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Peaches 'N' Bubbles

Accessories, Repairs and Wisecracks

Face Meat & Metalwork

Chassis 'R' Us

Redemption Repairs

Bodyshop of Doom

Mechanical Magics

Hephestus's Workshop

You Break, We Fix, You Pay - Everyone is Happy!

Other (Let us know in a comment!)

[BenRG]

Okay, as Jeph definitely seems to be going in the direction of Faye and Bubbles going into business together, I thought that this would be an appropriate subject for a poll. Might as well specify our preferences well in advance!

I have to admit, whilst I'm sure Jeph will feel the urge to make the name of the business comedic or ironic in some way, given how important this may be to Faye and to Bubbles (given their pasts) might lead them to give it some profound or meaningful name. Of course, it is quite possible that Faye may forget until the last minute and it will be left to whoever is putting up the sign (almost certainly May and Dale) to make up something at the last minute.

All that said, I really like "Peaches 'N' Bubbles"; it doesn't even sound like a chassis repair shop but it reminds us what this is about - Faye and Bubbles seeking independence and meaning in their lives.

What do you  think?

[Akima]

Name: "Phoenix Cyberworks"

Motto: "Rise from the trashes!" or perhaps "Rise from the crashes!"

[Zebediah]

"Maybe I give you repair. Maybe I give you PUNCH IN FACE."

[Thrudd]

Pristine Patchwork for Pugnacious Plastic Pugilists

[brasca]

Nice attempt Bubbles.  At least you're original enough not to use puns. 

[Penquin47]

I liked it, Bubbles.

[Is it cold in here?]

Bubbles has a remarkably expressive face.

[JohnTheWysard]

Keep on truckin', Bubbles!

[BenRG]

It probably tells you just how unused poor Bubbles is to telling jokes (to someone who will get them) that she immediately felt the need to explain it. There is something cute and endearing about a combat AI blushing like a stop sign and clearly babbling to explain herself.

It's easy to miss but there's another lovely touch in panel 4 today. Bubbles is all hunched over and smiling slightly; the
whole package just communicates excitement to me.

[shanejayell]

That was cute. 

I'm ODDLY tempted to have them set up nearby Faye's and call it the Bodyshop of DOOM.

[JimC]

I think if I were them I'd try and get away from the Robot fighting image. Something like, well, I'm not very up on US terminology, but "Northampton AI Medical Centre" or the like. Need to get those high value customers in... And I'd definitely stay away from auto repair shops and mechanical repair terminology. I'm very sure AIs won't like an association as if they were a type of automobile.

[QuestionableIntentions]

I wonder if "City" is an AI?

[BenRG]

Not in the way that I suspect that you're thinking. We're still several generations too early in AI development and organic dependence on it for Northampton to rename itself: "I'm Quite Happy As I Am, Thank You".

(Yes, that's a The Culture reference, just in case anyone is puzzled)

[DSL]

I'm semi-opposed to explaining jokes but I have to back up and say that was funny.

[Method of Madness]

A combination butcher and repair shop. Faye's Meats and Face Meats.

[Case]

"Joke deployed, damage assessment forthcoming" cracked me up.

There is something cute and endearing about a combat AI blushing like a stop sign and clearly babbling to explain herself.

It is, isn't it?

Question: How tall is Bubbles? I'd say smth. in the 2.5m-2.7m range? (8-9 ft)?

[TinPenguin]

I am going to steal this line and not cite my sources.

[Bollthorn]

Awkward Bubbles is adorable ^.^

[WareWolf]

Pristine Patchwork for Pugnacious Plastic Pugilists

That'd be one hard to read business card.

[WareWolf]

It probably tells you just how unused poor Bubbles is to telling jokes (to someone who will get them) that she immediately felt the need to explain it. There is something cute and endearing about a combat AI blushing like a stop sign and clearly babbling to explain herself.

There's a great line in the new Mike Birbiglia special on Netflix: "You should never end a joke by going 'I'm JOKING!'

....or 'Get 'er done.'"

