Here I showcase some of my script writing samples for comics and movies, and possibly more!
Titania
(Feature Film - Final Script Sample - September 9/19/2018)
Titania final script sample.pdf | |
File Size: | 91 kb |
File Type: |
Love Machine
(Short Film - Final Script 8/1/2018)
Love, Machine final script.pdf | |
File Size: | 197 kb |
File Type: |
Chimera rEvolution
(Pilot Script First Draft - Teaser & Act 1- September 26, 2018)
Chimera rEvolution pilot script sample.pdf | |
File Size: | 94 kb |
File Type: |
Missing Links: Living Among Men
(Comic Script - September 2014)
Page 1 (3 panels)
1.1
Medium shot. It is night and we see a highway gas station and minimarket that has a sign that says “Gas Stop N’ Shop” across the top of the building. Two men dressed in dark clothing (black ski masks, black leather jackets, and black pants) are seen entering the front of the market. A black van is the only vehicle seen, parked near the door.
NO COPY
1.2
Medium shot. Inside of the minimarket. We are looking over the shoulder, from behind the two men in black, ROBBER 1 (on the right) and ROBBER 2 (on the left), who are wearing black ski masks and they are standing directly in front of the CLERK behind the counter who has his hands up in surrender. The CLERK is a portly man with tanned skin and a bushy mustache, and he wears a white uniform with a baseball cap. We see the extended arms of the robbers pointing handguns toward the clerk.
CAPTION:
Since the beginning of mankind, humans have always harmed other humans over fear, love and material things.
ROBBER 1:
You should really consider getting some security cameras in this place, old man. Hahaha.
1.3
Medium shot of the two robbers. Their weapons are flying out of their hands toward the counter.
CAPTION:
Since the beginning of the spoken word, people have told fantastical stories of gods, monsters, aliens, faeries, and supermen.
SFX:
WHOOSH
ROBBER 2:
What the hell?!
ROBBER 1:
Huh?
Page 2 (5 panels)
2.1
Medium shot of the CLERK now holding the weapons in his raised hands and still standing in the same position.
CAPTION:
In reality, there are only two types of intelligent life in this world: humans—violent, lustful and contumacious creatures—and Links—benevolent energy-absorbing, psychic and shape-shifting near-immortal beings.
CLERK:
Who needs security cameras?
2.2
Close-up on the face of the CLERK so that we see that he is grinning. His pupils may also be star-shaped now, indicating that he is changing.
CAPTION:
I am the latter.
ROBBER 2 (OP):
Yo, why is he smiling? And what is up with his eyes?!
2.3
Close-up on the clerk’s hand. We see that his hands are now clawed and he is crushing the handguns.
NO COPY
2.4
Copy previous panel. We now see the crushed handgun dropping from the clerk’s hand and electricity sparking across his fingers. The hand may now be scaly and covered with rows of small spikes.
CAPTION:
It was enough that our kind had to take on less appealing forms to blend in with humans…
2.5
Medium shot of the CLERK releasing bolts of lightning from his hands and shocking the pair of ROBBERS. The CLERK’s face is elongated and more reptilian now, with spikes protruding from his cheeks and forehead. The robbers may have their bodies contorted in odd positions.
CAPTION:
…but every once in a while we have to adopt their violent ways as well.
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Yaaahaaah!
Page 3
3.1
Medium shot from behind the two ROBBERS, so we see the CLERK, now a bit bulkier and muscular with a scaly, spiky visage, leaning over the counter with his face in a sneer and his eyes glowing.
CLERK:
Now, get out of my store before I have to get really ugly with you!
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Aaaahhhh!
3.2
Medium shot. We see the outside of the store again and the two robbers are running out the front door toward the parked black van.
CAPTION:
Humans aren’t all that bad though.
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Aayyyyaaaahhhh!
3.3
Medium shot. From behind a tall man in a sports jacket entering the store with his son who wears an identical jacket, we see the CLERK standing behind the counter with his face and body returned to its previous human form as described in Page 1, Panel 2. The CLERK is smiling politely at the customers.
CAPTION:
You just have to know how to present yourself to them.
CLERK:
Welcome to the Gas Stop N’ Shop!
1.1
Medium shot. It is night and we see a highway gas station and minimarket that has a sign that says “Gas Stop N’ Shop” across the top of the building. Two men dressed in dark clothing (black ski masks, black leather jackets, and black pants) are seen entering the front of the market. A black van is the only vehicle seen, parked near the door.
NO COPY
1.2
Medium shot. Inside of the minimarket. We are looking over the shoulder, from behind the two men in black, ROBBER 1 (on the right) and ROBBER 2 (on the left), who are wearing black ski masks and they are standing directly in front of the CLERK behind the counter who has his hands up in surrender. The CLERK is a portly man with tanned skin and a bushy mustache, and he wears a white uniform with a baseball cap. We see the extended arms of the robbers pointing handguns toward the clerk.
CAPTION:
Since the beginning of mankind, humans have always harmed other humans over fear, love and material things.
ROBBER 1:
You should really consider getting some security cameras in this place, old man. Hahaha.
1.3
Medium shot of the two robbers. Their weapons are flying out of their hands toward the counter.
CAPTION:
Since the beginning of the spoken word, people have told fantastical stories of gods, monsters, aliens, faeries, and supermen.
SFX:
WHOOSH
ROBBER 2:
What the hell?!
ROBBER 1:
Huh?
Page 2 (5 panels)
2.1
Medium shot of the CLERK now holding the weapons in his raised hands and still standing in the same position.
CAPTION:
In reality, there are only two types of intelligent life in this world: humans—violent, lustful and contumacious creatures—and Links—benevolent energy-absorbing, psychic and shape-shifting near-immortal beings.
CLERK:
Who needs security cameras?
2.2
Close-up on the face of the CLERK so that we see that he is grinning. His pupils may also be star-shaped now, indicating that he is changing.
CAPTION:
I am the latter.
ROBBER 2 (OP):
Yo, why is he smiling? And what is up with his eyes?!
2.3
Close-up on the clerk’s hand. We see that his hands are now clawed and he is crushing the handguns.
NO COPY
2.4
Copy previous panel. We now see the crushed handgun dropping from the clerk’s hand and electricity sparking across his fingers. The hand may now be scaly and covered with rows of small spikes.
