Marked

MARKED:

Release

By Zachary Smith

PAGE 1.  PANEL 1.

IN A MIRROR, A LAYER OF FOUNDATION MAKEUP IS BEING APPLIED TO A FACE, THE RIGHT CHEEK OF A FEMALE FACE, OUR HEROINE: KELLISTE. 

KALLISTE:  One more day.

PAGE 1.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE PARKS HER MOTORCYCLE, A 2009 DRZ 400 S., ON THE CURB, LOCKING THE HELMET ONTO THE SEAT.  SHE HAS ON A LEATHER JACKET, JEANS, BOOTS.  A BACK PACK TO CARRY HER ART PORTFOLIO.  SHE HAS HER EARPHONES IN.

SHE IS OUTSIDE OF HERCULES GAMING STUDIO.  IT IS A BUSY STREET.

NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 1.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE RIDES AN ELEVATOR, THERE ARE 4 OTHER MEN ON THE ELEVATOR WITH HER.  GUY 1 IS IN SHAPE, GOOD LOOKING, AND WELL DRESSED, KEN.  GUY 2 IS STOCKIER, NOT OBESE, BUT DEFINITELY NOT SKINNY, TSHIRT AND JEANS.  GUY 3 IS SKINNY, NOT WELL DRESSED OR GOOD LOOKING.  GUY 4, VERY FAT, CLOTHES ARE TIGHT, DECENTLY DRESSED, HIS NAME IS CHESTER.

KALLISTE HAS HER HEADPHONES IN, LISTENING TO MUSIC.

MUSIC:  “My knife-it’s sharp and chrome

                Come see inside my bones.

                All of the fiends are on the block…”

PAGE 1.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE IS AWAY FROM THE ELEVATOR, THE MEN ARE TALKING ABOUT HER.

GUY 2 AND 3 ARE HIGH FIVING.

GUY 1:  In her armpit!

GUY 2: HAHAHA.

GUY 3:  No way man, ass all the way.

GUY 4:  …

DIALOGUE CONT.

MUSIC:  “Go get your knife, go get your knife.”

PAGE 2.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE SKETCHES HER BOSS, PATRICK BRECK, AS HE PERUSES HER PORTFORLIO.  HE IS WELL DRESSED, AVERAGE LOOKING, AROUND 35 YEARS OF AGE.   KALLISTE IS OUT OF HER JACKET, BUT IS WEARING A LONG SLEEVE.

PATRICK:  These are some great character and environment designs.  Your men are

                    perfect, but your women, well…”

PAGE 2.  PANEL 2.

WE SEE A SKETCH OF THE WOMAN THAT PATRICK IS TALKING ABOUT, HE IS HOLDING IT UP TO KALLISTE.  THE DRAWING IS REALISTIC, THE WOMAN IS SOMEWHAT STOCKY, WEARS AN ARMOR PLATE LIKE A MAN WOULD.

PATRICK:  …Kelly, she’s not that exciting.  There’s nothing that grabs my attention.

KALLISTE:  What do you mean?

PATRICK:  There’s nothing that stands out about her, she’s just plain.  The design work

                     on her just seems rather basic.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 3.

THERE IS A LARGE POSTER BEHIND PATRICK OF A LARGE BREASTED, SWORD WEILDING, POORLY ARMORED, BLONDE BOMBSHELL.  HER ARMOR WOULD DO NOTHING IN A REAL BATTLE.

PATRICK:  Our best selling title, CAPRINA: THE WANDERER, has so much detail in her design, we need more like her.

KALLISTE:  Where?

PATRICK:  Where what?

KALLISTE:  Where’s the detail?

PAGE 2.  PANEL 4.

PATRICK LOOKS ANNOYED AS HE POINTS TO CAPRINA’S SILKS, THAT MAKE UP MOST OF HER OUTFIT.

PATRICK:  These patterns were meticulously researched and rendered and…

KALLISTE:  Wouldn’t do shit in battle.

