Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for August 09, 2017

oh, I’m sure there’ll be a problem… the ember is starting to take flame

“Where’s the problem?” Where to begin? This is so far beyond just trying to get a cheap deal for a night at the Fuse now.

By the way, do you think Prudence will be tipped off by a character who has dealt with Ann before, and if so, which one?

… and we’ll have all the locks changed so none of you can get back in the next morning, and …

Something tells me that a lingerie party will be the last thing that will be going on that night.

A very slippery slope is about to appear. Red flags are going up all over. Too bad Pru doesn’t see them.

She is really too gullible. Or less experienced with that family.

Ann and Les will be cleaning house, so to speak.

It’s positively astounding how Ann has managed to mesmerize Pru beyond all semblance of good sense!

Do you suppose that Pru is using her acting skills? Who knows…Les may have tipped her off about his mother.

So what do you think she has planned? Illegal activity, Noisy party with a huge mess and lots of damage, or just rob the place blind?

Mother & Son scam …?

@TAMMYSPEAKSLIFE: I’d say rob the place blind, but I don’t think there is a lot of valuable stuff there…

Red flags everywhere…….

The dark side is taking over so fast at the fuse it’s not funny. And Pru(ne)‘s naive side is sadly showing again. It’s going to be such a mess that I can’t wait to see it. “Lord Darth Lesser” and “Empress Darth Ann Eiffel-Sidious” are up to something very dark, that I see Pru(ne) on the unemployment line, or in jail, after those two throw her under the bus. they are going to turn the fuse into a brothel.

The Fuze Theater wants point 8 grand

But we ain’t got point 8 grand on hand.

And they now got a lock on the door

To the dock at the Weenie World.

There’s the stock room in Borderline Books.

But Zane and Monroe ain’t good crooks.

And things being how they are

The dorm of Moony Uni is barred!

So the Fuze Theater is the spot.

But the eight hundred bucks we ain’t got.

Why it’s good old reliable Annie!

Annie, Annie, Annie, Eiffel!

If you’re looking for action, her show is the spot.

Even when the heat is on, it’s never too hot.

Not for good old reliable Annie!

Where it’s always known you gonna

To the oldest established, permanent floating,

Crap game in New Yor…I mean lingerie show in California.

Ooohhhh…Ann is making sure there is nobody from The Fuse around to witness the scam. No waitstaff. Only Les as security and set up. Only Ann and Les locking up. They will help themselves to the cash registers and keep all the cash from the lingerie show. Amazing how gullible Pru is… I wonder if this is how Pru will make her exit from the strip? The DeGroots fire her. Perhaps the Evanses had the cool idea of adding a homosexual character but struggled with how to develop her character in relation to her sexual orientation – they probably don’t want to go the Lynn Johnston’s Lawrence route…or the Archie Comics’s Kevin Keller…too controversial but how? Solution? Create an exit.

I’m oddly reminded of “The Night They Raided Minsky’s.”

Open your eyes, Pru – the problem is sitting right in front of you.

Way too trusting.

I don’t like the sounds of this. Ole Ann Eifel is up to no good. Wait until Brad, TJ and Bernice hear about this. And do you really think Ann is Les’s mom or is it part of a scam?

Pru is from New York City and that gullible? Does not make sense.

Her space is in the Fuse, so how can it really be her space?

I wonder if this is all about Ann Awfull getting revenge on TJ – and by extension on Toni and Shannon and the rest the folks that TJ considers his family. Or is it just some money-making scheme – good old fashioned greed?

I like Suki’s whackazoid idea yesterday that she is after loot from an old heist hidden in/under the old warehouse. It’s more convoluted than that, of course, but It’s starting to make more sense already.

A thought… I wonder if Ann (and Les?) might try to get some kind of illegal activity blamed on Pru, and/or others on the Fuse management team? And then they might have the burden of proving that Ann was the actual perpetrator, to exonerate themselves?

Sounds like an illegal gambling night with scantly clad women waitresses is my guess.

Les in charge of security??? We have a couple of hyenas to herd your sheep for you.

