The Chain of Demand Script

Transcript

1. The Chain of Demand Chapter One “A Likely Story” Pages 1-10 By Rox Rymland Characters Lou (Lourid) Zeal Reema (Lou’s mother) Maddon (Lou’s father)
2. PAGE 1 PANEL ONE: A wide exposition shot. A hot sun beats down on the dry yellow sand from a blue cloudless sky as a caravan makes its way across the desert. The caravan is made up of warm earth tones: browns, tans, yellows, and deep reds. There are a mix of dragged (by beast of burden), rolling, and floating cars, some hold cargo and are more box like, some hold passengers, which often have a sail and a canopy for shade and for better viewing capacity. PANEL TWO: a wide shot as well. As the caravan moves closer we see more details about the types of carriages and about the cargo. We are zooming in closer to a car full of fresh produce. The produce is not like any from our world, looking quite alien (designs of produce variety provided in reference sheets). PANEL THREE: Now fully zoomed in on the produce car, with vegetables taking up almost the whole panel. PANEL FOUR: Same panel as THREE but Lou has popped out of the pile of veggies with a big sneaky grin across her face exposing her silly crooked teeth. 1)​ LOU: Hehhe PANEL FIVE: Lou dashes out of the vegetables leaving a few damages behind her. PANEL SIX: A wide zoomed back shot of the caravan as Lou reveals her presence, indicated by the text from her indignant parents. 2)​ MADDON: Lourid!? 3)​ REEMA: LOU!
3. PAGE 2 FULL PAGE SPLASH ART: Scene of the landscape with the caravan now heading away from the viewer. Up ahead of the caravan sits the trading post, Krait Rock, named for its location taking place in the center of a large rock formation resembling a snake with a sharp spine. The sun is beginning to set behind the trading post, casting long shadows and turning the teal sky yellow. In the foreground on the image there are four figures. These are members of the reading party planning to attack the caravan on its return home. Two of the figures are sitting at a camp pit tucked behind some rocks, while the other two are watching the caravan. One of the figures is looking through a scope. The other should be the main focus of the four. With less focus, one of the figures' bikes should be in view. The figures watching the caravan should look menacing and suggest some future potential danger. The title is placed at the top of the image over the empty sky. 1)​ TITLE: The Chain of Demand
4. PAGE 3 PANEL ONE: Wide shot showing the caravan heading away from Krait Rock, starting their return journey home. It's morning after having spent 3 days at the trading post. PANEL TWO: Lou is the main focus of the panel, talking at the Bryox driver, who is turned away from the viewer, sitting in a driver's seat holding reins connected to the ears of the large animals pulling the car. The Bryox driver is mostly blocked by the barrage of text Lou is hurling at him. All that we can see of him is his leg and hands but his body is facing forward, ignoring Lou who is hanging off of the cart by ropes to try to be in his view. 1)​ LOU: Does tugging on their ears like that bother them? Why do they flick their tails? 2)​ LOU: If we have cars with engines why do we need them to pull some? PANEL THREE: The viewer is now in front of the Bryox driver and Lou, looking up and back on the caravan. We see the side and back of Lou's head as she has turned to look at her mother who is calling for ehr attention. We can also see the Bryox driver’s face, making an exasperated and awkward face (wide eyed and thin lipped with the corners pulled down) as reaction to trying to tune Lou out. 3)​ REEMA: LOU! 4)​ REEMA: Get over here please! PANEL FOUR: Lou has zipped the platform on the car her mother called her over to via the system of ropes used to travel between cars and is about to be standing in front of her mother who is to the right in the panel. Behind Reema is a white tarp laid down with what looks like engine parts strewn about. Reema is standing with her hands on her hips with a straight nut playful expression. Lou has one foot touching down on the platform and one still in the air about to make contact. Her left hand is on the connection between her belt and the rope and her right is holding up the netted vegetable (image of vegetable would be given in reference sheet) also hooked onto her belt. 5)​ REEMA: Don't distract the Bryox driver. 6)​ LOU: I was just going to give them- 7)​ REEMA: Or the Bryox.
