Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for January 10, 2013

That’s where it seemed as though this was going…

TJ is gay?

TJ is going to burn her @ss, I see this going to court.

It’s still sexual harassment. You don’t have to be employed to experience it. Anytime someone forces unwanted physical attention on you, that is sexual harassment and can be taken to court. It certainly will not help her case to be seen as a deviant.

It is often said that the person who swings first has lost the argument. Ann has brought the last weapon into play: sex. She’s absolutely desperate, and has nowhere else to turn. And it went down in flames. Stay tuned for more exciting action on the FAIL channel.

Why is she so desperate to hang on to this weenie management job? You would think she was battling to keep her job as CEO of some megacorp!-I am so glad TJ isn’t gonna get with her!

Lev, give it a rest! Stop peeing on the parade here. We all know you hate TJ’s guts and you’ve been harping and harping and harping on all this garbage forever. Dude, it’s getting mighty old.

Ah ha! She found a way to press his buttons.

Back to the strip…TJ’s reaction is perfect, Ann is toast at Weenieland, and he can see her in court for sexual harassment. Hopefully there are witnesses in the dining room. Obviously there isn’t a security camera or she’d never have pulled any of her cons at the cash register. Maybe his phone was still on “record,” but they didn’t say enough to be of help. He should have said, “Stop kissing me! What was that about?” and then the rest would have been incriminating.

Looks like a decent clinch, too, by Luann standards.

Ann is smart she just now can say he was fired for kissing her and he’s making everything else up.

Tj is gay

Oldcomicfan is correct, there does not need to be a working relationship for there to be sexual harrassment. If one were to grope a total stranger in a crowd, that would still be a crime if she were to press charges.

Just because she said she fired him does not necessarily make it so. There needs to be written documentation of his being discharged. As a former supervisor of mine used to say, “If it isn’t on paper, it doesn’t exist.”

PS: Regarding my previous quote. Isn’t this what that witch told TJ, regarding that Assistant Manager deal?

AE nailed TJ when she said, “Maybe something you’ve been wanting?” It’s obvioius to AE by now that TJ is not in it for the money. And TJ is not grinning as he walks away, as he is confronted with the reality that more than revenge seems to be involved (even Brad pointed this out to TJ). And TJ’s gotta know that he and AE are very much alike. Notwithstanding that we know AE has been a snake, I think the task at hand is for TJ to let somebody in. A win-win here would be more interesting than any lawsuit, etc.

Ann has dealt a surprisingly effective blow. TJ is flustered and off his game. She might not yet be defeated….

Why is TJ so surprised about this? He should seen this a mile away. What he should done was look her in the face, smile and tell her “I knew this would happen.”

When I was TJ’s age, I would have been all over that. Hormones > ethics.

Actually, I’m glad I still remember what it was like to be that age. Seems like the people who take this strip really seriously have forgotten.

as long as he doesn’t work there anymore, he should tap that…

At least we do not have to worry about TJ falling for Annie’s trump card. I agree about him going the gay way. He supposedly knows all about the ladies, but we never see him with one?

Who knew TJ had principles. And I hope she didn’t pickpocket his iPhone.

I’m impressed. TJ, remaining one up even through Ann’s ultimate attack. Wait till he goes and tells Brad about that one. “Before, I was getting revenge for you. Now I’m getting revenge for myself.”

Is that phone still recording?

i think TJ is gay also

Hopefully, the day is coming when we will no longer have to put up with Annie. TJ can be a likeable villain. Annie is just a villain.

So it begins. I stand by my call a while back that they wind up together.

Wait, that rattled him? A-ha!

I don’t think they’ll wind up together. I think she’ll wind up in court. With the full support of all TJ’s buddies.

You’re replying to Brdshtt’s comment:@ Mikeyj.Left the pic for you on yesterday’s. If the comment Gestapo take it down, it is here:Deanne D^^Not bad, she resembles my “Dream teacher” , but, not quite as hot ;)

hr will be involved. then if it continues, she won’t be working.

You’re replying to Art Vandelay’s comment:

That’d be assault. Pretty sure there has to be a work relationship for sexual harassment.^^No, just for argument’s sake, let’s say there was a hot woman living in your apartment building and you had to take the elevator together every morning… during that ride, you would stand there, staring down her top saying things like , “You look so hot today” “i’d love to ride that” etc, that would be sexual harassment, and nowhere near the workplace.

Hmm… Iv’e always thought, like Lev, that TJ was just afraid of women, but, that wasn’t fear, it was anger… maybe he IS gay?? Then again, as one poster said, guys don’t like kissing someone they dislike, so, the jury is still out on that…. Greg, when are you going to let us in on TJs twisted, secretive World?

