JADE GREENE
"Trial and Error"
Jade is called in for jury duty. The case is of the assault of the cowboy, Luke Suede whom she helped rescue from the pair of thugs several months ago. Jade cannot give the attorney's a good enough reason that she cannot serve and so she is forced to be a member of the jury. Her mistake is in knowing what really happened that night. She becomes fond of the young cowboy, Mr. Suede.
PAGE ONE
PAGE ONE, PANEL ONE
JADE IS WALKING HOME
FROM WORK ON A NICE AFTERNOON. SHE PASSES A MAIL TRUCK PUTTERING DOWN THE ROAD.
HER HAIR IS PULLED BACK INTO A BRAID AND HER CLOTHING IS LIGHT AND CHEERFUL
LIKE HER MOOD.
PAGE ONE, PANEL TWO
JADE MAKES HER WAY UP
THE STAIRS TO THE FOURTH FLOOR, PASSING A CHILD RUNNING BY WITH A BASEBALL AND
GLOVE IN HAND.
PAGE ONE, PANEL THREE
JADE OPENS HER DOOR
AND THROWS HER SMALL PILE OF MAIL ON THE TABLE NEXT TO HER DESK. AN ENVELOPE
SLIDES TO VEIW THAT IS ADDRESSEDTO HER FROM THE
PAGE TWO, PANEL ONE
JADE COMES OUT OF THE
PAGE TWO, PANEL TWO
SHE OPENS THE LETTER
AND GLANCES THROUGH IT. SHE SMILES TO HERSELF.
1) JADE: I'VE BEEN CALLED INTO JURY DUTY.
PAGE THREE, PANEL ONE
THE NEXT MORNING JADE
CALLS WORK AND TAKES TIME OFF TO GO DOWNTOWN FOR HER JURY DUTY. SHE SITS IN A ROOM WITH SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE
ALL CALLED IN AND THEY ARE CALLED ONE BY ONE TO COME AND TALK TO THE
ATTOURNEY�S.
PAGE THREE, PANEL TWO
JADE IS TOLD LITTLE
OF THE CASE. SHE KNOWS THAT IT WAS A MUGGING CASE. WHEN SHE SITS IN FRONT OF
THE LAWYER HE LOOKS OVER HER FACT SHEET AND IS QUIT IMPRESSED WITH HER. HE
SMILES UP AT HER.
1) LAWYER: YOU DID A FINE JOB WITH THE QUESTIONAIRE� I UNDERSTAND IT THAT YOU WORK AT THE UNITIED NATIONS? (SHE NODS) AND YOU ARE A JAPANESE CITIZEN?
2) JADE: I WAS A JAPANESE CITIZEN� ON MY 18TH BIRTHDAY I DECIDED TO BECOME AMERICAN HEREAFTER.
3) LAWYER: DO YOU LIKE IT HERE IN
4) JADE: THE PEOPLE ARE SURPRISINGLY FRIENDLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SPEEK THEIR LANGUAGE.
PAGE THREE, PANEL THREE
THE LAWYER SMILES AT
HER AND HANDS HER A PIECE OF PAPER. JADE LOOKS AT THE SLIP, CONFUSED
5) LAWYER: GIVE THIS TO YOUR EMPLOYER. YOU ARE SERVING. I THINK YOU WILL BE A GOOD MEMBER OF THIS JURY.
6) JADE: THANKS.
PAGE FOUR
JADE IS SHOWING UP FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL AND FIRST DAY OF JURY DUTY. THEY ARE ALL GREETED BY BOTH LAWYERS AND TOLD BY THE JUDGE TO BE OPEN MINDED. AS SOON AS THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO COURT AND SAT DOWN JADE LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM AND SOON RECOGNIZES THE YOUNG PLANTIFF.
PAGE FOUR, PANEL ONE
JADE QUIETLY SITS
GAZING ACROSS THE ROOM AT THE YOUNG VICTIM. HE LOOKS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WITH
HIS HAIR PULLED BACK INTO A BRAID DOWN HIS BACK, NO HAT, AND A BLACK SUIT ON.
HE LOOKS MUCH MORE DIGNIFIED. BUT SHE RECOGNIZED THOSE BLUE EYES OF HIS, FEAR
IN THEM AS THE DEFENDANTS COME INTO THE ROOM, ESCORTED BY JAIL OFFICIALS.
