INT. NATHAN’S HOUSE- BASEMENTADAM is seen exiting the side-room and entering the main area. He approaches NATHAN who is sitting in the middle of the room by a dim LIGHT with his SHOTGUN.
ADAM
They’re all asleep
NATHAN doesn’t turn around
NATHAN
Good. I’ll continue to keep watch.
ADAM
Oh…well…how long are you going to stay up?
NATHAN
It depends
ADAM
On what?
NATHAN
On how long this lasts
ADAM
Nathan, you don’t need to –
NATHAN
I prefer to stay awake.
ADAM
Fine…
ADAM turns to leave and walks away when NATHAN’S voice stops him.
NATHAN
Does man deserve redemption, Adam?
ADAM
I…I don’t think that I should be the one to answer that.
NATHAN turns to face him.
NATHAN
Why shouldn’t you be?...Do you believe that mankind deserves to be saved?
ADAM
….Yes
NATHAN
Hmm….I didn’t think that you would say that.
ADAM
Why?
NATHAN
Because your friend is dieing. Because the world is ending. Because you’re afraid..
ADAM
I know but…what does that have to do with redemption?
NATHAN
It’s not too late to be saved Adam. You out of them all have the greatest chance to be saved. Mankind however will suffer…
ADAM
Suffer?
NATHAN
Envy. Greed. Wrath. Gluttony. Sloth. Pride. Lust. Sin and Corruption have spread to every fiber in our society. Mankind has lost touch with the old ways. What if God has finally realized what his creations have become? The very embodiment of the seven mortal sins?
ADAM
Nathan, you couldn’t possibly-
NATHAN
This is it. You are witnessing the final revelation, my friend. Surely you will see that before the end.
ADAM pauses for a few seconds before adding.
ADAM
Tomorrow, we’re leaving. All of us. You can come with us if you like.
NATHAN
Very well. But, you’re making a mistake Adam. You will see. Soon enough.
ADAM goes back into the side-room. He finds DEREK sitting beside an ailing MARK.
DEREK
What did he say?
ADAM
I told him that we were leaving. I don’t think that he’s going to stop us. How much food have you gotten, to bring with us?
DEREK
A bit. I found a flashlight and a blanket that we can bring too.
ADAM
Good. How’s Mark?
DEREK
I honestly don’t know. He’s barley talking anymore. He keeps forgetting my name. It’s like he’s…
ADAM
Oh my god…
MARK stirs and his decrepit face is revealed.
DEREK
You see? It’s like his body is decaying or something.
ADAM
He’s turning into one of them…
MARK
It…hurts….
DEREK
I think that this is definitely a disease of some kind. Like a virus. I don’t think that it’s the virus that is hurting him though…
ADAM
What do you mean?
DEREK
Well…I think that…maybe all its doing is shutting down his immune system. You know? So that it can’t fight the disease. But in the process, it’s allowing other diseases to enter his body…
ADAM
Well…
DEREK
Look, I know it sounds crazy, but it’s just a thought. Biology was one of the only classes that I paid attention in.
They both smile and laugh lightly.
ADAM
Oh man, I completely forgot about school and everything. I guess none of that really matters anymore. Our teachers…My parents…they’re dead.
DEREK
Don’t say that, they could be-
ADAM
No, I’m done pretending. They’re dead. Everyone’s dead.
DEREK
But earlier you were saying that the military could be stopping this thing…
ADAM
Look around! Look how fast this thing is spreading. It’s an epidemic! It’s probably spread throughout the entire country by now…
DEREK
Then you think we’re alone?
ADAM
I don’t know what to think. Everyone is looking to me for answers when I’m just as terrified. But, I think that you’re right about this disease
DEREK
Then…maybe this thing spreads through blood…
ADAM
It could be airborne for all we know.
MARK moves in pain and BLOOD drips from his mouth.
DEREK
Oh god…
ADAM
I don’t think that we can help him Derek.
DEREK
Don’t say that, he still has a chance.
ADAM
At what? I don’t think that we’re going to find any help for him. Or us..
DEREK
What are you saying?
ADAM
I don’t think that we’re going to survive this. But we can’t let the others know that. We have to be strong.
DEREK
Okay…
ADAM
Try to help Mark if you can.
