What Happens In Greenwich Village, Stays In Greenwich Village

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In Chapter 3 of ZOMBIE & JULIET, uptown heiress Jool Kapp travels downtown to see the street fair. Meanwhile, downtown hipster Rommy Mont hangs with his best friend Merk Rowe, who reveals he's found a cure for the virus -- but when Rommy sees Jool, he only has eyes for her.


EXT. FIFTH AVENUE - NIGHT
A PEDAL-RICKSHAW CAB cruises south down Fifth Avenue,
passes giant mansions. Airbrushed office buildings.

Tony boutiques. We see other pedal-cabs,
and also tons of PEOPLE ON BICYCLES.

INT. RICKSHAW CAB - MOVING - NIGHT
Jool looks out the window, full of anticipation.

THE RICKSHAW CAB
Gets to the border of midtown.
Starts passing through --

EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NIGHT
Once gentrified, the infamous avenue
has returned to it’s previous squalor.

All of the fancy stores and restaurants
are now home to peep shows, strip clubs,
bars and whore houses.

The Gap sign now reads THE GASH.
We see signs for CRATE AND ASSHOLE.
STARFUCKS. JAMBA COOZE. S&M’S. HOOTERS.

JOOL
Looks out the window.
Silently gasps at the motley crew of
STREET TRASH milling about.

THE RICKSHAW CAB
Continues on downtown.

The streets now lined with ancient BROWNSTONES.
A STREET VENDOR hawks his wares.

The people look young, hip.
A bohemian kid plays a guitar on the corner.

JOOL
Smiles. Likes what she sees.

JOOL
He’s cute.

EXT. GREENWICH VILLAGE - BLEECKER STREET - NIGHT
A STREET FAIR in full-swing. Rows of booths and stalls
filled with food from around the world.

A ROCK BAND plays on a raised platform.
A throng of SMILING PARTIERS mill about.

CAMERA finds two YOUNG GUYS (17)
walking through the fair. Deep in conversation.

YOUNG GUY
I’m not ready yet, Merk. It’s too soon.

Meet ROMMY MONT.
Nice guy, but awkward. Shy.

Always deep in thought.
Looks wounded. Haunted.

One of those borderline types.
Could transcend ‘nerd’ -- if he’d only try.

Think Ryan Gosling.
Divided by Jessie Eisenberg.
With a dash of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Dressed a bit too geeky in
pressed jeans and a sweater vest.
Longish hair in search of a style.

MERK
Too soon? It’s been over a year.
You need to move on.
You’ve elevated the grieving
process into an art form.
You need to get laid, my good man.
(waves his hand at the throng)
I mean, look at this sea of female flesh.
All you need to do is dive in.

Meet MERK ROWE, Rommy’s best friend,
already pre-med. Smart. Funny.
The ultimate wing-man.

Tall and thin, with eyes that twinkle with mischief.
Rakish in a vintage Ramones T.

ROMMY
I don’t see the point. Why even try?
We’ll never get off this island,
and until there’s a cure for the virus --
(gestures)
You’re just setting yourself up for disappointment.

MERK
(low)
Can you keep a secret?

ROMMY
What?

MERK
I was working at the school lab last night --
(looks around)
And I think I discovered something.

ROMMY
What?

MERK
A cure.

ROMMY
For the VIRUS?

MERK
Shhhh --
(beat)
Yeah. I just need to try it on
someone who’s infected.

ROMMY
You’re not shitting me?

MERK
I shit you not, my lord.

Rommy stops in his tracks.
Sees something. Stares.

MERK
This is the part where
you call me a genius.
(sees him staring)
What are you looking at?
(beat)
Hello, Earth to Rommy, Earth to Rommy.
Come in, come in. We’ve lost your signal.
(beat)
HELLO.

IN THE CROWD
We see JOOL, drifting down the street toward them.
In complete delight with all the sights,
sounds and smells of the fair.

Taking pictures with her camera.
In her element.

She throws some money in a hat
in front of a STREET MUSICIAN.

Goes to a vendor. Buys a bouquet flowers.
Sniffs them. Then buys a piece chocolate from another.
Eats it, savoring it.

MERK
Nudges Rommy.

MERK
Look. Someone dropped a hundred-dollar bill
on the sidewalk.

ROMMY
(still staring)
That’s nice.

MERK
Okay. You just stand there like a robot,
and I’m gonna go get another beer.

He walks away, shaking his head.
Jool comes into view.

Sees Rommy gaping at her.
Stops. Looks at him. Fake-angry.

JOOL
Drool much?
Didn’t your mother teach you
it’s not polite to stare?

ROMMY
I’m -- sorry.

JOOL
It’s okay. Just busting your chops.

He comes out of his trance.
Faint hint of a smile.

ROMMY
Color me busted.

JOOL
(offers hand to shake)
Jool.

ROMMY
(shakes)
Rommy. Nice to meet you.
(beat)
Pretty name.

They stop shaking.
But don’t let go.
If this were animated,
we’d see an electric spark CRACKLE.

JOOL
It’s short for Juliet,
but I HATE that name. It’s so corny.
(beat)
Is Rommy short for -- Romeo?

ROMMY
Worse. Short for Romulus. Father’s a Trekkie.

They realize. Let go. An awkward moment. Then --

ROMMY
So you’re, uh -- enjoying the street fair?

JOOL
Yeah, it’s AMAZING.
We don’t have them where I come from.
It’s like another WORLD.

He looks at her expensive,
understated clothing. Realizes.

ROMMY
You’re -- from uptown?

JOOL
Yeah. But I think I like it better downtown.

ROMMY
You’re a Kapp --

JOOL
Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.
What happens in Greenwich Village,
stays in Greenwich Village.

Pause.

ROMMY
You have -- the most beautiful eyes.

JOOL
(looks closely)
Yours are sad. Wounded.
Like you’ve been -
(beat)
I’m sorry. That was stupid.
I do that all the time.
I get too personal too quickly --
talk without thinking.
Some people say I talk too MUCH.
Oh, look -- there’s Chatty Kathy.

ROMMY
That’s okay. I like to talk.
I mean, talking’s good.
If people would just talk to each other,
the world would be a --
(beat)
Would you like to get some ice cream?
(beat)
Sit and talk?

JOOL
I’d like that.

She leans in.
Kisses him on the cheek.

Then pulls away. Surveys the damage.
Rommy’s face flushes a deep red.

ROMMY
Wh-what was that for?

JOOL
Just curious.
(beat)
I’ve never seen a boy blush like that.

PUSH IN ON Rommy’s face. Heart racing.

ROMMY
So, uh -- what’s your favorite flavor?