PATRICK:  What?

DIALOGUE CONT.

KALLISTE:  It’s a good thing she’s got infinite lives, ‘cause in the real world she wouldn’t last two seconds on the battle field.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 5.

PATRICK IS FUMBLING, LOOKING AWAY FROM KALLISTE AND THE POSTER.

KALLISTE:  She has a boob cup, bikini top, what the hell is that supposed to protect?  Her nipples? 

PATRICK:  Her combat skills are unmatched, she does not--

KALLISTE:  --To ever defend herself?  She better be better than Achilles then.  Maybe I’m at the wrong place.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE IS WALKING OUT OF THE OFFICE.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE IS OUT OF THE ROOM, THERE ARE OTHER INTERVIEWEES WAITING, PATRICK YELLS FOR HER, HAND TRYING TO PULL HER BACK.

PATRICK:  WAIT!

PAGE 3.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE IS BEING INTRODUCED BY PATRICK TO HER CO-WORKERS IN THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT.  THERE ARE AROUND 15 GUYS, OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF NERD CULTURE, AND AVERAGE LOOKING GENTELMEN.  THERE ARE TWO WOMEN AS WELL, ONE SHORTER, STOCKIER, WITH GLASSES, MAGGIE.  THE OTHER GIRL IS TALL, SKINNY, LONG HAIR, DAPHNE.  BOTH WOMEN WOULD FALL INTO NERD GIRL CULTURE DRESS.  DAPHNE LOOKS NERVOUS, AND MAGGIE IS MORE CONFIDENT.

PATRICK:  …And this is Jordon, Theo, Marshal, Greg, and Kelly.  They will be a part of our design department.  Tonight we’ll be celebrating our new hires.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE IS TALKING TO MAGGIE AND DAPHNE.  THE GUYS ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER.  JORDAN, ONE OF THE NEW HIRES IS WITH THEM.

THE ROOM IS PACKED, ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE PRESENT FOR THE PARTY.

THERE ARE OTHER WOMEN SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE PARTY, BUT THEY ARE IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

MAGGIE:  Hopefully you last.  Most girls give it up after a while, the work schedule gets too much and they can’t deal with that and having a kid.  It gets annoying. 

KALLISTE:  That won’t be a problem,  MAGGIE.  What about you Daphne?

DAPHNE:  I have a one year old.  I had to have my mom help a lot with that.  These long hours are killer.

MAGGIE:  Especially for you fake nerds.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE IS LAUGHING.

MAGGIE:  What?

KALLISTE:  Why the fuck would anybody pretend to be a nerd?

JORDAN:  All of us know that there are fakes out there.  Just trying to get a guys attention.

DIALOGUE CONT.

KALLISTE:  Really?  Who are these sad people?  I need to get them some help.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 5.

JORDAN AND MAGGIE LOOK ANNOYED.  DAPHNE IS LAUGHING.  THE LIGHTS ARE DIMMING.  PATRICK IS ON THE MICROPHONE IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM.

PATRICK (ON THE MICROPHONE, OVER THE PA):  In honor of out new hires, ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce tonight’s entertainment, all the way from the Peppermint Gazelle: Crystal, Allaze, Sauvignon, and Buttercups. 

PAGE 4.  PANEL 1.

FOUR STRIPPERS, MEXICAN/CRYSTAL, WHITE/ALLAZE, ASIAN/SAUVIGNON, BLACK/BUTTERCUPS, ALL COME IN TO THE ROOM.  THE MEN ARE SUPER EXCITED.  DAPHNE, LOOKS AWAY, KALLISTE JUST SHAKES HER HEAD.

KALLISTE:  Really? 

PAGE 4.  PANEL 2.

MAGGIE LOOKS EXCITED, ALONG WITH THE GUYS.  CHESTER, FROM THE ELEVATOR, LOOKS UNCOMFORTABLE ALONG WITH DAPHNE.  THE STRIPPERS ARE PARADING AROUND AND GRINDING ON THE MEN THAT ARE SEATED.

