Sophocles Screenwriting Software
www.sophocles.net
"Zombie's Herald"
by
Robert Matye
Pages: 60 robjpub@aol.com
FADE IN:
INT. BELCH'S LAIR - NIGHT
The lair. There is little illumination. A worn out factory
tread sits silent.
A drip of water wells on a rusty pipe at the ceiling. It
forms into a large bulb. It detaches. It falls. It splashes
on a glass jar that is sitting on the factory tread.
Dust covers the broken glass jar. The crack is covered with
an orange mud. The exoskeletal remains of a fly sits dead in
the amber-colored substance.
A quiet piano dirge plays.
Two metallic sliding doors slam together. They slide open
again. The doors halfway close. A loud metallic squeal comes
from the friction. They slam shut.
The squeal ensues again. The doors do not budge. Again.
Nothing. The sound of metal crashing against metal is heard.
A loud BOOM. The lights in the room dim to near dark.
On the floor near the door is a rusty grating. Few strips of
paper lay near it. The sound of a BELCH is heard.
A trickle of blue slime crawls from out of the darkness of
the grating. The music swells.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
A maroon Corvette speeds down a suburb in the Eagleland town
of Threed. It goes under the glow of streetlamps, until it
is so fast that they appear as solid lights.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Two TEENAGE KIDS are seated in the Corvette. One is a BOY,
blonde and muscular. He is muscular. His green t-shirt
sports "THREED HIGH FOOTBALL." The GIRL next to him leans
her head on his shoulder.
SHERRY
Mike, I wish you wouldn't go so
fast.
MIKE
Don't worry baby.
Then she looks out the passenger window.
2.
MIKE
What's wrong baby?
SHERRY
I'm still not over...you know.
MIKE
What?
She gives him "the look." The houses moving past slow down.
The car regains speed.
MIKE
Hey Sherry, that was over a year
ago, besides, it was only because
there was no way that we could
possibly have a relationship the
way things were going.
SHERRY
Yeah sure.
MIKE
Trust me Sherry. You're my only
girl.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The car speeds into the downtown area of Threed. No cars are
driving. A few are parked on the side of the street. The car
passes Mach Pizza. The lights shut off.
The car turns to its left. Soon they drive past the Three
Sunset Motel.
Away from the car, at the window, a shadowy figure moves out
of site.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
Sherry turns the car radio. The station changes. She
occasionally stops, listens for a moment, then continues her
change.
MIKE
Hey stop it will ya?
She turns it off the current news radio station. The only
thing heard is "I repeat, everyone stay i--"
SHERRY
You are so immature.
3.
MIKE
Hey, it's my car. I don't want to
end up getting us in a wreck.
SHERRY
Like there's anyone out here
right now.
He takes his hands off the wheel.
MIKE
Look no hands.
She quickly moves her hands to the wheel.
SHERRY
Look! No brains.
They both laugh. She looks up at him.
SHERRY
You sure it was only because you
couldn't see me?
MIKE
Would I lie?
SHERRY
Yes.
MIKE
When I was with her, I thought
only of you.
She lets go of the wheel. He grips it.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The car speeds forward, slows down, then speeds onto a left
fork. The road is dirt. Dust flies from the wheel of the
'Vette.
It hits a bump, flies into the air, then lands. Sparks fly
from the muffler.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
He slams a hand on the wheel.
MIKE
Whoo!
SHERRY
Stop it Mike!
4.
MIKE
No no girl, come on, you saying
you don't like this.
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
The car hits another bump, then the breaks lock. They squeak.
The 'Vette slides in a 360. A dust cloud forms.
At the foot of the rear back tire is a wrought-iron gate. It
is covered with ageless dead vines. As the gate's height is
shown, a DO NOT ENTER sign is in red. Next to it, a brazen
plague, turned blue says: "THREE CEMETERY #2 HAVE A HAPPY
DAY!"
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Headstones flank a vast cemetery. An owl sits on a headstone.
The owl looks old, as old as the stone. It is weathered and
weather has washed away the writing.
Two sets of legs walk by the stone, SQUISHING into the moist
ground.
Sherry is holding Mike's arm tight. He has a smile on his
face. In the other hand he holds a large industrial strength
spotlight.
MIKE
Relax, okay?
SHERRY
No Mike, I don't see why we're
here. It's against the law.
Besides, wouldn't you rather be
in home?
He stops walking. Looks around at the empty cemetery. Looks
at her, clinging tighter to his arm.
MIKE
No.
They continue walking.
The merry duo come across a grove of trees. Mike swats a low
hanging branch from out his way. It tallies back, swatting
both of them in the back. Sherry screams. She holds him.
Mike laughs.
5.
MIKE
I love it when you scream.
She socks him in the shoulderblade. He mocks her scream. The
owl flies over their heads.
SHERRY
Mike, let's go back.
MIKE
Nah, just a little farther. Don't
worry about it. Your baby knows
what he's doing.
SHERRY
If he doesn't, he won't be my
baby for long.
The come to a clearing. In the middle is what appears to be
a large stone box jutting from the ground. They move towards
it. Sherry feels along the short stone wall. Her hand moves
over a metal rung. She looks at it. It is the top of the
ladder. She looks inward.
Darkness. The ladder leads down into an abyss.
MIKE
Wanna go down it?
They both lean over.
POV - Inside the sewer.
SHERRY
You've got to be joking.
He flashes the light down the hole a few times then take it
back up.
MIKE
I didn't bring up up here to be
joking. I've been down there it's
nothing.
Mike stands up.
POV - Return
Sherry continue to look down it. She sighs.
SHERRY
Well, if you know what you're
doing.
6.
She smiles.
SHERRY
Mike?
She turns her head.
She looks down. A beam of light is shining on her tennis
show. It's owner is the flashlight, alone, on the ground, a
few yards from her.
Sherry looks up. Her face shrinks into a grimace. She opens
her mouth.
A scream starts to come out of her.
SHOCK CUT:
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
Television static. The loud buzz of the off-air channel
snowclouds. The room is dark. On the floor is a cracked
baseball bat. Next to it is a child's red cap lying sideways
on a yellow backpack.
Over the buzz of the static, is the buzz of snores.
On the bed, is a black haired boy sleeping.
POV - Nightmare
A red swirling object, that melts into a face.
POV - Normal
The boy, NESS, turns in his bed.
POV - Nightmare
An arm. Or what looks to be a human arm. The difference is
the flesh on it is bluish gray. At the joint of the elbow,
flesh is torn away, and the ligaments swing in the wind.
POV - Normal
Ness tosses again.
POV - Nightmare (Zombie)
The stone well in the woods. A boy and girl are looking
inward. The sound is muffled as they speak. They are getting
closer in perspective.
They grow closer, faster.
7.
POV - Normal
Ness awakens in bed, drenched in sweat.
CUT TO:
EXT. DALAMM, PALACE. - DAY
The top of a mountain path. Over the steep edge of the rocky
edge, the red sun ablaze rises slowly.
Light takes over the shadows that are on a golden palace,
flanked with statues of elephants.
INT. DALAMM, PALACE - DAY
An inward hallway. Asian people rustle past each other. One,
a small boy with a black ponytail beset his shaven head, is
flanked with girls. He says something in a foreign tongue.
The girls giggle. A doorway is behind him.
A darkened room. Light appears from the corner. Small drifts
of smoke raise toward the ceiling. An OLD MAN sits, mumbling
in the foreign tongue. He kisses the symbol of a star.
