COMPANY MAN

(a.k.a. "DEAD ON OUR FEET")

Written by

Nancy Duff

CONTACT:
Sarah Lerner
Katz Golden Lerner LLP
sarah@[Link]
EXT. SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

A planned community where every third house looks the same. A

white van decorated with a logo for the INSURANCE COMPANY in
RED stencil is parked outside one of the fancier models.

INT. SUBURBAN HOME - DAY

A FAMILY (Mom/Dad/2 Kids) huddle close on the couch, clasping

hands. MOM (40s) wipes away tears. DAD (40s) pulls his
children close.

DAD
Love you guys.

A BLOOD STAIN appears, as if he was just wounded.

DAUGHTER
Dad?

Standing before them reading over her clipboard is IVY (32).

Ivy is dangerously magnetic, professional, and loves sugar
soda as she sips out of a Big Gulp drink.

She wears a white jumpsuit also with an INSURANCE COMPANY

patch logo.

Impatient, Ivy uses a tool to unlock the Dad’s bulky digital

wrist-watch and drops it into a Ziplock bag.

MOM
Can’t we have a little more time?
We paid for the premium package.

IVY
Sorry ma’am. It doesn’t work that
way. The contract you signed when
you and your husband got your
vaccination helps the
sustainability of our community.

Holding up the plastic bag with the wrist-watch. The numbers

on the small screen count BACKWARDS.

IVY (CONT'D)
Out of time. Two minutes. It’ll be
best if we take care of it
before... you know, the change.

Dad looks down at his shirt. The blood stain seems to be

growing by the second.
 2.

EXT. SUBURBAN HOME - BACKYARD - SAME

As Ivy exits the house, her warm smile ices over. She joins
her co-worker, SILAS (25).

SILAS
Cutting it close, yeah?

IVY
Good-byes dragging out.

SILAS
Don’t tell me that steel heart of
yours is melting.

IVY
Poor bastard got caught up in a
convenience store shooting. The guy
was just getting milk.

SILAS
That’s gotta suck. I wonder if it
spoiled.
(off Ivy’s look)
The milk?

Ivy grabs a CO2 tank from their gear and hooks up a hose - a
BOLT STUNNER.

IVY
Who cares about the milk. Hold this
will ya? I’ll go get him.

INT. SUBURBAN HOME - SAME

Ivy hands Dad a pen.

IVY
Sign here and initial here...
That’ll do. Okay.

Dad turns towards his family. His skin is now grey and BLUE
VEINS start to appear on his face, neck and arms. Final hugs.

SON / DAUGHTER
Love you, Dad. / Bye, Daddy.

Dad squeezes his wife’s hand and slowly walks outside --

EXT. SUBURBAN HOME - BACKYARD - SAME

The Dad walks towards Silas as Ivy follows two steps behind.
 3.

They walk past a BOMB SHELTER DOOR leading to an underground

bunker in the middle of the manicured yard. BARBED WIRE lines
the top of the white wooden fence.

Silas hands Ivy her equipment. He gives Dad a sympathetic

smile. One of Dad’s eyes has gone MILKY WHITE.

DAD
Wait, I had a letter for my wife --

PFFT!

Ivy shoots the Dad in the forehead with a CAPTIVE BOLT

STUNNER.

Dad is DEAD on his feet with a two-inch hole in his forehead.

Silas lightly taps his shoulder. Dad falls neatly into the
BLACK BODY BAG spread out in the grass.

A drop of BLOOD drips down a doll’s face lying nearby in the

yard. They zip up the bag and secure the body to the
stretcher.

SILAS
Thai or Mexican buffet for lunch?

IVY
Thai sounds good.

There is a GROAN from within the bag. Suddenly, a ZOMBIE-FIED

HAND breaks through the plastic causing Silas and Ivy to drop
the stretcher to the ground.

Ivy grabs her CO2 tank and stands over the body.

PFFT! PFFT!

INT. JACK WILSON’S APARTMENT - MORNING

PFFFFFT! Water droplets SPRITZ from a spray bottle onto a

four-inch tall CACTUS plant. JACK WILSON (early 40s) leans
close to inspect his work.

Jack is plain. So plain that if he ever robbed a bank,

witnesses could only say, “I dunno... a guy?” The spark has
long left his eyes. He stands back to inspect his work.

REVEAL -- TWENTY miniature cacti plants decorate the shelves

of his living room wall. He adjusts one of the plant pots and
accidentally PRICKS his finger.

JACK
Gah!
 4.

He sucks the blood from his finger. He looks down at the

large RED smudge on his white crisp button down.

The news plays on a clear piece of glass mounted to the wall

grabs his attention.

NEWS
As the Z-Virus has lulled to a
halt, are researchers bringing
disease back? Is cancer in our
future? Tune in at six!

Jack opens the closet and selects one of the THIRTY identical
white button-down shirts.

As he walks past the TV he CLAPS TWICE turning the TV off. He

opens the door to leave, revealing a -- METAL PARTITION.

EXT. JACK’S TALL APARTMENT BUILDING - CITY - SAME

The paint on the building is faded and peeling. All the units
have small ORANGE GARAGE DOORS. In fact, this might have been
a storage unit back in the day.

FRRRAAAPPPP! The sound of a metal door rising -- but in the

sea of orange doors, we can’t tell which one.

CLOSER...down, further... SECOND FLOOR...there. Jack exits

and descends the outside stairwell to --

EXT. STREET - DAY

Jack scans his wristwatch at a vestibule that houses electric

bikes. He puts on an industrial respirator mask and helmet.

DALE (O.S.)
Jack! Jack! Wait up, man.

DALE (33), Jack’s best friend, approaches. He has the persona

of a human golden retriever and smiles a lot. He also sweats.

JACK
Morning, Dale.

They greet each other with a “Footshake” tapping ankles.

DALE
Hey, I lost my watch again. Can I
bum a ride?

JACK
Why don’t I get you your own bike?
 5.

DALE
But then how’d we talk?

EXT. BIKE PATH - MOMENTS LATER

Jack and Dale maneuver a two seated electric bike on the

crowded path full of COMMUTERS also on electric bikes. A
collective HUM fills the air.

Dale wears a swim face mask and pulls down his disposable
mask, covering his mouth. He talks LOUDLY over the hum.

DALE
Man, you missed it last night. That
new bar on 5th? It’s stellar. Need
my wingman, dude. You’re coming
with tonight, no excuses.

JACK
Fine.

DALE
Chin up. It’ll be fun.

SWOOSH! An electric streetcar moves past them heading towards

the city. However, Jack and Dale drive AWAY from the pack,
towards the desert.

The CITYSCAPE soon turns to dirt with splotches of grass, to

a brown desert WASTELAND.

They pass a JUNKYARD piled high with discarded automobiles

with signs, “FREE SCRAP METAL” “DISINFECTED / SAFE TO USE.”

EXT. DESERT - DAY

A tumbleweed rolls across the dusty plain. Suddenly the sand

floor shifts. THUNK.

A steel manhole cover opens and a woman (60s) dressed in a

white INSURANCE COMPANY jumpsuit emerges. This is BEE.

She hops in an all-terrain golf cart and drives towards a --

GLASS HOUSE: About 20x20 feet in size. Inside is a metal

desk, office chair, and gun rack stocked with weapons much
like the ones that rattle in the back of her cart.

She passes by an old street pole where the MAIN STREET sign
dangles by a squeaky bolt -- a clue to the once busy
intersection. In the far distance is the CITY.
 6.

The sticker on the rear bumper of Bee’s cart: DEAD PATROL.

The faint BUZZING of Jack’s bike can be heard as he drives

over the hill.

ROAD:

Jack and Dale wave to Bee as they pass.

Jack parks at a charging station in front of a small building

with a sign that spins: INSURANCE COMPANY. It’s the ONLY
building, save for Bee’s glass house, for miles.

Both Jack and Dale clip their INSURANCE ADJUSTER work badges
to their shirt pockets and walk towards the GLASS SWINGING
DOORS of --

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DAY

Formerly a 7-Eleven convenience store, the space has been

converted to an office where six vintage steel desks fill the
main space.

The back wall is outfitted with a soda fountain, Slurpee

machine and snack station.

A larger office with a Plexiglass window is off to the side

with a view into the work pit.

They pass WORKERS shifting paper, stacking paper and stapling

paper. Jack places his breakfast sandwich in the fridge
before settling in at his desk.

Dale pushes his chair with his feet, rolling up to Jack.

JACK
Dale, time to get to work.

DALE
What gives?

JACK
The weekend reports AND I’m going
to pitch Lex this morning.

DALE
Again? Why? Look around. We’re cogs
in a big machine.

Jack glances around at their FOUR CO-WORKERS. EUNICE (26)

draws at her desk and GEORGE (50) yawns while reading a file.
The other two sleep upright in their chairs.
 7.

Their boss, LEX (50s) exits his office prompting Dale to roll
his chair back to his desk. The typing on keyboards grows
louder as everyone aims to impress.

Lex grabs a snack from the fridge and approaches.

LEX
There’s my number cruncher, Jack.
Got the weekend report?

He takes a bite out of a breakfast sandwich. The Post-it note

on the wrapper reads, “JACK.” Lex is a dick.

JACK
Almost done. Is that my BLT--
Actually, if I could get five
minutes of your time...

A LOUD SIREN rings through the air interrupting them. Lex

beelines it back to his office, shuts and locks the door.

LEX
(as he walks)
My office, in an hour.

Without any fanfare the office WORKERS get under their desks.
All EXCEPT Jack and Dale.

George, the office rule follower, watches them.

GEORGE
Guys, duck and cover!

JACK
Taking a look is all.

Jack and Dale close the blinds and peek through the slats.

DALE
Ooh, he’s a fast one.

INTERCUT: EXT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DAY

Running across the desert is a MAN (20s): eyes sunken in,

skin grayish color, large sores on his body -- a ZOMBIE!

Bee grabs a weapon and exits the glass structure.

BEE
On your knees now, son!

The Zombie grunts as he sprints. He’s fast. Bee’s faster. She

aims her rifle. BAM! The Zombie tumbles to the ground.
 8.

OFFICE WINDOW:

Jack and Dale watch, mesmerized.

JACK
Total baller.

Bee turns towards the window, causing Jack and Dale to hit
the floor. From under a nearby desk.

GEORGE
Told ya.

DALE
Grow a pair, George.

JACK
(soft whisper)
Bee scares me.

Dale nods in agreement and shoots George the stink-eye as if

to say, “She scares you too, mother fucker.” Jack and Dale
return to their desks.

Dale, George and Eunice STAMP paper, SHIFT paper, and FILE
paper with enthusiasm.

Jack sits. Unmotivated. He watches two WORKERS emerge from

the basement wearing LAB COATS. They refill their soda cups.

Jack’s POV: He reads the posters on the wall.

HAVE YOU SEEN A ZOMBIE? CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY!

Picture of a reasonably healthy family, except ONE FAMILY

MEMBER is a bit dead in the eyes. CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY
FOR YOUR FIVE YEAR CHECK!

JACK (CONT'D)
Hey George, what do you think they
do down there?

DALE
Dunno. Over my pay grade.

JACK
I wonder if it’s you know... a
cure.

DALE
A cure? But we are cured. Set until
the ripe age of ninety-nine.

Dale picks up on his friend’s somber mood.

 9.

DALE (CONT'D)
What? Make it how it was before?
That’s a hard sell man.

Jack shrugs.

DALE (CONT'D)
We’re in the middle of the HQ.
Don’t you think we’d hear about it?

JACK
I guess.

Jack sits defeated. He pushes a stack of paper with one

finger until it topples over and spills his coffee.

JACK (CONT'D)
Ah, suck nuggets.

Jack is too busy to notice the front door bell, DING! He uses
CITIZEN REPORTS on his desk to mop up the liquid.

A FEMALE HAND, sporting a retro leather bracelet with the

imprint “IVY” places the CITIZEN REPORT with the DAD’S
PICTURE (from the previous scene) on it.

IVY
Finished. These for me?

Jack quickly stamps TERMINATE in RED INK on the last form.

JACK
Yeah. Here you go.

IVY
Thanks, Jason.

JACK
Jack. My name is Ja--

HOOONNNK! Silas honks the horn in the Insurance Company van

parked out front. Ivy takes a sip from her Big Gulp.

IVY
Right.

As she walks towards the door, Dale holds up his drink, half
winks, trying to be cool.

DALE
Mello Yello...
(to Jack)
We both drink Mello Yello.
 10.

JACK
(under his breath)
Be cool man.

Dale throws a Nerf ball toward Jack, who misses it.

DALE
Dunk me when you want to grab grub.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY - LEX’S OFFICE - LATER

Lex scrolls on an electronic tablet. His back is to Jack, who

sits in an uncomfortable modern chair. Jack holds a stack of
citizen reports marked for termination.

LEX
Any way to up these numbers?

JACK
W-why would we want to do that?

LEX
Can’t have everyone living until
they’re 99, can we?

Taken aback.

JACK
But it’s the law.

Lex’s smile fades. Jack hands him a report.

JACK (CONT'D)
My research shows people are
lasting longer after initial
injury. And if the team is
developing a serum to counteract
the Z-vaccine --

LEX
Stop right there. The serum is just
rumors for the media. Even I would
love to bring diseases back. Do you
know how many claims we’d have on
diabetes alone?

Lex’s huge smile fades when he sees Jack’s mouth agape.

LEX (CONT'D)
But that’s for the next generation
to figure out. The apocalypse was
hard for all of us.
(MORE)
 11.

LEX (CONT'D)
We’re survivors! The work horses
left to guide humanity.

JACK
But we aren’t really doing that...
If we gave people more time --

LEX
Everyone’s already been given more
time and squandered it. The Zombie
Virus wiped out more than half the
population but thanks to our
company and our vaccine, people get
to live a disease free life until
ninety-nine and help rebuild this
hot dusty shit bowl.

Jack flips through the forms.

JACK
Not all of these injuries should
result in death sentences.

LEX
Oof. We can’t risk having anyone
develop into you know --

Lex glances at a POSTER on the wall. Jack follows his gaze.

POSTER: Two ZOMBIES in a cage with a healthy human on the

outside. The caption reads, “Register with the Insurance
Company and live free!”

LEX (CONT'D)
Listen, we’re all chockfull of
chemicals, kickin’ the disease out,
holding on for dear life. The
company only steps in if you make a
colossal boo boo. You eff it up,
we’ve gotta put ya down. It’s that
simple.

Lex leans forward for effect.

LEX (CONT'D)
For the safety of humanity of
course. YOU, Jack, are a part of
that. Don’t over complicate things.
(BEAT)
But hey, good on ya for trying to
assert yourself. Shows I made a
good decision to promote you.
Gotcha upstairs with a window.
 12.

Jack glances out the window to the vast desert with trolley
tracks going through it.

JACK
Thank you, Sir.

INT. BAR - LATER THAT NIGHT

Dale and Jack maneuver through the CROWDED bar. Dale wears a
loud print shirt while Jack dons his work suit. They both
wear large HEADPHONES.

The venue is silent. The only sound comes from tapping feet
on the dance floor as the CROWD dances to the music blaring
into their HEADSETS.

JACK
He wouldn’t even listen to me.

Dale only half listens to Jack as they make their way to the
bar. He nods at girls along the way.

DALE
Don’t let Lex get to you.

