Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 16, 2017

This is a really awkward strip. Ann is implicating Les right out of the gate as the guy that set the whole scheme up; she’s here because he asked her to come. She’s teaching him that he’s expendable and fair game; he’s not her son, he’s a worthless punk fall-guy. The only lesson being taught is to watch your back because it sounds like she’s covering her bases. Less likely, it’s a role-reversal where Ann says what Les thinks and Les says what Ann thinks. Really awkward wording.

Again, they’re quite a loving parent a child Ann and Leslie are, aren’t they?

Okay, quick survey. What’s your favorite AE story arc, Borderline Books, Weenie World, or this one?

She might get through the door by Thursday.

I wonder if Les knows Bernice is to blame for Ann being sent to Japan?

Pot? Meet Kettle.

Kettle? Pot.

WOW “tough love” from Anne is Really TOUGH!

Ann is telling Les that he’s a worthless punk. Pru and Nancy have been expressing great appreciation for him and confidence in him. Wonder who will win his allegiance?

Really. Greg? What are you attempting to do?

What a tough situation for Les. He seems to have a moral compass in general (other than the credit card issue which I would have never taken my own son to court for). Calling him worthless while setting up her ilicit activities seems an awful situation in general for him. He’s actually the first Luann character I feel bad for.

“What if They gave a Lingerie Party,”

“And NOBODY Showed Up?” – Popular Saying from the late 60’s……,

This is a comic panel palindrone, it can be read the same going from left to right as it could be from right to left, beginning and ending with “How nice of you”. Who is doing what to whom? Is Les trying to help his mom by paying off his debt to her making the Fuse available for this show (he called her apparently per the first panel), or is his mom trying to her him, but having a show she runs to pay off his debt and make him a mature adult? I think they both manipulate each other, but the operative words might be “I do care about you” given Les sarcastic statement, using almost the same language that she cares so much. They are surrounded by love, Nancy and Frank, and trust, Pru, and protection and friendship with Ox, and family concern with Mr. Grey (man do I understand him more now and I hope he and Mrs. Berger finally get really serious, they are soooo lonely) oh and where in the you know what is TJ??? This is heavy, but remember Greg, we love this, but this is Luannverse, daffy, but basically a love story of a nutty but good young woman and the world she inhabits. So get it on man, and daughter please!!!

Ann’s next reply offers a small window to back off a bit – otherwise her event may get sabotaged. I hope she is smart enough to see that.

Would be reasonable to expect a commission – so wouldn’t have to pay back one month’s payment perhaps? Given Saturday’s wording – that might have been what Leslie is requesting. His ‘or not at all’ comment could be seen as a response to the next monthly check only.

One more comment: first in my thought above I meant “help” not her (you can’t edit these after you submit) and second Grifter’s have a hard time being real even with each other and even in families. The movie the Grifters did a great job in showing how hard con artists have in getting real, they can but it is so hard. Will love help?

I think she went to the same parenting school as Archer’s Mom. They seem to have a lot of things in common.

Well, let’s call it even!

Boring arc.

Door slams shut on Ann in 3, …2, …1

.

But probably not because the arc would end right there.

Seems to be the other adults who makes him responsible by caring more for him, and he actually pays it back properly.

When do the fireworks start??

Am I the only one hoping this ends with Ann being taken away in cuffs?

What’s she doing back outside? She was inside on Saturday. Is the event over?

This strip is like a soap opera. Miss two weeks of watching and you haven’t missed anything. Let’s get ON with it!!

I have a funny feeling that Ann’s words will come back to haunt her…. and sooner than she thinks. Hopefully, Les will “take responsibility” and put a stop to whatever it is Ann’s planning to do.

We’ll see.

Here’s why he may take responsibility: He did set up Ann and what he believes will be her lingerie party money making scheme, but in doing so he he believed that it was a win/win – she makes enough money to cover the remaining balance of his debt to her (ending his repayment responsibility), and although he is using the Fuse as the venue, the Fuse is making money by the rental money (he doesn’t know that Ann conned Pru to reduce the price). If Ann puts on an illegal event (eg. gambling) and jeopardizes the Fuse, he can step up and save the day even though his true role will be revealed.

“Mor-al Or Les”

“Nice!, Nice!, Baby!”  (♬)

“Zero Degrees Gratitude”

“The Wrinkle In Your Slacks”

“Fruitcake Of The Looming”

“Win One, For The Gypper!”

“Platitude Adjustment”

“A Cold Pot Is Better Than A Burned Kettle”

“The Love Of A Lifetime-Movie-Of-The-Week”

“Save The Last Chance, For Me” (♬)

“There Has To Be An Invisible Son…” (♪)

“Blame Of Throwns”

“The Generosity Just ‘Killed’ This Cat!”

or

“The Trivial Pursuit Of Happiness”

She’s playing mind games with him. Nothing sincere about her!

I am hoping Pru gets back into this when Les, out of loyalty, reveals the truth of the nights events to her. She will act sensibly and effectively.

Stealing Ann’s card and running up $5000, seems pretty bad. She kept him out of prison, and he should not miss any payments, no matter what kind of horrible person she is.

One more palindrone comment for number one fan! I think they both are emotionally and practically trying to get over on each other, him to get rid of her, and her to show him can be a good mom, who can control him, but given it is happening in the midst of all the love and non-grifter world of Luannverse it might backfire on on Les and Ann!! They might actually become normal, loving mom and son! Perish the thought!!

even the best parents can have problems like this. Anyway—lets get to the scantily clad ladies!

