Chase: Found And Lost — Part 7

The script for the first issue of my pulp fantasy-noir, Chase: Found and Lost, concludes with Part 7. So, without further ado… The conclusion of issue one of Chase: Found and Lost…

• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 1
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 2
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 3
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 4
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 5
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 6
  

PAGE 20 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he enters Chase’s office. He is a distinguished man in his early fifties. By his garb it would be apparent that he is of the upper-middle class, if not the lower-upper class.

FLODMERE:
I’m looking for a Mr. Crispin Chase.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he walks toward his desk, carrying his notes on Rose in his hand.

CHASE:
Who isn’t?

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND FLODMERE
as Flodmere steps into the office closing the door behind him. Chase settles in his chair behind his desk. Flodmere looks a bit taken aback by Chase’s comment. Chase, of course, just looks tired and beaten.

FLODMERE:
I beg your pardon?

CHASE:
It’s been a long night. If I owe you anything you can either have your goons beat it out me tonight, or come back in a few days to collect.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND FLODMERE
as Flodmere crosses the office toward Chase’s desk. Chase is practically leaning back in his chair.

FLODMERE:
You don’t owe me a thing Mr. Chase

CHASE:
Then how may I help you?

PAGE 21 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he gets right to the point in a very business-like manner

FLODMERE:
I need you to find my daughter.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he continues to look relaxed seated behind his desk. His left elbow resting on the arm of the chair and his left hand is rubbing his chin.

CAPTION:
Hmmm… What a coincidence.

CHASE:
Your daughter is missing?

3 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
who looks a pit perturbed by Chase’s response.

FLODMERE:
I assure you Mr. Chase if she were not missing I would not be here.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he straightens up in his chair and tries to look sincere.

CHASE:
Of course… I apologize.

CHASE (2):
How can I help you… Find your daughter?

PAGE 22 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he displays an air of smugness.

FLODMERE:
Do you know who I am, Mr. Chase?

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
who knows exactly who Flodmere is but plays it off nonchalantly.

CAPTION:
I knew exactly who he was.

CHASE:
No, I’m sorry. You seem to have me at a disadvantage.

3 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he straightens in his posture and looks somewhat taken aback.

FLODMERE:
Really? You think someone in your line of work… Investigation, is it not? You would have a better idea of Stoneport’s more influential citizens.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he looks Flodmere directly in the eye.

CHASE:
Well, in my line of work, investigation, you’re probably better off with me not knowing too much about you.

PAGE 23 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as his attention turns to window – only to break from Chase’s glare.

FLODMERE:
I see your point, Mr. Chase.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND FLODMERE
as Chase shows the slightest of smirks Flodmere looks a bit uncomfortable.

CAPTION:
That response usually ended the “don’t you know who I am” conversation rather quickly with the “influential”.

3 – ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he returns his attention to Chase.

FLODMERE:
Now, if we could return to the point at hand…

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he now leans forward with his elbows on his desk and his fingers entertwined.

CHASE:
Yes, your daughter. Let’s start with her name.

PAGE 24 (Two Panels)

1 –ANGLE ON FLODMERE
as he stands tall and upright in front of Chase’s desk. He slightly cocks his head and stares directly at Chase.

FLODMERE:
Her name?

FLODMERE (2):
Well, her name is Rose.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
seated behind his desk as he stares back at Flodmere. His face reveals nothing – but his eyes…

CAPTION:
Rose.

CAPTION:
Of course… Her name had to be Rose. With the way my luck was going, would it have been any other name?

NON-CHASE CAPTION:
To be continued.

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

The Chase: Found and Lost Issue 1 script in its entirety can be found as a pdf here, or on my Writing page. I hope that if you gave it a read you enjoyed it. I hope a bit more that you might know of an artist or publisher interested in a quirky fantasy-noir tale about a down on his luck half-elf detective.

