Chapter 1 Transcript:
Note: Color descriptions are given for those who are blind, but once were sighted. Those who were born blind, please ignore color notations.
Scene 1: Page 1: San Francisco California. On the top of a building, an etheric looking woman in a flowing light green dress with long blond hair releases a Luna Moth with green glitters representing magic stretching from the woman’s hand along the path the moth travelled to the moth.
Page 2: First Panel: Zoom out to show the top and sides of several buildings, following the flight of the Luna Moth, the woman in green still shown. Narration: “You heard about butterflies.” Second Panel: Zoom to the side of one building in San Francisco showing four levels of staircase above a balcony on the second floor, continuing to show the path of the Luna Moth, and a brightly colored person hiding underneath the balcony, as if waiting to ambush someone. Narration: “How their wingbeats here...”. Third Panel: Zoom in of the lower half of the person hiding under the balcony, showing tennis shoes, socks, legs, knee length dark board shorts with a purplish blue pattern on the sides, blue shirt, and multicolored flower patterned overshirt, red at the bottom, progressing smoothly up through orange, yellow, and green, showing the elbows of the person hiding, but nothing above that point, still following the path of the Luna Moth. Narration: “... mean tornados there.”
Page 3: First Panel: The Luna Moth turns a corner, and heads towards a tall Irishman with crimson red hair, eyebrows, mustache and goatee. The Irish man is walking down the sidewalk, approaching the place where the other person is hiding. There is a tree planted into the sidewalk behind him and a silver car parked behind him next to the sidewalk. The Irishman is wearing a green shirt, a dark brown-grey jacket, dark brown-grey chaps, blue jeans, black boots, and black fingerless leather gloves that seem to have some pattern on the back of the hand in green. There seem to be scars on the Irishman’s pale face. Narration: “Some think they’re magical”. Second Panel: Close up of the Irishman, showing his left hand raised and the Luna Moth landing on his hand. The Irishman’s scars are clearly visible, and his long hair is shown to be loose in the back and behind his ears, but is braided down the sides and short in the front. The pattern on his shown glove is a green three leaf celtic knot. Narration: “They’re not, really.” Third Panel: Narration: “It’s just that sometimes...” Close up of the Irishman’s lower face, showing him smiling, revealing the large fangs and a shine effect off his teeth, revealing the Irishman to be a vampire, and large green gradient text at the bottom of the panel, light green at the top and a slightly darker green at the bottom: “It is all about the details”.
Page 4: Panel 1: Teenage boy mentioned on page 2 who was hiding under the balcony runs around the corner towards the Irishman, sporting a baseball bat. The odd thing is, his hair is blue. Luna moth shown moving past the Irishman. Overshirt continues rainbow effect up to its top, showing a continuous gradient from red to blue and then purple at the very top of the shirt. Panel 2: Close up on the teenage boy, showing that his eyes and eyebrows are also blue. Panel 3: The baseball bat breaks across the Irishman’s chest, with a KRRRAACK!, and the Irishman smiling. Panel 4: The Irishman brushes the splinters off of him with a sound represented by the text Chufff Chufff. Panel 5: The Irishman speaks, “Boyo, ye’ve got my attention.” The boy looks dumbfounded at the tip of his broken baseball bat.
Page 5: Panel 1: Close up of the teenage boy with blue hair looking scared as the Irishman grabs the baseball bat out of the boy’s hand with the sound text of Thaak! Panel 2: The Irishman says, “Ya’ won’ be a needin THAT anymore, lad” as he tosses what’s left of the baseball bat aside. Panel 3: The Irishman swings at the boy with sound text Whoosh!, but the boy easily dodges somehow. Panel 4: Close up of the Irish Vampire, teeth and fangs showing, teeth clenched, and an angry expression on his face, sound text at the bottom of the panel GRRRRRR, and the Irish Vampire’s thought balloon “How th’ bloody hell di’ I miss him? He’s too b’damned young t’ beat me at me own game.” Panel 5: The teenage boy with blue hair has fallen back on the ground, one arm supporting himself, his legs slightly curled underneath him, and he asks, “Can we talk about this?” Panel 6: Implied action that the Irish Vampire tried to reach down for him, showing the Irish Vampire on his knees reaching for the boy, but the boy’s foot impacting the irish vampire’s chest with a sound text of OOOFF!
Page 6: Panel 1: Implied action that irish vampire wrapped arms around leg very shortly after foot impacts his chest. Showing irish vampire has stood up having twisted boy over on his belly, irish vampire holding boy’s leg in an ankle lock. Panel 2: Close up of shoe as boy slips his foot out of his shoe, pulling out of ankle lock, with sound text POP! Panel 3: Boy squatting, one shoe missing, and the irish vampire looking weary and puzzled, holding the shoe. Towards the back of the panel, legs are shown with black chaps and high heeled boots of same color, also same color as irishman’s chaps and jacket, the legs obviously belonging to a woman. Boy says, “C’mon dude, can’t you get it done?” Panel 4: Close up of woman’s face, a young babyface of a woman, brownish hair and eyebrows, wearing a black jacket and shirt, but the bottom of the panel cuts off at the shoulder height, showing the woman in a whistling pose, showing musical notes. No clef is shown, but if the middle bar is assumed to be middle C, and the key is assumed to be the key of C, then the notes are half note middle C, half note lower G, whole note higher D, space, whole note low E, whole note low F, whole note lower G, whole note bottom B, half note higher D, half note low F, and then the woman’s dialogue, “Hey Blue boy!” with the sound text ZZzzzzip.
