Welcome To The Jungle

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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?