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 6

My pulp fantasy-noir continues with Part 6 of the first issue of Chase: Found and Lost. I’m throwing in an extra page this round as well since the script runs a couple of pages longer than the standard 22. If you need to catch up links to the previous parts are below.

• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 1
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 2
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 3
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 4
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 5
  

PAGE 16 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN AND CHASE
as Gutman surveys the office. Chase attempts to straighten up the desk a bit.

GUTMAN:
If I’ve come at an inappropriate time…

CHASE:
No… Sorry about the condition of the place. I recently had to let the help go.

2 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN AND CHASE
as Chase almost chuckles at Gutman’s reply.

GUTMAN:
I understand.

CHASE:
If only.

3 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN AND CHASE
as Gutman looks a bit confused. Chase motions toward the empty chair in front of the desk.

GUTMAN:
Excuse me?

CHASE:
No, please excuse me. I’m sorry, you are again?

4 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN
as he settles into the chair in front of Chase’s desk.

GUTMAN:
Victor Gutman.

PAGE 17 (Five Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he settles into the chair behind his desk.

CHASE:
What can I do for Mr. Gutman?

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as they look at each other from across the desk.

GUTMAN:
I’m looking for my daughter.

CHASE:
Alright… And, how old is she?

3 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN
who’s nervousness is beginning to wade and is being replaced with a look of concern.

GUTMAN:
She is old enough to know better, yet young enough for me to be concerned about her.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he becomes more business-like.

CAPTION:
I hated cases like these. They usually turned out to be stickier than honey straight from the hive.

CHASE:
My rate is two hundred fifty up front, plus two hundred fifty upon completion.

5 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN
as he response immediately.

GUTMAN:
That sounds very reasonable.

PAGE 18 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he leans forward in his chair.

CAPTION:
He didn’t even blink at that amount. I figured I would press it.

CHASE:
Plus…Twenty a day to cover expenses.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Gutman displays a questioning look. Chase, on the other hand, grows a bit more serious.

GUTMAN:
Twenty a day? How long does an investigation like this usually take?

CHASE:
Are you concerned about your daughter, Mr. Gutman?

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Chase tries to read Gutman from across the desk.

GUTMAN:
Of course I am.

CHASE:
More concerned than you are for a mere twenty coins a day?

4 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN
as he straightens up and sits upright in his chair.

GUTMAN:
I see your point Mr. Chase.

PAGE 19 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he works at his desk. There is a candle that is burning very low. He is scribbling notes on parchment.

CAPTION:
I burnt a fresh candle to the nub getting all of Gutman’s details regarding his daughter.

2 – TIGHT ANGLE ON CHASE
as he contemplates his new case.

CAPTION:
Her name was Rose.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he gazes out of the window.

CAPTION:
I had a case. Whether or not I’d be able to solve it wasn’t a concern. Regardless of if I could find this Rose or not, five days of investigation would get me out of hawk with Weathers. Another four days and I’d be square with the Burnt Cork.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he turns his attention away from the window and toward the knocking at the door.

SFX:
Knock. Knock.

CAPTION:
Now what?

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 5

My pulp fantasy-noir continues with Part 5 of Chase: Found and Lost. If you need to catch up links to the previous parts are below.

• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 1
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 2
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 3
• Chase: Found and Lost – Part 4

PAGE 13 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO – CHASE’S P.O.V.
as Goon One is checking the coin pouch they got off of Chase for its contents. He has emptied a few coins into his palm. Goon Two looks on from behind Goon One’s shoulder.

GOON ONE:
We’ll go ahead and take what you’ve got here for Mr. Weathers and let him know that you’ll pay the rest of your debt posthaste.

2 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as Goon Two slips out into the hall, Goon One looks back at Chase and readies to close the door behind him as he leaves.

GOON ONE:
Good evening, Mr. Chase.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he lies on the floor. His face is rather beaten. Blood leaks from his nose and a cut above his eye. He is not a pretty picture.