Lately Greg & Karen have been great at setting up suspense. So many ways for this to go. One more plot scenario: Maybe Mr. Gray is in on this too. The private event gets busted by the police and The Fuse is closed down. Mr. Gray has money and moves to get the property on the cheap. And that could also be AE’s revenge on TJ. But “Luann” never ends with the bad guys enjoying their victory. We have a hero waiting in the wings somewhere.

OK The DeGroot are gonna lose the Fuse & they deserve it – they join up with Mr. Gray who seems like mob type, they hire a shady guy like Les because of Mr. Gray, then they let thier daughter do a theater camp causing them to lose money. NOW they allowing a mid-level employee to book events? I’m sorry that is the job of an OWNER or a MANAGER. I’m only reading these because I want to see just how badly it blows up in thier faces and they end up living out of a van down by the river.

This certainly blows my “Les is still trying to impress Pru and will come to her rescue” theory all to heck!

Why am I suspecting more of a floating bordello, rather than a sales party….???

Is she really Les’ mother? We only have the alleged Mother and Son’s word for it. Les is probably not enamoured by Pru any longer, and would have no qualms is setting up whatever questionable activity that is being planned.

Ann is like the big sister that Pru never had.

For someone that was out on her own, Pru is very unaware. Now that we have known each other for about five minutes, would you give me the keys to your business for the night?

Pru, you utter moron. THE FUSE IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS. You have no right to agree to any of this without getting it cleared with your employers and owners of the business first.

I think it was P.T. Barnum that said, “there’s a sucker born every minute”.

Pru is grasping the Idiot Ball like a fullback going through the line on 3rd and inches.

Wasn’t Ann Eiffel the manager at the hot dog joint? You know, she was so mean to Luann and, maybe, Brad. I don’t think she is really Les’ mother at all. It is a scam with Les and Ann. Wasn’t there something between Les and Ann back in the day at the hot dog place? I think Luann will remember Ann Eiffel and tell Pru.

Oh Pru is on to her. she’s not stupid.

Hmmmm….. The possibilities are endless. This could be a way to say goodbye to two different characters… 1) Pru – who would surely be fired for letting happen what might happen; and 2) TJ – because I gather that Ann knows that KK is his venture and is gunning for it. Since KK is the only real asset that could be “destroyed,” doing so would put TJ out of work, potentially making him go elsewhere and out of the strip. Revenge for her.

Anyway, hopefully TJ will appear and come to Pru’s rescue, before this happens… hopefully, before Pru signs that contract with Ann (who might sue The Fuse if they refuse)…

Why do I think this event is only going to be advertised on the deep web.

We know where Les gets his sleaziness.

OMG! This will not go well unless Bernice catches wind of it, I HOPE!

Wow….there isn’t going to be any lingerie party. Something illegal is going on.

Trust me. What could possibly go wrong?

Warning, warning, warning, Will Robinson.

Does this mean that Ann Eiffel and Mr Gray are siblings?

How can Pru not see red flags waving wildly all over the place?

After Hours? No food or beverage servers? I can’t even imagine what is going to take place. This could be the event that puts Pittsville on the map – at the FBI.

Right now Ann is thinking, “What a Sap!!”

One cannot trust that broad Annie, of doubtful character

Did anybody decide to check this “event” out with Mr. Gray? After all, he knows all of the players here?

Warning… warning…

No venue manager would blindly hand over the keys to their business with a promise like that. Letting the person promise to ‘lock up’ after they are finished? No. You manage your business yourself. Somehow, I think a confrontation is building. Paladin may be right – a porn shoot, or even a soft porn or some sort where Ann wants it private.

i think pru is lovestruck with ann

Those two momentous words: “Sign Here.”

After hours, and no servers (or other employees besides Les) does anyone else smell a “Pryamid Party” in the offing?

I see a lot going wrong here. Pru might lose her job…and her home if she goes through with this.

Is a late night rave going to be held instead?

Are you kidding me? Even without any prior knowledge of Ann’s shenanigans, red flags are waving like the color guard at a high school game! I fear this is going to be a multi-week arc.

