Z-O-M-B-I-E-S: The Series

by CallMeLy

AKA "The Big Project". ZOMBIES continues as a TV series, using Z1 as a pilot. Zed, Addison, Eliza, Bucky, Bonzo and Bree make their way through high school and the zombie integration. The humans and the zombies have a lot to learn about each other - maybe they have more in common than they thought [ON MID-SEASON HIATUS - RETURNING LATE JUNE/EARLY JULY]

6. 1x06 Zombies' First Field Trip

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

It's the mid-season finale! I've had this story planned for two and a half years... It's finally here... The field trip episode...!

Now that we're halfway through the "season", there'll be a little hiatus. New episodes will come back around late June/early July~

And for anyone not following my other fics, Frances is my name headcanon for the female patrol officer in Z1 who always seems to be confronted with Bonzo

---

EPISODE 6: ZOMBIE'S FIRST FIELD TRIP

INT. ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT. NIGHT.

A waiting room in the containment facility. The room is grey and cold, with a few weak attempts at colour and cheer in some posters or leaflets for the zombie patrol's services. It's alive, though, with zombie teens and their parents chattering away, some excited, some nervous, but all buzzing with anticipation. Among them are ZED and ZEVON. ZED is clearly one of the more excited teenagers there, unable to stop smiling and looking around at everyone else, every now and then craning his neck to look around the corner towards the consulting rooms. ZEVON chuckles lightly.

ZEVON
Calm down, son, you just have to wait your turn. You'll get your license.

ZED turns to his dad. He's bouncing his leg, practically overflowing with energy with nowhere to go.

ZED
Yeah, my first ever travel license from Seabrook! I'm one of the first zombies to actually leave town!

He catches sight of the camera and flashes a grin at us.

ZED (CONT'D)
(to camera)
Yup, you heard that right. It's the zombies' first field trip! Tomorrow, the school is taking us to Northshore, the next town over from Seabrook. Right now, we're all getting travel licenses on our Z-bands...

He holds up his Z-band and points to it.

ZED (CONT'D)
(to camera)
... So we're registered to leave, and the patrol can keep track of us and make sure we're online and stable while we're gone.

ZEVON nods and pats his knee.

ZEVON
Zed, you've been one of the first zombies to do a lot of things. You'd think you'd be used to it by now!

ZED shakes his head, still grinning.

ZED
Get used to it? Dad, this is the biggest thing to happen to zombies since the outbreak! They never would've trusted us to leave town before.

He's briefly interrupted by a containment NURSE appearing from around the corner and his head snaps up to look at them. The NURSE looks around the room.

NURSE
Muertos?

A boy sitting close to ZED gets up, along with his mother, and follows the nurse. ZED watches them go.

ZED
Not much longer till 'Necrodopolous'!

ZEVON puts a hand on his shoulder in another attempt to calm him.

ZEVON
Look, I know this is a big deal. It's progress. But this is a whole new town you're going to. The humans there aren't gonna be so used to zombies. They're gonna have their own... expectations. And they won't be prepared for zombies like Seabrook is, alright?

As he's talking, a second nurse calls another zombie in. ZED rolls his eyes.

ZED
We've played Northshore's football team before, and they were at the cheer championship, they know about zombies.

ZEVON
That's true, but it's not really the same thing. That was all still in Seabrook.

ZED
They're sending patrol officers out with us, plus we each got paired up with a human partner already. Addison's gonna be with me the whole time, and she knows a lot of the officers personally! I'll be fine. Trust me.

ZEVON seems apprehensive, but before he can say anything, the first nurse returns.

NURSE
Necrodopolous?

ZED jumps to his feet, briefly looking back at his dad, who stands and follows him. As they go, ZED glances at the camera.

ZED
(to camera)
I've got a good feeling about this.

He turns away from us and walks offscreen round the corner as the camera lingers.

TITLE SEQUENCE

EXT. SEABROOK HIGH SCHOOL. DAY.

The following morning, mass of students and teachers, as well as some zombie patrol officers all standing together, are gathered outside the school about to leave for the field trip. A line if buses is just visible nearby. PRINCIPAL LEE addresses the students.

PRINCIPAL LEE
So! This is it! The zombies' first time outside of Seabrook! ... Big day. I just want to go over the rules for the day once more before we leave. Remember, zombies must remain with their human partners at all times. If you are somehow separated from your partner, there will always be a patrol officer in the area you can find. Unaccompanied zombies may be reported. With the travel licenses, your Z-bands may automatically send an alert to the nearest officer if it detects anything higher than a regular warning.

Zombies all throughout the crowd react – some just nod in reluctant acceptance while others are scared, hurt, disappointed or even angry. PRINCIPAL LEE looks around at them and forces a smile.

PRINCIPAL LEE (CONT'D)
But, hopefully that won't be a problem.

She flounders for a brief moment then recovers.