A.E. said it in the last panel; … “I fired you. This is NO LONGER a work relationship.” .Then, this was a ‘personal event’ ? – T.J. takes MANY things “personal” Annie – ONE is “Assault” ( look it up – the UNWANTED/UNWARRENTED contact between two or more, causing pain, or injury, physical or otherwise…." ) .AND – since SHE made the ‘sexual ineuendo" (May be something you’ve been wanting?") – it’s Sexual Harassment !

whayle said, about 4 hours ago

Why is she so desperate to hang on to this weenie management job? You would think she was battling to keep her job as CEO of some megacorp! …..

May be it was the ONLY place in Luanneville that would HIRE her ( given, the incident with Bernice at the bookstore couple years ago, that got her shipped off to Japan – EMPLOYERS DO ’TALK" ! )

OH, this IS Precious.“America’s Con-Artist” WALKING Away in a SNIT!

Oh, NO! Kissed by a pretty girl! Don’t they have cooties?

Points to ponder:

Brad said last week that TJ had a love/hate thing going with her.Ann knocked TJ out of his “smooth operator” mode. He’s just plain angry now,Every other confrontation between these two has ended with Ann angry and TJ smirking. This one ends with TJ angry and Ann smirking.TJ storms away talking about “this relationship”. He is acknowledging that they have one.He claims SH, and she points out that she is no longer his boss. Super-smooth, super-in-control TJ normally wouldn’t make that mistake. He does now.

He’s off his game. Things are getting very interesting very fast.

Go for it TJ! She’s hot!

Her breath must be really bad.

Ouch. Rejected..

can easily see him getting out of the door mad, pausing, than coming back and kiss her back………….basically like many of the Gary Grant movies

Wiselad,

I don’t think that’s gonna happen sadly. It would be good, but it’s just not gonna happen. He just hates Annie so much, it’s most likely not going to happen.

Yay, I’m glad he upset.

Many scenarios:He’s in denialHe’s ticked because she took control and he wasn’t in controlHe truly hates herHe only want to get her fired and that isn’t working.I wonder if he will find her on his doorstep in a day or so.Or will she find him back at WW in a day or so.

Reaaly only one other person noticed that the phone is gone….again.!

At least he’s not on board with it!

So if I understand Ann correctly, she believes if a manager fires a woman and then immediately starts forcing physical sexual advances on her it’s not sexual harassment? I mean it’s also sexual assault but there is also a direct connection between the firing and the kiss. If she didn’t complain and was rehired would that be harassment?

why don’t you tell us how you really feel about TJ

you told me that you work at Lax and a brain surgen

All this speculation about TJ (or Gunther, for that matter) being gay is really getting to be tiresome. Obviously, many men are gay, but I see no reason to talk about the subject. For a change of pace, I’d like to see some mention in this strip of something very common among teenagers— autosexuality.

I hope that beyotch fries!

TJ is secretly in love with Brad

he had the phone in his hand last time we saw the cell (yesterday)

Dare I ask. Where is the phone????

If you recall, TJ was the one who upped the ante by trying to force her resignation. Ann has called and raised the stakes. Notice she’s the one smirking, and TJ is the angry one..Do you think just reporting her to corporate and/or trying to get her up on SH charges will be enough? I don’t think so. He’s stomped off in a snit and left Ann in possession of the field.. This is going to drive TJ nuts. He’s going to stew and stew and stew. Then what?.He has to get her back. He has to be on top once more. Calling in big brother simply will not do it for him..Oh, and I doubt the lack of a cell phone is significant. The last time we saw it, it was in his hand, not his pocket. We haven’t seen his hand since..This is getting to be good.

I have always been under the impression that there was enough of an age gap between TJ (and Brad) and Luann and Delta to have made TJ dating either of them – or Tiffany – kind of squicky.

Unless you have no problems with a high school girl dating a guy old enough to no longer be in high school? In which case I think we know where the problem lies.

As I recall, he only went with Tiffany out of sympathy, and made it clear it was not a date, even if she didn’t see it that way.

So, again, unless you’re a fan of inappropriate relationships, I’m not sure what your problem is here.

One more thing. SHE kissed HIM, not the other way ’round. SHE surprised HIM, not the other way ’round..He is NOT going to let that stand. And calling in Big Brother either at Corporate or the Law is not going to work for him. HE has to win over her..This is going to be fun. :-)

And his phone seems to have disappeared once again….

Oh TJ, you could have spanked her too.

Whether it’s SH or not is not the point. The point is that Ann got the better of TJ, and both of them know it..That is going to drive TJ nuts.

