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EXT. OUTER ZONES

2019. It is another day in the desert.

The Killjoys are out in the Trans-Am.

Inside the car, Gerard is driving while Frank checks the map.

RAY
There's a self-service station for
BLIND not too far from here. We
could try there.

MIKEY
Anything not BLIND?

RAY
If we head East we can try that old
station on 6, but it seemed like
the reserve was getting low. If
there's no gas left, we might have
a hard time getting to somewhere
else.

GERARD
All right, we're going West. Keep
an eye out for pigs.

The music ends and the voice of Doctor Death Defying comes
over the radio.

DOCTOR D
Good morning children. It's been
quiet out there in the Zones. I
don't know where my kitty cat's
gone, but if the cat is away then
the mice get to play. Rev it up and
put the hammer down and listen to
these freaky sounds.

GERARD
Sounds like a good sign.

RAY
I wonder why it's so quiet.

CUT TO:



EXT. NEARBY IN THE ZONES

Korse is traveling by car, chauffeured by a Draculoid. Two
more Dracs accompany on bikes.

Korse is communicating by radio.

KORSE
Fly-cam has made visual.
Approaching target now.

LIU
(over the radio)
Remember, use non-deadly force. I
want the child unharmed.

KORSE
Very well.

CUT TO:



INT. THE BUNKER

Inside an underground bunker, other people are picking up the
transmission.

LIU
(over the radio)
...I want the child unharmed.

JACOB
Can we get there in time?

A hand is seen working the dial, and answers.

VOICE
No!



EXT. BLIND FILLING STATION

The Trans-Am pulls up and the Killjoys hop out.

MIKEY
C'mon Kid. Help me fill up.

Mikey plugs his Vend-a-hack into the pump and fiddles with
it, releasing the gas.

As the car starts to fill, Mikey and Grace high-five.

Ray and Frank are studying the map over the hood of the car.

FRANK
There's really not a lot out here.

Ray turns to Gerard, who is scanning the desert.

RAY
Party Poison, grab us some water.

FRANK
Better get some food too.

Gerard head inside the small depot to see what supplies are
there.

RAY
Maybe head North?

FRANK
We're getting pretty close to
Battery City if we do that.

RAY
Maybe go partway and then veer
west. I just don't know how long we
can keep this up.

Gerard comes out with his arms full.

GERARD
Help me out here. They're loaded.

RAY
(to Frank)
Well, that should help a little.

MIKEY
Jet Star! Pop the hood. I'll get
the oil too.

Ray pops the hood, then walks around the car and opens the
trunk as Frank heads to the depot.

As Gerard and Ray are placing the first load in the trunk, a
blast hits the front of the car.

It is Korse and the Dracs.

Ray, Gerard, Mikey, and Grace take shelter behind the car.

GERARD
Where did they come from?

A second blast hits the depot. Burning debris flies and hits
Frank, knocking him down with a nasty twist to the ankle.

Korse thumps one of the Draculoids.

KORSE
Idiots! Non-lethal force.

Korse turns his attention to the Killjoys.

KORSE (CONT'D)
Give us the girl!

RAY
Never!

MIKEY
What do we do?

Gerard pulls his Mousekat head out of the open trunk.

GERARD
Fill it up. Sorry, buddy

Mikey pulls the nozzle from the gas tank and partly fills the
mask.

Pulling out a rag, Gerard lights one end, puts the other end
inside the mask, and lobs the modified fire bomb at Korse.

This causes enough of a distraction for the Killjoys to
spring to action.

Ray and Gerard open fire on the Dracs from behind the pumps,
keeping Grace behind them.

Mikey crawls into the car and starts it, gunning for Korse.
One of the cycle Dracs sideswipes the Trans-Am, allowing
Korse to move aside.

Mikey jumps out the top of the car and begins using his kung
fu skills on the Draculoid.

There is a stream of gasoline running towards the burning
building.

The other cyclist is circling Frank, still on the ground.

Despite being injured, Frank is able to draw his weapon and
fire at the Drac. The shot is fatal, and the Drac falls.
Unfortunately, the cycle falls on Frank's already injured
leg.

The stream of gas is closer to the fire.

FRANK
Little help!

Ray assesses the situation and turns to Gerard and Grace.

RAY
Get her out of here. This whole
thing could blow.

Ray runs to Frank as Gerard starts to move back with Grace,
trying to maintain cover.

Ray pulls the cycle off of Frank and pulls Frank away from
the stream just as it reaches the fire.

Ray turns to check on the others and is struck by a beer
bottle wielded by another Draculoid. Ray is now unconscious.

