Topic: WCDT strips 4481 to 4485 (15th-19th March 2021) (Read 6102 times)

BenRG · « **on:** 14 Mar 2021, 15:38 »

The last we heard, UR might be in a lot of trouble. Sam's sprays may be the only regular income stream the company has and it's reached the point where Faye may not be eating properly because she simply can't afford it. How do you think that the story arc of Union Robotics will be resolved?

I'm thinking that all it takes is luck. I have a feeling that Faye or Bubbles are going to hit on something that will turn around their fortunes. Maybe something that focusses on the one part of their business that seems to be working - cosmetic augmentation and improvement.

What do you think?

shanejayell · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 17:09 »

Hmm. The Sprays go viral on the robot version of the Internet? Could happen.

(I read somewhere in opening a small business you have to budget that you won't make a profit for at LEAST a year. So, yeah...)

Gyrre · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 18:19 »

Looks like the poll results are giving us three middle fingers.

EDIT: I wonder if Elliot gets his stature from his mother or from both of his parents?

Farideh · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 18:25 »

I've selected "don't know". Not enough information for me to surrogate on.

Wombt · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 19:37 »

Ooooh, I want to meet Elliot's mom.

shanejayell · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 20:02 »

Elliot's mom sounds interesting.

Scarlet Manuka · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 20:10 »

I voted "Actually more successful..." because I don't think we're going to see a storyline about it failing - I think we'll just see references to how it is struggling, but with no actual consequences, and then some time in the future it will start to be depicted as more successful.

sitnspin · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 21:10 »

It turns out Elliot is the runt of his family.

Farideh · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 Mar 2021, 21:23 »

Is Elliot's mother a superhero?

BenRG · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 00:14 »

Clinton, it's very simple. Elliot is a guest and it would be the height of bad manners to charge a guest for a meal. You, on the other hand, are the guy who volunteered your mother to make a meal for a stranger so that you could have a 'safe' social interaction with him. So, yeah, I think that she might be viewing you and Elliot with a different mindset right now.

Additionally, Aurelia probably want to impress her cute guest. Not always for reasons she's consciously happy with but, if she's anything like me, 'reaction' and 'impulse' is far, far ahead of conscious planning in any social situation.

DaiJB · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 01:15 »

"Other"

Union Robotics continues to lurch along (like a badly maintained stereotypical cartoon robot), yet miraculously manages to stay solvent by a combination of luck, scrimping and saving, and occasional brilliant ideas. One end result is that Faye loses a lot of weight, much to the alarm of Bubbles...

Elliot back-story! Now I really want to meet Elliot's Mother!

Annemoon · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 02:16 »

Quote from: BenRG on 15 Mar 2021, 00:14

Clinton, it's very simple. Elliot is a guest and it would be the height of bad manners to charge a guest for a meal. You, on the other hand, are the guy who volunteered your mother to make a meal for a stranger so that you could have a 'safe' social interaction with him. So, yeah, I think that she might be viewing you and Elliot with a different mindset right now.

Additionally, Aurelia probably want to impress her cute guest. Not always for reasons she's consciously happy with but, if she's anything like me, 'reaction' and 'impulse' is far, far ahead of conscious planning in any social situation.

This, this and this.

However, bringing up 'labor time' is always a bit of a low blow to me. Like, you cannot fault the baby, that's just bullshit.

Rincewind · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 02:25 »

I'd like to think that Elliot's mom was the model for the series of robot chassis that Bubbles is one of. Of course, I'd also like to think his father looks like Lou Costello, but that's just because I'm very. very strange.

stayctee · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 09:54 »

I cannot handle this - now he's letting his mom PAY for his date with Elliot? What the hell - this would be a huge turn off for me. Isn't he supposed to be an adult? Ew.

hedgie · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 11:39 »

Sounds like the starving student mentality to me. I'm not going to fault Clin-ton for that one.

Farideh · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 13:07 »

It's a bit of a messy situation, honestly.

Clinton: "Hey mom, I'm coming over for dinner!"
Aurelia: "Great, honey!"

