Saturday, January 26, 2013

46 & 2 Issue Twenty-one



What do you believe in?
Symbols
46 & 2 Issue 21:
By
Zachary Smith

NOTE:
In this issue they are going to see the midnight premiere of the Dark Knight.  I’m trying to do my best to not involve any copyright infringing material. 
NOTE:
Specific to this second issue of this arc I want to use bat symbols throughout the story; hidden ones, maybe layer objects in the scene to make the symbol, like J.H. Williams III does in his art.

PAGE 1. PANEL 2.
HOLDEN IS TALKING ON THE PHONE AS HE RUNS INTO THE DARK HOUSE.  WE SEE THE LIGHT OUTSIDE, BUT DARK SURROUNDING EVERYTHING.

HOLDEN (ON THE PHONE):  Get here as quick as you can Preacher, ‘cause shit has hit
                                                    the fan.  Stay out of the garage.  Bring the girl.

PAGE 1.  PANEL 2.
THE SCENE ON THE LAWN IS THE SAME AS THE END OF THE LAST ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE SOME SLIGHT CHANGES:  1) THE WOMAN SEEMS TO BE GETTING BETTER, CHINO HOLDS HER AS HE SITS UP. 2) SCORPIO IS WAITING BY THE DOOR, STARING IN.  3)  WE SEE THE GARAGE DOOR IS OPEN, BUT NO HOLDEN AROUND BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY RUN INSIDE. 

MOM:  Don’t…hurt…her.

SCORPIO:  It’s not her I’m worried about.  What do you think we should do?

PAGE 1.  PANEL 3.
CHINO HAS ALREADY LET  THE WOMAN BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND AND IS STARING OVER SHO.

PAGE 1.  PANEL 4.
SHO IS STILL UNCONCIOUS, BLEEDING MORE THAN HE WAS AT THE END OF THE PREVIOUS ISSUE. 

PAGE 1.  PANEL 5.
SMALL PANEL OF CHINO’S HAND TIGHTENING. 
NO DIALOGUE.



PAGE 1.  PANEL 6.
CHINO IS ALSO ENTERING INTO THE HOUSE, BUT IS BREAKING DOWN SOME OF THE WALL WITH HIS FISTS AS HE GOES IN, LETTING MORE LIGHT INTO THE HOUSE, MAYBE LAYER THIS WITH A BAT SYMBOL. 

CHINO:  We?  Nothing.  I’m going in.








































PAGE 2.  PANEL 1.
HOLDEN IS CREEPING AROUND THE HOUSE, BEING CAUTIOUS AS HE CAN BE.  NO DIALOGUE.  HE IS IN A HALLWAY, WITH A MIRROR, AND A STAIRCASE NEARBY.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 2.
HE FIRES THE GUN, WE DO NOT SEE AT WHAT.  NO DIALOGUE.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  I thought you weren’t supposed to use guns.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 3.
A BROKEN MIRROR IS THERE, SHATTERED BY THE GUN SHOT.  HOLDEN SEES HIMSELF FRACTURED.

HOLDEN:  Thinking of someone else.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  A man walks into a bar with the corpse of young girl.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  The bartender says, ‘They’ll kill you if they see that.”

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  And the man says, ‘Don’t worry, I’m as dead on the  
                                                       inside as much as she is on the out.”

PAGE 2.  PANEL 4.
THE SHAPE OF A MUTILATED LITTLE GIRL HAS APPEARED IN THE MIRROR IN FRONT OF HOLDEN.  HER DISFIGUREMENT COMES FROM A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT.

BLONDE GIRL:  The bartender says, ‘If she’s not twenty one, then get the fuck out.”

HOLDEN:  Liza…?

LIZA (FROM THE MIRROR):  Daddy?  It hurts daddy.  All broken on the inside.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 5.
HOLDEN HAS COLLAPSED TO HIS KNEES IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR, HOLDING OUT HIS HAND.  THE GIRL IS EXTENDING HER HAND AS WELL.

