Disclaimer - I don't own ZOMBIES or any of the characters involved. Copyright to Walt Disney Studios

Here it is! Finally! The Big Project is revealed to be a TV series screenplay! I took screenwriting classes in uni and I've been desperate to write something, and wouldn't ZOMBIES just be great as a series? It's based on an unaired TV pilot, they obviously had a series concept in mind at some point~ And I've been coming up with ideas for a series on Tumblr practically since I first saw the movie

I didn't intend to start with a two-parter but the first episode's story ended up being longer than I thought. I'll try and get part 2 written within a few days but I'm not promising anything, I do have other fics to write, remember (and y'know, real life). I'm trying to be as realistic as I can with how an actual Disney Channel series would be but I might take a few liberties here and there

As a bonus, you can also head on over to fist-it-out's YouTube channel (same username) to watch the TV title sequence she made a while back! You'll see where it's supposed to be in the script so keep that tab open and watch it when you reach it!

A quick guide for anyone who isn't familiar with the screenplay format:
INT - interior, scene is indoors
EXT - exterior, scene is outdoors
O.S. - offscreen, you hear the character's voice but don't see them
*character speaking (last few words)* - the character is interrupted and doesn't necessarily finish the line


EPISODE 1: AN OLD PAIR OF GENES – PART 1

INT. ADDISON'S BEDROOM. DAY.

The room is essentially the same as before, mostly decorated in pastel shades with perfect, pristine furniture, but now some of the cheer memorabilia has been replaced with more splashes of colour, pictures of ADDISON with ZED and their friends, gifts from ZED, a little more mess etc.

ADDISON, in a bright, multicoloured dress with her white hair slightly longer, and better styled, than when we last saw her, is searching the room for something, moving items, throwing pillows off the bed. She walks past the camera and it turns to follow her. She notices and looks at the audience, smiling in recognition. She waves and comes towards us.

ADDISON
(to camera)
Oh, hey! Long time, no see. I was starting to think you'd never come back.
(referring to her hair)
Oh, yeah. I know, right? Still getting used to this.

ADDISON'S eyes widen and she's suddenly excited, coming another step closer to the camera.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
(to camera)
But that's nothing! Seabrook High is making some serious progress with the zombie integration. And my mom's got this new pro-zombie campaign, but if she wants to get re-elected as mayor, she's gonna have to convince a lot of people that it can work out. She's really come around since the cheer championship. Dad, too. And even my cousin.

She laughs and shakes her head, still surprised by it. But then her face falls, remembering she was supposed to be in a hurry.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
(to camera)
And speaking of my cousin...!

Turning away from the camera, ADDISON goes back to tearing her room apart looking for the mystery item.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
He's gonna kill me if I'm late today, he said he had something to talk about. If I could just find my... Oh.

She stoops down out of frame and comes back up with her watch. She turns it over to check the time and her eyes bulge.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
Oh, shoot...!

She scrambles to pick up her backpack and cheer bag and run out the door, hastily strapping her watch around her wrist.

TITLE SEQUENCE

EXT. SEABROOK HIGH SCHOOL. DAY.

A few students are hanging around outside, a lot of them still sticking to human-only or zombie-only groups, but others are mingling with one another and everyone at least seems more comfortable with the mixed groups. The zombies are still all wearing their customised coveralls and the humans are still dressed in pastels but some are branching out from the pink-or-blue trend and wearing green, yellow, purple, orange etc.

ZED, ELIZA and BONZO come through the Zombie Town gate, ZED and ELIZA each with their backpacks and BONZO with his art case and tuba. ZED pauses, looking around at the other students as ELIZA and BONZO keep moving. He gradually turns to look at the camera and gives us a welcoming smile.

ZED
(to camera)
Finally decided to show up, huh? Well, you sure got a lot to catch up on. Look at this.

He opens his arms, gesturing around himself and grinning.

ZED (CONT'D)
(to camera)
Zombies are back at Seabrook High! Everybody's getting along, we're not stuck in the basement anymore and I...

He winks at the audience.

ZED (CONT'D)
(to camera)
...am officially dating a cheerleader.

He smiles to himself and catches up with his friends. ELIZA stands watching the other students, looking from those who are mixing, to those who aren't and back again. She's frowning slightly and ZED and BONZO exchange a knowing look. ELIZA turns back to them and sighs.

