[Notice to reader - Please be aware that this document is in a crude state. This is just the script of a graphic novel/comic book. The art pages have been lost and many pages of the script have been lost as well or have yet to be recovered due to their classification with the US government. Pages will be transmitted to you and other readers if they are tracked down - signed (blacked out) - leader of the resistance ]
- The truth is not for all men, but only those who seek it. - Ayn Rand
- Hunter S. Thompson based his style on William Faulkner's notion that "fiction is often the best fact." - Wikipedia
- "Fiction is the truth inside the lie" - STEPHEN KING
- "Observation is the key - the truth is in the details, watch closely or you will miss something" - unknown
SCENE 0.
PROLOGUE
(PANEL) 1. COMIC BOOK SPLASH PAGE COVERING the full computer screen
INT. AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Immense, UNLIT BLACK ROOM with our view zoomed in onto a CINEMA SCREEN seemingly the size of a large city office building, with just the screen and screen curtains showing inside the panel borders.
A black and white animated newsreel type film begins playing IN SILENCE- it's scratched up a bit - it's seen some action.
NEWSREEL TITLES:
(translated from German)
"DIE FLUT DER KRIEG IST IMMER FÜR RÜCKWÄRTSFAHRT" - "THE TIDE OF WAR IS TO REVERSE FOREVER"
(PANEL) 2.
Many odd looking WINGLESS CRAFT are lined up row after row behind Nazi storm troopers in impressive for the era high tech flight suits looking like strange alien soldiers.
(PANEL 3.
The NAZI AIRMEN and support crews fall-out from their formation and run to their AIRCRAFT.
(PANEL) 4.
LOOKING DOWN from above we see all the CRAFT BEGIN RISING in their formation of rows, while at the same time changing into a new formation.
(PANEL) 5.
The new formation is an immense swastika!
(PANEL) 6.
The swastika formation rapidly begins accelerating. A stopwatch in a hand overlaying the primary image.
NEWS REEL TITLES:
"DIE WELT STEHT NOCH IM GESICHT ARYAN ENERGIE" - "THE WORLD STANDS STILL IN THE FACE OF ARYAN POWER!"
(PANEL) 7.
The formation of craft travels across the Atlantic and no time passes on the stop watch.
(PANEL) 8.
Animated radar waves spread out over the air.
NEWS REEL TITLES
"RADAR IST MACHTLOS GEGEN ARYAN MACHT" - "RADAR IS POWERLESS AGAINST ARYAN MIGHT"
(PANEL) 9.
As the FORMATION gets closer to New York city they begin BREAKING FORMATION and spreading out over the island metropolis.
(PANEL) 10.
The craft begin FIRING BEAMS at the skyscrapers all around.. the buildings begin being pulled down in a sickening slow motion free fall and turned to dust filling the screen.
(PANEL) 11.
Buildings, and large groups of people frozen in time like store manikins being turned into a drab gray dust all around.
NEWS REEL TITLES:
"ALLE DIE VOR ARYAN BEREITSCHAFTS ZEBROCKEL ZU STAUB" - "ALL WHO STAND BEFORE ARYAN POWER WILL CRUMBLE TO DUST!"
(PANEL) 12.
An animated swastika with arrows pointing and spreading around the world and then the moon and solar system and beyond with the sun itself turning into a black sun with a swastika symbol.
NEWS REEL TITLES:
HEUTE EARTH , MORGEN DAS UNIVERSUM" - "TODAY EARTH, TOMORROW THE UNIVERSE!"
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 1.
(This scene is entirely black and white to show the era)
(Date - soon after Germany was invaded by allied forces and Japan was struck with nuclear bombs (October 1945)
A severe looking middle-aged man with a thin scar across his eye is standing in front of a large cinema screen with the words "today the Earth, tomorrow the universe." He is speaking to a group of world leaders seated at an immense long table in the shape of an open boomerang-shaped triangle in front of him and pointing away from him. The man speaking behind a lectern is flanked by 5 sets of couples standing at attention to his left. They look like actors auditioning for the part of the parents on Leave It To Beaver.
A small metallic flattened half spherical object the size of large beach ball sits to his right - sitting on a small stand in front of the lectern - an image of it appears on the screen behind him where the Nazi propaganda clip played.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
Gentlemen, this is the dawn of a new era...
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 1.
