Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for September 15, 2014

Hoh….. Boy…..

Well, all those pundits who thought TJ would get the insurance money, thought right! =-O

“Adjustments”“Ready, Claim, Fire”“Piece Of The Pie A La Mobile”“Tempest In A Thermos”“Moolah La La”“The Escape Clause”“Low Downward Mobility”“The Getaway”“Mobile Meltdown Mastery”or“Checks And Account Balances”

me thinks something is not quite right here.

That’s quite an insurance bill for your exploded food truck you got there, Teej: sixty-five grand!

It’s that cheesy grin that makes you really think he pulled one over on the insurance company.

Oh, gross. As if I wanted THIS to happen!

Maybe his settlement is more like a bill?

And,,, a plot thread is swept under the rug. Now to have Rosa and Gunther just show up in time for their first assignments to be due at Moony, and then we all can ignore any possible dilemmas that anyone in the strip may have faced. I’m sure Ox and Tiffany have forgotten all about the Prom by now too, just as the strip hoped we would do, by the following week.

(GC’s not linking reply Again…) ANYway, I guess the proper word should have been “vote.” ;) Haven’t been on for five minutes yet and I’ve already exchanged feet… =-O

Ha, Brad responded to monster.

Whoa.

Giblin, is that idea of a bad pun Greg since everyone always refers to TJ’s grin? Besides he should have Geico to save 15% in 15 minutes, everybody knows that…

…Well, TJ did win the vote. And wow, Luann’s gonna get a heck of a present now. :)

I’m still twisting in the wind about who Zed is — or whatever

I know what I wanted! For TJ to be arrested for fraud, and also for his ludicrous behavior at Weenie World, ha ha!

None of you see where this is actually going? TJ had his “interaction” with the wonderful world of insurance after the food truck blew up, and he immediately recognized that the way to make a mint is to sell insurance!

Just when is Luann’s birthday? Once she turns legal, Frank can kick her out of the house.

(GC’s still not connecting me to your post, IJB. Its funny, it seems to only affect my replies to you, not my replies to anyone else? Dada-dada-da-da… =-O

I think TJ is selling insurance policies worth $65,000.

Can’t understand why all so many think he’s , {TJ} a sleeze and he did a # on getting rid of the truck…If you go by the different boxes of the strip leading up to the explosion..facial expression, body language, even what was going on on the stove, there was something cooking away as he swept the counters and got garbage ready to be deposited ..if you have to make a decision by how cartoonist pictures charecters in these strips then it was just a accident..

I think however that Brad and Toni may have a different outlook being in the business and I see them not being warm to TJ, even accusing and then a break up in their feelings for each other..and then when it’s vindicated that TJ was innocent of their suspecions..possible when they read a report of the fire and explosion that the fire gurus came up with in investigating it..very awkward moments..

Remeber TJ was a good friend with Brad , getting rid of the wicked witch of the North at the Hot Dog emporium..also helping re do the burnt home..

$65K is more than that POS truck was worth!

Sorry your wrong..a food truck fixed up as it was and the food in it too ..$65 thou is not out of line…Just go google a bit and you would see

Costs VaryAn actual food truck will likely run into the tens of thousands of dollars. As with any business venture, the costs can be quite low to get a bare bones operation off the ground or extremely high if all the bells and whistles are added immediately. In terms of dollars, the range could be anywhere from $50,000 to $200,000. The higher end of that range would be considered pretty outrageous for anything but a high-end establishment that might also want a food truck presence to cater to its customers. On the lower end, anything below the $50,000 range could start to cause concerns about the reliability of the transportation or quality of the food and preparation equipment.

A very reasonable range for getting a food truck off the ground is likely between $70,000 and $80,000.

The above was a quick google…whole article on topic, in fact many of them…

Does he even talk to his Dad?! ;)

> Greg was not about to bore us with the goings on if investigation and such.>Why not, after setting up the premise, with fireman Brad’s wondering whether his friend TJ is in fact an arsonist (and how that association would potentially sink his career with the fire department!), and with the strip’s explicitly showing the TJ would likely have to answer some penetrating questioning from the insurance company. Just ignoring all that seems to be pretty much what “sweeping it under the rug” is all about.

This is not “suspension of disbelief”. This is disbelief being hung by the neck until dead!

Well, I’ve accomplished two things tonight…I’ve actually read all of my FB notifications…And…have read all of my comics, too! I’ve a sleeping IS next to me. Better wake her (IS Katie) up and shlep up the stairs for some good zzzzzzz time! ‘Nite all! ;)-—————————————————————————“Of all the horrid, hideous notes of woe, Sadder than owl-songs or the midnight blast, Is that portentous phrase, ’I told you so.’"(Lord Byron, 1788-1824)

“Looks like TJ’s dad’s mob affiliates may have swayed the insurance company. Only slightly.”^Yeah, the “back and forth” motion when they forced invited the adjuster for that umpteenth roller coaster ride might have did the trick…

Wow. Full replacement value on the food truck.Insurance companies usually try harder to avoid doing that.

