Clockwork Angels: Comic Script (12 page)
Read Clockwork Angels: Comic Script Online
Authors: Kevin J. Anderson
Tags: #comics, #steampunk, #scripts, #Fantasy, #Rush, #Clockwork Angels, #BOOM!, #Neil Peart. Watchmaker, #Anarchist, #Owen Hardy, #steamliner, #Adventure, #Geddy Lee, #Alex Lifeson
BAKER
Suit yourself. If someone else wants to do the work, who am I to turn it down?
PAGE 17
PANEL 1
Owen is inside the bakery now, wiping sweat from his forehead, leaning on the broom, done sweeping. The baker is stiff and formal, as if he doesn’t know how to smile.
OWEN
There, sir. Done sweeping. Did I do a good job?
BAKER
Good enough. Now off with you—don’t bother me any more.
PANEL 2
Owen is surprised and disappointed. The baker laughs.
OWEN
But … but … I did all that work!
BAKER
I never promised you anything in return, but you were fool enough to do it anyway. Now go!
PANEL 3
Small panel, close-up of Owen’s face, angry and offended. He has finally had ENOUGH.
PANEL 4
Owen snatches one of the pies and dashes off into the streets, a look of panic on his face. Behind him, in the door of the bakery, the baker yells after him.
BAKER
Stop! Thief!
PANEL 5
Finding a dark alley, Owen crouches in the shadows and wolfs down the pie.
OWEN
What is wrong with the people here? I just don’t understand them.
PANEL 6
Standing at the mouth of the alley, GUERRERO is there watching Owen, arms crossed over his chest. He is a street kid about Owen’s age, thin, feral. See novel for full description. Owen is startled.
GUERRERO
I see you’ve learned to steal—that’s an important part of survival in Poseidon City.
OWEN
Wha—? Who are you?
PANEL 7
Guerrero squats next to Owen, takes a piece of the pie.
GUERRERO
I’m Guerrero. Been watching you for a while, and I’m surprised you’re still alive! I could use a friend—stick with me and I’ll teach you what you need to know.
(CONTINUED)
As long as you give me a piece of that pie.
PAGE 18
PANEL 1
Nighttime streets with a full moon overhead. The two young men go running along the streets, away from us. They look happy-go-lucky, part of a great adventure.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Over the next weeks and months, I did what I needed to do, and I survived. We slept during the day, and then we had all night …
PANEL 2
In the dark behind a tavern, the two work over a sleeping drunk in an alley, picking his pockets.
CAPTION (OWEN)
I don’t know if Guerrero was looking for a friend or a partner in crime, if he was lonely … or if he wanted something from me.
GUERRERO
Check all his pockets! He’s so drunk he won’t even notice until he wakes up in the morning.
SFX (DRUNK)
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
PANEL 3
The two have broken into an unoccupied home. Guerrero is on the ground beneath a window of the house, holding a sack of loot. He gestures frantically to Owen, who is clumsily climbing out the window.
CAPTION (OWEN)
But he kept me alive in Poseidon City. I learned to fight and I learned to steal.
PANEL 4
The two sitting in a darkened stoop, sharing money they have stolen, laughing. Owen looks harder, more rough around the edges, not such a rube. He is happy at least.
PANEL 5
The two crouching outside another tavern. A big hanging sign out front says THE FLYING OWL, with a drawing of an owl just like the one on the cover of
Fly by Night
. A big, shaggy man staggers out of the tavern, CABEZA DE VACA, wearing a heavy coat. See novel for full description. Guerrero talks to Owen in a hushed whisper.
GUERRERO
I know him—that’s Cabeza de Vaca … an explorer, and a crazy man! Keeps wandering the Red Rock Desert in search of lost cities. Comes back whenever he needs to get drunk.
(CONTINUED)
He usually has a pouch of gold coins … unless he spent it all in the tavern.
PANEL 6
Guerrero nudges Owen, who rises to his feet and starts after the man as he wobbles and staggers away from the Flying Owl.
GUERRERO
This one’s all yours, Owen. He usually keeps the gold in his left pocket.
CABEZA DE VACA (SINGING/MUSICAL NOTES)
Ooohh, Seven Cities of Gold …
PAGE 19
PANEL 1
While Guerrero watches, encouraging, Owen slips up to the shambling Cabeza de Vaca, dips his hand into the man’s coat pocket.
CABEZA DE VACA
Seven Cities … urrrk?!
PANEL 2
Small panel, Cabeza de Vaca grabs Owen’s wrist like a vise; the man’s eyes flare in anger.
CABEZA DE VACA
Got you! THIEF!
