Episode 14 -
"Magnolia"
EXT. DREAM - DAY
MORGAN, sleeping sound, is settled peacefully on a bed of white magnolias underneath the shade of an immense tree covered with pink leaves. It's heaven on earth.
All you can hear is the whistle of the wind and the leaves swaying off the tree as it falls from one beauty to another.
MORGAN opens his tired eyes. Bewilderment and shock is spread throughout his body from head to toe as he questions where he is - not reaching a conclusion.
MORGAN
Hello?
MORGAN
Anyone out there?
However, MORGAN realises that he did not need a conclusion. All he wants is a stress free sleep, for once in his sorrowful life. A smile lit up his face.
MAN
(his voice heard)
You can come back from this —
I know you can.
The smile drastically disappears as he hears the voice of an old friend from the not so long past. A voice he cannot get out of his head that keeps coming back over and over again.
MORGAN
Rick? Rick, where are you?
RICK GRIMES
(echoes)
Come back to Alexandria, Morgan.
It is a request that MORGAN hears ever so often. Everyday. Words that never fade away. It's from RICK.
RICK GRIMES
(echoes)
Help me restore order, come back and
rebuild civilization with me.
RICK GRIMES
(echoes)
You're a leader, Morgan.
Be the leader.
MORGAN
(yells)
Rick? Rick!
MORGAN bellows for RICK'S name, hoping RICK would hear. Not even a walker could hear, from a million miles. All MORGAN could hear is silence once again. No other voices.
MORGAN looks at his fatigued legs and notices what appears to be blood coming from his jeans. He spends a couple of seconds frozen, as if he was freezing from a snow storm.
MORAN slowly lifts up his rugged jeans and spots a blood-red tooth mark at the end of both his legs. He is certain of what will happen.
MORGAN looks in front of him. He sees ALICIA.
MORGAN
(surprised)
Alicia.
ALICIA, looking neutral, aims for MORGAN's sweaty, fevery head with her gun held high. Her voice sounding rather blood-curdling before pulling the trigger to make sure his death is painless, as she knows MORGAN does not deserve to suffer.
ALICIA
It's over, Morgan.
ALICIA
I'm sorry, but it's over.
ALICIA pulls the trigger.
FLASHES TO:
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
MORGAN arises from his spine-chilling, traumatic nightmare to the real world. A world that is just as bad as he remembers it.
However, he thought of the afterlife for one moment. Knowing he could of been back with the woman he loved and the son he misses. A reunition could of been held, in the clouds.
MORGAN lays next to a tree. He looks around to see everyone sleeping, except JOHN DORIE who lays his back on a tree as he keeps watch.
JOHN DORIE notices MORGAN arising. He looks at him from a distance. He waves.
MORGAN smiles as he looks to JOHN DORIE.
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD - INTRO
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
The sun has been asleep for many hours. It's dark and gloomy. An abundance of bright stars can be seen. Night never looked so bright.
Newly pals MORGAN and JOHN DORIE are keeping watch of the perimeter.
JOHN DORIE
(chuckles softly)
I think we're the luckiest two alive.
MORGAN
And why do you say that?
JOHN DORIE
We met a really awful lady back there, we still trusted her despite the times she showed us how villainous she can be.
MORGAN
How is that lucky?
JOHN DORIE
Let me proceed.
JOHN DORIE
We saw her chop that poor woman's arm
off, and kill another guy. We watched
silently, not even trying to stop her.
JOHN DORIE
But they still gave us a chance.
JOHN DORIE expresses his gratitude towards ALICIA, STRAND and QALETAQA to MORAN.
MORGAN
Well, we are helping one of them find their family. They do owe us.
JOHN DORIE takes the time to mention his acquaintanceship with a certain someone.
JOHN DORIE
(truthful)
I'm spending time with one of them.
MORGAN
(giggles)
I know, I have eyes.
An honest joke paints a smile on both MORGAN and JOHN DORIE's faces. Their recent friendship shows incredible chemistry.
JOHN DORIE
I've never been this happy since..
MORGAN
(interrupts)
Sebastian?