[heyjames4]

As far as we know, Bubbles is only her nickname.
As far as I know, you can't co-sign a business loan with a nickname.
We may learn Bubbles' true legal name during this arc.

My favorite choice for business name is something simple like "Whitaker & 037VZ8D: Northampton Chassis Repair & Customization."

With something discreet on the stationary to communicate that charity cases (like May) won't be turned away.

[Shremedy]

Bubble's aversion to the beeping noise explains why she never got memory backed up as well.....  (ducks out of sight)

[A small perverse otter]

You can sign a loan as an AKA: you can for instance, sign using only some of your names. All the lenders care about is being able to track that name back to you in the case of default.

[Kugai]

Never explain a joke Bubbles, just let it lie.

I like Fayes smile in the last panel.


I wonder where they'll eventually set up once they find somewhere away from the Fight Club.

[Akima]

Question: How tall is Bubbles? I'd say smth. in the 2.5m-2.7m range? (8-9 ft)?

I don't think Jeph has ever given a canonical answer, and his drawing of characters isn't always consistent, but I don't think Bubbles is quite as tall as that. Bear in mind that she was designed to serve alongside human soldiers, and APC's are not roomy inside, so she couldn't be that far outside tall-man-in-field-gear dimensions. In strip 3450, Bubbles appears to be slightly shorter than the door-frame to her right. Domestic doors are usually around 2m (~6'6") or a little more. Perspective in that drawing would make the door look taller in relation to Bubbles, so I'm guessing she's around 2M in height. In her first appearance, Faye was about shoulder-height on Bubbles, but recently the difference seems greater. Faye is shorter than Dora or Hanners, so it looks like Bubbles would be about a head taller than they are.

[Kugai]

Another thing you have to take into consideration with the doorway in 3450 Akima is that that is a doorway inside a commercial building. Those tend to be sligtly taller and wider than your average door frame height due to the needs of a commercial building where laarge and  bulky pieces of equipment may need to be moved around.

[Method of Madness]

How tall is Bubbles? Very tall.

[Perfectly Reasonable]

Backup beeping noises... I think there's a butt joke in there somewhere.

[Is it cold in here?]

Even the single-panel comic with her specifications didn't list her height.

[Killspree]

I'm going to go with the old line, She's tall enough her legs reach the floor.

/joke deployed

[shanejayell]

New comic up.

As I also have a 'ha ha ha no' credit score, I can sympathise.

I suppose they could call Punchbot for help...?

[jheartney]

They're probably a little ahead of themselves on going to the bank. First they need to create an LLC for their enterprise, in order to prevent debts from the business from swallowing whatever personal assets they have. Assuming they don't have a store of startup capital, they need to find one: an initial investor could get them rolling, although before they go to him/her, they need to write up a business plan. I suggest Punchbot and/or Hanners and/or Station. If none of those work they could try HannerMom, but that's more of a desperation play. In any case they should set up Punchbot as their accountant.

[Tova]

I actually got to use that backing out line today (standing in a rollercoaster queue - these things genuinely scared me).

[WareWolf]

New comic up.

As I also have a 'ha ha ha no' credit score, I can sympathise.

I suppose they could call Punchbot for help...?

Or The Squid/Spookybot can give them God's own  credit rating.

[Case]

My favorite choice for business name is something simple like "Whitaker & 037VZ8D: Northampton Chassis Repair & Customization."

According to Strip 3004, it'd be smth. like "Whitaker & CM 1776 Autonomous Combat Droid mk.1 ser. #118375-A: Northampton Chassis Repair & Customization".

But the designation also has "Bubbles" as her nickname, so maybe that's really (part of) her legal name.

In strip 3450, Bubbles appears to be slightly shorter than the door-frame to her right.

There's a doorframe in 3540 3003?

Domestic doors are usually around 2m (~6'6") or a little more. Perspective in that drawing would make the door look taller in relation to Bubbles, so I'm guessing she's around 2M in height. In her first appearance, Faye was about shoulder-height on Bubbles, but recently the difference seems greater. Faye is shorter than Dora or Hanners, so it looks like Bubbles would be about a head taller than they are.

