PLANET Z
Season 2 Episode 5
"Dead Men Tell Tales"
Written by
William Fry & Michael Ledesma
2.
EXT. ATLANTIC OCEAN - DAY
The wreckage of the helicopter that carried Frank, Dion, RJ, and Romero floats on the ocean surface. Pieces break off and float or sink away. The main wreckage is in flames. No sign of the men. Another helicopter flies overhead.
INT. THE RIG - DAY
Richards stands in the command center staring at a screen that is displaying the wreckage in real time. A soldier from the helicopter speaks from a radio.
SOLDIER
(Radio)
No sign of them.
RICHARDS
Keep looking. Frank Heston survived one crash in the ocean. I wouldn’t put it past him to survive another.
SOLDIER
(Radio)
Copy that.
Ulysses enters the command center.
ULYSSES
I heard a drone shot down a helicopter.
RICHARDS
More pirates. I guess they wanted another go at us.
ULYSSES
Looks like you sent a message.
RICHARDS
People need to know that the Rig is a safe haven and not a place of plundering.
EXT. THE RIG - DAY
Ava leans against the deck railing and looks out upon the ocean. Hendricks walks up next to her.
HENDRICKS
How’re you doing?
3.
AVA
Fine.
HENDRICKS
That’s good.
PAUSE
AVA
Have you seen Frank?
HENDRICKS
No.
AVA
Me neither. I can’t find him anywhere.
HENDRICKS
Have you asked Ulysses?
AVA
He’s been busy. It’s not like him. To just suddenly disappear.
HENDRICKS
You know, now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Dion... or RJ.
AVA
Do you think something could have happened to them?
HENDRICKS
Maybe Richards sent them on a mission or to one of the ships. Everyone’s on guard after the pirate attack. I’ll ask Richards.
AVA
Let me know, I need to get back to the sick bay.
INT. METAL CAGE - DAY
Frank, Dion, RJ, and Romero are in a crudely constructed metal cage. Frank is unconscious. Standing near the cage is a pirate who is guarding the cage. They appear to be in a cave.
Frank awakens.
DION
Morning sleepyhead.
4.
FRANK
What happened?
RJ
We crashed. We would have drowned if they didn’t rescue us.
FRANK
They?
ROMERO
The pirates. Probably saw the crash and thought they could salvage supplies.
DION
Of course, they took us in as prisoners.
RJ
They’ll probably demand a ransom from the Rig. Although, I doubt they’ll pay considering they’re the ones who shot us down.
FRANK
You know that for sure?
RJ
The Rig is the only place I know of that has military drones.
ROMERO
Looks like they know that you three have discovered the truth.
Frank stands up and walks over to the cage bars facing the pirate guard.
FRANK
I want to speak to whoever’s in charge.
PIRATE GUARD
Shut up.
FRANK
Please.
The pirate guard aims his rifle at the cage.
PIRATE GUARD
Be quiet or I’ll shoot.
5.
FRANK
I have a cure for the virus.
The pirate guard laughs.
PIRATE GUARD
Sure you do.
FRANK
It’s on the Rig. Please, let me talk to your captain, boss, or whatever the hell it is you call them. Please. I can get you onto the Rig.
The pirate guard lowers his weapon and contemplates. He walks over to the cage and unlocks it. Frank walks out of the cage. The pirate guard locks the cage.
PIRATE GUARD
Follow me.
Frank follows the pirate guard through cave tunnels.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Frank and the pirate guard exit onto a beach and multiple humans go about their business. One group of humans is holding a zombie fight. Surrounding the perimeter of the sanctuary, are chained zombies. Frank and the pirate guard arrive at a constructed house. They enter.
INT. PIRATE HOUSE - DAY
The pirate house is luxurious. It is filled with supplies, weapons, and other pirates who are drinking. Sitting on a throne like chair, is the pirate CYRUS. Cyrus is black with a luscious beard. Standing on either side of Cyrus, are women dressed in bikinis. Frank stops in front of Cyrus. The pirate guard kicks Frank’s legs forcing him to kneel.
CYRUS
Is there something I can help you with?
PIRATE GUARD
He says he knows of a cure for the virus.
