PAGE ONE (Five Panels)
PANEL 1
Close on an antiquated gasoline pump sitting out in the bright midday sun. The face of the pump is the type in which the numbers rotate on internal wheels, predating the digital screens of our modern gasoline stations.
CAPTION: In 1973, the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries, OPEC, placed an oil embargo on the United States.
PANEL 2
An oil stained hand grabs a gas nozzle in preparation to service another uncooperative consumer.
CAPTION: OPEC was punishing the US for its support of the country of Israel.
PANEL 3
Close on a pre-digital dashboard with its gas indicator firmly placed on empty and its large and obtrusive gas indicator brightly alit.
CAPTION: The embargo not only humiliated America on the international stage…
PANEL 4
A soft feminine hand gives the oil stained hand a ten-dollar bill.
CAPTION: …It resulted in fuel shortages, higher prices at the pump and in some areas of the US…
PANEL 5
The owner of the oil stained hand wipes the puddle of sweat from his balding forehead as he peers off into the distance.
CAPTION: …RATIONING.
PAGE TWO (Splash Page)
PANEL 1
Pulls back to reveal an extensive line of cars leading up the battered gas station and its equally battered attendant. The trail of cars, all reflecting the time period of the late sixties to the early seventies, contains in the middle of the convoy, the following two cars in particular: a dusty dark Buick is followed closely by a completely battered white Chevy pick-up.
CAPTION: TEXAS
PAGE THREE (Five Panels)
PANEL 1
Tight shot on a pair of dark-skinned feminine hands rolling a joint over a small plastic baggie of marijuana.
RACHEL (Off-Panel): All I'm saying is that it reminds us that we are part of a global village.
PANEL 2
Pull back to reveal an attractive black woman, RACHEL, sitting in the passenger of the over-sized Buick.
RACHEL1: How the actions of a few, greedy men in a country on the other side of the world…
RACHEL2: …can have such an affect on your and my day.
PANEL 3
Pull back to reveal both occupants of the car, Rachel and JACKSON. Jackson, a handsome black man, calmly stares ahead at the unmoving line of cars as Rachel goes to moisten the near completed joint.
JACKSON: All it makes me think of is how the air-conditioning is still broke.
PANEL 4
Tight on Jackson's face as it displays a wry, knowing grin.
JACKSON: That and how no brother would have thought of this cockamamie way to get gas.
PANEL 5
Back on the couple as Rachel spits out some smoke in a slight fit of laughter.
RACHEL: Who says ‘cockamamie'?
PAGE FOUR (Four Wide screen Panels)
PANEL 1
Start with a side-view of the rear 3/4 of the Buick and the front ¼ of the white pick-up behind it, leaving a foot or two gap between vehicles. A slight smoke trail emanates from the Buick.
JACKSON1: I say ‘cockamamie'.
JACKSON2: Why? Does that get you hot and bothered?
PANEL 2
Pan back to now show 2/3 of the Buick & 1/3 of the pick-up. The occupants of the Buick can still be seen, but the pick-up inhabitants are not yet in view.
RACHEL: Bothered, but not hot.
JACKSON1: What if I say it slower?
JACKSON2: Cock-a-ma-mie.
PANEL 3
Continue pan backwards as 1/3 of the Buick and 2/3 of the pick-up are shown. The occupants of the pick-up truck can now be seen while Rachel & Jackson are no longer visible. Sitting in the cab of the pick-up truck are LEE and SAMANTHA, a young white couple that epitomize the concept of “White Trash.” Lee, a scrawny man seemingly just out of his teens, has wisps of blond hair escaping from his battered cowboy hat. While Samantha's gaunt face and torso only brings greater attention to her large, docile eyes. Her dirty blonde hair has a slight curl as it descends down over her worn sundress. Both appear rather serious and offer a strong contrast to the jovial nature of the car in front of them.
LEE: I told you already…
PANEL 4
As the pan backwards reaches its conclusion, ¼ of the Buick is in panel as ¾ of the truck occupies the remainder. The young Caucasian couple continues their conversation.
LEE: …I'm fine, woman.
SAMANTHA: No, something's got you all hot & bothered.
PAGE FIVE (Four Panels)
PANEL 1
Inside the cab of the pick-up, Lee shows an increased sense of agitation as Samantha meekly looks on.
LEE1: Nothing's wrong.
LEE2: Except for you prodding me and shit.
PANEL 2
Samantha has a look of dejection as the two sit in silence.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 3
Repeat of Panel 2's POV as Lee now proceeds to speak.
LEE: Stupid coons, don't they know today is an even numbered day?
PANEL 4
Close on Lee leaning on his horn and shouting.
SFX: HONK!
LEE: Come on. Let's get a move on it!
PAGE SIX (Five Panels)
PANEL 1
Looking though the passenger side window of the truck with Samantha in the forefront, still immersed in her dejection. Lee has eased off the horn, but is no less uptight.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 2
Repeat of Panel 1.
