Chapter 1 Transcript

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    [file]Chapter1Cover.jpg|thumb|Chapter 1 Cover[/file]

    [SIZE="4"]Writing done by Kc Wayland
    Transcription courtesy of Kc Wayland
    Edited by Re1ndeer[/SIZE]


    [h="2"]Part 1[/h]






    [CENTER][I]Music Intro[/I]

    NARRATOR
    We're Alive, A Story of Survival, Episode 1, It Begins.

    MICHAEL
    As I recall, the months leading up to when this all began weren't much to remember. My unit returned home earlier that year from our tour in Iraq. I had spent three-sixty-five on ground working as military intelligence. Our group came up with those playing cards you saw on the news, the 52 most wanted. I was a hard-charged PFC back then.
    (Beat)
    But, that was the first tour. After our 3rd, I was the tired and depressed Sergeant. Nothing scared me back then. I didn't fear death or what might be there on the other side if today was my last day. That was then, and this is now. I write this not really for anyone to read it, but for my own sanity. Maybe if I go over it from the beginning, it might make more sense to me. Then again, maybe not.


    [I]End Intro[/I]


    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    I was 27 at the time and in my 4th year in college. I started my freshman year in 2001, almost 8 years ago now. I remember the date as if it was burned into my head. May 8th, 2009.

    [I]Sounds of campus in the background.[/I]

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Hey Michael, where you going?

    MICHAEL
    Class-

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Oh, did you study for the quiz today?

    MICHAEL
    No, not really.

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    (laughs)

    Oh, well neither did I.

    MICHAEL
    Yeah, well, alright.

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Hey are you going to the Omega's party this weekend? It's going to be so awesome, I thought you might want to go with-

    MICHAEL
    Nope, don't want to. Thanks though.

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Why not?

    MICHAEL
    Is it a better response to say, oh OK, well maybe another time?

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Geeze, you don't have to be such a jerk about it.

    MICHAEL
    I was direct, how is that being a jerk?

    [I]Michael opens the door to the classroom.[/I]

    MALE OLD TEACHER
    Once you are done, um, go ahead and put your papers up here and you guy will be free to go.

    [I]An explosion way off in the background.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    What the hell?

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    Did you hear that?

    MALE OLD TEACHER
    It's probably just the construction going on next door, now please take your seat-

    MICHAEL
    That's not construction.

    MALE OLD TEACHER
    Hey! You know there are no make ups for this quiz!

    [I]Michael and the and Female Student both leave the classroom and head down the hall.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.)
    I remember seeing everyone gathered around the television. I expected a bombing, or maybe even another attack on U.S. Soil. Part of me was planning for the worst, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

    [I]The sound of the TV gets louder as they get closer.[/I]

    MALE TV ANNOUNCER
    I know some of these images much be shocking, but I assure you they are very real. We're receiving reports from all around the Los Angeles area and downtown San Diego. Men and women, attacking each other, biting and thrashing at one another. Local law enforcement is now responding- oh my god they're attacking the police officers.

    [I]Sounds of shots fired on the TV.[/I]

    MALE TV ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
    The attackers seem to have no hesitation as the officers are responding with lethal enforcement.

    FEMALE STUDENT1
    What the hell is going on? That's only like 20 miles from here. You think it's going to reach us?

    [I]Michael's cell phone goes off.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Hello?

    ANGEL (O.S.)
    (On Phone)
    Michael, it's Lieutenant Angel, where are you?

    MICHAEL
    I'm at school right now, what's going on?

    ANGEL
    We need you to come to the unit right away.

    MICHAEL
    Is this about what's on the TV?

    ANGEL
    I'm stuck in traffic, so I have no idea. I just got a phone call from the commander and now I'm calling you. How long till you can get here?

    MICHAEL
    Maybe 30 minutes, but I don't have my uniform.

    ANGEL
    Don't worry about those, we have a couple spares at the unit, just get there as fast as you can.

    MICHAEL
    Alright I'm on my way.

    [I]Michael hangs up and runs off to his car, starts it up and heads off into the distance. Music Bridge broken by sound of honking.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    What the hell do you want me to do? He's not moving in from of me either!

    [I]Honking continues.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    I can't go anywhere! God Damn!