ELIZA
I mean, it's a start, right?

ZED
I think we're past just "a start".

ELIZA
Well, yeah, but it's still only school that's integrated. What about the "No zombies" signs everywhere else? The lack of decent jobs?

She gestures down at her own clothes.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
The uniforms?

BONZO shrugs.

BONZO
Gezer grog.

ZED
Exactly! It's better than before. And Addy's mom is pro-zombie now. We have the mayor on our side.

ELIZA counts off her points on her fingers.

ELIZA
If she gets re-elected. And if she can get enough support. And if she can actually follow through on all of her promises.

ZED raises an eyebrow.

ZED
I thought you were trying to be more optimistic.

ELIZA rolls her eyes but smirks jokingly.

ELIZA
We can't all be Bonzos. This is the best you're gonna get.

She briefly smiles at BONZO, who isn't sure how to respond. He doesn't get a chance to, though, as he, ZED and ELIZA turn around at the sound of a loud, excited voice coming from behind them.

BREE (O.S.)
Hey!

BONZO'S face lights up while ZED and ELIZA simply watch as BREE, dressed in her cheer uniform, comes out of the main entrance into the school. She's running towards them at full speed and stumbles slightly when she tries to stop, but BONZO steadies her. She takes a step back, suddenly self-conscious, but still smiling giddily up at him.

BREE
Hey...

She catches herself, shakes her head and turns to address all three of them. BONZO tries to casually brush it off.

BREE (CONT'D)
Um... Have you guys seen Addy around? Bucky is gonna lose it if she doesn't get here soon.

Everyone turns to Zed, who shrugs.

ZED
All I got was a text saying she was (running late.)

Before he can finish, ADDISON comes racing over and throws her arms around him in a hug with such force it sends him spinning around and her feet lift off the floor.

ADDISON
Hi!

She kisses his cheek and ELIZA pretends to gag, earning her a nudge from BONZO. ADDISON lands on the ground and lets ZED go, already backing away towards the door. Everyone watches her, slightly confused. She's almost talking too fast for them to understand her.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
I'm so sorry, I gotta go, I'm already late and Bucky is gonna freak if I keep him waiting any longer...!

She quickly hugs BREE, BONZO looking jealous that he doesn't get a hug, then turns around and races inside. ZED and BREE both shake their heads and smile at ADDISON. ELIZA just huffs and folds her arms.

ELIZA
(muttering under her breath)
Same old Bucky. Man, give her a break.

ZED
Eh, he's getting better.

ELIZA
I guess...

The four of them start walking towards the door.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
But it's gonna take a lot to make up for everything he did.

ZED, BONZO and BREE all show varying degrees of agreement, but they definitely do all agree.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.

ZED, ELIZA, BONZO and BREE walk by the lockers. Again, there are groups of humans and zombies scattered around.

ELIZA
There is one good thing concerning Bucky, though.

ZED
And what's that?

ELIZA
If everyone can see that their "almighty leader" can accept us, we've got a better chance with the rest of them.

ZED, BONZO and BREE laugh lightly.

ZED
Yeah, maybe.

BREE
Believe me, we're working on it.

She turns around to face the others.

BREE (CONT'D)
He just needs a push in the right direction. I gotta go, I'll see you at lunch...?

She's obviously directing it more at BONZO than ZED or ELIZA, who look at each other knowingly. BONZO smiles at BREE and nods.

BONZO
Za.

BREE smiles back and gives him a small wave.

BREE
Bye!

She awkwardly glances back at ZED and ELIZA. They say goodbye and she hurries away. BONZO stands watching her as ELIZA playfully punches his arm.

ELIZA
Real smooth, Bonz.

She and ZED start walking in the opposite direction. BONZO pouts and narrows his eyes at ELIZA before following.

INT. THE CHEER LOUNGE. DAY.

Everything in the lounge is perfectly arranged, pom-poms lined up along the shelves, pristine posters on the walls, cushions neatly placed on chairs etc. BUCKY stands impatiently looking out of the glass wall at the trophy case. He looks at his watch, then back up just as ADDISON walks past. She sees him and he shoots her an angry look and gestures for her to hurry up. She runs round to the door and lets herself in.

BUCKY
OK, first off, you're not in uniform?

