Screen 1
ONE:
Establishing landscape, Shera, the heart of Allyria, the Seat of the Empire. A mad mixture of 1890s London with a dash of Mumbai, the city built on several levels. Mid-day, and an INDUSTRIAL HAZE lingering in the air.
We can see some LANDMARKS – the MARROW BRIDGE that crosses the Glory, the broad, and at this point in the country somewhat slower-flowing river that splits the city. Heavy traffic on the Glory, as ships ply their trade, bringing goods from the north and cargo from the ports further south.
The TOWER OF THE ROSE, the central structure of ROSE PALACE. The tower is vaguely ominous, and the tallest structure in the city by law, towering over the other buildings.
Industrial smokestacks clutter the skyline to the north of the city, along one side of the Glory.
Not unlike London of the era, this is the heart of empire, arguably the most powerful navy in the Sphere, and unquestionably the most politically stable. This is a city of almost five million people.
1. CAPTION/locator: Shera.
TWO:
Close on a copy of The Shera Clarion, open; this is being read by Farrow, but, of course, we don’t see him. Just the top of the paper, it’s masthead and the illustration, in the style of the period, of course.
The ILLUSTRATION is of an imposing looking third-rate, apparently at aether. One MAST is down, and the ship is on fire, with CREWMEN leaping from the deck to their deaths. We can see the name of the ship in the illustration, Destiny.
Caption reads, “Catastrophic Conflagration Claims HMS Destiny.”
2. ATTENDANT/off: *ahem*
Day 1
Screen 2
ONE:
Wide reveal, interior of the Elliston Club, which is exactly what it sounds like, if it sounds like a classic, and possibly romantic, private club of the period. Quiet and opulent and very, very proud of itself, if that makes sense.
FARROW, seated in an incredibly overstuffed leather reading chair, has lowered his paper enough to eyeball the ATTENDANT who now stands in front of him. The ATTENDANT holds a SILVER TRAY, upon with is a sealed ENVELOPE. The ATTENDANT is quite clearly deferential.
FARROW himself is a small, slender man, middle-aged, dressed like a gentleman. A drink is at his elbow.
There are a few other GENTLEMEN in the club, minding their own reading.
1. ATTENDANT: Begging your pardon, Mister Farrow.
2. ATTENDANT: Message for you.
TWO:
FARROW, quietly annoyed at having been interrupted, sets aside the newspaper with one hand, taking the ENVELOPE.
NO COPY.
THREE:
FARROW’S HANDS – he’s opened the ENVELOPE and removed the AETHERGRAM inside enough that it can be read.
On the ENVELOPE, we can read, “E. Farrow.”
The AETHERGRAM reads:
YOUR PRESENCE IS INSISTED
~K
That opening shot is BEAUTIFUL!
That’s a phrase I would really love to use – “YOUR PRESENCE IS INSISTED”. Now THAT’s the way to summon someone. I’ll try it on Phineas Jr. tonight.
I texted it to P Jr. while he was at the pub last night. I got a reply. Let’s just say it was somewhat negative and not too respectful. No, he didn’t grace me with his presence.
You’re clearly lacking the implicit threat. The implicit threat is everything 😉
That panel with the city it’s great
“As reported by Mr. G. Rucka”, I can definitely see Greg as a journalist. So far we have Eric, Greg, and Bill Murray in the comic strip, so when is Rick going to get a spot in the story?
I just finally got caught up to this series, and MAN it is fun! This would make a great animated show, with Karen Gillan (Amy Pond in Doctor Who) voicing the lead. What do you think?
As long as they get Warren Ellis to do Payne.
Warren Ellis, the writer?
Or…Warren Ellis the violinist? I would allow Nick Cave to do the score for the film version of Lady Sabre (as such decisions are up to me).
But not Grinderman.
A good choice.
She’s played a pirate before, if that helps…
When was that?
It must be real easy to dispose of bodies hereabouts.
I’d say swimming is out, as well.