Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for October 09, 2023

Tomorrow, Ed announces his new career as a pawnbroker. Think that one’s old enough for this strip?

I shall leave the jokes about Honore de Balzac to others.

Looks like Mr. Writer will be rolling a gutter ball with this arc.

HIS Eagle Will Soon Soar Again! One Nation Under GOD! GOD Bless America!

I gather the gutter situation resolved its self.As some might say, no worries.

3-ball bag with no rollers and handle? Ed’s been eating his Wheaties, or Mega dosing Viagra.

It’s oh so important for Batty to signify this is “The MARGO Lanes!”

Ed sees himself as the poor man’s Dick Weber.

@j_m_kuehl- Maybe they beach balls! LOL!!

Which one is the lucky one??

Old three balls.

in case he needs a spare

Yeah, this is the same guy that cut a tree down and it fell on his house. Seriously dumb maybe.

the lady with the brownies will ruin the game and shes late

And let’s not forget that “Margo Lane” is the name of Lamont Cranston’s girlfriend in “The Shadow.” Tom would be terribly disappointed if we didn’t catch his clever [sic] reference to yet another old serial.

I will admit I did not know that serious bowlers bring more than one ball to the alley, but a quick search verifies this is the case. Typically it’s one heavy ball that’s thrown with spin for the first roll (to create some hook and avoid a split), then a lighter ball thrown without spin (so no hook) to pick up the spare. So… Batty actually knew something about bowling? I am not prepared for the world to end…

What?! We’re done with the chainsaw? But… but… but… Lillian was standing right there!

Ed, there were no witnesses. Tell the police your grip on the chainsaw slipped. It was an accident caused by an idiot. You’re Ed Crankshaft. THEY’D BELIEVE YOU!!!

(sobbing) So close. You were so close.

This is true, a lot of serious bowlers have two or more balls they bring. Different lane conditions might warrant a ball that hooks more or less than your other ball. I always brought two but almost never used the other one. I’ve seen guys who would bring four!

Which leads us to today’s joke. There is none. It would be like saying, “Serious cooks have multiple spatulas” and then showing someone with multiple spatulas.

A double ball bag typically includes a strap so that you can use your shoulder to do the work. Bags that hold more would have wheels. Carrying three the way Ed is doing would be literally impossible.

Bowling, like golf, is not a real sport; it’s only an activity.

(Yes, I’m deliberately trolling, just wanting to see who will bite.)

Haha! (＾▽＾)