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Six Million Dollar Man

SilverHawks

Deus Ex

Inspector Gadget

Robocop

Jason X

Star Wars

[TheEvilDog]

No.

[Gyrre]

Pretty sure there's a Tales from the Crypt episode starring Bobcat Goldstein where something like that last panel happens.

[flondrix]

One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.

[Oenone]

Renee looks so honestly affectionate there. Her friendship with Brun is really cute.

[St.Clair]

... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?

* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY".  Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.

[BenRG]

This is why being drunk around Pintsize is such a horrible and irresponsible risk: He has this talent to persuade you to do... things.

Meanwhile, it suddenly occurs to me that Clinton is being shaken down by many women, isn't he?

[Storel]

Speaking of shipping...
"When you're out in the sea / And an eel bites your knee / That's a moray!" (Spider Robinson)

When-a you swim inna da sea, an a eel bites-a your knee, dat’s a moray –
A New Zealander man with a permanent tan, that’s a Maori
When two patterns combine, in a way serpentine, that’s a moire
If yer vitamins be mostly C, D, and E…take some more A
Oh you play ‘What I say’ very gay – won’t you play that some more Ray
With the high price of feed, it’s for farmers in need, that’s some more hay.
My new ray gun here tries to put out both your eyes: It’s a Moe-Ray…
If King Kong has gone flat, rent the flick Vampire Bat,
That’s some more Wray...

We have two cats named Morrie and Mac. They're brothers from the same litter, and they're both brown tabbies, so it's a little hard to tell them apart visually until you get to know them. Morrie, however, has a higher-pitched maow than Mac does -- I like to say Morrie sings tenor, Mac sings bass.

More succinctly:

When a brown tabby cat maows at you just like that ("maow!"), that's a Morrie.
When he maows in a key which is deeper by three, that's a Mac...

[Mark7]

Bubbliot or Ellibles?

[flondrix]

Bubbliot or Ellibles?

Ellibles.

[JimC]

Interesting take on the robot/AI technology that weight training should be a thing for them.

[BenRG]

Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.

[Case]

Now that's what I call a robot hand!   

Pintsize has just been...wristed?

I can't decide whether to find his expression hilarious or horrible - hilaripilated?

[Method of Madness]

Is nobody going to point out that Elliot is suddenly not shorter than Bubbles anymore?

[Thrudd]

Is nobody going to point out that Elliot is suddenly not shorter than Bubbles anymore?

Maybe he stopped slouching that little bit?

[Neko_Ali]

Aw, come on Faye! You're already going to make a profit from Clinton - can't you just remove the evil little tin monkey before it traumatizes him any further?!

It's not a removal fee. She just doesn't want him back.

... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?

* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY".  Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.

He has become the comic's official abuse monkey since Marten started dating Claire. It's just not as funny watching a couple in a loving, stable relationship as it is watching some helpless mess in a series of wacky hijinx.

[shanejayell]

Poor Clinton. *lol*

[Mehre]

One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.

Its been a while, but it is a quote from hitchhikers guide through galaxy, right? 3. book to be precise.

Have you noticed that in this last comic renee looks quite okay, while faye is the one who (jokingly) shakes down Clinton. Maybe its a contrast thing.

[flondrix]

Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.

She used to be in the military (we're never told which branch) and bonded with her unit.  I think she is used to spottting people while they lift, especially foolish young guys trying to lift more than they should. 

Then again, there is that "Is the bench re-inforced?" comment from the first party she attended.

[flondrix]

One of the problems with a party that goes on forever is that the sorts of things that only seem like good ideas at parties continue to seem like good ideas.

Its been a while, but it is a quote from hitchhikers guide through galaxy, right? 3. book to be precise.

I may not have got it verbatim.  I could not find it online.

[retrosteve]

Ahhh, the big, insecure ones are getting along 

They can trade bouncer stories too!

[drmike]

Pintsize has just been...wristed?

He's trying to be helpful and drum up some business for Faye. 

[OldGoat]

This is the first time I've felt genuinely sorry for poor Clinton.  Having Pintsize attached to your right arm, even for just one frame, is cruel and unusual.  Gods, what if the poor bastard needs to scratch and doesn't remember who's there?

[Case]

Not necessarily that weight training is necessary. I just think that Bubbles finds it enjoyable.

She used to be in the military (we're never told which branch) and bonded with her unit.  I think she is used to spottting people while they lift, especially foolish young guys trying to lift more than they should. 