ADDISON
Well, good morning to you too, cuz'.

She rolls her eyes as she closes the door behind her and walks over. BUCKY turns less angry and more mildly irritated, almost whining.

BUCKY
Why don't you ever wear your uniform to school anymore? You used to be so proud of it!

ADDISON shrugs.

ADDISON
I don't have to wear it every day.

BUCKY claps his hands together right in ADDISON'S face and she blinks in surprise, leaning back. He just smiles, a little condescendingly, but more genuine than he has been in the past.

BUCKY
You see this?

He links his fingers together.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
This is us, this is our team. Mighty Shrimp stick together, right? One shrimp not showing her shrimp pride?

He throws up his trademark jazz hands.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
Kinda ruins the whole deal. You've been preaching all this solidarity junk for weeks, maybe practice what you preach.

ADDISON
You know, other schools' cheer squads don't have to wear their uniforms every day.

BUCKY pats her shoulder.

BUCKY
And maybe that's why we always beat 'em.

He holds his fists together.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
They lack solidarity.

ADDISON gives him a blank look.

ADDISON
Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?

BUCKY drops his hands and suddenly turns serious again. He takes a step towards ADDISON.

BUCKY
No. You know I'm trying to set up this junior cheer squad thing?

ADDISON nods.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
I'm gonna need some extra help, with our squad and with this.

ADDISON
What, the Aceys can't handle the squad? There's three of them!

BUCKY gives her a stern look.

BUCKY
Hey, they work hard for this squad, alright? I'll be busy with planning things, I just need to balance the workload a little more, and who better to help out than my baby cousin, huh?

ADDISON smiles, flattered.

ADDISON
Aw...

BUCKY
And I'm kinda hoping Zoey's gonna join.

ADDISON
(surprised)
You want Zed's little sister on your junior squad?

BUCKY
Of course! You saw her at the championship, she was incredible! That kid's got some serious cheer-tential.

ADDISON squints, confused.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
Cheer potential, keep up. They all do. I never knew zombies could move like that. I always thought they were all... jerky and stiff and twitchy and... gross...

ADDISON
Bucky.

BUCKY
But...! I was wrong. You see? I can, in fact, admit I was wrong. The zombies are amazing. And if Zoey joins, she could attract more zombie kids, which could then attract more zombie teens and then we have an edge. They could boost (our chances...)

ADDISON shakes her head and waves her hands in front of him, signalling for him to stop.

ADDISON
Wait, wait, wait, Bucky, you can't just use Zoey, or any of the zombies, for your weird cheer schemes. They deserve more respect than that.

BUCKY
I respect them! I respect their acrobatic skills.

ADDISON
Clearly not as people, though. You should try to actually get to know them, understand them. I mean, I still don't understand a lot of stuff about them. I don't...

She trails off, looking off into space.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
I really don't understand anything about them... I don't understand why they can do everything they do, or what even really made them zombies in the first place. Practically everything we were raised to believe about them was wrong.

BUCKY
Well, couldn't having zombies on the squad, like, help us learn about them?

She looks hesitant. BUCKY sighs.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
Look, all that can wait. Are you in?

Pause. ADDISON goes quiet.

ADDISON
Bucky, are you really sure you want me to do this? Some people still haven't entirely warmed up to the whole hair thing.

She starts self-consciously playing with her hair. BUCKY softens.

BUCKY
Of course I'm sure. You'll be great! Come on, cheer's in our family genes, right?

ADDISON
Right.

She nods, her fingers still holding a lock of white hair. She slowly looks down and squints at it curiously.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
(whispering)
Family genes...

BUCKY keeps talking about the junior squad but ADDISON is no longer paying attention. She's too busy thoughtfully staring at her hair.

INT. CAFETERIA. DAY.

It's lunchtime, and the cafeteria is no longer segregated. The cheer captains' table is still sectioned off with a rope, but the rest of the cheerleaders' tables have a few other humans and even a couple of zombies mixed in amongst them. ADDISON and BREE sit opposite one another at one end of the table with three empty seats saved beside them. ADDISON isn't completely paying attention as BREE keeps going off on multiple tangents about cheer, BONZO, soap, etc. She eventually notices ADDISON'S dazed look.

BREE
Addy...? Hello...?

