Bad Luck Jack

***Bad Luck Jack*** is a 2020 short starring the main five from *Zoophobia*. It marks the second appearance of these characters in animation and the first appearance of their new designs. It can be watched here.

# Plot

The short starts with an opening song performed by the Main Five before being crashed by Damian. After talking about how it went well and thanking Spam for the lyrics Zill asks Jack if he needs help with the drums before a leg of the piano falls off missing him. Jack is surprised it didn't hit him before a light and the piano fall on him breaking his arm which quickly repairs itself after Zill helps him up.

While lamenting about it at Jack's locker Zill offers to help before being interrupted by Rusty who proceeds to pick on Jack for his curse. After Autumn stops it by calling Rusty by his real name Jack says that he is right before Zill offers to be his "supernatural good luck charm" for the rest of the day. This is followed up with a montage of various almost accidents ranging from the mild to the potentially lethal.

After saving Jack from a falling meteorite he quickly shoves Jack out of the way to prevent a wrecking ball from hitting him causing his wrist to be sprained. This causes Jack to become devastated telling Zill to stay away despite his protests leading into the second song of the short. This song ends with Jack coming face to face with a large creature while Zill runs and finds Kayla, Spam and Vanexa telling them that he fears the curse is building up to something big. They arrive to save Jack from the monster of which he is thankful though somewhat confused as why they would put themselves at risk even though his curse prevents him from dying. His friends tell him because they love him before Jack is hit by a bus while talking about how much better he feels.

After piecing him together and having a group hug the short cuts to Jack and Zill laughing at school before being confronted by Rusty. Jack interupts Zill and tells Rusty that he is lucky to have friends who care about him and how he doesn't know what that is like and referring to him by his real name. Rusty leaves in a huff before Jack and Zill high five and walk towards the school and being joined by the other 3.

# Features

#### Characters

* Jackson Wells
* Zillion
* Kayla
* Spam
* Vanexa
* Rusty (Antagonist)
* Autumn
* Damian
* Jackie (background)
* Addison (background)
* Sahara (background)
* Tom (background)
* Garfield (background)
* Vincent (background)
* Leonardo (background)
* Camilla (cameo)
* Elijah (cameo)
* Harlie (cameo)
* Scarlet (cameo)

## Locations

* Safe Haven
	+ Zoo Phoenix Academy

# Music

#### Songs

* Make A Start
* The Curse
* Monster Fighting Time

# Transcript

**🎵MAKE A START🎵**

**KAYLA**

What were we waiting for?

**ZILL**

Why did it take so long?

**KAYLA**

Oh, how could we be afraid,

**KAYLA & ZILL**

of a love that can't go wrong?

Now that I'm by your side,

Will you take my hand?

I feel like I could fly and never land.

You and me

It’s destiny.

Can you feel my heart?

Let’s make a start.

### **Assembly Hall**

**DAMIAN**

Oops

**JACK**

Damian... what the heck? Again?

**DAMIAN**

You got nothing on me man. Stuff just happens sometimes. (Laugh)

**KAYLA**

(Sigh) Well, since the inferno... I think that sounded pretty fire.

**ZILL**

Yeah, it did. Thanks for the lyrics, Spam.

**SPAM**

I made them up.

**ZILL**

You... sure did, buddy.

**KAYLA**

Well, it looks like we wrapped up in good time. Jackie's freshman are coming in any second, so we better bustle off to our next class in a tiff.

**ZILL**

For real. You got that okay, J man?

**JACK**

Huh? Oh, yeah. I got it, I think. Oh, wow. I can't believe that missed...

**KAYLA**

(Gesture)

**ZILL**

Jack!

**JACK**

Ow...

**ZILL**

Are you okay, dude?

**JACK**

Okay as I ever am when that happens. Ow.

**ZILL**

Jeez, the bad luck thing is really bad today, huh?

**JACK**

It's bad every day, honestly.

#### **Classroom change. Corridors.**

**JACK**

With how it's acting up, I'm not feeling great about how today is gonna go...

**ZILL**

So you're having an especially off day. Big deal. Nothing I can't help you fix.

**JACK**

That's the thing, Zill. This... curse... It can't really be fixed. You know that.

