STAYIN' ALIVE PILOT written by · "PILOT" written by Oanh Ly ... Dr. Eleanor Hutchins, 33, a zombie...

STAYIN' ALIVE

"PILOT"

written by

Oanh Ly

UNITED TALENT AGENCYJOEL BEGLEITER AND LAUREN MELTZNER9560 Wilshire Blvd 5th FloorBeverly Hills, CA 90212310-273-6700 (R) WGAw

STAYIN’ ALIVEPILOT

WRITTEN BY OANH LY

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Dean Waterston: 23, works in the Recovery Department as a Zombie Catcher. Former college running back, now college-drop out. Trying to find his way back to glory.

Andy Sudduth: 32, Zombie Catcher and Dean’s partner. BBQ-happy, weekend loving blue-collar dad.

Dr. Eleanor Hutchins, 33, a zombie behaviorist, tasked with the job of finding out what makes a zombie happy and peaceful, naive optimist.

Dr. John Ryder, 60’s, Head of Zombie Control’s Rehabilitation Division. The boss of Building B. Conspiracy theorist. (Alan Rickman)

Sandy Dinkins, 23, a Zombie, former record-store employee.

Vincent Campbell, Janitor and ladies man. Has an accent of mysterious origin. (Luis Guzman)

Emo Jones: Security Officer/Exterminator. He’s trigger-happy and has a large gun collection.

Interviewer: A male British voice. (He’s never seen.)

Location: Austin, TX

TEASER

FADE IN:

MUSIC UP: A Cowpoke Rock version of the calypso tune “Zombie Jamboree”

EXT. DOWNTOWN AUSTIN STREETS - DAY

We are RUNNING WITH DEAN as he chases down a MAN. Dean is padded up in riot gear. He’s 23, athletic, barely breaking a sweat. He might even enjoy the chase if he wasn’t at work.

DEAN (V.O.)Sprinting. It’s pretty much what I do everyday.

The Man runs wildly. Limbs strangely flailing. He crashes into a trash can, catches the corner of a bistro table and keeps running. His clothes are dirty. Maybe he’s homeless.

DEAN (V.O.)Five days a week. And sometimes on pick-up shifts. I run and I catch.

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Dean in his University of Texas football uniform catches a pass at the 10 yard line and scores a touchdown. The home crowd goes wild. He celebrates with teammates.

DEAN (V.O.)I used to do it on the football field. I was months away from the draft. Everyone said I was destined for the pros.

INT. BAR - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Dean slams a Shiner Bock with his young attractive friends.

DEAN (V.O.)Life was great. I’d party every night.

Stayin' Alive "Pilot" written by Oanh Ly 1

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Dean is on a date with a pretty blonde, SANDY, who we’ll meet later. There’s a spark in the way they look at each other.

DEAN (V.O.)Date tons of hot chicks.

EXT. LAKE TRAVIS - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Dean is a bad-ass on a wakeboard. He’s got one hand on the handle. One hand on a beer. He rips by us and we’re COVERED IN HIS WAKE.

DEAN (V.O.)I was on my way to fame and fortune. But then the virus hit.

Off Dean whooping it up.

EXT. DOWNTOWN AUSTIN - STREETS

Back to Dean running hard after the Man. Concern on his face, not looking like a rock star.

PEOPLE ON THE STREET see the Man and react with disgust horror and fear. They get the hell out of his way.

As Dean moves closer and closer to the Man...

DEAN (V.O.)Now, instead of chasing down pigskins in the red zone, I’m chasing after zombies in the streets.

Dean sweeps the Man’s leg with his baton and he goes crashing to the ground. We get our first real look. REVEAL the Man is a ghoulish Zombie. Dry grey skin. Cracked lips. Ragged hair. Dead eyes. Rotting. Putrid. Dean’s got Zombie Man cornered.

DEANTake it easy buddy. I don’t want to hurt you.

The Zombie is blank-faced. But he cowers, pacing side to side. If we could sense fear and confusion from the dead, we’d see it in his body language.

Dean reaches into his pocket for a weapon.

DEAN (CONT’D)Pay no attention to what’s in my...


The Zombie SNAPS, CHARGES RABIDLY at Dean. Dean takes his taser out and shoots. The weapon is jammed.

DEAN (CONT’D)No no no.

As Dean backs away and the Zombie moves dangerously closer...

