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Season 2, Episode 6

"Grover"

INTRO

BLACK...

FADE IN:

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

POV travels through the quiet woods. Eventually some kind of commotion can be heard, far off in the distance...

POV comes out of the woods, into a clearing, and finding a prison. The commotion appears to be a large group of people. It's still fairly far off, but mass excitement/cheering can be faintly heard...

POV goes toward the cheering, through the prison yard and other abandoned parts of the prison. Eventually someone can be faintly heard, yelling over the cheers. He or the others can't be seen, but heard, as POV continues toward them...

MAN

(off-screen)

CAUSE WE'VE GOT MAN POWER! (More cheering) WE

HAVE LEADERS! (cheering) LEADERS AT BOTH CAMPS,

WITH ARMIES, TO RULE OVER THE DEAD AND

THOSE WHO WOULD THREATEN OUR SURVIVAL! (mass

cheering) AND WE HAVE GUNS TO DO THAT WITH!

(cheering) AMMUNITION! (cheering) FOOD! (cheering)

AND A PLAN TO HARVEST PLENTY MORE! (cheering)

WATER TO WASH IT DOWN WITH! (cheering) AND NOT

JUST WATER, BUT HOW ABOUT SOME MOONSHINE! (mass

cheering) AND WOMEN TO SHARE IT WITH! (mass cheering)

WHAT GOOD IS SURVIVING THE APOCALYPSE WITHOUT

WOMEN AND LIQUOR!? (more mass cheering) AND SURVIVE

IT YOU WILL! (cheering) With an entire team of loggers,

we'll soon have walls to keep out the dead, and to

keep your WOMEN AND MOONSHINE SAFE! (mass cheers)

YEEEAH! NOW WHO'S ON BOARD? (cheering) DO YOU

WANNA GO TAKE YOUR CHANCES OUT THERE, ON YOUR

OWN, AGAINST THIS KIND OF AN ENEMY, IN AN UNCERTAIN

NEW WORLD? OR DO YOU WANNA COMMIT TO GROVER,

AND BE A PART OF THOSE WHO REBUILD THE WORLD?!

Everyone cheering before going into a chant, of "Grover! Grover! Grover!"...

They continue to chant his name as POV finally finds them. You can see Grover's lower half, as he climbs into a truck. They continue chanting, as he drives away. His face is never seen, while driving off, his truck full of supplies, as are the handful of other trucks that follow behind him, as they drive off-screen.

The men settle down and look to Swish (38, in guard uniform, bruised face), as he looks over the dead prison guard, who is now a huff and handcuffed to a bar, surrounded by all the prisoners (well over 100 of them, one of them (GW, 35) is as big as a professional wrestler). Stix (30, in prison uniform, like everyone else) comes next to Swish, who takes his arm and raises it.

SWISH

Every leader needs his number two, and here is mine!

The men cheer!

RANDOM PRISONER

(cheering)

STIX!

DIFFERENT PRISONER

STIX AND SWISH! TAKE US TO THE PROMISE LAND, BABY!

Mass cheering, Swish lowering Stix's arm...

SWISH

In my first act, as camp leader, I'll use one stone, to

knockout two birds. One of you is not a part of the

new world. You're not getting in...not if I have anything

to do with it, and well, I do! (Swish staring at the huff)

That second little birdie is an interesting one...what the

hell is this thing going to do when it gets its hands on

you...or should I say teeth...

Everyone silent, as two prisoners arrive, holding another prisoner, who they hand off to Swish, who stares the man in the face, before instantly turning him, and pushing face first, right into the huff's reach.

The man screams as the huff bites into him. Swish keeps holding him until the man falls helplessly, bleeding out from his bites to the throat. Everyone watches, in silence. Swish smiles...

SWISH

Now...that is interesting!

DISSOLVE TO:

THEME TUNE/CREDITS

Shots of all the chaos in the city, on day 1 of the "zombie" apocalypse, followed by bumper to bumper traffic on the highways, and tons of angry/nervous people honking or trying to pull off the road. Shot of Mt. Hood, followed by shots of a huge tree house overlooking a lake, which dissolves into the Columbia River and traveling down it, through a huge forest fire, and then to the Bonneville Dam. POV continues down the river, past the Glen Jackson bridge, flowing by tons of houseboats where the dead are falling into the river, after whoever is drifting by. POV of the Willamette River as it goes under the St. Johns bridge, and up into the hills of Portland. It travels over them, and into the Beaverton area, crossing over the top of the Nike World Headquarters, and keeps traveling over farmlands, and into the coast range, finding the Glenwood Market, and a large camp with log walls, across the creek and behind the store. POV speeds over the Tillamook Forest, highway 26, and a bunch of other land, before coming to the Columbia River, traveling west, and under the Megler bridge, into the ocean. It continues along the shoreline, past Astoria, the Haystack Rock of Cannon Beach, coming to a pair of Jetties, and through them, up into the nearby hills, and over a large camp in the hills, protected by a large log wall. POV travels back down to the shoreline, and over a huge hotel, with a shot of the Twin Rocks in the ocean. POV travels by the bay of Tillamook, and along highway 6, back into the coast range, until leaving the road, back into the Tillamook Forest, until coming to a very large compound, hidden away by all the brush and mountain-side, as opening credits roll…

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGHWAY 6 - NIGHT

POV from herd of prisoners, of two cars (Travis (Zane's baseball player) and his family) turning and speeding away, as the herd crosses the road.

POV of the prisoners, as some of them snicker or laugh, at the cars speeding away. One of them even begins to aim a gun toward the cars, before another prisoner calms him down. A ton of them continue piling out of the brush, into the road (GW towering over them all), as POV travels through them, coming to the front, where Stix and Swish lead the herd.

SWISH

There's no one better to follow, than Grover. We go

way back. You can count on him making good on his

promises.

STIX

The camp he's running is dangerously close to the city. I

just hope we see him again.

SWISH

Even if we don't, you heard him. The loggers are

waiting for us at the location we're currently en

route to, equipment is already there, and the walls

go up before he's even supposed to return...

STIX

And he's just been planning for this his entire life,

or something?

SWISH

(with a laugh)

It's been awhile… (Stix looking at him) What? It's Oregon,

all the rich survival enthusiasts live here...we're lucky

enough to have crossed paths with one of them

crazy bastards...

They walk in silence for a moment, until Swish comes to a stop, looking straight ahead, as does Stix.

Their POV of a bar, where a curtain window moves. The parking lot has plenty of vehicles.

Swish smiling as he looks at Stix, and moves on toward it...

STIX

We...we don't have time for that...

SWISH

I don't think Grover would mind...

STIX

The world hasn't completely fallen apart, just yet.

We need to be smart. Pretty sure he mentioned that,

himself.

SWISH

He also mentioned ME, being in charge. (looking back

over the men) These men need a break, something to fuel

them, toward this new chapter in life... Or one last fling, in

case it all ends tomorrow...

All the men beginning to smile and muttering their excitement, toward the bar in front of them...

Suddenly, a shot is fired at them! They begin to scatter at first, before Swish leads them charging forward.

SWISH

CHARGE!

He fires his gun as do the others, and with their overwhelming numbers, they simply charge right inside the bar, with screams and gunshots...

Stix watches from outside, with a shake of his head, before turning to watch as those same two vehicles from a few moments ago, now go speeding back the original way they were heading...He watches, then flinches as another car engine comes to life, from the parking lot. He turns and watches as the car is flooded with prisoners, who rip the person out.

Another prisoner jumps in the car and peels off, driving away and toward the city. Some prisoners are walking away, in same direction the car fled. A few other prisoners are looking through the other cars.

Rest of the prisoners work to all fit inside the overcrowded bar.

DISSOLVE TO:

Prisoners now bringing dead bodies outside, and dumping on the ground...

DISSOLVE TO:

Prisoners now reacting with excitement, as one of the bodies begins coming to life, as a huff. They play with it, and tease it, knocking it around and to the ground, laughing at it. More come to life, some men get nervous, while others are amused.

Some begin firing shots at the dead, but not at the head. They're laughing and being careless. Eventually a prisoner is bitten in the leg. Many of the others just laugh, before suddenly the huff is killed with a flying hatchet, followed by several kill shots from a gun, as Stix puts down all the huffs...

DISSOLVE TO:

Most prisoners now inside the bar, drunkenly partying as if it were the end of the world...

Rest of them outside, drinking and celebrating...

DISSOLVE TO: (DAY)

Everyone passed out, all around the bar, and inside...

A few of them slowly waking, from inside...

