Friday, November 28, 2014

From Beer To Eternity


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 25 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy and the revolutionaries continue their trek uptown through the abandoned subway tunnel until they literally reach a brick wall. Meanwhile, the evening news report on the chaos in the streets gets sidetracked by drug and alcohol abuse ...


INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL - NIGHT
The hand cart continues going north.
Everyone stares ahead silently.

Gaga turns, looks at Rommy.
He stares at the picture.

Sighs. Puts it away.
Sees Gaga looking at him.

GAGA
How you feeling?

ROMMY
Like I’m swimming in a big vat
of fuck you.

GAGA
(feels his forehead)
You’re burning up --

ROMMY
I’ll be okay.
I just need to see Jool.

GAGA
We’ll find her. I promise.
Then we’ll make some more
of the vaccine --

JAG
SHIT.

MONSTER
FUCK ME.

Rommy and Gaga turn and look.
The tunnel ahead has been
WALLED UP WITH BRICKS.

BRICK
End of the line.
Guess we’re gonna have to
go above-ground.

ROMMY
Where are we?

BRICK
Forty-second street.

JAG
Fucking GREAT.

GAGA
Why did they wall it up?

BRICK
Fucking KAPPS like to keep out
illegal immigrants.

ROMMY
Oh, YEAH?
(raises his fist in the air)
Gimme your tired, poor, huddled masses
yearning to KICK ASS.
(off their looks)
What.
What you looking at?

INT. NEWS STUDIO - NIGHT
Brock and Nobu sit at their news desk.
Look scared.

Brock absently shuffles papers.
Nobu sips from her coffee mug.

BROCK
This just in, the republic is now
in a state of complete chaos.
We urge everyone to STAY INSIDE --

NOBU
Fuck it, Brock.
What’s the use?
It’s Armageddon.
Judgment day.
The end of days.
(hiccups)
You know? Fuck it.
We might as well
jump off the roof --

Brock GRABS her mug.
Smells it.

BROCK
(sharp whisper)
What were you told about
DRINKING on the job?

Nobu GRABS the mug back.

NOBU
It’s the END OF
THE FUCKING WORLD, Brock.
And I’m gonna have
a FUCKING COCKTAIL,
so DEAL with it.

She drains it.
Reaches under the desk.

Brings up a bottle.
Pours some more.

Brock stares in the camera.
Blinks.

BROCK
We now go to Paul David Brazill,
our man on the street, who --
(listens to his ear piece)
He’s dead -- ?
(looks into the camera)
We’ll be right back after
this word from our sponsor.

He exhales.
Assumes the camera is off.
But it isn’t.

BROCK
You fucking LUSH --

NOBU
Can it, pretty boy.
Don’t think I don’t know about
your Columbian BOOGER SUGAR.
(beat)
Hey.
Gimme a bump of that --

Brock turns red.
Looks to his right,
then his left.

Pulls a snifter
out of his pocket.
Hands it to her.

BROCK
Here.
Maybe this will help
even you out.

Nobu grins maniacally.
GRABS it. HONKS a hit.
Then another.

NOBU
WHOO, that’s good shit.
I feel like DANCING --

Thursday, November 27, 2014

To Bite Or Not To Bite


Happy Thanksgiving, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 24 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, as Jool scales the side of the building to escape the zombie attack, they race inside and eat Carling as he and Nin try to escape into the safe room ... but when Jool finally makes it to the roof, she runs into an unexpected ally ...


INT. CARLING’S STUDY - NIGHT
Carling picks up the phone on his desk.
Tries to dial a number.

SLAMS it down.
Looks at Nin.

CARLING
Phones are down.

NIN
What are we going to do?

CARLING
The panic room --

They look at each other. Realize.
They RACE out of the room.

INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Carling and Nin RUN into her room.
Stop. Look around.

NIN
Where IS she?

CARLING
I don’t know. She’s GONE.

Loud SCREAMING downstairs.

CARLING
We gotta GO --

NIN
But JOOL --

CARLING
We don’t have TIME.
(looks up)
Please god, forgive me --

He DASHES out of the room,
Nin trailing behind him.

INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
They RUN toward a steel door
at the end of the hallway,
just as A PACK OF ZOMBIES
reaches the top of the stairs.

They see them.

Carling TRIPS and falls.
Nin makes it to the door.

NIN
(turns, sees)
CARLING --

But it’s too late.
The zombies LEAP on top of him
and start FEASTING.

Nin FLIES into the room.
SLAMS the door shut.

EXT. CARLING’S MANSION - ROOF - NIGHT
Jool makes it to the top.
Climbs onto the roof.

Looks over the edge.
Sees dozens of zombies
storming into the building.

JOOL
Can’t stay here.

She goes to the other side.
at the chasm between her building
and the one next door.

JOOL
I can’t jump across THAT.

Jool finds a long, wooden plank.
Picks it up. GROANS.

Her head starts spinning.
She takes a deep breath.

JOOL
C’mon. You can DO this.

Brings the plank over to the ledge.
Carefully pushes it out until it
reaches the other side.

But it just barely makes it.
She’s gonna have to be very careful.

Suddenly a SCREAMING ZOMBIE
appears on the roof.

Jool pulls out her gun.
SHOOTS it in the head.
BANG. BANG. BANG.

It EXPLODES with a POP.

She turns around, gets down,
then starts crawling out
across the board
toward the other side.

JOOL
Don’t look down,
don’t look down --

But she does.
Almost passes out.

She takes a deep breath.
Keeps on going.

Just then, SCREAMING behind her.
MORE rabid infecteds are on the roof.
She’s gotta HURRY --

She SCRAMBLES across
the board on all fours.
The zombies RACE
over to the side
of the building,
get to the board,
just as Jool makes it
to the other side.
She KICKS the plank --

And it FALLS over the side.
But Jool SLIPS.

GRABS the edge of the roof
with her hands,
legs KICKING WILDLY.

JOOL
Omigod -- HELP.

FEMALE VOICE (O.C.)
It’s OKAY.
Let go.
I’ll CATCH you.

She turns, looks down, sees --

ON THE GROUND
Stands a FEMALE COMMANDO IN BLACK.
Meet Ginger Jones (27).

Elite black ops. Feral.
Menacing. And totally hot.

GINGER
Just let go.
I’ll catch you, I promise.

ON THE ROOF
Jool looks down.
Freaked OUT.

JOOL
But it’s three stories --

Her hands SLIP, and she
PLUMMETS DOWN to the ground --

where Ginger deftly CATCHES
her in her arms.

JOOL
Holy shit.
(beat)
Thanks.

Ginger puts her down. Smiles.

GINGER
No problem, Miss.

JOOL
(stares at her uniform)
Who ARE you?

GINGER
If I told you,
I’d have to kill you.
(stares at her)
You’re infected.

JOOL
Please don’t shoot me.

GINGER
Relax.
I’m part of a Mont
secret black ops cell.
We find and hide the infected
until we can find a cure.

JOOL
Wow.
That’s -- great.
(closes her eyes)
I feel like I’m
going to pass out --

GINGER
C’mon.
Let’s find a place
where you can rest.

JOOL
(eyes FLY OPEN)
NO.
I can’t leave.
Rommy’s going to be here
any minute.

GINGER
Who’s Rommy?

She pulls out the picture.
Shows it to Ginger.

JOOL
My boyfriend.
(points at her building)
I want to see if
my family is okay.
Would you come with me?

GINGER
Sure.
Lead the way --

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Escape From New York


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 23 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, we flash back to the street fair where Rommy and Jool met as they reluctantly say 'goodbye' ... then flash forward to an infected Jool escaping out her quarantined bedroom window as the zombie apocalypse rages down below ...


EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE - STREET FAIR - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Rommy and Jool stand on the corner.
Now holding each other.

JOOL
Okay.
Now I’ve GOT to go.

ROMMY
Yeah.
I should go, too.

They stare into each other’s eyes.
Vibrating with unrequited lust.
He tucks her hair behind her ear.

JOOL
Then why aren’t we moving?

ROMMY
I dunno.
(beat)
Did the earth not move
for you, too?

She smiles.
They pull apart.

JOOL
Until we meet again.

ROMMY
Parting is such sweet sorrow.

JOOL
Oooh.
Look who’s the poet.

ROMMY
It’s not -- original.

JOOL
It’s the thought that counts.
(blows him a kiss)
Bye.

She turns around.
Hustles off.

PUSH IN ON Rommy.
Watching her go.
Aching with longing.

ROMMY
(softly)
Bye.

INT. CARLING’S MANSION - JOOL’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jool stands at the balcony railing.
Looks at the drainpipe leading up
to the roof that Rommy climbed up.

JOOL
Okay.
Deep breath.
You can do it.

She GRABS it.
Then hears MACHINE GUN FIRE
down below.

Turns, looks down, and sees,
much to her horror --

EXT. FIFTH AVENUE - CARLING’S MANSION - NIGHT
A HORDE OF RABID ZOMBIES surrounding
the barricades around the mansion.

Carling’s PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS
stand behind shields
and FIRE at them.

But they’re WAY outnumbered.