JOHN DORIE
Sebastian. Monica.
MORGAN pats JOHN DORIE on the shoulder for two seconds.
MORGAN
I'm happy you're happy, John Dorie.
JOHN DORIE
I hope you feel this way again, Morgan.
MORGAN
I've had my fair share of love and loss.
I feel alright with how things are going
right now.
JOHN DORIE
But are you happy?
MORGAN nods.
MORGAN
You are right about one thing, John.
JOHN DORIE
And that is..?
MORGAN looks directly to JOHN DORIE.
MORGAN
We are the luckiest two alive.
JOHN DORIE looks to the sky, viewing the stars.
JOHN DORIE
Yes, we are.
JOHN DORIE
(grateful)
We're also lucky to have these badass
warriors by our side.
MORGAN
(self-confident)
I see us as warriors too.
JOHN DORIE
(chuckles softly)
Tell that to Taqa.
MORGAN and JOHN DORIE chuckle softly.
MORGAN
He thinks I'm weak.
JOHN DORIE
Well, if being badass is considered "weak", then we're all weak.
MORGAN yawns.
Despite the rare, funny conversation, JOHN DORIE notices MORGAN's yawn and believes that one should rest whilst the other keeps watch. Knowing energy levels are critically important in these forever uncertain times.
JOHN DORIE
Go back to sleep, Morgan. Don't let the nightmares keep you up.
MORGAN walks calm and peacefully to his craggy bed, filled with life; in hope that he will not have another nightmare. He is sick and tired of them.
EXT. DREAM - DAY
CAROL is seen strolling around the windy tree as she notices MORGAN resting his baggy, exhausted eyes.
CAROL's speed is as slow as a stealth attack trying to be nice and quiet as she approaches a restless MORGAN.
CAROL
Morgan? You awake?
MORGAN opens his eyes.
MORGAN
Carol? What are you doing here?
CAROL
I'm here to warn you.
MORGAN
Of..?
CAROL
Clock is ticking, Morgan.
MORGAN
What do you mean by that?
CAROL
You're almost there.
CAROL
A permanent end.
MORGAN
What?
CAROL
You need to come back, Morgan.
CAROL looks down.
CAROL
(quietly)
Before it's too late.
MORGAN
I don't die, Carol.
CAROL
Everyone's time runs out. You need to
try your best to prevent your time
from running out.
MORGAN
How? By coming back to chaos?
CAROL
By coming back to your family.
CAROL
By coming back to the woman you
helped overcome her problems.
A grateful CAROL makes MORGAN feel happy to cheerful as she acknowleges him that he has done a lot of good in his life; gave his friends a better life.
CAROL
Coming back to me. Rick. Henry. Ezekiel.
CAROL
(smiles)
You've done a lot of good in your lifetime,
but you don't know how much your actions helped shape my future. I'm living with a
damn king, Morgan.
CAROL specifically mentions about the things he has has done like leading CAROL to the Kingdom.
CAROL
So, come back to us. Please.
MORGAN sighs.
CAROL
(serious)
Morgan, you don't know how much time you have left. Are you seriously going to spend it with a bunch of strangers?
MORGAN
They're not strangers to me.
CAROL gets serious. She tries to convince MORGAN to do one big request. It is as if they are trying to fight quietly.
CAROL
You've known them for how long? A
few weeks?
CAROL's mood swings from serious to furious as she gets the answer she was not hoping for.
CAROL
It's coming, Morgan.
CAROL
Blood will drip and
create puddles.
CAROL
(giggling softly)
Red, all you'll see is red.
MORGAN begins to look frightened. He does not know what CAROL's thinking, but it does not look to be sunshine and rainbows.
CAROL
It's time to wake up, Morgan.
CAROL swings her forearm to MORGAN's face. CAROL's swing sound slams MORGAN like a boxing match causing bruised marks all over his face.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS - MORNING
The terrifying end to his nightmare is brought to a close as he wakes up back to normality. A well-known growling noise is heard in the distance. MORGAN suddenly, but calmly awakens with quick reaction.
