I frequently have the "I've been blowing off [obscure calculus class] the entire quarter and my wife won't let me see her notes so I'm going into the exam cold" dream.
Sometimes I ace the exam.
Sometimes a plane crashes on the exam room.
Usually I wake up in a cold sweat.
Let's step back and look at timeline... Marten's been in this job for only about a 18 mos in-comic, maybe 2 years. He's in his early 20s. This is still dues-paying territory for him, career-wise. Plenty of time for him to get noticed as
That Guy At The Library Who Gets Tai's Shit Done So She Can Smoke Pot, Watch Adventure Time, And Dig Up Dirt On Trustees.
Besides, as much fun as it is to try to figure out Marten's prospects as a Professional and in his Career, we're kind of missing the point. Not to sound defeatist or anything, but Marten will get Initiative or a Big Break *When Jeph Wants To Tell That Story*. Jeph may never want to tell that story leaving Marten as a perpetual kind of man-child on the cusp...or Something will Happen.
Sorry, I'm feeling Title-Case-Ish today.
Devious Plot Twist: Marten goes to New York to be a PA (Production Assistant) on Angus' show. discuss?