Project Menagerie
Issue #3 Script
Page One (three panels)
Panel 1. In a back room of the barrelhouse described in at the end of Issue #2, DEVEN and the units talk. They sit at a round wooden table, with DEVEN at one end and the three units at the other; RHINO is flanked by WOLF and RABBIT. A bottle of brown liquor sits on the table, surrounded by four glasses. The one closest to DEVEN is filled with the liquor, while the other three remain empty.
DEVEN:
So this is what are problem is…
Panel 2. A frame of the mission church from Page 22 of Issue #1.
DEVEN:
It's a bunch of out-of-towners called the Sinaloa.
Panel 3. As in Panel 2, but a different angle, giving the reader a new look at the banditos guarding the place.
DEVEN (CAP):
They rolled in awhile back and they been nothin' but trouble.
DEVEN (CAP):
Runnin' drugs, cartin' people across the border, you name it.
Page Two (six panels)
Panel 1. Everyone continues to sit at the table, but RABBIT leans closer to RHINO and WOLF to speak with them.
RABBIT:
They are his competition.
Panel 2. DEVEN smiles at RABBIT. His poker face is good, but RABBIT's unexpected insight gives rise to a smile on his face that is bred from suspicion and restrained hostility.
DEVEN:
Well, it's not polite to put words in peoples' mouths, young lady.
Panel 3. A frame of RABBIT, close in on the mask she wears on her face. It is as blank and empty as the mannequin it came from.
DEVEN (OP):
'Specially when they can't see your face.
Panel 4. DEVEN leans back in his chair to collect himself.
DEVEN:
True, they're my competition.
DEVEN:
But I've never stuffed 50 people in'a crate.
DEVEN:
And when a man owes me money, I don't kill his wife and children.
Panel 5. RABBIT turns to speak to WOLF and RHINO, ignoring DEVEN.
RABBIT:
Wolf, Rhino - we should leave.
Panel 6. RHINO turns and speaks to RABBIT, implying her telepathic abilities.
RHINO:
You know you don't have to talk Rabbit.
Page Three (five panels)
Panel 1. RHINO continues to stare straight ahead while WOLF turns his head to watch the exchange. RABBIT bows her head slightly, as if embarrassed, while switching to telepathy.
RABBIT (thought):
Of course.
RABBIT (thought):
I wasn't thinking. Sorry.
Panel 2. A frame of DEVEN smiling. He assumes that RHINO means to have chastised RABBIT.
DEVEN:
Well, I'm glad to see we can move on.
Panel 3. DEVEN moves on with the conversation, just as confident as before RABBIT's interruption.
DEVEN:
The Sinaloa came up from south of the border with coke cash.
Panel 4. A frame of three Sinaloas and a cop. Two of the Sinaloas load keys of cocaine out of the back of an old boat of a Chevy. The third is peeling bills out of a roll to give to the cop. The cop has his hat pushed back and is scratching his head, making up his mind.
DEVEN (CAP):
More money than anybody in this shit kickin' town has ever seen.
Panel 5. Same as Panel 4, but this time the cop is holding up his hands, refusing the cash.
DEVEN (CAP):
Soon the rule was simple - plata o plomo.
DEVEN (CAP):
You took their gold –
Page Four (five panels)
Panel 1. A frame of the same cop, but he is dead in a dumpster. His face is ashen and horrified, a bright red dot in the middle of his forehead.
DEVEN (CAP):
Or you took their lead.
DEVEN (CAP):
Anybody who said too much never said anything again.
Panel 2. Back in the barrelhouse, DEVEN is speaking.
DEVEN:
So now they got every local official in their pocket.
DEVEN:
I still manage to squeeze out a living, but only as I'm real careful.
Panel 3. WOLF looks guarded and suspicious as he speaks.
WOLF:
So what do you want from us?
Panel 4. DEVEN smiles again, as if his answer is the most obvious thing in the world.
DEVEN:
Oh –
DEVEN:
Just to do what you did in the barrelhouse tonight. Stir some shit up.
Panel 5. RHINO speaks, devoid of WOLF's suspicion.
RHINO:
Why would we do this?
Page Five (six panels)
Panel 1. DEVEN leans forward, reaching for the glass of liquor in front of him.
DEVEN:
Any fool can tell ya'll are on the run.
DEVEN:
I'll give you a place to cool down and take care of all your general needs.
Panel 2. DEVEN picks up his glass of liquor as he speaks, as if making to toast.
DEVEN:
And I think you'll find that putting a hurt on the Sinaloa is a reward in and of itself.
