Pipe Dream/Transcript

*“We’re a goddamn team, all of us. Figure your shit out… We don’t need another Jared on our hands.”* *—Lolida*

**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

Stephen Gevedon as DEAN HOWARDS

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

Emma Stone as GENNA BROHEM

Christopher Cousins as SHAUN FISHER

**Co-Starring**

Abigail Breslin as MACKENZIE BROHEM

Rebel Wilson as EVELYN NELSON

DeObia Oparei as WAITA MATHANI

Charlie Tahan as SETH HAYNES

Ha-Seung-lee as KYORI HYOTEKI

Old Man as JOSE TRIVOLI

Ted Levine as ROBERT NICHOLAS

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**Scene #1**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

**2 Days Later**

JON MATTHEWS leans against the table, looking down at a map.

***Jon:*** *As cozy as it is hiding inside of God’s glorious shelter, we’re going to want to think about moving again soon. We still have a few locations to hit from that notebook Dean brought back… I’m thinking we do that on our way out of here.*

***Ed:*** *I wasn’t expecting that notebook to help us as much as it did… but so far, each and every location marked on it has at least had something.*

***Austin:*** *What are the last places to search?*

***Ed:*** *Well, the only one I can see that’s left is this warehouse. Hell if I know what it actually has… The map isn’t giving me any clues. But I suppose there’d be no harm in us checking it out. Uhh… By the way… shouldn’t we consult with William?*

***Jon:*** *No. William isn’t interested. He won’t leave Rebecca’s side. I’m sure he’ll be up and about again when we’re on the move.*

***Ed: (He frowns, nodding slowly)*** *Well… where do you want to go?*

***Jon: (He sighs)*** *I don’t fuckin’ know, man. Do you think I want to be left in charge of planning our fucking journey?*

***Austin:*** *We should at least avoid going into any more cities - chances are they’re all going to be like Garden City and Denver -- packed with the dead. I say we go north, lay low in a small town somewhere.*

***Jon:*** *We’ve been traveling around without any real direction since Denver… Seems every city we hit is a fucking disaster, so yeah, I agree with that much. Find us somewhere quiet, Ed. Until everyone settles their differences and things calm down, I honestly don’t know what the fuck to do.*

***Ed:*** *Maybe… Maybe thinking about the future* ***is*** *the right thing to do now. We’re all dwelling on past events and we’re kind of just… stuck. Moving forward could be… the right way to go with this.*

***Jon:*** *You make it sound like a bundle of roses. Maybe you’re right. Austin?*

***Austin:*** *Um-- yeah, yeah. We’ve gotta be thinking ahead right now - doesn’t matter what’s happening right now. We need a plan.*

***Ed:*** *You know what, uh… leave it with me. I’ll figure something out for us. I just, uh… I want to see everyone settle their differences… It's pretty awkward around here.*

***Jon:*** *Yeah… if only it were so simple. Good man, Ed.*

He pats him on the shoulder, before walking out of the office with AUSTIN KINGSTON.

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**Scene #2**

**FOREST - CHURCH - MORNING**

DANIEL ROCKWELL steps out of the church, walking down the first couple of steps, where he joins LOLIDA WINDFIELD, who’s sitting on the bottom step. He offers his friend an energy bar.

***Daniel:*** *Here. You should eat.*

Lolida stays silent, not even bothering to acknowledge him.

***Daniel:*** *Come on, asshole. There’s plenty of food inside, you might as well eat it while it’s there.*

***Lolida:*** *I’m the asshole?*

He turns to Daniel, his eyes filled with anger. Daniel lowers the energy bar, looking at him. He has a black eye and his face is still scarred following the fight a couple days earlier.

***Daniel:*** *What’s this about?*

***Lolida:*** *Have you not heard yourself lately? Your actions… Your words, have you lost your goddamn mind? You keep itching for a fight, you keep pushing these people around. You made a mockery of a little boy’s death, A GODDAMN CHILD, DANNY! THE FUCK HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?! AND YOU CAUSE A GODDAMN FIGHT?! YOU LAY YOUR HANDS ON A GODDAMN WOMAN?! THIS ISN’T YOU!-- God damn man, it’s as… it’s as if I don’t even fucking know who you are anymore.*

***Daniel:*** *I’m saying what needs to be said… even if it’s harsh… She put all of our lives in jeopardy. She put your life at risk… all for a group of fucking strangers. Can’t you see that? Dammit, Lolida. I’m doing what needs to be done.*

***Lolida:*** *You’re doing what needs to be done? Now, I don’t agree with what Kate did, hell, she fucked up, she made a goddamn mistake. WE ALL DO! Her actions were wrong, but her intentions were pure. Why can’t you fucking see that? Or are you too hard headed to see that?*

***Daniel: (He shakes his head stubbornly)*** *You’re meant to be on my side here. It’s us against them. What have they done for us? What have…*

***Lolida:*** *We’re a goddamn team, all of us. Figure your shit out… We don’t need another Jared on our hands.*

Lolida stands up, heading back inside the church without another word. Daniel sits there, a frown on his face. He shakes his head in denial, before looking up at the sky.

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**Scene #3**

**FOREST - CHURCH - MORNING**

KATE BLOODSTONE is awoken by yet another nightmare, the agonizing screams of a child still ringing in her head as she sits up, breathing heavily.

***Kate:*** ***(Quietly)*** *Fuck.*

She rubs her eyes, and gets out of her chair, walking through the church until entering a small closet that was being used as the storage area. There, she discreetly opens up one of the boxes towards the box, swiping a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from it. She hurriedly steps out and closes the door before anyone can see her. Kate then walks towards the back door to the church, stepping out into the morning sky, before sitting on one of the steps. She quickly lights one of the cigarettes, taking a puff from it. A couple of minutes pass, until the back door behind her opens, a gentle knock being heard.

***Dean:*** *Hey… Kate. Can I sit with you?*

DEAN HOWARDS notices Kate lowering the cigarette away, as she looks back at him.

***Kate:*** *Of course… yeah, you don’t have to ask, Dean.*

***Dean:*** *You don’t have to hide that. It’s no secret that things haven’t been good recently.*

He takes a seat beside her, sighing and rubbing his face.

***Dean:*** *I’m sorry this all happened. I know you wanted to help them, Kate. We all did. This wasn’t your fault.*

***Kate: (She shakes her head)*** *Dean… I… I felt so strongly about saving those people. I know you guys did as well. I thought we could make it work… but… seeing how much of a fuck up it all was… seeing every single one of those people die… The… the kid. Right in front of me, that poor boy, he was just a boy! Brenden lost his hand. We lost our home, our supplies… and for a while I thought I’d lost you too. And now here we are… all of us arguing amongst ourselves… achieving so little.*

Dean’s gaze shifts off to the trees ahead of them, as he remains silent. He thinks back to the office, as he remembers the screams of Jeanne, as he slammed his boot onto her head over and over. He shuts his eyes, shaking his head.

***Kate:*** *All I hear now… is that boy screaming in pain.*

***Dean:*** *…Kate, it wasn’t your fault - any of our faults, we-- We just wanted to do something right. Everyone wants that, and you tried. We couldn’t have predicted there’d be hordes and hordes about. I’m just sorry you had to experience this. Any of us, really. What a mess.*

***Kate:*** *Do you remember… not so long ago… when you’d started drinking again, when we first found the motel… that… no matter how long it took, we needed to keep on fighting until we finally found a place to settle, until this nightmare on the road was finally over? It feels so long ago. It wasn’t. I still want that… It just feels so… out of our reach now.*

***Dean:*** *…Yeah. I’m… I’m not the hopeful type, and not to regurgitate what you’ve told me before but - things aren’t done, Kate. I think something’s out there for us… or - will be. Like you said, we’ve just got to hold on a little longer. For however… longer is, at least.*

Kate drops the cigarette, stepping on it.

***Kate:*** *I didn’t realize that what we were doing would lead to all of this… but… I do still know what we did was right. We had… we had to try. I just hope things will be better.* ***(She stands up)*** *I’m glad you’re a little more optimistic, Dean… after how you were before.*

***Dean:*** *Well, that’s just thanks to you. Things are gonna get better, we’ve been with each other long enough. We’re not gonna let things drop worse than they are. We did the right thing. You TRIED to help people. Remember that. You tried… to help. You’re not evil, you’re not like any of those assholes out there. None of us are. Just remember that.*

***Kate: (She nods)*** *We tried…*

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**Scene #4**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - MORNING**

MOLLY MASSEY strolls through the amusement park with a huge grin on her face, looking around at all of the different attractions.

***Molly:*** *Oh, it’s just wonderful! It’s exactly what I imagined, something FUN-looking!*

KURT KLEIN nods slowly, looking around with a slight smile.

***Kurt:*** *Really takes away from the drabness that Edward fuck so gracefully bestowed upon us. He’ll hate it here.*

***Molly:*** *Oh, don’t even talk about him. Such a spoilsport. That old man died three goddamn days ago and that little freak is still moping around like his own daddy died.*

***Kurt:*** *Man… old bastard. What a way to go - bitten, and then put down by Ed of all people. That’s two strikes of misery. I almost regret taking in Eddie and his pal.*

***Molly:*** *Yeah, well… you ever get sick of ‘em… you just give me the word… I’d be all too happy to make things right. But enough about them! We’ve got this whole place to ourselves! Oooh, I bet the fun house is full of lurking zombies to be killed around every corner! I’m going there first!*

Kurt watches as Molly rushes off. He sighs quietly.

Meanwhile, EDWARD REMAR and SOLOMON REED are walking some distance behind them. Edward had ditched his old walking stick and had now switched it out for Calvin’s cane.

***Edward:*** *Their stupidity is going to get us all killed. I truly despise them.*

***Solomon:*** *Yeah. If we don’t take action soon, who knows how long the rest of us will have until they get us all killed.*

***Edward:*** *It’s their fault Calvin got killed. Their blood is on his hands. And if there’s one rule I live by… it’s that blood demands blood…*

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**Scene #5**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - MORNING**

Elsewhere, STANLEY PECK, NANCY WARNER and ELLIOTT ROWE are walking around, looking at all the different attractions.

***Stanley:*** *Hot damn this place is huge! Wow, I’ve never really been to an amusement park before. Oooooh, look at that big wheel right over there.*

***Nancy:*** *Really? You’ve never been to an amusement park?*

***Stanley:*** *Sure haven’t… All new to me. I remember smokin’ pot on this big hill with my buddies once back in the day… I’m pretty sure there was an amusement park like… fifteen miles down or somethin’.*

***Nancy:*** *Well… thank god we have Elliott… because you’re right, this place is gigantic. I feel like we’re gonna need a map just to find our way around.*

***Elliott: (Quietly)*** *Yeah-- yeah, I guess I’ll have a look around - gotta be some boards around here that have a map.*

***Stanley:*** *Ohhhh, looook, they were in the middle of building an aquapark expansion. I love me some water. You know my dad once threw me into the pool when I was eight, I didn’t know how to swim, nearly drowned, but then he taught me.*

***Nancy:*** *This place has to be crawling with the dead… right?*

***Stanley:*** *I’m actually quite surprised that I haven’t seen many lurkers yet. It’s real odd.*

***Elliott:*** *I’d keep an eye out. Probably still some stragglers going about here - haven’t seen any yet though-- which is strange, yeah.*

***Nancy:*** *Well, if we wanted to leave this place, I don’t think we’d be allowed after how long it’s taken us to get here. Let’s just… try to enjoy it… whatever that’s worth.*

Nancy looks up, seeing EDWARD REMAR up ahead, standing by himself. They approach him.