Ahhh!!!! Seemed just like yesterday…. give or take a year and a few months… –

LOL, it looks like it has this expression on it’s “face”, saying: "Even I don’t think it’s a good idea to go anywhere, today…. – Although the term “Hemi” on the side there could indicate differently….

Any specs on the seating/space?

Especially if it gets you from “point A to point B”…..

We have auto shows (and a bunch of classic/modern/custom enthuisiasts to boot!) frequently where I live (small, private as well as large and sponsored) and I could see this getting a bit of a crowd…..

We don’t see to whom the check is payable. There was probably a loan or two with the truck as collateral, and there may be two payees, one being the lien holder. That needs to be dealt with, along with other creditors, first, TJ. Then see what’s left for Luann’s 18th. Perhaps a pack of gum?

I am guessing the insurance is not just the van, but all the equipment and such, but still……… 65K?. I was expecting at most 40K

I’d love to see who that check is made out to.

Bwad.

$65K for the food truck seems like a fair settlement to me. The question is, what will the ever-volatile TJ presume to do with the money? Will he get another food truck? —Probably not, considering how down on that he was before the explosion. Fritter it foolishly? —That’s a possibility….Are you sure Shannon was the one who was wrong about Luann’s age?

I’m not believing they just handed him a settlement. I also cannot believe that he was so under insured.

It must be a dream…wake up TJ

I knew TJ would get money in the settlement.

$65 grand is about right for a used food truck. Not enough to buy a new one, for sure.l Once the check is cut, case closed. TJ did put one over the insurance company. Question is, with that much money in his pocket, what happens to TJ now.

Okaaaaayyyyy….

First, I won’t be convinced until I see TJ has cash-in-hand/bank. That might be a settlement agreement, but it ain’t “done” until the money’s in the bank.

Second, I’m also a bit disappointed that GE didn’t pursue the investigation a bit further and stirred up a bit of drama between TJ and Brad, or used it as a vehicle to get TJ out of the house, so that Toni can move in, once they’re married. But that might happen anyway, as Brad & Toni might convince TJ to use the cash to buy his own place. Or that may be what TJ is going to do anyway. We’ll see.

Third, finally we have an acknowledgement that Lu is about to turn 18. I believe it is, in fact, “Sept 18,” which falls in this week. So let’s see what happens this Thurs. Get ready to fire up the works between her and Frank & Nancy over “house rules.” I don’t think they’ll kick Lu out, but more likely they’ll enforce some rules that will make her want to leave and get a place of her own.

Whats more interesting than how TJ got the money…and personally I always thought TJ’s pos food truck was a disaster waiting to happem…will be what he does with it. And I don’t mean contributing to Luann’s birthday present.

Dun dun DUUUNNNNN! ;)

OH NO!

I voted for TJ to get a settlement rather than jail time. T J is careless, but he is not an arsonist.

The settlement form has a typo… The company name is actually Gullible Insurance

Thank you, Greg.

There’s no role in the strip for TJ to play, just as there was no place in the story line for the food truck theme. Now that the second one of those has been disposed of, it’s time to dispose of the first. Take the settlement money and go run a scam somewhere else, TJ. Sell air conditioner units to residents of Hawaiian volcanoes, or open up a quack “clinic” in the backwoods of Peru. In any case, take the money and run. Far, and fast. Bye!

Not this time at least, recording Ann Eiffel was illegal but god forbid Evans acknowledges that.

If you look at TJs history it’s not hard to come to that conclusion. Timing was perfect, but again Evan’s seems to refuse to let anything bad happen to the characters.

On any planet where college students are renting apartments, which is pretty much everywhere. You don’t have to buy a house to have “a place of your own”.

Cripes. I Knew IT! Old Smiley STOLE the Vote!

Hey Greg? NO More “Voting” on Story Outcomes Please, huh Pal?

After All, This Is a Comic Strip, Not a Reasonable Facsimile of a Democracy.

……, Besides, I suspect some Happy Go-Lucky “Ne’er Do Wells” Voted THRICE!

Who’s the “monster”, Brad or Shannon, or both?

Obviously the insurance company does NOT think TJ did anything illegal. They would have thoroughly investigated a claim for $65,000. He got the money he deserved.

I’m sure this was all written up long before the “vote” was staged. After all, the way it was worded, it was indicated that the votes were to predict the outcome of TJ’s dealings with the insurance company, not to determine it. Of course, we never even saw that there was any investigation at all, for this result to be the outcome of. Talk about a major reader-participation build-up to a complete story line non-event!

You actually think kids can get a place of their own at 18???? On what planet?

On Planet Earth, of course! It’s called a “Dorm room” or “Off Campus Housing.” Plenty of people rent spare rooms or even full floors to undergrad kids that are below 21. Some even 18-19. They do it all the time!

Yeah, pretty sure Luann doesn’t take place in NY.