5. PANEL FIVE: Same orientation as FOUR, Lou is now standing like her mother was in the last panel, with her hands on her hips with a proud expression on. Reema is now turned away from Lou and kneeling down to the tarp. In her right hand she is holding up a cylindrical piece of machinery, chrome in color and hollow. 8)​ REEMA: Say, could you make yourself busy and get me another one of these? There should be a few in the storage car?
6. PAGE 4 PANEL ONE: View from the back of the dark cool toned storage car, items are stacked or on shelves along the sides, with larger items toward the back. On the left, a shelf with a tarp over it, covering its contents. At the front of the car, warm light is entering in from where Lou has pulled the tent door to the side. Lou has a curious look on her face. PANEL TWO: Now looking into the storage car, Lou is scanning for the requested item for her mother. She is up to the tarped shelf when she sees a pair of feet stick out from under the tarp. The feet are wrapped in a muted red cloth, separating the first and second toes from the other three, making them appear similar to cloven hooves. 1)​ LOU: Hmhhmm. Hm, that's a weird shoe? PANEL THREE: Lou, now crouching down so her knees are to her chest, pulls up the tarp with an investigative and suspicious expression. Behind the tarp, Zeal is revealed, tucked into the shelf, holding his knees close to his chest with a wide eyed terrified expression. PANEL FOUR: Lou’s expression changes to a yell. Zeal moves to cover his face with his hand to hide as if he wishes he would just disappear. His mouth is in a grimace and his brows are turned up looking sorry for himself. 2)​ LOU: WHAAAT! Who in the moons are you!?! PANEL FIVE: Zeal sits frozen as if he will be forgotten about so long as he stays perfectly still. Lou tilts her head in question. 3)​ LOU: Little boy? 4)​ LOU: I can see you. PANEL SIX: Lou pulls the tarp back down over the boy as he is clearly not ready to be perceived. Lou has a tired flat expression of disbelief. 5)​ LOU: Oh stars.
7. PANEL SEVEN: Lou is standing at the front of the storage car in a confident pose, looking back in Zeal’s direction. Lou is holding open the tent and light is coming through the opening in the tent. 6)​ LOU: Hey little boy! I'm gonna leave you be. But I'm gonna come right back! Then we'll meet and introduce ourselves okaaaay!?
8. PAGE 5 PANEL ONE: Lou steps back into the storage car and sees that Zeal is still sitting with his knees against his chest but now right in front of the tarped shelf. 1)​ LOU: Hi little one. My name is Lou. Are you ok? Are you hurt? PANEL TWO: Lou is now sitting across from Zeal in a messy cross leg. Zeal is staring at his hands. 2)​ ZEAL: I'm ok. PANEL THREE: Lou leans closer to Zeal to try to get a look at him. Zeal looks flustered by her eyes being on him and cowers a bit. Lou’s dialogue bubbles should feel like they come in fast as if she doesn't understand Zeals nerves and is a little out of touch with normal pacing of a conversation. 3)​ LOU: What’s your name? 4)​ ZEAL: Zeal. 5)​ LOU: Hm I like that name Zeal! Why are you hiding? PANEL FOUR: Zeal speaks with a guilty expression showing the shame he feels, expecting Lou’s anger at him. Lou treats his statement like it was far less interesting than his name, distracted by the netted vegetable she has on her belt which is now cut into pieces. 6)​ ZEAL: I.. I snuck aboard your caravan. 7)​ LOU: Oh. Do you want some food? PANEL FIVE: Lou has placed the sliced veggie out on the floor in front of them while Zeal has a shocked, almost angered expression on his face over Lous casual response to the situation that is not casual at all for him. Lou responds in an exaggerated laughing expression. 8)​ ZEAL: Whaa? You're going to feed your found stowaway now captive? 9)​ LOU: Pfft you're not a captive!
