Even though there is a streetlight right over them, it’s like it has no effect on whether their bodies will be clearly lit or in silhouette or slightly shaded. It makes me think that perhaps the streetlight yellow is actually a painted background and after Les leaves, federal agents are going to pop out from behind that background and arrest Ann Eiffel as she says, “What the? I thought we were outside, but we are actually on a stage?”
No justice for the ladies that have been ripped off.
Tiffany has still lost her dad.
And Ann still has her hooks in Tom.
The only one that seems to benefit here is Les, as expected.
We don’t really know yet what his side of the “deal” includes (settlement of his debt to Ann) But he did get a chance to literally SPIT in his mom’s face.
I’m sorry, Les Knox Apologists, but Your “hero” is coming off as a bit of a Jackass here. A Jackass all for himself…..,
How tragic! She finally appreciates her son only when he traps her in a shady deal! And just when she thinks he’s finally “worthy” for her ugly corner of the world, it turns out he’s only doing it to quit her for good—perhaps as her brother did before. Must be lonely to be the last mobster in the family.
And I was right! Mr. Gray does have a nefarious past! Hopefully his experience escaping it can help save Les.
Woah. That had impact. So now Tiff and Les have cut ties with their remaining parental unit. Yes I know Tiff is still financially dependent on her father but that was the only thing he was ever willing to give her.
Now, I soooo want to know that family’s history! Were they raised to become scam artists? Did Al really turn a corner (“Turning corners is state of mind.” – BB King) or has he hoodwinked many of us including me and is playing a long scam?
Only time will tell. The ride should be interesting.
Wel, for Ann, Les is “family” as long as he is on Ann’s level as scam artist. But he has walked away, abandoned her, she realizes he is no longer family. He disowned her. She realizes she is alone now. Al abandoned her a long time ago. Now Les. How much longer will she have Tom Farrell, I wonder?
Did Les actually READ the “legal paperwork?” For all we know he could open it and find it only says “Gotcha!”
I’m actually disappointed that GnK have taken us here. At no point has any character in this strip uttered one word about the possibility of notifying the authorities or the DeGroots. Not so much as touched upon as an afterthought.
Ann in miniskirt and boots standing on sidewalk under streetlight. I would love to see the cops pull up and hassle her. Maybe she might have a huge wad of cash on her. Maybe she might go for a ride downtown to explain why she was under that light at night with a roll of cash.
Les and Tiffany are both cut loose, with a little help, but by their own choices from there less than desirable parents. Does Ann realize she has lost her son? What about Tom and Ann? Now it might shift to the children, but think they are ready for take the next step. So Uncle Al is a reformed grifter? That answers some questions and leaves some strings.
How does Ann Know those papers aren’t BLANK ? Or now Ann is holding incriminating evidence that an anonymous caller who has notified P.D. will find her holding.
There’s a lot of stuff in today’s comic. (1) We always wondered about Al. Some grifters eventually go respectable with the help of the money they made cheating people. Are they now “respectable?” Now about the guest house Al is building. Is this on Ma Berger’s property or Al’s property? If it’s on Ma’s property, Al could file a lien based on inflated costs and take Irma’s house from her. (2) We didn’t like Les at the outset when he was bullying people in high school. And I agreed with the judge that ruled Les should pay back the money he ran up on Ann’s credit card. And I believe most of us think Les had his hand in the collection jar at the Fuse. And Les was a jerk at the dinner party (but so was Gunther, as he told Tiffany not to speak to Les). (3) Now Les says “We’re done” to his mother. I know people who hate their parents and have not spoken to them for years. I suspect that the parents are getting more than their share of the blame for the unhappy kid. I kind of think it’s not Les’s turn to be happy yet – but we’ll see what G & K think – eventually (may be a new arc Monday).
Most of us with debts do not consider ourselves ill-used that we are expected to repay them. Earlier in the arc, Les was on a mission for justice, even though it was revenge-driven and involved impersonating an officer. Under Uncle Al’s guidance, this devolved into blackmailing Ann into releasing him from a debt he had not fulfilled. (I never considered Tiffany’s encounter with Ann to be blackmail, as she was demanding the refund of monies fraudulently taken.)
To get to this point on the GnK story board, several arcs have been played out, and we seem to be at the nexus. In fact, to get here, several of these arcs made many of us followers uncomfortable. Now we will see what GnK have been setting up. I confess I am anticipating Monday.
