The Message: Page One

Page One: eight panels

1. Open on a MAN  tied to a chair. The guy's been beaten to hell, and we're looking at SEBASTIAN ROY, the man who has beaten him, from over the man's shoulder. SEBASTIAN is smoking a cigarette, and will continue to do so over the course of this page, so be sure to keep it in mind when drawing him.

    SEBASTIAN: You believe in God?

    MAN: I dunno. Why?

2. Close up on SEBASTIAN's face.

    SEBASTIAN: I have this friend, real religious guy. He told me once that it doesn't matter if you believe or not, God hears your prayers regardless. And, well, if I were you...

3. View of the MAN in the chair, blood running down his face. SEBASTIAN sits in the background on the chair.

    SEBASTIAN: ...I'd start praying.

    MAN: Listen, whatever you're going to do, please don't. I'll leave town, you'll never see me again...

4. Close shot of SEBASTIAN sitting on the chair. He's exhaling a cloud of smoke.

    SEBASTIAN: Well, y'see, here's the problem, Bobby: I really can't believe a thing you're saying. 'Cause, let's face it, you just want the pain to stop.

    

5. SEBASTIAN is leaning over and rummaging through the tool box.

    SEBASTIAN: Besides, this isn't about getting you to leave town. That was the case, you'd be dead already. No, this is about sending a message.

6. SEBASTIAN sits up with a pair of needle-nose pliers in his hand.

    SEBASTIAN: You know who I work for.  Nikolai warned you to stop pushing on our turf. You chose to ignore him.

7. SEBASTIAN walking towards us, this should be from the MAN'S POV.

    SEBASTIAN: So, we're going to show all your friends, the pimps and small time dealers what happens when they operate in our town without permission.

8. SEBASTIAN has grabbed the MAN by the hair with his left hand and is pulling his head back, pliers visible in his  right hand.

    SEBASTIAN: We're gonna give them your tongue.

 

 

 

Page Two: six panels.

1. The MAN is still tied to the chair, his hair obscuring his face, so we can't see it. Blood is covering his chest and pants. SEBASTIAN stands to the side, spattered in blood, with a tilted head. He's admiring his handiwork. There should be a small black bag on the floor near his feet, which will contain the tongue and teeth of the MAN. This will be picked up later, but I think it's important to note now.

    CAP: Later

    SEBASTIAN: If it's any consolation to you, you seem like a nice enough guy.

2. SEBASTIAN is kneeling down now, closing up the tool box.

    SEBASTIAN: I was going to leave some of your teeth in there, but they kept breaking, and we need whole ones.

3. SEBASTIAN is picking up the small black bag, while the tool box is in his other hand.

    SEBASTIAN: On the bright side, I was able to get your tongue out without having to break your jaw.

4. The MAN can be seen in the foreground with SEBASTIAN in the background. The MAN is crying, and has duct tape over his mouth. His eyes are wide with panic In the background, SEBASTIAN should be putting the bag he picked up in his jacket pocket.

    SEBASTIAN: Sorry about the tape thing. Can't have you screaming and attracting attention.

5. SEBASTIAN is walking towards us, the MAN in the background. SEBASTIAN is lighting a cigarette with his free hand, while carrying the tool box in the other.

    SEBASTIAN: With any luck, you'll drown on your own blood before something smells it. The rats around here are usually pretty hungry.

6. A shot from behind the MAN, with the light shining on him. In the distance, you can see SEBASTIAN in silhouette in the doorway. In the darkness, you can see the shapes of rats approaching.