Friday, April 28, 2017

Flaming Creatures


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 26 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy, Brick, Cosmo and the rest of their revolutionary sleeper cell escape a rabid pack of zombies ... by going underground into a subway tunnel ...


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 (CONT'D)
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 --

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Running On Empty


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 25 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy convinces Brick and his revolutionaries to take a break from their invasion and help him find Jool to see if she's okay ...


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 --

Friday, April 21, 2017

Home Fires


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 24 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy's parents baricade themselves in their home against the zombie invasion. Meanwhile, Jool's uncle Carling and her nanny come to see how she's faring after being infected with the zombie virus ...


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 (CONT’D)
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 (CONT’D)
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, April 19, 2017

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, Jool looks out her high rise window and sees a horde of infected mutant zombies invading Manhattan ...


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
sit 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,
lock 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
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT'D)
Gotta build my strength.
Get the hell out of here
and find him. He’s coming back.
I KNOW it. I just know it.

Monday, April 17, 2017

A Great Time


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 22 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, quarantined with the zombie virus in bed at home, Jool reminisces about meeting Rommy at the street fair and how sad they both were to say 'good bye' ...


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.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Escape From New Jersey


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 21 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Rommy, Merk, Brick and the revolutionaries successfully smash through the walled Republic of Manhattan ... while being followed by a horde of screaming, rabid infected mutants ...


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 (CONT’D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 (CONT’D)
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 (CONT'D)
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 --

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Z-Day


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 20 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, Brick, Romy, Merk, Gaga and the revolutionaries blast their way into the Republic of Manhattan ... while being chased by a rabid hoard 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.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Safe House


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 19 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, after being infected with the HIZ 'zombie virus,' conservative Jool is quarantined at home, where she fights with her uncle about her forbidden love of the liberal Rommy ...


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
what 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. 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 --

Friday, April 7, 2017

Welcome To The Jungle


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 18 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, after Rommy gets ejected from the republic of Manhattan after getting infected with the zombie virus, he finds the revolutionaries' headquarters in the burnt-out ruins of New Jersey, where he's reunited with his BFF Merk and his sister Gaga ...


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 (CONT’D)
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, April 5, 2017

The Time 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 17 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, we see a late-breaking news report announcing the president has signed into law a 'shoot on sight' decree targeting citizens who have become infected with the 'HIZ' zombie virus ...


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 --