PANEL 3
Owen thrashes, trying to get away, but Cabeza de Vaca won’t release him. Several other men, Cabeza’s buddies, come running out of the tavern, shouting.
OWEN
Let me go!
CABEZA’S BUDDY
We’re coming, Cabeza!
BUDDY #2
Get the filthy little pickpocket.
PANEL 4
Guerrero takes one look at the men and bolts without a glance back. Owen struggles and calls after him.
OWEN
Guerrero! Help!
PANEL 5
While Cabeza de Vaca glowers (still weaving and drunk), his buddies punch and pummel and kick Owen.
BUDDY
You get what you deserve, thief!
BUDDY #2
Teach you a lesson with bruises and broken bones.
PANEL 6
Small panel, Owen cowering, curled up, hands over his head, eyes squeezed shut. (Can combine with previous panel if it works.)
OWEN
Stop … please stop!
PANEL 7
Big panel, Commodore Pangloss stands there, stocky and intimidating. He holds a thick walking stick.
COMMODORE
I think that’s enough for now. Leave the lad alone …
(CONTINUED)
Or there’ll be a lot more pummeling before the night is done.
PAGE 20
PANEL 1
Commodore Pangloss drapes one of Owen’s arms over his broad shoulder and drags/walks Owen away from the Flying Owl tavern.
COMMODORE
I have no great fondness for thieves, young man. I don’t know why I intervened … maybe because I know of your fondness for books.
COMMODORE
Now you’ll have a chance to convince me I haven’t made a mistake.
PANEL 2
Daylight. Owen wakes up in a bed in an inn room. He has bandages on his forehead, a swollen eye. Beside him, Commodore Pangloss sits in a chair, reading a book.
OWEN
Oohhhh, you saved me. I’m not a hardened criminal, really.
COMMODORE
Not yet, perhaps, but a city like Poseidon will ruin you soon enough.
(CONTINUED)
I’ve had your clothes laundered. Get cleaned up, and then I’ll hear what you have to say for yourself.
PANEL 3
Close-up: The Commodore sets his book down on the bedside table. (All we see is the book and his hand.) The title of the book is GOING WHERE I WANT, INSTEAD OF WHERE I SHOULD by Hanneke Lakota. The Commodore’s words come from out of the panel (we don’t see him in the frame).
COMMODORE
I always like a good story.
PANEL 4
Owen gets dressed, straightening his clothes, tugging on his sleeves. He talks while the Commodore listens.
CAPTION (OWEN)
So, I told Commodore Pangloss everything—Barrel Arbor and Crown City, the carnival, the Clockwork Angels … Francesca … the Anarchist. My escape across the sea on the steamer. My tribulations here in Poseidon City.
CAPTION (OWEN)
What did I have to lose? I was far from Albion, and I doubted I would ever go back.
PANEL 5
Pangloss puts on his Commodore’s cap, which looks like something a navy officer would wear. He heads out the door of the inn room, with Owen following.
COMMODORE
Come along, Mr. Hardy.
(CONTINUED)
I’m a steamliner captain, an airship traveling to and from the alchemy mines in the distant mountains of Atlantis.
PANEL 6
Big panel, outside, the Commodore and Owen stand in front of his battered but still glorious steamliner. See novel for full description of the airship.
OWEN
It’s … beautiful!
COMMODORE
She’s just a cargo steamliner, mind you. Not one of those bloated, fancy caravans that your Watchmaker uses in Albion.
(CONTINUED)
But she’s MY ship, and I’ve never wanted anything else.
PAGE 21
PANEL 1
The two walk along the airship, showing more of the big cargo chambers, the inflatable sacks.
COMMODORE
On my regular run, I haul shipments of redfire opals, chalcedony, dreamstone, reactive ferrocerium … all the valuable alchemical elements. I bring the mining towns the supplies they need.
PANEL 2
At the locomotive portion of the steamliner, Commodore Pangloss swings himself up, climbing aboard.
COMMODORE
I could use an assistant to help stoke the fires and guide the steamliner. Are you interested, Mr. Hardy?
OWEN
It sounds like a great adventure!
PANEL 3
The two are inside the engine chamber, a big furnace connected to a boiler that bristles with pistons and gears.
COMMODORE
These are the engines, and they need to be fed. You’ll have to shovel enough red coal to keep the fires burning so we can stay aloft. But most of the time, we’ll be up in the main cabin.
PANEL 4
Inside the main cabin, a well-appointed, clean room with bookshelves, fine wooden fittings, cabinets. I picture something like Captain Nemo’s cabin on the
Nautilus
.