This Draculoid reaches down for Frank, who forces himself up,
shoving the Draculoid off.

The gas reaches the fire and a flame travels back in the
opposite direction, hitting the pumps, and they explode.

The force of the explosion sends Frank back down and out.

Mikey is getting in some good blows on his Draculoid, but the
explosion distracts Mikey enough that the Draculoid is able
to grab Mikey's arm, twisting it until there is a gruesome
pop. He then slams Mikey's head against the car.

GERARD
Mikey!

Gerard is torn, but he turns to Grace.

GERARD (CONT'D)
Kid, I need you to run, as fast as
you can.

Gerard turns again and is stabbed by Korse.

Gerard looks down and sees his blood spreading across his
shirt.

Korse withdraws the blade, and Gerard falls to his knees.

GRACE
No!

Grace hugs her uncle tightly, but a Draculoid pulls her back.

Gerard tries to reach after Grace, but his strength is
draining away. He falls over, and then rolls onto his back.

GERARD
Run, Grace. Run

Korse smiles down at Gerard.

KORSE
Yes. Keep running. Or maybe that
was lethal force after all.

Korse strides away, followed by the two remaining Dracs, one
of whom pulls Grace away and loads her into the car.

They drive off, as the Killjoys, injured and mostly
unconscious, lie scattered around the burning ruins. The sun
glares down.

Only Gerard is conscious, and he takes shallow, gasping
breaths. He blinks as a shadow looms above him.

Mikey starts to wake up. There's a motorbike that was not
there before.

Rising slightly, Mikey sees a figure in black kneeling at
Gerard's side, back to Mikey.

Mikey is in a lot of pain, centered around his dislocated
shoulder, but he forces himself to draw his gun.

MIKEY
Back away!

Startled, the figure turns around with arms raised.

JANE
Mikey! It's me, Jane. Do you
remember me?

Jane removes her helmet. It is her.

Mikey is shocked.

MIKEY
Jane! What are you doing here?

JANE
Trying to save your brother.

Mikey lowers the gun and drags himself over.

MIKEY
What's wro--

The words die on Mikey's lips as he sees the sucking chest
wound.

JANE
He's taking in extra air through
the wound. It could make his lungs
collapse.

MIKEY
Can you help him?

JANE
I think so.

Jane inserts a needle into Gerard's chest to pull out the
extra air.

Gerard looks up with frightened eyes, partially dazed, but
still sensing the pain and the danger.

Jane's face is primarily worried, but odd flickers of wonder
cross here and there. No one has ever touched her heart quite
like Gerard, and it is miraculous to see him again.

Jane talks to Mikey while she works.

JANE (CONT'D)
I'm sorry, I know you need help
too. You all do. This is just more
urgent.

MIKEY
Just save him! How did you find us?

JANE
We picked up the radio transmission
where Korse was getting his orders.
I'm sorry we couldn't get here fast
enough to save the girl. (pause) Is
she Cathy's?

MIKEY
Yeah. You remember?

JANE
I remember. Do you know why they
took her?

MIKEY
No. They tried to take her when she
was five. That's when we went on
the run. Everyone else is dead.

JANE
I'm sorry. My parents are gone too.
Long time ago.

MIKEY
Is that why you're out here?

Jane shakes her head. There is something she tries not to
think about too much there.

JANE
It made leaving easier.

As more air escapes, both the chest and the breathing become
more even.

Jane relaxes slightly, and begins to clean and close the
wound.

JANE (CONT'D)
He's doing better.

MIKEY
Since when are you a doctor?

Jane gives a short laugh.

JANE
Just a medic. Turns out that no one
needs lit professors in the future.

Mikey nods bitterly.

MIKEY
Yeah. Tell me about it.

The bandaging is now complete.

JANE
Your friends are going to be waking
up soon. Talk to them so they don't
shoot me, or move, especially the
curly-haired one. I don't want him
to get glass in his eye.

Mikey moves over to where Frank and Ray lie.

Ray is on his back and has a nasty gash on his head where the
bottle hit. There are some broken bits of glass, the reason
for Jane's warning.

Frank is nearby, face down, and already starting to stir. His
burned shoulder looks painful but usable.

MIKEY
Hey, guys. Wake up.

Ray groans and his hand automatically moves towards the
injury.

Mikey grabs Ray's hand.

MIKEY (CONT'D)
Don't touch that.

Now Ray opens his eyes, and Frank rolls over.

RAY
What's going on?

MIKEY
I have no idea. Right now I'm
supposed to keep you from getting
glass in your eye.

FRANK
They've got the Kid, don't they?
Why are we even alive?