ADAM leaves and walks around REBECCA and then stops abruptly.
ADAM
Derek…where’s Tiffany?
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 2INT. NATHAN’S HOUSE- UPSTAIRSA body is seen being dragged into the darkness of the LIVING ROOM. One of the creatures rises with BLOOD on its face. It walks, hunched, to the BASEMENT DOOR. It growls and gives one scratch across the door.
INT. NATHAN’S HOUSE- BASEMENTREBECCA
(Emotional)
Where is she you son-of a-bitch?
DEREK
How could you just let her walk out of here?
NATHAN
How dare you all accuse me of something! It appears as though she left on her own accord.
REBECCA
Tiffany wouldn’t do something like that! She knew that it wasn’t safe upstairs
NATHAN
Perhaps you don’t know your friend as well as you thought-
REBECCA
(Crying)
No! You were supposed to be keeping watch…you should have done something…
REBECCA and DEREK walk into the room with MARK. ADAM and NATHAN are left alone.
NATHAN
How could she think that it was me? Adam…you don’t think that it’s my fault?
ADAM
Tiffany was ecstatic last night. She threatened to leave. No, I don’t blame you. No one is to blame. The stress this thing put on her….no one is ready to cope with something like this…
NATHAN
Except me, I’ve been prepared for this exact occurrence.
ADAM
Nathan, how could he be prepared for something like this?
NATHAN
This is a test from God. He has chosen us to be saved.
Before ADAM can respond, DEREK enters hurriedly.
DEREK
Something’s happening to Mark! Adam!
ADAM and NATHAN rush to DEREK and REBECCA who are standing over MARK’S BED. MARK is twisting and muttering strange words. MARK is growling and snapping his jaws.
DEREK
What’s happening to him? It’s like it isn’t him anymore…
NATHAN
He’s changing! We have to get him out of here before he kills us all!
REBECCA
No! I won’t let another person die because of you!
NATHAN
This is my house! He’s going to compromise everything!
DEREK
You can’t just throw him out there with those creatures you bastard!
NATHAN
This is god’s plan! I’m tired of you all treating me like I’m a monster! You should be thanking me!
DEREK
For what!
NATHAN
Saving you! Choosing you all to be redeemed in the eyes of god!
ADAM
Wait…what are you saying?
NATHAN
I’m saying that I’ve picked you three to be saved from damnation.
DEREK
Enough of you ludicrous talks of god!
NATHAN
Listen to what I am saying; pay attention to what I am telling you! Isaiah 34: The lord has prepared his sword in heaven, and now it will strike Edom, those people whom he has condemned to destruction-
ADAM
Nathan, are you saying that this is the rapture?
NATHAN
The Second coming, the end of all days- Call it what you will. But…yes…that is what I am saying
DEREK
Adam, don’t tell me you believe this ****!
NATHAN
Bite your tongue, Judas!
REBECCA
Sure the bible tells of the end but…you can’t possibly believe that it’s happening?
NATHAN
For too long humanity has ignored God and his wisdom. Beliefs of evolution and of no god, what if he has finally grown tired of our betrayal? God has many times before punished man for disobedience, how does this any different?
ADAM
Nathan, enough. This is a disease, not an act of god!
NATHAN
God made Edom a desolate wasteland for murder, God flooded the world! Now God is using a virus to pass his judgment!
REBECCA
I…
DEREK
You’re insane! We aren’t going to stand here and listen to this bullshit!
ADAM
You were saying that you choose us…what did you mean by that?
DEREK
Adam, don’t tell me you’re falling into his deranged vision
REBECCA
Nathan’s view of god is clearly wrong-
ADAM
I want to hear this!
NATHAN
(gaining leverage)
God told Noah of his plan to flood the world. God then saved him, found him worthy of his love. Six months ago my mother received visions of a desolate world. She saw fire and death until there was nothing remaining but the world itself. All life extinguished. My mother then died of illness and the visions were passed onto me. I have seen what is to happen to the earth, and all life. The final revelation isn’t coming, it’s happening right now!
DEREK
Jesus…
ADAM
You didn’t answer my question.
DEREK
Adam you can’t believe-
ADAM
Just let him finish!
