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MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT

NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT

Years before Ghost Rollie was born, Midnight Mogul could charm his way into any room. But when his nightclub ambitions collide with a singer’s freedom, keeping his word may cost him the future he planned.

By Hubert Bradley · Crime drama · 20 story pages · 23 total pages including covers and credits

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Front cover — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Front cover
Credits — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Credits
Story page 1 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Full-page splash. Younger MIDNIGHT MOGUL holds the door of a Frenchmen Street jazz lounge for Simone, who looks amused rather than dazzled. Gold gaslight, violet dusk, brass musicians down the block. His black hair is braided back, beard fully black; amber glasses, broad black hat with gold embroidery, black-and-gold long coat, red lining. No son. caption: New Orleans. Years before GHOST ROLLIE was born. Simone: You always arrive like somebody owes you applause. Mogul: Only hoping for a smile. I work my way up.
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Story page 2 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. At lounge table Simone slides back an expensive gift box unopened; Mogul eases his hat off, flirts; she names the broken promise; she leaves smiling ruefully while he stays seated. Simone: adult Black woman, sculpted high bun, amber satin dress, small gold earrings. Simone: You remembered my perfume. Mogul: I pay attention. Simone: My birthday was Tuesday. Mogul: Then dinner should be an apology. Simone: Dinner is dinner. Try calling when there isn't a table involved.
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Story page 3 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Mogul at bar notices Celeste singing on small stage. Celeste is adult Black woman with deep brown skin, short sculpted black finger-wave bob, teal satin dress, gold drop earrings. She finishes; he approaches after applause and offers seat; she keeps hand on microphone stand, playful eye contact. caption: Then he heard a voice he couldn't talk over. Mogul: You just made this room too small. Celeste: Then buy a bigger room. Mogul: I'm working on it. Celeste: Work quietly. I've got another set.
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Story page 4 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. After set they eat at late-night diner, two plates and coffee. Mogul starts performance, she steals one of his fries with permission gesture; he laughs unguardedly; she discusses her touring plans. No kiss yet. Mogul: What would it take to keep you in town? Celeste: That's the wrong question. Celeste: Ask where I want to go. Mogul: All right. Where? Celeste: Anywhere they listen before they start owning things.
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Story page 5 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Next afternoon empty prospective club with velvet curtains and a small stage. Landlord/promoter Batiste: adult Black man, close cropped hair, burgundy suit, cream shirt. He displays printed offer. Mogul sets down envelope containing his savings; Batiste taps unsigned artist clause. Inset BEA venue manager, adult Black woman about forty with natural short hair, white blouse and black waistcoat, checks receipts at desk. Batiste: Your savings reserve the room. My advance pays the band. Batiste: Once Celeste signs the exclusive. Mogul: She'll be here. Bea: Here and signed are different things. Batiste: Cancel before midnight, you get the reserve back. After that, it's mine.
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Story page 6 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Mogul at florist Simone's workplace asks for arrangements; she lists price, no romantic concession. Celeste enters from street; playful kiss on Mogul's cheek then reviews flyer. Close-up flyer MIDNIGHT OPENING / CELESTE / ONE NIGHT. Batiste unseen in doorway hears claim. Simone: Flowers are paid up front. So are old debts. Mogul: You wound me. Simone: You'll survive retail. Celeste: One night. Then I leave for my audition. Mogul: One night. Your terms.
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Story page 7 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Evening soundcheck, Bea hands Celeste exclusive contract, Mogul beside stage, Celeste reads and sees his initial next to representation clause. Expressions move from warmth to disbelief; no hysterics. Celeste: Three years? Mogul: We can change that. Celeste: You said it was one night. Mogul: I wanted the room ready before I asked. Celeste: You already answered for me.
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Story page 8 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Private dressing-room doorway; Celeste sets contract down, closes teal garment bag. Mogul reaches toward her hand but stops before touching. She holds gaze steady, exits with bag; he lets her pass. Mogul: I thought you'd want what I could build for you. Celeste: I told you what I wanted. You liked your version better. Mogul: Don't leave angry. Celeste: I'm leaving free. You can be angry if you need to.
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Story page 9 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Backstage bandleader LEON, adult Black man with graying temples and navy shirt, packs trumpet; bandmates wait. Bea gives Mogul ledger showing unpaid musician wages, while clock approaches midnight. Mogul checks almost-empty wallet; Bea holds reserve receipt. Leon: My drummer took off work for this. Mogul: Everybody gets paid. Bea: With what? The advance depended on her signing. Mogul: Return my reserve. Pay them out of it. Bea: Then you lose the lease. Mogul: I heard you.
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Story page 10 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Office Batiste refuses cancellation, blocks reserve receipt; two collectors enter, one stocky navy jacket, one lean gray shirt. Bea quietly opens office door to public corridor. Analog wall clock reads 11:47. Batiste: Go persuade her. You're good at that. Mogul: She said no. Batiste: Then make it expensive. Mogul: For me. Not her. Batiste: Hold the instruments until we settle this.
