Issue 6 Feldon: Magical Mystery Squirrel Splash Page Scene: Feldon standing with his back to the viewer, hands in the pockets of his jeans, wearing a white T-shirt. He is on a stone bridge which spans a canal in Venice. Ahead of him are the sinking buildings of this amazing city, the first floor of which appears to be under the water, above this is another two stories. The water beneath the bridge is slate grey, the sky above is baby blue—early morning. Behind Feldon is a newspaper that is blowing away on the bridge. The subtitle of this story is written across the sky: Venice Whilst a Boy Credits are written on the newspaper that is blowing by: Writer: Jason Barry Artist: Some Young Guy Editor: Ace Allen Created For: Black Ace Mint Publishing Issue 6, Page 1 Panel 1 Caption: August 1992 Scene: Feldon as viewed from the water, hands planted on the stone railing of the bridge, looking over it. Face contemplative. Feldon (FL): Thinking-- Venice... Panel 2 Scene: The water below the bridge, Feldon's reflection in it's grey surface. The water is filthy, garbage is floating by, as is a dead rat (not a fur, but the actual critter). FL: Thinking-- A dead rat. This city is all class. I have never seen water the colour of cement before. It smells like an open sewer; Christ, I hope that I don't get dysentery or something. What the hell am I doing in Venice? Panel 3 Scene: Feldon turning his face upward toward the rising sun which is coming over the cramped houses that line the cobbled street. The sun is bright and warm. Feldon is smiling as the rays falls upon him, causing his fur to tingle. FL: Thinking-- It's good to be alive! Feel that sun. Shit, I wish that Lotion were here, he would love this. Issue 6, Page 2 Panel 1 Caption: Two Days Ago Scene: An airport, Genichi's car is pulled up to the curb and Feldon is taking his luggage out of the trunk of the car. Lord Jackal is approaching the squirrel from behind. Panel 2 Scene: Upon seeing the jackal approaching the car, Genichi exits the vehicle. His eyes glare at Lord Jackal. Genichi (GA): “Against my better judgment, here we are.” Lord Jackal (LJ): “Nice to see you again Mr. Atsu.” Panel 3 Scene: Lord Jackal stands there and smiles at Genichi. There is a hint of a golden aura about the jackal as he is speaking to the raccoon—using his mind control upon Genichi. Feldon is watching the exchange with a surprised look. GA: “I'm sure. I still disagree with this trip.” LJ: “He will be well taken care of I assure you. Besides, how many people get the chance to have an all expenses paid trip to Venice? Let Feldon have this.” Panel 4 Scene: Feldon looking rather shocked at the audacity of the jackal. Genichi seems to be reconsidering what he has said, looking at Feldon. GA: “I want you to call me Feldon, once a day to let me know that you are all right.” FL: “I will Gen. Don't worry, I'll be fine.” GA: “Have a great time.” Issue 6, Page 3 Panels 1-3 Scene: Panel 1: Genichi gives Feldon a hug. Panel 2: Genichi waving to Feldon as he and the jackal head into the terminal. Panel 3: Tight close up of Genichi's face, he looks worried for the boy. Panel 4 Scene: Aboard the plane. Feldon and Lord Jackal are seated in the centre row. Jackal looks relaxed and ready to have a nap, Feldon looks about to leap out of his skin with excitement. The in-flight movie is The Body Guard but in German. Panel 5 Caption: Many Hours Later Scene: A train station somewhere in Italy. Feldon is dragging his luggage and his tail along the walkway toward a waiting train looking haggard. Lord Jackal is already climbing aboard, all smiles. LJ: “Only a few more hours to go. I suggest getting some rest in the car, there is no movie here to distract your sleep.” Panel 6 Scene: Feldon settling in across one of the benches of the train, eyelids heavy and nearly closed. Lord Jackal is sitting and looking out the window, contemplating the milling throng outside. FL: Thinking-- So tired I can barely think. Panel 7 Scene: The train pulling up to a station outside of Venice. The sun is sinking slowly on the horizon. Panel 8 Scene: Jackal gathering his stuff and nudging Feldon awake as he is doing so. LJ: “Get up lazy bones, we are here.” Issue 6, Page 4 Panel 1 Scene: It is evening by the time they arrive at the hotel by boat. Lord Jackal is showing Feldon to his room where he'll be staying. It is sparse and white, but clean, there is a single bed and a small chest of drawers upon which is sitting a blue bowl and water pitcher. LJ: “This is your room Feldon, I'll be across the hall if you need me. I suggest that you freshen up and then find yourself something to eat.” FL: “You're not coming with? Jack I don't speak Italian!” