Woke Up Dead Blues

“Woke up Dead Blues”

BLACK SCREEN: SUPER, IN WHITE:

Woke up Dead Blues

A Song for the Zombie Apocalypse

FADE IN:

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING - EXTREME C.U.

A man’s closed eye. A beat, then the lid opens to reveal a bloodshot eyeball. 

Music: Guitar Intro

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

A DEAD MAN lying on a bed, blinking at the ceiling. He sits up. Looks puzzled. Puts his hands on his chest, antics breathing. Looks around in horror.

                               SINGER (O.S.)

                            (sings)

I woke up this morning/turned out I was dead/

The Dead Man leaps to his feet, runs to the bathroom, snatches up a hand mirror. Holds it under his nose.

Save for the music, all is silent, no sound, (and MOS throughout.) 

SINGER (CONT’D)

Yes, I woke up this morning/turned out I was dead.

ANGLE FAVORS THE MIRROR

It doesn’t fog up. No air coming out. 

The Dead Man drops the mirror and rushes from the bathroom. 

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM  

ON THE CUT, The Dead Man rushes in, all in a panic. 

DEAD MAN

(MOS)

AHHHHHHH! 

SINGER

When you wake up not breathin’/it really screws with your head. 

Music: Turnaround to next verse

ANGLE ON THE DEAD MAN

He turns to look at the window. TRACK WITH HIS GAZE

ANGLE ON THE WINDOW - PUSH IN - A dark figure stands outside.

SINGER

The Reaper stood by my window/

CUT TO:

EXT. BEDROOM - YARD

THE REAPER stands there. Holds up one hand, beckons, like Neo in The Matrix: Come here.

SINGER

I heard him clear as a bell/

RESUME:

INT. BEDROOM - DEAD MAN.

His eyes go wide in horror, he shakes his head. No way!

SINGER

Yeah, the Reaper stood by my window/ I heard him clear as a bell/

SMASH CUT: 

THE REAPER

He taps the face of his wristwatch impatiently, then gives the Dead Man the “Come here.” gesture again.

RESUME:

THE DEAD MAN

Oh, no!

SINGER

He said, “We better get movin’/cause it’s a long way to Hell.

Music: Turnaround.

FAST FADE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING

The Dead Man is loading stuff into a back pack on the bed. The Reaper stands in the B.G. watching.

SINGER

Better pack some popcorn/he said with a smile.

ANGLE FAVORS THE REAPER

Probably can’t see it, but he smiles.

SINGER (CONT’D)

Yeah, you better pack some popcorn/he said with a smile/

REFIELD - ANGLE ON THE DEAD MAN - PUSH IN CLOSER ON HIS FACE

SINGER (CONT’D)

                      You gonna be hungry when we get there/and the food there is vile.

Music: Turnaround

FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN: EXT. EMPTY ROAD - DAY

The Dead Man and The Reaper, walking. Trudging.

ANGLE FAVORS THE DEAD MAN

He shakes his head. 

DEAD MAN

(murmurs, but MOS)

Motherfucker. Motherfucker. Motherfucker ...

SINGER

I’m a walkin’ dead man/right down to my shoes/

POV - THE DEAD MAN - LOOKS DOWN AT HIS FEET

SINGER (CONT’D)

Yeah, I’m a walkin’ dead man/right down to my shoes/

LONG SHOT - DEAD MAN AND REAPER

They walk slowly along.

SINGER (CONT’D)

              I’m on my way to meet the Devil/and I got the woke up dead man blues.

Music: Turnaround.

FAST FADE TO:

INT. BEDROOM - MORNING - THE DEAD MAN

The Dead Man sits on the foot of his bead, head in hands, looking morose.  

SINGER

I woke up this morning/turned out I was dead/

The Dead Man sits up, puts his hands down, but is still slumped and miserable-looking.

SINGER (CONT’D)

Yes, I woke up this morning/turned out I was dead/

The Dead Man shakes his head sadly, stand, shuffles O.S.
The bedroom is empty.

SINGER (CONT’D)

              When you wake up not breathin’/it really screwwwws with your ... head.

FADE TO BLACK

CREDIT CRAWL, Music over, then FADE OUT ...