Please let this be the plot pivot that causes Pru to be written out of the strip.

Somebody’s going to emergency, somebody’s going to jail.

Did someone mention “red flags” ?!

.

lol

Food for thought: Who is conning whom?

Cliff’s Notes to It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Fuse

An English stage farce, final scene, synopsis.

Just as Ann’s nefarious scheme nears success, a uniformed policeman enters and handcuffs her. It’s Dirk! He’s just joined the force after training, and his expository monologue tells us that he has received a full pardon from the governor for his previous crimes.

Enter Les, who says, “Gotcha, Mom. This was a sting from the beginning, my revenge on you for, well, everything.” More expository lines explaining he arranged this all with Dirk.

Another cop appears, slapping cuffs on Les. And Pru says, “But I reported you because you seemed to be setting up this crime. I’ve known all along that this wasn’t kosher. Have you enjoyed my acting?”

Another officer slaps cuffs on Pru. TJ enters and says, “And I reported you. I thought you were part of the plot. I’ve been spying on all of you since I happened to see Ann coming into the Fuse a few days ago.”

Same drill, cuffs on TJ. Ann says, “And I reported you for insurance fraud when you blew up your own food truck.”

Ann. “Haha! I guess we got revenge on each other.” TJ. “It’s like a demented All in the Family!”

Loud accusations, finger pointing, curtain falls. The sequel will be playing next week.

This is one of several possible endings, this one selected by real time audience electronic responses to “choose your own adventure” style questions throughout the play.

Maybe Mr. Gray will find out, bet he doesn’t think highly of Les’ mom

Welllll … “What could POSSIBLY go wrong??!!” ;)

the idea of it being a pyramid investment scheme is growing on me. Tho gambling ( of the traditional sort) is maybe more likely.

Ruh-roh!

Gee – the weather there sure cleared up! All that rain (tears) evaporated – just like that! (snap!)

Someone tell me again why a K2 server is negotiating on behalf of the entire Fuse establishment?

Would anybody be so stupid as to turn over the key to a facility to customer, so that they can stage an after-hours “lingerie party” with no presence by the facility’s management? That sounds like very Risky Business to me.

No, Pru, you are not renting your space. Frank is renting his space, or rather he would be, if he hadn’t turned over his job to the bartender instead. Frank kind of deserves to have this happen, is what I’m saying. Carry on.

In the “Cap’n Oblivious” race, Pru would give a tough fight to Mrs. Berger!

OK I know this is only a comic strip but since Luann’s parents worked so hard to get that club in shape and have such a huge financial commitment to it I would hate to see anything bad happen with this “lingere party”. I would love to see TJ find out before it happens and prevent it OR have Ox show up and help save the day (night).

She’s working with the Russians to change the next election. FACT.

I think Ann’s intent is to get back at TJ who she is still angry with from their WW days. I think she may do something to sabotage his cafe, something that may not show up for a week or more. Something that can’t be traced to her. But the Fuse should have security cameras unless she disables them.

Pru says, “I’m renting MY space.” Even the room where she’s sleeping isn’t her space.

Granted, Pru wants the Fuse to succeed and, with the camp failure, she’s vulnerable to this kind of pitch. However, this twist gives Les’s character an opportunity to change, especially if his mom’s plans are worse than even he expected. Both Pru and his mom trust him so the “party” will force him to choose a side. Knowing Les, he’ll probably disappoint both women equally and manage to hold onto his job through (barely) plausible deniability.

All this secrecy bodes ill…

Wow, Ann is almost as good a BS artist as our Conman-in-Chief

Either Pru is fully aware she is being conned or I reluctantly have to conclude she is not very bright after all.

I wonder what time the Fuse closes? This party is “after hours” so it may not start until 10 pm or later, after all the Fuse employees have cleaned up and left. Will they really get a huge crowd of people who will attend a party that late? Not teenagers, but women who buy lingerie? The whole premise is very unlikely.

