Quagmire, U.S.A. "Enter Jemira"
By quamp
(Page 1, panel 1. The Salusian embassy in
Quagmire. We see the place from a distance. Put credits here.)
Caption (N1):
Quagmire, U.S.A.
Caption (N2):
The Salusian embassy is hosting a visit from the Zardon Queen Lorena and her
daughter for the weekend.
(Panel 2. Asrial's office. Lexus, Kassy, Bento
and Lyra are sitting opposite Asrial.)
Asrial: As you know, relations between
Zardonia and Salusia are very unstable now. Queen Lorena and I have had some
bad times in the past. If we are to keep the peace in this sector, we have to
leave them with a good impression.
(Panel 3. The kids look downhearted.)
Asrial: That means that I want your rooms
spotless and you four on your best behavior. Do you have that?
Bento, Lexus & Kassy
(simultaneously): *Groan...*
(Panel 4. Asrial raises a finger at them.
The kids perk up, and smile.)
Asrial: Don't give me that! If this goes
well, I might see if we can get a trip to Mount Royal Park.
All kids: Yea!
(Panel 5. The kids nod in unison at
Asrial, smiling.)
Asrial: I'll be helping clean the place
up elsewhere. Let's get going.
Lexus, Bento, Kassy and Lyra: Hai!
(Page 2, panel 1. A Zardon diplomatic
ship. It is a large ship, the size of a moon. We see it in the sea of stars.)
Caption (N):
Elsewhere...
(Panel 2. In the throne room, Queen
Lorena is sitting on the throne. Next to the queen is prince Delano, her
husband. He is a tall, strong male with strong features. Opposite them is their
daughter, Jemira. They are in Royal outfits. Jemira looks like a teenage
version of her mother.)
Caption (N):
Queen Lorena is having a little discussion with her daughter.
Jemira: Why do I have to meet this Lexus
Feeple anyway?
Lorena: His mother is Princess Asrial of
Salusia. She was once the queen of Salusia. Right now, the current queen has no
children. If something were to happen to her, Lexus will become king.
(Panel 3. Jemira shakes her head.)
Jemira: But I don't know what he's like!
How do you know he would be interested in me? I don't even know what he looks
like.
Lorena: Computer, display a hologram of
Lexus Feeple for my daughter.
(Panel 4. A hologram of Lexus Feeple
appears in front of Jemira. He is about her height.)
Jemira: Hmm... Looks rather... Plain,
actually.
Lorena: Jemira, the fate of the Zardon Empire
lies on you seducing this boy and convincing him to marry you. We need Salusian
resources for our own. If you cannot conquer them by the laser, you should
conquer them with the heart. It is your duty as a Zardon of imperial birth.
(Panel 5. The hologram of Lexus
disappears.)
Jemira: Well, I will do my duty to bring
glory to Zardonia... Nevertheless, I will not enjoy it.
Lorena: Nobody said duty was fun, Jemira.
That's why it is called duty.
(Panel 6. Jemira turns to leave.)
Jemira: I must make my best impression on
this Lexus Feeple. I will prepare myself for this.
Lorena: Then go.
(Page 3, panel 1. Kassy's room at the
Salusian embassy. Kassy is wearing an apron and trying to clean the place up.
However, it is a very daunting task, as she isn't a neat freak.)
Caption (N):
And so...
Kassy's thoughts: Man, this is boring! I
have to wonder if I'll ever be done.
(Panel 2. Jeremy and Asrial are over in
the main lobby doing some of the cleaning. Jeremy holds a mop in his hands;
Asrial has a feather duster in her hands.)
Caption (N):
Later on...
Jeremy: There! The place is done now.
Asrial: We have just enough time to clean
up and change.
(Panel 3. Jeremy holds Asrial's hand.)
Jeremy: You go ahead. I'll check in on
the kids.
Asrial: All right.
(Panel 4. Kassy's room. The place is
decorated for a typical teenage girl, but it is a mess. Kassy is trying to
clean the place up.)
Kassy's thoughts: This is hopeless... How
can a girl be a Salusian of imperial birth, attend high school, have a social life
and find the time to clean up her room?
(Panel 5. The phone rings.)
SFX: Ring!
Ring!
Kassy: Now what?
(Panel 6. Kassy answers the phone.)
Kassy: Hello?