PRINCIPAL LEE (CONT'D)
This trip is all about expanding the experiences of zombies, letting you all safely learn more about the world so... just enjoy yourselves!

The students exchange a few looks, some unsure but others light-hearted and even excited. ZED, ADDISON, BONZO and BREE are all raring to go, but ELIZA, standing beside them, looks slightly nervous.

ZED
Man, I can't wait to get out there! This is gonna be awesome!

BONZO
Za!

ELIZA glances anxiously at something just offscreen and back at the boys. She mutters to them under her breath.

ELIZA
Yeah, maybe for you. I have to spend the whole day with Connie!

The 'something' offscreen is revealed to be CONNIE standing close by; she's wearing the earrings ELIZA made for her. She looks at ELIZA and smiles. ELIZA smiles back but as soon as CONNIE looks away again, her smile drops and it's replaced with a look of fear. ZED frowns and hisses back at her.

ZED
What? That's a good thing! You can make a date out of it!

ELIZA shrugs and tries to look hopeful as she glances at CONNIE again.

ELIZA
I guess...

ADDISON gives her an encouraging smile.

ADDISON
Come on, she agreed to be your partner for the trip!

ELIZA
It's not like any other human would go with me. I can only handle Bucky or an Acey for maybe five minutes before I lose my band, and I hardly know anybody else. Anyway, I always had an excuse to talk to her before 'cause of computer club. I can't rely on that the whole time!

ZED sighs.

ZED
Once you're actually there and doing something, the conversation'll just... flow! You've been getting along great so far, you'll find things to talk about, you'll get to know each other better...

He claps his hands together and explodes them out again.

ZED (CONT'D)
Bamm!

ELIZA gives him a grateful smile and looks back at CONNIE.

ELIZA
If you say so...

She watches one of CONNIE'S earrings move as she turns her head and it disappears behind her curly hair. ELIZA sighs.

INT. BUS – THE ROAD OUT OF SEABROOK. DAY.

A small fleet of buses depart from Seabrook High School. We see the three pairs – ZED and ADDISON, BONZO and BREE, and ELIZA and CONNIE – on one of them along with a collection of other freshmen. Onboard the bus with them is a couple of teachers and patrol officers GUS and FRANCES. The students are all chatting to one another until the bus crosses Seabrook's city line and every zombie's Z-band beeps as they pass over it, starting with those sitting at the front and rippling up to the back. A hush falls over everyone at the first beeps and the zombies all swipe their bands' screens and take a look.

ZED, BONZO and ELIZA find twelve-hour timers that have automatically started counting down the allotted time for their licenses, then they each open a map showing a pulsing red dot at their location as they move down the road. The zombies are all showing their own timers and maps to their friends and human partners, fascinated. ADDISON and BREE are just as excited as the boys, but CONNIE, strangely, seems to just relax when she sees ELIZA'S screen. Her earrings are once again hidden from view. ZED smiles confidently.

ZED
(to camera)
There! The patrol can keep track of us and my dad has nothing to worry about.

The excitement soon dies down and the students return to their quiet chatting.

EXT. NORTHSHORE CENTRAL BUS STATION. DAY.

The Seabrook High buses pull into the station. PRINCIPAL LEE hurries off the first bus, followed by the teachers and officers and then the students. She stops in front of the growing crowd as the other buses empty and takes a breath. ZED, ADDISON, BONZO, BREE, ELIZA and CONNIE stay together in their group.

PRINCIPAL LEE
Alright, students, this is it! Northshore! You'll all have a couple of hours to explore in your pairs or small groups and we will reconvene back here at twelve o'clock for lunch. We have zombie-safe food from Seabrook so while you are free to eat while you're exploring, you will also have brain food to get you through the day. We'll go over the plans for the afternoon then.

As the students start to disperse, some looking at the Z-band maps or pointing down the street, ZED, ADDISON, BONZO, BREE and ELIZA turn to each other. CONNIE stands beside ELIZA, not exactly joining the group, more just observing. Her earrings are partially hidden behind her hair.

ZED
So, what are we thinking? Any ideas where we should go?

BONZO
Deh grarg garzrea!

BREE nods.

BREE
Yeah, Northshore's art gallery is supposed to be amazing!

She and BONZO smile at each other. ZED doesn't look convinced. ADDISON gets an idea and touches his arm to get his attention.

ADDISON
Maybe we could find a frozen yoghurt place so you can try something other than vanilla for once.

ZED narrows his eyes jokingly at her.

ZED
And what's that supposed to mean?

ADDISON
There's more to life than vanilla, Zed.

ZED
I'll believe that when I taste it.

ADDISON giggles. ELIZA rolls her eyes affectionately.

ELIZA
I think there's an internet café around here. They could meet both your vanilla and un-vanilla needs.