Later

C: "I'm bringing a friend, do you mind?"
A: "Not at all"

Later

A: "Whoops, dog ate the groceries!"
C: <freaking out slightly>
A: <orders takeaway>

So probably, if Aurelia had cooked the meal herself, she probably wouldn't've charged Clinton, but with the added charge of the eaten groceries AND the takeaway... That adds up. She can't ask Elliot to pay, since he's a guest, but her son is fair game

BenRG · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 13:39 »

Am I the only one who thinks that there is a chance that Aurelia deliberately let Cosmo eat the groceries out of pique that Clinton invited himself over to Mom's Free Diner on very minimal notice?

Thrillho · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 14:32 »

Quote from: BenRG on 15 Mar 2021, 13:39

Am I the only one who thinks that there is a chance that Aurelia deliberately let Cosmo eat the groceries out of pique that Clinton invited himself over to Mom's Free Diner on very minimal notice?

Can't say you're the only one.

But I definitely wasn't thinking that.

Farideh · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 14:45 »

It doesn't seem logical to me. Aurelia wouldn't be the type to waste food like that, and she'd probably tell Clinton straight up if his behavior bothers her.

Gyrre · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 17:17 »

Quote from: Rincewind on 15 Mar 2021, 02:25

I'd like to think that Elliot's mom was the model for the series of robot chassis that Bubbles is one of. Of course, I'd also like to think his father looks like Lou Costello, but that's just because I'm very. very strange.

Considering the antics in his life, Bustor Keaton wouldn't be too far off either.

Farideh · « **Reply #20 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 18:47 »

Comic's up.

The ship is sailing! Good luck to thee, SS Clintelliot. Drink some water, you two.

Also: no-one tell Mrs A about what Clinton and Elliot were really talking about

EDIT: it looks like Claire's picture is coughing in the last panel.

Gnabberwocky · « **Reply #21 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 18:58 »

Elliot's a better baker all around, but Aurelia dominates in the 1am-cookies-while-stoned division.

shanejayell · « **Reply #22 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 19:14 »

Pffft.

Clinton, you REALLY need to tell Mom Elliot is your date....

mneme · « **Reply #23 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 19:17 »

Quote from: Gnabberwocky on 15 Mar 2021, 18:58

Elliot's a better baker all around, but Aurelia dominates in the 1am-cookies-while-stoned division.

Oh, yeah, Arellia clearly has some backing chops of her own--shame she won't be able to serve baked goods to Elliot, but it's just not to be for many good reasons. (incl but not limited to dog).

Farideh · « **Reply #24 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 19:24 »

Quote from: mneme on 15 Mar 2021, 19:17

Oh, yeah, Arellia clearly has some backing chops of her own--shame she won't be able to serve baked goods to Elliot, but it's just not to be for many good reasons. (incl but not limited to dog).

Maybe not today, but since Elliot and her son are now dating, there'll be plenty of opportunities.

Gyrre · « **Reply #25 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 20:52 »

YEESH
:grimace:

MrNumbers · « **Reply #26 on:** 15 Mar 2021, 21:44 »

I love this

BenRG · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 00:14 »

Y'know, I think that I understand Aurelia a bit more thinking of all the pictures of Claire and Clinton on the wall. The two of them have been the centre of her world for a very long time and that's all good and right but, now they're both growing up and more-or-less out of the house, she's desperately looking to find who Aurelia is and what she wants, possibly something that she hasn't been able to focus on since her marriage.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #28 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 04:19 »

You know, I distinctly wonder if subtext implies that, well, a "they were both bottoms" scenario will happen.

(No, I'm not sorry.)

Thrillho · « **Reply #29 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 06:08 »

What makes you raise that question, out of interest?

bhtooefr · « **Reply #30 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 06:14 »

#1, I wanted to make a sub pun

#2, I dunno, I just get a vibe that neither of them would take the lead?

Perfectly Reasonable · « **Reply #31 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 07:29 »

Ship explodes.

SpanielBear · « **Reply #32 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 09:26 »

The only reported instance of a sub destroying another sub whilst both were submerged was the 1944 sinking of U-864 by HMS Venturer, with the captain of the Venturer having to work out the vector for the torpedoes in three dimensional space using paper and pencil.

In other words, sub on sub is possible, but it’s going to involve some intense trigonometry.

Thrillho · « **Reply #33 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 09:48 »

I was wondering, because being a bottom is not inherently not having the power in the situation, or not being assertive. But then I'd argue a sub in a sub/dom relationship is the one that should have the supreme control anyway...