Wind blows the fire out. He nods
The figure of a SAGE, clad in white, sitting cross legged
appears before him.
TARAH RAMA
It is time.
The old man nods, speaking English.
STARSTORM
Are you sure?
The floating ghost nods.
STARSTORM
How will we prepare?
TARAH RAMA
Call them again.
STARSTORM
Myself or you shall go?
TARAH RAMA
We shall together, mind, body
spirit.
Starstorm nods.
8.
STARSTORM
How did you know, wise one?
TARAH RAMA
Same as you, though you deny you
do.
He quotes verse in a memorized fashion.
STARSTORM
After Giygas Falls to Yonder
Youth/And Mother's peace so green
and blue all heed/Six months
shall pass till hate will rise
again/So sleep now friends till
zombies come again
TARAH RAMA
And if four friends do hap to
fail this time
STARSTORM
Luck be thine, 'cos heart will
cut in twine.
The candle reignites on its own.
CUT TO:
EXT. ONETT - DAY
A dirt road leading to Onett town proper. The trees are now
golden brown. A maple leaf flutters down as the sun shines
bright through the leaves.
The leaf falls on Ness's shoe as he walks by, alone. Light
piano music plays.
NESS
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
He falls to the ground, convulses.
A man runs out of a nearby house.
AGERATE
Somebody, quick, this kid is hurt.
The eyeballs of Ness roll up into his brain.
CUT TO:
9.
INT. THE VOID
Darkness, the boy stand illuminated, alone.
A loud humming, the boy opens his eyes wide. The Rama, and
Starstorm appear.
TARAH RAMA
Ness.
NESS
Tarah Rama? It's you again!
What's going on?
STARSTORM
It is time.
NESS
Yeah I know, I'm late for school!
The two elders exchange looks.
TARAH RAMA
No Ness. You do not understand.
It is time once again to fight an
evil. An evil that will consume
the world if you do not stop it.
NESS
Hello!? I did that six months ago.
STARSTORM
True, but this is equally
devastating. For the last would
betwix the future, this would
stop the present. Our present.
Ness frown.
NESS
What can I do?
A gong sounds.
TARAH RAMA
Not you, but "we." You, Paula,
Jeff, the Prince. You four
friends must battle an enemy
returned from the dust.
STARSTORM
Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust.
10.
TARAH RAMA
It comes before you now. In
Threed. The zombie force attacked
once before will attack again.
STARSTORM
Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust.
TARAH RAMA
Behold!
A book appears in his hands.
TARAH RAMA
This is our prophecy. The prophecy
of the legends of Man. Legend is
false, until made true. Prophecy
is a trick, until made true. We
are of this Book, Ness.
NESS
I don't understand.
The book suspends in air. The pages turn.
STARSTORM
Only one part of the quest of the
Apple of Enlightenment has been
fulfilled. The first was of
Giygas, that Being of
Substanceless, Lord of the Flies,
King of Evil, Satan, Ka'Li. It is
known as many. Faith of Paula and
Faith of the world destroyed it.
That was of a pure evil.
TARAH RAMA
This next evil is an evil not
made by Pure Evil, Faithlessness,
Hate. It a mix. The Evil that
controls them, and the freak of
Biology that lets them go when
all evil fails.
STARSTORM
The Zombies of Threed have
returned.
TARAH RAMA
Like the vampire, a zombie is
controlled by a demon. An Agent
of that known by you as Giygas.
When Faith surrounds it, that
Agent is destroyed.
11.
STARSTORM
The Zombie is a different matter.
When the Agent is destroyed, the
decimation of flesh and bone in
the Zombie lives. The creature,
brainless and now souless, still
goes after its unHoly endevour.
NESS
So what can we do?
TARAH RAMA
The book tells of a sacrifice. A
sacrifice of fate. If it is not
carried out, then the world will
perish into a decomposition of
itself. Zombies will turn to
fellow Zombies till nothing is
left.
The three sit in silence. The book closes.
STARSTORM
You must go to Threed.
TARAH RAMA
The others are called.
STARSTORM
Beware.
TARAH RAMA
And remember.
STARSTORM
Ashes to Ashes; Dust to Dust.
TARAH RAMA
Keep your faith.
Ness lays down.
CUT TO:
EXT. ONETT - DAY
Ness's eyes reopen. The sun is at the same spot. LIAR X.
AGERATE is above him, slapping his cheeks. A small crowd is
around him.
Ness blinks, looks on a cloud, the two wise men's images are
there. He blinks. They're gone.
Ness sits up, shakes his head. Then runs away from the crowd.
12.
AGERATE
Hey Kid! What are you doing? Hey!
Kid!
They are far behind him.
AGERATE
Hey!!
Through the downtown, Ness runs. He almost hits hit by a car.
The car honks its horn. Ness reaches for his head. The car
goes in reverse. The man lets go of the wheel, screaming.
Ness runs again.
He comes to a grove of trees.
As he walks through them, the sun gets blotted out. He
closes his eyes. The wind picks up. Leaves blow by.
A noise erupts behind him, he turns around, then falls down
a shallow hill just off the path. He lands by a pool of
water. He looks in the reflection.
There he is. He smiles.
NESS
Fooled by a reflection.
In the reflection, from behind him. The image of a red eyed
zombie rises. He turns around quickly.
Nothing.
Ness brushes himself off, and pushes a few branches away and
sees an old wooden sign. "Twoson."
EXT. TWOSON - NIGHT?
Ness passes through a grove of Oak trees. When he looks at
the town, he double takes.
SKY
It is night.
WATCH
Ness's watch indicates that it is 2:39pm. He checks the 24-
Hour setting. 14:39. Back again.
NESS
My watch must have stopped.
13.
He walks along the path. As he passes a nice silent cottage,
there is the CLICK sound as the door locks. A woman is on
the window at the right of the door. She looks at Ness and
shuts a curtain.
He walks along the street, past the mall. There is a crude
sign on the door, with paint still drying. "Closed till
Further Noti." A paint brush lays on the ground.
A sound emits from the bush next to him. He walks over to it.
A tennis shoe lays there. He leans in, picking it up. As he
turns the open end of the shoe, he notices that the remains
of a foot are there, ending with the jutting ivory bone. He
shrieks, tosses the shoe into the bush.
The bush rustles. Ness pulls away a branch. Sitting in the
shadow, with a beam of moonshine on his face, is a blue
fleshed zombie. He makes a sucking sound as the foot that
Ness tossed into the bush is being devoured.
The zombie drops the meat. His eyes grow brighter red as it
sees Ness. He stands. Bones crackle. He takes a few steps
toward the boy. Ness presses himself against the glass wall
of the mall opening.
The zombie's eyes go dark. It opens its mouth.
Ness closes his eyes. A brilliant red lights appears before
him, unmoving. The zombie stops for a moment dazes. The
dancing light pulses. Pulses. THEN
It slaps the zombie's head four times. The zombie turns into
a pile of dust on the ground.
Ness runs. As he turns the corner, he looks at a large open-
air market. The sign says "Burglin Park." His eyes grow.
In the park is a man surrounded by four blue zombies. He is
wielding a large metal pole. He swings the pole, knocking
clean the head off of one. Another's eyes go black, as it
opens its mouth. He takes a bite out of his arm. The man
falls. The others overtake it.
Ness runs.
At the end of the hill, is a building marked "Polestar
Daycare." He pulls at the doors. Locked. He makes his way
around the building.