CAPTION:
It was enough that our kind had to take on less appealing forms to blend in with humans…
2.5
Medium shot of the CLERK releasing bolts of lightning from his hands and shocking the pair of ROBBERS. The CLERK’s face is elongated and more reptilian now, with spikes protruding from his cheeks and forehead. The robbers may have their bodies contorted in odd positions.
CAPTION:
…but every once in a while we have to adopt their violent ways as well.
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Yaaahaaah!
Page 3
3.1
Medium shot from behind the two ROBBERS, so we see the CLERK, now a bit bulkier and muscular with a scaly, spiky visage, leaning over the counter with his face in a sneer and his eyes glowing.
CLERK:
Now, get out of my store before I have to get really ugly with you!
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Aaaahhhh!
3.2
Medium shot. We see the outside of the store again and the two robbers are running out the front door toward the parked black van.
CAPTION:
Humans aren’t all that bad though.
ROBBERS 1 and 2:
Aayyyyaaaahhhh!
3.3
Medium shot. From behind a tall man in a sports jacket entering the store with his son who wears an identical jacket, we see the CLERK standing behind the counter with his face and body returned to its previous human form as described in Page 1, Panel 2. The CLERK is smiling politely at the customers.
CAPTION:
You just have to know how to present yourself to them.
CLERK:
Welcome to the Gas Stop N’ Shop!
Fear of Love
(Original Comic Script - September 2014)
Page 1 (3 panels)
1.1
Medium shot of a BAKER, with a bushy large beard wearing a baker’s tall hat, an apron and a fearful expression on his face, standing behind a glass counter with cupcakes and cookies displayed. Behind him and on the top of the counter are glass cases with beautifully decorated cakes. A large shadow of a hulking horned figure looms over the BAKER. The BAKER is cringing and his mouth is hanging open with his eyes bulging. On the top of the counter is a hundred-dollar bill coated with some dark, slimy residue.
CAPTION:
For all of our rationality and innovation, humans are fearful creatures by nature.
BAKER:
Aaaiiyeee!
1.2
Medium shot of the inside of a jewelry store. Two jewelers, a balding man and a woman with bushy hair, are seen peeking from over the counter at something exiting the front door. A single tentacle is seen trailing out of the door.
CAPTION:
For all of the good things in the world, there is fear of everything in it, from fears of death itself to fears of dust mites, some rational and some irrational.
SFX:
Ding ding
1.3
Close-up on a hairy claw grasping some wild flowers out of the ground.
CAPTION:
People do fear some things due to experience, or the lack thereof, but the unknown is scariest of all.
Page 2 (4 panels)
2.1
Medium shot. From a worm’s eye view, we see a LITTLE BOY carrying a skateboard looking up at the massive humanoid CREATURE leaping over him. The CREATURE is silhouetted against the sun but we may make out four tentacles trailing on the back of the CREATURE with one holding a jewelry box, the shape of a cake held in its right hand and the bouquet of flowers in the left hand.
LITTLE BOY:
WHOA! AWESOME!
CAPTION:
With the help of others though, regardless of size, shape, color, or background, the unknown can be faced and people can discover more about the world and about themselves.
2.2
Medium shot. From over the hairy shoulder of the CREATURE, we see two uniformed cops standing beside a police car parked on a street in front of a diner. Both cops are staring in wonder after the CREATURE. One of the cops has his hand on his holstered gun and the other has his hand on his partner’s shoulder, shaking his head, as if telling him to stand down.
CAPTION:
Though sometimes it takes a leap of faith into the unknown to not only overcome fear…
2.3
Medium shot of the CREATURE standing in the doorway of an apartment. He is hunkered down due to his large size with the cake held out in one hand and flowers in the other with the single tentacle extended with the jewelry box. We can see that he resembles a Sasquatch, but with two curved horns on his head and four tentacles on his back. He has a charming, toothy grin on his hairy face (think of Shrek trying to be charming).
CAPTION:
…but to get out of your own way and find true love.
CREATURE:
Happy anniversary, baby!
2.4
Medium shot of the CREATURE sitting on a large couch, kissing a GORGEOUS WOMAN, with a model figure and long dark hair, who is sitting on his lap. The cake and gift box are seen sitting on a small table near the couch and the flowers are in a vase filled with water.
GORGEOUS WOMAN:
I know that I did!
Illicit Liberties: Muskrat Attacks
(Comic Short Story -August 2011)
Page 1
Panel 1
Medium shot of a city street with tall office buildings to either side. At the center of the street a beautiful woman wearing a white blouse and a gray skirt stands with a microphone and a camera crew filming her. The woman has shoulder-length red hair, dark green eyes, and tanned skin. Her name is SIBYL LANGE. Behind her we see three police cars; one is overturned and lying across the top of another and the third car is on its side, lying a little ways from the others with a broken fire hydrant spraying water into the air next to it.
SIBYL:
Sibyl Lange here and I am in Downtown Stockhaven, where the infamous outlaws Jesse Jim Johns and Big Butch Caudill have embarrassed the local police yet again.
Panel 2
Close-up on the picture of Sibyl on a small screen now. We are now looking at a small television that is angled to face to the right of the panel and resting on top of a cabinet.
SIBYL (on television):
Apparently, police attempted to chase the pair after they literally blew up the drug lab of known drug lord Eddie Reelo.
Panel 3
Close-up again on the television set. We see a paper weight flying from off-panel toward the screen.
SIBYL (on television):
Reelo is finally in police custody, but Jesse--
Panel 4
Pan out for a medium shot of a police office. The television on the top of the file cabinet is now smoking with a hole in it. On the desk, there are papers littering the top and a name plate that reads “CHIEF AVERY STEELE” on it can be seen. The office is dimly lit and the blinds are partially opened. Behind the desk, we see AVERY STEELE sitting in a swivel chair and facing the television in the left corner of the office. He is glaring toward the television set.
CHIEF STEELE (growling):
Reelo was going to pay me off again this week and those punks have embarrassed me for the last time!
Panel 5
Close-up on CHIEF STEELE’s face. He is yelling.
CHIEF STEELE:
LAURA! I WANT THE BEST BOUNTY HUNTER IN THE AREA AND A NEW TELEVISION SET IN MY OFFICE ASAP!
Page 2
Panel 1
Medium shot. We are now looking from across highway at a large restaurant/diner (design may be similar to Taco Bell, but the logo would be a candy bar). The sign Choco Bell can be seen across the front of the building. A large parking lot is half-filled out in front of the building.
