The Living Dead: First Contact by J.

Neff Lind & Monika LInd

JNeffLind@gmail.com Monika.Lind@gmail.com

Insert Text: In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. His personal log of that voyage mysteriously disappeared. Only fragments survive today. The missing pages held a tale the history books would never tell. INT. SPANISH ROYAL COURT - DAY Insert text: 1493 Two aristocratic GENTLEMEN (complete with powdered wigs, tights, formal coats, etc.) walk briskly through the halls of a government building. One of them clutches a leather bound journal to his chest. Does he hold it so tightly because its worth its weight in gold, or because it might explode if mishandled? GENTLEMAN 1 We shall expose him for a scoundrel. This I assure you. GENTLEMAN 2 If he told of a city of gold, I might agree, but a story so fantastical, it somehow has the ring of truth. GENTLEMAN 1 So because he tells of demons and ghouls, because his tale is beyond belief, you believe him. Perhaps. GENTLEMAN 2

The gentlemen reach the end of the hall and enter a room with a long table. On one side of the table sit ten more GENTLEMEN, all dressed in the same fashion. Across from them sits a haggard looking man, unshaven, dressed in rags, half starved. He looks like he has been to hell and back, because he has. This is CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. GENTLEMAN 1 Please state your name for the official record.

2. COLUMBUS Christopher Columbus. GENTLEMAN 1 And this journal which you see before you, do you swear as to the veracity of its contents? I do sir. COLUMBUS

GENTLEMAN 1 And do you understand why you have been called before this council? COLUMBUS (wearily) Perhaps my handwriting was illegible. Penmanship was never my strength. Gentleman 1 is outraged at this impertinence. GENTLEMAN 1 You will show the proper respect! As if it is not enough that you you slouch in your chair like a broke-backed ape, you dress as a penniless beggar! Have you no respect for the dignity of this council!?! COLUMBUS Forgive me sir. It is laundry day, and my last pair of stockings smells ranker than an antique pisspot. GENTLEMAN 1 (pounds on table) ENOUGH! YOU WILLGENTLEMAN 2 (hand on Gentleman 1s shoulder) Please sir. Allow me. (to Columbus) We understand that you have been through a trying ordeal. You understand how we might question the contents of this journal. COLUMBUS I suppose I can.

3. GENTLEMAN 2 The military implications alone are tremendous. If what you say is trueCOLUMBUS It is true. Though I would trade my very soul to tell you otherwise, I cannot. Every word is true. EXT. HARBOR DOCKS - DAY Insert Text: 1492 Columbus stands on the docks, watching as final preparations are made for his famous voyage of discovery. Men hustle to adjust the rigging, to carry sea chests aboard, to say their last good-byes. Columbus is barely recognizable from the previous scene, clean shaven, powdered wig, buttons and buckles polished to a shine. This is a man who believes he is destined for greatness, confident that he can meet any challenge and relishing the prospect of proving himself to the world. A harried looking man holding an accounting ledger hurries down the gangplank to where Columbus watches from the docks. This is the PURSER. PURSER Pardon sir, but Ive completed the final reckoning. COLUMBUS Kindly stand straight when you address me. You do our fleet no glory with your slouching. The Purser throws his shoulders back, looking uncomfortable in this forced pose. PURSER The final reckoning sir. COLUMBUS Yes, fine. Proceed. PURSER Stores is low sir, hard-tack and salt-beef both. We lack cord and wood as well, and there is uncommon many rats. There just isnt funds for proper-

4. COLUMBUS I trust you have stretched our funds to the best of your ability. I have sir. PURSER

COLUMBUS Then I can ask no more. We are underfunded, it is true, but in measure of courage and fortitude, we are stocked to the brim. Close behind Columbus and the Purser, a boy of thirteen loiters, waiting for his chance to speak with the great navigator. He is thin and wirey, does his best to puff his chest up to hide his insecurity. He knows hes not much, but hell be damned if hes going to let the world see it. This is BILLY. PURSER That is well and good sir, the courage I mean, but if we was to find a becalmed sea, or some other difficulty, with stores low as they is, all would be lost. COLUMBUS But do you not realize that all of us were born lost? PURSER How do you mean sir? COLUMBUS I mean we are destined to die and be forgotten, lost to history, as if we never lived at all. PURSER Not every man can be a king sir. We cant help whats in our stars. COLUMBUS But we can. With this voyage we may rise to such heights of glory that we might reach into the sky and arrange our own constellation. Would you not risk a touch of hunger for such an honor? PURSER Of course I would sir.