***Nancy:*** *Enjoying the atmosphere?*

***Edward:*** *It’s gloomy and cold here.*

***Stanley:*** *Oh come on now, Ed. Don’t be such a downer. There’s something for everyone at amusement parks after all.*

***Elliott:*** *I prefer it in here rather than being out on the road.*

***Edward:*** *This still isn’t a smart place to stay. We’re being led astray. It has to stop. Do you want what happened to Calvin to happen to anyone else? That’s a prime example of poor management.*

***Nancy:*** *It’s not like Kurt will listen to us, Edward.*

***Elliott:*** *I-- Edward’s right, though. We’ve gotta do something-- I don’t know what.*

***Edward:*** *Thank you, and about that--*

Edward stops, as he hears somebody running up to them. He looks over his shoulder to see CARSON BURKE.

***Carson:*** *Guys. You’re going to want to come quick. We’ve got company.*

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**Scene #6**

**FOREST - CHURCH - MID MORNING**

LLOYD WALLER and JON MATTHEWS come walking out of the church, slowly walking down the dirt path out in front of it.

***Lloyd:*** *I’m just… I’m worried, you know? He’s just… he’s completely shut down on everyone.*

***Jon:*** *Yeah. I get it, kid. Listen… He’s got a lot on his mind… Clearly the recent stress has gotten to him. It’s important for everyone to remember that William is only human. Everyone has a limit. With everything that’s happened recently, from Jared, to what happened with you guys out on the road and Rebecca, to the motel… It’s… It must be taking its toll. People act as if William chose to send those people away because he’s an asshole. He just made a tough call in the heat of the moment, one that had all of our best interests in mind, because that’s how we get by out here.*

***Lloyd: (He nods)*** *I look up to William more than he realizes. His strength makes me strong, and he’s helped me with a lot. I hope he won’t turn his back on the group for much longer. I’m worried about Rebecca, too… I’m scared that… that she won’t wake up. And if she does wake up, what if… what if she can’t walk… or what if she doesn’t remember us? What if… that’s just it?*

***Jon: (He puts a hand on his shoulder)*** *Try not to think about that right now, okay? Try not to expect the worst, even if it’s what you’re growing accustomed to. You do not lose hope for her. You hear?*

***Lloyd:*** *Yeah, yeah. I hear.*

***Jon:*** *Right now, her heart is beating, and that is all that matters. She is* ***alive***, *Lloyd. As long as we keep it that way, things are okay for now.*

***Lloyd:*** *Thanks, Jon* ***(He nods sincerely)***. *I… I needed someone to talk to.*

***Jon:*** *And you can talk to me anytime. You know that.*

The pair of them suddenly hear something come from the woods -- a sound that almost resembles a person’s footsteps, an alive person, not a zombie. Jon draws his pistol in an instant, aiming it around. He hears another bush rustle nearby, and turns over to it, where he sees a woman stepping out. She freezes in place, gasping, obviously scared. One of her arms is in a sling.

***Mackenzie:*** *Please! We’re not here to hurt you! M-my sister, she’s out a ways behind me - we-- we just want to talk!*

***Jon: (He narrows his eyes)*** *Keep your distance.*

MACKENZIE BROHEM grabs at a cross around her neck, staring down the barrel of Jon’s gun.

***Lloyd:*** *I, uh… I don’t think she’s a threat, Jon.*

***Mackenzie:*** *Yes, sir. But - my sister and I, can I call her out? We… noticed you people might need some help. You’re out here alone, we’ve - got a community of our own.*

Jon turns his gaze towards the woods.

***Jon:*** *Come out!*

GENNA BROHEM steps out onto the path warily, hands raised slightly.

***Genna:*** *Hello there-- it’s good to meet you - I’m unarmed, by the way. Like my sister said - we just want to talk.*

***Jon:*** *…Why?*

***Mackenzie:*** *We’ve-- been watching you people for a bit, and - you seem nice! But we figured you might need a bit of help. Our community we come from… they saved us a while in when this all began. Saved my arm, too. We have a big community, lots of people - good people.*

***Genna:*** *We’re not a threat - no need to have a gun out here. So how about you put your gun away… We’re just here to have a chat, like she says.*

***Lloyd:*** *Jon… Maybe… maybe we should give this a chance… I mean… look, they’ve made themselves vulnerable to us…*

***Jon:*** *Which is stupid… Why did you go and do that?*

***Mackenzie:*** *We just want to help… We want to help your group, there is no reason for us to make any threat of ourselves to you. Please.*

***Genna:*** *Maybe it is stupid - but we’re recruiters from a community, we want to see if you could possibly come with us. We just want to be able to speak with everybody - your whole group.*

Jon sighs loudly, as he slowly lowers the pistol.

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**Scene #7**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

***Randall:*** *Watching us? What do you mean watching us?*

***Austin:*** *I don’t like this…*

JON MATTHEWS looks at the two of them, as they walk through the church’s main hall.

***Jon:*** *Their words, not mine. They were stupid enough to step out in front of us unarmed, so they are either good people who are really stupid, or they’ve got a trick up their sleeve. The last time some people came by, it didn’t go so well. And now, we’re in an even worse position than we were before. Let me go and get William… You guys gather everybody else in the main hall.*

***Randall:*** *Yeah… Alright, shit. Never a dull moment, ay?*

***Austin:*** *Never. Shall we go get everyone?*

RANDALL FORSTER nods.

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**Scene #8**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

JON MATTHEWS knocks on the office door.

***Jon:*** *William.*

***William:*** *Enter.*

Jon opens it hastily, stepping in and closing the door. WILLIAM REYNES is seen sitting by REBECCA DAWSON.

***Jon:*** *You look like shit.*

***William:*** *I feel like shit.*

***Jon:*** *Well, you have an audience outside… Two young ladies have stopped by, claiming to be recruiters for a community. Everyone is gathering in the main hall… and look, I think it’s important you attend. You can’t hide away in here forever. She’s not going anywhere* ***(He nods to Rebecca)***.

***William:*** *You mean there’s… more people - here with us?*

***Jon:*** *They’ve been checked for weapons… Came unarmed just like they promised. No doubt they’ll have left their stuff nearby, and they might have other people, but turning them away wasn’t my call to make.*

***William: (He nods slowly)*** *It’s… fine. Not your fault. I’ll go deal with our visitors right now.*

William stands up, heading for the door.

***Jon:*** *Wait.*

He stops, looking back at Jon.

***Jon:*** *I don’t trust them either. It’s only natural. But our people have fought enough over the last few days, try to take it easy this time.*

***William:*** *I’ll do my best… Last thing we need is people flying off the handle again.*

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**Scene #9**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - MORNING**

***Landon:*** *About seven of them… They’re harmless, and even if they weren’t - they’re in absolutely no shape to fight back. At all.*

LANDON KIMBER crosses his arms, looking across to KURT KLEIN.

***Kurt:*** *And… they’re in the cafe right now?*

***Landon: (He nods)*** *Leonard’s keeping watch on ‘em, just in case.*

Kurt looks to his side, seeing CARSON BURKE returning with STANLEY PECK, NANCY WARNER, ELLIOTT ROWE and EDWARD REMAR.

***Carson:*** *I’ve brought some backup.*

***Edward:*** *Backup? What aren’t you telling me?*

***Elliott:*** *Uh-- what’s happening?*

***Landon:*** *Relax. Kurt could take ‘em all with one hand, anyway. No big deal.*

Kurt smiles, as he quickly styles back his hair.

***Kurt:*** *How do I look?*

***Carson:*** *Uh… suave as ever. What will you have us do?*

***Kurt:*** *Just stand back and watch… for now. I’m gonna persuade our good friends to join our cause.*

Edward rolls his eyes, as he and the others follow Kurt into the cafe. Inside, LEONARD THORNE is keeping watch over seven people, just as Landon had said.

SHAUN FISHER stands off to the side speaking with Leonard, yet he stops when Kurt enters; WAITA MATHANI is standing behind Shaun, a crowbar in hand; SETH HAYNES is leaning against a wall towards the back; KYORI HYOTEKI is sat on a small table in the corner, fixing the drawstring on her bow; JOSE TRIVOLI sits on a bench far from everyone else, coughing into his fist loudly, sniffling; ROBERT NICHOLAS is looking at a sack of zombie teeth he carries around; and EVELYN NELSON is standing up near Shaun and Leonard, her eyes being drawn to Kurt as he enters.

***Evelyn:*** *Ooh… what a man.*

Shaun steps away from Leonard, looking over.

***Shaun:*** *Uh-- hello.*

Kurt approaches with a polite smile, before he grabs Shaun’s hands with both of his, giving him a vigorous, controlling handshake.

***Kurt:*** *Shaun, is it? My name’s Kurt. Kurt Klein. Please to make your acquaintance.*

***Shaun:*** *Ah* ***(He chuckles nervously)***. *Yes. And me as well. I am… pleased.*

***Kurt:*** *I take it you’re the big man around these parts?*

***Shaun:*** *Oh-- uh - well - heh. I mean-- oh, you mean like - like the boss… ohhhh. I see what you did there. Yes. That would in fact be me.*

***Kurt:*** *Impressive, impressive. To be leading a group like this in such trying times - really a show of character. You should be proud, y’know. Since you’re the boss, why don’t you go ahead and introduce all these lovely people to me?*

***Shaun:*** *Oh… yeah… of course. This is… Evelyn Nelson. She is a nurse. And--*

Evelyn pushes Shaun aside, approaching Kurt, forcing a handshake.

***Evelyn:*** *So pleasing to meet you. Can I just say… you are built so beautifully. You are like a sculpture.*

Kurt hides a look of disgust, as he smiles charmingly.

***Kurt:*** *My, my. Thank you, you flatter me. You aren’t so bad yourself.*

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, you flatter me* ***(She fans herself)***.

***Shaun:*** *Evelyn… I… uh… maybe…*

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, right, yes, I am so sorry, forgive me. So nice to meet you.*

She steps back.

***Shaun:*** *And uh… behind me we have Seth and Waita.*

***Seth:*** *Hey.*

Waita gives a slight nod to Kurt.

***Shaun:*** *And… over there is… Jose and Robert.*

***Robert:*** *Sup.*

Jose grunts quietly, as he leans over, gargling up yellow mucus, spitting it onto the floor. Kurt looks away from the old man, not hiding the look of disgust on his face this time.

***Shaun:*** *And finally we have, uh… Kyori… She doesn’t speak much English but… she’s still a good communicator.*

Kyori looks up, giving a nod after hearing her name.

***Shaun:*** *Heh. So… that’s us.*

***Kurt:*** *Some real… colourful people. Yeah, I can work with that. Why don’t us two boss-men go have a word. Outside.*

***Shaun:*** *Out-- outside? Right. Of course.*

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**Scene #10**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - MORNING**

KURT KLEIN and SHAUN FISHER step out of the cafe together, walking towards the side of the building, towards a bench.

