Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 04, 2021

Messed-up friends get messed-up friends in more trouble.

Well I hope they’re still friends when this is over

Until the first time she oversleeps and has to use the bathroom.

The question is, How will Tara get in and out when the Fuse isn’t open? A window? A key? I must be missing something?

“Frisky-risky”?

Sheesh.

Then it turns out her parents saw the surveillance footage and they actually don’t mind.

This is a Luann fanlit plot, fer sure.

Is this really where G&K want to take Luann?

Even Argythree was concerned yesterday!

And it ain’t that often A3 and I find ourselves on the same side of the fence!

Most of all, as of yesterday and today, Tara is the sane one – Luann is the nut job!

So, Luann decides to let a known thief live in the storeroom of her parents’ business. Are there no homeless shelters in Pitts?

Congrats “Doctor Taranenstein.”

You’ve just created a “monster.”

So.

Will the “creation” destroy its “creator?”

Or vis-versa?

What could possibly go wrong?

Tara say no to Luann, Don’t be Luann’s fantasy! It’s not worth the potential trouble!

The employees who go into the back aren’t likely to bust Tara if they catch her. Ox would bring her a blanket. Tiffany might offer her a room. Les might finally find a woman who could put up with him.

More like subliminally-criminally.

Luann putting her family’s investment at risk. Wow. Hopefully the plug gets pulled on this caper before major damage occurs.

Luann, you’re going to be sorry for trying to live vicariously through Tara just because you have no life. You need to do something about your life without living vicariously through someone else.

The path of least resistance rule states that it is easier to descend to someone else’s lower standard than to try to have them rise to your own higher standard.

.

#DONTGETINVOLVEDLUANN

Luann you have just created a mini -Me.

Oops, someone or some two have already stashed a bedroll in Luann’s designated hiding place. Who? When? Why?

I initially thought that the Fuse, being a bar, would be open too late into the night for this plan to be practical, but then I remembered that the place closes early enough for the bartender to get home before her family goes to bed.

Or you could just ask your parents who would instantly understand and help you find a better solution, but this is a comic so please, take the madcap path, we will be watching…

This is turning into one of those “Here, hold my beer….” situations.

I applaud Luann’s efforts to support her friends during difficult times, but hiding this from her parents is 1 million % going to backfire. Someone’s going to hear/catch her and call the police and even when Luann fesses up to the scheme, it’s just going to look REALLY bad for Tara since she was kicked from Moony for larceny previously; especially in a lot of towns people just hear about the crimes/arrests and not the resolutions to the whole affair. I genuinely feel bad for Tara’s situation, but her pride is keeping her from making the smartest decision to approach this.

“I find your problems extremely entertaining and fun, because my life is so privileged! Have fun not having a real home while my parents express mild annoyance over my silly behavior! Wow, it’s awesome to be ashamed of our friendship!”

Any bets against Tara later lets some of her other friends in for an after-hours party?

Any bets Les turns up?

One Way Tara maybe found out- if she helps herself to food. They would investigate and Tara found.

OK – Girlie bonding done – On with the plot…

Which one is the “messed up friend”?

While there is speculation that Les may find her and ???? TJ may also notice some food is missing and finds her. But Nancy works there too (doing the books?) and may notice some missing food and finds her. Once she hears the story, Bernice suddenly has a room mate and then the fun begins.

It’s still morning light, Luann! When does the Kafe opens? 10am?

Someone will find her. Even if G&K ignore the obvious about Tara having to disarm and arm the alarm system with a code and key which Luann and her do not have, there are still so many ways this can go south. Tara could oversleep and get caught in the storeroom by Nancy or TJ, one of them might just think she is a burglar and call the cops, she could decide to cook a late night snack and trigger a smoke/fire alarm in the kitchen, or dozens of other scenarios where she gets popped. Luann may think she is helping her friend but if something really bad happens (like a fire) she could be hanging her parents and TJ out to dry. Even if Tara just wants to sleep and wash up at the Fuse, it is highly likely that she will eventually get caught.

