The Last Broadcast

By The Prompting Theater

Characters:Casey Thompson (City Radio Reporter)Annie (Casey’s girlfriend)WaiterProfessor Karl von Eberstark (City Museum Curator)Woman (City Museum Secretary)Kevin Jones (City Radio Producer)Panicking people 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Doug (City Radio Anchor)MotherFatherBlackjack (a dog)Priest People on street

SOUNDS OF TAPE RECORDING DEVICE TURNING ON, FUMBLING WITH RECORDER.

Casey: …ing one two three, testing one two. Yeah, it seems to be working. Is it?

Annie: Yeah, the lights on, at least. And that meter thing is moving.

Casey: Yeah, ok. Well, I guess I’m ready to interview people tonight. God, it’s going to be so boring, Annie.

Annie: Kevin must hate you, to give you an assignment like this one.

Casey: I dunno. I mean, I’m never going to get a good scoop. I keep getting assigned to report on these stupid events, what is tonight’s? (PAPER RUSTLING) oh yeah, the Egyptian Exhibition Opening at the City Museum. I mean, seriously? Jones assigned me to cover a damned museum exhibition opening? Yeah, that’ll make for a lively bit for radio news.

Annie: Look, Casey, you just, I dunno, need to talk to your boss. Stand up to him. I’m sure Kevin would listen if you’d speak up.

Casey: Yeah, right. He gives all the good stories to Douglas.

Annie: Please, you’re more talented, and personable. I think you just need to stand up for what you want. He’ll respect you more that….

Waiter: (WATER FILLING GLASS) How was your meal?

Annie: Oh, it was good. Thanks.

Waiter: Anything else I can get you? Dessert maybe?

Casey: Oh, no thanks. I’ve got to go anyhow. This exhibition opens in an hour. Gotta get ready for it.

Waiter: Ok, I’ll get you your check.

Annie: Thanks.

Casey: Oh, damn, I left this thing o(n…..TAPE RECORDER CLICK OFF)

(TAPE RECORDER CLICK ON)

Casey: Professor Eberstark, Casey Thompson from the City Radio News. Can I ask you a couple questions?

Professor: Of course, of course!

Casey: Great. So, tell me about this exhibition. It’s an Egyptian show?

Professor: Well, yes. I recently returned from my expedition in Egypt. I found a whole culture that seemed to have vanished from the Egyptian history that we know. An entire city just disappeared.

Casey: Like Roanoke?

Professor: Somewhat, yes. The hieroglyphs though tell of some sort of attack that spread through the village. I’m guessing from a siege that was laid upon the city, as indicated by this story on this cloth. You see the people running from these other people. But whoever was scribing that story on the cloth never finished it. My guess is that maybe some invader was attacking the city and people fled. I don’t know. There is just too little information. But I was able to find some very unusual pottery. Look at this one. This society clearly loved cats, maybe even to the point of worshipping them.

Casey: Well, didn’t all of Egypt worship cats?

Professor: Yes, quite so. But it seems this society had a much stronger devotion to their cats. Every piece of pottery and cloth I managed to salvage has an image of cats. Very fascinating.

Casey: I suppose.

Professor: But my great find was this sarcophagus, buried not in a tomb, but in a house, and not even entirely buried. As if people didn’t have time to bury the coffin properly.

Casey: Hmm. Yeah, now that’s interesting. Maybe the rival clan, or whoever attacked them, interrupted the funeral?

Professor: Indeed, a possibility. But, I’m afraid there’s no evidence as to what happened. I’m merely guessing that another tribe attacked. I can’t even say the attack occurred at the same time as the funeral. Or that it occurred at all, for that matter.

Casey: So, what’s inside this sarcophagus anyhow?

Professor: We’re going to find out tonight. I am going to open it up shortly. All my scans using my equipment in my lab indicate that there is a body inside. And I thought it would be good publicity for the City Museum if I did the Grand Opening, so to speak, of this as a live event. We don’t get many opportunities here to do something this exciting.

Casey: No, Professor, clearly not. What do these hieroglyphs on the front of the sarcophagus say?

Professor: Well, they’re etched into the stone very roughly, almost looks rushed, so I’m not quite sure I am able to translate accurately. However, my best translation seems to be indicating that this is some sort of warning, focusing around someone important. I’m thinking that perhaps the person in there was their leader, or someone important, and the warning was meant to scare of any scavengers who might want to do a bit of grave robbing. It’s a standard warning, it seems. Something about a curse that will destroy an entire society. Pretty much rubbish, but still fascinating perspective of a primitive culture. Now, I believe the moment has come for me to open up this sarcophagus and let our friend in there say hello. To a society nearly 4000 years later!