***Kurt:*** *Now that we’ve got some privacy… I felt we should have a little talk.*

He sits down.

***Kurt:*** *Have a seat.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh. Yes. Of course.*

Shaun sits across from him on the bench.

***Shaun:*** *Aren’t you… worried? The… you know… dead ones might sneak up on us.*

***Kurt:*** *Me? Nah, not at all… don’t worry. I can rip those things apart with my bare hands. See… I wanted to have a word with you about you and your group in there. How long’ve you guys been here anyway?*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, not long. Not long at all. We, uh… well, we’re just catching our breath, you know, uh, we had some trouble on the road and just had to, y’know, take some time. We’re fine, trust me, it’s all good, uh, all planned, and, uh, can’t wait to get back out there.*

***Kurt:*** *Wow, busy man… See, I have an offer to make. You and your group - you come with us, under my wing. You’d be a hell of a lot safer out there - a lot more protected. We have tons of supplies, food, weapons, you name it. Under my commands, you guys would prosper. Trust me.*

***Shaun: (He gulps)*** *Wow, that’s… that’s so kind of you. Really. But, uh… I… I can’t. I can’t accept.*

Kurt pauses, almost choking, as he takes a second to process Shaun’s words.

***Kurt:*** *Oh? Why not?*

***Shaun:*** *Well, if you want the absolute truth. Me and my companions in there… are on… a journey.*

***Kurt:*** *A journey… right. What sort of journey?*

***Shaun:*** *A journey to find my family. I got separated from them recently… They used to be traveling with us, but after an incident, we got separated. We’re on their trail, and, uh… I think we’re getting closer and closer every day. We just have to pick ourselves up, that’s all.*

Kurt puts a hand on his heart, trying to seem emotional.

***Kurt:*** *Man… that really moves me. I’m a family man myself. So… how’d you guys wind up here? You said you were catching your breath… Did something happen?*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, yes, back on the highway, our bus got swarmed by the dead… We were forced to abandon it and this was the first place we could find. All of our supplies are still there, and we’re hoping to head back later and, uh… retrieve it and be on our way once again.*

***Kurt:*** *I see, I see. Well… I suppose I’ll let you run on inside to your crew again, now. Just do me one favour, Shaun?*

***Shaun:*** *Oh?*

***Kurt:*** *Keep my offer in mind. Good man* ***(He smiles)***.

***Shaun:*** *Oh, sure, of course. But, uh… don’t get your hopes up or anything.* ***(He nods)*** *Thank you.*

Shaun stands up, walking back around the building and inside the cafe. Kurt slowly stands up once he’s long gone, exhaling sharply. In his anger, he grabs the underside of the bench and completely flips it over, throwing it to the side. He huffs, before turning to go back inside.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #11**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

The group gathers around inside the main hall. Some stand, or lean against the wall, while others sit on one of the many benches. The only noticeable absences are Daniel, Jon, William and of course Rebecca. The two recruiter sisters are standing at one end of the church, looking around at everyone.

On the other end of the church, WILLIAM REYNES and JON MATTHEWS are seen leaving the office, making their way towards the others. William comes to a stop in front of the newcomers, looking between the two of them, hands pocketed. LLOYD WALLER steps forward a bit, close to GENNA BROHEM and MACKENZIE BROHEM.

***Lloyd:*** *This is -- William. He’s our leader* ***(He smiles slightly)***.

***William: (To Lloyd)*** *You should really… step back a little.*

***Lloyd:*** *It’s alright. Really. They’ve already taken a big leap of faith in coming forward to us like this…*

***William:*** *If you insist.*

William looks back at the sisters.

***Genna:*** *Hello - my name is Genna. This is my sister Mackenzie* ***(She nods to her)***. *This is - quite some group you’ve got here. Don’t usually encounter groups of this size often. So - I guess I should ask if you’re interested in hearing about the community we come from.*

***Kate:*** *Community?*

***Genna:*** *Yes - a community, quite some distance away from here too.*

***William:*** *Speak, then.*

***Genna:*** *Well, it’s a couple hundred miles away from here - my sister and I have been out scouting for weeks now. Anyway, I think you’d all fit in just right into our community. It’s full of people - I don’t even know how many, and surrounded by walls, it’s safe. Running water, electricity, we grow plenty of our own food. We have it all.*

***William: (He nods slowly)*** *I’m sure you do. Sounds like a lovely place.*

***Kate:*** *That-- sounds good.*

***Genna:*** *It is a lovely place* ***(She smiles)***.

***Jon:*** *Almost sounds too good to be true…*

***Alex:*** *How do we know that you guys don’t try to take us out?? Luring us somewhere into a trap!*

***Layton:*** *Oh, that’s a good point* ***(He nods)***.

***William:*** *He asks a fair question.*

***Genna:*** *I promise you we aren’t. You completely outnumber us - and I mean, we came here unarmed. You could have shot us as soon as we showed our faces. It’s just my sister and I out here.*

LAYTON ZIMMERS suddenly stands up.

***Layton:*** *Uhhh, hey now! Let’s not forget everyone! That when we first met Daniel and Loll-- Loll… Lolid… When we first met the guys from the stadium, we outnumbered them too, they talked a big game, but then they threw us into a -- a prison cell when we arrived!*

***Genna:*** *Well-- I- I don’t know who those people were, but we’re not like them. Is there any way we could prove it to you?*

***Kate:*** *Is there… anything more you can tell us? What you’re saying… It… It does sound a little too good to be true… But… if it is true… we could be missing out on a huge opportunity here… something that… I know all of us have dreamed of. We’ve been out on the road for so long. Too long. The whole reason we’ve been fighting… is for a chance to settle down somewhere. That’s what kept me going… I want this to be true… I do… Could you tell us more about where you’re located?*

***Aldus: (Glancing out a window)*** *I don’t see anyone in the woods so far…*

***Genna:*** ***(To Kate)*** *Of course - it’s a small town here in Kansas. Worthwood, it’s called. There’s a big castle there in town with some buildings-- our community is there, surrounded by walls, guarded 24/7. Everyone works to earn their keep - simple and fair.*

***Kate: (Nodding slowly)*** *It… it sounds it. And you two… You go out scouting… for survivors like us?*

***Genna:*** *That’s what we do. We’ve been there for months now - the people there are good.* ***(She points at Mackenzie’s arm sling)*** *They saved her life - saved her from losing an arm. I can vouch for this community.*

***Jon:*** *Well, of course* ***you*** *can.*

***Genna:*** *Right…*

***Lolida:*** *Your word means nothing, no offense. Words are just words.*

***Clyde:*** *I… think it sounds promising. I mean… isn’t this what we’ve all been waiting for?*

***Lolida:*** *It’s a blessing, truly it is, whether by God or… another being.*

***Alex:*** *Guess the only way to find out would be to send someone away and I wouldn’t want to be the person that just goes somewhere blindly.*

***Lolida:*** *Yet there’s no indication of proof that this place exists.*

***Clyde:*** *I just think that… with how bad things have been for us recently… we’ve well and truly hit rock bottom. Things… haven’t been good.*

***Lolida:*** *Let’s not rush into this thinking of the luxuries which might await us.*

***Claire: (To Lolida)*** *No, you’re right. It would be a giant risk… but… so is everything these days.*

***Kate:*** *We can find out all there is to know about this place from these two. This is a real chance for us to… to move past this last week.*

***Brenden:*** *I think… I think that we should jump on this opportunity while we have it… right?*

***Alex:*** *You guys said that it’s guarded 24/7. What is it guarded with and where do you get your resources from?*

***Genna:*** *We have lots of people-- some choose to guard, some choose to be scavengers, some are recruiters - but most work inside the community. It just works out.*

***Lolida:*** *But I want to know if you have proof of this place’s existence?*

***Mackenzie:*** *Think about it this way, please… What else are you all going to do out here, besides - survive day to day, struggling to get by. We have a community with good, sociable, strong and reliable people. We have steady supplies, we have jobs, economy, we work for each other. This is a chance to- be human again for all of you. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t want to help. Please. Just come and see, you seem like good people.*

***Kate:*** *I think the best for us to do this… is to split ourselves into those in favour of exploring this opportunity… and those who aren’t. One by one. Two sides. A vote… Just to see where we’re at. Is everyone in agreement of this?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah.*

***Austin:*** *Fine. Sure.*

While all of the talking is happening, William begins to step back, resting a hand under his chin, staying silent and just considering everything.

***Brenden:*** *So which side is the - in favour one?*

***Kate:*** *Alright, over there* ***(She points to the left side of the hall)***.

BRENDEN TREVORS immediately walks over to the left side.

***Kate:*** *I’ll say that… I am also in favour of doing this. This is a risk I’m willing to take… These two ladies have taken a big risk in coming to us like this… knowing full well they could be killed… I think it’s only fair we put our trust in them in return… It’s not like we have any other plan.*

KATE BLOODSTONE walks over to join Brenden.

***Marcus:*** *I’m with you all the way. This is something we’ve dreamed of… It’s too big of an opportunity not to follow it up.*

MARCUS DOWNES gives a nod, as he walks over to Brenden and the others.

***Aldus:*** *Same here. It’s a really good opportunity.*

ALDUS PAXTON walks over to join them. Meanwhile, Lloyd looks back towards Genna and Mackenzie.

***Lloyd:*** *Do… Do you guys have a doctor?*

***Genna:*** *Obviously - yeah. A good one, too.*

***Lloyd:*** *Then… yeah. The place already sounded good, but if there’s a professional there who can help Rebecca then… then I can’t say no to that.*

Lloyd joins the others.

***Alex: (He taps Layton on the shoulder)*** *What do you think? Should we go and risk it or wait here?*

***Layton:*** *Hmmm. On one hand, I worry about the endless possibilities of this being a giant scam… They could be spider people, or mad scientists… or anything else… But… err… It’s so tiring out here on the road… It’s really beginning to get on my nerves, you know?*

***Mackenzie:*** *It’s better than living out here in the woods. Although, I-- really do admire your choice of a place to live.*

***Lolida:*** *I don’t buy it. No offense, again.*

DEAN HOWARDS glances over at Kate.

***Dean:*** *Kate, you’re sure you want to try this?*

***Kate: (She nods)*** *Yes. This is the way. Think about what you told me… That man who saved you in the woods… There are still good people, Dean.*

***Dean: (He nods slowly, thinking to himself)*** *I agree. These girls look like nice people, too.*

***Clyde:*** *I for one… think that checking this place out is for the best.*

***Claire:*** *Yeah… despite the… potential risk of us doing it… I still think it’s our best option.*

Dean, CLYDE ROLLINS and CLAIRE NOBLE all walk over to the left side.

***Alex:*** *Layton, if you go, I will follow you.*

***Layton:*** *Well… If they have power… electricity… then maybe… just maybe… we can use that… to find answers. Answers to how all of this started.*

***Randall:*** *But Layton… we already know how it started.*

***Layton:*** *I for one think this could be a very lucrative opportunity for our people… So… I take my side… We should go to visit the spider people in their community… but if they try to wrap me up in some cocoon, I won’t be happy and they won’t hear the end of it.*

Layton and ALEX WEISS walk over to join everyone else.