PAGE FOUR, PANEL TWO
JADE FEELS LISTLESS,
LISTENING TO THE LAWYER FOR THE DEFENCE GIVE THEIR VERSION OF THAT EVENING. THE
YOUNG WOMAN IS BOLD IN HER ACCUSATION THAT IT WAS A PROVOKED CONFRONTATION. THE
AGING JUDGE SEEMS TO ROLL HIS EYES AT THIS ARGUMENT
1) DEF.LAWYER: MR. SUEDE, WAS WALKING FROM THE BUS STATION WHEN HE THREW A GLASS BOTTLE AT THE TWO MEN, BOTH HOMELESS. MR SUEDE CALLED THEM TRASH AND SAID THEY SHOULD DIE.
2) PROCECUTION: THAT IS OUTRAGOUS!
3) JUDGE: OVERRULED!
PAGE FOUR, PANEL THREE
THE YOUNG DEFENCE
LAWYER WALKS INFRONT OF THE JURY, TELLING THEIR SIDE OF THE INNCODENT TO THE
GROUP.
4) DEF.LAWYER: YOU SEE MR. SUEDE COMES FROM A SMALL SOUTHERN TOWN KNOWN TO BE FULL OF RACISM AND HATRED OF THE HOMELESS. HE THREW A GLASS BOTTLE AT THEM AS THEY WERE SLEEPING UNDER THE AWNING OF A CHINESE RESTURAUNT. THE BOTTLE BROKE INBETWEEN THEM, STARTLING THEM BOTH AWAKE. HE THEN BEGAN TO KICK THEM AS THEY PLEADED FOR HIM TO STOP.
PAGE FOUR, PANEL FIVE
CLOSE-UP OF DEFENCE
LAWYER, WITH RAGE IN HER EYES.
5) DEF. LAWYER: MR: JOHNNY SMITH WAS ABLE TO GET AWAY AND HE RAN FOR HIS LIFE. MR. LLOYD RUNTLY WAS LESS FORTUNATE, HE WAS LEFT UNCONCIOUS UNTIL A POLICS OFFICER ARRIVING TO THE SCENE FOUND HIM WITH MR. LUKE SUEDE OVER HIM ABOUT TO FINISH HIM OFF.
PAGE FIVE
PAGE FIVE, PANEL ONE
LUKE SITS IN HIS CHAIR, HORRIFIED AT WHAT THIS WOMAN IS SAYING ABOUT HIM. HIS LAWYER, THE PROCECUTER, IS ALSO AMAZED THAT THE YOUNG LAWYER IS SAYING THESE THINGS IN THE DEFENCE OF TWO KNOWN DRUGUSERS AND THUGS, BELIEVED TO HAVE KILLED BEFORE.
PAGE FIVE, PANEL TWO
JADE GLARES AT THE
DEFENCE LAWYER, BURNING THROUGH HER. THE REST OF THE JURY IS UNCERTAIN WHAT TO
THINK. THE PROCECUTION ONLY STATED A MUCH LESS COMPELLING STORY THAT INCLUDED AN
UNKNOWN PERSON WHO INTERVEINED IN THE ATTACK ON MR. SUEDE.
THE JUDGE BANGS HIS
GAVEL.
1) JUDGE: THIS TRIAL HAD BECOME HIGH PROFILE, AND AS A RESULT I AM SEQUESTERING THE JURY. YOU WILL REURN HOME WITH A POLICE OFFICER AND GATHER YOUR BELONGINGS. YOU WILL THEN BE TAKEN TO A HOTEL WHERE YOU WILL STAY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIAL. THE NEWS MEDIA HAD LEAKED YOUR NAMES AND IMAGES AND SO KNOW YOU ARE APART OF THIS TRIAL.
PAGE FIVE, PANEL THREE
JADE IS IN HER
BEDROOM PACKING A CARRY BAG WHILE A POLICE OFFICER STANDS AT HER DOOR WAITING
FOR HER. SHE GLANCES OVER AT HER BLACK BOOTS AND YIN-YANG BELT ON THE FLOOR NEAR
THE CLOSET. SHE THINKS TO HERSELF.
2) JADE: I DON'T THINK I'LL BE OUT MUCH UNTIL THE TRIAL IS DONE.
