How I Became A Fox

I wrote this at the weekend. Saturday. An artist currently has this script. But I'm promiscuous with stories, and little else, so here it is.

Title: How I Became A Fox.

Writer: Will Ellwood.
Artist: ?

Date: 06 Feb 2010.

Tags: Urban, Fantasy, Wildlife, Foxes, Terrorism, Magic, Surreal.

Intro.

I am sitting at my desk listening to Alymysto and waiting for the Caprica pilot to finish downloading. My life recently hasn't been full of roses. Sad, but true. But I do seem to be on a bit of a productive streak. Writing to keep the blue demons down. I'm writing because that is all I feel that I can do sometimes.

The origin of this story starts last Monday (1st of Feb) walking away from my climbing partners house towards the bus station. Without going into too much detail our friendship is a bit strained at the moment. However, walking past the train station in Leicester a fox ran in front of me out of the train station and into the road. This is the starting point for this short comic, as in an email this friend said she wanted to see the fox. The idea occurred to me as I tried (and failed) to get some sleep last night.

Style Notes.

I do not use sound-effects and I'd rather they were avoided. I also tend to imagine seeing comics in black and white rather than in color. So I provide descriptions of color as a guide to the artist and not an expectation on the final form of the work.

Characters.

The Fox.

A red fox. Look on Wikipedia for plenty of cute images. A city fox though, so will be well fed and muscular. A tough little thing. The size of a dog. Under the street lights the red coat has a dirty quality to it. Female if you feel able to convey the differences.

Red Fox.

Again, a red fox. Male, so larger than the Fox.

The Man.

A man in his early-twenties. An everyman really. Neither thin, fat, tall, or short. Just normal.

The Woman.

Slim, almost starved even. Young, although ageless really. She has long white hair (this won't be obvious if done in black & white so isn't important).


Locations.

Train Station.

Specifically I am thinking of Leicester's train station. The Wikipedia page has information and photos.

The Street.

The area with the trees and bushes on page 3 is based on New Walk Leicester. A very long street that is pedestrian only and lined with trees.

The Script.

Page 1.

Pic 1.

THE MAN is walking past the front of the train station at night. He is looking down at the ground. His hands are in his pocket. His breath is condensing in the cold night air.

Caption (top left): I was in a foul mood.

Pic 2.

THE MAN has stopped. THE FOX is crossing his path, as it leaves the train station, and running into the empty road.

Caption (top left): But things change.

Pic 3.

THE FOX is sitting in the middle of the road looking towards THE MAN. THE MAN is standing on the pavement outside the train station looking at THE FOX.

THE FOX: Change.

Page 2.

Pic 1.

An explosion of fire and masonry erupt where the front of the train station once was. THE MAN is caught in it.

Pic 2.

We are looking at the ruined facade of the train station. Bricks and twisted steel lie in the road. In the rubble, covered in a layer of dust and bits of broken brick is a RED FOX curled up in a ball.

Caption (top left): And I changed.

Pic 3.

In the middle of the road, where the fox once sat, is THE WOMAN standing naked. She is looking at the ruin. RED FOX is pulling himself out of the debris.

THE WOMAN: Follow me.

Pic 4.

THE WOMAN is walking down the street, still naked, past shops closed for the night. RED FOX follows a short distance behind.

Caption (top left): So I followed her.

Page 3.

Pic 1.

Bushes and trees in grassy courtyard surrounded by Georgian houses. THE WOMAN is crouching at the edge of the thicket. She is reaching into the bushes; she is getting something out from underneath it.

THE WOMAN: My den was under there. It's yours now if you want it.

Pic 2.

THE WOMAN has pulled out a dirty dress from under the bushes; she is pulling it over her head. RED FOX is sitting at her feet looking up.

THE WOMAN: I'm sorry that I did this to you. You'll have to work out how to change back yourself.

Pic 3.

The RED FOX is sniffing around the edge of the bushes while THE WOMAN sits on the grass putting on a pair of tennis shoes.

THE WOMAN: I had to work it out myself. It took me a while, but I did in the end.

Pic 4.

Standing up THE WOMAN is walking away from the bushes towards a tree-lined pedestrian avenue lined by posh houses. RED FOX follows.

THE WOMAN: However, I suspect you'll enjoy being a fox. It's in your nature. Think of it as the change you need.

Pic 5.

RED FOX sits close to our viewpoint in the middle of the street. THE WOMAN is walking away towards the distance with her back to us. She's raised her hand and arm in the air to wave as she looks back towards us.

THE WOMAN: It was a change I needed for a while.

THE WOMAN: Ciao.