COMMODORE
This is my home on the long, lonely journeys. I could use someone to talk to—especially someone who likes to read. As you can see, I have a well-stocked library … the best volumes from various timelines.
OWEN
I look forward to it, sir!
COMMODORE
Good. Then we depart at sunset, as soon as the cargo is loaded.
PANEL 5
Outside, Poseidon City workers—like the rough and tumble people from the docks at the beginning of the issue—lift crates and sacks, loading the steamliner’s cargo bay while Owen and the Commodore watch.
COMMODORE
It’s a full manifest: clothing, food, medicine, tools, even some luxuries … though the miners aren’t much for fancy baubles.
PANEL 6
Small panel: the Commodore clicks his pocketwatch shut.
COMMODORE
It’s about time to go. I take it you’re ready to leave Poseidon City?
PAGE 22
PANEL 1
Sweating, Owen shovels red coal into the open mouth of the blazing engine furnace. Commodore Pangloss watches approvingly.
OWEN
I can’t be away from here soon enough!
COMMODORE
Stoke the fires, Mr. Hardy, and then come join me on the pilot deck.
PANEL 2
Small panel: the steel locomotive wheels glow blue, with curls of steam tangled around them.
PANEL 3
On the pilot deck, there are silhouetted mountains in the distance on the horizon, all surrounded by a blazing orange of sunset. The Commodore works the controls, while Owen steps up behind him.
COMMODORE
We’re moving now, picking up speed. Soon, we’ll leave the rails. Have you ever been on a steamliner before, Mr. Hardy?
OWEN
Not like this … never like this.
PANEL 4
Big panel, most of page. The beautiful steamliner soars up into the sky, leaving Poseidon City behind and heading toward the mountains. This is reminiscent (though not precisely the same) as the Hugh Syme spread on pp 208-209 in the novel).
COMMODORE (OUT OF PANEL)
Then hold on! We’ll fly by night … right across the stars.
END OF ISSUE 4
***
ISSUE 5
PAGE 1
PANEL 1
Big establishing shot, daylight, the colorful airship of Commodore Pangloss soars over a rugged, pristine landscape of mountains and trees.
CAPTION (OWEN)
In my time aboard the airship with Commodore Pangloss, I healed my bruises, and I healed my heart.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Someday, maybe I’ll think of my tribulations as “adventures.”
PANEL 2
Inside the control deck of the airship, the Commodore stands proud and commanding, as he and Owen both stare out the front windows.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Too often, though, I thought about the carnival, the Anarchist, the Clockwork Angels.
CAPTION (OWEN)
And Francesca.
COMMODORE PANGLOSS
We’ll arrive at the next mining town tomorrow. Hold our course steady, Mr. Hardy. Check the dreamline compass.
PANEL 3
Owen is bent over the controls, checking a complex gadget that looks like a fused pocketwatch and compass, with crystals.
CAPTION (OWEN)
But I locked those memories away and concentrated on my exciting new life.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Mostly.
OWEN
On course and on schedule, Commodore. Even the Watchmaker couldn’t do better.
PANEL 4
Another angle of the airship, closing in on the mountains.
COMMODORE (FROM SHIP)
The miners count on us to bring supplies, and Poseidon City counts on us to deliver alchemical elements.
COMMODORE (FROM SHIP)
That’s enough reason to keep a schedule, Mr. Hardy. We don’t do it for your Watchmaker.
OWEN (FROM SHIP, SMALL VOICE)
Well, he’s not
my
Watchmaker …
PAGE 2
PANEL 1
Owen inside the airship’s cozy library, which is like a gentleman’s sitting room, with books of all sizes lining the shelves. He looks at the shelves. The airship library has a large window, through which we can see the open sky, clouds, late afternoon sunlight.
CAPTION (OWEN)
The Commodore was a solitary man, but not lonely. He spent his time in the company of books, many titles from many different universes.
PANEL 2
Owen’s hand reaches up to pull a volume out of the shelves.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Books about lost cities of gold, starships to black holes, necromancers … and simple memoirs of everyday heroes.
PANEL 3
Owen holds a book, looks in astonishment at the cover, which says GOING WHERE I WANT, INSTEAD OF WHERE I SHOULD. The author is HANNEKE LAKOTA
OWEN
By Hanneke Lakota? Wait—that’s my mother’s maiden name! She … she dreamed of traveling the world, but she never left Barrel Arbor.
PANEL 4
Commodore Pangloss stands by the door of the library, amused.
COMMODORE
Ah yes, that’s quite a story. In this one of many possible worlds, your mother stayed home. But in other worlds, Hanneke Lakota was quite an adventurer.