Aww all the kiddies are growing up. Les, Tiffany and even Gunther had to let go of their parents in some aspect. They are all beginning new chapters of their lives and I’m optimistic about it.
OK, First, congrats to Les for breaking free of his mom. I trust that all goes well with the judge and that the agreement is recognized, accordingly. Yes, it’s a heavy price, but I think one he’s willing to pay. Good for him. Same with Tiff. I hope her resolve to break free of her father and go on her own is strong. I just hope she can finish her degree at Moony, somehow, as it will open many more opportunities for her. But what I really hope is that GnK aren’t pointing these two towards anything more than just a “friendship.” I hope that TIff realizes that Gunther is the one for her. We’ll see
As for Ann, she can still face legal trouble. Simone from Souffle Lingerie can bring it. And we still don’t know if either Les or Tiff kept a copy of the list to give to the authorities or contacted them prior to giving it up (although my gut tells me Tiff did not – it would go against her mantra of “breaking free” to still keep the list in play). Or, perhaps even Al Gay kept a copy, just in case. But I think we’ve seen that Ann has paid a much heavier price in the loss of her son.
As for Al, yes that was an interesting revelation about his history, and I hope he truly has forsaken that life in favor of making things right with Ms. Berger, etc. or we’re going to have quite a bit of trouble. Although, given it was Ann who made that revelation, we don’t know how truthful it was or the extent of their activities together. Again, I hope that part of his life is over, for Ms. B’s sake (and Gunther’s). Looks like this arc is over, but I want to see what happens with Tiff and her progress, soonest!
So when do we find out that Les either: A) gave Ann a fake copy of the list; or B) made photocopies that were annomonously sent to the police bunko squad, and to Tiffany’s father; or C) Al has opted to get involved, and “just happens” to know somebody who can make option “B” happen?
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK … what do you mean, the bad guys win? One of the good guys is covered in black rock, the other has his hand cut off?! What kind of story is this?!
Of the three main characters with parent “issues,” Gunther seems to have made the healthiest of “breaks.” He’s untied (well, loosened at least) the apron strings and is allowing Irma her own life and happiness and desires to maintain a good relationship with her.
So far, it seems Tiffany has only distanced herself from her father in her mind. That still leaves her vulnerable to unhealthy acting out to get the fatherly nurturing she has missed and is missing. Of the characters most involved with her in the strip, a Les relationship will be toxic. A Gunther relationship has already proved positive (tutoring, Star Trek nights) and has a good chance of being healthy all around. (Besides being the source of some humor.)
And we all know about Les. Poor guy. Mrs. Fogerty will have to pull some real psychomagic out of her bag of tricks in order for him to move.
This resolution was disappointing on so many levels. It was meant to be a dramatic ending but it ultimately fails on so many levels.
Are we to feel sorry for Ann… standing alone… in the dark… under dramatic lighting… that emphasizes her aloneness? HEY! Wake up. As far as we know, she still has her hooks in sugar daddy. And, as far as we know, she’s avoided any legal entanglements. She now has leverage on her brother. She may threaten Al to reveal his past to Irma for his help in restoring her relationship with Les. Only time may tell.
Contrary o his own belief, Les has NOT shed himself of mommy! He’s still tied to her via anger and resentment. He’s experienced no psychological healing in the relationship, no forgiveness. He only ran a scam on a woman that he owed money.
I’m with MORDOCK on the lack of movement in the Les character. For a guy eaten up with “restitution” issues (to his mom), he hasn’t made any moves to restore his own thefts. He’s stolen from the Fuse and the tips of his fellow employees – that we know of.
OK, so Ann made finally made it overt. At least in a previous manifestation, brother Al was a scammer, a grifter, chiseler, swindler, etc. But hasn’t EVERYONE expected that from day one. Looks like my concern that something in his past will come back to haunt him in his relationship and impending marriage to Irma. That something may very well be Ann!
I’m looking forward to the Sunday-funny respite. ;o)
I do wish we could have seen the confrontation between Les and Ann leading up to this meeting. I would have enjoyed it.
I’m not sure this totally counts as blackmail. Both got what they wanted. Yes, legally and morally Les should repay his theft. But considering her money was probably ill-gotten itself, and that she used the debt to manipulate Les…I can’t say this action was 100% wrong. I still would have preferred seeing Ann get into legal trouble. She committed at least 2 types of crimes: fraud and theft (I believe that’s how illegal knock-offs are classified.)