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Story page 11 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Establish band backstage left, office at rear right, alley fire exit behind band. Stocky collector grabs Leon's trumpet case; Mogul catches collector wrist at close range, thin red angular binding wraps contact. Lean collector yanks rolling lighting stand sideways; Mogul must release wrist to keep stand from hitting drummer. Red light fades as grip opens. Stand strikes his left forearm, tearing sleeve, bruise only. Leon: That horn is mine. Mogul: Let it go. SFX: KLIK SFX: CLANG Bea: Fire exit. Keep moving!
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Story page 12 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Mostly silent four-panel sequence. Same geography. Mogul alone braces tilted lighting stand with right hand, bruised left forearm pulled close. Band carries cases through open fire exit. Celeste outside notices commotion but keeps her bag and distance. Final close-up Mogul's face, no smirk; his hand opens, red threads extinguish. Only sound metal scrape. SFX: SKRRR
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Story page 13 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Lean collector swings baton from right; Mogul angles stand into baton, sparks. Stocky collector lunges at doorway; Mogul red contact binding checks wrist, turns man against padded stage edge without choking. Baton connects with Mogul left shoulder, he winces; wide shot shows open alley exit now clear. Bea pulls alarm handle near exit. SFX: KLANG Mogul: You've got two hands. Use one to open the door. SFX: THK SFX: RIIING Bea: Everybody out. Now.
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Story page 14 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Street outside club, band safe in foreground; alarm drew passersby. Batiste emerges with clipboard; Bea shows stamped reserve receipt and cancellation time to responding uniformed officer, avoids legal lecture. Mogul hands back club key. Clock visible through office window 11:53. Batiste sees witnesses and stops collectors. Bea: He requested cancellation before midnight. I recorded it. Batiste: You'll never have this room. Mogul: Then write that part big. Mogul: Return the reserve. We're finished.
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Story page 15 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Later office window, Bea counts returned reserve cash into musician envelopes under witness of officer outside; Mogul watches club key remain on counter. Envelope labeled BAND WAGES. Leon checks envelope and hands bandmate share. Final Mogul receives small remainder, his coat sleeve still torn. caption: His savings came back. Most of them went straight back out. Leon: All of it? Bea: Every promised dollar. Mogul: Including the rehearsal. Leon: Good. We'll decide about the next gig when there is one.
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Story page 16 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Alley bench behind lounge, warm dawn coming. Celeste tending own shoes with garment bag beside her, Mogul sits at other end after asking with gesture. She offers clean handkerchief for his forearm, no romantic reconciliation implied. Close-up he drops practiced smile. Mogul: I made a promise with your life because I wanted my name on a door. Mogul: I'm sorry. Celeste: That one sounded like you. Mogul: The others were me too. Celeste: Then give this one more practice.
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Story page 17 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Four panels. Streetcar stop dawn. Celeste picks up bag, brushes coat collar straight with consent and small rueful smile. Mogul leaves space. She boards; he stays on pavement and does not follow. No pregnancy, no son, no claims she is the mother. Mogul: Can I call? Celeste: You can ask how the audition went. Mogul: And dinner? Celeste: One question at a time, Mogul. Mogul: Fair enough.
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Story page 18 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Later daylight at Simone's florist, she balances accounts. Mogul arrives without gift, hat in hand; asks to speak. She marks invoice PAID; he acknowledges missed birthday; she returns to work with boundary. A small genuine grin ends exchange. Mogul: Tuesday. I remembered after you left. Simone: You remembered when it cost you something. Mogul: I should've called. Simone: Yes. You should have. Mogul: No dinner pitch. Simone: Look at you. Learning punctuation.
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Story page 19 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Five panels. Bea unlocks a modest upstairs rehearsal room, no luxury; Mogul with repaired sleeve, bandages beneath. Landlord offers nightly rental, Bea shows budget, he listens. Leon waits with trumpet case, chooses whether to enter. No new permanent business origin asserted. Close-up blank booking sheet with separate artist signature space. Bea: Small room. Cash up front. No exclusive anything. Mogul: Whose name goes on the door? Bea: Can we pay the people first? Mogul: Right. Show me the numbers. Leon: One rehearsal. Then we talk.
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Story page 20 of 20 — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT. Full-page cinematic final splash, young Mogul in small rehearsal room holding door for band rather than posing in center, hat off, amber glasses hung at collar, light on tattooed face and fully black beard. Empty grand nightclub poster discarded in bin; humble warm lamps, New Orleans balcony open behind. Bruised arm bandaged. No son. caption: He still loved an entrance. caption: For one night, he learned to stay after it. caption: Long before a son would ask him to do the same. footer: MIDNIGHT MOGUL WILL RETURN.
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Back cover — MIDNIGHT MOGUL: BEFORE THE WEIGHT #1. NO PROMISES AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Back cover