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Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: BenRG on 05 Nov 2017, 12:51

Title: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 05 Nov 2017, 12:51
On his Twitter feed, Jeph has been publishing sketches of a new character, a blonde woman with thick glasses and bushy eyebrows. Who might she be? There are so many things Jeph could be planning to do with a new supporting (or possibly even main) character! I tried to cover as many bases as I could but I know the limits of my imagination! Tell me what you think!

As for me, I'm conflicted: There are so many great possibilities. However, as I have put myself into the position where I must choose one, I find myself drawn to the possibilities of a sweet young PFC who didn't die because she was trapped under an overturned HUMMER; the smoke from the fuel fires screwed up her eyes but, she's alive. She remembers Bubbles but Bubbles doesn't remember her. Maybe she can bring back some memories? Or maybe she can freak out Faye by remarking that "Yeah, it makes sense! You're B's type!"
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Nov 2017, 16:55
And anyone who is a Patreon supporter knows who she is...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 05 Nov 2017, 17:02
Yes, and anyone who isn't a Patreon supporter that successfully guesses probably deserves an award of some kind.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: comicalArchitect on 05 Nov 2017, 19:32
comic's up

Theory: it wasn't Beatrice, but JOHN who sent Tilly. They're both capable of such a thing, and a personal assistant seems too srtaightforwardly benevolent for Beatrice.

Also, this is a long shot, but Tlily's androgynous appearance makes me wonder if we're finally getting a non-binary QC character.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: ysth on 05 Nov 2017, 19:34
What comic was it where she got an assistant before?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 05 Nov 2017, 19:36
A replacement for Sweet Tits with a less sexist name.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: SmilingCat on 05 Nov 2017, 19:40
My first thought was that she was an AnthroPC of a similar make to winslow. Then she was offered pancakes and accepted. Which makes that less likely to me.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: SmilingCat on 05 Nov 2017, 19:42
A replacement for Sweet Tits with a less sexist name.

Harriet isn't a particularly sexist name. :P
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 05 Nov 2017, 19:43
Also, this is a long shot, but Tlily's androgynous appearance makes me wonder if we're finally getting a non-binary QC character.
With all due respect to a fellow forum member, ain't NUTHIN' androgynous about Tilly's figure.  Butt like dat gonna drive Pintsize batshit.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 05 Nov 2017, 19:47
A replacement for Sweet Tits with a less sexist name.

Harriet isn't a particularly sexist name. :P
Sweet Tits is AKA Harriet?  Damn, my memory is failing.  No wonder the poor girl prefers to be known as Sweet Tits.  Not as cruel and unusual as naming your kid Abner, though.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hedgie on 05 Nov 2017, 19:51
She doesn't prefer it.  It's just the sobriquet bestowed upon her by Yelling Bird and that Jeph kept as a running gag for quite a while.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 05 Nov 2017, 19:51

Theory: it wasn't Beatrice, but JOHN who sent Tilly. They're both capable of such a thing, and a personal assistant seems too srtaightforwardly benevolent for Beatrice.


You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. And let's be fair, Beatrice is the kind of person who would send Hanners a personal assistant, someone who can surreptitiously control Hanners for whatever reason. Personal assistants don't get coffee or do little errands, they can effectively control someone's life. And Beatrice is douchey enough to try and control Hanners.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 05 Nov 2017, 19:54
After all, if Hannelore felt the need for someone to manage her schedule and keep track of things, she has Winslow already.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Welu on 05 Nov 2017, 20:11
Also, this is a long shot, but Tlily's androgynous appearance makes me wonder if we're finally getting a non-binary QC character.
With all due respect to a fellow forum member, ain't NUTHIN' androgynous about Tilly's figure.  Butt like dat gonna drive Pintsize batshit.

Figure is not the only aspect of appearance. I'm assuming the post was more referencing their clothing and hair. Also there's all mixes of bodies, identities and expressions so androgynous can come in many forms.

As a nonbinary person with curves, I'd have some squees to get out if our new friend is nonbinary.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 05 Nov 2017, 21:46
comic's up

Theory: it wasn't Beatrice, but JOHN who sent Tilly. They're both capable of such a thing, and a personal assistant seems too srtaightforwardly benevolent for Beatrice.


Yes, she seems too nice to work for Beatrice. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Storel on 05 Nov 2017, 22:46
comic's up

Theory: it wasn't Beatrice, but JOHN who sent Tilly. They're both capable of such a thing, and a personal assistant seems too srtaightforwardly benevolent for Beatrice.


Yes, she seems too nice to work for Beatrice.

I was going to say that Beatrice seems much more meddling than John, but then I remembered the "practice boyfriend" John sent Hanners...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 05 Nov 2017, 23:21
The thing about Hannelore's mother is that she is utterly unselfconscious about her abuse of those beneath her. She really does consider those down the social ladder relative to her as being lesser beings. So, I fully expect that, when Hannelore finally gets through to her, Beatrice will totally shamelessly tell her that she thought it was time that her daughter had her first biological slave rather than just use her father's 'toys' in that role.

Just to maximise the emotional blackmail end of this, I'm betting that Tilly has been told that, if Hannelore doesn't want her, she's fired. So, there will be this guilt trip for Hanners and this desperate over-helpfulness on Tilly's part. This will be comedic but only in a very, very uncomfortable way.

Meanwhile, I feel a lot of empathy for Beatrice's PA in this situation because she's having to lie fluently to Hannelore. Beatrice doesn't want to talk to her until Tilly has fully integrated into Hannelore's life, making it hard to dismiss her. That means, at least for a couple of days, they'll be in the position of having to lie to Hanners consistently about her mother's whereabouts and/or activities. I've been in that position more than once and it isn't a comfortable place.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: QuestionableIntentions on 05 Nov 2017, 23:30
Oh, hey, another female character.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: shanejayell on 05 Nov 2017, 23:44
I already feel vaguely sorry for her.  :-D :laugh:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Squiddlywinx on 06 Nov 2017, 00:23
I just noticed that Hannelore's side buzz is symmetric. Nice.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 06 Nov 2017, 00:45
She seems nice.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 06 Nov 2017, 01:13
Could it be that JJ doesn't know how to conclude what he started about Faye and Bubbles?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: pwhodges on 06 Nov 2017, 01:32
Maybe there's nothing to conclude.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 06 Nov 2017, 02:21
Could it be that JJ doesn't know how to conclude what he started about Faye and Bubbles?

It's entirely possible that you're expecting something that isn't going to happen for some time. In the case of Marten and Claire, it took a couple of RL years to go from them snuggling up after Marten's dads' wedding and Marten proposing to Claire that they enter a relationship. We aren't even at the 'snuggling together' phase with Faye and Bubbles just yet!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 06 Nov 2017, 02:35
Um, they did snuggle. Or more like Faye snuggled up to Bubbles. Can't find it right now.

Similar to how Claire snuggled up to Marten, actually.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hakko504 on 06 Nov 2017, 03:44
Um, they did snuggle. Or more like Faye snuggled up to Bubbles. Can't find it right now.
3463 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3463)-3464 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3464)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Zebediah on 06 Nov 2017, 04:41
Prediction: Tilly will try to do Hannelore's job at CoD for her, because those are her orders from Beatrice. Hijinks ensue.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dsvella on 06 Nov 2017, 05:02
After all, if Hannelore felt the need for someone to manage her schedule and keep track of things, she has Winslow already.

Whilst I get what you are saying, I wonder what Winslow would think about being a PA. Something in my head makes is sound demeaning for an AI but that might be because I am thinking of them doing the same job as the calendar on my phone.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dutchrvl on 06 Nov 2017, 05:30
Oh, hey, another female character.

While of course this could very well be a nonbinary character (as pointed out by others), at first glance it appears to indeed be a female character.

Just because of that I actually hope she/he is nonbinary, because I'd have a mild preference for any additional characters (if we even need additional I guess?) not to be female. In my list of 20 'main' characters (what I think that is), I had:

-10 female characters (Claire, Samantha, Veronica, Renee, Brun, Hannelore, Faye, Emily, Dora, Tai)
-4 female AIs (May, Momo, Bubbles, Roko)
-4 male characters (Marten, Clinton, Elliott, Jim)
-2 male AIs (Pintsize, Winslow)

Of course there are additional male characters who could become more active in the future (Dale, Steve, Sven, Will, Amir), but they are very much in the background and/or inactive ATM, as are more female characters (Marigold, Penny, Cosette, Raven).
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 06 Nov 2017, 05:42
Maybe there's nothing to conclude.

Which would be another form of conclusion.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: NemesisDancer on 06 Nov 2017, 05:50
I didn't really see Tilly as androgynous myself, but that's because she looks exactly like my mum (who laughed when I showed her, because it's true) :') Curious as to why she's been hired; perhaps Hannelore's mother is wanting her to aim for a more 'professional' career and has sent her an assistant as a slightly abrupt form of encouragement?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 06 Nov 2017, 06:23
I have to say that I do suspect a manipulative agenda on Beatrice's part. I think that she wants to prepare Hannelore for her eventual place at the company, including trying to make Hannelore more selfish, abusive and callous. Giving her a dogsbody (Tilly), who I predict is neurotic and submissive to the point where it would be difficult not to abuse her, even if you didn't want to, is the first step. It wouldn't surprise me if Tilly had other standing instructions from her boss to push Hannelore into being more like Beatrice. For example, trying to arrange emotion-free hook-ups (ideally with submissive partners whom it would be easy to abuse), to find ways in which she can abuse and exploit her friends and other ways to profit herself or just amuse herself by causing harm to others.

Dark? Yes, but this is Beatrice we're talking about. The only reason she isn't a Bond villain is because acting within the law is an easier way of gaining power without consequence than being an international terrorist.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 06 Nov 2017, 06:39
Well, regardless of which of Hanners' parents sent her/them (whichever is applicable) Tilly is adorable.

Also, Hanners bedhead!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Welu on 06 Nov 2017, 07:05
Also, this is a long shot, but Tlily's androgynous appearance makes me wonder if we're finally getting a non-binary QC character.
With all due respect to a fellow forum member, ain't NUTHIN' androgynous about Tilly's figure.  Butt like dat gonna drive Pintsize batshit.

Figure is not the only aspect of appearance. I'm assuming the post was more referencing their clothing and hair. Also there's all mixes of bodies, identities and expressions so androgynous can come in many forms.

And speculating on someone's sexuality based only on perceptions/labels of their appearance is likely to get one in hot water!

Sexuality is not gender. However it is a worthwhile point that we've only just met this character so let's give them and Jeph a chance for us to get to know them.

What we can speculate on based on what we know... Does Tilly like sweet or savoury pancakes?  :-P
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 06 Nov 2017, 08:08
Does everybody sleep on the belly in that comic?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 06 Nov 2017, 08:30
At first I thought she was a robot but I suppose it'd be weird for her to love pancakes so much if she was a robot (she might for the smell but I doubt it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Stoutfellow on 06 Nov 2017, 08:48
Does everybody sleeps on the belly in that comic?

