RAPID CITY # 19 BY JOSH DAHL [email protected]Page 1 Downtown. 6 panels Panel 1 A thin image running the width of the page. This is an establishing shot showing a fancy high-rise condo downtown. Unlike the nearby buildings, the architecture is sleek and modern. The word balloon is tagless Caption Downtown. ANDERS It's a gift. Panel 2 In the parking garage of the luxury condo. There are luxury cars parked here and there and two men standing outside the large freight elevator. A heavy-set, but brawy, guy with glasses is standing with his back to the elevator. This is Anders. A large, bald, Persian, man is facing him. The Persian, Teddy, is wearing an expensive silk robe and carrying a cable remote control. Anders is gesturing to a large crate on a wheeled cart. There is a tarp over it, fastened with bungee cords, concealing whatever is under it. ANDERS It's called "tribute". They give you the best of what they've got to show that you're the boss. TEDDY Good. I am the boss. I like this idea. Everyone does this from now on. "Tribute". Panel 3 Close on Anders beginning to unfasten some of the bungees. ANDERS "Paying tribute". Panel 4 Low angle from beside the cart. Looking up past Anders unfastening another bungee. Teddy is in the background holding the remote control like a gun. He points it at an imaginary enemy. TEDDY Right. "Your ass better get paying tribute". I like that. So what is this. ANDERS Oh, you're going to love this. 1
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Panel 1A thin image running the width of the page. This isan establishing shot showing a fancy high-rise condodowntown. Unlike the nearby buildings, thearchitecture is sleek and modern. The word balloon istagless
Caption Downtown.
ANDERSIt's a gift.
Panel 2 In the parking garage of the luxury condo. There areluxury cars parked here and there and two menstanding outside the large freight elevator. Aheavy-set, but brawy, guy with glasses is standingwith his back to the elevator. This is Anders. Alarge, bald, Persian, man is facing him. The Persian,Teddy, is wearing an expensive silk robe and carryinga cable remote control. Anders is gesturing to alarge crate on a wheeled cart. There is a tarp overit, fastened with bungee cords, concealing whateveris under it.
ANDERSIt's called "tribute". They give you the best ofwhat they've got to show that you're the boss.
TEDDYGood. I am the boss. I like this idea. Everyonedoes this from now on. "Tribute".
Panel 3 Close on Anders beginning to unfasten some of thebungees.
ANDERS"Paying tribute".
Panel 4 Low angle from beside the cart. Looking up pastAnders unfastening another bungee. Teddy is in thebackground holding the remote control like a gun. Hepoints it at an imaginary enemy.
TEDDYRight. "Your ass better get paying tribute". I likethat. So what is this.
Panel 5 Anders pulls the tarp off. All we can see is him andthe tarp, but not what has been uncovered.
ANDERSta-daaa.
Panel 6 Close on Teddy looking surprised and confused.
TEDDYOh.
Page 2 Mystery box. 5 panels
Panel 1 Close on Teddy. He is furrowing his brow and tryingto figure out what he is seeing. he is almost amused,like he is solving a puzzle.
TEDDYOk. It's....it's nice.
Panel 2 Shot of both men. Anders is stepping toward Teddy. Heis enthusiastic, but still not looking at what isbehind him. We still can't see it either. Maybe justthe tarp on the floor.
ANDERSYeah. Crazy, huh? That's all yours now.
TEDDYI get it.
TEDDYFor, like, strippers.
Panel 3 Close shot on Anders's face. He is shocked, a bithorrified.
ANDERSFor strippers? No! God, no. Are you....
Panel 4 Anders looking back toward the gift. We can't see it,only his reaction. The color has drained form hisface and he looks stunned.
ANDERSOh.
Panel 5 The two men looking at the gift on the cart. It is acage big enough to house a large animal. A side dooris unclasped and slightly ajar. The cage is empty.Teddy is slightly amused. Anders is looking at him.Anders is very worried.
Panel 1 Wide establishing shot of Kinetic and Anne Marie'sapartment building. It is a 4 or 5 story thing madeof old brick with decorative stonework and baywindows. Kinetic's word balloon floats over the scenewith no tag.