INT. - OLD AUTO REPAIR GARAGE - NEW YORK GHETTO
Some kind of auto repair garage converted to a living space and workshop-laboratory - filled to the brim with old tools of every variety, large power tools for working metal. A floor mounted metal lathe and band saw and metal shaping power hammers. We see cars that have been dismantled and odd scrap yard sculptures of unknown purpose built from an assortment of random machines.
Background noise -
TV BROADCASTER
They're calling it "Heatpocolypse". It's the 5th straight day of record breaking heat here in the city and the 5th straight hottest year on record worldwide. The death toll in Manhattan and around the world is climbing at a terrifying rate. Climatologists are preparing for a world wide summit at the behest of the world's leaders. US President Clinton has proposed drastic measures to reduce energy consumption around the world...
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 1-4
A series of bird's eye views over an area of Manhattan's night cityscape.
We see power going out all around the city.. all digital devices shutdown within a certain radius,
(Panel) 5-8
We see laptops, tablets, digital phones dying. Cars shutdown in the streets crashing into each other, inoperable by their human passengers without their electronic brains to control them. City lights blinking out everywhere we can see.
(Panel) 9.
STREET VIEW - NEW YORK CITY CLUB
Our view is zoomed in on a 70s era transistor radio as an emergency broadcast is issued.
Emergency broadcast
We have some disturbing breaking news, we are getting reports that there has been some kind of device detonated in West side area and we have lost cell phone contact with all residents within a mile radius around 12th Avenue and West 54th street. We are getting reports this is not a conventional power outage. Federal agencies have yet to respond to the claims of this being an act of terrorism.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 2.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
This technology makes the bombs we dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki look like firecrackers in comparison, if you can possibly imagine that.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 2.
A work table against the wall with a PC. Connected to a PC are multiple monitors with diagrams of odd machines displayed. Machines that look like spiraling organic metal seashells.
Background noise -
COMMERCIAL
Tomorrow's Morning hosts Suzy and Carl welcome head of the Department of Psychiatry to discuss the wave of shootings by sufferers of autism and his claims that this may be just the tip of the iceberg...
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 10.
We see who is holding the old school transistor radio.
He's in front of BCBG, an institution of the New York rock scene. And there's no one more revered than tabloid journalist-cult hero River Lotus-Eater. The conscience of this neo-hipster generation.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST
The behind the scenes eye witness news team has determined the area affected by the device and it sweeps out in a radial arc with the epicenter here. (indicates)
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 3.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
We will not be able to easily contain this technology. There have been too many fleeing German bureaucrats using this knowledge as bargaining chips for their own survival. Too many nations vying for Germany's cutting edge military secrets.(said while pointedly looking at the leader with the hammer and sickle on the table in front of him)
(PANEL) 4.
THE MAN WITH THE SCAR is looking directly at the Russian leader.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 3.
There are shelves in a line on the workbenches with second hand books and magazines on every possible subject imaginable.
Background noise -
CNZ NEWS NETWORK
Today on our panel we have comedian Bob Mayher, Dancing with the Celebs winner Katie Ripah and Lesbian activist Mobie O'Connel to debate the legitimacy of the new Anti-patriot act which targets conspiracy theorists due to the documented link between conspiracy theories gun violence, terrorism and hate speech.
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 11.
HIPSTER #1
Hey river, how is it all your ancient gadgets are still working and everyone else's are dead?
RIVER LOTUS-EATER
I don't know I guess I just got Lucky for once!
HIPSTER #1
It looks like your fetish finally paid off!
RIVER LOTUS-EATER
I told you all that digital stuff was a fad!
EMERGENCY BROADCAST
Local law enforcement urges anyone in the area to stay away from the scene due to possible terrorist activity. Police are en route to the scene.
(PANEL) 12.
Meet River Lotus-Eater, he looks like a throwback to a 60s era musician or Gonzo journalist. A throw back to a lost generation.
RIVER LOTUS-EATER
You know what this is? It's an EMP... How can there be an EMP but we aren't all fried? Those only happen when a nuke goes off..."
HIPSTER #2
What? EMP? Is that some new audio codec?
RIVER LOTUS-EATER
No haha... give me a boost!
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 5.
Images start to appear behind the speaker with corresponding titles.
A hurricane - "Weather Control"
MAN WITH THE SCAR
Controlling this technology makes controlling proliferation of the thermonuclear bomb look like child's play as unbelievable as that seems after what the world witnessed months ago in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 4.
There's comic book art on the walls, movie posters and books - custom comic book character sculptures lined up on the back wall of the workshop bench. Seemingly endless books on WWI and WWII. Books on military aircraft and manufacturing, automotive.