JOOL
Watches.
Freaks out.

JOOL
Ohmigod.

THE ZOMBIES
SMASH through one of the barricades
and STAMPEDE toward the guards,
SCREAMING AND CHATTERING.

The guards keep SHOOTING.

A few get HIT, their heads EXPLODING.
But they’re too many of them,
and they reach the guards
and start EATING them.

A ZOMBIE
CHOMPS on a guard’s neck.
Red goo goes FLYING.

ANOTHER ZOMBIE
LUNGES at another guard.
Buries his face in his stomach.

RIPS INTO his flesh.
YANKS out his guts with his teeth,
just as his head gets
HIT and EXPLODES.

They keep advancing.
Start POURING into the house.

JOOL
Sees this.
Her eyes BUG OUT.

JOOL
Holy fucking SHIT.

She RACES back into her room.
Goes to the door. Realizes.

JOOL
Panic room’s up two flights.
Too risky. SHIT. FUCK.

Races back outside to --

THE BALCONY
She goes back to the railing.

JOOL
If it held him,
it’ll hold me --

Stops a moment.
Feels dizzy.

Gathers her strength.
Climbs up on the railing.

GRABS onto the pipe.
And starts CLIMBING UP.

She turns.
Looks down. Gulps.

JOOL
Don’t look down,
don’t look down --

And starts making her way
up the side of the building --

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A Mission From God


Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 22 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy, Brick and the revolutionaries make their way uptown through an abandoned Manhattan subway tunnel ... and run right into a gaggle of homeless zombies ...


INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL - NIGHT
Most of the lights are out.
It’s eerie. Rats scurry about.

The hand truck rolls down the tracks
in the dim light.

ROMMY
(reads the number on the wall)
Thirty-fourth street.

BRICK
What street is she on?

Rommy closes his eyes.
Rubs them with his fists. Thinks.

ROMMY
Uh, seventy-fifth and fifth.
Right on the park.

BRICK
You feeling okay?

ROMMY
(looks at him)
Well, let’s see.
My eyes are watering,
I’m burning up with a fever,
and it hurts when I breathe.
(beat)
Just peachy.

JAG
(sees something)
We got a problem, chief.

BRICK
(turns, looks)
Shit.

UP AHEAD
Is a crude ROADBLOCK made of wooden crates,
trash cans and big piles of garbage.
A fire burns dimly behind it.

THE HAND TRUCK
Slows to a stop in front of it.

ROMMY
What the fuck do we do NOW?

ANGRY MALE VOICE (O.C.)
HALT. Who goes there?

BRICK
We need to get through.
We’re on a mission from God.

ANGRY MALE VOICE (O.C.)
There IS no GOD.

A FILTHY, BEARDED HOMELESS SKELL
emerges from the edge of the barrier
carrying a spear.

Infected. Badly. About to turn.

FILTHY, BEARDED HOMELESS SKELL
If there was, we wouldn’t have been cast
out of society to die a living DEATH.

ROMMY
Okay, so you’re infected.
We get it. I’M infected.
But we’ve got a vaccine for the virus.

BRICK
That’s right.
And we need to get through
so we can get the word out
to the people. Like you --

FILTHY, BEARDED HOMELESS SKELL
You have a VACCINE?
GIVE IT TO ME.

ROMMY
My friends, uh -- used it all up.
But we’re gonna make a new batch. Promise.

FILTHY, BEARDED HOMELESS SKELL
I don’t BELIEVE YOU.

And right before their eyes, he
TURNS into a RABID, CHATTERING ZOMBIE.

He THROWS his spear --
which WHIZZES THROUGH THE AIR
and HITS Monster in the leg.

MONSTER
OWWW --

BRICK
GET ‘EM.

Jag WHIPS OUT his Uzi.
SPRAYS him with bullets.

His skeletal body JERKS like a puppet
in a dance of death.

FALLS to the ground in a
gooey puddle of flesh and bones.

MONSTER
(YANKS the spear out)
Fucking homeless zombie piece of SHIT.

Brick hops off the truck.
Pulls a grenade out of his pocket.

BRICK
Stand back.
I’m gonna blow a hole in that rat-trap.

Just then, a GROUP OF INFECTED HOMELESS SKELLS
charges at them from around the barricade.

Spears go WHIZZING through the air.
One of them HITS Reno in the chest, THWUNK.

RENO
UH --

Jag OPENS FIRE on them
in a hail of MACHINE GUN FIRE --
SHREDDING them to ribbons.
He sighs. Checks the gun magazine.

JAG
That’s it for the ammo.

BRICK
Great. Just great --
(to Reno)
Are you okay?

Reno looks down at the spear
that’s gone right through her.

Feels around behind her
where it sticks out in the back.

RENO
I’m -- okay.
(looks down)
Just a little -- heartburn.

BRICK
Let me pull it out.

ROMMY
No, DON’T.
Pulling it out might KILL her.

RENO
Well, that’s just great.
So I’m supposed to walk around
like a human pin-cushion?

BRICK
Zip it. You’re alive. Be grateful.
(beat)
Everybody take cover.

Everybody gets behind the hand truck, ducks down.
Brick HURLS the grenade at the barricade.

It EXPLODES, BANG.
Debris goes FLYING IN THE AIR,
pelting the tunnel.

They get back up on the truck.
Hammer takes Monster’s place.

Monster wraps a rag around his leg.
Pulls it TIGHT. Grimaces.

BRICK
Alright, let’s MOVE IT.

They start pumping the handles.
The cart starts moving.

ROMMY
(to Gaga)
How you holding up?

GAGA
Well, considering my family is dead,
we’re trapped in a subway tunnel,
and I just saw someone mow down
a pack of rabid zombies
with a semi-automatic weapon --
(beat)
Can I get back to you on that?

Monday, November 24, 2014

Flaming Creatures


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 21 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy, Jool, Cosmo and the revolutionaries get attacked by a pack of rabid zombies, after which they escape down into the subway, where Jool mourns the death of her brother Merk ...


EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE STREET - BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
Brick, Rommy, Reno, Jag, Monster and Hammer
stand guard outside on the street
near the fire truck.

ROMMY
What’s taking them so long?

BRICK
They better hurry up.

JAG
We’re sitting ducks out here.

MONSTER
They’ve been in there too long.
I have a bad feeling.

ROMMY
Maybe I should go in and --

Merk and Gaga walk outside,
Gaga’s head on his shoulder,
fighting back tears.

Merk looks at them.
Shakes his head.

BRICK
C’mon, let’s get the fuck outta here.

SCREAMING shatters the
still of the night.

A PACK OF WILD ZOMBIES
appears down the street,
RACING right at them.

BRICK
Quick, GET ON THE TRUCK.

They all RUN to the vehicle.
JUMP on, just as the zombies get there,
but Merk and Gaga aren’t
quite fast enough, and --

An infected GRABS Merk,
BITES into his neck.

The others PILE ON
and start EATING him.

Rommy GRABS her,
pulls her onto the truck.

Brick JAMS it in gear,
HITS the gas, and they TAKE OFF.

The truck goes about ten feet,
then STALLS OUT. Out of gas.

BRICK
Mother-FUCKER.

The zombies finish eating Merk.
Turn and look. See them.

JAG
Holy SHIT.

ROMMY
(points)
Subway. OVER THERE --

Everyone JUMPS off the truck and
RUNS to a subway entrance.

They FLY down the steps three at a time.
Get to the bottom.

Brick GRABS the gate.
SLAMS it shut behind them, just as --

The zombies SMASH against it.
They SCREAM, BANG against the steel bars.

The lock STRAINS against the hasp.
Hammer turns on his flamethrower.
Evil grin.

HAMMER
Time for a little barbecue --

BRICK
What about the SMOKE?

HAMMER
Heat RISES, baby --

The zombies BANG, BANG, BANG
on the bars. SCREAMING.

ROMMY
HURRY. It’s about to GIVE --

RENO
Do it. We’ll run down the tunnel.

BRICK
(nods, to Hammer)
Go ahead. Roast ’em.

HAMMER
Flaming Creatures, anyone?

He aims the blowtorch at the gate,
and a GIANT BALL OF FLAMES
SHOOTS OUT and FRIES the zombies.

They SQUEAL in pain.
CRACKLE and POP into gooey puddles
of charred flesh and bone.

And sure enough, the toxic black smoke
SHOOTS UP the stairs.

BRICK
C’mon, let’s go take the A train.

They walk toward the turnstiles.
One by one, they JUMP over them.

Head across the platform
to the subway tracks.

JAG
Monster and me will go ahead
and check it out.

MONSTER
(points to the right)
North is this way --

They JUMP down onto the tracks.
Start walking.

Jag and Monster go up ahead of them.
Gaga takes the rear.

Still in shock.
Rommy puts his arm around her.

ROMMY
Hey. Are you okay?

GAGA
No, I’m NOT OKAY.
My whole family’s DEAD.

ROMMY
Well, at least you -- know.
I didn’t get a chance to --
(beat)
I don’t know if my mom and dad are --
He looks away.

GAGA
I’m so sorry --

ROMMY
And they got MERK.
He was my BEST FRIEND.