A window flies open, and a young blonde girl opens the door.
PAULA
Ness, run around to the front,
I'll let you in.
14.
He does so.
NESS
Come on!
He turns around, a group of four zombies slowly walk toward
him. The door swings open. Ness runs in.
INT. DAYCARE - NIGHT
Ness enters. He shakes his body off. The room is dark. On a
couch are a blonde boy with glasses, JEFF, and an oriental
boy, POO.
NESS
Do you know what's going on out
there.
JEFF
Affirmative.
POO
It is as the prophecy foretold.
Ness runs his hands against the door.
NESS
We should brace the door, everyone
carry that couch with me.
The three boys huff, and move the couch along the ground.
Ness gives the final push. He turns.
NESS
Paula? Where are your parents.
Paula does not respond. She breaks eye contact with Ness.
PAULA
I don't know.
She turns her back. He walks up, putting a hand on her
shoulder.
NESS
I'm sorry.
PAULA
That's okay.
NESS
They may be hiding out somewhere.
She turns around.
15.
PAULA
Then why wouldn't they come for me?
NESS
Paula: If you were parents of a
girl with incredible amounts of
psychic ability, would you trust
her to stay by herself. With...
Ness points at Jeff.
NESS
A genius who can blow any zombie
away with his arsenal.
Jeff acts flustered. Ness points at Poo.
NESS
And a Dalammese Prince with
Starstorm ability.
Poo nods.
PAULA
Well...I guess you have a point.
But geez Ness, there are zombies
outside. You'd be worried too.
NESS
I know, but we have to fix this
situation. Do you have any
boards, lumber, hammers. We gotta
brace this windows up.
PAULA
No. Nothing.
Ness looks at all the windows. He locks them.
NESS
Then I don't know how long we
could stay in here. Probably not
very long. Once they notice we're
here, they may group up.
JEFF
Why don't we leave now.With our
ability, we should be able to
easily take care of them.
NESS
Right, but we don't know where
are why we're going. We have to
sit around and think about this.
16.
POO
Thoughts before action, that
leads to victory. Action before
thoughts, that leads to death.
Ness sits on the ground. He rubs his temples.
NESS
Why are you all here?
Paula sits next to him.
PAULA
Jeff came by bus earlier today.
Poo teleported. They both said
that they urgently wanted to see
me. I tried calling you, but your
phone was out. I tried getting in
touch with you telepathically,
but I could not sense you. I had
feared the worse, and now, I fear
the worse for other reasons.
POO
The sky went dark. As it did,
humans in the street started
changing. The ones that I believe
were vain. Orange Kid changed
into a blue faced zombie. Others
as well. It seems the good were
spared, but the evil were changed.
The dark heart of Gigays is at it
again.
NESS
No...that's not it.
The group leans in.
NESS
I was walking to the library
earlier when I passed out. In my
dream, I spoke with your Starstorm
Master and the Tarah Rama. They
both told me that is the our
second task to save the world. It
is not Giygas, but they would not
tell me what it is.
PAULA
Belch?
NESS
Maybe him.
17.
Poo stands. He extends his arms. He jumps in the air. His
friends gasp. His legs go Indian style cross, but he does
not lower himself. He opens his eyes. They are white.
He opens his mouth, and screams. The boy changes from that
of a young boy to a man.
POO
(Tarah Rama's voice)
My friends! Belch, that gelatinous
waste of bodily odors has returned.
But he is not as he was, from
what my mind tells me, he has
changed. Into what, I do not know.
But remember, Faith only can save
you. Those who are not in the
Faith will perish into a living
death.
PAULA
Don't worry we won't.
POO
(Rama)
I know you won't. I know Poo
won't. I know Jeff won't. But did
you notice that he was not called
here by intuition like Jeff and
Poo were? That is because he has
been losing his own Faith. He
still has a chance. That is why
he is not gone. But it is only a
chance. He warned, or all will die.
Poo's eyes roll back to normal. He falls.
PAULA
Get him! Move him over to the
bedroom.
Jeff helps Paula drag the passed out Poo out of the room.
INT. BELCH'S LAIR - NIGHT
It is nearly dark. What is visible is a large black floor.
Five bright lights shine upon it, giving it a stage
appearance. A short, large figure stumbles into the lights.
Its face is not shown, but tufts of blonde hair are. It
appears to be human.
Deep breathing echoes through the space. The voice of Belch,
not Unlike God's, proclaims.
18.
BELCH
What is now known foolish Pokey?
Head still unshown.
POKEY
Master Belch, all is going
according to plan. The zombie
hoard is attacking not only
Threed, but every town in the
world. And it is indeed different
than last time, as you said--
The voice screams.
BELCH
Did you dare doubt me?
Pokey kneels.
POKEY
No my master.
BELCH
You should use that term more
effectively. I do not trust your
use of it. Last time was against
my Master Giygas. When he was in
his last breaths, it is now known
that you ran away to escape the
Four. How do I know that you
would not do the same to me?
POKEY
Because now, part of the scheme
is part of me.
Pokey lifts his head. Half of it is fleshed in the rotting
blue of the zombie. One eye now glows red.
POKEY
And I like it.
CUT TO:
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
The preschool sits silently. The air is silent, except for
the occasional scream.
A lone zombie walks by the school. He stops mid stumble. He
creaks his rigormortisized head (CREEK). He looks down the
street. He raises his hands and screams.
19.
INT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
Ness stands up.
NESS
What the heck was that?
Jeff looks out past the curtains.
CUT TO:
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
The front yard now has five zombies stumbling in front.
In the distance separate crowds of the undead walk toward
the school.
CUT TO:
INT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
Jeff closes the curtains.
JEFF
They know we're here.
PAULA
What'll we do.
Ness looks out the window.
NESS
Shut the rest of the lights off,
maybe they won't know we're here
if they're off.
Poo gets the lights.
NESS
I think it'd be best to stay
here, see what happens. If they
leave, we can head toward Threed.
I have a feeling that's where
they're coming from.
PAULA
And what if they don't clear out
before it's time to leave?
NESS
Then we fight out way out.
20.
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
The back of the school.
One lone zombie leaves the group. He crawls in the mud
along the back of the house, feeling the floor boards.
The zombie finds an air duct grating. He takes his rotting
hands, and starts pulling.
The front of the school.
The large crowd of zombies is now at twenty-five. The
SCREAMER ZOMBIE from before screams again, raising his dead
hand.
The crowd goes forward. The first flank start banging
against the whitewashed boards of the school.
INT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
Banging on the walls. Paula and Jeff hold each other. Poo
sits in Indian fashion.
NESS
What do you think Jeff?
JEFF
I think it is best for us to
remain calm. Keep the fighting to
a minimum. They are undead;
therefore, less mannered to stay
with the task at hand.
POV - Zombie
A grating is in front of him, but not the same as before.
There is echoed movement, as if it is in an air duct.
POV - Normal
Jeff moves to look out the window.
Ness grabs his hand.
NESS
What are your crazy?
POV - Zombie
The grating is pulled down, it clatters. Those in the room
do not notice.
21.
JEFF
What?
NESS
If you let the zombies know we're
here, then they'll come full force.
POV - On Paula
Paula stands, arms folded. She watches the group.
JEFF
I personally think we should try
to refrain from talking at all.
Although they probably have bad
hearing, it's better safe than
sorry.
From behind Paula, the zombie moves from out of the shadows.