Background noise -
TV NEWS REPORTER
Stay tuned for the 6 AM news where we will have our guest national climatologist Larry Underwood here to discuss the recent historical Manhattan heat wave - is this a sign of irreversible ecological damage?
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 13.
River reaches up for a fire escape ladder and starts climbing.
(PANEL) 14.
Everyone is hot and lighting their tenement's with candles and lanterns and flashlights..
Tenant
(SCREAM) Looter!
River
Scuse me folks Not a looter.. Promise."
(PANEL) 15.
There are people living in these places as River climbs higher and higher - a girl in her underwear watching TV pulls a newspaper over herself.
Someone yells to get their gun..
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 6.
Image behind the speaker - mindless masses - "mind control"
MAN WITH THE SCAR
We have crafted an outline of the key areas we must find a way to control
We must control all walks of life.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
All forms of media.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 5.
The camera pans and rotates to the right and we start seeing more of the shop. A bed. A shower built into the shop. A clothing rack made out of scrap plumbing pipes. A clothes washing machine made out of an old treadmill motor.
Background noise -
COMMERCIAL
In a world where terrorism lurks behind every shadow, only John Zambo can hold off the jihad - coming this Christmas.
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
(PANEL) 17.
River finally gets to the top of the building and looks to see which part of the city has their power out and which doesn't.
(PANEL) 18.
Once on top of the building River listens to his radio and adjusts some buttons..
(PANEL) 19.
He's listening to police radio transmissions. Only the police outside of the blacked-out zone still have working vehicles and radios.
(PANEL) 20.
River is calculating in his mind where the epicenter must be. He goes back down the fire escape saying goodbye to the new friends he made on the way up... they still aren't too happy to see him.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 7.
Image behind the speaker - Tornado - "weather control"
MAN WITH THE SCAR
We must find a way to suppress any scientific advancement which may lead to the development of these technologies for the foreseeable future.
This will require the greatest coordination and cooperation of nations in recorded history, to be pulled off effectively
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 6.
The images on the walls, many of them appearing to be hand made - of nature - tornadoes and hurricanes. Bird's eye views of rivers and their shapes diagrammed and geometrically analyzed.
Background noise -
CNZ NEWS DEBATE HOST
Bill, what is your view on the new anti- conspiracy theory bill that has been recently enacted? Do you think it's unconstitutional?
BOB MAYHER
No! I! Do! Not! You know why? Because why in God's name do we need Joe Internet trying to decode world events?
The constitution wasn't written for this era. We have hundreds of thousands of University professors who are analyzing every iota of news created. Like Jim nobody's Youtube channel is going to figure something out these guys haven't? Only trouble can be created by putting that kind of critical thinking in the hands of unqualified people. And then with the internet it just spreads like wildfire...
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 3.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 21.
He jumps on his little 60s bike and gives it a kick start and takes off as fast as it will go.
Male and female fans call to River as he takes off.
There are people and cars littering the street wondering what has happened.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 8.
Image behind the speaker - gold - "zero value"
MAN WITH THE SCAR
But you will soon see why it is in all of our best interests to keep this knowledge in safe hands until we can fully understand it's ramifications on society.
It may take a century or more before the world is ready to take this next step, and in the process we will have to guide humanity the entire way
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 7.
A man starts rolling a device on a stand out of the large back shop door into an open air clearing wedged between large brick walls on both sides of the lot.
MORNING NEWS CO-HOST:
Later on the morning donut we will have psychologist Nadine Joss as our guest talking to us about the epidemic of autistic shooters in a plague of recent school shooting tragedies. Are guns the problem, are special needs kids the problem or both?
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 1.
An illuminated man and woman with godlike physiques embrace with darkness surrounding them. In the darkness shards of blue and green light are transmitted down on them as if through stained glass from above.
An orchestra crashes as if it's not light but the world crashing upon them.
We pull back in the panel's view to see the stage the couple are embraced on.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 9.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
And in the process we will have to master and explore these technologies and prepare for whatever eventualities they will present in the future
We are facing a complete global financial collapse if this technology is released. It would require a complete overhaul of the lifestyles we have all become accustomed to in all walks of life, even the elite.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 8.
We see the hands of someone working on an odd bronze colored metallic dome like seashell shaped device - half the size of a large flattened beach ball that's been cut in half, a motor is switched on WHIIRRRRRR.