I’m pretty much convinced that TJ got the money based on the vote, given the long layoff between the truck exploding and now. It’s a shame that wasn’t more evident during voting, because I think people would have voted different. Had I known, I personally would have used a proxy to rig the vote since TJ is my most hated character.

To be honest, I would have thought the decision was made before the vote, considering how far out they have to plan things. I think the story arcs are planned well out (perhaps a year IIRC). Still, I guess he probably did wait for the vote and then drew the correct result. Maybe he had two scenarios at the ready.

I still think that’s happening. I think Evans will inevitably write TJ out of the strip since there’s no place for him. Luann and friends have new college adventures, and Brad/Toni are about to start a family. He doesn’t fit in anywhere.

I agree, but at this point, I don’t want to see Brad and TJ part on bad terms. Since there won’t be any controversy over the settlement or investigation, I’d rather see TJ decide on his own that he needs to move on to a new adventure, knowing that, eventually, Toni will replace him in the house. I want Brad & TJ to part on good terms. And I’d like him also to make guest appearances where appropriate.

How did Toni get a job as a firefighter when she was only 17?

I know plenty of people who struck out on their own at 18 (and not all for college, but with their own job) in terms of dwelling space, and even some before 18 ( of course being done with a parental cosigner and their own job)…

Well TJ has always had the sneaky grin but with settlement check in hand he was not acused of blowing the truck up!

Florida law defines ‘age of majority’ as any person aged 18 or older, or an emancipated minor. When you’ve reached ‘age of majority’, you can sign contracts like leases.

The possibility of being denied wasn’t only in terms of two choices alone (those being purposely blowing up the truck or not on purpose). There could also have been the possibility of being denied due to “negligence”, but still not considered a “criminal act”…..– I guess this may be why some voted “for”…

$65,000 is not a lot for a fully-equipped food truck. Try to buy one!

Beep, Beep or Meep, Meep. depending on your point of view.

Inquiring minds to know!

I’m surprised they payed out so fast, I figured there would be MONTHS of investigation for suspicion of fraud

I’m surprised that TJ “won”. I don’t understand this. TJ has the smile of a crocodile. As far as I’m concerned, he’s innocent as a newborn baby. Baby rat!!

Well, I for one enjoy TJ to the Maxx (har har, that was an intentional pun that occurred to me because my wife mentioned going to that store today). But, seriously, I do enjoy the character of TJ, and do hope that Greg keeps him around. I suspect the big payout will have a whole helluva lot of strings attached… such as 99% of it going to bills/loans he has to pay. That said, however, I still think TJ has lots of money… in the account (somewhat nefaroiously) set up by his mobster-sounding dad who is on the lam.

TJ, Brad, Toni, and Shannon are not my favorite characters. Their lives are semi-realistic. But, they give the strip some variety and balance. Knute and Crystal are more like a Scooby Doo frolic. Gunther and Rosa add a little adventure and there really is an undertone of sexual tension going on there. Luann and Bernice are quite middle of the road, money in the bank folks.

Toni appears glum and mum – what gives?

Wait for it…

Winning comment of the day…

YEEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Oops— I see it was Luann, not Toni, turining 18.*Love Shannon’s confusion between 80 & 18. When we were 6, didn’t anyone over 10 seem old?!

Luann’s turning 80, Shannon? Whoa. She’s old ;-)

No way would an insurance company payout $65k for that truck. $10k would be pushing things.

“the only ‘logical’ explanation”^Good one!

Giblin Insurance…so easy that even TJ can screw us!

Well, Shannon’s hair style and eyebrows tend to lean towards the Vulcan side. Now if we could just see her ears…

Shannon seems to have a similar “Helmut” haircut as Tiff… just dark.

Not saying there’s anything connecting the two, but….

I knew it!

Tiff’s eyebrows are more rounded, Shannon’s are a little more straight like the Vulcan gal’s in the picture I put up above

I was only referring to the hairstyle. I wasn’t paying attention to the other facial features, etc. :-)

I think Shannon is basically a good kid looking for attention and it’s just going to take the right person(s) to bring out her best side and there will no longer be a need for her to act out.

And I think Brad is that “right person.” Or, at least, GE’s set him up that way.

Even Spock probably received a little “extra guidance” as a kid. How do you think his ears got that way?

In that case, it was his mother then…. It would be too “illogical” for his father… :-PPP

Speaking of cars we wished were in our driveway… –

The Roadrunner Van…is this for real?! ROTFLOL!!!

“…or he (TJ) realizes that Brad is moving on and he takes his money to go pursue something else away from the cast.” Yes, far, Far, FAR away… ;)

I already commented that I thought $65k was way too high, but it seems that requires explanation.

It’s certainly possible for a decent food truck to have that kind of value, especially when equipment is factored in. But we’re talking about this specific truck, which all along has been portrayed as minimally operational.

Tj simply hasn’t had the money to invest in upgrades. He’s complained since the beginning that business wasn’t very good, and he didn’t have any money to start with, so it’s pretty clear he didn’t do much, if anything, to upgrade the truck after Brad got it minimally operational.

$65k is probably about $55k too much.