Caption Anne Marie and Kinetic's apartment.
KINETICI don't know who's going to be there. That's all.
Panel 2 Full shot of Anne Marie looking impatient. She isdressed up for a party, but a low-key party. She is akind of hip rock-chick.
ANNE MARIEIt's Sidekick. Who do you think he's going toinvite?
Panel 3 Shot of the two of them talking in their bed room. Hehas his Kinetic suit on with the mask off. Kinetic issmiling a little bit.
KINETICThat's the thing, he's friends with everyone. Hemight invite....I don't know... a Frankenstein or
something.
ANNE MARIEAre making the case for going, or for ditching?Because I've never met a Frankenstein.
KINETICCome on. You know what I mean.
Panel 4 Shot of Anne Marie talking.
ANNE MARIE
What I know is that Sidekick is your friend andhe'd show up if you had a party. You're stressingabout this too much.
ANNE MARIEIt's some people and some drinks.
Panel 5 Both of them talking. He is flip-flopping and stilllooking for a way out.
KINETICYou're right. You're right.... We should go.
KINETICBut we should agree on a signal, in case one of uswants to leave.
ANNE MARIEA signal? Like a searchlight in the sky with a big'K'?
KINETICNo, like a specific word or topic that'll mean it'stime to go.
Panel 6 Anne Marie smirking.
ANNE MARIESo we're going to a masks-and-tights party and nowwe have to have a safeword.
Page 4 On the roof. 4 panels
Panel 1 Close on Kinetic's chest as he tightens a safetystrap which is buckled across it. Word balloons comefrom off panel.
ANNE MARIEThat's good. Nice and snug.
KINETICYou sure you don't want to just drive?
Panel 2 Large shot showing Kinetic standing on the roof oftheir building with Annemarie straddling himpiggy-back style. The strap that wraps him mid chestis on her waist. She has a hoodie with the stringpulled tight around her face with a pair of gogglesover it. She is smiling excitedly.
ANNE MARIENo, this is better.
KINETICYou sure?
ANNE MARIEIt's fine.
Panel 3 Similar shot, maybe a bit tighter on them. She giveshim a kiss on the head.
ANNE MARIEJust relax.
Panel 4 Rest of the page. Far pull back to show thesurrounding rooftops and the two of them shooting outamong them.
Evening, exterior shot of Switchboard's bunker. Herballoon floats over the image with no tag.
Caption Switchboard's bunker.
SWITCHBOARDHmmmmm. Ok, I think I've got it.
Panel 2Desperado and Switchboard are talking. She isslouching comfortably in her command chair and he isstanding near her in full costume. She has a fingerup like she had a great idea.
DESPERADOGot what?
SWITCHBOARDThe perfect solution, check it out....
Panel 3 She is pointing at Desperado and smiling about howclever she is.
SWITCHBOARDI don't want to leave the bunker unattended, andyou don't want to go to the party by yourself,right?
DESPERADORight.
Panel 4 Switchboard smiling a bit sheepishly. She thinks itis a good idea but is unsure of how he will take it.
SWITCHBOARDSo let's not go.
SWITCHBOARDCome on....not go. It's perfect!
Panel 5 Wider shot of them just talking.
DESPERADOYou make a strong argument. Really. But this issomething I feel like I should do.
SWITCHBOARDYou should drink beer and hit on people in tights?Why?
Page 6 A dark road. 5 panels
Panel 1 Desperado looking away from Switchboard in anover-acting kind of way. She is looking uncomfortablewith the seriousness.
DESPERADOYou know, a drunk can say he's cleaned up whilehe's in rehab, but he won't really know until hecan go into a liquor store and walk out with onlyscratch tickets.
SWITCHBOARDOk.
Panel 4 Closer on just Desperado really getting angsty.Switchboard's balloon comes from off panel.
DESPERADOAsking you for help scared me so much. I almostcouldn't do it. And that's how I know this is whatI should do. This is like that liquor store, and itscares me so...
SWITCHBOARDOk!
Panel 5 Switchboard already walking toward the door, takingDesperado by the arm.