PAGE FIVE, PANEL FOUR
COP HEARS HER TALKING
TO HERSELF. HE TURNS HIS HEAD AND ANSWERS HER. HE HAS HIS HANDS TUCKED INTO HIS
BELT. THE STOUT, HISPANIC MAN IN HIS MID-THIRTIES WAS GAZING AT HER DECOR.
3) COP: WHILE YOU ARE UNDER SEQUESTER YOU WILL BE LOCKED
DOWN IN A HOTEL ROOM UNTIL THE TRIAL ENDS WITH LITTLE MORE THAN A FEW BOOKS TO
READ.
PAGE SIX
IN THE HOTEL FOR THE
SEQUESTERED JURY, GUARDS ARE POSTED OUTSIDE THE ROOMS. JADE IS IN HER ROOM, STARING
AT THE WALLS. THERE IS NO TV OR RADIO, ANY MEDIA THAT WOULD LEAK INFO ON THE
TRIAL TO JURY MEMBERS. JADE THOUGH KNOWS SHE IS BIASED BUT UNSURE HOW TO HANDLE
IT. IN HER PRELAW STUDIES SHE KN0WS THAT HER DROPPING FROM THE TRIAL MAY ALTER
THE
PAGE SIX, PANEL ONE
JADE FUMBLES WITH THE
DETAILS OF THE HORSE SHE IS DRAWING. SHE
IS GETTING HIGHLY AGITATED AND FROWNING AT HER WORK. BITING HER LIP SHE WORKS
AWAY.
1) JADE: I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE APART OF THIS TRIAL. I AM
ALREADY A PART OF IT. STUPID JURY DUTY, STUPID HORSE. (GRRRR!) I KEEP MESSING
UP.
PAGE SIX, PANEL TWO
SHE TURNS HER HEAD AT
THE SOUNDS OF AMBULANCES AND POLICE SIRINS, STARING OUT THE WHITE CURTAINED
WINDOW.
PAGE SIX, PANEL THREE
THE SOUNDS OF THE
SIRINS GROW CLOSER AND THEN MOVE OF AGAIN AT THEY PASS BY. JADE LOOKS OUT THE
WINDOW AS THE FLASHING LIGHTS PASS.
PAGE SIX, PANEL FOUR
JADE IS SITTING ON
THE BED AGAIN READING A BOOK WHEN SHE HEARS A SHREAK IN THE ROOM ABOVE. SHE
LOOKS UP AT THE CEILING, LISTENING TO A MAN AND WOMAN HAVE A LOUD VERBAL
ARGUMENT.
PAGE SIX, PANEL FIVE
SHE IS STRESSED TO THE
POINT OF BREAKING. JADE JUMPS FROM THE BED, GOES INTO THE BATHROOM TO WASH HER
FACE AND SHE SLAMS THE DOOR BEHIND HER.
PAGE SEVEN, PANEL ONE
JADE HAS FOUND HER
STRESS RELEIF. SHE IS IN COSTUME, SNEAKING OUT OF THE HOTEL BY THE FIRE
ESCAPE. HER HAIR WHIPS AROUND HER FACE
IN THE WIND.
PAGE SEVEN, PANEL TWO
AS THE VIGILANTE JADE HAS
A COOLER DEMEANOR, SHE STRUTS UP THE STREETS LOOKING FOR TROUBLE. THE PEOPLE
OUT THIS TIME OF NIGHT DON�T SEEM TO NOTICE HER. SHE HAS FOUND THAT SHE IS MOST OFTEN ABLE TO
WALK AROUND IN THE FULL COSTUME AND MAKEUP LIKE SHE IS INVISIBLE.
PAGE SEVEN, PANEL THREE
SHE SEES AN ASIAN MAN
GRAB A YOUNG BLACK WOMAN AND PULL HER INTO AN ALLEY. OTHER PEOPLE WALKING
NEARBY DON'T SEEM TO HEAR THE WOMAN'S STRUGGLE.
PAGE EIGHT, PANEL ONE
JADE RUNS INTO THE
ALLEY AND SEES THE MAN ABOUT TO ALLAULT THE YOUNG LADY. HE IS HOLDING HER AGAINST
THE WALL AND RIPPING AT HER BLOUSE. SHE STRUGGLES TO STOP HIM.
