With plans in motion for a different kind of Sunday update, I thought I’d take the opportunity to post all the script pages up to and including last Thursday’s page. Next Sunday will be the script for Slow River 1.23, which goes live on July 5th.

And Happy Canada Day, eh?

 

PAGE 5
Panel 1 (Outdoors, midday)
Phoebe is standing next to Diana near the pump.

Phoebe: Di, have you been picking up any strange vibes about this place?
Diana: Not really. Why?
Phoebe: The guy inside is only charging us a buck a gallon. And he says we shouldn’t go to Slow River. That it’s cursed.

Panel 2 (Outdoors, midday)
Phoebe is standing next to Diana near the pump.

Diana: Cursed?
Phoebe: Yeah. Something evil is controlling the town. He also said…
Diana: What? What did he say?

Panel 3 (outdoors, midday)
Phoebe and Diana, with the gas station store in the background. Phoebe’s showing Diana the whittled figure.

Phoebe: That you were going to need my help, just like you did last time. And he gave me this.
Diana: Last time? But…
Phoebe: I don’t know how he knows about that. But the store, it smelled like Aunt Evie’s.

PAGE 6
Panel 1 (outdoors, midday)
Phoebe in the driver’s seat, looking at Diana.

Diana: Now that you mention it, I am starting to pick up on something…
Phoebe: Yeah. Let’s go. We got the help we needed, when we needed it. Best not to impose any further.

Panel 2 (outdoors, midday)
View in the rearview mirror – the gas station as they’re pulling away.

Narrator: Crossroads have always been important places. Places of meetings, and departures. Some people consider them magical places, where the barriers between the worlds are at their thinnest. Others associate them with death and the underworld, places where the guardians wait for those in need, and help travelers on their way.

Panel 3 (outdoors, midday)
View in the rearview mirror – the gas station as they’re pulling away – it’s now an abandoned ruin.

Phoebe: Di, we’ve still got that unopened bottle of rum, right?
Diana: Yeah, why?
Phoebe: I think we need to make some serious thank you’s before we go to sleep tonight.

Narrator: Sometimes, they’re all of those things.

PAGE 7
Panel 1 (interior, midafternoon)
Phoebe and Diana are in a generic motel room. Suitcases on the bed, some of the equipment in the room. Phoebe is putting a praline in her mouth.

Diana: Wow, look at that. Complimentary pralines.
Phoebe: Oooooo….
Diana: Don’t look gift candy in the mouth… Hey, that was mine!
Phoebe: You snooze, you lose, sis.

Panel 2 (interior, mid-afternoon)
Phoebe’s sitting on the foot of one of the beds, holding some papers, and Diana’s kneeling on the floor. She’s opened up the case they use to hide their portable shrine.

Narrator: The twins settled into their room, getting things ready for their stay in Slow River. But before they would go and check out the town, there was a little something they wanted to do first.
Diana: No incense tonight, I think.
Phoebe: Good idea. I just need to finish sorting these papers, and then I’ll join you.

Panel 3 (interior, mid-afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are kneeling in front of the shrine. There’s a shot glass of rum next to a candle, and some other occult-style paraphernalia on a little altar.

Narrator: Phoebe and Diana spent some time giving thanks to the loas. A shot of fine rum for the loas to drink on their long journey, a candle to light the way, and other small offerings to invite good luck and make their journey easier. Little things, scraps really. But in the twin’s case, the intentions were worth far more to the loas than the actual goods.

PAGE 8

(David, this page is going to have only two panels, because of the amount of detail that needs to be done. If possible, I’d like to see a good portion of the town square, with the stage, banner, and so on.)

Panel 1 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe and Diana are in the van, Phoebe driving, and they’re approaching the center of town and the town square. In the town square is filled with people, and decorated for the celebration. There’s a big gazebo-like thing off to one side, with a stage next to it. There’s a big banner on poles, draped above the stage that reads “Founder’s Day Festival”.

ELLIOT BUELL is standing on the stage, talking to the assembled townspeople.

Buell: Slow River is a great town, with a rich and long history. Tomorrow is the start of the Founder’s Day Festival. We’re expecting an even larger turn out than last year to join us in the celebration of our town. Let’s make this one of the best Festivals we’ve ever had!

Panel 2 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe and Diana are out of the van, approaching the stage. Buell and three or four townspeople are standing in front of the stage, talking.

Townsperson 1: …but what about John? Mayor, the sheriff is doing nothing to find him.
Townsperson 2: Or any of the other kids that have gone missing. Alex and Kimberly wouldn’t have left without saying something to their parents.
Buell: There are a lot of young people leaving Slow River for the big city. I’m doing everything I can, along with the town council, to improve things here so that our young people will want to stay.