CAPTION:
Two days later…
CAPTION:
Just outside of Stockhaven City.
JESSE (from inside the building):
Choco Bell, Oh, Choco Bell!
Panel 2
Medium shot inside the restaurant now. We see myriads of booths lining the walls and tall set tables between the booths. Most of the tables and booths are filled with customers. One or two waitresses may be seen walking down an aisle with a tray or standing at a table taking customers’ orders. JESSE J. JOHNS and BIG BUTCH CAUDILL are seated in a booth across from each other. BUTCH’s back is toward the camera but JESSE is facing us. JESSE is stretching out is arms, a large cup in his hands and a wide grin is on his face. An empty plate is sitting in front of him on the table. A long banner that says “Choco Bell Grand Opening” can be seen hanging from above.
JESSE:
A celebration just isn’t complete without a cup of Choco Bell’s brand of French vanilla cocoa shakes!
Panel 3
Close-up on BUTCH, smirking across the table at Jesse with one eyebrow raised. BUTCH has a large cup and a burger in a tray set in front of him.
BUTCH:
Too much of good thing is dangerous, and you’re a true chocoholic, Triple J.
Panel 4
Close-up on JESSE, pointing across the table and smiling at BUTCH.
JESSE:
And you’re a great driver, Big B. We definitely showed Ol’ Steele’s boys how to hand out justice.
Panel 5
From a side view, we are looking at the duo still seated at the table.
MUSKRAT (off-panel):
What would you two know about “justice”?
Page 3
Panel 1
Close-up on MARION “MUSKRAT” PINKERTON standing in an aisle, positioned where the front door of the restaurant is behind. He is wearing his full body armor, without the helmet, and he is holding up two oddly shaped guns, one in each hand in each hand, towards JESSE and BUTCH. Behind him some frightened kids may be seen turned around in their seat to observe.
JESSE (off-panel):
Who’s this guy?
BUTCH (off-panel):
Marion “Muskrat” Pinkerton? They say he’s a trust fund baby who decided to turn bounty hunter.
Panel 2
From over MUSKRAT’s shoulder we see BUTCH leaning across the table with his hand cupped over his mouth to whisper to JESSE out of the corner of his mouth. Both of them are looking sideways to keep an eye on MUSKRAT.
BUTCH (whispering):
He’s only successfully captured two guys and accidentally severely injured several police officers. I’ve heard that his only successes were due to freak accidents. He’s bad luck. We should stall until the bystanders are cleared out.
Panel 3
Medium shot. MUSKRAT is frowning but he is standing in the same pose as before. We see people crowding towards the door behind him, running for their cars and trying to exit the building.
MUSKRAT:
The name isn’t “Muskrat”! I’m taking you two in though and you’d do well to remember the name--
Panel 4
Close-up on JESSE, who is smirking mischievously toward MUSKRAT, off-panel. JESSE has both hands held up in a gesture of surrender.
JESSE:
You got it, Pinkie! But what are you after us for? We’ve helped to shut down other criminal operations and we’ve only stolen from guys who were crooks themselves. We’re the heroes here!
Panel 5
MUSKRAT has his right hand held up higher now and his arm is fully extended as if menacing JESSE. His frown is deeper now.
MUSKRAT:
You’re still wanted thieves! And you’re not paying the bounty that the honorable Chief Steele has offered.
Page 4
Panel 1
Medium shot. From a side view, we are seeing MUSKRAT with his right hand extended toward JESSE and his left-hand weapon trained on BUTCH. BUTCH and JESSE are still seated in the booth. Two Choco Bell employees, a boy and a girl, may still be seen toward the back of the restaurant peeking from over the tables.
JESSE:
HA! Steele is the most crooked cop that’s ever ran a beat.
MUSKRAT:
I don’t care. I have you two cornered with no weapons and I’m taking you in.
Panel 2
Close-up on JESSE with his arm pulled back and his cup in his hand.
JESSE:
Wrong again, Pinkie. Choco Bell is the only weapon I need!
Panel 3
From MUSKRAT’s POV, we are seeing the cup in midair, the contents are spilling out toward his face. JESSE is lunging out of his seat toward MUSKRAT. BUTCH is grabbing his own burger from the table.
NO COPY
Panel 4
We see JESSE now grabbing the MUSKRAT’s right forearm, attempting to wrestle the gun in his right hand from him. The cup JESSE threw is falling to the floor now and MUSKRAT appears to be stumbling back with the chocolate shake covering his face and upper body. His left hand is still extended toward BUTCH who is now seen lunging toward him as well with the burger in his hand, apparently attempting to shove it into MUSKRAT’s face.
Panel 5
Extreme close-up on MUSKRAT’s left hand and the odd shaped gun. His finger is squeezing the trigger.
SFX:
ZUUNNN!
Page 5
Panel 1
Medium shot of JESSE wrenching the gun in MUSKRAT’s right hand away from him while MUSKRAT’s left-hand is clenching the gun in his left hand and falling back. BUTCH is seen dodging away from a long, narrow laser beam emitted from the weapon. The booth where BUTCH was once seated is bursting into flames. We see the burger that was in BUTCH’s hand now falling out onto the floor near MUSKRAT’s feet.
SFX:
WHOOSH!
Panel 2
Close-up on JESSE rolling backwards on the floor with MUSKRAT’s weapon in his hands.
NO COPY
Panel 3
Close-up on BUTCH sliding under a table in the middle of the aisle.
NO COPY
Panel 4
Medium shot on MUSKRAT, frowning and inspecting the muzzle of the weapon in his left hand.
MUSKRAT:
It’s just like a crook to fight dirty!
MUSKRAT (mumbling):
I could’ve sworn I had this set to stun…
Panel 5
Medium shot on BUTCH crouched behind a table. The table still has some half-eaten burgers and drinks still sitting on it, left behind by the fleeing customers. A bottle of ketchup is also sitting nearby. BUTCH is looking over the table toward MUSKRAT.
BUTCH:
You ruined everyone’s meals! You’re the only crook here!
Panel 1
Medium shot of a city street with tall office buildings to either side. At the center of the street a beautiful woman wearing a white blouse and a gray skirt stands with a microphone and a camera crew filming her. The woman has shoulder-length red hair, dark green eyes, and tanned skin. Her name is SIBYL LANGE. Behind her we see three police cars; one is overturned and lying across the top of another and the third car is on its side, lying a little ways from the others with a broken fire hydrant spraying water into the air next to it.