We hear CRACKLE. Electricity. The Zombie’s body convulses with currents running through him. He crashes to the ground. REVEAL ANDY behind him with a taser.

Dean shoots him a look. “Thanks for having my back.”

ANDYIt jammed?

Dean fires his taser at the zombie. This time, it works. The Zombie’s body twitches with double the voltage.

DEANThere it goes.

They wait casually until the electricity has run its course. Finally, the Zombie stops twitching.

ANDYHe’ll live.

Andy catches himself, laughs.

ANDY (CONT’D)Well, not live live.

INTERVIEW - DEAN

(The interviews are in the visual style of District 9)

DEANAndy tries to have fun. I can’t blame him. For me, zombie catching is just a job until I get my life back. It pays decent. Keeps me in shape.

INTERVIEWER (O.S.)What do you make of the facility?

DEANIt’s pretty high-tech.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTROL BUILDING (ZCB)/ADMITTING OFFICE - DAY

Similar to central booking. A Worker takes a picture of the Zombie. The image goes up on a computer.


The Zombie gets assigned a number. The image goes on a Zombie Control website labelled “Do You Know Me?”

DEAN (V.O.)Clean. People are nice. There’s a decent snack machine.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTROL BUILDING/COMMON ROOM - DAY

About a dozen Zombies are doing different activities. Rolling out bread dough, folding bed sheets, knitting, hitting a bongo, peeling oranges, etc. They move slow, almost like they’re sleepwalking. They’re all repeating their activity in a zombie trance. They don’t interact with each other.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)No, I mean what do you think of the work being done here?

INT. ZCB/CELL - DAY

Dean walks by a glass encased cell. He looks at a Zombie in his cell, blank-faced. Unresponsive to Dean walking by. He’s not alive or dead. He looks drugged. A trail of drool hangs off the side of his mouth. Dean’s disgusted.

INTERVIEW - DEAN:

DEANThe doctors think they can find a cure. I think whatever made them human is dead and gone. How the hell do you cure the dead?

END OF TEASER


ACT ONE

INT. ZOMBIE CONTROL BUILDING (ZCB)/HALLWAY - DAY

DR. HUTCHINS is in the hallway looking into a dimly lit cell. She carries a kit. Zombie Man (from teaser) is standing in the back corner. DR. RYDER joins.

RYDERWho’s this beauty?

HUTCHINSPatient 1084. Level Zero. Recent admit. He woke up and went straight to the corner.

RYDERThey always go to the corner.

INTERVIEW/DR. RYDER

RYDER (CONT’D)I’m Dr. John Ryder. Executive Director of Behavior and Rehabilitation. I oversee everything in this building.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)What does it mean when the new arrivals stand in the corner?

RYDERWe believe it means they’re scared.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)Zombies display fear?

RYDERZombies don’t display any emotions. They just...react.

INT. ZCB/HALLWAY - DAY

Dr. Ryder and Dr. Hutchins walk and talk.

RYDER(re: the kit)

Is that for Dead Fred?

HUTCHINSI wish you wouldn’t call him that.


RYDERTry not to be so serious Eleanor. It gives you wrinkles.

HUTCHINSFred is being released into his mom’s care this afternoon. I’m thrilled for him.

RYDEROne down. Hundreds to go.

INTERVIEW - DR. HUTCHINS

CHYRON: Dr. Eleanor Hutchins, Senior Zombie Behaviorist

HUTCHINSBecause viruses affect people differently, the infected behave differently. Yes, some of them are violent.

EXT. PARK - DAY

A VIOLENT ZOMBIE chases a Boy. Violent Zombie drools, almost foaming at the mouth. He gets arm’s distance to the Boy.

BANG. REVEAL Andy with a gun. He hits Violent Zombie in the chest. Violent Zombie goes down. The Boy is relieved. Andy feels like a hero.

Suddenly the Zombie reaches for the Boy and bites his ankle. Andy shoots the Zombie in the head twice. Andy looks at the Boy.

ANDYMy Bad.

INTERVIEW - DR. HUTCHINS

HUTCHINSBut most of them aren’t. We’ve found that if we give them something to do, a mundane activity, it helps rehab motor skills, which is a step towards re-humanizing them.

INTERVIEW - DR. RYDER:

RYDERThey become obsessed with the activity. If they are occupied, they are peaceful well-behaved zombies.