Jack taps Dale’s arm, signaling him to allow a MAN (30s)

wearing a COLLAR with a DIGITAL CLOCK on it, to the front.

JACK
Excuse us, Sir. After you.

Dale catches a glimpse of the Man’s COLLAR, 0 HR 59 MIN. Dale

pushes other people waiting to the side.

DALE JACK (CONT'D)

Dead man walking. Step on up Don’t call him that. Sorry.
here. He means well...

The PATRONS oblige.

MAN
Get to go out on a whiskey sour.

Dale lets out an overzealous laugh. Off Jack’s look.

DALE
What? You better laugh at my last
joke.

JACK
That’s not --
 13.

DALE
Oh yeah, right.
(to Man)
Dude, sure you got another joke
comin’ in the next 59...whoop, 58
minutes.

JACK
(to man)
Ignore him.

TIME LAPSE:

Tapping feet. Barely a whisper. Empty glasses sit on the

counter in front of Jack. Across the room Dale and a GIRL
make out with face masks on. Jack leaves.

EXT. ABOVE GROUND TROLLEY STOP - NIGHT

Jack exits the bar to find the electronic bike vestibule OUT
OF SERVICE. He walks down the empty city street, past an
alley where an electric BMW is parked.

INT. BMW - ALLEYWAY - SAME

Ivy sits in the driver’s seat, eyes wet from crying. She
listens to a self-help podcast.

PODCAST (O.S.)
You are a leader contributing to
the sustainability of our
community, servicing the nation.
You are empowered and help the
government restore order. Repeat, I
am a positive person. I am a good
citizen.
(BEAT)
Paid for by the Insurance Company
Training system.

Ivy wipes her eyes and slams her steering wheel. She SLAPS
herself across the face, SEVERAL TIMES, it gets awkward fast.

IVY
Come on, Ivy!
(another HARD slap)
You got this.
(unsure)
You got this...

She starts the car and punches the GAS. She don’t got shit.
 14.

EXT. DARK CITY STREET - NIGHT

Jack crosses the street just as --

Ivy’s electric BMW speeds over the hill, catching AIR. Jack
looks up at the bright lights coming right at him.

Ivy and Jack LOCK EYES for a BEAT.

SLOW MOTION: BAM! Jack lands on the windshield leaving a

large imprint. His left hand PIERCES the glass.

Jack bounces off the window and FLIES THROUGH THE AIR.

REGULAR SPEED: Jack HITS the pavement, hard, about twenty

feet away and rolls to a stop.

Ivy processes.

IVY
What the actual fuck?!

STREET:

Jack’s eyes open. He looks at the NIGHT SKY, takes a deep

breath. A shadow appears over him.

Ivy leans forward with a concerned look. For a second we prep

for the bolt stunner -- but then...

IVY (CONT'D)
That was, you sailed through the
air...you’re... here. Oh.

Ivy looks at his arm, we can’t see what she sees, but from
the amount of blood on Jack’s shirt, it’s not good.

Jack sits up. She gives him a sympathetic look.

JACK
I-I’m okay...

Jack’s eyes suddenly roll back and he faints.

INT. EMERGENCY ROOM - LATER

Jack regains consciousness and removes his oxygen mask. He

notices that the IV tube hangs to the floor, having been
REMOVED. His once bloody arm is BANDAGED.

Jack reads the PAIN MANAGEMENT sign on the wall: Various

corresponding smile & frown faces. Next to the FROWN face in
RED lettering: NO PAIN? TELL YOUR DOCTOR! YOU MIGHT BE DEAD!
 15.

SCREECH. The dividing curtain is pulled back by the DOCTOR.

DOCTOR
Wish I had better news.

JACK
H-how dead am I?

DOCTOR
Pretty dead. Completely dead.

Jack sits stunned.

JACK
Huh. I thought it would feel
different.

DOCTOR
That’s the benzo drip. It takes the
edge off processing the news.

The Doctor throws two X-Rays up on the light board. It’s a

mess of broken bones and grey clouds.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
The Z-virus vaccine only makes us
disease free, not invincible. That
car hit you pretty hard --

JACK
A car? The details are a bit fuzzy.

The Doctor points to a picture on the wall.

DOCTOR
This here, is the mortal wound.
Unfortunately you are on a count
down to the zombie state.

She writes notes in Jack’s file.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Based on these results, I’m going
to give you four days, nine hours,
thirteen minutes. I like to
underestimate a smidge. Hate to
have you turn on family and
friends. Don’t scratch anyone.

JACK
Understood.
 16.

DOCTOR
Think about where you want to spend
your last days and get yourself
there.

She starts to leave but hangs back for a moment.

DOCTOR (CONT'D)
I’m sorry. You seem like a nice
guy.

JACK
Thanks.

A MALE NURSE (50s) rolls in a cart. On the tray there is a

wrist watch, an ankle monitor and a neck collar (similar to
the one the guy wore in the bar).

NURSE
Hi, Mr. Wilson. I need you to
choose your device.

JACK
I’ll take the ankle one.

NURSE
Good choice. Go under the radar.

The Nurse activates the monitor, clicks a few buttons. The

time 4 Days / 9 Hours / -- Minutes appears. The minute button
sticks...he struggles, finally gets to...12, 13.

NURSE (CONT'D)
Didn’t want to short change you.

The Nurse removes the bandage on Jack’s arm. Once a bloody

mess, now only has scar tissue. He hands him a form.

NURSE (CONT'D)
Take this with you to get
processed.

He rolls the cart out, leaving Jack alone, lost in thought.

B&W MOVIE PLAYS: On the screen are long lines of people

waiting to be vaccinated and ZOMBIES being rounded up and put
in cages. Families wave good-bye to their zombie loved ones.

MOVIE NARRATOR (V.O.)

Our sincerest condolences. You are
deceased and have been assigned
your farewell time.
(MORE)
 17.

MOVIE NARRATOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)

Thanks to the vaccination during
the Z-Virus outbreak, you have led
a disease free life. The contract
you signed during the zombie
outbreak is now activated. Thank
you for your cooperation and
dedication to your community.

REVEAL: The archive footage plays on a computer monitor in

the --

INT. HOSPITAL FAREWELL OFFICE - DAY

Jack removes the headphones and gives them back to MARIGENE

(70s) who sits behind a partition.

Marigene wears bright colors. She likes pink. This is either

really annoying when you just die or comforting.

To the side of her workstation is a sign, “Hi. I’m your

farewell processor, Marigene with an “i”.” Behind her, an I
NEED A HUG Basset Hound poster is tacked to the wall.

MARIGENE
Thanks, dear. Government ID?

Jack obliges and Marigene slides it through a card reader.

She lets out a couple “oh, dears” while reading the screen.

MARIGENE (CONT'D)
I see your parents passed in the
incident.

JACK
The outbreak was tough for a lot of
families.

Marigene reads further.

MARIGENE
Cousins? Siblings? All gone? Well,
at least you can have time with
your daughter.

RECORD SCRATCH. Hold up...

JACK
Daughter? That’s a mistake. I don’t
have a daughter.

MARIGENE
What? Well, it says right here.
Who’s Shannon Brantley?
 18.

Jack sits dumbstruck.

JACK
Shannon? She was my college
girlfriend. We broke up after
graduation during the --

MARIGENE
--Zombie apocalypse?

Marigene clicks a few screens.

MARIGENE (CONT'D)
Katherine Brantley Wilson. Born
twenty-two years ago. You’re listed
on her birth certificate.

JACK
I am? But I-I didn’t know about--
Can I get Shannon’s information?

MARIGENE
I’m sorry dear. She passed.
(reading screen)
Z-virus, five years ago. But here’s
Katherine’s information.

JACK
Katherine...

MARIGENE
Looks like she goes by Katie.

JACK
Shannon died of Z-virus? But
everyone got vaccinated.

MARIGENE
Not if she was pregnant.

JACK
Right. Oh.

MARIGENE
Reach out. Settle your affairs.
That’s the one gift we’ve been
given in all this mess.

JACK
Yes, ma’am’.

Marigene adjusts the dial on her ink stamp and STAMPS Jack’s
paperwork. RED INK: 4D. 9H. 13M.
 19.

MARIGENE
Now your timer starts when you pass
through that door over there.

Jack pockets his I.D. Marigene watches him.

MARIGENE (CONT'D)
And don’t drive the last twenty-
four hours. You never know with
these things. We always get an
influx of accidents.

JACK
Understood.

He walks over to the sliding glass doors leading to the

outside. He stands there for a beat. The clock reads 6AM.

He looks back to Marigene who gives him a smile. Jack looks

to the sensors on each side of the doorway.

As Jack steps forward, into the early morning sunlight, the

sensor goes from RED to GREEN.

Jack is forty-four years old and officially has 4 Days, 9

hours, 13 minutes to learn how to LIVE.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Jack walks. Picks up the pace slightly. RUNS.

INT. JACK’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - SAME

The wall clock TICKS. Jack stares, lost in thought, at the

rows of work suits in his closet. TICK. TICK. TICK. The wall
clock becomes LOUD in Jack’s head. PANIC SETS IN.

He jumps to his feet and rips the clothes off the hangers,
overturns a dresser, knocks over the TV...finally haphazardly
falls to the floor. Jack buries his head in his hands.

EXT. BIKE PATH / TROLLEY TRACKS - DESERT - DAY

An old suitcase bobbles across the rugged terrain. It hits a

rock and topples onto its side. Lost in thought, Jack DRAGS
the suitcase across the dirt.

EXT. CAR JUNKYARD - DAY

Jack hands the ATTENDANT cash. The Attendant dumps a gallon

 20.

of corn oil in the tank and hits the side of the truck
signaling to Jack the tank is full.

Jack’s suitcase bobbles in the bed of the truck as he drives.

EXT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - 8 AM

Jack enters the building, the pickup is parked conspicuously

in the back.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER

Jack enters and nods towards the stairs, signaling Dale to

follow him.

They walk through the double doors that have a Plexiglass

window looking into a MASSIVE UNDERGROUND CUBICLE CITY.

The underground office is so dark and depressing, it would

surprise no one if an employee swallowed a gun barrel in
their cubicle at lunch.

DALE
Why are we down here?
(loud whisper)
I avoid the despair...

Jack pulls him into --

INT. SUPPLY ROOM - SAME

Outdated office equipment is stacked up against the wall.

DALE
Where’d you disappear to last
night? Did you --

Jack lifts his pant leg, displaying his ankle monitor. Dale
smile fades. His bottom lip immediately starts to quiver.

DALE (CONT'D)
Nope. NO. Wh-whyddya have that on
for?

Jack waits for Dale to process.

JACK
I was walking home and the next
thing I know, I woke up in the ER.
They told me I got hit by a car.
 21.

DALE
What kind of asshole runs someone
over?

Jack holds up his arm showing Dale the scar tissue.

DALE (CONT'D)
You’re crazy for coming here. You
won’t make it back to the city. Bee
out there, is fierce as fuck.

JACK
I wanted to say good-bye.

DALE
How long do you got?

JACK
Four days and some change.

DALE
F--four?

Dale paces.

DALE (CONT'D)
Okay, okay. Day one, video games
24/7. Day two, drink beer all mofo
day long, day three --

JACK
I found out I have a daughter.

DALE
A what now?

JACK
I-I have a daughter.

DALE
A kid? How’d you not know something
like that?

JACK
My college girlfriend. We broke up
when the zombies hit.

DALE
As one does.

BEAT.

DALE (CONT'D)
You spawned an apocalypse baby!
 22.

JACK
Shhhh --- yeah, seems so.
(beat)
I’m going to go find her. Her name
is Katherine.
(to himself)
Goes by Katie.
(to Dale)
But maybe it’s too weird, you know?
Show up, only to leave, for good.
I’ll mess up her life --

DALE
Stop. Don’t you think Katie wants a
say in all this?
(beat)
Get out of this dump. This is a
chance to have a real life, even if
it’s only for a few days.

JACK
I need your help with something. As
soon as the hospital reports come
in, I’ll be a marked man. Buy me
some time?

DALE
Yeah, I got ya.

Dale pulls Jack’s pants leg down.

DALE (CONT'D)
Keep that hidden. Makes people
weird.

Before his lip can quiver again, Dale throws his arms around
his friend. For all he knows, this is good-bye.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

George staples reports at his desk. Eunice sketches in her

art book, while the other two sleep.

DOORWAY:

Jack looks back to Dale one last time. When he turns back
around, he runs straight into -- Ivy. Behind her, the BRIGHT
DESERT SUN beams down on Jack’s face. He squints.

Ivy wears sunglasses and sports a bruise on her cheek from

the accident. She waits for Jack to say something...
 23.

QUICK FLASHES OF THE ACCIDENT: Bright lights of an

approaching car! SMACK of the windshield! A shadow leaning
over him.

RESUME NORMAL TIME: Flustered, Jack snaps to. Ivy watches as

a groggy Jack makes it out the door. NO REACTION to her.

JACK
(muttering)
Excuse me.

INT. JACK’S TRUCK - SAME

As Jack drives away, he pulls his company badge off his shirt
and throws it against the dash -- it bounces to the floor of
his truck.

In the background, Dale watches out the window.

Bee nods to Jack as he passes by her station. He keeps his

eyes on the road, avoiding eye contact.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DAY

Dale hurriedly opens up the Insurance Company database. He

inputs Jack’s ID number.

ON SCREEN:

Jack’s photo. Time Given: 4 D 7 H 02 M (clock ticks down)

CONTRACT ACTIVATED flashes on the top of the screen.

LIVING RELATIVES: Katherine Brantley.

Dale DELETES all references to Katherine. He presses save and

changes the screen just as --

GEORGE (O.S.)
We got doughnuts.

Dale jumps in his seat.

DALE
Damn it, George! Yeah, okay, I’ll
have a few.

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY

Jack drives from West Texas towards East Texas, his

surroundings get more lush: Trees, forest, rolling hills.
 24.

Jack pulls over and exits his truck near a wooded area with a
river. SIGN READS: Fresh Water SAFETY LEVEL BLUE (on a scale
where RED indicates DANGER).

He kneels down and lets the water flow out of his hand. Takes
a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air.

WHAP!

BLOOD SPLATTERS across Jack’s face. He stumbles back

dumbstruck as a ZOMBIE falls to the ground at his feet.

JACK
What the--!?

He turns to find:

A PREGNANT GIRL (early 20s) wielding a nine iron GOLF CLUB

above her head. She winds up to strike again --

JACK (CONT'D)
Stop! Stop! Christ, lady. Easy now.
I said BACK UP.

The Girl watches a nervous Jack. Tries to stifle a smile.

PREGNANT GIRL
Alright don’t get fidgety. You
okay?
(mocking silent Jack)
Oh, what’s that? Thank you. Oh,
you’re welcome.
(re: bashed skull)
I saved you from a runner. That one
tracked me up the river.

She struggles with her large belly to bend over and collect
her bucket of fresh catch that fell in the ruckus.

Jack watches for a BEAT too long.

PREGNANT GIRL (CONT'D)

Could you just --?

JACK
Oh, yes. Sorry. Here...

Jack tries to collect the fish. It’s awkward as one still

flops and slips out of his hands. The Girl nonchalantly grabs
the fish by its tail, stunning it.

She catches him staring at her big stomach.

 25.