She notices how quiet CONNIE is being and her expression drops slightly.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Connie? Did you have anything you wanted to do?

She seems startled and looks around at the group, who are now all looking back at her, her earrings dangling.

CONNIE
Um, I... I don't mind.

ELIZA thinks for a moment then turns back to the others.

ELIZA
Why don't we just split up? We all wanna do different things. We could meet up again before lunch?

ZED gives her a questioning look and he leans down towards her.

ZED
(whispering)
You sure? We wanted to get to know her, too. If you're into her, we want to try to be friends with her.

ELIZA
(whispering)
I know, but I just think she feels a little... out of place? Like, maybe she doesn't feel comfortable enough yet to hang out with all of you.

ZED considers this, then shrugs and nods in acceptance.

ZED
(whispering)
I guess you're right. You know her better than I do.

He gives her an encouraging pat on the shoulder and straightens up. ELIZA walks back over to CONNIE. ZED looks at BONZO.

ZED
You gonna be OK, Bonz?

He nods.

BONZO
Za.

BREE takes his hand and smiles.

BREE
He'll be fine! I can translate if I need to.

She holds onto his arm and looks up at him.

BREE (CONT'D)
Just stick with me!

BONZO grins back at her. The three pairs say goodbye and head off in different directions.

EXT. A NORTHSHORE STREET. DAY.

The street is filled with the humans of Northshore, but there are zombies here and there with their human partners, exploring, talking, pointing things out to each other, some curious and excited, some nervous and confused. ELIZA and CONNIE walk down the street; there's an awkward air between them as they not-so-subtly try to be closer to one another without seeming awkward. They're failing and they know it. CONNIE is still quiet but she's more comfortable than she had been with the group. ELIZA looks at her a little too eagerly when she starts to speak. Her head is tilted so her hair just covers up one of her earrings.

CONNIE
So, uh... what was the Z-band licensing like?

ELIZA seems surprised by the question for a moment but brushes it off – she's just trying to make conversation. She makes an exaggerated face of exhaustion and sighs.

ELIZA
Oh, my Z, it was way too much. They had to double-check every little thing in our files to apply even just for the twelve-hour license. Like, mutation specifics, dietary needs, everything on our records for zombie containment. I think they just like flaunting the control they have over us.

CONNIE seems to have been distracted by something she said halfway through. She furrows her brow and tilts her head.

CONNIE
What do you mean 'mutation specifics'?

ELIZA
Oh, well, like... Some zombies' genes are mutated slightly differently, maybe one mutation effects somebody more than another, you know? It's like a health condition or a disability sometimes. My leg muscles are mutated weird so one leg's still kinda stiff even with my Z-band and I got this whole draggy foot thing. I wear orthotic boots to fix it.

CONNIE is surprised. She looks down at ELIZA'S boots.

CONNIE
Really? I never would've guessed.

ELIZA smiles.

ELIZA
Right? Bonzo customised 'em for me, though, so it's cool.

CONNIE'S expression turns strangely thoughtful.

CONNIE
... Could they fix it with the Z-band? Somehow?

ELIZA looks at her, unsure about why she would ask that question but not willing to risk anything going wrong. She pushes down her usual defensiveness.

ELIZA
If they reset my Z-band's waves to a higher level, it might make my leg move easier, but it could do some serious harm to the rest of me. It's better to be mostly stable and have one minor disability that I can have an aid for.

CONNIE seems to realise she might have overstepped or said something wrong and blinks. She briefly shakes her head, then more purposefully, nods.

CONNIE
Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense...

She goes quiet again, and they keep walking until ELIZA spots something.

ELIZA
Hey, there's that internet café...!

CONNIE snaps back to attention and smiles. She seems to pretend like the previous conversation didn't happen and just follows ELIZA.

EXT. NORTHSHORE ART GALLERY. DAY.

BONZO and BREE, hand-in-hand, approach the art gallery with wide smiles.

BREE
I'm so excited for you to see this! Seabrook is so... strict when it comes to art. And you're really limited in Zombie Town. You could get some great inspiration in here!

BONZO nods enthusiastically, looking up at the building.

BONZO
Za! Zerax!

Neither of them notice the uneasy looks BONZO is getting from a lot of the humans around them, especially those who hear him speak. One person ushers their curious children away. BREE just turns to BONZO with her usual Mighty Shrimp-level of pep.

BREE
Well, come on, let's go!

She grabs his hand and pulls him along into the massive crowd of humans at the entrance. As they struggle to get through, they lose their grip on each other's hands.

INT. NORTHSHORE ART GALLERY. DAY.

BONZO makes it inside, but he has lost sight of BREE. He tries to politely move past the humans around him, but they jump back or scream at the sight of him. He makes an attempt to assure them by stepping back and looking apologetic, then looks around.

BONZO
(shouting)
Breeska? Ru gozrea?

He starts hearing mutters from the humans.