ZED, ELIZA and BONZO come to sit in the free seats – ZED beside ADDISON, BONZO beside BREE and ELIZA at the head of the table.

ELIZA
She still out of it?

ZED frowns and waves a hand in front of her face.

ZED
Addy, you with us?

ADDISON stirs. She blinks a few times then turns to look at ZED, opening her mouth to speak then closing it again, not sure how to start.

ELIZA
(to ZED and BONZO)
She was like this in class.

BREE
She's been like this all morning. I think it's got something to do with whatever Bucky was talking to her about.

That seems to snap ADDISON out of it.

ADDISON
Bucky, right! Bucky said something and it got me thinking. I-

She turns to ZED.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
Can we talk? Like, in private?

ZED raises an eyebrow but ADDISON shuts him down quickly.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
And... Eliza and Bonzo, too.

All three zombies look at her for a moment, then at each other.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
... Now?

ELIZA
Right now? We just got here.

ADDISON nods and gets up before ELIZA can finish speaking. After a brief moment of hesitation, ZED gets up as well and ELIZA and BONZO follow. BREE awkwardly watches them go.

BREE
W- Bu- I-I'll just... Wait here, I guess? OK.

She looks down, dejected, but then BONZO reappears to give her a quick apology hug from behind before hurrying after the others again.

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.

ADDISON leads the way towards the zombie safe room, ZED, ELIZA and BONZO a few feet behind.

ZED
What is this about?

She's obviously trying, and failing, to be nonchalant about this.

ADDISON
I just have some questions.

She opens the door to the safe room.

ZED
Is it something bad?

ADDISON
... I don't think so.

INT. ZOMBIE SAFE ROOM. DAY.

ADDISON, ZED, ELIZA and BONZO file into the room. ZED, already familiar with it, goes to sit down on the stretcher by the wall with ELIZA following. They watch as ADDISON paces back and forth. Meanwhile, BONZO is distracted with exploring the room and inspecting the various items on the shelves. ADDISON soon comes to a stop.

ADDISON
What... are you guys?

The zombies' all look at her, surprised and confused. ADDISON realises what she just said.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
That came out so wrong, I'm sorry! I mean... well, yeah, I guess that is sort of what I mean. What are zombies? 'Cause you're not all, like, rotten, reanimated corpses like in the movies. And you can do all this amazing stuff, like how do you move like that? How do you not get hurt when you throw yourself on ground?

ZED and ELIZA look at each other. BONZO looks down at whatever he's holding then awkwardly puts it back and keeps rummaging about. He's still vaguely listening.

ELIZA
You don't know that?

ADDISON shrugs.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
But your dad's the chief of the zombie patrol, doesn't he have some kind of records or something?

ADDISON
Those are all confidential, he can't tell me anything!

ZED glances from ADDISON to ELIZA and back again. He speaks slowly.

ZED
Addy, we aren't, like... zombie-zombies, you know? We're not actually dead or anything.

ADDISON turns a bit sheepish – she had sort of believed they were. In the background, BONZO is reaching for a box on a top shelf, not quite able to get his hand into it. He huffs and pulls off his right hand, holding it in his left so he can reach further.

ZED (CONT'D)
And we're definitely nothing like the zombies in those movies.

BONZO, unnoticed by the others, hears this and looks down at his detached hand. He frowns, confused and even slightly worried.

BONZO
Geh, Zedka...?

He keeps staring at it, completely lost. None of the others even look at him.

ZED AND ELIZA
Not now, Bonzo.

Leaving BONZO to silently question everything, ELIZA stands up and walks over to ADDISON as she speaks.

ELIZA
OK, here's the basics of it. After the accident at the power plant, the gas it released caused a mutation and it changed a lot of things – heartrate, brain power, muscle mass, hair colour...

ADDISON
So, you're mutants? Not zombies?

ZED
Well, we're like zombies. And we call ourselves zombies. But, yeah, mutants is way more accurate.

ADDISON nods, starting to understand. Pause.

ADDISON
You remember how my Grandpa was bitten during the outbreak?

ZED and ELIZA just look at her expectantly. BONZO has reattached his hand and joins them.

ADDISON(CONT'D)
Could he have passed something on to me?

ZED
You think you have mutated genes or something?

ADDISON
It would explain a lot! Look, I have never gotten really, seriously hurt cheering. And neither has Bucky. Or even my mom, come to think of it. And what about my hair?

