James Brighton Society, Chapter 2: Pages 17-18

Page 17, 6 Panels- Steve Brennan's Bedroom/Grem's Workstation, Avalon Arms/Grem's Apartment, Georgetown/Downtown section of Washington D.C. Panel 1-3: A three-part set of panels that focus on that section of upturned floorboards that we saw in the previous page. It follows the good Detective as it moves closer and closer to that area, standing over it by the time we reach Panel 3. In each panel, you can see a little bit of the darkness in the hole from which she's examining it at that moment. You can also see the door leading in barely cracked open. Panel 4: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. A few seconds later, we see Ms. Randolph bent down in a squatting position looking over the hole with a degree of confusion upon seeing something that has considerably thrown her for a loop. DET. RANDOLPH [to herself]: What the hell is this? Panel 5: Cut to an interior shot of Grem's work station back in his apartment. He's wearing a pair of spectacles with a zoom-in feature, looking over the metal box that was procured from Mr. Brennan's apartment and placed in the dead center of the table. The Irishman is holding a screwdriver with a teeny tiny tip, using it to unlock the off-panel lock mechanism to the box. His forehead gleams with sweat from the hot lights illuminating his station. Panel 6: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. A few minutes later, Grem pulls away from the scene, letting out a frustrated sigh upon not yet cracking open the safe. He leans back against his chair and stares up toward the ceiling. The tool in his hand now out in full view from its prior positioning. GREM [angered growl, to himself]: Still nothing! Page 18, 5 Panels- Grem's Workstation, Downtown Washington D.C. Panel 1-2: A two-part set of panels that center on a front shot of our immortal inventor, looking down at the safe with the same level of frustration that he had at the end of the previous page (at least to begin with). The lights illuminating every square inch of his beautiful face and curly blonde locks as well as his white open-buttoned workshirt with sweat. In Panel 1, we see him slam the screwdriver down on the hardwood table next to the safe. In Panel 2, Grem glances over to the right in contemplation upon an idea that pops in his mind. GREM [Cont., Panel 1]: I've tried the soft touch, the hard touch...the "smashing it multiple times with my Fragarach" touch. The only thing I haven't tried is sticking a few ounces of explosives in its hinges to jar the bloody thing open. GREM [Panel 1, Bubble 2]: What was Stevie hiding that'd justify this type of security? Enough to get 'im killed, I know that much... GREM [has an idea, Panel 2]: What about that phasing spell I picked up from that bruja last time I was in Monterrey? Panel 3: Action shot following Mr. Allen as he stands up from his chair, turning his body 90 degrees as he makes his way to the point of the room where he saw what he saw in Panel 2. His body picking up a little more energy in connection with the idea. GREM [following on her thought from Panel 2]: Theoretically, it should be enough to get me through this pian ar an asal metal door. Or jam my wrist in the middle of the bloody thing! Panel 4: Same setting/layout as the previous panel, taken seconds later. Just as he's about to reach the bookcase located on the far wall of the workstation, he's stopped by the sound of meowing coming from the doorway off-panel. You can see the glare of the light partially on the left of the panel view. Panel 5: Cut to a shot of Grem's lovely kitty Athena, standing in the doorway; the source of the meowing we heard at the end of Panel 4. She's a white Persian who looks as if she's in the beginning stages of her life, although she is far older than her silky fur gives credit for. Her green eyes looking up lovingly (as much as a cat can display) at her human compadre. GREM [Off-Panel, warmly]: Ah'kay, Athena girl! I'll get your food...