JACK (CONT'D)
You’re uh --

PREGNANT GIRL
Pregnant? So? You’re not from
around here are ya?

JACK
Down the road a bit.

PREGNANT GIRL
From the looks of ya, way down the
road.

She collects her bucket. Notices his fresh pressed T-shirt.

PREGNANT GIRL (CONT'D)

You’re very -- ironed. Lemme guess,
an inside type a guy? Watch your
back out here. We get a few
stragglers every now and then.

JACK
Thanks. Can I help --

She’s already down the trail, half waves.

PREGNANT GIRL
I’ll be fine.

Jack spots her golf club on the ground. Calls after her.

JACK
You forgot your -- club.

PREGNANT GIRL
Keep it. I’ve got a whole set.

JACK
Thank --
(she’s gone)
You.

Jack stands there listening to the trickle of the stream. The

moment is interrupted by a rustling in the leaves. He goes on
alert, club at the ready -- only a deer. He relaxes.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - JACK’S TRUCK - LATE AFTERNOON

Jack checks the address on his paper. Huh, is this right?

The TADPOLE MOTEL is a quaint establishment that boasts ten

 26.

guest rooms and a small diner. Kind of place that’s a three-

star on appearance, but five star on service.

Jack parks his car in the gravel lot and watches as various
TOWNSFOLK make their way inside for an early supper.

EXT. DINER - AFTERNOON

Jack stops short when he notices the sign on the door:

ZOMBIES: NO SERVICE

He adjusts his pants leg to make sure his ankle monitor is

hidden and is about to open the door when from behind him --

LUCAS (O.S.)
Two dollars for a shine.

Jack freezes. Unsure if he was just caught covering his

monitor. He turns to find LUCAS (20s), who has Down syndrome,
sitting on a stoop with a shoe shine box and a slingshot.

Jack stammers.

LUCAS (CONT'D)
Five dollars for cowboy boots, but
you have shoes. Two dollars for
you.

JACK
Uh, thanks. But --

Lucas reaches for Jack’s leg. Jack stumbles back.

JACK (CONT'D)
Easy there.

Jack digs in his pocket and hands Lucas a five dollar bill.

LUCAS
No. I need two dollars. Wrong.
(he pockets it)
Okay. Bye.

INT. MOTEL DINER - LATE AFTERNOON

It’s bustling. A petite Indian woman, SHALINI (mid 30s) slaps

a menu to Jack’s chest.

SHALINI
You solo?

(MORE)
 27.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
(off Jack’s nod)
Take the bar.

Shalini weaves through the packed crowd and barks orders.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
Coffee coming up. Chicken fried
steak. Hold the gravy.
(back to customer)
Who holds the gravy on my chicken
fried steak?

EARL (50s) heavy set customer, shrugs.

EARL
Shalini, she has me on a diet.

SHALINI
For you, Earl. Fine.
(to crowd)
But only Earl!

She means business. Jack sips his water at the counter.

Shalini stops in front of him.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
You know whatcha want?

JACK
The chicken fried... um... let’s
see....

Shalini impatiently taps her pen against her palm.

SHALINI
How about the blue plate special?
You get the chicken fried steak and
the greens on the side. You can
settle your worries in the mash.

JACK
Sounds great.

SHALINI
Coffee, milk or soda?

JACK
Decaf if you have it.

SHALINI
Katie, put on a pot of decaf!

KATIE (O.S.)
Two seconds!
 28.

Upon hearing Katie’s name, Jack shifts forward in his seat. A

coffee pot is placed in the service window.

The swinging door OPENS to reveal the PREGNANT GIRL from the
woods, now has her hair pulled back and a hint of make-up on.

This is KATIE BRANTLEY (22). She holds a giant tray of food.

Shalini grabs plates.

SHALINI
What have I told you about carrying
heavy weight?

KATIE
I’m fine. Earl, gravy on the side.
Thelma, side salad and rare steak
for you.
(low voice)
I put fries on just in case you
change your mind.

THELMA (50s), Earl’s wife, smiles.

THELMA
Katie, you always take care of us.

Katie grabs the coffee pot off the ledge.

KATIE
Now, who had decaf?

Jack half raises his hand.

JACK
That’ll be me.

Katie smiles when she sees Jack. She fills his cup and puts
two creamers next to it.

KATIE
I see you survived alright.

JACK
Thanks to you --

He pretends to read her name tag.

JACK (CONT'D)
-- Katie. I’m Jack.

KATIE
Nice to meet you, Jack.
 29.

Father and Daughter lock eyes. He can’t help but stare at her
baby belly -- again. She catches him.

KATIE (CONT'D)
You gotta stop staring. I already
feel like a freak. I was an
apocalypse baby. Not vaccinated so--

Shalini walks in between them.

SHALINI
Don’t tell strangers your business.
(to Jack)
Blue plate will be right up.

Katie places a fish plate down on the counter for a

neighboring CUSTOMER. She turns to Jack.

KATIE
(lowers her voice)
I’d appreciate you keeping mum on
the bucket drop.

JACK
Secret’s safe.

Just then the diner door chimes, announcing the arrival of

TOM (29) high on swagger, low on brains. Shalini rolls her
eyes. Katie noticeably tenses up.

KATIE
Tom, we’ve got a full house. Why
don’t I bring you and the boys--

TOM
-- We’re stayin’. We’ve worked
outside all day and I’m tired. Grab
us some waters, won’t ya.

Jack watches as Tom and TWO MEN take the last available
booth. He overhears Shalini.

SHALINI
I can’t stay late and clean up
after them if they get rowdy.

Jack watches as Tom sips from a flask hidden in his over

shirt. Shalini stops by the booth to hand them menus.

TOM
What’s the rush? Trying to get rid
of us?
 30.

SHALINI
Your idea not mine.

TOM
That’s no way to be thankful for
taking out that undead from your
shed last weekend.

SHALINI
I told you the Insurance Company
was already on their way.

TOM
One leads to many. Not right. We
choose to live out here in peace.

Tom hops up from the booth and approaches Katie. He places a

hand low on her hip, pulls her close. Startled, Katie almost
drops the coffee pot.

TOM (CONT'D)
I do it for you, you know. To
protect our family.

Katie tries to shake free from Tom’s grasp but he covertly

grabs her arm, hard. Katie winces. No one sees this but Jack.

Jack is just about to jump up from his seat when Katie

manages to twist away. She stumbles. Jack catches her -- the
HOT coffee pot rests on his left forearm. He doesn’t flinch.

Shalini looks up at the ruckus and notices the HOT pot on

Jack’s arm.

KATIE
Sorry. I --
(noticing the coffee pot)
Your arm!

Jack looks down. He covers.

JACK
It’s fine. I’m fine.

KATIE
Tom, that’s enough. Get out of
here.

TOM
I was only joking, hon.

KATIE
I’m not your, hon. We broke up, get
out of here or I’ll get --
 31.

TOM
-- You’ll do what?

KATIE
I’ll call the Insurance Company and
tell them you and your boys keep
trying to do their job.

Tom ices over. Checkmate.

TOM
You know most people would thank me
for keeping our town safe.

KATIE
I take care of myself. Go home.

TOM
Katie? Come on, now.

Katie doesn’t meet his gaze. He nods towards his pals.

TOM (CONT'D)
Guys. Let’s hit Charlie’s on I-20.

Shalini holds the door open for the men to leave.

SHALINI
They’ve got shit gravy. Katie, take
five.

Katie removes her apron. Jack digs into his meal.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - PARKING LOT - LATER

The neon motel sign BUZZES as it turns on. A ripped piece of

scrap metal made into a hand-painted sign, “WE SELL STUFF” is
propped up outside the MOTEL OFFICE/STORE.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

The lobby decor is a mixed bag of used furniture from the

last four decades, but somehow it works.

A B&W photo on the wall is of a young Katie and a WOMAN in

the motel parking lot. Katie catches Jack looking at it.

KATIE
This place used to be bustling back
in the day. That was taken the day
we moved here. Pie?
 32.

Still looking at the picture...

JACK
Huh?

Katie picks up the pie tin off the counter that showcases
welded art pieces and ceramic FROGS for sale.

KATIE
I make one fresh every other day to
offer guests. Can’t afford a happy
hour like the motel down the way,
so you get blueberry instead.

JACK
Oh.

KATIE
It’s a family recipe.

JACK
Sure.

Katie fixes him a plate and hands him a guest sign-in card.

KATIE
Cash or credit? I prefer cash.
Unless you’re planning on trashing
the place, then I’ll happily take a
card and redecorate myself.

JACK
Cash is good.

He pays and grabs the key to room #3.

KATIE
Enjoy your stay at the Tadpole.

INT. JACK’S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Even though the room has been scrubbed clean, it still looks
dirty. He sits on the edge of the bed. He has unpacked his
clothes into neat piles: T-shirts, pants, socks, etc.

He looks at a worn photo he shoved into his bag. It’s him and
his parents. He then pulls out a photo, SHANNON BRANTLEY. The
same woman in the lobby photo.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Jack quickly throws the book into his bag. He answers the
door to find Katie with a plate of pie.
 33.

KATIE
You left your dessert. Didn’t have
many takers, so I gave you a second
piece. Works well with coffee in
the morning.

JACK
Thanks.

KATIE
How’s your arm?

Shit, Jack’s sleeve is rolled up. There is a light pink mark

from the coffee pot where there should be a huge blister.

Katie notices his scars.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Oh, I’m sorry. I --

JACK
Accident... long time ago. I don’t
have much feeling on this arm so...

Katie takes a step back. Hard to tell if she’s being cautious

or leaving.

KATIE
The ice machine is at the end of
the breezeway there.

JACK
Thanks.

Jack closes the door. He takes a bite of pie. Not bad.

INT. DINER - NIGHT - LATER

The neon motel sign glows outside the window. Katie hums to
the music that plays on the vintage jukebox.

Headlights from a car pulling into the lot outside briefly

light the room.

EXT. PARKING LOT - SAME

BAM! Jack hits the side of the ice machine.

Two lone ice cubes drop out.

 34.

He walks across the gravel lot holding his ice bucket but
stops short when he sees a parked car with an INSURANCE
COMPANY logo on the door.

Jack ducks into the shadows and watches Katie speak with a
female INSURANCE AGENT dressed in a white nurses coat.

INT. DINER - NIGHT

The INSURANCE AGENT (40s) removes the blood pressure cuff off
of Katie’s arm.

INSURANCE AGENT
Blood pressure is good. Not too
high. How’s your appetite?

KATIE
Normal, for someone eating for two.

The Agent looks at Katie so intensely, it makes Katie shift

in her seat. The Agent removes a syringe.

INSURANCE AGENT
Quick sample. Last one.

The Agent kneels beside Katie who nonchalantly holds out her
arm. The Agent wraps the rubber band around Katie’s bicep.

INSURANCE AGENT (CONT'D)

Try and stay relaxed. I know there
must be so much pressure on you.

KATIE
Excuse me?

INSURANCE AGENT
You’re the only pregnancy in this
little county.

Katie forces a smile. The Agent retracts the needle and wraps
a bandage on Katie’s arm.

INSURANCE AGENT (CONT'D)

I know this is special time for
your family, but imagine how much
it means to the rest of us.

Katie rubs her arm, almost protective. This lady gives her
the creeps.

INSURANCE AGENT (CONT'D)

Home birth?
 35.

KATIE
I dunno yet. I have an appointment
in the city, but you can never
plan.

The Agent ices over slightly.

INSURANCE AGENT
Well, then. Just in case you don’t
make it to a facility. Here.

The Agent places a pre-dosed VACCINATION syringe filled with

BLUE liquid on the table.

KATIE
Wh-what’s that for?

INSURANCE AGENT
Your vaccination. In case the birth
has a hiccup. Can never be too
safe.

Katie nods along.

KATIE
Of course. Thanks for stopping by.

Sensing her visit is done, the Agent packs up her bag.

INSURANCE AGENT
Very well. See you post delivery
for your check-up.

Katie holds the door open for the woman to leave then takes a
seat at the counter.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Katie turns to find Jack at the glass door.

JACK
Hi. The ice machine is out. I was
hoping I --

KATIE
Again? Damn thing has been on the
fritz for a month. I keep calling
the guy. This way.

Jack follows her behind the counter. She flips up the lid of
the ice maker.

KATIE (CONT'D)
You mind doin’ it yourself?
 36.

She wipes the sweat from her brow.

JACK
You here alone?

Always on alert, Katie’s hand inches toward an empty coffee

pot. She relaxes when she turns to see Jack has filled a cup
of ice water for her.

JACK (CONT'D)
Here.
(sensing her relief)
You should lock the door.

KATIE
You walked in.

JACK
Yeah, and you don’t know me.

KATIE
(sarcastic)
Okay, dad.

Jack stops scooping ice for a second. He covers.

JACK
Just watching out is all. Don’t you
have family around?

KATIE
Shalini’s like family. But no. Mom
passed a while back and I never
knew my dad.

Jack closes the freezer and follows her toward the door.
Thinking better of it, he puts the ice bucket down and waves
her to a booth.

JACK
Sit.

KATIE
Excuse me?

Jack places her glass of water on the table. He eyes the

syringe as he grabs the mop.

JACK
Drink. Important to stay hydrated.

Katie plops down in the booth, sideways, she won’t fit

otherwise, and props her feet up on the mop bucket.
 37.

KATIE
Only for a minute.

Jack proceeds to mop under a booth.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Be sure to get it all the way to
the wall --
(off his look)
If you’re insisting on doing it, do
it right.

JACK
Yes, ma’am.

KATIE
All I got is this business. Have to
make it work so I can provide.

JACK
Your friend --

KATIE
Shalini? She already works six day
weeks.
(changing gears)
So what are you running from
exactly?

Jack dips the mop into the bucket. Thinks for a BEAT.

JACK
What makes you think I’m running
from something?

KATIE
Well, you’re mopping my floor so --

JACK
Family. Next town over.

Katie raises her ice water in agreement.

KATIE
Avoid complications. Cheers to
that.

Jack finishes the floor.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Thanks for doing a once over in the
kitchen.

Jack smiles slightly and rolls the bucket towards the back.
 38.

JACK
No problem.

INT. DINER - KITCHEN - SAME

The kitchen is small but tidy. Jack opens the fridge --

barely enough vegetables for a lunch crowd.

KATIE (O.S.)
You fall back there, old man?

JACK
Old man?
(calling out)
Be right out.

He mops under the sink before dumping the dirty water.

INT. DINER - DOORWAY - MOMENTS LATER

Katie holds the door open for Jack. She hands him a fresh
bucket of ice.

KATIE
Thanks.

JACK
Now, lock this behind me.

He glances at the ZOMBIE: NO SERVICE sign.

JACK (CONT'D)
You don’t know who lurks out in
these parts.

KATIE
These parts? I know these parts.
You’re city folk. You be careful.
And thanks.

JACK
No problem.

KATIE
Keeping your distance, huh? From
family?

JACK
Haven’t meant to. It’s a unique
situation.
 39.

KATIE
Usually is. Now get out.

Jack half laughs as she shuts the door and locks it. She
holds up a hand against the glass to wave goodnight.

Jack smiles as he walks back with his filled ice bucket. He

turns to get one last look at Katie -- his smile fades.