While ELIZA and BONZO seem unsure, ZED is smiling.

ZED
I think you might be onto something.

ADDISON grins to herself. She tilts her head, thinking.

ADDISON
How far do you think I could go with this?

ZED'S smile instantly drops.

ZED
What do you mean by that?

INT. ELIZA'S HOUSE – HALLWAY. DAY.

The house has a similar feel to ZED'S, all dark greens and browns but still warm and welcoming. The muffled voices of two women can be heard from the living room. The front door opens and ELIZA enters, shutting the door behind her.

ELIZA
(to herself)
What a day...

One of the voices – her mother, ZINNIA – calls out to her.

ZINNIA (O.S.)
Eliza, honey, is that you? Come in here.

ELIZA heads towards the living room.

ELIZA
Mom, you are not gonna believe (this.)

INT. ELIZA'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM. DAY.

ELIZA appears in the doorway and freezes when she sees MISSY sitting with ZINNIA on their mismatched chairs. MISSY holds a cup of coffee, which she places on the table in front of her when ELIZA walks in. MISSY is clearly feeling self-conscious in the unfamiliar environment but offers a kind smile. ELIZA is shocked, her eyes wide as she looks from ZINNIA to MISSY and back again in question. ZINNIA beckons her over and she slowly comes closer.

ELIZA
Mayor Missy?

MISSY
Good to see you again, Eliza.

ELIZA
Um... I don't mean to sound rude or anything but, what are you doing here?

ZINNIA
She wants to talk to you.

ELIZA'S eyebrows shoot up in surprise and she points to herself.

ELIZA
Me?

MISSY nods

MISSY
I'm sure you know about my new campaign. I'm going to need a lot of input from zombies if I'm going to do this right, and the younger generation in particular. And well, I've heard a lot about you and your activism from Addison.

ELIZA
What are you saying?

MISSY
I'm saying I'd like your help. You seem to have solid idea of what changes need to be made, and, from what your mother has told me, you even have some knowledge of the politics surrounding the issue at hand. So, I thought I'd come over and discuss it with you.

Pause. It takes a moment for the words to sink in. ELIZA puts on a smile and holds up a finger.

ELIZA
Would you excuse me for just a second? Thanks.

She quickly turns away and leaves the room. We hear her footsteps running upstairs, a door slam and then a faintly muffled scream. The whole time, MISSY listens and her expression shifts from pleasant and patient, to concerned. ZINNIA, however, just closes her eyes and nods to herself. MISSY leans towards her slightly.

MISSY
Would you say that's a good sign?

ZINNIA
Trust me, she is thrilled.

INT. ELIZA'S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM. EVENING.

An hour or two later, ELIZA has taken ZINNIA'S place on the chair and is wrapping up her conversation with MISSY.

MISSY
Thank you so much for all this, Eliza, really. I can tell you're going to be a big help. Your fellow zombies are sure to be proud of you.

ELIZA smiles, flattered.

ELIZA
Well...

Her Z-band beeps with a message and she discreetly looks down to read it while MISSY continues, standing up to leave.

MISSY
Now, I should be going. Addison should be home from cheer practice by now and she'll be wondering where I am.

As she says this, ELIZA stares at the message, from ZED, in shock. It reads: "NEED YOUR HELP, ADDY HAS LOST IT". She suddenly stands as well and hurriedly shows MISSY to the door.

ELIZA
Yeah, well, thank you, Mayor Missy, this has been great. I actually gotta go talk to Zed about something real quick before curfew, so if you don't mind.

MISSY
Ah, the curfew! Another item on the agenda.

INT. ELIZA'S HOUSE – HALLWAY. EVENING.

ELIZA leads the way to the front door and opens it for MISSY.

ELIZA
Definitely! Bye, now. Have a safe journey home.
(shouting through to the kitchen)
Going out, Mom, be home soon!

EXT. ELIZA'S FRONT PORCH. EVENING.

ELIZA follows MISSY out of the door, shutting it behind her and politely waving as MISSY walks away. She then runs off in the opposite direction, frantically typing on her Z-band.

EXT. AN ABANDONED PARKING LOT IN ZOMBIE TOWN. EVENING.

