The Right Thing/Transcript

*“We have to prioritize each other when times are tough, and they are certainly fucking tough right now.”* *—Jon*

**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

**Also Starring**

Dan Aykroyd as ED ANDERSON

Keira Knightley as CLAIRE NOBLE

**Guest Starring**

Colin Ford as BRENDEN TREVORS

Matt Bomer as AIDAN ELDRIDGE

**Co-Starring**

Hannah Gross as ABIGAIL BROOKS

Skylar Gaertner as JESSE GARNETT

Charles Melton as LUKE BUTLER

Eduard Parsehyan as WESLEY RANDOLPH

Marietta Marich as JEANNE RANDOLPH

Mike Seal as SCOTT WILSON

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**Scene #1**

**GARDEN CITY - ROOFTOP - EARLY MORNING**

CLYDE ROLLINS looks through a pair of binoculars, scanning the streets of downtown Garden City. The streets are infested with hundreds of zombies -- with most of them being around one particular office building that Clyde is most focused on, for he had just moments earlier watched as Aidan and his group entered the building, becoming trapped, as zombies surrounded the exits. Clyde lowers his binoculars, getting to his feet. With a determined look, Clyde walks across the roof over to a ladder, and begins climbing down to the alleyway beneath him.

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**Scene #2**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - EARLY MORNING**

It’s early into the morning; the morning after Aidan’s group was kicked out of the motel, and ED ANDERSON is standing in the parking lot reading through a checklist.

***Ed:*** *Okayyyy… It’s looking like we’re all ready to go.*

***Rebecca:*** *Almost.*

REBECCA DAWSON approaches the back of one of the cars, opening up the trunk. She drops a box inside.

***Ed:*** *Oh. What’s that?*

***Rebecca:*** *See for yourself.*

Ed walks over, and opens the box, looking inside - to see nothing.

***Ed:*** *It’s… Hey, Rebecca - there’s nothing in here--*

***Rebecca:*** *Yeah. It’s a box, Ed. We’re going looking* ***for*** *the supplies, remember? We unfortunately don’t have much to bring with us.*

***Ed:*** *Yeah - yeah, that makes sense.*

***Rebecca:*** *Are you sure you’re up for this?*

***Ed:*** *Me? Oh absolutely. Yeah. I mean - yeah* ***(He nods)***.

Rebecca stares at him, not believing a word.

***Ed:*** *Okay, yeah - I might be a little rusty. But I used to go on runs with Angela all the time back at the coffee shop - and I went with the guys to the country club - I’ll be fine. All good.*

***Rebecca:*** *Alright…*

LLOYD WALLER comes walking over to them.

***Lloyd:*** *Hey - am I here on time?*

***Rebecca:*** *Well, the car hasn’t left yet, so yeah.*

***Lloyd:*** *Awesome. I, uh, I hate to say it, but I really wanna get away from the motel for a while, now more than ever.*

***Rebecca:*** *Yeah… me too, kid. Ed, go start the car, we’ll be right behind you.*

***Ed:*** *Sure thing.*

As Ed goes to do that, WILLIAM REYNES strolls up to Rebecca and Lloyd from behind.

***William:*** *Your run. I’m coming with.*

Rebecca turns around, startled.

***Rebecca:*** *Holy shit. Wait - what?*

***William:*** *I’m coming with. I’m not letting you guys go unattended after what happened at the cereal factory.*

***Rebecca:*** *What about the motel?*

***William:*** *Jon’s in charge while I’m gone. Nobody better to leave in command.*

***Lloyd:*** *Rad. Uh - morning, William.* ***(To Rebecca)*** *I mean, I’m cool. With this. You know - William coming. Jon’s cool, he can do stuff…*

***Rebecca:*** *Yeah… yeah. Okay.*

Ed sticks his head out of the car window.

***Ed:*** *Well, uh… I’m all ready to go. You know, whenever you guys are.*

Lloyd goes to get into the car.

***Rebecca:*** *William. What* ***is*** *this? What are you doing?*

***William:*** *Making sure nothing can go wrong ever again.*

William walks past her, climbing into the car. Rebecca lets out a sigh, shutting her eyes for a moment, before following along and getting into the vehicle.

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**Scene #3**

**MOTEL - BALCONY - MORNING**

JON MATTHEWS walks up the steps of the balcony, two hatchets in his hands. He walks along the second floor balcony, approaching AUSTIN KINGSTON, who’s leaning against the railing.

***Jon:*** *Austin.*

***Austin:*** *Hey. Need something from me?*

***Jon:*** *Yes I do.* ***(He offers him a hatchet)*** *Walk and talk, friend. You’re in luck today, because you get to help me strike mother nature down by splitting logs. We’re gonna cut a few trees down.*

Austin takes the hatchet, before starting to follow Jon down into the parking lot.

***Austin:*** *Cutting the trees for what? Defenses?*

***Jon:*** *That’s right. You see, with most of the capable gentlemen around here lying in their beds injured, it is up to us to save the day. See, I told the boss man I’d get on that, which reminds me, he’s gone for the day, making me the temporary boss man.*

***Austin:*** *Gone? We’ve got how many injured here - and he’s just going off for the day? Where?*

***Jon:*** *He’s joining Rebecca and her crew on their supply run. Listen, you saw what happened last night, the guy will have shit of his own to deal with following that whole ordeal. You and I are perfectly capable of keeping this place held down.*

***Austin:*** *Yeah-- yeah, you’re right. I just-- I don’t know - I know William is trying to keep us all alive, but sending those people away yesterday -- it was the smart decision, sure, it just doesn’t sit right with me.*

***Jon:*** *I don’t think he had much of a choice. It’s more important that he makes smart decisions instead of morally good ones. That’s what’s keeping us alive. An unfortunate situation, no doubt, but we just cannot afford to stick our necks out for everyone. We have to prioritize each other when times are tough, and they are certainly fucking tough right now.*

***Austin:*** *I know - I know. I just wish the circumstances were different - so that we could have let them in.*

As the two men walk through the parking lot, KATE BLOODSTONE is seen exiting her room. She looks over at them, slowly approaching. Jon stops, looking at her.

***Kate:*** *Where’s William?*

***Jon:*** *Out.*

***Kate:*** *Out?*

***Jon:*** *He’s out on a run. I’m in charge until he gets back.*

***Kate: (She nods)*** *Right. Thanks.*

***Jon:*** *Say… It’s awfully quiet around here today, what’s everyone doing? We could always use some extra help, right, Austin?*

***Austin:*** *Yeah - yeah, we could. Haven’t seen many people out today.*

***Kate:*** *Aldus is hunting, because we need food. Rebecca, Ed, Lloyd and now William - are out on a supply run. Of course it’s quiet. You know, you should speak to Claire.*

***Jon:*** *I’ve got nothin’ to say to Claire. But I do have some trees to chop.*

Kate goes to speak again, but Jon shakes his head, speaking first.

***Jon:*** *Don’t. Just don’t. You said enough last night. If you recall, Claire tackled me, she just bit off more than she could chew.*

Jon turns, walking away. Austin stands there for a moment, frowning, looking at Kate.

***Austin:*** *I-- uh, I’m sorry. I wanted to let those people in yesterday - but with the way our group stands -- we can’t. If things were different - I’d be on your side, everyone would. I’m sorry.*

He turns to follow Jon.

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**Scene #4**

**MOTEL - SPARE ROOM**

Inside of one of the motel rooms, CLAIRE NOBLE, RANDALL FORSTER, MARCUS DOWNES and DEAN HOWARDS are sitting around, discussing the events that happened earlier. Claire has a bandage around her head, while Marcus is still lying on a bed in some pain, but finally awake. Randall meanwhile is lying back in a chair, pale and weak.

***Claire:*** *I’m beginning to wonder if I should go after him. He’s been gone all night.*

***Marcus:*** *He was tracking them… Maybe he still is… I don’t know. But… don’t rush out yet. Believe in him. I know we can still make this right. We can save those people, bring them back.*

***Randall:*** *Doesn’t sound like William will be happy about that… not unless we magically bring back a boatload of supplies.*

***Dean:*** *--I want to help people, I do. But William isn’t wrong, not entirely. We couldn’t have helped all of them. We barely have anything to sustain--us, and if we had to take them in, we might as well have nothing. If we wanna help them, we can’t just go out and run to track them down. Can’t be now, anyway. We’d have to have supplies, and a lot of it. It’s just not possible.*

***Randall:*** *Of course not, man… I get why he did what he did… but… if they had a kid with ‘em, I just…*

***Dean:*** *I know. I’d rather we at least took the kid, and gave them shelter for a while. God, what a mess.*

***Marcus:*** *Those people could’ve gone straight into the city, where it’s most dangerous, and if that’s the case - they won’t last a day.*

***Claire:*** *We’ll know for sure when Clyde gets back.*

The door to the room opens, as KATE BLOODSTONE steps in, closing it behind her.

***Kate:*** *William’s not here right now.*

***Claire:*** *What? Where is he?*

***Kate:*** *He joined Rebecca and the others on their supply run. Jon’s been left in charge. I was hoping to speak with him* ***(She sighs)***.

***Dean:*** *No. Just give him space. He doesn’t wanna talk… Doesn’t seem like it.*

***Marcus:*** *He’s the leader, Dean. We should be allowed to speak to him. He can’t just shut down like this, not after what happened.*

***Dean:*** *You can, but I just don’t trust it. He was waving a gun around at us last night. It’s not exactly talkative behaviour.*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah… It’s clear he’s not in a good place right now… I mean, he pointed a gun in both of your faces* ***(He looks at Dean and Kate)***. *That’s not okay. I get we don’t have the supplies right now, but turning those people away - I can’t live with that - not when we were all just talking about Albert. We’re still all starving to death all the same either way…*

***Randall:*** *Fuck, man… all this talk hurts my head.*

***Kate:*** *Those people would’ve been willing to earn their keep. One of them was a nurse, others were able-bodied and willing to scavenge…*

***Dean:*** *If you WANTED to go out and track those people, I suppose we could maybe… I guess house a few of them. The kid, the nurse, the scavenger. Then, when we got enough supplies, we could take the rest of them. The nurse would help Marcus and Randall. They’re pretty banged up. The kid, well, I don’t want the kid to die out there. Scavenger can gather our supplies. It’d work, I think.*

***Claire:*** *They won’t just… let us split them up. But you’re right, we should help them. When Clyde gets back, he should be able to tell us where they are, assuming they found a place to shack up, and surely they did - they wouldn’t last any longer on the road.*

***Randall:*** *Guys… What are you suggesting?*

***Dean:*** *I don’t know. Just relax for now, man.*

***Kate:*** *We need to help those people. If we go after them - we can bring back supplies as well, vouch for them to earn their keep, but I’ll be damned if I just sit here and let them die out there. I don’t care if it’s not our responsibility, or our problem, it’s the right thing to do, it’s what Albert would have done. I understand it’s not the smartest thing to do, but we* ***can*** *make it work. We’ll wait for Clyde… and figure it out from there.*

***Claire:*** *Yeah* ***(She nods)***.

***Dean:*** *I agree with you, Kate, but William isn’t gonna just take our vouches for an answer. He’ll shoot them all dead if they’re back here… I’m sorry, I don’t wanna stress you guys out. I wanna help them, you guys wanna help them… But if they do come back here, it won’t be only them that William shoots. He was pretty adamant about giving us equal treatment if we tried anything.*

***Marcus:*** *If we manage to come back with a lot of supplies alongside those people, and William tries to kill them out of spite, then… we’ll at least have the numbers advantage to restrain him from doing so. And if he tries to kill us too? As insane as that sounds - we won’t just let him do that. We’ll stop him. I wasn’t there last night, but I won’t let him point a gun at you guys again, even if that means he’ll shoot me to get to you.*

***Randall:*** *Surely it won’t come to that though, right? I mean William isn’t that much of a lost cause… he’s just…*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah. It won’t come to that. We’ll work this out. All of us. Together.*

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**Scene #5**

**VILLAGE STREETS - LATE MORNING**

ED ANDERSON steps out of the car first, looking around warily.