INSIDE THE DINER:

Katie sits at a counter stool and wipes tears from her eyes,
lost in thought.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Jack runs. Sweat drips from his brow. He has a determined

look on his face. Suddenly, a loud HORN. He turns just as the
car makes IMPACT!

INT. MOTEL ROOM - MORNING

Jack sits up in bed with a start. Daylight peeks through the

cheap curtains. A HORN from a passing truck fades in the
distance causing the window pane to rattle. It was a dream.

He stares at a small ceramic FROG on top of the dresser. He

picks it up, examines it. Etched in the clay are the initials
SB - Shannon Brantley.

INT. DINER - LATER

Jack enters. Shalini pours coffee for a lone CUSTOMER.

SHALINI
Coffee?

JACK
A to-go cup if you don’t mind.

Jack watches as Katie drags a piece of sheet metal across the

dirt lot. Shalini follows his gaze.

SHALINI
She’s a little young for you ain’t
she?

JACK
Ah, it’s not like that.
 40.

SHALINI
We’re tougher than we look around
here.

JACK
I didn’t mean... you look tough.

SHALINI
(softens)
You’re up early?

JACK
Heading over to Wimberly.

SHALINI
Take the side roads. They’re doing
work on the highway. It’ll save
time.

JACK
Every minute counts.

EXT. COUNTRY SUBURB - DAY

Jack passes quaint houses, an abandoned train car and farms.

He parks along the side of a cemetery. Hops out and walks up
the path carrying flowers. He searches.

Finally he stops. Touches the headstone. Gently places the

flowers at the site, next to half-dead flowers already there.
He reads the worn card. “Happy Birthday, Mom.”

The gravestone reads: SHANNON BRANTLEY

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - MORNING

Dale sits at his desk, on edge. George approaches.

GEORGE
Sorry. Where’s Jack? Did he get
canned?

DALE
He most certainly did not. He-
he’s...
(almost losing it)
...had some personal business to
attend to. Why don’t you worry
about your stats, George. Worry
about that, okay?

George slinks away.

 41.

EXT. WOODS - DAY

Jack walks through the woods armed with Katie’s nine iron. He
comes to the trees edge, drops to his knees and digs. Just
over his shoulder, down the hill below is the motel.

He takes a canvas bag out of his backpack, removes his watch

and ring. He drops them inside the bag -- which is full of
cash. Last, he removes a piece of paper from his back pocket.

He briefly glances at it. We can’t make out what it says,

only “Dear Katie...” Before he doubts himself, he drops it in
and covers up the bag with dirt.

As he walks away, we see the little FROG FIGURINE from his

hotel dresser on top of the fresh mound of dirt.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Jack slams on the brakes when he comes across a FARM that has
carts of fresh vegetables and fruit for sale.

The sign reads, “GROWN WITH CERTIFIED BLUE LEVEL WATER.”

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - PARKING LOT

Jack pulls into the lot with the back of his truck filled
with boxes of vegetables and produce. He grabs a box and
heads into the diner.

INT. DINER - MOMENTS LATER

Shalini and Katie sit at a booth going over the day’s menu.

KATIE
We only got enough to stretch to
six blue plate specials.

SHALINI
We could whip up some sort of hash.
Who doesn’t like taters with sour
cream?

Both women look up when Jack plops down the box of

vegetables.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER

Katie and Shalini stare at the truck full of food.

 42.

KATIE
Where’d you get all of this?

JACK
One town over.

KATIE
I don’t have any money--

JACK
I’m not asking for anything. Just a
blue plate, if it’s on the menu.

KATIE
I don’t know what to say...

Interjecting.

SHALINI
Thank you. She says thank you.

Shalini shoots Katie a look, what? She grabs a box of food

and walks it into the diner and calls back to Katie.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
Put that down missy. You’re on
coffee refill duty.

Katie grabs an apple and bites into it. She watches as Jack
stacks two boxes to carry in.

KATIE
So which farm?
(off Jack’s look)
I’ve gone to all the ones in the
county. Want to know who to thank.

JACK
Uh... a friend’s place. The one
with the refurbished barn on Moss
Lane.

KATIE
You know the Murphys?

JACK
Uh, we’re not that close.

He picks up the boxes and heads inside. Katie watches him,

skeptical.
 43.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Shalini has sorted all like items into piles.

SHALINI
Good thing this town is on a diet.
It’s veggie plate specials all
around.

KATIE
I got plenty of potatoes to make
home cooked fries. It’ll make these
Brussels sprouts go down easier.
(re: blueberries)
Pie. Lots of pie.

QUICK CUTS:

A knife CHOPS vegetables. Pie Crust RISES in the oven.

Potatoes DROPPED into the fryer. Plate after plate PLACED on
diner tables.

REVEAL: Full house in the diner.

SHALINI
Blue plate! Fries! Hustle!

Jack hustles in the kitchen, Shalini runs food to tables

while Katie mans the coffee counter. Lucas buses tables.

Jack wears an apron covered in food scraps and sauce. Sweat

drips from his brow, he’s covered in grease -- but he looks
happy. Katie closes the door behind the last customer.

KATIE
Well done.

SHALINI
Let’s hit the pool.

JACK
Pool?

EXT. BACK OF MOTEL - DAY

Shalini and Katie sit in worn lawn chairs and soak their feet
in a baby pool. Jack sits with his boots and jeans firmly
rolled down, careful not to reveal his ankle monitor.

KATIE
Oh, yeah. This is the stuff.
 44.

Katie closes her eyes. It quickly becomes apparent she’s in

for a nap. Jack adjusts the umbrella so she has shade.

Jack dips his ball cap in the pool and rings it out. Puts it
on his head to cool off. He feels Shalini’s stare.

JACK
Do you have a problem with me?

SHALINI
Yeah. I don’t trust you.

Jack stiffens.

JACK
Why? Because I’m nice?

SHALINI
Who doesn’t put their feet in a
kiddie pool on a hot ass day?

Jack relaxes... until --

SHALINI (CONT'D)
-- and I don’t know you.

KATIE
Stop barking at the poor guy.
(to Jack)
We’re even. Thanks for your help
today.

SHALINI
Even?

KATIE
I saved him from being a zombie
lunch the other day.

SHALINI
Oh.

JACK
It’s the least I could do for
saving my life.

Katie closes her eyes. Jack smugly pulls the wet cap over his
face. Shalini processes.

INT. LEX’S OFFICE - DAY

Dale sits in front of Lex, nervous. Lex turns his electronic

 45.

tablet around, displaying a CITIZEN REPORT with Jack’s

picture. Status: DEAD.

Dale looks to the ceiling.

LEX
Look, this is unfortunate. I know
you guys were close.

DALE
Not really.
(off Lex’s look)
Honestly, haven’t spoken to him
since... well, a couple of days.

Lex glances out his office window into the pit where Ivy and
Silas watch from the fountain drink station.

LEX
Jack doesn’t have much time...I’d
hate to think he turns and things
get ugly.

Dale shifts in his seat, tight lipped.

DALE
Are we done here?

BEAT.

LEX
It’s his funeral.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DALE’S DESK

Dale takes his seat, defeated. Ivy approaches and slides a

printed CITIZEN REPORT with Jack’s picture across Dale’s
desk. She leans over, inches away.

IVY
(coyness of a shark)
Um, could you stamp this for me?

Dale’s hand shakes as he stamps “TERMINATE” on Jack’s form.

Silas smirks as they walk out sipping Big Gulps.

INT. MOTEL BATHROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

Jack sits on the tile floor. He watches as the digital

numbers on his monitor COUNT DOWN. He looks at his phone,
MISSED CALL from Dale.
 46.

Jack listens to voicemail on speaker.

DALE (O.S.)
They know! She knows! Ivy is coming
for you, Jack!

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Jack cautiously approaches the door. He grabs the nine iron

and looks through the peephole. He opens the door to see --

JACK
Katie? Everything okay?

He nonchalantly sets the golf club against the wall.

INT./EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - OFFICE - DAY

Jack carries the large piece of polished metal into the

office. It’s half of an old car door, handle still intact.

KATIE
Thanks. Tom was gonna help but, of
course, he didn’t show up.

She leads him back to -- a small two bedroom apartment.

KATIE (CONT'D)
In here.

Jack follows --

INT. NURSERY - SAME

The nursery is rustic-retro with metal elements. The crib is

welded metal like her art pieces. Jack takes it all in.

KATIE
Not much baby stuff on the market
these days. Had to make most of it.

JACK
This is... wow. Your baby is lucky
to have such a resourceful mom.

KATIE
Thanks.

Regarding the piece of metal.

JACK
Where does this go?
 47.

KATIE
Up there, in the window.

ON THE WALL: Two metal tracks bolted above and below the
window. The rectangle piece of metal fits perfectly.

Katie demonstrates by pulling it perfectly over the glass

window, locking it into place.

KATIE (CONT'D)
In case we have another virus
outbreak. It will keep all the
danger out of the little one’s
room.

JACK
Staying safe is important.

Jack watches as Katie folds a baby blanket. She looks happy.

A pregnant glow. Pain and regret rip through Jack.

JACK (CONT'D)
Um, it’s been really nice getting
to know you, Katie. But I need to
head out tomorrow.

KATIE
I hope I didn’t run you off by
putting you to work.

JACK
No. Happy to help. Got my mind off
my troubles.

KATIE
Well, Mr. Jack. Pleasure having you
at the Tadpole.

Jack notices more ceramic frogs on the baby’s bookshelf.

JACK
May I ask, what’s with all the
frogs?

KATIE
You’ll think it’s stupid.

JACK
Try me.
 48.

KATIE
When I was little, I used to spend
all my summer days swimmin’ and
playin’ in the lake not too far
from here. It was my nickname when
I was a kid. I hated it then, but
now, don’t mind too much.

JACK
Frogs are resilient -- survive in
water and on land.

KATIE
(rubs her belly)
That’s us.

Jack notices the other bare window.

JACK
You going to cover that one?

KATIE
I wanted to go to the salvage yard
today but Tom was a no-show. It’s
weird he wants to be involved but
never is around when I need him.

JACK
I could go with you tomorrow,
before I hit the road. If you need
help --

KATIE
Seriously?
(catching herself)
Nah. It’s weird. I just met you and
you have already done so much.

JACK
You did save my life.

INT. JACK’S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

Jack brushes his teeth, hits a sore spot. Something is caught

on his toothbrush. SPITS. A tooth falls out. Instead of RED
blood, it’s BLACK liquid covering the molar.

He quickly throws it in the trash and rinses out the sink. He

looks at his monitor, 1 DAY 21 HOURS LEFT.
 49.

INT. CITY BAR - NIGHT

A shit hole dive bar. Ivy sits at the bar and knocks back a
whiskey. She shoots a side glance towards a MAN (30s) at the
end of the bar. He shoots her a half-smile -- a connection.

The BARTENDER approaches. Ivy points to her empty glass.

BARTENDER
Coming right up.

IVY
Thanks.

She watches as the Man walks towards the back of the bar. She
puts a napkin on top of her glass and follows.

INT. MEN’S BATHROOM

The Man is just zipping up his fly, when Ivy enters.

MAN
Well, aren’t you forward.

She says nothing and shoves him against the wall and proceeds
to make-out with him. He’s caught off guard but quickly gets
on board.

THEIR FEET: She bends her knee as if she is going to wrap her
leg around him but then lowers it. CLICK. Her eyes OPEN.

Ivy pulls away and HEAD BUTTS HIM in the forehead. He falls
against the tile wall. She points to his ankle.

IVY
Show me. NOW.

The man obliges and pulls up his pant cuff -- only a

motorcycle BOOT.

MAN
I don’t know who you think I am,
but I’m very much alive.

Shame washes over Ivy’s face.

MAN (CONT'D)
Now you need to learn some manners,
little miss.

She turns to leave, but he grabs her arm, swinging her

towards him. Mistake.
 50.

Ivy grabs the paper towel tin off the wall and wallops him.
The Man falls in a heap onto the floor in the nearest stall.

INT. CITY BAR - MOMENTS LATER

Ivy licks the blood off her knuckle as she meanders through
the bar crowd, back to her seat. She downs her whiskey and
throws cash on the counter as she leaves.

EXT. SALVAGE YARD - NEXT MORNING

Jack parks his truck at the edge of a salvage yard filled

with abandoned cars and metal scraps.

Katie hops out the passenger side of the truck and looks with
a smile at the vast wasteland of metal.

KATIE
All the possibilities to make
something out of nothing.

They walk the aisles. Jack is noticeably quiet.

KATIE (CONT'D)
You okay?

JACK
Over two decades and there’s so
much left. Takes me back is all.

KATIE
Good thing my generation came
along. We’ll populate and repurpose
all of this stuff.

Katie digs into a metal scraps.

KATIE (CONT'D)
What?

JACK
You’re so positive about it.

KATIE
I’m not. Really. Faking it until I
make it.
(rubs stomach)
Or bake it.

Jack digs through a pile.

 51.

JACK
I hauled metal for a good five
years. Didn’t mind at first. I
liked to work outdoors. But then it
got to me. Seeing details of those
lost. Trinkets in their cars.

Katie casually pockets a necklace she finds in a glove

compartment. She pauses, catching Jack’s stare.

KATIE
In case I have a girl. Ironic that
the generation with the chemical
hearts, y’all can’t die, and end up
suffering more than us newbies.

JACK
Chemical hearts? That’s what the
kids call people my age? I- people
my age don’t suffer.

KATIE
Pumped full of the Z-vaccine. I see
it walking around town -- dead in
the eyes. Clocking time but not
really living.

JACK
I-I wouldn’t say that.
(off her silence)
What?

Katie looks him up and down.

KATIE
A couple of days ago, your t-shirts
had creases. So I’m guessing you
wear suits wherever you’re from.
(off his look)
It’s cool, whatever.

JACK
(a bit defensive)
I had a solid job. Stable.

KATIE
Had?

Jack shifts on his feet.

JACK
I’m in between things at the
moment. But I’m not --
 52.

Jack catches himself -- emotions flash to the surface.

KATIE
Sorry, I’m being a pill. You’re
kind enough to help me and I go all
anti-establishment on, ya. All I
meant, it seems like everyone from
the older generations are so happy
to exist they don’t push the
envelope.
(points to her head)
Dead up here.

She walks ahead.

JACK
It’s easier to have that
perspective when you didn’t watch
your whole family die or take a
baseball bat to leave the house.

Katie turns towards Jack.

KATIE
I have experienced loss. And I use
a nine iron.

Katie walks ahead. Jack hangs his head, fuck. They arrive at
a drop off and stand at the edge of the mound of junk.

JACK
I wasn’t judging you...

KATIE
After my mom died, I tried to get
vaccinated. All I could think about
was just living, to hold on.

JACK
Understandable --

KATIE
-- But then I woke the fuck up.
Holding on is not enough. I want to
do something important while I’m
here.

Jack processes.

JACK
Katie, I need to tell you --
 53.

KATIE
Oh, look! That one’s from a Smart
Car!

JACK
Perfect size for your nursery.

KATIE
Grab it. Sorry, what were you
saying?

JACK
Not important.

KATIE
I’ll go ask for a wheelbarrow.
(pointing to a pile)
I want all of this.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - PARKING LOT

Katie carries trinkets she found at the junkyard while Jack

unloads the metal scraps. She turns back towards the truck.

KATIE
Forgot my bag.

JACK
Think it’s in the cab of the truck.

