HAVOC, INC # 13
“Smoke And Mirrors”
c 2000, Mark Barnard/Terrie Smith

PAGE ONE:

FULL PAGE PANEL: Exterior night shot of an imposing manor, centered in the background, raised so that it begins around the middle of the page. The lower portion of the panel is dark foliage suggesting manicured hedges and trees. Two heavily armed guards stand, visible mid-chest up, at either lower corner of the scene - glancing warily off in different directions.

The façade of the building rises to a rounded peak in a series of scalloped arches. Large, many-paned windows pour dazzling light into the surrounding murk. A party is evidently underway.

EXPOSITORY BLOCK (top of the page): THE VON LEECH MANSION. MIDNIGHT. THE HEIGHT OF THE PARTY SEASON.

CREDITS: (somewhere on the page)

ESPOSITORY BLOCK (bottom of the page): JUSTICE ON HIGH c Mark Barnard/Rommel Karlo C. Ignacio

PAGE TWO:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Two-shot of the guards, as one glances back in the general direction of the manor. The other, with his rifle tucked under one arm, is coaxing a cigarette into reluctant life between raised hands, as he speaks.

GUARD # 1: <snort> Lissen to ‘em, having the time o’ their lives! Figures.

GUARD # 2: That’s what money can do. Nice stuff, cash.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: The first guard working the cigarette, as the other consults his wristwatch.

GUARD # 1: While WE hang about out here, freezing our tails off. Hey, Ernie. Why do we do it, anyway?

GUARD # 2: Money. Same as anyone at the reception. We just get less, that’s all.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Two-shot, with Ernie now standing with his hands in his pockets, the gun still loosely slung under his arm. The other guard is grinning.

GUARD # 2: Hey, if it makes you feel any BETTER…

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: The two huddled in the pool of light cast by a security light on a tall post. POV is an extreme high shot from overhead and somewhere behind.

GUARD # 2: …we’re off in another twenty-five minutes. Then it’s “C” team’s worry.

GUARD # 1: Suits me!

MIUDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL (to bottom of the page): High view of a literally packed room with a few ornate flourishes around the walls and possibly part of a crystal chandelier projecting down from above and to one side. Everyone’s taking (there are multiple small balloons capturing barely heard bits of nonsense) ads several waiters bearing laden silver trays press through the mass of humanity. One waiter holds his tray of glasses (there are only one or two left atop it) a bit high, so that his face is not actually visible.

BALLOON # 1: Ha-ha-ha! One word from me and you’re ruined!

BALLOON # 2: Foreclosure has an unjustified bad name.

BALLOON # 3: Money, money, money!!

PAGE THREE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Von Leech, a large, blockish, rather hard looking ursine with a pristine evening suit and polish which don’t quite seem in the right place, and a couple of guests. He looks somewhat annoyed. 

VON LEECH: So glad you’re enjoying yourself. You…er…WILL consider my proposition.

GUEST: Well…I don’t know. That’s a sizeable investment…

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL “A”: Close shot of Von Leech’s narrowed eyes.

VON LEECH (thinking): Damn it! My orders were to keep everybody’s glasses continually filled.  Where’s that @#*% waiter?!

VON LEECH (a roar): BOY!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL “B” (under “A”): A hand bearing a glass comes out of the bordering throng, reaching over Von Leech’s shoulder, as he half-turns to register its arrival.

VON LEECH (thinking): About TIME!

VON LEECH (aloud): Let me freshen your drink, Governor. We can talk business in a few minutes. Er, once you’ve had time to rethink matters.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL (wide): Overhead shot of the crowd. Von Leech and victims are scene left, as the waited (still largely visible as a high-held tray, threads his was through the crowd. At scene right is a wall and, at the top of the panel, the beginning of a not too-wide staircase.

GOVERNOR (taking the glass): Well…possibly.

VON LEECH (thinking): I’ll attend to that blundering waiter after the guests leave.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Close shot of Chester dressed in a short, white waiter’s jacket, peering around the bottom of the slightly angled, raised tray.

CHESTER (thinking) Well, THAT was close!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester in side shot, somewhat low angle. He’s holding the tray flat against his chest like some shield, as he glances slightly away at the staircase, which climbs the wall for about 20 feet than ends in a small railed landing outside an ornate door.

CHESTER (thinking): Good thing security’s tightest outside! They’re focusing on keeping people out, not inside.