    [I]Michael takes a deep breath and clicks on the radio.[/I]

    RADIO ANNOUNCER
    The 101 has been completely shut down in the area of the riot. Do not attempt taking the five freeway as it has stopped due to a massive accident outside Bell in south Los Angeles.

    MICHAEL
    Great, right before my exit.

    [I]He clicks off the radio. Honking continues behind him.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    I swear gonna rip your ass out of the car-

    [I]Sound of the car starting to move.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Finally.
    (beat)
    What the hell is that?

    [I]Under the voice over you hear the sounds of the man being attacked.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
    The first time I saw them, I froze. Something inside me told me to not to move. The group of them moved past my car to the man honking behind me.
    (Beat)
    Their bodies were littered with scars and bruises and their eyes were glazed over. The news made it sound like these were people gone mad, but the way they moved made me think that these may not be people at all.
    (Beat)
    It seemed almost in slow motion the way they piled onto the honker's car. Within seconds they shattered the glass and pulled him through the windshield. Like a pack of wild dogs they tore him apart. I found my feet seconds later and pushed on the pedal as hard as I could; driving into the grassy medium. The escaping look of mortality on the man's face still haunts me today.

    [I]Music Bridge[/I]

    ELECTRONIC GATE VOICE
    Invalid entry. Please try again.

    ELECTRONIC GATE VOICE (CONT'D)
    Access granted, please enter.

    [I]Michael pulls up and parks his vehicle abruptly.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.)
    When I drove up, I saw Lieutenant Angel. The short blond spoiled kid who just got out of officer school, a program tailored to turn men into leaders, but I had more command experience in my thumb than he had in his entire body.

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Angel, where the hell is everyone else?

    ANGEL
    I was told they were on their way. I keep calling the commander, but he's not picking up. Wait, is that his truck? No, it's just Saul.
    (beat)
    What the hell happened to you? You look pale.

    [I]The sound of Saul parking in the background.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    You didn't see it? Weren't you on the five too?

    SAUL
    Can someone please tell what that was?

    ANGEL
    I came in off the 710? What was-

    MICHAEL
    Those things just ran onto the freeway.

    SAUL
    You see that shit? They tore that car apart like a tin can. Poor angry bastard, actually kinda feel sorry for him now.

    ANGEL
    What the hell are you talking about?

    MICHAEL
    You have no idea what's going on?

    ANGEL
    No, would somebody please explain to me-

    SAUL
    You're the one who called us in, why don't you tell us-

    ANGEL
    No one told me a thing. All they told me was to call my squad and get my ass down here right away. I heard about the rioters on the radio, but why the hell would they run onto the freeway?

    MICHAEL
    Those were not rioters. They attacked a guy who was honking at me on the freeway.

    SAUL
    They weren't attacking him, they were eating him.

    ANGEL
    They were what?

    SAUL
    I wasn't far behind Michael. They were taking big chunks and shoving them in their mouths.

    ANGEL
    What? Why would they be-

    MICHAEL
    They were like animals, and they sure as hell weren't like us any more, not with those eyes.

    ANGEL
    Then what are they?

    SAUL
    Zombies.

    MICHAEL
    Come on Saul, this isn't the time-

    SAUL
    No joke, Sarge, what if they are?

    ANGEL
    Think about it for just a second.
    (beat)
    Ok, the mental hospital is not too far from here, what if, what you saw was just a breakout. We probably were brought in to take them down.

    SAUL
    You didn't see them. What the hell do you know?

    ANGEL
    Don't you talk to me that way! I'm still an officer, and you're still a lowly Specialist.

    [I]Angel picks up his phone and tries calling again.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Hey, easy Angel, I got this.
    (Beat)
    Saul, come here.

    SAUL
    How can he say that shit, you know as well as I do, that hospital is like 10 miles from here, there's no way they could have-

    MICHAEL
    I agree, I don't think so either. I know he's a pain in the ass, and once he sees one of these things he'll change his mind, but right now, we can't lose our heads. We still have a chain of command, and he is still in charge.

    SAUL
    I know, I'm sorry Sarge.

    MICHAEL (V.O.)
    Saul was a great soldier. Sure, he always spoke his mind, and it often got him in trouble. If he had held his tongue, he would have outranked me by now. He came to our unit with the rank of Specialist from a Mountain Division. I guess he got tired of the cold weather. We served overseas together and when we got back he transferred to our unit. He said something about the California-girls calling to him.

