Eric O'Grady - Speed Dating With The Irredeemable Ant Man - Rol Hirst

Classic 9-panel grid except for the bottom row which is all one long panel.

Panel One.

Eric is sitting at a Speed Dating table in a restaurant / club. Sitting across from him is a buxom blonde. Side view as the blonde slaps Eric in the face.

SFX: Slap!

Panel Two.

Looking over the shoulder of another of Eric’s Speed Dates as she stands up to leave - outraged. Eric is holding up his hands in protest over a misunderstanding, trying desperately to explain himself.

Eric: No, no – I said ants... ANTS! They're nothing like crabs!

Panel Three.

Straight on view of another of Eric’s Speed-Dates, a gorgeous Christina Hendricks type. She’s holding up a crooked little finger, mocking him.

Eric (off-panel): I think you're misunderstanding--

Panel Four.

Eric is holding up his Ant Man helmet, trying to explain another misunderstanding. Another woman is walking away from the table in disgust.

Eric: I was talking about this! Honest!

Panel Five.

A shy, dark haired young woman is sobbing uncontrollably. Eric reaches towards her, awkwardly, unsure how to console her.

Woman: Wuh-wuh-waaaaaaahhhh!

Eric: Really... Was it something I said?

Panel Six.

Eric receives another slap round the face from yet another woman.

Woman: Pervert!

Panel Seven.

Wider shot of the room. We’re in the changeover period where the female speed dates move from one table to the next. There’s no one opposite Eric at this point. The man at the next table, a smug Lothario type, grins over at Eric. Refusing to look at the man, Eric instead scribbles in his notebook.

Smug Man: Not having much luck, are ya, pal?

Eric: You’d be surprised… pal. Take it from me, I’ll be seeing every one of these lovely ladies again very soon.

Eric (smaller, aside): Whether they see me, well, that's a different matter...

Eric O'Grady - By Your Side - Ben Rosenthal

1. A young boy walks through his school. He is of a small build, holding his lunch box in one hand. This is Chris King. His head is looking to the left, a smile on his face as he talks to his imaginary friend.

CHRIS

I dunno Eric. He’s a lot bigger than--

2. We are now looking from behind Chris. He is looking up at three larger boys of typical bully appearance. Kid 3 is in the middle of the three, cracking his knuckles. Kid 1 is to the left of Kid 3, and Kid 2 to the right. Kid 2 is looking at Kid 1, laughing as he speaks.

CHRIS

--me.

KID 1

Talking to yourself again?

KID 2

Nah, his imaginary friend.

KID 3

Gimme your lunch King. We’re hungry.

3. Looking down at Chris, the shadows of the three bullies eclipse him. Chris looks scared as he clutches at his lunchbox handle with two hands, shoulders shrugged up as Kid 3’s hand reaches for his lunch box. A speech bubble appears to be coming from his shoulder. Chris’ imaginary friend, Eric is talking.

ERIC

Looks like you've had enough, lard arse.

4. Same as Panel 2, however all three bullies are confused, as the voice they just heard was not that of Chris King.

KID 3

Huh?

5 - 7. A succession of three quick panels, all contained within the one. The first showing Kid 1 reacting as if he was punched in the stomach. The second shows Kid 2 reacting as if he was punched in the cheek. The third shows Kid 3 reacting to being punched in the groin.

8. The three bullies lay one on top of the other. In the background Chris King is walking away, lunch box in hand. His head is once again turned to the left, smiling as he speaks to his ‘imaginary’ friend.

CHRIS

Wow, for a small guy you’re really strong. Thanks Eric!

ERIC

Anything for you, son. I mean, kid.