A few waking from outside...

DISSOLVE TO:

All the prisoners exiting the bar, hungover and struggling with the sunlight, as they begin hiking down the road, following Swish and Stix. There are still well over a hundred of them...

SWISH

Looks like our numbers have dropped.

STIX

People want to look for their families...

DISSOLVE TO:

Prisoners arriving at a store, off side of road. Most of them begin breaking open the door and entering store. Many of them help themselves inside, and eventually there are screams upstairs, followed with a few gunshots. The others are pigging out down below...

DISSOLVE TO:

The prisoners now going around the side of the store, onto a back road and over a small bridge (Glenwood Lane), that crosses a large creek (Gales Creek). The road leads to an old outdoor school area, with large structures and a bunch of homes and yurts...

The men eagerly cross the bridge, arriving at the location they had been looking for. But suddenly they are approached by army vehicles, coming to a halt in the road. The prisoners do not hesitate to open fire on the soldiers, who hop out, take cover, and begin firing back...

Prisoners are on the bridge, in the water below, behind the store, in the brush, firing shots back at the soldiers, who are in the road, behind their vehicles. Some of them are off to the side, behind trees, and firing at the prisoners...

Suddenly, in the background you can see hummers coming to a stop, in the road. They hesitate there, while the soldiers and prisoners continue to exchange gunfire...

Eventually, one of the hummers come forward, chasing away the soldiers, who briefly fire on the hummer, before clearing away from it, taking cover from oncoming fire, as the hummer pushes through their army vehicles, and clears a path for the other two hummers...

The soldiers are now in trouble of being overtaken by the prisoners, while the last two hummers drive by. They both stop, while the soldiers fight for their lives...

Suddenly Zane, Scout, Dakota, Wyatt, and Rich begin opening fire on the prisoners...

Jason, Porter, Weston and Colton all arrive, near Zane and the others, and open fire on the prisoners, who begin backing off...

Now Leo, Mason, Gunner and Chasin, all join the fight, as the soldiers become more aggressive. The prisoners become overwhelmed, and begin to retreat into the woods...

The soldiers go after them, but Zane and his group hold back...

Swish and Stix lead the prisoners through the woods, upward as they flee the scene below. In the background you can hear one of the soldiers, shouting back at Zane.

SOLDIER

(off-screen)

Come on! We need your help!

ZANE

This isn't our fight! We just saved your lives. Now

get out of here, like we are!

Swish and Stix continue to lead them away, while keeping fire on the soldiers, who begin falling back...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Prisoners now all walking, upward through the brush and trees. Stix holds up a hand, as they all pause. Swish looks ahead, staring at something, before walking toward it...

He approaches a large bundle of something, covered by tarps. He begins uncovering it, with the help of others. GW grabs the tarp and single-handedly rips it off the huge bundle.

Underneath lays a bundle of supplies. Tents, clothes, food, traps, and tons of it. Swish even grabs a walkie talkie. The men all begin going through it...

STIX

Some kind of enthusiast, this Grover is...

DISSOLVE TO:

Same area, now with tents set up, as some men continue to organize the camp, while most lounge around.

Swish and Stix stand near a tent, where the man who had been bitten by a huff, now lays with fever...

STIX

You think just being bitten makes you sick?

SWISH

Who knows what to expect. Maybe we're all bound

to get sick and turn into these damn things.

Couple men approaching them...

PRISONER 1

We lost at least six more men down there.

PRISONER 2

The others want to know what the plan is?

SWISH

You guys all heard him say it, yourself. If we run into

trouble, there'd be supplies in the hills, for camping

until things settle down. The plan, is exactly that.

STIX

With any luck, the loggers will come let us know

when it's safe...

PRISONER 2

What about...(motioning inside tent) him? Do we need

to worry about him making us sick?

Swish walks into tent, while Stix and the other men just watch. A loud gunshot is suddenly fired. Swish walks back out...

SWISH

Nope...

Many of the others simply looking over toward that tent, and Swish...

DISSOLVE TO:

Everyone lounging around, snacking, drinking water, with some of them restless...

One of the men shouts over at Swish.

MAN

So, how'd you know exactly where to find those

supplies?

SWISH

Weren't you listening during the all mighty Grover's

speech? The one you all cheered and chanted, "Grover,

(rolling eyes) Grover". I've been under salary by that guy

for years, now. I've been to this spot before, I know the

routine. Just never thought I'd actually be following it.

Suddenly, someone is heard coming over the radio.

RADIO

Swisher?... This is Camp Glenwood, looking for Swisher.

Swish grabbing the radio, with all nearby eyes (including Stix) on him...

SWISH

(into radio)

This is Swish...

RADIO

Glad you're still with us, Swisher.

SWISH

(into radio)

It's Swish. Who is this?

RADIO

You tell me. That is the procedure, here...

SWISH

(into radio)

So, it is...yet I don't remember, other than you're Grover's

guy, and you're with the loggers.

RADIO

Look, Swisher...we were paid good money to pay

attention, to a well thought out plan, that we never

thought would play out...yet here it is, as surreal as

it may be, and... (interrupted)

SWISH

(into radio)

Look, I can't remember your damn name. I've told you

mine, yet you still can't get it right, so you'll have to

forgive me if I can't recall the freaking name of

someone I never expected to meet...

Silence for a bit, as they wait for a response...

RADIO

Let's see if multiple choice is your cup of tea. It's either

that, or Grover chose the wrong guy to co-lead this

group. Rick? Lonnie? Shane? Eric? Eddie? Anyone of

those ring a bell, sweetheart?

SWISH

(into radio)

Erica, that's right.

ERIC

(over radio)

Comedians are good, we need comedians in the new

world, people need a reason to laugh. Maybe you'll be

useful after all.

SWISH

(into radio)

How bout you tell me what you're good for? Besides

playing with Lincoln logs. Speaking of such, I take it

you're using break time from tearing down trees and

putting up walls, to make this call? And I imagine it's

safe for us to come on back down there, without U.S.

soldiers, who consider us more of a threat, than dead

people with a hunger for the living.

ERIC

(over radio)

Lincoln logs, that's funny, coming from a man who

babysat adult children, for a living. A man whose job in

the new world, is yet again, babysitting adult children.

SWISH

(into radio)

Battle of wits? Or do me and my adult children get an

update, from the ever so brave man who stands behind

a radio, while he tests my patience?

ERIC

(over radio)

Get comfortable up there. The reason those soldiers were

so concerned with you, is the fact they too, have plans for

this location. They appear to be setting up a perimeter

here, a much smaller version of the one we have planned.

SWISH

(into radio)

So, you're saying we're absolutely screwed?!

ERIC

(over radio)

Not absolutely. Could actually work in our favor, get

updates and such. If this really is the end, they'll leave

us within a week, month at the most. Grover prepared

us for this kind of thing.

SWISH

(into radio)

We're supposed to camp up here for a week, maybe a

month?!

ERIC

(over radio)

Or you can come down here and overpower these

sob's, smart guy.

SWISH

(into radio)

How many of them are there?

ERIC

(over radio)

I was being sarcastic. Even if you beat them, you'd lose

most your men. You've got plenty of supplies. People

all over the planet have it much worse. I'll update you

daily. Lincoln log Erica, out...

Swish puts down radio, with a look at Stix...

SWISH

We'll see just how useful that guy is, once the walls go up.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – DAY

Man watching from house window, as POV pans back to where soldiers work to put up a fence, while others stand guarding, with guns. They're using a large building (old outdoor school mess hall) as a base camp. A soldier there is on the radio...

SOLDIER

(over radio)

No! Don't go anywhere near the city!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PRISONER CAMP – EVENING

Prisoners all lounging around, bored...

PRISONER (GARY, 40)

So, what do we do if a bunch of the dead begin coming

up here?

STIX

We're too far up and too far from the city.

PRISONER (CONNER, 20)

Even Grover couldn't have predicted this, but he picked this

location for a reason. We should just stick to his plan.

SWISH

We're sticking to the plan, but have to be ready to

improvise, to think on our own and be ready for

whatever Grover didn't plan for.

Many prisoners nodding in agreement.

GARY

Yeah...

STIX

We have to be smart, though. Like you said, think,

but not react.

SWISH

And what is it you're thinking about right now? Any

bright ideas going on in there?

STIX

Right now? (shaking head) No reason, things are

pretty much going as planned.

GARY

What about the U.S. dickheads down there?

STIX

Like Eric said over the radio, it could be a good thing.

We need information right now. We need to know

what exactly we're trying to survive.

Many of the prisoners nodding...