    [I]Angel hangs up the phone.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Still no answer.

    MICHAEL
    The rest may be stuck in traffic trying to get here.

    SAUL
    So what do we do?

    ANGEL
    I dunno, let's just wait till they get here.

    MICHAEL
    Lieutenant, you think we can get into the arm's room and at least get a few rifles in case something happens?

    ANGEL
    We can't.

    MICHAEL
    Why not?

    ANGEL
    I have the key for the door, but the commander has the combo for the alarm and the key for the arms racks. We'll just wait for the commander, he'll know what to do.

    [I]A loud explosion is heard nearby.[/I]

    SAUL
    That one was close.

    MICHAEL
    The way I see it, it's better safe than sorry. I say we open the door, clip the locks, and to hell with the alarm.

    SAUL
    I'll get the bolt cutters from the cage.

    [I]Saul runs off.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Wait, I didn't say we were going to.

    MICHAEL
    Look, Sir, all due respect but my instincts are a lot more field tested then your month out of officer candidate school. I'm trying to help you out and you're not playing ball.

    ANGEL
    You're acting completely drastic, what you're asking me to do could really get us in trouble. You act as if we're at war.

    MICHAEL
    Do you HEAR that out there? That's exactly what it sounds like to me.

    [I]Saul comes running up out of breath.[/I]

    SAUL
    Got them, you ready?

    MICHAEL
    Come on, let's open her up.

    [I]Music Bridge. Sound of keys into door.[/I]

    ANGEL
    You don't want to wait like 5 more minutes? The commander could just-

    SAUL
    I don't want to wait for that asshole.

    [I]The keys move and the security door swings open. Beeping is heard in the background. 1 Beat every 10 seconds.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    No point in arguing now. Saul clip the locks on cages 12 and 14. Hurry.

    ANGEL
    Now you're nervous all of a sudden?

    MICHAEL
    I just have a feeling is all.

    ANGEL
    That we're in deep shit? I could have told you that.

    MICHAEL
    How long till the alarm goes off?

    ANGEL
    Two minutes, more or less.

    [I]Saul clips one lock.[/I]

    SAUL
    Got it.

    MICHAEL
    I'll grab your rifle, just get 14 open.

    [I]Michael grabs his rifle and Saul's.[/I]

    ANGEL
    My rifle number's 17.

    MICHAEL
    When was the last time you oiled this thing?

    ANGEL
    Just give it to me.

    [I]Saul clips the other lock.[/I]

    SAUL
    14's Open.

    MICHAEL
    Load up two magazines.

    SAUL
    That's it?

    MICHAEL
    We'll come back. I don't want to be here loading magazines if or when someone responds to the alarm.

    ANGEL
    Now you're worried.

    MICHAEL
    Head outside. Don't chamber a round, unless I say so.

    SAUL
    Got it Sarge.

    [I]They all leave the vault to outside. The beeping can be heard in the distance[/I].

    MICHAEL
    How long did you say it had?

    [I]The alarm blares in the background.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
    We stood there watching the gate, waiting for someone to show up. After a minute or so I started to think of what the consequences were for my actions. Did I jump the gun on this one? Would I get punished? My thoughts of guilt and plea bargaining stopped once I heard the rumbling.

    SAUL
    You hear that?

    ANGEL
    How can you hear ANYTHING over that alarm?

    [I]The rumbling grows louder.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    It's getting closer.

    ANGEL
    Come on stop pulling my-
    (beat)
    Uh, guys.

    SAUL
    They're coming!

    MICHAEL
    Shoot the ones dragging down the barb wire.

    [I]Shots are fired. Sound of commotion.[/I]

    SAUL
    I'm trying damn it. There's too many!

    MICHAEL
    Aim for the head!
    (beat)
    Come on Angel, what the hell you doing?

    ANGEL
    It jammed!

    MICHAEL
    Yeah, no shit!

    SAUL
    They're over the fence!

    MICHAEL
    Get inside!

    SAUL
    Where?

    MICHAEL
    The vault! Move it!
    (beat)
    Saul, help me with the door!

    [I]Sounds of gun shots and the guys shoving the door shut. They are out of breath. There is a long pause as the door is pounded on.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Angel, give me your rifle.
    (Beat)
    Let go, just let go of it, I'm going to fix it. Alright?