PAGE FOUR:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, seen from high on the stairway, shooting down. The fringe of the densely packed crowd, at scene right, don’t notice him as he starts up the bottom steps in a slightly crouched dart.

CHESTER (thinking): If I time this right, and if Chris is waiting where we agreed, that’s going to be a BIG mistake!

UPPER TIER CENTER PANEL: Von Leech in the lower foreground, shoulders up, from a low angle. In the far background, Chester is visible, nearly at the top of the staircase.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester dropping to one knee on the small landing and glancing down at the throng as he puts one hand inside the jacket.

CHESTER: Nothing like being a sitting duck AND having nowhere to go if I’m spotted!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Close shot of Chester with the railing behind him, still crouched. He’s tugging a thin, tight-fitting black glove over his distant (left) hand. He’s glancing away, over the railing at the throng below.

CHESTER (thinking): Standard cyberlock system. UH-oh! Looks as if I’ve been missed.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Shooting down over the railing. Two dark-dressed men - obviously guards are standing poised, looking furiously around.

CHESTER (thinking): That puts a definite crimp in things!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester’s face, looking intent, as he extends the gloved hand toward the viewer, one finger raised. A small white hexagon shows on the underside of the fingertip.

CHESTER (thinking): Let’s work wonders, little glove!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Close shot of the edge of the door, beneath the heavy knob. Chester’s gloved hand is running down the crack.

CHESTER (thinking): A little properly placed electrostatic energy, masterfully applied…

SOUND EFFECT: Click!

PAGE FIVE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: High shot with the sliver of light between the opening door and the wall dominant. Chester is spilling through the opening, keeping low as he falls headfirst into the darkened room.

CHESTER (thinking - balloon # 1): …and voila! Now if only nobody saw me slip in here!
 
UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL “A”: Low-angle shot of three guards in a huddle, looking concerned. One is looking up at the small landing and the door, which is still visibly slightly ajar.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL “B”) High shot of more guards joining the little group. Now they’re ALL looking up at the viewer (and the unseen door).

MIDLE TIER LEFT PANEL (to the bottom of the page and somewhat narrow): Chester, backed against the closing door and fumbling in the darkness at his side.

CHESTER: Any way you look at it, I’ll only have a few minutes. I’ll have to risk a light!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, largely in silhouette, in the night-black room. He’s visible against the slightly less dark night sky showing through a large, several-paned window in the far wall.

CHESTER (thinking - balloon # 1): Word is that Von Leech keeps all his ‘persuasion’ tapes here for safekeeping. Assuming he labels them, this shouldn’t be hard at all.

CHESTER (thinking - balloon # 2): Ah, there’s the light switch!

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL (to the bottom of the page): Lights on. Chester stands dominant, back to the viewer, legs wide apart, confronted with a wide, floor-to-ceiling, array of shelves packed with literally hundreds of neatly boxed tapes.

CHESTER (thinking): As Chris would say ‘GOOD LORD’! And nary a label in sight!

PAGE SIX:

FULL PAGE PANEL WITH A SMALL INSERT AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.

MAIN PANEL: Chester, crouched over a small heap of scattered tapes which he’s pulled down onto the carpeted floor. He’s glancing up to register the first of the arriving guards as they erupt through the distant door. The office walls are ornate and testify to Von Leech’s ill gotten wealth. Chester is holding two tapes in his hands.

CHESTER (thinking): No, wait! There’s some sort of code noted on the boxes. ‘CH’ looks promising…!

SOUND EFECT: CRASH!

INSERT: Shooting past the guards as Chester sprints toward the large window in the outer wall, one tape case in his hand.

PAGE SEVEN:

UPPER TIER PANEL (across the page and half down it): Shooting straight up into the night sky as Chester stretches out away from the upper floor, hanging in space. Glinting bits of window glass surround him.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL (to bottom of the page): Chester crashes into the thick shrubbery as Deck, waiting on a ‘cycle, watches from the foreground.

DECK: Trouble?

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL (to bottom of the page): Chester, vaulting onto the ‘cycle behind Deck, brandishing his tape case. He’s discarding the jacket, which is now only on his free arm.

CHESTER: Yes, but you should see the tip I got!

DECK: Let’s hope we both live long enough for that. Hang on!

SOUND EFFECT: ROARRRRR…

PAGE EIGHT: 

UPPER TIER (across the panel) Deck at the wheel, tearing right-to-left, as Chester huddles against him.

CHESTER: How’s my timing?