***Ed:*** *Damn. It’s so peaceful. I don’t even see any zombies.*

***Rebecca: (She steps out)*** *Oh, they’ll be lurking somewhere. Keep an eye out… especially when you’re inside.*

LLOYD WALLER and WILLIAM REYNES step out of the car.

***Lloyd:*** *So, uh… what made you pick this place?*

***Ed:*** *It’s quiet… barely noticeable on the map, and didn’t seem like it had much of a population. And judging by our surroundings, I might’ve been right.*

***William:*** *Desolate, by the looks of it. Do you reckon we’ll find much here?*

***Ed:*** *I can’t be sure, but now that we are here, we can find out. I’m seeing a hardware store, a gun store, a pharmacy - surely there’ll be something.*

***Lloyd:*** *There’s a supermarket over there too* ***(He points at it)***.

***William:*** *I’ll take the gun store, have a look around. Lloyd, Ed, you guys check the supermarket. Rebecca, you’ll be with me. If you guys need anything, you come ASAP.*

***Lloyd:*** *Got it.*

Ed reaches into the car, retrieving a pistol with just one bullet. He holsters it.

***Ed:*** *For emergencies. Maybe you guys will get lucky and find some more ammo. Alrighty then, Lloyd, it’s you and me.*

***Lloyd:*** *Awesome.*

Lloyd turns, following Ed as he walks towards the supermarket just down the road.

***Rebecca: (To William)*** *We should get started. Quite a lot of stores to get through.*

He nods slowly, beginning to step off towards the gun store.

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**Scene #6**

**VILLAGE - GUN STORE**

REBECCA DAWSON gently pushes open the front door to the gun store, which has been left open. Inside, it’s nearly pitch black because of the boarded up windows.

***Rebecca:*** *Windows are boarded. Give me some light.*

WILLIAM REYNES reaches into a bag, drawing a flashlight. He clicks it on, shining it around, illuminating several dead zombie corpses on the floor.

***Rebecca:*** *Shit. Looks like this place was already looted. We’ll have to scavenge for scraps.*

***William:*** *Doesn’t surprise me the place was already picked apart… but I was hoping for some good luck for a change. We could do with some.*

***Rebecca:*** *Sure could.*

The two walk deeper into the store, shining the light onto the barren shelves and display racks.

***Rebecca:*** *Guns were never really my thing… I don’t know what I’m looking for… I mean… there aren’t even any guns left.*

***William:*** *This place looks empty to me. This is a waste.*

***Rebecca:*** *William. You storm off last night without saying a word to anyone. And then this morning you decide you’re coming out on our run with us at the last minute. What’s going on with you?*

William takes a long, deep breath, shining the light around some more.

***William:*** *You should stop while you’re ahead. I’m not in the mood to talk about last night. What happened was going to happen anyway. They got in my way. Do you plan on doing that too?*

***Rebecca:*** *You can’t be serious… to shut me out like this as if I’m against you? You’re the one in charge, you can’t just ignore the tension back at the motel. People are conflicted. I don’t think what you did was wrong, I just think you could’ve handled it better… I mean… pointing a gun at Kate and Dean? What was that about?*

***William:*** *That was on them. Not me. I don’t tolerate that level of disrespect. I give an order - I expect for it to be followed. You’re all saying I’m the leader - yet all I’ve heard since then is people second guessing my decisions. And I’ve had enough of it. Conversation over.*

***Rebecca:*** *No, it’s not over. The fuck are you being such a hardass for all of a sudden? And towards me? I’m trying to talk to you about a major fucking problem that needs addressing whether you like it or not. You can’t just shut yourself off from everyone like this.*

***William:*** *I can. And I’m going to. If people aren’t going to listen to me - then it has to be this way. They’ll be made to listen. And you can thank everyone back at the motel for that. I thought you’d have more common sense than to go against me too.*

William walks past her to check the back room. Rebecca watches him go, gritting her teeth, before she steps back out of the store onto the street, where she notices a zombie approaching her. She effortlessly whacks it down with her nunchucks, before stomping on its head, crushing it.

***Rebecca:*** *I didn’t go against you, idiot.*

She sighs, turning to go check the building next door.

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**Scene #7**

**VILLAGE - SUPERMARKET**

Inside the supermarket, LLOYD WALLER is pushing a shopping cart down one of the aisles, ED ANDERSON walking along just in front of him.

***Ed:*** *Let’s see… what we’ve got so far… Some canned food… some pasta… We aren’t doing too bad all things considered.*

***Lloyd:*** *Yeah - place wasn’t a bad call at all. And it’s so-- quiet here. I mean… all the zombies I do see… are already dead.*

Lloyd looks towards a corpse lying in the aisle.

***Lloyd:*** *Like you said, the population here was next to nothing, so people who came through and looted this place before us probably dealt with most of them.*

***Ed:*** *I see this as an absolute win. I mean, really - you should try looting a store with Layton, it’s not a good time at all.*

***Lloyd:*** *Oh yeah? How so?*

***Ed:*** *Back when I was still at the coffee shop with Angela and the others, I took Layton on a supply run a few days after meeting him. During his first encounter with a zombie, they swiped his glasses off of his face and they slid underneath a shelf… He spent the remainder of the run trying to get them out. Seriously, he didn’t do anything else. Not one thing. Still, as bad as I make it sound, he’s a good friend.*

***Lloyd:*** *Well, you two have known each other a while, it’s natural you’ve come to view him as a comrade. I think the same can be said for all of us back at the motel, right? Well… Right now… things are a little… off.*

***Ed:*** *I believe in our people, Lloyd. Don’t you? I think everyone will work through it and realize it’s not worth going to war over… I don’t mean that in a bad way, these are people’s lives we’re talking about after all, but as much as I wanted to save them… we just don’t have the resources to cater to them. Still, regardless of that, I’d still have taken them in… but I’m an idiot like this, and I don’t have to make the tough calls that William does… So I’ll just put my trust in him and leave it at that.*

***Lloyd:*** *Yeah - I can respect that. I, uh… I haven’t really spoken with him since. I tried to go over… for some stupid reason… Tried to throw my hat into the ring and convince him that we should take them but… it was stupid of me to get involved, I’m just a kid, after all. That’s what I felt at least, seeing William gaze down at me like that, barely paying me any notice, because I was just another person standing in his way.*

***Ed:*** *Hey, don’t say that. Being a kid is good - it’s fun - I have great memories of my childhood -- well… I suppose your childhood has been a little different.*

***Lloyd:*** *I think about a lot of the things I’ll never get to experience but… at the same time… I’m grateful to have all of you guys at the motel… That’s why I don’t want to see it fall apart the way that it is right now.*

***Ed:*** *I’m right there with you, kid. That doesn’t bother you, does it?*

***Lloyd:*** *Huh?*

***Ed:*** *You know, when people call you ‘kid’... I’m sorry if it does, I can just stick to Lloyd if you’d like.*

***Lloyd:*** *It’s alright… doesn’t bother me. The people who do call me that, they don’t mean it in a condescending way.*

As they walk into another aisle, Ed sees something on the shelf that lights up his eyes.

***Ed:*** *Oooh! Look at this! An entire box of canned food here… This stuff wasn’t even on the shelves yet… who the hell missed out on picking this up? Wow, Lloyd - we really hit the jackpot here…*

Ed lifts up the box, turning around to the cart -- when he stops in his tracks. A towering figure stands behind Lloyd, holding a knife to his neck. Two others stand behind the man. Ed drops the box in shock, cans dropping and clanking off the floor. He fumbles to try and get his pistol out, but he’s too slow.

***Scott:*** *Nighty night, tubby.*

A fist connects with Ed’s head.

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**Scene #8**

**FOREST - WOODS - MORNING**

JON MATTHEWS hacks at a tree with his hatchet, as sweat dribbles down his face. He takes a step back, catching his breath.

***Jon:*** *How you holding up over there?*

AUSTIN KINGSTON pauses, glancing over at Jon. He’s exhausted.

***Austin:*** *I’m fine. How about yourself?*

***Jon:*** *All good. I’ve got big plans, my friend. I’m thinkin’ we make a layer of wooden spikes surrounding the motel… something real cool like that. I wanted to do cool shit back at the school too, but we both know how that turned out.*

***Austin:*** *Know all too well. A layer of spikes around here will be good - it’ll take some time though. Didn’t think we’d be staying here permanently either - but it works.* ***(He swings at the tree)*** *This shit is tiring.*

***Jon:*** *To tell you the truth, I don’t want to stay at this motel for long, but it’s still important we make sure it’s well defended, especially considering our situation right now. Too bad no other sorry fucks are wanting to help us out… I don’t know where the hell Clyde is.*

***Austin:*** *You don’t think Clyde went after those people, right? Especially by himself - it’s suicide. But with how he was acting yesterday-- I think he might’ve.*

***Jon:*** *I mean seriously… What do Layton and Alex bring to the table? What does Dean bring to the table? People need to start stepping up around here if you ask me, Austin. And if Clyde did go off on some suicide mission, then that’s stupid as fuck. I hope Kate isn’t planning anything, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion she might be. I won’t stop them with force… but as sad as it is to say… I won’t help them if they get into trouble either. Here’s hoping they can just sit tight until William gets back.*

***Austin:*** *These people - they’ve been here since the beginning. I agree - people should start stepping up and helping, but even if they don’t, it’s not like I’d kick them out. As for Kate-- whatever she may be thinking of doing - it’s probably stupid. I get it, she’s upset-- I feel sorry for her. But she needs to be thinking about our survival and not giving us more mouths to feed when we can’t afford it.*

***Jon:*** *That’s right. And no, I’d never turn my back on our own, not unless they turn their back on me first, and right now, that would be by defying William’s direct orders. If they want to go against it, so be it, but I will not. He left me in charge of the motel but to be honest with you, I’m not really feeling like it, I think I’ll just wait for him to come on back and work on defenses in the meantime. If Kate and the others want to be stupid, then so be it, they can be fucking stupid, though I’d rather they weren’t. If we take those people in, we risk everything we have coming crashing down, and nobody wants that, do they?*

***Austin:*** *Yeah -- yeah, nobody wants that. I hope Kate doesn’t do anything dumb.*

Austin swings into his tree a final time, before it comes crashing to the ground.

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**Scene #9**

**MOTEL - SPARE ROOM**

CLYDE ROLLINS is back at the motel, and he immediately goes to one of the motel rooms with KATE BLOODSTONE, MARCUS DOWNES, DEAN HOWARDS, CLAIRE NOBLE and RANDALL FORSTER.

***Clyde:*** *An office block in the city. That’s where those people are. The dead know they are in there and have surrounded the building, they are trapped.*

***Claire:*** *I was so worried about you. You were gone all night.*

***Clyde:*** *It took them a little while to settle somewhere… There were multiple occasions where I considered approaching them, but I wanted to wait for your input. The city is dangerous but it’s also got a lot of untouched stores that I’m sure are filled with supplies - though don’t take that as gospel - it is just a hunch.*

***Kate:*** *We have to help them.*

***Clyde:*** *I… agree. It won’t be easy, but it’s what we have to do. The problem is… what about William and Jon?*

***Marcus:*** *We already spoke about that. And in the event of it becoming a problem--*

***Randall:*** *Which it will.*

***Marcus:*** *Which it probably will… We’ll hope that we’ve found enough supplies in the city to appease them.*

***Dean:*** *Do you think it’ll ever be enough for him? I like him, but he seemed pretty dead-set. Even if we had enough, I don’t think he’d still let them in.*

***Marcus:*** *Then we overrule him. It’s that simple - we put it to a vote. We see how many people are willing to try and make it work. Look, we’re low on supplies, but we’re not dead yet. William is out on a run right now, and if we are successful in the city, things could be looking good for us.*

***Dean:*** *…Yeah, yeah it could be good. I guess it’s better we try something than nothing at all. What’s good just sitting here waiting to die, same with that other group.*

***Clyde:*** *I myself have my own worries about this plan of ours. As wonderful as it is for us to swoop in and save the day like true heroes… I do fear that we may lose one of our own. The city is no laughing matter.*

***Kate:*** *We have to try… We have to. And Dean’s right. Trying something is better than just sitting here and letting them die. So… Who’s all actually willing to head into the city?*

***Clyde:*** *I am. I mean, I’ll be needed either way* ***(He chuckles nervously)***. *But I want to.*

Dean silently raises a hand.