They hear the noise of wheels
WHIRRING along the rails.

BRICK
What the fuck is THAT?

A wooden HAND TRUCK appears.
Jag and Monster pumping
on each side of the handles.

JAG
Look what WE found.

MONSTER
Leave the driving to us --

Friday, November 21, 2014

Running On Empty


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

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.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Apocalypse Now


Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 19 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, while the zombie invasion rages outside, Rommy's father Orson barricades the doors to his downtown brownstone. Meanwhile, uptown, Jool's uncle Carling tries convince her to stop thinking about Rommy ...


INT. ORSON’S BROWNSTONE - DAY
Orson and Clio watch the news
on TV with NODDY HOLDER (50’s),
his campaign manager.

Tall and thin with a belly.
Orson clicks the remote.
Shuts it off in disgust.

CLIO
I’m scared, Orson.

ORSON
Don’t worry.
We’ve got bars on the windows,
and the front door is solid oak.

NODDY
I have to go check on my wife --

ORSON
You heard the president.
It’s too dangerous to go outside.

NODDY
Fuck that.
My apartment’s only five blocks away,
and I’m not going to stay HERE
when my wife is in danger --

He goes to the front door.
Puts his hand on the knob.

ORSON
Noddy, no. Don’t.
You’re acting crazy.

NODDY
Then I’m crazy.

Noddy opens the door.

A HORDE OF ZOMBIES rush by
on the street outside.

He SLAMS it shut.

NODDY
Holy SHIT --

Suddenly there’s a loud
POUNDING on the door.

CLIO
Oh my GOD, it’s THEM --

ORSON
You stupid FUCK -- they SAW you.
Now we have to act fast.
Help me move some furniture
in front of the door.

NODDY
Okay, okay --

Orson and Noddy grab the couch.
Start moving it.

CLIO
What can I do?

ORSON
(over his shoulder)
You know that bottle of
thirty-year old scotch
we’ve been saving
for a special occasion?

EXT. CARLING’S MANSION - DAY
The joint’s in lockdown.

A massive barricade of SOLDIERS
in riot gear patrol the perimeter.
A TANK is parked in front.

INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - DAY
Jool stands with her legs apart.
Holds a pair of small barbells.

Starts to do arm curls.
Then gets dizzy. Stops.

JOOL
C’mon. Don’t be a wimp.
You can DO it.

A KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK at the door.
The doorknob JIGGLES.

JOOL
Hold on a sec --

CARLING (O.C.)
The door is LOCKED.
Why did you lock the door?

JOOL
Just a MINUTE --

She quickly hides the barbells.
Grabs the IV cart.

Attaches the tube to her arm.
Shuffles over to the door. Opens it.

Carling and Nin stand there.
Carling, livid. Nin, concerned.

CARLING
I DEMAND to know why
you locked the door.

JOOL
I wanted to get some rest --
and not be disturbed.
(beat)
And I’m scared.

CARLING
Don’t worry, my child.
We have the best
security there is.
No infected mutants
will get inside MY house.

JOOL
I could give a shit
about the zombies.
I’m worried about HIM.

CARLING
But you’re sick, Jool.
It’s best you forget about him.

JOOL
I’ll NEVER forget about him --
and he’s never going to
forget about ME.
He’s coming back to RESCUE me.

CARLING
Hush, now.
Enough silly fantasies.
Now go to bed
and get some sleep,
and I’ll see you
in the morning.

He leaves.
Nin comes over to the bed.

NIN
You really think
he’s coming back?

JOOL
Of course he is.
I can feel it in my gut.
Always trust your gut.
It’ll never steer you wrong.

NIN
That’s my Jool.
The incurable optimist.

She smiles.
Leaves the room.

Jool scratches an itch
on her nose with her finger.

Her sleeve drops.
Sees a RED LESION.

PUSH IN ON her face.
Horrified.

JOOL
Oh, no --

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Talking Dead


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 18 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, while quarantined in her bedroom after being infected with the zombie HIZ virus, Jool sees a news report on TV that the Republic of Manhattan has been invaded by the undead ...


INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - DAY
Jool lies in bed, staring at a picture.
Deep in thought.

EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE - STREET FAIR - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
The fair is ending.
People are cleaning up.

Rommy and Jool stand on a street corner
holding hands. They both look sad.

JOOL
She was killed before you
had a chance to make love?

ROMMY
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have --
(beat)
Talking about the ex on the first date.
Definite no-no.

JOOL
At least you had someone you wanted to --
(sighs)
I always scare them off.

She looks down. Bites her lip.

ROMMY
Hey. Wait a minute. This is great.
We’ve got something in common.
My first girlfriend, your parents.
We could start a support group.
Adult Survivors of Zombie Abuse.

She laughs despite herself.
Looks up. Points at his shirt.

JOOL
You got ice cream on your --

ROMMY
(looks)
Whoops.
Can’t tell if it’s Ben or Jerry.

Pause.

JOOL
(softly)
I really had a great time.

ROMMY
So did I. A great time. What a concept.
Been awhile. I could get used to it.

JOOL
I don’t want to go.

ROMMY
Then don’t go.

JOOL
I have to.
My uncle is going to KILL me.

ROMMY
I’ll come see you.

JOOL
Soon?

ROMMY
Soon.
(beat)
Real soon.

INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - DAY
Jool sighs. Tucks the photo in her bag.
Then hears a LOUD NOISE outside.

Gets out of bed.
Shuffles over to the balcony.

EXT. JOOL’S BALCONY - DAY
She looks out at the view.

JOOL
Holy shit.

DOWN BELOW ON THE STREET
It’s complete bedlam.
A horde of SCREAMING ZOMBIES
run down the street
ATTACKING and EATING people.

SCREAMING GRAPHICS FLY ACROSS THE SCREEN --

EMERGENCY NEWS BULLETIN. RED ALERT.
INFECTED INVASION HITS THE REPUBLIC.

INT. NEWS STUDIO - AT THAT MOMENT
Our favorite news anchors
at their news desk.

Look into the camera. Grim.
Trying to hide how freaked out they are.

NOBU
We’ve just received word that
several thousand infected aliens
have entered the city --

BROCK
They gained entry through the Holland Tunnel
in lower Manhattan a short while ago --

NOBU
No word yet on how they managed to
blow a hole through the wall
that had sealed the tunnel until now --

BROCK
Everyone is advised to stay indoors,
all your windows and doors,
and wait for further instructions.

EXT. GOTTI PLAZA - DAY
The former Rockefeller Center.
Now the seat of power.

And where power puts its seat.
Surrounded by barricades. Tanks. SWAT trucks.
A mini-army patrols the perimeter.

NOBU (O.C.)
We’re about to go live to
Paul David Brazill at Gotti Plaza,
where the president is having
a press conference.
(touches her earpiece)
Are you there, Paul?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. GOTTI PLAZA - PRESS ROOM - DAY
A gaggle of REPORTERS
sit packed like sardines, waiting.

Standing off to the side is
PAUL DAVID BRAZILL (40’s),
dark-haired, wearing glasses.
Very Peter Sellers.

PAUL
I am indeed, Nobu.
The air is filled with tension
as the members of the fourth estate
wait for the president to arrive
and make a statement --

NOBU
So I guess it’s pretty tense
up there right now, huh?

Paul does a ‘take.’ Frowns.
Shakes his head. Then lights up.

PAUL
Here’s the president now --

PRESIDENT DON GOTTI (50’s) appears.
Slick, big-chested. Fancy suit.
The spitting image of his grandfather.

PRESIDENT GOTTI
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
we are under attack by infected rabid zombies.
I have directed our troops to use
all our resources to fight this plague
against our great republic.
(quiet, intense)
We ask everyone to stay inside,
and do NOT panic.
We have the situation under control.
There will be no questions.
That’s all.

He turns to go.
But the reporters start waiving their hands.
Clamoring for his attention.


PRESIDENT GOTTI
What part of NO QUESTIONS
didn’t you fuck-heads GET?
Now go cover the fucking INVASION
if you know what’s GOOD for you.
(low)
Or else you gonna sleep with the zombies.

INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - DAY
Jool turns off the TV.
Eyes wide as saucers.

JOOL
He IS coming back -- with the INVASION.

She slowly gets out of bed. Stands.
Weaves a little. Unhooks the IV.
Goes to the door. Locks it.
Looks at the window.

JOOL
Gotta build my strength.
Get the hell out of here
and find him. He’s coming back.
I KNOW it. I just know it --

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Full Metal Mutant


Happy Tuesdsay, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 17 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Romy and his band of revolutionaries blast their way into the walled Republic of Manhattan ... but first they have to kill several thousand screaming mutant zombies ...


ON THE FIRE TRUCK
Brick lights a big cigar.

BRICK
C’mon, kids.
Let’s go take a bite
out of the rotten apple.

He JAMS the truck into gear.
Starts heading toward the tunnel.

Jag drives the missile launcher
next to him.

The engine SPUTTERS and COUGHS.
Then dies. Brick stops.

BRICK
What’s wrong?

JAG
Outta gas.

