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Cissie: The Price of Fame, Part II

(Front cover. The arms by both her mother and Quickshot are holding our heroine. Bonnie and Quickshot are pulling her in opposite directions. All of them are in nice dresses.)

 

Bonnie: Think of the money you can make with being a model!

Quickshot: You’ll be happy being a heroine!

Cissie: AGH! Leave me alone!

 

(Page 1, panel 1. We see Cissie touching up her makeup, and wearing a nice blouse and miniskirt.)

Cap (N1): Picking up shortly after we left off,

Cap (N2): Cissie has finished her shower and is finishing her makeup.

Cap (A1): I’ve got to play along with this until I can find out what’s going on.

Cap (A2): Something is very wrong here.

Cap (A3): This is not where I belong.

Cap (A4): I was a student at school, not some bimbo model.

(Panel 2. Cissie exits the bathroom to see Bonnie and Frank anxiously awaiting her.)

Bonnie: Are you ready? We’re on a tight schedule here.

Cissie: Yes, mom.

(Panel 3. A large studio. Bonnie, Cissie and Frank are standing on one side of the place, while the other has a set decorated with a pleasant suburban home setting. Cissie looks the place over. Around them are several cameras, lights, and the like.)

Cap (N): One limo ride later…

Cissie: Just what did you say I was endorsing again?

Frank: Feminine napkins. It’s our new client after the scandal with the flammable mascara, remember?

(Panel 4. Several people swarming around a man in a suit and tie enter the place.)

Man: Look, we’ve got to keep the schedule! Where are our stars? I want them on the set now!

Frank: Ah, Mr. Spanghelm! Your stars are here now.

(Panel 5. Bonnie steps onto the set.)

Bonnie: Come on; let’s take our places.

Cissie: Uh – right.

 

(Page 2, panel 1. Cissie sits opposite Bonnie in some pleasant chairs on the set. Meanwhile, several photographers are setting things up.)

Cissie: I hope you know what you’re doing, Mom.

Bonnie: Trust me on this one.

Spanghelm: Places everyone! Time is money here!

(Panel 2. Bonnie picks up a box of feminine napkins, and holds it up.)

Spanghelm: O.k., let’s have some smiles now!

(Panel 3. Bonnie and Cissie smile as the photographers start clicking away.)

Cap (A1): This isn’t so bad.

Cap (A2): I wonder how long I have to hold this pose?

(Panel 4. The photographers are still clicking away at Cissie and Bonnie.)

Cap (N): Approximately 4 hours later….

Spanghelm: Cissie! Keep holding the same pose!

Cap (A): I feel like dust is gathering on me.

(Panel 5. From Cissie’s perspective, we see the top of the box of feminine napkins. On it appears an image of Quickshot.)

Quickshot: Mom! Stop this at once! The world needs you more as a heroine!

(Panel 6. Shocked and horrified, Cissie jumps out of her chair.)

Cissie: AH!

Spanghelm: Cissie! Great, you just ruined 5 different pictures!

 

(Page 3, panel 1. Cissie rushes off.)

Cissie: I – have to go now!

Bonnie: Cissie! You’re ruining your career!

(Panel 2. The bathroom. Cissie slams the door shut behind her.)

Cap (A): I’m not going crazy. I refuse to go crazy. I will not be like my mother and go crazy.

(Panel 3. She looks into the mirror, and sees Quickshot in it.)

Quickshot: Mom, back out of this. You’ll never be happy being a model!

Cissie: Leave me alone!

(Panel 4. Cissie pounds on the mirror.)

Cissie: I can’t take this anymore! Leave me alone!

(Panel 5. Go outside to see Bonnie, Frank, and Spanghelm talking.)

Spanghelm: I thought you said she never did drugs.

Bonnie: She never has. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.

(Panel 6. Bonnie approaches the door.)

Bonnie: Cissie! I want to talk to you. Can you come out for a minute?

 

(Page 4, panel 1. Cissie opens the door.)

Cissie: I’m going out of my mind. I don’t want to go out of my mind.

Bonnie: Don’t worry, Cissie…

(Panel 2. Bonnie, Spanghelm and Frank start morphing. In panel 3, they are hideous looking demons.)

Bonnie/demon: You will die before you go insane!

Cissie: GASP!

(Panel 3. Cissie manages to kick the Frank demon in the tentacle while the Bonnie and Spanghelm demon start to hold her down.)

Spanghelm: Don’t struggle; you’ll only make it hard on yourself.

(Panel 4. Cissie continues to struggle against them.)

