Script: AFTER, story two

The second in the AFTER series. Introduces some reoccurring characters.

AFTER
Story two
Great Expectation
by David Tulloch and (your name here)

Disclaimer: Like anything I write, the panel breakdowns are just suggestions. If you want to group some panels together so there are multiple speech bubbles, or break them apart so there are more panels with less words, feel free. Layout suggestions are just that. You're the artist, feel free to play with the layout and frames as you wish.


Page ONE
Two street 'kids' in Austin, Texas, panhandling. One male, one female. They are both early twenties. They are scruffy, but not overly so. It is a calculated scruffy. Not too unclean, as it means people will avoid you, but not too tidy, or people won't feel sympathy. The guy has a scruffy, sparse beard. She is Connie. He is Pete. The weather is warm. They don't seem too worried about life. Things aren't that bad, really.

1/1
TITLES
AFTER
Story two
Great Expectation
by David Tulloch and (your name here)
Connie holding out a tin to a passerby. Pete beside her.
Pete: "Spare some change, man?"

1/2
Hand dropping something in the tin.
(tink)
(Connie, off): "Cool. Thanks. Have a nice day."

1/3
Connie pans another passerby.
Connie: "Hey there, you got some spare coin on you?"

1/4
But this one keep walking. Connie doesn't give up, following them with the tin.
Connie: "No? C'mon, please. Anything?"

1/5
Connie, professional to the end, gives them a smile anyway.
Connie: "Catch you next time then."


Page TWO

2/1
Connie counting the money in the tin. Pete standing there.
Pete: How we doing, Connie?
Connie " ... seventeen, eighteen ...

2/2
"Connie: "We're real close. Less than a quarter away from a box."

2/3
Pete tries his luck.
Pete: "Hey, dude. Spare some change?"

2/4
But doesn't get anything.
Pete: "Next time, dude."

2/5
He tries again ...
Pete: "Hey there. Got a quarter? "

2/6
But still no luck.
Pete: "Just a quarter?"


Page THREE

3/1
Pete: "Man, you try. I'm giving off a bad vibe or something"
Connie: "I'm just cuter than you, Pete."

3/2
Connie sees a man, middle aged, a little overweight, dressed nicely but not too prosperous, walking towards them.
Connie: "Hey, I know this guy ... he always gives up some cash."

3/3
Connie: "Hey there, mister. Can I get some spare cash?"
Man: "Not today."

3/4
Connie (and Pete) follow him as he goes by, not giving up.
Connie: "C'mon, please. You know me?"
Man: "Not today. I'll give you some tomorrow."

3/5
They are shadowing him, moving alongside.
Pete: "Just a quarter, man. One lousy quarter."
Connie: "C'mon."
Man: "Just leave me alone, please."


Page FOUR
4/1
Connie still won't give up.
Connie: "But you're always so nice, man. You always give something."
Man: "Just not today. Okay?"

4/2
Pete moves in front of the man, blocking his path.
Pete: "We really need a quarter, dude."

4/3
The man brushes past Pete, not answering back.
Pete: "Hey! Don't try to prented you don't hear me."

4/4
Larger frame. Pete hits the man from the side, in the head. Connie is looking on shocked.
(Whack!)


Page FIVE

5/1
Pete jumps on the man, who goes down under the assault.
Connie: "Fuck, man ... what you do that for?"
Pete: "Just help me."

5/2
Pete is trying to get the man's wallet from his pants, the man is groggy but fighting back. Connie is standing there, open mouthed and shocked. This is not what she expected or wanted.
Pete: "Stop struggling."

5/3
Pete has the wallet.
Pete: "Got it ... c'mon."

5/4
Complete change of scene. A party of 'kids' in a flop house. They are passing around a bladder of wine. Connie looks depressed. Pete is trying to be happy. Connie is sitting apart from the rest, and Pete has wandered over to talk to her.
Pete: "What are you so fucking down for. It's a party."
Connie: "Fuck, Pete. You really messed him up."

5/5
Pete: "Yeah, well. He deserved it?"
Connie: "He was one of the nice ones. Always gave me something."

5/6
Connie does not look happy with Pete.
Pete: "Yeah, exactly. He always gave. So when he didn't it was like he was breaking a deal ... a contract."


Page SIX

6/1
Pete: "We'd better stay off the streets for a few days."
Connie: "Yeah. I might go south for a few weeks. I haven't seen the ocean for a while now."

6/2
Connie: "You like the ocean?"
Pete: "Me? It's just water, right? I don't like getting wet."

6/3
Connie: "The ocean is ... romantic."
Pete: "Romance? Doesn't exist any more. It all got taken up."

6/4
Pete: "You gonna come back?"
Connie: "Maybe."

6/5
Pete begins to head back to the others.
Pete: "You'll come back. I know you will."

6/6
Pete wanders off to join the others in the drinking and laughing. Connie remains apart and alone. Silent frame. (Pete is actually in love with Connie. Connie, however, is not in love with Pete, or indeed anyone.)

END