JANE
I think I can fill in some of the
blanks.

Jane starts to gets up, but Gerard grips her wrist, holding
her back. She gently squeezes his hand, and smiles tenderly.

JANE (CONT'D)
It's okay. I'll just be right over
there, and I'm coming back.

RAY
(whispering)
Who's that?

MIKEY
This is Jane. Jane, this is, umm,
Frank and Ray.

JANE
I'm an old friend of Gerard and
Mikey's. Let's see how you're
doing.

Jane goes to Ray first. He is groggy.

There is an open wound on his head, with bits of broken glass
in it. Jane begins to pick out the glass and clean the cut.

FRANK
You were going to fill in some
blanks?

JANE
I'll try. We caught a radio
transmission with Korse being given
your coordinates. He was instructed
to use non-lethal force so the girl
wouldn't be harmed. I think he
cheated.

MIKEY
He would.

Jane begins to tape the cut.

JANE
(to Ray)
The good news is, you don't need
stitches. The bad news is that I
think you have a concussion, and I
don't have any way of checking for
other kinds of head trauma.

Jane takes a small flashlight from her bag to examine Ray's
pupils, but it will not turn on.

JANE (CONT'D)
Batteries are out. We're a little
under-supplied.

Frank gets up painfully and goes over to the Trans-Am,
rummaging around in the glove-box. He pulls out two batteries
and brings them over to Jane.

FRANK
Here you go.

JANE
Thank you.

Jane checks Ray's eyes.

JANE (CONT'D)
Is your vision blurry at all? How's
your pain?

RAY
My head hurts, but I can see.

JANE
That will have to do for now.

Jane moves over to Frank, and begins to clean and dress the
burn on his shoulder.

JANE (CONT'D)
This isn't too bad. How does your
ankle feel?

FRANK
Sore.

JANE
I can wrap it if you want, but you
don't really need it.

FRANK
Skip it then. Did they say why they
wanted the Kid? Grace, I mean.

Jane sits back on her heels.

JANE
They didn't but offhand I'd guess
she's a "special".

MIKEY
What's that supposed to mean?

JANE
After the flares, some people
started developing special
abilities, like telepathy and
telekinesis. Not a lot of people,
and it's mainly children born since
the flares, but Grace would have
been. Have you seen any signs?

MIKEY
She's really smart. Precocious. But
no.

RAY
Not that we've seen.

Jane shrugs.

JANE
BLIND has taken a big interest in
them. They've seized children and
adults. I think it has to be that.

MIKEY
And that's why you left?

Jane closes her eyes and nods.

JANE
I can see up to two days into the
future. When we heard the
transmission I looked ahead and saw
what would happen. That's how I
knew your injuries. That's how I
knew it was you.

RAY
If Grace is special, what will they
do with her?

JANE
With the children they usually take
them to a special school. I know it
doesn't look good now, but we will
find out where she is, and we will
find a way to get her back.

RAY
Who's we?

JANE
There are some others coming with a
van after dark. It's too risky in
the daylight.

MIKEY
So are you, like, resistance or
something?

Jane thinks and shakes her head.

JANE
We're just refugees.

FRANK
Us too.

Jane stands up.

JANE
I really want to get back to Gee,
but we should take care of Mikey
first and that's not going to be
pretty.

MIKEY
What are you talking about?

JANE
You have a dislocated shoulder.
Relocating it tends to hurt. Could
one of you hold him?

MIKEY
I do not need to be held!

Ray and Frank are beginning to enjoy this. You need to take
your moments when you get them.

RAY
I can hold him.

MIKEY
Back off!

Ray nonetheless grabs Mikey around the waist, pinning his
uninjured arm.

RAY
Got him.

MIKEY
This is stupid.

JANE
I'm just going to massage this
gently back into place.

Mikey struggles and groans while Jane works on his joint.

FRANK
I thought it was supposed to be a
quick pop.

JANE
This way is supposed to be better,
and less painful.

MIKEY
Just get it over with!

FRANK
Are you sure this way is less
painful?

MIKEY
Shut up!

JANE
I see your point.
(to Mikey)
Sorry!

Jane does a quick twisting shove and the joint pops.

MIKEY
Fuuuu-

The scene cuts away, but if there were any birds around this
forsaken place, Mikey would have sent them all flying.

DISSOLVE TO:



EXT. SERVICES STATION

The sun is almost done setting.

The flames of the pumps and the depot have mostly died down.

Jane is sitting cross-legged by a sleeping Gerard, watching
him and holding his hand.

Frank and Mikey are looking at the Trans-Am, while Ray tries
unsuccessfully to start it.