MORGAN looks around, he becomes calm to anxious as he is unsure what the next few minutes of his life may be.
JOHN DORIE sprints up to MORGAN and informs him in further detail of what is going on. JOHN DORIE sets up a plan for their lives.
JOHN DORIE
(yells)
A horde is on their way.
We need to go now!
They hastily run towards Althea's truck and enter to escape their nightmares.
Inside, they already find ALICIA, ALTHEA, DORIS, QALETAQA and STRAND panicking, but keeping their minds together. In other words, their face looking panicked, but their body keeping still.
STRAND
The horde is coming from the path we
need to go through to get to Louisiana.
ALTHEA
We could.. drive around it?
ALICIA
Honey, they can hear. We drive around it,
they follow us to Louisiana.
DORIS
(suggestive)
Can't we outrun them?
ALTHEA
There's only so little gas. Unless there's
some gas station nearby.
MORGAN
We can kill them all?
ALICIA
And that would be a waste of ammo and
would tire us out. Besides, it's too many for only the six of us to clear.
QALETAQA
We can use our axes and swords instead
of our firearms. Would save ammo.
ALICIA
Still too many to clear.
They come up with a few heroic plans. Ideas, opinions and facts were appearing all over the room.
ALICIA
My brother used to cover himself with
their guts. He'd walk through the horde.
ALICIA
And they'd never recognize him. He did
it a couple of times.
ALTHEA
That's gross.
ALICIA
You got any better ideas?
ALTHEA
But how do we know for sure
this will work?
MORGAN recalls his past group covering themselves with guts and walking through Alexandria when it was surrounded by walkers.
MORGAN
No, it'll work.
MORGAN
The people I was with before. They did it too. They covered themselves with their guts and walked through the horde.
MORGAN
You'd have to stay quiet when
walking with them.
ALICIA
See, Al?
JOHN DORIE
Let's do it.
STRAND
Yeah. Would rather do this than drive
around them and lead them to Louisiana.
DORIS
Yeah.
QALETAQA
Let's do it.
They finally decide on a canon life-saving plan and enact it to save their lives.
ALTHEA
What about my truck?
JOHN DORIE
We'll carry the tapes with us.
ALTHEA
I don't care about the tapes, keep 'em.
But my truck, I consider it my home.
ALTHEA
I've been living in it for years. Since the dead started consuming each other.
QALETAQA
You were quick to give up on your tapes
and your "mission" but when it comes to a truck, you're ready to risk your life for it?
ALICIA
Al, what would you have us do?
ALTHEA stays silent, unable to answer that question.
ALICIA
(sarcastic)
Oh, that wasn't rhetorical.
ALTHEA
I don't know. But we can't give
up on my truck.
An angry ALTHEA puts the group in a state of frustration.
ALICIA
Fine.
ALICIA places her hand on ALTHEA's shoulder.
ALICIA
I promise you. Once we get to Louisiana
and find Taqa's family, we'll drive back
here and get your truck.
ALICIA
I promise you that.
ALICIA's reassurances put ALTHEA's mind to a useful halt.
ALTHEA
Alright. Let's do it.
They all exit the vehicle and coincidentally find three walkers - walking together.
STRAND and ALICIA kill all the walkers together. The rest of the group walk up to them.
ALICIA
Come on. They're
getting close, everyone.
ALICIA orders the rest of the JADMATS to smuther themselves with the walker guts and get prepared for the horde. This is the walk of their lifetime.
JOHN DORIE
Are we sure this is going to work?
MORGAN
Have faith. This will work.
They wait until the monstrous walker horde get closer to them before they make their way.
ALICIA
(whispers)
Now.
The brave survivors look at each other in the eye and wish each other good luck as they know this is not going to be an easy task.
They all limp, some spread out, some together as they make their way through the gruntlers with their blood-red faces dirter than most of the walkers.
ALICIA looks at JOHN DORIE's face and becomes a shade of red darker. She softfully, but coherently orders JOHN DORIE to focus as he is distracted by some attractive magnolias in the distance.
ALICIA
(whispers)
Magnolias? Really, John?