It leaps forward biting on her shoulder. Fresh blood flows
from the wound.
PAULA
NO!
Ness picks up a kids baseball bat from the corner of the room.
NESS
Paula get down!
Paula ducks. The zombie turns around. Ness swings the bat,
knocking the head of the zombie clear off. It flies across
the room, right in front of Jeff's eyes. He faints. He
smacks against the wall, then falls into a trash can.
NESS
Two points.
The zombie turns to dust. Ness looks down.
NESS
Paula! Are you alright.
PAULA
Yes...I am, don't worry.
She holds pressure on the wound, when she removes it, it is
blue. No one notices.
Aided by Ness, Paula stands.
PAULA
We got to get out of here.
22.
JEFF
But Ness said to wait until the
absolute moment where we have to
leave. According to my
calculations, the zombies are
simply going to give up.
At that moment, the front door comes crashing down. The
screaming zombie lets out his signature. Windows shatter.
One of Jeff's lenses fractures. Zombies start walking inward.
Some crawl through the window.
SCREAMER
NESS! GET HIM!
The dead try to pick up their pace. They stumble, but
quickly regain composure. The group as a whole start moving
backwards.
Ness looks to his right.
NESS
Quick! Upstairs.
The group runs upstairs. They go down the hall. A door is
open at the end of the hallway. Poo, being the last to run
through, slams the door shut.
Zombies slowly ascend the stairs.
IN THE ROOM
NESS
Quick, lets move this thing.
Jeff and Ness go to the sides of a wooden armoire. They push
it.
PAULA
Be careful that's my mothers.
Ness runs to the window. At ground level, the last remaining
zombies are piling into the house.
The footsteps get closer to the door. Paula rushes besides
Poo. She slaps his face. He moans.
The door shakes.
NESS
We gotta go.
PAULA
Poo, wake up!
23.
Ness brings his hands to the sides of his face. He rubs.
Jeff and Paula stare at him. The banging continues. Ness
opens his eyes. They are a screaming yellow.
Two beams put Poo in a blinding light. He coughs, then sits
up.
NESS
Okay let's go.
Ness runs over to the window again. It is clear. Ness slides
open the window. He steps out on the roof.
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
There is a very convenient water drain. He grasps hold of it
and slides down a foot.
NESS
Come on.
The others stumble onto the roof. Jeff slips. Poo catches
him. Ness lowers himself enough to let Paula on.
INT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
Inside the room, a bang is heard. Then, a fist slams through
the wall on the side of the door.
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
All four are now on the drainpipe. They slide down together
as a group. Ness is the first one off.
NESS
Come on.
INT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
There are now many fists protruding from the walls.
Bang. Bang. Bang. The armoire is knocked out of the way. The
door gets knocked down, and the crowd of zombies is seen.
EXT. POLESTAR PRESCHOOL - NIGHT
Jeff is the last one clinging to the pipe. He lets go,
stumbling as he hits the ground. Paula helps him regain
composure.
NESS
(whispering)
Let's go.
24.
They sneak past the front stoop of the school. After they
tiptoe a few feet...
SCREAMER
NEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
The Four look up. The screaming zombie is looking out the
window.
NESS
Let's go!
They run past the door. As they do, one lone zombie jumps
out of the shadows, grabbing Jeff by the nap of his neck,
all Roy Horn's tiger.
PAULA
Jeff!
Jeff pulls a small gun-like device from his front suit
pocket. He points it at the zombie's face. The red eyes go
crossed. Jeff pulls the trigger. An orange beam of light
surrounds the zombie. It lets go of Jeff. He stands back a
foot.
The zombie shrinks until there is nothing but a small ball
of orange energy. It then goes back into the gun. Jeff blows
on it, all Clint Eastwood.
JEFF
All too easy.
Ness pulls at his arm.
NESS
Let's go.
They run down the street.
As they across the next house, the crowd of zombies emerge.
Screamer looks to his left, then to his right. There is no
one. The other zombies look confused and scatter about their
way.
Screamer screams.
CUT TO:
EXT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
The Four are still running. They end up at the side of a
mountain. Along the main road that runs into it, is a large
empty tunnel.
25.
NESS
Hello?
It echoes.
PAULA
I don't think we should go in.
Remember what happened last time?
Ness takes a step.
NESS
We'll have to risk it.
They go inward.
JEFF
But I'm scared of the dark.
INT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
They walk in the tunnel silently. There is the echoing sound
of footsteps.
JEFF
How much longer is there?
NESS
I don't know.
PAULA
Too bad the Runaway Five aren't
here.
POO
Who?
NESS
This group of guys. They gave us
a ride through here last time.
POO
Oh.
They continue to walk. The footsteps seem to grow in volume.
Ness stops. The others stop save for Jeff. Jeff continues to
walk, but the footsteps still sound as if it is the whole
group. Jeff turns his head around. Noticing the group
stopped, he stops. The footsteps continue.
Jeff screaming, then runs. The group screams, then follows.
At the end of the tunnel there is a bright light.
26.
NESS
There it is, there's the end of
the tunnel.
JEFF
It's about time!
Ness skids to a stop. They all do. The light at the tunnels
comes closer, and in focus. It is really five ghosts, large,
taking up the entire space of the tunnel. They all have red
eyes, with two long brach-like arms each, and mouths gaping
wide open. They laugh horribly.
The group is frozen. The ghosts come upon them.
All is white.
CUT TO:
EXT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
It is the empty road. A white light appears in the shape of
our young heroes. It slowly forms into their fleshy selves.
They are screaming, except for Paula.
PAULA
Now that's something you don't
see everyday.
Jeff stands up and runs at the tunnel.
JEFF
Well! I don't get it! I really
don't! Why, if we were supposed
to come together to save the
world, did they have this stupid
ghost tunnel here? Why not have
us meet in Threed? Better yet,
have us meet before this stuff
happened, so we could have
stopped it while it was in the
making? But can we? NO! We have
to do the hero bit again!
Ness gets up, walks to Jeff, and puts a hand on his shoulder.
NESS
Jeff?
JEFF
Yeah?
NESS
Shut up.
27.
Jeff takes a beat.
JEFF
Oh...yeah okay. Sorry.
PAULA
What are we going to do?
POO
We could climb the summit.
Ness shakes his head.
NESS
No time.
He walks through at the end of the tunnel. He looks into the
sky. There is a mind's eye image of the Tarah Rama.
NESS
I got it!
He runs to the group. The group mumbles "what?" and "What is
it?" and "Really?"
NESS
I remember what the Tarah Rama
said. The last enemy was to be
won over by force. This one is to
be won over by faith. These are
evil ghosts right?
JEFF
Yeah?
NESS
And as spirits, they shouldn't be
able to harm us. Unless we LET
them.
Paula stands.
PAULA
That might work. Let's do it.
They all get up, and walk to the tunnel entrance.
NESS
Everyone hold hands. Remember.
Faith. Goodness will take us
through. Ignore the ghosts.
ALL
Right.
28.
They hold hands. Forming a line across the entire length of
the road.
JEFF
But what if a car comes.
PAULA
Oh Jeff.
They start walking.
CUT TO:
INT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
They are walking in the tunnel, still holding hands.
The light appears at the end.
Jeff gulps.
Ness blinks.
Poo nods.
Paula smiles.
The ghosts fly at toward them.
NESS
Group! Stop!
They stop walking. The ghosts scream. They meet them.