Page 7: Panel 1: Zoom out to show the side of the building and sidewalk, the woman standing in front of the boy, side view of the irish vampire holding the shoe and grinning widely, and a man behind the boy with grey hair and eyebrows in a white button up shirt, and navy blue slacks, brown leather dress shoes, sneaking up on the boy with a hand held up, with a purplish glow around his hand representing magic. The boy looks wide-eyed and shocked because the woman standing in front of him, with her back to us, appears to be flashing the poor boy. The teenage boy has a large thought balloon but with very small text in the center that merely says, “Boobies...”. Panel 2: Close up of boy’s shoulder and hair from the back with the grey haired mage’s hand on the shoulder, purple glow and sparklies with a text spell indicator ~Sleep~.
Page 8: Panel 1: The Irish Vampire is kneeled down on one knee, having caught the blue haired teenage boy, the woman standing there fastening up her jacket, and the grey haired mage standing over the vampire, arms crossed looking down at the boy seriously. The grey haired mage has a thought balloon “So he’s what’s been messing up my calculations.” while the woman says, “Need a handy dumpster?” The irish vampire replies, “No Alex, Be a Good Lass and pick up the boy’s shoe.” Panel 2: The vampire, the woman, and the mage walk down the sidewalk with the vampire carrying the blue haired teen. Alex says, “Bron will have a fit, y’know.” The vampire says, “I can handle Bronwyn.” The mage says, “Shall I order another bed, M’lord?”.
Page 9: Scene 2: Panel 1: The irish vampire is carrying the blue haired boy to the door of a building that has an awning above it that has a sign on the awning that says “Bell,Book and Pistol”, showing two pistols beneath the text, and the same celtic tri-leaf knot on both sides of the sign. The irish vampire says, “Honey, I’m Home!”. Panel 2: Inside Bell, Book and Pistol. The irish vampire is standing in front of a couch where the boy has been placed, in a laying down position, with the mage kneeled beside the couch, arms crossed and resting on the side closest to where the boy’s head is laying, with the woman who flashed the boy resting in a love-seat of the same style, sideways, legs hanging over the padded arm of the love-seat, holding a beer. Also standing there is a proper looking woman with a scanner in her hand, red hair, glasses, dark blue vest, white puffy shirt, grey tweed pencil-skirt, and dark blue high heels. The irish vampire says, “It followed me home, kin I keep it?” The woman, obviously Bronwyn who was mentioned before, says, “Only if you attend its messes, Mr. Callahan.” Panel 3: Bronwyn is kneeling before the boy on the couch holding a pendulum over his head in her right hand, and the scanner in her left hand. The pendulum is glowing an amber-yellow. Bronwyn says, “Hrrm... Extremely high chroniton saturation.” Panel 4: Close up of the grey haired mage. He says, “Bronwyn, he’s a feral Time Mage.” Panel 5: Close up of Alex. She exclaims “Oh No!”, still holding her beer. Panel 6: Close up of Bronwyn with her right hand on her chest, exclaiming, “A feral TIME MAGE!!!?” Panel 7: A close up of the grey haired mage kneeled over the side of the couch again, one arm resting along the arm rest and the other on the boy’s head, with blue sparklies indicating magic around the boy’s head. The mage says, “The strongest I’ve ever seen.”
Page 10: Panel 1: Close up of Bronwyn holding a cell phone in her left hand, dialing with her thumb. She says, “We MUST turn him in to the Council.” Panel 2: The grey haired mage grabs Bronwyn’s left wrist with his right hand and catches the cell phone with his left hand, looking angry, and saying, “NO.” Panel 3: Bronwyn pointing a finger and glaring at the man over her glasses at him, with her left fist glowing yellow and his left fist glowing cyan, as if they’re about to start slinging magic at each other, Bronwyn yells, “We DO NOT have the resources to deal with a feral Talent of that magnitude! Do you want to get us killed!?” The man says, “I said NO.”. Panel 4: Alex, smirking, says, “Guys, We lose our cleaning deposit if you do MageWars in here.”, still holding the beer. Panel 5: Bronwyn and the other mage glare at Alex, yelling in one voice, in bolded text, ”SHUT UP, ALEX!”. Alex responds, “Fine, Whatever. I’ll just go in the garden and eat worms.” as she takes another swig of beer, leaning back on the love-seat sideways.
Page 11: Panel 1: Bronwyn is looking at Mr. Callahan in an explanatory pose, with Mr. Callahan’s (the irish vampire) arms folded, staring at Bronwyn. The other mage is holding up what looks like three tarot cards, right eyebrow raised, hand on chin, the blue haired boy still laying on the couch, with blue magic sparklies about his head, and the cushion his head is laying on a darker shade than the rest of the couch, which it wasn’t before. The boy is still unconscious. Bronwyn says, “We could all do hard time if we’re caught with him. It would be safer to store antique bombs.” Mr. Callahan replies, “Lass, y’know what’ll happen to the boy an we turn him in.” Panel 2: Close up of Bronwyn looking pouty, saying, “But... But...” Panel 3: Mr. Callahan reaching his left hand to touch Bronwyn’s right arm reassuringly, Bronwyn looking up at Mr. Callahan. He says, “I’ve got two Mages. Between the twain o’ ye, he can learn eno’ t’ stop him bein’ feral. Bronwyn replies, “It would take at least six. Mr. Callahan, the Council only reprograms the dangerous ones.” Panel 4: Close up Mr. Callahan looking determinate. He says, “To the Council, they’re ALL Dangerous. He STAYS.” Panel 5: Close up of the other mage, smiling, holding his three cards in his right hand, the backs of them purple, and his hand glowing purple with purple sparklies. He says, “I know how to reach him Bronwyn. It’ll be easy... ... And you get to help.”