No, not even Hannelore all the time: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3565 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3565)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 06 Nov 2017, 09:48
Succession planning must be a real challenge for someone like Beatrice. But wouldn't it make more sense to offer her daughter a job managing some location or division?

On the other topic I am confident Jeph will come back to Bubbles's feelings for Faye.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Milayna on 06 Nov 2017, 12:04
RE: gender ratio

I'm reminded of a famous study on classroom participation that found that the dudes in the room thought they were getting drown out when like 30% of the hands called were women. So this comic is approaching a gender ratio that about 97% of all other media/games/stories/etc have, but on the opposite end. And there's some rumbling in the direction of wanting to "balance" the cast out.

Honestly I'm perfectly ok with how it's going and if you REALLY need a banal dude-story that much, may I direct you in the direction of just about everything else? Otherwise, broadening yall's horizons won't hurt. Enjoy the comic for being outside of what you usually see.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Emperor Norton on 06 Nov 2017, 12:14
You know, I don't think this is malicious at all. I think Beatrice just feels that personal assistants are what adults have.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Zebediah on 06 Nov 2017, 13:02
I don't think it's malicious either, just a misguided attempt to "help" Hannelore make the "right" moves in her life.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dutchrvl on 06 Nov 2017, 13:45

Honestly I'm perfectly ok with how it's going and if you REALLY need a banal dude-story that much, may I direct you in the direction of just about everything else? Otherwise, broadening yall's horizons won't hurt. Enjoy the comic for being outside of what you usually see.

This seems like it was meant as a reply to my previous message. If not, then please disregard this message, but if it is, I would like to say that I find your implying that I'd need a "banal dude-story" or that my horizon somehow needs broadening not only unwarranted, but also the tone of your comment unnecessarily combative.

I merely stated that, if Tilly is binary and female, I would prefer a male character at this point in time (e.g. a gay male?) because to me that would be more interesting than an additional female character. Note that I did not state that my enjoyment would suffer otherwise or that I needed a 'banal dude-story'?

You could have simply stated that you disagree with my preference without implying that I'm narrow-minded or need 'dude-stories', yes?
 
Have a nice day, and enjoy the story, whatever direction JJ is taking it in :)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 06 Nov 2017, 13:54
Were we to consult Roko, she'd tell us to avoid focusing on one "suspect" this early in the "investigation." 

I agree, Beatrice is the likely culprit, but there are at least two other with the means and opportunity - John of course, and Station (who's probably the wealthiest of all the strip's other characters  outside of the Ellicott-Chatham human family and doesn't really need a dime of it so he's free to spend it all on larks, pranks, and other amusements).

That leaves motive.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Pilchard123 on 06 Nov 2017, 14:28
<snip>
Station
<snip>
That leaves motive.

A PA is likely to spend considerable time around their employer, or whatever the correct word is in this case. I have nothing concrete to base this on other than "eh, it could happen I suppose", but what if Tilly is Station? He wanted Hannelore to stay up in space, but she didn't want to. Maybe he's found a way to come down to Earth. Tilly's drawing style looks a bit like Winslow's new chassis (aside from colouring), though that could be new character fuzziness.

I don't seriously think that's the case at all, though. Why wouldn't Station say who he really was? Why would he choose a female-looking chassis and name?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 06 Nov 2017, 15:07
You know, I don't think this is malicious at all. I think Beatrice just feels that personal assistants are what adults have.

Why now, in that case?

Hannelore's been an adult for some time now.

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 06 Nov 2017, 15:17
Oh, hey, another female character.

While of course this could very well be a nonbinary character (as pointed out by others), at first glance it appears to indeed be a female character.

Just because of that I actually hope she/he is nonbinary, because I'd have a mild preference for any additional characters (if we even need additional I guess?) not to be female. In my list of 20 'main' characters (what I think that is), I had:

-10 female characters (Claire, Samantha, Veronica, Renee, Brun, Hannelore, Faye, Emily, Dora, Tai)
-4 female AIs (May, Momo, Bubbles, Roko)
-4 male characters (Marten, Clinton, Elliott, Jim)
-2 male AIs (Pintsize, Winslow)

Of course there are additional male characters who could become more active in the future (Dale, Steve, Sven, Will, Amir), but they are very much in the background and/or inactive ATM, as are more female characters (Marigold, Penny, Cosette, Raven).

Well Spookybot isn’t a part of the cast, but I’d classify them as non binary.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: zmeiat_joro on 06 Nov 2017, 15:25
RE: gender ratio

I'm reminded of a famous study on classroom participation that found that the dudes in the room thought they were getting drown out when like 30% of the hands called were women. So this comic is approaching a gender ratio that about 97% of all other media/games/stories/etc have, but on the opposite end. And there's some rumbling in the direction of wanting to "balance" the cast out.

Honestly I'm perfectly ok with how it's going and if you REALLY need a banal dude-story that much, may I direct you in the direction of just about everything else? Otherwise, broadening yall's horizons won't hurt. Enjoy the comic for being outside of what you usually see.

Quoting Charlie Stross:
"The word I've heard is that women account for the majority of fiction consumed, by about a 60/40 split.

Some genre consumer bases are gendered more heavily than others. Genre romance is about 75% female consumers (but note that 25% is bought by men, and it accounts for roughly 50% of all fiction sales). "Hard SF", with its Cambellian overtones of two-fisted engineering stories, and it's spin-off, MilSF, is predominantly read by men — but it's still about a 65/35 split. Overall, SF is supposed to be about 55/45 male/female readers, and fantasy is an even split (skewing towards 75/25 once you get into paranormal romance, which started out as a subgenre within romance)."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 06 Nov 2017, 15:49
You know, I don't think this is malicious at all. I think Beatrice just feels that personal assistants are what adults have.

Why now, in that case?

Hannelore's been an adult for some time now.

Let's not forget that despite everything about her OCD and issues, Hanners is actually a successful adult. She had her own internet business. She's made strides in dealing with people, professionally and personally. Its not like she's hurting for money. And Hanners has proven that she can beat her mother at her own games.

This just reeks of Beatrice trying to be more controlling of her daughter, or at least an attempt to mould her into an image of herself.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Oenone on 06 Nov 2017, 17:12
Wild speculation: Tilly is Hannelores cousin or step sib, and this is bizarro familial bonding.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 06 Nov 2017, 17:22
Is Beatrice getting intimations of mortality?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TV4Fun on 06 Nov 2017, 19:42
I think we need to start taking a shot whenever Jeph introduces a new character.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: ChipNoir on 06 Nov 2017, 19:58
._. C...can we not have animal cruelty as a joke after this? I get it's a robot but uh...no?

Kinda deeply disturbed by that, robot or not. That's a lower level that kinda takes her mum beyond the cartoon-villain level into pure sadism.

Speaking of age and mortality....



How old IS Hanners? Or most of the cast for that matter? The trivia RPG element of my brain needs this data.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 06 Nov 2017, 20:34
Quick question....why is Beatrice shocking Thirty/Thirty?

I mean, other than to show how evil she is.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 06 Nov 2017, 21:27
Is Beatrice getting intimations of mortality?

That's why I don't know why she'd even bother with molding Hannelore into her heir.  Considering her ex-husband's research in robotics and artificial intelligence coupled with her vast wealth I'd think she'd be seeking a way to download her consciousness into a robot duplicate.  In fact I wouldn't be surprised if much of the pro AI legislation got passed so she could have the legal right to own her corporation as an AI. 

I know it's been awhile since we saw Beatrice Elicott Chatham and Jeph's style has evolved, but I don't recall her eyes being pink.  Maybe she had some work done. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 06 Nov 2017, 21:47
Is Beatrice beating the robohorse or applying broghan maintenance to its neck servos?  That rigid bow posture has to generate some unpleasant feedback.

Either way, Bubbles and Silver Titanium need to meet.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Nycticoraci on 06 Nov 2017, 22:15
I feel the urge to point out its not particularly advisable to apply electrical currents to an object you are currently sitting on...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Storel on 06 Nov 2017, 23:07
I know it's been awhile since we saw Beatrice Elicott Chatham and Jeph's style has evolved, but I don't recall her eyes being pink.  Maybe she had some work done.

Or maybe she's just wearing colored contact lenses. That seems a bit more likely than having surgery to change her eye color...

Nobody has yet mentioned that this robohorse's tail looks much more like what you normally see on depictions of demons/devils than anything you'd see on a horse. Kinda creepy.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 06 Nov 2017, 23:14
No great surprise it was Beatrice and, as I predicted, this is part of the process that Beatrice has planned to make Hannelore ready to take over Elicott-Chatham Incorporated. It's also in-character that Tilly is so dehumanised in Beatrice's mind that she's hard-pressed to even remember her name (despite the fact that I bet she personally vetted Tilly for the job).

I find myself wondering who is going to have the most eye-opening personal experience over the next 48 hours - Hanners or Tilly!

Quick question....why is Beatrice shocking Thirty/Thirty?

I think that the 'telescopic neck' thing is probably an indication that the AI in the robo-horse is defective. If I were to guess, it would be that Beatrice deliberately agreed to have this defective unit as it gave her an excuse to regularly and legally use painful means of restraint and control over a sentient creature whilst being able to claim self-defence.

Because she's evil. Seriously, that's the only reason. Beatrice is a Lawful-Evil personality and she really does get personal fulfilment from hurting people, dominating and controlling them. She really is a very bad person.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dreed on 07 Nov 2017, 00:05
We knew about Beatrice being brutal and morally bankrupt but shocking a robot is the issue now?

It was mentioned that she murders people who cross her before.  So zapping a robot animal who does wierd stuff with its neck is hardly something to get annoyed with.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 07 Nov 2017, 00:53
That robot horse seems to have a delightful tail...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 07 Nov 2017, 01:00
I'm not sure a horse or some other pet (in the sense of a creature totally submitted to its owner) would be a full fledged AI. What sense would it make?

By the way, what is it actually doing?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 07 Nov 2017, 02:30
It occurs to me that this is sort of a stick that Hannelore has forged for her own back. Whenever she wants someone 'seen to' (for example, the restaurant that gave Marten food poisoning), she has a tendency to call in Beatrice as the 'big guns'. Maybe this will be the catalyst for her to seek much more independence, mostly because Beatrice starts issuing terms for further assistance, such as keeping Tilly around and maybe quitting CoD to work as a middle manager for ECI.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Milayna on 07 Nov 2017, 03:09
Well we have sentient jumping spiderbots. A sentient horse isn't a stretch. Then again, while AI origins are mysterious I don't recall any literature mandating a sharp line between sentient AI's and regular complex I/O programs, so maybe there are animal-intelligence AI's around. And probably a million ethical questions swarming around too, given AI's created nature.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Stoutfellow on 07 Nov 2017, 05:34
Apparently Beatrice was in a meeting with... the horse? Maybe it's on the Board of Directors. (Maybe its name is Incitatus...)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 07 Nov 2017, 05:57
AWWW YEAH SUCKAS

IT’S THE BEST CHARACTER IN QC, QUEEN OF THE BOURGEOISIE, BEATRICE ELLICOTT-CHATHAM, motherfucks

Oh and Tilly looks cute or whatever. Actually looks kinda like Winslow.

