BOOK 1: THERE’S A PILL FOR THAT

PAGE 1, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE’S APARTMENT - MORNING

Panel 1 - 1/1

It’s a tiny, space-efficient apartment, reminiscent of Japanese micro-apartments. (Let’s talk over some reference pictures to figure this one out.) (Mood song: Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrOQC-zEog)

Close-up on Zoe who is fast asleep in her bed. Zoe is a 23-year old scrawny, nerdy looking girl with short hair.

The automatic sunscreen is being raised, letting the sun in, making a faint buzzing sound.

Panel 2 - 1/1 She squints as the sun hits her eyelids.

Panel 3 - 1/2 Zoe’s now awake, and becomes unaffectionately aware of the naked man lying next to her, facing away.

Panel 4 - 2/2 She shakes the man’s shoulder to wake him up.

ZOE

(completely detached)

Get out.

PAGE 2, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Naked and unashamed, they get out of bed.

Panel 2 - 1/1 The man doesn’t seem to mind the abrupt eviction -- his equally detached facial expression should be the focus. They both get dressed at the same time. Only “comfy-wear” in Zoe’s case. Like loose shorts and a top or PJs.

Panel 3 - 1/2 The man leaves through the apartment’s front door. He could be alone in the shot, or maybe we’re looking over Zoe’s shoulder as she watches him leave.

Panel 4 - 2/2 Facing us, Zoe walks through her apartment with a look of apathy on her face.

PETER (V.O.)

This is ZOE. Like every other person on the planet right now, she is practically void of emotion.

(V.O. means voice-over)

PAGE 3, 7 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE’S APARTMENT - MORNING

Panel 1 - 1/2 Half dressed, ZOE grabs a shiny, smooth-edged cube with the word “Mold” engraved in it. It’s about the size of a rubik’s cube.

Panel 2 - 2/2 She walks into her tiny dining room with the Mold in her hand.

COMPUTER

(not visible. speaks through a loudspeaker)

“Today is Monday. Time is 09:05. You slept for 6 consecutive hours. Recommended bed time today is 23:30. You are running low on credits. Time to work?

ZOE

Yup.

Panel 3 - 1/4 Zoe sits down, holding the Mold between her hands

Panel 4 - 2/4 and then she presses her fingers into it like it’s play putty (i.e. clay)

Panel 5 - 3/4 As she’s stretching it wide and thin like a dough, elevated keyboard letters are starting to appear on its surface.

Panel 6 - 4/4 Moments after, the stretched dough takes the form of a keyboard.

(( Sources of inspiration: - http://www.fastcodesign.com/3026020/meet-paddle-the-incredible-shapeshifting-smartphone-of-the-future - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK54Bu9HFRw - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqxFFD2QSL4 end ))

Panel 7 - 1/1 A transparent monitor is projected via the Mold at eye-height.

PAGE 4, 9 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 In the IDE on her screen there’s a small “Smart Schedule” tab of to-dos. “Start work: 09:10” is highlighted. The plan goes:

Current time: 09:09, Monday, 27.02.2248

- 09:10-10:45 Work (AI memory profiling, day 2/4) - 10:45-11:00: Eat something - 11:00-15:00: (AI GPS dump, day 1/3)

(( Sources of inspiration: - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/schedule-planner/id437461477?mt=8 - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gmail.jmartindev.timetune ))

Panel 2 - 2/2 At the end of the day, everything is struck out, and the Smart Itinerary has filled in other occurrences.

Current time: 15:01, Monday, 27.02.2248

- 09:10: Start work (AI memory profiling, day 2/5) - 09:38-09:44: Stretch + Bathroom break - 10:15-10:16: Stretch - 10:45-11:02: Breakfast break + stretch - 11:03: Resume work - 11:25-11:27: Bathroom Break - 11:45-11:47: Stretch - 12:00-15:00: (AI GPS dump, day 1/3) - 13:11:13-13: Stretch - 13:13-13:16: Snack - 14:30-14:32: Stretch - 15:01: End work.

Panel 3 - 1/1 Zoe is staring at her completed task list.

COMPUTER

Good work! I suggest you eat something and get some exercise afterwards.

Panel 4 - 1/1 Zoe is outside, jogging.

PETER (V.O.)

Physically speaking, exercise affects ZOE’s body just like it always has through the history of mankind. Muscles are energised, blood is flowing and endorphins are released into her system.

(MORE)

PETER (V.O.) (CONT’D)

She knows this is good - it brings her some sense of contentment - but to say it makes her feel good would be overstating her emotional ability. Zoe can crack a smile if a situation calls for it. But compared to the emotional spectrum of a happy individual living in the 21st century, Zoe is merely doing her best impression.

Panel 5 - 1/5 The itinerary continues.

- 15:00: End work. - 15:01-16:30: Surf web - 15:01-15:20: Lunch - 16:31-17:05: Jog - 17:05-19:25: Film - 17:15-17:45: Dinner - 20:10-23:40: Play video games - 22:48-23:05: Eat Something - 23:41:00:34: Read AI theory

This was a monday. Show near identical itineraries for tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday*.