KALLISTE TURNS TO DAPHNE DURING THIS.

KALLISTE:  Is this shit typical?

DAPHNE:  …Yeah.

KALLISTE:  Unbelievable.  And then they don’t have the common courtesy to get us

                      some dongs in here.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 3.

DAPHNE SNORTS FROM LAUGHTER.  JORDAN TRIES TO IGNORE THE STRIPPERS, HIS EYES LINGER THOUGH.

JORDAN:  I know, right.  This is horrible.

KALLISTE:  Not horrible, but definitely one sided.  I mean, I don’t mind my own tits,

                      but I really don’t want somebody else’s in my face.

MAGGIE:  Don’t be so uptight. 

KALLISTE:  Go on out and get one then, girl.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 4.

MAGGIE LOOKS CHALLENGED, KALLISTE IS HAILING A STRIPPER OVER.

KALLISTE:  Hey, Buttercups, over here.

MAGGIE:  I don’t have any ones.

KALLISTE:  Too bad.

BUTTERCUPS:  Yes?

PAGE 4.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE AND BUTTERCUPS ARE TALKING.  BUTTERCUPS IS LAUGHING.

BUTTERCUPS:  The whole thing?

KALLISTE:  That entire thong was shitted out.  Toby doesn’t fuck around when it comes

                       to underwear.

BUTTERCUPS:  I hate that, a lot of my best pairs, including my working clothes, get

                             chomped up.  I gotta be less irresponsible.

KALLISTE:  Nothing on you, we all forget.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE IS LAUGHING.  MAGGIE LOOKS ANNOYED, JORDAN STANDS ON THE PERIPHERAL, TRYING TO EDGE HIS WAY INTO THE CONVERSATION. 

DAPHNE:  My baby Julie threw up on my favorite shirt.

KALLISTE:  Hahaha, that’s horrible.

BUTTERCUP:  How old is she?

DAPHNE:  Thirteen months.

BUTTERCUP:  Do you have a picture?

PAGE 5.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE IS WORKING FROM HER DRAWING BOARD.  IT IS A PICTURE OF A WARRIOR WOMAN, FULLY ARMORED, ONLY HER HEAD EXPOSED.  KALLISTE IS IN LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 5.  PANEL 2.

CHESTER HANDS KALLISTE A STACK OF REDRAWS, MANY OF THEM WITH CLEAVAGE WINDOW ARMOR AND BOOB CUP ARMOR.

CHESTER:  Latest batch, Kelly.

KALLISTE:  You’ve gotta be kidding me.

CHESTER:  Just take a look.

PAGE 5.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE IS FLIPPING THROUGH, AND IS LOOKING ANNOYED.

KALLISTE:  This fucking boob cup armor makes no fucking sense, it would snap with

                       any pressure on it and…

CHESTER:  …fracture the sternum.  Dead set of breasts.

KALLISTE:  They’re good for nothing. 

CHESTER:  Tell your Jordan over there.

PAGE 5.  PANEL 4.

JORDAN IS BUSY AT HIS DRAWING BOARD, DRAWING A BADASS, SPINE CONTORTING POSE OF A WOMAN IN BATTLE.

KALLISTE (OFF PANEL):  Hey, Versace!

JORDAN:  Huh?

PAGE 5.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE PLACES TWO DRAWINGS SIDE BY SIDE: ONE IS JORDAN’S REDESIGN WITH THE BOOB CUPS IN THE ARMOR, THE OTHER IS OF KALLISTE’S SKETCH OF THE WOMAN IN FULL PLATE ARMOR.

KALLISTE:  Tell me, what is wrong with the woman in the full plate armor, who isn’t smuggling grapefruit. 

PAGE 6.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE SLAMS A BEER DOWN.  DAPHNE, MAGGIE, AND CHESTER ARE THERE WITH HER.  THERE ARE OTHERS FROM THEIR WORK DRINKING THERE.