PAGE EIGHT, PANEL TWO
JADE TACKLES THE
INTENDED RAPIST AND KNOCKS HIM TO THE GROUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PULLS HER SHIRT
CLOSED AND RUNS AWAY.
PAGE EIGHT, PANEL THREE
JADE AND THE MAN WRESTLE
ON THE GROUND. HE TRIES TO GAIN CONTROL OF JADE.
1) MAN: YOU'LL DO
JUST AS GOOD.
PAGE EIGHT, PANEL FOUR
THE MAN GRABS JADE'S
SHOULDERS AND SMACKS HER AGAINST THE BRICK WALL BEHIND HER. SHE CRINGES AND
TRIES TO GET FREE OF HIS GRIP. SHE SCRATCHES HIS FACE AND TRIES TO BITE HIM.
PAGE NINE
PAGE NINE, PANEL ONE
THE MAN USES HIS STRENGTH
TO TOSS HER AGAINST THE WALL, THIS TIME SHE HITS HER HEAD AND FALLS DOWN
UNCOUNSCIOUS.
PAGE NINE, PANEL TWO
THE MAN GRABS HER AND
DRAGS HER FURTHER BACK INTO THE ALLEY. HE KICKS IN THE DOOR TO A VACANT BAR AND PULLS
HER INSIDE.
PAGE NINE, PANEL THREE
HE DROPS JADE ON A
PILE OF OLD MATTRESSES AND SITS DOWN IN A CHAIR IN FRONT OF HER FOR A MOMENT. HE
LOOKS HER OVER.
1) MAN: I MANAGED TO
CATCH THE ASIAN VIGILANTE; SHE'S A WOMAN, THE SAME AS THE OTHERS.
PAGE NINE, PANEL FOUR
HE SITS DOWN ON THE
MATTRESSES BESIDE HER AND RUNS HIS HANDS OVER HER FACE, SMUDGING HER MAKEUP.
SHE STIRS SLIGHTLY.
PAGE NINE, PANEL FIVE
HE SMILES AT HER AT
SHE WAKES AND FINDS THAT HE HAS TIED HER HANDS AND FEET WITH OLD ROPE. SHE
GLARES AT HIM, GROWLING.
2) YY: LET ME GO.
3) MAN: YOU LET MY
WOMAN GET AWAY, AND SO YOU ARE HER REPLACEMENT. YOU WILL DO MUCH BETTER, I'M
SURE.
PAGE TEN
PAGE TEN, PANEL ONE
HE TRIES TO UNFASTEN
HER PANTS AND SHE KNEES HIM IN THE GROIN. HE LASHES BACK, PUNCHING HER IN THE
STOMACH.
1) MAN: I HATE WOMEN;
YOU'RE ALL SO STUPID.
PAGE TEN, PANEL TWO
SHE SPITS UP A LITTLE
BLOOD BUT HARDLY FLINCHES.
2) JADE: LET ME GO.
PAGE TEN, PANEL THREE
HE LIFTS HIS SHIRT
AND SHOWS THE PISTOL HE HAS TUCKED INTO HIS BELT.
3) MAN: DO YOU WANT
ME TO USE IT?
PAGE TEN, PANEL FOUR
SHE LOOKS AT THE GUN
AND BOLDLY LOOKS HIM IN THE EYE.
4) YY: NOW YOU WILL
HAVE TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED RAPE AND A COUNT OF USE OF A DEADLY WEAPON. YOU
WANNA GO TO PRISION FOR A LONG TIME?
PAGE ELEVEN
PAGE ELEVEN, PANEL ONE
HE SLAPS HER ACROSS
THE JAW WITH THE MUZZLE OF THE GUN. SHE SPITS OUT MORE BLOOD.
1) MAN: NO ONE IS
LOOKING FOR YOU.
2) JADE: WANT DO YOU
KNOW?
3) MAN: YOU'LL BE A
BLURB WHEN THEY FIND YOUR BODY IN THE RIVER.
PAGE ELEVEN, PANEL TWO
SHE LOOKS AT HIM AND
AT THE GUN HE HAS POINTED AT HER. HE HAS AN EVIL GRIN ACROSS HIS FACE.
4) MAN: ARE YOU
SUPPOSED TO BE CHINESE?
5) JADE: I'M JAPANESE.