***Claire:*** *I’m going too.*

***Clyde:*** *But Claire… your head…*

***Claire:*** *I’m fine. Trust me here, Clyde. We’re doing this together.*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah. I’m with you guys.*

***Kate:*** *Marcus… you’re in no shape.*

***Marcus:*** *I’ve had some time to heal. I’m awake again… and you’re crazy if you think I’ll let you go in there without me.*

***Dean:*** *He’ll make his own decisions. I’m-- kind of uncomfortable with you going out there and potentially hurting yourself, however. If you need to stop at any point while we’re out there, we can. Just bunker down for a little bit for you to gather your bearings.*

***Randall:*** *Fuck. We really talking about doing this? William doesn’t seem to be fucking around… But I can’t let you all go in there without me.*

***Kate:*** *Randall… you can’t even stand.*

Randall sighs, remaining on the bed.

***Marcus:*** *You’ve lost too much blood, man - you can’t.*

***Randall:*** *Fuck.*

***Dean:*** *Hey, you can stay. Just make sure everything’s fine down here, man. It’s fine.*

***Randall:*** *Yeah… I just… You guys be careful out there… if you’re really gonna do this. Jon will find out you’re gone quick… I’ll do my best to calm him down, yeah?*

***Marcus:*** *I doubt Jon will go after us… we’ll just have to face both his and William’s wrath when we get back.*

***Dean:*** *We can’t just tell them we’re going out on a-- Nevermind, that’s stupid. The whole lot of us, he wouldn’t let us all go.*

***Clyde:*** *So long as we know there’s enough people still back here at the motel, there’s no problem with us going. There’s enough people staying behind. So…*

Clyde stands up, looking at everyone.

***Clyde:*** *Are we doing this? The sooner, the better - we don’t know how much time these people have left.*

***Kate:*** *We’re doing this. However… If we’re doing this… we leave the guns behind. We’d only have a bullet each anyway, and using guns in the city is suicide. I don’t think it’d be fair to take the guns from the motel with us on this mission… because from William’s perspective, what we’re doing is selfish… I don’t want to disrespect him any further by taking his guns too… Ammo is already limited, and like I said… we won’t need it in the city.*

***Randall: (He nods)*** *That’s fair… but you lot better not get into too much trouble then.*

***Dean:*** *I guess while we’re away, you want us to bring you home a souvenir from the city?*

***Randall:*** *Yeah… bring back six people… that’d make me happy.*

***Dean:*** *You’re too kind.*

***Kate:*** *We will. Alright everyone, go and get ready. We’ll meet by the gates in five.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #10**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - LATE MORNING**

Out in the parking lot, CLAIRE NOBLE is standing near the gate, an empty backpack slung over his shoulder, and a machete in her hand. Soon, CLYDE ROLLINS joins her.

***Clyde:*** *Claire, my sweet.*

***Claire:*** *You all ready to go?*

***Clyde:*** *I… I am… but I’m worried.*

***Claire:*** *Good. Confidence can be dangerous too, you know. We’re in over our heads here.*

***Clyde:*** *No… I’m… worried about you. It’s not too late to back out… if something happened to you…*

***Claire:*** *Clyde… Are you forgetting who taught you how to swing a weapon?*

***Clyde:*** *No - no - of course not, it’s… it’s that nasty head injury.*

***Claire:*** *Seriously… it looks worse than it is. Don’t let a little bit of blood scare you, okay? I’m coming with you guys, and that’s that. Besides, I need to see if your training has paid off.*

Looking worried, Clyde leans over and kisses her on the forehead.

Nearby, KATE BLOODSTONE is waiting by the gate, when BRENDEN TREVORS suddenly comes walking up to her.

***Brenden:*** *I, uh… didn’t feel right about it either, y’know. The whole - thing yesterday.*

***Kate:*** *That’s normal, Brenden. I understand why you didn’t speak up though, you’re new, and I’m sorry you had to see us all like that.*

***Brenden:*** *No, no… I should have something either way, but, uh… to tell you the truth, he scares me. That look in his eyes isn’t really… normal. It wasn’t on you. That’s why I wanna help you guys out. If you’ll have me.*

***Kate:*** *I… I never told you we were doing anything to begin with but, uh… I suppose the car’s out of the bag now. Brenden… I’m not sure if you know what you’re getting yourself into… It’s dangerous.*

***Brenden:*** *I know. I know… but I’ve got to take that risk. Be brave for once in my life. While I still can.*

***Kate: (She frowns)*** *I really appreciate it, but if you’re coming, you’re going to need something better than a knife, it’s not fair to bring you out with us if you only have that. There’s a spare hatchet in the storage room, I can brief you further on the way there.*

Brenden nods quickly, smiling.

***Brenden:*** *Thank you… really.*

Brenden turns to run off to the storage room. As he does, MARCUS DOWNES and DEAN HOWARDS come walking up to the gate.

***Marcus:*** *It’s good to be back on my feet.*

***Kate:*** *Yeah… take it easy there, hotshot.*

***Dean:*** *He’s walking, he can take on the world if he really wants to at this point.*

Clyde and Claire come walking over to join them.

***Clyde:*** *What was that? Is Brenden onto us already?*

***Kate:*** *No, no - he’s, uh, he’s joining us. We’ll depart as soon as he’s back… I sent him off to get a better weapon.*

***Dean:*** *Huh. I just realized, I’ve never talked to him before.*

***Clyde:*** *Well, you’ll have plenty of chances for that during our trip.*

***Dean:*** *Do you think he’s gonna be fine out there with us? I don’t wanna risk something happening or-- I don’t know.*

Dean looks over his shoulder to see Brenden returning, now with a hatchet.

***Dean:*** *Hold that thought for now.*

***Kate:*** *Alright everyone… this is it. We’ve committed to it. If anyone wishes to back out… Now is your chance.*

She looks around at everyone, but nobody moves from their spot.

***Kate:*** *I wish I had something more motivating or inspiring to tell you all… but the truth of the matter is… we’re taking a big risk here, diving deep into a dangerous city because it’s the right thing to do. That’s why we’re doing this, that’s why we’re here, because we wouldn’t be able to live with ourselves otherwise. There are good people out there who need our help right now, just like Brenden did, and if we are to truly honour Albert’s memory and everything he stood for… then we should do our best to save them.*

Kate gives a slow nod, before turning to the gate, pulling it open.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #11**

**VILLAGE - STREETS - LATE MORNING**

When WILLIAM REYNES finally leaves the gun store, he tosses a handful of rusted bullet casings into a trash bin, before he kicks the bin in frustration. REBECCA DAWSON, who’s standing nearby, having just finished checking out the hardware store next door, looks over at him.

***Rebecca:*** *Nothing?*

***William:*** *No. Fuck all. Your side?*

***Rebecca:*** *Nothing. Maybe they had better luck over at the supermarket… I’ll go and see. Check the pharmacy, will you?*

***William:*** *Pharmacy… pharmacy. Yeah… got it. Keep Lloyd safe, will you?*

***Rebecca:*** *Yeah. Of course. The kid’s pretty good at handling himself, you know… but he’ll always have us as his safeguard. Let’s keep it that way, even if we fight, ‘kay?*

***William:*** *That’s the plan… Both of your safety comes first. Even before the group - and whatever arguments arise from it.*

William turns, heading down the street towards the pharmacy. Rebecca watches him go, before beginning to walk towards the supermarket.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #12**

**VILLAGE - SUPERMARKET**

ED ANDERSON looks up at the bandits standing above him, his hands tied together with rope. LLOYD WALLER is sitting nearby in the same position.

***Ed:*** *Hey… hey… listen-- Please, whatever you’re gonna do - just let the kid go--*

SCOTT WILSON kneels down to his level.

***Scott:*** *Tell you what…*

He grabs the back of Ed’s head, making direct eye contact.

***Scott:*** *Let’s have some fun while we’re here. Open your hand.*

***Ed:*** *Wh-what?*

***Scott:*** *Don’t make me ask again.*

***Ed:*** *I-- please-- don’t hurt him.*

***Lloyd:*** *Hey, uh - don’t hurt him either-- You aren’t gonna - do anything, are you? Sir, I assure you - he’s a good man - we’re good people and this is all a misunderstanding, I’m sure of it.*

***Scott:*** *We’ll count to ten. If you can get to ten fingers… without passing out - then we’ll let the kid go, scott free.*

Scott glances back at Lloyd, then at one of the other four bandits.

***Scott:*** *Shut pretty-boy up, would you?*

The bandit punches Lloyd in the back of the head.

***Bandit:*** *Less talkin’, more watching.*

***Ed:*** *Hey - wait -- why? Why are you doing this?*

***Scott:*** *We own this town, lard-lad. No fat fuck gets to walk in here and stick his grimy little fingers into our business.*

Scott reaches into a pocket to take out a pocket-knife. He flips it over, forcing Ed’s hand open, and pressing the blade against the base of his thumb, slowly digging into his skin.

***Ed:*** *No-- please--*

Ed yells out, as it cuts deeper.

***Scott:*** *So there’s no better punishment… than to take those… grimy little fingers of yours.* ***(He grins, laughing)*** *I like hearing pigs squeal, reminds me of home.*

***Lloyd:*** *Hey! Stop! Please! Please! He’s a good guy - he’s harmless - don’t do this!*

***Scott:*** *How many times am I gonna have to ask you to stop fucking talking?*

***Ed:*** *Please… stop… wait… please… I’m so scared. I’m so scared. Just… just… Just please… let the kid go… then you can keep doing this, I don’t mind… I don’t mind… please… please.*

***Scott:*** *I don’t think you get the full picture. It’s not about what you do or don’t mind. You don’t have much of a choice. You’re bound up. And even if you weren’t, oh boy, I don’t think you’d be able to manage much against one of us, let alone all five.*

Scott grinds the knife against Ed’s thumb even more, cutting into flesh, as Ed continues to scream out in pain.

As this is happening, REBECCA DAWSON sneaks through the store, staying low, keeping nunchucks at the ready. She peeks around a corner, seeing Ed, Lloyd, Scott and four other bandits. Lloyd looks away from Ed, cringing at the sight of the torture, and when he does, he spots Rebecca. When Rebecca notices this, she silently gives Lloyd a signal to make a sound so that she can attack.

***Lloyd:*** *HEY!*

Scott stops, standing up and away from Ed, furious.

***Scott:*** *Listen, kid… I’m gonna cut off your whole fuckin’ hand in you open your mouth again.*

***Lloyd:*** *Why… Why are you such a pussy, dude?*

***Scott:*** *What’d you say to me?*

Scott begins to approach him, dropping his knife. Suddenly, Rebecca jumps out, swinging her nunchucks into Scott’s face, and then kicking him to the floor. Scott hits the ground, groaning in pain, as he crawls aside. Immediately, the remaining four bandits begin to surround her, carrying both sharp and blunt objects.