Since the pandemic started, there have been cases of homeless people getting busted for living in properties that have been closed: restaurants, stores, setting up tents on closed golf courses or public parks here in FL, heck one guy got caught living on an island at the Disney resort in Osceola County. This is a comic strip but sadly it is reflecting a sad fact of life for some of our disadvantaged citizens who have fell between the cracks and are simply trying to find a way to live everyday.

Aside the Kafe and the bar, the Fuse has a stage for performing arts and meeting rooms. Since Prudence left, Nancy has not been seen in the strip booking talent for the Fuse’s stage.

Ruh roh. Trouble brewing. No good will come of this because Tara is not a good person. Luann is being really really dumb and will soon find herself in over her head. Things will go missing and/or get broken. Tara will bring more people there. Hopefully someone will step in before it comes to the downfall of the Fuse.

This seems an unnecessarily stupid plan.

I suppose that’s what happens when the title character becomes a meal ticket and the creators are less likely to take risks with them. It then becomes all about the supporting cast.

What was wrong with crashing on the floor of Luann’s bedroom? I’m sure Nancy and Frank would be ok with that….at least for a short stint. And they may have a solution to help Tara. But of course, that would be too logical and then we wouldn’t have much of a plot here.

Tara’s either going to start stealing things or accidentally burn down the place.

She’s not so much a messed-up friend as a friend from a dysfunctional family

Awww. Frisky-risky Luann is so beautiful and happy ♡! The plan is messy and risky, but still better than sleeping in a car. Tara looks impressed. After so many times Luann told her how she felt like her own life was boring and without spicy things, she finally sees her feeling the happiness of doing something unexpected and new! Whatever will be the result of her action. I think it’s worth it.

Now watch. Maybe a month or two down the line, the Fuse will burn down because of Tara

This is a very bad idea and it will not end well methinks…

Now Luann is just displaying toxic levels of stupid. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is wrong with the writers of this comic?

Wrong type of help… Help her? Sure, just not this way. Luann is putting to many others at risk. If any of the Fuse gang discover her and fail to alert the Fuse owners? Who does mom and dad react. I am also fairly sure that there are restrictions about living in a restaurant/club also.

Not the smartest moves being made here. Tara WILL get caught and Luann is going to blow all the trust she has made with Ma and Dad – and everyone else at the restaurant. Play silly games, win silly prizes.

All kinds of liability here. Luann, you’ve made a VERY risky decision here. Tara, you seem smart enough to get that—turn Luann down!

Not telling the parents is a really, really bad idea.

I hope there’s not a motion-sensing alarm system in the place.

is this the new outgoing Luann? My only hope at this point is that eventually Tara might say something like… ‘uh… Luann, i’m really trying to stay out of trouble; it’s why I’m leaving my cousin, and this is not going to help. I appreciate the thought and it’s very tempting but I think I stay in my jeep…’

This will not end well….

to lead others ASTRAY?!

They sure got that right about being messed up.

Every stupid action has stupid reaction.

Luann hasn’t shown any tendencies to take on any kind of risk, since that famous “third base” scene from some time back. So, why know, is it just because Tara’s back, and, needs help, but doesn’t want to be roomies with Bernice? Or, is her teenage rebellious phase showing up at this (relatively) late date?

“What could possibly go wrong?”

Tara seems calm and satisfied. Why not. Luann has given her exactly what she needs. Access to food money booze. Now she’s just patiently waiting for Luann to finish feeling frisky risky and leave. Of course, Luann might just go on gushing about her new found badness for several weeks because once she gets a thought in her head she has trouble moving on to another subject. Maybe she’ll trip and knock down those shelves, that would be good.

So, will TJ discover her, or the Police from a silent alarm?

" I’ve got a bad feeling about this."

Nevermind Tara’s criminal tendencies for a moment: I would think that Luann’s parents, as owners of a somewhat working business, would have some sort of security system… and it would trigger if someone was in there, sleeping, using the bathroom at night, etc.