STIX

Maybe it's a world where savages like us are at an

advantage...

PRISONER

Hell yeah...

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. BACKYARD – DAY

An airplane flies by, as POV pans back, dropping into yard, where a ton of family/friends are having a party. A guy flips grub on the grill, while looking back at all the commotion behind him. He watches as another guy uses fancy moves while tossing several knifes into a watermelon, to much applause.

The guy is Stix, who smiles as his little seven-year-old niece runs over into his arms. He hugs her, and picks her up swinging her around. She laughs and runs back off with her friends, who mimic the way Stix had tossed the knifes...

Stix walks over toward the guy flipping grub (his brother, Adrian). He passes his sister in law (Abigail) with a warm smile and touch of her arm, who then gives someone else (her brother, Juan) a hug, as well as her cousin (Jerry).

ABIGAIL

You made it!

JUAN

Hey, sis.

Stix arriving next to his brother, at the grill. Anna runs over to Juan and Jerry, with excitement.

JUAN

Did you see uncle Stix with the knives?!

ADRIAN

You're always the cool one to her, with all your tough

guy knife tricks.

STIX

That's just because she's too young to realize how

lucky, and how awesome a father is, who gives her a

home and yard like this, to run around celebrating life,

with her family. Someday she'll realize her uncle Stix is

just the broke one, who rents a basement apartment

from his little brother.

ADRIAN

And you save us a fortune in daycare!

Abigail close by (feeding food to infant in baby chair), and chiming in.

ABIGAIL

Not to mention the kids have a loving family member

at home with them, rather than spending half their lives

with people paid to give them their attention. So, stop

with the self-guilt trips. We bought this home hoping

you'd stay part time, and help run this family the way

you do.

She kisses his forehead and then kisses her baby's forehead, and Stix does the same, as the baby cracks up laughing...

DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME

EXT. WOODS – DUSK

Close-up of someone at creek, filling up water bottle. The water settles, as you can see Stix's reflection in it, and he stares at himself a moment...

He then dumps some water over his head, cooling off, before refilling, rising and walking back toward the camp...

DISSOLVE TO: DAY

Prisoners lounging around, bored/annoyed, very restless. They looked uncomfortable, hot. Many of them were down at the creek, inside cooling off.

GW is doing pushups, over the creek, splashing down into the water, with each repetition, while others watch…

CONNER

What does GW stand for?

RANDOM PRISONER

Great White… He killed some big-time drug lord

in prison, named Shark.

CONNER

Great… I was already scared of him…

DISSOLVE TO: DAWN

All the prisoners sound asleep...

A few quick hard drops begin falling, picking up pace very quickly, and turning into a complete downpour...

Prisoners begin waking, yelling/complaining, coming out and trying to do what they can to stay dry, and keep their things dry...

DISSOLVE TO: DAY

Everyone laying/sitting around, sweaty and uncomfortable...

PRISONER 1

I'll take the rain over this muggy shit.

CONNER

I'll take my cell bunk, back over this post apocalypse crap.

A few laughs...

GARY

I'll take a new apocalyptic leader, if the next guy remembers

to stash some damn liquor, with the supply bundle!

More laughs...

RANDOM PRISONER

Or at least a damn playboy magazine, or something!

More laughs...

GARY

What about you, Stix? You been pretty quiet since this

whole thing started.

STIX

Just thinking about my family...if they made it...

Some silence...

GARY

Thought you didn't talk to your family, anymore.

Silence...

STIX

Doesn't mean I don't think about them...

GARY

Well so, when you're not thinking about things that no

longer matter, what are your thoughts on our present

predicament?

STIX

My current thought is that if you ever speak to me, or

of my family with disrespect, like that again, you'll find

yourself in a whole new kind of predicament.

Conner smiling, as are some of the others...

SWISH

Relax Stix...if not for how well liked you are, Gary here

would have been my number two, so show some respect

of your own...

Gary smiling, as are some of the others. Stix slowly rises, and suddenly flips a knife right at Gary, sticking the sleeve of his shirt directly into the tree, he sat against, leaving him with a face of shock/anger, as Stix walks away, with a look at Swish.

STIX

Respect has to be earned...

Swish smiles as Stix walks away.

SWISH

See...I knew there was another reason I made you my

number two.

CONNER

I think he just made Gary make a number two, in his pants!

Prisoners cracking up, as Gary gleams at Swish. (one guy next to Gary tries not to laugh)

GARY

You're just going to let him get away with that shit?!

SWISH

From where I'm sitting, it looks like you're the one

who let him get away with it.

Stix continues walking away, out of camp...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Stix walking through the woods, far from the camp. He stops, stands there a second, before suddenly pulling out a hatchet, and violently chopping it at the tree, in a complete rage...

He eventually turns and flips it at a different tree, sticking right into it, and screaming as loud as he can...

He begins to calm, and stands there in silence... Suddenly, something is heard, racing away, as he turns quickly to look. He slowly begins walking toward it...

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. BACKYARD – NIGHT

An airplane flies by, as POV pans down into backyard, where the party is over, the yard is vacant (other than leftover party supplies/garbage), and with the shadow of someone running through the yard. A baby can be heard crying, in the background...

POV comes to find Adrian, desperately racing through the yard, looking around every corner...

ABIGAIL

(off-screen)

Adrian, tell me you see her!?

Adrian runs inside. Abigail is in there, frantic as she holds the crying baby.

ABIGAIL

Downstairs, she has to be downstairs!

ADRIAN

Stix is already gone, for work.

ABIGAIL

Maybe she hid down there, and he left without knowing.

Adrian running back outside, around corner of house, and using key to unlock side door...

DISSOLVE TO:

Same POV, but now with sirens flashing on the house, and officers coming out from basement apartment. Another officer walks through the yard, shining a light around...

The parents nervously speak with an officer, in the front yard. A car comes speeding to the scene, stopping in front of the house. Stix comes running out of the car...

STIX

Tell me you've found her!? Tell me she's okay?!

DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME

INT. PRISONER CAMP - DUSK

All the prisoners huddled together around multiple fires...

A prisoner can be heard in background, right before Eric is heard coming over radio.

PRISONER

(in background)

Gotta love this bi-polar Oregon weather. Wet, hot

and cold all in one damn day.

ERIC

(over radio)

Swisher? This is Glenwood Camp, over...

Prisoners all hushing as Swish goes for radio.

SWISH

(into radio)

Tell me you've got good news for us? Tell me we can come

share those nice living conditions of yours, down there,

before we simply storm our way down the hill, and take it.

ERIC

(over radio)

Jesus Christ, you guys are prisoners. You're used to roughing

it. I bet a bunch of dead school teachers, and office workers

would be happy to trade places with you women. But they're

too busy eating the faces off of those, who have no place to

hide from them. People who'd take your supplies and

location in a damn heartbeat.

SWISH

(into radio)

Just like we'd all trade our situation for yours.

Prisoners all voicing their agreement...

ERIC

(over radio)

All I can tell you, is that if Grover isn't showing up, then we

have to wait. He's smart enough to avoid these assholes

and so should you.

SWISH

(into radio)

Do you at least have an update on the long term plan

of these assholes, or if the world is making any progress?

A pause...

ERIC

(over radio)

Due to the fact the world is making absolutely no progress,

I believe most of these guys will go looking for their families,

like I think some already have. Some may try to settle down

here. They'll either join us, or give you fellas something to

take your frustration out on.

SWISH

(into radio)

What makes you say there has been no progress?

ERIC

(over radio)

I've made an ally with one of them. He knows he can

survive here and be a part of our plan, and because of

that, he gives me stuff.

SWISH

(into radio)

Stuff like what?

ERIC

(over radio)

Stuff like whatever functioning government we have left,

is vacationing somewhere over the North Atlantic.

Communications are going down all over the place. Word

has it there might even be some bombing in the cities,

maybe even the beaches...it's a real mess, out there...

Grover's plan is a reality, boys. Get used to that concept...

SWISH

Any good news, sweetheart?

Suddenly, everyone turns at the sound of something...

Eric comes over radio as they all stare into the dark woods.

ERIC

(over radio)

Yeah, you're a part of Grover's plan!

Someone or something is coming out of the dark woods, right toward the prisoners and their campfires...

It's someone, maybe carrying something/someone...

It's Stix, carrying a deer, as everyone watches…

ERIC

(over radio)

You still there?

Stix walks right into Swish's area, dropping the deer down in front of them, and turning away...

ERIC

(over radio)

Swishy?

