Statue Rentals #3: Statue Time, Statue Delays

New character. What is Noriko's relationship to Meredith?

Transcript

Panel 1 – art studio

Narration: Friday…

Stacy: I’m all set. Do I have to get undressed?

Meredith: Stand behind that panel over there and let me know when you’re ready.

Stacy: What about all the windows?

Meredith: It won’t be a problem.

Panel 2 – behind partition

Stacy: Should I come out?

Meredith: No, I’m right here. Ready?

Stacy: How should I pose?

Meredith: That isn’t necessary. I’m carving you into the proper shape, of course.

FX: <snap>

Stacy: Oh, right. I suppose that means I'll just be a block of stone? Cool.

Panels 3 through 6 – Montage: man to block of stone

Meredith: I really thought I'd explained that. I need to work on my presentation of the process.

Panel 7 – rolling back the screens

Meredith is running her hand over the blocking.

Noriko (thinking): Oh, no. I guess I’m too late.

Noriko: Hi, Meredith!

Panel 8 – they embrace

Meredith: Noriko? You being here doesn't mean I forgot you were coming, I hope.

Noriko: No, I was in the neighborhood and was hoping to catch you before… Is that the block for the Wilson Contract?

Meredith: Yep. Spell completed five minutes ago. Should be a great piece. Stacy marbled nicely.

Noriko: Unfortunately, Wilson Research canceled the contract about an hour ago.

Meredith: Oh, no!

Panel 9 – standing by the block of marble

Meredith: You didn't happen to land a new contract I can use this on, did you?

Noriko: I'm working on a couple things. But, it takes time. Your works are as expensive as they are expressive.

Meredith: Thanks for the boost of confidence. I guess Stacy is stuck until I know what pose the next client wants.

Noriko: It's too bad this happened to a new model. Shauna or Kari probably wouldn't even notice the downtime.