon:*** *--That means I was-- Yes, I can do it.*

***Rebecca:*** *Get me a ride out of here and I’ll point you in the direction of your friends.*

***Kate:*** *They’ve most likely moved since then. How long ago did you encounter them?*

***Rebecca:*** *Two hours ago. Not long at all. And in this snow? How far can someone really get?*

***Marcus:*** *Well then why do you want a car? You won’t get far without getting stuck.*

***Rebecca:*** *I have to take my chances.*

***Jacob:*** *Alright then - fair.*

Jacob turns his head, seeing that a couple of zombies have wandered in through the open fire exit.

***Jon:*** *I’ve got them. C’mere, assholes.*

He picks up his knife and pistol, and throws it into the head of one of them.

***Jon:*** *Haha! You guys see that one?*

***Marcus:*** *Don’t try to show us any tricks. Just deal with them.*

***Jon:*** *Yeah, yeah - I have a second knife. I ain’t in any trouble.*

Jon slides a second knife out of his pocket, stabbing the second zombie.

***Jon:*** *See?*

***Rebecca:*** *Go and get that car ready. The horde in the car park has only been getting bigger for the time I’ve been here. They seem to enjoy clustering up.*

***Jon:*** *Sure thi--*

Jon begins heading out the fire exit, when suddenly another zombie appears, lunging onto him. Behind it, more zombies stumble through. Panicked, Jon throws the zombie off him, and jumps to his feet, fumbling to get his pistol out. But as soon as he does, another zombie pushes him back into a shelf - which falls over, knocking another shelf. The shelves begin to tumble over like dominoes.

***Jon:*** *Oh shit--*

Rebecca watches with nothing she can do to stop it, as the falling shelves eventually reach the corner of the room where all the zombies are boxed in. The final shelf falls into the corner, pushing over one of the ones keeping the zombies in, which causes all of the others to tumble down. Albert looks on in horror as the zombies pour out into the store. He picks up his supplies on the ground.

***Albert:*** *Fuck…*

***Rebecca:*** *The office upstairs - it’s safe. Get to it!*

Jacob, Rebecca, Marcus and Kate sprint around the zombies over to a set of stairs leading to the office. Meanwhile, Albert and Jon get separated from them, cut off by a group of zombies. Albert aims both his pistols, opening fire at the horde, killing one after another until his guns click.

***Albert:*** *I’m out.*

***Kate:*** *Shit--*

Marcus aims his revolver down, trying to get a shot, but more zombies begin climbing up the stairs after them.

***Rebecca:*** *Get in the office, we’re boxed!*

***Jacob:*** *We’ll get them-- Hang in there!*

Jacob and the others bolt up to the office, getting inside, where immediately a zombie begins banging on the door.

Below, Jon and Albert are backed up further and further, zombies circling them.

***Jon:*** *Ah - SHIT!*

He kicks a zombie back.

***Albert:*** *We are fucked, my friend.*

Jon notices a small gap in the horde, where he’ll be able to make a break for the fire exit. He sprints forward, shoving himself through the gap.

***Jon:*** *Hurry along, Alberto!*

Albert stabs a zombie, before rushing after him, barely managing to get through. However, outside the fire exit isn’t any better than it is inside. The previously mentioned horde in the car park had now made its way over, surrounding the door.

***Jon:*** *Well - we aren’t getting home past that.*

A zombie tackles Jon into the wall, but he throws it off. However, with a ridiculous amount of zombies closing in on them, Albert and Jon are separated from each other. Albert sees an opening leading into the forest.

***Jon:*** *Just go! I’ll find my own way!*

***Albert:*** *I-- I’m sorry!*

Albert charges forward, through the opening, and escapes into the forest.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #11**

**FOREST - WOODS - AFTERNOON**

DEAN HOWARDS walks slowly through the woods, obviously frustrated. Eventually, after walking far from the cabin, he comes to a stop, leaning onto a tree. He sighs, looking around him, when suddenly a twig snaps behind him. He turns, hearing a quiet snarl, as a zombie pushes its way through a bush, clacking its teeth, reaching its arms out to Dean. Dean slowly walks backwards, able to move faster than the zombie, who is constantly falling over because of the snow.

