ACE NITETIME & JACK STATIC
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK

PANEL 1
Visual:
In the late-night garage, Ace and Jack sit between FILES and GOPHER terminals.
FILES shows ISSUE-003 twice. GOPHER displays a visibly misaligned sequence.
A carved gopher prop sits between the computers.
Dialogue:
ACE: We got listed twice.
JACK: And one issue apart.

PANEL 2
Visual:
A mechanical conveyor carries two folders labeled ISSUE-003 followed by an
ISSUE-004 folder. Jack measures the offset while Ace studies the duplicate.
Dialogue:
ACE: Bumpy road.
JACK: At least it's a road.

PANEL 3
Visual:
Jack removes a card labeled DUPLICATE. Ace lines up numbered folders 001,
002, 003, 004, and 005.
Dialogue:
JACK: Remove the double.
ACE: Line up the rest.

PANEL 4
Visual:
Jack holds a pre-flight packet labeled ISSUE-005. It includes comic.png,
README.txt, MANIFEST.json, and SHA256SUMS.txt. A checklist marks PUBLIC,
FILES, and GOPHER.
Dialogue:
ACE: Then try again?
JACK: That's how testing works.

PANEL 5
Visual:
Ace inserts the ISSUE-005 comic packet into a brass garage machine labeled
CREATE while Jack watches with a clipboard.
Dialogue:
ACE: Comic created.
JACK: Watch the path.

PANEL 6
Visual:
The ISSUE-005 packet travels through a transparent mechanical conduit under
a sign reading FTP / FILES.
Dialogue:
ACE: Files showed up.
JACK: First checkpoint.

PANEL 7
Visual:
A Gopher menu now lists ISSUE-001 through ISSUE-005 exactly once and in order.
A green status screen reads GOPHER: LISTED.
Dialogue:
ACE: Gopher has it!
JACK: Once. And on time.

PANEL 8
Visual:
The publishing system is revealed as a handmade airplane built from server
racks, radios, cables, wooden wings, landing gear, and a propeller. It points
out of the garage toward a starry Wisconsin night. The gopher prop wears
aviator goggles. A status board shows green checks for FILES, GOPHER, and
SEQUENCE. Ace operates a radio console while Jack holds a wrench.
Dialogue:
ACE: Think NITETIME.NET can fly?
JACK: Path is clear. Send it.
Caption:
READY FOR TRUE FLIGHT.