Topic: WCDT Strips 3221 to 3225 (16 - 20 May 2016) (Read 96368 times)

BenRG · « **on:** 15 May 2016, 12:46 »

Timed Poll so that votes must be in before we're too long into the week. I've made it a two vote poll because Jeph can and does sometimes squeeze two different story-lines into a week.

I've voted as follows:

Clinton begs his mum to let Eyebrow Girl sleep over for the night; it turns into a longer-term thing - Because I think Mrs A is going to be lonely now both of her birds have flown (Claire spending most of her time at Marten's place now) and is willing to take on an eccentric lodger;
We cut back to Marten and Claire; Clinton's call for help interrupts a... moment - Because a one-off interlude of this nature could easily be a nice cheap laugh or two.

I'm sure that other readers have their own ideas, so don't be shy about voting 'Other' and telling us!

Kugai · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2016, 13:43 »

New Arc: We find out the Bar was owned by Hannermom who makes a reappearance - Corporate fun and games ensue

Method of Madness · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 May 2016, 15:32 »

I really hope we get a name, soon. Eyebrow Girl is a weird nickname.

(Also sorry I untimed the poll, timed polls seem so unnecessary. You can always change the poll question midweek if you want, but stopping people from voting at all if they see it too late is kinda cruel.)

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 May 2016, 15:56 »

Her name is Mel, short for magnificent eyebrows lady.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 May 2016, 16:02 »

Massive also works.

DrBear · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 May 2016, 17:26 »

Clinton falls into same trap he did with Emily, puts on fake eyebrows.

~~mustang6172~~ · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2016, 18:30 »

Clinton will chip in for a motel room for the barkeep.

This arc needs an interlude. Let Pintsize give us an accounting of his whereabouts during the fire.

Tova · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2016, 18:49 »

It's usually 'other'.

cesium133 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:00 »

It's usually 'butts'.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:04 »

It's always butts.

Tova · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:07 »

Changing my vote to butts.

Comic: it may actually end up being the Claire, Marten, Faye option.

So glad she saved the cuckoo clock.

Eastrim · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:20 »

Party at Marten and Fayes place! Barlady and Faye can share home burning stories, and Marten can tell Clinton how well taking a girl in after that turns out! Add in some music and set the roof on fire!

wlewisiii · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:51 »

Quote from: mustang6172 on 15 May 2016, 18:30

Clinton will chip in for a motel room for the barkeep.

This arc needs an interlude. Let Pintsize give us an accounting of his whereabouts during the fire.

No, he'll offer a room at his mom's. He knows his sister won't be home so there will be separate rooms for both without any questions. If his mom can accept Claire, walking in with her won't even rate a raised eyebrow.

Undrneath · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 May 2016, 19:57 »

Why wouldn't she accept Claire?

aliensporebomb · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 May 2016, 20:49 »

Eyebrow Girl? Give the poor woman a name!

cesium133 · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 May 2016, 20:51 »

Quote from: aliensporebomb on 15 May 2016, 20:49

Eyebrow Girl? Give the poor woman a name!

//Clinton and Eyebrow Girl go to Coffee of Doom
Emily: Clin-Ton! And you, I will call you Blerninda!
Blerninda: How did you know my name?

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 May 2016, 21:52 »

Quote from: Undrneath on 15 May 2016, 19:57

Why wouldn't she accept Claire?

Clairemom is doing better than a tragically large fraction of all parents of trans children. If only that kind of acceptance could be taken for granted.

BenRG · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 May 2016, 23:04 »

I'm more sure than ever that this new character has some kind of social or behavioural disorder. Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone. It really seems that she can't properly process emotions and non-verbal communication. Because she doesn't 'get' it, she can't do it herself.

I'm left with two possible conclusions:

She is somewhere on the autistic spectrum;
Her life to date has been so shitty that she just has had all the pain and rage burned out of her by the hopelessness.

The second option wouldn't explain her failure to get that Clinton wasn't a troublemaker, so, yeah, I'm thinking that this is autism of some kind.

Nepiophage · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 May 2016, 23:42 »

I think she's an AI, one not terribly well programmed for human interaction.

Tova · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 May 2016, 00:40 »

At first, I thought that it made no sense for an AI not terribly well programmed for human interaction would have a job that primarily involves human interaction.