(METAL SCRAPING AGAINST STONE. PROFESSOR STRUGGLING. STONE GIVES WAY AND BREAKS).

Professor: Ahhh!!!!!

(NOISE OF BONES AND BODY FALLING)

Casey: Professor! Professor! Are you alright?

Professor: Oh. Yes, yes. I guess the sarcophagus was in much worse condition than I thought. I did not expect it to fall apart like that. Here, help me put this poor skeleton back into its resting place.

Casey: Oh, Professor. You’re bleeding. There at your neck.

Professor: What? Oh my. Ah. It’s just a little scratch. I’ll be fine. Must have happened when the body fell on me. Funny. Maybe it was trying to bite me?

Casey: (SLIGHT LAUGH) Yeah, sure, Professor. Well, it hasn’t eaten for over 4000 years. Maybe it was hungry. Well, here, let me help you. Oh, oops, I should turn this off fir(ST….TAPE RECORDER CLICK OFF)

(TAPE RECORDER CLICK ON. PHONE RINGING)

Woman Secretary: Hello. City Museum.

Casey: Hi. This is Casey Thompson with the City Radio News. I was there last night for the exhibition opening.

Woman: Oh hello, Ms. Thompson. What may I do for you?

Casey: I was hoping to reach Professor von Eberstark. I’m sorry, see, my recorder must have had a glitch from last night. Some of the audio was messed up. So I’m hoping that I can speak with the Professor to get a few more quotes that I can use for my report. I need to have it done in an hour.

Woman: Oh, I’m sorry. Professor von Eberstark isn’t here today. He’s out, very, very sick.

Casey: What? He seemed fine last night.

Woman: Yeah. But early this morning he was rushed to the hospital. He was not himself, very agitated and out of his mind. Sweating profusely and throwing up.

Casey: The hospital?! Oh my, that’s horrible. What happened?

(KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS)

Kevin: Hey, Thompson. Well, seems like today is your lucky day. I need you to head downtown and cover a story.

Casey: Kevin! I’m on the phone!

Kevin: Well, hang up. This is much more important. (DIAL TONE)

Casey: Hey!

Kevin: Look, there’s a riot down at the City Hospital. Grab a recorder and head down there now.

Casey: What, you’re not sending Doug?

Kevin: He can’t go. He’s on air right now. Look, do you want this assignment or not? I can give to someone else if you’re…too busy.

Casey: No, no. I’ll go. Here, I’ll just take this recorder and head on out (TAPE RECORDER CLICK OFF)

(TAPE RECORDER CLICK ON. SCREAMING HEARD IN DISTANCE, PEOPLE RUNNING BY)

Casey: Hi, Casey Thompson, City Radio News. Hi, Casey Thom…. Hi. Hey. HEY! Stop for a second. Thanks. So what’s going on?

Person 1: Oh my god, they’re crazy in there. Get me out of here.

Casey: Wait, come back….hey ma’am, Casey Thompson, City Radio News. What is….

Person 2: Get out of the way! People have gone mad in there. Attacking everyone in sight. I think it might be a gang or something. Tweaked out, or, I dunno.

Casey: What do you mean?

Person 2: The patients, the doctors, the nurses. No one is safe. It’s a bloodbath in there.

Casey: Wait, a second…..oh man.

Person 3: It’s insane. One of those gang members bit me on the arm. Literally. Look at this! They’re attacking the doctors and everyone in there. I can’t even get this looked at. I’m going to the County hospital.

Person 4: My fingers! My fingers! Someone ate my fingers!

(THUNDER CLAP)

Casey: Oh no! Rain! Damn. I didn’t bring any waterprotected gear, or even an umbrella. Next time, I take the radio van! Better head back to the station. Kevin might want this to be a live feed, given the nature of this gang attack. (TAPE RECORDER CLICK OFF).

Doug: (AS A BACKGROUND VOICE) It’s 5:15 and the rain’s a’comin’ folks. Yep, looks like the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for us, for all night long. So buckle in kids, looks like it’s gonna be a bumpy, or at least stormy, ride tonight. And in other news, there appears to be some sort of riot going on down at the City Hospital. We’ll have more on this soon, as our field reporter is down there now, checking out…..(CONTINUE ADLIB NEWS REPORTING ON VARIOUS TOPICS, UNDERNEATH THE NEXT LINES)

(DOUG FADES TO BACKGROUND DURING “AND IN OTHER NEWS…” ABOVE. BELOW TEXT BEGINS AT THAT POINT AND OVERLAPS)

Kevin: Casey, what are you doing here?

Casey: I needed rain gear. But I also think maybe we should do this as a live feed. Kevin, it’s horrific down there. Some gang is attacking the hospital. One guy lost his fingers.