MAGGIE:  I don’t see what the big deal is, it’s like he said, he’s just trying to empower

                 the woman physically and mentally.  We shouldn’t need to hide our bodies

                 behind…

KALLISTE:  Functional fucking armor?  Things that won’t let you die?  Come on, give

                      me a good one?

MAGGIE:  How would you know?

PAGE 6.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE CALLS FOR ANOTHER BEER.

KALLISTE:  Anybody else want one?

DAPHNE:  I will.

CHESTER:  Me too.

JORDAN (OFF PANEL):  I’ll buy.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE AND JORDAN BOTH LAY OUT CASH.

JORDAN:  I got it. 

KALLISTE:  Get theirs, I got mine.

JORDAN:  Come on Kelly…

KALLISTE:  Maggie, you want one?

PAGE 6.  PANEL 4.

ALL 5 OF THEM ARE SITTING AROUND A TABLE.

KALLISTE:  You can’t serious think that a woman would wear this is battle?

JORDAN:  But it’s not real, it’s just fantasy.

KALLISTE:  So then who gives a fuck right?  Why not just have them fight naked?

DIALOGUE  CONT.

CHESTER:  I’m sure the audience wouldn’t oppose.

DAPHNE:  I think the games we put out are off putting to most women.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE POINTS TO DAPHNE.

KALLISTE:  Bingo.  There are a lot of girls who play games, but what might stop them

                      from picking up one of our titles?  Maggie?

MAGGIE:  I mean, I don’t find the images offensive, but…I guess I could see how it

                   might bother someone else.

CHESTER:  Look at Caprina.  The game could be the same exact same if she were fully

                     armored…

JORDAN:  But her speed, her womanhood, this would all be hindered

PAGE 6.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE LAUGHS.  DAPHNE CHECKS HER WATCH.

DAPHNE:  I need to go.  Kelly, you need a ride?

KALLISTE:  Nah, I’m going to stay out, it’s Friday.  I’ll call a cab.

MAGGIE:  Can I get a ride?

DAPHNE:  Yeah.

CHESTER:  I’ll walk you ladies out.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE SINKS THE 8 BALL ON THE POOL TABLE.

KALLISTE:  Three beers in is when I find my streak.

JORDAN:  What’s up with the sleaves?

KALLISTE:  What?

PAGE 7.  PANEL 2.

JORDAN TRIES TO PULL KALLISTE’S SLEEVE UP, SHE IS JERKING HER ARM BACK.

KALLISTE:  Watch it, if you want to keep it.

JORDAN:  Sorry, I was just curious.

KALLISTE:  Don’t just grab.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 3.

THE BAR IS CLEARING OUT, THEY ARE THE ONLY TWO LEFT.  JIMMY THE BARTENDER, IS WIPING THE COUNTER

KALLISTE:  Jimmy, call me a cab?

JIMMY:  You got it.

JORDAN:  Why not just hail one?

KALLISTE:  No thanks, rather wait in here where I know it’s safe.

JORDAN:  It can’t be that bad out there.

KALLISTE:  You ever hear of a rape schedule?

PAGE 7.  PANEL 4.

JORDAN LOOKS TAKEN ABACK.

KALLISTE:  I’m not referring to you.  I’m just talking about the reality that women deal

                      with, whether they think about it or not.  Tell me, do you:

PAGE 8.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE IS WALKING TOWARDS HER BIKE, KEYS IN HAND, SHE PERUSES THE AREA AROUND HER.  SHE IS IN A PARKING GARAGE.

KALLISTE:  Walk with your keys in your hand so you don’t have to fumble for them in

                       your pocket or purse.  Also, so they could be used as a weapon as need be.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 2.

MAGGIE AND DAPHNE BOTH LOCK THEIR DOORS AS SOON AS THEY ARE IN DAPHNE’S CAR.