Cissie: Mnph! Pnef!

 

(Page 5, panel 1. Cissie wakes up, sits up, and screams at the same time. She is now back in her dorm room, with Traya sleeping nearby.)

Cissie: NO!!!!

(Panel 2. Traya wakes up.)

Traya: Mmm… Cissie?

(Panel 3. Traya sits up as Cissie looks around.)

Cissie: Traya? I’m back…

Traya: You’re back?

(Panel 4.)

Cissie: I had the worst dream I ever had. I was forced to endorse products with my mother.

(Panel 5. Traya stands as Cissie sits up.)

Traya: Relax, Cissie. Remember: dreams can never hurt you.

 

(Page 6, panel 1. The phone rings.)

SFX: Ring! Ring!

(Panel 2. Traya answers the phone.)

Traya: Hello?

(Panel 3. Traya holds the phone out for Cissie.)

Traya: It’s for you. It’s Impulse.

Cissie: Right.

(Panel 4. Cissie stands, taking the phone.)

Cissie: Hello?

(Panel 5. Split the panel with a phone cord. On one side we see Cissie looking half-asleep, on the other are Impulse and Quickshot. Impulse and Quickshot are in their uniforms.)

Impulse: Cis, it’s Bart. We ran a DNA test on Quickshot. Seems she’s our kid after all.

 

(Page 7, panel 1. Cissie pinches the area between her eyes, in a gesture of frustration and exasperation.)

Cissie: I really don’t need this right now, Bart.

(Panel 2.)

Impulse: I don’t either, Cis. Well, Quickshot’s coming back to you, and I really can’t stop her.

Cissie: >Sigh< I wish this was all a bad dream. Good-bye, Bart.

(Panel 3. Cissie hangs up the phone.)

Cissie: I’m going to shower. After that, I’m going to find a room I can lock myself in until this all goes away.

(Panel 4. Go back to Quickshot and Impulse. They are at YJ headquarters, in the foyer.)

Impulse: Well, good luck, Delia.

Quickshot: Thanks, dad. I know I’m going to need it. Mom always was a bit headstrong.

(Panel 5. Quickshot runs out of the room.)

Impulse: I tell you what though… I certainly wouldn’t mind having a babe like Cissie for a wife…

 

(Page 8, panel 1. Later that day, Cissie arrives back in her room from a day of classes. She is in her school uniform, and carrying several books and a notepad.)

Cap (N): Later that day…

Cap (C): Phew! This is terrible! It seems the more homework I do, the more I have to get done.

(Panel 2. Cissie sets her books down.)

Quickshot (From off panel): Mom…

(Panel 3. Cissie turns to see Quickshot standing in a corner.)

Cissie: How many times have I told you to go away? I don’t want or need a stalker in my life now!

(Panel 4. Suddenly there is a knock on the door.)

SFX: Knock! Knock!

Cissie: All right, out now!

 

(Page 9, panel 1. Quickshot opens the door to see Bonnie King-Jones there.)

Quickshot: Grandma? Oh, this is not what we need now.

Bonnie: Who are you and why do you think you’re my granddaughter?

(Panel 2. Cissie turns towards the two of them.)

Cissie: This is Delia Allen, and she claims to be my daughter from the future.

Bonnie: Oh, please don’t let this get convoluted… I had some good news too…

Quickshot: Grandma, help me out here. Cissie’s about to go down a road that will make her unhappy. I want her to return to being a heroine.

(Panel 3. Bonnie puts her hand to her face.)

Bonnie: Too late.

Quickshot: Grandma, mom won’t be happy being a model. She should return to being a super heroine.

Cissie: I really don’t have time for this. I want both of you out of here now! I’ve got too much homework to do.

(Panel 4. Enter Dr. Sebastian Morlo Parker. He is dressed in a suit and tie.)

Morlo: Bonnie darling, what’s taking so long?

Bonnie: (turns) Sebastian, it’s one of those things that can only happen to a super heroine in a comic book. It seems that Cissie already had some company now.

Cissie: Dr. Morlo?

(Panel 5. Dr. Morlo approaches Bonnie.)

Bonnie: This is what I came here to show you – I’ve got a new boyfriend! His name is Sebastian Morlo, but I see you already know him.

Quickshot: I’m not familiar with Dr. Morlo, but I know Ernie Morlo was a rather bad seed.

Cissie: If there are any more plot complications, my head’s going to explode.

Morlo: Perhaps we should return at another time.

(Panel 6. Cissie takes Bonnie’s hand in a gesture of reassurance.)