Panel 6 - 2/5 Tuesday

- 09:10: Start work (AI memory profiling, day 3/5) - 10:45-11:00: Breakfast break - 12:00-15:00: (AI GPS dump, day 2/3) - 15:00: End work. - 15:01-16:30: Surf web - 15:01-15:20: Lunch - 16:31-17:05: Exercise - 17:05-19:25: Film - 17:15-17:45: Dinner - 20:10-23:40: Play video games - 22:48-23:05: Evening meal - 23:41:00:34: Read AI theory

Panel 7 - 3/5 Wednesday

- 09:10: Start work (AI memory profiling, day 4/5) - 10:45-11:00: Breakfast break - 12:00-15:00: (AI GPS dump, day 3/3) - 15:00: End work. - 15:01-16:30: Surf web - 15:01-15:20: Lunch - 16:31-17:05: Exercise - 17:05-19:25: Film - 17:15-17:45: Dinner - 20:10-23:40: Play video games - 22:48-23:05: Evening meal - 23:41:00:34: Read AI theory

Panel 8 - 4/5 Thursday

- 09:10: Start work (AI memory profiling, day 5/5) - 10:45-11:00: Breakfast break - 12:00-15:00: (Gyroscope calibration, day 1/3) - 15:00: End work. - 15:01-16:30: Surf web - 15:01-15:20: Lunch - 16:31-17:05: Exercise - 17:05-19:25: Film - 17:15-17:45: Dinner - 20:10-23:40: Play video games - 22:48-23:05: Evening meal - 23:41:00:34: Read AI theory vol.2

Panel 9 - 5/5

- 09:10: Start work (AI memory optimisation, day 1/2) - 10:45-11:00: Breakfast break - 12:00-15:00: (Gyroscope calibration, day 2/3) - 15:00: End work. - (...)

We end at 15:00 because this is where we pick up the action again.

PAGE 5, 4 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

INT. ZOE’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Panel 1 - 1/2

COMPUTER

Good work! It is Friday. How about some extracurricular activities?

Zoe is staring blankly at her screen, showing no sign of the “Friday spirit”.

PETER (V.O.)

She’d considered suicide several times. Thinking rationally about it, life wasn’t doing much for her, and she wasn’t contributing much of significance back to life at large either...

Panel 2 - 2/2

COMPUTER

You have sufficient credits for an Emo to enhance the enjoyment of today’s activities. Would you like to purchase one?”

Zoe looks into the air as if addressing the computer’s omnipresence.

ZOE

(with a hint of disdain)

No. Turn on my printer in a locally encrypted instance then go to sleep.

((A “printer” in this case is a modern version of today’s 3D printers. They can be used to create any kind of basic object, provided it has the chemical elements. So instead of “blue and red ink”, this printer would have cartridges with “H (Hydrogen), Li (Lithium)” and so forth. We don’t go in depth into this though. Readers will be expected to make the logical leap.))

Panel 3 - 1/2 Zoe makes a long, cat-like stretch, cracking her fingers above her head.

COMPUTER

Printer turned on in locally encrypted instance. Omnipresence shutting off in 2.., 1...

Panel 4 - 2/2

PETER (V.O.)

...but the positives marginally outweighed the negatives. There were, after all, days like these.

We’re presented with a “Print Page” where Zoe has added the substances of her choice:

“Substances ready for printing:

- GLHF - Emulates a feeling of well-being and euphoria. Increases (read more...) - Fruits of Nature - Inspired by an all-natural blend. Can work as an excellent sensory enhancement in smaller doses. Bigger doses can induce powerful hallucinations (read more...) - Earth to Brain - Kicks in during REM sleep. A simple hard-reset for your brain. Removes the effects of nearly any substance (Emos not included) (read more...) ”

PAGE 6, 5 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/3 Zoe hits a key. “tap!”

Panel 2 - 2/3 The printer, a matt grey square box in the corner of the room, starts making whirring sounds.

Panel 3 - 3/3 A small tray appears with 3(?) colourful tablets inside (or maybe double-up)

Panel 4 - 1/2 She pops the most colourful pill right away...

Panel 5 - 2/2 ...and leans back in her chair, just as there’s an incoming message.

COMPUTER

Your delivery has arrived.

PAGE 7, 6 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Panel 1 - 1/1 Zoe opens the door to greet a delivery bot (a flying drone for instance) with a bucket of chicken wings.

Panel 2 - 1/2 She discards one. With her mouth full and chewing, she looks unimpressed, almost disappointed (but still quite emotionless)

Panel 3 - 2/2 Then she closes her eyes and inhales deeply.

Panel 4 - 1/3 She grabs another wing, smells it first this time

Panel 5 - 2/3 then bites into it, still with her eyes closed.

Panel 6 - 3/3 With a mouth-full of chicken, she smirks.

PAGE 8, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Panel 1 - 1/2 Zoe is sitting in a hallelujah-like pose: hands stretched upwards, bits of chicken flying out of her mouth as she exclaims:

ZOE

So... fucking... GOOD!

Panel 2 - 2/2 She laughs so hard she falls backwards onto the floor and knocks over the bucket of chicken wings, spilling it all over the floor.

Panel 3 - 1/2 She keeps on laughing.

Panel 4 - 2/2 Looking at the ceiling, she calms down a bit and thinks out loud.

ZOE

Now why is that only funny on drugs...

Panel 5 - 1/1 Still lying down.