(Page 4, panel 1. Split panel with a
phone cord in half to show Asagi on the other side.)
Asagi: Kassy, it's me. Got a problem
here. The folks are leaving for a few days suddenly and I've got nowhere else
to go. Can I come over for a bit?
Kassy: You caught us at a bad time. Mom's
hosting the Zardonian queen tonight.
(Panel 2. Kassy continues to clean her
room as she and Asagi talk.)
Asagi: Aw, man...
(Panel 3. On the side with Kassy, Jeremy
enters.)
Jeremy: Kassy...
Kassy: Oh - sorry Asagi, dad came in.
(Panel 4. Kassy talks to Jeremy.)
Jeremy: Asagi's parents were called away
on business. She's going to come in for a couple of days. Would you lend her
one of your formal dresses for the night?
Kassy: Oh, sure dad. No problem.
(Panel 5. Jeremy starts to leave.)
Jeremy: Oh, and give her a crash course
about formal dining too.
(Panel 6. Jeremy exits. Kassy talks to
Asagi again.)
Kassy: Dad said it's o.k. to come over.
I'll lend you one of my formal gowns to wear.
Asagi: Great! I'll be over shortly.
Page 5, panel 1. Lyra, Asagi and Lexus
are standing in the entryway with Asrial and Jeremy. The men are in formal
suits and ties, the women are in fancy ballroom gowns.)
Caption (N):
Some time later...
Asrial: Where are Kassy and Bento?
Lexus: Kassy's still cleaning up her
room. Bento's still getting dressed. I had to teach Asagi in courtly manners.
(Panel 2. A Salusian man in a suit and
tie enters in front of Lorena, Delano and Jemira. Lorena and Jemira are in
Formal Zardonian outfits. The others bow before the queen.)
Salusian: Ambassador, announcing the
arrival of her most exalted majesty Queen Lorena, Crown Prince Delano and their
daughter the Princess Jemira!
Asrial: Welcome, your majesty.
(Panel 3. Lorena smiles lightly at
Asrial. Those that were bowing stop.)
Lorena: Thank you for having me here,
ambassador. Come, we have much to discuss...
(Panel 4. Lorena gives Jemira a wink as
she talks to her.)
Lorena: Jemira, be a good little princess
and talk to the ambassador's children.
Jemira: Of course, mother.
Panel 5. Show Lorena and Delano sitting
opposite Jeremy and Asrial. They are in a formal meeting room, with a long
table in the center, which they sit on the opposite sides. About 4 male
Salusian guards in uniform are stationed at the corners of the room.)
Lorena: So, you ended up being the
Salusian ambassador to earth. You could have been queen, Asrial.
Asrial: But then I wouldn't be happy.
(Panel 5. They talk some more.)
Lorena: Hmm... Such luxuries are rarely
afforded to me. Well, I should come to the point here. Our war with the
aggressive Rezikians is not going well.
Jeremy: So we've heard. Rezekia has been
threatening Salusia and Earth to stay out of their way.
Asrial: Officially, we are neutral in
this war, but we do lend you our moral support.
(Panel 6. Delano produces some papers.)
Delano: We have intercepted a message
from Rezekia high command. They are planning to start raiding the Salusian
cargo ships for needed supplies.
(Page 6, panel 1. Jemira is talking to
Lexus, Lyra and Asagi.)
Jemira: So, what do you do for fun here?
Lexus: Well, we really have a lot of
things to do for fun. I'll show you our virtual practice field.
(Panel 2. The dojo. On one side of the room
is a high-tech shooting gallery. Lexus, Asagi and Jemira are at the gallery.)
Caption (N):
And so...
Jemira: Hmph. Cute, but the standard on
Zardonia is 10 standard. Let's see you hit that.
Lexus: Well, I've never really tried it
that fast...
(Panel 3. We see a moving target and a
laser shot missing it.)
SFX: Zip!
Miss!
(Panel 4. Jemira looks disgusted at
Lexus.)
Jemira (1): Hmph. A Zardonian child can
hit one of the targets with no problem.
Asagi: Oh yea? Let's see you do it.
Jemira (2): Fine.
(Panel 5. We see a moving target
shattering as it is hit by a laser.)
SFX: Zip!
Crackle!
(Panel 6. A voice comes over the
loudspeaker as Jemira has a smug look on her face.)
Voice: Everyone, dinner will be served in
5 minutes.
