Night of The Zombie Chapter 6

Night Of The Zombie

Chapter 6

You're part of the movie cast, you and Van and Raj—and have the perfect opportunity to investigate.

Of course I'll help. But what about Rose? I said quietly.

Never mind him, Canning said. I can handle that pompous windbag—oh, I mean, I can handle him. I'm sorry, guys he added, blushing. Did I just say that? That was very—unprofessional of me.

You did, Paul. But I'll forget you said it. You said practical person, right guys? Everyone nodding solemnly, then bursting out laughing.

Ok, then, we have a movie to shoot! Lee said, clapping his hands. Canning rose and headed to the door, but turned back to us. Oh, and guys. This meeting never happened, right?

Right, I said with a smile. It was good to have Canning back on our side again. I was also glad that he saw Rose as the pompous windbag that he was—I wasn't the only one.

The crew headed downstairs to the 2 production vans that were parked in the street. Lee drove one while Mandy drove the second. Zach got in the passenger seat of my SUV, Raj and Van in the back and we headed downtown.

The afternoon sun shone bright in the sky. The burned tent had been hauled away and the area was still roped off. A makeshift tent had been erected next to the burned one. Mandy was already there with her crew—they had managed to procure some back up make up. The masks would take longer to replace, but Zach decided to do some distance shots with makeup only. He went off to meet up with Lee, while Van, Raj and I reported to Mandy's tent.

Her crew got to work on the three of us plus about a dozen more people, some I recognized from around town, but nobody I knew really well. There were a few other students from Port Salser Collegiate and a few from surrounding areas.

An hour later we looked like the walking dead, which is what we were supposed to look like.

So, when's Mandy going to do your make-up, Van said sidling up to me, tattered ripped clothing hanging off him. His shirt was blood stained and he wore jeans ripped at the knees, one lower half missing completely. His shoes were filthy.

She said as soon as you change your clothes into zombie clothing, I said, not missing a beat.

Ha! You're hilarious, he grunted.

No, really Van. When are you going to change? You wore that get-up to school I think one day last year, didn’t you. Picture day, I believe.

Can it, Macdonald.

We lined up outside the tent, there were 15 of us all together. The sun went behind a cloud but it was still pretty hot. I was worried that the make-up would start to run, but it must be a new kind that withstood the heat.

Without masks we still looked pretty deadly.

Ok, everyone, Zach said, coming up to the group. We're going to do some daytime shots—obviously as its—daytime. I want the group of you to start at the corner of Sanderson and Pine, about a block behind the Police Station. We want you to move as a group up the street. Now you all remember the walk we talked about and the groaning noise I want you to make. The shot will be from a distance so it doesn't matter what you say—no foul language please—but we will capture the sound as a group.

Everyone nodded. We followed another member of the crew, Charles, along Main St then turned south on Pine for about 2 blocks. We were sweating by the time we got into position. The camera crew were already set up on Sanderson St. I could see the large camera from where we stood. Zach came from behind the camera and approached us. OK, everyone when I yell “action!” well, you know what to do.

This is so cool, Raj said with a grin.

Yes, I agreed.

OK, everyone—and—action!

We stumbled along the street, the group of us. We had practiced the stumbling walk and shifting gait of zombies from watching other movies and TV shows. I mumbled and moaned like we had rehearsed also. The collective noise that rose from the group was truly chilling.

For almost 5 minutes the group of us continued south on Pine Street, the public library stretching out to our right. I continued to moan, all the while watching the surroundings for anything out of the ordinary—well other than 15 zombies stumbling along downtown Port Salser.

Who were the zombies last night? Were they some of the people with me here now? The news report said there was at least 5-6 reported being seen the night before. None of these people looked liked the ones I had seen, although we no longer had the masks.

OK—and—cut! Zach yelled from half a block away.

Whew! That was hard work, Raj said coming up to me. Van joined us a few seconds later.

Did you notice we had an admirer? Van said, pointing back behind us and to the left where the side of the Police Station faced Pine

I glanced back and saw Chief Rose standing in the parking lot, leaning up against a police cruiser. He wiped sweat off his forehead, turned and went back inside the building.

Why was he watching? Curious about zombies? Raj asked. Didn't think he was a fan of zombie movies.

He's not, I said. I have a feeling he was watching us—or just me. He really doesn't like me. And I don't really like him.

Anyway, it was kinda creepy, Van said

This whole thing is creepy, I said motioning around with my hand. But a good kind of creepy, I added with a chuckle. Something told me that whoever was behind the sabotage and the strange notes wasn't done. Zach hadn't taken his zombies back to L.A. The person or persons would strike again.

We continued the rest of the afternoon, rehearsing different ways of walking, moaning and stumbling. We would step up the action by actually attacking townspeople who weren't zombies—yet.

Mandy and her crew came by to touch up our make-up. Some more masks had been located from a storage unit back in L.A. and would be flown here and would arrive by the morning, she related as some of the extras showed up for their scenes.