ZOE

MUSIC! Computer, wake up! I’m going out. Get me pumped! Make it one of the classics.

PAGE 9, 2 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

Zoe is getting dressed.

COMPUTER

Will you be requiring a contraceptive pill?

ZOE

Nah, just going dancing.

Panel 2 - 1/1

She heads out the front door.

PETER (V.O.)

The year is 2248. Running on a time-tested mix of what was once popularly known as LSD, MDMA and N20, Zoe hits the town.

PAGE 10, 4 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

INT. BIG CLUB - NIGHT

There are many ways to do this. We could easily do it with a single panel containing 4 talking-bubbles. Or with a lot of silhouettes. Open to suggestions.

Panel 1 - 1/1 Zoe dancing in the club serves as the backdrop. Meanwhile, Peter tells the background story.

PETER (V.O.)

At the start of the 2100s, computers were the children’s playground. The tech-savvy went from hacking computers to genomes. The human body became an open platform. Before long, humans were in charge of their own evolution. They started taking out things they didn’t need. They kept on digging, and before they had collectively realised it, they’d made an omission they could not revert.

Panel 2 - 1/1

PETER (V.O.)

By the year 2201, all major estimates agreed that the “Opt-out” generation - people who opted not to optimise their genomes - was practically extinct. As were most kinds of illnesses. By then, people only suffered from one condition: Apathy. Proponents of the new age dismissed it as a positive side effect, caused by being more intelligent. What dissenters described as depression, they called misinterpreted illumination. There would be a transition period wherein people would have to adjust to their increased cognitive function, they said.

Panel 3 - 1/1

PETER (V.O.) (CONT’D)

In the early 2200s, in spite of an estimated average living age of 140 years, the actual average never went up. Suicide was the number one cause of death. Drug overdose was second, as heavy narcotics proved effective against the emptiness. In spite of all this, relative to the end of the 21st century, the world was better off. Fewer wars were being fought, more people were being fed. The numbers, by themselves, were indisputable.

Panel 4 - 1/1

PETER (V.O.)

Corporations recognised a demand and jumped on the opportunity. An industry of emotional supplements swept the globe. But before long, a renowned genome hacker and entrepreneur known as Zeno introduced an industry-leading innovation: A brand new category of pharmaceuticals called Emotional Emulators, or Emos for short. Take your pick from the full emotional spectrum. The sales pitch could not have been easier. “You can buy happiness.”

PAGE 11, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. BIG CLUB - NIGHT

Panel 1 - 1/1 Across the dance floor from Zoe, a man is being extremely loud and obnoxious. He's nicely groomed and expensively dressed. Clearly pleased with himself.

Panel 2 - 1/2 Zoe has a look of mischief on her face as she gets herself a drink from a dispenser.

Panel 3 - 2/2 Having walked up besides him, she feigns a fall and spills her drink all over his pristine suit.

Panel 4 - 1/2 Yet he doesn’t seem at all upset about the incident.

Panel 5 - 2/2

ZOE

What are you so happy about?

ABE

I just chose to feel happy today, that's what I'm so happy about. I also chose to feel adventurous, which brought me here.

PAGE 12, 4 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2

She gets it now.

ZOE

(smugly)

Emos. You rich fuck...

ABE

(motions with his hand to his ear)

What?

Panel 2 - 2/2 loudly into his ear...

ZOE

YOU RICH FUCK!

Panel 3 - 1/2

ABE

Wow, quite the mouth on you.

ZOE

I'm not gonna help you make blowjob innuendos so give it a rest. So.., Emos, is it all it's cracked up to be?

Panel 4 - 2/2

ABE

Never tried it?

ZOE

Look around genius. Half the people in here pay rent that costs less than a day’s worth of that stuff. And why bother? We can make our own Emos for free.

ABE

Drugs? Like the stuff you find on the recipe sites? Not the same thing.

ZOE

How would you know? Have you even had a taste of the dark side?

PAGE 13, 4 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

INT. BIG CLUB - NIGHT

Panel 1 - 1/2

ABE

You wanna try it? Emos?

ZOE

What, you wanna buy me one, rich boy?

ABE

Yes.

ZOE

Tell you what. I try yours, you try mine.

Panel 2 - 2/2

ABE

You mean.., I dunno, isn't it kinda dangerous?

ZOE

Wake up half-a-brain. Every single person in here is on something, and it's sure as hell’s not your FDA approved Emos. You see anyone lying on the ground foaming at the mouth?

ABE

Actually I did see a guy outside who looked pretty--

Panel 3 - 1/1

ZOE

Oh shut up, there's always some amateur around to give it a bad rep. Just look at me. I look fine don't I?

ABE

Mighty fine indeed!

ZOE

Well fuck you very much Mr. Slick.

(maybe have her flip him off)

Let's do this.

Panel 4 - 1/2

She hands him three pills identical to the ones she printed earlier.

ZOE

You gotta take’em right away to give it time set in.

Abe looks at the pills he’s receiving.

ABE

If I die a horrible death, that’s on you.

Panel 5 - 2/2

ZOE

Less complaining more swallowing.

He grins and chugs it down.

PAGE 14, 4 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

INT. BIG CLUB - NIGHT

Panel 1 - 1/2 Then they’re at a dispenser where Abe pays for an Emo.