STIX

Tomorrow, we go see for ourselves what's going on

down below... (turning and walking away) Tonight...

we feast!

Prisoners all erupting with applause/cheers...

Swish smiles, and turns on the radio for Eric to hear the excited prisoners.

SWISH

(into radio)

Oh, we're still here, baby...

Swish puts down radio, smiling...

SWISH

I'm beginning to think that Stix wants me to be his

number two.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Gary, Conner and a couple other prisoners, leading Swish, Stix and most of the other prisoners (with guns), through the woods...

SWISH

(talking to Stix)

I'd been waiting for you to start leading like this...

Stix not replying, just walking on in silence, as Swish watches him...

SWISH

You know, the other guys being so fond of you, is not

the only reason you came to be my number 2.

Swish giving Stix a chance to respond, but still walking on in silence...

SWISH

Grover himself, ordered me to do so...

Stix a look at Swish...

STIX

I don't even know Grover.

SWISH

He knows you... We all know you...what you did.

Stix walking in silence...

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. ADRIAN'S FRONT PORCH – MORNING

Adrian and his hysterical wife Abigail, on the porch, several squad cars are parked in front of their house.

ABIGAIL

I don't get it. Why do they keep talking to your brother?

What does he have to do with this? (sobbing)

Adrian pacing, taking a few steps toward porch steps, but stopping at the sight of an officer standing down below, next to basement apartment door...

CUT TO:

Several officers in basement apartment, speaking to Stix, whose face is full of tears.

OFFICER

So, you're sure you never saw her again after she went

back upstairs, or that she went back up there at all?

STIX

I told you, I'm certain. I hugged her goodnight, kissed

her on her forehead and watched her walk out,

followed by her footsteps (motioning toward window)

right up the front porch.

Stix sobbing...

OFFICER

It's okay, calm down Mr. Vasquez. How come you're

so upset?

All officers closely watching his reaction, as he looks up at the officer who asked him that, with astonishment...

STIX

What do you mean, why am I so upset? Are you FU...

The rest of what Stix asks is heard out on porch, by Adrian and Abigail.

STIX

(off-screen)

CKING KIDDING ME?!

Abigail looks at Adrian with fear and shock...

DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – DAY

POV through binoculars (from behind a fence), of the Glenwood camp, with soldiers out and about, and some guarding the gates. A couple different soldiers can be seen up in each other's faces, on the verge of fighting...

Yelling can be heard, from inside one of the command center areas. It sounds like one pissed off Colonel, frustrated and shouting profanity, along with knocking things over, before storming outside, walking further away, as he tried to reach someone over his radio...

POV Swish coming out from behind binoculars, and next to Stix, Conner, Gary, GW and two other prisoners.

SWISH

Well...guess we're getting all paranoid over nothing.

These guys are on the verge of losing it.

GARY

We could take these guys! Let's just storm them.

Swish shaking his head, with a relieved look from Stix.

SWISH

Naw, I don't care for Erica, but he's right, we'd lose men.

(Looks at Gary and the others) Fall back.

Suddenly, a gunshot is fired, from up the hill a ways. Swish and them freeze, with a look up ahead, then back toward the camp, before running up ahead. Swish getting on his radio.

SWISH

(over radio)

Divit? What's happening?!

Swish and them keep running, before Divit finally answers...

DIVIT

(over radio)

We had to shoot a couple...dead people... One of

them got Miller.

Swish and them, can already hear excitement growing from the camp, as they continue up hill, toward the growing sound of someone in agony. They eventually reach Divit and the others.

Swish takes a look at the dead bodies, and Miller on the ground crying out in pain from a terrible bite. Suddenly, he's stuck in the head with a hatchet. Swish turns back to look at Stix. He nods and then begins leading everyone back uphill...

Down below, at the Glenwood Camp, soldiers are arming up and some already leaving through the gates, on foot and in vehicles...

CUT TO:

EXT. PRISON CAMP – DAY

Swish and all the others (tired and out of breath) arriving back at the camp. Swish goes onto radio.

SWISH

(into radio)

Everything still good at your point, Divit?

DIVIT

(over radio)

No sign of them.

CONNER

(over radio)

Clear here, too. I don't think they'll waste their time

coming up this far.

SWISH

(into radio)

Alright, keep the radio open, but warn us asap, if we're

going to war.

Stix looks around at all the others...

STIX

We need to be smarter...more prepared...

GARY

What the hell does that mean?

STIX

Grover said they aren't hard to kill. They're brainless,

and the brain is exactly what takes them down.

GARY

Again, I have to ask, where the hell are you going with

this?

STIX

We need to be educated enough against these things,

to take them out without wasting precious ammo, not

to mention sounding off an alarm for the U.S. military.

SWISH

That's not the U.S. military. It's a bunch of scared slaves

with no one to take command from, anymore...but Stix

is right... Those dead fucks should have been taken down

without using a gun.

Everyone silent a moment, before Eric comes over radio.

ERIC

(over radio)

Swisher, what in the hell are you jailbirds doing up there,

or should I say, down here?

SWISH

(into radio)

Jailbirds, that's funny, after the view I just had of your

glorious living situation. Least we're free, up here.

ERIC

(over radio)

Then why the rush to come down here?!

SWISH

(into radio)

Valid point, but we had to see for ourselves. Can't

blame us for being skeptical.

ERIC

You might have actually helped your cause. They

appear more paranoid than ever.

SWISH

(into radio)

Then perhaps it's time to have some fun...

Stix an unsure look at Swish, while Gary and some of the others, look excited...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – NIGHT

Swish, Stix, Gary, Conner, Divit and other prisoners crouched down in the brush. Swish is holding the radio.

ERIC

(over radio)

Your light is green. I repeat, your light is green.

Swish, the others, and tons of other prisoners rise and exit the brush, they charge forward and take aim. They open fire on all the nearby guards, taking down several of them. They briefly open fire on the command center, before turning and running back into the brush, and disappearing...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – DAWN

A car is on fire and rolling fast, down the hillside, crashing into the Glenwood perimeter fence, and rolling on inside. Soldiers are scrambling to the scene.

POV Gary and other prisoners smiling, and disappearing into the brush...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PRISON CAMP – DAY

Swish sleeping in his tent, as Stix comes to wake him...

STIX

(handing him the radio)

Grover's back.

Swish quick to rise and take radio, as he comes out of tent, with gathering curious prisoners...

SWISH

(into radio)

Grover?

GROVER

(over radio)

Swish, buddy! I hear you've been proving just how valuable

you and your fine men are. Eric, here has nothing but good

things to say about you, and your developing relationship

with one another. I'm glad to hear that, I really am. Cause

listen up, and play this for everyone to hear. I come with good

and bad news. First the bad. I won't be staying, not even

long enough to greet you fine boys down from the hill top.

Things are not going as smooth at the other camp. It's too

close to the city and swamped with the dead. You guys have

no idea how good you have it, out here.

SWISH

(into radio)

That's not the good news is it?

GROVER

(over radio, and laughing)

You're right Eric, he is funny. No, Swish, it's not. The good

news is, I'm a man of my word. I've not only brought the

supplies, heavy machinery and equipment, to build the

safest possible way of living, in this new world, but I've

brought the WOMEN!

Prisoners cheering with excitement, as Grover goes on.

GROVER

(over radio)

I've brought the BOOZE! (more cheers) I've brought the

supplies and personnel to make that moonshine, I promised,

once the booze runs out! (more cheering) I've brought more

weapons (cheering), more ammo (cheering), and did I

mention WOMEN?!

The prisoners erupting with excitement!

GROVER

(over radio)

So, get on down here! Get started on your new lives, your

new home. Follow the plan I've set in motion...and make

me proud, upon my return!

More cheering which develops into chanting, "Grover, Grover, Grover", as Swish plays their chanting over the radio, for him to hear...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – DAY

Prisoners coming out of the brush, toward the fenced perimeter. They begin approaching the gate, which is wide open...

The soldiers appear to be gone, other than one army jeep and a few guys in uniform, among all the other tons of people. There are also tons of equipment, trucks and even semis with long flatbeds. There is a logging team of guys, sitting or standing on the flatbeds, watching the prisoners arrival...

Everyone begins watching them. The others appear to be mostly single mothers, with their children. There are tons of them. The younger of the women appear not to have children, but even those who do, are fairly young themselves. Some of them are gawking over the size of GW, and intimidated, by how intimidating he appears…

Suddenly, one of the loggers stands up and pulls out a blowhorn.

ERIC

It's nice to officially meet you, Swisher.

Everyone (including the women and their families) turns to give their attention to Eric...