SWITCHBOARDOk, If I agree to go, can we not talk about thisanymore?
DESPERADOYes.
SWITCHBOARDEver?
Page 7 Monster interlude. 5 panels
Panel 1 Tight close up on a 15 year old boy trying to sneakand looking very suspicious. He is behind a placelike Denny's, "Shelby's", but this shot is too tightto really see anything but brick behind him.
Panel 2 Wider and we can see the dumpster with some randomstuff piled around it. In that random stuff there isa dark, gorilla-like, shape. All we can really see ofit is the shape and the eyes. The main focus of thepanel, though, is the kid lighting a cigarette.
SOUND EFFECTrussl
Panel 3 Tight on the kid again, now he is looking toward thedumpster. He is suspicious and angry and yelling.
KIDSomeone there?
KIDWho's there!?
Panel 4 Low angle shot looking up at the gorilla moving outfrom behind the dumpster. It is a dark animal in ashadowy place, so all we really see is a huge shapewith glinting eyes and teeth.
SOUND EFFECTSNORT
Panel 5 The kid running in terror through the front doors ofthe restaurant. Patrons look up from their eggs orfries with irritation.
KID(yelling)
THERE'S A MONSTER IN THE DUMPSTER!
Page 8 Party time. 5 panels
Panel 1 Wide shot of the warehouse area adjoining Sidekickand Flamethrower's apartment. A whole bunch of heroesare just hanging out and talking. Daryl and Glyph areapproaching Sidekick.
Caption Sidekick's party.
GLYPHHey, Sidekick, I'd like you to meet my friendDaryl.
Panel 2 Glyph gesturing toward Sidekick and Daryl as thosetwo men shake hands.
Panel 2 Closer on Monkey and Kinetic. Monkey is beingpleasantly dismissive. Kinetic is teasing him.
MONKEYYou guys are really over-thinking this.
KINETICCome on, Monkey, look who's talking.
Panel 3 Shot of Monkey reacting. Pretending to take offense
MONKEYYou're saying I over-think? No I don't. It onlyseems that way because so many people don't thinkat all.
MONKEYSo what would be just a normal, acceptable, levelof thinking... like, 'What does it mean that thisperson is acting this way?'....
Panel 4 Anne Marie smiling at what Monkey is saying. His wordballoons come from off camera.
MONKEYor 'What is this....this news paper... reallytelling me?' But no one does that.
Panel 5 Monkey proudly completing his rant.
MONKEY
That's not over-thinking, that's just thinking.
Panel 6 Vector suddenly reacting with anger. Monkey smiling,but putting his hands up defensively. he is not sureif he should take this anger seriously.
VECTORPeople think. How could anyone do anything withoutthinking about it?
MONKEYNo, I just mean that other people...
VECTORThat's not what you said. You said that no onethinks but you. Because you're so smart, right?
Panel 7 Close shot of Anne Marie and Kinetic. She is rollingher eyes.
Panel 1 Near the door. We see Sidekick turning to talk tosomeone. We can only see the woman he is talking tofrom behind. It is Knuckle-Duster.
KNUCKLE-DUSTERSidekick, is Vector here yet?
SIDEKICKYeah. I just saw him.
Panel 2 Shot of Sidekick shouting across the room.
SIDEKICKThere he is.
SIDEKICKHey! Vector!
Panel 3 Vector, Monkey, Sidekick, and Anne Marie all turn tolook.
Panel 4 Big shot of Knuckle-Duster walking across the room.She is smiling and waving and looking distractinglysexy.
KNUCKLE-DUSTERHey guys.
Panel 5 Reaction shot of Monkey, Vector, Kinetic, and Anne
Marie. Monkey is unashamedly grinning at seeing apretty girl, Vector is happy to see his friend,Kinetic is forcing neutrality, and Anne Marie islooking suspiciously at Kinetic.
MONKEYVector, who is that?
VECTORKnuckle-Duster. My friend, Knuckle-Duster
MONKEY
Cute friend!Page 12 Conflict. 5 panels
Panel 1 Panorama shot of the party. Significantly, we seeSidekick greeting Switchboard and Desperado. We alsosee Knuckle-Duster joining the group from theprevious page.