Katie returns to the front seat and finds her bag. She stops
short when she sees -- Jack’s INSURANCE COMPANY work badge
that has fallen to the floor. Her face ices over.

SIDE LOT:

Jack stacks the last piece when his work badge hits him in
the shoulder.

KATIE
The Insurance Company? That’s what
you’re doing here?

JACK
What? No... I mean I used to be...

KATIE
Get the fuck off my property now.
(before Jack can protest)
Y’all are all alike. Pretending to
be my friend but really checking up
on me?
 54.

JACK
No, I-I was helping --

KATIE
Help? How? Taking away all my
choices? Always sniffing around...

JACK
It’s not like that --

The gravel CRUNCHES as Tom’s SUV pulls into the parking lot.
He exits his truck and approaches. Katie glances at Tom.

KATIE
You better go before he finds out.
Then we’ll all be in a pickle.

Jack nods. Regret in his eyes. He backs away.

JACK
I’m sorry. Katie, I only wanted to
help.

Katie doesn’t meet his gaze.

KATIE
(under her breath)
Just leave.

Jack reaches his truck and shuts the passenger door. He

hovers by the driver’s side door, watching Katie and Tom,
from a distance.

KATIE (CONT'D)
You’re a few hours late, Tom. I
already went without you.

TOM
Without me? But I want to see you.

KATIE
You lost that right when you slept
with half the town.

Tom moves close. Almost pinning Katie to the wall. She turns
her head to not meet his gaze.

JACK
Hey! Get out of here --

TOM
This isn’t any of your business.
(to Katie)
You know what’s right.
 55.

Katie turns to him, eyes fierce.

KATIE
Yes. Do you?

Suddenly ripped away by Jack.

JACK
Get away from her.

TOM
Why are you still here?

JACK
She said to leave.

Jack is not a fighter. It’s awkward. Tom punches him across

the face, stunning him. Tom laughs. Jack tackles Tom.

The two men tumble in the dusty parking lot landing near
Katie’s metal shop workstation. Tom grabs the mallet and
swings it at Jack, who ducks out of the way.

BAM! The mallet SLAMS down onto Jack’s truck, leaving a HUGE
DENT. Jack continues to try and fight -- it’s scrappy.

Tom tumbles back, tripping on pieces of salvaged metal,

FALLING BACKWARD. He lands hard.

Tom’s eyes BULGE. He’s -- DEAD?

REVEAL: A METAL SPIKE through Tom’s skull.

KATIE
Tom! Oh, my g--

Shalini exits the diner, armed with a rifle -- aimed at JACK.

SHALINI
I knew there was something off
about you!

Jack follows both of their gaze to his ANKLE MONITOR exposed.

KATIE
Tom’s dead! And... you’re --

Shalini cocks the rifle.

SHALINI
-- Dead.

JACK
I--I can explain.
 56.

INT. JACK’S MOTEL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

CLICK CLACK. A shotgun readies itself.

REVEAL: Katie now holds the barrel of the gun inches from
Jack’s face who sits in a chair.

Shalini stands a short distance away holding a shovel.

KATIE
I trusted you.

SHALINI
I knew I didn’t like you.

KATIE
Not now.
(to Jack)
Come around me in your condition.

She pokes his chest with the gun barrel.

KATIE (CONT'D)
What’s wrong with you?

SHALINI
I’m calling the police! No, the
Insurance Company! They’ll know
what to do with you.

Katie throws Jack’s insurance company badge at his face.

KATIE
Don’t bother.

Shalini scowls.

JACK
...I can explain.

KATIE
You’re a zombie who is endangering
me and my child!

JACK
Listen to me. I--I’m a good man. I--

She readies her aim --

JACK (CONT'D)
Katie...

Katie cocks the gun, ready to fire --

 57.

JACK (CONT'D)
I’m your dad!

KATIE
What?

Shalini’s menacing look falls for 1.5 seconds, but then she
reins it in - readies the shovel for a swing.

SHALINI
He’s just saying that.

Jack never breaks eye contact with Katie.

JACK
Your mom. Shannon. We were together
in college. We called it off during
the outbreak.

KATIE
I was told my father died.

JACK
I didn’t know about you! You’ve got
to believe me. I -- I have
photographs. Let me show --

Shalini swings the shovel close to his face.

SHALINI
Sit down. Anyone could print
pictures off the internet.

JACK
Katie, I’m not a killer.
(searching for words)
Your mom... She had a scar on her
knee ---

KATIE
Could’ve seen that in the picture
in the lobby --

JACK
It was from falling during a school
assembly but she always said it was
from skateboarding because it
sounded cooler.

SHALINI KATIE
Shut your mouth. Go on.

Shalini shoots Katie a look, really?

 58.

JACK
She was allergic to avocado, which
was weird because Tex Mex was her
favorite --

Katie loosens her grip on her weapon. Shalini circles.

KATIE
And...

JACK
Your mom wanted to travel to
Australia because her uncle once
was on a research team to Alice
Springs.

Katie nods, “continue...”

JACK (CONT'D)
...She always cried when the song
“Photograph” came on because it
sounds happy but it’s really sad.

KATIE
(barely a whisper)
It was written by a Beatle...

Looking at them both.

SHALINI
What?

KATIE
Ringo Starr.

Katie lowers the shotgun. After a moment she inches forward.

KATIE (CONT'D)
I have a d-
(catches herself)
You show up now? Now?
(beat)
Do you know how hard it’s been?
Without her. Without you?

JACK
I’m so sorry -- I--

KATIE
No. You don’t get to do that.

Katie collapses in a nearby chair. Stares at the floor,

dumbfounded. Finally...
 59.

JACK
Your mom was... wanted to see the
world. When she left, I assumed she
left for good. I should have --

KATIE
Looked for her?

JACK
She was off to have a big life...

KATIE
We did. Have a big life.

JACK
I missed it.

Katie watches him for a BEAT. His eyes full of regret.

Katie subconsciously rubs her stomach... A CRASH of a garbage

can toppling over outside. She and Jack LOCK EYES.

KATIE / JACK
Tom. / Tom.

From Shalini’s look, she doesn’t want to, but obliges.

EXT. BACK OF MOTEL - DAY

Well fuck. TOM IS GONE. A POOL of BLOOD and the bloody sharp
piece of metal sticking straight up from where he fell.

Jack’s face leans close to the piece of metal, eyeballs a

measurement.

JACK
Six inches? Went straight into his
brain.

KATIE
Meaning?

JACK
He’s a walker. Take it he has been
exposed but not vaccinated?

KATIE
He hates the government.

Just then, MR. and MRS. PERRY (60s) exit room four.
 60.

MRS. PERRY
Katie? Everything alright? We heard
a ruckus and saw a man stumbling
about.

KATIE
It’s fine, Mrs. Perry. Why don’t I
send some pie down to your room?

MRS. PERRY
Oh, aren’t you sweet.

Mrs. Perry hovers. Katie follows her gaze to the large blood
puddle in the dirt. Jack begins to drag the sheet metal
across the lot around back, out of view.

However it only smears a blood trail making it worse.

MR. PERRY
(under his breath)
We’re checking out of this dump.

MRS. PERRY
Shh. Don’t be rude. We’re gettin’
pie.

Katie walks towards the woods nearby and calls out.

KATIE
Tom! Tom!
(softer)
Get your zombie ass back here.

Shalini stands behind her with a handgun.

SHALINI
We’ll have to shoot him, when he
returns.

KATIE
A little trigger happy, aren’t you?

SHALINI
Don’t pretend this isn’t fate. I
know I’m not the only one feeling
relieved.

KATIE
He’s gonna come back. They always
do.

Jack looks around at the motel.

 61.

JACK
We have to send everyone away. I’ll
pay for your rooms. I’ve got money.

KATIE
I don’t want your stupid money.

JACK
I don’t want to die with it. So
you’re gonna take it.

KATIE JACK (CONT'D)

I said I don’t want it. Don’t be stubborn.

SHALINI
STOP! I’ll take it. For shutting
down my diner.
(looks to Katie)
And to tip you.

KATIE
Aw hell. Fine. Shalini, you don’t
have to stay. This isn’t your
fight.

SHALINI
You can’t do this alone. And he
shouldn’t be near you.

JACK
She’s right. I-I shouldn’t be near
you when things start to go south.

Katie is riled up, getting more upset as she speaks.

KATIE
They’ve already gone south. You
came here and stirred the pot. It’s
time to get messy.
(points to Shalini)
I don’t have any family. We’ve had
to rely on one another for
protection. Oh. No. Ahhhh...

Katie hunches over in pain, grabs her belly.

KATIE (CONT'D)
It’s okay, I’m fiiiinnneee--

A PUDDLE forms at her feet.

KATIE (CONT'D)
(wipes away tears)
No. No. No. Come on, I--
(MORE)
 62.

KATIE (CONT'D)
(PRE-LAP)
AHHHHH!!!!

INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - SHOWER - MOMENTS LATER

Katie is in full blown LABOR on the floor of the walk-in

shower. Towels over her legs. Shalini in the catcher’s
position while Jack scurries to get more towels.

KATIE
Ahhhh! I don’t want to-- I can’t.
Not like this.

SHALINI
You don’t have a choice.

KATIE
(trying to cover her pain)
I can wait. I--

SHALINI
Honey, whether you like it or not,
it’s time. We’re going to help you.

KATIE
Tom... is a fucking idiot zombie.
Rest of my family is dead. This
isn’t riiiiiiggghhhttt!!!!

SHALINI
(to Jack)
I need your help!

Jack gets on the floor. He tries to hold her hand but she
squeezes hard. He lets go.

JACK
I don’t want to scratch her.
Switch.

As Shalini moves to hold Katie’s hand, she catches a peek at

his ankle monitor 1 DAY 12 Hours and COUNTING...

SHALINI
We need fresh water.

JACK
I’ll get it.

EXT. BACK OF MOTEL - MOMENTS LATER

Jack exits the back door of Katie’s apartment and approaches

 63.

the retro water pump sticking out of the ground.

He PUMPS the lever until SPLASH, fresh water hits the tin
bucket. He fills it to the top.

Jack looks to the woods. He puts the bucket down on the wet
dirt and walks to the edge of the woods.

JACK
(murmurs)
Not scared of you.

On his way back to the back door he notices a toolshed full

of gardening supplies.

INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER

A GARDEN GLOVED HAND clasps Kate’s hand. Jack now has a heavy
work shirt on for Katie’s protection. He nestles in against
the tile wall. Katie is tired, fading.

JACK
Hey, hey. Look at me. I’m here.

KATIE
(shakes her head no)
I can’t.

Another contraction hits. She winces in pain.

JACK
Focus on me. It hurts, hit me.

SHALINI
Hit him. Go on!

Bam! She does.

KATIE
Goddamn it!

JACK
I’m mad too.

SHALINI
Harder!

She shrugs, what? Katie clasps Jack’s hand, TIGHT, pushes.

JACK
That’s it...

LAST PUSH.
 64.

A BABY cries.

Katie collapses against the tile wall, relieved. Shalini

quickly swaddles the newborn and hands her to Katie.

SHALINI
It’s a girl.

Happy tears stream down Katie’s face.

Jack watches them, his eyes full of love. His expression

clouds to sadness. Their journey is just beginning and he’s
going to miss everything.

Hiding his disappointment, Jack busies himself, collecting

the dirty towels.

INT. KATIE’S MOTEL APARTMENT - LATER

Jack looks in on a sleeping Katie and baby. He goes back to

the kettle on the stove. He pours two cups of tea. Midway
from the counter to the table he --

DOUBLES OVER in PAIN. The tea cups SMASH onto the floor. From
the other room the BABY cries.

Jack gets his breath steady and grabs a dish towel. He

shakily wipes up the mess just as Shalini returns.

SHALINI
What happened?

JACK
Slipped out of my hands is all.

He shows her his hands, they have a slight shake. He tries to

cover but she notices.

JACK (CONT'D)
No cuts. See.

SHALINI
Clean up. I got us some food. The
last guest just left.

Jack takes a deep breath when he gets to his feet. Shalini

doesn’t say word, only watches.

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

Dale’s face in deep concentration. Sounds of GUNFIRE.

 65.

REVEAL: Dale sits on Jack’s couch, in Jack’s apartment,

wearing one of Jack’s baseball hats backwards playing video
games. PEW! PEW! PEW!

Dale pauses the game. Did he hear something?

The wall clock: TICK TICK TICK. Nope.

He goes back to the game.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Dale slowly turns his head to find three HOLES in the drywall
beside him. PFFT! A FOURTH HOLE! He hits the floor!

DALE
What the-- Who’s there? Come out!

THONK! THONK!

A BLACK BOOT presses on his back. Dale tries to get a look,

but all he sees is a WHITE JUMPSUIT pant leg.

An air canister swings to and fro into view. It’s Ivy.

Silas leans down next to Dale.

SILAS
It’s Mello Yello guy. You’re Mello
Yello.

DALE
I-I like Mello Yello.

Silas flips him over. Ivy’s boot comes down on Dale’s chest.

IVY
Where’s Jack?

DALE
I don’t k-know.

Ivy shoots a stun BOLT into the floor, inches away from
Dale’s head. THUNK! A BOLT buries itself into the wooden
floor on the other side of his head.

She puts the stunner to his forehead and leans close. Waits.

DALE (CONT'D)
H-he has a daughter!

Dale lets out a whimper.

 66.

DALE (CONT'D)
He has family.

Ivy processes for a millisecond before kicking Dale

strategically across the face, knocking him out.

EXT. MOTEL - LATE AFTERNOON

Jack hammers 2x4 boards across motel room windows. He stops

when his phone rings.

INTERCUT: INT. JACK’S APARTMENT

Dale sits on the floor, rubs his jaw.

DALE
Jack! Where are you?

JACK
Listen. Um, things have changed.
I’m not coming back.

Dale leans on the couch to pull himself to his feet--

DALE
Not coming back!? Dude, they know.
Ivy knows!

Dale accidentally hits the remote, the game unpauses and the
volume goes LOUD.

INT. DARK SEDAN - SAME

Silas and Ivy sit listening to the conversation, having

bugged Jack’s apartment, both jump at the game’s gunfire.

IVY
What the f--

RESUME SCENE:

Dale fumbles with Jack’s various remote controls.

DALE
Which remote controls your volume?

JACK
Are you in my apartment?

Dale pauses.
 67.

DALE
This has been a very stressful
time. I miss you, buddy.
(click)
Found it.

JACK
I’m calling to say good-bye.

DALE
No can do, brother. Gonna have say
that in person.

JACK
You don’t even know --

DALE
-- Yes I do. I erased her address
from the database.

JACK
You did that?

DALE
Figured they can’t come for you if
they can’t find you.

BEAT.

JACK
Thanks. Make sure no one follows.

DALE
I’m stealth, dude. Real stealth.

Jack hangs up.

EXT. JACK'S APARTMENT - STAIRWELL - SAME

Dale slinks from the stairs into the bushes, all the while
carrying Jack’s fishing rod. He looks around. Nothing out of
place -- wait a second...

TWO MELLO YELLO CANS discarded near a BLACK SEDAN.

Dale raises a set of binoculars. He practically drops the

binoculars when he sees Ivy and Silas.

DALE
Mello Freakin’ Yello.

With a determined look he shimmies back into the bushes.

 68.

INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - KITCHEN - DUSK

Jack looks out the back window. Shadows of the trees loom a
short distance away. Katie holds the baby in her arms.

KATIE
He’s never been on time for
anything. Breaking in here wouldn’t
be any different.

Jack slides the metal plate across the window and takes a
seat next to her bed.

JACK
Can I ask, how, why’d you two--

KATIE
Stupidity and whiskey. Not many
folks to choose from out here and
I’m not a nun.

JACK
Ever thought about moving into the
city?

KATIE
This is my home. I want to make
something of it.

JACK
Thought of any names?

Katie clouds over.

KATIE
With things going like they’ve
been, I was afraid of counting on
anything. Even her. Hell, I didn’t
even know if I was having a boy or
girl.

JACK
Wow. You seem to have everything
under control, I figured --

KATIE
Birth control is outlawed. The
government forced me to be a single
parent instead of going to college.
I had no control. The Insurance
Company made sure of that.
 69.

JACK
There’s still time to leave. I’ll
drive you wherever you want to go.

KATIE
I’m the only pregnant woman in the
county. I’m on record. The
Insurance Company checks in.

Jack holds up one of the Frog stuffed animals. The baby coos.
Katie rubs her cheek.

KATIE (CONT'D)
I was thinking Delphine. It was --

JACK
-- Your mom’s middle name.

KATIE
Yeah.

Shalini appears in the doorway. She holds a rifle.

SHALINI
I’m going to do a perimeter check.

JACK
I’ll come with.
(turning toward Katie)
You need anything?

Katie gets to her feet. She moves gingerly, still in pain.

KATIE
I’m going to put her down. I need
to wash up.

JACK
We’ll be back shortly.

Jack walks out, leaving his nine iron on the kitchen counter.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER

Jack and Shalini round the corner. From the dark --

LUCAS
Caught rolly pollies.

Both Shalini and Jack jump. Lucas emerges from the shadows
shaking a jar of bugs.
 70.

JACK
Jesus.

SHALINI
Go home, Lucas.

Lucas looks at her gun then at Jack.

LUCAS
Why you have a gun?

Shalini holds her weapon behind her back.

SHALINI
Dinner service is cancelled for
today and tomorrow.

LUCAS
No work?
(disappointed)
Okay.

INT. DARK SEDAN - SAME

Silas and Ivy walk through the crowd near an electric bike
kiosk. Ivy’s CO2 Tank sways beside her as she walks. Silas
nods to the stocky guy about ten feet in front of them.

Silas grabs the stocky guy by the shoulder, turns him around -
NOT Dale.

GUY
Hey man --

PATH:

Dale has ditched his hat and wears a bike helmet and goggles.
He smirks as his bike picks up speed.

IVY & SILAS:

IVY
Come on. Let’s check the car yards
nearby.

EXT. CAR JUNKYARD - DAY

The same one where Jack got his truck.

The ATTENDANT (50s) pulls up a turquoise station wagon. Smoke

shoots out the exhaust. A large solar panel is fitted on the
roof of the car.
 71.

DALE
How come smoke’s comin’ out of it,
if it runs on corn oil?

ATTENDANT
(shrugs)
It’s all I got.

Dale doesn’t look pleased. A bell DINGS, signaling a new

customer arrived -- it’s Silas & Ivy.

ATTENDANT (CONT'D)
Think about it, be right back.

Dale finds a place to hide.

Silas and Ivy approach. The Attendant’s demeanor ices over

when he sees their Insurance Company jumpsuits. He looks
uneasy, nervous?

The Attendant looks behind him where Dale once stood, gone.

ATTENDANT (CONT'D)
Can I help you?

Ivy holds up her phone, picture of Dale.

IVY
Have you seen this man?

The Attendant looks.

ATTENDANT
What’d he do?

IVY
Does it matter? We’re looking for
him.

CLANG! CRASH! All three look toward the noise -- from the
direction of a SMALL SHED. The Attendant is about to say
something but stops himself. Ivy picks up on it.

Ivy nods toward Silas. Silas goes to open the door but it’s
STUCK. He pulls on it --

ATTENDANT
Don’t -- Okay. Maybe I’ve seen him.
Let me see the picture again.

IVY
Too late.

Silas pulls on the shed door.

 72.

ATTENDANT
Please...

IVY
What’s in the shed, Sir?

CRASH.

IVY (CONT'D)
Am I going to have to send the cops
out perhaps?

Silas tugs on the door --

STATION WAGON:

Dale ducks down on the floor of the driver’s seat, having

found a discarded rear view mirror on the floor of the car.
He holds it up just high enough to watch out the window.

As soon as Ivy turns, he lowers the mirror. Did she see

something?

Ivy takes a few steps towards the car -- when Silas gets the
shed door open.

ATTENDANT
No!

SILAS
Holy crap!

A FEMALE ZOMBIE, the Attendant’s wife, lunges out onto Silas!

SILAS (CONT'D)
Ahh!

ATTENDANT
Honey, No. Let the man go!

Ivy makes no move to help out Silas. She calmly turns to the
junkyard Attendant.

IVY
Harboring a zombie is a federal
offense.

SILAS (O.S.)
Get her off me! I’m bit! I’m bit!

ATTENDANT
(to the Zombie Wife)
Sweetheart, please stop!
(MORE)
 73.

ATTENDANT (CONT'D)
(to Ivy)
She don’t mean nothin’ by it.

PFFT! PFFT!

IVY
She’s dead.

The Zombie falls onto the ground as the Attendant watches in

horror. He pulls a gun tucked in the back waist of his pants.

ATTENDANT
You son-of-a--

PFFT! He drops. Ivy looks at the mess.

IVY
Damn it.

STATION WAGON:

Dale watches in horror. Ivy turns and it’s as if she looks

RIGHT AT HIM in the mirror. The mirror drops to the floor and
Dale braces for the worst.

Silas on the other hand is not in good shape on the ground.

BLUE VEINS crawl up his neck. He sweats profusely.

SILAS
H-help. P-please.

Silas watches as Ivy CALMLY walks past him to the trunk of

their car. She scans her hand on the top of a Insurance
Agency cooler and it opens revealing:

A SYRINGE filled with ORANGE LIQUID.

Ivy kneels next to a now gasping Silas. She takes her sweet
ass time as her co-worker gasps for life. Finally... Ivy
STABS the syringe into SILAS’S CHEST. Silas GASPS.

The wound on his neck ceases gushing.

IVY
Stings like a bitch, huh.

SILAS
Y-you could have hurried.

IVY
Let’s hit the next one up the road
a bit.
 74.

STATION WAGON:

Dale has seen the whole thing.

DALE
Holy shit.

A freaked out Dale watches as Ivy and Silas take off. As he

falls back against the seat the sun visor falls down and the
keys drop into his lap.

INT. STATION WAGON - ROAD

Dale drives with purpose.

EXT. ROAD - DAY

Lucas sits on the curb, his shoe shining kit in front of him,
sulking. He watches in silence as Tom, Greg, Clancy and two
other men, walk toward the Motel.

The last man turns, looks straight at Lucas. His eyes sunken
in, blood smeared on his face, a huge wound in his neck. He
is DEAD.

Lucas nervously grabs his kit and scurries off.

INT. DINER - DAY

A large ICE SCOOPER digs into a mound of ice. Jack fills a

bucket. Something catches his eye. Jack goes to the window.

JACK
Thought you said everyone left.

SHALINI
That’s Mr. Porter. He stays here
every week on his way to Laredo.
He’ll shove off soon.

Jack turns around to find Shalini has her gun aimed on him.

JACK
Hey --

SHALINI
I let you stay for the baby. But
it’s time for you to go.

CLICK CLACK she readies the gun.

 75.

JACK
I can help. Just for tonight.

SHALINI
There is someone coming for you.
(motioning to his ankle)
You’re a walking target.

JACK
Please.

Shalini glares at him. He doesn’t budge.

SHALINI
She shouldn’t have to take on your
burden. And neither should I.

Her words hit hard.

JACK
I’ll go say good-bye.

He collects his ice bucket. He hovers by the door, hoping she

changes her mind.

SHALINI
Take care of yourself.

Jack gives her a nod and exits.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - DAY

Jack walks with his head down towards the Motel office. He
stops short when he notices BLOODY footprints outside ROOM 4.

In front of the room door is MR. PORTER’s car parked with its
trunk half open. Jack approaches the car.

JACK
Hello? Mr. Porter?

No answer. The car trunk door has a RED SMUDGE on it. Jack
kicks it with his boot. The TRUNK DOOR OPENS--

-- Revealing nothing but Porter’s tool box.

Jack looks back towards Room 4. The door is ajar. From inside
the room, a GROAN. Jack grabs a HAMMER from the toolbox.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL - ROOM 4 - SAME

Jack enters to find Mr. Porter lying on the floor behind the
 76.

bed and TOM’S PLAID SHIRT ZOMBIE friend (same guy who stared
at Lucas) EATING Mr. Porter’s GUTS.

JACK
Mr. Porter? What the--

PLAID SHIRT ZOMBIE stands, blood running down his neck. He

drops Porter’s innards and LUNGES for Jack. He’s oddly fast.

Jack is caught off guard by his speed, but he manages to duck

out of the way. He TRIPS over Mr. Porter’s feet and falls
NEXT to him on the floor.

Mr. Porter looks at Jack, eyes pleading to end it. Jack hops
back up just as Plaid Zombie JUMPS over the bed. Jack
scrambles away.

It’s been a while since he’s had to kill a zombie and his
inexperience shows.

Plaid Shirt comes at him again. With no other choice, Jack

WHOPS him in the head with the hammer. EW! It imbeds itself
into the Zombie’s skull, and only stuns him. Jack squirms
away and gets on his feet.

JACK (CONT'D)
Shit.

Plaid Zombie grunts. Thinking fast, Jack grabs the BIBLE off
the nightstand and SLAMS it against the hammer, causing the
Zombie to fall to the ground.

Jack retrieves the handle along with a CHUNK of the Zombie’s

skull and quickly goes to work, BAM! BAM! BAM!

We don’t see the HITS, only Jack’s determined face and the
occasional spatter of carnage against the wall.

When it becomes abundantly clear there is no way in hell that

Plaid Zombie is moving Jack STOPS.

He WHEEZES for a moment. As soon as he catches his breath-- A

GUNSHOT can be heard from the direction of the diner.

Jack looks out the window and sees Shalini standing on the
diner counter, gun raised.

BAM! A second Zombie falls.

INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - SHOWER - NIGHT

Katie lets the water run over her face. She opens her eyes
and shuts off the water. Did she hear something? Waits...
 77.

Nothing...She turns the water back on and watches the water

disappear down the drain.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL - ROOM 4 - SAME

Jack stares at his bloody hands and shirt. He removes his

over-shirt revealing a dirty T-shirt.

He peers out the window. Tom stomps outside the motel office.
BANGS on the metal window covers.

TOM
(half grunt/mumble)
Katie!

Jack is just about to exit when he notices zombie-fied Greg

and Clancy roaming the parking lot nearby.

He bolts Room 4’s outer door. He turns to the door connecting

to Room 5 and KICKS IT IN!

INTERCUT: INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT

Katie gets out of the shower and towels off. She takes part
of the towel and wipes the steam off the mirror -- ALL CLEAR.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL - ROOM 6

BAM! The door SLAMS OPEN and Jack walks through.

He proceeds to kick in door after door connecting the rooms.

He’ll have to get to Katie’s apartment without being seen by
the zombies in the parking lot.

ROOM #7...

ROOM #8...

ROOM # 9...

Room #10 -- GAH!

Suddenly Jack doubles over in PAIN. He falls to the floor,

helpless. He begins to sweat profusely.

INT. DINER - SAME

Shalini watches Greg and Clancy in the parking lot from her
hiding space. She scurries to the back door to find -- Lucas.
 78.

LUCAS
Miss Shalini. Zombies are back--

Shalini pulls him inside and SLAMS the door.

LUCAS (CONT'D)
There’s a lot of em’. I --

Lucas looks down at his bat.

LUCAS (CONT'D)
I’m scared.

Shalini touches his shoulder.

SHALINI
You’re okay. We’ll be okay. Come
with me.

INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - SAME

Now dressed, hair wet, Katie looks in on the baby, asleep.

KITCHEN:

Katie opens the fridge. The filtered water is empty. Carton

of BOXED Water is empty too. She grabs the bucket. She picks
up Jack’s nine iron he left on the counter, but with the
weight of the bucket, it’s too much.

She places the club on the counter and exits.

EXT. MOTEL APARTMENT - BACK ENTRANCE

Katie shifts through the dirt in her flip flops toward the
water pump sticking out of the dirt yard. She squints in the
bright sunlight.

Sweat drips from her brow as she works the lever on the well.
After a few pulls. Water splashes into the metal bucket.

A much-needed breeze kicks up. Katie stops for a moment to

let the fresh air hit her face.

DONK! DONK!

The wooden BACK DOOR bounces against the doorframe. Katie

whips around but doesn’t see anything.

The DOOR sways ever so slightly in the breeze. The WIND picks
up again. Katie shrugs it off.
 79.

Katie shifts through the dirt. The water splashes out of the
bucket onto her feet. She is halfway to the door when --

On the corner of the building she spots a RED BLOOD smudge.

Katie looks around. She’s alone. Relaxes. Hobbles a couple of

steps when suddenly MULLET ZOMBIE comes around the corner.

KATIE
Clancy?

She drops the bucket and HOBBLES towards the door.

She manages to reach the door seconds before Clancy and SLAMS
it shut.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL - KATIE’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER

THUMP! THUMP! Against the outside of the door. Katie exhales.

Safe. Something shifts behind her. She turns to find ZOMBIE
TOM standing in the kitchen doorway.

KATIE
(barely a whisper)
T-tom?

He grunts and steps closer.

Their Baby lets out a coo over the baby monitor. Katie
quickly, discreetly silences the monitor with her hand behind
her back.

She glances to the golf club on the counter. She’ll have to

step toward Tom in order to get it. Tom steps closer.

Tears form in Katie’s eyes.

KATIE (CONT'D)
(barely audible)
Jack?

The baby WAILS. Tom’s head turns toward the bedroom.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Nooooo!

Katie lunges for the nine iron and raises it over her head.

INT. TADPOLE MOTEL - ROOM 10 - NIGHT

Jack lies unconscious on the floor. The sound of Katie and

 80.

Tom’s struggle can be heard in the background: Furniture

MOVING and CRASHING. Katie’s muffled SCREAMS.

KATIE (O.S.)
Jack! Help! Get away from her!

His granddaughter CRIES!

Jack’s eyes OPEN.

He pulls himself up and throws himself against the door. It

doesn’t budge. He kicks it.

JACK
Katie!

BAM! Another distant GUN SHOT from the diner. SHIT.

INT. DINER - SAME

Shalini’s shotgun SMOKES. A Zombie drops with a THUD.

Lucas rounds the corner with a large bloody KNIFE wearing a

trash bag with head and arm holes cutout, a makeshift
raincoat. Behind him, Zombie Greg exits.

CLICK CLICK.

SHALINI
I’m out of bullets!

She quickly grabs a MEAT CLEAVER off the grill and THROWS. It
lands in the side of Greg’s head, slowing him down.

Lucas takes his knife and STABS Greg under his throat into
his skull. He drops. Lucas holds up his knife, proud.

