Les the Wimp gets owned again, this time by Funky, who has usurped Les’ triumph on behalf of all Westviewvians.
What is with the staging of today’s scene? Funky asks a question from behind the counter, Les replies, and Funky races around the counter to exult? Susan is so startled that in panel 2, she retracts her head like a turtle.
Sure, she’s mentally unstable, but there is a method to Station Wagon Susan’s madness: allow her rival to reply first, and then give the exact opposite response, knowing that Cayla will sheepishly concur.
It was Memorial Day when TB left off with the Les/Cayla/Susan triangle, and after a summer of time-travel and PTSD-afflicted dating (but ironically, no Summer), he picks it up again. The top-right panel is quite well-drawn, and portends much drama. Taken by itself, there are many ways one can go with it: is Cayla driving past Montoni’s when she happens to spy Susan walking in? Or is she parked outside, lying in wait? In the next panel we learn that both ladies have been summoned to the pizzeria by Les, “The Man”. Of course, Susan has made it a point to arrive first.
Note the ladies’ astonished expressions in the penultimate panel at Les’ un-ironic use of the phrase “long and hard”.
Funky’s ulterior motive is exposed: it’s not about doing something nice for his buddy Les. It’s just an excuse to order some cases of cheap bubbly. He’s been craving a drink since he walked away from that “vodka and orange” in that gin mill by the rest home.
“Does believing you’re the last sane man on the planet make you crazy? ‘Cause if it does, maybe I am.” –Del Spooner (Will Smith), I, Robot
Dammit, Les, grow a pair. If you don’t want your stupid book launch at Montoni’s then say so! Or suffer the smirks of those that dictate to you.
For what it’s worth: Les’ comment about being “the last sane person on the planet” does fit nicely with the perception of him as The Grounded One.
Son of Stuck Funky 