PANEL 1

Outdoors, night. Closeup of CAT as she appears to be riding something. Well, she is. It’s DARIEN; the top of his shaved head is in the panel, in case it’s not obvious. It probably isn’t, given the artist’s alleged skill.

CAT: Thanks for getting me out of there, Darien. I really, really appreciate it.

PANEL 2

The scene takes place on the street with a few carefully planted trees surrounded by iron fencing. In the background is the silhouette of downtown. DARIEN is carrying CAT on his back, grinning as though having his hoodie stretched and wrinkled by her small, clinging hands is no big deal. CEIBHFHIONN walks a few paces behind DARIEN, looking less than amused or impressed with CAT.

DARIEN: Hey, no problem! I’d give the shirt off my back, but my back’s just as good for piggyback rides, heh.

CEIBHFHIONN: <groan>

PANEL 3

CAT’s eyes are still large and panicked. DARIEN continues speaking. It’s not clear if CAT’s distress is because of DARIEN carrying on, but it might be.

DARIEN: I didn’t think I could paralyze an entire room of people, but I guess my useless superpower isn’t so useless after all! I surprised myself, being able to talk about the behavioral habits of woodcock birds. Watching all those online videos really came in handy after all-

PANEL 4

CEIBHFHIONN puts a hand on DARIEN’s shoulder.

CEIBHFHIONN: Darie, love, I think you’ve demonstrated your talent enough for the evening. I think we should say good night to your little friend.

PANEL 5

CAT has calmed down a bit, though her grip on DARIEN’s hoodie hasn’t loosened.

DARIEN: Yeah. Hey, Cat, didn’t you mention wanting to get some takeout before going home?

CAT: I think.

DARIEN: We’re pretty close to a Chinese place if that fits the bill.

PANEL 6

Outside the Golden Duck, a typical Chinese restaurant. The sign has the golden outline of a Mandarin duck, the restaurant name. On the wall, in between glowing windows, is a sign as tall as an average person declaring that, “Summer favorites are back!” and showing a long list of dishes and their prices. CAT walks towards the door alone. DARIEN and CEIBHFHIONN stand off to the side on the walk.

DARIEN: I like her. She’s silly.

CEIBHFHIONN: Hmph.

PANEL 7

Indoors. CAT stands at the counter, looking up at the posted digital menus above. A worker stands behind the counter, tapping on the touchscreen monitor, minding his business until his services are required.

PANEL 8

The central menu shows a watercolor illustration of a Mandarin duck. Below is the text: Try our American-sized munchy box! May cause high cholesterol, racing heart, blindness, brittle nails, intestinal distress, bowel cancer, diabetes, hallucinations, possible Marian visions, and bad breath.

PANEL 9

CAT considers the sign with a sense of doubt.

CAT: (thinking) I’m afraid to know.

PANEL 10

CAT looks over at the worker.

CAT: Excuse me, just how big is the American munchie box?

PANEL 11

The WORKER bends down behind the counter to retrieve something.

PANEL 12

He puts the box on the counter. It’s as long as CAT is tall. Although she’s seen from the back, CAT appears stunned and puts a hand up to her face.

WORKER: This big.

PANEL 13

Outside, a concerned DARIEN chats with CEIBHFHIONN.

DARIEN: Well, I didn’t get a bad vibe from her.

PANEL 14

CEIBHFHIONN, grim and stern, stares off in the distance.

CEIBHFHIONN: Trust me, Darie, there’s something dark around her. She’s been touched by something.

PANEL 15

DARIEN hangs his head, crestfallen. CEIBHFHIONN couldn’t care less how he feels.

DARIEN: I don’t see it.

CEIBHFHIONN: You’re not connected to the other realms as I am.

PANEL 16

CAT is outside the restaurant, struggling with the giant takeout box. DARIEN sturns towards her, all smiles again.

DARIEN: Wow! That’ll last you a month!

PANEL 17

CAT stuffs the corner of the massive box into her purse. Yellow, glowy ribbons of magic begin to swallow the box. DARIEN has his hands up in amazement.

CAT: Excuse me a moment. I need to put this away.

DARIEN: Hold up! You got a pocket dimension?! Way cool! Those are hard to get a hold of!