ABE

Same combo as mine. It needs your DNA now.

He points at a designated spot on the dispenser.

Panel 2 - 2/2 ZOE puts her finger on the dispenser and it pokes her.

ZOE

Au!

Panel 3 - 1/2 Quickly afterwards, a pill pops out. (it should look like the friggin’ iPhone of pills)

ABE

You’re in for a serious ride, he he.

ZOE

(didn’t quite hear)

Say what?

ABE

Nothing.

Panel 4 - 2/2

ABE

Go on, pop it.

ZOE

How long does it last?

ABE

Almost exactly 8 hours.

ZOE

Your phrasing sucks...

She swallows the pill and...

PAGE 15, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 (Smaller panel of the two). the effects are immediate. She’s completely dumbfounded at first, staring around in the room, eyes wide open.

ZOE

holy. effin’. eff.

ABE

Told you it's different.

Panel 2 - 1/1 Bigger panel, focusing on Zoe’s sheer joy.

ZOE

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(big grin)

PAGE 16, 5 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

ZOE

Hey, what’s your name?

ABE

Abe.

ZOE

I'm Zoe. Come dance with me Abe.

Panel 2 - 1/1 For the rest of the night, as far as they are concerned, they're alone, dancing the night away together on an empty floor. (once again, feel free to take advantage of that by only drawing vague silhouettes around them)

Panel 3 - 1/1 Dancing continues. There’s a connection forming between them.

Panel 4 - 1/2 A few hours in, ABE is clearly somewhat disoriented. The drug cocktail is having some adverse effects on his psyche.

Panel 5 - 2/2 ABE falls on his ass, grasping into the air, breathing heavily.

ABE

I... feel like I’m losing touch with reality...

ZOE

Oh, crap.., It’s okay. Stay calm, I’m right here with you. The noise tends to get to you the first few times. Let’s go some place more quiet.

PAGE 17, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

(yes, back in the stuffy apartment again. Don’t worry, we’ll never be coming back here ever again after Book 1)

Panel 1 - 1/2 Abe wakes up in Zoe’s lap, in her apartment.

Panel 2 - 2/2

ABE

Ugh. Wow.., did I faint?

ZOE

Nah nah nah, you just fell asleep after exhausting yourself with your infinite wisdom. The last few hours have been a real eye-opener for you, don’t you recall? Apparently you "know too much" now. Poor thing.

Panel 3 - 1/2 Abe looks up as if trying to see the back of his own skull. He touches his head.

ABE

What the-- Did you curl my hair?..

Panel 4 - 2/2 Zoe is beaming.

ZOE

I was feeling adventurous!

Panel 5 - 1/1 Abe stares dumbfounded at the lively girl in front of him.

ABE

You are so fucking beautiful!

ZOE

Ho, and here I was even starting to self-censor to accommodate your delicate senses.

PAGE 18, 5 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 He leans in and kisses her and she kisses him back.

Panel 2 - 1/2 Zoe has her arms crossed, grabbing the bottom of her top, preparing to take it off.

ZOE

(suddenly self-conscious)

Ehm.., would you mind looking the other way.

(This is an important turning point, as there was clearly no sense of embarrassment involved in the opening scene.)

ABE

Oh, yeah, of course.

Panel 3 - 2/2 Looking out of the window whilst undressing, Zoe becomes transfixed with the night skye. It’s late, nearing dawn, and there is a beautiful shimmer of light across the horizon.

Panel 4 - 1/1 Then Abe embraces her from behind and kisses her neck, bringing a big smile to her face.

Panel 5 - 1/1 She flips around in a hurry and latches on to him.

ABE

I wasn’t actually planning to... do this, tonight.

ZOE

Me neither. Makes it better somehow, don’t ya think?

PAGE 19, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ZOE'S APARTMENT - MORNING

Panel 1 - 1/1 The sunscreen goes up. They're lying on their sides, facing one another. Their hands meet in the middle.

Panel 2 - 1/1 They both wake up. Zoe stares at Abe point blank for a while.

Panel 3 - 1/2

ZOE

Can you leave now?

(exactly like in the previous scene)

ABE

Sure.

Panel 4 - 2/2 They both get dressed and he leaves. The computer voice fires up and Zoe continues her usual routine.

COMPUTER (V.O.): "Time: 10:30. You only slept for 4 consecutive hours. Recommended bed time today is (...)' .

PAGE 20, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. ABE'S MANSION - MORNING

Panel 1 - 1/2

PETER (V.O.)

30 weeks later.

It’s a big and expensive-looking room. Abe is in the middle of watching something when his phone rings.

Panel 2 - 2/2

ABE

He he, heh, hii?

ZOE

It's ZOE. We had sex 30 weeks ago. We need to talk.

ABE

Oh really? Wa-- phfff snicker ... Was I any good?

ZOE

No-- what? I'm outside your house. Just get down here.

ABE

Ha ha, really? That's so weird. Alright, I'm coming out.

Panel 3 - 1/2

EXT. ABE’S MANSION - MORNING

ABE comes walking out the front door of the small mansion of a house.

Panel 4 - 2/2 The gate opens and ZOE rushes in. She’s fuller looking, having gained a lot of weight. And she's got a big round stomach.