Ray shakes his head and gets out.

MIKEY
I'm sorry.

RAY
It would have been worth it if you
had killed that guy.

FRANK
It's worth it anyway. If you'd left
it by the pumps it would have been
blown to bits. This I can fix.

MIKEY
How?

FRANK
We'll figure something out.

The sound of a distant engine can be heard.

MIKEY
What's that?

Jane stands up, hearing it too. Spotting the white van
approaching, she waves.

The guys go over to Jane as the van comes closer.

As the van pulls up and stops, three people get out.

MITCH (55) is short, stocky, and muscular, with a square jaw
and grey buzz cut.

DEANNA (31) has straight blonde hair that brushes her
shoulders. She is slim and has an air of toughness about her.

JACOB (38) is tall but slightly paunchy. He has brown hair
and glasses, and his air is a little nerdy.

They survey the group.

MITCH
Just one wounded?

JANE
(smiling)
Four wounded, but only one really
badly.

JACOB
There's room, unless you want to
drive your car.

FRANK
It's out of commission right now,
but I know it can be fixed.

MITCH
We can do a tow.

Frank is visibly relieved.

DEANNA
It's going to be kind of a heavy
load. Are we loading up the bike
too?

JANE
I'll ride, unless...We need to get
a request for information into the
network.

MITCH
The girl? I'll go. Does that one
work?

Mitch is pointing to the remaining Drac bike, lying near its
dead owner.

JANE
It's worth finding out.

Jane and Mitch head over to the bike, and Ray and Frank
follow.

Jane pulls up the bike, gets on, and kicks it to life. She
can't help but grin. It is both quieter and more powerful
than her own.

MITCH
Do I take that or yours?

JANE
Your call. This might attract more
attention.

MITCH
I'll take my chances. Off.

Mitch and Jane trade places.

JANE
Do you want to borrow my helmet?

MITCH
Keep it. My head's harder.

RAY
You can borrow mine.

Ray goes to grab his helmet from the Trans-am.

MITCH
What about him?

Mitch gestures towards the dead Drac.

MITCH (CONT'D)
The clothes could be useful.

Jane looks uncomfortable, but nods.

JANE
We'll get them. You should get
started.

MITCH
Give me about two days. If I'm not
back by then...

JANE
We'll send someone else.

Ray returns with the helmet, which Mitch puts on.

MITCH
Thanks. Safety first.

Mitch nods and roars off into the night.

RAY
What was that all about?

JANE
He's going to connect with our
contacts in Battery City, and have
them start looking for Grace.

FRANK
And?

JANE
And we're going to strip the Drac.
It always makes me feel ghoulish.

FRANK
We'll do it.

JANE
Thanks.

Jane walks over and supervises the loading of Gerard into the
van.

Frank and Ray strip the dead Drac of his shirt, pants,
jacket, socks, shoes, and mask.

It is uncomfortable seeing the monster you just killed
transformed back into a human.

FRANK
Do we bury him?

RAY
Maybe we can move him under the
debris from the shed.

As Frank and Ray begin to move the body, Jacob comes over.

JACOB
We don't usually get a chance to
show our enemies much courtesy, but
I think it's a good thing to do.

Jacob helps with the burial.

Mikey is guiding Deanna as she backs the van into position to
hook up the car.

Everyone converges by the van.

Deanna speaks to Jane through the driver-side window.

DEANNA
You might as well get started back
now. We can take care of the rest.

JANE
I guess you're right. If he shows
any sign of trouble...

Jane stops and shakes her head.

JANE (CONT'D)
Never mind. He won't. I'll see you
back at base. Maybe I can dig up
some food.

MIKEY
We've got some in the trunk.

JANE
Good. We can use it.

Jane smiles at Mikey and looks at the van, but she can't seem
to say anything. She smiles again, looking like she wants to
cry, but instead pulls on her helmet, and takes off on her
motorbike.

As Jane disappears into the night, Ray and Frank lean in
towards Mikey.

FRANK
What's the deal with those two?

Mikey shrugs and pauses.

MIKEY
They were going to get married.
Before.

RAY
That's her? How did she end up out
here?

MIKEY
I don't know.



INT. SIMPSON HOME, BATTERY CITY

It is December 21st, 2012. Jane is talking to Gerard on her
cell phone.

JANE
Okay, I'm home and my laundry is
washing. How about you?

GERARD
Cathy's pregnant!

JANE
That's why they wanted you all
there. Oh, that's great. Uncle Gee!

GERARD
I know. I'm sorry I couldn't come.

JANE
It's okay. You'll come spring break
instead. I miss you.