DECK (balloon # 1): Not so hot! You’re two minutes early. The guards haven’t changed shifts yet.  

DECK (balloon # 2): We may run into the early AND late shifts!

CHESTER (balloon # 2): That’s comforting news.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: The earlier exterior guards with two replacements, trading notes. Guard # 1 looks up in reaction to the noise of the starting ‘cycle.

GUARD # 4: Sounds like they’re getting a little crazy in there!

GUARD # 2: Von Leech counts on that. He tapes everything, just in case he can use it later!

GUARD # 1: Hey! What’s THAT?!

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Low angle of the ‘cycle thundering through the bordering foliage into space, as the guards scatter.

SOUND EFFECT: ROARRR!

GUARDS 2-3 (explanation balloon): !

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: The ‘cycle comes down, with the scattered guards on the ground at the sides. Chester, holding onto Deck with one hand, has the other arm in the air, scattering several small cubes into the air.

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Rear view of the ‘cycle departing into the darkness as the guards, at mid-range, start to pick themselves up. At the near panel bottom, one of the guards picks up one of the discarded cubes.

GUARD # 2: They’re heading for the service gate!

GUARD # 1 (with the cube): ?

PAGE NINE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: One of the guards, shouting off-scene. In the close background, the first two guards are regarding the small cube.

GUARD # 3: Damn! I was supposed to cover that gate! Notify the main house!

GUARD # 2: Whadda’ ya’ think THIS is?

GUARD # 2: Dunno’. Better ditch it.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: High shot of the ‘cycle coming out through a narrow gate in a thick stone wall, and turning onto a darkened highway.

CHESTER: Well, THAT was easy!

DECK: That’s planning, m’ boy!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Frontal shot of them riding toward the viewer through the darkness.

DECK: I deliberately cut it close. I cut through the gate lock not five minutes ago, when the perimeter guards headed off to hunt up their replacements.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester, looking forward over Deck’s shoulder.

CHESTER (approvingly): Cool AND clever! We may make a thief of you yet, Chris.

DECK: Let’s not, if it’s all the same to you.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: The ‘cycle, with a dark rise starting to manifest itself in the left background. The house is there, every window beaming intense light. Deck looks concerned, while Chester is grinning and holding a little box with an antenna on it in one hand.

DECK: Right now we’ve got a real race on our hands. They’ll have cars after us in a few minutes.

CHESTER: NOT necessarily.

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, close facial, with a visibly purring Chester close behind, one finger poised on a button on the broad face of the box.

DECK: What’s that supposed to mean?

CHESTER: I took out an insurance policy. Just in case I snagged the wrong videotape.

PAGE TEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): High angle medium shot of them on the ‘cycle, as Chester pushes his button.

DECK: What…?

SOUND EFFECT: KLIK!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Front shot of the ‘cycle as it slews around, Deck’s fighting for control as a dazzling glare washes over the side facing the off-scene manor house. The far side of the figures and panel is contrastingly black.

SOUND EFFECT: BOOOM!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): Side shot as Deck turns in his seat to Chester, who’s fishing the tape case from inside whatever he was wearing underneath the now-discarded waiter’s jacket.

CHESTER: As I said, ‘just in case.’ They’ll be fighting the fire in the den for hours.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck has the kick stand down and is getting off. Chester, with the open case in one hand, is loading the tape into the ‘cycle’s control panel.

DECK: Right. Well, the next time you decide to…ah…express yourself, TRY not to get taped by the planet’s biggest blackmailer!

CHESTER: Believe me, it was worth the trouble!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: The nose of the ‘cycle as Deck crowds in, looking a bit uneasy. Chester is looking down at the unseen screen.

CHESTER: If this had gotten out, all KINDS of hell would broken loose for us!

DECK: That…bad….huh?

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck is expressionless, while Chester looks stunned as they stare, in fair close-up, at the unseen display.

VOICE (electronic balloon): And WHO wants to go for WALKIES? Who wants to wear ‘im’s special leash? Who’s Daddum’s little happy boy?

PAGE ELEVEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (half down the page): Deck, picking his words carefully, as Chester continues to stare at the grim, unseen video.

DECK (he really can’t quite absorb the horror) : I’m…going to guess you got the wrong tape. Right?

CHESTER: Uhh.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester, registering disgust as the entertainment grinds grimly on.

DECK: Personally, I’d have never figured Von Leech for the poodle type. Pink and yellow bows, too.

VOICE (electronic balloon): Can puppy wave hi-hi to the nice guard mans? Hmm?