That name a Star Trek: Discovery ref? (If so: N i c e.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: cesium133 on 07 Nov 2017, 06:06
Oh and Tilly looks cute or whatever. Actually looks kinda like Winslow.

Is it too early to ship Tilly and Winslow...

...to Abu Dhabi?  :evil:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 07 Nov 2017, 06:13
Oh and Tilly looks cute or whatever. Actually looks kinda like Winslow.

Is it too early to ship Tilly and Winslow...

...to Abu Dhabi?  :evil:

If Jeph wants to start the Abu Dhabi arc, then it’s right on time ;)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dutchrvl on 07 Nov 2017, 06:40
I'm not sure a horse or some other pet (in the sense of a creature totally submitted to its owner) would be a full fledged AI. What sense would it make?

By the way, what is it actually doing?

I was wondering that myself...neighing (is that the word?) while tilting his head back? Kinda surprised that the neck coils would come apart like that/have spaces in between when stretching his neck. Perhaps the issue is that this particular model/design tends to tilt/stretch its neck too much backward causing problems with the neckcoils coming apart?

Not sure, but either way it's a bit disturbing to see the casualness in which Beatrice inflicts pain; the horse seems to be in anguish judging by its facial expression :(
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Dr. ROFLPWN on 07 Nov 2017, 06:50
counterpoint: Robohorse is an AI into ponyplay and BDSM, don’t kinkshame robohorse
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 07 Nov 2017, 06:53
Robohorse was trying to say something. We may never now what...

What could "Maaaaaaa" possibly mean?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: RomulusAug on 07 Nov 2017, 06:54
By the way, what is it actually doing?
From Robo Horsie's response in panels 2 and 3 it looks like horsie just loves taffy and is reaching back thinking (s)he was getting a treat (which makes the subsequent shock even worse  :cry:). What kind of person would deny her Robo horsie some taffy...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 07 Nov 2017, 06:57
Also: nice pun, talking about "taking the reins of your multinational"
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: tustin2121 on 07 Nov 2017, 07:07

Honestly I'm perfectly ok with how it's going and if you REALLY need a banal dude-story that much, may I direct you in the direction of just about everything else? Otherwise, broadening yall's horizons won't hurt. Enjoy the comic for being outside of what you usually see.

This seems like it was meant as a reply to my previous message. If not, then please disregard this message, but if it is, I would like to say that I find your implying that I'd need a "banal dude-story" or that my horizon somehow needs broadening not only unwarranted, but also the tone of your comment unnecessarily combative.

I merely stated that, if Tilly is binary and female, I would prefer a male character at this point in time (e.g. a gay male?) because to me that would be more interesting than an additional female character. Note that I did not state that my enjoyment would suffer otherwise or that I needed a 'banal dude-story'?

You could have simply stated that you disagree with my preference without implying that I'm narrow-minded or need 'dude-stories', yes?
 
Have a nice day, and enjoy the story, whatever direction JJ is taking it in :)

I second this. But then, as a gay male myself, I'm biased towards seeing a gay male, I guess. Also, what on earth is a "dude story"? What makes a story qualify as a "dude story", as opposed to presumably just a regular "story" story?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: USS Martenclaire on 07 Nov 2017, 07:36
Robohorse was trying to say something. We may never now what...

What could "Maaaaaaa" possibly mean?

Maybe he was just horsing around?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 07 Nov 2017, 09:06
Robohorse was trying to say something. We may never now what...

What could "Maaaaaaa" possibly mean?

Maybe he was just horsing around?

Maybe it was feeling a bit sheepish...?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 07 Nov 2017, 09:23
For fox sake, these animal puns are going to be the death of me.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 07 Nov 2017, 09:29
Ah, so Tilly IS an android. Man, I'm confused when their skin is not red/pink/blue/other wild colour....Or maybe not. Argh.

Man, I don't know about you guys but I'm so looking forward for more of Hannelore's mom haha. I love her. Sure, she's evil but I enjoyed the spice she brought to the table the first time around.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 07 Nov 2017, 09:33
Notice what Winslow is not doing.

In the past he's been on a hair trigger for any hint that Hannelore was introducing any competition for his services.

He's welcoming Tilly warmly with no visible jealousy.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 07 Nov 2017, 09:42
Ah, so Tilly IS an android. Man, I'm confused when their skin is not red/pink/blue/other wild colour....Or maybe not. Argh.

....

I see nothing that indicates that Tilly is an android. What are you basing that idea on?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 07 Nov 2017, 09:55
Ah, so Tilly IS an android. Man, I'm confused when their skin is not red/pink/blue/other wild colour....Or maybe not. Argh.

....

I see nothing that indicates that Tilly is an android. What are you basing that idea on?
Is Tilly a 'droid?

Pro - She bears a resemblance to Winslow - almost like they'd been drawn by the same artist.

Con - She expresses and appetite for pancakes.  She does not have a rectangular speech balloon (which I take to represent an electronic sounding voice - of all the AIs in the strip, only Momo uses a human voice as represented by rounded speech balloons, and then only when speaking with humans).

Neutral - Her clothing obscures where her neck meets her shoulders, so we can't tell if there's the omnipresent seam there or not.

So far the evidence points to human.  So far.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hedgie on 07 Nov 2017, 10:05
The ears are a telltale sign that she's human.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 07 Nov 2017, 10:19
The ears are a telltale sign that she's human.
(Adding "Ear lobe development" to checklist.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Thrudd on 07 Nov 2017, 10:49
The ears are a telltale sign that she's human.
(Adding "Ear lobe development" to checklist.)
Please don't overdo the lobes because that's how you get Ferengi - nobody in their right mind wants Ferengi - Wall street 1%ers don't count since they are proto-Ferengi and a right mind hasn't existed there for at least a century or more.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 07 Nov 2017, 11:04
Ah, so Tilly IS an android. Man, I'm confused when their skin is not red/pink/blue/other wild colour....Or maybe not. Argh.
I see nothing that indicates that Tilly is an android. What are you basing that idea on?

Pure intuition until I realised that Jeph actually uses different speech-bubbles. I completely forgot all about it for some reason. I guess it was just her words that made me think it sounded too clinical and formal, even for an assistant.

I read the comic when I just woke up at 5:30 am so no wonder I was barely looking at the speech bubbles at that point.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Pilchard123 on 07 Nov 2017, 11:38
...to Abu Dhabi?  :evil:

Ship them to Abu Dhabi? Do!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JimC on 07 Nov 2017, 12:01
I'm just tryingg to imagine being in Tilly's shoes. You've been employed as a PA to her daughter by someone with a fearsome reputation.  It seems possible even probable the daughter has been described as a little eccentric. You turn up at the address to find your new employer still asleep, and on seeing you she immediately turns her back on you, without even inviting you to cross the threshold, starts a telephone shouting match with the person who emplyed you, which is concluded by her flinging the phone across the room and breaking it.

Have any of you ever had a even vaguely comparably bad first 5 minutes in a new job?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hedgie on 07 Nov 2017, 15:06

Please don't overdo the lobes because that's how you get Ferengi - nobody in their right mind wants Ferengi - Wall street 1%ers don't count since they are proto-Ferengi and a right mind hasn't existed there for at least a century or more.

Not really lobe development, but if we're going for the Star Trek comparison, AIs share a more similar ear design to Odo than the human/bajoran crew members.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 07 Nov 2017, 15:21
Have any of you ever had a even vaguely comparably bad first 5 minutes in a new job?

I had a temp job where I walked in the door and had to turn around due to the fire alarm going off. Okay, the fire wasn't that bad but not the best way to start/finish the job.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: SmilingCat on 07 Nov 2017, 15:52
I feel the urge to point out its not particularly advisable to apply electrical currents to an object you are currently sitting on...

I have to assume she does this sort of thing often enough that she knows to wear electrically insulating riding pants.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: MightionNY on 07 Nov 2017, 16:03
I feel the urge to point out its not particularly advisable to apply electrical currents to an object you are currently sitting on...

I have to assume she does this sort of thing often enough that she knows to wear electrically insulating riding pants.

Ah; non-short shorts.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Akima on 07 Nov 2017, 17:26
I have to say that I do suspect a manipulative agenda on Beatrice's part.
Yes, and the sea is wet and salty too. :)
Quote
acting within the law is an easier way of gaining power without consequence than being an international terrorist.
That's just what a Bond villain would say.

Beatrice's robot horse seems a bit derpy and unfinished for her. A robo-Arabian, or robo-warmblood at least, would be more her speed, though the demon-tail is a nice touch. I can imagine that equinoid robots might lag in development behind humanoid ones, but I'd have thought Beatrice would have left to underlings the testing of prototypes that maaaaaaaalfunction to that extent. Interestingly, robo-dobbin is wearing no bridle, so I wonder how Beatrice guides it. Obviously she can use her legs in the usual way, and perhaps the stun-gun is also a remote-control. I certainly hope robo-dobbin is not a sentient AI!

What's up with Tilly's eyes? Do they live an independent existence in her glasses?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 07 Nov 2017, 17:30
Quick question....why is Beatrice shocking Thirty/Thirty?

I mean, other than to show how evil she is.
To show how callous she is.

Hopefully 30/30 is non-sentient.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 07 Nov 2017, 17:35
Is Beatrice getting intimations of mortality?

That's why I don't know why she'd even bother with molding Hannelore into her heir.  Considering her ex-husband's research in robotics and artificial intelligence coupled with her vast wealth I'd think she'd be seeking a way to download her consciousness into a robot duplicate.  In fact I wouldn't be surprised if much of the pro AI legislation got passed so she could have the legal right to own her corporation as an AI. 

I know it's been awhile since we saw Beatrice Elicott Chatham and Jeph's style has evolved, but I don't recall her eyes being pink.  Maybe she had some work done.

I think it's a matter of personal pride and tradition for Beatrice. I'd also wager that she has no fear of death.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 07 Nov 2017, 18:24
I have to admit that, when I read Beatrice's reply "Of course you need an assistant! You're an Ellicott-Chatham," I immediately thought of Tywin (Game of Thrones) shouting at Tyrion, "Because you're a Lannister!"
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 07 Nov 2017, 18:32
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: SmilingCat on 07 Nov 2017, 19:21
(click to show/hide)

crossbows are passe. She'll release the virus.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 07 Nov 2017, 19:30
I'm pleased to see that Tillie has her priorities straight.

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Dust on 07 Nov 2017, 20:03
I'm surprised Hanners hasn't developed a system (traps?) to keep strange people of her apartment yet, especially in that building.

