Daylight Saving, Issue 4: Part 1.1

Page 76

Panel 1: We open in the same busy office area of A Better Normal that we left the last issue in. There are little differences in some of the cubicle areas to show that it isn't precisely the same time either.

Caption

182 Days Left

Caption

(Brie's Diary Narration)

"Hey Diary, after a...less than ideal debut for A Better Normal, things have picked up in the office. The neighborhood in Pico-Union have reacted positively to some of the initial outreach efforts we've done. There's a good energy amongst the staff that's resulted in a lot of good ideas and a general atmosphere that has been amazing to behold." 

Caption

(Cont., Brie's Diary Narration)

"Especially given that much of it comes from people who are just as old as I am- a few even younger. 

Panel 2: Slight close-up on a little part of the office, chatting away in regards to a particular issue. In the distance off-panel, you can hear the sound of a ringing phone from another cubicle.

Caption

(Cont., Brie's Diary Narration)

"Yet there’ve been many, many days it feels like that energy is just slamming into a steel wall without any shaking. I mean, we haven’t had any elected official answering our calls, or even taking us all that even who. People ’in the middle’ nationally still have no real emotional care to push their representatives for change.”

Panel 3: Cut to a shot of the cubicle in question, showing the worker hearing the protestation and firing back with righteous energy as well as some semblance of professionalism in the situation.

CALLER

["DIE COMMIE TREE HUGGER" + EXPLETIVES + CLIMATE DENIALISM]

WORKER

["WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOU TOO, SIR" + CALM PLATITUDE +]--

CALLER

(Bubble 2)

[RACIST EXPLETIVES!!]

Caption

(Cont., Brie's Diary Narration)

"Then, of course, there are the hate calls and hate mail from Conservatives and uber Religious types that've moved from my apartment mailbox and phone to the office mailbox and phone."

Panel 4: A short time later, we see the worker marking on a big whiteboard in the Hate/Death Threat column, marketing each of the negative calls and pieces of mail they've gotten. The numbers specifically are: Hate/Death Threat Calls- 200, Hate/Death Threat Letters- 239.

Caption

(Cont., Brie's Diary Narration)

"I don’t know if there’s a sense of personal growth in this time, or it’s a result of my growing relationship with Kayla (maybe both). But I feel stronger due to all of this...ready to take the negative stuff head-on." 

Panel 5: We move to a shot of Mx. Benoit in their office, scribbling the diary entry into their notebook at the same moment; their non-writing hand calmly stimming on the top of the desk's counter. You can see the walls of the modestly furnished apartment in the background filled with a few pictures from past interviews the young person has done the world over.

Caption

(Cont., Brie's Diary Narration)

"For the first time, the idea of bringing her back to 2100…kinda makes sense to me. Her beauty, her kindness, her humor and heart…I know the potential harms on the timeline are still there. But it doesn’t seem as potentially perilsome as a life without her—“

Panel 6: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. They stop writing a beat later, glancing up toward the door as someone knocks on the door to get their attention.

RECEPTIONIST #2

(Off-Panel)

Some mail for ya- the good kind...

Page 77

Panel 1: Brie reaches out a short time later to grab the letter with what looks like, at a glance, formal stationery.

BRIE

(curious, to Receptionist)

Are we talking actually good, or "at least it's not screaming or on fire" good? 

RECEPTIONIST #2

(shrugs, to Brie)

It's from that new State Senator de Lancie. So...probably good.

Panel 2: Slight close-up on Mx. Benoit a beat later, flipping the envelope to its back in order to open it.

BRIE

(puzzled)

Our first reply from an actual politician? I thought most of 'em still believed I was a "flash in the pan" and this was some Hollywood plant.

Panel 3: The Receptionist fires back with some clarification, watching as their boss opens the letter up in the middle of the explanation.

RECEPTIONIST #2

Andrew de Lancie's different than most. The Times are calling him ”California’s answer to Russ Feingold.” There’s even speculation he may run for Governor in '06 after Grey Davis.

Panel 4: Back to Brie a few moments later, quickly reading the opened letter with an encouraged look on their face in terms of the contents.

BRIE

He says he wants to meet me and Kym before the DNC about our fuel efficiency and public transport improvement policies.

BRIE

(Bubble 2; reacting to Panel 5, Bubble 1)

If he’s actually the real deal. But, yeah...our first potential political ally- worth celebrating. Has Kym come into the office yet?

Panel 5: The Receptionist shares a similar level of encouragement and excitement at the development, flashing part of a grin as they speak.

RECEPTIONIST #2

Awesome, congrats! The first one of many, I think.

RECEPTIONIST #2

(Bubble 2; reacting to Panel 4, Bubble 2)

Not yet. I think she's still at that new Comic Book store getting herself situated.

Panel 6: Mx. Benoit nods with a sudden jolt of remembrance at the bit of information; the envelope and letter drifting down to their side as they speak.

BRIE

Oh right, right. She's been going through that annoyance for weeks now. Give me her pager number...

Panel 7: We move to a shot of Kym stepping out of the comic book store, holding Marvel Knights #2, Black Panther #19 as well as many Milestone titles, and with an exasperated look on her face after what was another harrowing experience inside.

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"Hopefully the news will give her something to smile on, if the store's still being a jerk like the others."

KYM

(thought bubble)

Fourth store…somehow worse than the ******* others.