HUMAN 1
It's one of Seabrook's zombies.

HUMAN 2
Aren't they supposed to have humans with them?

He whips around to see them with wide eyes and waves his hands in an attempt to tell them 'no', but they misunderstand and step back in fright. BONZO tries to speak calmly.

BONZO
Ag roska zet! Breeska. Agru grozrea...

One of the humans frowns.

HUMAN 1
I thought they could speak English? With those bands they wear?

HUMAN 2
There's something wrong with him. What's that number for the zombie patrol?

BONZO starts to panic and holds up his hands to try to stop them. He decides to try speaking English but his accent is too thick.

BONZO
No! No, I have... human...

The human is already making the call, however, and BONZO backs up only to bump into another human. He spins around to apologise.

BONZO (CONT'D)
Abraza.

The human he bumped into looks up at him and a look of pure fear spreads across their face. They scream, alerting more humans to the situation. BONZO is terrified and unable to hide due to his height. Eventually, he turns and runs, humans rushing to get out of his way.

INT. CAFÉ. DAY.

ZED and ADDISON have found a café serving frozen yoghurt and are inspecting the flavours. ZED grins at something and points.

ZED
Ah! Vanilla!

ADDISON giggles and lightly punches his arm.

ADDISON
C'mon, try something else!

ZED
What? I like vanilla!

They both laugh. ADDISON'S eyes scan the display then go wide when she spots something. She points it out to ZED.

ADDISON
Look, there's a lime flavour.

They both look at the label for a moment. ZED'S expression is cautious but curious, ADDISON'S is thoughtful.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
Honestly, I always kinda wondered what it tasted like...

ZED'S head snaps up to look at her, then at the camera, like he knows what we're thinking, and finally back at the display.

ZED
Well, we don't know if it does effect human mutants. Nobody ever tried it, right?

ADDISON shakes her head and looks at him.

ADDISON
No. There aren't any limes in Seabrook.

ZED watches her closely.

ZED
What are you thinking?

ADDISON shrugs.

ADDISON
I could... try a little bit?

He seems conflicted.

ZED
You sure you wanna risk it?

ADDISON
I know I'm not a zombie. Or half-zombie. Limes mess with zombie biology, right? And I don't really have that. I mean, your hair's green 'cause of the lime soda. And my hair's white. Maybe it won't do anything to me.

ZED is half-convinced by this, but he still doesn't seem entirely sure. As ADDISON turns away to order, he turns to the camera.

ZED
(to camera)
I mean, she does have a point. Seabrook banning limes was probably just a precaution, anyway, like I told Eliza. It'll be fine.

He's clearly trying to convince himself more than us.

A minute or so later, they are sitting down, ZED with his vanilla frozen yoghurt, and ADDISON with her lime. They're both looking at it nervously. They lock eyes. ADDISON takes a breath, picks up her spoon and takes a tiny bite. ZED pauses with his own spoon in mid-air as he watches her expression. She furrows her brow in thought and she waits to see if anything happens, but it doesn't.

ZED (CONT'D)
Good?

ADDISON cocks her head.

ADDISON
Not bad.

ZED
How do you feel?

ADDISON
How am I supposed to feel? If it's doing something?

ZED
I don't know... I guess like when we go feral, so... confused? Angry? ... Hungry? Like, really hungry?

Pause. ADDISON waits. She shakes her head slowly.

ADDISON
I don't think so...

ZED sighs in relief.

ZED
Well. I guess that's another discovery made.

He finally starts eating his vanilla yoghurt. Neither of them notice that, under her collar, a slight paleness is spreading up ADDISON'S chest towards her neck, over her pulse.

EXT. NORTHSHORE ART GALLERY. DAY.

BREE has gotten caught up in the panic of the humans. She tries to stop and shout but people are getting in her way or stumbling into her constantly.

BREE
(shouting)
Bonzo? Bonzo?!

She is pushed to one side as everyone else runs past her. She takes out her phone.

Elsewhere, BONZO is now lost in the gallery. He's getting frustrated and scared, until a hand grabs his arm. He turns to find FRANCES, one of the patrol officers, holding onto him. She's almost expressionless, except for a hint of recognition when she meets his eyes.

FRANCES
So it's you, huh?

She speaks into her walkie-talkie.

FRANCES (CONT'D)
(into walkie-talkie)
False alarm on that zombie being feral, it's Izaki, he doesn't speak any English.

BONZO huffs. FRANCES ignores him.

FRANCES (CONT'D)
(into walkie-talkie)
But still no sign of a human chaperone anywhere. I'm taking him into custody until further notice.

As she starts walking him down the street, holding one arm behind his back, BONZO'S Z-band beeps and the screen lights up with 'BREE CALLING'. He looks between it and FRANCES.

BONZO
Breeska egrall!

She takes no notice.

EXT. INTERNET CAFÉ. DAY.