HOLDEN:  I tried to find them baby.  Nothing.  No one saw the car.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 6.
THE BLONDE GIRL STANDS OVER HOLDEN WITH A CROWBAR AND A SMILE, ABOUT READY TO STRIKE.
THEIR DIALOGUE (LIZA AND THE BLONDE GIRL) WILL BE JOINED INTO ONE BUBBLE.

LIZA:  It’s okay daddy.
DIALOGUE CONT.

BLONDE GIRL:  It’s okay daddy.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 7.
SMALL INSET PANEL OF THE CROWBAR DESCENDING, BUT NOT YET HITTING HOLDEN.







































PAGE 3.  PANEL 1.
SCORPIO IS OUTSIDE WITH SHO AND THE WOMAN.  SHE’S LAYING THERE, HOLDING THE WIG, AS WELL AS TH TAPE SHE WAS RESTRICTED WITH.  SCORPIO IS DRAGGING THE WOMAN CLOSER TO SHO.

MOM:  My girl.  My baby girl.

SCORPIO:  Shut the fuck up!  Your girl is fine.  But one of the most brilliant minds on
                    the planet is going to be fucking crippled now, if he even lives through this.

MOM:  No, she—

PAGE 3.  PANEL 2.
SCOPRIO IS ANGRY, IN THE WOMAN’S FACE, POINTING AT SHO.

SCORPIO:  --Rigged the door.  Whoever went through that door next was getting put
                    down.  It was almost another a friend of mine. 

PAGE 3.  PANEL 3.
SCORPIO IS PUTTING HIS VEST UNDER SHO’S HEAD.

SCORPIO:  Can’t move him.  Spinal injuries are tricky. 

MOM:  I’m sorry…

SCORPIO:  No, I’m the one being shitty.  That’s your kid in there, no matter how fucked
                    in the head she may be, you care about her.  Just like that boy.  Oh god, the
                    boy!

MOM:  Boy?

PAGE 3.  PANEL 4.
SCORPIO IS PULLING THE DEAD BOY DOWN FROM THE GARAGE RAFTERS.

SCORPIO:  Hell.  Chino, please be okay.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 5.
SCORPIO IS CRADLING THE BOY, LOOKING TOWARDS THE GARAGE DOOR.

SCORPIO:  Don’t become that thing.  Be better, you have to be.






PAGE 4.  PANEL 1.
CHINO WALKS PAST THE BROKEN MIRROR, HE IS IN ID MODE, LOOKING TO DESTROY SOMETHING.  HE IS OBLIVIOUS TO THE MIRROR.

CHINO:  Come out!  I know you’re here.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Not even admiring my work.   Always so oblivious as
                                                       to what is right in front of you.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 2.
CHINO HOLDS HIS HAND AGAINST HIS HEAD.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Let’s see what’s in your head.  A little girl too.  Oh, but
                                                      this one was a bit older, and you were the one that—

CHINO:  Shut up!

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Just like the detective.  I thought you weren’t so easily
                                                       broken.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 3.
CHINO BREAKS A PIECE OF A WALL DOWN.

CHINO:  I’m already broken.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Hmmm…like me.  I sensed you the other night.  You
                                                       tried to stave off the inevitable, but you are
                                                       succumbing too.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 4.
THE ROOM IS EMPTY THAT CHINO HAS BROKEN INTO.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  So violent, darling.  You really need to learn to control
                                                       that anger.  All those physical outburst are going to get
                                                       you into trouble.  Oh wait--

CHINO:  SHUT UP!  Quit hiding and come on out bitch.  I’m going to fuck your world
                up.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 5.
CHINO TURNS AROUND.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Friend find, look behind.



PAGE 4.  PANEL 6.
THE BLONDE GIRL HITS CHINO.  NO DIALOGUE.












































PAGE 5.  SPLASH PAGE.
CHINO GOES FLYING AND STRIKES THE WALL OF THE OTHER ROOM THAT HE BROKE INTO.  HER HAND IS STILL IN MOTION FROM SWINGING.

BLONDE GIRL:  You know, those physical urges are quite fun.









































PAGE 6.  PANEL 1.
CHINO HAS GOTTEN UP AND IS DUSTING HIMSELF OFF.