Without anyone making a mistake, an unexpected collapse of their built up plans falls upon them. A drop of rain.
QALETAQA
Fuck.
Our survivors become twice as anxious as what they were before they entered the herd as their death probability doubles.
The rain gradually becomes aggressive as they walk through the herd. They have no choice but to run - they are not rewarded with luck.
ALTHEA
(screams)
RUN!
Our survivors begin to push through the horde and push away any walker that gets close to them.
Yet, JOHN DORIE is seen struggling to fight off a walker. MORGAN races to him and stabs the walker in the head. MORGAN and JOHN DORIE exchange a nod of gratitude.
MORGAN begins to have flashbacks about his wife and son.
DUANE
(hallucination)
Dad!
MORGAN
(hallucination)
Duane!
DUANE
(hallucination, yelling)
Daddy, do something!
MORGAN
(hallucination, crying)
I'm sorry, Duane. I'm sorry.
Suddenly, a careless walker bites him on his right leg. He screams in horror, drawing more walkers to his attention. Another walker comes from the left direction and bites him on the left leg.
JOHN DORIE
(yells)
Shit! Morgan!
ALTHEA
(yells in horror)
God, no!
The havoc causes JOHN DORIE to shoot the walkers straight through the head to defend the group whilst the rest of the group knifes. JOHN DORIE notices MORGAN struggling to get up after falling to a ground and getting bit.
JOHN DORIE
Strand! Get Morgan!
STRAND notices MORGAN. He shakes in fear as he runs up to MORGAN.
STRAND turns up MORGAN's jeans and unconveniently takes a while to comprehend what had happened to him.
STRAND
(optimistic)
Oh, god. Alright. You'll live.
STRAND
You're gonna be alright. Stay with me.
STRAND
(optimistic)
We'll amputate it. And you'll be fine.
MORGAN
Strand. I got bitten on both my legs.
Not just one.
STRAND
(shocked)
..what?
STRAND
Alright, but you're not
dying here. Get up.
STRAND carries him in by arm, trying to kill any walkers that may decrease the time of the inevitable.
MORGAN
Just leave me. I'm slowing you down.
STRAND
(chuckles in optimism)
Now, that's silly. Morgan, you won't be left here. Who would we be if we left you here?
MORGAN points to a lustrous field of magnolias in the far distance with a tear in his left eye. STRAND listens carefully to what he is about to say.
STRAND
What?
MORGAN
Take me there, Strand.
MORGAN
(loss of breath)
Our friends, they'll clear the horde.
Just take me there. Please.
Both STRAND, MORGAN and the rest of the JADMATS were going through one hell of a time: STRAND helping a bitten man and the rest defending of the walkers by shooting them continuously and covering for MORGAN and STRAND.
STRAND
(yells)
Alicia, everyone. Cover us.
We're going to the fields.
ALICIA
(yells)
We're finishing them off and
we'll meet you there!
DORIS
(yells)
We were wrong. We can
clear this horde.
ALICIA
(yells)
Everyone. Let's do this!
EXT. FIELD - DAY
STRAND and MORGAN had finally arrived to the field. It all looks desolate, not a walker in sight. It's what MORGAN wants. Peace and quiet for the final rest.
STRAND
Why, Morgan? Why here?
MORGAN
(loss of breath)
It's.. it's peaceful.
STRAND
Is this where you want it.. to happen?
MORGAN attempts to nod but a sudden fall hits MORGAN like a truck as he falls from STRAND's arm - not as peaceful as he would want.
EXT. DREAM - DAY
MORGAN's eyes slowly awakens from a deep sleep. He looks to his left. He sees absolutely nothing, but grass and trees. He looks to his right and sees a stealthy man.
MORGAN
Who is it this time?
MORGAN's mind freezes as he tries to work out who it is.
JESUS
Hey, Morgan.
MORGAN
Of course, it's you.
JESUS
Carol warned you. Rick tried to, as well.
JESUS
Why didn't you listen?
MORGAN
Because my friends needed me.
JESUS
And what are we, Morgan?
MORGAN
You're family.