Everyone goes silent and stares at Frank. Cyrus begins to laugh. The pirates join in laughter.
6.
CYRUS
One thing we’re short on is good jokes.
FRANK
Listen to me. There is a cure at the Rig-
CYRUS
Why should I believe you?
FRANK
Because I know that the people at the Rig are responsible for the virus.
CYRUS
What?
FRANK
They created the virus to lower the population. The zombies are a side effect of that virus. The cure is on the Rig. If you let me go, I’ll make sure you get it first.
Cyrus strokes his beard in contemplation. He smiles.
CYRUS
Yeah, I really don’t believe you. Take him back.
FRANK
Wait, please!
The pirate guard grabs Frank and drags him back to the cage.
INT. THE RIG - NIGHT
Hendricks enters the Command Center. Richards and Ulysses are looking over a report.
HENDRICKS
Excuse me.
RICHARDS
Sergeant, is there something I can help you with?
HENDRICKS
I’m looking for Frank and Dion. Have you seen them?
7.
RICHARDS
Yes, I sent them to the USS Topeka. They’re going to investigate a possible distress call.
HENDRICKS
I see. Thanks.
Hendricks exits the command center. He walks down the halls of the Rig and reaches his room. He enters. Sitting on his bed is Ava.
AVA
Well?
HENDRICKS
They’re on a ship responding to a distress call.
AVA
Why didn’t you go with them?
HENDRICKS
I don’t know. Maybe they need me here.
AVA
It’s still weird though.
HENDRICKS
This isn't the camp. They do things differently here.
AVA
You know that doctor that tried to blow up the Rig?
HENDRICKS
Doctor Crazy?
AVA
His name was Doctor Gable. He’s dead. Showed up in the medical wing. Apparently he shot himself.
HENDRICKS
Apparently?
AVA
How did he get a gun and how did he shoot himself with a straight jacket on?
8.
HENDRICKS
If someone really wants to do something, they’ll always find a way.
INT. CAGE - NIGHT
Frank, Dion, RJ, and Romero sit in the cage.
DION
We gotta get out of here.
ROMERO
Any suggestions?
RJ
No.
Three pirates enter and unlock the cage. They grab Frank.
RJ
Where’re you taking him?
The pirates smile and drag Frank away.
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
On the beach, there are torches lit. Everyone is gathered around a makeshift arena and cheering. The pirates throw Frank into the arena. Cyrus is sitting on his chair above the arena. He stands up and raises his hands. The cheering stops.
CYRUS
My fellow survivors! It has been six months since the dead rose. Since the great blight killed so many of our kind! But while others chose to die or kill themselves, we chose to survive! But there are those out there who think we are the enemy! That only they should get all of the food! All of the weapons! Those people call themselves the Rig! A false paradise for those who are blind to reality! This man right here is from that false paradise! He claims that they have a cure! Another lie to make us put our guard down!
The pirates boo Frank.
9.
CYRUS
It’s time to make an example! To show these falsities what the real world is like! Let the entertainment begin!
The pirates cheer. Two pirates push a zombie into the arena. The zombie runs around erratically. One of the pirates tosses a hammer into the arena. The zombie sees Frank and charges at him. Frank runs towards the hammer. A pirate throws a beer bottle hitting Frank in the head and knocking him down. The zombie jumps on top of Frank. The zombie tries biting Frank, but he continues to hold it back. Frank punches the zombie off of him. He crawls over to the hammer, grabs it and stands up. The zombie charges at Frank. Frank swings the hammer hitting the zombie in the head. The zombie falls to the ground and twitches. Frank hits the zombie again in the head. Blood and brains splatter onto Frank.
The pirates boo Frank. Cyrus signals to the arena gate. The gate opens and three more zombies enter the arena. Frank tightens his grip on the hammer. The three zombies charge at Frank. Frank yells and hits the first zombie in the head killing it. He trips the second zombie and is tackled by the third. Frank hammers in the skull of the third zombie. He stands up and the second zombie bits the hammer ripping it from Frank’s hand. Frank punches the zombie repeatedly in the head until its head is nothing but mush. Frank is covered from head to toe with zombie blood and brain. He stands up. He is fuming. He stares at Cyrus. Cyrus seems impressed.