CHASE:
Hmmm…

CAPTION:
Well, at least the day was coming to an end. Unconsciousness wasn’t far away.

4 – HIGH ANGLE ON CHASE
looking down as he lies unconscious amid the mess of his ransacked office.

PAGE 14 (Four Panels)

1 – BLACK
a panel of complete black.

GUTMAN (O.P.):
Crispin Chase?

2 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN – CHASE’S P.O.V.
as Chase strains to open his eyes he is met with the blurry image of a man standing before him. From what can be determined it is apparent that the man is rather stout, perhaps balding and wringing something in his hands.

GUTMAN:
Are you alive?

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he regains consciousness. While he is a bit battered and bruised – a black eye, a few scrapes, dried blood from his nose and lips – he could be much more worse off. He is propping himself up.

CAPTION:
Actually, I had no idea if I was or not.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Chase is touching his own face to see if it is still together. Gutman stands over him wringing the hat in his hands and looking concerned. Chase winces as he touches his own face.

CHASE:
Ouch?

CAPTION:
Yes. I was alive. I hurt too much to be dead.

PAGE 15 (Six Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Chase gets to his feet and Gutman looks on.

CHASE:
Ugh…

2 – ANGLE ON GUTMAN
as he continues to wring the hat in his hands – still a bit nervous.

GUTMAN:
Are you Crispin Chase?

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Chase looks like he’s about too fall down at any moment. Gutman isn’t sure if he should reach out with a steadying hand.

CHASE:
That depends whose asking.

GUTMAN:
Victor Gutman. I’m in need of your investigation services.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND GUTMAN
as Chase gives Gutman the once-over. He looks a bit skeptical. Gutman still appears a bit nervous.

CHASE:
You paying?

GUTMAN:
But, of course. I wouldn’t think of…

5 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as Chase gently touches one of the newly forming bruises on his face.

CHASE:
Where were you earlier?

GUTMAN (Off Panel):
I’m sorry.

6 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he begins to walk back around his desk.

CHASE:
Never mind. What is it? How can I help you?

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 4

Here’s the latest installment of the fantasy pulp noir comic book script. If you want to start at the beginning the first part can be found here.

PAGE 10 (Five Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he walks back around to the other side of his desk. He is surveying the damage within his office. His foot bumps a turned over desk drawer on the floor.

CAPTION:
Lana had no doubt that I would come for her when I was ready to re-open the office.

CAPTION:
Unfortunately, I did.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE’S HAND
as he reaches down to pick up a drawer from the desk that is now lying on the floor upside down to reveal some of it’s contents that has spilled out – including a corked clay flask.

CAPTION:
I had been in tight situations before, but this… This was a noose around my neck that showed no signs of giving any slack.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he sits behind his desk. He is pouring the contents of the clay flask into a small clay cup that sits amid the scattered mess on the desk. The coin pouch has been tossed onto the desk. He has also lit a candle or two on the desk.

CAPTION:
I had run out of options here in the free city of Stoneport – the so-called city of opportunities.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he lifts the small clay cup to his lips. The flask is now sitting on the desk next to the coin pouch.

CAPTION:
Perhaps it was time the hang my shingle somewhere else – another city, another town.

SOUND FX:
Knock Knock

5 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he scowls – his drink interrupted – and glares in the direction of the closed door.

CHASE:
Sorry, we’re closed.

PAGE 11 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as they enter Chase’s office. Their cloak hoods are down and no longer hiding their features. Goon One – a human – is the smaller of the two. While not particularly short, he is rather thin. He is also not a very attractive man – his nose has been broken a number of times. The stockier goon – Goon Two – appears to have orcish blood mixed with his heritage – an ugly fellow to say the least. He looks anxious to get to work.

GOON ONE:
You’ll make an exception for us.

CAPTION:
I knew they’d come back sooner or later. It just turned out to be much more sooner than I thought.