9. PANEL SIX: Facing Lou, she relaxes leaning back with a smile. 10)​ LOU: I dunno why you were hiding here, if you needed help you could have asked for it. 11)​ LOU: I'm not gonna send you off, when I'm sure there's a reason you snuck on. PANEL SEVEN: Lou leans forward again offering the veggie she brought to share. Her expression is very soft and warm and inviting. 12)​ Lou: So, do you want something to eat?
10. PAGE 6 PANEL ONE: Scene change to right outside of the tented storage car to the deck, the kids are snacking on the cut veggie. Lou is sitting on the left, on the edge of the car with one foot hanging off, looking up in thought. She has a piece of veggie in her hand and is chewing on one while talking. Zeal is sitting on the right, in a more open pose than before but more closed off than Lou’s relaxed pose. Zeal is looking at her while she's talking. GLOBAL NOTE: Pages 6 through 10 take place seated on a car on the caravan, the sand dunes in the background should move slightly with each panel. 1)​ LOU: Mmff I wanted to see the trade post so I snuck onto the caravan as well. You and I aren't so different haha! PANEL TWO: View from the side (Zeals perspective) with sand and blue sky behind her (panel is mostly text). 2)​ LOU: I love my home, but I wanna see so much more of it! Outside of our camp, I want to see the land! PANEL THREE: Lou’s expression changes to reflect her acknowledgement that the scene around them is not all that wild or spectacular. 3)​ Even though all of it's been the same looking sand so far... PANEL FOUR: Lou perks up again with an exuberant gesture. 4)​ But the trading post was amazing!! So many new sounds and smells and people!! PANEL FIVE: Looking at both kids again, Lou leans back over to Zeal with an excited expression, gesturing to him with her arms. 5)​ Look how different you and I are! PANEL SIX: Lou gestures out to the land again. Zeal tries to see what she's looking at.
11. 6)​ Isn't that so incredible!? The same land, the same food and the same water can make so many different shapes and colors!! PANEL SEVEN: Speech bubble 7) should visually crowded out speech bubble 8) to show that Lou did not register it and bulldozed right past it. Zeal suppresses his dumbfoundedness by what Lou has again casually referred to. 7)​ Zeal: You guys have water? 8)​ Lou: Oh my stars it makes me so excited to see the rest of the world!
12. PAGE 7 PANEL ONE: Lou is leaning toward Zeal again now with her hands on the deck bracing her pose. Zeal is slightly leaning away as he is not used to the invasion of personal space, at least in a non-threatening sense. 1)​ LOU: How much of it have you seen? Oh! Where are you from? PANEL TWO: Now from Lou’s view, we see Zeal’s side profile with the yellow sand and blue sky behind him. His head is low as he has a calm but sorrowed look on his face. PANEL THREE: Zeal tilts his head up and smiles slightly. 2)​ ZEAL: I used to be from a place called Dry Marsh. PANEL FOUR: looking from the other side of Zeal, seeing his profile but seeing Lou pop out from behind him with a wondering look on her face. 3)​ LOU: Wooah what sort of plants grow there? PANEL FIVE: Back to Lou’s perspective, Zeal is now facing towards her reacting in a little confusion and surprise but is also amused by the fact that that's the first question lpu wanted to ask. 4)​ ZEAL: Huh? None anymore. Not since long before I was born. PANEL SIX: Lou leans into the frame with an incredulous gesture and expression of what little we can see of it from the behind angle. 5)​ LOU: No plants!! It must be so hot there!
13. PAGE 8 PANEL ONE: Zeal is leaning back on his arms and looking up and off to the right remembering his home. Lou is now sitting up on her knees with her arms bracing her and her toes tucked under her, leaning into Zeal’s words with excitement over what he’s telling her. 1)​ ZEAL: It was; to escape the heat people went into the earth. PANEL TWO: Lou is now almost towering over Zeal with excitement over their perceived similarities. Zeal is caught off guard by the volume of her reaction and recoils slightly with a spooked expression. 2)​ LOU: Underground!? So did we! PANEL THREE: Lou composes herself and sits back down only slightly defeated by the recognition that she can sometimes be too much. Zeal leans back into a normal position and looks at her with a slight smile. 3)​ ZEAL: Erm.. Into the cracks. After the water dried up the earth cracked open. But it created the only shade for miles, so people moved in. PANEL FOUR: Lou’s has perked back up with excitement. 4)​ LOU: Wow! That sounds like such an amazing place to live!! 5)​ LOU: Were the people there nice? PANEL FIVE: Zeal shifts his arms to hold onto the front of the deck and turns his head towards Lou. He has gotten progressively more comfortable and open in his posing throughout the conversation. Lou looks to him with a calm wonder, which is quickly broken by her next idea.. 6)​ Zeal: Hm, some of them were. I do wish I could go back there. 7)​ Lou: Hm? Why did you leave?