ZOE

Why have you got such a stupid smile on your face?

ABE

Funny-pills, hi hi hi! They're awesome.

Panel 5 - 1/1

ZOE

Shit.., well listen, I'm pregnant--"

ABE

Well duh, haha!

ZOE

Shut up. It's yours, and weird stuff is going on.

ABE

Ahah, you're kidding me right?

ZOE

No.

PAGE 21, 4 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

INT. ABE’S MANSION - MORNING

Panel 1 - 1/1

ABE

Aaaaaooooooh.., I thought you had taken one of those, like--

ZOE

I thought I had. I forgot somehow. Anyways, I figured you’d taken one, but obviously you didn’t either.

ABE

I.., I guess maybe not.

ZOE

Guess not ey. Yeah well, doesn't matter who or what screwed up at this point.

ABE

... So, what now, you want money to get rid of it?

Panel 2 - 1/1

She slaps him HARD.

Panel 3 - 1/1 his gums are bleeding, but he’s jolly as ever.

ABE

Hah, aaau, what was that for? I may be on the funny pills, but, come on! us having a baby together would be plain stupid. Even now I can see that.

ZOE

You're fucking stupid! Yo've no clue what's been happening. I feel different, something's not right. Like I'm on Emos but not one particular flavor, and recently it's all the time, no breaks.

ABE

Pfft, Emos don't work like that. I remember now. At The Composium club right? You did some heavy drugs that night.

(MORE)

ABE (CONT’D)

If that was like any other weekend for you then I'm not surprised your brain's getting fried.

ZOE

I know it's not the Emos. It's definitely not the drugs either. I know everything there is to know about'em, they don't work like that.

Panel 4 - 1/1

ABE

Eheh, so what then?

ZOE

The baby.

ABE

Uh?

ZOE

It’s the only unknown in this equation.

(alt dialog: “I’ve ruled out every conceivable possibility, leaving only the inconceivable as the most rational answer)

ABE

... that’s dumb.

PAGE 22, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 Zoe swiftly grabs hold of Abe’s hand

Panel 2 - 2/2 She forces it to her stomach.

ABE

Ey! Stop it!

Panel 3 - 1/1

He tries to pull back but ZOE holds on so tight he just pulls her in close.

ZOE

You stopped laughing

ABE

(erratic)

No kidding? You're really freaking me out here, why would I be laughing?

Panel 4 - 1/1

ZOE

Because you're on Emos, and Emos don't stop working just like that.

ABE tries to fashion a sensible argument but he's hitting a wall. He frantically looks around, trying to come up with some retort.

PAGE 23, 3 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2

Then his eyes lock on her stomach, and he spreads his palm over it.

ABE

What in the...

Panel 2 - 2/2

ZOE

(desperate)

Help me

Panel 3 - 1/1

They embrace one another.

ABE

Ok.

BOOK 2 - A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE

PAGE 1, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

Panel 1 - 1/1

They're in a hospital. The doctor is giving them the verdict. Jasper, the doctor, is a bit older than Zoe and Abe. He carries himself like a grown man, unlike Abe, who is just a boy in comparison. Abe is holding Zoe’s hand by the bedside as she’s being examined (with, you know, something like an ultrasound, but FROM THE FUTURE!).

ZOE

Do not let go of my hand.

ABE

There’s no reason to be scared. You’re in good hands here.

Panel 2 - 1/2

Jasper sticks his head up from the examination for a moment.

JASPER

Emos eh?

ABE

Uh.., yes.

Panel 3 - 2/2

Abe’s facing Zoe again. They’re a bit more hushed now.

ZOE

I’m not scared.

(she is)

It’s, ehm... I dunno. It’s, like, every time I let go of you, physically, it’s as if you slowly slip away from me emotionally as well. There’s this gap between us...

Panel 4 - 1/1

Jasper interjects.

JASPER

The child has a heart deformity. We can do the procedure right now.

ZOE

What procedure?

PAGE 2, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

Jasper speaks cooly and matter-of-factly. Zoe sits there petrified.

JASPER

Remove it, of course. You can not legally give birth to a physical aberration. You should be able to return to work and function normally within--

Panel 2 - 1/1

Zoe panics. She lets go of Abe’s hand, jumps up from the examination bed and makes for the door.

Abe is left dumb-struck.

Panel 3 - 1/2

Jasper instinctively reaches out around Zoe to obstruct her passage.

Panel 4 - 2/2

He raises has hands up apologetically. He is part terrified, part in awe of Zoe. He can’t quite derive what’s going on in his head right now. He is starting to feel.

JASPER

I.., I’m...

ZOE

(realising that he’s feeling)

It works on you too...

PAGE 3, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

JASPER

(tad aggressive)

What works? Did you drug me!?

ABE

(clumsily trying to put him at ease)

Hey, that’s what I thought at first too!

ZOE

Shut up dummy! No, we did not drug you.

Panel 2 - 1/2

Zoe has grabbed Jasper’s hands and placed them flat on her big pregnant stomach.

ZOE

I know how this sounds, but I’m convinced it’s this baby.

Panel 3 - 2/2

Jasper’s body buckles under the amount of emotion that’s rushing over him. He can’t look at Zoe as he tells her the facts.

JASPER

That baby... your baby... With that heart of hers, she won’t live to be 10.