SIBYL:
Sibyl Lange here and I am in Downtown Stockhaven, where the infamous outlaws Jesse Jim Johns and Big Butch Caudill have embarrassed the local police yet again.
Panel 2
Close-up on the picture of Sibyl on a small screen now. We are now looking at a small television that is angled to face to the right of the panel and resting on top of a cabinet.
SIBYL (on television):
Apparently, police attempted to chase the pair after they literally blew up the drug lab of known drug lord Eddie Reelo.
Panel 3
Close-up again on the television set. We see a paper weight flying from off-panel toward the screen.
SIBYL (on television):
Reelo is finally in police custody, but Jesse--
Panel 4
Pan out for a medium shot of a police office. The television on the top of the file cabinet is now smoking with a hole in it. On the desk, there are papers littering the top and a name plate that reads “CHIEF AVERY STEELE” on it can be seen. The office is dimly lit and the blinds are partially opened. Behind the desk, we see AVERY STEELE sitting in a swivel chair and facing the television in the left corner of the office. He is glaring toward the television set.
CHIEF STEELE (growling):
Reelo was going to pay me off again this week and those punks have embarrassed me for the last time!
Panel 5
Close-up on CHIEF STEELE’s face. He is yelling.
CHIEF STEELE:
LAURA! I WANT THE BEST BOUNTY HUNTER IN THE AREA AND A NEW TELEVISION SET IN MY OFFICE ASAP!
Page 2
Panel 1
Medium shot. We are now looking from across highway at a large restaurant/diner (design may be similar to Taco Bell, but the logo would be a candy bar). The sign Choco Bell can be seen across the front of the building. A large parking lot is half-filled out in front of the building.
CAPTION:
Two days later…
CAPTION:
Just outside of Stockhaven City.
JESSE (from inside the building):
Choco Bell, Oh, Choco Bell!
Panel 2
Medium shot inside the restaurant now. We see myriads of booths lining the walls and tall set tables between the booths. Most of the tables and booths are filled with customers. One or two waitresses may be seen walking down an aisle with a tray or standing at a table taking customers’ orders. JESSE J. JOHNS and BIG BUTCH CAUDILL are seated in a booth across from each other. BUTCH’s back is toward the camera but JESSE is facing us. JESSE is stretching out is arms, a large cup in his hands and a wide grin is on his face. An empty plate is sitting in front of him on the table. A long banner that says “Choco Bell Grand Opening” can be seen hanging from above.
JESSE:
A celebration just isn’t complete without a cup of Choco Bell’s brand of French vanilla cocoa shakes!
Panel 3
Close-up on BUTCH, smirking across the table at Jesse with one eyebrow raised. BUTCH has a large cup and a burger in a tray set in front of him.
BUTCH:
Too much of good thing is dangerous, and you’re a true chocoholic, Triple J.
Panel 4
Close-up on JESSE, pointing across the table and smiling at BUTCH.
JESSE:
And you’re a great driver, Big B. We definitely showed Ol’ Steele’s boys how to hand out justice.
Panel 5
From a side view, we are looking at the duo still seated at the table.
MUSKRAT (off-panel):
What would you two know about “justice”?
Page 3
Panel 1
Close-up on MARION “MUSKRAT” PINKERTON standing in an aisle, positioned where the front door of the restaurant is behind. He is wearing his full body armor, without the helmet, and he is holding up two oddly shaped guns, one in each hand in each hand, towards JESSE and BUTCH. Behind him some frightened kids may be seen turned around in their seat to observe.
JESSE (off-panel):
Who’s this guy?
BUTCH (off-panel):
Marion “Muskrat” Pinkerton? They say he’s a trust fund baby who decided to turn bounty hunter.
Panel 2
From over MUSKRAT’s shoulder we see BUTCH leaning across the table with his hand cupped over his mouth to whisper to JESSE out of the corner of his mouth. Both of them are looking sideways to keep an eye on MUSKRAT.
BUTCH (whispering):
He’s only successfully captured two guys and accidentally severely injured several police officers. I’ve heard that his only successes were due to freak accidents. He’s bad luck. We should stall until the bystanders are cleared out.
Panel 3
Medium shot. MUSKRAT is frowning but he is standing in the same pose as before. We see people crowding towards the door behind him, running for their cars and trying to exit the building.
MUSKRAT:
The name isn’t “Muskrat”! I’m taking you two in though and you’d do well to remember the name--
Panel 4
Close-up on JESSE, who is smirking mischievously toward MUSKRAT, off-panel. JESSE has both hands held up in a gesture of surrender.
JESSE:
You got it, Pinkie! But what are you after us for? We’ve helped to shut down other criminal operations and we’ve only stolen from guys who were crooks themselves. We’re the heroes here!
Panel 5
MUSKRAT has his right hand held up higher now and his arm is fully extended as if menacing JESSE. His frown is deeper now.
MUSKRAT:
You’re still wanted thieves! And you’re not paying the bounty that the honorable Chief Steele has offered.
Page 4
Panel 1
Medium shot. From a side view, we are seeing MUSKRAT with his right hand extended toward JESSE and his left-hand weapon trained on BUTCH. BUTCH and JESSE are still seated in the booth. Two Choco Bell employees, a boy and a girl, may still be seen toward the back of the restaurant peeking from over the tables.
JESSE:
HA! Steele is the most crooked cop that’s ever ran a beat.
MUSKRAT:
I don’t care. I have you two cornered with no weapons and I’m taking you in.
Panel 2
Close-up on JESSE with his arm pulled back and his cup in his hand.
JESSE:
Wrong again, Pinkie. Choco Bell is the only weapon I need!
Panel 3
From MUSKRAT’s POV, we are seeing the cup in midair, the contents are spilling out toward his face. JESSE is lunging out of his seat toward MUSKRAT. BUTCH is grabbing his own burger from the table.
NO COPY
Panel 4
We see JESSE now grabbing the MUSKRAT’s right forearm, attempting to wrestle the gun in his right hand from him. The cup JESSE threw is falling to the floor now and MUSKRAT appears to be stumbling back with the chocolate shake covering his face and upper body. His left hand is still extended toward BUTCH who is now seen lunging toward him as well with the burger in his hand, apparently attempting to shove it into MUSKRAT’s face.
