It’s one of those “jokes” that makes sense only in print: “Lava” meaning molten rock is pronounced “lah-vah”, but I doubt that anyone pronounces “lavatory” as “lah-vah-tory”, even in Tanzania. I could be wrong.
It appears that the cartoonist is creatively spent after rendering the lush jungle landscape in Sunday’s strip: a Google Image Search for “Kilimanjaro lava tower” turns up images of an impressive, massive monolith. As drawn here it resembles a small slag heap.
To those who, like yours truly, scoffed at Crazy Harry’s well-intentioned offer of his Tarzan collection to Les? Turns out Les actually read Crazy’s Tarzan comics and as a result is now trippin’ balls. James the Guide (inexplicably portrayed today by a young Geoffrey Holder) solemnly warns the climbers that due to the high altitude they “might experience some hallucinations.” This warning comes after the hallucinations have already begun. While TB uses Les’ condition as an occasion for humor, and to indulge his fondness for jungle comics, Les is actually experiencing the onset of high altitude cerebral edema (or HACE), “a severe (frequently fatal) form of altitude sickness”. He really needs to be moved to a lower altitude, stat! On second thought: keep climbing, Les, keep climbing!
Turns out the Westview Smirk is just as contagious as dengue fever…Check out the normally stoic James‘ goofy grin as he urges Dan, Summer, Les and Three Generic Tourists onward, onward to the summit. Backpack Kitty, naturally, stays safely nestled in Dan’s pack, and can be counted upon not to jump out and run away. Good kitty!
Groan…
Way to deal with Les endless’ whining, James: go and ask his daughter to keep him in line. Are there no real men on this expedition? Talk about “begging for a beatdown”: Les is in need of some serious bitch-slappin’. Volunteers?
Good thing Les “trained” for this climb, huh? I’m not sure if it’s “the altitude sickness” but he’s got those same black Zip-a-tone freckles that Summer had when she came down with the flu. Note that although James is serving as “guide” on this trek, he’s wisely letting Dan and Backpack Kitty lead the way, no doubt just in case they startle a hungry cheetah or baboon.
Son of Stuck Funky 