(MORE)

Our job is to find the right activity for each poor dead schmuck.

INT. ZCB/CELL - DAY

Zombie Man is still in the corner. Dr. Ryder lets Two Workers enter. One of them is EMO JONES, an over-zealous Security Officer. He aims his gun at Zombie Man.

EMOMove and I’ll blast you.

RYDERHe can’t understand you Rambo.

The other Worker quickly brings a Mannequin into the cell.

EMOClear.

The Workers exit. Dr. Ryder and Emo stand outside the cell and observe. Zombie Man faces the Mannequin. He puts his nose right up to the Mannequin’s face.

EMO (CONT’D)He’s going to eat her.

Male Zombie starts humping the Mannequin.

RYDERHow unoriginal.

Dr. Ryder writes something down on his clipboard.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. ZCB/CELL - DAY

SEQUENCE OF EXPERIMENTS:

-Emo slides a set of toy keys into the cell. A toy hammer. Playdoh. Colors and paper, a ball, blocks, etc. Zombie Man doesn’t react to anything.

-Then a bongo drum. Slowly Zombie Man approaches the drum and taps it with a finger. He does it again and again.

RYDERSound seems to sooth many of them.

Then suddenly, Male Zombie picks up the drum and throws it at camera.


RYDER (CONT'D)

EMOOr not.

INTERVIEW CAM - VINCENT CAMPBELL and EMO JONES:

Vincent wears a hair net. Stands next to his mop and bucket. Emo has his hand on his gun holster at all times.

They’re in front of a board labelled “TOP TEN WANTED ZOMBIES.” Pictures of Zombies taken from various security cameras fill the board.

EMO (CONT’D)If they bite you, you turn into one of them.

VINCENTTrue.

EMOYou’re walking home drunk from the strip-n-dine. A drooler pops out at ya. It’s game over. Burn them. All.

VINCENTOn the other hand, some of them don’t hurt nobody.

EMO(judgemental)

Commie.

INTERVIEW CAM - DR. HUTCHINS:

She stands in front of a board labelled “Do You Know Me?” It’s filled with pictures of documented Zombies in their mugshots.

HUTCHINSEvery one of these zombies was someone’s child. Someone’s parent. Someone’s spouse. Someone is missing them and wants them home. If there’s the slightest chance to make them human again, isn’t it worth the try?

INT. ZCB/ZOMBIE FRED’S CELL - DAY

Zombie Fred is playing Jenga on the floor. When the pieces fall, he stacks them up again. Dr. Hutchins and KIM, 50’s, Fred’s mom observe from the hallway.

KIMNow you’re sure he won’t bite?


HUTCHINSYour son is a pussycat.

INTERVIEW - DR. HUTCHINS:

HUTCHINS (CONT’D)Fred’s Mom saw his picture on our Found Zombies website and called in to claim him. For seven months, he’s shown he can be occupied by Jenga all day. He’s a prime example of a level four patient, cleared for release.

INT. ZCB/ZOMBIE FRED’S CELL - DAY

Back to scene.

KIMThe day of the outbreak, I must have called him 50 times. I thought for sure he was dead.

Kim tears up. Dr. Hutchins puts a hand on her back. Kim composes herself.

KIM (CONT’D)He’s all I have left.

INTERVIEW - ANDY:

ANDYI was on the smoker working a pork shoulder.

EXT. ANDY’S BACKYARD - DAY - FLASHBACK (10 MONTHS AGO)

Andy’s putting mesquite wood into a super-sized smoker.

ANDY’S WIFE (V.O.)Andy! Get in here!

INT. ANDY’S HOUSE - DAY

Andy and his Wife watch the news. His wife carries a toddler on her hip.

ON THE TV SCREEN: “LIVE STATE OF EMERGENCY: VIRUS OUTBREAK.” A Cute News Lady is reporting from the streets. The Camera follows her as she’s chased off by a Zombie.

INTERVIEW - ANDY:


ANDYWe watched a Zombie attack that poor news lady. It was horrible.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)What happened to her?

ANDYNo, the pork was horrible. I was distracted, left it on too long. Damn zombies.

INTERVIEW - DEAN:

DEANI was a few months away from graduating. It was a Saturday and I was on a date.