Or maybe Tilly was just too badass for such - considering how many supporting characters apparently have been eaten by that Allosaur at this point, their replacements have to be extreme just to walk the mean streets of Northampton.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 07 Nov 2017, 21:46
I have to admit that, when I read Beatrice's reply "Of course you need an assistant! You're an Ellicott-Chatham," I immediately thought of Tywin (Game of Thrones) shouting at Tyrion, "Because you're a Lannister!"

Well at least Beatrice knows Hannelore is too afraid of germs to kill her on the toilet. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 07 Nov 2017, 22:14
"Erstwhile companion", Tilly says to Winslow. He does not argue.

Is this the first time we've seen the end of a companionship contract?

They are certainly friends and will continue to be.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Shjade on 07 Nov 2017, 22:16
I'm surprised Hanners hasn't developed a system (traps?) to keep strange people of her apartment yet, especially in that building.

Or maybe Tilly was just too badass for such - considering how many supporting characters apparently have been eaten by that Allosaur at this point, their replacements have to be extreme just to walk the mean streets of Northampton.

...I'm not sure what you're talking about here?

Tilly was invited in through the front door. She didn't sneak into the apartment. What traps would she have set off?

I'm just tryingg to imagine being in Tilly's shoes. You've been employed as a PA to her daughter by someone with a fearsome reputation.  It seems possible even probable the daughter has been described as a little eccentric. You turn up at the address to find your new employer still asleep, and on seeing you she immediately turns her back on you, without even inviting you to cross the threshold, starts a telephone shouting match with the person who emplyed you, which is concluded by her flinging the phone across the room and breaking it.

Have any of you ever had a even vaguely comparably bad first 5 minutes in a new job?

Trying to look at this from the perspective of someone accustomed to being an effective PA for some fairly high-level people: neither the shouting nor the phone-throwing were directed at Tilly, so...not a bad start at all, really. Maybe not good enough to be called "encouraging," but could be far worse!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 07 Nov 2017, 23:09
Jeph brought Tilly on board because he's been reading my mind.  I've been thinking Winslow can sometimes be a little annoying and Tilly is his way of saying, "You think Winslow is annoying?  I'll show you annoying!"

Seriously,  every one of the 'droids in the cast displays more ability to think autonomously than she has some far.  I see an arc about freeing her mind from B E-C'so grip.  Maybe Spookybot can expel Beatrice from Tilly's head like Sauruman from Theoden's.  Imagine Beatrix landing on her arse and sliding backwards across her office floor.

Edited for unwelcome spelling autocorrect disaster.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 07 Nov 2017, 23:19
Today's conversation between Tilly and Hannelore was... terrifying. Basically, Hannelore has to deal with someone who has somehow internalised instructions to work for her no matter what she experiences to the contrary. Is that some kind of mental illness or is it the sort of cognitive dissonance you need to work for Beatrice without being driven mad by the amorality of her business style?

In any case, this promises to be a competition between Hannelore's good nature and her irritation. If the latter wins out, then Tilly will find herself ejected and, if she persists, arrested. Of course, that may be Beatrice's trap: To drive Hannelore into destroying someone who is at your mercy and has no flexibility to do anything other than what they are currently doing!

Tilly's clearly got an editic memory of some sort to be holding that level of information about Winslow for instant recall. Either that or she has some sort of data implant (some manner of cerebral augmentation being another obvious control mechanism for Beatrice).

Finally... I find myself wondering if Companion Contracts were outlawed (hence 'former') but that most Companion AIs stayed with their humans out of a sense of responsibility, concerned that they can't manage without them?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 07 Nov 2017, 23:28
The ears are a telltale sign that she's human.
(Adding "Ear lobe development" to checklist.)
Please don't overdo the lobes because that's how you get Ferengi - nobody in their right mind wants Ferengi - Wall street 1%ers don't count since they are proto-Ferengi and a right mind hasn't existed there for at least a century or more.
*raises hand offering a high-five/high-touch*

Also, some humans have "attached" earlobes.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 07 Nov 2017, 23:33
Have any of you ever had a even vaguely comparably bad first 5 minutes in a new job?

I had a temp job where I walked in the door and had to turn around due to the fire alarm going off. Okay, the fire wasn't that bad but not the best way to start/finish the job.
I worked part-time at a Sonic for two weekends. When the store manager introduced me to her assistant managers, I found out they were both her sons and that they had a rather dysfunctional family. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family, I knew that the job probably wouldn't be pleasant.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 08 Nov 2017, 00:25
I suspect that Hannelore, being quite a nice person, will at first try to work with Tilly, trying to deprogram her a little and make her both less Uncanny Valley and less intrusive in the hope that, eventually, she'll get the hint and tell Beatrice that Hannelore didn't want her services.

It's what happens if that doesn't work that might make things get a bit dark and fraught. I can see an annoyed Hannelore ejecting Tilly from the apartment and maybe even making a complaint to the police if Tilly keeps hanging around her without permission. That would be rather extreme but Hannelore does have a temper on her so it is possible if Tilly is sufficiently annoying or sufficiently clearly Beatrice's creature with little interest in doing as Hanners asks so long as she pleases her ultimate mistress.

So, there is a weeping Tilly sitting on a park bench, freshly fired by Beatrice on the grounds that 'you have failed me for the last time' and without even sufficient funds to afford a hotel room for the night, let alone find somewhere to live now that Beatrice has cancelled her company expense account. Then a shadow falls over her and a voice asks her what she wants. Tilly tells the shadowy figure (who is 'behind the camera') that wants to prove herself to 'Miss Ellicott-Chatham'; she will do anything to get back into favour (with Hanners or with Beatrice is deliberately left vague). The last panel in the comic is a demonically-smiling Spookybot. "We think that we can do business, Miss Birch," they say.

Yeah, I like the idea of Tilly becoming Spookybot's PA and 'front woman', eventually becoming more and more 'Mr Morden' as the access and protection Spookybot gives her starts playing with her head a little. She's already a Lawful-Neutral type who will do anything if she is instructed to do so by her superiors, no matter how bizarre and irrational-sounding. Potentially, it would take very little to knock her into being a True Neutral or a Lawful-Evil who has no moral compunctions of any kind.

Now, I'm not actually expecting something like that. It's much more likely that Tilly's going to wake up one day and report for work at Coffee of Doom or Union Robotics (or even Punchbot & Associates) and wonder how the hell this happened to her. That's Jeph's style, IMO. However, it would be a neat out-of-left-field if she turned out to be or developed into some kind of weird pseudo-antagonist.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: gopher on 08 Nov 2017, 01:19
The week's story was brought to you by the sound Meh. Nothing can be all winners I guess.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: flondrix on 08 Nov 2017, 01:25
Tilly and Winslow.  I ship it!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: flondrix on 08 Nov 2017, 01:33
Trying to look at this from the perspective of someone accustomed to being an effective PA for some fairly high-level people: neither the shouting nor the phone-throwing were directed at Tilly, so...not a bad start at all, really. Maybe not good enough to be called "encouraging," but could be far worse!

I suspect that she was informed in advance exactly what would happen.  Her notebook probably says, "9:00 show up at door.  9:05-9:10 shouting match between HEC and BC..." 

Tilly's assignment is no more bizarre than some PA's of the rich and famous in real life.  For example, Robert Downey Jr. is followed everywhere he goes, 24/7, by somone whose job is to make sure that he doesn't drink or do drugs.  Downey cannot fire this guy, because he works for his wife.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 08 Nov 2017, 02:28

Tilly: Nexus 9.
Discuss.

 :laugh:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 08 Nov 2017, 02:29
Of course, that may be Beatrice's trap: To drive Hannelore into destroying someone who is at your mercy and has no flexibility to do anything other than what they are currently doing!

I'm not sure to understand what you mean. Do you think Tilly was somehow programmed to be Hannelore's PA? Because where I live, a working contract cannot ask someone to do illegal stuff, so you cannot hire somebody to basically harass someone else. So in fact, Tilly would in that case have other choices.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 08 Nov 2017, 02:42
Of course, that may be Beatrice's trap: To drive Hannelore into destroying someone who is at your mercy and has no flexibility to do anything other than what they are currently doing!

I'm not sure to understand what you mean. Do you think Tilly was somehow programmed to be Hannelore's PA? Because where I live, a working contract cannot ask someone to do illegal stuff, so you cannot hire somebody to basically harass someone else. So in fact, Tilly would in that case have other choices.

You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure. People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'. Based on that, Tilly basically has been behaviourally programmed by positive and negative experiences to do precisely what Beatrice tells her to do so, even ignoring empirical fact if it stands in the way of carrying out her assignment. So, she may literally be psychologically incapable of stopping doing what Beatrice has told her to do. That could thus leave her with no choice but to aggravate and continue to aggravate Hannelore and be unable to stop even when it comes down to a choice between that and jail time for harassment.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 08 Nov 2017, 02:59
Of course, that may be Beatrice's trap: To drive Hannelore into destroying someone who is at your mercy and has no flexibility to do anything other than what they are currently doing!

I'm not sure to understand what you mean. Do you think Tilly was somehow programmed to be Hannelore's PA? Because where I live, a working contract cannot ask someone to do illegal stuff, so you cannot hire somebody to basically harass someone else. So in fact, Tilly would in that case have other choices.

You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure. People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'. Based on that, Tilly basically has been behaviourally programmed by positive and negative experiences to do precisely what Beatrice tells her to do so, even ignoring empirical fact if it stands in the way of carrying out her assignment. So, she may literally be psychologically incapable of stopping doing what Beatrice has told her to do. That could thus leave her with no choice but to aggravate and continue to aggravate Hannelore and be unable to stop even when it comes down to a choice between that and jail time for harassment.

It's really far fetched. I don't know anybody willing to go to jail for their employer. We will find out, I guess...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Marco on 08 Nov 2017, 02:59
You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure.

Considering that the Ellicott-Chathams were inspired by the Tessier-Ashpools, I think Beatrice is a fairly nice person...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 08 Nov 2017, 03:06
You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure.

Considering that the Ellicott-Chathams were inspired by the Tessier-Ashpools, I think Beatrice is a fairly nice person...

She fires accountants. With a cannon. Into a volcano.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Marco on 08 Nov 2017, 03:26
It's an occupational risk.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: War Sparrow on 08 Nov 2017, 03:33
I see your arguments for " programming" and "fear", and raise you "Tilly has bills, and being the personal assistant to someone like Hannelore is probably the best paying, least effort job she could have gotten."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: DaiJB on 08 Nov 2017, 03:45
Well,  Tilly certainly has the potential to become rather annoying - that is, unless Hannelore can pull something out of her hat to enable Tilly to 'break her programming'...

Now I have this vision of Tilly confronting Beatrice and calling her "Smeg-for-brains"...   :-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Akima on 08 Nov 2017, 04:04
You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure. People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'.
Perhaps Beatrice has a powerful magnet applied to their heads (http://expanse.wikia.com/wiki/Transcranial_magnetic_hyperstimulation) like the scientists on Thoth Station in The Expanse.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Zebediah on 08 Nov 2017, 04:10
Let the record show that the most common and effective mind-control device ever invented is the paycheck.