Here’s an option!: Ann begins her event (lingerie show, gambling, ‘quick-dating’ service, etc.). Then – a small fire breaks out at the Fuse! Enter Brad, Toni, and the whole fire rescue gang, including ol’ Smiley! The blaze gets contained, and everyone’s safe – but Ann’s little enterprise is blown. She may try to pin it on Les, but he would likely turn and cut ties with her for good.

It will be interesting how long the plot line goes before we find out what kind of character Ann and Les really have.

“Police raid local business, cite patrons for illegal gambling and possession of drugs.”

I see a bad ending. I don’t know who for. But this isn’t going to end well.

I’m predicting a visit from the Police at some point.

Pru, a lesbian from NYC is being fleeced by a rube from whatever little burg Luann is set in???? Somehow I just dont see this happening.

Late comment: everything seems so obviously a scam, one in which Pru just falls for like a ton of bricks, that I think the bottom is a false bottom. What I mean is that Ann is asking for control, signs a contract, which obligates the Fuse, gets a side agreement which essentially forbids Pru, and Fuse employees to be at the event, and in which the control of the venue is completely under the control of Ann and Les. No other employees of the Fuse can be present. It’s a “discreet” event. Disaster! However I have a feeling the tables may be turned somehow. Pru can’t be this dense to allow this to happen as Ann seems to be conning her way to do. Stay tuned.

Gambling? A Rave?

Someone is setting up a gambling event. Luckily the contract is for a lingerie party which I think will get them out of trouble.

Yeah, I’d say there’s a problem, Pru!! A big one!  What about the complimentary muffin basket that you need to stay up all night baking,  one for each guest?

-

Reminds me of a plot on “Good Times”, when Penny’s birth mother tried to scam Willona (to make her disqualified from adopting Penny), using a guy she hired to date her, and he invited “unscrupulous crowds” to have a party in her house….

“The Keys To Sparta”

“Signed,  Sealed, Deliberate” (♬)

“Glisten,  Like Thieves” (♬)

“Do Me A Favor- Open the Door …And Let ’Em In… " (♪)

“Sit Down And Set Up”

“The Whole Nine Miles”

“Taking Can Be, From A Maybe”

“A Plan Proof Fool”

“Who’s Minding The Store?”

“The Inside Of An Inside Job”

“Give And Take…And Take…"

“At This Price,  It’s A Steal!“

“The Combination Of Safe And No Sound”

or

“Under New Mismanagement”

A thespian, she is!

-

…a hard nosed and eagle eyed business manager, she ain’t….

-

….Unless…this is all a part of an elaborate drag net to sting her (or Les) with!…..nah….

Pru – you’re from New York and were in the theatre. I’m amazed you’re not smelling a con of some sort. First you’ve been snookered out of the deposit, then reduced the rate, and now there are non of your own people, except Les (a flake if there ever was one) on site. You wouldn’t last a New York Minute in NY!

“What A Fool Beliiiiiiieeeevvvves…” (♪)

7

Too busy earlier this morning at work, so this is an afternoon pipe and iced tea break musing:

I am utterly flummoxed about Pru’s falling for this scheme. Ann’s actions become ever more blatant, but Pru becomes ever more blind! It is so very sad for Pru. I am unfortunately seeing that Pru will be in a helluva lot of trouble after this “lingerie party” occurs.

So, what nefarious activity will Ann and Les pursue? Not sure, but here are some ideas (some of which others have suggested, some are from me):

1. Gambling – for me, this seems unlikely… too much work to set up for a one-night sort of event, and it would require a lot of folks knowing about it to make it profitable which makes it far more risky a venture.

2. Pornography Filming – while this has a bit of a fit-in with the “Lingerie Party” notion… I sort of doubt that Greg would pursue that sort of activity (even if representing a nefarious action) in his comic, so I am thinking no on this idea as well.

3. The idea I read from Locake, though seems to have decent potential….. maybe the two of them are actually planning some sort of sabotage for either The Fuse or Kafe Kablooee? Ann dislikes TJ, Les may be secretly very angry that Pru nixed his advances on her (even though he hasn’t shown that yet). So, this one is to me, a maybe.