Panel 5
Extreme close-up on MUSKRAT’s left hand and the odd shaped gun. His finger is squeezing the trigger.
SFX:
ZUUNNN!
Page 5
Panel 1
Medium shot of JESSE wrenching the gun in MUSKRAT’s right hand away from him while MUSKRAT’s left-hand is clenching the gun in his left hand and falling back. BUTCH is seen dodging away from a long, narrow laser beam emitted from the weapon. The booth where BUTCH was once seated is bursting into flames. We see the burger that was in BUTCH’s hand now falling out onto the floor near MUSKRAT’s feet.
SFX:
WHOOSH!
Panel 2
Close-up on JESSE rolling backwards on the floor with MUSKRAT’s weapon in his hands.
NO COPY
Panel 3
Close-up on BUTCH sliding under a table in the middle of the aisle.
NO COPY
Panel 4
Medium shot on MUSKRAT, frowning and inspecting the muzzle of the weapon in his left hand.
MUSKRAT:
It’s just like a crook to fight dirty!
MUSKRAT (mumbling):
I could’ve sworn I had this set to stun…
Panel 5
Medium shot on BUTCH crouched behind a table. The table still has some half-eaten burgers and drinks still sitting on it, left behind by the fleeing customers. A bottle of ketchup is also sitting nearby. BUTCH is looking over the table toward MUSKRAT.
BUTCH:
You ruined everyone’s meals! You’re the only crook here!
Illicit Liberties: Theseus' Crown
(Comic Book - March 2011)
Page 1 (three panels)
Panel 1
From a bird’s eye view, a vast, intricately designed labyrinth is seen from above that seems to stretch for miles across a desert landscape. At the center of the labyrinth is a large building that would almost resemble a palace or skyscraper in comparison to its surroundings but it’s dull, rectangular shape and lack of windows would suggest that it is nothing more than an a large prison. A helicopter pad can be seen on the roof of the building. Much smaller buildings can be seen scattered throughout the labyrinth.
Caption (JESSE):
Welcome to the beautiful penal colony of Theseus’ Crown. Also known as the “Labyrinth City”. Also known as “The World’s Ultimate Maximum Security Prison”. Like an exclusive club, only the most notorious criminals are put in here.
Panel 2
A large red helicopter is perched on the rooftop of the large building. Five men in bright red jumpsuits and glowing blue shackles and collars are seen being corralled off of the chopper into a line by two armed guards with rifles in hand and batons at their sides. The prisoners are obviously unhappy but the guards who flank them maintain an air of authority and smugness. The pilot of the helicopter may also be seen and another guard stands in the doorway of the air transport pointing at one of the prisoners and apparently barking out orders to the other guards standing on the roof and guiding them.
Caption (JESSE):
Prisoners are transported here by air, partially because the maze which surrounds the prison is about 40 miles in diameter. Mostly because it is actually closer to about 100 miles to navigate, and anyone with common sense knows that that’s WAY too much of a trip on foot.
Panel 3
Some other prisoners dressed in the bright red jumpsuits are seen walking along a dark, chrome-colored hall with cell doors on either side. The doors are swinging outward as the prisoners approach, as if in greeting. The new prisoners are staring warily at the doors. Two jet-shaped robotic sentries (think of Sentinels from Halo games) hover just above the prisoners in the hallway. Two red lights centered on the front of the machines would indicate eyes or some other form of sensors.
Caption (JESSE):
There are no actual guards who work within the prison. No human guards, anyway. Officers only escort prisoners into the grounds. Everything is remotely operated from somewhere far away by one man…
Page 2 (4 panels)
Panel 1
A crowded mess hall is shown now with long cafeteria-style tables and benches where large numbers of prisoners are seated and conversing. Dozens of the robotic sentries are seen floating overhead and darting about through the air and observing the prisoners below. At the far back wall, a large monitor displays the image of a heavyset, thick jowl, pale man with a pockmarked and scarred face sitting back in a desk and staring maliciously down on the prisoners. The man has thin black hair, light blue eyes and he wears a dark red suit with a black vest, black tie and white shirt underneath it. Only the upper shoulders to the head of the man on the image can be seen.
Caption (JESSE):
The only overseer is the Warden, who also just happens to be the owner of Theseus’ Crown. Not the most handsome or the most gracious fellow you’ll ever meet.
Panel 2
A shot from behind a group of silhouetted figures resembling men in business attire, seated in front of a what looks like a 124” screen that depicts a man in a red jumpsuit running into the screen with a look of intense horror on his face.
Caption (JESSE):
It’s even rumored that some sadistic rich boys and so-called friends of the Warden actually pay to watch prisoners of their choosing die in the labyrinth… from whatever it is that happens in that Godforsaken maze.
Panel 3
A single man flanked on either side by two of the hovering robotic sentries is standing in a doorway in front of two large double doors that are half-opened. The room he stands in is dimly lit (as most rooms in the prison are) but the daylight flooding from the outside through the narrow opening bathes everything in the room, casting long shadows across the floors. Two monitors on either side of the doors, display the Warden’s smug face with a sinister grin stretched from ear to ear.
Caption (JESSE):
Any prisoner who crosses the Warden, or gets sentenced to death, or even tries to escape is taken outside the prison walls…
Panel 4
The same scene as Panel 3, but now the Warden’s smile has receded slightly to resemble more of a grimace and the doors are now closed. The sentries and the prisoner are no longer seen. The room is also darker now with the absence of the light from outside, so the monitor’s displaying the Warden’s face glow a bit more in the dim lighting.
Caption (JESSE):
And they’re never heard from again.
Page 3 (six panels)
Panel 1
A man in a red jumpsuit is seen sprinting through the maze, pumping his arms vigorously. His face shows that he is clearly satisfied.
Caption (JESSE):
It’s said that many have tried to escape Theseus’ Crown before… Men have tried running straight through the maze of traps…
Panel 2
A skeleton wearing the same red jumpsuit is shown stretched out on the ground. The skin may still be clinging to the bone, making the man look more emaciated but obviously dead from dehydration. Some small flies may be buzzing around the head of the dead man.
Caption (JESSE):
…and failed.
Panel 3
Another man in a red jumpsuit is seen in a narrow tunnel moving in an army crawl with a spoon in each hand. The tunnel appears uncomfortable but the man has the same look of delight and satisfaction as the man in Panel 1.