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT - FLASHBACK (10 MONTHS AGO)

Dean and SANDY, 23, cute blonde with a touch of the “Keep Austin Weird” vibe. She unconsciously bops her head to the music.

DEANCoach thinks I’d be a good fit for Buffalo or Miami. They need some fresh legs on offense.

SANDYIf you could pick, where would you go?

DEANClose to home. Dallas.

SANDYOh crap.

DEANWhat?

SANDYI grew up in Cranberry township. Do you know where that is?

DEANIs that near Mayberry?

SANDYIt’s outside Pittsburgh.


DEAN(with dread)

You’re a Steelers fan?

SANDYMy whole family bleeds black and gold.

DEANWhat happens if I get drafted by the Cowboys?

SANDYI might have to break your legs.

DEANYou’d have to catch me first.

SANDYI’d get you when you’re sleeping at night.

DEANIt’s our first date and you have us sleeping together already?

Sandy blushes.

SANDYI didn’t say that.

Dean notices Sandy’s been dancing in her seat to the music.

DEANYou must really like this song.

SANDYOh my God. I’m dancing to the Bee Gees in front of you.

DEANHand over your iPhone. I want to see who’s on your playlists.

SANDYI don’t show men my playlists until I’ve at least slept with them.

Off Sandy’s smile.

INTERVIEW - DEAN:

A beat as Dean remembers.


DEANThe draft didn’t happen. But I’ll be in fighting shape when it does. This country could use some football again.

INTERVIEW - EMO:

EMOI was at my wood cabin. Making dinner.

EXT. EMO’S CABIN - NIGHT - FLASHBACK (10 MONTHS AGO)

A deer carcass hangs outside the window. Emo cooks mystery meat in a cast-iron grill over a fire. There’s a ham radio in the BG.

The Conservative Talk Radio show is interrupted when we hear THREE BEEPS. Emo’s eyes light up.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)This is an urgent message from the Emergency Broadcasting System...

INTERVIEW - EMO:

EMOI don’t like leavin’ my cabin. But when your country has an apocalyptic emergency and you have firearms...you frickin’ serve your country.

INT. EMO’S CABIN - NIGHT

Emo opens up a locker. REVEAL an arsenal of weapons and ammo. He loads up.

EXT. EMO’S CABIN - NIGHT

Emo drives off in his Hummer, leaving a cloud of dust.

EXT. STREETS - NIGHT

Complete chaos. Cars left idle in the streets. Buildings on fire. Zombies chasing people. A Zombie tries to bite a statue of Bevo the UT Longhorn mascot.

Emo’s hummer races down the drag.

He runs over one Zombie. Parks his car and fires his sniper rifle at other Zombies in the distance. BANG. BANG. BANG. One by one Zombies fall to the ground.

INTERVIEW - EMO:


EMOIt was awesome. Like a video game. But awesomer.

INT. ZCB/RECOVERY DEPARTMENT LOCKER ROOM - DAY

Andy is playing a zombie video game. Dean is doing push-ups. A siren goes off. Like Firemen, Andy and Dean drop everything and get ready to go to work.

DISPATCH (V.O.)Zombie reported on the 2400 block of Guadalupe.

ANDYDang it. I’m at level 19.

DEANTarget practice is over. You’re about to shoot the real deal.

ANDY(smiling)

Oh yeah.

INT./EXT. RECOVERY VAN (MOVING) - DAY

The van is equipped with a large ramming grill made for running over Zombies. It moves towards a Bystander who is waving them down. The Bystander points down the alley.

EXT. ALLEY - DAY

Andy gets out of the van, straps his helmet on.

ANDYGiddy up.

DEANI’ll head him off.

Dean drives away in the van.

Andy does a few leg stretches before he enters the alley. It’s full of junk and dumpsters. He has his taser and baton at the ready.

He rounds the corner of a dumpster aiming his weapon. No one’s there.

An alley cat darts across the street, scaring the bejesus out of Andy. He jumps back. Takes a breath. He proceeds forward cautiously.


He hears a noise, points his weapon at it.

ANDYCome out now Friendly.

Andy picks up a can and throws it towards the noise. After a beat, the can is thrown back at him.

ANDY (CONT’D)What the...

From behind a dumpster, a Female Zombie takes off running down the alley. Andy runs after her.

ANDY (CONT’D)(into earpiece)

We got a runner. Where are you Little Buddy?