2 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as they slowly cross the room toward Chase and his desk. They make no effort to conceal the blades hanging from their belts.

GOON ONE:
I’m sure you know why we’re here.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he pours himself another drink and motions to the coin pouch on the desk with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

CHASE:
Yeah. Everything I’ve got is there on the desk. Take it.

4 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as they look down at the seated Chase.

GOON ONE:
Our employer, Willem Weathers, has been rather patient with you Chase. He’s not making any demands that he’s not entitled to.

PAGE 12 (Five Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
seated behind his desk with his elbows on the desktop and fingers intertwined. The cup is now sitting next to the flask on the desk.

CHASE:
Look, it’s been a lean season. I’m sure I’ll be able to square up with your boss in a couple of days.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE, GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as Goon Two is reaching over the desk and yanking Chase up and over. (Chase is not having a good day.) Goon One has stepped aside but is still reaching over to grab Chase. The flask and cup spill in the process.

GOON ONE:
You don’t have any days left Chase.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE, GOON ONE AND GOON TWO
as the two Goons are laying the beat down on the prone Chase with flailing punches and swift kicks.

CAPTION:
I wasn’t worried about them killing me. If they killed me they’d never be able to collect. And, I owed too much to Weathers for them not to collect.

4 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO – CHASE’S P.O.V.
as the Goons hover over Chase with their fists plummeting down upon him.

CAPTION:
They just wanted to reiterate the importance of me paying what I owed.

5 – TIGHT ANGLE ON CHASE
as the two Goon’s fists connect with his now bloody and beaten face.

CAPTION:
Weathers’ goons were very thorough about stuff like that.

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 3

It’s been awhile since I posted a segment from my “pulp fantasy noir” comic book script Chase: Lost and Found. You can find part one here, and part two here. I’ve sort of been on a fantasy kick lately and have been given this concept, and a few new ones a lot of gray mattering.

PAGE 7 (Three Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he bursts into his office throwing open a plank door. Hanging on the outside of the door is a modest wood engraved placard that reads Chase Investigations. We can see very little of the office at this point, but what we can see shows evidence of a ransacking. Perhaps there’s a knocked over stool or chair near the door and some parchment papers scattered about. Chase looks very concerned.

CHASE:
Lana? You all right?

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as more of Chases office is revealed. There are a few lanterns providing light. There are two desks – one Chase’s the other Lana’s, his secretary – with accompanying chairs. There are a few other chairs thrown about, a couple of knocked over tables. Books and scrolls tossed out of bookcases, an open chest with it’s contents strewn and hanging out, knocked over candle stands, etc…

Lana is kneeling in the middle of the room trying to make some order of the mess. She looks up at Chase as he rapidly approaches. She is an attractive human woman – a bit frightened looking, but unhurt.

CHASE:
Lana, did those goons hurt you?

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as Lana stands with her arms full of parchment. Chase places a hand on both of her shoulders. She can’t help but look a bit pleased by Chase’s concern.

LANA:
No. I’m fine, Mr. Chase. They didn’t touch me. Unfortunately I couldn’t stop them from tearing apart the office.

CHASE:
As long as you’re fine. That’s what’s important.

PAGE 8 (Five Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as they both survey the disaster within the office. Chase is scratching his head.

LANA
They were looking for gold. They said that you owned their employer quite a bit.

CHASE:
I probably do.

2 – TIGHT ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as Lana looks at Chase with concern.

LANA:
They said that they’d be back.

CHASE:
Oh… I’m sure they will be.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he avoids eye contact with Lana.

CHASE:
Look Lana… I want you to take a few days off. In fact, don’t come back until I contact you.

4 – ANGLE ON LANA
who looks legitimately hurt – emotionally.

LANA:
Are you firing me, Mr. Chase?

5 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he looks directly into Lana’s eyes while he reaches for a pouch tucked in his belt in back and underneath his coat.