Zoe puts a hand to her mouth as if to keep a scream from coming out. A few tears flow down her cheeks.

Panel 4 - 1/2

Surprisingly, there’s a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

ZOE

It’s a she?

JASPER

Did you hear what I said? Her condition...

Panel 5 - 2/2

ZOE

(filled with conviction)

Listen, we made a mistake. But that's on us, not this child. I know we don’t do synthetic heart transplants any longer, but, come on. It’s child’s play! We’ll find a way.

PAGE 4, 2 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

Zoe has diverted her attention to Abe, making her plea.

ZOE

This girl can have a normal life. I’ll take care of her by myself. You won't have to worry about a thing. Just help me get out of the system, I can disappear from your life forever.

Abe is just looking as dumb-struck as ever, not knowing what to say.

Panel 2 - 1/1 Zoe looks down. Her water just broke.

ZOE

What the shit!?

JASPER

Uh-oh.

PAGE 5, 4 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

Out in the hallway, a group of parents are lined up. All looking like they’re thinking of what to buy for dinner.

(We’ll need to have a proper conversation about the basic layout of this wing in the hospital, because it has an impact on how the story unfolds.)

Panel 2 - 1/1 They’re looking into the nursery. Their faces are reflected back to us in the glass as we change perspective and look inwards towards the nursery.

(Maybe focus on one parent’s reflection, looking at their sleeping baby with an empty look in their face.)

No awe, no excitement, trepidation nor love.

Panel 3 - 1/1 A nurse half-sprints past them. Down the hall, a faint scream from a woman in pain can be heard.

Panel 4 - 1/1 The nurse opens the door and the screaming fills the hallway.

PAGE 6, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2

JASPER

Julia, this one is off the grid. Do you accept?

NURSE JULIA

Agreed.

Panel 2 - 2/2

Zoe is pushing the baby out with Abe at her side. The nurse is scurrying back and forth. Jasper is speaking from underneath the hospital gown.

JASPER

I see the head!

Panel 3 - 1/1

The baby is in Jasper's hands, crying. The umbilical cord is cut. He’s utterly lost in her.

Panel 4 - 1/1

NURSE JULIA

Doctor?

JASPER

(euphoric)

I’ve never heard a baby cry before. Seems natural somehow, doesn’t it?

PAGE 7, 5 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Baby in hand, Jasper turns to ABE.

JASPER

Mr. Willow, you really ought to hold your daughter.

Panel 2 - 1/1 ABE clumsily extends his arms and steadies Lucy in his arms. As he makes contact with his baby, he stares at her like he just got shot in the gut.

Panel 3 - 1/1 Abe drops to his knees, but Jasper descends down with him, keeping a supporting hand safely tucked underneath the baby.

Panel 4 - 1/2 Abe can't utter the words. Kneeling and sobbing, he holds on to his baby girl for his dear life, gently hugging her.

Panel 5 - 2/2

ZOE

Mmmh... Her name is.., LUCY

Jasper snaps out of it, realising he completely ignored ZOE's presence.

PAGE 8, 4 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Abe hands Lucy over to Zoe, who calmly accepts her, like she’s held her a thousand times already.

ABE

Isn’t she the most beautiful thing in the world?

Panel 2 - 1/1

NURSE JULIA

Doctor, what is going on here?

Panel 3 - 1/1 Jasper excitedly grabs hold of Nurse Julia’s shoulders.

JASPER

I can’t quite explain it but--

Julia’s eyes go wide open.

Panel 3 - 1/1

Tears begin streaming down Julia’s face.

JASPER

wait, am I doing it too?

(What’s going on is that because Jasper has recently been turned, he can still turn others as well. This mechanic will be explained in proper detail in Book 3.)

PAGE 9, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1

We flash back to a traumatic memory for Julia. She’s in her apartment.

NURSE JULIA

Jill, you’ve been in there for 20 minutes now. I really need to pee.., I’m coming in.

Panel 2 - 1/2 She opens the door and walks in.

Panel 3 - 2/2 She stops. Her face is motionless but troubled somehow, like she’s having trouble processing something. Something has caught her eye.

Panel 4 - 1/2

We look over her shoulder, and we see a bathtub full of blood.

Her sister’s bloody hand hanging off the rim.

Panel 5 - 2/2 Stoically, Julia makes a phone call.

NURSE JULIA

Hello? Yes. It appears my sister, Jill Cudridge, has killed herself.

(Maybe we could end with a zoom-in on her eyes, and open with that again in the next panel, except the eye is visibly more alive now; pupils dilated, veins bursting, tears swelling up. Difficult?)

PAGE 10, 4 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 (small)

Tears are trickling down Nurse Julia’s cheeks and her entire body is shaking. She gasps for air and clutches her chest.

Panel 2 - 2/2 (big)

JULIA: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWGH! What did you do to me!? IT HURTS SO MUCH!

Panel 3 - 1/1

Nurse Julia runs off. Jasper, ABE and ZOE don’t understand what just happened.

Panel 4 - 1/1

Then LUCY starts crying. ZOE immediately gets worried.

ZOE

The fuck was that?

PAGE 11, y PANELS, z LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2

ZOE

Is she meant to do that?