Jemira: A Zardonian of imperial birth is
required to hit a target at 15 speed.
Lexus: Well, we should get ready for
dinner.
(Page 7, panel 1. Jemira is talking to
Loraine.)
Jemira: I can't do it, mother. Lexus
Feeple and I have nothing in common. Being around him is sheer torture! He
can't even hit a level 10 moving standard!
(Panel 2. Lorena gets face-to-face with
Jemira.)
Lorena: Listen you; we have everything
vested in this! You must do everything you can to make Lexus fall in love with
you!
Jemira: But he is so boring! If you
replaced him with a cardboard cutout, nobody would notice the difference! Not
only that, he absolutely hates me! I came onto him, and he showed no interest,
proving he is an idiot!
(Panel 3. Lorena pushes Jemira back
towards the right.)
Lorena: It is your duty as a Zardon of
imperial birth to make him love you, so try again!
(Panel 4. The living area. Jemira, Asagi,
Lorena, Bento, Lyra, Delano, Lexus, Asrial and Jeremy are sitting around the
place.)
Caption (N):
And so...
Asrial: We sent your information via
coded sub warp. It should be arriving at Salusian high command now.
(Panel 5. A young male Salusian enters,
bowing before Asrial.)
Salusian: Ambassador Feeple, please forgive
my intrusion. I have an emergency most urgent for you to attend. The Freighter
Morris has been attacked by Rezikian bandits. They are crippled and adrift in
space near Saturn.
Asrial: Send anyone we can spare to help
them out. They were supposed to be delivering supplies here. We'll just have to
stretch what we've got out a bit.
(Panel 6. The Salusian backs away, still
bowing to Asrial.)
Salusian: At once, ambassador.
Lorena: Well, the Rezikians decided to
bite off more than they can chew now.
(Page 8, panel 1. Asrial talks to
Lorena.)
Asrial: Salusian high command will not be
pleased. This solar system is neutral in that war. I will personally demand an
explanation from the Rezikian ambassador.
Asagi: They have shown themselves to be
full of pride. However, we all know pride goeth before a fall.
(Panel 2. Enter a young Salusian female,
attired in a French maid's outfit.)
Salusian: My lady, the dinner is ready
for all of you.
Asrial: Excellent. Let's go to the dining
room, shall we?
(Panel 3. The adults exit.)
Lexus: It is Salusian tradition that the
adults sit at the table first.
(Panel 4. Enter Bento and Kassy, attired
in a formal suit and tie and a formal dress, respectively. Jemira is
immediately smitten with Kassy. Hearts appear next to Jemira.)
Jemira: I think I'm in love...
Asagi (in disbelief): With him?
(Panel 5. Jemira looks over at Asagi,
angry. Asagi looks confused.)
Jemira: No, not him - her! Who is that
gorgeous young woman there!?
Asagi: Do you mean Kassy?
(Panel 6. Jemira waxes poetic. Asagi
looks at Jemira as if she's lost her mind.)
Jemira: Kassy... That's such a beautiful
name for a beautiful young woman.
Asagi: You like girls?
(Page 9, panel 1. Jemira assumes generic
manga dramatic pose #4.)
SFX: Resolve!
Jemira: I will do whatever it takes to
make Kassy mine!
Asagi: Uh... I don't think Kassy is that
kind of a girl...
(Panel 2. Asagi looks downhearted as
Jemira continues to be in her own dream world.)
Jemira: Nobody can resist the charm of a
Zardonian of imperial birth! I shall have this Kassy even if it kills us both!
Asagi: You're not going to take no for an
answer, are you?
(Panel 3. Kassy approaches Asagi and
Jemira while Bento moves away from them, going to the other side of the room.
Jemira lowers her arm.)
Kassy: Hi. You must be Princess Jemira.
I'm Kassy Feeple.
Asagi: Watch out, Kassy...
Jemira: Yes, I am Princess Jemira...
(Panel 4. Jemira takes Kassy's hands into
hers. Naturally, Kassy is confused by this.)
Jemira: Come with me, Kassy, and I will
give you what you want!
Kassy: Huh?
Asagi: She really likes you,
Kassy.
(Panel 5. Horrified, Kassy pulls away
from Jemira.)
Kassy: Look, you're nice, but I don't
swing that way.
Jemira: What!? You dare refuse a
Zardonian of imperial birth!?