A person like Tara must be really desperate to go along with this plan. She is obviously way smarter and cagey than Luann. She would recognize the zillion break points that this plan has.

Maybe an accidental fire while she is there, Brad and Toni fighting it, exposes the “guest”? Just guessing plot lines.

Umm. . . . There are these things called Alarms and in commercial places they usually have motion sensors.

Doesn’t she steal?

Well hilarity will ensue in unpredictable ways. One thing I think is probable is that this arc will continue beyond this week. I await developments for now.

This isn’t going to end well

i’m so let down by what Luann was up to… she really could use some fun.

It’s official, Luann was dropped on her head as a baby.

Her folks will notice that the inventory is off within a week.

Deliveries will be made to the storage area from the outside. Often these trucks often come early in the AM or later at night. If someone comes to sign for a delivery and put away the merchandise Tara could be discovered and reported (at these times).

Nothing but trouble will come from this!

Now kiss…

Anyone remember the gentleman that used to post recipes with his responses? Haven’t seen him in a long while.

rough life for young Tara.

I dont think Luann’s parents will hire her if they find out she’s been hiding there

And, the consensus opinion is: “This will not end well!” I admit that I never would have guessed that the nightly visitor was Tara. She is one of the more interesting characters in this strip, tho. If she could afford an apartment that has been given up to her cousin, is she working? If so, she should be able to afford a different place soon. BTW, Who was with Tara when they were in that art appreciation class?I expected Bernice to go to the dog park to spy on Luann. She is so different from the character of a few years ago as shown in Luann Again.

So this is how Luann gets her adrenaline rush now? Getting all “frisky-risky?”

Oh for the good old days: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2015/06/02

Commenting here is against my religion but I felt I had to. Luann is showing some initiative and maturity. She saw that a Tara was experiencing a serious problem and was trying to solve it in a way that was within Tara’s comfort level. She is hoping that her trust in Tara will not be betrayed and I hope that Tara realizes that she needs to stay squeaky-clean here and follow Luann’s rules. I predict that Tara catches a burglar breaking in to the Fuze. But that’s too logical.

I honestly can’t get as mad at Luann for this as I do when someone like Bernice decides to break the rules. As ill-advised as this scheme is, it’s for the purposes of helping someone else, while Bernice breaks rules to help herself first and foremost. Luann has nothing to gain from this. Still a bad idea though.

@Luann1212 So will hilarity ensue? Ensoon?

So did the DeGroot’s not invest in motion detectors, burglar alarms or security cameras?

Right now I’m leaning for Les to be the one to discover Tara. Why, you may ask. OK, I’ll tell you.

1) Being the dishwasher he has the best reason for going into the janitorial closet.

2) Les currently has no girlfriend. GnK might be getting ready to pair them and explore that dynamic.

On the subject of discovery. Luann’s rule for only being in the room for crashing would preclude someone catching her. So that has to be overcome.

Also. Since Tara will only be there when no one else is around, why would she settle for the closet. She could probably find a better place where she would be more comfortable and not be seen from the outside. It would make it more likely that she would be discovered. But GnK are not known for their plot rigor.

The Fuse is a entertainment/restaurant. Which likely means it is open fairly late, and employees are done with cleanup even later. When is Tara going to be able to sneak in to sleep? This is not even an adequate plan.

This is such a pitiful attempt at spicing up one’s life – having your friend crash in your parents’ restaurant. Luann, you live in a Southern California town with at least two colleges and all sorts of related activities. There must be countless adventures you could have there that don’t involve getting a friend in trouble for breaking into a business establishment and illegally living there. Hang out with the theatre crowd in that major you were originally going for. Go to Burning Man. Learn to surf. Learn to sky dive. Experiment with street performance. Organize a flash mob. Dust off your vocal skills and join a band. Just about anything would be spicier (and probably smarter) than the choice you’ve made.

This will not end well!

I guess Bernice is going to hear some more sultry sounds from Luann’s room tonight!

Generosity can sometimes be misunderstood!