@MORD: I like your Cui Bono? question. Les is certainly a partial winner. He frees himself from his monetary relationship, but the higher road would have been to keep paying her (maybe doubling up to get it over with) while emotionally and practically separating. Ann wins because her relationship to Tom is much more valuable than losing Les’s paltry monthly payments, although Al may have kept a copy. Al comes out ahead by improving his relationship with Les, and sending a message to Ann, but tarnishing his goody-goodiness. Tiffany comes out ahead by letting go of the list. Luann comes out behind for not telling her parents and Pru about the scam.
Don’t you know by now you can’t believe anything Ann says about anything. She’s just trying to convince Les NOT to believe her brother. AND to place doubts into Les’ head about her brother being his stepfather. Plant the seed of doubt.
The following is mostly my ruminations about the characters in association with the current situation. It has been spawned by comments from Schrodinger’s Dog and Luann1212 who suggested I should potentially re-examine my impressions:
1. Ann – in my opinion… Ann has really lost nothing that she values here. a) The money Les owed her is minor since she has ample access to funds from ’ole Tom “Cat” Ferrell at the moment. b) She does not really care about Les, other than how she can use him (or anyone for that matter). c) And, she is at les(s) risk (pun) for legal ramifications than previously (she now has leverage about “extortion” of her by Les and her brother Al, if needed).
2. Les – in my opinion… this is a giant step backwards in any sort of reforming of Les’ character. This is showing that Les has little or no care for “justice” but is more-or-less involved in taking on Ann only for his own benefit. At least before the extortion effort, it seemed possible that Les was in-part trying to have justice served… but IMO that flew out the window with the extortion effort. Now, it appears it was all about him alone.
3. Al – in my opinion… this was the biggest revelation… and in a negative way to boot. From my read of things… Al not only used to be involved in underhanded things…. but (IMO) because he encouraged Les to do this extortion effort… Al still does underhanded things…. his character is far more suspicious now. I had been naively thinking Al was perhaps not as Mafia-esque as he appeared to be initially. But… now… I think he is really bad news… for Irma, for Gunther, for the DeGroots.
This arc has been exciting, to be sure… but wow… the character development changes this week…. disappointing (for the characters). It does appear to be only a pipe dream that Les is reforming and that Al was a potentially good guy.
Maybe Les gave Ann the guest list, but he kept a copy for future “leverage”. Maybe Ann gave Les a document that puts conditions on his release from debt, so that if he does retain a copy of what he gave her, then the deal is off. I don’t care. This is not a story about the relationship between Les and Ann, and between Tiffany and Tom, even if the writers did in fact intend for it to be. By making most of the action of the story be centered around a crime in which a hundred women were swindled out of hundreds of dollars each, the writers wound up making the story be about that instead. As with the “stolen TV” story arc, the writers took what should have been a plot device and made it the actual plot. Here it is far worse, since the TV theft (by itself) was a rather minor crime, but Ann’s lingerie scam was a swindle that netted her easily tens of thousands of dollars. If she gets away with it, simply because no one who learned of her crime felt it was appropriate to call the cops – then this story winds up being very poorly executed. Let us hope today’s strip is not the end of this story!
this should be a revelation, how terrible a person do you have to be that your own SON only spoke to you out of financial obligation and walked away without so much as a goodbye one that was squared away.
Yeah, I think you forgot you lost him when you decieded to screw over his friend Tiffany. So although he’s connected to you by blood you are no longer his mother Ann. #Sorrynotsorry
Nice and complex.1) Ann is currently corrupt. She will say anything about anyone to further her own purposes. (i.e., what she told Tom about his daughter to come out on top). This should bring a truckload of salt to her comment about Al.2) If Al did run scams with her, then he likely has experience with leverage to cut ties. That likely includes keeping copies or recordings. He would mentor Les to do the same.3) If Al didn’t run scams, then he probably suffered from the wake of Ann’s scams being her brother. He can now cut ties completely with her since he has emancipated his nephew.4) People can change and for most of us it takes time. Cartoon characters can take even longer.5) Since this is a cartoon is see this more as a quid pro quo without involving lawyers.
Remember all that Les called the women on the list pretending to be the cops. Ann has no idea that all these women are going to be coming back to her to get their money back. When she refuses, I have a feeling the cops will be called in. I don’t think we have reached the end of this arc.
It is hard to see Ann’s face in the last panel because she’s painted as a partial shadow. But if you look closely you will see a the face of someone who has lost something of value. I believe her “teamwork” (her perception of that) with Les on the lingerie parties was an effort to mend fences, in addition to making $. She feels a sense of loss for sure. Now she has something in common with Tom Farrell. They both have teenage kids who have cut ties (at least partially) with them.