Yeah, I guess you're right about the 2m - In 3059, she looks like she's just able to fit throught the door, and she has a good 15-20 cm on Steve. Average height of US males is 176cm, so if we assume that for Marten, and assume that Steve is about 180-182cm, she'd be just under 2m.

[brasca]

They're probably a little ahead of themselves on going to the bank. First they need to create an LLC for their enterprise, in order to prevent debts from the business from swallowing whatever personal assets they have. Assuming they don't have a store of startup capital, they need to find one: an initial investor could get them rolling, although before they go to him/her, they need to write up a business plan. I suggest Punchbot and/or Hanners and/or Station. If none of those work they could try HannerMom, but that's more of a desperation play. In any case they should set up Punchbot as their accountant.

Hannelore seems like the most likely person to turn to next.

[BenRG]

Maybe I don't know how these things work but, unless Faye and Bubbles have ever defaulted on loans, they aren't going to have a bad credit rating. Admittedly, both technically unemployed and with only barely-sufficient savings wouldn't lead to a good one either. A lot depends on how desperate the local S&L is for business! That said, the interest rate on a loan to them would be... pretty high and the phrase 'lose your shirt' will probably be in there somewhere!

I do know where this is going though: They need someone to be an investor to underwrite the business. Then it's their credit rating that would matter and they might be able to get better terms.

[Sorflakne]

I use my credit card for pretty much everything except rent, can honestly not remember the last time I used my debit card for anything other than an ATM withdrawal.  Too many people seem afraid of credit cards...they're honestly not bad if you stay within your means, don't go wild, and pay the statement off every month.  Just budget with them like you do normally with a debit card or cash.  And you kind of need a credit rating if you want to buy a house or car (or business) or rent an apartment, best way to get one is to use a credit card.

Wish I knew my credit rating now.  Last time I saw hard numbers was in 2010...wonder how it's grown since then.

[pwhodges]

I don't know about other places in this regard, but in Italy you cannot hire a car with a debit card; absolutely only a credit card is accepted.  I don't know why; in South Africa the car hire company was perfectly happy to put a provisional call for £1500 on my debit card as deposit, so it's not that the facility is unavailable.

[Tova]

I get paid monthly. My monthly expenses, however, are very spiky. One month in particular sees a couple of very large bills. The credit card is perfect for smoothing my cash flow. It means I don't need to draw on my mortgage offset account to pay the bills. The credit card statement is always paid in full each month so no interest is payable.

[Akima]

As a banker once put it to me: "You don't get a good credit rating by never borrowing anything. You get one by borrowing and paying back on time."

There's a doorframe in 3540 3003?

I messed the number up. I meant strip 3450.

[Thrillho]

This strip made me laugh more than any strip has in possibly a decade or more. What a lovely joke, the kind I make with my friends.

[Case]

As a banker once put it to me: "You don't get a good credit rating by never borrowing anything. You get one by borrowing and paying back on time. having a houseplant that can vouch for your trustworthiness"

FYP


Bubbles expression whenever she mentions 'Arthur' is priceless.

[JoeCovenant]

I'm hoping this is another joke...

I don't think Bubbles (from what I remember) hasn't shown this "Drax the Destroyer" style missing-of-metaphors before?

[Neko_Ali]

We don't know what Faye's credit or spending was like before being fired from Coffee of Doom. Probably not the greatest because she does have some impulse control issues. Not like May, but still.  Since then, as far as legal matters have been concerned she's been unemployed. After an extended emergency stay in the hospital she's going to have some bills. Fortunately Dora let her ride on the insurance to not completely destroy her life, but deductibles are not cheap. Bubbles may have no financial record at all since leaving the military. No credit history and no employment history are things that would scare off a potential leaser possibly even more than someone with bad credit. Sure, they SAY they want to open up an AI repair shop. But would they also be running a side, illegal business out of their property as well? Probably the best bet is to get a co-signer/silent partner who has good credit to act as 'the responsible looking one'. Hanners has the money and connections, she may not have the credit rating. Veronica certainly does have both, but would she be willing and would the duo think of her or want her to be involved?