***Rebecca:*** *Bring it on…*

One man charges at Rebecca first, and is promptly tripped up when Rebecca kicks his leg. She whacks him on the head with her nunchucks as he’s falling, as two more bandits run at her. She manages to dodge both of their attacks, and quickly trips them both up and knocks them to the ground with her nunchucks. The last bandit runs up on Rebecca, swinging a knife at her, which cuts her cheek. As Rebecca is feeling for any damage, the man lunges at her again, knocking her nunchucks to the ground.

***Lloyd:*** *Rebecca!*

Lloyd kicks a fireaxe that had been dropped by one of the bandits across the floor, where it slides right up to Rebecca’s feet. She swipes it up, and swings it at the last bandit. The axe lands directly on the man’s shoulder. He cries out in pain, falling over. All around, the other three bandits are starting to get back to their feet, recovering from their beatings.

***Rebecca:*** *Thanks, kid… I really owe you one.*

Scott sneaks up behind Rebecca, raising a cinder block above his head. He roars out, bringing the cinder block down onto Rebecca’s head, breaking it in two. Rebecca falls face first to the ground, as blood immediately begins to spill from her head, creating a puddle on the floor. Lloyd cries out, trying to crawl towards her. Grinning, Scott walks up to Lloyd, stopping him in his tracks.

***Scott:*** *Aw… I’m sorry. How could I possibly leave you out of the fun, too?*

Scott presses his boot against Lloyd’s skull, pinning him to the ground, before he uses his other foot to kick him square in the face, knocking him out, blood beginning to leak out of his nose. Scott turns back to Ed, who’s on the ground, half-conscious, still in pain from his thumb being halfway cut off.

***Scott:*** *You, fatty… I’ll deal with you later. First, I’m gonna beat that dumb bitch to death… slowly.*

Scott walks back over to Rebecca, who is somehow still conscious. Her hand twitches, as she tries to reach for her nunchucks on the floor. Scott steps onto her hand, then grabs her hair, lifting her head.

***Rebecca:*** *F--f--uck. You.*

***Scott:*** *Come on, miss. Let’s see the fight you had in you earlier.*

He punches her in the side of the head, then pushes her back to the ground.

Standing out in front of the supermarket is WILLIAM REYNES, who is trying his best to look through the windows, but can’t make out much because of how dirty and cloudy they’ve become. But what he can make out is enough for instinct to take over. A crash is heard, as William shatters the glass with nothing but his fists. After shaking off the glass, William climbs through, beginning to approach Scott and his men, all of whom are back on their feet. When Scott hears a footstep from beside him, he turns, and has no time to react as William plants his boot against his chest, sending Scott flying backwards into a shelf. When William’s presence is made known, another bandit runs at him -- but is immediately grabbed by William. He wraps his hands around the bandit’s throat, squeezing hard, until his hands move up to the man’s eyes. William digs his thumbs into the man’s eye sockets, causing blood to spray everywhere. William pushes until he hears a loud squelching noise. The man falls limp, and William lets go of his corpse, hands bloody.

A second bandit tries to get the jump on William, but he hears him coming. William turns, seeing a man swinging a cleaver at him. He puts his hand out in front of him, catching the cleaver. The blade digs into his hand, but he ignores the pain, the only thing on his mind being the sight of Lloyd and Rebecca lying motionless on the floor. He pulls the cleaver out of the man’s hand, and swings it into the man’s face. William punches the back of the cleaver, pushing it deeper into his face, killing him.

William turns back around, where only Scott and two bandits remain, all of them staying away. One of them, the one who’d been injured by the fireaxe, is backed into a corner, with nothing to protect him. William draws his knife, walking speedily up to him, digging his knife into the man’s chest. He continues to stab at his chest, until he slashes open the man’s throat in one blow. As blood sprays out, covering William’s jacket, he turns around, locking eyes with Scott and the last bandit. Without hesitation, he bulls towards both of them, knocking down Scott. He then quickly turns to the other bandit, grabbing hold of him, and ripping out the man’s adam’s apple with his teeth. He spits it out of his mouth, as blood spills out. William lets the man’s corpse drop, before he turns to Scott, the last man standing.

Scott huffs, getting back to his feet, looking around at his four dead friends, before glaring up at William. With nothing left to do, he charges at him, roaring. He goes to punch him, but William catches his fist, bending back a couple of his fingers and probably spraining them, but it doesn’t matter. In a matter of a couple of seconds, William slams the pommel of his knife into Scott’s nose, breaking it. Scott falls, as the pommel hits him again, this time in his eyebrows, pooling blood all over his face.

***Scott:*** *Wait-- WAIT!*

William stomps as hard as he can onto one of Scott’s legs, a loud *pop* being heard. Scott screams in pain, as William pins him down, gripping his knife. He starts to slash and stab at Scott’s face, blood erupting out, flying everywhere. He continues doing this, cutting out Scott’s eyes, mangling his nose and his ears, tearing off most of the skin on his face. Scott is long dead before William finally stops, exhausted. He lets go of the blood-coated knife, hearing it clatter off the floor. William breathes slowly, sitting up, as blood drips off of his clothes, his hair, everything.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #13**

**GARDEN CITY - STREETS - AFTERNOON**

CLYDE ROLLINS looks on at the taller buildings of downtown Garden City from afar. The group has made it into the city, but are only on the outskirts.

***Clyde:*** *Garden City… in all her glory. We can only hope those poor people are still in the same place.*

***Kate:*** *The office block… How far is it?*

***Clyde:*** *Worry not, Kate, it is not that far. The zombies in the city were quick to surround the group and they were forced inside to the nearest building… that being the office block in question. I can get us a safe passage there so that we’re close, but getting inside, well, that’ll be tricky.*

***Marcus:*** *That’s okay, we’ll figure something out.*

***Kate:*** *When we’re in there, it’s vital that we stick together. No matter what.*

***Clyde:*** *I most certainly agree… I’ve gazed upon the undead hordes firsthand… and it was frightening to say the least…*

***Claire:*** *And what about supplies? We came here with two goals… Do we rescue the people first and then grab some supplies on our way out?*

***Marcus:*** *Usually I’d suggest splitting into two teams, but I’m not willing to take that risk here. Like Kate said, we have to stick together, and saving the people is the priority, so we’ll do that first, and scavenge after.*

***Clyde:*** *He…*

Clyde looks down at his hands, which are shaking.

***Clyde:*** *I don’t quite know what came over me. We’re really about to do this.*

***Kate:*** *We are. This is it, once we’re in there, we might not have as much time to stop and chat like this. Our primary goal is to get into that office block. The last you saw… the dead were still trapped outside, right?*

***Clyde:*** *Right. I mean - yes. That’s right.*

***Kate:*** *So we know the hordes aren’t in there at least… but who knows… maybe it’s just as infested…*

***Claire:*** *Maybe those people went in there and were eaten by a horde just as big… We can’t be sure of what we’re getting ourselves into here… but we’ve come this far.*

***Kate:*** *I have hope those people are still in there.*

The group continues to walk along the empty outskirts of Garden City, still a bit away from downtown, where the hordes wait for them. DEAN HOWARDS looks around at the empty storefronts and corpses rotting on the sidewalks. He nearly trips over another corpse in the road, but keeps going, looking down.

***Kate: (To Dean)*** *Nervous?*

***Dean:*** *I’m not sure what we’re going to find out here… I never did like going out much, so I’m not entirely crazy about this. But if it’s to help people, I don’t mind it.*

***Kate: (She nods slowly)*** *I’m nervous.*

***Dean:*** *…Yeah, looks like we all are.* ***(To Brenden)*** *You okay?*

***Brenden:*** *Yeah… Yeah I’m good. No sweat.*

***Dean:*** *We’re gonna be fine, we’ve been at this for a long time. Supplies… we… might not get any. But health wise, can’t see us getting hurt.*

***Marcus:*** *Expect the unexpected. I wasn’t expecting some crazed lunatic to be roaming the police department.*

***Dean:*** *I guess you’re right. We got off lucky banding together, otherwise we’d probably end up being like him. I’m sorry you had to deal with that, I am.*

***Clyde:*** *I was an experienced police officer once.*

***Marcus:*** *I don’t think movies count, Clyde.*

***Clyde:*** *Well, the critics raved about Taser Force for weeks. Good movie. Great performance from myself.*

***Kate:*** *I never saw that one.*

***Clyde:*** *Wh--*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah, I didn’t either.*

***Clyde:*** *I… You--*

***Dean:*** *I’ve got a confession of my own to make. I know who you are, just never saw any of your movies.*

***Clyde:*** *I can’t believe it. I… All of you lack good taste.*

***Claire:*** *Alright, that’s enough. I think you need to eat some humble pie, Mr. Celebrity.*

***Clyde:*** *Huh… I miss pie.*

***Dean:*** *Being an actor seems like a good trait to have going into something like this, actually. I mean it, depends on the person, but if you wanna put on a brave face - I guess you can just slip into your own character. I’m-- not saying you’re not already brave. Just so you know. I’m just saying - it can help?*

***Clyde:*** *Oh, it does* ***(He grins)***. *Especially now.*

Clyde begins to cross the street, approaching an alleyway.

***Clyde:*** *Alright everyone - down here.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #14**

**GARDEN CITY - STREETS - AFTERNOON**

After traversing through a few alleyways and side streets, the group finally comes up to downtown Garden City, hiding inside an alleyway, the office building Clyde had been talking about just across the street, still surrounded by zombies. CLAIRE NOBLE slices her machete at one wandering zombie, before checking to see if there are any more.

***Brenden:*** *I don’t like this… at all.*

***Marcus:*** *Do your best to keep it together. If you hesitate, it’ll get you killed.*

***Dean:*** *Don’t worry, we’ve gotten through worse. Just stay focused.*

***Clyde:*** *Alright - here.*

CLYDE ROLLINS points over to a ladder inside the alleyway, leading to the roof of a deli where they can get a good view of the area.

***Clyde:*** *We’ve come as far as we can on the ground - it’s safer to get a look from a roof.*

KATE BLOODSTONE stabs another zombie dead with her spear, keeping the others covered as they climb up the ladder one by one, before she finally goes up.

***Marcus:*** *Getting in there is going to be no easy task. But we’ll find a way.*

***Kate:*** *Got anything?*

MARCUS DOWNES observes the surrounding area carefully, looking for any way in.

***Marcus:*** *There’s more than one way into the office… and that’s a good thing, because the front entrance is not looking like a safe option. There’s just too many zombies there. No matter what, we’re going to have to fight our way inside. We can’t afford to break ranks if we do this. Nobody can afford to hesitate, or flinch, or it’s game over.*

***Clyde:*** *That sounds terribly troubling…*

***Claire:*** *And if we fight our way in there… What's our escape plan?*

***Marcus: (He sighs)*** *I don’t know… especially considering the group’s condition… They had a kid, elderly people, wounded people… But we’ve managed to come this far… Once we’re in there, we can figure something out.*

***Kate:*** *Alright… so we get closer to the building, move around the back, and fight our way inside.* ***(She nods)*** *This is--*

***Claire:*** *Wait.*

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

***Claire:*** *I think I have an idea.*

She looks over towards a small pedestrian bridge crossing near the office building’s second floor.

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**Scene #15**

**GARDEN CITY - PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE - AFTERNOON**

After a little bit of time, the group eventually makes their way over onto the bridge. They walk along it until arriving beside the office building, the height of the bridge being just a tad bit higher than the second floor of the building. In total, the office has eight floors.

***Brenden:*** *That’s… one hell of a building.*

***Clyde:*** *Claire, I really must object… I, uh…*

***Claire:*** *Would you rather fight through the horde? It’s more dangerous… this could get us in and out, nice and clean.*

***Clyde:*** *But if you fall…*

***Claire:*** *It’s a risk I have to take.*

CLAIRE NOBLE bends down to pick up a rock. She points at one of the windows on the building.