    ANGEL
    Alright.

    MICHAEL
    Hey, hey, look at me. I want you to take a deep breath and have a seat.

    [I]Heavy breaths in the background.[/I]

    SAUL
    How the hell are there so many? So fast?

    ANGEL
    Those are what you saw on the freeway?

    SAUL
    Pfft, yeah, but there were only like 7 of them. That was like a hundred! How the hell are we going to get out of here?

    MICHAEL
    Take it easy Saul. There's no need to get worked up.

    SAUL
    What do you mean no need? What we going to do? Oh shit, I gotta call my girl. Tell her-

    [I]Saul's phone beeps.[/I]

    ANGEL
    I'm surprised it's even working in here. Let me try.

    [I]Beep, Beep, Beep.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    The lines are flooded right now. Why don't you just take a seat and have a breather.

    ANGEL
    I knew getting into the vault was a mistake, you wouldn't listen, I'm the officer here and-

    SAUL
    Fuck you, Sir, if Michael hadn't, you wouldn't be here right now. I'd love to see you try and open the door while those things are chasing you down. I saw how fast you were with your rifle, you bout shit your pants.

    ANGEL
    Don't you get it, they came because we opened it! They heard the alarm.

    MICHAEL
    We don't know that for sure, maybe they just followed the road- or maybe-

    ANGEL
    Think about it. You said they attacked the guy in the car behind you because he was honking. They must be attracted to loud sounds.

    SAUL
    So, you can understand them all of a sudden? Well maybe now you can step outside, talk to them and sort some of this shit out, maybe you can shove your-

    MICHAEL
    That's enough Saul.
    (Beat)
    He's right.

    SAUL
    He's what?

    MICHAEL
    It makes perfect sense. Why else would they come here in such numbers, and directly here? I caused them to come.

    [I]There's a long pause.[/I]

    ANGEL
    You were right, too, if that makes any difference.

    MICHAEL
    How so?

    ANGEL
    One of those things that came over the fence, I swear one of them looked like the commander.

    SAUL
    Serious?

    ANGEL
    No one else was coming.

    MICHAEL
    No matter what we did, the longer we waited, less time we would have to prepare.

    SAUL
    Prepare? Prepare for what?

    MICHAEL
    Angel, how long till the alarm shuts off?

    ANGEL
    Not sure exactly, an hour I think. Why?

    MICHAEL
    Once it goes silent, they should go away, and we can get the hell out of dodge.

    ANGEL
    Alright, but then what?
    (beat)
    We don't even know what THEY are.

    SAUL
    Told you, they're zombies man.

    ANGEL
    You know what specialist, I swear-

    MICHAEL
    Whoa, easy, both of you. He may be right. Maybe not exactly Zombies, but there are similarities.

    ANGEL
    Oh, not you too!

    MICHAEL
    Military intelligence is my job, it's what I'm good at. I've encountered different tribes on my deployment and the key to managing these situations is to know who you are dealing with.

    ANGEL
    Military intelligence, pfft. I'm the one who figured out about the sound thing.

    MICHAEL
    None of that matters now. What else do we know?

    SAUL
    We know they go after people.
    (beat)
    They sure as hell aren't no slow moving zombies either.

    MICHAEL
    So they are quicker than us.

    SAUL
    Got some strength too, the way they were bending the bars.

    ANGEL
    Wonderful.

    MICHAEL
    Head shots seem to drop them like stones.

    ANGEL
    Is that all we know?

    MICHAEL
    The rest would be just assumptions based off of what we have seen in movies.

    ANGEL
    I still don't believe this. Are you listening to what you're saying? Zombies? I mean the dead rising-

    SAUL
    Who said they were dead?

    ANGEL
    Whatever-

    MICHAEL
    What would you have me do? We're dealing with something we've never come close to experiencing before. All I'm trying to do is reason some way through this, something 'they' aren't able to do.

    ANGEL
    Now who's being presumptuous? How can you be sure they can't reason?

    MICHAEL
    Because we left the key in the door.

    [I]They are all silent for a moment.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    If we're going to make it through this, and I have every intention of doing so, we are going to have to stick together and use our heads.

    [I]The alarm shuts off.[/I]

    SAUL
    whoa, That was no hour.