ERIC

(over blowhorn)

It's nice to meet you all. My name is Eric, and I'm one of

the three co-leaders here at Camp Glenwood. I share that

responsibility with Mr. Swisher, who I believe likes to go

by Swish. The two of us, share our leadership with Ramiro

Vazquez, who I believe goes by Stix. I guess he has a

special skill set that goes along with that name. (looking

over all the prisoners) Would the two of you like to

present yourselves?

Stix a strange look at Swish, as they both walk out in front of all the other prisoners...

ERIC

(over blowhorn)

We all know that Grover is our one true leader. It's up to the

three of us, to ensure he doesn't have to worry about how we

run this place, how we live our new lives. You already know

what he wants in return, for everything he's provided us…and

that's loyalty. Loyalty to the camp, and loyalty to him and the

other camp. We have their backs, and they have ours. It's

really that simple...

SWISH

(muttering)

Nothing's that easy...

ERIC

(over blowhorn)

Anything you guys would like to add before we get started?

Because we are about to be very busy, building ourselves a

safe place from what's going on (motioning at gate), out there.

Stix silently looking at Swish, as scene dissolves...

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

INT. ADRIAN'S FRONT ROOM – EVENING

Abigail is pacing around. She looks outside, at the police car, parked across the street. She turns back around, facing Adrian, who is holding their baby.

ABIGAIL

They're here for him, they're watching him! (becoming

hysterical) He did this. (Adrian trying to calm her) Your

brother did something to her. He did something to our

baby! (running for the door) He knows where she is!

She goes out front door, running down the steps. Adrian is inside placing baby in playpen, then running after Abigail. She reaches bottom of steps, turning and going for basement door. Officers from the squad car are now running to the scene...

She barges through basement door. Stix, with tears, comes toward her. She grabs him.

ABIGAIL

WHAT'D YOU DO TO HER!? WHERE IS MY BABY!? YOU

DID THIS! (crying) What did you do to her!? (crying

hysterically) Oh my god, what did you do to my baby!?

Officers running through door, grabbing her. Stix is crying. Adrian comes in, grabbing his wife.

She continues to sob hysterically...

ABIGAIL

Our little girl, our baby. She can't be gone, she has to

be alive, oh my god...

DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – EVENING

Stix walking alone, with a look of anger. He approaches Swish...

SWISH

Before you even get all pissy with me, don't bother.

I had no idea you were included in this co-leadership

crap. Okay, I did, but I didn't agree with it.

Stix rolling his eyes.

STIX

I can already see my real role here. The two of you are

going to compete for my loyalty, simply to be the most

powerful of the so-called co-leadership. Which of

course leaves me as the real one, leading things...

Swish amused and laughing out loud, with a pat of Stix's back.

SWISH

(laughing)

Now see, that's the Stix, right there that I don't mind

sharing a true co-leadership with.

POV pans back over all the different people inside the camp, hard at work, moving supplies, fueling trucks, loading supplies...

DISSOLVE TO: DAWN

Loggers, many of the prisoners (finally dressed differently) and even some of the teenage boys, all loaded up (in the trucks/semis, and flatbeds) and driving through the gates of the camp. Stix standing on the end of one of the flatbeds, Swish nowhere around...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. WOODS – MORNING

All the vehicles coming to a stop, in an area full of trees. All the men begin piling out or jumping down off the flatbeds. Eric jumps out in front of everyone, to get their attention.

ERIC

So...a dozen men working as guards, at all times. You'll be

armed with guns, but unless you absolutely can't avoid it,

it's required you use your axes. If a group of them show up,

make sure everyone stops what they're doing, and we work

together to take care of the problem. We came out this far,

to avoid the dead, but we'll be making a ton of noise, so

who knows.

DISSOLVE TO: AFTERNOON

POV (tons of noise) panning over the guards. One of them watches as another uses his axe, to kill a huff. Another guard actually laughs over the death of it, while another shakes his head, in disbelief...

Loggers, with help of prisoners, are hard at work using their equipment to bring down tree after tree...

POV of them loading tree after tree onto the flatbeds...

DISSOLVE TO: AFTERNOON

Everyone now loaded up, as the vehicles begin driving away from that location...

Eric is on the same flatbed as Stix, and approaching him...

ERIC

I actually think I saw you smile, once, out there today.

Eric taking a seat right next to Stix...

ERIC

I take it that means you didn't mind me suggesting that

Swisher remained at camp, rather than you?

STIX

I didn't mind...

ERIC

This way he gets a chance to lead without us. I get the

feeling that's how he prefers to lead. (looking right at

him) What about you, Ramiro? How do you feel about

Grover's plan?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – AFTERNOON

Most men are way outside the original army fenced perimeter, hard at work, putting up the first tree logs, as part of their new perimeter...

The women watch from behind the fence, curiously and gratefully...

Some of the prisoners are killing off approaching huffs...

Swish is arriving next to Stix...

SWISH

So, how'd it go, out there? Erica make her move on

you, yet?

Stix a faint laugh as he shakes his head…

DISSOLVE TO: EVENING

Everyone wrapping it up. Many men entering through the gates, some of them simply dropping down on the green grass. Others are greeted by women, with cold drinks and happy smiles. Many men look happy, while some without women, don't look so happy.

PRISONER

(mumbling to himself)

I work all day, and no one gives a damn about me...

DISSOLVE TO: NIGHT

Everyone celebrating/drinking, at the back-end of the camp. It's fairly noisy.

POV cuts to guards, patrolling the fences.

POV cuts to guards at the gate, running through, toward some huffs, and taking them down...

POV cuts to the party. Some women are happily drinking/celebrating with loggers/prisoners, while other women remain alone, as do some of the men...

One man begins forcing himself on a woman, trying to lead her away...

Eric shows up, trying to calm the guy down. The guy slowly walks away, mumbling something under his breath...

ERIC

What was that? You mumble your shit at me, you best

mumble it loud enough for me to hear what you're saying,

son.

Eric watches him continue to walk away, then turns to see most eyes on him...

ERIC

Let me be clear about this one. There will be laws, here...

There will be respect for women, here… There will be

consequences for those who don't understand this.

Suddenly, the man Eric had stopped, from assaulting the woman, is now holding a gun to Eric's head...

PRISONER

I didn't follow rules too well in the last world, and it's not

looking so great in this one. Pretty sure my other co-leaders

won't trouble me with any of your so-called consequences...

Suddenly, a hatchet sails through the air, with its backside hitting the gun, and knocking it out of the prisoner's hand. Stix is coming directly at him, swinging a knife in his hand, on the verge of easily tossing it right at him, if needed...

STIX

How sure are ya?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. GLENWOOD CAMP HOUSE – NIGHT

Swish and Stix alone in a house.

STIX

You do realize if that guy had blown his head off, then that

wall out there would not finish going up. You really think

the rest of those loggers are just going to fall in line with

you. They know where the other camp is, they'll just go

there, and tell Grover what happened, and then what? I

mean, you are actually smarter than this, right?

Swish just staring at him with a smile...

SWISH

I didn't say I was concerned with you saving your new

buddy...I just expressed concern with how close you and

that new buddy, are becoming...

Swish a look at him, while heading out the door...

SWISH

Don't want the next gun being pointed at my head...

DISSOLVE TO: MONTAGE

A montage of a couple weeks or so...

Everyone waking with the sunrise, loading up the trucks, hopping on and driving away...

Arriving at the same location, to cut down more trees...

Tree after tree drops to the ground. Guards take out a couple huffs. More trees going down. Trees being loaded on the flatbeds...

The truck cavalry back on the road, loaded with trees...

Truck cavalry arriving at Glenwood Camp...

Trees being unloaded...

Trees being put up...

Mothers bringing drinks/food to their teenage sons and daughters, who are hard at work. Other mothers supplying drinks/food to hard working prisoners/loggers...

Some of the guards are showing some of the women (and/or their teens) how to use/load guns, and how to use spears to approach huffs. The women are showing an interest to learn how to survive, in the new world...

Days turn into nights, and nights into mornings...

The women continue to be useful in helping around camp, some of them now even joining the truck cavalry. Some of them as guards, some of them hard at work. Some of them now in relationships, kissing their men before those men climb on the flatbeds, waving or blowing kisses as they drive away, being made fun of by some of the other men.

More trees coming down, more trees going up...

Days into nights, nights into mornings...

Stix throwing his hatchet...

Stix carrying a deer into camp, dropping down where others are quick to begin gutting it...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

A few men and women are setting up the "moonshine kitchen."

Days to night, night to morning...