CHASE:
No. I’m just shutting down the office for a little while. I’ll come find you when we’re ready to re-open.

PAGE 9 (Six Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as Chase takes one of her hands in his and thrust the small pouch of coins into grip with his other hand. Lana looks somewhat taken aback.

CHASE:
Now, take this.

LANA:
I can’t take this, Mr. Chase. It’s all you’ve got.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
as Chase shows her to the door with one hand on the small of her back and the other making sure she has a good grip on the pouch of coins.

CHASE:
Take it. I owe you a lot more than this. Better you have it than those goons that showed up earlier.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA
who have stopped before reaching the door – about halfway across the room. Lana is pouring some of the coins out of the pouch and into her free hand. Chase cannot help but smile because of Lana’s generosity and concern. Lana is looking down as she pours the coins into her hand.

LANA:
I’ll take half. You’ll need the other half.

CHASE:
Thanks. You’re a good kid.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND LANA

as Lana hands the now half full coin pouch back to Chase and he slides a finger under Lana’s chin lifting it up to look her in the eyes.

LANA:
Promise me you’ll find me when you’re ready to re-open.

CHASE:
I promise.

5 – ANGLE ON LANA
as she stands in the open doorway leading out to the hall. She looks concerned, yet a trace of hopefulness radiates from her eyes. Maybe in the foreground and to the side we can partially see Chase from behind as he watches her leave.

LANA
Good night, Mr. Chase.

6 – ANGLE ON CHASE
after Lana has left and shut the door behind her. He has a somber look. The room appears somewhat darker now in Lana’s absence.

CHASE:
Goodbye, Lana.

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 2

Hey, faithful readers… You can stop holding your breath — here is part two of my Raymond Chandler meets J.R.R. Tolkien, “pulp fantasy noir” comic book script, Chase: Found and Lost. You can find part one here. Um… If you’re an artist that digs this kind of thing…

PAGE 4 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he tries to manage a weak smile.

CHASE:
Look… I, uh, can’t actually cover my tab since he didn’t show. I can, uh…

2 – ANGLE ON AHLMIER
as he holds up a hand motioning Chase to stop talking.

AHLMIER:
I understand Mr. Chase. I of course must ask you to leave and not to return until you can pay for your current tab.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE WITH BOUNCER #1 AND BOUNCER #2
standing directly behind the seated Chase. The two bouncers are brutes. One is a big human – the size of those competitors in those “strong man” competitions – with various tribal-like tattoos and a bald head. The other bouncer isn’t quite human. He might be a human/ogre – a real brutish looking guy – perhaps with large incisors sticking up out from between his lips.

CHASE
Yeah. I figured. Are they both standing behind me right now?

4 – ANGLE ON AHLMIER
who can’t help but display a sly smirk as he stares directly at Chase while he reaches for the last empty mug on the bar in front of Chase.

AHLMIER:
Yes, Mr. Chase.

AHLMIER:
Good evening, Mr. Chase.

PAGE 5 (Four Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND BOUNCER #1 AND BOUNCER #2
as the two bouncers roughly lift Chase off of his stool and away from the bar. There is a bouncer on either side of him and they’ve got shoulders and elbows and lift him up with ease.

CHASE
Now, take it easy fellas.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND BOUNCER #1 AND BOUNCER #2
as they carry Chase away from the bar and toward the exit. Ahlmier can be seen in the background behind the bar as he turns his attention to a paying customer. The bouncers are easily hauling him toward the front of the establishment like a piece of unwanted trash.

CAPTION:
It wasn’t the first time that I’d been thrown out of a tavern.

3 – TIGHT ON ANGLE ON CHASE
as the bouncers “accidentally” smash his jaw into a large and heavy wooden chair – knocking it over. Chase is wincing in pain.

CAPTION:
But, it was one of the rougher times.