Panel 2 Shot of a plastic cup being filled at a beer keg.
Panel 3 Monkey talking to Knuckle-Duster. Vector is looking
Panel 4 Focus on Monkey as he talks. Monkey is happy to bethe center of attention. Knuckle-Duster is amused.Vector is horrified. Kinetic and Anne Marie areslightly embarrassed.
MONKEYBecause before you showed up, Glyph was always ourtoken black-guy superhero. And he was never a very
good one.MONKEY
I mean superhero, not black-guy.
MONKEYI'm sure He's excellent at being a black-guy.
VECTORDude!
Panel 5 Vector moving toward Monkey. Monkey is backing updefensively and grinning, still joking. Knuckle-Duster is putting her hands up to distract Vector.
VECTORYou can't talk that way.
MONKEYBut he is. Have you seen him?
KNUCKLE-DUSTERRelax. He's joking.
Page 13 Suddenly serious. 5 panels
Panel 1 Big shot of Vector yelling at Monkey. Kinetic andKnuckle-Duster are getting in between the two of themwithout being overly aggressive about it. Vector hasthat bleary, drunk, look.
VECTORYeah, always joking.
VECTORWell you know what, Monkey? People don't like yourlittle jokes.
Wide shot of Sidekick and Desperado hustling over. Wecan see Monkey stepping back and Kinetic and Knuckle-Duster more actively getting in front of Vector.
SIDEKICKUh-oh. Gimme a hand, bro.
DESPERADO
Sure thing.
MONKEYAnd you figure it's a good idea to replace thejokes that people clearly don't like with theaggressive yelling that everyone so obviouslyprefers.
Panel 3 Now Kinetic, Knuckle-Duster, Sidekick, and Desperadoare actively keeping the two apart. Monkey is stillbacking away and Vector is getting angrier.
KINETICAlright, that's enough.
SIDEKICKJust chill out, man.
MONKEYGuess you were right. People do like yelling.
Panel 4 Close on Sidekick turning to raise his voice atMonkey.
SIDEKICKCan you just shut up?
Panel 5 Monkey shrugging, very pleased with himself.
MONKEYI don't know. I've never tried.
Page 14 The split. 7 panels.
Panel 1 Sidekick facing Monkey but gesturing toward Vector.The conflict is done, but the others are stillbunched around Vector.
SIDEKICKCan you guys take him outside? Get some air.
KINETICSure.
Panel 2 Sidekick getting in Monkey's face, more disappointedand frustrated than angry.
Panel 3 Similar panel, but the tension is broken. Sidekickgives Monkey a brotherly shove.
Panel 4 Switchboard is in the foreground smilinguncomfortably to Battery. In the background, Kinetic,
Vector, and Desperado are moving toward the door.BATTERY
....almost like night-vision goggles, but on amicroscopic scale.
SWITCHBOARDNo kidding.
Panel 5 Similar panel, in this one Switchboard is calling outto them.
SWITCHBOARDHey, where are you guys going?
DESPERADOBeer run.
SWITCHBOARDWait for me.
Panel 6 Switchboard waving to Battery over her shoulder asshe runs to catch up.
SWITCHBOARDI'll just be a minute. Ok?
Panel 7 Small shot of Switchboard hustling to catch up withthe boys.
Page 15 Monster sighting. 6 panels
Panel 1 A small group of the late night coffee and cigarettescrew is rounding the corner behind Shelby's. They areacting as much like monster hunters as they can. Oneyoung woman is using her phone as a camera and alight. The kid from earlier is leading them.
KIDSerious, guys. I don't think this is a good idea.
SOMEONE ELSEWhen has that ever stopped you?
SOMEONE ELSEShh! Shh.
Panel 2 Looking at the phone's screen, we see the over-litcrew rounding the corner. The point man can see what
Panel 3 Shot from the "monster's" point of view as he roundsthe corner to face his hunters. This shot is mainlythe girl with the camera phone stepping back and
letting it start to tumble from her hands. Behind herwe can see all her fellow monster hunters runningaway.
