Planet Z Season 1 Episode 2: On Solid Ground

NUMB HUMOR STUDIOS PRESENTS:

PLANET Z

Season 1 Episode 2

"On Solid Ground"

Written by

William Fry



INT. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Frank Heston is on the ISS. He looks out the main window. He is grabbed by his shoulder and thrown against the wall by a zombified Ulysses. Zombie Ulysses grabs Frank and throws him against the window. The window cracks, breaks, and they are sucked into space.
INT. FRANK'S TENT - DAY
Frank awakes from his nightmare. He is sweaty and breathes heavily. He gets dressed and exits his tent.
EXT. ARMY CAMP - DAY
Frank stands outside his tent. He kneels down and places his hand on the ground. He feels the grass between his fingers.
FRANK
(Whispering)
You're home.
Cut to an open meadow. Frank, Ava, Hendricks, Dion, Callahan, and the other soldiers stand around thirteen graves.
CALLAHAN
When the world fell and the dead rose, these men chose to help the human race. They will not be forgotten when they write about this in the history books. These men did not die in vain and we are going to keep it that way.
The soldiers salute and go about their day.
CALLAHAN 
Frank.
FRANK
Lieutenant.
CALLAHAN
Join me in my tent.
INT. CALLAHAN'S TENT - DAY
Callahan pours two glasses of whiskey and hands one to Frank.
CALLAHAN
To those we lost.
FRANK
To those we lost.
They clink their glasses and sip their drinks.
CALLAHAN
I received word from The Rig. They’re freaking out. An astronaut from the ISS made it back to Earth.
FRANK
And discovers that it’s overrun with zombies.
CALLAHAN
They want to speak to you.
FRANK
I’m going to The Rig?
CALLAHAN
When the next supply ship comes in about a week.
Frank doesn’t respond. The two sit in silence.
CALLAHAN
How are you adjusting?
FRANK
As good you’d expect. It doesn’t help that I saw six men shot in cold blood.
CALLAHAN
Frank if there is anything about this new world… it’s that it’s very cruel. People get bitten and turn. People die and they turn. The living kill the living to survive.
FRANK
I guess I still have a lot to learn.
CALLAHAN
I have a feeling you’re a quick study.
FRANK
Well, if there’s anything I can do around here, let me know. I want to contribute.
CALLAHAN
Well, I’m sure Gio could use some help in the kitchen.
FRANK
Actually, I was thinking about something else.
CALLAHAN
What do you mean?
FRANK
I heard about a supply run that’s gonna happen today.
CALLAHAN
Yes. Hendricks and his team are going out.
FRANK
I want in.
CALLAHAN
As much as I appreciate your desire to help, The Rig gave me specific orders to keep you safe at all cost.
FRANK
You’re down a few men Lieutenant. I’m a good shot. I can take care of myself.
Callahan stares at Frank and takes a sip of whiskey.
CALLAHAN
Ok fine. But you listen to everything that Hendricks or Dion says. Understood?
FRANK
Yes.
Frank leaves the tent.
EXT. ARMY CAMP - DAY
Frank puts a backpack on his back. He stands near a military humvee. Ava walks up to him also wearing a backpack.
FRANK
You're going?
AVA
You’re still my patient. Besides I always go out with Hendricks’ unit. You know, just in case one of them gets an injury besides a bite.
Hendricks exits Callahan’s tent. He walks up to Frank.
HENDRICKS
You a good shot?
FRANK
Yes.
HENDRICKS
Sounds good to me then.
Hendricks hands him a snub nose revolver.
HENDRICKS
I don’t mind that you’re coming along but let’s get something clear. The folks at The Rig want you alive and well. That means if I say run or if I say leave us behind, you do just that. Ok?
FRANK
Yeah. Got it.
HENDRICKS
You weren't here when everything went to shit. Last night was only a small portion of what’s out there. The world is not the same way you left it. I just need you to be prepared for what’s out there.
FRANK
Thanks.
HENDRICKS
Alright, let’s roll out!
The soldiers get into two humvees. They drive away from the camp.
The humvees arrive in Providence, Rhode Island. The city is in ruins. Many of the buildings have been destroyed or are slowly falling apart. The streets are quiet and empty. Garbage blows in the wind. The humvees pull up in front of a grocery store. The soldiers get out.
HENDRICKS