And I know people who claim to honestly believe that once you have accepted a paycheck from someone, you are morally and legally bound to do whatever they order you to do.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: dutchrvl on 08 Nov 2017, 04:33
The week's story was brought to you by the sound Meh. Nothing can be all winners I guess.

So far I'm with you, can't say the storyline has piqued my interest yet, but maybe that'll change!
Would probably have been more interested in exploring other existing characters' backgrounds/upbringings more (especially Renee/Brun/Emily/Dale or even Tai), but I am curious where JJ is going to take this nonetheless.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 08 Nov 2017, 04:59
I think we're about to see the employee version of this trope (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheThingThatWouldNotLeave).
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JimC on 08 Nov 2017, 05:29
I was intrigued by our creator's first (I think) character with a totally rounded chin, but I note its getting a point...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 08 Nov 2017, 06:32
To the topic "is Tilly a human or a robot?", I note she's not actually eating any pancake...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 08 Nov 2017, 06:34
Probably because she's handing the first batch to Hanners.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Shjade on 08 Nov 2017, 08:13
Tilly's assignment is no more bizarre than some PA's of the rich and famous in real life.

Exactly what I was thinking.

You know, upon a bit of reflection, there might be a simple, non-combative solution to Hannelore's Tilly issue, assuming she doesn't discover there really are benefits to having a PA (particularly one you're not even paying for yourself) helping you out with things: there's someone else in Hannelore's immediate social circle who probably COULD benefit greatly from having a skilled PA's assistance. Someone who recently started a small business but has no real experience running one, and also couldn't afford someone like Tilly even if they thought of the potential usefulness of such a person in helping them get their startup off the ground. Someone who also has a history of stubbornly not asking for help until they're so deep they really need it to just scrape by.

"Tilly, this is my friend Faye. I don't know how to help her, but I really want to, and you could, right? That's the best way you could assist me right now."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 08 Nov 2017, 08:21
I can’t really see Faye as hiring a third technician for the shop, let alone taking on a PA.

If Hanners were going to pass Tilly onto another person as a PA, I’d take a look at Sven. Dude’s life isn’t the best right now and he could use the structure a PA can provide.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 08 Nov 2017, 09:18
Lydia was good for him.

Faye and Bubbles could use someone to specialize in the business details that don't involve fixing robots. Taxes, licenses, insurance, building maintenance, scheduling, managing suppliers -- a Tilly could be wonderful.

-------

I forget if it was Momo or Jeph or both who said that although either party can end a companionship contract at any time, the usual situation is that an actual friendship develops.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 08 Nov 2017, 09:19
Tilly and Winslow.  I ship it!

Global Moderator Comment Ironically?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JimC on 08 Nov 2017, 09:20
I can’t really see Faye as hiring a third technician for the shop, let alone taking on a PA.
For sure, but I think the ideas was that if Hanners wanted Tilly out of her way she could perhaps send Tilly over there, still on Hannersmom payroll ...  But I wouldn't see Fay ever agreeing.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: mephron on 08 Nov 2017, 09:42
People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'.

"ECi: Where 'The Banality Of Evil' Is Our Corporate Standard!"

not the best slogan, but eh, the boss doesn't care.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 08 Nov 2017, 09:51
To the topic "is Tilly a human or a robot?", I note she's not actually eating any pancake...

Until we know Tilly is NOT a robot...

I'm on the *is* a Robot side...
Highly advanced, newest model... (wouldn't Hanners always be getting the first of everything?)
Unusual, as to be almost unbelievable, mode of speech.

And a high collar so you cannot see the neck join...!

Circumstantial evidence? Supposition?
Guilty!

But, until we know for sure...

(I envisage Jeff dancing around his monitor singing "Rope-a-dope!" over and over right now...)  :)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 08 Nov 2017, 10:02
People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'.

"ECi: Where 'The Banality Of Evil' Is Our Corporate Standard!"

"ECI; We're the Wayland-Yutani/ Umbrella Corporation/ Aztecnology/ OCP/ K.A.O.S (in Delaware for tax purposes)/ Wolfram & Hart of this dimension! Have a nice day."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: ToodleLew on 08 Nov 2017, 10:11
To the topic "is Tilly a human or a robot?", I note she's not actually eating any pancake...

Until we know Tilly is NOT a robot...

I'm on the *is* a Robot side...

((Lurker decloaking))
I've noticed that, for all the humans in the strip, Jeph "voices" them with roundish voice-bubbles. OTOH, for the "robot" voices, he draws squared-off voice-bubbles.

So far, Jeph has drawn Tilly's voice-bubbles "round", like the human characters. So, for my money, I'll vote "human" for Tilly.

((re-engage cloak))
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 08 Nov 2017, 12:26
Welcome, de-lurking person!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 08 Nov 2017, 13:30
I've noticed that, for all the humans in the strip, Jeph "voices" them with roundish voice-bubbles. OTOH, for the "robot" voices, he draws squared-off voice-bubbles.

So far, Jeph has drawn Tilly's voice-bubbles "round", like the human characters. So, for my money, I'll vote "human" for Tilly.
As noted earlier, Momo is the only regular exception.  She often uses a human fidelity voice (rounded speech bubble) when conversing with humans and an electronic voice [angular speech boxes] when speaking with other bots.  I may have missed other incidents, but, again, Momo is the only one I recall doing this with any regularity.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: retrosteve on 08 Nov 2017, 17:19
With all due respect to a fellow forum member, ain't NUTHIN' androgynous about Tilly's figure.  Butt like dat gonna drive Pintsize batshit.

Tilly is nicely pearshaped, exactly like my lovely wife. No man alive looks like that.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: retrosteve on 08 Nov 2017, 17:26
By the way, Beatrice is a Chatham. John is either an Ellicott or perhaps still an Ellicott-Chatham.  Hanners and John are the ONLY Ellicott-Chathams, and I'm not even sure about John.

So what is Beatrice talking about with ALL Ellicott-Chathams have a personal assistant?  How many sample points does she have?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Perfectly Reasonable on 08 Nov 2017, 17:27
Cruelty to robo-horsies? I don't think Gary would like that.

----

Tilly is dangerous.
She is aware of her instructions and their implications.
If she can 'creatively interpret'  them, she is Extremely Dangerous.
I'm looking for this to backfire on Beatrice, who seems unaware of the possibility.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 08 Nov 2017, 20:08
So far Tilly seems pretty literal.

Beatrice is just the sort to mess with the mind of a human subordinate. She physically mistreated the horse. Extrapolate, then -- would she violate the psychological integrity of an AI?

Which would be interesting because it would put her on a collision course with Eminence Grise. I do not think she would win.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: lawoot on 08 Nov 2017, 20:21
I've noticed that, for all the humans in the strip, Jeph "voices" them with roundish voice-bubbles. OTOH, for the "robot" voices, he draws squared-off voice-bubbles.

So far, Jeph has drawn Tilly's voice-bubbles "round", like the human characters. So, for my money, I'll vote "human" for Tilly.
As noted earlier, Momo is the only regular exception.  She often uses a human fidelity voice (rounded speech bubble) when conversing with humans and an electronic voice [angular speech boxes] when speaking with other bots.  I may have missed other incidents, but, again, Momo is the only one I recall doing this with any regularity.

How about Spookybot? Or is the jury still out on what exactly they are?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: shanejayell on 08 Nov 2017, 20:25
New strip up.

*lol*

Poor Hanners.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 08 Nov 2017, 20:30
Yup. Tilly is exactly the kind of person I would be rapidly showing the door to. Tempted to not bother opening it first.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 08 Nov 2017, 21:21
I fear Claire's brain might melt if she sees Tilly and Winslow being helpful in the same place.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 08 Nov 2017, 22:28
When Hannelore cools down she may see that this is a logic problem.

"Tilly, you're here to assist, right?"
"So once I pick my goals, you have to help me achieve them?"
"OK, then. Your first assignment is to get rid of an annoying pest my mother inflicted on me. If you fail at that, I'll tell my mom that you were ineffective."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 08 Nov 2017, 22:40
Tilly would probably tell Hannelore that her mother anticipated that and granted one exception for that paradox. 
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: MrNumbers on 08 Nov 2017, 23:18
RE: gender ratio

I'm reminded of a famous study on classroom participation that found that the dudes in the room thought they were getting drown out when like 30% of the hands called were women. So this comic is approaching a gender ratio that about 97% of all other media/games/stories/etc have, but on the opposite end. And there's some rumbling in the direction of wanting to "balance" the cast out.

It's one thing I got over very quickly becoming a fan of My Little Pony. I mean, back in 2011, when there wasn't a fanbase yet, before we get into that kettle of fish. I am purely talking about the show itself in isolation here.

I showed it to a very 'woke' friend of mine, to ironically non-ironically use the word, and he got a bit disgruntled; "Why are males presented so poorly?"

"Spike, Big Macintosh, the sea serpent in the first episode is spectacular, Mr Cake, Braeburn, the bison chief" in the first season was my reply. Later, Shining Armor.

And he went "... huh."

We both talked about how unusual it was as a property to see something that was both
1) Well written
2) So predominately female leading cast

That the brain's natural reaction, even when you go into it knowing that, is to revolt and buck against it. We analyzed why it feels so weird and out of place. It's fine. It's fine to dudes. There's more good male characters than bad ones. So why the hell does it feel, weirdly, misandrist, at first exposure? It's because it's such a stark contrast to how male-dominated we kind of take everything else, that in isolation it's fine, it just appears that way in comparison.

I wish it were less uncommon, and public perception hadn't turned so thoroughly against MLP that I could continue to use it as an example. Because it's honestly a huge experience to see the difference between believing gender represntation should be more of a thing in your media, and actually being exposed to it and seeing how subtle and different it really is. It's huge! It's amazingly huge.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 08 Nov 2017, 23:26
Yeah, Tilly is either neuro-atypical or has been seriously behaviourally conditioned. The fact that it is actually to the point where she doesn't react to a threat against her own safety and/or liberty other than to offer to help do it shifts her from a pest to a piteously-broken mess. I could see Hannelore deciding to keep her around just to keep her away from Beatrice to prevent her from suffering further abuse.

Seriously, I could see Tilly calmly sitting through arrest, interrogation, trial and imprisonment, serene in the assurance that, once this is over, she would return to her assignment or do whatever Beatrice told her to do. I'm pretty sure that Hannelore could get her to arrange anything, no matter how illegal and she would do it without a blink, even having the initiative to ensure that legal concerns were dealt with in advance!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Gyrre on 09 Nov 2017, 01:54
Of course, that may be Beatrice's trap: To drive Hannelore into destroying someone who is at your mercy and has no flexibility to do anything other than what they are currently doing!

I'm not sure to understand what you mean. Do you think Tilly was somehow programmed to be Hannelore's PA? Because where I live, a working contract cannot ask someone to do illegal stuff, so you cannot hire somebody to basically harass someone else. So in fact, Tilly would in that case have other choices.