***Randall: (He shrugs)*** *Yeah… I think we should go.*

RANDALL FORSTER joins the others, leaving only a select few who haven’t made a decision yet, including William himself, who’s yet to even say anything.

***Jon:*** *I’m getting a bad feeling about all of this…*

***Lolida:*** *I think it’s a trap, in all honesty.*

***Jon:*** *You people are so quick to trust strangers… and while, yeah… settling down would be fine… this journey could get us all killed… It could be a trap, it could be anything, just like Lolida is saying. On the other hand… we’re in a hot fucking mess out here. Everyone is fighting amongst each other, we don't have a real goal anymore… we don't have the solidarity we need. This-- the promise of… salvation… or whatever the fuck… it could be what keeps everyone here hopeful in the long run. The truth is, if these two ladies really are on their own, and we don't find any other people, I am more inclined to trust them… but it's always possible they're playing a very risky game, and have a trap that is waiting to be sprung at the very end… you know, like you did as Layton pointed out. But I don’t know how much more of this you people can take out here. I can see why you want to go with them. So let me go out on a limb and say that… I am indifferent to it.*

***Kate:*** *I understand. But… as it happens… almost every single one of us is for the idea by the looks of it. Austin… What about you?*

***Austin:*** *I, uh-- I’m not sure what to think. I think I agree with what Jon is saying, though. Maybe they can be trusted - I don’t know.*

Everyone falls silent, as William steps forward again, his mind made up. He glances around at everyone, before his eyes fall back upon Genna and Mackenzie.

***William:*** *No. The answer’s no. As touching as your offer was… and as much as I’d like to believe it -- there is no way in hell I am walking my group right into the jaws of death.*

Kate opens her mouth to speak, but she’s speechless, unsure of what to say. Others stay quiet, except for Alex.

***Alex:*** *But what about the spider people?*

***Genna:*** *I-- Are you sure - we could use a lot of people like you back home -- good people. I understand that you find it hard to trust us, it makes sense, but is there anything we can do to prove that you can trust us? Maybe I’ll just let you talk it out with your group.*

***William:*** *I don’t know how much more clear I can make it. The answer is no. I’ll let you both leave here with your lives, and in exchange - you completely forget we exist. That’s all there is to it.*

Kate walks forward, looking at William.

***Kate:*** *…William. This isn’t them. It’s you. This is just your trust issues. We have nothing out here… There’s nothing for us out here… We’ve been traveling on the road all this time in hopes of an opportunity like this. Everything we do from this point on is a risk, so what makes this one any different? Look around you, nearly every single one of us wants to try this… They have a doctor… someone who could help Rebecca… What they’re describing is… civilization.*

***William:*** *I thought you had learned your lesson with what happened in the city, no?*

***Alex:*** *I agree. William, you can’t just disregard a democratic decision. If the majority of the group wants to go, we should take a leap of faith and try our luck.*

***William:*** *Shut up. Do not open your mouth to me again.*

***Alex:*** ***(Quietly)*** *I mean… We are the group, not just you.*

Layton approaches William.

***Layton:*** *Hey now. There’s no need for that. You’ve been outvoted, friend.*

***Lolida:*** *You can’t keep running the circus by yourself forever, Will.*

***Kate:*** *What happened in the city… Yeah, it went wrong. We didn’t mean for that. We were trying to do the right thing. We were trying to save people. But this… is different… These people are offering to help us. I’m just asking that we look into this… as a possibility… We don’t have to rush into it if you’re so worried we’ll get ourselves killed. We can work together here… We can work through this together.*

***William:*** *I already gave my answer. They have a chance to walk away from this while they still can. That’s the only second chance I’m giving. If you think you’re better off leaving the pack and going with complete strangers, there’s the door.*

***Alex:*** *We may be clinging to life but we aren’t really surviving. We aren’t living. We have endured so much just to decline such a chance?*

***Lloyd:*** *William, this is the best chance we’ve had for a fresh start in months… Think of her. Of Rebecca.*

***William:*** *No. Don’t even bring her up. We… are FINE ON OUR OWN.*

LOLIDA WINDFIELD limps towards William, growing more annoyed.

***Lolida:*** *Lay off the kid.*

***William:*** *Back in your place. All of you. Stop talking. You have no idea what you are doing. You’re letting yourselves fall for a honeytrap. Things like that don’t exist in this world anymore. You’re knocking on death’s door by even entertaining the thought -- so just shut up -- and let me handle things. For once.*

***Clyde:*** *But… the democratic process…*

***Brenden: (To William)*** *But… you don’t know that. With all due respect, I mean - there’s an entire world out there.* ***(He stands up)*** *Who knows what could’ve happened? Maybe you’re overthinking things just a little. They’ve come here unarmed - posing as little a threat as possible. Surely if they meant harm they’d have killed us all in our sleep, or something.*

***William:*** *I thought I made myself clear the first time I said it. Stop. Talking. Have a good look at yourself, Brenden. Your hand’s missing -- you almost DIED because of STUPID decisions like this. Sit back down and keep your mouth shut. The same goes for the rest of you.*

***Brenden:*** *I lost the most out there… you’re right. But I still vouch for them. That’s… all I gotta say.*

Lolida, now pissed off at William, steps forward even further.

***Lolida:*** *That’s it, man. I’m not gonna let the big bad wolf terrorize his little piggies anymore. You speak to those boys with re--*

William simply grabs Lolida by the collar, and headbutts him directly in the nose.

***Jon:*** *I mean, fuck, what were you expecting to happen?*

William slams Lolida’s head into the wall, letting him slide down in pain.

***Claire:*** *Alright, enough, come on!*

***Marcus:*** *William. There’s no need.*

***Austin:*** *Let’s all just take it easy - come on, now.*

***Alex:*** *And there he is again. Our William resorting to violence if we do not listen to him.*

***William: (To Alex)*** *Do you want to join him? Exactly. Shut. UP.*

Lolida grunts in pain, rubbing at his head, while Kate approaches Genna and Mackenzie, who are watching everything unfold in silence.

***Kate:*** *Listen, I’m sorry you have to see all of this. I’m sure we can work something out… If you could give us some time to sort it.*

***Genna:*** *Yeah-- of course, we can wai…*

Genna pauses, as she sees William storming over to them. Kate, her back turned and unaware, continues talking.

***Kate:*** *We’ve all agreed… We’re interested in what you’re offering--*

William shoves Kate aside onto a bench, as he draws his pistol, putting it up into Genna and Mackenzie’s faces.

***William:*** *ALL OF YOU NEED TO SHUT UP ALREADY! YOU’RE GETTING TOO BIG FOR YOUR BOOTS - TRYING TO FILL A PAIR OF SHOES YOU’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND!*

Marcus steps in quickly, knocking William’s gun to the floor. William glares at Marcus, as Genna and Mackenzie back up slowly, terrified.

***Genna:*** *We can just go.*

***William:*** *You do that. Go.*

Genna and Mackenzie turn around, exiting the church hastily. Marcus shakes his head at William, before walking past him to check on Kate.

***Kate:*** *I’m alright.*

***Marcus:*** *This group is a fucking mess.*

Lolida slowly stands up, still in pain, stumbling around like a drunk. He looks at William.

***Lolida:*** *You speak down to those boys-- again-- You touch a woman again-- And I will…*

Jon steps in, placing a hand on Lolida’s shoulder, stopping him.

***Jon:*** *Lolida* ***(He shakes his head)***.

***Lolida: (To Jon)*** *Look at you… Scared of a vicious sociopath. All of you are!*

William shakes his head, disgusted at everybody, as he storms off back to the office with Rebecca. He enters, slamming the door as loud as a gunshot, enough to make the walls rattle.

***Lolida:*** *I- I can’t stand by and allow his actions to be! He hurt a fucking woman, he talks down to two boys and all for what? Because his mother never taught him how to deal with his anger? Jesus Christ.*

***Austin:*** *Just leave it, man.*

***Jon:*** *William may be acting unreasonable… but that doesn’t mean his intentions aren’t pure. He’s just gotten a little lost. It’s obvious how it’s gotten to this point… That doesn’t mean it’s right, but leave taking William down a peg to me. I’ll handle this.*

Jon turns away, walking off to the office with William.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #12**

**FOREST - WOODS - NOON**

GENNA BROHEM and MACKENZIE BROHEM come to a stop in the woods, setting down their bags. Genna takes a sip from a water bottle, as she looks over at her sister.

***Genna:*** *Well-- what do you think… about them?*

***Mackenzie:*** *I think they’ve been through… a lot. More than they should’ve. They seem to take everything as a threat. It’ll take some work but I really think we can help them. They just have to see there’s still hope out there, you know?*

***Genna:*** *You’re right. I say we keep in the area for another while, keep eyes on them. It’s obvious most of them want to come with us -- let’s just give it some time. That leader - hopefully he comes around.*

***Mackenzie:*** *I would be lying if I said he didn’t scare me. I just hope they don’t take us the wrong way. I don’t think we can really leave them out here, they’re breaking. It’s not good. I just hope they can come around.*

***Genna:*** *They will - I still have faith in them. Let’s keep going.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #13**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

Sighing, JON MATTHEWS approaches the office door, knocking once again. A minute passes until the door finally opens, but WILLIAM REYNES immediately goes back to his seat at REBECCA DAWSON’s side. Jon lets himself in, closing the door behind him. His eyes fall onto William.

***Jon:*** *Not gonna claim to be an expert on the matter, but do you really think that was the best way to handle all of that?*

***William:*** *I don’t know. No. Probably not. I don’t know what to do… Seems no matter what I choose - nobody’s happy. Everyone’s against me. But all I wanna do is keep them safe.*

***Jon:*** *Listen, William. It’s one thing to be extra cautious and not trust people. Believe me, I know all about that. But with you, I’m starting to think Kate is right. This is personal. You’re going to shut out every single person we meet because of your trust issues. Do you really think that’s a good idea in the long run? You’re trying to account for what you believe is your greatest failure, no? It’s not been the same, not since Jared.*

***William:*** *I know that I’m - not on the clearest path right now. Nobody knows that better than I do. But what else do I do? What else CAN I do? Back at the motel, if I let those people in - we’d probably have starved to death. The reason I turned them away could be deep-seeded, but that’s a reality that people don’t want to face. That new community - what if they all turned out to be killers, luring people in with a honeytrap. What kind of idiot would I be to wander in there willingly without knowing more first? These people - Those people out there -- they don’t know what they’re doing. They’d happily walk right into a trap like that and end up dying. I don’t want that. I don’t WANT to have to be the one to stop them getting themselves killed. But I have to.*

***Jon:*** *I know their optimism can seem incomprehensible at times… I was livid after that stunt they pulled in the city too… but you don't give them enough credit. Just because you're the leader of this group does not mean you are to take responsibility for every single thing that happens to it. If a bird shit on Layton's head right in front of you, would you blame yourself for that? Of course fucking not, because Layton is a weirdo who probably deserved it, and also because it's completely out of your control. You wanna blame yourself for Jared being a rat and a coward? That too, was out of your control, and don't try to say that Daniel warned you. He warned us all in the most delusional fucking way possible. If you ask me, he got lucky on a hunch. So what, you don't trust people anymore, everyone that isn't us is an enemy? Listen, I'm not someone who typically cares to dispute that… but even I know it isn't entirely true. This group would've never formed in the first place, and you'd never have gotten it this far if it wasn't for the trust you had in strangers. Rebecca was once a stranger. I was once a stranger. But these days, we just have to take chances like that… and yeah, assholes like Jared make it real blurry and hard to tell, but that doesn't mean you should be stubborn. I'm not one to argue with your ways of doing things, William, I've done my best to stay by your side… but what you did out there just a few minutes ago, was unnecessary.*

William looks down, nodding slowly.