KIDMONSTER!
SOMEONE ELSERun!
SOMEONE ELSECall 911!
Panel 4 Very small panel of the camera phone hitting theground. It is clear that it will settle lens/lightup.
Panel 5 This panel mostly lit by the harsh light of thephone. We can see that the "monster" is a largegorilla. He is curious about the light shining up athim.
Panel 6 We see the camera screen again. All we see is thegorilla looking down and its huge hand reachingtoward the lens.
GORILLAsnort
Page 16 What now. 7 panels
Panel 1 Kinetic, Desperado, Vector, and Switchboard are alloutside now. It is a crumbly warehouse parking lot.Vector has his hands up apologetically.
KINETICI don't think a beer run is exactly what we need.
SWITCHBOARDRight.
DESPERADOJust wanted to get out of there without making abig issue.
VECTORIt's cool, guys. I'm ok.
Panel 2 Vector peeling his mask off to get a breath of fresh
air. Behind him, we see Kinetic suspiciously eyeingDesperado.
VECTORI pre-partied a little too well....
VECTORand that guy really pisses me off.
Panel 3 Kinetic still looking at Desperado. Now Desperado islooking back. Switchboard is looking at them. She isworried. Note to letterer, Desperado's second wordballoon is in a different font, indicating that he isputting on a fake voice. Maybe it is suddenly thickerand blockier. He continues like this any time hetalks to Kinetic.
DESPERADOYeah?
KINETICHave we met before?
DESPERADOHave we met? No, I don't think so. I'm called Desperado.
Panel 4 They shake hands. Switch watches uncomfortably, andtakes out a beeping smart phone. Vector watchesoblivious to the awkwardness.
KINETICI'm Kinetic. Nice to meet you.
DESPERADOIt is.
DESPERADOIt's nice to meet you.
VECTORHey, you guys wanna get outta here?
Panel 5 They are just talking. Switch is paying attention toher phone.
SWITCHBOARDMaybe we should go to Shelby's restaurant.
VECTORAre you serious?
DESPERADOI don't think I've ever been there sober.
KINETICI do this to help people. I didn't become Kineticso I can go to parties and lurk at diners.
Panel 7Switch holding up her phone showing the screen. It isthe same image from the last panel on the previouspage.
SWITCHBOARDNo, I meant because there's a monster on the loosethere.
Page 17 On the case. 6 panels
Panel 1 This is a big panel showing them all arriving atShelby's. Vector flying and holding Switchboard'siron bar with both hands. Switchboard is hanging onbelow him, Desperado is landing after dropping fromthe bar. Kinetic is bounding along beside them.
VECTORAre you guys ok? I'm not sure I should really beflying.
SWITCHBOARDJust come in slow, ok?
DESPERADOI'm cool. So where's this monster at?
Panel 2 Next to Shelby's is a grassy embankment with a woodedarea starting at the base of it. The four heroes areat the top. Switchboard is pointing toward the backcorner of the building.
SWITCHBOARDThe video was shot right over there about twentyminutes ago. So we know where it was.
VECTORWell, if I was a monster, I wouldn't wanna go to no
Shelby's.
KINETICWould you prefer the woods?
VECTORIf I was a monster I would. Sure.
Panel 3 The four of them moving down the embankment towardthe trees. The grass is tall and they are gettingaway from the street lights. Switch has a light fromher phone shining ahead of them.
KINETICA bunch of heroes standing around blah blah blah.Who cares?
Panel 3 Just Switch, gesturing toward where Desperado is.
SWITCHBOARDI usually hate these things. He talked me into
coming. It does seem stupid.SWITCHBOARD
But then things like this happen.
Panel 4 Wider shot.
KINETICThis? This is the upside? Following a gorillathrough the mud?
SWITCHBOARDNo. A team-up. An adventure. A freaking gorilla!They can't all be world-savers, Kinetic.
SWITCHBOARDSometimes you just follow adventure where ever itleads.
Panel 5 Focus mainly on Vector, he is pointing ahead throughthe dark woods, up another embankment.
VECTORThere's something up there. Do you see that.