It sounded like an infantry unit, and one that did black-ops stuff, so maybe Special (Operations) Forces?

Since Bubbles probably has the buoyancy of a large piece of lead - she doesn't appear to be using any chemical reactions that use the oxygen in the ambient air as an oxidant for power-generation (if she did, she wouldn't have to recharge, but would need to top up her fuel reservoir), so she probably doesn't have lungs, or other large, air-filled cavities - I'm guessing that she wouldn't be suited for service with the (Force Recon) Marines or Navy (SEALS) - that service is risky enough for beings that float naturally. So my money would be on the Army.

Another clue might be that Bubbles made it sound like only she was disabled by an EMP during the ambush of her unit, which would point to an outfit that primarily relies on low-tech equipment, i.e. not motorized infantry or similar. More like a unit that would specialize on "old-fashioned" infantry soldiering.

[MrNumbers]

In my head, Faye isn't charging $20 for the removal, but for having to take Pintsize back from him.

In which case, she should be charging Pintsize.

[St.Clair]

... honestly, is there an actual sign on Clinton saying TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME(*), or is that just the impression he seems to give everyone?

* I would also accept "SHAKE ME DOWN FOR MONEY".  Like, I'm wondering if he ever got to eat his own lunch in twelve years of school.

He has become the comic's official abuse monkey since Marten started dating Claire. It's just not as funny watching a couple in a loving, stable relationship as it is watching some helpless mess in a series of wacky hijinx.

Oh god, so it's the fucking Whedon Effect?
wait, no, we can't make that call until one of them (probably Claire) gets gratuitously offed/fridged.

[A Duck]

Faye is obviously joking. There was a slim space for doubt when the girl from the restaurant asked for Clinton's money because we didn't know her, but we know Faye.

[Tova]

I decided to put my response to this in my signature to save myself having to type it out again.

This is what I term in my head, "The Roger Rabbit effect."

Clinton: "Are you going to start charging your friends every single time they have some mechanical difficulty?"
Faye: "No! Only when it is funny."

[Kugai]

And now we have the official confirmation that Clinton has replaced Marten as QC's  Official Life's Punching Bag

[Perfectly Reasonable]

Faye is lowering herself to Pictoria's level here.
8-(

[TheEvilDog]

Faye is lowering herself to Pictoria's level here.
8-(

Nah, its a brief return of Pre-Talk Faye, the somewhat abrasive Southern Pugilist who doesn't like idiots.

Because let's face it, you'd have to be one to let Pintsize anywhere near you if your cybernetic hand has just been taken out of commission.

[TheEvilDog]

That said, the last panel is like some demented and twisted Cyberpunk Ventriloquist show.

The real challenge is to get Clinton to talk while Pintsize downs a jug of cake batter.

[Tova]

COMIC

[Neko_Ali]

Whelp, that shoe was dropped. However, given Bubbles' size, it will probably take a while to hit.

[Is it cold in here?]

Bubbles is accepting a nickname from Faye now after having rejected them before.

Faye's gym membership was part of depression treatment. If she's still going, she's concentrating on actual fitness and not on meeting cultural expectations about stomachs. That would be healthy in more than one way.

[SubaruStephen]

There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...

but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:

R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."

[haikupoet]

Well that came from the opposite direction everyone expected, now, didn't it?

[Gyrre]

affection
[uh-fek-shuh n]
noun
   1) fond attachment, devotion, or love: the affection of a parent for an only child.
   2) Often affections.
        a) emotion; feeling; sentiment: over and above our reason and affections.
        b) the emotional realm of love: a place in his affections.
   3) Pathology.a disease, or the condition of being diseased; abnormal state of body or mind: a gouty affection.
   4) the act of affecting; act of influencing or acting upon.
   5) the state of being affected.

[Tova]

There is a difference between "having affection" and "having feelings" for someone...

but I'm going to paraphrase Renee and Claire:

R: "I love it when girls accidentally flirt with each other."
C: "Its like seeing a unicorn."

I was hoping someone would draw that parallel.

[DaiJB]

Kinda let the cat out of the bag there, Bubs?   

Naw, I imagine Bubbles probably meant it in a platonic sense - but only realized how it sounded after she said it...

[Shjade]

Well that came from the opposite direction everyone expected, now, didn't it?

Because there's so much precedent for Faye being in touch with and open about her feelings toward other people?

Nah, this seems about right.

[MrNumbers]

I'm now so glad we got the shipping discussion covered just before today hits, because goddamn people.

Picture this with me.