COMMODORE
In this world, Mr. Hardy,
you
turned out to be the adventurer.
PANEL 5
Owen sits in the chair, poring over the book, reading it from cover to cover. Outside the window it’s now twilight and Owen has a coldfire reading light next to him, to show that he’s been there quite a while.
PANEL 6
External shot, daybreak, the airship travels toward a mining village, houses and buildings built into a stairstepped quarry-cliff. Rails lead out from mine shafts; people bustle around. Smoke curls up from smelters.
A set of tracks runs *toward us* to the edge of the cliff, where it just stops at the brink: this is like a landing strip, and the airship will touch down there.
CAPTION
Next morning …
COMMODORE (FROM SHIP)
We are arriving at the town of Endoline, Mr. Hardy. We’ll stay the day, take on a load of cargo, then head back to Poseidon City for another run.
PAGE 3
PANEL 1
The airship moored in the rugged mining town. It has touched down on the rails, and gritty-looking workers are unloading crates of supplies from one of the airship’s holds. Owen and Pangloss stand together, watching the work.
COMMODORE
Careful with those fresh supplies. This is my last visit here for a month.
(mutters)
I don’t know why anyone would live out on the brink of the civilized world …
OWEN
I’ll bet there’s more beyond Endoline. The Redrock Desert … and the Seven Cities of Gold!
PANEL 2
Some of the gritty miners chuckle as they carry crates. Pangloss pats Owen on the shoulder. Owen looks shame-faced.
MINER
*Groan* Not another dreamer looking for the Seven Cities!
MINER 2
Ha! If I had an amethyst for every crazy story like that, I wouldn’t need to work in the mines!
COMMODORE
Come on, Mr. Hardy. We have to settle our paperwork and find our dinner. Venison with gravy is the only treasure I’m hunting. I know an inn …
PANEL 3
Wide shot of the mining city; Endoline should have an interesting unusual design (which Nick is so good at), buildings structured on quarried ledges of the cliffs, connected by steep zig-zag roads. The industrial area has shafts, mine openings, scaffolds, like an Old West mining complex. A rickety water wheel connected to a waterfall and stream that runs down the cliffside. There are mine carts, workers. Owen and the Commodore walk down one of the rock-strewn streets.
COMMODORE
Endoline is the best source for redfire opals in Atlantis, but they also produce fine alchemical powders that are sent back to Albion. Very high profit.
OWEN
What does the Watchmaker use all that for?
COMMODORE
Who knows what the Watchmaker does?
PANEL 4
Inside a warmly lit tavern main room, Owen and the Commodore sit at a stone table. They are drinking from goblets of a local drink. Plates of food are in front of them.
The walls are stone, carved into the side of the mountain, like a cave. The fireplace is filled with blazing red gems. Similar red gems are set in alcoves of the wall, like torches. This looks very different from the Tick Tock Tavern in Issue 1. Small groups of miners are seated at other tables; one group sings boisterously.
COMMODORE
Careful with that drink, lad. It’s a local brew and very strong. You’re not used to it.
GROUP OF MINERS
Ooohh … ooohhh, seven cities of gold!
PANEL 5
A rangy hunter dressed in animal skins and high boots lounges in a chair by the crystal fire. An unstrung bow is propped against the wall beside him.
HUNTER
Got a glimpse of the Seven Cities myself on my last hunt … far out in the desert.
HUNTER
I’ve seen things out there, amazing things. A tall mesa, at the edge of the lake between the sun and the moon …
PANEL 6
Owen perks up, still holding his goblet, and looks over at the hunter, who is about ten feet away by the fireplace.
OWEN
You’ve seen the Seven Cities? *Hic* Could you find them again?
HUNTER
Many have tried, young man. But the Redrock Desert gets them all …
PANEL 7
Pangloss rolls his eyes and nudges Owen’s shoulder; Owen slumps down to the table, obviously inebriated.
OWEN
I wanna go there …
COMMODORE
You better just rest, Mr. Hardy. That’s enough delusions, and enough liquor, for one night.
PAGE 4
PANEL 1
Big panoramic panel, the airship flying along, heading toward another village, this time a group of houses around a sapphire-like lake. Outside the village a pair of glowing blue rails extends, like a landing strip.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Mining village after mining village, out to the farthest spur … and then back to Poseidon City. The towns were all interesting and all unique … but all the same.