    ANGEL
    Well, I said I think. No one has set off the alarm before.

    MICHAEL
    Saul, look out the peephole.

    ANGEL
    They leaving?

    SAUL
    No, I don't think so.

    MICHAEL
    Maybe, it'll just take some time.

    SAUL
    You sure they can't hear us?

    MICHAEL
    Not a chance. That door is about a foot thick and the walls are solid concrete.

    ANGEL
    Give it some time, they could move on.
    (Beat)
    Alright well, say they clear out enough for us to get through. Where do we go?

    SAUL
    We couldn't just stay here, and defend this place?

    MICHAEL
    They are able to climb over the walls, and come from any direction around the base. Not to mention every building has like four or five entrances. There's only three of us.

    SAUL
    You need some place like a prison.

    MICHAEL
    Good idea, but not the best place for living.

    ANGEL
    We would be able to contain the area pretty easily. I could probably get by in a cell, I know you could too.

    MICHAEL
    This isn't just about us.

    SAUL
    It's not?

    MICHAEL
    Look, there are a lot of people out there who are where we are now. Locking themselves in someplace safe, waiting things out, hoping that someone is going to come rescue them.

    SAUL
    Like the Army.

    MICHAEL
    But we know that's not going to happen, at least not with our unit. There are no active military stations around here, and there's a lot of people out there that need our help. Don't you feel a little responsible to them?

    SAUL
    Nope, Not at all. Naw, just kidding.

    ANGEL
    My girlfriend's apartment building!

    SAUL
    See now, he's got the right idea, go out with a bang.

    ANGEL
    That's not what I.
    (Beat)
    Michael, it's perfect. One main lobby with one stairwell. We could turn off the elevators. That gives us a very small area to contain as the entrance. We could manage it with three people. Best of all the parking garage has a security gate that we can seal off from anyone getting in.

    MICHAEL
    Could work. Plenty of space for any other survivors, not to mention the amount of supplies throughout the building.

    SAUL
    Given that we could make it there in one piece.

    ANGEL
    It's not too far from here.

    MICHAEL
    It'll work. Depending on how long we're going to hold up, it would last us.

    ANGEL
    This could just be a local epidemic.

    MICHAEL
    Given the rate of growth, I highly doubt it.

    SAUL
    How do you expect to make it to the building? The roads are probably jammed with broken down cars and god knows what else.

    ANGEL
    We'll take one of the humvees.

    SAUL
    You won't get too far with the steering wheels chained and locked. You'll only be able to turn like half way.

    ANGEL
    Then clip the lock with the bolt cutters.

    SAUL
    So we run out of here, fight through the zombies that are, let me check, yup, still outside the door. Carrying ammo, rifles and bolt cutters all the way to the motor pool being chased by things we know are faster and stronger than us, and want to eat us.

    MICHAEL
    Yeah, sounds about right.

    SAUL
    Hey as long as I get the SAW, I'm in.

    MICHAEL
    Fine, we'll need an automatic weapon anyway. Angel and I can carry an extra rifle, but any more would really slow us down.

    [I]Angel opens up another cage.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Here put these on.

    SAUL
    Do we really need to wear uniforms?

    ANGEL
    You wear this, people will know who you are and won't think twice about coming with you. There's a lot that this uniform represents that we'll need out there.

    MICHAEL
    Hey, He's right Saul, come on let's put them on.

    ANGEL
    Alright, We can do this.[/CENTER]

    [h="2"]Part 2[/h]
  2. +
    [CENTER][I]Music Bridge.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    How does it look out there?

    SAUL
    I don't see any, maybe they left.

    ANGEL
    Don't take any chances, go slow and quiet.

    SAUL
    You ready?

    MICHAEL
    Let's do it.

    [I]The large door opens slowly as they creep out slowly.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
    The moment we opened the door, the world felt different. There was no one in sight, but we could feel they were close.

    SAUL
    (whispers)
    Clear.

    ANGEL
    (whispers)
    Head around back to the motor pool.

    MICHAEL
    Angel, There's one, look.

    ANGEL
    It's the commander, what is he doing?

    SAUL
    He's just standing there, like he's in formation.

    ANGEL
    Weird...

    MICHAEL
    Hey, come on!
    (beat)
    Motor pool is just around the corner, take it slow.