LUCAS
Miss Shalini, we’re okay.

SHALINI
Thanks, Lucas.

She looks around.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
These shits messed up my diner.

LUCAS
Mother fuckers ruined my shoes.

SHALINI
Grab some knives.
 81.

LUCAS
Yes, Miss Shalini.

INT. KATIE'S MOTEL APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER

Jack kicks in the door. He gasps for breath. Looks around.

It’s QUIET.

Katie enters from the hall, shirt and face covered in blood
splatter. In one arm she cradles Delphine. In the other hand,
Jack’s golf club.

She shakes slightly, still in shock.

KATIE
I-I...

Jack gently takes the golf club from her hand. The baby coos.

JACK
That wasn’t Tom, you understand. It
wasn’t him.

A GRUNT. A LAMP crashes to the floor. They both turn towards

the LOUD APPROACHING STEPS of an injured and aggravated
Zombie Tom.

He LUNGES for them when -- CRUNCH!

Jack WHACKS him in the head with a DEATH BLOW from the nine
iron. Tom drops.

JACK (CONT'D)
I’m getting y’all out of here, now.

Katie nods yes.

BAM! BAM! BAM! On the metal partition. They jump.

LUCAS (O.S.)
Miss Katie, you okay?

SHALINI (O.S.)
Open up!

Jack opens the door. Shalini gives him a weary glance but
then sees the bloody golf club in his hand.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
You’ve been busy.

Jack holds up the bloody club and blocks her path. He points
to her shoulder wound.
 82.

JACK
Who did that to you?

SHALINI
The mixer in the diner, not a...
one of -- you.

Shalini pushes past Jack, to Katie who holds Delphine.

SHALINI (CONT'D)
I’ll call the Insurance Co --

KATIE
-- No. Don’t.

Shalini looks to dead Tom on the floor.

SHALINI
You can’t stay here.

KATIE
We won’t.
(looks to Jack)
Pack up supplies.

Jack reluctantly obliges and leaves the room.

KATIE (CONT'D)
(to Shalini)
I need time away from here.

SHALINI
He doesn’t have time.

KATIE
A little. He has a little. I
deserve that.

Katie shifts Delphine in her arms.

KATIE (CONT'D)
I owe her that too. Come with us.

INT. KATIE’S MOTEL APARTMENT - KITCHEN - LATER

Jack packs supplies. He comes across the pre-filled syringe

of vaccine and without over-thinking, he stashes it in the
inside pocket of his jacket.

INT. JACK’S ROOM - SAME

Katie drops her bag on the bed, looks around. Finds a worn
 83.

picture of Jack’s parents on the bedside table.

KATIE
They really my grandparents?

JACK
You would have liked them. We would
spend time up in these parts in the
summer. Just down the road a bit.

KATIE
I finally get a family... only for
a day.

JACK
I’m sorry about that. Sorry for a
lot of things. Tom had issues but --

KATIE
He was bound to get bit one day,
doing what he did.
(swaddling baby)
You saved us.

Jack musters a nod.

INT. DINER - DAY

It’s a bloody mess. Lucas tries to tidy the place but there’s
dead zombies and kitchenware lying about. He looks around.

LUCAS
Oh.

He spots his shoe shine supply case.

Out the corner of his eye, a RUNNER ZOMBIE crosses in the

background. Lucas stops. Looks. Nothing.

He bends down to pick up the case when he hears a rustling

behind him. Lucas turns around, armed with his SLING SHOT!

ZING!

Lucas slings a marble! It HITS dead center of the zombie’s

forehead, stunning him. Lucas runs!

EXT. PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER

Jack carries a couple of duffle bags, while Katie carries

Delphine. Shalini carries her shotgun.
 84.

Jack and Katie find Jack’s tires all slashed.

KATIE
All of em’?

Lucas stumbles out of the diner.

LUCAS
Miss Shalini... very bad.

SHALINI
Lucas?

Jack looks at the neighboring car.

JACK
This one too.

Nervous, Lucas drops his sling shot and FALLS DOWN.

DING! The diner door opens and the Runner Zombie exits,
beelines it quickly toward Lucas.

SHALINI
Lucas run!

Katie and Jack turn towards Shalini’s scream.

KATIE
Lucas, no!

With her hurt arm, Shalini is too slow. She can’t get another
bullet in the gun fast enough.

Jack drops the bags and runs toward Shalini and Lucas --

Suddenly DALE’S STATION WAGON veers off the road, kicking up

dust in the motel parking lot.

Dale clocks the running zombie and PUNCHES THE GAS!

CRUNCH! Dale runs over the Zombie mere feet from Shalini and
Lucas, saving them.

Everyone exhales.

Dale rolls down his window.

DALE
Jack! Guess what I saw!
(looks around)
What the hell’s goin’ on?
 85.

EXT. BACK OF MOTEL - GRASS AREA - LATER

Katie stands over a fresh grave for Tom.

KATIE
(to Delphine)
One day, I’ll tell you about the
good parts of him.
(whispers in her ear)
But sometimes the mystery is
sweeter.

Katie wipes away a tear. Shalini puts an arm around her.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Damn fool.

SHALINI
He gave you her. That’s something.
(off Katie’s look)
I’m trying.

DALE’S CAR:

Dale wipes his brow. He studies his friend. Jack’s face is

covered in sweat and dirt.

DALE
You alright? You look -- well,
good.

JACK
It got kind of crazy around here.

DALE
The company will show up soon.
Locals will call in the gunfire and
dead zombies and whatnot.

Dale follows Jack’s gaze -- Katie rocks Delphine in her arms.

JACK
She’s in no condition to run.

DALE
I know a place.

JACK
Let’s move.

Shalini limps past Dale towards the car, he goes to her

assistance.
 86.

DALE
Here, lean on me.

SHALINI
I don’t--

Dale takes her arm around his shoulders.

DALE
Stop it. Think of me as a fat
crutch.

She doesn’t argue and needs the help.

DALE’S STATION WAGON:

Dale wraps Shalini’s ankle with an old T-shirt from his

backseat. He rips it into strips.

DALE (CONT'D)
Old trick I learned camping not too
far from here.

SHALINI
Thanks for earlier.

DALE
Here to help.

Shalini nods. Jack and Katie get in the car. Dale pulls out
of the lot and heads towards the farmland.

JACK (O.S.)
Drive easy.

As Dale’s taillight disappears around the bend, headlights

shine from the opposite direction.

Silas’s van rounds the corner and pulls into the Tadpole
Motel parking lot.

INT. SILAS'S VAN - SAME

Silas and Ivy take in the carnage.

SILAS
Looks like there was a tussle
alright.

IVY
Fucking blood bath.
 87.

EXT. STREET - DAY

Dale’s station wagon pulls up, stops, then continues on.

Lucas waves from his driveway.

EXT. WOODS - CABIN - DAY

Dale’s car pulls up in front of a secluded A-Frame cabin. The

grass is green, there’s a stream nearby.

DALE
Henry passed from the virus a few
years back. His wife lets me use
the place.

EXT. CABIN - DAY

They exit the car. Jack unlocks the cabin door and lets Katie
inside. Shalini looks around. Dale sidles up next to her.

DALE
Take a pit stop on the porch and
stay off that ankle. Got to patch
up that shoulder too.

Jack digs through Dale’s gear in his trunk.

JACK
Is this my fishing pole?

DALE
Well, yeah. Thought you know, for
old times sake.

Shalini rolls her eyes. Dale points to the stream, defensive.

DALE (CONT'D)
We need to catch dinner.
(to Jack)
How is it possible, I can hear her
eye roll?

JACK
He’s got a point. Besides, the
water is blue level clean up here.

Shalini says nothing, heads into the cabin. Once the door
closes, both Dale and Jack crack a smile.

DALE
Tough nut to crack that one.
 88.

JACK
She looks out for Katie.

SHALINI (O.S.)
I can hear you.

Dale jumps.

EXT. RIVER - MOMENTS LATER

Both Jack and Dale stand in shallow water with their pants
rolled up. Jack looks down at his fishing pole. The price tag
is still on it. He picks at the sticker.

DALE
Got one!

Dale reels in a fish. ZIP! Jack looks on with sad eyes.

JACK
(covering)
Biting big time.

The two men unhook their catch and throw it into a bucket.
Operating in silence, enjoying their time.

The moment is interrupted by a GUN SHOT echoing through the

canyon. Jack looks towards the woods where birds flock from
the treetops.

JACK (CONT'D)
Saw a runner few days ago, on my
way out here.

DALE
More and more of em’. Doomed.

JACK
Let’s head back. Don’t want to
leave Katie for too long --

He catches himself.

DALE
Don’t worry. I plan on checkin’ in
on her after you’ve gone.

They gather their gear and start back down the trail.

DALE (CONT'D)
But what we should do is head back
in the morning. Get some of that
orange antidote.
 89.

JACK
I’m not going back. And besides
they’ll never give it to me.

DALE
I saw it with my own eyes, dude.

JACK
Then why aren’t they giving it to
everyone? Huh? Said it yourself,
small cog in a big machine. Not my
problem anymore.

Dale stops walking.

DALE
What do you mean, not your problem?
This is exactly your problem. Don’t
you care? This is your chance to do
something big, not to mention, save
you! YOU!

JACK
(breaking a bit)
I did everything I was supposed to
do. I followed the fucking rules
and got nowhere. This time
tomorrow, I’ll be snacking on
brains or taking a stunner bolt to
the skull. So don’t talk to me
about problems.

DALE
You’ve done more in your life in
the last four days than you’ve done
in a decade. Isn’t it worth trying
to find out?

The truth stings.

JACK
I have tried. The company doesn’t
want to help save people. At least,
not people like us.

DALE
I saw Silas dying, then he walked
off, normal as fuck. This Orange
antidote is a reset button.
(snaps his fingers)
Clear as day. You’ll get your full
ninety-nine bro. You’ll get your
family.
 90.

BEAT.

JACK
I buried some stuff for her. Take
care of her expenses --

DALE
Fuck your ATM. You have what --

He grabs his friends pants leg, looks at his ankle monitor.

DALE (CONT'D)
Less than a day left. You’re out
here, free. But you’re still
playing their game and by their
rules. Man, you don’t understand
what’s right in front of you.

Dale carries his gear past Jack and heads into the house,
alone. Katie sits on the porch, holding Delphine having
listened to the whole exchange.

EXT. TADPOLE MOTEL - DAY

Ivy leans down to inspect the Runner Zombie that caught

Dale’s tire treads. It lets out a small gasp before PFFT! She
pumps a stunner bolt to its head.

Silas exits the diner.

SILAS
Got three more in here.

Ivy kicks the dirt.

IVY
Fucking zombies making a goddamn
mess.

INT. CABIN - KITCHEN - EVENING

A cleaver comes down hard on a chopping block. The fish head

drops into the trash. Shalini proceeds to prep dinner.

SHALINI
You going to sit there slack jawed,
or you going to help?

DALE
Yes ma’am’. What should I--
 91.

SHALINI
--Cans of soup in the pantry.
Wouldn’t be the worst thing if you
sort through them and put one on.

Dale grabs a pot.

DALE
Right away, Chef.

Despite herself, Shalini cracks a smile. From inside the

pantry, Dale calls out.

DALE (O.S.) (CONT'D)

I saw that.

He returns with the canned goods.

DALE (CONT'D)
Now get off that ankle and let me
show you how to fry up this grub.
(off her uncertain look)
Go on.

SHALINI
Well, I did take out four zombies
today. So I guess you can cook.

Shalini obliges and takes a seat at the table. Dale moves the
chair up so she can put her ankle up.

INT. CABIN - BEDROOM - EVENING

Katie finishes burping Delphine and puts her down. Jack

knocks on the doorframe. Katie waves him in and takes a seat
on the bed.

KATIE
Your friend, Dale. You trust him?

JACK
Yes.

KATIE
I heard what he was saying, about
the Insurance Company...the
antidote. Any truth to that?

JACK
I’ve never seen it.
 92.

KATIE
You know when mom got infected... I
was there with her. It needed to be
me. I wasn’t going to let the
Insurance Company or Sheriff do it.
(she picks Delphine up)
But now, I don’t know if I have it
in me.

Jack processes this.

JACK
I wouldn’t ask you to do that.

KATIE
But you’ll ask me to accept losing
you? If that’s how you feel, just
leave now.

They sit in silence for a moment. Delphine coos.

A breeze blows from the open window. Jack walks over to

inspect the lock.

JACK
I’m going to put some boards up on
these tonight --

KATIE
Shut up about the damn windows.
(beat)
I lost mom to the virus and today I
put a nine iron through Delphine’s
father’s skull. So if there is any
chance I can give her a grandfather
and save other people, I’m willing
to try.

JACK
I don’t want to put you and
Delphine in any more danger.

Katie puts the baby down and approaches Jack.

KATIE
You’re here... late. Really late.
But you’re not lost anymore. And we
need you.
(beat)
I don’t want to do this alone. I
know I can. I’m strong. Made sure
of that.
(turns towards him)
But I don’t want to.
 93.

For the first time since he’s met her, Katie looks younger
than her age. Vulnerable.

JACK
For years I worked at a company
that dictates how we die, but
somehow I forgot how to live.

Katie steps forward and hugs Jack. It’s forced at first. But
they finally relax -- a real hug. A real family.

INT/EXT. STATION WAGON - DESERT - NEXT DAY

Shalini pulls to a stop. Katie rides shotgun, rolls down her

window. The back passenger doors open to REVEAL --

Jack and Dale exit the car in RED HAZMAT suits armed with
crowbars. Jack looks at Delphine then to Katie, who has a
game face on.

KATIE
I’m not saying good-bye... be safe.

JACK
If things get wonky you --

SHALINI
-- Don’t worry, I’ll gun it.

Jack nods in approval. He gives Katie a half wave as they

drive off. Jack and Dale walk across the desert towards --

MANHOLE COVER:

Dale fidgets in his suit.

DALE
This suit is hot as hellfire.

JACK
How’d you get these anyways?

DALE
I rather not say... you ready?

JACK
Go for it.

Dale used the crowbar to open the metal cover. THUNK...

NOTHING. They both peer over the edge.

JACK (CONT'D)
This is useless --
 94.

A GROWL interrupts him and a ZOMBIE hand sticks out of the

darkness into the hot desert sun.

DALE
Jackpot.

EXT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DESERT - NEXT DAY

Katie adjusts her wrap protecting Delphine. She looks past

the rail stop where Shalini keeps a watchful eye from the
station wagon.

KATIE
Come on little lady, let’s get this
party started.

Katie watches as Bee gets on her ATV and drives on her

surveillance rounds in the desert.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

George and the front office workers stop in their tracks when
Katie enters. All taken aback by baby Delphine.

GEORGE
Hello, Ma’am. Is that a -- baby?

KATIE
I need to register her.

Katie sways on her feet, trying to quiet Delphine. Lex leans

out his office door.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Is there some place more
comfortable I could sit while I
feed her --

Delphine cries louder. Katie looks towards Lex’s office.

LEX
Oh, what do we have here? Come on
back, get comfortable.

Katie forces a smile. Lex gives her the creeps. She looks out
the front window, where Jack and Dale walk across the desert.

INT. LEX’S OFFICE - SAME

Lex types into a laptop.

 95.

LEX
Okay, so your family history. Your
mom is deceased. Your dad?