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal tapping Feldon on the forehead with his index finger. LJ: “You've got the power to muddle through. Most people anticipate a response, you just need to repeat it back to them. If not just say Bueno.” FL: Cocked eyebrow-- “I thought you didn't want me to abuse my powers.” LJ: “We don't want you controlling other people. This is an exercise on how useful a talent you truly have. There is really no limit to what we can do with telepathy, we've just scratched the surface.” Panel 3 Scene: Feldon looking a bit peeved. His hands are planted on his hips and his eyes are fixed upon the jackal. FL: “Like how you controlled Genichi before we boarded that plane? Don't think that I didn't catch that little demonstration of power.” Panel 4 Scene: Lord Jackal turning away from the squirrel with a smirk and a wave of his hand. LJ: “Stand not in judgment of my actions Feldon, it makes you unpleasant. I did what I had to do and avoided a messy scene at the airport. Genichi is protective of his boys to the point that he forgets that they are their own men.” Issue 6, Page 5 Panel 1 Scene: Lord Jackal tosses a credit card toward Feldon still grinning. LJ: “I suggest getting out and getting something to eat. Absorb the culture here. I'm going to go and meet with the secret chiefs and get things arranged. Have fun. Welcome to Venice.” Panel 2 Scene: As Lord Jackal is about to leave Feldon calls back to him, the credit card still in his hand. FL: “Wait! What is the limit on this card? Am I even allowed to use it?” LJ: “Use the card as much as you want. It is a gift from your benefactor and if I remember right, he has money to spare.” FL: “Benefactor? What benefactor?” Panel 3 Scene: Lord Jackal wanders off through the open door of Feldon's hotel room, waving as he goes. LJ: “Later Feldon. Have some fun.” Issue 6, Page 6 Panels in a montage Caption: The Present Scene: Feldon walking off of the bridge, hands in pockets. We follow a progression of images as Feldon wanders the cobbled streets of Venice, window shopping, watching people having coffee on outdoor Bistros and finally to the main plaza with it's statuary and multitudes of pigeons. Here we see Feldon having a chuckle as a man feeding the pigeons is mobbed by the birds. Issue 6, Page 7 Panel 1 Scene: The cobbled streets soon lead Feldon to a plaza looking out over the waters of the lagoon. Across the way there is an island sitting dark and gloomy, even in this sunny day. There is a presence hovering about the island in the distance. Feldon's eyes are wide. FL: Thinking-- What is that? Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal appears behind the squirrel causing Feldon nearly to jump out of his skin! LJ: “It used to be a lunatic asylum. Now an abandoned and haunted place.” FL: Wide eyed, teeth clenched-- “Jesus Christ, where did you come from?” Panel 3 Scene: The two of them standing about the plaza, with the dark island in the background. LJ: “I came looking for you. Wanted to let you know that the initiation is to take place tomorrow.” Panel 4 Scene: Focus in on Lord Jackal, leaning against the stone railing that separates the plaza from the lagoon. His gaze is directed toward the island, about which shadows seem to rise up into the sky, full of menace. LJ: “Like a moth to a flame. After Sayvette, I'd have thought you would be done with places like this?” Panel 5 Scene: The same, though the panel should now include Feldon, protesting his innocence. FL: “I was merely out on a walk and ended up here. I was more interested in the ocean than that island.” LJ: “Lagoon.” FL: “Whatever.” Issue 6, Page 8 Panel 1 Scene: The two begin to walk away from the waters edge and the island beyond, making their way back to the main square with its multitude of pigeons. Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal scatters some crumbled bread to the birds, who mysteriously behave themselves. LJ: “Tomorrow morning I'll wake you up for the ceremony. We'll have a light breakfast and then we will perform the rights of initiation. Are you ready for this?” FL: “I suppose.” LJ: “Excellent. Until that time I will bid you ado. Now get out there and enjoy what Venice has to offer, just try and stay away from that island.” FL: “I will try.” Issue 6, Page 9 Panels in a montage Scene: What follows is a montage of minor events that happen to Feldon during that evening. Each panel should be its own monochromatic colour ranging in the warms: Reds, oranges, yellows and purples. Panel 1 will show Feldon sitting at a little cafe enjoying a Cappuccino from an oversized mug. Panel 2; Feldon window shopping along the cobbled streets, there should be a couple of stray dogs running about white or grey in colour. Panel 3; dancing at a discotech, the floor is crowded with other dancer, the background should be black.. Panel 4; Feldon meeting a guy at the dance, species does not matter, but the character should be young and fashionably dressed for the 1990s. Panel 5; Feldon taking the guy back to his hotel room, the squirrel is grinning, his companion should be rather coy but willing. Panel 6; the new guy laying on the bed languidly; while Feldon stands in the doorway of the bathroom, shirtless, holding a condom wrapper between two of his fingers. The squirrel has that come-hither look on his face and a raised eyebrow. Issue 6, Page 10 Panel 1 Caption: Next Morning. Scene: Feldon laying among the crumpled sheets of his bed, face buried in his pillow and grumbling. The bed beside him is empty. There is a persistent knocking at his door that is causing Feldon so much frustration. Sound Effect: Knock, knock, knock! FL: Grumble. Panel 2 Scene: The knocking continues, Feldon is now sitting up in bed and growling at the door. We 'hear' a voice coming into Feldon's head. Sound Effect: Knock, knock! Voice: Thought balloon-- Get up Feldon, it is time for your initiation into a better life. FL: Half-asleep-- “Christ, I'm up, I'm up!” Panel 3 Scene: The door opens and Lord Jackal steps in wheeling a silver hard-shell luggage. Feldon is sitting up in his bed, pulling on a white t-shirt. LJ: “Good morning sunshine.” FL: “Tell me that we are getting breakfast first...” LJ: “I suppose we could go to the little cafe across the street.” Issue 6, Page 11 Panel 1 Scene: Feldon and Lord Jackal sitting at a small table at an outdoor cafe. Feldon has a cup of coffee and a croissant; Lord Jackal has nothing and appears impatient and looking at his watch. LJ: “Time's a wasting. We have the initiation in an hour.” FL: “Not before I take a shower and for that I need to buy some water.” Panel 2 Scene: Close up of Lord Jackal, scowling. LJ: “The water is perfectly safe to shower in. You do not have to buy bottled water.” Panel 3 Scene: Close up of Feldon smirking, looking over his cup of coffee at the jackal. FL: “I was with a guy last night and I can tell you that all I can smell is this sewer water in his fur. I'm buying bottled water. I take a shower and then we can do this initiation thing.” Panel 4 Scene: Feldon, all smiles as he leaves the cafe carrying three large bottles of water against his chest. There is a word balloon over his head with a music note in it. In the background is Lord Jackal, rolling his eyes and looking annoyed. Panel 5 Scene: Feldon pouring water over his head in the shower stall in his hotel room. There are thought balloons around him as Lord Jackal talks to him mentally from the other room. LJ: (not present) I've laid out the costume that you will be wearing during the ceremony. Panel 6 Scene: Feldon lathering himself up and thinking/communicating back to the jackal. FL: Thinking-- A shepherd's outfit? I don't get it. Issue 6, Page 12 Panel 1 Scene: Lord Jackal in the bedroom leaning up against the door-frame stroking his chin. He is still using telepathy to speak with Feldon in the other room. LJ: Thinking-- You are to appear humble before the audience at the ceremony. It also has significance later on which I will explain after the initiation. Panel 2 Scene: Feldon, a suspicious look on his face, as he towels off his sodden fur. FL: Thinking to himself-- For a moment there he let his guard down and I saw... something... A dog? A cliff? Panel 3 Scene: Close up profile shot of Lord Jackal, who is grinning. LJ: Thinking-- In due time Feldon, in due time. Come now, time is wasting. Panel 4 Scene: Feldon changing into the clothes that have been laid out for him. The squirrel admiring the tan and cream tunic and corduroy pants in the mirror. Lord Jackal is tapping his foot and looking at his watch in annoyance. FL: “Do I get to keep these? I dare say that I make this look