CHINO:  There we go bitch, that’s what I needed.  Now I’m really angry, get…

PAGE 6.  PANEL 2.
CHINO IS LOOKING OVER TO WHERE SHE WAS AND SHE’S GONE.

CHINO:  …over here.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 3.
CHINO WALKS OUT OF THE HOLE THAT WAS MADE WHEN HE BROKE INTO THIS ROOM.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  You’re really fascinating, you know that.  You’re just
                                                       as broken as me, but you won’t admit it.

CHINO:  We’re nothing but broken here girl.  But the difference is I don’t give a fuck. 
               The other one is always out here moaning and crying, but I think we’re just fine.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  I like you so much, darling. 

PAGE 6.  PANEL 4.
CHINO WALKS UP A STAIRCASE.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Good, you’re making it to the next level.  The detective
                                                       gave out too soon.  No fun at all.  Crying about his
                                                       little girl.  Do you ever cry about yours?

CHINO:  You know what?  No.  I don’t.  Like I said though, the pussy does nothing but
                cry.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 5.
CHINO REACHES THE TOP OF THE STAIRCASE.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL): You hate that incarnation.  I like that.  I’m one for not
                                                      being the same person over and over again.  Gets
                                                      boring.

CHINO:  Usually I’m not out for this long, so let’s see what shit we can get into in this 
                fun house of yours.




PAGE 7.  PANEL 1.
A CAR HAULS ASS AROUND THE CORNER OF THE STREET.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 2.
VIEW OF JOSHUS SHIFTING GEARS.  SCARLETT IS LOOKING AT HIM.

SCARLETT:  What will we do when we get there?  I’ve haven’t heard from Chino or Sho.

JOSHUA:  No clue.  Really.  All I got from the call was that it’s all shite.  Chino hasn’t contacted anybody here?

PAGE 7.  PANEL 3.
CHI AND MALA ARE IN THE BACK.  FOCUS ON THEM.

CHI:  I was with you, so you know.

MALA:  I was with red here, showing her our shitty mall, and if she’s got nothing neither do I.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 4.
JOSHUA PULLS UP TO THE DRIVEWAY.  THE SCENE IS A MESS ON THE LAWN, WITH SHO STILL BLEEDING OUT.  THE MOTHER STILL TRYING TO RECUPERATE.

JOSHUA:  The detective wasn’t kidding.  Good thing’s he’s got his boys on hold so we can deal with this.

CHI:  Did he do the same thing for Myung’s house?

JOSHUA:  After Israeli called him.  Speaking of which, I don’ see the arsehole.  Ah,
                  bollocks.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 5.
JOSHUA, CHI, MALAWALK UP TO THE SCENE IN THE GARAGE.  SCORPIO IS HUDDLED UP BY THE GARAGE WALL, WHILE THE BOY IS COVERED IN A SHEET.

JOSHUA:  The missing lad?

SCORPIO:  Yeah.  Too late for him.  Holden and Chino are in this fucked up playhouse.

CHI:  It’s just like The Killing…

SCARLETT (OFF PANEL): GUYS!

DIALOGUE CONT.

JOSHUA:  Not now.











































PAGE 8.  PANEL 1
SCARLETT IS HOLDING SHO AS THE GROUP RUNS UP.  THE MOTHER WATCHES THEM ALL.

SCARLETT: I think…his vertebrate are shattered.  I don’t know if I can help him by
                      myself, it would take all of us.

MOM:  The other boy, the one who helped me, is inside.  The other man made him help
             me, he wanted to help your friend, but…

JOSHUA:  No.  He made the right choice.  Sho has more of a chance to live on his own
                  than you do.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 2.
CHI IS BEHIND JOSHUA, WITH MALA, WHO IS PUNCHING HER OPEN PALM.

CHI:  What now?

JOSHUA:  We go in, we help our boy.  Just like we always do.

MALA:  Yeah!

SCARLETT (OFF PANEL):  NO!

PAGE 8.  PANEL 3.
SCARLETT IS STANDING.

SCARLETT:  This is about us, so one of us should deal with this.

JOSHUA:  Lass, don’t be arrogant.  This is horrible, and we don’t want anyone else to
                  get hurt.  This girl is…well, she’s mad.

