Cinemaplex Car Park

[Mr. Handy]

Lionel blinks back tears. Losing a patient always feels bad, especially when it happens in such a pointless way. Sarah always took it even worse than he did, but that didn't make it easy. "He's too far gone," he says, shaking his head.

Swallowing his disgust, Lionel picks up the can and carefully pours some of the petrol on the man, making sure to save enough for the two bodies in the other restroom. When he finishes, he makes a thin trail of it leading a short distance away, then seals the can and backs off. "Everyone get back," he says. "Light the end of that when everyone's clear."

[ODIOUS]

Thomas stands and leaves the mens restroom. He heads for the dppor to ladies room and again asumes a low shoting stance.

[Laraqua]

Jennifer does as Lionel bids her and the corpse is lit up with flame. The smell is atrocious.

[Mr. Handy]

Lionel backs out of the bathroom before the smell of burning flesh gets worse. "All right, Jennifer," he says. "Now for the two in the ladies' room." He silently approaches the other door and looks inside again, making sure that the bodies are still motionless and that Jennifer and Thomas are covering him before proceeding.

[Laraqua]

Jennifer circles around to get into position for a better shot.

[Mr. Handy]

Lionel moves in cautiously and douses the bodies of Billy, Shilo, and her dog Sadie liberally with the gasoline, again creating a thin trail leading towards them. When he finishes, he backs out of the room, sets the gas can down well away from the bathroom door, and nods to Jennifer.

[Laraqua]

Jennifer nods back.

[Mr. Handy]

"You can light it any time you're ready," whispers Lionel. "Then we'll gather everything we can and make a run for the superstore."

[Laraqua]

Jennifer does as she is bidden.

[Mr. Handy]

Lionel moves away from the bathroom door before the stench of the burning corpses can carry through the door. He makes sure that his feet are wrapped up and helps to organize and prepare the survivors who are going to the superstore.

[Laraqua]

The survivors sit quietly in the theatre lobby. There is an air of quiet desperation and discontent about them. For now, they seem compliant. How long that will last was anyone's guess. Lionel knew as much as most just how contrary people could be. Perhaps the sight of Jennifer's rifle had stunned them into silence? Most likely not. Most likely they just wanted to leave as much as he did.

[Mr. Handy]

"We should bring the petrol can with us," says Lionel, picking it up and making sure the cap is screwed on tight. "We may need the rest of the gas later. Bring whatever food and drinks you can carry. Anything else we should collect before we leave, Jennifer?" He looks around the lobby. "Has anyone seen Mark? I'm not surprised he slipped away."

[Laraqua]

"I'm not sure," says Jennifer. "We've already gotten all we can out of the food... There's not much else."

[Mr. Handy]

"All right, I guess we're ready to go then," replies Lionel. "There will be more food and potable water in the superstore. Everyone who's coming with us should gather quietly near the lobby doors. We'll need to move as quickly and quietly as possible." He turns to the man who worked in the superstore. "You should have your key in your hand so you can open the door fast. Jennifer, you'll need to keep us covered with your rifle, and Thomas has his pistol." Lionel starts doing a quick head count to see how many people are going and which ones. "We'll go in pairs. Hold your partner's hand and don't get separated. If there's an odd number, there'll be one threesome. Make sure your partner gets there safely, and remember to keep a covering over your mouth."

[Laraqua]

There's forty nine people, all in all. Jennifer simply nods and checks her rifle over.

"Excuse me, she looks barely nineteen," says one fellow, rising to his feet. "She's as likely to shoot me as anyone else. If anything, I should have the rifle. I've done a bit of hunting here and there."

A few people look at the stern-looking thirty-year-old, athletic and all business, then at the rather daintier blonde teen.

Here it starts...

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm an experienced hunter," says Lionel, "and I can tell by the way she carries it that she knows how to handle a rifle better than I do. Wars are fought largely by people Jennifer's age, and she has clearly had similar training. My father was around her age when he signed up to serve in World War Two. I also remind you that the rifle is her property, and it's up to her who uses it."

[Laraqua]

The man snorts but makes no further argument.

The other fellow, the American whom Jennifer had given the handgun, and his wife, come over to stand with them as though to show his tacit approval.

[Mr. Handy]

"Okay, let's pair up and head out," says Lionel. "There are 49 of us, so that means one group of three." He nods to the American couple. "I presume you two will go together. I'll go with Thomas, if that's all right with him. The chap with the key ought to go in the first group so he can get the door open. I suggest that two others go with him. Any volunteers?"

[Laraqua]

No one volunteers. They merely sit in silence, avoiding Lionel's gaze. Finally, the mother he had consoled earlier raises a trembling hand.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Katy," says Lionel. "I don't move as fast as I used to, but I can be the third in that group, and someone else can go with Thomas. Once everyone has chosen a partner, we'll move out. It'll be hard to see through the ash, but the fellow who works in the store knows the way. Each group should be sure to keep the ones behind it and in front of it in view. Jennifer, perhaps you should go with the second group in case we run into trouble." He waits for everyone to choose a partner.