Then I asked myself why it would make less sense for an AI to have such a job than for a human, and didn't have a good answer.

Still, that feeling persists, so there it is.

mikmaxs · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 May 2016, 00:59 »

So...
What happened in the 90 minutes we didn't get to see? Did he really just drink quietly at the bar for an hour before the fire started?

And if it is Autism that drives her character's unusual traits, I can't say I'm a particular fan of the representation here. (Amd it seems weird that she was so acute and on point in 3215.)

MrNumbers · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 May 2016, 01:00 »

(click to show/hide)

ODD COUPLE THEME ENSUES

Skewbrow · « **Reply #22 on:** 16 May 2016, 01:06 »

Quote from: BenRG on 15 May 2016, 23:04

I'm more sure than ever that this new character has some kind of social or behavioural disorder. Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone.

I'm no psychologist, but I think she is still just in shock. The reality of all her earthly belongings going up in flames in front of her eyes has not fully registered yet.

BenRG · « **Reply #23 on:** 16 May 2016, 01:10 »

Quote from: Skewbrow on 16 May 2016, 01:06

Quote from: BenRG on 15 May 2016, 23:04
I'm more sure than ever that this new character has some kind of social or behavioural disorder. Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone.

I'm no psychologist, but I think she is still just in shock. The reality of all her earthly belongings going up in flames in front of her eyes has not fully registered yet.

The thing is that, with the exception of her only semi-canonical response to Barry's fishing story, she always seems to act like this. It doesn't seem to be shock (which was my first idea too). It just seems to be the way she talks and acts!

oddtail · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 May 2016, 01:34 »

Quote from: Nepiophage on 15 May 2016, 23:42

I think she's an AI, one not terribly well programmed for human interaction.

I think it would have great potential for interaction with Clinton, who has been seen as a bit AI-fanboyish. An AI whose personality does not mesh too well with his would be interesting.

Then again, I don't think she's an AI based on her appearance. AI chassis in the comic tend to be simple visually and with a "robotey" features to their faces.

JimC · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 May 2016, 03:13 »

Quote from: BenRG on 15 May 2016, 23:04

Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone.

Not IME. When my house burned down no-one was hysterical.
One of my mates I think still tells the story of me knocking him up at 3am and saying,
"Hi Simon, may I borrow your sofa, my house has just burnt down"

you could see the wheels turning :
'is he drunk, is he stoned, is he telling the truth, DO I CARE?'

Her reaction very much mirrors how we were. Some things are just too big for shouting and hysteria.

Eastrim · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 May 2016, 03:26 »

Quote from: JimC on 16 May 2016, 03:13

"Hi Simon, may I borrow your sofa, my house has just burnt down"

Where were you going to take the sofa?

BenRG · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 May 2016, 03:33 »

Quote from: mikmaxs on 16 May 2016, 00:59

So...
What happened in the 90 minutes we didn't get to see? Did he really just drink quietly at the bar for an hour before the fire started?

It doesn't have to have been ninety minutes. It could have been a lot less and then the rest of the time being filled with Clinton getting people out, giving statements to the police and then making an effort at comforting the still-nameless barkeep.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #28 on:** 16 May 2016, 04:02 »

I'm wondering if she's still in shock, though...

MrWoodchip · « **Reply #29 on:** 16 May 2016, 04:41 »

I'm slightly hoping for a "Sucks for you." then Clinton decides to walk home. It'd be funny.

I'm expecting a Marten/Faye style perma-sleepover.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #30 on:** 16 May 2016, 05:08 »

"funny"

Hmm.

dexeron · « **Reply #31 on:** 16 May 2016, 05:30 »

I'm changing my vote to "Clinton and Eyebrow Lady end up in a whirlwind romance culminating in a massive blow-out wedding that makes Marten's dad's look like a monastery repainting. We never learn her name. Ever. And neither does Clin-ton."

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #32 on:** 16 May 2016, 06:54 »

She might also be from a culture that ingrains self-control and understatement.

Case · « **Reply #33 on:** 16 May 2016, 07:19 »

Quote from: BenRG on 15 May 2016, 23:04

I'm more sure than ever that this new character has some kind of social or behavioural disorder. Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone. It really seems that she can't properly process emotions and non-verbal communication. Because she doesn't 'get' it, she can't do it herself.