Okay Les, let’s suppose you become ill and need a bone marrow donation, and Ann’s a match. Are you still done? What if it was the reverse, could you let Ann die rather than donate your bone marrow?
I seem to recall Luann’s mom telling Les he was doing a great job at the Fuse. The smile on his face was priceless. Now that he’s officially cut ties with Ann, perhaps he will look toward Mrs. DeGroot as a Mother-figure.
Hopefully, he will continue to work at the Fuse. Now that he does not need to pay Ann anymore, he can concentrate on becoming a better person.
Good on Les… very nice to see Ann “blowing in the breeze” realizing that even family can be pushed too far. I don’t think “Mr. Gray Suit” has any thing bad in store for the other characters… again, like others implied, I think he’s largely reformed… but has enough “leverage” to get things going.
Now let’s talk about what can become of this timeline…
1) nothing – it’s never revisted again2) Les starts getting chummier with everyone else3) The Wedding of Mr. Gray (and possible some sister drama) 4) Mr. Gray made a copy and it was mailed to S. L.
Personally I think there’s a copy of it somewhere, otherwise there’s no leverage to keep Ann in place.
I also wonder if the Debt that Les was forced to repay might not have been one of Ann’s schemes that she hung him up to dry on…
Templo S.U.D. over 6 years ago
You lost your family, Ann.
Namrepus over 6 years ago
Don’t wait up for any holiday cards.
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
And this should mean Monday we get to watch the paint dry on the walls.
Kymberleigh over 6 years ago
“We used to run the best scams”?
Are we going to find that all of Uncle Al’s work has been leading up to some nefarious scheme?
Is he after Mrs. Berger’s life savings? Grab ownership of The Fuse away from Frank and Nancy?
Hmmmm?
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 6 years ago
When you realize you sold what matters far too cheaply.
Or paid too high a price for something worth nothing.
AnyFace over 6 years ago
Cheapskate0 over 6 years ago
Sooooo…
The whole point of the entire pajama scam arc boils down to this:
Les is off the hook from his mother!
howtheduck over 6 years ago
Even though there is a streetlight right over them, it’s like it has no effect on whether their bodies will be clearly lit or in silhouette or slightly shaded. It makes me think that perhaps the streetlight yellow is actually a painted background and after Les leaves, federal agents are going to pop out from behind that background and arrest Ann Eiffel as she says, “What the? I thought we were outside, but we are actually on a stage?”
Mordock999 Premium Member over 6 years ago
No jail time for Ann.
No justice for the ladies that have been ripped off.
Tiffany has still lost her dad.
And Ann still has her hooks in Tom.
The only one that seems to benefit here is Les, as expected.
We don’t really know yet what his side of the “deal” includes (settlement of his debt to Ann) But he did get a chance to literally SPIT in his mom’s face.
I’m sorry, Les Knox Apologists, but Your “hero” is coming off as a bit of a Jackass here. A Jackass all for himself…..,
31768 over 6 years ago
Dont worry anne. He won’t let the door hit him as he walks out of your life. And he just did. Now its just you under the streetlight.
Pipe Tobacco over 6 years ago
3
This really cannot be how this ends!?!?
Uncle Al guiding Les to be pretty much unscrupulous like Ann (and apparently he was)?
If this is the end of the arc, it is actually quite unsatisfying. I hope there is some sort of unexpected twist, and Les & Al are redeemed.
It does not seem likely, though.
Dreamdeer over 6 years ago
How tragic! She finally appreciates her son only when he traps her in a shady deal! And just when she thinks he’s finally “worthy” for her ugly corner of the world, it turns out he’s only doing it to quit her for good—perhaps as her brother did before. Must be lonely to be the last mobster in the family.
And I was right! Mr. Gray does have a nefarious past! Hopefully his experience escaping it can help save Les.
Ahuehuete over 6 years ago
And ten seconds later she shrugs it off and heads home to her sugar daddy.
butterfly_qvrs over 6 years ago
Woah. That had impact. So now Tiff and Les have cut ties with their remaining parental unit. Yes I know Tiff is still financially dependent on her father but that was the only thing he was ever willing to give her.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 6 years ago
OH, MY GOSH!
Now, I soooo want to know that family’s history! Were they raised to become scam artists? Did Al really turn a corner (“Turning corners is state of mind.” – BB King) or has he hoodwinked many of us including me and is playing a long scam?