    [I]They move towards the motor pool slowly until they hear a scream.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Move!

    MICHAEL
    Saul, you're driving!

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Clip the lock!

    [I]CHINK[/I]

    ANGEL
    Start it!

    SAUL
    I CAN'T! I have to warm up the glow plug.

    MICHAEL
    Fuck, I forgot about that!

    ANGEL
    What is that?

    SAUL
    Come on, come on...

    [I]Saul starts the engine.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Oh shit, seal the hatch!

    MICHAEL
    You can't!

    SAUL
    Got it, hold on.
    (beat)
    They're everywhere.

    MICHAEL
    Run 'em over!

    [I]Saul pushes on the pedal as they plow through the zombies.[/I]

    ANGEL
    There's one on the roof.

    [I]BLAM[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Got him.

    SAUL
    Hey, look who it is.

    [I]Saul speeds up and hits a zombie with a thud.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Did you really have to run over the commander?

    SAUL
    Um, he was in the way.

    ANGEL
    You swerved to hit him!

    MICHAEL
    Saul! Stop fucking around and get us out the gate.

    [I]Saul rams the gate and they head down the road.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Turn left on Bandini, and keep heading west.

    [I]There is silence for a moment.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.)
    None of us would say it, but we feared what we might find outside the gate. For the first time in a long time, I was afraid, not for what might happen to me, but what happened to the world. We were three men lost in a land of confusion.

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Keep your eyes peeled for any survivors. We can fit around 4 or 5 more in here if we pile up a bit.

    SAUL
    That's IF we find any. This place, it's a ghost town.

    ANGEL
    How fast did you think it spreads?

    MICHAEL
    Too fast for anyone to be able to do anything about it.

    ANGEL
    Just keep your eyes peeled.

    [I]Motor continues on.[/I]

    ANGEL (CONT'D)
    You have family out here?

    MICHAEL
    Um, yeah, kinda. My parents live in northern California. Outside San Luis Obispo. You?

    ANGEL
    It's just my girlfriend and I.
    (beat)
    I'm sure your parents are alright. The less populated-

    MICHAEL
    I'd rather not talk about it right now.

    SAUL
    My mom lives outside Anaheim.
    (Beat)
    Angel, did you try your cell phone again?

    ANGEL
    Busy still. I'm going to keep-

    MICHAEL
    STOP THE CAR!

    ANGEL
    What is it?

    MICHAEL
    Look, up there, the roof of the flower shop. Angel get in the turret, Saul, keep the engine running.

    [I]Michael gets out of the Hummer.[/I]

    PEGS
    Oh thank god! Riley come here!

    MICHAEL
    How many up there?

    PEGS
    Just two.

    MICHAEL
    Get down here as fast as you can.

    [I]The familiar scream is heard again.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Oh shit!

    [I]Several shots ring out.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Got him! Hurry up! There are more coming!

    [I]More shots.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Pull the humvee up closer.
    (Slight beat)
    Jump onto the roof!

    [I]Riley jumps down on top of the hummer.[/I]

    RILEY
    Come on Pegs!

    PEGS
    I can't!

    RILEY
    It's only like 7 feet! It's not hard! I'll catch you, come on.

    MICHAEL
    We need to go now!

    [I]More shots fired.[/I]

    ANGEL
    There's too many of them!

    SAUL
    Michael, we have to leave her!

    [I]Thump, Pegs jumps down.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Climb through the hatch!

    [I]Michael climbs in as they close the doors and speed away.[/I]

    RILEY
    You're crushing me.

    MICHAEL
    Just hold on!

    [I]Several thumps of zombies being run over as they head off into the distance.[/I]

    ANGEL
    We're clear.

    SAUL
    Where do I go from here?

    ANGEL
    Left at the light. Keep going straight for a couple miles until you hit Harbor.

    [I]Silence.[/I]

    RILEY
    Thanks for picking us up.

    MICHAEL
    No Problem.

    PEGS
    Where are the rest of you?

    ANGEL
    This is it.

    PEGS
    You're it? Where are the others? You know, Army people.

    MICHAEL
    We were the only ones to show up. Everything happened too fast, no one could have prepared for this.

    PEGS
    Where is everyone else?

    ANGEL
    For all we know we could have just been shooting at them.