GERARD
I miss you too. Did you like your
present?

JANE
I was saving it for Christmas
morning.

GERARD
You do presents on Christmas
morning?

JANE
Doesn't everyone?

GERARD
Christmas Eve. That's when you do
it.

JANE
Our first conflict. We'll have to
negotiate.

GERARD
You mean you aren't going to just
always do what I say?

JANE
Probably not.

GERARD
Now you tell me.

JANE
But, how about I call you on
Christmas Eve and I'll open it
while you're on the phone?

GERARD
I'd like that. You're going to
think it's so cheesy.

JANE
No I won't!

GERARD
It is! It is unabashedly
sentimental. No undercurrent of
irony. That's what you've done to
me. I hope you're happy.

JANE
I'm ecstatic.

GERARD
Good. So we'll talk Monday night
then.

JANE
It could probably be okay, if we
talked sooner. I should get back to
my parents now.

GERARD
Tell them hi, from all of us, and
I'm sorry I couldn't make it, and I
love you.

JANE
I love you too. I guess that will
have to do until we see each other
again.

GERARD
This is going to be the longest
three weeks of my life. From now
on, all vacations together, deal?

JANE
Deal. Talk to you soon.

Jane returns to her parents, grinning.

HAROLD SIMPSON (58) is reading the newspaper, and his wife
ANGELA SIMPSON (48) is reading a magazine.

Jane sits down on the couch by her mother.

JANE (CONT'D)
Sorry, I just wanted to check in.

ANGELA
It's fine. I know you'd probably
like to be with him...

JANE
Well, I wanted to have him here,
but you know I want to be with you.

ANGELA
It wasn't the same at Thanksgiving.
I suppose you'll probably be
spending most holidays with him
now.

JANE
Not a chance.

ANGELA
He has so much more family...

JANE
Same number of parents.

ANGELA
It just feels like everything is
changing.

HAROLD
Now, dear-

JANE
It's okay Dad. Everything is
changing Mom, but I would never
abandon you. Maybe you'll make
really good friends with the Whites
and they'll start inviting you, or
Gerard and I will invite you all to
our first tiny apartment, and then
you'll have to become friends
because you'll be sitting in each
other's laps.

HAROLD
Well, she insisted on being a lit
major, but at least she's realistic
about her financial prospects.

ANGELA
If this is our last Christmas-

JANE
Mom!

ANGELA
I mean the last Christmas with just
the three of us, then let's make it
a good one.

Later that evening, the Simpson family is sitting around the
table playing Scrabble and drinking cocoa. It is very
peaceful and relaxed.

HAROLD
And triple word score.

JANE
Now you're just showboating.

ANGELA
Have you even thought about a date
yet?

JANE
Well we're thinking summer, but
we'll need to work around Cathy's
pregnancy now. "Leviathan".

HAROLD
I knew I was going to regret
"than".

ANGELA
When is she due?

JANE
I don't know. I'll have to ask when
we talk tomorrow.

ANGELA
He'll probably need to put his
mother or sister on the phone. Men
are horrible with details like
this. "Averted".

HAROLD
Modern couples don't fall into
these old gender stereotypes. He'll
probably even ask for directions
sometimes.

JANE
Actually-

Whatever Jane was going to say is cut off by a loud boom as
all the lights go off.

ANGELA
What was that?

Mr. Simpson goes to the window.

HAROLD
The lights are off as far as I can
see. Maybe a transformer burst. We
better get out some flashlights.

Jane goes to the kitchen drawer and takes out a flashlight,
handing it to her father.

HAROLD (CONT'D)
They'll get it fixed. We could
probably still finish our game.

Sirens can now be heard, but it is unclear from the window
what is happening.

JANE
What do you think is going on?

HAROLD
There could be a fire at the power
station. That may keep the power
off a little longer. I'm sure
there's no reason to worry.

But he is worried. They all are.

They do sit down and try and finish the game, to at least
pretend everything is normal, but every outside noise feels
dangerous, and no one can really concentrate.

JANE
Do we have a battery-powered radio?

HAROLD
No. Well, there's the car radio.

JANE
Let's try that.

The parents shrug and all three head to the door.

As they step outside the building, they forget about the car.

There is not a fire. There are many fires. The noises are
much louder out here, with more screaming, sirens, and
honking.

The orange flames reach out towards eerie bands of green
dancing in the sky.

Jane and her parents are tiny figures, dwarfed by, what? What
just happened?

"In this last of meeting places
We grope together
And avoid speech
Gathered on this beach of the tumid river

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper."
--from The Hollow Men, by T S Eliot