DECK: I-I…think I’m going to be sick.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, switching the unit off and holding the tape gingerly between two fingers.

CHESTER: It’s mutual. Still, at least the fire’ll put Mr. Extortion out of business for a while. 

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: The pair, Deck dominant, the canine looking around in shock as a voice breaks the stillness.

DECK: Well, let’s get off-planet before anything ELSE can hap…

VOICE: FREEZE! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!

PAGE TWELVE:

UPER TIER PANEL (across page and 2/3 down it): The duo from JUSTICE ON HIGH, Jan and Midori, guns drawn, standing (Jan dominant) in front of a parked ‘cycle). Jan’s attitude is aggressive, gun held straight out at near shoulder height, while Midori, a pace behind, is a bit more demure in her approach.

JAN: Gotcha’ dead to rights! There’s no way Von Leech can get you out of this, so you’d better cooperate. MAYBE we can go easy on you.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Deck, hands raised, with Chester (ditto) slightly behind him, at the ‘cycle.

DECK (not taking this well): I think you’re making a mistake…

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, raising the muzzle of her gun to “blow” a nonexistent wisp of gun smoke away. She’s wearing a tight, self-satisfied smile.

JAN: Yep, and YOU made it. Read ‘em their rights,  Midori!

PAGE THIRTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Midori coming forward, from behind the smirking Jan, intent on reading from a small notebook he’s holding up.

MIDORI:  ‘You have the right…’

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, getting in Jan’s face. Jan, whose mood approximates Deck’s, leans right back.

DECK: Wait a minute! Just WHO are you?!

JAN: Neo-Osaka Helicopter Police!

DECK: OH? And where’s your ‘copter?!!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Midori, at Jan’s side, giving a vague glower at her partner, who’s momentarily distracted from the fuming Deck.

MIDORI (undertone):Well,  SOMEbody took the top off the Mayor’s car during an emergency landing.

JAN (undertone): Pipe down, will you?!

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, back in Deck’s face, as he goes to “unruffled” mode.

JAN: Temporary reassignment, and it’s WORTH it, if we can take criminal scum like you off the road.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester and Deck, and Jan, who’s got her gun raised and is pointing to it with one finger. Chester is holding the tape in one hand.

DECK:  EXCEPT you’ve got the WRONG parties! We’re not big fans of your Mr. Von Leech.

JAN (taping barrel of her weapon against her cheek): My little friend here says you’re lying!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, reaching forward to triumphantly grab the tape in Chester’s hand.

JAN: Ahhh, why am I wasting time. This TAPE is all the evidence we’ll need.

PAGE FOURTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (wide): Jan, heading forward, the others in tow, seen over the back of Deck’s ‘cycle. Deck is protesting mildly.

JAN: Let’s just have a little private show before we turn you over to HQ!

CHESTER (thinking): No more! No more!

DECK: I wouldn’t DO that, if I were you.

JAN: I’ll just bet you wouldn’t!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL Front waist-up shot of Jan, one hand holding the gun at the off-scene duo, as she plugs the tape into the console before her.

JAN (smugly): Now let’s have a look!

MIDDLE TIER PANEL (across the page): The four, clustered around the front of the ‘cycle, staring down at the hidden screen with various expressions of shock, disgust and horror on their faces (Midori’s eyes are particularly wide). Still more of Von Leech’s disturbing pet care.

VOICE (electronic balloon): Time for BATHIES! Ooooo, is hims a pretty puppy? Let’s try a LILAC rinse today, SHALL we?

JAN (apoplectic): G-gack

DECK: I TRIED to warn you!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, switching off the unit, the haunted look still on her face as she tries to find some spot from which she can drag herself back to the here and now.

JAN: It…it…

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, Chester and Deck. The gun comes up again, as she points a trembling finger at the tape console.

JAN: It’s…a trick tape! A dual track!  How do you get the REAL video to play?

PAGE FIFTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Deck, leaning forward across the ‘cycle, supporting himself with his hand on the upper part of the body. Jan, gun semi-lowered, glowers back. Midori, in the background behind Jan, is casting a shy glance at Chester, whose attention is on Deck.

DECK: A WHAT? That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard!

JAN: Your boss’s a slimy character, but he’s resourceful.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Shooting past the girls to Deck and Chester. Chester’s glancing at Midori, who’s now slightly turned away and is intent upon her little notebook.

CHESTER (thought balloon): ?