ELIZA and CONNIE sit at a table, ELIZA now with her laptop out in front of her. They each have a drink in front of them. They're in the middle of a typical getting-to-know-each-other kind of conversation.

ELIZA
So... You're not so big on the whole Mighty Shrimp, rah-rah, school-spirit kinda thing either, are you?

CONNIE cringes jokingly.

CONNIE
Yeah, I just don't what the big deal is with that stuff. I mean, it was pretty impressing how fast Zed managed to pick things up for the team, but I just didn't really care all that much in the first place.

ELIZA laughs and nods.

ELIZA
Yeah, it was kinda a disaster in the end. That's one time I'm glad I didn't get the credit for my work.

CONNIE
What do you mean?

ELIZA
Zed had asked me to hack his Z-band. Play with the shock levels and wave frequencies to give him a little zomboost while he was on the field. Then the Aceys stole my laptop and got into the program...

Once again, Connie has been distracted by something she said.

CONNIE
You can hack Z-bands?

ELIZA shrugs but smiles, acting modest.

ELIZA
Yeah, but it's basically just glorified jailbreaking.

CONNIE smiles back.

CONNIE
That's amazing!

ELIZA sees her chance.

ELIZA
You... want to see how I did it?

She points down at her laptop and CONNIE nods eagerly. She shuffles her closer and leans in, making one of the dangling earrings bounce and spin around. ELIZA looks at it and takes a calming breath while CONNIE isn't looking.

INT. CAFÉ. DAY.

ZED is finishing off his vanilla frozen yoghurt while ADDISON watches him with her chin in her hand, smiling. Her lime yoghurt sits to one side, not even half eaten – seems it wasn't as good as she hoped. She suddenly tenses up and her smile falls. She looks down at her chest, almost confused. Her breathing is getting a little ragged. ZED finally looks up at her and is immediately concerned. He drops his spoon and leans forward.

ZED
Addy, are you OK?

She presses a hand to her chest, over her heart.

ADDISON
I- M-my heart-

ZED grabs her other hand, she barely reacts. She's starting to find it hard to breath.

ZED
Addy, you're getting really pale.

ADDISON looks down at their joined hands. He's right – her skin is a few shades lighter than it should be, and getting paler. It isn't quite the same grey as ZED'S, but it could be soon. They make eye contact, both scared, then ZED unlocks his Z-band.

ZED (CONT'D)
I'll find a patrol officer.

He opens the map and sees a blue dot. He starts to get up.

ZED (CONT'D)
There's someone on this block! You're gonna be OK, Addy, I'll be right back.

He runs for the door. ADDISON watches him go, starting to clutch at her chest.

Another human customer comes walking towards the front of the café. They clearly didn't see ZED before he left and they stop still in shock at the sight of ADDISON. They discreetly pull out their phone to make a call.

HUMAN
Yes, I need to report one of Seabrook's zombies, without a human chaperone...

EXT. OUTSIDE THE CAFÉ. DAY.

ZED leans out the door, avoiding going too far without ADDISON, and scans the street. He spots GUS not too far away and lets out a sigh of relief before running up to him.

ZED
Gus!

GUS turns around at the sound of his name and is surprised to see ZED, who comes to a stop in front of him.

GUS
Zed? Where's Addison? You're supposed to (stay with her.)

ZED waves his hands to stop him and points back where he came from.

ZED
She's back at the café down the street. Something happened. She wanted to try lime. I-It did something to her.

GUS is confused.

GUS
Addison's not a zombie...

ZED
But she is a mutant! She's getting really pale, I don't know what to do!

GUS turns serious and places a reassuring hand on ZED'S shoulder.

GUS
I'll handle it. Take me to her.

ZED turns and runs back to the café with GUS right behind him.

INT. CAFÉ. DAY.

ADDISON is slumped in her chair, a few concerned humans gathered nearby, when ZED and GUS burst through the door. GUS runs to her and crouches beside her.

GUS
Addison? It's me? Can you sit up?

She lifts her head. Her skin is almost grey and she's even starting to develop red bags under her eyes. GUS holds back a gasp. ZED watches anxiously from behind him.

ADDISON
(weakly)
Gus...?

GUS checks her pulse.

GUS
(to himself)
Her heart beat's dropping fast...

He thinks for a moment, then sighs apologetically.

GUS (CONT'D)
The only thing I can do right now is give you a shock.

ZED'S eyes go wide as GUS pulls out his taser – he knows how much the shock hurts.

ZED
What?!

GUS shoots him a hard look.

GUS
I need to get her heartrate back up before we do anything else. You send an alert to any other officers in the area.

ZED gulps and turns away so as not to see and swipes his Z-band. GUS looks down at ADDISON, reluctant.

GUS (CONT'D)
Sorry about this.