The only way this story arc will make sense is if the “lingerie show” turns out to be a roving sex club, the “models” hookers and Anne Eiffel their pimp.

7

Pipe and coffee break time this morning:

The rancor between them is so very intensive and thick. And, what is pretty intriguing is how the dialogue can have a variety of meanings…. depending upon the type of inflection, sarcasm, and projections you may imagine going on. Also, depending upon the “truth” or lack thereof by each speaker and also the potential hyperbole in what the are saying….. so many different ways to interpret! Pretty impressive dialogue that Greg has created here. It gives information, but it also keeps a veil tightly on the direction headed and on the way the nuances should be interpreted.

My own interpretation of today:

I am interpreting the first panel as showing for various reasons BOTH Ann and Les have [initially] planned this event… and the plan was for something nefarious. It does not appear to be an idea that Ann thought of and coerced Les into doing. Nor was it a scam that Les thought of independently and drew Ann into.

The second panel in my interpretation highlights clearly how Ann views Les as a “throwaway” “worthless punk” and I interpret this as showing Ann’s only real motive is to USE Les for her own gain. Her statement of “I do care….” does not ring true, even if you try hard to envision the words attempting to be sincere. Les’ raised eyebrow in this panel suggests he may have had a bit of an epiphany about Ann over the last several day’s worth of comics.

Les’ tone in the last panel is one of extreme sarcasm, IMO. And, I believe with the “freeze frame” sort of expression on Ann’s face, that she recognized the sarcasm as well, and may very well be concerned Les will “bolt” or go back on “the plan” in some way.

Pipe and coffee done, back to work for me!

When is this strip going to get funny again? I cringe reading this.

Does anyone besides me think we won’t know what the gig really is until after halloween?

@ Namerepus: Oh, that’s easy—Borderline Books. The Weenieworld story was disgusting and pathetic, for (a)trying to set a “tale of intrigue” in a lousy fast-food restaurant; (b)stripping Eiffel of any dignity she had by revealing that a fast-food joint is where she wound up after the bookstore. I’ve never worked at a fast-food restaurant, but I have the impression the managers don’t make significantly more than the cashiers and cooks.

Two creeps — deserve one another. Maybe they should join Slutty Tiffany’s family?Soooo, are they gonna stand there and kvetch all week, or is the story line going to move along???

And if Eiffel used to be sexy, that was a long time ago—in the Borderline Books story.

They look like evil twins. Even their clothes match.

They look like evil twins. Even their clothes match.

Don’t they have work to do to get ready for the event? Why are they standing around talking? And what kind of event starts so late at night? Pitts seems like a sleepy small town with no late night events.

No matter what, Ann Eiffel is not staying in town after this event.

She lied to Pru about supporting Les, and sooner or later Pru will talk to Mr. Gray.

Les may have to make his next payment by mail drop.

~~~~

Except I still think Pru already talked to Mr. Gray, and everybody already talked to TJ, and TJ has it set up to scam the scammer Eiffel.

Which goes awry if Ann is running a cash only high stakes gambling night and hired thugs to rob the place, but the hired thugs have hired their own thugs so that they get it all and Ann gets nothing.

It’s all so simple.

Silly me; I thought I was reading the funny pages…

Ann, your statement in panel 2 has put me in danger of cracking a rib laughing.

I spent an hour at our library’s high speed connection viewing the initial look at the Elm Street warehouse exterior and interior, the purchase, and both Mr. Gray and Ox/Tiffany cleanup.

The Fuse is exactly like the tents in Harry Potter and the Dr. Lao movie.

Bigger on the inside than on the outside. And there are at least six distinct walls. Some with the Windows too high to see out of.

The front door is exactly like the rear door but still has a cross pattern in the small opening.

Always steps only to the front door.

The wheelchair ramp is still hiding.

btw, what’s Les’ cut from all this? don’t recall that being spelled out.

Remember – Les wanted to help Pru out, right? She was crying since she thought she had failed the Fuse. True, Les did contact his mother first, but Ann’s intentions can only be things not good, and it was HER who set this event up (and at quite the discount, too, yes?).

It’s not as much that I’m ‘rooting for Les’, but it’s clear that’s he’s reacting positively to the good, and closer, influences around him. He certainly did NOT get that from his own mother. His intentions are GOOD here – but his methods may need some serious work.

Ann’s intentions? Well, THAT best described as – “and now, for something completely different…”

One wonders how Les will learn that all is not as it’s supposed to be.

Looks like he’s not going to let her inside the club. He’s occupying the doorway, all the while engaging in a verbal battle. Hmmm.

There’s hope after all.

I like say this a stupid cartoon however its not it true to life so many situations like this well done Greg

Ann, if you want to teach Les to be a responsible adult, you’re starting about 19 years too late.

Also, as a teacher, I used to tell parents all the time: Your children don’t do what you tell them to do. They do what they see YOU doing.

I think uncle and police already know whats going on and this party is a sting operation to get ann for previous crimes

What the heck would Annie know about being “a responsible adult”?!

Geezuz, could we just GET ON WITH IT ALREADY? Or do we have another interlude with Chubby Tiffany to slog through still?

Less comments. Less to comment on Les, as less is happening.

If we are still at the doorway tomorrow, we will have to invent stupid top ten list posts just to reach 200.