Counter Intuitive

Did I say Montoni’s was deserted? I stand corrected: as long as the coffee’s free, there will be “Crazy” Harry Klinghorn taking up space at the counter. Darin unwisely decides to use Harry as a one-man focus group to market test his latest hare-brained scheme. Sadly, though he still wears a postal uniform, Crazy’s been unemployed since before Act III began (think about it: have we ever seen him deliver any mail?) and is reduced to scrounging free grub from his old friend Funky. Hence, Harry’s preoccupation with where his next meal is coming from.

Meanwhile, over in Centerville:
Snarker Flummoxicated emailed SoSF to call my attention to a ver-r-r-ry intriguing Crankshaft crossover: Cranky is introduced to the daughter of his friend “Smokey” Williams. Damn! She looks very familiar…

That Darin Young Man

Even a meeting of Montoni’s board of directors is more welcome than a continuation of Les’ Story. Wunderkind Darin, whose “I-Phone” app was a huge success (as the sight of the deserted restaurant will attest), apparently has another brilliant notion. In expressing his disapproval, Funky manages to disparage both Darin and Tony. He forgets that Tony’s worst idea probably was making a partner of Funky, whose reckless expansion plans and cost-cutting measures nearly sank the business that bears his name.

Room for "Rents"

This partnership is off to a less-than-promising start. A real man would tell his mate “Let’s tell our daughters that we just got engaged” (and did they not see Summer and Keisha, stoned again and shooting hoops in the driveway when they got home?). Rather than acting as head of this soon-to-be-blended family, Les flails his wrist and snivels: “So…who wants to tell the girls?” as he and Cayla make a beeline for that ol’ porch swing. None of it matters, since Keisha and Summer – those imps! – have snuck within earshot just in time to hear Les bring the Sunday-only readers up to speed.

Les Who's Coming to Dinner

I’m looking forward to Labor Day to see if TB follows through with introducing Les (and us) to Cayla’s family. There’s a lot of plot potential in such a meeting. It would go a long way towards giving us some insight into why a fairly young and (occasionally) attractive woman like Cayla would fall in love with such a douchebag as Les Moore. Even your humble scribe cannot see that far into the Funky future, but I’m going to bet right now that the meeting takes place “off-camera”, and we’ll catch up with our newly-engaged couple after the fact.

Ring Me Up

Riff Chick
August 18, 2011 at 12:25 am
God, even when he’s proposing he’s still the most obviously self satisfied jerk in comicdom. He’s not even asking for Cayla’s hand in marriage, he clearly assumes she has no logical choice but to accept Les’ generous permission to clamp on the ol’ ball and chain.

Remember, Riff Chick, endings have to be earned!Les finally gets around to a proper proposal, proffering the ring box with his fat little pasty hands (but still not getting down on one knee). What is with all the tight closeups in today’s strip? ‘Specially in panel 3! Yikes.