Caption (JESSE):
Some have tried digging under the walls…
Panel 4
Another skeleton is shown wearing a red jumpsuit in the tunnel still clutching the spoons in both hands. Two mice are seen skittering over the skeleton, possibly picking at the remains.
Caption (JESSE):
…and failed.
Panel 5
Three men in red jumpsuits are grappling with three guards on the helicopter, which is still in flight. One guard may already be standing with his baton in half-swing. The others are in a sitting position, either trying to fend off the attackers or attempting to pull out their sidearm or baton from their hip. All of the prisoners are bound with their energy handcuffs and collars but they are fighting ferociously in the small space. One may be grabbing at the baton on the guards hip. Another has his hands clasped together and hammering one of the guards across the face with his fists. The last prisoner is attempting to wretch the other guard by the neck.
Caption (JESSE):
Others even tried hijacking their air transports…
Panel 6
From below we see the three prisoners are falling from the open helicopter door, with their hands still bound and the blue collars around their necks. They look pathetic, panicked and regretful. The guards may be seen in the helicopter door looking down and watching the men in freefall. A low-flying vulture passes one man in the air, looking half-startled by the heavy falling body.
Caption (JESSE):
…and fell to their deaths.
Page 4 (five panels)
Panel 1
Medium shot of the whole prison again from the outside. A red helicopter is flying over the labyrinth, towards the main building.
Caption (JESSE):
Escape from Theseus’ Crown is impossible… So they say…
Panel 2
A medium shot inside the helicopter of two men seated beside each other, both wearing the bright red jumpsuits, blue collars and handcuffs as the other prisoners. One is JESSE J. JOHNS, a Caucasian, about 5-foot-8-inches tall with bronze skin, slicked back blonde hair, hazel eyes, an average build, and a well-groomed beard with connecting sideburns. Jesse gives a double thumbs-up to the camera and his wrists are bound by the blue energy handcuffs seen on the prisoners before. He smiles confidently. The other man is BUTCH CAUDILL, a statuesque 6-foot-5-inch tall, coffee brown skinned African American with a short frohawk, small dark brown eyes and an athletic build. Butch sits up confidently with good posture and his hands are folded in his lap, also bound with the glowing blue cuffs. Butch has a charming smirk. Beside them, an armed guard may be seen standing and gripping an overhead bar with his right hand and holding a baton in his left hand.
Caption (JESSE):
But Jesse Jim Johns isn’t a coward! And my best buddy, Butch Caudill, and I are going to test that theory… because we’re thieves of honor and certified geniuses!
Panel 3
A teenage Jesse, skinnier and sans beard, is shown running out of the front door of a fast food restaurant carrying an armful of what looks like flour tortilla wraps with chocolate nuggets spilling out of them. A young, pimple-faced boy wearing a dark brown collar shirt and a stupid looking chocolate brown hat shaped like a taco shell is running close at his hills and trying to reach out and catch him. A teenage Butch, still a head taller than Jesse but slimmer, is standing in front of the restaurant holding two smaller boys up by their collars menacingly. The two captured boys are obviously scared and their feet dangle a few inches from the ground.
Caption (JESSE):
Like most guys, we started off as small-time thugs, robbing Choco Bells (man, I love their chocolate tacos!) and hustling on the streets.
Panel 4
From a front view, an angry man in a dark suit flanked by two enforcers with expressionless faces armed with automatic rifles stand in front of a large building, which appears to be an armory, scanning for something. At the top of the building the shapes of Jesse and Butch in black leotards are seen with night vision goggles glaring against the dark background of a starry night sky. The man in the suit is the stereotypical mafia crime boss with slicked back salt-and-pepper hair, a clean shaven face, an aquiline nose, sunken eyes and a red flower pinned to the front of his suit jacket. The two soldiers are young and wear the usual fatigues. Red lights are glowing along the edge of the roof, indicating sirens blaring and thick black smoke is billowing from somewhere off screen.
Caption (JESSE):
Eventually we moved up to big-time scores, like breaking vaults, conning multibillion dollar business owners, and even breaking into a mobster’s warehouse, just for the fun of it. But we never harmed anyone (not PHYSICALLY anyway) and everyone we stole from was a crook themselves in some form or another.
Panel 5
Jesse and Butch are seen in a large warehouse, apparently tending to their “stash”. A line of fancy sports cars and a Hummer are seen parked along one wall of the warehouse and a large open vault is seen up against the adjacent wall, filled with bars of gold, jewels, cash and weapons. Butch, wearing a dark t-shirt, sits in the front seat of the Hummer, inspecting a rocket launcher and Jesse, wearing a white t-shirt and dark jeans, peers into the open vault holding a notepad and pen, apparently taking inventory.
Caption (JESSE):
What makes us geniuses, though you may ask?
Page 5 (five panels)
Panel 1
Jesse and Butch are seen standing in the middle of a highway wearing dark suits, smug grins, and holding their hands up in surrender. The pair is standing next to a crimson red sports car and they are surrounded by multiple police cars. Some police have already exited their vehicles and positioned themselves behind their doors with their guns drawn and aimed at the two.
Caption (JESSE):
Just the fact that we were never caught for our crimes until we allowed the authorities to capture us.
Panel 2
From a bird’s eye view, the red sports car can be seen speeding across a highway in the desert with at least five cop cars a hundred yards away with sirens blaring and kicking up clouds of dust in their wake.
Caption (JESSE):
Of course, we gave them a nice run for their money… about 200-miles worth of a run across two states.
Panel 3
A close up of a front-page newspaper clip shows Jesse and Butch’s mug shots grinning into the camera from the page with the headline “Infamous duo finally brought to justice” stretched above the photos.
Caption (JESSE):
After all, we are the best and brightest. From advanced hacking to simple breaking-and-entering, we learned the best way to do it all.
Panel 4
Jesse and Butch are seen now walking side-by-side, being escorted down a narrow hallway by four of the flying sentinels, one in the front, one on either side and one at the rear. Both men wear the bright red jumpsuits as the rest. Jesse is yelping, grabbing his butt with one hand and raising his other arm in protest, as the sentinel at the rear emits a small blue beam from its single eye right into his backside. Butch is walking casually with a calm expression on his face, ignoring his partner and scrutinizing the sentinel nearest to him.
