Bittersweet Candy Bowl

20. Hot Pursuit, original chapter posted 9/6/06

Page 6 of 14

Transcript

*The conman trails behind Lucy and Mike, shouting. Mike looks angry.*
Conman: In fact, these are my last ones!

Mike: Grrr..
*Mike scowls, gritting his teeth in rage.*
Conman: I wouldn’t want you to miss out on a scorching hot deal! Really, I’m doing you a great favor!

*Mike turns around and yells at the conman.*
Mike: You’ve been following us for fifteen minutes now! If I just buy something will you GO AWAY?!
*The conman grins.*
Conman: Yes!

*Mike grimaces, his ears turned down.*
Mike: Alright, what do you have?
*The conman smiles nefariously.*
Conman: What you’ve always wanted!

*The conman holds out a grimy looking bag.*
Conman: This one-of-a-kind glasses case, made by hand in Paris! Only $298 for you my friend!

Mike: .. You only just put that together from the junk in that trash can.
*Lucy raises an eyebrow.*
Lucy: The lock is a bottle cap.
[An arrow points to a trash can behind the conman.]
*The conman smiles blankly.*
Conman: …

Conman: Indeed! With each purchase, you get a chance at a free soda! Just buy and win! Do the dew!!
*Mike is angry.*

*Mike folds his arms and looks away.*
Mike: I’ll pass.
Conman: Did you forget my beauty kit?
*Lucy looks at the kit, with a skeptical gaze.*
Lucy: ..?

Conman: Watch me! I can turn your plain-looking girlfriend..
*The conman starts doing Lucy’s makeup. She disappears in a cloud of makeup products. Mike looks on, shocked.*
Lucy: YEEK!!
Conman: .. into a truly elegant lady!

*Lucy emerges with a thick layer of clown-like makeup. Her whiskers are curled and there is a bow on each of her ears. She looks stunned.*

*The conman smiles and gives a big thumbs up.*
Conman: Gorgeous~! ♥

*Lucy swiftly kicks the conman in the face.*

*Lucy holds the conman by his lapels. She glares down at him. His head lolls back and a new bruise is visible on his forehead.*
Lucy: If you wanna keep that mustache on your face, I suggest you give us those directions!
Conman: O-okie..

Lucy: Yes, yes.. 58th.. Okay.. got all of that, Mike?
*Mike looks on, disturbed by the scene.*
Mike: Y-yes.

[Caption: Later]
*Lucy has removed the makeup. She and Mike walk together, smiling.*
Mike: You really did a number on him! We’re almost there, now..

*Mike stops. His eyes widen.*
Mike: Wait--
*Lucy looks to the side nervously.*
Lucy: Huh.

*Lucy and Mike are standing on the dock. A duck floats in the water beside them.*
Lucy: It’s the dock again.
*Lucy looks upset. Mike has a blank face.*
Mike: …

*Mike throws his hands up and screams. Lucy crosses her arms, shaking. She anxiously glances toward the water.*
Mike: I HATE THIS DOCK!!
*A duck in the water raises a wing in response.*
Duck: Thassa meee!

Author commentary

Veronica: I could not describe to you how long it TOOK to remember the word “lock” for the dialogue on panel six. You know when you have a word that’s so obvious and you have it at the tip of your tongue, yet you can’t REMEMBER it? Yeah, I finally asked people and got “lock.”

I have to say, maybe this guy is a genius if he’s able to create purses out of trash. He should be submitting these to art galleries!! You got something there!