**ZILL**

I know, but... It can be helped.

**JACK**

I don't think so.

**ZILL**

Why not?

**RUSTY**

’Cause he’s a freak. That’s why.

**ZILL**

You know? You weren't a part of this conversation, Rust.

**RUSTY**

I am now, so deal with it, piñata boy. (To Jack) So, how's your day going, huh? Being crushed by any falling pianos today?

**JACK**

I mean... I... Well... I, I. Just eh... one?

**RUSTY**

Oh / my God. / No way. (Laugh) Oh, Did you forget you were looking your lucky rabbit footed at home? Don’t worry. I think I saw a four leaf clover on the way to school... (Laugh).

**ZILL**

Lay him off, man.

**RUSTY**

Or what, hot shot? What? Is it this bad luck contagious? And I gonna... spontaneously combust just by standing next to him? Or you’re gonna cut the “Good Guy” routine, and actually throw a punch?

**AUTUMN**

Give it a rest, Ruben. You're acting like a brute.

**RUSTY**

You stay out of this! And don't call me that.

**AUTUMN**

What? Your name, Ruben?

**RUSTY**

Yes, that. I hate that name!

**AUTUMN**

But Ruben's your real name.

**RUSTY**

It sounds like an old person's name; and I'm very clearly young.

**ZILL**

(Whistle) They've really got some tension there, huh?

**JACK**

Rusty has a point.

**ZILL**

Hey, I'm not a piñata boy.

**JACK**

(Laugh) No, I mean about me. Supernatural bad luck follows me everywhere. So why bother getting in the way of that?

**ZILL**

Because you're my best friend. I’d do anything for you, man. Tell you what, I'll keep an eye out and combat any bad luck that comes at you for the rest of the day. I'll show you I'll be a supernatural good luck charm.

**JACK**

Seriously?

**ZILL**

Yeah, dude. What's the worst that can happen?

**JACK**

I mean, Like a lot of stuff can happen. It... It's a curse. Aren't you a little worried about that?

**ZILL**

(Snuffle) Curse «schmerz» [Suffering]. I got this.

### **In the Countryside**

**JACK**

Whoa! This is actually from space... That's a new one.

Zill! Oh, my gosh; oh, my gosh; oh, my gosh.

Oh, no! I didn't think you would actually get hurt helping me.

**ZILL**

(Cough) No, no, no, dude, ah... I’m fine. (Pain gesture). I'm fine, really.

**JACK**

No, you're not. You're hurt and it's because of me. Just... keep your distance from me. I don't want you to get hurt again, It's just gonna get way, way worse now.

**ZILL**

I'm not gonna get hurt again. Trust me.

**JACK**

Anyone who tries to help me gets hurt. I can't let that happen again. I'm so sorry.

**ZILL**

Jack, wait!

**JACK**

(Fatigue gestures)

**🎵THE CURSE🎵**

I'm getting tired of finding new ways

To Apologize

To the people that I love

Everytime I feel paralyzed.

It keeps getting harder and harder

Just to be, me

So I tell all my friends

To go find someone else and they all...

disagree.

So don't you try to help me shine,

I'll ruin it all with this bad luck of mine

Maybe if I lie once more, I'll believe that I'm fine.

I'm fine, I'm fine it's fine.

I wonder what it's like to walk around the town

Without checking every corner.

I'm a loner longing to never be alone.

“It's just too dangerous on my own.”

I feel like the curse is meIt keeps getting harder and harder

Just to be... me.

So I tell all my friends

To go find someone else and they all... disagree.

I can't stand steady,

and my breathing's getting heavy,

and my chest it's feeling tight:

Man, I'm so not alright.

I got no one to blame,

So please stay away.

I'll never be free.

I feel like the curse is me.

“Of course”.

**At another park**

**KAYLA**

And then I told 'im: mate, you really don't know who you're talking to. I’ve spent enough time in the bush busy at hard yakka with my folks to believe some drongo tellin’ a Furby!

**VANEXA**

I didn't understand a word you just said.

**ZILL**

Kayla! Guys, you gotta help me.

**KAYLA**

Oh, my Gosh! Sweetie, your hand...