PAGE 9
Panel 1 (outdoors, late afternoon)
The twins are passing by Buell and the townspeople when a wildly unkempt man approaches them

Man: Leave this place! It’s cursed.
Phoebe: What the…

Panel 2 (outdoors, late afternoon)
The man is right in front of Phoebe and Diana, who are in the right-hand side of the panel. The twins are looking at each other. Buell and a deputy are standing on the left-hand side of the panel.

Man: Death haunts this town. An ancient evil feeds on us. Go. Get out of here while you can!
Buell: Marcus, that’s enough of that. Deputy, would you…
Deputy: No problem, Mr. Mayor.

Panel 3 (outdoors, late afternoon)
The deputy is leading the scruffy man (MARCUS) off. Buell has moved to stand with the girls.

Buell: Please accept my apologies, ladies. I hope poor Marcus won’t ruin your time here with us. I’m Elliot Buell, mayor of Slow River.
Diana: What happened to him?
Buell: It’s a real shame. His wife left him, oh, about six months ago. It broke him.

PAGE 10
Panel 1 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Buell, Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. Phoebe is looking off panel, watching the deputy taking Marcus away.

Diana: Oh, that’s just awful
Buell: Yes, but we try not to dwell on the past. But in the next few days, we’ll be celebrating the achievements of our town’s founders. Are you young ladies here for the festival?
Diana: Yes, we are. I’m Diana Smith, and this is my sister Phoebe. We’re the Domino Girls, and we’re performing at the Rebel Yell.

Panel 2 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Buell, Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. Phoebe’s looking at Diana and Buell.

Buell: You’re the Domino Girls? Your posters don’t do you justice.
Diana: Thank you.
Buell: I was lucky enough to hear some of the demo CD you gave Mac. I think your music is going to do really well.
Phoebe: We certainly hope so.

Panel 3 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Buell, Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. A young woman wearing a Founders Day Festival shirt approaches from the left of the panel.

Woman: I’m sorry to interrupt. Mayor Buell? You’re needed at city hall.
Buell: Duty calls. It was a pleasure to meet you, Misses Smith. I hope your stay with us in Slow River is a pleasant one.
Phoebe: See you later.

PAGE 11
Panel 1 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. TYBALT is in the background to one side, watching them.

Phoebe: What do you think?
Diana: I don’t know. Something’s going on.

Panel 2 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. Phoebe is frowning, and has her arms wrapped around herself. Tybalt is still in the background, watching.

Diana: What’s wrong?
Phoebe: I don’t know. Something feels… wrong.
Diana: What do you think it is?

Panel 3 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are standing together, talking. Diana’s looking around, Phoebe’s no longer hugging herself. Tybalt is gone.

Diana: I don’t see or sense anything strange.
Phoebe: That’s so weird. The feeling’s gone now.

PAGE 12
Panel 1 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are walking, heading to the right-hand side of the panel.

Phoebe: Let’s get out of here.
Diana: I agree. We’re playing at what, the Damn Yankee or something like that?
Phoebe: Close. The Rebel Yell.
Diana: How is that close?
Phoebe: It’s related to the Civil War.

Panel 2 (outdoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe and Diana are standing in front of the Rebel Yell. Phoebe has her hand on her pocket, where she’s got Gus’ good luck charm.

Diana: This is it?
Phoebe: That’s what the sign says.
Diana: I’ve got a bad feeling about this place.
Phoebe: The people probably come here to drink away their sorrows. You’ve heard what’s happening to this town, and what Gus told me. Are you surprised?
Diana: No, not really. Let’s go in.

Panel 3 (indoors, late afternoon)
The girls are in the Rebel Yell. A middle aged, muscular man is wiping down a table nearby.

Diana: Looks and feels better inside than out.
Mac: Good afternoon, ladies. Can I help you with something?
Phoebe: Hi. We’re looking for Mr. Morgan.
Mac: You’ve found him.

PAGE 13
Panel 1 (indoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe, Diana and Mac are standing at a table in the Rebel Yell.

Phoebe: I’m Phoebe Smith, and this is my sister Diana. We’re the Domino Girls.
Mac: Well shoot, you gals are prettier than in your posters. You’re early.
Diana: Didn’t take us quite as long to get here as we thought.

Panel 2 (indoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe, Diana and Mac are standing at a table in the Rebel Yell.

Mac: We’re not as fancy as most of the places you’ve probably played.
Phoebe: Actually, most of the bars and clubs we play at are just like this.
Diana: We prefer it. Let’s us interact more with the audience.
Mac: Oh, the boys will love to interact with you. But they’re a good bunch. Shouldn’t be too rowdy, but my people will keep ‘em in line.

Panel 3 (indoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe, Diana and Mac are standing at a table in the Rebel Yell.