Kevin: What? That’s ridiculous. Yeah, ok, take the van. It’s got the live remote equipment. And a backup recorder, in case the rain interferes with the signal.

Casey: Thanks, Mr. Jones. Oh, and Kevin….

Kevin: Yeah?

Casey: Um, well, thanks for this story. I won’t let you down.

Kevin: Get out there, Casey. You’re standing here isn’t doing any good.

(SCREAMING)

Person 5: Oh my god! Someone attacked me out there! Help me!!! Help me! Oh no, they’re coming in here!

Kevin: What the hell? Get out of my station! What kind of drugs are you on? Get out of…owww! You bit me! Hey. Hey! OWWW! Stop! Stop!

Doug: What are you doing? Get away from me! NOOOOO!

People 1, 2, 3, and 4: (GROWL AS ZOMBIES)

(‘BROADCAST SIGNAL DEAD’ TONE)

(TAPE RECORDER CLICK ON, RAIN CONTINUOUS THROUGH SCENE)

01 VAN IDLING

Casey: This is…wow. This is, I can’t believe this. This gang, or whatever, is everywhere. This is Casey Thompson for the City Radio News, and I’m coming to you from the van. I’m recording this because I can’t believe what I’m seeing. So, I am going to record for you everything that’s happening. I’ll bring you the story firsthand. So long as this tape survives, you’ll know what happened here. The attack that was at the hospital has spilled out into the streets. It’s grown fast! It’s like the entire town is being doped up on something, turning neighbor against neighbor. The hospital riot moved all over, including to the radio station. No one seems to be able to escape this nightmare. Wait. Annie! I’ve gotta get home. Right around the corner. Oh my god, Annie! ANNIE! Get in! There’s one of those people behind you! Run! Over here! Quick! Get in!!!!

(VAN DOOR OPEN, RAIN LOUDER, SLAMS CLOSED, RAIN BACK TO NORMAL, THUNDERCLAP).

Annie: Casey! What the hell is going on???

Casey: I don’t know. I don’t know. These people just attacked the radio station. Oh my god, Annie. I think Kevin, and Doug, and everybody are dead.

Annie: What????

Casey: They just, ate them.

Annie: Oh my god. That’s what happened to our neighbor, Jeremy. Linda from down the street just mauled him when he went out for his newspaper. It was horrible.

Casey: It was just like what was happening at the hospital.

Annie: The hospital? What? What are you talking about? Oh my god, Casey. Drive! It’s one of those….things!

01 VAN IDLING STOPS, INTO: 02 TIRES SQUEAL.

Casey: It started at the hospital. A riot. I thought it was a gang attack. But clearly, this is not a gang.

Annie: No, clearly. This seems more like a madness. You said it started at the hospital? Maybe this is a virus or something?

Casey: A virus? Yeah, I dunno. Maybe. Wait, a virus! Of course! The exhibition yesterday.

Annie: What?

Casey: Yesterday, at the exhibition at the museum, when the professor opened up the sarcophagus, this mummy thing inside fell out, and scratched the professor.

Annie: I don’t understand what that has to do with this.

Casey: The professor got violently sick last night. He was taken to the hospital.

(THUNDERCLAP)

Annie: Ok. I still don’t get it.

Casey: But, wait. The professor was telling me of the archeological dig he was on. The city he found was under attack. He thought by another tribe or something. But what if it was from this?

Annie: Casey, you’re losing it.

Casey: No, no. There was a warning on the sarcophagus. A curse. I mean, come on, Annie, if ever there was something to be called a curse, this would be it!

Annie: Well, I dunno. And I guess it doesn’t matter. What are we going to do? And why are you wearing that headset?

Casey: I’m doing a recording, like an audio journal. Everywhere I go, I’m going to be recording. I’m going to turn this into the story of the century. Hell, the story of the millennium. I should call my parents. Get them out of here.

Annie: You’re crazy.

(PHONE DIALING, RINGING, RINGING, RINGING)

Casey: No answer. I’m going there.

Annie: You ARE crazy! Those things are all over out there!

Casey: It’s my mom and dad! What would you have me do?

Annie: (SIGH) This is not good, Casey. Not good. But let’s go. They’re only a few blocks away.

(THUNDERCLAP)

03 ARRIVAL AT HOUSE

Casey: No lights on in their house. I’m going in.

Annie: Casey, no!

Casey: Look, I’m going in. You can stay here.

Annie: Hell, no. I’m not staying here by myself.

(VAN DOOR OPENS, DOORBELL RINGS)

Casey: Mom? Dad? Are you in here? (DOOR CREAKS OPEN) Hello? Mom? Dad?

Mom/Dad: (IN DISTANCE, GROANING) Uhhhhhhh

Casey: Mom? Dad?

Annie: Oh my god, Casey, in the mirror!