***Claire:*** *You guys see that window? We need to smash it… with whatever we can… rubble, rocks - anything you can pick up. I’ll start.*

***Dean:*** *I’m really not interested in falling off a bridge and cracking my skull against the ground. Please, I-- I really don’t wanna do this.*

***Claire:*** *Don’t worry, Dean… only I have to do that.*

***Dean:*** *And I’m not comfortable with you doing it either, I--*

***Clyde:*** *Yes… yes! I am with Dean… This is… too dangerous for you. Claire… think about your head… It’s… You’re in no condition.*

***Claire: (She sighs)*** *Just help me smash the window.*

Somewhat reluctantly, they start to pick up and throw stones at the window. Some hits crack the glass, but it’s not breaking. When KATE BLOODSTONE sees a couple of zombies walking up the bridge towards them, she stops throwing rocks to go and deal with them.

***Kate:*** *Guys… we need to pick up the pace here.*

***Marcus:*** *Shit.*

Rocks continue to be thrown at the window, more cracks being made. Just as Kate finishes dealing with the two zombies, she notices a few more.

***Kate:*** *Guys!*

When Claire throws the next rock towards the window, it finally shatters, glass raining down onto the zombie-infested street below.

***Clyde:*** *Okay! Okay! So what now?*

***Claire:*** *I jump over there.*

***Dean:*** *…What the fuck? N-no, I-- God, I mean - you’re gonna be--*

***Claire:*** *Dean, we don’t have time to argue about this - it beats putting the rest of us at risk. Once I’m in there, I’ll find something, a rope, anything - and I will toss it over to you so you can all climb across. Just… let me.*

***Dean:*** *Uh… don’t-- don’t look down.*

***Clyde:*** *Claire… I… can’t let you.*

***Kate:*** *GUYS! I need more help over here!*

***Dean:*** *Yeah!*

BRENDEN TREVORS, DEAN HOWARDS and MARCUS DOWNES turn away, going to help fight off the zombies.

***Clyde:*** *Claire, know that I love you with all of my heart.*

***Claire:*** *Yeah… I know. I love you too--*

Claire gets ready to jump across, but as she does, CLYDE ROLLINS suddenly darts past her, leaping off of the bridge. He flies through the air, managing to grab onto the ledge of the smashed open window. His legs dangle, as he tries to pull himself up.

***Claire:*** *CLYDE WHAT THE FUCK!*

***Clyde:*** *It’s alright! I’m okay!*

Clyde pulls himself up and over, cutting his hands on the glass. He looks down at the blood in his palms for a moment, breathing heavily.

***Clyde:*** *I… I did it! I did it! What a rush, I - I don’t even know--*

***Claire:*** *JUST GO FIND SOMETHING!*

***Clyde:*** *Right! Right!*

Clyde stands, rushing off.

***Dean:*** *What the hell just happened?*

Dean stabs another zombie through the forehead with his knife, splitting its head nearly in half.

***Dean:*** *Ah - oh, Jesus-- There is - WAY too many, I don’t think-- Please hurry!*

They continue to fight back the zombies, until Clyde finally comes running back to the window, carrying some rope.

***Clyde:*** *Stroke of luck! I found a workers kit for rappelling! So what do I do?*

***Claire:*** *Throw the rope!*

***Clyde:*** *The whole thing? Now?*

***Claire:*** *No! You have to throw it over to form a line!*

***Clyde:*** *Shit… I’m not very good at that.*

***Claire:*** *That’s why I was going to make the jump!*

***Clyde:*** *Okay, okay - I didn’t think it through, just--*

***Dean:*** *Whatever you do, just please! Do--*

Another zombie tumbles into Dean, as he stabs it in the head. Clyde attempts to throw the rope over, but it falls short. He reels it back in quickly.

***Clyde:*** *Shit, shit - I’ll try again. Okay… you’ve got this Clyde… You played Retro Man in the famous movie of the same name, ‘Retro Man’. Yeah… You can do this.*

***Claire:*** *Clyde! I can see you mumbling to yourself about your fucking movies over there!*

***Clyde:*** *Just a pep talk, darling.*

Clyde throws the rope again, and this time Claire is able to reach it.

***Clyde:*** *YES!*

***Claire:*** *Alright, everyone get ready!*

Clyde turns, running off to go tie the rope down to something. Claire does the same thing. Meanwhile, the others are still battling off an endless stream of zombies. As Dean goes to stab another one, his knife slips out of his hand, bouncing off the ground. He struggles to hold a zombie off him.

***Dean:*** *DAMMIT-- BRE-BRENDEN! BRENDEN!*

***Marcus:*** *Dean!*

Marcus hurries over to him first, tossing his own knife to Dean, who catches it and quickly stabs the zombie dead. He stands there for a moment, catching his breath.

***Marcus:*** *Dean, the knife!*

***Dean:*** *Sorry! Sorry--*

He tosses the knife back to him, before swiping his own knife off the ground.

***Clyde:*** *Alright, all good over here!*

***Claire:*** *Okay. Brenden, you first! Toss your weapon over first and then climb across.*

Brenden approaches the rope nervously. He gulps, looking at the street below, before starting to slowly climb across, keeping a firm hold on the rope.

***Clyde:*** *That’s it!*

***Kate:*** *Fuck!*

With one less person to fight off the zombies, they are pushed further back, getting closer to the rope. Brenden eventually reaches the other side, his fingers trembling. Clyde grabs his hand and helps to pull him in.

***Clyde:*** *It’s alright… I’ve got you. You’re alright now. Great job.*

***Brenden:*** *You’re… real brave, mister.*

***Clyde:*** *Not usually… I’m new to this.*

***Claire:*** *Dean, you next! Onto the rope, we’ll cover you.*

Dean runs over in a panic, staring at the rope for a quick second, before he climbs on, making quick work, sliding his hands along the rope. He curses in pain as he climbs along, before he makes it to the other side, climbing up through the window to safety. He looks down at his bleeding hands, which had been cut by the rope.

***Dean:*** *Fuck… FUCK!*

With even fewer people to hold off the zombies, Marcus, Kate and Claire are beginning to lose more ground.

***Marcus:*** *Fuck!*

***Kate:*** *Marcus!*

***Claire:*** *Guys! We don’t have a choice, you need to double up and go onto the rope together!*

***Kate:*** *What about you?!*

***Claire:*** *I’ll improvise!*

***Kate:*** *Shit…*

As soon as they can get enough breathing room, Kate and Marcus climb onto the rope, starting to go across as quickly as they can. The rope begins to hang lower under the extra weight, and begins to stretch out at the ends, but it doesn’t snap.

***Clyde:*** *Claire! You have to get on as well!*

Claire pushes back a couple of zombies, before looking at the rope, seeing Kate and Marcus still going across.

***Clyde:*** *Just do it!*

With no other choice, she climbs up and onto the rope, beginning to pull herself across. The rope becomes more strained, hanging down even lower.

***Clyde:*** *Quickly!*

Kate reaches the end, climbing up through the window. Seeing this, Marcus picks up his pace, Claire following him. When Marcus gets near the window, Kate reaches down to help pull him in, leaving Claire as the only one still on the rope. But at this point, the strain that had already been put on the rope was becoming too much.

***Dean:*** *You got this! Come on-- Come on!*

***Clyde:*** *Come on, Claire!*

Claire nears the end, and lets one hand go of the rope to reach out to Clyde’s hand -- when the rope snaps in half. Claire begins to fall, but Clyde catches her wrist at the last second, nearly falling out of the window himself.

***Clyde:*** *I’VE GOT YOU!*

***Marcus:*** *Fuck! Help them up!*

Marcus and Dean grab Clyde, beginning to pull him and Claire up with all their strength, until both of them are finally through the window. When they’re up, Clyde crawls over to Claire, exhausted.

***Clyde:*** *Are you hurt! Is everything okay?*

***Claire:*** *Ye-yeah. Thanks to you guys. Fuck.*

***Kate:*** *That was insane. But we made it, we’re here.*

***Marcus:*** *We need to find those people… it’s safe to assume they’ll be on the top floor.*

***Kate:*** *Then let’s get to the stairwell and see.*

***Marcus:*** *I’m going down. I want to see how the doors are holding on the ground floor. I need to know how much time we have left.*

***Kate:*** *Not on your own. Remember the rules.*

***Marcus:*** *Fine. Any volunteers?*

***Dean:*** *I’ll-- I’m coming.*

***Marcus:*** *Alright. You and me. Let’s all get moving, we’ll meet you guys on the top floor.*

Dean takes off his backpack, pulling out some bandages which he uses to wrap around his hands.

***Dean:*** *Anyone want any? Just - real fast.*

***Clyde:*** *I could do with some.*

***Dean:*** *Yeah-- yeah.*

Dean finishes up with his hands, before turning to bandage up Clyde’s hands for him. When he’s all done, Dean packs up and turns to Brenden.

***Dean:*** *You’re good?*

***Brenden:*** *I’ll… uh, live. Thank you though.*

***Dean:*** *No problem.*

Dean turns, beginning to walk off with Marcus.

***Kate:*** *The rest of you are with me, let’s do this.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #16**

**MOTEL - PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON**

AUSTIN KINGSTON and JON MATTHEWS are walking back inside the motel, carrying the last couple of tree logs inside.

***Jon:*** *A job well done if you ask me, not that I expected any less.*

***Austin:*** *We’ll have these defenses up in no time.*

The two of them drop the logs into a pile of other logs, dusting off their hands. Jon then looks around the motel, narrowing his eyes. There’s not a single person outside.

***Jon:*** *It’s too quiet around here.*

***Austin:*** *I guess people are resting-- it’s been a tough few days. You, uh… You think they’re doing something else?*

***Jon:*** *Only one way to find out… Come with me.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #17**

**MOTEL - RANDALL’S ROOM**

RANDALL FORSTER, still lying in bed, hears a knock at the door.

***Randall:*** *Yeah?*

The door opens, JON MATTHEWS stepping in. AUSTIN KINGSTON enters after him, closing the door.

***Jon:*** *Sorry to disturb you. But I’ve got a few questions and I think you can help me, Randall.*

***Randall:*** *Sure thing, Jon. Heya, Austin. You two look like you’ve been busy.*

***Jon:*** *Sure have. Splitting logs all day sure is tiring. Listen, just a quick question.*

***Randall:*** *Shoot.*

***Jon:*** *Why isn’t anyone else busy? I mean - not to slander you, you’re a wounded man, that’s excusable, but you wouldn’t happen to know where the fuck everyone is, would you?*

Randall sits there for a moment, going back and forth in his head. He then sighs.

***Randall:*** *Listen, man. I’m not gonna sit here and lie to you.*

***Jon:*** *I’m relieved to hear that.*

***Austin:*** *Where are they?*

***Randall:*** *Garden City… Rescuing the survivors that got turned away.*

Jon stares at him, clenching his fist.

***Jon:*** *Fuck me. You’ve gotta be shitting me. Tell me that you are shitting me here, Randall.*

***Austin: (He sighs)*** *God dammit-- why the hell would they leave - Do they know how dangerous it is?*

***Jon:*** *Why the hell didn’t you tell us sooner?*

***Randall:*** *Because I wanted to give them time. As much of it as possible.*

***Jon:*** *So that’s where you stand, huh?*

***Randall:*** *I’m sorry, mate.*

***Austin:*** *They’re walking into a city filled with those things-- Who exactly left?*

***Randall:*** *To my knowledge… Kate, Marcus, Clyde, Claire… and Dean.*

***Jon:*** *God fucking dammit.*

***Austin:*** *Fuck…*

Jon turns, swinging open the door. It slams off the wall, as he storms outside onto the balcony.

