Dead Butlers, Page 4

PAGE FOUR

Panel 1

A teenaged Jerome kissing his parents goodbye outside their family car. It’s tough to pin down a floating timeline, but let’s generally point at the Vietnam War era, so a popular ‘60s British car model, the Morris Minor. Jerome can be distinguished by a dignified look as his emotional mother hugs him, she and his father in their fifties. If you want someone balding in this family, it can be the father, complete with a mustache.

CAPTION: To be honest, I don’t often think of the young Jerome.

Panel 2

Typical boot camp scene of a drill sergeant screaming in the face of one of a long line of recruits. Jerome is staring stiffly ahead. He sports the same dignified look as the previous panel.

CAPTION: For you, going to war meant something entirely different.

Panel 3

On a run with his fellow recruits. Jerome is near if not at the front of the line. Still sporting that dignified look.

CAPTION: Which is sometimes easy to forget. For you, crime fighting might almost be considered a step down.

Panel 4

At the target range, where of course his shooting practice of evidence finds the target with precision as he looks on with that sane detached, dignified manner.

CAPTION: Since you never really talked about it (and, I’m sorry to say, I never asked), I never spent too much time thinking about it.

Panel 5

In a jungle, geared up, having been deployed.

CAPTION: I heard a few stories, like the excursions through Burma.

Panel 6

Though he’s not a medic, Jerome is applying bandages to an injured comrade.

CAPTION: A hero.

Panel 7

Visiting that same comrade in the recovery ward.

CAPTION: As I picture it, I honestly can’t think of anyone I would rather have watching my back in a war zone.

Panel 8

Saluting at discharge in full dress uniform, older, no less dignified.

CAPTION: And somehow you walked away from it in a heartbeat, and turned to entirely different pursuits.

Panel 9

The same age, standing at the gates of Hemingway Manor, his father, aging more rapidly, on the other side, welcoming him to his new life. For the first time we see a different look on Jerome’s face: awe.

CAPTION: Oh, to read a journal of your thoughts...