Caption (JESSE):
And we learned everything we know from one man. The very same man who we came into this crapper to bust out…
SFX:
BZZZT!
JESSE:
YEOW!
Panel 5
In a large room, which is meant to suffice as a prison yard but resembles a dungeon with some sunlight streaming through the high windows, we see CASUAL AL, a pale and portly forty-something-year-old man with receding gray and black hair and two long, identical scars running down both cheeks stands with his arms outstretched and a broad smile on his otherwise intimidating face. He wears the same bright red uniform as the other prisoners. Some of the prisoners are milling about behind him, working out with weights or standing around talking. At least a pair of the flying sentinels may be seen hovering nearby. A pair of men in the background are also standing face-to-face, staring angrily at each other, preparing to brawl.
Caption (JESSE):
The original gangster known as Casual Al.
CASUAL AL:
BOYS!!
Panel 1
From a bird’s eye view, a vast, intricately designed labyrinth is seen from above that seems to stretch for miles across a desert landscape. At the center of the labyrinth is a large building that would almost resemble a palace or skyscraper in comparison to its surroundings but it’s dull, rectangular shape and lack of windows would suggest that it is nothing more than an a large prison. A helicopter pad can be seen on the roof of the building. Much smaller buildings can be seen scattered throughout the labyrinth.
Caption (JESSE):
Welcome to the beautiful penal colony of Theseus’ Crown. Also known as the “Labyrinth City”. Also known as “The World’s Ultimate Maximum Security Prison”. Like an exclusive club, only the most notorious criminals are put in here.
Panel 2
A large red helicopter is perched on the rooftop of the large building. Five men in bright red jumpsuits and glowing blue shackles and collars are seen being corralled off of the chopper into a line by two armed guards with rifles in hand and batons at their sides. The prisoners are obviously unhappy but the guards who flank them maintain an air of authority and smugness. The pilot of the helicopter may also be seen and another guard stands in the doorway of the air transport pointing at one of the prisoners and apparently barking out orders to the other guards standing on the roof and guiding them.
Caption (JESSE):
Prisoners are transported here by air, partially because the maze which surrounds the prison is about 40 miles in diameter. Mostly because it is actually closer to about 100 miles to navigate, and anyone with common sense knows that that’s WAY too much of a trip on foot.
Panel 3
Some other prisoners dressed in the bright red jumpsuits are seen walking along a dark, chrome-colored hall with cell doors on either side. The doors are swinging outward as the prisoners approach, as if in greeting. The new prisoners are staring warily at the doors. Two jet-shaped robotic sentries (think of Sentinels from Halo games) hover just above the prisoners in the hallway. Two red lights centered on the front of the machines would indicate eyes or some other form of sensors.
Caption (JESSE):
There are no actual guards who work within the prison. No human guards, anyway. Officers only escort prisoners into the grounds. Everything is remotely operated from somewhere far away by one man…
Page 2 (4 panels)
Panel 1
A crowded mess hall is shown now with long cafeteria-style tables and benches where large numbers of prisoners are seated and conversing. Dozens of the robotic sentries are seen floating overhead and darting about through the air and observing the prisoners below. At the far back wall, a large monitor displays the image of a heavyset, thick jowl, pale man with a pockmarked and scarred face sitting back in a desk and staring maliciously down on the prisoners. The man has thin black hair, light blue eyes and he wears a dark red suit with a black vest, black tie and white shirt underneath it. Only the upper shoulders to the head of the man on the image can be seen.
Caption (JESSE):
The only overseer is the Warden, who also just happens to be the owner of Theseus’ Crown. Not the most handsome or the most gracious fellow you’ll ever meet.
Panel 2
A shot from behind a group of silhouetted figures resembling men in business attire, seated in front of a what looks like a 124” screen that depicts a man in a red jumpsuit running into the screen with a look of intense horror on his face.
Caption (JESSE):
It’s even rumored that some sadistic rich boys and so-called friends of the Warden actually pay to watch prisoners of their choosing die in the labyrinth… from whatever it is that happens in that Godforsaken maze.
Panel 3
A single man flanked on either side by two of the hovering robotic sentries is standing in a doorway in front of two large double doors that are half-opened. The room he stands in is dimly lit (as most rooms in the prison are) but the daylight flooding from the outside through the narrow opening bathes everything in the room, casting long shadows across the floors. Two monitors on either side of the doors, display the Warden’s smug face with a sinister grin stretched from ear to ear.
Caption (JESSE):
Any prisoner who crosses the Warden, or gets sentenced to death, or even tries to escape is taken outside the prison walls…
Panel 4
The same scene as Panel 3, but now the Warden’s smile has receded slightly to resemble more of a grimace and the doors are now closed. The sentries and the prisoner are no longer seen. The room is also darker now with the absence of the light from outside, so the monitor’s displaying the Warden’s face glow a bit more in the dim lighting.
Caption (JESSE):
And they’re never heard from again.
Page 3 (six panels)
Panel 1
A man in a red jumpsuit is seen sprinting through the maze, pumping his arms vigorously. His face shows that he is clearly satisfied.
Caption (JESSE):
It’s said that many have tried to escape Theseus’ Crown before… Men have tried running straight through the maze of traps…
Panel 2
A skeleton wearing the same red jumpsuit is shown stretched out on the ground. The skin may still be clinging to the bone, making the man look more emaciated but obviously dead from dehydration. Some small flies may be buzzing around the head of the dead man.
Caption (JESSE):
…and failed.
Panel 3
Another man in a red jumpsuit is seen in a narrow tunnel moving in an army crawl with a spoon in each hand. The tunnel appears uncomfortable but the man has the same look of delight and satisfaction as the man in Panel 1.
Caption (JESSE):
Some have tried digging under the walls…
Panel 4
Another skeleton is shown wearing a red jumpsuit in the tunnel still clutching the spoons in both hands. Two mice are seen skittering over the skeleton, possibly picking at the remains.
Caption (JESSE):
…and failed.
Panel 5
Three men in red jumpsuits are grappling with three guards on the helicopter, which is still in flight. One guard may already be standing with his baton in half-swing. The others are in a sitting position, either trying to fend off the attackers or attempting to pull out their sidearm or baton from their hip. All of the prisoners are bound with their energy handcuffs and collars but they are fighting ferociously in the small space. One may be grabbing at the baton on the guards hip. Another has his hands clasped together and hammering one of the guards across the face with his fists. The last prisoner is attempting to wretch the other guard by the neck.
