Maybe it's just because I'm a guy, but is anyone else starting to get the impression that Dawn is hitting on Ned, and not the other way around? Or is Dawn saying things that accelerate the relationship without actually intending to establish a relationship? After Sunday's strip, and today's, I'm not so sure what's going on anymore. Actually... I never have been.
Careful, here, Dawn. This isn't some widowed art professor who takes you to lunch at the student center cafe. This is Dr. Ned Fletcher, Divorcé, who takes you to dinner at Le Cochon ("The Pig" - French foreshadowing) and makes a point of telling you how excruciatingly "lonely" he is. When he invites you home to practice yoga, he won't mean it literally this time.
"Well, first of all, you should know I'm not your employee. I'm a temp. An independent contractor. Second, I already have a history of inappropriate relationships with older, creepy men. And third, I sunk a cruise ship."
[Sidenote: Did anyone see this and NOT think of the Hoosiers?}
I love crossover characters in the comics! In panel 1, Li'l Orphan Grandma; and in panel 2, I'm not sure who that is, but he appears to be some sort of Dick Tracy villain.
I can't believe it's only been a couple of weeks and Dawn hasn't been dumped by Ned yet.
Those who know me, know that I would never encourage reckless drinking... But if I did want to invent a drinking game, it would be one shot for each time the word "good" appears in this strip. By the end of the month, you'd be so wasted.
Every day, in every way, this is looking more and more like my college summer job working at the Medical Group. I hope Dawn doesn't have to put up with the same kind of sexual harassment I had to put up with from some of the ladies on the staff. Of course, back in those days, I had no idea what sexual harassment was. I only know it made me feel uncomfortable.
Woah, Mary. Not medical practice. Medical group. They don't have to practice anymore. They know what they're doing.
I'm sensitive to this, having worked at the Palo Alto Center for Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Smoking Cessation Medical Group when I was about Dawn's age, summers, while I was in college. Making appointments, filing, running errands... as I mentioned a few weeks ago. Wait. Is Dawn going to live my life now?
Oh, come on Mary, adulting is easy. For one thing, you can buy candy whenever you want.
Oh! Oh! Let me answer! Let me answer! It was the best cruise EVER! I especially enjoyed the many offshore activities such as door kicking and horseback riding on romantic isolated beaches! But there were very good onboard activities, too, like browsing the photo gallery and towel folding. And the FOOD!
I take it back! "Enjoy" makes a last minute surge toward the finish line. We are almost finished, aren't we?
Good: 21 Enjoy: 20 Love: 18 Nice: 7
If this story is truly over, maybe it's time to award the word "Good" for being the most used word in this story. I always enjoy a nice love story. They're good. Now, where'd I put my cigarettes?
Good: 21 Enjoy: 19 Love: 18 Nice: 7
It would also be a shame for them not to work things out because Derek lied to Katie after she caught him making out with a flaming hot strawberry blonde whom he spent hours with, smoking cigarettes and singing show tunes. But, yeah, misunderstandings are also bad.
Good: 21 Enjoy: 19 Love: 18 Nice: 7
A perfect example of dialogue that would work better if Katie had allowed Esme to fall to her death. I think I'm just going to imagine that's what really happened.
Good: 21 Enjoy: 19 Love: 17 Nice: 7
Katie's Thought Bubble: I love him, but can I trust him again? That look in his eyes tells me that he wants to quit smoking and shipboard entertainers for me, but he lacks the confidence in himself that he needs to succeed. Is there anything I can do to help him? Is there some change I need to make to help him overcome the powerful addictions he has to tobacco and show tunes?
Derek's Thought Bubble: I'd like to eat now, but I can't be the first to break eye contact.
================
No change today in our verb and adjective tally, but I missed a few days so I want to post an update. "Good" took the lead on Thursday:
Good: 20 Enjoy: 19 Love: 17 Nice: 7
Even Toby has fallen asleep listening to Mary drone on about her encounter with Derek in the photo gallery....
Hey, guys, I'm over at Derek and Katie's cabin listening to her tell Derek all about how Esme tried to murder her and fell overboard, but Katie saved her. I'm sorry you aren't here. It's awesome. Derek is all like, "No WAY!" and Katie is like, "Way!"
Let the victory lap begin!
But frankly, I'd much rather listen to Katie recap her encounter with Esme, than to Mary recap her encounter with Derek. But an employee falling overboard just isn't as significant as buying a photo in the photo gallery.
I'm not sure how Derek intends to fulfill his promise never to look at a cigarette. Maybe he'll put the patch over his eyes.
His sudden visual aversion to cigarettes, however, reminds me of our oldest daughter who as a very young child would freak out if she even saw someone smoking. She'd make quite a scene. One day, when she was three, she said to me, "Cigarettes are yucky! My friends smoke cigarettes and they say, 'yuck!' John says yuck! Ashley says yuck! They just like normular food, like canola bars and juice."
Enjoy: 19 Good: 19 Love: 14 Nice: 7
Today's strip would be a lot more satisfying and make a lot more sense if Katie had quietly watched until Esme lost her grip and plunged 300 feet to her death.
No, Derek, Mary didn't say apologize! She said make Katie understand. You are totally off script right now, and I won't be held responsible.
"Your paramour tried to murder me during the hurricane, but when the ship lurched she fell overboard. I saved her life, and she vowed never to see you again. What did you want to tell me?"
"Uh, Mary Worth gave me a picture of us."
Hey, June Brigman must be a magician, too! That's exactly what she did when she took over the artistic responsibilities last year. I sure wish she was drawing my life.
Mary's night wasn't just good -- it was VERY good! Because she bought a photo at the gallery.
Enjoy: 19 Good: 19 Love: 13 Nice: 7
"Here, I just ordered this print of you and Katie before you walked in. I keep pictures of all my victims. But I think you need it more than me right now."