Bubbles, in a tuxedo, with a bouquet of flowers in her hand, standing at Faye's apartment door.
For two hours.
Afraid to knock.
Eyes winced shut in self loathing and anxiety.
Death glaring the neighbours that open their mouths to ask what she's doing in case anyone inside hears that and gives her away because she's still building up to it damn it.

And Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.

[swapna]

Kinda let the cat out of the bag there, Bubs?   

Naw, I imagine Bubbles probably meant it in a platonic sense - but only realized how it sounded after she said it...

Hmm, she probably did. She didn't clarify though, and I hope that means that she realised that there might be more to it.

And they're so cute!!!

[Oenone]

Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.

TBH I think we've all been there

[TheEvilDog]

Exactly how many seven foot tall combat AIs in tuxedos have you had knocking at your door?

[Magniras]

Exactly how many seven foot tall combat AIs in tuxedos have you had knocking at your door?

Not as many as I'd like.

[Milayna]

I'm now so glad we got the shipping discussion covered just before today hits, because goddamn people.

Picture this with me.

Bubbles, in a tuxedo, with a bouquet of flowers in her hand, standing at Faye's apartment door.
For two hours.
Afraid to knock.
Eyes winced shut in self loathing and anxiety.
Death glaring the neighbours that open their mouths to ask what she's doing in case anyone inside hears that and gives her away because she's still building up to it damn it.

And Faye, inside, knowing she's there, using that time to figure out what the hell she's actually going to say to the cute war machine with a crush.

You had me at "Bubbles in a tuxedo".

Not being into shipping in general, I especially never shipped them, but I guess that's a thing that's happening now? Narratively, I realize I should have gotten that by the time Claire spelled it out, but I guess I'm too socially dense to have really "gotten" it.

Feels kinda weird to me, tbh. Not narratively speaking, I can see the subtletly now, but just because...well, I always thought Faye was straight and identified as straight, and I didn't take Bubbles for the 'affectionate sort" and...that's the pigeonhole I put them in. Dunno about how Faye feels about this, obviously. Especially if she is straight.

Ehhhhhh...anyway, not that I disapprove or think it doesn't work, I'm just...not the type...to really "get" it, yknow? I don't expect people to defy my expectations so largely or suddenly. Interested to see where the story goes though.

[brasca]

While it's nice to see Faye speechless about something it took everything Bubbles has to achieve that. 

[Nycticoraci]

Jeph must be laughing so hard at all the ships out there.

<mod>corrected spelling of Jeph's name</mod>

[Is it cold in here?]

If Jeph does choose to go in that direction, it will be fascinating to see how people react to a synthetic/organic mixed relationship. The US didn't cross the threshold of majority approval for interracial marriages until the 90s. There would at least be surprise and confusion.

Faye: "Mom, you know how worried you've been about me all these years? Nobody in the whole world could possibly have my back in rough times better than Bubbles. This is the life partner I need."
Or
Obnoxious bigot: "This business of unnatural relations has to stop."
Bubbles: "I am certain that was not intended as a threat".

It really doesn't seem to be likely, as much as Jeph is teasing us about it. Faye's entire history is opposite-sex relationships with carbon-based people despite having a synthetic interested and available for years. Bubbles hasn't shown any sexuality that I can remember. I'm open to getting surprised. It would be the most interesting relationship to explore in the history of the comic.

(regular user)One thing that irritates me about jumping to the conclusion that a relationship has to be sexual is that it devalues close friendship.(/)

(mod being philosophical)Something that irritates large chunks of the forum membership is a matter of concern.(/)

[BenRG]

Panel 4 is what makes this strip comedic. You can almost hear Faye's thought of: "Wut...?" and Bubbles thinking "I didn't mean to say that aloud."

I'm not surprised that Faye reacted in the way she did. Gyrre is correct to point out that 'affection' is not 'romantic love', even though the two are often used interchangeably. However, what matters here is how Faye interprets it. Bubbles may not have automatically meant it to be a statement of romantic feelings but, from both ladies' reaction, I'd say that they both are interpreting it that way.

I'm not surprised that Faye is sleeping at the far end of  the bed tonight. I also don't think that she's going to get much sleep either. I suspect that she's going to need to think about where this goes from here: Does she give Bubbles a whirl or do they have the dreaded "You are my best friend, that's all" talk tomorrow? My hope? She doesn't rush but she at least asks Marten, Claire and Hannelore's opinions first; it's her decision but she may need external voices to help her navigate past her own self-worth issues.