Free Clockwork Angels: Comic Script by Kevin J. Anderson

mechanical clockwork heart in his hands, like a triumph. In the background we see one of the Angels in her alcove, facing away from us, surrounded by shadow.
    CAPTION (WATCHMAKER)
    The Angels, my beautiful Angels …
    PANEL 3
    The Watchmaker stands at the stone back of one of the Angels, where there is a hinged opening. He inserts the mechanical heart into her back.
    CAPTION (WATCHMAKER)
    My most perfect accomplishment.
    PANEL 4
    Big dramatic panel: The Watchmaker stands back as the Angel glows with light (still facing away from us). Her stone wings spread out gloriously as she stretches.
    WATCHMAKER
    Animate!
    PANEL 5
    Extreme close-up of the Angel’s stone eye—-gray stone and unnatural, like an alabaster statue. It is narrowed, filled with hate. Inside the stone iris, the pupil is FILLED WITH clockwork gears.
    CAPTION (WATCHMAKER)
    Why do they hate me so?
    PAGE 16
    PANEL 1
    Back at the carnival, bright sunlight, the carnies gathered around the camp. (It’s not a show day.) Cesar Magnusson stands on one of the trestle tables in his full costume. He holds up a fancy proclamation in his hand, the back of which is stamped with the honeybee symbol of the Watchmaker.
    CESAR MAGNUSSON
    Attention all carnies! We have received a great honor! The WATCHMAKER HIMSELF has invited us to perform for him in Chronos Square.
    CESAR
    We have tickets for everyone.
    PANEL 2
    With Magnusson continuing his announcement, while the other carnies are listening in delight, Owen is staring across the crowd, starry-eyed at Francesca, who is on the other side of the crowd, chatting and chuckling with Tomio. Use lighting and color to emphasize that our focus is on Owen and his connection to Francesca. Tickets are being passed around, and Owen takes his without really paying any attention.
    CESAR (CONTINUES)
    This is remarkable. Two days from now, the Watchmaker will be watching US.
    PANEL 3
    Owen, looking very nervous, stands outside Francesca’s tent. She opens the tent flap to face him.
    OWEN (VERY SMALL VOICE)
    Francesca …
    FRANCESCA
    Owen Hardy, I didn’t know I gave you a permanent invitation to come to my tent!
    OWEN
    I …
    PANEL 4
    In his hands, pleading, he holds out the dried and rumpled rose she gave him earlier.
    OWEN
    F-Francesca, I—I can’t think of anyone but you. We’re going to perform for the Watchmaker, and then the carnival is going to some small towns … even Barrel Arbor before the end of the season!
    OWEN
    When we’re there, you can meet my father. We could be together. Settle down. I’d be apple orchard MANAGER. We could … please … we could get married—
    PANEL 5
    Close-up Francesca. She is startled, shocked, laughing.
    FRANCESCA
    Oh, Owen Hardy! You’re such a sweet, silly, unrealistic boy!
    FRANCESCA
    I’d never let myself be trapped like that!
    PANEL 6
    Owen stands there, mouth open, tears welling in his eyes, paralyzed with the devastating news that she has turned him down. He is completely crushed.
    PANEL 7
    Owen runs away, fleeing toward us, while in the extreme background we see a dismayed-looking Francesca calling after him.
    FRANCESCA
    Owen, wait. I didn’t mean—
    PANEL 8
    Close-up of the crumpled rose on the ground in front of Francesca’s tent.
    PAGE 17
    PANEL 1
    Long panel, Owen walks into the night away from the carnival. It’s an open field, shadowy. Behind him in the distance are the lights of the carnie camp. He has almost reached a line of steamliner tracks that run mostly perpendicular to his path.
    CAPTION (OWEN)
    What did I see?
    PANEL 2
    Owen, head hung down and devastated, walks on the tracks between the rails, which dwindle to a vanishing point in the distance, heading toward the glowing city lights of Crown City. (All rails lead to Crown City, of course.)
    CAPTION (OWEN)
    Fool that I was!
    PANEL 3
    Dramatic panel. Suddenly, the Anarchist is standing there, a big ominous figure, cape flowing behind him. Owen is startled, looks small in comparison.
    ANARCHIST
    I knew you’d be