Bernice is surely following these two. You know she didn’t stay home with the dog while Luann went out. I think she will show up soon.

I think the only way for Luann to escape coming out of this unscathed is for this to have turned out to be all a “dream [nightmare?] sequence”.

Err, blaring question. If she was living with a relative who broke parole, how did they afford a place to live? So obviously Tara has money, so this crashing is a temporary thing that will result in her getting caught or the Fuse having a problem.

So nice to insult the person who’s helping you out. (“drab”)

This reminds me when I was younger, more naive, less discerning, too “nice”, and had a desire to help those in need. A young aquaintenance who was homeless called from a bar and asked if i could pick him up (his car was broken down) and give him a place to stay for the night. One night turned into a few days, a few weeks, almost a month. There was always an excuse, even the guy working on his car had a heart attack. He ate everything in my house and stole money. I left small amounts in obscure places to test if he was going through my stuff and he was. I suspected he was meeting women at the pool and bringing them into my house while I was at work (he didn’t have a job). Then one day I returned home and checked the answering machine (before smart phones and cell phones, people used land-line phones with answering machines). There was a message for my houseguest. “I left New York. My car broke down. I’m on a motorcycle. The cops are chasing me. I should be there tomorrow night.” I informed my houseguest that his New York friend could not come to my house. That weekend, I got up, told him to get his stuff and get in my car. I took him to the “repairman’s” house; his car was sitting in front on the house; I dropped him off and left. I never saw or heard from him again.

If worse came to worse, they could go to Harbor Freight and get a tarp for about $10 for Tara to put over the top of her Jeep.

Since Les is in a dry spell when it comes to girlfriends, if he discovers Tara, he may make some sort of “arrangement” with Tara to guarantee his silence.

Ummmmm, no motion detector alarm in the place?

Isn’t that like and insurance company requirement or somethin’?

Love Tara’s attitude and pose drawn in panel two, it’s like she’s thinking “really glad you’re enjoying this Luann, I’m not”.

I’m interested in the contrast between how Luann and Tara are reacting to this situation. Luann sees it all as a fun adventure on the wild side, perhaps inspired by what she thinks is Tara’s exciting life, while Tara is well aware of the downside of her life experience. She realizes that her life is a mess and things don’t seem to be going well for her. I hope Tara’s new found self awareness comes into play during this arc.

I foresee bad things happening…

Frisky? How frisky?

Back to Tara’s car – where she sold the top. What happens to the car when it rains?

Despite all the ways where this could go wrong – I still think Tara’s a keeper. However Luann needs to ask Tara if she has any money at all. If not – Luann should slip her a few bucks for Taco Bell.

NOT GOING TO END WELL

Kind of a turn-on for Lu it seems…

Usually when we readers get logical and go in-depth, the strip is nowhere near logic or deep. I understand Luann’s feelings, but Tara hasn’t agreed to this setup…yet.

Just kiss already.

“Frisky-risky” Luann won’t be so jacked when the DeGroot Patrol crashes her Crashing Tara Scheme, and I think Tara already senses that and is mentally prepared….

Tara’s comment “…so my chaotic life is spicing up your drab one…” suggests a bit of resentment, i.e. Luann (having everything she needs to the point of boredom and drabness) is using Tara’s difficult circumstances to create excitement in her own life, but also trouble. I even wonder if Tara’s comment in the last panel could have a tinge of sarcasm, like, “…yeah that’s what friends are for, i.e. to use them in this way and get them in trouble with the law…”.

So, how long before we find out who she was Covering For when she got accused of theft at Moony Uni?

Luann needs to find a friend that brings out the best in her. Or a partner who inspires her artistic nature. Her relationships are stagnant, or in Tara’s case, trouble. I had hoped that Jack would be that person.

Man, I hope Tara turns down Luann’s insane “braingasm”.

Frisky-Risky sounds like fun…

Always remember G&K are not George Lucas.

Their bad plots are better than his bad plots.

Uh, this is 2/5 , not 2/4