Mac: We’re not fancy, none of that city music.
Phoebe: Don’t worry. We’re pretty good at keeping the crowd happy.
Mac: I bet you are. If you’re half as good as that demo CD I listened to, you’re going to do real well.
Diana: We hope so. We start at 8, right? Is it okay if we come by at around 6 to start setting up?
Mac: That’ll be fine. My boys’ll help ya load and unload, if you’d like.

PAGE 14

Panel 1 (indoors, late afternoon)
Phoebe, Diana and Mac are standing at a table in the Rebel Yell.

Phoebe: That’d be great, thanks.
Mac: No problem. We may be a backwoods little town, but we still have our manners.
Diana: Could you recommend a good place for dinner? We haven’t eaten yet.
Mac: Sure thing. Miss Maisy’s got the best grits and buttermilk biscuits. Tell Reba I sent ya, and they’ll treat you right.

Panel 2 (outside the Rebel Yell, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are standing in front of the Rebel Yell, and you can see down the street in one of the directions. Down that street is one of those community billboards

Phoebe: So, Miss Maisy’s. Sounds interesting.
Diana: Yeah, it does. I wonder if their collard greens are any good?
Phoebe: Nobody’s collard greens are as good as Aunt Evie’s. But I’m craving fried okra.
Diana: Now I’m really hungry. Let’s go.

Panel 3 (in front of the community bulletin board, late afternoon)
Phoebe and Diana are looking at the notices on the board. There’s stuff about the Founder’s Day festival, but also a touristy flyer about the civil war battlefield, and the historical farms.

Phoebe: Hey look at this. There’s a civil war battlefield near here. Let’s go check it out!
Diana: You and your battlefields and cemeteries. I’d swear you are too perky to be a necromancer.
Phoebe: Aw, come on, sis. The dead need to have some sunshine brought into their lives. Here’s a deal. You come with me to the cemetery and the battlefield, and I’ll go with you to check out those farms. I know you’re just aching to take a peek at whatever spirits might be hanging around there.
Diana: You’ve got a deal. But we do it tomorrow. We’ve got a gig tonight, remember?
Phoebe: You are just no fun.

PAGE 15

Panel 1 (indoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are in Miss Maisy’s, having dinner.

Diana: So, what do you think?
Phoebe: Aunt Evie’s greens are still the best.
Diana: That’s not what I mean.
Phoebe: Yeah, I know what you meant. Her grits are better too.

Panel 2 (indoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are in Miss Maisy’s, having dinner.

Diana: Phoebe…
Phoebe: Okay, okay.
Diana: I think Gus was telling the truth. Everything here feels… wrong.

Panel 3 (indoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are in Miss Maisy’s, having dinner. APOLLO is in the background.

Phoebe: We’ll start checking things out tomorrow.
Diana: And speaking of checking things out, there’s a guy two tables over who barely taken his eyes off you since sat down.
Phoebe: Really? What’s he look like?
Diana: Blonde hair, tanned. A real hottie.

PAGE 16

Panel 1 (indoors, late afternoon)
Diana and Phoebe are in Miss Maisy’s, having dinner. Apollo is walking off panel, and there’s money on his table, showing he’s paid his bill, and Phoebe is watching him leave.

Phoebe: Maybe I’ll have him for dessert, instead of the pecan pie.
Diana: Yeah, right. Like you’d give up anything for pecan pie.
Phoebe: Drat. He’s leaving. But oh, what a nice ass.
Diana: You are so bad.

Panel 2 (indoors, late afternoon/early evening)
Diana and Phoebe have finished their dinner and are getting ready to leave.

Phoebe: If we hurry, we might be able to catch him. Want me to ask if he’s got a friend?
Diana: We’ve got to get ready for the show!
Phoebe: I know, I know. You’re such a party pooper.
Diana: I love you too, sis.

Panel 3 (outdoors, early evening)
The girls are standing outside Miss Maisy’s. Apollo is nowhere to be seen. Diana’s got an uncomfortable expression on her face.

Phoebe: What’s wrong?
Diana: For a moment it felt like something, I don’t know, was sniffing me somehow.
Phoebe: That’s not good. I’ll make sure we’ve got some kind of protection with us on stage, just in case.

PAGE 17

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Panel shows Diana and Phoebe performing.

Apollo: Slow River, VA. Domino Girls
Slow River, Virginia, is a sleepy little coal town about as far from anywhere I’d normally be as you can get, but there I was. Fate brought me. Or karma. Or the fact that I spotted the tour date on their website, and it isn’t wasn’t too far out of my way.
So there I was. I found a seat near the back, sharing a table with a truck driver named Bubba. Honest to God. Bubba knows a great recipe for catfish, and has begun to discover that the word “beer” means something completely different outside America.

Panel 2 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe performing.