***Randall:*** *Hey - wait--*

Randall forces himself to his feet, stumbling outside to catch Jon. Austin walks out with them, shaking his head.

***Jon:*** *They’re going to get themselves killed in there. It’s suicide.*

***Austin:*** *I… Do we go after them? How many of us are even left here-- we can’t. We’d be leaving this place practically unguarded.*

***Randall:*** *Hold on… just… try to have a little faith…*

***Jon:*** *Have a little faith? Is that the best you’ve fucking got for me right now? Faith doesn’t know how to swing a fucking axe at a horde of zombies! They defied DIRECT orders from William, they are going in there to get themselves killed for a group of strangers! Do we go after them? I…*

Jon huffs, looking down into the parking lot.

***Randall:*** *You’ll never catch up to them. They left hours ago.*

***Austin:*** *They’re not going to make it out-- is Marcus even healed yet? And Dean - I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him use a weapon. They’re going to die if we stay here…*

***Jon:*** *But if we go running in there after them, we’ll be in the same boat. And what… if we leave now… who the hell is gonna defend the motel? Fucking Layton? The German guy?*

***Austin:*** *Fuck-- You-you’re right. But they--*

Austin goes quiet, frowning.

***Jon:*** *We risk losing everything we have, and it’s entirely their fault.*

***Randall:*** *I believe in them, mate. I’m sorry. It may be irrational, but they’ll get themselves out of there. They didn’t go in there expecting any help - they didn’t even take a single firearm with them.*

***Austin:*** *None? Come on - what are they thinking? How are they going to be able to escort a group with elderly, children, and wounded back here?*

Jon stares down at the parking lot, gritting his teeth.

***Jon:*** *FUCK!*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #18**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

LUKE BUTLER puts an inhaler to his mouth, taking a deep breath. He paces around the room; AIDAN ELDRIDGE stands by the window, thinking to himself; JEANNE RANDOLPH is sitting next to WESLEY RANDOLPH; JESSE GARNETT is sitting on an office chair, staring at the ceiling, while ABIGAIL BROOKS is sat on the floor, back against the wall, looking pale and on the brink of death.

***Luke:*** *This sucks, man… We’ve been here all day.*

***Aidan:*** *We’ll find a way out - just give it some time.*

***Luke:*** *Will we?*

***Aidan:*** *I hope-- I know we will.*

***Jeanne:*** *We will, Luke. God has a plan for us all. We just have to go through hell and back.*

***Wesley:*** *The dead are gonna break in here and eat the fattest one first. They target the big people.*

Wesley coughs into a napkin, seeing more blood on it when he’s done.

***Aidan:*** *Right-- yeah, alright, Wesley.*

***Wesley:*** *Those people we met can rot in hell.*

Aidan hands Wesley another couple of napkins.

***Wesley:*** *Thanks.*

***Aidan:*** *They had their reasons to turn us away - as fucked up as it was. That bastard shot at us - what if he hit us?*

***Luke:*** *If he wanted us dead, we would be.*

***Aidan:*** *Sending us back out onto the road -- he might as well have shot us. How can someone do that… to turn away a child, a couple of elderly people, a wounded person?*

***Kate:*** *It was a mistake. We’re here to rectify it.*

KATE BLOODSTONE steps into the office, looking over at all of them. CLYDE ROLLINS, CLAIRE NOBLE and BRENDEN TREVORS enter behind her.

***Luke:*** *Woah, woah! Who the fuck are--*

***Aidan:*** *God damn-- it’s you people. The good people…* ***(He sighs in relief)***

***Kate:*** *We were the ones who fought for you, that’s right. We couldn’t live with ourselves following what happened. Please… forgive us.*

***Clyde:*** *We’ve come all the way here just to get you. It wasn’t easy.*

***Aidan:*** *Of course - you were fighting for us to stay. And-- thank you. How’d you find us?*

***Clyde:*** *I followed you after you were sent away, so that I could keep an eye on where you ended up.*

***Wesley:*** *Slyde Lawlins! The wild west person.*

***Clyde:*** *Yes… Slyde Lawlins.*

***Jeanne:*** *Thank god you people came back for us. We’ve been trapped for a day. I knew God had a plan.*

***Luke:*** *Get us the fuck outta this mess, then we’ll talk apologies.*

***Claire:*** *Excuse me?*

***Luke:*** *You heard me.*

***Aidan:*** *Luke - they came back for us. These people were fighting for us to stay -- don’t be rude.*

***Luke:*** *Yeah, yeah. My ass.*

Luke turns, walking towards one of the windows, staring out.

***Aidan:*** *Come on, man…*

***Claire:*** *We nearly died coming here to get you, the least you could do is show a little gratitude.*

***Wesley: (To Luke)*** *If you’re gonna jump, you gotta break the window.*

***Luke:*** *Oh yeah, old man? I’ll use your wheelchair to do just that. Thanks.*

***Wesley:*** *I don’t have a wheelchair anymore. I was simply letting you know these windows aren’t easy to break if you’re doing that.*

***Kate:*** *Listen. We’re all going to get out of this together, are you with us?*

***Aidan:*** *Absolutely. How’d you even get in here -- I thought the zombies were blocking the entrance downstairs.*

***Kate:*** *We did say it wasn’t easy. We had to get creative.*

***Clyde:*** *However…* ***(He steps forward)***

***Wesley:*** *Who’s bitten?*

***Luke: (To Wesley)*** *Just… be quiet. For the love of God.*

***Clyde:*** *The way we took in won’t work for our way out.*

***Aidan:*** *What?*

***Claire:*** *We need to prioritize escorting the elderly, the kid, and the wounded woman there.* ***(She looks at Aidan and Luke)*** *Are you two capable of keeping your friends safe?*

***Luke:*** *We’ve done it so far. We can do it again.*

***Aidan:*** *We can* ***(He nods)***.

***Claire:*** *Right. Two of our friends are checking the situation downstairs right now. We’re waiting to hear from them.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #19**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

Downstairs, MARCUS DOWNES and DEAN HOWARDS are walking through the lobby, headed towards the front doors to get a look at things.

***Dean:*** *Hey-- forgot to mention but-- thanks for the knife. You saved me, I was screwed there.*

***Marcus:*** *Don’t worry about it… it was a tight situation, it was only natural we’d have to improvise a bit.*

***Dean:*** *You don’t need anything for your hands? You’re completely fine?*

***Marcus:*** *Yeah… I’m…*

His voice trails off as the two of them turn a corner, and get a look at the front entrance. The horde of zombies outside are still banging on the doors, and on every single window pane around the entrance. They had completely surrounded the lobby. Many windows are cracked and chipped, and it’s clear that it won’t be much longer until they break through.

***Dean:*** *…Is it possible for us to even get out of here?*

***Marcus:*** *We don’t have long, I know that much. When they break in, we don’t want to be on a floor that’s too high up, otherwise we’ll never get out of here.*

***Dean:*** *God, I don’t wanna have to climb again.*

***Marcus:*** *This isn't good. Dean.*

***Dean:*** *What? What is it?*

***Marcus:*** *I’m going to start boarding the stairwell, we can’t be here on the ground floor - they’ll just surround us. The second floor is where we’ll make our stand, at least then, when they break in, they won’t be pouring in directly in front of us, and… it’s the closest thing we’ve got to the ground floor, so if push comes to shove, we can make our escape with the others still. Go up top and warn the others. I’ll meet you all on the second floor.*

***Dean:*** *Alright. I’ll -- be back.*

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #20**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

Back upstairs, people are standing around, chatting with each other while they await news from Dean and Marcus. KATE BLOODSTONE is standing off to the side with AIDAN ELDRIDGE. She nods over to JESSE GARNETT.

***Kate:*** *Is that your son?*

***Aidan:*** *My son - no, no. He’s-- I’m his guardian. His parents, uh… I think you know what happened to them.*

***Kate:*** *Oh… I’m so sorry… I didn’t realize…*

She frowns, looking away. Meanwhile, CLYDE ROLLINS approaches LUKE BUTLER, who’s practicing swinging his cricket bat by a window.

***Clyde:*** *So… Lovely view. You may be familiar with my work… I actually starred in a movie about cricket once -- funny story--*

***Luke:*** ***(About the view)*** *Sure is. Shame it’s most likely gonna be my last.*

***Clyde:*** *Oh.*

***Luke:*** *Funny you mention your work, actually. It was one of the last films I saw before all this started. A cop movie or somethin’, can’t remember too well.*

***Clyde:*** *Taser force?*

***Luke:*** *Yeah… that’s the one. Saw it in the cinema. It’s where I was when things went south. Mid movie.*

***Clyde:*** *TASER FORCE! YOU, YOUNG MAN, HAVE GOOD TASTE! I knew I’d encounter someone eventually! Hear that, Claire?*

***Claire:*** *Oh, give it a rest. I’m still mad at you for your little stunt earlier.*

***Clyde:*** *I do all my own stunts* ***(He smiles)***.

***Claire:*** *You’re not funny, Clyde.*

***Clyde:*** *Alright, alright--*

Clyde approaches her.

***Clyde:*** *I’m sorry - I should’ve consulted you first - you know - about the jump. I was feeling brave… and it… paid off?*

***Claire: (She sighs)*** *Yeah. We got lucky, and - yeah, you did well. I’m proud of you, just--be more careful next time.*

***Clyde:*** *But my training… has perhaps paid off too?*

***Claire:*** *Maybe. You’re alright. Now go and get ready.*

***Clyde:*** *Right-o.*

DEAN HOWARDS makes it to the top of the stairwell, and walks into the office, looking around at everyone.

***Dean:*** *Oh! There you all are.*

***Kate:*** *Dean!*

***Dean:*** *And- you guys too. Good. Hey, so, Marcus is boarding up the stairwell. There’s got to be-- thousands below. He says we can take a stand on the second floor, if it comes to that.*

***Claire:*** *So that’s where we’re making our stand then?*

***Dean: (Whispering to Kate)*** *It’s not looking too amazing.*

***Kate:*** *We’ll figure out something. We’ve gotten this far.*

***Aidan:*** *Take a stand-- wh-- how are we going to get out? You said there were -- thousands out there?*

***Kate:*** *Just… get your people down to the second floor, okay?*

***Dean:*** *It’s the closest to the ground floor. We can think of something, maybe climb across or-- I don’t know. We can’t go father up. It’s a death sentence. No way out.*

***Aidan:*** *Alright - if it’s the best we’ve got.*

As people are getting ready to go, BRENDEN TREVORS approaches Luke, who’s still standing by the window.

***Brenden:*** *This won’t be the last time you… get to see good scenery like this, y’know.*

***Luke:*** *Yeah? What makes you so sure of that, huh?*

***Brenden:*** *These guys are… are good people. They’ll keep you guys safe.*

***Luke:*** *‘Course, yeah… thanks for the pep talk, or whatever, but I’m too grounded in reality to believe there’s a way outta this. Say, if you’re right, I’ll even buy you a drink* ***(He smiles)***.

***Jeanne:*** *There’s bound to be something to get us out alive.*

Aidan glares at Luke, shaking his head.

***Aidan:*** *He’s always got to be so negative -- I don’t know why.*

***Dean:*** *I can’t say I blame him.*

***Kate:*** *Alright, can you all just start moving down to the second floor? Please? We don’t have much time.*

***Dean:*** *Yeah, let’s all go. Get whatever you can, weapons, anything. This is gonna be a gigantic mess.*

***Aidan:*** *Yeah - yeah, sorry.* ***(To Jesse)*** *Come on, bud.*

Aidan approaches ABIGAIL BROOKS, helping her up to her feet, before they start walking towards the stairwell. As Dean is getting ready to go, he hears WESLEY RANDOLPH talking to him.

***Wesley:*** *Thanks for the water bottle, young man. I just hope you aren’t the first one eaten.*

***Dean:*** *…Yeah… thanks.*

Dean continues on towards the stairs, confused.