5. COLUMBUS Then let us board, and find our destiny where we may. Columbus heads up the gangplank. Billy sees he may miss his chance, races up ahead of Columbus, blocking his path. Pardon me sir. BILLY

COLUMBUS Yes, what is it? BILLY I heard what you said sir, and I wish to join your fleet. COLUMBUS (chuckling) You do, do you? And what do your parents think? BILLY That dont matter sir. A boy cannot be dragging his parents along asking permission for every little thing. Running away to sea is the way it is done. Everyone knows that, its in all the stories. COLUMBUS Ah, I see. We are not writing a story though my boy, we are sailing a fleet of ships, and I cannot have a useless boyBILLY I am not useless sir. I may appear that way, but that is how it must be until I have a chance to prove my worth. Then you will see I am uncommon brave. COLUMBUS Is that in the stories too? BILLY Of course sir. I serve tableside at my Aunts inn and Ive heard every tale of adventure, how to outsmart pirates, how to escape a giant squid, how to-

6. COLUMBUS Be that as it may, I cannot take a boy without a word of consent from his parentsBILLY I dont have any parents sir, my mother died in childbirth. COLUMBUS And your father? BILLY I never knew him sir, but I have greatness in me. I am surprised you cannot see it. COLUMBUS (chuckling again) I see a boy who has likely never been aboard a ship, much less worked one. BILLY But look closely sir, cant you see something in me? I know it is there. COLUMBUS Im sorry my boy. The answer is no. Columbus pushes past Billy, continues up the gangplank, the Purser close behind him. Billy looks devastated as he retreats to the docks, watching as the ships set sail, steering for the mouth of the harbor. He walks along the docks, following the fleets progress, fighting back tears, but Billy isnt ready to give up. His walk turns into a jog, then a run as he struggles to keep pace with the ships. Hes done crying and ready to show what hes worth. Billy races along the harbor, dodging pedestrians, leaping over stray dogs, weaving his way to the harbors mouth, through which Columbuss ships must pass to reach the open sea. He runs until theres no more room to run,

7. dives into the water, swims frantically for Columbuss three ship fleet. He grabs ahold of a loose rope trailing in the water, pulls himself up into the last ship. INT. CARGO HOLD - THREE WEEKS LATER Billy lies curled up in a corner of the cargo hold, fast asleep. The Purser enters with his ledger, checking inventory, stumbles upon Billy, literally stepping on him. BILLY Watch your step, will you! PURSER What are you doing here? How did youBILLY What kind of a ship is this anyway? I have to wait three weeks to be discovered, and then I am walked upon. PURSER I beg your pardon, butBILLY But nothing. I have stowed away and you have found me. Now you must bring me to the captain. PURSER I dont think he will be happy. Maybe it would be better ifBILLY Of course he wont be happy. He will curse me for a freeloading burden, but that is how it works. Come now. Billy leads the way out of the cargo hold. The Purser has no choice but to follow him. INT. COLUMBUSS CABIN - MOMENTS LATER Billy is bent over Columbuss knee, his pants around his ankles.

8. Columbus paddles him with a switch. Billy grimaces with each blow, but manages not to cry. Columbus lets him free. COLUMBUS I dont expect that was in any of your stories. Billy sullenly pulls up his pants, doesnt respond. COLUMBUS Or if I feed you to the sharks, would that make for a great adventure? No sir. BILLY

COLUMBUS This is not a story, nor a game. Supplies are low as it is, and now I have another mouth to feed. BILLY I know sir, but my mouth is rather small. COLUMBUS Yet you cannot keep it shut. Sorry sir. BILLY

COLUMBUS (to Purser) Have you finished your inventory? PURSER No sir, I was in the processBILLY Your stores is in awful bad shape sir. Is that right? COLUMBUS

BILLY Yes sir. At least half the saltbeef has gone to rot, and most of the hard tack has passed to mold. Columbus looks to the Purser for confirmation.