Cissie: Mom, this isn’t going to be easy for you to take… but you’re new boyfriend is a super villain.

Morlo: Reforming super villain, actually. I gave up being bad awhile back.

 

(Page 10, panel 1. Bonnie takes her hand away from Cissie.)

Bonnie: I think you just don’t want to see me dating again. Sebastian has been wonderful to me. 

Cissie: Mom! He’s responsible for poisoning a small town in Alabama!

Morlo: Ah, that was a mere slight miscalculation….

(Panel 2. Anger and disappointment are written all over Bonnie’s face.)

Bonnie: Cissie! No man is perfect, but he’s perfect for me. I love him, end of story!

Cissie: I wish this was all a bad dream. I think I liked my dream a lot better.

(Panel 3. Enter Traya, accompanied by Red Tornado. Traya is in her school outfit. Red Tornado suddenly turns from Traya to Dr. Morlo.)

Traya: I had fun, dad. You’re the best.

Red (1): You are most welcome, Traya. I –

Red (2): Doctor Morlo!

Morlo: Here we go again.

(Panel 4. Cissie buries her face in her hands.)

Cissie: All right, you’ve done it now. I’m crying. Are you happy now?

Morlo: (to Red Tornado) Please, I’ve given up the mad scientist life. I accidentally stumbled across a chemical that helps people.

Red: I find that difficult to believe.

Bonnie: Let’s go, Sebastian. We’ll come back later.

 

(Page 11, panel 1. Bonnie and Dr. Morlo exit.)

Red: I do not know what your intentions with Ms. King-Jones are, but I am very apprehensive of them.

Cissie: I want this to all go away.

(Panel 2. Quickshot puts a hand on Cissie’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.)

Quickshot: Relax, mom. I know that she doesn’t stay with him for very long…

Cissie: I can’t take any more of this.

(Panel 3. Cissie gestures to the door, removing her hands from her face.)

Cissie: All right, Quickshot or whatever your name is, I want you out now!

Quickshot: All right, mom. I understand.

(Panel 4. Quickshot exits the place.)

Traya: (Confused) What was that all about?

Cissie: I don’t understand half of it all, but I have a very nasty headache trying to comprehend what has happened to me in the last 48 hours.

Red: Perhaps discussing things with us would help you make sense of it all.

 

(Page 12, panel 1. Quickshot is outside Cissie’s dorm, thinking.)

Quickshot’s thoughts: By coming here, I think I have made things worse… man, why can’t simple things happen to the people I love? Mom never told me how confusing her life was.

(Panel 2. Quickshot races off.)

Quickshot’s thoughts: I’m going to see dad about this. Maybe he can help me.

(Panel 3. Later on, Cissie and Traya are sitting opposite each other, and Red Tornado stands behind Traya. Traya has her hands on her temples as a gesture of confusion.)

Cap (N): Later…

Traya: Stop it I think my head’s going to explode.

Cissie: But I haven’t even gotten to the part about Dr. Morlo yet!

Red: These events you describe seem to be incredible in nature, Cissie. However, the best advice I can give you at this time is to follow what your heart says.

(Panel 4. Traya removes her hands from her temples.)

Traya: So what do you want to do?

Cissie: I really don’t want to do either one of the choices  - I still have my whole life ahead of me, and I want to wait to make the decision.

(Panel 5.)

Traya: Let’s talk to the principal about this. Maybe she has an answer.

 

(Page 13, panel 1. Back with Quickshot, she has arrived in Manchester, Alabama. She is running down the side of a road, passing by a sign that reads “Welcome to Manchester” on it.)

Quickshot’s thoughts: Dad wasn’t at the Young Justice headquarters, and they said he went home to Max Crandall’s place in Manchester. I hope I can meet up with him.

(Panel 2. She rushes through a housing subdivision. Row upon row of tract homes line the streets.)

Quickshot’s thoughts: Maybe Mr. Crandall can help me with my dilemma.

(Panel 3. The home of Max Mercury, Helen Claiborne, and Impulse. The three of them are sitting around the dinner table, discussing things.)

Impulse: Well, that’s what she said. I was supposed to grow up, marry Cissie and have her. Cissie’s had too much trouble in her life to really understand it all.

Max: Hmm… I think I would be suspicious of anyone claiming to be my child as well… well, except for Helen here.

(Panel 4. There is a knock at the door.)

SFX:  Knock! Knock!

Helen: I’ll get it.

(Panel 5. Helen opens up the door to see Quickshot there.)

