Assembly line comics : story by Mike Cohen; Script by Sekou Kaba
Original story: I was 17, and had just graduated from High School. I bought a used motorcycle from a young Sailor. On the way home, I rounded a curve too sharply, and almost crashed into a rough rock wall.
There was no such thing as a Motorcycle Permit then, but I had 10 days to get a license. I studied the test booklet, practiced over and over again, and tuned and re-tuned the Bike. The day of the test, I set off early for the Registry, which was about 15 miles away, on the other side of a steep hill.
Unfortunately, I failed the test, and was told I’d have to come back in two weeks. It was raining, and I might have been crying a bit. I set off for home, and while I was riding back up the steep hill, a car swerved right in front of me. Naturally, I swerved to the right, but it was too close, and I went sideways into the car. I remember flying through the air, and landing on my side.
Next thing I knew, I was lying on my back on the gravel at the side of the road. An older-looking man was leaning over me. “It’ll be okay! God loves you, Son. It will be okay. God loves you.” He then asked me if I was in pain, and where did it hurt.
“Oh, my ass! My ass, and my knee!” I said repeatedly.
After the ambulance came and took me to the Hospital, I learned two things. I had a fractured pelvis, and the older-looking man whose car had swerved in front of me, was a Priest from Boston.
Characters:
Mike Green, main character: 17 year old black teen, born and raised in Roxbury, MA. He has a tall, slim body type. Haircut with a design on the side (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/82261130676744680/ ) and dark brown eyes. Recently graduated from Boston Latin Academy and is in the process of recreating himself into a “cool” person. Mike uses the money he got from his graduation gifts and savings from working at Shaws during the school year to buy his first motorcycle.
Tom Morgan: 69 year old white man. Ex-soldier turned priest. Committed his life to the church after near death experience in Vietnam.
Brandon Smith: 45 year old motorcycle test proctor at the RMV. Has been working there for the past 20 years and hates his job.
Page 1 (4 Panels)
Panel 1: BRANDON SMITH, the test proctor, is writing on a clipboard on the motorcycle test course at the RMV. He’s wearing a reflective safety vest. Stern facial expression and forehead wrinkles. RMV sign visible. MIKE standing in front of him. Shot from behind MIKE, so you can see Brandon’s face.
Panel 2: Close up of MIKE biting his nails with nervous look on his face and thinking to himself.
Panel 3: Close up of BRANDON handing MIKE folded paper from the clipboard.
Panel 4: MIKE palms his head in frustration as he reads the paper. Like this: (https://www.canstockphoto.com/bad-news-in-newspaper-5234502.html). BRANDON walks past him in background.
Page 2 (6 panels)
Panel 1: Shifts to MIKE’S POV of the paper: Rubric of the motorcycle test. All of MIKE’s information: Height, weight, address, Social Security number. http://www.speedyroadtestny.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Road-Test-Evaluation-Form.jpg
Panel 2: MIKE crumples paper in his clenched fist and walks towards his motorcycle. Enraged facial expression.
Panel 3: MIKE rides motorcycle out of RMV parking lot into oncoming traffic. Cars honking. RMV sign is visible at the exit.
Panel 4: MIKE is cut off by a burgundy minivan, which gives him road rage. http://www.featuredcars.com/24954-2001-Dodge-Grand-Caravan
Panel 5: Tries to go around the burgundy minivan.
Panel 6: Motorcycle is bumped off the road and partially off panel by burgundy minivan. MIKE has a surprised/scared facial expression.
Page 3 (4 Panels)
Panel 1: View of TOM MORGAN through windshield of burgundy van trying to adjust steering wheel. Tires make skkrt sound. Alarmed look on his face. Wearing a short sleeve clergy shirt. Rosary beads on rearview mirror. Vietnam Vet sticker on the front window.
Panel 2: TOM MORGAN exits car panicking and saying “It’ll be okay! God loves you, Son. It will be okay. God loves you.” MIKE laying on the ground in pain holding his hip, mouth open, gasping for air. People standing outside of their cars watching. Someone calling 911.
Panel 3: TOM MORGAN standing over MIKE trying to comfort him with a prayer.
Panel 4: MIKE says “Maybe god didn’t want me to ride a motorcycle” as ambulance approaches in the background.