Big Head Press

PANEL ONE (upper lefthand quadrant of page) Inset: Even later ... Same room. Arthur holds a real Hula-Hoop -- it's hot pink -- at waist level, turning the plastic circle around and around in his hands, looking in vain for the on-off switch. Again, Horatius watches from concealment. Miss Isher is with him. Miss Isher: Why, it's my old Hula-Hoop! Arthur: Where are the controls? ...................................................................... PANEL TWO (upper righthand quadrant of page) Inset: And even later than that ... Valerie looks dismayed. She's holding up both wrists so that Bernie can see them. Her wristwatch and video-phone, composed of a micro-thin layer of smart molecules, has begun to wear off rather badly. Horatius is still watching. Valerie: I can't stamp them on again -- the stamper's on my dresser, 70 years in the future. Bernie: Yeah, mine got messed up in the dumpster. ...................................................................... PANEL THREE (lower lefthand quadrant of page) Closeup of Arthur, looking proud of himself. He's holding up his right wrist to show his telephone stamp, and pressing a button. Nearby, a fairly old-fashioned phone on a small, doily-covered table rings. Arthur: My watch still works, and so does my phone -- watch this! SFX (phone): Driiiiing! ...................................................................... PANEL FOUR (lower righthand quadrant of page) Aunt Innelda pokes a head in the door. Valerie grabs Arthur's wrist, while Bernie grabs the phone off the hook. The two all look guilty and furtive. Valerie (whispers): Stop that! You want to get us in _real_ trouble? Arthur (whispers): How would you describe what we're in now? Innelda: Horatius has gone home. You children should spend the night. We'll sort things out in the morning.
 
Page 86
Page first seen: 2008-07-03

TimePeeper updated with new pages every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday until story end.