(Panel 6. Kassy tries to dissuade Jemira
in vain.)
Kassy: I'd rather kiss Bento than you.
Jemira: So this Bento is your lover, is
he? Then I shall slay this Bento and claim your hand for my own!
(Page 10, panel 1. Kassy is exasperated.
Jemira points at Kassy.)
Kassy: Bento is not my boyfriend!
Jemira: Don't try protecting him! When I
see this Bento, I shall teach him what it means to stand in the way of a Zardon
of imperial birth!
SFX:
Point! Accuse!
(Panel 2. Kassy is frustrated.)
Kassy: I like boys, not girls!
Jemira: You cannot say no to a Zardonian
of imperial birth!
(Panel 3. Kassy is now angry, and gets a
giant head as speed lines fill the background.)
Kassy: Oh yea!? Well, I'm a Salusian of
imperial birth and we get what we want as well!
SFX: Defend!
(Panel 4. Jemira gets a giant head as
speed lines fill the background. Kassy's head returns to normal.)
Jemira: Nobody denies me what I want!
(Panel 5. Bento comes over to them.)
Bento: What's with all the yelling?
Jemira: Just who are you?
(Panel 6. The others look worried as
Jemira angrily approaches Bento.)
Bento: I am Bento Katana, ninja
apprentice and near-adept.
Jemira: So you are this Bento that Kassy
loves! I challenge you to a duel to the death for her hand!
(Page 11, panel 1. Bento looks over at
Kassy.)
Bento (to Kassy): Since when were we
lovers?
Jemira: Don't play stupid with me! We
meet in battle in one hour - and then you die!
(Panel 2. Jemira storms away. Bento looks
confused.)
SFX: Storm
away!
Bento: Could someone explain to me just
what in the heck is going on here?
Asagi: Jemira has fallen in love with
Kassy. She thinks you're Kassy's lover, and if she kills you, Kassy will return
her love.
(Panel 3. Bento smiles suggestively.
Kassy scowls at Bento.)
Bento: So if I win, does that mean I get
to be your boyfriend?
Kassy: No! How dare you think you
are fit to date a Salusian of imperial birth!
(Panel 4. Bento looks downhearted.)
Bento: They always do that....
Asagi: So you're not worried about
losing?
(Panel 5. Bento Folds his arms across his
chest.)
Bento: I will find out what I can about
this Jemira. She seems not to act or think rationally... That may be the key to
defeating her.
(Panel 6. Later, everyone mentioned so
far is in the formal dining room. The guards are in the corners again, as
before. The others are seated in this order: Lyra, Bento, Jemira, Lexus, Kassy,
Asagi, Jeremy, Asrial, Delano, and at the head of the table is Lorena.)
Asrial: We just received a shipment of
Zardonian delicacies - our chefs have been preparing them with the utmost care.
Lorena: I'm sure it will be delicious.
(Page 12, panel 1. The chef enters,
carrying a cooked Kilbredel. This is a fish-like creature with gray scales, 3
legs that end in paws, and very sharp teeth. It is about 4 feet long. Next to
it is a bowl filled with a pink sauce.)
Chef: Tonight's special is Grilled
Kilbredel with sauce Zarodonaise.
Lorena: Smells wonderful.
(Panel 2. The fish is now cut into
pieces, and everyone is eating their piece. Bento and Asagi are trying to eat
the food, but it's clear from their expressions that they are not enjoying it.)
Lorena: So Jemira, would you like to
explain the wishing bone tradition to your new friends?
Jemira: Well, tradition states that whoever
breaks the wishing bone while making a wish will have it come true. We're
supposed to start with the youngest one at the table.
Kassy: That would be you, Lyra.
Lyra: Okay...
(Panel 3. Lyra takes the 5-inch bone into
her hands, but cannot break it.)
Lyra: Uh.... I can't do it.
(Panel 4. Next Asagi has the bone in her
hands, and cannot break it.)
Asagi: Is this thing made out of steel or
something?
Jemira: Well, sometimes they are hard to
break...
(Panel 5. Bento is trying to break the
bone. We see him thinking of himself and Jemira from the shoulders up. He is
right behind her and has his hands on her, although we cannot tell where. In
the picture of his mind, Bento has a look of pleasure and is drooling.)
Bento's thoughts: Must... Concentrate...
(Panel 6. Bento breaks the bone in two.)