JAN: He’d find a way to do it.

DECK:  And I told you we do NOT work for Von Leech!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, looking disdainful.

JAN: You’re coming from the direction of Von Leech’s private estate, riding a ‘bike that’s definitely not street legal, and carrying easily the most disgusting tape I’ve ever seen…FEATURING the golden boy himself.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck and Chester, trading an uneasy look.

DECK: Well, we sort of…borrowed…the tape. All in a good cause, of course.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan. This is something she can understand.

JAN: A falling out of thieves. Happens all the time, but this time it may bring Von Leech down!

DECK (off-scene): For the last time, we do NOT work for the guy!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, with half  lowered, “bored” eyelids, hooking a finger off-scene.

JAN: Oh? Then what’s this?

PAGE SIXTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Shooting into the darkness past Jan, still pointing away from the viewer. Several sets of headlights are approaching from some distance away.

JAN: Looks like a rescue party to me.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: The group, from a high angle, as several massive explosions erupt between them, sending them staggering back.

SOUND EFFECTS: BOOM! WHOOM!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL (close four-shot): Everyone moving in different directions. Deck’s jumping onto the ‘cycle, Chester looks back toward the approaching vehicles (off-scene)

CHESTER: We might want to move this discussion somewhere else. Now!

JAN: Oh, no you don’t!

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, vaulting onto the ‘bike behind Deck. Chester and Midori in background?

JAN: You’re under arrest. Midori, go with the other one. We’ll take the main highway south to the Elk Brook cut-off. There’s a disused rest stop there.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Overhead shot of the two ‘cycles heading onto the darkened highway.

MIDORI: SOUTH?

JAN: They’ll expect us to head for the city, right?

MIDORI: Check!

PAGE SEVENTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): The bikes side-by-side, with Deck/Jan dominant. POV is knees-up.

JAN: Just follow the road for about three miles and get ready to cut right when I tell you.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Close-up of Jan, looking somewhat troubled. Her near hand is holding the muzzle of her gun against Deck’s back.

JAN (thinking): This had better work. I don’t want to have to call for back-up.

MIDDLE TIER PANEL: The ‘cycles moving left-to-right along the road, with occasional silhouettes of large trees in the foreground (POV is from inside the woods, looking out). Jan is holding on and is glancing back.

JAN (thinking): Getting a clean bust and something we can use against Von Leech is our only clear shot at getting back to  helicopter duty!

JAN (aloud): Looks as if my idea worked. Typical hired thugs! They never even THOUGHT of splitting up.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Frontal of the two ‘cycles side-by-side. Midori glances over at Jan from behind Chester, while a grinning Jan peers forward over Deck’s shoulder. Deck looks peeved.

 JAN: Criminals are so stupid	

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, sitting bolt upright, eyes wide and a little out of focus as a strange sound intrudes on her reverie.

SOUND EFFECT: Chuffachuffachuff…

JAN: ?

PAGE EIGHTEEN:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Shooting down at close range on Jan, who’s bathed in a wash of stark light from above, Her eyes squint in response to the glare.

MIDORI (off-scene): Jan!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Very low-angle shot up from between the ‘cycles. We can see the reacting faces of Chester and Midori, while Jan peers up from the right hand edge of the panel. Two dark, angular silhouettes with dazzling lights mounted beneath them, are in the night sky above the fleeing vehicles.

MIDORI: Helicopters!

JAN: Damn!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Deck, reacting in surprise, as Jan locks her legs around his waist. She’s visible just beyond him, gun in hand, looking up.

DECK: Huh?

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL “A): Close facial of a determined-looking Jan.

JAM: Just hold on! This is gonna’ be rough!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL “B”: Facial of Deck.

DECK: What do you have in mind?

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: To bottom of page): Jan, dominant, from above, large in the panel. She’s leaning back, using her leg lock to hold her on the speeding ‘bike, as she hold her gun over her head and, sighting as best as she can against the light, fires several times.

SOUND EFFECT: RAKKA-RAKKA-RAK…

PAGE NINETEEN: 

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: The ‘cycles. Now Chester and Midori are well-lit, while Deck and Jan are only caught by the edge of that beam, and are mostly silhouetted.

SOUND EFFECT: Ksssh!

JAN: HAH! Got the searchlight on that one!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Midori, dominant, as Jan pulls herself hack to a roughly vertical position in the near background.

JAN: Midori? Can you handle yours?

MIDORI: Mmm.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Overhead shot of Midori, slightly from the front, as she fishes for something in her hair.