Only time will tell. The ride should be interesting.
capricorn9th over 6 years ago
Wel, for Ann, Les is “family” as long as he is on Ann’s level as scam artist. But he has walked away, abandoned her, she realizes he is no longer family. He disowned her. She realizes she is alone now. Al abandoned her a long time ago. Now Les. How much longer will she have Tom Farrell, I wonder?
diannell over 6 years ago
I KNEW Mr. Gray was crooked too. She said he “used” to be, but i still think he is with Gunther’s Mom and the building of the house.
And Your Point Would Be over 6 years ago
Did Les actually READ the “legal paperwork?” For all we know he could open it and find it only says “Gotcha!”
I’m actually disappointed that GnK have taken us here. At no point has any character in this strip uttered one word about the possibility of notifying the authorities or the DeGroots. Not so much as touched upon as an afterthought.
amaryllis2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Did he open that piece of paper first and make sure it said what she wanted him to think it said?
alasko over 6 years ago
No Les, no more.
Brdshtt Premium Member over 6 years ago
Ann in miniskirt and boots standing on sidewalk under streetlight. I would love to see the cops pull up and hassle her. Maybe she might have a huge wad of cash on her. Maybe she might go for a ride downtown to explain why she was under that light at night with a roll of cash.
luann1212 over 6 years ago
Les and Tiffany are both cut loose, with a little help, but by their own choices from there less than desirable parents. Does Ann realize she has lost her son? What about Tom and Ann? Now it might shift to the children, but think they are ready for take the next step. So Uncle Al is a reformed grifter? That answers some questions and leaves some strings.
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
Definition of Les becoming reformed:
Ox gets his tip money.
Accept nothing less.
TheDOCTOR over 6 years ago
How does Ann Know those papers aren’t BLANK ? Or now Ann is holding incriminating evidence that an anonymous caller who has notified P.D. will find her holding.
Rosette over 6 years ago
He’s disowned his own mother. This storyline is actually really tragic.
kenhense over 6 years ago
There’s a lot of stuff in today’s comic. (1) We always wondered about Al. Some grifters eventually go respectable with the help of the money they made cheating people. Are they now “respectable?” Now about the guest house Al is building. Is this on Ma Berger’s property or Al’s property? If it’s on Ma’s property, Al could file a lien based on inflated costs and take Irma’s house from her. (2) We didn’t like Les at the outset when he was bullying people in high school. And I agreed with the judge that ruled Les should pay back the money he ran up on Ann’s credit card. And I believe most of us think Les had his hand in the collection jar at the Fuse. And Les was a jerk at the dinner party (but so was Gunther, as he told Tiffany not to speak to Les). (3) Now Les says “We’re done” to his mother. I know people who hate their parents and have not spoken to them for years. I suspect that the parents are getting more than their share of the blame for the unhappy kid. I kind of think it’s not Les’s turn to be happy yet – but we’ll see what G & K think – eventually (may be a new arc Monday).
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
Any significance to there being no period at the end of done?
cabalonrye over 6 years ago
Two saved out of three. A good average. Ann, you’re on your own now.
And Your Point Would Be over 6 years ago
Most of us with debts do not consider ourselves ill-used that we are expected to repay them. Earlier in the arc, Les was on a mission for justice, even though it was revenge-driven and involved impersonating an officer. Under Uncle Al’s guidance, this devolved into blackmailing Ann into releasing him from a debt he had not fulfilled. (I never considered Tiffany’s encounter with Ann to be blackmail, as she was demanding the refund of monies fraudulently taken.)
ShadowBeast Premium Member over 6 years ago
I get the feeling that Ann did really want to bond with her son. I noticed when she was running her scam, she tried to liven up Les.
Prescott_Philosopher over 6 years ago
To get to this point on the GnK story board, several arcs have been played out, and we seem to be at the nexus. In fact, to get here, several of these arcs made many of us followers uncomfortable. Now we will see what GnK have been setting up. I confess I am anticipating Monday.
sar over 6 years ago
Aww all the kiddies are growing up. Les, Tiffany and even Gunther had to let go of their parents in some aspect. They are all beginning new chapters of their lives and I’m optimistic about it.
Willywise52 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Les is no more.