SFX: SNAP!
Bento: Did it!
(Page 13, panel 1. The others smile.)
Jeremy: Congratulations, Bento.
Bento: Thanks.
Bento's thoughts: All right! I'm gonna
get some!
(Panel 2. They continue to eat and enjoy
things. By now, Bento and Asagi are looking very queasy.)
Caption (N):
Later...
Kassy: Asagi, you o.k.?
Asagi: I don't feel too well.
(Panel 3. Jeremy smiles at them.)
Jeremy: Well, the first time I ate
Kilbredel I got sick to my stomach. It's an acquired taste.
Asagi's thoughts: I'm not sure I want to
acquire it.
(Panel 4. Asagi and Bento stand up.)
Asagi: Might I be excused?
Bento: And I as well.
Asrial: Go ahead.
(Panel 5. Asagi and Bento exit.)
Kassy: I hope they're all right...
(Panel 6. Later on, Asrial is talking via
videophone to an evil-looking humanoid male with an X for a mouth. Asrial looks
very angry.)
Caption (N):
After dinner...
Asrial: Ambassador Frengle, your mecha
warriors have blatantly violated The Salusian Conglomerate's neutrality in your
war with Zardonia! You have a lot of explaining to do!
Frengle: We need not explain our actions
to you. You have shown yourselves to be on the side of Zardonia when you hosted
the queen. The Salusian Conglomerate shall be sent to Efrexor with Zardonia.
(Page 14, panel 1. They continue to
talk.)
Asrial: That's what you think! We were
planning to stay neutral in your war until you decided to commit overt
aggression! Nobody ever said this was a meeting to discuss an alliance! For
that matter, why pick a lowly backwater planet ambassador to have a meeting?
Frengle: A former queen of an ambassador,
nonetheless. Your motives are your own, ambassador. You are enemies of the
Rezekian People's Democratic Republic. You will be destroyed along with your
craven Zardonian allies.
(Panel 2. The screen goes blank. Jeremy
enters.)
Jeremy: So what did the brick wall have
to say?
Asrial: Oh, just the usual diplomatic
blather... They thought our meeting with Queen Lorena was a covert plan against
them.
(Panel 3. Jeremy puts an arm around
Asrial's shoulder.)
Jeremy: Well, whatever happens, I'll
always be by your side.
Asrial: Thanks.
(Panel 4. Later in the dojo, Bento is
attired in a black ninja outfit without the mask. Jemira is attired in a
Zardonian battle mech suit. The only part of her visible is her face, which is
behind a clear shield. Nearby, Asagi, Lexus and Kassy are standing.)
Caption (N):
Elsewhere...
Jemira: Are you ready to die, Bento?
Bento: We shall see who gets the better
of whom.
(Panel 5. Jemira fires lasers from her
battle suit, which Bento easily dodges.)
Jemira: Computer, get a lock on my foe!
(Panel 6. Bento hits Jemira's battle suit
from behind, doing a flip as he does. He manages to slice a cooling line.)
SFX: SLICE!
Flip!
Jemira: Ah!
(Page 15, panel 1. Jemira tries to shoot
Bento with her lasers, but misses again.)
Computer voice: Warning! Primary coolant
line has been compromised! We are leaking coolant at levels outside of safe
parameters!
SFX: Miss!
Leak!
(Panel 2. Jemira manages to strike
Bento's leg with a fist as he hits her in the shoulder with his sword.)
SFX: Pow!
Klang! Leak!
(Panel 3. Bento strikes Jemira's knee
with his sword.)
SFX:
Klang! Leak!
Computer voice: Warning! Coolant level is
at critically low levels! Systems overheat in 30 seconds! Commencing auto
shutdown.
Jemira: Shutdown!? Computer, emergency
override!
(Panel 4. Jemira's battle suit powers
down, leaving her motionless. Bento is opposite her, poised to attack.)
Bento: Still want to fight me?
SFX: RRRR!
Power down!
(Panel 5. Jemira opens up her battle
suit.)
Jemira: You have proven yourself a worthy
warrior, Bento.
(Panel 6. Bento is on his knees, with his
sword in front of him on the ground.)
Bento: I hope I have proved my worthiness
to wield you, Tenshen.
(Page 16, panel 1. Jemira steps out of
the battle suit, looking vulnerable. Bento, now standing, smiles as the others
look shocked. Asagi and Kassy's hair stands on end as their eyes go wide.)