Page 12: Panel 1: Bronwyn and the other mage standing, Bronwyn looking sternly at the man, the man smiling at Bronwyn. Alex is still swigging booze and the boy is still unconscious. Bronwyn says, “William, now that you have the boy’s life sorted, can we have a go at covering his trail before the Council convenes an inquiry?” William, the other mage,says, “I’ll get started.” Panel 2: Close up of Bronwyn. She says, “Alex, check the Museum and do collections.” Panel 3: Close up of Alex, who is smiling with a wicked grin. She responds, “Yes, Ma’am.” Panel 4: Bronwyn with an angry expression on her face, pointing a finger at Mr. Callahan, snaps “Niall, you will see to your Hunter’s License renewal.”. Niall has a sheepish grin on his face and replies, “There’s plenty o’ time.”. Bronwyn yells, “NOW, Niall!”
Page 13: Panel 1: Niall has a boyish look on his face. “I’ll just be at the pub up the street.” Panel 2: Close up of glaring over her glasses. There is a school tie around her neck with a round pin that says Cardiff Collegium on it. She shouts, “NIALL! It took two days the last time. We cannot risk you losing your license over being late to your renewal.”. Panel 3: Close up of William, who is looking up at his hourglass, holding it in his left hand, which the hourglass is aglow with magic. He says, “No time like the present, M’lord.”. Panel 4: Close up of Niall, who has a resigned look on his face. He says, “For the boy’s sake, I’ll see to it, then.”
Note: The Speech balloons are color coded, and the colors are important. All of Niall’s speech balloons have a deep green outline with a faint green background and black text. The feral time mage boy with blue hair has speech balloons that have a deep blue outline and a faint blue background with black text. Alex’s text balloons are of a deep brown hue outline and light brown hue background. William’s speech balloons have a deep purple outline with a faint purple background, still with black text. Bronwyn has speech balloons that have a black outline with a gradient of yellowish orange at the bottom but whitish yellow at the top. When William and Bronwyn yell at Alex to shut up in unison, their text balloon styles merge. I didn’t mention this before, because I wanted to wait until most of the main characters were named. The name of the teenage boy with blue hair has not been identified yet.
Page 14: Scene 3: At the Bureau of Magical Affairs main waiting room. Panel 1: Niall and receptionist at receptionist’s booth. Receptionist says, “Have a seat.” The speech balloon of the receptionist is plain black border, black text, white background. Panel 2: Niall sits down at a chair next to a man with a brown fedora, grey shaggy hair and grey beard, to our right, Niall’s left, a clock partially shown behind him, showing only the hour hand at 6, and a table with magazines on it. Niall reaches for a magazine that says “Dragon” something, the second word obscured by his hand. Panel 3: To the right of the old man is a punk with a mohawk and pointed ears and dark shades. To Niall’s right, our left, is an empty chair with magazines on it, and further to our left there is a man with a white shirt with blue collar and blue sleeves, baseball cap, and blue jeans, showing a woman to his right fire magic, the woman being slightly tan, blond, with a green long sleeve shirt and grown pants. The time on the clock is about 6:04. Niall is reading the magazine he was reaching for. Panel 4: The old man and the punk are gone, and the guy and woman are now to Niall’s left, our right. The guy is holding up up a card. Niall is reading a different magazine. The time shows 7:25. Panel 5: Niall is putting a magazine on top of a very large stack of magazines to his right, our left, and the clock shows 9: 15, contextually AM, Niall looking at the clock behind him. Panel 6: The receptionist looks at Niall and is pointing. She says, “Room Number 2, Mr. Callahan. Have a nice... DAY.”, knowing him to be a vampire.
Page 15: Panel 1: Niall and a nurse are in an examining room. Niall is sitting on an examining bench. The nurse is holding up a clipboard, writing on it. She wears a light blue outfit, with a white nurse’s apron, and a head wrap that has a white band across the front, with a red square in the center and a white cross in the center of the red square, the back of the head covering the same blue, concealing her hair. She’s also wearing white shoes. She says, “I just need to ask you a few questions...”. Her text balloon is black text on white background, indicating she has no magic. However, the border of her text balloon is black with a hot pink glow around it. Panel 2: A vertical rectangle with the same background as the website banner with irish style letters in green saying Later. Panel 3: Close up of the nurse, her name tag illegible, looking down at the clipboard. She asks, “Have you ever experienced feelings of dizziness when the moon is gibbous? Do you experience allergy like symptoms during church services? Are you sexually aroused when drinking the blood of a young boy?...” Panel 4: Niall looks angry. He asks, “Where did those questions come from?” The nurse replies, “The Prima of the Council devised them especially for you, Mr. Callahan.” Panel 5: Niall with his hand over his face, face-palm. He says, “This is about that affair with his daughter, isn’t it?” Panel 6: The nurse has an evil smile on her face. She says, “I couldn’t say, Mr. Callahan. Shall we continue?” Her name tag is finally legible. It says “Flor Malvada”.