Quickshot: Hi, is Bart home now? My name is Delia, we met earlier.

Helen: Let me see.

 

(Page 14, panel 1. Max enters and looks Delia over.)

Max: What’s going on here?

Delia: Max Mercury? Wow! I’ve heard a lot about you, but I never thought I’d meet you.

(Panel 2. Impulse enters.)

Impulse: (1) What’s going -?

Impulse: (2) Oh, hi.

Quickshot: Dad! Things have gone from bad to worse with Cissie.

(Panel 3. Quickshot steps in the house, and Helen closes the door.)

Helen: I take it you know her.

Impulse: She’s my daughter from the future. Let’s sit down and discuss this.

(Panel 4. Everyone is sitting down in the living area. Max, Helen, and Impulse all have a look of terror on their faces.)

All but Quickshot: Cissie’s mom is dating Dr. Morlo!?

(Panel 5. Max touches his hand to his face.)

Max: I don’t know who to feel sorry for more – Ms. King-Jones or Dr. Morlo.

 

(Page 15, panel 1. Quickshot shows her exasperation. Max removes his hand from his face.)

Quickshot: Has dad told you about everything yet?

Max: He was in the middle of it.

(Panel 2.)

Quickshot: I’ll start at the beginning. I’m from the future, a future where Cissie and Bart end up getting married, and have me as a child. My name’s Delia Allen, codenamed Quickshot. We got a report that mom was at a crucial juncture in her life. She was to either become a supermodel and be unhappy, or return to being a super heroine and be with dad. Of course, mom didn’t believe this, and sent me away. How can I convince her that I’m on the level?

(Panel 3. Max touches his chin in contemplation.)

Max: Bart, how do you know she’s your kid?

Impulse: We ran a DNA test at Young Justice. It said there was a 99% chance I was the father and Cissie was the mother. We showed that to her, but she wasn’t convinced.

(Panel 4. Go back to the school. Outside Cissie’s dorm room we see about 5-6 young, muscular men dressed in camouflage and wearing masks. They are completely covered by clothing, thus obscuring their appearance. They also have several guns and automatic weapons on them.)

Cap (N1): Back at the school, some professional kidnappers have decided that Cissie would make a good target.

Cap (N2): Little do they know what events are about to transpire.

Man1: Remember the plan, grab Cissie and get out. She’s worth at least a good $2 mil.

 

(Page 16, panel 1. One of them starts scaling the building.)

Man1: Move out.

(Panel 2. The men rush into the building, and brandish their weapons.)

Man1: Don’t let anything stop you.

(Panel 3. Cissie’s room. She is sitting on a chair, face in her hands, crying. Traya is next to her, trying her best to comfort Cissie.)

Traya: Don’t worry, Cissie. This will all blow over soon enough… and it couldn’t possibly get worse.

(Panel 4. Suddenly one of the men in camouflage crashes through the window, spraying the area with jagged, broken glass.)

SFX: SKRESH!

Cissie: Now what?

 

(Page 17, panel 1. The other men break the door down, and enter, pointing their weapons at Cissie and Traya.)

Man1: Nobody move!

Cissie: I really don’t need this right now… could you guys come back next week?

(Panel 2. One of the kidnappers puts a gun to Cissie’s head. Another one grabs Traya and points a gun to her head.)

Man1: You’re coming with us, Blondie… several men have expressed a desire to buy you on the open market.

Cissie: I’m not for sale.

(Panel 3. One of the men shoots Cissie in the foot.)

Man2: You’ll do as you’re told and like it!

SFX: BLAM!

Cissie: AH!

Man1: Jesus!

(Panel 4. The first man approaches the second man as Cissie falls on the ground.)

Man1: You weren’t supposed to hurt her! The orders were no shooting her!

Man2: I know that voice… Cissie is Arrowette. If you want to grab her, it’ll be impossible to do so without hurting her first.

(Panel 5. Cissie is shocked at what she has heard.)

Cissie: What… what would make you think that?

Man2: We’ve met before. Purse snatching in Philadelphia about two years ago. I know what you’re capable of, and it’s better to hurt you than be forced to kill you later.

 

(Page 18, panel 1. The first man helps Cissie stand up.)

Man1: We don’t have time for this. Bring her and the other bimbo. I’m sure we can get a few dollars for her too.

(Panel 2. Cissie manages to throw the first man into the second man.)

Cissie: Leave me alone!

SFX: WHAM!

(Panel 3. Cissie holds onto the bed for support.)

Cissie: God this hurts.