Panel 3. WOLF's suspicion has become tinged with a dangerous, if restrained, hostility at this last statement.
WOLF:
Are you trying to appeal to our better nature?
WOLF:
Because you should know --
WOLF:
As far as I know --
WOLF:
We don't have a better nature.
Panel 4. DEVEN, still holding the glass, addresses WOLF.
DEVEN:
Hell no.
Panel 5. DEVEN downs the drink in one swift motion, tilting his head back.
Panel 6. DEVEN comes back up, slamming the drink down.
DEVEN:
I mean you'll find that there's a lot of cash in it. Anything you pick up is all yours.
Page Six (five panels)
Panel 1. The three units are in the same room, but alone now. RABBIT continues to sit, while WOLF stands, leaning against a wooden post. RHINO stands near the room's sole exit. Nobody looks happy.
WOLF (CAP):
Give us a bit to talk about it.
RHINO:
What is our course of action?
Panel 2. RABBIT gestures toward the door as she communicates.
RABBIT (thought):
He has someone listening to us.
WOLF (thought):
We'll need to give him something to listen too, then.
Panel 3. The three pantomime their audio conversation as they discuss their intent telepathically. WOLF looks at RABBIT as he speaks.
WOLF:
What's with the mask?
WOLF (thought):
We can't stay here long, but we could use the cash.
Panel 4. RABBIT is taken aback at both the auditory question and the telepathic statement.
RABBIT:
What?
RABBIT (thought):
We would be killing others for money.
RHINO (thought):
As opposed to earlier when we killed men for nothing at all.
Panel 5. WOLF crosses his arms as he speaks, trying his best to look casual in the case that someone is watching as well as listening.
WOLF:
I didn't have time to ask you before.
RABBIT:
It makes me more…comfortable.
RABBIT (thought):
If we hadn't fought back they would have killed us in the tunnel.
RHINO (thought):
We fought for our survival. As we do now.
Page Seven (five panels)
Panel 1. WOLF gestures to his face, indicating the mask. RABBIT, sensing that WOLF is speaking the truth even as he projects other, more surface thoughts, is embarrassed.
WOLF:
It's going to attract attention. It's kind of…freaky.
WOLF (thought):
They'll be after us before long. We aren't that far from the tunnel and they'll be looking.
WOLF (thought):
This is our best chance to grab some fast cash and get further away.
Panel 2. RABBIT bows her heard and reaches up to clasp the mask by the sides connecting to her face as if she is about to remove it.
RABBIT:
I can take it off then. It's just makes it easier when others look at me.
RABBIT:
I don't have to see myself.
RABBIT (thought):
I sense no deception in Deven.
Panel 3. RHINO speaks to WOLF, completely callous to the even deeper shame her comment is sure to cause RABBIT.
RHINO:
It will most likely raise fewer questions than her actual face.
RHINO (thought):
Than this is the most direct course of action.
Panel 4. RABBIT is bit deeply enough by the comment that she raises her head. WOLF realizes the truth of it and cuts her off before she can finish her response.
RABBIT:
That was…
WOLF:
True. Keep it on.
WOLF (thought):
Then we're agreed? Do this and get out of town?
Pane1 5. The three of them think their response at the same time, blurring all of their thoughts into a single "bubble", like voices blending together in a chamber.
RHINO (thought):
Agreed.
RABBIT (thought):
Agreed.
WOLF (thought):
Agreed.
Page Eight (three panels)
Panel 1. WOLF opens the door. Whoever was outside of it is gone and cannot be seen as he speaks to DEVEN, who is somewhere off panel.
WOLF:
We're in.
WOLF:
We'll need food, a place to rest up and lots of --
Panel 2. A basement with wooden walls and an earthen floor. A large rectangular table sits in the middle with a couple of chairs. The table has an assortment of weapons laid out across it, in various states of assembly. Rounds of ammunition also litter its surface. The walls are lined with all sorts of other firearms. References can be provided.
DEVEN has opened the door to the basement and the three units have walked in. Each stands at a side to the table while DEVEN stays near the door.
WOLF (CAP):
-- guns.
RHINO:
Impressive collection.
DEVEN:
Ah've been saving up.
Panel 3. With a sweep of his arm, WOLF moves some of the firearms and ammunition aside clearing a space on the table.
WOLF:
We'll need a map of the town…
DEVEN (OP):
El Dorado.
WOLF:
Right, El Dorado.
Page Nine (five panels)
Panel 1. WOLF turns to speak to DEVEN while RHINO looks through the gun racks, as if she were a casual shopper.