Panel 16: Panel 1: Flor is holding out a bag. She says, “Please disrobe and put all of your clothing in the bag.” Niall is taking off his jacket. Panel 2: Close up of Niall taking off his shirt, side view, which shows the scars on his left side. Niall asks, “Do I get a hospital gown wi’ baby kittens on it?” Panel 3: Close up of Flor holding a collar. Flor says with a wicked smile, “No, Mr. Callahan, you get The Collar.” Panel 4: Niall is shirtless and Flor is latching the collar around his neck. Niall’s arms are crossed, so some of his scars are shown, on his arms and shoulders. Niall asks, “Does the Prima honestly think I’ll go berserk?” Flor responds, “I’m sure I don’t know, Mr. Callahan.” Panel 5: Close up of Flor at the door. She says, “The Doctor will be in to see you shortly. DO try to behave.”
Page 17: Panel 1: The doctor walks in the door, dressed in a green doctor’s outfit similar to the nurse’s outfit, except on the white headband there is a darker green square with the symbol of Medicine in white instead of a cross. The doctor also has a clipboard, and has a stethoscope around his neck. The doctor says, “Niall, I’m surprised to see you here so early.” Panel 2: Niall is sitting on the examining table naked, though his right leg is obscuring the naughty bits. More of Niall’s chest, leg and arm scars are shown. Niall replies, “I ha’ t’ keep ya on yer toes, Doc.” The doctor says, “So Bronwyn sent you.” Niall replies, “Aye.” Panel 3: Niall is standing naked on the scales, facing the wall. Scars are show on his arms and shoulders, and one scar on his lower left back that looks like he’s been impaled, but for the most part, his back is free of scars. Niall says, “I’ve got t’ humor the lass now and again.” The doctor says, “She was angry with you.” Niall replies, “Aye.”
Page 18: Panel 1: Close up of the doctor looking at Niall’s mouth. The doctor says, “Extend.” Niall’s mouth is wide open, showing his fangs. Panel 2: The doctor is looking into Niall’s left eye with the ophthalmoscope. The doctor says, ”You haven’t been looking for your cure.” Niall replies, “I’ve been busy.” Panel 3: The doctor is looking into Niall’s left ear with his otoscope. The doctor asks, “Do you expect to live forever?” Niall replies, “That’s what vampires do, aye?” Panel 4: The doctor checks Niall’s heart with the stethoscope. No dialogue. Panel 5: The doctor is checking Niall’s blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff and checking his heart rate with the stethoscope just below the pressure cuff on his arm. The doctor says, “Niall, You may have the luck of the Irish, but one of these days the odds will catch up to you.” Panel 6: Niall puts his hand on the doctor’s shoulder. Niall says, “Doc,I can no die yet...” Panel 7: Close up of Niall with the collar still on, showing frontal view above the waist. Niall continues, “Me true love ha’ no come back again.” Niall has quite a few scars.
Page 19: The doctor has a neutral pose, but looks curious. The doctor asks, “Do you think your true love is your cure?” Niall has a sheepish grin. Niall replies, “Who knows?” with a posture to match. Panel 2: Close up of Niall with a smile on his face, looking up. “But I ha’ a grand time lookin’, Doc.” Panel 3: The doctor looks sternly at Niall, pen pointed at Niall. He says, “According to theory, you’re not supposed to HAVE a sex drive.” Panel 4: Niall has a sheepish grin on his face again. He says, “I ne’er had any troubles in that area... There’s no end to th’ Goth Girls in this city.” Panel 5: Close up of the doctor. He says, “You passed the physical exam, as usual, Niall.” Panel 6: The doctor is halfway through the door looking back at Niall. He says, “Written exam next. You have five minutes; you’d better hurry.”
Page 20: Scene 4: De Young Museum. Panel 1: Front view of the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Alex is riding her Harley. Panel 2: Narration: De Young Museum. 6:10 PM. Alex is walking up towards the mermaid statue fountain in front of the museum. No dialogue.
Page 21: Panel 1: A janitor is sweeping the floor with a dust mop. He is singing. The notes are half note lower G, whole note lower A, half note lower G, half note top B, half note upper D, half note top B, half note lower B, space, half note bottom C, half note upper G, half note lower A, whole note center C. Panel 2: Alex walks up to the janitor and asks, “Excuse me, do you know where the gift shop is?” The janitor responds, “Sure, Miss, Tom knows that.” Panel 3: Tom pats the dust off himself. Sound Text has four Pat sounds. Tom says, “Tom has a map.” Panel 4: Tom shows Alex a piece of paper, which doesn’t look like a map. He says, “See, right here!” Alex looks at the paper. She replies, “Yes, I see. You’re a good boy, Tom.” Panel 5: Close up of Tom. He says, “Thank you, Miss.” Panel 6: Alex walks away with the paper rolled up in her hand. Tom sings, half note lower B, half note middle C, half note middle C, half note lower G, space, half note upper D, half note top B, half note lower A, half note middle C, whole note bottom D, space, half note top A, half note bottom B, whole note lower F, space,half note upper D, half note middle C, half note top B, while he goes back to sweeping the floor with the dust mop.