KALLISTE:  Lock your car door as soon as you get inside, because you know it means

                      that it is less likely someone will snatch you out of your vehicle.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 3.

DAPHNE AVOIDS RUNNING DOWN A DARKER STREET AS SHE IS JOGGING.

KALLISTE:  Avoid a street because you don’t know what might be lurking around it.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE IS PUTTING DOWN HER BEER.  JORDAN LOOKS AMUSED.

JORDAN:  You can’t think that danger is lurking around every corner?

KALLISTE:  But, how do you know?  As a guy, do you really think about these things as

                      a sexual crime?  Maybe getting mugged, or attacked, but it’s not a reality to

                      you that someone could attack you and decide that you are vulnerable.

JORDAN:  Have you…I mean…

PAGE 8.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE LOOKS ANNOYED.

KALLISTE:  Not that it’s any of your business, and not something that you should ask,

                      ever, but no.  It’s just something that I’m very aware of about human

                      nature:  We are pieces of shit, and we’ll use any weapon we can to hurt

                      each other.  Even sex.

JIMMY:  Cab’s here.

KALLISTE:  Thanks.  (TO JIMMY)

                       Walk me out? (TO JORDAN)

JORDAN:  Yeah.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE IS OUTSIDE THE CAB, THE DOOR BETWEEN HER AND JORDAN.

JORDAN:  Listen, I’m sorry about—

KALLISTE:  You don’t need to apologize, you didn’t know, and like I said, most men do

                       not think about it at all.  Just be aware, you know.  Thanks for walking me

                       out.  See you on Monday.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE IS EATING IN THE LUNCH ROOM ALONE.  SHE IS LOOKING AT HER ARMS, THEY ARE UNCOVERED FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND WE NOTICE THAT THERE IS NOTHING THERE.  SHE EXAMINES IT THOUGH AS IF SHE WERE EXPECTING SOMETHING.

KALLISTE:  One more day.

KEN (OFF PANEL):  Hey, Kelly.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 2.

KELLY SLIDES HER SLEEVES DOWN VERY QUICKLY. 

KALLISTE:  What’s up Ken?

PAGE 9.  PANEL 3.

KEN IS LEANING OVER KELLY.

KEN:  You’re so pretty, why cover yourself up?

KALLISTE:  Wouldn’t want to send the wrong message.  I know how weak men are. 

KEN:  Look at me girl…

PAGE 9.  PANEL 4.

KEN IS FLEXING.  KALLISTE IS LAUGHING.

KEN:  …nothing weak on this.

KALLISTE:  Hah.  I think that image will suit me for now.  Bye.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 5.

KEN GRABS KALLISTE’S ARM.

KEN:  Where you going?

KALLISTE:  None of your business.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE PULLS AWAY

KEN:  I’m a nice guy.

KALLISTE:  I’m sure you think you are.  That what you told Daphne?

KEN:  How...Rrrrr.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 1.

PATRICK IS TALKING TO KALLISTE IN HIS OFFICE.

PATRICK:  How’s everything going?

KALLISTE:  Not bad.  Just wish I didn’t have to convince these guys that girls don’t

                     need a metal bra to fight.

PATRICK:  How’s everything else?  Getting along with everyone?

PAGE 10.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE IS SMIRKING.

KALLISTE:  Why?  Did you hear something?

PATRICK:  Ken was just saying that he sensed some hostility from you.

KALLISTE:  Was that before or after I turned him down and didn’t let him touch me?

PATRICK:  Was this about what happened in the break room?  I can assure you that he

                    was just…

PAGE 10.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE IS WALKING OUT OF PATRICK’S OFFICE.

KALLISTE:  Guess I need to file a sexual harassment charge with H.R., because it doesn’t look like you are going to do anything about it.

PATRICK:  What…what do you mean?

KALLISTE:  This is horse shit.  You’re trying to convince yourself and me that some asshole isn’t some potential rapist. 

PAGE 10.  PANEL 4.

PATRICK’S OFFICE DOOR IS SLAMMED SHUT.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 5.