WOLF:
We'll need a map, and everything you've got on the Sinaloa.
WOLF:
Where they hang their hats, how many of them are there, what locals they're working with, a name and a description of the person in charge.
Panel 2. In the background, WOLF continues to speak to DEVEN. In the foreground, RHINO selects a short barreled assault rifle from the wall.
WOLF:
Once you provide that we can put together a plan. Depending on how the situation looks we can go from the bottom, up or the top, down.
Panel 3. WOLF hooks his thumb over his shoulder to indicate RABBIT as he speaks. RHINO, still in the foreground, holds the rifle down as she looks in the direction of WOLF's pointing.
WOLF:
After you give us that, we'll put Rabbit on a patrol around town to see what else she can pick up.
RHINO:
Wolf?
Panel 4. WOLF turns from DEVEN to look over his shoulder at RHINO. RHINO is gesturing with the rifle in the same direction he had hooked his thumb.
WOLF:
Yeah?
Panel 5. A frame of RABBIT, who has taken a seat in one of the chairs and promptly fallen asleep.
WOLF (OP):
Oh.
Page Ten (six panels)
Panel 1. Another room, but with a similar look and feel. It has a single entrance with the other three walls lined with cots. RABBIT has been placed onto a cot to the right of the door and continues to sleep. RHINO sits on her cot like a zen master, but her eyes are closed as well. Across from the door, WOLF sits watching it, one of the guns from the other room across his lap.
WOLF (CAP):
We'll start tomorrow.
Panel 2. A shadow from the door across from WOLF falls across him. He barely reacts to the intrusion.
WOLF:
What do you want Deven?
Panel 3. A frame of DEVEN in the door, silhouetted by the light that throws his shadow into the room.
DEVEN:
Heh.
DEVEN:
Ya remind me of a serg'nt I served under in the army.
DEVEN:
He never seemed ta sleep neither.
Panel 4. A small frame of WOLF's face as this suggestion seems to tickle some old memory.
WOLF:
Yeah...
Panel 5. WOLF shakes off whatever it was and, still in DEVEN's shadow, slides the gun in his lap so it points at DEVEN.
WOLF:
Difference between me and him, though, is I don't sleep.
WOLF:
That would be a good thing for you to remember.
DEVEN (OP):
Sure thing. Good night.
Panel 6. Another frame on WOLF's face. He has the look of an amphetamine addict that hasn't slept in days and perhaps will never sleep again.
WOLF:
Hold up a second, Deven. Let's me and you talk.
Page Eleven (four panels)
Panel 1. Back in the basement, WOLF speaks to RABBIT, RHINO and DEVEN. DEVEN sits in a turned around chair while smoking a cigarette. WOLF leans over the table looking at a map. RHINO works the bolt on a submachine gun while RABBIT watches WOLF, her feet pulled up to the seat she's on
WOLF:
While you slept, Deven and I talked about how to uproot the Sinaloa. To prevent a backlash we'll start by taking out the support base.
WOLF:
To start --
Panel 2. A frame of RABBIT sitting in the passenger seat of an old jalopy, staring out the window. The hard border sun has turned the car a dirty shade of brown. DEVEN is in the driver's seat.
WOLF (CAP):
We need to move fast, so Rabbit will circle around town searching for targets of opportunity. We want to know everything.
Panel 3. RHINO reaches out from a dark alley to grab a beat cop around the neck, dragging him back and, presumably, to his death.
WOLF (CAP):
Cops on the take…
Panel 4. The bodies of a group of Sinaloa are strewn about an old Cadillac that is parked somewhere outside of El Dorado in the scrub and sand of the landscape. The car and the bodies are littered with bullets. In the background, WOLF can be seen walking away, slinging a rifle over his shoulder.
WOLF (CAP):
Sinaloa stragglers…
Page Twelve (three panels)
Panel 1. A clean cut, mustachioed man in a fine suit with a tie in the colors of the Mexican flag gives the Sinaloa he is speaking with a huge grin as he takes a large cash bribe from him. The entire scene is viewed through the crosshairs of a sniper rifle.
WOLF (CAP):
Corrupt government officials…
Panel 2. Two men in the cab of a truck scream in terror as RHINO lands on the hood of the truck, crushing it downward to bring the truck to a halt.
WOLF (CAP):
Shipments of drugs…
Panel 3. Standing on top of a semi truck trailer, WOLF looks down at the trailer's open back doors. Dozens of people pour out of the back of the truck, gasping for air and covered in sweat from the intense heat of inside the trailer. There are far too many people to have comfortable fit in the container.