BRICK
Everybody get on the truck. HURRY.

Jag, Reno, Monster and Hammer JUMP
off the missile launcher.
SCRAMBLE onto the fire truck.

BRICK
Let’s MOVE OUT --

Brick starts driving.
Reno sees something behind them.

RENO
There’s more coming. STEP ON IT.

Everyone looks, sees --

IN THE DISTANCE
Another wave of zombies fills the skyline.
There’s gotta be A THOUSAND of ‘em.
Scary shit. Brick HIS the gas. Yells out --

BRICK
Get ready with the HOSES.

Jag and Reno each grab a FIRE HOSE.
Monster climbs over to the side near the pump.
The truck ROARS into the tunnel.

IN THE TUNNEL
The fire truck HAULS ASS.
Headlights BLAZING in the darkness.

OUTSIDE THE TUNNEL
The wave of zombies reaches the entrance.
Start POURING IN.

IN THE TUNNEL
Brick drives like a maniac.
Sees ABANDONED VEHICLES up ahead.

BRICK
Shit, shit, shit --

MERK
Just plow into ‘em.
The truck’ll fuck ‘em UP.

BRICK
Here goes nothing --

ROMMY
Omigod, we’re all gonna DIE.

Rommy DUCKS DOWN just as the fire truck
SMASHES through a cluster of cars -- BANG.
Metal and debris goes FLYING.

BEHIND THEM IN THE TUNNEL
A wave of ZOMBIES fill the roadway
like spiders on speed.

SCREAMING, CHATTERING, SCRABBLING
down the pavement.

ON THE FIRE TRUCK
Reno cocks her head. Hears them coming.

RENO
Zombies APPROACHING. Get ready --

Jag and Reno brace themselves. Aim their hoses.
THE ZOMBIES get closer. See them. Go NUTS.

JAG
Gimme UNLEADED, baby --

Monster FLIPS on the pump.
Gasoline SPRAYS out the hoses.
Jag and Reno SHOOT them with gas.

The mutants fall back, SCREAMING.
Their skin BUBBLES into a WHITE MIST.

They HIT the ground and DISSOLVE
into a gooey puddles of pulp and bones.

But the infected behind them keep coming.
Jag and Reno hit THEM with gasoline,
and they go down.

But more and more keep coming.
Reno turns to Jag. Yells --

RENO
There’s TOO MANY OF ‘EM --

JAG
Keep SPRAYING --

IN THE TRUCK
Brick keeps driving like a maniac.
SMASHES into another car.

Rommy BOUNCES around in the back.
Freaking out.

SIDE POV
We see the fire truck FLYING down the tunnel.
SMASHING into abandoned cars,
the zombies right behind them.

They get HOSED, EXPLODE,
and another wave takes its place.

ON THE TRUCK
The hoses stop spraying.
Jag and Reno look at each other.

JAG
We’re outta GAS --

IN THE TRUCK
Brick JAMS his foot on the gas.
The truck LURCHES forward.

ON THE TRUCK
The zombies reach the rear end.
Start climbing on.

BRICK
Sees them in the rear view mirror.

BRICK
JAG. SHOOT the fuckers --

Jag pulls out an Uzi and SPRAYS
them with machine gun fire.

As each gets HIT,
they EXPLODE IN A GREEN MIST.

EXT. HOLLAND TUNNEL ENTRANCE - DAY
The fire truck FLIES out of the tunnel,
trailing zombies.

INT. FIRE TRUCK - CONTINUOUS
Brick GRABS the steering wheel --

BRICK
Hold onto your tits --

And SWERVES into a hard right.

EXT. MANHATTAN - VARICK STREET - CONTINUOUS
The truck’s cab turns north.
The rear end JERKS forward with centrifugal force,
and the zombies hanging on GO FLYING.

Then JERKS to the right into an alley.
SCREECHES to a stop.

IN THE TRUCK
Everyone watches a new wave of zombies
come ROARING DOWN THE STREET
behind them in the distance.
They all exhale.

BRICK
God-DAMMIT.
(to Jag)
How much ammo do we have left?

JAG
One more clip. That’s it.

ROMMY
Cowers in a corner.
Pulls a snapshot out. Stares at it.

THE PHOTO
Is a Polaroid taken at the street fair.
It’s a close-up of Jool.

Holding a large, multi-colored ice cream cone.
Big grin. Eyes filled with lust.

ROMMY
Puts it back in his pocket.
Blinks back tears.

ROMMY
(whispers)
Don’t worry, Jool. I’m coming.
(beat)
Even if it kills me --

Monday, November 17, 2014

Z-Day


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 16 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Brick, Merk, Gaga, Monster, Reno and the rest of the revolutionaries blow a hole in the walled-up Holland Tunnel to invade the Republic of Manhattan ... but first they have to evade a throng of zombies ...


EXT. HOLLAND TUNNEL ENTRANCE - DAY
A big, long red fire truck
and a missile launcher drive side-by-side
toward the walled-up opening of the tunnel.

They pass through the empty toll booths.
Then stop.

IN THE FIRE TRUCK
We see Brick behind the wheel.
Gaga rides shotgun.

Rommy and Merk sit in the back.
Searching the skyline with binoculars.

MERK
See anything yet?

ROMMY
No. You?

MERK
Not yet.
(beat)
Don’t be scared.
This is going to work.

ROMMY
I’m not scared.

MERK
Then why are your hands shaking?

ROMMY
Fuck you. I’m cold.

IN THE MISSILE LAUNCHER
We see Jag behind the wheel.

Reno in the passenger seat.
Monster and Hammer sit in the back.

IN THE FIRE TRUCK
Brick leans out the window.
Yells toward the back.

BRICK
Status report?

HAMMER
Coast is clear --

MERK
(looks through binoculars)
Hold on.
I think I see something.

ROMMY
(sees it, too)
Oh my god --

IN THE DISTANCE
A pack of a hundred RABID ZOMBIES
is RUNNING toward them.

SLOBBERING, SPITTING, SCREAMING.
Scary as SHIT.

IN THE FIRE TRUCK

BRICK
(yells at Jag)
Prepare to FIRE.

ON THE MISSILE LAUNCHER
Jag yells at the team in the back.

JAG
Prepare to FIRE.

Monster nods.
Gets ready to flip a switch.

MONSTER
READY, sir --

IN THE DISTANCE
The pack of zombies gets closer.

IN THE FIRE TRUCK
Brick nods. Yells at Monster.

BRICK
FIRE MISSILE.

ON THE MISSILE LAUNCHER
Monster FLIPS a switch -- and BANG,
the rocket TAKES OFF in a CLOUD OF SMOKE --
and ROARS toward the tunnel.

IN THE DISTANCE
The zombies slow down a bit.
Watch the missile.

EXT. TUNNEL ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
The missile ZOOMS toward the
walled-up tunnel entrance,
then SMASHES through it, BOOM.

Bricks and cement go FLYING.

ROMMY
Watches. Open-mouthed.

IN THE TUNNEL
The rocket ROARS through it
trailing a BLAZE OF EXHAUST.

EXT. LOWER MANHATTAN - HOLLAND TUNNEL EXIT - CONTINUOUS
The rocket SMASHES through
the tunnel exit on the other side.

ROARS into Tribeca.
People SCREAM and JUMP out of the way.

It veers to the left and CRASHES
into a loft building, which EXPLODES
in a big, black cloud of SMOKE AND DEBRIS.

ON THE OTHER SIDE
The zombies see the opening.
Smell more uninfected human flesh
on the other side.
Start RUNNING toward it -- and them.

ON THE FIRE TRUCK
Brick lights a big cigar.

BRICK
C’mon, kids.
Let’s go take a bite
out of the rotten apple.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Where The Streets Have No Shame


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 15 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, upper east side heiress Jool is quarantined in her room after being infected with the zombie virus, where she explains to her nanny Nin what happened in Times Square ...


INT. CARLING’S MANSION - JOOL’S BEDROOM - DAY
Jool lies in bed with an IV drip
surrounded by a quarantine tent.

A series of monitors and equipment
monitor her condition.

Carling and Nin stand nearby,
distraught.

A distinguished-looking
DOCTOR IN WHITE (60’s)
checks her vitals on a clipboard.

Then checks under
the bandage on her face.
Nods. Makes some notes.

JOOL
Why do I have to stay in bed?
I don’t feel THAT bad --

CARLING
It’s for your own good, my darling.

JOOL
And what’s up with the quarantine?
I’m not contagious.
You can’t get the virus by touching me --

DOCTOR IN WHITE
I’m sorry, young lady --
but we need to take
every precaution necessary.
(to Carling)
Her vitals have stabilized.
But she needs to
stay in bed and rest.

CARLING
Isn’t there anything else
you can do?

DOCTOR IN WHITE
I’m sorry, I’m afraid not.
All we can do is make her
as comfortable as possible.

CARLING
But that can’t BE.
Don’t you have any experimental
drugs you can give her?

DOCTOR IN WHITE
No.
Not since the government
stopped funding research --
(sighs)
God bless us all.