9. I, um(beat) The... PURSER

BILLY I done inventory in my aunts tavern and I know you have to check every barrel and bushel from any merchant you meet. (to Purser) I expect you got a bargain on that stuff, at least I hope you did, cause it aint fit for a sick hog. EXT. MAIN DECK OF COLUMBUSS SHIP - DAY Columbus stands before his assembled crew. They know something is up, grumbling at what they assume to be bad news. COLUMBUS I regret to inform you that our stores have diminished faster than we could have foreseen, and we will be forced to go on half rations. SAILOR 1 We aint seen land in three weeks, and now its half rations!?! There is a chorus of grumbling among the crew. SAILOR 2 Hes a mad man! Hell lead us all to our doom! Billy has been standing in the background, seething at the disrespect being shown to Columbus. He cant contain himself any longer, forces his way through the crowd. BILLY Our captain is a great man! The crew notices his presence for the first time. SAILOR 1 Who in the bloody hell is that!?! SAILOR 2 Yeah! Where you been keeping him captain? Hidden away in your bed I reckon!

10. SAILOR 1 I bet your boy enjoys a nice sausage every night, and second helpings with extra gravy! Billy charges the man, kicks him hard in the shin. Columbus separates them, pulling Billy away from the rest of the crew. BILLY Ill whip you all! COLUMBUS That wont be necessary Billy. BILLY Let go of me! I been taking care of myself my whole life! COLUMBUS Yes, I know. But you are not helping. (to crew) This boy is a stowaway and it is he who discovered our shortage of stores. He may have saved us all from certain starvation. The near mutinous crew grumbles at the mention of the diminishing stores, slightly mollified on the subject of Billy. SAILOR 2 (appealing to crew) We gotta turn back! If not, were as good as dead! Columbus motions to silence the crew. COLUMBUS It is possible that death lurks somewhere between here and the horizon, but that is the case with any sea voyage. SAILOR 1 But three weeks without sight of land is madness! This aint just any sea voyage! COLUMBUS You are right about that, for it is a voyage into history, a voyage to glory, and on such a voyage you may die, but you may also live forever.

11. Theres a moment of relative silence while the crew digests this. COLUMBUS You must look upon this vastness not as an abyss that waits to swallow us up, but as a clean slate, a blank page across which our noble fleet draws a steady line. Only this can bear us across the ocean, and reveal the untold wonders that await. INT. IOWATS HUT - DAWN An Indian man lies asleep in a small hut, snoring loudly. He is well muscled and heavy jawed, looks like the kind of guy you would want on your side in a fight, and would want to run from if he wasnt. Even sleeping, he looks tough. This is IOWAT. His wife SOLA has just awoken and stirs the fire, then cuddles up to Iowat on their grass mat, nuzzling him. She whispers in his ear: I love you. SOLA

Oblivious to Solas words, Iowat FARTS in his sleep. Sola recoils, waking him. He sniffs the air. IOWAT Are you cooking already? (sniffs again) I think the meat is bad. Sola cant help but smile. SOLA No Iowat. There is no meat. We never have enough. Tika is losing weight, and I worry for her. In the corner of the hut a twelve year old girl lies sleeping on another mat. This is Iowats daughter, TIKA. SOLA I do not understand why the gods would demand a new temple, but not provide us food while we build it. Iowat is wide awake now, obviously passionate about this issue.

12. IOWAT It is not a question of the gods, but of a foolish king. SOLA I miss your father too, but the gods chose to take his life. Your uncle is our king. We cannot second guess the gods. IOWAT I can and I will. But IowatSOLA

IOWAT I will speak to my brother today. He has my uncles ear. SOLA He will not be pleased. Is it really worth the risk? IOWAT For a reward as rich as this... Iowat gestures towards his daughter, his home around him. IOWAT ...I would take any risk. INT. CARGO HOLD - DAY Two sailors, SMITTY and MARCUS, sneak into the cargo hold. SMITTY Are you sure about this? MARCUS Sure as I am that dreams of glory aint going to fill my belly. SMITTY But how do we catchA rat scurries past them. Marcus dives on the floor after it, grabbing its tail. He whips it at the wall, breaking its neck, picks it up, admires it.

