Harlot, Page 2 (of 2)

PAGE TWO

Panel 1

Johnny Brisk, long, stringy wannabe rockstar hair, shooting Hemingway Senior & wife, with the young Hemingway watching, in the subway. With them is another woman, Hemingway Senior’s younger sister, shielding the young Hemingway.

CAPTION: I made a crucial mistake.

CAPTION: I saved his life, but I did nothing to protect my brother.

CAPTION: And I will never forgive myself.

Panel 2

Johnny Brisk, decades later, stringy hair thinning, in court, Harlot in her civilian role as DA Etta Hemingway, prosecuting.

CAPTION: Johnny Brisk, having his day in court.

CAPTION: Again.

CAPTION: Appeals are weak justice. But in my private life as DA Etta Hemingway, the Harlot is poised to strike.

CAPTION: Especially him.

Panel 3

Johnny Brisk breaking out of prison.

CAPTION: And when he fails legally, he tries it the other way.

CAPTION: Even worthless lives possess a sense of self-preservation.

CAPTION: Especially Brisk.  Especially knowing his fate.

Panel 4

Harlot seducing Johnny Brisk in an alley.

CAPTION: And the role I chose for myself, the role that makes all men weak, I will use even for him.

CAPTION: Especially for him.

CAPTION: For one night.

CAPTION: For the night, and the lives, he took away forever...

Panel 5

Etta watches alongside Hemingway as Johnny Brisk is executed by lethal injection. Hemingway is the same age we saw him last page. They are not seated together. Etta is watching Hemingway, not Brisk.

CAPTION: I failed my nephew once. 

CAPTION: He will never accept me as an aunt.

CAPTION: As family.

CAPTION: Or in his war on crime.

CAPTION: But I will always be there for him.

END