PATRICK IS ON THE PHONE.

PATRICK:  Jillian, get me Ken Moore.

PAGE 11. PANEL 1.

KALLISTE IS PACKING HER THINGS IN HER OFFICE.  DAPHNE AND CHESTER ARE THERE WITH HER.

KALLISTE:  I can’t work for people that let this go on. 

CHESTER:  He is a prick.

DAPHNE:  What will you do?

KALLISTE:  Get another art job.  This was just one of my stops.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 2.

THE DOOR SLAMS OPEN.  EVERYONE LOOKS OVER AT IT WITH SHOCK.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 11. PANEL 3.

KEN IS IN KALLISTE’S FACE SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF.  DAPHNE IS ON THE PHONE IN THE BACKGROUND, CALLING SECURITY.

KEN:  Suspended for two weeks with no pay.  What the fuck did you tell Patrick, you

           lying bitch?

KALLISTE:  The truth, which is apparently not what you told him.

KEN:  I ought to put your teeth down your throat!

PAGE 11.  PANEL 4.

CHESTER GETS IN BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

CHESTER:  Okay, it’s time for you to go.

KEN:  Out of my face, fat boy.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 5.

CHESTER IS SHOVED ASIDE.  KALLISTE GETS UP IN KEN’S FACE.

KALLISTE:  Do it no balls.  I’m right here, and I’m not running.  I’m not afraid of your

                      shit.  I’ve seen things a million times worse than you.  You don’t scare me

                      at all.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 6.

KEN IS BACKING UP, UNSURE OF WHAT TO MAKE OF KALLISTE, AND AS HE DOES SO, HE TRIPS.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 1.

EVERYONE ERUPTS IN LAUGHTER, AND KEN LOOKS HUMILIATED.  TWO SECURITY GUARDS COME IN AS THIS HAPPENS.

SECURITY GUARD 1:  Ken Moore? Where…

SECURITY GUARD 2:  Get up.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 2.

KEN IS BEING ESCORTED OUT.  SOME PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT KALLISTE AND DAPHNE AS THEY HELP CHESTER UP.

KALLISTE:  Thanks, we got this.

CHESTER:  Thank you, ladies.

DAPHNE:  Got to help the Samaritan.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 3.

JORDAN AND MAGGIE WALK OVER TO THE THREE OF THEM.

MAGGIE:  What was that about?

KALLISTE:  He was trying to hit on me and I didn’t care for it.  Made a complaint, and I

                      guess the boss finally heard when I said I was going to H.R.

JORDAN:  Sorry I didn’t come over…I just

PAGE 12.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE IS BRUSHING CHESTER OFF.

KALLISTE:  He’s bigger and stronger?  Welcome to our world.

DAPHNE:  You scared him.

KALLISTE:  Probably never had anyone tell him that they weren’t afraid of him,

                      especially a woman.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE IS PUTTING HER BACK PACK ON.

KALLISTE:  Come on, I owe you guys some drinks.

DAPHNE:  It’s only midday. 

KALLISTE:  We’ll say it’s an extended work lunch.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 1.

CHESTER IS SHOWING OFF HIS RIGHT SHOULDER TATTOO.  IT IS AN ONI, A JAPANESE DEMON.  DAPHNE IS TOUCHING IT.  KALLISTE IS LOOKING THEM WITH INTENT.  MAGGIE AND JORDAN ARE PLAYING POOL IN THE BACKGROUND.

CHESTER:  It’s about three years old.  I have a samurai on my left shoulder too.  I

                     love Japanese culture.  It’s what got me into video games. 

DAPHNE:  Pretty. 

KALLISTE:  Nice work.

CHESTER:  Do you have any?

PAGE 13.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE SPILLS HER DRINK.

KALLISTE:  Oh shit. 

PAGE 13.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE IS LOOKING AT THE WET SPOT ON HER SHIRT.