He shocks her and she screams. ZED, still turned away, flinches. GUS takes a step back as ADDISON braces herself against the table, breathing heavily but no longer struggling. ZED finally turns to face her, heartbroken. Two other patrol officers enter the café.

OFFICER
What's going on? Wait, is that the Chief's daughter?

GUS turns to them and nods, letting ZED rush to ADDISON'S side to comfort her. She's still unnaturally pale.

GUS
It's a long story. I think we need to get her back to Seabrook and take her into containment. Better contact Chief.

ZED'S head snaps up.

ZED
Containment?

GUS
You'll have to come along, too, Zed. You can't stay here without a human.

He and the officers start helping ADDISON to her feet. ZED flounders.

ZED
Wha-

He gives the camera a hopeless look.

EXT. NORTHSHORE STREET. DAY.

ELIZA and CONNIE are still wandering around when ELIZA'S Z-band beeps. She frowns and swipes to open it. Her eyes dart across the screen briefly, growing more confused, and even angry.

ELIZA
What?!

CONNIE leans in to see.

CONNIE
What is it?

ELIZA
(reading)
Unaccompanied zombies reported. All students are required to reconvene, please locate your nearest zombie patrol officer to be escorted back?

ELIZA sighs, frustrated.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Yeah, I've got a feeling I know exactly who those 'unaccompanied zombies' are.

She swipes the screen again and taps it a few times as CONNIE waits. After a moment, a voice comes from the speaker.

BONZO
(through the speaker)
Elizaka?

ELIZA
Bonzo! Where are you?

INT. ZOMBIE PATROL VAN. DAY.

BONZO is sitting in the back of the van as he talks to ELIZA. FRANCES glances back at him over her shoulder from the driver's seat.

BONZO
Zon garzedd-zig. Zar-garatol ovska zet.

The sound of ELIZA sighing comes from his Z-band.

EXT. NORTHSHORE STREET. DAY.

ELIZA
I knew it. What happened to Bree? Did you get separated or something?

BONZO
(through the speaker)
Za.

INT. ZOMBIE PATROL VAN. DAY.

BONZO
Zreck gograll zu grep, bak roska zon garzedd-zig.

EXT. NORTHSHORE STREET. DAY.

ELIZA
And since they couldn't understand you, they thought you were feral and reported you?

She's clearly annoyed on his behalf. CONNIE stays quiet.

BONZO
(through the speaker)
Za.

ELIZA sighs and tries to relax herself.

ELIZA
At least you're OK. Did you get the alert from the school? 'Cause I think I know who else got reported.

BONZO
(through the speaker)
Zedka.

ELIZA nods.

ELIZA
Exactly. I better call him, too. I'll see you soon.

She hangs up and opens the map on her band, which shows a blue dot on a nearby street.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Well, we better go find that officer before I get reported as well.

CONNIE just nods and they start walking as ELIZA makes another call.

ZED
(through the speaker)
Eliza!

ELIZA
Zed, where are you? Where's Addison? You know you got reported as 'unaccompanied'?

ZED'S voice is panicked and breathless.

ZED
(through the speaker)
No, I didn't. Addy did.

ELIZA frowns.

ELIZA
What?

ZED
(through the speaker)
We're being taken back to Seabrook, to zombie containment.

ELIZA'S eyes widen in fear.

ELIZA
What did you do?

ZED
(through the speaker)
They're taking Addison in, not me. Eliza. You were right, about the limes and the human mutants. You were right to be worried about it, OK?

ELIZA stops dead in her tracks at the reminder. CONNIE stops with her, confused. ELIZA stammers slightly.

ZED
(through the speaker)
I gotta go. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.

He hangs up. CONNIE awkwardly puts a hand on ELIZA'S shoulder, jolting her out of her stupor. She looks at CONNIE, lost for a moment.

CONNIE
Come on, we've got to find that officer.

ELIZA lets herself be led down the street. They soon join a group of other Seabrook students gathering around a patrol officer who is scanning the zombies' Z-bands to record who is present. ELIZA wordlessly offers her band to be scanned, then they all start down the main street, led by the officer. Occasionally, another human/zombie partner will appear.

ELIZA looks around at the other students, some panicking, others trying to calm their friends. Zombies are checking their Z-bands. Humans are attempting to subtly distance themselves from their zombie partners now that they're being safely escorted. ELIZA'S expression turns solemn.

ELIZA
They're all scared. They don't even know what's going on and they're just assuming they should be scared of the zombies! Bonzo and Bree just got separated and I don't know what happened with Zed but he's fine, it's Addison we should be worried about. Zombies aren't the problem, there's something way more important going on!

CONNIE hesitates, not sure what to say. In the end, she says nothing. Something suddenly occurs to ELIZA and she turns to CONNIE, looking somewhat cautious.

ELIZA
Are you... scared of me?

CONNIE'S eyes go wide but it's otherwise hard to read her expression.