Pouring it on thick... Katie’s voice breaks. Tears come.

KATIE
I-I never knew him.

LEX
Oh, don’t cry. Let me -- uh, get
you a tissue.

Lex exits to the common area to the snack station wall.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - SNACK STATION - SAME

Lex fills a cup with water from the soda fountain when the
newscast gets his attention:

ON TV: Pictures of Jack, Dale, Shalini and Katie. Lex looks

back at Katie in the office. His demeanor ices over.

He dials his cell.

LEX
This is Lex Palmer. I’ve got a
situation, here. Office #794.

EXT. DESERT ROAD - SAME

Ivy and Silas operate a ROAD STOP outside of the city. Ivy
speaks into her cell phone.

IVY
Got it.

She hangs up the phone and calls out to Silas.

IVY (CONT'D)
That was the home office. Let’s
bounce.

They hop into their INSURANCE COMPANY van and floor it.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - UPSTAIRS

Lex offers Katie a tissue. He watches her, suspicious. She

can feel something has changed but can’t place it.
 96.

LEX
Let’s cut the bull crap. Who are
you? Really.

KATIE
I-I told you --

Katie nervously glances towards the window.

INT. BEE’S GLASS SHED - SAME

Bee looks up from her paperwork and sees THREE Zombies chase
Dale and Jack across the desert. She grabs her high power
rifle and exits her glass office.

Jack waves to Bee for help.

JACK
(to Dale)
Now! Hustle!

Jack breaks into a run across the desert towards the small
glass box shed. Dale flails behind him.

DALE
This suit is heavy as shit! I can’t
run! I can’t run!

Almost there... As soon as he reaches the glass shed, Jack

shoves Dale to the ground.

JACK
I do this part alone. You can’t get
in trouble.

DALE
What? No!

Amidst their tussle, Jack’s crowbar drops to the ground

OUTSIDE of the door. Dale turns to see a Zombie coming right
at him.

DALE (CONT'D)
What the hell!?

BAM! Just as the Zombie is about to attack, it’s HIT in the

head by Bee’s bullet. It falls ONTO Dale.

DALE (CONT'D)
No, no, no, NO!

Dale wiggles in his suit. He’s safe, but trapped and super
uncomfortable.
 97.

INT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - SAME

Lex flashes a fake smile at Katie. Another GUN SHOT rings in

the air.

LEX
Sounds like your friends are in a
pickle.

KATIE
Friends?

She looks toward the window, unsure.

INT. GLASS HOUSE - SAME

Jack removes his Hazmat helmet. He’s covered in dirt and

sweat. He shoves Bee’s desk to the side -- a MANHOLE COVER.

JACK
Yes!

He looks up and sees the INSURANCE COMPANY VAN pull up. He

hurries, digging with his hands, removing sand away from the
edges. He struggles to open it -- can’t get a good grip.

JACK (CONT'D)
Come on! Ah --

Jack doubles over in pain. He takes in a deep breath, trying

to control it. He has to focus. He pulls his pant leg up: 17
MINUTES. He digs in the sand, but can’t get a good grip.

He rolls onto his back in frustration and sees -- a CROWBAR

mounted underneath Bee’s desk! He grabs it!

The Manhole lifts up! Jack climbs inside.

INT. STATION WAGON - SAME

Shalini ducks behind the driver’s wheel and watches as Ivy

wears her bolt stunner connected to a shoulder strap and
secures a SILENCER onto a GUN.

Shalini sinks lower in her seat as Ivy heads across the road,
while Silas enters the Insurance Company office.

INT. LEX’S OFFICE - DAY

Lex leans back in the desk chair.

 98.

LEX
Little miss, I made a call and you
don’t even want to know --

Without warning Katie picks up the metal stapler off the desk
and CHUCKS it at Lex’s face, hitting him square in the
forehead. Blood gushes out of his nose.

LEX (CONT'D)
Ow! Goddamn it! You broke my nose!

KATIE
That’s enough out of you!

She walks around the desk and stapler whips him across the
face. He’s out.

Katie grabs Delphine’s carrier and exits to --

MAIN ROOM:

-- Only to stop short. Silas raises a gun right at her.

SILAS
Not one more step.

BANG! His eyes bulge. He DROPS to the ground, revealing

Shalini with a shot gun.

SHALINI
Holy fuck... I --

KATIE
Saved us!

The SHUFFLE OF PAPER. Both women turn to look at the George,

Eunice and their co-workers staring at them. Awkward BEAT...

KATIE (CONT'D)
Go! Everyone out!
(off their hesitation)
Go on now!

The Insurance Adjusters quickly shuffle out of the front

door. Eunice grabs all her artwork shoved in her desk.

EUNICE
Thanks...

Afraid, George sits back down, hands folded on his desk.

KATIE
Really?

(MORE)
 99.

KATIE (CONT'D)
(to Shalini)
Come on.

Shalini limps out behind her friend. George blindly stamps

TERMINATE on a Citizen Report.

EXT. INSURANCE COMPANY OFFICE - DESERT

Katie climbs into Dale’s station wagon when she looks over
and sees Dale losing a wrestling fight in the glass box with
Bee. She winces as Bee throws Dale against the glass wall.

About twenty yards away, Ivy SHOOTS a zombie and opens

another manhole cover, ducking inside.

KATIE
She’s going to take him out.

Katie looks at Delphine sitting innocently in her car seat.

SHALINI
Katie, we’ve got to go, now.

KATIE
Keep the car running. Anything
weird, hit the gas and don’t stop.

SHALINI
But --

KATIE
He saved us. Now I’ve got to try
and save him.

SHALINI
He’s already going to die.

KATIE
Then he shouldn’t do it alone.

Katie grabs her golf club off the floor of the car and walks
towards a manhole. GAME. FUCKING. ON.

INT. UNDERGROUND STORAGE BUNKER - DESERT

Jack hits a switch, dim lights mounted to the wall illuminate

the space. He makes his way through the maze.

On the far wall, large refrigerators house syringes filled

with a faint BLUE LIQUID.
 100.

JACK
It’s just more vaccine?

Jack reluctantly opens the neighboring fridge. ROWS AND ROWS

of syringes filled with ORANGE liquid.

Jack removes his Hazmat gloves and starts pocketing the drug.
He grabs for more when suddenly the vials around him start
exploding!

Ivy enters the room from the opposite direction and fires her
gun, PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Jack ducks for cover.

IVY
You are done, Jack. Surrender now.

JACK
I didn’t do anything wrong!

IVY
You’re dead on your feet and
sucking up resources. Your time is
up.

More vials explode above Jack. He ducks for cover.

INT. BEE’S GLASS SHED - SAME

SQUEAK... Dale smashes against the glass.

He’s taking a beating but he keeps throwing himself over the

manhole, blocking the entrance so Bee can’t get to the lab.

BEE
Get out of my way or I’ll have to
use force.

DALE
Use fo-force? What have you been...
No, woman!

Bee has Dale over her shoulder. He squirms and manages to

grab a BAZOOKA. Dale’s foot haphazardly kicks the door to the
structure open.

In the mayhem, the Bazooka goes off -- shooting a rocket, out

the door and straight into the Insurance Company office just
as George exits.

With seconds to spare, George drops to the ground as the

Insurance Company office explodes around him.
 101.

GLASS SHED:

Dale, still over Bee’s shoulder, leans back, WALKS UP THE

WALL and FALLS BACKWARDS. On the way down, Bee cracks her
head against the metal desk. OUT COLD.

Dale lies on top of a passed out Bee and catches his breath.
He pats her arm, relieved it’s over.

DALE (CONT'D)
Sweet Jesus, honey. You know how to
party.

He ducks down into the bunker.

INT. UNDERGROUND STORAGE BUNKER - LAB - SAME

Ivy readies a shot when Jack’s LEFT HAND cramps in PAIN. He

looks up at her.

JACK
You’re such a dick.
(Ivy caught off guard)
Geez lady, I have a daughter... a
granddaughter.
(beat)
I followed every rule, every law!

Ivy fires, PFFT! PFFT!

IVY
Yet you still ended up here.

Jack scrambles away.

Ivy shines her large FLASHLIGHT on Jack’s face. She walks

towards him, now armed with her BOLT STUNNER.

Jack squints and stumbles backward against the cabinet. The

vials shake and fall to the ground.

JACK’S POV: Ivy’s shadow leans into the light. It’s just like
the CRASH. Memories rush back to him.

QUICK CUTS: Jack hits the windshield. He rolls to a stop on

the pavement. A SHADOW LEANS OVER HIM -- it’s Ivy.

BACK TO PRESENT:

JACK
It was -- YOU.

Caught, Ivy is momentarily taken aback.

 102.

JACK (CONT'D)
You put me here.

He’s about to rant but then catches himself. Realization

washes over his face.

JACK (CONT'D)
Thank you.

IVY
What? You’re too far gone --

Ivy raises her stunner bolt.

JACK
-- No, I’m not. You tell yourself
lies to get through your shitty
day. The government made us into
heartless drones. Somewhere along
the way, we lost what’s special.

IVY
The rules are why I exist. You’re a
threat to the community and no
longer belong here.

JACK
Even when the world ends, the
insurance company fucks us over.

IVY
You’re a meat bag corpse.

JACK
And you are sad sack of shit.

Ouch. Jack throws a piece of equipment hitting Ivy in the

shoulder, knocking her off balance. PFFT! PFFT! Glass rains
down. Jack crouches on the floor.

In a last ditch effort, Jack throws metal supplies from the

cabinet.

UNDERGROUND BUNKER ENTRANCE:

Katie hears the commotion off the main corridor. FOOTSTEPS

approach. Katie readies her NINE IRON for a swing, but stops
short when she sees that it’s Dale.

From the other room, PFFT! PFFT! Sound of GLASS SHATTERING.

BEHIND THE PARTITION:

Again, Jack winces in pain. Then he sees it. An EMERGENCY KIT

 103.

encased in glass -- a FLARE GUN.

He waits for the next shot to land, PFFT! PFFT!

Jack punches, breaking the glass at the same time. He grabs

the flare gun and is about to jump up when he hears --

WHAP! THUD.

KATIE
Jack!

JACK
Katie?

He stands up just in time --

JACK (CONT'D)
Behind you!

Katie turns but is too late, Ivy knocks her down.

Dale on the other hand has found the fridge and is stuffing
his pockets with syringes of the ORANGE SERUM.

PFFT! PFFT!

IVY
Stop --

From behind her, WHAP! Katie levels Ivy with her nine iron
and turns to Jack.

KATIE
Let’s get out of here.

Jack puts an arm around Katie and hobbles towards the exit.

JACK
Dale, Let’s go!

DALE
Hold up.

Dale has his back turned and doesn’t see Ivy raise her stun
bolt tank. Katie and Jack move faster!

As they run, Jack fires the FLARE at Ivy.

The FLARE hits her CO2 TANK!

BEAT.

Ivy looks down at the Tank -- NO!

 104.

EXPLOSION!

In the BLAST and the DUST -- the freezer doors BLOW SHUT.
It’s unclear if Dale is inside or outside the walk-in.

EXT. DESERT - SAME

Shalini watches as a FIRE BALL escapes up through the manhole

under Bee’s desk!

SHALINI
Holy smokes --

She glances at Delphine in the backseat. She is about to

start the car when -- Twenty yards away... a different sand
covered manhole cover opens... Katie climbs out --

-- and PULLS JACK OUT AFTER HER. They take a few steps when:

The GLASS HOUSE EXPLODES!

SHARDS of BULLET PROOF GLASS fly through the air --

Katie is HIT.

Father and daughter fall to the ground. A large SHARD OF

GLASS protrudes from Katie’s gut.

JACK
Katie?!

Not vaccinated, Katie feels her injuries. She bleeds out,

fast. Jack searches in his suit... the vials he took are all
cracked and ruined.

Then he remembers. He peels off the top part of his Hazmat

suit, inside jacket pocket, the BLUE vaccine from Katie’s
apartment.

KATIE
...Dad.

Her lip quivers. Jack winces as blue veins appear on his left
arm. He holds her. Katie’s eyes close. She’s fading fast.

JACK
No. NO...

THWAP!

Jack stabs the syringe filled with BLUE LIQUID into Katie’s
stomach, injecting the vaccine into her.
 105.

NOTHING.

Jack shakily strokes Katie’s hair. Eyes wet with tears.

JACK (CONT'D)
Katie, come back...

Suddenly Katie GASPS for air. Her eyes OPEN.

The color flows back to her face. Jack smiles through his
obvious pain.

Katie sits up, faces her dad. She looks at the EMPTY syringe
on the ground.

KATIE
A chemical heart....

Jack winces. When he opens his eyes, ONE IS MILKY WHITE. He’s
turning.

Katie sees the BROKEN vials on the ground. Katie grasps his
hands -- both rein in their emotions.

KATIE (CONT'D)
Dad?
(beat)
Thank you for finding me.

Jack manages a slight smile. He slumps over. It’s time.

CREAK...

A MANHOLE cover opens in the distance.

IT’S DALE! He’s a bit worse for wear with burn holes all over
his suit. In fact, part of his suit still smolders.

He stumbles towards them. Covered in ash and holds an ax.

Dale quickly assesses the situation and -- opens his HAZMAT

SUIT JACKET. About twenty syringes filled with ORANGE SERUM
drop to the ground.

DALE
I got you, Jack!

Katie scrambles for a syringe. She pops the cap and SLAMS it
into Jack’s chest.

Her face clouds over. IT’S NOT WORKING. The BLUE VEINS
continue to SPREAD up Jack’s arm.
 106.

KATIE
Dale!

Katie looks Dale in the eye, gives a slight nod as if to say,

“do it.”

DALE
Yep...

Dale raises the ax above his head, just as Jack OPENS his
eyes: one pupil CLEAR, one CLOUDY.

Jack looks on in HORROR as we --

SMASH TO BLACK:

FADE IN:

EXT. TADPOLE INN - WEEKS LATER

Grass has started to grow on the edge of the property. The

place has been painted. Different colored CAR DOORS are now
mounted on the outside of each window -- Zombie protected.

The sign has been upgraded from motel to TADPOLE INN.

We see Jack, from the back. His LEFT arm swings into view --
the bottom half GONE. His elbow sports a bandage. He shuffles
kind of like a zom-- he spins around -- NOT A ZOMBIE.

Jack bounces baby Delphine strapped in a baby Bjorn on his

chest. Lucas greets them at the door of the diner.

LUCAS
Mornin’ you two.

INT. DINER - DAY

On each table are new center pieces, the tiny cactus plants
from Jack’s old apartment.

Jack stands inside the doorway, watching the chaos of the

morning shift. The place is packed. Everything seems to move
at WARP speed and two decibels louder.

Dale collects his ball cap and gives Shalini a kiss on the
cheek on his way out as she delivers food to a nearby booth.

Katie rings customers up on the register. On her inner

forearm she sports a TATTOO: A HEART with a SYRINGE instead
of an arrow piercing it.
 107.

Katie lights up when she sees Jack and Delphine.

KATIE
Dad, do refills?

JACK
We got you.

Jack grabs the coffee pot and gets to work refilling

CUSTOMERS’ mugs.

As Katie passes by the juke box, she hits it on the side. An

upbeat rock-a-billy song (with sad lyrics) comes on.

As the music swells we...

FADE OUT.