Panel 6 From behind the four of them. We see them creeping upon a large, rectangular, shape that is about the sizea bus-stop shelter. Nothing about it need to be veryclear.
VECTORWhat is that?
SOUND EFFECTrrrrrr
Page 19 That's what it is. 7 panels
Panel 1 The four are revealed to be at the side of a road,and right behind a bus-stop shelter when the wholescene is lit by the headlights of a passing truck.That is the sound from the previous panel. The heroesare all shocked. The gorilla is slumped peacefully onthe shelter bench, but in this shot he is just a darkshape.
Panel 2 Switch and Kinetic talking. Behind them, Vector isnudging Desperado and pointing off panel toward thebus shelter.
SWITCHBOARD
Damn, that scared the crap out of me.KINETIC
Then it's a safe bet your gorilla didn't come thisway, and we're out here for no reason.
Panel 3 Vector trying to be very serious and pointing towardthe bus shelter. Behind him, Desperado is trying tonot crack-up.
VECTORKinetic, just to be sure, you should ask that guy.
Panel 4 Kinetic walking toward the shelter. We see him, theshelter, the slumped figure, and the lights of a carapproaching down the road.
KINETICExcuse me, sir. Maybe you can help us out. Did youhappen to see....
Panel 5 The car headlight fall dead on the whole scene. Wesee clear-as-day Kinetic is talking to a largegorilla. Kinetic is startled. The gorilla is verybored.
Panel 6 Tight shot of the gorilla's face. He looks verybored.
Panel 7 Tight shot of Kinetic's face, the headlightsemphasizing the shocked expression. The balloon andthe font should indicate a whisper.
KINETICa monster.
Page 20 Not funny. 6 panels
Panel 1 Big panel of the gorilla moving lazily to the groundwhile Kinetic turns to yell at Vector and Desperadowho are busting up laughing.
KINETICHey! This isn't funny.
VECTORHe hee! Yes it is.
Panel 2 The gorilla in the foreground walking away and the
Wider shot of them walking. Kinetic is at the backwith his arms up, waving a car past the group like acrossing guard.
Page 21 On the trail of adventure. 6 panels
Panel 1 The group has left the road behind and they arefollowing the gorilla through an empty parking lot,
giving him plenty of room. Switch is talking on herphone.
SWITCHBOARDNow we've left the road and are in the lot acrossfrom the First Fidelity Bank.
Panel 2 Switchboard hanging up her phone.
SWITCHBOARDThey said he went missing after a break in at thezoo's medical facility two days ago. His name'sJacob.
VECTORJacob. Cool. Is he ok?
SWITCHBOARDYeah, he was under observation after a procedure.The guy sounded really relieved.
VECTOROh, that's good.
Panel 3 Switch talking, smiling contentedly. The others arespread out, but in earshot.
SWITCHBOARDHey, Desperado. This is fun. I'm glad I came outtonight.
KINETICMe too. It's nice to be able to do this hero stuffand kind of relax at the same time.
KINETICBut I really do have to get back, my girlfriend is
still at the party.
DESPERADOYou hope.
Panel 4 Switch pointing to Jacob nearing the bank. There is asign for a drive through ATM on the other side. Wecan see the very back of a van poking around thecorner.
SWITCHBOARDOk, before you take off, it looks like there might
SWITCHBOARDYou mind zipping ahead and letting them know Jacobis coming?
Panel 5 We can see Kinetic arcing high to get ahead of Jacob.He is already looking around the corner, but we can
not see what he is seeing. He is reacting withsurprise.
KINETICOh no!
Panel 6 Shot of the other three, alarmed.
SWITCHBOARDWhat's going on?
Page 22 A bank robbery. 1 panel
Panel 1 Full page shot of all the remaining heroes and Jacobrounding the corner to find three crooks with a hugepower saw cutting one of the ATMs out of the wall.Kinetic is already moving to shield Jacob fromanything the robbers might do.
KINETICIt's a bank robbery!
Panel 2 Not really a panel, but an overlayed image of Jacobholding a sign which reads "The has been a Rapid Cityadventure. Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of