Page 22: Scene 5: Inside Bell, Book and Pistol. Panel 1: The blue haired boy is still unconscious on the couch. William is kneeled down in front of him, touching his head with the index finger of his right hand, his left hand open. Purple magic and sparklies are engulfing both of his hands. William says, “There is no exit for you from this house...” Bronwyn is a few steps away from William, with her back to him, eyes closed. She has two fingers extended on each hand, with trails of red magic extending from both of them. Panel 2: Close up of the front door and awning of Bell, Book and Pistol, showing a ten point ward forming over the doorway with streams of red magic. Panel 3: Close up of William leaning over the boy with his hand still on the boy’s head. William says, “Now he’ll wake up naturally.” Panel 4: Close up of Bronwyn at her computer. On her computer desk is a keyboard that looks like it’s made of brass and wood, with bone or ivory or something similar for the keys. There is a flat screen monitor shown from the back that the back of the panel looks dark brown, has lighter brown rounded corner guards, and the monitor stand built into the flat screen looks treelike, as if it were grown onto the monitor. There are cables from the monitor, keyboard, and something not shown running into a hole on the desk, most likely leading to the computer tower itself. Also on the desk, partially obscured by the monitor, seems to be a crystal ball of similar color to the monitor stand, but with magic sparklies coming from it. Bronwyn is looking intently at the monitor. She says, “Now, my lad, let’s see what you’ve been up to.” Panel 5: The boy is still laying on the couch, blue sparklies surrounding his head, arm, and torso. William is kneeling on the floor in front of the couch, with a tarot layout in front of him. He is holding a single card in his left hand, right hand on his knee. Williams thought balloon says, “Let’s see why he’s here.”
Page 23: Panel 1: Bronwyn at her computer. Her right hand appears to be on a computer mouse, which is what the other cable goes to. She says, “Oh lovely, he’s left a trail like a wounded cow. Foster parents dead and a godfather seeking the boy.” Panel 2: William is still kneeling in front of the couch, the boy is still asleep, but William’s right hand is holding the tarot card while his left hand is raised. There is a Luna Moth on his hand. In fact, it’s the same Luna Moth from earlier. Panel 3: William is holding out his hand, the one the Luna Moth is resting on. Bronwyn is looking at it through a looking-magnifying glass. Bronwyn says, “What a lovely specimen of Actias Luna. They don’t live in the western States. How odd.” William replies, “Wyrd, more like. Mythic associations?” Panel 4: Close up of Bronwyn at her computer. Bronwyn says, “Luna Moths are associated with Triple Goddesses, most often, the Fates.” Panel 5: The Luna Moth merges into the blank tarot card William was holding, and has placed it in the tarot layout. The Luna Moth is now but an image on the card, with the description “Wyrd”.
Page 24: Panel 1: Close up of Bronwyn at her computer. Bronwyn asks, “What was your reading?” Panel 2: Close up of William. William replies, “Basically, he’s supposed to be here.” Panel 3 shows William’s tarot layout, a ten card spread. The card representing the boy, Captive Prince, is placed sideways over Justice, which is upside down. The card to the left of these two cards is Tom O’Bedlam. The card to the right is Hero-Mage. The top row, from left to right, are The Clan, Flying Monkeys, and Laughing Buddha. The bottom row, from left to right, are House of Heroes, Oz the Great and Terrible, and the formerly blank card, Wyrd. Panel 4: Bronwyn asks, “How DO you make sense of those cards?” Panel 5: William replies, “It’s easy. It’s all right there.”
Page 25: Panel 1: Bronwyn is connecting sensors onto her monitor. They look like spheres on the end of rods. The magic surrounding them is the same as the crystal ball. Bronwyn says, “Very well, I’ll trust your judgement, then.” Her thought balloon says, “The mount connects into the sensory port, accessing the rendering card on the computer...”. Panel 2: William has his right hand over the tarot spread, which is aglow with magic. He says, “Check into that godfather and the boy’s natural parents.” Panel 3: Close up of the tarot deck. William’s hand touches Tom O’Bedlam. William continues, “See what you can find out about his juvenile record. Drugs, probably.” Panel 4: Bronwyn has her left hand on the crystal ball, her right hand ready for some fast one-handed typing. The two sensors on top of the monitor have arcs of electricity flowing between them like a tesla coil, with a sound text of Bzzzzt. Bronwyn says, “I’m on it.”
Page 26: Scene 6: Bureau of Magical Affairs classroom. Panel 1: There are two rolls of chairs visible. The testing proctor is standing by his desk when Niall walks in, naked. An attractive woman, shown from behind, has stood up in shock, dropping her pencil, blocking the viewer from a full frontal view of Niall. The two men on the left side of the rows of chairs are still looking forward, but the guy in the middle of the back row has his head turned with his hands over his eyes. There is another woman in the front row, on the right side of the classroom standing up. This woman is drawn after Rhi’s own appearance. Her own little cameo. The proctor says, “Mr. Callahan, you seem to be out of uniform.” Niall replies, “Aye, th’ nurse did no gi’ me clothes back after she took them away.” Panel 2: The proctor hands Niall his own jacket. He says, “This will have to serve until your clothing is located.” Panel 3: Niall wraps the coat around his waist to cover his naughty bits. He says, “Thank ye, Sir.”