A woman guard at the Glenwood gate, killing her first huff, then celebrating with some others...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days getting dark, dark turning to dawn...

Teenagers yawning, as they dress for the day...

Teenagers half asleep, as they sit on the flatbeds while driving through the gates...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Camp fires, meat cooking, people drinking and having good times...

The camp fires go out, dark becomes dawn, camp fires still smoking...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days burns out, night gives way to dawn...

Truck cavalry on the road...

Suddenly, they are stopping/pulling over to side of road. Everyone is curiously watching, as a vehicle can be heard approaching...

It's a hummer, slowly making its way by them. Stix stands to watch. Porter can be seen in front passenger seat, looking out at them...

It goes by, and keeps driving...

Stix jumps down, as Eric comes running over...

ERIC

That wasn't, Grover, was it?

STIX

He would have stopped, right?

ERIC

Yeah, so...then who the hell was that?

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days to night, nights to days...

Truck cavalry going down the road. Eric sitting with Stix, on flatbed...

STIX

Another hummer? Not the same one?

ERIC

This one was supposedly in bad shape, barely running.

Josh and Larry were right at the road when it went by,

early this morning. Said it looked like that thing had

been through World War 3...

STIX

I think we're all going through World War 3...

ERIC

Fair point... But whoever they are and whoever they

went to war with, we're sure not alone out here...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

POV begins panning around the progress of the wall and the camp. There is much progress, yet so much still to be, when it comes to building the entire perimeter...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days to nights, nights to days...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Teenagers in the woods, watching and learning how to build traps...

Teenagers bringing squirrel and rabbit into the camp...

Teenagers learning how to clean/cook the animals...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days to nights, nights to days...

Two men working in the moonshine kitchen…

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Guards at the Glenwood Camp, killing multiple huffs...

Guards in the woods (while others work), killing a huff...

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Days to nights, nights to days...

Truck cavalry riding down road. Stix enjoys the fresh air, and the view, but suddenly something catches his attention...

His POV of a little girl (Sam) in the brush, with someone else (DJ), hiding and watching them drive by...

Stix looks around at the others, making sure no one else noticed...

He says nothing, as they keep going...

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. ADRIAN'S BACKYARD – NIGHT

POV pans in on basement window, it eventually begins to slowly come ajar, and Stix begins climbing out...

POV from inside of window, of Stix outside, as he creeps through the yard, hops a fence and disappears down an alley...

CUT TO:

Stix hiding in a bush, watching a house window, as someone inside, goes upstairs, and shuts off lights...

DISSOLVE TO:

Stix crawling through a window, into the house...

He begins creeping around...

He checks closets, spare rooms, before going down into basement (pulling out and turning on a flashlight)

In basement he looks all around, in every room. He finds nothing, and goes back upstairs...

DISSOLVE TO:

Stix now slowly creeping up the staircase to the upper level (flashlight now off, but in hand)

He comes to a bedroom, listens, and slowly opens. He shines light. It's a spare room, from the look of it...

He walks inside, looking around, and walking toward closet. He peeks inside, before turning and leaving, while shutting off his flashlight...

He crosses hall, over into next room, creeping inside. Keeping his flashlight off, he walks over to where a small child is sleeping. He stands there over the child's bed, just staring down at him. He looks around, before slowly creeping back out…

He leaves the room, and stares ahead, at the only other room...

He walks over to it, placing ear against it...

DISSOLVE TO: PRESENT TIME

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – DAY

Trees being taken off the flatbeds...

Trees being mounted into the ground...

Everyone suddenly gathering inside the fences, around Eric (holding blowhorn), standing next to a man holding a helmet, with a motorcycle right next to him.

In the background, a few men take care of a couple of huffs, who were approaching the area. They take them down, then approach all the others…

ERIC

(over blowhorn, waving a letter)

An update from Grover...(he begins reading) It's quite simply

too dangerous for me to travel, at this time. I will do my best

to continue communication. And on that note, I need to warn

you of an enemy. Somewhere in Beaverton, between us and

you, is such an enemy. They've killed over a dozen of our men,

and are a large part of the reason I won't be traveling for the

time being. There is way too much going on, to be going to

war with anyone, at this time. So, for now, continuing to build

and secure our camps, is the best course of action. That, and

continue to grow. The more people you bring in, the bigger

our army becomes. But be wise in who you offer this sanctuary,

too. There will be those who'd prefer to simply take it, for their

greedy selves… Now… If trouble comes to you, then defend

yourselves and your land, with every damn thing you have.

Leave Beaverton alone, for now, but if Beaverton comes to you,

let them know who Grover is!

The men cheering, Eric waiting to finish...

ERIC

(over blowhorn)

The sooner we finish our camps...the sooner we can

invade Beaverton, together, and show these bastards,

who runs this part of the new Oregon...

More cheering...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP - DAY

Trees coming down, trees going up...

Men busy working all around the camp. A motorcycle is in the background, leaving the camp, as Eric approaches Stix, who's next to logger equipment, as men use it to set up the next log…

Stix staring right at Eric, as he arrives…

ERIC

What?

STIX

Nice letter… Any more to it?

ERIC

That's what I wanted to talk to you about. (Eric

looking around) He asked me how things were going.

I shared some concerns with him…

STIX

Concerns?

ERIC

You and me, Stix, we're on the same page, which makes

this new life and responsibilities we share, much easier to

go about. But your buddy, Swish, who I'm not even so sure,

is actually your buddy, is the one part of Grover's plan, that

I have concerns with.

STIX

And how do you figure Grover will react to that news?

ERIC

He's a fair man, I'm not worried about his reaction. I'm

more focused on yours?

STIX

Figured that's where the conversation was heading…

ERIC

I think you share my concerns, and understand that might

feel risky, for you to voice, but we have a great plan here, in

front of us to follow. There's a flaw in that plan, and we

have to get out in front of it, before it spreads…

Stix looking around, hesitating to respond…

STIX

The men are loyal to him. Thinking whatever you're

thinking, might be an even bigger flaw than the one you

seek to illuminate.

ERIC

Hence the reason I'm sharing those thoughts with you…

Stix just looking at him…

STIX

Tell me about your connection to Grover?

ERIC

Like Swish, he hired me. Paid once a year, at Christmas,

in person, and we'd go over the routine, (gesturing around

them) and thank god we did.

Stix shaking his head…

STIX

You knew him better than that.

Eric looking right at him…

ERIC

Alright…I'll be transparent with you. I knew him when

younger, high school. He moved on to bigger and better

things, eventually became loaded, and I had no idea at

first, why he contacted me again after so many years.

Seemed very interested in (gesturing around them) my

line of work, as a logger.

Stix looking right at him…

ERIC

The thing you need to know about Grover, is that he's

exactly where he wants to be. I'm not questioning his

ability to get here, but his real people, family and

friends, are at his present location. That's why this one

here, it's all about you and I…at least it can be…

Stix looking away, thinking…

ERIC

I know your story, Stix. (Stix looking right at him) I

know what kind of human being you are…

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. PARKING LOT – NIGHT

Stix carefully sneaking around a parking lot. He ducks down as a car goes by, followed by a happy couple, laughing and holding hands as they get into their car. They start the engine and exit the parking lot. Stix slowly rises, and begins breaking into a car. He looks all around, finding a spare key. He starts engine and drives away…

CUT TO:

Stix, parking car on side of street, shutting off engine and staring across street, at that same house…

DISSOLVE TO: (still night)

Same location, as Stix continues to watch the house. No lights come on, but the door comes open, as a man slowly comes outside and just as slowly closes the door, before walking over to his vehicle. Stix eagerly watching, as the guy drives away. Stix ducks down to avoid being seen. Then rises, watches him drive away, and then stares over at the dark house, that he had left from…

DISSOLVE TO: REAL TIME

EXT. GLENWOOD CAMP – MORNING

Eric leaving with the logger caravan, as Stix watches, while gathered up with a group of his own. Stix and his group (all with packs, and hunting gear) begin heading out on foot.

Suddenly, Swish opens the door to his cabin. He's geared up and ready to go. Two women are inside, lazily lounging around.

SWISH

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Stix stops, looking, as Gary and a large handful of Swish's other loyal buddies, are also geared up ready to go, and heading their direction, as is Swish…

Stix just watching them arrive…

SWISH

I've always wanted to learn how to hunt…

DISSOLVE TO:

Swish, Stix and all the rest of them, hiking through the woods, searching for something to hunt…

SWISH

We're worried about ya, Stix. You've been spending a

lot of time with our new "co-leader".