CONNIE
What? No! Why would you think that?

ELIZA opens her mouth to say something, then closes it and rethinks. She shakes her head.

ELIZA
I'm sorry. I'm just...

She trails off, looking back across the crowd again. CONNIE remains silent. She looks away, her earring swinging as she does then falling behind her hair.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT - RECEPTION. DAY.

DALE and MISSY are already inside, standing at the door to the hospital wing, when ADDISON is escorted inside by GUS and the other officers. ZED walks in behind them, looking small and scared. DALE and MISSY both go straight to ADDISON'S side. After checking on her, DALE quickly turns to ZED, who isn't really paying attention, too dazed. Meanwhile, MISSY follows ADDISON and the officers through the door.

DALE
(calmly)
Zed. Can you tell me what happened?

ZED finally looks at him. It takes him a few seconds to realise what he's being asked.

ZED
She... she wanted to try lime. She ate some lime-flavoured frozen yoghurt.

DALE is shocked.

DALE
She what?

ZED
She ate lime. She didn't finish it, but she ate enough for it to do something. I-I warned her...

DALE
I'm sure you did, Zed.

He doesn't say anything else for a moment. He now looks dazed, too, but he forces himself to turn back to ZED and pats his shoulder comfortingly.

DALE (CONT'D)
It'll be alright. We'll figure this out.

He starts towards the door.

DALE (CONT'D)
You'll have to wait here. I've already called your dad, he'll be here soon.

EXT. NORTHSHORE CENTRAL BUS STATION. DAY.

The students have gathered back where they started and are in uproar, confused, scared, and angry about the situation. PRINCIPAL LEE, the teachers and the officers are trying to calm everyone. BREE is frantically trying to get anyone's attention; teachers, students, officers, whoever will listen.

BREE
Where's... where's Bonzo? We got separated, he must be one of the missing zombies, has anybody seen him? Bonzo?

As she's asking around, FRANCES appears, escorting an upset-looking BONZO, making her way towards PRINCIPAL LEE.

PRINCIPAL LEE
Oh, thank goodness! We've already been contacted by the chief of zombie patrol, the other case is being dealt with.

FRANCEZ nods and releases BONZO just as BREE spots him. She gasps and runs to him. PRINCIPAL LEE is muttering to herself.

PRINCIPAL LEE (CONT'D)
Well, this whole thing has been a disaster. They'll never let us take the students anywhere ever again!

BONZO sees BREE and sighs in relief. She runs into his arms and he picks her up to hug her, then carefully puts her back down.

BREE
Oh, my gosh, Bonzo, I am so sorry, I thought you were right behind me! Are you OK?

BONZO
Za. Grog.

He looks around.

BONZO (CONT'D)
Zedka...?

ELIZA walks over to him with CONNIE behind her.

ELIZA
Bonzo!

He turns and grins at her.

BONZO
Elizaka!

He hugs her the second she's close enough.

BONZO (CONT'D)
Zedka gozrea?

ELIZA
He's being taken back to zombie containment with Addison. But not for the reason you think. They're taking Addison in.

BONZO and BREE both stare at her, shocked.

BREE
Addison?

ELIZA nods gravely.

ELIZA
It gets worse.

She takes a breath.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
I think she ate some kind of lime product.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT – HOSPITAL WING. DAY.

ADDISON is lying on a hospital bed, mostly out of view as zombie patrol medics surround her. DALE and MISSY stand to one side, holding onto each other to try to ease their fears. THE HEAD MEDIC walks over to them.

HEAD MEDIC
The good news is as a human mutant, the traces of lime don't affect her brain. Her body, however, is a different story. While the mutation can keep her alive, for now, at least, her body can't handle such a low heartrate.

DALE fixes the HEAD MEDIC with a stern look.

DALE
Do something.

HEAD MEDIC
We're doing everything we can, Sir.

The HEAD MEDIC turns back to his team while DALE wraps his arm around MISSY, both of them scared.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT - RECEPTION. DAY.

ZED is sitting restlessly in a chair when ZEVON enters, holding ZOEY'S hand. ZED'S head snaps up and he jumps to his feet as they rush over. ZOEY hugs him and he picks her up.

ZEVON
Zed! A patrol van picked us up, they explained what happened. Are you OK?

ZED
I'm fine, Dad.

ZEVON relaxes a little.

ZEVON
What about Addison?

ZED
I don't know. I haven't heard anything since they took her in.

ZEVON pulls him into a hug.

ZEVON
They'll find a way to save her. This isn't like Z, you hear me? She's human. And besides, it's been years. They've learned a lot by now.

ZED nods, weakly.

EXT. OUTSIDE SEABROOK HIGH SCHOOL. DAY.

The buses have just pulled in and the students are filing out onto the school grounds. ELIZA jumps off in a hurry, BONZO and BREE right behind her.

