Transcript:
Arlo: The more I think about this free boat deal, the less I like it!
Arlo: Does Gus think we can't buy it?
Janis: I thought you said we couldn't!
Arlo: I said we shouldn't!
Janis: You work it out! I'm going with Mary Lou to see the farmhouse!
Tony over 12 years ago
Gus has already intimated more than once that Gene has more in the boat (mostly in “sweat equity”, perhaps) than he does. I predict that A&J will pay a fair price for the boat, but they and Gus will wind up giving the money to Gene & ML.
EstrelitaH over 12 years ago
Well, I believe that it was Benjamin Franklin who said that visiting relatives and fish have a lot in common – after three days – both of them begin to stink! Perhaps Gus DOES have an ulterior motive He KNOWS that once the kids get married, Arlo and Janis will be finding more and more excuses to come visiting. IF Arlo and Janis have the house boat to stay in while they are visiting, Gus won’t need to worry about them being underfoot in the main house. Gus COULD be figuring that if he arranges for the potential relatives coming to visit to have a permanent place to bunk – Gus will be the one who comes out ahead. With a lot of luck, Arlo and Janis could end up seeing things from that same perspective – and decide that the boat COULD be a wise investment after all.
quickly24 over 12 years ago
.arlo is bring a realist- smart man
James Hopkins over 12 years ago
I wonder if Arlo is thinking “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”? It does seem to be a little too easy, but then again, maybe Gus is trying to give them a discount since they’re practically family. Guess we’ll have to wait and see how it turns out.
George Alexander over 12 years ago
I’m amazed how few readers understand what the strip is about: treading water. The boat thing has forever been Arlo’s fantasy of a parallel universe. JJ isn’t going to let it happen. Go read Luann if you want a story.
JoeStoppinghem Premium Member over 12 years ago
True, if they buy the boat at a fair and it becomes a money pit there may be animosity between the families. .But if Gus would use the boat as a place for A/J to stay, why not keep it for himself as a guest house.
Dr_Fogg over 12 years ago
there’s an old saying.. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m sure it applies here… somehow. :-P
LHPuttgrass over 12 years ago
1. Arlo will buy the boat.2. Something Bad will happen involving the boat.3. Janis will remind Arlo of his error at every opportunity.4. Arlo shacks up with Gus.
Tony over 12 years ago
1. Arlo buys the schooner from Gus for $10.
2. A&J get Gene to accept a decent sum for all his work on the boat, and that money goes wherever it’s needed most.
3. A&J use the schooner as a vacation condo, so Arlo’s fantasies will now be about actually SAILING it somewhere exotic.
edgeways over 12 years ago
Or.. you know he could receive/buy the boat and actually have a good time with it.
steelersneo over 12 years ago
Pride goeth before a fall. Take the boat Arlo. You’ll be glad you did.
Gracey James Premium Member over 12 years ago
I think Gus is a genuine nice guy and has absolutely no ulterior motive. He knows through Gene how much Arlo has always wanted a boat, and he wants to do something nice for them. This is a perfect match and a win win for everyone involved. Arlo! Say thank you and accept the gift!!!!
BillWa over 12 years ago
To make up a quote that Ben Franklin might have said, “Patience is the ability to wait for something that you find out that you didn’t really want after all.”
JP Steve Premium Member over 12 years ago
“I wanted the gold, and I got it —Came out with a fortune last fall, —Yet somehow life’s not what I thought it,And somehow the gold isn’t all.”R.W. Service
drdougsteward over 12 years ago
The comic strip as Rohrshach test.
RonBerg13 Premium Member over 12 years ago
The last thing I ever expected was cold feet!This reminds me of a Candid Camera episode where they went into a department store and put a wooden bin in the middle of an isle.They filled it with one dollar bills and put a sign on top saying,“Free – take all you want.”No one touched it the whole time the store was open.
pbarnrob over 12 years ago
Depending where Gus’ place is, they might learn to sail and head into the Caribbean, where there are also still (unfortunately) real pirates (not glamorous at all, BTW, just vicious!) No need to go to Somalia after all…