Running On Empty

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In Chapter 20 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy, Brick and the other revolutionaries argue about whether to approach the media about their zombie virus vaccine or check if their parents have survived the rampaging undead in the streets. Meanwhile, Jool realizes that the clock is ticking now that her infection is getting worse, and escapes her quarantined bedroom out the window to go find Rommy ...


EXT. LOWER MANHATTAN - SOHO DISTRICT - DUSK
Magic hour at the apocalypse.
The setting son flashes gorgeous light
on the windows of the old loft buildings.

If all hell weren’t breaking loose,
it would be beautiful.

INT. FIRE TRUCK - DUSK
Brick points at the gas gage.
Looks at Gaga, then Merk
and Rommy behind them.
Shakes his head.

BRICK
We’re running on empty.
We have to figure out
how we’re gonna get uptown.

GAGA
First I want to see
if my parents are okay.

MERK
(looks at her, nods)
Yeah. Me, too.

ROMMY
Then we’ll check on mine.
And then we’re gonna go get Jool.

BRICK
Sorry, kids.
Too dangerous.
We gotta keep moving uptown.
We gotta get to the media.

ROMMY
No, goddammit.
LISTEN to me.
Here’s what we’re gonna do.
(looks at Merk)
First we’re going to
check on our parents.
(looks at Brick)
And then we’re gonna take
the subway tracks uptown
so I can get JOOL.
THEN we’ll go to the media.
GOT it?

BRICK
Are you fucking CRAZY?
The subway’s been out for YEARS --
and there’s a shitload of
homeless infecteds down there.

ROMMY
Fuck that.
We stick together, we’ll be fine.
(low)
I NEED to see JOOL.

Brick stares at Rommy.
Gaga touches his shoulder.

GAGA
Please?
Haven’t you ever cared
for someone special?

Brick looks at her.
Her liquid eyes plead with him.

He JAMS the key in the ignition.
Closes his eyes.

BRICK
Goddammit.

PUSH IN ON Rommy’s face. Triumphant.

ROMMY
Damn straight.

INT. JOOL’S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Jool looks at the lesion
on her arm in the mirror.

Now really scared.
She pads back into --

HER BEDROOM
Where she goes to her night table.
Rummages around in her purse.
Pulls out another photo.

IN THE PICTURE
Rommy holds his ice cream cone.
Deep in conversation.

Not realizing that it’s
dripping on his shirt.

JOOL
Stuffs the picture in her knapsack.

JOOL
(under her breath)
I’m not going to die a virgin.

Hoists it over her shoulder.
Heads for the balcony.