Alright listen up. Keep your eyes open and your finger on the trigger. We go in, get our stuff, and get out. Let’s go. Keep your eyes open for any survivors.
The soldiers enter the store. There guns ready. They disperse and start gathering supplies. Frank goes over to a postcard stand and picks up a Rhode Island postcard. He puts the postcard in his pocket.
Ava stands in the pastry aisle holding a honeybun. Frank appears next to her.
AVA
They’re my sister’s favorite. It was one of the first things she tried when she got here.
Ava puts the honey bun in her bag.
AVA
For when I find her. Can you help me with the medical supplies?
FRANK
Yeah of course.
Ava and Frank go to the medical section and begin gathering supplies.
FRANK
Does everyone who gets bitten turn?
AVA
Yes.
FRANK
So no one has ever survived a bite… or a scratch?
AVA
If they did, they'd be taken to The Rig. They could be used to find a cure.
FRANK
How close are we to a cure?
AVA
I heard that the Chinese have developed a serum that prolonged the turning. Other than that, no one's come close.
Frank and Ava continue packing medical supplies.
AVA
How are you feeling?
FRANK
Still getting used to the gravity.
AVA
And mentally?
FRANK
Honestly, I'm still having a hard time processing this. My crew is probably dead and now zombies are real.
AVA
You'll get used to it. We did.
There is a scream. Frank and Ava run to the source. A soldier named JENSEN is on the ground. His arm is bloody. A zombie crawls towards him. Ava shoots the zombie. Hendricks appears. He sees Jensen's wound. He points his gun at Jensen. Frank moves between them.
HENDRICKS
What the hell are you doing? Move!
FRANK
No.
HENDRICKS
I said move!
AVA
Frank.
FRANK
You don't know that he'll turn.
HENDRICKS
Son of a- MOVE! Or I will shoot you too.
FRANK
No you won't. The Rig wants me alive.
AVA
Frank you can't help him.
HENDRICKS
We are doing him a favor.
FRANK
I won't let you put him down like a dog.
Hendricks continues pointing his gun. He then lowers it.
HENDRICKS
You know, this is actually good. You've yet to see what happens to a person when they turn. Now's your chance.
JENSEN
No! Please kill me! Don't let me turn!
HENDRICKS
Sorry Jensen. Spaceman needs to learn. Alright everyone continue gathering supplies. We're not leaving until Spaceman learns his lesson.
The soldiers disperse. Frank and Ava stay with Jensen.
Time passes. Ava and Frank tend to Jensen. Jensen is covered in sweat. His bite mark has grown with pus and is severely infected.
JENSEN
You should have let him kill me.
AVA
He’s right. I told you, anyone who is bitten or scratched turns.
FRANK
Maybe he won't.
AVA
He's already developing a fever. He's turning faster than any other I've seen.
Time passes. Frank and Ava tend to Jensen. Soldiers begin to gather around him. Hendricks joins them. Jensen dies. His body is lifeless. He begins to jerk around and bite at the air. Frank and Ava stand back. Hendricks stands with his gun lowered.
AVA
Hendricks? Shoot him.
HENDRICKS
Frank. You do it.
AVA
Hendricks.
HENDRICKS
He says he’s a good shot. Let’s see it. Go on spaceman. Put him out of his misery.
Frank hesitates. He pulls out his snub nose revolver and stands in front of zombie Jensen. He points the gun at zombie Jensen’s head. His hand is shaking ever so slightly.
FRANK
I’m so sorry.
Frank shoots zombie Jensen in the head. Zombie Jensen is dead.
HENDRICKS
Now you know.
The group leaves. Frank stays behind. He places a blanket over Jensen’s body.
EXT. ARMY CAMP - NIGHT
The group returns.
Frank goes straight to his tent. He begins to have a panic attack. Flashes of the ISS go through his head. He screams.
LATER
INT. CALLAHAN’S TENT - NIGHT
Frank walks into Callahan’s tent.
CALLAHAN
I heard about what happened. Jensen was a good man.
FRANK
He didn't deserve what happened to him.
CALLAHAN
No. No he didn't. But Hendricks did the right thing. You needed to see what happens.
PAUSE
FRANK
Am I the only one who has retained their humanity in this new world?
CALLAHAN
Humanity won't keep you alive. Common sense will.
PAUSE
This is a brave new world. A brave new, horrific world.
END.

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