MIDDLE TIER CENTER PANEL: Close-up of one of her gloved hands as she pulls a small, flat metal object free.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Low shot from the side of the ‘bike as Midori leans back slightly and casts the tiny item up at the lights hovering overhead.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: The silhouetted bottom and front edge of the ‘copter, slanting is reaction as a curling mass of flame erupts to the side, from under it.

SOUND EFFECT: THOOM!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Side shot of Chester risking a questioning glance back at Midori, who’s holding fairly close to him.

MIDORI: Magnetic mine. Standard Issue.

PAGE TWENTY:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): A dreamingly smiling Midori, eyes closed, with her cheek pressed to Chester’s back.

MIDORI (undertone): Well…almost.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, and Jan, whose legs are still locked around his waist. She’s evidently forgotten to let go.

DECK: I think you can…er…let GO, now.

JAN: !

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, looking flustered.

JAN: H-here’s the turn-off. Ease off the highway. No tricks, now!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Forward shot of the ‘cycles easing onto a slightly sloping, overgrown lane. Trees crowd in darkly from both sides.

JAN: Why the shudder?

DECK: Just a touch of déjà vu. Woods and ‘bikes don’t add up well for me.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Rear shot of the ‘cycles approaching a shadowed, ramshackle shack to the left side of the trail.

JAN: Stop here!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, dismounting, her gun roughly pointed at the still-seated Deck, as she looks upwards.

JAN: The choppers were bad news. Even without lights, they can radio our approximate position. We’d better get inside and hope they guess we kept to the main road.

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, glancing back, as Deck, slightly beyond, stands up and glances at her.

JAN (a bit annoyed): Midori?

PAGE TWENTY-ONE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, bent forward at the waist, hands on her hips, as Chester sits on his ‘cycle at scene left. Midori (the edge of her resting head) is slightly visible behind him.

JAN: Care to join us?

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Close shot of Midori, eyes easing open as she emerges from her Chesterly reverie.

MIDORI: Mmmf…what?

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan and Midori in discussion in the background. Chester, still seated to left. Deck is in foreground, back to the others, his arms folded. Jan has one hand (the one with the gun) extended back towards Deck, though she’s not actually looking at him.

JAN: And don’t you even THINK about making a break for it.

JAN (whisper - to Midori): What is WITH you?!

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester joins Deck in the foreground. In the background, the others head forward, in hushed discussion.

MIDORI (whispering, a calm little smile on her face): Well, he IS cute.

JAN (disapproving): We’re obviously dealing with hardened felons, girl!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Midori and Jan. The former is wearing a dreamy little smile.

MIDORI (murmuring to herself, possibly with a little heart to one side in the balloon): I could reform him!

JAN: !!

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Frontal of the two, Midori blushing fiercely. Jan looks skeptical. This is totally unlike the extremely proper Midori.

MIDORI (whispering): Oh! I-I’m sorry!

JAN: All right, Who are you and what have you done with my little shrinking violet partner?

PAGE TWENTY-TWO:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: The party framed in an open doorway (the door sags on its hinges to one side. The room we’re looking “out” from is shadowed and not particularly neat.

CHESTER: We’re going in THERE?

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Porch shot of the four. Jan, bristling slightly. After all, it was her plan.

JAN: It’s better than standing out in the open, waving to get their attention, right?!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Deck and Chester (who’s dominant and obviously unsold on the plan) enter the dusty room. Stray bits of moonlight come through holes in the roof.

CHESTER (from the side of his mouth): Just don’t touch anything. No telling WHERE this place has been.

JAN: Ha-ha. Aren’t WE the funny man?

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, leaning gingerly back against the edge of a counter, as the others glance about.

DECK: What do we do now?

MIDORI (balloon # 1): I could use a drink.

MIDORI (balloon # 2): They usually had running water at these rest tops.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, facing the duo who, backs largely turned, frame the scene. In the background, Midori heads for a darkened doorway.

JAN: Try the bathroom. Now, look, you two…

MIDORI: Okay.

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan and the pair, her eyes wide and her shoulders raised in a full-body wince as the off-scene Midori screams.

JAN: …I…

MIDORI (off-scene): EEEEEEE!

PAGE TWENTY-THREE: 

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, turning while simultaneously dropping into a crouch, her gun at the ready. Chester and Deck also react.

JAN: MIDORI?!?

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Midori, running past the group, arms raised above her head. Jan is turning to observe her as she passes.