14. PAGE 9 PANEL ONE: Lou has slammed a fist down onto her open palm to indicate the brilliant plan she has thought up and has on a goofy smile. Zeal responds with shock and bewilderment that this plan could ever be suggested, as he has very detrimental reasons why he cannot return home. 1)​ LOU: Oh we could go back there together! 2)​ ZEAL: Eek- no we can't! PANEL TWO: Lou holds her arms out in a childish manner to suggest that she obviously knew that going now would be ridiculous, not realizing suggesting going ever after just meeting someone is also ridiculous. 3)​ LOU: Well not right now! But some day! PANEL THREE: Lou points a finger in Zeals face earning a grimace from Zeal. 4)​ LOU: You were hiding from something, that means you need our help! PANEL FOUR: Lou thrusts her arms into the sky with her fingers spread out to reference Zeal growing up one day. Zeal has a horrified look on his face. 5)​ LOU: I'm sure my family would take care of you till you're all big and grown up.
15. PAGE 10 PANEL ONE: Lou is now standing up in a confident pose, looking very happy with herself, totally certain that this is a completely logical plan to enact. Zeal looks at her like she's crazy and responds to her terrified and shocked at how out of touch she is. 1)​ LOU: You can stay with us and some day we can explore your home together! 2)​ ZEAL: What?! I can't do that! PANEL TWO: Slightly zoomed out. Lou is now pulling on Zeal’s arm, trying to persuade him into action. Zeal is horrified. At this moment Zeal is regretting ever getting on the caravan at all. 3)​ LOU: Yeah come on! You just have to meet my parents! I think they will like you, you're quiet and so polite! PANEL THREE HALF PAGE SPLASH ART: We see the caravan from an above view head back into the desert scene, as Lou is still trying to drag Zeal to his feet to meet her parents and expose his presence to the whole caravan. Zeal appears to have gone limp to avoid his fate, which does not deter Lou in the slightest. 4)​ LOU: COME ON COME ON COME ON!! 5)​ ZEAL (to himself): That’s it, I’m done for.
16. PAGE 11 PANEL ONE: Lou is still pulling along a resisting Zeal by the arm. They both have strained looks on their face from exerting their strength. In addition to his strain, Zeal has an expression of terror and desperation. Their battle takes place in shadow, on the side of the storage car as they have not traveled far since the last scene. The sun is lower in the sky, beginning to set. 1)​ ZEAL: No no no no please wait, I don't want to go yet. I don't want to go! PANEL TWO: Lou lets up on her pulling and Zeal plops to the ground with a sorrowful, pleading sad expression. Lou, still holding Zeals arm, looks on at him tentatively. 2)​ ZEAL: Please let me stay a little bit longer.. PANEL THREE: Lou loosens her grip on Zeals arm again, now just holding his hand as he sits cross-legged looking down at the ground. Lou has a questioning but concerned look on her face. 3)​ LOU: Stay… here? Or on our caravan? PANEL FOUR: Close up on Zeal as he turns his head away and down from Lou to hide a sad and guilty expression. 4)​ ZEAL: They'll make me leave. 5)​ ZEAL: I'm not supposed to be here. PANEL FIVE: Lou sits down next to him in a messy cross leg and exaggerates a confused/doubtful expression. Her eyebrows are turned up to show her sympathy for Zeals apparent hurt. 6)​ LOU: I don't think that's true. PANEL SIX: Zeal turns his head back to Lou with an unbelieving look. Lou looks at Zeal with a kind smile.