NIN
Well, I don’t care
any of you say,
I’m going to stay here
and keep her company.
We can’t just leave her alone.

CARLING
I’m not sure that’s
a good idea, Nin.
She’s VERY sick.

JOOL
Stop talking to her
like I’m NOT HERE.

CARLING
I’m only doing this
because I love you, Jool.
You’re my only niece.
And we need to make sure
the virus is -- contained.

JOOL
What part of ‘it’s not contagious’
don't you GET?
It’s only transmitted
through THE BLOOD.

DOCTOR IN WHITE
Well, the jury’s not
out on that yet --

Jool eyes fill with rage.

JOOL
At least there’s ONE good thing
about me getting infected.

CARLING
What on earth do you MEAN?

JOOL
Now I don’t have to marry
that fucking pretty boy LAME-ASS.

NIN
Jool --

CARLING
What have I TOLD you
about using the F-word?

JOOL
FUCK you.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK.
(hisses)
You DISGUST me.
I HATE you.
You’re not my FATHER.
He was KIND.
You’re a MONSTER.

Nin nods at Carling.

NIN
Go. I’ll take care of this.

He turns ashen-faced. Nods.
Turns and walks out.
The doctor follows.

NIN
Don’t you think you were
a little harsh on your uncle?

JOOL
I wasn’t harsh ENOUGH.

NIN
What were you doing
in Time Square?

JOOL
I was meeting Rommy.
We were --
(beat)
Going run away together.

NIN
So what happened?

JOOL
I -- don’t know.
He wasn’t there.
He must of -- gotten infected.
(beat)
And now he’s GONE.

PUSH IN ON Jool’s face.
Beyond distraught.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Bromancing The Stone


Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 14 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy finds Merk at his hideout with Brick Cosmo and the no-longer infected revolutionaries thanks to Merk's vaccine, but when he asks him to make some more, he's horrified to discover that first they have to invade the Republic of Manhattan and find a chemistry lab ...


EXT. NEW JERSEY - BURNT-OUT WATERFRONT - DAY
Rommy comes TEARING ASS
down the street pursued by a
HORDE of DROOLING, RABID ZOMBIES.

They’re getting closer and closer.

He gets to an intersection,
DASHES around the corner.

DUCKS into a dark doorway.
The zombies FLY BY.

Breathes a sigh of relief.
Peeks out. Sees they’re gone.

ROMMY
(whispers)
Holy shit.

Looks around.
Doesn’t know what to do.

Then hears something.
Puts his ear to the door.

INT. BOARDED-UP CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
Everyone sits around the big table.
Brick and Merk are examining a large map.

BRICK
A fire truck?

MERK
Yeah.
It’s a few blocks away.
We fill the water tank with gas.
Spray the fuckers.

BRICK
Nice.
So then with the missile launcher,
we’ll have a real convoy --

MERK
How much gas do you have?

BRICK
Well, it takes each of us
about a week to scavenge
a couple of gallons from old cars
and the occasional gas station.
We probably have enough
in our reserves to fill
the water tank about half-way.
And then we’ll need enough
in the gas tank to get us
into the republic.
(to Monster)
How much gas is in
the missile launcher?

MONSTER
We’re good.

BRICK
And Jag’s got the Uzi
in case of an emergency --
(to Jag)
How much ammo you got left?

JAG
Two clips.

A KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK on the door.

RENO
Someone’s at the door --

JAG
I got it.

He goes to the door.
Opens a peephole.
Looks. Turns around.

JAG
It’s a young kid.
Looks newly infected.

BRICK
Let him in --

Jag undoes a series of dead-bolts.
Opens the door.

Rommy walks in.
Looking relieved.
Breathes a sigh of relief.

ROMMY
Ohmigod, thanks.
I was being chased by a bunch of --
(sees Merk)
MERK?

MERK
ROMMY?

Merk rushes over to him.
They hug.

BRICK
Check out the bromance.

MERK
What the fuck HAPPENED?

ROMMY
Jool and I were
gonna run away together.
We were gonna meet
in Times Square,
but I got infected
before she got there, and --
(sighs)
My life is over.
Could one of you
just shoot me?
(sees Gaga)
GAGA?

GAGA
(waves)
Hey, there.
Welcome to the jungle.
We’ve got fun and games.

Rommy looks at everybody.
Realizes.

ROMMY
Wait a minute.
The vaccine --

MERK
Yeah, it works.
We’re all back to normal.
Whatever THAT means --

ROMMY
Do you have any more?

MERK
No, I’m sorry.
But I can make some.

ROMMY
How soon?

MERK
Well, first we have to
invade the republic.
Then we can find
a chemistry lab.

ROMMY
How in the hell are you
going to INVADE the republic?

MERK
Have a seat.
We’ll fill you in.

ROMMY
You have a plan?

BRICK
Does a zombie
shit in the woods?

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Times Square Massacre


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 13 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Romy's parents lament his being ejected from the republic due to his being infected with the zombie virus, while Jool's parents are horrified to discover that she's been infected. Meanwhile, it's announced on the news that a 'shoot on sight' law has just gone into effect, putting them both in jeopardy ...


INT. CARLING’S MANSION - OFFICE - DAY
A giant room. Stately. Elegant.
Walls full of books.

A roaring fireplace.
Right out of Masterpiece Theater.

Carling sits behind his desk.
Nin stands in front of him.

NIN
Still no word?

CARLING
No. And I’m worried sick.
My darling niece is MISSING.
I’ve got a whole squadron
out there looking for her.
Are you SURE you have no idea
where she went?

NIN
No, I’m sorry --

FOOTSTEPS in the next room.
They both turn, look -- see --

Jool stands in the doorway.
Clothes torn and dirty.

Face scratched and bloody.
Skin a dull green.

JOOL
I don’t feel so good.

PUSH IN ON Carling’s face.
Freaked out.

CARLING
My god, you’re INFECTED.
Quick, Nin -- CALL THE DOCTOR.

INT. MONT RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - DAY
Orson sits at the kitchen table
with his wife CLIO (40’s), Rommy’s mother.

Attractive, bohemian in denim.
They both look haunted. Lost.
Clio pours more coffee in their cups.

CLIO
I just don’t understand why he’d --
run away like that.

ORSON
I bet it had something to do
with that Kapp girl.

CLIO
But didn’t you tell him
he couldn’t see her anymore?

ORSON
Yes, I did.
But you know young love --

CLIO
(sad smile)
I seem to have a dim memory of it --

The phone RINGS.
Orson gets up. Answers it.

ORSON
This is Orson --
(listens)
WHAT? But that’s IMPOSSIBLE --
(listens)
But that’s my SON.
You can’t just --
(listens)
Hello? Hello? HELLO?

He BANGS down the phone.
Clio starts shaking with fear.

ORSON
He HUNG UP on me --

CLIO
Wh-what happened?
Where’s Rommy?

ORSON
Rommy got infected.
He’s being ejected from the republic.

CLIO
Oh, NO. My BABY.

Clio SHRIEKS with horror.
Buries her face in her hands.
Starts sobbing.

INT. NEWS STUDIO - DAY
Brock Landers sits at his desk
with Nobu Phillips.

But this time, they aren’t smiling.

NOBU
A late-breaking bulletin just came in --

BROCK
The president has just signed into law
the controversial Shoot On Sight bill
that has been the subject of fierce debate
amongst our republic’s lawmakers --

NOBU
As of today, anyone who is infected
with the HIZ Virus will be shot on sight.
The state police are right now
sweeping Times Square and have
already killed several dozen
infected citizens.
(sighs)
I don’t know how I feel about this, Brock.
Isn’t it kind of barbaric?

BROCK
Gosh, Nobu, I don’t know.
But heck, we’re not
supposed to offer our opinion.
We’re just here to read the news.

NOBU
I know. And that’s another thing.
I could write my own stories,
but they won’t let me.

BROCK
Aw, gee whiz.
Is it that time of the month again?
(into the camera)
We’ll bring you more on this
late-breaking story as it unfolds.
We now return you to our
regularly scheduled programming.

NOBU
(leans over, whispers)
Brock. This IS our
regularly scheduled programming.

Brock clears his throat.
Looks at the Teleprompter.

BROCK
We now take you to
our man on the street,
Paul David Brazill,
live on the scene,
where chaos has erupted in midtown --

NOBU
In what the media is now calling
'The Times Square Massacre.'

BROCK
Nice.

NOBU
See? I told you I could write --

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

The Revolution Will Be Infected


Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 12 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Merk and his band of previously sick 'almost-zombie' warriors have taken his vaccine and are now healthy again, so their first order of business is coming up with their plan of attack ... to distribute it in the walled island-city of The Republic of Manhattan ...

INT. BOARDED-UP CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Brick and the gang sit around
a big plywood table set up
in the back of the store.

Everyone has had injections
of the vaccine
and are now healed.
Healthy-looking.

MONSTER
(stares at Reno)
I haven’t felt this
good in a LONG time.
I’ve actually got WOOD.

RENO
Keep it in your pants, buster.
You know I only eat fish.

BRICK
Settle down, children.
We’ve got serious business
to discuss.

HAMMER
What’s that?