Casey: OH NO! MOM! DAD!

Annie: Let’s get out of here. They’re, well, they’re whatever everyone else is.

Mom/Dad: (GROANING)

Casey: Run outside! To the van!

04 DOG SNARLING, BARKING AGGRESSIVELY,

CHAINS RATTLING

Annie: Casey, watch out!

Casey: It’s Blackjack! Oh my god!

(VAN DOORS OPEN, SLAM CLOSED).

05 VAN START

Annie: Thank god Blackjack was still on his leash.

Casey: I can’t believe it. Mom, Dad. Blackjack. They’re all these zombie things. All dead.

Annie: You mom was missing half her face.

Casey: Thanks, Annie. I really needed to be reminded of that. Blackjack. I can’t believe it.

Annie: Casey, let’s get out of here. Here come your mom and dad! Quick!

Casey: I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.

Annie: Casey! Look! It’s the waiter from lunch yesterday.

ZOMBIE WAITER GROANS. HITS VAN DOOR.

06 VAN SCREECHES OFF

Casey: This virus spreads fast! He lives on the other side of town!

Annie: Oh my god, and look. That rabbit. And that squirrel. This virus must not just target humans.

Casey: This is insane.

Annie: Watch out! BIRDS!

BIRDS CRASHING INTO THE VAN.

07 VAN CRASH.

Casey: Oh. Annie. Annie? You ok?

Annie: Yeah, I think so. But the van isn’t.

Casey: There’s a church right there. Let’s run for it.

VAN DOORS OPEN. RAIN. SLAM SHUT. ZOMBIE GROWLING IN BACKGROUND. RUNNING.

08 CHURCH DOOR SLAM.

RAIN STOPS

Casey: I hope the lock will hold them out.

Annie: Casey, I don’t think we’re going to make it.

Casey: We’ll figure something out, Annie. Just have faith.

Annie: No, I really don’t think we’re going to make it. Look behind you.

(PRIEST ZOMBIE GROANS)

Casey: No! No! No! Watch out, Annie!

Annie: (SCREAMS) It got me, Annie! The priest bit me! I’m feeling woozie. (FALLS TO GROUND WITH THUD)

Casey: Annie! No! Not you too!

(09 ANGRY CAT 1).

Casey: A cat! What next??? Wait, this cat isn’t affected. Come here, kitty. Come out of that corner. It’s ok. There you go. Right into my arms. Poor thing must be scared. It’s ok, little one. It’s ok. Oh my god, Annie. You’re ok.

(ANNIE ZOMBIE GROANS. PRIEST ZOMBIE GROANS)

Casey: Oh, no. No you’re not. Stop it. Get away from me. Wait, you’re not coming after me now. Why? Is it this cat? Are you afraid of this cat? What’s going on? Leave me alone. I’m trapped in this corner. There’s gotta be someplace I can go, I can hide…. a coffin. I can hide in here. In you go, little kitty, with me. We’ll be safe if we hide.

(10 ANGRY CAT 2)

Casey: No, kitty. Don’t jump out of here! Annie, watch out.

(10 CONTINUES CAT HISSES LOUDLY, ANGRILY, ATTACKS ZOMBIE ANNIE)

Casey: Bad kitty! You just scratched Annie! Annie! She’s down again, not moving. What’s going on? Annie???

(PRIEST ZOMBIE GROANS)

Casey: Damn, the priest. Oh, god, I’d better hide. You’re on your own, cat. No, no, this lid won’t close. Help me! Help me! Noooooooo!

(SOUNDS OF MUFFLED EATING. THEN GROANING ZOMBIE WALKING OFF. THEN SILENCE)

Annie: Uhhh. Casey. What happened? I remember the Priest attacking me. Then a fierce desire to eat you. Then a cat? Yes, a cat. Wait, the cat wasn’t a zombie, like the birds, and Blackjack were. It was hiding perhaps? I don’t remember so well. Well, hello there, Kitty. It was you, wasn't it? You're the cat that was here. I remember being terrified of you, threatened in fact.

(11 CAT PURRING)

But why? You're so friendly now. Wait. You scratched me. Yes, I remember that too. Right across my face here. And then I felt better, like myself again. Your scratch, it healed me. That has to be what happened. Kitty, you saved my life. I should adopt you, treat you like royalty. Would you like that little one? For me to worship you? All the milk and mice you could want? Well, let's make sure it's OK with Casey. Casey? Casey??? CASEY!!!!!!!

(ZOMBIE PRIEST GROANS LOUDLY FROM BEHIND ANNIE. ZOMBIE CASEY GROANS LOUDLY IN FRONT OF ANNIE)

Annie: No, Casey, nooo (TAPE GOES DEAD)