SCARLETT:  I’ve seen madness and purpose combined.  So much so that it’s willing to
                       burn the whole world.  A little clown doesn’t scare me.

CHI:  It should.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 4.
CHI IS TALKING TO SCARLETT.

CHI:  This isn’t just some random bit of schizophrenia or personality disorder.  This is
          unbridled chaos you’re looking at.  Enough madness to drive the best man insane.

SCARLETT:  But not all men, right?  I see him, in your head.  Your using him like a
                       symbol or totem to keep the bad out.  He can survive it, can’t he?

PAGE 8.  PANEL 5.
CHI LOOKS AWAY.

CHI:  Yeah…

SCARLETT:  Don’t be embarrassed.  It’s working.  You have hope, you’re scared, but
                       you know it’s going to get handled, just like he would know.

MALA:  Who?

JOSHUA:  One of their dodgie arseholes in tights, but if it works, who gives a fuck.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 6.
SCARLETT AND CHI WALK TOWARD THE HOUSE.

SCARLETT:  Will you join me?

CHI:  …yes.  I don’t want to get in the way though, Chino said…

SCARLETT:  Chino says stupid things sometimes, not knowing that having you around
                      is a benefit, not a hinderance. 

MALA: We staying out?

PAGE 8.  PANEL 7.
JOSHUA IS COCKING A GUN.

JOSHUA:  We’re making sure nothing gets out.


















PAGE 9.  PANEL 1.
SCARLETT AND CHI WALK INTO THROUGH THE BAT SYMBOL IN THE DOORWAY.

SCARLETT:  You think you’re weak, but you’re not.  Don’t let what Chino said affect
                       you.

CHI:  Sorry, it’s weird to hear your best friend doubt you.  I’ve had few friends in my
           life, and I hold those ones that I have close.  It hurt a little to her him talk that way.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 2.
SCARLETT LOOKS AT THE RIGGED GUN THAT SHOT SHO.

SCARLETT:  I’ve never had friends.  They keep us apart mostly.  Every once in awhile
                       we’ll see each other at trainings.  The worst thing is knowing we can
                       communicate, but they made dampeners and hybrid soldiers to keep that
                       from happening.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 3.
CHI WALKS BEHIND SCARLETT, NEAR THE BROKEN MIRROR.

CHI:  I’m sorry.  That sounds awful.

SCARLETT:  It is isolating, more so than you would believe.  In a way though, I can’t
                       miss something I’ve never had.

CHI:  That makes sense, in a zen sort of way.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 4.
SCARLETT BENDS DOWN TO EXAMINE THE MIRROR.

SCARLETT:  She got Detective Sullivan here.  I can see the trauma residue from this
                       mirror that she used.

CHI:  That’s really cool that you guys can do all this ‘mind’ stuff.

SCARLETT:  It is unique, that is without question.  But you have power too. This power
                       of belief in you is strong.  Tell me more  about this man.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 5.
CHI AND SCARLETT ASCEND THE STAIRS.

CHI: …about dedication.  But I also like that he needs help, and the symbol is what
         draws them all together.  It gives them all power, like belief and conviction to stand
         up against the darkness, that he is all too familiar with.

DIALOGUE CONT.

SCARLETT:  Wait.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 6.
CHINO IS ON HIS KNEES.  HE LOOKS AT THEM, FERAL, RED EYES.

SCARLETT:  Run.

CHI:  But…

SCARLETT:  RUN!


































PAGE 10.  PANEL 1.
CHINO IS RUNNING FULL TILT AT SCARLETT.  SHE STANDS THERE, WAITING.  CHI HAS RUN PAST THIS SCENE AND IS HEADED INTO ANOTHER HALLWAY.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 2.
CHINO THROWS HIS FIST, THE PUNCH HAS NOT LANDED YET.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 3.
CHINO HITS AN INVISIBLE, OR SEEMS TO.  THIS IS SCARLETT’S USE OF THEIR TELEKINESIS POWERS. 

SCARLETT:  It’s okay Chino.  Just let go of it.  Whatever she put inside you is not
                       strong enough to beat you.

