The Community, Issue 3: Part 4.3

Page 74

Panel 1: Same setting/layout as the last panel of the previous page. Neha's fingers re-emerge, zooming the camera onto Ms. Borah's face as she punctuates her statement; the aura glowing a little brighter than before, even as her shoulders droop a little.

JESMINDER

(Cont.)

It may be as a butterfly, or possibly a tree whispering nothings to a girl who will obliterate the patriarchy. Hell, I may become that very girl.

Panel 2: Close-up on Jesminder's face, showing a boastful cocky smirk with the last few words she musters. You can see her husband's hand disappear from view after completing the zoom properly. In the lower part of the panel view, underneath her statement, there's a "BEEP!" sound effect.

JESMINDER

(Cont.)

Whatever I end up as in the next life, I guarantee I will find you spineless chodhrus and the putrid system you worship...and I will burn it with the righteous power of Kali straight to the motherfucking ground!

(Bubble 2)

The last thing you will hear, as your paper empires burn to ash...is my laughter guiding you to the bowels of Naraka!

Panel 3: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. The "Record" icon has disappeared, signaling the end of the video. With noticeably sleepy eyes, she glances over at her wife's direction.

JESMINDER

(yawns with a half grin, to Neha)

How was it?

NEHA

(Off-Panel, to Jesminder)

Perfect...in so many ways.

JESMINDER

(Bubble 2)

Great...just, great!

Panel 4: We cut to a shot of Neha; her right hand to her side, gripping the phone tightly. She glances over his shoulder as Jes while turning back toward the bedroom door.

JESMINDER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Wake me up when dinner's ready?

NEHA

(slight nod, heartfelt)

Of course...

Panel 5: A two-part set of panels that focuses on Jesminder a few moments after Neha has left, sleeping on her side; both of her hands pulling the bedsheets up to the bottom of her chin.

Panel 6: In the second part, she's in the same position on the bed as before. The background, however, has changed completely- a black void with no evidence tying it to any point in space or time.

Page 75

Panel 1: Same setting/layout as the last panel of the previous page; the aura faded from her at this point. A little bit later, the sound of music drifts into the scene from the right of the panel view, rustling Jesminder from her sleep.

SINGER

(Off-Panel)

Seven days of Saturday

Is all that I need

Got no use for Sunday

'Cause I don't rest in peace...

Panel 2: She rises up from bed a few moments later to a seated position, looking out to discover the source of the music. You can see the flickers of familiarity in her eyes as she listens.

SINGER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Don't need no Mondays

Or the rest of the week

I spend a lot of time in bed

But baby I don't like to sleep no...

JESMINDER

(thought bubble)

Whoa..."I'll Sleep When I'm Dead." Haven't heard that in years!

Panel 3: Cut to a flashback of her first election to the Lo Sabkha 20 years before. The crowd packed to the brim and cheering as the then-thirtysomething Jesminder greets the crowd with beaming smiles.

Caption

(Cont., Jesminder)

"Not since my first election win."

SINGER

(Cont., from the speaker in the top right corner)

I won't lie to you

I'm never gonna cry to you

I'll probably drive you wild 8 days a week

Until I'm six feet under...

Panel 4: Action shot back to the nothingness approximation of the present. She flashes a half-grin sparked by the jolts of nostalgia as she walks.

SINGER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Baby I don't need a bed

Gonna live while I'm alive

I'll sleep when I'm dead

'Til they roll me over...

JESMINDER

(Cont., thought bubble)

Must be the afterlife...nice of my brain to put the little bit of familiarity there. I wonder how Chitragupta will appear.

Panel 5: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. A moment later, she stops walking upon the sound of a booming voice shooting in from off-panel right.

SINGER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

And lay my bones to rest

Gonna live while I'm alive...

CHITRAGUPTA

(Off-Panel, )

Like this...hello, Jesminder Gupta Borha.

JESMINDER

(to Chitragupta)

Chitragupta?

Panel 6: Cut to a shot of Chitragupta standing in front of her with her hands behind her back, dressed in a respectful two-piece business suit; her hair in a short, pixie cut. In the background, you can see a pair of doors.

SINGER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

JESMINDER

(Cont., Off-Panel)

Didn't think gods dressed like that.​

CHITRAGUPTA

(explanatory, to Jesminder)

You guys have always been rubbish on how we dressed, regardless of the faith.​

JESMINDER

(Off-Panel, Bubble 2)

Huh. Good to know...