Man1: Don’t just stand there… kill her!

(Panel 4. One of the kidnappers raises his gun, pointing it right at Cissie.)

Man1: We got to cut our losses while we can.

(Panel 5. Suddenly an arrow hits the gun out of the man’s hand milliseconds before he can fire.)

Voice: (from off panel) She said leave her alone… and that’s good advice.

 

(Page 19, panel 1. Everyone faces Quickshot, who is standing with bow in hand and pointing an arrow, ready to fire.)

Quickshot: Next person who tries anything funny will be getting an arrow through several places on the body.

(Panel 2. Traya uses this distraction to strike one of the kidnappers in the jaw with a sucker punch.)

SFX:  Pow!

(Panel 3. The Kidnappers scatter.)

Kidnapper: Pull back! We’ll try again later!

(Panel 4. Cissie buries her face in her hands.)

Cissie: I can’t take anymore. I want to lock myself in a closet and make the world go away for 5 minutes.

Quickshot: I know how you feel, mother. I-

(Panel 5. Cissie turns to Quickshot, angered.)

Cissie: Stop calling me that! I’m only 12 years old; I’m nowhere near old enough to have a kid!

 

(Page 20, panel 1. Quickshot tries to comfort her mother.)

Quickshot: I know this is confusing. I know it’s frustrating. However, you can trust me. I am telling you the truth.

Cissie: I just want it all to stop now.

(Panel 2. There is a knock at the door.)

SFX: Knock! Knock!

Cissie: You answer it. I’m going to be comatose for a while.

(Panel 3. Traya answers the door to see Principal Foster there. Principal Foster is wearing a woman’s business outfit.)

Foster: My secretary said that you tried to see me earlier. What’s the problem?

Traya: Sit down; this is going to take a long time to explain.

(Panel 4. Everyone is sitting in chairs or on the bed. Principal Foster is rubbing her temples.)

Cap (N): After a long, lengthy explanation later…

Foster: Stop it my head’s going to explode.

Traya: Now you see why we have a major headache.

(Panel 5. Cissie turns toward the principal.)

Cissie: I’ve had a big headache since I was born, and she’s my mother. Just what are we going to do?

Foster: Well, your so-called daughter here should just go back to her time and not worry about things. If it’s meant to be, it will be. As for your mother, I have some leverage over that…

 

(Page 20, panel 1. There is another knock on the door.)

SFX: Knock! Knock!

Cissie: Now what?

(Panel 2. They answer the door to see Bonnie and Frank there.)

Bonnie: Well, we got your endorsement lined up, Cissie – a bow manufacturing company has agreed to pay us lots of money if you endorse their products.

Foster: Ah, Ms. King-Jones. I would like to speak to you about that….

(Panel 3. Principal Foster stands.)

Foster: Technically, Cissie is still a ward of the state, and as such, any major activities such as product endorsements must be approved by her guardian committee. Right now, the committee has just started a six-week recess. Not only that, I understand that you have started making certain items with Cissie’s image on them. I’m afraid as the committee chair, we’re going to have to seize all monies made by this illegal venture.

Bonnie: [shocked] WHAT?!

(Panel 4. Bonnie gets face-to-face with Principal Foster.)

Bonnie: I sunk a lot of money to get that stuff going! I’m going to be broke if you do that!

Foster: You should have thought of that before you made all that stuff. Now, I would like everyone but Cissie and her roommate to leave now. She has a very busy schedule – of schoolwork.

(Panel 5. Bonnie grits her teeth at this.)

Bonnie: I’ll see about this – in court!

Foster: Have a nice day too.

 

(Page 21, panel 1. Quickshot walks out the door.)

Quickshot: Well, my mission is accomplished more or less. It’s been nice meeting all of you.

Cissie: Finally, something is going right for once.

Bonnie: I can’t believe you’d do this to me! Cissie is my daughter!

Foster: Which you chose to needlessly endanger. That’s why she’s in the custody of the state.  Now, Cissie has a lot of homework to attend to, so unless you want to help her with it, leave.

(Panel 2. Bonnie turns away from Principal Foster.)

Bonnie: You’ll be hearing from my lawyer in the morning.

(Panel 3. Frank and Bonnie exit.)

Cissie: You’re a lifesaver.

Foster: Don’t thank me yet – we’ve only won the round, not the match. However, if memory serves, you have a test tomorrow in math. You really should be studying for that.

(Panel 4. Cissie smiles a smile of relief.)

Cissie: That’s what I’ve been trying to do all along.

 

And onto part III

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