SAMANTHA (Small): I thought that we—
LEE (Overlapping & large): WHAT?
PANEL 3
Close on Samantha's even more timid expression.
SAMANTHA1: I just thought that we could talk.
SAMANTHA2: That's why I came with you.
PANEL 4
Looking through the driver side window with Lee placed in the foreground. Facial expressions are definitely not reading joy and elation.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 5
Repeat of Panel 4.
SAMANTHA: Lee, we never talk anymore.
PAGE SEVEN (Four Panels)
PANEL 1
From the rear gate of the pick-up truck, looking up towards Lee & Samantha in the main cab. The contents of the rear bed of the truck are fully displayed, including a beat-up Louisville Slugger, a couple of gasoline canisters and a length of garden hose (I'm sure Lee wasn't above siphoning off gas when he could).
LEE1: Christ, we talk all the time.
LEE2: Look, we're even talking right now.
PANEL 2
Tight on Lee's flushed face.
LEE: How can you complain about not doing something when you're in the middle of doing it?
PANEL 3
Repeat of Panel 1.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 4
Tight on Samantha's sad and sympathetic visage.
SAMANTHA1: It's not just that. It's how…
SAMANTHA2: It's how we don't talk about why we don't have sex.
PAGE EIGHT (Four Panels)
PANEL 1
Back on the Buick as seen from Lee's POV. The facial expressions of Rachel & Jackson are not seen, only the back of their heads.
RACHEL: That's a total lie.
PANEL 2
Inside the Buick, as a smirking Jackson eggs on the mock indignation of Rachel.
JACKSON: Why? It seems perfectly natural to me to have the sex die out in a relationship.
PANEL 3
Tight on Rachel's reaction of shock and awe.
RACHEL1: How can you..
RACHEL2: Wait, does that mean you think our sex life is just going get worse?
PANEL 4
Same POV as Panel 2 as the smirk is instantly wiped off Jackson's face. His playful game is going to place he did not expect.
NO DIALOGUE
PAGE NINE (Five Panels)
PANEL 1
Tight on an exasperated Jackson.
JACKSON1: What I mean is.. is..
JACKSON2: To keep our sex-life hot over the long run will take some effort.
PANEL 2
Tight on a skeptical Rachel.
JACKSON (Off-Panel): And I'm willing to make that effort.
PANEL 3
Looking through the back window at both occupants. Jackson is now turned to meet the judging glance of Rachel.
JACKSON: Because I'm here for the long haul.
PANEL 4
Through the front windshield looking at Jackson & Rachel. Rachel has turned her attention forward as Jackson remains focused on his lady.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 5
Repeat of Panel 4.
RACHEL: And how long is this “long haul”?
PAGE TEN (Six Panels)
PANEL 1
Same POV as previous panel (Page 9, Panel 5) applied to Lee & Samantha in the dilapidated pick-up. Lee and Samantha's eye-lines also mirror the prior panel. However, Lee's facial expression reads anger and bile that is utterly opposite what is going on in the car in front of him.
LEE: How long am I supposed to just sit here and take this?
PANEL 2
Repeat POV of Panel 1 as Samantha reaches over in an effort to soothe the savagery of Lee.
SAMANTHA1: Lee, this is about both of us, about what's between us.
SAMANTHA2: I'm not blaming you. I only…
PANEL 3
Medium shot of Lee as he juts his arms up in interruption as well as desperation.
LEE1: But you said this all started when I lost my job.
LEE2: My fault I lost that job. My fault we don't do it.
PANEL 4
Lee brings his hands down and grips the steering wheel tight with both his fists.
SAMANTHA (Small, Off-Panel): It's the economy, Lee.
PANEL 5
Closer on the whitening knuckles of Lee's fists as he clutches the wheel in a tight, vise-like grip.
SAMANTHA (Smaller, Off-Panel): Unemployment is everywhere.
PANEL 6
Even closer on the closed hands of Lee as they almost seem to vibrate. His growing anger forces him to completely tune out the words of Samantha.
SAMANTHA (Smallest, Off-Panel): …
PAGE ELEVEN (Nine Panel Grid)
PANEL 1
Tight on the eyes and brow of Lee as his anger boils.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 2
From Lee's POV, looking into the Buick as Rachel looks over at Jackson with a million-dollar smile.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 3
Back on Lee's eyes and brow as his wrath begins to find a focus.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 4
Lee's POV as he narrows in on Jackson's license plate “6B7RL3.” The last number in the plate is what is truly important, make sure it is clear.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 5
Lee's bone white knuckles gripping on the steering wheel.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 6
Zooming in on the last two characters of Jackson's license plate, “L3”.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 7
Again, the eyes & brow of Lee as his eyes close down to the narrowest of slits.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 8
Lee's POV as he looks trough the rear window of Jackson's POS as Rachel leans over and hugs her beau.
NO DIALOGUE
PANEL 9
From behind Lee's pick-up as the driver's side door begins to open.
NO DIALOGUE
"Shortage" © 2004 Michael Wojciak
