EXT.  WOODS—DAY

 

MR. LIME and MR. WARREN sit at a long desk in the middle of the woods.  HERBERT, an awkward teen, sits on the opposite side.

 

LIME

Alright; here we have…Herbert.

 

HERBERT

Hi.

 

LIME

Herbert, welcome.  I’m Mr. Lime, this is Mr. Warren.

 

WARREN

Tell us—what brings you to our humble firm?

 

HERBERT

Well, for one, I’ve got good people skills.  I worked as an Assistant Manager for a Checkers back home in Pawtucket during my senior year of high school, and I think I really understand what it takes to interact with customers.

 

Reveal what Lime and Warren are.

 

WARREN

Ah.  You DO understand that, as a zombie, there isn’t much in the traditional sense of “customer relations”.

 

HERBERT

…hadn’t really considered that, no.

 

LIME

Well, the basics are in it; strong handshake, showing your teeth…sort of thing.

 

WARREN

What kind of qualifications or personal characteristics do you feel you have to assure your success with us?

 

HERBERT

I did…fill out the résumé properly, right?

 

LIME

You did, but there’s only so much we can do with a reference from your—

 

He checks the resume.

 

LIME (Cont’d)

—Economics Professor.

 

HERBERT

Ahh…my ex said I had a real tender neck?

 

Lime and Warren try to interpret where that was going.

 

HERBERT (Cont’d)

Like, you guys eat flesh and it could be tasty?  I dunno…here, you could try if you—

 

WARREN

Nononono, no, no, don’t cheat the system.

 

LIME

How would you describe yourself in terms of your ability to work as a member of a team?

 

HERBERT

...one of the crowd?

 

They nod, impressed.

 

WARREN

How would you evaluate your ability to deal with conflict?

 

HERBERT

Look, I’m sorry, it’s just…is this typical?

 

WARREN

I’m sorry?

 

HERBERT

Is this…typically how it goes?  Like…I’m applying for you guys to bite me through my living muscle and transform me into a mindless creature of frenzied immortal hunger.  APPLYING.

 

LIME

Well, no, usually Ms. O’Brien would be conducting the interview with me, but as he’s on holiday in the Caribbean, Mr. Warren, here, was good enough to—

 

HERBERT

No, no, no…I’m confused as to why it is I need to interview to be a victim of supernatural homicide.

 

A knowing look is exchanged between Lime and Warren, and they begin to shuffle up their papers.

 

WARREN

Zombieism isn’t a trend, Herbert; it’s a commitment.  And while there’s been a long and well-documented period of reckless spreading, we believe that a careful selection process has now become necessary for the betterment of the species.

 

HERBERT

“Betterment of the species”?  The species’ goal is to eat!

 

LIME

In all fairness, the same could be said about a majority of the African continent.

 

Herbert’s got nothing.  Lime gestures for Herbert to sit idle, Lime and Warren turn.

 

LIME (Cont’d)

What do you think?

 

WARREN

He’s got spunk, intelligence, wit.

 

LIME

Bite him in the brain?

 

WARREN

Good call.

 

They turn back.

 

LIME

Well, Herbert, thank you very much for your time; we’ll give you a call if we find any openings.

 

HERBERT

…you have a phone?

 

WARREN

Somewhere around here.

 

HERBERT

And you’re able to dial?

 

LIME

Mr. Herman’s fingers have yet to deteriorate.  No worries.  We’ll get in touch.  Thank you for your time.

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