CHINO:  The pussy left.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 4.
SCARLETT LOOKS WORRIED NOW.  CHINO IS STILL TRYING TO PUNCH THROUGH.

SCARLETT:  You won’t get through.

CHINO:  No?  Okay.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 5.
CHINO RIPS THE FLOORING FROM THE GROUND.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 6.
SCARLETT LOSES HER BALANCE AND IS FLUNG BACK.  NO DIALOGUE.















PAGE 11.  PANEL 1.
CHINO IS HOLDING SCARLETT BY THE THROAT, SHE IS IN PAIN.  CHINO IS SMILING.

CHINO:  Thought I was the other one, didn’t you?   The one who tries to live by the
                rules, who pussies out and cries whenever he doesn’t live up to them. 

SCARLETT:  HKKUUAAA

PAGE 11.  PANEL 2.
CHINO THROWS HER AGAINST THE WALL. 

CHINO:  I don’t feel bad about any of this.  The harlequin pointed out something very
               simple me:  Why am I living by his rules, that are based on theirs, when they
               don’t even pretend to follow them.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 3.
CHINO IS CROUCHING BY HER.  SHE IS TRYING TO GET UP.

CHINO:  Imagine if we just did whatever we wanted, we would be so much better off.
                No pretense of law or civility.  Just eat, take, fuck whatever I want.  Life would
                be so much simple.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 4.
SCARLETT IS PUSHING HERSELF UP FROM THE FLOOR.

CHINO:  No, no.  There you go again, trying to be a hero.  Just let it be.  Don’t try to
               save them because that what you ‘should’ do.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 5.
CHINO IS STOMPING DOWN ON SCARLETT. 

CHINO:  Just relax.  Take it easy.













PAGE 12.  PANEL 1.
CHI IS WALKING DOWN A HALLWAY.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Not a Chinaman’s chance of getting out of this one. 
                                                       The red head just got stomped, did you feel it?

CHI:  You don’t frighten me.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 2.
CHI OPENS A DOOR.  THERE IS NOTHING IN THE ROOM.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  I hope you fuck better than
                                                       you lie.  Then again, your jerk-off fantasy likes her
                                                       own kind, doesn’t she?

PAGE 12.  PANEL 3.
CHI CONTINUES TO WALKING, HE SEES A LUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY.

CHI:  Bet you wouldn’t talk to her like that if she was here.  She’d kick your ass.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Hmmm.  You’d like that.  Watching us tangle, get you
                                                       all hot and bothered.  Get that rice noodle you got all
                                                       rigid.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 4.
CHI HAS TURNED THE LUMP OVER TO FIND THAT IT IS DETECTIVE HOLDEN SULLIVAN, FACE PAINTED WITH A SMILE, UNCONSCIOUS.  WHILE HE IS DOING THIS, A SHADOW HAS PASSED BEHIND HIM, LANDING ONTO THE FLOOR.

CHI:  We’ll never find out if you’re always hiding.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 5.
THE BLONDE GIRL IS RIGHT IN CHI’S EAR, HE LOOKS UP, SHOCKED AND SCARED.

BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL): Boo.








PAGE 13.  PANEL 1.
SHO’S EYES BURST OPEN ON THE LAWN.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 2.
JOSHUA IS STANDING GUARD BY THE DOOR, WITH MALA.  HE HAS HIS GUN READY, MALA HAS HER FISTS WRAPPED.  SCORPIO IS JUST SMOKING OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE.  THE MOTHER SITS OVER SHO.

SHO:  Help.

SCORPIO:  Oh shit.

PAGE 13. PANEL 3.
JOSHUA, MALA, AND SCORPIO ARE ALL GATHER AROUND SHO.

SCORPIO:  I can take you to a hospital right now.

SHO:  Not before you get in there and help them.  Scarlett’s mind, its pleading.  She can’t
           get through to Chino.  They are in trouble.

JOSHUA:  We can do that.  Take my car, Jerusalem.  Mala and I can handle this.

MOM:  Save my girl.