**ZILL**

Jack run off and...

**KAYLA**

No, no, no...

**ZILL**

I think after all the crazy bad luck I've helped him avoid today...

**KAYLA**

Be still, darling.

**ZILL**

It's... it's building up to something extremely bad.

**KAYLA**

Worse than what did this? And let's find them fast.

**SPAM**

Oh, I’ve gotta ready a song about this.

**VANEXA**

Must you?

**🎵MONSTER FIGHTING TIME🎵**

**SPAM**

It's monster fighting time again

Not gonna let the monster win

We're gonna make that monster hurt like never before.

Whoa.

It's monster fighting time right now,

We're gonna beat this monster down

We're gonna make that monster wish it'd never been born.

Whoa.

Oh, what's that I see?

It's a bumblebee

(Bumblebee)

Oh, what's that bumblebee doin' here

That's what I wanna know.

And where does he think that he's goin'

Oh how would it be

(Ba-badoodey)

To spend you life just buzzin' around

Oh how would it be

(Ba-badoodey)

Zoomin' along , nothin' to worry about

And how would it be

(Ba-badoodey)

To spend your life just like a bumblebee.

Oh, where was I?

Monster

Monster Fighting Time (...)

**Reconciliation**

**JACK**

You... guys, I can't thank you enough. That was amazing. Spam, your songs are getting really good.

**SPAM**

Well, thank you!

**JACK**

I'm sorry for running off, dude. I’d panic.

**ZILL**

Don't sweat it, man.

**JACK**

You really didn't have to risk your lives for me. Sure it would tore me apart and I’d probably partially digested me painfully, but I would have been alive in the end. That's part of the deal.

**ZILL**

Yeah, well... Nobody here really wants to see that.

**JACK**

But it's inevitable. So why help?

**KAYLA**

Oh, because we love you, dummy.

**SPAM**

You're our friend. Right, Vanexa?

**VANEXA**

You are the most tolerable.

**ZILL**

I told yourself.

**JACK**

All right. Point taken. You're the greatest friends a guy could ask for. I'm sorry I didn't realise sooner. I just feel like my problems make me a burden to you all, but I promise from now on, I won't take for granted how much you guys care. I really feel so much better than...

(Pain gestures).

**At recess**

**ZILL & JACK**

(Laughing)

**RUSTY**

Well, well, well... If it isn't “Bad Luck Jack”?

**JACK**

Hi, Rusty.

**RUSTY**

Heya. I’ve been heard how you got totally splattered yesterday. Real nice.

**ZILL**

What's your problem, man?

**JACK**

You know... You come at me for something I can't really change; But I can at least take solace in the fact that I actually have friends... willing to still be there for me. But you don't know what that's like. Eh, Ruben?

**ZILL**

(Bazinga Gesture)

**RUSTY**

Oh... You... Shut up!

**EVERYBODY'S LAUGHING.**

# Spanish Translation

**🎵UN NUEVO COMIENZO🎵**

**KAYLA**

Ya no hay porque esperar.

**ZILL**

La espera terminó.

**KAYLA**

Uh, miedo no hay que tener.

**KAYLA y ZILL**

Un amor, ningún error.

¿La mano te puedo dar?

Di si cerca estás.

Sentir poder volar sin aterrizar.

Tú y yo,

Perfecta unión.

Late el co - razón.

Se iniciará...

**Salón de Actos**

**DAMIÁN**

Uy...

**JACK**

Damián, ¿pero qué narices? ¿Otra vez?

**DAMIÁN**

A mí no me eches la culpa, tío. A veces estas cosas pasan. (Ríe)

**KAYLA**

(Suspira) Bueno, tras este breve “incendio”... se podría decir que nos ha quedado “qué arde”.

**ZILL**

Seh, ya ves. Gracias por este temazo, Spam.

**SPAM**

Como ese, he compuesto muchos otros.

**ZILL**

No... tengo la menor duda, compi.

**KAYLA**

Bien, parece que hemos terminado justo a tiempo. Los alumnos de Jackie del primer año estarán por llegar; así que mejor que vayamos yendo a nuestra siguiente clase.

**ZILL**

Es verdad. ¿Va todo bien, chico J?