NATHAN
Mere days ago I received a vision from the lord. He spoke to me; his words warned me that the end was near. He told me that I could save a few people, but only if they were worthy of redemption. I’ve chosen you all. Luke and Tiffany went against God’s plan and he punished them for it.
REBECCA
No, God isn’t so cruel
NATHAN
Open your eyes! God is a vengeful! This is what humanity deserves! The sinners are out there killing each other while those worthy of god’s love are safe. Us. God has tested you all, to see if you are worthy to be saved
DEREK
I am done listening to this! You are wrong! Your mother was a psycho-freak who brainwashed you into thinking that you were receiving “God’s word”, you need a hospital you deranged son-of a- bitch!
NATHAN
How dare you condemn me! How dare you question my mother and mock my believes! Judgment for you will be reserved for hell!
DEREK
I’ll give you judgment!
DEREK punches Nathan and pushes him to the ground. Nathan looks up and reveals a bloody lip.
ADAM
(Holds Derek back)
That’s enough Derek!
REBECCA
I can’t believe you really hit him...
NATHAN
Blood of a martyr. You will join your friends on the pyre.
Rebecca and Derek leave to tend to Mark. NATHAN stands.
NATHAN
Then the girl joins him. And what about you Adam?
ADAM
I can’t believe this…
NATHAN
Please Adam. You have to understand. I’m pleading you to listen. You have so much potential, God knows of you and the sacrifices you have made. You have shown leadership and courage. God doesn’t forget those who follow his word.
ADAM
I haven’t followed anything.
NATHAN
Oh, but you have. You have redeemed yourself worthy in god’s eyes. You just need to leave those sinners. They cannot stay here. (Nathan hands Adam the shotgun)
ADAM
Derek is my friend. Rebecca and Mark…I’m not going to hurt them.
NATHAN
You disappoint me. I really hoped for the best. But, if you cannot follow god’s word…
ADAM
You aren’t going to hurt them.
NATHAN
Get out of my way Adam, this is god’s will!
ADAM
God has nothing to do with this! Derek’s right, you’re insane!
NATHAN
No I’m not! Get out of my way!
ADAM pushes NATHAN back and NATHAN cocks the SHOTGUN.
NATHAN
Step back!
ADAM
Stop!
The GUN fires off into the ceiling.
NATHAN
Back off! Or I will shoot you dead!
ADAM backs into the room with the three others.
DEREK
What the hell are you doing?
REBECCA
He’s going to kill us!
ADAM
Put down the gun!
NATHAN
No! I tried to reason with you all…I tried to make you understand…You think I wanted any of this to happen? I didn’t want to be chosen! I’ve lost both of my parents…everyone I ever knew. For so long people have cursed my family…called my mother crazy…Even you Derek. You think I didn’t hear you all mocking my family? I didn’t want it to come to this. I thought I could save you all…I thought that others could be saved…I was wrong.
ADAM
You don’t have to do this!
NATHAN
I don’t? You are going to try to leave…maybe even try to kill me. I can’t let that happen. I can’t let you jeopardize this any further. God has spoken. Your punishment begins now
REBECCA
Please Nathan! Don’t do this!
DEREK tried to speak when Nathan points the gun
NATHAN
Nothing out of you, Judas!
ADAM
Nathan…please, you don’t want to hurt any of us…
NATHAN
That’s correct. But what choice do I have? God’s will be done….
ADAM
You don’t have to kill us. We aren’t going to leave. We aren’t going to try and kill you.
REBECCA
Yes…Nathan…please…
NATHAN
I’m going to leave you in here then. If any of you try to leave this room then you will be shot.
NATHAN exits the room and shuts the door. The group whispers.
DEREK
We have to get out of here
REBECCA
He probably killed Tiffany. Oh my god…what are we going to do.
DEREK
Mark’s losing it. Nathan is out of his fucking mind! We have to get out of here before he kills us! Adam, are you listening?
ADAM
Keep your voice down! I know…But for now we need to wait. Nathan’s been wide awake for hours. We need to wait.
REBECCA
Then…what are we going to do
ADAM
We’re going to kill him.
DEREK
Right.
Camera panes wide shot and out of the room to NATHAN, who is stroking his gun and watching the door.
END OF SCENE
Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:34 am