***William:*** *Yeah… yeah - it was. I know that I’m being my own worst enemy… and I want to get past all that - but that’ll take some contemplation. I’m conflicted. I want to do what’s right by everyone out there, but the pressure of having to mend problems I shouldn’t have to fix… is really getting to me. I wasn’t prepared for all this -- not after what happened to Jacob. Everyone keeps saying we’ve come this far by doing the right thing, but I’ve always thought that was bullshit. We got this far ‘cause people died. Not ‘cause we chose to ‘do the right thing’. As much as it pains me, part of me just won’t let myself off the hook.*

He looks over at Rebecca now, a worried frown on his face. He slowly looks back up at Jon.

***William:*** *Thank you. For setting me straight. I needed the talk.*

***Jon:*** *Yeah. Give it some thought. You’re the key to getting everyone back on track, no pressure. I’m gonna leave you to it.*

Jon turns around, walking out of the office, shutting the door as he exits.

***Ed:*** *So. About that warehouse.*

Jon glances to his side, startled, and sees ED ANDERSON.

***Jon:*** *Jesus fuck, Ed. Are you trying to get punched in the face?*

***Ed:*** *Uh… nope, why would I… Why would I try that? Oh, sorry. I get it, I kind of sprung up on you. Did it scare you?*

***Jon:*** *Did it scare me?*

***Ed:*** *Uh-- you know… what I meant. Look, the -- warehouse.*

***Jon:*** *What about the warehouse?*

***Ed:*** *Well… we’re checking it. Scouting it. Now.*

***Jon:*** *Who’s ‘we’?*

***Ed:*** *Lloyd and Brenden--*

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

***Ed:*** *Lloyd and Brenden… They’re going to the warehouse with Aldus.*

***Jon:*** *With Aldus. Okay, sure, you could’ve fucking said that. Here I was thinking you’d sent them alone.*

***Ed:*** *Well, for starters, I was going to say it, you just cut me off--*

Jon glares at him.

***Ed:*** *Okay, I should’ve said it, I apologize. Anyways, they were really insistent about going. Now, I know what you’re thinking.*

***Jon:*** *What? What am I thinking?*

***Ed:*** *I figured you were thinking about the fact that Brenden… actually only has one hand now.*

***Jon:*** *Oh, does he really?*

***Ed:*** *Right, and in case you were worried about that, I think he’s fine to be back on his feet again, and he wants the practice… you know, because he only has one hand now.*

***Jon:*** *Jesus, Ed. You are such an insensitive asshole.*

Jon smirks, patting him on the shoulder, before he walks off.

***Ed:*** *Huh?*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #14**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - LATE MORNING**

ELLIOTT ROWE wanders around the park by himself, hands pocketed, a slight frown on his face. His mind thinks back to Calvin - which, in turn, reminds him of Kurt and how he shrugged off his death as nothing.

The sound of tapping against the ground breaks Elliott out of his thoughts, as he sees EDWARD REMAR approaching him.

***Edward:*** *It would appear that Kurt is working his dark magic once again. The same magic he sprinkled over all of you. That group inside the cafe? It’s only a matter of time before they become his beaten down subjects. But it seems to me… judging off of your moping these last few days… that you might just be breaking free of Kurt’s spell.*

***Elliott:*** *I-- I don’t know, Edward. I guess Calvin’s words really stuck with me - I… Something has to be done about Kurt - but I don’t know what.*

***Edward:*** *Indeed. So I come to you with a proposal… It should be ever so clear to you that Kurt and his minions don’t care about you. They don’t care if you live or die… Do you feel* ***safe''***?
***Elliott:*** *I… Safe - I guess not. You’re right about him not caring - I mean, what if I was surrounded by zombies-- or you. I’m not sure Kurt would do anything - and those minions of his… I don’t know what I’m saying. I don’t feel safe, no.*

***Edward:*** *You’re one of the people I’ve grown to respect around here. I don’t say that lightly. I propose that from this point onward you put your faith in me. I will protect and lookout for you, and will expect the same in return. Consider Solomon in on this pact too. This is something Calvin would’ve wanted… You know it to be true. Kurt would rather you forget about him entirely, but that would just be spitting on his memory.*

***Elliott:*** *Yeah… Calvin would want that. You have my word - I’m with you now.*

***Edward: (He smiles)*** *Wonderful. I’m going to make things right.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #15**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - LATE MORNING**

SHAUN FISHER stands inside the cafe, having just finished up explaining everything to his group.

***Shaun:*** *We should hopefully be out of here quite soon, and then we’ll head back to the highway and retrieve the bus. It’ll be fine.*

***Evelyn:*** *Oh… it’s truly a shame that we cannot stay with that fine hunk of a man out there. Oh, this will be a tragic tale in the book of love.*

***Waita:*** *I think that you are making the right call. We are better off on our own.*

***Shaun:*** *Of course I’m making the right call… Listen, just hang tight a little longer, we’ll get ready to go, it won’t be a proble--*

Shaun hears somebody approaching, and he turns around.

***Edward:*** *Hello.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh?*

***Edward:*** *Aha. I’m sorry to sneak up on you like this.*

***Shaun:*** *Nom it’s- it’s fine. How can we help you?*

***Edward:*** *Well, I’m just hoping to have--*

EDWARD REMAR pauses, his concentration being broken by JOSE TRIVOLI’s sudden coughing fit. EVELYN NELSON waddles over to him.

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, Jose is at it again. Do not worry, I will tend to him. There, there, Jose.*

***Edward:*** *As I was saying… I wondered if I could have a word with you.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, with all due respect, I already declined--*

***Edward:*** *Please.*

Shaun sighs.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #16**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - LATE MORNING**

***Edward:*** *I just thought I’d tell you… You should be careful around that Kurt.*

SHAUN FISHER looks over, eyes widening. The two of them have made their way outside again.

***Shaun:*** *Careful?*

***Edward:*** *Oh… very careful.*

***Shaun:*** *Well… I… I was planning on leaving anyways, but… he seems like such a nice man.*

***Edward:*** *Take it from one of his closest friends… I’ve known Kurt for a long time, and he’s really had it rough out on the road.* ***(He shakes his head sadly)*** *He just isn’t the same anymore. He’s… Well, unstable, for lack of a better word.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh… I… I didn’t even realize… I mean… it’s…*

***Edward:*** *I mean… how could you have? He’s a manipulative man… and I just wanted to give you a forewarning that… staying here… with us? That would be a bad idea.*

***Shaun:*** *Well, uh, that’s quite alright, I plan on leaving. Listen… I don’t think I should be hearing any of this. But thank you for the heads up.*

***Edward:*** *Don’t mention it. It was nice to meet you.*

Shaun turns around slowly, walking off.

LEONARD THORNE, hiding in a bush nearby, frowns angrily, having just heard the entire conversation.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #17**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - LATE MORNING**

KURT KLEIN shoves a vending machine to the floor, cans spilling out of it. His fists are clenched, face is red, full of rage.

***Kurt:*** *What? WHAT? That little -- vampire FUCK is running his mouth about me? AFTER I TOOK HIM IN? SAVED HIM?*

***Molly:*** *Unbelievable.*

***Leonard:*** *I watched it all happen. I knew he was a problem, I knew it when I first saw him. It’s just outright disrespecting after YOU took him and that other idiot in. Without you, boss, they’d have been zombies. So with this discovery, Kurt, what are you planning on doing to stop the piece of shit? Oh, and before you speak, I think his friend is probably in on it too. They seem close, so it’s best to cut the cancer before it spreads.*

***Kurt:*** *It’s a betrayal. A betrayal. That’s what it is - that’s what it fucking is. Listen-- you’ve done enough. You can go. Keep an eye on that new bunch, or whatever.*

***Landon:*** *Especially that old dude. He’ll cough up a bile tsunami and drown us all in it.*

LEONARD THORNE nods, as he walks off, leaving just Kurt, LANDON KIMBER and MOLLY MASSEY.

***Molly:*** ***(About Jose)*** *That old bastard is dead weight, I tell you. He’s worse than Calvin was.*

***Landon:*** *Seems we got a habit of recruiting walking corpses, huh? What do you make of this new group?*

***Molly:*** *Pfft… weaklings, the lot of them… but able-bodied weaklings. Their leader strikes me as a little bitch.*

***Landon: (He smirks)*** *Don’t care for them. Though the prospect of supplies… Now that’s a treat worth chasing.*

***Kurt:*** *That’s what we’re doing. We’re culling the dead weight. Too much of it.* ***(To Landon)*** *That old bastard. Smother him in his sleep or whatever the fuck, just get rid of that old bag of bones.*

***Landon:*** *And what do you want the excuse to be?*

***Kurt:*** *Don’t care. Something. His illness got the best of him or whatever.* ***(He points at Molly)*** *And you. Our Eddie problem. Break his legs for me, will ya’?*

***Molly:*** *Oh, I thought you’d never ask. With* ***pleasure***. *Why don’t I just kill him while I’m at it?*

***Kurt: (He shakes his head)*** *If it comes to it, I’ll break that sick pup’s neck myself. If a nice beating doesn’t solve it… then god help him. I want him bleeding from head to toe by the time he gets back, got it?*

***Molly:*** *You don’t need to tell me twice. What about you?*

***Kurt:*** *Damage control… soothing the masses. Telling them what they want to hear. Gullible fucks.*

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**Scene #18**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

DANIEL ROCKWELL opens the door, stepping into one of the smaller rooms inside the church, which had been transformed into the storage room with all of the new supplies the group had been finding. Inside of it, KATE BLOODSTONE is sitting by herself, sipping at a glass of tequila they’d scavenged.

***Kate:*** *Here comes trouble…*

***Daniel:*** *You have expensive taste.*

She lowers the glass, looking at him silently.

***Daniel:*** *Do you mind if I join you for a drink?*

***Kate:*** *…I’m not sure. Why?*

***Daniel:*** *I just… I have some shit I need to get off my chest, some things I need to… mend.*

***Kate: (She looks away)*** *There’s a spare glass on the top shelf.*

***Daniel:*** *Sweet.*

Daniel walks over to get the glass, before he takes a seat opposite Kate, pouring himself a drink. He immediately takes a chug of it, his face scrunching up.