PANEL 18

CAT finishes with hiding her munchie box. Wisps of magic dissipate in the air by her side.

CAT: Yeah, I knew a guy back in North Carolina who can form them. It’s one of the few luxuries I could afford.

CEIBHFHIONN: Aye, and now you’ll be affording more luxuries, won’t you?

PANEL 19

CAT: Maybe even a car I can actually drive.

DARIEN: Don’t you have that van?

PANEL 20

CAT: I do. But, one, I don’t know if it even runs. And, two, I can’t drive stick.

PANEL 21

DARIEN grins. CEIBHFHIONN has a “what the hell are you saying” expression on her already sour face.

DARIEN: I can teach you!

PANEL 22

CAT takes a business card from DARIEN.

DARIEN: Teaching expats and long-stay tourists how to drive in Ireland is my bread and butter! First lesson’s free!

CAT: That’s serendipitous. I’ll keep that in mind for sure. Right now, I need to figure out how to get home. I think the centaurs stopped running an hour ago.

PANEL 23

CEIBHFHIONN sneers off to the side. CAT and DARIEN regard her with distate and confusion, respectively.

CEIBHFHIONN: Don’t encourage those beasts. They’ve already made a hames of the roads, running wherever they please.

CAT: (muttering) I liked the centaur I met today.

PANEL 24

CAT taps away on her phone.

CAT: I guess that leaves…

PANEL 25

A tall, gaunt figure takes up the entire small panel. Something is off–he’s holding his severed, conscious head in his lap. His eyes are a sickly, watery blue and sit in his wrinkled face; his skin is sallow; his teeth are crooked and rotten, and his grey hair looks matted. But he does look dapper in his morning vest and top hat, so he has that going for him.

DULLAHAN: Call A Head, at your service, madame.

PANEL 26

CAT stands near the old-timey carriage. This model has the driver sitting behind the cabin. The whip is really a long rod with a blue flame at the end. The flame matches the flame in the carriage lamps and the reins that bind a glowing, yellow horse to the vehicle. A proper gentleman, the DULLAHAN has doffed his hat to CAT.

CEIBHFHIONN and DARIEN stand a bit aways, their backs to the viewer; DARIEN seems concerned. The goddess’s face isn’t visible, but it’s evident how she feels about this development.

DULLAHAN: So pleased to make your acquaintance, miss.

CAT: (nervously) Pleased to make yours… You’re a…

DULLAHAN: THE Dullahan. Have no fear. I only do this during my off hours.

DARIEN: Is he safe to ride with?

CEIBHFHIONN: Oh, sure. Safe as oil in the ocean.

PANEL 27

CAT sits inside the cabin, her fingers along the window frame. She looks out at DARIEN, appearing somewhat concerned about the predicament she willingly walked into.

CAT: I’ll see you later, Darien… I hope. Thanks for everything.

DARIEN: See ya.

CAT: Bye, Ceibhfhionn.

CEIBHFHIONN: (off-panel) Aye.

PANEL 28

The carriage trundles down the road. The horse pulling it along is an interesting creature with an electric mane that seems to float, as if tossed about by a constant breeze. Its green eyes glow in its glowing yellow face. The rein made from blue flame surrounds its neck and muzzle.

CAT sits in the cabin with her hands folded on her lap. The DULLAHAN stares straight on with a smile barely visible on his rotten face.

CAT: So, uh, the death business is slow these days?

DULLAHAN: Not really, but people are living longer.

PANEL 29

A side view of the carriage. The DULLAHAN appears to also possess incredible stretching powers, as he holds his head by the hair, sans hat, near the window on the other side of the carriage, looking in on CAT. She’s not entirely pleased with this.

DULLAHAN: I get to meet all sorts of new faces this way. Even old Barty Griffin himself! Well, I met him through the usual way.

PANEL 30

CAT’s eyes grow huge, tinged with a hint of horror.

CAT: The usual way. You mean…

PANEL 31

The DULLAHAN has put his head back on his lap, replacing his top hat. He seems more chipper than before.

DULLAHAN: Good sport, Barty Griffin. Didn’t put up a fight at all!

PANEL 32

The back view of the carriage as it rides over a hill. In the distance are green hills and forest stretching into the night.

DULLAHAN: HA HA HA HA HA HA!