    [I]Silence.[/I]

    RILEY
    Where are we going?

    MICHAEL
    We're headed to an apartment building that we can hold up in for a while.

    PEGS
    Is that going to be safe?

    ANGEL
    We'll make it safe. Once we have it locked down, we can go out and look for survivors.

    PEGS
    What happens after that?

    MICHAEL
    Not sure. Once step at a time.

    [I]Silence[/I]

    RILEY
    Pegs and I were on the roof for a while. I didn't think anyone was going to come.

    SAUL
    Who's Pegs?

    PEGS
    That would be me.

    SAUL
    Oh, um. Hi Pegs, I'm Saul. And that's Angel and Michael.

    RILEY
    Riley, nice to meet all of you. Where are you all from?

    MICHAEL
    I don't mean to be rude, I know you're trying to be polite, but we'll have much more time later to fill each other in on the details. Right now, we need to focus on what's going on.

    RILEY
    Totally, you do your thing.

    MICHAEL (V.O.)
    We sped through what was left of downtown. Small fires were all over the place and abandoned cars littered the road. We never saw anyone else. I had to keep my eyes on the road, but they kept wandering back to Pegs. Her chocolate brown hair and her dark eyes seemed to draw me to her. She looked to be in her early 20's. Unlike Pegs, Riley gave off a very confident vibe. She was fit and strong, maybe somewhere in her 30's. I knew Army girls who weren't as put together as she was.

    ANGEL
    Do either of you know how to use a rifle? Any type of hand gun?

    RILEY
    I'm a pro-archer.

    SAUL
    Like Robin Hood? Like a bow and arrow?

    RILEY
    Yeah, that.

    ANGEL
    OK, well that doesn't really help us. What about you?

    PEGS
    I've never shot a weapon before.

    RILEY
    Well, I've shot a gun, but I just don't remember how.

    ANGEL
    Here, we have two berettas, they're handguns. They're really easy to use. All you need to do is flip these switches from safe to fire. See that red dot there. If you see that, the safety is off. If we get into a really bad situation, you use it. Otherwise, let us be the first to fire.

    RILEY
    I can do that.

    PEGS
    No thanks.

    ANGEL
    What do you mean no thanks?

    PEGS
    I mean, I don't need one.

    ANGEL
    Oh, you mean you don't feel comfortable with it? Well once we get some down time I'll help train you.

    MICHAEL
    Or, I could. Angel here is an officer and he doesn't like to get his hands dirty.

    ANGEL
    No, really, I wouldn't mind.

    PEGS
    It's not that, I just don't agree with weapons.

    MICHAEL
    Wait, you what?

    PEGS
    I just don't want to.

    MICHAEL
    Alright, I'm not going to push. Riley, you OK with it?

    RILEY
    Hell, if you wouldn't have given me a weapon, I probably would've stolen one.

    MICHAEL
    Fair enough. So how do you two know each other?

    ANGEL
    I thought we were going to save the small talk.

    MICHAEL
    I can pay attention to more than one thing at a time.

    RILEY
    Oh, we don't really know each other, well not until today. I work as a chef near the farmer's market, Pegs here works, or well worked at the flower shop you picked us up at.

    PEGS
    Yeah, Riley found me in the commotion and we climbed up to the roof, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, Riley.

    RILEY
    Yeah, well, everyone else wasn't so lucky. If we had waited only a few more seconds we would have rounded the corner, right into them.

    ANGEL
    What happened?

    PEGS
    It all happened so fast, they just collided.

    [I]Pegs gets too emotional and can't continue.[/I]

    RILEY
    The people that were attacked first got it the worst. Blood went everywhere. Then the ones that were sprayed on started to attack others as well.

    MICHAEL
    So they turned into them from the blood?

    RILEY
    I don't know. Not everyone did, I don't think. Only a few. It was hard to tell who was attacking who, they all looked the same. Within a few minutes though, it was clear who was who, and there weren't any of US any more.

    [I]Silence.[/I]

    RILEY (CONT'D)
    Until you showed up, I figured it wouldn't be much longer before they found us, and we'd end up joining them.

    MICHAEL
    I know it's difficult right now, but the details are important. How long did it take for the people to turn into them?

    RILEY
    A few minutes I guess, it depended on how close they were. There were some that tried to run away, but were chased down. They're so fast.