***Kate:*** *Tequila is a sipping drink, Daniel.*

***Daniel:*** *Hm?*

***Kate:*** *You’re meant to savour it so you can enjoy the taste.*

***Daniel:*** *Right. Well, I never was much of a drinker, believe it or not. You have rather unhealthy habits, don’t you?*

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

***Daniel:*** *You’re a smoker. You drink.*

***Kate:*** *Sorry, why did you want to sit with me again?*

***Daniel:*** *No, no, uh, I didn’t mean it like that. It was just a point of discussion.*

***Kate:*** *It was a point of discussion?*

***Daniel:*** *Yes.*

***Kate:*** *Right, the point being?*

***Daniel:*** *That it is… unhealthy. I never took you for that kind of person.*

***Kate:*** *Daniel, I’m not a drinker. I’m just having a glass of tequila… because… I needed something to take my mind off of everything, something to enjoy. Besides, you’re the one who asked to drink* ***with*** *me. And yeah, I used to smoke, okay?*

***Daniel:*** *You still smoke.*

***Kate:*** *Yeah, I’ve been doing it a bit recently, just-- just because it helps sometimes, okay?*

***Daniel:*** *It helps?*

***Kate:*** *Yes, it helps to clear my mind. Did you really come here to counsel me about how cigarettes are bad, just-- Why are you here, Daniel?*

***Daniel: (He sighs)*** *Because… I probably had to like, you know…*

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

***Daniel:*** *I had to do the thing, you know, that people do to- to get over shit and just, to fix stuff.*

***Kate:*** *You mean you came here to apologize?*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. That.*

***Kate:*** *You’re off to… a great start.*

***Daniel:*** *Look, listen… I may have been a little harsh towards you.*

***Kate:*** *A little harsh?*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. Maybe some of the stuff I said about the kid was a little out of line, and maybe I shouldn’t have hit you, but, you know, messy stuff, it was a fight.*

***Kate:*** *A fight that you started… What made you reflect on everything?*

***Daniel:*** *Lolida hates me. I had to have gone wrong somewhere… And no, I’m not just doing this for him…*

Kate sits back, sipping on the tequila while listening to him.

***Daniel:*** *I may have disagreed with your methods… but you didn’t actually deserve what happened to you in the city. It sounds rough, okay? I wanted to try and hit you where it hurts… because I know you care about people, because unlike me, you’re not a shitty person, alright?*

***Kate:*** *It does haunt me. All of their deaths do, but the boy… That one does hit the hardest. I was meant to protect him and get him out of there, even if all else had failed.*

***Daniel:*** *But… it’s not really your fault, is it? You guys went in there, and if you hadn’t, they probably would’ve died even quicker… right? Seems it was just something that was doomed to fail, not that you guys knew it. Even if I was pissed that it ended up putting me and Lolida in danger, I can’t deny that what you guys did was honourable… even if I don’t understand it. I guess what really matters is you tried. You tried to save the lives of those people when a lot of us didn’t. We may have had our reasons for turning them away, but you decided to fight for what you believed in. I… I can respect that, because I’d do the same. All I can say I did was cause problems and act like a selfish asshole the whole time. You can say that you tried, that you did something.*

***Kate:*** *Why are you saying all of this?*

***Daniel:*** *Because I mean it… and I am sorry for being such a prick. I will try to… avoid lashing out at you like that again.*

***Kate: (She nods slowly)*** *Thank you. Really. You said some truly vile shit, but if you really are seeking forgiveness and want to change, then that’s more than enough for me.*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. I guess I… I have some shit to work on…*

***Kate:*** *Where were you? We had a meeting earlier, you didn’t come?*

***Daniel:*** *I didn’t want to show my face… Didn’t really care to either.*

***Kate:*** *It feels like we threw away a golden opportunity, something everyone wanted… everyone but William. He’s standing in his own way, and as a result, in all of our way. There’s no moving forward if he isn’t willing to be more reasonable. I know I have to talk to him… I keep trying, but he won’t come around. But… if I’m able to reconcile with you, then… surely I can do the same with William. I know he has a lot of issues to deal with… but we’re stuck in the mud waiting for him to kick back into gear again, and he just… isn’t.*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah. You both need to be on the same page.*

Daniel takes another chug of his tequila. He coughs into his arm as a result.

***Daniel:*** *Hopefully that happens sooner rather than later.*

***Kate:*** *Sip.*

***Daniel:*** *Yeah, yeah. Whatever.*

Daniel nods, a slight grin forming on his face.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #19**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - NOON**

After regaining his usual composure, KURT KLEIN rejoins everyone else by the park’s cafe. He approaches BONNIE HARRELL to talk with her.

***Kurt:*** *You know how you could absolutely make my day?*

***Bonnie:*** *Oooh, I’m so bad at guessing games. Tell me!*

***Kurt:*** *Our fine guests in there… I want you to set up something real nice for them. Some nice beverages, hot and cold - and some good food. God knows their journey’s been rough… We should take care of them a little, right?*

***Bonnie:*** *Oh, that’s such a sweet idea, Kurt. I’ll get right on that, I can even get Carson to cook them up something nice.*

***Kurt:*** *That’s why you’re my favourite, Bonnie.*

***Bonnie:*** *Hehe, stop it.*

Kurt smiles, as he turns away, walking towards the cafe doors, his smile immediately vanishing when he’s facing away from Bonnie. He throws open the doors, swaggering inside, and immediately making his presence known by everybody. Inside, EVELYN NELSON is tending to JOSE TRIVOLI.

***Evelyn:*** *JOSE. IT’S ME. EVELYN. ARE YOU STILL WITH ME?*

Jose coughs loudly, his legs spazzing. He coughs up yellow gunk, spitting it on the floor. Evelyn turns away, seeing Kurt.

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, I’m so sorry-- Jose is just having one of his seizures.*

***Kurt:*** *Wow… you’re real compassionate.*

***Evelyn:*** ***(To Jose)*** *Oh, there, there. You are such a soldier, do you know that? Who’s my special soldier?*

Jose continues with his seizure, his eyes turning red, foaming with wetness. Kurt looks away from the old man in disgust, approaching SHAUN FISHER.

***Kurt:*** *Just the man I was looking for.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh?*

***Kurt:*** *Tell you what, buddy… After hearing… the plight of a good family man like yourself… I had to step up and offer to bring you out on the road, and me and you - the two big boys - can get your supplies back together.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, that’s… so kind of you, but totally unnecessary. I mean-- we have it under control.*

***Kurt:*** *Really. I insist.* ***(He puts a hand on his shoulder)*** *Your story moved me. I want to demonstrate some good will. Even if you don’t accept my offer… I couldn’t let you walk away from this in such a state.*

***Shaun:*** *Uh… I… That would be great. I, uh… well, while we’re here… I thought you should know, I just… owe you this… You’ve been so kind to me… This… this strange little man… he was saying things about you to me.*

***Kurt:*** *Oh? Really? Edward… He’s always been a little loudmouthed. He doesn’t agree with my style of leadership… Thinks we shouldn’t take in newcomers like you. But I think we’re all human - so we’re all friends. He’d do anything to go against me, that little man.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, jeez, I’m sorry to hear that. Well, uh, before we go, it feels… unsafe to depart with just the two of us. Uh… Robert… why don’t you tag along?*

***Kurt:*** *Oh, we won’t need more than just us.*

***Shaun:*** *Oh, please, Robert is one of my best men, and the highway is dangerous, let me tell you.*

ROBERT NICHOLAS looks over, tucking away his sack of zombie teeth.

***Robert:*** *Sure, sure.*

***Kurt:*** *If… you’re sure. The more, the merrier, I guess.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #20**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - NOON**

Some time later, CARSON BURKE is out cooking burgers in front of the cafe.

***Carson:*** *This is great, it’s gonna be a real treat for the new people. I’ve been able to cook us up a whole batch of fine burgers.*

***Bonnie:*** *Oooh, I can’t wait to serve them all. It’s so exciting to have new people around.*

BONNIE HARRELL smiles, looking around, her eyes falling onto ELLIOTT ROWE, who’s sitting on one of the benches, looking ahead blankly.

***Bonnie:*** *Oh, what’s wrong, Elliott? You seem sad.*

***Elliott:*** *What? Oh - it’s nothing. Just thinking is all* ***(He fakes a smile)***.

***Bonnie:*** *You know you’re a hero, right? Saved my life three days ago when those big meanies attacked the camp. Awww, it was so cute. You’re just adorable.*

***Elliott:*** *Heh-- yeah, thanks, Bonnie. Just did what I had to - didn’t want anyone to get hurt…*

Elliott frowns, thinking back to Calvin.

***Bonnie:*** *Ohh, I know you must be upset about Calvin. You two got along like a house on fire. But stay strong, he’s with us in our hearts.*

Bonnie puts a hand on the wrong side of her chest.

***Elliott:*** *Right… Thank you. Your words mean a lot.*

Elliott looks up, seeing MOLLY MASSEY approaching the three of them, twirling her revolver.

***Molly:*** *Well howdy, y’all. You wouldn’t happen to have seen the little freak going around, hm? I need to talk with him.*

***Carson:*** *You mean Edward?*

***Molly:*** *Yes, I did say ‘freak’, Carson, you fucking idiot. Have you seen him or not?*

***Carson: (He sighs)*** *No. I haven’t. Sorry.*

***Molly:*** *Ugh… it’s as if you’re all blind. Fine.*

Molly walks off again, twirling the revolver as she goes. Elliott glares at her, before he stands up.

***Elliott:*** *I, uh - I’m gonna go for a walk around the park - need some time alone. I’ll be back.*

Elliott walks off in the direction that Molly had gone.

***Carson:*** *Hey, Bonnie, can you be a gem and go tell the new folks that the food is ready?*

***Bonnie:*** *Of course.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #21**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - NOON**

EVELYN NELSON sighs in relief, as JOSE TRIVOLI relaxes, his coughing having all but ended. He’s laying down on one of the benches, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead, a blanket covering him.

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, few. Mr. Trivoli is stable once again. He will be fine, just rest easy now.*

BONNIE HARRELL comes walking inside the cafeteria.

***Bonnie:*** *Hi everyone. I just wanted to tell y’all that we’ve prepared you some hot food and beverages at the burger van. Come on down and get a bite to eat.*

***Seth:*** *Sounds great.*

WAITA MATHANI turns to KYORI HYOTEKI, gesturing that they were going to go get food.

***Waita:*** *We are going to eat. Come.*

Kyori nods, somewhat understanding him. The two of them and SETH HAYNES head for the door.

***Evelyn:*** *Oh, that is just what I need right now. It sounds wonderful. I’ll be sure to bring you back a burger, Jose, okay? Do you want cheese or no cheese?*

Jose wheezes, coughing loudly, mucus dripping down his lips and dropping to the floor.

***Evelyn:*** *Jose? Cheese? No cheese? How do you want your burger?*

Jose raises a dry, skinny hand to his mouth, wiping away the mucus, only for him to hack up more.

