1.)

(Karl is dressed simply in a denim jacket over a hoody, waiting at the entrance to an exclusive location. Ahead of him in line, a beautiful young lady of color in vinyl clothes stands with some white BDSM fans. She addresses a cool looking bouncer guy. He has eyebrows. Karl is nervous.)

YOUNG LADY: I wanna go to the inner sanctum.

BOUNCER: You’ll need a double-stamp for that.

2.)

(A masked lady in S&M gear with the electrical taped nipples looks kindly upon the reporter from her restrained position.)

GIMP MASK LADY: Are you lost?

KARL: Heheh um I’m just--

3.)

(An imposing shirtless man with a nipple piercing and some manner of cattle skull mask looms over Karl. He is afraid.)

MINOTAUR: WHAT DOST THOU SEEK, MORTAL?

KARL: P-Princess Akiko?! It’s for the Masher?!

4.)

(Karl's fear turns to an embarrassed or weirded-out kind of face as the minotaur adopts a more friendly demeanor.)

MINOTAUR: Sure hon, right this way.

5.)

(As Karl steps into Akiko's office, she wheels on him with an alarmed expression.)

KARL:Hey, sorry. I’m doing a story on CatCat, Hans told me that you--

6.)

(Akiko has grabbed Karl by the collar and is unloading on him verbally. He is confused.)

AKIKO: I gotta tell someone! It’s vampires, man!

KARL: What?

7.)

(Karl gets it now but probably doesn't believe it, as she bugs out her eyes at him for emphasis.)

AKIKO: Vampires!

KARL: Wh--

AKIKO: Vam-py-ers.

KARL: Ah.

8.)

   (Jack and Theodore lounge on his deck. Jack has only put on a tank top since his state of undress in the last comic, and Theo is his
usual dapper self. Their body language is also typical - Theodore relaxed with a crossed leg, Jack tense and leaning forward in his seat.)

THEODORE: Such a lovely new home!

JACK: Erm, thanks. so the deck doesn’t count as an invitation, right?

9.)

(Theodore looks gently imploring and Jack pensive.)

THEODORE: I wish you would come back with me. At least until the game is won. I could use your help.

JACK: How could I help you? That's absurd.

10.)

(Theodore looks a bit disappointed or confused and Jack is evasive.)

THEODORE:You have power now! Remember? I gave it to you.

JACK:Do I? I don’t want to even know what that power is.

THEODORE:The power to protect yourself and others!

JACK: I don’t want to try it out.

11.)

(Theodore is still trying to find Jack's eyes, while the younger vampire looks away.)

JACK: Sorry. I’d just rather stay out of everything.

THEODORE: But we’re friends?

JACK: Yeah... sure. Let’s talk about something else...

12.)

(Theodore now looks fully disappointed.)

THEODORE: No, no... I’ll leave. I hope you are as safe alone as you imagine.

13.)

(Darren comes out and gets startled, and Theodore spares him a cordial expression.)

DARREN:Hey Jack are--

THEODORE: Good eve young man.

14.)

(Mid-transformation, Theodore looks like a freaky bendy small man with the head and wings
of a massively oversized kingfisher. Darren looks all tweaked out and Jack mildly bummed.)

DARREN: WHY do they always gotta do that shit?!