You have to remember the likely mindset of people working for Beatrice Chatham. She is a ruthless, amoral and possibly psychopathic figure. People working at ECI probably have to get used to rationalising away doing the most hideously amoral (although not strictly illegal) things on the grounds that 'my superiors told me to do it'. Based on that, Tilly basically has been behaviourally programmed by positive and negative experiences to do precisely what Beatrice tells her to do so, even ignoring empirical fact if it stands in the way of carrying out her assignment. So, she may literally be psychologically incapable of stopping doing what Beatrice has told her to do. That could thus leave her with no choice but to aggravate and continue to aggravate Hannelore and be unable to stop even when it comes down to a choice between that and jail time for harassment.

It's really far fetched. I don't know anybody willing to go to jail for their employer. We will find out, I guess...
To quote George Carlin, "You start with the small stuff...."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 09 Nov 2017, 02:24
Given the direction of discussion this week, I've been thinking about this preview panel that Jeph put on his twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/927525516327911424

I can't help but wonder what the ever-cheerful Tilly is saying there. Given her apparently complete lack of self preservation instincts, she might be cheerfully and mockingly assuring Bubbles of her total cooperation (after Hannelore tells her to go along quietly) before being frog-marched out of the building.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: mikmaxs on 09 Nov 2017, 02:31
I have to say, considering Hannelore's past issues, severe OCD, and general character arc, this is incredibly condescending and shitty of her mother. She's not just offering to hire a personal assistant, she's effectively forcing one on Hannelore with explicit instructions to ignore Hannelore's consent and autonomy in the situation. When considering that much of Hannelore's life has been about dealing with obstacles towards her own independence, learning to take care of herself, and gaining the skills and life experience to overcome her previous inability to function in society without assistance...
Well, even if her mother's intent had nothing to do with any of that, I completely understand why Hannelore would be furious, and am really, really hoping that this aspect of the story doesn't get ignored or brushed to the side. (Because of this, I'm also hoping that Tilly doesn't stay on as Hannelore's assistant.)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 09 Nov 2017, 02:37
I have to say, considering Hannelore's past issues, severe OCD, and general character arc, this is incredibly condescending and shitty of her mother. She's not just offering to hire a personal assistant, she's effectively forcing one on Hannelore with explicit instructions to ignore Hannelore's consent and autonomy in the situation. When considering that much of Hannelore's life has been about dealing with obstacles towards her own independence, learning to take care of herself, and gaining the skills and life experience to overcome her previous inability to function in society without assistance...
Well, even if her mother's intent had nothing to do with any of that, I completely understand why Hannelore would be furious, and am really, really hoping that this aspect of the story doesn't get ignored or brushed to the side. (Because of this, I'm also hoping that Tilly doesn't stay on as Hannelore's assistant.)

Exactly. I'm not sure Beatrice Chatham is really helping Hannelore to become the heir she claims to want by scuttling Hanners' autonomy like that...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Mr. Doctor on 09 Nov 2017, 03:42
Some asked me why I thought she was a robot... Her way of reasoning and speaking is so cold and mechanical. Argh. It's almost infuriating.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: swapna on 09 Nov 2017, 04:11
To be honest, I'm starting to like Tilly. I'm going to interpret her "well, since you don't have a phone..." offer as sarcastic with a kernel of truth. She's going to go if Hanners actually calls the police, but she's determined to try and do her job until then.
her previous conversation with Hanners  (I was told to disregard evidence...) sounds as if she had exactly that conversation with Ms. Chatham (since she's actually good at her job, as far as we know, and has figured out that Hannelore doesn't need anybody from the minute she saw her schedule).
she could be a good assistant, too - pushy enough that you can't ignore her, up to date on everything, well-organised, able to improvise and a snarky sense of humor.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: snufflebottoms on 09 Nov 2017, 04:58
No no no. I really hope she doesn't stay on. I don't care that she was hired to stay on. She still  has autonomy and agreed to what is essentially harassing and trespassing. That isn't cool.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Cornelius on 09 Nov 2017, 05:04
Well, to be fair, she was invited in, and hasn't directly been asked to leave, so I'm not sure we could call it trespassing. The way I read it, the discussion is mostly centered around "I don't need, nor want a personal assistant, so how can we make your position go away"; more a focus on the function and position, rather than on the actual person.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 09 Nov 2017, 06:42
Yup. Tilly is exactly the kind of person I would be rapidly showing the door to. Tempted to not bother opening it first.

Hell, I’d just fire her.
...
...
From a cannon.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 09 Nov 2017, 06:44
Yup. Tilly is exactly the kind of person I would be rapidly showing the door to. Tempted to not bother opening it first.

Hell, I’d just fire her.
...
...
From a cannon.
Into a volcano?  :-D
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hedgie on 09 Nov 2017, 06:45
Hell, I’d just fire her.
...
...
From a cannon.
Into a volcano?  :-D
Dammit.  you beat me to it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Welu on 09 Nov 2017, 06:56
Regarding Beatrice not respecting Hannelore's autonomy and mental health, that goes back a long way. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=916)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: traroth on 09 Nov 2017, 07:31
Regarding Beatrice not respecting Hannelore's autonomy and mental health, that goes back a long way. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=916)

Yeah, but does she think it's going to "help" Hannelore to become as daring and ruthless as herself?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 09 Nov 2017, 07:35
That's the thing, you see. I strongly suspect that Hannelore was never meant to be an individual with her own likes, dislikes, ambitions and desires. She was to be Beatrice the Younger, with the same ethics, interests, behavioural patterns and as close as possible to the same appearance of her mother. Beatrice didn't want a daughter, she wanted an heir and the two are often very different things.

I won't go in too much depth into my theory that Hanners is a genetically-modified clone and that an attempt to make her 'perfect' on a genetic level is what screwed up her neuroanatomy.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Zebediah on 09 Nov 2017, 08:55
Yup. Tilly is exactly the kind of person I would be rapidly showing the door to. Tempted to not bother opening it first.

Hell, I’d just fire her.
...
...
From a cannon.
Into a volcano?  :-D
While strapped to a shark.  :evil:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 09 Nov 2017, 09:05
Yup. Tilly is exactly the kind of person I would be rapidly showing the door to. Tempted to not bother opening it first.

Hell, I’d just fire her.
...
...
From a cannon.
Into a volcano?  :-D
While strapped to a shark.  :evil:
While the shark itself was made out of explosives.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Zebediah on 09 Nov 2017, 09:14
Yes, precisely. Tilly is going to die in the most macho way possible (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT1JE8SJ2OY). Singing "I am Woman" at the top of her lungs the whole time.

 :lol:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 09 Nov 2017, 09:23
To the topic "is Tilly a human or a robot?", I note she's not actually eating any pancake...

Until we know Tilly is NOT a robot...

I'm on the *is* a Robot side...

((Lurker decloaking))
I've noticed that, for all the humans in the strip, Jeph "voices" them with roundish voice-bubbles. OTOH, for the "robot" voices, he draws squared-off voice-bubbles.

So far, Jeph has drawn Tilly's voice-bubbles "round", like the human characters. So, for my money, I'll vote "human" for Tilly.

((re-engage cloak))

Oh I know...

But thats only more grist to the mill for Nexus 9... less able to tell through their speech tone.  :)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 09 Nov 2017, 10:02
She reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon where Dogbert recruits victims of childhood abuse for employers who found that desirable (punch line: "I've got four more in the trunk of my car").
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: flondrix on 09 Nov 2017, 10:32
Tilly and Winslow.  I ship it!


Ironically?


I think "facetiously" is the term.  It seemed like something Tai would say.

Who is this "Cutie" that the quiz is asking about?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: cesium133 on 09 Nov 2017, 10:36
Yes, precisely. Tilly is going to die in the most macho way possible (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT1JE8SJ2OY). Singing "I am Woman" at the top of her lungs the whole time.

 :lol:
Afterwards she'll reappear. "I was instructed to disregard being murdered."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 09 Nov 2017, 10:55
Either this thread or the comic is going to descend into something similar to Pepe Le Pew, only without the disturbing lustful overtones.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: flondrix on 09 Nov 2017, 11:06
To be honest, I'm starting to like Tilly. I'm going to interpret her "well, since you don't have a phone..." offer as sarcastic with a kernel of truth. She's going to go if Hanners actually calls the police, but she's determined to try and do her job until then.
her previous conversation with Hanners  (I was told to disregard evidence...) sounds as if she had exactly that conversation with Ms. Chatham (since she's actually good at her job, as far as we know, and has figured out that Hannelore doesn't need anybody from the minute she saw her schedule).
she could be a good assistant, too - pushy enough that you can't ignore her, up to date on everything, well-organised, able to improvise and a snarky sense of humor.

I agree.  I suspect that only people who can keep their heads while those about them are losing theirs survive very long working for Beatrice, and Tilly just isn't rattled by anything that has happened so far.  (There is still time, though.  Pintsize and Bubbles live in the same building...)

In Lois McMaster Bujold's novel Diplomatic Immunity, the character Bel Thorne says to a former boss something like "My new bosses said they were impressed with the way I kept my calm during the emergency.  I didn't bother telling them that working for you has distorted my perception of what constitutes an emergency."
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Thrudd on 09 Nov 2017, 12:47
Either this thread or the comic is going to descend into something similar to Pepe Le Pew, only without the disturbing lustful overtones.
Nah, puns, innuendo and undertones.
It's all about the Bass.
(click to show/hide)

Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Dust on 09 Nov 2017, 12:59

...I'm not sure what you're talking about here?

Tilly was invited in through the front door. She didn't sneak into the apartment. What traps would she have set off?

"Oh look, she left the door open while she's on the phone to reject my presence...  I mustbe invited in!"

Queen Bea went for the discount temp agency, it would seem, with that level of deductive reasoning. Should have just fitted one of these with caterpillar tracks, since the apparent goal is for something to follow Hannelore around with 'suggestions' while ignoring her own opinion. (http://www.adengineering.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/AD320-Full-Colour-Transportable-Variable-Message-Sign-VMS-Trailer-mx6cnp3w5jvhmppy4lp6aqc6n4saqlirui2dca6ri8.jpg)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 09 Nov 2017, 13:28
Winslow invited her in.

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3606
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: flondrix on 09 Nov 2017, 13:37
In your face, darkness!  We are the light and we outnumber you!

Voter turnout was up 31% in Charlottesville, VA
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Marco on 09 Nov 2017, 13:41
To be honest, I'm starting to like Tilly. I'm going to interpret her "well, since you don't have a phone..." offer as sarcastic with a kernel of truth. She's going to go if Hanners actually calls the police, but she's determined to try and do her job until then.
her previous conversation with Hanners  (I was told to disregard evidence...) sounds as if she had exactly that conversation with Ms. Chatham (since she's actually good at her job, as far as we know, and has figured out that Hannelore doesn't need anybody from the minute she saw her schedule).
she could be a good assistant, too - pushy enough that you can't ignore her, up to date on everything, well-organised, able to improvise and a snarky sense of humor.