17. 7)​ LOU: Do you want to be here? Do you want to stay? PANEL SEVEN: Zeal looks away from Lou again, averting his gaze to his hands. Lou looks a little saddened by losing him again to his own thoughts. 8)​ ZEAL: I have to.
18. PAGE 12 PANEL ONE: Lou stands up triumphantly to shift the tone to one that's more hopeful, letting go of Zeal’s hand. She has an eager look on her face like there's no doubt behind the words she's saying. Zeal looks up at her startled. 1)​ LOU: Then they won't make you go! PANEL TWO: From Zeal’s perspective, Lou extends her hand back down to Zeal, asking instead of forcing him to come with her this time. Lou is wearing a warm, encouraging smile. 2)​ LOU: You'll see. My mother is very nice! PANEL THREE: Zeal, still looking slightly worried, adopts a slight warm smile from Lou as he murmurs to himself, as if it's something comforting he's forgotten about. 3)​ ZEAL (softly): Mother. PANEL FOUR: Zeal‘s expression changes to one of worry, as if he was lost in a nice memory from a brief moment. 4)​ ZEAL: What about your dad? PANEL FIVE: Lou, now with Zeal’s hand in hers, has a contemplative look as she considered the qualities of her father. 5)​ LOU: Hmm. He's normal nice. PANEL SIX: Lou has turned away and begun dragging a once again terrified Zeal. Only a bit of the side of Zeal’s face is seen as the panel frame cuts off the majority.
19. PAGE 13 PANEL ONE: Reema is still on the upper deck of the same car she was on previously. She kneels by the white tarp as before, but this time she is using a small glue gun-esque contraption to solder two metal pieces together. Behind her left side, a distinct empty space is shown. The lighting is bright and warm with purple shadows, as it's just about golden hour and this top deck is still in sunlight. PANEL TWO: In the empty space behind Reema, Lou’s head pops up. 1)​ LOU: Hey mother? 2)​ REEMA: Hey, Lou? PANEL THREE: Reema tries to ignore Lou and pulls the metal pieces she is working on closer to her face. Lou’s whole body has stepped into frame now as she stands with her feet together and her hands sticking out slightly off her sides. 3)​ LOU: I have a friend that needs some help. Would you meet him please? 4)​ REEMA: A friend? PANEL FOUR: Lou has pulled Zeal into view. Reema has finally looked up and seen the strange boy standing next to her daughter. Zeal looks embarrassed and nervous, avoiding all eye contact. 5)​ REEMA: Who are you harassing now- PANEL FIVE: Reema puts the metal parts she was working on down and is standing up to address the two directly. 6)​ REEMA: Lou, who is this? PANEL SIX: From Reema's perspective, Lou has pulled Zeal forward in front of her slightly, as if putting him on a stage to talk to her awaiting mother. Lou’s hands are still on Zeal’s arms. Zeal remained silent with tight lips and a terrified expression. He is staring at Reema but cannot get himself to speak.
20. 7)​ LOU: Ok tell her. PANEL SEVEN: Same panel except Lou has stepped back up towards Zeal, leaning forward to check why he is not speaking. Lou has a confused look on her face.
21. PAGE 14 PANEL ONE: Lou jostles Zeal by the arms, jarring him into an awkward pulled back grimace-like smile. Lou has a big forced smile on her face as well, as if she's trying to sell her mother something. Reema looks on at them, still slightly concerned. 1)​ LOU: This is Zeal, he's just a little boy and he needs our help! 2)​ REEMA: He needs our help? PANEL TWO: Reema makes her way over to the two children in order to get a closer look at Zeal. Zeal looks worried and nervous over her approach. Reema has a somewhat stern look on her face. 3)​ REEMA: Ok, little boy Zeal. What are you doing here? Why do you need our help? PANEL THREE: Reema kneels in front of Zeal, with Lou right beside him. Reema’s expression is lightening to one of concern. Zeal looks as if he’s about to fall apart, holding back tears and consistently avoiding eye contact. 4)​ REEMA: How did you get onto our caravan? PANEL FOUR: Reema and Lou are shocked as Zeal erupts in a yelling plea. Zeal’s eyes are shut tight and his body is clenched as he holds his hands in fists. 5)​ ZEAL: PLEASE LET ME STAY!! 6)​ REEMA: Huh? PANEL FIVE: Zeal is still yelling with a look of determination masking his nerves. Lou has joined in to rally on his behalf. Her wide eyes are looking at her mother demandingly. Reema is a bit weirded out by their behavior and raises her hands In a calming motion to reassure them in order to stop the yelling. 7)​ ZEAL: PLEASE, I'M SORRY I SNUCK ON YOUR CARAVAN! PLEASE, LET ME STAY!