TORAD_07 over 6 years ago
OK, First, congrats to Les for breaking free of his mom. I trust that all goes well with the judge and that the agreement is recognized, accordingly. Yes, it’s a heavy price, but I think one he’s willing to pay. Good for him. Same with Tiff. I hope her resolve to break free of her father and go on her own is strong. I just hope she can finish her degree at Moony, somehow, as it will open many more opportunities for her. But what I really hope is that GnK aren’t pointing these two towards anything more than just a “friendship.” I hope that TIff realizes that Gunther is the one for her. We’ll see
As for Ann, she can still face legal trouble. Simone from Souffle Lingerie can bring it. And we still don’t know if either Les or Tiff kept a copy of the list to give to the authorities or contacted them prior to giving it up (although my gut tells me Tiff did not – it would go against her mantra of “breaking free” to still keep the list in play). Or, perhaps even Al Gay kept a copy, just in case. But I think we’ve seen that Ann has paid a much heavier price in the loss of her son.
As for Al, yes that was an interesting revelation about his history, and I hope he truly has forsaken that life in favor of making things right with Ms. Berger, etc. or we’re going to have quite a bit of trouble. Although, given it was Ann who made that revelation, we don’t know how truthful it was or the extent of their activities together. Again, I hope that part of his life is over, for Ms. B’s sake (and Gunther’s). Looks like this arc is over, but I want to see what happens with Tiff and her progress, soonest!
h.v.greenman over 6 years ago
So when do we find out that Les either: A) gave Ann a fake copy of the list; or B) made photocopies that were annomonously sent to the police bunko squad, and to Tiffany’s father; or C) Al has opted to get involved, and “just happens” to know somebody who can make option “B” happen?
Aibohphobia over 6 years ago
The thought pickens
GOGOPOWERANGERS over 6 years ago
Hopefully Ann gets killed by a truck
Vilyehm over 6 years ago
Ann and Al used to run scams together.
Then Al became a Goody Goody.
When did this happen?
Before Ann got married?
Before Ann’s cop husband died?
Because Ann’s husband died?
Bet GnK have no answer. Yet.
They work without a bible.
Gdubs over 6 years ago
He isn’t in the clear until he files that paperwork with the court and DA that passed sentence on him
Don Bagert Premium Member over 6 years ago
In the deleted panel 5: Ann thinking “Well, I guess I’ll move on ruining another family – Tom Ferrell’s.”
Schrodinger's Dog over 6 years ago
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK … what do you mean, the bad guys win? One of the good guys is covered in black rock, the other has his hand cut off?! What kind of story is this?!
Tyge over 6 years ago
Of the three main characters with parent “issues,” Gunther seems to have made the healthiest of “breaks.” He’s untied (well, loosened at least) the apron strings and is allowing Irma her own life and happiness and desires to maintain a good relationship with her.
So far, it seems Tiffany has only distanced herself from her father in her mind. That still leaves her vulnerable to unhealthy acting out to get the fatherly nurturing she has missed and is missing. Of the characters most involved with her in the strip, a Les relationship will be toxic. A Gunther relationship has already proved positive (tutoring, Star Trek nights) and has a good chance of being healthy all around. (Besides being the source of some humor.)
And we all know about Les. Poor guy. Mrs. Fogerty will have to pull some real psychomagic out of her bag of tricks in order for him to move.
Tyge over 6 years ago
This resolution was disappointing on so many levels. It was meant to be a dramatic ending but it ultimately fails on so many levels.
Are we to feel sorry for Ann… standing alone… in the dark… under dramatic lighting… that emphasizes her aloneness? HEY! Wake up. As far as we know, she still has her hooks in sugar daddy. And, as far as we know, she’s avoided any legal entanglements. She now has leverage on her brother. She may threaten Al to reveal his past to Irma for his help in restoring her relationship with Les. Only time may tell.
Contrary o his own belief, Les has NOT shed himself of mommy! He’s still tied to her via anger and resentment. He’s experienced no psychological healing in the relationship, no forgiveness. He only ran a scam on a woman that he owed money.
I’m with MORDOCK on the lack of movement in the Les character. For a guy eaten up with “restitution” issues (to his mom), he hasn’t made any moves to restore his own thefts. He’s stolen from the Fuse and the tips of his fellow employees – that we know of.
OK, so Ann made finally made it overt. At least in a previous manifestation, brother Al was a scammer, a grifter, chiseler, swindler, etc. But hasn’t EVERYONE expected that from day one. Looks like my concern that something in his past will come back to haunt him in his relationship and impending marriage to Irma. That something may very well be Ann!
I’m looking forward to the Sunday-funny respite. ;o)
Sassy's Mom over 6 years ago
I do wish we could have seen the confrontation between Les and Ann leading up to this meeting. I would have enjoyed it.