MIDORI: Spiderinthebathroom! Spiderinthebathroom!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL (to bottom of the page): Jan, frontal view, looking slightly back, as a cringing Midori (her face at slightly above Jan’s waist level, and both hands locked on her partner’s hips. Peers in fright to the right front.

JAN: What?

MIDORI (still unhinged): There’s a HUGE spider in the bathroom sink!

JAN: <sigh>

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL (to bottom of the page): Jan stalking right-to-left, about to enter the darkened doorway.

JAN (balloon # 1): For crying out loud, Midori, how many times have we gone over this?

JAN (balloon # 2): All right. I’ll take care of the big, bad spider, but you OWE me!

PAGE TWENTY-FOUR:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow) Side view of the doorway which she’s now entered. Layout matches the prior panel, sans Jan.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Chester, wincing.

JAN (off-scene): EEE! SPIDER!!

SOUND EFFECT: BLAM-BLAM-BLAM!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, backing out of the open doorway, while continuing to pump shots into the off-scene bathroom.

SOUND EFFECT: BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: The back of Deck’s head to right, in middle field, He’s staring through the doorway. While the bathroom is dark, there’s now a very large and ragged hole in the background, though which bits of the woods can be seen. The girls frame the panels in the foreground. Jan, her eyes tightly closed and her shoulders up in an angry stance is not pleased with Midori.

DECK (wonderingly): Well, THAT should help them find us. Seeing as you’ve set the forest on fire, and all.

MIDORI: I TOLD you!

JAN: You didn’t tell me it was the size of a basketball!

BOTTOM TIER LOWER LEFT PANEL: Shooting over Deck’s shoulder as he looks back. Jan, arms folded and still holding her gun, slides down the wall, her legs crossing as she goes.

JAN: Hmmph. We’d better compare notes before company drops in. It looks as if we’ll have to fight together or die together.

BOTTOM TIER LOWER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, seated, face slightly downcast. Chester, glancing at her nervously, is lowering himself to the floor at scene right. Deck is sitting at scene left.

DECK: I’ve heard it phrased better!

PAGE TWENTY-FIVE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): Facial shot of Jan, looking accusing.

JAN: Okay, wise guy! Just who are you two?

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL (wide): Deck, scene left, scowls, Jan looks hostile/suspicious, and Chester rather animatedly breaks in. Midori looks at the ringtail in approval from scene right.

CHESTER (hastily): In the interests of making some actual HEADWAY, maybe I should field the questions! I have the majority of the tact on this team.

MIDRI (thinking): So I see.

CHESTER: I’m Chester Magreer.

MIDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, holding sway, pointing at Deck. Jan looks on.

CHESTER (continuing): This is Chris Deck, my partner. We haul freight for a living.

JAN (suspicious): Including highly suspect videos?

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, looking very annoyed at her continually harping on this one note. The side of Jan’s face intrudes into the scene at far right, foreground.

DECK: I thought we were past that.

BOTTOM TIER PANEL (across the page): Deck, Jan, and a helpful Chester. Jan can’t quite make us per mind who she should be focusing on.

DECK: As we TRIED to tell you, Von Leech got something on video which would’ve humiliated my partner. 

CHESTER (helpfully): So we decided to liberate it! Surely you can’t consider paying a well placed lowlife like that a little unannounced visit a ‘crime’?!

JAN (grudgingly, dragging this out): Well, Von Leech’s GOOD at that sort of thing. That’s part of the reason we’re unofficially on his trail.

CHESTER: UNofficially?

PAGE TWENTY-SIX:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Jan, looking bushed and reluctant to go into too much detail, as she leans back against the wall. Chester, seen just beyond her, look intrigued.

JAN: He’s the reason we’re off helicopter duty. TEMPORARILY!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, Jan and Chester sitting side by side. Midori pokes her head in from the extreme right, supporting herself on her hands as she leans into view.

DECK: What happened?

JAN: We were on patrol and someone took a shot at us with a portably GTA missile. It wracked us up pretty good. We only just made it down in one piece.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Midori speaking, as Chester looks on.

MIDORI (aloud - balloon # 1): It would have been a really hard landing, too.

MIDORI (undertone - balloon # 2): If the Mayor’s new car hadn’t broken our fall.

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck in the foreground, with Jan (face still down turned), Chester and Midori strung out behind him against the side wall. Chester and Midori lean forward for a better view.

