Daylight Saving, Issue 6: Part 1.1

Page 126

Panel 1: We open on the same setting/layout as the end of Issue 5, with Mx. Benoit's puzzled expression at the crackle emanating from their purse in the middle of the presser.

Caption

(Brie)

"The backlash from Big Business and Big Oil over what I said on the ECT was to be expected. All of the other positive bits that have come out…gotta say that took me pleasantly off-guard. The crowd was enraptured in a way I’ve never seen since I’ve been in 2000. Volunteers are way up, including our first branches outside of the country.”

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

“Fundraising's up. We've gotten more attention from politicians in the Congress than ever before, some of them- like Mr. Wellstone- ready to start putting our bigger policies out nationally. Back in California, Sen. Skjei is ready to support the institute wholeheartedly, right up to the final vote."

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"And yet, I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the moment because...because of that damn crackle. I could feel aalmost instantly something was off."

Panel 2: Shortly after the presser, we see Brie stepping out of a portal created by their shoes; their face a blend of sadness and shock and a thousand other emotions screaming all at one time.

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"It wasn't till I got back to L.A. and took a look at it that my fears were realized- it was the Burnham. Somehow the Slingshot countdown had been rushed by over a hundred days."

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"I tried for days to find out precisely what happened, to buy myself a little more time...nothing. As my usual anxiety crept up, another one that had been kind enough to keep quiet these last few months crept up: What if it ends up being all for naught? History has shown humans back stepping into comfortable stupidity and darkness on more than one occasion. Who’s to say this..." 

Panel 3: In Brie's apartment after one of these examinations, we see the young person snuggling up for comfort with Kayla after a night out. 

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"Kayla, as usual, was a soothing rock for me...steering my brain back to balance."

KAYLA

(reassuring)

I know it’s scary, hon. I get it. But you’ve done a lot of good, in a short chunk of time. You just gotta trust we're smart enough to handle the rest.

Caption

(Brie)

"Gods, I love her! Speaking of scary things…"

Panel 4: Close-up on Mx. Benoit's face a beat later, tilted toward their partner with an impulsive question that comes to mind at the heat of the moment.

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"Here’s another thing that’s occupied my mind since the second I saw her. I was hoping to save it till New Year’s Eve, but…"

BRIE

Would it be too much if you joined me, once it’s time for me to go, back to 2100?

Panel 5: Ms. Prince is taken aback by the question, showing a level of nerves that we've rarely seen from her.

Caption

(Brie)

"The long pause was not comforting. For a brief moment, I thought I might have inadvertently screwed up one of the best things I'd ever been involved in." 

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"Fortunately for me, that wasn’t the case. She didn't run screaming for the exit, nor did she throw her hands up in joy. All she said was...

KAYLA

It wouldn't, no. But I’d have to think about it though, before committing to it either way.

Caption

(Brie)

"I could live with that."

Page 128

Panel 1: At the airport, the couple have their bags packed and ready on their way to the terminal; a smattering of would-be passengers gawking in the background, trying to take a photo of the now famous couple.

KAYLA

(grateful) 

Thanks for agreeing to ride the airplane. I know you've got the portal shoes, not to mention the whole-- 

BRIE

(interjecting)

--vomiting on the flight attendants three different times. Anytime I can relieve someone of their anxieties, it's well worth it. 

Panel 2: Slight close-up on their faces a beat later just as Mx. Benoit squeezes their partner's hand a little harder; their gaze more lovingly placed toward Ms. Prince's face.

BRIE

(Cont.)

Especially to someone who means anything and everything to me.

Panel 3: As they lean forward for a kiss, a water balloon filled with piss hits the two of them.

Panel 4: Cut to a shot of a screaming protester nearby who threw the disgusting projecting, forcibly restrained by federal agents who are protecting the couple.

PROTESTER #3

Godless Heathens...! The Almighty will reveal your sinful charade to the world...

Panel 5: Brie cringes at the feel of the bodily fluids; their body tensing up from top to bottom. You can see Kayla reaching down to one of the carry-ons for some clean wipes.

KAYLA

Good thing I left the note for you to pack the clean wipes. You probably would've forgotten, given all the work with the Burnham you've been doing.

BRIE

Yeah...

Panel 6: We jump to a shot of the two of them after the plane ride, arriving at the hotel in the Hague along with the other delegates. You can see patches of media at the front entrance, snapping photos of Brie as well as some of the other foreign dignitaries.

Caption

(Cont., Brie)

"Doesn't mean I won't be running to the shower the moment we get to the hotel."

Caption

(Kayla)

"I’ll be right behind you. Make sure you don’t hog all the hot water."

Caption

(Brie)

"Obviously...!"