From Tilly's expression, I'm not sure she's being sarcastic, or even has a sense of humor, snarky or otherwise... She looks to me more like borderline autistic. This would be exactly the job requirement that Beatrice would demand, to assure that the job would be done...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Neko_Ali on 09 Nov 2017, 15:26
I'm a little disturbed by all the people suggesting Tilly is neuro atypical or diagnosing disorders for her based on such limited interaction. And it's not even that it's likely accurate, or that she's bad at this job. Rather, I would say with everything shown, she's very good at the job she was given. She's been persistent but not aggressive. She has neither taken affront or even been surprised by Hannelore's reaction. From what small bit we've known of her I'd say she makes a very good assistant for someone who is temperamental and prone to lashing out to those around them. Beatrice hired her to be Hanner's assistant and told her she's not going to want this, she's going to try to get rid of her, but you don't do let her fire you. Stay with her and eventually she'll come around and see you're doing good.

And here we are. She's being helpful, she knows the history and schedule of people around her and she's being polite, respectful and absolutely deflecting every attempt Hanner has tried to get rid of her. There is nothing here that shows me she is anything other than good at the  job she was picked to do. And I predict it's going to work in the short term. Hannelore is going to cave in and go along with it until such time as she can figure out how to get rid of Tilly.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 09 Nov 2017, 15:32
I wouldn't say that Tilly is neural atypical.

I would say she's certainly sharp enough to continually deflect Hanners and her efforts to get Tilly out of her apartment.

Actually I think that's what people are really picking up on, Tilly is the kind of person who doesn't take no for an answer. Its clear that Hanners doesn't want her there, she's clearly said it and suggests that Tilly's abilities might be better use elsewhere, but her efforts are repeatedly getting shot down. Which really is not a good first impression to make.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Storel on 09 Nov 2017, 15:44
Actually I think that's what people are really picking up on, Tilly is the kind of person who doesn't take no for an answer. Its clear that Hanners doesn't want her there, she's clearly said it and suggests that Tilly's abilities might be better use elsewhere, but her efforts are repeatedly getting shot down. Which really is not a good first impression to make.

She's more afraid of disappointing Beatrice than upsetting Hannelore.

No, wait, it's even simpler than that: she's more afraid of Beatrice than Hannelore, period. Who wouldn't be?
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 09 Nov 2017, 16:28
I'm a little disturbed by all the people suggesting Tilly is neuro atypical or diagnosing disorders for her based on such limited interaction.

I'm with you here.

I mean, I get the feeling that at least in some cases it's not so much diagnosis as a fervent hope for representation. But it still comes across kind of wrong to me.

My understanding is that we should try to show the same respect to the fictional characters as we do to real people. Right?

Upon meeting someone, would you immediately begin to speculate on their sexuality, whether they are neuro-atypical, or whether they have some disorder? YMMV but that doesn't seem to me like a nice thing to do. Yet it's accepted here, I guess because this is over-analysis central.

Not upset or angry in any way, just finding it all a bit odd.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: brasca on 09 Nov 2017, 16:58
I have to say, considering Hannelore's past issues, severe OCD, and general character arc, this is incredibly condescending and shitty of her mother. She's not just offering to hire a personal assistant, she's effectively forcing one on Hannelore with explicit instructions to ignore Hannelore's consent and autonomy in the situation. When considering that much of Hannelore's life has been about dealing with obstacles towards her own independence, learning to take care of herself, and gaining the skills and life experience to overcome her previous inability to function in society without assistance...
Well, even if her mother's intent had nothing to do with any of that, I completely understand why Hannelore would be furious, and am really, really hoping that this aspect of the story doesn't get ignored or brushed to the side. (Because of this, I'm also hoping that Tilly doesn't stay on as Hannelore's assistant.)

Exactly. I'm not sure Beatrice Chatham is really helping Hannelore to become the heir she claims to want by scuttling Hanners' autonomy like that...

It’s in character for Beatrice, but what I find odd is that she seems to have waited a few years to spring this on Hannelore.  When we last saw her she was bullying Hannelore the whole time until she finally left and since then has only been mentioned.  Maybe she gave Hannelore a few years to get “cured” and now attempting to pull her into her world.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Welu on 09 Nov 2017, 17:18
My understanding is that we should try to show the same respect to the fictional characters as we do to real people. Right?

Upon meeting someone, would you immediately begin to speculate on their sexuality, whether they are neuro-atypical, or whether they have some disorder? YMMV but that doesn't seem to me like a nice thing to do. Yet it's accepted here, I guess because this is over-analysis central.

Bolding mine. That is the rule of thumb, but it can be difficult to balance with speculation.

It's good to remember when writing posts that although the characters can't see your posts, the very real people you share the forum with can and do. So try to be aware and compassionate that what can be light speculation and discussion for one person, can be a lived experience for another. Sometimes it can be both.

That doesn't mean don't post. Just something to keep in mind before you do.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 09 Nov 2017, 19:24
Comic's up.

And folks, what we see here is the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.

Who will give out first? Let the weekend debate begin!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: shanejayell on 09 Nov 2017, 20:07
I'm increasingly feeling sorry for both of them.  :-D :-P
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: mikmaxs on 09 Nov 2017, 20:51
I have to say, considering Hannelore's past issues, severe OCD, and general character arc, this is incredibly condescending and shitty of her mother. She's not just offering to hire a personal assistant, she's effectively forcing one on Hannelore with explicit instructions to ignore Hannelore's consent and autonomy in the situation. When considering that much of Hannelore's life has been about dealing with obstacles towards her own independence, learning to take care of herself, and gaining the skills and life experience to overcome her previous inability to function in society without assistance...
Well, even if her mother's intent had nothing to do with any of that, I completely understand why Hannelore would be furious, and am really, really hoping that this aspect of the story doesn't get ignored or brushed to the side. (Because of this, I'm also hoping that Tilly doesn't stay on as Hannelore's assistant.)

Exactly. I'm not sure Beatrice Chatham is really helping Hannelore to become the heir she claims to want by scuttling Hanners' autonomy like that...

It’s in character for Beatrice, but what I find odd is that she seems to have waited a few years to spring this on Hannelore.  When we last saw her she was bullying Hannelore the whole time until she finally left and since then has only been mentioned.  Maybe she gave Hannelore a few years to get “cured” and now attempting to pull her into her world.
I mean, we all know the real reason that she waited a few years - Jeph didn't want to write or didn't think of this plotline until now.
Also, while bullying Hannelore into doing what she wants is in character for Beatrice, all historical evidence showed that Beatrice wanted Hannelore to be independent and self-sufficient, not to have someone handling everything for her. In fact, she has complained about Hannelore's father coddling her too much.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: ChipNoir on 09 Nov 2017, 20:52
I'm just looking at Tilly as one of those Larger Than Life characters that drops into the QC universe to remind us it's not 'quite' reality. We as the readers kinda have a habit of aclimitizing to the absurd after so much exposure to a certain character, that we forget the novelty of it all till the next oddball character falls into place. 

Also, has anyone considered that Beatrice is doing this out of ...guilt?

She came to some pretty hard realizations about her relationship with her daughter: She let other people raise her daughter, and took a more or less completely hands off relationship.

I could read this as her extremely heavy handed, hamfisted, meglomaniacle interpretation of making up for not being there to support her daughter for all these years.

It's a kinda twisted interpretation, but it also feels a bit more in line with how Jeph writes characters. Cartoonishly villainous as Beatrice is, she DOES have a heart beating somewhere in that black abyss of a bossom, and what little space there is in there is reserved for Hannelore at the end of the day, even if she has no idea how to express it.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Wildroses on 09 Nov 2017, 21:40
Plausible theory, ChipNoir. Beatrice is the sort of woman who can not picture happiness outside her lifestyle and choices, so trying to get Hannelore to take over her company from her perspective is the ultimate sign of love, twisted woman that she is.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Nycticoraci on 09 Nov 2017, 22:05

...I'm not sure what you're talking about here?

Tilly was invited in through the front door. She didn't sneak into the apartment. What traps would she have set off?

"Oh look, she left the door open while she's on the phone to reject my presence...  I mustbe invited in!"

Queen Bea went for the discount temp agency, it would seem, with that level of deductive reasoning. Should have just fitted one of these with caterpillar tracks, since the apparent goal is for something to follow Hannelore around with 'suggestions' while ignoring her own opinion. (http://www.adengineering.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bfi_thumb/AD320-Full-Colour-Transportable-Variable-Message-Sign-VMS-Trailer-mx6cnp3w5jvhmppy4lp6aqc6n4saqlirui2dca6ri8.jpg)

Did you pick that image randomly as a stock image, or is there another Sandgroper here?
I think I live about 10-15 mins from where that image was taken.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 09 Nov 2017, 22:17
Also, has anyone considered that Beatrice is doing this out of ...guilt?

Ha. I can just imagine.

I haven't been there for my daughter. I'm going to do something about that right now, and I'll do it properly. I'll hire someone.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 09 Nov 2017, 22:36
"Taffy"?

Right before saying you have a photographic memory?

Deliberate insult, or turning into her mother?

I wonder if we're about to find out how Hannelore got the way she is. No citation, but I seem to remember Jeph saying years ago that he knows the cause of Hannelore's mental health problems and that it's a plot point.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Cornelius on 09 Nov 2017, 23:00

It’s in character for Beatrice, but what I find odd is that she seems to have waited a few years to spring this on Hannelore.  When we last saw her she was bullying Hannelore the whole time until she finally left and since then has only been mentioned.  Maybe she gave Hannelore a few years to get “cured” and now attempting to pull her into her world.

How much comic time has in fact passed? I think it might all be part of Beatrice's plan. While Hanners was still living as a complete shut in, she did get assignments from her mother. As a result, it shouldn't surprise me that she now has a very details knowledge of what goes on in ECI.
Moreover, Hanners has made tremendous progress. If her mother keeps track of that - and it seems unlikely that she shouldn't - she may well have judged the time ripe for the next step. Even with the evil master mind quirks she displays, I think that she's realistic enough to realise the limits of her daughter. Or disappointed enough, but the result is the same.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 09 Nov 2017, 23:13
I started giggling at panel 6, I really did. Something tells me that, for Tilly, 'reorganisation' is the magical word: A large project that requires exquisite levels of organisation; something that would make her happy for hours or even days. Curiously, that makes her very similar to Twilight Sparkle but I won't follow  that up. However, this does suggest that she and Hannelore have one thing in common in their love of organising things.

Of course, all this does expose how little Beatrice really knows about Hannelore. It's hard to hire someone to take over your daughter's life when she doesn't have much of a life, mostly because her anxiety disorder makes it hard to do anything without it creating a huge chain-reaction of other things that she suddenly needs to do.

"Taffy"?