JASPER

Uh, normally no. But, uh, in this case, I think it's normal.

ZOE

What do you mean you think--

Panel 2 - 2/2

ABE

What is the nurse going to do?

JASPER

I don't.., probably calling the authorities. Even if she doesn't, as soon as she entered the monitored area the system probably picked up on her unusual behaviour.

ABE

And then what?

Panel 3 - 1/3

JASPER

Hard to say really...

ZOE

(serious)

They'll take her away.

It dawns on Jasper that she is right.

Panel 4 - 2/3

JASPER

ZOE.., I'm so, very sorry.

ZOE

How long do we have?

JASPER

2 minutes, maybe less.

PAGE 12, 2 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

We get our first meeting with Zeno. He is the adversary-to-be for our heroes. He’s an old, rather frail man, though his mind is still very much intact. He sports a thin robotic exoskeleton. He receives a message. Have not decided on the room nor messaging interface yet. Ideas needed!

(Obviously, this segment is pretty unfinished. I added it because I want to introduce “the bad guy” as early on as possible, so the audience can get a feel for what our heroes are up against -- do note that this battle will not remain black&white. The lines will be thoroughly blurred as the story progresses. Whether or not this segment is necessary is definitively up for debate.)

Panel 1 - 1/1 Establishing shot of Zeno.

Panel 2 - 1/1

OPERATOR

Mr. Zeno, there’s been another recorded incident of a person displaying the characteristics of Emos, supposedly without being under the influence. You are being briefed whilst the situation unfolds as we speak.

ZENO

Send the closest units you have there immediately. I will remain on the line to consult. And operator?

OPERATOR

Yes?

ZENO

Bring lethal force. There’s nothing less predictable than feeling individuals.

PAGE 13, y PANELS, z LEVELS

Meanwhile, back in the hospital room, the newly made parents are scrambling.

Panels Pending Need some dialogue that leads up to Abe taking action.

Panel 5 - 2/3 Abe motions to Zoe with mad determination in his eyes.

ABE

Give her to me.

(Zoe looks frightened and reluctant)

I’ll have her back here in less than a minute, promise.

PAGE 14, 6 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Out in the hallway, the couples are still staring blankly at their babies as a man (Abe) bursts out of the room from where the screaming came from.

Panel 2 - 1/1 He storms down the hallway, a crying baby in his embrace. Behind him a familiar woman's voice calls after him and Jasper stands by the door, looking frantic, his heads on the back of his head.

ZOE

(in the background, from inside the room)

What are you going to do!?

Panel 3 - 1/3 ABE rushes into the nursery, past the stoic parents.

Panel 4 - 2/3 He extends his baby's right arm, (maybe he tries to touch them himself first?)

Panel 5 - 3/3 and starts touching the babies' heads with it. They promptly start crying their lungs out, one after the other.

Panel 6 - 1/1 He leaves a room of screaming infants, his own baby still in hand. Puzzled, the parents all stare blankly at him.

ABE

Get in there dammit, look after your babies.

PAGE 15, y PANELS, z LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Racing with adrenaline, ABE comes back into the room, holding Lucy. The mad look on his face frightens ZOE.

ZOE

What have you done?

ABE

I may have bought us a little bit of time.

(breathing heavily)

How can we get out of here?

Panel 2 - 1/3

ZOE

(interjects)

Give her to me.

ABE

Eh.., okay, here.

(he hands LUCY over to her mother)

But listen, we gotta hurry.

Panel 3 - 2/3

ZOE

I know. There's an emergency exit, Jasper showed me. We'll use that.

Panel 4 - 3/3

ABE

What about the baby?

ZOE

(tapping into her “mother lioness” now)

It'll be fine. I got her.

ABE

Alright.

Panel 5 - 1/3 Jasper pushes a black manual button next to the window.

Panel 6 - 2/3 There's a sound like a tire being deflated, as the window falls apart like it was made of jell-o.

Panel 7 - 3/3

JASPER

Do you know how this works?

ABE

Only in theory.

JASPER

Just jump, that's all there is to it. The catcher below takes care of the rest. Just try to relax.

PAGE 16, 7 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/4 (small) Jasper steps up on the window frame, which is almost as tall as he is so he doesn’t have to crouch much.

Panel 2 - 2/4 (tall) He leaps from the 6th floor.

Panel 3 - 3/4 (tall) He’s about 2 floors from impact when suddenly the ground underneath him lights up and a strong updraft is created, blowing against his clothes and hair.

Panel 4 - 4/4 (tall) His body is guided along like by an invisible slide (or friendly tractor beam).

NOTE: There could very well be MUCH better ways of handling this scene than I’ve attempted to here. Very open to ideas. It’s very action-y and science-y at the same time, so there are a lot of visuals to communicate.

Panel 5 - 1/3 Zoe bundles Lucy up in a blanket.

Panel 6 - 2/3 She hits the ground running. Jasper is clearly impressed.

Panel 7 - 3/3

JASPER

Where’s Abe?

INT. Hospital

PAGE 17, 6 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Abe has his back to the wall, listening in.

Note: We’ll have to discuss some basic layout of the hospital to make sense of the following scenes.

WOMAN

(in the background)

What’s going on!