And go past them. The ghosts go to the far end of the tunnel
and disappear.
JEFF
Yeah!
They raise their hands in the air and run to the end of the
tunnel, screaming in happiness.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF THREED - NIGHT
They exit the tunnel still holding hands, laughing.
JEFF
That was great.
PAULA
I wish I had a picture of it.
29.
Ness separates from the group, looking on the town.
JEFF
Just all "BWHAHAHA" then woosh!
We showed them.
POO
Oh yes we did.
Ness turns around.
NESS
Guys!
Everyone stops laughing. They are silent.
POO
What is it?
NESS
We have to get going.
They all not. They walk toward the town. Ness trudges ahead
of the group. Jeff, Paula, and Poo walk close together.
JEFF
What's up with him.
POO
He's been acting funny.
PAULA
I think all this adventuring is
getting to him. I know we'll end
up like that if we have to keep
doing it. Plus, he's the leader
of the group. He has the most
responsibility.
JEFF
I have faith in him.
PAULA
Well, that's the name of the game.
Ness's face changes. His eyes shift, indicating that he has
heard there conversation. He stops, turns.
NESS
Hey. I'm sorry about the way I
acted back there. I just want
this to be over with. It's very
stressful.
(MORE)
30.
NESS (CONT'D)
Plus, I'm afraid for everyone.
Once we stop Belch, if it is
Belch, how do we know that
everyone will be turned back to
normal? How is it certain?
PAULA
Just believe that it will be okay.
That's the best you can do. Even
though you can't see the future,
knowing it will be okay is enough
to try.
POO
And if you do not try, you do not
succeed.
Ness looks at the town.
NESS
Okay, let's go.
Paula smiles.
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN THREED - NIGHT
They are in front of the drug store. He looks inside. Lights
are off. No one is around.
NESS
Dead.
JEFF
Please, don't say that.
They continue down the street. They turn a corner.
NESS
I don't get it. It was full of
zombies in Twoson. Now it's
nothing.
As they come to the hotel, they go inside.
CUT TO:
31.
EXT. TUNNEL - NIGHT
Screamer comes up to the tunnel. He looks at it quizzically,
then walks in.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL - NIGHT
They pile into the hotel.
POO
What's that?
On the concierge's desk, is a white piece of paper, with a
key on top. Ness picks it up. They read it.
POKEY (VO)
Hey suckers. I guess you are more
predictable than I imagined. You
came this way last time, so I
decided to give you a little
break. I ordered the zombies not
to mess with you as long as you
are in the downtown area of
Threed. You have enough trouble
as it is. So stay the night.
Relax. You'll have time to die in
the morning. Goodnight.
Ness puts the letter down.
JEFF
Ness, I am pretty tired.
POO
Yeah...a few hours won't hurt us.
Ness sighs.
NESS
Okay.
They go into the other room. They unlock the door to the
first room. They go in.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT
Pokey stumbles outside of the hotel room. He is in shadow.
He enters.
32.
INT. HOTEL - NIGHT
He steps across the floor of the lobby. He goes to the door
marked 13. He puts his ear up against it.
INT. ROOM 13 - NIGHT
The four are sleeping underneath their covers.
INT. HOTEL - NIGHT
Pokey slides a key into the lock. He enters.
INT. ROOM 13 - NIGHT
Pokey walks several feet into the room. He raises his hand.
In it, is a .45 revolver. He takes aim at the sheets. He
fires all six shots into the different lumps.
He laughs.
A light switches on, and the four heroes stand, still fully
dressed.
Pokey turns his back on them.
NESS
You didn't think we were that
stupid did you.
PAULA
And don't you even think about
reloading that gun.
POO
Turn around.
Pokey turns around. His entire amount of skin, face, arms:
they are now completely blue. His eyes are red. His
transformation is complete.
He speaks, his voice now bubbly and more organic.
POKEY
Well, look who it is, it's the
chump -- or I'm sorry -- champ of
the world. Mind if I sit down my
"friend?"
JEFF
Not on the bed, I hope.
Ness shoots Jeff a look. Pokey sits down on the ground.
33.
POKEY
Join me.
Ness shrugs, sitting first. The rest follow.
NESS
What do you want? What is going
on here.
POKEY
Well, what I'm doing here was
trying to kill you. But that
didn't work out too well. It is
of no consequence, everything
will be worked out in the fullness
of time.
NESS
On with it pudgy.
POKEY
Belch has returned. He has grown,
evolved if you will, into a
horror that feeds off of negative
energy. And that energy got so
big that it branched out. Everyone
who is overtly bad has transformed.
He lifts his arm.
POKEY
Into this...Belch calls it
improvement, but I never cared
for blue.
He hacks a dry wheezy laugh.
POKEY
You'll fall. If you don't die
first.
NESS
Where is he?
POKEY
Do you think if I was really true
henchman that I would tell you
where he is?
NESS
But I know you're not a true
henchman.
34.
POKEY
Oh the idiot speaks truth. For
once. That is true Ness. Thing
is, I want one of two things. You
guys to win, or to be put away
horribly. So, I want it done
quickly either way, so I want you
thrown in the lion's den. Last
time I took a heck of a beating.
So, I'm just going to stay here
and wait for the sparks to fly.
NESS
Where?
POKEY
Only if you let me stay here.
Ness looks at the group. They all done.
NESS
Done. Where?
POKEY
Same place he was before. But,
there is a secret way of getting
there. Unlike last time, in the
tunnel to that river that runs by
Saturn Valley, there is a covered
hole. In it, is another tunnel
that will lead you straight to
new antechambers where Belch hides.
Ness stands.
NESS
If you lied to us, you're going
to get it first.
Pokey hacks a dry cough.
POKEY
Scout's honor.
Ness swings back a fist. He lowers it, then turns toward the
door.
NESS
Let's go.
The rest follow him, leaving the door open.
35.
Pokey laughs. He pulls himself up. The tendons in his arms
creak. He crawls along one of the beds. He pulls a sheet up.
There are pillows with bullet holes where he thought the
bodies were.
He pulls the sheet around him. He shivers. His blue clawlike
hand feels along the dresser. The remote for the TV is there.
Pokey picks it up and turns on the TV.
Click -- different channel. Click -- different channel.
Click -- different channel. Finally, he stops. He stays
watching it. As the TV is being watched, a shadow appears
along the door. It appears human.
Pokey has his eyes closed. The shadow creeps over him.
A cough. The shadow moves in synch with it. Pokey opens his
eyes. He gasps for breath. A blue hand grips on his shoulder.
SCREAMER
I smelled them. Where are they?
POKEY
You just missed them.
Screamer leans in.
SCREAMER
Where did they go?
POKEY
I don't know.
Screamer lifts him in the air by the shoulder.
SCREAMER
Tell me.
POKEY
To the master.
Screamer tosses him across the room. He takes several slow
steps towards him. Pokey grips his arm, cowering in the
corner.
SCREAMER
You told them where the master is?
POKEY
Yeah, so what. He can handle them.
36.
SCREAMER
You know what they did last time,
and you let them go?
POKEY
I didn't have any rounds yet.
Screamer picks up the TV.
SCREAMER
What about this? Use this, use
anything, but you should have
gotten them!
POKEY
Please, just leave me.
Screamer lowers the TV.
POKEY
phew.
Screamer takes a step in.
SCREAMER
You're still part human.
Pokey looks up.
POKEY
Huh? How so?
