Buddy

As more threats pop up inside the mall, Helen and a small group go out looking for weapons to fight back with. A group of criminals break into the mall looking to rob some weapons from the gun store.

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## **Synopsis**

Picking up where the previous episode left off, William Reynes and his team are sitting in cover in the Entrance Plaza, pinned down by three snipers. William devises a plan, and tells his comrades to cover him. He jumps out of cover and makes a run for it, but is shot in the abdomen by Dexter Hall. Randall Forster rushes out and picks William up while Albert Hanson provides cover fire. Eventually, William, Randall, Albert, Felix Quarterman, and Edward Remar make it safely up to the second floor and into the security room.

In the Americana Casino, an intoxicated Dean Howards stumbles around like a zombie. He drinks from a bottle of whiskey as he taunts what he thinks are other people, only to soon realize that they're zombies. As he continues staggering around the casino, Dean notices a man sprinting down the hall being chased by zombies. The man is tackled to the ground by a sneaky zombie. As other zombies pile onto the man, ripping him apart, Dean watches impassively before he chuckles a bit, believing it to be an act. Dean then stumbles off into another casino.

William, now passed out, is rushed into the waiting room, where Owen Gliefield is awoken from a nap, immediately opening a med kit to treat William. Randall sits, out of breath, explaining to Owen and Helen Cullen about Quentin Richards' death and the snipers. After a few minutes, William wakes up. Helen kneels down, thanking him for bringing Felix back safely. She then asks about Jacob Feldman and is told that he went off with Erin Monroe. Felix mutters out a "thank you" to William before he exits. Randall and Helen leave the room shortly after, telling William to get some rest.

Out in the main hall, Albert sits with Edward. The two properly introduce each other, before Edward advises Albert that his first priority should always be himself. Edward then stands and quietly leaves the security room while nobody else is around.

Dean wanders through the Atlantica Casino, talking to himself. He realizes his bottle of whiskey is nearly empty, and he curses at God for not allowing him to drink. As he continues around the casino, a zombie accidentally falls onto one of the slot machines, causing it to break and spill out money, bringing Dean back into a happy state. After picking up some of the money, he comes into contact with a zombie - a zombie that reminds him of his ex-wife. He throws the zombie to the ground, complaining about his ex-wife leaving him for another man. He then stumbles off, cursing at the zombie, before changing his mind and exclaiming that he still loves her. As he looks around the casino, he notices a store that sells alcohol. He smiles, giddy, quickly approaching the store. However, he stops, having to vomit, before collapsing to the ground, too weak to get back up.

In the security room, Clyde Rollins makes small talk with a recovering William. While discussing the situation on guns, Clyde brings up the fact that he knows where there are four pistols: the lockers in Colbys Movieland. Hearing this, Helen immediately begins preparing to go out to collect them. Clyde is told that he'll need to come along in order to locate the locker. As Felix enters, he hears that Helen is leaving. Helen leaves Felix in charge of the security room while she's gone, believing that he'll be able to hold it down.

In the Atlantica Casino, Quincy Atherton, Monica Reynolds, and Curtis Van Horn, a group of criminals on the run, encounter Dean. Curtis tries talking to the drunkard, but Dean is completely out of it, mistaking Curtis to be his father. As the criminals prepare to leave, Dean suddenly jumps up, stopping them. Curtis asks for the location of the gun store, but Dean is only interested in alcohol, having no idea where the gun store is. Quincy gets ready to leave, but when Dean mocks him, Quincy turns back around and threatens him, grabbing his collar. Monica gets him to back down. Quincy then comes up with an idea to bring Dean with them, so he can help them steal guns. Dean, stumbling around, agrees to join them on their mission. When Dean fails to give them his real name, Curtis suggests that they call him "Buddy". Dean, still drunk out of his mind, vomits again, slurring nonsense. In order to wake him up, the three criminals take turns punching Dean. After falling over and getting back up, Dean decides that he no longer wants to help, but Quincy grabs Dean, forcing him to stay. Terrified, Dean stands down and says that he'd be happy to help. Curtis takes Dean aside and tells him to find a weapon for himself.

Back in the security room, Helen and Clyde get ready to leave. Before they do, they run into Albert in the main hall, who decides to tag along. The three of them climb through the vents onto the roof, then take the elevator to the storage room. There, they run into Robert Morgan, a man who claims to have a bad case of the flu. Helen is truthful to Robert with where they're currently going, and advises him about the snipers. Robert is already aware of the snipers, claiming that they killed his sister and friends. He decides to join the three of them in acquiring the guns.

They venture into Paradise Plaza, where on the way to Colbys Movieland, Albert teaches Robert how to kill a zombie - to go for their head. They eventually make it into the movieland, where Clyde discovers that he lost the key needed to open the locker. Luckily for them, Robert, a former electrician, is able to open up the locker using a device he crafts. Inside, they find the four pistols, take them, and leave.

Back in the Atlantica Casino, Dean stumbles around looking for a weapon. He struggles in fighting off the temptation to look for liquor, but in the end, caves in and enters one of the nearby liquor stores. However, he finds that the store has been practically emptied of its alcohol. Dean yells out in frustration, picking up a broken bottle on the ground to use as a weapon. He rejoins the criminals outside, who begin questioning how Dean is even still alive in his drunken state. They explain to Dean what a zombie is, and how one of their associates was bitten by a zombie and turned within minutes. Dean is taken aback by everything, unsure what to think of it all. When Quincy asks him once more if he'll be joining them, Dean says that he will. Dean and the criminals begin moving through the casino. Quincy and Monica recklessly take down a few zombies, which bothers Curtis. The group eventually make it to the end of the casino and continue on into the casino plaza.