DaiJB · « **Reply #34 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 15:21 »

Oh dear, this is no time for subtlety or metaphors, boys - I think you're just gonna have to come out and say what you mean!

I suspect Aurelia is who Clinton gets his obliviousness from...

wiserd · « **Reply #35 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 15:52 »

Regarding Union Robotics; I'm going to go with "May gets late-coming publicity from John Ellicott-Chatham related to indigent robots and their need for bodies. UR rides the publicity wave to financial comfort. But will success destroy what struggle couldn't? Find out next week!"

Mr Intrepid · « **Reply #36 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 18:39 »

Or John EC does a proof of concept for his guaranteed robot health care, and Hannelore mentions a small independent shop that might be a good test subject. UR gets some spiffy equipment and a generous monthly retainer. They become able to do more and a level of financial security.

Farideh · « **Reply #37 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 19:01 »

New comic.

Aurelia's penny dropped!

Gnabberwocky · « **Reply #38 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 19:16 »

The ship is pulling away from the dock, and Aurelia is standing on the shore holding a firebomb. I don't think she'll use it, but...

Farideh · « **Reply #39 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 19:19 »

Nah, she wouldn't.

... Right?

de_la_Nae · « **Reply #40 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 19:36 »

i mean, intentionally? i don't *think* so

but she *is* the mother of both Clinton *and* Claire, two people who aren't always good at being Chill when they're excited/flustered

shanejayell · « **Reply #41 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 20:04 »

And the clue-hammer hits. *lol*

wiserd · « **Reply #42 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 20:08 »

There seems to be a rash going around. It seems contagious. Be careful what you touch.

Gnabberwocky · « **Reply #43 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 20:58 »

Quote from: wiserd on 16 Mar 2021, 20:08

There seems to be a rash going around. It seems contagious. Be careful what you touch.

Actually, Cosmo has learned to use a Sharpie. Nowhere is safe.

questionablydiscontent · « **Reply #44 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 22:15 »

If those two blush anymore they're going to burst a blood vessel x3

tbodt · « **Reply #45 on:** 16 Mar 2021, 23:14 »

I'm a little embarrassed to admit I don't get the subtext from 4482

BenRG · « **Reply #46 on:** 17 Mar 2021, 00:18 »

I guessed from the start that Jeph would ultimately reuse the "He's a nice boy" line from when she first met Marten.

However, now the penny has dropped, she has something of a dilemma after having basically spent the evening flirting with Elliot. Does she rush upstairs now to apologise and possibly burst into the bedroom to interrupt the two of them making out on Clinton's bed or something? Or does she wait until she's sure she isn't about to interrupt something?

de_la_Nae · « **Reply #47 on:** 17 Mar 2021, 01:07 »

Quote from: tbodt on 16 Mar 2021, 23:14

I'm a little embarrassed to admit I don't get the subtext from 4482

i gotcha

replace "baking" with "smooching" and you more or less get it

Y · « **Reply #48 on:** 17 Mar 2021, 01:24 »

I probably wouldn't get the subtext either of 4482 if I was on the spot, the subtext of this one however

Oenone · « **Reply #49 on:** 17 Mar 2021, 13:27 »

Quote from: BenRG on 17 Mar 2021, 00:18

I guessed from the start that Jeph would ultimately reuse the "He's a nice boy" line from when she first met Marten.

However, now the penny has dropped, she has something of a dilemma after having basically spent the evening flirting with Elliot. Does she rush upstairs now to apologise and possibly burst into the bedroom to interrupt the two of them making out on Clinton's bed or something? Or does she wait until she's sure she isn't about to interrupt something?

I genuinely don't see where y'all are getting that she was flirting? She commented that she wasn't expecting Clinton's friend to be Elliot (the "look like that" imo referred to the fact that Clinton is a geek into AI rights and Elliot is a giant, non-hipster) and didn't let Elliot pay. That's... idk that's pretty normal mom stuff?

If we as the reader didn't realize she was into him, I'm not sure I'd have gotten that from just their interactions.

Did I miss a strip of arm-touching and breathy compliments?

Jeph Jacques's comics discussion forums

Poll

The fate of Union Robotics

Author Topic: WCDT strips 4481 to 4485 (15th-19th March 2021) (Read 6102 times)