JOSHUA:  Take her with you.  Get the rest of those wounds checked out.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 4.
THE CAR IS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AS JOSHUA AND MALA ENTER THE HOUSE.

JOSHUA:  He comes at you, hit him.  Hard.  Believe me, I love the boy but I won’t
                   hesitate to shoot.

MALA:  Don’t kill him.

JOSHUA:  Not aiming to.

MALA:  And the girl?

PAGE 13.  PANEL 5.
JOSHUA AND MALA ENTER THE HOUSE. 

MALA:  Rev…?



PAGE 14.  PANEL 1.
THE BLONDE GIRL HAS CHI AND HOLDEN IN HER ROOM.  THE ROOM IS NOW TRANSFORMED, GROTESQUE LOOKING, DIRTY AND DINGY, BLOOD SEEMINGLY ON THE WALLS.  THE MIRROR IS BROKEN, BUT THE PICTURE OF HER BROTHER, BY THE DOOR, IS STILL THERE.  SHE IS RAGING ABOUT THE ROOM.

BLONDE GIRL:  Break!  God damn it, why can’t I get in there.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 2.
FOCUS ON CHI.  HIS EYES ARE CLOSED, HE IS CONCENTRATING.  HOLDEN IS PASSED OUT NEXT TO HIM.

BLONDE GIRL:  How are you the hard one?  The cop who couldn’t solve his daughter’s
                             murder, easy.  The boy with the different people inside, complete joy
                             to fracture further.  How the fuck are you holding out on me?  Look at
                             me.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 3.
SHE HAS HIS FACE TURNED TOWARDS HER, AND HIS EYES ARE WIDE OPEN.  HE IS CLEARLY SCARED.

BLONDE GIRL:  LOOK. AT. ME!  Tell me, is it the little symbol in your head, huh?
                              Is that what is keeping you on the up and up.  It can’t last forever. 
                             With all the horrors I’ve shown you, it’ll break.                    

CHI:  HMMF…

BLONDE GIRL:  Not it wants to talk.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 4.
SHE LETS GO OF HIS FACE, WHERE HER HAND WAS IS RED, AND THERE IS A LITTLE BLOOD BY HIS MOUTH.

CHI:  If…if you are trying to show me how awful people are, you’re going to have to try
          a lot harder.  My dad’s a cop, and I’ve spent most of my youth listening to the shit
          he deals with on the job.

BLONDE GIRL:  Tough boy.  But you know what may break you down?  You’re little
                              Sappho is coming up.  How about I break her.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 5.
A BODY IS THROW INTO THE ROOM.  CHI AND THE BLONDE GIRL TURN TO SEE IT.


DIALOGUE CONT.

CHINO:  I wish he’s just give in, but Mala getting all fucked up? 

PAGE 14.  PANEL 6.
CHINO IS STANDING IN THE DOORWAY, SMOKING.  WE SEE THAT THE BODY IS SCARLETT, KNOCKED OUT.

CHINO:  Yeah, that ought to do the trick. 





































PAGE 15.  PANEL 1.
JOSHUA COMES UP THE STAIRS FIRST, PISTOL IN HAND.  MALA FOLLOWS CAUTIOUSLY BEHIND. 

JOSHUA:  Stay behind.  I don’t like you being unarmed, but I know you can hold your
                   own if it comes to fists.

MALA:  I’ll be fine. 

THE BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  Not for long duck dong.  Get them.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 2.
CHINO RUSHES OUT OF THE DARK HALLWAY.  MALA PUSHES JOSHUA OUT OF THE WAY AS HE FIRES THE GUN.

CHINO:  Nice shot.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 3.
CHINO GOES FULL SWING AT MALA, WHO DUCKS UNDER HIM.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 4.
CHINO HAS TURNED AROUND, MALA IS UPPERCUTTING HIM. 

MALA:  Thanks.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 5.
CHINO IS FLAT ON HIS ASS.  THE REVEREND JUST WATCHES, AND WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH UNTIL THE FIGHT IS OVER.

MALA:  All that brute strength, and you have no idea how to use it.  Get up.

CHINO:  I’m going to drop you, bitch. 

MALA:  You’re banter is just as bad as your fighting, so not likely. 