good.” LJ: “Yes, you can keep them, now can we get down to the canal and fetch a gondola? You are really trying my patience.” FL: “Alright, alright.” Issue 6, Page 13 Panel 1 Scene: Feldon and Lord Jackal in a gondola on the canal. Behind them is a large stone bridge that they have just passed under. Lord Jackal sits next to the silver shell-luggage and explains to Feldon what is to happen. LJ: “You are to remain silent through the ordeal unless prompted to speak. I will be speaking for you, understand?” FL: “Yeah.” LJ: “And try to behave yourself, this should be a solemn event, we don't need to have you start laughing during the ceremony or making wise-ass remarks.” FL: “I'll behave.” LJ: “Good.” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal looking over the side of the gondola at the grey water, seeing his reflection upon it's surface. He has a look of contemplation, of reflection. LJ: Thinking to himself-- We are on the river Styx, this is no gondola but the ferry steered by Charon himself. Panels 3 & 4 Scene: First panel in the sequence shows Feldon and Lord Jackal disembarking the gondola; Jackal is paying the gondolier his Lira. Feldon is looking off panel, in a bored sort of manner. Second panel of the sequence shows Lord Jackal leading Feldon off. Feldon is looking over his shoulder toward the gondola which is now replaced by the ferryman of the river Styx. There is a look of dawning horror in Feldon's eyes as he sees this. Issue 6, Page 14 Panel 1 Scene: Outside a nondescript building made of crumbling red bricks and with a heavy wooded door that is black in colour. Feldon and Lord Jackal stand in front of the door, Feldon looking worried as Jackal roots about in the silver luggage for something... FL: “Jack, what did I just see on the canal?” LJ: “I don't know, what do you think you saw?” FL: “Something familiar. Can't put my finger on it.” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal produces a blindfold from the luggage as well as a length of cord. LJ: “Hold out your hands.” Feldon: Looking unsure-- “...okay.” Panel 3 Scene: Feldon holding out his arms, while Jackal ties them together. LJ: “There you go. Now the blindfold.” FL: “I don't like this.” LJ: “Afraid? Can't read what is on my mind so that you know ahead of time what is going to happen to you? Behold the selfish side of your talents and welcome to the realm in which the everyday Joe has to dwell. Horrible isn't it? Not knowing what is going to happen.” Issue 6, Page 15 Panel 1 Scene: Feldon is frowning as Lord Jackal is placing the blindfold over his eyes. FL: “You make me feel like a piece of shit.” LJ: “Shush now, things are about to begin. I speak for you remember?” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal slips on a black Anubis mask while Feldon stands, shifting nervously from foot to foot. Panel 3 Scene: Lord Jackal in the form of Anubis gives the heavy door a series of raps. This is followed by a few raps from the other side. Panel 4 Scene: The same, someone asks for the pass-phrase from the other side of the door. Voice: “Who goes there?” LJ: “A fool and his stray dog.” Voice: “What would you seek?” LJ: “He seeks to know who he is.” Voice: “You may enter.” Panel 5 Scene: The door opens and Feldon is ushered forward by Lord Jackal who has a hand placed gently between the squirrel's shoulder blades. Issue 6, Page 16 Panel 1 Scene: The two arrive in a black room, lit by a large ring of candles. There are two large candle sticks, one of silver and one of bronze, which act as a sort of doorway at which Feldon is stopped and waits. The ring is large enough to allow the two to walk about within it's circumference. At the far end of the room, outside of the ring and standing above it on a dais is a female cat dressed as the Egyptian goddess Maat: Egyptian garb and a large ostrich feather sticks out of the back of her headband. She carries a staff painted black on the lower half, white on the upper. Maat: “What fool undertakes this journey?” LJ: “He calls himself Juniper Feldon.” Maat: “Then step forward and walk down the path laid before you.” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal pushes Feldon forward between the two candlesticks and leads him around the inner circumference of the ring of candles. They stop in the east of the ring where a small table has been set up, about waist level, upon which burns a small bee's wax candle. Panel 3 Scene: Lord Jackal lifts the blindfold off of Feldon's eyes so that the squirrel can view the table with the candle on it. As he does so Maat explains what he is seeing. Maat: “Behold the symbol of the four elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire—come together to support and foster the divine light. A light that you departed 16 years ago when you undertook this journey into mortality.” Panel 4 Scene: Feldon's blindfold is applied once again and the squirrel is lead about the circumference of the circle stopping in the south. Once here his blindfold is lifted again. Issue 6, Page 17 Panel 1 Scene: Another small table has been set up here, upon which is a small brass bowl of blood, a book which is opened to a blank page across which a white feather-quill lays. Maat: “Here then is your life Juniper Feldon: Your blood the ink that records your experiences, your mind the quill which writes your history and your soul the unfinished book that records all that you will take back with you into the divine.” Panel 2 Scene: Feldon is blindfolded once again and travels about the ring of candles, stopping in the north. Once again his blindfold is raised. Panel 3 Scene: In this part of the circle the candles burn lower than the rest, creating a gloom in the area. Feldon views a small table upon which a mouldering skull sits grinning upon a velvet pillow of deep maroon. Maat: “Behold the reward for abandoning the light of the divine to enter into the realm of the experiential. Now ask yourself Juniper Feldon, was it worth it?” LJ: “It is and continues to be.” Maat: “Know then that the soul is composed of two parts, that immortal part that will eventually return home to the light and the experiential part that will eventually return to the all-mind, the Akashic Records, where your experiences will enrich the Universe's knowledge of itself.” Panel 4 Scene: Feldon is blindfolded once again, lead about the circle, coming to rest in the centre of the circle. Panel 5 Scene: From out of the gloom come two men wearing loincloths and alligator masks. Each carries a khopesh. Issue 6, Page 18 Panel 1 Scene: They take up position on either side of Feldon, Khopesh at the ready to strike. Lord Jackal as Anubis is still behind Feldon with a hand pressed to the small of his back. The squirrel looks distressed for he can read the minds of the two men. FL: Thinking-- Oh my god they are armed and have been told to strike me down! LJ: Thinking-- Steady Feldon. Panel 2 Scene: Maat approaches Feldon with her staff raised, white end pointing upward. Feldon is nearly shaking in terror as he watches through the eyes of the two men in alligator masks. Maat: “You have been invited to join Levannah's Guard, would you join us to rediscover your inner light or do you choose to escape into death?” LJ: Thinking-- This is the oath Feldon, your choice to accept or not. You must answer. FL: Shaking-- “I wish to discover my inner light.” Panel 3 Scene: The same. Maat: “And do you promise to keep the secrets of Levannah's Guard under pain of death?” FL: “I promise.” Panel 4 Scene: Maat brings the staff down gently upon Feldon's right shoulder in a similar gesture to being knighted. The squirrel appears to relax some. Maat: “We welcome you into Levannah's Guard and give you the name Quiet-Voice while you are a part of our order. Let this man see with his own eyes!” Issue 6, Page 19 Panel 1 Scene: Lord Jackal removes the blindfold from Feldon's eyes. Maat: “Let Brother Quiet-Voice go free!” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal removes the binding about Feldon's wrists while the two men in alligator masks step aside and lower their weapons. Panel 3 Scene: Close-up of Maat, she seems to tower over everything in the panel. Maat: “By the power vested in me I hereby close this ceremony. Depart all in friendship, Om Peace, Peace, Peace Om!” Panel 4 Scene: Maat and the two guards depart leaving Feldon looking very much relieved. Lord Jackal removes the Anubis mask. LJ: “Welcome to the order Quiet-Voice.” FL: “Thank you. Had me scared for a moment there.” LJ: “I pointed out before that most people go through there entire lives not knowing what is going to happen next. It is a good lesson to learn; how the rest of the world lives in darkness, yet they make do and carry on.” Issue 6, Page 20 Panel 1 Scene: Feldon and Lord Jackal leaving the building. It is pleasant and sunny in Venice. FL: “So I suppose now you will start training me to use my