**JACK**

Eh, ah... sí. Todo bajo control, o eso creo. Guau, no puedo creer que al piano le falte una...

**KAYLA**

(Gesto)

**ZILL**

¡Jack!

**JACK**

¿Te duele mucho, tío?

**JACK**

Tanto o igual como otras veces. Au...

**ZILL**

Vaya, el temita de la mala suerte no está yendo de lo mejor hoy.

**JACK**

Siempre ha sido un desastre, francamente.

**Cambio de Clase. Pasillos.**

**JACK**

Tal y como están yéndome las cosas, no estoy muy seguro qué tan bien puedan salirme hoy.

**ZILL**

Sólo estás pasando por una mala racha. ¿Y qué? Nada que yo no pueda solventar.

**JACK**

A eso voy, Zill. Sé... cierto... que esta maldición es irremediable, y tú también lo sabes.

**ZILL**

Es verdad, pero quizá se pueda evitar.

**JACK**

No sé yo, tron.

**ZILL**

¿Y por qué no?

**ROÑOSO**

Porque es un bicho raro. Por eso.

**ZILL**

¿Sabes? Nadie te ha dado vela en este entierro, Roña.

**ROÑOSO**

He birlado una; así que fastídiate, chico piñata. (A Jack) Bien, ¿Qué tal el día? ¿Muchos pianos caídos?

**JACK**

Esto... yo... bueno. So, so... sólo eh... ¿uno?

**ROÑOSO**

No / me digas. / Me parto. (Carcajada) Oh, ¿qué pasa? ¿Te has dejado la patita de conejo de la suerte en casa? Tú tranquilo, creo haber visto algún trébol de cuatro hojas de camino al cole... (Carcajada).

**ZILL**

Déjale en paz, Roña.

**ROÑOSO**

¿O qué, machote? ¿Qué? ¿Tendré que cubrirme el hocico con mascarilla? O tal vez... ¿Voy a arder en llamas, así porque sí, sólo por estar cerca de él? O bien, quizá sólo quieras, por un instante, dejar de ser un buen chico / y partirme toda la cara...

**OTOÑALES**

Para el carro, Rubén. Estás hecho un cacho burro.

**ROÑOSO**

No te metas donde no te llaman. Y deja de llamarme así.

**OTOÑALES**

¿Cómo? ¿Rubén?

**ROÑOSO**

Sí, así. ¡Odio ese nombre!

**OTOÑALES**

Lamento decirte que te bautizaron con el nombre de Rubén.

**ROÑOSO**

Suena a nombre de viejo, y claramente aún me queda bastante para serlo.

**ZILL**

(Silba) Menuda tensión se está creando ahí, ¿Eh?

**JACK**

Roña tiene razón.

**ZILL**

Eh, que yo no soy ningún “chico piñata”...

**JACK**

(Ríe) No, me estaba refiriendo a mí. La mala suerte, sobrenaturalmente, me persigue a todos lados. Así que: ¿Por qué molestarse en ser un obstáculo para ella?

**ZILL**

Porque para eso están los mejores amigos. Haría cualquier cosa con tal de no perderte. Te contaré el plan: seré tu guardaespaldas. Me enfrentaré a cualquier tipo de mala suerte que se te presente durante el día. Te demostraré, sobrenaturalmente, cuán mejor amuleto de la buena suerte puedo llegar a ser.

**JACK**

¿Lo dices en serio?

**ZILL**

Por supuesto, tío. ¿Qué es lo peor que nos podría pasar?

**JACK**

Pues, em... nos podrían pasar mazo de cosas. Es... estoy gafado. ¿Es que no te preocupa tan sólo ni un poquito?

**ZILL**

¿Gafe? ¡Aire! Está controlado.

**En el Bosque**

**JACK**

¡Ahí va! Eso, para ser exactos, proviene del espacio. Esa sí que es nueva.

¡Zill! Ay, mi madre; ay, mi madre; ay, mi madre.

Jamás pensé que te ibas a hacer daño tratando de ayudarme.

**ZILL**

(Tose) Qué va, tron; tranqui, ah... estoy bien. (Gesto de dolor). Estoy bien, en serio.

