Daylight Saving, Issue 5: Part 3.1

Page 113

Panel 1: Falis is back on her feet and heading up to the front of the class a few moments later; her mind going through what may befall her.

Caption

(Desiree Simpson)

"Ms. Noor, my name is Desiree Simpson. I'm part of the Advance team for the Cop 6 conference.

Panel 2: We see her a short time later in the principal's office, seated on a leather chair as Ms. Simpson is explaining the situation in full.

DESIREE

(Cont.)

I’m here due to the fact that, as of Noon EDT, you and your mother have been invited to the Cop 6 conferences as guests of the American delegation--

Panel 3: Close-up on Ms. Noor a beat later, piping in with joyous shock at the answer; a grin over her mouth agape face.

FALIS

(interjecting)

Seriously?!! Oh my Gosh, Brie Benoit thinks I’m awesome! This is--this is incredible!

Panel 4: Back to Desiree who lets out a slight chuckle as she proceeds to tamper down the giddy feelings ever so slightly.

DESIREE

Before you get too excited, there is a questionnaire you will have to fill out- standard security protocol.

Panel 5: Rachelle watches a short time later as the stapled stack of documents are placed in her hands from the bureaucrat's suitcase.

DESIREE

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Your mother should be receiving a similar document within the next 24-48 hours.

Page 114

Panel 1: Skimming through the top part of the page, one part catches the young girl's eye in a state of worried curiosity.

FALIS

Umm...where it talks about forms of ID- my mom doesn't have a driver's license. Is that gonna be a problem?

Panel 2: The experienced government Falis is not as phased by that as Rachelle is, already with an idea how to answer that question. 

DESIREE

Does she have an NHS number?

DESIREE

(Bubble 2; reacting to Panel 3, Bubble 1)

Then that should be sufficient identification for her. Also, on a personal note, I have some friends who served in Somalia in the early ‘90s. Congrats for getting the hell out of that place.

Panel 3: She ponders the question for a bit, knowing the answer but doing her best to piece the details as truthfully as possible.

FALIS

(nods)

She did. Back in February or March, I think. Just a year after we emigrated from Somalia.

Panel 4: Rachelle looks back up at the adult a beat later, listening to the rest of the remark with the veneer of calm respect that holds back a lot of...not-so-calm vibes underneath.

DESIREE

(Cont., Off-Panel)

It must have been so tough growing up there.

Caption

(Jaz)

"Um, she know your mom was an architect in Puntland before heading to the UK, right?

Panel 5: At the cafeteria a little later, we see her and Jaz at a table near the back and eating lunch amidst a selection of other students seated around them.

RACHELLE

(slight chuckle)

Honestly, I'm happy she didn't do that thing I’ve noticed white people in England do when they realize they screwed up and throw out some Martin Luther King--

JAZ

(chimes in with a laugh)

--to show they're not racists...yeah, I get the same thing something. It’s definitely worse, and sometimes funny.