Derek — excited expression: Derek — excited expression
quick_comic_ip:3.219.56.158
Derek, an overly confident CEO, dismisses his PR manager Brenda's carefully prepared statement, insisting on a 'real' LinkedIn Live broadcast to connect 'heart to heart' with his audience. Despite Brenda's frantic attempts to establish basic talking points, Derek remains oblivious to the severity of their 'product on fire' crisis, viewing it instead as an opportunity to showcase his 'leadership.' Brenda, utterly exhausted, resigns herself to the inevitable disaster, predicting Derek will cry on camera.
Characters
Derek
supporting
Derek is an overconfident and charismatic business professional in a modern office setting. He has short, neatly styled light brown hair that is slightly swept to the side, bright blue eyes that often sparkle with manic enthusiasm, and a fair complexion. He typically wears smart casual business attire, such as a crisp light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark grey trousers. He often beams with self-satisfaction and gestures broadly with his hands, exuding an almost evangelical posture. He is often seen leaning forward on a sleek, minimalist desk with a portable ring light and a smartphone on a tripod.
Brenda
supporting
Brenda is a highly professional and detail-oriented corporate employee, frequently appearing worried or exasperated by Derek's antics. She has sleek, shoulder-length dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a warm, light brown skin tone. She typically wears conservative and professional business attire, such as a tailored dark blazer over a light blouse and matching dark trousers. Her brow is often furrowed with concern, and she is frequently seen holding a sleek digital tablet, using it to emphasize her points.
Page 1
Panel 1: CLOSE UP on DEREK'S face, beaming with an almost manic enthusiasm. His eyes are wide, a glint of self-satisfaction in them. His head is tilted slightly, as if sharing a secret. The background is a blurred, modern office.
“People don't want polished anymore. They want REAL. So I'm going to hop on LinkedIn Live and just...”
Panel 2: WIDER SHOT, showing DEREK leaning forward on his sleek, minimalist desk. He gestures broadly with both hands, a confident, almost evangelical posture. A small, portable ring light and a smartphone on a tripod are set up on the desk, ready for action.
“...talk to them. Heart to heart.”
Panel 3: BRENDA stands opposite Derek, her brow furrowed with worry. She holds a sleek digital tablet in her hands, displaying a document. Her expression is a mix of concern and professional exasperation.
“Derek, we have a prepared statement. Legal reviewed it. I reviewed it. It's ready to go.”
Panel 4: Derek turns his head slightly, giving Brenda a dismissive side-eye, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He's already mentally moved on, barely acknowledging her words.
“Brenda. Statements are for companies that are hiding something. We're not hiding.”
Page 2
Panel 1: CLOSE UP on Derek's face, a wide, almost goofy grin as he pumps a fist in the air, full of his own self-importance. His eyes sparkle with an almost childlike enthusiasm.
“We're VIBING.”
Panel 2: Brenda's expression is now firm, serious, and slightly desperate. She takes a step closer to Derek, her body language conveying urgency. She holds up three fingers, trying to emphasize her point.
“Okay. If you're going live, can we at least agree on three talking points?”
Panel 3: Brenda leans in, her expression pleading, her three fingers still raised. Derek looks away, uninterested in her plea, already distracted by his own thoughts.
“Just three.”
Panel 4: Derek stands tall, puffing out his chest, pointing a confident thumb at himself. He has an almost arrogant smirk, completely missing Brenda's point. The ring light setup is visible in the background, a halo around his head.
“Brenda. I built this company from a garage. I think I know how to talk to people.”
Page 3
Panel 1: CLOSE UP on Brenda's face. Her expression is a perfect blend of resignation and a subtle, almost imperceptible eye roll. Her lips are pressed into a thin line.
“You also built it from a product that's currently on fire.”
Panel 2: WIDER SHOT. Brenda gestures with a flick of her wrist towards a large monitor on the wall behind Derek, which subtly displays a news chyron or a blurry image suggesting a fire. Derek, however, is turned away, oblivious, still admiring himself.
“Literally.”
Panel 3: CLOSE UP on Derek's face. He has a wide, proud, almost beatific smile, completely misinterpreting Brenda's sarcasm. His eyes are closed slightly in self-satisfaction.
“Exactly. People respect a CEO who shows up when things are on fire.”
Panel 4: Derek's chest is puffed out dramatically, his hands on his hips in a heroic pose. He is beaming, utterly convinced of his own genius. The ring light casts a heroic glow on him.
“That's leadership.”
Page 4
Panel 1: Brenda is leaning against a filing cabinet or a wall, her head tilted back, eyes closed. Her entire posture screams defeat and utter exhaustion. Derek is a blurred, excited figure in the background.
Panel 2: Derek is now fully focused on his smartphone, adjusting it on the tripod, his finger hovering over the 'Go Live' button. He has a determined, slightly mischievous grin.
Panel 3: CLOSE UP on Brenda's face. Her eyes are open, looking directly out of the panel, meeting the reader's gaze. Her expression is a mix of dread, resignation, and a touch of dark humor. Her face is pale.
“He's going to cry on camera.”
Panel 4: FULL SHOT of the office. Derek is in the foreground, brightly lit by the ring light, smiling widely at his phone which now has a glowing 'LIVE' indicator. In the mid-ground, Brenda is a slumped figure against the wall, her face hidden in her hands, a single tear possibly escaping. The monitor in the background still shows a hint of the 'fire' news.
“I can feel it.”