JESUS
Which begs the question: why would
you favor friends over family?
MORGAN
Back there, it was a cycle of war and death.
MORGAN
The cycle. It got to me.
JESUS
(smiles)
If Enid were here, she'd tell you to not let it get to you. To not let the bad things change you.
JESUS acts friendly towards MORGAN because he feels he has an understanding of what's going on.
MORGAN
(smiles)
Heh.. how is Enid, by the way?
JESUS
You're in your final minutes and you're asking about someone you barely talked to?
JESUS
You're selfless, Morgan.
JESUS
That's why you stayed.
JESUS
Your family back there's problems have ended, Negan's locked in a cell for eternity.
JESUS
Rick and Michonne are rebuilding civilization, Maggie's finally leading Hilltop like she was always meant to be doing.
MORGAN
Your point is..?
JESUS
You left your family because you
have nothing left to solve.
JESUS
You helped Carol recover from her trauma. And now you're helping a man find his family.
JESUS
Just like how you helped Rick find his,
right at the start. You gave him the directions, he went and found them.
JESUS
Out of everything you've done, do you still think there's more you can offer?
JESUS's question puts a wide smile on MORGAN's face.
MORGAN
I'd rather help others than help myself.
MORGAN
Help others face their demons, ignore mine's existence.
MORGAN
So, no. There's always more I can offer.
JESUS
You've brought enough good
to this world. So, trust that people
will do good because of you.
It's at that moment when the rain stops pouring during MORGAN's dream.
JESUS
You're a good man, Morgan.
JESUS
The cheesemaker would be proud.
MORGAN
I am going to see him again. My son.
Jenny. I'm going to see them all again.
As one topic changes to another, MORGAN asks one thing that is truly important to him.
MORGAN
Are my friends going to be okay?
JESUS
I can't answer that.
MORGAN
Is my family going to be okay?
JESUS
I can't answer that either.
MORGAN
Why?
JESUS
Because I won't be okay.
JESUS placed his hand on MORGAN's shoulder, but immediately after he explains to MORGAN it's time to wake up.
JESUS
Spend your last minutes
appreciating everyone around you.
Spend your last minutes smiling.
JESUS
See you in the afterlife, Morgan.
EXT. FIELD - DAY
All MORGAN can see is blur. Blur all around him. Not even able to recognise the endless magnolias around him, not that it is on his mind.
MORGAN continuously blinks so he is able to examine what is around him. He finds a man with long hair. He's sure it's QALETAQA and the group.
Slowly, MORGAN notices the tears running down QALETAQA face. MORGAN tries to lift his spirits with a joke.
MORGAN
(chuckles)
Damn, I've never seen a big guy cry before.
JADMATS chuckles softly while tears drip from their eyes. Besides ALICIA and STRAND who are immune to tears by now.
QALETAQA
I'm sorry I called you weak.
MORGAN
(smiling)
I'm sorry you called me weak, too.
QALETAQA
You are not weak, Morgan.
QALETAQA spills out the truth to MORGAN, making for one emotional conversation.
QALETAQA
You are the antithesis of
weak, Morgan Jones.
MORGAN
You saying that just because I'm dying?
QALETAQA
No, Morgan. I'm saying that because
that's how I felt, deep down.
QALETAQA
You will finally rest, Morgan.
QALETAQA
(smiles, tearful)
Greet my old friend, Crazy Dog.
If you see him up there.
QALETAQA kisses on the forehead.
MORGAN
John Dorie.
His eyes begin to stare to JOHN DORIE. JOHN DORIE can only feel one emotion - devastation. They both felt they were going to be the brothers of the apocalypse. A long friendship.
JOHN DORIE
(tearful)
If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met
any of the fine people amongst us right now.
MORGAN
Now, don't say that. It was destiny
for all of us to meet.
JOHN DORIE
No, Morgan. Allow me to thank you.
JOHN DORIE
Morgan, you brought hope to my
world after years of melancholia.
MORGAN
(serious)
And when I leave, the hope stays.
It doesn't go. You hear me?
JOHN DORIE nods.
JOHN DORIE
I'm giving you my hat.