ELIZA runs across the empty parking lot to ZED and BONZO, who are standing looking at something off camera, both very worried.

ZED
Just get down!

ELIZA
What's (going on?)

ADDISON (O.S.)
Oh, I'll get down!

ELIZA gapes and it's revealed that the "something" the boys are looking at is Addison, standing on a crumbling wall. It's absolutely too high to safely somersault off of, or really safe to even be standing on. Below her is nothing but solid concrete.

ELIZA
What does she think she's doing?!

ZED is trying to hold himself together and failing miserably.

ZED
Apparently, she wants to test out her "zombie genes"!

He does air quotes on "zombie genes". ELIZA scoffs and ADDISON tries to take the chance while they're all distracted. She turns around, takes a breath and flips backwards off the wall. The zombies freak out when they see.

ZED
Addison!

ELIZA
Do something!

BONZO, being closest, runs to catch her and only just makes it, staggering slightly. ZED and ELIZA run over and as BONZO puts her down, ADDISON sharply pulls herself out of his grasp.

ADDISON
Oh, come on!

BONZO
Zonzrar, Addiska!

ZED
It wasn't just stupid, it was insane!

ELIZA
That wasn't just another cheer stunt, Addison! What are you thinking? This...

She stamps her foot on the ground.

ELIZA(CONT'D)
Would hurt. If you really do have a mutation, it's not the same as ours! You're still a human.

ADDISON goes to speak but ZED puts his hands on her shoulders, making her look at him.

ZED
Promise me you're not gonna do that again.

Pause.

ADDISON
Fine. I promise I won't do that again.

ZED
Good.

MONTAGE.

EXT/INT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS. VARIOUS TIMES.

- ADDISON goes to dive through a hole in another crumbling wall in Zombie Town but ZED is waiting to catch her on the other side.

- BONZO walks towards the barrier into Seabrook with ADDISON hoisted over his shoulder. At first, she's protesting but after a few seconds she gives up, sighs dramatically, and just hangs there.

- ADDISON stands on the bleachers in the school gym looking bored during cheer practice. She suddenly gets an idea and runs a little further up, over to the railing. BREE sees her and runs after her, pulling her back before she can climb over the edge.

- ZED carries ADDISON out of the zombie safe room. He looks tired and annoyed, she is scowling.

- ADDISON is walking down the hallway alone at school when she stops, grins as she gets an idea and swings around to run off the other way. ELIZA happens to turn a corner as ADDISON runs past her and she angrily shouts after her, chasing her down the hall.

- BUCKY stands in the cheer lounge with the ACEYS, going over plans for the junior squad. All of them are looking down when ADDISON zooms past the glass wall, ELIZA still chasing after her. BUCKY and the ACEYS all turn to look outside the second they disappear.

END OF MONTAGE.

INT. ADDISON'S BEDROOM. DAY.

ADDISON is looking at the camera.

ADDISON
(to camera)
What? I kept my promise. I didn't backflip off anymore walls, did I?

INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY. DAY.

ELIZA is on her way to class, alone, when she almost bumps into Bucky. She rolls her eyes.

ELIZA
(muttering under her breath)
C'mon, I've had enough of you people lately.

BUCKY hears and stops her before she can walk away again.

BUCKY
What?

ELIZA
Your family.

She tries to leave again but BUCKY stops her again.

BUCKY
What about my family?

She sighs, giving up.

ELIZA
Oh, Z. Look, I know I should be happy your aunt wants my help with her campaign, and I am, really, but it is stressing me out, OK?

BUCKY
You don't think I'm stressed too? I've got two squads to deal with right now. That's a lot of responsibility for one person.

ELIZA folds her arms, giving him a pointed look.

ELIZA
Maybe so, but the rest of us have also had to save your cousin's life way too many times for one week. Seriously, she's going crazy with this whole mutation discovery. I don't see you overreacting like that.

BUCKY'S head drops as soon as she mentions the mutation.

BUCKY
Right. That.

ELIZA
Yeah, that.

She notices his sudden nervousness.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Wait a second, what's up with you?

BUCKY
(defensively)
What? Nothing.

ELIZA just quirks an eyebrow.

BUCKY (CONT'D)
OK, fine. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this mutant thing. I mean, I was raised to hate zombies. But now it turns out that my most prized skill, and practically my whole family's legacy, actually came from zombies? It's a lot to take in.