MAN WITH THE MACHINE
I tried to warn them.... but they wouldn't or couldn't believe me... the only option I have left is to show them how real this is... even if I have to sacrifice myself in the process. There is too much at stake. [A display is showing readouts on the device as it spins up]
20,000 RPM. It's ready.
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 2.
A woman even more stunning than the one on stage sits in the audience appearing to be watching, but is instead focused on the hand of her date creeping closer and closer to her own.
Orchestra music
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 10
MAN WITH THE SCAR
The implications of this technology are so great our top minds can't envision what will unfold if released to the world. It would be total chaos and we would no longer have the means to control society.
The wealthy would lose all their financial assets as a result of all the current lucrative assets and sources of revenue no longer having any value.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 9.
We see an immense fingerprint under a microscope with the tiniest shard of gold dust on the fingerprint. In the background we see a tiny vial that says "gold dust" on the container.
Background noise -
MORNING NEWS CO-HOST:
Okay, campers, rise and shine... and don't forget your shorts, because it's going to be a hot one out there today.... okay it's only 10 PM - too early to rise and shine, but stay tuned for the morning news when we will speak to historian Stu Stedman who proposes that the founding fathers, if alive today, would want socialism
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 3.
We see the stunning woman's companion's eyes peeking down Just as his hand is about to make contact.
Orchestra music
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 11.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
Because of the incredible simplicity of this technology, it's power and destructive capabilities are so great your average young science student could go to a local hardware store or junkyard or his own garage and fashion a device capable of destroying his entire city.
The social pressure of mega cities and the looming population boom will create threats from individuals we won't be able to monitor or control.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 10.
We see the man with the machine on it's stand, the motor switched on(whiiiirrr) - a long yellow extension cord running to the inside of the lit shop behind and the night sky above with clouds passing in front of the moon.
Background noise -
MORNING NEWS CO-HOST:
...are conspiracy theorists a danger to society?
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3(PANEL) 4.
Just as the companion's hand is about to make contact a small electronic wristband on agent Gunkowski's arm lights up and vibrates.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1(PANEL) 12.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
Your mentally unstable disgruntled citizen will be a ticking time bomb. there would be no way to protect anyone... and that would include national leaders like the fine gentlemen here.
We are at a crossroads of mankind, leaders of the world, maybe even the crossroads of life on earth. The true fate of humanity hangs in the balance. If we can't find a way to join together as one world united, we may all be doomed. The day an individual in the general population obtains this knowledge in a world that is chaotic and at odds with itself is the day the world is assured total annihilation.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 1(PANEL) 11.
Tweezers putting one gold fleck near the edge of the quickly rotating device.
(PANEL) 12.
The gold particle ingested into the device.
(PANEL) 13.
We see the metallic domed device begin rising into the night sky.
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 5.
AGENT GUNKOWSKI
(Too her companion - concerned but at the same time noticeably relieved)
I've got to go! I'm only alerted this way in an extreme emergency.
MONTAGE 1
SCENE 1.
SCREEN 1 (PANEL) 13.
We see the man with the scar in another even darker room speaking to shadowy figures.
MAN WITH THE SCAR
Everything went according to plan. they all seemed to understand what was at stake, what they had to lose-gain financially.
What of the other issue, the prophecies, the adversary?
SHADOWED FIGURE
Plans are in motion. We have time. And we will use it to our advantage.
MONTAGE 2
SCENE 2.
SCREEN 2 (PANEL) 15.
It stops rising well above the rooftops and hovers there... the white light around it growing in intensity. it begins making a crackling noise. People in the neighborhood begin coming out to see what is making all the light and noise.
NEIGHBOR
What is that? Somebody call the police!
(PANEL) 16.
Suddenly an immense flash covers the entire sky and lights up all of Manhattan.
NEIGHBOR
It's aliens! Look it's a flying saucer!
(PANEL) 17.
When the flash dies down we see all the power is out in the whole area, but the device is still hovering, glowing brightly in the night sky.
TRANSIENT STREET RESIDENT
Hey buddy, did you see a reeeeeeal bright light
MONTAGE 3
SCENE 4.
SCREEN 3 (PANEL) 6.
Agent Gunkowski squeezes through her row on the way out of the theater with the frustrated companion in view behind her. All eyes in the theater are on the statuesque blond in the skin tight white dress bolting for the exit, oblivious to the events unfolding just miles away from this air conditioned refuge.
TO BE CONTINUED