Ok lets move on to something a bit more comics. wonder what brad is up too???? To much drama here.

Ann is being very devious here. Now if TJ goes to Corporate, it is going to look like TJ can’t take care of himself. His over-sized ego is not going to allow him to do that. He has to beat Ann on his own terms. Having to call in “big brother” for help is just not going to work for him.

ooooooh now we get the truth……

Ann is becoming more & more desperate as TJ moves toward the door. Could she possibly pull a gun on him ?

A gay character in ths strip is long overdue. TJ has it all. Good looking, smart, wit, a genuinely nice guy. Don’t cross him.

“Starting”?

Comparing TJ’s antics, which are fictional and solely for our entertainment, with the rise of Adolf Hitler is going way overboard. Maybe you should consider not reading this strip, since it seems to spawn some rather disturbing thoughts on your part.

Leviticus said, 3 days ago

Some writers believe it is easiest to write to the lowest common denominator. It is sad Mr. Evans is taking that route.

That’s a group insult according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

By the way: troll 12191 up, 2105 down One who posts a deliberately provocative message to a newsgroup or message board with the intention of causing maximum disruption and argument.

No mention of lying.

In the movies they always close their eyes when they enjoy a smooch. TJ will not be swayed!

HITLER??? Wow! That’s much…

Lev, I’m being honest with you here. A lot of posters enjoy TJ, and a lot of us are enjoying this arc. Your mean-spirited, monotonous, automatic, exaggerated dissing of a character many of us like, and are cheering on in this arc, is disruptive. It makes me sad that you can’t let people have some fun and just lay off for a while. Stop peeing in the punchbowl, dude. Please.

She’s an idiot. Not only does he have her remarks recorded, but now he can get her for sexual harassment. I doubt that corporate will be very happy.

TJ and Brad are at least 21, if not a little older. TJ’s whole past is a mystery. How can he afford his part of the rent if, until now, he never worked? There have been hints over the years that TJ has money. But, he’s never spoken about his family. In fact, he changes the subject whenever someone tries to bring it up. I like him, he’s loyal to his friends, but don’t cross him. Gay? Straight? Who cares? He may just not benterested in females or males. Or he may believe that anything of a sexual nature (kissing, hand holding) should be avoided until you find the right person, then take it slow. Remember, his advice to Brad involved romance, not sexual advances.

Um- We all realize that this is a comic and the kid is just imaginary but your hatred is real. Get over it- maybe take a break or stop reading it all together so you don’t give yourself a stroke over TJ. Ridiculous.

I have not seen any person here say that they think TJ is great, but I see you complain about him on a regular basis.

I wonder if she lifted his phone again.

So young, surprised men CAN resist — at least when the buxom babe is an enemy. At least in the comics.*Hope TJ kept his cell phone on. He now should collect the names & phone numbers of witnesses, and then go find a lawyer. May I recommend Ox’s dad?

sexual harassment is sexual harassment. does not matter if the person is employed there or not.by her coming on to him after her firing of him just in many ways can be the cause for not only her losing the job. but the place being closed down.

She’s a sexual assailant in a pick-pocket’s coat of wool…

Sexual battery…. theft… whats a little lying to corporate on top of that?

Whoa!! This is the reason I am so damn addicted to this comic. Greg Evans knows how to dangle a story line, and great characters, who dynamically interact, and even though their story arcs are weeks apart, you feel like you never left. I always wondered it there was more than just a bit of putting one over, and getting back at someone here. I have previously commented that this strip likes to put opposites as romantic interests, except of course for Luann, who is eternally romantic (and very horny, but we can’t go there as this is a family strip). In this case we have TJ, who is a bit of a lovable cad, who also likes to “get over” on people, and we Ann Eiffel, who is a tricky, devious, hot, probably lonely, people (man) eater. Hmmm, maybe they are not that different after all. I do know one thing: I think Ann is above TJ’s league, but I also think she gets attracted to a fellow sociopath, although TJ is not really a sociopath, but the jury is still out on her. anyway that is my thought. As usual I will be reading tomorrow to see what is next.

Oh and one more thing: this is not sexual harassment that is cognizable as we lawyer types like to say. She fired him so the kiss was not within the employment relationship. At least that would be “corporate’s” defense. That is why I say TJ is out of his league with this lady.

But it would be sexual battery/assault as well as theft, because I’m sure you saw her going for the recorder at the initiation of the battery- the kiss/sexual assault was just the diversion.

HARUMPH!!! That type of attitude is what has lead to the the decay of our moral foundation and the the degradation of…

Who are we kidding, Plenty of guys (T.J.’s age and older) would probably be more than happy to have someone that hot “assault” us…

What sort of double standard dose that demonstrate….