Jemira: In accordance with Zardonian law,
I will do as you wish.
Bento: Really? Anything?
SFX (Next
to Bento): Light up!
(Panel 2. Bento advances on Jemira as
Asagi and Kassy try to dissuade Jemira from her actions.)
Asagi: Uh, Jemira, are you sure this is a
good idea?
Kassy: Yea, you're on earth - Zardonian
law does not apply here.
Jemira: Bento has bested me in combat. I
must hold up my honor as a Zardonian of Imperial birth.
(Panel 3. Asagi stands between Bento and
Jemira and points a finger at him.)
Asagi: Freeze right there, you pervert.
Bento: Aw, c'mon Asagi... She said she
would do what I want...
SFX:
Point! Condemn!
(Panel 4. Kassy takes Jemira aside.)
Kassy: I'll put it straight to you: Bento
is a pervert. Do you really want him pawing you and groping you?
Jemira: He has proven himself to be better
than I in combat. Zardonian tradition states that only the strongest and
smartest men may bear children, and they must do so by besting the female in
battle.
(Panel 5. Continue aside.)
Kassy: Look, your mom may not like having
a mere earth human for a lover. Besides, he won't care about you, he'll just
use you.
(Panel 6. On the other side of the room,
Asagi and Bento talk. Asagi looks angry.)
Asagi: Bento, are you out of your mind!?
Do you wan to start a war between the Zardon Empire and Earth!?
Bento: But she said it was o.k...
(Page 17, panel 1. They talk some more.)
Asagi: She may consent to it, but what
about her mother? How do you think the queen will feel knowing you soiled the
honor of her daughter, a princess!?
SFX:
Lecture! Pontificate!
Bento: That's even more reason to want
her.
(Panel 2. Asagi continues to lecture
Bento.)
Asagi: Things are very precarious with
the Zardonians now. We don't need you to start a war that will end up
destroying us all. You have a duty to everyone on earth to order her to improve
relations between our planets.
Bento: This is most ignoble. I finally
find a woman that will say yes to me and I have to say no to her.
SFX:
Lecture!
(Panel 3. Bento contemplates his
situation.)
Bento (quietly): Let's see here... Score
with a hot babe princess and create an intergalactic incident, or miss possibly
my only chance ever to score with a princess and tell her to work for better
relationship between our worlds...
(Panel 4. Bento strokes his chin in
contemplation, and Asagi looks annoyed.)
Asagi: Well?
Bento: I'm thinking, I'm thinking! Don't
rush me!
(Panel 5. End both asides.)
Bento: All right, here is what I want you
to do. I want you to cease any pursuit of Kassy as a lover, and work for better
relations between Zardonia, Earth and Salusia.
Jemira: All right, you shall have your
wish, Bento. I will work for better relations between our planets.
(Panel 6. Kassy and Asagi look relieved.)
Bento (quietly): I still wish I could
have had her, though.
Asagi (quietly): Not now!
(Page 18, panel 1. That evening, Kassy,
Lyra, Asagi, and Jemira are sitting in Kassy's room. They are in night attire.
For Lyra, Asagi and Kassy, this is a large nightshirt and socks. Jemira is in a
nightgown.)
Caption (N):
That evening...
Jemira: I have to be honest here. The
real reason mom brought me along was to have me fall in love with your brother,
Kassy. Mom wanted me to marry him so that we could have some claim on the
Salusian throne.
Kassy: Lexus and I are a long way down on
the list of potential kings and queens. Why us?
(Panel 2. They talk some more.)
Jemira: You guess is as good as mine.
Well, now that I've gotten to know you a little better, being friends does seem
better.
Kassy: Well, I can't wait to show you
some of the customs on earth. I'm sure if I begged mom in the right way, she'll
give us some money so we can go shopping tomorrow.
(Panel 3. Asagi's face lights up in
excitement.)
SFX: Light
up!
Asagi: Shopping? Can I come along as
well?
Kassy: Sure! I'm sure mom won't mind.
(Panel 4. Jemira smiles.)
Jemira: I think this would sound
enjoyable... I hope these stores take Zardonian currency.
Kassy: I don't know, but there's a money
exchange place near the mall.
(Panel 5. Asagi starts looking around the
room.)
Asagi: My ninja sense tells me we're
being watched.
