Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for July 21, 2022

Don’t try to con a conman, Earl.

That kid doesn’t quit !

Let’s see what happens now, if anything!!!

Ooh, the plot thickens!

The thing about collectibles is 1 , they are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them . 2 Sometimes they lose value over time! 3 , Really they are just Dust collectors !

For once in your life make a beau geste , Duke.

I notice they’re in a desert: Arizona? New Mexico? S. Cal.?

Wherever it it, it’s far from Seattle!!

Earl must be a speed-demon thief!!

I’m trying to remember. Does Duke know Alex?

Of course, he does know Zonker, who was in a commune with her dad, so it’s still a huge coincidence.

You’d think that Alex, as a collector, would know better than to write on the tags. It destroys the resale value.

I started a knock-off, “Road Kill Kritters.” Cheap beanie-babies knock-offs with eyes replaced by a stitched “X,” half the mid-section stuffing removed and a bicycle tire track run over with black ink, and finally a little red felt tongue protruding from the mouth. Each came with a story about how it was trying to cross the road, but failed. Hilarious, if I do say so, but failed to successfully market.

What a pair of lewsers!

Zonker’s Uncle Duke knows of Mike Doonesbury, doesn’t he? So what will he now do with this bit of information? Probably try to sell them back to Mike. (This is NOT a spoiler. I am actually guessing, knowing what I do of the characters.)

I smell ransom!

Sort of a learning opportunity for Duke here. I wonder if there is a reward for the return of the loot?

You know what they say, Dad. A Beanie Baby in the hand is worth two in the bush! Heh heh!!

Happy Birthday 74th Garry Trudeau. Thank You for sharing your talents.

The plot thickens, though these aren’t Doonesbury’s thickest characters by a long shot!

I always go for the Steiffs.

Uh oh…

To go off topic for a minute,why do I t hink somebody’sgoing to charge ME for that gold coffin?

Uncle Duke has always been a grifter, opportunist, and occasional smuggler. You would think he wouldn’t approve of common thievery.

Oops…

Happy 74th, Trudeau.

A lifetime ago, I worked for Crocker Bank in San Francisco. We ordered a truckload of plush “Crocker Spaniels” with our company logo around the neck. The truck was “diverted” and the entire load ended up in a major flea market in Phoenix AZ. They were spotted by an employee, and the sellers were given a tour of the nearest police station.

See https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vtg-dakin-plush-cocker-spaniel-dog-1842275469

Here is where Earl finds out just how honest Duke is. Duke knows Mike through Zonker.

As the twig is bent so grows the tree

If you go on ebay you can see people selling “rare” Beanie Babies for thousands. But asking thousands and getting them are two different things. There are also the exact same Babies being sold on ebay for only a few bucks.

actually, putting your name on devalues the property