BRICK
Well, now that we’re well,
we need to rethink
our plan of attack.

JAG
Good point.

MERK
What do you need to rethink?

BRICK
Well, the original plan
was to blow a hole
through the walled-up tunnel,
and then the zombies,
smelling clean, uninfected flesh,
would invade the island
and kill everybody --
(beat)
Which now would include us.

MERK
How were you going to
blow a hole in the tunnel?

RENO
We got us a surface-to-air missile
in a garage down the street.

MERK
Where did you get that?

JAG
Nearby military base
was having a fire sale.
Literally.

MERK
I think your plan
can still work.

BRICK
Yeah?

MERK
Sure.
We blow a hole in the tunnel
and go in BEFORE them.

BRICK
But they’ll follow us --

MERK
So we kill ‘em.

BRICK
But they’ll be
another wave behind them.
And another, and another --

MERK
Yeah, but once we get through,
we’ve got all of Manhattan
to hide.

HAMMER
Yeah.
And it’ll be complete bedlam.

MERK
And then all we’ve gotta do
is get to the media uptown
so they can spread the word
about the vaccine.
We’ll be heroes --

MONSTER
The man’s a genius --

GAGA
Told you he was smart.

BRICK
All in favor?

Everyone raises their hands.

MERK
I’m really starting to get
into this revolutionary thing.

RENO
People have the POWER.

MONSTER
United we CAN.

JAG
We shall OVERCOME.

HAMMER
Give me liberty,
or give me DEATH.

GAGA
Liberty, equality, FRATERNITY.

BRICK
Let freedom RING.

Everyone looks at Merk expectantly.

MERK
(sings)
You say you want a revolution,
well you know, we all
want to change the world --

Monday, November 10, 2014

The Days Of Blood And Roses


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 11 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy travels to the ruins of Time Square to Elope with Jool, but has a nasty run-in with a homeless zombie. Moments later, Jool arrives, but can't find him ... and then the shit hits the fan when she gets attacked and infected, too ...


EXT. TIMES SQUARE - DAY
Rommy stands in front of what
used to be the Disney Store.

Most of the signage is gone.
Now reads ‘Di_sey S_ore.’

And, underneath it, HOT LESBIAN NURSES
in flashing red neon.

A crowd of HOMELESS PEOPLE, HOOKERS
and various other FREAKS parade past him
like something out of a John Waters film.

ROMMY
(sings softly to himself)
Everybody wants some, I want some TOO --

A VICIOUS-LOOKING HOMELESS MAN IN RAGS
approaches him.

ROMMY
Everybody wants some, how ‘bout YOU?
(sees him, steps back)
Excuse me.

VICIOUS-LOOKING HOMELESS MAN IN RAGS
Hungry. Need to -- EAT.

Rommy pulls out some change.
Offers it to him.

ROMMY
Here you go --

But Vicious-Looking ignores it.
He GRABS Rommy’s arm, YANKS it
to his mouth and CHOMPS on it.
Blood SQUIRTS in the air.

ROMMY
OW, HEY --

Suddenly Vicious-Looking’s head
EXPLODES IN A RED MIST,
drenching Rommy with blood and goo.

A pair of COMMANDOS IN BLACK appear
out of nowhere with shotguns.

Watch Vicious-Looking’s body
crumple into a heap.

ROMMY
Holy SHIT.

The Taller Commando pulls out a scanner.
Waves it across Rommy.

It VIBRATES and HUMS.
He reads the meter.

TALLER COMMANDO
Infection level three.

BULKY COMMANDO
Already? DAMN.
Let’s bag ‘em, Marko.

ROMMY
Bag ‘em? No, WAIT.
I’m waiting for my --

In the blink of an eye Taller
WHIPS OUT a giant black body bag
from his backpack --
and Bulky SHOVES Rommy into it.

ROMMY
(muffled screams)
Hey, let me OUT OF HERE.
You can’t DO this.
I’m supposed to meet my --

Marko PUNCHES the bag -- THWUMP. Silence.

MARKO
Don’t get mad. Get Glad.

BULKY COMMANDO
(looks at his watch)
Let’s drop him off right away.
If we hurry, we’ll have time
for a meat log afterward --

And they carry him away.
Just then Jool appears.

Out of breath. She scans the
passing crowd of filth. No Rommy.
She looks at her watch. Puzzled.

JOOL
Where IS he?

A DISGUSTING, TOOTHLESS OBESE BAG LADY
passes by. Stops. Smells Jool.
Her hideous, deformed face a rictus of death.

DISGUSTING, TOOTHLESS OBESE BAG LADY
Mmm. Someone smells -- clean.

JOOL
(starts backing away)
Stay AWAY from me --

Disgusting gets in her face.
Pushes her into an alcove.

DISGUSTING, TOOTHLESS OBESE BAG LADY
Is that SOFT SOAP?

JOOL
I said GET AWAY FROM ME --

DISGUSTING, TOOTHLESS OBESE BAG LADY
Wanna NECK?

Jool LASHES out at her, SWIPES
her nails across Disgusting’s face.

Disgusting SCREAMS, RAKES
hers across Jool’s face.

Jool HEAD-BUTTS Disgusting,
who REELS back. Momentarily stunned.

Another PAIR OF COMMANDOS
appears and GRABS Disgusting.
One of them waves a scanner over her.

REPULSED COMMANDO
Holy fucking SHIT.
Infection level SIX.

Jool slides around them.
Then RUNS away.

FREAKED-OUT COMMANDO
Piece of shit’s gonna turn ANY MINUTE.

The commandos pull out ASSAULT RIFLES.
Stand back.

Aim their weapons at Disgusting --
just as she starts MORPHING into a
hideous, screeching, chattering ZOMBIE.

They OPEN FIRE and SHRED
the repulsive creature into a
frappe’ of blood, bones,
puss, brains and goo.

REPULSED COMMANDO
Talk about super-sized --

FREAKED-OUT COMMANDO
I’m gonna get sick.
(realizes)
Hey. Where’d the girl go?

REPULSED COMMANDO
Fuck it.
I’m not chasing after her.
They don’t pay us enough.
(looks at the mess)
I mean look, now we gotta
CLEAN UP this shit --

Friday, November 7, 2014

Night Of The Living Fuck


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Friday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 10 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, after scouring the burnt-out ruins of New Jersey, Merk finally finds his missing infected sister Gaga holed up with Brick Cosmo and his mutant revolutionaries, who he can finally try out his new antidote on ...


EXT. NEW JERSEY WATERFRONT - STREET CORNER - NIGHT
Merk walks down the street looking at
the ruins, the decay, the rubble.
Shakes his head sadly.

MERK
New Jersey and you, perfect together.
(beat)
Not.
(hears something)
What’s that?

He stops in front of the
boarded-up convenience store.

Puts his ear against the plywood covering
what used to be one of the windows. Listens.

INT. BOARDED-UP CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Brick, Reno, Monster, Hammer and Jag
are quietly hammering nails into
pieces of wood to cover the holes
that the zombies made during the attack.

It’s a rather odd sight, really,
seeing someone trying
to hammer slowly. Softly.

Gaga looks through a peephole in the wall.
Keeping an eye on what’s going on outside.

GAGA
I don’t fucking BELIEVE it.

BRICK
What?

GAGA
My BROTHER is out there --

RENO
The one with the vaccine?

GAGA
Yeah.

BRICK
Then LET HIM IN --

Gaga slides back a two-by-four
dead bolt across the door.

Then slowly opens the door.
Merk stands there. In shock.

MERK
Gaga?

GAGA
MERK --

MERK
I can’t believe I found you --
so quickly.

GAGA
Get your ass IN HERE.

He comes in. She shuts
and locks the door. They hug.

Brick walks up to Merk.
Offers his hand. They shake.

BRICK
The name’s Brick. Brick Cosmo.
I’m the leader of this here
revolutionary cell.

MERK
(looks around the room, nods)
Cool. Cool.
(beat)
Kind of a small cell --

BRICK
Well, there used to be
about a hundred of us,
but most of our troops got wiped out
in The Battle Of The Meadowlands.
We then decided to set up camp
near where the newly-infected get dropped off.
Figured that would be the
easiest way to increase our ranks.
That’s why you found us so quickly.
Not too shabby, eh?

MERK
Got it --

BRICK
Your sister tells us you’ve
got a vaccine for the virus.

MERK
I do, but I haven’t tested it yet.

RENO
(suspicious)
Why didn’t you test it on yourself?

MERK
I’m not infected.

GAGA
You mean you left the republic to --

MERK
Hey. You’re my sister.

BRICK
How much do you have?

MERK
Enough for all of you.

BRICK
Then let’s get this show on the road
and see if this shit works.

Merk shrugs out of his backpack.
Opens one of the compartments.
Pulls out a small medical bag.

MERK
It worked on the lab rats --
(looks at Gaga)
Don’t worry.
They only bad reaction
would be getting the virus,
which you already have.

GAGA
Okay --

She sits.
Watches him prepare the injection.

He wipes her arm with an alcohol swab.
SQUIRTS the needle.

MERK
Just relax.
This won’t hurt a bit.