13. MARCUS If that aint the loveliest sea pigeon I ever did see. A dozen like that and well have a feast for sure. SMITTY But aint they diseased? Dirty and the like as they are? Another rat scurries across the floor and Marcus dives for it, catches it, slams it into the ground. MARCUS Which we will cook em first, unless you is too hungry to wait. He tosses the dead rat to Smitty. Smitty examines the rat, which has a diseased look about it, lesions in the skin, matted hair, etc. SMITTY This one looksThe seemingly dead rat bites his hand. Startled, he drops it, but has the presence of mind to stomp it, blood spraying with a sickening CRUNCH of bones. SMITTY The little bugger bit me. Marcus comes closer to examine the smashed rat. It has been nearly flattened by the stomp, but still drags itself forward by one leg. MARCUS Hes a tough one aint he? He looks to Smitty for a response but Smitty looks woozy, sweating profusely. He takes a step, loses his balance, almost falls. SMITTY I think I need some air. Marcus grinds his boot heel into the rats head, finally killing it. MARCUS Suit yourself. More for me.

14. INT. BELOW DECKS - NIGHT Rows of hammocks are strung below decks, full of sleeping sailors. Besides the creak of the ships timbers and a few odd snorers, all is quiet. Only Smitty lies awake in his hammock, drenched in sweat, pale as a ghost. His breath is laboured, a shallow RASP, growing fainter and fainter until it stops with a choking GURGLE. He lies motionless in his hammock, stone dead, then suddenly sits up. But it isnt Smitty who climbs out of the hammock. Smitty is gone. Only his body remains, reanimated as a ZOMBIE. Eyes glazed over, mouth hanging open, the zombie shuffles to the nearest sailor, sinks its teeth into his neck. The sailor SCREAMS as his carotid artery is ripped out, waking everyone. CHORUS OF SAILORS (mixed grumbling) What the hell? What is this? Theres a commotion now as all of the sailors scramble out of their hammocks, unsure what is happening. The zombie advances on the frightened crowd. Only Marcus steps forward, his hands up in a placating gesture. MARCUS Calm down Smitty. (to others) He only has a fever, hell beThe zombie lunges at him, sinks its teeth into his face, ripping at his flesh until a couple sailors pull it off him. The zombie redirects its attack at them, clawing, biting,

15. flailing to do more damage. Finally they manage to get it down on its back, pinning its wrists and ankles to the floor. At least a dozen sailors have been scratched or bitten in the attack. The FIRST LIEUTENANT bursts in, having heard the commotion. LIEUTENANT What is the meaning of this damnable ruckus!?! RANDOM SAILOR Its Smitty sir. Hes gone mad. The Lieutenant comes closer to examine the zombie, grabs its head, peers into its eyes, checking for dilation (or demonic possession). LIEUTENANT Easy Smitty. Youre alright now. Were all here toThe zombie jerks its head away, bites the Lieutenants hand. Bloody hell. LIEUTENANT

RANDOM SAILOR Are you alright sir? LIEUTENANT Pay it no mind, only a scratch. Though pinned down, the zombie continues to SNARL and gnash its teeth, craning its neck in an attempt to reach and bite anyone it can. The sailors watch it warily, sure their voyage has been cursed. EXT. HALF BUILT TEMPLE - DAY We see for the first time the magnitude of the capital city in which Iowat lives. It is reminiscent of Teotihuacan in its prime, complete with aqueducts and hard packed gravel avenues, temples, market and residential areas, and thirty thousand citizens.

16. Along with thousands of other men, Iowat works in slavelike conditions on a new temple, cutting and hauling stone under the watchful eye of the KINGS GUARDS. The Guards have their bodies painted with stripes of ash and mutilated by ritual scarification. They are obviously well fed, muscular and strong, as well as stern and brutal, wielding heavy clubs to keep the workers in line. As Iowat scans the temple grounds for his brother, an elderly worker collapses under the weight of the stone he carries, earning a vicious beating from a nearby guard. The guard notices Iowat scowling at the assault. Back to work! GUARD