Stix hesitates before responding…

STIX

Keep your friends close, enemies closer…

SWISH

(nodding)

Now that's what I like to hear… What else I'd like to

hear, is what has it gotten you, so far?

STIX

What do you mean?

SWISH

(shaking head)

Anything interesting you've learned from your new buddy?

STIX

Not really. He's rather boring. Grover hired him due to his

logging team and like you, was paid every Christmas. He

did mention that Grover's with family and friends, at the

other camp. He thinks we could end up on our own, here.

Swish taking in the information…

SWISH

What do you think?

STIX

I think Grover went through too much effort to have us

here…he'll be back.

SWISH

Agreed, at least eventually, but I do think we have

some time.

STIX

Time for what?

SWISH

To plot…

Stix a look at Swish, as they all walk along…

STIX

Maybe Eric's a problem, maybe he's not, but what

you're thinking, certainly is.

SWISH

Why is that, Stix?

STIX

How many people are already aware of your plan to

plot? You really think you can keep all that plotting,

from Grover?

SWISH

That's why I'm here talking to you about it. You can plot

with the best of them. Come up with something Grover

will never think twice about.

Stix just looking back at Swish, when suddenly commotion comes from up front, as everyone begins pulling out their weapons. Swish and Stix run to the front, finding their men holding guns on a man and his three kids (boys-15 and 16, girl-14). They are all filthy and look exhausted. The man is also holding a gun on them…

SWISH

Whoa, whoa. Easy, now.

MAN

We don't want any trouble. We were only hiding so that

you'd pass by and go on your way. We're just trying to

survive, like you guys.

SWISH

Then it's your lucky day.

STIX

He's not lying, we have a camp. We're putting up walls

and need more people.

Man, nervously pointing gun from Swish to Stix.

MAN

I heard these guys talking about prison. We saw some

of you when this first started. You're all convicts. I can't

trust my kids lives, with you people! They've already

lost their moth (cutoff)

SUDDENLY BOOM! A shot is fired directly into the man's head, as he goes down, with the kids in shock, behind him. Some of the prisoners laugh, some of them continue aiming guns at the kids…

STIX

Hold your fire! No more shooting!

Swish coming over, with a look right at the kids. The girl is scared and weeping. The younger boy is frightened and staring at the men, while his brother looks right at Swish, with hate and anger…

SWISH

I don't know, Stix. This one looks like he wants me dead.

STIX

Once we give him a life and a duty, he'll understand, this

was an accident.

Swish staring right into his eyes…

SWISH

No, I don't think he will. Maybe he'll pretend for a day, a

week, hell maybe a year…but eventually he already knows

there'll be a day when he puts a knife in my back, for the

death of his father, that he obviously blames me for.

Suddenly, the kid bolts, yelling for his brother and sister

BOY

RUN!

They all dash for the woods, but the oldest is quickly shot in the back. The girl screams as she and her brother continue to run. Several men go after her, but are quickly out ran by Stix, who reaches for his hatchet, while in pursuit…

STIX

I got this!

DISSOLVE TO:

Same location, as the dead teenage boy begins coming to life, as a huff. He slowly rises, as the prisoners watch in awe. They circle him, pushing him back as he goes for them…

GARY

There's gotta be a way to train these things. (some laughs)

Suddenly, a hatchet comes out of nowhere, right into the huff's head, taking him down. The men all watch, as Stix goes right to the kid, removing his hatchet from his skull…

SWISH

The girl didn't outrun ya, did she? (some laughs) I

know you didn't kill a little girl.

STIX

I didn't plan to… I wanted to bring them both back

to camp…

Everyone just staring at him…

GARY

So, what the hell did you do?

STIX

The boy broke his ankle. The girl wouldn't stop weeping.

I didn't want to, but… I put em' down…

SWISH

Such the sweetheart, Stix…

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GLENWOOD LANE – DAY

A little boy (Coke, 8) skipping rocks over the creek (next to another boy, Chance, 6), as his mom (Pepsi, 26, Australian accent) washes clothes (next to many other women) and looks up at him.

PEPSI

Try not to make much noise, Coke.

She looks all around. They are at the creek, with highway 6 on the other side, and the gate to the Glenwood camp back behind them. Women are washing clothes, while a few men stan around, with guns.

PEPSI

We don't want the sick to hear us.

COKE

They're dead, not sick.

One of the men (Damon, 35ish) is standing up on the bridge, looking over them.

DAMON

(holding gun)

He's okay, go ahead and have your fun. We can handle

the dead… And who the hell names they kid, Coke?

(laughing)… Is it cause his daddy black?

Coke begins skipping more rocks. Damon smiles as Pepsi turns toward him.

PEPSI

I'm just worried about a bunch of them, showing up…

And everyone calls me Pepsi…so Coke, made sense.

DAMON

(laughing)

Pepsi and Coke, (laughing) You the same, but you not. I

like it! And you can run, can't you? (laughing, gesturing

toward the gates/walls) Gate's right there. If you can't

make that, then you ain't lasting long, anyhow. (laughing)

PEPSI

(smiling)

I can make that with my kid over my shoulders and my

eyes closed. I was just worried about an army of them

blocking our gates… What happens then?

DAMON

Well they ain't getting' in, that's for sure.

PEPSI

Yeah, but then how do we get out?

DIFFERENT GUY

(GENO)

She's got a point. Eventually there will be much more

of them, then there are of us.

PEPSI

I think it's already that way…

A woman (Kaiden, 25), washes clothes next to Pepsi.

KAIDEN

Guess we can't blame Grover for not counting on a

billion or so dead people, roaming the planet.

DAMON

I bet most of em' all stay in the city…and they gotta die

eventually, right? When they run out of food, or some shit.

Pepsi responding, but quietly and only to Kaiden.

PEPSI

I wouldn't count on it…

Kaiden staring at Pepsi…

KAIDEN

So, how do you know Grover?

PEPSI

(shaking head)

I don't, actually. I was invited by a friend of mine, over 4

years ago. I haven't even seen her in at least 2 years, and

she doesn't appear to be here. She herself didn't even

know who was in charge of it all, and said a friend of hers

told her about it. We were just doing play dates with

our kids, and one day she mentioned this interesting thing

about a group of rich people who had a D-Day plan, for the

apocalypse, if and when it happened. She told me that if

things ever went to hell, to meet at George School, our old

middle school. (looking at Kaiden, who is nodding her head)

Is that how you got here?

KAIDEN

Not at George; It was a different school on the other side

of town. Did you guys get picked up by buses, too?

PEPSI

Bus, singular. It only had room for half of us. Those of us

left behind, were told more would come…

KAIDEN

And did they?

PEPSI

Not until the next morning, and this time there were 4

busses, and it was still not enough for everyone… People

kept showing up all night. I guess the D-Day plan was really

spread. We waited, and waited. Eventually it got so crowded,

and late, and so much was going on, that someone broke

into the school, and everyone began piling inside. The alarm

was going off, and I was actually considering leaving. I heard

sirens close by. We'd been hearing them all day and night,

but this one was now coming right our way. I remember

Coke asking, "are they coming for us, for breaking into the

School…?." And then we watched, as an ambulance crashed

right into a house across the street. It went right into their

living room! I just watched for a moment, until the people

who live there, came out screaming, and just running away

from the house. At that point it appeared going inside the

school, was our best option. We're here now, but…

(shaking head)

KAIDEN

What happened inside?

PEPSI

At first it wasn't too bad, but more and more people kept

showing up, and it got crazy crowded, in there. A few of the

dead began showing up, too. Everyone was panicking, but

thankfully there were only a few of them, and they weren't

able to get inside. As the night went on, and some people

began to sleep. Coke drifted, and I was almost out, until I

heard someone screaming. Some guys went down the hall,

to see what was happening. Eventually word had spread that

someone tried raping a girl, and killed her father or boyfriend,

not sure. We all piled into the gym, at least those who could

fit. Some people chose their own spots, in the school to

"camp". As the night went on, you could hear random

screams, throughout the dark halls. Knowing someone there

had killed someone, no one dared to enter those halls, to see

what was happening, and going outside didn't seem

like much of an option, as well. It was the longest

night of my life…

KAIDEN

What was all the screaming?

PEPSI

I don't know… Girls being raped? Maybe killed… It was

like the Superdome during Katrina.