INT./EXT. RECOVERY VAN (MOVING) - DAY

Dean turns into the alley, spotting the Female Zombie.

DEAN(into earpiece)

I got her.

ANDYJust ram her.

DEANCopy that.

The Van picks up speed towards the Female Zombie. When Dean is close enough to see the Zombie’s face, he hits the brakes hard. The Van comes to a screeching halt inches away from hitting the Zombie. The Zombie, expressionless, stares at the Van.

Dean stares at the Female Zombie.

DEAN (CONT’D)Sandy?

ON THE ZOMBIE: It’s Sandy, the cute blonde he dated before shit hit the fan.

CRACKLE. Andy shoots her with the taser. She twitches violently before hitting the ground.

END OF ACT ONE


ACT II

INT. RECOVERY VAN (PARKED) - DAY

Sandy is unconscious, strapped to a gurney. A muzzle covers her mouth. Dean fills a large syringe with a solution. He’s about to shoot her up. He looks at her, considers. He can’t do it. He puts the syringe down. Andy opens the doors.

ANDYShe good to go?

DEANYeah.

ANDYYou sure that’s her?

DEANWhere the hell has she been all this time?

They roll Sandy out of the van into...

EXT. ZCB/RECEIVING DOCK - DAY

Once they land her in the dock, Two Doctors in lab coats with RED BADGES approach.

RED BADGE 1Let us in.

One jams a needle and syringe into her arm for a blood sample. Blackish/reddish blood gets extracted.

The other Red Badge sticks a long needle into the base of her skull and removes spinal fluid. She twitches. Dean doesn’t like the force they’re using with her.

DEANCareful with that.

RED BADGE 1You’re kidding, right? You know she can’t feel anything.

On Dean: He has a point.

Camera accidentally bumps into Red Badge 1’s shoulder.

RED BADGE 1 (CONT’D)Get that off me.


Red Badge 1 pushes the camera away angrily. They finish collecting their samples and exit.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)What’s their problem?

INTERVIEW - DR. RYDER:

RYDERThe Red Badges work in the Laboratory Division in building A. They have a higher security clearance because they’re working on a cure.

INT. ZCB - HALLWAY

Emo closes a door to a cell as Two Red Badges wheel a Scared Zombie away.

INTERVIEW - EMO:

EMONumber 1021 never got claimed by family, so the Red Badges get him. Sucks for him.


HUTCHINSIf we fail at rehabilitating them in ‘B’, they get moved to ‘A’ where they are “volunteered” to science.

INTERVIEW - DR. RYDER

RYDERBuilding B is where zombies get saved. Building A is where they go to die.


Andy and Emo stand outside Sandy’s room.

EMOShe’s kind of cute. For a dead girl. Did Dean tap that?

ANDYI don’t know. He only went out with her once.

EMODo you think you would ever...uh...


Andy gets Emo’s drift.

ANDYYou’re sick.

EMOI’m just saying, they need to find a cure. Hot chicks are a terrible thing to waste.

EXT. ZCB - DAY

Dean is drinking water outside, clearing his mind. As he walks towards the door, he goes up the three steps and slows down for a moment and we...

TRANSITION TO:

EXT. SANDY’S HOUSE - NIGHT

Dean and Sandy walk up three steps to her front porch.

SANDYWell, this is me.

DEANYes it is.

SANDYYou weren’t as cocky as I thought you’d be.

DEANWait till you get to know me. I’ll show you cocky.

SANDYAnd on that note...

It’s the awkward first date dance when two strangers don’t yet know how to end the night. Dean opens his arms for an embrace. Sandy hugs him quick then turns away.

DEANThat’s it? You’re not inviting me in?

SANDYI will. Just not tonight. I’m not a prude, I swear. I just have a thing about first dates.

She turns to unlock the door.


DEANWait. Can we negotiate like a kiss? Handshake? Fist bump?

Without skipping a beat, Sandy kisses him on the cheek. Then shakes his hand. Then gives him a fist bump. He’s confused.

SANDYWhat, did you want to blow it up too?

She blows up the fist bump. She thinks she’s funny. He’s getting frustrated. He grabs her and kisses her on the mouth passionately. He looks to her for a reaction.

After a beat...

SANDY (CONT’D)That’s all you get until next time bigshot.

DEANOh there will be a next time.