KALLISTE:  I gotta go to the bathroom and clean this off.

DAPHNE:  I’ll come with you.

KALLISTE:  No!

PAGE 13.  PANEL 4.

DAPHNE LOOKS TAKEN ABACK THAT KALLISTE WAS SO FORCEFUL WITH HER.

KALLISTE:  I mean, it’s okay.  Get me another round, that’d be more help.

DAPHNE: Oh, okay.

CHESTER:  I’ll go with you, I need another one as well.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE IS WASHING HER FACE IN THE MIRROR.

KALLISTE:  Still not there.  One more day.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE CHECKS HER ARMS, NOTHING IS THERE.

DIALOGUE CONT.

KALLISTE: All clear.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 1.

CHESTER IS PUTTING DAPHNE’S COAT ON HER.  THEY ARE NEAR THE EXIT.  KALLISTE IS WALKING OVER TO THEM.

KALLISTE:  You guys out already?

DAPHNE:  Yeah.  I’m going to give Chester a ride home, and then meet my mom at my

                   place to get Julie.

CHESTER:  I need to hit the hay anyway.  Jordan and Maggie headed over to O’Phallen

                     if you want to join them.

KALLISTE:  Alright.  Sounds good, I’ll walk out with you.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 2.

DAPHNE HUGS KALLISTE.

DAPHNE:  I think you’re the bravest person I know. 

KALLISTE:  Nothing brave about me.  I’ve fought monsters before, some roider doesn’t

                      scare me.

DAPHNE (WHISPERED):  I think I like Chester.

KALLISTE (WHISPERED):  You should tell him.

PAGE 14.  PANEL3.

KALLISTE IS WAVING BY TO THEM AS THEY DRIVE AWAY.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE IS WALKING DOWN THE BUSY STREET.  THERE IS SOMEONE WALKING UP BEHIND HER.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 5.

THE FIGURE GETS CLOSER.  KALLISTE HAS HER KEYS IN HER HAND.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 14.  PANEL 6.

THE FIGURE PASSES KALLISTE, AND NOTHING HAPPENS.  SHE IS IN FRONT OF A DARK ALLEY.

KALLISTE:  Huh.  Just paranoid.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 1.

LARGE PANEL OF KALLISTE BEING TACKLED INTO THE DARK ALLEY WAY BY KEN.  THE WIND IS KNOCKED OUT OF HER, SO SHE CAN’T SCREAM.  THE ONLY SOUND IS KALLISTE EXPELLING AIR.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE HOLDS HER SIDE, IN PAIN.  KEN’S PRESENCE TOWERS OVER HER, BUT WE DO NOT SEE HIS BODY YET.

KEN:  How’d that feel?  Impressed with me now?  I used to fuck up guys twice your size, you ain’t nothing.

KALLISTE:  That…that why…

PAGE 15.  PANEL 3.

KEN GET’S CLOSE TO HEAR KALLISTE.

KEN:  What’re you saying bitch?

KALLISTE:  …you…

PAGE 15.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE IS STABBING KEN IN THE EYE WITH HER KEYS.

KALLISTE:  …blind…side me.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 4.

KEN IS HITTING KALLISTE.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 5.

KEN IS KICKING KALLISTE.

KEN:  Fucking bitch.  I was just going to mess you up a little.  I’m going to fucking kill you now.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 1.

KEN IS KICKING KALLISTE AGAIN.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 2.

KEN IS ON TOP OF KALLISTE.  PUNCHING HER THE WAY EDWARD NORTON PUNCHED JARED LETO IN FIGHT CLUB.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 3.

WE PULL BACK, AND SEE KALLISTE’S BLOODY FACE.  THERE ARE BLOOD AND TEARS ROLLING DOWN HER FACE.

KALLISTE:  I give…in.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 4.

KEN IS LAUGHING.  HE HAS HIS HAND ON HER MOUTH.

KEN:  That’s right.  I knew you would.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE IS STARTING TO HAVE FACIAL TATTOOS APPEAR ON HER FACE.