**JACK**

No, no lo estás. Te has hecho daño y es por mi culpa. Sólo... aléjate de mí. No me gustaría que te volvieras a lesionar; y menos ahora, que la cosa se va a poner cada vez más chunga.

**ZILL**

Ya nada volverá a hacerme daño. Confía en mí.

**JACK**

Cualquiera que intente ayudarme resulta herido. No permitiré que eso vuelva a ocurrir. Lo siento mucho.

**ZILL**

¡Jack, espera!

**JACK**

(Gestos de Cansancio).

**🎵LA MALDICIÓN🎵**

Y me disculpo otra vez, como veis;

y me cansa ya.

Me paralizo de verdad.

Un abrazo, al fin, quebrará.

Dificulta siempre mi avance.

¿Por qué a mí? Sí.

Y les di-je buscad

otro chi-co, otro Jack,

mas me quieren a mí.

Mi luz dejad atenuar.

Lo arruinaré yo

al tener mala suerte,

y si finjo una vez más,

fingiré bienestar.

Muy bien, estoy... muy bien.

Ni aquí ni allá,

No hay donde, en toda la ciudad,

sin que choque en cada esquina.

Y es que a lo mejor

necesito más amor.

“Y es que peligra mi existencia”.

Dificulta siempre mi avance,

¿Por qué a mí? Sí.

Y les di-je

buscad otro chi-co, otro Jack;

mas me quieren a mí.

Mantente firme,

puede que al fin respires, hoy mi pecho estallará.

Bien yo no voy a estar.

Yo no os culparé.

Mejor que os marchéis.

Soy un preso sin fin,

maldigo mi sinvivir.

“por supuesto...”

**KAYLA**

Y entonces le dije: tron, ¿te estás “coscando” de con qué hablas? Es la primera vez en mi vida que como campesina, tras un largo día en el “curre” con mis viejos, se nos presenta un ave Drongo intentando comunicarse con un “Furby”.

**VANEXA**

No he entendido ni media de lo que has dicho.

**ZILL**

¡Kayla! Chicos, necesito vuestra ayuda.

**KAYLA**

Por el amor de... cari, ¡tu mano!

**ZILL**

Jack ha huido y...

**KAYLA**

No, no, no

**ZILL**

Creo que hoy, tras evitarle toda esa disparatada y mala suerte...

**KAYLA**

Estáte quieto, cielo.

**ZILL**

...se va a convertir en algo, extremadamente, aún peor.

**KAYLA**

¿Peor que tu mano herida? ¡Pues no hay tiempo que perder!

**SPAM**

Uh, ¡Tengo una canción para esta ocasión!

**VANEXA**

¿Ah, sí?

**🎵HORA DE LUCHAR🎵**

De nuevo vamos a vencer.

La bestia siempre ha de perder.

Y pronto no va a querer

estar aquí más. Whoa, no.

Por fin la hora de luchar.

La bestia se ha de de - rrotar.

Entonces se cuestionará:

¿Por qué nací yo? Whoa.

Oh...

¿Qué veo aquí...

...y va zumbando así?

(Zumba así).

Y di, abejita, ¿por qué tú aquí?

Quisiera la razón.

¿Y adón - de te crees que te largas?

¿Qué tal debe ser...

(Ba-badoodey)

...Zumbar, viajar y siempre jugar?

¿Qué tal debe ser...

(Ba-badoodey)

...Zumbar como nada y bien tranquilo tú estar?

¿Qué tal debe ser...

(Ba-badoodey)

...Zumbar, libar las flores del jardín?

¿Por donde iba?

¡Venga!

Es hora de luchar (...)

**Reconciliación**

**JACK**

Oh, chicos... jamás os estaré lo suficientemente agradecido. ¡Ha sido increíble! Spam, tus composiciones cada vez son mejores.

**SPAM**

Oh, gracias.

**JACK**

Siento haber salido carriendo, Zill. Tenía miedo.

**ZILL**

Da igual. Suda, tío.

**JACK**

No hacía falta que arriesgarais vuestras vidas por mí. Seguramente hubiese acabado mutilado, y muy probablemente también digerido de un modo un tanto doloroso: resucitando al final, como debe ser.