PAGE ELEVEN, PANEL THREE
HE SLAPS HER WITH THE
GUN AGAIN.
6) MAN: I HATE THE
JAPANESE; YOU THINK YOU'RE SO DAMNED SMART.
7) JADE: YOU'RE THE ONE
WITH THE GUN.
PAGE ELEVEN PANEL FOUR
HE PUTS THE GUN BACK
INTO HIS PANTS AND GETS REALLY CLOSE TO HER FACE.
8) I HARDLY SEE IT,
YOU'RE NOT ASIAN.
PAGE TWELVE
PAGE TWELVE, PANEL ONE
SHE HEAD BUTS HIM
SENDING HIM BACK, GRABING HIS FORHEAD. SHE GRABS HIS GUN FROM HIS BELT AND
POINTS IT AT HIM.
1) JADE: YOU DIDN'T
EVEN HEAR ME CUTTING THE ROPE.
PAGE TWELVE, PANEL TWO
SHE PULLS HER LEGS
CLOSER TO HER AND CUTS THE ROPS WITH A SWISS ARMY KNIFE.
2) MAN: DO YOU THINK
YOU ARE MACGYVER?
3) JADE: GOT YOU DIDN'T I?
PAGE TWLEVE, PANEL THREE
SHE IS STANDING UP
WITH THE GUN POINTED AT HIM.
1) JADE: GATHER MORE OF
THAT ROPE AND FOLLOW ME.
PAGE TWELVE, PANEL FOUR
TWO POLICE CARS ARRIVE
AT THE LOCATION THEY WERE CALLED TO AND FIND THE ASIAN MAN TIED TO A LIGHT POLE
WITH HIS GUN LAYING ON THE GROUND INFRONT OF HIM NEATLY LAYING ON A WHITE
CLOTH. THE YOUNG BLACK WOMAN HE HAD
ASSAULTED IS IN THE BACKSEAT OF ONE OF THE POLICE CRUISERS. SHE IS STILL CRYING
AND HOLDING HERSELF.
PAGE THIRTEEN
PAGE THIRTEEN, PANEL ONE
JADE HAS SNUCK BACK
INTO THE HOTEL ROOM AND IS IN THE BATHROOM TRYING TO WASH OFF THE MAKEUP. SHE
LOOKS INTO THE MIRROR AND SEES THAT A DEFINED BRUISE IS FORMING ACROSS HER RIGHT
CHEEKBONE.
PAGE THIRTEEN, PANEL TWO
1) GUARD: WHAT
HAPPENED, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?
2) JADE: I AM HURT. I FELL AGAINST THE TABLE...
3) GUARD: YOU FELL
INTO THE TABLE IN THE DARK? DO YOU NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION?
PAGE THIRTEEN, PANEL THREE
JADE STANDS UP,
LIMPING SLIGHTLY. SHE ACTUALLY TWISTED HER ANKLE IN FAKING THE FACE INJURY.
4) JADE: I THINK I'LL
BE OKAY.
5) GUARD: YOU HURT
YOUR ANKLE. WE BETTER TAKE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T BROKEN.
YOUR FACE IS ALSO LOOKING VERY BRUISED.
PAGE THIRTEEN, PANEL FOUR
JADE IS TAKEN TO THE
HOSPITAL IN HER NIGHT GARMENTS WITH A BAG OF ICE ON HER ANKLE AND ANOTHER ON
HER FACE.
PAGE FOURTEEN, PANEL FIVE
JADE SITS IN AN EXAM
ROOM WHILE REAL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES HAPPEN AROUND HER. SHE IS ROLLING HER EYES
AND SULKING TO BE SITTING IN A HOSPITAL AT
PAGE FIFTEEN
PAGE FIFTEEN, PANEL ONE
A YOUNG DOCTORS
ASSISTANT COMES INTO THE ROOM AND PUTS HER X-RAY FILMS UP ON A LIGHT BOX. SHE
THEM TURNS TO JADE GRINING.
1) P.A.: YOU ARE
LUCKY THAT YOU ONLY SPRANG YOU ANKLE BUT YOU DO SEEM TO HAVE A FRACTURE IN YOUR
CHEEKBONE.
2) JADE: FRACTURE?