PAGE 15.  PANEL 6.
CHINO IS SWINGING AGAIN, MALA SIDE STEPS IT.  NO DIALOGUE.








PAGE 16.  PANEL 1.
MALA HITS CHINO WITH A STRAIGHT RIGHT, KNOCKING HIM BACK.

MALA:  All that smoking and laziness sure aren’t paying off right now, huh? 

PAGE 16.  PANEL 2.
CHINO HOLDS HIS HEAD, WHIL MALA WORKS HIS BODY.

MALA:  Super strength doesn’t do shit for stamina or durability.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 3.
CHINO GRABS MALA BY THE THROAT.

CHINO:  Talk your shit now.

MALA:  I’m like Terminator X.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 4.
MALA HITS CHINO WITH ANOTHER RIGHT UPPERCUT, SENDING HIM DOWN.

MALA:  I talk with my hands.

JOSHUA:  That’s my girl.  Should of put you in the Olympics. 

MALA:  Think we can leave him here?

JOSHUA:  He’s out.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 5.
JOSHUA AND MALA ARE JUST OUTSIDE THE OPEN DOORWAY OF THE ROOM WHERE THE BLONDE GIRL IS.  JOSHUA HAS HIS GUN DRAWN.

THE BLONDE GIRL (OFF PANEL):  The muffer and the murderer are here.












PAGE 17.  PANEL 1.
THE BLONDE GIRL HAS A KNIFE IN HER RIGHT HAND AT CHI’S THROAT, SHE IS CROUCHING BEHIND HIM, WITH HER FREE LEFT HAND PULLING HIS HEAD BACK.  HIS HANDS ARE TIED UP.  SCARLETT IS STILL PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR TO THE RIGHT OF THE BLONDE GIRL.  HOLDEN IS PASSED OUT TO THE LEFT.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  You beat the thug?  No surprise, not much brains going on up
                                        there.  I need someone a little more intellectually stimulating.
                                        Speaking of stimulating, those get me all fired up.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 2.
JOSHUA’S GUN GOES FLYING OUT OF HIS HAND, INTO THE BLONDE GIRL’S LEFT HAND. 

JOSHUA:  The fuck!?

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Thanks for complying.  Now, let’s get down to the game.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 3.
THE BLONDE GIRL STILL HAS THE KNIFE ON CHI, AND THE GUN IS BEING TWIRLED IN HER HAND.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Two weapons.  I can kill two people here before either of you
                                       could stop me.  Right hand is designated to this little prick who
                                      just won’t break.  But the left hand?  Who gets the magic bullet?

PAGE 17.  PANEL 4.
THE BLONDE GIRL POINTS THE GUN AT HOLDEN

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Kill the cop and you will have the police after you like a Mic on
                                       beer.  You’ll have to uproot again and establish yourself
                                       somewhere else preacher man.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 5.
THE BLONDE GIRL HAS HER THE GUN ON SCARLETT NOW.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Or do I kill the ginger?  The one the scissor sister is so fond of
                                       now.  Not been getting lucky at the gay bars?

PAGE 17.  PANEL 6.
THE BLONDE GIRL TRAINS THE GUN ON CHI’S HEAD.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Or do I just kill him twice?   See if something comes flying out of
                                      there.  Something that he’s holding onto so preciously.

DIALOGUE CONT.

CHI:  Do it.











































PAGE 18.  PANEL 1.
CHI CONTINUES TO TALK, WHILE THE BLONDE GIRL SMIRKS.

CHI:  Do it.  Nothing you’re saying or doing is new.  It’s the same idea, over and over
          again.  Nothing is accomplished or achieved, and you’ll be just as dissatisfied after
          you do it, and there is the biggest joke.  You can never make yourself happy.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 2.
CHI BEGINS TO LAUGH.  THE BLONDE GIRL IS GETTING ANGRY.

