Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for August 31, 2017

Now she’s crying. Whatever the circumstances, I have to feel sorry for Sprocket. She’s pretty decent when the situation calls for it and doesn’t really deserve to be told off in these terms.

He could have been up front about it. But he is a fool who thinks he’s strong this way.

What a Jerk and a half!

Like it or not and criticism of Domain’s delivery aside, Sprocket ought to realise that his point is valid- she can’t be anywhere around the presentation and she IS a liability. Also, he didn’t tell he she was done or that she had to leave- he told her to “Just wait here.”

Four panels today.

And a close-up of feet to mirror the recent close-up of Blackjack’s hands.

If only Vista Bill were here with his cowboy crooner voice and cheap guitar, he could sooth the heartache Sprocket is feeling so badly right now !

Good morning, poke along  Bill !

Good morning guys!

a bit late today.

Neil Wick said about 16 hours ago

@Gweedo it’s legal here Murray

Sounds like a fun trip, but we have missed your words of wisdom here the last few days.

Much appreciated, NW !

I think we will see a Sprocket make-over in a few days. She has to do that if she wants to protect Silver.

True, from the point of view of someone trying to pull off a crime… but it could have been put more tactfully.

NEIL WICK  ABOUT 6 HOURS AGO

I have to feel sorry for Sprocket. She’s pretty decent

You’ve got to be kidding me!

LOL!

She’s a murdering con artist thief!

I guess the result of today’s strip with Mr. Tackful will be what Anyface claims to have pre knowledge of but can’t or won’t prove he does.

For the record, I throw my lot with those who guess it’s “Hi Ho Silver!” who rides in to defend Sprocket’s honor.

Meanwhile, there’s nothing at all odd about a guy with a face like that and the name “Public Domain.”

If Dick Tracy villains were required to fit in, there would be no Dick Tracy villains.

Why it might not have been in the most tactful manner, Domain explained WHY Sprocket wasn’t going to be helpful. Hard words to hear, but the truth CAN hurt. If you’re scamming a rich socialite, you can’t look like that. I admire Sprocket’s Free Spirit look and attitude, but I also know that in HER Racket, there are times when you have to conform to Society’s norms…

Yesterday he should have said “We need to keep you hidden behind the scenes” instead of “It was never my plan for you to be involved.” That’s quite different!

Ugliest female feet I have ever seen!!

This gets way too deep in a subject that is over my head, but one has to question the motivation of a hippie. Sprocket is the epitome of a hippie, to those who are old enough to remember them from the sixties. They intentionally are nonconformists, and try to make a statement to that point. I guess it’s their way of protesting the norm. That’s Sprocket, in my book. She’s still stuck in the mud at Woodstock 1.

Silver had no problem in getting a haircut and dying his hair to change his appearance. Why would Sprocket have a problem with doing the same thing? If she is too stubborn to do so, she is a threat to Public Domain’s scheme. PD is no dummy. Sprocket’s appearance could put a monkey wrench in his plans.

Since Public Domain stated that the Nitrates were expendible, his plan seems to be to use them then discard them. In other words, to out-con the cons. However, he perceives Sprocket as a loose cannon and the weak link in his plan.

Today’s bullying and intimidation of Sprocket is his attempt to control her. Sprocket is the type who takes it and takes it and takes it, holds it inside until she can’t take it any longer until in a burst of emotion she releases it (killing Stiletta, driving the wonder car into a lake to get back at Silver, etc.).

Public Domain, in his attempt at intimidation, may have released more than he bargained for. We may see an attempt by him to dispose of Sprocket earlier than he had originally planned.

Domain is a TRUE friend. An intervention is what she’s needed for years. Someone honest enough to tell her, hey, girl, take a little pride in your appearance. Cue the transformation scene! And….action!

I never thought about her clothes being unkempt. Has her blue jeans always been ragged at the hem?

In high school I went everywhere barefoot. I even toured the Senate Office Building in my bare feet. I met Senator Yarbourgh from Texas (1960) and he asked me if I was Texas. I said, “No, Ohio.” LOL must have been the bare feet.

Hmmm.

Maybe Sprocket is going to get angry over being thrown aside? Maybe she’ll want to want revenge on Domain?

In the earlier Nitrate story arc with Lena, Mrs.Flattop, etc., I remember that the reason why Sprocket is bare foot was that she practices a form of martial arts that requires bare feet… Hence, the bare feet…

I do agree that her clothes need to be changed…

Why do I suspect that we’ll soon see Mr Domain quite dead?

Ill bet she kills him dead fish dead. Domain had better not spot a leash in her hand. C’mon Lena!

Today’s comments have provided a very full examination of the Sprocket-Domain situation, from differing points of view. I do not know that I could add much, but I can express my assessment.

Public Domain is correct in his criticism of Sprocket’s appearance insofar as it might affect the scam of a High Society lady like Bea Thorndike, who is used to a Jennings more than to a hillbilly. But it also true, in my view, that he has been carelessly, needlessly unthinking and insensitive in how and when he has chosen to tell her.

And that could turn out to be a fatal error….

It’s an old saying, but you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Sprocket is now much less likely to go along with Domain’s plans because he chose to address his objections to her wardrobe choices in such a tactless way. Now, if Domain had said that he wanted Sprocket to be part of the scheme but that he felt she might be more effective if she made changes to her clothes, she might be more receptive to a clothing makeover.

P. Domain went out-of-his-way to poison the waters. He could have been tactful. Told Sprocket she would have to be out of sight, instead he was harsh. And if that doesn’t put them on notice nothing will.