Right before saying you have a photographic memory?

Deliberate insult, or turning into her mother?

No, it simpler than that: She's reminding us that human memory tends to be associative and that, even though she's in the middle of a conversation with Tilly, she's still thinking about her mother and what she said (Tilly not really having individual existence in her head disassociated from her mother's poisonous whims). So, instead of picking up the right name, she picks up the wrong name her mother used!
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 09 Nov 2017, 23:15
"Taffy"?

Right before saying you have a photographic memory?

Deliberate insult, or turning into her mother?

"Taffy" is the name that her mother told her over the phone.

Edit:

Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post.

Nice Ben, but it's simpler still.
Tilly introduced herself to Winslow, not to Hanners. So Hanners didn't forget. She just didn't know.

Edit again: looking back, I may be wrong, but heck, I'll stick with that explanation and just go with the theory that Hanners is retrieving her phone wreckage while the start of that conversation is happening.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 09 Nov 2017, 23:17
Nope, check Strip 3606 again. The very second sentence Tilly said to Hannelore was introducing herself by name.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: blt on 09 Nov 2017, 23:53
I can see the Taffy - Tilly thing being a recurring joke.

What made me laugh is that she doesn't skip a beat either. Probably got used to it with Beatrice.

Edit: because the font resizing code is ass
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: RomulusAug on 10 Nov 2017, 00:31
Well to be fair, she's only heard this new person's name from 2 people so far, so there's still a 50-50 chance it's actually Taffy  :-D

Joking aside, I don't see Tilly as that bad so far, she hasn't been asked to leave, and it feels like she thinks she's currently just negotiating for her job (like, it seems to her that this is Hannelore's way of saying "prove to me why I would need you", which I imagine is just the kind of hostile environment that her Mum's company would have where she would constantly need to prove her worth). I'm sure that if Hanners told her "I want you to leave" she would.

Not saying that she's not invading her space here, but just imagine the kind of hoops she has been made to jump through for years in order to qualify for the job of PA to the CEO's daughter (especially this particular CEO). Just my 2 cents  :-)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: BenRG on 10 Nov 2017, 01:40
FWIW, I think I know how next week will go now.

Tilly, realising that there literally is not any work for her to do for Hannelore breaks down. Maybe there is a funny panel where Hannelore has to take her bravery in both hands and put an arm around her shoulder to lead her to the couch. Tilly explains the whole deal: Beatrice made it abundantly clear that she wanted Hannelore to have a PA and that Tilly was expected to make it happen, no matter what the cost. Failure would mean dismissal and Beatrice made it clear she would use her influence to see to it Tilly will be hard-pressed to get work tossing burgers in an unlicensed diner.

Feeling guilty, Hannelore decides to help her out. Even if they could fake just a week of Tilly 'working' for her, doing enough stuff to put in the status reports that she has to send to Beatrice daily, then she could probably spin her eventual 'dismissal' in a positive way. There follows an impromptu Congress of Main Characters in Marten and Faye's lounge. The preview picture from Jeph's Twitter feed that I posted earlier this week (https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,33912.msg1393174.html#msg1393174) is Tilly responding to the 'to do' list that they'd put together.

Tilly should really have read the job list. There is nothing 'routine' about the main cast's idea of 'busy work'.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 10 Nov 2017, 01:53
Nope, check Strip 3606 again. The very second sentence Tilly said to Hannelore was introducing herself by name.

Okay, new theory. She has a photographic memory, but her aural memory is terrible.  :lol:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TinPenguin on 10 Nov 2017, 01:54
Tilly is like a pet dog that is desperate to help but just keeps getting under your feet.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: bhtooefr on 10 Nov 2017, 02:22
By the way, Beatrice is a Chatham. John is either an Ellicott or perhaps still an Ellicott-Chatham.  Hanners and John are the ONLY Ellicott-Chathams, and I'm not even sure about John.
John's not even sure about John: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2118
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: WoaLG on 10 Nov 2017, 02:51
John's not even sure about John: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2118

Thank you for linking that page. Every time I re-read the space station arc it makes me laugh like an insane person.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: JoeCovenant on 10 Nov 2017, 04:02
John's not even sure about John: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2118

Thank you for linking that page. Every time I re-read the space station arc it makes me laugh like an insane person.

Bonus points for avatar appropriateness... :)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Marco on 10 Nov 2017, 04:51
My understanding is that we should try to show the same respect to the fictional characters as we do to real people. Right?

Upon meeting someone, would you immediately begin to speculate on their sexuality, whether they are neuro-atypical, or whether they have some disorder? YMMV but that doesn't seem to me like a nice thing to do. Yet it's accepted here, I guess because this is over-analysis central.

Bolding mine. That is the rule of thumb, but it can be difficult to balance with speculation.

It's good to remember when writing posts that although the characters can't see your posts, the very real people you share the forum with can and do. So try to be aware and compassionate that what can be light speculation and discussion for one person, can be a lived experience for another. Sometimes it can be both.

That doesn't mean don't post. Just something to keep in mind before you do.

Damn, you're right! I just saw the repercussion of my last post and,Rereading it, I found it a bit of a stretch, too. Didn't mean to be rude, I was just overanalising...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: DaiJB on 10 Nov 2017, 05:53
Presumably it's just the effect of her strong glasses, but Tilly's pinpoint pupils are a little disturbing...
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: TheEvilDog on 10 Nov 2017, 07:19
You know, reading through the comic again, its kind of heartbreaking to hear how much Hanners cuts herself off from the rest of the world.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: tustin2121 on 10 Nov 2017, 08:09
My understanding is that we should try to show the same respect to the fictional characters as we do to real people. Right?

Upon meeting someone, would you immediately begin to speculate on their sexuality, whether they are neuro-atypical, or whether they have some disorder? YMMV but that doesn't seem to me like a nice thing to do. Yet it's accepted here, I guess because this is over-analysis central.

Not upset or angry in any way, just finding it all a bit odd.

I think it's less that we're over-analyzing it (though we are), and more that we're literally getting, every day, a less-than-a-minute snapshot in time to look over for an entire day. There are crass judgements about people we meet that pop into our heads upon first impression that mellow, tweak, and reform as we get more information to supplement our first impression over the next few minutes and hours. But in comic form, that first impression takes days to supplement with more than what would normally be a few seconds worth of information.

On Monday, we had only the first impression of Tilly to work with: she showed up, looking as she does in her round glasses and shirt-pocket button down, says she's Hanner's personal assistant now, and that she likes pancakes. That's all we had to work with, and so people over analyzed her look and her speech and speculated solely on our first impressions without giving the character any chance. We'd probably be having a vastly different conversation had all five of this week's strips been dropped on us at once.

So, I guess I'm basically blaming our over-analysis and rude generalizations on the strip-a-day format of the thing, which is simultaneously decently fast and way too slow. It's like how I binged through the Bubbles' memory story-arc a few weeks ago and got a vastly different impression of the story than basically everyone in these weekly discussion threads (when I went through and read what all was written about it later).
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: themacnut on 10 Nov 2017, 08:36
You know, reading through the comic again, its kind of heartbreaking to hear how much Hanners cuts herself off from the rest of the world.

Is it? There are a growing number of people (including the original creators) who think Twitter and Facebook may be bad for humanity, due to all the abuses so easily perpetrated through them. And remember, Hanners may not tweet or post on a Facebook wall, but she does have real-life, off-line friends (well, real within the comic anyway  :wink:), friends who look out for her and truly care for her.

And I can understand her outlook about shopping too. Buying stuff other than the absolute essentials means you've got to find a place for that stuff, and maybe find a way to get rid of other stuff the new stuff may replace or you now have no room for (getting rid of old unwanted stuff isn't always as simple as putting it out in the trash, especially in neighborhoods that recycle or where the trash pickup people are picky about what they pick up for trash). Also more stuff means more stuff to take care of and clean and secure...I understand her minimalist outlook, and if I were single I'd live by it as well.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Akima on 10 Nov 2017, 13:16
Deliberate insult, or turning into her mother?
Why can't it be both? :)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Magniras on 10 Nov 2017, 13:17
My theory is that Tilly is Lawful Evil, just like Beatrice.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: thedevilissix on 10 Nov 2017, 15:10
Tilly should just be Winslow's PA whilst he builds a psychiatry empire. :angel: :evil:
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: hedgie on 10 Nov 2017, 15:18
Or band manager for Deathmøle.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Tova on 10 Nov 2017, 16:00
I think it's less that we're over-analyzing it (though we are), and more that we're literally getting, every day, a less-than-a-minute snapshot in time to look over for an entire day. There are crass judgements about people we meet that pop into our heads upon first impression that mellow, tweak, and reform as we get more information to supplement our first impression over the next few minutes and hours. But in comic form, that first impression takes days to supplement with more than what would normally be a few seconds worth of information.

Yes, I think you're right about this. It's almost inevitable, come to think of it, that we'd react differently to a static picture that can be absorbed minutely than a moment whose details - unless you're one of those Hanners types with an (allegedly :wink:) photographic memory - will largely be forgotten, where we are simply left with our immediate impression.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Moggie on 11 Nov 2017, 03:57
<snip>
Seriously,  every one of the 'droids in the cast displays more ability to think autonomously than she has some far.  I see an arc about freeing her mind from B E-C'so grip.  Maybe Spookybot can expel Beatrice from Tilly's head like Sauruman from Theoden's.  Imagine Beatrix landing on her arse and sliding backwards across her office floor.
<snip>
Spookybot vs. Beatrice? I'm not sure the world will survive that  :-o
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 11 Nov 2017, 09:31
Welcome, new person!

Indeed the "collateral damage" in that war is too horrible to think about.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Moggie on 11 Nov 2017, 11:23
Thankies  :-). Not so new,  I used to have an account on the old forums donkey's years ago but went on to a hiatus then. Now I'm back.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 11 Nov 2017, 11:48
It's changed a lot. If you'd like to catch up with the old crowd, they've moved a few times and I've lost track of them but someone here will know.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: Wagimawr on 12 Nov 2017, 18:38
My theory is that Tilly is Lawful Evil, just like Beatrice.

Lends itself to an interesting idea.

What if Tilly is too good at her job? The only way Beatrice could get rid of her was shuffling her off on her own daughter.

Reminds me of some old cartoon dynamics; trying to remove someone and they keep just walking back in the door.
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: OldGoat on 12 Nov 2017, 22:13
My theory is that Tilly is Lawful Evil, just like Beatrice.

Lends itself to an interesting idea.

What if Tilly is too good at her job? The only way Beatrice could get rid of her was shuffling her off on her own daughter.

Reminds me of some old cartoon dynamics; trying to remove someone and they keep just walking back in the door.
"But the cat came back the very next day...." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjMffHG1V_Q)
Title: Re: WCDT Strips 3606 to 3610 (6th - 10th November 2017)
Post by: bhtooefr on 13 Nov 2017, 01:46
I'm also reminded of an arc in Dumbing of Age, that was particularly ugly.