SCREAMER
I can smell your tasty brain.
He opens his mouth, revealing a smile of rotten wood-colored
teeth.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
The Four walk through the cemetery as. They walk by the
Corvette.
NESS
What do you suppose happened here?
JEFF
Dunno.
Ness peers in the window.
37.
NESS
No one.
Paula sits down on the grass.
NESS
What is it?
PAULA
This is much worse than last time.
When we did it last time, hardly
anyone other than ourselves were
hurt. Now...it seems that
everything is going for loss.
NESS
Don't think that like. If we
think like that, than everything
is lost.
PAULA
But it's hard.
He kneels beside her.
NESS
I know it is. We all do. But if
we give up hope, then all is
lost, like I said. We're their
only hope.
PAULA
Why us?
Poo walks next to her.
POO
Destiny.
PAULA
Yeah well, I wish we could have
given destiny a vote.
Ness pulls at her arm.
NESS
Come on we gotta go.
She gets up. They continue walking. A rustle of the leaves
are under their feet. Jeff starts humming a happy 70's tune.
They all give him a look. He stops.
In front of them is the well.
38.
NESS
Deja vu.
PAULA
Yeah, but last time there were
guards.
At this cue, Mike and Sherry leap out of the forest.
They are now zombies, blue with red eyes. They stand in
front of the well at attention, unmoving. The Four take a
step towards them. They do not move.
JEFF
Wow, leaping statues.
They creak their heads toward Jeff. Their eyes shine.
SHERRY
(unearthly voice)
Do not pass.
MIKE
(same)
All shall perish.
Ness steps forward.
NESS
Good evening. We just want to get
through in order to get to Belch.
We uh...we want to give him a
present.
SHERRY
(Belch's voice)
Oh do you Ness? That would be oh
so very kind of you.
Ness gets into a fight position.
NESS
Alright, that's it Belch, I'm
coming fighting for it.
SHERRY
(same)
And hurt my slave? Well, guess
what kiddos, I'm having these two
hear before, they are willing to
fight you, but they are human in
heart. If my plan fails, they
live. But they can't if you
destroy them.
39.
Paula nudges them.
PAULA
That's quite a predicament we
have here Ness.
Ness backs off a few feet.
NESS
Will you excuse us please a
minute you two?
They do not move. The four move back into the open field of
the cemetery.
NESS
So what do we do?
JEFF
Beats me.
POO
I have an idea.
NESS
What?
POO
Paula? You know how you can tap
in to communicate with us? Your
telepathy?
PAULA
Yeah?
POO
What if you used it here? With
the zombies?
PAULA
But they don't have minds.
NESS
Poo is right. These aren't
complete zombies yet. Maybe you
can tap into what is in there
that's still human.
PAULA
K, let's try it.
The Four reemerge. Mike and Sherry have not stirred.
40.
Paula steps forward. The zombies creak their necks and look
at them. Their eyes glow red.
Paula blinks, bringing her hands to the sides of her temples.
She starts shaking into a convulsion. The zombies cock their
heads. Her eyes turn red and...
INT. THE VOID
A dark void. Paula stands there.
PAULA
Is anyone there? If there is
please answer me.
Sherry, the human form steps forward.
SHERRY
I am here.
PAULA
Where is the man?
They look into the mist of the darkness. There is no movement.
SHERRY
Gone. He's gone. My boyfriend is
gone!
PAULA
What do you mean.
SHERRY
The zombies got to him
first...they didn't just touch me
and change me like him.
They...hurt him. I don't think he
is alive.
Paula hugs her.
PAULA
Don't worry, everything will work
out. But I need to help you now.
SHERRY
Wait. If I come back, I'll have
to see Mike as a zombie. I don't
want that to happen.
PAULA
But it may be the only way to
save you.
41.
SHERRY
Why can't I just stay here...it's
not bad. It's warm here. Safe. I
feel safe.
She collapses. She looks at her hand. It starts to fade.
SHERRY
What is happening to me.
PAULA
I think it's you being lost to
the void.
SHERRY
I..don't want to stay forever.
Paula extends her hand.
PAULA
Then concentrate with me. Please.
If you have faith, it will save
you. Just believe you will be okay.
Sherry grasps Paula with her good hand.
SHERRY
I'll...try.
Paula lifts her up.
PAULA
Now concentrate. Please. Just
think. Concentrate.
Sherry puts her head against Paula's. The white turns bright
and
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Paula is still having her convulsions. Then she stops. Her
eyes go normal. She collapses into Ness's arms.
NESS
Are you okay.
JEFF
Look!
Jeff points at Sherry Zombie. She falls to the ground, the
other zombie doesn't notice. It convulses on the group. The
tight blue skin fills out. It turns flesh colored. Her eyes
turn normal. She coughs.
42.
SHERRY
...Am I back?
She stands up, brushing herself off. She smiles at Paula.
Then she turns her head to the zombie version of Mike.
SHERRY
No!
She backs off a few steps.
SHERRY
No! No! No!
She rushes forward.
SHERRY
No!
She leaps at Mike. She wraps her arms around his neck. The
zombie starts thrashing about. He grabs her by the scruff of
the neck and tosses her hard on the ground.
NESS
Hey, dirtface!
The zombie turns to face the group, and is blasted into the
dust of the earth.
Ness takes hands away from his temples.
The group rushes up to Sherry on the ground.
Sherry is shaking.
PAULA
Shhh...stop it'll be okay.
SHERRY
No...it won't.
Paula hugs Sherry. They are in the form of the Pieta (Mary
holding Jesus). Sherry continues to shake.
SHERRY
I couldn't handle seeing him like
that. I...had to try to do
something, I didn't know you guys
could have--so easily....
PAULA
Shhh.
Sherry's shaking slows down. Her breathing becomes more faint.
43.
SHERRY
Thank you...it was worth it.
Better than hiding--
Sherry continues to mumble. Ness, Poo, and Jeff place a hand
on her shoulder.
SHERRY
Mike...I love Mike...thank
you...good people.
Sherry closes her eyes. Her breathing stops.
Paula lets the body slide from under her fingers.
They group stands. Paula is in tears. Ness hugs her.
NESS
It was the best you could do.
Better than being a zombie.
Paula nods, putting her head deep within his shoulder.
She straightens herself up.
PAULA
Let's go.
She goes first to the hole, and without looking in, starts
climbing. The rest follow.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 13 - NIGHT
Only in shadow is Screamer seen. Something is at his mouth.
He makes a slurping sound. His shadow arm tosses an object.
A human skull smashes against the wall, shattering. Screamer
laughs.
CUT TO:
INT. WELL - NIGHT
Splash. Ness's foot hits a puddle. They are walking in the
dimly lit catacombs. Jeff has a flashlight on what appears
to be a high tech Swiss army knife.
NESS
You alright Paula?
PAULA
Yeah, let's just get this over
with.
44.
JEFF
Got it!
The beam is on a sheet of metal on the ground.
JEFF
Get it!
Ness, Paula, and Poo pull at it. A whole, big enough for
one, is on the ground, with a rope ladder.
NESS
Oh it just keeps getting better.
Ness starts the descent.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT
Screamer is at the well. He looks at the pile of dust. Then
he looks at Sherry's body. He takes a large breath in.
He walks to the well.
CUT TO:
INT. CATACOMBS - NIGHT
They are walking in smaller cavern. They come across a
walled off area. Jeff puts his beam of light downward. There
is a small cranny. They crawl inward.