It pains Dean to leave this girl. He drives away wanting so much more.

She enters her house. We wait in the quiet night a beat.

Those central Texas grasshoppers fill the night with symphonic chirping. A Grasshopper lands on the sidewalk. It gets squished by a big Converse shoe. We’re slightly alarmed by the odd walking pattern of these shoes. We move up the body to find a Male Zombie. He’s attracted to the light from the lamp that Sandy just turned on in her house. He approaches the light and enters her house.

We remain outside, looking in as the Zombie enters through the screen door. He disappears inside. We hear a lamp CRASH to the ground.

Off Sandy’s scream.

TRANSITION TO:

INT. ZCB/WAITING ROOM - HALLWAY

A TV is airing a horror film. We hear a faint scream from the film as we pick up Vincent turning off the TV. Emo is with him. They walk and talk on their rounds.

They arrive at a cell. Vincent’s about to enter with his cleaning supplies.


EMOHow come you never wear a mask, man?

VINCENTI lost my sniffer to ass cancer. Can’t smell a damn thing.

Dr. Hutchins approaches. Emo is awkward around her.

HUTCHINSEmo.

EMOYes ma’am? Doctor Hutchins.

HUTCHINSWe’re releasing a patient this afternoon. Will you be escorting us?

EMO(respectful)

Yes ma’am.

HUTCHINSI’ll call for you.

EMO(delighted)

Yes ma’am.

She exits. Emo and Vincent stare at her backside.

EMO (CONT’D)Too bad you can’t smell her.

VINCENTWhy don’t you ask her out?

EMONo way.

VINCENTMy mother used to say, “In life, if you don’t try for something you like, you might as well be dead.”

Vincent moves ahead. We stay with Emo as he watches Dr. Hutchins walk down the hall in her sexy pumps and pencil skirt. Emo’s lower jaw hangs open as he stares at her fine ass, almost drooling. We pan over to a Zombie in the cell, with a similar expression on his face, except he’s drooling.


INT. SANDY’S CELL - DAY

Vincent enters. Sandy’s sleeping. He circles Sandy once and does a quick glance around her body.

BLINK. Sandy wakes up. She bolts up into a seated position, startling Vincent. Staring at him.

VINCENTJesus.

Vincent’s frozen. He’s never been face to face with an unrestrained zombie before. Vincent looks out the window.

VINCENT (CONT’D)Emo?

Emo’s not there. Sandy stands, reaches her hands out, takes a step towards him.

INT. ZCB/MEETING ROOM - DAY

Dr. Hutchins opens the box she was carrying earlier. There’s a tranquilizer gun, and vials of liquid fit for the gun.

ORDERLIES in the BG are cleaning Fred up, brushing his hair. He’s muzzled, but playing Jenga.

HUTCHINSThis kit is really easy to use. Let me demonstrate.

Kim takes the vials, loads the gun, like a pro.

KIMI’m a Texan. I know how to load a gun.

HUTCHINSAbout an hour before you’re ready for bed, you’ll shoot him anywhere on his body with one black tranquilizer dart. He’ll be out for nine hours minimum.

KIMFun. Can I shoot myself?

(off Dr. Hutchin’s look)Just kidding Doc.

HUTCHINSWhen you’re ready for him to reanimate, you’ll do the same thing but with a green dart.


An Orderly puts a bow around Fred’s neck, like he’s coming home from the dog groomer’s.

KIM(re: the bow)

You look so handsome Fred. I think the foreman’s going to take a shine to you.

HUTCHINSWhat foreman?

KIMFigured since he’s good at jenga, he can earn his keep building houses.

HUTCHINSYou got him a job? He’s not ready.

NURSE (V.O.)Code 42. Cell 18.

On Hutchins. Code 42 isn’t good.

HUTCHINSDon’t go anywhere.

EXT. HALLWAY - DAY

Dean and Emo are trying to calm Vincent down. It’s chaotic.

VINCENTWhere were you man?

EMODid she bite you?

DEANWhat happened?

VINCENTShe tried to grab me!

EMOBitch.

Emo unholsters his weapon.

DEANPut that away.

Dean forces Emo’s gun down. They get into a scuffle. Dr. Hutchins arrives and breaks it up.


EMOGet your hands off my gun.

HUTCHINSWhat happened here?

VINCENTI went in to clean the room and she came at me.