[Stoutfellow]

We don't know what Faye's credit or spending was like before being fired from Coffee of Doom. Probably not the greatest because she does have some impulse control issues. Not like May, but still.  Since then, as far as legal matters have been concerned she's been unemployed. After an extended emergency stay in the hospital she's going to have some bills. Fortunately Dora let her ride on the insurance to not completely destroy her life, but deductibles are not cheap. Bubbles may have no financial record at all since leaving the military. No credit history and no employment history are things that would scare off a potential leaser possibly even more than someone with bad credit. Sure, they SAY they want to open up an AI repair shop. But would they also be running a side, illegal business out of their property as well? Probably the best bet is to get a co-signer/silent partner who has good credit to act as 'the responsible looking one'. Hanners has the money and connections, she may not have the credit rating. Veronica certainly does have both, but would she be willing and would the duo think of her or want her to be involved?

I suspect that Hannelore has a decent credit rating. She does buy stuff, some of it expensive - the gong, the heavy-duty cleaning equipment (including full-body protection gear) - and, though she probably could pay cash, why would she? (Which is cleaner, a credit card you keep in your purse or whatever, or paper money and coins that have been handled by God knows whom?)

[jheartney]

If Hanners has cash and wants to be their backer, then credit shouldn't be an issue. The bank would look at her name and her bank account, and happily let her co-sign the lease etc.

I suspect Jeph won't go this route, as it becomes too easy from a narrative point of view to just let the Ellicott-Chathams serve as sugar daddy. People living on the edge make better stories than the comfortably well-off.

[Neko_Ali]

We don't know what Faye's credit or spending was like before being fired from Coffee of Doom. Probably not the greatest because she does have some impulse control issues. Not like May, but still.  Since then, as far as legal matters have been concerned she's been unemployed. After an extended emergency stay in the hospital she's going to have some bills. Fortunately Dora let her ride on the insurance to not completely destroy her life, but deductibles are not cheap. Bubbles may have no financial record at all since leaving the military. No credit history and no employment history are things that would scare off a potential leaser possibly even more than someone with bad credit. Sure, they SAY they want to open up an AI repair shop. But would they also be running a side, illegal business out of their property as well? Probably the best bet is to get a co-signer/silent partner who has good credit to act as 'the responsible looking one'. Hanners has the money and connections, she may not have the credit rating. Veronica certainly does have both, but would she be willing and would the duo think of her or want her to be involved?

I suspect that Hannelore has a decent credit rating. She does buy stuff, some of it expensive - the gong, the heavy-duty cleaning equipment (including full-body protection gear) - and, though she probably could pay cash, why would she? (Which is cleaner, a credit card you keep in your purse or whatever, or paper money and coins that have been handled by God knows whom?)

Debit cards were mentioned. A lot of 'cash' purchases in the US these days are actually made with debit cards. We really don't know how much actual money in the bank Hanners has, but considering her parents I doubt that anything she buys goes past the 'I can't afford this with money on hand' levels. There are two reasons to get a credit card. To purchase things you can't afford with cash on hand, and to build a positive credit score. Hanners would have no need for the former. It's unknown if she cares about the latter.

[Stoutfellow]

I can think of at least two other reasons for getting a credit card: not wanting to deal with cash, and for situations in which using cash simply isn't feasible - e.g., ordering from Amazon.

Yes, yes, debit cards. I have a debit card, as it happens; I use it for buying groceries and ATM withdrawals. However, the bank which issued it has imposed a restriction: if I use it more than, I think, six times in one month, they will charge me a certain amount (I don't recall how much) for each excess use. I don't know how common this is, but it would certainly put a crimp in their use as opposed to credit cards.

And I still suspect Hannelore isn't fond of handling (filthy) money.

[sitnspin]

A lot of credit cards earn you points toward other purchases, like books or airline miles. I know people who never put more than they can afford on thier card, they use it like a debit card to earn those points.