KAIDEN

Oh my god…

PEPSI

By daylight, (developing tears) there was a little boy, out

in the hall, alone and crying. People kept trying to figure

out who he belonged to, but…(shaking head) All I could

think, was that his mom was raped and killed. Then

suddenly those buses began pulling up, and people were

piling out of the school. Everyone tried to rush onto the

buses, but were met by men with guns, who said women

and children first. But they were turning down the older

women. People were getting violent. One of the bus men

actually shot a guy dead. It was a mess. Then I saw that

poor little boy, lost from his mom. I watched a random

guy grab him, and use him to get on one of the buses. It

reminded me of that scene from Titanic, when the real

asshole guy grabbed the little peasant girl, to use as his

ticket onto a lifeboat…

KAIDEN

I know exactly what part you're talking about.

PEPSI

Eventually we made it onto one of the buses, and while

taking off, saw 2 more buses arrive, which picked up the

rest of the people…meaning whoever raped and killed

that little boy's mother, and god knows who else, made it

onto one the buses, and is probably here among us,

somewhere…

Kaiden looking around, with a creeped-out expression…

PEPSI

It's all I could think about while everyone began

unloading off of those buses… Every guy I looked at…

KAIDEN

That's so creepy… What about the boy?

Pepsi pointing over at the other boy, next to Coke…

KAIDEN

(eyes wide)

That's him?

PEPSI

That first day at the Portland Camp, they were asking

who he belonged too, obviously abandoned by the guy

who used him, as a ticket.

KAIDEN

So, you took him?

PEPSI

I grabbed that kid and hugged him for a week. Next thing

I know, he was my responsibility. What else am I going to do?

KAIDEN

You think the guy who took him onto the bus, could be the

one who…

PEPSI

Who knows…I just keep hoping whoever it was, is still at the

Portland Camp, and not here…

POV Chance, quietly watching Coke…

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. FOGGY HIGHWAY – DAY

A baby fawn and it's mother walking along the highway. One of the prisoners is aiming an arrow at it, with his bow, and releasing. The mother deer goes down.

Stix takes notice of something/someone diving into the brush. He cautiously looks around, while walking forward, aiming his hatchet, and tossing it at the fawn…

As the prisoners gather the dead deer, share some laughs and begin leaving the area, disappearing into the fog, Stix remains while looking all around, before slowly disappearing into that fog…

DISSOLVE TO:

More clear conditions (little fog remains), as the prisoners hike through the woods, a couple of them carrying the deer…

Swish begins staring at Stix, as they hike along…

SWISH

Did you really kill that girl?

Stix turning to look at Swish…

STIX

I didn't want to, I wasn't going to. I went after them to

save them…

Swish just staring at him a few moments…

SWISH

Did it remind you of your niece?

Stix gripping his hatchet, squeezing it, and suddenly tossing it right at Swish, but missing as it goes into the tree, back behind him. In shock, he looks back at it, and before he can ever react, Stix rams him right into that tree, next to the hatchet, and gets right into his face, just staring into his eyes…

STIX

Mention my niece again, and you'll get to meet her!

Gary and a handful of others, come to the tree, aiming their weapons at Stix… Swish smiles…

SWISH

Yeah…I kinda knew I was asking for it, with that one.

My bad…

Stix still holding him there, staring, before slowly letting go…

Swish walks away with a pat to Stix's back…

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. WOODS – NIGHT

A car driving on a dirt road, coming to a stop in the middle of nowhere, shutting off the car, but leaving headlights on. A man slowly begins climbing out of car, walking over to side of the road, and into the woods…

Another car (headlights off) comes to a stop, up a ways from the other car. Inside is Stix, looking over at the other car, and the guy, who appears to be off the side of the road, just standing next to a tree. Stix watches, as the guy begins kneeling down. Stix has a pocket knife in his hand, as he reaches for the door, and quietly climbs out…

POV the man, knelt down toward an area of dirt. He was sobbing…

MAN

Oh my god…what have I done? I…I didn't mean to do

this…I would do anything to see your smiling happy

face, again.

Suddenly, a flashlight comes over the area (revealing the man as Juan, Abigail's brother), as he jumps! Stix comes running right at him! He tackles him, beating on him.

STIX

WHAT DID YOU DO?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!

DISSOLVE TO: (moments later)

Stix, an emotional mess as he finishes tying Jaun, to the steering wheel of his car, and letting him sit there on the ground, in front of the car door, weeping. Stix goes running back toward the dirt. He begins using his hands to dig through it.

STIX

Oh my good god you BETTER HOPE I DON'T FIND HER

HERE! Why are you crying?! What did you do?! Oh my

god please don't let her be here! What did you do?!

WHAT DID YOU DOOOO?!

Scene dissolving as Stix uses his hands like a mad man, to dig through the dirt…

DISSOLVE TO: REAL TIME

EXT. WOODS – DAY

Stix, Swish and the others all walking through woods, and coming to a sudden stop. Everyone freezes, holds up their guns, and those carrying the deer, quietly place them down…

POV a deer, up ahead of them, froze in place, and looking all around…

Suddenly, the men all hear something else, off in the other direction. They all turn. One of them spots something, raises his bow, and releases an arrow.

It sticks the fifteen-year-old boy in the gut, who drops immediately. His sister drops to his side, weeping.

Swish turns to watch the deer running off, then to Stix, and then heading over toward the dead boy. Gary and others follow. Stix just stands there, before heading over…

Swish looks over the dead boy, then the girl, before turning toward Stix. Once he arrives, Swish violently grabs the hatchet from him and places it in Stix's hand, dragging him toward the weeping girl.

SWISH

DO IT, STIX! Do what you obviously couldn't do before!

What you claimed you had already done! You do that shit

right now, or so help me god I will do you both!

All the others just silently watching, as the girl weeps.

STIX

I only made it up because they got away from me! I

figured they'd be long gone and what the hell did a

couple of children have to do with anything. They

were no threat.

SWISH

Until they scare our food away! Not that I can eat

right now, anyway, after all that bullshit you just put

in my face!

Suddenly, in the far distance, the sound of horses can be heard, as they all turn to look.

GARY

What the…

CONNER

Was that a horse?

Swish grabs the hatchet and with one powerful blow, ends the girl's suffering, and silences her weeping, as he begins heading off toward the sound of the horses, while breaking out his radio.

SWISH

(over radio)

Glenwood, you read me?

DISSOLVE TO: FLASHBACK

EXT. WOODS – NIGHT

Stix's hands are bloody, as he continues to dig his way through the dirt. He is tiring, weeping and out of breath…but keeps going.

STIX

Please don't be here…please…please…don't be. (cutoff)

Suddenly, he feels something, he freezes, then panics as he quickly digs around it, working to pull up what appeared to be a carpet.

STIX

No, no, no, no, no.

He suddenly pulls enough of it open to see her body.

STIX

NO!

He works just a little more, enough to pull her half way out, and instantly begins hugging her lifeless body. Weeping out of control.

STIX

NO, MY BABY GIRL, NO! NO, NO, NO! OH GOOOODD!

OH MY GOD! NOOOO! AHHHH!

Stix weeps uncontrollably… He can't stop… He holds her… Eventually he begins to calm, enough to hear the sobs of Abigail's brother. Stix turns toward the car. He reaches for the pocket knife and fires it at Jaun, sticking him in the shoulder.

Jaun cries out, as Stix is coming at him, in a rage like a wild man. He reaches him and uses his bloody hands/fists to literally beat that man to death. He breaks his own hands using them repeatedly, to continue beating him, long after he is dead…

DISSOLVE TO: REAL TIME

EXT. WOODS/BRUSH – DAY

Swish is right up in Stix's face (speaking to him in a hushed voice), with Gary and others close by.

SWISH

This is it, Stix, this is where you prove you have what it

takes. This is where you prove your loyalty. We all know

you can kill, but do you truly have what it takes, to be

what Grover signed you up to be? Are you the leader

he believes you to be?

Stix looks around, all the men expecting him to prove his loyalty, and god knows what, if he doesn't…

He pulls out his hatchet, and walks forward.

GARY

(hushed voice)

This is how we get their attention! Do it, Stix!

The other men silently chanting him on. With even more men lined up in the brush. As Stix looks out of the brush, and readies his grasp on the hatchet, the POV pans back, revealing that all the prisoners are now present, and prepared to engage…

Stix closes his eyes, opens, and steps forward, launching the hatchet forward. It sails through the air, sticking Aiden in the throat. Bailey scratches Sam, jumping out of her arms and running off.

Stix is coming out toward them all, followed by Swish and the others…

Stix looks horrified by the situation, by what he had to do…

Sam, Zane, DJ, Renee, Eli, Marlana, Dakota and Cleo all look just as horrified…

BLACK

THE END