ELIZA
We have to go to containment.

BONZO and BREE both nod. ELIZA looks around for CONNIE. She spots her already walking away, her head down.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
Connie?

She turns around to reveal a worried expression.

ELIZA (CONT'D)
... Are you coming with us...?

CONNIE flounders briefly, then shrugs. She shakes her head.

CONNIE
I-I... I don't think I should...

Pause. ELIZA just nods.

ELIZA
I get it.

CONNIE
Eliza...

ELIZA
It's OK. You don't need to be part of this.

She, BONZO and BREE hurry away. CONNIE watches them. As she turns her head to follow them, her hair blocks her earrings.

INT. ZOMBIE CONTAINMENT - RECEPTION. DAY.

ZED, ZEVON and ZOEY are still waiting. The atmosphere is tense and they're all quiet, until the door of the main entrance bursts open and ELIZA, BONZO and BREE run in. ZED gets up immediately.

ELIZA
(urgently)
We're here! How's Addison?

ZED
I don't know, I've been waiting this whole time.

BREE
Did she really eat something with lime?

ZED nods.

ZED
(rambling)
Yeah. It was just frozen yoghurt, she was so sure it wouldn't do her any harm but then she just... her heart beat dropped a-and she got so pale, people in the café actually thought she was a zombie and they reported her when I went to get an officer to help. Gus came in and he had to tase her...!

BONZO interrupts him to pull him into a bear hug, which ZED gratefully accepts. After a few seconds, he pulls away.

ZED
Thanks, Bonz...

ZEVON walks over and puts his hands on ZED's shoulders, making him focus on him.

ZEVON
Zed, listen to me. I know this is serious, and I know you're scared. We're all scared for her. Nobody knows what's going to happen, but I know they won't let Addison get hurt. They don't do that to their own kind.

At that moment, DALE and MISSY come through the door to the hospital wing. They both look relieved. Everyone looks up at them in question, hopeful. DALE gives them all a tired but reassuring smile and a nod.

DALE
She's gonna be alright.

Everyone in the room seems to relax, just a little.

ZED
Can we see her?

DALE and MISSY look at each other but before either of them can speak, the door opens behind them and everyone turns to see ADDISON herself enter the room. She looks exhausted but otherwise fine – her skin is back to normal. She gives them all a weak smile and a small wave, but doesn't lift her hand too high.

ADDISON
Hi...

They all stand and walk over, careful not to crowd her.

ZED
What happened in there?

ELIZA
How'd they reverse it?

ADDISON takes a breath and pulls her left sleeve up to reveal a Z-band. Everyone stares in disbelief for a moment, then ZED walks up and hugs her, then BREE, then ELIZA, and finally BONZO wraps them all up in his arms.

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

ADDISON is standing in the middle of room addressing BUCKY, who sits on the couch in front of her, his elbows propped up on his knees and his hands together over his mouth, his eyes fixed on ADDISON. He has been listening intently to her, taking everything in, but his expression is mostly unreadable. ADDISON is finishing her account of what happened, clearly nervous about how he might respond.

ADDISON
It was just a little bit of lime, I mean, I didn't think it would have such a huge effect!

Pause. She waits to see if BUCKY says anything. He doesn't.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
The medics at containment told me it only effects my body and not my brain, because that's all that's mutated in me. It's some kind of reaction to the chemicals in the lime, they said a mutant body can't handle it and it starts to shut down. The zombies have it worse 'cause the original zombies actually breathed in the chemicals in the gas, but the humans didn't. So... I guess this is what happens if we get that in our system.

Another pause. BUCKY nods and lowers his hands. He looks down in thought for a moment then back at ADDISON. After a few seconds, he smiles, half mocking and half sympathetic.

BUCKY
So, while the Aceys and I were being forced to spend the whole day with these four random zombies we barely talked to at the block party, you were yet again taking an insane risk to test your "zombie powers".

ADDISON rolls her eyes, affectionately.

ADDISON
It's not "zombie powers".

He ignores her.

BUCKY
And just when they cancel the trip and I'm finally free, I hear it's because my baby cousin is being taken to zombie containment. All because you were too curious about what lime tasted like? Do you know how scared I was?

ADDISON smiles sarcastically.

ADDISON
Aww, you do care.

BUCKY sighs and gestures to the band on her wrist.

BUCKY
Can you at least do any cool stuff with your Z-band?

ADDISON just shrugs. She swipes the screen, showing him the green "ONLINE" status.

ADDISON
Nah, this just stabilises my heartbeat. And without it, it'd just go down to what a stable zombie would have.

She drops her arm again.

ADDISON (CONT'D)
So, you know, still alive, but way too low for a human body to function properly. If anything happens, I'd probably just need a shock or something.

BUCKY smiles, nods, and stands up.

BUCKY
Good. I'm just glad you're OK.

He hugs her.