***Dean:*** *I already know what they’re all saying about me. I’m pathetic. I’m a loser. I’m worthless. I’m - worthless? Fucking assholes, the lot of them. All of them. I help them, I-- I TRY to help. I try. I do my damndest, but no, no, no. I’M worthless. They do nothing, they sit there.*

He watches as the zombie lunges at him, but Dean is easily able to hold it back, the cold having made it fragile and easy to kill. He stares at it, the zombie opening and closing its jaw, growling.

***Dean:*** *No, I’m fucking worthless, right? I do nothing, right? I don’t do shit. I- I tried my best. I always - TRY.* ***(He huffs, growing angry)*** *It wasn’t my fault I hurt her-- I didn’t want to hurt her, no. I just get a little angry. I just get a little--*

The zombie’s arm suddenly moves, grabbing at Dean’s jacket, making him yell in a panic. But Dean grabs its arm, jerking it so hard that the bone sticks out of the skin. The zombie topples over, laying in the snow.

***Dean:*** *I--I didn’t want to hurt her. I’m not worthless…*

Dean kneels down next to the zombie, picking up a stone, which he then uses to cave in the zombie’s head. Blood sprays into the snow. Sighing, Dean stares at it.

***Dean:*** *Maybe I am worthless. What do you think?*

Dean grabs the zombie’s arm, moving it ever so slightly that it causes the corpse to tumble down a slope, slamming into a few trees, and then disappearing through a few bushes. Dean sighs, standing up. He leans against the same tree for a few moments, before turning and heading off back towards the cabin, now shivering from the cold.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #12**

**WILLAMETTE BUS DEPOT - AFTERNOON**

After the blizzard dies down, EDWARD REMAR and the others head outside, surveying the bus properly.

***Robin:*** *Y’know - with the right modifications as discussed - this really could be a blessing.*

***Edward:*** *The only task now is starting it up.*

Edward unlocks the bus with the keys, stepping up and inside.

***Edward:*** *Plenty of space…*

***Clyde:*** *Mm, the seats look quite comfortable.*

Edward sits down in the driver's seat, sticking the key into the ignition, and starting it up. He looks at the fuel gauge.

***Edward:*** *And it’s got plenty of fuel for the time being.*

***Clyde:*** *Well… Where’s our destination, then?*

***Edward:*** *You wanted to find everyone - that’s what we’ll try doing. There are plenty of places in Willamette that haven’t been obliterated by the fighting. Such as the residential neighbourhood. This is of course taking your optimism into account. The most likely scenario is that most people are dead.*

***Clyde:*** *They were on the roof when we left - I think there’s a chance they made it out. We managed to. And you were injured - and it was in the middle of the car park.*

***Edward:*** *Fair enough.*

***Jared:*** *Yeah, yeah.*

ROBIN CLARKE and the others take their seats in the bus.

***Robin:*** *Comfortable seating, indeed. I’m certainly glad I bumped into all of you.*

***Jared: (To Robin)*** *Yeah - I never got your name.*

***Robin:*** *Robin Clarke.*

***Jared:*** *Nice to meet you, Robin Clarke. I’m JKHD.*

***Robin:*** *What the hell is a JKHD?*

***Jared:*** *My channel… I’m Jared.*

CLYDE ROLLINS leans into his seat, putting on a seat belt.

***Edward: (To Clyde)*** *Are we on a roller coaster?*

***Clyde:*** *No, I-- Safety first, Edward. Treacherous roads. It’s icy!*

***Edward:*** *Fine, fine - whatever.*

Edward pushes his foot down on the gas pedal, pulling out of the depot.