Page · 4 panels
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Layout — 4 panels
[art pending]
The Operative, smiling small.
- OPERATIVEBut there is good news, boys.
- OPERATIVEYou can fix it.
- OPERATIVEYou can play this 2260.
- OPERATIVEA show, here, today, with our cooperation.
- OPERATIVEWe will give you a venue. We will give you an audience.
- OPERATIVEWe will give you amplifiers.
- OPERATIVEAll we ask in return —
- OPERATIVE— is the USB.
- OPERATIVEThat single small object that lets the chord travel.
[art pending]
The Operative spreads their hands — appeasement. The weapon hand lowers.
- OPERATIVEWe don't even want the guitar anymore, Jesse.
- OPERATIVEWe want the navigation.
- OPERATIVEYou keep the instrument. You keep your father's masterpiece. You play it in this timeline as much as you like.
- OPERATIVEYou will be the most famous band of your generation. We will promote you.
- OPERATIVEYou give us the USB and we give you Vegas.
[art pending]
Jesse, leaning forward.
- JESSEWhy do you want the USB.
- OPERATIVETo prevent further time-traffic violations.
- OPERATIVEOnce we have the only one in existence, no future generation can replicate it. The technology dies with the chip.
- OPERATIVEMusic returns. Time-travel does not.
- OPERATIVEEverybody wins.
[art pending]
Close on Jesse. He is wavering. Allred — slow it. The reader can feel him wavering. The offer is too clean. But Jesse has wanted music to return for his entire life and a person is offering it to him.
No copy.