**ZILL**

Sí, bueno... a ninguno de los aquí presentes nos gustaría ver eso.

**JACK**

Pero es inevitable. Así que... ¿Por qué siempre me echáis una mano?

**KAYLA**

Oh... porque te queremos, bobito.

**SPAM**

Eres nuestro amigo, ¿A que sí, Vanexa?

**VANEXA**

Eres con quien mejor me llevo.

**ZILL**

Te lo dije.

**JACK**

Está bien, lo tendré presente. Sois los mejores amigos que un chico podría pedir. Siento haber tardado en darme cuenta, como también que mis problemas se hubiesen convertido en una carga para cada uno de vosotros; no obstante, prometo que, a partir de ahora, no daré por hecho todo cuánto os preocupéis. Francamente, jamás me he sentido me...

(Gestos de dolor)

**En el Recreo**

**ZILL y JACK**

(Ríen).

**ROÑOSO**

Vaya, vaya, vaya... Pero si es “Jack, el Desafortunado”.

**JACK**

Hola, Roña.

**ROÑOSO**

¿Qué hay? Un pajarito me ha dicho que ayer acabaste totalmente descuartizado. Qué guay.

**ZILL**

¿Pero qué pasa contigo, tron?

**JACK**

Sabes... la causa de que sólo me acoses a mí es debido a una maldición irremediable. Menos mal que, para consolarme, tengo a mis amigos. Amigos para cualquier cosa. Qué pena que tú no tengas ninguno, eh... ¿Rubén?

**ZILL**

(Gesto de “Zas, en toda la boca”).

**ROÑOSO**

Oh... y tú... ¡Callate!

**TODOS RÍEN**

Traducción por “4K & Dolby Atmos”

https://youtube.com/channel/UCIFyVJKwzlr15fGDQ3a9GA

# Errors

* After Damian sets the piano on fire, Kayla's choker disappears.
* While Jack is singing by the river, part of his bottom frame hovers over the bridge.
* Autumn's name is misspelled as "Autum" in the credits.
* Jack’s arm cast disappears and reappears throughout the latter half of the short.
* Jack's phone seems to come out of a pocket when he does not have pockets.

# Trivia

* This short marks the second time Zoophobia characters have been animated with the first being in the music video Die Young.
	+ This short also marks the first appearance of the revised character designs.
	+ This also marks the first time the majority of the Zoophobia characters have voice actors, not counting the musical animated shorts made in the past. For example, Kayla has thick Australian accent complete with slang. Damian is technically an exception as he was voiced by Jan Aponte in Vivziepop's third year SVA film "Son of 666".
		- Coincidentally, Eric Shonk, voice of Spam, performed a song as Damian in a defunct fan project of Zoophobia that would've had Broadway-inspired songs, most of which were composed by Zoophobia's composer, Gooseworx.
* It was stated that although humans are also canon in this ZP iteration, no human characters will appear in the first short.
* Autumn appears to have undergone the most extensive redesign now making him more an anthropomorphic deer instead of being fairly human.
	+ As shown in the storyboards and character models, Autumn was initially supposed to have him classic design that he had in the comics.
* In the library scene several books have readable titles, these contain various jokes and references to the *Hazbin Hotel* franchise.
* "50 shades of eggbois", "Addict", "Do Eggbois have feelings?", "Nifty Fanfics", and "Pentious the baller" are references to *Hazbin Hotel*.
* "Blitz was there", "I.M.P. Love", "Swolas", "Stolas Erotica", "Moxxie", "Moxxie's Fanfiction", and "Oh Millie" are references to *Helluva Boss*
	+ According to Magpie Raven Blackford, background designer for the short, there were more references of blatant SpindleHorse-related idioms as well as non-Spindlehorse based franchises such as the "Oh Ashley!" meme and reference to her pilot "MAYHEM!", but some such as MAYHEM were removed for censorship purposes.
* In "Monster Fighting Time" you can see an image of Blitzo's mark on his head from Helluva Boss

# Gallery

* Bad Luck Jack/Gallery

1. ↑ https://ejshonk.tumblr.com/post/128959289396/broadway-zoophobia-hello-fans-of-zoophobia-and