KALLISTE:  Not…to…you.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 6.

TIGHT FOCUS ON KEN’S FACE.  HE IS TERRIFIED. 

KEN:  …the fuck!?

PAGE 17.  SPLASH PAGE.

KEN RUNS FROM THE ALLEY WAY, ON FIRE.  KALLISTE FOLLOWS BEHIND HIM.  TATTOOS ADORN HER ARMS AND FACE NOW.  SOME OF THE FIRE HAS BURNED HER CLOTHING, BUT NOT HER FLESH OR HAIR.  ON ALL EXPOSED SKIN IS TATTOOS.

NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 1.

AS KEN RUNS ACROSS THE STREET, A COP CAR SEES THE SEEN.  KALLISTE IS STILL TRAILING BEHIND KEN.  PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE SHOCKED. 

KALLISTE:  Trying to kill that which is immortal is folly.  I survived the drowning of Atlantis,

                      you are--

PAGE 18.  PANEL 2.

THE LIGHTS ON THE COP CAR START UP, SIREN BLARING.  KALLISTE IS FINALLY SHOOK FROM HER TRANCE.  THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND TOO WHO ARE JUST STARING AT THE SCENE.

KALLISTE:  Shit.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE BEGINS TO RUN, ONE COP GIVES CHASE.  THE OTHER IS TRYING TO ATTEND TO KEN.

CHASING OFFICER:  STOP!

PAGE 18.  PANEL 4.

AS KALLISTE RUNS, PEOPLE ARE FILMING THE CHASE ON THEIR PHONES. 

PAGE 18.  PANEL 5.

KALLISTE STUMBLES AND FALLS.  THE OFFICER IS ALMOST RIGHT ON TOP OF HER.

CHASING OFFICER:  Stop, damn it!

PAGE 18.  PANEL 6.

KALLISTE HAS A PANICKED FACE AS THE OFFICE DRAWS CLOSER, SOMEONE SNAPS A PICTURE OF HER FACE.

KALLISTE:  No!  Never will I be bound again.

PAGE 19.  PANEL 1.

KALLISTE TAKES A LEAP.

CHASING OFFICER:  HALT!

PAGE 19.  PANEL 2.

KALLISTE LANDS. 

KALLISTE:  No.

PAGE 19.  PANEL 3.

KALLISTE LEAPS AGAIN, THIS TIME MUCH FURTHER.

KALLISTE:  I submit.  Please!

PAGE 19.  PANEL 4.

KALLISTE TAKES OFF IN FLIGHT.  ALL THE PEOPLE, AND THE OFFICER, WATCH HER LEAVE IN ASTONISHMENT.

PAGE  19.  PANEL 5.

THE OFFICER GETS ON HIS RADIO.

CHASING OFFICER (TO PHOTO TAKER):  Hey, Brassai, let me see that phone.

CHASING OFFICER (TO HIS RADIO):  You’re never going to believe what we need an A.P.B. for. 

PAGE 20.  SPLASH PAGE.

TINY PANEL.  DAPHNE IS LOOKING AT A PICTURE ON HER TABLET.

DAPHNE:  Oh my god!

LARGER PANEL.

DAPHNE (OFF PANEL):  Chester!  Come look at this.

AN ELECTRONIC BULLETIN OF A WANTED PICTURE OF KALLISTE IS ON THE TABLET.  SHE IS COVERED IN TATTOOS.  THE PICTURE LISTS HER STATISTICS, AND CRIME.

WANTED FOR THE ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ARSON. 

HEIGHT: 5’6

WEIGHT: 130.

HAIR: BLACK.

RACE: UNKNOWN.

SUSPECT IS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS.  MAY APPEAR WITH TATTOOS OR WITHOUT.  SUSPECT HAS THEM EVERYWHERE, BUT IS KNOWN TO HIDE THEM.

ANY TIPS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARDS: (555) 555-5555.