Must be a shift change at the pizzeria. Les has handed over his Montoni’s apron to Summer, and traded his trademark yellow shirt for the spiffy green one that Funky wore to the movies on Sunday. But he still wears the resigned expression of a man who simply lays back and allows life to happen to him. Douche.
“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.
Somewhere between yesterday’s second panel and today’s first, Les’ bemused expression has been replaced by one of abject terror. It must be his reaction to Funky’s Vulcan grip on his shoulder as, wild-eyed, he explains to Les why it is immutable destiny that the launch party be held at Montoni’s…rather than at someplace without a red, white and green awning.
TB also introduces a new visual effect, sort of a “sepia telescope” through which past events are viewed. Interesting to note how vans figure in Darin’s delivery as well as his conception. And hoo-boy: does Les on his wedding day look like a gay Batman or what‽
That loud, metallic grinding you hear is Batiuk abruptly and inartfully shifting narrative gears back to the Les Gets Published story arc. “Hey, Les: since you and I are standing around in this deserted pizzeria, without any customers to attend to, I might as well stroke your ego by asking if that book of yours will ever see print.” Observe Les’ trademark smug, sidelong glance as his favorite topic is raised. “Ahem, yes, well, my publicist…she’s in New York, you know…is diligently seeking the proper venue for the launch par-tay…” Because that’s such a goddamn important detail in releasing a book. She can take her time booking a place: that mimeograph machine over at KSU Press only cranks out about ten pages a minute. Then they gotta collate and staple everything together.
Funky wastes no time in offering, no, insisting, to host Northeastern Ohio’s literary event of the decade at, where else, Montoni’s! …immediately sending Les into “thanks but no thanks” mode. “It’s a launch party…not a youth soccer awards banquet/after-bowling soiree/kiddie birthday party…”
Keisha returns home after a long night of bustin’ heads with her gang, the Baseball Furies. That cold bottle of Cristal would go down real good…Better put it back on ice, though; once Cayla tells her daughter who Les was gettin’ “busy” with, we’re goin’ extra innings!
Son of Stuck Funky 