Apollo: I’ve reviewed the twins before, but they’re not on MTV, which means you’re not paying attention. That’d explain why they were playing a little dive like “the Rebel Yell” in Slow River, too. The coal miners and farmers weren’t their usual audience, but they’ve always been good at reading the crowd. They shook up their usual Jazz/blues fusion with some gospel and bluegrass, all with their own unique sound. The opening number was Diana, singing Amazing Grace. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Heck, I almost considered going to church, and I’m an unrepentant pagan. Then they launched into a medley of bluegrass and country music, and completely won the crowd over.

Panel 3 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe performing.

Apollo: By the second set, they were ready to throw in some pieces by their namesake, and move into more of their signature music. They mixed the instrumental heavy jazz with more country-inspired blues and kept the crowd happy. Phoebe snuck in a rendition of “Why Don’t You Do Right” that was better than Jessica Rabbit’s.

PAGE 18

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Panel shows Diana and Phoebe performing.

Apollo: The Domino Girls are always captivating. To listen to them play is to know magic is real, to have it wound around you and woven through you. And they don’t even know they’re doing it.

Panel 2 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe performing. Phoebe’s leaning forward with a smile on her face, wagging a finger at a guy in the audience.

Phoebe: And you kiss your Mama with that mouth?
Apollo: Diana, so beautiful, so fragile, so pure, and yet so earthy you can’t help but look at her and think dirty thoughts. Or at least I can’t. But I’m a drunken old reprobate, like my father before me. It’s kind of a family tradition.
Phoebe. I could practically taste her power from where I sat. Bubba was flat overwhelmed, which made it easy to lift his wallet and use it to pay my tab. But we’re talking about Phoebe. A riotous mixture of death, peace and joy. If she won, would she give them that peace and joy, or would she taunt them with it, keeping it from them like a cruel mistress.
And damn, she’s hot.

Panel 3 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe performing.

Apollo: [Note to self: delete all the stuff at the end before I submit this. Dad's already pissed at me.]

PAGE 19

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are on stage, at the end of the second set.

Diana: Time for us to take a break.
Phoebe: We’ll be back in about twenty minutes.

Panel 2 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana’s at the bar, talking to Mac.

Mac: What can I get you?
Diana: Two of whatever you’ve got on tap and two bottles of water.
Mac: Coming right up. You ladies are quite something. You sound a darned sight better than your demo.
Diana: Thanks.

Panel 3 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Phoebe’s near the stage, surrounded by a group of guys. Apollo’s off to one side, watching.

Guy 1: No, I’m going to buy her a drink.
Phoebe: Actually, someone already bought me a drink.
Guy 2: How long are you going to be in Slow River?
Phoebe: Depends on how much you guys like us. You can show your appreciation by buying yourselves a couple of beers during the second half of the show, and a couple of our CD’s afterwards.

PAGE 20

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana, carrying the two beers, has joined Phoebe near the stage, and the guys are still there. Apollo’s off to one side, watching.

Diana: Here ya go, sis.
Phoebe: Thanks.
Guy 2: You’re sisters?
Phoebe: Yup. Twins. Now, if you’ll excuse us…
Guy 1: Hot damn!

Panel 2 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are in a back room at the Rebel Yell.

Diana: Looks like we did really well. Mac’s happy, and said if the drink sales keep up, he’ll have us back for the rest of the festival.
Phoebe: Great! That cute guy from the diner was in the audience.
Diana: I know.

Panel 3 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are in a back room at the Rebel Yell.

Diana: I wonder what he wants.
Phoebe: To ask you out on a date.
Diana: Sure.
Phoebe: Yeah, you’re right. He wants to ask me out.
Diana: Ha ha.

PAGE 21

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are in a back room at the Rebel Yell. Diana suddenly feels something “wrong” has happened.

Phoebe: Well, break’s just about over.
Diana: Yeah. Better get… uhhh…
Phoebe: What’s wrong?

Panel 2 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are in a back room at the Rebel Yell.

Diana: I don’t know. A sudden pain, deep in my gut.
Phoebe: Are you going to okay?
Diana: Yeah, I should be fine. It’s already gone.

Panel 3 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are in a back room at the Rebel Yell.

Phoebe: You sure you’re going to be okay?
Diana: I’m fine.
Phoebe: If you’re sure…
Diana: I’m sure. Let’s get back out there.

PAGE 22

Panel 1 (Rebel Yell, evening)
Diana and Phoebe are back on stage.

Phoebe: Evening, folks!
Diana: Sit back, relax, and…
Phoebe: What the hell was that?

Panel 2 (abandoned mine entrance, evening)
Half page shot of one of the abandoned mine entrances. A swarm of the DARK SPIRIT HUNTERS are flying out of it like bats at nightfall.