ELIZA
Yeah, I bet it is.

BUCKY is surprised by how genuine she's being.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
I mean, I'm still getting used to being friends with humans. Who'd have thought the people we always hated would end up having a connection like that to us?

Pause. They're both thinking.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Hey, Bucky?

He looks up.

ELIZA (CON'TD)
Did your family know there was a mutation in your bloodline?

He opens his mouth to speak but stops himself. ELIZA waits.

BUCKY
I haven't talked to them about it. I have no idea.

ELIZA
Doesn't your uncle know anything?

BUCKY
That's all (confidential.)

ELIZA
Confidential. Right.

She nods, looking down in thought.

EXT. A ZOMBIE TOWN STREET. NIGHT.

ZED and ADDISON walk down the street hand-in-hand, in the middle of a conversation.

ZED
I don't want you to risk it, OK?

ADDISON
How am I supposed to figure out how this mutation thing works if I can't test it out?

ZED
You don't need to figure out how it works. You're a great cheerleader, you're proud of your white hair, those two things probably come from a mutation caused by your grandfather's zombie bite. You understand all that. Isn't that enough?

ADDISON stops, turning to face ZED, forcing him to stop, too.

ADDISON
No, it's not! I finally have an explanation for my hair and it isn't even just my hair. I wanna know what else this means for me. Don't you want to know too?

ZED
Not if it's gonna get you hurt.

ADDISON goes quiet, at least partly knowing he's right, but she's set her mind on this. She looks around and sees the power plant close by, then turns back to ZED with a determined expression.

ADDISON
What if you tried showing me what I could do?

ZED just tilts his head, not understanding.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
If I swear to you I won't keep pulling ridiculous stunts out of nowhere, would you help me find out what zombie things I might actually be capable of?

ZED hesitates. ADDISON takes a step closer to him.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
Like... teach me something! Teach me that dance move you did at the zombie mash. The backdrop.

He just looks at her like she's crazy.

ZED
What? That is way too far. You seriously think that not only will I let you fall flat on your back on solid concrete, but I'll show you how to do it? Fine! Here's how you do it: be a zombie!

ADDISON
Halfway there!

ZED grits his teeth, getting irritated now.

ZED
You are not half zombie! You're a human with a mutation.

ADDISON holds up a lock of white hair.

ADDISON
Two mutations.

ZED
Irrelevant. Addy, you can't.

ADDISON
Alright, fine. If you're not gonna teach me, I'll keep testing it out on my own.

ZED
Don't even think about it.

She has already turned away, walking towards the power plant.

ZED (CONT'D)
Addy...?

ADDISON starts running. ZED takes off after her.

ZED (CONT'D)
Addison!

He catches up her and grabs her shoulder, turning her around.

ADDISON
I could do it!

ZED
And what if you can't?

ADDISON
Well, I won't know if I never try!

ZED takes a calming breath, closing his eyes for a second.

ZED
Addison, how many humans do you think were bitten during the outbreak? Half of Seabrook could have the mutation, can anybody else here do this kind of thing?

She shrugs, folding her arms. Her voice is softer now but still insistent.

ADDISON
I don't know, nobody ever really tried, did they?

ZED
You think I'm gonna believe Bucky never tried to one-up everybody else?

ADDISON
OK, so maybe Bucky has tried things before, but Bucky doesn't have this.

She once again indicates her hair. ZED rolls his eyes.

ZED
What does your hair have to do with this?

ADDISON
I obviously have stronger zombie genes if I have zombie hair, too.

ZED shakes his head.

ZED
I don't think that's how it works. And you don't have zombie hair.

ADDISON
But it's from zombie genes.

ZED
Stop trying to be a zombie!

Pause. They stand looking at each other. ADDISON drops her eyes to the ground.

ADDISON

(quietly)
I want to understand this.

ZED softens but ADDISON interrupts before he can say anything.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
It's fine. I'll just go home.

ZED
I'll walk you.

ADDISON
Because you don't trust me not try anything?

ZED
Because I'm worried!

Pause. ZED looks up at the camera and shrugs, defeated. He turns back to ADDISON and holds out his hand to her.

ZED (CONT'D)
Come on, let's go.

ADDISON takes his hand and they walk away from the power plant, back towards the barrier.