4 – EXT. BURNT CORK TAVERN – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he crashes through one of the sets of windows in front of the tavern – having been thrown out by the two bouncers. A couple of innocent passersby – maybe a few merchants or local farmers – react to Chase crashing out through the broken windowpanes.

CAPTION:
Still, I had seen the help at the Burnt Cork do much worse while escorting nonpaying customers out of the tavern.

PAGE 6 – (Five Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he sits amid a large puddle on the edge of the cobblestone street in front of the Burnt Cork tavern. He is wet, dirty, and a bit tattered. He is rubbing his jaw.

CAPTION:

Besides not being allowed to return until I had settled up, I knew Ahlmier would hire collectors to see that I paid my tab one way or the other.

2 – EXT. ANOTHER STONEPORT STREET – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he is walking along a line of two and three story buildings deep within the city near the less desirable neighborhoods. It is near dusk and there are fewer pedestrians about than before – maybe only one or two poorer citizens looking for a place to spend the night out of the elements. Chase does not appear to be in the best of spirits. His head is hung low as he is nearing a corner.

CAPTION:
I hadn’t had a paying case for nearly two-dozen days. The coffers of Chase Investigations were getting low. Very low.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he rounds the corner and comes to an abrupt stop as he spies something off panel.

CHASE:
Whoa.

4 – ANGLE ON GOON ONE AND GOON TWO – CHASE’S P.O.V.
as they hurry out of Chase’s office building – a modest three story structure of wood and stone. If there were an equivalent of a mid-evil office building, this would be it. Not much detail can be seen of the two goons with their hooded cloaks hiding much. But, one appears short and thin. The other is of medium height and a bit stockier than the other.

CAPTION:
What’s this? A couple of goons hurrying out of my building.

5 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he suddenly comes to the realization of something – or someone very important.

CAPTION:
Goons like that usually showed up at my office for only one reason.

CHASE:
Lana…

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

Chase: Found And Lost — Part 1

A couple of years ago I had an idea for a comic book that I guess I would describe as “pulp fantasy noir” — Raymond Chandler meets J.R.R. Tolkien, or if Dashiell Hammett was ever to have been a Dungeon Master. I wrote the script for the first issue of what I’m tentatively calling Chase, but of course being a pulp detective story it gets a sub-title, so I call it Chase: Found and Lost. I’m not sure if it’ll ever see the light of day as a published comic book, so I thought I’d share it here.

PAGE ONE (3 Panels)

1 – EXT. STONEPORT STREET – DAY – ANGLE ON CRISPIN CHASE
as he maneuvers through the regular bustle of the mid-day crowd of one of the realms largest cities. It is a “classic” mid-evil fantasy setting. Peddlers are hawking their wares. Soldiers are keeping an eye on things. Farmers coming into the city to sale their crops and buy supplies. While there is plenty of activity going on, the street is not too crowded. And, not everyone is human. The city of Stoneport is populated by other races as well — such as elves, dwarves, gnomes, even the occasional ogre. While other races are present, humans still clearly outnumber the other races. Most of the population is lower or middle class — no real upper class types to be seen. The skies are dark with clouds and it’s apparent that it has recently rained with the cobblestone street filled with many puddles. Most of the citizens on the street have their cloaks pulled tight around their bodies to protect themselves from the chill.

Now, on to Chase… He is a half-elf — half human and half elf. Being half human he is not quite as thin and fair as most elves, but some elfish features are still apparent — such as slightly pointed ears. He has a slight grimace on his. He is standing on a boardwalk in front of a general goods store.

CAPTION:
Some days just are not worth waking up for.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he steps off of the boardwalk and onto the street. His foot lands directly into a deep puddle with a splash. His grimace intensifies.

CAPTION:
I had a feeling that today was going to turn out to be one of them.