WOLF (CAP):
Or people.
WOLF (CAP):
Anything we can do to disrupt the local Sinaloa operations. When we've shook them up enough so that they go to ground --
Page Thirteen (four panels)
Panel 1. A photo of a clean shaven, roughly handsome Latino man. He wears a cowboy hat and a striped shirt. There's a definite swagger to him and a pistol jammed into his the waistband of his jeans.
WOLF (CAP):
Then we'll go for the big score. This guy.
WOFL (CAP):
Raul Rafael Sinaloa.
WOLF (CAP):
AKA El Cuerpo.
Panel 2. A frame of the mission church from the opening page, at dusk. From here it can be seen that an outer abode wall separates the main building from the outside, creating a courtyard in between. The walls are patrolled by mercenaries.
WOLF (CAP):
He's set up in old mission church on the south side of town.
Panel 3. At the front of the mission, which has a single square entrance through the outer wall, a line of people have formed a breadline, which stretches out along the wall.
WOLF (CAP):
In addition to paying out for an army of goons, it seems that he's set himself up as a man of the people.
WOLF (CAP):
So there's frequently a lot of civilians around, waiting for handouts.
Panel 4. Inside the courtyard, more mercenaries patrol. One of them, a bit better dressed than many of the others, can be seen talking to a group of teen-age boys.
WOLF (CAP):
Sinaloa picks new gang members from the disenfranchised, so sometimes people are sleeping there are at night as well.
Page Fourteen (seven panels)
Panel 1. Outside the walls, RABBIT and DEVEN can be seen sitting in the car, watching the mission.
DEVEN:
I didn't expect ya'll to take this as far as you have.
Panel 2. RABBIT turns to stare at DEVEN, her mask making her indecipherable. The evaluating gaze unsettles him a bit.
RABBIT:
You are afraid of reprisals. Why? Wolf's plan is working.
Panel 3. DEVEN's somewhat nervous look changes to one of incredulity.
DEVEN:
Damn, girl, you from a different planet?
DEVEN:
This won't be the end of it.
DEVEN:
Sinaloa's got friends and family down south. They're gonna come to see what happen.
Panel 4. RABBIT looks out at the mission, foreshadowing the violence about that's about to take place nearby.
RABBIT:
Even the deaths of so many won't dissuade them?
DEVEN:
Shit, you got any idea how much money there's to be made moving drugs and people across this border?
Panel 5. RABBIT gently shakes her head. DEVEN has turned to face her, speaking as an authority on the subject.
RABBIT:
No.
DEVEN:
Well, let me tell you it's more than you've ever seen. You could kill men all day long and they wouldn't ever stop.
Panel 6. DEVEN continues his lecture.
DEVEN:
The money's too good for people who are just too poor.
DEVEN:
And once you got that type of money, ain't a man alive who's willin' to let it go.
Panel 7. DEVEN takes on the look of a man who's found himself in too deep and is making excuses for himself.
RABBIT:
Then why did you let us do it?
DEVEN:
Like I said, didn't know how far you'd take it.
Page Fifteen (five panels)
Panel 1. WOLF is crouched outside of the southern wall of the mission, opposite of the front entrance. Among the gear he carries is a bandoleer with several grenades, ammo and a submachine gun. Two Sinaloas are nearby; one has a knife buried in his throat, the other looks as if his head has nearly been twisted off.
RABBIT (CAP):
Well, it's too late now.
WOLF (thought):
I'm in position.
Panel 2. RHINO stands atop the mission, in the middle so she can't be seen from the ground. She faces the entrance of the outer courtyard. Several Sinaloas lay about her, having been bludgeoned to death.
RHINO (thought):
In position.
Panel 3. Back in the car, RABBIT has forgotten about DEVEN and looks out to the mission.
RABBIT (thought):
I count a dozen civilians out front. I'll signal when they are clear.
Panel 4. WOLF has pulled two grenades from his bandoleer, one smoke, one frag. References can be provided.
WOLF (thought):
Here we go.
Panel 5. A small frame of both grenades going over the wall, sans pins.
Page Sixteen (three panels)
Panel 1. From the front of the mission an explosion can be seen erupting at the back of the fortress. The folks in the breadline react, diving to the ground, running or covering their ears and screaming in terror.
SFX:
BOOM
Panel 2. From the opposite view of the entrance, people can be seen scrambling out, away from the explosion. Sinaloas, grab guns and turn to face the noise.
SFX:
People screaming.