Page 27: Panels 1 through 8 are all of Niall working on his written test, on a huge stack of papers. There is a clock above his head on the wall behind him. Panel 1 shows 9:55, assumed to be AM by the context of the earlier BMA scenes. The second panel shows 10:05 AM. The third shows 10:16. The fourth shows 10:21. The fifth shows 10:32. The sixth shows 10:37. The seventh shows 10:46. The eighth shows 10:57 AM. In the eighth panel, all the pages are back in one stack, and Niall has his arms raised over his head, indicating that he’s finished the lengthy written test. Panel 9 shows the class proctor handing Niall the bag Flor put his clothes into. The proctor says, “Your clothing seems to have strayed into a janitor’s closet, Mr. Callahan.” Niall replies, “Thank ye, Sir.” The proctor continues, “You have exam room 5, do get dressed before you go in.” Niall replies, “Aye Sir, y’don’t want t’ trifle wi’ a psych exam y’want t’pass.”
Page 28: Scene 7: The Golden Dragon, a night club. Panel 1: Alex walks up to the front door, and shows the doorman a card. Panel 2: The doorman motions for Alex to enter, and she does. Panel 3: There is a banner that says “80’s Night” hanging from an overhang on the left wall of the room, an elevated stage where the band is playing, a large disco ball hanging from the ceiling, and an elevated platform with steps beneath the 80’s night banner. There is a door on the left hand wall of the platform, with a door that says “Office” and two people standing guard in front of the door. The club is full of people, some weirder looking than others. Many are dressed in typical 1980’s fashion, but some are dressed in more 1680’s or 1780’s fashion. No dialogue. Alex is making her way up the steps on the platform on the left, towards the office and the guards.
Page 29: Panel 1: Alex reaches the two guards in front of the office door. Alex says, “Alexandra Meers for Bell Book and Pistol. I’m here to see Mr. Chang.” One of the guards has a bald head and a sculpted goatee with no mustache. The second guard looks somewhat Italian and has a horseshoe mustache. They both wear the same uniform, red sleeveless shirts that say “Security” in black, tan belts and shoes, and dark brown pants. The guard with the horseshoe mustache says, “Mr. Chang ain’t doin’ biz wit you today, cutie. Why don’ you go down to the bar and have a few drinks on da house.” Panel 2: Alex says, “I think he will, boys. Now run along and play before one of you gets hurt.” The bald security guard replies, “What’s a little girl like you gonna do?” Panel 3: The guard with the shaven head stands in front of the office door with his arms spread out, a look of terror on his face. Alex shapeshifts, and the hair on the back of her head shows it has become striped white and black. Her hands have become massive furry paws with sharp claws on them. A little tuft of a tail is shown sticking out from under the back of her jacket. She says in a dangerous voice, “Let’s Dance”.
Page 30: Panel 1: Alex stabs her claws into baldie in the stomach, and he’s doubled over in pain, blood dripping on the floor. Panel 2: Alex delivers a hard left hook to the jaw of the wanna be italian thug. Panel 3: She grabs them both by the front of the shirt, and Alex’s face is shown in partial were-badger form, a look that is quite scary. Only her face still looks human. Panel 3: She slams both of their heads down to the floor with a loud THUD! in unison.
Page 31: Panel 1: On the other side of the door, two guards in blue shirts, black pants and shoes, are preparing their guns. The one with long hair in a pony tail is pointing his gun at the door. The one with short neat hair is standing beside the door, gun ready. Alex’s voice comes through the door, “Play nice, or I’m killing you.” Panel 2: Alex kicks the door with a loud BOOM! Panel 3: The door hits the guard with the ponytail, the door busted off its hinges, and they both go flying across the room. Panel 4: The other guard covers himself from the flying debris. Panel 5: Alex bursts through the door and slams the second guard’s head against the wall he was hiding behind, and you hear a sickening THUD! Alex’s face now has badger features, and is covered in white and brown fur. Panel 6: The second guard slides down the wall, a blood smear following his head, he’s unconscious before he hits the floor. Panel 7: Close up of Alex’s face in full were-badger form. Her eyes are pale, her teeth are sharp, and the fact that she’s a were-badger is unmistakable now. All she says is, “Next?”
Page 32: Panel 1: Mr Chang is sitting on a tacky lounge chair like throne. He yells, “Get Her!” A black guard in the same uniform says, “We quit!” A blond guard says, “You don’t pay us enough for this.” Panel 2: The black guard lifts the door off the guard with the ponytail. Panel 3: The blond guard and the black guard fasten a harness around the downed man, and fit a device around his head, placing a shining magical jewel around his neck, a sort of magical first aid. Panel 4: Alex starts to shift back to human form. She says, “Mr. Chang, a piece of advice.” Panel 5: Alex is back to full human form. “If you’re going to be a mob boss...” She dusts herself off. Panel 6: Alex is facing Mr. Chang with her hands on her hips. “...pay your bills on time.”
Page 33: Panel 1: Mr. Chang looks to his right. Panel 2: Mr. Chang looks to his left. Panel 3: Mr. Chang looks down, resigned. Panel 4: Angled view of Mr. Chang with his long fingernail of his index finger of his right hand touching his chin, seeming to look thoughtful from this angle. He says, “Impressive, you seem to have me at a disadvantage.” Alex has her hand stretched out. She says, “Non plaudite. Modo pecuniam jacite. Or, if you didn’t have a classical education... ...Don’t applaud. Just throw money.” The blond guard is carrying the injured guard out the door.