22. 8)​ LOU: Mom, please, he needs people. Look at him! 9)​ LOU (louder): He's never even eaten a fruit before! 10)​REEMA: Woah, calm down, it's ok! PANEL SIX: Reema, now with genuine concern and kindness, hopes to assure Zeal that he is safe with her. Zeal returns to silence, still not making eye contact with her. 11)​REEMA: No one is going to throw you off. I am only trying to understand. PANEL SEVEN: With Zeal remaining still and quiet, Reema looks to Lou out of question looking for some sort of insight into Zeal’s silence, but Lou responds simply with raised shoulders in a shrug. Lou’s eyes are wide and her mouth is small and sent low on her face. PANEL EIGHT: Reema sighs and begins to stand to her feet once again. She has a tired look on her face. She is looking towards the ground and for the first time, Zeal looks up at her face with an attentive gaze. 12)​REEMA: Sigh.
23. PAGE 15 PANELS ONE and TWO: Moment-to-moment sequence. Both panels are a cross section of the caravan car, with the top panel showing Reema, followed by Lou, who is looking back at Zeal encouragingly. They are heading towards the steep climbing stairs that lead into the interior of the car. The bottom panel has the stairs in the foreground, two figures sit at a table booth lit from the opening in the ceiling and another hovers nearby. Reema is messing with food in the foreground, while Lou and Zeal wait patiently, leaning into the booth’s back wall. 1)​ REEMA (in the first panel): Come on downstairs out of the sun. We'll get you some water and a meal. PANEL THREE: Reema, Lou, and Zeal are now all sitting at the table somewhat awkwardly, as Zeal looks down at his glass of water and a plate with what looks to be a pale yellowish white dried fish or meat on it. Zeal has his familiar embarrassed, nervous expression on, like he wishes he could disappear. Lou is looking at Reema with a very plain and matter of fact look on her face. Reema is looking at Lou with a raised eyebrow. 2)​ REEMA: He's not a big talker is he? 3)​ LOU: No. He's kind of a nervous mess. PANEL FOUR: Only Reema and Lou are in view now. Most of their faces are visible, Reema has a joking expression on her face, as if she's making an inside joke with someone who is not there. Lou looks a little confused, as she was both not really listening, nor did she get the joke at her own expense. 4)​ REEMA: Ha, maybe you two can balance each other out. 5)​ LOU: Huh? PANEL FIVE: Reema and Lou look towards the stairs upon hearing Maddon’s voice off panel. Zeal jumps at the new voice and incoming interaction. Zeal looks terrified all over again. 6)​ MADDON (OS): Where is everybody?