HUTCHINSWasn’t she properly tranquilized?

EMOShe came at him. I have to put her down.

HUTCHINSHold on a minute.

SLAM. Vincent Emo and Dr. Hutchins turn to see Sandy’s cell door close. Where’s Dean? They look into the cell.

EMOThe hell is he doing?

INT. ZCB/SANDY’S CELL - DAY

Dean enters Sandy’s cell alone and locks the door.

END OF ACT II


ACT III

INT. ZCB - HALLWAY OUTSIDE SANDY’S CELL - DAY

Dr. Ryder and Andy join the group. Vincent’s gone.

ANDYHey Little Buddy. What are you doing in there?

RYDERDean, time to come out now.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. ZCB/SANDY’S CELL - DAY

Dean faces Sandy.

DEANSandy. If you can hear me, please, just stay still.

Sandy looks to Dean and then to the commotion outside.

Zombie Sandy’s POV: [ZOMBIE POV is a visual signature of the show.] Dean’s voice is warped. He sounds like a monster to her. Behind him, she sees the commotion outside. Hutchins, Ryder, Emo, Vincent, a camera man. Then two more Executioners arrive brandishing weapons. In Sandy’s POV, the weapons look bigger as they’re being waved. Human voices sound like monsters screeching. Bodies are warped and stretched. She sees Emo loading a shotgun.

Sandy starts pacing back and forth.

DEAN (CONT’D)No. Just stay still.

HUTCHINSDr. Ryder. She’s pacing.

RYDERWe’re making her nervous. Clear out of her view. Quickly.

Dr. Ryder ushers people to the side.

DEANLook. They’re gone.

SANDY’S POV: Everyone clears the hallway.


DEAN (CONT’D)It’s just you and me.

Sandy stops pacing.

RYDER(to Emo)

Emo, stand by.

Emo stands to the side of the door, his weapon at the ready.

EMOStanding by, Sir.

Dr. Ryder and Dr. Hutchins see inside Sandy’s cell from a video monitor in the hallway. Dean and Sandy stand still, staring at each other.

DEANIt’s me. Dean. I was the best date of your life. Remember? You didn’t let me in your house, but you really wanted to. Right?

She doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. He’s looking for something behind her eyes. But he gives up.

DEAN (CONT’D)Look, you’re okay. Just stay...

Dean starts to back away towards the door. Sandy starts pacing again.

DEAN (CONT’D)What? What did I do?

Dr. Hutchins and Ryder clock her behavior after Dean tries to leave. Sandy starts pacing faster, more frustrated, wild.

DEAN (CONT’D)Sandy, you have to calm down.

Sandy starts screaming in a weird zombie moan.

DEAN (CONT’D)No no no no no.

ANDYShe’s freaking out.

DR. RYDER(to Emo)

Go.


--Emo heads to the cell, shoots open the lock and kicks open the door.

--Dean gets an idea. He quickly digs for his iPhone.

--Emo enters and points his gun at Sandy.

--Dean puts himself in front of Sandy and Emo’s line of fire.

DEANSandy. Sandy. Listen.

MUSIC: The Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive”

Dean holds the iPhone and turns up the volume. Upon hearing the music, Sandy stops pacing.

Everyone watches to see what she’ll do next. After a long beat. She starts tapping her foot lightly. She’s now calmer. Dr. Ryder enters and guides Emo’s weapon down. Dr. Ryder watches her foot tapping like it’s a revelation.

INTERVIEW - VINCENT AND EMO:

Vincent breaths a heavy sigh.

EMOI’m sorry man. I should have been right there with you.

VINCENTAll my life, women want to touch me. Even the dead ones.


Camera and Interviewer are following Dr. Ryder, Dr. Hutchins and Dean.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)Who is she? Do you know her?

DEANNot well.

RYDERNot now.

They enter Dr. Ryder’s office.

INTERVIEWER (V.O.)But wait a...


INT. DR. RYDER’S OFFICE - DAY

Dr. Ryder shuts the Interviewer out.

RYDERYou knew she liked that song?

DEANI knew she had weird taste in music.

HUCTHINSYou had it on your iPod.

DEAN(defensive)

I only downloaded it after I met her. They have good harmonies, okay?

RYDERYou broke protocol entering that cell. I should fire you.

DEANWhat?

