Although most of the series have been in story-arcs which span a few issues each, there are also standalone issues which are self-contained, that is, the sub-plot ends at the very last page of that issue. This section of 100 B.U.L.L.E.T.S is meant to separate these stories from the story-arcs, but never discount these sub-plots from the overall picture. It could cost you your life.
#40 - "Night Of The Payday"
What's It About: Mr. Shepherd sets up Lono to be arrested, as a favour to to Agent Graves.
What Happens: Shepherd meets up with Lono and says he has a job for him. Lono accepts, does the job without a sweat, and meets Shepherd again in Pittsburg to get his payment. Shepherd tries to talk Lono out of his mad rush to kill people and get on the bad side of them. Lono shrugs it off.
Lono and his companion, Echo Memoria, decide to spoil themselves with the money they had earned. What Lono doesn't realise is that the money given to him by Shepherd was actually robbed from a bank. Echo Memoria is arrested and the Feds are already onto Lono. Minuteman or no Minuteman, Lono is eventually outnumbered and outgunned. Because he had already killed a couple of officers, the rest didn't bother taking him in alive.
Interesting Thoughts: A shocking death to a character which I thought was near invulnerable. Brian Azzarello has totally surprised the readers with this one, and his intelligent overlapping of present action and past dialogue is indeed a really neat touch. After reading this issue, people will be convinced that no one in this world is even close to invincible.
Quotable Quotes: Shepherd: "You've pissed some people off."
Lono: "Not a day goes by that I don't."
Shepherd: "Dangerous people."
Lono: "Not more than me."
#41 - "A Crash"
What's It About: This standalone issue is bent towards Agent Graves. Graves meets three of the 12 remaining families of the Trust, namely - Javier Vasco, Helena Kotias, and Fulvio Carlito - to see what they want.
What Happens: Although we've seen all the families of The Trust before, this is the first time the names Helena and Fulvio are mentioned. Both of them, plus Javier, want Graves to kill off another one of the families because the 12 families at the moment will not be able to produce a deciding vote. The three families present offer Graves to waste Augustus Medici, in return for a promise to re-instate the Minutemen. No final decision by Graves was made, but he promised to consider it.
There is also a sub-plot which runs throughout the issue, interloping with the main plot. The subplot revolves around a teenage couple who stumble upon the winning Lotto ticket after the original owner fell to his death in his car. The couple is on conflicting terms, but when they decide to keep the winning ticket, the police arrive. One officer in particular sees the ticket, and with a cunning grin, puts the ticket into his pocket.
Interesting Thoughts: Another family of the Trust is mentioned - Simone - but it is unclear as to exactly who she is. The subplot, though nothing to do with the main plot (yet), is a very good example of some of the small trials and tribulations everyone goes through in life. After all, the couple didn't kill the guy, and opportunity just knocked on their door, but some people would rather not have the dreaded feeling of guilt which will linger in their minds for the rest of their life, rich or not rich.
#42 - "Point Off The Edge"
What's It About: Dormant Minuteman Wylie Times is in his usual valley point of his life. Agent Graves offers him an interesting murder job, one which Wylie initially refuses. However a turn of events will soon change his mind.
What Happens: The first few pages prove that Wylie is in financial trouble after his landlord chases him for 3 weeks of rent. After that, Graves appears and gives him the secretive attaché. Wylie, due to his restless nature, hardly even twitches a muscle to open it or listen to Graves. Despite the persuasion of Graves, Wylie doesn't promise anything and just leaves for his daily work at the gas station.
At work, a troubled couple stop by for gas. The man is obviously oppressive and violent, what with the lady sporting bruises. Poor lady went to the bathroom while the burly man talked to the gas station owner Arn about being pushed around in life and how to stand above it. Soon the conversation becomes a heated argument as the lady returns to report that the toilet is flooding. Wylie goes to fix it and when he returned, Mister Bigshot has already brandished a gun and shot Arn. Although the killer has always been sympathetic with the likes of Wylie, he's not ready to let an eyewitness live.
A struggle ensues and with the lady's help, the fat man lies dead on the ground. Wylie packs up and is ready to leave when Graves tries his luck again. Wylie takes Graves' small act of generosity by getting a ride with him. Inside the limo, the picture of the person whom Wylie is asked to kill is revealed - Mr. Shepherd.
Interesting Thoughts: Why would Graves want to kill Mr. Shepherd? Shepherd had already done Graves a favour by capacitating Lono in #40. Surely Graves wouldn't go back on his goodwill?