NUMB HUMOR STUDIOS PRESENTS:
PLANET Z
Season 3 Episode 1
"Miami, Four Years Later"
Written by
William Fry & Michael Ledesma
INT. THE COMPOUND - NIGHT
Gerald watches the screens in the compound. On the screen are multiple views of the new wasteland. Also on the screens, humans fight and kill each other. Sitting behind him, the Genesis Group sit at a long table.
OTIS
It’s been four years and the human race is no closer to rebuilding itself than before.
GERALD
I can see that.
OTIS
You told us that after the Genesis Protocol was completed, mankind would rebuild itself. Instead, it’s human versus human. The zombies are just a sideshow at this point. People are killing each other more than ever.
Gerald turns around to face the Genesis Group.
GERALD
Clearly we put too much faith in humanity.
DECKARD
We need to distribute the cure.
GERALD
There is no cure.
VALERIE
How the hell is there no cure?
GERALD
It was destroyed along with the Rig.
DECKARD
So what now?
OTIS
We need to end this. We need to come clean.
GERALD
That won’t accomplish anything.
OTIS
We are responsible for the death of billions and we have nothing to show for it.
Otis stands up.
OTIS
I’m going to tell my faction to start working on a new cure and to start sending aid.
Otis begins to walk away. Gerald pulls out his gun and shoots him in the back. The guards drag his body out of the room.
GERALD
Would anyone else like to walk away?
No one answers.
GERALD
Good. Now, since none of humanity has decided to rebuild-
DECKARD
What about Miami and the City Network?
GERALD
What about them?
DECKARD
My faction has been monitoring them for some time. They’ve all completely walled off their cities... Created their own society. It’s flourishing. There’s even small settlements outside of the cities that are doing fine.
GERALD
They don’t represent our vision.
DECKARD
My faction reports that Frank Heston lives in Miami. It’s considered the central city in the network.
The group members murmur among themselves.
VALERIE
Frank Heston is dead.
DECKARD
Not according to my people.
VALERIE
Well according to my people, he was killed in a bandit attack.
GERALD
Frank Heston is no longer a concern. He failed to stop the Genesis Protocol and he can’t stop what comes next.
DECKARD
What’s coming next?
GERALD
Plan B, of course.
VALERIE
There’s a plan b?
GERALD
Over the past 4 years, I have been amassing an army of loyal soldiers who share our same ideals. Soldiers who will do whatever it takes to ensure a better world.
VALERIE
And what do you plan to do with this army?
GERALD
Send them out into the world and restore civilization. This time, in our vision.
DECKARD
Our vision?
GERALD
Our world will be one of peace and prosperity. One not ruled by greed or violence but instead, one ruled... by unity.
VALERIE
When do we deploy them?
GERALD
They’re being deployed now as we speak.
DECKARD
And what if cities like Miami decide not to adhere to our “vision”?
PAUSE
GERALD
Then they will be destroyed.
EXT. THE WASTELAND - DAY
Hundreds of helicopters fly over the wasteland all over the world. They land and hundreds of soldiers exit. They kill zombies and any human survivors attempting to fight back. They bring survivors to the helicopters. The soldiers advance into the wasteland to enforce the new world order.
EXT. MIAMI - NIGHT
Frank Heston stands outside of a house in the walled-off city of Miami. He is looking at the stars in the night sky. Ava exits a house and walks up next to him.
AVA
Hendricks says dinner is ready.
FRANK
I miss it. The view. It was so... beautiful.
Frank takes one last look at the sky and follows Ava to the house.
INT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Frank and Ava enter the house. Inside there are dozens of weapons such as guns and blades. Ava goes to a crib. In the crib, the infant baby boy of Ava and Hendricks sleeps soundly. Frank leans over the cradle.
FRANK
Hey Hank. Sleep tight.
Frank goes to the dinner table where Hendricks has set dinner. Frank starts eating. Hendricks joins him.
FRANK
I guess Dion couldn’t make it?
HENDRICKS
He and RJ are working on a perimeter shift.
FRANK
And Romero?
HENDRICKS
Ever since he got promoted to head of security, he hasn’t exactly had time for a social life.
FRANK
I still can’t believe you turned down the job.
HENDRICKS
I wanted to take it. But then Ava got pregnant with Hank and I- I just wanted to have a normal life. Whatever qualifies as normal in this world.
Ava joins them at the table.
HENDRICKS
I hear the Mayor wants you to take her place when she retires.
FRANK
Yeah. Apparently I’ve demonstrated good leadership skills, whatever the hell that means.
AVA
Humble as ever, need I remind you that you helped build Miami and connect with the other settlements.
FRANK
I did what I could. It's a start but there's still so much to do.
HENDRICKS
Spoken like a true leader.
LATER
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT
Frank and Ava exit her house and begin walking down the sidewalk.
AVA
Are you going to the celebration tomorrow?
FRANK
No, I don't think so.
AVA
Really?
FRANK
Even before all of this, I wasn’t much for parties.
AVA
Oh come on. We’re celebrating four years. Four years Frank. Besides, the children love hearing the story of the spaceman.
