PANEL 1

CILLIAN, in majestic red stag form, spies from behind dense foliage. In the distance, the figures of CAT and RUTH the solicitor appear as white silhouettes against the open garage. CAT’s posture is slumped in an expression of despair as she regards the stick-shift Westfalia.

CILLIAN: (thinking) So Cat’s looking over the old van!

PANEL 2

CAT leans back against the front of the van, her hands shielding her face in an expression of teeth-gritting distress.

CILLIAN: (thinking, off-screen) Looks like she’s enjoying herself. Maybe I’ll go over tomorrow and give her a proper housewarming.

PANEL 3

CILLIAN leisurely wanders back into the depths of the forest. The trees gradually fade into darkness. The air is infused with ethereal sparkles, hinting to something otherworldly and forbidden that lies beyond normal reach.

CILLIAN: (singing mentally) All the leaves start swaying / To the breeze that’s playing / On a thousand violins…

PANEL 4

CAT stands at attention. RUTH glances up from reading a paper.

CAT: Hey, what was that?

RUTH: Hm?

CAT: It looked like a red deer! He was in the trees, and as soon as I spotted him, he turned around and left.

PANEL 5

A haunting view of towering evergreen trees and the dark greenery depths beyond.

RUTH: (off-screen) Oh, you saw Chancer! He’s a sneaky one. Careful you don’t leave the gate to your garden open, or he’ll have himself a nice buffet. Sunflowers are his favorite.

CAT: (off-screen) So the property comes with deer problems on top of pooka infestation. Eugh…

RUTH: (off-screen) It’s not such a bad deal.

CAT: (off-screen) Wait, sunflowers grow in Ireland? At this house? <gasp!>

RUTH: (off-screen) See? Told you it wasn’t so bad!

PANEL 6

CAT looks over at RUTH.

CAT: You seem to know a lot about this place. Were you and Barty close?

PANEL 7

RUTH looks contemplative as she touches a hand to her cheek. The elbow of that arm rests in the crook of her other arm.

RUTH: Maybe in a “let’s have a pint” way, but not in a “let me divulge all my secrets” way. Still, becoming his solicitor was quite the accomplishment for an Eoin Fame fan!

PANEL 8

Both women turn around to face the van.

CAT: So what can you tell me about the van?

RUTH: It was the star of the best ever, sadly short-lived series on Irish television!

PANEL 9

A dark gradient descends along the page. In the center, a single panel with blurred edges portrays a flashback of the van during better days. It tears up a rolly incline, flinging rocks in its wake. A younger BARTY, his wavy dark hair flying in the greeze, grins at the wheel. His elbow rests on the window ledge. Beside him is the silhouette of a woman with flowing hair. On the side of the van is a logo done in a bubbly 70s-style font: THE EOIN FAME.

In the surrounding woods, various supernatural folk make appearances: a pooka in the foreground has its mouth agape in consternation; a leprechaun shaking his fist at the van; CERNUNNOS observing nearby, his expression inscrutable; two swans soaring behind the van as if keeping pace.

RUTH: (V.O.) The Eoin Fame was a van, a show, and one man’s mission to bridge the centuries-old divide between mortals and Otherworld folk. Together with his lovely assistant, an American girl known only as Lyds, they went over the length and breadth of Ireland and the Otherworld. All the kids love it, naturally. We lived through Barty, going into the Otherworld, hanging out with all manner of supernatural beings! But we didn’t realize the impact he was having on everyone he met. We didn’t understand the good that The Eoin Fame was doing.

PANEL 10 

The gradient grows back to white as we return to the present.

RUTH: (V.O.) We owe a great deal to that man. I don’t think we’d have nearly the same kind of peace between the worlds if not for him.

PANEL 11

CAT and RUTH face each other in front of the van.

CAT: But why call the van “The Eoin Fame”?

RUTH: I suppose it was one of those secrets he didn’t want to divulge. Took it to his grave.

CAT: Was it that important that he kept it to himself?

RUTH: That or he was just messing with people.

PANEL 12

RUTH claps her hands together. Her blue eyes turn into sparks.

RUTH: He was a prankster at times, but he was never cruel. And he always loved having a laugh and making others think.That’s why he still shone after all these years, long after the dewy glow of stardom faded. God, did he ever shine!

PANEL 13

CAT quirks her mouth, appearing a bit uncomfortable.

CAT: Hmm. Just a… couple of questions… I hope you don’t mind.

RUTH: (off-screen) Go ahead.

CAT: How do your eyes do that starry thing?

PANEL 14

RUTH doesn’t seem the least bit offended.

RUTH: Oh! That’s from my ancestor, Brunissen, on my mother’s side. Mind, only my eyes have the “god spark”. I haven’t the talent for herbs and healing.

CAT: (off-screen) Ohh.

PANEL 15

CAT and RUTH are now turned to face the forest.

CAT: So you’re a demigod?

RUTH: Of a sort. But so is half of Ireland’s native population. Half our non-native population, too, for that matter! You can’t throw a stick and not hit someone descended from a god, goddess, pooka, or some other supernatural sort.

CAT: (thinking) Pooka?

PANEL 16

RUTH shrugs her shoulders, smiling.

RUTH: Lots of older people take pride in that sort of thing, but us youngers? Maybe we do, but we also have a saying: “That and €3 will get you a flat white.” Non-demis are impressed, sure, but even the Dagda’s own descendants have to earn a living.

PANEL 17

This impresses CAT, who smiles.

CAT: Wise words. I like the way you think, Ms. McGillicutty. One more question.

RUTH: (off-screen) Of course!

PANEL 18

CAT faces the van, her back to the viewer.

CAT: Why did Barty Griffin choose me… someone he’s never met?

PANEL 19

RUTH ponders for a moment.

RUTH: All I can tell you, Ms. Modean, is that he never divulged that bit of info, either.