Ah, book stores! Especially mom and pop bookstores, have been in trouble financially since about, oh, 2003. I guess “a while now” means 8 or so years. I appreciate the opportunity to guest blog on here and give SnarkMaster T. the chance to chill for a little but it would appear I picked the week we’re going to be trapped in a small, stifling bookstore with the Unibomber and a misshapen blob of talking dough.
Tag: the economy
Forced Busing
I’m starting to think that TB is responding to readers who miss the “gag-a-day” format of Act I; except now, the situation derives from a “topical” issue, and of course the gags are absurd or unfunny or both. In today’s strip we get the setup/punchline formula, a la Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon…”Money is so tight for the football team…” “HOW? TIGHT? IS IT?”
Cutting Remarks
“$600 a player?” Now I understand why Bull is so glum! The pay-to- play – participate – whatever fee in the schools in my town is a more down-to-earth 75 bucks. Turns out things could be even worse, though: according to the article that The Ridger linked to, these fees can run up to a grand! Unfortunately, it looks like the only ones in Westview who can afford the six hundred bucks are the parents of the uncoordinated skinny white kids. The punchline sucks, too: Bull would have to comprehend that Les is talking about “cutting” costs, not players.
Gratuitous
What’s even more wearisome than the decades-old running gag about the lousy football team? How about a week-long arc about how hard economic times are affecting said lousy football team? What is a tip jar supposed to accomplish? Why doesn’t Bull get some advice from fundraising genius Harry Dinkle?
Stepfather Meets the Godfather
True to his word, Les engages in a sit-down on Darin’s behalf, with Don Montoni and his consigliere. Les frames the discussion in terms of how hiring Darin would benefit Funky, since Tony already spends more time away from the business than in it.
It’s heartening to know that, at least in Westview, “things are turning around”, since it was less than a year ago that Montoni’s was struggling. Don’t expect to see Darin the MBA flipping dough or bussing tables with Wally and Rache: Les sees his stepson in a management role. After all: Darin did design Montoni’s website.
Son of Stuck Funky 