FRANK
Everyone’s heard that story enough times.
AVA
It’s a good story.
Frank and Ava reach Frank’s house.
AVA
Well, think about it. It’ll be fun. Ava walks back to her house. Frank takes one last look at the night sky and enters his house.
Dion and RJ stand at the top of the wall overlooking the landscape beyond. Dion is looking through a rifle scope. In the crosshairs is a zombie. The zombie is mutated. Barely human-looking. Dion pulls the trigger and shoots the zombie in the head.
DION
Another one! What’s the score now?
RJ
3-4 you.
DION
Nice.
RJ
Don’t get too excited. I won last night and I’ll win again.
In the distance, a light appears. RJ picks up a walkie talkie.
RJ
Command, Boca Raton has checked in. They’re good.
Dion pulls out a cigar.
DION
Want one?
RJ
Where’d you get those?
DION
Supply run.
Dion and RJ light their cigars and smoke.
DION
So, you ask that guy out yet?
RJ
No, not yet.
DION
Just do it already.
RJ
I will.
DION
What the hell are you waiting for?
RJ
I don’t know.
DION
Fucking hell.
RJ
Are you gonna ask that girl in security?
DION
Already did. We had a nice steak dinner and then we went to her place and-
RJ
Ok ok, I’ll do it tomorrow.
THE NEXT MORNING
The festivities for the celebration begin. People cook food and socialize. People drink and eat and have fun. They sing songs and dance. RJ dances with the guy he likes. Hendricks and Ava carry Hank around. Dion is drinking with the girl from security.
Frank sits in his home reading a book. There is a knock. Frank closes his book. He marks his place with a bookmark. A photo of the International Space Station crew. He answers the door. It is Romero.
ROMERO
Why in the world would you stay inside on such a beautiful day?
FRANK
I’m reading a good book.
Romero and Frank smile at each other.
ROMERO
The Mayor would like to see you.
FRANK
Why isn’t she at the celebration?
ROMERO
You’ll see.
INT. MIAMI COMMAND CENTER - DAY
Romero and Frank enter the Miami command center. It is full of screens and security personnel. The screens display angles outside the wall. A giant map of Miami Florida and an altered map of America hang on the wall. MAYOR GAO (Asian, 74) looks over a computer screen. She sees Romero and Frank.
MAYOR GAO
Frank, thank goodness you're here.
FRANK
What’s going on?
ROMERO
Last night, we received multiple distress calls from the other settlements and cities. Even as far as Spokane, Washington.
FRANK
Zombies?
ROMERO
That’s what we thought at first but we listened to some of the messages. All of them say that an army came out of nowhere and sieged the city.
FRANK
Have you contacted them?
ROMERO
We tried. Nothing.
MAYOR GAO
Most of the signals came from the West, Midwest, and the North. We fear that Miami could be next.
FRANK
It can’t be raiders.
ROMERO
They couldn’t coordinate something like this. The pirates could.
FRANK
They stay on the coast.
MAYOR GAO
I think we should prepare for an attack.
ROMERO
Agreed. I’ll double security on the wall to keep watch for any unusual activity.
FRANK
We need to warn Boca Raton. I’ll go.
ROMERO
Take someone with you.
FRANK
Can you spare Dion and RJ?
ROMERO
Yeah. I’ll call Hendricks to help prepare our defenses.
EXT. MIAMI - DAY
Frank walks over to Dion and RJ.
FRANK
We need to go.
DION
What? Now?
FRANK
Yes.
RJ
What’s going on?
FRANK
I’ll explain everything.
Frank, Dion, and RJ get into a truck. A door in the wall opens and the truck speeds out.
INT. MIAMI COMMAND CENTER - DAY
Hendricks listens to the distress signals.
HENDRICKS
Whoever these people are, they’re pro.
ROMERO
Military?
HENDRICKS
Maybe. I’d be surprised if it was though. Most of the army camps are gone or have gone rogue.
MAYOR GAO
Maybe another city is trying to take over the others.
HENDRICKS
Something this coordinated and spanned so far out, not possible.
ROMERO
Whoever it is, there’s a good chance they’re coming for Miami.
INT. THE COMPOUND - DAY
Gerald watches the screens of the cities taken by the Genesis Army. Deckard enters.
GERALD
Is there something I can help you with?
DECKARD
My people have reported that five cities have already been taken by your army.
GERALD
They’re also taking other settlements. Not just in America. All over the world.
DECKARD
Yes, I heard the army is having success in Europe.
GERALD
Yes.
DECKARD
I hope you know what you’re doing Gerald. We all do. Killing Otis didn’t exactly strengthen our faith in you.
GERALD
Otis couldn’t see the big picture.
DECKARD
Maybe not. But still, if this doesn’t work out, if we can’t salvage the world, then everything that we have done is worthless.
GERALD
I know. Believe me, I know.
DECKARD
The other faction leaders won’t admit it but Frank Heston is alive.
GERALD
I know.
DECKARD
You may not think he’s a threat but he is. For all we know, he’s told everyone about what we did.
GERALD
And like I said, it doesn’t matter.
DECKARD
I hope you’re right. For our sake.
END.