Page 34: Scene 8: Back at Bell, Book and Pistol. Panel 1: Close up of the teen with blue hair sleeping, his face looks troubled, and he’s whimpering. Blue magic surrounds his head and arm. He’s having a nightmare. Panel 2: There is an end table with a vase with flowers, a magical tome, the boy’s other shoe, a tiny shot glass with liquid in it, and a painted ceramic dish with keys and coins in it. With a ZIP effect and the blue magic swirling around the vase, the vase goes flying. Panel 3: William catches the vase, surprised. He calls out, “Bronwyn.” Panel 4: Next the shoe zips off the end table. Panel 5: William catches the shoe with a Thock sound text. William, even more worried, calls out, “Bronwyn!” Panel 6: The magical tome zips right for William’s face. He screams, “Bronwyn Gwyneffar Pendraig!!” Close up of Bronwyn, who is looking over at William, agitated, “What IS your problem?” Panel 7: Green magic pours in streams out of William with a text effect indicating a spell ~Levitate!~ to catch the end table, book, vase, sneaker, keys, coins, and dish. He calls out “Do something with him, I don’t think I can catch much more.” Bronwyn looks shocked and aghast.
Page 35: Panel 1: Bronwyn lays her hand on the teen’s head. She says gently, “Wake up, sweetie.” Panel 2: The teen wakes up and GLOMPs Bronwyn, who Eeeps!, because his nightmare was so scary. Panel 3: The teen realizes he’s in an unfamiliar place with people he’s never seen, and is curled up on the couch pointing at Bronwyn, “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! WHO THE HELL IS HE?! WHERE THE HELL AM I?!” Panel 4: The boy starts running, covered in blue magic. Panel 5: He runs right into the door. SPLAT! Panel 6: He hits the floor with a THUD! Panel 7: The boy, still missing a shoe, is curled up in a corner of the room by the couch, his arms over his face saying, “don’t hurt me don’t hurt me don’t hurt me.” all run together as if it was one word. Bronwyn replies, “We’re not going to hurt you,dear boy.”
Page 36: Panel 1: Bronwyn lays a hand on the boy’s arm reassuringly. She says, “Alistar, we’re here to help you.” Panel 2: Close up of the boy’s eyes, which show red around his blue irises and a text sound GRRRRRRR. Panel 3: The boy screams at Bronwyn in pure anger, “NEVER CALL ME THAT! MY NAME IS SPYKE!!!” Bronwyn’s hair and tie are flowing back as if by a gale force wind. Panel 4: Bronwyn’s hair, outfit, and glasses are all mussed up. She says, “Right you are, then.” Panel 5: She straighten herself back up, “It shall not happen again, Spyke.”
Page 37: Panel 1: Close up of Spyke with a sheepish frown. He says, “I’m sorry.” Panel 2: Bronwyn takes his hands in hers. She says, “All will be well, so long as you are calm.” Panel 3: William lowers all the flying items to the floor gently. Panel 4: Spyke is sitting on the couch in the middle, looking uncomfortable, while Bronwyn is sitting on one side and William on the other. Bronwyn says, “Spyke, I’m Bronwyn, and this is my associate, William.” Spyke says, “Heya, Bill.” William says, “I’ll make you a deal.I’ll call you Spyke,and you call me William.” Panel 5: Close up of Bronwyn. She says, “We need to talk about what you are, Spyke.”
Page 38: Scene 9: Bureau of Magical Affairs. BMA Psychologist Dr. Ardell’s office. Panel 1: Dr. Ardell says, “Good evening, Mr. Callahan. I am Dr. Ardell.” Niall says, “Evenin’, Doc.” Dr. Ardell says, “Please have a seat.” Panel 2: Dr. Ardell says, “Good to see you with clothes on, Mr. Callahan.” Niall says, “So y’heard about that?” Dr. Ardell replies, “News like that travels through this building faster than you can run.” Dr. Ardell’s speech ballon has a sickly greenish-grey hue with hot pink outline. He also looks very creepy.
Page 39: Panel 1: Dr. Ardell says, “How did you feel about being deprived of clothing, Mr. Callahan? Niall replies, “Not bothered by it at all. Although some others were a bit startled by it.” Dr. Ardell replies, “No doubt, I’ll certainly have more business.” Panel 2: Dr. Ardell says, “How do you feel about your work?” Niall responds, “It’s good work. Needs doin’.” Dr. Ardell responds, “What about the unfortunate necessity of killing? According to your records, you’ve done quite a bit of it over the years.” Niall replies, “You no’ believe how many suicidal people there are these days.” Dr. Ardell asks, “Suicidal?” Niall responds, “Aye, anyone who comes after me sportin’ iron is just lookin’ fer a place t’die.”
Page 40: Panel 1: Dr. Ardell continues questioning Niall. “You left the BMA after the Operation Cherry Bomb incident two years ago. How do you feel about that?” Niall looks angry, his arms crossed. He replies, “You do yer best, you get on wi’ life.” Panel 2: Dr. Ardell continues, “Do you think it wise to be so cavalier about your life, your work, and your troubles?” Panel 3: Niall smiles and says, “Aye, Doc, so I do.” Panel 4: Dr. Ardell says, “I’m afraid you seem to be in denial about your pain, Mr. Callahan. If you do not set aside your frivolous lifestyle, you will certainly experience an emotional crisis.” Niall plays along with this quackery. “What should I do, Doc?”
Page 41: Panel 1: Dr. Ardell says, “Niall, you simply must come to one of my hunter workshops. Your emotional health is at stake.” Panel 2: Niall says, “Aye doc, I’ll do that. Kin I have one o’ yer cards so I kin make an appointment after I get home t’me calendar?” Panel 3: Dr. Ardell hands him a card. “See me for some personal time as well, Mr. Callahan. I only want what is best for you.” Niall replies, “Aye, Doc Ardell. I’ll be sure t’ put ye at the very top o’ me list.”
