Statue Rentals #8: Business Is Booming

Does a statue maker really want to have a lucky break? I'm sure her subjects don't want to be broken. The statue in progress seems "rough" because the figure asset is a low polygon asset. Makes the figure seem unfinished automatically. I had to work to make in-progress Stacy seem unfinished.

That's rather wordy. Isn't it? Someday I'll figure out how to not turn my comics into short stories.

Transcript

Panel 1 (Top left quadrant) – Meredith and Noriko at the studio

Narration: Two months later...

Noriko: How many commissions are you working on?

Meredith: The Martinez and Ambicor statues were picked up today. These two are slated for the Petrasoft executive office.

Noriko (thinking): Slated? Ha ha.

Meredith: Next week, I have someone coming in to be used in a few FlabAway commercial spots. The company wants four different statue transformations by the end of the year done with their one spokesmodel.

Noriko: Or unspokesmodel.

Meredith: Ha ha! Hey, Monica, this is Noriko. Say, hi to Monica.

Noriko: Hello.

Panel 2 (Bottom left quadrant) – still at the studio

Noriko: Are all of these new contracts because of the statue in Tellani Restaurant?

Meredith: Yes, it seems like I get a call from Mr. Tellani every couple weeks telling me to expect a call from so-and-so. Most of the time he even knows a model whom he says is perfect for the job. And she usually is.

Noriko: Do you think he’s going to take the six month extension on his restaurant contract?

Meredith: Without a doubt.

Panel 3 (Entire right half) – restaurant, day, empty

Narration: Nine months later…

Meredith (thinking): What's with the glass box? Leona said Mr. Tellani was obsessed with cleaning fingerprints from the marble.

Mr. Tellani: You didn’t have to come to the restaurant.

Meredith: Just making sure she’s still here and not squirreled away in your private mansion, Brian.

Mr. Tellani: Aside from a little joking around, I would never consider doing that. Is there any way you'd reconsider extending the contract to two years?

Meredith: That isn’t what Stacy signed on for. And she’s going to need at least six to ten months being human before she can go through another cycle of petrification and restoration.

Mr. Tellani: Can you explain how the FlabAway model can undergo four cycles of petrification and restoration in less than twelve months but two years would be bad for Stacy?

Meredith: That model will only be a statue for 4-6 weeks at a time. Stacy will have been a statue for about 18 months when your contract ends. Two years would be highly inconsiderate of her wants and desires since we can't ask her permission. It would also be outrageously callous of her mystical well-being. Her affinity for humanity could be completely destroyed after such a prolonged petrification.

Mr. Tellani: I didn't realize it was that serious and I should apologize for not considering her agency in the matter. Can I meet the young lady after you've taken the statue back?

Meredith: I believe that can be arranged.