MORGAN
Now, now. That hat is yours by right.
JOHN DORIE
Morgan, accept it.
JOHN DORIE
I was part of your life and you were
part of mine. Even if it was just for a
few weeks. Accept it.
MORGAN nods.
JOHN DORIE places his iconic cowboy hat on MORGAN's chest and his expressions double followed by some sweet last words.
MORGAN
Never lose hope.
MORGAN
Alicia, I need you to do it.
ALICIA approaches MORGAN and raises her gun.
ALICIA
(sincere)
Alright. I'm sorry, Morgan.
MORGAN
(smiles)
Kid. Don't ever be sorry.
ALICIA pulls the trigger.
MORGAN smiles. He no longer feels the pain of Earth. He's ready to feel the love of heaven.
FADES OUT
EXT. FIELD - DAY
Our depressed survivors start to dig a grave for their much loved MORGAN.
They all dig in silence. Devastated and numb. Some shedding tears.
The endless digging has come to an end. QALETAQA silently turns away.
QALETAQA picks up MORGAN's lifeless dead body. He feels so dead himself that he almost drops MORGAN.
QALETAQA
(tearful)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
ALICIA walks up to him, asking to help with an unclear voice whilt the wind howls rapidly.
ALICIA
I'm sorry, Taqa. Do you need any-?
QALETAQA
I am fine. Thank you, Alicia. Thank
you for everything you do.
QALETAQA kisses ALICIA on the forehead as well as MORGAN, thanking her for her offer.
ALICIA
(confused, yet smiles softly)
Of course, Taqa.
After digging and placing MORGAN in the grave, all slowly walk away from the one place they will never forget. They walk away from the field of magnolias.
Once again, the wind howls ferociously.
There is no car. Not even an abandoned non-working vehicle in sight. Our survivors are running low on energy and becoming dangerously unhydrated. They cannot do anything but walk.
ALICIA
We'll survive.
ALTHEA
Morgan didn't.
ALICIA
We will survive, Al.
JOHN DORIE walks near STRAND.
JOHN DORIE
(devastated)
He was a brother to me.
STRAND places his hand on JOHN DORIE's shoulder.
STRAND
I know. I know.
JOHN DORIE looks directly to STRAND's eyes.
JOHN DORIE
(tearful)
Never die on me, too.
I need you alive.
STRAND
(reassuring)
I won't. I don't die.
JOHN DORIE and STRAND hug.
ALICIA walks near QALETAQA as they all walk up the hills towards Louisiana that's far in the distance.
ALICIA
Morgan never took what you
said to heart, Taqa.
QALETAQA
I'm not thinking about that.
ALICIA
Then, what's wrong?
QALETAQA
Did I cause all of this chaos?
ALICIA
No. We all volunteered to join you on your mission.
QALETAQA
What if it's all for nothing? What if
Brett's lying in a ditch somewhere?
The remaining members of JADMATS reaches the top of the mountain, only to see the view of Louisiana city in the distance.
ALICIA
(smiles softly)
It's not all for nothing.
ALTHEA
We've made it.
JOHN DORIE
Where do we start looking?
ALICIA takes out some binoculars and looks around the area. She suddenly looks to her right and sees an army of people on horses racing to them from the distance.
ALICIA
Guys, someone's coming!
The survivors on horses race to them as fast as the speed as light and corner them, they are surrounded. They jump off the horse. The dozen survivors are in masks and are wearing black armored suits with their guns aimed at JADMATS.
ALICIA
(cautious)
We're not looking for any trouble.
Just looking for a friend.
Their masks make them cautious, but not terrified. The survivors have encountered similar people over the years.
One of the men start ordering the group, showing true omnipotence.
MAN #1
Hands up! Drop your weapons!
JADMATS listens to his command.
QALETAQA
We're not looking to hurt anybody.
MAN #1 pauses and looks at QALETAQA.
MAN #1
Oh my god.
MAN #1 takes off his mask and reveals to be BRETT WALKER.
QALETAQA
(shocked)
Brett.
BRETT WALKER
Holy shit.
THE END