The Community, Issue 3: Part 1.3

Page 56

Panel 1: Cut to 18-year-old Jes' room in the summer, resting on her bed. She glances over to the right at the ringing rotary phone placed on an end table.

Caption

(Cont., Jesminder narrating)

"I sent my resumes to each of the 32 women who were elected then. 31 promptly ignored me. The 32nd thankfully...did not."

Panel 2: A moment later, she stretches over and grabs the phone; part of a black Bon Jovi t-shirt visible through a shift in the bedsheets.

JESMINDER

(still sleepy, translated from Hindu)

...Hello?

IRA

(from the receiver, to Jesminder, translated from Hindu)

Is this Jesminder Borah?

JESMINDER

(Bubble 2)

...Speaking.

Panel 3: Cut to an interior shot of an office. At the reception desk, we see Ira- a young man dressed in a nice business casual suit. In the background are a few photos of his boss throughout the country and abroad.

IRA

My name is Ira Ganguly. I'm a secretary over at MP Rai's office--

JESMINDER

(interjecting, from the receiver)

MP Taradevi Rai?!

Panel 4: The mention of his boss' name sends a jolt of excited energy to the young man who rises up to a seated position on the bed; her shirt prominently visible at this point, along with a pair of comfortable underpants.

JESMINDER

(Cont.)

I'm a huge fan of hers!

Panel 5: Cut to a profile shot of MP Rai standing in the middle of the Lok Sabha one day. She's an aesthetically lovely woman, dressed in a respectful outfit typified by a rainbow flourish.

Caption

(Jesminder, narrating)

"Taradevi Rai was technically an Independent MP representing the Punjab at the time, though she preferred to call herself a Socialist."

Caption

(Cont., Jesminder narrating)

"Straight-talking, hard nosed, really funny, drank (and cursed) like a Scottish sailor. Also- supposedly- cold cocked a colleague who tried to feel her up."

Caption

(Cont., Jesminder narrating) "Never knew if that part was true or not."

Panel 6: We move to a stylized artistic rendition of Ms. Rai leveling a slightly taller colleague in the jaw with a right hook. The whole thing has a distinctly superheroic tint to it.

Caption

(Cont., Jesminder narrating)

"Didn't stop me from picturing (multiple times) the whole thing in my head- Wonder Woman style!"

Page 57

Panel 1: At the lectern a few minutes later, the Speaker stands ready to address his fellow MPs.

SPEAKER

(to the body, translated from Hindu)

I now call Day 22 of the Budget Session to order. The first item on our agenda- Question Hour.

Panel 2: Cut to a shot of Jesminder, raising her hand a moment later in regards to the question the Speaker poses.

SPEAKER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Before we begin though, I must add--​

JESMINDER

(to the Speaker, translated from Hindu)

Mr. Speaker, I request permission to be the first to question-

Panel 3: Back to a slightly more framed close-up on the Speaker, glancing over at the MP with a minimum modicum of courtesy in his voice.

SPEAKER

(interjecting, to Jesminder)

Yes, I'm well aware Ms. Borah. I received the E-Mail last night. What I was going to say prior to your interruption was that the Health Minister is out of town at a conference in Sydney for the next fortnight.

Panel 4: Back to Jesminder in the same setting/layout as Panel 2. She raises a skeptical eyebrow, but keeps well balanced as she speaks.

JESMINDER

(snarky)

Ah. What's her cell phone number? I'd be happy to have a private chat when she's free.

Panel 5: Same setting as the previous panel. The layout widens slightly, showing a few more of her party colleagues seated next to her, whooping in agreement at the kicker to Jes' statement.

JESMINDER

(Cont., directed at the Home Secretary with same snarky energy)

Afterwards, I can have a chat with you, Mr. Home Secretary, about why you're millions of rupees from organizations that profit from the exploitation of the poor. I imagine my constituents--

SPEAKER

(Off-Panel)

ORDER!...ORDER...!

JESMINDER

(Bubble 2, overtop the Speaker)

--would find such information quite illuminating.

Panel 6: Back to the Speaker in the same setting/layout as Panel 3, turning his attention from the opposition body to Jesminder herself.

SPEAKER

(Cont., to Jesminder diplomatically)

MP Borah, there's no need for crass American theatrics. I will make sure you're the first to ask whatever question you have the next time she's put up for Question Hour.