RYDERLeave before I change my mind. And do not speak to the Interviewer about what just happened.

Dean exits.

HUTCHINSThis is the first time...

RYDERThat we’ve seen memory recognition. She responded to him.

HUTCHINSAnd the foot. She was practically dancing.

RYDERPractically human.

This is a revelation.

HUTCHINSShe might be in there somewhere. We should tell Building A...


RYDERNo. If the red badges take her, they’ll kill her.

HUTCHINSBut she could be helpful...

RYDEREleanor, have you noticed that all the Red Badges are former military biologists? Why isn’t anyone asking where the virus came from in the first place?

A beat.

HUTCHINSI think I just got a wrinkle.

Off Hutchins.

INT. VAN - DAY

Andy is looking through their supply of tranquilizers. Dean joins.

ANDYWhat the hell was that?

DEANI had it under control.

Andy holds up the syringe that Dean put down earlier.

ANDYWhy didn’t you administer the neurolizer?

DEANSometimes they never wake up after that. I didn’t want to kill Sandy.

ANDYShe’s not Sandy. You get that Dean? She’s a drooler. Her brain is melted. They’re never going to fix her. She’s dead. Okay?

ON DEAN: He doesn’t want to admit it.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY

Two Bricklaying Zombies are working in the BG. A Guard stands near them with a tranquilizer gun.


An Orderly and Emo walk Fred up to the FOREMAN who shows Fred how to stack some 2x4s in place for a foundation wall.

Dr. Hutchins pulls Kim away from the Foreman.

HUTCHINSI think Fred needs some transition time at home first. I strongly advise against throwing him right into a job.

KIMLady, I’ve always decided what’s best for my son. That don’t change just cuz he’s dead.

Kim looks over to Fred. He is effortlessly positioning 2x4s in place.

KIM (CONT’D)That’s it Fred. That’s your activity now.

(to Dr. Hutchins)See how good he’s doing? Mommy knows best.

Fred hoists a long 2x4 over his shoulder and turns fast. WHACK. He accidentally HITS KIM IN THE HEAD. She drops.

Off Dr. Hutchins’s reaction:


HUTCHINSAnd she was worried about him biting her.

END OF ACT THREE


TAG:

EXT. STUBB’S BEER GARDEN - NIGHT

-- A Zombie is washing pint glasses inside a makeshift cage behind the bar.

-- Emo plays darts. The dart board has a zombie in the bull’s eye.

--Vincent flirts with a Woman, who touches his arm. Vincent looks over at Emo. “See? Women want to touch me.”

--ON THE TV MONITOR: The news with a headline “Bride Finally Marries Zombie Fiancee.” A bride in a wedding dress kisses her Zombie Husband in a tux.

Dean and Andy watch the news.

DEANMan, that does not look right.

ANDYPoor dead bastard. Now his life is really over.

DEANHey. About today. I got distracted. Won’t happen again.

ANDYI’ll drink to that.

DEANI’m going to call it a night.

ANDYOkay little Buddy. See you tomorrow.

Dean exits.

Emo throws darts into the bulls eye of a zombie’s head.

EMODie drooler die.

Over Dean’s POV of the boys...

DEAN (V.O.)There are people like Emo and Andy who think Zombie Rehab is a waste of time. That they’re all dead and never coming back. I thought so too.


INT. SANDY’S CELL - NIGHT

Sandy’s sleeping. She wakes up in the middle of the night. She looks around, blank faced.

SANDY’S ZOMBIE POV: It’s dark in the hallway. The walls close in on her.

DEAN (V.O.)But after today...

She gets up and starts her frantic pacing again. Then she starts screaming.

The door opens. An iPod is pushed just inside the door.

MUSIC: The Bee Gees “Stayin Alive”

The door closes.

Sandy stops pacing. She stands still for a beat. We wait for it, wait for it, and we come down to her foot. It starts tapping again.

INT. ZCB - HALLWAY OUTSIDE SANDY’S CELL - NIGHT

REVEAL Dean outside. Looking into Sandy’s cell. Keeping watch. Wondering if the Sandy he loved is in there somewhere.

DEAN (V.O.)I think it’s worth a try.

END OF PILOT


Date post:	03-Apr-2018
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STAYIN' ALIVE PILOT written by · "PILOT" written by Oanh Ly ... Dr. Eleanor Hutchins, 33, a zombie...

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