James Brighton Society, Chapter 8: Pages 23-24

Page 23, 5 Panels- The Cloak Room, Washington D.C.

Panel 1: We move back to a shot of Dorian in the same setting and layout that we saw in the second to last panel of the previous page. He nods at the statement, pointing with his right arm toward the corresponding part of the panel view as he speaks. You can see Tasha's reflection behind him in the background as she responds to the question.

DORIAN [to Tasha]: Of course, my friend...what's your pleasure? TASHA [pondering, to Dorian]: Haven't had huevospicados since I was a child. I'll take that, and coffee in a pint glass. DORIAN [Bubble 2]: A pint glass? There's a first. I'll have it for you in a jiff.

Panel 2: Cut to a side shot of Ms. Randolph, watching as the mecha-man heads off toward the kitchen area. You can see in the background some of the tables nearby the bar that are filled with a handful of early morning customers, listening to the multi-armed guitar player on-stage.

TASHA [exclaiming pleasantry]: Thanks, Dorian...

Panel 3-4: A two-part set of panels that centers on the same setting and layout as the previous panel. In Panel 3, we see her waiting peacefully for the food to arrive as the music continues playing from earlier. In the next panel, a few minutes later, we see Tasha's comm (slipped into the pocket of her trousers) start to ring.

Panel 5: Close-up on Tasha's face a moment after answering the call. The comm itself is hidden upstage, pressed against the young woman's ear. You can see in her eyes that she has an idea what's about to be said before it's being said.

TASHA [to Grem]: Hey, how'd it go with Mona? You get the magic weapon you were looking for? GREM [through the receiver, to Tasha]: Aye, it was good. I got what I was hoping for, but... TASHA [Bubble 2]: "But?" There's a word that never follows anything good. What happened?

Page 24, 4 Panels- The Cloak Room, Washington D.C.

Panel 1-2: A two-part set of panels that focuses on a pair of action shots, showing Tasha off the stool and pacing from left to right on each panel listening and responding to Gremlin. The bar is seen in the background in both panels, with Dorian firmly gone from view at this point.

GREM [from the receiver; Panel 1]: We had a bit of a kerfuffle with some Troia Nova goons while I was acclimating myself with my new sword, took out our lone means of escape. Luckily, we found shelter which, with Mo and Fatima's skills behind me, should keep me upright for the time being. Which means...I'll probably not be back Stateside before tonight.

TASHA [confused, to Grem; Panel 1]: Okay. What the hell is a kerfuffle? GREM [Panel 1, Bubble 2]: Basic swirling torrent of chaos. TASHA [Panel 1, Bubble 2]: Figured as much... TASHA [Cont., Panel 2]: Would've been nice to come up with a plan for when we got inside before you left. GREM [Panel 2]: Aye, that was my mistake. But you've got a good head on your shoulders. I trust you can come up with something that ca--

Panel 3: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. The conversation is suddenly halted by the sound of gunfire on the other end of Tasha's comm. It startles her for a moment, but not enough to rise to the level of fear at that point in time. Panel 4: Cut to a shot of Tasha's face a few moments later. She's turned around and is seen looking over to the left of the panel view, signaling toward the chef that she sees off in the distance. You can see in her eyes, alongside the slice of the dining area and the windows in the background, the look of someone wanting a shot of "Irish Courage" for whatever may come next.

TASHA [to Dorian and the chef]: Actually, switch the coffee to Cusha...!

END OF CHAPTER 8