***Evelyn:*** *Cheese? Alright, I’ll be right back.*

Evelyn walks out. Shortly after the group’s departure, Jose hears the doors opening once again, before they completely shut. Jose gives a few meek coughs, sniffling loudly, not seeming to notice LANDON KIMBER sneaking up to him, doing his best not to make any noise. Landon, upon arriving at the old man, looks down at him with disgust. He slowly reaches down, pulling the blanket off of him, stretching it out like a rope. Jose wheezes out, cranking his head up, hacking up a blob of yellow gunk. It slides down his chin, landing on his chest. He stares up at Landon, simply confused. Landon, absolutely disgusted by the old man, suddenly stuffs the blanket into his mouth, pushing down with all the force he can muster. Jose gags out, his limbs flailing around, slapping and kicking Landon. Puke begins to soak up the blanket, covering Landon’s hands in the stink. Landon, despite the fluid soaking his hands, continues to smother the man, covering his nose with the blanket now too. Jose’s eyes bulge out, his kicking and squirming becoming quicker, as oxygen starts running out. After a few more moments, the squirming finally stops. A final croak is heard from Jose, as he goes limp. Landon leaves the blanket stuffed in his mouth, as he swipes up another rag from one of the tables, wiping his hands, and cleaning off a bit of mucus that had managed to stain his jacket. When that’s done, he quickly heads for the door, leaving Jose’s corpse slumped over against the bench, puke covering him.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #22**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - NOON**

Shortly after, EVELYN NELSON returns to the cafe, chewing on a burger herself, while carrying a paper plate with another burger.

***Evelyn:*** *Jose, I am back. I have brought you a delicious gift.*

Evelyn looks, seeing JOSE TRIVOLI on his feet, back turned. The old man belches quietly, as his head clocks backwards to face Evelyn. The blanket hangs from his mouth, his eyes white and soulless. He twitches, growling lowly. Evelyn screams in horror, dropping the paper plate.

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**Scene #23**

**FOREST - CHURCH**

Austin sits inside the main hall, eyes shut, head directed up at the ceiling. The silence is suddenly broken by the office door swinging open. Austin’s eyes shoot open, as he sees Ed rushing after a quick-moving William.

***Ed:*** *I didn’t want to make you worry or anything! I just expected them to be back by now!*

***Austin:*** *Wha-- what’s happening? What happened?*

***William:*** *I’m going out. They SHOULD be back by now.*

***Austin:*** *Who? Where’s he going?*

***Ed:*** *Yes, well, just-- be careful out there! Uh-- take Austin with you, don’t go alone! That’d be stupid, William!*

William swipes up a bolt-action rifle from near the front door. He points over at Austin.

***William:*** *You. With me. We’re going to the warehouse.*

***Austin:*** *Uh-- yeah, fine, I guess.*

Austin stands up, walking towards the door, grabbing another gun, before following William out.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #24**

**FOREST - WOODS - AFTERNOON**

LLOYD WALLER walks through the woods alongside BRENDEN TREVORS, while ALDUS PAXTON is walking ahead of them, leading the way. The three of them are headed towards the warehouse that had been marked on Waylon’s map.

***Lloyd: (To Brenden)*** *Are you, uh… sure you’re gonna be okay out here?*

***Brenden:*** *Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fineee. I’m like a pirate now.*

***Lloyd:*** *Man, your positivity never ceases to amaze me… It’s a shame about those recruiters though. I was kind of hoping we’d give it a try…*

***Brenden:*** *Sorry about… William yelling at you like that. You didn’t deserve that.*

***Lloyd:*** *I know he didn’t really mean it… Honestly I’m more worried for him. I mean, he really snapped, and he acted a little out of order, but I know he didn’t mean to… he’s just really stressed, that’s all.*

***Brenden:*** *I can tell… Poor dude’s got a lot of weight on his shoulders. Those girls were good people though… I don’t think they’d give up that easily. Who knows, though.*

***Lloyd:*** *I just… I don’t really know what else we’re doing out here. I don’t think anybody knows. We don’t have… any real purpose other than to survive. And with everyone constantly at odds with each other, it just makes things a whole lot more complicated* ***(He sighs)***. *Do you really think those girls were telling the truth? About having running water and power?*

***Brenden: (He nods slowly)*** *I see no reason for them to lie… And well -- it’s possible. Maybe they got it good at the start, and really were able to set something like that up. What about you?*

***Lloyd:*** *Well, I sure hope so. I was more excited when they said that they had a doctor… I’ve been growing more afraid for Rebecca.*

***Brenden:*** *Hey. She’ll be fine. Really. She’s strong - and she’s lasted this long. Keep your chin up.*

***Lloyd:*** *Yeah. Yeah* ***(He nods)***. *Hey, uh, are we almost there?*

Aldus looks back at him.

***Aldus:*** *We’re about there, I think.*

***Lloyd:*** *I’m really curious as to what this place is actually gonna hold…*

***Aldus:*** *Same here.*

***Brenden:*** *A treasure chest of good. Or, well… Here's hoping.*

***Lloyd:*** *I mean, whatever it is, I just hope it’s worth the trip. Especially if we’re really gonna be staying out on the road like this.*

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**Scene #25**

**FOREST - WAREHOUSE**

**10 Minutes Later**

LLOYD WALLER lays on top of a catwalk, blood coating his face. A horde of zombies snarl and bellow at him from below. Next to Lloyd on the catwalk is a dead zombie that had just been stabbed dead. All around the building, alarms blare.

Lloyd slowly stands up, the catwalk he’s on beginning to creak. Across the building, BRENDEN TREVORS is on another catwalk, while ALDUS PAXTON is stranded below them, standing on a shelving unit to get away from the zombies.

***Lloyd:*** *Shit.*

***Brenden:*** *That went well!*

***Aldus:*** *Yeah. Anyone have a plan?!*

***Lloyd:*** *I don’t think there’s any safe way down from here. We need to shut off the alarms!*

***Brenden:*** *See a circuit breaker anywhere around?*

***Lloyd:*** *I can! I can get to it!*

On Lloyd’s side of the building, he sees a circuit breaker along the catwalk. Lloyd grabs onto the railings, slowly beginning to walk across as the metal beneath him starts to creak.

***Lloyd:*** *If we can get the alarms off, it’ll at least prevent any more from being drawn over here!*

***Aldus:*** *Be careful! That catwalk’s gonna break any minute!*

***Lloyd: (Quietly)*** *Yeah. Yeah. I know.*

***Brenden:*** *You got this, no sweat!*

When Lloyd takes another step, he hears a loud creak, which makes him dash across the rest of the catwalk over to the circuit breaker, the catwalk not breaking. But when Lloyd flips the breaker, nothing happens.

***Lloyd:*** *Just… give me a sec… this thing seems busted! Stupid thing, come on.*

***Brenden: (To Aldus)*** *Do we… uh… go closer?!*

***Aldus:*** *I think he’s saying it broke! I can’t hear him over the damn alarm.*

A zombie barges out of a nearby storage room on the second floor. It starts to stumble down Lloyd’s catwalk, forcing Lloyd to turn away from the breaker and focus on it. Aldus unslings his rifle, aiming it up, steadying his rifle to get a good shot. The zombie grapples onto Lloyd, as he struggles to hold it off. Aldus takes a deep breath, scoping in on the zombie’s head. He fires, blowing open its head. Blood splatters onto Lloyd’s face, as he lets the corpse drop. He immediately turns back to the breaker.

***Lloyd:*** *Come on. Stupid thing.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #26**

**FOREST - WOODS - AFTERNOON**

GENNA BROHEM shuffles past some bushes atop a small hill. She looks down the hill, and through the foliage, is able to make out a warehouse and a small gravel road.

***Genna:*** *You see that?*

She turns to MACKENZIE BROHEM.

***Mackenzie:*** *Looks pretty run down… You think anyone’s been through?*

***Genna:*** *I don’t know… I don’t see anything else around, maybe not.*

As Genna takes a step forward, a gunshot suddenly rings out from inside the building ahead. Mackenzie physically jumps in fright.

***Genna:*** *Somebody’s there -- somebody’s in trouble. It could be those folks from the church - it’s close by.*

***Mackenzie:*** *Genna- we’re not armed enough to handle this. What if it’s bandits or- or--*

***Genna:*** *We can just take a look inside, there’s got to be windows to the place. We’ll get out if it seems dangerous, okay? Come on.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #27**

**FOREST - WAREHOUSE**

LLOYD WALLER backs away from the circuit breaker in frustration. The alarms still blared, and nothing seemed to work.

Another few zombies begin to approach Lloyd, walking up the catwalk.

***Lloyd:*** *It won’t shut off!*

***Aldus:*** *Shit!*

Lloyd is forced to back up down the catwalk as several zombies come walking towards him in a line. BRENDEN TREVORS also is approached by a zombie, but he manages to shove it over the railing to the ground below. Lloyd, however, is backed up further and further until he gets to the same unstable, creaky part he was on before. This time, the catwalk caves in. Lloyd falls onto his stomach, grabbing onto what remains of the catwalk, keeping himself from falling into the pit of zombies below. He yells out, clinging on for dear life. In front of him, one of the zombies that had been chasing him is quickly approaching. He either needs to let go, or get eaten.

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**Scene #28**

**KANSAS HIGHWAY - AFTERNOON**

An hour or so after leaving the amusement park, SHAUN FISHER, ROBERT NICHOLAS and KURT KLEIN find themselves walking along a large, empty highway.

***Shaun:*** *You know… I really can’t thank you enough for deciding to help us with this. It’s going to be such a relief to get the bus back.*

***Kurt:*** *Of course, of course. Like I said - we’re all friends here. It’s the least I could do, really.*

***Shaun:*** *So… what even was the deal… with that awful little man that said all those nasty things about you?*

***Kurt:*** *Oh… him. We found that little dude… and one of his friends - in a mental asylum, you see. And… you know how people go crazy, locked up in there for so long.*

***Robert:*** *Keep the talking to a minimum, keep your tones quiet.*

***Shaun: (Quietly)*** *Oh, oh. Robert’s something of an expert. He knows what he’s doing out here.*

***Kurt:*** *Robert doesn’t get to decide how loud I talk.*

***Robert:*** *This is the equivalent of no man’s land, Kirk.*

Kurt frowns angrily, stepping forward with a clenched fist, preparing to slug Robert in the jaw -- but he stops himself.

***Kurt:*** *That’s Kurt. And this isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve killed… well over a thousand of these fucks. You really shouldn’t be so concerned. I insist.*

***Robert:*** *I’ll keep that in mind, Burt.*

***Shaun:*** *Hey now, Robert… we should be kind to this fella… He’s been good to us. And… he’s even out here helping us right now. Really, it’s-- it’s amazing. Thank you.*

***Kurt:*** *Really - it’s no big deal. And hey… Shaun.*

***Shaun:*** *Yes?*

***Kurt:*** *Let’s say… you did join up with my group. We could help you accomplish that journey of yours, y’know.*

***Shaun:*** *You know it’s really flattering that you’re willing to help us even more, but really, you don’t need to. Our group is fine on it’s own, but again, thank you for everything.*

***Kurt: (He bites his lip in annoyance)*** *Of course, of course… my offer will stand no matter what, though. It’s open for you any time.*

Shaun looks ahead, seeing his group’s bus -- and the zombies surrounding it - a total of twelve.