CHI:  You can cripple and kill all you like, it’s all you do, but we’ll still be here. 
           An ideal, a symbol to live up to.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 3.
THE BLONDE GIRL TURNS HIM AROUND, SHE HAS DROPPED THE KNIFE AND GUN.  SCARLETT IS GETTING UP, WITHOUT THE BLONDE GIRL’S NOTICE.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  Don’t, don’t you dare laugh at me.  Always laughing, my skin,
                                      being gay.  Not his fault, I hate you.  He deserved to live.  Fuck
                                      all of you.

CHI:  I’m sorry.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 4.
CHI HEAD-BUTTS THE GIRL.  MALA DASHES IN WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

CHI:  We’re more than our pain.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 5.
THE BLONDE GIRL IS REELING BACKWARDS AS MALA LANDS A HARD LEFT HOOK.

CHI:  We’ve all got shit to deal with.  Doesn’t mean we should go around killing
          each other.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 6.
SCARLETT IS UP, SHE CATCHES THE GIRL AS SHE FALLS BACK FROM MALA’S PUNCH.

SCARLETT:  Leave her with me.  I’m going to attempt to remove the toxin.





PAGE 19.  PANEL 1.
JOSHUA IS LUGGING HOLDEN OUT, WHILE CHI AND MALA HELP CHINO OUTSIDE THE HOUSE.

CHI:  What do you think she is doing up there? 

MALA:  I don’t want…

PAGE 19.  PANEL 2.
SCARLETT HAS HER HANDS AROUND THE GIRLS HEAD.

MALA (CAPTION):  “…to know.”

SCARLETT:  There is a place you can go, where you will be useful.  You won’t be out
                       of place, and you’ll meet other people, like yourself and your brother. 

PAGE 19.  PANEL 3.
SCARLETT HEALS THE WOUND ON THE BLONDE GIRL’S FOREHEAD, WHILE WHISPERING IN HER EAR.

SCARLETT:  A band aid for the wound.  Only temporary.  When you hear the word, this
                       will be removed.

SCARLETT: UNINTELLIGABLE DIALOGUE.

PAGE 19.  PANEL 4.
SCARLETT WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE.

CHI:  The girl?

SCARLETT:  I knew you were lying…she’s dead.  I couldn’t stop the toxin.  In her
                        madness and grief she killed herself.

JOSHUA:  I didn’t hear…

SCARLETT:  Stabbed herself.  I wouldn’t presume to save her if that’s not what she
                      wanted.  We should leave.

PAGE 19.  PANEL 5.
EVERYONE PILES INTO THE CAR.  CHINO LOOKS AWAY FROM EVERYONE.  HOLDEN IS STILL PASSED OUT.

CHI:  Did…did we win? 

CHINO: 

DIALOGUE CONT.

JOSHUA:  No one wins.  One side just loses more slowly.











































PAGE 20.  PANEL 1.
A CAR DRIVES THROUGH THE DESERT.  MILITARY JEEPS CHASE AFTER IT.

CAPTION:  ONE NIGHT LATER.

PAGE 20.  PANEL 2.
A JEEP CUTS OFF THE CAR.  THE CAR BRAKES ABRUPTLY.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 20.  PANEL 3.
SOLDIERS ARE SURROUNDING THE CAR, RIFLES POINTED AT THE CAR.
COMMANDING OFFICER IS BARKING ORDERS TO THE CAR.  THE CAR DOOR IS OPENING.

C.O.:  GET DOWN.  HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD.  I SAID—

PAGE 20.  PANEL 4.
THIS IS THE BLONDE GIRL, BUT THE AUDIENCE DOES NOT KNOW THIS YET.  SHE STANDS, RED HOODIE SWEAT SHIRT, BLACK SHIRT, HANDS LIFTED IN THE AIR.  THE RIFLES OF THE SOLDIERS ARE BEING BENT AND DISTORTED INTO DIFFERENT SHAPES.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  And I say…

PAGE 20.  PANEL 5.
THE BLONDE GIRL NOW HAS REMOVED HER HOODIE, FACE IS ALL WHITE, WITH DARK BLACK MASCARA ON, AND BRIGHT RED LIPSTICK.  HER BLONDE HAIR IS IN PIGTAILS THAT POINT UP, LIKE HARLEY’S JESTER HAT.

THE BLONDE GIRL:  …Take me to your leader. 

THE END

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