As they come out the other side, they are in what used to be
the old factory of Belch. Jeff shines a light on the broken
bottle from the begining of the story.
As the light pans left, there is a hole in the ground. There
is now a ramp of dirt going downward into darkness. The
group goes down it.
As they go down it, there are bodies on the ground. They are
the bodies of zombies, but they are sucked in and dry.
Mummified zombies.
JEFF
What happened here?
POO
I have no idea.
When they get to the bottom of the ramp, there is a large
chamber. At the other side, in a great distance, is a metal
door with active lights and machinery on it.
45.
There is a sound behind them, almost a chuckle in the wind.
JEFF
What's that.
Ness turns around.
NESS
Nothing.
They continue across the large chamber. As they get halfway,
Ness holds his arms to his sides, stopping the group.
NESS
Wait!
Jeff shines the light down. There is a large hole in the
ground.
POO
Here's a predicament.
Ness kneels downward. He rubs his hand on the wall of the
dropoff. His hand plucks something.
NESS
It's a high wire!
POO & PAULA
What?
NESS
A high wire. Like at the circus.
I think this is our way across.
PAULA
Alright.
POO
Let's do it.
They all move forward. All save Jeff.
NESS
Jeff what is it?
JEFF
I'm afraid of heights.
NESS
Don't worry, if you slip, you can
grap onto the cord and pull
yourself up again. How else do
you think no accidents ever happen?
46.
Jeff looks to his friends.
JEFF
I don't know...maybe I should
just stay here.
Poo pulls at him.
POO
Jeff. Friend. Come with us.
Ness starts across. Paula follows.
POO
See, it is of no trouble.
JEFF
Are you sure?
POO
Yes. Don't worry. Faith my friend.
Remember. Don't lose it.
JEFF
Alright.
Poo starts across the wire.
Jeff looks down at his feet. Then the wire.
JEFF
Faith.
He takes a step. Smiles. He keeps walking.
The entire group walks.
Ness is across the ravine. Paula is almost there. Poo is
almost halfway.
Jeff looks down at his feet. He starts to stumble.
JEFF
I can do it....
He regains composure. They continue walking. Poo slows down.
POO
Hey Jeff. I'll let you catch up
and we'll walk one in front of
each other.
JEFF
'k.
47.
Paula is done crossing.
Jeff catches up with Poo. They continue to walk.
They do not notice a blue hand going hand over hand
underneath the wire.
Jeff and Poo and 2/3rds the way. Jeff stumbles again.
JEFF
Faith.
He takes a step. He starts swaying back and forth.
JEFF
I won't make it.
POO
You can!
JEFF
No!
Paula runs to the edge.
PAULA
Jeff, don't give up your hope!
Don't!
Jeff stands upright.
JEFF
I can't make it.
Slow motion. Jeff's eyes start turning from the normal white
black and blue to completly red. His hair starts turning
white. His skin around his eyes turn blue. He raises his arm
toward Poo's back.
JEFF
Brains!
Jeff the faithless zombie pulls Poo back. Before Poo can
react they both tumble over the side of the ravine. They
fall. Poo screaming. A bubbly version of Jeff's voice laugh.
They echo through the chamber until both fade out.
PAULA
No! Not another one! TWO!
Paula almost tips over.
Ness graps her back.
48.
NESS
No Paula not you too.
PAULA
Jeff! Ness, why? Why? Did you see
him? Did you see his eyes? What
happened?
NESS
I think he lost the faith.
PAULA
That's all it takes. One simply
saying of the word can't, one
final straw lost, and you're one
of THEM?
NESS
Apparantly so.
PAULA
Is there so much bad feeling in
this world that it reaches out
like that? Only pure hate could
cause something like that.
NESS
I know.
PAULA
Maybe this world isn't worth the
trouble we're taking to save it.
Maybe when it's all over they
won't even thank us. I don't know
if I can handle that Ness.
NESS
You know what Paula?
PAULA
What?
NESS
You said when it's all over...you
didn't say if. That was your
saving grace.
PAULA
You call this grace? Maybe we're
the bad guys here.
Ness shakes her.
49.
NESS
Don't. We have to keep going.
PAULA
Okay...
NESS
For Jeff! For Poo!
PAULA
No.
Ness doubles back.
NESS
What?
Paula stands.
PAULA
For everyone.
She walks toward the mechanical door. Ness joins her,
wrapping an arm over her.
NESS
There's just us two friends now.
PAULA
But we can do it.
She starts pressing buttons on the door.
NESS
How do you suppose this works?
PAULA
If only Jeff were here he....
They both sigh. From behind a shadowy figure moves towards
them. Paula pushes a few more buttons. Ness tries pulling at
the door.
Screamer leaps up at them, pulling at Paula. He does his
signature scream.
PAULA
Ness!
SCREAMER
I got you now!
Ness turns, putting his hands up to his head. Paula's eyes
go white.
50.
Before Ness has a chance to let loose with his terrific PSI
powers, Screamer turns into a white glow. He literarly gets
sucked into Paula's eyes. Ness shields himself as he starts
the glow, so he does not see this happen.
Paula opens her eyes. They are red. She blinks. They are
normal.
NESS
What happened?
PAULA
I...don't know.
NESS
It's gone!
PAULA
I know....
Ness puts his hands about her, checking for something wrong.
NESS
You seem fine.
PAULA
I feel...great.
NESS
It's like the ghosts. You wished
it away, and it happened.
PAULA
I guess....
Ness turns back to the door.
NESS
I'd love to talk about it, but we
got to get this door open. Any
ideas Paula.
Paula looks at the buttons.
PAULA
...Green...blue...blue...red...pull
the red lever.
Ness presses the Green button. There is a hum. He presses
the Blue button. There is a higher pitched hum. There is a
red button. An even higher pitched up. He pulls the red
lever. The door makes an unlatching sound.
Ness turns around.
51.
NESS
How did you know that?
PAULA
Lucky guess.
Ness pushes on the door. It slides wide open. They both walk
inside.
CUT TO:
INT. THROWN-ROOM - NIGHT
They both enter the large room. It is lit by gas-style
lighting. A red carpet goes down the room. Bodies of
mummifies zombies are everywhere. In the center back of the
room, a large thrown. It is red, with diamonds, rubies, and
emeralds crusted along it. Sitting on it, is Belch.
He is enourmous, taking up almost the entire height of the
room. He is not as before. His face is similar, but he has a
humonoid body. It is moving, gellatinous. Big muscular arms
and legs. A chest that would put Gov. Arnold to shame. All
of it is sudden form, then changes to the blue mud, then
back to muscle again. Atop his head is a crown.
His eyes are still big white orbs with black dots in the
middle. His mouth still a drooling, gaping hole with sharp
teeth. But his head is now more round, almost human.
In his large hand, he holds the body of a zombie. It is at
his mouth. He is sucking. As he does, the body goes from
rotting flesh, to dry paper.
He tosses the mummy down, licks his "lips" with his large
tongue, and bends down toward the group.
BELCH
Well well well, what have we here.
The four heroes...no...two? What
happened to your other two
friends? Did they decide to run
off, or did they fall along the
path? I think the later, for your
kind never stops bugging me. So,
I'm glad you two have decided to
join me. You do look tasty.
He lets loose a belch. The two heroes get thrown back by the
blast. They quickly stand back up.
NESS
We're hear two defeat you!
52.