Page 42: Scene 10: Panel 1: A room with a fireplace. There’s a big blue chair with someone smoking a mini cigar sitting in it, but the back of the chair is shown, so only a little bit of white hair, and an arm is shown of the person sitting in the chair. Flor, now dressed in a hot red dress and red high heel pumps, hands the man an envelope. There is a man in a black cloak, black pants, black shirt, black gloves, and a black veil concealing most of his face. Flor says, “I got what you wanted and then some. Their security is pathetic.” The man sitting in the blue chair says, “There will be a little something extra in your pay, depending on its value.” The man’s speech balloon has a medium green border and a pale to deeper green gradient for a background. Panel 2: Close up of Flor. She says, “You’ll never guess who I saw there.” The man replies, “I never guess. I know, or I do not.” Panel 3: Flor, gesturing to try to impress him, says, “Niall Callahan, the world’s oldest known Vampire.”
Page 43: Panel 1: Flor looks thoughtfully devious. “And to think I had him in my power...” The man in the chair replies, “Do not play games with Mr. Callahan. Just get information that I cannot get from a web crawl.” Panel 2: Flor replies, “Yes Boss.” Panel 3: Flor says, “On my way, Señor Boss.” The man says, “Don’t disappoint me.” Flor responds, “Yes, Sir.” looking crestfallen.
Page 44: Scene 11: Outside Bell, Book and Pistol. Panel 1: Niall is sitting on the front step, smoking a cigar. Panel 2: Alex walks up with a bag that says “Collections”. She asks, “That bad?” Niall responds, “Worse.” Panel 3: Alex says, “Put out that dog log, Old Man, so we can go inside and see how the new kid is doing.” Niall replies, “Aye lass. Be right there.”
Page 45: Inside Bell, Book and Pistol. Niall is standing up next to Bronwyn, who is sitting with Spyke and William still, Alex is walking across the room. Bronwyn says, “Niall, this is Spyke.” Niall says, “Evenin’ Spyke, I trust yer settlin’ in well?” Spyke replies, “Ok, I guess. You’re not mad at me, are you?” Panel 2: Niall responds, “No, lad,I’m no’ mad at ye. Best fight I’ve had in a century or more.” Spyke looks surprised, “A century?” Panel 3: Niall replies, “Aye, been around a century and a half longer than the Christ.” Spyke exclaims, “Holy crap,what are you?!” Niall replies, “A Vampire.”
Page 46: Panel 1: Spyke zooms back to the corner he was cowering in before. Panel 2: Niall says, “Easy, lad.I’m no’ goin’ ta eatcha.” Spyke asks, “Promise?” Panel 3: Niall holds Spyke’s right hand in his hands, and says, “I swear upon my sacred honor that I will do no harm to you, nor allow harm to come to you.” Spyke says “Ok.” Panel 4: Niall asks, “Now where di’ ye come up wi’ such a brightly look?” Spyke says abashedly,”Well... Um... I... Um... I stole it.” William retorts, “Next time, could you steal something with class?”
Page 47: Panel 1: Close up of Niall. “So ye stole those clothes, did ye Spyke? Hrrm...‘Minds me of a tale.” Panel 2: Spyke asks, “A tale?” Panel 3: Niall is digging in a trunk in the hallway. “Aye, a true tale.” Panel 4: Niall pulls out a gold chain from the trunk. Panel 5: Niall says, “‘Tis the tale of this chain, and how I got it three centuries ago.” William replies, “So that’s why that chest is so heavy.” Panel 6: Spyke exclaims, “Is this real gold?” Nial responds, “Aye, Spyke, as pure as could be made in those days.”
Page 48: Panel 1: Niall says, “Back in the days o’ the Tall Ships, I were in command o’ th’ Irish Rover.” Panel 2: Zoom in on Spyke’s eyes, seeing a faint image of ships in them, indicating that Spyke is seeing this moment in the past as Niall narrates the story, an ability provided by his time magic. Panel 3: Niall’s Narration: We chased down the HMS Inconceivable and crippled her with cannon before boarding and slaying with pistol and cutlass. The scene shows two ships and cannon fire. Panel 4: Narration: It were a hard fight, but in the end, we owned them. Scene shows Captain Niall and pirates and the enemy fighting, blood on the deck.
Page 49: Panel 1: Narration: The HMS Inconceivable was a rich prize and her crew fought well and bravely. So I was minded to be merciful. I told the captain that, could he tell me a tale for every link on this chain, he and his crew would live. Panel 2: Narration: Th’ Captain spoke ‘till he could na speak n’more, an’ many a fine tale he told. In the end, I sent him on his way w’ the remnants o’ his crew. Panel 3: Close up of Spyke holding the gold chain. “Dooood! You were a real Vampirate! That is SO Cool!” Panel 4: Niall says, “The others save meself and one other, were drowned or hanged before a month was gone.” Spyke replies, “Oh wow.” Niall continues, “Ever’thin’ has a price, boy, so ne’er steal unless life be on th’ line.” The scene shows both Niall looking firmly at Spyke, as well as Spyke’s sight of Niall’s crew hanging from the gallows, thanks to Spyke’s time magic.
End Chapter 1