Panel 3. Inside the adobe walls of the mission, half a dozen Sinaloas stand around a table. The explosion has gotten their attention. One is RAUL Rafael Sinaloa, recognizable from his cowboy hat and striped shirt. Behind him and to one side is the only gringo in the room, an armed man that has the look of a spook. This is MANUSCO.
RAUL:
What in the Hell?
MANUSCO:
It's them. The ones who've been bumping off your men.
MANSUCO:
They're here.
Page Seventeen (four panels)
Panel 1. RABBIT watches from the car as the last of the civilians rushes out of the mission.
RABBIT (thought):
The civilians are clear.
Panel 2. WOLF scrambles up and over the wall.
WOLF (thought):
Rhino, hit it. I'm going in.
Panel 3. RHINO takes off at a full run across the top of the church, heading towards the wall's entrance.
Panel 4. RHINO leaps off the edge, flying over the heads of the Sinaloas in the courtyard.
Page Eighteen (four panels)
Panel 1. RHINO lands at the apex of the single square entrance through the outer wall, causing it to crack beneath the force.
Panel 2. The gate collapses into a pile rubble and dust under the force of RHINO, blocking any exit from the courtyard.
Panel 3. The Sinaloas in the courtyard stare at the pile of rubble and what they just saw in disbelief as dust continues to float about, blocking RHINO from sight. They point their guns tentatively at the dust cloud.
Panel 4. RHINO begins to emerge as the dust settles, her silhouette and glowing eyes visible through the cloud.
Page Nineteen (five panels)
Panel 1. Climbing an outer wall of the church, WOLF makes his way up and towards a window to gain entrance to the building.
SINALOA (OP):
MADRE DE DIOS!!!
Panel 2. Inside the church, WOLF can be seen making his way in a crouch, the window that he came in through behind him. Beyond the window RHINO can be heard doing her terrible work.
WOLF (thought):
Where's El Cuerpo, Rabbit?
SFX:
Weapons fire.
Panel 3. Another frame of WOLF making his way through the dark adobe halls of the mission as RABBIT feeds him information.
RABBIT (thought):
He and several men have blockaded themselves into a room.
RABBIT (thought):
It should be four doors down on your left.
Panel 4. A frame of a sturdy, if old, wooden door that is closed tight.
WOLF (thought):
Got it. How's Rhino doing?
Panel 5. RHINO in the courtyard is shrugging off fire from the remaining Sinaloas. In her left hand, she has a dead Sinaloa by the neck, while with her right she has the man's rifle, spraying automatic fire at her opponents.
RABBIT (thought):
She's fine.
Page Twenty (three panels)
Panel 1. Back in the church, opposite side of the door in Panel 2, an explosion rips it open, causing splinters of wood to fly into the room.
Panel 2. RAUL and MANUSCO, along with three others, crouch behind over turned tables and book cases, as they point their weapons at the door, unloading their bullets at their unseen enemy.
RAUL:
Shoot! Shoot!
SFX:
Weapons fire.
Panel 3. A frame from the opposite point of view Panel 5 of Page Twenty. The door has been obliterated by the explosion and the adobe walls surrounding it are lit up by the impact of the men's weapons fire. Nothing can be seen beyond the door.
SFX:
Weapons fire
Page Twenty-One (four panels)
Panel 1. Same as above, but the weapons fire has stopped, leaving the door enshrined in dust and smoke.
Panel 2. Back on RAUL and his men, each of them tentatively pokes their heads out from the barricade just a bit, hoping they hit something.
SINALOA:
Did we hit them?
Panel 3. Same as Panel 4. WOLF speaks from outside the door without being seen.
WOLF (OP):
Yeah.
WOLF (OP):
I think I'll stay out here.
Panel 4. From darkness beyond the door, several grenades bounce into the room.
Page Twenty-Two (five panels)
Panel 1. Outside in the hall, a plume of flame shoots by WOLF as he covers himself to the side of the door.
SFX:
BOOM
Panel 2. A frame of the wreckage that was the barricade that RAUL and his men were hiding behind. It is now littered with holes from the grenades' shrapnel, pieces of it have caught on fire. MANUSCO, the only still left alive, can be seen looking across the room to the door.
Panel 3. From within the room, WOLF can be seen in the door way, surveying the room with his gun raised.
Panel 4. A close in frame of MANUSCO's bruised and burned visage. Confusion crawls onto his face as he recognizes the man walking into the room.
Panel 5. A frame of WOLF as he trains his weapon on MANUSCO, realizing he's still alive. MANUSCO speaks to him.
MANUSCO:
Kaliq? Is that you? |