Iowat just stares him down, an obvious challenge to his authority. If this guard wants to try his luck with Iowat, the confrontation is welcome. Iowat sees his brother KENTO round the corner of the half built temple, giving orders to other guards as he surveys the work being done. Kento is a senior member of the Kings Guard, but if you took away the ash and scarification, he could almost be Iowats twin. His face carries more menace though, like hes constantly grinding his teeth and suppressing a growl. Iowat spits in the direction of the guard he was staring down, heads for Kento. KENTO!!! IOWAT

As Iowat crosses the work-site, several workers steal glances. Theyre careful not to get caught, but theres no doubt they admire Iowats brazen disobedience. KENTO!!! IOWAT

17. Kento notices Iowat approaching, scowls at his disrespect. KENTO (to guards) Leave us. The guards go off to attend to their duties. IOWAT Your niece is going hungry. No one has enough to eat. This temple is madness! KENTO (struggling to control his rage) This temple is the gods will. It must be built. IOWAT No, it is the kings will, and the king is a fool. Theres a slight GASP from the surrounding workers. Kento clubs Iowat in the head, dropping him to the ground. Hes not unconscious, but hes halfway there. Kento kneels next to Iowat, grabs him by the throat, lowering his voice so only Iowat can hear. KENTO You are lucky you are my brother. I would kill any other man for less. IOWAT I was your brother. Now I am only a slave, and you... (beat) ...I dont know who you are, but my brother is gone. Kento puts on a show of stoic authority, roughly pulling Iowat to his feet, pushing him back towards his work area. But Iowats words had an effect. A flicker of doubt colors Kentos face.

18. INT. KINGS COUNCIL ROOM- EVENING KING WITEK (uncle to Iowat and Kento) sits on his throne, his council of ADVISORS circled around him. Kento sits at his right hand. Witek is old and frail, but he has eyes like a wolf who eats his fill and then kills again just for fun. He looks like he would not only stab his own mother in the back, but would twist the knife until his wrist hurt. WITEK And what of the harvest tributes, have they been paid? One of the advisors bows towards the king, hesitates to deliver the bad news he bears. ADVISOR The cities of Loren and Marato have failed to deliver the full tribute. WITEK You mean they have refused!?! ADVISOR They say(hesitant, scared) They say that if they give what you requireWITEK What the gods require! ADVISOR Yes, what the gods require, they say they will not have enough to last the winter. (beat) They say they will starve. WITEK THEY LIE!!! (Witek composes himself) If they have too many mouths to feed, I will kill one member of each household. That should make things easier. There is stunned silence in the chamber. No one dares speak out. WITEK Now if there are no more trivialities to discuss-

19. Kento swallows hard, steels his nerve. KENTO With permission sir. WHAT!?! WITEK

KENTO Today a temple worker told me that the people of our own city are also hungry. WITEK And what was this workers name? Kento hesitates. He knows this wont end well, but he cant stop now. KENTO It was Iowat sir. He says his daughter is hungry. WITEK And what else did he say? KENTO He questioned the wisdom of the new temple, he saidWITEK ENOUGH!!! Why is he not lying bound before me!?! KENTO I clubbed him and sent him back to work sir. I did not wish the temple delayed. WITEK Being your brother does not give him license to defy the gods. KENTO Of course not sir. WITEK Your judgment is clouded. 2 days of prayer should clear your mind. Leave us and begin immediately. KENTO Of course sir. Thank you for your forgiveness. Kento gets up and leaves the chamber.

20. WITEK If my nephew cannot care for his daughter, we shall have to ease his mind. INT. COLUMBUSS CABIN - DAY The Lieutenant looks increasingly pale and sickly as he enters Columbuss cabin, finds him writing in his journal. Billy stands by as Cabin Boy. LIEUTENANT My compliments sir. COLUMBUS Yes, what is it? The Lieutenant swoons, keeps upright only by catching himself on the table. LIEUTENANT May I sit sir? I fear I am not at my best. Of course. COLUMBUS

LIEUTENANT Last night sir, a sailor went mad. He attacked his shipmates without provocation, biting them as a wild animal might. He even bit me. (shows hand) We have subdued him, locked him in the empty cabin aboard the Pinta, but he does not respond to plea or prayer. HeThe Lieutenant shudders, collapses forward onto the table. His breathing stops, though this isnt apparent to Columbus. COLUMBUS Wake him, will you? Billy approaches the Lieutenant, gives his shoulder a cautious shake.