My younger sister Kimmy and a few of her classmates had volunteered to be regular townspeople. My sister was 12 and had a wicked sense of humour that was in full force today.

Brother, she said, coming up to me. I thought you were one of the zombies?

I am.

Oh, well, you really need to get some more sleep. You look like you haven't slept in months.

How could I sleep with all the racket you make playing your music to all hours at home.

Ha! ha, she said, moving away to join her friend, Clarissa Canning, daughter of Officer Paul Canning. I saw him a few minutes later, doing his security check. After all the incidents he wanted to keep an eye on things. He came up to me a few minutes later.

See anything, he mumbled, looking around.

Nothing yet, I said. I did notice Rose watching us a while ago from the Police Station parking lot.

I did too, Canning said. We have to watch our step.

We did some more shots that afternoon with the “unzombie” townspeople. They were trying to escape with us grabbing at them. I noticed Kimmy sticking close to Raj and making sure he was the one who was grabbing her. Kimmy kinda had a little crush on my Indian friend, I think but she wouldn’t admit it.

That was fun! Raj said, after the shoot was over. We headed back to the makeup tent a few blocks away on Main St.  While one of Mandy’s assistants, Glenn with the green Mohawk, was removing my make-up I heard a commotion of loud voices from outside the tent. One of the voices sounded like Chief Rose.

Uh-oh, I thought. What’s up now? Glenn finished up. All right, mate, he said. Back to your normal boring self.

Thanks, I muttered. I headed out into the late afternoon sunshine. Rose was there talking to Lee Landers. You can’t shut us down, Chief. We’ve got a lot more shots to get. I’ve invested a lot in this movie. My investors won’t be too happy.

I’m sorry, Mr. Landers, Rose said, I have no choice. There’s been too many incidents. The safety of this town and its residents is my top priority. This latest stunt is the final straw. Rose turned and saw me approach.

What do you want? He grunted. This isn’t any of your concern.

I think it is, if I’m part of the cast of this movie. You’re closing down the shoot?

Yes, he muttered. And you’re wrong, Mr. Macdonald, it really isn’t any of your concern. Now go away, he muttered turning back to Lee. Like I said. The movie is finished. Pack up your gear. I want you gone by the morning!

With that he turned and walked—or rather shuffled away, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Lee turned to me. I guess that’s it, then, he muttered. We’re done! I’m outta here, mate. I’ve had enough. This stress isn’t worth it. Tell Zach the news for me. I’m going back to my trailer.

I nodded but as he walked away I grabbed his arm. Wait! You can’t give up that easily.

He pulled out of my grasp. Sorry Justin, there’s nothing you can say. Whoever is behind this sabotage has won.

What’s the latest stunt? What happened?

Lee scratched his bald head absently as he responded. Some more damage. At the library while we were filming this afternoon. Someone broke some windows and started a small fire in the garbage bin out the back.

There were eyewitnesses?

Yeah, Lee muttered. Rose said someone inside the library claimed to see a zombie out the window. The person thought it was part of the shoot, but then the fire started and the window was smashed soon after.

Thanks, Lee. But please reconsider. We need to fight for this movie. Too much money’s been invested. You can’t let Rose bully you. Someone wants this movie to shut down and we need to find out who and why.

I thought you were trying to find out, mate, he said, softening a bit. I could tell he really didn’t want to give up on the movie.

I am. I said quietly.

Are you any closer to finding out who’s doing this or why they’re doing it?

No, I admitted.

Well, Rose already pulled the plug. So what can we do? He muttered. He’s the chief and whatever he says—goes.

I sighed in frustration. Let me have a talk with Officer Canning. See if he can do anything.

Sorry, Justin, I tried talking to the Chief. He stands firm on his decision. As much as I hate it. I really wanted this movie to succeed. I really like Zach. He’s a good kid. Always was when he was younger. His parents are decent folks too. It also would have been great for this town for publicity and maybe even boost tourism in the area. Now I’m sure there’ll be publicity, but not the good kind—never mind what this will do to Zach’s career.

One failed movie and another one that never got made, I remarked. He’ll struggle finding anyone who will want to work with him as a director.

That’s true, Canning said with a sigh.

You know, the problem is that we don’t know if someone just hates zombie movies or is trying to ruin Zach’s career, I went on. I can’t see an elaborate ruse like the zombies running through town last night vandalizing and the fire as just some disgruntled townspeople. No, someone is out to ruin the movie and subsequently ruin Zach’s career.

But why, Justin? Canning remarked. I mean everyone has enemies in the filmmaking business. I’m sure Zach made enemies when his last movie bombed in L.A. 

Some of his investors maybe, I said, but they would want him to succeed and make some money back, not ruin his career. There’s got to be something we’re missing. I’m going to talk to Zach and then do some research. If I can find the culprit before tomorrow then maybe Rose will change his mind?

Maybe, Canning said ruefully. It’s worth a shot.