Kassy: Can you sense where?
(Panel 6. Asagi goes to the door. She
puts a finger over her mouth to indicate silence.)
SFX:
Stealth moving…
(Page 19, panel 1. Asagi opens the door
to show Bento has been looking through the bottom.)
SFX:
Sudden open! Discover! Reveal!
All but Bento: Bento!
(Panel 2. Bento is lying on the ground,
with Jemira's sujuo mallet on top of him. The mallet reads "Zardonian
imperial mallet 10 kg" on it. All women look very angry until otherwise
noted.)
Jemira: How dare you try to peek at a
Zardonian of imperial birth! You have proven yourself unworthy of me, you dirty
pervert!
(Panel 3. The mallet reads "Salusian
imperial mallet 10 kg" on it. Kassy is next to him now, arms folded across
her chest.)
Kassy: You always try something stupid
like this and always end up getting hurt! Why don't you try respecting a woman
for once!?
(Panel 4. Asagi is next to Bento. The
mallet on top of Bento reads "Ninja accountant mallet 10 kg." Bento
now has spirals for eyes, and stars of pain
Asagi: I should have known that you'd
give into your raging hormones! You never learn, do you!?
(Panel 5. Lyra is next to Bento. The
mallet on top of him is smaller, and reads "Salusian imperial mallet 5
kg." The stars and spirals continue.)
Lyra: What they said.
(Panel 6. Kassy closes the door. The women
stop looking angry.)
Kassy: *Sigh...* now you know what I have
to deal with every day.
Jemira: On Zardon, men like him are sent
to labor camps and kept away from women forever.
(Page 20, panel 1. Quagmire mall. We see
the place from outside.)
Caption (N):
The next day, at Quagmire Mall...
(Panel 2. Inside the mall, Asagi, Kassy
and Jemira are walking down one of the halls. We see a bunch of other people
around as well.)
Jemira: This place is very nice. Much
better than the Vol-marts we have on Zardonia...
(Panel 3. The three of them stop in front
of a gym.)
Asagi: He's usually here.
Jemira: Who?
(Panel 4. They talk as they approach the
gym window.)
Kassy: Well, there's this one guy who
works out about this time. He's usually in a muscle shirt and shorts.
(Panel 5. A very handsome stud, with lots
of muscles enters the gym. He is clad in a muscle shirt and shorts.)
Asagi: There he is...
(Panel 6. The girls smile as they watch
the guy work out. He lifts a dumbbell with one hand.)
Jemira: He is cute... Does he have a
girlfriend?
Kassy: I don't really know. I hope not.
(Page 21, panel 1. A buxom, long hared
blonde woman enters, attired in a tight leotard in the gym. She goes up to the
guy.)
Jemira: Who's that?
Kassy: I don't know. I've never seen her
before.
(Panel 2. The woman puts an arm around
the man, and both of them smile.)
Jemira: She's pretty hot too...
(Panel 3. Asagi, Kassy and Jemira look
downhearted. The man pumps iron with one hand and runs the other across the
woman's cheek.)
Asagi: He's taken.
Kassy: Man, all the good ones are taken.
Jemira: She's taken too...
(Panel 4. Asagi and Kassy look at Jemira.
The man and the woman are out of the picture now.)
Kassy: You like her more than him?
Jemira: Yea... Well, we should continue
shopping.
(Panel 5. Kassy, Asagi and Jemira are
walking down the main hallway. They have a few shopping bags in their hands.)
Caption (N):
Later...
Jemira: Your world is very fun... I will
have to ask mom to let me come back here sometime.
Kassy: Well, you're welcome to come back
sometime...
(Panel 6. They continue to walk towards
the exit.)
Jemira: Zardonia could learn a thing or
two from earth... I see why your mother wanted to live here.
(Page 22, panel 1. Outside the Salusian
Embassy. Lorena, Delano and Jemira are standing in front of a spaceship.
Opposite them are the Feeples, with Bento and Asagi.)
Caption (N):
The next day...
Lorena: We must return to Zardonia... However,
we will meet again someday.
Asrial: We'll be ready.
(Panel 2. Lorena, Delano and Jemira enter
the spaceship.)
Lorena: Be seeing you.
(Panel 3. The spaceship takes off.)
Caption (N):
O.k. So I misplaced it. Sorry. See you soon...
-End-