***Wesley:*** *Someone pick me up please.*

Clyde approaches Wesley, looking down at him.

***Clyde:*** *Uh, Hello.* ***(He picks him up)*** *Wow, you’re light as a feather.*

***Wesley:*** *Yeah, because I’m gonna be dead soon.*

***Clyde:*** *Heh… You know, I played a dead man once…*

He walks on towards the stairs.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #21**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

Down below, MARCUS DOWNES is hard at work barricading the stairwell with as much furniture as he can. As he’s doing this, he suddenly hears a window break open. A few zombies start to enter through the broken window, until another one breaks. Slowly but surely, windows all around the lobby are broken open, zombies beginning to swarm in. When Marcus sees them all coming for the stairwell, he backs up.

***Marcus:*** *Shit.*

He runs up the stairs, where he comes across KATE BLOODSTONE and the others, who have just made it down to the second floor.

***Kate:*** *Marcus.*

***Marcus:*** *They’ve broken in. We’re almost out of time. All of you get ready.*

***Aidan:*** *Already? Shit.*

***Luke:*** *I’ll keep them back for as long as I can. Aidan, stay with the kid.*

***Dean:*** *Marcus, you’re okay?*

***Marcus:*** *I’m alright. Just… give me a minute… I’m gonna find us a way out of here.*

CLYDE ROLLINS sets WESLEY RANDOLPH down onto a chair, as Marcus begins to look around the room.

***Wesley:*** *Thank you.*

***Aidan: (To Abigail and Jesse)*** *Stay here for a minute - we’re going to get out of here. You too, Jesse.*

AIDAN ELDRIDGE takes out his knife, walking back over to the group. LUKE BUTLER, meanwhile, goes out to the stairwell to get a look at things,

***Marcus:*** *Fuck…*

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

***Marcus:*** *We’re going to have to fight our way out of here.*

***Aidan:*** *Fight -- out of here?*

***Dean:*** *Can’t climb, can’t--*

***Marcus:*** *Alright… alright… just… could everyone - could everyone gather around?*

Everyone gathers around Marcus.

***Marcus:*** *This is only gonna work if we come together as a collective unit. We have to assign people to clear a path, and people to protect the more vulnerable. I’m going to assign everyone a placement - a group to be a part of - but we’re still working as a collective here, okay? So listen up. Dean, I want you to carry the old man and stay by his wife. Clyde and Claire, you will protect them.*

***Clyde:*** *Right* ***(He nods)***.

***Claire:*** *Got it.*

***Dean:*** *Sure.*

DEAN HOWARDS turns, approaching Wesley, and picking him up.

***Dean:*** *We’re gonna try everything in our power to get you both, and your group out of here. Just -- try and stick by us, okay?*

***Wesley:*** *I’m not the leader, but that sounds good. Just don’t throw me into them. I know I’m dying, but don’t…*

***Jeanne:*** *It’s okay, Wesley. No one’s throwing you into anything.*

***Wesley:*** *Do we have any suicide pills?*

***Marcus:*** *Brenden, I want you to join their leader, escort the wounded woman through the building and keep the kid safe alongside him. Stick close to Clyde and Claire as well so that the four of you can cooperate.*

***Brenden: (He nods quickly)*** *Got it.*

***Marcus:*** *Myself and Kate will lead both groups, alongside that other young man who’s out in the stairwell. Now, there’s one more thing we need to do - a safeguard we’re going to employ. When I was out at the cereal factory with Austin, Aldus, Jon and Randall, we used a little trick to get through it. The thing is, we can’t bank on it working perfectly if we’re carrying people, but we can try it, it’ll protect most of you. So hear me out here… We’re going to need to cover ourselves in guts.*

***Aidan:*** *Wha- in guts? Like - zombie guts? Jesus…*

***Marcus:*** *It’ll work. They’ll leave you alone as long as you remain calm and walk slowly. But just in case, if things go wrong, we’ll have our formation to fall back on.*

***Wesley:*** *Damn it. I already went through blood and guts before.*

***Aidan:*** *Well - we don’t have any other choice, do we? I trust that this’ll work. It has to.*

***Jeanne:*** *It will. I’m sure of it.*

***Marcus:*** *I’ve seen it work before. Wait here.*

Marcus turns, beginning to approach the stairwell.

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

**Scene #22**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

LUKE BUTLER stands in front of the stairwell door, listening to the thumps and bangs coming from the other side. The barricade that had been set up had already been broken through, and the horde is just one door away from reaching the survivors. MARCUS DOWNES comes jogging up to him.

***Marcus:*** *How’s it holding up?*

***Luke:*** *It’ll hold… for now. We don’t have long left. Ticking time bomb.*

***Marcus:*** *Do you think we can get one of them through? Just one. We’ve formed a plan… one that can get all of us out of this safely.*

***Luke:*** *What’s the gig?*

***Marcus:*** *We layer ourselves in their guts, their scent. It’ll allow us to walk through them without them bothering us. It’s not the most hygienic thing… but we’re out of options.*

***Luke:*** *Eh… I’ve heard of worse plans. Maybe we might just… get through this. Ready?*

***Marcus:*** *Alright, on my signal, we’ll open the door, just slightly, enough for me to squeeze one through and deal with it.*

Luke grips the door handle, preparing to pull it open and press his shoulder against it to keep them all from flooding in.

***Luke:*** *Okay… got it, got it.*

***Marcus:*** *You’re gonna need to put your back into it, kid, they’re a force to be reckoned with…*

Marcus pulls out his knife, taking a deep breath.

***Marcus:*** *Okay… are you ready?*

***Luke:*** *Yeah… Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be.*

***Marcus:*** *Fuck. Okay. On three. One. Two. Three!*

Luke twists the handle, opening the door just a fraction. As soon as one zombie sticks its head through, Luke slams his shoulder against the door to try and shut it - but the immense force from the horde of zombies on the other side is too much. The door swings open, sending Luke backwards.

***Marcus:*** *Shit!*

Marcus stabs the first zombie, but loses his knife in the process.  He falls over as zombies begin to pour onto the second floor, snarling. Luke grunts, rubbing his head as he gets back to his feet. He reaches for his cricket bat, then tries to get back into the action. He swings the bat at a zombie in front of Marcus, which knocks it down -- but another one tackles Luke, biting into his throat. In just a couple of seconds, Luke is overrun, zombies piling onto him. Marcus looks on in horror, as he crawls away.

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**Scene #23**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

***Marcus:*** *EVERYONE! GET INTO FORMATION! THEY’RE THROUGH!*

MARCUS DOWNES comes bolting back to the others, zombies following behind him at a distance.

***Kate:*** *What happened?!*

***Marcus:*** *They’ve gotten in… The kid’s dead.*

***Dean:*** *Oh-- oh my G-- Jesus Christ.*

***Aidan:*** *What? Dead-- he’s dead? Oh-- fuck… What the FUCK? What now?!*

***Wesley:*** *No…*

***Claire:*** *Lookout!*

The horde of zombies begins to turn the corner, stumbling towards them.

***Kate:*** *Everyone get into your positions! Remember the plan!*

DEAN HOWARDS grabs WESLEY RANDOLPH, carrying him in his arms. JEANNE RANDOLPH goes to stand with him, while CLYDE ROLLINS and CLAIRE NOBLE stand in front of them. AIDAN ELDRIDGE helps ABIGAIL BROOKS up, and brings JESSE GARNETT over, before he gets in front of them, readying his knife. BRENDEN TREVORS comes over to stand beside Aidan.

***Marcus:*** *I’ll lead the way.*

***Kate:*** *I’ve got your back.*

***Wesley: (To Dean)*** *Please don’t drop me. Please don’t drop me.*

Dean grunts in pain, as blood seeps through his bandages.

***Dean:*** *I-I’m sorry, I’m trying. Hold onto me. Please. WORK WITH ME HERE!*

***Clyde:*** *Uh-- uhh…*

***Aidan:*** *Here we go…*

Aidan raises his knife as a zombie approaches him. He plunges it down into its skull. After KATE BLOODSTONE stabs a zombie with her spear, she takes out her spare knife, handing it to Marcus.

***Kate:*** *You’re gonna need it.*

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

Marcus immediately uses the blade to stab an incoming zombie. All around, zombies are swarming the room. The most vulnerable remain at the back, while everyone else stabs and slashes at the zombies, taking down one after another -- but it isn’t making a difference in the grand scheme of things.

***Dean:*** *God-- I can’t-- I can’t hold on--*

Wesley takes out a computer mouse that he had stored, and throws it at a zombie. It simply bounces off the zombie’s head, doing nothing.

***Wesley:*** *Damn it.*

Although the two groups do their best to stick together, Dean, Wesley, Jeanne, Clyde and Claire end up becoming cut off from everyone else, becoming surrounded by zombies.

***Claire:*** *Shit!*

A zombie gets past Clyde and Claire, and lunges towards Dean and Wesley. It grabs onto Wesley’s side, trying to pull him down.

***Dean:*** *I’ve got you, I’ve got--*

Clyde tries to make it over to Wesley and Dean, but he’s grabbed by a zombie.

***Claire:*** *Clyde!*

She rushes over to Clyde, hacking off the zombie’s arms, releasing Clyde of its grip. Another zombie stumbles up to Wesley. This one, instead of grabbing at him, decides to go in for a bite. It clamps its teeth down onto Wesley’s leg, tearing out a chunk. The old man screams, as a third zombie begins to tear into Wesley’s arm. Dean watches in horror, desperately trying to keep hold of Wesely, as more zombies grab onto Wesley, pulling him the other way. Zombies begin to rip open Wesley’s stomach, and eventually, Wesley is completely ripped in half, his entire upper body being dragged into the horde of zombies, disappearing. Dean holds onto the man’s legs, bones sticking out, as his mind begins to wander. He stands still, staring into the horde. A familiar scraping noise begins to echo in his head.

***Dean:*** *W--what.*

***Claire:*** *Oh my god.*

Claire rushes towards Dean and Jeanne, who is crying, watching her husband being dragged away and torn apart.

***Clyde:*** *Claire, wait!*

***Claire:*** *Dean, he’s a goner!*

***Jeanne:*** *WESLEY!*

Claire grabs hold of Jeanne, pulling her away from an incoming zombie.

***Claire:*** *I’m sorry.*

Dean finally comes to the realization of what’s happened, as he lets go of Wesley’s legs, letting them plop against the floor.

***Claire:*** *Stay close to me! Ma’am! Just take my hand!*

Claire grabs Jeanne’s hand, beginning to pull her away. Dean snaps back into everything when he sees a zombie lunging at him. He instinctively dodges it, and then pulls out his knife, stabbing it dead. He throws the corpse aside, as he turns to Claire, Clyde and Jeanne, moving towards them.

On the other side of the room, Aidan and Brenden are hacking away at the zombies in front of them, keeping them as far away from Abigail and Jesse as possible. Marcus and Kate are somewhere ahead of them, not far, trying to clear a path. However, as Brenden goes to take down another zombie, a second zombie grabs onto his arm, and bites down onto Brenden’s left hand.

***Aidan:*** *SHIT!*

Aidan raises his knife, stabbing the zombie biting Brenden dead. Brenden yells in pain, and in panic, as he looks at his mangled fingers hanging off of his hand by a thread.

***Aidan:*** *Kid-- oh my god - your hand--*

***Brenden:*** *What do I-- WHAT DO I DO?*

Brenden panics, looking around in fear.

***Aidan:*** *Just-- just keep going! We’ll deal with it when we get out!*

Aidan stabs another zombie, immediately getting back into the action. A cold sweat runs down Brenden’s back, as he tries to swallow his fear and keep fighting with his other hand.

