Happy 11th Birthday, Akira!
You are the only character I have that has come to me in a dream, whom I never had to name. For a short window of time, I wanted to believe you were real in another dimension because of the way things happened with you. I can honestly say you are a character that has changed me creatively. You may have been the one that got me fascinated by anything dreamlike, astral, or otherwise. It was you, with your black coat and your mystery (at least, once upon a time) that inspired me to research The Phantom of the Opera before I really knew what it was.
You started a chain of projects: Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace II, Crystal Palace III, Crystal Palace IV, and The Adventures of Akira and Jennifer. Hundreds of pages and countless drawings. I have produced more work for stories that have to do with you than for any other project. You are one of my favorite original characters. I married you and had a daughter with you, and yeah, our marriage sucks, we should probably get a divorce, but I still laugh so hard at all the scenarios we have ended up in. You are comedy gold, you're gorgeous, and I still love you!
Rock on with your underwear-dancing. But please put it back in my drawer when you're done, okay?
INT. REHAB CENTER POOL - NIGHT.
Akira reclines in a pool chair wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shades and sipping tropical punch. People keep their distance from him. Jennifer enters looking exhausted and lost and trips over a pool noodle before taking a seat by his side and inspecting her shoe.JENNIFER
Hi, Akira.AKIRA
(without looking)
Not now.JENNIFER
Yes, now. How are you doing?Akira notices it's her and snatches away his sunglasses.
AKIRA
Hey! What're you doing here?!JENNIFER
What do you think I'm doing here? How are you doing? Are you feeling any symptoms of withdrawal?AKIRA
I don't see why that's any of your business!Offended, she pauses, but she notices he's twitching.
JENNIFER
Well I was at the palace today, and they started the fumigation. Anus is going to give me updates, but I-AKIRA
What the fuck are you talking about?JENNIFER
The fumigation. For the fleas. (pause) The Crystal Palace has a flea infestitation, remember? I told you at least a dozen times.Akira shrugs.
JENNIFER
Do you at least want to know what's been happening with your daughter?AKIRA
Not really.He returns his shades, but Ronnie takes a seat a few chairs down. Akira gasps and sinks in his chair.
JENNIFER
Is that a friend of yours?They watch him pat the seat next to him.
JENNIFER
Why don't you go sit next to him?AKIRA
No. I-I wanna stay here with you.JENNIFER
I thought I was the cause of all your misery.AKIRA
Not today.By now, Ronnie pats the seat vigorously.
JENNIFER
Akira, go sit next to him. Make some friends while you're here, especially if you can't talk to me.AKIRA
You don't know him inside the group sessions!Jennifer stands up and sighs.
JENNIFER
Well, I need to go pick up our daughter. Cosmo's had her since 3:00 and I'm sure he needs a break, especially since Anus won't be taking her while I'm shooting...She blabbers on while Ronnie and Akira have a dialogue of faces. Ronnie pretends to do it doggy-style with Jennifer and slaps his knee with glee. Akira bares his teeth.
JENNIFER
So I'll come back at a better time. Goodbye.She heads out the door before Akira has finished shaking his fist at Ronnie. He's strangely wistful that she's gone.