3) P.A.: YES,
ACTUALLY YOUR INJURY IS MORE LIKE WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUCK WITH A BLUNT OBJECT
LIKE A BAT OR GUN. INFACT THE BRUISING, LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MUZZLE OF A
PISTOL. IT MUST BE FROM THE ANGLE THAT THE TABLE STRUCK YOU WHEN YOU TRIPED AND
FELL INTO IT.
PAGE FIFTEEN, PANEL TWO
JADE LOOKS AT THE
YOUNG MAN ABOUT HER OWN AGE.
4) JADE: FUNNY
SIMUALRITY.
5) P.A.: I THOUGHT
SO� YOU'LL HAVE TO SIGN A FEW PAPERS AND AFTER WE PUT A SOFT
PAGE FIFTEEN, PANEL THREE
THE P.A. IS WRAPPING
JADE'S ANKLE WHILE TALKING TO HER ABOUT HER JOB.
6) P.A.: I'VE SEEN
YOU ON CNN ONCE OR TWICE IN THE ENTEROGE FOR THE UN LEADERS. WHAT EXACTLY DO
YOU DO THERE?
7) JADE: I'M THE
ASSISTANT TO THE SECTRETARY-GENERAL.
8) P.A.: MUST BE
INTERESTING WORK.
9) JADE: IT IS
THANKS.
PAGE FIFTEEN, PANEL FOUR
JADE IS UP AND
HOBBLING ON HER CRUTCHES. THE GUARD WHO IS GOING TO ESCORT HER BACK TO HER
HOTEL ROOM HAS A SMILE ACROSS HIS FACE. JADE LOOKS AT HIM SHEEPISHLY.
10) GUARD: COULD YOU
USE A LITTLE HELP KIDDO... YOU'LL NEED SOME
PAGE SIXTEEN
BY MORNING HER FACE
IS VERY SWOLLEN FROM THE GUN SLAPPING. HER ANKLE DOESN'T FEEL MUCH BETTER,
SWOLLEN TO TWICE ITS
PAGE SIXTEEN, PANEL ONE
SHE IS SITTING AT THE
EDGE OF THE BED LOOKING DOWN AT HER FOOT IN DISBELEIF.
1) JADE: I WOULD OVER
EXERT MYSELF AND GET HURT FAKING A FALL� WON'T BE GOING OUT AT NIGHT FOR A
WHILE ANY MORE.
PAGE SIXTEEN, PANEL TWO
JADE HOBBLES INTO THE
JURY BOX. THE OTHER JURERS ARE SYMPATHITIC TO HER INJURY. THE JUDGE AND LAWYERS
EVEN NOTICE HER SHAPE. LUKE SUEDE TURNS AND NOTICES HER FOR THE FIRST TIME.
2) JUDGE: WHAT
HAPPENED TO YOU MISS?
3) JADE: FELL INTO A
TABLE IN THE DARK.
4) JUDGE: SORRY TO HEAR
THAT.
5) JADE: THANK YOU.
PAGE SIXTEEN, PANEL THREE
THE JUDGE RESTARTS
THE PRECEEDINGS. THE LAWYERS, AND ALL COURT ROOM ATTENDIES TAKE THEIR SEATS.
PAGE SEVENTEEN
PAGE SEVENTEEN, PANEL ONE
WHEN JADE ARRIVE BACK
AT HER ROOM THAT EVENING SHE HAS SEVERAL BOUQUETS OF FLOWERS AND LITTLE STUFFED
ANIMALS WAITING FOR HER. MANY MORE NOTES OF SYMPATHY WAIT FOR HER TO READ. ONE
APART FROM THE REST IS FROM A SECRET ADMIRER. INITIALED WITH A LARGE CURSAVE
�L�. JADE LOOKS AT THE NOTES, ALL OF THEM SCREENED BY SECURITY.
PAGE EIGHTEEN
PAGE EIGHTEEN, PANEL ONE
JADE IS IN THE FINAL
DAY OF COURT AND THE LAWYERS ARE WRAPPING UP THEIR ARGUMENTS. THE DEFENCE IS
STILL STICKING TO THEIR STUPID SELF DEFENCE ARGUMENT.
1) DEF. LAWYER: WE
STILL PROCLAIM THAT MR. LUKE SUEDE HAD ASSUALTED MY CLIENTS AND THAT THEY ONLY
TRIED TO ACT IN SELF DEFENCE. THERE IS A KNOWN HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THE
HOMELESS AND DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE OF THIS CITY.