Helen and her team walk through Paradise Plaza, looking back on their former occupations. They arrive back at the elevator without any problems, and ride it up to the roof. On the roof, Clyde admits that although it was an experience retrieving the guns, he'll be sitting out on the fighting back against the snipers part. After Robert nearly falls off the roof but is saved by Helen, the group climb down into the security room.

Jacob and Erin wander around the casino plaza, Erin explaining how the plaza is actually mostly underground. As Erin takes his hand, walking towards the Atlantica Casino, they suddenly come across Dean and the criminals. Quincy immediately goes to question them on the whereabouts of the gun store. Jacob, not knowing who these people are, doesn't give out that information. Curtis unintentionally brings up the fact that they're criminals, but Dean is quick to state that he isn't. Monica then remarks that Dean is just there to help them loot the gun store, giving away their plan to Jacob and Erin. Although they don't agree with robbing the gun store of its weapons, Jacob and Erin decide that it's not worth the trouble getting in the criminals' way. In return for giving them the location of the gun store, Jacob asks for some guns. "Then you've got to come along," Quincy states. "Then we will," Jacob replies. The group begin heading towards the North Plaza while Dean prattles on about the time he shot his brother with a BB gun. All of them share names before entering the North Plaza.

Helen and the group arrive back in the security room. Felix instantly takes notice of Robert and his cough, annoyed that Helen brought back another person. Helen assures him it'll be fine, showing him the guns they got. She and the others then enter the waiting room. Helen hands out the pistols to Albert and Randall, who join Helen in going out to fight off the snipers.

In the North Plaza, the group fights through a group of zombies blocking their way to the gun store. It doesn't take long for them to reach the gun store, and once they make it in, Teddy Powell, the owner of the shop, points a shotgun at them. Quincy, Monica, and Curtis ask politely if they can be given some weapons. Teddy refuses to, keeping his gun aimed, and demanding that they leave. Jacob tries to calm everybody down, but fails. Quincy slowly approaches Teddy, promising that they can sort all of this out as long as Teddy lowered his gun. Teddy gives in, lowering his gun. Quincy immediately punches him several times, knocking him out. Dean, appalled at Quincy's actions, goes to leave the store, but stops when he realizes that the horde of zombies is still outside. Curtis reminds Dean that part of their deal was he was allowed to take a gun for himself. Dean takes a pistol. Jacob and Erin toss a bunch of guns into a bag, planning on bringing them back to the security room. After the three criminals finish getting all the weapons they require, they say their goodbyes and leave, not wanting to stay in the mall. Erin suggests that they leave Teddy a note apologizing, and Jacob agrees, writing it down on a piece of paper. Dean is offered to join them in their journey back to the security room, and with no place else to go, Dean agrees to it.

The three of them run out of the gun store and through the North Plaza, making it to the Casino Plaza without much difficulty. There, Erin says to Jacob that they'll be able to go on their date another time. Jacob is surprised to hear her call it a date, but is happy nonetheless. As the group continue their way into Paradise Plaza, they run into Steven Philips. As Jacob approaches him, Edward suddenly appears in the plaza as well; the team is back together. As they catch up with each other, Edward brings up Quentin and his demise, unaware that Jacob still did not know of his death. Jacob is shocked, and questions how it happened. Edward describes in detail how it happened and who did it, and how he's planning to go and kill the snipers himself. Steven, Erin, and Jacob all join Edward, wanting to take care of the snipers for good. Dean, however, stays behind for the time being.

Helen, Randall, and Albert carefully make their way out into the Entrance Plaza. They make a dash for cover, preparing themselves for the fight to come. While sitting in cover, Helen is suddenly shot in the arm by one of the snipers. She groans in pain, telling her two companions to stay in cover. Then, Edward and his gang come rushing in, distracting the snipers. Erin drops the bag of guns, letting Randall, Albert, and Jacob take their pick. During all this, Steven charges at the snipers alone. Edward eventually comes to back him up, sending two of the three snipers fleeing away in fear. Randall escorts Helen back into the security room while Steven takes on the third sniper, Dexter, in a hand-to-hand fight. As Steven gets the upper hand, beating Dexter to death, Edward makes his leave, wishing them all well.

In the security room, Helen is patched up by Owen. Felix enters, worried about Helen. He says that he appreciates that Helen wanted him back safely. Helen replies by telling him that she knows there's a good person inside Felix, and that he needs to try harder to show it. Felix promises he'll try.

At the supermarket, Leslie Staunton is told by Teddy about the incident at the gun store. Greatly upset, Leslie decides that enough is enough, and they need to make sure everybody knows that this mall is hers. She states that in order to do that, they can't have rivaling factions and other people roaming around. "We've got lots of work to do," Leslie says, looking out her window. "Lots of work, indeed."

## **Cast**

#### **Starring**

* Jacob Feldman
* William Reynes
* Clayton Freeman
* Randall Forster
* Felix Quarterman
* Edward Remar
* Erin Monroe
* Albert Hanson
* Helen Cullen
* Dean Howards

#### **Also Starring**

* Owen Gliefield
* Clyde Rollins

#### **Guest Starring**

* Theodore "Teddy" Powell
* Steven Philips
* Leslie Staunton
* Robert Morgan
* Michael Hall
* Quincy Atherton
* Curtis Van Horn
* Monica Reynolds
* Quentin Richards *(Corpse)*

#### **Co-Starring**

* Roger Hall
* Dexter Hall

## **Deaths**

* Dexter Hall
* One unnamed survivor