Caption (JESSE):
Others even tried hijacking their air transports…
Panel 6
From below we see the three prisoners are falling from the open helicopter door, with their hands still bound and the blue collars around their necks. They look pathetic, panicked and regretful. The guards may be seen in the helicopter door looking down and watching the men in freefall. A low-flying vulture passes one man in the air, looking half-startled by the heavy falling body.
Caption (JESSE):
…and fell to their deaths.
Page 4 (five panels)
Panel 1
Medium shot of the whole prison again from the outside. A red helicopter is flying over the labyrinth, towards the main building.
Caption (JESSE):
Escape from Theseus’ Crown is impossible… So they say…
Panel 2
A medium shot inside the helicopter of two men seated beside each other, both wearing the bright red jumpsuits, blue collars and handcuffs as the other prisoners. One is JESSE J. JOHNS, a Caucasian, about 5-foot-8-inches tall with bronze skin, slicked back blonde hair, hazel eyes, an average build, and a well-groomed beard with connecting sideburns. Jesse gives a double thumbs-up to the camera and his wrists are bound by the blue energy handcuffs seen on the prisoners before. He smiles confidently. The other man is BUTCH CAUDILL, a statuesque 6-foot-5-inch tall, coffee brown skinned African American with a short frohawk, small dark brown eyes and an athletic build. Butch sits up confidently with good posture and his hands are folded in his lap, also bound with the glowing blue cuffs. Butch has a charming smirk. Beside them, an armed guard may be seen standing and gripping an overhead bar with his right hand and holding a baton in his left hand.
Caption (JESSE):
But Jesse Jim Johns isn’t a coward! And my best buddy, Butch Caudill, and I are going to test that theory… because we’re thieves of honor and certified geniuses!
Panel 3
A teenage Jesse, skinnier and sans beard, is shown running out of the front door of a fast food restaurant carrying an armful of what looks like flour tortilla wraps with chocolate nuggets spilling out of them. A young, pimple-faced boy wearing a dark brown collar shirt and a stupid looking chocolate brown hat shaped like a taco shell is running close at his hills and trying to reach out and catch him. A teenage Butch, still a head taller than Jesse but slimmer, is standing in front of the restaurant holding two smaller boys up by their collars menacingly. The two captured boys are obviously scared and their feet dangle a few inches from the ground.
Caption (JESSE):
Like most guys, we started off as small-time thugs, robbing Choco Bells (man, I love their chocolate tacos!) and hustling on the streets.
Panel 4
From a front view, an angry man in a dark suit flanked by two enforcers with expressionless faces armed with automatic rifles stand in front of a large building, which appears to be an armory, scanning for something. At the top of the building the shapes of Jesse and Butch in black leotards are seen with night vision goggles glaring against the dark background of a starry night sky. The man in the suit is the stereotypical mafia crime boss with slicked back salt-and-pepper hair, a clean shaven face, an aquiline nose, sunken eyes and a red flower pinned to the front of his suit jacket. The two soldiers are young and wear the usual fatigues. Red lights are glowing along the edge of the roof, indicating sirens blaring and thick black smoke is billowing from somewhere off screen.
Caption (JESSE):
Eventually we moved up to big-time scores, like breaking vaults, conning multibillion dollar business owners, and even breaking into a mobster’s warehouse, just for the fun of it. But we never harmed anyone (not PHYSICALLY anyway) and everyone we stole from was a crook themselves in some form or another.
Panel 5
Jesse and Butch are seen in a large warehouse, apparently tending to their “stash”. A line of fancy sports cars and a Hummer are seen parked along one wall of the warehouse and a large open vault is seen up against the adjacent wall, filled with bars of gold, jewels, cash and weapons. Butch, wearing a dark t-shirt, sits in the front seat of the Hummer, inspecting a rocket launcher and Jesse, wearing a white t-shirt and dark jeans, peers into the open vault holding a notepad and pen, apparently taking inventory.
Caption (JESSE):
What makes us geniuses, though you may ask?
Page 5 (five panels)
Panel 1
Jesse and Butch are seen standing in the middle of a highway wearing dark suits, smug grins, and holding their hands up in surrender. The pair is standing next to a crimson red sports car and they are surrounded by multiple police cars. Some police have already exited their vehicles and positioned themselves behind their doors with their guns drawn and aimed at the two.
Caption (JESSE):
Just the fact that we were never caught for our crimes until we allowed the authorities to capture us.
Panel 2
From a bird’s eye view, the red sports car can be seen speeding across a highway in the desert with at least five cop cars a hundred yards away with sirens blaring and kicking up clouds of dust in their wake.
Caption (JESSE):
Of course, we gave them a nice run for their money… about 200-miles worth of a run across two states.
Panel 3
A close up of a front-page newspaper clip shows Jesse and Butch’s mug shots grinning into the camera from the page with the headline “Infamous duo finally brought to justice” stretched above the photos.
Caption (JESSE):
After all, we are the best and brightest. From advanced hacking to simple breaking-and-entering, we learned the best way to do it all.
Panel 4
Jesse and Butch are seen now walking side-by-side, being escorted down a narrow hallway by four of the flying sentinels, one in the front, one on either side and one at the rear. Both men wear the bright red jumpsuits as the rest. Jesse is yelping, grabbing his butt with one hand and raising his other arm in protest, as the sentinel at the rear emits a small blue beam from its single eye right into his backside. Butch is walking casually with a calm expression on his face, ignoring his partner and scrutinizing the sentinel nearest to him.
Caption (JESSE):
And we learned everything we know from one man. The very same man who we came into this crapper to bust out…
SFX:
BZZZT!
JESSE:
YEOW!
Panel 5
In a large room, which is meant to suffice as a prison yard but resembles a dungeon with some sunlight streaming through the high windows, we see CASUAL AL, a pale and portly forty-something-year-old man with receding gray and black hair and two long, identical scars running down both cheeks stands with his arms outstretched and a broad smile on his otherwise intimidating face. He wears the same bright red uniform as the other prisoners. Some of the prisoners are milling about behind him, working out with weights or standing around talking. At least a pair of the flying sentinels may be seen hovering nearby. A pair of men in the background are also standing face-to-face, staring angrily at each other, preparing to brawl.
Caption (JESSE):
The original gangster known as Casual Al.
CASUAL AL:
BOYS!!