Old Scars, Chapter 4: Part 1.2

Page 76 Panel 1: Profile shot of the edge of the cityscape of 1-00-1-10-1-1/Utopia the two of them are entering a short time later. You can see a mixture of humans and mechas as well as others in between and along the edges, conversing and laughing and dealing goods.

Caption

(Cont., T)

"Welcome to 1-00-1-10-1-1!"

Panel 2: Cut to a slight close-up of Grem looking around at a stand offering custom made oil paintings and mechanical pets as well as cooks making local delicacies.

GREM

(thought bubble) It's just like the old pop-up markets in Constantine back at the end of the last century, but on a bigger scale. I remember Miriam talking about towns like these. It's far different to see it in person.

(thought bubble 2) This language they're speaking. It's surprisingly lyrical for something that's composed of ones and zeroes.

Panel 3: A seller walks by a few moments later, holding a stack "Fronary to English Translation" books; a 50 pence sign nearby. Grem turns to the young boy, and signals him.

GREM

(calling, to the boy) Hey...how much for that translation book?!

Panel 4: The two of them exchange the sale moments later; Grem handing the coins to the boy, and the boy delivering the book. Just before Mr. Allen can grab it, a question pops into his head.

GREM

(curious) Cheers...! Where can I learn more about the Ghost Rockets?

Panel 5: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. The boy points out to a separate point downstage north where the location is. You can see Grem and his puzzled expression in terms of the words, trying his best to flip through the pages and match things.

BOY

(explanatory) 00-11-1-10-1'11_1-11-00-1'11_01-10-1-11-11-1-01-00_01-1-1-10_10-1-01-01-1-11-1-01-11-1-1-1-10-1. 00-1-1-1-00-11---

Panel 6: After noticing the puzzled expression on his face, the boy stops speaking. He then switches tact, scribbling the note down in English in the back of the translation book.

Page 76

Panel 1: Action shot of Grem a few moments later, flipping through the pages as he and the boy steps away from each other after the end of the transaction.

GREM

(thought bubble) Just what I thought: a variation of morse code and old turn of the century binary. Bloody ingenious...!

Panel 2: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. He stops flipping a beat later at the front of the book, which highlights the history of Fronary.

GREM

(Cont., reading/thought bubble) It originated from some mechas early on in the Nazi regime as a means of concealment as they tried to get fellow "undesirables" out toward England the States before the camps sprung up. How we treated many of 'em, during and after the war, like bloody second class citizens brings me no deficit of embarrassment and rage--

Panel 3: Moments later, deep in reading, the young/old man whomps into a young woman who was walking in the same direction from the opposite side.

Panel 4: Grem squats down and helps- along with PO- gather up the papers and bags filled with things we don't quite see.

GREM

(apologetic, to Po) Sorry 'bout that, ummm...shite, what's the phrase? Oli hieman hajamlienen.

PO

(correcting, with a chuckle; to Grem) It's hajamielinen...not bad for a foreigner!

Panel 5: Close-up on Mr. Allen as he goes back to a standing position, flashing a bright smile at the compliment after the exchange of stuff.

GREM

(respectful nod) I speedread an Finnish/English dictionary the last time I was in Helsinki years ago. That was one of the bits that stuck.

GREM

(Bubble 2; reacting to Panel 6, Bubble 1) You know T? Small word. They're a genuinely nice person, I've found...

Panel 6: A little bit of inspiration pops up on Po's face upon hearing the word "Helsinki." You can see a look of curiosity on her face.

PO

I'm actually on my way to meet someone from Helsinki- a...friend of mine. Their name's T.