I'm left with two possible conclusions:
She is somewhere on the autistic spectrum;
Her life to date has been so shitty that she just has had all the pain and rage burned out of her by the hopelessness.
The second option wouldn't explain her failure to get that Clinton wasn't a troublemaker, so, yeah, I'm thinking that this is autism of some kind.

Huh. I had her pegged for a recent immigrant from Central/Eastern Europe. The seeming disregard for fashion/grooming standards and 'customer service' and the short sentences would fit, as well as the (apparent) stoicism.

In my experience, people that just had their Bar burned down over their heads tend to be shellshocked, with the occasional short bout of sobbing or two.
Not much emotion on display, overall.

(Yes, that actually happened - We came to play a gig in a little Bar in Cologne, only to find it ... 'well done'.)

oddtail · « **Reply #34 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:04 »

Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 07:19

Huh. I had her pegged for a recent immigrant from Central/Eastern Europe. The seeming disregard for fashion/grooming standards and 'customer service' and the short sentences would fit, as well as the (apparent) stoicism.

That's how we're viewed by the outside world...? OK then. That's kinda sad

Case · « **Reply #35 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:19 »

Quote from: oddtail on 16 May 2016, 08:04

Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 07:19
Huh. I had her pegged for a recent immigrant from Central/Eastern Europe. The seeming disregard for fashion/grooming standards and 'customer service' and the short sentences would fit, as well as the (apparent) stoicism.

That's how we're viewed by the outside world...? OK then. That's kinda sad

Tough, capable, no-nonsense, resilient?

That's how this particular German views our eastern Neighbours - that insulting?

(Or do you mean the fashion/eyebrows thing? Hmmmh - Can't say that MYANGER is the fashion capital of the continent either, can we now? And actually, I had a third of my money on her maybe being GDR-raised -> I don't know where Jeph is going with the cuckoo-clock, e.g. ...)

oddtail · « **Reply #36 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:25 »

Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 08:19

Quote from: oddtail on 16 May 2016, 08:04
Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 07:19
Huh. I had her pegged for a recent immigrant from Central/Eastern Europe. The seeming disregard for fashion/grooming standards and 'customer service' and the short sentences would fit, as well as the (apparent) stoicism.

That's how we're viewed by the outside world...? OK then. That's kinda sad

Tough, capable, no-nonsense, resilient?

That's how this particular German views our eastern Neighbours - that insulting?

I never said I was insulted. I said I was sad

anyhow, based on the character attached to those comments, you might say "tough, capable, no-nonsense, resilient", and you also might say "thick-skinned, drab-looking, gruff, emotionally cold and less-than-comfortable with the English language". That's the vibe I got from the part of your post I quoted

And since at least in some situations I've heard such labels attached to people from Central Europe/Poland by Westerners (or at least some of those), I think that view is not exactly uncommon. Heck, I'd agree with some of that, overall.

...I guess it's still better than the "you guys steal ALL the cars around here" stereotype that most Scandinavians seem to have

Case · « **Reply #37 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:35 »

Quote from: oddtail on 16 May 2016, 08:25

Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 08:19
Quote from: oddtail on 16 May 2016, 08:04
Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 07:19
Huh. I had her pegged for a recent immigrant from Central/Eastern Europe. The seeming disregard for fashion/grooming standards and 'customer service' and the short sentences would fit, as well as the (apparent) stoicism.

That's how we're viewed by the outside world...? OK then. That's kinda sad

Tough, capable, no-nonsense, resilient?

That's how this particular German views our eastern Neighbours - that insulting?

I never said I was insulted. I said I was sad anyhow, based on the character attached to those comments, you might say "tough, capable, no-nonsense, resilient", and you also might say "thick-skinned, drab-looking, gruff, emotionally cold and less-than-comfortable with the English language". That's the vibe I got from the part of your post I quoted

Actually, not so long ago I've listened to a Greek woman describe Germans in similar terms ...

Quote from: Case on 16 May 2016, 08:19

...I guess it's still better than the "you guys steal ALL the cars around here" stereotype that most Scandinavians seem to have

Huh? That one never dies out, now does it?