PAGE EIGHTEEN, PANEL TWO
THE PROSECUTION
STANDS AND GIVE THEIR FINAL STATEMENTS.
2) PROSECUTION: PLEASE
LISTEN TO THE FINAL WORDS TO BE GIVEN BY THE VICTIM, MR. LUKE SUEDE.
PAGE EIGHTEEN, PANEL THREE
IN A SOMEWHAT
ONOTHODOX MOVE LUKE SUEDE STANDS UP AND GIVES A FINAL STATEMENT FOR HIMSELF.
3) LUKE: I CAME HERE TO TEACH, TO SING MY MUSIC. I DID
NOT KNOW THESE MEN WHO ATTACKED ME FOR MY DUFFEL BAG AND MY GUITAR. THEY HAD
KNIVES, THEY INTENDED TO USE TO MAKE ME GIVE THEM MY BELONGINGS. I WAS ONLY
SAVED BY A PERSON THAT NIETHER SIDE WANTS TO MENTION BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE
THAT PERSON AS A WITNESS. BUT A PERSON EXISTED TO SAVED ME FROM THEM. I DID NOT
HURT EITHER OF THEM. THEY DID NOT ACT IN ANY SELF DEFENCE, THEY WERE THE
WRONGDOERS. WHEN THEY CAME UPON ME WITH THEIR KNIVES, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD KILL
ME IN THE STREET. I FROZE.
PAGE EIGHTEEN, PANEL FOUR
THE PROCECUTION
LAWYER STANDS, A TIGHT SHOT OF HIS BODY BESIDE LUKE SUEDE. THE JUDGE SENDS THE JURY INTO DELIBERATION.
4) PROCECUTION: WE
HAVE NOTHING FURTHER YOUR HONOR.
5) JUDGE: ALL RIGHT,
THEN NOW IT IS YOUR JOB JURY TO GO AND DECIDE THE VERDICT OF THIS CASE.
PAGE NINETEEN
PAGE NINETEEN, PANEL ONE
THE JURY COMES BACK
INTO THE COURTROOM AND THE FOREMAN, A OLDER BLACK BUSSNESSWOMAN STANDS AND
READS THE VERDICT AT THE COMMAND OF THE JUDGE.
1) FOREMAN: IN THE
CASE OF THE CITY OF
PAGE NINETEEN, PANEL
TWO
FOR ALL HER TRYING
JADE WAS UNABLE TO CONVINCE ANY OF THE OTHER JURERS THAT MR. SUEDE WAS
ASSAULTED. THE MIXED FACTS AND THE LACK OF THE KEY WITNESS MADE THIS HARD TO
PROVE. SHE WAS THEN CORNERED AND FORCED TO GO ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE JURY
SO THAT IT WASN'T A HUNG JURY. JADE WAS TOO CLOSE, SHE HANGS HER HEAD SILENTLY.
PAGE NINETEEN, PANEL
THREE
THE JUDGE DISMISSES
THE COURT, THE TWO ASSAILANTS ARE FREE TO GO AND AGAIN THE STREETS WILL BE
VISITED BY THESE TWO THUGS. LUKE SUEDE GRITS HIS TEETH AND WALKS FROM THE
COURT. THE JURY IS DISMISSED AND JADE RUNS FROM THE COURT UPSET.
PAGE NINETEEN, PANEL FOUR
OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM
LUKE STOPS JADE AND CONFRONTS HER.
1) LUKE: YOU DIDN'T
BELIEVE THAT I WAS ASSAULTED?
2) JADE: I KNOW YOU
WERE; I WAS PRESSERED TO GO ALONG WITH THE GROUP. I KNOW YOU WERE ASSAULTED AND
I'M SORRY. THE SYSTEM WILL GET THEM.
PAGE NINTEEN, PANEL FIVE
LUKE LOOKS AWAY FROM
HER WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES. HE MUTTERS TO HIMSELF.
3) LUKE: I GUESS I
SHOULDN'T BE TOO ANGRY, I WASN'T HURT. SOMEONE SAVED ME. IF SHE WAS HERE SHE
COULD HAVE SWAYED THE JURY.