Panel 2 - 1/1 Inside the hospital, a scene of horror is unfolding. Parents who went into the nursery to figure out the cause of their crying baby got turned themselves. They’ve all been rounded up around the corner from the nursery by some kind of police-looking officials. Two humanoid droids accompany them.

Panel 3 - 1/2 No idea what has happened to them, people try to make their way out of the hospital.

Panel 4 - 2/2 A clearly troubled man attempts to circle around the enforcers.

Panel 5 - 1/1 He’s stopped at the entrance by one of the armed authority figures. He motions “stop” with his hand.

AUTHORITY

You may not leave.

Panel 6 - 1/1 He shoves the authority figure’s hand aside. They’re making physical contact.

MAN

(aggressively)

You don’t tell me what to do.

PAGE 18, 6 PANELS, 2 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 A split second after last page’s last panel.

The officer has been turned as well. He’s in emotional shock, going through the motions, but he doesn’t get much time to process what he’s feeling.

Panel 2 - 2/2 The angry man punches him hard in the face, crushing his nose.

Panel 3 - 1/1 The angry man continues to pummel away at the officer who is now down on the ground, shielding his face.

Panel 4 - 1/1 A console shows on screen. On the grid, a conversation is taking place:

AGENT

The infection appears to spread through protective wear. All humans are at risk. Order?

OPERATOR

We have Zeno on the line. I'll refer to his expertise.

ZENO

Do not leave any opportunity for further outbreak. Human agents must avoid direct contact. Subdue and contain when possible. Eliminiate every mid to high risk target.

OPERATOR

Operation control concurs.

PAGE 19, 5 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/1 Two droids walk in positions surrounding the two men fighting on the ground.

Panel 2 - 1/2 The droids have unholstered their weapons. They’re aiming them at the two men, which makes a “deet!” sound as a laser sight is aimed at their heads. The two men freeze up, looking at the droids, confused and scared.

(23rd century weaponry ideas are very welcome! Currently I imagine something like a super-focused, micro-wave beam. It just immediately drains the life out of whoever it hits. Yes, it’s a death ray...)

Panel 3 - 2/2

On a console screen.

(Should include a basic description to explain how a human being in CONTROL always has to give the final order to robots in matters of life and death.

ZENO

Fire.

Panel 4 - 1/1 The guns aimed at the two men make an odd “boop!” sound as they shoot out an almost indistinguishable beam. The faces of the men have turned cold white. They’re dead on the spot.

Panel 5 - 1/1 The droids move in front of the unaffected agents and start circling in the people in the hospital.

AGENT

EVERYONE DOWN ON THE GROUND!

(Might need to do more illustration of how terrified the newly feeling parents are at this point.)

PAGE 20, 5 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2

Outside, LUCY and Jasper hear the shots fired inside.

Panel 2 - 2/2 Zoe is about to yell out but Jasper stops her.

JASPER

Sssh! He'll make it.

Panel 3 - 1/3 Inside, ABE is still listening to the scene from the hospital room.

Panel 4 - 2/3 He can't see much, but at a distance a mother with a newborn is on the ground, far enough back in the other room to make eye contact with Abe.

(We’re back to that mandatory room layout again)

Panel 5 - 3/3 We zoom in on the woman, who is absolutely terrified and looking desperate.

Panel 6 - 1/2 Abe makes a devastating mistake. He extends his hand, motioning for her to come over to him.

Panel 7 - 2/2

ABE

(encouraging smile)

It’ll be okay.

PAGE 21, 6 PANELS, 3 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 From the droids’ perspective, the woman is getting up on her feet.

Panel 2 - 2/2

DROID

Get back on the ground immediately or you will be eliminated.

(will ZENO again have to give the final order? Or is him giving the final orders all the time too much?)

Panel 3 - 1/2 The father, lying down a bit further in front, not in view for Abe, sees his wife getting up to run. The baby in her arms has begun to cry.

Panel 4 - 2/2

The father gets up on his feet and motions the droid to refrain from firing.

FATHER

STOP! DON--

Panel 5 - 1/2 A beam flies straight through him, killing him immediately, and catches up with the running mother, who immediately starts dropping. The baby’s crying abrubtly stops.

(need to figure out if the beam should fly through him, past him, or if it’s a projectile)

Panel 6 - 2/2 Abe watches the woman and her silent baby (only visible as a bundle rolling to the ground) fall down. Dead and cold before they hit the ground.

PAGE 22, 7 PANELS, 4 LEVELS

Panel 1 - 1/2 From outside, ABE comes into view

Panel 2 - 1/2 and quickly comes tumbling down.

Panel 3 - 1/1 After a few rolls he’s facing the ground, his head in his hands, sobbing. Jasper goes over to him and puts a hand on his shoulder.

JASPER

(terrified)

What’s happening in there?

Panel 4 - 1/2

ZOE

No time for that! Abe you need to call us an anon cab to pick us up.

Abe is completely petrified.

Panel 5 - 2/2

ZOE

NOW!

ABE

(lost in thought)

right. Let’s get out of here.

Panel 6 - 1/2

ZOE

(to Jasper)

Come with us if you’d like.

JASPER

I...

Panel 7 - 2/2

She just takes off. Maybe we won’t know for sure in this scene whether or not Jasper joins them.

From inside, a woman screams.

Zoom in on ABE’s distraught face.