She nods. Closes her eyes.
He taps lightly on her forearm.
Finds a vein. Injects her. She flinches.

MERK
Okay. Give it a few minutes --
(to Brick)
So what was The Battle Of The Meadowlands?

BRICK
We were having our first rally.
You know, getting organized.
It was really trippy, like out of
a John Carpenter movie --

MERK
Who’s John Carpenter?

BRICK
Not important.
Anyway, there were a couple hundred
SERIOUSLY infected living
in the bowels of the stadium,
I mean, we’re talking full-on
Night Of The Living FUCK.
It was Twenty-Eight YEARS Later-time.

GAGA
Merk, MERK. LOOK --

Gaga holds up her hand.
The swelling and discoloration is gone.

Her face looks normal, too.
She beams with happiness.

MERK
It worked. It WORKED.

BRICK
(starts rolling up his sleeve)
Holy SHIT. You’re a fucking genius.

PUSH IN ON Merk. Smiling.
Holding up the syringe.

MERK
Hey.
Friends DO let friends share needles --

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Love Is A Many Infected Thing


Happy Thursday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 9 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Merk scales the wall of the Republic of Manhattan to find his infected sister Gaga in the hinterlands of bombed-out New Jersey. Meanwhile, our star-crossed lovers finally reconnect when Rommy defies his father's orders and travels uptown to Jool's mansion to see her. But there's just one catch -- first he's gotta climb up the wall ...


EXT. DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN - THE WALL - NIGHT
A three-story-high wall of cinder blocks
now surrounds the city-state.

Coils of barbed wire on top.
A sentry station at each block
with armed guards.
Searchlights sweep the area.

All is quiet.
It’s past curfew.

Merk walks west toward
the end of Christopher Street.

Backpack loaded with supplies.
smeared with green makeup
for that ‘infected’ look.

He gets near the wall. Stops.
Looks up at the sentry box.

MERK
Oh, great soldier of the Republic,
what say you?

A spotlight WHOOSHES
the dark sky.

Lands on Merk,
illuminating him in its bright light.

NASTY GUARD (O.C.)
HALT. Who goes there?

MERK
It is I, Merk Rowe, here to give myself up.
I have become infected with the virus
and wish to leave, sire.

I simply wish a safe exit
without harm.

A giant net FLIES DOWN, trapping Merk.
The rope YANKS UP, and he’s
lifted into the air.

MERK
Thank you, my lord.

EXT. NEW JERSEY WATERFRONT - STREET CORNER - NIGHT
We recognize the area as the same place
where Gaga ended up earlier in the story.

Deserted. Ominously quiet.

Merk comes around a corner,
looking bruised and battered.
But okay.

He holds a lantern.
Picks his way through the rubble.

MERK
Okay, now if I were newly-infected
seventeen-year-old-girl,
where would I go?

EXT. CARLING’S MANSION - NIGHT
Rommy climbs up the drainpipe
on the exterior wall of the house.

He pulls himself up.
Feet search for a resting place.

They find it, on a narrow ledge.
He rests a moment. Winded.

ROMMY
This is great, Rommy. Just great.
You’re gonna get yourself killed.
I should have my head examined.

He takes a deep breath.
Starts climbing.

Goes up, up, up -- until he’s
just below Jool’s balcony.

He carefully grips the pipe.
Keeps climbing. Sees her window.

ROMMY
Thank god.
Light from her yonder window --
(calls out)
JOOL.

Jool rushes out onto the balcony.
Sees him.

JOOL
ROMMY?

Rommy climbs over.
Goes to her.
Takes her hands in his.

ROMMY
Hey, there. Miss me?

JOOL
You -- climbed up the building.

ROMMY
You are the sun, and the moon is --
really pissed off.
I don’t know.
Something like that.

JOOL
Rommy, oh Rommy.
Wherefor art thou --
(beat)
At two in the morning.

ROMMY
My bike had a flat and I had to walk.
(beat)
And running away from home
is a big decision, you know?
Kinda stressful.

JOOL
I can’t believe you’re here.

ROMMY
Neither can I.
That was SOME climb.

JOOL
Wait a minute.
You said 'running way from home?'

ROMMY
Okay, look. Here’s the deal.
Our families have forbidden us
from seeing each other.
Well, I say screw them.
Why do we have to do what THEY say?
We can still be together.

JOOL
You mean --

ROMMY
Come away with me.
I’ve got some money saved up --
(off her look)
I know it’s really sudden.
If you need time to think about it,
I totally understand.

JOOL
YES. YES. I will --

ROMMY
Really?

NIN (O.C.)
Jool, what are you doing out there?
You’ll catch your death of cold.

JOOL
Hold that thought.
I’ll be right back.

INT. JOOL’S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Jool dashes over to Nin excitedly.

JOOL
It’s Rommy. He’s HERE.
He climbed up THE BUILDING.

NIN
Really?

JOOL
YES. Guard the door.
If Uncle Carling comes by,
him I’m asleep.

NIN
You got it.

JOOL
Thanks.

She DASHES back out onto --

THE BALCONY
Where Rommy stands waiting.

ROMMY
Everything okay?

JOOL
Yeah. That was my -- Nin.
She watches out for me.
But you better get out of here.
my uncle finds you,
he’ll KILL you.

ROMMY
Okay.
What time should we meet tomorrow?

JOOL
How about -- nine-AM?

ROMMY
(nods)
Nine-AM.

JOOL
Where should we meet?

ROMMY
Times Square.
We’ll be safe there --
we can disappear in the crowd.
Meet me in front of the
old Disney store ruins.

JOOL
Isn’t that -- kinda hokey?

ROMMY
(sings, off-key)
Can you feel the love tonight --

JOOL
Okay, okay --
(grabs him)
Kiss me, you fool.

And they embrace.
Kiss passionately. Pull apart.

Rommy smiles.
Then suddenly looks freaked out.

JOOL
What’s wrong?

ROMMY
I just realized.
Now I’ve gotta climb back down --

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Wolf Of Bleeker Street


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Hump Day. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 8 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Romy's father Orson Mont, Greenwich Village liberal, forbides him from dating Jool Kapp, a conservative from the upper east side. Meanwhile, Jool's uncle Carling forbids her from dating Romy, as he's already arranged her marriage to a bloated, pompous rich yuppie ...


EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
A beautiful pre-war three-story
single-residence on a leafy side street.
Elegant. Tasteful. Like out of a time capsule.

INT. MONT RESIDENCE - STUDY - NIGHT
A manly, academic lair.
Bookcases crammed with classic books.

A fire CRACKLES in the hearth.
Classic jazz on the hi-fi.

Prints of classic art.
The joint is, in a word -- classic.

ORSON MONT (40’s) sits at his desk.
Good-looking with a shock of dark hair.

Professorial threads.
Eyes normally crinkled with good humor.

But not now.
Not when they’ve been betrayed.
Seated before him is Rommy, beyond upset.

ROMMY
But Dad, that’s not FAIR.

ORSON
LIFE isn’t fair, Rommy.
You know that.

I’m sorry, but NO son of mine
will EVER be associated with a KAPP.

Did you know they’re trying to pass a law
that anyone who gets infected
is to be SHOT ON SIGHT?
(beat)
And what about the election?
What do you think my chances would be
if word gets out that
my son is dating a KAPP?
I’d have to disown you.
And you don’t want THAT, do you?
(off his stare)
Don’t worry son, it’s only puppy love.
You’re young. You’ll get over it.
There’s plenty of fish below fourteenth street.
(beat)
Now, if you’ll excuse me,
I’ve got a conference call.

He reaches over.
Starts dialing a number on the phone.

Rommy glares at his father.
Angry. Leaves the room.

IN THE CORRIDOR
Rommy shuts the door quietly.
Looks at it. Seething.

ROMMY
Just try and STOP me.

INT. CARLING’S MANSION - JOOL’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Jool sits on her bed. Eyes on fire.
Royally pissed off

Carling sits next to her.
Tries to comfort her.

CARLING
You’ll see, honey.
It’s for the best.
No niece of mine can be seen
associating with a Mont.

Did you know they’re trying to
pass a law that will give
the infected equal rights?

JOOL
But I LIKE him.
He’s kind, decent, sensitive --
nothing like the pompous jerks up here.
He cares about people, not MONEY.

CARLING
Now you’re talking crazy.
(sighs)
It’s just a schoolgirl crush.
Tate is much better for you.
He comes from a good family.

Jool stares at him, wild-eyed.

JOOL
But I don’t even KNOW him --

CARLING
It’s all been settled, darling.
The wedding has been set for next week --

Nin appears in the doorway.
Arches an eyebrow.

Carling nods for her to come and take over.
He stands. She walks over.

Sits next to Jool.
Tries to comfort her.

CARLING
Get some rest, my love.
You’ll feel better in the morning.
Nin here will take care of you.
He leaves. Jool looks at Nin.

JOOL
What am I going to do?
I want to go out with Rommy,
not marry somebody I don’t know.
And Uncle Carling said the marriage
is NEXT WEEK --

NIN
We’ll see what we can do about THAT.