BELCH
Me? I cannot be killed. I have
many lives in me. Dead lives. You
can't kill the dead, and since
there are so many of the dead in
me, it only comes to sense that
you cannot kill me.
PAULA
We will. Be prepared?
BELCH
For? A few incantations in Latin?
A cross and holy water? Look at
me. I'm humongous. And I'm very
hungry. You two tasty morsols
will be a tidy snack till the
rest of the world will be at my
fingertips.
Belch stands. He has to lean downward in order to move.
BELCH
So, come at me with your mystical
powers, and I'll get you with my
own. Or you can do something for
me.
NESS
We would never do anything for you.
BELCH
Just watch out son. Listen to me
a moment. I have lost that
overweight fellow. I heard he has
been...detained. I would like a
couple minions to oversee me as I
take over the world. Being as big
as I am, it's hard to get ahead
in the world. Although I'm more
than just a head like before.
He bellows laughter.
BELCH
Not funny? Alright, I'll stop it
with the jokes. Seriously? Can't
you just imagine. Belch and his
servants, the former saviors of
the world, and I'm not talking
about that hippy looking dude in
the white robe.
(MORE)
53.
BELCH (CONT'D)
If people realize that you two
peons came over to my side, they
would lose Faith in the good.
Heck, I think that I might have
the whole world zombified my
suppertime tomorrow. Your other
two friends are already dead, so
that's probably half of the world
right there. It's coming on so
quick guys, why tempt the fates?
NESS
Because it's wrong?
PAULA
What we're doing is right?
BELCH
By whose standards? What I'm
doing is right by me. What you're
doing is right by you. It's all
relative.
NESS
No, what we're doing is a service
to pure Goodness.
BELCH
Oh hush up and bring on the meat!
Ness steps forward.
NESS
Alright Belch, let's see what
you've got.
Belch opens his mouth. He start sucking in air. Ness and
Paula start sliding toward him.
PAULA
We have to fight for the good
Belch. In doing so we risk
sacrafice. That proves that we
are better beings than you.
BELCH
Survival of the fittest, not
survival of the most good. If so,
there'd be no martyrs.
NESS
If there were no martyrs, none of
us would be good.
54.
Belch screams, then sucks in a huge blast of air. Both of
the heroes get tossed in the air toward his face. Halfway
they stop moving. Both of them have their eyes closed.
BELCH
Huh? Oh telekinesis again.
He resumes sucking. There is no movement. Both of the heroes
open their eyes. They are a golden hue.
They both extend their arms toward Belch. The monster has
his eyes wide open as he sucks in air.
Small sparks emit from Ness and Paula's fingertips. Their
arms both shake violently. The sparks grow into glowing
sheets of still lightening.
NESS
Now!
The lightning hits Belch. He stops sucking.
BELCH
Stop! That hurts!
PAULA
Now!
Lightning hits Belch again. The flying heroes both turn
upright in midair. They flex all muscles. They extend all
appendages. A pink glow surrounds them.
NESS
Faith!
PAULA
Faith!
The pink light covers half the room. The image of the Tarah
Rama and Starstorm appear in the same form next to Ness and
Paula. The light intensifies its brightness.
STARSTORM
Faith!
It starts covering Belch. He screams more. The room gets
turns into a tornado of wind, with the zombies flying about.
TARAH RAMA
Faith!
The ground starts shaking.
55.
ALL
FAITH!
With this, there is a beam of the bright pink. It goes
toward Belch. He is covered with it. He starts swinging back
and forth. He is no long muscle, but just geletin, eyes, and
mouth.
BELCH
(liquidy)
Fa..ith..
Three more beams erupt for the croud.
EXPLOSION
Belch blows up like the most concetrated finding of dynamite.
The images of the Rama and Starstorm fade away. Ness and
Paula and thrown upwards.
EXT. SATURN VALLEY - NIGHT
An explosion in the ground from the deeps. Ness and Paula
are last out, flying in the air.
They land with a splash in the water.
They both swim ashore, coughing.
Ness stands.
NESS
We did it!
PAULA
No! Faith did it!
They embrace.
NESS
Look!
They look across the water. The sun is starting to rise on
the horizon over the hill. Ness puts an arm around her
shoulder.
NESS
It looks like it's over.
They start walking away.
CUT TO:
56.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
They walk through the cemetery.
NESS
I can't believe that Jeff and Poo
are gone.
PAULA
I know. But didn't Rama say
something about a sacrifice?
NESS
Yes...maybe that was them.
PAULA
No...I think it was the girl. The
zombifyed girl who helped us out.
Ness nods. They walk by the Corvette. He rubs his hand along
the door of the car.
NESS
Good thing they decided to come
here the other night.
Paula nods.
They look at the town. It is starting to bustle. At Mach
Pizza, the Italian man is starting to nead the dough. At the
hotel, the tuxedoed manager puts out a "Occupancy" sign in
front.
Kids start to play on the sidewalks.
NESS
It is good.
PAULA
Yes...it is...
She starts rubbing her head.
PAULA
But I don't get something.
NESS
What?
PAULA
Why did so many people have to
die? I don't understand it at all.
57.
NESS
I don't know
She pushes him away.
PAULA
Ness, will you excuse me for a
second.
Paula rushes to the end of the cemetery. She puts a hand on
a headstone. Her eyes are closed. With the other hand, she
rubs her temple.
CUT TO:
INT. THE VOID
A scream echoes.
PAULA
What's going on?
Screamer, the zombie, steps forward from the mist.
SCREAMER
It's me Paula. That zombie that
entered your brain.
PAULA
What? But but, we killed Belch.
They said that once we killed
Blech everything would be okay?
SCREAMER
Yeah, I know they said that, but
they're old fools they're wrong.
PAULA
So now what?
SCREAMER
Zombies will come back. When
foolish men's hearts lie, they
will come back.
Paula sits down.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Paula sits down at the same time as in the void.
INT. THE VOID
She finishs sitting.
58.
PAULA
Can't be.
SCREAMER
Oh it is. Don't worry Paula. I'll
be here to help.
She looks up.
PAULA
Help?
SCREAMER
Yes. Help. You see. I haven't
lost anything. I keep going. So
will you.
PAULA
But you're evil.
SCREAMER
Only by certain standards.
PAULA
I can't believe all these things,
these horrible deaths, and then
it goes on.
SCREAMER
You can help all that.
PAULA
I can.
Paula seems to be in a daze. Her eyes are dialated.
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Ness runs up to her. Her back is toward him.
NESS
Paula, What's wrong?
INT. THE VOID
Screamer puts a hand on her shoulder.
SCREAMER
Give up what you believe and
believe in me.
PAULA
You are pretty persistant.
59.
SCREAMER
Good things come to those who wait.
PAULA
Yes they do.
SCREAMER
You know what you have to do
right Paula?
PAULA
Yes, I think I do.
She smiles. Screamer laughs.
CUT TO:
EXT. CEMETERY - DAY
Ness takes a step toward her. Her back is still to him.
NESS
Paula what's wrong.
PAULA
Nothing. Everything is right.
NESS
But you ran away, you sounded
upset. I just want to know what's
going on.
PAULA
Everything will be alright Ness.
Just don't lose Faith.
She laughs.
NESS
I won't.
Paula turns around. Her skin is completly blue. Her eyes are
red. Her long hair is white. She smiles with rotted teeth.
Ness falls to the ground.
She opens her mouth in a big black O.
She screams.
FADE OUT.