TJ must be gay to not even go for one night with a woman built like Anne. Robin Williams described the average man perfectly " God gave men a brain and a penis and only enough blood to run one at a time."

He’s also smart. Almost all the girls you mentioned are under age.

Yeah, Greg is worried that all the critics here are right. snerk Keep it coming. This is the stuff the pros laugh about when they get together at the bar after the Reuben Awards dinner.

So those who have been saying TJ had hots for Ann are wrong! I never thought TJ had hots for Ann….he was there just to avenge Brad. He’s done that and he’s done with Ann and WW. However, sexual harassment? Quite difficult to prove. Worth his time? Just focus on the recording and get her fired would suffice. And, um, TJ? Check your shirt pocket please, before you go out the front door.

Surprise! She’s already dating Dirk!

I noticed in panel 3 that TJ’s phone seems to be missing again…suppose Ann used the kiss as a distraction to swipe it. But he still has the other recording so that isn’t going to save her.

Why are people wondering if TJ is gay? Just because he didn’t want to kiss her (or any other girl yet? Or have there actions I’ve missed over time?

She put something in his pocket

Except, TJ doesn’t have any interest in management or really, any other sort of job unless there’s an ulterior motive involved, like here.

“To whom has TJ stolen all things? To whom has he killed?”.The first should be “from whom” not “to whom” and the second question is better (and correctly) phrased “who has he killed?”

come on TJ, it is what you always wanted

Where’s his phone?

if Ann is a good enough pick pocket to get it from him out of his hand, she does not need to work at WW anyway..Quite true. That would be very impressive.

TJ is as “nancy” as a $3 bill.

The dynamics have changed. Ann has in essence thrown down the gauntlet. TJ has fled leaving the field to a smirking Ann. .TJ now has to once more gain the upper hand. He has to wipe that smug smile off her face. Will his ego be satisfied with merely going to corporate or just attempting to file SH charges against her? I have my doubts..I suspect the next few strips will have TJ fuming to Brad, Brad telling him that the solution is easy — spill the beans to corporate, and TJ telling Brad that that just isn’t good enough now..Ann has been manipulating people for a long time. You can’t succeed at that unless you are very good at reading people..Yes, Ann could very well have misread TJ, but I doubt it. I am guessing that Greg Evans wants to pair up TJ with someone, a long term antagonist, if you will. Who better than Miss Ann Eiffel? Those two connivers are a perfect match for each other — or should I say foils?.Whatever happens, it’s going to be fun to watch.

You’re replying to Leviticus’s comment:

It makes me sad that you can’t let people have some fun and just lay off for a while. Stop peeing in the punchbowl, dude. Please..If you enjoy the arc, great. don’t mean to disrupt the festivites. It makes me sad that TJ gets away, once again.^^Hey, unlike the past, at least this time he’s being a sneak for a good cause, to avenge his friends, sure he’s shifty, but, he’s not ALL bad, give him that, Lev.

You’re replying to Night-Gaunt49’s comment:

Maybe he is thinking with his head, not his penis. He is on a mission, to make the hateful Anne fall from grace at W.W.^^I know

oooohhh!

I’m kind of wondering if TJ isn’t feigning indignation here. He had the upper hand in every other strip this week, so – it seems unlikely that a kiss could turn the tables on his set up.

WHO is this Leviticus person? I’ll bet he’s Dan Quayle. He sounds the trumpet of righteousness about TJ and that TJ has no life. TJ is FICTION. Leviticus posts every nanosecond. He’s the one without a life. The rest of you must have come to grips that the avatar is not well and needs help.

I would’ve slugged her if I was TJ.

Wow!201st post!See, sex sells.

Go fight the Good Fight. The “he’s gay” crowd are really like weeds.

I don’t want to be racist but is he a black man???..he looks like one

Oh, he’s gonna get her.

That secret weapon, which has been in use for ages, just got it’s barrel jammed … Ann can still be sued for s.h., but I doubt TJ slides that way. Some men would have gone with the program. And then found themselves compromised .. if TJ were foolish enough to start even dating Ann, any claim he made against her would then be called into question. Remember Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill? Oh, and Brother Leviticus, there are gay men who are quite capable of getting sexually active with women, the same way that there are straight men who are capable of being sexually active with men, and so on. Even more, this is a different TJ. Not necessarily loveable, but not the beast you think him to be ..

Let me just say that all of this discussion regarding which male characters are “gay” is more than tiresome. As a lifelong heterosexual, I must bring up the fact that the horrific practice of self-abuse has been running rampant ever since the first day of the school system— MASTURBATION!

Too bad. They are such a great couple.