24. PAGE 16 PANEL ONE: Maddon can be seen coming down the steep ladder-like stairs backwards. He is looking at his feet to make sure he doesn't trip and doesn’t see the others yet. Reema and Lou are level tired expressions at him, as they are used to his lame jokes. Zeal looks frightened and is shrinking into the booth hoping not to be seen. 1)​ REEMA: Maddon, come here please. 2)​ MADDON: It's so quiet up top I thought some dessert Opteryx must surely have snatched Lou and flew off! HA! PANEL TWO: Maddon is standing in front of the table looking at Lou and Reema, with a jolly expression, still unnoticing of the extra addition at the table. 3)​ MADDON: What are we doing down here? 4)​ REEMA: Maddon. PANEL THREE: Maddon finally notices Zeal, causing his face to change to a cautious and flat expression. Maddon and Zeal are seen from the side, and Reema is to Maddon’s right. 5)​ MADDON: Oh. Who is this? PANEL FOUR: Reema reaches a hand out and holds Maddon’s writs to try to signal to him that everything is fine. Maddon does not soften in his expression and is staring intensely at Zeal, who is surprisingly meeting his gaze, but looks pained in doing so. 6)​ REEMA: This is Zeal. He's Lou's friend. He's alone and wants to stay aboard. 7)​ MADDON: How did he get aboard? PANEL FIVE: Reema is to Maddon’s right, but she is seen head on and Maddon’s profile is only visible as he stands looking down at Zeal. Reema is looking at Zeal kindly, trying to show that she is on his side. Lou is interjecting from the side with an innocent expression, completely missing the tension of the interaction between Zeal and her father.
25. 8)​ REEMA: He says he stowed away in the storage car when we were leaving Krait Rock. 9)​ LOU: I gave him some kariff and now he's trying noshi for the first time!! PANEL SIX: Close shot of Maddon head on, illuminated by the light above the table, the background is in shadow giving him a dramatic and looming presence and seriousness. 10)​MADDON: That's a likely story. PANEL SEVEN: Maddon’s expression finally breaks. He raises an eyebrow and makes a questioning look to see why people were silent after his remark. PANEL EIGHT: Maddon’s head is turned slightly to the right to be towards Lou and Reema, with a clueless expression. 11)​MADDON: What? It is.
26. PAGE 17 PANEL ONE: Maddon, now with a softer expression after that tension relieving awkward moment, leans over the table a bit to try to appear more casual. Zeal is meeting his gaze, looking nervous but not painfully so like before. 1)​ MADDON: Young man, how did you get to krait rock? 2)​ LOU: He doesn't like talking too much. I think he's scared of what to say. PANEL TWO: Still looking at Zeal, Maddon reaches a hand closer to him still on the table, hoping to coax a response. 3)​ REEMA: Be patient with him. 4)​ MADDON: Young man. Who are you running away from? PANEL THREE: Zeal’s expression opens up with a bit of surprise in response to the care in Maddon's words. 5)​ MADDON: You're safe here. No one on this caravan means you any harm. Are you hurt? 6)​ ZEAL: No, I'm ok. 7)​ MADDON: Ok, I'm glad. PANEL FOUR: Maddon finally pulls away from the table, breaking his gaze aimed at Zeal, symbolizing Maddon’s trust that he's not a threat. Maddon pulls a hand up to his head as he rubs his eyes. 8)​ MADDON: Why don't you two clean up a bit and get some rest. We'll be at base camp in the early morning. I need to tell the others about our new member.
27. PANEL FIVE: Maddon begins to ascend the stairs. Reema stands from the booth, tidying up after herself. Lou stands on the booth cushion and Zeal looks at her slightly panicked like he is searching for what he is supposed to be doing. 9)​ REEMA: Lou can you find him something to wear? 10)​ LOU: Uh-huh. PANEL SIX: Maddon, Reema, and Lou freeze and look at Zeal as he frantically rushes to get out what he has been holding in for a while now with fear that he is about to lose his chance. Still seated, he’s got a tight expression with his hands balled into fists on the edge of the table and his face scrunched up with his eyes closed tight. 11)​ZEAL: THANK YOU!