gifts?” LJ: Shaking head-- “Not me. We have someone special lined up for you back home.” FL: “Oh.” Panel 2 Scene: Lord Jackal reaches into his pocket and produces a Tarot Card and hands it to Feldon. LJ: “I can however give you this.” Panel 3 Scene: Close up of the card: Trump 0: The Fool. It depicts what looks like a shepherd walking toward the edge of a cliff. Following behind the shepherd is a light grey dog. The background is the cosmos, suspended before the shepherd off of the cliff is a ladder. Panel 4 Scene: Close-up of Feldon's face, he looks confused. FL: “Is this a joke? Is this your way of telling me that all of this was just a big prank?” Issue 6, Page 21 Panel 1 Scene: As Feldon scowls while looking at the card, Lord Jackal chuckles, but not in a malicious sense, more out of good nature. LJ: “It's no joke. He is the one that undertakes the journey and the fool is the only person who can tell the king he is in the wrong. Ever read King Lear by Shakespeare?” FL: “Romeo and Juliet in school, it was way over my head.” LJ: “Bullshit. That's what we are told. It's modern English with a lot of flowery poetry in it. I suggest reading King Lear or at the very least watch George Carling's stand-up. You do know George Carling right?” FL: “Yes.” Panel 2 Scene: The two walking about Venice in an aerial shot. LJ: “Good. Finally if you get a chance I'd watch the Wicker Man. They discuss the imagery of the Fool in that as well.” FL: “Okay.” Panel 3 Scene: Lord Jackal stuffs his hands into the pockets of his jeans and begins to head off in a different direction than Feldon. LJ: “I'm off to find myself a Cannoli. I leave you to explore Venice on your own. Talk to you later Feldon.” FL: “Bye.” Issue 6, Page 22 Panel 1-3 Scene: A small series of panels showing Feldon wandering about Venice, still dressed in his shepherd's clothes. He has a contemplative look through out, almost like he doesn't see Venice at all. In at least one of the panels a stray sliver/grey dog should be running by, looking similar to the tarot card that Feldon has by this point stuffed into his pocket. Panel 4 Scene: Something catches his eye that makes him raise his head and look. Feldon has an expression of surprise on his face. Panel 5 Scene: A small bookshop, a small latticed window that Feldon is staring at has a display of books, most of which are in Italian although the one that has caught his attention is a white covered Penguin edition of King Lear in English. Panel 6 Scene: Smiling, Feldon enters the shop. Panel 7 Scene: Feldon coming back out of the shop with the copy of King Lear in his possession, grinning. He has slipped the Tarot card into the book as a bookmark. Issue 6, Page 23 Panel 1 Scene: Feldon wandering once more, the copy of King Lear in his right hand. His ears seem to catch a sound that attracts his attention. It is a song that he has heard only here in Italy, but will later hear back in Canada, “The Sign” by Ace of Bass. FL: Thinking-- Is that ABBA? I don't think I've ever heard that tune before. Panel 2 Scene: Following the strains of music leads Feldon right back to the small plaza that overlooks the lagoon. Here there is a thin, young rat with sand-coloured fur. He is dressed nicely, his clothing almost tailored to his slight frame; button down dress shirt and maroon slacks, thick black-framed glasses are perched on his nose. Beside this rat is a silver coloured radio with a built in CD player and tape deck. This is where the music is coming from. He is sitting on the stone railing that overlooks the water, the island is visible in the shot and the sun is starting to make its descent toward the horizon. Panel 3 Scene: Feldon appears to be considering this rat, looking at him with his eyes, bright green in colour. There is a slight smile on the squirrel's face as he does so. Panel 4 Scene: The rat seems to take notice of Feldon standing there staring at him. The rat has a cool, unperturbed look on his face. Rat: In Italian-- “Hello there handsome, how are you this evening?” Issue 6, Page 24 Panel 1—Splash page Scene: Feldon standing in the plaza wearing that shepherd's outfit and carrying a copy of King Lear. A breeze has picked up and is blowing both his hair and loose tunic. In the background we see a few pages of a newspaper blowing by and that strange grey-coloured dog sniffing about a lamp post. Feldon is smirking at the rat, eyes filled with lust, still bright green in colour. FL: “Bueno.”