I’m not sure this totally counts as blackmail. Both got what they wanted. Yes, legally and morally Les should repay his theft. But considering her money was probably ill-gotten itself, and that she used the debt to manipulate Les…I can’t say this action was 100% wrong. I still would have preferred seeing Ann get into legal trouble. She committed at least 2 types of crimes: fraud and theft (I believe that’s how illegal knock-offs are classified.)
Luanaphile over 6 years ago
@MORD: I like your Cui Bono? question. Les is certainly a partial winner. He frees himself from his monetary relationship, but the higher road would have been to keep paying her (maybe doubling up to get it over with) while emotionally and practically separating. Ann wins because her relationship to Tom is much more valuable than losing Les’s paltry monthly payments, although Al may have kept a copy. Al comes out ahead by improving his relationship with Les, and sending a message to Ann, but tarnishing his goody-goodiness. Tiffany comes out ahead by letting go of the list. Luann comes out behind for not telling her parents and Pru about the scam.
Asharah over 6 years ago
Etiquette Hell would call this the Cut Direct. Some people are so toxic the only thing to do is cut them out of your life.
Luanaphile over 6 years ago
Ann has some “leverage” with Al. Well, brother dearest, how about I let Irma know the sordid details of your past?
dougsathome over 6 years ago
I hope Les made a copy of that list.
Susan123 over 6 years ago
Don’t you know by now you can’t believe anything Ann says about anything. She’s just trying to convince Les NOT to believe her brother. AND to place doubts into Les’ head about her brother being his stepfather. Plant the seed of doubt.
swanridge over 6 years ago
Yes, you are still family, less Les. Which makes you….. alone.
rabizar over 6 years ago
Puss-in-Boots
Pipe Tobacco over 6 years ago
The following is mostly my ruminations about the characters in association with the current situation. It has been spawned by comments from Schrodinger’s Dog and Luann1212 who suggested I should potentially re-examine my impressions:
1. Ann – in my opinion… Ann has really lost nothing that she values here. a) The money Les owed her is minor since she has ample access to funds from ’ole Tom “Cat” Ferrell at the moment. b) She does not really care about Les, other than how she can use him (or anyone for that matter). c) And, she is at les(s) risk (pun) for legal ramifications than previously (she now has leverage about “extortion” of her by Les and her brother Al, if needed).
2. Les – in my opinion… this is a giant step backwards in any sort of reforming of Les’ character. This is showing that Les has little or no care for “justice” but is more-or-less involved in taking on Ann only for his own benefit. At least before the extortion effort, it seemed possible that Les was in-part trying to have justice served… but IMO that flew out the window with the extortion effort. Now, it appears it was all about him alone.
3. Al – in my opinion… this was the biggest revelation… and in a negative way to boot. From my read of things… Al not only used to be involved in underhanded things…. but (IMO) because he encouraged Les to do this extortion effort… Al still does underhanded things…. his character is far more suspicious now. I had been naively thinking Al was perhaps not as Mafia-esque as he appeared to be initially. But… now… I think he is really bad news… for Irma, for Gunther, for the DeGroots.
This arc has been exciting, to be sure… but wow… the character development changes this week…. disappointing (for the characters). It does appear to be only a pipe dream that Les is reforming and that Al was a potentially good guy.
mildmannered1 over 6 years ago
I hope Les made a photocopy of that list.
WCraft Premium Member over 6 years ago
I’m new to this strip and totally blown away by the # of follower comments! You guys are really into this, aren’t you?!
seismic-2 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Maybe Les gave Ann the guest list, but he kept a copy for future “leverage”. Maybe Ann gave Les a document that puts conditions on his release from debt, so that if he does retain a copy of what he gave her, then the deal is off. I don’t care. This is not a story about the relationship between Les and Ann, and between Tiffany and Tom, even if the writers did in fact intend for it to be. By making most of the action of the story be centered around a crime in which a hundred women were swindled out of hundreds of dollars each, the writers wound up making the story be about that instead. As with the “stolen TV” story arc, the writers took what should have been a plot device and made it the actual plot. Here it is far worse, since the TV theft (by itself) was a rather minor crime, but Ann’s lingerie scam was a swindle that netted her easily tens of thousands of dollars. If she gets away with it, simply because no one who learned of her crime felt it was appropriate to call the cops – then this story winds up being very poorly executed. Let us hope today’s strip is not the end of this story!
stewartjn over 6 years ago
Les should have looked at those papers before giving up the list.
yangeldf over 6 years ago
this should be a revelation, how terrible a person do you have to be that your own SON only spoke to you out of financial obligation and walked away without so much as a goodbye one that was squared away.
