panel 1 1/3 vertical

In Quantum - As Michael nears the man the creatures tormenting him all turn and hiss at Michael like so many spidery cats. The loner guy is grabbing for the clerk behind the counter.

Poor It makes me sick!

Nooo! The one called Glimmer comesss!

Hsss!

Sssstay awaay!

Leave usss!

You're causing this poor man a bit too much trouble for me to do that.

panel 2 1/6

In Quantum - Michael nabs one of the creatures off the guy and it squirms frantically in his fist. The loner guy has caught hold of the counter person's uniform and is yelling at them.

Poor Guy: What's the matter with you people?!

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In Quantum - Michael reaches through the poor guy and grabs another demon as he squits the first one in his fist and the others leap away in all directions. The guy is letting go of the counter person's uniform and has gone from outrage and anger to whining.

Poor Guy: You're all a bunch of hypocrites!

panel 4 1/6

Real World view. The miserable guy is collapsed on the counter in despair, but the violence has gone out of him. Michael is coming out of quantum.

Poor No one really cares.

You'll feel better now. For a while anyway. I can't solve your problems for youÉ

panel 5 1/6

Michael is putting some coins on the counter. The manager Lionel is there behind the counter. The other counter persons have backed away. The guy is leaning on the counter looking downward, now ashamed.

Maybe you should just get some dinner and relax. Some people do care. There's plenty of good ones, you just need to find them.

It's okay, Lionel. He'll be all right now.

Okay, Michael, if you say so.

Page 6

panel 1

Michael has returned and is sitting down at the table where Fatale has waited.

What was that about? Where did you go? Did youÉhelp that guy?

One of those levels of reality that I was telling you about is filled with many ills that are created and fed by mankind's fears and in turn prey on and increase them.

panel 2

close up on Michael.

I've learned to enter what I call the Quantum Plane and destroy these things. But they grow back in time if the afflicted individual doesn't change what caused them in the first place.

panel 3

Fatale looks sad and distracted at what Michael is saying to her.

This is a busy time of year for me. So many people feel so much more isolated and alone at Christmas time.

I know what you mean about that. My mother was all alone and in hiding the Christmas before she died. I think about what she must have felt like twenty four years ago tonightÉ so lonely and afraid.

panel 4

People feel isolated and alone that even in a crowded city like New York. Especially so. And there are those who revel in their fear and misery, that thrive on it.

I do what I can.

panel 5

Michael is getting up to leave. Fatale is smiling up at him. They've bonded.

I'd better get back to it. It was very nice meeting you.

It's been very odd meeting you, Mister Alexander but ,somehow, I like you.

Page 7

panel 1

Fatale is leaving the McDonalds, Mercy is waiting for her outside looking happier than before. Fatale, of course still has the shopping bags.

Michael just told me that you were all right. He oughtta know. He's a smart one that Michael.

He's an amazing man, that's for sure. He said that he spent his whole life learning to see the Quantum plane, but how do you see these things?

panel 2

Close on Mercy and Fatale. Fatale is looking at Mercy nonplussed.

Me? Oh, I'm crazy.

Oh.

panel 3

Fatale and Mercy are walking down the street.

Where are you going now, Mercy?

Yea, I must walk through the valley of the shadow a' death. But I don' fear no evil.

panel 4

Fatale and Mercy continue to talk on the sidewalk near McDonalds. Three large mean looking men are approaching from behind Mercy.

Why don't you come with me? I'm going to meet my family and friends for dinner and I'd love it if you came.

Oh, no no. Old Mercy don't belong in polite company.

Fatale leaves Mercy but feels bad and goes back

panel 5

One of the men jostles Mercy as he passes her.

Thug Watch it, you old bat!

Don't you be pushin' me, you thugs!

Page 8

panel 1

The man turns to Mercy threateningly. His friends flank him, cutting Mercy off from Fatale. Fatale comes running back. She is wearing a coat and gloves.

Thug Shouldn't be so quick to mouth off. Old woman like you.

I'm not afraid of thugs like you!

Hey! Leave her alone!

panel 2

The thugs have moved in closer on Mercy and are grabbing her and thug 1 is speaking sneeringly to Fatale and shoves her back hard. There is a truck on the street behind them. Like a Ryder truck .

Thug You stay out of it, Chickie!

panel 3

Fatale is struggling to her feet and the men are hustling Mercy into the back of the truck. She is half out of her coat and is pulling off one glove off her free hand with her teeth. The shopping bags are slung onto the free arm that is out of the coat. The little purse is still slung across her body.

panel 4

Fatale leaps for the truck as the back doors are closing and it is pulling away (shopping bags still on her arm). She is grabbing for one of the thugs who is hanging on the back of the truck.