***Shaun:*** *The, uh… the bus. We’re here. Oh jeez. Oh, oh boy.*

***Robert:*** *Alright, Shaun, I want you to keep a distance, you’re not really… what’s the word… suited for this.*

***Shaun:*** *Right, right.*

Kurt steps forward, purposely bumping into Robert hard, causing him to nearly fall over. Without even using a weapon, Kurt punches the first zombie back, knocking it backwards into a couple others. As the zombies fall to the ground, Kurt walks up to each one, slamming his axe into each of their faces, before he moves onto the next group of zombies, taking the heads off of all five of them with his axe.

Not wanting to be shown up, Robert runs at one of the remaining zombies, intending to tackle it down -- but he misses badly, tackling its legs instead of its torso, causing the zombie to fall on top of him. Kurt looks towards Robert with disdain, and sighs, before walking over, kicking the zombie off him and stomping its head in.

***Robert:*** *AH, HE GOT THE JUMP ON ME!*

***Shaun:*** *Oh wow, oh wow, that was intense.* ***(To Kurt)*** *You-- That was amazing. And -- and we have our bus back! It really looks like we can be on our way for good now. Thank you so much.*

Shaun eagerly walks towards the bus, while Robert grunts, getting back to his feet, glaring at Kurt. He then kneels down to the zombie that had just been killed, and pulls out a pair of pliers, pulling out a bloody, rotten tooth.

***Kurt:*** *That was a morning workout at best. I’ve killed more while drunk and half asleep. But first… Shaun.*

Kurt’s tone grows serious, as he stops Shaun, looking him dead in the eye.

***Kurt:*** *This is the last time I’m gonna really ask you this, but… are you one hundred percent sure you won’t join us?*

***Shaun: (He wheezes)*** *You just don’t quit, do you? I admire your determination. Really. I respect it. You’ve helped us so much… and you have my gratitude. All of our gratitude. But I’m sorry, we really have to be on our way on our own…*

***Kurt:*** *Right, right…*

Without hesitation, Kurt rips the pistol out of his holster, shooting Robert point blank in the head. The man falls backwards, his corpse slumping over.

***Shaun:*** *WH-- ROBERT! WHY-- WHY DID YOU--*

***Kurt:*** *You just couldn’t make this fucking easy for me, could you…*

Shaun looks down at Robert, his mouth agape. He starts to sweat, as he backs away from Kurt, fear in his eyes.

***Shaun:*** *Wh-- Please-- I… What are you talking about?*

***Kurt:*** *You just couldn’t… say yes, and join up with us. We’d have shared our supplies with you, and everything.*

Kurt holsters his gun again, approaching Shaun.

***Shaun:*** *That… that man was right about you! You’re… you’re unstable! KEEP AWAY FROM ME… PLEASE! I HAVE A FAMILY!*

***Kurt:*** *Unstable… unstable. No… I’m just fed up. Fed up with good-for-nothing fucks like you and the little man.*

Shaun is backed up against the side of his bus, petrified, shaking. Tears fill his eyes.

***Shaun:*** *Ple-- please. Please… I have a family… I have a family… They need me.*

***Kurt:*** *Your family is dead. They probably got ripped to pieces and feasted on by your neighbour. You’ll be meeting them soon enough, though. Your journey is over.*

Kurt suddenly grabs Shaun’s neck with both hands, lifting him in the air, as he stares at him. Shaun screams out, kicking his legs around, until Kurt unceremoniously and brutally snaps Shaun’s neck with enough force to make his spine bone pierce through his skin. Shaun’s body goes limp, as Kurt drops him to the ground. Without a care in the world, Kurt steps over Shaun’s corpse, stepping inside the bus. He finds the key still in the ignition, and starts it up. He reverses over Shaun’s corpse, before putting it in drive and speeding off down the road.

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**Scene #29**

**AMUSEMENT PARK - AFTERNOON**

EDWARD REMAR stands still, looking up at a large, hanging sign reading: UNDER CONSTRUCTION: AQUAPARK.

The area he’s in is still mostly under construction, with heavy machinery and half-built structures all around. In the center of it all is a large dolphin statue being held up in the air by a small crane.

ELLIOTT ROWE turns a corner, seeing Edward. He immediately approaches.

***Elliott:*** *There you are. Edward-- you haven’t run into Molly yet, have you?*

***Edward:*** *No. I haven’t. In fact, I’m incredibly thankful that I haven’t, she’s insufferable.*

***Elliott:*** *Good - good. She’s looking for you - I don’t know what for, but she seemed angry. I followed her for a bit, but lost her-- so I went looking for you. Thank God I found you before she did.*

***Edward:*** *Looking for me?* ***(He sighs)*** *Such a pest. Well, I don’t care what she wants… I won’t be helping her.*

***Molly:*** *Yoo-hooooooooooo!*

Edward and Elliott turn their heads in sync, looking over at MOLLY MASSEY, who’s approaching them, twirling her revolver as usual.

***Elliott:*** *Uh-oh--*

***Molly:*** *I’ve been lookin’ all over for you, little rat.*

***Edward:*** *And why might that be?*

***Molly:*** *Oh* ***(She scoffs)''***. Wait until you hear this, Elliott. Freakshow here is a SNAKE! A DAMNED FILTHY TRAITOR!
***Elliott:*** *What are you talking about?*

***Molly:*** *Oh yeah, we heard you badmouthing Kurt to those new people.* ***(To Elliott)*** *Honey, why don’t you run along now? Mother Molly can handle things from here. Listen, Edward. You stupid little fucking rat. I’m here because Kurt asked me to be here. I’m here to punish you for doing what you did.*

***Elliott:*** *Huh? Wh--*

***Edward:*** *So what, are you planning to kill me?*

***Molly:*** *Oh, I would if I could… but Kurt just told me to break your legs. Then again… he didn't rule out shooting your kneecaps. It’s kinda the same thing… you get me?*

Molly looks at Elliott, seeing him still standing in place, having not moved an inch.

***Molly:*** *ELLIOTT… I THOUGHT… I TOLD YOU… TO GO.*

***Elliott:*** *Molly - this is extreme - you can’t be serious about this--*

***Molly:*** *How can you say that? Edward is an outsider-- he has been NOTHIN’ but trouble since he got here.* ***(She holsters her revolver)*** *I’m simply gonna teach him a lesson.*

Molly walks around the construction area, picking up a shovel leaning against a wheelbarrow full of gravel.

***Molly:*** *I think this will do nicely. You’re not gonna need that cane when I’m done with you. You’re gonna need a wheelchair you little RAT!*

She charges at him, but Edward moves out of the way, dropping his cane in the process. Elliott jumps aside, watching the madness. As Molly swings the shovel at Edward, he ducks, and grabs a piece of wood on the ground, swinging it into Molly’s ankle. She yells out in pain, raising the shovel above Edward and slamming it down onto his bad leg. Edward shouts in pain, causing him to fall over. He crawls back in a hurry. Elliott jogs in front of Molly as she’s recovering.

***Elliott:*** *Molly, enough of this - please.*

***Molly:*** *GET OUTTA THE WAY!*

She shoves Elliott to the ground. Edward uses the distraction to crawl back behind some debris. Molly comes charging at it.

***Molly:*** *I’m going to FUCKING KILL YOU!*

But as Molly turns the corner, Edward jumps out, grabbing his hair and slamming her head against a pile of metal tubes, creating a small gash on the side of her head. Molly grits her teeth, grappling onto Edward.

***Molly:*** *You think this is a fight you can win? It’s not--*

Molly grabs his throat, but Edward lunges forward, biting into her hand. She screams out, throwing Edward off of her, crawling backwards towards her shovel.

***Molly:*** *I ain’t gonna lose to the likes of you. HELP ME HERE, ELLIOTT, GODDAMMIT!*

***Edward:*** *DON’T! Remember, remember our pact, Elliott!*

***Molly:*** *Don’t yew listen to this filthy traitor, boy. Help me hold him down! We’ve gotta bring him back to Kurt!*

***Elliott:*** *I--*

***Molly:*** *The motherfucker BIT me!*

Molly finally grabs her shovel, and runs at Edward again, kicking him in the ribs. Edward grunts, as he tries to knock her down with kicks to the leg, but it doesn’t do anything.

***Molly:*** *FUCK!*

She stomps on his arm, causing great pain to Edward. However, he is finally able to trip Molly up, making her fall over, dropping the shovel. Edward quickly takes the shovel for himself, and swings it towards Molly’s head -- but she catches it. The two of them struggle with the shovel, until Edward smirks, and headbutts her back. Molly stumbles backwards, holding onto her eye.

***Molly:*** *FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!*

Molly’s screams eventually awake two zombies nearby, as they come staggering out of a nearby structure, snarling. Seeing them, Edward swings the shovel full force into Molly’s face, knocking teeth out. Blood spills out of her mouth, as Edward approaches, raising the shovel above her head. But Molly rolls out of the way just as he swings. She manages to trip Edward to the ground, where she starts throwing punches at him. Elliott runs over, grabbing the back of Molly’s jacket to try and stop her.

***Elliott:*** *Please-- just stop fighting!*

***Molly:*** *GET… OFF OF ME!*

Molly turns away from Edward, clawing Elliott in the face with her nails. Elliott winces, backing away. But the distraction is enough for Edward to throw Molly off of him and into one of the zombies. The zombie grabs onto Molly’s hair, pulling her close, trying to bite her.

***Edward:*** *AND THAT’S WHAT YOU GET FOR HAVING A BIRDS NEST ON YOUR HEAD… YOU STUPID BITCH!*

Edward prepares to rush at her, but another zombie grapples onto him. He quickly manages to throw it off him, but during the time wasted, Molly is able to draw her knife, stabbing the zombie attacking her in the head. Meanwhile, two more zombies, one of them being the one Edward threw off himself, start to approach Elliott.

***Elliott:*** *AHH!*

He turns, running towards a nearby small crane. He climbs up the steps, and opens the cab door, hurriedly getting in. He slams the door shut, as the two zombies start to claw at the door.

As Edward is crawling back, he notices the dolphin statue hanging above him.

***Edward:*** *Curses…*

He crawls back, getting back to his feet, where he sees Molly slowly approaching him.

***Molly:*** *You know… You… you tried to kill me. YOU TRIED TO KILL ME… THAT’S GROUNDS FOR ME TO KILL YOU. Kurt will understand, of course he will.*

***Edward:*** *Oh, just SHUT UP!*

***Molly:*** *You did… you’re a little rat. I knew you were all along. I KNEW it.*

Molly begins to draw her revolver, pointing it at Edward. In desperation, Edward looks towards Elliott in the cab of the crane.

***Edward:*** *ELLIOTT! PRESS THE BUTTON!*

***Molly: (She cocks her revolver)*** *Fuck you, freak.*

Without thinking, Elliott looks down at the control panel in front of him, and slams his hand down onto the ‘RELEASE’ button. Within seconds, a loud snap is heard, as the crane’s hook lets go of the statue. It comes crashing down onto Molly, squishing her beneath it. Her blood and guts splatter everywhere.

Edward crawls back, as his eyes light up with joy, in disbelief that it worked. He starts to cackle loudly, smiling at the sight of Molly crushed beneath the statue. Inside the cab, Elliott stares through the glass, horrified by what he’d done.

***Elliott:*** *Oh, my God--*

Edward’s cackling continues, as he’s unable to control himself. All the while Elliott looks at him and everything else, his mouth hanging open in horror.