    SAUL
    We already knew that.

    ANGEL
    We're almost there.

    MICHAEL
    Look, once we get inside and we make it safe, I need you to tell me every detail, even if it seems obvious or irrelevant. Ok? You too Pegs.

    Pegs
    Alright.

    MICHAEL
    The more we know about what we're dealing with the better chance we have of surviving and NOT becoming one of those things.

    RILEY
    Alright.

    ANGEL
    Pull around to the side and down that ramp. We'll secure from the ground floor, starting with the parking garage.

    SAUL
    Going there.

    [I]Saul pulls the vehicle through the entrance and into the parking garage.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Kill the engine.

    [I]The garage is silent.[/I]

    SAUL
    Should I shut the security gate?

    ANGEL
    What do you think, Michael?

    MICHAEL
    Do it, the hummer can get through it if we need it to.

    [I]Saul pulls the gate slowly shut.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Looks clear.

    MICHAEL
    It does, but we have to make sure. Sweep across the back row of cars. If we miss one of these things, the whole tower could fall.
    (beat)
    Check in and under the cars.

    RILEY
    Hey, we got something over here.

    MICHAEL
    What is it?

    RILEY
    It looks like they got him when he was trying to get in his car.

    MICHAEL
    He breathing?

    RILEY
    I don't see how he can... oh god.

    ANGEL
    Saul, you know what to do.

    SAUL
    Got it.

    [I]The sound of Saul taking out a knife.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Pegs, Riley, come over here by me.

    PEGS
    What is he doing?

    MICHAEL
    Unless we have to, we don't want to shoot anything down here. The sound could echo out of the building and bring more of them here.

    RILEY
    So he's going to...?

    MICHAEL
    He's going to make sure he doesn't get back up, and we only know one method of making sure.

    PEGS
    I think I'm going to be sick.

    ANGEL
    Make sure you don't get any blood on you.

    [I]Saul finishes.[/I]

    SAUL
    Yeah, I didn't. Cut through pretty easily, was already half way through before I even started on his neck.

    MICHAEL
    Well, leave your knife here. We don't know exactly how it spreads. Let's head up towards the lobby.

    [I]Music Bridge.[/I]

    MICHAEL (V.O.) (CONT'D)
    I was worried that the new additions might complicate the plan, but they followed my lead and stuck close by, never getting in the way. The lobby wasn't as secure as I would have hoped. Sunlight was streaming through the many windows and glass panes. I was pretty sure anything could get in here if it really wanted to.

    ANGEL
    Clear.

    MICHAEL
    Saul, I need you to find something to lock or barricade the main entrance door.

    SAUL
    I saw some chains in the hummer, and I think there's a spare lock in the tool box.

    MICHAEL
    Do it. Riley, you go with him?

    RILEY
    Will do.

    SAUL
    Man, it's alright, we were just down there.

    MICHAEL
    Until we've cleared this entire building, no one is to be alone, ever, got it?

    SAUL
    Yeah, come on girl. You got my back, just don't shoot it.

    [I]Riley and Saul head downstairs.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Angel, I'll cover the front, would you check the elevators?

    ANGEL
    Why don't I watch the front and you can check them.

    MICHAEL
    I just need to know if they're working.
    (Beat)
    Fine, I'll do it.

    [I]Michael pushes the button.[/I]

    ANGEL
    Out of order.

    [I]Pounding erupts from inside the elevator.[/I]

    MICHAEL
    Someone's inside there.

    [I]Saul returns.[/I]

    SAUL
    See what I tell you, nothing to worry- What, What is it?

    MICHAEL
    Angel, Secure the front door.

    [I]Angel chains the door and returns to them.[/I]

    MICHAEL (CONT'D)
    Saul, give me your knife, I'm going to pry open the doors.

    SAUL
    You had me leave it downstairs.

    MICHAEL
    I know you didn't, now hand it over.

    SAUL
    I cleaned it off, it's fine.

    MICHAEL
    You made yourself the guinea pig by not listening to me. We wanted to avoid any contact with that blood. Don't let it happen again.

    ANGEL
    Front doors secure.

    MICHAEL
    Alright, I'll open it, you two, be ready to fire. On three. One, Two,
    (beat)
    THREE![/CENTER]
  3.  

    [h="2"]Part 3[/h]


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