CAPTION (OWEN)
It reminded me of the villages across Albion we visited in Cesar Magnusson’s carnival …
CAPTION (OWEN)
And that reminded me of Francesca …
PANEL 2
In the village, miners and workers stand around picking over the crates and supplies the airship has just delivered. It’s like a bazaar. Some are fighting over clothes, packages. Others look like it’s Christmas. Owen stands taking notes on a clipboard while the Commodore watches closely.
COMMODORE PANGLOSS
Next stop, Opal Flats, Mr. Hardy. Just as soon as we unload and load up again.
OWEN
Is Opal Flats a nice place?
COMMODORE
Nice enough, a little rough around the edges … about the same as all the others.
PANEL 3
The airship flies off again, this time across a starry night sky.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Instead of thinking of my broken heart, I read the book of my other mother’s adventures.
CAPTION (OWEN)
All the places she visited, all the things she saw.
PANEL 4
On the pilot deck, Owen and the Commodore stand together, silhouetted against the night sky through the broad window. Below are tiny lights of villages.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Including the Seven Cities of Gold. The stories fired my imagination … like a sliver in my skin that I couldn’t pluck out.
COMMODORE PANGLOSS
What are you thinking about, Mr. Hardy?
OWEN
Not thinking, sir. I’m
dreaming
.
PAGE 5
PANEL 1
The airship touches down, its steel wheels hit the rails in a shower of sparks.
CAPTION (OWEN)
Back in Barrel Arbor, I dreamed of Chronos City, the Clockwork Angels, Atlantis, and Poseidon City.
CAPTION (OWEN)
I had seen those things already, and nothing was what I expected … But I was sure that some of the stories must be true.
COMMODORE (FROM SHIP)
And now we’re back in Endoline, Mr. Hardy. After last time, maybe we should stay away from that tavern …
PANEL 2
Disembarking from the airship, Owen looks toward the town buildings as the Commodore waves to workers.
CAPTION (OWEN)
I decided that the Seven Cities might be the last chance to restore my sense of wonder.
OWEN
Commodore, I-I appreciate all you’ve done for me in the past month, but there’s something I need to do. I’m going to find the Seven Cities.
PANEL 3
Close-up of Commodore Pangloss, who looks sad but not surprised.
COMMODORE
I knew you’d make that decision soon. It’s hard to hide restlessness aboard a small airship.
PANEL 4
Owen and the Commodore walk to the outside of the tavern, which is a big chamber carved into a rock wall. Outside, there are piles of rocks, discarded tailings. A pair of dirty-looking children are playing with the stones, stacking them up into the primitive Inuit inuksuk “stone man” sculpture as on the
Test for Echo
album cover.
OWEN
If I find the Seven Cities, I-I might not be coming back.
COMMODORE
If you
don’t
find them, you might not be coming back either.
PANEL 5
View from the interior of the tavern. Owen stands inside the door, looking brave. The other customers look toward him.
OWEN
I’m going to search for the Seven Cities of Gold. Who can give me clues where they might be?
MAN
Ha! Heard that one before!
PANEL 6
The rangy hunter is still there, lounging in a chair.
HUNTER
Head west and keep walking. And walking. You’ll reach the Redrock Desert. Your feet will take you where few people have ever been.
PANEL 7
Close-up of the hunter, who narrows his eyes, poking a finger toward Owen (who is not in the panel).
HUNTER
Canyons and basins, towering mesas. They say you’ll find paradise up there—if you can make it.
HUNTER
But
I
wouldn’t go there.
PAGE 6
PANEL 1
Owen crosses his arms over his chest, stoic. Beside him, the Commodore looks sad.
OWEN
I will. All is for the best.
COMMODORE
I won’t try to talk you out of it, Mr. Hardy. But I owe you back wages, and I’ll see that you get supplies and equipment.
PANEL 2
Next day, early morning, Commodore Pangloss hands Owen a pack. They are standing on the edge of Endoline, with forests and mountains and a great wilderness extending before them.
COMMODORE
Food, water containers, a knife, some rope, packets of fire-starting powder. It should be all you need.
OWEN
I also have confidence. And optimism. I think I have everything.
PANEL 3
Close-up, the Commodore extends his hand to give Owen a small dreamline compass, a contraption with watchfaces and compass needles. The positioning of these two hands should be similar (but a complete counterpoint) to the Hugh Syme “Carnies” artwork, where the Anarchist is handing off the detonator.
COMMODORE
And take this spare dreamline compass from the airship. One dial tells you where you are, and the other shows where you
should
be.
PANEL 4
Kneeling on the dirt street, Owen tucks a book in the pack—his mother’s book.
OWEN
And my mother’s book. Thanks for letting me borrow it.
COMMODORE
She’s not your real mother, Mr. Hardy.
OWEN