4. H.V. Greenman suggested a “pyramid party”… which I did not know anything about, so I looked it up. As it is a pyramid scheme involving a dinner party of sorts, this seems quite possible. If Ann and Les have lined up 7 or 8 guests who each chipped in, say $5,ooo to participate, with the “winner” getting all the loot…. and Ann just “happens” to be the “invited guest” to win…. that would work.

5. I guess the other option I can think of right now is that perhaps Ann and Les are on the “up-and-up” and are really just wanting to have a discreet lingerie party and a few gentle laughs and a good time. Bah!

My pipe is out, and tea done.

Ann is going to set fire to The Fuse in hopes of having Frank’s insurance cover a “loss” of dollar-store lingerie priced as premium.

Don’t do it, Pru! Major red flag when she states: “…So I don’t want any food or beverage servers.” You’re being set up, and you’re falling for it. She’s already conned you into a lower price for the rental, more than likely when you come in the next day the place will be stripped.

You know what would help? If Pru had eyebrows. Can’t tell what she’s thinking at all. We’ve seen her smart and savvy, but we’ve also seen her naive and gullible. What’s happening here? If only she had eyebrows. I have a feeling Mr. Gray will be the one to intervene, if anyone does at all.

uh oh…..I don’t like this one bit…. will Ann and Les collect a bunch of $ and then skip town? hopefully someone will dial 911 and a police report will be filed.

I hope the DeGroots look good in prison orange because that’s where they’re heading.

Hopefully Pru tells Mr. Gray and the DeGroots of this plan… and relates to TJ. Mr. Gray probably knows a bit about Ann E. and he might head the whole thing off after recoiling in horror.

YOU’RE GOING TO GIVE AWFUL ANNIE THE KEY?! Good grief, Pru, wake up! You’re being conned big time, and The Fuse is going to be robbed blind by these mother-son gangsters!

Why do I suspect the police will have to be called, and maybe firemen too (including Braoni!

Is Anne going to light the Fuse? Try to pass it off on TJ somehow?

Why do I keep thinking of Poe’s Masque of the Red Death?

Les seems more like a reluctant lackey than a co-conspirator.

Oh, dear, this is shaping up to look like the least legitimate deal in the history of Luannville. We’ve got the shady Mr. Gray’s larcenous nephew, Leslie, and his even less repectable “mother,” Ann, teaming up to do some secretive thing that requires them having the keys to the Fuse and no one else around. And Pru didn’t even get a deposit from them. There are several directions this could go, and all of them point toward jail for Pru and bankruptcy for the DeGroots (Ann and Les and maybe Mr. Gray will be far out of town by the time it hits the fan.

Holding out a slim hope that Pru is hip to the ways of Annie.

She doesn’t want servers there because T J has dealt with her before. It’s prob gonna be a naughty nighty thing with the focus on her doing a Pacific Heights scam leaving a huge mess & skipping out.

it is such juicy gossip that there is no way Dear Ann keeps this plan from those who have been wounded by her.

I think Dear Ann is thinking big, here. $500 or $400 is chicken feed and not worth the risk. At some point the rehabilitated Les will be the whistleblower. But where is the big money? Blackmailing the De Groots?

Just not believable…what kind of New Yorker is Pru (and I AM a New Yorker) to buy this crocodile tears crap? What kind of business are the DeGroots running when HIRED HELP is making booking decisions? Once that contract is signed it’s legal…hard to get out of. I think the downward spiral began with the babysitting Shannon arc. I just keep hoping this ship will right itself, but those lifeboats are beginning to look good.

We are a few days too early to draw conclusions. But to have Pru be the only person to READ the contract before the event is really rearly really jumping the shark. Having Pru being able to unilaterally change a written contract is merely one really jumping the shark. I do like the above Dirk comment. But if the police show up—un-called for, I’d like it to be because Ann thought she could get away with parking in the designated handicapped space. Arrogant and stupid, but also real without any questions of lack of reality from the readers.

I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

OH-OH, I see trouble coming

You’re gonna get ripped off so bad.