Clockwork Angels: Comic Script by Kevin J. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

believe the universe has a plan.
    ASTRONOMER-DOCENT
    The Anarchist is intent on disrupting the world, as he just did with so many clocks in Crown City … but here, ah, the universe is safe and secure. As it should be.
    PAGE 20
    PANEL 1
    As it gets dark outside, Owen walks down the streets, which now look mostly empty. We see a shopkeeper locking up/closing shutters. Owen has pulled his trouser pockets inside out, holding the tips in his fingers to show how empty they are.
    OWEN
    No money … nowhere to go. No place to sleep …
    PANEL 2
    Night time now, glowing blue globes of coldfire street lights create an eerie atmosphere. Owen looks forlorn. At the corner farther down the street, a town crier yells out.
    OWEN
    This started out as an adventure, but now it doesn’t feel that way …
    CRIER
    Ten o’clock, and all is for the best!
    PANEL 3
    As Owen passes a dark and shadowy alley, he hears a hiss, sees the sinister shadow of a crouching figure back there, holding something in his hand, doing something to the wall.
    SFX
    Hssssssssss
    OWEN
    Hello? Who’s that?
    PANEL 4
    The shadow-man (the Anarchist) drops the object in his hand, bolts and runs out the other end of the (open) alley as Owen shouts and dashes in.
    OWEN
    Hey! What are you doing?
    SFX
    Clink clank
    PANEL 5
    Crouching down, Owen picks up a steampunk copper-sided spray can with gears and nozzles. He looks up in horror at fresh words spray-painted on the wall, along with the circle-A Anarchist symbol. TICK TOCK! TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR THE WATCHMAKER. Some of the letters are running, dripping.
    OWEN
    The Anarchist!
    PANEL 6
    At the mouth of the alley where Owen has just entered, the silhouettes of several uniformed Regulators block the way.
    REGULATOR
    You there! Stop in the name of the Watchmaker.
    PAGE 21
    PANEL 1
    Owen looks down at the spray can in his hand, in shock. The Regulators shout and charge into the alley.
    OWEN (SMALL VOICE)
    Oh, no …
    REGULATOR
    It’s the Anarchist! Take him!
    PANEL 2
    Owen drops the can and runs, hauling ass.
    PANEL 3
    Owen runs, bolting around a corner. (I would prefer to have one more panel of him running/being chased, if there’s room.)
    PANEL 4
    In a dark public park with silhouetted trees (in theory, the same now-abandoned public area where the carnival had been set up, but that’s probably too much to convey). Owen, panting, slumps against a tree trunk.
    OWEN
    Safe at last … Maybe a place I can rest, get a new start tomorrow …
    PANEL 5
    Owen is more relaxed at the base of the tree (a callback to how he relaxed against the apple tree in Issue 1). His change of position implies that time has passed. Two Regulators grab Owen by the arms, yanking him to his feet.
    REGULATOR
    What do you think you’re doing? You can’t stay here—this is a public park.
    REGULATOR 2
    Where are your papers? Where do you belong?
    OWEN
    I’m not the Anarchist! Honest!
    REGULATOR 2
    We are not the Anarchist detail. But if you don’t have your papers, you don’t belong in Crown City.
    PANEL 6
    The Regulators wrestle a baffled and protesting Owen into the back of an oddball steampunk paddy wagon.
    OWEN
    But I’m not from Crown City. I’m from a small village. I just came—
    REGULATOR
    Everything in its place. We will help you on your way.
    REGULATOR 2
    Yeah, we’ll give you a head start. … Far away from the city.
    PAGE 22
    PANEL 1
    Owen brushes himself off and tries to regain his dignity as he walks away. Behind him, the paddy wagon is small in the distance, driving back toward Crown City. It’s dark, scrub grass all around, but Crown City has a bright glow in the distance behind him.
    OWEN
    Must be what I deserve … On my way at last.
    PANEL 2
    Forlorn, Owen trudges along into the unlit night. Lots of stars overhead in a black sky.
    OWEN
    Even though I don’t know where I’m going.
    PANEL 3
    Crossing grassy terrain, he climbs up a gentle hill. There’s a curious glow coming from the other side of the hill.
    PANEL 4
    Big