JAN: At first it looked like just some punk with a grudge…

CHESTER: But it wasn’t?

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester and Jan, who raises her face for the first time in a few panels.

JAN: With 1,000 miles of city street - most of it at least 95% in use at any given time -- and only 10 ‘copters to police all that, the Helicopter Police aren’t exactly popular. 

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Midori.

MIDORI: Jan checked the case files. Not all that hard, since they stuck us in Filing pending our hearing.

PAGE TWENTY-SEVEN:

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Midori, being somewhat animated as she warms to the topic. Chester looks on, interested.

MIDORI: The crime lab had pulled traces of unburned M-176 from the wreckage. That’s a strictly high security military explosive that’s still under intensive testing.

UPPER RIGHT TIER PANEL: Chester starts to speck, but Jan cuts him off.

CHESTER: I suppose you’ve ruled out…

JAN: No. The military doesn’t have a grudge against us, but thanks for asking.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Midori, Chester, and Jan, as Deck (extreme scene left) starts to get up.

MIDORI: It makes sense. Jan had been looking for some case to break, so we could get shifted from traffic patrol into something a little more…exciting.

DECK: And Von Leech was it?

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, looking up at Deck’s back as he walks past.

JAN: It was a good place to start. He’s taken over the local criminal scene, and is looking to go international.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL (narrow): Jan continues.

JAN: We were planning on a late night visit to his special offices in the city. Security’s tight, but if you drop in from above…

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan in the background, looking at Deck, who’s framed in the window.

JAN: …and go in through the air vents, you’d be home free! That’s about when we lost our ‘copter.

JAN (balloon # 2): Hey, what’s with YOU?

DECK (thoughtfully):  Just how open is the highway from here?

PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: Two-shot of Jan and Deck, as Chester and Midori emerge from the shadows of the background. POV outside the shack, looking through the window.

JAN: No real cover for miles. About two miles out, it goes to flatland. If we double back and head for the city, there’s a suspension bridge where they couldn’t miss us if they tried!

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Profile shot, exterior, with the three (Chester has joined them in poking his head - dominant - through the opening). He’s glancing toward the viewer.

CHESTER: What’s that way?

JAN: Woods.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Long shot of the shack, framed by erratically set trees.

CHESTER: For how far?

JAN: To the river. It loops back beyond Van Leech’s manor house. One of his natural defenses. Why?

MIDDLE TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, standing back as the others still lean on the window frame. Jan’s raised, though, and is looking back at him.

DECK: Chester’s big on taking advantage of any resources that happen to be at hand.

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester and Jan straightening. She’s now looking at him.

CHESTER: Just how attached are you to your ‘cycle, if worse comes to worst?

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Low shot of a protesting Jan. Deck is looking upwards, hearing something.

JAN: Now wait a minute! Midori and I’ve already lot a chopper…!

DECK: Shh! Listen!

PAGE TWENTY-NINE:

UPPER TIER LEFT PANEL: The night sky, possibly with the ragged top of the woods angling across the bottom of the panel. Three helicopter gunships are wuffling through the night sky, each bearing a bright light on its belly and missile tubes on the sides of their hulls.

UPPER TIER RIGHT PANEL: Jan, looking intense.

JAN: ‘Copters in stealth mode. I know the sound!

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: High-angle shot over the group, starting to move in different directions. Deck and Jan are roughly facing each other.

DECK: Quickly! How far is the river?

JAN: About half a mile, but there’s a cliff.

MIDDLE TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, and Deck exchange a glance.

CHESTER (rolling his eyes): There always IS!

JAN: It’s only about ten feet, but the ‘bikes’d sink like a stone!

BOTTOM TIER LEFT PANEL: Chester, grabbing Midori’s wrist and heading for the door as Deck makes a decision.

DECK: How fast is the current?

JAN: Pretty fast, but you could stay afloat if you’re a decent swimmer. 

BOTTOM TIER RIGHT PANEL: Deck, doing some shoving.

DECK: Sounds like they’re right on top of us. Get MOVING everybody! We’ve probably only got a couple of minutes left!

PAGE THIRTY: High night shot of the forest, a small corner of the shack’s roof visible through a break in the thick tree cover. The noses of several helicopters protrude into the panel, and a dozen slightly missile trails spear out, heading for the ground below.

DECK (balloon from the bit of shack that’s visible): I only hope it’s enough!

VOICE (loud): ALL UNITS FIRE!

EXPOSITION BLOCK: TO BE CONTINUED