Script-2: Aren’t comics for kids?
Paintings in a cave in Argentina. Picture is taken from an MSN Encarta page. Photographers: Des and Jen Bartlett/Bruce Coleman, Inc.
Silly cut. Just blame it on the bookstore owner, and not on the people who love books, the art, or even culture. Because this is just what happens when the sections of books on a store aren’t really arranged properly. Perhaps.
Location: A suburban bookstore. Time: Afternoon, weekend.
……
Miki: Wow, cool! The new series of DC Comics have arrived! [moves eagerly towards the books]
Mini: What? Oh, really? [not enthusiast at all]
Miki: Yeah! And hey… look! There’s a new title too. Awesome! Who is this new hero? [checking the comic’s cover]
Mini: Well… How should I know? [rolls her eyes, turns around to look for something ‘more interesting’, and takes something]
Mini: Anyway, I’ve never really understand, you know, what is it with you and all those dreadful things? Aren’t they for kids?
Miki: [turns around to her while holding another comic, and looking sharply] Well, I guess you wouldn’t possibly understand enough. And no, they’re not just for kids.
Mini: They’re not?
Miki: No. In fact, a lot of the comics that I’ve ever read aren’t supposed to be for small kids at all.
Mini: Oh, yeah?
Miki: Yes. And you know what, comics are actually a form of art. So, from my understanding, it’s an adult piece of creation basically. You’ve seen the Ron Goulart’s Comic Culture Book, and you’ve looked at those masterpieces in it. It samples comics art from the early 19th century to the mid 1900s, especially during the Golden Age of comics.
Mini: Oh, yeah… I’ve seen it, at your place some time ago.
Miki: Now, I don’t mean to make you bored again about these things you called “dreadful”. But really, the history of comics had even developed from at least 1895, or – like some people also believe – from 1827. Better yet, if we realise that they also belong to human culture from all over the world, this kind of art is also believed to be derived from the cave paintings in the pre-historic era, thousands and thousands of years ago.
Mini: How do you know about that?
Miki: Well, from some articles, including from fan site or institutions like Comics-UK.
Mini: I don’t really believe in all that.
Miki: Well, no problem here. However, you’ve just quoted a line from a Spider-Man movie, which is based on comic as well. The “dreadful things” stuff?
Mini: I did not! [replies in denial]
Miki: Yes, you did! And by the way, what do you have there for yourself? Gardening books, and “How to make beautiful artificial flowers”? Geez… you’re just like my Grandma! Hahaha.
Mini: [gets offended] Now, just a moment! Why did you have to compare me to your Grandma?
Miki: Hey, it’s just fair enough. You compared me to kids.
Mini: No, I didn’t! I just asked you if those silly pictures’ books are supposed to be for kids. So, why would…
Miki: Yeah, yeah, blah-blah-blah… whatever!
Storekeeper: [interrupting, looks mad] Hey, you two! Why don’t you just leave those books there, and get out! You’re disturbing other visitors here.
Miki & Mini: [reply together in temper] What other visitors!?