***Aidan:*** *Keep fighting! Don’t think about it!*

Up ahead, as Marcus and Kate are fighting off zombies, they become separated from each other.

Back on the other side of the room, Claire is still holding onto Jeanne’s hand, trying to pull her along. However, a zombie blindsides Jeanne, grabbing her. Claire stops, spinning around, as she sees the woman being bitten in the arm by a zombie.

***Claire:*** *No! No!*

***Clyde:*** *CLAIRE! Get out of there!*

Jeanne stabs one of the zombies attacking her, but it’s no use. More zombies grab onto her, tacking her to the floor, but she’s still holding on Claire with one hand. And with her other hand - Jeanne grabs onto Dean’s leg.

***Claire:*** *I-- I can’t! Her hand!*

Clyde comes rushing over, raising his bat and slamming it down onto Jeanne’s arm. He swings again and again until she finally lets go of Claire’s hand -- but her other hand is still gripping Dean’s leg.

***Clyde:*** *Come on!*

***Jeanne:*** *PLEASE NO! OH, GOD NO!*

Clyde helps Claire up, and the two of them start to move through the horde. Meanwhile, Jeanne screams in pain, as Dean tries to get loose of her grip. When he can’t, and Dean sees zombies starting to swarm in, he raises his boot and stomps onto Jeanne’s face. He stomps again and again, caving in the side of her head as she’s still alive and screaming, until she finally lets go. Dean turns around, shoving away a zombie, before he continues on, losing sight of Claire and Clyde.

Jeanne is ripped apart by the horde. On the other side of the floor, Kate has fought her way over to Aidan and the others, and the group of them are nearing the stairwell.

***Kate:*** *WE HAVE TO MAKE A PUSH FOR THE STAIRWELL! Stay behind me!* ***(She looks into the horde of zombies)*** *MARCUS!*

***Aidan:*** *HOW?*

***Kate:*** *Just stay behind me and push through! Come on!*

***Brenden:*** *The door-- the door! Just kill as many as you can -- keep going for that door!*

***Aidan:*** *Alright!*

Aidan shields Abigail and Jesse, kicking back zombies, and stabbing at them, as the group moves towards the stairwell.

After what feels like an eternity of battling through the undead, Kate finally comes upon the stairwell door. She fights through it, clearing an opening. The others follow after her. As they begin to make their way down the stairs, Aidan becomes distracted by a few zombies. He stabs a zombie, dumping its corpse over the railing -- but as he does, a zombie lunges at Abigail from behind, sinking its teeth into her throat. She screams, trying to push it off -- but another one grabs onto her, pulling her down. Aidan spins around, seeing this.

***Aidan:*** *ABBY!*

He tries to make his way back to her, but two more zombies get in his way, pushing him back. Abigail’s screams fade away, as Aidan realizes it’s far too late. Tears fill his eyes, as he’s forced back down the stairs. He grabs onto Jesse, who’s looking towards Abigail’s corpse in horror, unable to look away.

Kate, Brenden, Aidan and Jesse finally, after ages of fighting through the dead, make it down to the first floor, and are now trying to get to one of the many smashed open windows to escape out into the street. Kate, who’d been using her spear all this time, finally has it break into two. She grabs the top half of the broken spear, continuing to use it. Brenden meanwhile is still hacking away at zombies with his hatchet, fingers dangling and bleeding on his other hand. The group begins to near the windows -- they’re almost out. But as Kate is trying to get there, she is tackled by a zombie into a wall. She struggles to hold it off, and is eventually knocked over to the ground, panic beginning to set in. But with the help of Aidan and Brenden, the zombies on top of her are killed. Kate pushes herself back to her feet, continuing to fight on.

***Kate:*** *Brenden! Get on ahead to the window! Clear a path! I’m right behind you!*

***Aidan:*** *Alright…*

Brenden goes ahead, as Kate, Aidan and Jesse, who’s clutching onto Aidan, terrified, follow along. Brenden cuts down a couple of zombies in the way, eventually making it to the window. Aidan stabs another two zombies dead -- but he suddenly hears a loud snarl in his ear. He has no time to turn around, before a zombie sinks its teeth into Aidan’s shoulder. Aidan yells out, elbowing the zombie off him. He looks down at his shoulder, seeing a clear bite mark.

***Aidan:*** *Fuck…*

Kate looks back, seeing him.

***Kate:*** *I… We have to keep moving!*

***Aidan:*** *Yeah--*

Aidan grimaces, as he continues forward, making sure to keep Jesse close. He already knows what’s going to happen to him. The three of them close in on the window, seeing Brenden standing outside, clearing the area.

***Kate:*** *There’s our opening--*

Aidan stabs another zombie in the head -- but this time, the dagger slips out of his hand, his strength weakening. He ushers Jesse over to Kate, before looking up at her.

***Aidan:*** *Take care of him -- please. Please.*

Aidan turns away, facing the incoming horde of zombies.

***Kate:*** *I-- I will!*

She grabs Jesse’s hand, pulling him towards the window.

***Kate:*** *Don’t look back.*

But Jesse doesn’t listen to her -- his eyes fixated on Aidan the entire time. He watches as Aidan shoves a zombie back, then charges into two more. He falls to the floor with the zombie, and immediately, more zombies pile onto his back, ripping into him. Aidan screams in pain, rolling over and trying to fight them off to no avail.

***Kate:*** *Come on! We’re nearly there! Just stay with me, okay?*

Just as they’re about to reach the window, Jesse stops, tears filling his eyes. He stares into the lobby at Aidan, listening to his screams. He’s frozen, unable to move.

***Jesse:*** *Aidan--*

***Kate:*** *Hey - hey - stay with me here. Come on! Please! It’s not safe in here, you can’t just stop! Come with me! Don’t let him die in vain!*

Kate desperately pulls at his hand, almost crying, but Jesse resists, tears streaming down his cheeks. Zombies begin to close in on him.

***Kate:*** *Hey-- no!*

Jesse remains still, as one zombie grabs him, and bites into him. More zombies circle around Jesse, piling onto him. Kate is forced to let go of the boy, as he’s thrown to the ground, screaming in agony, zombies ripping him apart. Kate sobs, hearing the screams, as she starts to realize her failure in saving the group. She then screams out, stabbing a zombie in the head.

Brenden runs up to her from outside the window, climbing back in and getting in front of her, kicking back a zombie.

***Brenden:*** *Go, go! Outside!*

***Kate:*** *Not without you… Together… come on.*

***Brenden:*** *Now’s our chance!*

Brenden swings his hatchet at another zombie, clearing the way for both of them to climb out through the window and onto the now much clearer street.

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**Scene #24**

**OFFICE BUILDING**

Back upstairs, CLYDE ROLLINS is still battling through the undead with CLAIRE NOBLE by his side. Both of them are exhausted, and it won’t be long until they have no energy left to fight. Clyde eventually sees an elevator, and fights over to it.

***Clyde:*** *Here - here!*

***Claire:*** *Clyde, it won’t open!*

***Clyde:*** *Oh… bloody hell.*

***Claire:*** *Clyde… I… We have to keep fighting. The others… They made it to the stairwell… we can… No, we… It’s too late for that, isn’t it?*

***Clyde:*** *We’re going to get out of this… Just…*

Clyde turns to a window while Claire holds off the zombies. He smashes it open with his bat.

***Claire:*** *Clyde, what are you…?*

***Clyde:*** *I don’t know, I don’t know!*

An office door near the window swings open, and MARCUS DOWNES looks out at them.

***Marcus:*** *You two! In here! Come on!*

Marcus kicks a zombie back, as he waves Clyde and Claire to hurry up. In a matter of seconds, the two of them run over into the office as fast as they can. Once they’re in, Marcus slams the door shut, putting his back against it for extra safety.

***Marcus:*** *Where is everyone else?*

***Clyde:*** *We don’t know, we’ve barely seen a thing, only some of the folks we tried to save being killed…*

***Claire:*** *We’re trapped. We’re… trapped…*

***Marcus:*** *We’re not… not entirely.*

Marcus points up to a vent in the room.

***Marcus:*** *I got backed into a wall earlier in another room, climbed into the vent, it took me here. There were other pathways, one of them might take us out to the stairwell, we can use that. Just… catch your breath first, okay? You-- didn’t see Kate at all?*

***Claire: (She shakes her head)*** *No… I’m… I’m sorry.*

***Marcus: (He frowns)*** *Alright. Just… get ready. We’re taking those vents out of here. Climb inside, I’ll hold the door and join you after.*

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**Scene #25**

**GARDEN CITY - STREETS - LATE AFTERNOON**

KATE BLOODSTONE stumbles down the street with BRENDEN TREVORS, a horde of zombies still following them at a distance. As they’re walking, Kate looks down at Brenden, noticing his mangled hand.

***Kate:*** *Brenden -- your hand…*

***Brenden:*** *Yeah… yeah, I got bit.*

***Kate:*** *We need to deal with it… If we leave it any longer you’ll…*

***Brenden:*** *Turn.*

***Kate:*** *It’s not safe here. Just…*

Kate stops, hearing the sounds of Jesse screaming in her head.

***Kate:*** *Just…*

***Brenden:*** *It’s okay. Take your mind off of… that. Let’s just get to somewhere safe for now.*

Kate nods slowly, before she looks up, hearing the sound of a car nearby. Suddenly, a car comes speeding around a corner up ahead. It drives quickly towards them, before slamming on the brakes.

***Brenden:*** *What the…*

JON MATTHEWS rolls the window down, poking his head out.

***Jon:*** *Don’t say a fucking word, just get in the car.*

***Kate:*** *Jon--*

***Jon:*** *JUST GET. IN THE FUCKING. CAR.*

Kate stumbles towards the back door, opening it and getting in. Brenden does the same thing.

***Jon:*** *And don’t say a fucking word while I get us out of this mess.*

Jon reverses back, as zombies begin to swarm out of nearby alleyways, hearing the sound of the engine revving. Jon pulls out his pistol, aiming it out the window while he drives, shooting down a couple of zombies that are preventing the car from moving.

***Kate:*** *The others might still be back there. Marcus, Claire, Dean, Clyde--*

***Jon:*** *Yeah? And who’s fault is that?*

Jon swerves the car around, as he begins to drive through the streets, speeding around more and more zombies as they flood onto the roads. Kate sinks into her seat, defeated, before looking over at Brenden.

***Kate:*** *We have to do it now.*

Brenden looks at her, white as a ghost, terrified.

***Brenden:*** *Sorry to… put this on you, but I don’t think I can swing it myself. Could you?*

***Jon:*** *The fuck? You got bit?*

***Brenden:*** *Yeah… was trying to save a kid. Got my fingers caught.*

***Jon:*** *Fucking… I could strangle all of you right now. I’ll get us home quick, just sit fucking tight. Kate, you’re gonna have to do the deed, don’t fuck it up like you did with this little suicide mission, and make sure to stop the fucking bleeding.*

Kate exhales, as Jesse’s screams echo in her head. He uses her broken spear to tear off her right sleeve to use as a bandage. Brenden lays down his hatchet, before rolling up his sleeve. He bites into the back of the carseat, preparing himself.

***Kate:*** *I’m… I’m so sorry.*

Kate grabs the hatchet, lifts it up, and brings it down onto Brenden’s hand. She swings it again, starting to cut into the bone. Brenden screams in pain, the carseat only muffling it slightly. His eyes water up, as Kate continues to hack at his hand, cutting through the bone, and then cutting it clean off. When it’s finally off, he drops the hatchet, and immediately starts to cover it up with her sleeve, trying to stop the bleeding. Brenden continues to yell in pain, as Jon drives further out of the city, zombies no longer an issue.

Shortly after Jon speeds out of the city, a horde of zombies consisting of not just hundreds - but thousands of zombies are seen passing by the ‘Welcome to Garden City’ sign, following the path of Jon’s car.