FRANK
Listen to me! It’s true that I came from the Rig! But I am telling the truth about the cure! They have it and the only reason they won’t release it is because they caused all of this. Yes, they are the enemy. I’m not. I’m not.
The pirates continue to boo Frank. Cyrus waves his hands and the pirates stop.
CYRUS
Tell us everything you know.
INT. THE CAGE - NIGHT
A pirate unlocks the cage and escorts Dion, RJ, and Romero to the beach.
10.
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
At the shore, Frank and Cyrus are standing near a motorboat. Frank has been cleaned up but still has bruises.
DION
What happened to you?
FRANK
Nothing.
ROMERO
What’s going on?
FRANK
We’re going to the Rig.
RJ
With them?
CYRUS
No. I now believe what Frank here has told me but I can’t have the Rig target us even more. I have people to think about. You can take this boat. I’ve also included a few guns and blades.
Dion, RJ, and Romero get into the motorboat.
FRANK
Thank you.
CYRUS
That must be hard for you to say considering I almost had you killed by zombies.
FRANK
I still choose to see the good in humanity.
CYRUS
You might be the only one to do that.
FRANK
Thanks for the boat.
CYRUS
If what you say is true, then promise you’ll make them pay.
11.
FRANK
I promise.
Frank gets on the boat. Dion starts the boat and the boat takes off.
THE NEXT DAY
The motorboat reaches the outer Rig. The four men get out of the boat and swim the rest of the way. They reach a ladder.
RJ
This ladder leads to engineering. We can find Ulysses undetected.
The four men begin climbing the ladder.
INT. THE RIG - DAY
The four men board the Rig and pull out pistols. They walk down the halls of the Rig. They reach the command center and enter with their guns raised. Richards and Ulysses are looking at the screens. Hendricks and Ava are standing next to them. Hendricks sees Frank.
HENDRICKS
Frank?
The others turn to look at the four men.
ULYSSES
Frank?
FRANK
Ulysses, listen to me, Richards is responsible for the virus. It was her idea, part of a project to decrease the population.
AVA
What?
FRANK
She tried to stop us from returning. Shot down our helicopter.
HENDRICKS
Dion... is this true?
DION
Yeah it’s true. All of it.
12.
The room falls silent.
FRANK
We need to stop her Ulysses.
Ulysses walks up to Frank.
ULYSSES
Frank, it’s ok.
FRANK
What?
ULYSSES
Put the gun down.
FRANK
Ulysses what the hell?
ULYSSES
The Genesis Protocol will help humanity.
FRANK
No... no... you’re with her?
RICHARDS
Ulysses has always been a part of the Genesis Protocol.
Frank lowers his gun.
FRANK
No.
ULYSSES
I’m sorry Frank.
Soldiers surround the four men.
RICHARD
I’m sorry, but now that you know the truth, I’m afraid that I can’t allow you to leave. Escort them to the containment room. Take Hendricks and Ava as well.
The soldiers grab Frank, Hendricks, Ava, Dion, RJ, and Romero. Frank struggles and tries lunging at Ulysses.
FRANK
You son of a bitch!
13.
ULYSSES
I’m sorry Frank.
The soldiers drag Frank, Hendricks, Ava, Dion, RJ, and Romero to a containment room and lock them in. The containment room is a large square room surrounded by bulletproof glass. Hendricks, Dion, and Romero try breaking through the glass. Frank leans against the wall and slides down into a seating position. He places his head in his hands. Ava sits next to him and places her hand on his back.
In the command center, Richards looks at a computer screen. Ulysses appears next to her.
RICHARDS
For a second, I thought you were going to help them kill me.
ULYSSES
I’m committed.
RICHARDS
Good.
ULYSSES
What’s going to happen to Frank and the others?
RICHARDS
I’ve sent a message to the compound. They will give me orders on what to do with them.
ULYSSES
What do we do now?
RICHARDS
The compound is ready for us to proceed with the final stage.
ULYSSES
And that is?
RICHARDS
You’ll find out. In time.
END.