JOOL
Really?

NIN
Of course.
Ever since your parents --
(beat)
I’ve thought of you like a daughter.

They hug.

JOOL
So do I. I mean, you, like my mother.
(sighs)
What are we going to do?

NIN
I don’t know.
But don’t worry.
There’s more than one way
skin a fat-cat.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

The Talking Dead


Happy Tuesday, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 7 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, just as Gaga joins Brick Cosmo and his band of infected revolutionaries, they're suddenly attacked by a hundred screaming, slobbering zombies and have to climb onto the roof to fight them off ...


INT. ABANDONED CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT
Dark and dank. Windows boarded up.

A series of crude bunk beds line one wall.
On another, shelves filled with supplies.

Brick stands in front of
his group of INFECTED REVOLUTIONARIES.

There’s about a dozen of them,
in various stages of decay.
But none of them are too far-gone.

Standing next to him is Gaga.
Looking around nervously.

BRICK
This here’s Gaga.
She was just infected
and thrown to the wolves.
And she’s decided to
join the revolution.

The group starts murmuring.
MONSTER (30’S), big and burly, stands.
Stares at Gaga. Points a finger.

MONSTER
But she’s just a young GIRL.
How’s she supposed to FIGHT?

BRICK
So what was I supposed to do,
let the terminals GET her?
And besides, it’s
strength in numbers, Monster.

RENO (20’s), a tough biker chick, sneers.

RENO
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Last time I looked,
we’re not on Sesame Street.

MONSTER
I say we VOTE on it.
All that say NAY, raise your hands.

He SHOOTS his hand up.
Half the group raises their hands.

GAGA
Can I say something?

BRICK
Sure thing, little lady.
The floor is yours.

Gaga looks at the group.
Scared to death. But defiant.

GAGA
I’ll have you know that I’m
a Mont, NOT a Kapp, and that
we think how you’ve been treated
is unfair --

MONSTER
Big fucking deal.

GAGA
And -- that my brother has
developed a vaccine for the virus.

A hush falls over the room.

BRICK
Really?
You didn’t tell me that.

GAGA
Well, what with escaping
from the zombies and stuff,
it slipped my mind.

HAMMER (20’s), a dead ringer
for Ving Rhames chortles.

HAMMER
Bull-SHIT.
How do we know this fuckin’
vaccine WORKS?

GAGA
My brother’s a genius.
He’s second year pre-med,
and he’s only seventeen --

Something SLAMS against the front door.
BANG. BANG. BANG.

GAGA
What’s THAT?

MONSTER
INFECTED ATTACK --

The BANGING increases.
Every wall in the room starts SHAKING.

Everybody LEAPS up. Races around.
their squirt guns.

Brick grabs a pair of super-soakers.
Hands one to Gaga.

GAGA
How did they find us?

BRICK
Smell.
In the last six months of infection,
they’re like bloodhounds.
And you’re fresh meat.

Monster RACES over to the wall.
Opens a peep-hole. Looks out.

BRICK
How many?

MONSTER
About a hundred --

GAGA
A HUNDRED?

MONSTER
Hell, we escaped from over a thousand
on the Jersey Shore --

GAGA
A THOUSAND?

MONSTER
Well, you know the Jersey Shore --

BRICK
Quick, everybody -- up to the ROOF.

The BANGING gets louder.
Red-clawed mutant hands
start punching HOLES in the walls.

Everybody RACES to the stairs
on the other side of the room.
Start RUNNING up the steps.

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE ROOF - NIGHT
Brick, Gaga, Reno, Monster, Hammer
and the rest FLY out onto the roof.
Go to the sides. Look down.

AERIAL POV --
The building is surrounded by
A HOARD OF INFECTED ZOMBIES.

Ravenous, bug-eyed, screeching mutants
covered in lesions, dripping goo,
now scrabbling up the walls like spiders.

JAG, former military (30’s),
big and bulky scans the crowd.

JAG
Semper FUCK --

Brick raises his squirt gun. SCREAMS.

BRICK
Get in FORMATION, soldiers.
Three to a side, LET’S GO --

Four groups of three go to each side.
Start SPRAYING gasoline
down on the attackers.

A pair of SCREAMING INFECTEDS
come over the wall.

Jag SPRAYS them.
They EXPLODE in a RED MIST -- POP.

JAG
Be all you CAN be --

Another ZOMBIE climbs over the wall.
Reaches for Reno.

She NAILS him. He EXPLODES,
drenching her with goo.

RENO
Goddammit, I just did my HAIR --

A SLOBBERING ZOMBIE
flies up over the side.

Gaga NAILS him with a
stream of gas in the chest.

A giant HOLE opens up,
his GUTS slide out -- and he POPS.

GAGA
It’s like a videogame --

MONSTER
I’m getting low on gas --

RENO
So am I --

BRICK
(to Hammer)
Ready for a little FIRE, scarecrow?

Hammer looks at Brick,
strapped into a flamethrower.

HAMMER
It’s Hammer-time --

He FLICKS IT ON and a
SPRAY OF FIRE SHOOTS OUT.

He SWEEPS it down across
the side of the building.

It HITS them -- and they EXPLODE
in SCREAMING FIREBALLS OF BLACK SMOKE.

Hammer RACES around the roof,
SPRAYING fire down the walls,
killing the rest,
the air now thick with smoke.

BRICK
Everybody DOWN.
Cover your MOUTHS --

They all get down, pull bandannas
up over their noses.

GAGA
It smells like -- shit.

BRICK
No shit.
And breathing it will kill you.
It's the virus, in a gaseous state.

HAMMER
That’s why we only use fire
as a last resort.

BRICK
(to Gaga)
About that vaccine.
Where does your brother live?

GAGA
Like I said, we’re Monts.
Downtown. In the Village.

BRICK
Perfect.
That’s where we’re gonna
enter the republic.

GAGA
Are we going over the wall?

BRICK
Don’t be silly.
Too many armed guards.
(beat)
We’re going in through
the Holland Tunnel.

GAGA
That’s GENIUS --

BRICK
Hey.
How do you think I
got to be the leader?
My good looks?


Monday, November 3, 2014

Till Undead Do Us Part


Hey there, crime kids. Happy Monday. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where your most violent fantasies become sins of the flesh, right here, where the hardboiled action is non-stop, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 6 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy reveals to Merk that Jool is a Kapp, and that his father will forbid him from seeing her again, but things then go from bad to worse Merk gets a phone call informing him that his sister Gaga has been infected with the zombie virus ...


INT. NEIGHBORHOOD BAR - NIGHT
One of those classic, run-down,
shitty neighborhood joints
where the locals hang out.

Rommy and Merk sit at dark table
the back with a pitcher of beer.
Eating peanuts.

ROMMY
She’s amazing.
I’ve never met a girl that’s
so smart, funny, confident -- ALIVE.
(beat)
And STACKED.

MERK
So what’s where you disappeared.

ROMMY
Yeah.
There’s just one problem.

MERK
What’s that?

ROMMY
Can you keep a secret?

MERK
I can, but it might keep me.
ROMMY
What?
You’re always talking in riddles.

Merk smiles.
CRACKS open a peanut.

MERK
You quarrel with someone for
cracking nuts because
you have hazel eyes.

ROMMY
Yeah. Stuff like that.
How do you THINK of that?

MERK
That’s actually from the Bard.

ROMMY
Okay, okay -- enough.
The thing is --
(sighs)
Jool’s a KAPP.

MERK
WHAT?
Really?

A phone behind the bar RINGS.
The BARTENDER answers it.

ROMMY
Yeah.
And she said she probably couldn’t
come downtown again because she was
gonna catch hell from her uncle.

MERK
So what are you going to do?

ROMMY
I’m gonna convince my father
that she’s different, she’s cool --
and not like your typical Kapp --
(beat)
And then I’m gonna uptown
see her again.

Bartender calls out to Merk.
up the receiver.

BARTENDER
Hey, Merk -- phone’s for you.

MERK
(looks)
Thanks.
(to Rommy)
Be right back.

He gets up. Goes to the bar.
Takes the phone. Listens.

Rommy pours another beer.
Takes a sip. Lost in thought.

Merk comes rushing back.
Looks wild-eyed.

MERK
My sister got infected.
She’s been ejected from the republic --

ROMMY
What the hell?
How did you --

MERK
My father.
They’ve been looking for me all day,
but couldn’t find me
of the street fair --

ROMMY
Holy shit.

MERK
No shit.
I gotta go home.
C'mon, come walk with me.

EXT. BLEECKER STREET - NIGHT
The fair’s still going full-steam.

Merk and Rommy go down the sidewalk,
avoiding the crowd.

MERK
I’m going to go find her, Rommy.
Give her the vaccine.

ROMMY
Are you crazy?
Do you know how dangerous that is?

MERK
She’s my twin, Rommy.
I have to.
(beat)
I’m going to give you the formula.
In case something happens to me.
It’ll be safe with you.
I trust you.

ROMMY
Okay.
So what’s the plan?

MERK
Simple.
Find my sister,
save her life, bring her home,
and then save mankind.

ROMMY
Works for me --