Joe1962 over 6 years ago
Ann is awful human being and what mother would try to dress like a 18 year old.
Schrodinger's Dog over 6 years ago
I still wonder if Les’ Dad had turned Al Gray from his life of crime.
Skywatcher68 over 6 years ago
Monday: Ann, still under the streetlight, gets mistaken for a streetwalker and propositioned. :D
Petemejia77 over 6 years ago
I’ll be your family!
Scoutmaster77 over 6 years ago
Stay tuned, folks!
Mijo94 over 6 years ago
Yeah, I think you forgot you lost him when you decieded to screw over his friend Tiffany. So although he’s connected to you by blood you are no longer his mother Ann. #Sorrynotsorry
Ruth Brown over 6 years ago
Nice and complex.1) Ann is currently corrupt. She will say anything about anyone to further her own purposes. (i.e., what she told Tom about his daughter to come out on top). This should bring a truckload of salt to her comment about Al.2) If Al did run scams with her, then he likely has experience with leverage to cut ties. That likely includes keeping copies or recordings. He would mentor Les to do the same.3) If Al didn’t run scams, then he probably suffered from the wake of Ann’s scams being her brother. He can now cut ties completely with her since he has emancipated his nephew.4) People can change and for most of us it takes time. Cartoon characters can take even longer.5) Since this is a cartoon is see this more as a quid pro quo without involving lawyers.
kjoshelby over 6 years ago
Remember all that Les called the women on the list pretending to be the cops. Ann has no idea that all these women are going to be coming back to her to get their money back. When she refuses, I have a feeling the cops will be called in. I don’t think we have reached the end of this arc.
RSH over 6 years ago
It is hard to see Ann’s face in the last panel because she’s painted as a partial shadow. But if you look closely you will see a the face of someone who has lost something of value. I believe her “teamwork” (her perception of that) with Les on the lingerie parties was an effort to mend fences, in addition to making $. She feels a sense of loss for sure. Now she has something in common with Tom Farrell. They both have teenage kids who have cut ties (at least partially) with them.
Don Bagert Premium Member over 6 years ago
Okay Les, let’s suppose you become ill and need a bone marrow donation, and Ann’s a match. Are you still done? What if it was the reverse, could you let Ann die rather than donate your bone marrow?
Source: The Book of Soap Opera Plot Devices
Dragoncat over 6 years ago
I seem to recall Luann’s mom telling Les he was doing a great job at the Fuse. The smile on his face was priceless. Now that he’s officially cut ties with Ann, perhaps he will look toward Mrs. DeGroot as a Mother-figure.
Hopefully, he will continue to work at the Fuse. Now that he does not need to pay Ann anymore, he can concentrate on becoming a better person.
Dragoncat over 6 years ago
And he never once called her “Mom”…
Airman over 6 years ago
Bulletin: Prof. Zebo will offer a night time class in figure drawing, and has offered Ann twice the going rate to model, plus tips, minus clothes.
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
The exchange is made; Les walks. Ann is left in the lamplight looking in her mini-skirt like a hooker at the end of her shift….
Lili Marleen http://tinyurl.com/ycq7ykhw (Lale Andersen, with German lyrics)
RonBerg13 Premium Member over 6 years ago
To gain the world, but lose your soul.
phxhocking over 6 years ago
I hope he made a copy of all those names…
RDT64 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Looks like She’s finally lost, and in the worse possible way.
james28602 over 6 years ago
Good on Les… very nice to see Ann “blowing in the breeze” realizing that even family can be pushed too far. I don’t think “Mr. Gray Suit” has any thing bad in store for the other characters… again, like others implied, I think he’s largely reformed… but has enough “leverage” to get things going.
Now let’s talk about what can become of this timeline…
1) nothing – it’s never revisted again2) Les starts getting chummier with everyone else3) The Wedding of Mr. Gray (and possible some sister drama) 4) Mr. Gray made a copy and it was mailed to S. L.
Personally I think there’s a copy of it somewhere, otherwise there’s no leverage to keep Ann in place.
I also wonder if the Debt that Les was forced to repay might not have been one of Ann’s schemes that she hung him up to dry on…
LeighBurton over 6 years ago
This will NOT be the last time we see Ann Eiffel!