4) JADE: I TRIED TO
SWAY THE OTHERS. I'M SORRY.
PAGE TWNTY
JADE IS OVERCOME WITH
THE GUILT FOR NOT THROWING THE TRIAL, FOR NOT GOING AGAINST THE DEMANDS OF THE
OTHERS. SHE IS MAD THAT SHE STAYED ON THE JURY, MAD SHE DIDN'T COME TO COURT
AND TESTIFY, BUT SHE COULDN�T.
PAGE TWENTY, PANEL ONE
JADE SULKS IN HER
APARTMENT, THINKING ABOUT THE TRIAL CONSTANTLY, EVEN AT NIGHT WHEN SHE IS
UNABLE TO GO OUT BECAUSE OF HER ANKLE. SHE SPENDS TIME WATCHING MOVIES AND
EATING POPCORN. EACH TIME SHE HEARS A SHREK OR SIRIN SHE HAS A SINKING FEELING,
A LONGING. SHE IS LYING ON COUCH ZONED OUT.
1) JADE: WHY DIDN�T
I�
PAGE TWENTY, PANEL TWO
JADE KEEPS LOOKING AT
THE COSTUME IN HER CLOSET, IT'S CALLING HER. THE REFLECTION OF HERSELF IN THE
MIRROR IS STILL GRIM. SHE STILL HAS SIGNS OF HER INJURY ON HER FACE.
PAGE TWENTY, PANEL THREE
JADE HAS JUST
FINISHED DINNER WHEN SHE HEARS SIRINS IN THE DISTANT. HER YEARNING BUILDS
WITHIN. SHE HASN'T BEEN OUT IN DAYS.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE
PAGE TWENTY-ONE, PANEL ONE
JADE HAS TIGHTLY
WRAPPED HER ANKLE LIKE THE GYMNASTS DO. SHE PUTS ON HE COSTUME AND MAKEUP AND
GOES OUT. SHE SCOURS THROUGH THE STREETS BUT DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE, PANEL TWO
SHE HELPS A LITTLE
GIRL GET HER CAT FROM A TREE AND THEN LOOKING UP FROM INSIDE THE TREE SHE SEES
INTO A WINDOW AND YOUNG MAN THAT LOOKS LIKE LUKE SUEDE.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE, PANEL THREE
JADE LEAVES GRINNING
SLIGHTLY, PROUD AFTER GIVING THE CHILD HER PET BACK. THE GIRL WAVES GOODBYE TO
THE STRANGER, HOLDING ONTO HER LONG-HAIRED CAT.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE, PANEL FOUR
SHE SLIPS A NOTE THAT
SHE WROTE AND HAS BEEN HOLDING ONTO UNDER THE DOOR OF LUKE'S APARTMENT.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO
PAGE TWENTY-TWO, PANEL ONE
JADE HAS BEEN BACK AT
WORK FOR A WEEK. IN HER OFFICE, SHE IS SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL CARDS. SHE IS AT
HER COMPUTER TYPING UP A MEMO FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO, PANEL TWO
LUKE SUEDE WALKS INTO
THE OFFICE WITH A
1) LUKE: I GOT YOUR
NOTE. I'M SORRY THAT I BLEW UP AT YOU OUTSIDE OF COURT. I AM RELEIVED THAT IT
IS ALL OVER NOW. LET'S FORGET ABOUT IT.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO, PANEL THREE
JADE LOOKS UP AT HIM
TOTALLY SURPRISED. SHE IS UNCERTIAN HOW TO RESPOND.
2) JADE: I WISH I
COULD.
3) LUKE: MISS
GREENE, I HAVE WATCHED YOU SINCE I FIRST SEEN YOU IN COURT THAT FIRST DAY. I
WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE YOU OUT FOR A CUP OF COFFEE SOMETIME.
4) JADE: COFFEE?
COFFEE SOUNDS NICE. I HAVE LUNCH IN HALF AN HOUR, WHY DON�T YOU SIT.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO, PANEL FOUR
LUKE SITS DOWN IN
FRONT OF JADE AT LUNCH AND THEY DRINK COFFEE AND CHAT.
5) LUKE: SO WHERE
EXACLY ARE YOU FROM, YOUR ACCENT IS A LITTLE ODD?
6) JADE: I WAS BORN
AND RAISED IN
7) LUKE: ME TOO.