28. PAGE 18 PANEL ONE: Everyone is still frozen besides Lou who has shifted to be leaning against the wall behind the booth. Lou has a sweet smile on her face now as she's looking at Zeal being brave. Zeal is less tense in his posing but is still looking down at his hands. 1)​ ZEAL: Thank you very much. For feeding me and letting me stay. PANEL TWO: A closer shot of Zeal now looking up at Maddon and Reema. His hands have come together to nervously fidget with his fingers. 2)​ ZEAL: And for being so kind. Thank you. PANEL THREE: Reema and Maddon look at Zeal, wearing sweet smiles. Maddon stepped back down from his progress in the stairs in order to show attentiveness. 3)​ REEMA: Of course. 4)​ MADDON: Zeal. You're welcome here. PANEL FOUR: Lou has crawled over Zeal and is heading into a cut out in the wall behind and to the right of the booth. Zeal is starting to stand up to be able to follow her. Reema is organizing dishes on a shelf to the left of the booth and Maddon is halfway up the stairs. 5)​ LOU: Come on. PANEL FIVE: In a small cozy dark cool-toned room, the main lighting is the blue light of the moons outside. Lou reaches for Zeals clothes. Her hands are outstretched and pinching his shirt at his shoulders. She has a wondering look on her face. Zeal looks nervous, almost guilty, avoiding giving up his dirty clothes desperately. 6)​ ZEAL: Wait, can I keep these on? 7)​ LOU: Huh? Oh yeah sure, we are just going to wash them. You don't want to wash them?
29. 8)​ ZEAL: Not right now.. PANEL SIX: Lou is laying down a blanket onto an amassing pile near the small room's window. She has a sweet goofy smile on, showing her crooked teeth. 9)​ LOU: That's ok. You are very dirty though, so we will just wash the blankets tomorrow haha. PANEL SEVEN: Lou is getting settled into the pile of blankets and pillows and folds down a blanket for Zeal to join. 10)​LOU: We can sleep here tonight. Try to get some rest ok? It feels like you had a stressful day. PANEL EIGHT: Zeal has crawled into the blanket pile and is turned away from Lou, who is looking already on the brink of sleep. Lou is illuminated by the light from out the window while Zeal is in shadow, turned away from the light. Zeal has an emotionless wide-eyed expression. 11)​ZEAL: Thank you. 12)​LOU: Hm? Oh you're welcome. 13)​LOU: Goodnight Zeal.
30. PAGE 19 PANEL ONE: Close up on Zeal’s face in the same position as he was in the last panel, now with slightly brighter purple lighting coming from the window. PANEL TWO: Zeal sits up and looks at Lou, who is in an absolutely ridiculous position to be sleeping in with a very silly open mouth sleeping face. PANEL THREE: Zeal gets up out of bed cautiously to not wake up Lou. PANEL FOUR: Zeal is now outside on the deck of the caravan car. The scene has a light purple tint as it is right before dawn. Zeal has just walked up to the edge of the car and is standing with his hands on the banister of the top deck. This is the calmest Zeal has been since arriving. 1)​ ZEAL: It's almost dawn. PANEL FIVE: Looking past Zeal we see structures off in the distance. 2)​ ZEAL: Is that? PANEL SIX: Zeals eyes widen into a terrified panic as he takes an uncoordinated step back away from the edge. PANEL SEVEN: Zeal Grips a cylindrical form in his side pocket. 3)​ ZEAL: Base camp.
31. PAGE 20 PANEL ONE: Zeal pulls the cylindrical object from his pocket revealing a pull string flare gun. Zeal looks at it shakily in his hand, trying to get a grip on it through his panic. PANEL TWO: Zeal looks around frantically while taking another wobbly step back along the side banister. He is losing his breath from panic. The image is getting darker around the edges of the panel as if the world is closing in on him. 1)​ ZEAL: I have to– 2)​ ZEAL: Huff huff huff PANEL THREE: Zeal falls back onto his butt against the adjacent wall, still gripping the flare. 3)​ ZEAL: Huff 4)​ ZEAL: I’m supposed to– PANEL FOUR: He tosses the flare away and it falls through one of the filter slots on the bottom of the banister. 5)​ ZEAL: Gaah no! PANEL FIVE: He puts his hand on his chest and closes his eyes to calm his breathing. 6)​ ZEAL: I’m ok, I’m ok. He's not here. PANEL SIX: The vignette on the panels fades. 7)​ ZEAL: He's not here.
32. PANEL SEVEN: Suddenly Zeal’s eyes shoot open back into panic and he reacts with a shielding position with his arms as he hears a large outburst explosion coming from further back along the caravan. 8)​ SFX: PPPHHBBBOOM