My Father's family are/were Western Prussians from the Tuchel region (Gostyzyn/Liebenau, Oblast Tuchel) - Sadly, my Polish is restricted to "Poproszę o sześć piw"

Aaaaaand: Sorry for Erika Steinbach -> but we can't find the 'mute' button on that woman ... She's a goddamn' embarrassment.
'She doesn't speak in my name' will have to suffice

jheartney · « **Reply #38 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:38 »

Just going to mention that barkeep's eyebrows seem to have grown since her introduction in 3210. Dealing with Clinton must have caused a surge in follicle growth hormone, or something. Now they look like England from Hetalia.

oddtail · « **Reply #39 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:40 »

"Poproszę o sześć piw" is perfectly correct grammatically, but it strikes me as somewhat awkward. It may depend on the region, but I don't think I've ever heard a person use that particular construction. I think a more natural one is "Sześć piw, proszę"

[/nitpick] (in my defense, I nitpick language for a living)

Case · « **Reply #40 on:** 16 May 2016, 08:55 »

Quote from: oddtail on 16 May 2016, 08:40

"Poproszę o sześć piw" is perfectly correct grammatically, but it strikes me as somewhat awkward. It may depend on the region, but I don't think I've ever heard a person use that particular construction. I think a more natural one is "Sześć piw, proszę" [/nitpick] (in my defense, I nitpick language for a living)

Well, it was taught to me by a polish-born fellow student during the train-ride to Wolin.

In Adam's defense: He was 12 when his parents headed west due to some Solidarność-affiliations, so his Polish might have been lacking a bit of everyday practise.

---
EDIT: About the 'ambigous' characterisation of eastern Europeans -> On 2nd reading: Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that. Didn't mean it that way, but still ... on the rude side of 'brash'.
In my defense: German, physicist, ADD. Now, if you draw a Venn-diagram ...

brasca · « **Reply #41 on:** 16 May 2016, 10:50 »

Quote from: BenRG on 16 May 2016, 01:10

Quote from: Skewbrow on 16 May 2016, 01:06
Quote from: BenRG on 15 May 2016, 23:04
I'm more sure than ever that this new character has some kind of social or behavioural disorder. Most people would be hysterical in her situation but she remains deliberate, calm and monotone.

I'm no psychologist, but I think she is still just in shock. The reality of all her earthly belongings going up in flames in front of her eyes has not fully registered yet.

The thing is that, with the exception of her only semi-canonical response to Barry's fishing story, she always seems to act like this. It doesn't seem to be shock (which was my first idea too). It just seems to be the way she talks and acts!

Maybe her grief is in equal balance with joy. Perhaps she hated her job and wanted a change and now this happened. She doesn't have an excuse for staying employed there any longer and the biggest problem she has right now is where to sleep for the night.

zmeiat_joro · « **Reply #42 on:** 16 May 2016, 14:08 »

She might have some audotiry processing disorder, not sure.

War Sparrow · « **Reply #43 on:** 16 May 2016, 15:00 »

Or maybe she is just like that. No disorder, just calm and bad at human interaction. Some people are just poorly socialized and even tempered.

Kugai · « **Reply #44 on:** 16 May 2016, 15:40 »

So, anyone seeing Clinton offering to help her out and find a place to stay?

zmeiat_joro · « **Reply #45 on:** 16 May 2016, 16:07 »

Dunno, I have a friend who's a bartender and she really hates the fact that she'll have to get a hearing aid. Barlady really reminds me of her, they even look alike.

Case · « **Reply #46 on:** 16 May 2016, 17:00 »

Quote from: War Sparrow on 16 May 2016, 15:00

Or maybe she is just like that. No disorder, just calm and bad at human interaction. Some people are just poorly socialized and even tempered.

How can you say that? This clearly is a case of

Lupus

Method of Madness · « **Reply #47 on:** 16 May 2016, 17:25 »

Near Lurker · « **Reply #48 on:** 16 May 2016, 18:24 »

Quote from: wlewisiii on 15 May 2016, 19:51

No, he'll offer a room at his mom's. He knows his sister won't be home so there will be separate rooms for both without any questions. If his mom can accept Claire, walking in with her won't even rate a raised eyebrow.

I feel like it's kind of a leap from "not a complete shitheel to her own blood" to "willing to take in a somewhat frightening stranger."

Perfectly Reasonable · « **Reply #49 on:** 16 May 2016, 18:30 »

I know this nice bridge you can sleep under...

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Poll

So, now what? (Two votes each)

Author Topic: WCDT Strips 3221 to 3225 (16 - 20 May 2016) (Read 96368 times)