3 – EXT. BURNT CORK TAVERN – DAY – ANGLE ON CHASE
with his back to us as he crosses the street for the tavern. The establishment is displaying a sign signifying it as the Burnt Cork Tavern. There are plenty of paned windows on either side of the tavern’s two large double doors –- though no real details can be scene through the windows –- they’re too smokey. But, it is obvious that there are patrons within the tavern –- some with drinks hoisted to their lips.

CAPTION:
I had scheduled a meeting with a Mr. Fellows at the Burnt Cork. He was looking for an investigator to confirm his suspicions of his wife’s possible involvement in extracurricular relationships.

PAGE TWO (5 Panels)

1 – INT. BURNT CORK TAVERN – DAY – CHASE’S P.O.V.
Like the street outside, the interior of the Burnt Cork have all the usual characters and trappings of the “classic” fantasy tavern setting. The tavern is full of all sorts of patrons of various races –- elves, dwarves, gnomes, but mostly humans. We can see adventurers –- warriors, rogues, a wizard or two maybe –- having just returned from a dungeon crawl or preparing to strike out a new adventure. There are local farmers escaping the drudgery of their farm life. A couple of “shady” characters are deep in discussion off to one corner.

At the far end of the tavern is a large bar with numerous hefty-sized barrels ready to dispense ales and stouts on the wall behind it. Wiping down the bar with a rag is Ahlmier -– the tavern’s barkeep. Even from this distance we can see that is glaring at Chase.

CAPTION:
He was referred to be by his mistress.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he slides onto a stool and slumps onto the bar with a sigh. He is already throwing up one finger to get the barkeep’s attention.

CHASE:
Pint of ale.

3 – ANGLE ON AHLMIER
who looks less than thrilled to serve Chase anytime soon. He has draped his rag over his shoulder and has crossed his arms across his chest. He’s a middle-aged man that looks very tired by having been a barkeep most of his adult life.

AHLMIER:
Ah, Mr. Chase. It embarrasses me to remind the good sir that his current tab is well overdue.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he straightens up on his stool and glances around the establishment like he is looking for somebody.

CHASE:
Yeah, about that… Look Ahlmier, I’m meeting a client here, and I’ll be able to settle up before I leave.

5 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND AHLMIER
as they glare across the bar at each other. It looks like it’s a standoff that they’ve both experienced numerous times before.

AHLMIER:
Business has been slow?

CHASE:
You can say that.

PAGE THREE (4 Panels)

1 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he sits at the bar sipping on a mug of ale. There are various tavern patrons in the background behind him going about their usual business of drinking, eating, and conversing.

CAPTION:
I spent the better part of the day waiting for Mr. Fellows. He never showed.

2 – ANGLE ON CHASE
as he is looking about the tavern to his right. To his left, a Serving Wench is placing a plate of bread and cheeses on the bar in front of him. He doesn’t acknowledge the server. The crowd of patrons behind him has changed. While they’re not the same crowd as before, they are pretty much doing the same drinking, eating and conversing.

CAPTION:
If he and his wife were able to come to some sort of reconciliation… Well, good for them. But, reconciliations were bad for business.

3 – ANGLE ON CHASE
who is now sitting at the bar with a few empty mugs scattered about along with the now empty plate save for a few crumbs.

CAPTION:
I should have left after my second pint. I had enough silver in my pocket to cover at least that much. But, against my better judgment, I had hoped that this Fellows guy would actually show up and turn out to be a paying client.

4 – ANGLE ON CHASE AND AHLMIER
as Ahlmier is removing a mug and the plate from the bar. Chase shows the slightest sign of being uncomfortable.

AHLMIER:
So, Mr. Chase… Your friend never arrived?

CHASE:
No. No he didn’t.

Chase: Found and Lost © 2007 Dan Taylor

So, there you have the first three pages from the first issue of Chase — the pulp fantasy noir detective comic book. I’ll post a few more pages shortly so stay tuned for more. If you’re an artist (or know of an artist) looking to do a pulp fantasy noir detective comic book drop me a line.